Welcome to Gaia! ::

Aylin heard the sound of the demonic butler's voice over her shoulder. She knew eventually he would come back to the kitchen to attend to his duties and prepare a high class dinner with carefully presented proportions as if he were trying very hard to impress someone in the manor. To Aylin Caelen had always come across that way and if she wanted to be around social conventions and proper rules of society she would have gone back to her clan and the village. Still, she silently wondered if the demon had ever seen a pot of boiling linguine before in his life because the diminutive pixie didn't recall the butler ever serving it before that night, even though he had it stocked in the pantry. Aylin had dismissed that as being a request by one of the more regular residents of the manor for their own personal meals. With a heavy sigh and without taking her eyes off her rustc butter and olive oil based vegetable sauce Aylin replied to Caelen's simple question.

“What does it look like what's cooking. It's the dinner you left us to wait for. It's the dinner I was going to have in my own home tonight, if I was able to go home. And since you're so curious as to what it is I'm cooking it's linguine with chicken apple Gouda sausage in in a rustic garlic herb butter and olive oil vegetable sauce, which you no doubt have never had much less made before. It's more than enough to have for Cel, everyone in here, and anyone else that is bound to show up tonight because I know at least one or two more people might come by the manor tonight,” Aylin began with a slight snap as she ground some pepper over the recently added sausage disks before turning down the heat under the pan, “Screw it, I can't do this. I just can't do this in front of her. You, me, front hall right now.”

If she could Aylin would have stood eye to eye with the butler and glared him in the face. However, her small stature made the scene appear as though she was a defiant child sassing back at her elder. The smaller mystical being forcefully grabbed Caelen by the lapel of his muddied butler's coat and dragged him, against his will, out of the kitchen and into the front hall of the manor. Little did she know Kai had decided to follow and listen to everything being said at the edge of the not completely closed kitchen doors. As she huffed and puffed trying to keep her anger in check Aylin went to finger her grandmother's broach but hesitated mere millimeters away from the gray colored stone. Closing her eyes Aylin reached behind her back and pulled out a second broach, one she hoped would gain her the respect she thought she had finally earned in the nearly three years the pair had been at odds with each other. Opening her eyes Aylin had taken on a calm, stern, direct and quite angry look to her face.

Aylin began berating the demonic butler while fingering the symbol of the goddess Gaia a golden flower shaped broach inlaid with a jade green stone, "You left us in there with very little explanation, what else was I supposed to do. I need answers, a lot of answers. I'm trying to help end a war outside these walls, and no I don't mean the one about to hit Barton. It's madness past the borders of this town and the mainlands. There are gods dying. The vampires and dark elves of the Kuro Mafioso are still at war. Durem was hit by a bombing at one of its shops. There's a long dead dark cult rumored to be active again. We don't know what could happen next. I actually came back to Baton half a month ago to finalize the opening of a new branch of the Alliance and to get firsthand accounts of the situation in Durem with the Underground from our branch there. This town needs protecting beyond that of you and the Regulars.

I have a global airship network to deal with and now this. But what do you know, you don't even recognize I'm a junior officer in the BFAA much less consider me a full member. You just play with your niceties and conventions of society and be civil with me for appearance's sake as to not upset the others. You wouldn't even let me greet whoever you were waiting for out there because you don't even want them to know I'm here. Well, I have every right to be included in whatever it is you're discussing with any of the other members of this social club and it has nothing to do with the dark energy now in play and my grandmother's broach and everything to do with the one bestowed upon me by the goddess Gaia herself," Aylin continued as she practically shoved the flower shaped broach into Caelen's face as much she could, "I want to know why, why when the goddess herself has tasked me and others in the Casimir Allinace with keeping the world safe from criminal organizations and other credible threats that you still do not give me the respect I think I have earned by now. Are you that ashamed to have me around the manor that you'd rather hide me away in the kitchen? Or is it because you don't want me telling them how bad things really are outside the walls of Barton? You want to keep me away from them don't you?"

From his position at the crack in the door Kai was very curious as to how the confrontation was going to play itself out.

The pixie had rounded on him without warning, half dragging Caelen out of the kitchen and into the foyer of the Manor. Her force didn’t surprise him one bit. Anyone can show incredible strength when they are pumped full of angry adrenaline. The pair ended up next to a window and the pixie lit into him verbally. Caelen stood with his hands clasped behind his back, patiently taking the pixie’s tirade. He figured she felt she outranked him and was giving an inferior soldier a major dressing down. He could only mentally shake his head in sadness at how misguided and misinformed she was. It took a while, but the pixie finally finished firing her jets. Caelen regarded her coolly, and spoke in an even tone.

If you are quite finished now, please allow me to make my counter points. Most of your accusations and misguided assumptions are a direct result of your lack of time spent here. You only show up for town-wide engagements when things are not running normally. Therefore your opinion of me is based only in what you have seen. You see me as some rigid, unwavering control freak obsessed with perfection. That is as far from the truth as anything will ever get. Allow me to enlighten you as to the truth.

Caelen relaxed his stance just slightly before continuing.

The people who reside here on a more regular basis have no want nor the time for fancy ten course dinners that leave one wishing they had just ordered take-out. I happen to concur with them. Fancy dinners every night would be an absolute waste of my time and theirs. Do you know what Chef and Celestine had for dinner last night? It was chicken nuggets and spaghetti with homemade sauce. In fact, I made quite a bit extra in hope that……well never mind that. The point is that they did not have some fancy gourmet meal. The night before that it was chicken and vegetable lasagna. I serve balanced, but simple meals, and I make plenty so everyone can have as much as they need. Most meals are eaten in the kitchen since there is no point to making a big deal out of things in the grand dining hall when so few people are present. As to those refreshments sitting out, I was in the middle of getting a head start on the snacks for a benefit tea that was supposed to take place here tomorrow with the Barton Leaf Society. Considering the circumstances that have arisen, I very much doubt that will be the case now. There’s no doubt in my mind you saw that and assumed that was dinner. Now I wish I had put it all way when I had the chance.

He paused briefly, collecting his thoughts before continuing. He was slowly building up to more sensitive matters, and he wanted to try to hold himself together. Looking straight at the pixie, Caelen continued his side of the argument.

If you had managed to be patient enough to allow me time to settle immediate matters, I would have prepared a whole pot of mild chili and put in a fresh batch of cinnamon rolls, enough for everyone to have seconds and thirds if they so desired. And for the record, it is not my kitchen. The whole Manor kitchen belongs to Miss Kagura. I just have her permission to utilize the facility.


Caelen stopped for a moment to take a breath and center himself for the next point, which was much more serious than just some mere squabble over food. It would not be easy to get the stubborn pixie to see the truth, but Caelen had no other option. He once again resumed speaking.

You have expressed anger over not being included in certain proceedings. I had two specific reasons for this. The safety and well-being of every individual who walks through those gates outside is my first and highest priority. I was not trying to keep you in the dark, but rather to protect you and the others from any possible confrontations with more enemies. The chances were slim, but I do not have the luxury of taking the slightest chance with any of your lives. All eyes in Barton are on me, watching to see what I'll do. How easy do you think it is to be a demon trying to protect people? Let me tell you, some days it's Hell. The members of this organization are the closest thing I have to a family, and I don’t want them to get hurt because of my negligence. Believe it or not, that also includes you, junior member, non-member, or anything else besides. This isn't about ranks, Aylin. It’s about the people we care about and do not wish to see harmed by evil. Let me also make one thing vehemently clear. I know how bad things are outside of these walls. I'm not some ignorant idiot that thinks everything is just flipping dandy. I felt it when Don Kuro summoned some dark force far greater than anyone has ever seen in long centuries. I feel the evil growing every day. You are not the only one trying to protect Gaia. Unfortunately, I just have my hands tied in a mess of red tape, or I’d be doing far more.

Safety was not the only reason behind my wanting you to stay in a more secure place. I have been under orders from Chef not to say anything about certain circumstances. Besides Chef and me, Celestine is the only other person who knows. It was Chef’s wish to not cause any unnecessary panic by having everyone know about our situation. However, seeing as things have recently changed, I suppose those orders are as good as void now, so I may as well let you in on the situation. The last time you were here was about five months ago. However, for the past four and a half months, Miss Alice has been upstairs in a coma, completely unresponsive to any attempts to revive her, be they standard medical or magical. Chef has been in constant stress due to worrying over her, and to make matters worse, she has somehow disappeared this evening. But by all means, if you feel the need, please go discuss you grievances with him. He’s up in his room, almost out of his mind with worry.

Caelen then stepped to the side and gestured up toward the upper floors with his left hand, as if inviting Aylin to do just as he had said. He knew full well the pixie wouldn’t though if she had any sense of decency or sympathy. He waited a few seconds, but the pixie neither spoke nor moved. He then continued on, but there was an evident strain in his voice. He was fighting back strong emotions.


If it were only the situation with Alice and the problems hitting Barton and other locales around Gaia, things would not be so bad, but it’s more complicated. Chef isn’t the only one facing the very real possibility of losing someone he holds very precious in his life. I…..

He stopped, deep emotional pain marring the calm façade he had worn only moments before. Caelen slowly reached up and removed his glasses, pinching the bridge of his nose to try to physically quell the pain inside. His eyes were shut tight against tears threatening to spill out. He took a shaky breath and then dropped his hand. Turning slowly, Caelen walked over to the nearby window. Placing his gloved hands on the wooden sill, the butler leaned heavily on the window ledge, his shoulders hunched. He slowly let his forehead fall against the cold glass of the window pane. It was a few moments before Caelen spoke again, but this time the deep pain was clear in his voice. His words were little more than a whisper.

It started about a month ago. I should have seen the signs, but I didn’t realize it until things had gone too far….Celest-….Celestine is fading. I didn’t think much of it at first, but then she began passing out and falling a lot. Her power grew weaker by the day. The sun ritual that she normally performs in the morning to reenergize her elemental power is not having near the effect that it used to. With every passing day she grows weaker. She’s brave and does her best to hide her weakness, but it won’t hold forever. I’m losing her…

Tears now rolled uncheck down Caelen’s cheeks. His breathing was ragged as he tried to let everything out he had been holding back for so long.

I doubt she’ll last more than another month. It shouldn’t be possible. Those who have a Soul Bond cease to age and are not bogged down by the rules of mortality. They don’t get sick or die. There are a few rare exceptions to this rule, which is what scares me. I’m still alive, so it has nothing to do with me. Whatever force the Don summoned that attacks with such savage malice is powerful enough to override the rules of a Soul Bond. It’s draining her of her life and magic energy.

You have been married before, and spent several decades with your mate before losing him to an illness beyond your control. Can you imagine then, how maddening it is to know you have the power to go out and stop whatever it is that is killing your mate, but by that same power you are prevented from doing so? I know if I could just do the job for which I am contracted to this town, I would be able to save Celest, but the council is running scared with misguided fears and will not sign the official summons to let me do my job.

You had what would more closely equate to a lifetime with your husband. I have waited thousands of years for someone who would not be afraid of what I am, who would accept me, flaws and all. And now I’m losing her after only one year. She is my reason for living. I was on the verge of letting my kind catch and destroy me just before BFAA summoned me. I figured their deal would be my one last try before I gave up on life…..and then I met her.

Even through his tears, there was a slight note of fondness over the memory of the day he met Celestine. She was the only girl he had met that didn’t swoon the minute she saw him for the first time. Caelen tucked the memory away for safe keeping. Straightening from his position at the window, he took a clean handkerchief from his jacket pocket and erased the evidence of his one moment of vulnerability. Stashing the cloth back in his pocket, Caelen put his glasses back on and walked back over to stand right in front of Aylin. She was still holding out the green and gold brooch she had tried to wow him with earlier. Caelen carefully put his left hand under Aylin’s small hand that clasped the brooch, and placed his right hand on top of the brooch. He looked firmly into her eyes as he made his one last statement.

Ever since you joined BFAA and I have been here, you have constantly been fighting me as if I were some enemy that you need to conquer into submission. I am not your enemy, Aylin. I am here to help you, but I cannot do that if you will not let me. I wish you would learn to work with me instead of against me. It would be easier for both of us. I know you have had many great responsibilities placed upon you recently, and it is stressful and even confusing at times. There are many choices to be made that you’ve never had to make before. I pray that in your new positons of responsibility, you will regard others with more patience, compassion, and open-mindedness than you show me.

With that, Caelen released his hold on Aylin’s hands and headed back toward the kitchen, leaving the pixie to digest all he had said.

Caelen was prepared to leave things as they were, but then he heard the pixie call out, but more subdued this time. Turning around, Caelen sighed heavily and looked at Aylin. He understood more than she realized, but knew she needed to have the blunt truth or she’d never fully respect him, and they’d forever go in circles. Caelen finally just dumped everything he had been holding back. He gazed at Aylin with tired eyes and spoke in a voice that was weary from all the trials of both today and every day past.

What do you want from me, Aylin? You want me to yell at you? Tell you I see you as nothing more than some dumb child that doesn't deserve my acknowledgement, let alone the time of day? I’m sorry, but I’m not going to do that because that isn't how I feel. You want the blunt truth? Then here it is.

You are a member and officer of the BFAA, right on par with any other officer or member. That has never been in question. You have equal footing with everyone here. All you need to do is just speak up. You are also a member of this family, estranged though you may be. I feel like you hate me most of the time and would rather I wasn't even around, just like so many other people who despise demons. Tell me I’m wrong Aylin. Tell me you don’t hate me and we can let all of this go. And if you had come to me or Chef at the very beginning with your concerns and had just talked directly to one or both of us, we wouldn't be standing here now. That is what family does. They bear each other’s pain so no one has to do it alone. I just wish you’d open up to me more. Believe it or not, I do care and am more than willing to share the burden with you.

In some ways I envy you. At least you got to marry your mate. I never can. Demons are not allowed to marry the other beings who walk this world. It is forbidden by the ancient powers. I would be banished to the darkest pits of Hell for eternal punishment and torture for breaking the rules if I tried to marry Celestine. And I’m not about to sully her virtue by engaging in certain things outside of the sacred bonds of marriage. So unless by some miracle I can stop being what I was created as, Celestine will never call me her husband and we will never have children because it isn't allowed. I suppose that won’t matter if worst comes to worst and I have to send her back to her home world in order to sever the darkness that is killing her.

Caelen looked down at the ground, emotionally drained. He then added almost as an afterthought:

And about that tree thing you mentioned, I honestly have no idea what the Hell you are talking about. I've never even heard anything about this until you brought it up just now, and I honestly could care less about unprecedented rumors regarding trees. I don’t listen to rumors spread by idle town gossips. Your usual room is ready. It hasn't been touched since the last time you were here. And I hope to Gaia it isn't Nyx, or we're all screwed.

By this point Caelen was out of steam and just ready to be dead to the world for a while, but he still had others to care for first. Caelen turned back toward the kitchen and walked away, praying no one would try to stop him this time. He’d already had to deal with too much heartache today. He didn't want any more. The kitchen door protested the abuse as Caelen pushed it open with more force than usual and entered the room.

A/N: READ THE NOTE AT THE BOTTOM AFTER!

Noise surrounded her senses as she quickly jogged down the path that would take her back to the manor. From what it looked like, she was nearing the manor's boundaries. A voice echoed in her head, clearing the noise from around her. It was soothing like the sound of refreshing sprinkles of rain or the fabric of silk sliding against her skin. A small smile threatened to show itself on her face, except she didn't have to have it on physically to let the consciousness know she was amused. Rain had always been her favourite. From the sound of raindrops falling to the ground to the sight of the environment relishing in its wake, she's always found it as her most common companion during days of silence. Otherwise, it would always be with her spiritual counterpart. Striking green eyes lowered at the thought of him, a change compared to its usual display of demeanour.

Puddles splashed away from her feet as she continued speed jogging down the trail. It seemed that in every step she took, the rain grew stronger. Unusual strong rain was uncommon within the town of Barton because it was almost always sunny even in the winter. Slight chills crept up her arms as the wind blew with the force of the rain, making her question the length of her comatose state. The sudden change of weather from what she last remembered it to be was physically shocking. Then, the voice chimed inside her head again, sounding like tinkling bells shaking four times. Her eyes widened. She didn't realize it had been that long, making her guilt spike higher. Thankfully, the manor was now in sight, and the spell of imperceptibility was now wearing off. With a renewed spirit, she sprinted towards the manor, not caring if her drenched clothes would get water all over the manor's floor. As she ran, a warm feeling washed over her mind and she knew it was from him, hoping for her return. Then, the spell disappeared and her aura was free for Caelen to pinpoint. Perfect.

By the time her energy was about to drain out, she had already busted through the double doors and raced up the stairs without a care of whoever might have been there to witness her appearance. There was a quick pause to scan the hallways, a moment to let her mind reach out to the person she wanted to see, and she stopped in front of a closed room. Hesitation suddenly filled her will, thinking of what he would say. So as she slowly went to open the door knob, images of different possible scenes flashed in her mind, unaware that the person beyond the door heard the commotion.

!! // This post took place for 15 or 20 minutes, which I assume should amount to the time during Aylin and Caelen's talk. Rushed = bad post, sorry!

Charm bluntly said, "Food, I eat food." She was usually a smart-a**, so the words slipped out too quickly. She recovered, flying over to Caelen and giving him a genuine smile. "Heh heh, sorry. Just don't feed the dragon any meat besides fish, please. I'm looking forward to what Alyin cooked everyone." Then she whispered quietly to him, fearful of the pixie's hearing, "Does it taste okay?"

Then the startled Charm saw another girl enter the kitchen. Wow, she seems more haughty than me Wait, does she know Prim?.

Having been drawn from her room with all the noise echoing the halls, Kagura made her way to her kitchen a nice snack would do her good good. As she arrived and pushed open the door the sight that greeted her was an interesting one indeed she sneaked her way to stand by Caelen and observe from a better position.

Ayel, having watched the emptying of the square generally unnoticed, took her leave as well. She slunk back into the dark alley way she'd come from and in a quick moment concealed herself in the mist yet again. She emerged in her street clothing, quickly making her way toward the gate she'd entered town in. DV had gone one way, the Senshi and some of the dopples had gone another. She didn't want to go either direction, herself. While she was curious to see how the gaggle of warriors would handle their evil duplicates, her curiosity wasn't enough that she wanted to follow them to find out. And wherever the mouthy dark senshi had wandered off too was her own business.

Ayel quietly made her way toward her hideout, checking now and again to make sure no one was following her. Satisified that she'd gone generally unnoticed, she leapt into a tree and after another quick glance around was hopping from one limb to another like a monkey. She was sure they'd all be meeting again. In fact, she was fairly certain it would happen much sooner than they realized. Then, and only then, she'd make her moves more openly--even going as far as confronting the senshi directly to obtain her prize. If the insolent girl tried to prevent that, she'd get rid of her. If she didn't, they'd go from there. As she reached the tree closest to mouth of the cave she dropped down and did one last sweep of the area in sight before entering in and vanishing into darkness.

She passed the two corpses at the entrance. She'd have to do something with them before too long. She started walking further and further into the dank cavern's main chamber. This had a small pond in it. The water was cold and clear (though the lack of light meant it was black as night). In it swam tiny luminous fish that darted away from the edge as she hopped over them onto the stones that crossed the expanse of water. From this point on there were purple lines in the rock walls of the cave. They made swirls and other different patters through the stone and the further in one travelled the thicker they became. Eventually, the material that made them began to jut out of rock. They were crystals that glowed with energy and sprawled their way from the floor to the ceiling.

As Ayel got to the end of the cave, the crystals had covered the wall completely. The also protruded out of the cave floor here and the entire antechamber was awash in a faint purple glow. The crystals were as big as a person in the back, some even bigger. And there, off the ground about ten feet, was her perch. And slightly above her perch she saw the dark shape of the cave's first inhabbitant; the imp, Sardis. She frowned deepy at the sight of him still sleeping as though nothing at all had happened. She would deal with him before she tended to her own needs. "Sardis!" she yelled loudly, her voice thundering through the cave as though a whole angry choir had joined her. The creature shot up looking around hastily. She mounted the wall climbing up next to the ledge he was now sitting on. She turned to face the tunnel way she'd come from and set herself in the crystals.

They glowed a little brighter than before and soon some began growing out and around Ayel. The crystals slowly formed a lattice to support her weight and keep her from falling over. She looked up at Sardis, knowing the imp was a poor choice to keep watch over her, but she had few options. She slowly closed her eyes and her head lowered, dropping her hair down over her face. The crystals made her feel warm and comfortable as nothing else did. They stored all energy they came into contact with and drew it in from the surrounding forest. Never enough to harm the plants and animals and not giving off any energy to give her away. It was a natural power reserve for her and it gave her the extra bonus of hiding her presence from any one seeking dark energy sources. To find her would be to stumble into the cave and come across her on accident. And if someone should happen to do that, there was Sardis. He would deal with any intruder--or he was supposed to. At the very least he would wake her so she could handle them. As Ayel began to let her mind empty, she heard him beginning to stir a bit more above her. He was awake for once...She gave her last command to Sardis before she rested. "Go and spy out Barton and find where the Senshi went." The words did not come from her mouth but her mind.
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Sardis

The imp had been enjoying a long nap. When the master was away, Sardis did just about whatever he wanted. She never liked taking him with because she was not terribly fond of him. He, on the other hand, was not terribly fond of her. So, it worked out when they went separate ways. Yet, at the end of every separation they'd meet back together; she'd bark orders at him, he'd do them and then make faces at her behind her back and the world kept moving. They filled a need in each other's lives--Sardis filled Ayel's need for a minion to boss around and Ayel gave Sardis someone to serve.

It wasn't a bad life. Sardis could do almost anything and not have to worry about the consequences. Those two Dark Elves rotting at the cave's entrance were a good example. He had run afoul of them and went straight to find Ayel for protection. They followed and saw her and her sword. Since she was not a member of the Kuro Gang they took offense to her having it. They provoked her (assuming she was a human) and died. Still, she was very harsh on him...too harsh sometimes. He did mess up once-in-a-while and she would get so furious and threaten to do all sorts of horrid things to him. She never did--but it was the thought that counted. He tried not to think of himself as disposable hoping that it'd show as confidence and encourage her to overlook some of his shortcomings.

When the shout came he had jumped up and almost fall off the ledge he was on. He watched drowsily as she returned to the crystals and then told him to go do something. What in blazes are "senshi"? He thought to himself scratching the back of his head. He gazed around the cave and then yawned. He didn't look too enthused about going to Barton. A quick glance back at Ayel and a shrug later, Sardis was lazily flying through the dark empty space of the cave. Maybe he'd stop by some places he liked to visit, too. Of course, figuring out what or who he was supposed to look for was his first priority.

As he flew closer to the mouth of the cave the smell of the outside air caught him and on it was the pungent odor of decay. "Oh bullocks." He muttered to himself. He saw the two bodies, still lying where they were dragged. "I don't see why she didn't get rid of these." He said stopping and floating above them with a scowl. He shook his head and peeked out of the cave. With no one in sight he made his way out into the open air and breathed in the scent of the trees as deep as he could. Unlike his master, Sardis enjoyed being in the forest and being surrounded by living things. Life was so much more interesting where the "lighties" were. And causing trouble wasn't nearly as fun without them around. He smiled, taking delight in all the images of mischief and havoc that danced into his mind. Oh yeah, causing trouble was where it was at. And Sardis was good at causing trouble...one would only need ask his old master. That was, if his old master was still alive. As it turned out, his previous master wasn't quite as tough as his new one.

Sardis flew up and above the tops of the trees and then scanned the area. He had no idea what he was looking for but when he saw Barton's walls he knew something was off. His senses twinged with the ere of bad tidings. He scrunched his nose and snorted. "Bad things a comin', bad things a goin', bad things a happen' 'round here." he sang to himself as he flew toward the town. As he got closer to the wall, the rains began and he frowned. Sardis hated getting wet when he didn't have too. He fluttered up the wall and landed on the top of it. He hunched over looking this way and that, hoping to see something that would give him a clue as to what he was looking for. The rain made him thankful he had a hood up. It was dreadfully heavy and something in the air made it feel like it was the wrong season. "Messed up stuff's been happening around here, that's for sure." He commented.

Sardis stopped to sniff the air. "Master's been here..." he muttered. He took one long sniff and the tilted his head. "I got nothing...stupid rain!" He leaped off the wall and landed on the ground below. He began combing the alleys and before long the futility of his search got the better of him. He kicked over a garbage can and it made a loud clashing sound, despite the rain's constant rushing. He looked around quickly and ran around the corner of the building the can stood by. Nothing became of it, though. "What the biff am I doing here?" He groaned. Then, he heard his Master as if on the wind. He glanced behind him and saw a half open doorway. Curious, he opened it a bit further and saw the arm on the floor. It was a body, one that was drained of it's life force. "The Master's work, alright." He whispered nodding a bit. He felt odd standing there looking at this dead person. Part of him wondered if there were anymore, the rest of him just wanted to leave well enough alone. Just then something moved.

Sardis narrowed his gaze as suddenly the mouth of the corpse shot open and from it came the dark violet mist that had consumed the poor soul. It gave Sardis the creeps, but the mist came lofting up toward him on it's own. He shrunk back from it as it past him slowly. He heard it whisper his name and he reluctantly followed it's path. It finally dissipated in the direction his yet unknown quarry had gone. He quickly ran his tongue over his lips and sighed. "I guess I look in that direction, then." And with that, Sardis took off into the air once more, heading in the direction of manor in his slow and carefree way.