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A piercing wind blew over the mountains and against Theirn's skin causing the small cuts over his arms and chest to sting. The werewolf usually didn't worry about wounds, being thrice cursed came with side effects that had turned out to be rather useful, the ability to shrug off most cold and healing quickly being some of them. The wounds over his body that weren't healing had been inflicted by magic one of the few things he had to heal up normally. Theirn had originally came looking for a cure and instead had found a mage that intended to use him for his own ends, a mistake on the part of the mage wouldn't have a chance to learn from. Looking down the steep mountain path he caught sight of his destination, a set of railway tracks winding along the sharp rocks. Theirn's dark hair whipped against his face, tilting his head down the tall roma started down the winding path down the mountain, even with the path being traitorous at least it helped cut the wind off some. Reaching into an inner pocket of his jacket he pulled a hand rolled cigarette from a case, a slight frown came to his face as he noticed that there was still blood under his finger nails; blood from his would be captor. He could still smell the man's blood as well, but seeing it reminded him even more that he'd need a real shower to get rid of all of it, turning against the wind he lit his cigarette. Sucking the smoke in deeply he blew the majority of the smoke through his nose, it helped dampen the scent of blood and death.

Dropping down part of the path he heard a tearing sound as his pants ripped across the back of his knee, growling under his breath Theirn looked down at his worn clothing. The outfit he was wearing was was the last he had, frowning a little to himself he knew that his current destination was the best. For years he'd run from what had been done to him and during that time he'd search trying to find an answer, while he was running he'd run from his people hoping that distance would protect them. After years of solitary travel he was heading back to his people, things had gotten to the point that running was no longer working. The scrap that appeared along his leg where he'd fallen quickly healed as he watched and pulling himself up he kept along the path toward the train tracks, reaching up he took a puff from his cigarette his pale blue eyes looking down the track either way. He'd learned that the train that ran this route did more then just bring goods from one town to another, it actually passed through a weak spot in realities and from his calculations should take him to a small camp of his people set up on a remote plane.

Theirn came to the end of his cigarette as he spotted smoke in the distance that announced the arrival of the train. Flicking the last of his smoke off to the side the tall roma stood to the side bracing himself and waiting for a car to jump on, the train was slow moving so climbing on proved to be easier then he'd expected. Once inside Theirn took time to look over where he'd jumped and realized he'd found himself in an old coal car, dark dust still covered the inside of the car and bits of coal laid here and there, the car for the most part appeared empty and forgotten. "Too bad I couldn't have jumped into a car full of blankets or something..." Theirn grumbled to himself as he moved off to a dark corner of the car, he didn't want to be out in the open in case someone decided to give the car a looking over before they crossed. Kicking aside the bits of coal and debris scattered over the area he'd chosen Theirn gave it a quick looking over. "We'll I've slept in worse," throwing a blanket down he decided to try and get a bit of sleep. A sharp pain in his back caused Theirn to wince, it seemed he'd missed a piece. Growling softly he reached under the blanket and picked up the offending piece of coal and without a second thought threw it.

Dropping down to the blanket the tall roma shifted and adjusted himself trying to get comfortable it wasn't until he'd actually gotten comfortable that he frowned faintly he realized that he hadn't heard the bit of coal he threw falling. Turning Theirn sat up and looked in the direction he'd thrown the piece of rock starting slightly he froze. The piece of coal was hovering in the air two feet from him. Looking from one side of the car to the other he relaxed faintly when he realized that there wasn't anything out of the ordinary in the car except the floating rock. "Right then, what are you mate?" Theirn stayed crouched watching the dark floating object. The coal piece just continued to float and didn't reply merely bobbing lightly in the air, crawling forward a little Theirn kept his gaze upon the strange rock, if it hadn't been for his keen wolf eyes he'd have lost sight of it. A dark aura of some sort surrounded the bit of coal, dropping back to rest on his heels Theirn kept his gaze upon it suspiciously.

The piece of coal slowly drifted closer to the tall roma when it seemed he'd started to relax. Circling the corner of the blanket that had been laid out on the ground Coal finally dropped down and rested on the edge of the blanket.

"...hrm, so your staying." Frowning to himself Theirn wondered if it could even hear him, "right...well I'm not sure you can actually go where I'm going." Theirn actually didn't understand much about the traveling between planes and for all he knew whatever this little thing was it would get left behind. Turning Theirn laid back on his blanket resting so he could keep an eye on the strange stone, "no trying to eat me or something...I've had a long few days and I need some sleep." Theirn had learned to be wary but he had also pushed himself without sleep for the past few days and despite the oddity of the floating rock, he just couldn't bring himself to think of it as much of a threat.

Shop RP with Athan

Theirn paused outside the bar, glancing up he looked to the sign of the bar 'The Raven's Plume' he'd heard the name of the place meantioned at Twilight Design and had headed toward it. Today was his first paycheck from the construction site, Coal flittered along close to Theirn finding a spot to hide near the inner section of his jacket. "Just don't wander off in here...not sure what sort of place this is going to be."

Coal of course didn't answer but moved in a bit closer to his guardian as Theirn pushed the door open and stepped into the bar.

Theirn sighed, the bar much like the shop was much fancier looking then the romm was comfortable with. Rolling his shoulder Theirn moved toward the bar, hopefully they had a cheap beer on tap. Theirn's eyes flashed and the werewolf paused sniffing the air slightly before reaching the bar fully - the fox was here, he could smell her. Rolling his shoulders Theirn continued on and sat at the bar glancing down the bar wondering if he'd catch sight of the fox.



Merci sat at the end of the bar, leaning against the smooth wood lacquered top. She had a half full glass of some clear liquid and ice cubes in front of her. She'd agreed to watch the bar today, she'd had some time off from the shop and it felt good to get out of the house for a change. The woman had been holding one of the cubes up and was rubbing it against her bottom lip, when she caught sight of Theirn.

The teenage fiend was behind the bar. Merci had told him if he was going to spend so much money, he was going to have to earn it back. So she was teaching him how to tend bar. Dio wasn't horrible at it, but he didn't particularly like the profession. It was something people usually had to do at night, and when there were stars in the sky he had better things to do.

He was in the middle of shaking a martini when he caught sight of Coal. The black fiend's attention was totally diverted and he put down what he was doing to float closer to the pair. 'Good Evening! Can I make you something?' He spoke to Theirn, but his eyes were totally locked on the little wisp.

He likes Wisps.



Theirn nodded slightly toward the fox once he caught sight of her before looking up toward Dio and pausing a moment, "I think you were at the barbeque, right?" He was a touch taken back, he hadn't realized that the shadow creatures would be tending the bar here. "And yeah...what do you have on tap that's cheap?" Theirn was glad he'd taken time to get cleaned up after work, this wasn't the sort of place he would have wanted to bring the dust from the worksite into.

Coal for his part didn't drift far from his guardian but moved ever so slightly in the air as if looking Dio up and down.



Dio beamed at him and he turned and picked up a frosty mug. His head turned and his one burgundy eye moved over to where Merci was. He casually turned his body and filled the mug with beer, probably better then what Theirn was expecting. He wasn't about to give a guardian the crappy stuff. That little wisp would depend on him for strength and protection! He needed the good beer. It was only the right choice.

The black fiend set the mug on the counter and then propped his head on his head, leaning his elbow against the wooden surface. I was at the Barbecue. My name is Dio, I don't know if I told you, or if you would remember. You two are?'

Merci furrowed her brows and got up from her seat, lifting her drink into her hand as she sidled down the bar toward them. "Dio, you can't just stop making a drink cause something catches your attention."



Theirn glanced at the mug suspiciously before reaching over for it, "Theirn and this is Coal," he gestured to the little wisp. "So you work here?"

Coal bobbed up and drifted closer to Dio's face while he propped himself up brushing up close to his rainbow locks. The little wisp seemed to be shyly studying the older fiend. Merci's voice broke Coal's concentration and he darted back to hide near his guardian as she spoke up and moved over closer to them.

Theirn turned slightly to look over at Merci and raised his mug slightly in greeting, "hello again, Fox." Taking a drink from his mug Theirn savored the brew, it was a much more expensive brew then he actually ordered he realized.



Merci gave Theirn a cool smile. "I remember you, from the Barbeque right?" She took a seat closer to them and shot Dio a look. "I get it. There's a wisp right? At least finish the martini. I'll take over after that."

The teenager winked at her and he walked down behind the counter and finished making the drink like he was asked. His attention though was on Coal, and he wasted no time in returning. 'There all done, can I play now?'

The fox woman shook her head and waved a hand at him, "Fine fine, I can't believe you're a teenager. You still act like a kid."

Dio squinched his face up at her, and Theirn would get the feeling that he'd be sticking out his tongue if he had a mouth. 'Just because you get older, doesn't mean you have to lose the wonder of youth.' The dark fiend jumped up and leaned over the bar, his feet dangling behind him. He was obviously looking for the wisp.

Merci turned to look at Theirn and she smiled a bit. "Aren't you excited that you have that to look forward too?"



Theirn sat drinking his beer slowly as the two bantered, a slight grin came to his face in response to Merci's smile. Theirn ended up moved and shuffled from one place to another so much he took what amusement he could get when he could get it, unfortunately it usually manifested in sarcasm or in teasing.

"You work here then?" Theirn looked over to Merci as he spoke, moving slightly he brought his hand up where coal was hiding so Dio could see him.

Coal rested on the back of his guardian's hand a moment before drifting over toward Dio again, a fine trail of coal dust falling in his wake. Moving closer to Dio Coal slowly starts to move from one side to the other studying the older fiend.

Theirn finished his mug up with a sigh before looking to Merci, "cheapest brew that won't kill me..." he gestured toward his mug before glancing to the kitsune curious as to what she'd end up pouring him.



Merci glanced down and the mug and she shook her head. "I own the place with my..." She paused a moment and tilted her head as if deciding something, "My partner. Well Life Partner? Lover? Cinderfae. I don't know if you've met her." She stood up and moved down and around to the back of the bar. "Had to do something for an income. He's cute but he's expensive as hell." She jerked a thumb at Dio, who was pointedly ignoring her. Merci slipped his mug from the bar and returned it to him, with the same thing he had before. "You hold your beer okay?"

Dio beamed at Coal and leaned over to coax him onto his own hand. 'Sometimes I forget what it was like to be a wisp.' The teenager turned and hopped up to sit on the bar, his legs hanging down behind it. 'You're pretty young aren't you?'
[9/2/2011 2:30:46 AM] Emily Smith: "Ah, well it's a nice place. Can't say I've met 'er...she got a tag along too?" Theirn gestured over toward Dio and Coal as he spoke."I hold my beer alright, sometimes better then I'd like." He shrugged slightly before resting back on his stool some.

"As for what he'll be like..." Theirn glanced over to Coal and shrugged, really he hadn't settled down anywhere long enough to have much of anything so he wasn't all that worried about what the wisp would end up doing with his possessions.

Coal slowly let himself be coaxed into Dio's hand, once in the middle of Dio's palm he spun in place slowly. After a moment the wisp dipped in place as if testing Dio and it's on intangibility.



Merci grinned a bit and she leaned over the bar. "He'll probably not nearly be the pain in the a** mine is. I spoiled him a bit I'm afraid. Let him do what he liked and bought him toys. If I could do it all over I'd have deprived him.." The grin on her face and the lilting tone in her voice says she's lieing.

Dio shot his guardian a look, and leaned down to mock whisper to Coal. 'Don't listen to her, she sounds tough but she's a softy.' The teenager's flesh was actually very solid, and his legs ended in colorful and bare feet. He turned his head to look at Theirn, 'Is he really young? He seems to be. You need to give him a lot of attention so he can get stronger at this age.' Dio lifted Coal closer to his face and moved his other hand up to offer his fingers to the little wisp.



"Ah well, can't say that spoiling him will be very likely. So most likely..." Theirn's voice trailed off and he glanced from Merci and then to Dio and back. The fox it seemed was controlled more by the rainbow child then she realized...or likely just more then she admitted to others. Theirn took a deep drink from his mug and closed his eyes a moment, "though indulgence...is something that I think is required at times, keeps one sane."

Theirn's pale gaze went to Dio as he spoke, "Dunno how old he is...if ya mean when did he start following me - it hasn't been that long." Theirn frowned slightly glancing to Coal, "truthfully wasn't even sure he'd make it through to here with me. I give him alright attention I suppose," Theirn shrugged his shoulders slightly, "you'd be surprised at how tough he actually is...if you want to sing to him and such though your more then welcome to."



The older fiend just swung his legs over the bar and lifted Coal up in front of his face. 'Did you hear that? I can come over sometime.' His burgundy eye moves over to look at Theirn, 'You'll have to tell me where you live. Though to be honest I'm probably not a good singer. Oooo, we could play classical music! It's supposed to help with development and stuff. I don't sing, but I'm pretty good at humming...' Dio let his eyes drift closed and he started humming to Coal.

The tune wouldn't be familiar to just about anyone but him. Though Merci was probably learning the jist of it. He hummed the same few bars, though almost always in different combinations and in different pitches. They were bits and pieces of the songs he could hear from the stars.

Merci shook her head and picked up her own glass, putting it to her lips and tilting the liquid into her mouth. She wasn't a heavy drinker, so when she did drink it was quality stuff. The kitsune liked her liquor like she liked just about everything else in life, old, expensive and rich. She rolled the drink around her mouth before she finally swallowed. Her green eyes watched Theirn as she finally spoke, "I suppose you're right. Though I've pretty much spoiled myself recently. Are you new to town? It sorta sounds like you are."

Theirn's eye twitched slightly once he realized he'd left himself open to the fiend inviting himself over to his place. He was about to tell the Fiend that he wasn't invited to his place when Dio started humming, sighing softly Theirn took another drink from his beer resting back. What he assumed would be something uncomplicated and annoying turned into something haunting.

Coal settled onto Dio's hand and as the older fiend began to hum, floated up and then around his arm leaving a murky trail of coal dust in his wake. The little wisp moved in time with the humming drifting up and around apparently for the time amused.

Theirn glanced over toward Merci at her quesiton, "aye, just came in on a train a few weeks ago." Sighing he stretched his arms out before relaxing again, "haven't found a proper living place yet." Glancing away Theirn frowned looking toward a nearby window, it would be a full moon again soon which meant he needed to find someplace set up better...he didn't like the idea of having to go to the shop again for the moon.

Merci turned toward Theirn and hopped up to settle herself on a bar stool, "Neither of you have a place to stay? You at least have work right?" The mother hen in her was starting to come out, and she had the mental image of a tiny Cinder moving over with a rifle and shooting it clean in the head. If she brought somone else home, she was pretty sure that the entire place would burst at the seems.

Okay maybe that was a bit dramatic. It was an insanely huge piece of land, but every building on it was being used to house someone, something or several of each.

Dio continued to hum. He liked humming, especially when he got to hum the songs in his head. It helped him feel more in control of himself and what he was doing. The trail of dust though was curious, it didn't show up well against the black color of Dio's skin, but he could tell it was there. The older fiend glanced down at Coal again and he changed songs, to something with a more bouncy cadence. He couldn't help himself, the scientist in him wanting to know if maybe the rhythm of the song would affect Coal's excitement.

Chuckling slightly Theirn glanced over to Merci, "I got a room at one of those places that take rent weekly. It works well enough for now," he grinned slightly taking another drink from his beer, "I found a construction job, got my first check today...hence finding my way into here. I'm not use to sticking to one place too long..." his pale blue eyes flickered over toward Coal, "but I have a feeling I don't have a choice in if I'm staying or going this time."

Sighing slightly Theirn finished his drink and frowned eying the glass, one of the side effects of his current state was he didn't get drunk easily which made drinking expensive, "the construction job isn't too bad, Coal hangs out in my lunch pail most the day alright and it pays well so hopefully I'll be able to get something better soon."

Coal didn't bounce with the music but instead started to spin spiriling his way up Dio's arm. The speed of his movement becoming more quick with the tempo.
The fox woman frowned and she tsked quietly, "Those places rape you financially. I'm sure we can help find you an apartment or something. Especially seeing as you have a fiend. They do better when they can socialize with their own kind." Merci slipped the glass from Theirn's hands and refilled it for him, "Don't worry about the tab, I'll add it to mine." She hated seeing anyone so down on their luck. It reminded her of her life before she met Cinder.

The older shadow couldn't help a laugh, he stopped singing and glanced up toward the guardians. 'If you're looking for better you should work here. Weren't you saying you'd like to have a guy around?' He gently kicked his feet as he watched Merci. She didn't always like him making interjections like this. He liked Coal though, and he wanted to see him taken care of.

The kitsune glanced at Theirn and for once she didn't snap at Dio for butting into her business. He was a good looking man if you swung that way, and she was sure he would clean up well. She wanted to have a man working in the bar because good looking men attracted female clientele. "You know, for once I don't disagree. You said you're looking for a steady job?" Merci gave him a half smile and passed the mug back to Theirn. "How much are you making now? I want to be sure I can top it."

Theirn smirked slightly, "didn't have much choice though." Arching his brow he looked over toward Merci, "actually ... a warehouse might be better." Rolling his shoulders he frowned thoughtfully he didn't want to have to keep going to the shop during the full moon, but he also didn't take well to charity.

Theirn took another deep drink from his beer, glancing up he looked toward Dio arching a brow and then toward Merci. "As long as it's actual work..." frowning slightly Theirn finished his drink, "I don't mind you covering the tab for tonight. I make a bit over thirteen dollars and hour...what sort of work is it you'd need done?"

Coal continues up Dio's arm darting over his shoulder he dashed up flicking Dio's hair as he dropped down behind the older fiend hiding.


Merci’s tail flicked behind her lazily as she regarded Theirn, he looked like a big guy. “So tell me something, you work in construction right? You used to doing heavy lifting?” He didn’t look like the sort that would shirk some hard labor. Though how much work was it really picking up drunk people and tossing them out on their rears? “I ask cause I’m looking for a guy to watch the door. It would be steady work; we’re open pretty much every night. Plus your uh, wisp, might like it. Guardians come in here all the time to relax and take it easy.” She picked up a rag and started wiping down the counter while she started mixing a couple more drinks. Merci’s hearing was pretty solid with those huge ears that stood up on the top of her head. She could hear some of the girls at the end of the bar getting ready to order some more of the funny little cocktails that were so popular lately.

Dio’s feet stilled, and he turned his head trying to catch sight of Coal. The wisp was definitely energetic! He sorta remembered being a wisp, and he couldn’t remember having that much energy. Of course he didn’t have the easiest time of being tiny; maybe if he hadn’t been so hated by the others in the house he’d have had a chance to get stronger. He turned a bit, but with only one eye uncovered he hadn’t seen Coal dart behind him. ’Coal?’ There was a little bit of a worried edge to his tone when he spoke the wisp’ name.

Merci glanced at her shadow, the barest smile on her face as she saw the two fiends interact. “Can give you something around fifteen an hour? It’s not much more then you’re getting, but there are other perks. Plus I’ll see if I can look around and find something affordable for you to move into.” She turned her emerald green eyes back toward her customer and arched a brow, “So what do you think?”

Theirn's gaze watched Merci move, the small flicker of ears and tail caught the were's attention, if he'd been shifted his own ears and tail would have flickered in response, "I can stand by the door and be big easy enough. Just keep in mind the three days a month I'll have to have off...the full moon adn the days before and after - trust me you wouldn't want me in the bar then." His voice lowered some as he confessed the times he'd be out of commission. Theirn finished his drink and rested back watching the woman mix the drinks, "bouncing work shouldn't be too much trouble..." considering Theirn nodded slightly - it shouldn't be too bad unless someone did something like stab him, but by then he figured things were bad enough that his shifting would be the least of the problems, until he ate someone that is. Reaching up the man rubbed the back of his head looking thoughtful.

Coal pulled his dark aura tightly around himself, and dropped down behind Dio more - the game was fun to say the least the wisp decided. Giving Dio a moment to move about and try to find him the wisp droppwed down and turned in the air before bouncing up toward Dio again his aura going wide as he dashed toward the other's face almost as if pouncing.

Theirn's brow arched a bit fifteen an hour wasn't bad, and was a little bit more then his construction job, plus the job looked much more comfortable and Coal wouldn't have to hide in his lunchbox all day. "Sounds good ... and well I'd listen if nothing else when it comes to places to stay." Theirn was remembering the pocket space that Athan had set up to contain him, it wasn't bad but there was something eerie about the crystaline interior of the hidden room, if he could help it he wanted to not have to use it too much longer.


The half demon turned toward the girl that wandered over, and she handed up the drinks almost before she could speak. Merci’s smile was bright, and offered a full view of her slightly elongated and pointy canines. “Here you are darling, refills for you and the girls.” She placed the drinks on a tray and slid it to her. She accepted the lady’s payment and thanks before she turned back to Theirn. “Good, like Dio pointed out we kinda want a guy around. Not because my girl and I can’t handle ourselves or our place, but because people are more likely to try their chances when you have breasts.” She leaned down and came up with some paperwork in her hands, “I’ll need you to take these and fill them out okay? Tryin’ to run this place like a legitimate business, so I gotta have all my T’s crossed and I’s dotted.” Her hands moved forward with the stack held in her fingers. “Bring this in with you whenever you want to start work. I’ll get you worked into some sort of schedule after that.” Sometimes it amused her when she sounded like she knew what she was doing. About this though she really did know what she was talking about, mostly because Cinder and she were being very careful with everything about the Raven’s Plume. They didn’t want anyone looking into their finances too closely.

Dio jerked his head back, actually surprised at Coal’s sudden appearance. He gasped and flailed a hand, just barely managing to grab the edge of the bar and stop himself from falling over. The immediate fight or flight response made Dio go incorporeal and his feet phased out of existence. His body sort of bobbed and he had to lift himself out of the counter he’d been sitting on. ’Holy….’ he paused at a warning look from his guardian. Gathering himself he started again, ’You scared me! You’re really good at hiding you know? Probably cause you’re so dark, like me.’ The teenager’s tone lightened as he joked with the wisp.

Dio moved forward and darted his right hand out, scooping up the little stone in his hand and pulling him close to his chest. ’You should be nice, don’t try and scare everyone like that okay?’ His words were admonishing, but his tone was proud. He liked Coal, and was very happy that he’d get to see him from time to time here at the Plume.

Merci glanced down the bar and she grimaced a little bit. It looked like there was a line starting, and they were all glancing down at her. “Anyway it was good to meet you! I have to get back to work before people get tired of waiting and leave.” She jerked her thumb at Dio, “Come on kiddo, get back here and help me for a few okay?” The kitsune wiggled her fingers at Theirn before she headed down to the other end of the bar.

The black fiend let go of Coal and he nodded to the both of them. ’See you later! I’m glad you’ll be working here.’ He winked at the wisp and floated after his guardian, ready to help her sling some cocktails.


Theirn stayed quiet a moment longer watching Merci interact with the customer and trying mostly to stay out of the way. Once she started passing the paperwork over he shifted his gaze over to it, truthfully the roma wasn't usually too happy about things like paperwork but the job was good, it paid more then what he made at the moment and it was a much nicer place. "I'll fill these out now before I leave, so I can start immediately. It'll probably be nicer for Coal to work in a place that is indoors." Not seeing anyone in the immediate area Theirn pulled a pen out of a pocket and started on the papers.

Coal's dark aura flickered happily at Dio's reaction, the feelings from the wisp felt much like the creature was laughing. The little wisp was having fun, having someone around to react to his pranks and inquiries was nice - not that he was completely disregarded but Theirn wasn't likely to fall over for anyone let alone him.

Being in a good mood for the most part Coal was easily pulled close to Dio's chest. The wisp moved out and peered over the edge of Dio's hands only half listening to the admonishment. Once he was released Coal bounced a couple of times in goodbye as Dio wandered off before hanging around and watching Theirn finish his paperwork.

Taking his time Theirn filled the papers out, even though he disliked them he was at least wasn't horrible at the whole thing he'd had to do similar to get his construction job as well. Once finished he double checked the papers and then set them on the edge of the bar, after a moment he left a sizable tip as well...even though Merci hadn't charged him for his drinks.