She stood there, hand hovering just above the doorknob. Hesitation filled her body as she now thought of the probabilities once she opens the door. There were so many things she wanted to say. It was like a necessity that had to be completed, but she hated being restricted. A secret that she still couldn't tell, even to the one person who put the ring necklace around her neck, all for the sake of protecting who she loved, trusted, and befriended. It was hard, choosing between two things she finds important: happiness and duty. But it seems that, despite her bitter obedience, both choices can't be possessed together.
She took her time opening the door, too slowly in all actuality, but she never expected the jump. Relief flooded her senses as she was gathered in a tight hug, which she returned with just as much power. However, as she felt a growing wetness on her shoulder, she realised that her cheeks were damp with running tears. She hadn't known she missed human contact so much. A voice gently echoed in her head like laughter, making her face grow red in embarrassment. The whisper made her chuckle, despite her poor appearance and rough voice from months of sleep. The hug tightened and she mentally groaned that her spiritual counterpart wasn't planning on letting go of her anytime soon. Dear goodness, she thought, if only Caelen was here. The voice shook in her head as if reprimanding the obvious lie because she didn't seem to be letting go either.
The smell of food drifted to her nose and she longed to go follow the scent leading to the manor's kitchen. She knew her twin would know, but explaining what happened was more important. I missed you, so much, Shawn, she started, pressing her forehead to his shoulder, but your poor excuse of an insult offends me. She was back. Alice was back. There was so much to be said, but it was good to start with a message that hinted at that.
Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2015 2:02 pm
The crimson-haired senshi had had about enough of these malicious water foes. She decided to retreat from the square for now. Fighting this enemy was like fighting a hydra. Once you finished off one, a new one appeared. Sailor Flame Nova sighed and gave a stab to the murky doppelganger, she fled the square and headed to a safe place. After a while, her enemy had stopped trailing her. She found herself in the outskirts of Barton. She laid there under the arch of a cozy tree. To the east was her home town, but she didn't have the energy to walk there, and it was already dark. She returned to her regular attire and awaited the next day. In her mind she hoped that everyone in Barton would be okay, and the ones she had met earlier were safe. Lorelei knew that those senshi protecting the city would only grow in numbers. Lorelei would be there to help if they needed her.
Hot Caffeinated Cree Vice Captain
Pure-hearted Senshi
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Hot Caffeinated Cree Vice Captain
Pure-hearted Senshi
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Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2015 8:01 pm
Prim decided after she finished her meal that it was a good time to go to bed. She stretched and excused herself from the table. She wandered into the closest unoccupied room and laid down on the bed. She didn't bother changing clothes, she was too tired.
Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2015 2:26 am
Shrouded in darkness. That is how it began. That's how it always seemed to begin. Confused and alone in the darkness, waiting for even the faintest bit of light to appear. And there it was, off in the distance as always. A white ball of light casting away the darkness. The confused individual looked up at the light that seemed to float above her like a star in the sky. She tried to move toward it, only to find out she couldn't do anything but look around. The surrounding area came into view, revealed by the light. The woman looked around and could see nothing but a vast ocean of molten rock that surrounded a tiny, rocky island and seemed to go on for miles in every direction. The air around the island was almost unbearably hot, and tiny sparks floated around haphazardly. It was on this island where the woman lay motionless on her own head of hair which matched the color of the lava. This whole scene was unusually familiar to the woman, though she couldn't figure out how or why. Suddenly, the area went dark, and everything came back to her. She looked up to the sky in horror as the star was engulfed in darkness, then abruptly collapsed in on itself. Without the light of the star, the vast sea of lava cooled and hardened, and the surrounding area was gripped by bitter cold and total darkness. The woman screamed in great pain and suffering as she felt herself dying without the light of the star.
Terra regained consciousness with a sudden jolt after that traumatic dream. She sat up in her bed and shivered, both from the cold caused by her wet clothing and from the terrible nightmare she just experienced. For the last several months, after she found an unusual necklace near a meteorite, she had been having the same strange dream over and over. A white light would shine through the darkness, revealing a molten sea of lava that surrounded her. This time, however, there was more to it. And this time the dream felt more real than ever before. Terra looked around the unfamiliar room she found herself in and tried to forget about the strange, yet oddly familiar dream. Instead she was trying to figure out just where she was and how she ended up there. The last thing she remembered was being brought to a massive structure in the woods by some guy named 'Chef'. As the doorknob started moving and the door slowly began to open, Terra grabbed the nearest thing to her, a pillow, to act as a form of defense.
A woman in a purple outfit that was quite striking for just sleepwear emerged from behind the door. She carried with her a change of clothes and a kind expression that instantly alleviated any fears Terra had. Still, Terra was confused about where she was, how she got there, and just who she was talking to. The woman introduced herself as Celestine, and she informed Terra that she was now inside Barton Manor. As for how the teen got there, Celestine went over whatever details Caelen gave her. Slowly the young girl pieced together the bits of memory that remained intact. She recalled being chased by an uncanny clone of herself, being led to the Manor by Chef, and seeing Caelen at the door just before everything went dark. Apparently, Terra and another girl who also collapsed were brought in by those two men. The teen got up from her bed to take the change of clothes and promptly thanked Celestine. After changing into some very comfortable orange (much to her delight) sleepwear, Terra followed Celestine downstairs, where a delicious aroma had been calling her name since she came to. She had many more questions for Celestine and possibly some other people, but right now she wanted nothing more than a good meal.
* * *
It was quite an unusual sight to see Chef so teary, so emotional. He certainly never had this level of attachment to anyone back in his time. There wasn't anyone whose mere disappearance would bring him down so low. Given all that he's already been through, it was hard for anyone he knew back then to picture him in such a vulnerable state. If anyone he knew saw him like this, he would never hear the end of it. Yet here he was, tears flowing from his eyes like twin rivers as he held onto someone who he probably couldn't live without. He couldn't help but chuckle at her remark regarding his rather lame welcome back greeting. If anything, that only further cemented the fact that she really was back.
"I missed you so much too, Alice," he replied, loosening his grip for a hug that was more comforting than strangling. "A-and I'm sorry for... that. I didn't mean to insult you, honestly. I'm just..." Chef sighed deeply, still feeling a bit of shock. "I was at a loss for words." Chef released Alice from the hug at this point, though he kept his hands on her shoulders as he looked into her eyes. And then something snapped inside him and his emotions just about flipped around in the opposite direction.
"Hey, wait," he paused. "No! I'm not sorry! You had me worried sick for four months, you jerk! I never get worried sick about anything!" Just when Chef thought his tear ducts were bled dry, a flood of tears suddenly rushed out along with his frustration and great worry for his spiritual companion. "I-I didn't know what to think! If you were dead or just... I dunno! Every single night my worry just grew worse! I would spend every night talking to you, trying to keep my sanity even though I clearly lost it.. You! I swear you just drive me crazy! And... I-I dunno... I'm just glad you're back..." Having gotten everything off of his chest, Chef finally pulled himself together and embraced Alice once again, though more tenderly this time. The smell of the kitchen downstairs was irresistible at this point, and he was sure his twin must be famished, though there was still something left he needed to know.
"Hey," he started. "What happened?" Chef didn't really expect much of an answer, but he simply had to ask. "D-did you want to talk about it over dinner? Or.. are you not up to explaining everything to the others just yet.."
((Dramatic Chef is dramatic. But you all already knew that. Also... Not cheesy enough, twin c; ))
OOC: Poor Hydro has no idea who's she staring at, right, Cel? razz
Charm meant to say good night to Prim, but her wings were so heavy, all she did was sit next to Yin, trying to eat the last of her meal.
===========================
Hydro had climbed up the buildings of Barton, walking on the rooftops to assess the situation of the town. Rain still poured from the sky, with no signs of stopping. The sky of gray gloom added to the immediate danger of travel in the streets of Barton. Hopefully the morale would quickly fall in this town, and after the next attack, the citizens would begin to see that leaving was the only safe option they had. The senshi would not see to it that the people left, so she wondered what else she could do to persuade them.
“Why are there so many dopples here?” Unknown to her, Sailor Dark Vortex had walked her way over to the vicinity of Barton Mansion. “A magically protected building? It’s so large.” The words slipped out in a manner that would’ve sounded just like her previous self. A timid tone with a soft awe and wonder at what she’d found. Much like finding a new book to learn more about magic or to slip into an adventure that danced over paper pages. “It’s lovely,” she said with a sigh, “I wish I could go inside, a place like that must have a beautiful library.” She stared into one of the windows, and saw what looked like a young man inside. Dressed very dapper except for the slightly overgrown hair and white streaks.. “Ooh, I wonder does he live here.”
Hydro’s attention was snapped back to reality when she saw the doppels. It wasn’t a surprise they were clamouring around the manor, logically their targets were unreachable inside. Then she found herself side on rooftop, holding her now aching head, she looked nervously over at the mansion window she’d been peering in. The young man was still there. Had he seen her? She looked at him for a moment, curious and sad. Another person not evacuated, another person in trouble.
She regained herself, and leapt up off the roof and walked along the town, seeing a large bulletin board. There were soaked fliers desperately hanging on and one better protected item.
If She's following me, she'll want to know. Sailor Dark Vortex struck a black rose into a map, then walked leisurely toward her destination.
Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2015 3:41 pm
Chibi Halo
Celestine Ravencroft
wiping away some tears and sniffling a little still, Kagura smiled at Aylin It's okay Aylin don't feel bad those council members are clearly stupid if they think keeping people from talking to those who care for and miss them is a good idea, and you don't have to tell us what's going on all we care about is YOU she said as she poked Aylin in the shoulder As for the kitchen at least what you cooked look's and smalls good not like Che'sf last attempt so let's just enjoy the time we all have together again for as long as we have it. ____________________________________________________________
Seren was slowly rousing from the strange encounter she had been through, when she heard someone call out to her. Opening her eye's she saw her new friend Lunette looking over her, slowly sitting up and holding her head she began to see what a horrible mess she was, she excused herself for a quick shower,as she could not possibly to anything else till she was clean again.
(ooc Cel I'm not really comfortable with manipulating Lunette so we can head downstairs after Seren get's cleaned up with your next post)
Cel tried to do her best to answer Terra's questions, but even she wasn't fully aware of just what had brought all of their visitors to the Manor that night. It seemed there would be much to discuss over dinner, and perhaps, plans to be made. Food was the first priority though, and the smell wafting from the kitchen was about to drive both Cel and Terra nuts with hunger. Taking the lead, Cel lead Terra through a back way used by servants in the old days, but which was now just a more convenient way for the Bartobs to get around the vast Manor. They both emerged from a side door into the Manor kitchen.
Hi all! Looks like you started dinner without us. Terra, you go ahead, I need to go take care of a few things briefly. I'll be back down though.
Saying nothing else, Celestine left Terra to find a seat at the kitchen table and get started on her own meal. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Lunette rummaged through the dresser while Seren got herself cleaned up. There were some spare clothes, as the butler had said. Lune wondered just who they actually belonged to.
Who cares about details? I'm just glad Seren is alright. I wonder if she was just super unlucky in getting out of town, or if one of those things was after her. If it's the latter, I won't leave this place until I can guarantee her safe passage home. I didn't finally find someone I can call an actual friend just to have them endangered by some madwoman's pets.
As she thought all of this, Lunete gathered the spare clothes and placed them on the sink counter in the bathroom where Seren would be sure to see them. Lune then went and sat on the bed, staring off into space. She let her mind wander back to just a few hours ago, when she had arrived at this place.
Huh, that butler really did save my hide. It's strange. Both that Aqua Shade and he are creatures of darkness, but he was the more dominant one. I'd heard rumors that he's a demon, but he sure doesn't act like any demon I've ever heard tell of. I wonder what his deal is? Either way, he has the power to fight these things. I really need to ask him more about that.
Caelen went to his private quarters. His room was actually the one traditionally designated to the butler back in a time long gone. While it was not opulent, it did have a bit more space than the common servant quarters. It was also ideally located so that the butler could more quickly attend to his master's needs. Cae didn't spend much time in his room other than to change his uniform. He had no need for sleep.
He went over to the large oak wardrobe that housed his smart servant attire and pulled out a navy shirt and his favorite navy slacks cut in the Italian style. Even the shoes he selected were of an Italian make. Laying the clothing out on the bed, Cae began to change out of the uniform he had muddied earlier by rescuing Seren. He was about to change his trousers, when something pinged his radar. The curtains to his room were open. Not indicating in the slightest that he had sensed anything, Caelen scanned from the corner of his eye and caught something on a distant roof top. It was just barely within his range, but it was enough. It was watching him.
Caelen growled inaudibly and sent out a warning shock wave, hoping it would be enough to deter whatever it was from trying to get any closer to the Manor. He then turned back to changing. Quick as can be, he was dressed in clean clothes and headed back down to the kitchen to wait on the guests. Unlike Cel, Caelen entered the kitchen through its main door.
I apologize for my absence. I hope you have been able to see to things yourselves satisfactorily. Caelen said as he pulled another chair over to the table and sat with the guests. He had a feeling there would be conversations that would need his two cents at the very least.
He looked like some kind of hero from an Italian romance novel with his expertly tailored clothes and the way his shirt was partially open, giving a nice display of his elegantly muscular chest. He still had his gloves though. That was the one thing he refused to forego.
Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2015 7:37 pm
Celestine Ravencroft
Seren finished getting out of the shower and noticed some clothes on the sink putting them on, she walked out of the bathroom and noticed Lunette staring of into space on the bed, not wanting to pester her she gave a suggestion Hey why don't we go and find that wonderful smell not sure about you but I am famished right now grabbing her bag she walked with Lunette down towards the kitchen.
Lunette only half heard Seren's suggestion. She pretty much followed the girl on automatic. There were just so many crazed thoughts all buzzing around Lunette's head like a swarm of insane bees. She wished she could just make her mind shut up for a while.
I doubt I'll get any sleep. She thought dryly to herself.
Being a gloomypuss wouldn't do any good though. Besides, Seren was bound to pick up on Lune's dour mood. Forcing herself to ignore the million and one questions that nattered at her, Lunette guided Seren toward the kitchen as she asked the one question that had the most relevance at the time.
What happened back in town, Seren? How did you end up here of all places. Not that I'm complaining. I've just been mega worried that I goofed up again and you got hurt.
Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2015 8:40 pm
Celestine Ravencroft
Frowning she playfully bopped Lunette on the head with her bag What ever are you talking about? How could you goofing up get me hurt? I headed back to school after we got separated and I was walking home from school when I'm not sure how but I wound up in the woods she paused not sure how to tell all of her tale who would believe a thing about living shadows and one that looked like her I was running trying to find my way and I found this mansion but I was so tired I passed out when I got here. as she finished her tale they reached what appeared to be a kitchen and walked inside and sat at the table with some other people.
Lorelei sat up a bit and looked around. The soft rain through the trees kept her awake. In her peripheral she saw a young man with wings laying under a tree not too far from her. He seemed to be the same young man who had helped in the square. Lorelei was wearing her regular attire; black uniform jacket, white university shirt, and black skirt. Her hair was in two loose side buns, that had tendrils that fell to both sides. Her hazel eye always was slightly covered by her long diagonal bangs. She knew that her eyes were not the same as normal people, but it didn't bother her. She stood, sighing. She figured she'd go see how the young man was faring. "Excuse me. Are you alright?" Lorelei questioned the young man as she approached.
Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2015 1:53 pm
Hot Caffeinated Cree
Twitching before waking up Leif looked up blushing a vivid shade of red before stammering, i i umm, im fine thanks. do , do i know you from somewhere? Leif asked curiously slightly flustered and not quite up to the same speed as the young woman in-front of him. Slowly Retracting his large wings back to his sides Leif had a sleepy but happy smile on his face as he offered up what dry space was around before stretching his wings upward over Lorelei like an umbrella. though i um dont really know where i am. im kind of new to this part of the world. um my names Leif its nice to meet you. He said softly as his amber eyes glimmered with an honest warmth despite his rather rain-soaked appearance
As Celestine led Terra through the Manor, the young girl couldn't help but marvel at the place. It was massive, it was grand, and what's more is that it even had secret passages! Celestine led Terra down one such passage that led directly to the kitchen. The glorious smell of a well-cooked meal only grew stronger with every step they took. Luckily for the both of them, the kitchen wasn't at all far away. They emerged from the stairwell into the kitchen, where a few other guests resided. Terra looked around the kitchen and its rather unusual inhabitants as Celestine briefly greeted them before heading out of the kitchen for some reason. It was quite the odd sight for Terra. There was a seemingly normal woman on the other side of the kitchen, but next to her stood a much shorter woman with wings sprouting from her back. "A pixie? Wow, can't say I've seen a pixie before!" she thought upon observing her. Had Terra not been exhausted and in serious need of something to eat, she more than likely would have been gushing over the pixie. Instead, she turned her attention to the dinner table where an imp was finishing her dinner. Next to the imp lay a small, sleeping dragon on a dinner plate. Terra could almost die from all the cuteness. Realizing she was probably spending too much time awkwardly staring at everyone, the orange-haired teen finally decided to introduce herself.
"Uh.. Hiya! I'm Terra, like Celestine said. Nice to meet everyone!" Terra took a seat at the large table and served herself up a fairly large portion of pasta. It was nearly twelve hours since she last ate something, she was starving, and this pasta looked and smelled absolutely delightful. She dug right in and felt as though she melted in her seat as the food melted in her mouth. After an excruciatingly long day, this is exactly what Terra needed. She tried to avoid eating too quickly, despite being famished. This was something that should be savored. Just as she took another large bite, an especially dapper looking man entered the kitchen and took a seat at the table. "WHOA! Who is THAT?" Terra wondered, staring at the man in awe. The man was something out of a romance novel; he was almost to good to be true. If there was one thing she had to nitpick, however, it was the fact that he was wearing gloves. It didn't really take away from his looks, but it was a bit weird. She quickly realized her mouth was full of food and her face had sauce all over it, so she reluctantly broke her stare with the man's partially revealed chest and fumbled around to clean herself up with a napkin. Soon after, two other girls who looked just a bit older than Terra entered the kitchen and sat down at the table. She couldn't help but overhear one of the girls mentioning how she was passed out when she arrived at the Manor. Terra wondered if that was the other girl who Celestine mentioned came in with her.
Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2015 5:44 pm
MasturChef
Chibi Halo
`Hydro
KaguraSakata
When Terra was led into the kitchen by Celestine, Caelen was just glad to see the young girl was OK. She was a bit shy, but it would wear off in time. It was quite amusing to watch the girl as she stared wide eyed at everything and everyone in the kitchen. Her enthusiasm over the food was even more endearing. Terra dove into the pasta Aylin had made as if she hadn't eaten in days. Between large mouthfuls of pasta, Terra would gawk at Caelen. It took every last reserve of restraint he had not to burst out laughing at her obvious enthrallment. Noting Terra was becoming a bit embarrassed over her own actions, Cae tried his best to break the ice. People, especially young girls, usually had a lot of questions when they first met him. It wasn't every day one ran into a demon that wasn't on a mission to suck out every soul they came into contact with.
Terra, is it? Welcome to Barton Manor. I'm just glad to see you are in better condition than when Chef brought you here. A rather nasty business, those doppelgangers. I wish I knew who created them and why. Oh well, I digress. My name is Caelen Evernight, by the way. I am the butler of this Manor.
During this brief introduction, Seren and Lunette had come in and sat down not too far from Terra. They both listened, mildly interested. Lunette caught Terra's obvious infatuation with Caelen and smirked. Cae pointedly looked at Lunette and raised an eyebrow at her haughty amusement, but said nothing.
Aylin let a smile come across her face as she reflected on what was said. While Kagura was right in a way, she was still unaware of the more serious of the world's problems. Maybe it was for the better they didn't know the war between the Kuro Mafioso and the vampires still waged on. Maybe it was for the best they believed the greatest problem the world had was the death of the Gambino family line. Maybe it was for the best they didn't know about the rumored Nyxian cult gathering once again. Maybe it was for the best they were in the dark about the gods that were being killed. Maybe it was for the best Aylin was told to never mention anything outside of casimir tree conservation when not in the Alliance's Barton branch. Maybe was becoming a very ridiculous and wrong word in Aylin's opinion.
The fact of matter was the Bartobs were now in the middle of the war that was growing in their very town. Because of the unique nature and location of the manor it afforded Aylin, the girl called Lunette, and Prim, who had gone to bed the moment she finished her meal, a safe haven from the duplicates on the other side of the manor walls. Like it or not Kagura, Chef, Alice, Cel, the butler Caelen, and the rest of the social club were about to be tasked with helping to protect and train the two girl who had trouble getting along. And if rumors turned out to be true, it would only be a matter of time before the other war waging outside of their walls breached into Barton Town and drove the whole world into darkness.
However, it now appeared that there were more than just the two confirmed and one suspected magical warriors in Barton. It seemed with each new face that appeared in the kitchen a new possible magical warrior was added to the list. All in all, Aylin could confirm two possible magical warriors and thought she felt the faint magical signature of a third possible one somewhere within the walls of the manor house. And while the girl Lunette was of university age the others were no older than her grandniece Jen and probably all went to the same high school in town. It was obvious the girls were inexperienced in the ways of the wider world, especially the way the one named Terra looked at her with rapt awe. They were too young for this battle and it was starting to eat away at Aylin so much so that she took a large swig of her brown ale.
Note to self, send word to dad to have the clan extend relations with humans more if we make it out of this Gaia forsaken war alive, Aylin thought as she responded to Kagura's remarks. "If only it were that simple. I'm afraid I've pulled all of you into a war by just being here. There's a lot of other things I need to talk to Chef about but these girls and I, assuming Terra and the one named Lunette are here for the same reason I am, are stuck here until we can find a solution to something nasty lingering on the other side of the manor walls. They're going to need someone to watch out for them and make sure this place feels like home. You can leave the manor grounds, I can't. And if it looks safe out there for the rest of you I just might ask a huge favor of you or one of the others tomorrow."
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