Welcome to Gaia! ::

With Seren well out of earshot showing Aureate around the manor Aylin's facial expression went from welcoming, open, and formal to very serious and business like. The look Aylin had been giving Mikayla spoke volumes as it turned hard and knowing. The woman, as far as Aylin could tell, had not only underestimated her age but also her experience. Before they were to any further into the house Aylin needed to set a few things straight.

"Before we go any further I want to set a few things straight. First, I'll have you know that I am one hundred eight years old. I have been married but that is not important to this issue. Second, please feel free to call me Aylin as I see you wish to forgo formalities. Third, I know what you are. I don't think Seren knows yet but I most certainly do. I can feel it coming from you," Aylin began before turning to head towards the game room, "I have the ability to feel the lines of magic coming from someone. Once I know what certain types of magic feel like I can tell who carries that magic within them before they even know they have it. And I can tell who is exactly like me. It was not through how you look that I knew you were Seren's grandmother. You carry the same type of light magic Seren does only far much stronger. And you have transformed several times as I have done. I said what I did for Seren's sake because I don't think she knows what you are or what she could possibly be."

Once again Aylin was speaking half truths. Again she did not want the grandmother to know that she and Kai had told Seren that she had the potential to become a Senshi. She didn't want either woman to know each other's secret before the time was right. It was her greatest trump card in the negotiations. Aylin let what she had said sink in as the two women walked down the short hallway towards the game room. It would be in this casual setting that Aylin would try and talk Mikayla into letting Seren stay at the manor for her training.

It was in the game room where Aylin made her greatest memories with the Bartobs. The game room, like the rest of the manor, had been given a face lift from the dark dreary looking room it had been into something bright and fun and full of color. Gone was the dark paneling of the past and in its place were walls that were a soft ivory white on top of a chair rail and a light camel color on the bottom that matched the top of the pool table off to the left side of the room. To the right and in the back of the room was a table for playing cards with four ivory leather arm chairs on wheels. However, the room was more than just pool and cards. The room held a pair of modern conveniences, in one corner was a pinball machine that happened to be themed after the exploits of Johnny K. Gambino and further down that wall with an ivory leather sectional in front of it was a wall mounted flat screen television for watching things like Gaia 9 news. Off in the back not far from the game table was a small bar and kitchenette with high backed stools in the same ivory leather as the rest of the furniture in the room. However, Aylin's destination within the room was neither of those places. Aylin led Mikayla towards a pair of perfect ivory leather club chairs arranged in a small conversation setting with a small matching bench.

Aylin gestured to Mikayla to have a seat in one of the comfortable club chairs. In front of the chairs on a small coffee table was the perfectly made tea service that she had requested of Caelen. Aylin had been under the belief that, like her sister-in-law and her social circle, all human grandmothers drank tea. It might not have been true but the diminutive princess wanted to have a cup of tea prepared for the long talk ahead of her.

"Please, have a seat and a nice cup of tea," Aylin offered gesturing towards the chair on the left before sitting in the chair on the right. The moment she sat down Kai climbed down from Aylin's shoulders and laid upon her lap. "Now then, aside from Seren informing you of where she was spending the night why have you come here today?"

"Thanks for understanding, Caelen," Chef said to the demon butler. "Don't worry, she'll be safe. And should something like that happen, I'll get her as fast as I can. But I'm sure it wouldn't come to that." Chef gave his good friend a reassuring look before turning his attention to the new guests at the manor.

Zephyros paced back and forth after Charm cut off the magical connection. "Damn that pixie looked just like Aisla. Venilia's locket, the great pixie warrior's descendant. Like being haunted by ghosts, all these years later." He muttered as he waited the visitor to enter. He looked around at the piles of gold, one tossed over the ground, and the different weapons that stuck out from the shiny clutter. Not all stories about his kind were true, but the hoarding of objects that sparkled were an embrassing truth. Zephyros didn't cling to gold, per se, like most of the clan. Then again they usually preferred their proper forms where Zephyros had become comfortable with the humanoid guise his kind could choose to change to. He preferred the large size to be a trumph card, but that nor any of these random objects here could do the one thing he really wanted. To help the senshi who were the only persons who could possibly save the girl. He realized, he didn't give Charm enough credit. She might not have been able to find the girl but she'd stumbled upon the warriors he'd been unlikely ally to so long ago. Too bad she was really needed where she was, because her expertise with magical pockets as an Angel Imp could've transported some of the magical items he himself collected.

"Excuse me, I wasn't really trying to talk to...well okay." The young man's voice jarred Zephyros, and he looked up out of his musings to see yet another Angel Imp, and in uncompressed form.

"If you are not looking for me, then might you be looking for Charm." Zephyros looked the young man over, who looked a little worse for wear. It was a long journey, certainly, to reach where the clan chosen to take cover. Zephyro's keen eyes saw that the bandages on the young man, and slightly healed scars, where not from a normal journey's bumps and bruises. "Are you alright? You're somewhat injuried, is there a problem back with your people?"

"No, no, nothing like that. Everything is fine there." He said, waving his hand. This hand and most of the arm was bandaged. The man also looked a little underdressed, with just a shirt and jeans. Despite his somewhat dirty and exhausted looking face, he had a confident smile.

"So you are here to see Charm. I apologize, she is not here."

"I can wait." He offered. "I really need to see her. Is she alright?"

"Why wouldn't she be, oh right." Zephyros assumed that his clan threatened to eat this visitor as well, especially if he had arrived in his compressed form. Zephyros was used to his clan mates as addressing problems as potential lunch entrees, but he had to remind himself this was exactly why they had so few visitors. That and the other reputations that came with dragon-kind. "She is fine, I promise you. Is this to do with her penance?"

"Yes, but perhaps not in the way you are assuming. I need to explain but first I'd really like to see her if I can."

"I'm sorry, but I don't know if I am comfortable telling you. Her task is very important, and I don't want to jeopardize her. Also, I have no idea who you might be to her, or why you are here."

"Please, it is about her penance. Did they tell you why? Did they explain what happened to her and why? They didn't, I know, because they are completely blaming her. I need to see her. I have to set things right. She's taking all the fault. It's not fair." The young man's fists where clenched, his face in pain. "Sorry. I know you probably won't believe me, why would you believe me over the council? Can I just please see her for a moment?"

"They told me she nearly caused the death, or perhaps the person has already passed, of one of her own. They weren't too keen on the details."

"Of course not. The council pays favorites when their leader's son is injuried, or rather in this case, scapegoats."

"Scapegoat. Charm was a scapegoat for your injuries. After all, those eyes and hair greatly resemble the head councilwoman's."

"That...is right." The young man was surprised. Not only did this person sound like he believed him, but he had figured out pretty quickly abuse of power Charm had been victim to.

"Young man, if you truly want to set things right, shouldn't you be talking to your council?" Zephyros looked at him. "And, perhaps you could introduce yourself. I would be most interested in hearing what exactly is going on."

"Sorry, sir. I know you are the clan leader, Zephyros. My name is Sky."

She had to laugh a bit inside at this woman's assumptions with a smirk and as she added some sugar to her tea she
replied"I'm here Miss Aylin with titles I could care less about becuse my Seren called me to pick
her up, I am of course quite aware something nasty is brewing under Barton but that it is quite a non issue in this
matter. The only shcok was that this mansion seems to have become Senshi station, now let me ask you something,
I'm sure you realize that you have a rather nasty little dopple problem outside the boundaries of this building?
Do you actually have a plan for dealing with them, or are you going to just throw things out and see what work's?
Becuase I can assure you that will not end well." Picking up her tea she took a sip and eyed the duo
across from her it was time to see what this group was made of.
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Looking back she saw that Aureate had stopped it appeared that other's had begun to roam the mansion again, running
back she led her over to introduce her to them Aureate this is my new friend Lunette, this dashing
guy is the butler here Caelen and finally this is Chef the leader of the BFAA

Lunette shrugged nonchalantly when Seren introduced the new girl who had wandered in with some batty old lady. It looked like it was going to be the battle of the old ninnies from the sound of the initial exchange between Aylin and Seren's gran. As much as Lune would have loved to sneak away and go listen in on the old lady smackdown for laughs, the need to complete the task for which she had originally come to the manor was more urgent. She desperately needed to ask the butler questions for which only someone like him would stand a snowball's chance of being able to answer. She was far too different from the others, set apart, but not in a good way. The nagging reminder of her strangeness only made the self doubt and fears of the past stronger. As Caelen and Chef took up their own introductions to the newcomer, Lunette silently detached herself from the staircase railing and headed for her temporary sanctuary in the downstairs reading room until an opportune moment presented itself.
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Seren lead the new girl with lighter brunette hair over to where Chef and Caelen stood like odd sentries just outside the kitchen, and introduced the girl as Aureate. Caelen smiled and was about to expand a bit on Seren's generalized evaluation of his position when a sudden loud noise, much like an explosion, rang through the manor. Even the sturdy windows in their frames rattled with the force of the unseen blast. Cae was able to tell well enough that the explosion had not come from within the manor nor its grounds, but was still within close range. Sighing at yet another bizarre addition to yet another abnormal day, Caelen gave Chef a very pointed look and said, Chef, perhaps both you and I had better go see what that was. For once I don't think Ren had anything to do with that explosion. Besides, I was under the impression that you wanted to go into town and attend the council meeting again today, what little good it will do. You can head toward Barton Square on the way out of the manor. It'll give me a chance to check up on the doppel situation as well.

Turnign briefly to Seren and Aureate, Caelen bowned and said, I apologize for having to run off so abruptly, but I must look into this situation. I will prepare tea and a light snack upon my return. Meanwhile Seren, feel free to show your friend around the manor. I would only ask that you not disturb any private residents' rooms on your tour unless the residents invite you in. I will be back as soon as possible.

Caelen stood tall and turned on his heel, taking long strides toward the manor door, only pausing to wait for Chef to join him.

“Not really.” DV responded quietly aloud. Ayel was probably looking at DV curiously, but DV didn't really look at anything. She was focused on the power she was slowly pulling up to the surface, creating a mental barrier as she blocked her master's voice to the world. Ayel was being patient, but there was no cause to trust her yet.

“Well then, why are you pulling open a dark point here?” A voice deep in the soil of Barton responded to Sailor Dark Vortex.

"This is where their town hall is, their so called government here. Since the city doesn't seem to want to save itself with that's happened so far, I figured this might give them a kick in the right direction."

"There is only so much time before the geyser of this power will let itself loose on this town, now that the balanced has shifted. There is only so much time to alleviate the pressure of this negative energy that I have been sealed down here with. If those human don't leave they will---"

"Be killed, I know. You explained. You say you can't control this power any longer?"

"No I cannot keep it from rising. A consequence of this incomplete seal from those blasted senshi."

"Senshi? What do you know about them?"

"They were reincarnated, so this is why I need you to wield the mantle. You contain real power, my pet. They must be the inheritors of the objects of light left behind by those blasted senshi."

“There have been more?” Some thing rang in the back of Hydro's mind. She didn't know the gaps in the argument where being sewn up by Melinda's control.

“Yes, and now they are gathering, and much too late to save this land. This land was once mine, and I ruled with my clan. They took my clan from me, my entire family. They left me to rot down here, as the negative energy I cultivated grew and grew. Barton used to contain enough power in the life forces there to keep this in balance. Those false keepers of balance, you must keep them at bay. People must be given the chance to leave Barton. Their light energy is no longer enough. Make that other person, whatever they are, useful for me, yes? Or get them out of the way.“

Then DV said the next statement aloud. “So then, I will use some of this energy, to keep things from getting out of hand and to get those senshi out of the way. Still, I have called more than that up. There is work to be done.”

Dark Vortex strengthened the circle, allowing the pool of energy to geyser another section of the negative energy to the surface. It would grow stronger, but first she needed to hold up her end of the bargain she'd made. It seemed Melinda did not want to accept Ayel yet, but DV wasn't even sure she could. However, an offering was made and DV was going to keep her word.

“Ayel. We don't have long. I am asking you to take some of this power and then leave without bothering those people coming here. I have need of their voices, of them to be messengers. They can't do that if they're twitching on the floor.” She said, looking at the security guard. “Fair enough? Take some energy, leave. It's not complicated and we both get something we want.”

She watched Ayel approach, waiting to shut off the energy if this being tried to take it all. After all, more energy was ready to climb to the surface.





Deep below Barton, a mirror that was surrounded with an endlessly swirling dark clouds, reflected back a face full of scorn and hate. Bright red eyes looked at her own reflection, now that the subject to which she had spoken to now cut off the connection. “Oh my pet, I'm the one who will gets what she wants. Play while you can.” Her scorn wasn't for her own reflection, she'd never disliked that even her many years in a tiny nondescript place she spent her banishment from the upper world. Most of eternity she'd been in a half-sleep, aware of existing and conserving all her energy into expanding her power once more.

She might have been alone all this time but she still didn't take kindly to visitors. She scoffed, glaring at her mirror most intently. Neither Barton, DV, nor Melinda's face reflected in it now. Her suspicion was correct. A faint shadow that was trying to hide from her in her portal to the outside world.

“Now, come on,” Melinda growled. “It is highly impolite to enter a lady's space uninvited. Even if it is in a mirror.” A figure now swum into a view. “A demon?! Get out of my mirror, NOW! I have nothing to do with demons!”

She swiped at the mirror threatening, her jaw snapping like the dragon she was.

The figure was not deterred. A human like outline was no deception to Melinda. Even if she didn't see the horns and the wings, she could tell from the aura. She could detect the charm being broadcast by the invader in her mirror. The young demon swept his hair out his eyes and spoke in a rich baritone. “Oh come on, milady, Demonic as I may be, I have a wonderfully insidious proposition for you.” Nykyrain, though he had not introduced himself for Melinda to know this name, knelt down in the mirror, suppressing most of his form as he spoke very curtly for once in his timeless banishment. “My offer to you, milady, is my services for an amount of time as you see fit. If you can free me from this prison that binds me. I know as you do, those pesky light warriors as just about a step a head and I'd like to change that for you to be ahead of them, disbanding them for a mutual benefit.” He gave a malicious smile from behind bottomless jet black eyes. The Arch demon looked up slowly from the kneeling position as seen through the mirror, curious as to the woman's response. Thinking as he did, Oh what fun could be had, how much chaos could be sown if she said those magical worlds to break the faltering seal. Breathing with a slight shake with anticipation, Nyk asked curiously, “So what will it be my fair lady? Yes or no?”

Melinda rolled her eyes. She knew some demons could lay it on thick, but this one must have taught the rest because he iced cake with an absurd ratio. Demons. No, she really didn't like them. She'd clawed and fought against them as one of the first of her kind. Her negative power could stand up to them, and she had won the leadership of her clan, the greatest number of dragons under one umbrella. Demons. They were of the dark alignment, and rarely could be controlled with her mind-control technique, though she'd done it before. It required much more work than she was inclined to do and she already could tell this individual wouldn't fall into line of weak-minded. She also did not trust someone so eager to please. Demons and dragons hadn't gotten along since the dawn of time. Both wanted the reigns too much. Too many demons tried to attack her kind, and even a demon, a strange entity to be certain, took her former partner away from her. That traitorous scum! Her hands formed into fists, and the demon in the mirror looked curiously at her. He must have thought she was reacting to him there.


She sighed. “I hardly need your help. You are in need of mine, to get out of your own seal. You're really only trading one seal for another. I suppose mine will break sooner than yours, though?” Perhaps solitude had turned her head. She was considering his offer. After all, a demon would have no trouble living in a Negative energy wrecked Barton. Also, there was the matter of the great dark energy that had shaken her seal in the first place. She quirked her eyebrow and looked at the demon, enjoying watching him not visibly squirming. He was sure to be somewhat nervous that she would send him away, despite the offer.


“I have to wonder what exactly you want out of trying to dispatch MY enemy. I have quite the the grudge to enact on them. I very much desire to break their bones and strip them of their precious light energy. However, I don't know if I would relish giving that satisfaction to another. Especially a demon.” Still the demon waited patiently for an answer. She gave a frustrated breath.

“FINNNNNEEE.” She spoke the ancient language that would unseal the demon from his own magical prison.


Coming of the ink like abyss, the demon sought to make an entrance to impress. He had a mischievous grin, with no shame in showing his poorly-clothed body, leaving his upper body exposed. Even Melinda in her corset thought he was lacking in proper armor. He may have thought featuring his muscular body impressed her. The large raven style wings and ebony horns would've probably knocked a female demon off her feet though, emanating evil. “Well, milady, true to my word I am yours to command for the time being.” Slowly raising his head, looking with the night sky filled eyes at his new mistress, she could see it was utterly apparent why this dark crusader had been sealed away. He was truly going to be trouble. “Your orders, my queen.” He gave an endearing manner, suggesting his whole interest was in serving Melinda. For now, she chose to believe that might be true.


“We are not yet close enough to be considered free. For the time being, we wait.” She cracked her knuckles, ready to coat her fingers in the blood of her enemies, not certain if this demon would be adding to that red stain or not. "What do I call you anyway?"

(OOC: Apparently Chef is just a guy, not a "dashing guy" :u )

"Pleased to meet you, Aureate." Chef said, smiling. "Welcome to the Barton Manor."

Chef kept his greeting short. Normally he would have given a more cheerful, more charm-filled welcome to someone like Aureate, but he neither had the time nor the energy, so he simply deferred to Caelen. Yet he hardly got out a few words before he was drowned out by a deafening blast. As Chef came to the same conclusion that the explosion did not come from the usual suspect within the manor, he looked at Caelen with concern. There weren't many reasons for any sort of explosion to occur anywhere near the manor.

"Nice work downplaying that, Caelen," Chef said as the two headed for the door. "Last thing we need is for people to start panicking. An explosion like that, so close to the manor? Either something crash-landed or a bomb just went off," Chef sighed. Neither one of those situations were ideal, though they were the most likely scenarios. The young man checked his watch, then paused just short of the gate where he waited for Caelen. "Ah great, the council is due to meet soon. Hopefully this won't take long."