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 Posted: Thu Oct 20, 2011 10:13 am
 Lumena: Town Square
Aquene shielded her face with her right sleeve as she walked looking down at the ground. She hated the crowds, but none-the-less, she was curious. The odd amount of reapers around made her curious to how many witch eaters were around. She had met one so far, but Aquene wanted to make her presence known to them. Aquene just wanted to be a part of them; the desire thrived within her every day.
Lucky for her was that with all the people also came with a lot of shadows despite the sun shining hard on them. When she finally stepped over an overhang, she saw the masses of people there. Sure, there had been plenty that bumped into her, but she didn't care to look at them. Aquene saw the brown haired girl (Cedar) that cared so much for her precious cows.
She didn't really know or hadn't seen most of the other people, but hey, Aquene was going to watch and learn. She was quite good at that. Would she approach them? "Eh... Maybe later or if one of them actually wants to talk to me. Don't feel like giving much of an effort today."
All of the people in the town square made her curious though. She knew Cedar was good, and it was hard to judge witchlings, but the others... Who would support the witch eater cause? Who would go against it. "Only time will tell, I guess..." Aquene stood there, looking as 'shy' and 'innocent' as she could. Only Cedar really knew and experienced her deviousness.
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Posted: Thu Oct 20, 2011 10:25 am
Lumena Town Square
In all honesty Cruor didn't expect to be approached by anyone and he preferred it that way. However when he noticed a pink-haired student coming his way, her eyes seemingly alight with wonder he leaned back a little more against the side of the building, bracing himself. It wasn't really that he disliked socializing with those outside of the Reapers but when it came to young girls... Well, he was at a bit of a loss. He'd dealt with them when he was actually going to school but never after unless saving them from a Witch Eater.
When the girl finally stood before him he shifted a little beneath her gaze, glancing at the scythe strapped to his back out of the corner of his eye, then back at her. At the question he arched a brow at the question, looking the girl over for a long moment. He didn't mean to be silent for as long as he had been, nor for him to immediately get suspicious of the girl, but given the current situation the request made him wary. Never mind that it was his scythe, one of his most precious belongings, so he was a little... Protective of it.
"It's the scythe of a Reaper." he answered softly, watching her intently. "We all have them. It's sort of a weapon of the trade and it certainly is not a toy to be taken lightly. Unfortunately I will have to deny your request to touch it for that very reason."
It wasn't that he was trying to be cruel to the girl, he just didn't like to wave around his abilities and weaponry like a rookie. It was all dangerous and he didn't want her to accidentally cut herself or anything on his watch either. Despite that, it didn't stop him from attempting to recruit for their cause; Cruor was never above adding new Reapers to their ranks.
"However you can get one of your own by being a Reaper. Tell me, why so interested?"
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Posted: Thu Oct 20, 2011 11:18 am
Location: Lumena Town Square
Salem squinted against the stark brightness that only the cold, clear days of mid-autumn could know. His breath flew from his mouth in furious puffs that looked far more emotional than he felt, so cold was the air, or perhaps so hot was his breath. He hadn't changed his attire, and his bare skin was still exposed to the biting chill, though he didn't feel it. His skin kicked off a nearly sickly warmth, and if he were to wager a guess, he'd chalk it up to a fever, though it shamed him to imagine himself afflicted by a human sickness. He didn't FEEL much weaker, but he had a funny way of misunderstanding and abusing his flesh by riding it just as hard when sick as when well.
This day served as a perfect example for his disregard. He'd used up some of his precious (and rapidly diminishing) energy by channeling it into a choice few blood-spells, ruses that concealed his ruined appearance and made him look whole again. His skin appeared clear and consistent, an expanse of a single tone of pale that was unbroken by stitches or patches of skin that... didn't look like they belonged. They were appearances only, but Salem had an experimental glammer that would hopefully deter anyone who decided to touch and feel at the concealed patchwork. Both eyes gazed out from his head, but one was simply a copy of the other, and achieved symmetry by following its real partner's movements exactly.
Salem thought briefly on the repercussions of maintaining the illusions, but knew he had no other choice the second he hit the streets. Reapers were everywhere, in the streets, watching from alleys, bumping shoulders with you and scowling if you looked funny. Salem held a great distaste for them, if only because they were his most bitter rival, an order based solely upon the concept of eradicating Salem's master-race.
Why, even now, one stood before him!
Salem, restless as ever, even when sick, had decided to spend the day wandering, even if it would have been wiser to sleep his ills off. He'd do his best to meet up with Orpheus later, for he knew his bandmate was somewhere in town, but he couldn't stand to sit around and wait for a more convenient time. A brief stroll through the Castle Town eventually brought him to the square, as it apparently had so many others, for many people stood crowding the plaza. He was not surprised to recognize many of the faces in the square as those from the night before, in the Tavern. In the center, however, stood two figures, a pink-haired girl he recognized and a armor-clad one he did not. The girl was a student, but the man a reaper, and a formidable one at that, a Black Heart, from the looks of him. Salem didn't like the looks of him at all.
Salem's eyes drifted away from the pair, though, long enough to lay upon another he recognized. The blonde, green-eyed woman (whom he had never gotten a chance to speak to the night before) stood near to him, forward and just to the left. He'd make up for lost time, then.
Sidling up to her, Salem smiled and spoke out of the corner of his mouth. “I feel I'm practically swimming in reapers, these days. A sorry sight indeed. One I'm very sick of.”
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Posted: Thu Oct 20, 2011 11:27 am
 Lumena: town square
The town was abuzz, full of life, and.. something amiss... but at the current, the quiet Athir found himself a nice clear place without many people, on a bench next to the center fountain in the large area. Wrapped up in warmer clothing with the approaching cold, a book was settled in his hands, cracked open to a designated page. Trained gray eyes followed the lines with ease, smooth and consistent, unwavering. Silky, long golden hair laid neatly over and behind each shoulder, ruffling from time to time causing strands to rise and flutter as a stray wind would n** by... along with the occasional turn of pages, Athir did not budge. The streets were not only riddled with students, and graduates, but of heavy patrolling... which was cause for unease amongst most. Even for the young student... but he tried to keep his unrest at bay, focusing as much as he could on his studies. The ball wasn't of too much interest to him, as well... he wasn't particularly the best at social gatherings, but it did cause a little curiosity in him. But what would he do at such a place? Be a wallflower? A light smile lifted at the thought on the timid boy's features, eyes sparing a glance up from his literature from time to time to spare a look to those passing by near him.
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Posted: Thu Oct 20, 2011 12:11 pm
Chanda gritted her teeth and furrowed her brow as she put her full weight against the door and, while it took a bit of struggle, she managed to get the door closed. Unfortunately, the temple was now just about as cold as the outside. "Kama sē kama vahām̐ hālāṅki kō'ī havā hai... (At least there's no wind though...)" Chanda shivered and looked about the pews. "Khālī...(Empty...) good that means I can burn some incense," she said with a relieved sigh as she headed to the altar at the back of the temple. Truthfully, Chanda had been sure that she would simply have to meditate and pray without it which, she could do of course, but it was never as satisfying. The prayer incense she used helped her stay focused on the spiritual by drowning out the material world in soft scents and smoke.
The tiger mononoke ran her finger along a symbol carved into the stone altar and, with a soft click, a drawer slid out from what had appeared to be a solid block of stone. From the drawer, Chanda pulled out an oil incense burner and a pack of matches and from her own pocket she pulled out a small bag of cone shaped incense. "Jai Mata Di…Jai Ma Durga," she said with a bow, placed the incense in the container, and lit it. As she turned about to take her place on one of the pillows in front of the altar, the bright yellow hair of the girl by the window caught her gaze.
Chanda stared into the girl's own blue eyes and tilted her head inquisitively as the familiar feel of mononoke magic tingled along her skin. "Another one?" The glint of the Makai uniform star caught her keen eyes. "And she's a student like me..." She continued to stare for a moment but then remembered that staring at strangers was impolite and, instead, gave a tentative wave to the girl on the other side of the window. "Hello...?"
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Posted: Thu Oct 20, 2011 1:54 pm
Lumena Castle Town: Square
It was a bad idea to stay up last night.
Oh, by gods, was it a bad idea. Säde's pillowed her head in one hand, groaning softly at the ache throbbing there whenever she so much as breathed. Her mood didn't help. It left her wanting very much to take in the sights and sounds of this Hallow's Eve, but entirely too groggy to do so. And all was made worse because there was so little about the morning to dislike! The day wasn't too chilly and markedly beautiful; the decorations in the square were fantastic. Shops bustled, and she was dressed in festival best: a pretty little frock she'd hunted down some months before and never had the chance to wear. It was a simple thing, but the witchling was more than happy with it.
In fact, if you overlooked the troubling times, the gaggle of Reapers, and otherwise armed guards in the streets, it was a wonderful day in the square. And to her credit, Säde was doing a fair job of keeping her agitation at the tension in check. But no one was perfect, and she needed a drink.
Lumena Castle Town: Quaint Bakery
With a nod and warm smile to the boy reading on a bench across the way, Säde ducked into a small bakery nestled not far from the square's fountain center. The chill breeze from the bubbling waters was washed away inside, where oven warmth encompassed any who passed through the door. It wasn't an uncomfortable heat - in fact, she found it rather cozy. Even though the tiny bell that announced her entrance set off the ache in her head again.
Oh, well. Just another reminder of why she'd stopped in. The bakery's owner was a winnowy sort of man with flour everywhere in his scrimshawed scroll of a beard. The sheer humor of such a severe-looking man surrounded by baking made the student smile - which, in turn, made him smile. And just like that the severe man was gone, replaced by a baker born and bre(a)d. His high cheekbones marked dimples beneath crinkling, merry teal eyes.
Säde had a seat at his counter without delay. "Rosehip tea and a buttered roll, please?" What a nice surprise this place was!
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Posted: Thu Oct 20, 2011 2:49 pm
Location: Lumena Town Square
So this was how a girl was like should he ever found himself in a similar situation in the future, though Lea highly doubted that he would as he used his hands to gently guide Cedar back into an upright position, making sure that she was steady on her own feet before retracting them. Soft, supple and almost weightless. Intriguing. "That... would have been a disaster in itself. I'm glad that I've managed to help prevent it Miss." Lea informed her sheepishly, having the decency to at least blush when she next complimented him on his reflexes. He had merely reacted instinctively the moment he bumped into her and he was pretty sure that most people would have been able to achieve a similar result had they been in his shoes a few seconds back.
Turning his head at Cedar's question, it didn't take Lea too long to figure out who she had been referring to when he spotted Kalypso not too far from where the both of them were. He gave a small smile at her query, his head nodding just once as he raised a hand to wave her over. "Yeah. We sort of ran into each other on the streets back in Makai last night." Did that encounter make them friends though? Lea wasn't really sure truth be told but he didn't really think it an apt question to ask anyone outright, even if they were around his age.
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Posted: Thu Oct 20, 2011 2:53 pm
 Lumena Castle Town: Square
Azaria yawned as she stretched her arms out above her head. She had been ignoring the crowds of people, a good deal of them students, the best she could but the noise was grating. She rested a cold hand on her forehead, trying to relieve the creeping headache.
Azaria probably stood out with her simple white dress and thin silky slippers. She preferred to be barefoot, but she found the town’s floors to be cold and uncomfortable to walk on. Her pale hair and skin didn’t help her to blend either. She wasn’t dressed quite right for the chilly air but from looking at her you wouldn’t know she felt it.
She continued past a thick crowd of people, apparently they were looking at some food stall of which Azaria would have stopped to try too but the amount of people turned her off. She lifted her chin up and walked past. She really only came for the food. You wouldn’t be able to tell from her thin frame, but Azaria loved to cook and here was an oppertunity to try some good unique food so she was on it. Otherwise she wouldn't have ventured into this busy town, especially not now.
She couldn’t help but notice the tension behind the happy crowds and pretty decorations. She ignored it of course and met any stares with a daring one of her own. While she felt a small fear somewhere inside her about the recent murders, she wasn’t one to start pointing fingers or let the fear controll her.
Finally Azaria found a small clearing with a soothing fountain bubbling in the middle. The clear water still flowed despite the troubles that brewed. She noted the lack of people but a few spotting the benches and strode over to the fountain. She took a seat on the rim, her legs crossed and one hand resting just above the water. She let her fingertips graze the waters surface. The stone was cold, causing a quick shiver to shake her body. She would probably have to dress warmer the next time she went out but she couldn’t say why but today she liked the biting cold. Perhaps because it kept her alert.
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Posted: Thu Oct 20, 2011 2:58 pm
Lumena Town Square
Her attention was momentarily diverted from from Professor X by a girl that had started to approach them with olive green eyes. The Reaper's tail swished and an ear rotated towards the girl. But before she could get any closer, someone bumped into the girl. Now there were two younger ones near them. Ears perking forward alertly, Shaden eyed the new boy. Another Mononoke, huh? Interesting! That was two in one day now, wasn't it? There was the Reaper male not too far off still. And now this feline Mononoke boy.
And now that she looked, the square was getting rather crowded as the evening progressed. Shouldn't people be heading indoors with the cooler weather? Even Shaden had to admit this was fairly cold. And normally, the snow leopard Mononoke didn't mind lower temperatures! She snorted to herself, cyan eyes catching sight of another girl with long brown hair (Aquene) that seemed to be keeping to herself. Yet she too was watching everyone curiously. Shaden managed a small smile to the girl before realizing something.
There was a blonde haired boy reading just on the other side of the fountain. Blinking, the Reaper leaned back a little to glance towards him. How long had he been there? And foolish of her not to have noticed him before!
To the blonde boy reading, Shaden let her curiosity get the better of her and asked, "What sort a book would a lad like you find enjoyable to read outside on an evening such as this?"
Right as she asked, another girl moved to sit at the fountain. Now the Reaper was just amused. This fountain's crowd was growing as well. Well, since she'd already spoken to one blonde, how about another? To the girl sitting at the fountain (Azaria), "Evening there!"
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Posted: Thu Oct 20, 2011 3:16 pm
Lumena Town square
Upon one of his glances up, hearing some prominent footsteps passing just before him, he caught the eyes of a female advancing towards the bakery who was giving a very inviting smile. Returning it with his own modest smile, his eyes took a brief moment to admire her dress. It really fit the season! It lead his mind to wonder curiously whether she'd made it. Perhaps a hand-me down? A family heirloom? It was in his wandering mind that he found himself a bit embarrassed by how much thought he was putting into the decorative couture, that he almost missed the second female, with light blonde hair almost the same shade as his own. He spared her a brief look as well, that light smile remaining, before he was acknowledged with speech. Blinking in surprise, his head turned, and eyes lifted, mouth no longer hidden behind the warmth of his green scarf. Before him was a woman clad in purple. Or perhaps it was a dark navy? Either way, she held both dark shades to her. As well as a very intriguing dress of her own. His eyes went to the ruffles almost immediately, admiring the handiwork to them. It wasn't easy to make fabric take on the form of flower petals. Once again finding himself caught up in personal fancies, he felt his cheeks warm faintly, before letting his gaze reposition to the woman, "Oh, well... it's for class." he responds calmly, fingers tracing the binding of his book slowly, just now really realizing just how chilly it had gotten."I suppose I didn't notice the day wearing on as it is.." he explains. "Though.. I suppose it would be wise to retire indoors." he gave a sheepish expression, a hand lifting from his lap to draw forth a strand of ribbon, fitting it just in the crack of his open book. His attention was grasped when the other blonde was prompted, peeking over at her, and then to his book again... pausing a moment to allow his words to form properly, "If I may, miss... your dress is rather lovely.." his meek voice chimed to the Reaper, laced with nothing but sincerity.
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Posted: Thu Oct 20, 2011 3:22 pm
Lumena Castle Town: Square
Azaria became engrossed in the bubbling water as she half-heartedly listened to the conversations around her. There weren’t many voices in this area but it still took her a few seconds to realize that someone had addressed her. She turned her head slowly to observe the owner of the voice before replying. She noted the long-haired boy; at least she thought he was a boy, on a bench to the right of her. He looked masculine enough, but he had longer hair then her!
The owner of the voice was only a few feet away, near the boy with the long hair, of whom she was conversing with. She was a reaper, and a mononoke at that! How careless of Azaria to have not noticed. Reapers, she had noticed them about in larger numbers, but if they didn’t bother her then they weren’t of any concern. She wanted to keep her nose out of all this murder business. This one seemed friendly, and Azaria wasn’t to keen on the overly friendly types, but she nodded in response, her mouth neither smiling nor frowning. She looked rather indifferent.
This mononoke was pretty, her hair reminded Azaria of one of her favorite fruits with its deep purple shade combined with shinning crystal blue eyes.
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Posted: Thu Oct 20, 2011 3:37 pm
Location: Lumena Town Square
Rosel found herself considering abandoning the town square for a rougher part of town. Maybe with so many people filling the square, the Black Hearts would neglect the poorer neighborhoods, and a thug or two could always be found when it wasn’t too cold out. Languidly brushing her hair back, she scanned the crowd again. Maybe if she was lucky, she could pick up where she left off with her prey the evening before… Instead of her prey, she noticed the white-haired witch from the night before, the one that was most certainly not Azra’iel. That whole situation could have ended better, though she supposed it could have also ended worse.
She caught another flash of white hair on the edge of her peripheral vision and turned automatically to look. It wasn’t like she periodically looked out for white haired men, but after the embarrassment of last night, memories of childhood taunting and frustration were fresh in her mind. She narrowed her eyes as she watched the lone figure stalk through the cold wind. She could see his skin tone was much the same as she remembered, but without seeing his eyes, she couldn’t be sure.
As she was mulling in her doubt, she felt, rather than saw, a figure sidle up next to her and address her quietly. She gave a covert look over, and did an open double take at who she saw. The young witch from the night before, Majin if a sample of his energy told her right, but somehow miraculously healed. Gone were the stitches and discolored skin, and he appeared to have grown another eye. Amused at her own shock, she chuckled and flipped her hair. ”Oh come on, play nice and they will too. And besides, you know what they say about a man in armor…” She paused to turn and openly check out the Black Heart in the red armor still talking to the pink-haired girl. ”Speaking of,” she turned back to her visitor with a raised eyebrow and a smirk. ”You’re looking considerably better today. A charm, or does spiced cider just agree with you? I’m Rosel, by the way, I don’t think we got a chance to talk last night.”
Smirk still in place, she happened to glance back to where the maybe-Az was making his way towards the inn. That determined stance, shoulders hunched almost in fear, and was that… a book? The little weasel, it was him! Smirk turning feral, she took a twisting step in front of her new friend. ”Listen, be a dear and escort me across the street? I do believe I’ve just seen an old friend who’s trying to avoid me.”
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Posted: Thu Oct 20, 2011 4:12 pm
Lumena Town Square
Ah, so the blonde boy was a student then. That explained why he might be out here reading it. Sort of. Okay it made sense in her own mind! If she recalled correctly, some of the reading material had been hard to focus on unless in a quiet and relaxing setting. Though Shaden wasn't sure if she could call this area 'quiet and relaxing'. At least not this evening. Her gaze took in his appearance, carefully memorizing aspects of his features. So she would remember him should she happen to cross paths with him again. Plus, it was just something she'd learned to do as a Reaper.
Shaden smiled, something rare to see on first meetings. She did have a knack for being much more anti-social than this. Maybe it was the air today. "Guess if it's a good read you can get lost in the words." Or just something about the boy that didn't raise her hackles. He seemed rather calm and sweet so far.
The blonde female gained a curious look from her response. Or lack of one. The girl had merely nodded towards her. Interesting. Was it because she was a Reaper? Shaden's ears lowered a notch but she still maintained the friendly appearance. Well, if the girl didn't want to talk, that was fine by her! Though he would keep an eye on the girl. Shaden did give her a smile in response to her nod, showing she had acknowledged it.
Turning back to the boy, she blinked in surprise, glancing down at the dress she wore. "Really? I...I mean thank you." If one were to look closely, they might notice a faint tinge of pink forming on the Reaper's cheeks. "If you don't mind, what might your name be? I'm Shaden. Or Deni. Whichever you prefer." She made sure to make this just loud enough for the girl to hear as well, in case she did decide to talk.
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Posted: Thu Oct 20, 2011 5:59 pm
Location: Lumena Town Square
Rosel's second glance over him, eyes slightly wide with surprise, brought up a smirk in Salem as well, coupled with a tittering little giggle, unable to suppress the joy his successful magic brought on. Salem believed time always existed to pat himself on the back for his ever-improving magical strength.
“A lovely bit of witchery, isn't it? A tavern is one thing, where everyone is drunk and I can confound with a parlor trick, but out here, where the reapers are more numerous than the days are cold...” Salem grimaced, and jerked his head toward the Black Heart clad in red, still engrossed in conversation with the pink-haired girl.
“Out here, I can't take any chances. Neither can you, really,” Salem intoned, trying not to sound rude, not to one more exalted than he, but he still felt he could give a bit of advice. “Granted, you're more powerful than I, and in top form now, by the looks of you. I'd wager you have a bit more flexibility in extricating yourself from sticky situations, should you find yourself in them.” He didn't mean to imply there were any such situations on the way, but how could they deny their death walking the streets before them?
“Most of these men would kill us without a second thought if they could, if they thought it would quell this panic.”
Salem smiled, though, when she asked for his accompaniment. He followed her gaze and laid eyes, himself, upon the white-haired boy she indicated, and nodded in good spirits.
“I'd love to,” he said, falling in beside her as she moved toward this supposed old friend. "I am called Salem, incidentally. A pleasure it is to finally know your name, Miss Rosel."
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Posted: Thu Oct 20, 2011 6:24 pm
Location: Lumena Town Square
Biting her index finger over a smile, she kicked up a heel playfully. ”Why thank you! You’re not so bad yourself, keeping up a glamour like that.”
At Salem’s next words, Rosel snorted and waved her hand dismissively. ”So what, are we supposed to run and hide like rabbits? Or,” she fluffed her cloak with a flourish. ”Hide in plain sight? I’m not doing anything wrong…yet.” She added the last word quietly with a wink as she walked alongside him. Continuing in casual, low tones, she ran her fingers along her fur trim. ”They won’t risk slaughtering obviously innocent people, not when people are already so tense. Scapegoats are usualluyou nobodies or somebody in charge who messed up. The trick is to be something in between and just not get caught.”
She turned and winked again as they neared Az’s back. Jumping forward playfully, she twisted backwards to Az’s side and swung her hips into his. ”Oops! Silly me, how terribly clumsy of me! Why… If it isn’t my good friend, Azra’iel!” Turning her flourescent gaze on him, she smiled dangerously.
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