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The moment they were to set off he was up quickly, readying himself and fixing the coat firmly again, hood up, without bothering much to dry in the haste. It was odd, to watch the man scramble, as he somehow just barely maintained his air of grace-in-motion, face as still as ever. Rivven received the bag and carefully opened it, sticking a finger in among the coins as he glanced in on them as if to assure the rest of the bag was not filled with stones, but aside from the gesture he seemed rather unconcerned with the payment.

A quick little not to secure it among the other, smaller bags hanging about his sturdy belt, and he would take up pace with Caddure once more.

As they walked, the only motion of not he ever made was a single glance, lingering on Rasilyn, a time after she'd begun to hum. It was not as he'd ever looked at her before- not his businesslike sizing up of a person or a threat, not cold, not distant in sorrowful dignity. It was perhaps the most vulnerable she'd ever have seen him, if she saw- as though deeply confused, or as though staring at a ghost with a face he should have known. There were similarities, no doubt. A vast number upon the surface, he realized, but it was merely a reflection, not a sign, and upon consideration, the thought was absurd. The dead sometimes, in their floating upon eternity, might have risen to the surface to gracefully offer solace, a guiding or holding of a hand, but this was not one gift he was ever to receive. They certainly never walked the world again, not of their own volition, not untainted by the crime.

He pulled his hood forward, to protect against the scorching sun, and brooded, lost in thought, until they reached the maw.

Rivven felt nearly ashamed when he found himself surprised to suddenly be gazing upon the place, but even as he glanced down into the chasm to consider the obstacle at hand, he had clarity enough to realize it was futile. The very best he could have hoped to have found would only have given him way to take a single passenger across, and been too exhausting for him to take any of the rest across as well. He would, as the younger man put it, to have had a bridge on his person for him to guide them across.

It was not for any doubt or such reason, though, that he found himself surprised to hear Rasilyn suddenly offer a solution. Simply, the outburst was not expected of the quiet girl, nor, not nearly, was the bird who came down to her arm. More incredible things he had seen in this land, but none that puzzled him so very much. As they left to follow, rather than lead, he trailed beside Rasilyn, almost hesitatingly considering for a time before he tried to speak.

"To commune with the spirits of the sky, Lady Rasilyn?" 'Lady' he put very carefully, clearly unsure if there was some other name she was entitled to. "It is a cherished gift. One wonders how, carrying such a boon, you stand humbled so."

Certainly, he was not honored for the gifts he had, but he was certain her case was not at all alike his own. This poor, sweet girl had thus far been spared by the fates such trial and indignity.

"Wiii Woooo"

Richard gave props where props where do, so when little miss monk lover started chatting away with the birds, he gave at a nice shrill whistle.

"Well I'll be damned, people around these parts never cease to amaze me." He couldn't help but nod his head in admiration, he'd seen alot of things from vampires in sunlight to world destroying psychics but animal whisperers were few and far between.

After she had already released the bird back into the sky and the group was beginning to move once more, he pulled up along side Rasilyn for a personal thanks. "Good work sweet cheeks," he said giving her a little clap on the behind for good measure. And then he gave his new baby a little gas to avoid getting slapped in the face and put himself a little closer to their new winged friend.

XXXSince Alpha attacked the Stadium and Teira's disappearance new information seemed to go into a state of hibernation. There were rumours of a floating island drifting out into the western sea, and darkness descending on some tourist town. But there was no word from Alpha or from Victor. It was like they humiliated a few people and then just vanished..


XXXHowever there was a dream. A dream of a man fighting a golem like creature under mysterious circumstances. A man who wore a distinctive visor under a hooded cloak. Someone obviously concerned about keeping his identity secret. This was pretty much the only clue available to the hulking Athan. While dectective work isn't exactly what the man is known for, the sheer determination behind finding Alpha and playing out his revenge would drive him to find out.

XXXEventually he would actually find something semi-usable. Someone matching the same description had been hiring out guides and guards for exploration into the desert. Apparently was paying very well too. How many mysterious persons in cloaks and armour could there be wandering around? And besides, it's not like the people Athan hung around regularly were the kind intimidated by danger.

XXXAthan and company ended up in what some people called the fifth expedition. Most people had abandoned this ship after the fourth, mainly because the organizer became even more enigmatic after they found a cave in one of the cliffsides. He sent the crew back early and stayed in said cave, most people assumed he had gone crazy. However somehow he ended up returning and organizing yet another expedition. Generally those with common sense bailed early.

XXXUnfortunately for Athan the mysterious stranger had left early, leaving instructions for the rather small crew. This caused even more people to leave the crew. Lucky not the guide, who agreed to take them as far as the cave and then leave. The desert itself sucked. It was a desert. What did you expect? Sucked enough that the rest of the crew left with the guide, leaving only Athan and whomever he convinced to come along.

XXXThe only lead they had was likely inside of the cave they were standing in front of. Hopefully he was on their side. They had seen what he was capable of in dreams.




XXXThis here is to bridge some of the rapidly widening gap between Eden stuff and Event stuff. The party leader is Athan, he's in charge of inviting people to this scene. Don't get too concerned over the timetable stuff. There's plenty of time between HoH 08 and right now to stick it. Though it's safe to assume anything Dream related has happened already. So you have your cool shits from that.

Thus Athan, pick your party. Though, probably a good idea to keep it small.

Leader: Athan Cole

Well, following the animal without watching his step probably would have proved fatal if he didnt pause for just a moment to catch his breathe, leaning forward for a second under the heat of the blazing sun, dressed in his rediculous layers underneath his worn coat and weighed down carrying all those bags and supplies for the expedition.

Good thing too, 'cause he stopped just short of a descending incline of jagged stone. If he hadnt stopped, he probably would have tripped, and rolled right on down, recieving cuts and bruises until he stopped or fell over the edge. However, taking a close look at the path, it did make its way down, but it went right back up against the side of the mountain, not previously visible due to being hidden by all the jagged bits sticking out the side of the mountain which made a path.

"Oh... good news." He paused for a second to take a deep breathe and swallow some spit to ease a parched throat, "Theres a way across."

He stood back upright, adjusted some of the bag straps so he was a bit more comfortable, and then knelt down, taking his time to descend to ragged slope carefully. Wouldnt want to fall off the side or anything.

"I believe we're almost there. Just make sure you watch your step and be careful not to fall off..." he peered over the side, watching some loose pebbles chip down into the darkness below. "Defionately be careful not to fall off."

Crossing the chasm by this path, they just had to head back in the direction of the cave to get out of the sun and into some shade.

It was such a quiet and secluded place anyone could have missed it. Most, likely did. But like a large clam lost in the sand under a mile of ocean, this place held a priceless pearl.

And also, like most pearls lost in the darkness that was the gaping mouth of something so much bigger than itself...this man had no idea what potential, what opportunities, lie just beyond the walls which held him.

Someone had to crack the shell.

Or in this case, breaking the stillness and silence, gently rap on the door. Nothing forceful or hurried, but also nothing minuscule and dismissible, just a simple...

Knock, knock, knock.

He saw the door open, unfortunately for him though he did not look as inviting as he might have wanted. So the response...

"Who the hell---"

...was fully deserved. The man shading the door step wore a long black hooded coat, it was zipped all the way up to the neck, and all the way down to about his waist. He sported a pair of black dress slack and black penny loafers, save for the fact his clothes protect against a beating sun he was not at all dressed for the climate.

To make matters worse, his face was ominously hidden in the shade of his hood leaving only his monocle to glint and flicker the reflection of the candle light filling, and now spilling from the cabin.

My apologies Master Kyonosuke.

His voice spilled from the hood, calm and collected, yet still sincerely apologetic. There was age on his tone. And perhaps a bit of familiarity. Following the voice, came his hands. They slipped from his jacket pockets and rose up slowly in respect for the weapon in the other man's hands. His hands were white gloved, and open to show they were unarmed as they moved for the mouth of his hood.

I hope I'm not interrupting.

With a flick, he would cast the hood back. Under it, was a face in its early 50's with wrinkles under the eyes and cheeks and forehead. It was a pale face, with gray and white hair, and adorned with a monocle. It belonged to a man named Walter Worthington the 3rd, a man who then kindly said.

May I borrow a moment of your time?

There were alot of questions for a situation like this. How's, what's, so forth. One of the many things Walter appreciated about Vahn was that he did not ask them. He wasnt ignorant, just perhaps more concerned with the present than any of the more useless details that brought the present about. If more people had more concern for right now, it would have saved Walter alot of questions. And right now, Walter was relieved to see the sword lower.

"...I-- of course, sorry."

No apologies necessary.

Walter said immediately, bowing his head rather formally. Vahn was stepping away from the door, and accepting the silent invitation Walter stepped inside, watching the sword fly. His gray eyes took in the small room as a whole, almost automatically noting where and how he could help, but he said nothing until his eyes came to rest on the dinner table.

"You don't...have to be so formal. I don't go by that name anymore."

To which he humbly and apologetically replied...

Oh! How rude of me. I should be better abreast of these sort of things, and I truly did not mean to disturb you during dinner.

His voice refined and gentle as always. Just a few octaves above a whisper. He took a soft step closer to the table and away from the door, folding his over each other as he continued.

I am visiting because there is something, I would like to share with you. Something important. And still more important, there is something I would like to show you...I promise, it will only take a few hours of your time at the most...after which I would be more than happy to prepare you another dinner to replace that which I cost you, Master...

The ending was left open, with the butlers words trailing off as a silent invitation for Vahn to fill in what title he would prefer.