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 Posted: Thu Feb 10, 2011 4:47 pm
 Aaah, so much tarrying! But it knew where it was supposed to go - what was the problem with being a little late by an hour or so? Hell wasn't going anywhere.
The letter had described the building to such detail that Vesna knew when it was upon the correct location. The office looked quaint almost, with nothing striking other than its souring paint job and the scents of soon-to-be comrades. Vesna's ears turned, having an inkling that it was being watched from somewhere out of sight. Good, good . . . Some defense was better than none, and certainly this cat looked at the least ominous: all garbed in black, cloaked from the dying evening sun, painted as if a skeleton, its face hidden from view, its weapon topped by an unknown animal's skull . . .
"Ssss~"
It approached the front door nonchalantly, using the bone staff like a walking stick.
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Posted: Thu Feb 10, 2011 5:30 pm
Sagara had quickly fallen into her role as a watchman of sorts, observing those who moved about the territory and keeping an eye on those who entered..she had been told that newcommers were to be expected from time to time and not shot on sight unless they proved troublesome or were known to be enemies.
She was having a bit of a hard time following those orders at the moment and her hair was standing on end as her eyes followed the path of the cat below. It was a strange creature and Sagara found herself wavering as the cat approached their headquarters..but it didn't seem to be causing any trouble and Sagara finally settled on raising the alarm so that Lila and Redeyes would at least know that someone approached before they up and knocked on the door.
Raising her loaded crossbow she took aim and shot a small gong she and Lila had hidden on an adjoining rooftop, the resounding sound wasn't particularly loud or obnoxious but Lila would hear it and be prepared because she knew to listen for it.
Having taken that action Sagara holstered her weapon and began to make her trip down...This visitor was odd enough that she wanted to be on hand to help if it was needed.
Lila had been lounging in the lower room, eyes half closed as she listened to the sounds drifting in from outside through a high window she had cracked open just a touch while Red Eyes did..whatever it was he was bothering with over there fiddling with papers by the sound of it. It was a rather relaxing afternoon really, almost enjoyable.
Until the gong sounded - distinct enough that it couldn't be mistaken for any other sound from outside - which was why she'd chosen the scrounged up piece of scrap to begin with. She was on her feet instantly any earlier pretense of dozing or relaxation completely gone "Someone approaches the building" She voiced.
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Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2011 3:16 pm
The black tom's ears had perked at the gong's resounding tones, though he did not look up until a few seconds after Lila had spoken. What appeared to be him looking over papers was actually a pretense, as he was in actuality reading a famous manga sold in Ikebokuro. Setting his "papers" down, he looked to the doorway expectantly. "That must be the good doctor then," he said, and got up from his desk to begin straightening his tie. "A little more belated than expected, but he will be most useful to our cause." Of course BC felt no need to remind Lila about the usual good manners to offer guests: a polite welcome, offer a drink, have a dagger at hand in case things grew too argumentative.
Though both cats' sharp ears would not hear something resembling a man's voice outside - or technically a woman's voice for that matter; this was somewhere in the middle, and hard to hear from their position within. Sagara, however, would note its hiss-like quality. "Bells," Vesna grumbled, offended by the sudden sound and glaring (seemingly) at the gong before trying to locate the thing that had set it off. "It sees no church, it sees no reason why there are bells! Nasty, nasty sounds. It wants to see you!" the hooded cat called out, stopping halfway to the door. "It wants to play and make all bells ring in another's ears!"
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Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2011 3:36 pm
"I'll take your word for it" Lila commented as Redeyes spent some time making himself look pretty for their company. He was such a vain creature really - though Lila merely accepted that as another of her comrades 'quirks' and had long ago ceased thinking of it all that much. He then went on to make sure she knew he'd be useful and she gave him a bemused smile "I'll be nice...even if he was late" she promised before heading upstairs.
Surely Sagara had already started on her way down and Lila wanted to make sure it was in fact the Doctor Redeye's had spoken of before they all went barreling through the door to be picked off by who knew what.
With that thought in mind she took a peek out one of the buildings windows first..but only spotted someone in an odd black cloak. "Does your doctor friend run about in black cloaks?" She called down to Redeyes - somehow that wasn't the picture she had imagined as he had been describing him.But it was bet to ask - just in case. "And carry a really freaky looking stick?" She added in a slightly intrigued if somewhat suspicious tone having caught sight of the skulled staff.
Sagara was quite honestly at a loss - if this was a guest it likely wouldn't be proper to meet them with a drawn weapon - Lila had rather explicitly told her that Redeyes deemed such etiquette important. On the other hand - Lila would literally skin her alive if she wandered over with no protection and got taken hostage or some other unlikely..but not entirely impossible thing were to occur.
She finally settled for keeping the crossbow in hand - but holding it pointed downward in a fairly non-threatening pose before stepping towards the strange visitor. "Welcome to Gaijin Gesuidou, The Master will be along shortly I am sure" She told him..her..whatever it was in a polite but guarded voice. She saw no reason to explain the gong.
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Posted: Fri Feb 18, 2011 12:28 pm
All instinct told Vesna to leap upon the idiot that rang such a foul racket in its ears, but it remembered what the doctor had told her: play nice until he was able to arrive. It clicked its tongue impatiently at the thought, eyeing Sagara with . . . well it wasn't obvious distaste since its face was hidden, but the posture and aura it had said as much. "A bad welcome to have the bells!" it hissed again, stamping the ground once with its bone staff. "It was going to knock, stupid girl. If the doctor did not say play nice, it would play mean." The cat "hmphed" and began to step forward and onward as if unperturbed that this armed cat was just before it.
"A black cloak?" BC queried, his tie once more in place. "Not that I know of. I am aware he has a fascination for the color purple and whatever involves his voodoo practices." But a "freaky looking stick" didn't match that description either, and with a slight frown he joined Lila to glance out the window. What an odd figure before the building, he thought. "That one I don't know," he said to her nonchalantly as he watched the exchange between the stranger and Sagara. "How queer. Shall we see what it wants before it decides to break down the door?"
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Posted: Fri Feb 18, 2011 12:59 pm
Sagara kept her face impassive as the strangered hissed and snarled and berated her. She'd been polite and been disregarded for her troubles so she didn't have much of a problem being obstinate now. She stood her ground as the strange cat approached with a blank look on her face.
She didn't raise her weapon but...neither did she move aside. She had to admit the beast was getting creepier and creepier with each step however, especially as Sagara got a good look at the staff the cat had banged on the ground a moment ago and a part of her really wanted to just..step aside and let the odd beast roll on past and perhaps if the cat hadn't decided to call her a stupid girl Sagara might have done just that but as it were she had firmly decided to stick her ground.
"The door and possibly Sagara as well" Lila remarked before drawing back from the window and heading for the door. She didn't run..but she didn't take her time either, whatever the strange cat wanted it would be far more troublesome to get answers if Sagara decided to shoot it or the stranger got tired of her standing in the way. Whichever came first - neither option was beneficial.
When she opened the door however it was with the cool air of someone who was not at all worried "Stand down Sagara, that is no way to treat a guest" She stated nonchalantly while stepping aside herself so that Redeyes could make an appearance. She seemed unconcerned but she made sure to keep a clear line of attack from her to the stranger just the same. Sagara if she was paying attention would do the same. At least Redeyes unlike others she'd protected in her days - though she protested unnecessary risks still - was more then capable enough to be a help rather then a hindrance if things turned ugly.
Sagara was reconsidering either her position or the position of her weapon when she heard the door open behind her. Relief flooded through her though she was careful to keep it from her face as she stepped aside at Lila's order.
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Posted: Fri Feb 18, 2011 2:36 pm
It paused as the door opened and another figure appeared, this one with nasty swords at her hip. Beneath the mask, Vesna's dried lips curled. "Guesssssst, yes. Makes it wait in the sun like common dirt, makes its ears hurt with bells like enemy, and makes it wait under sun like mud." No, it did not notice the repeat if it was not intentional. The cloaked one's tail flicked impatiently as a third figure crossed the threshold behind Swords, one which it knew had to be the demon.
BC wasn't quite sure what to make of this unforeseen visitor and his . . . her . . . its wardrobe choice, but there was little point in acting hostile when clearly it had come here for a reason. "And who might you be?" he asked, stepping out and beside Lila.
"Ssss~" This time, its lips curled into a grin, wrinkling the painted mask. "Vesna. Are you the demon who wrote pretty words to my master?"
"That depends. Who is your master?"
The stranger chuckled, a dry and airy sound. "Doc-tor," Vesna sounded out. "Fa-sil-ee-ay. You know him, yes?"
The black tom nodded, his frown lessening. "Is something holding him back from coming?" It wasn't like the doctor to be late.
"Yesssss~ You see soon." It turned its head to gaze between Sagara and Lila. "And who be these fleshbaaaags?"
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Posted: Fri Feb 18, 2011 3:22 pm
Lila merely arched a brow at the strange cat's comments "Even a kitten understands the need for security, surely one such as yourself knows it's value as well" She remarked smoothly, she would not apologize for the measures taken to ensure said security and she fell silent, watching with half slitted critical eye as the two cats exchanged words.
So this stranger was in the employ of The Doctor Redeyes had been expecting. Having sent Sagara in her own stead many times Lila could see the likely truth in the cat's statements - the fact that it had arrived at nearly the same time said doctor was expected helped to validate the story. A little.
Her tail flicked slightly in irritation however as the stranger turned its attention back on her and Sagara "This one is the Demon's General, this one will be the fleshbag who will be ordered to create a staff with your skull if your story is proven false" She responded in a matter of fact voice. "You may call me Lila...that one" She nodded towards Sagara "Is my student, you need not know her name for the moment"
Sagara did a pretty good job of keeping her features in line as the stranger complained further about her treatment, she was not as practiced as Lila and could not quite match the cold indifference on her mentors face. She had been perfectly civil and honestly didn't think the wretch had anything to be complaining about.
Of course even that half-practiced cool and collected look melted away as the beast decided to call her flesh bag, Sagara's eyes flickered towards Lila first and then slid to Redeyes with a 'May I please shoot her' look on her face.
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Posted: Sat Feb 19, 2011 11:12 pm
BC would have chuckled at Sagara's look, but decided any more unnecessary sound might set this strange bone-themed cat off - and the last thing he wanted was blood on his nice tie. Assuming it wanted his name as well, he began, "You may call me wha-"
But Vesna was not waiting for names, for it distinctly was growing annoyed with Lila as Lila was with it, and it pointed its staff purposefully at this "general". The unknown skull atop the weapon watched Lila with sightless, slitted eyesockets, at least until it was shaken slightly to accentuate the stranger's next words. "Sssss!" Vesna interrupted him with sudden ferocity. "May the imps in three cause the trouble you cannot foresee!" It then pointed its staff at Sagara next, waving slightly as it had done to Lila. "And you, disciple of she . . . It have nothing to say to you yet."
As odd as the episode came, it left. The bone staff returned to its regular place on the ground, the cat paused as if trying to recollect what it was going to say next, and then took its cape and bowed as if nothing had happened between its previous sensical words and now. "Vesna is its name," it said simply.
. . . Okay? Not even he knew what to say exactly, other than welcome. "The cold must be bone-chilling," he remarked smoothly enough, though he passed Lila a strange look of "wtf". "Please, do come inside." He stepped into the building first, all too aware of the haunting weapon this odd cat carried behind him.
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Posted: Sun Feb 20, 2011 8:06 am
Lila was not impressed by the staff pointing but as nothing in Vesna's posture indicated that she was going to do anything more but point and mumble her silly little curse Lila resisted the urge to pull her swords. Doing so brought the possibility of escalating this confrontation from posturing and threats to all out violence - she was pretty sure that Redeyes would be just a little bit displeased if that happened.
So she merely regarded Vesna as though she were regarding an particularly intriguing bug and left it at that. Almost. "In most religions such a curse comes back to haunt the person who spoke it more then the person cursed. Three imps for me...means nine for you Bones - might want to rethink your plan there" Lila remarked - of course she didn't believe in any such religion and was well on the way to thinking Vesna was a complete and utter nut.
Of course Redeyes need not worry about Vesna and her strange weapon, as he welcomed it in and stepped inside Lila smoothly inserted herself between the black tom and the skeletal menace ensuring that if anyone where to going to be stabbed in the back by the horned skull it would be her.
Of course she trusted Sagara to shoot Vesna if that looked to be the case.
It didn't look as though she were going to get the chance to shoot the stranger - which was disappointing but not all that surprising and while the hairs rose on the back of her neck when the strange staff was pointed her way she took Lila's road and ignored it as best as she could and waiting to take up the rear guard position as everyone turned to go inside.
She would have returned to her former position of watch..but Morgaine was around somewhere and likely watching on her own, for the moment this seemed ike the place she could be mot useful
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Posted: Mon Mar 14, 2011 8:33 am
Quite a few words would be spoken after this delightful visitor left.
The interior of the office building had not changed much over the season of winter, save for a less dusty floor and an organization of the materials the humans had left within. It already comfortably housed his territory's members, and though this Vesna was not an accounted body in the count, the building was still large enough to allow an extra cat or two. "You may stay in this cubicle until your master arrives," BC pointed out, turning to the hooded cat and indicating its new living space. "All I ask is that you do not spill blood on the carpet or draw unnecessary attention to this place. We are a small group yet, and we do not need to make enemies so quickly."
Vesna did not nod, but flicked its tail. "Sss~ It is cozy in hell," it remarked, once again ignoring the other two women in the room. "Not unlike the other place it lived."
"I am glad you are satisfied. Food is on your own time, and I have no other restrictions to your schedule other than that which I have said before. Rules are subject to change depending on your behavior, however." He turned to his general. "Lila, have you any other words to say to our new guest?"
He was saving his questions for when his true contact would arrive, as he was beginning to believe the longer he interrogated this odd creature, the more circles they would draw around each other. BC was, however, amused to learn that Vesna believed it was a fortune teller.
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Posted: Mon Mar 21, 2011 6:04 am
To say that she was displeased that this....thing...was to stay in their midst was an understatement - Lila didn't care if the odd cat was an associate of Redeye's Doctor friend...she was clearly more then a little bit off her rocker. She already had to deal with kittens - if Vesna snapped in the middle of the night and went homicidal on everyone she was not going to be happy. Redeyes would be told just how unhappy she was too - well after she'd finished dealing with homicidal Vesna of course. She gave Redeyes a long suffering look when he asked if she had anything else to say - she had plenty to say but she doubted that it would be considered polite and Redeyes had just made it clear that Vesna for better or for worse was to be considered a 'guest.'
That probably meant that comments like 'just stay out of everyones way way' or 'cause trouble and I'll decapitate you' wouldn't go over very well, she was fairly certain she'd made the second point clear enough already but if she didn't have to worry about a lecture later on she might have restated it.
As it was she merely put on what might be seen as a welcoming look before responding in a far to pleasant voice "Oh no, I think you've summed it up quite well" She told Redeyes. With any other guest she might have told them to tell her or Sagara - she's never inflict Morgaine on anyone intentionally -if they needed anything, but she wasn't feeling particularly welcoming after the whole staff shaking posturing incident so Vesna could do for herself.
Having resigned herself to Vesna's continued presence and being fairly certain that she wasn't going to outright attack Redeyes - seeing as he was the only person Vesna seemed willing to treat with any sort or respect - Lila turned her attention to Sagara. "Back to your watch" She instructed and after only a moments hesitation as she mentally fantasized Morgaine and Vesna meeting unexpectedly she added "And make sure to alert Morgaine to our guest"
Well that was that then Sagara thought to herself - no shooting the stranger and it seemed as though she would be staying as a guest. Lila wasn't pleased about it, anyone who knew her could see that but as she wasn't raising any objections then Sagara certainly didn't have the right to. Perhaps given a bit of settling in Vesna would prove herself as more then an oddity.
They needed allies - as Redeyes had stated the group was still small, which was likely the reason Lila wasn't raising more of a fuss, beggers couldn't be choosers and all that jaz. Of course that didn't mean she wouldn't keep on eye on their new guest - something that was implied in Lila's order even if not spoken outright. With a slight bow to Redeyes and a nod to Lila she left to seek out Morgaine and bring her up to speed on the situation.
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