[FIN] Over the river and through the woods... to Dr Fell's

[Bilious]

It was a small town, up north of Amityville by several days travel, where the language on the street had evolved into something definitely not English, and the people coming to and fro the shops gearing more towards undead of the Vampiric variety, and many more werewolves and even Patchworks were not uncommon. Neck Bolts seemed to be in fashion this season, judging by several green-skinned and stitched youths loitering outside a parlor here and there, but the coach rattled on.

The road kept going, away from the bustle of the major part of the small city, curving this way and that towards the high hills... the Laboratory of Dr. Fell was not difficult to find. It was on the outskirts, with plenty of property surrounding it as they crossed through the gate, riddled with grave yards and separate buildings... crematoriums by the look of the black smoke. The main building was large and twisted with towers with only a few twinkling lights in the windows. It was an impressive estate, to say the least, and very tidy overall, save for the countless Carry On that circled overhead or perched on the ornate stone work of the towers and fences.  

[Toshihiko Two]

The carriage stopped on the driveway near the main door, shaking itself like a dog before settling with a wumph on the cobblestone. The vampire at the carriage's dash tugged his sunhat tighter over his face, and whisked around to put out the folding step and open the door with a nervous, wary of the time of day importance.

The sun had just begun to peak over the distant hills, and everything was in a soft, early morning haze.

Barth was fast asleep in the coach.  

[MoonKitsune]

It was Calder's first time riding in a carriage, and he had been wary of it as first, but by the end of the first day, he had his head out the window and marveling at the contraption with a delighted aw. To move from one place to place that wasn't a boat but on land without any need for using some poor creature was amazing, and enjoyed every minute of it. Oh, the luxuries some creatures had, and Calder felt a tad envious of Barth's many resources but otherwise thankful that his friend was willing to offer said resources to him. He'd have to thank the demon somehow.

By the end of the second say, his legs ached and he grew just as tired as Barth had with all the moving about. However, by morning he had woken up to see the little town and check the map, regaining his excitement and keeping his eyes peeled for a place that seemed Christof-ish.

The place was far from his typical home, crammed with undead and sporting more "Used Parts and Pawn" then he was used to seeing, not to mention the number of other midnight creatures his parents had warned him about. The smell of werewolves made him crouch on the floor of the couch, peeking over the edge of the window just to keep his eyes peeled but not be seen. A demon they might ignore, but a tasty kelpie would be a nice delicay in these parts. Expecially one without it's herd.

Still, despite being wary, it was all so new and different that he couldnt' help marveling at the sights, smells, and general feel of some place exotic. THIS was where Christof grew up. THIS was his home town....or close to it. By being connected to his friend, it was important to Calder, and he was soon peeking his head out the window again and looking about.

"WWWwooooowwwww." He called out into the wind as they rolled up to cobblestone drive to the dark, looming castle before them. Christof sure lived in a big place and with such a big amount of land. You could plant 3 oat fields here and still have room for all your vegetables!

As the door was opened, Calder eagerly shook Barth. "Barth. We're here. Wake up already." He pulled on his arm before hopping out of the carriage....and tripping.

Rubbing his bum, he rose back up on his feet and shook the hoof that had fallen asleep. "It's so big and dark!" He shouted, looking up at the tall spires and nearly breaking his neck in the process. "I bet you could fit my entire clan in this place."  

[Toshihiko Two]

"It's morning," Barth mumbled in a sort of inarticulate way that indicated he did not do mornings, at all, period, and that was all there was to say on the matter.

He also did not appreciate the shaking.

Morning, for Barth, was a sort of blank space of time that he had never, even under severe duress and dire circumstances, been awake for. Still. In spite of his protest, he leaned forward out of the compartment and after Calder, slumped and half-resting his head in his own shoulder.

"Very good, sirs," Grimhold said, closing the door and huddling close to the siding.

Barth followed Calder to the door in a series of slow, stumbling leans, his eyes wobbling partially open, if on the glazed side.  

[MoonKitsune]

Calder noticed the way Barth looked ready to topple and knew that once that happened, he'd have to fight and push him back up to his feet. Right now it was just a question when Barth would give in to gravity and topple. Why wasn't he as excited to be here and see such an amazing castle? Then again, Barth could have a big castle just like this! He could live in a neighborhood of castles that he saw every day. It was all probably boring for a demon.

Still, Barth had to be AWAKE for them to meet Barth, and Calder trotted over and took one of Barth's arms, letting the demon lean on him as he directed them over to the steps and up the massive front door. Looking about, he thought about knocking but saw no knocker of any sort. Frowning, Calder looked about before he saw a large, frayed rope handing from a large hole in the stonework that was designed to look like a gaping, monstrous mouth with teeth. Moving over, Calder grabbed the rope and dipped his rum down with his full weight into it to yank on the rope and heard the heavy BONG! BONG! BONG! of the doorbell.

Releasing it, Calder dragged Barth back over to stand square in front of the door, smiling brightly. "Hey. Wake up. You can't be sleeping when they open the door." He reached over and pinched Barth's side.  

[Bilious]

It didn't take long before there was the sounds of scuffling and the door opened slowly with an ominous creek. The face that peered out through the dark crack was.... inhuman to say the least. A long alligator-like snout stitched shut despite it's sharp teeth and a hunch that would have made Christof ashamed glowered down at the visitors with glowing eyes, regarding both figures slowly and carefully.

After a few moments, the creature opened the large heavy door the rest of the way, motioning for them to come inside.  

[Toshihiko Two]

"M'awake," Barth lied, although the creak seemed to do more for his sobriety than the bell or the pinch had. He still seemed blurry, and unable to open his eyes further than a crack.

He leaned away from Calder, trying to recompose himself, and then just ending up in a failed slump, dragging into the castle's foyer with all the presence of a slightly drunk snail.

Grimhold busied himself with the carriage, coaxing it to somewhere with more shade.  

[MoonKitsune]

Calder had been expecting Christof to open the door and was surprised to see another patchworkish thing opened the door, regard them with as much excitement as if they had opened the door to a bunch of ghoulscouts offering the least liked brand of spookies. Despite the look, Calder was excited to see it. It was more animal than Christof was and he wondered if this could be considered his friend's brother.

"Hi!" Calder said with a wave, far more chipper for the hour of the day.

He got no response, and instead followed Barth into the main foyer. "Are you Christof's brother?" He asked, watching it as it moved. "Or....sister?" He couldn't quiet tell to be honest. When you jumbled a lot of parts together, the gender started to get a bit lost. It didn't help that it was more lizard-like, and he hoped he hadn't insulted it.  

[Bilious]

The creature, of course, said nothing, but did motion for them to follow down the dark hallway. The interior was as posh as one might expect, everything arranged... just so... by someone who clearly found great importance in things of an Obsessive Compulsive nature. There was a definite importance held in the asymmetrical, judging by the devices and arrangement of paintings on the walls around them.

Their guide did not stop until it came to another sub door, motioning for them to go inside.

The moment they stepped foot into the dark sub-room, the lights were thrown on, bright and white as the air exploded with an icy cold gas erupting from all sides in a thick white cloud, followed by a spray of what one could only hope was water.

That done, the patchwork creature moved along to the next door, net to which hung towels, at least, and motioned for them to follow once more.  

[Toshihiko Two]

Barth normally prided himself on being able to sleep through many varieties of circumstances. Because he liked not being dead, danger was not one of those.

This is why the creak had concerned him more than the bell and the pinch, and why the sudden explosion of gas and lights caused him to become alert with a petrified hiss. He closed his eyes and tried not to breath. The cold didn't agree with him.

Deathtraps weren't uncommon. Keep calm. Slow and steady. Discern what was happening. Where the exit was, where the patchwork was- the spray stopped.

They were not dead. They were being offered a towel.

As he stepped miserably forward, soggier and smelling slightly of chemicals, there was a small crack in the floor where the heel of his boot had been, and out of it a tiny knot of black thorny vines. He took the towel with a very stiff, "Thank you."
 

[MoonKitsune]

Calder frowned at not being talked to, but guessed that was to be expected. While it was hard to see, he craned his neck enough to notice that the lizard Igor also had it's mouth sewn shut and wondered why. It certainly made the place quiet and he thought that it would be rather boring with everyone unable to talk. At least a bit of humming would help, and that's what Calder did. He hummed as he followed the Igor, making sure to glance at Barth to make sure he didn't decide to lay on a wall at any point and take a nap.

The place was massive, fully furnished, very much intact, without even the littlest hint of mold. It was the first time Calder had been in a castle and he felt very small. It was still lovely, and he spent most of the walk looking around than being bothered by the other Igor. He'd have to find some pen and paper to talk to it later.

When the creature, which Calder was going to refer as Ally until he got its name, gestured ahead, Calder slowly moved to the indicated room. From being in the dark for a bit, the lights being thrown up blinded his night vision and he winced, covering his eyes to then feel cold mist all around.

At first he thought it was water, but it smelled horrible! At least it was cold, but whatever it was bothered Calder all the same. He was wet, but for the first time, Calder didn't like it. He smelled weird.

Looking far less chipper than before with ears down and tail lacking any movement, he moved over and took the towel. "What is this stuff?" He said to Barth, frowning. "It smells bad." He licked his skin and stuck out his tongue. "...and it tastes gross." He reached up and started to dry himself off as best he could. Ew. He'd need a bath after this!

Drying off, he followed after Ally, who he decided he didn't much like.  

[Bilious]

Their 'guide' didn't wait very long before pressing forward, pausing only to make sure they continued to follow. Did they even have the right mad scientist castle? They could only hope. Signs pointed towards 'Yes'.

As did the muffled wails echoing up the twisted stone staircase their reptilian hunchbacked guide now lead them down. A laboratory opened up before them, large as a warehouse and brimming with heaps of unfinished Projects, racks of Devices, tables and whirling twisting electric oddities, jacob's ladders... who ever's lab this was, he was certainly busy. In the center under the brightest lights, a figure was strapped to the table, howling as a dark form lurked over it, it's back to them although a welcoming voice spoke up, "Ah! You must be those Friends of his he spoke so fondly of!"

The figure turned with delight, although it was difficult to tell behind the shining black gas mask, but still he marched towards them, "Frederik, did you disinfect them properly? Ah, Good, Good, just drink this, please, both of you." From under a black feathered cloak, clawed hands held out two small vials. "I assure you it is not poisonous. Quite the contrary."  

[Toshihiko Two]

Calder was still rubbing his hair with a towel when they entered the next room. If he didn't get a strong scent of chemicals from his shower, he sure smelled it now. He wished more scientist believed in keeping some potted plants about. Wrong home. It was the look of recognition from this plumaged man that made him think otherwise. Still, he needed confirmation he wasn't at the wrong place and would wind up in a stew. 'Is this where Christof lives? Are you his uh....dad type thing.......maker?'

He was given a drink as he asked and stared at the vial, not trusting it. Not at first. He wanted to know he was at the right place before he drank anything.

Barth, on the other hand, soggy and still suffering from it being morning, just knocked the vial back in one long gulp and a distantly polite, "Thank you."

Disinfectant. Ah.

The laboratory, he was sure, was full of proper Devices and leaping electrodes, but he had never tried to examine them at this time of day and was unable to start now. There was some howling, which reminded him of alarm clocks and made him want to find some covers to crawl back under.  

[Bilious]

The kelpie's question sent a chuckle through the masked figure, two pinpoints of yellow light visible through the glass lenses as he considered them both for a moment.

The screaming behind him had died down into a bleary whimper, the dismembered figure's head lolling as it tried to focus on what was going on.

The whimpering stopped abruptly, and the eye that remained in the skull widened in horror.

Still, the demon watched Calder carefully, a tapping talon showing he was losing patience. "Drink, or I will have to ask you to leave. You would be Calder, I expect."  

[MoonKitsune]

That wasn't exactly an answer, but the fact that he knew his name was a big indicator that he might have the right place. If he had mentioned 'his friends' and knew his name, them this had to be the place. It had to, or else he was the worst navigator in the world and he'd wind up like a main course somewhere.

He looked at the vial in his hand, holding it up to the meager light available and glanced over to see what Barth thought only to see that his was empty. Calder gaped and wanted to put a palm to his face at how quickly the demon had drank the vial down. Didn't his parents warn him about ANYTHING? You didn't just drink weird stuff from strangers, but then again, he was here and would be shooed away if he didn't.

All the distrust his kind placed on him was being hard to force down, but he'd have to along with whatever liquid this was. Calder watched Barth a moment to see that he didn't suddenly drop and noticing no change, slowly gulped down the liquid. It...wasn't a pleasant flavor.

Sticking his tongue out in distaste, he held the vial out for the stranger to take. "Yes. My name is Calder. Calder of Devon. And you are?" This guy wasn't exactly answering questions.