Welcome to Gaia! ::

For the first time since he'd attended his second senior prom four years after graduating from high school, Tel was notably early for an appointment. Back then, he had been motivated by the invitation of one Ylyria Singer, lust demon and notorious party ghoul. Now he was early because something inside him was, for lack of a more appropriate description, wrong, and he had a vested interest in setting whatever it was right again, once he figured out what it was. Both were valid reasons, though one was certainly more fun. He wondered what Ylyria was doing now... or rather, who. He didn't wonder for long. So many years had passed since then, each one brimming with the potential for mold. Best not to dwell on it.

Unsure as to whether or not they would be able to find edible food in the human world, an assortment of cans, bottles, and boxes made up the bulk of Tel's luggage, though there was still room for a tightly packed bundle of shirts and two extra pairs of jeans on top of it all. If they didn't end up somewhere with a resident Halloween population to help them with lodging, he was pretty much screwed, but the likelihood of that happening was slim to none, in his opinion. Surely these portals wouldn't spit students out just anywhere, right?

Under the judgmental eye of the portal guard, Tel lifted the strap of his duffel bag off of his shoulder and set it on the ground in front of him. The demon smiled. "Everything's on the list of approved crap. Sir." He had been required to check in when he had arrived, linking the whole experience back to some hazily remembered school field trip, so even though he didn't feel any more like a scareling than usual, Tel took it upon himself to act like one.

Unfortunately, the guard decided to respond in kind. "We'll see about that, won't we, Mr. Klavost?" He might have been old, but it seemed the creature could still troll alongside the best of them. "I'll just need to take a look inside to make sure."

Tel glared. "Really."

"Yes, Mr. Klavost." He was already kneeling near the duffel, unzipping one of its outer pockets and pulling out a can that read minced lepus. "Is this bleach?"

Compared to Levi, West appeared foolishly, even dangerously, unprepared. In lieu of a rucksack or even a duffel bag, the demon had brought along one rolling, thigh-high suitcase, a thoroughly sleek piece of luggage that appeared impenetrable at first glance. He'd packed plenty of toiletries and a respectable selection of clothing—he'd even sprung for a dry cleaning charm, just in case—but his bag was woefully devoid of food. Though they didn't strictly need food, West loved to eat, and he couldn't have said why he had neglected to pack anything edible. Even when he realized his error, he wasn't overly concerned, mostly because the realization came at the same moment he learned that the tatzel had brought her entire kitchen. If they couldn't feed on human fear, they would at least have candy corn.

He snorted. "Dunno if 'miss' is th'right word." He and his long suffering scareon might have come to an understanding regarding food, shelter, and affection years ago, but that didn't mean she didn't still largely take care of herself. "She can go scratch'er head onna tree if she gets lonely." At the guard's request, West growled faintly, reluctant to let them invade his ghoulfriend's privacy without a better reason than your bag is jackin' ridiculous. Levi seemed fine with it, and he might have reluctantly accepted the intrusion as well if the first guard hadn't belatedly raised a hand to him.

"Sir. Is that suitcase made entirely of metal?"

"Mmhm. So?"

"We're going to have to put that through the scanner as well." The guard added a, "Sorry," in response to West's glower.

He did as he was told with a minimum of fuss, if only because he was anxious to get on to the main event. The days that had passed between their chance meeting with Tel at the passport office and today had dragged on for the demon, and now that it was finally time to go to the human world, it seemed he was destined for more delays.

Once his bag was properly on the conveyor, he moved on through the body scan at Levi's prompting, pausing only to remove a pair of horn cuffs and the simple stud from his tail and hand them to a guard. He clenched his teeth as he strode through, certain he would be detained and trying to curb his reaction to it before it happened, but, to his surprise, the machine remained silent. West reclaimed his jewelry on the other side, and as he reaccessorized, he tried to see over the shoulder of the ghost looking at the x-ray screen, only managing to catch a glimpse of a cluster of fabricy blobs surrounded by the outline of Levi's pack. Quickly bored by that, he watched the ghoul herself make her way through the scanner after him, waiting until she was clear before he addressed her again.

"Anyone lookin' after Sweets n' Popcorn?" He couldn't quite picture the treat taking care of itself, but surely it had done so before during school trips.

The only indication that West was still quite put out by their routine violation came in the solid slam of his suitcase as he dragged it off of the conveyor and let it fall to the floor. About to mutter something that would have inelegantly stressed just how he felt about the time they had been forced to waste, the tug at the demon's wrist instead distracted him from what would have likely bloomed into a proper tirade. He just managed to grab the handle of his bag before he was dragged after the tatzel, and his sour mood lightened when he too caught a glimpse of Tel waiting not-so-patiently up ahead. Maybe everyone was getting harassed today. Maybe it was just the wrath demons. Either way, the sight made him smile, if only for a second.

It faded when he noticed the older ghost kneeling in front of his uncle, pawing through Tel's bag. He hoped for that codger's sake that their detour through the scanner negated the need for them to undergo the same treatment. Not only did West not want some guy examining his underwear, he also didn't think he could actually speak to him without causing a scene, or at the very least handling it much worse than Levi was. Having only ever dealt with his father's crotchety, horrible mother a handful of times in his life, he was not at all prepared to speak to the elderly. For all he knew, that thing they were talking about really was about to burst out of the b*****d's chest and, with his luck, they would be blamed for causing it and held up even more. He remained quiet, giving his uncle a thoroughly meaningful eyeroll as he turned to give his own luggage another unnecessary external examination, his hand still clasped with the ghoul's.

"Hey! I didn't say anythin'!" West shouted, squeezing Levi's hand a little harder than necessary in his adamancy. If they were held back now for trouble he hadn't even caused, he was definitely going to break something. Or someone.

The guard smiled, looking between Telefsen and West. "You didn't have to, ha!" He held out his hand, dismissing the last twenty minutes with the simple motion. "Papers, please."

The boil would have argued further, but... papers. Papers! That meant they were almost through. He had forgotten he needed to have them ready, but they were within easy reach. He pulled them from the inside pocket of his coat and held them out.

"Here y'go." All of his earlier malice had left his tone, replaced by anticipation.

It was the perfect opportunity to get in the last word. They would be well past before the old man could even think up a retort, let alone mumble one out, but West remained quiet anyway. His mind was full. There was no room for mockery. They were almost to the human world. He had been there several times before for class, but never alone and never without an assignment or expectation. What would they do on their own without restriction? Having the freedom to go wherever they wanted and scare whomever crossed their paths would most likely land them in trouble, but that was what Tel was there for, right? To keep them out of it? West snorted. Right.

Nodding at the ghost guard as they were waved through, West pocketed the passes Levi handed him and pulled his miniature tank of a suitcase up onto the carpeting behind him. He concentrated on the doors ahead. The portal looked dangerous with all of its yellow and black, though he suspected it was all for show.

"Once we find a place t'put our stuff, we could..." The choice hadn't gotten any easier in the thirty seconds since he had last dismissed it. Should they go on a scaring spree, raising the humans' suspicions and guaranteeing that they would need to move on almost immediately? Should they carefully assess their dropoff location, finding spots for harvesting that no one would suspect? Should they settle in and enjoy their surroundings without worrying about duties or responsibilities? He smirked. Sitting around soaking in the scenery seemed like the way to go, at least for their first day.

"I think we should check out wherever we end up first," he suggested. "I mean, we've gotta whole w..."

Holy s**t.

West squinted so sharply that his eyes nearly shut. He didn't think he'd ever seen a light so bright. Maybe all those other trips had been scheduled during eclipses. "Damn. If it's gonna be this bright, we should definitely get usedta things fer a while." With one last look at his uncle to make sure he hadn't bailed, West quickly followed Levi and the rat.

He stopped and turned, causing Levi to halt abruptly in place, her ears pointing in attention for what was about to be said. Their temporary guide knocked the end of his pencil towards the portal behind him, beginning what seemed like a routine lecture to which each response was already known prior to it even being given.

"Now, we have two new passport applicants here today, so we must verify that their sponsor is both present…," the rodent-serpent glanced towards Tel, "…and unaffected by cider, pixie dust or other inhibitors of a FEAR-based consciousness, ready to be responsible for choices, emergencies or the use of cider, pixie dust or other inhibitors of a FEAR-based consciousness by said new applicants during the duration of their stay in the human world." There was a pause, but not one long enough for an answer. Blinking, he added on another statement that seemed to be more specific to Tel- or at least a demon. "Let me remind you that this pact written in script today is binding and unescapable by any other pacts potentially made in or out of Halloween in an attempt to override the laws under Halloween jurisdiction of which you are also bound to obey."

The employee's blackened eyes continuously stared at the older demon with his pencil now at his clipboard, ready to checkmark what was surely the already known box.

Nodding once or twice, the rat-lizard looked back down towards the clipboard as soon as Tel had uttered the words I understand. He, however, did not ignore the demon's inquiry and answered upon his finishing.

"That's all we need. Thank you, Sir."

A check was applied to the very box his pencil had been hovering over. With both arms paralleled in front of him, the guide then gestured a row while speaking. "Now if you'll all make a single file, we will begin." His two limbs then returned back to their writing positions for further notes/checkmarking.

Oh, eh, sure! Just- hold on 'ere- The ghoul's jostled pack made a few clinking sounds internally as she tried to find her place either between or in front of the boils. Decidedly (individually and/or mutually), Levi took up the first spot to avoid moving too much and risk getting her sponsor square in the noggin with one of her dangling pots. Once assembled, the ghoul wedged her thumbs further into the straps of her pack again while listening to more instructions that would undoubtedly follow.

And they did.

Clipboard now at his side, the lab coat wearing guide's writing arm outstretched as he stepped aside from the portal, offering them access to the human world they sought after so long a process. "Please try not to rush the individual in front of you and watch your footing as you enter the other side as we cannot guarantee the same level or quality of ground you may encounter on your first step. Enjoy and remember to breathe- really. They need to do that there."

Giving a reassuring nod with her most serious face, the tatzel took in a low breath and stepped up to the portal. Turning at the shoulder just enough to take one last look behind her, she gave West a quick smile. Ready? They were going on their own this time to the human world- technically. No teachers, gnomes or elves; it would just be them roughing it with whatever FEAR they had on them. Unless they could muster some up while they were there. Levi's smile grew into a grin at that thought, prompting her to bound into the portal with a celebratory YEEHAW~!

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~


It was warm, but not as warm as what she imagined Famine Isle was like. Perhaps a little like War Isle, but not as sweaty? It was certainly not humid although she could feel a sort of dampness on the fur of her ears; a cool dampness. The temperature was certainly enough to merit a dive into the nearest watering hole, but not dunk yourself into a barrel of eyescream. It was sort of homely actually.

The feel on her skin was what came first due to the simple fact that her eyes had instantaneously closed on her the moment she'd encountered tha'sun. So there's tha' light he warned us 'bout. Dang. He sure wasn't kiddin'! It was looking up that she realized where the blinding whiteness was coming from. However, what came next was the loud noise she heard in the very close vicinity; rushing water. A whole lot of rushing water. Concerned about the last few things their attendant had said, Levi kept as still as she could, trying to avoid catastrophe until she could make out more about their surroundings.

With one hand, the ghoul sought out an iron pan strapped to the side of her pack and utilized it as a makeshift visor until she could make out the distinctions on the ground. Slowly, the scene began to unveil as the outer perimeters of trees, stone flooring and the random sprig of grass outlining the cracks in the stone could be seen. They were in some kind of a wood with very vibrant Christmas Town-like green foliage and grey-to-pale rock. They were rather high up with a light tunneling of wind flowing from behind them. Following this, the tatzel ghoul noticed the heavy trickling of a river close to her feet. Yes, it was water and yes they were indeed rather high up.

Watch yer step, boils. She's a'long way down. Walking to the edge of the fall to peak down at the pool that developed below, Levi's following cackle echoed down through the trees, causing a couple of birds to fly in the opposite direction. This is sure neat! The white haired ghoul gathered then that she was going to like this place. Her tail furled and unraveled in her excitement of the many ways she could venture around/down the waterfall, weighting her options.

As soon as Tel stepped through the portal, he knew he was going to have trouble leaving. Unlike his other visits to the human world, where he had been deposited on busy street corners or in crowded bars, this time he found himself in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by trees and rocks and water, or at least the sound of it. He felt better immediately, and the fact that he was soothed by his surroundings rather than simply being distracted by anger or some other complication was more fulfilling somehow. This strange affliction was placated by this place, and he was grateful for it. He hadn't gathered proper human FEAR in ages.

He sauntered over to the kids, fishing his eyePhone out of his bag as he went. Taking advantage of the racket the waterfall was producing, he got close enough to take a decent full body picture from behind, an unintentionally charming keepsake he had only meant as a vehicle for trolling. It wouldn't last anyway. Human world pictures tended to go all Halloweeny the longer they remained there. Even he knew that.

When West finally turned to face him, Tel held up his phone, zooming in on their tails and mouthing adorable at him. He started to put the phone away, taking in the scenery as he did.

"Pretty nice spot for your first solo trip. Feels like a vacation, at least for me," he said, echoing his nephew. "You guys still gotta work." Tel grinned.