Data missing. Requesting update...

[Idran1701]

As she leaves, going out of sight down the stairs, Greg allows himself a small shudder. Heading towards them himself, his veneer of calm is all but abandoned for now...at least until he returns to the lower floor. Swinging his sword, he swipes at a few of the strands, hoping to drive them away. A constant sneaking suspicion at what these could be itches at the back of his mind as he heads down the hallway, trying to recenter himself and suppress the fear once more before he meets back with Jikuro.

[Endesu]

The woman looked back to Kelne as she ran onward. "Are you certain you're all right? You seemed to remark that you were in need of medical aid - it may be best for you to hang back."

She appeared to be running to the edge of town, where several inhabitants were pulling up a previously unseen metallic wall from the ground - apparently a limited form of defense. The sound of walls being brought up around the rest of the town could be heard, as well - the villagers had the foresight to surround their entire village with defensive capabilities, at least.

The walls themselves were solid steel with nary a hole or slot. The villagers, in turn, were climbing to the top of the wall or taking positions on nearby rooftops, weapons readied for the encroaching horde, who could already be heard approaching in mass.

"But we don't have much time - if you insist upon helping, then get up on one of the roofs and prepare for anything."

With that, she swiftly lifted him with one hand and flung him towards a nearby roof - a flat one, at that, so he at least had some solid footing when he landed. It was fairly close to the wall, as well, so he had a clear view outwards, towards where the horde was approaching.

***

The strands effortlessly dodged around the sword, taking Greg's attacks in apparent stride. They made no further movements towards him, but still remained in constant position around him.

As he heads back downstairs, it does not take him long to find his focus once again - he sees Jikuro moving past his line of sight, towards the apparent direction of Room 101.

[Kelne]

Taking the flinging more or less in stride, Kelne landed awkwardly but was soon in position. His first order of business was reloading his pistols, which he carried out while watching the surrounding countryside for signs of this 'horde'.

[Idran1701]

Taking a breath, he follows after her. He keeps himself as staid as he can be for now, continuing on after her back to the room, keeping an eye out for any more shadows.

[Endesu]

A tense moment would pass, for Kelne and those around him, who were similarly preparing their weapons.

Then, the sound of... things, monstrous things, approaching.

A swift glance outward, over the wall, would reveal a mass of beings far more mutated than those within the wall coming forward.

Although he could not discern any particular individual amidst the horde particularly well, he could see flashes of rotting flesh, limbs ending in tentacles or blob-like appendages, and some truly monstrous bloating in some of those encroaching upon the town's position.

And within a matter of moments, they were at the walls, and the sound of their attacking in mass could be heard, surrounding the town in a web of monstrous noise.

The others had already begun firing upon the horde with their weapons, though most attempted to keep something of a distance - the beings below could apparently leap unusually high - high enough to potentially seize a weapon extended too far out and drag down the unlucky holder.

Kelne could feel free to begin opening fire at any minute - the further out he went, the better his accuracy would be, but the more danger he would be placing himself in...

***

Greg would find Jikuro quickly seizing her stuff and standing, taking one last long look around the room.

She turned to him after said look and wrung her hands, sighing. "Do you really think we should stay here the rest of the night? Our original plan seemed decent enough, but with those shadows potentially lurking about, I can't say I'm entirely comfortable with staying here."

[Idran1701]

"No...I wouldn't much mind finding somewhere else myself. Where to, though?"

[Endesu]

Jikuro shrugged. "You know this city better than I do, so I'm laying that responsibility on your shoulders. Perhaps there's another inn around here that we can hole up in for the meantime?"

[Idran1701]

"...One or two, I suppose...not quite the same quality as this one, but they'd do. Of course, if those shadows found us here, they'll probably find us there too...I guess we'll be ready for them this time, at least."

Keeping his eye on the doorway out, he continues, an almost imperceptible tremble in his voice.

"Hey, Jikuro...you remember what you'd dreamt about earlier, by any chance?"

[Endesu]

"Well, whatever you can suggest would work, as I honestly don't have a clue about any of this."

She paused and seemed to consider his question for a moment. "No. Not really, why?"

At that moment, the sound of something shuffling about on the floor above could be heard...

[Idran1701]

"...Eh, no real reason. Just curi..."

Glancing up, he holds his sword ready once more.

"...Think that's just another guest?"

[Kelne]

Let the people with more accurate weaponry deal with the targets at range. Kelne, for his part, closed the distance and set about shooting anything which felt like jumping into point blank range. Thus far at least, none had actually made it onto the roof, but he was prepared to jump out of the way of any particularly good jumpers among them.

Why was it, he wondered, that the stupid creatures always attacked at roughly the same time of day? Not that he was going to offer them any pointers on their tactics.

[Endesu]

"No, but I think it's fair for us to leave around now, and head to one of those other inns you mentioned. Better than risking being corralled into a small area again. C'mon!" With that, Jikuro took off, out towards the entrance into the inn, leaving Greg to catch up.

Were he to race after her, he would soon detect the sounds of further shuffling above - and what appeared to be vaguely humanoid shapes moving about on the upper floor - shapes that somehow seemed infested with the same strands of shadow that remained around him.

He could choose to take a further look, or he could run for it...

***

Kelne managed to pull off a few good shots in the process. Others also opened fire upon the beings below, though some were unfortunate enough to have their weapons be seized by the mutants; those who were caught in this way were quickly pulled into the midst of the horde.

It was at this moment that the throng of monsters below almost immediately began to thin out, leaving in mass, just as they had come. The corpses of those who had been pulled into the midst were left to rot; their weapons had been shattered. Kelne had apparently been lucky enough to open fire yet not take any damage. This advantage might be perceived as suspicious.

As the throng further retreated, a further figure was revealed; potentially the catalyst of the crowd's retreat. From Kelne's perspective, it was a blue-haired man, dressed in an unusual outfit that appeared to be half overcoat and half armor, of sorts, with a gigantic shield strapped to his back. He had in hand a strikingly red sword, which at very moment slashed through a retreating mutant with ease.

The full scene would come into picture, now that the throng had fully retreated: several of the mutants had been killed through the efforts of the snipers, though a healthy number had also been dispatched by this one man, who seemed to bear no injuries.

Almost immediately, this man set eyes on Kelne for a fleeting moment, before turning towards the wall and calmly striding towards it.

For the moment, then, there was peace. Already the sounds of the surviving folk around him could be perceived; several chattering away, some making their way down and apparently bringing the wall back down from where it had once been.

Regardless, Kelne could not shake the look this new figure had given him...

[Idran1701]

Glancing upwards, and leaving enough money on the bed to cover the price arranged before, he heads out after her towards the exit. Catching up as best he can, he keeps an eye on the staircase.

[Endesu]

The staircase, as it turns out, is already slowly flooding over with what appear to be zombified humans of some sort; perhaps the former room inhabitants, now taken over by shadows? Whatever they may be, the sight of fleeing prey causes them all to groan in unison, and the shuffle of their feet begins to speed up.

Greg would find it somewhat difficult to keep up with the sprinting Jikuro, but once he exited the building, he would find her waiting and looking around the city street. "Okay, now where to? Consider our choices, and pick one. Quickly."

[Idran1701]

Nodding, he gestures down a specific street, heading off quickly, though making sure Jikuro stays close behind. He glances back every so often, watching on the progress of those...things following them.

"...Whatever happened to...to those folks, I hope it's temporary."

Heading through the dark streets, he leads the two of them on towards a little hole-in-the-wall inn near one of the outer gates.

[Kelne]

Wonderful. Somewhere, Kelne was certain, Infinity had created a file on him. A file which they'd then opened up to every Tom, Dick and Harry who happened to be interested. It was the only way to explain how all these complete strangers knew about him. One of these days, he was going to have to do something about that.

In the meantime, he kept a wary eyeon the man, while checking to see if there were any wounded who needed a hand. Unfortunately, it looked like anyone who'd been hurt had been dragged down to the savages' level and torn apart. Still, there was no harm in checking.

[Endesu]

"Let me guess. They were turned into shadows, or something of the like? Not so much we can do for them now, what with our lives being constantly threatened."

Past the entrance of the inn, the zombie-like beings seemed to halt their pursuit, leaving Greg to focus on his escape plan.

And so they would arrive without interruption, and Jikuro would get a good glance at the place.

"Sooo... safest place to hide is a total dive, right?"

***

Kelne's assumption was correct: those who hadn't been dragged down and thus torn to pieces were still in good shape; many had, by this point, gone down to ground level.

Were Kelne to follow, he would find that the walls had indeed gone down, and that most of the gathered crowd had dispersed. Instead, waiting for him there was the woman with a full-grown set of antlers, and the mysterious blue-haired fella.

"Thank you for your help." The woman first said, nodding her head in respect. "You're here at the right time, as well; I can properly introduce the two of you."

"Yes, introductions would be useful." The blue-haired man interjected, rather gruffly. "Especially for those who somehow appear out of the middle of nowhere, moments before the daily strike force of those mutants arrives."

"Now, now, give him some time to talk." The woman turned to Kelne, indicating the blue-haired man. "He has no name that he can remember, but he refers to himself as Number 42. He's one of our strongest warriors and greatest defenders, and has been since he emerged some number of years ago."

The blue-haired man kept a steady glance on Kelne, one that could potentially be interpreted as a glare. He dropped this as the woman glanced towards him. "This is an offworlder from a planet called Gaera... now... what did you say your name was? How did you get here again?"

[Idran1701]

IM: Those things were...these strands, did they...was this what that being...oh gods, what if the same...

His mind racing, he keeps his eye on the streets behind him, not entirely trusting the appearance of those creatures halting their pursuit. After a few moments, he finally notices Jikuro speaking, turning to focus on the inn in front of them.

"...Oh...right, yeah, this's...this's about it."

[Endesu]

Jikuro seemed to take little notice of how ill at ease Greg was, instead keeping her eyes on the so-called 'total dive'.

"How well d'you know this place? We going to get shivved as soon as we step inside, or what?"

There would be no sign of shadows, zombies, or other, unnamed horrible beings approaching their position for the moment, though there would be no guarantee that it would remain this way...

[Idran1701]

Not exactly calmed by the apparent lack of foes in the area, Greg remains a spot on edge, glancing back behind them (and down to those shadowy strands) every so often.

"...No, it's...it's safe enough. They'd shut it down if it was too bad. Stopped in a few times...not as myself, though. Done the...the fortune teller thing here a couple of times."

[Kelne]

Kelne didn't even bat an eyelid at the name 42. Though he was going to have to take care not to boss the man around.

"I'm Kelne. As to how I got here, an opponent managed to open up a portal that sucked me in when the fight wasn't going his way. There was another person who came through with me, but by the sounds of it he's long gone."

"If these attacks are a daily event, I'm surprised you've held out for years. I wouldn't have thought you could sustain the kind of casualty rate I saw in this attack for long." Particularly without white mages to tend the wounded. Of course, the other side had sustained much worse casualties, but they clearly had a massive numerical advantage. It was always possible that the attacks were seasonal. More likely though, they'd been getting worse over time. It was always possible that there had once been more settlements. Or that there still were, come to that, but that wasn't the impression he'd gotten.

He could go on speculating as long as he liked, of course, but answers would no doubt be forthcoming.

[Endesu]

The shadowy strands, at the moment, were doing little else than circling around Greg. This likely wouldn't be a source of comfort, but he had to deal with the cards he was given.

Jikuro sighed somewhat in response to Greg's mini-description. "Yes, you've informed me of some of your... devices for making money. You haven't made any enemies here, have you?"

There was still no sign of various horrible beings coming upon them, but Greg would begin to feel a cold feeling in his gut... source known, but troublesome just the same.

***

Both the woman and 42 blinked at Kelne's response, and though 42 kept a disbelieving eye on him, the woman nodded. "Well, that's certainly an... unusual story, but I suppose these things happen. I'm referred to as Yuka around here, and it's good to know you at some length, Kelne. As far as the other person you referred to... someone did come through, yes, but once he was informed of the surrounding locations, he took off. I'm not entirely sure as to where he went, though I have my suspicions."

The woman faced him in full as he went on about the battle that had occurred just now, and 42 took this chance to give him a full glare. "We are the only remaining settlement on this particular region, so the attacks those mutants have waged have taken their toll over time. However... this is the first time in our recorded history they've attacked in such mass, and the first time in ages that we've suffered a decent number of casualties. It was as if your arrival brought them on, and I'm not entirely certain why."

"For all we know, 'Kelne', you might as well be with Infinity, still trying to wear us down so you get a crack at the Ikei Tower." 42 followed up, with a glare that, while not up to Kelne's, certainly carried some lingering hostile suspicion.

"Now, 42, let's not get ahead of ourselves... we've seen nothing to confirm that Kelne here is with the Infinity. There's nothing connecting him to them, the Heat Wave, or the mutations." Yuka interjected, attempting to keep the discussion civil.

[Idran1701]

"...What? Oh, no, not here. Not even if I was in costume."

[Kelne]

Kelne sighed. It was the long-suffering sigh of someone who probably should have seen this coming, "That's not entirely true. The person who sent me here was one of their agents. I probably should've expected to be sent somewhere they'd trashed. What have those idiots gone and done this time? Aside from bringing about the fall of civilisation, as per usual."

[Endesu]

"Well, then, come on. This place is just as good as any other, I guess." With that, Jikuro made her way inside, leaving Greg to follow her stead. Once they had both arrived inside, Jikuro would take a good long look around, to take in just how 'atmospheric' this spot was.

The strands began to circle Greg in a noticeably quick manner, but beyond that, they remained in their normal position.

***

42 scoffed, but Yuka silenced him. "We're holding him in good faith until we've convinced otherwise, 42. Besides, he did help us in that incursion just now."

"Yes, and somehow managed to survive at close range while others did not..."

"Shh!"

Yuka turned to Kelne now, wringing her hands slightly. "That is to say, what they did. They landed on this world, Earth, years ago, in the midst of a... bizarre weather pattern that had begun eating away at the atmosphere around the world. They offered us a technology that would artificially 'staple' the atmosphere as it was, and prevent it from tearing any further... however, they neglected to mention any adverse side effects that may rise from using such a device. Needless to say, we accepted, not thinking of what may come. To their credit, they did remain, to assist with the setup and the maintenance of the device."

"... the adverse side effect that came was the Heat Wave. It was a monstrous wave of concentrated sunlight that fed through a pocket of the atmosphere, formed by the artificial staple. Once it had hit planetside, it managed to sweep much of the planet's surface... billions were killed instantaneously. Animal and plant life was mostly eradicated. Structures were, for the most part, destroyed in the process."

She paused, presumably selecting her words carefully before continuing. "Those of us who survived all happened to be in the right place at the right time; fallout shelters, placed underground. Our purpose initially was to test them as living quarters for a worst case scenario, but, as you can see..."

"There may be other survivors on other parts of this world. However, I should note that the survivors on our piece of this cracked earth... some experienced undue effects due to the effects of the Heat Wave. Lingering radiation and... other, apparent catalysts spurred on bizarre mutations and transformations in many of our people, turning them wild and cannibalistic. Apparently, there are thousands out there, stemming from an untold number of sources. We refer to them, officially, as the 'Ikei', and they do attack on a daily basis... though this is the first time they have attacked in such a large manner."

"... those of us who survived and did not undergo transformation into one of the Ikei remained to attempt to rebuild. As I've stated, there were other settlements around here... however, over the years they have all gradually fallen, leaving this as the final holdout on this piece of land. In a sense, we're the last remnant of civilization here.

Oh, and as far as Infinity went - the pretense, 'did'? They were wiped out, much like the rest of us here. It was as if they did not expect the Heat Wave that came."

Yuka sighed slightly, and continued. "Now, then... if you wish it, you can remain here while we attempt to find a way to send you back, perhaps by way of some remnant of technology here. I cannot make any guarantees, but we should be relatively safe for the rest of the day here... enough time to take a good look around our settlement. There is also the Nerve Tower..."

"No, Yuka!" 42 interjected strongly. "We can't be entirely sure about him..."

"42, I told you we are holding him in good faith for the time being! Besides, that other person from this Gaera world headed towards the Nerve Tower..."

[Endesu]

"Damnit!"

Somewhere, in the distant regions of space, a tiny space pod flitting hither and thither, floundering for a spot that apparently did nto exist.

"It's gone! The entire world of Kamek is gone! How the hell is this possible?! The computers pointed here!" There was a pounding of fists on the display, hard enough to convey anger yet not hard enough to break any sensitive technology.

However, there did come a sudden pause. "... although... he may have shown up, and taken what was due me before I had a chance to seize hold of it! And if that's the case... then he may be onto me, as that was they very world I was seeking to visit next!"

A round of cursing echoed within the tight constraints of the ship, before, eventually, all was quiet. The pilot silently contemplated for several moments before punching in an additional series of keys, stationed just below the display.

"There must be another world I can take... one that he hasn't arrived at as of yet..."

There was a beeping from the display, and the pilot looked on, observing the name. "... Knossos, eh?" Further text detailing the planet was, naturally, spoken out loud to no one at all. "Previous attempts at establishing base have failed... limited race of lizard people..."

There was a sudden pause... and the words after came out a wee bit more strained. "Connected to Gaera... and a group of people thereon..."

With frustration, the pilot checked the 'group', and found several names. Most were unfamiliar to him, but a few in particular struck him. One seized his attention almost immediately. "... Kyle Broadsky... Kylitos! He's connected to this world, is he?!"

Suddenly, his intertwining plans of money for breakfest and revenge culminated within his mind, and he smiled like a delighted child. "This is perfect! Not only is this world ripe for the plucking... but it is connected to Gaera!"

The pilot typed in several more keys, directing his pod to now go to Knossos. "If I can avoid him... find what I need on this world... and get a chance to ultimately take care of Kylitos and his friends... today may turn out to be a good day, after all..."

And so, off went the last Fencer-jin, a diabolical plot slowly cooking away in the regions of his mind...

[Idran1701]

Sighing as Jikuro looks around inside, Greg watches those strands. He gives off a small shudder as those undead stick in his mind, following behind her a bit late. Inside, he glances around the common room quietly, keeping pace with the elven woman as he works on maintaining his center, though admittedly, it is becoming harder and harder as things continue to grow ever more disturbing for Greg.

[Endesu]

Once the two had entered the common room, they would immediately notice something a wee bit off:

The entire room was empty. Tables, chairs, and the like were set as if people had just now been utilizing them. Drinks and food were set about, untouched and growing colder by the moment.

The worst part was the horrible chill that pervaded the air. Both Jikuro and Greg would almost immediately begin to involuntarily shiver, and the strands already moving around Greg would speed up their progress. They began to grow slightly larger, as well...

"Boy, you really know how to pick 'em, don't you?" Jikuro scoffed slightly, a step away from backing out.

[Idran1701]

"...Yeah...right. Come on then, we'll stay at my house. Don't care if something does happen to it, at least I already know it's supposed to be empty."

Backing out of the inn abruptly, he actually stumbles a bit before turning, checking the street while he waits for Jikuro.

[Endesu]

"Yeah, since my place is out due to extenuating circumstances..." Jikuro replied as she followed out shortly thereafter.

Almost immediately, the supernatural chill lessened, and the strands would go back down to their normal size, though they remained in their prior speedy motion.

It was down to Greg to lead, as Jikuro was waiting to follow.

[Idran1701]

Greg heads out, sword gripped a bit more tightly now. More on edge after that strange experience, he continues to glance about, keeping a quickened pace as he heads towards home; a smaller place, just a bit inside the lower-class section, looking little more than two or three rooms in size.

[Kelne]

Kelne shook his head, "Infinity are at their most dangerous when they think they know what they're doing. Believe me, the destruction they've wreaked isn't limited to other peoples' planets."

He shook off the temptation to do a bit of ranting about Infinity. Now wasn't really the time.

"I would appreciate any help you can offer. From what you've told me, you might want to think about evacuating the planet yourselves. It sounds like it's only a matter of time before the Ikei overwhelm you. I should be able to find some empty land for you back home, if you'd like."

[Endesu]

Fortunately (or somewhat suspiciously, depending upon your viewpoint), Greg would be able to reach his home without interruption by way of horrible shadow monsters, zombies, or hired assassins.

Jikuro gave the external look of place a quick once-over, but didn't say a word. Greg was free to lead the way inside, as there were no apparent threats as of yet.

***

42 looked away and Yuka sadly shook her head at Kelne's offer. "We do appreciate the offer, but we really can't abandon what we have, here. Even if it means certain death, we have enough pride to try and remain on our homeworld. I'm not sure if you'd understand that sort of feeling, but that's how those of who have survived feel about this situation.

But we can help you, potentially. As stated, the other person headed to the Nerve Tower. It has been infested by the Ikei, but it also holds a supposed untold source of power. There are those who manage to hold out within the Tower, despite the odds, and they may be able to lead the way.

42 can accompany you."

"What?!" 42 looked at Yuka somewhat angrily, now. "I don't see why I should have anything to do with this highly suspect man, regardless of his words."

"Because, 42, as we've gone on, there is nothing to incriminate him in the slightest as of yet. Besides, the group of Infinity employees that established themselves on this world were destroyed, as well. While we would have no reason to trust them, I doubt they would have reason to take revenge when they were the catalyst of their own deaths."

The conversation went on in a series of harsh whispers between the two, and the argument seemed to escalate for some time, before 42 finally backed off, bowing his head as he did so.

Yuka turned to Kelne and nodded. "Right. As stated, 42 will accompany you to the Nerve Tower. You are certain you wish to go, correct? The Nerve Tower, like I said, is infested with the Ikei. Many have died on the journey there, and even those who have gotten to the Tower have not returned to tell the full tale."

[Idran1701]

Still keeping a cautious eye out, Greg heads to the front door, unlocking it and giving the inside a quick once-over glance before letting Jikuro in. The inside looks to be a fairly sparsely-appointed place; some cheap looking furniture fills the room, though it looks little-used. A small kitchenette and wood stove occupies one corner, with a small number of cabinets about there, and a door in the far wall looks to lead to the sole other room.

(Description assuming it hasn't been invaded while he was gone, of course.)

[Kelne]

Kelne refrained from mentioning that Infinity was almost invariably the cause of its own downfall, and that had never stopped it from seeking revenge before. Thus far, they didn't seem to have tried anything of the sort here, which meant that they'd either given the planet up as a lost cause, or they were working at accomplishing their goals behind the scenes somewhere.

He completely understood 42's suspicious attitude. When dealing with Infinity, a good dose of paranoia could only be a good thing. Still, it seemed more personal for him than for Yuka. Kelne would have to get his story at some point.

"I wish you the best of luck, then," Kelne said, certain even as he said it that he'd probably never know how the fight for survival played out. "I'd probably better get going. If there's even the slightest chance that the magnitude of that last attack was somehow connected to my presence, it's best that I leave."

So saying, he unpacked the carpet and spread it out, taking a seat on it and waiting to see if 42 was going to join him.

[Endesu]

There were no assassins deftly leaping forward to decapitate Greg as he strolled in, nor were there shadow monsters lurking about. The coast was clear within Greg's place.

Jikuro would follow him inside. She looked around with an inquisitive eye, weapon readied within her hand regardless of the current lack of a threat. "So... I get the feeling you don't come here much. Am I right?"

As she spoke, Jikuro would take the nearest available seat and set herself down on it.

***

Yuka nodded. "I can't exactly speak for the others here, but if they were to discover that you arrived minutes before the attack, they would likely react quite violently to your very remaining here. It is for the best that you depart. 42. go with him, and keep him safe, please."

42 gruffly growled, but, complying with the request (and heated argument earlier) set himself down on the carpet, arms folded.

There would be no interruption to Kelne's moving the carpet; as they took off, Yuka waved to them, and little else occurred.

42 threw a finger forward, pointing just over the settlement and into the distance. At this point, Kelne would note the far-off distance was obscured by a continuous gust of red-tinged fog.

"Don't worry about the fog; it's simply yet another unnatural side effect of the Heat Wave. Simply keep heading forward from here. The Nerve Tower is impossible to miss once you locate it." He directed Kelne calmly enough, but his words still held a subtle underpining of suspicion and hostility towards Kelne.

[Idran1701]

"Well...more that I don't usually have folks over. Not much sense sitting out here by myself."

He takes a seat himself, trying to look relaxed, at ease, even a bit amused, but not doing a great job of it.

"...Yeah, 's not really much, is it? Hope you're not too disappointed, heh."

[Endesu]

"Hey, if you remember correctly, the little shitpile I had set up in the sticks was pretty much demolished. So I'd say that you at least have it better than I do." She smiled slightly as she attempted to settle comfortably on the chair.

"So, then. We have some temporary refuge, and there have been no obvious attacks on us as of yet - what should we do next?"

***

Meanwhile...

Somewhere, in the deep, dark depths of space...

The pilot of the space pod, still on its course to Knossos, proceeded to eat some food, freshly pillaged from hither and thither.

At this point, he was eating off a cob of corn.

It terrified him at some deep point of his psyche, but he could not deny the truth of the matter.

He liked corn.

[Kelne]

Kelne nodded, "So, what's your story, if you don't mind my asking? Your hostility towards Infinity seems a bit more personal than Yuka's." It probably wasn't any greater than his own, but it certainly seemed to lurk closer to the surface. Still, one couldn't fault him for his basic suspicion of Infinity and all its works.

[Idran1701]

Forcing a chuckle, he sits back in his own chair, thinking.

"Well, once things start opening up here in town, the first thing I think we should do is get some sort of protection. Anti-shadow enchantments, location prevention, undead defense...hell, even a magical lantern'd be better than nothing. Something so we aren't caught off guard so badly next time."

Pausing a bit, he gives a small sigh, forcing some obviously-uncomfortable eye contact for the first time since before he last slept.

"...By the way, sorry for...it was just a reflex, you know."