RPGWW

by **AbbaTerra** » Wed Apr 16, 2003 4:26 pm

"Zach... I'll find out what's going on here. If you insist on coming too, I don't recommend it... you're hurt and need rest. But whether you follow those dogs with me is your choice, but I'll tell you what I learn either way." With that Reia follows after the two men.

"Alright spill. One of you said these things pose a threat to his family. And frankly I think there should be a bit more concern for everyone else..."

by **Uncle Pervy** » Wed Apr 16, 2003 10:30 pm

Zachary just followed.

Remain unnoticed, see how she errs.

by **WillBaseton** » Thu Apr 17, 2003 10:12 pm

Ignes sighed, brushing some of his blue hair from his eyes.

"...uh...it's hard to explain, really...maybe Champ should tell you. YEAH! Champ, tell them what's going on, okay?"

by **Nekogami** » Fri Apr 18, 2003 9:50 am

Champagne winced as Ignes yelled out his name. He jogged back and delieverd a "if Merlot was here she'd do this anyway" smack on the back of the head. "Really good way to be discreet, Iggy. Come on, I'll explain on the way. Let's hope the cerbies don't spoke because of loud mouthed fire demons."

Champagne was a little more than testy. He was terribly agitated by a situation that seemed beyond his control little more than an hour ago. He want desparately to save Chardonnay and wanted nothing to stop him on that hope.

"I'm an incubus. My name is Champagne, call me Champ if you like. A week ago, my brother was attacked by an assassin and poisoned. The poison is native to UnderRealm and, as you might suspect, the antidote is there as well. Iggy and I gleaned from the assassin that Tsahassrala, a mortal enemy to the Houses of the Dark Fey, is trying to cripple the Dark Fey so that her master can take over the Northern Region. Go run screaming at the fact that I'm a demon if you like"

Rick listened to Champagne's story and nodded when he finished. "Sounds like fun. And by that I mean the kind where I can put down a few villains."

He looked around and noticed that tracking the cerbies had lead them to a ramshackle neighborhood of housed that look like a stiff wind would knock them all over. The roofs were made of tin and probably made a horrible racket when it rained and in a tropical place like this that was likely everyday.

"Name's Rick, by the way. And...uh...what is this place."

"It's the Shacks. Pretty poor place and just what many demons like."

by **Uncle Pervy** » Fri Apr 18, 2003 1:14 pm

"Just call me Zachary for now," says the King of Evringshal, as he looks around.

Slums depressed him. They were a reminder of a ruler failing to serve his people as he should. In Evringshal, the poor lived in miserable huts, scavenged from what could be found. Zachary felt terrible every time he saw them. But, at least he could take solace in the fact he was able to make sure none froze to death in their homes since he took the throne after his brother's assassination.

Zachary shook his head. He had to focus on other things right now! Returning his attention to the situation at hand, he looked around for any sign of the Cerbies' passing. Presuming they were like hounds, he felt that he could track them.

by **AbbaTerra** » Fri Apr 18, 2003 2:09 pm

"My name's Reia, and frankly I don't care if your a demon, you're not the one that attacked Zach." I'd much rather be his bodyguard than his maidservant the way he loves running into trouble. And considering Zach's here, I have to be careful. Strange how he hasn't sent me away yet... I'll have to guard him... that wound's slowing him down.

"And before you say anything he's not my boyfriend. He's... a business aquaintance." It was obvious he still wanted to be incognito, the idiot.

by **Nekogami** » Fri Apr 18, 2003 2:22 pm

Champagne looked Zach,Rick, and Reia over. "Looks like we're stuck with each other until this is over. I won't complain."

Champagne kneeled down his ability to see in the dark was slightly limited but he could tell a living thing from a non living thing. "We need some light....One of the cerbie's was bleeding and should have left something of a trail. Pawprints too but be careful, they'll be small and easy to miss."

by **The Duelist** » Mon Apr 21, 2003 4:59 pm

Rick immediately reached for his belt. With any luck it still had...

oh yeah.

He was still wearing the dress tunic.

The most he could carry in the damn thing were three well hidden smoke bombs, a dagger, and the sword at his side. He hadn't taken the time to really set it up.

after a short bout of grumbling, he waited for someone else to come up with a solution.

by **Nekogami** » Mon Apr 21, 2003 6:56 pm

(OOC: the Duelist wins one free fanart for reviving! >.> I WISH WILL WOULD POST BECAUSE I"VE ASKED HIM A MILLION TIMES TO!!)

by **WillBaseton** » Mon Apr 21, 2003 7:17 pm

Ignes brushed his hair back with a hand and smirked.

"Yeah...we should take them along. Now that they're involved, Tsharasshrala may come after them too. Now let's get to tracking."

He held out a hand and generated a spherical fireball that glowed in front of him, acting as a lantern.

"Is this sufficient, cousin?"

by **Nekogami** » Mon Apr 21, 2003 7:21 pm

Champagne grinned. "Oh, how lucky we are to have a walking torch." He gazed around the grounds and immediately saw the trail leading into a shack not far away.

"Brace yourselves...Let's move in light at first then when we're sure about what's in there....strike."

by **Uncle Pervy** » Mon Apr 21, 2003 7:49 pm

"I shall..." Zachary answers. His hand was on the nameless katana again.

He was ready to strike, but he knew he had to be very careful. If there was a mistake, at the best an innocent would be hurt. At worst, it would be seen as an act of war by Evringshal...

He stalked along quietly, hoping he could trust his companions well enough to be equally careful. Once, he would not have trusted demons at all, but his correspondence with King Domanada, as well as his own experiences in Doma, have shown him a great deal about their potential.

by **The Duelist** » Tue Apr 22, 2003 3:09 pm

Rick nodded, "Want one of these?" He held a smoke bomb out to the demon.

He trusted these people, which was surprising, considering that every other run-in he had had with demons had either involved him sidestepping death at every turn, or nearly being assassinated.

Still, they had been very open about who and what they were, to the point that they had expected and tried to diffuse the normal reaction that was given to their kind. Their actions thus far had given them a good line of credit in Rick's bank of trust...and he had a feeling that their balance would stay well inside the good areas. Now, about what lay in that shack...

by **AbbaTerra** » Tue Apr 22, 2003 3:58 pm

Reia kept her eyes open for anything. She decided if she were going to keep her cover at the moment she'd better not be ready to attack, but instead protect Zach. At least she didn't need to hold onto him like a scared little damsel. She looked towards the young King. He did seem to watch her a lot... but that could because she was still a rather new servant... and he wasn't your average King. Still it was a little disturbing... maybe he just notice that Reia wasn't like the other servants... She just shook her head. No use worrying about things like that right now... but if he found out... She'd probably never be able to return to her home.

by **Nekogami** » Tue Apr 22, 2003 6:25 pm

Champagne took the smoke bomb. "Thanks. Might come in handy soon enough." He motioned for them to be silent as they approached the shack. Inside they could hear muffled voices. It sound like a large group had gather but when Champagne peaked in he only saw three people.

Both Cerbies were sitting on a table. One was licking his wounds, the other was looking at one of the men, probably telepathing his report. When the human spoke it proabably came to the surprise of the others but not to Champagne.

"These demons were joined by humans, you say? This makes them even more perilous. We will have to tread carefully." The voice seemed to be overlayed by another more ethereal voice.

by **Uncle Pervy** » Tue Apr 22, 2003 8:41 pm

Zachary listens, not sure what to do. This is not his forte and he knows it. Champagne has so far proven to be much more knowledgible than he, so Zachary whipsers to him. "Do we let them finish?"

by **Nekogami** » Wed Apr 23, 2003 4:47 pm

Champagne nodded.

The second man spoke in the same layered voice, "We shall leave tomorrow morning, before first light. We'll need to get away from here." He turned and began to pack it seemed.

The third man scratched his chin. "Were you followed?" The cerbies looked at each other and then the man. There was silence.

by **The Duelist** » Fri Apr 25, 2003 10:54 am

Rick grinned. The classic obligatory question, which, considering the Cerbie's present state, was impossible to answer. And wouldn't a strange creature like this ask that ever so important question first if he was really so worried?

This was going to be fun.

by **Uncle Pervy** » Fri Apr 25, 2003 11:29 am

Zachary just waited. He wasn't going to make the first move until he knew more of the situation. All he knew was that this was something important, and he wanted to uncover as much as possible before committing himself to anything potentially foolish.

by **AbbaTerra** » Fri Apr 25, 2003 8:47 pm

Reia didn't know what they were waiting for now... Were these guys supposed to open a portal so her new Demon friends could go and get their antidote? She sighs. It was torture to restrain herself from showing off her skills... She was sure she could hit at least one of the men right now, but then Zachary would see, the men would be alerted and the demons wouldn't get their antidote. Everything grated on her nerves.

by **Nekogami** » Sat Apr 26, 2003 1:08 am

Champagne felt they were too close for comfort and motioned for everyone to fall back and be quiet about it. They would surely come out to check on the situation and if it wasn't bad enough that they cerbies would smell them and probably hunt them down again, the stakes had been raised. He started back up the road. "Dammit." was the only thing he could say.

by **Uncle Pervy** » Sat Apr 26, 2003 12:52 pm

Zachary was not a man used to sneaking about. But, when the situation called for it, like right now, he was willing to pretend. He shuffled toward the direct that Champagne indicated as quietly as he could.

by **The Duelist** » Sat Apr 26, 2003 5:09 pm

Rick nodded, and slowly inched backwards with the others.

by **AbbaTerra** » Sat Apr 26, 2003 6:44 pm

Reia sneaked off behind them. These demons had a lot more at stake then their three tag-alongs, and it must be tough for them to fall back when they might be so close... But the guys did say early morning. In Reia's book that meant time to get healed up and prepare for anything.

When they were far enough away from the enemy camp she said: "So what's the plan from here?" She wouldn't be against leaving this be, but she didn't think Zach would want to, so she'd stick with it and watch his back.

by **WillBaseton** » Sun Apr 27, 2003 9:17 am

Ignes nodded to his cousin and extinguished his fireball, backpedaling a little.

...Char...Mom...I won't let them kill you.

by **Nekogami** » Sun Apr 27, 2003 9:26 am

Champagne looked to Ignes, temporarily forgetting the humans following. "We'll head to the docks in the morning. They'll be leaving from there for sure. Only way on an off Beau. We'll stowaway and let them lead us to their leader. For now let's tell Merlot where we're going and get ready."

He suddenly remembered the humans. "If you're coming, don't get in the way. You seem pretty competent but this isn't something I bet you're used to..."

by **Uncle Pervy** » Sun Apr 27, 2003 1:08 pm

Zachary was a bit torn, here. On one hand, he knew this wasn't his business. He knew that he could walk away, and no one would really fault him. This wasn't a monarch's work. Best to second in the guards to deal with it...

On the other hand... The situation now, he had no idea about the demonic politics running through this area. And, he felt obligated to learn then, both for his own benefit, and maybe as an aid to his new Argovian allies.

And, he knew that Cincare would be disappointed if he simply turned his back to demons roving the city and attacking people with apparent randomness.

He looks back, making sure there is sufficient distance to speak safely. Then he asks, "What is this all about? It is obvious your situation is a bt dire, to so readily accept our help."

by **The Duelist** » Sun Apr 27, 2003 4:15 pm

"Heh...he don't know me very well..." Rick decided in his mind.

Rick nodded, "Chances are, I have nothing better to do...but what exactly do these people have against you?"

"Whatever it is, I have a feeling that I'm going to get involved somehow...heh..."

by **Nekogami** » Mon Apr 28, 2003 9:28 am

Champagne stretched as they walked back to his home and business. "What do they have against me? I'm a Demon Fey. I'm a rival for power. It's UnderRealm politics. I doubt it will boil over to MiddleRealm but if it gets big enough....."

by **Uncle Pervy** » Mon Apr 28, 2003 12:26 pm

"Hmmmm... What sort of play, might I ask?" Zachary inquires.

The word Demon Fae had thrown him off for a moment. He recalls a time a few months back, when he was searching Doma Forest for the Fae, hoping to find a cure for Cincare. Ironically, this lead to her discovering why she was cursed so. He had also heard rumors of another race called the Sidhe, and he was fairly sure that Champagne was nether.

Must be some sort of demon name he concludes silently, while waiting for more.

by **AbbaTerra** » Wed Apr 30, 2003 1:46 pm

Reia hung back, she didn't really have any questions that she needed answered and she knew she'd be going with Zach anyway so she just watched and waited as the others sorted out what they needed to know.

by **Nekogami** » Fri May 02, 2003 1:13 pm

"Play? There is no play," Champagne said, not quite inderstanding Zachary.

The incubus lead them back to the main city of Beau and to his place of business and home. It was a small two story building that looked old but restored. On the front of the white washed home with red shutters was the sign, "Mercenary Bottles".

"I want you all to meet my sister. Before we head out, I'll let everyone grab a few things and get some rest." He opened the door, a bell rang as he did so.

A young woman with shoulder length wine colored hair opened a door leading to the basement. She wore long dark blue robes with silver trim. "Mercenary Bottles. We kill just about anything for the right pr-" She stopped and looked at Champagne, Ignes, and the humans. "Finally decided to come back. I don't think now is the time to go out of business." Behind Merlot were two larg black monarch butterfly wings.

She regarded Reia. "If my brother hits on you or has done so, you have my full permission to kick him in the balls."

"Shut up, Merlot. They're going to help us save Chardonnay."

by **Uncle Pervy** » Fri May 02, 2003 1:26 pm

Seeing the human political terms were not familiar to Champagne. Zachary lets it pass.

He looks around the shop, then ponders a bit. "So, what are we going to do to deal with this?"

by **Nekogami** » Fri May 02, 2003 1:30 pm

Champagne shrugged. "I was thinking rush in before the knew what hit them. Kill as many as possible, find who is responsible, get the antidote, the kill them too."

Merlot quirked her eyebrow. "That's....one way of doing it."

by **The Duelist** » Sat May 03, 2003 3:06 pm

Rick shrugged, "I dunno. At this point I'd think they'd be expecting us by now.

I had better stop by my room before we get this show on the road...there are some things I'll need to grab if I intend to get myself into something like this. Rick thought to himself.

by **Uncle Pervy** » Sat May 03, 2003 3:28 pm

"Charging in and, well, trying to slaughter them all does not seem a very sound idea, I fear." Zachary says. "What is the nature of our enemy? You seem to pose as a mercenary corps; what do they do? And, where are they located?"

I may be able to call in a small favor from the government here..

by **Nekogami** » Sat May 03, 2003 6:14 pm

Champagne yawned and stretched. "Well, judging from rumors and what we just saw, they seem to be Shadows and cerbies. Really kind of basic if you as me..." Considers this and shrugs. "Well, they seem to have taken an island hostage. I don't know what they want with it other than to draw us in." Motions to Merlor and himself. "Beau has no central goverment so don't expect any help other then mercs but I doubt they'll touch this action given the nature."

by **The Duelist** » Sun May 04, 2003 11:12 am

Rick nodded, "Outnumbered, outbladed, understaffed and overworked. Just the way I operate." He laughed a bit.

Rick continued "We might not need backup though, just a little...finesse. We would just need to find the ship they use to get onto the island. After all, I don't think any other craft besides their own would head to this island at this point. We hide on board, then attack. On our attack, we incapacitate, and if this is not an option, kill everyone on board. Then we sail to their destination. When we're close enough, we take a life-boat to some unseen inlet past the main landing area, and let their boat drift wherever it may. While they're too busy trying to figure out where the hell their boat went, we come up from behind and deal with whoever is running the show. Simple, effective, requires no outside assistance...and something can also go batsh-t at any stage of the plan..."

Rick sighed. "But then again, I think that's the big problem with every good plan..."

by **Nekogami** » Sun May 04, 2003 11:45 am

Champagne threw a friendly arm around Rick. "Aaah! Are you SURE you're not an incubus or maybe some kind of demon?"

Merlot snorted the looked at Zachary. "The island isn't far from here. It's mainly a resort and coconut producing place. Nothing too important. I agree that whoever is behind this only wants to draw us out. I have some demon-slaying items if you'd like. Usually I charge an arm and a soul but given the circumstances I'll help you out free of charge."

by **WillBaseton** » Sun May 04, 2003 3:06 pm

Ignes, showing yet again just how quiet a demon could be, looked up from the ground. He turned to Merlot and nodded.

"Always the entrepreneur, eh Merlot?"

He turned to the other members of the party and sighed.

"Just know that you may die on this mission. Demons are not ones to let their prey live. So, this is your last chance to back out. There won't be another safe haven like this. If you wish to leave, do so now. Regardless of what happens, we will win this. Char will be cured and our families will be safe. Even if my flame must go out..."

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