Lark, Library

Lark rushed forward to hug Patrick when he dropped his head, quickly hugging him then picking up his head and trying to find a better place to put it. She ended up deciding on the bench near the sink, since it was very rarely used for food preperation.

"What's wrong?"

She should have known better than to sing. It always caused issues. Always. But maybe it could fix this. And she sung again. This song was less gentle, less the light breeze and more the storm. This song had steel. She was hoping to bring Patrick back from wherever he had gone.

Library

Patrick did start to settle a bit once Lark began singing again. Patrick's head was still a bit whoozy, but he managed to speak. "Lark.... mi'head, pick up please. Try and get it back on my body...." His body started to lurch forward, towards his head.

The horse listened, and began to calm down. An idea was forming in it's mind. A way for Patrick to fully embrace his Dullahan side.

San Lorenzo Port - The Darkness Becomes Me

Jack had thanked the Jotun, and watched as the giant started to talk the hunter down- because that was surely what she was. He could see other people farther back, too. That wasn't good- the Faun didn't look good in a fight, although a giant like his new friend would probably tip a fight in their favor. The fact that it was night out was a good sign as well.

But then the giant extended a hand towards the hunters, and he froze for a split second. A monster doing something like that would provoke an attack, most likely, and he doubted that the giant would be expecting a bolt to the face.

"Damn my bleeding heart," he muttered, and dashed forwards. He swiped a claw in the hunters general direction, with a yelled "Look at me! Look!" (He was hoping that he could stop the girl from shooting the giant. A rubber bolt wouldn't do much to him.)

San Lorenzo Port

Hildegard lowered her crossbow. The Jotun was showing no signs of aggression. There was no evidence of any wrongdoing, unless the paint cans had been stolen. Unlikely, but it paid to be thorough (and if it gave her a chance to show off in front of the Van Helsings, that was just a bonus).

"If you can show me a receipt for those cans, you're free to go, Mr. van der Aajehof."

"He's free to go now," Sloane piped up. "You're the one who pointed a crossbow at him."

Then the wraith ran towards her, yelling for her to look at him. Hildegard stared at him blankly before glancing back at Sloane, who shrugged in response.

"You're all free to go," Hildegard said with an eye roll. Sloane coughed loudly, and Hildegard added "Sorry for pointing a crossbow at you, even if the bolt is made of rubber and wouldn't have caused any major injuries."

Lark, Library

Lark nodded and stopped singing, before grabbing Patrick's head and attempting to place it on his neck.

"Is that better?"

San Lorenzo Port

Leopold couldn't believe his ears. Non-lethal ammunition?! And they called themselves hunters? He was considering going in there and slaughtering the lot of those beasts, to show the rookies how it was done.

Maria-Beatrice didn't have to be psychic to sense her brother's intentions.

"Calm down Leopold. You'll get your fun soon enough. But for now, Lady Von Helsing gave us a specific time and place, and this is not it. We've drawn too much attention as it is, so let's just get out of here before those things realize who we are."

Maria-Beatrice regretted having to leave their guides, but they couldn't afford to be seen at this juncture. Besides, they were going to set Leopold off, and that wouldn't be pleasant for anyone. With one last glance at the beasts and their ineffectual "butchers", the Van Helsing siblings disappeared into the night.

Cornelia's Shop

"By all means, it's your home"

Sammy had managed to dig up some old scrap paper from a desk drawer, and she had laid it out on said desk. It was clear that she was eager to get to work. Drawing had been her passion before the change, and she had thought she'd never be able to do it again. (Last time she tried, she had just dripped onto the paper. And dissolved the pencil. That had been a bad day.)

Back Alley

Calix had been a fence for most of his adult life, even before the change. But this was the largest and deadliest order he had ever filled. This was enough firepower to reduce a dragon to a charred skeleton, which was worrisome, even to him.

"If I might ask, what exactly are you planning on doing with all this... sir?"

The cloaked figure responded calmly.

"I will eliminate a blight on this city, and free our people from the shadows."

With their new toys in hand, the figure then simply walked away.

edited 22nd Dec '16 11:57:32 PM by PossiblyQuiteInsane

San Lorenzo Port - Strange Omens

Karl was visibly nervous when the more stern, and considerably more armed hunter demanded a receipt for the paint - all the more grateful to her companion suggesting otherwise given he had none. He hadn't stolen them, of course, but as he could not fit into your average paint store the giant had to rely on more freely operated franchises. He bowed again to Sloane, a sheepish smile towards the pair as the wraith made a practically comical distraction, "Most kind..."

"No need to apologize, madam, truly~" He retracted his hand, seeing no one was game to take it, "Even if the bolts were silver-tipped and twice blessed, I doubt one could hurt me." The giant knocked a fist against his chest, it sounded like a sledgehammer against granite. Karl saw that the other, stranger companions of the hunters had vanished, "Your friends were in a hurry too, I see!" He chuckled nervously, quickly snatching up the last can of paint and turning to leave, "Goodnight, then~" The Jötunn turned to depart, hoping the other creatures would take his lead.

Library

Patrick raised his hands up to his head, and began to make sure it was secured. He sighed, and then wrapped both arms around Lark, hugging her. "Thanks," he said to her.

San Lorenzo, Cornelia's Shop, Living Area

Cornelia opened the door and entered the room. She grinned as she showed the pencils "Nothing fancy, but it should work." It was only now that she noticed that she still wore her armor. She fell silent for a second or so before starting to laugh. "Haha, sorry, I must be giving quite the... interesting look."

San Lorenzo Port - Somewhat Angry, Somewhat Embarrassed, All Wraith

Jack stared at the pair for a moment, watching as the giant left. "... well, that went... well." When the other monster was out of range, he glared at the hunter. "Damn your kind. When we carry around weapons to protect ourselves, we're monsters, 'beasts.'' But when people like you carry around crossbows and guns, you're hailed as heroes. You could have shot him, and no one would have cared!"

The wraith didn't make a move to attack, though- he was angry, not stupid. Part of the reason was the fact that he looked like an idiot; that was fully his fault. But he'd never liked hunters, and the fact that people like this treated themselves like freaking vigilantes irked him to no end. As he spoke, he slowly drifted towards a warehouse.

"People like you should leave this kind of thing to the police," he spat. "Mark my words, some day, you're going to get in over your head. And no monster is going to help bail you out." With a final angry glare (although it was hard to tell if it was a glare) he phased into the warehouse, vanishing into the building.

Seawell had just stood there, frozen, as events happened around him.

Luckily, nothing serious happened. One by one, the monsters and hunters left, until only a couple of (he assumed) hunters were left behind.

"O...kay... I will be leaving now. Good evening!" he said sheepishly. He turned around -slowly- and began to walk away -resisting the urge to run, and all the while thinking don't shoot me in the back don't shoot me in the back don't shoot me in the back don't shoot me in the back!

San Lorenzo Port

Hildegard pointedly didn't respond to Jack's outburst. She turned around to see what the Van Helsings were making of all this, only to see Sloane standing alone.

Hoffmann Manor

By the time the duo reached their base, they were knee-deep in an argument about what to do.

"They're here for a reason," Sloane said. "We need to find out why."

"We need to trust that the Van Helsings know what they're doing."

"I'm sorry, are you forgetting the fact that they want to euthanize monsters? Or are you too busy being in love with them?"

"I am not in love with them!"

"Easy," Myrna said. "Bickering isn't going to get us anywhere. We need to think constructively."

"Maybe they've gone rogue," Sloane suggested. "They mentioned that they came earlier than they were supposed to, and they were pretty adamant we not tell anyone. Maybe we should call up their boss and give her the 411-"

At Hildegard's glare, Sloane finished "-or we could not."

"Leopold seemed angry over the opening of the Transformed Humans Rehabilitation Center tomorrow," Hildegard admitted. "We should scout it out. Make sure nobody gets hurt."

Myrna nodded. "Get a good night's sleep, girls. Tomorrow will be nothing if not exciting."

As they left the parlor, Sloane placed a hand on Hildegard's shoulder.

"If you're mad about what the skeleton guy said, and I'm not saying you are, he was angry and scared and probably supposed to be on some kind of medication."

"He doesn't have the right to judge us," Hildegard murmured. "He has no idea what we're doing or why we're doing it." She glanced at Sloane. "For what it's worth, if I do ever get in over my head, I'll be happy to get in over my head with you."

Sloane grinned, and with a final pat on her partner's back, she went to her room.

edited 23rd Dec '16 1:59:53 PM by emilyorthoclase

San Lorenzo Port - Infinite Possibilities Favor Coincidence

Karl forced himself to breathe deeply, the thick brine of the docks filling his lungs and calming his new, habitual rage. That encounter had gone better than he could have possibly expected, though it did raise more than a few questions. Why were the hunters in the docks? Who were the two that slipped away and why were the others so much more... principled? Strange, but at least no blood had been shed. The giant wished he had thought to ask names of the hunters and fellow monsters, both. Regardless, the painter continued towards 'his' warehouse with some haste, more cautious of the streets now.

Within a few minutes he found the run down building, a battered wood and steel structure overlooking the ocean, "Ik ben nog nooit zo blij om thuis te zijn geweest..." Karl sighed, smiling to himself as he lifted the main roll-door and crouched to enter. He saw a poster had been attached to a nearby wall and paused, examining the document, "Transformed Humans Rehabilitation Center?" That sounded... promising. They promised to help monsters like him regain their place in normal, human society - an extremely tempting concept. Perhaps they could even help him figure out how all those other Jötunn of myth shape-shifted to readily, into forms less appalling to mankind.

Lark, Library

Lark hugged Patrick back, glad that she could help. Looking outside of the window, she realised that it had gotten dark, and that the Library had probably closed by now. Stepping back, she did some quick clean up of the kitchen before grabbing her stuff.

"It's getting late. Come on."

Beckoning to Patrick, she begun to walk downstairs, and outside, waving to Erebi as she went.

Library

Patrick nodded, and followed after Lark. Once he was outside, he waved to his horse, which stood up, and came over to him. It glared at Lark, before turning back to Patrick. Patrick hopped on, and began slowly riding alongside Lark.

Northern Outskirts, Forest

Henry clenched and unclenched his incorporeal fists, eyeing the buildings. There were a few lamp lights, of course, but if he wanted to go into town, this was still the best time. Months gone by - he was so behind. There were things to learn, people to meet. People to play with, he thought. Then he shook his head. That was the wisp talking, not the man. But still.... who said a man can't have fun?

He relaxed a bit, exhaling a nonexistent breathe. Tonight. Now. Ignore the urges to wait. Now. Ignore his previous mistakes. It was this time.

He slunk forward, his eyes to the ground. It didn't change much; as he passed one of the lamps, he felt the light on his skin, a feeling that reminded him of ice and needles. Then he was past them, finally inside city boundaries for the first time in months. He felt giddy, elated, but calmed himself. He had a plan; lurk in the back alleys of the city, watch the crowds. Find a monster. Tail them. He had questions, and he knew they could provide answers.

With one glance back to the forest, he entered the nearest alley. He had work to do.

City Boundaries

Seawell had waited until he was out of sight of the hunters -he hoped- and then he broke into a run. Even he was surprised at how fast he could run with hooves. Actually it was a kind of bounding, but never mind that! He only stopped when he could not run anymore.

His breathing however, was still ragged; but it was more out of fear than strain. If he were religious he would thank God for still being alive. Meeting hunters had long been his primary fear and he handled the situation... not as well as he had expected. Good thing they had not been spoiling for a fight. This time.

He had to head home. It was only then that he realized he ran wildly and was in fact, close to the edge of San Lorenzo, near the forest.

He cursed, and then cursed again when he realized he had lost his hat at some point of his mad dash. Now his horns -and his inhumanity- were exposed. Not good. At least he had held on to the cudgel.

He took time to reorient himself, and then, calmly but quickly, began walking home.

He didn't notice the ghostly light nearby...

edited 25th Dec '16 6:13:37 AM by Sijo

City Boundaries

Henry observed the 'man', eyes fixed in a sort of wonderment. So there were more, apparently relatively common. Or maybe Henry had just gotten lucky. A satyr, from the looks of it. At least, going by the horns. The legs were not, at least, immediately goaty to the eyes. Cool. He emerged from the wall he had currently been leaning half way out of, following behind the satyr-thing. Being a wisp had its perks; he never had to worry about being quiet, since he could only make noise if he talked.

As he walked/floated closer, he slowed down. Maybe he should just talk to him from here. The dude from yesterday had seemed fairly unconfused around Henry, but that wasn't guaranteed for everyone. The last guy had been all magicky and crap. Besides, how did Henry's confusion stuf work? Did it change according to monster species? Would it work on only baseline humans? He had so much to learn, and he was getting impatient.

He had thought of many ways to greet the first few people once he reentered civilization. However, what he settled for now was, "Hey, satyr dude!" Whatever worked.

San Lorenzo Woods

As the moon rose higher in the sky, a howl echoed through the trees. Then another. And another. It was a howl that those on the outskirts of town had come to fear. It was the howl of the Carnivores, a pack of criminal omega werewolves who had forcefully taken over organized crime in a rather poor district at the north end of town, colloquially known as the Crypt. (A nickname that had become rather ironic in light of recent events).

Those howls meant only one thing. The Carnivores were on their weekly Hunt. Seemingly random residents of the Crypt would be taken each week, never to be seen again. Rumors about their ultimate fate ranged from being eaten, being used as human sacrifices, or even being converted to grow the Carnivores' numbers.

Back Alley

A cloaked figure carried a large box of ordinance with one hand. And they knew exactly what they were going to do with it. They were the Hunter of Hunters, and they had a mission. A mission that would first take them to Hoffmann Manor, to deal with some of San Lorenzo's most high-profile hunters.

It was a shame, really. Hoffmann and her friend weren't nearly as bad as some of the other hunters. But they had to set an example.

Cornelia's Shop

Sammy burst out laughing at Cornelia's statement.

"You realize who you're talking to, right? I'm a slime in a suit of medieval armor. Doesn't get much more interesting than that. Now, you just give me a couple hours, and I'll draw you the best damn advertisements you've ever seen! It's the least I could do after all you've done for me."

edited 2nd Jan '17 12:15:56 AM by PossiblyQuiteInsane

City Boundaries

The shout rang out in the stillness of the night: "Hey Satyr dude!"

Seawell turned around, fear showing in his face. He looked around, but saw nothing, except an odd light a distance away. Curious, but he dismissed it as a spotlight of some kind. He continued to look for the person who had (presumably) called out to him, but saw no one.

"Yeah?" he finally responded, while at the same time, getting ready to run away again.

San Lorenzo, Cornelia's Shop, Living Area

Cornelia had to laugh as well, placing all the utensils on a table near the window. "Haha, thank you, but I assure you its really not neccessary if you don't want. I certainly won't complain though." She pointed outside. "If you need anything else I am in the workshop downstairs to work on the pants that were ordered by the Faun."

Also, dk if I made that clear, but her guest room has "normal" furniture like stools and stuff, its only the rooms normally only she herself uses like the kitchen that lack such to make room for her bigger body... also she couldn't properly sit on one anyway

edited 2nd Jan '17 8:27:46 AM by Sergey_Smirnov

Lark, Streets

Lark shivered as she heard the howls. Her apartment was on the fringe of the Crypt, and though the Carnivores didn't bother her yet, it was only a matter of time.

-We should hurry. We don't want to be out tonight.-

Stupid, stupid Lark. How could she forget? She never usually forgot. Erebi had even given her permission to leave earlier on nights like these. Probably the excitement from being allowed to reinvent the menu.

Patrick held out his hand to Lark. "Hope on. I'll make sure this old brute doesn't give you any trouble," he said, kicking the horse in the stomach. It snorted at him

Hoffmann Manor

Myrna knocked on her daughter's bedroom door. "Reports are coming over the police scanner of the Carnivores hunting in the Crypt."

Hildegard stood up. She was still wearing clothes, though her armor was off. "I'll take care of it. Will you be alright here alone?"

"I'll be fine, liebchen."

The Crypt

Twenty minutes later, the duo were in the Crypt, watching for signs of Carnivore activity.

Sloane's eyes were bleary, but she was otherwise perfectly alert. She was tapping her bat against the ground in anticipation of - something. Hildegard, in comparison, showed no outward signs of emotion.

Amongst the occasional howl and the deafening silence, they heard what sounded like a horse snorting. Hildegard loaded her crossbow with a rubber bolt and shouted "Show yourself!"

Back at the manor, Myrna entered the kitchen. A nice cup of tea was just what she needed to calm her nerves.

edited 2nd Jan '17 7:04:17 PM by emilyorthoclase

City Boundaries

Henry smiled to himself. He could see the look on the satyr(?)'s face. Smiling probably wasn't the appropriate reaction to it, but just seeing a nonhuman seemed pretty cool.

"No worries, I'm safe," he said beguilingly. "I'm not too human myself anymore."

He began walking/floating closer, taking it slow so as to avoid confusing the satyr. "I've been out awhile, see? I've been out of the loop. I just have questions, that's all." He spoke with a silky tone of voice, one that he guiltily realized was the same tone he used to mess with the humans he sometimes ran into in the woods. His eyes flicked around for a second when he heard a howling; he'd heard similar out in the woods and had avoided it. It didn't seem to close. Yet.