Character Mansion

Entry Hall

Anne frowned in turn. "Maybe there's something in the bathroom I can wear while we're washing my dress?"

Upon hearing Anita's offer, she turned to face the other girl. Well, to a point - she turned in such a manner that the rotten part of her face wasn't facing her. "I appreciate the thought, but that's for the upper body. I think, anyway. What I'm looking for is something for the lower body."

At that point, two more people walked in. Both were female, and both had the strange outfits Anne had come to expect from this place. As opposed to everyone else, who were more than happy to go up and greet the newcomers, she hung back and instead made her own judgments about them based on their appearances. Neither of them looked hostile, but something about the older woman's outfit made her wary.

After some time, she once again found herself wondering why she was hanging back. At this point, she'd met enough people that she shouldn't be worrying about what they thought of her. Practice for when I get back home, I guess.

edited 30th Jan '13 8:00:10 PM by Yomegami

[Outside]

Another woman made her way to the door of the mansion. More than just tall and slender, her proportions were disturbingly elongated — not enough to be immediately noticeable, but enough to inspire a vague sense of unease. Her skin was as white as a corpse, her eyes were a monochromatic black, and a pair of brown wings, like those of a vulture, sprouted from her back. She wore a loose, floor-length, jet-black dress that seemed to flicker and waver like smoke.

Anybody with even a vague ability to sense magic would detect the energies of the Void flowing through her, manifesting as an unspeakably dark light. Or was it an impossibly bright darkness? Either way, the energies were animating her, and those with the gift to see into minds or souls would behold that both, although twisted and contorted into a shape enough like human to allow communication, were at their core utterly alien — and yet, at least, not malevolent.

Samira looked up to see her approaching. She and the woman exchanged looks of mutual icy disdain, of the sort unhappy allies do.

"Samira," the woman said, by way of terse greeting.

"Kokabiel," Samira replied, just as brusquely.

[Entry Hall]

"Her name is Tamara." She said with a gentle smile as she looked over at her companion and put a hand on the little girl's head. "She prefers 'Tammy', though..." For her part, Tammy just watched, wide-eyed and silent, tightening her grip on her friend as Samira, Anita and Yuki tried to talk to her. "I guess she's a bit shy at the moment." The woman in the lab coat continued. "Anyway, my name is Claire. Thank you for letting us stay; we're both a bit lost, you see." She said, pleasantly. Briefly, she glanced over at Anne and just waved politely. The rotting girl had been in plain sight of both of them when they had entered, but neither appeared to have reacted to her. Well, Claire didn't, at any rate. Anne's presence might well be the reason for Tamara's silence; though, without her input, there's really no way of knowing.

They had scarcely introduced themselves when someone else stepped inside. "Oh, pardon me." Claire said, seemingly unbothered by the unusual figure and simply stepping out of her way. Tammy, meanwhile, grew pale and her mouth opened slightly as she beheld Kokabiel's menacing appearance. She buried her face in Claire's lab coat, and began to shiver.

[Smoking Room]

Since his brother was busy talking with the others, John decided to speak with Markus. Maybe he could try to keep his interest at least.

"Well," he said, "I'm from the year 2015. I would say I'm from the future, but everyone comes from a different timeline. Someone could come from the year 3000 for all I know. It makes me feel pretty old."

After a small chuckle, he decided to learn more about Markus. "So, what's your name?"

[Parlor-Entry Hall]

While Abeiyuwa talked to the others, Mary decided to speak to Friedrich. To her luck, it seems that he hadn't gone far-not yet, at least.

"Hey." she said, walking to him, "I just so-happen to be one of the people who saw that conversation from earlier." She crossed her arms, "So, you're an assassin, as you mentioned before, right?"

edited 30th Jan '13 5:09:22 PM by Masterofchaos

[Entry Hall]

Anita glanced up as a third person walked in. A very tall, menacing woman. She noticed how Samira greeted this woman and how little Tammy clung to Claire's side.

She had a bad feeling about this.

"Um," she gestured nervously from Samira to Kokabiel, "I'm guessing you two know each other?"

edited 30th Jan '13 5:30:58 PM by Tidal_Wave_17

[Entry Hall —> Master Bedroom]

"An appropriate response," Kokabiel said as she noticed Clare's reaction. "She is wise." Then she turned her attention up at Claire and added, "although if it is any comfort, I take no pleasure in her negative reaction. As healthy as it may be."

Samira continued to glare icily at Kokabiel, glancing away only long enough to reply to Anita. "Yes. We know each other. We're... on the same side. Technically."

Kokabiel said, "I suppose you would rather I leave." She scoffed. "Fear not, Samira, I'm not here to babysit you. I doubt even you could find a way to add another scar to your collection here."

She made her way upstairs, noting an odd sensation which she followed into the Master Bedroom. She stood just outside the door, considering what she saw within coolly.

Note that the pronouns I use with Kokabiel are tied to the body it is using at the time — if it moves to another form or simply shifts to formless, the pronouns will change appropriately. Comments, OOC chatter, and dialogue from people who know it well will generally use "it."

[Entry Hall]

Samira breathed a sigh of relief at Kokabiel's exit. "I was worried it would stay..." she muttered, then looked back at Claire. "I'm sorry. Kokabiel is... not pleasant, but it doesn't hurt people without good reason." Then, with a frown of concern and a quick glance at Tamara, asked, "is there... anything we should know about Tammy there?"

edited 30th Jan '13 5:10:46 PM by KillerClowns

[Smoking Room]

"I knew you were talking bull," Vivi said, although she almost tricked her with the "vampires and werewolves" shtick. "Your description of the Great War sounds about right, so it's probably from the details: Arch-Duke's death causes war, Belgium being ravished by a German invasion, a stray ship ramming into American soil..."

[Smoking Room]

"And the Treaty of Versailles," Aseyu said with a grim laugh. "That was a really bad idea, by the way." She sighed. "Free advice: there's this failed artist in Germany, name of Adolf Hitler. Chaplain mustache, black hair, kinda greasy looking. You might wanna murder the fuck out of him if you get a chance. Just trust me on that one."

She raised a finger, and tilted her head as though listening intently for something very quiet. Then she sighed in relief, shook her head, and muttered, "eh, just Coke Bottle." She cleared her throat, returned her attention to Vivi, and said, "so. I feel like we're leaving these poor bastards out of the conversation already. You up for finding some place a bit more private, let the men talk about manly things?"

Entry Hall

Anne responded to the greeting with a nod. She still kept her distance, however - this time, mostly to keep from disturbing the little girl more than she already was. Considering how well that girl could see her, she might as well be the reason she was that scared. While waiting for the meet and greet to end, she cast a glance down the hall.

We haven't heard from Aseyu for a while. I wonder what she's up to?

The sounds of yet another person entering caught her attention. Something about this woman disturbed Anne greatly, and not just because of the wings. She looked a lot like something ripped from the stories she used to hear. Specifically, she looked like a demon. Anne decided she didn't want anything to do with this woman, and so slipped into the library to avoid catching the demon woman's attention.

Once she had passed, Anne stepped back out and watched her until she ascended up the stairs. Assuming the bathroom was also on the second floor, it looked like they were going to cross paths again. Hopefully, the demon-woman found her own appearance uninteresting when they did.

edited 30th Jan '13 7:59:57 PM by Yomegami

[Smoking Room]

Markus nodded, a simple question from the John fellow was pleasant enough for a start.

"I am Markus," He paused for a few seconds, "At least I think it's my name. I've been going off of the name on the I.D. in my wallet for the last couple days. I don't have much memory of a lot of my past besides passing visions, but those are rare, so I don't expect to learn a lot anytime soon. Might I ask what your name is?"

edited 30th Jan '13 7:53:52 PM by DarkbloodCarnagefang

Agustin lurched back in shock, almost toppling backwards off of his chair. He righted himself, leaping up and pulling his sword from it's scabbard in one smooth motion, the scrape of steel on steel ringing clear in the air.

The assassin reached into his garb and withdrew a dagger. Agustin squared off, dropping back into the fighting stance he'd taken when Friedrich first appeared out of thin air, and was just about to lead into a strike when the assassin plunged the dagger into his own neck. He collapsed, a font of crimson blood spilling from the wound.

Agustin staggered back, surprised, staring at the corpse. What was this? Some kind of trick? A flicker of movement by the door caught his eye, and he turned just in time to see Friedrich open the door and slip through, leaving his message in shimmering letters hanging in the air.

Agustin re-sheathed his weapon. He went and sat back down at the table, checking himself. No wound, crossbow bolt- anything. "D- did you see that?" He asked to Xavier, tentatively pointing to the spot on the floor where the corpse had been. The moment of confusion passed. His initial instincts were right, it had been an illusion. "I think I've been charmed. Illusory magic."

As this knowledge dawned, a cold fury seized him. That assassin had used magic on him. Had invaded his mind. And what's more, he'd done it apparently for the sake of playing a petty trick on him. If he were at all uncertain before, he certainly wasn't now. If that didn't constitute a challenge...

Agustin made himself a promise. it wouldn't be his first duel to the death.

"I, Agusin Belkar, on my honor as a gentleman and a member of the Newhaven Alliance Armed Forces Officer Corps, will kill Friedrich the assassin should our paths cross again."

edited 30th Jan '13 5:57:09 PM by Gault

[Smoking Room—>Halls]

Vivi memorized the name Adolf Hitler. Although it was unlikely he would ever meet such a person, she loved hints of the larger truth.

"Actually, I sense a whole cellar of hooch below one. I want to see if I can sneak a bottle or two out." She stood up. Swinging her purse, she exited the room.

Aseyu was quite the person.

Good night.

[Entry Hall —> Wine Cellar]

Aseyu gave Samira a nod, which Samira returned. But each knew better than to pester the other, since both were doing what they did best. Aseyu ignored the various other denizens of the room and made her way down to the wine cellar without incident.

Where she came upon a very clearly drunken Franklin. "Well," she said, "ain't that something." She glanced over at Vivi and whispered, "I don't know about you, but I gotta see what this guy's story is."

[Parlor]

As soon as Friedrich flickered, Xavier could feel a change in the magic being used. Friedrich was casting illusions. However, his reflexes weren't the greatest, and even if the illusion had been real, he wouldn't have been able to react before Agustin was up, sword drawn. Xavier noticed Friedrich exiting the room and let him leave; Xavier had had enough of him.

Then Agustin announced his intention to kill Friedrich.

"Whoa, whoa, hey," said Xavier, pushing himself up out of his chair. "Don't you think that's a bit extreme? What he did was dickish, sure, but to flat-out kill him? I mean, why that far?" He began to get agitated, gesturing quite a bit. "It was small and petty, and for all you know, he's just baiting you. Trying to get you in this state for... something, I don't know." Xavier flapped his wings once. "I'm just saying that you might want to think a bit."

Mental magic is bad, yeah, but something that sma- ohbugger. Agustin isn't prejudiced against magic, is he? Great. Just what I need. Xavier debated whether or not to tell Agustin about his own magic. Eventually, he decided on "not just yet". He'd wait and see what Agustin's views on that were. And even if Agustin didn't like magic, hey, maybe he wouldn't mind Xavier. Maybe.

[Entry hall]

Friedrich turns, surprised to find a woman... with a skin tone unlike any he had ever seen. He pauses for a moment, staring, before beginning his answer, dumbfounded by both her appearance and her bluntness, "Well, uh... yes."

[[Roof]]

Linza inspects the gloves she's chosen for the night. They're certainly nice enough for such an event, and they match the long ball gown she's chosen. She looks in her green tinged projection of the parlor and stares. She repeats the scene again and again in fast speed. She makes her way towards the roof right in front of the entrance and resumes her search, finding Friedrich in the hall.

She smiles as the breeze pushes her long blond hair in front of her angled face shifting to reveal her pointed ears.

edited 31st Jan '13 10:48:41 AM by Aqueos

[Smoking Room]

"I'm John Richman." John said, noticing the women leaving the room.

"And I'm Thomas Riverson; John's older brother." Thomas said, "It's a pleasure to meet you." He took another sip of wine. "So, what year is it on your universe?"

[Entry Hall] got ninja'd.

Mary then said, "I see. You're also a mage of some sort? I noticed how you teleported away from the Parlor. You know, after getting kicked out..." Of course, she didn't see his other illusion trick. She only saw him teleport out the room.

edited 30th Jan '13 6:59:27 PM by Masterofchaos

[Wine Cellar]

"Why hello there!" Franklin exclaimed toward the people who had entered the wine cellar. "You seem like interesting...folks. why don't you pull up a chair and tell me 'bout your selves."

[Entry Hall]

Anita was beginning to feel even more awkward than normal. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Friedrich come out of one room. He began to to cross the hall but struck up a conversation with Mary, who had come from another room.

"Getting a bit crowded." She stood up from her position amd leaned toward Samira. "Should I take Anne to clean her dress by herself? I don't mind."

Well, that was a lie. She really did sort of mind being alone in the same room with a rotting girl, but so many different people keep coming and going. She needed a place to think. A quiet place.

"You can talk to Tamara and Claire while we are gone."

I was against using the names of people who hadn't introduced themselves to Anita yet, but with so many characters, it seems easier. :p

[Parlor]

Friedrich blinks a couple times. "Uh. Yeah. I used human magic for that. I've used a lot of that today." He pauses. "You found what I did interesting?" He fiddles around with his belt, nervously shifting around his weapons.

edited 30th Jan '13 7:19:41 PM by Aqueos

[Wine Cellar]

Aseyu laughed and said, "I've been trying to get Vivi here to do just that." She leaned up against a barrel. "No wine for me, though. Don't ask."

She pointed to herself. "I'm Aseyu ul'Valmoth vash'Suela. I've done a lotta things in my time, which I'm sure you'll hear about eventually." Then she pointed at Vivi. "She's Vivi. From Chicago. Hell if I know more, but I'm working on it." Finally, her finger went to Franklin. "Who're you?"

[Entry Hall]

Samira nodded and said, "yes, that would be very nice of you. Uh... please don't mind Kokabiel too much if it bugs you." She laughed slightly. "I usually end up throwing a shoe at it. It usually gets the point."

edited 30th Jan '13 7:39:01 PM by KillerClowns

Agustin regarded Xavier with a look of slight confusion. "That filthy cur all but attacked me. Abused his arcane power. 'Dickish' is a bit of an understatement, don't you think?" His expression hardened somewhat, his tone turning reserved and businesslike. "Besides, I am honorbound. My station demands I make him answer for his transgressions." His voice then dropped in volume such that only Xavier could hear, and he leaned in slightly. "Frankly, even if it didn't, I can't say I would mind brushing him in particular off the mortal coil. Mercenaries disgust me, assassins moreso than others. Most people kill for a cause, something I understand fully, but his kind are crass enough to need no better reason than money."

Agustin shook his head. "There isn't even the slightest pretense that their murder serves a higher cause- that it, despite it’s bloody nature, is in the end actually a good thing for the world at large." Carefully, Agustin folded a napkin and dabbed up the spots of spilled tea on the table. "That kind of thinking suggests, to me, a certain thoughtless arrogance. The willingness to take a life for no greater reason than personal gain. He's a killer. Selfish and proud of it. Is it too much to ask that his violence at least serve a greater purpose?"

He shook his head again, giving the table one final swipe down with his handkerchief before folding it up and stuffing it back in his coat pocket. From what Xavier had seen, he seemed to carry a number of them on himself at all times.

[Wine Cellar]

"My name's Franklin Higgins, but you can call me Frank. I'm sort of a self-employed pirate, though my crew consists of my two brothers, Boaris and Mordicai, and a pumpkin.

I also own a mountain, which I have named Oink-Bubble Mountain. I've got a nice house there, if slightly metallic."

edited 30th Jan '13 7:46:47 PM by BiggerBen

[Entry Hall]

Strolling back towards Anne, Anita shrugged.

"So, let's go find you some new clothes and a bathroom, okay?" And a way for me to get home, she almost added but decided not to. No point in sounding like a broken record.

[Smoking Room]

Markus nodded to Thomas as a greeting. He thought for a moment about Thomas's question, "I really can't remember, but I think it's something around 2014," He thought for a second, "How'd you end up here?"

[Wine Cellar]

Aseyu just stared for several seconds, then, in complete deadpan, announced, "you, Franklin Higgins, may just be the third craziest person I have ever met." Then she shrugged. "Sounds fun. Anyways..." she paused, looking for something that would earn a reaction. The truth, although not the whole truth, seemed sufficient. "I'm a whore."