Character Inn

[Outside - Garden - Small Tree Groove]

Dominatus pondered that question before it answered, "In truth I do not know. Whatever guiding force that brought me to seek out other individuals in this land seemed to have led me to you directly. Perhaps it is a part of the land itself or it the same force that brought brought me to this place."

Dominatus turned to look around the garden, "It seems that other beings where brought here as well."

Dining Hall

Taeko followed John's gaze towards the table he spoke of. "That looks perfect," she said with a nod before starting to head towards it.

On the way there, she continued on the previous subject of discussion. "If I was lost and found a place like this, I'd gladly accept the opportunity as well. I'm just wondering if lost people is how this inn gets most of this business. It doesn't seem like a very good business model if that's the case, though. It's not going to pay for itself, is it?" She frowned in thought again. "Though the stay is completely free, so they wouldn't be making any money anyway. Hm...I wonder how they maintain the place, then?"

It was enough to make one wonder whether she was talking to John or herself.

"This dojo's purpose is for practice, exercise, and anything else that might help guests keep themselves fit," Zenjiro explained to Izumi, not particularly caring if she actually expected an answer or not. "One can even mediate if they so wish, though I wouldn't recommend it if activity here is high."

[Outside ~ Garden (Tree Grove)]

Oswald's hood nodded up and down slowly as it turned to face the garden, same as the angel.

"As seems to be customary." he said, his shaded gaze lingering on the pond for a moment before he continued. "Well, Dominatus, you and I both seem to be in the business of scouting this place out a bit and learning more about what's happening here. What say you we buddy-up for the time being... see to what prosperity that may lead us?" He turned his hood back towards Dominus, "Your eyes are certainly set on more than this small woodlot and myself, are they not?"

[Outside - Garden - Small Tree Groove]

Dominatus nodded, "Yes. There is much of this land to explore. A temporary partnership is indeed reasonable."

Dominatus turned around, its six wings extending and fluttering, allowing Dominatus to hover above the ground, "I suggest we seek others out to start," Dominatus said with its back to Oswald.

[Outside ~ Garden (Small Tree Grove)]

"All right, at your leisure then." Oswald said, before circling the tree he had been resting beneath, until he reappeared with a pair of very old, gray-brown, military-style boots. Rather than putting them on immediately, he chose to carry them for the time being, as he walked over to rejoin his new companion. The emergence of Dominatus's numerous wings stopped Oswald in his tracks for a moment, leaving him to shake his hooded head and mutter, "Good grief..." with a bit of a chuckle. Not that the rest of the creature was any less strange to his eyes, but one surprise did not necessarily weaken the effect of another.

"Seek others?" he repeated, "By all means. Let us both... peregrinate from here to a locus more commonplace for gathering, then; say, out there." He waved a cloak arm in the direction of the garden proper, then set off himself to leave the grove.

[Garden - Near Lake, Grove]

"Do you think I should dress up? Maybe my own wings?" Rein asked. Her long white tunic over black pants and a black vest glowed dully for a moment.

"I don't think black wings will make a great impression on that." Se replied. "And I haven't manifested wings myself in generations."

"Fire. They suited you, Se." Rein replied. "And you're right, they would be better."

[2nd Floor Hall]

You'd think that a big guy like Mazak would be a strong one. And you'd have good common sense if you think that, because you'd most likely be right. Jim, however, did not stop to think about how strong the guy was.

Before he knew it, he had the breath knocked out of him and kept out of him. Sure, it didn't last long, but the surprise of it mixed with the hold he was in caused the kid to momentarily stop breathing. Once he was free, he simply let himself finish his fall to the ground, laying there for a minute or two and trying to regain his senses. He soon managed to hoist himself up, leaning against the wall for support. He looked up at Mazak for the first time.

"...Good reflexes." He said in-between breaths. "Where'd ya learn...that?"

Seeing as how Blossom had opted out of a handshake, Cal simply shifted it back into his pocket with an awkward glance towards the floor. "Right. Sorry." He muttered another apology before turning his attention toward Izumi. "Y'know, maybe tomorrow I'll take you up on that offer to spar." he said casually as he began to roam around the Dojo, looking up at the various murals. "Once I get situated and stuff."

[second floor hall > Daisuke's room]

With a smile, he took the card and popped it into the slot, then yanked it out quickly enough that he could hear the 'zwip' sound they always made as the little light turned green. Daisuke opened the door and walked inside, still cradling Ran in his arms.

All this was his?! Whoooah. He turned around and watched as Ryouta inexplicably came in, but also eyeing the ravens standing there with their talons on the door frame. He wasn't going to set Ran down until he was 100% sure she was safe- meaning every lock on the doors and windows closed so those stupid ravens had no chance of getting in.

[Aquabella's room]

...The fuck?

Raphael dug his light-up magnifying glass out of his pocket and turned it on. He shook his head slightly, sighed, and set to work on this.

Cells don't scale down with the patient's physical size, so this shouldn't be terrible, he thought as he used his free hand to turn her head to the side. The fact that she was up and moving implied that nothing serious had been harmed, but who knows what else was there.

He cast his senses into the wound area first for a better picture, then did a once-over of the rest of her body just to see what the hell she meant, exactly, by 'defiled'. He hoped to God it wasn't what was usually meant by such a term- taking her size into account and the fact that the aggressor was seemingly a normal-size human like himself, the logistics were downright... mind-bending.

Not to mention that he might end up talking to her parents, which he really didn't have high hopes for if they were conservative enough to flat-out disown her for being 'defiled'. There's a reason villages like Haddika exist- that being said, maybe he could see if Alice needs any help at her shop.

Note that Raphael does not need to be in physical contact with his patient when casting his senses into them in order to gain a reasonably detailed picture of what's going on inside.

edited 31st May '14 7:30:11 AM by CrystalGlacia

[Daisuke's Room]

"Would you like any more company, or should I leave you alone?" Ryouta said, still unsure about leaving Daisuke alone, given the kind of shape he was in earlier.

"Either way, I'll make sure these birds don't bother you in here," he said, staring down the ravens.

[Dojo]

"Jeez, I could meditate anywhere if I wanted to be bored," Izumi said to Zenjiro, "I was hoping for some fun!"

Then, to Cal, she said, "Tomorrow? What do you have to do to get ready that takes that long? I mean, unless you only spar on certain days of the week, or something silly like that?"

[[Dining Hall]]

Anyone who gave a terrible, cryptic answer like "just a something something trying to do something something" was hiding something interesting. Erica knew that from experience.

And it seemed that she had been proven right again.

"A power is a curse when you can barely control it." She might as well be frank; people seemed to be noticing something funny about her anyway. She moved her chair a little closer to him. "Ever since birth, I have been forced to swim in the thoughts and emotions of everyone around me. I have no interest in harassing or blackmailing strangers—not today, at least. I only do that to enemies of my family, and no one here has even heard of it. My main objective is to learn again what it is to feel."

To make something stir in her breast, whether it be joy or fear or rage or—

"I was weaker when I could feel. But I was a better person. So, help me. Show me more."

Her eyes flicked towards her brother, who was loitering halfway to the door and glancing between it and the demonic waitresses, as if wondering if dealing with the grotesque women was worth a good meal.

"But memories do bring pain. To most people. It's only fair that I offer you an exchange. I can tell you things about that man there, my twin brother. Why does he concern you? All I will say is this: because you are a man."

[2nd Floor Hall]

"I learned it," Mazak said to Jim, "in basic training. Years on the beat helped perfect it." He looked down, shook his head, and continued to listen and look for signs of life in any of the rooms. Still, he continued to speak even as he listened and looked. "My first law enforcement job was in the wrong part of Zavi. More dangerous than an army job."

[Dojo]

Seeing Cal's confusion and annoyance, she tilted her head. "Er," she said, when you stuck out your hand like that... was I supposed to... do something?"

Then to Izumi she said, "I suppose we could do a little practice, if you go easy on me."

[[Dining Hall]]

Daniel blinked. He had only brought up that memory to get some kind of reaction out of Erica; maybe she would be fearful or maybe she would laugh off his attempt as pathetic. But he certainly hadn’t expected her to plead him for more. Unhinged she clearly was.

Then again, if what she claimed about her power was true, then he could forgive her actions here, and maybe even understand why she was like this. But it wasn’t enough to make him more forthcoming with his memories, not even if he ever came close to trusting her, let alone now. The promptness with which she gave up her brother as her price didn’t sit right either.

“Just so I am clear on the details,” Daniel said, “You wish me to share my deepest, most painful memories with you and in exchange, you’ll offer me information on someone else, which you claim might concern me.” He paused, before adding, sarcasm clear in his tone, “Sounds fair enough.”

“But seeing as I’ve already given you something,” he said, leaning in closer, “how about you make a payment now? Tell me why I should give a damn about your brother.”

edited 31st May '14 12:30:49 PM by Elfhunter

[Dojo]

"Woo!" Izumi said, looking excited again, "let's see, I should probably not use a real sword for this, so... how about this one?" She pulled out a bright green foam katana from the weapons rack and pointed at Blossom. Kinda assuming they have this here, but it does seem believable.

"This looks good, what do you want to use?" she said, "whatever you want is fine by me."

May not have any more time to post tonight.

[Daisuke's room]

Ran was getting heavy. "Can I just have some alone time?" Sure, Ryouta said, and they bid their farewells and he left, closing the door behind him. At long last, he let Ran onto the floor, rushed to the door, and closed every lock he could find on it. Daisuke knew how smart ravens could be- they made visits to Tokyo horrible.

She began to explore the room while Daisuke ambled his way into the bathroom, peeled his clothes off, and turned the water to hot, mildly dismayed because the main area was pretty boring and she hadn't gotten into the bathroom yet and now it was going to be all humid inside.

I'll add more later.

[Hot Spring]

After a brief chat with Saburo, and a brief trip to his room to stow his very small amount of luggage, Proseda made his way up the stairs to go to the hot spring outside. Although he'd toyed with the idea of going in his more demonic form, he'd settled for his purely human one for the sake of convenience.

Once at the hotsprings he removed his clothing and took a quick shower becoming increasingly familiar with the form Marianne had suggested. He was quite built, although not to completely absurd levels, and a deal taller than the average guy. After several failed attempts to tame his long bright red hair without a hair tie, he made his way out to the hot spring, eschewing putting on a swim suit.

Once inside the pool he laid back, playing with his light scattering of chest hair out of boredom.

Feel free to talk to him if you want, although considering everyone else's location I'll just move him later

edited 31st May '14 11:18:36 PM by Aqueos

[Hot Spring]

A head with hazel eyes and short brown hair popped up out the water, followed by an exceptionally average looking naked male body. Average height, average built with some extra mass hidding the abs. Possibly, definitely above average body hair. Average skintone, possibly a tanned 'white' but the complete lack of tanlines hinted otherwise.

"You didn't leave any valuables in the changing room, did you?"

"They should put up a sign or something," he added after a moment.

[Dining Hall]

With one raven armed with a bamboo skewer with a chicken heart on the end of it Unkindness decided that it should investigate the transparent one. The raven flew to the table the transparent one seemed to be headed to.

edited 1st Jun '14 5:19:22 AM by m8e

[Hot Spring]

Proseda looks up to the sight of some guy rising up out of the water. Weird, but whatever.

"Only if you count my clothes, and I don't really need them anyway."

He laughs, "If you stole those I'd just have an excuse to walk around naked. I wouldn't have to actively try to find a reason to take them all off."

He looked the other guy up and down. Eh, maybe.

edited 1st Jun '14 9:50:31 AM by Aqueos

[[Dining Hall]]

"You see? I'm so far gone that I can't even feel annoyed by your sarcasm." Erica let out a deep sigh. "I know most people would be, and therefore, I should. But I cannot. I'd be glad to pay you now, but my brother has just sat down a bit too close to us and he's about to order some food. But a hint: power." She lowered her voice. "Power better wielded by... others."

She folded her hands on top of her skirt and looked expectantly at Daniel.

[Hot Spring]

"Those should be fine, they only want shiny sparkly things."

The man walked over to the waterfall, found a good stone near it and got seated.

"Well, unless they are covered in sequins or something. But you look like someone who wouldn't have clothes like that, so I guess I just said this to be funny."

[Hot Springs]

"They?"

Proseda sits up and raises an eyebrow.

"Is there a small squad of gremlins going through here or something?"

He pauses, "It's Proseda. Yours?"

"Sano"

"They, maybe it is a flock of ravens. They almost got my watch and a necklace."

edited 1st Jun '14 1:24:41 PM by m8e

[Outside Daisuke's Room, 2nd Floor Hallway]

Once outside Daisuke's room, Ryouta said to the Ravens, "I'll be watching you - don't bother that boy or his cat any more, alright? Find something better to do, like poetry or something."

Now, what should I do?

[Hotsprings]

"Inside? Those are some interesting ravens alright."

He brushes his bangs out of his face.

"Surely you're here for some reason other than following around a bunch of birds annoying as they are. Next thing you know you'll get all tense."

Dining Hall

"...You know what I always wanted to see? A redwood," Taeko continued, now clearly talking to herself and not to John. Somehow, in the brief time it took to walk across the room, she had changed the subject twice. "I hear they're such massive trees; the sight must be amazing. But sadly, they only grow in America, I think...."

As soon as they reached the desired table, she stopped rambling and turned towards John. "I think this was the table we wanted?" She turned back towards it. "We should probably sit...down...now...."

She trailed off as soon as she noticed the raven that was already there. She had made it a point to avoid the birds, but unfortunately she seemed to have caught their interest, or at least the interest of one of them. This one had a stick tipped with...something in its beak, which just made it creepier than when she saw it and its group earlier.

"...On second thought, I think I like that table better," she finished, before promptly making her way to and sitting down at a different table a good distance away from the raven.

After she sat down, she looked at John thoughtfully. She had been rambling to herself since practically when they'd first arrived here, and she hadn't given him much of a chance to say much. That was kind of rude of her. Maybe she should give him the chance to go on and on about something now.

"New question: If you don't mind me asking, where did you come from?"

[Outside Daisuke's Room, 2nd Floor Hallway]

"Any more!", "Never more!", "Nevermore!"

[Dining hall]

Clearly not a pre-recorded volumetric display thought unkindness.

[Hotsprings]

"I'm simply vacationing."

People on vacation generally assumed that other people was vacationing too, Proseda hadn't, could he possibly be working?

"And you? Some kind of spy or do you sell vacuum cleaners or maybe hair care products?"

edited 1st Jun '14 10:12:16 PM by m8e