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Fantasy ▽Journey to Lost city of Vesi▽ [clsd]

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Anziium
Mentioning: bonesbo bonesbo
​

Scuffed soles met the guano-painted stretch of land, the tiefling having made a bee-line straight for the tattered remains the the text, in hopes he could reach it before the Seraphi. If all went according to plan, he’d be able to correct his mistake and have the beloved work of literature returned within the hour. After it was back in her possession, he wouldn’t make the mistake of doing such again, as him acquiring the darn thing was merely to spite the woman. Now, he felt horrific for having taken it, allowing that damned bird to carry it away and destroy it. You already determined you wouldn’t partake in relations with these people, keep that promise to yourself in mind, Anziium, least it turn out just like last time.

As his crewmates had taken to mutilating the waterfowl responsible, he had crouched upon the ground to swat at the cover of the book, outstretching his arm in an attempt to reach it. With it being amongst the tangle of roots, it was just slightly out of reach, but he had to regain property of it, and fast. Therefore, with a bit of his dignity being lost in the process, he planted his hands and knees upon the ground, face against the ground as it allowed him to reach further. Disgusting, he felt absolutely disgusted, but he just needed to be able to get just a smidge closer andddddd- Poof! Just as his obsidian nails clutched the leather cover, it dissipated before his eyes. Before he could alert the others to this oddity, an odd sensation began to overtake him, suffocating his thoughts, snuffing them out like a candle in a windstorm. Before his mind wasn’t of his own, there had been an absolute sense of bone-crippling fear surge forth, before it too was overcome by this newfound calm.

His body became more so lax as a voice began to address them, or was it just him? Was he hearing things? Head lazily turning to glance behind him, his bronze gaze blankly stared at the strange man, instantly wishing for further attention despite knowing nothing of him. That devious smile had him, entranced not only by the voice of silk, but the way in which he held himself; Caywood knew he was far superior to them all, and Anziium couldn’t agree more, he at his beck and call. The tiefling’s mind was absolute mush, not so much a lick of defiance within his body. As the strange man spoke to Zephriel, the tiefling remained frozen in place, eyes trailing the individual as he move and spoke, entranced by his sheer presence. Something about the way he moved, no no, just he, himself, was something of grace.

This general awe very briefly subsided at the scene between Caywood and the captain. His mind attempted to process what it was that was happening, only for any sensible thought to be washed away due to the influence of the man’s magic. He had only taken note of a duck that had passed by, yes, it was merely a duck. One of the many that had passed by. Nothing of which that had just taken place had registered in his mind, his attention finally drawn back towards the strange man before him. Wait, he was speaking to him directly?

Outstretching his hand for him to take, as he had asked for it, Anziium was thankful for his assistance in helping him stand. His hand limply followed in the motion of a handshake as he merely nodded at his words. “No need to apologize...none at all.” He breathed, voice airy and soft. Of course he wasn’t upset about it, why would he be, afterall? He very much so adored this man. It appeared that even Biel had, for he had managed his way upon his shoulder, neck frills puffing in delight as his endless void of a stomach was fed an offering. The creature’s tongue licked across the man’s fingers, chirps of delight sounding from its core. Anziium, if in his right mind, would have been very apologetic for his behavior, secretly envious of the attention paid to him by his familiar. Yet, he wasn’t, instead wearing an half-grin at the sight; it pleased him to see Biel was as calm and relaxed as he.

One by one, their group was greeted by this splendid man, Caywood, enthralled by his very presence before them. They certainly weren’t worthy to be in such a man’s sights, yet here they were, being offered an exclusive welcoming to his hidden resort. Why would they ever say no? No sooner that he had offered and being leading them away like the pied piper he was, Anziium was soon to follow, paying no heed to the arrival of Beaux or whether anyone else had the same intention.
 
Zephriel's fingers held nothing but air. The bird was gone, and while something in her should feel anguish at the lack of revenge, her chest felt light and her head felt foggy clear. How strange, she should think, but the thought did not bloom.

A voice, like the call of a Sol'rashi phoenix, beckoned her gaze towards its source. There stood a man. No, he was more than that; he was beautiful words made flesh, the incarnation of every fictional being she had ever dreamed of meeting. He was perfection. Zephriel was reminded of something, what should be a memory, but her mind drew a blank. What was she trying to compare him to when nothing in this world could ever hope to match such elegance? Something in her should fear or question, but it did not. Why question when the answer did not matter? What else mattered except right now?

The tightness of her shoulders grew relaxed, her scowl smooth and her wings limp. A sharp sensation drew her attention then, to her wing. It caught her by surprise, like a spur of rock in a foggy shore. The angle at which her wing sat was odd. Was it odd? She could not remember why this could ever be concerning, yet her feathers were fluffed up. It was embarrassing, really. In shame, she kept her eyes away from the man but was compelled to look once more when he took her hands in her own, placing a book within her grasp. She had forgotten about it but was glad to have it back.

The mark on his hands drew her eyes. A vague sense of familiarity whispered somewhere in her mind, but they melted away at the man's smile. Did she dare think it was all for her, as a child might try to catch the sun's glow for their own? His touch was so gentle, so comforting, she felt like crying. She wondered if she deserved it.

"We are as alike as lead and gold..." she spoke, meaning every word. They called her kind 'angels' but only now did she know the title was unworthy.

Placid, she let the man hold her wounded wing in his delicate palms. It was the ultimate display of trust, but if anyone deserved it, it was him. Zephriel sighed in relief as her broken bones knitted together and her wing was made whole once more. The warmth spread throughout her entire body and she could not help but long for this to last forever.

With this man, here with her, everything was alright. The stars could all fall down, the suns no more than burnt-out embers, and yet there would be not the faintest bit of unrest in her heart. This man was the only light in the world she would ever need. There were no more questions left in her mind, not even when a new bird suddenly appeared. She was still caught up on his name. Caywood, so simple yet so pleasing. It was a name she would remember long after she had forgotten her own.

Zephriel was more than eager to accept his invitation to a hot-spring resort. Honestly, if he had invited her to a magma pool she would be just as thrilled. She dipped her head in a half-bow, "Yes, of course. I would be honoured."
 
Infinite
  • Index
    • JOD & BEAUX

    TIME CHECK: [̵̯̎͐͠͝r̸̩̤̣̬̍̽̀͠ė̸̡̧̞͙͔̲̳̟͍̞̒̓́̿͐́d̵̟̼͉̞̮͕̱̆̍̍̋͊̃̂̀̈́͝a̵̮̱̺̤̾͂̔̃̀̓̅͝c̷̨̼̙͚̭̫̀̈́̊̋̏̕͜ẗ̸͉͍̣̭͖̗̜́̾e̴͔̬̣̤̰͆d̵̩̫͑̍̀͗̔͒̌͋͘]̸̢͕̖̝̙̄͗̈̌͛̀̀̓ͅ    .
    Time: [̵̯̎͐͠͝r̸̩̤̣̬̍̽̀͠ė̸̡̧̞͙͔̲̳̟͍̞̒̓́̿͐́d̵̟̼͉̞̮͕̱̆̍̍̋͊̃̂̀̈́͝a̵̮̱̺̤̾͂̔̃̀̓̅͝c̷̨̼̙͚̭̫̀̈́̊̋̏̕͜ẗ̸͉͍̣̭͖̗̜́̾e̴͔̬̣̤̰͆d̵̩̫͑̍̀͗̔͒̌͋͘]̸̢͕̖̝̙̄͗̈̌͛̀̀̓ͅ
    Location: [̵̯̎͐͠͝r̸̩̤̣̬̍̽̀͠ė̸̡̧̞͙͔̲̳̟͍̞̒̓́̿͐́d̵̟̼͉̞̮͕̱̆̍̍̋͊̃̂̀̈́͝a̵̮̱̺̤̾͂̔̃̀̓̅͝c̷̨̼̙͚̭̫̀̈́̊̋̏̕͜ẗ̸͉͍̣̭͖̗̜́̾e̴͔̬̣̤̰͆d̵̩̫͑̍̀͗̔͒̌͋͘]̸̢͕̖̝̙̄͗̈̌͛̀̀̓ͅ
    Weather: [̵̯̎͐͠͝r̸̩̤̣̬̍̽̀͠ė̸̡̧̞͙͔̲̳̟͍̞̒̓́̿͐́d̵̟̼͉̞̮͕̱̆̍̍̋͊̃̂̀̈́͝a̵̮̱̺̤̾͂̔̃̀̓̅͝c̷̨̼̙͚̭̫̀̈́̊̋̏̕͜ẗ̸͉͍̣̭͖̗̜́̾e̴͔̬̣̤̰͆d̵̩̫͑̍̀͗̔͒̌͋͘]̸̢͕̖̝̙̄͗̈̌͛̀̀̓ͅ

    Juju Juju
    Zephriel

    TheCrowKing TheCrowKing
    Biel

    Anziium

    Trektek Trektek
    Magen

    @ zedmo
    Beaux

    Nobody_314 Nobody_314
    Flynyas


    Caywood chuckled at Magen and reached out his smooth hand towards to help her up, "My dear, there will be plenty of time to relax once we are in more of a comfortable place."

    Caywood lead them though to the cliff side which descended below into a system of caverns. [[Quote from previous: Beyond the forests and canopies that surrounded the island's perimeter, was a networks of large caverns that dove deep into the surface. Waterfalls of crystalline purple water drilled deep into the surface where they pooled into viscous baths, unfastened boulders tumbled down from the flat and rocked surface and disturbed the peace below. The same trees that littered the surface snaked their way into the networks, fastening themselves to the crevices of the wall of slick grey stone. Their canopies provided what seemed to be series of olive platforms the way down into the unseen, fog-enveloped subterrane.]] Caywood snapped, his ring glinting in the fogged sunlight, a stone staircase appeared around the perimeter, the purple waterfalls opened paths to not rain down onto the stones.

    Caywood lead the crew down, the heels of his shoes clicking and echoing as they descended into the cooling cavern. The bottom of the cavern was covered in a soft, green moss carpet. The purple waters cascaded into glimmering pools, which then flowed into streams that outlined a great stone entrance built into the cliff-side. The atmosphere down here was steamy, but clearing and purifying as opposed to the suffocation of the surface. On the outside of the streams were beds of luscious grass blooming erotic-scented pink, delicate, flowers.

    Purifying...

    The Mercury's crew's heads seemed clearer. There was no fog in their brain, there was no confusion. There was no doubt, nor difficulty remembering. There was peace. Memories of the ship, their journey, their crew was no longer locked in the fog but seemed to blow away with the wind all together. There was no past nor future, only present in this moment; only them with Caywood in this cool and crisp cavern; their destiny leading them right up to this stone archway.

    The stone archway was blocked off by two great wooden doors with iron locking mechanisms. Above the doors on the tall stone archway was a blue-painted wooden plaque with a carved symbol, decorated with the finest paints ((see pic, pattern with blue background).infinatesymb.jpg

    "I'd like to personally welcome you to In-Finite Hot Springs" Caywood spoke as he gestured towards the stone archway. "Inside is a paradise just for you. I assure you, you will be lost in time with our luxurious spa, our glamorous casino, our delectable bar and diner. All hosted by the most magnificent staff to ensure your enjoyment of your timeless stay here at In-finite." Caywood smiled. He returned his white pristine gloves to his hands as he walked to used the great, surprisingly not rusted, iron knockers. "I work within the professional department of Infinite, which is located within the walls of the white house at the end of the cavern - you'll see a splendid little moat surrounding it. The CEO is a very busy woman, and she should never be bothered-" Caywood chortled to himself and turned to look at his company after he knocked, "You should find me if problems ever arise. As her right hand, I see to all her public affairs. To keep such a sizable business running effectively, efficiently, and smoothly, Miss Noita should be left to her own business." Caywood waved his hand dismissively then turned back to the door as it was soon outlined in a spa-Caribbean blue. "However, I see no problems arising anytime soon. We have the most talented staff here, employed for all your relaxation and dynamic eternal needs." This last sentence seemed scripted, embedded, coded into his hard-drive... [[Magen add another +1 to next roll]].

    The door in front of them came to life with the blue light outlining an etherial pattern. Swirling figures that looped together in a single strand, rotating around focal points where windows would be. The flowing lights converged inwards to the focal points where they then dripped down into more structured lines of the door; as the lights dripped down, so did the solid wood. The wood melted down into a pool of light where the threshold of the Infinite resort entrance separated it from the rest of the lush canyon floor. All the while, the sigil above the door was glowing with the same blue ethereal shimmer.

    The inside was bigger than what the facet implied. The roof of the cavern implied that they were underground, but much further than what felt like they descended. Dripping from the ceiling were both white limestone stalactites and tree roots, seeming to sprout from nothing. Immediately in front of them was an expanse of plush green moss, continuing from the canyon behind them. The lawn was covered in people; all different races, faces, creatures, ages, gender or lack thereof. But they all shared a pleasant expression and body language; they were enjoying themselves, they were relaxed, they were having fun. Among the lawn where the people mingled, there were picnic blankets and baskets of food shared by companions, volleyball and badminton nets, small and friendly sport competitions, throwing discs, reading books in chairs or hammock stands. The two connected purple streams continued from the canyon into the domestic resort; wide, deep, and tranquil enough that there were people commencing water activities within them.

    To the right was the Lively scene. Music and chatter flooded from within what seemed the canyon walls. With further examination, white and blue doors blended in with the white limestone which lead into rooms of entertainment. Inside the subsection of the canyon, covered by the wall were rooms from more energetic resort activities such as Casino (C), Bar (B), Diner (K), and the side of the Spa (S2) which contained features like cosmetic care (hair, nails, skin/face), hot yoga, seaweed wrap, sun beds (aka tanning beds) , and sauna.
    To the left was the Restful scene. Sounds of calming music played by harp, piano, or other stringed instruments could be barely heard through the walls covered by controlled cascading waters of the outside, which then flowed to join the purple stream. On this side of Infinite, the walls hid rooms that contained the Sleeping Pods (P), Intimate rooms (I), Library (L), and the side of the Spa (S1) which contained more relaxing and quiet features such as ablution rooms, meditation rooms, different types of baths such as mud, medicinal, hot steam, rose water, massages, heat therapy (stones, cupping), and acupuncture.
    Further down on the lawn, the two purple streams joined together to form about a metre-wide moat that surrounded a very clean, posh, white house. Between the moat and the office of Infinite was a garden of brilliant pink flowers; the same ones seen outside the stone archway. On the front facet of the house was the same symbol that appeared on the archway as well, the tri-whirlpool painted and glowing with green and deep blue tendrils that seemed to pulse.

    Around the lawn, through the doors were all sorts of attendants. They all wore a light baby blue flowing, draping robe with white hems, the insignia stitched in the left breast; their hair tucked up if needed. They were barefoot, and all wore kind expressions and demeanor. They were all here to help you have the most relaxing time possible.

    Caywood gestured in once the doors were down, "I welcome you friends, to In-finite."


    [[PM me here on RPN which location you would like to visit/what you would like to do. The available locations are bold, or, if you look on my terrifically drawn schematic of the place, it's all the places with a yellow dot. Then, roll on the discord (sorry for website jumping) ]]
    Infinatewip.png
     
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  • Index
    • Anziium
    Mentioning    : bonesbo bonesbo Nobody_314 Nobody_314 Trektek Trektek Juju Juju

    By some means of luck, the creature hadn’t caught up with them to sink its horrible teeth into their flesh once more. Rather, the trio had managed to skulk away from the noxious atmosphere of the murky cavern, undetected. They even managed to navigate through the spa and out into the courtyard, none of the attendants particularly interested in them as they exited.

    The air outside the cavern and spa wasn’t completely rid of the fragrance of the intoxicating, pink flowers, but at the very least it wasn’t as pungent. It was a breath of -relatively- fresh air compared to that of the eel creatures’ cave. What came of it, was the most definite clearing of Anziium’s mind, the true ‘grandeur’ of Infinite shining through the veil of lies. Where there was once the inviting grounds lined in mossy carpets and trickling plum streams, it was now a scene of horrors. The grounds were nothing similar to what he’d previously seen, the features of the landscape more violent and unwelcoming the further he was drug by Flynyas. Beautiful flowers turned to wicked plants with hidden thorns, ready to draw blood whilst harsh glow radiated over the residence of this ‘paradise’. Their appearance was far worse than the landscape, so much so that his gaze shifted uneasily from their gaunt faces.

    Why am I seeing this? Why does it look this way? It wasn’t like this before, something isn’t right. Unless..no...no, this has to be another one of those dreams. That was it, another one of those horrific dreams he’d been having. Yet, why did this one feel so different? And now he was outside? The tiefling’s mind was in a twist as he was commanded to sit upon the ground, an expression of sheer confusion contorting his features as he attempted to piece together all these mixed thoughts. In the process, he had glanced back towards the spa, thinking maybe if he were to crawl back inside he could find a hidey hole somewhere.

    Before he could, the stranger had made some odd gesture with his hands, they immediately filling up with water. Given the circumstance, it was a confusing, almost hypnotic sight to see as he stared at his own reflection. At least, until it came splashing into his face, leaving him recoiling back as the cool liquid sloshed into his face. The tiefling’s hands instantly shot to his face to rub at his eyes, tail curling around himself. It was in that moment, everything came back him. How this place wasn't their destination, how they had been on Mercury, the rest of the crew...wait….the rest of the crew. Anziium's eyes shot open to stare at the still strange individuals before him, not a single name at all coming to mind. Now, one might be a bit concerned about being in the possession of a stranger, but one would also have to remember that they had led then from that horrible room and towards safety; for that, he was extremely grateful. That wasn't to say he still wasn't startled and disoriented.

    "W-who are either of you?" He questioned, scooting back a wee bit from them, only to breathe relief at the pointing out of the only two women he knew to fit that description.
     
    Flynyas​

    Mentioning: bonesbo bonesbo TheCrowKing TheCrowKing

    Upon dousing the Tieflings in front of him, Flynyas breathed a sigh of relief as he saw color come back to their eyes. Whilst not having completely shaken it off, they seemed to have gained back some awareness. The male Tiefling then addressed him as the female pointed out the other members of the crew entering the clearing. Flynny cast a quick glance in the direction she indicated to confirm that the figures leaving the library were indeed those who he had followed here, then responded to Anzium.

    "My name is Flynyas and long story short I am meant to join you on the Mercury but missed the boat. Whether you believe that or not, for now we need to focus on collecting the others and getting out of here. I believe two are down there, and the last I saw Beaux he was in the dining hall. Would we still be missing anyone?"

    He then turned back towards the other Tiefling.

    "Yes, that is them, please take us down there. We need to intercept them before they draw too much attention from the more dangerous attendants."
     
    [REDACTED]
    Magen

    Zephriel

    Anziium


    Screen Shot 2019-12-07 at 5.53.21 PM.png
    TheCrowKing TheCrowKing Nobody_314 Nobody_314 Trektek Trektek Juju Juju

    After the two Mercury crew mates briefly talked, Flynyas turned to [Redcated] and spoke. She nodded and stood up from their crouched spot next to the bushes. "The key thing isn't to draw attention to yourselves. Everyone here is slow and spiritually dead. Already by being in a group, you're bound to draw atten-" She glanced to Anziium and noticed how covered in blood and acid he was, his neck seeping with a sort of bluish pus from the bite "Oh my... the Underlings got you..." Her expression told the situation was much more dire now. "You'll need t-" She quickly shook her head, "We'll cross that bridge when we get to it." She hissed in a cool tone, her tail flicking in anger.

    "Stay here. Pretend to be mindfully empty while you pick at the moss or whatever- mirror other residents." She brushed off her Infinite uniform and proceeded to walk through the greenscape to approach the two women, her expression blank.

    "Ladies... You will remain quiet and nondescripit. I will bring you to your friends - Flynyas and Bo, and the other man." She spoke softly to them. She appeared tiefling, although both of her horns were broken at different places close to her scalp; her eyes were grey but not glossed like other attendants here. Her skin tone was of a deep reddish brown, and hair a messily cropped shoulder length black though it was pinned back under an askew white kitchen hat. "Flynyes thinking your other friend in the kitchen. You will come with me if you want to got out of here." She turned without anything else and started to walk towards the kitchen, a thin black tail flicking behind her.

    As she walked, she glanced over to Flynyas and slightly nodded her head towards the kitchen, the direction she was walking.

    The attendants from the library came out of the doors, a group of three gaunt, skeleton looking figures, unsexable. One with slate white eyes, the other with completely misty grey eyes. The white-eyed one pointed to Magen with a hand of rotten flesh, sizzling and smoking due to the broken vial of blue acid.
     
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    Magen

    Magen didn't really know what was going on other than the fact that she managed to somehow find the rest of the crew, minus the captain, and Beaux but plus someone else whom she did not recognize. It wasn't her memory messing her up this time, it was honestly someone that she did not know. And she was already very wary of just about everything in this place. It was very much a terror, a mind prison that ate away at your very essence until there was nothing left of you at all. The fact that she managed to beat it and save Zephriel from a dangerous fate was nothing short of a miracle.

    She watched as the female tiefling approached them after being with the other members of the crew. Were they injured? What happened to them? Part of her just wanted to rush past this woman and get to them to see what if anything she could do to help them. The protective urge was strong in her and in this place from all the on edge events, it only made her jumpier and more protective of what she had.

    Wait. Was she saying to be quiet and non descript? Oh crap. As the tiefling started off In the direction that they were told to follow, she caught a glimpse of the attendants in their true form and they were angry and pissed. Magen tried to carefully walk after the woman and whispered rather sheepishly, "Um, I may have already botched being quiet and non descript back in the library."​
     
    Zephriel frowned at the tiefling's approach but found herself agreeing with the woman's instructions to remain quiet and non-suspicious. Of course, that would be a sound plan if they were not currently being chased by angry attendants.

    She eyed the tiefling warily. What if this was a trick? Zephriel's wings haunched up around her stiffened shoulders, feathers rising like a fluffed crest. Her eyes narrowed, the hardness of her gaze dampened by the frosty glaze. As far as she knew, this woman could be trying to trick them or was some other illusion, like the bubbling blue liquid.

    "Why should we trust you?" she demanded, trying to sound intimidating but feeling exhausted from the effort.

    Just thinking about resting sent a shudder down her limbs, her body begging for a moment of peace. It was strange, considering she had just been sitting down to read a book. Her body should not feel this drained, considering she had not been in Infinite for very long. She glanced at the mossy floor beneath her bare feet. It looked so soft and inviting, but she had to wonder if it was the vegetation itself or because each green cluster was fringed in a haze.

    Magen's comment made her look over her shoulder. Two dull-eyed attendants stood in the doorway of the mossy cavern, one pointing directly at Magen.

    "We cannot sneak around with those two. They will know our destination as soon as they see us heading there, giving them time to sound the alarm and possibly form a trap." Zephriel spoke in a rushed whisper, "Magen and I are too recognizable in the crowds. Unless, of course, we split up to drag their attention elsewhere..."

    The last part was pondering out loud, but she did not like that option. It would mean trusting this stranger, which she did not.
     
    [REDACTED]
    BEAUX

    The girl walked with a hurried but casual pace, trying not to look from side to side. When Zephriel approached her direct side, she grit her jaw and kept her eye forward. "You shouldn't, honesting. I don't know who I am nor you are being. But I am the only one that will help you escape because I have a mind out of the enchantment." She looked over to Zephriel, noticing her fatigued figure. "You were reading. Not good. Just... Whatever... I'll leave you alone soon enough and you won't have to worry about me. You can leave me down here to rot and keep your conscious clear." She growled.

    [Redacted] turned around as the attendants behind them were mentioned. "Fiits'e." She quickly whirled her head around again, suddenly grabbing both of the girls' hands and rushing towards the kitchen. As soon as she turned around to look at the library skeletons, they started their in-sync march towards the kitchen after them. Zephriel had a moment of realisation, recognising the curse and language that she just spoke in. Krizor. An ancient and secretive race; there was always some sort of predjudice against them for being evil.

    "Get. In." She held the door to the kitchen open as the girls entered, the boys soon after, coming from their other direction over in the bushes. She stopped Flynyas before he entered. "I will slow them down. Exit out of the kitchen through the kitchen doors, not the main doors here, if you must leave the kitchen. Do not seek out Miss Hoita. Sh-no. theres no time go get in!" She shoved Flynyas into the kitchen and shut the doors between them, leaving her outside.

    No sound from the outside entered the kitchen. The door sealed shut. There was a dulled thump from the other side.

    Immediately inside was a large seating area was a flat, cold, grey stone floor with tables made from discarded wood planks, sheets on metal. The glow slugs hung from the ceiling of the cavern, but also fires along the outside of the carved out were casting eerie dancing red shadows across the inside. Around the fires were old chairs, seated within, the corpses of those with mugs of blue liquid in their hand.

    A conveyor belt of sorts was positioned in the middle of the room where residents would pick up their meal after ordering them at a window that lead to the kitchen. Meals on metal plates were no more appetizing than ground up rock flakes; but to the residents, they saw delicious pastries and home cooked five star meals, looking elegant and tasting divine with their clouded sense of judgment.

    At the tables sat the more-or-less shells of people, slowly feasting on what was draining their soul.

    On the ground at a table sorta to the back of the room, was a figured collapsed with his eyes closed. A metal mug laid next to his right hand, and his left arm crossed over his body where his left hand laid over the bicep of his right arm. His webbed fingers twitching. His arm looked like it was seeping a very thin light blue tealish liquid. His skin was a grey, covered in withering scales. His hair was dead, greasy, mangled, lost in color. Beaux. He wore the same tarnished coat as from when they were on the boat, but his hat was gone, and so were his mechanic's goggles. He smelled... like... well salty and acidic... rotten fish.
     
    Flynyas​

    Flynyas waited with Anzium as the attendant went to retrieve Zephriel and Magen. In the spare moments this allowed, given the ominous statement by said attendant before she left, he gave the wound on the back of Anzi's neck a quick look. The actual depth of the wound looked painful, but not life threatening. Which led the only cause for any heavy concern to be that of the blue fluid left behind, or possibly injected, by the eels. He would have to examine in more detail when given the time, however time was not a blessing they had at the moment. Hopefully standard magic healing would suffice, but doubting this Flynny had already began thinking of ways to derive an antivenom of sorts. When the signal was given to shamble over to the kitchens, Flynyas helped Anzium up by drooping the Tiefling's arm over his shoulders and hoisting up. The difference in the two figures heights made this more difficult at first and utterly ineffective once about two thirds up, the rest would be up to the taller of the two. He then walked with Anzium over to rendezvous with the others, doing there best to avoid the roaming attendants.

    As the two meandered their way through the crowd of husks, Flynyas caught eye of the chase taking place and hurried their own pace to match, making it to the kitchen doors but moments after the other members of the crew. The other attendants in pursuit soon to be upon them, the situation was escalating at the moment. Conflict out in the open would surely draw more attention to their presence, and with his casting not at full strength along with the condition of Zephriel and Anzium, they would not be able it hold their own against the numbers that would oppose them. This thought filled him with dread to the point that he hardly comprehended the instructions given to him before being thrust in to the kitchens and the door slammed behind him.

    "Wait! What! No! We are not leaving without..."

    He stopped with his hand inches from the door handle, flinching when the thud hit the door. Why did he stop? Why has he not already thrown open the door, for them all to face this threat along with the one who knows nothing of everyone else here, yet is sacrificing herself for their sake. His face fell from that of shock and fear, to that of nothing.

    I am not dying here.

    Expressionless he pulled his hand away from the door.

    Not everyone can be saved.

    He turned to take in the scene with the others, not having changed since the last he was here. Yet he was not in shock this time, he was calm; numb.

    I cannot save everyone.

    When he located Beaux at a table, Flynyas briskly walked over and placed two fingers under the lower right of his jaw. He paused for a few seconds in wait of a pulse. As every second proved precious, simultaneously he addressed Magen. His tone was flat and curt.

    "If Beaux is still alive, would you be capable of carrying both himself and that one there you are already holding? I do not have the time or means to treat him here."

    (At this time Flynyas has not introduced himself yet to Magen or Zephriel, and does not know their names along with they not knowing his. He also does not know Anzium's name despite having briefly introduced in haste.)
     
    BEAUX

    Beaux’s pulse was very slow and erratic.

    Anziium. On top of being dizzy and slightly delusional, a wave of pressure crossed through his head, slightly blurring his vision. As he looked down at Beaux, the same vision of the figure from the train appeared. The train was rocking back and forth, lights flickering and swinging, the pressure from the cabin escaping and things flying. The figure held onto one of the poles, drenched in liquid that was spewing in through the apparent pressure leaks. His once slate-eyes were now round black with a purple iris. His face was dripping with blood, a dramatic difference from before. The marks around his neck seemed tighter, and he tried to pull at them before losing his balance and needing to once again hold onto the pole. He suddenly noticed, his eyes meeting the perspective from what Anzi saw the vision from. Was this real?
    “Can you tell him?!!” He screamed above the sounds of the lurching and speeding train, whistling wind and water. “Bou has to kn-“
    The vision was once again cut off, but instead of the way it ended before, it simply ended and Anziium regained his head and vision.

    At the same time, Beaux began to cough, spewing out a sort of phlegm from his mouth. He pushed Flynyas away as he turned onto his side, then leaned over and vomited an acidic clearish blue bile. He spit the last bit after coughing, then began to shiver. “I-it’s happenin- its happening again! Again! Hap-happening again... Can’t... Happens... Happened again... happening...” He muttered erratically.

    He turned around furiously, his eyes wide and pure black, “Can-Can’t let it happen! No no no! I can’t again... I didn-“ tears welled in his eyes, but he soon turned back to vomit more. He stayed leaning over, shivering and muttering to himself. The cut on his arm went ignored by him, and kept seeping the thin light teal ...blood?...
     
    Last edited:
    ZephrielAt the woman's words, something oddly familiar overcame Zephriel, a sense of deep indignation. If she had not felt the dull burn of her fatigued limbs Zepriel would have felt the encroach of anger building up in her bones. A frown passed over her weary features and she opened her mouth to retort, only to be interrupted. Her irritation only grew, but suddenly turned to ice when the woman uttered strange words towards the mindless servants.

    Somewhere in Zeph’s clouded memory she could see ink-scrawled pages, hear jumbled words spoken by long-lost ghosts. She knew what language was being spoken and more importantly, what type of creature spoke it. The Krizor. Zeph could only vaguely remember, but of what little she recalled she knew they were always bad news. They were of shadows and evil magic, never to be trusted by the sun. Zeph let out a gasp when the Krizor grabbed her by the hand and dragged her along like a ragdoll. She struggled to keep up, her wings dragging on the ground behind her like two tattered banners.

    Panicking, she tried to pry the woman’s hand away from her own. “Ah, don’t touch me!”

    Either from Zephriel’s weakness or the woman’s own strength, the grip did not loosen even slightly until they were in front of the kitchen door. Zeph glared at the woman, eyes distrustful and full of fear, and was quick to duck into the safety of the kitchen.

    As the door slammed shut the wall of stench crashed into Zephriel. She covered her nose and mouth with one hand and held onto her stomach with the other, trying her hardest to keep from retching. The nausea only grew when she noticed the rotting bodies, some still hanging on to the putrid remnants of slime-filled mugs. Unable to hold it back any longer, she crumbled onto her knees and lost whatever contents were left in her stomach.
     
    Anziium​
    Anziium’s disoriented gaze would flit between the two strangers until one spoke up, putting an end to this confusing ordeal. It would seem the shorter male would speak first, claiming to be a very unpunctual member of Mercury. Given that this Flynyas person had gone out of his way to pull himself and the female tiefling from those horrific caves, the young diplomat had no reason not to believe him; that, and he, himself, had nearly been late to arrive at the docks at the designated time, too. “Considering the situation we seem to be in, I am thankful you were able to locate the ship.” Who knew what would have become of them if he hadn’t ushered them outside of the cave.

    It seemed as though they weren’t out of dangerous waters yet, as the woman gazed at him with apprehension in her eyes. An uncomfortable chill ran down his spine as he attempted to read her face, his spined tail coiling around himself in a defensive action. “What do you m-” Before he could inquire as to what her dreaded expression had meant, the woman had already stood to retrieve Zephriel and Magen from across the lawn. Her unwillingness to explain only left him mildly anxious, his fingers wandering towards the foreign markings along his skin.

    Anyone with their wits about them could see the short conversation had left him rattled, his expression that of an open book, the print large, italicized, and highlighted. Perhaps that was the reason the halfling had chosen to act, his fingers gently probing the trauma-inflicted areas of his neck. What he would find there was far more than the puncture wounds, numerous violent scars spanning from the center of his neck to crawl up the nape of his neck, disappearing into his waves of obsidian hair. The tiefling didn’t seem much disturbed by those, even brushing his damp hair aside for him a better view at the creature bites. “Careful, the liquid has an unpleasant sensation if it comes into contact with your skin.” He warned the stranger, his fingers having preemptively closing around his wrist to prevent him from experiencing such, the ghost of a burning ache coming to his fingers from his own previous inspection.

    Once he was certain he wouldn’t expose himself to unnecessary pain, the tiefling would release his wrist, recalling he had previously asked him of the rest of the crew. Knowing there was little that could be done at the current moment, Anziium slid his arms back through the sleeves of the robe, covering his previously exposed upper torso. It gave him a couple of moments to think hard about the other members, a palm pressed against his forehead as he willed himself to remove the lingering haze hovering over his thoughts. “There was six crew members initially, the two women she’s fetching, Beaux, our captain, myself, and my br-” Wrong ship, Anziium. There’s no saving that crewmember, remember? “My familiar, actually.” He recovered from his slip up, nodding once to confirm it before he could realize he had spoken wrong. It wouldn’t seem he was given the chance to, anyway, the woman having gestured for them to relocate. Surprise came as Flynyas yet still attempted to aid him in moving, although it be nearly ineffective all together. The tiefling held his tongue as he came to realize that he wasn’t as sure-footed as he would have expected, a bit more on the uneasy side as they made their way towards the doors. They couldn’t waste any time though, the situation rising in danger as he lifted his head to witness the secondary group being chased by hideous figures from the direction of the library. A soft curse left him as they had to step up their pace, finally throwing themselves in the kitchen.

    A bit winded, Anziium had released himself from the halfling, taking up balance against a sidewall with his eyes closed, willing the spinning to stop. He hadn’t bothered listening to his and the woman’s conversation, only peeling open a bronze eye as the door was firmly slammed shut, leaving Flynny sputtering as she suddenly disappeared. A small pang of guilt rippled through him as he turned his gaze away, taking slow, stenched-laced breathes as he gazed about their current location. It didn’t seem to get much better from here, the haze that had settled over them clearly dissipated as he glanced about. The entire room reeked of rot, that only confirmed as Zephriel crumpled to the floor from the vile smell. Oh, please don’t. Anziium was looking anywhere but where she had expelled her stomach, eyes falling upon the sludge the residents were gorging themselves on. His lips twisted in a silent representation of disgust, only growing more horrified at the realization that he had actually done just the same. Before he lost the will, he pushed himself away from the wall, finding a distant corner to hunch in and shove his fingers down his throat. Oh, how he hadn’t wished he had to do this, but that sludge being inside him couldn’t be anything good. And thus, the sound of a second party member being sick sounded after the first, he slowly pulling himself together once he was finished. He sure wasn’t allowing whatever they had fed him to remain inside him any longer after he had just seen the after results. They needed to find Beaux and leave.

    After that delightful experience, he filtered back through the tables of corpses, sweeping over them in attempt to recognize a face, or rather not to. Raising a sleeve to cover his nose, Anziium swept through the tables until he sought what he was looking for in such a state he was hoping he wouldn’t find him in. “Gods…” He muttered behind the fabric of the robe, taking a step forward to reach the booth the halfling had reached first, only to wince and freeze.

    Where he had once seen Beaux and Flynyas at the booth littered with sludge-filled mugs, there was now a different figure before him. He was no longer in Infinite’s kitchen, but rather in a somewhat familiar train car. Nearly unaware of the previous unpleasant visions much like this one, he was a bit startled at the violent tremor of the surroundings around him. He swiftly grasped onto the nearest pole to stabilize himself, eyes wide at the increasing water spewing inside the container. He hadn’t a clue as to where he was, not until he locked eyes with the strange man. He’d seen him before, right? Something from before, he was trying to say something to him before. “Tell who, what?!” Anziium cried over the tunnel of sounds that grated at his ears, gripping harshly to the pole to keep from losing his footing and cascading towards the front of the train car with everything else in their surroundings. “Beaux? You want me to tell Beaux something??” It seemed as though this time he would reach the end of this vision, yet he hadn’t, merely coming back to the real world without any indication that it had ever happened. Pressing a hand to his flushed face, he took in an unsteady breath, uncertain as to whether he should speak aloud about this incidence or not. He didn’t know what these visions were, nor did he have any real information. The other’s more than likely wouldn’t listen. For now, he would keep quiet, at least until he knew what the man was saying.

    Forcing himself to move once more, Anzi strode towards the limp fish-man’s booth, sliding in on the opposite side of him, stepping over the vomit. No, he had no means of helping him physically, but he could try something. If he didn’t Beaux would make the process of escaping far more difficult and get them all caught again. Licking his dry lips, he grasped Beaux’s jaw, tilting his head so he could reach his ears. No matter how much he didn’t want to, they needed him to be quiet and somewhat stable, and this is the best way he could think to do such until he figured out what Beaux had to do with the man on the train. And thus, bringing his lips close to his ear, so only the mechanic could hear, he began to usher soft, magic-laden words. His voice flowed like honey, carrying a tone of calm, ease, and compassion that seemed not quite different than one might think of him. “Breathe.” He whispered, holding him firmly, slowly coming to notice the cut along his arm. “We are here. Everything is alright. We’re going back to the ship, to Mercury.” While speaking soft and low, he would release his jaw to navigate the mechanic’s injured arm towards Flynyas, hoping he would do something with that while he was attempting to coax him into calming down. “You’re safe. Come with us.”
     
    Magen

    Magen followed the woman and walked inside the room but began to protest that she was to defend them all by herself against unknown odds. "You can't possibly fight them by yourself. We can help too. It would be foolish to try to take on a group all alone."

    Her heartfelt pleas went unheeded as the door was closed and locked behind them, making it practically impossible to get through them. At least in the state that they were all in. And the sound from the other side did not sound very accommodating at all. Magen barely knew this woman, but she helped them at the risk of her own life. Why. And for what purpose? Perhaps she would never know. But now was not the time to dwell on such things. Now they needed toe scape and get back to their ship.

    The "Kitchen" looked just as disgusting and run down as all the rest of the resort. Magen wished that she could save the people there. But she didn't know how. The only way she could think of, was to kill whoever was the ruler of this place. That might stop the dangerous magic and free those that could still be saved.

    Her eyes were drawn to poor Beaux. He tried to warn her, and in her mind addled state, she turned him away while being confused of everything all around her. He smelled bad and the vomiting only made the smell worse. Especially since it was followed by Zephriel and Anziium doing the same. It was not something unexpected and in fact, considering the situation, if she had had a stomach and was capable of it, she would have probably done the same.

    She would have gone to Beaux first, but Anziium got to him first, so she moved to Zephriel, making sure at least that her hair was held back enough so that it did not end up in any of the vacated contents of her stomach.

    Addressing the group, Magen decided to speak up. "I know that this has been an ordeal so far and that we all want to leave. But I think we have much to do once we get our bearings and recover. We were trapped and there are still many others here that are trapped. I would not want them to suffer the same fate as we almost did. As many did before and if we do nothing, that many more will succumb to this illusion magic of doom. I say that we find whoever is causing this and put an end to them."​
     
    Flynyas​

    Upon discerning that Beaux was alive Flynyas allowed himself a brief sigh of relief, there was still at least the chance of not losing a member of the crew, himself not being aware of the lost Captain. His initial viewing of the crew from the tree line occurred but moments after Hengist had been 'duckified' and forgotten. At the sound of gagging and foul liquid spilling upon the floor, if even possible at all adding more disgust to the scene around them, he did not flinch as he finished recording a slowed, but life sustaining pulse. Flynyas stepped back to allow Anzium to perform the calming ritual upon Beaux, allowing a brief moment of being impressed to flicker through his solemn resolve of their current dilemma. It was difficult to cast magic here at all, even more so with a reliable effect. When the injured arm was directed towards him, this fact influenced the following decision.

    “I cannot treat him properly here; it would be improper risk not sealing this wound entirely and excising whatever toxins may lie within. With magic being stifled in these caves, it is not guaranteed healing spells would take these necessary steps. For now, the best I can do is wrap it and we need to focus on getting out of here.”

    With that he tore off the right sleeve of his gown, delicately wrapping it around the open wound but applying firm pressure when he tied it in place with a central knot. He cast a glance over to Magen, silently reiterating the likely need of Beaux to be carried in his current state, before taking in the room around them. They needed to find the mentioned back door leading out of here and barricading the door they just came through may not be a bad idea either. This thought once again cast his gaze back to Magen, the clearly most capable in the room to perform this task, right as she made her last address to nobly attempt and save every soul in this establishment. Flynyas’ blood ran ice cold as his morals conflicted with that of frozen resolve.

    He was NOT going to die here.

    They were in no position to fight the powers that resided here. With one crew member critically ill, another injured and most probably poisoned with an unknown toxin, and the third visually wounded and unable to hold their stomach, and himself unable to cast properly, they were by no means a formidable force. He unfortunately had not had the luxury of introducing himself in full and learning the skills and names of most of the crew, but he doubted anyone here was a miracle worker. They were falling apart by the minute and it is only going to get worse. They had two options; attempt to flee this place and live, or attempt to save everyone else and die.

    Despite the unwavering resolve he had towards their next, and arguably cruel action, he couldn’t help but stammer mid-sentence when the implication of his request settled in. Sealing the door with the woman that aided them on the other side was like that of setting her tombstone, thus sealing her fate along with anyone else in this cesspool.

    “It would be rash to attempt to save everyone, we cannot even guarantee our own safety. We have three mentally and physically injured in our own entourage, and I am in no position to fight at full strength either. You appear strong but would be heavily outnumbered fighting alone. It is time for us to run and live, not die pointlessly. Please find the heaviest thing you can and brace that door, and then carry our fallen comrade here.”

    He then looked to the two injured, yet coherent members of the crew.

    “The rest of us should fan out and find an exit route, call out the moment you find anything.”

    With a resolute expression not betraying the vicious conflict taking place within his mind, Flynyas walked deeper in to the kitchens.
     
    BEAUX

    TheCrowKing TheCrowKing Nobody_314 Nobody_314 Trektek Trektek Juju Juju


    Beaux kept on his hands and knees in his erratic shivering and muttering. They were still in the middle of the dining room, next to the table from where Beaux collapsed and still on the floor.
    It- It's been a while. It happened again. He knew it. He felt it. Tearing away at pieces of his mind and body. Who was he. What was he. Someone and something he didn't know. Someone he forgot. Something he didn't want to be.

    All he could hear was his heart pounding in his ears, hard and fast. His lungs could barely keep up, feeling like they were being filled with a thick black mud. Beaux wanted to cry, he wanted to die. He couldn't do this again. His right hand went to his torso, right at his sternum, feeling his centre pointed scar of the three in a line.

    He felt a presence next to him, someone turning his head, someone he couldn't see from his pounding blanked vision. He didn't hear what they said, but he was compelled to relax. He blinked the black out of his vision, staring at the disgusting floor and his hands beneath him. Beaux's body calmed down from the panic attack from the words of Anziium, but there was still a knot within his stomach that would remain for an unknown reason.

    "Mercury..." Beaux exhaled, still coming from his daze. Any where, any place away from here was okay. I'm safe... He mentally repeated Anziium's words. He groaned as he felt his arm body being hoisted by his crew mate. Beaux allowed his arm to be dressed, looking upon the ripped fabric lazily. Beaux chuckled, then wiped his chin. "Ye smell nice..."

    Beaux looked to Magen as she spoke, then gave a large drunken nod. His glance changed over to the halfing as he spoke. Was he the Captain? Where did he come from...?

    "Exeunt... I say we BLOW UP THE CAVERN!" Beaux raised his unwrapped arm in triumph. He cackled, wobbling in the seat he was propped back into. His eyes were slowly opening and closing, "Magic-ing cannae be done... magic walls, magic door, magic rooms, evil magic-ing dafties... ya ken?" He cackled something borderline crazy, "Dinnae listen to me, eh? Rightfully plastered ammi? Donno what I be talkin' of, eh? Only the most fah-moose royal architect of the crown, brrrrred [bred, but with over dramatic rolled r] to notice the structure of anae building? Kicked ou' for bein' too mad, oh ammi?" He gave another cackle, swinging slightly in his stance. "Boom boom. We bolt . Place goes down. Save the future, eh? I can make a bomb." His last statement spoke scarily sober and serious. "We cannae get past the gate with the goose-man. Boom boom. Much easier." He gave another cackle, his upper half swaying in his intoxicated amusement.

    BIEL

    Flynyas found himself wandering back into the foot-preparation area of the kitchen. Even though he had been in here previously, the occurances within were still just as abhorrant.
    Inside the kitchen was... Disgusting. Counters covered in a slop and rust, a disgusting smoking rock smell mixed with putrid acid and burning flesh.

    Warning: gross body/meat description stuff, but not too bad . Hung on meat hooks, figures that were vaguely humanoid were rotting and dripping. They hung in the back of the kitchen, near 10 meters away, hidden behind a cage of steam and steel, but the smell and sight was obvious. Under them was a puddle of acid, seeping from their skin and muscle fibres. Their skin was black and wet and slimy, flesh worn out and exposing black ribs and bones. Their faces decayed from rot but still containing the picturesque grossness of a deep-sea lots-of-teeth creature. ((Basically Alien creatures))

    The steam in the kitchen was putrid, almost a sickly pink purplish color in the air.

    There were traditional kitchen instruments around the room, but nothing that was dry heat: aka fire. Everything was being blending and chopped and mixed and enchanted to heat, but there was no fire.

    Several attendants around the metal, rusting, dim, gross kitchen were minding their own business. They chopped what looked like blocks of solidified grey mud, mixed it into a bowl of frothing blue liquid that sizzled on contact. They crushed the stigma of the putrid pink flowers and blended it into the mixture with large wooden sticks. They poured it onto plates were it solidified into different mashes and forms based on concentrations of the different elements. The plates were then passed onto different parts of the counter top to then go under a more enchanting and decoration aspect of the food process.

    The workers along the counter paid no attention to what occurred around them; as their eyes were glazed over to a complete white, their hands working like a programmed machine.


    What Flynyas did not see the first time within the kitchen, within the furthest back and small corner, was about a dozen stacked cages, creatures of mostly medium sized (hip height) creatures to small creatures (small shoe sized). They all laid curled up, weak and gangly, sickly looking, greyed as the patrons. They were there for probable slaughtering purposes, but most looked left alone - completely. Except, a small bowl of honey-thickness purple "food" laid within the cage. Most of the animals were quadruped, shaved hair, odd patterns on their pale skin.

    Among the crates was a thin and long, sleek, striped creature, curled into a ball. It was near the top of the crates, not having been here as long as the others. Flynyas recognised this creature as the companion to Anziium, a striped water-ferret creature.
     
    Anziium​

    As the spell-bound words left his lips, enveloping the panic that had taken residence within their crewmate, the potency of the magic came as a surprise to him as well. Given the magic-dampened environment, as well as his own limitations, it was near impossible to provide this sort of relief. Amazement aside, he would not falter in his speech, continuing to breathe soothing words into his ear even as a ripple of discomfort flickered across his expression. The tiefling hadn’t ceased until the wounded arm was tended to as best it could, Beaux’s mental state secured as far as he could manage for now; It was all he could do, and even that was a wonder.

    Removing himself from within Beaux’s personal space, Anziium drew in a winced breath as he stood, a hand moving to cover one of his eyes. For a moment he merely stood, attempting to make out everyone’s words that seemed to tangle around one anothers. Save the people. Don’t save them. Something about a bomb. Between the physical and verbal word vomit, he was growing more and more nauseous by the second. “Alright.” He eventually spoke up, more to himself than anyone in particular. Get yourself together, there’s no time for this. You can drop dead on your own time. With a grit of his teeth, he ignored whatever he was dealing with and made his way over towards the downed Seraphi woman.
    The tiefling hadn’t bothered in explaining his intention as he crouched down to the ground, knowing Zephriel would only complain if he offered to help. Therefore, he simply took it upon himself to aid her in getting towards a table to sit down and catch her breath, that is, if she didn’t pumble him first. Shouldering her limp figure, he guided her towards the cleaner end of the booth Beaux was raving at, careful of coming into contact with her wings. She was sure to be unappreciative of the gesture, but he needed her to do something while him and the others searched for the way out.

    “Listen to what he’s saying would you. Both of you sit tight. Alright?” A guiding hand coaxed the mechanic back into the seat beside the Seraphi, Anzi drifting away to begin his search. It wouldn’t last long, as he was soon called from the confines of the kitchen. In an instant, his priorities were rearranged, he discarding the others to rush towards the backroom.

    It wasn’t that he had forgotten about his familiar in this scenario, no.That pot of internal panic had been pushed to the backburner, boiling over amongst the others surrounding their situation. His worry was one of many, but he would certainly drop what he was doing to aid the others to retrieve the creature. That much was clear as he all but thrust the doors open, little care about how many of the residents were in his way. He was getting Biel.

    As the sight of the kitchen came into view, he was swift to draw the fabric of his robe to his face, unwilling to be sick again. It was disgusting here, just as bad, if not worse than the front room with the decaying bodies. He’d stomp out the mounting gag at the mush the ‘chefs’ were creating, pushing forward until he was at the stack of crates. How many are even alive any more? Really, he couldn’t tell, and maybe it was best if he didn’t know. At the top would lie the crate he was most concerned about, the streaks of orange and white confirming the strange halfling was correct. Horrifically correct. The simple latching yanked open, the door of the cage slammed open so that he could get to the miserable creature inside. Despite his fury at what had happened, his touch was gentle as he retrieved the fishy animal, inspecting his squishy form for further harm. Biel was cold, and nowhere near as hydrated as he should, sickly and fairly limp. It made his eyes burn with unshed tears, his jaw tight as he inserted him into his robe to rest against his bare chest.

    “You might not agree with what the automaton, but I do not believe we should leave everyone here to die. There are those beyond saving, but what of the ones the woman spoke of? She claimed there were a few others like her. If we couldn’t help her, at least her companions? Something needs to be done..” He murmured to the smaller male, simultaneously unlatching the stack of crates. While he couldn’t carry all the creatures, he could at least provide a means to escape if they had the energy to. “If you don’t wish to, take those that are too weak to help and leave. Beaux can navigate you all back to the port.” His severely bloodshot eyes locked with his for a brief moment before he unlatched the last. “It would be best.”
     
    JOD

    TheCrowKing TheCrowKing Nobody_314 Nobody_314

    The mechanic grumped back into his seat as instructed. He instinctively went to pat his pockets for something, but whatever he was looking for, he didn't find.

    Most of the animals flopped from the cage and weakly drudged themselves away from the harm and cage, some of the ones that were near the bottom of the stack whimpered and stayed within the cage, void of all energy. While Anziium unlatched the gates, his back was turned towards the row of "food"-preparers. Some of them turned, holding their kitchen equipment. 4/5 of them had the glazed grey eyes, the one to the right holding a knife had slate white eyes.

    "Your place is not here," Grey eyes spoke in unison. The ones that hadn't turned around stopped and followed suite, staring blankly at the two crew members.
    White eyes stepped forward and held his knife out arm level towards them. His expression was scarred and gaunt, eyes wide but determined. "You." He spoke in a raspy voice. Flynyas recognised him from when he was earlier in the kitchen, helping the Krizor (tiefling) girl escape. "Your scent is familiar and unknown." He stepped forward, and so did all of the attendants with grey eyes, forming an arc around the two (and a half).

    Trektek Trektek Juju Juju

    The mechanic busied himself with folding and twisting his hands together while exchanging his eyes between the mechanical and angelic females. "'Tis easy... Lives down here be wastin away, already dead. Ya ken? We dinnae need wastin time to save all. We save ahselves. We will be victorious."

    Magen.

    Beaux's words resonated with her. "We will be victorious." Something felt like someone took a hammer to her kneecaps.
     
    Flynyas​

    Upon finding Biel in the stacked cages, Flynyas called back to Anziium to inform him:

    "It appears your familiar has been entrapped over here, I myself have no means to open locks. I shall look further ahead for the exit while you do."

    As Anziium came to release his familiar, Flynyas followed through with his statement and looked around the room, locating the exit he had used previously but no others. However upon hearing the ragged tiefling begin opening the remaining cages, along with his statement of selflessness, Flynyas felt an all too familiar pang of guilt and while not responding verbally, moved back to assist him. While he did not agree with being able to help anyone else escape other than themselves, still not confident they themselves would be getting out alive, he did feel wretched that he had not moved to at least free these creatures; this only having taken a few moments and being well within their ability. This act helped calm Flynyas slightly, grounding him back to more humane reasoning. This did not change his stance on the steps they should take next to survive however as they could barely guarantee their own safety, lest that of any others. Before Flynyas could voice this statement, the attendants who had previously appeared to be mindlessly docile, noticed their presence. His stomach felt heavy as stone as he recognized the the white eyed one that addressed them from the last time he was in the kitchens.

    They could not fight this many adversaries. The other members of the crew still remained in the dining hall, meaning that dashing towards an exit would leave them behind. The only viable option would be to try and talk their way out. The white eyed attendant seemed more coherent than the rest, hopefully in authoritative enough of a position to hold some sway over the actions of the others who appeared to be following his lead. Being no silver-tongue himself Flynyas hoped dearly that Anziium could spin a tale to get them out of here. But words are not always enough to deceive if the truth is already known, so despite previous attempts to perform magics having been impeded, Flynyas matched the white eyed man's gaze. He formed his hands together behind his back, intricately weaving his fingers in to proper form. The wooden ring he bore on his right hand began to glow a dull green, as his eyes flashed purple briefly in eye contact with the attendant. The spell was targeted with the speaking attendant at its foci, with any other attendants in a ten foot radius vicinity capable of feeling its effects as well. This center attendant however was where Flynyas focused, scrambling the man's thoughts, shattering his focus, and warping his judgement (Confusion).

    Flynny knew not to what extent the spell would work, if at all, but he felt as if the casting went well. With his right foot he nudged Anziium and gave a slight nod towards him, hoping that his unspoken message was clear: that now was their chance to fool them in to not investigating the party further.
     
    Zephriel bonesbo bonesbo TheCrowKing TheCrowKing Trektek Trektek
    Regardless of whether or not she deserved it, somebody held Zephriel's hair back. It was something she did not immediately notice in her time of need, but it did not go unappreciated. After the rancid contents of her stomach were emptied onto the floor, Zepriel caught her breath. She glanced to her side, seeing the metallic fingers that were saving her pink locks from a gruesome fate. Magen. Again, helping her out. The robot was clearly programmed to assist those in need, so Zephriel tried to think anything of it. Carefully keeping her gaze to the side, focussing on some moulding floor tile, Zeph swept her hair away from Magen's synthetic hands.

    It was time to pick herself off the disgusting floor, but when Zeph tried to get up she found great difficulty. Her arms and legs were like rubber, exhausted just from the sprint to the kitchen. Zeph frowned, both frightened by her own weakness and revolted at her immediate surroundings. What would happen if the attendants were to break in? She could not even pick herself up, let alone run away. Would the crew leave her behind? Their lives were on the line too. It would be illogical to try dragging her along with them. Her heart drummed in her chest, making her head swim. She tried once more, but this time felt warm hands help her upwards.

    Her memories were coming back to her now, and although still hazy in places, they were enough for her to know Anziium. She remembered fallen books, snarky jabs, and a strong distaste for the tiefling. Why on earth would he be so eager to lend her a hand? Was she that pathetic that even Anziium took pity on her? The Magen had also assisted her. Zephriel silently dug her teeth into her bottom lip, feeling angry embarrassment warm her face. She glared at the ground as Anziium helped her over to the half-rotten chairs, unusually silent. As if to ignore him, she kept her gaze away from the tiefling as he told her to 'sit tight', though she watched him run off towards the kitchen. Her skin crawled with bubbly anger, but even though it chased after him she knew the real target was herself.

    Zephriel brooded in weary silence, trying desperately to absorb the current situation. The stress was boiling up, but she absolutely could not contain it when she heard the rediculous accent from their chef. Honestly, she preferred him when he was passed out.

    "Ugh, speak more clearly, would you!" Zeph snapped, "And about this talk of explosions... are you insane? We have no idea what sort of enchantments might have been placed on the gate or anywhere else. It could be useless, or this cave could very well collapse on us! H-how do you even intend to make these explosives?"

    Worry clouded her features, which she hid by tenting her fingers in front of her nose, "Assuming there are enchantments, there could be a-a magic source. If you destroy that... even weaken it...we have a good chance of breaking out. Perhaps it may even free the mindless, including the enthralled workers."

    Zephriel placed her infinity tomb on the table. The quill appeared in her hand, though she did not reach for it and the pages fluttered without her touch, stopping on a blank entry. Her hand was shaking, but she quickly sketched out a map of the places she had seen...or at least, could remember. This included the mossy antechamber, as well as the library, kitchen, and a few doorways that were unknown to her. The strange building stood at the back of the cave diagram, as ominous as the real thing. "I... admit that this is not complete, but I believe it to be mostly accurate. This is where I came from," she pointed to the library, "and this is where we are now. I can only assume that these doorways are each meant to hold...erm... us..."

    Zephriel took a deep breath, not even sure if anything she was saying was correct. It was only a haunch, a hypothesis, but it could sway all of them dangerously off-course. Perhaps even kill them. She flicked her pen to the white building in the back of the cave. "This one stands out. It holds the 'CEO', according to our guide. If anything is the source to this madness it lies within the house. O-of course... there is a margin of error in this sort of thing."

    She brushed her hair back nervously, "But I do know that if we are to set off explosives we will only have one chance. Every servant looking for us will know exactly where we are, and every other creature as well. If it does not work..." she trailed off, not wanting to think about it.
     
    Magen

    It was all so strange. Magen stood still as she watched an entire civilization come into being and eventually collapse into nothingness as the ages passed. She felt the passage of time, the heat, the cold, the weather. She was physically there. Watching the tribesmen who passed by and eventally settled into grand ever growing cities.

    She was still as a statue. Unable to interact with the world at large, only to experience it all through her eyes, and her spent time. This is what it must be like for her father, she thought. He is unlocked from time, never aging. As one who walks through all the realms, he has become that which is eternal, at least through the natural passage of time. He must have seen civilizations come into being and extinguish just like this. As though it were very little time at all.

    She tried to take comfort in that. But it was difficult as she experienced it all. She felt as though she had become ancient as the weight of the civilization itself was becoming heavy on her soul. There was nothing that she could do to help them, to stop their inevitable collapse back into the emptiness that they came from. And eventually time slowed down to a more normal pace as the there became nothing as it was at the start.

    That was when she saw Beaux and Zephriel. NO time had actually passed. What sort of trickery was this? SHe took a step forward and almost lost her footing for a moment as she had almost forgotten how to actually walk in that strange vision that she had. It felt so real.

    She listened to Zephriel's words as she reoriented herself back to the normal world.

    "Yes. I agree that if we break the enchantments by defeating the one that cast them, that we can save as many people as possible. I strongly disagree with using explosives. We are in a cavern that I'm pretty sure is deep underground. At the very least, explosives could cause us to become trapped, or possibly sink the island with us on it before we can get to the ship. And I for one, do not swim very well."​
     
    Anziium​

    He was thankful that the vast majority of the creatures were able to slink away, seeing no need in leaving the poor things to suffer further; their fear was almost tangible as he had stepped forth to retrieve Biel. Hopefully they would survive, unlatching the cages was the least he could do. Unfortunately, not all had taken the chance at freedom, weakly lying upon the floors. Cradling the ferret-fish against his chest with his left hand, his right would gently brush along the flanks of those that remain, wishing to show them an ounce of kindness in the absence of escape. Shame there wouldn’t be someone to grieve for the crew of the Mercury at their approaching deaths.

    Before the shorter male could really even address his near-suicidal plan, the atmosphere of the room had darkened considerably, the shuffling of bodies stiffening his spine. A worrisome glance was shared between the two as he slowly stood from his crouched position to face the kitchen staff. His hand remained firmly against the robe as his gaze shot across the numerous bodies turned their way. The brainwashed staff didn’t appear friendly in the least bit, the white-eyed fellow stepping forward with his knife at the ready. If they were to attempt fleeing, one would get pegged in the back, if they even made it towards the door. A hasty escape would only leave the three in the dining hall unprepared. What made matters worse, was the recognition of Flynyas.

    I’m about to have to try again, aren’t I? There’s no guarantee it will work this time but.. Anziium’s gaze flicked down towards the trembling bundle peeking out of his robe, a worn breath escaping him as he did so. There isn’t much choice. Readying himself for another crippling decision on his part, the swift hand gestures behind the other male’s back caught his eye. It took a few moments and a nudge to register what he was attempting, but as soon as the dots connected, Anziium cleared his throat to speak, gathering their staff’s attention.

    “There’s no need to be alarmed.” He breathed, voice finding a near flat tone the staff had taken up, making certain to not grow too excited as none of them were. “We will be seeing ourselves out, as well our other, fellow attendants.” Scrambling for a lie, he settled on one, minorly panicking internally the entire time he was speaking, shifting through what he could say. “As new attendants, familiarization with Infinite's layout is advised to be the most talented staff employed for all the guest's relaxation and dynamic eternal needs." He’d heard that before, several times back at the spa with the staff there. It seemed thoroughly branded into their minds, perhaps it applied here as well. If not, he’d try his hand at creating a distraction.
     
    JOD

    TheCrowKing TheCrowKing Nobody_314 Nobody_314 Juju Juju Trektek Trektek

    The Grey Eyes seemed convinced. They were the mindless nobodys after all; it was the White eyed ones you needed to worry about. They were the ones that struck the bargain. Grey Eyes (GE) turned to their stations and resumed whatever useless mundane task they were performing, while White Eyes (WE) glared with his slate a bit longer.

    He put the knife to his belt and nodded, but was about to say something when he was interrupted. "You must compl-"

    A new player entered the scene. Black Eyes (BE) worked at the ordering booth. Flynyas encountered her when he ordered something. BEs were broken. Their soul was gone, replaced with a puppet to fulfill the tasks of the attendants with a sunny disposition. She had tried to escape before, as evident from the similar physical 'broken' qualities she had. Her hair was chopped and jagged, her once pointed elven ears shared missing pieces.

    She placed a cold, dead hand on the shoulder of Anziium, only an index, middle, and half a pinkie remained. She stared bleakly off without turning her head, her eyes wide and solid black. "-Welcome to Infinite. I have been instructed to escort you to your new post." Her tone was falsely cheerful. Her 2 and a half finger grip on Anziium's shoulder tightened as she led him away from the back corner to the front door of the kitchen.

    "Welcome to Infinite. You may have noticed that everything is not what it seems down here. We use special potions in the food, air, water, and even entertainment to keep our residents tranquil and satisfied." Her tone was as if she was giving a tour, her fake smile not changing. They exited out of the kitchen, but then stood just on the other side of the doors in the dining area. "We have the most talented staff here, employed for all the residents relaxation and dynamic eternal needs. But beware, slip up your service and you will take a visit to the cavern!" She gave a fake laugh. (Picture Ju-Dee from ATLA if you've watched it). "Many of us have been so trained, we forget everything other than our service, to devote our full attention to the residents." Her breathe seemed to catch in her throat, while the rest of her body stayed firm in her "touring" position.

    She turned her whole body so she could point her face towards the three other crew members at the table. There were faded scars along the sides of her eyes, black veins pulsing beneath. "Miss Hoita is our lovely CEO. But Caywood is truly in charge of all the magical things that become within our slice of cavern. Nothing goes to Miss Hoita before going through him. If you have... any... concerns. Please, don't hesitate to ask him. "

    While she spoke, Beaux stood up and stumbled his way over to the two other men and the BE, tripping on his feet once. He stood in front of the BE and squinted at her. She never changed facial expressions or postures, could she even see? I don't think she's blinked yet.

    "We attendants all do our very best to make this resort top notch for relaxation... We do our part to survive-" her breath caught again. "We must survive. We must survive." Her teethed smile slowly lost its smile, just as there was a heavy handed bang on the door from which they entered to the kitchen. "You will follow orders. There is no other option. There is no escape." BE spoke.

    BEAUX

    Beaux grumbled in return to Zephriel's comment about speaking clearly. He set his cheek against his fist while he thought with closed eyes. "What if... do witchcraft an' such to escape... Then I explode the cavern with the evils inside? There cannae be no guarantee this place will exist aft' we leave. Dinnae go for the symptoms... go for the virus, ya ken?" Beaux blinked and tried to focus on Magen. Things were becoming blurry.

    His attention was drawn when a voice came into ear near the kitchen. A familiar crew mate with two others exited, the unknown female talking in a rather annoying droning voice. He went over to her with curiosity, as she was dressed in the robes, but there was something about her that was different.

    Beaux waved his hand in front of the attendants face, she stared blankly ahead. He looked to Anziium, "I wan te get out of here. Can ya mingers help us escape?" He loosely gestured behind him to the two gals. He then took the lapels of his tarnished jacket in his bandaged hands and pulled them forth, about four years worth of dust and sand falling off his long coat.
     






    ZEPHRIEL

    Magen’s words earned no response from Zephriel, but the seraphi did look at her. She nodded her head in subtle agreement and opened her mouth to say something, but perhaps thinking better of it, tightened her lips and instead listened to Beaux.

    “Ya..ken…? Witchcraft is a rather archaic word, but you are mostly correct. If we manage to seal the cavern behind us it would prevent a pursuit. However, it may not guarantee the destruction of this ‘CEO’ or whatever creature is responsible for the illusions and charms. As mentioned, sinking the island could be a possibility, condemning the innocent victims trapped here. " She fluffed up her wings, narrowing her eyes, "More importantly, I cannot allow the destruction of this cave until I find my Infinity Tomb. Therefore, eliminating the source of this magic is the best course of action.”

    That tomb was more important to her than anything in this world. She was charged with protecting it, a sacred trust bestowed by her mentor. There was no way she was letting these slimy, mindless thralls keep it here. Just thinking about it moulding here made her chest burst with rage, driving out the fear for a little. Even if it meant she had to go back alone, she was prepared to do anything to get it back. Failure was not an option. She glanced down at what remained of her dress, stained and torn in places to reveal filthy skin. A pink feather fell to the floor, drawing her attention to her wings for the first time. They were threadbare, missing many of their once brilliant plumes. Of those that remained, they were broken or otherwise rumpled and matted. Her wings...her soul...Tears stung at the corner of her eyes but she bit them back, taking a few shaky breaths in an attempt to calm down.

    Trying to distract herself, she went to question Beaux but found nothing but empty space where he once stood. Blinking in surprise, she looked from left to right. He was walking towards two figures, one an unknown female and the other was Anziium. The woman had her hand on Anziium’s shoulder and spoke in a dead tone, her eyes equally lifeless. Terror gripped Zeph’s heart once more. Had the servants gotten into the kitchen already? No, perhaps there were servants already within.

    Her chair groaned as she suddenly stood up, her tattered wings going stiff. The sudden movement made her head swim and her vision go starry. Zeph hissed through her teeth and clenched a fist against her head, holding onto the rotting table until she regained her composure. Once stable, she slowly caught up with Beaux, who had boldly asked the servant for help. Zeph held her breath, looking between the servant and Anziium, expecting her to attack or sound the alarm.

    “Anziium….what is going on?” Her voice lowered in caution, shrill yet muted from fear.

     
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