Fantasy Magic Brew Cafè (CLOSED)

[Cryobionic]

Vincent growled in annoyance and grabbed the pink haired witch by the shoulders, spinning her around to face the couch, where it was evident someone had been sleeping. There was a crumpled up blanked in the corner, a half full glass of water on the coffee table and a few pillows stacked up against the armrest. "I slept on the couch." He snapped, letting her go, clenching and unclenching his fists by his sides, "Because you, in your drunken state decided it would be a good idea to fall asleep on my bed!"


The demon rubbed a hand over his face, cracking a small smile despite the situation, "And don't take this the wrong way, but you're really not my type, Maria."

 

[RegalWindstar]

Akira sighed getting up deciding to check on Oliver, she left her study and started to walk back to the Medical wing "Something seems to be missing...what though" she pondered then froze "Oh crap! The cat! Oliver is going to want to go get it back, It must still be in the cafe...jeez" she sighed and kept walking

 

[Elfia Nightwing]

Maria blushed brightl, her face and ears matching her hair, " O-oh...." she simply said realizing she must have unbuttoned her own shirt too. " I-I have to go now,"she whimpered, buttoning up her shirt, as she rushed out of Vincent's apartment and the cafe having to keep from collapsing and curling up in a ball from embarrassment.


Ellie blushed slightly looking down, " Sorry..." she murmured, not meeting Vinny's eyes.

 

[Cryobionic]

The demon ran a hand through his damp hair, letting out a sigh. He thought back to the small imp, and what he had said after they had gotten back from the beach, realizing now how true that statement had really been. He shook his head and looked over at Ellie with a slight smile, "You okay?"


........................


Oliver must have taken a wrong turn at the bathroom, he realized as he looked around. He didn't recognize this part of the castle at all, and there were no portraits around he could ask for help either. There were large windows on the left wall, where he could see multiple soldiers marching back and forth, as well as a large forest in the distance. The imp sat himself in the windows sill, content with just watching the view while he tried to figure out what his next course of action should be.


@RegalWindstar

 

[RegalWindstar]

Akira had gotten to the Medical wing when she seen Oliver wasn't there, she asked servants and Guards them directing her to where they seen him head off to, Her heels clicked on the floor as she walked, soon enough she found Oliver "Oliver what are you doing here? When did you wake up? are you okay? Why didn't you eat breakfast first?"

 

[Cryobionic]

Oliver started out of his thoughts as Akira suddenly appeared, and he looked up at her wide eyes, a little surprised at her sudden barrage of questions, "Um, I couldn't find Bratwurst, I woke up... a little while ago, I'm totally fine and... I wanted to find Bratwurst. I'm sure she's scared, all alone." He answered, ticking off her questions on his fingers, giving her a small grin.


@RegalWindstar

 

[RegalWindstar]

Akira cringed slightly "I'm sorry Oliver I think I forgot Bratwurst at the Cafe." she sighed sadly figuring even Oliver wouldn't want to go back.


@Cryobionic

 

[Cryobionic]

"I figured as much," Oliver chirped, getting up from the window sill with a giggle, "But that's okay. I'm sure Estelle is taking very good care of her, 'cause she's still there, I recon. Besides, I'll just pick her up when I go there later." The imp smiled, his tail wagging behind him happily, "I don't really remember much of what happened last night, though," He laughed, walking over to her, "Not after... well, getting beaten into a bloody pulp, anyway."


@RegalWindstar

 

[RegalWindstar]

Akira's eyes flashed purple at the mention of the events the other day. "I don't want you going near Ase, Maria or Excalibur anymore all those three do is almost kill you." she scowled "if they touch you again I will kill them. How can you even laugh at what happened last night and be so casual? You almost died Oliver, you could have died." she paused "I don't want you to even go to the cafe without me anymore. If I'm not there who knows what will happen, I can't risk it Oliver. I'm not losing another family member or friend. I'll die before I let that happen" she sighed


"Also, I guess Estelle isn't a horrible little twerp like I thought, I still don't really like her, but she tried to help you and you like her so... I'll tolerate her for your sake. If you want she can even come over here to play with you as long as she behaves."


@Cryobionic

 

[Uasal]

Ase sast at the kitchen table ,in Marie's apartment, she was bandaged around her chest. she sat patiently waiting for Marie to return home , well looking back at what had happened you could say she was waiting for her death to come and reap her soul. @Elfia Nightwing

 

[Cryobionic]

Oliver stared at her wide eyed for a couple of seconds after her sudden, unexpected outburst. He blinked once, then again, trying to take in all the things she was telling him. "Um..." He began, but he found himself lost for words. He shook his head, and tried again, clearing his throat for good measure, "First of all, Maria didn't almost kill me, all she did was throw me in the ocean, and it was shallow enough so that I managed to stand," He told her, thinking back at the event. Truth be told, he wasn't really sure that's what had really happened, as everything after that had gone by so fast, but that wasn't really important,


"Secondly, it wasn't like Ase suddenly just snapped or anything, I pushed her to it," The imp shrugged, a small smile coming over his features, "I threw an apple martini in her face, so I guess you can say her actions were completely justified. Besides," He grinned, lifting up his shirt to expose his stomach, pointing to the several deep scars and burn marks that riddled his pale skin, "Didn't you ever wonder where these came from? Look," He pointed to a rather jagged one, going right across his stomach and over his outie, "Disembowelment after tripping over a glass cabinet and talking back to my third master," He pointed at a group of burn marks on his ribs, "Branding marks after accidentally attacking my seventh master, oh and this one's a fun one," he giggled, turning around to show her the whip marks marring his back, "These I got, for three hours, after pushing my fourteenth down a flight of stairs."


Oliver let his shirt drop back down, looking up at her with a solemn smile, "It's not like I'm not used to these kinds of things, 'Kira," He told her, shaking his head with an amused expression, "Besides, Ase was completely in the right, by what she did and I totally had it coming for pouring that green goop over her hair. I mean, can you imagine how long that must have taken to wash out of her wings?"


@RegalWindstar

 

[RegalWindstar]

Akira scowled she accidentally raised her voice "YOU WERE NOT IN THE WRONG!" she sighed and spoke more calmly but firm gently grabbing Oliver's shoulders "Its never right to hurt a person, your a kid you acted like a kid. She had no right to do that SHE is in the wrong, don't you damn well go thinking you are. No matter what unless you tried to kill her she had NO RIGHT to beat you close to death! Don't you EVER think that way, It is not OKAY. Its never okay to hurt someone just for them acting their age! DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME?" She needed to get it through Oliver's skull "Next time someone is trying to hurt you come to me, always run to me. I'll protect you, you don't have to endure any of this anymore Oliver. I'm here, please trust me, please don't go through any of this alone anymore. Don't just sit back and take it from anyone, come to me okay?"


She smiled sadly tears starting to spring to her eyes "I'll protect you, but you have to let me. Please Oliver, let me protect you. You're my precious little brother. I want to keep you safe, I don't want you to be hurt anymore"


@Cryobionic

 

[Cryobionic]

Oliver stood frozen, shell shocked by her unexpected and unfamiliar words. He stared at her as she grabbed his shoulders, jostling him around, his eyes the size of dinner plates. This was not what he had expected her to say at all, and the imp didn't know how to deal with anything of what she was telling him. Everything she was saying, was the exact opposite of everything he had learned through life, and Oliver watched her rant in a confused stupor, his mind racing a mile a minute as his tail twitched behind him. When she was finished, and he saw the tears appear in her eyes, he felt an odd tightening in his chest, and he backed away from her, almost ripping her arms away from his shoulders in an effort to distance himself from her.


"This isn't right," He murmured, staring at her, "It's not..." The imp grabbed his horns as he felt something sting behind his eyes, "It's not how any of this works!" He shouted, shaking his head frantically, stumbling away from her. "You're not s'posed to care, you're acting all wrong! I don't understand!" He whispered as a strangled sob escaped his lips, making him even more confused.


A slightly demented expression came over him and he started breathing harshly, suddenly feeling as though he couldn't get enough air int his lungs. He stared up at her again, shaking his head frantically. He had to get away, he couldn't deal with this. It was all wrong.


With one last whimper, Oliver took off running down the hallway, not really sure where he was going, but knowing that he needed to just get away.


@RegalWindstar

 

[RegalWindstar]

Akira's eyes widened and she tried to follow but was slower because of her dress and heels "OLIVER!' she frantically kept calling his name until he was out of sight trying her hardest to catch him.

 

[Cryobionic]

Oliver continued running away from the fairy, ignoring her calls, fleeing up the winding staircases, his shoes flashing and echoing off the stone walls. It's wrong, was the thought that kept recurring in his head as he clenched his hands into fists hard enough for his claw like nails to pierce the skin, the pain helping him focus somewhat, Nobody's supposed to care.


The imp sprinted into the portal room, and up to the large, intimidating structure in the middle of the room. He tried punching in the correct numbers, but it wouldn't work. Growing frustrated and a little panicked, he tried again, faster, only to come up with the same result. The imp almost screamed in frustration, pulling at his hair in an unhinged manner before collapsing against the stone column, breathing heavily. He drew his knees up against his chest, and buried his head in his arms, trying calm down and make sense of the situation he now found himself in.

 

[thistle]

It felt as if days had passed since Jun had left the café. Though premonition had warned him to flee after spotting the wisp, his feet had led him straight towards the man, unresisting. As odd as it was there was an attraction surrounding the lithe figure that Jun had never experienced before. It wasn’t physical, though some in the same position might have argued otherwise, but more of an inexplicable pull that was akin to curiosity or fascination.


There was no rhyme or reason behind the experience. Just as no one stopped to question what determined the color of a butterfly wing so to did Vahl fall under the same category. They were both merely accepted.


It seemed like the effect had not been lost on the surrounding crowd either.


Multiple times strangers on the same walkway would turn away from their current distraction and trail mindlessly after the pair. Then, with a false misstep or other disturbance, they would break from their trance, blinking wildly before turning heel to return to their previous destination, a fresh look of confusion on their faces


Silence was the only other companion in their stroll, and remained so until they drew towards a cliff side, marking the edge of the city. Again, with profound wonder, Jun questioned how long they had been out, continuing forth even when the wisp paused in his steps.


It wasn’t until he felt fingers slip beneath his bangs and press coolly against his forehead did Jun suddenly notice the air stretching out beneath him, one foot poised and ready to step into open space. The sound of waves crashing against the wall side below sounded distant in his ears. “If you wish to forfeit your life now, that is fine with me.” the wisp said behind him.


The shade's heart took a frightful leap, and almost instantly Jun skittered backwards as Vahl glided out of the way, removing his hand at the same time. Wildly, Jun looked about himself, fingers gripped about his umbrella so tightly the knuckles turned paper white. Comprehension rolled thickly in his mind while he tried to make sense of what had just happened. Seconds ago it felt as if he had been in a dream of some sort, compelled by a light floating only a few feet ahead.


His eyes flew to the cliff and saw nothing. Then he looked at Vahl and the man gave him a knowing smile, forcing a chill down his spine. “Why are you here?” he finally asked. Raw confusion filled the shade’s voice as he threw the question towards the wisp standing off to the side. The note of distress made the dark colored man smile wickedly, crossing his arms.


“Didn't I tell you last night? I’m here to baby sit you for the time being.”


The smile was more feral than anything and Jun took a cautionary step back.


Vahl ignored this, remaining where he was. “By the way, Jun, have you found closure yet?” The man was speaking in riddles again and Jun’s brow lowered, marking his fair face with uncertainty as he shook his head in a slow response of denial.


“Closure?” the shade repeated, “Vahl, what are you talking about? Why have you brought me here?”


In answer Vahl gave a dismissive shrug of his shoulders, reminiscent of a cat that had just been satiated with warm milk. “You haven’t discovered your past yet?” His eyes rolled upward, resting briefly on the red parasol before returning to the boy.


That one fleeting movement made it seem as if Vahl had discovered something Jun had yet to notice. “Ah, I see.”


Vahl’s voice took on a conversational tone then, as if he were delivering an educational lesson. “Contrast to most belief, shades roam the world for a reason. There is a purpose to their idle wandering, despite what others think, and why they travel by themselves. Have you ever stopped and wondered why? Or why you prefer solidarity rather than companionship?" Vahl paused, giving Jun an opportunity to answer, but the boy only drew a blank and the wisp carried onward, "A better question yet: Why are they born at all? Shades do not have a mother or a father – they simply appear.”


Jun struggled to keep up as countless thoughts raced through his head. When he had first woken in the middle of a damp forest there had been a moment of questioning, but only to know of his whereabouts. The idea of his parent’s nonexistence had never been given much thought because there had never been any in the first place. Now that these questions were being voiced out loud, it changed Jun's perspective, making him more uncertain than ever.


To combat the wisp’s claims and retain some means of confidence, he blurted the first thing that came to mind, hoping it would discourage Vahl from speaking further. “But I have found a place, and there are friends there that I wish to return to once this…this foolishness is all over! For the first time in a long time I don’t want to leave. I want to stay…I want to return to them.”


The truth was like a blow as Jun felt the effect of his own words wash over him. He did miss everyone dearly, and his visit earlier had done little to fill in the void that had been building his chest. It was like he had been hollowed out the moment the wisp beckoned to him.


“So then you are close to finding closure.” Jun didn’t understand why the wisp suddenly sounded enthralled at that point, nor did he wish to know why.


Instead, wrought by emotions that were both of his own choosing and not, Jun buried the heel of one hand to his eye as conflict warred inside him. He was tired of the mind games and riddles, and that single lilt in Vahl's voice set him on the edge of desperation. “Tell me,” he whispered, the words sounding like a plea. His only wish at this point was to return to the café.


There was a pause, the silence only broken by the sound of footsteps. Then his hand was lifted away, leaving stars in his gaze, as Vahl pulled Jun’s arm almost tenderly to the side. Again, Jun felt a gravitational pull from Vahl as he stared him straight in the eyes. “The one who caused your existence. In other words, Jun, the one responsible for the death of your past self."

 

[Elfia Nightwing]

Ellie flinched, as she remembered their realization from yesterday," I-I guess?..." she answered truthfully looking down at her bare feet. " It's just...A lot to take in...Why was my mother talking to Serathi? How did they even meet?... I just...I have so many questions I need answered and nobody to answer them!" she exclaimed, letting out a shaky breath, "Sorry... I didn't mean to yell like that," she looked up at Vinny, trying to give what she hoped was a encouraging smile.


Estelle groaned lifting herself of the table in the cafe. She flinched when she felt the pain on her throat return and catching her reflection in one of the windows she flinched. Her entire throat was black and blue with bruising in the form of a hand print. " That stupid sword...." she muttered, her voice still sore and raw.

 

[Cryobionic]

"It's fine, you being upset it completely understandable," Vincent told her with a small smile, "You've learned a lot of shocking stuff in a short period of time, it's a totally normal reaction." The demon looked around the room, shrugging, "To be honest, I'm a little surprised you haven't wrecked this place yet."


..............


Oliver drew in a shaky breath before getting to his feet. He tried getting the stupid portal to work, but it just wouldn't budge, no matter how hard he tried. And he needed it to work, damnit! Looking around the large, empty room he tried finding something that could jolt the thing into motion, but as usual, the room was as empty as Buckley's cafe after sunrise. Oliver sighed, shoving his fists into his pockets. Akira must have locked it, didn't she say he wasn't 'allowed' to go to the cafe anymore? The thought of that annoyed him.


Then, the imp froze, and felt around in there. There was the key, which he knew wouldn't work, because Akira had told him it only worked one way, and while he thought about that, he realized that he could have probably used it to escape the swords beating last night. Oliver frowned at his own stupidity, and felt around some more. Aside from the now dried up piece of apple, the only thing left in there was Bratwursts old hairball. He pulled it out and studied it, smiling a little at the memory.


The imp suddenly got an idea. It was a stupid one, and it probably wouldn't work, but it was worth a try. He stepped towards the portal, and tilted his head towards his hairball filled hand. With a sudden jolt, he spat at it, his saliva mixing with the thing perfectly. He grinned at his work, squishing the wet thing into his hand before thrusting it at the portal mechanism, really working it in there. The magical properties of his saliva should be able to...


Bingo.


With a grin of victory, Oliver ran through the flashing, malfunctioning portal, a crazed giggle echoing off the walls before it was cut short as he was spat out on the other side, the portal shutting down, finally being overloaded.


@RegalWindstar


(fredooooom)

 

[Elfia Nightwing]

Ellie looked down furrowing her brow," I don't know what to do...It...It just keeps piling ya know?..." she murmured, her voice thick with the threat of tears as she turned and rested her head on Vinny's chest, catching a glimpse of her refection. Her hair was lacking its usual luster and looked lifeless and brittle. Her skin was extremely pale, even for her making the dark purplish shadows under her eyes look more prominent. She looked like she had lost about 10 pounds in the last week, making her appear gaunt and making her face seem more shallow. Her normal bright silvery blue eyes lacked their bright happiness and seemed to stare back her with hopelessness, with their dull blue color.

 

[RegalWindstar]

Akira searched high and low through her castle before she found someone who seen where Oliver went, she sighed in relief walking into the portal room only for Oliver not to be there. She inspected the room only for her eyes to widen at the now broken portal. "Oliver... you idiot!" she quickly took out her Key but not before pushing the maitenence button on the wall to make it so her staff could now use the emergency / back up portal. She used her key to go to the cafe quickly going through.

 

[Dnaleri017]

((Sorry I havn't responded lately, writer's block type of deal lately. Anything important I should know?))

 

[Cryobionic]

Oliver landed on the roof of the cafe. Okay, so it was maybe not the most reliable plan, he realized as he glanced over the edge, and at the large drop down to the pavement below, but it had at least worked. And he would risk being splattered on the ground if it meant that he wasn't imprisoned anymore. The imp rolled over on the roof, just barely managing to avoid smearing his sleeve in bird poop, and closed his eyes. At least, he was alone up here, he thought to himself as he felt the sun bathe him in it's hot rays, warming his face. It was kind of nice, actually, and it almost made him forget about the terrifying experience he had just had.


Almost.


Oliver rolled over as he heard footsteps down below, and he scooted himself closer to the edge of the roof, peeking over to see what it was. It was Akira, and she looked worried. A twinge of guild coursed through his heart as he watched her look around, and he eventually pushed himself back, burying his head in his arms, and closing his eyes.


.................


"Yeah," Vincent sighed, laying an arm around her, "I know." And he did, he had been in her shoes once before, and he knew what it felt like to be betrayed by a parent. A person one generally trusted unconditionally. It was like being dunked under ice water. The demon sighed, and gave her a faint smile, "Do you wanna stay here, or should we go downstairs?"

 

[RegalWindstar]

Akira opened the door to the Cafe looking around "Oliver?" She checked under the tables and behind the counter in case he was hiding.

 

[Elfia Nightwing]

"I have to check on Estelle," she muttered, walking downstairs. As she reached the main area of the cafe, she let out a shout scream jumping when she saw Akira already in the cafe, looking around like she lost something. " Um...Is everything ok Akira?.." she asked nervously, looking as she saw Estelle emerge from the kitchen with a glass of water.

 

[Dnaleri017]

((Now for me to jump in with Graeme, if anyone needs Mazus you know to call him xD )) Graeme walked into the cafe with a large satchel. "Sorry for the long absence, I've been doing... work..." Graeme sat at a nearby table and set the satchel beside him, taking out a small notebook and writing into it. "Could I get some coffee and pumpkin pie?"