Return to Crowspit

Kiroshiven · Oct 8, 2016

(Collab with @Wixard)

It was night when the train pulled to a stop in the port city of Kon Toura. Several cargo cars were added to the train, but few passengers got on or off.

Aria sat quietly in her room as the landscape passed her by in the blink of an eye. Occasionally, she would tug on the string to check up on her keep, but with only half her focus on the action she noticed next to nothing. Her mind had delved into one of the thirty or so books she stowed into her bag from the library. A few were new spells she could weave into her webs. Most, however, were much like the one she was reading now, filled to the brim with romance, mystery and excitement. A dark stranger wooing a young woman before the plot unravels into darkness, murders and the eventual reveal of the lover being the killer. This one was one she'd read at least eight times and not once had she gotten sick of it.

Outside, the night wind and the dull rush of the train's wheels served to conceal a soft shuffling scrape as something moved across the outside of the train. Aria, engrossed as she was in her book, didn't notice the familiar sound. Nor did she notice the shadow on her window when it arrived, nor as it lingered for page after page. When she did happen to glance at the window, she saw the head of a pail woman with long, dark hair peering into it, hanging upside down from the roof of the train.

Aria looked up and grimaced as she saw another Arachne and merely opened the window. She didn't like the fact that she was being met, but at this point it was either disrespect her and start a fight or to let her in. That was the better option as likely nobody from her current group would hear her or come to her aide. "What do you want?" Aria covered the book in a web that she'd created an original enchantment for. It would make the book open right back to where she left off even if fourteen thousand other people opened it in the meantime. Then she closed it and set it down beside her, motioning for the other Arachne to take a seat.

"Why, If I didn't know better, I'd think you knew who I was," the Arachne said, dislocating her shoulder and part of her abdomen in order to squeeze through the window. "But, so unfriendly, and yet you invited me in anyway. You must be ignorant."

"Not ignorant, just wise to not invoke an Arachne's wrath. I may have turned my back on that life, but I still remember it well." Aria merely sighed as as she wove a new web and placed it on the door. Anyone that tried to listen in would hear the sounds of Aria sleeping. She then proceeded to lock the door. "Now, what business does another Arachne have with me? As you could tell," she motioned to the book on her bed, "I was very invested into that book and I don't like being disturbed." Her eyes shone with her intensity as she awaited the other's response.

"No business," said the Arachne, smilely sweetly and pouring a cup of tea which she'd produced from...somewhere. "Only friendly curiosity. Us spiders have to stick together, don't we?" She offered an empty cup."Do you have a favorite?"

Aria kept her guard up as the other woman offered her an empty cup. "Earl Grey. It's good for keeping calm and toning down one's more.....primal, desires." Aria mentioned them as if they were taboo. The Arachne that other's knew about were bloodthirsty, ESPECIALLY cave spiders. "It was a bit of a surprise to see another Arachne aboard the train though. I was a little taken back, but instigating conversation with another.....monstrous species, would cause quite a lot of stir among my companions." Aria looked out the window for a brief second before looking to her travel companion. "My name is Aria, by the way. Might I ask whom my visitor is?"

The Arachne went to pour from a teapot that was obviously enchanted, pausing to put her shoulder joint back in it's socket and undo whatever it was that she'd done to her abdomen. "Onirah is my name," the Arachne said, pouring Aria's tea. She picked up a book and flipped through it. "I'm surprised, with your appetite for stories of blood and intrigue, that you seem so repulsed by the notion. And you'd best dispense with the idea of avoiding the monstrous, demonic, and twilight races. Or don't you know where this train is going?" Onira inched closer as she spoke. The cabin's size was comfortable for one Arachne, but with two, there wasn't room for them not to be close, each having eight legs to place. Still, this was closer than necessary.

"I know where it's headed Onirah." Aria spoke calmly. "However, my goal isn't much of getting out, but observing. It's how I've maintained my image for now and that's how I wish to keep it." Aria didn't flinch as Onirah got closer. She merely felt herself growing tense as her mother's words washed over her. It's an Arachne Queen's place to kill those that dare impose upon her space. Do not let them see you flinch or cower Aria. Stand strong and lock eyes with them, let them FEEL the bloodlust. Aria opened her eyes and locked them with Onirah. It was a simple matter of triggering her hatred to get her instincts moving into over drive. She could feel her own magic coursing through her. The aggressive tendencies of the cave Arachne made destructive magics like fire and ice spells easy to learn and use. Despite not wanting to learn them, combat school had at least taught her some basics.

Onirah's eyes gleamed momentarily as she felt the bloodlust wash over her. Her work had taught her how to read an opponent, and as an Arachne, she had a natural gift for it. As impressive as the power behind Aria's threatening aura was, it was only a threat. Nothing more. She smiled a little, pausing just long enough to show she was unintimidated, then backing up to show her respect. "Your companions strike me as being a little uptight," she said. "You didn't choose them, did you?"

Aria merely nodded and dropped the threat. The woman at least knew her boundaries and understood not to push things further. Aria didn't want to act on her natural aggression, but that was still a possible issue for later. "I wouldn't have even left whence we came if I had my choice, so no I didn't choose my companions." Aria thought about the kitsune girl and the weird one that she was having to look after for the moment. "Well, at least not all of them." Aria pulled on the thread quietly to herself before smiling. "I know I have at least two that I could rely on. What about you Orinah, you're travelling alone from what I can tell."

"Not quite, but with Inquisitors on board, my companion and I wish to retain a low profile. Being cooped up in my cabin all day doesn't suit me...I don't suppose you'd mind if I borrowed a few of these?" She asked, indicating the books.

"Feel free to borrow any that AREN'T about magic. And if you enchant them, I'll know, it's my specialty after all." Aria had spent years of her life mastering the art of enchanting. The only reason her tier wasn't a 4 was because she'd failed to learn the other arts as quickly or with the same level of vigor. "I would also like them back when we arrive in Crowspit." She smiled to Orinah and offered her a hand. "Once again, it's a pleasure to meet you."

Orinah examined the books more closely. "On second thought, these are a little bit too much like my day job," she laughed. "You don't happen to have anything about, say...tragic failed heroes?"

"Not my forte, but I may have one or two." Aria mumbled quietly before producing a new weave. This one was a storage space for extra books. She pulled out one and handed it to Onirah. "I've nearly finished it, but feel free. I've already enchanted it for myself." She smiled before closing the weave again.

"My thanks," Onirah said. "Keep the teapot as collateral. I'll be interested to see if you can uncover it's secrets before the train arrives." Onira squeezed herself through the window again. "See you soon," she promised.

Aria nodded as Onirah left her cabin. The minute she was sure the other Arachne was gone, Aria began to fiddle with her new object. Enchantments were quite something. The first thing to do was locate the source. She began to toil on a new set of threads and laid them over the teapot. It would take several minutes before the web could identify where each enchantment had been placed and give her ideas on threat level based off color. Giving an enchanted object to a near master enchantress was a fool’s idea.

Deasi · Oct 8, 2016

Aristarchus eventually got up. Everyone had either dispersed, or was busy with their own activities within the room. He was frustrated and tired, not having slept well the night before due to being up all but two hours panicking that something had been forgotten or mis-planned. Now though, he was also hungry. Ari knew where to find the dinning car and set out to search for it. He didn't stop to make sure he had a food token, but that wasn't a concern at that moment.

The halls were pretty empty. Being as they were narrow and most passengers were getting settled in still. The Druid boy did have to get around a group of elderly ladies that were trying to find their seats still. They asked him for directions, and he pointed nonverbally in response, but then they smiled and let him pass. He reached the next car and entered it, now making his way down an aisle between chairs.

Martis · Oct 9, 2016

(Joint post with Wixard and Taggerung)

Bartholomew gazed listlessly out the train window. The repetitious landscape had begun to tire him. However the bottled sense of enthusiasm which stemmed from the thought of exploring Crowspit was enough to maintain a wakeful level of consciousness. Suddenly a vibrant butterfly began to fly parallel to the train. Bartholomew lifted his head eagerly. The Crystals on his body began to glow dimly. What an elegant creature, Bartholomew thought, such fragile and fleeting beauty. Butterflies had always enchanted him, aside from their aesthetic properties they always carried with them the intrinsic theme of rebirth. Bartholomew continued to watch the butterfly with keen interest, in fact a smile even began to touch his face. Though many people think that innocence is lost and that they are irredeemable they only need look to the butterfly and await their metamorphosis.

However something interrupted his pleasant thoughts and observation.

Mira knocked on the door of Bartholomew's cabin. She was still smiling inwardly at the look on the wispling's face when she had told him the deep wander she spoke of was on this very train, just two cars back. she waited to see if the creature would answer, Lucilius lurking behind her, suspicious.

Bartholomew glanced one last time upon the butterfly "May your journeys be always be fruitful, friend." He whispered. Bartholomew then sighed and slowly stood to his feet. He stomped lethargically toward the door. It had been two days since he had received a proper meal and human food simply doesn't cut it. Bartholomew squeezed the tiny door knob with two fingers and twisted it open.

A Kitsune and a Wispling awaited him outside. He recognized the Kitsune as Mira, a young girl who attended several classes with him. The second appeared to be an excited student from a College Bartholomew couldn't quite put his finger on.

"May I help you?" Bartholomew inquired.

"Hello Barlow," Mira addressed him using the nickname invented by the students of Nocturne Academia. "If you aren't too busy, there is someone who would very much like to meet you. This is Lucilius Farfeather," she said, waving to the other visitor. "Lucilius, meet Bartholomew."

Lucilius offered his hand to shake uncertainly. "Pleasure to meet you," he said.

"Ah good evening." He replied, stepping out of the doorway, into the common area, and turned his attention to Lucilius. "The pleasure is all mine, young story." He replied and extended his hand to meet the Wispling's. Bartholomew made extra certain he didn't crush any of the tiny bones of the humanoid hand.

Lucilius gazed in awe for a few awkward moments. "Can I...can I cast some spells on you?" He asked.

Bartholomew cocked his head quizzically "Perhaps..." He turned to Mira and raised an eyebrow.

"You don't have any obligation to be an experiment if it makes you uncomfortable." Mira assured, slinking behind Lucilius so that Bartholomew couldn't look directly at her. "I only promised to introduce you to him."

"I can ask, can't I?" Lucilius whispered to her.

"I think so, but there's no guarantee that he'll comply," she whispered back. "It might come off as a bit rude, but he's really a down to earth kind of person; (Mira frowned at her accidental pun as she spoke) I'm sure he will understand."

Bartholomew thought for a moment. "Very well young story. I propose a trade! A cast for a cast!" Bartholomew had suddenly become interested in this exchange. "You begin and cast a spell on me and I shall return the favor." He announced.

Lucilius grinned. This creature knew how to bargain! So much for the wisdom of Kitsune. Granted, he didn't have the same spell resistance the Deep Wanderer did, he'd just have to take his chances and trust that the wanderer's spell wouldn't hurt him too much.

"Agreed!" he said, taking a moment to consider the spell he would use.

Bartholomew waited eagerly for ten seconds, He began to lose his sense of anticipation by twenty and he was completely asleep in the doorway by forty.

Lucilius finished consulting his notes. Settling on a spell he wanted to try, he looked up. It was hard to tell, but it seemed almost as if the wanderer had gone to sleep. He glanced at Mira Lunae. "Really?"

Mira had moved away from Lucilius and seated herself perpendicular to the casters so she could have a clear view of the spectacle.

"Yeah, he does that. I don't know if it's normal, cause I've never seen another of his kind. This might just work to your advantage anyway."

"Alright, then." Lucilius withdrew a short, slender, white wand from his sleeve and began drawing runes in the air with it. The tip of the wand and the runes themselves glowed sky blue as they hung in the air. When the spell was ready, Lucilius made a gesture with the wand. The runes collapsed into a bolt of energy that danced across the deep wanderer's body with a deep hum. It tickled.

Mira and Lucilius waited to see if the wanderer would respond.

A second passed with no response. Then Bartholomew's eyes lit up, He chuckled slightly as an after effect of the spell. He looked at his surroundings with temporary bewilderment. He scratched his crystal chin for a moment before realization dawned on him. "Ah yes wonderful spell, such um... Excellent power. Keep training and you will be a master in no time." Bartholomew winked and gestured the "thumbs up."

"Hahahahaha," Lucilius laughed, putting his wand away. "What an amazing body! Alright! It's your turn!"

"For what?" Bartholomew responded, already losing interest.

"You were going to cast a spell on me," Lucilius reminded him. It probably would have been better not to, but that would have been unfair.

"Oh of course, naturally."

The Deep Wander spread his stance, energy began to well up in him. The crystals on his body began to glow brighter. He outstretched his hand. Within his massive palm small shards of crystal began to condense and swirl around violently.

Mira leaned in, curious to see what Bartholomew would do. Normally he just manipulated earth, but that would serve no purpose here, unless he wanted to clobber the poor fellow and see what color his blood was.

Lucilius waited, wondering if he should have prepared a proxy.

The shards in his hand rapidly gained mass. He chambered his hand as if about to release the energy. However something broke his concentration. A small ant scurried across his foot. Bartholomew immediately ceased his spell and bent down to observe the small insect. Once he was finished he stood to his feet and addressed the two present in the hallway "Ah if only we were like the ants, they form kingdoms in days through pure diligence. What a delightful sight.". He then walked back into his cabin, but as he passed the young wizard he couldn't help but notice his disappointed expression. He thought for a moment, then produced a crystallized tablet. He inscribed it and handed it to the Wizard. "Now if you will excuse me I have neglected an urgent matter." Bartholomew declared, in hopes of locating more ants under the floorboards once alone.

Once the Wander's door closed the Wizard look down at the tablet: "I met a Deep Wanderer

!!!" Bartholomew's single initial marked the bottom like an autograph.

Lucilius stared at the tablet for a few seconds, then he began to grin.

Rum Ham · Oct 10, 2016

(Joint post)

Awrem wasn't sure how long she'd been lying there, tied up on the floor of the cargo car. It was long enough that she was feeling stiff and uncomfortable in one position, but changing positions was difficult as the ropes interpreted that as struggling and would tighten if she tried. She passed the time by looking around the car in case there was something interesting (there wasn't) until the muffled din of the train's wheels rushed in loudly and clearly, indicating that someone had opened the doors between cars. The sound cut off a moment later, replaced by approaching footsteps. This would normally have been a dilemma, but Awrem needed dinner. It was a hunger she hadn't felt since leaving home, and she had no desire to come back to it. "You! Hey!" she called out to the footsteps, mentally bracing herself for the embarrassment to come.

"Hi, Awrem," a girl's voice said. "It's Alyss, if you're wondering. You probably can't see me."

The air-headed girl on a leash? This was her savior? There had to be someone better. Even the narcoleptic boulder would have to be more reliable. Still, Awrem had to try. "No, I can't. I need to get out of here. Get someone who knows how to disable this, or who has a large knife."

There was the sound of a sword being drawn from a sheath. "You know, I think could probably get out of there on your own. You don't really need my help. I'm just going to destroy this enchantment so that I can practice."

"I could get out easily with a knife, thank you." Wait. "Did you just draw a sword? Be careful with that!"

"Sunder," Alyss whispered. Awrem heard the spell word clearly even through layers of cloth, it had a certain forcefulness to it. A moment later, the tip of a glowing gold blade pierced the cloth covering her face, just barely touching her skin. There was a crackling sound that grew in intensity as Alyss moved the blade carefully down the length of the canvas. Each time it touched a rope it burst with a pop. Awrem was free in moments. She climbed out of the tarp and onto her feet quickly. "That was very close to my face," she said, her heart beating rapidly. Making a note to be more careful about harmless objects in the future, Awrem looked at what used to be under the tarp.

"Your face is fine," Alyss said. She also turned to look. The mechanical arm Awrem had seen before becoming trapped was part of a golem, twice as tall as a person. It was carved from wood, but metal plates, reinforcements, and mechanical parts were bolted on. In spite of the seemingly disparate materials on the golem's construction there was a synergy to them. Having been reading Caldwell's Compendium, Awrem had some understanding of how each part complemented the others. There should be a powerful core in the center of the golem's chest, but it was missing. There was a large hole there instead. She couldn't help feeling excited despite what had happened. This was an amazing machine, and it was right there in front of her! As much as she wanted to pull it apart and put it back again, though, Awrem knew this wasn't the time for it. She needed to eat. "Very impressive," she said of the construct. "I'll be on my way. I appreciate you not opening my face."

Alyss sheathed her sword. "It wouldn't have left the best first impression, I think....want to get something to eat?"

"Yes, very much so," Awrem replied, already at the door. Did this girl mean to eat with her? Was that really necessary?

It was late. Dinner was over, but the dining car was serving a night lunch for the nocturnal passengers. Alyss followed Awrem but didn't attempt to sit with her.

With great enthusiasm Awrem pounced on the available food, making a sandwich out of every available sandwich ingredient and accompanying it with whatever sides would fit on the plate. Whether she finished it or not wasn't important; having more than enough ensured that she didn't need to worry about leaving the table hungry. It was by far her favorite part of the outside world.

Adorable Monster · Oct 11, 2016

The day was extremely boring, but she secretly enjoyed the quiet. better than being squished between people. At least she was able to somewhat breathe. There was still way too many people in this car.

Finally deciding that it was supper time, Micki made her way to the dining car, hoping that no one from the Crowspit group was there. Just as she opened the door to the car, she quickly shut it, face red and which then went white as a sheet. Two of them were there. What was she to do? She wasn't about to sit next to any of them, that much she knew. But she couldn't exactly sit alone either.....someone would surely try to strike up a conversation with her!

No, I can do this. Just keep a straight face, be out of it. Don't pay attention to anything other than the food. She nodded to herself and then opened the car door again, ignoring any of the people in the middle of eating, slightly taking note of the expressions shown. One thing she knew would attract people to her was the sight of her bright red hair. That was sure to cause some surprise. Not every day was there a girl with brilliant red hair and sharply bright green eyes the color of emeralds.

Quickly taking a seat as far from other living, breathing beings, she began to silently go over the emotions shown to her in her head, filing them away in her mind, figuring out the main reason for that expression, struggling to not let her fear of being touched show on her pale face.

The moment the food arrived, she began to eat, still carefully watching out of the corner of her eye the movements of those in the car.

Deasi · Oct 12, 2016

(Joint Post with @Wixard and @Nightmares Angel )

(NOTE: Each time we change writers, I have put the character they are portraying in bold. I'm sorry for the confusion. It is extremely long. Thank you for your patience. I do hope this helps clear things up. ^_^

)

The day was extremely boring, but Micki secretly enjoyed the quiet. better than being squished between people. At least she was able to somewhat breathe. There was still way too many people in this car.

Finally deciding that it was supper time, Micki made her way to the dining car, hoping that no one from the Crowspit group was there. Just as she opened the door to the car, she quickly shut it, face red and which then went white as a sheet. Two of them were there. What was she to do? She wasn't about to sit next to any of them, that much she knew. But she couldn't exactly sit alone either.....someone would surely try to strike up a conversation with her!

No, I can do this. Just keep a straight face, be out of it. Don't pay attention to anything other than the food. She nodded to herself and then opened the car door again, ignoring any of the people in the middle of eating, slightly taking note of the expressions shown. One thing she knew would attract people to her was the sight of her bright red hair. That was sure to cause some surprise. Not every day was there a girl with brilliant red hair and sharply bright green eyes the color of emeralds.

Quickly taking a seat as far from other living, breathing beings, she began to silently go over the emotions shown to her in her head, filing them away in her mind, figuring out the main reason for that expression, struggling to not let her fear of being touched show on her pale face.

The moment the food arrived, she began to eat, still carefully watching out of the corner of her eye the movements of those in the car.

Aristarchus was sitting in a far corner on his own. Only a bartender was serving the people that were awake. He kept leaving the room though.

Ari was looking out a window, blankly watching the stars as trees rushed by. A mug of hot chocolate was sitting on the table, his fingers gently draped around it, getting cold. He had been sitting there for hours, just thinking. Ari was a strange person who seemed to do everything in his power to hide within himself. He struggled to sleep and often would just sit up thinking. Here, on the train, it stayed the same.

Ari was completely lost in his thoughts. A few tears were actually in his eyes. Though he was frustrated by his thoughts. He didn't even notice anybody else was there.

Alyss fumed silently. They were supposed to be a team. A party. Why was everyone so insistent on ignoring each other? On doing their own thing? Well, she kinda felt the same way. She was weird, she didn't want to expose herself to people, let them get to know the girl behind the rumors and then reject her.

Someone was going to have to be the first one to reach out. Even if it meant risking humiliation. She'd thought maybe Awrem would be a little more open, she'd just rescued her after all, but she was definitely getting 'cold shoulder' vibes from her. Fine. Forget her. There were two other students sitting in the dining car. Ari and the girl who'd boarded late...Michelle? No, that wasn't right.

Alyss stood up and marched over to the redhead, taking her hand and dragging her to the table where Ari was lurking. She shoved her into a seat.

"Look, I don't want to be bundled together with a bunch of strangers anymore than you two do. We don't have to be friends, okay? But lets get to know each other a little so that when we run face first into something nasty in Crowspit we're not stuck dealing with it alone. We can be...professional acquaintances."

Micki was half way through her dinner when she was suddenly yanked from her meal and dragged over to a table and shoved into a chair opposite a quiet boy....what was his name again? Oh, Ari something. His face was a slight pink as if he was crying.

She was halfway out of the chair when she felt herself being glared at. Feeling a shiver run down her spine, she slowly sat down, her face still emotionless.

"Whatever you say." She made sure her voice was empty of emotion, slightly frightened from the sudden touch from the girl named Alyss.

Aristarchus stared at them both shocked. Pulled from his thoughts so quietly made him stutter and try to regain his composure. He took a sip of the hot chocolate and gagged. He spit the surprisingly cold drink back into his mug and coughed. Then looked at the girls with an embarrassed and trying to hide it and still be cool face.

Alyss was losing them. She was losing them already. None of them were really invested in each other. None of them understood what they were in for, didn't realize how necessary this was. She fired a searing bolt into Ari's hot chocolate to warm it up and fetched the redhead's dinner from the table where she'd left it when Alyss had snatched her. She needed to slow down, get them comfortable, or something. Divines, she wasn't cut out for this. What should she do? Basics, basics. Introductions?

"Hi, my name is Alyss, I'm a second tier Divination student, and I practice holy magic. Divination, obviously, I know a few combat spells. Only one of them's a real heavy hitter. I can occasionally pull off a miracle healing or a summoning."

She turned to the redhead. "Now, why don't you go next?"

Completely at a loss, Micki struggled not to lose her composure, her face turning pale as a ghosts. "I....I am a second tier student as well.....I practice healing magic and shield defense." She sounded so lame, even to herself and she could already feel a rush of red crawl up into her face.

Quickly picking up her fork, she stabbed a piece of food and chewed on the food, ignoring everyone at the table, struggling to stay calm and not run away.

Ari looked at each of them. Without verbally responding, he tapped his chest and held up two fingers to show he was from the same year. He noticed the looks of distrust on their faces and sighed. He rolled his eyes and put the mug down, "Aristarchus Kramer. Druid. Second Tier. Third, if we survive this..." Ari turned his head and glanced out the window again. His voice was like a blank whisper, though as if something was being hidden. Almost mysterious... though his eyes his sadness. He watched the stars again, figuring they would keep talking and forget he was there... like everybody did...

"Praise the gods," Alyss said to Micki. "My healing magic is unreliable and, frankly, people are probably gonna mess up and get injured. Please tell me more. And how do the shields work?"

She glanced at Ari, the kid clearly had a problem with her. Nevermind that, lots of people had problems with her. She just wished he wouldn't treat her like she wasn't worth his time. Time that he was spending sulking in a corner. This was difficult enough for her as it was.

"I know all spells and everything involved with healing." Micki wasn't trying to brag, she was being honest, her soft green eyes now gazing at Alyss, her face still in a fixed mask. "I can shield up to two people, but it can drain my power by a lot. And I have to use artifacts to do so." Turning her gaze to Ari, she suddenly felt her mouth turn up into a soft smile, surprising herself.

"We are not ignoring you Ari." It was plain as the nose on his face that he was expecting them both to ignore him and continue to talk amongst themselves. Her voice even sounded gentler than normal. Nope. Can't happen. I am getting too close! This isn't good! Instantly losing that smile, she went back to being a stone faced girl.

Ari looked at Micki, a surprised look coming into his grey eyes; soft as it was, it was there. He leaned back and crossed his arms. Now acting like he would at least take part in the listening side of the conversation, not looking away from them again. He slouched in the booth, and his face was still calmly set, but he didn't allow himself to get lost in his thoughts nor the window again.

Alyss was struggling to keep up with the subtleties of the conversation. Something had spooked Micki, but she couldn't guess what. At the same time, Micki seemed to have gotten through to Ari...at least partly. All it would take was a little tap of her divination magic, just a few insights to clue her in to why her companions were behaving so strangely. Well, they were all freaks, but more specifically. Actually that might help.

"Look, we're all freaks, okay? Half the time my powers control me, and I hate it. But unless you're wearing the opal bracelet that's my problem to deal with. Ari you...well actually I haven't divined what's wrong with you, but I don't care. Same for you, Micki. I don't care what's wrong with you. I'm not your friend. Maybe I will be one day, but it's clear that none of us are ready for that. All I care about is that we can watch each other's backs and carry on a normal conversation without freaking out. Professionalism."

Wow. Feeling bad about not having friends was one thing. Admitting out loud that you were too much of a freak to have friends was a real kick in the gut. She couldn't lose her composure in front of these two. Professionalism. If that admission didn't spark a little bit of trust between her new companions, she was going to throw in the towel. She'd rather die horribly than spill her heart's secrets in front of uncaring strangers. Maybe she'd already gone too far.

"I do not care if I am a freak or not." Micki stood from her seat and set her fork down, no longer interested in the conversation. "I prefer to not be touched. Please consider that before you touch me Alyss." She knew she was crossing a line with Alyss and probably breaking any future friendship with Ari, but she was done with being close to people.

"Excuse me, but I have to make more talismans for healing." With a curt bow, she left the dining car, slamming the door behind her. This ended up pretty badly. People were going to hate her for this, but she had to protect them, even if they hated her. Reaching a cargo car, empty of people and completely silent save the clacking and clanging of the wheels and the squeak of the wood, moving with the train's movements.

Sitting down in a corner, safe from any equipment that might crush her, she went to work carving out magical words onto talismans, taking her time. This was something she enjoyed and calmed her down.

Ari stared at Micki surprised. He turned and looked at Alyss, wondering what she would do. "S-so... um..." He hesitated.

Alyss trembled with rage. Stay composed. Stay in control. She couldn't believe what was happening. It was like her comrades were a maze of explosive rune traps. Why didn't you just ask me not to touch you, I would've promised.

She mumbled a vague apology to Ari as she left, but her thoughts were elsewhere. She had to hold it together until she could get to her cabin. Once inside, she locked the door and screamed.

Ari had reached out his hand briefly, hoping Alyss wouldn't leave. She didn't notice, nor hear, though. He lowered his hand and bit his lip as he glanced out the window again. The Druid Boy then shook his head quickly and buried his face in his arms on the table. Left alone again with those never ending thoughts of the past and fearing he would let everyone down this time around also... Maybe it would have been better if he had stayed at the school. Or dropped out of school. Why? Why had the Headmaster insisted he stay near these people? What made it so important? He gripped his arms tighter and began shaking. Nothing he could do would reverse anything anyway...

Rum Ham · Oct 13, 2016

Awrem had of course noticed when the red haired girl had entered, and actually paid attention when she entered the second time and hurriedly got her food like some kind of beaten dog. It was vaguely interesting, if only because a sandwich is only so entertaining and there was nothing else to look at. With a meal or two now solidly in her stomach, she was feeling somewhat less on edge than before, and watched with similar interest the disaster in the other part of the car. Alyss had tried very hard to drag some kind of interaction out of the scared girl and the quiet boy (whom Awrem hadn't noticed until then; he was very good at not being noteworthy), but it maybe inevitably blew up in all their faces. It wouldn't be a surprise if Alyss went back and screamed into a pillow for an hour or two.

The only other person in the car was the quiet boy Awrem had almost tripped over before. He seemed to be taking the whole disaster almost well, with his head buried in the table and his body shaking. Taking a break from her almost finished sandwich, she said to him, "Hey. Good job. Almost talked to someone."

Pajamas · Oct 14, 2016

(Hello in the OOC!!! This is a joint post with Pajamas, {a name I cant get rid of} Wixard, {Wondering where that name came from} and Tagerung {much respect for that name} I do hope its not confusing thanks everyone! Enjoy!)

Xélon turned to take in the all that was this giant metal death trap. After as much time as he has spent with them he still couldn't understand why surface dwellers always wanted to be inside things. He was quickly astonished to find a hat of sorts floating in the air before him. And jumped when he heard a disembodied voice promptly ring out, "Ticket please." Xelon was more than startled and threw out his arm to grasp at what he imagined to be an invisible man. But his arm went threw nothing. Now more on edge he demanded, "Who or what are you?!"

"I'm the conductor, did you lose your ticket?" The hat answered.

"OH!" Forgive me! I have my ticket right here." He produced the still very damp piece of paper from inside his rather wet satchel and held it above his head for the hat to take it. "Sorry about that Conductor, may I ask what you conduct here? I’m not altogether familiar with this sort of travel"

[Conductor] "What a strange question. I maintain order on this train, and assist the passengers. Let me show you to your cabin--the cabin number is on the ticket, here."

The train resumed its course as the conductor lead the siren to his cabin, in the same car as the others.

"Further back are more passenger cars, and the cargo cars where you have no business being. Forward you'll find the lounge car and the dining car," the hat explained.

Xélon followed. As he walk he wondered just how a hat could conduct any sort of order here or anywhere. But he was grateful that someone... something greeted him. Surely the leader of the expedition would meet him before long. He thanked the the hat and opened the door to "cabin". The dwelling was even more cramped than he imagined. He stowed his bag and sat down waiting for someone to give him instruction. After about three minutes he couldn't take it any longer. They had to know he was on board! They informed him to board when and where he did after all!he stormed down the hallway to find the "leader". He would continue in the direction opposite of the cargo cars until he found his answer!

Xélon made it all the way to the dining car without being greeted. Now it was just insulting! He was in a rage when he threw opened the doors and was about to announce his arrival (very loudly) to the whole train. When suddenly... he smelled... was that fatty tuna!? It was fresh and raw and smelled simply divine. He followed his nose to an empty seat in front of an entire side of fatty tuna. He loosed his jaw and his mouth opened much wider. He bore his very sharp very white teeth and began to tear off large bits of flesh. People began to stare but he didn't even notice. It had been four days since he last ate and he was in a frenzy. Once the fish was gone he leaned back and looked at the car he had barged into. He was in a very good mood now. Across the car he saw three students from Nocturne! He recognized all of them but was friends with only one. Alyss! He had missed Alyss so! Surely she would know who their negligent leader was! He got up to approach them but as he did the redhead at the table got up and stormed out. Alyss yelled something and then did the same the boy at the table remained there rather pathetic looking. Alyss ran right past him. How rude! They were friends! Xelon was so offended that he shuffled in place before he could even decide what to do. In the end he turned to run after Alyss.

Mira had been too preoccupied by her activities to attend dinner, but now that she had finished she realized it was very late, and she might not get to eat until morning. She hastily made her way to the dining car, and was relieved to find it still open, serving full meals. Of course; they must have nocturnal passengers, she thought to herself. Was that Alyss that passed her just now? Mira wondered as she slipped into the dining car. Nevermind it; she didn’t have the bracelet, so it wasn’t her concern.

Before Xélon could storm out of the car the doors swung inward and one hit him square in the face. That tore it! "I HAVE NEVER BEEN SO INSULTED IN ALL MY LIFE!!!!" He yelled so loudly that likely most if not all of the other passengers in the car would have been staring now. The door swung back to reveal the culprit. It was Mira. "MIRA!!! HOW DAre... you... MIRA!!!! How I've missed you my two-tailed friend! I have been so ill treated on this awful train!" He was ecstatic and quickly threw his arms out to embrace her.

Mira crouched, her ears turning back and flattening against her head in response the outburst. It was loud, and it had surprised her. But his friendly enthusiasm was contagious, and before he had finished embracing her, her grin was almost as big as his.
"The headmaster said there would be eight of us but I didn't realize you'd be one of them Xélon!"
The siren was taking a combat class taught by her surrogate father Carn, which is how she had come to know Xelon. Despite their brief acquaintance, he was easy to get along with, and a lot of fun, so they had quickly become friends.

[Mira] "I'm sorry to hear that you've had a bad time on the train thus far. Did you meet the highly annoying Wispling too?"

Xélon was confused. "Wispling? What is... no, it's just that I have been here for almost 30 of the minutes and no one has greeted me, other than that rather pushy hat!" Xelon was near to tears but tried to keep it together. "Then on top of that Alyss ignored me and stormed right past me, you know Alyss right? And where on this forsaken train is our leader?!" He paused. His eyes narrowed and his tone became grave. "Mira are you the leader? So help me if you're our leader and you didn't greet me!"

"So I'm not the only one who thought that was weird? The headmaster didn't appoint anyone as expedition leader. No one is in change, so nobody is paying each other any attention." Mira looked over her shoulder. "So that was Alyss I passed. She looked white as a sheet! did you catch what happened?"

Xélon backed out of the embrace a bit to look a Mira in astonishment. "YOU WEREN'T GREETED EITHER?!?!" This is an outrage! This will be made right! I'll personally see to it! He disengaged the hug and turned to stomp out. Then stopped abruptly. "Wait, I did see what happened but I didn't hear it. There seemed to be an argument. maybe we ought to check on Alyss first just to figure out why she ignored me. Also, confirm that she is not in fact the leader." He shook his head and muttered, "So help me!" He turned to leave again, and stopped in his tracks again. He turned to Mira and said much more calmly, " Forgive me Mira, I am flustered but have completely forgotten my manners." He bowed before her and continued, "Would you care to join me in quashing this incompetence and tending to Aylss?" He held out his arm to escort her.

"How very chivalrous of you," Mira remarked, adopting his proper and refined manner, and taking his arm. She was so amused by his indignation that she forgot that she needed to eat. "Now that you mention it, this is rather unacceptable. It would seem we have some work to do before we get to Crowspit."

"We certainly do!" Xélon said this as he led Mira in the direction Alyss had run off. "Would you happen to know where Alyss' cabin might be?

When they reached the common area, Mira steered Xelon to the second cabin on the right. For the second time that night, Mira knocked on her classmate's door."Alyss? are you well??

Inside the cabin, Alyss was angrily tearing up her pillow with her talons. She didn't want to talk to Mira. Or anyone. She didn't need friends. She didn't need the stupid bracelet. Anyway, she was being an owl and owls couldn't unlock doors.

After five of the seconds past Xélon spoke up, "Alyss this is Xélon, I must insist you open the door. I must know why you ignored me earlier. Also, you wouldn't happen to be the leader would you?" His voice was smoother than jellyfish caramel but then he cocked his head and whispered, "So help me...'

Alyss felt the nibble of persuasive magic at the edge of her mind. She was NOT in the mood to be entranced. "SUNDER!" she screeched, causing the door to explode.

Mira leaped backward as a rain of wooden door fragments erupted outward, falling over when her heels hit the common table.

Xélon heard her scream inside the cabin and felt Mira jump away so he reflexively stepped to the side before the door exploded.

Alyss's robes fluttered as she switched back to human form suddenly. Drawing her sword and stalking out of her room to threaten Xelon.

"I swear if you try to use mind magic on me again I'll..."

She paused, her owl mask was stained with trails of salt. She let her sword arm fall to her side.

"...I'll yell at you some more," she said quietly.

Xélon’s countenance fell. He could tell she was hurt. He bowed to her and said, "Forgive me I didn't intend to influence you I've had a trying day and it must have taken a toll on my restraint. If you'll allow me I'd like to apologize and of course I forgive you as well for ignoring me earlier. Would you join Mira and I in a... cleaner place? We would love to talk with you. You have my express permission to continue yelling at me of course." He held his arms open to embrace her if she wished but kept his feet planted where they were.

Alyss wiped her mask with her sleeve and straightened herself. It hadn't been fair of her to get so angry at him. Sirens persuaded people, it was part of who they were. Still, her mind was so rarely her own that she could tolerate no incursion, even a minor one.

She ignored the offer of a hug. Maybe if he'd stepped forward just a little, she would have let him comfort her. Instead, she took the opportunity to salvage some of her dignity.

"I would like that. I have, however, been awake most of the day. I should like to rest. Perhaps we can talk in the dining car over lunch tomorrow. I am going to sleep past breakfast."

Mira pushed herself up, legs still haphazardly over the table on which she tripped. "You could buy a castle with the silver on your tongue my friend," she said to Xelon. To the pair, she asked; "Could you make that dinner? I have more to do before I rest; I might end up sleeping past lunch."

"Dinner, then," Alyss agreed.

[Xélon] "Very well, dinner it is. I'll expect at least one hug then, if nothing else because it's been so long. I'll continue to look for our incorrigible leader. I don't think I could rest without knowing in whose charge we're in or what is expected of me now that I'm here. Sleep sweetly ladies."

"Thank you." Mira acknowledged, waving to Xelon on her way back to the dining car. "Good luck on your hunt for the phantom leader," she called teasingly.

Alyss waved Xelon goodbye. In spite of herself, she was glad he was here. If anyone could whip these losers into shape, he could. He hadn't realized just how bad the situation was, but maybe he'd discover that in his quest to find a leader that didn't exist. She hoped he didn't take it too hard.

She felt a gentle tug on her wrist. Happy to learn that Aria was still awake, she gathered up her shredded pillow and knocked on the Arachne's door.

"Hey, um, could you make me a curtain that locks? And maybe fix this pillow...if it's not too much trouble?

Wixard · Oct 14, 2016

@Kiroshiven

Wixard · Oct 19, 2016

@Martiswe're moving to your turn now. Go ahead.

Martis · Oct 22, 2016

(Joint post with Wixard)

Bartholomew couldn't manage his discomfort much longer. He stood and

decided to explore the cafeteria. When he entered the car everyone inevitably glanced up at him. "Good evening." He nodded to everyone and continued his path toward the food vendor. "Good day, might I trouble you for some vital nutrients?".

The cook blinked twice. "What do you eat?" He asked casually.

"A variety of minerals, preferably those of carbonate family, but I'll settle for sulfate." Bartholomew shrugged.

"That's food?" the cook asked. "I don't think we have anything like that here..."

"Well you are what you eat." Bartholomew grumbled and rolled his head back. "I don't suppose those chandeliers have any crystal content?"

"Crystal...content?" the cook stammered, glancing up at the chandeliers nervously.

"Might I sample it?" Bartholomew inquired.

The cook sighed and suddenly became very interested in folding a napkin. "I'm not seeing anything."

Bartholomew took a quick look around the car, naively hoping everyone would turn away just in time to miss the conspicuous 6ft tall Crystal eating the light fixture. He broke a tiny piece off and downed it. He made a sour expression. "100 percent glass, it's even burned."

Bartholomew sighed and retrieved his meal tokens from a pocket within his toga .He frowned and proceeded to eat them all. "This will do for now." He said and walked back toward his cabin in disappointment.

"Hey! We re-use those!" the cook called after him.

"Bartholomew turned his head and sighed "I'd return it, if my physiology would permit it.".

Deasi · Oct 22, 2016

(Joint Post with @Rum Ham in response to their last post. Sorry for the delay)

Aristarchus lifted his head from his arms on the table and stared up at the the questioner confused. Were they really talking to him? Why though? He blinked at them and motioned to the empty chair across the table from him, but didn't respond verbally. He knew who they were. He knew who they all were, but he didn't think people noticed him anymore. Must be the fact that we're all here together... figures. Ari took his arms off the table and leaned back in his seat as he watched the other move.

Did he just wave her over? Was that what that was? It seemed to Awrem that the normal, polite response would have been some verbal reply, but she had learned in her time in the outside world that not everyone could be expected to know that. At least he had done something. With little better to do, Awrem decided to take the seat demonstrated, bringing her sandwich's remains with her. It couldn't hurt.

There was an extremely long pause, in which Ari just stared at Awrem questioningly. As if he expected her to tell him something. When the silence only continued, he surprised her by a whisperingly low voice... "You wanted something?" His voice was calm and silvery, like what you would expect from the wind on the leaves of a willow tree. His grey eyes blinked and continued their calm yet curious stare.

So he could speak. Awrem wasn't sure she'd heard him do that when the other two were there. Alright, this was something. "Just commenting on whatever that was," she said, taking another bite from her sandwich. "I haven't seen three people fail to communicate so spectacularly before."

"Guess that'll hold some sort of record then..." He responded and looked out the window. Was that him trying to joke?

"Yup." This was going nowhere, and it was getting there slowly. Awrem's sandwich was just about gone, and with it her reason to be here. He had to be doing this on purpose. No one would invite someone to join them only to waste their time with silence. It made no sense. Still, there existed the possibility that this might be worth her time, so Awrem flatly asked, "Do you have a name?"

He tilted his head slightly. So... She was actually curious and not just being nice? "Aristarchus Kramer," He responded quietly. "Ari. You?"

Finally. "Awrem Dainnal. Your school?"

Aristarchus was quiet for a moment, then slouched against the chair a bit more. "Same as you. We boarded together yesterday." He wasn't upset about thinking she couldn't remember. After all, no one ever noticed him. That's why most referred to him as a shadow. He shrugged and sat forward again, picking up the mug of hot chocolate.

"I know, I saw. I meant-" Awrem didn't know for sure that she had seen Aristarchus yesterday, but she did know she hadn't been looking. More importantly, maybe he wasn't doing it on purpose. Either way, it was beginning to get irritating. "I meant to ask what you study. I study enchanting. I think the spider studies combat, or some other thing."

"Traditional Druid Studies," He responded shortly and took another sip. He then just held the mug in his hands on the table, watching the tiny marshmallows float in it. Aristarchus looked at her again. Eyes calm and quiet. Like someone who had a deep mystery they wanted to hide, and yet it made them fearful and lonely. Awrem was right about one thing... Ari was indeed not doing any of it on purpose...

Of course he was studying forest magic. She'd traveled thousands of miles, learned a second language entirely unlike her first, studied knowledge she could never have dreamt of before leaving, so of course Awrem would meet someone as obsessed with the forest as everyone in her village. "So what, sacred trees and respectful hunting techniques?"

Ari raised an eyebrow and made a face as if she had disrespected his field. He shook his head no and sighed, placing his chin in his left hand.

Not the same stuff she had seen then, though Awrem still had no idea what he studied. Words were helpful, yet dragging any out of Ari (did he really go by that?) so far wasn't proving itself to be worth her time. Maybe something else would get him going. "Ari, then? Your friends call you that?" He didn't seem like the type to have many friends, but hey.

Ari looked up at her, his chin still in his hand. He looked down, hair covering his face. "No..." He responded and bit his lip. The people that used to claim to be his friends called him other hateful things. "It came from my grandparents, if you must know." He cleared his throat, recovering nervously.

"Hm. Where I'm from, it sounds like a girl's name. A boy with it would have the name beaten off him by the others. Rista would be better," Awrem almost absentmindedly said. "But if it works here, then it works here." She took a sip from her drink, which was almost empty. "Anyway, do you know what we're to do once we arrive?"

A flash of deathly anger came in Ari's eyes at the comment about his name. He gripped his mug and looked away. "Only mild guesses," He responded coldly. She had obviously hit some sort of nerve; and yet, he didn't get up and storm out as the others had earlier.

With a final sip, Awrem finished her drink. With no room for the last two bites of sandwich, she figured it was probably about time to leave. However, she'd been reading almost all day, and her eyes just weren't ready to go back to it just yet. Maybe continuing this gradual disaster of a conversation would at least be vaguely interesting. Mentioning his name might not be the most productive way to go forward, though, funny as it was. "I have heard Crowspit is a dangerous place. You're not worried, are you?"

Aristarchus shook his head, "Why should I be?" He wasn't scared of the place, if anything...

"Not afraid of demons and monsters, yet terrified of words. Interesting," Awrem said with just the slightest tint of smugness.

Aristarchus shot her a confused yet disgusted look, "Excuse me?"

"You've barely spoken, but somehow you have no problems with going into a place that may well kill you. It seems backward," Awrem replied. Was this a good button to push? It looked like one.

Ari looked at her, then his tilted his chin up slightly as he thought about her statement. After a long pause, he breathed, "Doesn't the battle lie within...? Speech is the outcome of a bazillion internal thoughts; one of which you choose to share with those around you. I have no problem going into a place like Crowspit because I am prepared for it. I do not fear for myself. Afraid to speak you say?" He lowered his head back to her level, meeting his gaze to hers. His grey eyes full of mystery and anxiety, but his expression and voice were calm. "Think what you will, Awrem..."

"Right. I will," Awrem flatly replied as she stood up. On her way out the door, one thought was in the front of her mind: the whole exchange had been an inexcusable waste of time.

Wixard · Oct 23, 2016

(A joint post with @Deasi, taking place before Martis's post)

(Appropriate music for ambiance.)

[SIZE=13.333333333333332px]Ari eventually grew tired of just sitting around thinking. It might have been more of the fact that people kept coming in and trying to include him in the group, though it turned into an argument and someone walked away insulted. This group was frustrating. He hadn't expected that trying to get along with them would be easy, due to who he was and his past experiences; but he hadn't expected the rest of the group to be in such turmoil on their own... It was like all negative ends of a battery were attempting to be shoved together at once. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=13.333333333333332px]Ari wasn't used to watching that. Usually the rest of a group would click together great and mingle, leaving him out. He didn't know what to do. Usually, he wouldn't have cared... but since they had a job to do, that made it frustrating. He couldn't just follow along and be the odd one out. He sighed, thinking all of this as he finished getting ready for bed. He was back in the small cabin his ticket had assigned him to. He was actually surprised to have a cabin, instead of a bunk in a general car. However, the school was paying for the trip, so you wouldn't hear him complaining about being pampered a little. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=13.333333333333332px]Aristarchus pulled the bed out of the wall, folding it out sideways, and clamped it into place. He grabbed a book from his backpack and climbed into the covers. He read for half an hour, but he couldn't focus. His thoughts kept going back to the group he was traveling with... "Huh..." He sighed and rolled his eyes. "Haven't thought about people this much since first year..." He rolled onto his back and rubbed his forehead. Then grumbled and stared up at the ceiling. "Why don't they just get along? Everybody always makes it seem so easy. Idiots." [/SIZE]
[SIZE=13.333333333333332px]Strangely enough, Ari didn't see himself as part of the problem. He only saw that something was different and wrong. His eyes grew heavy as he wished he could change it somehow. "They'll never survive the mission like that..." He yawned and rolled onto his stomach as he struggled to keep his eyes open. Turning the page of his book, though his mind kept wandering back to the faces of the group, the arguments, and the glares of hate shot towards each other. Not even five minutes later, he had fallen asleep with his face in the book. One arm slipped over the edge of the bunk and the Druid boy snuggled into the blankets.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=13.333333333333332px]He was in a forest, thick with threatening shadows. The trees ignored him as he ran between them. Something stalked through the undergrowth behind him, a dark, unrelenting presence. He tore through the brush like a stag pursued by ravenous wolves. Faster and faster, yet never fast enough.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=13.333333333333332px]A root snagged his food, tripping him and sending him tumbling down the slope. Unable to arrest his fall, he came to a stop only at the bottom. Sand and smooth stones broke his fall. He lay in a dry creek-bed. Raising his head, he saw an arch of uncut stone ahead of him. It was made of three large boulders, two supporting and one laying across them like the top of a table. A symbol of protection.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=13.333333333333332px]Aristarchus tried to catch his breath. He looked around nervously for whatever had been chasing him, then stood slowly. He eyed the table confused. Calming now, he noticed faint music coming from beyond the arch.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=13.333333333333332px]Ari slowly crept towards it, trying to stay as hidden as possible.[/SIZE][SIZE=13.333333333333332px] [/SIZE][SIZE=13.333333333333332px]Two owls alighted on the arch as he approached. They had human faces made of gold. Astrids. They watched him silently. Ari advanced at the same pace. The stones seemed to grow taller as he walked through them, clinging to their shadows. He glanced over his shoulder, but he still didn't hear what had been chasing him.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=13.333333333333332px]Once through the arch, it seemed as if he was in an entirely different part of the woods. The forest was thriving. He'd never seen plants so green, or animals so welcoming. A fox strolled up to him and nuzzled his boot. A pair of blue-jays landed in his hair. Others lingered nearby, a bear, a brace of rabbits, a flock of pheasants. Bees and butterflies flew lazily between the flowers that sprung up along the path.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=13.333333333333332px]Ari's eyes widened and he smiled. The forest was where a druid belonged. His heart broke at the thought that this must have been what the world looked like before people started building things and ruined it. He knelt down and and scratched the fox behind the ears.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=13.333333333333332px]The animals turned and guided him further along the path. As he proceeded, more fantastical creatures emerged from the woodlands. A walking tree, a white stag, and many others. A ten-foot-tall horned troll shepherded them peacefully with his decorated staff, but he never approached the path.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=13.333333333333332px]Ari looked at each of them. His nerves calmed as if they had never been on edge before. A smile played around the corner of his lips. He picked up the fox and pet him gently, though continued to follow the group. He allowed himself to be led onward.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=13.333333333333332px]The path ended at an orchard, the trees so tightly packed and densely laden with fruit that he could not see between them. Ari breathed in deeply, as if becoming part of the world around him. He looked at the creatures around him, wondering where they were taking him.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=13.333333333333332px]The song continued to pour from a place between the trees. The bear nuzzled him gently onward, but most of the animals stopped here. Some settled among the trees, eating the fruit. The fox pulled a pear down from a low branch and dropped in on the ground so a family of mice could reach it.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=13.333333333333332px]Aristarchus watched them, then turned back to the bear. He looked in the direction he was being nudged and walked forward with a little more confidence. The trees parted around him, bending their heavy branches away from his path with great effort, allowing him to make his way easily forward. Fruit dangled within his reach, if he wanted it.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=13.333333333333332px]Ari saw how amazing and ripe the fruit looked. However, he was to curious of what lay ahead to be stopped and distracted. He pressed forward; all the while, wishing the dream were real.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=13.333333333333332px]At the center of the orchard was a small pond, the music was coming from it. On the other side of the pond was a girl about his age, with curly blond hair and horns like a deer wrapping around and above her head like a halo. Her bare feet rested in the shallow water as she leaned against the trunk of a tree. Sprouting from her shoulders were two branches in the shape of wings. Each branch was heavy, bearing three large silver apples streaked with gold.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=13.333333333333332px]The golden apple was the symbol of Ysmara, one of the first pantheon's two nature gods. Her husband, Lorrne, was also a nature god. Ysmara represented the gentle, nurturing side of nature and Lorrne was the storm. It was one of the first things druids learned about.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=13.333333333333332px]Ari's eyes widened. He instantly dropped to his knees before her, bowing his head. His heart was pounding faster then it ever had. Should he speak? Was it right? Or was staying silent the part that wasn't right? He bit his lip as his brain scrambled to figure out how to honor her. Tree branches prodded him forwards. The pond was shallow enough to wade through. The girl offered him a welcoming smile.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=13.333333333333332px]Ari stood and gulped. He waded through the pond to her. "M-M'lady..." he greeted softly as he came out of the water.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=13.333333333333332px]"I am merely a shrine angel," the girl said gently, "A godling, as some say." She laid one hand to rest on his shoulder. "Yet, this place is mine to guard and care for. Your respect is well received."[/SIZE]
[SIZE=13.333333333333332px]Aristarchus relax a little. He smiled back at her. "Thank you, m'lady. Forgive my ignorance... but what is this place?"[/SIZE]
[SIZE=13.333333333333332px]She smiled more deeply, pleased by his response. "I only call it home," she said, then paused, thinking, "Though I believe some of the residents refer to it as 'Green Glades' when speaking to outsiders."[/SIZE]
[SIZE=13.333333333333332px]His eyes widened. He whirled around, looking at everything quickly. This? This place was the Green Glades?! He couldn't believe it. He'd always dreamed of finding this place. Wait... Was he still dreaming? He looked at the angel again. A bit embarrassed.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=13.333333333333332px]"Would you think it strange to know that this haven neighbors the place called Crowspit?" the girl asked.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=13.333333333333332px]"What? A place of such reverence borders a place people fear?" Ari tilted his head[/SIZE]
[SIZE=13.333333333333332px]"I also find this hard to believe," the girl said, looking down into the pond. "I have never left these woods, yet within them it seems as if no darkness could exist for leagues. If not for the occasional trespasser, and the visions these waters bring me, I would doubt what the druids tell me." the girl said."My name is Liliana," she added, meeting his eyes.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=13.333333333333332px]"Aristarchus," The druid boy responded. "Some call me Ari."[/SIZE]
[SIZE=13.333333333333332px]"I know," Liliana said. "Your name comes to me in dreams. I wondered if you were a druid of great renown, which is why I brought you here. But it seems to me that you are a hungry child instead. Not ready to steward nature's blessing, but instead, needing it's nurture."[/SIZE]
[SIZE=13.333333333333332px]Ari grew quiet. He twisted the fingers of one hand in the palm of the other. Liliana pulled him gently closer and pressed something into his hand. It was a seed. "It is not wrong to be hungry. A seed like this one, I must care for for many days before it can provide me the shelter of it's boughs, or the sustenance of it's fruit. But it will do both, in time."[/SIZE]
[SIZE=13.333333333333332px]Ari looked at Liliana, then at his hand. He smiled a little and nodded, looking into her eyes again. "I will try to be," feeling brave. He wanted more then anything to become a great druid and help things and creatures that mattered.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=13.333333333333332px]"I believe you," she told him. "But if there is anything you wish to ask or tell me, do so quickly. These apples I grow" -she gestured to her wing-like branches- "demand much of me. You will soon wake, and I do not yet know when I may be able to reach you again."[/SIZE]
[SIZE=13.333333333333332px]Ari hesitated. There were so many things he wanted to ask someone like her. Especially about everything she had said. Was there something she needed him to do, but he wasn't ready for? He was dying to ask that... but he knew what really needed to be asked. "M'lady? The group I'm traveling with..." He stopped, suddenly not knowing what to ask or how. He shifted his weight from one foot to another, but struggled to figure it out. "um..."[/SIZE]
[SIZE=13.333333333333332px]She smiled patiently at him. "I can feel the number which accompanies you, but know nothing of them, save for the oracle. They are not attuned to the land as you are. If you have concerns about them, I can learn them only from you."[/SIZE]
[SIZE=13.333333333333332px]Ari nodded. "They're weird. They don't click and get along like other groups I've been in, or come across. I..." He hesitated. "I'm honestly worried for our arrival at Crowspit because of it..."[/SIZE]
[SIZE=13.333333333333332px]"Perhaps they need nurture also," Liliana said. "Treat them as you would frightened and injured animals, if it helps. Study them, as you would a diseased land, to find the source of the corruption and cleanse it."[/SIZE]
[SIZE=13.333333333333332px]She was fading from his mind as she spoke the last of these words. Ari awoke to find his window open, and an Astrid sitting on his bed. The owl dropped a small pouch on the sheets and flew out the window into the night.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=13.333333333333332px]Ari stared at the owl calmly. Though others might have been alarmed, he was not. He watched the Astrid leave quietly. Ari then picked up the pouch and opened it slowly. Inside was a nothing but a humble seed.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=13.333333333333332px]Ari took it out and held it gently. He stared down at the seed in the dark. "Study and nurture them... Me?" He sighed and closed his hand around the seed. Looking aways as he thought about the dream. "Why me...?" He moaned a little, but then sighed. "Study and nurture..." He shrugged and lay down again, holding the seed.[/SIZE]

Adorable Monster · Oct 28, 2016

{Joint post with @Taggerung. Character's turn is specified by underlined name.}

Micki instantly woke up when she was nearly sandwiched between the wall and a giant crate that hurtled toward her, grazing her shoulder as it passed her.

"Darn it. I feel asleep...." Looking down at her talismans, she sighed. Most of them were illegible, and one of them, obviously the one she fell asleep doing was nearly all scribbles and the wood was all messed up. Great, just wasted a talisman, Morthias would throw a fit if he knew about this. Morthias used to be her teacher, her mentor. He had been as strict as they come, yet he was a big softie towards her, and she appreciated it.

"I....might as well go to my bunk and get some actual sleep...." She shook her head to empty it of the evil memories that had begun to creep up on her in her sleep.

Mira woke in the afternoon, feeling quite refreshed. She had spent most of the night talking with Lucilious, orchestrating his meeting with a deep wanderer, unexpectedly encountering her siren friend, confronting Alyss, and finally, getting dinner, only an hour before the sun rose. She had some time to kill before her dinner meeting with Alyss and Xelon, so she went into the common area and rapped on Bartholomew's cabin, to see how he was doing. She still didn't know what the wispling had actually done, and shortly after the encounter, she had gotten the strangest feeling; an unfounded suspicion toward the fellow. "Good afternoon Barlow. Are you there?" She waited for a few moments, before receiving a mostly indecipherable answer about useless meal tokens and carbonate minerals. Mira had to consider his response for a minute or two before understanding Bartholomew's meaning. "There's nothing for you to eat in the dining car? You need carbonate or sulfate minerals?" The deep wanderer did not respond. Either he was sulking, or Mira had taken too long to answer and he had fallen asleep. "I'll see if I can find something." she told him, unsure if he was capable of hearing her, and looked around the car. There was nothing here, of course; those things wouldn't just be lying around. Maybe I'll find something in the cargo cars. Bartholomew was strange, but a nice fellow with deep insights, so Mira was happy to help him. Plus now she had an excuse to go where she probably wasn't supposed to, and that never stopped being fun.

Mira wandered down the train cars into the cargo section. As she entered the first freight car, the noisy rush of wind from the outside filled the space. Unlike the passenger cars, the couplings between the freight cars were un-housed, requiring caution to traverse. She closed the door, once again muffling the noise of the train, and crept further in, scanning the car for... Carbonate minerals? What do those even look like? where would I find them?Mira paused to review her classes in her mind. Micki was camped on the opposite side of a stack of crates, so Mira did not see her when entering the car.

Micki sighed and brushed a few stray strands of crimson hair out of her face, grumbling a bit under her breath when she caught sight of Mira, instantly moving back a few dozen steps. "W-who are you?" She felt her mind fill with a dozen reasons to run, right then and there.

"How long have you been standing there?" Her emerald eyes went back to emotionless, realizing she was going too far and starting to show her emotions on her face. Putting her hand to her shoulder, she hide the blood and the long deep scratch from view.

Mira was equally surprised to see another person in the car, dancing away and leaping backwards to land atop a stack of crates. She examined the figure, but didn't recognize her. Since Micki had boarded late, the kitsune did not know she was a fellow student of Nocturne. "I.. only just stepped in." She answered the girl's second question ignoring the first. She noticed how the girl quickly reigned in her initial emotions of alarm and fear, like dogs on a leash. She smelled blood, and elevated her ears, curious.

"I see." Straightening her back, Micki sighed a bit. "Pardon me, I have to leave. I didn't sleep too well." In actuality she was feeling light headed. This always happened when she saw blood or was injured herself.

She bowed to Mira and quickly turned on her heel, trying to leave as soon as possible before fainting. She knew her face was beginning to go pale and she shook her head. "I apologize." With her hand on the door, she turned slightly, the other hand still on her shoulder.

Mira saw her pallor, and that she was unsteady on her feet. When Micki turned to leave, she approached the girl, quietly so as not to scare her, but ready to act if the girl were to loose her balance crossing between the cars.

Nearly losing all sense of direction, Micki felt a presence behind her but didn't pay attention. She should probably heal her wound when she got to her cabin. Trying to cross from the cargo car to the other car, she began to feel herself lose all balance and she fell sideways, arms going out to save herself. She felt stupid. She probably should healed herself before getting out of the cargo car.

A hand reached out and grabbed hers. "Relax; I've got you." Mira stood behind, holding onto the handbars with her tails and other hand. She pulled the girl away from the edge, back into the cargo car. Then she backed off to give Micki space.

Instantly moving away from Mira, Micki went to healing herself, chanting softly, using the Talisman to channel her power. "Thank you." She said this softly, barely above a whisper.

"Sorry for intruding," Mira said to her, nodding. Then she went on her way, migrating further down the car. This girl was not a carbonate mineral, and even if she was, the kitsune highly doubted Micki would agree to being eaten by a deep wanderer. Mira had an objective to complete; the shy girl would soon be put out of her mind.

But maybe Micki knew where some carbonate minerals could be found. She had been hanging out in the cargo cars, after all. Mira turned on her heel as the thought crossed her head. She watched and waited as the girl healed herself.

"If you have a question, ask it." Micki could feel a question hanging in the air. She had no time to deal with this new wound she had been lazy enough to get and she had to eat. She was feeling hungry, and just a bit woozy.

"Please don't wait." Finishing her routine in order to complete the healing, she looked up at Mira, listening and watching her every expression.

"You've been in here longer than I" the fox girl stated. "Did you see any carbonate minerals?" When Micki looked at her like she was speaking a different language, Mira amended her question. "They're present in... certain metal ores, in their unrefined form." She recalled from her classes on chemistry. "Transmutation spells require complex understanding of the components involved" her professor would say. She remembered more, adding it to her description. "Limestone and marble are also largely composed of a carbonate mineral called calcite. Have you seen any statues in here?"

"Yes. I have. Over there in that big crate over there." Micki had spied the crystals, raw in their form, and pointed to the large crate. "Excuse me, I have things I need to do." Bowing stiffly to Mira, she awkwardly patted her shoulder and left the car, eyes straight ahead, still gripping her now aching arm. Don't break down right now. Her nails dug into her skin, breaking it.

Mira watched the nervous girl flee, mutilating the skin on her shoulder with her nails, an action she caught by the fresh scent of blood, rather than by sight. Huh, she though. I'm not that scary, am I? A smile slowly spread over her face; the idea appealed to her just a bit. It would be useful to have the power to frighten people with nothing but her appearance and polite conversation. I must learn how to do that at will, She decided, and resumed her quest, climbing the crates to reach the large one Micki had indicated. The kitsune collected two handfuls of the ore, and stopped. How was she going to get it back to her car unnoticed?

Taggerung · Oct 28, 2016

Joint post with @Rum Ham

Mira stood there thinking, her arms full of unrefined ore. Maybe it wasn't a good idea to bring this back through all the passenger cars; better that Bartholomew came here. She dumped the ore back into the crate, intending to cover it back up with the tarp that had been on it. The sound it made when it landed wasn't right though, it had hit something different. Ever curious, Mira rummaged through the ore at the top of the crate, ears forward to listen for more strange noises. She dug through the upper layer of ore, scattering some on the floor.

Underneath a thin layer of ore was a burlap cover concealing the rest of the crate's contents.

It smelled like illusions. If she wasn't a Kitsune, she might have thought it was just more coal.

Mira stood on her tiptoes as she leaned over the crate, the excitement of her discovery displayed by the waving of her two tails. She pulled off the tarp, throwing it to floor. Had the young kitsune been privy to Awren's experience in the cargo cars, she might have been a little more cautious. Fortunately, this tarp was merely enchanted with an illusion, and not one powerful enough to withstand her scrutiny as a kitsune. Beneath it, the crate was stuffed with weapons. And not just any kind of weapons. Runelock revolvers. Magic firearms. Probably not being legally transported.

Mira picks one up turning it over in her hands. As a functional item, it didn't interest her in the slightest. A crutch for unlucky people who don't have the ability to destroy things with their own magic, She thought. But still, they were well crafted, and maybe they could be useful in other ways. At the very least, their design could provide her with new techniques of her own, if she could only pick it apart correctly. She took one, then began replacing the tarp and ore that had concealed the goods. Mira considered the knowledge of the train's secret cargo more valuable than the contents.

What if there was more secret cargo?

Mira hesitated. there were a lot of crates here. And this was only the first car. What other secrets might be here? Bartholomew's meal forgotten, she tried to open one of the other crate that wasn't under the stack, but it was shut tight. The kitsune changed her approach, sniffing around each of the wooden boxes, searching for the scent of illusions. Funny how a spell designed to keep the cargo from scrutiny might now help me pick it out from the rest.

She found two more boxes, just in the first car. She'd need someone to help move things around to get at them, tho.

Looks like I'll definitely be bringing Barlow here. Mira decided. She stared at her prize, and it shimmered, becoming a bouquet of flowers, pink like the seraphim blossom in her hair. Satisfied that she could carry it without drawing suspicion, Mira left the freight car to find one of the other Nocturne students; one from the school of enchanting.

______________________________________________________________________________

Mira stood in the common room, waiting for an answer from the other side of the door on which she had just knocked. She didn't know which cabin was Awren's, but everyone in this car was a student from Nocture, so guessing wasn't a bad approach. Mira knew that Awren was an enchanter from her exchange with the headmaster prior to departure.

Oh gods, had he followed her? What good could come of that? That Ari boy was intruding on her study of her wonderful book on constructs, and he should have learned from before that Awrem had no interest in having her time wasted. Mighty Tesenn, insulter of the dishonorable, grant a sick tell-off. Awrem opened the door, then her mouth, then stopped. A fox girl? What was- oh. The fox girl. This was new. "I thought you were the boy. Can I help you?"

Mira wondered if Awren could keep a secret. Too late now, I guess. "I have something interesting that I would like you to take a look at." the kitsune said, being as vague as possible. "Can I come in?"

Awrem might never finish her book. "Yes, you may, but watch your tail. I have things in here." This might actually be interesting, or it might be another regret for the night.

Finish? Finish? It was more like the book was going to finish her. The diagrams! She could actually build some of this stuff, with the right tools and materials.

Mira stepped through the door, pulling her tails inside and closing it behind her. "You’re from the school of enchanting aren't you?" She offered Awren a bouquet of pink flowers. "I've never seen any constructed like this. Can you take it apart and tell me about the magic formula's in its build?" An awkward moment passed as Mira stood there, holding out the flowers.

Awrem took the flowers, looking over them closely. These... these were not flowers. Something was off. She dug through her bag and produced some of her enchanting tools. Within a few minutes the illusion was off, and it was now apparent that the bouquet was some kind of gun. Looking at it, Awrem said to her guest, "If you're an assassin, I don't want to know about it, and you should leave."

But if she left, that would be as good as telling him she was an assassin.

Mira almost laughed. "If I were an assassin, we wouldn't be having this conversation, and I certainly wouldn't be pointing the hand-grip of a gun at you, now, would I?" She asked. Further inspection revealed that she was indeed offering the weapon with the hand-grip towards Awren and the barrel pointed down. "I just thought you might like to inspect it more closely. It’s not a normal firearm... but I'm sure you've already noticed."

(Awren) "I'm not intimately familiar with firearms. There are very, very few back home. However, this one... I can't identify a proper mechanism. No, I think I see it. It's fired by making these two symbol-shaped contacts connect, isn't it? This can't be the most efficient way to operate a gun." Why was this so important? So she had a gun. Lots of people had guns.

It wasn't a luxury weapon. The craftsmanship was solid, but plain. The runes inscribed on the inside of the revolving chamber and along the barrel looked like they'd been made with a mold, rather than etched by hand. It was simple, reliable work for large scale production. Were these weapons usually produced like that? Maybe someone on the train would know more.

Awran said nothing more, but Mira got the feeling she wasn't impressed, and that she had wasted her fellow student's time. the kitsune didn't want their interaction to end like that, so she decided to spill the beans. "There's a whole crate full of them in the first cargo car. They were hidden under a layer of ore and an enchanted tarp."

(Awren) "So that's what that was. Is there anyone watching the crate?" It was a very nice gun, and getting one for free was an excellent opportunity. This has definitely not been a waste of time.

Mira's ears twitched "Was there... No, there was no one in the car. At least, not when I found this." Mira turned away, as if to leave. "Why does it matter? You didn't seem all that impressed with the weapon."

(Awren) "I didn't realize it was so available. It's a beautiful device. But, tell me, why did you show this to me?"

(Mira) "I thought it might interest you. I was also hoping you might have a guess as to why this train to Crowspit is loaded with weapons hidden underneath commercial goods."

(Awren) "The weapons could be commercial goods themselves. I certainly hope they are, anyway."

"Right; if they’re not, you don't want to know about it." Mira scoffed, slightly disappointed she hadn't been more informative. "I have to go assassinate somebody now." Mira opened the door, after setting the weapon on the table. "You can keep that; I don't need it. Goodbye." The fox girl left the room.

Well now, a free gun, and an inexplicably offended fellow passenger. Some people just weren't any good with social situations. Oh well. Awrem still had a very nice free gun. She went to work studying it.

Taggerung · Oct 31, 2016

Joint post with @Wixard, @Pajamas, and @Deasi

Xelon was furious! He hadn't slept at all. Instead he spent a good portion of the night talking to the so called attendants of this strange transport trying to find any clue of the phantom leader. The floating hat was not helpful. He spent the rest of the night fuming in his cabin sitting at the edge of the seat questioning why had he even agreed to this excursion in the first place?! He couldn't decide if the faculty of Nocturne was incompetent or negligent or both. When the sun rose he had lost the will to remain angry and decided to look for the other students he had not yet encountered. After an hour of pacing up and down the cars at first light (and another rude encounter with the manner-less hat) he found his anger once more. Was he the only one worried about this lack of leader!? He paced for another 30 minutes and then fell asleep sitting up to tired to figure out how to release the bed... He barely woke up with enough time to make it on time for his dinner arrangements.

Alyss was frustrated. Weaver hadn't answered her knocks last night, and as a result, she didn't have a replacement for her pillow or her door. After several frustrating hours of failure-interspersed with humiliating returns to Weaver's door to beg for a magic curtain-she finally managed to summon something permanent enough to guard her quarters.
With that, she slept. Waking well after lunch, she went to check on Xelon. It was probably close enough to dinner. Was he in his cabin? She'd check there first. She knocked.

Xelon was surprised to hear a knock at the door just as we woke. Was he late? COULD IT BE THE LEADER?! He shot up and lunged at the door and nearly breaking it open. He was only a little surprised and very excited to find Alyss standing at the door. "Alyss!" This time Xelon would have a proper reunion! He threw his arms around her and much more calmly said, "I'm sorry for disturbing you last night. It's good to see you again. I missed you."

At that moment, Mira stepped lightly out of one of the cabins. Not her cabin though... Awrens? She turned her head to look at the pair. "Wonderful," she said, mood lifting. "Looks like I'm right on time."

It seemed to Alyss that Xelon was the only one who didn't think she was weird or unreliable. She wasn't sure how to greet his enthusiastic friendship, but she wanted to say something to let him know she appreciated it. Using divine magic to overcome a bout of speechlessness was probably irresponsible, but she reached into her well of power regardless and opened her mouth to speak and--Mira interrupted.

Alyss shut her mouth and stepped away from Xelon's embrace. She shot Mira a glare to knock the moons together.

Mira appeared and Alyss stepped out of his hug. At least she didn't ignore him this time. Xelon looked at both the girls and said, "Perfect timing! Lets get going I could use a cup of tea."

"Yeah," Alyss mumbled, "Perfect."

Mira stared back at Alyss from behind her mask. She didn't seem very happy to see her. Had she done something to bother the pretty astrid? To Xelon, she responded. "After you." and followed her friends up the train.

Xelon: If the train was wider he would offer them his arms and walk them both to the dining car instead he took the lead. He hated to admit his defeat to the girls but confessed, "I didn't accomplish anything last night. I couldn't find any trace of our leader or any of the other students either. Needless to say I am disappointed in our school's faculty." But it would be obvious that he was getting a bit worried. "Were we even left with any instructions?"

Mira glanced over to see if Alyss would answer his question.

"We're supposed to do quests, and since no one asked the headmaster for advice I think he decided to let us make our own mistakes. Other than that he was pretty vague." Alyss sat down in the dining car. She was hungry, but not interested in trying to decide what to eat. Too much to think about.

Xelon: The siren was not pleased to hear this. He operated on orders and regiment. There needed to be some order to the group if all was to go well. "What has been done to organize the group? Have you all had any meetings?"

"Ever consider that maybe you're the leader?" Mira teased, setting one of her tails on Xelon's shoulder. "You seem to have a pretty good idea of what needs to be done."

Alyss smiled a little. Finally someone said it.

Xelon couldn't help it, he laughed very hard. He stopped himself as soon as he realized it. A siren's laugh was often an entrancing thing to hear. His was particularly charming though. "I couldn't possibly lead. I don't know who the other students are but surely there is another better suited. I'm only a first tier. Both of you are my seniors and I doubt the others would follow a a first tier." He did have plenty of experience leading people in dangerous situations under his king's command but the other student wouldn't know that. And it didn't that help he looked much younger than he actually was to most.

Alyss began counting off on her fingers. "One of our third-tiers, an Arachne called Weaver, has locked herself in her room, probably worried she'd going to stab someone. There's a crystal creature with us who has the attention span of a gnat and sleeps whenever he's bored. Our druid, Aristarchus, can barely bring himself to talk to anyone. Our enchanters, Micki and Awrem? They have no interest in the rest of the team. I could start hallucinating at any moment, so that leaves you...and her."
Alyss pointed to Mira.

Ari: The druid boy had spent most of the morning in his cabin, thinking and writing. However, he did eventually grow unbaringly hungry. He thus, out the seed back in the small bag and tucked it around his neck, slipping the leather strap over his head and hiding it in his shirt. He exited his cabin and closed the door, making his way to the dining car. He entered not long after and proceeded to order food.

"That's our druid," Alyss whispered.

Xelon looked over at the boy that Alyss pointed out. He was gloomy looking to say the least. He turned to them and asked, "Why isn't he sitting with us?!"

Taking responsibility of a bunch of students so fantastically broken or dysfunctional did not sound like Mira's idea of a good time. The Kitsune was about to say as much when an idea came to her.

Wouldn't this be the perfect opportunity to show Carn how much she had grown?

She thought on it while Alyss pointed out one of the other students to Xelon.

"Neither of you are ideal," Alyss continued. She glanced at the druid. "Ari, sit with us so we don't have to shout across the room at you." And then back to her teammates. "But I'll support either one of you, as best I can."

She moved to sit next to Xelon, leaving a spot open next to Mira for Ari. It wasn't necessary. Ari could have sat next to Xelon, but it was a good enough excuse.

Ari was now holding a plate of spaghetti and a glass of ice water. He hesitated, but made his way over to them without a word in response. He looked at the table, then slid into the empty space without so much as a thought to how it might make Mira feel.

Xelon would have normally stood to introduce himself to the druid but he slid right into his seat leaving Xelon half sitting half standing for a moment. Instead he sat and spoke up. "Hello, Ari yes? I am Xelon of Karasouras, it is my pleasure to make your acquaintance." He offered his hand to be shaken per human custom.

Mira offered Ari a smile as he came to sit next to her at their table. Xelon spoke first though, so she waited for him to finish greeting Ari.

Ari set his dishes down, then made eye contact with Mira. He gave her a very small shadow of a smile back. Then making eye contact with the stranger, he nodded. "Ari. Aristarchus. Ugh... mhm." He nodded again.

Alyss "So, who's the leader, Xelon or Mira?"

"Hold on we can't decide that sort of thing without the rest of the group!" Xelon wasn't ready to accept the role of leader especially without the group's opinion.

"We have to," Alyss insisted. "If we don't, they'll never go along with it."

Mira spoke up. "She is right. This is probably the most of us students we are ever going to manage to gather in one place without someone first being in charge. Are you sure you don't want the role Xelon?"

"Leader? Wait, who even are you?" Ari snapped and pointed his fork at Xelon. He didn't mean to be rude. He just didn't remember this person even being part of their group. Why should he be leader all of a sudden?

"I am Xelon, siren of Karasouras, aid to his might Xenos of Telenaikta; The Siren King, and first tier student at Nocturne, and I have no intention of leading a group without their consent. I mean no disrespect my friends but I think this is not something to be done in such haste." His tone was kind enough but certain. Xelon turned to Ari and said, "Aristarchus I am sorry to pull you straight into this but I am rather concerned that this matter hasn't been resolved. What are your thoughts about this? We have no leader and it sounds like we have no plan yet either. We can't face what lies ahead of us in such discord." Xelon was half standing again and a bit worked up. And very thirsty...

"So, I guess Mira's leading us then," Alyss said.

Alyss saw the expression on Xelon's face and backtracked. "Or, we could agree, just the four of us to follow one leader, and the rest of the group can join up if they want, or die on their own."

Ari stared at Xelon for a long time. He was surprised that Xelon actually wanted his opinion. He hesitated, though his eyes gave away how much of an opinion he actually had on the matter. His mouth opened multiple times, then closed again as he tried to arrange his thoughts. He was internally panicking about saying the wrong thing, or giving advice that would lead them all the wrong way and they blame him. He continued to stare at Xelon... his eyes revealing everything, if and only if you knew how to read them specifically. He quickly looked away and began dissecting the sand which that lay before him instead of answering.

Alyss winced. She hadn't meant it to come out like that.

Mira twitched her ears in amusement at the proceedings. "Then I shall accept the role of leader," she declared. "If it is the wish of all present." She added, looking directly at Ari.

"How many of us are there?" Xelon was worried deciding this without the others would breed discontent among the others even if they all agreed here.

"There are eight, if I recall correctly, so we have at least half of the students present right now." Mira addressed the siren's question. "The rest aren't here because they don't care."

"Actually, there are four," Alyss insisted. "Us four. The rest aren't part of the team. If they were, they'd be here."

"That's hardly fair." Xelon retorted. "The others don't even know we are here." He gestured to Ari, "Aristarchus is only here because you beckoned him. Lets hear what he has to say." Xelon looked at Ari expectantly

Ari looked up his sandwich again. His eyes surprised, but not very wide. He stared at Xelon, then looked at each of the others. "I... um... everyone was chosen to come for a reason... the Headmaster told me that... m-maybe we don't work together well... yet... I mean... yeah." He gulped and looked down, wringing his hands together. "We need to try harder?"

That was what Xelon wanted to hear! "Thank you!" This was a step in the right direction. "We do need to try harder. It sounds like nothing has been done yet." He turned to Mira, "You would make a fine leader for us and you know I would suport you but it is not our decision alone. When we finish here I think we should gather the others and discuss this." His hope would be written all over his face.

Alyss slammed her fists on the table and stood angrily. Nothing has been done yet? What had she been trying to do, all this time? She needed to calm down. No one would listen to her if she was shooting spells at them.

She took several deep breaths, regaining her composure enough to speak politely.

"Last night, I knocked on Weaver's door multiple times, begging her to talk to me. She's not interested. Too busy reading her books, I'd imagine. I checked again this morning. Before that, I tried to have this exact conversation with Micki and Ari. Micki stormed off. Before that, I rescued Awrem from a trap in the cargo car, and she's been trying to avoid me ever since. That just leaves us and the boulder, and if he was here he'd be asleep. So, respectfully, you don't know what you're talking about, Xelon."

"Alyss," Mira spoke calmly and softly. "This meeting will end the same way as your previous attempts if you do not remain civil," she warned. The kitsune turned her gaze on Xelon. "However, she is correct. Efforts have been made to reach the other students, but they have not meet with success. It is sensible that we discuss it with the others when possible, but for now we have to give them someone to follow. With the support of you three, I do not believe they will object."

Aristarchus listened to them all and nodded slowly. He was quiet on the outside, but inside... he was trying to think of ways to meet the others where they were and try to break through to them. Well... not really... more how to push them in the right direction and hope everybody clicked together eventually? what am I even thinking? This is ridiculous...

Alyss sat back down, feeling a little calmer. She risked a glance at Xelon. Hopefully he wasn't too upset by her outburst…

"Forgive me," Xelon said a bit ashamed, "I didn't mean it like that. The fact that the school did nothing about this is just frustrating me. I didn't mean to belittle your efforts but if the others are not cooperating then we can't exactly function as a team. If you insist we need a leader here and now then I ask that we do so carefully. If the others are not on board we could make things worse. But I want to propose this instead." He took a deep breath. " What if each of us took responsibility for one of the others, to reach out to them and pull them into the group tactfully. If we win their cooperation things will go better than if we force our decisions on them." What a mess they were in. But it could be made right he held onto that thought.

Mira looked at Alyss, worried that she'd snap again.

There was a crash as Ari fell out of his chair in surprise. One on one? No no no no no! He was then more surprised about suddenly being on the floor then about what Xelon had suggested, and stared up at the others with an embarrassed look in his eyes.

"That's all well and good," Alyss said, "But you're still looking at this wrong. We're not forcing them to do anything. We're forming our own group, and setting rules and plans for ourselves. If they join us, it will probably be because they don't want to deal with Crowspit alone. So forget about recruiting them, let's figure out what we're going to do when we get there, and--" Ari fell out of his chair. Alyss looked at him and blinked.

Mira also turned to look at the fallen human. He stared back up at them with a sheepish look, which made her laugh. "Is something the matter... ?" Unable to finish her sentence, she changed her question. "I don't believe I caught your full name."

"Are you all right down there?" Xelon was very confused, humans were so strange…

Ari quickly scrambled to his feet and fixed his forest green tunic. He bit his lip and nodded, but avoided eye contact with all of them.

"Alright then." Xelon cleared his throat. "I am also worried for our sake. What if we need them. I've heard that this Crowcaves place can be dangerous. It is better to be over prepared just in case." I have walked into battles where things went wrong before..." He paused very briefly. "I don't want to lose anyone here."

"Have you ever gone into battle with unreliable comrades?" Alyss asked.

Ari nodded in response to Alyss's question. Then quickly tried to hide the fact he had just responded. He fixed the chair and rejoined the group.

Xelon's tone changed it was very flat now. "I have gone into battle with unreliable comrades. That's largely why I am here."I have only just arrived let me at least try to reach out to the others. Perhaps we can agree on some other preperations to work on until then. Give me one of your days to try."

"I have to side with Alyss again." Mira sighed. "I'm sorry Xelon, we will have time to reach out and give each student an opportunity to join us, but if they want to strike out on their own, we cant help them and they won't be any help to us." Her ears swiveled towards the scraping of Ari fixing his chair, but she kept her focus across the table on her siren friend. "If they don't like me as leader, they have a good 4 days to get used to the idea."

Alyss wished Xelon wouldn't be so naive so she didn't have to disagree with him so often. "If we're all okay with Mira leading us, we should work out some rules, and swear to them. Rules for the leader especially."

With that, Alyss got up to peruse the food being offered. She was hungry, and done talking for a while. Someone else could figure out what the rules should be. It was time for her to stuff her face.

The Druid boy just looked at each of them in turn, coming back to Xelon multiple times.

"Very well do as you must." Xelon couldn't bring himself to exclude the others; it wasn't in his nature. But he couldn't convince this group either. "But I would ask that I might be your leader then. That way if the others refuse this decision made without them then we could set up Mira to lead the entire group. I would be easier to blame for the others, as first tier who arrived last. Maybe it would be the push they seem to need."

"You're a little too eager to fall on your sword," Alyss said. "I don't think that's what we need."

Mira too was becoming annoyed with Xelon's reluctance to accept a decision, and despite her best efforts, it was starting to show. "That's very thoughtful of you Xelon, but you said yourself they will be less likely to accept a first tier as leader. You called this meeting so we could accomplish something, not sit around and deliberate for fun." Her tails were becoming animated, in tandem with her emotions. "If you really think you are most suited to be leader, I would happily comply, but I will not go along with this plan designed to fail."

Xelon: The visible gem-like bones on his elbows and knees flashed a magenta warning, like light reflecting off metal. He was losing control now. These were his friends and they doubted him?! His voice would be both intoxicating and freighting. Anyone close enough without resistance to magical influence would be entranced when he spoke. "How could you dare speak to a friend like this. I would fall on my sword a thousand times if it would save your life or any other! I care only for the safety and success of this group or I wouldn't be here!" He was growing louder with each word. "I am aid to a mighty king and a leader of his court and his legions warriors. And yet you speak as though you doubt me! I might not dwell on the surface but where I come from friends do not disrespect one another so!" He felt his jaw loosen a bit and that was what snapped him out of his anger. He had lost control completely. His countenance fell. He truly felt this way but hadn't meant to say it. "You'll forgive me I hope but I have never known such discord in a group. Surely this is a test and we are failing it. If we can not get the others to join us, then we should quit before this forsaken train arrives at the Pit of Crows." He was visibly embarrassed now. But would hold his ground.

Alyss had sworn to shout at him the next time he used his persuasive magic on her. As a member of an angelic race, she was physically compelled to follow through on it.

"Discord? You're the one who's disagreeing! Your friends are all here and you're the one who WON'T LISTEN! You're the one getting in the way! You're so concerned that the other students might object that you won't let us make ANY PROGRESS AT ALL! Don't you get it? We have more to talk about than who's going to be leader. We need a plan. We need to know what we're walking into. WHY DID YOU EVEN COME TO THIS MEETING?! To make excuses and objections as to why we couldn't accomplish anything? I've done my best to compromise with you, but you won't budge an inch! You're too concerned about STRANGERS to listen to your friends. We can't worry about them if we can't look after ourselves!"

Alyss turned into an owl and flapped onto the table, tearing at the window's curtains with her beak. It was cathartic. She loved tearing! At least she did when she was an owl.

Aristarchus bent over the table and covered his head shaking. He was trying to be strong, but there was so much shouting... so much anger... again, he was wondering why he hadn't just been left alone. Was it really his lot in life to just be the starter of arguments? He bit his lip as he tried to stop shaking, and shut his eyes tightly, though his face was nearly against the table. He wanted to run. He wanted to shut everything out. No shouting... no more shouting... why was there always shouting?!

Xelon's magic loosened the kitsune's tentative hold on her emotions, and Alyss's anger galvanized her own. Mira dropped her gaze and lowered one hand to her side, her tails becoming still. She whispered something too quiet for them to hear, but it held a menace that was not easy to ignore.

Xelon looked around the table. First at the owl tearing at the curtain, then the human trying to fuse his face with the table. Finally at the kitsune who was very quiet. What had he signed up for? "I'm sorry you feel that way. You have my full support to do as you wish. I will stand by you all in what ever you choose. I hope you'll forgive my dissent." He turned to the Mira and asked, "I didn't make out what you said I'm sorry."

"I said... Do you want me to kill you both?" A terrifying aura of bloodlust radiated out from Mira as she stood, knocking over her chair, hand poised above her uchigatana. Sharing a combat class with her, Xelon would know that if this was an idle threat she would have actually drawn her sword. "I know the the lay of the land of the place we're going. I know what cargo this train is taking there," the fox girl bared her fangs. "The other students will listen to me, and so will you." She spoke without raising her voice, her words calm and cold.

They weren't entirely alone in the dining car, and the shouting and magic had attracted some attention. Specifically, one of the inquisitors that was travelling to Crowspit. He wore a dark blue uniform decorated with silver. One of his hands rested on a holstered firearm. The other gently came to rest on Mira's shoulder as he smiled disarmingly.

"Calm, milady, calm. I do hope we can resolve this without an excess of violence?"

Alyss made one last halfhearted rip at the curtain and turned back into a person. "I was compelled by oath to yell at him," she explained, indicating Xelon.

Meanwhile, another passenger, a 13 year old girl with white hair and green robes, sat down next to Ari. "Are you alright? You look like a mouse in a barrel of angry foxes."

The inquisitor standing behind Mira touched her on the shoulder.
In that instant, Mira drew her sword while spinning on her toes, delivering a powerful slash towards the man.

The blade passed through him like it cut air, causing his image to become distorted, smeared for a moment before snapping back into place and vanishing the next moment. When it vanished, he was standing just a few feet behind it. The odor of a broken illusion washed over Mira. Had she been too distracted to detect it, or was he just that good?

"Got that out of your system?" He asked.

Mira's sword hand trembled, and the uchigatana fell from her grasp, clattering on the floor of the train car. Missing an illusion had shaken her confidence, and with that, she realized what she was doing. "I... " She shuddered, crouching, her ears flattening and turning back. She was scared, but not of the inquisitor. Mira slowly turned to face the other students; her friends... at least they were. "I..."

Xelon was't angry but he was shocked. Did Mira just threaten to kill them?! He kept quiet as a man and a young girl approached the table. He just hoped they wouldn't have to fight their way out of this. The man was some sort of authority but he wasn't human at least he didn't smell human. Mira swung at him after he spoke to her. Xelon was surprised when the man just took it and disappeared. When Mira snapped out of it, he wanted to apologize but now she seemed more humbled by it than him. "Its okay..." was all he could muster.

Ari gasped and looked at the little girl, almost peeking at her over his arms. He was still shaking and just stared into her eyes, his grey ones like a stormy sea. For that... was the storm he really needed to calm

"You're a druid aren't you?" I'm Cocoa, from the order of Mothwind. "Where are you from?" Mothwind was an order of druidic monks, they practiced a balance between the harsh and gentle aspects of nature, working with many different circles of druids, despite being a fairly minor order themselves.

"Seems like we all have tempers that need...tempering," Alyss said. "Maybe we can learn something from Aristarchus."

"No harm done," the inquisitor assured Mira, coming closer slowly. "Are you alright?" He glanced up at Xelon. "How long have you known her? Is this her true form?"

Xelon took a deep breath composing himself. "I have known her long enough to tell you that this is her only form and that this is aberrant behavior brought on by a stressful trip. It won't happen again; I can vouch for that. She is a good person and a good friend."

"I'll leave her in your care then," the inquisitor said. "My companions wouldn't like it, but they're not here."

Ari was still shaking heavily, but at least he was keeping eye contact. "T... T... Terlson Valley." He stuttered, breathing unsteady.

Mira had sunk to her knees, head bowed. "Alyss... Xelon... I'm so sorry." She removed her visor, spilling the tears that had welled up behind it onto the ground. "P-p-please... don't tell the others."

"What's it like?" Cocoa asked Ari.

"You'd have to see it..." Ari responded to the girl. He gulped. He glanced at his teammates, still scared.

Alyss nudged Xelon. If she tried to comfort Mira, it'd probably backfire.

Xelon felt Alyss nudge him. But he was ready to act regardless. He knelt next to Mira and held her. "I'm sorry. We can still pull this all together. We will be okay."

Alyss: "Let's all think about what we can contribute and reconvene in a few hours."

Mira let her friend hold her, resting her head on his shoulder and crying some more. "Thank you..."

Rum Ham · Nov 2, 2016

(Joint post with Wixard)

Alyss withdrew to her cabin and meditated, hoping some honest self-reflection would shed light on the sequence of disasters she'd been part of, and help her calm down a little. She started with the most recent catastrophe, it was still fresh in her mind. While it hadn't gone as poorly as it could have--case: no one died--it certainly could have gone better. For one thing, she'd messed everything up by shouting and having a meltdown. On the other hand, she'd been under oath, so she hadn't had much of a choice. Now that that oath was fulfilled she had to remember not to make stupid oaths in the future. And as much as she wanted to make things better, she was a mess. She'd scared Aristarchus half to death, so she wasn't going to have much luck encouraging him. She'd just have to hope that wispling could calm him down. As far as Mira and Xelon went...Xelon was already doing his best to console her. And she really didn't want to watch that. It was her own stupid fault. Maybe if she told Xelon how she felt, things would be easier. Or at least simpler. Instead, she got jealous. She knew that it wasn't Xelon and Mira's fault, it was her own insecurity that made her feel this way. And it was her power that made her feel insecure. She sympathized with Awrem's bizarre refusal to believe in magic. She didn't understand it but she sympathized. Magic had ruined her life. Maybe she could contribute by bringing Awrem on board. She had a chance, there wasn't any emotional mess to sort out there. Awrem was so logical it was irritating, but it was worth a shot. An attempt to redeem herself, if nothing else. Resolute, she concluded her meditation and knocked on Awrem's door.

The idea of guns had always been somewhat interesting to Awrem, mostly because they were incredibly uncommon in her homeland. However, actually studying them was often something of a letdown; they were either all simple mechanical devices, or maddeningly overcomplicated machines fueled by energy that didn't seem to be stored anywhere. This was of the second type, and Awrem simply didn't understand the kinds of runes used well enough to figure out the weapon's workings. One day she would learn what language they were, and perhaps understand this world much better. For now, there was an almost welcome knock at the door. It would be a good excuse to put away the murder toy. Awrem set down the gun and answered the door, finding a distressed-looking Alyss, the airhead. So far Alyss was the most competent student on this train, and the least afraid of the idea of people. Awrem briefly thought she might have been a bit too quick to judge the odd girl the night before. "Alyss," she said in a tone meant to imitate but ultimately insulted friendliness, "I didn't expect you. What brings you here?"

"It's a long story," Alyss said, smiling enough to force back a sigh. "Mind if I owl?"

What? "I suppose not. Please, come in," Awrem stumbled through, stepping back to allow her guest into her room.

Alyss turned into an owl and flapped over to Awrem's dresser, perching comfortably on a drawer that was slightly open. "So, the short version is, four of us have formed a party with Mira as the leader, and I, well, we, would like you to join it." The owl's beak wasn't moving. Even if it had been, it wasn't capable of forming the words. Yet Alyss's voice was the same.

What the hell. Owl. The verb owl. Somota, defender of grammar, send help. "You've formed a group. Alright. Of who, exactly?" Awrem asked.

"Xelon is one, he's only a first tier, but he spent some time commanding armies for the Siren King before he came to Academia Nocturne, so he's not as green as you'd expect a first tier to be. There's Mira, the Kitsune, of course, and me. And we got Aristarchus the druid to talk a little," replied Alyss. *And then unintentionally ensured that he won't ever talk again* Small victories, right? Or colossal defeats. Yeah, being an owl made this easier. Most people didn't know how to read an owl's body language and facial expressions. This would be so much harder to sell if she gave away how utterly disappointing she was in Xelon's ability to maintain order. Or how disgusted she was with herself for nearly blowing the whole thing, or how much she was worried about Mira, or Aristarchus. Shucks. Maybe Awrem would be better off alone. No, she couldn't think that way. Besides, she knew it wasn't true. Not really. They had stuff to work through, sure, but they could help each other. She resisted the urge to chew on some fabric. Awrem probably wouldn't like having to replace her socks.

"You made Rista talk? You must really be a powerful sorcerer then," said Awrem. "Next you should make Mira more polite. Tell me about this Xelon, though. I don't believe I've heard of him. If he's commanded armies, then he might just be able to get two of them to work together."

Alyss really wanted to chew something. She fidgeted a little, thought about how delicious demon mice were, and wondered if she could get any in Crowspit. She needed a treat. Honesty was the best policy, she decided. Awrem was bound to find out sooner or later. "Honestly, we have some stuff to work through. All of us, I mean. Xelon's a little naive...and perhaps a little too used to command, he reacted like we were being insubordinate when we disagreed with him. It was probably wise to make Mira the leader instead. He's a skilled fighter though. He's intelligent, and charming, and kind..." Alyss trailed off, realizing that her tone might be giving away more than she intended. She rotated her owl head to look at Awrem. Awrem was smart, but she could totally miss the fact that Alyss...liked...Xelon. By virtue of not caring, probably. Still...

"Tell me, is there some reason we need a leader?" Awrem asked. "Can we not make our own decisions without-" Hold on. Rista and the red-haired girl. "Maybe some of us can't. But what does your leader actually do?" Furthermore, what was Awrem hearing in Alyss' voice? She didn't quite sound like someone just describing a person. Maybe it wasn't important.

Was she actually getting through to someone? Alyss wondered. Praise heavens, finally! And what's more, the conversation was on her home territory! This was...awesome! "It's important that those of us who can make good decisions by ourselves do so. Our leader is just a student, like us, after all. She can't babysit us all. We have to handle the everyday stuff on our own. But she can figure out who does what best, and help organize us to deal with tougher challenges, and send people to go looking for anyone who might go missing in the cargo cars." She wasn't sure if that last sentence was a good idea. Awrem might be insulted by it. But if she hadn't misread her, Awrem would see the practicality of her point. Alyss couldn't believe she'd ever been annoyed by this girl's rigid logical-ness. It was so refreshing!

"Surely properly marked dining cars are a better solution than search parties?" Awrem said, choosing to be only the slightest bit irritated by her guest's choice of words. "But moving on. This might not be a bad idea as long as everyone can sit down at a table and discuss things like functioning human beings." There was no way in any of the thousand hells that would happen, of course, but what was wrong with a little hope?

"We have all summer to learn how to do that," Alyss said, with only a little bit more enthusiasm than she felt. "Hey, what's that?" She asked, noticing the firearm Awrem had set aside.

"Oh, this. Some kind of energy gun. Mira brought it a while ago. Apparently lots of these are hidden in crates in the back. I've been studying this one until now, but so far I can't figure out its mechanism completely."

"Maybe I can help?" Alyss offered. This was a great opportunity to show Awrem that working together was worthwhile, if difficult at times. "Divination school teaches arcane language classes earlier than Enchantment. I could get my books and... Actually," she said, rotating her owl head to the side. "There's an inquisitor on this train with a weapon like that. Maybe he could save us some work. Academia Nocturne is in good standing with the Order of the Astral Chain, and he seemed friendlier than most of us are."

"Yes, maybe I should talk to him. I would also very much like you to show me these arcane languages. There seems to be almost no pattern to the runes I see everywhere." It seemed Alyss was a gift straight from Amtagen, guardian of surprisingly useful strangers.

"We'll go together!" Alyss said. "I'm curious about this weapon myself." She flew into the hall and turned back into a girl.

Awrem followed the girl-turned-owl-turned-girl into the hall. Some day she had to figure out how she did that. That would have to be another day though, because right now there was a gun to figure out.

Rum Ham · Nov 15, 2016

(Another dank joint with Wixard)

They found the gunslinger in the common car, chatting with another inquisitor. This one wore a helm and a chest plate. He was patiently listening to the gunslinger prattle on, showing no outward sign of annoyance. "So, anyway," the gunslinger said, having finished a winding story about something bearing only the faintest relevance to the current topic, "I think that kitsune trained with Carn. Isn't that interesting?"

Awrem approached the two men and said, "Excuse me, but you two seem knowledgeable. Can you tell me anything about this?" She carefully produced the revolver.

The gunslinger laughed. "Looks like our case just burst wide open, Nikeshi." He turned to Awrem and Alyss. "Didn't expect to see you again so soon. Small world, eh?" he said to Alyss. "We're on the same train," his companion, Nikeshi, mumbled. "Small train then," Dain, the gunslinger replied. "I'm glad we bumped into each other earlier. Would you please tell us about this gun." "Sure!" Dain said agreeably, turning around to sit backwards in his chair and folding his arms over the back of it. "We should interrogate them," Nikeshi said. "What's it look like I'm doing?"

This hardly seemed like an interrogation, but Awrem wasn't going to correct them. Better to let them do what they'd do and just get the information. "Is there a problem?"

"Well," Dain said, smiling. "Since you're all students of Academia Nocturne, I doubt you're mixed up in this. But keep this to yourselves, alright? Even among your teammates. You never know what trouble a slip of the tongue can cause." He winked. Dashingly. "Someone's been smuggling illegal runelocks into Crowspit. We were on our way to investigate on behalf of the runesmith's guild in Kon Toura. That, and other things."

"Dain, if this is an interrogation, why are they getting all the information?" Nikeshi asked.

"Oh, right," Dain said, "So, I'm gonna need you fine ladies to tell me where you got that, and who else knows about it."

This was perfectly fine for Awrem, since she hadn't planned to telling all her friends about her illicit magical gun for obvious reasons. "The fox girl, Mira, she brought it to me from a cargo car. I do not know who else she may have told."

"She plays things pretty close to the chest," Alyss speculated. "So maybe we're the only ones who know." Dain nodded at Nikeshi and he nodded back, stood, and left. "Well then, that's all we need to know. Have a seat," Dain suggested. Awrem had a seat. Maybe now he'd tell her something about the gun.

Alyss also sat. Dain took the gun from Awrem's hand and carefully examined the runes. "So, how much do you know about runelocks?"

"Not enough. Firearms are almost alien, and runes have yet to make logical sense to me."

"This rune language is called Karqu," Dain said. "It's a simple, practical language. It lacks the potency of some of the more elegant ones, like these, but it's much easier to master." Dain drew his own runelock revolver, a sleeker, custom work. The runes on it were much smaller and more complicated. Also, they were white instead of yellow. "Runelocks are typically custom made. Runing a firearm is no simple matter, and it's too time consuming to mass produce. Someone's figured out a way to do it using these simpler runes. They're nothing like my weapons, but they're still runelocks. The combination of physical and magical attacks means it can hurt just about anything, from incorporeals that can't physically be touched to constructs made from magic resistant materials. That's why they're in such high demand."

Finally this was getting interesting. "Someone wants entire crates of these, and someone else can make crates of these. Hm. Tell me sir, can runes of any language work?" Probably not, she guessed. Usually there was some irrational, mystical reason why certain forces only worked when treated with enough ritualism. They probably always worked, but the rituals were just too important.

"Any runic language, in theory." Dain said. "Of course, some just aren't used. Too impractical. Better for other things." "Is there anyplace in Crowspit where we can get weapons like yours?" Alyss asked.

Dain laughed. "I doubt it, and definitely not at your price point. You can keep this though." He tossed the gun back.

Awrem took it back and began examining the runes more closely before realizing she could do that better on her own. "Thank you," she said to the charismatic gun expert.

"You're welcome. Also, you'll need bullets for that."

"What sort?"

Dain laughed. "Runic bullets, what else?"

Alright, no need to laugh at ignorance."Of course. I can get these in Crowspit?"

"Well, probably not, since we're going to arrest the people selling them. Unless...you'd like to help us run a sting?"

"You mean help you make the arrests?" Awrem was going by context. This use of the word 'sting' was new to her. "How?"

"It'll be dangerous," Dain promised. "But if it all works out, maybe I can swing you two a pair of real runelocks and some ammo. I haven't worked out the details yet."

"That counts as a quest, right?" Alyss wondered aloud.

"I can write up a quest commission if you'd like," Dain said.

Real runelocks, and with them knowledge of runes themselves. This sounded quite worthwhile, Awrem thought. "Please do so."

"Alright, I'll work up a plan and get back to you." He looked excited.

"We will leave you to it." Awrem wanted to talk to Alyss anyway.

Alyss looked up and smiled at the sound of her name, but her eyes didn't focus on Awrem. It was like she was looking through her, or past her. Awrem got the impression she hadn't really understood.

Oh no, she was doing that thing she did. The thing with the spacing out for Ensoza (may his name never escape your mouth) knew how long. Awrem sat back down.

Pajamas · Nov 16, 2016

(Joint post with Nightmares Angel)

After Xelon saw Mira to her room he was in a very odd mood. He couldn't figure out what to feel; it wasn't a problem he had experienced before. He was restless and impassioned to do something about the unity of the group. So he headed back to his cabin. He had seen Mira come out of one of the doors near his own so he figured it likely that he could find some of the other students here. Xelon bit at the inside of his lip. He paced up and down the hall near his cabin. When he mustered up some decisiveness he knocked on a door near his.

Finishing the last chant to her talisman, Micki nearly jumped and yelped loudly at a knock at her door, causing more than a dozen half done talismans to crash to the ground, causing her heart to leap into her throat.

"E-excuse me! J-just a moment!" For the first time since that time, she had never felt so nervous and troubled. She hadn't blushed this much in ages. Scrambling to pick up every single last one of her talismans; she stopped the midst and opened the door, her thick red hair all over the place and her emerald eyes showing every emotion she struggled to keep hidden.

"Yes? H-how may I help you?" The person before her was a Siren, that much she knew. The soft green-ish blue hue was a sig for one. Pushing her emotions away, she instantly was back to emotionless.

This wasn't like Xelon. This was rude and he wasn't rude. Not normally anyway. He heard a calmer from inside the cabin. Great! Now he had scared some poor stranger! He heard a startled, "Just a minute!" When the door opened he was very embarrassed with himself.

A beautiful young girl with hair like fire stood before him. He was a bit shocked but he wasn't sure why. Her brilliant green eyes looked a bit shocked as well, but then she seemed to turn emotionless. "Yes? H-how may I help you?"

Oh what a mess he thought! How could he be so rude?! He bowed so quickly and rigidly it probably looked very odd. "Forgive my intrusion." He said it as quickly and politely as he could. "Are you a student at Nocturne?"

"Yes, I am." Her eyes flickered with a bit of confusion, then she bowed back to the strange person in front of her. He looked extremely interesting, and he seemed to feel very awkward around her, which was new to her. Most people felt like they should fully avoid her. "Please come in." Micki had one arm full of talismans, while the other was almost full to overflowing. Stepping back, she let him in, sure the mess of talismans looked very professional. "Sorry....you kinda scared me."

Inwardly, she cursed herself. Her voice was automatically switching back to her own country ways. What was up with this guy? She felt completely at ease with this man before her and she was utterly confused, her eyebrows knitting together.

"Pardon, my name is Micki, Micki Jetnzie." Struggling to not lose all her talismans as she knelt to pick up the rest, she felt a slightly blush creep up into her face. What was wrong with her? This was like she was trying to make a friend...a best friend. Why was she so utterly at ease with this person?!

He was very surprised but his oddly emotional plan seemed to be working! She said she was from Nocturne! And she even invited him in! His emotions were still in a knot but happiness was in there somewhere now. He didn't realize he was still bowing until she said, " Sorry... you kinda scared me." Now repentance was at the forefront of his emotion storm.

He shot up standing up a bit too straight now. He took one step inside And before he could apologize she introduced herself as "Micki, Micki Jetnzie."

He lost himself a bit and his voice became as soothing and warm as summer wine. "What a beautiful name." He stood almost in awe before the girl but quickly his manners stole him. He shook his head slightly. "Forgive me!" He almost shouted. "I am Xelon of Karasouras first tier at Nocturne, it is my pleasure to make your acquaintance Micki Jetnzie." He bowed again this time with an ounce of poise. "I wanted to come introduce myself to you and the others traveling with us. I arrived late you see and still haven't met everyone. I am sorry to intrude so, I've been a bit flustered since my arrival and quite unlike myself. It seems we aren't as prepared as I had hoped we would be."

"It's fine. No need to apologize.' She caught herself trying to smile and grimaced slightly, picking up the last of the talismans. "It is a pleasure to meet you as well Xelon of Karasouras. No need to worry." She was about to add, because I don't have anyone else to talk to, but swallowed her words, awkwardly putting the things to create powerful talismans into her multi pouch. "Please sit, if you wish to stay, I had some hot water on to make some tea....if you would like." Micki was astonished she was talking .....so civilly to another person.

Hurrying to the fireplace that had circled around it two thickly padded arm chairs and a tiny tea table on each sides of each chair, she gestured towards the seat opposite her own. Without thinking, Micki reached out and instantly burned her small hand on the hot iron that held the teapot above the fire. "Ouch!" She jumped and pulled her hand out, whispering this softly under her breath. "Pardon me for a moment." Her voice cracked a bit at the end as she scrambled for some cold water to cool the now aching red palm.

Xelon smiled. He wondered why Mira and Alyss had spoken so poorly of the "others" when Micki was so pleasant and very polite.

"I would love some, thank you." He stepped further inside towards the chairs. He saw Micki reach for the tea and burn herself. He cringed and reached out to her. "Let me see it, if I may." If she didn't resist he would take her hand in his and look at the burn then hold her hand to the gem-like cartilage of his elbow and rest it there. Sirens are coldblooded creatures and their body temperature is naturally much colder than humans. Micki would feel the gem to be cool to the touch and at the same time his skin would be warm.

'How's that?" He would look her in the eyes with a deep and sincere expression of empathy. He hated to see others in pain.

For a instant, Micki hesitated, afraid of anyone's touch, then let him touch her, his cold hand gentle. His eyes, they seemed to reflect how she felt when she wanted to help those in pain. Her hand was now cool, laying gently on his elbow, and for some reason, she felt the urge to sleep, like she hadn't slept in ages.

This atmosphere was too....gentle. Shaking her head, she pulled back. "Thank you....." Her mask was nearly broken. This person was breaking her barrier and she was beginning to panic, her heart racing. "Pardon, I have to go get....something outside...." Without waiting for another second, she dashed out, her crimson hair flying behind her and her eyes filled with the fear of a wild animal.

The girl suddenly rushed out of the room. He shrugged. How odd these humans were. He didn't think much else of it though. She hadn't asked him to leave so he had a seat to wait for her. This was turning out much better than he had dared to hope. His emotions were now more or less sorted he was content, even excited. He had renewed hope for this trip and anticipated that he might even win a new friendship here. The siren sat quite content awaiting the girl's return with a grin on his face.

For a moment, she thought, her face bright red. Ugh! How can Xelon be so disarming? Shivering slightly, Micki sighed, gathering her thoughts.

"No need to be dramatic, let's just get this over with." With a grin, she gripped her fists, and walked right back into her room, confidence shattered when her eyes caught sight of Xelon's bright smile. Suddenly, she felt her heart stop. Someone hadn't smiled at her since....forever.

"Yes?" She could feel a blush creep up her face.

"Yes?" She said it like a question and Xelon was a bit confused but still quite jovial. He smiled a bit harder and nodded in the affirmative as if to answer her question. "Yes!" His tone was pleasant and inviting. He couldn't quite describe it but there was something about this human girl that put him at ease.

Micki's eyes widened, her mask now completely gone. She felt like she had known this person before and now all she wanted to do was talk to Xelon all night long, her emerald eyes looking at every expression his face made, ready to put up her barrier of defense at any moment's notice.

"Sorry. I was just asking what was so funny...." A smile made its way to her face, a slight one, but more than she had made for years. "May I ask why you have come here?" She had a feeling it wasn't for a social call, even if he seemed pleasant enough. He also seemed awkward in some ways, yet, there was something that reminded her of royalty and status about him.

"Of course! I'll ask your forgiveness once more." A bit embarrassed again he had to think for a moment how best to explain why he barged in on the girl.

"Well truthfully its all a bit confusing really. I was under the impression that there would be a great deal more structure to our expedition. But I have learned that its very much the opposite. We have no leader to speak of no clear agenda or plan and the group is not exactly cohesive to put it lightly. I think the main reason why I so rudely showed up unannounced like this was to get to know you and the others I haven't met. To see how we will all fit together at a team, to learn our strengths and weaknesses, and see what we all have done and can do to prepare for this journey of ours." His pale gray blue eyes would reflect genuine concern.

"I have heard some things about this Crowsnest place we are going and it doesn't sound like a place that we will survive if we are not prepared." The look on his face would turn grim. "I have fought many hard won battles and I don't want to lose anyone on this trip." When he stopped speaking his face would soften to a look of concern.

Sitting in her chair opposite Xelon's, she nodded slightly. "I see. I came because I was required to." If she hadn't spoken up to be a part of this group, she would have been stuck going back to her home. Reaching out, Micki patted his knee. "No need to worry. I would like to help you, however, not many people like me around." She wasn't trying to be creating a pity party around her, she was just being completely honest with herself. "However, if you believe that I should be helping you and healing others, then please let me know."

She could feel her eyes being drowned in Xelon's gentle gray-blue eyes. Knitting her eyebrows again in confusion, she sat up, her body jolting up. "Have....I seen you before? Like before today..." Maybe she saw him when she was little.

Xelon was surprised. "Meeting with you now I find it hard to believe people wouldn't like having you around. But regardless, I still want you around. And I believe you can help, especially if you are a healer! This is exactly why I've come!" He was now very hopeful and it would be written all over his face.

"I don't believe we have met before now I am certain I would remember. But perhaps we have seen each other in passing at school? What do you study at Nocturne?"

"I study Enchantment." This time she smiled brightly, her body now relaxed. Why does he remind her something like friends or something? "I understand that....but, I am not the most....social of types." Her eyes clouded over, reminding her of the food car on the train. She had messed up pretty badly with that one.

"Excuse me, I am going to use one of my talismans to heal my wound." Remembering the slight ache in her right hand, she stood from her chair and rummaged through her bag, her long hair hiding her pale face. It had been ages since she had been around another living being, and for some reason, she wasn't afraid or on edge, which was nice.

Bringing out a talisman that would heal her minor burn, she softly chanted and her hand slowly began to heal, glowing softly with a bright blue light. Her hair blew back from a breeze that came from the spell, revealing her bright eyes.

Placing the used board onto the nearest table, she trotted back to her seat, leaning back. "So, is it easy making friends for you?"

Xelon couldn't help but laugh! He didn't mean it to be rude. His laugh always sounded good though try as he might but he always let a bit of magic slip out when he laughed. Most found it intoxicating. When his fit stopped he apologized,

"I'm sorry I don't mean to be rude. Its just that sirens are very different from most surface dwellers. I didn't even know it could be difficult to make friends! My people are more than friendly. I can say with all honesty that I know more about some strangers back home than I do about people I call friends here." He half grimaced half smiled as if to mock himself, "Though I have had a much harder time getting to know humans. I'm surprised you say your not social because you're not like most humans, you are very easy to talk to. Most seem to put up a front but you are so sincere."

He suddenly grew somber. "Forgive me, again, that was presumptuous of me. I don't even know that you are human." He cocked his head to one side and squinted slightly, "You do appear human, at least to me..."

"I am Human as far as I know." Smiles softly. "I still believe you are a kind and gentle soul. Also, you can count on me always being there for you." Micki blurted the last part out without thinking. Those were the same words she had said to her best friend. What a lame joke that was. "I am anti-social...however, you seem to break me out of my shell...maybe it is because you are so un-arming."

"By the way, why do you keep speaking to me?" This was the most she had ever said in years. "Are you seriously willing to let me call you my friend?" Her eyes was pleading with Xelon's, her heart aching a bit.

Xelon smiled brightly! "To me we are friends already! And I would be insulted if you didn't." His tone was very maker of fact. "I am very glad to have met you Micki Jetnzie! You can count on me being there for you as well! I'm still skeptical about your being anti-social but even if you are I'm glad you're on my team. You seem very talented the way you healed yourself a moment ago. I am very impressed!" He gestured towards the magic device.

"I have trained using talismans since I can remember." Micki grinned softly. "I have a request to make of you..." Leaning forward, she hesitantly took Xelon's big hands in her small ones and looked at him earnestly. "Promise me that no matter what happens you will always stand on my side, even if I seem to be the bad guy."

"And....it was a pleasure to meet you as well Xelon." Instantly letting go of his hands, she leaned back.

Xelon stood balling his right hand into a fist he placed it over his heart and bowed as regal as a lion's pride and said, "You have my word." He smiled and doubted she could ever seem like 'the bad guy.' He sat again and asked, "May I request something from you as well?" He gestured to small hole in the links of golden mail skirt. "Would your magic be able to mend armor?"

"Yes. I can mend armor. Unless it is a metal that can be rusted. Metals that can be rusted are prone to exploding." Realizing that the metals within the armor wasn't explosive in nature, Micki stood up and took out a smaller, less decorated talisman.

"Stay still....unless you want part of the armor a part of you." Holding the talisman over the hole in the armor, she closed her emerald eyes, she softly chanted a few words under her breath. "There...." She could feel her mind go blank and she wobbled a bit as she stood up. I must have used too much to fix that.

Xelon remained still as Micki worked her magic. But he thought it might be nice if he could be one with his armor. She chanted something unintelligible very quietly and then she appeared very faint. Xelon reached out to help her steady herself. "Are you alright? Perhaps I should have mentioned the nature of the armor. It is made of a very dense metal forged with strong magics in thermal vents in very deep waters. I don't know if it makes a difference but it is very strong." His eyes now filled with concern. "It was a gift from my king." He smiled a worried little half smile.

"A gift from your king? Then you definitely needed it fixed." Her head was aching now. She should have asked what material it was made of. "I am fine. I mean...I should be anyway." Smiling slightly, she pushed Xelon's hands away. "Thank you." Patting his hands, she then slightly patted his cheek. "Don't worry about me. You should probably get some sleep...."

Xelon was a definitely worried when she started patting his cheek. "The armor is very dear to me but nothing to over exert yourself over. But all the same thank you very much. During my travels to board the train I caught the armor on a spine of my cetian serpent Naga. They are notorious for that among the serpent handlers of my people. But I think you're right, sleep is a good idea why don't you get some rest. Are you certain you'll be alright?" She didn't look quite alright.

"I am fine. Thanks for worrying about me though." Smiling a bit forcefully, she stood up from her seat and patted Xelon's shoulder this time. "Don't worry so much. Just get some sleep okay?" Pushing on his shoulder blades, Micki struggled to push him up onto his feet, sure if she hadn't done otherwise that he would end up talking to her all night, breaking more of her defenses down.

Xelon that hoped rest was all she needed. "Very well." He started towards the door. "Thank you for talking with me. I am glad to have another friend on board." He paused before opening the door. "While I'm still with you I wanted to ask who you might suggest I meet next? I have already spoken with Mira and Alyss but other than you I have only met Ari. I guess that leaves two others I haven't met. Do you know them?" Maybe his new friend could help him mend the situation before it got any worse.

"I have only met a few." She remembered Ari and Alyss and Mira, but couldn't come up with the names of the others she had come onto the train with. "I can't give you any advice, sorry. Anyways, feel free to find me again." Micki had no intention of hanging out with any of the other students. Not unless she grew a third eye. Also, she wasn't likely to give out the information that since she used so much energy that she wouldn't be able to sleep at all for days now.

"Good night Xelon." With a smile, Micki stood on her tip toes and patted his head, turning to leave, her soft green eyes turning into stone again.

She patted him on the head again and he smiled. "Well thank you all the same." He gave a shallow bow and said, "Good night. I hope we can all meet together, hopefully sooner rather than later. I'm very much looking forward to our adventures now!" He was truthfully getting excited now and it showed.

"I am as well." She giggled, the quickly covered her mouth, slamming the door in Xelon's face, her own face turning dark crimson. I giggled!? What....since when do I giggle? Within a second she realized she had just slammed the door in Xelon's face ad rushed to open it again. "S-sorry! I apologize!" Her voice was several octaves higher than normal. Micki bowed, her blood red hair falling in front of her face, staying in the bowing position.

Xelon stood there confused when he found the door slammed in face. Before he could find it rude she opened it again and apologized. He laughed deeply and bowed once more, bid her good night, and walked towards his cabin.

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