Fantasy Willowwood Conduits

[Prairerosethefirst]

Not far off a tad deeper in the forest two blonds were walking together through the overgrowth. The taller and older of the two chewing on some gum to relieve the bit of stress being caused by his younger counterpart.
“It's as if they just vanished… Receiver is gonna be pissed… more so with you than me this time. Ain't you supposed to be better at talking things through?” A taunting tone broke through Ink’s stirring thoughts.
Eel’s ever smiling face was turned to face him. After his released burst of frustration the assassin had gone back to his routine amount of teasing and being an overall menace.

 

[Keeperoftheghosts]

"Right, right, so then....how exactly do you plan to do any of that?" Chester asked starting to walk backwards just stretching out in boredom not paying attention to where he was going nor the sounds around them.
Ivory hummed in response looking down at the papers she was going through.
"Blue gave me a map with some areas to avoid along with the warning on the keyholders. We have a few cases we need to visit tonight and some of them are on the way. If this keyholder lady...Everett has some sort of control over Conduits it would make sense for her territory to be one of those they marked." She said letting out a satisfied ah, as she pulled out a folded up piece of paper.
Chester continued backwards stepping into sight of the two men.
"Wow, so....you're hoping to just stumble upon in it by luck, sounds like a blast." He said with a cackle.

 

[Prairerosethefirst]

“Who the hell is that?” Ink narrowed his eyes and turned Eel around to face the demon ghost ahead of them.
Both men glanced at each other before Eel grinned wide and went to escape from Ink’s grasp that tried to catch him.
“Damnit Miller!” He went and pulled out his pen and drew a quick wall. Using the back of the pen to slide it off the page and landed it to slow Eel down.
“Are you braindead? What if that's one of Everett’s? The treaty is in place for a reason.”

 

[Keeperoftheghosts]

Chester turned at the sound his red eyes widening a moment before a wild grin split across his face.
"Oh why hello there my fine gentleman what brings you to this lovely neck of the woods." He said crossing one leg over the other and whipping off his hat and bending down into a sideways bow.
Ivory looked up from her papers just in time to see what was happening stepping back with a strangled
"Chester. "

 

[Prairerosethefirst]

“Damnit… he must be…” Ink was cut off as Eel took Chester in and smirked. “He’s mine now, I like him. Gives me good vibes.” He jumped over the wall Ink had created and held out a hand.
“Pleasure dude! I'm Eel! Whatcha doing in our neck of the woods? Nonetheless all on your… lonesome…” He trailed off as he got closer and spotted a glimpse of firey curls. His hand pulling back from Chester in an instant.

 

[Keeperoftheghosts]

"Holy fuck, wait you're the lightening dude! Fuck yeah man, I knew you sounded cool! Names Chester, a.k.a the smiling demon..." he raised an eyebrow noticing his sudden change of attitude and held up his hand to wait grabbing Ivory and pulling her forward ignoring her shaking of her head.
"Red here is Ivory, you can ignore her though. "
Ivory gave Chester a pointed glare quickly shoving her files in her bag.
"...I'm sorry about the disturbance we'll be on our way." She said quickly twisting out of Chester's grasp and stepping back towards the treeline.

 

[Prairerosethefirst]

Ink moved in front of her and clicked his tongue. If Ivory were to really look at him the intricate tattoos on his arms and his messy blond hair were awfully familiar to a man who often passed her shop throughout the week.
Eel moved and shook Chester’s hand grinning once more. “Ah, a fan then? I didn't know I was famous…” His tone was perky but his narrowed gaze less so.
Someone had been digging dirt on them. And that meant they had some unwanted people roaming the forest. This man and woman would be the least of their problems if Receiver found out that word of Eel’s powers had gotten out.
Ink was well aware of this too and while Eel annoyed him didn't want the man wrongly punished for something that he doubted was his fault this time around.
“So… why are you two in this forest? I'm sure it's not for a little stroll considering the rumors that surround the area.” Ink’s green eyes glanced over at Eel who shrugged slightly.
“You’re definitely not Eve’s. Not enough prominent fear radiating from them. Or constant babble of how much trouble they would be in for treading on Receiver’s land.” Eel grinned with malicious intent as he stalked over to Ink and the woman.

 

[Keeperoftheghosts]

"Hell yeah man, I think? I've literally just heard of you once."
Ivory took a breath glancing at Chester for a moment of silence that was entirely too long for the typical observer with the ghost rolling his eyes and whipping his tail as she glanced back to Ink.
Half-truths was probably the best way to get out of this.
"No offense but I'm from the Appalachian Mountains...I'm not scared of some rumors....as for why we're here...Chester clearly can't just go walking around town-"
"Well I could if someone-"
"No, we've been over this, remember what happened last time? Anyway, we're here so he actually can walk around without restarting the witch trials. " she explained. While her words seemed to have some truth her voice had a slight waver at the end and she wasn't making eye contact.
Ivory shifted to the side and back to put a little distance between herself and the two strangers out of both discomfort of the sudden proximity and in hopes that Ink wouldn't recognize her.
"Anyway...we hadn't realized we've trespassed...we'll get out of your hair." She said apologetically tightening her grip of the strap of her messenger bag.

 

[Prairerosethefirst]

“Ey no trouble. Wanna walk with us then? Our current ventures are pointless anyways. Our targets for the night are well out of our reach.” Eel reached up a hand and punched Ink in the shoulder to prevent him from saying anything.
The man wincing in pain and glaring at the younger of the two. Ink rubbed at his shoulder and grabbed Eel by the collar of his shirt so he wouldn't follow Ivory as she backed up.
“What’s it like in the Appalachian territory?” Ink seemed more keen on figuring out what they were up to than the golden-eyed man stuck in his grip.

 

[Keeperoftheghosts]

Ivory and Chester exchanged glances
"Hell yeah!"
"...ah sorry I don't feel quite comfortable walking with two strange men at night...." the two spoke at the exact same time with Ivory pinching her forehead afterwards with a sigh.
"It's gorgeous, especially when you're up in the mountains and it's the first crack of dawn after a long night...it's the most beautiful sunrise in the world. " she said with a tone of fondness.
"Plus there's some really fucking cool creatures there." Chester added in with a grin.

 

[Prairerosethefirst]

Ink frowned a little bit. Clearly upset he couldn't see it for himself. Releasing Eel when the man threatened to bite him and crossed his arms.
“Do you live here in the forest then?” He pressed, eyeing Ivory a long time before a bit of recognition came to his face.
“Isn’t she…” Ink didn't finish this next sentence as Eel pushed past Chester and Ivory letting out a chuckle.
“There those bastards are! Fucking assholes thinking they could evade us!” He was already rushing off leaving Ink alone with Chester and Ivory.

 

[Keeperoftheghosts]

Ivory took the opportunity to step behind Chester.
"Ah! We'll take that as our cue to leave then, I ahhh...assume you have to go after him." She said with a grimace backing up realizing she had either been recognized or was about to be. Plus if they were both gone then she could send Vanilla to aid the victims or at the very least loop around to help the ghosts herself.
"...Come oooon can't we stay a little longer." Chester whined moving to follow Eel despite Ivory yelling at him mentally.

 

[Prairerosethefirst]

Ink shrugged. “He’s pretty good at his job without me. Plus he liked Chester was it? So it's not like I will have to chase him down.” He moved and pulled out a small notebook.
“Ivory right? Don't you own that… what’s it called shop? For paranormal artifacts? I had planned on sending Manta Ray over sometime since she’s into that sort of thing… but her and Eel aren't on the best of terms and I would prefer my coworker to not try killing me just because I said a word to his sister.”

 

[Keeperoftheghosts]

Ivory gave Chester a futitave glance sensing this wasn't a conversation that she could get out of and grimaced.
"Oh...that's ummm....a tough situation for sure....are you sure you should be telling me that...I don't think your friend would like you telling a stranger about his personal life if what you're saying is true...." she said nervously pulling her coffee mug out of the side pocket of her bag taking a shaky swig. She was very deliberate to not answer the first part in hopes that he would forget the shop name.

 

[Prairerosethefirst]

Ink was quiet a moment as a few gunshots went off. Eyeing the horizon in wait for Eel to return. The wheels in his head turning.
“I don't see why he would. It's something he openly discusses.” Ink glanced at Chester.
“He’s a ghost, right? That would be the only explanation as to why you could have a shop downtown and offhandedly mention he couldn't be seen there.” Ink arched an eyebrow sighing as Eel came back and was tucking away a gun into his pocket.

 

[Keeperoftheghosts]

Ivory flinched at the sound of gunshots turning pale and covering her ears, removing her hands once the sound was over.
Chester on the other hand rolled his eyes hitting the ginger with his tail in annoyance.
"You bet I'm a ghost." He said proudly with a bow.
"At your gents service." He grinned with a wave to the returning Eel.
"...I was more so referring to the fact that he has a tail and horns is dressed to suit the 18th century...." Ivory muttered clicking the stop of her travel mug down so she wouldn't lose any of the precious caffinated beverage.

 

[Prairerosethefirst]

Eel saluted in greeting and walked over bumping Chester’s shoulder in a friendly manner before lifting his chin proudly. “Mission accomplished general.” He teased out and avoided when Ink went to bat him down. Slinking around and leaning on Ink’s side.
“Ah much better. Now at least she won’t have my head for that problem.” He snickered out and eyed Ivory. He seemed more on edge with her around than should really be reasonable.

 

[Keeperoftheghosts]

Chester hit him with his tail back with a slight cackle himself.
"Radical my dude...people still use that right?"
Ivory bit her lip fidgeting with the beads of her bracelets, glancing between the two men quite wary herself. She took note of Eel's seeming edge though. This could be an out...or at least a way for her to get some space.
"I can go it I'm causing discomfort, I still have to be within one hundred yards if you want to talk to Chester though. " She offered.

 

[Prairerosethefirst]

Eel waved her off as he looked back to Chester. “Yeah radical isn't that outdated yet.” He pushed off Ink and went to hang out with Chester.
The older deciding to walk with Ivory not worried for Chester’s safety with the madman.
“Ink!! You should show Chess here your little drawing show thingy. We can fuck with the lady later.” He cut a glance between them both. “She said she ain't going far. If anything we can hunt her back down.”

 

[Keeperoftheghosts]

Ivory sighed rubbing her forehead exhausted.
"You can stay with them if you prefer...I mean I could technically go far but you would notice pretty quick....plus you literally know where I live apparently. " she said letting out a little frustrated groan at the realization.
"...Also don't talk about me as if I'm not here please." She said looking over from where she started to wander.
If she was by herself she could at least go check and see if there were any ghosts left by the killings and help direct them to Nana or move on if they wished.
"Oooh, wait what draw thing?" Chester asked with an eager tone.

 

[Prairerosethefirst]

Ink huffed and walked back over taking out his pen. “It's not a game Eel… plus I'm not wasting more pages for you to show off again…” He grumbled and grunted as Eel elbowed his stomach.
“Stop being no fun!! Come ooon! It takes you less than a minute to at least draw a fish dude.” He was completely ignoring Ivory and her request focusing instead on getting Ink to do what he wanted.
“Do it or I’ll make sure your life is ruined more than it already is.” He hissed under his breath as Ink glared at him.
“Go on then.” He giggled as Ink took out his notepad and drew handcuffs.
He then tore the page out and used the back of the pen to slide it off the page creating real handcuffs and before Eel could react cuffed his partner’s hands together.

 

[Keeperoftheghosts]

Chester snickered at the two's fight up until Ink put the handcuffs on Eel.
"Wow dude uncalled for, let him go!" Chester said shooting a glare at him and trying to help Marvin take the handcuffs off.
"Got to admit pretty fucking cool, but let my new friend go." He said narrowing his eyes at Ink.
Ivory let out a sigh of relief taking the two's bickering to slip out of sight and take off in a run towards the sound of the gunshots hoping that it wasn't too far away that it would cause Chester to disappear and tip them off.

 

[Prairerosethefirst]

Ink tilted up his chin eyeing Eel who chuckled and leaned the cuffs up to his face and licked it to get it wet and make it dissolve. “Nice try.” He said as he freed one of his hands and wiped his slobber on Ink’s cheek making him cringe and back off to wipe at it. “You’re disgusting!” He growled out.

Two bodies were on the ground soaked in their own blood. Only one ghost was visible though. Sobbing under a tree and wailing in grief. It was a girl. With messy black curls and a mark etched into the back of her hand. A mark that was also on Ink’s arm hidden between all his tattoos.

 

[Keeperoftheghosts]

Chester let out a cackles of laughter at the action.
"Wait, wait, wait, your weakness is spit? Dude that's even more common then table salt." He said clutching his sides between laughs his eyes sparkling with mischievous mirth.

"...Excuse me ma'am?" Ivory said softly announcing herself before stepping into sight as to not startle the grieving woman. She approached gently to make sure she knew she wasn't a threat.
"...My name is Ivory...I'm a conduit I'm here to help." She offered careful to step around the bodies respectfully.

 

[Prairerosethefirst]

“Anything wet really. It's essentially made of paper.” Eel laughed as Ink had stepped away to clean off his face. Eel chuckling after a moment. “But yeah compared to his siblings he fucking sucks. Without that pen he’s powerless actually.” Eel shrugged eyeing Chester closely.

“Conduit…. Like… like those people Sofia likes to chase down…. What... You shouldn't be here… Receiver’s are near they can't know what you can do! You’ll… they’ll give you up to her in a heartbeat if you cross them…” She had gotten up quickly and approached her. “You can't stay here… Eel will end you without hesitation… and Sofia might find out who you are if they don't…”