Curse of the Fallen Quest: Ring Bearer's Trilogy

[Sweetp4u]

Aria

Moving over to Cat I glanced at Keith and smiled, "Keith risked his life to save mine, he's got more brass than he lets on.. He is a little uncertain about us.. but he's a good guy." I gave Keith a little salute and turned around, taking count of how many were here.

Ray went to get us a rental, the other two looked a little lost. They were probably wondering where the fire was? A few days to plan what to do, that would give Cat some time to train her friend.. That would give me time to explain whats been going on, get healed and maybe, just maybe find Lance..

"There are several different shops in town, we'll have to go the opposit way to get supplies, unless Ray has the arsenol in his plane?" I turned my eyes towards Cat, wondering if she knew? I didn't want to go snooping around his jet, even if he was a friend. I hated waiting sometimes, but knowing Willow was dead helped calm my nervousness.. for the most part.

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Christian

I stand by, quietly as they converse some. No sense in interrupting the reunion. Afterall, Ray had called them family.
My heart ached a little at the thought of that word. I pressed the emotions back, not wanting to deal with them just yet.
When my name was mentioned, I nodded to the new woman, then glanced over at the cop, eyeing him quickly then dismissing him as easily.
I would get to know them when it was necessary. That would have to suffice. I was suddenly very uncomfortable here, feeling out fo place with Ray and Kat so taken by these two new faces.
Things would ease some, I guessed, once she started to explain things better. But until then, I decided to keep my mouth shut and not disrupt. Things would go much smoother that way it seemed.

 

[Sweetp4u]

AB

ooc: Alright shopping is boring to write and read, let's just assume ray got the rental, the supplies are bought and we're all ready to head towards the cabin.. Sound good? I don't know whats holding up Ray (since I know he's been online) maybe a headache or a block?

IC:

She stood behind Chrisitan, not hiding, but watcing around. Nothing important to see here, but she had to do something other than stand around. When everyone was ready, she followed along, wondering over the unsaid things and questions. The atmosphere seemed to get tenser each passing mile.

 

[The GrandMage]

Joseph

He waited. His search had been near endless until a car had moved passed the road he'd been resting just off of. They'd gone by again. He'd been resting because Mongrel's few goons had been called back in.

And so he'd followed them. And now he was waiting. He'd caught scents on the wind. Ray's. Cat's. And a few other vampires, none that jumped out at him. He was nervous enough at the thought of facing Aria again, but now, it was like all the tattered remains of his passed were being stitched together. He sighed, and started moving in.

No doubt they'd be on the move again. He'd have to get close if he wanted to shadow them effectively. Especially with his handicaps.

 

[Firegirl976]

Kat

I sense the various emotions going around the group and smile a bit at the uncertainty I sense from everyone. (Why all the tension?) I thought to myself. I grin widely at Aria and picking up the bag I had dropped as I got off the plane I look at her with one of my know something you don't know expressions. Holding up the bag slightly I wink at her and lower it again, "Since Ray seems to have found our mode of transport and our new esteemed collegue..." I nod at Keith, "seems to be the guide we should perhaps get going?" I walk over to Christian and A.B sensing their various thoughts as well as Christians loss, and without thought I place a warm hand on his shoulder and give him as supportive smile. "We have all been there, some of us more than others wingsib." The pain in my eyes I know mirrors his own and I allow for one brief moment the anguish and torment to show to him alone before I cloak it again and with a knowing look turn back to the others. Glancing at Aria I can feel her impatience, "I do believe that it's time to get this thing started sister." A wicked grin breaks out on my face and is mirrored on hers.

 

[poohlive]

Keith narrowed his eyes as Aria spoke, letting his teeth grind against each other. He got into his car, letting the door shut harder than it should have.
"Follow me then, I'll lead you back."
The nerve of her, the fucking nerve. To talk to him like he was some fucking all star football player or something. He could take care of himself, hell, he took care of her. He could hold his own with a vampire, a bunch of vampires.
Maybe that's how she was though. Vampires were different, inhuman, fallable. They didn't understand humans. He could understand that. She was different, they were all different.
He started towards the old cabin.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Aria

ooc: Ok I waited and waited for Ray to post and still nada, so sorry Ray, I am going on ahead with it. Hope ur ok?

IC:

The plane unloaded, the rental full, I nod once to cat and grin in answer. "It's time to get going and figure out our next move.." jumping into the rental, I have Ray follow Keith out to the cabin.


ooc: Sorry it's short, but I dont want to control everyone's characters.

 

[nightray]

Ray

I moved to the car rental center talking brefly to the guy behind the desk I hand over cash and take the keys from him. I move to the parking lot quickly finding the van. I smile as I slip in still happy to have fond Aria alive. As I drive back to the plane my smile fades as I think of the battle to come.

I pull up next to the plane as one of the crew opens the cargo door exposing the crates. I smile I always keep them in all my privet plane just incase. I help lode the crates in the back of the van. Once it’s loaded I get in to the front set looking over at Aria as she gets in beside me. I smile at her as I fallow Keith moving in to the traffic.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Aria

"Alright old friend..... Time to fess up.. How have you been? I haven't seen you in awhile." I didn't want to bring up a bad subject, but the last we all seen each other was on that ship. A shiver passed down my spine, a premonition of trouble yet to come? Who knew, but I wasn't going to run off.. I doubted anyone in this van would run off.

"And by any chance can we find a clothing store?" I was wearing keith's shirt which was bloody as well as borrowed sweats. I felt dingy and hated it. "Never mind, we best follow Keith and wait until later." I stared out the window, watching people walk by, wondering who would be dinner tonight? I didn't need much, but I did need something to help heal a little quicker.

In a matter of minutes we were parked at the cabin, eyeing everyone who came along, I thought aloud.. "How are we all going to fit in there?" I chuckled, that was the least of our problems.. Just like the old Aria, brush off problems and serious matters with jokes. Glaring at my own mind's train of thoughts, I kept silent and helped Ray to unload the van.


AB

She said nothing and did little, merely followed like a puppet. There wasn't much else she could do anyway, and she was the only one here NOT wearing a ring. She hoped the brunette had a damned good reason for all of them being there? A purpose of some kind at least? Alright, she was itching for battle.. well something to do, anything but sit her ass still and watch the bird fly around.

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Christian

I sat in silence as we traveled, allowing the two to speak, catching up no doubt, but I wasn't sure. I wasn't really listening, or concerned with what they were talking about. It was their business, not mine. When it came time to figure out our next step, then I'd be interested. Trying to figure out relations, past events, and the sort, would only tak eup energy, which I might better spend trying to straighten out my thoughts, to get them back on track.
I'd caught myself backing away again, and that would do nothing to help. My last thoughts on the plane were spiteful, toward not only these other ring-bearers, but also toward AB.
In it for yourself, Christian? the words moved through my head, my mind wanderin back to something Darius had told me once, a while before Kayla had come into my life, or before I'd brought her into it. And what then of the rest of the world? Does it exist alone? Without your consultation? It had been a trick question, and the response I gave made him smile.
Fuck the world, I'd said.
Oh, yes, he'd said. You are going to be quite the pupil. He'd laughed then, a laugh specific to him that I'd come later to realize was of good humor, but then had taken as condescension (sp.?). The challenge had been a good one, though, and I'd learned his point in the end. Withdrawing is safe, whether or not it required strength to separate yourself. And the world could survive without my prescence, while I, on the other hand...
"Need the world..." I muttered, thinking too deeply. The sound of my own voice brought me back to the world. I glanced around wondering if anyone had heard me, but deciding it didn't matter.By then, we'd reached the cabin. I got out, moving around back to see if they needed help carrying anthing, my weapons still held in hand.

 

[The GrandMage]

Joseph

Sloppy, sloppy, sloppy. Had he taught Aria nothing? And he had expected more from Ray. He would have noticed himself long before now. But then again, he always remembered the days when vampires weren't considered so mythical. Days long past where his very existance had been to portect his Family.

He never really moved forward that much. He was surprised they hadn't caught on by now, though. You'd think they'd have their guard up, especially so close to Mongrel. He almost felt bad that Lance wasn't with them, although he'd always hated the man. Lance would have been cautious for all of them.

And now here they were, sloppy, sloppy, sloppy. If he meant them harm, half of them would be dead by now. It was a good thing he would always protect his Family, no matter what kinds of trouble they got themselves into.

He stopped. They were at a destination. A building. He moved around back, and scaled the other wall, moving towards the end of the roof where they were, using the building itself to hide from them, keeping track of they in ways other than sight. A sense they relied on too heavilly.

Although there were a few faces he would give anything to see again,...

 

[Firegirl976]

Kat

I sit back listening to the conversation going on in the front of the va,n, before I tune them out and close my eyes focusing a bit. We are at the cabin before I know it and as I step out I can't help feeling something isn't quite right. Looking around I don't see anyone but I can feel something. I turn glancing at Ray but he is caught up talking to Aria. I hand my bag to Ray "Please take this inside.....I'm going to check things out a bit." I begin walking around the cabin using my senses to reach out to everything around me. The crescent moon on my forehead again glows purple as I delve into my powers a bit enhancing my senses further. Finally I reach the back of the building, looking around I still don't see anything but I know someone is there. I lean my back against the cabin and closing my eyes focus on probing the area for anything unfamiliar. Someone was out there and I was determined to figure out who or what it was................

 

[poohlive]

Keith went up to the kitchen first, getting himself a glass of water. In this country it was ice cold, and tasted like pure Evian. Northern Europe was a place where the best tap water could be found.
He enjoyed it, coming to sit down on the couch in the living room. It wasn't much of a living room. Just a fireplace and an old t.v. set. A couch, right in front of one of those old bearskin rugs. His bare feet moved across the soft fur, it felt fantastic.
The others were still outside, moving or unpacking. He sat there, anticipating for a moment their next move. Of course, there was none. None that he knew. It was their game, their rules. He had stepped in a little too late. At this point, they told him what to do and he did it.
Well, in that case, he would wait to get filled in on whatever it was they were doing, and then begin to do it. As a cop, he knew the efforts of being briefed for a mission more than anyone.

 

[The GrandMage]

Joseph

Moving away from the group, eh? Maybe she at least remembered to always be on the lookout. He pulled himself along to the edge of the roof at the end of the cabin where she had gone, being careful not to make any sounds to give himself away, and listened.

He needed to be on the lookout. He wasn't sure what they were up to, but it was likely foolish and suicidal. He grinned. And when weren't they doing something foolish and suicidal? Ever since New Orleans,....He stopped grinning. So much had happened them. Life had taken turn after turn. And he was begining to feel his age.

 

[Firegirl976]

Kat

I keep my eyes closed my senses open. I can sense someone but I can't hear anyone, "Dammit!" I mutter outloud. Whoever whateverwas out there was tracking us for some reason although they apparently didn't mean us any harm as they could have done it already, I open my eyes and take another look around before starting to head back towards the others. Suddenly a scent reaches me, I pause a moment allowing my sense to sharpen slightly and take another deep breatht through my nose. Familiar but not exactly.....hmmmmmm? I walk to rejoin the others determined to talk to Ray about this. Perhaps this was something that required two....

 

[Sweetp4u]

AB

Following everyone else, She helped to unload the van into the small cabin and sat down to wait in silence. Her senses tuned, she could hear several things around her, but nothing too distracting. Time and time again her eyes went to the ceiling, as if looking at something. She did hear it, the faint movement above, but who or what was it? She could hear cat outside, walking, pausing and moving again. Someone else was aware of their 'spy', but those inside seemed unaware? Saying nothing, she waited. Perhaps it was nothing to be concerned about?




ooc: Gm, how you manage to get Joseph all over the damned place so quickly is beyond me, but I'll be nice and not shoot first

 

[Sweetp4u]

Aria

The first thing Ray did was open a case and present it to me, inside were two small hand guns. Grinning, I helped to haul in a few more crates of cargo. Leaving Ray to situate the rest of the gear, I picked up one of the small calibers and loaded it. One can never be too cautious.

The cabin was small enough that there were no real hiding places inside, other than the bedroom but I had peeked in there the moment I entered. I needed to explain everything to everyone and get them caught up to date with events, but first a sweep needed to be done. We're still in Mongrel's territory and that meant none were safe.. Hell we weren't safe in the States, being this close gave me more reason to be careful.

Walking past Christian and AB coming in, I moved around the side of the cabin and slowly scoped the clearing. Nothing to be seen, but did not mean shit wasn't watching us neither. Seeing nothing and having not been shot already, I moved slowly around the back of the cabin. Pausing, I could see a path in the grass from recent feet. Cat was out here as well, did she come this route? Glancing up and around the back area, I didn't see her.

Not hearing or seeing anything, I turned back and went around to the front. The area was silent, little noise except those inside, safe enough I'd guess. Moving back inside, I put the safety on and put the gun down on a little table.

"Alright, guess we get down to the basics.... I suppose I should catch you up to date with what went on after the ship was blown up." I glanced up at Ray and sat down. This was going to take awhile... Especially with all the questions I know they had.

 

[The GrandMage]

Joseph

He pressed his ear to the roof, adjusting slightly and pulling back. He slowly moved his feet under him, getting them flat against the ceiling. Still being sloppy. He heard them, wandering around, and yet they didn't check up here. He shook his head, and carefully moved to the edge of the house, dropping down steathily to the ground, and moving along the side of the house, keeping himself against solids. He came to what he assumed to be a windowframe near the room they were gathering in, and settled himself down, trying to listen to what was going on while checking the area with his other senses.

 

[Firegirl976]

Kat

Stopping again at the front of the cabin I look up thinking I hear something. A small almost imperceptable noise close to the main area of the cabin. It was so quiet I thought it was in my head but the millenia had taught me to trust my instincts, I awaken my powers opening my senses fully and take a battle stance as I creep silently towards the direction of the sound. Again a smell reaches me, someone familiar.......delving into my mind I suddenly know. There was only one person that had that musk to him, and I knew it intimately as only a lover would. Reaching out with my thoughts and with an unknown yearning I mentally call.........."Joseph??" .........If it were really him perhaps he would answer me, If not, I drew out one of my throwing knives made of silver with specially treated handles that wouldn't injure the user. A gift from Joseph long ago, back when I had made his guns for him and instilled them with magic. Could it really be him, was he really here........or was it something else? I cleared my irrant thoughts as I continued making my way around to the side of the house, fangs bared, knives at ready..........

 

[The GrandMage]

Joseph

A small hiss escaped his lips, and he stood quickly. His hand reached up, clawed fingers pulling the front of his hat down, the long brim hiding his face as his hand disappeared into his cloak. His fingers curled around the hilt.

"Cat." He opened his senses, his nostrils flaring as he drew in all the smells around him, processing the sensory information. He could tell her scent. He ducked under the window and stood still. "You're getting sloppy, Cat. Of course, I may have underestimated you because of that, but still, it should not have taken you this long. I've been following you all since Aria and the human picked you up at the airport. It's a dangerous game to let it all ride on chance, you know."

 

[nightray]

Ray

I look around the cabin as Cat and Aria go out and have a look around the grounds. I frown feeling some how on edge thou I can’t plays why. I frown as Aria comes back in beginning to talk. I notice that Cat hasn’t come in yet thou. I let my thoughts reach out to her touching her mind lightly coursing it.

“Is every thing ok out there sister.” My mental voice is soft and comforting. I tilt my head as I lesson to Aria talk explaining what happened to her sins the boat sank.

I growl softly as I lesson to what Mongrel did to her and Lance my anger building to new hits my hands tighten on the hilts of the sword the heat and cold swirling with in me a herakain of amnions with my self in the eye of the storm looking out. My face is calm and emionless as I lesson taking it all in as my knuckles grow white with the strain of griping the swords so tightly.

I feel my mussels growing rock hard tensed to fight to avenge to kill. The storm of lights in my black eyes grow brighter as my rage builds rage at Mongrel rage at my weakness and not finding Aria and helping her. My fangs begin to lengthen with out my willing it or even noticing it. I fight with my self not to charge knowing that it would do Aria and there rest know good if I got my self killed now.

My head tilts up seeming as if I was just stretching not wanting to alarm any one. I heared something then I look over at the window as I hear Cats voice. I frown moving cashuwily to the window looking out was some one out there with her?

“Cat who’s out there?” My mental voice moving threw her mind my rage plain as it’s hard to hide such things when talking mentally.

 

[Firegirl976]

Kat

Hearing Rays mindvoice I respond absently but with resolve...."everything is fine...please remain inside until I call you." I then complete my trek around to the side of the house looking at the cloaked figure with a combination of longing and pain. My powers open my fangs extended I look at my former love, my life partner and the pain is plain for anyone to see. "You are the one I have sensed following us, your the one that I have felt watching me." The pain of loss taints my voice as tears slowly begin to course down my cheeks, "Did your losing me mean so little k'chara?" Without thought the gaelic word for soulmate comes to my lips, the name I always used when addressing Joseph. I stand there a moment sensing his own turmoil, then looking at him directly I allow him to see my eyes, Opening my thoughts to him completely, letting him see the truth of my words.........

 

[The GrandMage]

Joseph

"Cat,...."

He breathed, concentrating on it, pulling himself, his mind closed. "Cat, that was not my choice. It was yours. In case you've forgotten, a man who until moments before had been intent to kill you suddenly looks to you and next thing I know, I can't even get your attention anymore."

He turned his head, his sense attuned to the footsteps near the window. Judging by the sound, it had to be either Ray or the other man, as the others seemed too light.

"A man who acts like the fucking sage of the world. A man who helped move this family on a stupid quest that cost lives. My son, Cat! And you talk to me of loss?"

He pushed out the uneven stump of his arm from his cloak. "I have lost many things, Cat. I lost my family, my humanity, my arm, the Family itself, and there was a time when I came close to losing my life itself. Don't talk to me about loss. I am a scarred half-thing now. I live in a world of torment and pain, following around the few last things in the world that mean anything to me and hoping you all don't kill yourselves."

"I have little time to mourn someone who turned their back on me."

He turned, and jumped, grabbing on the edge of the roof. His feet hit against the side of the cabin, and he pulled himself up onto the roof again, running across the roof and jumping off, running into the night. He did not want to face those who had know him in life. He was dead now. The dead and the living should not interact.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Aria

"I was killed by Mongrel the night of the explosion, but just before I died Mongrel called me back. I remember some what but not much of it. Up until a few nights ago, I didn't even know who I was..." I paused a moment.

"Everyone was killed, or so I thought." A shiver passed down my spine, a terrible sense of loss again over Micheal, Joseph, Maggie.. I had thought Ray dead but here he stood.. Surprisingly enough.

"I was told I was a hitman for Mongrel and went hunting Lance.. That is how I ended up here." I told him what Willow had done and the final end.

"Lance was dying, but because of the curse on that book he can not die, merely vanishes for awhile and is returned to earth. It is strange but fact. So I did what I had to do. I couldn't remove the silver chains from him, he was weak and ripped open.. I had to kill him.. again." A gulped down the lump in my throat, hating all of this mess and wishing it away.

"What we need to do now is find the final ring bearer, whom ever that is and get that book from Mongrel before he finds that last page.. If he mends the book and makes it whole, we'll have to destroy both Mongrel and the book.. And with that kind of power unleashed, I don't know how but it will be nearly impossible to beat him.. Unless we're all together that is.. I am not sure about how this ends, Lance is the only one who knows and he never revealed that to me.. As far as I can remember."

I glanced up and met Ray's eyes as well as Christians and the young woman. I did not know where Cat was, but hopefully she would return soon.

"If we do not rid the world of this book before its opened, or we do not seal it once it's mended, mongrel will have the powers of God at his fingertips.. So it says, and Im not one to think it's an exageration.. I don't know about you guys and what you think, but please, speak your minds." I sat back on the chair and waited.

 

[Firegirl976]

Kat

No......it cannot be. The thoughts run through my head, left him how could he ever think I would have left him???? Someone else??? Turned my back??? Ray....."RAY" the name errupts from both my mind and voice simultaniously. The desperation there is clear for anyone to hear and for the first time in a millenia I felt myself lose control of my emotions. I hit my knees wrapping my arms around myself as the full impact of what was just said to me sinks in.......Joseph lost his son. Joseph had a son?? Oh Goddess.....The world spun and I couldn't stand..............