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[Chapter 1.1] Into the Maw

Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2018 6:31 pm
by Kokuten
A story of great power, driven by desperation.

Image

Safeholme Manor
The Study
Evening


The sun had barely set on Japan before they got the message.
Percy wrote:I need all of you here, at Safeholme. Eryl Maelgwyn has returned.
The moon was already setting high in the waning light of the sky, an oblong shape that slowly took over the night. A wide canvas of oranges and blues gave way to darkness, and small holes poked their way through it, twinkling light more and more as the small hand tarried on the clock. Inside the manse, most had gone home or went to sleep, with school being finished for the weekend. All the classrooms were quiet, and their desks bathing more and more in the waxing moonlight. Halls carried a tranquil air about them, a soothing aura brought on by the by the balance and nature of the home's energy. However, all was not at rest, as the spacious and warm study, a place saved for meetings between the staff, sat three people: Jane Smith, Percival Caxton, and Eryl Maelgwyn.

Four, if one counted Jakku, the fiery faerie that sat upon the Alchemist's shoulder.

Eryl, much older and larger than when she had seen everyone last, sat to one end of the room, brushing wavy, black hair from her eye every now and then. She was almost unrecognizable from the short haired, green-eye girl that had tried to kill them all for a piece of Percy's power, prim, proper, and disposed to herself. One reason for her unease would have been Jane, who had not taken much time without keeping the capricious Maelgwyn in her sight. Lawbringer and peacekeeper, the western lady of rugged descent had taken it upon herself to acquiesce to the witch's request to meet with the other Safeholme mages. A proposition, as it was offered, one of great danger that would be sure to assist Percival Caxton in his most dire, and in the near-future, his most final days.

These were all details that Percival provided via his phone, to any that asked for more details than 'Safeholme', 'Eryl', and 'Now'. The urgency was no less, but those already present waited patiently for those who would come to offer their say on the matter. At the moment, the goal was to get opinions to see if the Witch was duly offering something worthwhile, and if she was, what they could do to handle the matter.

A small blaze burned in the fire place, and the glow seemed to offset the faint, veining, and illuminating lines that drew up the man's neck.

"Alright," Percy said. "Any minute now."

Re: [Chapter 1] Into the Maw

Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2018 7:24 pm
by Gwathdraug
Riley floating through Safeholme's hallways - though the manner in which the stage magician went about her mode of movement was quite far from the norm as her feet were simply held a few inches off the ground and she had passed through not a single wall or door. Each window, wall and door of the manor proper was quite particular and particularly hostile to any of the normal intrusions the young woman took to as her everyday. Despite this, the brown haired mage ghosted freely in the open air of the passages leading up to where Percy had called for their meeting. Her hand was already grasping around the doorknob before her feet had hit the floor or her body had solidified. As soon as Riley's boots connected and clapped against something solid the cloaked magician pushed her way into the fire lit room beyond.

With the door removed as a barrier as she stepped inside Riley's eyes barely scanned across the collected face in the room before finding Eryl. No matter how much the other woman had changed the stage magician's mana - her bared self - bucked as it tasted the triclops through her magic. A part of Riley had once been entirely turned towards an oath to drain the Maelgwyn of every drop of blood that she had and old feelings from it pricked and swirled to the magician's fore.

Riley grinned brightly, with a hint of rogue-ishness, at Eryl as the cloaked mage let one emotion serve as the breakwall to another. "Good to see you!" The younger woman ducked her head, still smiling, and the words she chirped seemed honestly genuine.

Turning her attention away from the visiting triclops, Riley smiled at everyone else before finally stopping as she nodded to Percy. "Don't worry about my work - we have an understanding to some degree of autonomy for how I am. The others are on their way?" As the brown haired woman asked her question she leaned back against the wall and her cloak seemed to flatten, then darken and writhe off her shoulders - the clothes Riley wore beneath being revealed as her absolutely mundane raiment of a t-shirt, cargo shorts and ankle length hiking boots. Before the garment hit the ground in surged out into the space around it and stretched into an inky copy of the woman who had just been wearing it.

The Phantom stretched and then sent a small, but energetic, wave towards Eryl before it too leaned against the wall in complete mimicry of its original.

Re: [Chapter 1] Into the Maw

Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2018 10:17 am
by Straken
In its quiet and carefully tended corner of the property, the cozy cottage shed a gentle light onto its garden as a single window remained lit. Inside, Ruarc was sitting at his table whilst deciphering more ancient scripts; as one does to relax before bed. Opposite him sat his familiar, Laoise, who was doing her own studying, and was the one who noticed Ruarc's phone vibrating. Snapping out of his focus, he stared in confusion for a moment or two as his mind switched gears and he picked up his phone. Even though the message was only two sentences long there was a lot to unpack from it, and he ended up reading it over a couple times before reacting. Pushing himself up from the table he motioned for Laoise to follow. Once he had laced up his shoes he quickly strode across the lawn to the manor.

With the route to the study well practiced, Ruarc quickly arrived. By the time he rounded the last corner he had replayed the memory of the group's previous encounter with the crazed triclops, and nothing about the memory was pleasant. The door to the study had already been opened so the sound of heavy steps announced his approach, and once they reached the height of their volume the Druid entered the study. The tallest of the group, the sturdy man was all hard lines and steel eyed. Looking around at who had arrived before him, he recognized Jane, Percy, and the two Rileys immediately, but took a moment to register Eryl. Once he did, however, his brow set and his heavy gaze locked onto her. Following on the Druid's heel, Laoise hustled into the room before pausing for a moment, after which she made her way over to a corner of the study near a comfy looking chair. Shifting finally, Ruarc did the same and sat down.

"Eryl Maelgwyn," Ruarc said at last, his voice was almost as intense as his stare. "How're ya now? It's been a while."

Changing the focus of his gaze Ruarc looked between Percy and Jane. He was about to throw out a question about why they thought to bring the woman to his manor, but bit back. "Ya could've just knocked on the way up the lane."

Re: [Chapter 1] Into the Maw

Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2018 4:50 pm
by Kokuten
Eryl shrank in her chair, grasping her left elbow, a posture that seemed almost as defensively ready as it was sheepish. She had picked the far off chair for a reason, not enough to hide out of Jane's sight, but enough to keep more than an arms length from any of the others. The Welsh woman was a bit of an enigma, having disappeared completely after Raiko's death, and not being heard of again. If Percy had ever seen her, or even felt her presence, he had never spoken of it. Her features were much older and befitting that of the adult she was, rather than the gnomish appearance she had escaped the Occultus with. She had fair skin, smooth features, and brilliant blue triclopsi eyes, appearing about as old as Jane. Her lithe form was adorned in a long, blue coat, with flowing sleeves, lace and delicate white fabric accenting the collar and cuffs. She looked like a noble, fresh from an older era with her frilly, white pants and shiny, black boots.

Posh and purely fitting her demure, she watched the first two arrivals from a distance. Riley's convincing smile was true to its form, but despite her acting Eryl was put more at unease. The same when Ruarc came in, her face paled a bit more as he sat down and gave her his gravely, yet welcoming greeting. She looked down for a moment, swallowing a lump in her throat, before looking up again, her third eye shrinking from what appeared to be a dilated state.

"Greetings to you, both," Eryl nodded her head respectfully, fidgeting with her hands as she sat straight in her chair, "I have been well, thank you, if not wholly apart from the goings-on of the world as a whole..."

Maelgwyn grit her teeth into a careful smile, before flattening her mouth, "What of you? It has been ages... Lady Alstad seems to have come into her own and... Lord Flynn... erhm... you are quite strapping, yourself."

Percy cleared his throat, before rubbing at his neck, drawing a bit of the attention off his prior assailant. "You're harassed enough in your own home, Rook. I thought I'd call you here, as the school is safer and more secure than any place in Osaka."

Re: [Chapter 1] Into the Maw

Posted: Sun Mar 18, 2018 8:28 am
by Gwathdraug
Snrk

By the wall Riley snickered abruptly - her shoulders jerking up in motion with the noise - as Eryl spoke. Her phantom next to her had brought a fist up to it's mouth and looked away in an effort to hide its entirely ambiguous and silent amusement. The triclop's formal speech and posture was making the stage magician feel as if she had stepped out and into a period skit.

It was odd seeing as the young woman was usually the one to propel things out of the norm.

"If'n I'm the Lady in the room-" Riley waggled a single eyebrow at Eryl as she grinned mischievously. "-would you be willing to be my Dame?"

Re: [Chapter 1] Into the Maw

Posted: Sun Mar 18, 2018 11:33 am
by Kokuten
Eryl reddened in the face considerably at Riley's suggestion, and covered her third eye much like someone would cover their mouth in shock. She traded glances at both the shadow and the stage magician, indicating she had little idea of who to be more mad at. With a haughty huff, she sat straight in her chair, and decided to look away instead. The fire did not help her attempts to hide her embarrassment, but moreover, she seemed to splinter under the social pressure.

"Such lasciviousness from you I did not expect," sharply answered the Maelgwyn, "Perhaps from Lord Flynn, but from you? You are lady, is that behavior not unbecoming? Your attire is so exposing, is that the inner meaning that I am meant to derive from it?"

Re: [Chapter 1] Into the Maw

Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2018 11:14 am
by Gwathdraug
Riley grimaced, looking stricken bereft by Eryl's words, but contradicted the expression crossing her face with the small chuckle she couldn't hold back. "That's a shame - on both expectations and fashion I'm coming up short?"

Leaning back against the wall and idly scratching at her chin the stage magician purposefully looked up towards the ceiling with utter contemplation colouring her actions. With a suddenness of motion that threw aside the tranquility of her pose the young woman jerked her head down and grinned at Eryl. The magician snapped her fingers as she pulled her hand down. "Ah. Perhaps... taller?"

An illusionary cloak settled about the mage as she worked her motions into a stately bow. With a flourish Riley became hidden behind a curtain of shimmering green and black cloth that grew as the woman was hidden from sight. As the cloak swept back and unveiled it's wearer - who instead of the short brown haired woman before was a copy of the room's druid with the addition of a well tailored tuxedo and a magnificently groomed set of muttonchops.

The thieved face tilted roguishly and grinned. "How's taller and tailored?" With twinkling eyes the well-dressed and much bigger magician strode towards where Eryl sat. One large hand rested casually on the back of the chair closest to the triclops. "If I know my chessboard my lady-" Riley dipped her head respectfully. "-then I believe the strapping Rook should be closest to the knightly Dame." One eyebrow raised again, this time questioning. "May I take this seat?"

Re: [Chapter 1] Into the Maw

Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2018 12:10 pm
by Kai
There was a sound, like a slamming of doors mixed with the stomping of feet, a few minutes after the demure conversations had begun, when one more member of the party finally began her arrival. They could feel the magical pressure, somewhat dimmed by the numerous wards in the Manor, but certainly not being held back by its owner. Likewise, the temperature began to drop, though it was only a few degrees, it was enough to be perceptable, once again, the wards (And HVAC system) doing their best to mitigate the outpouring of magical energy. soon, the footsteps came close, to the point where they were obviously just outside the door, and suddenly, the portal was forced open, slammed aside and impacting on the wall (With little harm due to the numerous protective spells employed upon Safeholme's construction).
A young Japanese woman, slick, raven hair, tall and thin, with an almost regal air to her, the Queen of Ice made her presence known. a cool fury burned in her eyes but, upon taking in the scene, she immediately began to calm down. Taking several slow, deep breaths, the magical pressure and cooling effect began to both wear off, and the most magically powerful (Though not necessarily controlled nor knowledgeable) of the group had made her entrance.

A few more breaths, and she spoke, turning from the cold queen back into the sweet smile of a young woman upon seeing her friends. "Sorry I'm late, did I-" she paused, noting that there were two Ruarcs, though one was obviously Riley in disguise- "Miss anything?" she finished, still trying to reel back her emotions after being a bit out of her own control for the past number of minutes.

Re: [Chapter 1] Into the Maw

Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2018 4:12 pm
by Straken
For his part, Ruarc was sitting patiently in his chair, waiting for the purpose of this meeting to be revealed. Were everything relaxed, he would have had few issues with the situation. Then Riley continued, and escalated, her antics which served to pushed some buttons that were getting close to being pressed. The first indication was his foot as it began to tap a heavy but stable cadence. Resting his head against a braced arm, the Irishman gave a sigh but little else to suggest his temperament. While Laoise stood behind him and watched the show with a wary look.

Once the sound of a slamming door sounded, signaling Miyuki's arrival, Ruarc looked tense. "Don't slam the door. Don't slam the door. Don't slam the door," he mumbled, his brow gradually furrowing the closer the Japanese girl came. When the inevitable arrived, something snapped as the Irishman's face looked like it almost began to relax. Laoise was once again the only indication of what was going on beneath the surface, and the slightly strained look on her face suggested she was the only one able to hear what Ruarc's thoughts on the matter.

"Just in time, in fact," Ruarc said, sounding tired. He then turned his attention to Riley, and his tone shifted to stern. "Riley, if you're quite finished. Sit down. Then, unless anyone else was invited, shall we begin? Curiosity has me on the edge o' my seat."

Re: [Chapter 1] Into the Maw

Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2018 4:43 pm
by Mr. Blackbird Lore
"Right." Jane rose from her seat near Eryl. "Mizz Alstad, if yer quite finished, I'll begin." She gave everyone a moment to settle before launching into her explanation.

"Mizz Maelgwyn here came t' my estate this evenin cuz she has discovered the plight of our own Mr. Caxton here. I reckon I'm the only one what was outta the loop, so I'll press on. Mizz Maelgwyn claims to have a means n a way t' remedy Mr. Caxton's condition. Only, she says it requires a number of powerful mages. Thanks to that n our caution on the account of her having several counts of attempted murder against those gathered here, y'all been summoned. Hopefully y'all will give her a moment to explain herself. Rest assured, she has received multiple explicit warnings on the consequences of attempted betrayal.

"And if there ain't any questions fer me, I'll give the floor t' Mizz Maelgwyn."