Northern Winds [NC-17] (IC)

[Stygian]

The dragon looked down on Keaton and Aisha as they spoke to him from his position, leaning leniently on the wall in the common room, a distance that seemed much longer than it really was. But then, his arched neck might have had something to do with that too. He raised an eyebrow and looked a little surprised even. Needless to say, he was not completely used to customers being so forward to him, on account of how he looked for the moment. But, he did smile.
   "I suppose that you want separate rooms, yes..." he said, and walked the short distance into the directly connected reception, moving behind the counter. Unhurriedly, he ticked a few marks in a little notebook and slipped out some keys, and then went back to the girls, handing them over in a huge palm.
   "Now, mind that you should press your friends. I'm not going to be unpleasant about this. Really, I've seen worse, though not much. But don't think I'll let you walk out without paying for the fasade at least," he chuckled with a gentle smile, and then turned, calmly walking away down a corridor. "The restaurant is still open though, if you want anything. Just ask Charline or Charlize," he called back to them, before gliding out of sight.

- -

As the Aci seethed through his fingers, Stygian's hand dropped by his side again, and the scowl he had been wearing melted away into a much more calm expression. The cat had taken that hint. Though he was still smug like a... well, a cat. It was much less irritating when he didn't treat them like idiots though. Slowly, the bat moved to the side and sat down in a chair, sliding his arms out of his coatsleeves and hanging it behind him. His eyes still gleamed slightly, as if moonlight was caught in the black, from beneath his blond bangs.
   "I didn't ask for your name, though it's nice to know. Mine, I think you've heard. Though you can call me Lucian. It's the real one, after all..." he murred in that signature smooth tone, his speech and temper having settled a bit. "And regardless whether I'm a jerk, I am not going to let Mel heal your ribs. Yet." At least that should keep that smile off his face, whether if it suited him or not.
   He paused, and settled back into his chair. How to approach the cat now? Letting him live was not at all out of the question; in fact, he hadn't done anything yet to warrant death. He was just another mercenary. But keeping him would give them some trouble. He didn't seem like the very faithful sort, and he really had no chance to harm the bat himself. But he was concerned for some of the others in the party. It might still all have been a trick. And the sensible thing was to let Mel do what she did best. However...
   "I want the name of the one who hired you, and any information on where to find him. Even better, I want you to help us get him, or her." That should put some hope in him. He'd be kept alive, and he would be valuable for some time. Enough that they might even 'forget' their quarrel with him. It was for appearances, really. But it did work out. And so long as they could keep an eye on him, not to mention so long as Stygian could be rid of his Aci at the snap of a finger... "There's not much money in it, but more than there is in a failed mission and dying. And you'll get your ribs back in pristine order." He leaned forward, and this time there was a smirk on his face. One that made his sharp features seem even more predatory, especially with those fangs showing slightly under his lip. "I might even not tell the others what you are and not give them a reason to cut you to pieces. Sounds like a fair deal?"

[Kogitsune]

"Um... okay..."
Almost forgetting why she came to the inn in the first place, Kiri walked inside and walked up to the dragon owner. "Er... as weird as it sounds to ask this right now, I think I heard somewhere that you had a job opening here..."
Gods, that sounded stupid.

[Tezkat]

"A real name... I had one of those once. At least, I thought I did..." Edge sounded wistful. He didn't seem to be talking to anyone in particular.

His attention returned to the bat.

"Do I really strike you as the type who would betray a contract or backstab an employer?" The jaguar frowned and shook his head.

"Anyway, I believe you misunderstand the situation, Lucian. You're an evil dark mage credited with countless atrocities, you have a price on your head that could feed whole families for years, and--worst of all--you have a rather poor sense of humour." The twinkle in his eye returned. "Honestly, bounty hunters were lining up to take you out. I received a tip and met with two of them at a club downtown. A local businessman offered the muscle to keep your associates occupied and even threw in a small bonus pool of his own to supplement the bounty. My relationship with them was informal at best. Indeed, it was a continual reminder of the benefits of working alone. That hotheaded alligator turned a simple snatch and grab at the bar into a blazing inferno, a chase halfway across town, and a mad free-for-all in the woods."

The bounty hunter sighed and spread his hands. "And so here we are. I'm obviously no longer in a position to collect your bounty." He looked around. "Should I assume that the others are already dead or elsewhere receiving similar offers from your colleagues?"

[Stygian]

The dragon's gaze dropped even further as he stopped to look at Kiri walking up to him. It was almost so that he pondered making his anthromorphized form even smaller, just so he wouldn't seem to tower quite as much as he did at the moment. When she asked her question, he raised an eyebrow.
   "Well, I do have a position that needs filling in the reception... however, don't you think you're a little too young to work here, miss? I'm not implying anything, but trying somewhere more 'close to home' might be beneficial..."
   The dragon looked pondering for a while, and then sat down on his haunches, so that his face ended up precisely level with the little feline's.
   "I wouldn't have anything against you helping me with tending to these customers for just a bit though. I have a few calls I have to make, and I think that both Liz and Line would be thankful for the assistance. And so I can see just how well you would do to work here."
   The hyena passed the both of them, holding a very big broom and a shovel, and making her way out onto the porch and walkway. Both the reception and the common room and restaurant were empty, save for the people standing around.

- -

Stygian tilted his head, and looked at Edge sideways, unreadably. He didn't say anything for a short while.
   "We didn't... Ah, well. I guess we did kill everyone," he said, and looked a little amused. "But don't credit me with that. Were I alone, you would never have found me in the first place. And I don't kill menial soldiers for no reason. That, you can blame on the bunny and your 'friend', the alligator. Which brings us to the next point..."
   It was what he had pondered so far. The 'coincidence' of it all. Why they had all been gathered in one place. Why someone would throw dozens of ill-paid bounty hunters on them rather than hire a single professional. Why anyone would know he was around and be after him at all. It was all too damn suspicious. And the cat wasn't making it any better with his sullen attitude.
   "You think that this all seems normal? You are lucky to be alive. Whoever threw you at us did so knowing that you would all be walking into a deathtrap, seeing as he knows me. If he wanted us dead, he would have seen the job properly and discretely over with." He smirked, gently but meaningfully. "I think you were being used."
   Again, Stygian leaned back, and this time he looked both amused and pleased, his features easily displaying their handsomeness now that he wasn't snarling or grinning. He leaned his head into his large palm, and looked directly into Edge's eyes, his gaze as cold and deep as it was dark.
   "You know what you strike me as? Just the kind of fool who thinks that so long as he won't get caught, he can go around doing whatever he wishes. Cubi in a nutshell. And not a particularly funny one; just pleasant to look at like this. It's why I haven't laughed yet." His bounties were as old as his reputation too, he hoped that the feline saw.
   "You don't seem an idiot though, bad taste aside. So between a callous businessman who used you as an expendable tool, and a dark mage who actually has need of you, who do you trust more?"
   The bat's smirk deepened. He didn't find the whole of the situation amusing, but he had laid his words right, and if they struck home...

[Aisha deCabre]

After listening to the impressive dragon's statement, Aisha chuckled lightly and took one of the keys from his open palm with a nod of thanks.  "The hospitality is much appreciated.  Nobody shall forget their debt."  At least I won't, she silently added, flicking the key in the air once and catching it again.

Watching the creature leave, she thought for a moment on getting some food from the restaurant, and then shrugged.  After that whole ordeal, the panthress hadn't much of an appetite at all.  Or at least, if she had a hope of getting it back, this horrid scent had to be removed from embedding itself in her nostrils.

She nodded briefly to Keaton, then started up a nearby set of stairs to where the rooms were to try her key on the unoccupied doors.  Aisha didn't have too long to look, as the nearest door opened to quiet surroundings and a window opening to a view of the sea.  Closing the door behind her, she couldn't help but stare out of it in slight awe at the appearance.  It was the first sign of any true peace, however symbolic, that Aisha had seen for that night.  Ending up alive to see something that uplifting was nothing short of a blessing.

She untied her cape and the golden collar which gave it the chameleon-like enchantment, turning the fabric back to its trademark crimson color, and placed them upon the bed along with the rest of her dark clothing, made darker by the stains and sliced up so much that it would take a few moments to mend.

I might need some good pieces of armor at one point.  With a shake of her head, she stepped into the room's shower, just as she heard someone come in and announce they were taking her clothes to be washed.  Aisha simply dismissed them and, with the flow of water from the shower head, started to drain all evidence that she had been involved in a most gruesome battle away from herself.

[Boog]

Richard grabbed up a room key and smirked at Aisha's comment, "Free enough for me; I'm not the one footing the bill. By the way, Miss?" he signaled to catch the passing Hyena's attention, seeing as the dragon was otherwise occupied, "I don't suppose there's a sewing kit, some formaldehyde, some cloth and perhaps a thing of duct tape lying around that I could use?" He probably wasn't going to get the chance to go home for a while, meaning it was time to make a few repairs.

[Kogitsune]

"I'm fifteen years old, I think that's old enough to work." Kiri replied. She really hated being short. "And my family needs all the help we can get, so I'd be very grateful for a job!" She looked up at the dragon pleadingly (straining her neck a bit in the process). "Please?"

[Sunblink]

"Thanks," Keaton said openly to the dragon as she accepted her respective key from his palm with her free hand. "I owe you big for this one."

Juggling the key slightly, Keaton nodded her head gratefully and turned around on her heel, mace hefted to her shoulder. As the dragon left Keaton contemplated what to do. Not needing to eat or sleep, she probably just needed something to pass the time with. Maybe she could try and go to bed later after she took a nice, long shower...

Having decided on her course of action, Keaton ambled up the stairs somewhere behind Aisha, separating from her and walking to what she assumed was her door, passing a few maids on the way there. A quick glance to the number emblazoned on the key confirmed that it was indeed her room. Opening the door, Keaton entered, quickly shutting it behind her and leaning her mace against the wall. Her jacket soon followed, boots kicked into the corner, along with the rest of her clothes into the hamper, and wasting no time, she turned on the hot water for the shower and climbed inside.

~Keaton the Black Jackal

[Mel Dragonkitty]

When the feline had thrown himself to the floor Mel had stayed behind him, out of sight, out of mind while the two males verbally danced.  She sat on the desk, kicking her feet and looking nonthreatening until finally she could see that the cubi was too set on his fate to listen. "You must have one heck of a sense of humor, cubi-kitten, to be able to laugh at the setup you walked into. Pure murder on your boss's part. I'd be wanting to get some revenge if it was me."  She smiled at Edge and offered, "Sometimes it's unavoidable to end up being a tool but the smart kitten at least chooses to be the tool of people who can advance his needs at the same time."

[Tezkat]

The panther rolled his head back, unable to suppress his hollow laughter. Tears rolled down his cheeks with the jolt of pain accompanying every heave of his chest.

"Yes, of course. That would appear to be my lot, wouldn't it? But a pawn with the privilege of deciding which master will sacrifice him..." He sighed. "The Fates must be standing around their scrying pool laughing at me. Why not laugh with them?" He made a warding gesture with his hand. The room was eerily quiet until he resumed speaking.

"I was watching you at the bar." His gaze returned to his captor, suddenly serious. "Many of your unusually skilled associates did not even care to shield their thoughts while they drowned the day's sorrows away. They were not expecting you any more than we were expecting them. If--as you suggest--tonight's entertainment represented more than a botched meat job, then its architect is already several steps ahead of you. A smart kitten might think twice about crossing him."

Edge carefully pulled himself up off the floor and settled down on the side of the bed, where he would be eye level with Stygian.

"And yet, I am now your best--only--link back to him until he strikes again. Perhaps you could extract something useful without my consent. Perhaps not. My mind is not a safe place for the sane to venture." He grinned knowingly. "Coming to a less painful arrangement would benefit us both."

He leaned forward slightly with his elbows resting on his thighs.

"If it is my trust you wish to earn, however, you will need to offer more than broken ribs and threats against my familiar." He cocked his head and pondered for a few seconds. "Back in the woods, you displayed an uncanny facility for tracking me. Reveal to me how you accomplished that feat, and I will deliver you the callous businessman. Quid pro quo, Lucian. What do you say?"

[Stygian]

Stygian was a bit taken aback by the cat's sudden laugh. But when he saw the gleam in his eye, and felt the actual smell of amusement, and heard the cat's train of thought, his smile came back for a moment. He didn't mind that Edge had warded the room from sound - frankly, he had thought of doing so from the start, to see if the tavern had been shielded from that sort of minor magic as well. It seemed that it had not been. Another thing to mind.
   "I shouldn't say that we're that dependant on you. Mel was so kind as to find us a starter lead. But still..." he said, tilting his head in his hand and almost absently looking to the roof for a bit. Not to mention that he could be gone in an eyeblink. "If we presume he is that many steps ahead, which we do, then catching up with him faster might be vital. So you do have a point, kitty."
   Pondering the situation, and what the jaguar had demanded, Stygian hummed for a second, and nodded thoughtfully. Trust, he probably wouldn't gain from this one anyhow. But a sort of respect was already there, even if not for anything but his power, he guessed. The cat was trying to be clever, and that sort of comment would be meant for three things; to flatter him, to gain more power, and perhaps even more to gain knowledge about him. It wasn't a bad deal, but if there was to be any question of a deal in the first place, he had to make sure...
   Slowly, a grin spread across the bat's face, and his gaze lowered to face Edge's head on. His look could have made a demon shiver.
   "As much as I'd like to test... You really shouldn't press me there; sanity is not in my reputation," he said, just a bit distractedly. "And I'd have to hold your Warp Aci in custody, just for insurance." Then, if it was even possible, his dark gaze intensified even more. His voice was a low murr, smooth and murky.
   "If you help us get to the bottom of this... I'll promise to teach you things that'll make your skin crawl."

[Tezkat]

Oh? Is mind-reading also among your many talents?


The feline nodded. He leaned back slightly and patted the bed. "Come on out, Ky."

The mass of glimmering darkness emerged from under the bed, revealing its true form for the first time. The Warp-Aci resembled an impish kitten with large, liquid eyes and a pair of tiny wings protruding from its back. A mysterious symbol--suggestive of a blade-fingered chiropteran wing or, perhaps, an evil eye--adorned its forehead, shimmering with deep blue-violet foxfire like the rest of its body. A long, sharp tail trailed behind it like a ribbon as it zipped anxiously through the air.

"You can't seriously be considering handing me over to that guy. He was trying to kill us not ten minutes ago!"

"Now, Ky, I'm sure you'll be safe with Lucian." Edge cast a quick glance over at the bat. "We'll be on the same team, after all."

"But we're a team. You need me out there watching your back!"

The panther sighed. "I think I can survive a little business meeting without you, Ky. Besides, this inn probably has net access. You could play that silly Creature Conflict game all day while I'm gone."

"Ch-Yah! Creature Conflict is not a silly game! It's the finest adventuring simulation since Demon Rampage V! You have no appreciation for..."

Edge cocked his head and raised an eyebrow.

"Fine. Go do your thing." The Warp-Aci waved him off in a huff. "Just don't come crying home when you get into trouble without me." It crossed its little arms and turned its back to everyone else in the room.

"Don't worry. It'll be fine."


The dark jaguar leaned towards Stygian with fingers tented and got down to business at last.

"The man called himself Roth Starr. Friend of yours?"

Stygian raised an eyebrow at the name but offered no comment. The bat remained silent, although his expression grew darker and more pensive. His smile vanished. An air of gloom hung around the room.

Edge continued: "No history of rampages, no eating anyone I know... I'd say he was pretty clean for a Demon that old. A little too clean. He's using an alias or likes to keep his paper trails very tidy. Then again, who doesn't?" He shrugged. "My due diligence on prospective employers doesn't usually extend to poking into their private lives.

"I'm supposed to meet him back at his club--the Red Sands--with proof of kills or news of failure. If your theory is correct, he won't be expecting to see me. That could be... interesting."

[Stygian]

Only when Edge uttered his last words did Stygian look up at him. Now, he was scowling, but his look was a whole lot more businesslike than fearsome for a change.
   "You're not going there alone," he said, very finitely. "And not tonight. If I'm right, and I know I am, then we have nothing to rush for." Against all sense as that was, it was still true. Three names, all pointing in the same direction. Also, it had been a judge in the first case, and then a nightclub. Together, all those things pointed in one direction. And he certainly didn't like it.
   The bat stood up, and looked toward the little Warp Aci, still floating in the air. He raised his hand slightly, and flicked a finger, and with a little yelp the creature was tugged back somehow, spinning through the air until it came to an abrupt halt beside him. There was something holding it now, as if some unseen force had tightened around it, not keeping it from moving, but still...
   "Please heal him, Mel. He's free to go now, if he wishes," he said, tonelessly, and then looked to the feline on the bed. "You've paid up. I won't be telling the others about you. Though, were I you, I would make sure not to upset them. Especially not the panthress." As much as Aisha disliked demons, she didn't seem too amused with cubi either. And that tailring and bracer would get him in no time, careless as he seemed.
   "Come, Ky. I think that we should leave here. It's Gareeku's room, after all," Stygian said, and then calmly walked out, heading downstairs.

- -

The dragon kept a friendly smile as he looked at the cat, really a kitten still, and motioned his hands a bit in an aversive gesture.
   "I didn't mean to offend, little lady. But we're really not in any desperate need of work right now. I'm sorry to hear about your family, but..."
   The dragon stopped, and looked both pensive and apologetic for a second. Then he leaned forward just a bit.
   "Look, I'd hate to hire you on provision. And I wouldn't want a sweet girl like you to walk away disappointed. So, if you help me with this, I promise that I will consider it very much. And I think that I could pitch in some help for your family too." After all, he had much time and money to spare. And even if busy right now, he could always help on the side. "But I just can't make any promises right away."
   Stygian passed them, walking down the hall, and the dragon stood up, giving him a glance and then returning to Kiri.
   "Sorry, but that's just how it works, sweetie."

[Gareeku]

Having taken a seat on the steps outside of the inn's front door, Gareeku looked around at the sea of bodies below with a somewhat emotionless expression on his face. Looking up at the sky momentarily, the wolf knew that the one who had been captured was being interrogated. Hoping that it wouldn't take too long, Gareeku looked back at the sea of bodies, his eyes narrowing slightly at the thought of the way he had become in the midst of battle.

[Tezkat]

Edge watched Stygian leave with his Warp-Aci in tow--and without providing any further explanations. He turned to the snow leopardess on the desk.

"Thank you for healing me, Lady Mel. I suppose I'll have to stick around until Lucian decides to tell us what's going on." The jaguar sighed. "He did confiscate my transportation, after all. Anyway... since we're all friends now, please allow me to make your task simpler."

He slipped out of his torn jacket and then simply ripped off the tattered shirt underneath. A large pair of wings sprouted from his back in an instant. At first glance, they appeared to be the wings of an Angel, with iridescent sapphire plumage that shimmered in the soft light of the room. However, the bone structure of a Demon's wing was clearly visible underneath. In fact, his right wing looked like someone had rent the flesh right off and stripped the tips of two fingers nearly down to the bone. Both wings displayed evidence of injury, however, with broken feathers and bruising present all along the edges.

The dark feline offered a sheepish grin. "It's not quite as painful as it looks."

+ + +

As it didn't appear to have any choice in the matter, Ky simply allowed the unseen force to tug it along behind Stygian. It reclined with its arms still crossed and a sullen expression on its face.

Halfway down the stairs, it morphed into a shiny purple balloon with a frowny face design. Attached to the string was a little sign with the word "HOSTAGE" printed on it in large block letters.
 

[Aisha deCabre]

The door to Aisha's room opened after a while, admitting the panthress out into the hallway with a tired stretch, dressed the casual attire that had been left for her upon coming out of the shower.  It consisted of a pair of black trousers, a gold-colored shirt, and a dark red vest to wear over it, which was left open in the front.  She had kept her enchanted tail ring on however, as well as the softly glowing bracer upon her right wrist.  However peaceful things seemed to be now, Aisha knew better than to trust that it couldn't be ruined.

She paused in the hallway however, just noticing that the bat had gone for the stairs and keeping what she seemed to recognize as a very disgruntled Warp-Aci in tow.  Aisha just shook her head with a slight smirk as she started down the hallway as well.  Another 'Cubi among us.  What next?  I feel like the only Being in this interesting crew.  It was decided that she wouldn't question things.  Best not to if a hostage was involved.

Walking down, the panthress tried to gauge just how tired she actually was.  The time of day was most certainly late, and the building was virtually empty.  Whatever voices she could discern from her position were pretty much all familiar, those who were still inside.  In a way as well, the thought of the group having scattered wasn't all too comforting.  She couldn't get the previous battle out of her head...was the group really feeling so secure?  Or was she just a little too jumpy?  It was hard to know which to accept.

After a pause, Aisha made her way back to the restaurant.  Perhaps some had gathered there, perhaps not...but it was never wise to sleep with an empty stomach.

[Mel Dragonkitty]

Mel smiled and with an agreeable nod of her head hopped off the desk. "Why don't we start with those ribs?" Cool fingertips moved up and down the ribs, pausing longer where she found internal damage she had either missed earlier or was new from his fall to the floor. Once satisfied with that healing she moved to the wings. "I've never worked on cubi wings before, so if I go horribly wrong you'll have to tell me." Her chill hands gently straightened feathers and urged flesh to regrow and bruising to subside. After a bit she stood back. "That should be it, unless you can sense I missed something. Otherwise we should give Gareeku his room back."

[Cogidubnus]

 The night breeze on the balcony felt delightful. Coat whipping behind him, Cog stared out at the night forest from high atop the inn, enjoying the wind. Gazing out from that high might be dangerous, considering what might be hunting them, but he was hardly worried. To his eyes, he could see quite well in the darkness, even from behind shaded lenses.
He'd always enjoyed the wind. He stood there for some time before returning inside. His face was slightly nonplussed - he'd have stayed longer, but the wind carried a strange chill to it here.
He returned to his room and began to ready himself for sleep, placing the sword carefully by his bed and disrobing. It wasn't long before he found himself drifting off into a light sleep, and dreaming of places far-off and long gone...

[Stygian]

So the little thing didn't choose to hide? Well, at least it was pretty amusing. It was a strange sort of humor, but not a twisted one. And he could appreciate it. Though plainly, he would have thought it more convenient if the little thing had just chosen to hide instead. He had never considered getting a familiar for himself, simply because it seemed more of a hassle than anything.
   While the others seemed to have made their way elsewhere, even the staff as he didn't catch any more maids scurrying around or movement in the other rooms, a few were still about, most notably Aisha, who passed him and headed into the restaurant and cafeteria. He himself walked by the reception and picked up a key, still catching evil eyes from the disgruntled hyena as she came in and tromped into the back. He kept a level face as if nothing was wrong, and just for the sake of it, he fished a twenty out of his pocket and tucked it under the bell on the counter. It was really the only way to get on a woman's good side; keep treating them nicely, no matter how much they looked down on you. Even then, one couldn't be certain they would turn around, but at least they wouldn't have a reason to glare. Then, it was all up to how they felt.
   Still ignoring Ky as he floated behind him, Stygian turned and calmly walked toward the cafeteria, lazily looking around. Aisha was there, and a llama girl was fussing around behind the counter, but otherwise the place was just an empty view out over the sea. The silhouette of a lighthouse was a pinprick in the distance, the spinning light at the top flickering every now and then, and the frothing waves were nearly soundless against the shore below, their rolling shut out by walls and windows. But with his hearing, the bat could still hear a sort of breathing sound from the wind in the ventilation, and a whirling sound from the fireplace, even though the large chimney was probably shut. His steps heavy but silent, he walked over to the counter and spoke to the llama.
   "I'd like a steak, if you have. As bloody as you can get it," he said, not minding the way she shied away from his gaze. "Some plain salad with that would be wonderful. And a glass of red, please." Then, he strolled over to a table, and eased himself into a chair, sighing and taking in the smells and sounds with closed eyes for a little bit. For just a moment, he let his senses focus on the panthress. Then he turned them, and his gaze, toward the sea instead.
   "So. Was he telling me the truth up there?" he said, low and calmly. "Hey, I'm talking to you." He tugged the string of the 'balloon' over his shoulder, and brought it down to head level instead. "I'm used to working with difficult people, but the unpredictable ones still put me off. And if you don't mind, I'd say you've got your head on straighter than he has."

[Sunblink]

Vaporous plumes of steam exuded into the air as the bathroom door swung open, a silhouette draped in a pair of overly fluffy, velvety towels--one around her shoulders, the other binding her waist--striding across the polished wooden floors. Wet outlines of sable-splotched feet marked the figure's passage as she unceremoniously and carelessly flung the clothing she was grasping in her free hand (the opposite one was securing the towel looped 'round her waist) onto the spacious bed occupying the room.

Five minutes later Keaton was completely garbed in her previous apparel of lace-up armguards, jeans slit up the sides and kept laced together with crisscrossing bands of leather, a black shirt, and a jacket. Her wings remained fully blended into her body, along with her head-wings. Stretching her arms languidly over her head, she reached into her pocket and fished out an opalescent marble, then collapsed back on the bed, one arm folded behind her head and the other rolling the marble between her fingers, brown eyes half-lidded and lazy. Not from exhaustion, but from boredom.

Watching the orange light slide and dance off of the iridescent colors curling within the glassy globe.

~Keaton the Black Jackal

[Boog]

Richard, somewhat miffed at his questions being ignored, hobbled upstairs and found his way over to his room for the night. A bit of poking around yielded a sewing kit that some previous patron had probably forgotten. He sat down on the bed and got to work on stitching himself up and making other repairs to hold his broken ribs and leg in place until he could get some calcium-based cement to fix them properly, grumbling to himself all the while. He usually didn't do this himself; it was a bit tougher than Marya made it look.

[Tezkat]

Edge got up and stretched out his wings one at a time to inspect Mel's work. With the damage repaired, elaborate violet markings showed up against the richer blue base of the feathers.

"You did an excellent job, thank you." He nodded his approval. "That's quite a talent you have."

He folded his wings around himself, and they melted into his body. A handsome young fox stood where the jaguar had been only moments earlier. The glossy raven black of his fur hadn't changed, and his eyes were as blue as ever. The bounty hunter's disheveled golden ponytail had been replaced with a shorter, more youthful and messier cut. The new form presented an interesting dichotomy: It was both distinctively "Edge" and an obviously different being at the same time.

"Whatever Lucian has planned, it wouldn't do for me to wander around with you in the skin of the man sent to kill him."

The vulpine Edge remained barechested, but his ruined trousers were pressed and pristine. A pair of comfortable sandals replaced his shoes. He picked his shredded shirt and jacket up off the bed, frowning critically as he turned them over. He bunched them together and began weaving them in mid-air with magically glowing fingers. Finished, he held up a purple polo shirt made from a soft, silky material. He pulled it over his head and tucked it in. The fitted shirt left little of his hard musculature to the imagination.

"There. That should do it. Let's head down, then. I'll treat you to--" His mouth hung open for a second before lifting into an apologetic smile. "Oh, right. Ky still has my wallet."

+ + +

The eyes on the balloon narrowed somewhat. Then it burst with soft pop, and streams of dark mist swirled down to the table. When they reformed, a small vampire bat sat before Stygian. The tiny critter--almost a caricature of the larger chiropteran with colours reversed--glared up at him with beady white eyes.

"Think what you will of my master, but he's no fool. And he only speaks the truth."

It leaned back against a salt shaker.

"The look on your face up there said that you knew exactly who and what he was talking about, too. So, the real question is: Are you planning on letting us know what all this fuss is about, or will you also be--how did you put it?--sending him into a deathtrap?"

[Stygian]

Not yet having taken Aisha's order, the serving maid scurried into the back and did something, and then peered out from the door every once in a while with some regularity. The kitchen hadn't been closed, but she was the only one there, so probably it would take a while to prepare things.
   Stygian only raised an eyebrow when the little creature shifted form and retorted, with what he perceived as at least a bit of feistiness. Not too much, certainly not, but enough to make a point and to amuse. A slight smile spread over his face as he looked down on the thing, the tips of his fangs hinting under his lips.
   "I don't think him a fool. I think him a very odd and skewed case though, judging from his sense of humor. Now, maybe that's throwing stones in glass houses, but still..." he said, making a decidedly odd figure of speech. "And I didn't promise to keep him safe and sound, now did I? I didn't even specify what I was going to teach him," he murred, folding his arms and leaning on them, looking at the little creature more closely. He chuckled, and then his face smoothed out.
   "This situation is probably altogether deadly," he muttered, turning his gaze out through the windows, over the sea. "So making a promise like that would have been foolish. What had you expected? No. However, sending him into that deathtrap would be completely useless, and if I want to see..."
   He stopped, and just looked for a few moments, then turned back to the little bat before him.
   "But that's not what you were asking," he murred, smirking now. "I will teach him something before we part. And I will make his skin crawl. And I certainly don't waste anything on someone about to die in short time." After all, even as he were, the man was still intriguing in a way. And there was no telling how useful he could become later.

[Kogitsune]

Kiri felt her heart sink at the dragons words. So much for that job. Her ears pricked up when the dragon told her that he needed help with something. "I'd be happy to help. Whatever you need." Please please please be something I can do...

[Mel Dragonkitty]

Mel smiled, "I think I can pay. I haven't abused my expense account in a couple of centuries." She left Gareeku's room and descended the stairs to the lobby. Seeing no one behind the desk to ask about rooms she headed straight for the restaurant. It was empty but for Ignatz at one table and Aisha at another. There appeared to be no one around to seat people or take orders. "Is this place abandoned?"

[Aisha deCabre]

As Aisha walked into the restaurant, her steps were slow and for once not altogether rushed.  The place as she expected was certainly empty, save for the last employee hanging back and looking as if bored or exasperated perhaps...at least from where she stood.  I guess we were an unexpected bunch, she thought to herself with a shake of her head.

The panthress took a table at random, crossing her arms in front of herself and staring blankly through the dark windows while the waitress went off to prepare things.  She hadn't noticed until she actually sat down that Stygian and what she assumed to be the Warp-Aci were at a table nearby.  All she gave them was a simple glance and nothing more.  She still remembered the bounty on his own head, and wondered if that was one more reason to not be able to sleep.

As she awaited the waitress's return, not exactly in a hurry to eat anyway, Aisha considered what she felt like eating.  Something with plenty of meat in it, that was for sure...but her concentration was interrupted the minute that she heard Mel appear in the room and inquire about the state of the restaurant.  Considering previous events she may not have thought them both the best company.  But there was little room in her mind for loathing at that hour.

"If it was, they might have chased us out by now," Aisha joked and gave a friendly wave, though the question might not have been directed at herself.  That was when she also waved the waitress over.  "Roast turkey, with plenty of rice on the side, if you please," she finished.  Meat wasn't everything after all.

[Stygian]

Placing his hand on her shoulder, Rauth looked gently at Kiri and spoke in a tender, considerate voice.
   "I want you to take care of these unfortunate customers here. Right now, that means helping Charline in the kitchen. Can you do that for me, and I'll think of an offer for you, okay?" he said, and straightened, returning to looking down at her from high above, his frills almost touching the ceiling beams.

- -

The llama nodded to Aisha's request and then looked to Mel, visibly tense to get back in the kitchen but patiently waiting for her order. She was smoothing her skirts with her hands though, even though there was no need to, a sign perhaps of some hidden consternation with having them as guests.

[Mel Dragonkitty]

Mel gave her order to a nervous looking llama and chose a table. Actually she wasn't surprised that the help was either in hiding or nervous, it wasn't every night you lost your front yard to a magic battle. If it wasn't for the owner wanting reparations they probably would have been chased off the property immediately, even though they were only indirectly responsible. She took off her long suede coat and slung it over the back of her chair before sitting. Too bad she wasn't in her natural form or she would have seen if any dragon favorites were on the menu.

[Tezkat]

The black fox strolled into the restaurant after Mel. He settled down into a chair opposite her and gazed wistfully out to sea.

"You know... apart from all the blood and violence, it's quite a nice night out. Back in my younger days, I'd sit out under a moon just like this one and listen to the surf with a fine rum in one hand and a fine girl in the other."

He grinned and glanced back to Mel. "A horribly misspent youth, I assure you."

+ + +

Another small bat fluttered down to Stygian's table. This one also had dark fur, but it sported a mop of short blond hair on its head and brilliant blue eyes. It landed next to Ky.

"It's nice to see you two getting along." The voice was Edge's. "I would have thought that Lucian would ask you to hide, but this is cute, too."

The white-eyed bat glared daggers at him.

"Anyways..." The blue-eyed bat held out a wing.

Some unspoken communication passed between the two. The chiropteran Ky rolled its eyes. It traced a line across the air and a patch of impenetrable blackness appeared, ringed by sizzling indigo energy. It reached inside and withdrew a black leather billfold, which it handed to its partner. The rift vanished.

"See? You're helpless without me!"

[Stygian]

Stygian looked down upon the two little critters with a boorish expression. He was aware that bats were supposed to be small animals, and that he was an exception to the rule, but now those two were pushing toward the edge of being funny.
   "That's very cute. Are you done yet?" he said, and was then interrupted as his meal arrived. The steak he had ordered was grilled, but just barely, which was excellent, and served with a plain salad and some feta cheese. A nice choice altogether.
   "Leave the bottle here, please," he said as the llama poured the wine into his glass. Before she could leave, he slipped her a rather large bill. "And keep the change." Another courtesy that would smooth things out. Besides, he didn't really need to be tight with money.
   In short order, Mel's and Aisha's orders were out too, and the llama returned to watching. Stygian ate his meat in a tidy fashion, though still somehow a bit discomforting. It was just the way he seemed to enjoy sucking out the taste of blood. Or perhaps it was the teeth. Quite soon though, he was finished and sipping his wine, sitting back and murring pleasantly.
   "Think we should either plan tomorrow, or get to bed. Not really certain which..." he said, leaning on the table and apparrently studying the candle on it without any real interest.