NationStates Jolt Archive

(ooc: open thread carrying on from Awakening. Open character rp. Only rper's willing to put in a bit of quality rather than one sentence.)

IC:
The sun was setting on the horizon, the last rays of the sun sparkling out over the water in a brilliant array of yellows and reds mixed with the cerulean gleam of the sea. Voices rose up with laughter and song. The streets were filled to their capacity as people filtered into the main plaza. Preparations were already being made for the first night of the festival. Allies of the three empires as well as personal friends of the empress were all invited. It was quite curious that their leader, Empress Ravelyn Shentavo, had not returned for five days to the hour. This news only carried throughout the mansion and government officials and was kept from the public. There was no need to get the public worried for her safety.

The ship docked at the front of the Shentavo mansion, and Ravelyn looked up to Solomon, opening the door. Servants had already rushed out to great the foreign craft, including Ellie. When he saw her emerge from the vessel, he let out a rather loud sigh of relief. He bowed before her. When he saw Solomon, he straightened up and arched his brow. "May I inquire to who this is?" Ravelyn eyes passed to his, and she touched his shoulder. Telepathy and mind 'invasion' was very common here, especially with her. Ellie looked a bit surprised, "I apologize sincerely," and looked back at Solomon, to bow with the same formality and respect the Empress had received.

She led him down the stone pathway to the entrance of the halls, grand pillars with intricate design, so much detail that one could spend their entire life twice over in making it. Inside there was a main room with a set of stairs on either side circling the edge of the room onto a horseshoe shaped platform which entered the rooms? She looked at him and smiled. “Your room has been prepared…my lord,” she said with a smile. Ellie nearly fell on the ground when he heard the comment. “You’ll find clothes for tonight, as well as several masks to choose from. If there is anything you need just ask Ellie. I must leave you for a while, to attend to some affairs I left unfinished. I will meet you at the festival tonight in the plaza. It starts at eight o’ clock.” The festival dances had become accustomed to masks, and had also expressed the elegant culture of the empire. By this time, the temperature was warming up to around 60 degrees. She leaned up to kiss him lightly. “Don’t be late.”

The Duke held her tight for a moment, savoring the feel of body so close to his.

"I wouldn't dream of it."

Turning he looked the room over, obviously impressed with the architecture. As he explored his skin began to glow slightly, heat radiating from his body as he raised the temperature around him. He might be able to survive even sub-zero temperatures, but that doesn't mean he enjoyed doing so. Thinking for a bit, he decided it would be better to chose the evenings outfit now (so there would be ample time to change his mind) and turned to the aide still in the room.

"Excuse me....Ellie was it? If I could ask for your assistance, this is my first time attending the Festival. May I ask what would be appropriate?"

Joshua felt slightly confused as he wandered towards the Shentavo mansion. It had been years since he had last stepped foot on the soil of the nation that he could call his second home. As he bean to reach for the door he retracted his hand suddenly only to feel her pressence. The woman that saved him twice before. Once from a bullet that he still carried on him and a second time from her son, the one person he truely wished death upon time and time again.

Ellie smiled. “Yes, of course sir.” He led Solomon down the hallways to his room. “Basically what our festivals entail is a lot of dancing, music, drinking….good times. There is a bit of formality in the attire, upper classes usually choose cloths with gold inlays or embroidery. The mask reflects the wearer. You have one of the finest selections so choose carefully. You will find what you need within your room. “He paused. “Could I be of any more assistance?”

___

Ravelyn’s eyes narrowed as she held the phone to her ear. “I really don’t have time for this Tiara. You are not welcome within my nation, even if you have the soul of my kin within you, I can not allow you to pass. I have heard enough of your excuses for several lifetimes.” She hung up the phone and shook her head. Quissera Cougaji Shentavo had died a century ago. His soul became entwined with a young girl, and Tiara and Qui had a connection. He had control over her, and Ravelyn knew that.

She stepped into the bathroom and removed the dress she had been wearing. She turned on the water to the shower as steam rose from the contact with her skin. She leaned her head backwards, enjoying the warmth. After several minutes, she wrapped a towel around herself, and entered back into her room. She saw a gold dress (http://www.lindagraybridal.co.uk/images/Front%20view%20of%20silk%20dress%20in%20pale%20gold.jpg) on the bed, knowing it was for her. It was a soft fabric, synched at the waist and trailing down the back. There was embroidery at the top which decreased in concentration as it headed towards the bottom. She laced up the back of the dress (http://www.lindagraybridal.co.uk/images/Back%20view%20of%20silk%20dress%20in%20pale%20gold.jpg), and slipped on a pair of long, silk white gloves. As her hair dried, the natural waves became evident. She swept it up, leaving a few loose strands to frame her face, and pinned it up. The last thing was the mask (http://imagescommerce.bcentral.com/merchantfiles/4777096/blueandsilvercart.jpg). She had worn different masks every year, but this mask (http://imagescommerce.bcentral.com/merchantfiles/4777096/blueandsilverhead.jpg) she had taken a high affinity to.

___

A guard stopped Joshua from entering. “Where exactly do you think you are going? The festival is in the plaza. These grounds are restricted.”

"No, thank you. I feel I have enough information to humiliate myself quite thouroughly. I guess I'll get to it."

With a grin and a friendly pat on the back the Duke entered his room. Pausing for a moment, he reached deep into one of the many pockets on his jacket.

Not this time. I'll make damn sure of that.

He took out his package of scrubbers and swallowed two tablets. A brief look of discomfort spread over his face then passed, leaving him calm once more.

Well then, lets see what they've layed out for me.

Joshua's train of thought was broken suddenly by the gaurd. His old training began to scream at him to strike the guard down and make a break for cover but he ignored it and spoke "I'm terribly sorry but I havn't been here in many years and used to know someone who lived here. It always seems that when I arrive in the city that I seem to end up here. I'll be going now." As he turned to leave he sent out a small mental signal to Ravelyn. As he rentered the plaza he looked around and felt his training kick in as he moved towards the edges of the croud and into the shadows. "I wonder if she knows waht happened," he asked himself quietly as he began to edge to a slightly more quiet section of the plaza.

"Joshua!" she exclaimed, receiving the note with high intensity. Could he be alive? Could the former fledgling still live? She looked out the window, unlatching the lock to open it. She did not see him there, but saw a guard returning. She called out to him, and he looked up at her. There was a displeased expression on her face. You just turned away someone who is rather important to me. His name was Joshua Maxwell, Kenja's boyfriend. You know I've spoke of him many times before, and you just turned your shoulder to him.

"I could get him for you, he just went toward the plaza," he stammered.

No, I'll send someone else...
~
Nagi, the former Adv. Combat instructor of the academy made her way down the steps and out the door toward the plaza. She had showt black hair with a red streak in it and light jade eyes. She was not dressed as the others were, but wore tough black boots and shorts with a white longsleave shirt with intricate designs on the end of the sleaves. She was one of the ones that was allowed to carry weapons at the festival. It was because of this that she walked openly with bracers on her forearms with a curved serated blade extended from each. The general of the army for one of the nations in their empire, Nagi had established a name for herself. She however, preferred to be alone. She could not pass up the opportunity to see one of her old students.

She kept to the darkness of the plaza away from the gathering crowd. He would most likely be here. She saw him out of the corner of her eye and turned around. He had his back to her. She stepped toward him. "Last person I'd expect to find here is a Maxwell."

~

His gaze taking in the vast selection; he began to walk past the displayed clothing. Extending an arm he felt each outfit as he passed, as if testing the quality of the material. He stopped at one which seemed to call out to him.

Vaguely reminiscent of the naval uniforms seen in the Medieval Eras (For them that's right about now) it was both dignified and attractive, a perfect blend. Most of the parties the Duke went to you wanted to look nice, but he could never forget his position. He had to preserve his image while still trying to look nice. It was never an easy task. He quickly dressed then moved over to the assorted masks.

Okay, what did Ellie say? 'The mask reflects the wearer.' Right. Okay. Reflection. I can do that. Absolutely. I'm screwed.

"My name is Knightly. Maxwell is no longer my name," Joshua said without even turning around, "Besides I always seem to end up in odd places." He turned slowly and bore into Nagi's eyes. "It has been a long while since I last set foot on these soils. It always seems that I end up appearing out of no where when people least expect me to. Must have been something that came with my genetic makeup or maybe it was something else. Great rambling on again," he said as his eyes seemed to soften slightly, "They say I was murdered. It's quite funny how you don't remember these things."

OOC - Before I do anything, I thought Id ask you, do you mind if I join in?

"Yes," she said. "Well so was Qui, if you haven’t heard. He was murdered years ago…” She wondered if Joshua would enjoy the information, or what his reaction would be. Her eyes narrowed. “Don’t be so sorrowful about death, its part of life. Especially for a vampire, Joshua. You shouldn’t worry about it. You’re here now, aren’t you?” She tilted her head the way Rave did with her theology. The two had been spending way too much time together.

~

Ellie stepped into the room with a light knock on the door. “I wonder if I could be of some assistance,” he presented a mask that was quite original. “Its enochial royalty, and knowing Azrael, I believe this would compliment you the best. The people would recognize it too as significance to your…position.”

OOC - Before I do anything, I thought Id ask you, do you mind if I join in?
(no godmodding put in effort, go ahead)

Oh, thank God.

Outwardly the Duke expression never changed, but his relief was almost palpable.

"Ah, thank you very much. I was having some difficulty chosing one that reflected me adequately. I believe you've just made my job that much easier."

Pulling on the mask he approached a mirror, please at what he saw.

"I would not dream of keeping Azrael waiting, I believe it's time I head out to the party."

Saerat was not consentraiting on the festivel, he had no doubt that it would be a fun one, but he veiwed entertainment as a useless way of wasting good money.

He walked through the crowd, not really paying attension to peoples faces as he went. He did not know why he was there, but like most times in his life he had followed his gut feeling, and when he heard of this party, he just felt that something was going to happen and that he should be there.

As he stopped and looked around him, he could sense that someone was watching him. Nah! I must be paranoid he said to himself.

But nevertheless, he felt jumpy, he reached into his pocket, and pulled on a thread, revealing a deeper pocket, in which he had hidden a small throwing knife, he held the handle of this, it made him feel safer somehow.

"It's a pity I never was given the chance to finish him off myself. I'm sure he will be back. I'm a lower ranked vampire and I have come back to life twice already. Besides death never has held any meaning to me. If you recall I was one that handed death to thousands if not tens of thousands in combat. I assume that Rave was quite surprised to learn that I am alive as you might have been to see me standing here when I supposedly was laying in a wooden box only years ago. I'm also sure that Rave wishes to see one of those who she thought was dead aswell," Joshua said as he took a step closer to Nagi, "Besides I've been wondering how life has been without myself and Qui trying to murder each other repeatedly."

Nagi laughed a bit. “I do remember those days,” she sighed. “He was quite seductive in his ways, but I suppose you did not know him as I did.” In context, no, he didn’t, But Joshua had seen Quissera with Genesis, and Katarina, and Azali…and the list went on. Her senses flared as a group of people started to pass by. Her eyes narrowed. A man with a hand in his pocket caught her eye, she spun around and leveled the blade of her right bracer to his neck. “Mind if I had that?” the general said, referring to the concealed weapon.

~

Ravelyn closed the window. Something felt wrong. She walked to the door, and it was locked. “Funny, I don’t remember locking you.” She tried to undo the lock, but it seemed to be glued shut. She tried to open the door but it wouldn’t budge. She tried the windows, one of which she had just opened. Nothing. Everything was locked. Power went out within the room. She smiled. “Oh this is classic, lock the girl in the room, turn of the power, and pray that my kind isn’t able to see in the dark.” There was no response, she opened up the drawer to her bureau and grabbed two guns. They were not standard issue. Shackles formed around her wrists, chains nearly reaching the floor. The temperature seemed colder. She looked around but saw no one.

Within seconds the lights flickered back on, and the door opened. She arched her brow and set the two guns on the table. The chains vanished. She looked around once more and nothing. “I need a drink,” she said, and walked out of the room.

~

“My purpose is to serve, sire.” Ellie said, and began his decent down the stairs.

"I knew him well enough to kill my lover and to lead me to her corpse in an atempt to break me. It failed," he said his fist clenching as his nails broke through his skin and blood slowly ozzed out dripping on the ground. "Since that day.....," he only managed to get out before he noticed the blood on his hands and unclenched his fists. He looked at his hands as the small wounds healed within seconds leaving only the red stains of blood on his hands once more. "How comon is this?" he muttered looking down at his bloodied hands befor noticing Nagi's attention on another.

Following Ellie the Duke entered the plaza just in time to see a blade leveled at the throat of another guest.

"Wow......it's almost like I never left home."

He slowly began to approach the pair and raised his arms.

"Is there a problem here?"

"No...not at all" Saerat said, amazed that she had noticed his blade, and a bit anoyed that his life line had been removed.

Hoping that the general would not be able to sense his lying he blurted out "I forgot to check all my pokets before coming in, I am sorry, my mistake" forcing a laugh he continued "you can keep that of course, not that you need it of course" He forced a little bit more laughter out. "I'll just be over there"

What the hell was that? That was a terrible excuse

“Don’t interrupt.”

Ellie sighted. He bowed before Solomon to Nagi. “I apologize for his questioning. He hasn’t been to this nation before. Grand Duke Solomon Klonor, this is Nagi Vimes, the general of one of our armies. She protects the people with a few of her men doing parties. She’s extremely skilled with a blade, and if this fellow has a weapon, (her sense is good on that), then it would be wise for him to give it to her.” He said, looking at the other as if to give him a hint to avoid further trouble.

Nagi looked at the mask he was wearing, her own very simplistic to be practical for her job. She bent her head before him in respect, keeping one arm leveled to the other man until he gave her the blade, which she twisted into her pocket. “I..I’m so sorry. I had no idea who you were. You are here because of Ravelyn, my lord?”

Saerat tried to take this opertunity to back off but within a secound this was noticed by the general. Having no other options he handed the blade to her, and ran to the bar.

He would drink and hopefully forget this happened.

"Ill have the strongest you have please" he said to the bar tender, looking round, very happy that the general was now buisy talking.

Saerat finnished staring when he thought he was no longer being watched himself and he had been forgoten, as he turned he thought that he saw an old friend, but he must have been mistaken, this would not be the kind of party that a vampire hunter would attend least of all one so well known as Christov. But he was sure he had seen him...

Must have been the drink he thought, he must have had enough, the last thing he wanted was to kill his senses on an evening like this.

Joshua looked over the new comer silently. "Hmm. Didn't know you were a general now," he said. Though it was delayed slightly he to bowed as a sign of respect before speaking again, "Almost reminds me of my second year here with my old friend mr. Black. Always seem to have important people poping up at Rave's will."

"Yes, she......brought me along when she returned from Deneb. I'm sorry for interrupting, I didn't know this man was armed. I never would have interfered if I did."

A bow of his own and he stepped back.

"I'll try not to keep you from your duties any further."

As he backed away his eyes tracked to the bar and he began to walk over before he stopped short.

No. Not tonight. It's to soon.

Ravelyn stepped out the door. She really was quite a sight. There were people waiting at the gates to greet her. She smiled. She loved people, just not making a fuss over her. Despite the mask, you knew it was her from the way she walked, the way her body moved, a general aura about her. She passed down the steps toward the plaza, receiving quite the welcome. The music stopped for her introduction, and a nearly deafening roar swept the crowd. This was a good portion of their empire within a large plaza. This had to be a fire safety hazard.

She paused and scanned the crowd, spotting Nagi and Joshua, she smiled. Then she saw a man standing there…. “That mask…” her eyes widened. She walked towards him and slowed a bit before they reached the group..That mask… she thought to herself. Vaughn?

Saerat stood up to cheer as did everyone else around him, but as he did, he noticed again that figure that resembled Christov.

Surely this can't be right, he forced me to kill him as he turned years ago. He argued in his head

He pulled his hand through his hair, after the clapping subsided, and quickly pulled away from his chair

He was going to follow this lookalike and get to the bottom of this

The Dukes jaw dropped when he saw Azrael come into view, his heart skipped a beat, and he quite literally felt light-headed. He was well accustomed to seeing beautiful women, when your nation revears you as a sort of living God there isn't much you don't see, but her beauty was just.....it was just.......even within his own mind words failed him.

As she approached he quickly smoothed out invisible wrinkles in his clothing and brushed non-existent lint off his shoulders. Straightening so quickly you could practically hear his muscles work he walked over to her and bowed low.

"My love, you are.....you look......I feel.....you are simply beyond words."

Joshua always felt uncomferatable in crouds and yet as the clapping and cheering started he felt the urge to reach for a weapon and see what the commotion was. Though when he saw a reasuring person he calmed slightly. Ravelyn had always been one of the few people he could instantly notice and feel safe around in an instant. Yet he still stepped back into the shadows allowing them to cloak him from most eyes except those who gazed into the shadows.

After following the Christov lookalike across the plaza, he seemed to dissapier. Saerat looked around all over the place, but he was literaly not able to move, the crowd was too large.

He didn't know where to turn at this point, surely someone should be told if there was a vampire hunter in the plaza, but who to tell if there was? Who would beleive him? who would care at a party as big as this? Surley the securtiy here are too buisy picking on men who reach into their pockets to be looking out for a vampire hunter

She placed her hands on his shoulders and nearly pulled him up from bowing to her. In private means was a different story than at the festival. Everyone turned to look. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. Ellie almost fainted, and Nagi shook her head with a smile. The crowd didn’t exactly know how to react, but there was solitary clap which erupted into a larger one. Talk about following the crowd.

Ellie stepped forward. “Empress,” he said with his head bent in. She turned and looked at him, eyes flying right by him to Joshua. She smiled, fully revealing her fangs. She shook her head. Hello, Joshua.

While everyone was clapping and heading towards the source of the comotion Saerat took the oportunity to run away from the clump of audiance he was traped in and get to some higher ground, in hopes of seeing more. He climbed a couple of steps and hid behind a plant he found near the wall. From here he would watch the party and be ready if something happend.

Hello Ravelyn. Been a while, he responded as he smirked slightly letting his own fangs slip out, I bet you never would expected to see me. His smirk slowly turned into a smile as he returned the gaze from his shining emerald eyes. Nothing ever changes around here. Does it?

The Duke simply stood there with a goofy grin and a dreamy look in his eyes. A messenger could have told him that Abel Salm had just shown up again and taken over the Association and he wouldn't have cared. Hell, Salm could have walked up to him right then and he wouldn't have cared. He washappy.

As his mind returned to him he followed her gaze and saw the man standing behind Ellie.

Who the hell is that?

But the grin on her face kept him from any questions.

That’s Joshua Knightly, Ravelyn replied to him, forgetting that she was not supposed to invade others thoughts. It was just a sound she heard. He’s like… well you could say like an adopted son almost. She smiled softly. Apparently the shimmer had returned to her eyes, Joshua could assume as much. She smiled again, and looked at the other people. “Well, I suppose I should do something for this ceremony…”

She lifted her hand upwards as she focused a flame appeared and grew larger until it shot up into the sky. The fire was white rather than orange hues which produced a glorious affect against the night sky. It turned into the shape of a phoenix, and burned across he sky, vanishing in a flash after twenty seconds.

Woah! Saerat thought, if nothing else happens in this entire evening, that was worth coming for

He looked at the phoenix produced, it was of great importance to him, as it was the symbol of the Christac army, and brought back found memories of loved ones.

He felt happy and smiled at the thought of his wife, someone he had not thought about in a while.

The Dukes grin twitched somewhat, obviously becoming a tad forced. Horror rushed through him and he fought the urge to scream and hide. Memories rushed through him of the last un-invited mental contact he'd gone through and he struggled not to retch.

Calm down.....calm down.....calm down, damnit! Focus on something. Focus on anything! That man.....his name is Joshua Knightly. He knows Azrael. They are friends. Friends! She is my friend. Calm down!

Slowly the adrenaline drained from his system and he was able to glance up, giving Azrael a small, twitchy smile.

"Havn't seen a Phoenix since I was last in Phalanix," Joshua said as he slowly stepped out of the shadows and just trying to relax slightly more. Slowly he took steps towards Rave untill he was infront of her. "Havn't been this close without me nearly dieing or being dead ever," he said easily refering to the many times she had saved him.

Saerat once again saw the familer face of Christov walking through the crowd, he got up quickly and fell over the plant, then down the stairs next to where he was standing, the nearby crowd turned and saw as he hit every step on the way down before hitting the floor at the bottom, the plant hit his back after this and the vase it was in smashed.

He stood up, and saw Christov right in front of him. He had been seen by his old friend, who was now aproaching him.

Not knowing what to do, a dead man coming towards him, he just stood there...

Ravelyn was not aware that there was another guest there. One which specifically came for her. A man with dark hair and white eyes stood across the plaza watching her every movement. Among the four Seraphic, Ravelyn being one of them, the one sided incest of Kaos was extremely strong. He let his eyes wander about her, and took a glass of wine as a waiter walked by him, devouring it in one sip. He could hold his liquor.

"Who is this?" he asked himself looking at Solomon. "My dear, you are above these mortals... I thought I taught you that you could have much greater than that."

She entwined her hand in Solomon's trying to ease him. "Mind speech is common here. They won't invade your memories, we just speak without words.."

Joshua was silent as the new comer approched. He had learned years before never to suddenly demand a name from someone who just randomly approched you or your friends. He quietly looked him over and saved what ever judgments he had of him untill after he knew him better.

"Yes.....yes, it was just a shock. I wasn't prepared. I can control myself. I will control myself."

Glancing around himself he seemed to notice the party for the first time.

"My lady, shall we mingle?"

Rave arched her brow in a knowing look, and glanced over through the crowd. She saw Kaos standing there, a rose within his hand. Then he was gone the second she looked back. She looked nervously at Solomon. No way was she going to drag him into this. She didn't want to see him hurt, and against Kaos he very well may be. Even Vaughn had had a challenge with him.

She pulled on his arm strongly. "We need to go." She then looked at Nagi.

What is it, Rave? She asked. Rave still unaware she held Solomon's arm so he could listen in on the conversation. She would rather he not know.

Kaos. Seraphic.

The Duke would have known there was a problem the second Azrael tugged on his arm, the overheard mental conversation only strengthened his suspicion.

"Azrael, is there something wrong? What's this Kaos Seraphic thing?"

Whatever it is it will need to go through me to get to her (In case you missed it, the Duke is a very protective person ;) )

Rave knew that someday she would have to fill him in on her past. Now, however wasn't the time. "It's slightly hard to explain, but I am a seraphic...and there are three more of them. Two of which have an affinity towards myself. Where did you think the name Azrael came from? It's enochial." She looked around, and saw glimpses of another. "The one I am most concerned with is a Seraphic of war by the name of Kaos...Seraphic of earth by the name of Lotus....they never seem to be separated."

She looked straight into his eyes, her crimson eyes flashing. "I'm not worried about myself right now. I'm worried about you. They are rather strict about their sister..." She looked around, and pulled him forward. "We need to leave now." The people began to notice something was wrong, and began convining about what was going on. Nagi took up in front of Rave as she led Solomon through the plaza. Nagi looked around as a few other of her men came over to help escort the two.

In a matter of thirty seconds, Nagi looked back, and her men were gone. She stepped back, and looked around, seeing no signs of them. Rave touched her shoulder.

"They're gone Nagi...keep moving."

"Right." she said, and continued to clear a path.

"I was right before........this is exactly like I never left home. I swear, can I go anywhere in the Universe without bodies dropping right and left?"

Seeing her impatience he stopped joking and stepped to follow her.

"Don't worry, now that I'm here there's not a damn thing anybody can do to get me away from you. I'm with you until the end."

As if to lend weight to his words he began to glow slightly, building up energy in case they needed to fight.

Ravelyn looked back at him, not knowing what to say. Had she really brought him into all this? Could she get him out? He did not understand...because she had never told him. She looked forward to see a blond haired man with green eyes twisting Nagi's arm behind her back. This was Lotus. He placed his other hand on Nagi's forehead, and watched her drop to the ground, unconscious.

"Bastard," Ravelyn scoffed, and narrowed her eyes.

"Don't worry, she's just asleep." He smiled, and as people walked past him, he vanished. She then took to Nagi's side.

"Joshua," she said softly. "Take care of Nagi...." She stood up, grabbed Solomon's arm, and broke out into a run. Everyone turned their attention as the other Seraphic weaved in and out of the crowd. As they approached the clock tower, she saw a red rose fall in front of her, blood staining the petals. She picked it up. Kaos was perched at the top, four black wings upon his back closed around him. She could see his white eyes and the silver cross which hung around his neck.

"Hello, my dear." he said with a wry expression.

The Duke didn't have the ability to read Azrael's mind and feel her hatred, nor did he know the history of everything that had happened, but he wasn't an idiot and he knew that the thing in front of them was not well liked by Azrael.

He pointed his hand at what he assumed was Kaos, his index finger and thumb extended while his middle, ring, and pinky fingers folded against his palm. Taking aim with his 'gun' he sighted in on the chest of Kaos.

"Say the word and we can go back to the party without worrying about this cretin anymore."

"Hey, love..." she said with a resolved face, looking up at Kaos. "Forgot to tell you what a seraphic is..." Her eyes darkened at Kaos.

"He doens't know Ravelyn?" he asked. "He doesn't know what you really are? Why don't you tell him what a freak of nature DNA you have why don't you?" She clenched her fists at his words. He raised a broadsword as the rain started to fall. The broadsword, which used to be hers. "You know you could drive this pretty little sword through her heart and she would take it out and wield it against you? Did you know that rose tattoo on her shoulder wasn't her choice, but one made by her soul? When her 'love' died, Michael Vaughn, she died with him, taking her own life... "

"Shut up!" she yelled. "This does not involve my past, what do you want!?"

"His nation tried to clone him, taking DNA samples from his bed. But they didn't get his DNA." He smiled. "Oh, yes, she had been there quite often."

"Bastard!" she screamed at him, and he saw blood trailing from her fists as her nails dug into her skin fro clenching her fists.

"So they cloned her. That's not her original body. Notice she doesn't have that scar on the side of her abdomen... ever wonder why it's not there anymore? That body is a clone, but her soul remains the same. But you haven't told him you are a Seraphic? Well then, does it hurt, Azrael, when your wings break your skin?"

"Every God damn time, happy?" she exclaimed with tears in her eyes.

"Don't cry, sister." he said. Descending to land ten feet in distance to her. "it is merely who you are. half good...half evil... Does the demon still burn within your soul as the angel sings within your heart."

She took off in a dash towards him, brilliant grey wings breaking through the skin and unfurling outward. Fire ignited within her hand as she delivered a swift blow to his face. He caught her wrist after the strike had been made. Twisting it in front of her to display her to Solomon, Joshua, and the crowd. the side of his face which was burned regenerated. She could not break his grip, and stayed still as his sword rested on the surface of her abdomen. He took her mask off to display an enochial symbol right above her left eye.

"She's one of us," he said. "She doesn't belong with a human. You can see what a creation she is now..."

"So....you're a clone, half-demon, half-angelic, and you have wings? Cool. Why didn't ou tell me earlier, we could have set up a game of Flight. I mean it's usually played with a hover-pad but I think you'd get a definite advantage with natural lift."

Turning to Kaos the Duke almost had a grin on his face.

"What, was I supposed to care about all this? Dude, do you even know who you're talking to? I've died and come back to life more than a dozen times. I've been shot, burned, hung, decapitated, hell, I was even passed through a meat grinder once. I doubt there's a single undamaged cell in my entire body that was in the Original. But I'm still me, and she's still the woman I love."

All business now he pointed at Kaos again.

"Now you will release her or I'll burn your head from your shoulders and then play a game of football with it."

"You know Kaos," she said softly. "You put me awefully close to your throat." She turned around, letting the blade slice her stomach as she did so. She had no regard for it. She bit down into the flesh of his neck, and he pushed her back. She smiled, blood trailing from her lips. The wound on her stomach closed up.

"Futile," he scoffed. "That only makes my desire greater," he tilted his head downwards. "You know I like that." He looked at the duke. "As for you boy, you are in too far over your head." He lifted out his hand. "Take my side, Azrael." Lotus had settled behind him, his wings not being visable at the moment. He chuckled.

"Lay off of her Kaos, you'll never get her." He started laughing, and Kaos turned around and growled at him. Lotus returned it with the same intensity. He then turned back. Ravelyn walked toward him, and took his hand, setting it in flames. He gripped hers tighter.

"You see, Azrael. Somethings can change." He pushed off the ground into the air, holding her by her hand. He pulled her up to level with him. "Sleep..." he said softly. She fell unconscious at his words; a setback from the death of Kain. He had possessed some control over her since then. or else, she would have been able to resist.

Lotus advanced to Solomon, blocking his path between Kaos and himself.

"You son of a bitch! You're not going anywhere!"

He reached out and mentally grabbed Kaos by his throat, attempting to hold him still until he could free Azrael. Turning back to Lotus he made an effort to end the fight before it even began.

"You stay where you are and you're going to end up beaten, bloody, and unconcious. You move out of the way now and I might leave off the first two parts. Either way, I'm going to her and you're not going to stop me."

Again he raised his hand, this time pointing at Lotus's groin.

"Your choice."

A bead of energy formed at the tip of his index finger, no bigger than a pea but glowing brighter than the sun at noon.

Joshua had been fallowing Rave, Solomon, and Nagi. Though slightly further back by about three meters he watched in silence as Nagi fell into the void of the unconscious. Even before Rave could form the words asking him to take care of her he had already moved beside Nagi's sleeping form and gently lifted her as if she was only a feather. As Rave and Solomon walked forth Joshua mouthed the words good luck towards them as he walked towards a sheltered yet seculded area of the plaza and placed Nagi down proping her against the wall. It always seemed that when ever I appear something goes wrong..., he thought aloud no longer caring of thouse who could hear him. His attention was more or less placed on the woman he had been asked to help. Yet only minutes later he looked up at the sky to see and feel the first rain dropplets begin to pelt the earth. He muttered under his breath and removed his trench coat and gently plaed it over Nagi to keep her dry ignoring the constant beat of the rain that fell.

OCC:Gah next time wait for the other guy. I hate writing condensed posts of what had occured when I was offline.

Saerat had been expecting a conversation with his old friend Christov, but as he approached, there was a commotion in the crowd. Both of them turned, and saw a fight happening the other side of the plaza.

Vampires

This was not a surprise for Saerat, he knew what sort of party this was, and also knew how violent these celebrations end up becoming. Christov on the other hand reached into his coat and pulled out a silver pistol.

The two would have to catch up later. Christov went running to the scene of this fight, pushing through confused crowd members on his way.

Saerat knew that something like this would happen. If only that damn woman had not taken his dagger earlier. He put his hand down his shirt and revealed a silver cross. Rubbing it, he hoped it would bring God closer to the situation. After doing so he followed Christov, he would have to find a way of helping when he needed to.

Nancia lifted gently, knowing how her passenger hated this type of travel.

"Did you find anything?" Turquine asked.

"One reference recently to a Shentavo, I'm going to those coordinates."

"It's a start", Turquine replied.

"Singularity in two minutes", she stated.

Turquine groaned and strapped himself onto the acceleration couch.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Space seemed to explode, and from the explosion like a fiery pheonix, Nancia shot from the singularity point. As soon as she was through she sent out a broad band transmission.

"This is Nancia Perez Y DeGras. Central Worlds courier vessel. I am unarmed. I carry the King of Highport for official business." The message repeated, though she wasn't sure if the planet she was heading toward could even pick her up.

Lotus put up his finger. “Little boys shouldn’t play with mana.” He raised his arms as the rain which was pouring down was directed at Solomon. “I can’t let you disturb them, I’m afraid.

Azrael stirred and opened her eyes, biting down on Kaos’ arm. He pulled her close to him more tightly, and turned her eyes to look below at the fight perusing. “See, Ravelyn.” he said to her. “How all of your precious control is out minded by your kin. You are the great Ravelyn Shentavo, Azrael, our sister, yet you can do nothing to save him? Not even yourself. I had more respect for you…but now…”

“Hey Kaos,” she growled. He could not see that her eyes were alive with flame. “Shut up.” Instantaneously, a white flame engulfed them and he was sent back by the force of the fire. Her wings spred out as she landed. She then stood up, extinguishing the fire, her wings falling into nothing but feathers. She reached out her hand, shackles locking around both her arms; her weapon of choice had always been the chains which had once bound her.

He put his broad sword foreword, and beckoned her. The people watched. Their leader, without formality…and not using her angelic abilities. For a moment, she reminded many of Qui. “They do call me the kin slayer,” she said softly. “But why would they say that? Because you made me kill my own flesh and blood. I’ve had enough of you and your pathetic excuses, Kaos. The game ends here. I will show you what it truly means to be a Shentavo.”

Joshua looked up at the sky as the rain was redirected and cocked his head to the side with a slightly confused look on his face but shook it off returning his focus to Nagi. He knelt down beside her and moved his rain splatered trench coat off of her and placed a cool hand against her forehead. Are you able to wake? he asked her hoping she would be able to respond.

Nagi moved slighty, and opened her eyes. Waking up, she looked at Joshua, and saw glimpses of the battle raging on. "Tell her....to use what she was given by him." she smiled softly, exposing a set of fangs, and then closed her eyes. She was going to be out for a while.

Joshua nodded to her and rose. He looked down at Nagi one more time and began to run towards the battle his legs carrying him as fast as they could. Even as he reached the outer area of the battle feild he moved closer untill he was well within shouting distance. As he drew a breath in he shouted out at the top of his voice to Ravelyn "Rave. Use what he gave to you." He didn't care about anything at that moment except for her to hear him shouting.

"Wrong choice."

The Duke raised his left hand and clenched it into a fist, freezing the air around himself and using it as a shield to ward off the water cascading towards him.

"Probably your last choice."

With his right hand still aimed at Lotus he unleashed a torrent of energy that would leave a block of titanium as a small and slightly steaming puddle.

"I will not let her go; not for you, not for that damn Kaos up there, not if Jove and Juno came down from the heavens and personally commanded it. She stays with me until she wants to leave, and there's not a damn thing you can do to change that."

“Just wait till she remembers,” Lotus said with a smile, and then looked up at the lightning hurtling towards him. He tried to move out of the way but it struck him head on, and he was thrown into the clock tower, and did not move. Electricity was his weakness. Quissera controlled electricity, and there was always one seraph to counter another.

Ravelyn arched her eyebrow. "Who the hell are you talking about, Joshua?" She yelled back, wrapping the chains around Kaos' broadsword.

The Duke already had another ball of energy in his hands, ready to strike when Lotus appeared again, when he saw that it would not be needed. The limp body of Lotus was plainly visible to him and would obviously no longer impede his efforts to rescue Ravelyn.

"What.....that's it? I won already? Wow, that was so anti-climactic."

However, as disappointed as he was with the speed of the fight, he had more important things to worry about.

Azrael......I have to help Azrael!

Unfortunately, when he glanced at the battle between to the two Seraphics, a realization hit him.

Okay.......how do I help Azrael?

"Anything?" Turquine asked.

"Negative", Nancia answered. "I'm detecting cities. There's a large gathering at one." She put up a thermal imaging for his benefit.

"I don't know what I'm looking at, just tell me."

"Alot of people in an open area, either a protest or a celebration. In either case if this Shentavo is a leader then something like this might..."

"A leader would be a celebration and possibly a major protest like this, I get it."

"But we haven't made contact with anyone."

Turquine thought for a moment, "Take us down as close to it as you can."

"We may not like the attention we'll get."

"At least we'll get attention."

With that Nancia entered the atmosphere moving as close to the gathering as she could then looked for a landing spot.

Joshua didn't know how to respond to the question but shouted out anyways "Hell if I know thats what Nagi said to do." He didn't know what to do though. He knew very little when it came to figuring out riddles like that yet he still tried to figure out a better answer.

OOC: Just to keep things moving........

IC:

Okay, those two are way to close together. I try to fry him and I'll probably get her, too. Maybe just a little prick, it could keep him off balance.

He slowly took aim, concentrating on focusing the energy down to a tiny point. To small to hold a lethal charge, but non-lethal had its time in the spotlight as well.

You might not be dead, but you're going to have one hell of an itch.

The energy sped from the Dukes mind aimed right at Kaos's rear end.

"Funny, boy," Kaos said, his sword weilding around to absorb the attack. Energy was not a good thing to use on him. You had more of a chance if you fought him physically.

Ravelyn thought to herself. There was only one person the truly had loved within her life. His name was Michael Vaughn. You ask anyone, but there never was a deeper love between any too people than Ravelyn and Michael. She had been 'good', and Michael had been 'evil', and the contrast drew them together to the point where good and evil could not be defined by light and dark. Had she forgotten so quickly?

She closed her eyes. The dark path... Within seconds Kaos and Ravelyn vanished within the air.

Kaos looked around, darkness all around him. He was alone. He stood up, placing his hand on the back of his neck. "Where the hell am I?"

The Duke just stood there and stared at the space that Azrael and Kaos had occupied a mere second ago.

"What the bloody hell just happened?"

"I wouldn't know," Joshua replied as he bore a puzzled look. "She always seems to have old tricks you never see," he muttered before he turned to walk back to Nagi.

"Well, we need to get some security in here or something! Find out where she just went! We can't just forget about her!"

He began to follow Joshua.

Ellie sighted. "She'll be fine. She brought him into the dark path. No way he's getting out of there..."

Ravelyn materialized seconds later, feeling a bit feint, and not quite sure what happened.

Nagi sat up, and reached up a hand toward Joshua.

Joshua took her hand and helped her up gently. "Are you alright? Or do you need some help?" he asked her as he felt Rave return from where she vanished to.

The sight of Azrael appearing as suddenly as she had disappeared left the Duke just as stunned as he'd been a few minutes ago.

Then he burst into a yell of joy, rushed forward, and nearly tackled her as he pulled her into a tight embrace.

Ravelyn had blood at the edge of her lip, and her skin was unually pale. "Vaughn...I..."

Nagi took Joshua's hand for support and stood up. Her head was spinning wildly. "What the hell just happened."

Vaughn? Well......that sucks. I'm sure she's just tired from the fight. Yes, that must be it.

The Duke acted as if he hadn't even heard her speak, just pulling her tigher against himself.

"Are you okay? What happened?"

She wrapped her arms around him. "I thought I lost you...I tried so hard to reach you, but I couldn't. I died with you, Vaughn."

"I thought you were gone forever. I can finally be happy again Michael. Like we were together..."

Oh, God. She thinks I'm....she thinks she's with......crap.

Slowly, the Duke untangled himself from her and took a step back. Holding her at arms length he removed his mask and dropped it to the floor.

"Ravelyn, it's me. It's not Michael. He's not here. I......I'm sorry, but he's gone."

Her eyes widened, and she fell to the ground, her hands on the cool pavement. She saw the blood drop to the ground from her mouth, and wiped it with the back of her hand.

Her wings were spread out in full, and began to disintigrate into nothing but feathers caught by the wind.

The Duke slowly got to his knees beside her and put his arms around her again, holding her without speaking.

Jesus, some first date this turned out to be.

Joshua held Nagi's arm supporting her and spoke "Well Rave and someone basicly began fighting. Rave vanished with this person and I use the word person lightly and just reappeared. You need me to carry you over there? Or you wana just rest?"

"No, I'm fine," Nagi said softly, and began to straighten out and felt a sharp pain once again, nearly falling over. Ok...maybe not...

Joshua helped Nagi by bracing her preventing her from falling and helpped her to her feet again. "You sure you want to pass up my offer of being carried?" Joshua asked shaking his head slightly before his look of serriousness returned.