Arc 1 - Rescue

Lilly smiled at Johnny in response to his comment. Gen definitely could and probably would do that if it came to it, however, that wasn't what was bothering Lilly. Despite this though, she pushed the thoughts from her mind for now, just hoping that he would be able to forgive her. She listened intently as Gen explained what the plan of action would be. Lilly nodded, her cheeks colouring very very slightly.

((Sorry it's so short... will make up for it later, just don't have much time ATM))
FrostFire SirGrey CactusJuice Elowyn

Jack sighed. It was quickly becoming apparent how much of an odd man out he was. Not only was he the only one not to know anyone here, it seemed Gen had arranged this some sort of couples’ dinner. At best he was the third wheel. Not that he wanted to meet or have a partner in any other form then a monster hunting partner. He continued observing the conversations of those around him. Jess’s complaints of Johnny’s smoking amused Jack. He had never really thought about it, but, from a vampire’s perspective, the life spans of mortals probably passed by in the blink of an eye. He reflexively reach for a cigar in his jacket, and he frowned slightly when he found nothing there. He sighed. My lifespan will seem like a spark to them. Jack had already accepted the fact that he would die young. He lived a particularly dangerous lifestyle, and it would only take one mistake for him to die. That mistake would come sooner or later; he was only human after all. That was why he began smoking. I’ll be lucky if I live to die of lung cancer. Jack chewed some broccoli as he mulled this over. In fact, Jack suspected that he would die at some point within the next couple of days. I better not slack on my prayers. It would be a bother if I had to fight everyone I killed again in hell.

When Athena got up and left, one word burned in his mind. Slaves. He shook his head slightly quickly quelling the flames of anger that burned within him. No matter how happy they may have appeared, that was their true relationship with Gen. They were her slaves and she their master. I suppose my relationship with her isn’t much better. He owed his life to her, and it was unlikely he’d repay his debt before his was over. Jack could only hope he’d play an important part of rescuing her husband. He imagined the life of her husband was much more important to her then his.

When Jess came over, Jack did his best to remain relaxed, but he couldn’t help but tense when she leaned towards him. It was a natural reaction for him. When most of the vampires he’d encountered got that close to him, they were going for a kill. Jess sat down next to him, and he relaxed a bit. Then Gen finally began the briefing. Jack was wondering what exactly the role was he was meant to play, so he’d been looking forward to it. Gen asked that he tried to keep the bloodshed to a minimum. “I will do my best, but I make no promises.” He’d learned his lesson when it came to making promises to Gen; that’s what got him into this whole mess. In the end, he found that most of his questions still remained unanswered.
Elowyn FrostFire Geozaki SirGrey

The kitsune listened patiently to Lady Genevieve's explanation and division of their team. He nodded to indicate that he heard and understood. "I agree that if we want to survive it is best that we remain together, but keep in mind that a large group will draw suspicion if not outright notice. Unless, of course, the Lady has a solution to that?" he asked her. He wondered if she did indeed have some power or ability or item that would be able to disguise them, for it seemed too foolhardy to just stroll in while fighting every guard that they came upon.

He saw Jack reach for something in his jacket and was despondent when he didn't find it. It was probably one of those cigarettes humans smoked, although why they seemed to enjoy it so much he didn't understand. Lilly seemed to be feeling slightly better as she was smiling, and Izuru did note how Genevieve was bolstering the girl's spirits through her emphasis of Lilly's importance during the mission.

FrostFire CactusJuice Geozaki SirGrey

Gen rolled her eyes at Johnny, smiling slightly. "I'd imagine her feelings are mutual. And no, we can't use the front door.", she sobered up as Jack spoke, "I am unable to give you weapons unless I have your word, and that would most probably be certain death for you.", her tone was cold. "Many of the 'guards' are as much prisoners there as Hiro and Armina, some have even been tortured beyond comprehension.", she grimaced, and turned away.
"Luckily, I do indeed have a solution for that dilema... Although it is a bit of a mixture of things...", her face was back to normal again, and she smiled, even if it was a little strained.
"Now, getting in I shall need help from you, Johnny. Much like the cloaking spell on Lilly, we shall have something similar. However, it isn't very effective, and we will still need to sneak in. But we will hopefully be disguised as guards bringing in some prisoners, unless they look at us closely... We are riding on quite a few maybes and hopefullys here, unfortunately.", she paused, letting it sink in.
"Now, there are numerous back doors, and we will be using the one closest to where we want to be, it's on private property... Um, have any of you heard of Blodeuwedd?", her face scrunched up, like she just ate a lemon.
Elowyn Geozaki SirGrey CactusJuice

Johnny was glad to see he managed to bring a smile to Gen's face after all, with the current subject smiles would be something in small supply. The con man wasn't broken up about the lack of weapons, they weren't really his forte or style. He much preferred, sly deception with a mix of sardonic with combined with a passion for the reckless. Even if the guards of this place hadn't been so unfortunate, Johnny doubted he could 'get rid of them'. While he had thratened people with it and maybe even be partly responsible for the loss of life, he couldn't really imagine even how he could kill someone in cold blood. Even after all he had seen and done it still made his stomach turn. "Well I guess the good news might be that I'm still wanted around this place so that might help," Johnny says sardonically as thinks over the stabbilty of this plan. "A girl made of flowers cursed to an owl right?".
FrostFire Geozaki Elowyn CactusJuice

Gen nodded seriously. "Indeed. You will have heard of her from Welsh folk stories, the Mabonigion... In fact, her name actually means flower face in Welsh. Ahem,", she cleared her throat, "Anyway. Yes, we shall have to go through her house to reach the door, and the key for said door is in her... her nest.", she made a face.
"Blodeuwedd is sometimes depicted as a sweet girl, at least in the beginning of the story, but unfortunately for us, this is far from the case. She's violent, psychotic, sadistic, and infatuated with herself. So, before we can even get into the Shi no Shi, we must go into her house and get the key... ", she sighed, rubbing her temples.
"She cannot see me, as Blodeuwedd has proclaimed us mortal enemies... You see, the stories are rather far from the truth...", she paused, deliberating for a second.
"Would any of you like to hear the story? The true story, that is.".
SirGrey Elowyn Geozaki CactusJuice

(I think Imma start using bbcode for IC posts. Tell me if it bothers you in any way.)

Gen smiled, it was a good story after all, even if it was rather brutal.
"I am glad you all wish to hear it. I was a good friend of Gwydion, before he passed, so I have had... Second hand experience of the true turn of events.", she smiled slyly. "Magic worked a bit differently back then, you see. And Gwydion was indeed a powerful witch. Using flowers and trees, Blodeuwedd was 'created'. She wad a nymph initially, the sort that cannot leave their tree. She fell in love with Lleu, whom she was created for, and despaired that she could not be with him. So, Gwydion gave her a body, and allowed her to walk the earth to be with her love, under the condition that she remained with Lleu for eternity, or until he passed away.", Gen sighed.
"She happily agreed, but as we know from the story, she had an affair with Gronw Pebr, and the two planned to kill Lleu. She broke her contract, intending to kill Lleu in cold blood. Now, the story tells us that they didn't succeed... In reality, they did. Gronw Pebr murdered Lleu, and returned to Blodeuwedd with his head, victorious.", she paused.
"She took Lleu's head, and ate it raw.", she made a face, "And then proceeded to eat Gronw Pebr alive, after she had broken his legs so he couldn't escape. That is how Gwydion found her, covered in blood as she finished them off, and he explained to her that she had broken her contract, and committed atrocious acts, so he cursed her to live as an owl - not any normal owl mind you - so that all would know she was a killer. But he didn't banish her back to her confinement in her tree, as he believed she could, one day, become good.", she sighed again, shaking her head.
Turning to Izuru-san, she said "The door is on her property, after all, and she is allowed to take her... Ugh, picking, of meals from the prison. She uses that door to get her food.", Gen made a face.
"Thank you for your word, Jack. And as you just heard, Blodeuwedd is one of your monsters... Many are, but some, more than you would like think, are not.", she sighed, not wanting to get into this debate again, but she had to defend her people.
Elowyn CactusJuice SirGrey Geozaki
((If you guys want a synopsis of the actual story, the wiki is good. Just so you get a better idea of what I'm talking about.))

Lilly gave up on trying to eat, if she hadn't been hungry before, now that Gen had told Blodeuwedd's story, she certainly wasn't hungry anymore. She knew the story and had heard it many times before, but it still made her feel rather queasy. She thought about what would be ahead of them over the next few days, despite her fear, which she was desperately trying to suppress, she was also really excited, she couldn't wait to see Hiro again, she'd missed him so much, she imagined that Gen was also desperate to see him again, but she was very good at hiding it.

FrostFire Elowyn CactusJuice SirGrey

"Well don't that just sound like a story you want to here before you head to bed," Johnny says in a sarcastic tone while finishing off another cup of cider. While his humour may have proved otherwise, the story had gotten under his skin. The idea of someone being twisted into this horrific creature well it didn't fill him with hope for the world. The fact that this twist was started with love and flowers. Sighing a little, Johnny stretches his arm into the air in a very casual manner. "So unless we have any more horrific stories to go over, are we okay to end this meeting," he said glancing over to Jess. He really hadn't had the chance to catch up with her.
FrostFire Geozaki Elowyn CactusJuice

Jack decided then he'd risk a piece of meat, and he got himself a slice of turkey. It may have seemed like a strange time to do so, but the story made him decide he'd like to be at full strength. While he expected death might come for him soon, he'd rather avoid being eaten alive. The story had been far more brutal and gruesome then he'd initially recalled. He began cutting into his turkey slice, I suppose that's what happens when you try to play God. As he brought the fork up to his mouth, Gen's last sentence made him pause. "So you don't share Gwydion's belief that she could one day become good? That surprises me." He stated before continuing on with his meal. Jack had many questions of his own, but he felt like it was not his place to ask them. He was there to follow orders; he didn't need to know the exact details of the plan, so instead of asking questions of his own, he listened curiously to the answers to Izuru's.
FrostFire Geozaki SirGrey Elowyn

Gen rolled her eyes at Johnny's snide comments, "We're almost done, do not be so eager to leave... And it is indeed tragic. It would fit in rather well with those tales.", she smiled thinly, having read the fairy tales Izuru spoke of, she knew very well that most were founded on more than just myth and fantasy. "I know that she hates witches, and her weaknesses are similar to that of a vampires, or a nymphs.", she sadly didn't know much about Blodeuwedd's weaknesses, which worried her a bit. Considering his proposition for a second, she paused. "Hmm... I believe they are of better use to the others. I can imagine that they will be going through their own trials at the moment.", she sighed, Inari really was ruthless.
"But do as you please. Whatever you think is best.", she finished brightly, before giving Jack a sidelong glance.
"How so? It is hardly as if we have known each other for long. And I seem to be surprising you quite a bit, hunter.", she paused.
"Some beings are beyond saving. Some vampires are better off killed and put to rest rather than cause misery on this world. Many creatures are good, and many are bad, but most, if not all apart from the odd exception, are a mixture of both good and evil. Gwydion was a dreamer, one of the purer souls. Which is why he is dead now.", her voice became deadpan by the end. Perhaps God is not all you make them out to be, dearest hunter. She spoke to him mentally.
Clearing her throat, she addressed the whole group. "I do believe we're done here... This plan is mostly improvisation anyway, as much depends on things going our way. Expect the unexpected, is my best advise.", she waved a hand, excusing everyone from their positions.
It was getting late, nearing 10pm, and many would probably want to retire for the night.
"Ah, Johnny, Jessalyn. Before I forget, Jess, you can take him to your room, as I presume you will be staying here tonight.", she smiled wryly at Jess, who giggled in return, spinning round to look at Johnny, "Yay! I have the nicest room in this whole place!", her bubbly voice excited as she practically jumped from her seat.
Elowyn SirGrey CactusJuice Geozaki

Johnny sat back in his chair with a sigh. He would never admit, reputation and all that, but he did get scared. That was the real reason he wanted to leave, after all, try and block out what he was going up against until the time came. Even with all he has seen in his life, stories like that really do fill him with dread, icicles crawling up his back and wind consuming his hands. Johnny is still a particular a regular guy, just a bit more in tune with the magical spectrum. Monsters, demons and whatever the hell is out there could easily kill him or worse. This Blodeuwedd was bad enough it seemed, but the hatred for witches well Johnny just hoped he wouldn't have too close to cannibalistic flower owl. "You can't judge a race by one person I mean if you judged all witches by me you'd have a very negative view of our kind, same with humans, vampires and anything else mate," Johnny says in a sort of wise tone giving his thoughts on Jack and Gen's debate. Listening to gen's thoughts on good and bad raised a small smirk to his face. If Johnny lived anyway t was within the grey. He raised an eyebrow at Izuru saying "You know sprites mate? Never really got along with the sort myself at least the ones I meet, then again they were more the trouble stirring sort" he says in a melancholic tone. "Still given what we've got to do, any help we can get would be bloody brilliant if you ask me," the con man says finishing off his drink. Something told him he would need a few more before this little mission was over. When Gen said it was time to call an end to the meeting he could have praised any deity. Then again once he was told he would be sharing a room with Jess, well he realised that praising a deity might not save him. "Alright then".
CactusJuice Geozaki Elowyn FrostFire

Jack's fist tightened slightly. God is all he needs to be. While he didn't beleive everyone should share his religious beleifs, attacking them was one of the fastest ways to anger him. Jack wanted to snap back at Johhny with something along the lines of 'I already have a negative view of your kind,' but he restrained himself. "...to be fair, I didn't judge your...kinds that quickly, and that has earned me more then one scar." He quickly finished his food. His face remained a wall. He was quite good at hiding his emotions when he so chose, and he decided it was best to do so for now. Their was no need to give them any more ammunition. They already had plenty of ways to kill him physically, so Jack thought it best he avoid giving them ways to mess with him psychologically as well.

He stood up. "I'm here to go over the plan not to explain my ideologies or defend my faith, so if that's all there is to the plan, I'll take my leave." He started to walk out but paused after glancing at Lilly. Has she been...crying? The thought pulled at his heart strings a little. He hadn't known her long, but the girl had gotten past most of his emotional barriers. Jack had always been too quick to let his guard down around children. While she may have just missed her "father", Jack had a feeling his treatment of her didn't help. A sense of guilt washed over him. "...you should probably eat more and get as much rest as you can. You'll need your strength." He said to the girl in a low tone without looking at her. Despite the fact she was a so-called "monster", he couldn't bring himself to hate her. If Gen wanted to kill me, all she'd have to do is send Lilly. The thought mad him blush slightly. Had he really gotten that soft in a matter of days? He quickly turned away and walked out the nearest set of doors. Jack had no idea where exactly he was going, but he figured he'd find something of interest eventually. Besides, anywhere is better then sitting at a table arguing with Gen. He shook his head, still a little mad at the vampire woman.
SirGrey FrostFire Elowyn Geozaki

Gen watched Jack go in silence. He had headed out of the servants door, so he would find himself in the kitchen, and probably bump into Athena on her way back from handing out food, although the Nekomata was probably already panicking in her room. It was nice to see that he wasn't completely heartless as he spoke to Lilly, and Gen turned to the little girl, "Go to bed now, and take some food from the kitchen with you.", standing, Gen went after Jack, she didn't want him wreaking havoc amongst her staff, although she decided she would keep her distance, stalking him for awhile until she needed to interfere.

Jess giggled, and tugged on his arm. Thankfully, it wasn't strong enough to pull it out of its socket, but it managed to pull him out of the seat rather forcefully. "C'mon then! Lets gooooo...", she whined as she continued to pull him along behind her. She was ignoring Jack, he gave her a weird vibe, and scared her a little, probably due to the fact that he was a hunter.
She paused for a second to let Johnny catch up, still holding his hand in her grip softly, but there was no way he was getting his hand back unless she let go.
She had lead him through the main doors, and finally let go of his hand, pausing for a second. "That Jack person... He gives me the creeps, truthfully he scares me a little... Promise me you'll keep an eye on him?", she was unusually serious, her gaze down turned as she spoke quietly. When Jessalyn was serious, it was a sign that there was something very wrong.
SirGrey Elowyn CactusJuice Geozaki

Athena made her way up to the meeting spot, fidgeting. She was beyond nervous, and had already steeled herself up for disappointment. She didn't know much about Izuru, other than what she had been told and the gossip that went around, but even on that alone she liked him.
She was a couple of minutes early, but noticed he was standing there when she poked her head around the corner, seeing him lit up by the deep red light of the sun. She spun away, her back to the wall as she mentally prepared herself, squeezing her eyes shut for a second before taking a deep breath, and smoothing down her dress.
Gingerly, she opened the glass door, and stepped out quietly, before going silently to stand next to him. "Izuru-sama... I... I don't mind if you don't feel the same way, I..", she trailed off, looking down over the scenery of sparse black plants and the city, trying her best not to look at him as she spoke softly.
Elowyn

"Well I guys I'll see you lass and lads lattttteeeerrrrr" he says as he is pulled away by Jess. He was thankful she had remembered that he had fragil arms and she had above human strength. He felt the others would be alright, well Izuru seemed to be also setup for a relationship today. Jack, Gen and Lilly seemed to be having issues due to Jack views on vampires. Still, maybe he could be turned around, Lily would probably be the person who could do that. He was grateful for the chance to catch his breath, though he noticed she hadn't yet given him back his hand. Once had got his hand back he was going to say something smart arsed, but with what Jess said and the tone she said it all in gave him pause for thought. Looking at her with a comforting smile he says "Don't worry lass I know what you mean like I said at the table, I don't know why he can't see you and your folk for what you are, I think Gen might try and get through to him or maybe even Lilly, but yeah don't worry he won't do anything or he'll have me to deal with" in a comforting tone before finishing off with a sly smile.
Elowyn FrostFire CactusJuice Geozaki

Jess sighed, "I'm worried about you... You are human after all.", she pouted, but seemed comforted by what he said. Brightening up, she skipped a few steps, before turning back to him "Enough of the serious talk! I wanna try and get that nasty smell off you, and try some of the goods...", she licked her lips, and growled playfully as she crouched into a mock pounce, a wide canny smile gracing her lips.
Straightening up, and still laughing, her eyes sparkled as she walked another few steps, waiting for him to follow before continuing along the maze of corridors towards her room, pausing every few steps to make sure he was following, and to look up at him adoringly.
SirGrey

"And I'm worried about you, you're you after all but I guess I'll have to live with it," he says sarcastically with a sly smile to accompany it. Seeing her brighten up did bring a certain joy to him though he did blush a tad when she about getting rid of the smell. He did laugh at her cat impression saying "So does that make me a cat or am I just a mouse or a rat" in a sardonic manner. Following her to her room, walking with his hands in his pockets and a slight whistle in his step, he kept his bedevilling smile on his face, mostly kept there by the way she kept looking at him. "Are you trying to hypnotise me lass or are just really that cute". FrostFire

Jess laughed, "Of course you're a rat!", she slowed down a little, and walked beside him, batting her eyelids and making her cutest face. "Both! What else would one use my assets for?", she giggled, before skipping ahead and skidding to a stop outside a large wooden door. "Here we are!", she swung it open easily, although Johnny would find it much more difficult to open and close, and gestured for Johnny to go first.
The whole room was white, save for the dark wooden floor, and elegant and girly- exactly Jessalyn's style.
"Isn't it wonderful?", she went in after him, closing the massive door with an echoing thump and running over to the bed (a human run), and jumping onto it, almost disappearing under into it as the soft mattress and fluffy sheets sunk under her.
SirGrey
((Just tell me if you wanna time skip - I'll be skipping to the morning once all the characters are finished for the night anyway.))

Athena listened intently, and considered what he said. "I do not think I can keep him, I only hope. I am no enchantress, no shapeshifter, and I am certainly not worthy... So hope is all I can do.", she peeked over at him shyly, wondering what he was thinking under that mask. She wasn't sure what he wanted her to say, so she said a little more to break the silence. "I'm not like most women I see around... I'm not that pretty, I can't to amazing magic or have combat skills or... Anything like that. I'm pretty... Ordinary.", she turned towards him a little, and looked up at him again. "I'm sorry for making you uncomfortable, Izuru-sama, and I understand if you don't want...", she gulped, and didn't manage to finish her train of thought.
Elowyn