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<blockquote data-quote="Captain Claymore" data-source="post: 2729830" data-attributes="member: 12634"><p><strong>Part Seven</strong></p><p></p><p>"Just checking", was D's reply to the now-not-so-strange man sitting next to him on the steps. "So what do we do..." He stopped suddenly when he noticed the guy approaching from across the street. D had a sense the guy was looking for something, and he was hoping that it wasn't him or Dave. Ignoring all else including any reaction from Ash, D opened the valve a bit on the essence tap and focused it into his abilities. Again, he extended his perceptions outward toward the man drawing near, feeling uncomfortable that he had to do this so often today, and asked the man's brain a question. He was not sure if the guy next to him would sense it again, not being directed at him, but he had to chance it if this new guy might be trouble.</p><p></p><p>Like themselves, the man wasn't particularly dressed for the service. Ash picked up the smell of cloves as he passed. It was almost enough to mask the nervous sweat. As he stepped through the doors, D and the Dhampyre exchanged a questioning glance. D got some information but was cut off as the man stepped inside and line of sight was lost. His name is Agent Zoryn Rakov. He's here to infiltrate a cult. D grimaced. What... the... f<img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /><img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /><img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" />?</p><p></p><p>Rakov noted that the inside of the cathedral was just as impressive as the outside. A man in the black shirt and white collar of a priest knelt on the altar steps arranging flowers around an open casket. An older man was standing to the side and adjusting his white robed vestments into place. Several robed boys entered from a side door and moved up a set of stone steps to a small choir loft above the altar area. There was no one else in the pews as of yet.</p><p></p><p>He sighed deeply and confronted the fact that he was not dead. He stood from his seat and awkwardly shuffled out of the pewed rows. Glancing around the church, pretending to look at the construction art, he slowly made his way back to the entrance. He opened the doors and shoved his impatience under his facade. Zoryn looked at the two men seated on the steps of the cathedral and nodded.</p><p></p><p>"You two here for the requiem?" His voice was kind of shaky and he coughed a hacking fit to clear his throat after the sentence. He continued with his voice contained, deep and full of presence, "I'm sorry, I'm just a little emotional. He was a friend of mine."</p><p></p><p>Briefly, his eyebrow quirked. Dressed like that, pal? Riiight... But Ashley was pretty sure that his twitch was only noticeable as that -- a twitch, or a flinch, like something had irritated his eyebrow. Remembering the kids -- especially the one who'd had the headphones on when he was looking around inside the church -- he shook his head. "Waitin' for my girlfriend ta pick me up. Choir practice just let out a little bit ago," he lied, realizing only after the fact that he had a cigarette between his fingers. But, then again, this was a Catholic church...</p><p></p><p>As he turned just enough to catch the guy out of the corner of his eyes, D put a stoned and I don't care expression on his face, as he reinstated the mental probing and took a long drag from his cig.</p><p></p><p>Zoryn clicked his tongue in a gesture of warning as he looked directly at D.</p><p></p><p>"You should be careful, some folks might be eluded to think you were the snooping type."</p><p></p><p>Zoryn moved his gaze to the sky and lit a black clove. He breathed in the smoke as it sparked to life.</p><p></p><p>"You know, sometimes what you think you want... isn't actually what you want. Sometimes... what you think is gold, is merely the shiny bait on the end of a hook."</p><p></p><p>He then returned his gaze to D... though this time it was a glare.</p><p></p><p>"Sometimes, that little piece of gold can become such a bother to the little fish. All he wanted was a nibble... and a nibble he was given. We should learn from the fish... to be less curious. Don't you think?"</p><p></p><p>Ashley's nerves were already a little on edge -- every time D used a little of his power, Ash could feel something primal stir hungrily within himself -- and Zoryn's mini-speech didn't help matters much. Bitingly, he retorted, "Look, if you know any more about this situation than either of us, we'd appreciate a heads-up," blowing his previous lie out of the water.</p><p></p><p>"Fact is, man none of us knows the other, nor do I personally give a sh<img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /><img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" />. All that glitters may not be gold, but all knowledge is certainly worthy to behold, so if you have any you can share have at it, if not... f<img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /><img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /> off!" With the final word, D shakily reached for another smoke from the pack laying in his lap and with a twitchy hand proceeded to light it, though it seemed the flame was unusually large even for a normal looking zippo. He took a long drag in a not so grandiose manner and tried to look less tweaked than he was. This was of course noticeable to all, as he apparently really sucks at hiding such emotions.</p><p></p><p>"well it seams I have happened upon a couple of lost souls here... obviously distraught over some sort of compiled events. However, it seams a little estranged a situation to have two souls relying on the knowledge of a stranger. Indeed, would anything I say be sufficient? How do you know I am not the danger to your cause? If I do not know you... and you do not know me.. then we are at an impasse. As you already know, my name is Rakov, and yours?"</p><p></p><p>"Didn't know that until you told me just now," he muttered under his breath. Realizing he was acting a little more than hostile toward the guy, Ash took a deep breath to calm his nerves, inhaling a long drag of smoke from his cigarette along with the oxygen. "You're right, man; why should we trust you? You've done jack since you showed up but shake up my friend here--" and he knew saying that about D, who he'd only known a short time was presumptuous and even ballsy, but at this point he didn't care, "--and tell us your name without prompting."</p><p></p><p>"You can cut the pretense. I already expect this to be a trap, and whether you are the clamping jaws, or just another victim it matters not. I know why he is here, and he knows why I am here, but both of us know you are not here to wish this dead guy best wishes. I will bet that none of us know why all these other guys are here, and since I believe that to be the case, that would mean that you are not part of the problem, and as yet not part of the solution either." D continued to drag his smoke, as the heavy intake of nicotine settled his nerves a bit. "You can have a seat and talk to us like humans, or you can try to play inquisitor and have two more guys who do not like you and probably won't give you any more info. These other guys, well until whatever is going to happen, happens, these guys won't give a mad f<img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /><img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /><img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" />."</p><p></p><p>"I was unaware that this proceeding required chivalrous manners... in fact, I am unused to being accosted by mental assaults and treated with indignity when I confront my attackers."</p><p></p><p>Zoryn took a minute to ponder his thoughts and finally stated,</p><p></p><p>"Rude. that's what you are. rude. Completely and totally incapable of socially acceptable introductions and manners of standard conducts when wanting to make a greeting. Normal folk state their intentions and greet a new arrival usually with something jovial such as, 'How are you today?' or 'How's the weather?' or even, 'good eve ol' chap hows about a crumpet and some tea?'. But no, you instead are as the bully. Your only conceivable choice to introduce yourselves in your dire wish to gain a foothold in your confusing and bewildering world is to destroy anything that comes near you and then sniff it to find out what it is. you assault my freedom of thought and are confused when I come across as less than accommodating. Instead of asking me information, you instead torture it out of me at first sight. It is not you who should be wary of me as a stranger, it is I for knowing that you already know who I am. It is I who is backed against the wall with two attackers staring me in the face, attempting to be threatening on an impersonal level only to have me end my inquisition and leave without discovering your secret identity... and it is I struck in the back when I turn, convinced of your good intentions and honest errors to return to my own life. But this is where you have failed. See, apparently, you have never lived in the south. There they have a kind saying to young hunters looking to increase their repute of being a 'big game hunter'. 'Never corner something meaner than you', that is their saying. I might advise you to study the proverbs of the wise... they could just save your life."</p><p></p><p>Zoryn became silent... standing behind the two and waited for their reactions.</p><p></p><p>Ash could he feel his tension rising. The beast inside just wanted him to lunge and rip this guy's throat out. But he resisted. He stood up, grounding out the butt of the cigarette beneath his heel. "Better check what kind of animals have you cornered, pal, before you go saying sh<img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /> like that." His voice wasn't as menacing as it had been, because if nothing else, Rakov had earned a few points of respect in Ashley's eyes. "Let's try to start this thing over. Name's Ash."</p><p></p><p>"He's right, well actually you are both right. Now that we have recovered from the preliminary mistrust bulls<img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /><img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /><img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" />, we can get on with a tentative partnership. After all, we are not trying to kill each other, so the phrase 'The enemy of my enemy is my friend,' seems to apply. And you Rakov, are also correct in saying I am rude, but do not make the mistake of taking a lack of courtesy, during a trying situation, for a lack of intelligence or competence. People call me 'D'," D extended his hand in as masculine a manner as he could muster, "and I apologize for being so intrusive earlier" D smiled...</p><p></p><p>Zoryn noticeably relaxed, his shoulders hunched a little and he let out a breath of heavy air.</p><p></p><p>"Very well, good to meet you D."</p><p></p><p>He gestured to Ash and made a toothy grin.</p><p></p><p>"and Ash... was it?" He lowered his voice to an almost sinister quality and stated quite unenthusiastically, "Delighted."</p><p></p><p>Zoryn sat down at the stairs next to the new found companions and changed his voice to match as friendly a manor as could be had at the moment.</p><p></p><p>"So what brings you two here this fine evening?"</p><p></p><p>As he spoke he pulled a pack of black clove cigarettes from his coat. He lit one and continued.</p><p></p><p>"Myself? I guess you could call me the inquisitive type. Obviously my naked ambitions for me being here are my own privacy, however, I can tell you that I mean you no harm. What I'm trying to find here, I'm really not sure. In fact, I'm not positive on anything except that by all standard gumshoe logic, the clues led here."</p><p></p><p>Ash sat down when Rakov did, trying not to feel awkward. Man, this was one crazy night. He didn't want to recount his whole story -- again -- so he simply said, "I got word I was supposed to meet someone here tonight."</p><p></p><p>"And someone is playing marionette with my friend here" D stated coldly, as he jigged his head toward one in the crowd of young guys, "so I came to make sure no one hurts him. The worst thing is that things keep happening, but all of them just add to the confusion..."</p><p></p><p>Zoryn breathed in the smoke and shifted his weight.</p><p></p><p>"Well then, what can we ascertain as to our shared purpose for being here? Does anyone actually know anything about this gentlemen who's proceedings we're crashing?"</p><p></p><p>One of the younger kids' voice interrupted Rakov's question. "Dude, you got anything to drink?"</p><p></p><p>All three men turned their heads only to find that his words were for another of the kids and not at all linked with their conversation.</p><p></p><p>"I'm thirsty."</p><p></p><p>The young man he asked the question of looked amused. "Dude, do I look like I have a drink?" He raised his hands, "Why don't you go get a drink from the store or somethin'?"</p><p></p><p>The kid seemed to consider the thought for a moment. "Nah, it's not that important I guess." He stared around blankly for a few seconds, readjusted his seat on the cold stone steps and went back to waiting. Zoryn, Ash and D all shared a glance.</p><p></p><p>A family chose that moment to appear around the corner of the church building. A man, his wife and two daughters spared a glance for the odd congregation on the steps before walking inside. They were all suitably attired in the dark colors of mourning.</p><p></p><p>Ash followed the family's progress with his eyes and was somewhat surprised to see a face watching them through one of the small, thin windows to the right side of the main doors. He only had time to register a white face and glasses before the head ducked out of view, obviously realizing that he had been spotted.</p><p></p><p>Rakov was in a position to notice Ash's reaction and turned to look as well, but by that time there was nothing to see.</p><p></p><p>Zoryn kept his gaze on the position Ash was looking and commented with a quieted voice.</p><p></p><p>"You look spooked. What's up?"</p><p></p><p>"Someone was watching us," Ash said quietly. "Someone knows we're here, and someone knows we ain't as oblivious as them." By "them", it was obvious that he was referring to the other people sitting in random places on the stairs -- much like the three of them, only the others had no interest in anything, it seemed.</p><p></p><p>"Well I'm not one for these secretive sneaky games of hide and seek. I'm going to pay our benefactor a visit."</p><p></p><p>And with that, Zoryn stood up and walked into the cathedral. He looked around upon entering the cathedral and attempted to spot something that struck him as unnatural.</p><p></p><p>As soon as he stepped through the door he spotted the unusual thing he was looking for. In the vestibule near the doors sat an elderly man who looked to be arguing with himself. He was mostly bald, with a grey beard, blue eyes and antique looking glasses. Dressed in a simple suit jacket and slacks, there was something about the man that struck Rakov as strange. His whole appearance seemed somehow antiquated. His clothing and general "look" was vintage.</p><p></p><p>The man noticed Rakov's entrance almost immediately and his self arguing stopped. He stood up and glared defiantly. It was a nice effort, but Rakov could tell that this old man was hiding fear behind a brave front.</p><p></p><p>"I don't know who you are, but I insist you leave this church immediately!" He raised his hand and pointed towards the main doors as he spoke. His accent was clearly British and cultured.</p><p></p><p>D glanced at Ash and watched as the church door slowly swung closed behind Rakov. He reached out slowly and softly touched the arm of his friend Dave. He reached into Dave's mind again to see if anything had changed now that a few of the other guys seem to be waking from their trance. "That guys right, I could really use a coke about now'" D said in a low tone over his shoulder to Ash as he addled around in his friends mind.</p><p></p><p>Once again he could detect the sibilant whispers weaving in and out of Dave's thoughts, apparently nothing had changed. His friend did respond to his touch though, and looked up, "I'm sorry D, did you say something?" Dave's words were even and slightly monotone.</p><p></p><p>Startled for a split second, D twitched, blinked once, then calmed enough to say, "I said, I need a coke."</p><p></p><p>D tried to force his way past the web of foreign instructions racing through his friends mind. *Who or what used their power to get you here? Can you sense how far away the power you are in contact with is? Is it getting closer? Are you still waiting for more instructions...?*</p><p></p><p>Each question was met with a growing ache in D's own head. The whispering magic always deflecting him, forcing him out. At the last question the pain became too intense and D had to stop. A small but insistent jackhammer had been turned on behind his eyeballs and he squinted them shut, pressing on his eyelids with his thumbs to try and alleviate the throbbing ache.</p><p></p><p>Ash's abdomen clenched a little, a remnant from when he was alive. Abruptly, he scooted away a little from D when the other guy started using his abilities again. As D continued probing, Ash had to close his eyes; he could still feel it, though. In a low voice, he said, "Rakov's right. I'm gonna go with him." Half hoping he'd been heard, half hoping his words had been lost in the general malaise, he got up quickly and followed Rakov back inside the church. Ye gods, I'm acting like a yo-yo today.</p><p></p><p>Zoryn stood in the entry way to the cathedral and measured the old man. His voice calm and polite, he smiled and replied,</p><p></p><p>"I thought the church opened it's doors to all. May I have your name and rank in this church... as to place my complaint with your diocese? And if you are not a rank of the church, then I'm afraid I must decline your courtly offer."</p><p></p><p>Zoryn bowed slightly to add insult to injury.</p><p></p><p>Rakov's civil if opposing reply seemed to give the old man courage. He took a single step forward and lowered his arm. His next words were quite a bit louder, though not quite a shout. "Y-you are not here to pray! Don't try fooling me! I'm not sure how you saw past the glamours but this font is not open for the likes of you and your cronies out there. This place is protected! A fact you'll soon find out firsthand unless you leave post haste!"</p><p></p><p>The two priests, several altar boys and the one family sitting in the pews didn't even glance up at the man's echoing retort. There was something strange about that, though what happened next pushed it from Rakov's mind.</p><p></p><p>As the elderly man finished speaking he took another step forward, only this time his foot never touched the ground. Instead the man began to levitate upwards slightly, an unfelt wind stirring the few remaining hairs on the sides of his head. As he rose his eyes sank backwards, leaving only whiteness and his body began to lose substance - the wall behind him showing through in places.</p><p></p><p>Then man shouted, "Begone from here... or face the wrath of God!"</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Captain Claymore, post: 2729830, member: 12634"] [b]Part Seven[/b] "Just checking", was D's reply to the now-not-so-strange man sitting next to him on the steps. "So what do we do..." He stopped suddenly when he noticed the guy approaching from across the street. D had a sense the guy was looking for something, and he was hoping that it wasn't him or Dave. Ignoring all else including any reaction from Ash, D opened the valve a bit on the essence tap and focused it into his abilities. Again, he extended his perceptions outward toward the man drawing near, feeling uncomfortable that he had to do this so often today, and asked the man's brain a question. He was not sure if the guy next to him would sense it again, not being directed at him, but he had to chance it if this new guy might be trouble. Like themselves, the man wasn't particularly dressed for the service. Ash picked up the smell of cloves as he passed. It was almost enough to mask the nervous sweat. As he stepped through the doors, D and the Dhampyre exchanged a questioning glance. D got some information but was cut off as the man stepped inside and line of sight was lost. His name is Agent Zoryn Rakov. He's here to infiltrate a cult. D grimaced. What... the... f:):):)? Rakov noted that the inside of the cathedral was just as impressive as the outside. A man in the black shirt and white collar of a priest knelt on the altar steps arranging flowers around an open casket. An older man was standing to the side and adjusting his white robed vestments into place. Several robed boys entered from a side door and moved up a set of stone steps to a small choir loft above the altar area. There was no one else in the pews as of yet. He sighed deeply and confronted the fact that he was not dead. He stood from his seat and awkwardly shuffled out of the pewed rows. Glancing around the church, pretending to look at the construction art, he slowly made his way back to the entrance. He opened the doors and shoved his impatience under his facade. Zoryn looked at the two men seated on the steps of the cathedral and nodded. "You two here for the requiem?" His voice was kind of shaky and he coughed a hacking fit to clear his throat after the sentence. He continued with his voice contained, deep and full of presence, "I'm sorry, I'm just a little emotional. He was a friend of mine." Briefly, his eyebrow quirked. Dressed like that, pal? Riiight... But Ashley was pretty sure that his twitch was only noticeable as that -- a twitch, or a flinch, like something had irritated his eyebrow. Remembering the kids -- especially the one who'd had the headphones on when he was looking around inside the church -- he shook his head. "Waitin' for my girlfriend ta pick me up. Choir practice just let out a little bit ago," he lied, realizing only after the fact that he had a cigarette between his fingers. But, then again, this was a Catholic church... As he turned just enough to catch the guy out of the corner of his eyes, D put a stoned and I don't care expression on his face, as he reinstated the mental probing and took a long drag from his cig. Zoryn clicked his tongue in a gesture of warning as he looked directly at D. "You should be careful, some folks might be eluded to think you were the snooping type." Zoryn moved his gaze to the sky and lit a black clove. He breathed in the smoke as it sparked to life. "You know, sometimes what you think you want... isn't actually what you want. Sometimes... what you think is gold, is merely the shiny bait on the end of a hook." He then returned his gaze to D... though this time it was a glare. "Sometimes, that little piece of gold can become such a bother to the little fish. All he wanted was a nibble... and a nibble he was given. We should learn from the fish... to be less curious. Don't you think?" Ashley's nerves were already a little on edge -- every time D used a little of his power, Ash could feel something primal stir hungrily within himself -- and Zoryn's mini-speech didn't help matters much. Bitingly, he retorted, "Look, if you know any more about this situation than either of us, we'd appreciate a heads-up," blowing his previous lie out of the water. "Fact is, man none of us knows the other, nor do I personally give a sh:):). All that glitters may not be gold, but all knowledge is certainly worthy to behold, so if you have any you can share have at it, if not... f:):) off!" With the final word, D shakily reached for another smoke from the pack laying in his lap and with a twitchy hand proceeded to light it, though it seemed the flame was unusually large even for a normal looking zippo. He took a long drag in a not so grandiose manner and tried to look less tweaked than he was. This was of course noticeable to all, as he apparently really sucks at hiding such emotions. "well it seams I have happened upon a couple of lost souls here... obviously distraught over some sort of compiled events. However, it seams a little estranged a situation to have two souls relying on the knowledge of a stranger. Indeed, would anything I say be sufficient? How do you know I am not the danger to your cause? If I do not know you... and you do not know me.. then we are at an impasse. As you already know, my name is Rakov, and yours?" "Didn't know that until you told me just now," he muttered under his breath. Realizing he was acting a little more than hostile toward the guy, Ash took a deep breath to calm his nerves, inhaling a long drag of smoke from his cigarette along with the oxygen. "You're right, man; why should we trust you? You've done jack since you showed up but shake up my friend here--" and he knew saying that about D, who he'd only known a short time was presumptuous and even ballsy, but at this point he didn't care, "--and tell us your name without prompting." "You can cut the pretense. I already expect this to be a trap, and whether you are the clamping jaws, or just another victim it matters not. I know why he is here, and he knows why I am here, but both of us know you are not here to wish this dead guy best wishes. I will bet that none of us know why all these other guys are here, and since I believe that to be the case, that would mean that you are not part of the problem, and as yet not part of the solution either." D continued to drag his smoke, as the heavy intake of nicotine settled his nerves a bit. "You can have a seat and talk to us like humans, or you can try to play inquisitor and have two more guys who do not like you and probably won't give you any more info. These other guys, well until whatever is going to happen, happens, these guys won't give a mad f:):):)." "I was unaware that this proceeding required chivalrous manners... in fact, I am unused to being accosted by mental assaults and treated with indignity when I confront my attackers." Zoryn took a minute to ponder his thoughts and finally stated, "Rude. that's what you are. rude. Completely and totally incapable of socially acceptable introductions and manners of standard conducts when wanting to make a greeting. Normal folk state their intentions and greet a new arrival usually with something jovial such as, 'How are you today?' or 'How's the weather?' or even, 'good eve ol' chap hows about a crumpet and some tea?'. But no, you instead are as the bully. Your only conceivable choice to introduce yourselves in your dire wish to gain a foothold in your confusing and bewildering world is to destroy anything that comes near you and then sniff it to find out what it is. you assault my freedom of thought and are confused when I come across as less than accommodating. Instead of asking me information, you instead torture it out of me at first sight. It is not you who should be wary of me as a stranger, it is I for knowing that you already know who I am. It is I who is backed against the wall with two attackers staring me in the face, attempting to be threatening on an impersonal level only to have me end my inquisition and leave without discovering your secret identity... and it is I struck in the back when I turn, convinced of your good intentions and honest errors to return to my own life. But this is where you have failed. See, apparently, you have never lived in the south. There they have a kind saying to young hunters looking to increase their repute of being a 'big game hunter'. 'Never corner something meaner than you', that is their saying. I might advise you to study the proverbs of the wise... they could just save your life." Zoryn became silent... standing behind the two and waited for their reactions. Ash could he feel his tension rising. The beast inside just wanted him to lunge and rip this guy's throat out. But he resisted. He stood up, grounding out the butt of the cigarette beneath his heel. "Better check what kind of animals have you cornered, pal, before you go saying sh:) like that." His voice wasn't as menacing as it had been, because if nothing else, Rakov had earned a few points of respect in Ashley's eyes. "Let's try to start this thing over. Name's Ash." "He's right, well actually you are both right. Now that we have recovered from the preliminary mistrust bulls:):):), we can get on with a tentative partnership. After all, we are not trying to kill each other, so the phrase 'The enemy of my enemy is my friend,' seems to apply. And you Rakov, are also correct in saying I am rude, but do not make the mistake of taking a lack of courtesy, during a trying situation, for a lack of intelligence or competence. People call me 'D'," D extended his hand in as masculine a manner as he could muster, "and I apologize for being so intrusive earlier" D smiled... Zoryn noticeably relaxed, his shoulders hunched a little and he let out a breath of heavy air. "Very well, good to meet you D." He gestured to Ash and made a toothy grin. "and Ash... was it?" He lowered his voice to an almost sinister quality and stated quite unenthusiastically, "Delighted." Zoryn sat down at the stairs next to the new found companions and changed his voice to match as friendly a manor as could be had at the moment. "So what brings you two here this fine evening?" As he spoke he pulled a pack of black clove cigarettes from his coat. He lit one and continued. "Myself? I guess you could call me the inquisitive type. Obviously my naked ambitions for me being here are my own privacy, however, I can tell you that I mean you no harm. What I'm trying to find here, I'm really not sure. In fact, I'm not positive on anything except that by all standard gumshoe logic, the clues led here." Ash sat down when Rakov did, trying not to feel awkward. Man, this was one crazy night. He didn't want to recount his whole story -- again -- so he simply said, "I got word I was supposed to meet someone here tonight." "And someone is playing marionette with my friend here" D stated coldly, as he jigged his head toward one in the crowd of young guys, "so I came to make sure no one hurts him. The worst thing is that things keep happening, but all of them just add to the confusion..." Zoryn breathed in the smoke and shifted his weight. "Well then, what can we ascertain as to our shared purpose for being here? Does anyone actually know anything about this gentlemen who's proceedings we're crashing?" One of the younger kids' voice interrupted Rakov's question. "Dude, you got anything to drink?" All three men turned their heads only to find that his words were for another of the kids and not at all linked with their conversation. "I'm thirsty." The young man he asked the question of looked amused. "Dude, do I look like I have a drink?" He raised his hands, "Why don't you go get a drink from the store or somethin'?" The kid seemed to consider the thought for a moment. "Nah, it's not that important I guess." He stared around blankly for a few seconds, readjusted his seat on the cold stone steps and went back to waiting. Zoryn, Ash and D all shared a glance. A family chose that moment to appear around the corner of the church building. A man, his wife and two daughters spared a glance for the odd congregation on the steps before walking inside. They were all suitably attired in the dark colors of mourning. Ash followed the family's progress with his eyes and was somewhat surprised to see a face watching them through one of the small, thin windows to the right side of the main doors. He only had time to register a white face and glasses before the head ducked out of view, obviously realizing that he had been spotted. Rakov was in a position to notice Ash's reaction and turned to look as well, but by that time there was nothing to see. Zoryn kept his gaze on the position Ash was looking and commented with a quieted voice. "You look spooked. What's up?" "Someone was watching us," Ash said quietly. "Someone knows we're here, and someone knows we ain't as oblivious as them." By "them", it was obvious that he was referring to the other people sitting in random places on the stairs -- much like the three of them, only the others had no interest in anything, it seemed. "Well I'm not one for these secretive sneaky games of hide and seek. I'm going to pay our benefactor a visit." And with that, Zoryn stood up and walked into the cathedral. He looked around upon entering the cathedral and attempted to spot something that struck him as unnatural. As soon as he stepped through the door he spotted the unusual thing he was looking for. In the vestibule near the doors sat an elderly man who looked to be arguing with himself. He was mostly bald, with a grey beard, blue eyes and antique looking glasses. Dressed in a simple suit jacket and slacks, there was something about the man that struck Rakov as strange. His whole appearance seemed somehow antiquated. His clothing and general "look" was vintage. The man noticed Rakov's entrance almost immediately and his self arguing stopped. He stood up and glared defiantly. It was a nice effort, but Rakov could tell that this old man was hiding fear behind a brave front. "I don't know who you are, but I insist you leave this church immediately!" He raised his hand and pointed towards the main doors as he spoke. His accent was clearly British and cultured. D glanced at Ash and watched as the church door slowly swung closed behind Rakov. He reached out slowly and softly touched the arm of his friend Dave. He reached into Dave's mind again to see if anything had changed now that a few of the other guys seem to be waking from their trance. "That guys right, I could really use a coke about now'" D said in a low tone over his shoulder to Ash as he addled around in his friends mind. Once again he could detect the sibilant whispers weaving in and out of Dave's thoughts, apparently nothing had changed. His friend did respond to his touch though, and looked up, "I'm sorry D, did you say something?" Dave's words were even and slightly monotone. Startled for a split second, D twitched, blinked once, then calmed enough to say, "I said, I need a coke." D tried to force his way past the web of foreign instructions racing through his friends mind. *Who or what used their power to get you here? Can you sense how far away the power you are in contact with is? Is it getting closer? Are you still waiting for more instructions...?* Each question was met with a growing ache in D's own head. The whispering magic always deflecting him, forcing him out. At the last question the pain became too intense and D had to stop. A small but insistent jackhammer had been turned on behind his eyeballs and he squinted them shut, pressing on his eyelids with his thumbs to try and alleviate the throbbing ache. Ash's abdomen clenched a little, a remnant from when he was alive. Abruptly, he scooted away a little from D when the other guy started using his abilities again. As D continued probing, Ash had to close his eyes; he could still feel it, though. In a low voice, he said, "Rakov's right. I'm gonna go with him." Half hoping he'd been heard, half hoping his words had been lost in the general malaise, he got up quickly and followed Rakov back inside the church. Ye gods, I'm acting like a yo-yo today. Zoryn stood in the entry way to the cathedral and measured the old man. His voice calm and polite, he smiled and replied, "I thought the church opened it's doors to all. May I have your name and rank in this church... as to place my complaint with your diocese? And if you are not a rank of the church, then I'm afraid I must decline your courtly offer." Zoryn bowed slightly to add insult to injury. Rakov's civil if opposing reply seemed to give the old man courage. He took a single step forward and lowered his arm. His next words were quite a bit louder, though not quite a shout. "Y-you are not here to pray! Don't try fooling me! I'm not sure how you saw past the glamours but this font is not open for the likes of you and your cronies out there. This place is protected! A fact you'll soon find out firsthand unless you leave post haste!" The two priests, several altar boys and the one family sitting in the pews didn't even glance up at the man's echoing retort. There was something strange about that, though what happened next pushed it from Rakov's mind. As the elderly man finished speaking he took another step forward, only this time his foot never touched the ground. Instead the man began to levitate upwards slightly, an unfelt wind stirring the few remaining hairs on the sides of his head. As he rose his eyes sank backwards, leaving only whiteness and his body began to lose substance - the wall behind him showing through in places. Then man shouted, "Begone from here... or face the wrath of God!" [/QUOTE]
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