RPG: Magician's Guild: When Demons Bond Together

[Pirate Toast]

Elizabeth would sit inside a tavern next to the fire with a beer in front of her. She took a swing, her eyes upon the other theifs. "Do ya have any business for meh? Speak up if ya do." she said in a thick city accent and that of the slums.

Elizabeth looked out the window at the snow think on the ground. It was just after new years. There was a big raid of the city peoples. She took another swing of beer finishing it off before heading up to the living quarters and fell upon her bed.

Elizabeth closed her eyes and thought of the past few weeks. Sure the teives knew she had magic. Sure they new she would never use it because she too depised the magicians and how they used their magic. At least she turely helped the needy.

John looked out the window of his room. It was snowing again and the day was to yet get colder. At least his room have a fireplace with in it and it kept him warm through the night.

John had already eaten and did the chores his master told him too. His master was clueless to the knowledge he knew. His master was dumb and he hated him. His master never sticks up for him like the other new magician's masters do.

Bartimeaus layed back and waited to be summon. He layed around most of the time. He wasn't summoned much these days. He usually just watched as the demons enter and disappeared from this realm. He was summoned maybe once every ten years. Djinnis such as himself were hard to control and usually made things harder because they always underminded their masters.

__________________________________________________ ____________

So the battle begins. The waves of demons soon begin and the group of heros will be formed. Plans of the demons formming is leaking out slowly but not fast enough to show where they will hit. Everyone begin to get ready!!

[Luzifer]

Fortuna = Pale Torquise
Insan = Pale Green
Sentien = N/A

Fortuna moved the knight cautiously forward and looked over her opponents face for any sign of reaction but, as always none was to be found there. She couldn’t even believe she was being reduced to checking the face to determine her opponents thoughts but this one was different from any other being she had come across in her life. Normally, with but a glance she could delve into the innermost thoughts of even the most emotionally reclusive of entities, mortal or otherwise. Even a magician trying to protect his thoughts with magical means would find his wards a poor defense against a concentrated gaze, though they might deflect a passing glance. But this boy was different. He was no magician, he lacked their dedicated mental conditioning, he lacked their gravity of purpose. He lacked everything that would make a person difficult to read, and yet his heart was covered to her mind. Would stare at him with all the power her eyes could muster and yet it would amount to nothing. All she saw was a pall of darkness, a fog. It was similar to the fog that she saw in creatures incapable of sentient thought, though much thicker and on a person who was obviously capable of not just normal sentient thought but advanced reasoning, as was shown by the chess board in front of her. She doubted he could sense her stares, none but a magician would be able to sense the magic which ebbed from her eyes, and if he did he gave no indication.

As she set the knight down she spoke, “Demons are still coming in. They sense that we are gathering. How long do you think we should wait before we act?” While she had been speaking a bang of pale blue hair had drifted over her left eye and she casually brushed it aside, turning her yellow gaze towards her opponent. He was walking around her and the table in a sinuous fashion, almost strutting, with his back bent down as though he were looking for tokens of wisdom lying on the ground. By here judgement he didn’t need them. He always did things like this and it only made him more a strange and bizarre entity. He never sat down, only laying down to sleep (and more then once she had found him asleep on his feet). And when he was up he was always moving. How he kept up the energy as a mere human was beyond her knowledge. And his movements were always exaggerated though never the same. Sometimes, like now, he moved as though he didn’t have a bone in his body but at other times she had seen him spasm forward in disjointed and jerky movements like a marionette on a poor puppeteer’s strings. One hand was behind his back and the other was gently cupping his chin, a finger jabbed childishly into his mouth. Somehow, it didn’t make him seem the least bit immature. His eyebrows were high, as they often were, as though there was something which was a constant surprise to him. Nothing actually seemed to surprise him, he reacted to quickly and to easily. His bright blood-red hair vibrantly glowed in the half-light, constantly catching her eye. It was a running theory of hers that he grew his hair just over his eyes so that ruby red color would distract others from his eyes, which perpetually moved about in their large sockets, seeing everything and piercing even the thickest of screens and half-truths. Even for one with as powerful eyes as hers, she had to respect his vision. But now those eyes were turned away, down to the ground.

At some point they must have flipped toward the board on the table because he grabbed a bishop and moved it up the board to threaten her rook and defend an exposed pawn. It was a strange strategy he had, but one which seemed very fitting. He advance his pawns, constantly protecting them, to the point where he would sacrifice more valuable pieces to protect them. But even he most realize he was fighting a loosing battle. She had never lost a game of chess before in here 5732 years of life, especially not to a mere human. She had taken his queen and though she had lost a rook, a knight, and both bishops, she still had her own queen. There was no chance that he would win, even given the fact he still had all his pawns. As he set down his bishop he spoke, “Madame, while it has been said that time waits for no man, it does not rush that man either. I suggest we attack this conservatively, for we are in are best position to do so. We are waxing but we shall go to soon to waning if we take unnecessary risks. All demons presently come to le monde de clair de lune” le monde de clair de lune was a strange title he had come up for where the demons were currently a massing. Among his strange habits was his random switching into French. He bowed, “madame, we should observe while we can. Once the enemy realizes just how great a threat we are, our ability will to move will be hampered. A elephant can go undetected on the horizon if no one is looking, but even a hunted chameleon will eventually be found. Best to use their ignorance to our advantage while we can.” Here he took his finger out of his mouth and rubbed his chin with it, “Actually… Lets move in but with only the minimum. If the beast has no brains the muscle is little more then uncooked meat. I’ll lead a small group of demons on a precise raid on the London government. Specifically… Parliament. I’ll move in with a small party of mostly djinni and maybe a couple afrits. Marids would reveal us and besides… I want them to think us weak. They stand to high on the pillar of history, they think all beneath them ants. But unfortunately the pillar is made of wood and we’re termites.”

His plan was exactly what she had been thinking herself, though without the flowery language. It was why she and some of the other demons allowed him to stay. He had an incisive mind in his skull and he could be counted on to quickly and easily determine the best course of action. In fact, he had, on occasion, provided an improvement to some of her own plans. That and he had quite a following. Ever since he had arrived many of the weaker demons, and even some of the stronger ones, had flocked around him, taking solace in his words, in his dream of a world of ideals and thoughts, without oppression and power. She herself dreamed of such a world but could never have put it as eloquently as he had. His golden tongue had danced and now he was the conscience of the entire demon army. Demons looked to him as a guide for what was just. In fact one such demon was circling his head right now, the mite that called itself Insan. A rare mite capable of rudimentary thought and linguistic ability. He never went far from the boy’s side, too caught up was he in the red-headed one’s dream, or perhaps his own which was made manifest in the boys words.

She looked at the board an planned her next move and while she did a strong gust of cold winter wind blew through the dimly lit cabin that was one of several that the demons had acquired in the countryside, having killed the occupants. The winter snows were high in the countryside outside of London, still fresh from the blizzard on new years day. That had been two days ago. The people who lived in these cabins would not be missed for sometime, since it was common for people in the country to go weeks without going to town in the winter. And, as the boy had blithely remarked, “They were of my class, Les Miserablè… No one would have missed them anyway, we are beneath the eyes of the human race… but not for long I hope.” She recoiled against the wind, tightening her grip on herself. She was in her human form now and could feel the cold, which she was immune to in her demon visage. It was in fact a measure of her respect for the young boy across from her that she allowed him to see her human body. It was a privilege no others had been granted (even Insan was made to keep his eyes closed as he orbited the boy). She watched him carefully as she moved her queen, once more looking for a reaction. While she was watching another gust of frozen wind cut through the cabin and she was surprised to not that her opponent had no visible reaction to it. Another strangeness to him she supposed. The more she was around him the less surprising each new peculiarity was. She moved her queen forward, one move more and she would have his king in check and then it was just a short chase away from checkmate. Once the pursuit began his sacrifice of all his major pieces save the one bishop would come back to haunt him. His pawns were to far up to be of an use. His king would be forced to move every turn and while he was struggling just to stay alive she could force him into check mate at her leisure. “I see…” she said setting down the queen.

Then she balked as one of his pawn moved forward and reached her back row. How had she missed that? “Give me my reine… and check” and begrudgingly she took away the pawn and put the queen in its place, putting her king into check. “Would it be beyond my place to request better care for the mite and mouler class demons? Ostracizing our weaker members and forcing them to do menial work makes us hypocrites.” This wasn’t the first time he had asked that question and her response was the same as before.

She jumped her queen to her own back row, next to her king and within the attack of one of her rooks, as well as cutting of the attack of the enemy queen. That would force him to move his new queen back and prevent new pawns from crossing the line giving her time to readjust her strategy. “Like I said before, I’ll see what I can do. I don’t like this anymore then you do… but… the hearts of demons are not unlike the hearts of humans. I can see it. A bit more set in their ways perhaps, but not much different.”

Her feelings of having recovered were shattered when he moved a pawn forward. It had been diagonally behind the first pawn (now queen) in the typical formation advancing pawns take to cover one another. Now it was behind the queen to protect it and was simultaneously one step away from becoming a better piece itself. “Je vois…”

After shifting her bang from her eye once more, she moved her knight back so that she could threaten the queen on her next turn from a point it could not attack. “ I don’t like where things are going… things seem dark on the horizon.”

The boy moved his pawn forward without responding, save to say, “Give me my château” and it was at the moment she saw his plan… she he had two more pawns that could easily move up to her back row and he was going to sacrifice his queen to take hers and then his rook to take her rook. She would take his rook with her king but she would be too stretched out, her knight and king could not reach both pawns in time to prevent at least one of them from becoming a queen, and her two remaining pawns were not advanced enough to be able to become queens until it was too late. She had…lost. She couldn’t believe it. She had never lost before. She looked at the wirey, pale boy walking around her, and as though sensing her shock he stopped and looked into her eyes with his. Her gaze locked with his. His eyes were wide, as always, and they seemed to be waiting for her next move expectantly.

What else could she do? She tipped over her king… “I concede…” but she remembered that he hadn’t responded to her previous statement, “What do you think about this young year, Sentien?”

His eyes were yellow, like hers, she noticed absently in her mind as he responded, “It will be une année sans lumière”

[YamiSasiliaDonna]

OOC: Sasilia Verstinatrix

BIC:

Sasilia walked down the hallway of the second story of her house. She hadn't much to do during the day. Now she grabbed her book ,Heaven Land, and walked out of the house. At first she closed the door and held out her hand, a snowflake landed in it and melted. She smiled slightly, Sasilia had always loved the snow, mainly because her mother liked it but also because the snow was a sign for many things to come.

Sasilia walked down her plot of land and opened her book. She started walking towards town. She always liked visiting the sweetshops and what not and she liked walking in the snow anyways. While walking down the side of the road she started to read her book.

Verstenatrix dully looked around the realm. Her master would summon her whenever needed and until then she would just wander the realm and associate with any other demons that she knew and got along with.

[Kitanoru]

Characters: William, Creed, and Mysterious Imp
Location: William's house - Forest

Creed followed William into his house. William heard a slight snickering in the bushes outside his front lawn. He took out a card from his deck and shot it in the direction of where the snickering was coming from. Out from the bushes ran an imp.

"What the heck are you doing in there! Go back to your owner before I slice you to pieces!"

"Yes sir, right away sir!"

William continued on walking into the house with Creed following behind him. It was getting cold as there was snow falling from the sky and there were no signs of life stirring about. It was odd... usually there would be creatures or strange beings treading over his lawn... but not since the imp fled and Creed's previous owner and new demon partner left. All was quiet! It was too quiet... William was almost worried that something bad was coming upon them soon.

"Creed... do you sense anything strange?"

"A matter of fact I do! There is something lurking about somewhere and it isn't good!"

"Hmm... we should probably pack and head out in search of others to see if they feel the same presence."

"Good idea Will!"

William began packing up his most important necessities and stored them into a large bag that he could carry over his shoulders. He grabbed his deck of sharpened playing cards and his grappling hook and attached both to his belt strap across his pants. He had a wrist band that he wore to store his cards for any battle situation that he may stumble across so that he was ready for anything!

"Alright, I think I've got everything now! Are you all ready Creed?"

"I am ready when you are sir!"

"Alright, let us be on our way then!"

Creed and William walked off into the forest off towards where town was supposed to be located hoping to run across something or someone along there journey that might be of help and know also about the strange presence lurking about.

[Ranryou Roga]

Knives continued to walk in the snow. it was cold and his body was still warm. Knives held his katana his hand. It layed safly in its shealth. Knives looked at the sky and then at the surronding buildings. Soon they would all have been destroyed and many of the people that lived here would have also died.

"So Chrono......Are you ready to once again kill those that you killed so many years ago." Knives grinned and continued to look at the sky. The snow never stopped. It would stop intel every life on this earth was gone and the blood of man and demon flowed frely down the path to destrution.

[Luzifer]

OOC: Last massive post from me...

Fortuna watched as Sentien walked over to the desk that was one of three pieces of furniture in the small cabin. The other pieces were a bed and a stool. Sentien would sleep in the bed sometimes but she herself didn’t need to. Demons were above such things. The desk that Sentien was standing in front of had two knives and some other things that had been scavenged from the person who had lived here’s belongs. When Sentien had found out what they had done (the other demons. Fortuna had not been involved and in fact had tried to prevent the needless death) he had lambasted the demons for being hypocrites. “You ask for to be treated fairly! To no longer be enslaved but then you perform wanton slaughter! No more!” Many demons of the more violent demons were angry, the afrit in particular, but he had many followers that listened to him. Combined with the respect that Fortuna’s own word carried, between the two of them they had brought the demon army into line, changing it from little more than a massing rabble to a disciplined force. Obviously they hadn’t done this alone, there were a couple other Marid, an afrit, and a few djinni that acted as a pacifying influence but Sentien and herself were the most vocal proponents of discipline and mercy. That was actually the first time Fortuna had started to truly be wary of Sentien. Before that he had been a mere curiosity in her eyes, a human that she could not see the soul of but nonetheless still a human. But after that she began to grasp some of the powers he had and just how dangerous he could be if he decided to work against them. She was made to recall magicians. They used demons to serve their own ends; maybe he was doing the same thing? Perhaps his goal was to overthrow the magicians. He would then either use the demons that followed him as his lackeys to kill the demons that didn’t and reign as a despot or just eliminate all the demons in general or one of any number of end results that would be against her will. Offhand she would say that would be impossible, he had much support among the demons, it was true, but that was still a minority and since it was mostly the weaker demons it was an even greater minority of the strength of the demons. And he would further loose strength since many demons, like herself, who followed him only because he sought to free demons would leave him if he started any plan that would leave demons at a disadvantage. So with such meager resources their ought to be little that he could actually do; but… but… her she looked at the chessboard where her king still lay tipped over on its side… but he seemed to have a great talent for turning even the most minor of resources into vastly powerful tools to his advantage. A cold wind blew through the cottage again and she used it as an excuse to shudder for she feared that if she shuddered without reason Sentien would notice and realize what it might imply.

Once more he didn’t react to the gust of cold air gust of cold air but continued pouring through the things on the desk with rabid energy. She would almost doubt that he would have noticed an out of place shudder. Almost. From the pile he finally pulled out two knives and put them on his belt. They were little more than blunt tools, the kind used for whittling wood and cutting meat, nothing that would be brought onto a battlefield. She looked over at massive cleaver-like polearm that he had brought with him to the camp and she knew why he wasn’t taking it. It was a warrior’s weapon and right now he looked anything but a warrior which was just as well since he didn’t have the strength to be one. Everyone would think him just a normal farm boy, newly come from the country with the hay still in his hair. Well, they would believe it until he opened that erudite mouth of his but she doubted that he’d have to do a whole lot of talking just to walk through the streets of London. If everyone thought him a farm boy they would never suspect that all the demons would be using him as a rallying point. Demons normally cannot find their way through the real world on their own without being seen and instead live in a parallel spiritual world, able to sense only the souls of humans. A summoning ritual was an over-glorified process of forcibly dragging a demon out of this world and into the real world with an invisible shackle around his neck. By the nature of this process it left a traceable residue on the person using it, meaning that if Sentien were a magician and had tried to summon the demons to attack the Parliament he would be immediately found and killed. However since he was not the demons could just follow the beacon of his soul (however clouded it might be) and then enter into the real world in his wake. There would be no way to track him and he would continue to act as a rally point in future operations… but she still had some misgivings. Brushing her hair out of her eye yet again she spoke, “But I have two concerns. First, it’s hard enough to keep the demons in line as it is, I could use your influence to help maintain discipline. Also, If you were to die…” For some reason that didn’t seem possible, “if you were to die then there would be a great loss of morale. Man of the lesser demons look up to you.”

A wan smirk crossed his face, marred only by the single finger stuck in to its first knuckle in his mouth so the pad rubbed his front teeth. “That won’t be a problem. This flesh may die but I will live on through you and through those that follow my beliefs. I am nothing more than a notion… an idea. I have faith that you will create a world where all are equal. Where there is no such as that false concept of power. Where the even the poorest of people can tear the sun from the sky and create a future with only strength of their will.” He spoke with that finger still in his mouth and she wonder how his tongue could move so eloquently without his teeth biting it. The rest of his posture was equally obstructive to oration, he back bent forward and his head cocked to the side. But all the same, a warmth and purpose flooded her as he spoke; the images he was speaking etched themselves on her mindscape, vivid and beautiful. There was a future in his words and she believed it, despite the fact she didn’t wholly trust him. “…so… let this body wither and let this body die. Let l’aviner (the future) do what l’aviner wishes. As long as this idea survives this body… I can go to my grave happily”

She looked at him somewhat warmly but it didn’t last long, he hadn’t answered the first part of her question and whenever he avoided something there was always a reason. “But what about while your away? Me and others can carry on your ideal but if we don’t have control over the other dem-… wait” she had just noticed something she knew she should have noted before but she had been distracted and it had escaped her eye, “Where is Insan?”

Sentien’s eyebrows raised up even further than normal in mild surprise, or perhaps feigning it, “Oh him?” here he moved his finger so that his front teeth bit on the first knuckle then pulled it out and gesture lackadaisically with it, “Oh I sent him to gather together the demons I wanted for this mission. Most of demons I picked are the more violent and difficult to control type, specifically those that don’t agree with our desire for discipline. That way there will be more that are easy to herd in the remaining army. You should be able to keep them corralled until I get back. Oh, and I have just enough demons that are supportive of me in the group I’m taking to prevent them from trying to kill me while I am alone and from realizing that I chose the squad assignment to that purpose.” Suddenly he looked very concerned, “I’m not over stepping myself am I?”

She just looked at him, he had predicted every single comment she would have put against him. He had anticipated her weakness in advance and had already planned for it! All of a sudden, as she watched him walk out that door into that cold night, she didn’t know whether she wanted him to come back alive or not. But watching him go out into the snow reminded of how he had come in. Half stumbling with his arms at his sides, dragging the massive cleaver behind him like dead weight but his eyes... his eyes had been so alive with convicition. And thats how his eyes looked as he left. He was nothing more then an idea, he had said... well she believed it. And a great idea it must be.

By the time a demon came in to confirm that Sentien had left with a large group of demons she had completely recovered her calm demeanor and her demon form. She gently smiled at the demon, an imp, and watched as he scurried off, it was a warm motherly smile. And the wheel in her stomach turned itself over

[Mitarisorceress12]

OC: Chorus , Jilian

Chorus Langley picked up her beret from a hat rack by front door and put in on her head. "Father I'm going out. I'll be back in a bit." she shouted into the living room where was her father reading. He waved his hand to know he had heard her. Chorus shivered as a stray snowflake hit her cheek. "It sure is cold today." she said pushing her glasses back on the bridge of her nose. Where was she going..to visi her mother's grave of course. She did this nearly everyday, it was customary. Her feet crunched in the thick snow with every step she took. The purple haired girl soon came apon a small graveyard. Finding her mother's Chorus kneeled down and placed a couple of liles, she had brought from the store yesterday, and arranged them in a neat pile. Then Chorus stood up and clasped her hands together in prayer, without opening her eyes Chorus whispered something. "Jilian!"

Jilian was doing nothing of particular interest in the demon realm when her master called her. She appreared right beside Chorus. Judging from her stance Jilian knew where they were. She too bowed her head and prayed for the master that she had previousily served, but was now gone.

Chorus wiped a tear from her eye quickly and smiled "Let's go now okay." she said beginning to walk away. "If you don't mind I have some errands I have to run for father. I need you to assist me." she said looking straight away.
"Alright. It's nice to be out of the demon realm, so boring there." she said running a hand though her snowy white hair. Jilian was now in human form. Her hair was white and hers red like giant rubies. She wore some kind of dress with a orange scarf and white black stockings. Now servant in tow they both headed for the nearest town.

[Pirate Toast]

Elizabeth twisted and turned in the bed. She sat up and heaved a havey sigh. "I can't possibly get to sleep when I tiwst and turn!" Elizabeth walked back out to the first level of the tavern to see just a few people still awake. It must be around 2:00 am.

Elizabeth grabbed her jacket and put her arms through it. The jacket was leather on the outside so the snow doesn't stick and it was furred on the side. She had stolen this from a waelthier man about her size last winter.

Elizabeth walked down the road as the snow made a cruntching sound under her feet. No one was about but for the theives she knew and they knew her of course and either stayed clear or waved in greeting. She only smiled and nodded back.

John was asleep in his bed all warm and comfortable. He didn't think there was a freer or better life then the one he had. He think he got the better end of the straw. He was feed well and clothed well too. He never really complained. He never needed to complain and when he did he kept it to himself.

Bartimeaus came to the gathering of demons. He was tired of being controled as well. He wanted freedom. Sure some of his master weren't half bad but they're were more of the worse kind then the better kind in his opinion. He wanted to beable to fly through the sky with out being summoned or worrying about being beat if he failed.

[kingdomhearts_tom]

Ethans white
Pan is green
Marzi's blue

Ethan finished the report on the attacks against the police vehicle last week and lent back in his chair with a sigh.
He filed the report in his desk and summoned an imp, "Tommorow morning you are to take the report in my desk to the boss."
The imp nodded.
"Thankyou." said Ethan. The imp looked shocked before it dissappeared.
Ethan didn't know what made him do it but it wasn't safe. If another government magician summoned the same imp and that little imp decided it felt slightly mischeivous, then it could easily tell on his weakness. And weakness in his job cost lives.
He stood up from behind his desk and walked over to his kitchen. His house had been given to him when he became deputy-head of police. It over looked the lower-class streets of london and he loved it.
In the past when he was still only 15 he used to go to the slums and pubs for a quiet drink. His nickname down there was sometimes the friendly magician. But then that all had to change. He was seen by a government foloit walking out of a pub and was almost sent to the london tower for investigations. He only got out of that one by the quick thinking of his boss, who explain that it was a djinni disguised as Ethan.
Ethan strongly disagreed with this plan as it mean the execution of the said djinni but it happened anyway. Since then he hadn't been down to the lower parts of london, he was now 16 and deeply missed it.

A beep sounded from his PDA at the same time as 2 imps appeared outside his window. "Theres a situation sir." one of them screamed gruffly. "Yeah, get a powerful demon over to the english channel now." yelled the other.
Ethan waved them away and walked into his upstairs study. Drawing a pentacle on the floor in stepped inside it and started to summon a Marid. It was a shame he had to use the pentacle. If a demon was a friend or ally it didn't need the pentacle to keep the magician safe, but if it was a newly summoned djinni it needed to be kept away until the order was given.
The marid appeared in the form of a dragon. Inventive thought Ethan as he gave it the orders. "And report back here in an hour."
The demon disappeared and Ethan stepped from the pentacle. What a troublesome day...

[YamiSasiliaDonna]

Sasilia was still walking towards the town, while reading her book. When she glanced up and she saw a man and a demon (Willam and Creed( walking together towards the town as well. She picked up her pace slightly to catch up with them.

Once Sasilia caught up with the man and demon she smiled at them and then bowed. She then got out a pencil and a note pad, that she carried with her at all times, and wrote, "Hello, I am Sasilia." She then handed the notepad to the man and waited for him to say something while they all continued to walk.

[Luzifer]

Fortuna was walking around the camp, tending to what mental discomforts her demons had, like a good mother, when she saw someone she did not recognize (Bartimeaus). She walked up to him, swishing her hair slightly so that a bang of blue hair fell in front of one eye, "Excuse me, but are you new here? If so welcome to the Resistance. What's your name?"

Insan gently nestled himself in Sentiens pocket, his head barely pocking out to observe the people around him. There was an occasional shock as the cart bounced in and out of one of the ruts in the road but it wasn't something that would bother Insan. Nothing could bother Insan as long as his master was near. His master was a great man, one who would bring balance to the world and finally set all the weak and dejected classes free, be the human or demon. Just to know that, to these ends, he could be his master's pawn was more then Insan could ever before have hoped for. He looked up as his master's face, the way the nobility of his features was shrouded behind that mane of couragous red hair. His master must know, that such nobility as his must remain hidden, lest those fiends that wish for oppression to continue find him and hunt him. Even the thought of that made Insan tremble with rage.

They had not long ago entered London and Insan's Master was being very quiet, probably thinking deep thoughts. Insan didn't understand much of his master's ways, but then, his master was a genius the likes of which this world has never ere seen and never would again. Not even Fortuna, whom he had much respect for, understood him, and she was the wisest of demons, So what could he, a lowly little mites do. Nothing. Not in this world. But as Insan looked upon his master he knew that in him lay a world where he could understand. Where Mites could rise and be the equals of Marids in all things. To Insan... faith in his master made all things possible

OOC: Insan's in no way biased! heheh!

[FullMetalAlchemist997]

OOC:
Quin is purple/plum
Fidelia is red
Rupert Kindley is blue
school just started so I was a bit busy
BIC:
Quin was lounging around her house that was shared with Rupert Kindley. She really had not much to do. Quin glanced at the snow that was still falling. "Hmm"
"You bum... what're you doing lounging there?" Kindley asked irritably.
Quin immediately sat up. "I had nothing to do, sir" She responded quietly. Knowing Kindley he would at any moment give her something to do.
"Go summon Fidelia and work with her then." Kindley snapped and waddled away.
Quin locked the door to her room as she always did when it was tiem to summon Fidelia. "Fidelia"
"Kindley told you to do this didn't he?" Were the first words out of Fidelia's mouth when she appeared. Fidelia hadn't been busy when Quin called but she hadn't been idle either.
"Yhea"

[Pirate Toast]

OOC: I will not be posting much due to I have started school and all. Very busy now ;.;

Elizabeth stepped lightly on the snow walking past the parliment. She spit in front of it in disgust and ran when a guard was coming after her.

She took a sharp turn around the corner and hoped on top of a garbage bin then to the roof and hit the roof and leaned over to see the guard turn the corner and look around. People seldom look up so that was how she escaped most of the time.

She ran across the roof tops and almost slipped once. She waved greeting to others on the rooftops. She wasn't the only one to use them as an escaped. Though she knew them better then most. She has never been caught by parliment and when demons came looking for he they never found her.

John saw a girl around his age jump upon his roof and he fell out of bed. He opened the window and looked up to see she was gone. He looked down and saw the guard. "She must be running from the parilment..." he said to himself and closed the window so no more snow and cold came into the warm room. He also disliked the parliment for asigning him to his master. If he had enough guts he would have done the same as the girl but he had no guts at all.

John went back to bed and slept after a while of thinking of that girl and what was coming.

Bartimeaus looked at what seemed the demon in charge here. "I was bored and hated the parliment. So why not help if one is bored? I am Bartimeaus! You must of heard of me. I killed the oppoents against Eygpt! I helped in this and that. So you must have heard of me. Someway or somehow." he said bragging. Though all of it was ture. Many demons have known him. He was over 5000 years old for god's sake!

[Luzifer]

Fortuna smiled, though it was somewhat forced. He seemed to be another of the problem demons, the ones she and Sentien and others were working hard to rein in and get under control not only that but the arrogance was somewhat of putting. But she didn't let it bother her, he was still newly come from the darkness and, hopefully, with care and attention he would come around. "Well, then sir, allow me to be the first to welcome you. I am called Fortuna."

[Pirate Toast]

OOC: I would like for all to make at least 3 paragraph posts. To keep the RPG alive and more interesting. And a lot of detail and fill the picture in please.

Elizabeth made her way back to the inn and slipped in through her window. She took off her now snow covered boots and jacket. She hungs them by the fire that was now dying. She picked up some wood from the basket next to the fireplace and throws it on. The fire licked upon the new life it was given and consumed it slowly.

The snow cover boots and jacket slowly became wet then dry as the heat spread through them. Elizabeth slid into her warm pajamas and uncovered her bed. The room became heated. She throws another log onto the fire so it will continue to burn and keep the little room alive till morning.

Elizabeth layed in her bed and pulled the covers over her head. She curled into a ball and closed her eyes. She was warm for the night and was glad. She knew she had someone outside her door and other outside in the cold to make sure no one attacked their theif queen during the night. She slept not with turning and twisting

[Luzifer]

Insan was rattled as his master hopped off the cart outside of the parliament building. He carefully poked his head from his masters pocket and looked around. There were magicians everywhere! Strong ones too. But, if Insan's beak had been capable of such things, he would have been smirking. His master had oft told Insan that it was in strength that weakness dwelt, if one only knew where to look and how to prod it. These men were strong but that made them arrogant. They would not see a farmer boy with no magician powers to speak of as a threat.

Insan's master walked around to the back where some of the servants were getting dressed. He quickly tricked the others into thinking him another servant and was soon changed and within parliament. Even Insan was shocked with how easy it had been.

Sentien stalked off on his own to a distant, seldom traveled corridor and began to pace along it, waiting for the proper time to deploy all the demons that even now waited to enter into the real world and lay waste to this place. Sentien wasn't smiling, he had a morbidly thoughtful look on his face and Insan could not ascertain a cause. But Insan simply ignored it, after all, his master did many things which he did not understand.

[FullMetalAlchemist997]

Quin changed and climbed into her small bed. SHe stared at the ceiling for a few minutes. Kindley started to scream. Quin knew better than to walk downstairs and help. The old grouch would most likely tell her to go to sleep or pratice some more, even though she'd been doing it for half of the day. Quin rolled over on her side.

Kindley settled on the old couch. The girl he was teaching would not be considered normal but hen neither would he. Kindley stood up ready to go to bed when he accidentally knocked over the only vase in the whole house. He kicked at the peices and shouted about how unfair it was and anything else he could say.

Quin caught more yelling from downstairs. She ignored again. The grouchy old man was not in agood mood today apparently. Quin heard rough footsteps climbing the stairs. Kindley...he must be going to sleep tonight. Quin thought, remembering all the times when her teacher had stayed up the whole night working with his demons.

[Ranryou Roga]

Chrono sat in the back away from the man ones speaking. he didnt want to put himself out their. He liked Knives and respected him. He didnt care if he was being controled. All he wanted was to be left alone and not hunted by demons and humans. Only because he killed over 1000 humans and 1000 demnons so many years ago. Some of these demons were fools. Chrono was older the most but only told them he was no older then 600 years. But when he kill all thoses demons and humans that was over 500 years old and to most demons Chrono was young. That meant that Chrono was over 2000 years old.

[Nespa]

Amy sat on the roof off the inn and grange was crouched beside her. she smiled at the imp before looking before her again "sis a wood nigh me grange?". she had been asleep earlyer and was fully awake now, she loved to watch the sun come up.

Grange just nodded though for many amy's talking was difficult to understand he understood her pretty clear. he looked at her "just don't fall off the roof when you stand up amy"he gave her a impish grin. he would never admit to any other imp or demon for that matter but taking care of amy had been the most fun thing he did in a few 100 years, the girl was 14 but had the mind of 10 year old. which caused the other thieves to underastimate her alot. But he knew she was brighter than she let on and he was pretty sure the queen knew it it to.

Amy stood being carefull of the slippery snow "wets get somting to eat" she slipped through her window inside her room and grange did the same. Together they walked to the main hall for some breakfast.

[FullMetalAlchemist997]

Kindley sat at the table his knarled old staff leaned against the wall behind him. "Quintessence, we're working in the backyard today, call up Fidelia Arika and I will be waiting outside" Kindley stood and grabbed his staff and waddled out.

Quin shrugged and finished her breakfast. She stood from the table then stretched and called Fildelia. "We're out back today" She said grabbing a coat for herself and one for Kindley who probably had forgotten the snow.

Fidelia followed Quin out the door then changed over to her demon form. Sure enough Kindley had already summoned Arika.

"Would you like a coat, sir?" Quin asked offering one to him.

"I'm fine" Kindley grumbled. "Let's a move on!"

[Luzifer]

Suddenly, Insan noticed that Master Sentien had stopped pacing and he look up. His master was just standing there with his eyes wide staring into space but then suddenly the first demon entered reality. Had his master sensed that? No… his master must just be so smart that he knew when people were about to doing things before they did them. It was like that watching him play that game of chess with Mistress Fortuna. Insan didn’t have much understanding of that game but he could tell when something impressive was being done and that certainly had been something to impress. It even took Mistress Fortuna by surprise which filled Insan with pride, his master, a human, had beaten Mistress Fortuna at one of the games she specialized in. Insan knew he had chosen good with his master. His future did lie with him. Suddenly more and more demons began to appear and many, without looking to Master Sentien for permission began to move to attack the parliament. Insan sneered at these demons. They were undisciplined and weak… even though Insan was a mite he was glad he was frail of body but at least knew enough to not be so instinctual. They were mere pawns to his Master! Though… honestly… it was probably only in Insan’s mind that they were pawns. His Master was too kind. Kinder then he should be. But his Master had the ability to back up his mercy and it was only by that mercy that such idiotic demons were allowed to continue to exist. At least, Insan thought so. If those demons ever did rebel against Mistress Fortuna and Master Sentien’s command then, even if Master Sentien was out classed in strength he would beat them all through his sheer intelligence. And Insan would root for him the entire time and serve him to the best of his abilities. For it was with Master Sentien and his dream of freedom and equality that the hope of the mites dwelled.

Soon the last of the demons came out of the spiritual world and into the real and this one, a djinn who was loyal to Master Sentien almost to the level of Insan bowed deeply to Master Sentien and said, “Master… I will do thy will and I will crush thy foe.”

Master Sentien removed his finger from his mouth and kneeled before the demon. “Do not bow to me. I am weak. The weakest of all. I am nothing more than a thought. A passing phase of the mind. Please stand.”

The demon was stunned, as was Insan a bit, that his master would show such humility to a even a djinn. In Insan’s mind Master Sentien should not have to bow to anyone, not even the Marids… to knell before a djinn! But… Insan smiled, that was why Insan knew that his faith in his master was well placed. Because his Master appreciated even the smallest of demons and humans alike.

“But Master…” the djinn grunted from a malformed maw, “You are our leader… its what is done as my former-

“Your former master taught you that you are to bow to those you see as your leader. Well, I am not your leader. That is Fortuna. I am just a thought. I just say what you all think. But I must ask you something. Would you bow to a coffin?” during the entire time he had been speaking he had been circling the demon his finger playing idly with a strand of blazing red hair.

“uh… no sir…”

Here Master Sentien smiled with disturbing wideness, “then don’t bow to me!” he chuckled but then suddenly his face was somber, “Please do me a favor though if you would…”

“Anything sir just say the word!”

“Make sure no one dies that doesn’t have to. Pass this along to all others who are loyal to Fortuna. If someone is to young to comprehend or use magic, even if they have the potential. They are to be spared. If someone older surrenders or flees, they are to be shown mercy. We must remain true to our ideals. If we do not… we are mere thugs that preach.”

The demon nodded with a last, “Yes, sir” and then left, leaving and Insan and his Master once more alone in that cold hallway

[Nespa]

After eating grange took amy outside, the snow crunched under there feet as they scanned the crowed for any possible victims. she nodded to grange as she saw a rich looking magican in expensive clothing.

grange sighed as he went to do his par, he moved infront of the magican and stuck out his tongue and danced up and down. The magican looked offended "what are you diong you low imp, scat return to your master" while the magician was scolding grange amy made a movement for his wallet only to have her wrist grabbed by the magician. He turned half and glared at her "i heard of a girl who uses imps to distract her victims wel i am no simpleton" amy winced he had a pretty tight hold on her wrist and was hurting her. She reached for her club only realise it was stil in her room she had forgotten it.

Grange hissed and made a snowball, he threw it hard at the magicians head causing to let go "run amy!" he poofed to make sure he wasent caught either.

amy ran off after the male let go of her wrist, she heard him yell hold the thief but paid no atention to it instead she moved in a busy street in order to lose any possible followers.

[Pirate Toast]

Elizabeth woke up near dawn. She had gone downstairs and eatten and went outside to do "business". As Amy ran by her, she grabbed the girl and pulled her in the tarven and hand her hand over her mouth "Amy it's me. Don't scream or bite. Be quite. And for heaven's sake! Stop struggling!!"

Elizabeth quickly pulled Amy in the tarvern where she let het go. "Now Amy, what mess have you gotten yourself into?" she scolded but wasn't to conveicing for the wide smile on her face that showed she was proud of the girl for at least trying.

[Nespa]

Amy gave a slight yelp when she was suddenly grabbed but didn't bite at elizabeths voice. she turned around and looked at elizabeth sheepishly off al the thieves the queen had to get her out of trouble "w wanted to bob a magician wut he caught me" she rubbed the back of her head "wrange saved meh but had to poof to wave himwelf" she sighed for a moment she was not sure how to summon a specifec imp and now she lost her caretaker she cocked her head to one side at elixabeths smile since she expected her to be a bit mad.

[Pirate Toast]

Elizabeth laughed and pushed the girl lightly into a chair. She sat a drink in front og her. "Need help with gettin' 'im back" she talked the way every theif did in the slums. Though she knew proper grammer she only used it when she wanted to impress an offier or what not.

Elizabeth set across from the girl and sipped from her mugs. "Who ye try to rob?" she asked setting her mug down and looking at the girl in case she need protection from demons that will try to get at her through the magician.

[Nespa]

amy let hself being pushed into the chair and looked at the drink. but nodded at her qeustion "wnless you land we others to cale fore me" she gave a slight smile most thieves were to busy to care for her thats was the reason grange was ordert to take of her in the first place.

She thought back at the magician at her qeustion "i dunno we looked lke he sould beh lit with he parliment"she grimaced at the thought of the parliment most thieves did not like them but she had another reason to dislike them since they were the cause of her fall back then. She looked back at elizabeth "he looket wearry wealthy" she took a sip off her drink.

[FullMetalAlchemist997]

Quin glanced at Fidelia then back at Kindley. "Sir, you haven't done told us to do anything"

"Don't question me, Girl" Kindley said. His staff was leaning against the small tree behind him. He reached around for it and took a deep breath. "Sit" When she looked like she was about to object. "SIT!" He thundered. Immediately his young charge sat. "Now listen carefully, Quin, I'm going to give you some directions"

Quin nodded slowly. She was unsure what the grumpy man was to have her do next. She was freezing because of his insistence that she sit on the ground.

Fidelia glanced at Arika for some clue as to what Kindley wanted. The other demon shrugged. Fidelia trained her eyes on the old man to see what was happening next.

Kindley to all appearances seemed to have forgotten the directions but he was really just using the time to calm himself. It was important that this task be done. "Okay, Quintessence, I want you to just sit out here while I head off to the market." He said. This lesson was designed to teach the girl that patience was a virtue. Kindley himself had been put through this test by his Master Marunn.

Quin blinked. "But...why the demons then, sir?"

"Protection, girl, anyone comes but me and I want you to attack without a thought. Drive 'em off or kill 'em." Kindley said. The test was also designed to show a intermediate magician that danger could arrive at any minute. He'd paid another magician to show up and fight but not injure. He smiled to himself and shuffled off. "Arika, you're coming with me" He said.

Arika followed her master with a her usual unreadable expression. She remembered the exact time that she and Kindley had been put through the test. "Where are we going?" She asked once the were a few blocks away from the house.

"Market" Kindley said. "We need more food". He nearly bowled over a small child. "OUT OF THE WAY, RUNT!" Kindley yelled at him. THe young kid scrambled out of his way quickly. Kindley grumbled a bit and then started off towards the Parliament.

"Master, I don't understand" Arika suddenly stopped. "I thought...you said"

"I know what I said. But I can change my mind" Kindley said turning around to face Arika. "We sit here" He grumbled again not bothering to tell the demon that he was here because there was a wonderful veiw of his backyard.

[Luzifer]

His Master walked up and down the hall as sounds of battle echoed down the corridors as though the building were a cave. It seemed so distant and yet so close. There were crashes and screams and the clanging of steel on steel but his Master seemed not to notice and focused his mind toward some though to which only he was privy. Insan worried that battle might find its way here but so far it had not.

Suddenly a human ran through a door, half breaking the door down in the panic of his flight. He saw Master Sentien immediately and ran to him, "You've got to help me! Demons... Halls... Lost... " and then he screamed as he dragged his fingers through his hair desperately trying to organize his thoughts into some order. But instantly Master Sentien seemed to know what was amiss with the man and so he smiled and bent his head sideway while simultaneously leaning his torso so theat his head was almost upside down,

"Here, me suivre." he then folded his hands and walked quickly along the hall toward where he had come in and the man followed, gibbering to himself about his own terrors and occasionally darting away from some percieved sound.

Soon they came to the servants entrance and Master Sentien opened the door and bowing to the man, a perfect imitation of a servant, so perfect in fact, Insan thought he must have experience as a servant but Insan did not know where Master Sentien would have obtained this knowledge. The man then ran away. "'e didn' thank ya, my Liege"

"Do not call me that..." said Master Sentien absently... began counting his fingers for some reason... "Yes well... the rich and powerful tend not to notice us, the poor and meager. But for that I am thankful. The fact he neglected me only proves that I am safe."

"Yessir. But... what if 'e was some powerful magey? 'e could ruin us later"

Master Sentien merely twirled his finger around a strand of his blazing red hair, and muttered, perhaps without thinking it, " quel sera, sera"

[Pirate Toast]

Elizabeth stood up when she heard shouting and banging outside the tarvern. She went to the roof and stood on it to look down on the crowd then to where the smoke and flames came from. "Amy! you've got to see this!! The parliment is being attacked!! Being overthown!"

Elizabeth laughed and smiled. She was glad the parliment was going down. She raced across the rooftops but slowed when she saw who was attacking the parliment. She stopped and her eyes widened. Demons. Demons were at fault. They rose up and attacked the parliment. Does that mean that the demons with attack them next?

Bartimeaus laughed loudly as spotted a girl run across the roofs and slow then stop as she saw the other demons. A soft smirk crossed his lips as he flew down to her. "Hey. Need help dying?" he laughed and circled her.

[Luzifer]

Insan glanced out a window and saw one of the demons flying towards a roof that was not part of the parliament building. That didn't seem like part of the plan but Insan couldn't be sure. Still, best to run it by his master, "Sir! Look there!"

Master Sentien glanced up lazily, than suddenly dashed to the window, "condamner!" he muttered in French, "Insan!" he said as he opened the window enough for Insan to slip out. The only reason he even bothered to call Insan's name was because otherwise Insan might confuse it for Master Sentien talking to himself. "Go and tell that demon that he is to stand down by the command of Fortuna! I'll be around in a sec." Insan flew out the window toward the window while Master Sentien ran toward the door.

Insan flew as fast as he could and shouted at the top of his lungs, "Stop!" he than started to hover near the demon, who he didn't recognize and noticed that he was threatening some human girl (Elizabeth). "By orders of Fortuna and my Master you are to stop! You are going beyond your orders and breaking those you aren't overstepping. Only magicians of parliament who fight back are to be targeted!"

[Nespa]

Amy followed elizabeth on the roof quickly and blinked "twe parliment is wunder attack?" she watched elizabeth race of the rooftops but a little more carefull. She jumped over a rather large space between two buildings as she saw a demon aproach elizabeth. She started to run "elisabeth!" and didn't watch where she putted her feet.A yelp escaped her mouth as her foot lost grip and she slided down the roof. using her hands to find grip she managed to grap the rainpipe before she fel. A sigh of relief escaped her lips until she looked down and groaned "wust my uck" the building was one of the higher ones and falling down could not mean death but a nasty fractured leg atlist. She tryed to pull herself up "elisabeth!"but at the groaning of the pipe she decided she could better keep still.

[Pirate Toast]

Elizabeth stood in shock before she heard her name called by Amy. "I am coming!" Elizabeth slid under the demons and grabbed Amy's hand. She pulled her up and back onto the roof. "Are you ok?" she asked.

Elizabeth looked the demons as they seemed to argue. She didn't really understand what was going on. Her body told her to move out and move out quickly. The only thing that made her stay was her curiousity that was a stronger pulling then her instinct.

Bartimeaus swung his hand, flicking the little demon aside. "I only joinned in to have some fun.this is fun! Humans deserve to pay for what they did to us. I am Bartimeaus, the one and only!" he laughed and settled onto the roof changing in the form of a boy he once served under. Something funny about humans is that they get uneasy around their own kinda.

He has figured that out around when he was 1000 years old. It has helped him alot.

Elizabeth looked at the boy that was once a human. He had slipped up once her said his name. The demon was nothing but hot air. She grabbed a piece of calk from her pocket and quickly drew a pentgram for summoning. She said the demon's name over the pentgram and he appeared in the circle. "You shall now obey me or you will be hurt. Understtod?" she said in one breath so he couldn't use her word agaoinst her.

[Luzifer]

Master Sentien had finally made his way up to the roof by this time, his skinny body capable of greater speeds than might initially be assumed. "are you okay, madamoiselle?" he asked as he walked over to Elizabeth and Amy, " I saw the demon and i worried things would get ugly here." He began to twirl a bit of red hair around his finger as he waited for a response. Insan though decided to stay back and flew out of sight to avoid being noticed

[Nespa]

amy nodded at elisabeths qeustion and quickly moved behind her when the demon came nearby. the only thing that kept amy at the scene was the fact that the fall had made her scared of moving on the roofs again. she peeked over amy's shoulder as the demons conversed til elisabeth sealed it in a pentagram. she crouched on the roof beside her and looked curoisly at the male infront of her.

[Pirate Toast]

Elizabeth looks from the demon Bartimeaus to the man. "I am fine. You should worry more for him." she pointed to the demon with a rueful grin. she wasn't very merciful. If she was then she wouldn't be theif queen. The thevies feared her but also enjoyed having her as their queen. "Now if you will excus me and my partner" she waved her hand to Amy and wink for her to go along wit her.

"Follow Bartimeaus. You need to clean the sewers. Theifs would be greatful if you made them smell better and all." she laughed and picked the small girl up and hopped across the roff tops back to the tavern.

[Luzifer]

Master Sentien watched the two girls leave, and then turned toward Insan, "tell the demons to begin their retreat, we're done here." he was still twirling his hair with a finger but now had another finger in his mouth, thoughtful perhaps.

"Yes my liege." And Insan flew toward the Parliament building and soon thereafter Parliament was once more silent. He returned but his master was gone. He panicked and flew higher to look for his Master but no trace was to be found.

[Nespa]

amy smiled at elizabeth andlet herself be helped back to the tavern. she stiffend a bit with the jumps and sighed. It seemed they need to train her again. On the roof of the tavern she blinked and turned to elizabeth "i dhink withs time to rummon grange again" she smiled.

in the demon realm\

grange walked from left to right and back over and over again biting his nails. he bit his lowerlip 'did something go wrong, mostly the would have summoned me by now'. he took deep breaths deciding he needed to focuse only to half panick "what if they captured her i wil never forgive myself!"he sank to the ground groaning.

[Ranryou Roga]

Chrono growled and stood up quikcly. It was time from Knives to summon him. "Knives.........its time once again!!!!!!"

Knives could hear his voice. Knives drew his katana and stabbed into into the ground. A large seal spread from the sword blade and spread out. The seal then broke apart as Knives called out Chrono's name. The demons rose infront of him as the seal was sucked back into the blade. Knives stood up and looked at chrono. "Lets find where this Bartimeaus is and find out some answers right chrono."

chrono grinned and turned into his human form. he then toke off right beside Knives tolds where Chrono felt this demon was.

[FullMetalAlchemist997]

From his spot on the wall Kindley could see just fine the seige at the parliament building. He wasn't interested in that but the characters he could see milling around. So Bartimaeus is there...He thought. Suddenly his attention was drawn back to his backyard when Arika caught his eye.
"Sir," She said breathlessly "Did you hire him?" She was looking at a big burly guy that was incongruous.
"Change of plans, Arika" Kindley said. "Tell him some other time and grab Quin and Fidelia" Kindley didn't move his old bones wouldn't get there in time.
Quin blinked as the big burly guy emerged from the bushes. She was about to attack when Arika came flying in in her demon form.
"GO HOME!" Arika growled. The man retreated. Obviously Kindley had prepare for such a possibilty. "QUIN! FIDELIA! Follow me" Arika took off again bounding over the snow covered ground her white form almost blending in with the snow.
Quin blinked rapidly it was all happening so quickly. She followed the little fox although at times it became hard to seperate her from the snow. Quin stopped when Arika perched on the fence by Kindley. "Master?"
"Just watch, Quin, we aren't getting involved at this late stage" Kindley growled. However his staff lay very close to his weather-beaten hand. Kindley had learned it was best to watch at times like these.

[Luzifer]

Insan finally found Master Sentien leaning against a cart staring at the now silent parliament, the demons having long ago departed. "Insan" he muttered softly so that no one would be suspicious, "I'm going to stay in London a while longer, tell Madam Fortuna for me." Insan nodded and flew away.

Sentien looked around and then ducked down an ally. He had followed the girl with the pentacle after she had captured the renegade demon from before and now decided to continue his pursuit. It was beyond logical to determine motivations. He doubted her variance would disturb things to severely, she didn't seem particularly interested in more than self-defense but it was best to avoid offending those with power and the best way to avoid offending them was to determine their wishes and act with those in mind. His plans were quite supple and he doubted it would take more than a few alterations to fix another power into it. He soon caught back up with his target but didn't follow behind, rather he waited a bit till it was darker and the bar rush was starting and slipped in with them. He found himself a bar stool and before he could blink ale was set in front of his face. He pushed it aside. He didn't drink. It was a pleasure of the flesh, after all, and he was dead. Corpses didn't need alcohol.