[CENTER][SUB][I][COLOR=SILVER]You better think it through, to steal her from the taker is a worthless thrill. Don't try to fake her with love that's not real...[/COLOR][/I][/SUB][hr][H3][B][COLOR=SLATEGRAY]R E M E M B E R T H E T A K E R[/COLOR][/B][/H3][/CENTER] [hr] [INDENT][COLOR=SLATEGRAY][B][I]Time of Day:[/I] [COLOR=SILVER]Morning[/COLOR] [I]Weather:[/I] [COLOR=SILVER]Clear Skies[/COLOR][/B][/COLOR] [INDENT]Wiping the condensation from the bathroom mirror, Riley looked at his reflection. His own tired eyes stared back him, the dark circles beneath them emphasizing the exhaustion. It had been a restless night as Riley had tossed and turned in his bed, the memories or yesterday, or rather the lack therefore of, had kept him awake, denying his mind any peace. One minute he had been operating his drone, the next he was being woken up by Officer Richards as he came to on the sidewalk, his book gone, his drone smashed and his backpack tucked under his head. To anyone else, that would have meant they had been mugged, but to Riley Sheridan that could only mean one thing. He had gotten too close to the truth once again. While he couldn’t deny that the loss of the book was a major blow, Riley at least had made a couple scans of the pages relating to a creature known as an ‘Aswang’. Having uploaded the pages to a forum of other paranormal investigators, he and several other anonymous users had concluded it was the mostly likely culprit. The creature in question, this so-called ‘Aswang’, matched to the majority of the characteristics that had been attributed to what now tallied up to be four murders. The only thing that seemed odd based on what Riley had been able to read from the various languages inscribed in the book, was that the Aswang normally didn’t feed this frequently. Nonetheless, without being able to decipher the book for further information, Riley was at something of a loss of where to go with his investigation. There was one place he could go though, one person he believed might be able to help. [i][color=#7b906c]Mayhew.[/color][/i] Grabbing his denim jacket and leather satchel, Riley ensured his laptop was still tucked inside before locking his apartment behind him and making his way out of the building towards the communal bus stop. Rocking back and forth anxiously on his heels, Riley adjusted the beanie lazily pulled over the back of his head before tucking his hands into the jacket’s pockets as he looked up and down for the bus. Sighing in relief as he boarded, the young male showed his pass before taking a seat somewhere in the middle of the vehicle. Rustling around in his bag, Riley retrieved a pair of sunglasses as he gingerly placed them on his face and turned his gaze out the bus’ window. Mayhew’s shop was located in one of the city’s older quarters, residing along the waterfront in the shadow of the Rook Bridge. The bridge’s stone guardians, casting their long, fanged shadows over the mysterious man’s antiquity shop. Riley’s eyes had almost closed as he thought about his destination without paying attention to the fact he was almost upon it. The continual Victorian styling along the row of townhouses across the road caused him to side up in his seat as the young man realized the bus was nearing his stop in the district of Regina’s Court. The loud hiss of the brakes being applied prompted Riley from his seat as he rose and made his way down the alley towards the exit. Stepping off of the bus, he made his way down the road, before following a pathway down to the Del Vida Boardwalk as Riley ventured under the towering bridge and through the fish market towards Mayhew’s shop. The clang of a rather obnoxious bell signaled his arrival as the familiar earthy smell hit his nose underneath a cloud of freshly burned incense. From the door behind the counter emerged an older man, a full head of dark hair was groomed neatly back leaving his widow’s peak as the single most predominant feature on his relatively smooth forehead. A short and obviously well-trimmed beard adorned his face, the single streak of silver travelling down his chin hinting towards his true age as similar crests of silver were visible on either temple. His suit was in pristine condition, perfectly pressed as it was properly buttoned atop a slim fitting waistcoat. A large Windsor knot held his tie in place as it was tucked beneath the waist coat. Each garment of his three-piece suit was black as the night itself and it was a mystery to Riley how his pale complexion didn’t stand out more against the contrasting colour. [color=#8e7cc3]“Mr. Sheridan,” [/color]Xander Mayhew purred, [color=#8e7cc3]“I didn’t expect to see you again so soon.”[/color] [color=#7b906c]“Well, uh,”[/color] Riley replied, a hand wandering to the back of his head as he accidentally pulled his beanie off before holding the soft hat in front of him with both hands as he found his words once again.[color=#7b906c] “It would seem that I, uh, [i]lost[/i] the book.”[/color] [color=#8e7cc3]“Lost?”[/color] Mayhew asked with an inquisitive eyebrow, the way in which the words had been said obviously not lost on the older man. [color=#7b906c]“Taken I guess you could say,”[/color] Riley replied, [color=#7b906c]“While I looking into the Aswang’s latest victim.”[/color] He added, swearing that Mayhew’s ears had twitched at the mention of the creature. [color=#7b906c]“I was wondering if you had another one of those books.”[/color] [color=#8e7cc3]“Did it look like a mass publication to you?”[/color] Mayhew scolded, [color=#8e7cc3]“No, that book was one of a kind. I simply can’t go in the back and bring you out another.”[/color] He paused, a hand wandering to his goatee. [color=#8e7cc3]“Who took the book?” [/color] [color=#7b906c]“I-I-I-”[/color] Riley stammered as he tried to force his mind to remember but it was as though it was blocked, nothing was coming to mind, not a sound, not a smell, not a single memory. [color=#7b906c]“I don’t know.”[/color] He replied sheepishly as Mayhew stepped forward. The older man’s hands tucked behind his back as he bent his head down slightly towards Riley as though he was smelling the younger man. Before Riley could react, Mayhew’s hands moved into action, his left one falling over Riley’s heart before his opposite hand came towards Riley’s head as Mayhew placed his thumb directly on his forehead. [b][color=#8e7cc3]“Amin mind a' lle.”[/color][/b] His voice was deep and commanding as Riley felt his eyes rolled back into his skull, the last thing he saw was Mayhew’s own eyes glowing as they clouded over. Mayhew’s eyes suddenly snapped open as he possessed Riley’s memory, looking back directly at Kayla as he relived the moment the younger witch had stolen the bestiary from the boy. Smiling, Mayhew’s mouth opened as his voice came out, travelling across time and space as he taunted the Tourist. [b][color=#8e7cc3]“Creosa a' amin tal, [i]Kuruni Agar[/i].”[/color][/b] Releasing Riley, the younger man stumbled backwards looking up at Mayhew in confusion before resuming their conversation from several minutes ago. [color=#7b906c]“I honestly have no idea how it was stolen, Mr. Mayhew.”[/color] Riley stated as Mayhew moved back behind his counter, reaching down into the jewelry cabinet before producing a ring. [color=#8e7cc3]“Well, I feel terrible about that I have nothing else to offer you, Mr. Sheridan.”[/color] Mayhew stated as he held up the ring, [color=#8e7cc3]“I’d like you to have this.”[/color] [color=#7b906c]“What is it?”[/color] Riley asked as he accepted the ring, putting it on almost immediately as a strange sensation washed over his body. [color=#8e7cc3]“Think of it as a good luck charm.”[/color] Mayhew smiled as he watched Riley flexing his fist as he smiled back at the shop owner. [color=#7b906c]“It feels... good, real good.”[/color] Riley stated as Mayhew nodded. [color=#7b906c]“Anyways, I have to go, I’ll be back again.”[/color] The young man called as he made his way out the door. [color=#8e7cc3]“Oh I know you will,”[/color] Mayhew smiled as he rested his hands together on the counter, [color=#8e7cc3]“I know you will.”[/color][/INDENT][/INDENT] [color=slategray][indent][sub][B]Location[/B] [COLOR=SILVER][I]Outside the Woven Roast[/I] - [I]Valley Edge, Santa Celia[/I][/COLOR][/sub][/INDENT][/COLOR][hr][INDENT][INDENT]While the East side of the city was a little out of his way, Riley loved the peace and quiet he often found on this side of the city, specifically in one of the private cafes, the locally owned ‘Woven Roast’. The West Side of the city often fell prey to the traditional Californian hustle and bustle, the mindset of other cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles, but here along the edge of the Árido Valley, the city took on the best elements of the nearby rural community. Departing the bus once again, Riley rubbed his tired eyes before entering the ‘Roast’ as he made his way past the small tables, eying up Nicole’s newest designs as he scanned her handmade clothing before making his way up to the counter to order. [color=#7b906c]“Hey, can I get a large Blue Suede Brew? Black, please.”[/color] Riley asked as he put a couple crinkled bills down on the counter, picking up one of them and shoving it in the nearby tip jar before nodding to the individual behind the counter. [color=#7b906c]“I’ll be right back to grab that, just want to set my laptop up.”[/color] He stated as he stepped away from the counter and made a beeline for his usual table. Situated right by one of the few outlets in the store, it was thankfully empty as Riley placed his bag on the table before pulling out the thin, black, notebook. Unwrapping the power cord, he quickly bent over, plugging it into the receptacle before connecting it to the laptop and turning the power on. Returning to the counter, Riley graciously accepted the caffeine laced drink, cradling the warm mug between his two hands as he struck up a minor conversation with the individual behind the counter. [color=#7b906c]“So, business been keeping you busy ‘round here?”[/color] [/INDENT] [sub][COLOR=SLATEGRAY][B]Continued Here:[/B][/COLOR][/sub] [INDENT][sub][URL=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/4818638][color=silver][b]#4.01[/b][/color] [color=white][I]Loneliness Is No Luxury[/I][/color][/URL] [URL=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/4819729][color=silver][b]#4.02[/b][/color] [color=white][I]Gettin' Fresh with the Americano[/I][/color][/URL] [URL=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/4825211][color=silver][b]#4.03[/b][/color] [color=white][I]Coffee and Conspiracies[/I][/color][/URL][/SUB][/INDENT][/INDENT] [CENTER][SUB][I][COLOR=SILVER]You pray for the storm of your life, it's over and nothing survived...[/COLOR][/I][/SUB][hr][H3][B][COLOR=SLATEGRAY]H A R D C A M E T H E R A I N[/COLOR][/B][/H3][/CENTER] [hr] [INDENT][COLOR=SLATEGRAY][B][I]Time of Day:[/I] [COLOR=SILVER]Late Afternoon[/COLOR] [I]Weather:[/I] [COLOR=SILVER]Clear Skies[/COLOR][/B][/COLOR] [INDENT][color=#999999]”I’m not [i]fuckin’[/i] making this up!”[/color] [color=#f3f3f3]Vinne let out an exasperated groan as the rest of the gathered gang in front of him held their sides in pained mirth. Tears rolled down their faces as they barely held back any further laughter.[/color] [color=#999999]“There was a fuckin’ giant ass lizard! And some bitch that smell like Freckles’ hamburgers!” [/color]Vinnie repeated describing the scene from the previous night. [color=#999999]“The bitch was going to kill me and feed me to the lizard, I swear it on my nana’s life.”[/color] [color=#666666]“Ain’t yo nana been six feet under for like three years now.” [/color] [color=#999999]“Ah hell, don’t you grill me like that,”[/color] Vinnie whined, [color=#999999]“Fine, then I swear it on Monty’s life.”[/color] [color=#b7b7b7]“Hey, my life means jackshit, damned idiot went and made me a cripple!”[/color] [color=#999999]“But yous was there!”[/color] Vinnie stressed with outstretched hands as Monty waved one of his own dismissively. [color=#999999]“You should be backing me the[i] fuck[/i] up on this!”[/color] [color=#b7b7b7]“Damned thing almost killed me once, what would you have us do, Vinnie?”[/color] Monty asked with his own exasperated tone. [color=#b7b7b7]“Load up on guns and brings our friends, go gator-”[/color] [color=#999999]“Lizard!” [/color] [color=#b7b7b7]“Fuck man!”[/color] Monty snapped, [color=#b7b7b7]“Fine, lizard huntin’ in the what? The streets, in the damned sewers? Where the hell you expecting this thing to turn up again.”[/color] [color=#999999]“Maybe the girl keeps it as a pet!”[/color] Vinnie replied excitedly, [color=#999999]“You ever think about that? It seemed like she could tell it what to do!”[/color] [color=#b7b7b7]“How the fuck would you know what she did?”[/color] Monty smirked leaning towards Vinnie on one of his crutches, [color=#b7b7b7]“She was choking you off and fuckin’ let her, fifty shades lovin’ muthafucka.”[/color] [color=#999999]“Bitch was plenty strong, I already told you that.”[/color] [color=#666666]“So what you’re saying is we have a giant lizard and a superwoman running around the fuckin’ city, is that all?”[/color] [color=#999999]“Yes!”[/color] [color=#b7b7b7]“Next thing he gonna say is he believes the damned cult is vampires too.”[/color] [color=#999999]“No.”[/color] Vinnie replied. [color=#999999]“That’d be fuckin’ ridiculous, get your shit together.” [/color] [color=#b7b7b7]“Vinnie, focus.”[/color] Monty replied as he raised his hand from between his hands, [color=#b7b7b7]“What’s the point in all this?”[/color] [color=#999999]“We gotta kill it!”[/color] [color=#b7b7b7]“What.”[/color] [color=#999999]“The lizard!”[/color] Vinnie repeated, [color=#999999]“We have to kill the damned lizard. We’d be heroes, maybe we could even get paid!”[/color] He added, the mention of money causing a murmur among the gang as they quickly became far more interested. [color=#b7b7b7]“And how do we find the damned giant ass lizard?”[/color] Monty asked, his tone dripping in sarcasm. [color=#b7b7b7]“Last time the damned thing stumbled onto us and then proceeded to wipe the floor with our asses.”[/color] Vinnie smiled stupidly from ear to ear as he held up a booklet of coupons for one of the city’s numerous fast-food chains. [color=#999999]“We eat at Freckles!”[/color] He replied with a wide grin. [color=#999999]“Find the bitch, kill the beast.”[/color][/INDENT] [sub][COLOR=SLATEGRAY][B]Continued Here:[/B][/COLOR][/sub] [INDENT][sub][URL=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/4818156][color=silver][b]#5.01[/b][/color] [color=white][I]Face the Music[/I][/color][/URL] [URL=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/4818791][color=silver][b]#5.02[/b][/color] [color=white][I]If Three's A Crowd, Then Four's A Party[/I][/color][/URL] [URL=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/4819318][color=silver][b]#5.03[/b][/color] [color=white][I]Too Old For Dates[/I][/color][/URL] [URL=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/4819779][color=silver][b]#5.04[/b][/color] [color=white][I]Fried Frickles[/I][/color][/URL] [URL=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/4819817][color=silver][b]#5.05[/b][/color] [color=white][I]Order 406[/I][/color][/URL] [URL=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/4820733][color=silver][b]#5.06[/b][/color] [color=white][I]Something Good[/I][/color][/URL] [URL=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/4825475][color=silver][b]#5.07[/b][/color] [color=white][I]Putty In My Hands[/I][/color][/URL] [URL=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/4825871][color=silver][b]#5.08[/b][/color] [color=white][I]Tied Up[/I][/color][/URL] [URL=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/4825890][color=silver][b]#5.09[/b][/color] [color=white][I]Dating Is Hard[/I][/color][/URL] [URL=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/4827532][color=silver][b]#5.10[/b][/color] [color=white][I]Squeeze Her A Little[/I][/color][/URL] [URL=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/4829321][color=silver][b]#5.11[/b][/color] [color=white][I]It's A Trap[/I][/color][/URL] [URL=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/4829384][color=silver][b]#5.12[/b][/color] [color=white][I]Beats Walkin'[/I][/color][/URL][/SUB][/INDENT][/INDENT]