[center][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/6842e791-fdfd-4d2d-b45f-b8c347f4e655.png[/img][/center][color=crimson]"Of course you won't cause any trouble. As a judge, I'm proud in my ability to be a good well... judge of character. I wouldn't invite someone who's an obvious miscreant for lunch, would I?"[/color] Eleonor said as the trio arrived at the mansion and took seats around the table. [color=crimson]"Now that I think about it, this whole formality is bugging me, maybe should I get a round table? It's much better for us to understand one another when this social barrier doesn't exist,"[/color] she added, thinking out loud in a jovial tone.

[color=crimson]"Putting that aside, I have a request before we explain the reason Lorelai came across you,"[/color] Eleonor said as they were served by the maids. [color=crimson]"Would you mind sharing some of your stories with us? I know it  may not look like it, but it has been a while ever since I was young and carefree enough to travel on my own,"[/color] she asked, smiling in an enigmatic way before taking a piece of roasted lamb on beer sauce in her lips.

[color=crimson]"Oh, but please, don't let that distract you from the food. Sheep and beer are the local specialties. Until you had Rivenwood's lamb on beer sauce, you can never say that you know what lamb is truly meant to taste. For a traveler, this experience is certainly worth far more than any gold, right? Furthermore, I'm very proud of the work of my household members,"[/color] Eleonor said in a kind voice, flattering her servants, before taking a second bite.

[center][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/115b9797-661e-4685-93d0-565497eca030.png[/img][/center]Whether or not Maria did even registered the presence of the other Hunters it was something known only to her at first. Naturally, most of them wouldn't even bother approaching her on a normal occasion, much less when she was doing business.

However, just as their unexpected ride arrived at the tavern's door, she rose to her feet, placed a small vial containing a deep crimson liquid on the table, and said, [color=900020]"Very well then, our ride seem to have arrived earlier than I expected. Nevertheless, just like they say: 'There's no time like the present'. So, we may as well get going already, right Ladies?"[/color] to her guests before tipping her hat at her fellow Hunters of the night.

[color=900020]"While we are on our way, maybe should I explain a few things? You may even call it a newbie Hunter's tutorial if you will,"[/color] Maria said as she got in the black carriage nonchalantly, followed by Sherry, whose enthusiasm didn't seem to dim even though she got quite a scare when she laid eyes on their means of transportation.

On the way to the chateau, the Old Huntress spoke about the basics of this world: how Hunters worked, what kinds of misshapen nightmares they slayed, the three types of magic most creatures in this world employed—the rage of fire, the curse of shadows, and the corruption of blood—and many other more gritty aspects of the life in the World of Wasted Dreams.

Sherry listened to it all with attention, occasionally taking notes, or posing questions of her own. By the time she finished writing it all down on her journal, the carriage had already arrived at their destination: an ominous looking Gothic style castle built on the crest of a spiraling hill. The crimson moonlight came from behind it and bathed the cobblestone path that waded through a grove of desiccated trees at the foot of the hill all the way to the wrought iron gates that guarded the surprisingly-well-cared-for rose gardens in front of the castle.

[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/5pY1T2E.png[/img][/center][color=9932cc]"Woah, that's really something! I bet you could throw a hell of a Halloween party in a place like this,"[/color] Sherry said.

It indeed was a sight to behold. But, even more curious was the mysterious card they would find laying face down on the dirty road, right after the carriage left the group behind, going off to do its sinister business at other venues of this hopeless world.