FunnyGuy

Avalia

FLASHBACK
Optional Read

"We can keep up!" Darius exclaimed after chugging down a very unbalanced mixture of alcohol and soda from a glass. The young man smiled amongst others within a loud hotel room before nodding to another guy across the way. "Right?"

"Of course. We gotta give these guys the head start in something." Vic, a guy who was also in his early twenties answered. He had a bulkier build, but was better dressed than the rest of the group. He and Darius had been friends for several months now. Vic was one of Darius' first clients in his shoddy personal training business. Sure, it was poor business to hang out with a client, but the two cliqued. Vic was able to introduce Darius to clients that would pay top dollar, and Darius was great company to bring to all sorts of parties and gatherings. Darius was generally familiar with some of the faces present in the expensive hotel room from previous functions. Some were past or potential clients, while others were past and potential hookups. The pregame was always a good time, but it never beat the party. The whole group was supposed to bar hop in the notorious Ybor City, but there was rumor of a potential party on someone's boat as well.

Though the evening seemed like the perfect night to go wild, Darius had very pressing obligations the following afternoon. His brother's wedding. He had sold John some excuse about meeting a few clients as his reason for missing the rehearsal today.

"Mix us another one of those!" Vic shouted. Darius' excuse to John was not a complete lie. Despite accepting the flimsy excuse, John did feel like Darius was just shirking the rehearsal. Either way, the younger of the brothers planned to have them both get a win within the next 24 hours. Darius would get his perfect night and John would have his perfect day. It was simple, he just had to pace himself...

It was simple, yet it was not done. Not done in the slightest.

With a groan, Darius found himself wincing at the sun's brightness as he rolled over. He used his arm to shield his eyes as he continued to groan. His head was throbbing and his body felt like a pile of shit. The worst part was the perpetual rocking movement. It was making the hangover a hundred times worse. Confusion was momentary. The boat! However, the feeling of concern was longer lasting. The wedding!

"Fuck! No no no. What time is it? Fuck! Shit…" His watch's hands signaled a quarter till one. He sighed as he sloppily got up into a kneeling position. He couldn't bring himself to stand up for the fear he might fall over. He saw a few others in the same state he had just been in, just lying on the deck of a boat. A boat afloat about a mile from the dock. He pulled out his phone. The blank off screen made him feel hopeless. He held the power button. Nothing… He sighed and shut his eyes for a moment, as if life would somehow take him from here and to where he needed to be.

Not today.

He tried making his way over to the helm, but had a hunch his effort were fruitless at this point.

I'm… I'm a piece of shit. I'm so... Darius couldn't think of the right word in his current state of mind or maybe he was just too afraid to think it. No one ever wants to admit just exactly how flawed and screwed up they might be. That disgusting side of them. The part that no matter how big or insignificant, it is never completely acknowledged by its owner.

He braced himself on whatever he could get his hands on as he approached the helm. Where he could see someone lying on the ground with a black buccaneer hat atop his head. Darius shook his head and tightly shut his eyes again I'm the best man… They're probably calling me… but I can't… I probably couldn't even face him anyway. Darius took a seat on the ground and just stared off towards the bay with empty eyes. Perhaps he never wanted to attend in the first place.

He blinked a few times, the tears threatened to escape his eyes. He shut them.

I'm always in his shadow… Always... Always watching him just do so well. I can't even be a good second place. Darius let his eyes open before burying his face in his hands. The tears of shame and guilt flowed from his eyes. To be something… anything. It was a desire he felt might never be satiated. The young man sobbed silently on the boat, wishing he that he could have been better.

Darius never made it to John and Erica's wedding. Many friends and family members called hours on end for him, but only managed to reach his voicemail. His inbox held messages of confusion, anger, worry, and lastly, disappointment.

When he entered his apartment he walked straight to the bedroom, placed his dead phone on the charger, and collapsed onto his bed. He was afraid to face the shame of his actions. To be so careless in making decision that led up to missing his brother's special day only meant he was… he finally found the word that fit.

Selfish.

Avalia

Time: Morning
Location: Forest Outside Roshmi
Interaction with: @Tae Elsea, @Helo Cade, @Potter Corvina

---

@Helo Cade

Dry leaves rustled towards the camp, signaling someone or something approaching.

"Cade! What are you doing with these people! THEY ARE THE WHITE MEN!" Ayita shouted as she arrived at the camp. She appeared to feel betrayed and full of anger. "I knew deep down you were just like them! Seeing you with them now tells me everything!" Ayita's hurt expression was a fleeting sight as she turned away and ran into the woods.
-----

@Potter Corvina

Before Elsea could answer Corvina, a light giggle sounded. One only Corvina could hear.

"Changing subjects? What's wrong? Ashamed of your family?" Linnet leaned comfortably against a tree with her arms crossed. A smile plastered on her face. "If anything we should be ashamed of you. A waste of time brat that should have been left in a dumpster. Accomplished nothing but alcoholism." Linnet sighed after speaking with such venom. A flame appeared in her palm, dancing about before grinning. I bet I'm better at this than you as well… orphan." Linnet stepped back outside of the campsite with her hands raised. Looking for a fight outside the campsite.
-----

@Tae Elsea

"Elsea… How can you be so trusting of these two. Especially one that plays with the flames that might have snatched away your life. Were your clansmen not as hospitable before the betrayal?" Umber only spoke to Elsea, not using an illusion. He remained unseen, using trees and distance as his concealment.

Ember Grove - Reboot

Time: Evening
Location: Operation Humanity HQ
Interaction with: Angel @princess and Nikolaus @Potter

---

When Angel stepped out to grab some food, Sean turned his head to watch her leave. One could have assumed he was just checking her out, but he was also confirming her exit. Once Sean was sure Angel was out of earshot, he turned back to Nikolaus with a smirk as the two men's eyes met.

"I guess I can see the allure, but…" Sean stopped himself and chuckled a bit. He had almost forgotten he was trying not to share too much info with the potential mole. "Anyway… it was Agent Fox's Team that got wiped out by Alexander. I figured you would have gotten word with Agent Blonsky being just down the hall. He got lucky. Alexander compelled him to kill himself. But too bad he didn't know the guy was too stupid to off himself right." He shrugged, not too worried about how Nikolaus reacted to the news.

Sean accepted the nature of the job. Most hunters hoped to go down while taking two monstrous assholes with them. Unfortunately, there were times where the monster played their role as intended and reminded hunters just how fragile they were.

When Angel returned, he caught his sandwich with finesse and tossed it over to Nikolaus.

"Catch. I don't eat cat food." Sean wrinkled his nose at the tossed tuna sandwich. When his eyes met Nikolaus' again he winked at the man as he walked away with Angel, leading her out of the room. "We'll come check on you after we're done." Almost teasing.

As the two exited the room, he led the way to the garage and then to a truck. He kept quiet on the way as he wanted to save the conversation for the road. Plus if the talk went south Angel couldn't decide to not go anymore. Once in the truck, Sean started the diesel engine and sighed

"Sorry for the wait, but I couldn't tell either of the Trotters the plan." Sean said as he fiddled with his phone for a few seconds before placing it down into one of the cupholders. "We're gonna go find Remy. That's the mission." Sean said this as a familiar whisper could be heard through the speakers of the truck. A hint of a smile was visible on Sean's face as the music played and he drove towards Ember Grove.

Avalia

Time: Morning
Location: Campsite, Outskirts of Roshmi City
Interaction: @Helo Bowyn, @Tae Kenia, @Dezuel Elthrael, @Alivefalling "Vaeril", @Howlsofwinter Zephyrin

Elthrael and Kenia clashed like two elderly women fighting over the last cup of tapioca pudding in a retirement home for the ninth time in a month… except they had just met each other… and they weren't old women… well one of them could be considered old, but you know how elves are. Darius let those two have at it as he just figured they just weren't compatible yet. To him, the sexual tension was as clear as day. And no, the previous analogy about the retirement home did not apply to that. He gave them both warm smiles when they addressed him individually.

"Just trying to pull my weight." He replied to Kenia.

"More like going… with the flow.'" Darius quipped to Elthrael with a smirk. Despite how selfish the guy seemed, he liked the way he talked. Like Dr. Seuss or something.

When Zephyrin spoke up about her interest in him, Darius mentally facepalmed. That makes way more sense of why she's staring at me. A hero… I guess...

Zephyrin continued, stating she had never seen a forest fae either, which gave the impression she did not get around much. Before even the ball, Darius had seen a bit of every race. Every race except hers. Darius was not the sharpest guy around, but Bowyn and this female shared a resemblance. He also recalled last night when Eltrhrael indicated Bowyn's kind did not usually venture this far south. He was nearly lost in his pondering when his name was called by… Vaeril.

”Darius!” He turned to face Vaeril who stumbled over while handing him a half-drank bottle.

"Vaeril? You…" He stared at the bottle labeled as "mournwine." From what he remembered, Kol had told him was a beverage dark elves especially drank during their lowest points. "When the pain is too much." Darius whispered softly as he repeated the words that Kol had shared with him after one of their training sessions. Darius' eyes were fixated on the bottle as Vaeril played his game. He was now an elf plagued with sorrow from last night's events. It was his ball after all where so many had perished.

Darius gripped the bottle tight as he considered indulging in its contents. Perhaps another time. Darius let out a heavy sigh as he stood to help Vaeril get up off the grass.

"It's okay old man. Helping you up is the least I could do. Plus, you'll owe me once we get back home. Deal?" Darius grinned as he handed him a speared fish. Vaeril was much too heavy for Darius to carry while traveling, so he simply got beside Vaeril and wrapped his arm around his back to his side with the mournwine bottle still in his grip. "Now just get your arm over my shoulder and we'll be ready to rock until you sober up some." Darius looked to the group with an uneasy smile like Yeah I know my friend is kind of embarrassing. "We can keep up. Let's get out of here already." And with that and a little bit of clean up, the group set out towards the port.

Ember Grove - Reboot

Time: Afternoon
Location: Apartment #405 in Charlotte's Noggin
Interactions: Charlotte @Crusader Lord

"Over four thousand?" Dante let out softly before looking between the women. His attention was less on their conversation and more on their appearances. They were true reincarnations. Each life is new, yet with an old soul. Correction… old souls. This discovery filled him with interest. He wished that he could have discovered this without any sort of crime committed.

The dominant past lives soon directed Dante's attention to Charlotte. She was so much different than the others. He quickly guessed that it was the dominant personas that were the most engaged here. There's are at least a few dozen missing. Maybe short lives or they're simply not so showy.

Charlotte spoke up, and when she did, Dante listened with a thoughtful expression on his face. To think this young woman was capable of performing such a powerful spell. As alien as her explanation was, it made more sense after arriving in the mindscape.

"I see… However, a crime committed in ignorance is still a crime. And so, I will hold the most dominant soul accountable." Dante said with a hint of a smile before he vanished from the visages to return to the physical plane.

Dante jolted awake and took a few deep breaths before sitting up. No voice now. Ash sat up as well before Dante made a nod to Charlotte while giving a thumbs up. And with that, Ash went to town, licking the salt from Charlotte's face as Dante smiled with amusement.

The plan would be to take Charlotte to his coven. She would no longer be restrained, but it would not be an option. Communication would not be so smooth, but Dante was sure it was better out here than in the presence of the council of past lives within her. Dante used a mild amount of telekinesis to loosen the blanket wrapped around the young witch as he did not want to seem inappropriate in removing them. She could be nude under there for all he knew. These times were definitely weird enough for that to be the case.

Ember Grove - Reboot

Time: Afternoon
Location: Apartment #405
Interactions: Charlotte @Crusader Lord

Dante tried to remain silent as he watched the mindscaped of the young woman he had held captive unfold. The women before him presented themselves with their own particular flavor. The threats and warnings normally came with this kind of intrusion into a person's soul, but these different women were not supposed to have dominion here, but they did.

He listened to them change the subject, but it was at the mention of "others" which only worried him. He wondered how many, but more importantly… how. Perhaps Maeve had knowledge of such an anomaly as this, but she was not here and Dante had a job to do as complicated as it might be. When Charlotte spoke to him apologetically. This one was the one he detained in the apartment. He cleared his throat before addressing all of the women.

"This is quite a welcome." He did not want to offend any of them. They were the gods of this spirit, or behaved as such, so he would try his best not to offend any of the very different women. A truly heavy task. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Dante Hale and I must let you know that I arrive in your domain without ill will. Answers are what I seek from you. If I present anything else, you may strike down or banish my spirit. You may even demand my leave… But I would like to know how all you reside in this young witch."

Avalia

Time: Morning
Location: Campsite, Outskirts of Roshmi City
Interaction: @Helo Bowyn, @Tae Kenia, @Dezuel Elthrael, @Alivefalling "Vaeril", @Howlsofwinter Zephyrin

As Darius feasted on one of the fish provided and cooked by Bowyn, he silently watched and listened to going ons of the rest of the group. If anyone here knew him any better, they would find Darius' behavior troubling. He was normally the social butterfly, but there was much weighing on his mind. So much had happened last night, but there was also so much more to come. He tried to ignore Elthrael's display of magic as it made him uneasy. He was still shaking off last night's nightmare.

When Kenia finally spoke up, it was to address the group in continuing their journey to the rendezvous point her allies had established. He figured she would also address Zephyrin the way she had, giving the same warning she had given the rest of the members of the group. Kind of reminded him of Kol... Kol disguised as a hot female light elf named Kenia? At this point with all of the skin wearing and disguising, Darius wouldn't be all that surprised even though he was aware of how unlikely it was. Darius watched for Zephyrin's reply, wondering how the newcomer would respond to Kenia's icy words.

Zephyrin's polite reply was nice to hear. Even if it was faked, it meant she had some level of tact which would keep the dynamic of the group running quite smoothly. No infighting yet.

When Zephyrin's sights landed on him, he stared back. He wasn't used to such a look toward himself. It was the same one he may have had upon first seeing Edenia or Roshmi City. As a human he was a curiosity in this world, but this was not something he was used to so he just assumed Zephyrin was just captivated by his good looks. Sorry Elthrael. He shot her a warm smile before addressing the group himself as he stood up and cleared his throat.

"If anyone needs water for the road, I can spot you… I mean I can provide some before and probably even during the trip." He wasn't sure if Avalians used that particular term in that way and kept it simple.

Ember Grove - Reboot

Time: Afternoon
Location: Apartment #405
Interactions: Charlotte @Crusader Lord

"Wait, are you trying to turn me into human jerky for transport, or is this some cool magic-dampening ritual for criminals? I mean, either way you just had to put on the message on or ask and I'd come along anyways. At least instead of knocking me off the couch and getting salt in the carpet."

Dante shrugged with a hint of amusement on his face as his lips slightly upturned. Still, this was very strange. This witch did not seem to fit the bill of someone who could cast a forbidden level lightning spell. Even after hearing his recording, her reaction was… off.

When asked about hot cocoa and petting Ash, Dante shook his head. Not saying "No," but in disbelief in her reply. He then placed the salt pouch back into his pocket.

Praesidium the salt glowed for a split second before Charlotte's burrito wrap blanket tightened ever so slightly. Dante had used the basic level barrier spell to ensure the witch remained wrapped up.

He had originally planned to take her, but he needed more answers. Dante had her restrained to a minimal degree. There was no need for anything more powerful as she had trouble with the blankets she wrapped herself. He pulled another item which appeared to be an old used rubber band. The simple kind kids would shoot at their friends in grade school. He walked over to the door and placed the rubber band around the door handle. The substandard rubberband warded the door, making it impossible to unlock and more difficult to knock down. Dante couldn't have any interruptions or ambushes occur for what he was about to do.

He walked back towards Charlotte, stared at her for a moment and then laid himself on the very couch she fell from. He nodded to Ash, who nodded back and lay right beside the girl. Dante shut his eyes.

Accipe spiritum meum leve fuga… Accipe spiritum meum leve fuga… Accipe spiritum meu... He suddenly felt his astral body rise from his physical one that became limp on the couch. He looked upon his astral body, one that was unseen to most on the physical plane. Dante wasted no time as he floated down towards the burrito girl and sank into her physical form. This was possibly the most dangerous thing a witch or warlock could do as it was equivalent to entering a King's castle with one hundred strobelights attached to you. Dante felt his "fair" treatment of the girl would make things less hostile and he could make his exit if he felt he was in danger. Besides, he could talk here.

"What… How is this even possible?"

This was no King's castle. Dante had entered the bodies of other witches and one thing was prevalent. There was only ever a single setting inside. Sometimes it was a castle fortess with traps lurking within. Other times it was simple house with a picket fence and garden. But THIS. This was too much. It was as if someone had taken dozens of these settings and put them all in one place. Dante awaited whatever this mindscape had in store for him, not sure he would he ready.

Ember Grove - Reboot

Time: Afternoon
Location: Apartment #405
Interactions: Charlotte @Crusader Lord

"What the hell is going on?! Why are you in my apartment??? Cops, somebody, police!" Dante frowned with unamused eyes. He was really questioning if he got the wrong person.

Ash then pulled the young woman off of the couch, sure of her catch.

"Oww..." Dante raised an eyebrow at the young woman that was trapped in her own linen.

I trust you Ash, but this girl is… I will just have to take her in. Praesidium should work.

Dante pulled his phone and a bag of salt from his jacket pocket. The phone was set on the arm of the couch before it started playing a recorded message for Charlotte to listen to. As it played, Dante showered the blanket burrito girl with salt.

"So twenty bucks if I recite th-" Dante stopped throwing salt to skip to the actual message. "You are hereby placed under arrest by the Circle of the Ancients for the suspected use of forbidden magic. It would behoove you to be escorted quietly into Circle's custody. Dante looked upon the girl as the recording ended, waiting on her reply while Ash fought the urge to lick the salt off of Charlotte's face.

Avalia

Time: Morning
Location: Campsite, Outskirts of Roshmi City
Interaction: @Helo Bowyn, @Tae Kenia, @Dezuel Elthrael, @Alivefalling "Vaeril", @Howlsofwinter Zephyrin

Zephyrin's claim of being lost in the woods softened Darius' expression. He knew how it felt to be unfamiliar with the wilderness while it encroached itself around you. His first week on Avalia was spent trekking the wilds with a nomadic orc and a forest-dwelling demon. Without them, he might have ended up looking as troubled as the stranger before him. Myra… and Skar.

The water in Darius' hand dissipated the more the group interacted with the mysterious fae woman. Elthrael was a lot more welcoming to this woman than what Darius witnessed previously with the others. He nearly smirked at the interaction between the two fae.

Just swooping in to be her superman, huh? Darius wouldn't knock this guy's game, but he was sure there was someone else who might if they took the chance at it. Kenia came to mind, but judging by how she looked this morning, it might be best to leave her be. Vaeril or Aklenroth kept to himself. Part of Darius wondered what the Lich King's next action would be. Would he really wait to get to their destination, where his enemies would convene? Maybe Darius wouldn't need to do anything after all. His eyes then landed back on the female winter fae.

Another bystander that might become collateral…

He grabbed a speared fish for himself while the others seemed to take in the lost woman. He simply shot Zephyrin a kind and apologetic smile as his way of assuring he was no longer hostile to her.

"I'm Darius." He kept his introduction short before he moved around the firepit and took a seat on the ground. He had put a bit of space between himself and the faeries. Zephyrin seemed to warm up to Bowyn and Elthrael a bit more anyway, especially since his first impression was a not so friendly.