Guilds Role-Play

[ATTN: ALL]

[ATTN: Kaimele]
--Terrenia City, Crye Estate; 5:30PM--

Lord Crye listens to her terms very carefully, expecting some difficult requirements from the dancer almost immediately--but her terms are quite simple. Witha a big smile, he nods his head appreciatively and finishes his meal. He's rather appeased and this will make a fine way to keep in touch with the lovely dancer in the future.

"Well, I will say that the Guild will be opening either tomorrow or the day after--but either way, our members will not be announced. If people wish to know, they can ask, but I don't have to give them your name if you don't wish. You'll be able to sign up for the Guild under your real name, but include your stage name or keep it secret; either one is up to you. You can keep your personal life and your Guild life as separate as you'd like." Lord Crye says.

He looks intrigued, his eyes switching up to Reese in the distance for a brief moment, but then his gaze returns to Clementina as he hears her words about the tattoo. He tilts his head to the side slightly, "Tattoo? You don't like the Arcane Marks? They are so easily removed and are painless, but...I suppose we could find another form of marking you, if you'd like. You prefer...real tattoos?"



[ATTN: Ryla, Lark, Ryushi, Chiron, Janos, Char]
--Ferrum Coordinator Guild Hall, UMS; 5:30PM--

After their brief words and acceptance, Nadleeh nods her head, as well, smiling reassuringly at Ryushi. There's no way she's drop the ball, now. Not when they needed her. This is why she joined a Guild--to help more people, rather than just to help the Viorian people. Vioria would approve of her decision, she is sure. Whatever is ahead of them, she'll gladly face it with her friends.

Two people from room take their leave and Nadleeh doesn't blame them one bit. It takes a lot to want to join a mission that's almost a guaranteed death sentence. Still, as they all sit in awkward silence, she realizes that no one else will really be saying anything...so she just stares at Rodimus Penn expectantly. And he seems almost lost in thought for a moment, until he snaps back into reality and sighs.

He starts to write down information on his paperwork, his eyes rising up to a man that's next to him for a few moments before continuing to write some more. She can see him pause for a few seconds as he asks for each of their names, writing each one down at a time. He finishes the list with the same words on the paper, three times in a row, one line after another: "council delegate:"

Then, he hands the paper to Chiron, "This is the official order of the Quest. Only I can consider it complete. When you meet up with the council delegate, as well as anyone they may have brought with them, write their names down and seal it. If anyone asks what your power is...don't tell them."

Nadleeh instantly becomes intrigued--what is his power?? Something bad? It doesn't matter, though, because the man is already speaking again and he demands her attention immediately. She doesn't hesitate to brush her curiosity aside--the man is too big and scary to ignore. There's no way she's gonna be the one to piss him off. Still, the dude that had joked and flirted with her earlier still seems all...loose around him, joking left and right. Perhaps he just knows his Guild Master so well as to know his limits. What was his name again? Janos.

"You must head to this zone," Rodimus begins, pointing at the map, "Where there are rumors of...well...metals melting, heat rising, and other odd occurrences. Compasses won't work, and the ground and earth around this spot are said to be decaying or dead. No one knows the source, but it is one of three things: Spirits, Metallurgy Magic, or some kind of ancient voodoo shit from that archaeological stuff that Sheherazade does. You are to get there, record your findings, and get back.

"Let me be clear that you do not have to just...solve the problem overnight. If you can't find a solution or find something that I or the councils need to know, then you should prioritize getting that information to us over being a damned hero. If you find the source, then report on it and be done. As you can see, you'll be entering the Hallows. That's no joke, I know it'll be dangerous in there. The monsters alone could kill you. So don't die on me out there. Any questions?"



[ATTN: Rat, Seere, Amelia]
--UMS Border Territory, Targon State; White Cross Guild Hall; 5:30PM--

Whip smiles, adding on to Amelia's words, "And he likes everything to do with spirits, so he decided he wanted to help people with them. Anyone willing to deal with the spiritual realm is welcome to join us. I can see spirits..sort of."

She leans over the table, her voice getting a little quieter, "I have...sort of a temperature gauge with my eyes. I can see large amounts of heat around a person, or I can see extreme levels of cold. Both of those intense temperatures are usually related to spirits, so...sometimes, even I can see spirits in my own way."

A large plate of cheese pierogies is dumped before her, so she leans back to give space for the steam rising up from the plate. Another, identical plate of food is dropped before Seere, as well, and she looks down at the plate hungrily. With a happy and short prayer to Vioria out of respect to Nadleeh, she instantly digs in--inhaling her food as though she had forgotten how to eat. Or manners. Or being human. Whatever.

After the plate has been demolished, she loudly calls out: "Another!"

The cook laughs and calls out in the distance back at her, "Yeah, I knew you'd say that. I'm already working on it, you cow."

She sticks her tongue out at the man, but he's already stepped away from the window before he can see it. She looks back at Seere sheepishly, "You still hungry, or...?"



[ATTN: Sylmeria, Nymeria, Xiax, Ryla]
--Infinity Edge Guild Hall; Ventya State - UMS; 5:30pm--

Several of the Infinity Edge members seem energized by their Guild Master's transformation. The Guild members cheer out, listening to the woman's threat as they battle ferociously at the sides. The tables are tossed aside, broken, shattered--many of the glass windows have been shattered through and the entire building is just a mess. The three cloaked figures instantly hesitate, taking a step back as she speaks to them with multiple voices. They are clearly not comfortable with facing her.

However, another figure walks in, this time with the hood down. His face is not hidden with a mask or hood, like the others, saying volumes. His gaze is ice and Ilyana recognizes him immediately. At first, he appears to be a very young boy with glasses...but as he comes closer, his oddities become more obvious. Her soul gaze allows for her to see every sin upon his aura, the blackened mess telling the tales of his sins against the faeries and much more. She becomes angry.

The man has a pale, silver hair, ashen grey skin, and golden, glowing eyes. The Dark Ascension tattoo glows upon the entire right arm, repeated all over it, bright and big. His body is thin and wiry, his nails long and his hair styled up to be long on one side before his face and short on the other. He tilts his head to the side and smiles. The other three dark figures step back behind him and suddenly, the fighting around them almost seems to come to a stop. They all stop and stare.

Ravage:

This is Ravage, the Rank S Assassin of Dark Ascension that everyone has always pondered on in stories. Half think he is just a story--a dark story to tell at night at campfires. The other half of those that hear of him are sure that he isn't real. And others more think of him as more of an urban legend. Still, now he is here in the flesh, his description matched with every detail, including the seven golden bands or rings that are wrapped around each of his arms, spread about from each other with equal distance from each other.

The rings don't touch his skin, rather, they just levitate over his arms, as if they were some form of magical sleeves that probably could never keep his skin warm if he wanted them to. Everyone knows of Ravage, the man that slayed the entire world of faeries with a flick of his fingers. ...If he's rank S, then whatever his power may be could lay waste to this entire area.

"Let's take this outside, Ravage," Ilyana says coldly, "So I can dispatch you just in a way that all of your guild mates can bear witness to your end."

The room shifts in temperature, becoming cold. His eyes seem to shine even brighter, if just for a moment, his countenance etched with wild excitement as he licks his lips with anticipation. He smirks, "I shall tolerate your request, Guild Master. Let us move out into the yellow sun...it is almost dark, though, so you may wish to hurry."

The man then moves out the doors and the Guild members all look at each other before then moving to the windows and other such forms of looking outside. Ilyana hesitates only to speak with Kennot, "Keep an eye on our guests. Keep them safe until Gren arrives."

He nods his head as Ilyana exits the building slowly, flying out the door at the front of the Infinity Edge Guild Hall. The battles have all but stopped, though the cloaked figures in the distance still sit as sentry to the yellow barrier's edge. Indeed, it would seem the sun will set soon. It doesn't matter. She can provide her own light, anyway. Many of the guild members--from both guilds, seem to be looking on this distance as tension rises up in the air. An official Guild Challenge has now been issued. They are forbidden to fight during this ordeal, but she doesn't trust the darkest guild to follow all of the rules.

She signals to her people to remain on guard and alert. She turns to her enemy, standing upon the grass with a calm and quiet contentment. He seems entirely unfazed by her glory, but she expected as much from a Rank S mage. Even more so from such a dark creature of sin. She can feel the Archangel's rage and disgust at this man. She knows that he will not hold back from taking this one. Ilyana smiles and Ravage smiles back.

She looks to the ground. The grass all around his feet has died. Black spreads from him and his hands rise up into the air as he whispers hauntingly--but even with this whisper, his voice seems to carry, magnified by his magical spell. "Black rain."

Suddenly, clouds rage above, black and thick as any rain clouds would be. They appear from seemingly nowhere, moving in with great speed as the black rain begins to fall from above. With uncertain defense, Ilyana's blade waves above her and the small barriers around her body shift up above her head and it catches the rain for her as it rains down to reach her. The barriers instantly begin to turn green and melt. The grass below her falls into black. With narrowed eyes, she shakes her head with disgust.

Her eyes pierce into him as she charges, her wings thrusting into the wind with great, bird-like speed. She charges at him, her sword out and ready to take his last breath from him. The man is obviously ready to dodge--but Ilyana has already prepared for that, as well. She is but fifteen feet before him and her blade has yet to reach him, but the sword extends in length suddenly, it's blade of light reaching into the figure's torso and piercing through his chest as Ilyana presses her weight and force from the movement into the blow.

Stunned from the attack, the man drops down onto one knee, his right hand moving to his chest where the wound is now gaping and bleeding out a brilliant red, leaking out into the blade of light. A few people in the distance cheer, but the dark ascension guild members seem unfazed. They don't move or make a sound. Grunting from the pain, Ravage looks at her with irritation.

With his other, free hand, he moves it over to his other wrist, his fingers touching the first gold ring of this arm, squeezing in against it as he coughs up blood. The ring glows immediately, disappearing from around his wrist instantly and then reappearing around Ilyana's sword. The blade shrinks as the voice from the magical weapon calls out in pain. The light from it instantly fades and Ilyana backs away with shock as she looks down at her own blade with surprise. It looks...like a normal short sword. With a gold ring on it.

She tries to remove the ring, but it won't budge...she backs away from him, stepping back in concern for the blade. It's a soul...a living being! She's scared for him, her friend. Ilyana's mind rages against the mind of the Archangel within her, that only wishes she forget the blade and return her attention to what really matters...their foe. She cannot be distracted with petty connections, he echoes to her. She ignores him.

Ravage stands, his hand now covering the hole in his chest, a black...tar seems to fill it with a glow of his hand. He seems to stagger, but he eventually stands up fully, his back straight and his hands no longer shaking from the incredible pain. He simply looks at Ilyana as she tries to remove the ring, blankly and patiently waiting for her to be ready to try again.



[ATTN: Nadia]
--S'venton; Nothern UMS, Targon State; 5:30PM-–

With a quick and strong will, they obtain a carriage--with a discount after an adorable and begging expression from the young Attica silently pleads for it. The merchant gives in, releasing his only carriage that he has for sale for a cheaper price than he normally would. Attica hums to herself, pleased at the small victory, skipping as they make their way to get horses for the thing.

It doesn't take long before they are set up and ready to go. Attica gets in the back with Nadia as the other two sit up front to take the reins. The girl doesn't take long to fall asleep after their journey begins,though she was trying to have a conversation with Nadia before falling off. They are headed home. Finally.

***

[ATTN: Kaimele]
--Terrenia City, Crye Estate; 5:40PM--

"Of course," Lord Crye says politely, "Why don't I direct you to our Guild Marker? She can answer any questions you have about the Guild Symbols, as well as help you weigh your options regarding the two personas...after this, you are free to enjoy the evening with us free of any Guild chat."

With that, the man finishes his meal and summons his daughter with a flick of his two fingers when she looks his way. She smiles and comes near them, and she bends down and listens to him as he whispers into her ear. After she nods and leaves Lord Crye says, "She can meet with you later tomorrow, if you want. We'll are letting her know to expect you at your earliest convenience and then my daughter will notify you of where to find her."

Suddenly, another guest is up here, a smile on his face. Lord Crye grins big and laughs, standing up and shaking the man's hand. They both laugh together and pull into a hug for a brief moment before stepping back from each other. Lord Crye is much larger and taller than his friend, so the differences in size make things a bit...awkward on the eye. The two seem not to notice this, however, Nor care, for that matter.

"Lord Crye, you old goat, this party is amazing, as always. Your uncle is sour from your victory, no doubt!" The man says happily.

"Thanks, Victor, that means a lot to me," Lord Crye says in return.

"Do I get the next dance with your performer, here?" Victor asks, turning to her, "When she's finished resting? Hi, I'm Victor! And you are Lady Clementina, I hear!"

Lord Crye laughs, preparing to step away, "I'm sure she'll be happy to dance soon. Just let her rest a bit more, will you? The lady's been off her feet so much tonight."

"Of course, my Lord, of course!" Victor says cheerily, taking Lord Crye's seat. "You know, when I heard this goat's last name for the first time--back when we were kids--I thought his family sigil would be a weeping face, dramatized with tears."

Victor laughs, "Can you imagine? That would have been such a funny looking sigil just because your last name was "Crye?"



[ATTN: Ryla, Lark, Ryushi, Chiron, Janos, Char]
--Ferrum Coordinator Guild Hall, UMS; 5:40PM--

Rodimus listens to everyone as they start chattering, talking among themselves, questions coming from left and right. He's already annoyed. Still, he pushes all of that down and lets the patience rise. This comes with being a Guild Master. Unfortunately. He looks off into the distance as everyone talks around him and he says little. Rodimus would prefer to be out there smashing heads. Perhaps adding a Rank S member would be good? It would be good. He'll have Vargas join. Yeah.

Nadleeh looks over at Janos as if he's just insane. She looks confused by his statement entirely, unsure of what to say or how to respond. She even looks...shy. Weird for her. She's glad her collar is hiding most of her face. Especially the blushing. This guy might just be worse than Valentino.

"Give me that paper back, Char. I'm gonna add Vargas." Rodimus says, ignoring the questions that went his way as he was lost in thought, "Go get him and then we'll get to your questions."

Rodimus prepares for the onslaught of disagreement coming his way--particularly from Janos or Char. Or anyone, really. Vargas has a reputation and it isn't good. The man won't be liked, but he'll also be a big help. He's not really good with people, but he is good with metal. If anyone can get them through the metal melting situation, it's him.



[ATTN: Rat, Seere, Amelia]
--UMS Border Territory, Targon State; White Cross Guild Hall; 5:40PM--

With the signal from Seere, Whip calls out again, "Another for the both of us, man! You know the drill!"

The chef laughs loudly and comes out with a couple of more plates. Whip is one of the very few people that he'll actually come out of the kitchen to "deliver" to. He usually makes everyone come back up if they want seconds. Makes it easier for him to keep cooking for everyone else, really. No one really knows why he makes an exception for her.

"Seems like you've met your match at the table, Whip." He says teasingly, "It's a miracle."

Whip flips him off, accepts the second plate, and then smiles as she thanks him before shoving more food into her mouth with greed and impatience, as though she hadn't eaten in months. A few of the other guild members come in, ordering food of their own. Another girl sits next to Seere and Whip eyes her suspiciously. She doesn't seem to like how she's looking at him.

"Say, what's your Guild like?" The girl asks, without introducing herself. Whip just digs in, herself, not deigning to introduce the girl, either. She doesn't really care. She never once said her manners were on her priority list.



[ATTN: Nadia, Rocket]
--S'venton; Nothern UMS, Targon State; 5:40PM-–
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[ATTN: Sylmeria, Nymeria, Xiax, Ryla]
--Infinity Edge Guild Hall; Ventya State - UMS; 5:40pm--
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[ATTN: Chi, Nel]
--UMS Territory; Council Hall, Council State; 5:40pm--
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[ATTN: Jacobi]
--Lacrima Inn Lobby, UMS; 5:30pm--

Post Plotting in Progress: Still working on some details, Story Wise
Thank you for your patience!

[ATTN: Nadia, Rocket]
--S'venton; Nothern UMS, Targon State; 5:40PM-–

Xaroff is up front with Sache in a comfortable silence. That's one of the best parts about being with Sache--their silences were always comfortable and warm. Even though he never spoke, Sache had a way of communicating without sound or words. He's never needed them, not once in the six years that he has known him. It's always been such a relief to have that silence with someone, because Xaroff grew up in a large and crowded home, surrounded by homeless, vagabonds, orphans, and strangers.

Xaroff is looking at the road ahead, his thoughts lost into his childhood, memories sparked from the deep appreciation of his friend. It wasn't really a bad childhood, it just wasn't great, either. He paid his rent on time every month, got three meals a day, and always had a bed to sleep in at night away from the perils of nature. He'd gotten close with a few of his housemates, but it was never a long relationship.

Live-ins came and left, came and left. Alfred, Lina, Raist... A face pops into his mind, the big, white man's smile flashing through with a chime of playful laughter. Xaroff wonderes how Raist is doing right now. He had stayed in that house for what--? Three years? One of the longest that ever stuck around, to be sure. Is he happy? Does he have a job now? A family? Something of his own?

Shaken from his thoughts, he jerks back to reality as Sache touches his left forearm, poking it lightly to get his attention. His eyes move up to meet those of his friends' and the man is pointing off to the side of the road, off into the grassy hills. He looks out where Sache is pointing and he sees sun rays pouring down between clouds, lighting up just small portions of the ground in the distance. Those light rays are beautiful.

With a smile, Xaroff nods his head appreciatively, "Now, that's gorgeous, man. Yeah. Good catch."

Sache smiles back, his eyes returning to the road with the reigns in his hand and Xaroff's mind moves to a specific stormy night where he was curled up on a small cot with a baby in his arms. Young Xaroff was ten as he clung to this quite infant, sleeping softly, just breathing in his arms. He was amazed that such a weak, sick creature had survived so long out in the storm on its own.

They had found the child on the doorstep and Ms. Keaton had said she could tell he had been out there for hours. She seemed so...nonchalant about the statement. So burned out and acclimated to the thought of an abandoned child in a storm. Holding the baby, he could see that the child's darker skin had a weird silver birthmark on the right side of its temple. He wondered if the baby would live long or not, in such a shitty world.

Ten year old Xaroff held onto a sick baby and doubted that the child would live past the next few years, at best. With bitterness, he held the kid close, wishing with tightly closed eyes that somehow and somewhere, this creature would have a fair chance at life. A better life than this.

Xaroff's eyes move to the front of the carriage once more, a dark figure in the distanced drawing his attention and focus away from his memories. He pushes the child into the back of his mind as he narrows his eyes, squinting to see what the figure is. He can't tell from this distance. He tilts his head forward instinctively, but of course, that doesn't help. Go figure. He will have to wait until they get a bit closer.

Sache puts up two fingers held close together and shakes them back and forth, towards the figure, indicating that he can see it, too. He's also uncertain what it is. Since it is just on the road, Xaroff thinks, it's probably a person or two that is traveling. He says as much, quietly, and Sache nods in agreement. They will wait, get closer, and see what they will see. No need to get the girls.

Ten minutes of driving reveal a person in the road that is walking in the same direction that they are. Slowly. At
first, Xaroff thinks it's a poor woman, dressed in rags. Closer inspection reveals that it looks...dead. With uncertainty and a new tension, Sache stops the carriage and Xaroff gets off, moving forward to the zombie-like creature with suspicion. If it's off killing people on the road, they will have to take care of it, after all.

"Hey." Xaroff says, somewhat quietly.

[ATTN: Chi, Nel]
--UMS Territory; Council State; 5:40pm--

The storm has calmed, the dew still rests into the greenery of the earth, and the sun falls closer to setting within the sky. Bugs and creatures of all kinds are already out and about, showing their own form of happiness that the storm is over. The carriage trudges forward with two ladies upon the road as they head northwest, straight to Ferrum Coordinator. Once they hit there, they can resupply on anything that they need, as well as speak with Rodimus regarding the mission they have been given.

After that, they'll be able to depart and follow the trail of those that he has sent upon his quest. Though the Guild members will have a head start, the driver of the carriage (Bairn) is sure they will catch up in due time. After all, they will be a larger party of travelers and that alone will slow their pace. As such, there is no rush and all is quiet and peaceful. However, it will only be a matter of time before it is dark out. Which is fine, because that's what driving in shifts is for! After all, if they travel at night, as well, they will definitely catch up in no time.

Looking ahead, he sees that a tree has fallen into the road. Well, so much for saving time. This is annoying. With a sigh, he stops, standing up and setting the reigns aside as he moves back to the door of the carriage and looks in through the window on the left side.

"Sorry, ladies," Bairn says, "Looks like there's a damned tree in the road. I gotta move it. I'll get to it as quickly as I can."



[ATTN: Jacobi]
--Lacrima Inn Lobby, UMS, Targon State; 5:30pm--

Ten minutes have passed and drinks are already served several times as they await the food. Fuyu has already hit on three women and practically hooked up his guild mate with one. The guy seemed incredibly shy, all of a sudden, when a girl is around. It is no wonder that Fuyu seemed to step in with that one. Regardless, both are good guys and their journeys and stories are pretty damned good for a laugh.

A good time isn't out of the question at all, though it isn't long before Fuyu's turned the conversation to the sudden stop of the storm with a bit of intrigue. His voice has become more hushed as he speaks of it and his partner in crime seems just as equally mystified about the entire affair.

"...I just can't believe it," Fuyu is saying, "I mean, what could have knocked everyone back like that? What stopped the storm? Was it a Rank S mage that we haven't heard about? I mean, I'm sure there are those powerful enough to keep those powers secret in the world, right? Yet, if it's a secret mage, then why use it now, for all to see?"

[ATTN: Sylmeria, Nymeria, Xiax, Ryla]
--Infinity Edge Guild Hall; Ventya State - UMS; 5:40pm--

With a silent rage in her eyes, Ilyana drops the sword onto the black ground and charges at her foe with a burst forward from her wings. She runs at him, not noticing the difference in the ground behind her feet. Where the sword fell, the decay reversed and the grass returned to its green, healthy hue.

During her forward rush, her hands move together, as if holding an invisible stick, her thumbs starting next to each other and then pulling apart. A white, staff of light appears between them as her hands separate and then shoot outwards with great speed out of of her pinkies and beyond her width with great length. She jumps into the air over him, her wings making a wooshing sound as she moves down above him with a swing of her light staff. The light staff's image follows in its wake, leaving a stream of afterimage to show the where it has been through the air.

Ravage holds his arm up above his head, blocking the staff's attack easily with his armbands--which seem to shift the white light into sand upon impact, sucking up the blow and making it as though it never happened. White sand falls upon the ground and Ilyana's staff is shortened. However, this doesn't stop Ilyana's movement in the least. Rather, she turns around to his side, spinning around and moving to bash his kidney with the other side of her staff.

The attack almost hits him, but he screams--his mouth widens abnormally and she can feel the heat from it. With a high pitch that brings everyone to their knees, a giant pulse pushes from the man's body and Ilyana is shot backwards through the air from the force. She fights against it with her wings and is just barely able to stop herself from being slammed into the Guild Hall's wall. She breathes heavily, moving to land. Her wings are tired at the moment, now.

She can't focus with the scream--her eyes water, her vision blurs, everything seems dizzy and out of balance. She can't think. However, the scream's pitch suddenly stops as all sound stops--she looks around and notices Kirrahe. He has cast silence over the space, to stop the pain for them. The Dark Ascension members all seem uncaring and unfazed by the man's scream. The assholes probably had some kind of protection in preparation of the attack.

The silence will be temporary, Ilyana knows, so she decides to take advantage of it. With a hold of her hand, she summons another spell with unheard words as a giant, white arrow appears above her head in the air, the size to take down giants. With a thrust of her hand in the air, the arrow charges forward at her prey. As it is launched, she summons another. And another. They begin to fire in quick succession and she looks to see how they take her target.

Ravage spreads out his legs a little, his shoulders lower and relaxed, and his arms start outwards, like the wings of a bird, and then sweep in with a rounded grace. As they align before his core, his left hand moves below his right, his left palm facing the ground and his right palm facing upwards, towards his foe. Finally, his hands both move inwards to his body, each hand now closed against his body and in line with the opposing elbow. Then, the elbows move outwards and his hands are just before his chest together. The left hand is under the right, with a straight and flat palm facing upwards. The right is also straight and flat, facing to his left, so it looks as though it is cradled in his left hand, though it is not.

The ceremonious and practiced movement is the opening of sorts as a black smoke in the shape of a perfect circle appears about him, as does a magical symbol of a deep purple, placed at his feet upon the ground. Its glow indicates the coming of something and soon enough, the black smoke begins to take a solid, yet fluid appearance of a great, snake-like dragon, carefully wrapped around his body. The dragon's mouth opens with a hiss and as each bolt is sent his way, the dragon devours them.

[ATTN: Kaimele]
--Terrenia City, Crye Estate; 6PM--

Victor patiently waits as the dancer finishes her meal, speaking of mundane things until the party switches over into full gear. The music lifts as guests all mix up their movements into something more adventurous. Victor is hardly the life of the party, but for his age, he's quite jubilant. He's also an excellent dancer, thanks to his youngest daughter, whom he boasts about.

In fact, the man has three daughters and no sons--which by all counts, his still a blessing. He truly hopes that his daughters will see Lady Clementina one day, he informs her. Of course, that would be the day when he can keep them all in one place for more than five minutes!

Time flies and the party's full swing moves into laughter and jokes as some guests choose to leave for the evening while others let the staff of the house know that they will, indeed, be spending the night despite the storm's sudden and quick exit. The party begins to slow just a little as the guests become fewer and more spaced out, though most of the guests try to get at least a glimpse, if not a dance, from the Lady Clementina before they leave the estate.



[ATTN: Ryla, Lark, Ryushi, Chiron, Janos, Char]
--Ferrum Coordinator Guild Hall, UMS; 6PM--

After Char's return, Rodimus pulls out a small package of dried food rations from his desk and begins eating them. Tastes like cardboard. Rodimus likes them. When Vargas enters, Rodimus begins talking quickly as soon as he swallows a few bites down. He offers the man a brief nod before he gets into it and the man nods back.

"Alright, so, when you leave and what you take with you is up to you; that's your job to figure out." Rodimus says, "Vargas here will help with the metal melting problem. You won't have to worry about that, now. Vargas, you're going on a Rank X."

He looks up at the man expectantly, but Vargas just stands there, looking neutral and uncaring. As usual. He'll be briefed about it by the others soon enough, so it's whatever. He takes another bite of his rations before he continues, hoping that everyone will just shut up about all this and get out. Rodimus needs a nap.

"Okay, so...yeah. The place isn't hot. It's normal temp like it should be, for the most part--the heat only rises on occasion, as well as the cold freezes at times. Metal doesn't melt because of the heat. We don't know why it melts. That's why you're investigating this. Handle others as you normally would and should the council figure out your powers, fine, but I was just talking about Char, here. He's a very desired commodity and I don't want his gift out in the open for them to see if we can help it. If we can't help it, that's fine, too. Char, brief Vargas after you're out. This briefing is over."

With that, Rodimus completely dismisses the group and their concerns entirely, now emotionally and physically exhausted. He still has to deal with the council's business...and certain other business...this is going to be a long night. He's hungry, he's barely had a break since things decided to chill.

Sensing some resistance to his dismissal he says tiredly, "Not another word, people. Out of my office."

---

More to come.