[attr="class","mouths1"]Sabot took her time reaching her destination, a former ancestral home in the Tria Mansions, recently purchased and repurposed by parties unknown. Sherman had appeared overloaded with work this morning, so Sabot thought she'd assist, pulling the neigbourhood complaint off of the adviser's stack of work without being noticed. Any chance to pay a visit to an area so diverse with architecture that your jaw could drop at one home and then fill with vomit at the next was a good one, in Hanyang's book. She was doing the (nicer) homes in the area justice, milquetoast Council enforcers coming to investigate the complaint would have the scenery wasted on them, brutish predators that they are.
The angel examined the slip of paper again. The trifles of the cultural elite splayed with little poise, and certainly no grace, onto the paper with undoubtedly a very expensive pen. The '...suspicious circumstances regarding the new resident(s) at 21st & Iscariot...' failed to interest her but if a simple detour was all it would take to placate the annoyances of Upper Pavane, then Sabot was very certain this was where she needed to go.
This house had clearly enjoyed some thought being put into it. Beautiful arching windows graced an asymmetrical, rambling facade. The Mansard roof appeared a bit dated, in comparison to the structure's use of unconventionally-shaped glass. Empty balconies, all windows closed, she noted. Her boots clicked against the masonry leading into the stone veranda. The angel rapped her knuckles on the large double doors. "Good afternoon! Is there anyone home? I would hope to have words with the master of the household." she called.
[attr="class","lying1"]✎ Rei Nyx , a routine inspection
For victory, for justice, I will pursue the truth within the world. Morality is a farce to keep us in line, force us to check ourselves. the real truth is buried deep within the heart and at the forefront of the mind.
Sitting at the kitchen counter, Rei glazed his hand over the polished granite slowly before resting his head between his now crossed arms. The cold stone pressed against his cheek as he closed his eyes, noting the sensation. "Huh, no splinters," he reminisced slowly reaching a hand out to the glass of whiskey before him. The condensation from the ice surrounded his fingers as he clutched the glass and twirled the drink around. He raised his head just barely above the table to get a look at the drink itself now almost empty. "It's like I'm at the best bar in Pavane, but it's just my kitchen." He was met with nothing but silence as he continued to stare at his drink, unmoving.
Minutes later, a knock at the door. He jumped from his seat and then froze. Quickly, he made his way to a nearby window peaking out for but a moment. A strange angel had appeared...? How many angels did he know? Two? Ah, I guess it's just one really now. Regardless, he had to think quickly if he wanted to get out of this mess. His breath smelt heavily of alcohol (which he didn't usually drink he'd probably let you know, but today was special since the ghouls got slaughtered and all that). He gulped, weighing his options. Was she with the Council? Maybe a just a neighbor or something? His eyes darted to the wine shelf. After a moment of hesitation, he walked to the door. "I'm coming, I'm coming!" He yelled out as he headed for the door. Swinging it open he his words barely slurred, "Afternoon. What can I do for you, angel?"
[attr="class","mouths1"]"Good day, sir. Very sorry to disrupt your leisure time." Very intriguing. Not well-fed, but fed nonetheless. Well-quenched, certainly, judging from the smell of expensive spirits. "My, I like your jumper. Very fashion-forward, no?" she pointed a finger at his centre-of-mass, tracking a line up to his eyes. "But I digress, my name is Sabot Hanyang, and I'm here on behalf of a, well, a complaint submitted by your neighbours." Her head cocked to the side as she spoke, eyes squinting just slightly.
"Bah, I'm sure it's nothing but alas, due diligence is. A routine check, is all. Would you be so kind as to invite me into your home, Mister...?" She paused, hoping for his name.
[attr="class","lying1"]✎ Rei Nyx Please excuse my rude intrusion.
For victory, for justice, I will pursue the truth within the world. Morality is a farce to keep us in line, force us to check ourselves. the real truth is buried deep within the heart and at the forefront of the mind.
His eyes lit up at the name. Sabot Hanyang... wasn't she a friend of Midnight's? No, not friend, acquaintance. Forgetting for a moment he needed to respond, he stood in front of her wide eyed for just a moment. "O-oh yeah, come on in. Name's Gray. Gray Anderson," he stood aside, gulping and looking around for a solution. Then it came. He decided to buy some time and act cool. "I've never heard of a 'routine check.' What sort of complaint did you get? I haven't really been doing anything that would warrant a complaint... Do you wanna drink?"
[attr="class","mouths1"]"Thank you, Mister Anderson, but no drink for me." Hanyang stepped inside the grand home, taking her cap in her hands.
"It's all very simple, we receive a neighbourhood complaint, from Upper Pavane generally. Say, ghouls in the garden or humans in the attic. An investigation detail is dispatched, it turns out to be a rodent or a bat. And so on and so forth. Are you alone here?" The angel scanned the place. The sparkling floor tiles, veiled in a light dust and hewn from precious materials, were deserving of envy.
"These complaints are often nothing more than the idle fears of the inept elite, who while away the day watching for the slightest of disturbances in their vast backyards." she said. Her eyes met with the bowl of candy perched on the granite counter. "I ask again however, are you alone here?"
[attr="class","lying1"]✎ Rei Nyx , You'll notice, I came alone myself.
For victory, for justice, I will pursue the truth within the world. Morality is a farce to keep us in line, force us to check ourselves. the real truth is buried deep within the heart and at the forefront of the mind.
"Alone? Like you said, I've got some pet bats up in the attic. Some monkeys too. Hell, there's an entire theatre production going on up there. That might be where the noise came from," his delivery was deadpan, "My girlfriend also does come over every once and awhile. I am just staying here until I can get a real job. Not really accustomed to the house quite yet..."
Was this angel telling the truth? Is she was Sabot Hanyang, then that means the reason she was looking for Elizabeth in the first place was far more serious than he originally thought. What, she in charge of Intelligence or something?
"Moreover, I find it suspicious that I buy a house and only a few days later, there is suddenly a 'noise complaint' despite the house being empty for years. Seems like quite the coincidence, doesn't it?" A tinge of frustration in his voice, he did his best not to sound entirely combative as he gauged her response.
[attr="class","mouths1"]Hanyang smiled. The angel prided herself on having a good sense of humour. "I see, I see. I was going to say: if there were to be anything out of the ordinary for me to find, and find them I would... Search this, search that, so on and so forth," she threw her hands up in the air with a sigh of relief before continuing, "But I appreciate your being upfront with me! It's really kind of refreshing. Some of your neighbours, please keep this between us, are far too prideful to imagine the existence of a bat, or any pest really, in their grand home. They'll invent all kinds of excuses. Some so desperate that you'd first believe humans have come back before believing whatever half-baked tales they've spun." She leaned on the kitchen counter and took a deep breath.
"You would not be incorrect in finding this complaint suspicious. At the same time however..." The angel took the slip of paper from her pocket to look at it once more. "The complaint seems to point at the circumstances regarding your coming into ownership of the home as suspicious. Nothing to do with your perceived noise levels, Mister Anderson." Sabot folded the complaint form back up. "If you would be so kind as to produce the housing deed, then I believe I would be on my way and this complaint would no longer be your concern or mine."
"I'm only joking! Who keeps their housing deed these days? Most of my peers certainly don't. I think it's because the Bank no longer requires it for account changes. Do you remember the uproar over that? Oh, the headlines made me laugh furiously for days." Sabot pushed off the counter and straightened out her coat. "Mister Anderson, I thank you for your time and hospitality, I do believe my business here is finished. Ah, I'm nothing if not someone who enjoys trying new things so before I go, I was wondering," her smile disappeared, "Could I take some of your candy with me?"
For victory, for justice, I will pursue the truth within the world. Morality is a farce to keep us in line, force us to check ourselves. the real truth is buried deep within the heart and at the forefront of the mind.
"Ah, yes. I guess I really am the suspicious one when you put it that way," he stated covering his mouth to suppress a belch. As he tapped his foot on the floor beneath him. "Well, I wasn't very rich before at this stuff. Class F vampire and all that. You could say Lady Luck was on my side at the tables one night. Hm, but maybe I shouldn't be telling you about all this. You are an angel after all. I am sure a greed demon would understand it all a bit better. Regardless..." He moved away from the floor below him to avert Sabot's gaze.
"I am afraid I don't keep the housing permit on me 24/7. Mind giving me just a minute? I was sure I set it in here somewhere..." He clumsily messed around in some of the cabnets. "What? I thought I-" he pretended to get frustrated as he shook his head, moving to the next cabinet.
The demon descended the spiral staircase, daintily putting on her gloves with her parasol tucked under her arm. "I'm terribly sorry but they're not for sharing." said Greta. "He's too polite to say no, isn't he?" She made conspicuous eyes of adoration at him. Leaving the staircase, Greta walked next to Rei.
"The wrappers are uneven and the packaging is poor. But he knows they're my favourite. As far as anniversary gifts go, I couldn't have asked for better. Greta Ilyushin. A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Hanyang the Lesser." Picking up a candy and unwrapping it, she popped one in Rei's mouth.
Hanyang looked at the two of them before sneaking a glare at Greta. "My apologies. How rude of me to ask. Please, the pleasure is all mine. Hm, the times certainly are changing, aren't they? When he said he was a Class F, I was worried for a moment that he hadn't been joking!" she commented with a strained smile, eyeing how Greta placed her arms around Anderson.
The demon tilted her head, asking, "He's got nasty jokes, hasn't he? Were you already leaving? I'm sorry to say but now's a rather busy time for us. There's a little gathering we're leaving to attend and, dear me, he's not yet dressed. In any case, how's your father?"
Hanyang's upper lip stiffened at the mention. "I'll thank you not to make rude comments. But I'll also thank the sir for his hospitality. I'm pleased to report that this complaint is nothing more than neighbourhood jealousy, I would think."
Showing the angel the door and ensuring that she'd left through the gate before speaking, Greta turned to Rei. "Are you okay? Did she do anything to you?" One of her hands left his shoulders to open up her parasol, casting a round shadow around the two of them. "What were you thinking? Why would you let her in?" She looked away from his eyes while still grasping onto one of his shoulders. Greta's thoughts alternated from seeing Manson be paraded around by that same angel to imagining what could have happened if Rei had been left alone with her.
For victory, for justice, I will pursue the truth within the world. Morality is a farce to keep us in line, force us to check ourselves. the real truth is buried deep within the heart and at the forefront of the mind.
With an awkward wave as Sabot left the building, he turned to Greta with a frustrated sigh, scratching his neck. "No, I am fine, honey, she was just a frien-" suddenly surrounded by darkness, Rei jumped back a little in surprise, forgetting Greta's power.
"I, uh, well...?" Rei suddenly became flustered by Greta's intensity and perhaps more importantly, the hand on his shoulder he could not remove. "I-it didn't matter anyways. There's nothing here that ties me to Manson you know. There isn't really any use in hiding anymore," Rei bit his lip, dodging the question slightly. "I am surprised a demon like you would be concerned about me...thanks, by the way." He hesistated, not knowing what else to say.
"It does matter, it..." Greta trailed off. She released him from her grasp and drew her shadow back. "It's good you're okay." she said. The demon had let herself get caught up in her own concerns. Rei never asked for any of this. But his friend had. "Let's remain here for the time being. I think if someone were to come to the door again, you duck into the tunnels or otherwise ignore them. I could show you to another house but," she half-smiled in an attempt to joke, "I don't think that's our solution, is it?"
Greta made her way over to the front door and locked it. "Right now, I wouldn't worry about that angel. Any willingness to report her findings has been severely hampered by my presence at the scene." Despite the good news, Greta still found herself frowning with worry as she looked away from Rei. Maybe he should know. She relented, opting to respond in kind to one of his statements, "You don't need to thank me. And it doesn't matter if it's my being a demon or any attribute of myself, my concern for you is mine." She pat his head softly and then cleared her throat, "I saw you were enjoying a drink, mind if I join you?" asked Greta as she beckoned towards the kitchen.
For victory, for justice, I will pursue the truth within the world. Morality is a farce to keep us in line, force us to check ourselves. the real truth is buried deep within the heart and at the forefront of the mind.
t."Didn't realize you had power of the Council," he noted, "could've been useful to know before, you know, an entire race of people died." He was just bitter; he knew a power like Greta's wouldn't have been enough to stop the entire Council either way. He just needed something to put the blame on at this point in time.
As soon as he could, he pulled away from Greta and nervously began to bite his nails. "You're kind of scary, you know that? Able to even deter Sabot like its nothing." He knew it well by this point, his skepticism towards authority and powerful figures. He had died to one before, and it wasn't about to happen again. Still, Greta seemed harmless enough. Manson trusted her, so all he could do is do the same for the time being. Relaxing himself a little, he made his way to the kitchen. "...I don't drink," he clearly lied as he sat beside the finished whiskey. "But I'll indulge you this once I guess."
Greta turned her back to Rei as he approached the kitchen. Frowning at the tile floor, the demon saw Manson appear in her thoughts, the ghoul pushing out of the way they who normally occupied her mind.
Baccarat, nine Thursdays ago, you have to stay away from the Regal Club. Three-card-draw, eight Thursdays ago, do not look for me. Roulette, seven Thursdays ago, do not retaliate. Roulette, six Thursdays ago, Manson had began dictating the first part of his so-called 'Grand Napkin Wager'. Greta understood the blame Rei held for her in his voice, she still did not understand the faith Manson held for her in his. Thus far, she'd made good on every one of his terms, even the minute ones and the most difficult ones. Roulette, three Thursdays ago, you stop betting to reverse this from Rei to me.
Even if she wanted to, she could not form a reply to his first statement. Slow to lift her gaze from the tiles, Greta began to respond, "I am kind of scary, aren't I? I can't say if I ever stopped to consider that." She hid a sniffle and a few tears dropped straight through the floor. Setting herself right with a surreptitious wiping of her eyes, Greta turned around and leaned against the counter. "Poor choice of words, boy. Those who indulge me often lose." joked the demon, managing a convincing smile and pouring two drinks out.
Roulette, three Fridays ago, the last day, Rei never learns of any of this, this 'Grand Napkin Wager' of ours.
Living in a dystopian society, seven mystic races are trapped due to their own selfishness. Tensions rise between the races and the different social classes, leading up to the constant struggle for power, with no end in sight.
News
4/11 - With the Ghoul Purge complete, Pavane's fear shifts from the goddesses towards the Council. Check out the aftermath here to get an understanding of the current situation in the plot.
MYSTICAL SOULS belongs to YUMEKUI, DYLZOE AND LUNARIS. This is an original plot created by staff members.. The skin "Midnight Madness" was created by Dorothia. This includes Board Mod, Mini-Profile Mod and such. Thread list was made by Kagney. User Profile mod was made by Pharaoh Leap. Graphics belong to their rightful owner. Plagiarism is not appreciated and will not be tolerated.
