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((OMG YOU GUYS LOL))

Aranel jumped at the words. "N-no, not at all! I don't think you're anything close to foolish!" she tried to assure. When the laughter came, she blinked. When he bellowed after her, the young female twitched and sank in her spot, just a little. Her arm extended hesitantly to gently touch his. "Sir, please, ah--" and he addressed both of them, hand placed on his blade. She bit her lip and thought of ways to handle this.

"The woman is a very sad individual. She's always been prone to fits of laughter, but this is how she deals with her depression when it gets very bad. Please, leave her to herself. You'll be happy to know that she is getting better and hasn't done it for some time." Oh god Aranel, here's hoping that convinced him that at least Crow wasn't laughing at him or anything crazy like this.

She was close enough to make him out well enough, especially now that she touched him as gently as she had. Thus, she was staring at his hand on the blade. "We are no threat to you. Does it look like either of us could actually do harm? I'm not even armed. Please calm down, sir," she pleaded. Aranel wasn't sure what she could say to the man to help ease his mind, but this was the first thing that came out of her mouth. Even the lie surprised her.

Crow’s pale gaze had drifted to the general’s questioning stare, her facial expression pale and uninterested in him. She looked away, as she walked past him as well.

Crow’s breath escaped her mouth, within heated puffs, into the colder air. Her pale form righted itself, her arms crossing her chest to grasp at her own sides, rubbing her hands into her shoulders for warmth. Crow’s pale eyes blink, but not in surprise, her pale face turning to look over her shoulder, her facial features showing no amusement. Her mouth moves, but no sound comes out, and then she answers, “This place is infested with angered spirits. It is amusing, how you have survived here for so long. But, perhaps, they want to keep you safe. I do not know for certain.”

Crow’s pale gaze drifts towards the other femme, one of her thin eyebrows arching, so, so subtly. Crow’s pale gaze stares into Aranel’s gaze, before her eyes settle upon the male once more, her voice clear and sharp, “She is correct. I have no one left in this realm, nor, the next. My memories of better times come and go.”

Zaida carefully weighed her options in reply. She spoke with a calm, delicate manner and lightly touched Takurasho's arm, "أنا غير متأكد من هروبي. عندما استيقظت كان يقال لي لتغيير الملابس. شعرت بعدم الارتياح، ولكن أنا سعيد لرؤيتك. الوجوه الصديقة هي دائما نعمة." ((I am unsure of my escape. When I woke I was being told to change clothing. I felt uncomfortable, but I am glad to see you. Friendly faces are always a blessing.)). The uncomfortable feeling coming off of him was somewhat distracting.

She gingerly moved her hand from his arm to his upper back - that was something people did, right? when someone was not feeling well. You touched their back lightly. Her touch was so soft that if he was significantly distracted he would not feel it.

Zaida made no move towards the door. She was still acting the humble woman and would only answer if asked.

As the invasive memories barraged his mind once more, Takurasho's body would again freeze & his gaze glazed over. Once they subsided & his senses returned he'd flinch away from Zaida's touch, trembling violently, hissing "My hand!" as the mind-numbing pain shot through the "adopted" body part. He fell to a knee as he clutched the marble to his chest. After a moment of labored breathing, he switched the marble to his right hand, using his teeth to strip the glove from the injured appendage. It was revealed to be more tan than the rest of his body, the fingernails uneven, clashing with his known tendency to keep his appearance immaculate. Although healed by the brief Umbra powers the Butler had given them before the crash, stitches still encircled his wrist. The hand was clearly not his own.

Takurasho tilted back his head, looking from Aearion to Zaida with wide eyes & a perturbed frown. "We need to find that little girl," he murmured darkly, "& demand to know where she got this marble. Something-" he paused to rise, groaning softly as if it took a great deal of effort to steady himself. "-something is amiss. I believe both of our missions are related somehow... there is a darkness here that is all too similar to what we experienced at the Whitaker mansion, & I do not believe it is coincidental. The letter mentioned the Empress was a close friend of The Lady... we must speak to her immediately. Perhaps we could request an audience through Gyosei...." As if on queue, the general's heated words reached him, & {still trembling slightly from the aftershock of the flashbacks} Takurasho turned to at last acknowledge the discussion between Aranel & Gyosei at the end of the hallway. "استخدام غرفتي لباس نفسك," {"Use my room to dress yourself"} he'd mutter over his shoulder to Zaida, returning the glove to his left hand. "وسوف حراسة الباب إذا كنت ترغب." {"I will guard the door should you wish."} If she did decide to change her attire, he would ask that Aearion join Crow & Aranel, adding "I cannot hear what Gyosei is saying so angrily, but it seems as though they could use the aid of a silver tongue." With this Takurasho would lean against the wall besides the door to his & Aranel's quarters, still clutching the throbbing hand, which was again wrapped around the dark marble. He gritted his teeth against the pain as he pondered the source of these "memories". Was it this place? Or perhaps some residual magics within the dead mage's hand that was now a part of him?

((O man my sides are on fire. I am laughing way too hard! I wish I had photoshop as well, so things like this won't be so horribly bad.))

"Feeling unwell?" Aearion replied. He figured a Vetala as powerful as Takurasho wouldn't be struck with illness. More like something magical is happening, unless he actually can feel the sickness one if his puppets might be going through.

The sudden voice in his head did seem to alarm Aearion. But that soon ended as he recognized the voice. It was a clever ruse to keep up. The Mer nodded in approval and left the questions about Zaida for what they were. But soon he would attempt to help him as he seemed to stumble down. The Mer would hold him by shoulders, but much like Zaida's touch his would get shrugged off as well most likely. It didn't matter. He stuck close in case he would fall down.

His hand didn't went unnoticed, and Aearion could kind of string together why this hand seemed to disfigured compared to the rest of Takurasho's body. He never really did have an easy time realizing he was not talking to a man, but something entirely different.

After hearing Takurasho out, he threw in his two cents. In Aquan. You never knew who might be eavesdropping and how he or she would react when the word "Empress" would fall."Kin 'o sella Prosius' ta fen' ti Umbr'?" He didn't speak loud, but it could still be easily heard. This translate to 'Is it possible the Empress has been dabbling with the Umbra?'

Aearion stood right back up."Very well, I'll go see what the fuss is about. Perhaps find the child as well. Give the marble to me, friend. It doesn't seem to have the same effect on me as it does to you." It was obvious the marble was the scource of Takurasho's agony just now. Aearion didn't feel any pain from it when he held it. Whether he received the marble or not, he set out to aid Aranel. But then some knocks.

Aearion opened the door and saw the man with the straw hat. He instantly greeted the stranger."Oh, good day to you, friend. You have caught us at a bad time, I'm afraid. Can we be of service perhaps later?"

Gyosei's eyes shifted back and forth between the two until Crow passed him, frown retained. Every possible reason in the book, or scroll, he looked through mentally in search of some reason to convict them, but nothing came to mind. Sure, they were just strangers here in his fortress. "By Empress Yui, I'll be damned if I am made a fool of and even more so if I allow myself to strike down a defenseless woman, at that." His hand released his blade and returned to his side. "I don't trust you." With a thumb pointing back over his shoulder at Crow. "And I damn sure don't trust your sick accomplice. Whether she is a lone wench or not." With that he left them. He has seen enough of the group this night. Pivoting on his heel he to leave the light of the entrance way into the structure where the remainder of the group resides. Up the second ramp which led to the pinnacle of this three tiered fortress to see to his next in charge; whom had fallen asleep at his low situated table where he was examining the letter tirelessly, and inquire upon his thoughts.

There was no introduction. "You do not know what you are getting yourselves into." Arose from that hat a feminine voice this time. "You have been marked as Impure." Removing the hat to reveal a familiar face. It was The Lady! "I do not have much time to explain, but I can --" Then she laid eyes on Takurasho. "Oh..." To her, she saw Yantume. "I'm sorry.." Tears had begun to well up in her eyes. "I'm so sorry.." Her normal raspy voice cracked and was reduced to that of a stifled whisper, throat becoming tight with sorrow and mourn. Covering her mouth with her right hand dropping the straw hat. She knew it were an illusion, but to be reminded of this Yantume individual so suddenly and abrupt caught her off guard. She almost broke down into a torrent of tears as she backed away from the door shaking her head in almost disbelief. Turning to her right to promptly excuse herself in a hurried walk she was met with bumping into The Butler who grabbed onto her shoulders tender-like. "I believe you owe them an explanation, My Lady." With eyes red with tears she looked up into the Butler's pale gaze. She shook her head in neglect once more then shoved him away. A black pulse from her hands added much more strength to the shove, sending the Butler soaring down the hall. "I can't!" She shouted. The Lady fell to her knees, sobbing, crying, holding herself.

The Butler's travels through the air were halted, but by what? He sort of just levitated there for a few seconds before lowering onto his feet as though it never happened. "Such a vengeful path you've taken upon yourself, My Lady." In slow steps did he reproach her, but then he stopped those disapproving steps. "It may seem your savior is returning to the Fortress. I wonder why?"

Aearion seemed genuinely surprised to see the Lady here."My Lady, what are you..." Was all he could utter. He turned his head for Takurasho when she suddenly seemed to stop in her words and started to shed tears. Was she crying because of him?

It didn't matter why she cried. Clearly she was here to warn them. What did it exactly mean to be inpure? Were their lives in danger? Aearion needed answers. And this was his one chance to get them."My Lady, wait one moment!" Aearion went after her.

And then he witnessed the Butler getting shot back through the hallway. The Mer stopped dead in his tracks."By Melora..." The Lady seemed to be more than a pretty face who was affiliated with the Gentleman. Of course she was. The Gentleman didn't seem to hire anyone who'm he knew wasn't going to be of any use. He was far too logic driven for that.

As soon as she fell to her knees, Aearion edged closer, rather afraid that he might get blasted away like the Butler did. Only he wouldn't be able to float his way to safety, unless he happened to fly into a pond of some sort. A wall would be a terrible substitute to break his flight.

"My Lady." He spoke as he gently knelled down behind her to be at her level."It's okay. You're among friends." He gently placed his hand onto her shoulder."I'm sure I can help you with whatever troubles you. Let go of your tears. I'll have an easier time listening to you." He spoke in a soft voice, not getting too close.

((Well this can only end positively. O dear.))

{LMAO! I don't think even photoshop could stop these pictures from being "horribly bad"}

As the pain faded Takurasho calmed, & although his thoughts still raced his demeanor relaxed. The shakiness of his hands gradually dissipated. Aearion would not be shrugged off, but instead was even given a small nod of thanks, & even an apologetic glance was cast Zaida's way. Again, the Mer's native tongue wasn't entirely understood, but he caught "Is it... the Empress has been... with the Umbra?" The man gave a low "Hmmm..." of uncertainty before answering lowly, "Quite possible. The Gentleman mentioned the Empress was close to The Lady, & I have good reason to believe The Lady herself is indeed familiar with the power, though I am not certain she's practiced it herself." Still leaning against the wall, he would reluctantly pass the marble to Aearion. "Yes... you're right," he'd grumble, evidently still uneasy. This body was still very much intact, even though its original "inhabitant" had died long ago, & so when Takurashomo chose to reanimate it he was entirely bound to it. As long as he "lived" within it, he was able to feel physical pains & pleasures as though he himself were human, though his vetala telepathy was still usable.

Those grey eyes turned back towards Crow & Aranel, further relieved by the fact that Gyosei took his leave. He was curious as to what had been said to the two women, but did not move their way. His relief was to be short-lived. The hatted newcomer caught his attention, & as she revealed herself to be The Lady Takurasho's countenance would falter. {& then everything was Titanic} He did not react with the sympathy the Mer expressed- in fact, his complexion contorted with fury. "What have you done?" he snarled, voice dripping with menace as he distanced himself from the wall to face her. Not even her tears lessened his sudden rage. "Who's hand did you give to me? Why am I having these visions? Who is Yantume?" He'd pace angrily after her, halting with a look of genuine shock as the Butler appeared. Once more his unease towards the old man made itself clear. Takurasho recoiled, taking a step back & holding out his arm as if to block off Zaida, Aranel & Crow from him. He flinched as the Butler flew towards him, holding up his other arm to shield himself, but the elder stopped just before colliding with him. The vetala moved further back with muted discomfort.

Zaida gave a curt nod and went to the door to change before the chance was gone. She shed the strange clothes quickly and dressed in her own, thanking her Lord that he was looking out for her. Her green eyes reflected in a nearby surface and she gave herself a soft smile. It looked strange and foriegn on her face. It had been a while since she'd really smiled and lately it was getting harder to even pretend.

She stepped out, head bowing slightly. It wouldn't due to take a turn to the proud now. When she saw the butler she didn't flinch or act in any way as though she knew him. She simply stood there, a step behind Takurasho, trying not to curse him for putting up that protective arm.

She spoke into his ear, in a low whisper, "لا تتصرف كما لو كنت يمكن أن تحمي لي." ((do not act as though you can protect me.))

Aranel felt nothing but relief. It was a cold feeling, something she was unhappy with, but it felt nice all the same. He was gone now, and they could continue on their way.

She began to walk towards the group again, deciding she had enough of being on her own and required familiar voices. She heard the explanation that they had been marked as Impure. Aranel grew frustrated almost instantly, and despite The Lady's sudden change in demeanor, the meek woman took a single step closer. "It's you...? What do you mean? Impure? Both you and the little girl said that and it just-- what does it even mean?" she questioned.

And then the Butler appeared. Aranel took a step closer, but Takurasho stood there with his arm extended to block them off from each other. She looked up at the man, a visible and confused frown on her face. Looking back, she just barely caught the Butler flying away and she took several steps back. "Butler?" she muttered. Her face looked surprised but her voice sounded only intrigued. She may have expected him to make an appearance at some point.

And then something snapped together. She realized Takurasho mentioned a hand, visions, and a Yantume fellow. Her hand came up to touch his arm, hesitant at first. "What in the world are you talking about?" Instantly, her eyes flickered toward his wrists, catching sight of the one that didn't quite match and was trimmed with stitches.

Just what in the Hell was going on around here?

((I'M BACK GOD I'M SORRY took me forever!))

Crow's pale gaze watches both of those within her area turn and leave, her shoulders rising in a nonchalant shrug. Crow's pale gaze turns slowly to those gathered the other end of the hallway, her coarse shoes scuffing against the flooring. Her footfalls come to a halt, her pale gaze drifting to those gathered about, the group, as it was. Her dirtied, tri-cornered hat lifted slightly upwards, Crow's cold expression observing the others, before her right hand lifted up to tug the hat back down, obscuring one of her eyes from the others with the dip of the dirtied, tri-cornered hat.

Crow's form turns to her left, her hand turning the knob to her room's door, and pulling the door open. Crow's coarse shoes carry her inside and she shuts the door behind her. Once inside her room, Crow moves to sit upon her still subtly breathing, enlarged table, her pale eyes closing slowly, as her hands are placed within her lap. A few moments were had in silence.

And we are nearing the climax people to the primary storyline! (Will be able to continue off where this plot ends if everyone wants to since I'm not going to answer all the questions just in case.) With all these key NPCs breaking from their usual collectiveness and going into sudden secrecy and moving in mysterious ways. I'm almost certain that the ending will shock you all. It's still a ways though so don't mind the suspense. =] ))

The look the Butler cast upon The Lady was something other than what the group had received. It was riddled with hatred and disgust. Another step had taken upon The Lady's direction, but went no further. There was something he saw. Something that petrified him and that look of anger and rearranged with the definition of horror. What was it? His eyes no longer lay on The Lady, but instead something beyond her, beyond this commotion, down the hall. Something that he seemed to only be able to see, but Takurasho had become connection the moment he took on the new hand and was able to see it too just the same. A transparent image, a woman draped in black shrouds reaching for someone amongst the cluster of individuals in the hall while humming that sinister hymn!. All could hear, but only The Lady, The Butler and Takurasho could see the source. After a few seconds with a raised hand she ebbed from sight. In The Lady's hysteria she took no notice to the image, but only the humming. "Make it stop!" She wailed, neverminding Aearion's attempt to calm her.

The Butler began to recite. "Black as sand, strewn across the water's delicate surface. Every grain of sand not left out to the water's conscious body that every prick to its gentle whole may---" There it goes again. That mysterious pause again! That break! The words that cannot seem to connect themselves to an ending. The Butler's form tensed up as he turned around to give Takurasho a glance over the shoulder. "Excuse me, Master Yan--..." He paused a moment. What was he about to say? "Sir Takurasho..I will leave My Lady to your care." His body dispersed into a black smog dealing no harm as it only felt as a burst of air really.

The Lady's wailing did begin to settle down finally as she shrugged off Aearion and turned to face Takurasho boldly. "Yantume." What? Her face was puffy from the crying and tears still freely ran down her face. "Why did you do it?" Has she lost her mind? "The Gem of Destruction, The Heart of Hate and Anguish, The--" She turned her head and pursed her lips together as if the last title she was about to rattle off was something she dared not say. "Why, why, why WHY!?" Shouting at Takurasho whom she saw as Yantume, but then the image of this mysterious person faded away and Takurasho became more apparent to her. Placing a hand over her mouth once more she closed her eyes tight. "Takurasho." None of this was going as planned for her. Go in, warn them, get out, simple? No. This had to happen. How could she forget?

A few deep breaths filled and released from her lungs calming herself enough to where she no longer spoke through clenched throat. "My lover." She answered him finally. "Yantume.. a telekinetic amid the Mages in the Western Wastelands." Quite thoroughly, actually. "The images you are seeing are--" Then suddenly the two of them were yanked into another memory shard.

Memory Shard

Reliving such a horrible past. She was standing behind Yantume holding a bag of supplies, digging materials and runes it seemed from the corner of her eye, but her brain told her it was such. Yantume.. or, Takurasho in his visage was steady reading the markings that rounded into a circle around a center piece. Yantume stood at its center. Although his mouth moved no words could come of it almost as though Yantume himself were trying to forget them. "Black- - - delicate - - - left - - - divide into every instance of life." The markings had begun to light up and Yantume turned to look back to The Lady. "We did it." From the center orbicular center piece sprung up a small black sphere that pulsed with the very beat of darkness. Moments before grabbing the sphere everything had become dark and Takurasho was hurled from Yantume's vessel. Although still perceiving the memory this one was different.

Takurasho, still perceiving the memory although not under the visage of Yantume, was floating in a black liquid much like ink. In front of him was that skull and The Lady, stripped of clothing standing behind it holding it. "Takurasho. You have taken a piece of my body, my hand and made it your own. You have taken on a tremendous responsibility. The Umbra are everywhere and are trying to keep you and I from speaking. I do not have much time before returning under the intent you all so know the Umbra to afflict. There is time for one question and one answer." This voice he again heard in his head although it was much different from the snarl of a creature that assist dark will and intent.

In Crow's room

Although she sat alone in the room with her reanimated objects she would soon find herself no longer alone. A boy would come to be Crow's shadow rising effortlessly until he came to sit before her. "Power. Power, is that what you seek, Miss Crow?" His legs were crossed and in his lap sat the familiar skull. "You know." A childish smile spread across his face. "I can give you power if that is what you seek!" Giggling.

Crow's form sat upon her breathing table, her left hand removing the black tome from within her robes, as well as the ink vial and quill pen, which were sat upon the table's surface. Crow's right hand took the black book and opened it with her thumb, her right hand's pinky flipping through the pages until a blank one was found. Crow's left hand pinches the quill pen between her index finger and thumb, dipping it into the vial of ink. Crow's form hunches forward, partially, as she begins to write..

The others have been marked by impurity. The merman has made another claim that he cannot possibly follow through with; I am not surprised. There was mention of a Yantume. Yantume is connected to the mysterious female; but, is most likely deceased. A path of vengance? Her revenge may be fueled by the death of this Yantume; understandable.

Crow's form straightens, her quill pen being layed upon her dirtied robes, upon the knee. Crow's right hand closes the black tome, and her pale gaze closes slowly, then her yellow eyes open, her pale lips forming a frown. Crow's right hand plucks the quill pen with her index finger and thumb, placing it into the ink vial. Crow's coarse shoes collide into the flooring, her form turning about and facing the shadow boy. Her pale gaze falls upon the boy and the object he held, before drifting to the boy's giggling face. "I prefer Crow to those who have bodies and those that do not. If you have to ask, then you do not truly know what I wish." Crow's left hand lifts up the dirtied, tri-cornered hat, "Without knowing what I wish, you have attempted to tempt me. An action that resembles your appearance." Crow's shoulders rotate, before settling, "Power is my means, but my goal is different. will find me harder to tempt than those outside my room, in the hallway, still. However.." Crow's left hand pulls the tri-cornered hat back down, the dip of the hat obscuring one of her eyes. "I am very curious as to what you are. Be you spirit shrouded in darkness, or a manifestation of the beast within that skull?"

Well, that didn't go according to plan. Aearion couldn't calm her down, so he stayed at a distance from her. Clearly this tantrum came from deep within. It was just now Aearion was piecing the information he had together.

He had known for a while the Vetala would need a conduit to appear human. Where he got the corpse of who Aearion knew to be Takurasho, he did not know. Probably the Gentleman, seeing as how he heard Takurasho yell at her about his received body. Whatever the case, this corpse and the Lady had history. Why would the Gentleman give Takurashomo a corpse he knew was tied to his ... lover? No, this was something different.

The Mer stayed quiet as they were seemingly getting some answers. But that got abruptly stopped."Hey! Lady! What is-" He ran back to her, trying to get her back to the land of the living."Come on! I'm getting tired of this secrecy! What is going on?!"

(Just so everyone knows. When I post next I will be removing Zaida from the roleplay as she is leaving RPR.)

((Alright. :c. I do hope she comes back sometime, she was so fun to play with and is such a nice gal. .))

Aranel's question was ignored, but she felt, in a way, that she may have gotten her own answer. She eyed the Butler, mouthing the words voicelessly to the ones he spoke. Impure. She was impure, Tak was impure, Crow and Aearion were impure... everyone was impure except for Zaida.

Everyone had been blessed by the Umbra at some point aside for her, since she'd always somehow avoided it, this last time when they crashed. She'd never been gifted.

She'd never been tainted by it.

She was pure.

Aranel thought she had it figured out. However, whatever it was the Lady was talking about with Takurasho had completely left her feeling lost. "What is the Umbra?" she asked out loud. "What's going on?" She frowned. The Butler took his leave. "No! You come back this instant! You're the only sane one here who can explain what the Hell is happening! I--" she groaned and huffed and wished to flail and storm off, but she needed to stay. She added to herself, voice low and quiet, "What's going on here...?"

{Crow is so pure, if she did not wield her own dark magic...but very well. Zaida; she will be missed!!}

I think Takurasho's giving birth to their bundle of joy so we will continue a little ways without her until she returns. I'll post up and remove Takurasho this evening to continue the progression. This actually gives opportunity for a few things.]

{Hello everyone! Yes, the little love was born on the 10th. Pardon my absense. She's extremely time-consuming, as one might imagine ;} Is it still safe to post, or were you intent on removing me for a little while Dungeoneer? Also, I'm extremely dissapointed to hear about Zaida, is it just the character being removed from RPR or the player herself? Both will be missed :[ }

What I was going to do would have allowed you to act separate of the group whenever you returned. I was supposed to've posted up yesterday but got tied up in a few things. If you were to post now it would not make a difference to the story-arc. It'll still stay the same. So if you'd like, feel free to post away. Also. Congratulations on the newborn ))