The Darkest Corners: A Modern Fantasy RP (Interest Thread - Closed)

[c_westerman13]

Lucius, ignoring the mental backlashes against his method of delivering messages, closed his eyes, and focused on a mental image of the exterior of the Ritz - a little out of date, he guessed, but workable. he whispered "loconovum", and dissapeared from the airport, rematerialising just outside the Ritz. "Vestis Formalis", his clothes changed from his standard tunic into a suit that was probably the height of fashion, about fifty years earlier. Damn, he had to get out more. Still, at least he should offend people as much. Lucius turned, and strolled into the well known hotel, heading to the Reception desk. Once there, he immediately asked to see the manager.

The manager arrived at the desk, looking a little worried. Lucius quietly calmed him down, before beginning his inquiry.

"Did your predecessor mention Ossium Magi to you at all?", The manager went slightly pale.

"It was mentioned, yes. Why do you ask?", Was the reply.

"Look up 'Imperiosus' in your books then. I shall require a room indefinitely, and possibly other rooms for some acquaintances. I also need private use of your lounge for the next couple of nights. Payment as normal.", Lucius watched the small man squirm - The Ossium Magi most likely hadn't been seen in London in many years. The manager nodded and walked off into the back room. Lucius waited, as he so frequently did, by hovering almost a foot into the air, enjoying the looks from people passing by.

Spoiler: OOC

Ossium Magi is a name Roman liches often travel under, a pretence of a secret society, though entirely made up. A lot of old, high class establishments are likely to have standing arrangements so that Liches can pay by more old-fashioned means.

 

[Cybele]

"It wouldn't be a curse if it benefited you, now would it? Non videri."

"True," Roland managed to agree before everything went black. Besides digging his talons deeper into John's coat, he remained calm and quiet, listening closely to everything going on around him. It sounded like John was getting his luggage.

"How long do I have to stay like this?" Roland asked quietly after a while, "I'd hate having to miss all the sights of London."

 

[Floris2123]

Theon approached Seras who seemed to have found the bag of her parents and sister. Seras smiled in response to his own smile. "Yeah, I've had enough of airports for one day Theon. However, once we've dropped off our luggage Theon, I think we should go visit Terra at the hospital, see how she is feeling at the moment, and if there is any news regarding Richard's condition." Seras said with a concerned tone. He nodded; he was worried about Richard and Terra too. The couple then began walking out of the airport.

"Anyone helping to bring down Arzhela, meet me in the lounge at the Ritz. If the price is a problem, ask me there." Theon grabbed his head; sudden mental messages were bad news for him. As soon as he was distracted or attacked mentally the cages weakened, but lucky he managed to keep them closed for now. "I swear on my life, if I get my hands on that Lich, I am going to beat him to an inch of his non-existent life...... tell her that we may be a little late in visiting her and Richard." He smiled "I wouldn't mind joining you in giving that beating. Though it would be best to control ourselves, for now that is." Seras grabbed her phone and began dialing.

Seras began speaking into her phone; Theon listened wondering what they were talking about. "Yeah, everyone who was on the plane got off alright....but in a way you kind of helped me and Theon get together, so thank you." Seras then stopped talking and massaged her head. "But now it seems that misbegotten Lich Lucius has called for a strategy meeting in the lounge of the Ritz hotel.....Speaking of, any news on that front?" Seras sounded worried. Theon closed his eyes and focused, he made sure that the cages were still locked. And as he had expected one cage was wide open, and the other was closed. Though the cage seemed more unstable then ever, he was sure that it wouldn't hold long anymore. The stress and annoyance wasn't making it any easier on him, and the cages seemed to weaken in return.

 

[hiei82]

"...Speaking of, any news on that front?" Seras said, the concern evident in her tone.

"Nothing helpful, no. The officer who came to speak to me - whose name is Richard of all things - says he has some internal bleeding and that's it. Annoyingly, that's at least third hand information so I don't know anything solid." she said in response, her frustration at the whole situation clear in her voice. Terra took a deep breath, more to calm herself then out of any need for air, then said. "Take as long you need at the... meeting thing as you need. You and Theon stay safe though; the two of you are my best friends too."

 

[Terratina.]

Pegs woke from a daze went the Lich decided to present his offer telepathically and stumbled out of the airport. A free room at the Ritz sounded good. Might as well make most of this mess. She headed off, dwarfed by her luggage to a nearby tube station. After a while of staring at the multi-coloured web that dared to be called a map, Pegs figured out it was the Piccadilly line she needed.

Nevertheless, she hated it in the Underground - noisy, stuffy and all manner of awful things. Not to mention expensive. She had heard about wages being raised in London just because it was so expensive to live there, and looking the prices for tickets, no wonder that had happened. But enough of the pain of being parted from pennies, the tube's doors had opened and people were beginning to rush in.

She zig-zagged between the people and breathed a sigh of relief as she sat down on a seat as the door closed. The tube sped towards many a station, finally reaching Piccadilly. Pegs dragged herself up the stairs and back to the surface. After a friendly chat with a bemused local regarding directions, she was walked towards the Ritz, easily spotting the sign of the lavish hotel...

 

[Evrant-Knight]

"Nothing helpful, no. The officer who came to speak to me - whose name is Richard of all things - says he has some internal bleeding and that's it. Annoyingly, that's at least third hand information so I don't know anything solid." Terra said in response, her frustration about the current situation clearly showing. She then went quiet for a moment, probably trying to clear her head or something before she continued. "Take as long you need at the... meeting thing as you need. You and Theon stay safe though; the two of you are my best friends too." Seras smiled at this comment.

"Don't worry, both me and Theon will look out for each other, and thanks for saying that friend, it means a lot, to both of us." Seras remarked, taking a brief moment to look at Theon with a loving smile.

"I'm sure Richard will pull through, after all, he has his angel beside him. Anyway, got to go now and grab a taxi to the hotel to show that we've arrived properly and get ourselves all in order after what has happened, so I guess this is goodbye for now. Hopefully the meeting won't take too long. One more thing Terra, and don't take this the wrong way, but try and get some rest; no doubt when Richard recovers, he won't want to see his girlfriend all tired. Good luck." Seras said in a friendly tone before she ended the call and put her mobile back in her bag. She then turned to her family and Theon.

"Anyway, let's grab a taxi to the hotel so we can at the very least drop off our bags before me and Theon head over to this meeting."

 

[Floris2123]

Seras smiled at something Terra said, she then said "Don't worry, both me and Theon will look out for each other, and thanks for saying that friend, it means a lot, to both of us." Seras looked at him with a loving smile, he responded in kind. Seras then continued "I'm sure Richard will pull through, after all, he has his angel beside him....One more thing Terra, and don't take this the wrong way, but try and get some rest; no doubt when Richard recovered, he won't want to see his girlfriend all tired. Good luck." Seras then ended the call, and put her mobile away.

"Anyway, let's grab a taxi to the hotel so we can at the very least drop off our bags before me and Theon head over to this meeting." Theon looked at the bags, he was feeling restrained. He had been on that plane for too long, he had become used to being able to shape shift regularly. Right now he felt like changing into a giant eagle, and taking Seras along with him. But it was probably best to take it slow; such things didn't fit the mood right now. Theon nodded and followed Seras outside; he walked besides her and said, "I am happy to hear that Richard is in the hospital, I didn't really know what to think when I saw how injured he was."

 

[Not G. Ivingname]

"How long do I have to stay like this? I'd hate having to miss all the sights of London."

"Once we are outside the airport and in the taxi," John said walking to the terminal exit, "I will change you back. When were in the taxi, just be quiet."

John walked along the side wall of the side wall of the airport, making sure nobody knocked Roland off or hit the bird directly. Thankfully, he was able to get the airport exit with out incident.

John helped heave the luggage into the trunk.

"The Ritz," John said to the driver, making sure to sit behind the driver's seat.

"Rursus videbuntur," John whispered, making Roland visible again.

 

[Evrant-Knight]

"I am happy to hear that Richard is in the hospital, I didn't really know what to think when I saw how injured he was." Theon said as he walked beside Seras as the group exited the airport out into the vehicle pick up/drop off point. It was a veritable hive of activity, just like it was back at the departure lounge in New York; despite it being in the morning, then again airports were always a hotbed of activity regardless of the time.

"Yeah, I was worried about Richard when I saw them take him away to the hospital; can't imagine what Terra must be going through right now. According to what Terra has been able to find out from an officer, ironically enough called Richard, is that he is suffering from some internal bleeding." Seras remarked as they arrived at the taxi rank, with which Dominic was already hailing one.

"If you'd like Seras, myself, your mother and Katarina can go ahead, give you two some time to yourselves after everything that has happened." Dominic suggested, as the cab driver was busy loading luggage into the boot of the cab.

"You sure about that father? I mean I'm sure myself and Theon wouldn't mind sharing. Would we Theon?"

 

[Lunar Templar]

Lucia walked to the Ritz, taking in the sights of London, so her pace was far from hurried

 

[Floris2123]

"Yeah, I was worried about Richard when I saw them take him away to the hospital...is that he is suffering from some internal bleeding." Seras said as they arrived at the taxi rank. Theon looked up at the sky, poor Terra he thought. He couldn't even imagine the stress and worrying he would do if that happend to Seras.

"If you'd like Seras, myself...give you two some time to yourselves after everything that has happened." Dominic said. Seras responded with "You sure about that father?...Would we Theon?" Theon nodded. He would have preferred to go alone, but he knew how important her family was to her. "I don't mind sharing a cab with you at all." He said looking at Seras family.

 

[Evrant-Knight]

"I don't mind sharing a cab with you at all." Theon said as he looked at Dominic, Nicole and Katie. Seras smiled briefly before turning towards her father.

"Well father, it looks like the choice has been made. Whilst I appreciate the sentiment, there'll be more than enough time for me and Theon to have some private moments once this ghastly business involving Arzhela is dealt with. Besides, after this is over, and we're onto our next destination, it'll be unlikely that I'll get to see you in person for a while." Seras remarked, a tear almost coming to her eye at the thought of being away from them for such a long period of time; but she managed to catch before it was noticeable. Dominic let out a low chuckle as he briefly showed his fangs in a smile.

"Very well then my dear daughter, if you so insist." Dominic said as he held open the door for Seras and Theon. As they got in, the cab driver asked for their bags, and put them into the boot soon after. Both Seras and Theon sat together, with Nicole sitting next to Seras, and Dominic and Katie sitting opposite.

"Where to sir?" The cab driver asked as they began to pull away.

"The Royal Garden Hotel please."

"Right you are. Just sit back and enjoy the sights that London has to offer, and I'll get you there as quick as I can."

 

[Cybele]

"Rursus videbuntur."

Roland sighed with relief when the spell ended and he could see again. He sat quietly on John's shoulder and looked out of the cab's window. He had to admit, London was a beautiful city but, despite his earlier claim, he had a limited interest in sightseeing and was soon bored.
Still, he was able to stay quiet. When the taxi pulled up on the Ritz hotel however he didn't bother to wait for John and flew out of the taxi and into the hotel, slipping through the doors just as a guest exited.

"Good day," Roland greeted the receptionist as he landed on his desk. "Did a tall, ugly, dead looking fellow with a horrible taste in fashion come here?" he asked, having forgotten who they were supposed to ask for exactly. "We're....associates you see and he told us to come here," he explained then waited to see if the receptionist would tell him where to go or smack him off the counter.

 

[Not G. Ivingname]

The receptionist took a single good look at the talking bird.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!" She shrieked in a high pitch scream before running off. John face palmed.

"Just better and better" John said under his breath, "Has anyone seen a 2000 year old man walk through here..."

"Your host is either in his room or the Lounge," said the manager walking it, "Here is your key to your room."

The manager looked down at Roland, "Don't worry, it's a double."

John, not entirely sure if he should be surprised or not, "Thanks. Which way to your lounge..."

"Do you have any idea what is going on?" Clarkson said, storming into the hotel, "Jos-"

John quickly through out the "compromised" symbol.

"-hn," Clarkson said, "I heard from at least half a dozen screaming passengers that a voice told them to come to this hotel. If you..."

"It was the Lich," John said calmly, "He is trying to gain control of this hunt for Arzhela."

"@#$%," Clarkson said angrily, "Where is the bloody bastard?"

"Check the lounge, the manager said he might be in there," John said, slowly bringing the conversation closer to the elevator.

Clarkson looked down at Roland.

"He is with me, now if you will excuse me," John said, stepping in, and hitting the close door button, "We need to go check out our room."

John watched with all kinds of amusement as Clarkson noticed the doors closing to late.

"You wouldn't believe how long I wanted to do something like that."

 

[Cybele]

"AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!" the receptionist shrieked before running off.

"Well that was uncalled-for," Roland grumbled, then waited as John got the key and dealt with his boss.

"He is with me, now if you will excuse me, we need to go check out our room."

Roland waved at Clarkson just before the elevator doors closed.

"You wouldn't believe how long I wanted to do something like that."

"Funny how it's always the easily irritable people prone to worrying too much that end up in leadership positions," Roland remarked as the elevator went ding! and the doors opened. He looked at the key in John's hand, then at one of the doors. This could be a problem. "Maybe you could leave a window open a crack so that I wouldn't have to rely on you to get in and out all the time?"

 

[Not G. Ivingname]

"Maybe you could leave a window open a crack so that I wouldn't have to rely on you to get in and out all the time?"

"Ok," John said, walking to the door, sliding the card into the door slot. He got a green light, so John entered. The room was a pretty standard double, big window, tiny balcony, television from 1998, most likely broken coffee maker, little chocolates on the bed. John put his luggage against the bed.

"Do you want me to leave the bathroom door open or..." John started, before he decided it was best not to think about Roland's bathroom habits. John also was starting to feel the fatigue, he hadn't slept in 25 hours. Using magic to push back the tiredness much longer would be dangerous. He yawned loudly.

"I wonder how long we going to stay in London," John said, unpacking his stuff. Without thinking about it much, John pulled out his KSG, and started to load in the shells, going with iron buckshot in the left tube, grenade rounds in the right tube.

 

[Evrant-Knight]

As they traveled along the streets en-route to the hotel, Seras sat rather placid with her heading resting on Theon's shoulder, and an arm wrapped around him, almost asleep; everything was calm and peaceful inside the London cab, despite the driver making polite conversation with Dominic and Nicole. Katie on the other hand, was thinking about what she was seeing back on the plane when Seras had somehow changed slightly; she was intrigued about it.

"Hey sis, what was happening to you earlier on the plane; thought I saw a streak of white in your hair, and you had this unusual red glow, don't think I've seen any of your powers do that before." The question caused Seras to wake up and yawn as she removed her head and arm from Theon.

"Indeed Katie, something did happen. But first, driver can you give us a little privacy please, my family and I need to talk about something, and no offence human, I don't think you'd want to hear it.."

"Right... let me just pull this little window shut, and you'll have all the privacy you'll need. Just let me know when your done, I'll also make sure to remind you when we've arrived if you happen to be still talking." The cab driver said, sounding slightly nervous at the remark. He then pulled a window that was made of a soundproof material shut.

"Now that has been settled with, your are indeed correct Katie, something did indeed happen to me. Do you remember the day of the seal removal, when I disappeared into a shadowy haze, and a voice said that 'She had awakened.'? Well I felt that same surge of power again on-board the plane, but I was able to access powers that I had never even used before. There was also a voice, not the one that spoke before, but different. It felt both new and old. She said that she could help me bind that Lich better than the agent could."

"She? Just who are you talking about Seras?"

"Mileena dad, that was who."

"Mileena you say? I have not heard that name for quite awhile, at least two decades ago."

"Just who is she father?"

"Well according to legend, Mileena was a powerful vampire Mage who supposedly lived during the 1600's. Whilst she exhibited many of our kinds traits; she was different in that she respected humanity for its resilience and capability to adapt in almost any environment. She was also a trained warrior, which given for a woman of her time was quite unheard of. There are myths related to her that suggest she hunted down vampires who kept humanity and the other races as slaves, wanting equality for all; so you could say that Mileena was quite the revolutionary for our kind."

 

[Cybele]

"I expected something a bit...fancier for a hotel that looked so grand outside," Roland said, sounding a bit disappointed, when they entered the room. He then flew into one of the bedrooms and took a look around. "A bit small but I guess I'll have to manage," he joked, not hearing Johns question about the bathroom or pretending not to have heard.

"I wonder how long we going to stay in London."

"Homesick already?" Roland asked before grabbing a small bit of chocolate and flying back to the main room. He wasn't too surprised when he saw the gun, John was an FBI agent after all, and watched with polite interest. "10 gauge?" he asked.

 

[c_westerman13]

-Lucius-

Once the manager had arranged things for Lucius, the lich floated calmly into the lounge - emptied already - he'd forgotten how powerful some non-magical words could be. He stared into the room, muttering some varied incantations to rearrange the room into a more suitable situation without any actual effort on his part. good. That dealt with, he floated over to the chair at the far end of the table, and sat down, waiting for his guests to enter.

Not long had passed before Lucius heard a scream from the reception of the hotel, which he took to mean his associates had arrived. Lucius pondered which of his mismatched little crew would enter the makeshift briefing room first. It had been a long time since he worked with other sentient beings, and he still hadn't heard from his spy.

-Rhingyll-

Rhyngill stood at the podium, nearly 500 of what could just about be called soldiers stood before him, with Her Grace to his left. Zombies, Skeletons, even some minor demons stood amond the ranks, but he knew it would never be enough. He turned to Her, and whispered, "Your Grace, we need more. This isn't half of the army we'll need".

She looked over him, his steel-plated leathers looking out of place at a command podium. Ignoring his comment, she looked up at her armies. She raised her arms and began,
"Our old foe - some of you survived him last time - is rising again. As we speak, he most likely musters his own armies. You have trained against mages for years, you WILL know what to do when he arrives. Rhyngill will not be here to command you, he has other... duties to perform", She turned, floating away back to the small room that had become her command centre.

Rhyngill sighed. Last time he'd encountered Lucius, the madman had commanded almost five thousand undead - they'd been overrun with ease. He must make her grace see, he thought to himself. He looked over the motley assortment of raised undead, and followed his Queen into the command room. Once there, he stood to attention, knowing where he was to be sent.

"Do you have my travel arrangements, your Grace?", He asked. She pointed to a glyph in the corner of the room, and, as he stepped on it, she muttered to herself, "lle newydd", and Rhingyll disappeared.

 

[Not G. Ivingname]

"Homesick already?"

"No," John said, he was used to not seeing his home for months at a time, yawning, "Need to know if I can sleep on this bed or will I sleep on the way to whales."

"10 gauge?"

John was suddenly aware he brought out his shotgun in front of a witness, although he was surprised Roland guessed 10 gauge, that wasn't a common shotgun gauge anymore.

"Nope, 12," John said, loading the last shell into the firing position. He then grabbed the belt and holster for his revolver, checked to make sure all the rounds were iron, then grabbed the remote and turned on the TV.

Meanwhile...

Clarkson stormed into the lounge, seeing the Lich in some tacky suit from the 60's, "What the @#%^ do you think your doing?"

"What makes you think your leading this force?" Clarkson said, "You are not any kind of law enforcement, you have no legal authority to just go after this Lich how ever you please. Yet you go off and pick a very PUBLIC place to meet up. You know how easily it will be to bug this room? You know how many employees, how many other guests, how many other people seeing the train of paranormals going into this hotel could tip off Arzhela where we are staying? You know how easily she could have a bomb drove into the parking lot and bring this entire building down?"