Fritz's eyebrows rose in surprise and his smile grew even wider. A sense of pride swelled within him"I think you may have just saved your own skin." He replied. "I was planning to kidnap you. But since you've obviously heard of my greatness I'll let you off the hook." And just like that he abandoned his plans with Nadia. "You're the girl my business associate was pounding on at the hall." He pointed out.
"Huh?" the girl stepped back further, a confused look painted her face "What do you mean with kidnap?.... What do you want mister?..." asked the girl making sure the man keeps at distance .....Should have I sent another bomb?..... wondered Nadia, considering that showing herself in real was a dangerous move.
I looked disinterestedly at the people in the bank, just the same bland and boring suits or dresses that everyone wore, fake or half smiles on their faces, pretending that they wanted to be here, gave a damn about the people that they were talking to, or their coworkers, probably secretly wanting to be home or working somewhere else where they might have a slight chance of some excitement outside of a bank robbery... Then I saw her, Nadia, I noticed that Fritz and his companion were whispering to each other, trying not to get my attention or hear what they were saying, I followed them as they went to Nadia. I looked at Fritz in disbelief as he said that he would no longer try to kidnap her because of her just knowing his name... I was more shocked that he would try to kidnap her in a bank... In front of so many people... Just owning a gun didn't mean that it made him untouchable, it helped a little, but a longer ranged gun could take him out with ease, it wasn't as if he were something just yet anyways, he'd go to jail for a long time, especially for kidnapping someone of such a noble family. I looked at Nadia. "...I just have one thing to say to you... Are you completely stupid or insane?" I asked crossing my arms, remembering what had happened after my rescue attempt with Nadia. "I thought that people that just got assaulted try to run AWAY from their attackers, not TOWARD them, especially when they get rescued." I said, I still wanted to hear her side of the story, but I'd have to hope that Fritz wouldn't try anything stupid... which I believe would happen at any moment in time, hell I think it's possible for a past Fritz to do something stupid at any second and screw the present up in some way... Okay I might be giving the guy a bit too much credit for being able to do something that big, but still, he was unpredictable.
She remembered that scene clearly, but she had a reason, her violin, an unique piece on the world was left abandoned there... That wasn't something she could accept. She didn't remind the boy though, but apparently he was who tried to pull her out of that situation.. ......What a bother... I didn't ask help for someone like him, well, it worked so I guess there is no big problem with that. You should priorize your own safety instead of others.... The stupid insane here is you...... Thought the girl, yet her face did not reflect her thoughts at all, it was a cute face a perfect masquerade. ..."Uuum... thanks for helping me there.... I couldn't abandon the violin... is a present of grandpa......" said with a soft tone, not letting not even a speck of dust of what her true thoughts were.
Floss's large formed appeared from nowhere behind Avalyn cutting into the conversation. Fritz was the first react sending a reflex punch to the big man's face. If the punch had connected it would of caused quite a large commotion in the bank........however. Fritz's fist was caught by and almost completely engulfed by the near gorilla like hand of Floss. Fritz broke out into a nervous sweat that his attack was blocked so easily he wasn't used to being outdone so quickly. It made his blood boil slowly but he managed to stay his hand from pulling his gun. "You're Mister Fritz I presume?" Floss asked as he let go of Fritz's hand and reached into his pocket to reveal a picture of Fritz. Interest rose in Fritz as he looked at his handsome face, well he thought it was handsome most of all when he had his sunglasses on. Oh how he missed them! "Alright buddy you got my attention. Who are you?" Fritz asked Floss didn't so much as bad an eyelash to Fritz and turned his head to Avalyn. "I imagine you two got my boss's letter?" He should of been speaking to Fritz but Floss had a habit of a ignoring people he didn't like and Fritz was easy to dislike. That red suit just made it easier to. Floss finally noticed Joe and Nadia his eyes narrowing. He didn't recognize the first Joe but he'd certainly seen Nadia Eisendin's face or heard the name from time to time around the city. Why was she hanging around with people like this man Fritz?
As the man looked her way, Avalyn stared back at him. Her wide eyes soon drifted to the suit he wore; drab, plain, and the most lifeless of the color spectrum...black. She had always hated black. Just looking at such a color brought the reminder of sadness, grief, pain, misfortune...death. And, this man was wearing it, even the collared white shirt was stained by the black tie around his neck. Avalyn's stare turned to a glare as an emotion stirred in her heart, one that she hadn't felt in a while. Dread. She bit her lower lip as she brought her eyes back to his and folded her arms across her chest. A thought pricked her mind to not trust him, but before she could stop, her mouth provided an answer. "Yes, Sir, I found...I mean we got the letter. Are you...uh, going to tell us more about it?"
"My Boss will take care of all the explanations." Floss replied. "I'll need you to follow me." Fritz turned his head to glance at Avalyn and gave a silent nod. He was suspicious but he couldn't pass up a possible shot for his goals to become a reality. Floss held up his finger to the group as he placed the picture of Fritz back in his pocket and retrieved a cell phone. He dialed a few numbers and motioned for everyone to follow along. Fritz of course complied his hand on his gun sweating as if ready to blow off the back of Floss's head if one wrong move was made. He'd of felt nothing but pleasure from ending the man who'd just shown him up. As Fritz contemplated murder Floss had made a point take the stairs as opposed to the elevator as talked on the phone. "Sir he brought two other people." Floss said in an unsure tone. "Who?" Laplace asked curiously from the other end Floss sighed. "One man I don't recognize and the other......its that girl boss. Nadia Eisendin." He said taking another sneak glance at the girl gripping her violin. Laplace's voice took on a more whimsical tone. "Hmmm well that's unexpected. Why would she be with a crew like that?" "I thought the same thing." Floss said in a low voice as they were already on sixth flight of stairs their foots steps making hollow noises as they went on up. It took a moment for Laplace to reply. Floss could tell his boss was thinking.....he was always thinking. "Bring them all in." Laplace said flatly. Floss shook his head. "B...but." "Bring them all in......" Laplace's voice made it clear their was no room for argument and with that he simply hung up expecting his employee to take care of the details. Floss ground his teeth but he slipped his phone back into his pocket and finally led them to the top of the bank. Fritz had been silent for once as he'd been trying to pick up on the phone conversation. He'd only managed to catch the words Nadia, boss and crew. Why mention Nadia and not his own? That's lame! Why was everyone so obsessed with her? That stupid thing was suppose to grant his wish and his wish was most certainly not this girl getting attention. But his thoughts were halted as they came to white door with the words (Laplace Daemon) written on it. "Right this way please." And with that Floss flung open the door to reveal Laplace Daemon behind a desk.
I looked at Nadia and sighed, I had a feeling that she didn't mean the words that she was saying. "...In the end possessions mean nothing, material objects that will either end up in the dump or in the greedy hands of others, possessions are not worth a life, let alone risking your own over one, no matter how sentimental you believe it is..." I said sighing quietly, I looked away for a moment, reflecting on something stupid that I had done in my past, before looking back at her. "Don't think that I've forgotten what you've done, if it is all true, then do not expect me to trust you or a single word that you have said, I know your objective truth, but I still would like to hear your subjective truth, every last detail of it." I said, I stopped talking as the large man, Floss, blocked Fritz's attack, I smirked seeing it, I felt like once in a while Fritz needed his ego injured. I soon followed them up the stairs, following behind the group, I didn't want to be anywhere behind Nadia, though that did give me the opportunity to see that Fritz had his hand on his revolver, I really wanted to plant my elbow deep in his gut and scold him, I had a feeling that he wanted to shoot Floss over him blocking his attack... he had one messed up and over inflated ego to not be able to accept that someone had been just a bit faster and stronger than him, and it was a good thing that Floss had blocked him, otherwise he would have caused a catastrophe at the bank, thus, what I assume would end his chance at his wish. I sighed as we finally reached our destination, I looked at the nameplate on the door. "Laplace Daemon... why do I have a feeling he's a bad guy with that name?" I wondered, smirking in amusement at my inward observation, I walked through the doors with the others as the door was opened for us, I looked at the man behind the desk, I bowed politely and stayed silent, I knew that I should probably keep my mouth shut through their interaction, unless I can help Fritz, in the event that Laplace was trying to trick him somehow.
"All right... time to find a hotel." The cat rumbled, sitting up as its body buckled and re-shaped itself into that of Jaharra once more. The woman gritted her teeth and clapped her one hand against the stump of what had once been an arm, as if it hurt, but no blood flowed. "Agreed," she bit out, then realized that the man had never seen her before and would likely freak the hell out. "I -uh.... let's just say i'm not normal. And yeah, you should otherwise run, but at the moment i don't think either half of me is about to kill you."
Arthur He touched down in the belltower, the highest point in this part of the city. It's graceful ascension bathed in the light of the moon, and topped with the giant, ancient, brass bell. It had been a long time since it had rung, the mechanism to ring it from the lower levels of the building having deteriorated and become inoperable years ago. And no one had had the desire to repair it; there were other great bells in the city. Arthur leaned against the old bell, supporting his tired body, so recently had he come to the verge of death. He had felt the life leaving him, his spirit beginning to flee the shattered wreck that had been his body. But then the man, the preacher came and saved him. That was the only way that Arthur could think of the man, as a preacher. But regardless of who or what he was, he had saved Arthur's live, and for that he owed him a great deal. So, when the other bells began to strike 11:30, Arthur slowly descended the long staircase that led to the top of the bell tower. Then he waited in the middle of the opera hall, the great, magical place where all this had started not to long ago. Arthur waited.
I looked at Nadia and sighed, I had a feeling that she didn't mean the words that she was saying, I noted that she no longer had that rune on her forehead, meaning she could lie yet again. "...In the end possessions mean nothing, material objects that will either end up in the dump or in the greedy hands of others, possessions are not worth a life, let alone risking your own over one, no matter how sentimental you believe it is..." I said sighing quietly, I looked away for a moment, reflecting on something stupid that I had done in my past, before looking back at her. "Don't think that I haven't forgotten what you've done, if it is all true, then do not expect me to trust you or a single word that you have said, I know your objective truth, but I still would like to hear your subjective truth, every last detail of it." Nadia struggled, no, it was more like her face was struggling. Something almost impossible to notice, yet the girl put a little more of effort into keeping a normal face, she knew clearly how a face could reveal a lot, so she resisted the innate reaction of twisting her face into anger, and kept a straight face. What could you know?, You forgot what I've done?.... are you shitting me?, go away, disappear, you can't hope to understand a single thing. These were the thoughts of the girl walking with a straight face, not letting her true feelings to be revealed. ".... Uuum... I'm sorry... but would you kindly stop that?.... is something personal... I'm sorry..." said the girl with a cute soft tone mixed with sadness. Then they arrived the room of <Laplace Daemon>..... an ominous feeling fell upon Nadia.... this man was danger..... I knew I should had send a clone..... regretted the girl on her thoughts
"beautiful no?" Arthur heard a voice from behind. Palms was starring into the night skies, his face was friendly though he did not look at him directly. "No craft that men can claim rivals the majesty of inanimate stars, oh we lowly creatures, we can not even rival dead and burning bodies, hung per chance in the night sky. What is our lives worth?" Palms turned to Arthur giving a short bow. "Alas worthy enough to be saved, Ahhhhmen and ahmen. What is it you would have of me good sir?"
And yeah, you should otherwise run, but at the moment i don't think either half of me is about to kill you." The cat turned into a woman. Let me rephrase that. The cat turned into a freaking woman. Sully woofed in surprise, while I looked at the shifter. "You've been injured," I said, gripping her arm. "Here, let me help you. Where's the best place to go for rest?"
"But there are new heavens and a new earth that we are awaiting according to his promise, and in these righteousness is to dwell." -2 Peter 3:13 Arthur "Alas worthy enough to be saved, Ahhhhmen and ahmen. What is it you would have of me good sir?" Arthur turned and faced the man, his plain white mask his only expression. "I'm glad you came preacher," Arthur said, his voice echoing within his mask. "Do you still wish to know what is happening here?" "Indeed, although I'm not sure I would call my self a preacher." Palms chuckled, stroking his smooth chin in thought. "It is not my desire to convert anyone though I am not against it if you do. I only wish to spread some beauty in an ugly world." Arthur was silent for a moment. "Beauty in an ugly world... Very noble of you. What would you say if I told you that this was not the same world that you stood in just a day ago? That something unnatural had happened, and that the power of a God was being abused by those who would use it for their own gain? What would you think?" "I would think it was a very good opening to an epic novel." Palms replied with an eye brow raised. "If you mean this to be true, then I confess I feel inclined to disbelieve you, how could this be a different world and yet have the same ugliness? I would hope such a radical change would well, change more." Palms pondered a moment. "Forgive my close mindedness, but abuse the power of God? even I would shutter to say such blasphemes." "I say it is true... Preacher, have you ever heard of the Scarlet Nocturne, the accursed song? It has been played, and it's power has been used to reshape this world... This power though, it is not for mortal hands, and I have devoted myself to extinguishing those who would abuse that power. I have seen before what that wicked song can do, and I vow to stop it. "I know that my story is difficult to believe, but it is the truth. You saved my life today, and I owed you a debt of gratitude. The man that I was fighting, he is the one who started this all, he led the philharmonic in playing the Nocturne, but was prevented from using it's power for himself. Another reached the center of the song before he could, and this world is his creation, his design..." Palms went silent, starring at the stars in silence. "Glad he kept the stars." he finally said softly. He let out a calm sigh. "Say I believe you, what would you have me do?" Arthur was again silent for a moment. He too looked up at the sky for. "They truly are beautiful are they not?" he said. "My entire world, was ripped apart by that cursed song. Even the stars were gone, there was simply nothing. I aim to destroy those that would abuse it, and then use the Nocturne to remove any trace of it's own existence... You say you want a better world? Help me and I will help you make that dream a reality..." Palms chuckled "You are a mad man." he shook his head. Then looking Arthur in the eye he added. "What is our first objective?" "First, we find the owner of this knife..." he said, then held up the rusted blade that Elean had tossed him. "That's very considerate of you, returning some ones lost knife, or is finding this owner done for a more sinister purpose?" Arthur's eyes glinted. "I have a feeling that the owner of this knife will lead us to the one who created this world. So yes, you could say that it is of a more sinister purpose than simply returning a lost item. But this knife, rusted and bloodied, seems to have a sinister past all on it's own." "Or perhaps it is but an innocent victim of it's sinister owner? an owner we go now to meet, fate you are a devil, to think this is what I would be doing on such a lovely night. Well, shall we be off? do you have any leads?" "No, but we will find her... I am certain."
"You've been injured," I said, gripping her arm. "Here, let me help you. Where's the best place to go for rest?" Jaharra was surprised that the man hadn't flipped out, and didn't bother resisting when he took her one good arm. "Uhh... i'm not sure to be honest. Maybe the park?" she said.
Maybe the park? "Kay, we'll go to the park," I say, slinging her arm over my shoulder. We start walking, me carrying her. Sully sniffed the girl, wuffed, and nudged her hand. "I think he likes you," I said, setting her on a bench. "Wait here. I'll get some food. Sully, stay."
After casting a quick glance in Fritz's direction, Avalyn stepped lightly into the room. Her unease remained as they were met by another...interesting man. She held back a grimace while studying his face that resembled a pin cushion. Disgusting. Plus he was wearing a suit in her second least favorite color. Not white and not black, but a solid grey. Avalyn's eyes drifted around the room; past the young girl and straight back to the man who sat at the desk. Looking at him again, Avalyn absentmindedly scooted closer to Fritz until their shoulders touched. Her mind went on overdrive as she tried to think of what to do; what to say. She didn't want to say anything, she never did very well talking to other men besides Fritz. But that seemed quite rude, she had to say a greeting of some kind. So with a nervous smile, Avalyn said the only possible thing she could think to say. "Hello....uh, beautiful day isn't it?"
"I think he likes you," I said, setting her on a bench. "Wait here. I'll get some food. Sully, stay." Jaharra looked at the wolf, puzzled, then back at the man as he ran off to find food. Double puzzle. But wariness pricked at her. She'd nearly been kidnapped once and had lost an arm over it. Could she trust another stranger? Her hand came up and rubbed at the blackened stump, and she bit her bottom lip. She knew this was all some twisted kind of illusion, so she might get her arm back in the "next stage" as she believed that strange man had called it. But that was a very risky thing to beleive. But did she have anything better to do? No, and she still hadn't found her masters!
Laplace gave a tired smile at the group as they all entered. He made no attempt to hide that his eyes narrowed at Nadia once he spotted her. His eyes softened as he answer Avalyn's question. Her words bringing a certain sort of warmness into the room. "Welcome!" He exclaimed cheerfully as he folded his arms on the table. Fritz didn't speak as he examined metal face. His patience wasn't being tested as of yet. He'd allow Laplace continue speaking. "So I'm guessing you're wondering why I contacted you Mister Fritz?" Laplace asked Fritz grinned back at the man that stood before him. "Shut the fuck up." Fritz replied and Laplace obliged calmly but Floss made a move for Fritz. Laplace held up a hand to calm his bodyguard down. Floss's anger was clear on his face but he subsided. Fritz gave Floss a prideful smile. He was in control of the situation and wanted to make sure everyone knew it. "Start talking. Who the hell are you?" He asked the man in grey. "Why I'm Laplace Daemon of course." The name stood out to any long term residents of the city. Laplace Daemon ran the bank in the city and had been known for buying up most of the property in the city. But the majority of people knew he was far from straight lace. His business was corrupt but reasonable. Extortion, gambling and black mailing is where a large portion of his money came from. Laplace stood up from his chair and walked over to the left side of the room. "Listen I invited you here Fritz because I've been keeping track of your criminal records." "I think we could all help each other." Fritz snorted in annoyance that this man had been learning of him without his consent. "What sort of help?" Fritz asked "Just a small favor and I'll give you what you want." Laplace replied Fritz bit his lower lip. "How do you know what I want?" He asked "Based on what I've read in your records I have a pretty good idea." Fritz's eyes narrowed. "How about I just make you give it!" He shouted and his hand went for his gun but before it could even be removed from its holster, Laplace's fist slammed into Fritz's nose. A cracking sound was heard as Fritz went off his feet on to his back. The pain was intense as tears blurred in Fritz's eyes and shot upward causing a splitting headache. Blood dripped down on to his red suit. "Mister Fritz. I will tolerate insults but I will not allow bullets to be fired in my office is that clear?" Fritz's teeth barred and he looked as if he was going to lunge up from the ground but suddenly Floss's foot came down on Fritz's chest and a 'click' sound was heard as a knife blade suddenly shot out from the toe of Floss's shoe. Leveling at Fritz's neck.
No, and she still hadn't found her masters! Sully looked at the woman, cocking his head one way, then another. Rom-friend will be gone for a while, he thought. Must help new friend... new friend is sad and scared. Sully scampers off and goes and grabs a stick, bringing it back to the woman, dropping it in her lap. He jumps back, and looks at the woman expectantly.
Jaharra looked at the stick warilly, then picked it up. A faint smile came to her face, and she tossed the stick out over the grass, watching it thump against a tree before falling to the ground.
Sully bounds over to the stick, picks it up, and bounds back, dropping the stick in Jaharra's lap, giving a soft woof. -------- I managed to get some food fit for a lady that was also relatively cheap. Don't look at me like that, I was on a budget. When I got back to the park, I heard some woofs, and stopped and stared. Sully was playing fetch with this woman.... it was really cute. I decided to watch for a moment.
I watched the events take place calmly, I looked at Fritz. "You should really take three seconds to think once in a while, you realize this right? Such mindless acts that you commit will put an end to your existence, not that anyone at this point would care, besides your friend or assistant, or whatever she is to you." I said with a cold tone of voice, I crossed my arms, I looked at Laplace. "Mr. Daemon, please excuse my acquaintance for his thoughtless and rude actions, as you can see he lacks basic reasoning and logic." I said, I bowed apologetically, doing my best to salvage the situation... Laplace sounded very familiar to me... I couldn't quite remember why though...
Nadia stood in silence. Inside her mind she was carefully evaluating the situation, her main objective was to seek for a method of escape if things went on the bad side. .... I was so careless... I only considered the people of the concert hall as dangerous.... of course any stranger can be a threat, why didn't I just sent a clone to the lead?.... thought the girl while bitting her lower lip yet in such a way that few would notice it. It was then when Fritz careless and in a fool way tried to confront the man only to be beat in one single strike... Nadia turned to Avalyn and asked on a low soft tone... "Uuum, excuse me.... shouldn't you try to stop your boyfriend?...If this go on then...." Her voice was suddenly interrupted by her own gasp as soon as she saw how the man named Laplace threw what could be a fatal strike against Fritz.
Jaharra played fetch with the wolf for what seemed like hours, hardly noticing anything around her. A real smile came to her face, and she laughed when Sully ran up to her with the stick, but refused to let go and ended up playing tug-of-war with her before he let go suddenly and she tumbled to the ground. The wolf stood over her and licked her face, tail wagging. "Aaaa-ha! Gerroffome!" she giggled, struggling to keep the wolf from licking her face, but to no avail. A smear of canadid saliva dribbled down her cheek, and when she sat up and spotted the owner of said wolf she froze, blood rushing up to her face. "Uh... umm...." she mumbled.
