#Esther&Leviel

[a-storytellers-shared-dream]

Esther wanted to feed this killer to Leviel, he deserved to suffer. But she also needed information from this beast. There was another fae child out there, enslaved, and maybe he’d know how Esther could find her. Afterwards….

She sat in the dirt and spoke to the children, walking them through the process to find the light. She spoke as someone who had a lot of practice doing this. It took calming each child down first. Helping them let go of their anger. It wasn’t so much forgiving their killer as it was learning to let the anger just flow away from them.

Soon even she could see the tunnel, though it didn’t call her - not much, at least. Though it’s pull was stronger than usual. It did call the children though. Even though it was like a wordless song, somehow one got the impression that it was calling the children’s names. Like a grandma calling children to come inside for some freshly baked cookies yet at the same time there was a festive air to the melody calling them, a carnival sound. One could practically smell the popcorn and feel the stickiness of cotton candy. She encouraged each child to head towards the light. Tears shining on her face and a longing look in her eyes.

When she was done, when the last child was gone she turned to the others. “I need a month’s worth of sleep, but we need to find the girl who was with his partner. We need to save her too. We need information from this pile of shit.” She motioned to the killer, refusing to even think of him as a human being 

anymore.

Jamison looked over at 4. “Ready when you are” 4 smiled and said “alright then” He closed his eyes as his earring glowed a luminous yellow hue. His body became coated in bright blue energy. The ground beneath them took on the image of a round clock face as he said “Time, let your power flow through me and into this land. Let us go back and allow it to be renewed to what it once was as this Returner’s power flows through this second by second, minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day, week by week, month by month and year by year.” Stopping he looked at Jamison and said “It’s all ready for you” Clutching his necklace Jamison stepped into the middle of the clock. He could have returned the land without 4’s aid like he would normally have done but he also knew that he wasn’t working with full energy at the moment either. Instinctively he had been returning his body to its previous state before he fought with the monster that masked itself as a human. He knew his body wouldn’t return fully because he was going to be focusing that energy into the land and ridding it of the taint. Knowing this he decided it would be far wiser to use a combination of energies instead of just his own. After all aid isn’t something you normally got in this line of work. So whenever it came you thanked your lucky stars and accepted the aid.That is if you were wise in anycase. Clearing his mind he looked out at the field to get a sense of how it once was. *I bet this place used to be some happy families home or something. Reduced to the use of a sick monster. I sure hope he didn’t kill them too.* Shaking such thoughts out of his head so he wouldn’t be  distracted he grasped his chain and focused his energy into it humming out a tune to raise his energies vibrations. Moving his right hand back from the shield it grew larger until it was the size of a tower shield. It had an emerald face backed by silver and steel. The shield had numerous symbols across it that glowed and Jamison lifted it with ease of having done it for so long. He filled himself with the power from the circle and as his own power interwove itself with 4’s clock in. Opening his eyes he could see the land how it once was. The freshness of it, even the house how it used to be, he could feel the crisp autumn air and he could sense how the energies were once open and wild. He was right about there being a magical highway here. *Huh I wonder if the person who built this house knew that or if they just felt like this was a good place to build one* He didn’t want to return the whole house though. They would need to go through the attic to see what else they could find out about the monster, whoever had the half other child, and whomever else he was working with. When he saw the right time to return the land to which was around two years prior he stopped. “Agrin ol saliden” He whispered as slammed the bottom of the shield into the ground. The ground shook and a wave of green energy went through it and around the area. To an observer it looked as if everything was being moved backwards. Once fallen trees rose once more, the boards on the house vanished replaced by a home with a new paint job, and most of all the taint vanished. Letting the returning travel out into the surrounding land for a bit he finally stopped once he felt as if it was fully completed. He lifted his shield and walked out of the clock his shield becoming a necklace once more.

“Nicely done Jamison. But I didn’t expect anything less of you.” 4 said clapping his hands the clock face disappeared and his clock earring stopped glowing so much. “I was glad for the assistance 4.” Jamison said. Looking over at Ms. Vitjiko and 4:30 with the Other child. Turning around he glanced at the conspiracies of ravens still hanging around the house and in the trees. *So they are still keeping an eye on us.* he mused. It made sense since after all they did have their Prince which was reason enough for their vested interest in them. Although these seemed to be simple ravens he knew that behind those gazes there was someone watching. He may not have known who but he did know that for now they meant them no ill will. Turning he walked over to Ms. Vitjiko “How are you holding up Ms. Vitjiko? Do you need to eat something for your blood sugar? I have food in the car but if you don’t feel as if you can stomach anything at the moment I can understand that after everything you’ve seen this evening” He glanced at the monster writhing in pain on the ground begging for someone to help him. He just shook his head and focused back of the Other child just in time to see him sit up.

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Leviel could hear someone calling to him as he was being drowned in tainted waters. He fought and tried to keep himself afloat but everytime he was able to pull up some force kept pulling him further down. *I must needs find a way to escape the waters least I be drowned in the taint and who knows what will happen to me or how it will affect my people from now on* As far as he could see there was a teether that was keeping him from being completely drowned for now but how long would that last? It was not like he wasn’t without power but with all of it being currently infused with the taint he couldn’t do much with it. And then there was the voice. It was singing and he knew it was a fae song although he didn’t know the singer he could feel the arsa draiochta or forsa ealain that flowed through the song. Slowly he could feel the changes in the waves as the water became thick, steady and warm to the touch, almost as if he was bathing in freshly spilled blood which was a pleasant sensation. He felt his power flowing freely from the taint. *Well it is  best that I awaken and meet my savior's then. After all I will owe them a boon. I hope they aren’t from the light court least I be made to seem as if a fool for my folly*

With little effort Leviel opened his eyes only to see the fresh night sky. *Only a few more hours until the dawn* he mused. After all being in the mortal realm was the first time he had seen daylight. In his home it was perpetually night. He brought his senses to what was happening around him. He could hear someone talking and he could sense that someone was close to him. To close for his tastes. And he felt as if he was laying on some manner of cloth. He also knew that he was in a bubble of someone else’s draiochta. He sat up and looked to face who was closest to him first.

His blue and black eyes met those of another and he was not surprised to see that she was fae like him. Although she looked to be ten years of age Leviel knew that she was far older than he was but he could tell that she was one of the courtless fae. He had always wondered about them and why they chose to live that way but he assumed it was because of a freedom aspect. Although you wouldn’t have the protection of a court to back you up if problems should arise you still didn’t have to answer to anyone. He didn’t see anything wrong with it. “Salutations Prince. I am glad you are well. I am called 4:30.” When she didn’t say anything else Leviel smiled his sharp teeth showing. “I believe a thanks and a boon is needed for you then 4:30 for the assistance. It would have taken a lot longer time then I would like to admit to stop the taint from claiming my life.” He glanced around and noticed the surrounding area looked different from how he had once seen it and the area was free of the taint as well. 4:30 blinked at him slowly “It was freely given.” Leviel raised his eyes to that. After all anyone in the courts would be clamoring to get a boon from a fae noble let alone one of his station. But he wouldn’t question that. After all her reasons were her own and she needn’t share them with him. “So what brings an unaffiliated court fae out here? Was it just because of me or was there some other reason?” he queried “No it was because of the whole situation with you and Ms. Esther Vijiko as well. Now I must ask you Prince did you slay the attacker that tried to kill Ms. Vijiko?” Leviel would have loved to toy with this answer but since the woman had saved his life he wasn’t going to. “Yes I did kill him. What of it?” The girl pulled out a phone just one different from the one Esther showed him and stated pressing the things on it. “Did you know that by killing that man you have caused discord in the Nosferatu clans?” Leviel looked at the woman and started laughing with mirth “Did it? I’m so pleased by that. That’s what the blood leeches get.” The woman stared at him for a moment reached out and slapped him across the face. Leviel was so surprised that he didn’t know what to think for a moment. *Did she just TOUCH me? SLAP me?!!* He turned back swiftly to her ready to say something scathing but the look on her face stopped him cold. He knew this feeling, that welled up in the pit of his stomach, knew it intimately in fact and he didn’t like it at all. “You should best consider your actions for the future Prince. You are not in the Fae realm any longer and you are alone without escort. I know you are the Prince of the dark court and as such has probably never been told what to do by anyone save your Queen mother but the mortal realm is vicious and repercussions happen for every action. You are extremely powerful but you are far from the strongest person who walks this Earth. Take that slap as a reminder that you will have consequences for every action you take for good or ill. Take heed of the actions of the people around you tonight who risked themselves to save you. Do these things and you will be a ruler to be truly respected” Saying that she stood up and walked away. Her bubble of energy fading from around him. Quietly and humbled he considered her words still surprised a bit that he had been slapped but he was no longer angry about that. *For some reason I feel as if I disappointed her and I know I should not care but I do for some reason. It as if my mother said she was disappointed with me. It hurts more than the slap.* Looking up he watched her walk away and to another jovial looking man. *Who is that woman?* he wondered.

[a-storytellers-shared-dream]

Esther & Leviel RP

Esther cried out Leviel’s name when he fell, ignoring the gore to go to him and pull him into her arms. She looked at Jamison. “What do we do? We can’t just leave him or this - this thing here.” But there was also the souls of the children to free too. If only there was a way to move them all on at once. En mass. She felt so weak, helpless for the first time. Even when she bad been facing those who wanted her dead she hadn’t felt like this.

“I’m in over my head.” She suddenly admitted. Yet all the same she was trying to haul Leviel up. Trying to pull him to Jamison’s car. Not even thinking. All she could do was react. At this point she was honestly ready to deal with more fae if they’d just help her help Leviel. Even if they said she had to return to their world with them.

In the few hectic hours she had know him, even with what she discovered about him, despite seeing him so something that should frighten and disgust her, Esther had grown to love the boy as she would a member of her own family. It was not a romantic love, but a deep, true love all the same. It might be crazy, but there it was. And her heart was tearing to pieces at not being able to help him the way she wanted.

Jamison moved over to Esther and Leviel swiftly and looked him over. He knew this would probably happen but it had been unavoidable and he hadn’t gotten a chance to knock the child out in time. He glanced at the Ravens which were eerily silent and wondered not for the first time why they weren’t doing more than just starring. Sure they had helped to guide them here before the worst could happen but now they were just observing. “Perhaps there are things happening behind the scenes that i’m not aware of yet. But of course there always is with the Others”

Bending down he looked the Other boy over. He turned to Esther and said “Don’t move him yet we need to stop this curse from spreading. I can stop it until we can get him out of here but you need to let me handle this” Jamison looked at the woman who seemed like she was just deflating. He felt bad but at this point there wasn’t much for it. She whether she had known it or not was now pulled into an entirely new world.

Moving to the back of his car Jamison pulled out what looked to be a black blanket. He took it out and unfurled it onto the ground next to Leviel and Esther. He glanced over at the ghost children and noticed that they were preoccupied with the child murderer still crying out in pain. “One less thing to worry about at the moment” He thought as he went back to his car and opened a brown wooden box with insignias gems inlaid on the surface and sides. He took it back and opened it on the black blanket. Inside were five crystal pillars with marking engraved into them. With these he place the four at the corners of North, South, East, and West each with their corresponding elemental affiliation and then for the fifth he placed that at the top of the blanket. After this was done the blanket flashed brilliantly for a moment before a whole webwork of silver symbols covered it. He then took his right arm and hefted Leviel out of Esther arms gently and placed him on the blanket. After a few moments the convulsing in his body stopped and his breathing became deep as if he was in a deep slumber. Jamison wiped some of  the blood from the Other boys lips and placed them on each of the crystals which caused the child to stop coughing up blood.

Sitting back up he turned to Esther and said “ We need to find a way to move these children quickly. I can think of a few ways but the resources needed to do so aren’t currently on hand. Given enough time I could whip something up but with the Other child like this time isn’t something we don’t have. We Coul-” Jamison cut off what he was saying when the black car with the tinted windows pulled up behind his car effectively blocking them in. He moved Esther into the shadows behind the nearest tree and ducked down low pulling his gun. He had expected more people to show up he just hadn’t wanted it to be so soon.

From his vantage point he could see the door of the car open the Other child between him and the car. Nobody stepped out though and he knew that the moment someone did he would need to shoot them. He had a civilian with his an unconscious Other child and he himself was injured. The odds weren’t in their favor unless he got the drop on them quickly. They unfortunately knew that they were here as well from the amount of cars in the driveway. If these people knew what was going on they would have expected the child killer to be by himself. No this situation might not end without someone dying. “Not looking good on our end but I will make sure we aren’t the ones six feet under.”

From the car before someone stepped out he heard: “Jamison if you shoot me I swear we no longer will be friends” Before he could say anything a man stepped out in a dark blue suit with a smiling pumpkin pinned to the chest pocket. He had short black hair hazel green eyes set into a laughing face and cream colored skin. In his right ear hung a earring with a clock that showed the fourth hour. Turning to where Jamison was he smiled and said “Now will you please put your gun away?” Jamison didn’t lower his weapon and his eyes narrowed. The man sighed and said “Mittens is worried about you and wants another piece of salmon when you get home” Jamison lowered his weapon and said “Stop talking to my cat Four” The man just smiled and slightly turned and helped another person out of the car. It was a young girl roughly about ten years of age with delicately pointed ears with a clock earring in her right ear that held the hour 4:30 illuminated. Her hair was a glossy auburn with blonde highlights. She had large but crafty blue eyes and she wore a dark blue suit dress skirt. Her skin was the shade of hazelwood. Slowly surveying the situation she turned her eyes to Jamison and in an even tone she said “How do you do this evening Jamison?” He nodded the girl and said “I’ve had a night 4:30, i’ve had a night” The man known as 4 replied. “Well we can see that.” Looking over at the ghost children and the child murderer then down to the Other child then back to Jamison. “Maybe you and Ms. Esther Vitjiko would like to explain from the top”

[a-storytellers-shared-dream]

Here is the link:

So I’m thinking…

Wondering if finally *now* if I can do an RP. Life isn’t stable, far from it in fact but I still want to do it. I just don’t want to let anyone down anymore. I wonder what I should do…advice is welcomed and encouraged.

[a-storytellers-shared-dream]

Four-Thirty looked up at Ms. Esther Vijiko as she listened. “That was wise of you to do so. You wouldn’t have wanted the Rabbi to become someone so different in death from how he was in life because of such an drive to lift the guilt of another.” She looked around and then back to Esther. “You are a very compassionate and strong woman Ms.Vijiko. You have survived a great deal of things in your life and today you’ve survived a great many more. Because of your capacity to survive you have now stumbled onto a new world that many humans can only dream about.” She studied her for a bit. “Perhaps your mind regressed to this memory because you like before feel ultimately powerless to help. If that indeed is the case rest assured that that would be a false statement. Humans like yourself are capable of a great many things. Besides you have already made quite the impact on on Prince Leviel although he would be loathe to admit it.” She grew quiet for a minute. “So into this new world you are flung Ms.Vijiko but not so new at the same time. Humans throughout history have always brushed up against the other world. There have always been those foolish and daring who decided to tiptoe over the border and yes there have been those who were taken by either trickery or force but through all of this humanity has gained lessons and learned from them. There are even tales and legends that your people tell about mine and the other supernatural forces at work in this world. However, while there are truth to those tales not everything is correct but a good number of it is so you will be able to get by with the knowledge you know and the help of Jamison you will be okay.” She placed her hand on her chin in a considering gesture. “No I believe you will be fine. It is Prince Leviel who will need your help most of all and for that you can do something not even Jamison can really do for him and that is teach him about what life is like on this side. Show him the world you see and give him guidance as a big cousin should. Although he is far older than you in human years he is still but a boy in fae years so don’t let him try and use his age to bully you around. You are still his senior.” She lowered her hand. “I cannot lie to you nor am I trying to mislead you when I say that this road will be hard and fraught with dangers should you chose to walk it. Though you did not know what you were doing your life changed the day you claimed kinship to Prince Leviel. The world you once knew is gone but that doesn’t mean its going to be a bad thing, just something new”

Four-Thirty stared intently at her searching her for something unnamed. “Do you have any questions for me or do you think you are able to return to consciousness with my aid? If no for both I can leave you to your rest and go check on my partner, Jamison and a very upset Prince Leviel I would imagine”

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Jamison climbed the stairs with Four close behind him. It didn’t take them long to reach the attack and the child murderers sick domain. As he strode into the room he felt Four stop and look around. “You know Jamison we’ve seen some sick shit in our day but this has got to be up there in terms of acts of inhuman cruelty.” Jamison didn’t need to look at the photos of the dead carved up children with their murderer but he looked nevertheless. He wanted to remember them and he knew that he would try and learn about who they were. Four placed his hand on Jamisons shoulder. “Hey I know what you are thinking but that falls under my job. We will alert the police about the stuff here and let the right people know he was taken care of by us. Hopefully that will give their parents and loved ones some kind of closure.” Jamison didn’t say anything for a moment. “All of these children and nobody knew. Nobody would have known a thing. This could have kept going on until the death count was over 100 and nobody would have been the wiser. I know that there are those who would say that fate had determined things play out this way and that all of this happened to change everything in this moment but if I think that way then I just can’t live with that fact. If fate said this only happened because none of us was ready to deal with any of this before we arrived here tonight it makes me feel as if I failed these children because I wasn’t good enough to save them.”  Four let his hand fall away from Jamison’s shoulder. “You saved one. If you hadn’t been here who knows what would have happened to Prince Leviel. You and Ms. Esther Vijiko saved him” Jamison didn’t say anything to that and just started looking around the room. He could see Leviel’s hoodie and he presumed all of his stuff was still in it. He checked and sure enough the game was still there. Placing it back in the hoodie he spotted a shirt that near the hoodie and checking the size he was sure that belonged to him too. He slung them both over his injured arm and began to look around the room. He could see the bed with cuffs attached to the top, the table with shackles and blood stains on it and lot of tools that seemed used for torture. The room was very sparse and he looked into the bathroom but saw nothing that looked any different from a normal bathroom. He did see a small wooden side dresser and when he looked in it he found a small black planner. Looking at it he saw that at various points throughout the year the monster had written “PARTY TIME!!!” looking through it noticed a pattern that it happened every month and a half to two months or so. The next one was in two days but he couldn’t see an address or time anywhere in the book. Looking through the rest of the drawer he didn’t find anything else in it except a notepad with ripped out pages and some pens.

*Of course he wouldn’t leave an address lying around unless he was a fool. Regardless on how careful you were it could be too easy to get caught. I’m sure wishing he had been more foolish right about now.* Before Four could ask the question Jamison saw forming on his lips he handed the man the book. “It’s obvious he may have done stuff her but he didn’t live here. There might be more information if we find his actual home.” Four handed Jamison back the book but he said “Keep it and turn it over to the police. I already found out what I wanted to know from it.” Four lowered his arm. “Okay so now what are you gonna do?” Jamison pulled out his cellphone and snapped a picture of one of the photos of the man with a child. “I’m gonna take Ms. Esther Vijiko and Leviel somewhere to rest and get cleaned up and from that probably tonight I will make an inquiry at the Maiden’s Kiss. See if he can’t help point me in the right direction.” “Well what are you going to do with Prince Leviel and Ms. Esther Vijiko?” Jamison didn’t even need to think about that and said “Well hopefully I can convince them to stay at my apartment. If that doesn’t work I will just bring them along. The Maiden’s Kiss is a no hostilities zone and so they will be safe enough with me there. It’s best not to try and hid the child even more so that I know he won’t tolerate being told to hide. No, people will find out about him being here if they don’t know already but its better for it to be this way while its on our terms.” Four nodded “Sound strategy as always Jamison.”

Not seeing anything else of note in the room Jamison descended the stairs and started making his way back to the car. He needed to get those two somewhere fast before the sun started to come up. But suddenly he stopped walking and looked over at the cab. It was the monsters car. There had to be some form of identification there. Four followed his line of sight as he started to walk over to the car. Reaching it he tried to door and found that it was still open. He looked inside and saw that it was spotless but he tried the glove compartment. It was full of candy and a wallet. He grabbed the wallet and stood up. Looking at the steering wheel he saw the keys were still in the ignition. He grabbed those too. Flipping through the wallet he saw a license but much to his disappointment but he could tell from years of experience that it was a fake. He continued to flip through and found a couple hundred dollars and a heavy black card. He flipped it over and it had an image in small red rubies on the back of a smiling skulls. He handed the wallet to Four who looked it over and handed it back. “Seems like that might be the key to get into the party or at least to something big.” Jamison said. Four nodded “Yeah thats what I thought too. So here’s the key we just need to find where the party is.” “I think we can both look into this one. But first i’m gonna let Four-Thirty look over it since there definitely has some magic in it.” That done Jamison went to the back and looked into the trunk. Nothing but a spare tire and jumper cables. That done he walked back to his car.

He could see Four-Thirty already preoccupied with Ms. Vijiko and from what he could see of Leviel he seemed to be staring at nothing with a confused look on his face. Jamison raised his eyebrow at that and slowly placed his articles near him but he didn’t bring any attention to himself. He had no clue what had happened to the boy since him and Four left but he was gonna give him a moment to gather himself before he tried talking to him about that. Seeing as how Four-Thirty wasn’t done doing whatever she was doing he went back to his trunk and carefully sat down on the edge of it. Four followed him with a puzzled look on his face and mouthed silently to him “What’s got into him?” Jamison shrugged. “Don’t know but he’ll tell us if he chooses to share later” Jamison looked down at his wounds. They were mostly healed now but could use a little stitches. He moved his med kit near him and got ready to begin to do that when Four stopped him “No let me. Your arm is a little off.” Jamison just handed him the kit while he reached over and pulled out a pack of homemade cigarettes and his favorite zippo lighter with the green and black floral pattern on it. He pulled out a cigarette and lit it up as Four said “Don’t you want to take some painkillers before I do this?” Jamison blew out smoke and looked at Four. “Now when have you ever known me to take painkillers?” Four shook his head “Never but I always feel as if I should ask. Master Po would not approve.” “Yeah well Master Po isn’t here right now. He should be happy i’m smoking the cigarettes he made instead of my normal ones” Four shook his head laughing a little. “I wish I would be there when I see him lay into you. It's gonna be priceless” “Just get on with it Four or I will do it myself” still laughing Four said “Yes Sir right away Sir” Jamison sat there smoking while Four got to work.

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Kira done with her phone call came back into the workroom with Chen. “So what did he say?” He asked. She sat down on the chair next to his and studied the dead guy. She let out a long breath and replied “Well he said that there is going to be a meeting of clans. City lockdown no Homurius Nocturna in or out of the city until this is all sorted out. Every clan member is being pulled back to their clans for tonight and so i’m sure that means the party is over now.” “Oh sounds rough. Will you be alright though?” She weakly smiled at him. “Yeah I will be fine. it just fucking sucks. I really wanted to go to that party.” Her cell phone notification tune to Pink’s “Fucking Perfect” went off and she looked at the text. It was from AC. “Meet up at your job? Bring the tunes to you since party is over” She smiled at that and showed it to Chen who sighed and looked at her “Well if it will make you happy I don’t see any reason why not.” She threw her arms around him and said “Thank you Chen!” he laughed. “Come on now. You know I hate to see you down. Besides you look so much better when you smile.” Her spirits rejuvenated she said “Okay I feel better. Now help me cut off his head.” Chen’s smile went away in an instant “Huh?” “Yeah we gotta cut off his head. We don’t want him turning on us and waking up as one of the undead” Chen put his face in his hands. “Yeah okay...ugh you put me in impossible situations you know that right?” She just made a kissy face at him as she went to gather the tools needed to do the job.

Returning back with them she saw that Chen had covered the floor in a sheet of tarp with the guys head hanging over the table. She put the tools on the table and turned when someone knocked on the door. She squealed when she saw it was AC. She skipped to the door to let him in. He was wearing a red hoodie with a skeleton with headphones on dancing on the back and breast pocket. His hair was long and down to the middle of his chest. It shone a deep ebony. His skin like all of the undead was pale but while hers was nut brown his was white. Unlike her he didn’t hide his red eyes but he mostly kept his head lowered anyway since he always tried to avoid direct eye contact. He had a black metal nose ring in his right nostril with soft cut features. He looked like a rockstar and like a beautiful renaissance painting all wrapped into one. She jumped into his arms. “AC! THANK YOU! YOU ARE MY FAVORITE CLAN MATE!” she could tell he had feed recently because his cheeks flushed with embarrassment. “Uh okay…” he said in his soft barely audible voice. For a guy who could create some loud killer beats AC himself was very quiet. She turned back to look at Chen. “AC this is my friend and coworker Chen and Chen AC” Chen smiled and said “Yo.” AC just nodded his greeting.

“Okay you can hook up your gear over there as a me and Chen get ready to cut this guy's head off.” AC nodded that he acknowledged her words and soundlessly went over to the area and started hooking up. Chen said “When you say it like that it makes me think we are gonna party to decapitating this guy” before she could say anything AC softly said “What..he deserves. Tried to hurt Ecto Hunter Esther…” then he resumed setting up. Kira was shocked. AC never talked in front of strangers. He must really like Chen. As the music started to play AC's shyness melted away as he became one with his element. Kira swayed to the music as she picked up the buzz saw. “Alright Chen you hold his head and I'll cut” Chen sighed but dutifully got into position. “Alright let's do this but please in your dancing be careful of my hands” she smiled at him “Of course silly! Extra careful.” She slowly moved in and started cutting away as a remix of Deleriums Silence played.

Having fallen into the deep abyss of unconsciousness Esther, of course, didn’t react. Her body and mind were both working hard to mend themselves. She had lost more blood via her nose bleeds than usual and working to cross the children over had left her so weary it was a wonder she hadn’t died from the exhaustion.

Deep inside her though, her soul itself dreamed. Or rather remembered. Recalling back all the events that led up to this moment. From the second she had decided to call Leviel her cousin in order to deflect the policeman, to how terrified she had been when he went missing, all through the horrors she had seen here.

It replayed these events to her mind in order to help process and heal from the mental trauma she’d been through.

There was one thing though - because Esther had some psychic abilities, it meant anyone who had any themselves could easily read everything. Those with stronger abilities would pick it up without trying. Others would have to know about this and actively look.

Finally though, only two things were clear in her tired mind - the fact she already cared deeply for Leviel, so much so she’d give her life to protect his if needed, and her overwhelming desire to save the other fae child.

Esther didn’t want children of her own, but that didn’t mean she hated them. If anything, she probably loved children more than most parents did. And even if those children weren’t human, she’d do anything needed to protect them from harm. She’d walk through the darkest parts of Fairy, trek through the Christian Hell, or punch her own mother in the mouth to protect a child. Especially if that child was Leviel.

Jamison looked down at the Other Prince and studied him closely. He was covered in blood which was in stark contrast with his pale white skin but, even through that he could see his myriad of dark markings that covered all of his exposed body except for his face, and hands from what he could see and that they were slightly glowing. He knew sometimes out of all of the Other’s the Fae’s markings glowed in response to magic that they were doing but from the look of fatigue on the child’s face he knew that he wasn’t currently engaged in any sort of spell. *Probably doesn’t have enough in him to do one actually.But him being royalty he must have reserved energy stored somewhere. Most Others and magic users do. Unless he’s expended that already. Let’s hope not* His wild dark blue and black hair had blood on the ends of it too. His all black eyes with glowing blue pupils stared back at him waiting for an answer. The thing that surprised him was the fact that there was no postering going on with with the child currently, which was unusual for an Other of his station. But to be fair even wealthy people and nobelity on this side could show arrogance. *It’s not as if he can’t be arrogant i’m sure. It’s that it seems like he is actually concerned for her safety and he doesn’t have the body language of someone who is annoyed for her being an inconvenience to him either which is even more perplexing. Could this Prince genuinely care for Ms.Vijiko?* From Jamison perspective the situation was more than odd but considering everything that had happened today between the two of them it could be seen as just one way of the natural progression of things. The fact that the child seemed taken aback by his own words just made this situation even more perplexing. Not just a few moments prior had this child been gleefully torturing a murderer and now here he was showing concern for someone else. That might be something he could work with in his dealings with him in the future. Jamison knew that while the Others did have feelings they generally didn’t extend those same emotions to humanity. To the Fae mortals were just their amusing playthings. But here was one that just displayed a very real concern for a mortal even if he did adopt her into his family in haste. Perhaps that was it, their familial bond that made him say such things but…*He isn’t showing any aggression to us either and that is the exact opposite what we all expected.* Jamison glanced at Ms.Vijiko and then back to the Other Prince. *If he can be reasoned with, and honestly grows into a quality King he could very well change how the Fae have dealings with humans..That is it all depends on what happens to him now and if that change does take place it would all be thanks to Ms.Vijiko who was the catalyst for that change*

Not wanting to leave the child wondering in suspense Jamison said “Yes when we were talking about our next move she collapsed and fell unconscious. It is most likely from everything she’s undergone, toppled with the fact that she has continuously been losing blood since earlier today.” Four decided to interject himself “So nothing that a little rest won’t cure Prince Leviel, Ms. Esther Vijiko will be fine by tomorrow. But since that’s gonna take a bit of time this situation begs the question: What do you want to do now?”

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Leviel watched as the grizzled man studied him and he in turn studied him right back. The man although injured carried the bearing of continuously prepared to fight. Because the man wore no shirt currently he could see countless scars all over his chest. Some looked like they were more grievous than others but no matter which one he had survived through it all. Every scar told a story and so he was sure this mortal had stories aplenty to tell. He loved stories and books. They were what carried you through a long life and for him stories were just so much more animated when you heard it being told by a bard or minstrel or even by the person themselves. One of his favorite activities was to walk amongst his people and learn their stories. You can tell a lot about a person through the tales they tell. *He looks like a guardsmen or soldier and carries the bearing of a commander. I wonder what the Head of the Hounds would say about this man.* He could actually imagine the two men together. Mortal and Fae swapping stories in a tavern or over a campfire after a successful hunt. *What am I thinking? where has my head gone…it must be because i’m tired because these thoughts are quite unlike me.* he mentally told himself but for an unumberably amount of time this evening that quiet voice spoke up *Is that idea so foreign? Wouldn’t you like that?* He wanted to shake these thoughts out of his head but he also refused to not acknowledge a part of himself no matter how much he wanted to do otherwise. Something was happening and maybe it was because of the events that transpired today that had done this to him but even if that was true it didn’t make these changes bad. They were just new and he would have to learn about them to understand them better. It was a saying amongst his people that the person who takes not the time to learn of themselves will quickly lose their life. He refused to let that happen to him. He had to be there for his people and so dying was not an option. As Leviel studied the man he was sure of two things: The first being that there was very little the man missed with those sharp grey eyes bright with intellect of his and secondly that he was a man of honor. He could tell that and that he most likely like Esther resided on the side of morality. He himself couldn’t see the appeal but they must see something he didn’t. From what he had learned about mortals they were a bloody walking disaster. Their history was full of destruction and chaos with them fighting each other for lands and territory and loads of times in crusade of some deity of theirs. They were unlike the Dark Court in the fact that they did this for no reason and at least the Dark Court always had some reason for the discord they caused plus it was in their natures. What excuse did mortals have? But then there were mortals like this man and Esther who weren’t like that at all. Genuinely good people and he thought that was rare among their kind. This man hadn’t known him, hadn’t been their when he and Esther talked for the time that they did, nor was the man his kin or one of his people but still he came to save him and he didn’t even know him. Leviel knew he would offer him a boon but before he could say that the man spoke and told him about Esther and he thought about that and of what he had seen of her earlier. It all made sense. He was about to ask what they had discussed when the other mortal man who had shown up before assured him of Esther’s well being. *So she is just tired and won’t need a healer. I suppose that is fine for now.* when the other mortal asked what he wanted to do he had to pause and consider that. What DID he want to do? After all he had come to the mortal realm to learn and have fun. He had gotten more than he had bargained for however and although he knew those things were still on his list to do he also had another mission of saving the half-fae girl *Plus I need to make the witch into one of my Marfach Scail* that was something he was looking forward to doing. But, there was something else, something he was forgetting. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath so he could remember and not be distracted by the people and the threads of the leyline that he could still see. He knew it had something to do with what had happened recently and not earlier in the day. But before he had arrived to this place. He thought about meeting his would be torturer in Esther’s motel and how he had drugged him and placed some manner of enchantment over him and then they had gotten in his car and the man had used his phone and..*That’s it now I remember* Leviel opened his eyes and addressed the three of them but kept his eyes locked with the rugged man’s. “When I was in the car under the man’s enchantments he spoke to another on his phone. He described my appearance to whomever he was talking too and that he would be seeing them later so I can only assume this must be another of his ilk. Him and the Red Witch that bound one of my kind. Although I don’t know why my appearance would matter much to this person when the one who had captured me was planning on torturing me however. So I want to hunt this person down as well as the Witch and from doing that rescue the Half-Fae.” He grew quiet for a moment as something suddenly came to him. “Also I want my hoodie and gaming device. The man took them and placed them in his dwelling before he was going to attempt his torture of me. If there are other gaming devices or games I want those as well. These trinkets of you mortals are very fun indeed and I wish to learn more about them. Outside of those things I desire food, a bath and a place to rest. These are what I want.”  Leviel glanced around until his eyes fell on Esther sleeping in the back of the car and then he looked back to the man with the aura of a Commander. “I acknowledge that you did not need to be here or save me and I for that I offer you a boon…” he let his words trail off since he didn’t know the man’s name.

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Jamison listened to what the child said and his eyes narrowed a bit. *So it seems that he doesn’t know what else the murderer had planned for him. That’s good. No child mortal or otherwise should have to be exposed to those things. But knowing there are more of them out there I can’t sit back and let those monsters do whatever they want to children and i’m pretty sure its more than one.* He glanced at Four only to see him with a frown on his face as he looked down at the Other Prince. He must have sensed Jamison looking at him because he turned in his direction looking like he wanted to say something but then the child continued to speak about the other things he wanted and finally about giving Jamison a boon. *He likes video games?How interesting…Perhaps I can keep him distracted with those while I go take care of this situation with these child traffickers.* when he offered a boon Jamison had to think about that one. Fae didn’t offer those lightly and one from someone of his station would go far but he didn’t really care for such things. He didn’t save anyone because he wanted them to offer him presents or even thanks for that matter but this was different. He was still a returner and wanted this Other Prince to return home but that wasn’t going to be happening anytime soon no matter how much he wished for otherwise. *Besides it seems as if he has his own mission on this side. I can see why he wishes to save the Half-fae girl and well if possible i’d like to return her to her family if I can. But if she is half light court fae she might not have any family to return to.*

“My name is Jamison Prince Leviel.” he waited as the child acknowledged his words with a nod. “I appreciate you wishing to offer me a boon but I didn’t help you in return for anything. The only thing you could do for me is to not harm Ms.Vijiko. I understand she is your kin but I understand things can happen even amongst families. Regardless of her being your kin she is mortal and can be harmed easily. If you do that then I would appreciate it.” Seeing the child mulling over his words Jamison wondered what was going through his mind but he chose to let it go. The child most like has a lot to think about. In any case he wasn’t like four and four-thirty who had psychic abilities along with their magical ones. It wasn’t as if he didn’t have psionic potential it was just an avenue he hadn’t chosen to walk down. He much rathered to keep others thoughts out of his head and just let their body language tell him what he wanted to know. “But I will go get this gaming device of yours and your hoodie then we can leave. We can see about the rest once we do that.” He started to walk away with Four following him when he stopped and turned back to the child. “I’m sure you are wondering what me and Ms.Vijiko talked about for our next movie and I told her we could go  back to her motel and stay there for a while, we could go back to her motel and I could act as an intermediary for her while you stay hidden or lastly you could come back to my apartments and I could set you up in the downstairs two bedroom unit. I would go grocery shopping for you in the morning before you two got up and then we could decide what to do. But she proposed a fourth option in which you both go back to your court.” Seeing the child narrow his eyes what seemed to be confusion then looking over at Ms.Vijiko he heard him whisper “Did she now? oh dear cousin how very foolish you are indeed but, if you wish to do that one day I will gladly take you back there…just not right now.”   Jamison saw the grin that spread across the child’s face and from that he was able to see two impressive rows of sharp white teeth which stood in sharp contrast to the inside of his mouth which was just completely black. “You can wait for me in the car Prince Leviel. I shouldn’t be long” You may call me just Leviel. I know it would seem odd if you addressed me by my title currently. I would go through deeds that I have done but since I see that is not something you do here I shall refrain from that.”  Jamison looked a Four-Thirty and said “Send word if anything unexpected happens out here, I know you can handle it but it’s always good to have backup.* She stared at him and said “Well the faster you leave the faster you return and should anything unexpected happens in there send word. I know you can handle it but it’s always good to have backup.”  Jamison just shook his head while Four laughed. “She sure showed you.” He taunted him as they walked away. “I forgot how easily the Others, Fae in particular it is to wound their pride. I don’t know how you with your nature can handle that.” Four walked easily next to him his smile diminishing. “Well I had to replace one very serious rough around the edges partner who can’t take a joke with another now didn’t I?” Jamison stopped and let Four keep walking ahead for a bit before he realized Jamison had stopped walking and turned back to look at him in question. “You know the reason why Char-Four.” Four sighed. “Yeah I know the reason but that doesn’t make it hurt any less.” Jamison nodded and continued to walked as Four once more kept pace with him. “Which is why Jamison no matter what I will always have your back. Remember that and don’t try and always tackle everything alone okay?” Jamison glanced at him as they made it to the back door with the slide leading up. “I will remember but you should also know I don’t go into anything unprepared. I know i’m not invulnerable but I do keep my wits about me. I can take care of myself and Mittens just fine.” Four was looking around the dimly lit interior and replied “Huh, well it must suck that you aren’t just looking after yourself and Mittens anymore now.” Jamison pulled a lever hidden inside the doorframe and the slide became stairs once more. “That’s one way to put it, although I don’t mind helping people. This is just another job. A higher stakes one but still a job. Nothing I can’t handle.” He started walking up the stairs as he heard Four mutter “Always the hero Jamison. Never change.”

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Levial looked at the woman masked behind a child’s face and body. Her hazelwood skin and auburn hair with blonde highlights was in sharp opposition to himself and he wondered if her roots stemmed from the Light Court because of her coloring and her serious demeanor but that could just be how the courtless Fae were. For a moment he allowed himself to wonder about her. It wasn’t the fact that she took on the guise of a child because anyone could take on a glamour and make themselves look all types of ways. It was just something about her the made him feel as if he was a very small boy and who had a lot of growing up to do. *Perhaps it’s because she slapped me for doing what I did to the blood sucking leeches. Or maybe it’s because of how she carries herself and the words she said to me. Whatever it is I feel like I might be lacking in some way in her eyes but…Is that just me or does it seem as if I might have actually done something she approves of?* She was staring at him with a critical eye but there was some look in them that made him feel she wasn’t cross with him but curious. “Prince Leviel what have you done to yourself?” She asked softly to him. *Is she talking about my nodes?Of course what else would she be talking about* He chided himself. “Well the Red Witch and I had a tangle which left me flinging myself into leyline to stop her Draiochta from taking hold of me and binding my soul.” She stared at him for a moment before speaking again “You did a very risky maneuver that could have gotten you grievously injured or killed. Well you are injured to be sure but you could have asked for assistance if you had needed it. Even if you don’t trust the other mortals I was still here. Why did you not ask for my aid?” Leviel started. He hadn’t even thought to ask for help. He never asked for help. As far as he could remember he had only asked for help once in his life and although his mother had come for him he would never forget the anguish on her face when she had seen him in such a state. It had made him wonder at the time if death would have been better then to see his normally playful and lively mother reduced to sadness and tears over him. That had been the last and only time he had asked for help. If people were going to suffer so much on his account he would rather just do things on his own. He couldn’t very well tell her all of this so he just said “There was no time to request aid. I needed to make a decisive action or be claimed. As for me being killed I am not such a fool that I would risk myself in such a way. I must live for my people after all.” “Prince Leviel then tell me how you would defend yourself if another such individual attacked or if there was another catastrophe.” Leviels eyes widened and he had nothing to say but she relentlessly continued “I will answer you that. You would be close to defenseless unless you wanted to risk your self even more to use a forsa ealain and in doing that place your life in even more danger or dead from just trying. Need I remind you that you are in a strange realm with no guards and close to no allies save your cousin who although she would die trying could do very little to protect you and Jamison who while skilled isn’t beholden to protect or save you.” She said all of this in their native language but her words cut as deftly as a sharpened dagger between the ribs. Leviel’s ears were tinted a pale blue as he blushed in embarrassment. He was utterly speechless. Of course everything she said was true and for more than once this day she had made him feel the fool. She sighed “Tell me Prince how skilled are you in your Psion Ealain?” “I am adequate at it. Not a rookie but not a master either. My mother was teaching me how to use them more before I came here. Why do you ask?” She swiftly replied “So you are left just having to use that then. I hope you are a quick study because I think using any magic for the next few days at worst the a single day at best might nearly cripple you if not do it outright.” She glanced at Esther “Your cousin also has some psychic abilities. I wouldn’t suggest you try and read her mind currently but together you might survive. Jamison doesn’t use any psychic powers. Not that he couldn’t but for him its a morality thing. You however will just use yours until your nodes are healed. Everything you have been trained to do thus far you will need all of those skills to survive what’s coming your way and if you fashion yourself as a hunter if you truly are what your people whisper of you as the shadow that stalks the night then you will survive but more than that you will learn. Now go into Jamisons car and sit down. You look ready to collapse and I must tell you if you do fall I shall not catch you and so you shall have to stand on your own two feet all on your own. The Queen is not here to save you. Remember all that stands in the way of your death here is your wits. Anyone can have a bit of power but it is how you use it that will determine who emerges the victor of this dance. Now go while I look over your cousin.”

Leviel didn’t know want to say. He had been completely told off and no matter how he wished for otherwise he could find no fault in her words and because they couldn’t lie he knew every word to be true. Not for the first time he wondered who this woman was and how she had the power like his mother to make him feel like a small foolish boy. When she turned her back on him in obvious dismissal he walked over to the other side of Jamison’s car opened it and with great relief sat down. Now what was he supposed to do? *I suppose I should just wait then.* All of the joy he would have normally derived from being left alone in such a situation unattended was sapped from his brooding thoughts. *And here I mocked Esther for being so foolish and now look at me. I should just paint myself as a clown and be done with it for all of the sense I made in these last few hours.* He glanced at the back seat of the car and watched as the woman placed glowing green hands on Esther’s head. Although he knew not to reach out his Psionic touch he could feel that’s exactly what the woman was doing to Esther. He nearly recoiled when she turned her deep blue eyes on him. “You had better count your blessings Prince for Ms. Esther Vijiko loves you very much. She doesn’t see the monster you claim yourself to be but a child who is very much loved. I don’t feel as if I have to reiterate what Jamison has told you to not harm her because if you do.” Her eyes narrowed. “You will have to deal with me.” warning done she turned back to Esther and continued whatever it was she was doing. Leviel didn’t know how to feel. He was used to being threatened although those doing the threatening didn’t live very long he still knew how it felt but the woman’s threat however…*That was very much a promise and what?She loves me? But she barely knows me!* Leviel very much felt confusion bordering on panic and turned in his seat to face away from the pair. *I-I don’t know how to proceed in this manner. I wasn’t expecting this. It was completely unforeseen. But…why is this not so surprising?* He bit his lip, a habit he had which caused him trouble from time to time considering how sharp his teeth were if he bit too hard. He wasn’t thinking about that now. Now he was stuck in his own thoughts and questioning himself, which he knew he should not do being a future king and all. But even still he did so and wondered about what was going to happen next. He was so fixated on this he saw something. And he glanced up and stopped surprised. He wasn’t in the car. He was in what appeared to be a tavern. There were Fae, what he knew as the Animus the other people who lived in the realm next door, he could see Deamhan,and Celestia, some blood leeches,what looked to be werewolves from the size and build and humans. He looked around at the artistically done tavern with stained glass showing various different stories. But what surprised him the most that nobody was fighting even though all of these people should never stand each others presence they joked and laughed and drank together. He was about to stand up when he heard someone call his name but when he turned to see who it was he saw no one. Then he felt more than saw someone lean over him and say “Leviel you are not ready to see this yet. Go back.” suddenly he felt them touch his head and he was once more back in the car. He looked around frantically but no the tavern was gone. *What in the fuck was that?!* He had never had something like that happen to him before. Was it because of the leyline? and who was the person who felt so familiar but he didn’t know them? *What is this realm doing to me?!*

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Four-Thirty focused her thoughts on getting Ms.Vijiko even though she was also reading Prince Leviel’s thoughts. *Oh so he’s finally done it? Won’t Leviara be pleased.* She let herself smirk. *He will make a fine king someday if he lives that long that is.* But turning her focus back to Ms.Vijiko she closed her eyes and let herself enter her thoughts watching as Esther watched to events unfold from the previous day. She journeyed deeper. Letting a trail of energy follow her like a series of breadcrumbs. She was seeking the sleeping maiden and she rang a soft bell as she searched soothing the mind with a blanket of calm. “Ms.Vijiko I would like to seek an audience with you.” She softly spoke into the mindscape and then she waited to see the response.