Dawn of War

[The Demon Auditor]

((*snippets from previous posts* this is just a working title for now. if it needs to be changed later, it can be.))

camus said:

Camus was vaguely aware of his surroundings; he opened his eyes and blinked several times, enjoying the sensation of the warm grass under his body. His brown tattoos were beginning to vanish back into his flesh. He was alive... he had survived an encounter with not one lunatic but two, Oona would be impressed. He fell back into unconsciousness. There was an impressive amount of snow surrounding them.

.................

"You jerk. You just spoiled a perfectly good series of taunts which I wholly intended to follow up on. Now it's just meaningless words and those wenches are probably still ransacking that town. Where the hell are we, anyway?"

Camus scoffed and tried to lift his head unsuccessfully.

‘What on earth is a jerk? Why do I only understand every second word of what you say, we speak the same language’

He muttered, he heard a distant crash and looked to the left of him, ODK was lying beside him, head to head. Blood was slowly weeping from the back of his friends head. Camus closed his eyes, the magic came easily, Druidic spells came naturally to him, he learnt them before he could speak, before he could walk, it was wielding the arcane that really exhausted him. Tiny daffodils began to sprout all around them, a root slowly grew from the ground, it had an ethereal green glow to it, it gently pressed against ODK’s wound and stopped growing.

Camus once again opened his eyes; he wasn’t sure if ODK had been healed or not, surely someone from the school would notice them eventually come to their aid. The snow was making a familiar crunching noise, as if somebody was walking over it, with a grunt Camus managed to pull himself into a sitting position. A torso was raised from the snow, like a snowman pulling itself together; the snow began to take a shape, the shape of Talisen Phoenix.

‘Keeper... wake up, look!’

He said shoving Odk in the shoulder. The snow sculpture opened its mouth gaping silently; its voice was a mixture between Talisen’s actual voice and the sound of snow crunching.

‘Help me...’

It wheezed.

moridanu said:

*With wings of purest ebony, the raven flew above the clouds overlooking Morthika. Her dark eyes searched the land below her, before her inner radar led her towards Bendelsain. As she flew, the sound of her beating wings could be heard throughout the forest that surrounded the Avalon Academy on the fringes of Bendelsain. Focused as she was on her destination, she almost flew over ODK and Camus without a second glance, but one steady thump of her heart stopped her almost mid-flight. Slowing her pace, she dipped down lower, flying through the thick canopy as she searched, unwilling to let herself dare dream of seeing her beloved again.

As she grew closer to the Academy however, her heart gave that beat again and she knew that he was near. Around a rather large oak tree and past two elms, she saw him. He looked rather beaten up until Camus worked his magick, and the raven perched in a branch high above them as she watched, undetected for now. She was a barrage of emotions, and she was grateful for a few extra minutes to process what she would say to him after all this time.

She was pulled from her reprieve however, by the appearance of Talisen Phoenix. He gasped for help as he stumbled out of the forest, towards Camus and ODK. Her worry for her friend far outweighed her own emotional crisis and she let out a low sad caw as she began her descent, morphing into her human form as she did. When her feet touched the ground, Moridanu was clad in her battle garb as she moved quickly to help Talisen. Offering him her arm, she ushered him towards a nearby boulder to lean against so he could sit down. Unable to resist the occasional glance over at ODK, Moridanu blushed as she also avoided his gaze. *

---

Terrance's eyes slowly opened. He felt the grass weaving its way through his straw-colored hair. The sensation of druidic magic tingled on his freshly-healed scalp. He looked over and saw not only Camus, but another familiar shape. His heart leaped into his throat, and he sat up with start.

"Mori...!" the words clogged in his throat, and he felt a sudden dizziness he wasn't used to. Taking a moment to shake it off, he rubbed his temple and muttered, "whoo...head rush. No used to having my own blood..."

He sat up properly now, and stared at the torso of Talisen in the snow. "Who's that now? And where did this snow come from?"

He got up and went to Mori's side. "How can I help?" He seemed indifferent at the moment to her shy glances and the deep rose in her cheeks. That's not to say his own cheeks weren't starting to blush.

[Camus]

The Queen reached out to help Talisen, but the snow avatar shook its head slowly, it breathed heavily, wheezing with the sound of crunching snow, its large mouth gaped open, revealing nothing but more snow. It spoke softly, barley audible above the sounds of the crunching snow and its labored breathing.

‘Don’t understand... can’t understand... Lucien... Snake... Child’

The ice-like arm reached out to rest against Moridanu’s arm as soon as the snow met her flesh the ice began to fall away; Talisen lifted his head up but was gone in an instant, falling away like fresh snow. It wasn’t long before the only remnants left of the arch mage was a pile of rapidly melting snow glinting to the grass and glinting like diamonds in the sun.

Camus left himself collapse back on the grass, it was never really Talisen not really anyway... but at least it proved he wasn’t dead... not exactly anyway, his spirit still remained somewhere chained to this plane. As Spirits go it was highly unlikely for one to reach out in such a way, to a actually form a body from it’s surroundings... it was almost unheard of and nothing Camus understood fully, Druid Magic dealt with spirits true, but these were spirits that had always existed, the earth herself... this was something else entirely.

Camus took a deep breath in, his face gently resting against the grass, the smell was a welcoming change to the stink of smoke that still filled his lungs, he performed a small spell, small wisp of smoke began to billow from his open mouth, purged from his body. He was still weak however, the arcane he had to channel had left him with little else, even his thinking was effected, he wasn’t even sure if he had dreamt up Talisen or not.

As soon as he saw ODK and Moridanu together however he knew he hadn’t been dreaming. The awkwardness was almost painful to watch. It was like a horse and cart accident.

‘What did he say? A child? A snake child? Lucien’s snake child?’

Camus pulled himself up off the ground, his large hooves dug into the earth wetly, the sensation was fantastic. He bowed to the queen quickly and grinned at her through the mess of bruises that covered his face.

‘What do you make of that exactly?’

He asked, brushing himself off.

[Crowe]

*He had personally delivered orders to some of the flying units under Sekhem's command to insure that there was air support in case the situation in Bendelsain got out of hand. It would take little time to organize a good force for the job, but he could not wait, he had to reach Mori. Not only that, but he was feeling a deepening sense of dread coming from the city that just multiplied twofold, and with Mori in trouble at the Academy, that was too close for comfort.
He was flying with all the speed he could muster, his worry for Mori growing with every flap of his wings. He was pushing himself too hard, but every time he thought of Mori he put extra strength into his flying.
Soon enough he was descending on the city, heading directly toward the academy to where he sensed Mori. Surely she could tell he was here by now, yet he was distracted by the smoke now hanging over a large portion of the city. Such destruction already wrought by Lucien's minions and the war had hardly begun. He could only imagine the costs in life and prosperity that this war would seize from them all. He circled once, taking a daring and quick flight toward the center of the city and spying the demons wreaking untold havoc freely through the streets. How his heart cried out to help! and yet his heart and soul and flesh remained bound to protecting that which he held dear above all others, that one whom he would give the world and more for, his charge, his friend, his...love...
Black smoke filled his lungs and the hot air rising from the city made the air currents difficult to ride. He turned about, noticing as he did a small group near the inn who had apparently temporarily fought off the demons there. His heart soared with hope again as he saw more champions through the streets, standing up for the good that they all knew in their hearts would be gone if they didn't fight to the very last. With his mind and heart turned newly hopeful and his concern for his...dear friend brought again to the forefront of his thoughts, he dove for the Academy grounds where he could already begin to make out the scene transpiring there.*

[Moridanu]

*The image of Talisen before her revealed that it was nothing more than his form encased in a frosty façade of snow and ice. Confused as to his incoherent babblings, Moridanu could only stand awkwardly by its side, watching in silent horror as the snow – Talisen reached out to touch her and promptly began to melt. Soon there was nothing left but a small pile of melting snow, and as she stared sadly at the forming puddle at her feet, Moridanu reached out to Talisen with every sense of her power. She felt him.. but, not entirely. It was more of an essence of his spirit; faint, but still present.

Promising him a silent and solemn vow that she would bring him back from whichever plane he was trapped to, Moridanu’s emerald orbs glowed slightly as she glanced back to ODK. Slender brows furrowed as she could not help but examine him closely for any sign of injury. Her recent worry for his well being had all but consumed her, and this panicked paranoia proved to be a necessary manifestation of her turbulent energy. Barely able to refrain herself from throwing her arms around him and checking him closer to make sure that he was indeed unharmed, she took a deep breath as she tore her gaze away from him and looked to Camus. The faun had proved to be a valuable ally, and Moridanu smiled at him fondly.

~Camus, it does t’heart good to see ye m’friend. Thank ye for lending him ye healing power..~ She cast another glance back at ODK. ~He appears unharmed..~ Her voice fell softly as her eyes stayed upon him, despite her willing them to look away. Still talking to Camus, but still gazing at her lover, Moridanu continued talking, though her voice faded with each word. ~I d'not know of which he spoke. But.. Lucien.. a demon snake.. a child, I know of this. ~ she sighed sadly. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears as she wore her emotions on her face as she looked at ODK.

~Where were ye?~ she whispered. ~Why did ye just vanish?~

The sound of beating wings filled her senses and she looked up into the mulberry hued sky to see Crowe circling above. Immediately she sensed his worry for her, and she reached out to him, assuring him that she was alright while calling him down to her at the same time.

Wiping tears that she had failed to feel form from the corner of one eye, Moridanu glanced back over at ODK. With her voice rising, she asked again.

~Where t’hell ye been?~ *

[Moridanu]

(( RP session between Mori and Crowe))

*Crowe took note of Mori's request as he made his pass over the city. He decided it would be best not to trade emotions from the skies, even if it meant facing whatever had caused this emotional disturbance that he continued to sense from her. He made sure she knew he was coming, and spun into a dive that turned into a somewhat rushed, but balanced enough landing a few strides from Mori and the other... and the other demon keeper, alive. He spent a long moment staring in shocked disbelief and his heart sank lower for every moment that he stared, realizing the reality of the situation. Finally his shock partially gave way to Moridanu's strong desire to get out. He was confused at first, that she would greet her once former lover and feel the need to escape, but soon realized the emotional leap it was to see him return. He quickly came up with a matter of importance, not a difficult task with the city burning with the flames of a dawning war. "Mori, the city is under attack, seems like the ol' bastard 'imself Lucien came to town judgin' by the sad state o' things. I need yer counsel. We need ye."


*Moridanu watched with sad emerald orbs as Crowe arrived and morphed into his human form before her. ODK was being even more aloof than usual, and her heart ached at being so close to him, while still feeling so far away. The arrival of Crowe provided a necessary distraction from the current situation however, and although her eyes remained sad, her lips curved into a smile at the sight of her oldest friend. Just as she opened her mouth to welcome him, he opened his to tell of Lucien's invasion on the city, and the need for her counsel. ~Lucien? He has attacked.. already?~ she cried. Almost as if she was talking only to herself, she muttered ~I had hoped to cast the first strike..~ before her anger grew and she glared at Crowe, eyes flashing. ~The city? Ye mean Bendelsain? But how.. with the barracks so near? Why would he attack there?~ *


*He felt her reaction and tried his best to muster warm comfort such that she would feel his support. He knew this battle would tax them all to their bare bones before the end, but it would have to be so if that's what it took to win it. He still despised distressing her so, and flashed her a quick smile to at least say that there was still happiness to be had in these dark times. He was glad to see her again, and made it clear. "Aye M'lady, Lucien sent somethin' 'ere, but take 'eart, the paladins ride in such splendor and valor, methinks they shall have the first victory, and that be our first strike."

He let a moment pass to enjoy the hope of victory, but soon his mind returned to what he had seen at the inn, and his heart felt again the weight of command in a war that would cost many lives. "Aye M'lady, we have victory to be hopeful for, but some trouble be boilin' over from the Dancing Devil for sure. I seen a great many fires across the city, some demons out to roast the innocents left in the streets, and the inn now swarms with 'is minions. Surely there be some power there lettin' 'im do all this mischief. Anyhow, we can chat on the way, we need to see about the barracks and get some folks movin' round 'ere."



*She smiled despite her angst driven grief, as Crowe spoke of his paladins with such pride and determination. She felt instantly comforted by his mere presence, and leaned on him heavily, mentally and emotionally at least, if not physically. Although he tried to be the ray of hope and sunshine that she so desperately needed to cling to in this time of darkness, she felt his own fears and anxiety based on what he had seen on the voyage here. Together, they cringed as they thought of the many innocent lives that had been, and were destined to be, lost in this meaningless war. She nodded as Crowe spoke the obvious, and she turned to Camus and ODK to say her goodbyes.

~Camus, Bendelsain is under attack. Get to the Avalon Academy. Secure the building and make sure the students are safe. If you need me, send one of the birds. Until then, ye are in charge, unless Talisen reappears…~ she trailed off sadly before glancing at ODK.

~We need to get to the Dancing Devil Inn. Luciens hordes have been unleashed.. ~ her voice was low and even, almost robotic as she looked away from him. ~Y’services would be of most use, though you will need to find ye own way there.. ~

With that she turned and locked eyes with Crowe. ~Let’s go..~ and with that, she slowly began to morph into her raven form as she flew up into the dark, smoke drenched sky. *



*He nodded as she turned to him, purposefully ignoring Camus and ODK in his attempt at seeming absorbed with the business at hand. He had always admired Mori's strength in the worst of times. She had a great care for the good things in the world, and would weep for loss of life any day, but when she was needed, she always had the strength at hand to confront even the darkest of demons if it meant fighting for what was right and what she cared for. He took to the skies alongside her, leaving the scene below to deal with the whirlwind of activity that had taken Mori away. She had left them with enough to take care of that problem, and he knew that the inn was a much more pressing matter. While he had warned Sekhem that they would need a small force to be sent to reinforce the city, he hadn't known that it would be quite so dire a situation, and it seemed to be turning out that those in charge might have to bloody their hands before many of those who fought for them.*They flew together towards the inn, Crowe seeing again and still shocked at the devastation in the surrounding city, and Mori witnessing the burning of Bendelsain for the first time. He had some ideas for what they could do to remedy the situation, but most involved charging into a raging mass of demons and proceeding to slaughter a small army between the two of them, maybe with the help of those fleeing figures he had seen near the inn on his way to Mori. He shared as much with Mori with a somewhat humorous touch to it, trying his best to keep the fear of the possibility of losing from his thoughts.*


*With wings that felt as though they were weighed down with lead, the raven flew above her kingdom, staring down in a sad state of shock to see just how much of Bendelsain had already burned. The forest that surrounded Bendelsain and most of Luciens Lair was already engulfed in flames, carried by a relentless wind that seemed to scream in an agonizing whirlwind of ash and soot. Though many parts of Bendelsain were still untouched, it was impossible to ignore the raging inferno in the centre of the township. The Dancing Devil Inn was under assault from Luciens horde of minions, and if Moridanu trusted her senses, she knew that Elyza and Discord were also nearby. Sharing Crowes thoughts with him, as well as her suspicion as to the presence of Luciens whores, the raven began to dive and morph into her human form, several yards away from the Inn. Waiting for Crowe to do the same, she stood in the shadows of the nearest store front, peering out through the smoky haze at the madness ensuing in front of and inside the Inn.*


*He followed her just as he would follow her to the end of the world, dropping down into the shadows of the store front. The building was surprisingly still standing with the intense heat consuming its floors and walls, which just stood as a testament to the strength of the building suffering years of torment from the rowdiest folk Bendelsain had to offer. He exchanged glances with Mori as he stared at the building. Surely Elyza and Discord were inside, judging by the stench of unadulterated cruelty in the air, with a hint of blood to go along with it. There was something else though. The demons he had seen rampaging through the streets were just a handful of fire demons bent on setting the city ablaze, but here there was more. There was another great power here. Perhaps his quick tongue had jinxed the situation and Lucien himself had come, and judging by the pack of horned demonic minions now emerging from what was left of the inn's doorway, he had brought some friends. Surely they couldn't have been summoned here. He whispered to Mori. "Did Elyza suddenly find a hidden talent for summoning packs of demons, or is something more going on here?"

(( TO BE CONT'D IN "DEVILS LAST DANCE" IN THE DANCING DEVIL INN ))

[The Demon Auditor]

He was trying to sort out Talisen's message, but apparently Moridanu already knew exactly what the deceased mage was talking about. He clenched his jaw as she asked him silently where he had been. How would he explain how he died? It was a most inconvenient death, and trying to get it out in words was like trying to stumble through the snow with a blindfold. He started opening his mouth to give her the straight answer, but he clapped it shut again as he felt Crowe overhead. Somehow, he felt he could trust Camus to keep his mouth shut as a humble servant of the queen, but whenever Crowe was around, he always felt the uneasiness held towards him.

Crowe landed, and was visibly shaken at "ODK"s appearance. Good, he thought, let him shiver. With the news of Bendalsain under attack, though, Terrance quietly rolled his eyes. Figures Crowe would come in at the last second and do something like this. He gave Crowe a hard stare, as if daring the man to even glimpse at him.

A strange mix of satisfaction and disappointment filled him when Crowe took off without so much as a second look, followed by Mori and her vague command to help-but-find-your-own-damned-way-'cause-I-can't-stand-to-be-in-your-presence-any-longer. He watched them both fly off, bitterness filling his being. Darkness passed across his face briefly as he held back the urge to blow something up. No, he was better than that. He had hoped to show Mori some comfort and explain what had happened, but there were bigger things at stake then their relationship. Maybe after the war, after slaughtering thousands and relieving his eons of pent up frustration, he could get it sorted out again.

He took a moment to center himself before turning to his only companion at the moment. "Camus, where can I find Oona? I want to get at least one woman on my side before I get back to work. Or rather, I think we'll need some allies of the magical persuasion to fight Lucien head-on." He quickly held up a hand, "No, don't ask what I'm rambling about. Elyza's done something. Or rather, she was when we left, and having felt it millions of times before in different worlds and different ways, I can guaran-damn-tee you it was a portal spell. There's more than just her fire demons running amuck in Bendalsain, and it's going to take more than paladins, Mori, Crowe, and myself combined to do anything to stop them. Meanwhile, I need some way to get word to the main forces to start the attack while Lucien is distracting himself with trying to stab Mori in the heart."

He was done with the romance, it was time for business.

[Oona Ondessa]

And as if by... well magic. The air rippled behind Camus and strange vapor-like symbols formed in the air, through it stepped the inescapable Oona Ondessa. It was enough to take the breath away.

She always had a way of making the world seem a little more exotic, beautiful and terrifying. Her pale skin glinted against the sunlight, making her look almost transparent, her dark tattoos instead of fading with age, seemed darker than ever before. Her large purple eyes glinted brilliantly.

She smoothed out her purple leather coat that dragged on the grass behind her.

‘Camus... you called in great urgency?’

She said giving away no emotion, she kept her energies in check as she scanned over ODK briefly, ashamed at her earlier altercation with the Demon Auditor, she had let her confusion and frustration take over, it simply wasn’t her. She leant down next to Camus and gently rubbed his forehead, where a small pink scar had formed. She shook her head sadly.

‘I should have been there, you should never have had to fight for your life like... Against those creatures... forgive me.’

Camus sighed and smiled weakly.

‘The worlds a different place mistress, we do nothing but fight for our lives lately it seems, Elyza and Discord of course... again’

Oona nodded at Camus and ODK this time, she swished her thick black braided hair off her shoulder.

‘You’ve done more than most Camus, fought those demons and survived... but their time is over... I will end them...’

She said coldly, her eyes narrowing, her brows lowering. Her eyes finally moved to ODK.

[The Demon Auditor]

Finally, the familiar scent from the tavern greeted his nostrils as Oona appeared. Right now he didn't care what brand of crisps Oona was, just that she was on their side and a strong fighter. The indecision over who was born from what realm was a distraction to the matter at hand.

Her shifted his weight impatiently as Oona cooed over Camus, and rolled his eyes when she wasn't looking. Outwardly he was simply irritable over missing the battle, but inwardly he didn't want to see anything remotely romantic or loving right now. Once she moved those cold, glimmering violet eyes on him, though, he went rigid. A sense of recognition flitted through his head, but drifted away. Breaking loose of her icy stare, he nodded solemnly.

"Good evening, Ms. Oona," he paused, inwardly pondering his odd instinct for formalities, before continuing, "War has broken out in Bendalsain, and it's time to begin the fight. There's a small problem, though... I am sure beyond measure Lucien himself has joined the battle. Ordinarily I would have set a swarm of my own demons loose on the offenders already, but I have reason to believe Lucien's influence would turn them against us. It would be a battle of will between mine and his, and I'm not so certain I could handle it. So, we need to make a stand on our own with Moridanu and Crowe..."

He paused now, a thought occurring to him as their names fell off his tongue. He held up his arm and pulled back his sleeve, revealing more of the intricate tattoo work spiraling up his arm.

He muttered to himself, but still audible to anyone in the clearing, "Oona born of the willow... Moridanu and Crowe born from the fire and water of a cauldron... and me...born from the air, I guess," He lifted his eyes to her, "How else would it have happened if it resulted in me plummeting to the earth with a new body? I doubt a giant stork was flying overhead when it happened!" he grinned.

He put his arm down, "This doesn't make a lot of sense to me right now, and I could be playing in the wrong ball park, but I have this crazy idea that the four of us were meant to meet and turn the tide of this war somehow. And trust me, I never say anything is destiny! You're a scholarly whiz, can you think of any crazy prophecies that might explain this? I don't put much stock in them, but now and then someone comes up with a doozy."

He waited for her response, but he could feel Moridanu and Crowe in trouble. He couldn't wait much longer.

((Dangit, I hate it when I want to keep writing, but I do something that stalls my momentum! XD ))

[Oona Ondessa]

Oona hated to admit, some of her very recent and very fiery resentment leave her body, he was just as confused as she was, at least as far as she could tell he was, there was something behind his eyes however, perhaps he housed more information than even he knew. It hadn’t been the first time and it would by no means be the last time a person held a wealth of information locked in their heads never to have access to it.

The Auditor lifted his sleeve at the black tattoos down his arm. Oona lifted her own arm and pulled down her sleeve, similar spiraling tattoos covered her arm; her appeared to be more… ‘Thorny’ though, but the basis of the tattoos was the same.

‘Prophecies?’

Oona replied, there were hundreds thousands, some came true, others never did. She thought of her library and all the tomes she had gathered over the years. There were many about the Queen and her protector, about her goddess and her effect on the world… even ODK had a few, in fact all the major players in the war had at least one.

‘There may be something… I always assumed it would never come to pass, it would have nothing to do with me… but…’

Oona closed her eyes, as if she was deep in thought. She opened them slowly, another Oona stepped out from behind her, exactly the same in every single way, the second Oona looked slightly incorporeal though, wispy. She was carrying a large old tome, she handed the tome to the second Oona and promptly vanished with a puff of purple smoke.

The Front cover was scribed with an ancient gnomish language; it read ‘The Twilight Guild’.

‘I found this as a child, it’s manual really… during a great crisis in Morthika, a guild will form… a secret society known as the ‘Twilight guild’, each member works secretly to save Morthika from the inside out. They meet once a week in the Twilight catacombs deep under Morthika…’

Oona opened the tome and flicked through it, she found the page and opened it so ODA could see the page. The image was painted in ink, some of it had faded but most of it was intact. It was swirling black symbols, similar to the ones on ODA’s and Oona’s arms and shoulders. A large willow tree was stooped low over the earth; two branches on either side of the tree were alight. In the distance a naked man was falling from the sky, his skin was also alight with fire, it almost looked like a falling star, but closer examination proved it was a indeed an naked man. He was the being that had set the willow alight. Under each burning branch was that tarot symbol for ‘lovers’ separated by the tree. A fox sat under the tree, howling. ‘Sul’tashj’ was inscribed into the tree, the gnomish word for ‘to be’.

‘When I found the tome, it was wrapped in five crimson cloaks’

Oona reached forward to hand the tome to ODA when there was a large explosion in the distance, Oona could smell smoke and demons on the air.

‘I think we’re needed now…’

Oona straightened up and handed ODA the book.

‘Camus, you are to gather as much information as possible, do not engage the enemy under any circumstances, warn my army on the Pithmoore Plaines they are to brace themselves, move forward on your command’.

She nodded at Camus as he vanished in a puff of green smoke.

‘Shall we Auditor…?’

[The Demon Auditor]

Saying he had a wealth of information was like saying the Pacific Ocean was "a quaint pond." Ask him, though, and that's exactly what he'd say about himself.

He watched her retrieve the information she wanted, and nodded approvingly when she held open the tome for him to examine. "A good likeness, really. Just a bit too paunchy on the butt, though..." He studied the picture some more, and suddenly blushed when he realized what the symbol broken by the willow was. He knew better than to simply assume the symbol of "The Lovers" meant an indecent and polygamous relationship with the willow (though in his mind that explained the burning branches and his ass flying across the sky on fire...). Frowning a bit, he wondered who would have to make a choice in the future. Not to mention the leering fox at the bottom.

He reached out to take the large book, and looked up briefly at the explosion. He took the book and looked over the cover carefully before simply chucking it sideways into his coat. He then did a double-take at himself. He still hadn't put on any clothes. Lucky for him, the coat had stayed closed below the waist when he put the tome into storage.

"Shitshitshitshit...I need pants, pants, gotta have some kinda pants..." but before he finished his muted rambling and desperate search of the forest clearing for a fresh pair of jeans, he felt something odd wrapping around his legs. Looking down again, he was wearing a new pair of black leather pants that matched his coat perfectly. He opened the coat wide with his arms out to the side and bent over to look at his new trousers.

"Huh...whooda thunk it..." he looked up at Oona from his stopped position, clearly fascinated by his new clothing, "I have pants!"

He stood up straight again and started reaching into the void of his coat, feeling around for something. "I do believe it's time we were on our way..." and another thought occurred to him. (He was having a great day, honestly: not a single idea had struck him. Instead, they knocked gently on his skull and asked for entrance politely, instead of bashing down the door violently likely they usually did.) It was a thought not belonging to him, and yet, very much apart of him. He tilted his head back and stretched his shoulders and chest, and with a few cracks of his neck, the trench coat around him grew, until the sleeves fell of his arms and the enlarged coat somehow hung from his back. He made a face like sucking on a lemon, and the coat suddenly drew up and flapped, creating a strong gust of wind through the clearing. The slick, black fabric no longer resembled a coat now, but was a giant pair of bat-like wings, carefully stretching themselves from between his shoulder blades, and flexing their long, webbed fingers. The tightly spiraling tattoo around his torso, arms, and neck was now fully exposed, with more continuing further down, hidden by his coveted pants, before peeking out again on his bare feet.

"Ha!" he laughed in triumph, "Used to be I'd have to eat a whole cow for the raw material to do this!" A brief memory of a night of passion where he revealed a pair of wings to Moridanu flitted across his mind, before all the pain in her eyes came back to him, and a sudden need to be by her side overwhelmed him. So much for a tough front.

"Need a lift?" he asked Oona, returning to reality. The idea of a more literal translation of the prophetic picture didn't quite occur to him just yet. He hoped nobody had flaming arrows...

[The Demon Auditor]

((This thread is now closed and to be continued in Devil's Last Dance))