Plotlogs
The Destined Undoing Sr Harriet 241013
In London, at the Warburg Institute, a group of adventurers led by Harriet convenes to find answers about the Bloodstone of Amaymon, a dangerous item capable of opening a demonic portal. Their quest involves exploring the institute's vast collection to find ways to destroy the stone. Ethel Bramblewick, a mousy and nervous librarian, guides them through the library, eventually leading them to a special room protected by a puzzle door. The group solves the puzzle, gaining access to the room housing invaluable texts and meeting Professor Alaric Dowling, a seemingly benign elderly scholar who reveals pivotal information about mythical celestial forges capable of destroying demonic artifacts.
However, Dowling's true intentions quickly surface as he summons a demonic minion and tries to prevent the group from further meddling with the Bloodstone. A fierce battle ensues, with Ritsuka subduing Dowling and the rest of the team, including Viktorin, Brian, and Autumn, working together to defeat the summoned demon. Emmelline finds herself in danger during the confrontation but is ultimately protected by her teammates. After the battle, Dowling, defeated and wounded, yields to the group's mercy. He reveals that he had been under a curse, compelling his actions against the adventurers.
The group decides to bring the findings from the institute, including crucial texts, back to their base for further planning. Harriet ensures that the Order will handle Dowling and seeks collaboration from him in their ongoing efforts. The successful retrieval of the texts and Dowling's cooperation mark a significant step forward in understanding how to deal with the Bloodstone of Amaymon. The adventurers regroup and prepare to strategize their next moves, bringing them closer to thwarting the demonic threat posed by the Bloodstone.
This summary captures the essence of the adventurers' encounter at the Warburg Institute, highlighting critical moments and the teamwork that led to their overcoming of immediate threats and gathering valuable knowledge for their mission.
(The Destined Undoing(SRHarriet):SRHarriet)
[Sat Oct 12 2024]
In [London, England] The Warburg Institute
Situated in Woburn Square, a serene, tree-lined area leads to a mid-century modern, five story building that is constructed of light-brown bricks. It is clean, yet understated in its appearance despite being so large. Stairs lead up to the front entrance, and there is one striking feature to the sturdy facade, and that is a mysterious looking cosmic emblem. The symbol consists of concentric circles bound by intertwining arcs, set right above the doors.
Inside of the library, impeccably organized shelves are stately, made of dark, polished wood and they stretch up toward a high ceilings. Each one is brimming with books and manuscripts, from leather-bound tomes with cracked spines to pristine volumes that look as though they were written only yesterday. Sliding ladders are positioned on metal rails so that access to the uppermost areas can be easily obtained. Stacked in neat rows within alcoves, scrolls of vellum are carefully rolled and tied with ribbons of silk. Various studying areas are staged throughout the building, complete with tables and comfortable chairs for researchers and students. Dedicated gallery spaces house various exhibits, with Renaissance sketches depicting mythological scenes and original fifteenth century tarot cards are mounted above informative plaques.
It is about 60F(15C) degrees.
Emmelline seems quite lightheaded, as the pathing takes place. "Bloody hell," she says, as she looks about her surroundings with genuine wonder. "It's London," she says affectionately, seeming happy to be in her home country. "That's... that's wow,' she says seeming at a loss for words."
Brian shakes his head briefly as if to clear it. "I still haven't grown used to that."
Thankfully, no one dies on this pathing journey today, and in less than ten minutes, everyone has arrived in London. It may take a bit for the wooziness to settle in one's tummy, but the night air is cool and refreshing. It's around midnight, and a five story, mid-century modern building constructed of light brown bricks stands quietly, gently bathed in the soft glow of streetlamps that line the square. Eerily still, the tree-lined path's pavement leading up to the institute is cast with long, inky shadows, with the rustling of leaves being heard due to a cool night breeze.
Syl looks a bit queasy as she looks around at London. The whole way through the Path she kept close, nervously following after Harriet.
Huffs in a breath through her nose, this has become a far more familiar sight, but there is still some caution as she steps closer, only a short distance behind the warden. The skeletal trees, barely witnessed in the mist reach to the sky. Ritsuka's steps are steady, and when we reach the other side, her eyes do glance around, a little bit like a tourist and her eyes briefly stop on the symbol.
"I thought London would be a lot more dirty with the riots going on over the past couple weeks. But it still looks peaceful at night." And then adds "But the smell is different than I am used to."
"That's because it's always raining here," Emmelline says with a smile, seeming to perk up, she seeming to be on familiar territory. "Like always, it is the most bat shite crazy unpredictable weather you'll probably see this side of the world."
Brian chuckles. "So this is the Smoke, eh?" he asks, looking around. "It's my first time."
"Mine as well," Syl admits, looking around the library at the stacks of books.
Harriet ensures everyone is all right after that journey. Luckily, the Warburg Institute has been riot free during this time, although the University of Manchester did not fare as well. Her compassion filled gaze is set upon Emmelline first, then Brian, Ritsuka, Syl, and finally Viktorin. Everything looks somber about them, and the tall brunette gives the group a few minutes to recover from the journey, and then leads them to head up the stairs to the front entrance. A mysterious cosmic emblem is prominently placed above the front doors. The symbol consists of concentric circles bound by intertwining arcs. "For those who are not familiar," Harriet explains, "a defector from The Destined Host stole a very dangerous item from the group. It is called the Bloodstone of Amaymon, and it is a key to unlock a demonic portal in Lauriea with the intention to help usher in the end of the world. We, of course, would prefer to preserve the world, so we are looking for more answers about the stone, and what our options are. Viktorin suggested throwing it into the sea, or shooting it into space in a rocket." Viktorin earns a glance. "Magnus had the idea of locating a celestial forge and using an angelic anvil and hammer to destroy the stone, or remove its dark energy." The giant norseman from Alaska is not here, though. "Here, at this institute, we should be able to research any and all of your ideas, and then decide on a plan together. A colleague owed me a favour, so he's letting us explore the library without any interruption from the outside world. I've got to meet with him and I'll leave you all with his assistant, and I'll also be pathing to help bring anyone else who wants to join in later tonight. She's supposed to be--" Her words are cut short as she sees a figure inside of the building moving towards them.
Emmelline listens intently as Harriet speaks, taking in everything as they travel through the library. Though as the woman pauses, she too spots the figure. "Are... they supposed to be there/," she asks, her tone hushed and quiet.
Harriet nods to Emmelline as they wait outside of the institute for the figure to get to the front doors.
Brian listens carefully to Harriet, nodding as he does so. He keeps his head on a swivel as they wait, alert for possible trouble. His weapons are in his pack, within easy reach, but the young man looks like nothing more than a visiting student or a backpacker.
Ritsuka glances away from the singular figure that is moving towards the group, her eyes instead go around the library, and then back around to the surrounding area she can see, looking for any observing individuals, but more in the near distance and then to the windows of the apartments for where light is turned on. Difficult to see anyone at a window in a closed off-space, assuming buildings are close-by enough.
Viktorin grunts a little as he steps from where they're assembled, as if walking would soothe the traditional ache that lurks within one's stomach after they Path. All growls, all huffs, the Czech slants his eyes, already scanning his surroundings with those bright, viridian green eyes that traipse about and drags itself from person to person, place to place, as if danger would appear out of nowhere. "I've been to worse places," he simply remarks to Emmelline, before following Harriet, each step wary, cautious. Flighty. When the brunette Warden speaks, he listens, before grunting, "Okay, what I said was feasible. I've never heard of this stuff coming from angel-kin, and I'm going to be honest, if we're even able to find such things, it's going to be a pain in the ass dealing with whomever it belongs to. If it's not sitting in a dilapidated ruin somewhere-" When the Warden halts her tongue, ceasing her words, the demigod swivels his gaze, looking where Harriet looks.
As the figure draws closer, it becomes clear it is a mousy woman who is quite small in stature. She is hunched slightly as she scurries towards the front doors to open them and allow the group in. There is a constant air of nervous energy about her and she winces a little, stepping aside as she holds the door wide for all to enter. Round, wire-framed glasses keep sliding down the bridge of her nose, and she habitually pushes them back up with a delicate finger. Every time this occurs, her nose scrunches and twitches three times. Chestnut brown hair is pulled back into a low, loose bun with wispy strands escaping and leaving her looking a little disheveled. Her modest outfit is unassuming, cloaking her frail frame with an oversized, chunky cardigan in a muted grey, paired with a simple, high-neck white blouse featuring a kitty-cats wearing glasses print, and a long, flowy skirt in a boring beige. Sensible brown loafers peek out from beneath the hem whenever she shuffles along. A nametag displays, 'Ethel Bramblewick.' "U-um, w-welcome to the Warburg Institute," the mousy woman murmurs in her British accented voice that is barely above a whisper. She winces once for each person who enters the building. Viktorin. Syl. Brian. Emmelline. Ritsuka. Harriet.
"Hello!" Brian says with a wave to Ethel. "Thanks for having us."
clothing whispers against itself as she shifts. "Glad to be here," Syl admits. Her hand idly rubs against the pocket where she has stowed away the stone.
Ritsuka turns her gaze away from the surrounding area and steps into the university itself. She does move to dip her head respectfully to Ethel and smiles gently, but politely to her before she takes a few steps more in. "I am thinking maybe religious texts from Christian belief might be helpful. Maybe from a thousand to a thousand and five hundred years ago. Or maybe documents about if there was a large conflict between the divine and demonic?"
Syl follows Ritsuka into the library and smiles lightly as the woman winces.
Harriet steps aside after saying, "I'm going to get Autumn," she explains. And then, shortly after, Autumn has arrived.
The warm greeting from Brian has the mousy woman reeling back and flinching, but she nods to him. "I'm Ethel.... and... and... th-the institute is, um, devoted to... well, an impressive collection of books and art, you see. Half of the books h-housed here are... um, c-can't be found in any other library in the UK." She glances down at the light hued hardwood floor with cheeks flushing with more than just a hint of pink as she fidgets with her sweater some more. It's a strange introduction, but she must be used to giving less than stellar tours or something. Her excitement to share knowledge is evident, but so is her nervousness. "Th-there are manuscripts, ancient scrolls, and... and a-a-all sorts of rare, occult texts. I-it's a very special place. Wh-what can I help you f-find?" Through her glasses, she stares with wide eyes as if she is prey in the face of predators, even with such a gentle group of people. Ethel is ready and willing to help, if not also looking like she could pee herself if anyone made any sudden moves. With Ritsuka's requests, she nods several times, each movement of her head faint. "Y-yes, we have those."
Brian waves to Autumn. "Hey Autumn." he says with a nod of greeting.
Emmelline walks in with the rest of the group as the doors are opened. "So wait," she says looking arounnd, her voice as hushed as ever, "do we know where this object is, or more we need to figure out where it is as well as the rest?," she asks, keeping her statement as vague as possible to keep the unsuspecting librarian in the dark, but enough so that her fellow teammates can understand the question.
"Something the matter?" Viktorin wonders of this Ethel, keeping his voice away from any gruff tones, any sharp inflections. It appears he's trying his best to stick away from a naturally caustic attitude. As if to brush away any... potential hostilities from the words he already spoke, he manages a small, weak smile, complimenting Ethel's 'kitty-cat' blouse. "Nice cat-shirt." And then he's past her, still hawkishly surveying his surroundings. "I don't hate reading. But I'd rather be nose-deep in 'Meditations' or 'Thus spake Zarathustra'." Clicking his tongue, the demigod swivels his eyes towards Ritsuka. "Not sure how... accurate that's going to be. Still, I suppose anything is worthwhile."
Arriving fashionably late, Autumn waits until she's dry to join the group. "Evening," Autumn speaks, her voice low with a smile towards Brian before she turns to find someone. "Only books I remember reading were tomes at the Market's library. And I do not remember reading or having any books when I was child."
Arriving fashionably late, Autumn waits until she's dry to join the group. "Evening," Autumn speaks, her voice low with a smile towards Brian before she turns to find Ethel. "Only books I remember reading were tomes at the Market's library. And I do not remember reading or having any books when I was child."
Syl listens to Ethel give her explanation of the purpose of the institute, her cold blue eyes resting heavy on the woman. At the news of rare texts she glances away as if to find them, but looks back near immediately. "Do you have anything about 'Amayon'?" Syl asks. She looks over toward Harriet as the woman returns as if to clarify that she has gotten the name correct. To Emmelline she says, "Yeah we know where it is." Her hand still rests idly over the pocket containing the stone.
Ritsuka looks back to Ethel, her lips purse lightly and she makes for a far more cute and shy smile. "Oh, that would be very helpful. Thank you very much, Ethel-senpai." She makes to bow deeply to her. When she raises again, the more shy smile sticks, but she glances around the library.
Syl shakes her head, "Amayamon," Syl corrects herself.
Brian looks at Ethel. "Yes, I am interested in anything I can find about demonic contracts, specifically things about severing them, or other methods of removing them." he says.
"Oh oh," Emmelline says with a nod at Syl's gesturing. 'Good to know, that's one less... thing to be worrying about."she looks about the large library, at the shelves upon shelves of books, as the others make their introductions. As Brian speaks, a knowing look enters her eyes, but she doesn't say anything, just that one singular glance of understanding as she continues to idly look about, seeming awe struck by the sheer volume of books."
"N-no, nothing is the matter," Ethel, the mousy librarian, likely likes to Viktorin. She has fingers twitching nervously as she adjusts her wire-framed glasses again. Her nose scrunches three times, and she gives a shy smile, clearly excited to help, but flustered. Oh so terribly flustered. "Religious texts f-from a thousand to a thousand f-five hundred years ago, Christian in nature," she's stammering. "I, uh, I-I believe the section you need is, um, th-this way." Quick, shuffling steps have Ethel taking the group through the corridors and around so many bookshelves. They go up a few flights of stairs and end up at a row of mahogany shelves stacked high with books of all sizes. It is an impressive collection. "Y-you might find documents from the time of, um, large conflicts between divine and demonic forces here, though..." Her voice trails off as she glances around, clearly unsure how much to say about the more esoteric texts. "W-we, uh, also have... m-more specific volumes if you have a particular subject, i-if that's more helpful." She glances nervously back to Ritsuka, fidgeting with her sleeves as she awaits further direction. With Syl speaking the name of the bloodstone, she freezes for a moment, but then Brian has her wide eyes focusing on him. "D-demonic contracts. How frightful. Y-yes... Let me see what I can find."
"Interesting," Autumn comments while she follows along with the group and Ethel. She turns to glance at the rows of books around her and then at the mahogany shelves. "Who knew this place has such kind of texts."
Emmelline looks about the vastness of the library. "Should we split up?," she asks of their montly crew. "We'll never get through and make a meaningful dent, if we all cluster here."
As if here more for the ride than for any help in this 'research' department, Viktorin simply dips his head towards Ethel, before gesturing to the others. "Have at it. I'll speak with our kind friend here whilst everyone inevitably dips into books." The comment about not having books earns a glance from the demigod towards Autumn. Curious, but nothing more.
Brian says to Emmelline, "If we do, you and I will stick together, please, just in case."
Ritsuka purses her lips lightly for a moment when Brian makes a direct request for contracts, but she does not interrupt on it, and then adds "Maybe there is something we can find on an old pact made that mentions demonstones among the contracts?" She for her own looks through some of the books, particularly the titles for anything that stands out to her as something that might contain a clue.
Autumn also moves away to browse the shelves' books, her hazel eyes scanning each spine and even scroll. "Demon, demon..." she murmurs quietly to herself with an occasional glance left and right. "Hmm..."
Ethel nervously shifts her weight as she watches Brian. "Th-there's always a way out, b-but... it's n-never easy," she murmurs. "The demons h-hide the escape, and... a-any attempt to break the contract usually comes at a cost." Then she adds, "I read a lot," to explain why she knows this. She's reaching upward, small frame streeeeetching as she pulls a heavy, dark tome from its resting place. The cover is well worn, with cracked leather embossed cross its front with a fiery sigil at the centre. "Th-this is one of the most c-comprehensive works on demonic contracts w-we have," she stammers softly to Brian. "I-it's called 'Infernal Bargains: A Treatise on Demonic Contracts.'" Next, she expresses to someone nervously, "W-we have one of the most impressive o-occult selections in the entire world." She's flustered, no surprise there, and she nods to Syl. "I-I believe we do..." Crossing over to another shelf, she's pulling a book on demonic princes. It is quite old, but not as well worn, as if it is not a popular subject matter. "Amaymon... He's a s-scary one," is uttered out nervusly as she hands the book to Syl. Finally, she finds a book she thinks Ritsuka will like. She's found 'The Heavenly Wars: Divine and Demonic Conflicts' and the leather-bound book has faded gold lettering along its spine. "F-from Saint Michael's War in Heaven, to the fall of Lucifer, and other biblical battles... Treatises on h-holy, um, holy relics and their uses..." With Ritsuka's next idea, Ethel is frowning and trying to think.
Ethel nervously shifts her weight as she watches Brian. "Th-there's always a way out, b-but... it's n-never easy," she murmurs. "The demons h-hide the escape, and... a-any attempt to break the contract usually comes at a cost." Then she adds, "I read a lot," to explain why she knows this. She's reaching upward, small frame streeeeetching as she pulls a heavy, dark tome from its resting place. The cover is well worn, with cracked leather embossed cross its front with a fiery sigil at the centre. "Th-this is one of the most c-comprehensive works on demonic contracts w-we have," she stammers softly to Brian. "I-it's called 'Infernal Bargains: A Treatise on Demonic Contracts.'" Next, she expresses to Autumn nervously, "W-we have one of the most impressive o-occult selections in the entire world." She's flustered, no surprise there, and she nods to Syl. "I-I believe we do..." Crossing over to another shelf, she's pulling a book on demonic princes. It is quite old, but not as well worn, as if it is not a popular subject matter. "Amaymon... He's a s-scary one," is uttered out nervusly as she hands the book to Syl. Finally, she finds a book she thinks Ritsuka will like. She's found 'The Heavenly Wars: Divine and Demonic Conflicts' and the leather-bound book has faded gold lettering along its spine. "F-from Saint Michael's War in Heaven, to the fall of Lucifer, and other biblical battles... Treatises on h-holy, um, holy relics and their uses..." With Ritsuka's next idea, Ethel is frowning and trying to think.
Emmelline nods to Brian, but it is to Viktorin she talks to next. her voice lowered so as not to disturb the musings of her other team members. "So... what was wrong with burning this thing to smitherines?," she asks of the man, a light smile playing at her lips. "Wasn't that your idea? Or sending it up on a rocket? Would that have worked?"
Brian begins to read through the book that the librarian points him towards.
"That's why such bargains with demons are impossible to break, according to myths," Autumn replies to Ethel. She turns away from the shelves and walk towards Brian to get a glance at the book. "I do not think I've heard of Amaymon before."
Syl accepts the book on demonic contracts from Ethel. Accepting the book , she gives a nod of thanks to Ethel. She idly thumbs open the book, eyes running over it curiously. Its the first time she's taken her hand away from where it rests near her pocket since she arrived.
Syl accepts the book on Amayamon from Ethel. Accepting the book , she gives a nod of thanks to Ethel. She idly thumbs open the book, eyes running over it curiously. Its the first time she's taken her hand away from where it rests near her pocket since she arrived. (fix... 2 hours of sleep, bit out of it, sorry)
"Well can't we do it out in the forest or field somewhere?," Emmelline idly asks of Viktorin. She not knowing anything of what is being discussed, so newly activated, unfortunately has nothing of real substance to contribute at the time being. 'I mean like you know... in a large field, where no one else would see?""
Ritsuka quickly browses through the pages, she does not read all of them, but scans over some, and then for a few more pages before moving several pages ahead. Eventually she draws to an entry where she sinks into, her scanning more intense, her lips purse again. "Ayayaya, it would mean we had to uncover another artifact. Or access a forge or make a pact for a celestial relic or artifact. I don't know of one, but the order might have access to one someone possibly. Or have the means to produce one. But what kind of artifact could be used against a demonstone specifically?" She browses a few more pages through, not paying attention to anything or anyone else for a moment while mumbling something, focused.
Viktorin squints at Emmelline, wondering, "Have you ever had much success burning metal and rocks and such things?"
"Nope," Emmelline replies openly. "Burning things was always more a man sport," she says with a soft little laugh. "But it does seem devilishly fun."
"Well, I assure you, man or not, one cannot surpass physics. Even if... strangely inclined to that which isn't normal," Viktorin informs Emmelline with hints of amusement.
Ethel is kind of out of it, overwhelmed by the people present and the late hour, but she's standing, at least. Shaking like a leaf, but standing. She hears Ritsuka's words and then goes, "O-oh," like she has an idea, but she doesn't say anything more. The mention of burning metal and the converation between Viktorin and Emmelline earns a fearful, intimidated glance. "Uh..."
Brian continues to persue the tome on demonic contracts, idly listening to the others, and occasionally looking up and around and things.
"Aww all right then," Emmelline says with a nod and a little sigh, she seeming a bit bored. She walks idly over to a shelf nearby, bends down and pulls out a tome at random. "Hmm," she says as she allows the tome to open to a random page, just to see what she might find.
Ritsuka looks up to Ethel and then chuckles apologetically. "I- apologize Ethel-sama," She makes a dip to her head again "Did you say anything? I do promise you are safe her. I just came to a very helpful page in the book and was very distracted. Thank you." Another dip of her head.
"T-there is a special room," Ethel is revealing to Ritsuka as she stares at the floor. "A v-very special room, but I don't... um, I-I don't know how to get into it." She swallows thickly and then dares to look over at Brian, then to Viktorin and Emmelline, and finally to Syl and Harriet. "I c-could show you?" She watches as Emmelline retrieves a book on the sex lives of demons. "-oh, that one is, um..." She's scrunching her nose three more times.
With a peek over Brian's shoulder, Autumn turns to head back to the other books. "Are there any books on records of artifacts related to demons and similar topics?" Autumn wonders of someone during her search. "Like they said, you are safe. Hmm?"
With a peek over Brian's shoulder, Autumn turns to head back to the other books. "Are there any books on records of artifacts related to demons and similar topics?" Autumn wonders of Ethel during her search. "Like they said, you are safe. Hmm?"
Brian nods in agreement. "You're about as safe as can be. No worries." He gives Ethel a smile of encouragement before going back to his reading.
"Oh not helpful," Emmelline says laughing, as she shuts the book. "This is what happens when I choose books at random," she says seeming to find it amusing all the same as she very carefully and respectfully places the book back. She strolls over to the next shelf, still remaining very nearby the group. This time, she reaches up over her head, and chooses another tome at random, allowing it to open to a random page again. "I once heard something once," she goes on idly to her group mates, "about allowing books... I don't know to tell you what they need to. And this is acieved by opening a book at random, and allowing it to fall where it may. Silly I know," she says as she looks down in the book in her hands, "but... seeing as we don't know what we're looking for, this seems equally effective and fun."
"Try something about artifacts of the infernal nature," Viktorin suggests to Emmelline, before glancing towards Ethel. "I am Victor Tapia," the Czech introduces himself falsely, "If I may be slightly impolite, may I ask again, if you're aware?"
Nodding to Autumn, Ethel pulls a book from a nearby shelf, hands shaking all the while. The book appears to have a cover made from tanned skin, and the way Ethal handles it makes it look like she's very uncomfortable touching it -- granted, she looks uncomfortable anyway. "H-here..." Then she mentions, "I-it's human skin," about what envelopes the outside of the book. Weakly, she smiles at Brian, and when Emmelline is disinterested in demon kama sutra, she doesn't look surprised. Well, those wide eyes almost look surprised, but as Viktorin addressess her, she seems to hear the Czech this time. "Victor, h-hi. I'm aware, y-yes. I think the book, uhm, the book y-you want is... in the special... the very special room."
Ritsuka looks down to the exact page she was on, and then, very respectfully closes the book. She smiles to Ethel and then waits a moment before saying. "Of course, Ethel-sama, can you show me where it is? We are working hard to solve a riddlee so some might want to look through some books more." She says, warm and gently. "Is there somewhere I can put the book so it is safe? I don't want it to come to cause any trouble." Another light bow of her head.
"Why is this room so special?," Emmelline asks of Ethel curiously. Though as Ritsuka speaks and asks her to show them to the room, she simply nods.
Syl looks through the book. "So, it says he is associated with travel through planes. That tracks. The defector I met up with told me that the Destined Host was trying to open a portal. I'm not sure where that puts us in terms of destroying this thing, but its at least a confirmation that his story makes sense. I haven't found anything yet about the stone itself though. Or how it might be destroyed." Syl looks around toward Ritsuka and the others having been a bit distracted during her leafing and reading.
"T-the very special room is on the fifth floor," Ethel manages to say to Ritsuka, and she says, "W-we can head up that way as s-soon, um, as everyone is ready. It's... It's got a pretty door," is claimed weakly and she even smiles for a whole half of a second before cowering beside a shelf. "The book... We can take it, um, we can take it upstairs with us. If y-you can figure out how to get into the s-sp-special room, th-then the book will be safe in there." After, she looks to Syl, listening with those ever wide eyes.
"Thank you," Autumn replies to Ethel as she receives the book. She examines the skin cover before she carefully opens it. "Best to take extra care for such books like this," she speaks, taking in the familiar infernal scent while slowly flipping through the pages. She then stops at a certain page and begins to read it. "Most dangerous relics... portion of victim's soul to stone's power... Oh. This stone contains souls of sacrificed victims," she murmurs with a purse of her lips.
"if we figure out how to get in?," Emmelline asks of Ethel, she herself seeming ready to move on. "What is it not just a normal room?," she asks curiously.
"Mm," Viktorin huffs, clicking his tongue. "Special in what manner?" There's skepticism. Wariness. That flighty little glint to his eyes, to the way he stands. As if ready for something terrible to happen. Ethel's words about 'safety' don't exactly discourage the wariness either. It grows. And preemptively, the Czech is already sniffing the air, scanning over the room as his eyes unnaturally dilate. Occasionally, he closes his eyes to listen.
Ritsuka takes a hold of the book she is entrusted with, and she does nod her head to Ethel. While others go on into suspicions, she can be heard and seen moving to the stairs, intending to make her way up, book in hand.
If Viktorin seems wary, Ethel seems like she's about to be the victim of a murder. She's still shaking, looking like an abused little dog. "Special... It's, um, the p-place where the most rare books are kept and st-studied by the world's greatest scholars." Weakly, she admits, "I-I'm not a scholar, so I've never been given a key." Her nose is twitching, glasses get pushed back up, her nose twitches some more. There is a faint smell of brimstone to sensitive supernatural noses, but it is coming from Autumn's book, and there are no other strange sights or sounds. You know, other than the twitchy Ethel who still looks ready to pee herself. The mousy woman tells Emmelline, "I-I've never seen it. Whenever you are ready, w-we can go up." But Ritsuka is already headed off. Once upstairs, she'll find so many more bookshelves, overladen with all kinds of old books, and walls hung with various art. Recesses here and there display very old paintings, and even tarot cards. In one recess is a design that mimics the emblem that is stationed above the front doors of the library's exterior.
Ethel does look quite disturbed over what Autumn has shared about the Bloodstone of Amaymon.
Brian looks around at the rest of the group. "Shall we head upstairs, then?"
Emmelline shrugs and nods to Brian, as she follows the group and presumably Ethel as they go to this mysterious room.
Viktorin says "Indeed, let us move on."
Autumn nods her head as she closes the book. "Yes. Let's go."
Ritsuka makes her way on over towards the cosmic emblem, and she reaches for the lines that make it up, testing to see if she can move them around. Hers, here, is a far more intellectual study now, rather than trying to play a game, but she does reach up to touch her own jawline, tapping against it with her index finger.
Syl glances down at her pocket at the news that the stone contains the souls of sacrificed victims. She blinks cold icy blue eyes before looking back up. Seeing Ritsuka leave she moves to follow with the rest of the group as they head on after her. "Sounds good to me," Syl agree, joining with them, while closing her own book and tucking it beneath her arm.
Once upstairs, Ethel is heading over to that recessed wall where the emblem is. "I-I believe it is here," she murmurs out. The 'door' is adorned with an intricate mosaic. It is a recreation of Isidore of Seville's diagram from his chapter on the seasons. All four seasons are illustrated according to their qualities and cardinal directions. Pointing up and representing 'north' is a snowflake. To the east of it is a blooming flower. Below is a blazing sun, and finally to the west is an illustrated falling leaf. Lines and arcs connect the represented seasons in a complex web within the circle. 'Cold and moist' is etched in what would be the northeast. 'Warm and moist' to the southeast. 'Warm and Dry' to the southwest. And 'cold and dry' to the northwest. "P-people disappear frm this area," is shared, and she reaches up to touch at the art. Fingers touch the blazing sun, and immediately, that sun lights up, and then makes a dull sound, and the brightens fades. Immediately, Ethel is jumping straight up into the air in shock and terror before she's crouching and covering her head. Nothing else happens though.
Harriet lets the group move on as her colleague who owed her a favour comes forward and waves her over. They engage in a discussion down on the second floor.
'Oh that's not good," Emmelline says with concern, as she watches someone touch one of the emblems. "Is that normal?," she ponders to no one in particular."
Ritsuka is seen fiddling with the symbol above and when Ethel comes to do something, she does take a step back. "I am very embarrassed, I thought it would be the symbol above." She gasps with a little bit of excitement when a symbol starts to light up, and it is the sun of course and she looks it over, and then asks "I don't know what most of this means. This looks like a Foreigner thing. Does anyone know what this is?"
"Oh that's not good," Emmelline says with concern, as she watches ethel touch one of the emblems. "Is that normal?," she ponders to no one in particular.
"Odd," is all that Viktorin grunts as he inevitably strolls in pace with Ethel and halts as she halts, touching the diagram. When it lights up, he grunts. "Not something I'd expect from anything concerning demons. More of a fae thing or of the Godlings. My favorite season is Winter, anyways. Perfect for the Cthonic ones. It is said that when Perun strikes down Veles, spring emerges. Along with rain." Snorting a little, he admits, "Veles always finds a way to come back into existence to kidnap more of Perun's livestock or family. Only to be struck down again during the darkest of times. Winter." Turning his eyes towards Ritsuka, he grunts, "No. I don't play with odd trinkets. It invites disaster. And I'd probably end up cursed or something. Last time I touched any sort of object, I spent four years with the Black Father in my dreams, and that alone was not a pleasant experience."
"It doesn't seem to do any real harm though," Emmelline says as she looks curiously at the thing. "So that one," pointing to the sun one Ethel had touched, "does a sort of burning thing. Figures, and I assume that one," pointing to the winter emblem, "might send a freezzing sensation over you. Equally unpleasant, but what if I touched one of those?," she aks,s without touching the emblems, just pointing to the milder spring and fall emblems, looking to Ethel for an answer.
Since nothing blew up and Ethel is still in one piece, she decides to stand upright and brushes herself off. "I-it's the Isidore of Seville diagram on seasons. I-I know this one." She obviously doesn't understand the puzzle. "Someone, um, s-someone else should touch it," is suggested, and she looks at Emmelline after listening to Viktorin. Nervously, she crosses her arms over her chest. "I-I touched the wrong one." Despite all that, she reaches over and touches where Ritsuka was going for earlier. The snowflake gets touched and it lights up, making a soft chime, and remains glowing.
Syl asks, "Do we touch them in the order of the season?" She looks to Ethel as she asks the question.
"I have not seen that before," Autumn frowns, shaking her head and moves to examine the symbols. "Seasons in Hell are different than ones here. I think flower would open while leaf would fall." She then sees the snowflake glowing and hums. "Perhaps they should be touched in correct order. Winter is first, it seems."
"Oh I stand corrected," Emmelline says with vague amusement, as the snowflake one doesn't seem to send any freezing sensations. "Huh," she muses mildly, she clearly seeming unaware of this puzzle. At Autumn speaks, she nods. "Right so then perhaps it's spring summer then fall?"
"Moist," Ethel says very, very softly as she reads the inscriptions and then looks at Syl. "Y-you should try." She nods in agreement with Autumn. "P-please, you all should try."
Brian stands nearby, remaining silent as he watches the others. He continues to scan the area, including keeping an eye on Harriet below.
While everyone is discussing the possible pattern to unlock the door, Ethel is repeating the word, "Moist," as her fingers find the 'warm and moist' inscription. It seems to zap her, and she reels back. "O-ow." Even that came out in a stutter from the incredibly nervous woman. The snowflake dims.
Curiously, Viktorin wonders of Autumn, "I would've thought that Hell would've been all fire and anger and such. I would've never thought you lot had seasons." Turning his eyes towards the diagram, he gestures for the others to go on ahead. "I'd probably end up- woman, cease harming yourself!"
"No no I think they're meant to counter each other," Emmelline says as she watches Ethel touching another thing and getting zapped. "So if it's moist, we might look for warm and dry," she says. She reaches over, tapping the snowflake thing again. Assuming it lights up, she tries to find the warm and dry point on the diagram and touches it to see what might happen.
The woman that is harming herself, also known as Ethel, stares at Viktorin and gives him a nod. Her submissive nature is on full display, and she utters out, "Y-yes, Victor. S-sorry, Victor." While Emmelline is considering how the puzzle works, she finds that the snowflake lights up, makes a pleasant chime of a noise, and then when 'warm and dry' get traced, Emmelline also receives a sudden ZAP that sends a jolt of electricity through her.
Emmelline flinches with pain as the electricity zaps her. "bad door!," she says with a huff, reaching over and giving it a healthy thump with the side of her hand, on the door part, not on the emblem. "Anyone else have any bright ideas?"
"Spring is also moist because rain," Autumn speaks, approaching the blooming flower. "It's also warm and so is summer-" She then stops when Ethel touches the inscription and the snowflake changing. "Not moist. Winter is cold, like Fall. Either backwards or..." She ponders for a moment while looking at the diagram. "In certain order as in resembling symbol."
"Moist and warm should be spring, while winter would be moist and cold. Are the symbols lined up correctly?" Ritsuka asks, falling into her native language, furrowing her brows as she watches Emmelline make her attempt. "Moist and warm, and in the same- oh." She blinks again "Autumn to Winter should both be cold in the northwest. Because it would draw from autumn into cold weather that connects to winter and when winter ends it would be moist and uncomfortable, but it would be water for the rising spring-" She nods to Autumn suddenly.
"Hai! I think so, too, Autumn-san. We should try and trace it around, from winter, to moist and moist and then spring!" Ritsuka says, nodding excitedly to Autumn, and if the other is not already doing it, she is now attempting what she is saying. From spring to hot and hot and them summer and from summer to dry and dry to spring, and then cold and cold back to winter.
"Bad, um, bad door," Ethel joins in on Emmelline's scolding on the inanimate object, pushing her glasses back up and wiggling her nose. She looks to Brian to see if he knows how to assist. "Um, this is just.. j-just a door. It... I don't think... I don't th-think it has anything to-to-to do with Hell," is said to Viktorin. As Ritsuka speaks Japanese, Ethel has no idea what is going on and her eyes grow even wider.
With one hand, Autumn touches the snowflake again before she turns to touch the flower. "Hopefully I don't pass out."
"Good," Viktorin intones, nodding in approval at Ethel. "People are fragile and consistently hurting yourself is not a good thing to do. What if the door lights you on fire? I do not have a fire-extinguisher." This, obviously, may not happen, but instead of solving the puzzle in any methodical manner, the demigod growls suddenly. Lightning flickers from his finger as he suddenly touches the center of the piece. As if to shock it in return. Sadly, he's no more immune to being shocked than the rest of the folk here, so odds are, if anything happens, it's probably not anything good. But certainly, the Czech is practising his methods of venting his frustrations, upon the inanimate object known as 'a door'. Towards the mousy librarian, the demigod merely has one suggestion. "You should work on your puzzle skills. I would suggest the thousand piece sort. Or maybe a three thousand piece sort. Then, maybe, one day, you can open strange doors."
Syl watches on curiously as the others try various attempts to get the door open.
"Reg-regulatio-regulations make us keep fire extinguishers," Ethel informs Viktorin as Autumn begins to trace a pattern. The snowflake lights up, and then goes dim, making a dull sound. When the flower is touched it lights up and chimes. "P-puzzle skills... I, I like jigsaw puzzles," she murmurs.
Emmelline looks on as people try to get the door open. "This is taking time, any of you blokes feel like making some racket?," she in turn asks unhelpfully of both Viktorin and Brian. "Kicking it down might be an option. Though.. normal doors don't do that electric shocky shock thing, so maybe not. Never mind," she says before withdrawing back into silence, though she can't help but to giggle slightly at her own quite ludacrous suggestion.
Brian says "Yeah, that."
Ethel supposes, "Spring is warm and moist, right?"
"yeah, knew it when I suggested it," Emmelline says with a grin to both Viktorin and Brian. "Not to mention the evil shocky shock thing. I really thought they were supposed to counter each other," she says with a slight shrug.
Brian shrugs at Ethel. "Sometimes, sure."
Syl decides to have her own attempt at opening the door. She moves over to the door and just tries the thing which seems most reasonable to her. Winter, then spring, then summer, then fall. She does it with a ginger manner as if awaiting som retribution from the door.
"Hmm," Autumn ponders at the now glowing flower. "Seasons opposite to ours?" Autumn comments. "Ethel, what season were you born in?" She then touches the leaf while watching the flower for any change.
As Syl goes and tries a new pattern, no shocking happens, thank goodness, BUT each time she touches a new spot, the former one dims.
Brian watches Syl. "Maybe you need to hold each one as you touch it?" he offers.
Ethel replies to Autumn, "I was born in winter. Cold and moist." Is that a reference to the weather, or was she born that way?
Ritsuka tries to slide by next, and if she is let, she does actually try and follow what Ethel suggested. A touch over spring, and then first to moist and then warm.
Syl looks to someone. "When people go in here, is it always in groups? I'm wondering if we need to touch each symbol and keep our hands there to get the thing open. Like one of those nuclear missiles where you have tow keys rather than one." She nods to someone. "Exactly."
Syl looks to Ethel. "When people go in here, is it always in groups? I'm wondering if we need to touch each symbol and keep our hands there to get the thing open. Like one of those nuclear missiles where you have tow keys rather than one." She nods to someone. "Exactly."
Squinting, Viktorin grunts a little to Ethel, "I'm unsure why you would mention such. Unless you were hoping to be lit on fire. And, to be frank, being lit on fire is not a pleasant sensation. I would urge you to avoid such things." Turning his eyes towards the door, once more, the demigod just gestures towards it. Allowing everyone else to have a turn inevitably shocking themselves whilst he snaps and let's little lightning bolts arc from his own fingers. "Let me know if we run out of options. I'll just start... uh. Zapping it back." Then he returns his attention to their new mousy team-mate. "You should try more puzzles. I personally don't like puzzles as I find them to be boring."
Syl looks to Ethel. "When people go in here, is it always in groups? I'm wondering if we need to touch each symbol and keep our hands there to get the thing open. Like one of those nuclear missiles where you have tow keys rather than one." She nods to Brian. "Exactly."
It seems that Ritsuka has gotten it right so far. Both the flower and 'moist and warm' stay lit up.
Syl notices Ritsuka's success and then realizes she was wrong. SHe pouts faintly and scuffs a sneaker along the ground.
Emmelline watches as various people take turns doing various combinations. "perhaps," she calls, "we should do this one by one? Rather than us all sort of going forth and touching things? It could confuse the doors," she says laughing. "Goddess knows it confuses me."
"Ah-ha!" Ritsuka suddenly cheers, and then tries to press on the sun for summer, and then hot and dry. "I was overthinking it too much! Science!"
Having no desire to be lit on fire, Ethel is shaking her head at Viktorin. "N-no, I don't want to, um, be lit on f-fire," she near whimpers at the Czech. "N-no." Shivering, she holds herself tightly as she watches, and replies to Syl, "S-sometimes in groups. Other, um, other times... individuals."
"Now I see it," Autumn's eyes lights out as she watches Ritsuka. "Spring is warm and moist." Waiting after the other woman, she then touches the falling leaf and then 'Cold and Dry.'
Once Autumn touches the leaf, everything goes dark again. Plus, poor Autumn gets electrocuted a little.
Syl giggles.
Syl says "I like this door."
Ethel comments to Syl, "I-it's very pretty."
Ritsuka suddenly lets out a laugh "Uh oh- Maybe it didn't like when I tried to press the sun. I apologize Autumn- Maybe we should do it slowly? Would you like to do the honors?" She offers, smiling sweet at Autumn.
Viktorin glances over towards Autumn, sympathetically telling her, "You tried your best." Then towards Ethel, the demigod nods in approval. "Good. As I said, it is not a very pleasant experience. You'll be fine here though and you are safe, especially with my presence around. Nothing awful shall get through me." With this, he pats the woman on the head as if she were a cat or dog or something, before returning his gaze towards Ritsuka and Autumn, simply watching the door. "This door needs more buttons," he remarks, clearly with a bit of disapproval at the odd witchcraft going on.
"M-maybe it is judgy," Ethel murmurs, looking at the door. "Maybe it just... it's mono-monogamous..." Anyone who has touched the door will now notice little bits of blood seeping out of tiny wounds on their fingers.
"I feel like we should reexplore the kicking down option," Emmelline remarks idly, seeming a touch at a loose end as she watches namely Ritsuka and Autumn trying various things.
Ethel is noticing the blood on her own fingers and she quickly puts them into her mouth, sucking the bits of redness off of them. She's shaking the whole time.
Syl checks her hand, frowning faintly.
Brian rummages through his rucksack. "C-4... but where did I put the blasting caps?" he says, mostly to himself.
"No brian no," Emmelline says chortling softly at Brian's words. "Too much, that is the definition of overkill. Just kick it. Both you and Vik throw your shoulders into it and it should give way."
"Ow!" Autumn jumps back, cooling off her shocked hand with a grimace. "Leaf not correct. I'll should have just let Ritsuka do rest." Upon noticing the blood on her fingers, she wipes it off while letting them heal.
Brian grins at Emmelline. "As far as you know, I was kidding. As Victor said, we don't want to damage the place. They'd never invite us back, and this is a good resource to have access to."
"Oh- I brought bandages, let me just try? I have not gotten shocked yet so maybe it is a very strict door and only allows everyone to try once?" Ritsuka quietly wonders, as she, given the opportunity, tries to trace after again. From the flower to moist and then warm, to the radiant sun with warm to dry, and then the leaf for dry to cold and finally to the snowflake and cold and moist. Assuming she does not get shocked herself. She for her own does not look if her finger bleeds.
Syl swallows nervously, eyeing Ethel.
"We are in the middle of London, in an institute," Viktorin huffs, "We have the mercy of not being assaulted by throngs of evil fuckers. And I would prefer not to spook our tiny friend here," Viktorin grunts, before flicking his gaze at Ethel. "You seriously need to get a case of paranoia as well when dealing with odd objects. Get your fingers out of your mouth."
Sheer horror is etching across Ethel's facial features as Brian volunteers explosives. "I-I can't lose my j-job. I'm trying, um, to help you." This door seems to react to touch, but also takes somethng in return. Perhaps it needs just enough blood from one person, in the right order. That's not creepy... Anyway, Ethel looks to Viktorin, and she shrinks even furher, unable to reply, with fingers still wedged in her mouth, and then she looks at Ritsuka and the process taken. There is success. Once all four are matched correctly, the door's latch unlocks and it slowly slides open, revealing a room filled with manuscripts and incunabula, preserved in climate control cases. There are illuminated texts with elaborate marginalia, early prints of astronomical treatises, and delicate papyri all resting safely.
"Good work mate," Emmelline says with a smile to Ritsuka. She waits for Ethel to enter, before she follows along with the rest of the team.
Ethel, it seems, has no intention of going in, and she turns away and starts trying to scuttle off.
Brian follows the others through the door.
Ritsuka raises her hands over her head in victory, but it is swiftly hidden into a stretch as she then, far too curious to resist and wait, just proceeds forward! Wide eyes look around the various documentation that can be found here, but her gaze does not linger on astronomical treatises. She is looking for something specific, they came here for a very specific reason, after all.
Emmelline proceds more cautiously, following the others. She doesn't touch anything though, just stays to one side and out of the way. Though her eyes do rove the various shelves and the contents they behold.
"Nice," Autumn smiles at Ritsuka and turns to head through the door as well. She examines the room with a curious gaze, clutching the book in her hand and arm as she then searches forward.
As Ritsuka leads the way, and Brian is quickly moving afer her, the group will see that a figure is seated at a heavy, dark wooden table. It is an elderly man here in the heart of this sacred archive. He's hunched slightly, but in a geriatric, not mousy Ethel-like, reading over an ancient scroll that is unfurled before him. His presence is so still and quiet that he's almost like a part of the room itself. Looking to be in his eighties, fine white strands of hair are wisps atop his scalp. Deep lines etch his paper-thin skin, but his blue eyes are still sharp behind his round spectacles. Long and simple, an old university scholar's robe in faded burgundy is worn by the man. Glancing up from his reading material, he narrows his gaze. "Ah," he murmurs out. "I wondered when someone would find their way in here. It is not often that I am disturbed so unexpectedly. I am Professor Alaric Dowling," he introduces himself, nodding to Autumn, Emmelline, Viktorin, and Syl once they have arrived as well, and in his well-aged voice he continues with, "I've spent a lifetime here among forgotten knowledge, watching over these ancient texts. Now tell me, what brings you to this place?"
"Go ahead, you lot," Viktorin huffs to the group, covering the rear. Once more, he surveys his surroundings. Not for anything helpful for research. But for that which may not be 'friendly' so to speak.
"It summarizes down to this, Downling-senpair," Ritsuka answers, as the likely first person closest and she does move to bow deeply. "We need a bloodstone destroyed, from this book here," She holds the book she brought along up. "Artifacts from the celestial forges can do it. But I am not understanding what item specifically could destroy a bloodstone. It is very important that we find a solution. Can I please, ask for your help in uncovering the right artifact or type of it?" She makes to bow deeply again, it is a slow gesture.
Syl after following Ritsuka, Brian, and the rest of the group in returns the nod of greeting with a little up nod of her chin at Professor Alaric Dowling. She opts to let someone explain the situation as the woman has taken the lead.
Syl after following Ritsuka, Brian, and the rest of the group in returns the nod of greeting with a little up nod of her chin at Professor Alaric Dowling. She opts to let Ritsuka explain the situation while she gets her hand cleaned off on the side of her clothes. Eq.
Syl after following Ritsuka, Brian, and the rest of the group in returns the nod of greeting with a little up nod of her chin at Professor Alaric Dowling. She opts to let Ritsuka explain the situation while she gets her hand cleaned off on the side of her clothes. Ew. (fixed)
Emmelline bows deeply and respectfully to the professor, but does not speak, happy to allow Ritsuka to outline the situation.
"Information on Bloodstone is also contained here," Autumn speaks towards someone, holding up the tanned skin book with one hand. "Made under directions of demon and perhaps contains souls of sacrificed victims..."
"Information on Bloodstone is also contained here," Autumn speaks towards Professor Dowling, holding up the tanned skin book with one hand. "Made under directions of demon and perhaps contains souls of sacrificed victims..."
Syl shifts her own book a bit. "The Bloodstone is of Amayamon if that helps."
Brian waves to the man as they enter, then falls silent, standing off to the side to listen and keep watch at the same time.
The politeness and respect that Ritsuka uses earns her politeness and respect in return from Alaric. Bushy white eyebrows are wild, but his old body is tired and it nearly creaks as he rises to stand and moves over to one of the displays. "A bloodstone?" There is fear in his voice suddenly in response to what Autumn has shared. With Syl saying more, he thins his weathered lips and says, "Gods almighty... Say it isn't so...." He retrieves a set of keys and unlocks it, reaching in to get a thick, leather-bound tome that has a cover embossed with celestial runes and an intricate depiction of an anvil beneath a starry sky. Its pages are worn. "This will help. It is not that old," he confesses. "But it is important and we have read it so many times." After he's back at the the table, he settles down before it and opens up the book. Inside, pages detail various locations and the nature of the celestial forges scattered across different planes of existence. "Mythical forges are said to have been operated by angels and used to create divine weapons, artifacts, and tools of immense power." His arthritic fingers turn page after page that has angelic anvils and the blacksmith hammers described and sketched. He's getting prepared to explain everything to Ritsuka, Emmelline, Brian, Syl, Autumn, and Viktorin.
"Oh that can't be good," Emmelline says more to herself than anyone at the professor's reaction, and the book he retrieves. She peers closer at the book, even as the pages are flicked through rapidly.
After turning several more pages, Alaric finds what he is looking for. "The Forge of Uriel," he begins. "It is a legendary celestial anvil said to have been lost when the great city of Atlantis sank beneath the waves. According to the author, the forge was used not only to create weapons capable of fighting demonic forces, but also to harness the power to destroy demonic artifacts. Here, you can see sketches of the sunken city that accompany the text." The pages show vast, broken columns of Atlantean marble, now overgrown with coral and seaweed. The cavern housing the forge is depicted as a massive undersea chamber, glowing faintly with a soft blue light, where the anvil rests atop a pedestal covered in luminous runes.
"Gods forbid," Viktorin grunts as he overhears the elderly fellow, "This sounds like we're going to have a 'fun' and 'wholesome' time tracking down a forge. And probably getting eaten by a sea-monster."
Viktorin says "Hopefully we'll encounter over-sized sea-horses and not a giant crab chimera. Crabs are strange and spooky."
"Oh my goddess," Emmelline says as she looks upon the page the professor presents. 'How pray tell, are we meant to get to that thing?""
"Now I'm thinking of a giant octopus..." Brian mutters mostly to himself, but he shoots a grin at Viktorin as the man mentions crabs.
Ritsuka takes a step or two closer, still keeping a respectful distance, but her eyes do fall onto the book, scanning over them with intense interest, but it is the page the professor stops at that has her eyes grow more analytical. "I still have a temple breather thing for under-sea, so I am not worried. But bring the bloodstone to the anvil, and then, do we place it onto the hammer to break it? But it would be under water, it might be difficult to do it- even for those of us very strong. It would have water weigh against a swing. Or do we need to light up the forge, Downling-senpai?" She asks, making another dip of her head. She grimaces a little when she comes up "I apologize, I don't mean to ask so many questions, I am being too rude."
Syl raises a hand to her chin and gently strokes it as she looks at the image of the underwater forge.
A sharp turn is had after the Forge of Uriel is done being focused on. Alaric turns through the pages further until he's found the spot he's intent on sharing, especially after Viktorin's comment, and then Ritsuka's, "You may ask as many questions as you like, but I cannot promise to answer them all. However..." He grins wryly. "This book is treasured because it introduces a bold and controversial theory that challenges the traditional understanding of celestial forges. According to the author's hypothesis, the splitting of the atom, which is a process that unleashes the immense energy of the universe, mirrors the very act of starforging." He sounds in awe of this. "Meltdown sites where nuclear power was released in catastrophic events are suggested to serve as makeshift celestial forges. His theory argues that the splitting of the atom creates a location of immense power. Four locations are mentioned in depth." He cannot help but to smile, obviously thinking about a giant octopus fondly when Brian says what he does.
"We have Nagasaki, Japan," Alaric begins to read off the proposed locations, "where the force of the atomic bomb unleashed a catastrophic, divine energy akin to the act of starforging. Hiroshima, Japan -- similarly, Hiroshima is mentioned as a site of great power. The splitting of the atom here released cosmic energy into the earth. Some believe that within the epicenter of the blast lies the potential for divine creation or destruction. Chernobyl, Ukraine," he paues as h furrows his wiry brows. "The Chernobyl disaster, as you likely well know, was a nuclear meltdown that unleashed uncontrolled radioactive energy, and is also theorized to be a modern starforge. The author describes how the core of the reactor could serve as a metaphysical anvil, where objects exposed to the energy might be transmuted into powerful artifacts. However, the location is not only hazardous due to radiation, but also said to be haunted by the spirits of those affected by the disaster. Fukushima, Japan, too, although more recent, the Fukushima nuclear disaster is listed as a possible source of celestial energy. The book suggests that, like the other meltdown sites, the splitting of atoms released a force that can be harnessed, though no known attempts have been made to explore its potential."
Alaric gazes at the book for some time, thinking quite a bit before looking from Ritsuka to Viktorin, from Emmelline to Brian, and Autumn and Syl. "It appears you will have some choices to make."
"Or Leviathan," Autumn says, looking at the illustrations of the forge. "Never went underwater before. And those radioactive sites sound like death valleys for gods. Also heard it can cause mutations and death too."
"um..." Emmelline says as she looks at the various radioactive sites, before turning to Viktorin. "I don't think we can go without doing some serious harm to ourselves. Given our sensitivities."
"No, Magnus and I can't do such things and neither can you," Viktorin intones with a wrinkle of his nose. "I think I prefer underwater activities more than suicide."
"I could go, though I like having two arms and don't want to grow any more." Brian says.
Ritsuka suddenly chuckles, but it is followed by a strong wince "Downling-senpai, it sounds like it means a three in four potential for me to go home to Japan for a little while." Her lips purse into a little of a smile but she nods to Autumn's words. "Most of us possess the blood of divinity, but I was never too afraid. Fukushima would be more difficult to enter, but Nagasaki and Hiroshima are very populated places. They would affect innocent people if we went there. There is still work done at Fukushima to contain the radiation. But I think I could find a way through for us. I have a military contact. A close friend- And someone with the media. Could make it appear like a documentary and be escorted by my close friend in the military. It would give us the room. But Fukushima is still very active in radiation."
"I think going underwater with gear is probably better than early death," Autumn speaks, nodding towards Ritsuka. "But then again, I never went in underwater journey before."
It seems that the comments about preferring to go after Atlantic over the crazy, get yourself some cancer suggestions Alaric claimed about visiting nuclear meltdown sights has bothered him. "You've learned much," he says as his voice grows colder and more menacing. He glares at Viktorin and Autumn, and Emmelline, but Brian seems a bit appreciated -- if only a little. All of the old man warmth and gentleness is stripped away. "But I can't allow you to interfere further. The Bloodstone must not be destroyed." Raising his wrinkled hand, dark, crackling energy begins to swirl around him, sending a sharp chill through the room. "The celestial forges were never meant for your kind to use, fools! You are meddling in forces far beyond your comprehension!" With a sudden, violent gesture, Alaric summons a towering demonic minion. The air ripples with dark power as the creature manifests. It is a grotesquely muscular being, with oily red skin stretched taut over bulging veins that pulse unnaturally. Massive, clawed hands extend from overgrown arms, and jagged teeth gnash together in a guttural snarl as it steps forward with red eyes glowing with primal hunger.
"I don't think Ukraine is the best place to be right now," Syl comments lightly, her Western accent having a hint of slavish influence. "Hate to say it, but the water sounds the most reasonable."
Brian nods. "It's been a few years since my last dive, but I got certified in Scouts, so I could do that."
"See to it that they are killed," Alaric commands as he begins to try and flee, hobbling quickly toward the back of the room, already planning his next move. Maybe Ethel had a good reason to be near peeing herself all the time, after all.
Syl then hears all that...
Syl scrambles backward while unzipping her duffel bag.
Brian grabs his things from his pack. "And here I was hoping this would be a pleasant trip."
Ritsuka needs a moment to read and emote.
"Oh holy goddess," Emmelline says with surprise. She does, exactly as she swears is going to do, and promptly hides behind Brian and Viktorin, along with the rest of the company who seems to be busy with their various weapons and gear, which she does not possess.
Syl drops the books she was holding.
"Knife will have to do," Autumn mutters, putting the book down on the table before she pulls out her blade. "Didn't bring sword and bow..."
"I'm not risking dying, the sickness, or any of that shit," Viktorin intones, slanting his eyes. "And whilst I love Slavia-" and then, Viktorin swiftly draws his dagger from his side, before throwing it, aiming for one of the man's legs. There's that supernatural bit within him, that eye-dilating, the way his blade glints with an odd... shine and glimmer.
As it happens to be, Ritsuka stood the closest to Alaric, and once the summoning begins, Ritsuka immediately chases after Alaric, she does not turn to oppose the demon. She does not reach for her weapon yet and tries to keep up behind the old man and jump atop of him and hold him down if she can, and if not, tries to knock him out. "Take the book on the desk!" She calls back to the others that are now perhaps left with needing to fight the demon without her potentially.
"Demon," Autumn speaks, pointing her blade towards Alaric as her bracelet glows with fiery energy. "Ifrit. Come to my aid." She staggers a bit, but she still stands as black smoke starts to appear.
Emmelline does what she says she is going to do. She is so not about to engage the demonic creature, nor the old man running. She tries to keep quiet and as low a profile as possible. Though at Ritsuka's instructions, she looks to her team mates, clearly all busy with the battle. She drops to the ground, landing on her stomach. Keeping down low to the ground, she begins army crawling towards the desk. Clearly intent on getting the book, just in as low a profile way as possible. Hoping that her team mates, who happen to pose a bigger threat will keep the demon and company busy from one lonely woman army crawling.
Brian brass-checks his rifle, then shoulders it. He toggles the safety off, then opens fire on the demon. Single shots, aimed carefully.
As the roiding demon minion thing is throwing back his head and releasing a terrifying sound not unlike a swarm of hornets paired with a rage filled scream, Viktorin is successfully downing the old scholar, and apparent arcanist, Alaric. The dagger sinks cleanly into a calf, right before Ritsuka jumps on him. He's easily taken down, yelping and trying to defend himself, but he's weak, and likely cursed in some manner. Meanwhile, back to the others, the towering, oily looking monstrosity has his face all twisted as he snarls, bringing along with him the stench of sulfur that seems to emanate from every pore. The minion lunges at Viktorin for throwing the knife at his master with clawed hands outstretched. Those obsidian blades appear to be razor sharp and ever eager to rend flesh from bone. Despite his size, he moves with a serpentine grace. Ifrit is successfully summoned, and that lizard catches the demon minion's attention -- distracted, it turns from Viktorin and moves at an incredible speed towards Autumn's trusty helper. Emmelline has gone unnoticed so far. Bullets fly through the air, and Brian makes contact with one of those shots. A very loud roar escapes the mouth of the demon-like minion, and it only enrages him more, despite taking that damage.
Syl had dropped her book on Amayamon letting it clamber to the floor and scrambles to get protection from her duffel bag which she also drops. She holds the katana uncertainty as she faces a literal demon. Perhaps not very confident in her ability to deal with such a threat. As she backs away she pays attention to which it might be targeting. She looks a moment away from bolting herself and the bloodstone is a heavy weight in one of the too many pockets onf her techwear outfit. Only once the demon is distracted by Iffrit does she move to open her weapon case and take out the rifle within. She takes careful aim once she readies the weapon, waiting for a good moment to fire, not wanting to hit anyone else in the room.
"Please do not move, Downling-Senpai, I apologize that I have to be rude and not let you go. I will be your companion here until your minion is defeated," Ritsuka quietly says, almost softly so. "I will look over your wound once I am safe to do it, but it would be easier if you dismissed your minion. I can sense the curse that lies on your soul. I can help you if you take a step back, and from one person that cherishes knowledge to another, I think we can find understanding." She says far too much, and keeps on the professor, keeping his hands in particular in such a way that he cannot be a threat to her or try to escape.
Whilst the roar has Viktorin turning his attention towards the demonic entity, he seems all but ready to throw down with it, not fearing its obsidian claws. Evem unarmored and currently weaponless. However, when Ifrit shows up, the demigod wastes no time throwing upon his own hasty defenses and weapons. One hand on his rifle, wielding it like a pistol, the other on his sword, rearing it for a stab. "Let's fucking go, you little shit!" the demigod cries, charging forth in fury, not too dissimilar to a berserker himself. Always, it seems, the demigod has preferred close combat. In his death march towards the infernal creature, does he display no regard for his own life. Only a blind and furious determination to rip this being to shreds, sword already poised to slash and rip and maim.
Here comes Ifrit the salamander, fiery wings flapping as it lets out a hiss. "Ifrit, show him our power!" Autumn commands the red-orange salamander, and it lets out a screech before it spews fireballs out of its mouth towards the demon. The woman turns to Alaric and charges towards him, muttering her native language under her breath. "Call off demon. Let us free you from your curse."
Emmelline is as low to the ground as she possibly can be. Especially as bullets knives and other things go whizzing through the air above her head. She only lifts her head fractionally, just enough to see where she's going. She tries to be as strategic as possible, especially as the demon thing begins to move, terror in her eyes. She hides behind a pair of feet here, before breaking cover as Viktorin seems to go all kamikaze on it. Judging her time to be right, she quickly army crawls to the desk, snatching the book off it if she isn't spotted, before promptly hiding under aforementioned desk, rather than trying to crawl her way back to where she was before.
Brian continues to adjust fire, aiming carefully for the demon's center of mass before each shot is released. He instinctively looks past his target, making sure the backdrop is clear.
Syl would fire her weapon once she had a clear shot after having taken the time to get one.
The room is suddenly a storm of chaos, and Alaric is trapped beneath Ritsuka and her hold on him. His eyes are burning with rage and desperation, and he's also wincing in pain from the wound in his leg. "I do not need your pity," Alaric hisses through gritted teeth at Ritsuka. "You cannot free me. You cannot undo what has been done." His voice cracks. "Knowledge? That is what you offer? The Bloodstone must not be destroyed. I will not be stopped by sentiment, nor by empty promises!" He yells at Autumn, "You will all die!" Meanwhile, the scholar's minion is producing that dreadful cacophony of the frenzied hornets mingling with unbridled rage fills the room again. It reverberates all around, and it is the sound of wanting to have vengeance. His twisted face contorts even more, as fireballs smash into him from the fire-wreathed salamander, and the demonic looking minion hisses back. Obsidian claws are swiping at Ifrit, and as Viktorin's war cry echoes out -- with that Czech seeming to have no regard for the creature's size and power -- that deadly approach will prove effective. So does Brian's approach, as well as Syl's shot. The demonesque being is being hit all around, and realises he does not stand a chance. He drops to all fours, catching sight of Emmelline now, and he's going to try and go for the kill with his last breath.
Emmelline is well and truly under the desk. She hides the book behind her own body, and her eyes grow as wide as saucers as the demon thing seems to come for her. She has no weapons, and no defenses. Nor does it seem, does she possess any other powers like that of Autumn. She looks around, trying to find something, anything heavy enough to smack the demon with, regardless of how ineffectual it may be. "Help!," she yells at the top of her lungs, as she peers out of the desk at her fellow teamm mates. She is utterly helpless, unable to move from out of the desk, seeing as the demon thing is coming for her.
Brian slows his breathing and takes careful aim, this time deliberately shooting for the creature's head once he realizes it's going for Emmelline. He lets a breath out, timing the trigger squeeze for the moment his lungs are empty.
"Your soul will be condemned in Hell," Autumn tells Alaric, gripping her dagger as she turns to the demon. Channeling her fury, she charges towards the demon and readies for a piercing strike. "Return to Hell!"
"I do not offer my pity, Senpai, I am offering you a way out of this alive and to improvement to your whole well-being," Ritsuka quietly answers to Alaric, and only now does she try to reach for her concealed weapon, though priority remains on holding him down if it comes to matter. "As far as I know, you are innocent, why else would you have been cursed? Between innocent or sinner, why must you be a sinner, senpai?" If she could draw her wakizashi, she does not yet reveal it.
Syl stares with cold eyes down the sights of her rifle. Fear and panic which had her scrambling back is fading now amid the chaos and pain of the violence. She prepares another shot. With how large the demon-like thing is she aims high, hoping to take advantage of that in order to avoid having any of the others hit by crossfire.
Meanwhile, Autumn's Ifrit hisses as it reels back and continues to spew fireballs at the demon.
As if sensing imminent death, in regards to the creature, something sudden happens to Viktorin. Bones pop, squelch, rip forward, emerging from his flesh, coating his body in some obscene form of armor. Frail, it seems, but it does not also seem to be made for protection, rather it is a symbol of that which is certain to come. Aboard his face, a skull emerges, that of a stag, antlers twisted, alien, asymmetrical, jutting here and there with no rhyme or reason regarding the biology of that which it -should- be based upon. With sword in hand, the Cthonic demigod cackles in glee, not exactly realizing that Emmelline is in danger, nor, does it seem, that he would care at this moment. Instead, he shouts, "May Chernobog grant you death, foul thing!" Minion it may be, but that doesn't matter. The Czech suddenly lifts his sword and plunges it downward, intent on impaling this thing into the ground. "Don't you crawl away from me!" he snarls. "Face your death, weakling. Let the Black Father claim your SOUL!" Viktorin's eyes are completely dilated, no irises to be shown. Lips that barely peek from his newly formed helm are quirked into a sadistic grin.
Syl would not have been able to aim high as the creature was on its hand and knees so wouldn't have.
Although Emmelline is the minion's target, Brian is on it. The gunshot rings out so sharply, and the bullet itself tears through the air, straight and true. It strikes the creature right through the head. For a heartbeat, everything feels like it stops. The demon-looking being's hulking form is frozen mid-lunge at Emmelline. As the bullet passes through, his head snaps back violently, and his oily skins ripples like water that is being disturbed. Syl's shot also strikes him in the head, assuming she aimed high on him. The empowered Viktorin shoves his blade into the minion and then... Red eyes flare and then dim into nothingness as a low, guttural growl escapes his throat. Trembling, the massive, muscular frame begins to evaporate into thin air, unraveling into wisps of smoke that soon dissipate into nothingness. "My soul will--" Alaric stops as he cannot believe his minion is already defeated, and he's lying there helpless beneath Ritsuka who is ever patient, and getting yelled at by Autumn. Emmelline went unscathed thanks to her trusty friends.
Ritsuka sighs as she finally reveals her blade to Alaric, the far too sharp side does draw close enough to be seen uncomfortably close. Her voice is cold, devoid of the patience she had previously. "I am a sword, Alaric. Do not throw away a chance at mercy and a life worth living. Work with me."
Emmelline remains under the desk, the book and the precious knowledge it holds tucked away behind her own body. Though she can see the demonic creature is gone, she still does not emerge. Her eyes dart over to the ancient man, albeit pinned by Ritsuka, but still she remains thoroughly ensconced under the desk, protecting the book as best she can.
"Emma, you're clear. Come over here by us." Brian calls out to his friend.
With the demon defeated, Autumn turns to Ifrit with a nod and tells it, "You did well. You can head back home." Letting out a hiss, the salamander disappears in a puff of black smoke while the dusky woman faces Alaric. "We are offering you mercy, like she said."
Syl after looking around for any more threats would pack away her rifle and recluse the case. She glances back toward the way they came in initially as she does.
Tensing beneath Ritsuka with that blade dangerously close to his skin, Alaric appears to have a sudden change of heart. His breath is now heavy and trembling. "I... I yield," he utters out in defeat in a thin voice, eyes closing and his hands relax. "Mercy... I will accept it, and I will work with you." He nods slightly to Autumn.
Ritsuka moves to slide the little blade back into its sheath, and then, she reaches around for her satchel and retrieves bandages from it. "How is everyone feeling?" She asks as she looks over Alaric's wound to provide what aid she can with the given resources.
Emmelline is still horror stricken. Clearly, this is not a sight the woman sees very often, if at all. She continues to sit there, protecting the book unable to move. though she must hear Brian's call to her, for she looks over at the man, that same terror in her eyes, she is unable to move. She simply shakes her head at the man, though what that gesture is trying to communicate is anyone's guess. She watches on, as the man yields to Ritsuka, as things seem to be calming down, though she still struggles tremendously in taking it all in. And so she remains there like a statue, protecting the book as if it is a child.
Viktorin's armor falls apart as the creature, entity, minion dies. Those quirked lips aren't so quirked anymore, but rest into a pleased smile, though the Czech's body seems still locked in the instincts of combat. And his eyes, hawkish and sharp in gaze, flicker over towards Alaric. "So he still lives," Viktorin growls, nearly barks, all seething with rage. "I would -love- to have a word with you. And get my dagger back." Slow, methodical steps guide the demigod to his new quarry, paying no mind to Ritsuka as she attempts to threaten the elderly fellow. "You should pay heed to her, worm. Because unlike her, I lack mercy. Chernobog approves of suffering, especially of suffering to those who deserve it. So you can either play along with her, or, I will play with you. And..." Eventually footsteps stop, cease. Just as the Czech begins to kneel, looking for his dagger. "I think you are most deserving of Chernobog's mercy."
Brian slings his rifle and moves over to Emmelline, taking a knee next to her. "It's okay. I know, it's scary. But you're okay. We're all okay. We're safe now." He places one hand on her shoulder and continues to try to calm her down.
Although Alaric is calmer, he is still reeling from his defeat. As Viktorin confronts him, he weakly replies in a wavering voice, "I understand. I will... heed her. I--" A glance is given to Ritsuka. "I have no desire to face this man's god's 'mercy.'" With a hawkish glare, he looks back at Viktorin. "I will cooperate completely." His lips twitch in a grimace, as if the very act of surrendering his will is quite painful.
Syl shoves her empty duffel bag into the case and fusses with her katana to get it secured to her. She once more glances toward the way they came.
It takes a long moment for Brian to calm Emmelline down, but eventually he manages, for slowly gradually, she pulls out of her shellshocked state. She nods to the man in understanding before moving aside and pulling the book out from its hiding spot behind her. She shows it to Brian, before she finally manages to get to her feet, albeit a touch unstablely.
Meanwhile, Harriet has been up to something, and she's rushing into the room whose secret door is still wide open. She looks like she's been in a battle of her own, with a knife in one hand, and her other in a fist. "Are you all all right?" she asks in her posh British accent. Behind her, a few Orderites from the London division are standing in their brown coats and have three men in handcuffs. She sees Ritsuka, Autumn, and Viktorin by Alaric, and Brian calming down Emmelline, and she watches as Syl puts away her gun. "It looks like you all also ran into some trouble."
Brian nods. "I think we're all okay. Doctor Demento here summoned a friend to play with us. It ended poorly for them." He stands near Emmelline. "Emma got a book we should look at."
"Very good, please hold still for a moment-" Ritsuka starts, looking the stab wound over, though she reaches into her satchel again and retrieves two pills. "Take these, please. One is a painkiller and the other an anti-biotic. It is not going to be the most pleasant. I have no stitching kit, but I will stop the bleeding." She explains, those familiar with medicine know that she is talking the truth by the labels on the pills.
Then she reaches for Viktorin's dagger and pulls it out. It is a straight, precise motion. She drops the dagger besides, more to be swift than any rudeness and begins to stem the bleeding with the bandages, with some being tightly rolled and bound around the knee as a makeshift tourniquet.
Syl nods seriously toward Harriet. She turns slightly to shield the part of her clothing smeared with blood from where she had wiped her hand in order to avoid giving the new arrival the wrong impression. Mindful of the likely smell that people with enhanved senses might have she says, "We bled a bit on the door to get it open, but I think everyone save that guy-" She gestures toward the professor idly. "Are okay."
"He summoned demon but we defeated it together," Autumn turns to tell Harriet with a glance at Alaric. "He will be helping us and hopefully he won't be backstabbing us." She then sheathes her selenite blade and puts it away.
Emmelline notices the rushing form, the knife, and she is so about to go back under the desk like a light when Harriet speaks. She recognizes the voice, pauses, then the figure of Harriet and manages to calm herself and from diving under the desk. She hears Ritsuka's words, and looks over to the procedure that is taking place. "Make... sure..." she says, her voice trembling still, "the thing..." gesturing to the knive, "didn't hit an artery. If the tourniquet is on too long... his leg will stop working," she says. Though she realizes after she's spoken that Ritsuka knows very well what she's doing.
Holding that ornamental kilij-style dagger, Harriet gives a nod to Viktorin. "Your birthday gift to me was quite useful," she tells the Czech before looking to Brian and she gives him a thankful look. "I am glad to hear it." She winces upon seeing Ritsuka pulling a dagger out of an old man's leg, though. Looking to Syl, she nods, frowning some at the mention of blood. "Good." To Autumn, she also nods. "The Destined Host came to us -- my colleague and I immediately spotted them, and called in reinforcements." A gesture is made to the Order members standing with the three dudes who are cuffed and beat up. "They can take this man into custody," she assures about Alaric. "And help him... and ensure he will be helpful to us in the future," is said to Autumn.
Meanwhile, Alaric is yelping and shuddering, crying a little, too, but Emmelline and Ritsuka seem to at least know what they are doing.
Pleased, Viktorin grins at Alaric, displaying his fashionably white teeth. "Good, good. Because I would've broke your limbs otherwise." The dagger is obtained, flicked a bit to rid itself of the blood. "Orderites don't commit murder, seedling," the demigod retorts to Emmelline, still in that heady mixture of seething rage and absolute sadistic delight. "But no one said I can't have my own form of gun-boat diplomacy." The dagger removed from the man's leg is double-edged, so the wound may require a bit more in the long run.
When Harriet speaks, the Czech's maddening fervor ceases a tad and he glances up towards the Warden, blinking in confusion. "Dagger?" he asks, before slowly stowing his own items away. "Oh."
"Mhm, it would be good if the cut was stitched, but I do not possess needle and thread on hand." Ritsuka quietly admits, and when she is satisfied that the bleeding is mostly stopped, she says "I apologize Alaric, I need to tend to the next person now. Please don't move, we will get you sorted very soon." Her gaze then looks to Emmelline, her own hands blooded when she rises up to her feet, as are the cuffs of her blouse at the wrists, and perhaps some of her lower garment. "Emmelline, tell us how you are feeling, Brian said you were scuffled? Bruises? Are you feeling out of sorts?"
The brown-coated London-based Orderites come in to check on Alaric. They give their thanks and praise to Ritsuka and Emmelline for not killing the man while trying to help with the bleeding. "We have medics nearby," one of them states, and soon enough, a medical team hauls the old man off as well as the three members of The Destined Host.
"No no I'm fine," Emmelline says with an emphatic shake of her head as Ritsuka approaches her. "No I'm okay," she says again, as if trying to convince herself. In truth, the woman only looks a bit worse for wear for having army crawled on the ground, but there is no blood on her, and no marks on her. At Viktorin's words to her, she shrugs. "I didn't mean on purpose. But throwing... you could have accidentally hit an artery," she says, this probably making more sense to her than the actual Viktorin.
Harriet looks around to everyone, ensuring everyone is still accounted for. "We should get back into town," she says, referring to Haven. "And this week, perhaps tomorrow, we can get together and discuss all that we learned, and plan where to go from here."
Emmelline nods as she reaches over to hand the tome over to Harriet. This one containing all they had learnt before all hell broke loose. "You should keep it. It's got at least some of the info we need."
Ritsuka keeps her hands a little bit aside, and then simply reaches up to brush it over her blouse, making a grimace to the books as blood spreads over it. "Would someone like to explain on what we found out to Warden-sama? I can do it, too. But I feel far too useful today. It is alien and frightens me a little bit."
Brian nods at Harriet. "Okay." He sticks by Emmelline to keep an eye on her. "Feel free to lean on me if you need to." he tells Emmelline.
"Right," Autumn nods her head. She walks towards the table where she had put the book with the tanned skin cover and picks it up. "This book contains details on demonic artifacts including Bloodstone and how it was made."
Accepting the tome from Emmelline, SRHarriet tells her gratefully, "Thank you, Emma," in a genuine tone. After, she looks to Ritsuka, and then nods to Brian. As Autumn explains more, she frowns some upon seeing what appears to be human skin. "I will ask if we can take these books with us," she says, and does just that. Her poor colleague is not a fighter, but he certainly had to fight for his life earlier, and the man who works at this library, standing in the doorway, simply nods, most likely terrified of having anything to do with those books. "Take them. I'll let you know if we need them back." A thankful little nod is given to the man by Harriet, and then she's motioning for those gathered to come near her. "Let's path back. We can talk about the rest later so that people can get some sleep. It is quite late."
Syl heads to the book that she dropped which contains information about Amayaon. "Are we actually just allowed to yoink this stuff out of here? Or is there a return policy?" Syl asks Harriet. "Never been to this library."
"No no I'm okay," Emmelline says with a gentle smile to Brian, some of the color seeming to return to her cheeks. "Just shocked is all, but I'm all right.'"
Ritsuka gestures to the book that had fallen to the ground in her own scuffle, still with bloodied hands "That book contains information on the war in haven, that artifacts made at celestial forges can destroy demonic artifacts. Is Ethel doing okay? And Alaric, I should warn this, I persuaded him to work with me, Warden-sama. There was enough pressure to be convincing. But his knowledge about the books here is tremendous. I could sense that he is cursed, that is important, too."
Ritsuka says "But I am ready to head home and to wash up."
"Mm," Viktorin grunts, shaking his head. "I'll take a moment to clear my head." Then to Syl, the demigod snorts a little. "What? Out of everything and you're concerned with return policies? The end of the world is nigh but upon us, I think a little leeway is granted."
Ethel is indeed okay. She peeks in through the doorway, asking, "I-is he gone?" looking about as she speaks. "Alaric? He's gone?" She sounds hopeful, but is ever shivering like a little homeless dog out in the cold. It seems Alaric is gone, so she makes an excited little squeal and then scuttles off down a corridor.
"Thank you, dear Ritsuka," Harriet says to Ritsuka in return. "The Order here will take good care of him, and we can path here whenever we need to to talk to him." She's pulling out her smartphone after putting away the prized dagger, and she loads up a picture taken near her home. Her focus is on that place, and her eyes close, and then... that motion sickness is likely occuring in those who are not accustomed to pathing.
However, Dowling's true intentions quickly surface as he summons a demonic minion and tries to prevent the group from further meddling with the Bloodstone. A fierce battle ensues, with Ritsuka subduing Dowling and the rest of the team, including Viktorin, Brian, and Autumn, working together to defeat the summoned demon. Emmelline finds herself in danger during the confrontation but is ultimately protected by her teammates. After the battle, Dowling, defeated and wounded, yields to the group's mercy. He reveals that he had been under a curse, compelling his actions against the adventurers.
The group decides to bring the findings from the institute, including crucial texts, back to their base for further planning. Harriet ensures that the Order will handle Dowling and seeks collaboration from him in their ongoing efforts. The successful retrieval of the texts and Dowling's cooperation mark a significant step forward in understanding how to deal with the Bloodstone of Amaymon. The adventurers regroup and prepare to strategize their next moves, bringing them closer to thwarting the demonic threat posed by the Bloodstone.
This summary captures the essence of the adventurers' encounter at the Warburg Institute, highlighting critical moments and the teamwork that led to their overcoming of immediate threats and gathering valuable knowledge for their mission.
(The Destined Undoing(SRHarriet):SRHarriet)
[Sat Oct 12 2024]
In [London, England] The Warburg Institute
Situated in Woburn Square, a serene, tree-lined area leads to a mid-century modern, five story building that is constructed of light-brown bricks. It is clean, yet understated in its appearance despite being so large. Stairs lead up to the front entrance, and there is one striking feature to the sturdy facade, and that is a mysterious looking cosmic emblem. The symbol consists of concentric circles bound by intertwining arcs, set right above the doors.
Inside of the library, impeccably organized shelves are stately, made of dark, polished wood and they stretch up toward a high ceilings. Each one is brimming with books and manuscripts, from leather-bound tomes with cracked spines to pristine volumes that look as though they were written only yesterday. Sliding ladders are positioned on metal rails so that access to the uppermost areas can be easily obtained. Stacked in neat rows within alcoves, scrolls of vellum are carefully rolled and tied with ribbons of silk. Various studying areas are staged throughout the building, complete with tables and comfortable chairs for researchers and students. Dedicated gallery spaces house various exhibits, with Renaissance sketches depicting mythological scenes and original fifteenth century tarot cards are mounted above informative plaques.
It is about 60F(15C) degrees.
Emmelline seems quite lightheaded, as the pathing takes place. "Bloody hell," she says, as she looks about her surroundings with genuine wonder. "It's London," she says affectionately, seeming happy to be in her home country. "That's... that's wow,' she says seeming at a loss for words."
Brian shakes his head briefly as if to clear it. "I still haven't grown used to that."
Thankfully, no one dies on this pathing journey today, and in less than ten minutes, everyone has arrived in London. It may take a bit for the wooziness to settle in one's tummy, but the night air is cool and refreshing. It's around midnight, and a five story, mid-century modern building constructed of light brown bricks stands quietly, gently bathed in the soft glow of streetlamps that line the square. Eerily still, the tree-lined path's pavement leading up to the institute is cast with long, inky shadows, with the rustling of leaves being heard due to a cool night breeze.
Syl looks a bit queasy as she looks around at London. The whole way through the Path she kept close, nervously following after Harriet.
Huffs in a breath through her nose, this has become a far more familiar sight, but there is still some caution as she steps closer, only a short distance behind the warden. The skeletal trees, barely witnessed in the mist reach to the sky. Ritsuka's steps are steady, and when we reach the other side, her eyes do glance around, a little bit like a tourist and her eyes briefly stop on the symbol.
"I thought London would be a lot more dirty with the riots going on over the past couple weeks. But it still looks peaceful at night." And then adds "But the smell is different than I am used to."
"That's because it's always raining here," Emmelline says with a smile, seeming to perk up, she seeming to be on familiar territory. "Like always, it is the most bat shite crazy unpredictable weather you'll probably see this side of the world."
Brian chuckles. "So this is the Smoke, eh?" he asks, looking around. "It's my first time."
"Mine as well," Syl admits, looking around the library at the stacks of books.
Harriet ensures everyone is all right after that journey. Luckily, the Warburg Institute has been riot free during this time, although the University of Manchester did not fare as well. Her compassion filled gaze is set upon Emmelline first, then Brian, Ritsuka, Syl, and finally Viktorin. Everything looks somber about them, and the tall brunette gives the group a few minutes to recover from the journey, and then leads them to head up the stairs to the front entrance. A mysterious cosmic emblem is prominently placed above the front doors. The symbol consists of concentric circles bound by intertwining arcs. "For those who are not familiar," Harriet explains, "a defector from The Destined Host stole a very dangerous item from the group. It is called the Bloodstone of Amaymon, and it is a key to unlock a demonic portal in Lauriea with the intention to help usher in the end of the world. We, of course, would prefer to preserve the world, so we are looking for more answers about the stone, and what our options are. Viktorin suggested throwing it into the sea, or shooting it into space in a rocket." Viktorin earns a glance. "Magnus had the idea of locating a celestial forge and using an angelic anvil and hammer to destroy the stone, or remove its dark energy." The giant norseman from Alaska is not here, though. "Here, at this institute, we should be able to research any and all of your ideas, and then decide on a plan together. A colleague owed me a favour, so he's letting us explore the library without any interruption from the outside world. I've got to meet with him and I'll leave you all with his assistant, and I'll also be pathing to help bring anyone else who wants to join in later tonight. She's supposed to be--" Her words are cut short as she sees a figure inside of the building moving towards them.
Emmelline listens intently as Harriet speaks, taking in everything as they travel through the library. Though as the woman pauses, she too spots the figure. "Are... they supposed to be there/," she asks, her tone hushed and quiet.
Harriet nods to Emmelline as they wait outside of the institute for the figure to get to the front doors.
Brian listens carefully to Harriet, nodding as he does so. He keeps his head on a swivel as they wait, alert for possible trouble. His weapons are in his pack, within easy reach, but the young man looks like nothing more than a visiting student or a backpacker.
Ritsuka glances away from the singular figure that is moving towards the group, her eyes instead go around the library, and then back around to the surrounding area she can see, looking for any observing individuals, but more in the near distance and then to the windows of the apartments for where light is turned on. Difficult to see anyone at a window in a closed off-space, assuming buildings are close-by enough.
Viktorin grunts a little as he steps from where they're assembled, as if walking would soothe the traditional ache that lurks within one's stomach after they Path. All growls, all huffs, the Czech slants his eyes, already scanning his surroundings with those bright, viridian green eyes that traipse about and drags itself from person to person, place to place, as if danger would appear out of nowhere. "I've been to worse places," he simply remarks to Emmelline, before following Harriet, each step wary, cautious. Flighty. When the brunette Warden speaks, he listens, before grunting, "Okay, what I said was feasible. I've never heard of this stuff coming from angel-kin, and I'm going to be honest, if we're even able to find such things, it's going to be a pain in the ass dealing with whomever it belongs to. If it's not sitting in a dilapidated ruin somewhere-" When the Warden halts her tongue, ceasing her words, the demigod swivels his gaze, looking where Harriet looks.
As the figure draws closer, it becomes clear it is a mousy woman who is quite small in stature. She is hunched slightly as she scurries towards the front doors to open them and allow the group in. There is a constant air of nervous energy about her and she winces a little, stepping aside as she holds the door wide for all to enter. Round, wire-framed glasses keep sliding down the bridge of her nose, and she habitually pushes them back up with a delicate finger. Every time this occurs, her nose scrunches and twitches three times. Chestnut brown hair is pulled back into a low, loose bun with wispy strands escaping and leaving her looking a little disheveled. Her modest outfit is unassuming, cloaking her frail frame with an oversized, chunky cardigan in a muted grey, paired with a simple, high-neck white blouse featuring a kitty-cats wearing glasses print, and a long, flowy skirt in a boring beige. Sensible brown loafers peek out from beneath the hem whenever she shuffles along. A nametag displays, 'Ethel Bramblewick.' "U-um, w-welcome to the Warburg Institute," the mousy woman murmurs in her British accented voice that is barely above a whisper. She winces once for each person who enters the building. Viktorin. Syl. Brian. Emmelline. Ritsuka. Harriet.
"Hello!" Brian says with a wave to Ethel. "Thanks for having us."
clothing whispers against itself as she shifts. "Glad to be here," Syl admits. Her hand idly rubs against the pocket where she has stowed away the stone.
Ritsuka turns her gaze away from the surrounding area and steps into the university itself. She does move to dip her head respectfully to Ethel and smiles gently, but politely to her before she takes a few steps more in. "I am thinking maybe religious texts from Christian belief might be helpful. Maybe from a thousand to a thousand and five hundred years ago. Or maybe documents about if there was a large conflict between the divine and demonic?"
Syl follows Ritsuka into the library and smiles lightly as the woman winces.
Harriet steps aside after saying, "I'm going to get Autumn," she explains. And then, shortly after, Autumn has arrived.
The warm greeting from Brian has the mousy woman reeling back and flinching, but she nods to him. "I'm Ethel.... and... and... th-the institute is, um, devoted to... well, an impressive collection of books and art, you see. Half of the books h-housed here are... um, c-can't be found in any other library in the UK." She glances down at the light hued hardwood floor with cheeks flushing with more than just a hint of pink as she fidgets with her sweater some more. It's a strange introduction, but she must be used to giving less than stellar tours or something. Her excitement to share knowledge is evident, but so is her nervousness. "Th-there are manuscripts, ancient scrolls, and... and a-a-all sorts of rare, occult texts. I-it's a very special place. Wh-what can I help you f-find?" Through her glasses, she stares with wide eyes as if she is prey in the face of predators, even with such a gentle group of people. Ethel is ready and willing to help, if not also looking like she could pee herself if anyone made any sudden moves. With Ritsuka's requests, she nods several times, each movement of her head faint. "Y-yes, we have those."
Brian waves to Autumn. "Hey Autumn." he says with a nod of greeting.
Emmelline walks in with the rest of the group as the doors are opened. "So wait," she says looking arounnd, her voice as hushed as ever, "do we know where this object is, or more we need to figure out where it is as well as the rest?," she asks, keeping her statement as vague as possible to keep the unsuspecting librarian in the dark, but enough so that her fellow teammates can understand the question.
"Something the matter?" Viktorin wonders of this Ethel, keeping his voice away from any gruff tones, any sharp inflections. It appears he's trying his best to stick away from a naturally caustic attitude. As if to brush away any... potential hostilities from the words he already spoke, he manages a small, weak smile, complimenting Ethel's 'kitty-cat' blouse. "Nice cat-shirt." And then he's past her, still hawkishly surveying his surroundings. "I don't hate reading. But I'd rather be nose-deep in 'Meditations' or 'Thus spake Zarathustra'." Clicking his tongue, the demigod swivels his eyes towards Ritsuka. "Not sure how... accurate that's going to be. Still, I suppose anything is worthwhile."
Arriving fashionably late, Autumn waits until she's dry to join the group. "Evening," Autumn speaks, her voice low with a smile towards Brian before she turns to find someone. "Only books I remember reading were tomes at the Market's library. And I do not remember reading or having any books when I was child."
Arriving fashionably late, Autumn waits until she's dry to join the group. "Evening," Autumn speaks, her voice low with a smile towards Brian before she turns to find Ethel. "Only books I remember reading were tomes at the Market's library. And I do not remember reading or having any books when I was child."
Syl listens to Ethel give her explanation of the purpose of the institute, her cold blue eyes resting heavy on the woman. At the news of rare texts she glances away as if to find them, but looks back near immediately. "Do you have anything about 'Amayon'?" Syl asks. She looks over toward Harriet as the woman returns as if to clarify that she has gotten the name correct. To Emmelline she says, "Yeah we know where it is." Her hand still rests idly over the pocket containing the stone.
Ritsuka looks back to Ethel, her lips purse lightly and she makes for a far more cute and shy smile. "Oh, that would be very helpful. Thank you very much, Ethel-senpai." She makes to bow deeply to her. When she raises again, the more shy smile sticks, but she glances around the library.
Syl shakes her head, "Amayamon," Syl corrects herself.
Brian looks at Ethel. "Yes, I am interested in anything I can find about demonic contracts, specifically things about severing them, or other methods of removing them." he says.
"Oh oh," Emmelline says with a nod at Syl's gesturing. 'Good to know, that's one less... thing to be worrying about."she looks about the large library, at the shelves upon shelves of books, as the others make their introductions. As Brian speaks, a knowing look enters her eyes, but she doesn't say anything, just that one singular glance of understanding as she continues to idly look about, seeming awe struck by the sheer volume of books."
"N-no, nothing is the matter," Ethel, the mousy librarian, likely likes to Viktorin. She has fingers twitching nervously as she adjusts her wire-framed glasses again. Her nose scrunches three times, and she gives a shy smile, clearly excited to help, but flustered. Oh so terribly flustered. "Religious texts f-from a thousand to a thousand f-five hundred years ago, Christian in nature," she's stammering. "I, uh, I-I believe the section you need is, um, th-this way." Quick, shuffling steps have Ethel taking the group through the corridors and around so many bookshelves. They go up a few flights of stairs and end up at a row of mahogany shelves stacked high with books of all sizes. It is an impressive collection. "Y-you might find documents from the time of, um, large conflicts between divine and demonic forces here, though..." Her voice trails off as she glances around, clearly unsure how much to say about the more esoteric texts. "W-we, uh, also have... m-more specific volumes if you have a particular subject, i-if that's more helpful." She glances nervously back to Ritsuka, fidgeting with her sleeves as she awaits further direction. With Syl speaking the name of the bloodstone, she freezes for a moment, but then Brian has her wide eyes focusing on him. "D-demonic contracts. How frightful. Y-yes... Let me see what I can find."
"Interesting," Autumn comments while she follows along with the group and Ethel. She turns to glance at the rows of books around her and then at the mahogany shelves. "Who knew this place has such kind of texts."
Emmelline looks about the vastness of the library. "Should we split up?," she asks of their montly crew. "We'll never get through and make a meaningful dent, if we all cluster here."
As if here more for the ride than for any help in this 'research' department, Viktorin simply dips his head towards Ethel, before gesturing to the others. "Have at it. I'll speak with our kind friend here whilst everyone inevitably dips into books." The comment about not having books earns a glance from the demigod towards Autumn. Curious, but nothing more.
Brian says to Emmelline, "If we do, you and I will stick together, please, just in case."
Ritsuka purses her lips lightly for a moment when Brian makes a direct request for contracts, but she does not interrupt on it, and then adds "Maybe there is something we can find on an old pact made that mentions demonstones among the contracts?" She for her own looks through some of the books, particularly the titles for anything that stands out to her as something that might contain a clue.
Autumn also moves away to browse the shelves' books, her hazel eyes scanning each spine and even scroll. "Demon, demon..." she murmurs quietly to herself with an occasional glance left and right. "Hmm..."
Ethel nervously shifts her weight as she watches Brian. "Th-there's always a way out, b-but... it's n-never easy," she murmurs. "The demons h-hide the escape, and... a-any attempt to break the contract usually comes at a cost." Then she adds, "I read a lot," to explain why she knows this. She's reaching upward, small frame streeeeetching as she pulls a heavy, dark tome from its resting place. The cover is well worn, with cracked leather embossed cross its front with a fiery sigil at the centre. "Th-this is one of the most c-comprehensive works on demonic contracts w-we have," she stammers softly to Brian. "I-it's called 'Infernal Bargains: A Treatise on Demonic Contracts.'" Next, she expresses to someone nervously, "W-we have one of the most impressive o-occult selections in the entire world." She's flustered, no surprise there, and she nods to Syl. "I-I believe we do..." Crossing over to another shelf, she's pulling a book on demonic princes. It is quite old, but not as well worn, as if it is not a popular subject matter. "Amaymon... He's a s-scary one," is uttered out nervusly as she hands the book to Syl. Finally, she finds a book she thinks Ritsuka will like. She's found 'The Heavenly Wars: Divine and Demonic Conflicts' and the leather-bound book has faded gold lettering along its spine. "F-from Saint Michael's War in Heaven, to the fall of Lucifer, and other biblical battles... Treatises on h-holy, um, holy relics and their uses..." With Ritsuka's next idea, Ethel is frowning and trying to think.
Ethel nervously shifts her weight as she watches Brian. "Th-there's always a way out, b-but... it's n-never easy," she murmurs. "The demons h-hide the escape, and... a-any attempt to break the contract usually comes at a cost." Then she adds, "I read a lot," to explain why she knows this. She's reaching upward, small frame streeeeetching as she pulls a heavy, dark tome from its resting place. The cover is well worn, with cracked leather embossed cross its front with a fiery sigil at the centre. "Th-this is one of the most c-comprehensive works on demonic contracts w-we have," she stammers softly to Brian. "I-it's called 'Infernal Bargains: A Treatise on Demonic Contracts.'" Next, she expresses to Autumn nervously, "W-we have one of the most impressive o-occult selections in the entire world." She's flustered, no surprise there, and she nods to Syl. "I-I believe we do..." Crossing over to another shelf, she's pulling a book on demonic princes. It is quite old, but not as well worn, as if it is not a popular subject matter. "Amaymon... He's a s-scary one," is uttered out nervusly as she hands the book to Syl. Finally, she finds a book she thinks Ritsuka will like. She's found 'The Heavenly Wars: Divine and Demonic Conflicts' and the leather-bound book has faded gold lettering along its spine. "F-from Saint Michael's War in Heaven, to the fall of Lucifer, and other biblical battles... Treatises on h-holy, um, holy relics and their uses..." With Ritsuka's next idea, Ethel is frowning and trying to think.
Emmelline nods to Brian, but it is to Viktorin she talks to next. her voice lowered so as not to disturb the musings of her other team members. "So... what was wrong with burning this thing to smitherines?," she asks of the man, a light smile playing at her lips. "Wasn't that your idea? Or sending it up on a rocket? Would that have worked?"
Brian begins to read through the book that the librarian points him towards.
"That's why such bargains with demons are impossible to break, according to myths," Autumn replies to Ethel. She turns away from the shelves and walk towards Brian to get a glance at the book. "I do not think I've heard of Amaymon before."
Syl accepts the book on demonic contracts from Ethel. Accepting the book , she gives a nod of thanks to Ethel. She idly thumbs open the book, eyes running over it curiously. Its the first time she's taken her hand away from where it rests near her pocket since she arrived.
Syl accepts the book on Amayamon from Ethel. Accepting the book , she gives a nod of thanks to Ethel. She idly thumbs open the book, eyes running over it curiously. Its the first time she's taken her hand away from where it rests near her pocket since she arrived. (fix... 2 hours of sleep, bit out of it, sorry)
"Well can't we do it out in the forest or field somewhere?," Emmelline idly asks of Viktorin. She not knowing anything of what is being discussed, so newly activated, unfortunately has nothing of real substance to contribute at the time being. 'I mean like you know... in a large field, where no one else would see?""
Ritsuka quickly browses through the pages, she does not read all of them, but scans over some, and then for a few more pages before moving several pages ahead. Eventually she draws to an entry where she sinks into, her scanning more intense, her lips purse again. "Ayayaya, it would mean we had to uncover another artifact. Or access a forge or make a pact for a celestial relic or artifact. I don't know of one, but the order might have access to one someone possibly. Or have the means to produce one. But what kind of artifact could be used against a demonstone specifically?" She browses a few more pages through, not paying attention to anything or anyone else for a moment while mumbling something, focused.
Viktorin squints at Emmelline, wondering, "Have you ever had much success burning metal and rocks and such things?"
"Nope," Emmelline replies openly. "Burning things was always more a man sport," she says with a soft little laugh. "But it does seem devilishly fun."
"Well, I assure you, man or not, one cannot surpass physics. Even if... strangely inclined to that which isn't normal," Viktorin informs Emmelline with hints of amusement.
Ethel is kind of out of it, overwhelmed by the people present and the late hour, but she's standing, at least. Shaking like a leaf, but standing. She hears Ritsuka's words and then goes, "O-oh," like she has an idea, but she doesn't say anything more. The mention of burning metal and the converation between Viktorin and Emmelline earns a fearful, intimidated glance. "Uh..."
Brian continues to persue the tome on demonic contracts, idly listening to the others, and occasionally looking up and around and things.
"Aww all right then," Emmelline says with a nod and a little sigh, she seeming a bit bored. She walks idly over to a shelf nearby, bends down and pulls out a tome at random. "Hmm," she says as she allows the tome to open to a random page, just to see what she might find.
Ritsuka looks up to Ethel and then chuckles apologetically. "I- apologize Ethel-sama," She makes a dip to her head again "Did you say anything? I do promise you are safe her. I just came to a very helpful page in the book and was very distracted. Thank you." Another dip of her head.
"T-there is a special room," Ethel is revealing to Ritsuka as she stares at the floor. "A v-very special room, but I don't... um, I-I don't know how to get into it." She swallows thickly and then dares to look over at Brian, then to Viktorin and Emmelline, and finally to Syl and Harriet. "I c-could show you?" She watches as Emmelline retrieves a book on the sex lives of demons. "-oh, that one is, um..." She's scrunching her nose three more times.
With a peek over Brian's shoulder, Autumn turns to head back to the other books. "Are there any books on records of artifacts related to demons and similar topics?" Autumn wonders of someone during her search. "Like they said, you are safe. Hmm?"
With a peek over Brian's shoulder, Autumn turns to head back to the other books. "Are there any books on records of artifacts related to demons and similar topics?" Autumn wonders of Ethel during her search. "Like they said, you are safe. Hmm?"
Brian nods in agreement. "You're about as safe as can be. No worries." He gives Ethel a smile of encouragement before going back to his reading.
"Oh not helpful," Emmelline says laughing, as she shuts the book. "This is what happens when I choose books at random," she says seeming to find it amusing all the same as she very carefully and respectfully places the book back. She strolls over to the next shelf, still remaining very nearby the group. This time, she reaches up over her head, and chooses another tome at random, allowing it to open to a random page again. "I once heard something once," she goes on idly to her group mates, "about allowing books... I don't know to tell you what they need to. And this is acieved by opening a book at random, and allowing it to fall where it may. Silly I know," she says as she looks down in the book in her hands, "but... seeing as we don't know what we're looking for, this seems equally effective and fun."
"Try something about artifacts of the infernal nature," Viktorin suggests to Emmelline, before glancing towards Ethel. "I am Victor Tapia," the Czech introduces himself falsely, "If I may be slightly impolite, may I ask again, if you're aware?"
Nodding to Autumn, Ethel pulls a book from a nearby shelf, hands shaking all the while. The book appears to have a cover made from tanned skin, and the way Ethal handles it makes it look like she's very uncomfortable touching it -- granted, she looks uncomfortable anyway. "H-here..." Then she mentions, "I-it's human skin," about what envelopes the outside of the book. Weakly, she smiles at Brian, and when Emmelline is disinterested in demon kama sutra, she doesn't look surprised. Well, those wide eyes almost look surprised, but as Viktorin addressess her, she seems to hear the Czech this time. "Victor, h-hi. I'm aware, y-yes. I think the book, uhm, the book y-you want is... in the special... the very special room."
Ritsuka looks down to the exact page she was on, and then, very respectfully closes the book. She smiles to Ethel and then waits a moment before saying. "Of course, Ethel-sama, can you show me where it is? We are working hard to solve a riddlee so some might want to look through some books more." She says, warm and gently. "Is there somewhere I can put the book so it is safe? I don't want it to come to cause any trouble." Another light bow of her head.
"Why is this room so special?," Emmelline asks of Ethel curiously. Though as Ritsuka speaks and asks her to show them to the room, she simply nods.
Syl looks through the book. "So, it says he is associated with travel through planes. That tracks. The defector I met up with told me that the Destined Host was trying to open a portal. I'm not sure where that puts us in terms of destroying this thing, but its at least a confirmation that his story makes sense. I haven't found anything yet about the stone itself though. Or how it might be destroyed." Syl looks around toward Ritsuka and the others having been a bit distracted during her leafing and reading.
"T-the very special room is on the fifth floor," Ethel manages to say to Ritsuka, and she says, "W-we can head up that way as s-soon, um, as everyone is ready. It's... It's got a pretty door," is claimed weakly and she even smiles for a whole half of a second before cowering beside a shelf. "The book... We can take it, um, we can take it upstairs with us. If y-you can figure out how to get into the s-sp-special room, th-then the book will be safe in there." After, she looks to Syl, listening with those ever wide eyes.
"Thank you," Autumn replies to Ethel as she receives the book. She examines the skin cover before she carefully opens it. "Best to take extra care for such books like this," she speaks, taking in the familiar infernal scent while slowly flipping through the pages. She then stops at a certain page and begins to read it. "Most dangerous relics... portion of victim's soul to stone's power... Oh. This stone contains souls of sacrificed victims," she murmurs with a purse of her lips.
"if we figure out how to get in?," Emmelline asks of Ethel, she herself seeming ready to move on. "What is it not just a normal room?," she asks curiously.
"Mm," Viktorin huffs, clicking his tongue. "Special in what manner?" There's skepticism. Wariness. That flighty little glint to his eyes, to the way he stands. As if ready for something terrible to happen. Ethel's words about 'safety' don't exactly discourage the wariness either. It grows. And preemptively, the Czech is already sniffing the air, scanning over the room as his eyes unnaturally dilate. Occasionally, he closes his eyes to listen.
Ritsuka takes a hold of the book she is entrusted with, and she does nod her head to Ethel. While others go on into suspicions, she can be heard and seen moving to the stairs, intending to make her way up, book in hand.
If Viktorin seems wary, Ethel seems like she's about to be the victim of a murder. She's still shaking, looking like an abused little dog. "Special... It's, um, the p-place where the most rare books are kept and st-studied by the world's greatest scholars." Weakly, she admits, "I-I'm not a scholar, so I've never been given a key." Her nose is twitching, glasses get pushed back up, her nose twitches some more. There is a faint smell of brimstone to sensitive supernatural noses, but it is coming from Autumn's book, and there are no other strange sights or sounds. You know, other than the twitchy Ethel who still looks ready to pee herself. The mousy woman tells Emmelline, "I-I've never seen it. Whenever you are ready, w-we can go up." But Ritsuka is already headed off. Once upstairs, she'll find so many more bookshelves, overladen with all kinds of old books, and walls hung with various art. Recesses here and there display very old paintings, and even tarot cards. In one recess is a design that mimics the emblem that is stationed above the front doors of the library's exterior.
Ethel does look quite disturbed over what Autumn has shared about the Bloodstone of Amaymon.
Brian looks around at the rest of the group. "Shall we head upstairs, then?"
Emmelline shrugs and nods to Brian, as she follows the group and presumably Ethel as they go to this mysterious room.
Viktorin says "Indeed, let us move on."
Autumn nods her head as she closes the book. "Yes. Let's go."
Ritsuka makes her way on over towards the cosmic emblem, and she reaches for the lines that make it up, testing to see if she can move them around. Hers, here, is a far more intellectual study now, rather than trying to play a game, but she does reach up to touch her own jawline, tapping against it with her index finger.
Syl glances down at her pocket at the news that the stone contains the souls of sacrificed victims. She blinks cold icy blue eyes before looking back up. Seeing Ritsuka leave she moves to follow with the rest of the group as they head on after her. "Sounds good to me," Syl agree, joining with them, while closing her own book and tucking it beneath her arm.
Once upstairs, Ethel is heading over to that recessed wall where the emblem is. "I-I believe it is here," she murmurs out. The 'door' is adorned with an intricate mosaic. It is a recreation of Isidore of Seville's diagram from his chapter on the seasons. All four seasons are illustrated according to their qualities and cardinal directions. Pointing up and representing 'north' is a snowflake. To the east of it is a blooming flower. Below is a blazing sun, and finally to the west is an illustrated falling leaf. Lines and arcs connect the represented seasons in a complex web within the circle. 'Cold and moist' is etched in what would be the northeast. 'Warm and moist' to the southeast. 'Warm and Dry' to the southwest. And 'cold and dry' to the northwest. "P-people disappear frm this area," is shared, and she reaches up to touch at the art. Fingers touch the blazing sun, and immediately, that sun lights up, and then makes a dull sound, and the brightens fades. Immediately, Ethel is jumping straight up into the air in shock and terror before she's crouching and covering her head. Nothing else happens though.
Harriet lets the group move on as her colleague who owed her a favour comes forward and waves her over. They engage in a discussion down on the second floor.
'Oh that's not good," Emmelline says with concern, as she watches someone touch one of the emblems. "Is that normal?," she ponders to no one in particular."
Ritsuka is seen fiddling with the symbol above and when Ethel comes to do something, she does take a step back. "I am very embarrassed, I thought it would be the symbol above." She gasps with a little bit of excitement when a symbol starts to light up, and it is the sun of course and she looks it over, and then asks "I don't know what most of this means. This looks like a Foreigner thing. Does anyone know what this is?"
"Oh that's not good," Emmelline says with concern, as she watches ethel touch one of the emblems. "Is that normal?," she ponders to no one in particular.
"Odd," is all that Viktorin grunts as he inevitably strolls in pace with Ethel and halts as she halts, touching the diagram. When it lights up, he grunts. "Not something I'd expect from anything concerning demons. More of a fae thing or of the Godlings. My favorite season is Winter, anyways. Perfect for the Cthonic ones. It is said that when Perun strikes down Veles, spring emerges. Along with rain." Snorting a little, he admits, "Veles always finds a way to come back into existence to kidnap more of Perun's livestock or family. Only to be struck down again during the darkest of times. Winter." Turning his eyes towards Ritsuka, he grunts, "No. I don't play with odd trinkets. It invites disaster. And I'd probably end up cursed or something. Last time I touched any sort of object, I spent four years with the Black Father in my dreams, and that alone was not a pleasant experience."
"It doesn't seem to do any real harm though," Emmelline says as she looks curiously at the thing. "So that one," pointing to the sun one Ethel had touched, "does a sort of burning thing. Figures, and I assume that one," pointing to the winter emblem, "might send a freezzing sensation over you. Equally unpleasant, but what if I touched one of those?," she aks,s without touching the emblems, just pointing to the milder spring and fall emblems, looking to Ethel for an answer.
Since nothing blew up and Ethel is still in one piece, she decides to stand upright and brushes herself off. "I-it's the Isidore of Seville diagram on seasons. I-I know this one." She obviously doesn't understand the puzzle. "Someone, um, s-someone else should touch it," is suggested, and she looks at Emmelline after listening to Viktorin. Nervously, she crosses her arms over her chest. "I-I touched the wrong one." Despite all that, she reaches over and touches where Ritsuka was going for earlier. The snowflake gets touched and it lights up, making a soft chime, and remains glowing.
Syl asks, "Do we touch them in the order of the season?" She looks to Ethel as she asks the question.
"I have not seen that before," Autumn frowns, shaking her head and moves to examine the symbols. "Seasons in Hell are different than ones here. I think flower would open while leaf would fall." She then sees the snowflake glowing and hums. "Perhaps they should be touched in correct order. Winter is first, it seems."
"Oh I stand corrected," Emmelline says with vague amusement, as the snowflake one doesn't seem to send any freezing sensations. "Huh," she muses mildly, she clearly seeming unaware of this puzzle. At Autumn speaks, she nods. "Right so then perhaps it's spring summer then fall?"
"Moist," Ethel says very, very softly as she reads the inscriptions and then looks at Syl. "Y-you should try." She nods in agreement with Autumn. "P-please, you all should try."
Brian stands nearby, remaining silent as he watches the others. He continues to scan the area, including keeping an eye on Harriet below.
While everyone is discussing the possible pattern to unlock the door, Ethel is repeating the word, "Moist," as her fingers find the 'warm and moist' inscription. It seems to zap her, and she reels back. "O-ow." Even that came out in a stutter from the incredibly nervous woman. The snowflake dims.
Curiously, Viktorin wonders of Autumn, "I would've thought that Hell would've been all fire and anger and such. I would've never thought you lot had seasons." Turning his eyes towards the diagram, he gestures for the others to go on ahead. "I'd probably end up- woman, cease harming yourself!"
"No no I think they're meant to counter each other," Emmelline says as she watches Ethel touching another thing and getting zapped. "So if it's moist, we might look for warm and dry," she says. She reaches over, tapping the snowflake thing again. Assuming it lights up, she tries to find the warm and dry point on the diagram and touches it to see what might happen.
The woman that is harming herself, also known as Ethel, stares at Viktorin and gives him a nod. Her submissive nature is on full display, and she utters out, "Y-yes, Victor. S-sorry, Victor." While Emmelline is considering how the puzzle works, she finds that the snowflake lights up, makes a pleasant chime of a noise, and then when 'warm and dry' get traced, Emmelline also receives a sudden ZAP that sends a jolt of electricity through her.
Emmelline flinches with pain as the electricity zaps her. "bad door!," she says with a huff, reaching over and giving it a healthy thump with the side of her hand, on the door part, not on the emblem. "Anyone else have any bright ideas?"
"Spring is also moist because rain," Autumn speaks, approaching the blooming flower. "It's also warm and so is summer-" She then stops when Ethel touches the inscription and the snowflake changing. "Not moist. Winter is cold, like Fall. Either backwards or..." She ponders for a moment while looking at the diagram. "In certain order as in resembling symbol."
"Moist and warm should be spring, while winter would be moist and cold. Are the symbols lined up correctly?" Ritsuka asks, falling into her native language, furrowing her brows as she watches Emmelline make her attempt. "Moist and warm, and in the same- oh." She blinks again "Autumn to Winter should both be cold in the northwest. Because it would draw from autumn into cold weather that connects to winter and when winter ends it would be moist and uncomfortable, but it would be water for the rising spring-" She nods to Autumn suddenly.
"Hai! I think so, too, Autumn-san. We should try and trace it around, from winter, to moist and moist and then spring!" Ritsuka says, nodding excitedly to Autumn, and if the other is not already doing it, she is now attempting what she is saying. From spring to hot and hot and them summer and from summer to dry and dry to spring, and then cold and cold back to winter.
"Bad, um, bad door," Ethel joins in on Emmelline's scolding on the inanimate object, pushing her glasses back up and wiggling her nose. She looks to Brian to see if he knows how to assist. "Um, this is just.. j-just a door. It... I don't think... I don't th-think it has anything to-to-to do with Hell," is said to Viktorin. As Ritsuka speaks Japanese, Ethel has no idea what is going on and her eyes grow even wider.
With one hand, Autumn touches the snowflake again before she turns to touch the flower. "Hopefully I don't pass out."
"Good," Viktorin intones, nodding in approval at Ethel. "People are fragile and consistently hurting yourself is not a good thing to do. What if the door lights you on fire? I do not have a fire-extinguisher." This, obviously, may not happen, but instead of solving the puzzle in any methodical manner, the demigod growls suddenly. Lightning flickers from his finger as he suddenly touches the center of the piece. As if to shock it in return. Sadly, he's no more immune to being shocked than the rest of the folk here, so odds are, if anything happens, it's probably not anything good. But certainly, the Czech is practising his methods of venting his frustrations, upon the inanimate object known as 'a door'. Towards the mousy librarian, the demigod merely has one suggestion. "You should work on your puzzle skills. I would suggest the thousand piece sort. Or maybe a three thousand piece sort. Then, maybe, one day, you can open strange doors."
Syl watches on curiously as the others try various attempts to get the door open.
"Reg-regulatio-regulations make us keep fire extinguishers," Ethel informs Viktorin as Autumn begins to trace a pattern. The snowflake lights up, and then goes dim, making a dull sound. When the flower is touched it lights up and chimes. "P-puzzle skills... I, I like jigsaw puzzles," she murmurs.
Emmelline looks on as people try to get the door open. "This is taking time, any of you blokes feel like making some racket?," she in turn asks unhelpfully of both Viktorin and Brian. "Kicking it down might be an option. Though.. normal doors don't do that electric shocky shock thing, so maybe not. Never mind," she says before withdrawing back into silence, though she can't help but to giggle slightly at her own quite ludacrous suggestion.
Brian says "Yeah, that."
Ethel supposes, "Spring is warm and moist, right?"
"yeah, knew it when I suggested it," Emmelline says with a grin to both Viktorin and Brian. "Not to mention the evil shocky shock thing. I really thought they were supposed to counter each other," she says with a slight shrug.
Brian shrugs at Ethel. "Sometimes, sure."
Syl decides to have her own attempt at opening the door. She moves over to the door and just tries the thing which seems most reasonable to her. Winter, then spring, then summer, then fall. She does it with a ginger manner as if awaiting som retribution from the door.
"Hmm," Autumn ponders at the now glowing flower. "Seasons opposite to ours?" Autumn comments. "Ethel, what season were you born in?" She then touches the leaf while watching the flower for any change.
As Syl goes and tries a new pattern, no shocking happens, thank goodness, BUT each time she touches a new spot, the former one dims.
Brian watches Syl. "Maybe you need to hold each one as you touch it?" he offers.
Ethel replies to Autumn, "I was born in winter. Cold and moist." Is that a reference to the weather, or was she born that way?
Ritsuka tries to slide by next, and if she is let, she does actually try and follow what Ethel suggested. A touch over spring, and then first to moist and then warm.
Syl looks to someone. "When people go in here, is it always in groups? I'm wondering if we need to touch each symbol and keep our hands there to get the thing open. Like one of those nuclear missiles where you have tow keys rather than one." She nods to someone. "Exactly."
Syl looks to Ethel. "When people go in here, is it always in groups? I'm wondering if we need to touch each symbol and keep our hands there to get the thing open. Like one of those nuclear missiles where you have tow keys rather than one." She nods to someone. "Exactly."
Squinting, Viktorin grunts a little to Ethel, "I'm unsure why you would mention such. Unless you were hoping to be lit on fire. And, to be frank, being lit on fire is not a pleasant sensation. I would urge you to avoid such things." Turning his eyes towards the door, once more, the demigod just gestures towards it. Allowing everyone else to have a turn inevitably shocking themselves whilst he snaps and let's little lightning bolts arc from his own fingers. "Let me know if we run out of options. I'll just start... uh. Zapping it back." Then he returns his attention to their new mousy team-mate. "You should try more puzzles. I personally don't like puzzles as I find them to be boring."
Syl looks to Ethel. "When people go in here, is it always in groups? I'm wondering if we need to touch each symbol and keep our hands there to get the thing open. Like one of those nuclear missiles where you have tow keys rather than one." She nods to Brian. "Exactly."
It seems that Ritsuka has gotten it right so far. Both the flower and 'moist and warm' stay lit up.
Syl notices Ritsuka's success and then realizes she was wrong. SHe pouts faintly and scuffs a sneaker along the ground.
Emmelline watches as various people take turns doing various combinations. "perhaps," she calls, "we should do this one by one? Rather than us all sort of going forth and touching things? It could confuse the doors," she says laughing. "Goddess knows it confuses me."
"Ah-ha!" Ritsuka suddenly cheers, and then tries to press on the sun for summer, and then hot and dry. "I was overthinking it too much! Science!"
Having no desire to be lit on fire, Ethel is shaking her head at Viktorin. "N-no, I don't want to, um, be lit on f-fire," she near whimpers at the Czech. "N-no." Shivering, she holds herself tightly as she watches, and replies to Syl, "S-sometimes in groups. Other, um, other times... individuals."
"Now I see it," Autumn's eyes lights out as she watches Ritsuka. "Spring is warm and moist." Waiting after the other woman, she then touches the falling leaf and then 'Cold and Dry.'
Once Autumn touches the leaf, everything goes dark again. Plus, poor Autumn gets electrocuted a little.
Syl giggles.
Syl says "I like this door."
Ethel comments to Syl, "I-it's very pretty."
Ritsuka suddenly lets out a laugh "Uh oh- Maybe it didn't like when I tried to press the sun. I apologize Autumn- Maybe we should do it slowly? Would you like to do the honors?" She offers, smiling sweet at Autumn.
Viktorin glances over towards Autumn, sympathetically telling her, "You tried your best." Then towards Ethel, the demigod nods in approval. "Good. As I said, it is not a very pleasant experience. You'll be fine here though and you are safe, especially with my presence around. Nothing awful shall get through me." With this, he pats the woman on the head as if she were a cat or dog or something, before returning his gaze towards Ritsuka and Autumn, simply watching the door. "This door needs more buttons," he remarks, clearly with a bit of disapproval at the odd witchcraft going on.
"M-maybe it is judgy," Ethel murmurs, looking at the door. "Maybe it just... it's mono-monogamous..." Anyone who has touched the door will now notice little bits of blood seeping out of tiny wounds on their fingers.
"I feel like we should reexplore the kicking down option," Emmelline remarks idly, seeming a touch at a loose end as she watches namely Ritsuka and Autumn trying various things.
Ethel is noticing the blood on her own fingers and she quickly puts them into her mouth, sucking the bits of redness off of them. She's shaking the whole time.
Syl checks her hand, frowning faintly.
Brian rummages through his rucksack. "C-4... but where did I put the blasting caps?" he says, mostly to himself.
"No brian no," Emmelline says chortling softly at Brian's words. "Too much, that is the definition of overkill. Just kick it. Both you and Vik throw your shoulders into it and it should give way."
"Ow!" Autumn jumps back, cooling off her shocked hand with a grimace. "Leaf not correct. I'll should have just let Ritsuka do rest." Upon noticing the blood on her fingers, she wipes it off while letting them heal.
Brian grins at Emmelline. "As far as you know, I was kidding. As Victor said, we don't want to damage the place. They'd never invite us back, and this is a good resource to have access to."
"Oh- I brought bandages, let me just try? I have not gotten shocked yet so maybe it is a very strict door and only allows everyone to try once?" Ritsuka quietly wonders, as she, given the opportunity, tries to trace after again. From the flower to moist and then warm, to the radiant sun with warm to dry, and then the leaf for dry to cold and finally to the snowflake and cold and moist. Assuming she does not get shocked herself. She for her own does not look if her finger bleeds.
Syl swallows nervously, eyeing Ethel.
"We are in the middle of London, in an institute," Viktorin huffs, "We have the mercy of not being assaulted by throngs of evil fuckers. And I would prefer not to spook our tiny friend here," Viktorin grunts, before flicking his gaze at Ethel. "You seriously need to get a case of paranoia as well when dealing with odd objects. Get your fingers out of your mouth."
Sheer horror is etching across Ethel's facial features as Brian volunteers explosives. "I-I can't lose my j-job. I'm trying, um, to help you." This door seems to react to touch, but also takes somethng in return. Perhaps it needs just enough blood from one person, in the right order. That's not creepy... Anyway, Ethel looks to Viktorin, and she shrinks even furher, unable to reply, with fingers still wedged in her mouth, and then she looks at Ritsuka and the process taken. There is success. Once all four are matched correctly, the door's latch unlocks and it slowly slides open, revealing a room filled with manuscripts and incunabula, preserved in climate control cases. There are illuminated texts with elaborate marginalia, early prints of astronomical treatises, and delicate papyri all resting safely.
"Good work mate," Emmelline says with a smile to Ritsuka. She waits for Ethel to enter, before she follows along with the rest of the team.
Ethel, it seems, has no intention of going in, and she turns away and starts trying to scuttle off.
Brian follows the others through the door.
Ritsuka raises her hands over her head in victory, but it is swiftly hidden into a stretch as she then, far too curious to resist and wait, just proceeds forward! Wide eyes look around the various documentation that can be found here, but her gaze does not linger on astronomical treatises. She is looking for something specific, they came here for a very specific reason, after all.
Emmelline proceds more cautiously, following the others. She doesn't touch anything though, just stays to one side and out of the way. Though her eyes do rove the various shelves and the contents they behold.
"Nice," Autumn smiles at Ritsuka and turns to head through the door as well. She examines the room with a curious gaze, clutching the book in her hand and arm as she then searches forward.
As Ritsuka leads the way, and Brian is quickly moving afer her, the group will see that a figure is seated at a heavy, dark wooden table. It is an elderly man here in the heart of this sacred archive. He's hunched slightly, but in a geriatric, not mousy Ethel-like, reading over an ancient scroll that is unfurled before him. His presence is so still and quiet that he's almost like a part of the room itself. Looking to be in his eighties, fine white strands of hair are wisps atop his scalp. Deep lines etch his paper-thin skin, but his blue eyes are still sharp behind his round spectacles. Long and simple, an old university scholar's robe in faded burgundy is worn by the man. Glancing up from his reading material, he narrows his gaze. "Ah," he murmurs out. "I wondered when someone would find their way in here. It is not often that I am disturbed so unexpectedly. I am Professor Alaric Dowling," he introduces himself, nodding to Autumn, Emmelline, Viktorin, and Syl once they have arrived as well, and in his well-aged voice he continues with, "I've spent a lifetime here among forgotten knowledge, watching over these ancient texts. Now tell me, what brings you to this place?"
"Go ahead, you lot," Viktorin huffs to the group, covering the rear. Once more, he surveys his surroundings. Not for anything helpful for research. But for that which may not be 'friendly' so to speak.
"It summarizes down to this, Downling-senpair," Ritsuka answers, as the likely first person closest and she does move to bow deeply. "We need a bloodstone destroyed, from this book here," She holds the book she brought along up. "Artifacts from the celestial forges can do it. But I am not understanding what item specifically could destroy a bloodstone. It is very important that we find a solution. Can I please, ask for your help in uncovering the right artifact or type of it?" She makes to bow deeply again, it is a slow gesture.
Syl after following Ritsuka, Brian, and the rest of the group in returns the nod of greeting with a little up nod of her chin at Professor Alaric Dowling. She opts to let someone explain the situation as the woman has taken the lead.
Syl after following Ritsuka, Brian, and the rest of the group in returns the nod of greeting with a little up nod of her chin at Professor Alaric Dowling. She opts to let Ritsuka explain the situation while she gets her hand cleaned off on the side of her clothes. Eq.
Syl after following Ritsuka, Brian, and the rest of the group in returns the nod of greeting with a little up nod of her chin at Professor Alaric Dowling. She opts to let Ritsuka explain the situation while she gets her hand cleaned off on the side of her clothes. Ew. (fixed)
Emmelline bows deeply and respectfully to the professor, but does not speak, happy to allow Ritsuka to outline the situation.
"Information on Bloodstone is also contained here," Autumn speaks towards someone, holding up the tanned skin book with one hand. "Made under directions of demon and perhaps contains souls of sacrificed victims..."
"Information on Bloodstone is also contained here," Autumn speaks towards Professor Dowling, holding up the tanned skin book with one hand. "Made under directions of demon and perhaps contains souls of sacrificed victims..."
Syl shifts her own book a bit. "The Bloodstone is of Amayamon if that helps."
Brian waves to the man as they enter, then falls silent, standing off to the side to listen and keep watch at the same time.
The politeness and respect that Ritsuka uses earns her politeness and respect in return from Alaric. Bushy white eyebrows are wild, but his old body is tired and it nearly creaks as he rises to stand and moves over to one of the displays. "A bloodstone?" There is fear in his voice suddenly in response to what Autumn has shared. With Syl saying more, he thins his weathered lips and says, "Gods almighty... Say it isn't so...." He retrieves a set of keys and unlocks it, reaching in to get a thick, leather-bound tome that has a cover embossed with celestial runes and an intricate depiction of an anvil beneath a starry sky. Its pages are worn. "This will help. It is not that old," he confesses. "But it is important and we have read it so many times." After he's back at the the table, he settles down before it and opens up the book. Inside, pages detail various locations and the nature of the celestial forges scattered across different planes of existence. "Mythical forges are said to have been operated by angels and used to create divine weapons, artifacts, and tools of immense power." His arthritic fingers turn page after page that has angelic anvils and the blacksmith hammers described and sketched. He's getting prepared to explain everything to Ritsuka, Emmelline, Brian, Syl, Autumn, and Viktorin.
"Oh that can't be good," Emmelline says more to herself than anyone at the professor's reaction, and the book he retrieves. She peers closer at the book, even as the pages are flicked through rapidly.
After turning several more pages, Alaric finds what he is looking for. "The Forge of Uriel," he begins. "It is a legendary celestial anvil said to have been lost when the great city of Atlantis sank beneath the waves. According to the author, the forge was used not only to create weapons capable of fighting demonic forces, but also to harness the power to destroy demonic artifacts. Here, you can see sketches of the sunken city that accompany the text." The pages show vast, broken columns of Atlantean marble, now overgrown with coral and seaweed. The cavern housing the forge is depicted as a massive undersea chamber, glowing faintly with a soft blue light, where the anvil rests atop a pedestal covered in luminous runes.
"Gods forbid," Viktorin grunts as he overhears the elderly fellow, "This sounds like we're going to have a 'fun' and 'wholesome' time tracking down a forge. And probably getting eaten by a sea-monster."
Viktorin says "Hopefully we'll encounter over-sized sea-horses and not a giant crab chimera. Crabs are strange and spooky."
"Oh my goddess," Emmelline says as she looks upon the page the professor presents. 'How pray tell, are we meant to get to that thing?""
"Now I'm thinking of a giant octopus..." Brian mutters mostly to himself, but he shoots a grin at Viktorin as the man mentions crabs.
Ritsuka takes a step or two closer, still keeping a respectful distance, but her eyes do fall onto the book, scanning over them with intense interest, but it is the page the professor stops at that has her eyes grow more analytical. "I still have a temple breather thing for under-sea, so I am not worried. But bring the bloodstone to the anvil, and then, do we place it onto the hammer to break it? But it would be under water, it might be difficult to do it- even for those of us very strong. It would have water weigh against a swing. Or do we need to light up the forge, Downling-senpai?" She asks, making another dip of her head. She grimaces a little when she comes up "I apologize, I don't mean to ask so many questions, I am being too rude."
Syl raises a hand to her chin and gently strokes it as she looks at the image of the underwater forge.
A sharp turn is had after the Forge of Uriel is done being focused on. Alaric turns through the pages further until he's found the spot he's intent on sharing, especially after Viktorin's comment, and then Ritsuka's, "You may ask as many questions as you like, but I cannot promise to answer them all. However..." He grins wryly. "This book is treasured because it introduces a bold and controversial theory that challenges the traditional understanding of celestial forges. According to the author's hypothesis, the splitting of the atom, which is a process that unleashes the immense energy of the universe, mirrors the very act of starforging." He sounds in awe of this. "Meltdown sites where nuclear power was released in catastrophic events are suggested to serve as makeshift celestial forges. His theory argues that the splitting of the atom creates a location of immense power. Four locations are mentioned in depth." He cannot help but to smile, obviously thinking about a giant octopus fondly when Brian says what he does.
"We have Nagasaki, Japan," Alaric begins to read off the proposed locations, "where the force of the atomic bomb unleashed a catastrophic, divine energy akin to the act of starforging. Hiroshima, Japan -- similarly, Hiroshima is mentioned as a site of great power. The splitting of the atom here released cosmic energy into the earth. Some believe that within the epicenter of the blast lies the potential for divine creation or destruction. Chernobyl, Ukraine," he paues as h furrows his wiry brows. "The Chernobyl disaster, as you likely well know, was a nuclear meltdown that unleashed uncontrolled radioactive energy, and is also theorized to be a modern starforge. The author describes how the core of the reactor could serve as a metaphysical anvil, where objects exposed to the energy might be transmuted into powerful artifacts. However, the location is not only hazardous due to radiation, but also said to be haunted by the spirits of those affected by the disaster. Fukushima, Japan, too, although more recent, the Fukushima nuclear disaster is listed as a possible source of celestial energy. The book suggests that, like the other meltdown sites, the splitting of atoms released a force that can be harnessed, though no known attempts have been made to explore its potential."
Alaric gazes at the book for some time, thinking quite a bit before looking from Ritsuka to Viktorin, from Emmelline to Brian, and Autumn and Syl. "It appears you will have some choices to make."
"Or Leviathan," Autumn says, looking at the illustrations of the forge. "Never went underwater before. And those radioactive sites sound like death valleys for gods. Also heard it can cause mutations and death too."
"um..." Emmelline says as she looks at the various radioactive sites, before turning to Viktorin. "I don't think we can go without doing some serious harm to ourselves. Given our sensitivities."
"No, Magnus and I can't do such things and neither can you," Viktorin intones with a wrinkle of his nose. "I think I prefer underwater activities more than suicide."
"I could go, though I like having two arms and don't want to grow any more." Brian says.
Ritsuka suddenly chuckles, but it is followed by a strong wince "Downling-senpai, it sounds like it means a three in four potential for me to go home to Japan for a little while." Her lips purse into a little of a smile but she nods to Autumn's words. "Most of us possess the blood of divinity, but I was never too afraid. Fukushima would be more difficult to enter, but Nagasaki and Hiroshima are very populated places. They would affect innocent people if we went there. There is still work done at Fukushima to contain the radiation. But I think I could find a way through for us. I have a military contact. A close friend- And someone with the media. Could make it appear like a documentary and be escorted by my close friend in the military. It would give us the room. But Fukushima is still very active in radiation."
"I think going underwater with gear is probably better than early death," Autumn speaks, nodding towards Ritsuka. "But then again, I never went in underwater journey before."
It seems that the comments about preferring to go after Atlantic over the crazy, get yourself some cancer suggestions Alaric claimed about visiting nuclear meltdown sights has bothered him. "You've learned much," he says as his voice grows colder and more menacing. He glares at Viktorin and Autumn, and Emmelline, but Brian seems a bit appreciated -- if only a little. All of the old man warmth and gentleness is stripped away. "But I can't allow you to interfere further. The Bloodstone must not be destroyed." Raising his wrinkled hand, dark, crackling energy begins to swirl around him, sending a sharp chill through the room. "The celestial forges were never meant for your kind to use, fools! You are meddling in forces far beyond your comprehension!" With a sudden, violent gesture, Alaric summons a towering demonic minion. The air ripples with dark power as the creature manifests. It is a grotesquely muscular being, with oily red skin stretched taut over bulging veins that pulse unnaturally. Massive, clawed hands extend from overgrown arms, and jagged teeth gnash together in a guttural snarl as it steps forward with red eyes glowing with primal hunger.
"I don't think Ukraine is the best place to be right now," Syl comments lightly, her Western accent having a hint of slavish influence. "Hate to say it, but the water sounds the most reasonable."
Brian nods. "It's been a few years since my last dive, but I got certified in Scouts, so I could do that."
"See to it that they are killed," Alaric commands as he begins to try and flee, hobbling quickly toward the back of the room, already planning his next move. Maybe Ethel had a good reason to be near peeing herself all the time, after all.
Syl then hears all that...
Syl scrambles backward while unzipping her duffel bag.
Brian grabs his things from his pack. "And here I was hoping this would be a pleasant trip."
Ritsuka needs a moment to read and emote.
"Oh holy goddess," Emmelline says with surprise. She does, exactly as she swears is going to do, and promptly hides behind Brian and Viktorin, along with the rest of the company who seems to be busy with their various weapons and gear, which she does not possess.
Syl drops the books she was holding.
"Knife will have to do," Autumn mutters, putting the book down on the table before she pulls out her blade. "Didn't bring sword and bow..."
"I'm not risking dying, the sickness, or any of that shit," Viktorin intones, slanting his eyes. "And whilst I love Slavia-" and then, Viktorin swiftly draws his dagger from his side, before throwing it, aiming for one of the man's legs. There's that supernatural bit within him, that eye-dilating, the way his blade glints with an odd... shine and glimmer.
As it happens to be, Ritsuka stood the closest to Alaric, and once the summoning begins, Ritsuka immediately chases after Alaric, she does not turn to oppose the demon. She does not reach for her weapon yet and tries to keep up behind the old man and jump atop of him and hold him down if she can, and if not, tries to knock him out. "Take the book on the desk!" She calls back to the others that are now perhaps left with needing to fight the demon without her potentially.
"Demon," Autumn speaks, pointing her blade towards Alaric as her bracelet glows with fiery energy. "Ifrit. Come to my aid." She staggers a bit, but she still stands as black smoke starts to appear.
Emmelline does what she says she is going to do. She is so not about to engage the demonic creature, nor the old man running. She tries to keep quiet and as low a profile as possible. Though at Ritsuka's instructions, she looks to her team mates, clearly all busy with the battle. She drops to the ground, landing on her stomach. Keeping down low to the ground, she begins army crawling towards the desk. Clearly intent on getting the book, just in as low a profile way as possible. Hoping that her team mates, who happen to pose a bigger threat will keep the demon and company busy from one lonely woman army crawling.
Brian brass-checks his rifle, then shoulders it. He toggles the safety off, then opens fire on the demon. Single shots, aimed carefully.
As the roiding demon minion thing is throwing back his head and releasing a terrifying sound not unlike a swarm of hornets paired with a rage filled scream, Viktorin is successfully downing the old scholar, and apparent arcanist, Alaric. The dagger sinks cleanly into a calf, right before Ritsuka jumps on him. He's easily taken down, yelping and trying to defend himself, but he's weak, and likely cursed in some manner. Meanwhile, back to the others, the towering, oily looking monstrosity has his face all twisted as he snarls, bringing along with him the stench of sulfur that seems to emanate from every pore. The minion lunges at Viktorin for throwing the knife at his master with clawed hands outstretched. Those obsidian blades appear to be razor sharp and ever eager to rend flesh from bone. Despite his size, he moves with a serpentine grace. Ifrit is successfully summoned, and that lizard catches the demon minion's attention -- distracted, it turns from Viktorin and moves at an incredible speed towards Autumn's trusty helper. Emmelline has gone unnoticed so far. Bullets fly through the air, and Brian makes contact with one of those shots. A very loud roar escapes the mouth of the demon-like minion, and it only enrages him more, despite taking that damage.
Syl had dropped her book on Amayamon letting it clamber to the floor and scrambles to get protection from her duffel bag which she also drops. She holds the katana uncertainty as she faces a literal demon. Perhaps not very confident in her ability to deal with such a threat. As she backs away she pays attention to which it might be targeting. She looks a moment away from bolting herself and the bloodstone is a heavy weight in one of the too many pockets onf her techwear outfit. Only once the demon is distracted by Iffrit does she move to open her weapon case and take out the rifle within. She takes careful aim once she readies the weapon, waiting for a good moment to fire, not wanting to hit anyone else in the room.
"Please do not move, Downling-Senpai, I apologize that I have to be rude and not let you go. I will be your companion here until your minion is defeated," Ritsuka quietly says, almost softly so. "I will look over your wound once I am safe to do it, but it would be easier if you dismissed your minion. I can sense the curse that lies on your soul. I can help you if you take a step back, and from one person that cherishes knowledge to another, I think we can find understanding." She says far too much, and keeps on the professor, keeping his hands in particular in such a way that he cannot be a threat to her or try to escape.
Whilst the roar has Viktorin turning his attention towards the demonic entity, he seems all but ready to throw down with it, not fearing its obsidian claws. Evem unarmored and currently weaponless. However, when Ifrit shows up, the demigod wastes no time throwing upon his own hasty defenses and weapons. One hand on his rifle, wielding it like a pistol, the other on his sword, rearing it for a stab. "Let's fucking go, you little shit!" the demigod cries, charging forth in fury, not too dissimilar to a berserker himself. Always, it seems, the demigod has preferred close combat. In his death march towards the infernal creature, does he display no regard for his own life. Only a blind and furious determination to rip this being to shreds, sword already poised to slash and rip and maim.
Here comes Ifrit the salamander, fiery wings flapping as it lets out a hiss. "Ifrit, show him our power!" Autumn commands the red-orange salamander, and it lets out a screech before it spews fireballs out of its mouth towards the demon. The woman turns to Alaric and charges towards him, muttering her native language under her breath. "Call off demon. Let us free you from your curse."
Emmelline is as low to the ground as she possibly can be. Especially as bullets knives and other things go whizzing through the air above her head. She only lifts her head fractionally, just enough to see where she's going. She tries to be as strategic as possible, especially as the demon thing begins to move, terror in her eyes. She hides behind a pair of feet here, before breaking cover as Viktorin seems to go all kamikaze on it. Judging her time to be right, she quickly army crawls to the desk, snatching the book off it if she isn't spotted, before promptly hiding under aforementioned desk, rather than trying to crawl her way back to where she was before.
Brian continues to adjust fire, aiming carefully for the demon's center of mass before each shot is released. He instinctively looks past his target, making sure the backdrop is clear.
Syl would fire her weapon once she had a clear shot after having taken the time to get one.
The room is suddenly a storm of chaos, and Alaric is trapped beneath Ritsuka and her hold on him. His eyes are burning with rage and desperation, and he's also wincing in pain from the wound in his leg. "I do not need your pity," Alaric hisses through gritted teeth at Ritsuka. "You cannot free me. You cannot undo what has been done." His voice cracks. "Knowledge? That is what you offer? The Bloodstone must not be destroyed. I will not be stopped by sentiment, nor by empty promises!" He yells at Autumn, "You will all die!" Meanwhile, the scholar's minion is producing that dreadful cacophony of the frenzied hornets mingling with unbridled rage fills the room again. It reverberates all around, and it is the sound of wanting to have vengeance. His twisted face contorts even more, as fireballs smash into him from the fire-wreathed salamander, and the demonic looking minion hisses back. Obsidian claws are swiping at Ifrit, and as Viktorin's war cry echoes out -- with that Czech seeming to have no regard for the creature's size and power -- that deadly approach will prove effective. So does Brian's approach, as well as Syl's shot. The demonesque being is being hit all around, and realises he does not stand a chance. He drops to all fours, catching sight of Emmelline now, and he's going to try and go for the kill with his last breath.
Emmelline is well and truly under the desk. She hides the book behind her own body, and her eyes grow as wide as saucers as the demon thing seems to come for her. She has no weapons, and no defenses. Nor does it seem, does she possess any other powers like that of Autumn. She looks around, trying to find something, anything heavy enough to smack the demon with, regardless of how ineffectual it may be. "Help!," she yells at the top of her lungs, as she peers out of the desk at her fellow teamm mates. She is utterly helpless, unable to move from out of the desk, seeing as the demon thing is coming for her.
Brian slows his breathing and takes careful aim, this time deliberately shooting for the creature's head once he realizes it's going for Emmelline. He lets a breath out, timing the trigger squeeze for the moment his lungs are empty.
"Your soul will be condemned in Hell," Autumn tells Alaric, gripping her dagger as she turns to the demon. Channeling her fury, she charges towards the demon and readies for a piercing strike. "Return to Hell!"
"I do not offer my pity, Senpai, I am offering you a way out of this alive and to improvement to your whole well-being," Ritsuka quietly answers to Alaric, and only now does she try to reach for her concealed weapon, though priority remains on holding him down if it comes to matter. "As far as I know, you are innocent, why else would you have been cursed? Between innocent or sinner, why must you be a sinner, senpai?" If she could draw her wakizashi, she does not yet reveal it.
Syl stares with cold eyes down the sights of her rifle. Fear and panic which had her scrambling back is fading now amid the chaos and pain of the violence. She prepares another shot. With how large the demon-like thing is she aims high, hoping to take advantage of that in order to avoid having any of the others hit by crossfire.
Meanwhile, Autumn's Ifrit hisses as it reels back and continues to spew fireballs at the demon.
As if sensing imminent death, in regards to the creature, something sudden happens to Viktorin. Bones pop, squelch, rip forward, emerging from his flesh, coating his body in some obscene form of armor. Frail, it seems, but it does not also seem to be made for protection, rather it is a symbol of that which is certain to come. Aboard his face, a skull emerges, that of a stag, antlers twisted, alien, asymmetrical, jutting here and there with no rhyme or reason regarding the biology of that which it -should- be based upon. With sword in hand, the Cthonic demigod cackles in glee, not exactly realizing that Emmelline is in danger, nor, does it seem, that he would care at this moment. Instead, he shouts, "May Chernobog grant you death, foul thing!" Minion it may be, but that doesn't matter. The Czech suddenly lifts his sword and plunges it downward, intent on impaling this thing into the ground. "Don't you crawl away from me!" he snarls. "Face your death, weakling. Let the Black Father claim your SOUL!" Viktorin's eyes are completely dilated, no irises to be shown. Lips that barely peek from his newly formed helm are quirked into a sadistic grin.
Syl would not have been able to aim high as the creature was on its hand and knees so wouldn't have.
Although Emmelline is the minion's target, Brian is on it. The gunshot rings out so sharply, and the bullet itself tears through the air, straight and true. It strikes the creature right through the head. For a heartbeat, everything feels like it stops. The demon-looking being's hulking form is frozen mid-lunge at Emmelline. As the bullet passes through, his head snaps back violently, and his oily skins ripples like water that is being disturbed. Syl's shot also strikes him in the head, assuming she aimed high on him. The empowered Viktorin shoves his blade into the minion and then... Red eyes flare and then dim into nothingness as a low, guttural growl escapes his throat. Trembling, the massive, muscular frame begins to evaporate into thin air, unraveling into wisps of smoke that soon dissipate into nothingness. "My soul will--" Alaric stops as he cannot believe his minion is already defeated, and he's lying there helpless beneath Ritsuka who is ever patient, and getting yelled at by Autumn. Emmelline went unscathed thanks to her trusty friends.
Ritsuka sighs as she finally reveals her blade to Alaric, the far too sharp side does draw close enough to be seen uncomfortably close. Her voice is cold, devoid of the patience she had previously. "I am a sword, Alaric. Do not throw away a chance at mercy and a life worth living. Work with me."
Emmelline remains under the desk, the book and the precious knowledge it holds tucked away behind her own body. Though she can see the demonic creature is gone, she still does not emerge. Her eyes dart over to the ancient man, albeit pinned by Ritsuka, but still she remains thoroughly ensconced under the desk, protecting the book as best she can.
"Emma, you're clear. Come over here by us." Brian calls out to his friend.
With the demon defeated, Autumn turns to Ifrit with a nod and tells it, "You did well. You can head back home." Letting out a hiss, the salamander disappears in a puff of black smoke while the dusky woman faces Alaric. "We are offering you mercy, like she said."
Syl after looking around for any more threats would pack away her rifle and recluse the case. She glances back toward the way they came in initially as she does.
Tensing beneath Ritsuka with that blade dangerously close to his skin, Alaric appears to have a sudden change of heart. His breath is now heavy and trembling. "I... I yield," he utters out in defeat in a thin voice, eyes closing and his hands relax. "Mercy... I will accept it, and I will work with you." He nods slightly to Autumn.
Ritsuka moves to slide the little blade back into its sheath, and then, she reaches around for her satchel and retrieves bandages from it. "How is everyone feeling?" She asks as she looks over Alaric's wound to provide what aid she can with the given resources.
Emmelline is still horror stricken. Clearly, this is not a sight the woman sees very often, if at all. She continues to sit there, protecting the book unable to move. though she must hear Brian's call to her, for she looks over at the man, that same terror in her eyes, she is unable to move. She simply shakes her head at the man, though what that gesture is trying to communicate is anyone's guess. She watches on, as the man yields to Ritsuka, as things seem to be calming down, though she still struggles tremendously in taking it all in. And so she remains there like a statue, protecting the book as if it is a child.
Viktorin's armor falls apart as the creature, entity, minion dies. Those quirked lips aren't so quirked anymore, but rest into a pleased smile, though the Czech's body seems still locked in the instincts of combat. And his eyes, hawkish and sharp in gaze, flicker over towards Alaric. "So he still lives," Viktorin growls, nearly barks, all seething with rage. "I would -love- to have a word with you. And get my dagger back." Slow, methodical steps guide the demigod to his new quarry, paying no mind to Ritsuka as she attempts to threaten the elderly fellow. "You should pay heed to her, worm. Because unlike her, I lack mercy. Chernobog approves of suffering, especially of suffering to those who deserve it. So you can either play along with her, or, I will play with you. And..." Eventually footsteps stop, cease. Just as the Czech begins to kneel, looking for his dagger. "I think you are most deserving of Chernobog's mercy."
Brian slings his rifle and moves over to Emmelline, taking a knee next to her. "It's okay. I know, it's scary. But you're okay. We're all okay. We're safe now." He places one hand on her shoulder and continues to try to calm her down.
Although Alaric is calmer, he is still reeling from his defeat. As Viktorin confronts him, he weakly replies in a wavering voice, "I understand. I will... heed her. I--" A glance is given to Ritsuka. "I have no desire to face this man's god's 'mercy.'" With a hawkish glare, he looks back at Viktorin. "I will cooperate completely." His lips twitch in a grimace, as if the very act of surrendering his will is quite painful.
Syl shoves her empty duffel bag into the case and fusses with her katana to get it secured to her. She once more glances toward the way they came.
It takes a long moment for Brian to calm Emmelline down, but eventually he manages, for slowly gradually, she pulls out of her shellshocked state. She nods to the man in understanding before moving aside and pulling the book out from its hiding spot behind her. She shows it to Brian, before she finally manages to get to her feet, albeit a touch unstablely.
Meanwhile, Harriet has been up to something, and she's rushing into the room whose secret door is still wide open. She looks like she's been in a battle of her own, with a knife in one hand, and her other in a fist. "Are you all all right?" she asks in her posh British accent. Behind her, a few Orderites from the London division are standing in their brown coats and have three men in handcuffs. She sees Ritsuka, Autumn, and Viktorin by Alaric, and Brian calming down Emmelline, and she watches as Syl puts away her gun. "It looks like you all also ran into some trouble."
Brian nods. "I think we're all okay. Doctor Demento here summoned a friend to play with us. It ended poorly for them." He stands near Emmelline. "Emma got a book we should look at."
"Very good, please hold still for a moment-" Ritsuka starts, looking the stab wound over, though she reaches into her satchel again and retrieves two pills. "Take these, please. One is a painkiller and the other an anti-biotic. It is not going to be the most pleasant. I have no stitching kit, but I will stop the bleeding." She explains, those familiar with medicine know that she is talking the truth by the labels on the pills.
Then she reaches for Viktorin's dagger and pulls it out. It is a straight, precise motion. She drops the dagger besides, more to be swift than any rudeness and begins to stem the bleeding with the bandages, with some being tightly rolled and bound around the knee as a makeshift tourniquet.
Syl nods seriously toward Harriet. She turns slightly to shield the part of her clothing smeared with blood from where she had wiped her hand in order to avoid giving the new arrival the wrong impression. Mindful of the likely smell that people with enhanved senses might have she says, "We bled a bit on the door to get it open, but I think everyone save that guy-" She gestures toward the professor idly. "Are okay."
"He summoned demon but we defeated it together," Autumn turns to tell Harriet with a glance at Alaric. "He will be helping us and hopefully he won't be backstabbing us." She then sheathes her selenite blade and puts it away.
Emmelline notices the rushing form, the knife, and she is so about to go back under the desk like a light when Harriet speaks. She recognizes the voice, pauses, then the figure of Harriet and manages to calm herself and from diving under the desk. She hears Ritsuka's words, and looks over to the procedure that is taking place. "Make... sure..." she says, her voice trembling still, "the thing..." gesturing to the knive, "didn't hit an artery. If the tourniquet is on too long... his leg will stop working," she says. Though she realizes after she's spoken that Ritsuka knows very well what she's doing.
Holding that ornamental kilij-style dagger, Harriet gives a nod to Viktorin. "Your birthday gift to me was quite useful," she tells the Czech before looking to Brian and she gives him a thankful look. "I am glad to hear it." She winces upon seeing Ritsuka pulling a dagger out of an old man's leg, though. Looking to Syl, she nods, frowning some at the mention of blood. "Good." To Autumn, she also nods. "The Destined Host came to us -- my colleague and I immediately spotted them, and called in reinforcements." A gesture is made to the Order members standing with the three dudes who are cuffed and beat up. "They can take this man into custody," she assures about Alaric. "And help him... and ensure he will be helpful to us in the future," is said to Autumn.
Meanwhile, Alaric is yelping and shuddering, crying a little, too, but Emmelline and Ritsuka seem to at least know what they are doing.
Pleased, Viktorin grins at Alaric, displaying his fashionably white teeth. "Good, good. Because I would've broke your limbs otherwise." The dagger is obtained, flicked a bit to rid itself of the blood. "Orderites don't commit murder, seedling," the demigod retorts to Emmelline, still in that heady mixture of seething rage and absolute sadistic delight. "But no one said I can't have my own form of gun-boat diplomacy." The dagger removed from the man's leg is double-edged, so the wound may require a bit more in the long run.
When Harriet speaks, the Czech's maddening fervor ceases a tad and he glances up towards the Warden, blinking in confusion. "Dagger?" he asks, before slowly stowing his own items away. "Oh."
"Mhm, it would be good if the cut was stitched, but I do not possess needle and thread on hand." Ritsuka quietly admits, and when she is satisfied that the bleeding is mostly stopped, she says "I apologize Alaric, I need to tend to the next person now. Please don't move, we will get you sorted very soon." Her gaze then looks to Emmelline, her own hands blooded when she rises up to her feet, as are the cuffs of her blouse at the wrists, and perhaps some of her lower garment. "Emmelline, tell us how you are feeling, Brian said you were scuffled? Bruises? Are you feeling out of sorts?"
The brown-coated London-based Orderites come in to check on Alaric. They give their thanks and praise to Ritsuka and Emmelline for not killing the man while trying to help with the bleeding. "We have medics nearby," one of them states, and soon enough, a medical team hauls the old man off as well as the three members of The Destined Host.
"No no I'm fine," Emmelline says with an emphatic shake of her head as Ritsuka approaches her. "No I'm okay," she says again, as if trying to convince herself. In truth, the woman only looks a bit worse for wear for having army crawled on the ground, but there is no blood on her, and no marks on her. At Viktorin's words to her, she shrugs. "I didn't mean on purpose. But throwing... you could have accidentally hit an artery," she says, this probably making more sense to her than the actual Viktorin.
Harriet looks around to everyone, ensuring everyone is still accounted for. "We should get back into town," she says, referring to Haven. "And this week, perhaps tomorrow, we can get together and discuss all that we learned, and plan where to go from here."
Emmelline nods as she reaches over to hand the tome over to Harriet. This one containing all they had learnt before all hell broke loose. "You should keep it. It's got at least some of the info we need."
Ritsuka keeps her hands a little bit aside, and then simply reaches up to brush it over her blouse, making a grimace to the books as blood spreads over it. "Would someone like to explain on what we found out to Warden-sama? I can do it, too. But I feel far too useful today. It is alien and frightens me a little bit."
Brian nods at Harriet. "Okay." He sticks by Emmelline to keep an eye on her. "Feel free to lean on me if you need to." he tells Emmelline.
"Right," Autumn nods her head. She walks towards the table where she had put the book with the tanned skin cover and picks it up. "This book contains details on demonic artifacts including Bloodstone and how it was made."
Accepting the tome from Emmelline, SRHarriet tells her gratefully, "Thank you, Emma," in a genuine tone. After, she looks to Ritsuka, and then nods to Brian. As Autumn explains more, she frowns some upon seeing what appears to be human skin. "I will ask if we can take these books with us," she says, and does just that. Her poor colleague is not a fighter, but he certainly had to fight for his life earlier, and the man who works at this library, standing in the doorway, simply nods, most likely terrified of having anything to do with those books. "Take them. I'll let you know if we need them back." A thankful little nod is given to the man by Harriet, and then she's motioning for those gathered to come near her. "Let's path back. We can talk about the rest later so that people can get some sleep. It is quite late."
Syl heads to the book that she dropped which contains information about Amayaon. "Are we actually just allowed to yoink this stuff out of here? Or is there a return policy?" Syl asks Harriet. "Never been to this library."
"No no I'm okay," Emmelline says with a gentle smile to Brian, some of the color seeming to return to her cheeks. "Just shocked is all, but I'm all right.'"
Ritsuka gestures to the book that had fallen to the ground in her own scuffle, still with bloodied hands "That book contains information on the war in haven, that artifacts made at celestial forges can destroy demonic artifacts. Is Ethel doing okay? And Alaric, I should warn this, I persuaded him to work with me, Warden-sama. There was enough pressure to be convincing. But his knowledge about the books here is tremendous. I could sense that he is cursed, that is important, too."
Ritsuka says "But I am ready to head home and to wash up."
"Mm," Viktorin grunts, shaking his head. "I'll take a moment to clear my head." Then to Syl, the demigod snorts a little. "What? Out of everything and you're concerned with return policies? The end of the world is nigh but upon us, I think a little leeway is granted."
Ethel is indeed okay. She peeks in through the doorway, asking, "I-is he gone?" looking about as she speaks. "Alaric? He's gone?" She sounds hopeful, but is ever shivering like a little homeless dog out in the cold. It seems Alaric is gone, so she makes an excited little squeal and then scuttles off down a corridor.
"Thank you, dear Ritsuka," Harriet says to Ritsuka in return. "The Order here will take good care of him, and we can path here whenever we need to to talk to him." She's pulling out her smartphone after putting away the prized dagger, and she loads up a picture taken near her home. Her focus is on that place, and her eyes close, and then... that motion sickness is likely occuring in those who are not accustomed to pathing.