Personification Life - IC Part VIII [open]

[Erucia]

The main attraction for Dora was the open-air fish market in the square a little east of Memorial Park. Large crowds of people milled about; among their number was a cluster of people, which she judged to be chefs, on the basis that Cuisine was among them and all of them were wearing toques. It brought back vague memories of the waterfront at Piraeus, so many centuries ago, and less vague memories of other things. Seeing that Ray and Albert wanted to pause their discussion of the old city, she stopped.

"I'll catch up in a bit, guys. Going to grab some fish for dinner tonight, and socialize with an old friend." She winked meaningfully at Jacob, though she didn't know exactly why. "Call me if you get to the bookstore or the gun shop, would you?"

"See you later, then Dora." Jacob said, waving happily. He didn't understand why Dora had winked either, but he just guessed it was Dora being Dora. He then spotted the model store, and said to the others, "Oh, look there's a model store!" He pointed out, as he pointed towards it. "Maybe they will have a turtle model kit in it, Giovenith!" He thought aloud randomly, smiling at the godling happily.

"Goodbye Dora! Save us some fish, will you?", Ray waved to Dora in the hopes of getting free food from her. "Mm...I would love some salmon, or maybe fish and chips...But in any case, good thing you saw the store!" The model store appeared small from the outside, with the clear wording of "Herb's Model Emporium" written across the tan wooden sign. A single window sat nearby the door, showcasing a few boxes of model planes. A small board sat on the door right above the sign listing the operating hours of the store, which held chalk writing that listed recent additions to the store's supply. Ray's eyes suddenly widened at one of the manufacturers, causing him to scratch his head in disbelief.

[Germanic Templars]

Thriller said nothing as he glared at the twins before him. He grabbed for both of the by the tops of their heads with his hands. He brought them up to his eye level and gave a glare to each of them before holding them more properly. He, from there, would carry them back to their apartment.

--

Envy replied with a loud moan.

"But Daddeeee," Sydney whined in protest. "We didn't mean to make trouble!"

Siduer said nothing. He knew they'd done bad. He was starting to give serious thought to his current career as a mischief maker. Chi tolerated it. Swith busted his chops over misbehavior. But Dad? They'd never run afoul of him before. He was an unknown and it suddenly dawned on the boy that "unknowns" could be more frightening that mothers. Had Swith been there, she would have stood and clapped and said "Good. You won't listen to me but you will listen to your father." Then again, Swith was old school and believed in corporal punishment. She would have said all this but she was all the way in the Lair dealing with personal matters.

Boopsie followed behind in Thriller's wake. She wasn't going to wander the building alone. Everyone always tried to kill her. Her tiny bell tinkled and she had a spring in her step. Thriller was her savior for the day.

--

Xanthe ducked across the hall and knocked loudly on Superbia and Blythe's door. "I know you're busy in there, but I need Superbia!"

Thriller cared not for Sydney's excuse. He continued to give a rather angry glare ahead as they approached their apartment room. When they did reach it, Thriller knocked the door with the tip of the boot. And before a Levi could ask who it was he gave a reply; "It's me, Thriller, open up." Upon that dread note, a Levi opened up the door.

For the time they were gone the blood-soaked room was now cleaned up rather proper, even the blood on the ceiling were gone. It now looks the way it had before the damn parrot gone and messed it up. He placed the twins down and pointed towards their room.

--

Superbia, doing above knows what, was unable to hear Xanthe knocking.

--

Else where, Lucius took a walk down to the market district, a place where he sensed Gio's energy.

--

After heeding on what Swith said Aleki had a thought, Enjoy time out on walk and get caught by surprised by the clothes on his body going gone, or stay in and have a nice time and risk being embarrassed (and possibly arrested) in public. He looked at Natiya. "Soo...What now?"

[New Aksarben]

"See you later, then Dora." Jacob said, waving happily. He didn't understand why Dora had winked either, but he just guessed it was Dora being Dora. He then spotted the model store, and said to the others, "Oh, look there's a model store!" He pointed out, as he pointed towards it. "Maybe they will have a turtle model kit in it, Giovenith!" He thought aloud randomly, smiling at the godling happily.

"Goodbye Dora! Save us some fish, will you?", Ray waved to Dora in the hopes of getting free food from her. "Mm...I would love some salmon, or maybe fish and chips...But in any case, good thing you saw the store!" The model store appeared small from the outside, with the clear wording of "Herb's Model Emporium" written across the tan wooden sign. A single window sat nearby the door, showcasing a few boxes of model planes. A small board sat on the door right above the sign listing the operating hours of the store, which held chalk writing that listed recent additions to the store's supply. Ray's eyes suddenly widened at one of the manufacturers, causing him to scratch his head in disbelief.[/spoiler]

Albert walked up next to Ray, and asked, "What's so interesting, Ray?" He recognized a few of the manufacturers as some from his nation, which he didn't find all that odd. After all, many companies had been expanding their business into the City, especially since they could afford to make things cheaper than producers in this world could, due to having more efficient construction methods. No one could say that the people of Aksarben couldn't take advantage of the fact they had such great technology, and use that to make more money than other groups.

Jacob simply hummed and listened, and continued looking around for anything that caught his interest.

[Erucia]

Albert walked up next to Ray, and asked, "What's so interesting, Ray?" He recognized a few of the manufacturers as some from his nation, which he didn't find all that odd. After all, many companies had been expanding their business into the City, especially since they could afford to make things cheaper than producers in this world could, due to having more efficient construction methods. No one could say that the people of Aksarben couldn't take advantage of the fact they had such great technology, and use that to make more money than other groups.

Jacob simply hummed and listened, and continued looking around for anything that caught his interest.

Ray slowly raised up his hand and pointed towards one of the names on the chalk board, tapping it a few times with his finger to make sure it was there. "...T-That's an Erucian manufacturer...Not sure why it's on this list, unless...", Ray muttered quizzically before pausing for a few moments, coming up with possible reasoning as to why this name was listed here. "...Unless the DU has started shipping product here, either officially or unofficially...It really would be a brilliant industrial move, opening the entire market up and multiplying it...See, look! This is listing that 'Panthera Tigris' models have just been shipped into the shop as a highlight of a new line of models..."

[Giovenith]

"Ooooo..." Giovenith had never seen pre-tool made models before. It seemed much easier that collecting the supplies from scratch, and there was such a variety of different things. "This is such a good idea!"

She picked out a little put-together castle for children.

[New Aksarben]

Albert walked up next to Ray, and asked, "What's so interesting, Ray?" He recognized a few of the manufacturers as some from his nation, which he didn't find all that odd. After all, many companies had been expanding their business into the City, especially since they could afford to make things cheaper than producers in this world could, due to having more efficient construction methods. No one could say that the people of Aksarben couldn't take advantage of the fact they had such great technology, and use that to make more money than other groups.

Jacob simply hummed and listened, and continued looking around for anything that caught his interest.

Ray slowly raised up his hand and pointed towards one of the names on the chalk board, tapping it a few times with his finger to make sure it was there. "...T-That's an Erucian manufacturer...Not sure why it's on this list, unless...", Ray muttered quizzically before pausing for a few moments, coming up with possible reasoning as to why this name was listed here. "...Unless the DU has started shipping product here, either officially or unofficially...It really would be a brilliant industrial move, opening the entire market up and multiplying it...See, look! This is listing that 'Panthera Tigris' models have just been shipped into the shop as a highlight of a new line of models..."

"Interesting." Albert said, then pointing to another name on the chalk bored, which was in Latin. "Looks like the Aksarben Exemplum Vexillum company also is on this list. They must be selling models of things from Aksarben here as well!" He said with a grin. "This should be really interesting!" He gave Ray a quick hug, then went off to go find a model or two he wanted to make. He was quite excited, so he had to have some restraint to keep his tail from knocking things off of the shelves. Jacob rolled his eyes, and went to go find out if there was anything interesting that he wanted to build here.

[Swith Witherward]

Thriller cared not for Sydney's excuse. He continued to give a rather angry glare ahead as they approached their apartment room. When they did reach it, Thriller knocked the door with the tip of the boot. And before a Levi could ask who it was he gave a reply; "It's me, Thriller, open up." Upon that dread note, a Levi opened up the door.

For the time they were gone the blood-soaked room was now cleaned up rather proper, even the blood on the ceiling were gone. It now looks the way it had before the damn parrot gone and messed it up. He placed the twins down and pointed towards their room.

--

Superbia, doing above knows what, was unable to hear Xanthe knocking.

Siduer and Sydney went to their rooms and closed their doors. Siduer climbed onto his window bench and looked at the city through the glass. He felt remorseful. Sydney threw herself on her bed and wailed into her pillow, not understanding why Daddy was so mad.

Boopsie skirted into the apartment and curled up in a corner. Naomi hadn't returned from the restaurant to collect her and Ceril was out of town. She sighed softly.

--

"Ugh, you people need to come up for air," Xanthe shouted at the closed door. She crossed the hall again and slammed her apartment door. She counted to ten and took a few deep breaths... killing Blythe would be Bad. Instead, she acknowledged the fact that she was stuck, and she knocked on the bathroom door again.

"Envy... um, do you have a name other than Envy? And why don't you come out for some toast? It's nice and fresh and buttered, I promise."

[Erucia]

"Interesting." Albert said, then pointing to another name on the chalk bored, which was in Latin. "Looks like the Aksarben Exemplum Vexillum company also is on this list. They must be selling models of things from Aksarben here as well!" He said with a grin. "This should be really interesting!" He gave Ray a quick hug, then went off to go find a model or two he wanted to make. He was quite excited, so he had to have some restraint to keep his tail from knocking things off of the shelves. Jacob rolled his eyes, and went to go find out if there was anything interesting that he wanted to build here.

Ray originally had attempted to follow alongside of Albert in the search for nice models, but he ended up losing him through the varying different shelves throughout the store. The soft sound of classic rock could be heard coming from the loudspeakers within the store, which was strangely large on the inside: a vast, hidden selection of model kits, rockets and various other hobby-related tools were stashed around the store. Ray was amazed and captivated by the foreign-appearing model kits, appearing in languages from English to Latin. Several made references to nations that he'd never heard of, or were models of vehicles used by countries like the BranReich.

However, he soon uncovered the section of models he had been looking for: several dozen boxes organized on a couple of shelves reserved only to Erucian models. Ray looked through the different models with awe. He'd never been much into them as a child, although he felt that it would be nice to buy a few. After all, he only had a few models for display. Ray began searching through the boxes: he wondered whether Albert would like a tank, or an IFV, or a helicopter, or a fighter aircraft for a model. He finally decided on getting a couple of different ones: an easy-assemble model of an DU Army RAH-66 Comanche Stealth Helicopter, a diecast-style model of a V-22 Osprey belonging to the DU Marines, and a semi-difficult model kit of an Army M60A3 Medium Battle Tank that required painting and glue. Of course, retrieving glue and the needed paint came next immediately, and Ray wondered whether Albert would either love each model or choose to plasma the tank out of frustration.

[The BranRiech]

After heeding on what Swith said Aleki had a thought, Enjoy time out on walk and get caught by surprised by the clothes on his body going gone, or stay in and have a nice time and risk being embarrassed (and possibly arrested) in public. He looked at Natiya. "Soo...What now?"

"Go out for lunch?" Natiya suggested. "It's a long time from Dawn, so it's not like we'll be gone by then, we'll probably be in our beds, or just waking up, so we don't need to worry about that for a while."

Her face conveyed that she didn't really care what they did at all.

[Torsiedelle]

Torii scratched her ear. They really were a ways away from the others, which somewhat annoyed her. She brushed it off and kept on, though. She was eager to see some of the different monuments and landmarks of her new hometown.

[Germanic Templars]

Thriller took a seat on the couch and laid back, wiping the sweat from his forehead. He gave a small sigh and a look at one of the Levis who were busy setting down the dogs' water and food bowls. Two of the Levis already left the apartment to bring back the pups.

--

At last after a while of tracking, Lucius appeared behind Gio with a smile on his face and a question on his mind. "Hey, Gio." He piped.

--

"I guess so. Wanna try a different place other then Chaos?"

--

"Well," Envy started off "My title name is Quarta Majoris Inuidia, or Quartus Inuidius, too keep kosher with the masculine name. Other then that, my name I choose myself is Cain. As in the Cain from the story of Cain and Abel. You heard, no?"

[New Aksarben]

"Interesting." Albert said, then pointing to another name on the chalk bored, which was in Latin. "Looks like the Aksarben Exemplum Vexillum company also is on this list. They must be selling models of things from Aksarben here as well!" He said with a grin. "This should be really interesting!" He gave Ray a quick hug, then went off to go find a model or two he wanted to make. He was quite excited, so he had to have some restraint to keep his tail from knocking things off of the shelves. Jacob rolled his eyes, and went to go find out if there was anything interesting that he wanted to build here.

Ray originally had attempted to follow alongside of Albert in the search for nice models, but he ended up losing him through the varying different shelves throughout the store. The soft sound of classic rock could be heard coming from the loudspeakers within the store, which was strangely large on the inside: a vast, hidden selection of model kits, rockets and various other hobby-related tools were stashed around the store. Ray was amazed and captivated by the foreign-appearing model kits, appearing in languages from English to Latin. Several made references to nations that he'd never heard of, or were models of vehicles used by countries like the BranReich.

However, he soon uncovered the section of models he had been looking for: several dozen boxes organized on a couple of shelves reserved only to Erucian models. Ray looked through the different models with awe. He'd never been much into them as a child, although he felt that it would be nice to buy a few. After all, he only had a few models for display. Ray began searching through the boxes: he wondered whether Albert would like a tank, or an IFV, or a helicopter, or a fighter aircraft for a model. He finally decided on getting a couple of different ones: an easy-assemble model of an DU Army RAH-66 Comanche Stealth Helicopter, a diecast-style model of a V-22 Osprey belonging to the DU Marines, and a semi-difficult model kit of an Army M60A3 Medium Battle Tank that required painting and glue. Of course, retrieving glue and the needed paint came next immediately, and Ray wondered whether Albert would either love each model or choose to plasma the tank out of frustration.

Once Albert realized that Ray was no longer following along behind him, The personification shrugged, and continued looking for models from his nation. After not finding anything that he wanted, he decided to go find Ray. After not being able to find his boyfriend either, Albert said, "Just how big is this store!" aloud, crossing from one aisle to another, the one that Ray currently was in. He didn't notice the fox-man, and instead looked around for any models that he wanted. He still hadn't found anything from his nation that he wanted, and he was looking for that especially.

Jacob continued wandering around as well, and noticed Giovenith looking at a castle model. "Hey, Gio! Are you going to get that model for yourself?" He asked, a happy smile on his face.

[Giovenith]

Giovenith looked up from her castle box in surprise, whirling around to see the archangel who had appeared out of nowhere. "Lucius! What are you doing here?" It had been a while since she'd had contact with the angel, and although it was always a pleasant surprise to see an old friend, she had to admit it took her off-guard.

[Germanic Templars]

Giovenith looked up from her castle box in surprise, whirling around to see the archangel who had appeared out of nowhere. "Lucius! What are you doing here?" It had been a while since she'd had contact with the angel, and although it was always a pleasant surprise to see an old friend, she had to admit it took her off-guard.

"Oh, well you know, doing fine and all how about you, little one? Also, I am hear to ask you a question about the hell of this dimension and such."

[Erucia]

Once Albert realized that Ray was no longer following along behind him, The personification shrugged, and continued looking for models from his nation. After not finding anything that he wanted, he decided to go find Ray. After not being able to find his boyfriend either, Albert said, "Just how big is this store!" aloud, crossing from one aisle to another, the one that Ray currently was in. He didn't notice the fox-man, and instead looked around for any models that he wanted. He still hadn't found anything from his nation that he wanted, and he was looking for that especially.

Jacob continued wandering around as well, and noticed Giovenith looking at a castle model. "Hey, Gio! Are you going to get that model for yourself?" He asked, a happy smile on his face.

Ray had been dusting off his boxes when Albert yelled out, leading him to leap up a few feet before landing back down on his feet startled. He turned around to notice Albert investigating the large selection of models, apparently so focused on searching that he had yet to notice Ray. Deciding that the isolated stands might be a good location to have a little bit of fun, Ray snuck up behind Albert and set down his models on the floor, to avoid damaging them. He then leaped up and screeched, embracing Albert in a bearhug from behind.

"Excuse me, but no yelling within the store compounds!", a voice came over the loudspeakers, blasting a presence that would be rather seen at a Dungeons and Dragons game than in a store's loudspeakers.

[Giovenith]

Giovenith looked up from her castle box in surprise, whirling around to see the archangel who had appeared out of nowhere. "Lucius! What are you doing here?" It had been a while since she'd had contact with the angel, and although it was always a pleasant surprise to see an old friend, she had to admit it took her off-guard.

"Oh, well you know, doing fine and all how about you, little one? Also, I am hear to ask you a question about the hell of this dimension and such."

"Oh, um, really...?" she asked, looking at her shoes. Though she had nothing to personally fear from it, a place like Hell was never a comfortable subject to dwell on. The thought of people, even bad people, going through torture like that, unnerved her, and she usually pushed it to the furthest corners of her mind for sanity and general happiness sake. But if Lucius needed to know some things, Giovenith wasn't above swallowing her relatively minor discomfort. "Um, how can I help you...?"

[AETEN II]

"I didn't say 'knock knock'," the voice hissed. "But if you insist... knock knock. Now then, you're urgently needed back on Earth. Luce's looking for you." Although Will spoke from the shadow, his tone was so low that he couldn't be heard by Ozzall.

Without so much as a "please" or "may I?" a strong hand reached out from the shadow and clasped onto Dora's wrist. In the blink of an eye, she was yanked downward into her own shadow which vanished the moment she did.

A small note popped into existence and fluttered onto Ozzall's head.

Dear Ozzall,
Emergency Back Home!
Will Return Her ASAP.
Unless You Want To Come Home Too.
~ Kind Regards, William.

The journey back to Earth was... freakish. Will was a Brit who happened to love science fiction. As such, he contrived the illusion of a Tardis to travel in as well as some traveling music. It went swimmingly until they were nearly struck by the names of two actors and then the gigantic, spinning DOCTOR WHO placard nearly decapitated them, but within 40 seconds the police box churned into existence on the lawn right behind Misaki (her shadow) and the door popped open.

"Well 'ello! Someone looking for a bird named Dora?" Will asked as he gently pushed the P.I. out the door.

When Ozzall had read the letter before, he was furious, and still was. He didn't care if the troup of magical creatures had their own business to conduct- he was fuming at the reminder that he was but nothing- incapable of even exerting his own will. In the Empire his orders, command, and life was overruled by the wishes of distanced and disconnected Sith- who not only did not understand soldiers like Ozzall, they didn't try to. Regarded as fodder, he'd seen countless men ordered to charge directly into enemy fire simply because the stuck-up lightsaber wielding bastard wanted something immediately from the enemy's possession. Here, daily civilian life was interrupted. Even if it didn't happen often- the knowledge remained that at any moment, by any whim, something could completely alter your life in ways that even the majority of the Sith couldn't cause.

Infuriated with the harsh memories of his old feelings of futility, Ozzall began to boil with a wish to smash something, preferably a supernatural organism he knew he could easily crush into the ground with the might of his company. He'd remind himself later to scrounge up plans of petitioning the five hundred and first to push into the Unknown Realms to hunt down Jedi holdouts later. Not only would it provide a chance to increase his rank and seize greater power within the Empire, the Stormtrooper thought it would be a suitable way to execute his vengeance on all magical creatures for having greater abilities. He'd make up for that gap with firepower.

[New Aksarben]

Once Albert realized that Ray was no longer following along behind him, The personification shrugged, and continued looking for models from his nation. After not finding anything that he wanted, he decided to go find Ray. After not being able to find his boyfriend either, Albert said, "Just how big is this store!" aloud, crossing from one aisle to another, the one that Ray currently was in. He didn't notice the fox-man, and instead looked around for any models that he wanted. He still hadn't found anything from his nation that he wanted, and he was looking for that especially.

Jacob continued wandering around as well, and noticed Giovenith looking at a castle model. "Hey, Gio! Are you going to get that model for yourself?" He asked, a happy smile on his face.

Ray had been dusting off his boxes when Albert yelled out, leading him to leap up a few feet before landing back down on his feet startled. He turned around to notice Albert investigating the large selection of models, apparently so focused on searching that he had yet to notice Ray. Deciding that the isolated stands might be a good location to have a little bit of fun, Ray snuck up behind Albert and set down his models on the floor, to avoid damaging them. He then leaped up and screeched, embracing Albert in a bearhug from behind.

"Excuse me, but no yelling within the store compounds!", a voice came over the loudspeakers, blasting a presence that would be rather seen at a Dungeons and Dragons game than in a store's loudspeakers.

Albert loudly swore in Latin when Ray bearhugged him, and had to stop himself from kicking Ray's shin, or more tender parts, after he realized it was his boyfriend. "Gods, Ray! Don't scare my like that!" He said, his tail subconsciously wrapping around Ray's stomach in a hug. "But please don't do that again. I don't want to accidentally hurt you! Also, I would rather not get kicked out of somewhere because you wanted to be silly, Puppy..." He still smiled, and reached back the best he could to hug Ray.

[Erucia]

Albert loudly swore in Latin when Ray bearhugged him, and had to stop himself from kicking Ray's shin, or more tender parts, after he realized it was his boyfriend. "Gods, Ray! Don't scare me like that!" He said, his tail subconsciously wrapping around Ray's stomach in a hug. "But please don't do that again. I don't want to accidentally hurt you! Also, I would rather not get kicked out of somewhere because you wanted to be silly, Puppy..." He still smiled, and reached back the best he could to hug Ray.

"Oh...Sorry, Kitty," Ray sighed in sadness and tightened his hug, hoping to get some reconciliation. He wanted to simply spend more time hugging Albert, running his hands up and down Albert's torso before remembering that he did have something he needed to show him. "...Well, before you kick my Oompa Loompas, can I show what I got you?" Ray pointed to the stack of three model boxes to the side.

[Germanic Templars]

"Oh, well you know, doing fine and all how about you, little one? Also, I am hear to ask you a question about the hell of this dimension and such."

"Oh, um, really...?" she asked, looking at her shoes. Though she had nothing to personally fear from it, a place like Hell was never a comfortable subject to dwell on. The thought of people, even bad people, going through torture like that, unnerved her, and she usually pushed it to the furthest corners of her mind for sanity and general happiness sake. But if Lucius needed to know some things, Giovenith wasn't above swallowing her relatively minor discomfort. "Um, how can I help you...?"

"Yes, let me make it quick for you but, an important person from my dimension and hell ended up in my bathroom puking his liver out, not literally mind you. Anyway, I need help on seeing if the hell here could possibly give him a place to stay, you know, keep him from being in the open and getting killed and stuff. Also let me apologize ahead of time for putting you in this situation, but you know the hell of this dimension better than anyone else here."

[New Aksarben]

Albert loudly swore in Latin when Ray bearhugged him, and had to stop himself from kicking Ray's shin, or more tender parts, after he realized it was his boyfriend. "Gods, Ray! Don't scare me like that!" He said, his tail subconsciously wrapping around Ray's stomach in a hug. "But please don't do that again. I don't want to accidentally hurt you! Also, I would rather not get kicked out of somewhere because you wanted to be silly, Puppy..." He still smiled, and reached back the best he could to hug Ray.

"Oh...Sorry, Kitty," Ray sighed in sadness and tightened his hug, hoping to get some reconciliation. He wanted to simply spend more time hugging Albert, running his hands up and down Albert's torso before remembering that he did have something he needed to show him. "...Well, before you kick my Oompa Loompas, can I show what I got you?" Ray pointed to the stack of three model boxes to the side.

"Oh, sure!" Albert said, looking over at the model boxes. "Oh, and have you seen any of the ones from my nation? I haven't noticed them anywhere yet..." He gave another quick hug to Ray, then gave Ray a bright smile. Then he got a confused look on his face. "What are Oompa Loompas? I have never heard of those before...."

[Giovenith]

"Oh, um, really...?" she asked, looking at her shoes. Though she had nothing to personally fear from it, a place like Hell was never a comfortable subject to dwell on. The thought of people, even bad people, going through torture like that, unnerved her, and she usually pushed it to the furthest corners of her mind for sanity and general happiness sake. But if Lucius needed to know some things, Giovenith wasn't above swallowing her relatively minor discomfort. "Um, how can I help you...?"

"Yes, let me make it quick for you but, an important person from my dimension and hell ended up in my bathroom puking his liver out, not literally mind you. Anyway, I need help on seeing if the hell here could possibly give him a place to stay, you know, keep him from being in the open and getting killed and stuff. Also let me apologize ahead of time for putting you in this situation, but you know the hell of this dimension better than anyone else here."

"Um..." Giovenith thought about this for some time. "Well, they might, though they're kind of hard to predict. It's pretty complex though, so I'm sure he could probably grab up a spot to stay in if he really needed to. After all, it can't be much worse than your Hell."

[The BranRiech]

"I guess so. Wanna try a different place other then Chaos?"

"Sure, there's a Chinese place nearby enough, within walking distance at least." Natiya said and shrugged. "I hear their Fried Rice is pretty good."

[Swith Witherward]

Hans followed Will. He was lost in his own thoughts as they went. Entering the Chaos quarters was, in his mind, like entering the enemy's camp although he had no reason to call any of these people such. He noted the cultist leaders' apartment and wondered if Klaus was there; he'd often assumed that where the man had relocated to it but that had never been confirmed. Would Will quietly box up Minerva's things and move himself into her bedroom? Eerie thought.

He stood in front of the Lair's door and tried to slowly unclench his muscles. Here, too, was another odd aspect of this new arrangement: he was going where few dared to tread. He'd been invited. Hans pondered the significance and found himself questioning if Klaus had been given access there prior. Would he be then the second Khornate to cross the threshold?

"Nice door." He didn't know what else to say.

OOC: Collab with Cer.
"Well, come in," Swith said. She brought the two cultists back down the stairs and picked up the dirty lemonade things.

"My time is extremely limited," she explained to Hans. "Will communed your message to me. I suppose you realize that I won't act upon it without verifying details."

Hans nodded once. He was prepared for whatever she had in store.

"Good," said Swith. "In that case, I believe you and this gentleman are acquainted in some fashion."

Hans paled as Obergruppenführer Friedrich Richter stepped from the shadows.

"Yes," the Gestapo officer murmured, "Hansel Fleischer and I know each other. That is to say, I know more about him and all he knows of me is terror." Fritz lit a cigarette and took a seat opposite Klaus' Second. He studied him intently. "I suspected this merger might occur but I didn't expect it to be so soon. Klaus and I have had dealings in the past."

A smoky blossom escaped Fritz' mouth and he turned towards Swith. "Maximilian Otto Von Klaus. You know him as Klaus. Your Minerva knows him as Max. His cultists and I know him as Otto. He summoned me several days ago and I've been looking into things for him."

"Does Hans' story ring true? The proposal, what Klaus endured?" Swith asked.

"Yes. With the exception of Minerva. She's alive and hidden. That's all I will say on that matter other than to tell you that she has personal business she needs to finish with Klaus. My suggestion is to go with the proposal, Charumati. I will weed through the list of men who profess to be loyal to Klaus and War. I will tell you if I spot traitors on this list. None of Atosh's men will be moles on the inside. Open lines of communication. That is what I also suggest."

Fritz stood and snubbed his cigarette out. "Hans is loyal. Trust him. Klaus is also loyal. Trust no unknown Gestapo. Your Minerva is also loyal, by the way, as is your William here."

Will offered a polite nod of gratitude.

"Alright," Swith sighed. "For now, we'll do as is requested. I'll await Minerva's return, and Klaus', and we'll make our plans. But where the hell am I going to stash all these Nazis?"

Hans cleared his throat. "May I suggest Ogoti's back yard?"

Swith smacked her forehead. "Damnit. I'd forgotten about Ogoti. I need to bring him in on this."

"That would be advisable," replied Fritz. He took his leave and ascended the stairs only to vanish as he hit the Chaos foyer.

"Hans," Swith said, "do nothing until we can verify the list. We'll set up camp of some sort in Naomi's yard. I need the names of all those who are loyal to Atosh... especially those influencing the city. Can you bring it by tonight?"

Hans nodded. A small grin crossed his face. "Had enough of Germans for a lifetime?"

"Shut up Hans and just do what I ask," Swith growled. She pointed towards the door and Hans left, and then she dispatched Will to alert their forces. Swith sealed the lair and headed upstairs to check on Thriller and the twins. She wasn't sick of Germans... she was tired of Nazis and plots. She found herself wishing to retire from Chaos completely.

---

"Cain?" Xanthe sat down beside the door. "Well... you're from an alternate dimension so you're probably nothing like our Cain." She signed and leaned against the wall. "I'm so confused. Why don't you fill me in from scratch. How on earth... or heaven or hell... did you manage to get stripped of your power?"

--

Swith walked into a tidy apartment and Thriller on the couch. "Well, hello Lover," she smiled and flopped down next to him. "How was your day? I hope the twins didn't give you any trouble."

[Erucia]

"Oh, sure!" Albert said, looking over at the model boxes. "Oh, and have you seen any of the ones from my nation? I haven't noticed them anywhere yet..." He gave another quick hug to Ray, then gave Ray a bright smile.

"Oh, n-no...", Ray blushed at the second hug and began to rub his arm nervously, giving a weak smile to Albert. He then walked over to the model boxes and picked each one up and help them in front of Albert. "Would you like me to explain any of them?", he asked, although the answer would perhaps be the most obvious one. Ray just wanted to make sure Albert wanted to hear the stories of these vehicles.