Who's is Crow?"
Dalia pointed to Destyn as he ran in spot, anxious all of the sudden, why was she not surprised in the least. The very mention of food seemed to always gather his attention, Rhye could only smirk to it all.
"That's Crow." Dorian scratched his head confused.
"Alrighty then." He accepted that, but didn't quite understand the pretense to the name.
"Foood." Crow insisted.
Putting a light hand to her cheek, her head shook with how he wanted to get moving, "I cannot understand how you can be so hungry after so little time. You'd never survive out in the wild's with that sort of metabolism."
Pressing the group forward, they entered the belly of the Temple, their pace in tune with Crow's, who led the group. Not that he really knew where he was going; but Dorian was quick to correct his course if he was straying from their destination. It wasn't much longer until Crow could just follow his nose as they weaved through the hallways.
"These statues are all weird," He murmured lightly.
"They all look like important people." Dalia agreed. Feeling eyes peer back at her, she could only agree with Dorian.
"Many of them are warriors who fought in the Nojae War." He pointed to a couple of them. "Many of these men were generals. Rhye should know most of them from her studies as a Novice. I'm sure she can tell you about them some time." His armor creaked as he walked in stride with Crow. Dorian looked over his shoulder. "Rhye," He raised a brow to her. "Would you like to retrieve the... Rather, Grey, from his quarters. Or do you want to send a servant?" He folded his arms with a slight tilt to his head. "I doubt he would come unless you ask. I can take these two to the dining hall, where we will meet you."
Pausing in mid step, she hardly even thought about retrieving Grey herself not to say she wasn't against the idea it was just, unusual. It was rarely her who had to go looking for him, rather it was the other way around. Grey was generally always coming to find her, what a strange turn of events. "You're easily right about that," she agreed turning on her heels to face away from the winding turns that would eventually lead to the dining hall, "Plus I doubt any of the maids would want to go looking for him, there all still scared of him."
Dorian snorted hard, "I couldn't imagine why." having to get the last word in, Rhye heft a heavy sigh from her bosom. How could the same creatures be so damn stubborn and similar, it drove her a bit crazy.
"Go on ahead, we'll be there promptly." Rhye spoke more to that of Crow and Dalia knowing that being a bit entrusted to a strange hand may be a bit worrisome. But she did have ease her own mind more so with confronting Grey and in turn convincing him to come and sit down in the same room with Scarlet. Even if that was an entirely terrible idea. If someone wanted to see a battle between cats and dogs, Grey and Scarlet were certainly the closest you'd ever come.
Watching them disappear from across her shoulder, she wasted little time to go running through the temple hallways receiving more than her fair share of irate comments about her behaviour from once upon a lifetime fellow novices and workers alike. She had no time to dawdle around, even if that meant running through the halls like a mad man it was worth it in the end. Or so she thought.
Slowing her pace to a jog and then a canter as she came closer to the assigned rooms they had been given upon arrival, the curious gaze lifted to look at the open door that was Grey's. If he had returned wouldn't he have kept the door shut, it wasn't uncommon knowledge to know he was a creature of privacy. This struck her as odd though she did make certain it wasn't a fluke moment where he just left it open and peeked in. The balcony doors were shut tight keeping the clean fresh smell of new linens in the confines of the room, a bronze dish filled to the brim of rose water sat untouched on the small table as she could only raise a brow to the pristine shape of the bed; Grey had not come here in the least. She had seen the disarray he kept the room back at Vena when he had been allowed in. Sheets and covers alike were thrown halfway across the room in a heap and the bed actually was twisted in a way that it didn't have a piece of wood touching the walls. She had no understanding as to why he had done such a thing, but he had.
"Lady Hunter," she jumped at hearing her title called, pressing a hand to her chest while her feet whirled around to stare at a young archon woman wringing her hands nervously; "I didn't mean to startle you," she apologized quickly.
Waving it aside to work her fingers into the curve of her crown, Rhye tilted her chin with question. "Something I can help you with?"
Biting down on her bottom lip with a discernible disgust; the woman sighed softly before returning her amber gaze to the guardian before her. "Are you looking for Lord Walker?" well to say that wasn't obvious would have been silly, she had been standing inside the room looking back and forth for a sign of existence. Bowing her head in silent agreement, the woman's hands lifted to point back out of the door. "I seen him earlier walking down the halls towards the other rooms, seeming rather quiet than usual."
Rhye perked a brow to the statement. He was generally quiet when he was alone, was the woman expecting the man to be speaking in demonic tongues to himself? Keeping her tongue still with such a clear notion, Rhye nodded with a slight word of gratitude. Perhaps Grey was already walking back towards the dining hall, his room had been nearly at the end of the guest accommodations; the furthest from the only entrance arch. She had nothing better to do than walk back that way and hope to find him dragging his feet to go towards the grouping.
Though it appeared her search was still in vain; the halls were only busy with people who had worked for the temple or novices that had been let out of their studies due to the night being upon them. He must have already been at the dining hall; she decided.
Scratching her head to the idea, Rhye found her own feet leading towards the room she had as a novice and was now currently occupying. Perhaps a force of habit, her eyes lifted upwards to study the simple oak grain of the large door. Suppose there really was no harm in at least splashing some water to her face from her own basin that would be inside, maybe with a hope to wake her mind up before dealing with Scarlet and Vaughn's findings. She would have to be alert just in case.
Pushing with the flat of her palm to the door, the silence hinges gave way to her effort permitting her access into the room. Eyes traced against the plush red carpet of the room, moving with a familiar phase to take in the comforting aura of the room but she found herself stalling a step when the doors clacked together stating they had closed. "Grey?"
Resting his chin in the groove of his palm, he was slouched in the chair of the room looking outside the large window that have a perfect view of the private gardens of the temple. The lanterns would have been at least getting started to being lit making it look more enchanted than it really was; his ears moved slightly to at least let her know he had heard her. Her attention moved to her left and right before back to him, "I thought... what are you doing in here? Do you know how much trouble you'd be getting in if someone found out!" she shouted in a whisper suddenly conscious that someone was listening to her.
The slow drag of his iris turned to rest in the corner of his eyes carefully looking her over before his brow perked in a way that was stating, 'should he care what others think?'
Clutching her hands into her chest, she cursed to herself. "For the loving greater good of Demot, what are you doing in here! First you worry me half to death when you weren't outside after Vaughn and now I come in here on a whim to find you here and now we could be in some serious trouble if someone found out what is-"
His lips began to smirk at her fretting; "For slaggin' sakes Rhye, you are worrying over nothing. I am not that stupid to let someone catch me. And what the hell is the problem with someone catching us anyways?" he straightened out in the chair letting his hand drop away from his face. "I warned you that night that it's not going to be easy."
"Shut up, I know that! But we have enough on our plates as it is, we-" she motioned her hands between herself and him; "Don't need any more at this time." Rolling his eyes to her, Grey turned away briefly to grimace over something before forcefully pushing himself up and out of the chair, his stature moving to loom over her. "What was that?"
He paused about to step around her, "What?" he repeated which only caused her to narrow her gaze at him. "Nothing, don't worry about it."
"Grey don't start pulling that on me now," Turning her heels to follow him as he fully stepped around her towards the door, making the motion that they were ready to leave the room. "Excuse me, I am waiting for an explanation."
Wrinkling his nose at her, Grey shook his head just as quick with a tsk of his tongue. "Aurail's balls," he cursed, "I am not exactly up to par at the moment, after Vaughn sucked my blood out;" his hands came up in a dramatic pinch to the bridge of his nose; "I've been ill alright." Blinking rapidly at such a statement, his gaze was peering at her again though he pointed a stern finger at her. "I don't even want to hear it now can we get out of here before the witch sends her dogs after us?"
Her hands lifted while her smirk began to spread over her lips, Grey opened the door allowing her to exit first. "And you said demoil's never get sick."
"Shuddup." Clearly touchy about the every thought, Rhye couldn't really help but snigger at their mere idea. Though that was quickly shot aside feeling the swift grasp to her chin causing her sights to peer up at him glaring down at her. "Not funny, and you won't tell a soul." he was trying to be angry about it but with her starting to chuckle again, Grey just cursed and laughed all at once, "You are a damn curse, babe."
That alone caused her to turn rigid which was his plot for mild revenge, "No one knows, be quiet about that."
Glancing off to the side Grey scouted the area, shrugged and stole a fleeting kiss before walking in front of her. "Come on guardian, we don't have all day."
"You are incorrigible." He shrugged walking briefly backwards.
"You knew that before and yet, look where we are."
~~~
Catching up to him in the hallway, they made their trek quick towards that of the dining hall though Grey seemed less than pleased to be near it. She wasn't sure if it was because of Scarlet or the fact that he was actually a little green due to the smell of food, it could have been both for all she knew.
Patting a slight hand to his arm, he hummed mildly before grunting at the sight of the silver armor standing in front of the doorway. "Seriously."
Rhye shrugged to the sight of Dorian standing guard, "It's customary with things this large, he has to keep an eye out for bodies that might be too curious." Her words rang true but it did little to ease the rising tension that was creeping from both demoils as they came closer to one another.
Lifting his gaze up to Grey, Dorian rolled his eyes. "And here I thought we were blessed with you running off mongrel."
Grey narrowed his gaze with a sneer, "Don't hold your breath tin can, I am not easy to get rid of." Rhye slapped a hand to her forehead.
"We don't have time for this," she muttered to the pair of them. "Would you two mind getting a hold of yourselves?"
Huffing a laugh Grey lifted his chin upwards pulling his arms to cross over his chest striking an smug pose. "No need to even squabble with the pup anyways, he already had his ass handed to him on a silver platter once this week. I'll leave him with a bit of his ego, at least help him sleep at night."
Growling at the reminder, Dorian wrinkled his nose. "You only got lucky, using a devil demoil's bloodlust is hardly a fair fight. But you're kind don't know nothing about being fair, so go ahead and think that you beat me Grey, cause from where I stand, you've got nothing to gloat over."
Blue eyes flared as she jumped to grab the arm that shot out, grabbing the breastplate of Dorian's to shove him into the wall of the dining room. "You got a death wish Dorian? Cause I'll be happy to fill it for you, I'll start by ripping your asshole out of your ear!"
"Grey knock it off!" Rhye bounced with her tippy toes on the ground and her arms wrapped around his single one trying to get this stupidity of demoil's territory to end.
Biting on his lip, Grey dropped Dorian hard to the ground folding his hands around to brush the nonexistent dirt from his red shirt. "Pathetic. Twice now Rhye has saved your ass, you ought to be grateful for that, half pint." Turning towards her as she dropped from his arm, Grey chuckled to her seeming rather fond of what he had done only to endure the death glare from her. "What?" his smirk disappeared, "Oh come on Rhye, he sta-"
Slicing her hand through the air, she gripped upon the handles of the door to ream them open. Rolling his eyes to it all, Grey turned a momentarily look down to Dorian picking himself off the ground taking a personal memory of the other demoil being only reminded that he was nearly dog food not once but twice by his own hands.
"Greetings to the pair of you," Scarlet drew an annoyed eye to the pair of them, knowing full well what had transpired out there. "Have a seat would you Rhye and Grey?" It seemed to be a request but both of them knew that it wasn't rather, she was telling them both to sit down and shut up really. Cupping out her hand in a gesture to the pair of remaining chairs that were adjacent from Crow and Dalia; Scarlet's gaze never faltered to leave either of their hides.
Wrapping her fingers around the polished red stained wood to drag it across the carpet itself, Rhye watched as she sat down Scarlet's eyes raise to look at Grey. Silence mingled well for a moment each having a battle of wits with nothing more than direct eye contact before Scarlet sighed drumming her fingers to the table. "I'd be pleased if you would sit as well Grey," she wasn't remotely as pleased as she stated but she was the host and a host was to be gracious.
Rubbing her temple cautiously Rhye tossed a weary look to that of the other two, taking into consideration their meals as she couldn't really fathom the idea of eating herself. Not with the nervous butterflies swarming madly around in her gut.
Turning the chair that remained for him sideways, Grey plopped down well enough though she would have been a fool not to catch the disgusted glance that he cast over the food splayed out before them all. It wouldn't be long before he was up and moving around trying to keep himself in composure, that much she was sure of. "Thank you," Scarlet smiled sourly; her hands lifted to clasp on the table about to start the first part of the private council with them all. Now it really was nothing more than a waiting game until Vaughn and Keressa showed up. Stepping up to the vigil, the maid came to serve from her right hand side putting a plate in front of her as she promptly declined the very offer. Raising a brow Scarlet was prodding at her to her actions as all she could do was shake her head and look downwards as if she had just committed a true heinous crime.
"Well," Scarlet hummed to herself taking a slow consideration of the four of them before her midst, "While we wait for the eventual arrival of the alchemist this would be no better time than to discuss other matters at hand." Rhye cringed on the inside, she had hoped that Scarlet wouldn't even start to bring up this now but rather waited until everything with Grey was sorted out. But then again, that would be procrastinating and that was something Scarlet never sat well with.
Lifting his brow Grey smirked, that alone should have warned her enough. "Don't you mean what you want to do with me Scarlet, there is no need to go beating around the bush now."
Squinting at him, she managed to maintain herself well enough before smiling somewhat sweetly. "Yes a lot may have to be centered around yourself Grey but there are still other matters to attend to that involve Rhye, Crow and Dalia." Grey raised his brow somewhat mocking his false amusement to it all, crossed his arms over his chest and let his gaze shut as if it was nap time. "Everything will be depending on the outcome of Grey's blood analysis but I'd like to address some matters now. Namely what is the next course of action."
Rhye sat up in her chair a little confused about what Scarlet was trying to get at, "I thought we had already discussed this, Scarlet."
Her hand open to rock back and forth; "In a sense but it hadn't been set in stone as of yet. With all the chaos that has been overtaking this land, it has been with great difficultly and a heavier mind that I fear that I have not been as vigilant as I should be." She kicked Grey under the table when he started to chuckle not even bothering to deny Scarlet's words. Rubbing his shin, Grey's evident amusement hadn't disappeared from his face. "What I am trying to say;" Scarlet looked as if she had just eaten something horribly bitter with the strain pressing to her brow and her lips glaring more and more at Grey as each minute passed, "I would like to collect samples from various infected creatures, plants and hopefully as we spoke briefly before Rhye; capture the beast that had infected Grey." clasping her hands together again, she pointed to that of her. "That requires you Rhye. Being the fact that you have encountered such a creature already, you have learnt more than more than any of my elite guards have. It would be folly to send out bodies that didn't have a mild understanding of what they are up against." her gaze shifted to look at Crow and Dalia, "I'd actually like for the pair of you to go along with Rhye, while it may seem like pure madness to send civilians out with the guardian; Crow there is some connection to you and this creature. Mainly from what I can understand is the remains of your village, in turn it could also help you unlock your memories." her hands circled loosely together, "The three of you would work together to help one another in various ways. Rhye is more than capable of handling her fair share of creatures of the dark otherwise she wouldn't be a guardian, but that does not mean she won't require backup." her gaze slowly turned to peer darkly at Grey, "You may not be classified as a mercenary but upon your arrival in Echofalls, you have signed a contract with Casbael giving you the status as enlisted bodyguard to Rhye, her current Gilt edge if you wish. While it pains me to think that I would lay her life in your hands, I have to take into consideration that you both have already fought and remedied the plague that begun in Vena."
Grey was looking at her lazily though he was paying attention; "Don't give me too much credit Scarlet, you might hurt yourself." Gritting her teeth to his remark, Scarlet laughed lightly swallowing her pride momentarily. "But you must be out of your slaggin mind thinking that it is going to be a simple snare and capture mission to get that doppledeath." Rhye shot a quick look between him, Scarlet and then to Crow and Dalia. Pushing himself up in his seat to sit on the edge, Grey shook his head. "You have no idea what that thing is firstly, as you stated; we are the only ones who have a mild understanding of what it is."
His gaze pierced back to look at the three of them, "Crow and Rhye can both vouch that thing is nowhere psychical, at least not in the body sense. With how you are talking about this just being nothing more than throw a rope around the beasts neck and drag it back with us, it's not." he tapped his chest, "Hell I may have nearly been rent open but the stupid bastard, that doesn't mean it's capable of being tied down." his hands opened wide, "Its a bloody shadow Scarlet! You can't catch shadows, you can certainly chase them away with light but that's all you can do." Pushing himself up from his chair, Rhye damn near jumped out of her chair hearing him slam his hands to the table glaring murderously at Scarlet across the table, "If you have an ounce of intelligence Scarlet, you'd know that yet you are willing to not only throw Rhye's life back into peril but add in Crow and Dalia. And not just in the way that they could be killed," again he stabbed a thumb to his chest his fangs baring at the Mother of Casbael; "But you risk them becoming infected. I don't really want to even think what sort of beast of hell that Rhye could become since she is a guardian and not only does she had a link to Lord Falcon but her own blood spirit, rather than thinking of some sort of plan to destroy the creature you want to capture it! You risk lives fearlessly because there just pawns to you, and you sit here on your ass in the throne made from blood and bone of others casting out orders like you were breathing."
Lifting a hand patting down to his own that returned to the table, Rhye shook her head when he looked to her. She knew he had valid points but she also understood the risks of it all. Considering her carefully, he cursed and turned away to pace back and forth. "He has more than a few points Scarlet." Rhye spoke gently enough, lifting her gaze to the calm disposition that was Scarlet. "You know I have sworn my fidelity to Casbael the moment I was a novice but you should also understand that I won't risk other lives either." she pushed herself up and out of her chair now, feeling the looks of Scarlet and Grey upon her, as her own gaze turned to look down at Crow and Dalia. "I will heed to your words without hesitation but I will deny the three of them coming with. This is Casbael's mission and it will be Casbael that will rectify it."
Smiling softly almost sadly; Scarlet dared to tip her head forward. "Oh like hell you're pulling that Rhye," Grey piped up quickly, "What the hell is in the water here, or is it part of the ritual of Casbael to be out of your minds! What makes you think I'd even let you waltz back into Demise forest, let alone out of this temple without at least myself! I was making the point of how stupid this plan is and yet you want to go throwing yourself out to it anyways, I swear the next time I see Carmon I'll have to ask if you were dropped on your head as a kid." Rubbing her hand across her face, she was smirking at him somewhat. Trying desperately to be the hero in a sense, he was still as reckless as she was. Sidling up his step to her, Rhye blew out her lips at him feeling the hot grasp grapple around her shoulders. "Casbael," he muttered with a firm disgust; "If you want me to be under contract, then fine by me but I make no promises that we will even attempt to capture that plague carrier. If I can kill the thing, I will." he glared down to Scarlet who seemed to be content to just watch what was playing out.
Her hand opened to gesture to Crow and Dalia; "And what of these two? Rhye you say that this is a matter for Casbael to handle, then you best be taking your shepherd along with you."
"My what!" Rhye barked out not sure she had honestly heard what she heard!
Leaning back into the comfort of her chair, Scarlet shrugged lightly not remotely bothered by the outburst. "It was my intentions to speak of this matter privately but with the show Grey put on and your loyalty sitting before me, it will have to be disclosed now." Rhye was blinking rapidly as Grey muttered asking what was going on. "Crow, you said you are willing to start over if that is what it takes as long as you don't have to be alone?" Scarlet glanced over them all; "I make you this offer only once; if you want to find a new place to belong then as the Mother of Casbael, I extend the privilege of becoming part of Vena Temple as the shepherd. You'd be working with Rhye across the ocean when the time comes and of course, since Dalia agreed to help you rediscover yourself, she is more than welcome to accompany."
"Scarlet what are you doing, he-"
"Needs guidance." She tilted her head in a matter of fact way; "Casbael has more resources in the world to help someone discover who they are, who they want to be and encourage learning. This is exactly the place that Crow and Dalia need to be. Plus," her eyes took on a glint that often had her running for cover; "It will be a good responsibility for you to take on as well Rhye. The temple is due to increase itself in the rankings and you can only do that with the help of a shepherd." Scarlet smiled slowly again causing her skin to crawl, "This way Casbael can handle the doppledeath," she used the term loosely, "And empower Crow to begin his trek to find himself."
Grey shook his head, "So you want to shackle him to Casbael, yeah that sounds like a great idea." his hands had remained on her shoulders.
"Oh Grey," Scarlet sang causing now Grey to cringe visibly, "If Crow accepts this; that means your contract will expand to protecting him and Dalia as well. And if you all can succeed in this task at hand, your prior mercenary record will be wiped clean though you will officially be employed permanently to the hand of Casbael as a gilt edge to Rhye."
He growled under his breath, shuddered with the idea and sighed heavily. "Fine." How easily he gave him managed to cause Scarlet a bit of alarm. She wasn't expecting him to give in with no fight, alert began to fill her gaze. No she was waiting for him to fight her like he always did, but for him to give in there was something seriously wrong!
"Without a fight you are willing... to commit to this..." her gaze fell to her as she could only shrug, watching the fingers of Scarlet dance between her and Grey. "What is going on here between you both, have you already made a prior deal? Rhye I would-"
The doors swung open with Dorian's weight as he seemed to sense there was an air of hostility and uncertain in the room as his gaze widened somewhat. "The alchemist has arrived Mother." he turned an eye to look over them all, "Is everything alright?"
Shaking her head, Scarlet peered darkly at them both. "We shall find out shortly one way or another."
Swallowing hard, Rhye could hear the shuffling footsteps coming up the hallway. Never in her life had she been more thankful for the perfectly timed interruption that she was right now. Pushing her body up from the chair that she had been, Scarlet tossed an investigating look over her, knowing there was something between herself and Grey that hadn't been disclosed. Having Grey agree to the terms with a single word and without the lashing of an arguement was easily the stupidest thing he could have done. Now Scarlet knew there was something going on and that meant she would find out what it was. Didn't she just talk to him about getting caught earlier and he plainly said, 'he wasn't stupid enough to let someone catch them!' Apparently he was stupid then.
Exhaling a whiny sigh, she took the chance while Scarlet stepped up with Dorian to greet the alchemist firstly allowing them all a private moment to hash out all that had been said. Leaning towards Crow, she felt the final release of Grey's hands coming off her shoulders. "Crow, you don't have to accept anything Scarlet has just offered you. Being a shepherd is a high title in the world but she does make a valid point. Casbael's resources would only help you discover anything you need but at the same time you would need all the training that a shepherd requires to attain such a role. This isn't something to just take a whim on. But it's all your choice in the end. Don't let Scarlet influence or discourage you."
"Don't you go encouraging him either, Rhye." Grey warned.
"Hey at least we are a family in Casbael." Rhye shot back suddenly annoyed to how Grey was apprehensive to the entire idea. But that was coming from his contract suddenly including two more bodies. It wasn't just pressure on Crow to make a choice but it was a weight that all of them suddenly had heaped on. Grey would be a honest gilt edge that would be not only protecting the guardian but a shepherd and a crussido girl, but he would have help from Rosila and Farsi across the ocean. She would be having to work hand in hand with Crow conveying all that Casbael was and how her temple was a great factor to the world while stepping up the tier ranks of Casbael. Then Dalia was a civilian that would live within the temple without being employed, such a thing had never been heard of... at least not in all the years she had known of Casbael or worked under it. This was a decision that should have been made over time, not within a few minutes or hours. What was Scarlet truly thinking!