October Catch-all [Multiple prompts]

[notquitedracula]

AROUND THE WORLD (Open)
[Even though he's got so much on his plate, Soma does still manage to get out and about a little. You might catch a glimpse of him in any of the cities - perhaps less so Attleton, but the others he's certainly going to be around. This will of course be after the dolls go away, unless you want to encounter him in Everglade. But there's already a prompt for that, so... \o/]

BIRTHDAY BARBEQUE BASH (Vampire family, Open)
[It's been almost two months since his actual birthday went by, and Soma's only just now managed to get enough breathing room to finish setting this up. He's sent out invitations and apologies, citing the facts that he had both a shop and a castle dropped in his lap entirely without so much as a by-your-leave, plus the recent unpleasantness with the dolls. Still! It's October, and the nights are getting longer. It's the perfect time for a late-evening-into-night barbeque with family and friends. Sakuya is working the grill, having kicked Soma off of it after pronouncing his efforts entirely unsatsifactory. There's tables, chairs, coolers full of drinks, and a buffet set up - and for some reason, a low section of wall that has several roast chickens sitting on top of it. Maybe there's some kind of joke here? Also, what's with the candles floating in the air? They certainly give the place atmosphere, but how are they just floating there?]

BITING BOOKS (Mavis, Zeref, Fairy Tail)
[It's been a few days since Soma and Mavis spoke, but he certainly hasn't forgotten his promise to bring one of the castle's monstrous books over. Having been shown the way before, he manages to find the guild hall this time all on his own, without needing Mavis or someone else to come out and guide him over. Slung over his shoulder - he was not putting that thing in his pocket - was one of the aforementioned books, bound as suggested with a sturdy leather belt. He knocks at the door, ever polite even in the extremely odd circumstances.] Hello? Anyone home?

BOUNTEOUS BIRDS (Myrrh)
[It's been some time since Soma last claimed a bounty from the board. He's been quite busy, between one thing and another, but his recent demonstration for Dante has gotten him back into the mindset. Plus, the paper boy kind of bonked him on the head with this month's edition. Who can refuse such a direct invitation?]

[The forest of Fayren is lovely, dark and deep, or at least it is when the birds aren't trying to peck you to death. It doesn't take long for the flock to find him - he's not exactly trying to be stealthy, after all. He's standing in the middle of a great big grassy clearing, arms folded, looking for all the world like a man trying to figure out where he left his tent. Which he might well be doing - he came out here expecting to have to spend multiple days searching, after all. So when he hears the rustling, he's genuinely surprised when he turns to see who - or what - is there.]

CASTLE CRASHING (Castlevania crew)
[It's been a few days since Dracula went missing, leaving the castle only one person it could rely on to maintain its hold on this world - the usurper. And you better believe it isn't happy about that - it acted up something awful the first couple days, outright attacking both Soma and Sakuya, though it did at least leave Remilia and Flandre alone. They were the right sort of people to be here, after all. Not like these human interlopers.]

[Of course, Soma couldn't let this go on. So he's called a 'family meeting', and forced the castle to pick a representative. One of the Gravekeepers - ironically the same one Dracula used as his messenger, back during the mayor fiasco - sits at one end of the table, with Soma having taken the other. Seats are prepared for the others, including Sakuya. After all, she has a stake in this too.]

CLOAK AND DAGGER (Open)
[Being the new owner of a magic shop has its pros and cons. More of the latter, to be honest, when you're currently the only employee. Would anyone like to come by, maybe offer him a hand, maybe buy something? Dhampir has wares, if you have coin!]

DOLL HELL (Anastasia, Semi-Open)
[It's been an hour or two since Soma literally carried Anya away from his own personal stalker doll. They've set up shop in a relatively public place, a cafe that caters to all sorts in the newer side of Everglade. There's a bit of a subdued, edgy atmosphere in the room right now, because news of the dolls has begun to spread. Several of the people present keep looking over their shoulders, as if expecting to see something there at any given time.]

[Or you might encounter him a little later, by himself, after finding a place for Ana to stay after discovering she can't escape the city. Odds are good he's hunting around the city's other magic shops and suchlike, looking for spells and lore that might be useful.]

Comments

Bounteous Birds

[greatprecious]

[The rustling happens to be a dragon hiding. She knew this stranger entered the forest and she's been watching him since then. Another thing she felt was the presence of black magics, not unlike the ominous force coming from Grado. The little manakete suspects this man might be the source.

And this suspicion is probably why she isn't hiding from him completely as he turns to look in her direction.]

[notquitedracula]

[Although the temptation to have a fireball at the ready when he turns is great, Soma abstains. Not least because using fire in a grass patch, especially a dry one, is a good way to get yourself barbequed. His abstinence is rewarded when he sees that the creature - person, definitely person, even with those wings - back there is not one of the birds he's out here to hunt. He raises his hands in the 'I'm unarmed and don't want to attack' manner, though at least half of that is a lie. He's never unarmed, even in his pajamas.]

Easy there. I'm a bounty hunter, here about the birds.

[greatprecious]

[The birds? Myrrh doesn't know what he's talking about, but he seems nice.

How does she know this? Who knows. She slow, very slowly, steps out from her hiding spot. She nervously kept her hands together while her large, yellow dragon wings flexed to maintain a feeling.

She remains quiet, only staring. She looks less scared, and more curious.]

[notquitedracula]

[She looks... rather young, to be out here by herself like this. But those wings tell a different story. She doesn't feel like a demon - there's definitely magic there, though. She reminds him...

She reminds him a little of Hana, now that he thinks about it. Which means she might be another dragon. Which means her apparent age means absolutely nothing. He lowers his arms to his side and bows in the Japanese fashion.]

I'm sorry I startled you. I didn't expect anyone to be in this area, with the birds attacking people.

[greatprecious]

Birds...?

[Her wings bat in surprise and curiosity. She takes a step closer. And no, she makes no note of the bow. It's just a weird human gesture to her.]

...They're attacking people? Why?

[notquitedracula]

It's a necromancer's work. They killed a flock, reanimated them, and set them to attacking anyone they came across. I can only guess at a motive, but they're probably either trying to chase people off or gather more subjects for their experiments.

[He doesn't mind that the gesture wasn't acknowledged. After all, he's quite certain this girl isn't from his world, let alone Japan.]

[greatprecious]

[Suddenly, she hops forward, using her wings to carry her forward. Where did her courage come from?]

I want to help protect the people... If this is a threat to Fayren as well, I want to help them.

[notquitedracula]

[Soma doesn't flinch, though he did feel a momentary spike of fear. Things with wings that come at him like that are usually not at all friendly. But seriously, this girl looked like she was maybe ten, twelve? If it was a reflection of her relative age as a dragon, she just... probably didn't even think of it.

Or she did, and wanted to gauge his reaction. Either way.]

I wouldn't say no to help, but these things are small, fast, and mean. I've got ravens circling the area to keep a lookout, but -

[There's a keening cry, and Soma flinches a bit as one of his familiars is summarily executed. He makes a gesture to recall the others, and gives Myrrh a look.] I haven't even had time to ask your name yet, but we've got company. Whatever you do, don't try to pull power in from outside while in the clearing - I've got a seal set up around us. It's meant to contain the birds, but it'll cage us just as well.

[greatprecious]

That will not be an issue...

[Myrrh pulls out a glowing blue stone with some sort of emblem embedded inside. Whatever she uses it for, Soma will soon see if the enemy shows up. She may look like a timid little girl, but she isn't one to shy away from protecting others.
She gave her word to Mavis, she has no plans on backing out of it.]

Doll Hell

[innocent_royal]

[Anastasia is badly unsettled by what happened. She was figuratively curled in a ball as she remained seated at their table, her Tyrinolim laid facing her.]

Dolls are coming to life...? It's hard to believe, but we saw one right there in the shop...

What is happening, Soma?

[notquitedracula]

It's not the first time I've seen it happen, actually. The castle has several types. But they're not like that - they aren't that fast, for one thing, and they're a lot more overtly aggressive. That one was just... creepy, and jumped on my shoulder.

[He rubs the back of his head, feeling a bit ashamed for getting so scared - but then, he'd been reacting more to Anya's reactions than the actual situation, hadn't he?]

As for what's happening... it's October. I kind of expected something weird to start happening, to be honest.

[innocent_royal]

I would much have rather turned into a monster again...

[Hopefully not a tiny fairy this time. She doesn't want to come close to being hunted by a cat again.]

But Soma... Did you see the looks on its face? It... It was always looking at me.

[notquitedracula]

My luck, I'd get turned into a human. That wouldn't be so bad, if it weren't for the current situation at the castle.

[Seriously, a normal human would be in no way capable of surviving that kind of strain. He was barely managing even as things stood now, even if he was putting on a brave face.]

I saw it. It almost looked... jealous? Like it was mad I was talking to you, or something.

[innocent_royal]

A doll is jealous of me...? That's just positively absurd... Yet... It was right there, staring daggers at me.

[She hugged herself as she shivers. Meanwhile, it something creeping just outside that window? Could be just an animal... For Anastasia, anything could be a living doll.]

[notquitedracula]

That was just the impression I got. For all I know it could have just been sizing you up for an attack - though why it would have jumped on me after that, I don't know.

[Just a cat, this time. Or is it dragging something? Or... is that something riding it, like some kind of unnatural mount?]

[innocent_royal]

And I don't want to know...

[Anastasia sighs as she hugs herself tighter.]

I...I'm scared, Soma... I want to go home.

[Was there a metal clap from a air vent somewhere?]

[notquitedracula]

We can't get through the arch, so I can't get you to Nova. Even the teleporters are on the fritz.

[If there was, it's not from a doll getting in. Not as tight as this place is warded. There are thirty-odd sorcerers of various stripes in here, and everyone contributed. There are now, however, several dolls out there, and a few more cats. Some of the cats... don't seem to be doing too well. Maybe someone's doll is beating them up?]

CASTLE CRASHING

[scarlet_devil]

[ This was all quite disconcerting to be honest, Remilia having had someone she cared about torn away from her again... and now she had to deal with the castles' nonsense towards Sakuya and Soma.

In any case, she is quick to show up. ]

[singinghuntress]

[When Rip given the summons and the reason, she was sad to hear her father left. But, as part of the family, she felt she needed to answer the summons. Which found her arriving at the castle and hopefully making her way to the meeting without incident. Though, she was still carrying her dear musket with her. Mostly because she rarely went anywhere without it.

She entered not far behind Remilia and took a seat, only glancing at the gravekeeper there for a brief moment while she waited.]

[prismaticdestruction]

[Flandre wasn't that far behind either, hesitant and nervous. Anytime that where you live is trying to hurt people you care about isn't the best thing to know. The little vampire sticks close to Remilia, although she gives Rip a tiny smile.

She's not saying anything or looking at the Gravekeeper yet. Best to keep her calm for the moment.]

[notquitedracula]

[Soma waits for everyone to take their places, hands folded on the table. There are drinks available, but he hasn't taken one for himself.

He looks... well, to be honest he looks a little haggard. Frazzled. He hasn't slept well since Dracula left, and it shows.]

I think we all know why we're here. I'd like to hear everyone's thoughts before I give mine, please. Even yours, Sakuya - you have as much a stake in this as any of us.

[sakuya_izayoi]

Sakuya was standing by the table next to Remilia, hands folded gently over her apron. The hostility toward her had not affected her productivity that much. And, at the offer, she simply shook her head and bowed.

"I have always been a guest here. All I wish is to not be attacked so much. It is truly inconvenient to have to kill the other maids while we are working. Even if the hostility of other monsters make for easy access to unusual and exotic meats."

[scarlet_devil]

"It's all becoming quite annoying. While I have not been bothered by the castle, I still have half a mind to create a subarchway to my mansion, or even Gensokyo."

Remilia looks... less than amused by the whole thing.

[singinghuntress]

Rip sat back in her seat, arms crossed over her middle and legs crossed as she observed the rest. She gave Flandre a small smile in return before turning her attention more towards Soma and well, he looks like he's been through hell.

She may not actually live within the castle but.. She didn't need to be here long to see that things weren't quite right without Dracula there.

"It looks to me like zhe castle is throwing a temper tantrum."

[prismaticdestruction]

[The smile fades quickly once the reason they were all there started. She glanced about to everyone before speaking up.]

It's not fair to anyone if it is. Tantrums can lead to accidents and those are never fun to deal with.