1st Shadow | [Audio/Action]

[iridescentillusion]

[A quiet chuckle is heard as the audio message begins. The voice is calm, although it's echoed, sounding like more than one person is talking. Not that there is- it's just one man, after all. And he sounds amused.]

Well, well, isn't this a surprise. And here I thought I've lived long enough that there would be nothing that would surprise me any more. I daresay, I'm impressed. I should be angered, seeing that I have a job to do... but my interest is piqued, I confess. I wonder if this place is capable of some much needed entertainment, and that Everglade place sounds delightful.

[He pauses for a few moments before continuing.]

I'm sure I know the answer already... but I don't suppose anyone has seen a hell hound woman around? I ask solely because, should she be here, I wish to reclaim what is rightfully mine.


[Action - Genessia City]

[Before he'd left the Bay, Cipher was quick to change his forms. In an unknown place, he didn't wish to be found out immediately, so rather than walking around this new realm with his horns and gold glowing eyes on display, he was in his human form; a green eyed young man dressed in casual grey shirt and pants with a dark blue, fur collared jacket on. Should someone speak to him, his voice will sound nothing like the one in the audio message. He can't have his cover blown- not yet, anyway. He would seek the other archways shortly - particularly that of Everglade, and possibly Fayren - but he did want to adjust to his new surroundings and make it seem like it was just a regular old human that was new to the place walking around.

He couldn't sense Fulco or either of his generals anywhere, which was a slight concern, but not unexpected. He would have to make deal alone, and that wouldn't be a problem.]

Comments

[azaleafae]

[Azalea is instantly wary of this ominous voice that comes through the device. Still, it's never good to jump to conclusions, so she'll give the benefit of the doubt...for now.]

What sort of job would that be?

[She doesn't try to hide her dragon image, looking straight into the video screen.]

[iridescentillusion]

[Isn't that curious. He hasn't seen a dragon in quite some time. Seeing creatures thought previously extinct in a new world isn't very surprising though. He chooses to stay solely on audio, despite Azalea using the video.]

To undo what the gods had done.

[azaleafae]

[Well, that didn't sound good at all at first, since the first "gods" that came to mind were the deities of Sornieth, who actually put the world together and gave birth to dragonkind. Then again, this person was definitely from another world. Perhaps the "gods" there were bad?]

...What did they do?

[iridescentillusion]

[To say his home's former deities were 'bad' would be putting it lightly. And that's why he was there to take care of them. He'll happily oblige in giving the information that Azalea wanted, since he is just as happy to smear the Cardinals' names.]

They were personally responsible for the destruction of my realm and the slaying of my brethren, and that is without their further assassination of magical creatures lesser than they in the realm they were supposed to protect.

Because they were scared.

[Action]

[swordprincess]

[As part of her job, Karla makes another visit to the Bay to check for any newcomers. And lo, here comes one now. She approaches casually, her sword sheathed at her hip.]

Ah...another new arrival, I see.

[Action]

[iridescentillusion]

[He stops and looks up, seeing Karla approach. She's certainly a beautiful one- and well versed in her craft if that sword and her appearance were to be believed.]

I'm afraid so. I can't say I've run into this situation before.

[Action]

[swordprincess]

Oh dear. The same is true of all of us who arrive here. But at least there are some who make the effort to relieve some of their confusion.

[She stops a good few feet away. She wouldn't want to invade his space.]

Did you happen to see the hologram that was set up?

[Action]

[iridescentillusion]

That's fortunate. It's good that there are those that try to make the transition a little smoother.

[He nods, glancing over his shoulder back towards the Bay.]

I did, yes, and I made sure to go through the extra pamphlets beside it. Five drastically different cities are a curious thing.

Text

[killerrose]

Aren't you interesting~

[This is what Ib does when she's bored at work.]

I'm sure if I'd have seen a hell anything around I'd remember it so the answer to that is no. I do wonder if you realize how much of yourself you give away just be saying a few simple sentences.

Unless you're not going for stealth.

Audio

[iridescentillusion]

[Seeing a text message makes him chuckle, especially one advising him in information he's well aware of.]

Stealth is hardly a concern. The odds of my enemies being here are slim, and even if they were, well... I'm happy to tell them that they haven't escaped me.

And here? Let them jump to their own conclusions, if they intend to misinterpret what they hear.

[Another chuckle. He doesn't have enemies per se, just people wanting to find out who's responsible for making their realm a living hell is all. Besides, he knows when to be stealthy. He has a human form for a reason.]

Still, that's a shame. I had hoped, out of all my generals, that she would be here. But I suppose this place isn't about convenience.

Text

[killerrose]

[He can most likely hear the bustle of Ibs bar before she flicks back to text.]

You aren't skilled at making friends are you?

Audio

[iridescentillusion]

[He's sure that whoever's writing is attempting to mock him but he thinks nothing of it.]

You would be surprised. I have plenty.

But at least I have the decency to personally speak, and not reduce myself to hiding behind writing.

Action

[greenmagick]

[Terra has a collection of flowers arranged artfully in her basket as she steps down the street. Winter has made growing things a little bit more difficult but she's still able to keep up with the small orders she has been getting in.

She's finally heading back to her shop for the day when she catches sight of the stranger wandering from the bay area. She hesitates for a moment before walking up with a smile.]

Um... are you new?

[She doesn't know what help she can offer but she doesn't feel right saying nothing at all.]

Action

[iridescentillusion]

[His eyes are immediately drawn to the woman, and instantly he's got a curious feeling about her. She's a gorgeous one, that's for sure, but there's something about her...]

I'm afraid so. I just arrived a few minutes ago.

Action

[greenmagick]

[Terra pauses for a moment before flashing the boy a smile.]

Is there anything I can help you with? I have been here for awhile now.

[Though she doesn't have many answers to the overarching questions like: how did I get here.]

Action

[iridescentillusion]

[He manages a faint smirk in return.]

I've got plenty of questions, but unfortunately I believe they're the answers everyone else here wants as well.

[He glances over his shoulder.]

Is it safe to assume the hologram's up to date? I have no doubt that it is, but I'd just like to make sure that there isn't something it didn't mention.

action;

[charmingdeception]

[Keeping her Aurora appearance in order to do her job as a cashier, she had set about walking toward the place when she found herself stopping. She wasn't sure why she stopped but she felt like she should and also keep a knife on her. As she went to take a few more steps before realizing she was near the Bay. She was always iffy when she was around that place for just in case. But instead it was just some guy.]

Oi! Standing around ain't gonna get you anywhere anytime soon.

action;

[iridescentillusion]

[He glances up and looks over the shoulder, raising an eyebrow in the direction of the girl. Ohh, something's off about her, alright. He's not sure if he likes it. Still, he has to keep up appearances- he's just a normal human, right?]

Oh, I'm aware. But I also won't be able to get anywhere unless I'm used to my surroundings.

action;

[charmingdeception]

No pretty sure you can walk while getting use to it.

[Only dumb people stick around really.]

But I guess you must be new, right?

anon text;

[wheresmykey]

There is nothing interesting here. Move along now and crawl back to where you came from.

audio;

[iridescentillusion]

[He chuckles. Doesn't this person give warm welcomes.]

I'd love to, but I'm afraid whoever summoned me here has sealed off my exit. I have no choice but to see how far this rabbit hole goes.

anon text;

[wheresmykey]

Don't. Go hide and hopefully die because at least seeing a dead person will be interesting.

( audio )

[trueseeker]

[There's something slightly creepy about this voice, and he's not sure he likes it.]

...a...hell hound...?

( audio )

[iridescentillusion]

[You shouldn't like it, Richard. Especially because of that eerie calm in addition to the already spooky doubled voice.]

Yes, a hell hound. A hound of the damned and forged in the flames of Hell, consuming those who attempt to leave or enter the realm of the dead without permission.

Or so they say. She is quite pleasant, in reality.

[Hell doesn't exist where he comes from, after all. And by 'pleasant', he means it's nice having a guard 'dog' that will murder on his word and does what he orders without questioning it.]

( audio )

[trueseeker]

...I haven't seen any sort of hound like that. [And he can say that with certainty.] But I'll keep an eye out.

[A pause, but just a moment.] I'm Richard Cypher. I haven't been here long, but if I can answer any questions for you, I'd be happy to.