[Action for Everglade]

[what_is_a_man]

Sunset in Everglade as of late had been something as peaceful as sunsets anywhere. A fact that had annoyed Dracula for far too long, and tonight, he set out to change it. He emerged from the gate that connected Everglade and Castlevania alone. However, before long a massive Behemoth emerged from the ground beneath Dracula who stood atop the beast as if it were a routine thing. After the Behemoth, a multitude of various creatures of the night of all shapes, sizes, and myths emerged from the shadows. The Behemoth began making its way into the city, flanked on all sides by the ever growing army of the damned.

After some time, they began to branch off, marching down the streets in a very calculated route, with all roads leading to the Mayor's office. It was not long before the army had the office surrounded. Once it was, Dracula dismounted, making his way into the building with a look of grim determination on his face.

[OOC: As far as the army composition goes, if it can be found in Rondo of Blood and/or Symphony of the Night, it's a part of his army. The only notable exceptions being Death, Shaft, Medusa, and Medusa Heads.]

Comments

[im_gonna_heal_u]

"Dracula?" Now that Konoka looked, she could see the man standing atop the beast, the one who seemed to be commanding it all. Already charmed by Pidonus's magic, the normal wariness she'd feel didn't seem to turn up. "Ah, I see." She thought of the demons at home. Demons were... frankly, servants and mercenaries summoned at will, none seemed all that interested in attacking humans as a whole. It might have been why she accepted it so easily.

"Are you going to resolve this peacefully, I hope?" she asked. Well, it wasn't likely, but hopefully there wouldn't be much carnage. Perhaps the show of force would be enough to make the Mayor back down.

[have_hat_will_travel]

"Oh, I figure so. Though any aid we could get would certainly help. You mentioned you have medical talents, right?", Pidonus asked, stepping in closer to Konoka. The charm by itself wouldn't get stronger with proximity, but Pidonus had the idea of using a couple of her other abilities to gain extra influence on the girl.

"We'd love to have those backing us up. Keep too many innocents from being hurt~"

As Pidonus asked that, she leaned in close to Konoka, not doing anything quite yet...

[im_gonna_heal_u]

"I did..." Konoka trailed off, curious as to what Pidonus was up to. But suddenly she was awful close, and Konoka felt a little embarrassed. "Well um, okay?" She said, leaning back but not really stepping backwards. It seemed way too easy to get caught up in Pidonus's insistence. "I'm not sure I really understand the situation though..." It wouldn't stop her from helping, but there was some doubt swelling up in her mind, if slightly.

[have_hat_will_travel]

Pidonus' smile remained, if slightly impassive. "It's very simple, really. For one, I've decided I need a couple minions, and you look exactly like the right type."

As she spoke, she moved in still closer, wrapping both arms around Konoka in a loose hug. "You're still new in town, aren't you?"

[im_gonna_heal_u]

"Minions?" Konoka blinked, her eyelashes almost fluttering. But there was no way she meant that in the evil sense, right? She probably meant it like Haruna did! So Konoka just giggled away that concern. "Well um, I can't work for free. I'm definitely new here, though." By now, the close contact was making her blush. It was one thing to give a hug, and Konoka gave plenty. But this hug made her feel all perverted for some reason...

[have_hat_will_travel]

"You'd have room and board, of course. Possibly other arrangements, too? It'd be good work, I think. But, of course, I'm not about to take 'no' for an answer. You probably figured that out already, though, right?"

Pidonus' usual chuckles shifted to a low, but open laugh, as one hand grasped Konoka's chin and moved her head until their gazes matched.

[im_gonna_heal_u]

It was too late. Even if Konoka had been aware of Pidonus's full level charm, she had already been captured the moment the fog had sent her in the other woman's direction. "Yes I had." Due to the charm, there was not even any mild depression in Konoka's voice, Pidonus had charmed her far too effectively to even worry about something like that.

All she could think about were those lovely eyes of hers...

[have_hat_will_travel]

Pidonus chuckled a bit. "Good, good. You already recognize the situation, and you don't even feel bad about it. You don't care that me or my master are likely the villains here."

However, she wanted to be sure Konoka would follow her orders. So, it was time for a magical suggestion or two to reinforce her will.

"You are under my spell," Pidonus intoned, her words carrying an arcane power to slip past Konoka's will. "You want to do whatever I say, and your morality won't stop you."

Pidonus focused on Konoka's eyes at that moment, watching for the telltale reaction that would tell her the magic took. She'd have to reinforce it regularly, but that was okay for a small number of minions, she had decided.

[im_gonna_heal_u]

Well, she had fallen in so deep that Pidonus's revelation failed to really startle her. The only real thing she felt was her stomach drop, and by that point she could do nothing to stop Pidonus's words from affecting her.

Eyes turning blank and glassy, Konoka just gave a vapid smile and nodded. "I'll do as you say," she said, her voice calm. 

[have_hat_will_travel]

Finally, Pidonus allowed herself an open laugh. "Good, good. Obviously, we'll need a few others in time. For now, though, we'd best keep moving towards the frontline. Any monster that isn't obviously undead and is injured, you'll heal. Once this little situation's resolved, we'll handle the rest back at the castle."

She blinked a time or two. "Oh, and other than trusting me deeply and obeying me, you can act normal, all right? No need to let people know you've been enspelled."

[im_gonna_heal_u]

"Okay!" Konoka blinked, and that glassy eyed look disappeared as soon as it came, the hypnotic charm long since gone. However, she was still overwhelmed with a need to do what Pidonus said, thanks to the charm. But aside from that she had largely been mentally leashed, not chained, and thus she decided to stick close and see how any battle actually went.

[have_hat_will_travel]

Pidonus chuckled a bit. "So, you were traveling with someone. What other arrangements have you figured out, so far?"

She knew Konoka was new in town, so if she could reduce how many people were worried about her, that'd be for the best...

[im_gonna_heal_u]

That took a moment. Konoka didn't have any real prior arrangements, but she did talk to a few people. "Well um, I wanted to tour the other cities in Genessia, and I was going to stay a night at Porrim's inn..." she couldn't think of anything else, so she added, "That's actually about it."

[have_hat_will_travel]

Pidonus nodded, quickly formulating her plan. "We will have to cover that, then, once the immediate situation is over. You'll head over there, but then tell her you've found a job and a room for the time being after the night. If she presses, you can tell her you got a job as a housemaid at a fancy rich place in... Let's say Neon City. Once you're away from her, of course, you'll head to this town and message me for a pickup. I wouldn't approach the castle alone, unless you can convincingly evidence that you're not human."

[im_gonna_heal_u]

"Okay," Konoka nodded, her thoughts now having shifted to prepare this explanation to Porrim. It did make her wonder if there were actual housemaid jobs in Nova, but she much preferred being a medic if she could.

However, she was still waiting to see what was going on with this army. "I don't think I'm not human. So I guess I need to meet you?"

[have_hat_will_travel]

"Yes, that'd be for the best," Pidonus responded. "Just safer that way~"

She chuckled. "Clearly, we're going to have some fun after that."