[ BACKDATED from 2/22 - Video // Locked from known bad-guy types ]

[celestial_wizard]

[ The video as it turns on, shows Lucy sitting outside the Fairy Tail Guild, looking a little battered and weary, but not too badly injured. Mostly tired. Natsu is standing off to one side, glaring at a trio of men who were tied up with ropes. ]

For all those concerned, you may want to avoid the ruins that were uncovered. At least for a little while. While Natsu and I were searching the ruins, we came across some members of the Hands of Decay. I'm not entirely sure what they were looking for in those ruins - but whatever it was, they found it. [ She drummed her fingers against a strange looking book in her lap thoughtfully. ]

As some of you already know, mages in Fayren are not safe by any stretch of the imagination, especially when they don't take shelter where they can be protected, even temporarily. Those ruins... we found several mages who were kidnapped from their homes, left down in the lower floor of the ruins. The scum known as the Hands of Decay intended to leave 'bait' by them, and lure monsters to deal witht them when they were incapable of defending themselves. At the same time, they had also hired bandits - possibly as a distraction - that Natsu made short work of and...who the City Guard will be collecting shortly, but while we were down there, we accidentally woke an Earth Dragon. It's been dealt with but I don't know if there is anything else down there.

We -were- able to recover several mages - ten in total - from the lower level of the ruins, and transported them safely to our guild, Fairy Tail. They weren't too badly injured, thankfully, but they were--are-- very shaken up. Apparently they were all kidnapped, but I wasn't able to clarify if it was while they were in their homes, at work, or simply in the general area of Fayren. Unfortuantely, I was unable to identify the faces of the members of the Hands of Decay. [ If she hears them, on the other hand... ] But I delivered some of the information to the City Guard.

[ mainly because she didn't trust authoritarian figures, that was pretty much the extent of her interaction with them. Though if they'd wanted to ask questions, she'd cooperate enough to answer them - to an extent. ]

I want to reiterate, not to frighten but to inform. The Hands of Decay claim they only want to eliminate mages - or get rid of them. We don't know how they define "magic". At this point, they are targeting -anyone- who has any kind of 'ability', gift, or power. However you define it - if you can do something others can't, it's highly likely they'll lump you in with 'mages' as well. And though they are currently limiting their attack area to Fayren, there's really nothing that'd stop them from broadening their reach if they consider this a successful attack; and in addition to that, it could be mages today, their allies tomorrow. Anyone currently residing in Fayren, please be extremely careful and aware of your surroundings at all times. We don't fully know what these people are capable of yet. [ And there was something very, VERY suspicious about the way they were working. ]

Everyone; mage, non mage, whatever you classify yourself - Be careful out there and be safe.

[ She lets the feed end, but remained on standby if anyone had questions, naturally. Although after a few moments of careful thought, she adds another filtered lock to the post ]

Levy, I hope you can see this. I was wondering if you could check something in your bookstore, or the library for me?

Comments

Video; Private

[skilledwithwords]

[Levy is at her book shop which is only obvious because her phone is sitting on the counter. After hearing her name she flicks on a private channel to Lucy, only just slipping a book from her lap.]

Hey, lu, of course. What is it?

[If it's research she can most definitely help.]

Video; Private

[celestial_wizard]

I found a book in the ruins, but it's undecipherable. At least by the written word. There are illustrations and such that seem to tell a story about some kind of ...Earth Deity that the people of the ruins used to worship. I don't think it's connected to the Hands of Decay but I kind of want to check all angles... and I don't have much confidence in Fayren's 'authority' figures.

[ Or authority figures in general. She hadn't bothered even talking to them about the book, since she didn't think it was relevant. But it still was strange enough that she was curious. ]

According to the illustrations, the Earth Deity would bless worshipers with boons for their crops, rivers and.. basically keep nature in balance. It could be just a story, but can you check around and see if you can find any other information that correlates to that story? If you don't have time to actually skim through the books, you can bring them to the guild and I'll look through them there.

[ She has a pair of Gale Force Reading Glasses still; and hey, Levy hadn't been to the guild in a while, she could always come to visit. ]

Video; Private

[skilledwithwords]

[Levy smiles and nods.]

I found a book there too, I've been trying to figure it out. I can definitely look into finding information about that too.

[She'd love to stop by the guild and see it again.]

Let me see what I can find first and I'll swing by.

Video; Private

[celestial_wizard]

[ OOC woof, sorry it got busy! ]

Is it in an ancient language too? It probably isn't related to this but, I'm genuinely curious anyway.

Thanks Levy - we'll see you soon~!

Video; Private -> Action

[skilledwithwords]

[Levy smiles brightly at her friend.]

It is and I still haven't decoded it but I'm working on it. I'm sure I'll be able to get it.

[With that she hangs up the phone and begins to set to work. She packs a few things, including a few changes of clothes, the old book and some reference materials she's collected on language. With everything set she ties up her hair and walks from her room. Her pokemon headbutt into her ankle and smiles giving the little fire pig a note for her roommate. She might be gone for awhile so she'll leave notice.

After that she'll slip from her home and head towards Fayren and the Fairy Tail guild. It doesn't take her too long and the walk is nice. She pulls at her backpack as the weight slowly grows from travel. When she arrives she knocks before stepping inside.]

Lu-chan? You here?

Video (Private)

[hidden_truths]

[Kahlan has only learned the private function recently; otherwise she might not have sent this message at all. She's in her room though she makes sure the area is secure before speaking.]

It's nice to meet you Lucy. My companion and I live in Fayren; I still consider us new to this place however we've been here through a good portion of the winter. We had helped during the chaos a few nights ago and where we can with the relief. There is, however, very little I feel like I can do.

I am not a mage, however I do have abilities that are known as Confessor magic. my abilities allow me to tell if anyone is lying. This only pertains to the truth as they know it so it isn't infallible but I might be able to help you get information from those men. [It's far more complicated than that but she doesn't want to go into details.] There is more than I can do however, it comes at a heavy price and it is better used when the situation is dire.

[She pauses taking a deep breath.]

Either way, I'd like to offer my services. If you wished to talk more I'd rather it be in person.

Video (Private)

[celestial_wizard]

You were here during that? I'm sorry you had to be involved in such a troublesome time - it's usually more quiet. But thank you for helping out back then - the casualty count would probably have been a lot higher otherwise.

Although...if you have magic, you're a mage. Well...Maybe not by your world's standards, but as far as they're concerned, it qualifies. Confessor magic... how does that work? Is it something like telepathic magic? [ Or lie dectection? Hrm. ]

I don't honestly think that they know anything, but you're welcome to talk to them if the City Guard don't collect them first. But only that - I wouldn't ask you to risk yourself for something like this. Do you know where we're located?

Video (Private)

[hidden_truths]

It isn't your fault or your burden to bear. [She smiles.] I am always happy to help out the people. That is my duty as a Confessor and while it's nothing in comparison to a wizard's gift I understand that this group only sees the world in white and black.

[Kahlan is currently in a professional mode.]

If it is alright to meet in person and talk more. I don't know how secure this form of communication is.

You are at the building towards North of town? [She remembers Richard mentioning it.]

Video (Private)

[celestial_wizard]

Be that as it may... [ She left it off there, pausing at the question. ]

Yes - sort of. We're not -in- town proper, but we are nearby - just across the bridge, as you come into town on the north side.

Video (Private)

[hidden_truths]

[Kahlan nods her head remembering the building. If not she's sure that Richard know it well.] I think I can find you.

If it isn't to much trouble for me to stop by?

[There isn't much she's willing to say though she knows that both this girl and her friend are telling the truth.]

[ audio ]

[deathsought]

An earth dragon?

{ No, no. Don't get side-tracked. God Serena would have gotten a kick out of that one, but he's not here. Which is probably a good thing.

There's an eerie quiet around Zeref; there's the sound of wind, suggesting he's outside, but it's almost too quiet for any of the five cities. Perhaps there's a reason he has the camera turned off? }

They're getting bolder, Lucy. I'd like to reiterate that my offer for help with them still stands. They're every bit as much of a threat to me as they are to you.

[ audio ]

[celestial_wizard]

Oh...kay well... Let me ask you this then: Exactly what does your offer for 'help' entail?

[ And don't say 'sending his demons around or coming to Fairy Tail, because she was not comfortable with that idea. Not to mention that wouldn't be ..safe for the others there. Especially if his magic triggers. ]

[ audio ]

[deathsought]

I am willing to offer myself as bait. More specifically, a Thought Projection. Natsu has encountered one of my Projections before, and Ankhseram Black Magic doesn't radiate through those.

{ Zeref sighs. Normally, this is something he'd send one of the Twelve out to deal with, like Ajeel, Wall, or Dimaria. He, himself would have zero trouble with this group. But... }

I... Think I may be drawing their attention, soon. I'm not worried, I've dealt with far worse than them. But, this type of group places me in a disadvantageous position. Killing them would only give them what they want: A martyr. And most of my magic isn't good for much else other than that.

To that end, I'm willing to help you set a trap for them.

[ audio ]

[celestial_wizard]

[ Long pause. It's probably obvious she wasn't really -thrilled- about accepting help from someone who's threatened her best friend -and- who's pretty much declared war on humanity for stupid, -stupid- reasons. ]

That's...really not something I can decide on alone. [ They might expect something like that - but more importantly, Natsu might be very very very VERY against it. Still, they had to put their personal biases to the side for situations like this. ]

I'll have to bring it up with Natsu. [ He was right though - killing them was definitely not the way to go. Heck, they'd probably call martyrdom just from being captured. ]

What did you mean by that..that you might be drawing their attention soon?

[ audio ]

[deathsought]

I understand. You know how to reach me if you decide to accept.

{ He hasn't seen Natsu in a while; he's curious to know if those bandages are still there. Not that it matters; even if he gave it another (so to speak) try, he wouldn't stay dead here, anyway. It was a moot point. It would be best if he just forgot about it entirely, for the duration of the time he spends in Genessia.

At least, until he gets the rest of the charms. }

Winter is ending. { Captain Obvious. } They will begin to notice that, with all of the time I've been spending in Fayren lately, that some of the trees and animals near the outskirts of Fayren are dead, despite spring coming. They will probably blame magic for it, it is entirely possible that they will realize that I am the source.

[ audio ]

[reedfate]

Don't worry. Yuuko and I can take care of ourselves.

{ Very few people can even see the Wish Shop, let alone pose a threat to it. Good thing, too; Clow really, really doesn't want to get into a fight. }

I appreciate the heads-up, though.

Re: [ audio ]

[celestial_wizard]

[ That's well and good for him and his friend! ]

It's the least I can do, given how troublesome they're being. And with all due respect, I'm sure the other mages who were kidnapped felt they could take care of themselves as well. You still shouldn't let your guard down.

[ What if the Hands of Decay were in that small margin of people Clow! WHAT IF. ]

[ audio ]

[reedfate]

{ You're talking to the most maddeningly unhelpful magical girl mentors in the history of the genre, Lucy. }

All will end well. You'll see.

Has Sakura been informed of these criminals?

[ audio ]

[celestial_wizard]

[ Gadamnit you unhelpful mentors! ]

I don't know any Sakura but... you'd have to be living under a rock to not know about them by now. I've made multiple posts about what's going on, as well as Loki and that 'Deputy'.

[ ...then again there was that -one- guy at the Valentine's auction who was totally clueless.

In any case, she hadn't seen or heard anything from the so called guardian since the attack on Fayren, which surprised her. Heck, she was surprised at the silence from the so called Deputy with the latest information too. Oh well. ]

[ audio ]

[reedfate]

She has short, brown hair, and she's in her mid-teens. { He'd rephrase and ask if she offered to help with them, but that answered his question. }

If she offers to help with them, I'd like to speak to her, first. If at all possible, of course.

[Video] Let's pretend this is not the latest reply ever...

[fairysoul]

[The familiar and deceivingly young face of Fairy Tail's first guild master appears on screen. She has that same serious and determined look on her face she always has before a battle.]

You did great, Lucy. Fairy Tail will always be a shelter for people who need protection, mages or not.

Now we have to do something about those Hands of Decay. We can't allow them to keep roaming freely in Fayren. Or anywhere else in Genessia. Did you find more information about them?

[Guild Master mode on.]

[Video to Private Video] Lateness, what's that? :3

[celestial_wizard]

[ First! Lucy's so glad to see the deceptively young guild master. She blushed, smiling happily at the praise. ]

I'm glad you think so, First.

[ She does not begrudge you or Makarov your jobs. AND SHE NEVER WANTS THAT POSITION SO YOU'RE SAFE. As Mavis brings up the Hands of Decay though, she, switches the conversation to private. ]

I agree.. though that's proving to be trickier than we thought. They keep popping up and attacking, then scurrying away. [ It was incredibly frustrating. ]

Well, yes. The Fayren Guardian and her Deputy certainly don't have any interest in the information, and I'd rather tell you anyway. Natsu and I had to split up in that ruin I mentioned - we caught several bandits that were hired by the Hands, I suppose as a distraction. He's keeping watch on them now. And the Earth Dragon was knocked out so it won't be a problem unless someone goes and wakes it up again.

The bandits we caught didn't seem to know anything specific about the Hands. They were just paid by them, but didn't know names or anything, and they wore clothing with deep hoods to hide their faces. But I did run into members - the leader and two of his people, I think - and they were clearly looking for something in the archives of a chamber that was hidden in there. They had some kind of ... journal or diary with them too; it probably told them where to find the chamber.

I'd have tried to capture one of them, but there were kidnapped mages down there, left as monster bait.. [ And boy was she steamed about that. ] Virgo, Taurus and I were able to get them to safety though - they're resting in the guild too now.

And.. I really wonder if they aren't mages themselves. Sure they say they hate magic and mages, but something's really fishy about them. They got out of the ruins too quickly, and more importantly, they don't leave any kind of scent behind. The fact that Natsu can't pick up any smell - not even something covering up their scent, is suspicious.

[Video to Private Video] <3

[fairysoul]

They don't? [Mavis quirked a surprised and slightly disapproving eyebrow. She would have expected the Fayren Guardian and her Deputy to be all over this.

Mavis listened with rapt attention, waiting for Lucy to be done before she spoke again.] You could be right about that. People don't need to be that different from you for them to hate you. They could be mages. The nature of their magic could be different from ours or from anything we know, though. ...Maybe that's why they're trying to eradicate all other sources of magic.

[She pressed a finger against her chin, thoughtfully.] They could be using 'stealth' magic.

We need to find what they're looking for before they do. And in order to do that we might need to get our hands on this diary. Preferably without them noticing.

[Video to Private Video] :D

[celestial_wizard]

No. There's been absolutely no attempt to contact us ever since we got involved. It may be because we're not an 'Approved' investigation group, but that's pretty childish if you ask me.

[ She had a very VERY low opinion of both of them though. ]

Besides, Fairy Tail doesn't need the approval of anyone to protect people. That's why I suggested we use the guild as a shelter - and so far ours is the only one that hasn't lost people.

[ She grimaces slightly at the latter. ]

I know... I'm sorry, First. I could have tried to make a grab for the diary when I ran into them, but... I didn't want to take the chance of risking those mages who were kidnapped. ..and by then Natsu was already fighting that dragon. I had to let them get away.

Maybe if we check a map of the city we could figure out the likely places they might be hiding out...?

[Video to Private Video]

[fairysoul]

If it's all it takes, I'll go request that we become one of those approved investigation groups. Even if it's just temporary. From what we've seen so far, they're going to need all the help they can get.

[She smiles softly and reassuringly at Lucy.] No, we don't. But if we're all running in different directions, it will take us longer to reach our goal, don't you think? You did everything right, Lucy. But if the Guardian doesn't get the importance of this, it's part of our role to help her see.

[Mavis shakes her head 'no'.] You don't need to apologize, Lucy. Rescuing people in danger always comes first. Besides I can already predict this is not the last time we'll be running into them. [Unfortunately.]

That's a good idea too. Could you do this? With Levy's help maybe?