Free City, Truce - Fountain
A tiered fountain marks the center of Truce, water gushing from its
summit and trickling into a deep, wide basin, wrapped by a ring of benches.
Roads flow like rivers away from the fountain, and houses sprout like weeds
all around them. Not far to the east, the ocean roars in the harbor.

Lilliana says ' it's a nice night.. yes?'

Shamaster says ' Define nice.'

Lilliana says ' Not filled with scary monsters...'

Lorastine leans back and watches the sky

Shamaster says ' Then by those definitions yes.. It's a wonderful evening.'

Lilliana lies on Shamaster like a pillow

Holdana was on the other side of the fountain, washing her face with the clean water. Well, clean-ish. "You never know. The monster's might simply be biding their time..."

Lilliana cowers in the corner from claustrophobia.

Shamaster says ' Don't do that.'

Shamaster says 'She's skittish'

Shamaster says ' Besides... the cleft likes to do that.'

Shamaster says ' It's rare that it's calm'

Shamaster says ' Last time I was sitting out here weird stuff happened and it just kept getting weirder'

Lilliana convulses as she shudders in disgust.

Shamaster says ' Hopefully we can avoid going through that again.'

Holdana shrugs a bit, taking another handful of water. "Does it? I've not been here long enough to really gauge...right. Sorry to disturb you. I'm Holdana Stromholm, of the kingdom Stromholm. If it happens, I'll take full blame."

Shamaster says ' Seamus.. from.. elsewhere'

Shamaster says ' I fell in here ages ago'

Shamaster leans back

Shamaster says ' I think i got a feel for the place by now.'

Holdana chuckles. "I'm probably just paranoid anyway. S'what one gets for hunting demons that quite enjoy hunting back."
Shamaster says ' This is Lilliana.. I saved her out in the veldt and brought her to Truce.'

Shamaster says ' Demons?'

Shamaster says ' You actually did this crazy stuff before dropping into the cleft?'

Shamaster says ' I lived a safe and monster free life before getting sucked into this hole.'

Lorastine eavesdrops on the conversations

Holdana nods at that, coming around the side of the fountain so she can sit comfortably. "Well. I kind of got hurled into it. I was just a hermit for a while..."

Shamaster says ' Word to the wise. EVERYTHING here is weird. Nothing is strange'

Lilliana goes to sleep on the bench.

Shamaster says ' it's all normal for this damn place.'

Holdana says '"Oh? Well, I guess I'll come off as mostly normal, then. I have noticed that the flora and fauna are quite bizarre..."'

Shamaster says ' I will admit one thing.'

Shamaster says ' This place changes you.'

Shamaster says ' I'm far more powerful here then I would've ever thought to be back home.'

Lorastine says ' It seems like this world has more to it then I originally thought...'

Shamaster says ' Ah.. so your done eavesdroping.'

Holdana says '"Hm. I'll...have to be doubly cautious, then."'

Shamaster shifts to a more comfortable possistion while trying not to wake up Lilliana.

Lorastine sits up and faces the group

Shamaster says ' it's perfectly fine.'

Holdana nods to Lorastine, smiling brightly. "Quite alright. This is a public place, after all."

Lorastine smiles happily.

Tyrranis stares blankly at the night sky, as if admiring it.

Lorastine says ' I'm new to this world, I woke up here not too long ago.'

Shamaster says ' It gets weirder from here'

Holdana says '"You also? I actually came in hot pursuit. I was seperated from my allies...I have to assume they didn't make the journey."'

Shamaster says ' You chose to come here?'

Shamaster says ' I didn't know that was an option.'

Holdana says '"Hm? Oh. Well. I didn't, quite. It was the demon I was chasing...Balthalas is his name. He opened a portal. I chased."'

Tyrranis stands somewhat abruptly, and walks over to the fountain before drinking deeply from it.

Shamaster says ' You're a braver soul than I'

Lorastine says ' I'm sorry to hear about your friends. I was heading home late at night when I past out and woke up here.'

Holdana scowls as she says his name, her expression growing quite dark. "What choice did I have? None could forgive him his crimes. I...no, sorry. I won't sully this happy occasion with dark tales."

Shamaster says ' No monsters isn't much to celebrate'

Shamaster says ' It happens ocasionally'

Shamaster says ' Lilliana is new to the whole city thing.'

Shamaster says ' Spent most of her life in a much safer place.'

Holdana shakes her head, her expression brightening somewhat. "Peace is always a reason to celebrate. Life is a reason. Pleasant meetings is a reason. And I can certainly relate to that..."

Shamaster says ' Whatever floats your theoretical boat'

Lorastine says ' It seems like the Sun is going to bed.'

Tyrranis straightens, wipes his mouth, and returns to his place on the bench, almost mechanically. He then redirects his gaze to the sky once more.

Lorastine watches the sun set on the horizon.

Holdana says 'So it is. Hrm. New to city life..."'

From any particular direction, a small white feline-like creature comes padding in, hopping up on the basin of the fountain and sitting upright. Its round, red eyes look between the patrons with potential interest, and a pair of long furry appendages hang down from the base of its pointed ears.

Shamaster sighs.

Shamaster says ' And thus the weirdness begins.'

Lorastine looks at the cat and beckons it to her

Lorastine says ' Come here, kitty'

Lilliana wakes and stands up.

Lilliana lies back down

Behind this creature, an average sized male comes in as well. He seems dark, as if the shadows of the area swell around him to conceal his physique, more or less. A large sword, easily twice his size or better, is draped widthwise across his back.

Lilliana sits on a fountainside bench and rests.

Shamaster says ' Can i help you sir?'

Holdana gives the small creature a bit of a careful glare...but otherwise pays it very little heed. The man, on the other hand, is given the careful eye of a warrior who is on guard for attack. "Good evening, sir."

Tyrranis slowly lets his gaze fall down upon the creature. A worrying grin spreads across his face, though he seems to mean it genuinely. "Ah. Wish-Giver. It is a pleasure to see you again."

Shamaster says ' Oh.'

Shamaster says ' You know him big guy?'

Holdana says ' ...Wish giver?'

The cat-thing looks up at Lorastine's beckoning, and blinks a couple of times, its expression not changing. "Ah, a pleasure. Hello to you all!"

Lorastine looks up with confusion, "Wish giver?"

Shamaster says ' ...'

Shamaster says ' Wonderful it talks.'

Holdana looks at Tyrranis.

Shamaster says ' This can only end well'

Tyrranis says ' The man means nothing to me. The Wish Giver is a powerful being. It is the one who gave me my abilities.'

The dark man simply stands beside the cat, making a point not to lock eyes with anyone. His face is hard to read, if only because of its half-hidden state.

Holdana says ' You're...saying the feline is a wish granter?'

Holdana looks to the cat-like creature, a bit disbelieving.

The cat nods. "I am Kyuubey. And what he says is true, too true! Anything you desire, I can make happen."

Shamaster says ' Something for nothing...'

Shamaster says ' Whats the price?'

Holdana says 'You'll...pardon me if I'm distrustful of a good thing. I'm Holdana Stromholm, of the kingdom Stromholm. Charmed, Kyuubey.'

Lorastine is not fully understanding what the cat meant. Easily could be another part of this world she didn't understand.

Lorastine says ' Anything I desire?'

Kyuubey says 'Well, not exactly 'something for nothing', I'm afraid. It is a service I offer: I will grant you one wish, anything you want in this or any other world, in exchange for your services. There are witches abound, my friend, and those with wishes granted are the only ones capable of removing them. I only ask for your help in this as payment. Nothing more!"

Again, the man nearby says nothing. His clothes waft a little from a coming breeze, but only slightly.

Lorastine was mainly talking to herself as she thought about asking to go back home. How she would love to see her family.

Shamaster says ' How long would we be helping if one were to agree to your terms?'

Holdana says ' Hm. You'll pardon me if I find myself somewhat untrusting, as I said. Who are we to say the Witches are in the wrong? I come from a sorcerous bloodline myself...'

Lorastine refocused onto the conversation

Tyrranis says ' It is true. Beings that wish to destroy us all. We, the Wish Takers, who enter into a contract, fight them.'

Shamaster looks at Tyrranis.

Shamaster looks at Kyuubey.

Kyuubey says 'Well then, perhaps an explanation is in order.' Kyuubey clears its throat, which is to say, it doesn't do anything at all, aside from making a throat-clearing noise. In fact, its mouth doesn't move in any of its actions.

Holdana seems quite untrusting, not even bothering to hide it. And she simply -stares- at the cat as he explains.

Lorastine is fairly interested in this cat, not sure what to think. She was pretty naive when it came to trust. She was willing to hear this out.

Kyuubey says "In this world are creatures called witches. The term is relative, and I mean no offense to those of the sorcerous kind. These creatures bring death and dismay the world over, responsible for those thoughts of murder and suicide that delve in the minds of the weak. They bring out the worst in people, if only because they, themselves, are miserable creatures."

Kyuubey says "In exchange for one wish, anything at all, I ask those with their newfound powers to fight these creatures and help rid this world of them. You are really only helping twofold, in this way."

Kyuubey says "If you need convincing, ask either Tyrranis here, or this fellow behind me. They'll tell you that it isn't such a bad deal, when you think about how much you have to gain from it."

Holdana gives Tyrranis a distrustful eye as she asks, "And you will affirm what he says? That the witches are worthy only of death?"

The man looks up as he is mentioned, long enough to glance amongst the patrons nearby.

Lorastine thought about it for a little. The cat made sense to her "If these witches are truely evil, we'd be doing this world a favor vanquishing them right?"

Tyrranis looks to Holdana, losing his smile if only because he forgets to keep it there. "I cannot confirm or deny the tale of Witches. I have heard people contacting them, however I have never had the fortune to meet one in battle."

Holdana says ' I'm not interested in what I have to gain, feline. I'm interested in the morality of it. We have nothing but your word to go by.'

Shamaster says ' She raises a good point'

Shamaster says ' I'm not generally one for genocide.'

Shamaster says ' especially if the genocides are sentient.'

Tyrranis shakes his head. "The idea of only fighting Witches with your power is irrelevant. You can use your power to do so many other things, fight so many other enemies."

Kyuubey says "The morality of what, exactly?" The feline doesn''t sound judgmental in the least; his tone is straight and slightly aloof, as if willing to hear all sides without excessive convincing.

Shamaster says ' Have you tried talking to them?'

Holdana nods to Tyrranis. "Thank you for being honest, at least. And the long and short of it is, I doubt I will trust anything you say without meeting these witches myself. Your offer is too good, your reasoning too trite. It smacks of a hidden depth that I don't care for."

Kyuubey says "Talking to whom? The witches? That's a good way to lose your head." Matter of factly, of course.

Shamaster says ' No offense.. But Tyrranis tends to fight anything capable of fighting back. I don't generally divert to him in what I should be fighting.'

Tyrranis stands again, and walks closer to the other large man. He sizes him up with a critical eye, and then holds forward a hand. "I am Tyrranis. Who are you?"

Holdana says ' ...No. I don't trust your offer, feline. You come in a position of strength and offer the world. In return, you ask me to commit unthinking murder. That's not my way, even if they be deserving of it.'

Holdana says ' I left a life of luxury to escape being a political pawn. I won't put myself in such a position again without due reason.'

Lorastine looked up at the sky and noticed the rain stopping

Kyuubey sits still, looking upon them (most specifically Holdana) with unblinking eyes. Its tail waves back and forth a few times. "Unthinking murder? You would be helping to avert murder, should you accept my offer. How much more of a reason do you need? I think you don't quite understand the capacity of these creatures I speak of."

Shamaster says ' Not really.. but generally when a strange creature comes offering power of any kind.'

Shamaster says ' Avoiding it is normally the best plan.'

Shamaster says ' Personal experience has not proven this wrong yet.'

Holdana says ' Generally true. But if you're adamant about it, I propose a compromise. The best way to broker peace is to be stronger than your opponent.'

Lorastine says ' If you avoid something, it might end up finding you...'

Shamaster shrugs helplessly.

Shamaster says ' Avoiding things hasn't failed me yet.'

The man looks up at Tyrranis' approach, and turns to meet him. He hesitates for a moment, but his face appears young-ish as he lifts it from his hooded cloak, and he takes the other man's hand, shaking it roughly and briskly. "Kirk. Kirk Vanier." His voice is somewhat hushed.

Shamaster shifts his attention to Kirk

Holdana looks to the other two that are unsure, shrugging. "Grant me-and the other two, if they wish-the power to stand against the witches if need be. Let it be our choice, not yours, that decides whether we fight them at all. We won't be beholden to you, but you give us the opportunity to reach our own decision."

Tyrranis says ' You are another Wish Taker, yes? What was your wish?'

Kyuubey merely holds his tongue, not saying anything further. He blinks once, his expression a complete mask of neither here nor there, good intentions nor bad. He looks... like a cat.

Shamaster wakes Lilliana

Shamaster says ' Go back to the inn.. I'll meet you there later'

Lilliana blinks in utter disbelief.

Lilliana says ' I..'

Shamaster says ' Don't ask about it..'

Shamaster says ' Things got weird again.'

Lilliana nods.

Lilliana stands up.

Lilliana leaves south.

Kirk says "I am. My wish was unimportant, but it has been a blessing thus far. That's all you need to know." He lets go of Tyrranis' hand, and averts his eyes once more.

Holdana gives Shamaster a weird look...but she returns her own glowing gaze to the feline.

Kyuubey says "I would never force anyone to accept anything that was not completely their choice. After all, I can do nothing if you don't ask for a wish. It's an obvious rule. I'm not the bad guy here."

Tyrranis shrugs simply. The man appeared too soft to have taken a wish like he. He instead looks back to Kyuubey. "Wish Granter. Tell me, will there be a chance soon for me to meet the Witches in battle?"

Kyuubey says "I am here for those who want it, not for those who don't. Plain and simple."

Lorastine looks at the group and back at the cat. Everyone seems to have a fair point, in the topic of these wishes.

Shamaster says ' Fair enough'

Kyuubey seems to ask, with his eyes, Tyrranis to hold for a moment, while he addresses one more thing to the group. "However, let me say this."

Lorastine hesitated, but had to ask a question "You said that in exchange for the wishes, we'd have to complete a task correct? What if we cannot fulfill our end of the bargin?"

Kyuubey says "I have yet to meet with anyone who has taken up my proposal that has not been able to fullfil their end of the bargain. Anyone who is granted a wish receives with it the power to fight against this threat, guaranteed. This wish is not just an ordinary wish; it is all encompassing. You will become as strong as the wish you request, that much I promise."

Kyuubey says "But let me state that I lie not an inch when I say these witches are a threat. Don't think of them as your traditional misunderstood magical miscreants that merely need a handslap and a push in the right direction."

Holdana is quiet, letting the feline say what he will. Let others fill the silence while she thinks, and plans...

Kyuubey says "We are talking about those who feed on negative emotions from the weak. They induce feelings of homicide and suicide, which are carried out by those fallen under their spells. You are helping, and only helping, by removing them from this world."

Lorastine says ' I see. So that leaves a tough decision to take the risk of the mission or leave it to chance that the witches are innocent.'

Shamaster says ' Pardon.. If i may interrupt.'

Shamaster says ' This world is filled with monsters and many other terrible things.'

Holdana says ' By all means. Go right ahead.'

Shamaster says ' Are the witches really that much of a threat that they need a special force to go after them?'

Kyuubey says "They are not your traditional forces of darkness that you may be prone to seeing. They reside within barriers to conceal themselves from the outside world, while working their magic behind the scenes. Daily acts of suicide and murder you hear are their doing, without the obviousness of it."

Kyuubey says "If you think of it in this way, you would be a covert team assigned to eliminating the problem at its source."

Holdana says ' ...Kyuubey. Out of curiousity, what is the limit on your wishes?'

Kyuubey says "There are no limits. As the phrase goes, "Ask and you shall receive"."

Holdana nods a bit, scratching her chin quietly for a moment. "And again, out of curiousity, what would happen if someone simply wished for the witches to be gone?"

Kyuubey turns after a moment, looking apologetic to Tyrranis for dismissing him. "I feel a new threat amassing nearby. It is only a matter of time before the formation of a witch in turn is complete. So to answer your question, yes, you will."

Tyrranis smiles, and then sits down on then bench again. "It is only a matter of time then. I will wait and watch." He returns to looking at the sky.

Shamaster says ' Oh wonderful.. monsters are coming'

Shamaster stands up.

Shamaster says ' If you excuse me'

Shamaster says ' I have some drinks to attend to'

Shamaster says ' Enjoy your.. witch hunting adventure'

Holdana says ' No, nevermind. Fine, I will take your wish Kyuubey. And...do tend to your friend?'

Holdana had directed the last bit to Shamus, before he left.

Kyuubey says "A promising wish, no doubt. And a powerful one it would be. You might think it would eliminate the need for those with wish-born powers, but witches will continue to rise. There will always be a need for those to stand against them, because of what and how they are. But I understand your question, and it is a good one."

Lorastine stands up.

Kyuubey says "If I may put it another way..."

Lorastine says ' I accept as well, I can't let you do it alone.'

Kyuubey says "As long as there are evil thoughts and evil ambitions, the threat of witches will always exist. They are born from despair, sadness, and the lack of will seen every day. This will never subside, and neither, as well, will the threat of these witches."

Holdana says ' I wish...I wish for the power and ability to help those that can't choose their path in life. To give them guidance when their information is suspect, to have the power needed to help them from hopeless situations. To give people freedom, for better or worse, when they feel they are trapped. I wish for -that.-'

Kyuubey nods affirmingly to Holdana, and seems interested in Lorastine at this time. "And you? Do you have something you desire?"

Lorastine says ' I wish to have the power to stop the evil that threatens the world. '

Lorastine realized how childish she may have sounded with the wish, but being offered anything was too overwhelming for her to be specific

Kyuubey says "Excellent! I hear your requests, and I shall grant them! Let my light shine with you, and through it, you will become vessels of your own power, through which you will see your wishes true to fulfillment." Kyuubey rises back on his hind legs for a moment, and...

Both Lorastine and Holdana are yanked up into the air about a foot, as a colorful drop of.. something, seems to escape from their chest. This drop elongates and forms a small egg-shaped object of varying hue. The two of them are set back on their feet, unharmed, as each one's egg-object is placed carefully into their hands.

Kyuubey says "It is complete. You are now the newest Magical Girls on the team. Congratulations!"

Lorastine looks curiously at her egg in her hands and then looks at Holdana's egg

Holdana was a -bit- disoriented at the yanking, trying to recover control of her body...at least, until she's set down and the egg in her grip. "Er. Magical girl? I'm not exactly certain what you mean. My own command of magic is utilitarian at best..."

Kyuubey says "It will come naturally. Simply focus your desire into this Soul Gem you now have, and you will transform into the representation of your wish. Your power is only at the limits of your imagination and strength of will!"

Kyuubey says "Only a couple things I should possibly explain, so you're not confused."

Holdana nods to Kyuubey, considering the egg carefully. A symbol of freedom. That should be easy enough.

Lorastine listens to Kyuubey about the soul gem and how this egg-thing will work

Kyuubey says "Those Soul Gems you carry are your beacons; they will alert you to the threat of witches nearby, and also are your source of life. Do not lose or subject them to danger! They enable you to take a vastly greater beating through the power I have granted you than if you were still a normal person."

local> Kyuubey says "Those Soul Gems you carry are your beacons; they will alert you to the threat of witches nearby, and also are your source of life. Do not lose or subject them to danger! They enable you to take a vastly greater beating through the power I have granted you than if you were still a normal person."

Lorastine says ' Its like having my heart in my hands, it makes me feel so fragile.'

Kyuubey says "The extent of your power is your own. As long as you keep your hope alive, you will be fine. That is all I have to tell you." Kyuubey hops down off the fountain, and starts to meander off, without so much as a wave goodbye. After all, that's what cats do anyway, right?

Holdana snorts a bit at that, nodding to Kyuubey. She keeps a hold of the egg for now, scratching her chin.

Holdana is simply...tapping the crystal a few times, curious. Freedom. Freedom.

The soul gems are warm to the touch; they flicker and glow on the inside with the colors associated most with their owner, a cerulean blue for Holdana, and a vivid gold for the Lorastine.

Lorastine holds the crystal up to her face as if trying to look inside of it. Her focus was on Protecting people.

Lorastine says ' its beautiful...'

After a short time apparently deliberating on something, Kirk wheels about and follows in the same direction Kyuubey left, his footsteps fading soon out of earshot.