A busy night at Karrasi...

[Runa Lisger]

Runa had nothing else to say to either Sanada Tomo or the rude asshole beside her. She really wanted to call him out of his name as well, but she knew that wasn't a wise decision considering that he was traveling with a band of youkai and a dragon, as well as the Ha-ou of of Hell. She didn't think that things would go well if they got into a bar brawl.

Because Sanada offered to pay for her food and drink as well, she grabbed the nearest pint of Dragon Ale and tasted it, almost coughing as the strong drink made it's way down her throat. There was a sweet after taste, though, and she found it enjoyable.

Turning, she suddenly noticed that her sister was gone from her sight. Whirling, she saw that there were four baby animals in the bar, wrestling with Felicia. She smiled, hoping that they were having fun. There weren't too many youkai that didn't mind playing with her.

That was when he saw the young man with black hair sit by her, again, and ask politely for her name. Offering her hand, she said, just as politely, "I'm...Runa." She did not give out her last name for fear of recognition by someone in the bar...

[Mishiranu Arashi]

Arashi smiled and kissed the back o her hand gently before sitting back in his chair and gulping away his restraint. He could tell she was uneasy..she'd been eying everyone and she had too carefully choose her words..even in introducing herself.

"nice to meet you..and ..if you don't mind me asking"

he took another swig.

"why are you so tense?"

he turned to glance at the playful young felines amused.

[Zeshin Lak-el Ury]

Zeshin was in a more jovial mood now that the bar was closing. Several of the patrons had began to leave after paying there tab, and the remaining customers Zeshin happily served them their last orders. To Runa, Arcana, and Rosey, he apologized for his neglect earlier in the evening, after which he served them their last orders promptly. He looked at
Rosey and smiled, “Sorry if the Ale isn’t to your liking ma’am.” Zeshin said. He refilled her glass with Dragon Ale dropping a shot of Eagle’s Claw in the mug, then proceeding to place his hand over the mug, and as he lifted his hand he snapped his fingers and the froth burst into flames. The small fire began to cause his turquoise eyes to twinkle as he blew out the small flames, “This is one I created, and I call it the Kaiser.” Zeshin said as he walked away. “Enjoy.”

Zeshin then turned his attention to Arcana. “Ma’am I hoped you enjoyed your food and drink tonight, I thought especially of you as I made them.” Zeshin said smiling as he wiped down where she was sitting. Walking away Zeshin smiled at her saying, “Hope to see you again ma’am.”

Zeshin then hurried over to Tomo’s table with a pitcher of Dragon’s Ale and a carafe of Eagle’s Claw smiling as he said, “Thanks for you’re umm…., what’s the word mom says, patronage and enjoy.” After serving Tomo’s table their drinks, he hurried back with a plethora of raw meat. Zeshin was caution and set the meat on the table in front of the hungry patrons with much haste.

As he made his way back the bar, he noticed that he hadn’t spoke to the wandering Inu-jin in a while. As he began to fill the mug with Dragon Ale, he grabbed a small shot glass and began to fill it with Eagle’s Claw.

“Umm… sir where do you know old man Aki from, and did me make your sword.” Zeshin asked, as if the question was burning a hole in his mind all night.

“This old thing…” the wanderer said, watching as Zeshin performed the same fire trick with his drink as he did with Rosey’s. Grabbing the mug he picked it up and began, “It was gift from a long time ago…” he said as he put the glass to his mouth and took a sip. Zeshin watched intently to see if the stranger enjoyed his creation. Then the stranger made a face, stone cold and deadpan as he swallowed the drink very harshly.

“This… is very… good.” The stranger said as he finished the rest in one gulp. “Your very a good host boy, my name is Issac.” The stranger said reverting back to his quite demeanor.

Zeshin noticed the melancholic person next to Issac. The bar was closing, last order were being served, and Zeshin wanted to wrap up everything before he and his mother did the final clean-up before the count of the money made that night. Zeshin then walked over to the person and had begun to feel a certain sense of familiarity. This was odd but not new to him, as it would happen every now and then, walking pass a random stranger in town, but being in such close proximity to someone who gave him this feeling intrigued him. He felt compelled to take their order now. As he walked over Zeshin said, “Was there anything you wanted to order before we close, or did you need to talk to someone?”

[Rosey]

Something inside her stirred inside Rosey as she watched him magically lit the mug with his fire trick. She vaguely remembered the last time she used fire, uncontrolled fire. Normally she could only set small fires, but that one time she got mad...well thats another story.

Rosey took a sip of the newly made drink that the bartender made for her. She can smell the burning of the alcohol as she brought the the mug to her lips. She could feel the alcohol warming her body as it went to her stomach. She drank the rest of the Kaiser and sat there for awhile to see if she would at least get more of a buzz.

[Machimachi--Group Account]

Arcana blushed as the bar boy bustled by with their drinks and food, saying that he'd been thinking of her when he made her. She was speechless; she hadn't really been expecting him to say anything back.

" 'Alla," she said, moving a hand dramatically over her forehead. "I think I'm in love."

Tethe'alla sighed heavily, with a laugh. "Now don't you go on falling for a Mortal. You know those creatures don't last very long. You'll be sad if he dies.

"Not that he wants you anyway," Ishmael remarked.

******

Alpha and Zeta followed the kitchen boy to their table, practically jumping at the idea of finally eating their dinner. The boy seemed to want to get rid of the plates quickly, though, as he placed them down and backed away cautious, like he was afraid.

Zeta sneered at his retreating profile. "He just can't handle this much woman--pathetic human," she said.

"Ha!" Alpha countered. "He just can't stand the thiought of me ripping him apart piece by piece."

Kisharu shook his head; he couldn't believe that his friends were both so self-centered. Mortals were not as weak as they thought. And after seeing that boy light those drinks on fire...

******

Kilara had not been expecting to be addressed at all. Her friends Namine--the white wolf, Maetel--the violet kitsune, and Fang--the onyx wolf were always good company outside of Quen--the white lion. They were not as experienced with life, but they oozed wisdom learned from the hardships that they had already endured. But no one would know the pain of being cast down from theri own throne.

But the boy, when the boy looked at her, Kilara knew that there was something...different about him. Something...familiar. Kilara would have thought about it, but she was sure that her distance from home would have hindered any recollection that she would have of the lost society that she had once come from. She was very old, despite her young Mortal appearance, and she could not remember everything that had transpired as she ruled.

"Boy..." she said softly, sure that he wouldn't hear her; but she tried all the same. Her friends spoke at the same moment, and she was sure that her voice was drowned out with all the requests they made.

Maetel said, "Please, get her as much water as you can."

"Bring a small platter of Griffin's Arms, too," Namine said. "She has to eat.

Fang remained silent.

But Kilara held the boy's gaze for as long as possible--she wanted to desperately remember why he seemed so familiar.

[Felicia Lisger]

Felicia had been in the frey when Quitara--the oldest lion cub out of the bunch, shoved her, hard, and she had fallen off of the table.

The one they call Taryn, the woman with the long blue hair said quickly, "Oh, dear," and she got up to fetch the fallen cat. The lions on the table looked with wide eyes, like the children that they were--wondering if she had been seriously hurt, wondering if she was really alright.

"I'm--" fine, Felicia wanted to say, but when she opened her mouth, no words came out, and a spasm raked over her body. Taryn flinched at her response--she had reached to grab her at that moment, and was surprised to see Felicia recoil.

But that wasn't the problem. Felicia's feline body jerked again, and she forced herself to turn and look behind her.

She had bumped into a stranger's leg, and when she peered up, making choking noises, she knew it was the Mortal talking to her sister.

Oh no, she thought.

That was all that she had of herself before the magic took her over. Feeling the magic washing over her like water, she knew that she was changing form again, that the fur was melting off of her and that she was taking her Mortal form once again, albeit without conscious consent.

She couldn't breath as she stood, looking at all the patrons whom she was sure were staring back at her for her strange behaviour and--

she went blind. Felicia could only see white now, images pouring over her vision but no longer the ones from the bar. They were of the man she had bumped into, the one whom her sister was talking to.

Felicia surrendered herself over to the magic.

"You," she heard herself say, only a sliver of her own consciousness left in her mind. "Mishiranu Arashi..." she felt her arm, like it was going numb, raise from her side to point at him.

Felicia struggled to hold on to her own thoughts as the words that were not her own continued; she had no choice but to only listen until the prophecy had passed to the ears of the room.

[Runa Lisger]

Runa rose from her chair, too caught up in the movements of the past few minutes to bother to even acknowledge his question. Her sister had risen from the ground, where she had fallen, only to rise, change back to her Mortal form, and take on the symptoms that Runa knew so well.

Oh my goodness...but she didn't touch anyone. She wasn't touching anything...not...no... she looked with disdain at the gentleman that she was talking to...the same one that her sister was now pointing at.

"Felicia, can you hear me? Please, stop!!" she said loudly. She knew that it wasn't going to work--she was in the midst of a prophecy now, and Runa couldn't stop it even if she ripped the bar apart. "Shit." all she could do was wait until it was over.

They were going to leave immediately after.

[Zeshin Lak-el Ury]

Zeshin was now caught in a stare down with the saddened woman. He could hear the barely audible, "Boy..." she said, but before he could respond her order was given to him by her companions.

"Your food will be up shortly, and ma'am please let me know if there's anything I can do to cheer you up, All Karrasi Kustomers are to be Karefree at Klose." Zeshin said smiling at the woman.



While walking back to the kitchen, Zeshin made sure to bat an eye at Arcana, blushing as he walked into the kitchen to fetch what remained of the food he had prepared that evening.

"Your looking rather pleased young man." Maia said as she carried the unsold liquors back to the stock room.

"Well..." Zeshin stammered as he was still red in the face, "I was pretty popular with the ladies tonight."

"Really now, and what would Merab say if she heard this." Maia said smiling at her son, turning to shelve the bottles.

"Merab doesn't know i exist mom." Zeshin said, plating the remaining Griffin Arms.

"Well maybe if you spoke to her instead of freezing up all the time. Just try to speak to her Zeshin, she just a girl and I think your a handsome young man." Maia said returning to the bar.

Zeshin filled a carafe with cool water, and grabbed a glass and filled it with ice. "That easy for you to say mom, Your a girl." Zeshin said, placing the plate, carafe, and glass on a tray and followed her out of the kitchen. "And besides that your my mom, your supposed to think I'm handsome." Zeshin said making his way back to the table.

The closer he got, the stronger the mysterious feeling of familiarity became. When he got to the table he placed everything down gently, waving his hand over the Griffin Arms to reheat them slightly. "Here you are ma'am and I hope you enjoy, I'm Zeshin by the way. Just ask if you need anything else." Zeshin said in a gentle voice, hoping elevate the womens spirit if only just a little.

[Mishiranu Arashi]

Arashi had been watching the cubs and kitten wrestle and cringed when she had toppled from the table. The conversation with Runa was already shaky, and he was sure she'd be too concerned with her sister to talk anymore. He saw the kitten move to recover and was relieved he leaned forward and smiled.

"Hey ther..you ok.."

He stopped as the little cat seized. The woman who had been reaching for her jumped in shock and her sister was looking pale. The girl seized again, more violently and looked up at him sounding as if she was choking. The frozen moment become more abnormal as the girls began to change back, standing trance-like and seemingly unconscious. Arashi stared into her blank eyes a bit unnerved. His hair stood on end and he felt a strange feeling coming from the girl. It was more or less a fearful feeling.He didn't understand why but she was scary to him. He didn't like how things were going.

"you" she said, her voice monotone and lifeless.

Blinking he leaned forward as she raised her finger to point to him, he tilted his head blinking a few times.

"Mishiranu Arashi..." her voice still void of emotion..though he sense a slight amount of strain from her.

Her stating his name was strange..and the fact that she stood lifeless in front of him and that her sister was jumping about next to her and yelling didn't help. The way things had been going this week he'd expect this was normal...but he couldn't help but feel unnerved as he watched for the girl to continue.

Runa stopped trying to stop the course of events and the bar seemed to fade away. He was strangely enraptured and his curiosity was peeked.
Why was Runa so desperate to stop her...what's going on..hmmm..It can't be any worse then going to hell and back..or taking a beating from Tomo...

"umm..Me?"
He pointed to himself and stared blankly..waiting curiously.

[Rosey]

Rosey turned around to see what was the commotion about to see that the girl had changed back into her mortal form. She had froze up and starring blankly at the kid that she think she ran into before. She had utter his name and it came to her who he was.

"Oh my god thats who you are. I remember you. You're that strange kid at the other bar i was at." She said it all loud and laughed as if the moment was a joyous one even though it clearly wasn't. There were more things serious at hand here but she was a bit buzzed to noticed.

She stumbled a little as she made her way over to the girl. "Hey whats wrong with that girl on the floor? She had to much to drink?" She stood over the girl now. "Man if I had a stick, i would poke her with it."

[Machimachi--Group Account]

Kilara felt the heat from the boy's hands as he waved them over their food, reheating it.

"A fire starter, eh?" she said, her tone small and still dismal despite his company. She tried to smile, but she was sure that it wasn't uplifting at all. She promptly ignored the business transpiring in front of her with the young girl's strange behavior at the counter. She knew a prophetess when she saw one, and this young one in particular was both a youkai and possessed by a spirit. It was none of her business, and she briefly sent a stare to her colleagues at the bar counter to not interfere. She knew that the two ookami, Tethe'alla and Arcana, had experience with reading the future, but her eyes warned them to say nothing about the incident until it has passed. The girl could no longer hear them, anyway.

Looking back at the boy, she said, her voice blank. "Would I like anything else...?" considering that he was a firestarter, she felt compelled to give him some strong advice. The young men in this realm seemed to lack a lot of it. In her home city, cryptic pieces of advice from those who saw potential in you were revered, not shunned or deemed inappropriate. This world was so different, so strange...and Kilara did not think that she would ever understand it.

"The only other thing I would like for you to do...is to trust yourself with your magic, firestarter. I once had power...and I allowed someone to not change who I was, no--but I allowed them to control my power in one of the worst ways possible: through my own volition. Always know what it that you want..."

[Felicia Lisger]

Felicia could hear herself speaking, but entrusted herself to her magic; she knew Sunset, and knew that the sprite could not help this just as much as she could do nothing to stop it herself.

"Yes..." she said, her voice two instead of one, thickly layered with the magic that has taken her over. "You have pain and suffering ahead for you...and not all is as it seems. You do not belong here, though you cling to the shadows that exist here. Your home...is..."

The magic was beginning to fade now...Felicia's body couldn't stand much more. Her body shifted to touch a hand to her forehead. "...you must find...your home." She could feel her brow furrow; she was getting weaker.

Please hurry, Sunset, she thought weakly to her sprite, Please finish...this Prophecy...

"Ugh..." she moaned slightly, then continued, the sprite possessing her body pushing foward. "The darkest shadow is the brightest light for you...although even the brightest light holds shackles over your very soul. Unable to be broken..." pain began to take over her body, starting as a tingling and working its way until it felt that her body was on fire. "...your shackles...are...unique...bound to the one...that you...choose...that you..."

Her vision, flashing with so many images of this young man, faded from white to black, Sunset's being leaving Felicia's completely. Even as Felicia began to feel her own body, all that she could do was change into the weakened kitten that she had been before...

[Sanada Tomo]

Tomo watched silently, listening and mentally memorizing every word that this girl was saying. Fate worked in such an excellent way some times. Just when Tomo had been wondering what the hell was up with this kid he got a heads.

Looking up towards to the roof of the bar, he thought Praise Suzaku and forgive my transgressions; I knew that you were still watching over me...

He certainly hoped that he would be able to figure this boy out now. He'd been alive too long to not be able to figure out a prophecy like this one, and he intented on scrutinizing it until it cried for mercy. Each word that the young woman spoke was carved into the flesh of his mind. He would not forget it, even after whatever ordeal she was talking about was over...

[Mishiranu Arashi]

Arashi blinked, nothing she said made exact sense. He wasn't sure what to do. At the moment he felt like running, just running and not looking back. As a matter of fact it was more of a pulsing instinct to run like hell.
My...home? Find my true home? My shackles...I will choose to whom I'm shackled.. I understand that much...but my true home?
How the hell do I find a place where I belong? And does she mean not to trust those I trust.."everything is not all is as it seems"...hmmm.

Arashi glanced around the tavern, his eyes fell on Tomo before anything else. The person he felt he trusted most as of late. Nodding to no one he rose from his seat and walked for the door. His craving for a 30 mile jog getting to him, he glanced about again. He had felt very welcome among this group (except in a few cases), but now he had his doubts. He needed to think, and run. There was no reason to be here anyway.

[Rosey]

That was quite interesting. The boy acts like he never seen a prophet before. Oh well

Rosey grabbed her sword out of no where and started poking the little kitten that laid tired from the ordeal. She started to giggle like a little girl.

"Ok i'm done with the night I guess. I think I might a little buzzed." She giggled again and tried to head for the stairs to go up to her room that she had paid for the night.

[Sanada Tomo]

Tomo immediately rose, ignoring the small kitten on the ground as he passed it but making sure not to disturb it's limp form. Walking at a brisk pace so that he could catch up with Arashi, he exited the tavern as well; he would not allow Arashi to roam the Mortal Realm by himself, not now that he had such a powerful prophecy hanging over his head. Remembering the look on his face back in his own castle, he knew that allowing Arashi to roam by himself could be a danger for the little town that had so graciously welcomed his hodgepodge group of allies.

Once outside, out of earshot of the rest of the group, he cried out, "Arashi, wait!"

[Mishiranu Arashi]

Arashi paused mid-stride, he felt a slight amount of distress in the voice of Tomo. Whether it be worry or frustration was not Arashi's concern, Arashi was too confused to be concerned. He wanted to keep walking. His legs were pulled to move forward but he needed advice. He knew Tomo was wise enough to help him but was he to be trusted. Arashi felt appalled at how one little girls words had him so shaken and felt agitated. The onset of pure annoyance just behind the initial feeling of self mockery.

Arashi stayed with his back facing Tomo, rigid with indecision. He was bothered and he knew he was, it disgusted him and he felt pangs of loathing for no exact reason.
Well I was looking for a clue..but I didn't expect it to be so damn annoying
He shook in a slight bitting heat, the heat he always felt from his blood when he was agitated. He turned his head to see the face of who had followed him.
Tomo-sama...Can I trust you. are you a shadow that harbors may fate. Will you be the shadow hat brings me pain, and suffering? I'm lost now. Just as I have been. And I hate it

"Yes Tomo?" his voice was soured by his stormy agitation, though he forced a tone of calmness.
"Is there something you want? I was...I was just going to run and try clearing my head"

He wasn't being dishonest, he always ran to clear his head. Though occasionally he ran into some unlucky individual in his state of agitation but he needed to think. He stood waiting a response from Tomo. He figured he wouldn't' be allowed to leave alone. Tomo likely knew what was going on in Arashi's head, having seen the troubled Arashi at his worst there was no way he'd allow Arashi to simply run his problems into this town.

[Sanada Tomo]

Tomo shook his head even though Arashi couldn't see it. "You can't run here. This town is too quiet, too peaceful and naive. You can't disturb the people here because of the prophecy. I know that it is startling." Tomo was thinking, trying to come up with an idea as to how he could keep up with him...

"Ah, I have an idea. I know a place where you can run, if you like. An open field. No limits, no impediments. Nothing to stop you. I will take you there. I do not want you to be confused or hurt, but...I can't make that decision for you. I can't decide how you feel about this, or me. But I can give you a quiet place where you can decide all of that for yourself."

[Mishiranu Arashi]

Arash turned to Tomo looking at him full on.
"Why does it matter where I run? Why do you want to help me? never really cared before but..what interest ould youpossibly have in me? Your the ruler of hell for Heaven's sake."

The things he didn't understood never ceased to bother him, an this was a big one. He had ben takin in on a whim and his wounds healed. He was confused as to why Tomo so graciously pulled him under his dark wing. The amount of confusion he had now was only amplified by his growing agitation, but his sane mind was fighting to keep it controled.
The prophecy..it's about the profphecy..you just need to understand it better..ask him..you'vgot to..just ask...how bad could it hurt to ask?

"Tomo...-sama. do you understand what she said? Can you clear it a bit..so I'm not so lost?"
he was atempting to be calm. He knew his running around the town would have been destructive and was glad someone stopped him..but he still needed help. confusion did not suit Arashi well.

[Sanada Tomo]

Tomo answered honestly, "I know what some of it means. I probably don't understand much more than you do. You have to understand that prophecies are something personal. Because I have not yet gotten to know you in that fashion, Arashi...I cannot do anything but help you discover what she meant. And it does matter where you run. These townspeople were very kind to us, and I have seen you enraged and confused. I do not wish that upon these people, no matter how harmless your intentions may be. You have a dangerous magic about you, Arashi, and I can't leave you alone until I help you master its usage. I'm the only one offering to help you, after all.

"Yes, I am the ruler of Hell. But does not mean that I do not have the urge to meet new people, to learn new things. How would you feel, if anyone left you alone, with no one to identify with, to rule a kingdom of people that you have nothing in common with. It is because I have shared the fate of my subjects, because I have felt the pain of many experiences over the past millenia that I can identify with so many. It was because I myself have felt lost and confused and no longer sure of who I was or was supposed to be that I am able to speak to you now. You are not the only one who has heard something cryptic about your life that you did not understand but wanted to. The last time I felt like you do now, the last time I was in your position many people died. I do not want anyone that I am associated with to make a mistake that I have already regretted. I want you to learn from my mistakes. Going off to be by yourself only serves to brood your negative feelings. You need someone who feels differently from you to balance you out, to help you figure out what you're not seeing. I am the only one here that can do that right now, and I don't really think that you have a problem with it, seeing as you've been with me for this long. Please, heed my words and talk to me. If you want to run, I can take you were you can run unfetered; I can offer advice and solace and a listening ear. But I will not let you go anywhere by yourself."