Log:Don't Fear The Reaper, Scene 2

Don't Fear The Reaper 2011/12/23 	 Dorian Ellbeth Flutter Lorelei Nightshade Pendragon Primal Sukeban 2

Ellbeth's Yacht
Ellbeth asks everyone who responds to her HeroNet message to meet her on board her yacht in the Yacht Club Marina at 6pm on the evening of the Winter Solstice.

Lorelei makes sure she is there in good time, as promised.

"Oh yeah I heard about that." Primal says to Bethany in response, "Was going to go help if I could anyways. It's kind of like... instinct. Feels wrong to not help when I can." She answers conversationally as if talking about the weather, "And I might be able to help track yes, depending on the situation. I can't track much if they keep him in a car with the windows up for example."

"Well, then..." Bethany pulls out her own smartphone/tablet 2060 super duper tech thing that's like the basic best friend of any college age girl. She sends a message in response to the call for aid, and asks for a location to show up and hel out. Eventually showing up with Primal... complete with her whole costume and face change in place....

Primal arrives with Bethany, not having to change clothing, or face.

Sukeban lands on the yacht, trailing flame behind her. She crosses her arms and surreptitiously checks out the other heroes.

Ellbeth has refreshments laid out on the central table. Some food, snacks mostly, and coffe and cool drinks. She greets each person as they arrive, making social conversation rather than discussing the matter on hand. She explains she wants to go over it with everyone here, so as many ideas can be considered and discussed as posible.

Flutter is already aboard, exploring the magical yacht that may not be so magical, though she finds it interesting in ways few can. She has taken one of the refreshments to taste, not to drink, periodically experiencing that taste.

It's a good thing that Pendragon's outfit is summoned, not changed at home like most folks. Also, when told where to go, she transports herself and Primal to that location with the Avalonian mists. For those with magical senses, the arrival of the mists stands out before it fades and Primal and Pendragon are standing there, Pendragon sheathing her sword as she recovers from the disorientation of the mists. "Well, we're here. Let's be polite and say hello shall we?" she asks as she gestures forward for Primal.

Sukeban grunts noncommittedly and piles up a plate of snacks, before retreating to the edge of the gathering.

Lorelei smiles. "Hello. Have I been away so long? Lots of new faces!"

"Oh I sooo have to get me one of these..." Primal says when she looks around after the teleport ride, of course she /always/ comes across as magical even without teleporting misty stuff. Not that feline tiger women are that natural to begin with of course. "Can you imagine the parties we could have on this over the summer?" She asks of anyone near to her but then she'll introduce herself to Ellbeth and anyone else nearby with a: "Hi! I'm here to help. You can call me Primal." Before she is quickly drawn towards the scent of munchables... food, tail swishing back and forth behind her as she checks out what's offered.

Ellbeth waits a few minutes after the alotted time, knowing heroes are notoriously late in arriving for events. So it's five past six when she moves to the focal point of the main cabin and clears her throat, "Ahemm... Thank you all for coming. Before we get started can I suggest we introduce ourselves and give an indication of our abilities and expertize? I'll start. I'm Ellbeth Wyrd, also known as Dr Wyrd. I'm a mage and have a significant knowledge of the arcane."

Flutter becomes quite attentive when Ellbeth starts the address, taking a kneeling position with the juice glass held on her lap, wings folded down.

Sukeban nodded and waved a bacon-wrapped scallop on a toothpick, "I'm Sukeban. I burn thin's." She has a rather thick Japanese accent.

"You -just- had pizza..." mutters Pendragon softly as she steps towards Ellbeth. She's about to introduce herself to the hostess as it's suggested everyone kinda intro openly. So she nods and shrugs, "I call myself Pendragon... it is technically an accurate representation of my bloodline. It may seem difficult to believe..." And she grins as she notices Flutter, "Though Flutter there was able to confirm the truth of it the other day. I wield Excalibur which has returned to aid the world in dark times." She doesn't really go into more detail than that, as it's difficult to really expound upon such a claim.

Lorelei says, "I'm Lorelei, if you don't know, and - well, my powers are a bit hard to explain, beyond the obvious. And I'm learning a bit about magic, but nothing like Ellbeth knows."

Primal looks up and over from the nibbles, a piece of cheese stuck on the end of each claw... for safe keeping of course. She waves a be-cheesed hand, "Primal, as I said, I am... a protector and hunter. Well, just look at me." She smiles a sharp canined smile, "I'm a predator. I'm fast, quick, and immortal."

Lorelei says, "How 'immortal'?"

Ellbeth nods to each as the introductions are made. To Primal she smiles, "I hope we can avoid testing the last of your statements tonight." A slight hand gesture and a life sized image of Nightshade appears in the cabin.

Flutter flits upward a little, abruptly going from her knelt position to in-flight and landing near Ellbeth. "I am called Flutter, and I am an assistant and repository of knowledge in matters arcane and occult. There are spells that I am able to reproduce through a small array of etched sigils." She returns to where she was, seated in the manner that she was.

Sukeban thinks. o O (Dang... so many cute heroines. No, no Koto-chan, yer heart belongs to Suzu-chan.)

Sukeban blushes slightly for no apparent reason.

"Well I'm like, thousands of years old." Primal answers Lorelei, "And I heal real fast... I suppose this body might die, eventually, but I'm really a spirit." She answers before eating a piece of cheese off a claw, her tail swishing back and forth behind her slowly.

Nightshade is a pin-up model, draped in purple. In high heels, Nightshade stands a little over six feet tall, a statuesque blonde with a curvy figure. Her costume is perhaps a bit overdramatic, calling back to a style of hero clothing from the past century. She wears a long flowing cape, with the hood up over her head, shading her face and the black domino mask that conceals her identity. Her top has short sleeves, but she has opera gloves that cover her arms from just past the elbow to fingertip. A short skirt and fishnet stocking complete her attire.

Sukeban peers at the image. . o O (Whoa! She's a total babe!)

Chain coif lowered and the hood of her cloak down as well, Pendragon just looks to the image of Nightshade, "So tell us how we can help?" she intones towards Ellbeth as she reaches for a cup of cocoa. After all, she just ate so isn't really hungry.

Ellbeth says, "A couple of days ago my handyman, and friend, Harry, was kidnapped by this woman. Her name is Nightshade. She is a mage. A necromancer by speciality, although with a command of more general magic talents as well. Fortunately the kidnapping was witnessed by two college students who had the presence of mind to video it. The recording is set up on the player and can be seen after I've concluded my introductory comments."

Ellbeth continues.

Lorelei thinks. o O (Necromancer - not good.)

Sukeban hesitantly raises her hand, "Um, rike, what's a necromancer?"

Primal answers, "Death magic, zombies, skeletons, stuff like that."

Sukeban nods slowly, "Oh." She lowers her hand.

Flutter waits for Ellbeth, her attention turning toward Sukeban, ready to dump upon her a volume of information on the subject before Primal speaks up.

Ellbeth says, "I recognised Nightshade from the recording. She is rather distinguishable. And made contact with her via a web forum inhabited by mages of the darker persuasion. She made no attempt to deny it, and stated that if I wanted to see Harry again I would met with her at her dwelling on the evening of the Winter Solstice. Tonight. And I should bring as many able bodied heroes as I could."

"Well, that tells me that we should do nothing of the sort. When a criminal -asks- for you to bring extra heroes... it rings warning bells the likes of which the Tower of London could barely hold." Shaking her head, Pendragon sighs and shrugs, "I think that we should not jump through her hoops, but I wonder how wise it would be for us to -not- follow her instructions."

Ellbeth shrugs, "Of course the two possibilities that immediately spring to mind are either a trap, or she is in trouble and needs a heavyweight force of heroes helping her. There are other possibilities as well but those are the two I've attempted to confirm or eliminate. Alas, with no success.

Primal cocks her head to the side, "Winter solstice is a day of dark magic, when the light is weakest. It would be a good day for ritual sacrifice to try and appease the gods of death as the longest night of the year and when Winter kicks into full gear which killed a lot of people. It's also when the Good gods are purportedly the weakest and most easily overran." She wrinkles her nose, tail stilling behind her except for the faintest twitch at the tip of it. "A bad day for the good guys if a human sacrifice is pulled off." She says sadly.

Sukeban right hand bursts into flame as she slams it into her palm, "I'm not pranin' on gettin' sacrificed. Whatever she's got set for us, we just gotta power through and take her down!"

Lorelei says, "Hopefully no one will be sacrificed!"

Flutter looks very, very sad.

"And if her plan involves having us all in a known location, so we are -not- in position to stop something else?" asks Pendragon. "I'm told that misdirection is one of the most ... important elements of warfare."

Flutter explains, "Those who attend are to be sacrificed."

Ellbeth says, "Nightshade is not an arrogant egoist who believes they are invincible. She has a habit of cutting and running when things start to go against the side she's hired by. I'm making a judgement call here but it's my belief that she would not invite 'as many heroes as possible' to turn up and expect to win against them."

Sukeban shrugs, "Then the other dozens of heroes in the city wirr dear with her."

Spirit lands on the yacht, and changes back to his mundane form in a flash of light.

Flutter looks up at Ellbeth. "You understand that a sacrifice that requires a powerful individual is one that will have a terrible result, one would be disastrous to all within a grand scale. She wishes to sacrifice many powerful individuals."

"Maybe she got in over her head." Primal says, "And this is the way she asks for help? She snatches your handy man as required by her boss, but doesn't want her boss to succeed which is why she picked your handy man and called us in." She hmms, "It is possible, it takes a large measure of insanity to deal with darkness on the winter solstice. I wouldn't do it, even if I were a bad guy." She looks over at Flutter, "What are the odds we all get subdued and sacrificed?"

Ellbeth says, "Pendragon, that possibility, a diversion, was considered by Lorelei when I discussed this with her yesterday. However, we have access to fast transport, and in fact gathering a group together is likely to reduce the response time for a major incident rather than prolong."

Flutter replies, "I do not know odds. I do understand sympathetic magics, sacrificial magics, magics that require ritual upon a solstice, and necromancy."

Dorian waves to those here, and then looks to Ellbeth, adding, "My fiancee was kidnapped as well. I think by the same people."

Lorelei says, "Oh, poor Zeal!"

Sukeban laughs harshly, "I'rr terr ya the odds! Zero! We're not gonna rose, and we're not gonna get sacrificed!"

Lorelei thinks for a bit. "I'd best call my family - make sure they're ok!"

"We cannot simply assume that Sukeban.." suggests Pendragon. "But..." She looks back to the group. "It is possible that she doesn't know -how- to ask for aid in any other method. She may have gotten herself locked into a method and just not know any other way to get our attention. So..." she pauses and sighs, "Yes, I know." she mutters to herself as she stands up. "Okay, when innocents are in danger, Excalibur will be at their aid." She winces at Spirit's announcement, but gives a firm nod of encouragement to everyone. It's almost as if the person standing and speaking now, is not quite the same person who was speaking moments earlier.

Ellbeth shakes her head, "Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that, Spirit. Were you contacted?"

Dorian shakes his head, "I had no idea I was likely to be a target. After all, I've not been active as a hero for a bit." He nods to Ellbeth, "A similar note."

Lorelei withdraws for a moment to call her father and warn him to watch out. If two people associated with established heroes have been taken....

Ellbeth nods, "I suspect we are not the primary objective. Otherwise the contact would surely have been the more classical 'come alone'. Kidnapping our friends is one way of ensuring our participation. Simply asking might have been as efective of course."

Ellbeth looks over to Lorelei and then Pendragon. "Nightshade's dwelling is at the nexus of two leylines. It is a place of powerful magic. I do not know if that will aid or hinder you, but you should be aware of it."

Ellbeth smiles at Flutter, "I'm fairly sure it will be to your advantage."

Flutter looks curious, though remains quiet, and still very sad looking.

"It is what it is. I do not really know much about magic itself." Pendragon's voice is laced with a bit of an English accent that wasn't there earlier. "That was always something my highest advisor was good at. I was merely chosen to wield the blade to defend others." She pats the pommel of her sword and shrugs a bit, "All that I can think of is that it may or may not make the blade even more effective than usual."

Lorelei says, "It makes it likely I can open a portal there."

Dorian looks around at the group, noting three people he hasn't met. "I should introduce myself. I'm Dorian Perrault. Also known as 'Spirit'. Sorry we couldn't meet under a more auspicious occasion.

Sukeban nods, "Sukeban."

Primal cleans her claws, making sure there's no cheese left on any of them which is the equivalent to sucking at her fingertips. She lets the others talk and discuss stuff as her gaze flicks back and forth to whomever is speaking at the time. Her tail starts to slowly swish back and forth, "Do we have a schedule to meet?" She asks curiously. "More importantly... do we have a layout of the place we are going to?" She waves a hand to Dorian, "Primal." She offers with a smile.

Giving a nod to Spirit, the swordswoman remarks, "I am called Pendragon." she comments before looking back to Ellbeth. "I am unworried. Excalibur shall protect me from all harm. I shall do my best to be nearby the victims once we locate them."

Ellbeth says, "We will be walking in blind. The entire grounds are shielded from magical scrying. I concur with Pendragon, go and say hi. Hear what she has to say. Get our friends back unharmed."

Lorelei says, "Hm. Will that interfere with second sight, do you think?"

"I'm in." Primal says, "Lets do it to it. If we don't show up immediately on the doorstep I might be able to sneak in unnoticed."

"I should inform you all that I can summon the mists to transport others along with me. Up to four others to be specific." suggests Pendragon. "That is, if such is not impossible from within her stronghold. But, I assume I am not the only transport capable person on hand."

Nightshade's Manor
Nightshade's mansion sits in the hills outside of the city. The front drive is circular, with a fountain in the center. It's a two story building, shaped like a giant T with the entrance at the intersection of the stalk and the crossbar. The lights are on. There's a gate, with a gates man.

Ellbeth says, "I was thinking we should go in by normal means. Why reveal anything of our capabilities we don't have to?"

Lorelei nods. "Goood thought."

"I was thinking for evacuation of us and the victims." offers Pendragon.

Ellbeth nods, "Also a good thought. That has to be our top priority."

Flutter looks over the mansion grounds, her senses taking in what they can in detail.

Primal shrugs and goes quiet, however they get there, when they do get there the feline will be alert and watchful. No swishy tail for now as she is still, ready to pounce one way or the other if need be.

Upon arrival by whatever means... vehicular or whatnot, Pendragon asks Primal, "Any thoughts from here on the grounds themselves? Can you smell anything odd in there?" Pendragon is just standing there in her armor, sword sheathed at her waist.

Ellbeth does also, her senses alert, seeking clues in the ambient magic flux of the area.

Dorian walks up to the gate, and looks to the gatesman. "We're expected. Open up." He's a bit terser than normal, and keeps his eyes focused on the man for the time being.

Ellbeth hires a large luxury mini-bus for the journey out to Nightshade's home.

The gatesman opens the gate for the heroes.

Lorelei stays alert, aware that her senses can be life-savers when magic is about.

Ellbeth puts mirrored sunglasses on. "The glare is intense. Lorelei, can you see anything through this magical radience?"

Lorelei says, "Well, the man there is really a zombie."

Ellbeth drives up and parks in front of the house.

Primal wrinkles her nose at something and she hisses to herself, it's not a pleasant hiss, more like a feline angry about something hiss. If she had enough fur her hackles might raise up some. "The gateman stinks of putrescence." She hisses lowly to her friend and anyone else who's nearby.

Sukeban follows along. As she walks, she releases her flames. They swirl around her protectively. She nods to Lorelei, "Yeah, I don't feel any heat from him."

Ellbeth says, "She really is going out of her way to annoy us. Me at least."

Flutter explains, "He is probably an animated corpse."

"Well, that explains much." mutters Pendragon as she exits the vehicle. She simply marches towards the gate, intending to stride through it without issue. She projects confidence and such... about all she -can- project to help out.

Dorian heads inside, toward the building. "Zombie? Phenomenal. At least if her minions are already dead, I don't need to hold back."

Inside the foyer of the mansion, there's a butler to take coats, cloaks, what have you. He points you to the east wing of the building.

Ellbeth marches on in the direction indicated.

And of course, the butler is given the sort of look a nanny would give a young boy who is misbehaving... from Pendragon at least. She just -looks- at him before turning to head towards the East Wing. Her own cloak billows behind her as she walks... definitely not given over to the butler. "Primal... do you smell our.. intended rescuees?" she murmurs on the way.

Sukeban grins at Dorian.

Lorelei keeps an eye open foe anything else not as it seems

Primal mutters to herself about cardinal directions, egyptians, and their believes about where the land of the dead may lay as she follows along. She shies away from the dead things. "Don't smell anything good yet." She answers Pendragon, "Also, don't know what they smell like... just smell us, and zombeh."

Ellbeth says, "Primal, Harry will probably smell of garlic, olive oil, and tobacco. His three favourite vices."

Dorian continues walking with the group as they head into the other wing, "What else do we know about this 'Nightshade'?"

Lorelei says, "Hm, garlic may help with vampires, but not much with zombies."

Primal nods, "I'll keep that in mind." She smiles grimly, lips pressed together thinly but she does keep an 'eye' out for the indicated scents, preferably in combination. Garlic, tobacco, and olive oil.

Lorelei says, "I am wondering if she looks like her picture really. Given the illusions here."

Ellbeth says, "She's worked with many different groups as a mage for hire. But to give some small credit, never with DEMON or COVEN. She's smart enough to know when to cut her loses. Not quite smart enough to figure that being on the wrong side is a losing proposition in the long run. Although it's possible our presence here tonight is a confirmation of that. I'll guess she is also listening to us at this moment."

Everyone is in the library, a two story affair full of books. Nightshade is seating in a plush looking chair, legs crossed. To her left and right are Harry and Zeal. Both are seated and they look unconscious.

Flutter approaches Nightshade, her attention everywhere in the place at once with all of the books, "Hello," she addresses the mage. "How may we be of help to you?"

Sukeban mutters to herself, "Easy so far."

Lorelei looks to make sure all is as it appears.

Initially, Pendragon would be likely to speak up and command the release of the kidnapees, but she's not the one here who has been victimized by all of this. So she eyes Spirit and Ellbeth to see if they are going to react badly for the moment. But she just folds her armored arms over her chest with her cloak draping over the elbows down towards the ground. Here... her coif and hood are up.

"Getting in, always easy. Getting out... rare so." Primal says with a smile at Sukeban as she looks around. Spotting the captives however she focuses her attention that way to see if she can tell if they're alive, or zombified.

"Good evening, everyone. I'm glad you could make it on such short notice..." Nightshade says.

Ellbeth says, "You went to a lot of trouble to get us here. So I assume you're planning to tell us why, Nightshade.""

Dorian's hands glow a brilliant white for a brief moment, and then he calms down, and the light disappears. He doesn't say anything for the time being. Again a bit uncharacteristic of him, but at least he seems to know he won't likely be very diplomatic right this second.

Nightshade is dressed the same as she appeared in Ellbeth's projection. The only change is the ornate necklace that she wears, with two large crystals in it.

Ellbeth glances at a chair. The chair pulls itself across and moves into position behind Ellbeth so she can sit. Not just a gesture, but a quick and simple check on how the magical ambience will effect her powers if she needs them.

Ellbeth says, "Ah. That's a soul gem necklace isn't it?"

"Why yes it is," Nightshade says, with a smile. "So glad you noticed."

Primal frowns and moves over to whisper to Pendragon, "Nightshade smells like the zombie gateman. I don't think she's really alive anymore. Legend tells of people who try to escape death by overcoming it... I think she tried, succeeded, but terrible price. It makes sense for this day."

Lorelei nods, unsurprised.

"So, I need your help," Nightshade says. "In the past, I made some decisions that are now coming back to haunt me."

Ellbeth says, "Did you consider just asking?"

"Aye. That is plain to see." offers Pendragon in her now heavy English Accent. She nods to Primal and looks back to Nightshade, "I wouldst put together a list of poor choices if you so desired. I presume however, that you speak of specifics?" She still hasn't moved, but just... projects authority as she stands there.

Flutter looks relieved, listening more carefully while Nightshade speaks.

Sukeban folds her arms across her chest and glowers at Nightshade.

Dorian says quietly, "I think you can add another, more recent, poor decision."

Lorelei stays quiet, doubtful that criticising Nightshade will help at all.

"I had asked, you could have said no. You could have said, 'That's what you get for making a Faustian bargain for superpowers'." Nightshade says. "I decided this way was much more effective."

Sukeban says, "So after we fix whatever mess ya got yerserf in, ya wirr turn yerserf in, yeah?"

"I am inclined to help anyone seeking to sever their ties with darker powers. However, such help will only happen from me at least, -after- your two... guests there are away from here." Pendragon gestures with her gaze alone towards the two kidnapees. "Make it simple, please, and release them so that we can assist without having the worry in the backs of our minds."

"Their lives are hanging by but a thread." Primal murmurs to her heroic companions, "Harry, and Zeal, they barely breathe, their pulse barely flutters in their veins..." She frowns, "It is not a normal sleep, not even a wounded sleep. It is something else that affects them."

Dorian stifles what he was going to say, but involuntarily shifts to his energy form, his hands glowing brightly.

Ellbeth says, "You see the necklace around her neck? The two large gemstones? Harry and Zeal's life force, their souls if you like, are trapped within them."

Nightshade says to Primal. "They're safe. Their bodies are fine, but their souls are here. If you protect me through the night, I'll return their spirits, intact."

Nightshade pats her necklace when she says 'here'.

"If you do not return their souls -now-, there is no reason to protect you. There is zero incentive. Leverage of this sort, will make us both less effective, and make you less likely to survive the night." offers Pendragon. "Release them now, and I give you the word of the Pendragon heir that you shall be protected."

Sukeban says, "We're heroes, ya can trust us. Ret them go, and wirr stirr protect ya."

Lorelei thinks. o O (How did I miss that?)

Flutter frowns. "You have chosen to coerce before even asking. You will only make enemies of those you have asked help from and provide incentive to bring harm afterward from those who are inclined to do so."

Nightshade says to Sukeban, "Prison doesn't suit me." And to Flutter, she says, "It's sort of what I do."

Spirit finally manages to speak, "You likely do your research. I've helped the vampire Nicky Winters. You HAD to know I'd have been willing to help if you just asked. You HAD to have. You CAN'T be that stupid."

"Nevertheless, survival is all we can guarantee. Freedom, we cannot. However, your victims must go free, or I am inclined to deliver you to your enemies personally." offers Pendragon. "And I am inclined to do so after carving your already deceased body into pieces. However, I am not in charge here, but you will only gain my aid by showing that you can be reasonable. Should you do so, as I said... I give you my word that I shall defend you with my own life."

Lorelei says, "We will help, but unless some geas prevents you, restore them now."

Sukeban shrugs, flames begin swirling around her hands, "Yer carr." She point her hands at Nightshade.

Nigthshade says to Spirit: "You might have helped. But what about your friends? It'll take more than one cape to deal with the Reaper." She raises an eyebrow curiously at Sukeban. "Ellbeth, would you care to tell your friend how bad an idea it would be to attack me on my home field?"

Flutter inclines her head. "You have made no enemy with me. I would help you to remedy your past mistakes in a much more thorough manner than simply helping to protect you. You have only to request this of me. At least... you did before taking this path of kidnapping and threatening. I do not wish to work with you if this is what you believe to be the correct approach."

Primal however, remains quiet, not putting forth anymore information for the time being. At least until Sukeban gets all toasty like that, "Not a good idea regardless, I'm guessing whatever power that allows the gem to hold a soul doesn't leave much left for durability. Probably easier broke than kept." She shrugs a little, "After a few thousand years the idol holding me was very very fragile..."

Sukeban laughs, "If yer so tough ya don't need us. Even an idiot rike me can see yer nothin' but a weaklin'!"

Ellbeth says, "I offer you this purely selfish reason to release them, Nightshade. These are heroes. Their word is good. But if they are worried for the safety of your hostages their minds will be distracted and their attention divided. With much thought going not to protecting you but of freeing your victims."

"Indeed.." says Pendragon. "But you have not responded to my .... suggestion." she adds with her posture all authoritative and demanding.

Flutter goes quiet, having explained all she can about her thoughts, not incredibly convincing.

Nightshade says to Sukeban, "The Reaper gave me my powers - most of them anyway. Trying to fight him would be like... trying to fight the Sun with a matchstick. I have more than enough for the rest of you, though."

Sukeban shrugged, "Ok." She turns and starts walking away.

"And literally no -reason- for us to be willing to help you. Should you destroy the souls of your hostages, the blame will be upon you, not upon us." says Pendragon. "As I said... you have my word I will help, but only if you release them -now-." Yeah, that's a command tone of voice. "My life is a small price to pay for the safety of the innocent."

Spirit tilts his head, "Yet you need our protection. If we're insignificant to you, then we will be to him as well."

Flutter speaks, "That is not necessarily true," she moves to Spirit's side. "If she does battle with one who is able to control her very essence and render her incapable of opposing it, then she is powerless against that being. Said being does not have the same influence upon us as it does with her."

Nightshade says to Pendragon, "The reason for you to help is simple: do it, or when the Reaper drags me to hell, I'll take your friends with me. Save me, and I'll free them."

Sukeban turns back, "Or we just beat the crap outta ya, save them, and feed ya to the Reaper! There's arways a third option!"

"Threats will only serve to doom you." says Pendragon. She turns to Ellbeth and says, "This is pointless. She desires to kill your friend. She is causing his death, and should be left to suffer at the hands of this Reaper. I cannot protect her if she holds their souls hostage. I believe this shall be a case of the Reaper being suitable punishment for murder."

Ellbeth says, "So the Reaper gave you most of your powers. The necromantic powers at an informed guess. I imagine he, she, or it, would be easily capable of freeing the souls you hold trapped. So rather than protect you, if you still hold Harry ans Zeal hostage when the Reaper arrives, we should make a deal with him in exchange for giving you to him. Unless, of course, Harry and Zeal were freed and not here. In which case it comes down to heroes fighting against a darker and more malign power than yourself."

Lorelei sighs. "You're still not getting it, Nightshade. If you let them go, we'll help *anyway*. Maybe you can force us if you keep them, but then you've also made enemies of us unnecessarily. Try dealing with the good rather than the evil sometimes. You get a better bargain."

Flutter asks, "Given your choice to coerce instead of ask first, what reason would you have for maintaining your part of the bargain? You could simply hold the souls hostage indefinitely as leverage against those you seek to coerce."

Sukeban shakes her head, "She knows that Rorerei-sama. She wants to use them to make us ret her go after we beat up the Reaper for her."

While all this is going on, Primal instead goes about checking out the library, looking at the furniture and the layout, seeing where stuff is that she might use as hiding places and the like. She is an ambush predator at heart after all. Her tail swishes around behind her and she humms to herself a lullaby in old persian, really old persian. Her hands flex and she stretches her claws out every now and again, "Either attack her now and take the stones, or prepare yourself to fight a fragment of death itself. It will be night soon, on the winter solstice. We're really running out of time."

Spirit shakes his head, "If you don't follow through on the deal, Nightshade, I will hunt you eternally. You have my word on that."

Nightshade smirks at Spirit. "You're actually the one cape here that I think I can trust. If you beat the Reaper, your friends are safe. I promise."

Ellbeth stands, "Enough." Her eyes blaze with fury.

"Except that you... by your actions, -cannot- be trusted." says Pendragon. "Release them now, or... I shall deliver you to the Reaper myself. Simple. You are accustomed to making people jump through your hoops, but this time, you are the one who's life is on the line. You will either free them, or the Reaper shall.." she gestures to Ellbeth, "Or that." she remarks, her sword in hand all of a sudden, the blade gleaming as if in the noon sun.

Flutter frowns. "I am saddened that you have chosen to make enemies and nothing more. I could have learned many things from your wealth of knowledge that even I did not yet know. You are a horrible person. One who does things of horror."

An instant after Ellbeth stands and exclaims, "Enough!" the necklace vanishes from around Nightshade's neck and appears in Ellbeth's hands. "As Spirit said to correctly, another bad choice."

Nightshade's eyes narrow. Sounding defeated, she says, "I suggest that all of you leave at once..."

Flutter moves to Ellbeth's side. "I still want to protect her. She is a horrible person, but that is not reason to allow an atrocity."

Striding forward the moment Ellbeth does that, Pendragon points her blade tip at Nightshade, "Take the hostages out of here and restore them. I shall remain... I wish to see this.. Reaper. It is possible that she -should- be given to the Reaper, but I am of a mind to help anyway, if only to prove to this... person, that she has totally misjudged us."

Lorelei says, "Why will you not accept help, freely given? Are you under a geas?"

Sukeban laughs, "Ya don't get it do ya? We're not goin' anywhere, and neither are ya! And ya know why? Because we're the good guys. Now sit back and watch, because we're gonna kick that Reaper arr the way back to Herr!"

"It's not an atrocity, it is karma." Primal says in answer to Flutter's comment. "Nightshade is dead, she stinks of death. Her soul does not belong here. It belongs where it should be instead of here. For the choices she has made it is due rewards, not atrocity." She shrugs a little, "But it is safer to protect her, this time, to ensure that Harry and Zeal are restored free of harm and without delay." She looks down at her claws and smiles a sharp toothed smile, "It has been a long time since I have faced death."

Lorelei thinks. o O (When did I start talking like that? I've been hanging out in Undermoon too much.)

Ellbeth says, "I agree, Flutter. Those who wish to should leave. Someone should take Harry, Zeal and this necklace to safety. I suggest the Golden Dragon tearoom in Chinatown. I will stay. Dark powers such as the Reaper must learn that they are not welcome here."

Lorelei thinks. o O (When did I start talking like that? I've been hanging out in Undermoon too much. (re))

Lorelei says, "Why will you not accept help, freely given? Are you under a geas? (re)"