Log:Splintering Apart

The Madness of David Flyte 2020/05/12 	 Radical Porter Grimm

1

Porter has been busy lately. Wacky adventures, Mother's Days, minor kitchen fires... Well, while he may have been a litle occupied, he hasn't forgotten about his bestie Gabrielle. Maybe he thought things had calmed down for her since she's seemed quiet? Not that he minds the occassional stay over and platonic cuddling.

So now he's dropped by on her after class (or he hopes he timed it right) to take her out. On a date! Well, a bite to eat at SpaceBurger, anyhow. A platonically friendly shared meal?

Well, more like after Grimm enrolled in a summer session after dropping out for Spring quarter. Things were too intense for her to keep up with her classes. Still, Grimm appreciates the company. "It's nice to see you, Porter. How's things going with the family?" she asks.

Porter chuckles and shrugs as he escorts her to the finest dining this side of the galaxy... at least for $6.99 or less! "Pretty good. Had a quiet weekend, caught the kitchen on fire. The usual." He eyes her some. "How are -you- doing?"

"That's a quiet weekend?" Gabrielle laughs, and resting on the strap of her messenger bag. "I'm...maintaining. I've been practicing meditation. And someone turned me on to chamomile tea. It's kind of become a ritual in the evenings. I think it's helping a bit?"

Porter gives her shoulder a pat. "Might be better than coffee. At least for calming down. Glad you're doing Ok?" He assumes that's what she's saying. "You know you can still crash at our place if or when you need to, right? Oh! Did I ever tell you we got the rooms soundproofed?"

Grimm smiles gently. "I guess. I still have my problem, but things have been quiet for a bit. At least with that. Magical issues have been flaring up. Vampires in chinatown, and a friend of mine is dating one, and then there was that massive ritual in City Center. Guess crime can't take a break even though I need one. I need a vacation after all this." She blinks at the soundproofing. "I'm sorry my yelling scared Kyssie. I'm glad it's soundproofed now. That's useful," she grins.

Porter blinks. "Vampires and dating one? More rituals? Not about you I hope?!" Then he dismisses her apology with a little wave. "It's Ok. Realized it was probably a good idea, anyhow. Not just for bad dreams." Then he realizes she's grinning and he said that, so his cheeks redden. "Anyway, glad things are better."

"Thankfully not," Grimm sighs in relief. She notices his reddening cheeks. "Hah, sorry," she apologizes. "I just need some smooth sailing for a bit so things don't get worse."

Porter nods. "You deserve it. Things'll get even better, I'm sur-mff?!" No, a cat didn't get his tongue. Nor even a Kat.

Nope. His problem is the sudden chains that wrap about him, which includes over his mouth. Pitch black metal with a notable red glow.

"So... these are the sorts of fools you waste your time with?" comes a new voice, followed derisive clucking of tongue. "You -do- know that you are far, far above them, don't you?"

Following the sound reveals a dark robed figure, features obscured in the shadows of the hood.

Grimm glances over as Porter suddenly sounds surprised and muffled, her eyes suddenly widening. "Porter!" she gasps, eyes quickly following the chain to its source to glare at the hooded figure. She flashes her hand with fingers splayed as if she had claws, then swipes at the chain two feet above Porter as shadow claws mimic her action to try and cut the chain.

The claws swipe through the glowing chains wrapped around Porter almost like they're not there. Well, they were there. At least half there. Unfortunately, Porter is all there beneath them and is knocked free from the magical discharge of the shattering links, as it they were under tension. He sails across the street to land in a recently filled dumpter. Judging from the crunch-squail, the bags may be filled with a combination of packing peanuts and either pet toys or rubber chickens.

On the other hand... or actually both claws... a fair amount of Porter stays with Gabrielle. Sadly, its mostly the red, wet inside portion.

The robed figure's hood tilts. "Interesting. An unexpected way to remove a possible hostage, though certainly effective. Perhaps you've grown more than we expected, Gabrielle."

"Again?" The darkly-robed figure chuckles from the depths of the hood. "My, my... you sound nearly ripe for the plucking." When the chuckle fades, he answers, or at least responds, "Who I am isn't important, what we want -is-. Let's see if it's ready as it looks, shall we?"

Radical is on his way back from campus, heading toward home. He teleports a couple of times as he steps, appearing with Grimm in view, though she likely doesn't notice him. "Hmm."

Black tentacles explode from Gabrielle's sides along with her protective shadow shield. "You aren't plucking anything," she warns.

It is CB, so there are a combination of people running away, screaming, and/or stopping to take snapshots with their devices. There's even a really good one taken of Porter's wide-eyed face, though it isn't clear whether it's from surprise when he was first grabbed or when he was cut... free.

The figure tsks again. "So sure are you?" A gesture is made with one arm. A rather dismissive one.

The tentacles and shadow protection evaporate, dispersing like shadowy smoke in a breeze.

"What...?" Gabrielle looks shocked as her protective shadow field and tentacles are just...gone. She takes a step back. No one's ever done that to her before. She tries to teleport to Porter while concentrating to summon her shield again, worried if anything will happen.

Radical teleports over to where Grimm is, "Gabrielle. I'm here. What's going on?" He looks over toward the potential attacker.

"Running away so soon?" The figure asks as the hood turns to re-orient upon her relocation. "We haven't even begun!"

Porter is still lying in the dumpster, or seems to be. The big plastic lid fell shut from the impact, but there are conspicuous feet sticking out.

Gabrielle's powers worked. She teleports to the dumpster and her shield springs to life as Radical appears beside her. "Th-that guy just shut down my powers after trapping Porter," Gabrielle stammers, looking over to Radical. The panic calms a little at his presence. She shoots a look to the strange figure. "He said something about me sounding nearly ripe for the plucking," she says, trying to recall why that sounds familiar. "I...I've got to get Porter to the hospital."

Radical looks over at the assailant, just to assess...see if there's magic in use.

Radical points his arm at the attacker. "What is it that you want with her?" Sure, he could just attack, but this might also give Grimm some time to help Porter.

Grimm tries to open the dumpster and lay a hand on Porter. "Porter? Porter, talk to me," she pleads.

The dumpster lid is plastic. Porter could probably even lift it. Were he awake. Or breathng? Well, he would need to be both, for sure. As he is right now, he definitely isn't awake. Breathing? Not terribly conspicuous, either. There is alot of blood and insides visible. Or missing. Yes, sadly, this probably does look very familiar to Gabrielle.

"With her? Nothing," the figure answers as it begins to walk unhurriedly towards them. "From her?" a chuckle. "Everything... that is of any value. She is quite the prize, sought after by several."

"Shick. Shick!" Gabrielle curses as tears well up in her eyes at the state of Porter. She looks over to Radical imploringly. "I have to take him. I'll be right back. Or...you can come with me."

Hey, look, they're up in the ai-Oh, right. Porter's being teleported, not the one teleporting. The trio appear down the alley, around the corner of the building in a cross-street. The figure is not in sight.

Grimm nods at Radical's plan. As soon as he teleports them out of side, she holds onto both of them and teleports them again, this time aiming for the ER at the nearby hospital.

The trio appear in the middle of the ER. There isn't a full moon out nor is it late, so the waiting room is fairly empty.

"Somebody help!" Grimm cries out, though the sound is dull in her ringing ears as she experiences deja vu.

Radical also helps to grab someone to help out. "Over here! Need some help!"

People yelling for help or bleeding all over the place tend to draw medical attention. In this case, they have both! A number of staff, to include nurses and at least one doctor, rush over to tend to triage. This mostly involves promptly taking him from them, putting him on a gurney, and rapidly wheeling him off. Afterwards, there are a few left who do check on Grimm and Radical to see if they're injured or need other aid.

Radical shakes his head, "I'm fine. No injuries." He looks to Grimm to see what she says.

"I'm fine. Just take care of him," Grimm says, unable to look at the people trying to help. She finally brings her head up to look to Radical. "I...I need to find out who that was." She looks shellshocked.

Radical nods. "I have some ideas about that. But I'll need to do some research to be sure."

"He was real, wasn't he? There was really someone there? It wasn't just in my head...?" Gabrielle asks, half in dread, half in hope.

Radical nods. "Yes, I could see him. He was using...well, demonic magic? Much like DEMON would use. But not their tactics. My guess is a rogue member of their organization?"

Grimm lets out a brief laugh of relief. Just one breath's worth before wiping at her eyes. "He said 'we'. Wanting to see if I was 'ripe'." She thinks in silence while keeping her eyes covered. "Did he have a skeletal hand?" she asks quietly.

Radical shrugs, "Maybe it's a cabal of former DEMON folks? Though I know some of htem use magic kind of like yours."

"Could be. This isn't the first time someone's wanted my power," Gabrielle says as she takes a breath and looks outside finally to make sure they weren't found yet.

Grimm is fighting off a panic attack by the looks of things as she checks outside for any danger. She wraps her arms around her torso, starting to feel sick to her stomach as she winces in pain.

Radical takes a moment with his senses to look at Grimm's status and then place a hand on her shoulder for comfort.

The cracks are starting to splinter and spread rapidly as Grimm's physical pain becomes more evident. "I...I screwed up again and hurt my friend....and now my other friend's going to -have- to arrest me this time." The last comment causes a new, large crack to suddenly form. Through the dimensional veil, Radical can see one of N'zrathol's slender tendril tip start to worm through, causing Gabrielle to double over in pain. No one else in the ER seems to notice the tendril, though they do get some looks.

Radical keeps his senses going...just to keep assessing as he tries to calm Grimm, "He's going to be okay. And I suspect you won't get arrested for this. You were trying to help him. And Porter wouldn't press charges. You know that." He takes a moment, "I know you feel guilty about what happened. But this isn't entirely on you."

One of the nurses from the intake station gets up after answering a call and stands. She then heads to where Grimm and Radical are standing. "Excuse me?" she intrudes politely, "The doctor would like to speak with you, if you're able?"

Radical nods. "Of course. At least I'm able to. Grimm?"

Grimm takes a few breathes, trying to calm down through the pain. The cracks at least stop spreading. "I...I think I am," she says shakily.

The nurse offers a professional, polite smile and nods. "Please, this way." She's quite patient and unhurried as she escorts them past the triage rooms to a small separate waiting room. It is cozy, but not quite claustrophobic with a half-dozen chairs. There's even a water cooler. And coffee pot!

"Please, make yourselves comfortable. The doctor will be with you shortly."

Radical nods to the nurse, "Thank you." He takes a seat and tries to relax. But he keeps his senses going, almost half-expecting the assailant to turn up again at any time...but also keeping tabs on Grimm's status.

Grimm is jumpy enough as is without the coffee. She takes a seat next to Radical. The last time she used her shadow sight here, she sensed too much, so she decides to keep her senses muted. She leans forward in her seat, elbows resting on her knees as she puts her face in her hands.

Radical puts his hand on her shoulder again, figuring the physical contact might help ground her a little bit. "It's going to be okay."

Grimm feels tense to the touch, but then physically relaxes some. She shifts and turns her head to smile weakly at Radical. "Thanks," she says, finding herself starting to believe him on that.

Radical says quietly, "Porter has pulled through from worse than this. He'll be okay."

"Yeah, but...I still hurt him," Gabrielle says back quietly, feeling guilty. "I'm always hurting people...even...even the ones I care about," she sniffs. The cracks in her aura are still prevalent. They grow just a little wider.

Unlike most timing with doctors and ERs, this one arrives very promptly. He's in spotless green scrubs, with a mask hanging at his neck and a surgical cap on his head. "Hello. I'm Doctor Naikrovek. Thank you for bringing him in so quickly. May I ask how either of you are related to the patient?"

Radical takes a deep breath. "Grimm. It wasn't entirely your fault..." He's cut off as the doctor comes in, and he looks up, "We're both friends of his. How is he doing?"

Grimm looks up as the Doctor talks to them. She starts to sit up a bit, waiting to hear the news.

Dr. Naikrovek purses his lips and is quiet for several heartbeats. "I am very sorry. We did all that we could..." There is another pause and his expression turns into a rather awkward frown. "I am sorry to ask, but do either of you have contact information for his family? Our records list only a ..." he looks to his datapad, "Paragon as an emergency contact, but the contact information seems to be invalid."

Radical furrows his brow, "Wait...are you saying he's not going to be okay?"

Grimm's jaw drops. It tries to work to say something, but she's unable to form the words. Her brain hasn't caught up.

The doctor looks between them, still looking rather pained. The records snafu only makes a difficult discussion moreso. "No," he shakes his head to Radical, "I am sorry." Another pause. "If you need some time, you are welcome to stay here, if you wish."

Radical keeps his hand on Grimm's shoulder. He takes a moment and says, "I think we can get you his wife's contact information."

Grimm can be felt trembling slightly. "No, that...that can't be..." she says in denial even as tears well in her eyes. "Can we see him...?" she asks as she starts to stand up shakily.

"I'm sorry," Dr. Naikrovek offers. Again. He seems to be very adept at saying this, or is simply forced to by circumstance. "Visitation is restricted to family." He does nod to Radical. "If you could provide that, we'd be grateful."

Radical stands up as well and straightens his long coat. "Grimm, do you have their number? I might, but I suspect your contact info might be more accurate."

Grimm dares to do what she didn't before, extending her shadow sight to find Porter. "I have their house number," she says as she pulls out her phone. Her fingers feel uncoordinated and numb from the panic rising inside of her. "This has to be a mistake," she's convinced. Names got swapped maybe on the intake? Something. It's Porter! She manages to pull up the contact info and reads out the number to the doctor.

Dr. N nods as he listens, noting the information. "Thank you and, again, I'm sorry. If there is anything you need, please don't hesitate to ask. Excuse me..." He steps back out, now, as he needs to make a call.

Grimm gets a far away look for a moment as her shadow sight canvases the hospital to find Porter. Or what remains of him. "No..."

Gabrielle can feel everything in gruesome detail. She gasps, her hand losing her grip on her phone. Her heart sinks, and her aura suddenly cracks in a circular spiderweb, like an impact on reinforced glass. Radical can see through the dimensions that N'zrathol saw an opportunity and tried to smash its way through, but wasn't able to fully break just yet. Gabrielle doubles over with a pained cry.

Radical grimaces, "Damn it." He reaches down to pick up her phone. "Gabrielle...please...breathe. Relax..." He knows he's fighting a losing battle here. Any longer and he'll have to test his invention sooner than he was ready to do so.

"It's true...he's gone," Gabrielle croaks, looking up at Radical helplessly as she tries to breathe. She has no idea how she's supposed to be able to relax at a time like this. She skipped anger thanks to Radical's help and support, skipping to acceptance in the 5 stages of grief. Then she backtracks to bargaining. "N-no, I can fix this." She looks down at her trembling hands. "All this power...I can -fix- this."

Radical can see the tenuous situation. "Not if I can't get the fissure closed, you can't. Let me deal with that now. Then we'll do what we can for Porter. Deal?"

Grimm takes a few breaths to calm down. She doesn't look sure, but then she gives in to the trust she's formed with Radical and nods slowly. "Okay," she says as calmly as she can manage.

Radical places a hand on Grimm...and tries to shift them both to his sanctum in its own pocket dimension, only to grab the harness he's been working on. It won't work as designed there, sadly. They'll have to be back on Earth.

Grimm remains still, assuming they're going to Connor or Randal's place. She's surprised when that's not where they are. She looks around at the new and strange locale. "Where are we?" she asks, rubbing away the tears from her cheeks.

The sanctum is actually a series of floating rocks with single flat sides in what looks like infinite blackness in all directions. The rocks are all moving slowly, in a complicated pattern of orbit around each other. Each rock is the size of a separate room. One has livigin quarters....another looks like a lab. Another looks like a kitchen.

Radical teleports them both over to the lab, "This is my sanctum. I kept my claim on it from after I was the Cartesian."

Porter leaves Student Quarter and enters MagLev System.

Radical grabs the harness from a rack that was holding it upright. It looks much like hte one he uses personally, but with several differences. "This pocket dimension has odd properties to it. That means we can't do this here. I'd prefer to do that, since if Nraz got free, he'd end up here. But...not an option."

Grimm feels the odd emptiness beyond the rocks. It's a little dizzying at first, feeling the rotation of the rocks and trying to make sense of it all. "Wow. It's so...strange." She tries to find something solid to lean against, still in pain. "Pretty awesome, though." She looks to Radical after looking around the area. "It was a good idea, anyway," she offers.

Radical grabs the harness and comes back over to Grimm, "Alright. So...where do you want to do this? Pick a place where you feel safest."

"The place I feel safest?" Grimm asks, then falls silent as she thinks on it. One place keeps coming to mind, and it isn't what she was expecting. Ask her a short while ago, and Randal's place wouldn't have been the answer. Still, it isn't safe for something like this to be done there. "I...I guess...my home?" she suggests.

Radical nods. "Alright. I haven't been there. Where is it?"

"It's outside Harrisburg. The older part of town. I can get us there," Gabrielle suggests.

Radical shakes his head, "Once we're back on Earth, you can. Not from here."

Grimm nods to Radical. "Right. I mean, I -can- traverse dimensions. But it wouldn't be a straight shot."

Radical places his hand on Grimm's shoulder again...and transports them back to Harrisburg, outside of the gun shop where the Chaos weapon had been found. Surely that's a coincidence. Well, probably not. It's a location he knows.

Radical says to Grimm, "You can get us to your place. Or you can direct me there."

Grimm looks about to orient herself, one hand holding her stomach. "Okay, I know this area. I can sense my place from here. I got this," she says weakly. She puts her free hand over the one Radical has on her shoulder and the two vanish.

In that space In Between, it's a dark void, filled with those unintelligible whispers. Radical could almost swear they're threatening him, but he can't make out the words. And then just as suddenly, they're standing in a cul-de-sac in an old housing track outside Harrisburg. Not quite suburban, not quite country, the residential street is lined with dilapidated McMansions.

Ahead of them at the end of the road is a spooky old Victorian style house. Two stories, with a windowed attic. The house may have been white once, but the peeling paint and years of pollution have turned it gray. There's a cracked concrete path leading up to the wooden stairs of the porch and a decorative door. This place screams 'spooky house at the end of the road' and probably has all sorts of stories about it made up by the local kids.

Radical looks around..."Is that your home, there? The Victorian? Seems...to suit, I think."

Grimm smirks. "It was what I could afford when I first moved here. I had a roommate before. They couldn't get anyone to move in because of its history and condition. I managed to get some funds to buy it on the cheap." But get funds, more like sold some interdimensional goods.

Gabrielle ends up putting a hand on Radical's shoulder for support. Teleporting in her condition, or perhaps using her powers, is making her condition worse. "Let's...let's get inside," she utters and starts going up the walkway.

Something catches Radical's eye, and he glances up to the attic window. there are curtains framing it, but he could swear for a moment he saw two ghostly apparitions. A man and woman looking concerned.

Radical follows, "Do you have...ghosts living with you? I thought I saw...two people in an upper window. The attic."

Grimm glances up at the window and gives a little wave. "Yeah. They stay mostly in the attic. There's a reason I got a deal on this place," she chuckles weakly. "They were good people. They were the former owners."

Radical nods slowly. He's seen stranger in his lifetime at this point. "Got it. Hopefully they won't mind us doing this here."

"They won't bother us," Gabrielle assures Radical as they climb the steps to the porch. The couple have since vanished at the window. Every step on the wood creaks eerily. She fumbles for her keys, checking her pockets. "Where's my phone--oh right. You got it for me. Thanks. I...I don't know where my head's at," Gabrielle apologizes, having trouble concentrating. She finds her keys and struggles a bit with getting them in the lock before finally getting the door open.

"Aleri, lights on," Gabrielle says wearily, and the lights turn on in the downstairs. Inside it's surprisingly homey. She must've used some powers to redecorate or at least make things newer on the inside. The wood panel floors are a black walnut color, and the walls are painted dark red. There's a fire place in the living room on the right, with an old black upholstered couch and a holovid display. There's some band posters in flat black frames on the walls. The dining room is on the left, decorated with a simple modern style light fixture and rectangular black table with four chairs. The kitchen branches off the dining room, and is white-walled with black granite countertops. There's a stairway in the center of the house leading upstairs with a wooden banister, and to the rear of the living room is a dark doorway leading to other doors.

Radical nods and knows where Grimm's head is. Probably on Porter right this second. He looks around slowly. "Nice place. Spooky, but nice. Pick a room where you want to do this."

The place definitely has a mix of old and spooky with some modern furniture pieces with a goth aesthetic. Also typical for a college student's home, the furniture doesn't all match. It's like she got what she could from garage sales or second hand. "I know it's not cozy like your house or Randal's," she sounds like she's apologizing and self conscious. "But it's what I could put together, and it's mine." She makes it to the couch and sits on the armrest, taking a breather. "Here's fine."

Radical nods and offers the harness to her. "You can just put this on over your outfit, like my personal one that I use."

Grimm accepts the harness, inspecting it to make sure she's got it oriented correctly, and starts slipping it on. She fastens it once she's got it in place, making sure not to touch any of the controls. "So what's it going to do?" she asks.

Radical smiles, and helps to make sure it's nice and snug. "It's going to generate a field around you...that will push back Qlipothic energies. You...may lose access to your powers briefly. All in a good cause. But they will return when the field is turned off." He looks her in the eyes, "Are you ready? I won't turn it on until you say yes."

Right about now, Gabrielle would be happy to lose her powers for all the harm they've caused. Except she realizes deep down she's really the cause. She looks back into his eyes, nervous, but he can see the faith she has in him. She nods once, and takes a breath. "I'm ready," she says with certainty.

There comes a rapping, a tapping, upon the front door of the old Victorian house. It's rather hesitant.

Radical was just about to turn on the harness, and he pauses, "I suspect we should see who's there, first?"

Grimm holds her breath as Radical reaches to turn on the harness to dampen her powers, then almost jumps at the knocking. "Geez! Ahh...yeah." With her powers still in tact, she looks towards the door. "Oh. It's Dialydd. How'd he...know where I live?"

Radical raises a brow. "Not sure?" He lets Grimm deal with the door, though he makes sure to cover her while she does so.

Grimm heads over to the door, planning to open the door by hand and hesitates a moment. She considers using her powers to stay a safe distance, but she doesn't trust them at the moment. She finally takes the last two steps quickly and opens the door.

Dialydd stands outside the door, hand raised to knock again. The tall alien youth looks down at Grimm and bows to her. "My apologies for disturbing you, sera Grimm. But, a dream lead me here. May I enter?"

Radical raises a brow, "A dream? I guess...I shouldn't be surprised."

Grimm nods and steps aside to let Dialydd in. "Well, that's maybe not the first time someone's dreamt about me," she mutters.

Radical nods. "We were just about to try to cure the rift. C'mon in. Having someone else to watch things while I work is probably a good thing."

Dialydd blinks his eyelids, inner and outer, at this pronouncement. "Cha, you are? Well, that does explain the monsters in my dream. Their bodies lead me to here in the dream,: murmurs the youth.

"Bodies??" Gabrielle asks as she closes the door.

Radical tilts his head, "Monsters? Hmm."

Dialydd nods to Gabrielle. "Qliphothic monsters by their...oddities? one might say. No two truly alike, each uniquely, cha, grotesque."

"A trail of monster bodies led to my house?" Gabrielle asks again uncertainly. She opens the door to peek outside and sees...nothing. She closes it again quickly.

Radical shrugs, "Probably more metaphorically."

Radical nods. "Anyway....we should get started before they DO actually notice and marshal some kind of attack. Best get situated, Gabrielle."

Dialydd murmurs gently, "It was a prophetic dream, sera Grimm. I am not otherwise clairvoyant." He spreads his hands. "Is there anything I can do to aid you?"

"R-right," Gabrielle says, still shakey from what she did to Porter. But she can't do anything to fix that in her current state. She walks back to the living room. "I don't know. All I know is I'm going to be powerless during this." She looks to Radical to see if he needs anything.

Radical nods. "What we might need is just...some defenses. If they're going to attack while this is going on. The field will be generated...and when this being's grip is loosened, I'm going to close hte rift."

Radical walks back over in front of Grimm, and he flips the switch on the harness that Grimm is now wearing, and the dimensional field extends outward, starting to push back against the Qliphothic energies..including through the breach. He keeps his dimensional and magic sight active watching for the changes.

As he runs a hand over the bracer on his left arm, a golden-silver haze envelops Dialydd. He takes a deep breath then seems to relax into a waiting pose.

The harness activates as planned. It all seems fine. Those magically attuned can see her power and magical aura wane until she's completely powerless. At the same time, from root to ends, the black drains from her hair, revealing her natural blonde hair. Without her powers to prop her up and enhance her, her true level of exhaustion shows through. She becomes very tired, looking exhausted.

And without those powers to protect her, she grimaces and doubles over a bit, hugging herself with a pained grunt.

As the field extends, Radical can see those slender tendrils of N'zrathol beginning to recede. As they do, Gabrielle takes a deep breath and clenches her jaw, straightening up again.

Radical puts a hand on Grimm's shoulder for comfort. "You're a blonde, huh? I wouldn't have guessed that." He chuckles quietly, but is clearly trying to help her relax.

Dialydd watches the tentacles retract then turns his head to look around the rest of the room. "The entity is withdrawing. But I doubt it will give up easily."

Radical nods. "Likely true." He keeps watching the rift's status. "I can close the rift...probably in a matter of seconds after I start. But his grip needs to be gone."

Grimm blushes. "That fact doesn't leave this room," she says as Radical helps steady and comfort her, managing a smile despite her physical discomfort.

Suddenly, the front door deadbolt clicks into place to lock. Gabrielle hadn't remembered to lock it. One by one, there are a few other clicks at the windows, like locks falling into place.

Radical furrows his brow, "I...hope that's your ghosts that live here too, that are locking those?"

Dialydd blinks again. "I take it this is not normal even for such a magick and spirit rich locale?"

Grimm looks about nervously. "I think maybe? I can't see them."

Radical says to Dialydd, "There are ghosts that live upstairs. So, it could be them. I caught a glimpse of them as we arrived." He takes a look at the rift again, trying to get a sense of how soon he can start healing the fissure.

Dialydd starts to slowly walk a circle around the two of you, keeping his gaze turned to the outside of the circle. "I shall watch the Dream of Reality, see what it shows me," hr murmurs gently. "We will keep you safe, sera Grimm."

Grimm smiles nervously, but there's gratitude in her eyes. "Thanks."

Radical's dimensional sight sees the tendrils still slowly retreating. One slips away fully.

"Why'd they lock up?" Gabrielle asks worriedly. That's when there's another knock on the front door.

Radical glances over toward the door. "I suspect the ghosts saw the resistance coming and locked things up for us. Well, for you."

"Perhaps they are just polite?" murmurs Dialydd softly.

"I think I should answer it, sera Grimm, ser Radical. The two of you are...engaged at the moment," adds the alien youth as he heads towards the door.

There comes a scratching at one of the side windows of the house. It squeaks over the surface.

Radical shakes his head, "No...I suggest not opening the door."

Grimm closes her eyes and focuses on her breathing. She winces in pain briefly as another tendril pulls away, leaving one left hanging on still.

Dialydd nods to Radical put does superimpose himself between the door and the two of you.

More scratching, now at another window in addition, this one at the window near the front door. A knock comes again.

Radical keeps his eye on the progress, "It's just a matter of time. Only one tendril remaining."

The last tendril finally slips away, causing Gabrielle to hiss in pain through clenched teeth and nearly lose her balance.

Radical immediately places his hand on Grimm's shoulder and starts his healing magic...reasserting Order in her pattern. Trying to return her to her prior state...sans rift.

Grimm isn't exactly dodging or avoiding Radical. Her brow knits together and she doubles over in pain as the dimensional cracks begin to knit together. Sweat breaks out across her brow as the dimensional wall thickens. There's the sound of glass breaking in reverse as the rift is very nearly healed by the spell's initial casting, now that N'zrathol's unable to keep it held open.

"Stop him! The story can't end like this!" calls out the demented, enraged voice of David Flyte from the door. There's several crashes as his rabid fans, now Changed Ones, dive through the windows they were scratching at. The ghosts' attempts to keep them safe didn't account for that!

Two swarm towards Radical, while the one going in through the front has to contend with Dialydd. Like the other changed, their human proportions and stretched and twisted, with long claws, large grinning mouths, and pointed teeth.

One manages to slash at Radical just as he dodges the first one. Another bites down on Dialydd's shoulder.

Radical has some blood drawn, but he's able to remain where he is. "Grimm...I think it'll be healed shortly. I'll let you know...then you can flip that switch to turn off the field, and your powers should return."

The golden-silver haze around Dialydd flares brightly as the Changed One strikes. A great deal of not quite human colored blood splashes from the wide rent in Dialydd's chest which exposes a bit of his rib cage. The youth is thrown backwards, stumbling and flailing but manages to keep his feet.

Grimm gasps as her friends are hurt. She instinctively flings out a hand to summon her power, and...forgets that they're gone. She nods at Radical's words. "I'm sorry..." she says as she looks at his and Dialydd's wounds. She's not looking too great herself.

Dialydd takes a deep breath then presses a hand against his side. He looks at the Changed One that attacked him simply murmuring, "Sleep..."

The Changed One attacking Dialydd sways a little, yawning as its head droops.

A disembodied, stretched, bony finger presses out through the air and draws downward, tearing the air. Reality is rent and opens to reveal David Flyte's stretched, lanky form on the other side. He ducks and steps through, reality folding back in to heal itself behind him. "You cannot escape His sight," Flyte intones worshipfully. At this point, across dimensions, Radical can see several eyes suddenly appear and open around the walls of Gabrielle's home. Flyte holds his hand out towards Radical, a flare of black energy firing towards him.

Radical gets to his feet...and then moves back over to Grimm. "I need a little longer to be able to pull this off. Almost there."

Grimm looks shaky but nods. Her now very mortal body is not fairing well being use as a rift.

The Changed Ones continue their attacks. The first two try and flank Radical, while the third before Dialydd shakes its head and starts to come to its senses.

Radical spins, his coat flaring out as he brings his arms around to deflect the two slashing claws that are coming his way. . o O (Just a full second. That's all I need. Come on...)

The alien youth looks at the Changed One in front of him. "Sleep..." he murmurs again. To those who can sense mental or magical powers, Dialydd's voice echoes in the Astral as soft silver light floods the Changed One.

Rather undramatically, the Changed One in front of Dialydd begins to drool and snore, curling up on the floor asleep.

Flyte's mouth twists into a sneer as he looks to Dialydd. "What...are you? You weren't in my story!" He looks to Radical. "And neither were you, interloper. You were never supposed to play the role of savior! This requires...rewrites," he proclaims and aims his hand towards Radical, sending another blast of twisting dark energy. It's different from Gabrielle's in some ways. It's smokier looking, with twisting little tendrils writhing around its edges.

Radical continues around on his block...avoiding the blast...and then placing his hand on Grimm to try to finish the spell as quickly as he can. And hopefully before he gets gutted. The magic of Order reaches out from his hand to try to heal the rift.

As Radical casts his spell again, a giant eye opens on the rear wall of the room, visible only to Radical's dimensional sight. The red eye with an hour-glass shaped pupil is focused solely on Radical with dire intensity as N'zrathol's gaze bores into him. The final cracks and rifts within Grimm seal up as the spell asserts the natural order of this reality. The dimensional walls are solidified again, and N'zrathol is locked away in his prison dimension once again. With the way closed, the giant eye staring down Radical fades away from his sight, as do the other large eyes around the room.

Gabrielle shudders in pain briefly as the rift closes, before passing out with a grown and collapsing.

Radical looks over to Flyte. "It's done. The rift is gone." HE then mutters to Grimm, "You can turn off the harness...your powers will..." ...and then she collapses. "Doh."

Dialydd turns to the Changed Ones who've been harassing Radical and Grimm. He points at one as he murmurs, "Sleep now...Deep..." Once again it echoes and rolls on the Astral as a silvery light pulses to those can sense it.

Flyte howls as his hand reaches towards where the giant eye was, able to see it as well now. "NO!! Master!! This can't be!"

The second Changed one sways, lids drooping over white large eyes. It blinks a few times to try and wake up. The other one behind Radical shrieks horribly and tries to rip Radical apart with its claws. The one already asleep near Flyte begins to shrink down to more human proportions now that it's unconscious.

Radical manages to avoid the claw...blocking and redirecting the force with his forearms.

Flyte backs away towards the door a few steps, his hands trembling with rage. The disbelief on his face is replaced with anger as he looks to Radical. "I will have to write a new novel. And in this new story, you'll meet your demise!" he vows, the vanishes from his spot, leaving a dark mark where his feet were planted.

Dialydd turns to look at the one he last affected. "Sleep...Leave this nightmare..." The same things happen but the Astral roils more this time as if spirits are gathering.

The Change One sways and falls forward, curled up on the floor and sleeping. It begins to shrink down into the form of a woman with tattered, dirty clothes.

Yowling in inhuman ways, the last Changed One tries to slash at Radical's neck with those long, unnatural clothes.

Radical manages to avoid the attack...driving the creature's arm aside. Instead of just knocking the attack away, he attempts to cling on...and continue his healing magic...but on a different target entirely.

Dialydd turns to look at David Flyte. "It is time for your nightmares to end as well, Ser Flyte. Sleep!" he intones as turns his gem-like eyes on the writer.

Dialydd turns to look at the last Changed One. "It is time for your nightmares to end as well...Sleep..."

The Changed One still remaining shakes his head, remaining awake and still clearheaded.

Radical tries one more time to heal the Changed One. "C'mon...let's just undo this. Work with me here and just change back."

With that plea, perhaps the Lords of Order are helping nudge things back to assert their control. The Changed One shrinks down into a bookish man with salt and pepper hair. He's disheveled looking, with dirt under his nails and his clothes are shattered. He looks around confused. "Where...where am I...?"

Radical looks at the man, "David Flyte changed you into a monster. With claws. And I just changed you back. You're welcome." He looks over to Dialydd, "And...thank you. I would likely have been overwhelmed without your help."

"David...who...? The...the author?" the man asks in confusion. "Thank you...? I...how long has it been? I should call my wife," he says, patting his tattered pants for a phone. He's disoriented and in shock, wandering towards the door.

Radical stops the man, "We'll get you to your wife. Don't worry. Don't wander off just yet."

Dialydd tries to bow to Radical but stops with a grimace that he obviously smoothes away with an effort. "You are most welcome, ser Radical," he says in a somewhat choked tone.

"Please, ser, stay here with us," murmurs Dialydd to the man. "You are in shock. Please, come over here and have a seat." He attempts to guide the man to a chair.

Radical pulls out his PDA and takes a quick photo of Grimm as a blonde. He then puts it away...and turns off the harness that she's wearing before trying to wake her up.

Radical also seems to be running on adrenaline, as he's still bleeding as well.

The alien youth presses his blood soaked clothing to his clawed side as he assists the befuddled man. He also casts an eye on the other changed back humans.

The man stops, but looks rather lost and nods. And a bit gaunt and underfed. He shuffles to sit where Dialydd guides him.

Radical continues trying to wake Grimm up. He continues to keep his sensory powers up at the same time, making sure everything is okay. "C'mon. Wake up, Gabrielle."

The harness powers down, the subtle magical hum only noticeable now that it's quiet and absent. With a bit of help, Gabrielle begins to stir a little. Magical senses can notice the slow seeping of Qliphothic darkness back into her, bit by bit. Her roots begin to darken and turn black, and the color flows down her blonde locks, staining them back to their previous black.

Gabrielle's eyes blink open slowly as she finally awakens. She's groggy at first, forgetting where she is for a moment before her eyes fly open completely. "Is everyone okay??" she gasps.

Dialydd asks the seated and confused man, "What is the last thing you remember, ser?" As he's asking, he's visually checking over the man for signs of any injuries.

There's some hesitation as he tries to remember. "I was sitting in bed reading a book," the man says slowly as he tries to recall.

Radical nods. "We're okay, Gabrielle. Both of us were injured, but we'll be okay. We saved a few of the Changed. And Flyte got away."

There's some scrapes and cuts from smashing through the window.

Lying curled on her side, Gabrielle pushes herself up in a sitting position. She looks Radical over, her eyes settling on his wound and flinching sympathetically. She looks over to Dialydd to check him as well. "I'm sorry..."

Dialydd glances over as Gabrielle speaks then back to the man. "And do you know what day that was, ser?" he murmurs in a gentle, coaxing tone.

Radical puts a hand on Grimm's shoulder. "We'll heal. And the rift is gone. It was worth it." He chuckles. "I'd hug you, but I don't want to get more blood on you."

"More...?" Gabrielle asks, looking down at herself, then back up at him. "And it's gone?" she asks, though she knows he wouldn't just make that up in a situation like this. "Screw the blood," she comments and throws her arms around him in a big hug. Maybe she also forgot that may hurt a bit, even with her trying to avoid the injuries. "Thank you," she whispers quietly in relief. "I'm so glad you're okay. You're both okay..."

The man rubs his temple. "Day...? I...was it a Tuesday? Yes, a Tuesday, I think. My wife made tacos..."

Dialydd smiles slightly at Radical's word and Grimm's reaction, but he nods to man. "And the date? This is all just to make center you're OK, ser."

The man looks to the ground, searching for that answer. His brow furrows and he murmurs a date that was weeks ago.

Radical winces as Grimm hugs him. He says quietly, "You're welcome." He then slowly pulls away. "I should heal the other two Changed. The one who is awake has already been cured. And I should do so before they wake." He stands up and heads to the two sleeping individuals...proceeding to purge Flyte's influence from them.

Grimm nods and lets go gently, unable to see that she caused him to wince. She nods and sniffles once, a bit emotional. And bloodier. "Yeah, take care of that," she says softly, then turns and walks over to Dialydd. "Where were you hurt? I...I can get you all to the...the hospital to get looked at," she says, at first concerned, but her voice begins to tremble as she thinks about Porter.

Dialydd murmurs gently as he desutres at the former Changed in the room, "I thank you for the consideration, sera Grimm. But these humans are all injured and in shock. They will need aid as they've been changed for weeks perhaps."

After a moment, "The Changed One clawed open my side, sera. But, alas, the CB hospital doesn't have the facilities to treat me. I cannot accept human plasma. Starguard may be better for I."

Radical nods. "Or if we need to, Amelia has a clinic we can go to in the tower. They might be able to deal with us more easily."

With a little time and work, though much quicker than the spell used to be, Radical is able to restore the sleeping people completely of Flyte's influence.

And indeed, Dialydd clothes on his left side are soaked in blood a bit darker than human.

Radical finishes up and says to Dialydd, "Thank you for just putting them to sleep. If I had to shoot them, they might have been injured."

Grimm nods slowly. "With any magical issues with the changed people...maybe Amelia's clinic would be best," she agrees. Which is a miracle in and of itself. "I can get us there. Or close to there. You guys warded it up, right?" she looks to Radical.

Dialydd murmurs back to Radical. "You are welcome, ser Radical." He chuckles softly. "Although, in fact, I have no Gifts that causes physical damage, so it was more necessity than mercy."

Radical nods. "I think it's protected, yeah. But we might need to get these three to the police so they can be returned home?"

Grimm looks over Dialydd's wounds with a sympathetic wince. "I don't really know any medical stuff to help. My studies were more about identifying injuries. Not how to treat them. I was going to take a course on that, though." She looks over to Radical at the mention of the police. "Yeah...we can take them there," she says quietly. She was already on the wrong side of an investigation with Carpenter. She's not looking forward to it a second time.

Dialydd puts in, "They need medical attention more than police attention, ser, sera. Might I suggest we take them to a hospital and then contact the police to come to them?"

Radical nods and chuckles. "A better suggestion than mine." He takes a look at his own wound first...and then he says, "I can do some basic first aid if necessary before we go there."

"Hospital or clinic? Or are you meaning drop these people off at the clinic so the doctors can treat them and get the cops involved, and then I take you both to the clinic to get patched up?" Gabrielle asks.

Dialydd takes the time to use his own medical skills on the former Changed. As he does, he informs, "All of them show signs of malnutrition and dehydration as well as minor injuries."

Radical nods in agreement with Grimm, "I think...they should go to the hospital for a check. The police can get involved there. Then we can go to the Tower."

Grimm nods gently. The other two sleeping people begin to slowly wake up, confused and disoriented as well. She looks at her hands a moment and focuses. Her powers don't immediately manifest. There's no protective black field around her. With a bit more focus, she's able to call upon her powers, though it's causing some strain. She lets out a breath. "Okay. I can still do this. I think." She stretches out her hand, opening a portal with the hospital on the other side. The edges of the portal wobble and waver a little.

Dialydd stops after a while working on the humans and says, "I think I am doing little good. I fear I am a bit confused right now...likely shock as this is my first major injury...ever." He sits down next to one of them and checks his side. "Ah...That is not good, no."

Radical helps to get people through the portal to the hospital. "C'mon...we need to get you three checked out. You've been out of it." He places a hand on Grimm's shoulder as well, "Good job. You're already recovering."

"Thanks. This is harder than it usually is, but it's coming back pretty quickly. Most of the pain is gone. I'm still exhausted, but I feel...I dunno, lighter? Relieved. I could friggin' kiss you both right about now," Gabrielle smirks. She looks over to Dialydd as he experiences shock. "We'll get you both taken care of right after we get the victims into the hands of the doctors."

There's already medical professionals coming to the portal, assuming something requires their help. They aid the people once Radical helps them through the portal.

Radical gives them a brief explanation as to the people's status. "They're likely reported as missing. They were transformed by a demonic sorceror. They need medical assistance and then need to get home."

One of the doctors helping with the intake nods and makes note of it as she does a quick examination of each one. "Thanks. We'll take it from here." She looks to one of the nurses. "Take them in and get them on fluids."

Dialydd looks at the long gash in his side. "Hmm, lungs not punctured, which is always good and it's on the wrong side to pierce the pericardial sac or lymphatic junctures..."

Radical gives some contact info to the medical folks so that they can ask him questions later if needed. He then looks to Grimm, "Alright. Let's head to the tower."

Dialydd stands a bit unsteadily then murmurs, "This is, cha, embarrassing. I can stand others blood so much better than my own it seems. My warrior ancestresses would be, cha," he laughs, "they would likely be pleased in truth."

The doctor looks to Dialydd. "We can take you to our Xeno ward," she offers.

Gabrielle's closed the portal now that they're all on the hospital side, wiping at her brow and having to catch her breath. "Okay. It's not too far from here." Offering a gentle smile to Dialydd, she says, "Don't be embarrassed. It's different when it's your own and you're hurting." Her head turns in the Tower's general direction and she squints a little. "There...I can sense it." She puts a hand on Radical and Dialydd's shoulders and closes her eyes. Rather than a portal, she teleports them with her. She expects to bounce off of the warding and end up out in front of the Tower. But instead, she ends up with them at the clinic. The exertion so soon is a bit much and Gabrielle has to let go of them as she doubles over and braces her hands on her knees.

Radical has been in to the clinic previously, so he knows how things work here. "They actually use some magic here. I think we'll be able to deal with the injuries quickly."

Dialydd looks around as he goes through Grimm's Gate. He blinks slowly then murmurs, "Mystical healing? Cha, and there is an entire clinic for it? Earth...astonishes me still."

Grimm is still catching her breath. "Magical, traditional, whatever works." She straightens up, looking tired and exhausted. "Let's get you guys fixed up."

Radical leads the others to the facility. He's recognized here, which speeds up the process. He says to the person at desk, "We have a couple of serious injuries...and we'll likely need actually magical healing. Two of us."

Dialydd just looks around as the others talk to the staff at the clinic. He's either really taking everything in or a bit shocky or both.

The person at the desk nods...and one healer comes out to deal with both injuries. The place is a little understaffed, so there's only one. RAdical indicated Dialydd, "Please...heal him first. He's worse off than I am."

Grimm steps up to Dialydd's side. "Do you need a hand?" she offers gently.

The healer takes a look at Dialydd's injuries, "I see. Hmm." She then starts to cast a spell...which heals the wound over the span of thirty seconds or so."

The entire left side of Dialydd's tunic and robe are soaked in his darker than human blood.

He looks down at Grimm as he says in a calm voice, "I think I am doing well for the extent of the wound..." His voice trails off as the healer starts to work on him. "Cha, how strange..." he murmurs in wonder.

Grimm watches Dialydd get healed completely, then looks over to Radical's wounds. "Him next. I'm...I think I'm fine," she says.

Grimm looks back to Dialydd. "Is the pain gone? I think you were in shock."

The healer finishes up with Dialydd. And then takes a look at Radical's wound where the kevlar was torn through. And again...she works on casting the healing spell. This doesn't' take as long as Dialydd's injuries did and he's healed in short order.

Dialydd murmurs as he peers at the now healed wound, his skin and clothes still soaked but his skin completely knitted back together without a scar. "Amazing..." He then looks at Grimm and nods. "Oh, yes. I was, sera Grimm. I apologize if it worried you."

Radical winces a bit as the healer starts to work, but the pain subsides quickly. Once the healer finishes, he shakes her hand. "Thank you for your help." She smiles in return, "Stop by another time when you get a chance to talk shop. I want to compare some notes."

Grimm looks impressed at the healing. "Good as new. Not even a scar to show off," she smiles tiredly. "You really had me scared. Both of you." She looks over to Radical as he's healed. "You're good as new, too, right?"

Radical nods to Grimm, "I think it's completely healed, yeah."

Grimm doesn't seem all that satisfied by his uncertainty and his casual phrasing. "Heal him again," she suggests, inspecting his wounds with her eyes and shadow sight.

Radical snorts, "I'm fine, thank you."

The healer smiles, "The wound has completely healed. I can't speak for...any other issues that might have arised, but the physical wound is gone."

Dialydd murmurs gently to Grimm. "Patients often make jokes to downplay how well they feel, Ms Grimm. Male patients more then female. At least among Humans and Jerin, I have noted."

"So then is it that you think you're completely healed, or it -is- completely healed?" Grimm asks, just for her own mental wellbeing. She looks at the healer. "Other issues...?" She doesn't like the sound of that. She turns her head back to Dialydd. Rather than snapping as usually, she responds with a soft nod. "Right...I get it."

Dialydd smiles brightly for a moment. "Cha, and you are feeling better as well, yes, sera Grimm. You are...more centered?"

The healer nods and says to Connor, "Radical, we can talk next time you're here. I have some other work to deal with." She then waves to the group and heads back into the back rooms.

Grimm thinks for a moment, eyes cast down. There's still so much going through her head to process. "As much as I can be, considering," she says as everything catches up to her. There's a sadness in her voice. She at least takes the time to wave to the healer. "Thanks for helping so quickly.

Radical nods, "Grimm...there's something important you need to realize now. You don't need to restrain your emotions any longer. You don't have to hold it all in." He places a hand on her shoulder. "You've been trying to keep things pent up. And there's no longer a danger of ushering in an apocalypse if you lose control."

Dialydd just watches Radical and Grimm interact his gaze shifting from one to the other. He refrains from speaking and just listens and waits.

Grimm has been fighting to keep her emotions in check. She's often done that out of habit with everything she's been through ever since she got her powers, but especially now. And yet she still tries to fight it when he first suggests it. Her mouth tightens. But as he gives her permission, her lower lip quivers. That dam she's use to hold back her emotions finally breaks, as does she. Her shoulders shake a bit at first in the final attempt to stop herself before she finally starts crying and letting it all out. She closes her eyes tight. "My friend died tonight because of me...y-you all could've died..." she sobs.

Radical puts an arm around Grimm, "It's okay. We're okay. And it was a risk we were both willing to take." He waits a moment, "As for Porter...I'll believe it when I see it."

Grimm leans into Radical and hides her face against his shoulder as she tries to rein in her crying and fails. "What...what do I do, though? Shouldn't I turn myself in to the police?" she says with heartache in her voice.

Radical shakes his head, "I wouldn't, if I were you. If you find out they have a warrant out...then, sure. Turn yourself in. But don't do so now."

Dialydd listens quietly as Grimm speaks and Radical comforts her. He reaches out a long arm and snags a box of tissues from a counter then holds them out to Radical out of Grimm's line of sight. Well, normal visual line of sight at least.

He seems sympathetic if not fully understanding by facial and body language. But, curiously ,not uncomfortable in the least.

Grimm nods slowly against Radical's shoulder, taking his advice to heart. "O-okay. I'll wait. I'm so tired. I'm so glad at least you two are okay," she says quietly, sniffling after getting the worst of her emotions out. Trembling a little, she finally lifts her head, her mascara running. "Thanks, I." She takes a deep breath and lets out a slow sigh. "I think I really needed that." She doesn't catch Dialydd's sneaky tissue maneuver.

Radical nods to Dialydd and takes the box of tissues, "Thanks." He then offers the box to her so she can take as many as she'd like.

Grimm plucks two tissues out and dabs at her eyes. "I owe you both so much," she snuffles as she wipes away some of the tears and running makeup. "Especially you," she says to Radical. "I look forward to having my first night's sleep with only a few nightmares." In all the hurry, she hasn't had a chance to take off the harness yet.

Radical nods. "And you won't need to wear this." He taps the harness.

"Right!" Gabrielle realizes. She looks down and tries to unfasten the straps, returning it to Radical after she's extricated herself from it.