Ravyn: ((Okay...so! This is going to take place yesterday, before the meeting (and may well explain why Arlett wasn't at the meeting...she was all trance-like, Seeking and stuff). Sound cool witchu?))

Arlett: ((yup! *nodnod* thanko!))

Ravyn: ((No problem. *S*)) So, yesterday afternoon, before the meeting. What would Arlett have been doing, and where would she have been?

Arlett: ((well... preparing.. which means check her gear . which lazy I need to update for ever now and haven't- Arlett with all she has lived wil knwo to be paranoid, and how many things can go wrong, so just gear up for 'in case' then most likely check in any experiment she is trying to get, or go on reading that pshycology stuff she has lately))

Ravyn: Gotcha. So while she's sitting at the table, reading through her psychology, she finds herself alone in the Chantry. Hardly a new experience for her, of course. She's reading along, and the lights sort of flicker, like there's been a power surge.

Arlett: *Blinks, looking up, frowning a tiny bit, do moving to check if any alarm was set off by it or caused it.. mean... with all the new implements they have been putting, could be*

Ravyn: The alarm system, as she approaches, looks...different to her, somehow. Not familiar. It's not drastically different, but there's enough that she can't really be entirely sure that she's reading it fine. Everything SEEMS fine, though...

Arlett: *blinks, frowning, then sighing, well she knows Melina and Frank have been messing with the sistems, then purses her lips and goes trying to see -what- is there that is changed... peering carefully if needed inside the boards*((no deactivating anything, just wanting to see what is done to them))

Ravyn: ((Frank? You mean Jim?))

Arlett: ((eh.. yea Frnakling...Fang charrie *nodnod*))

Ravyn: ((Roll Int+Technology))

Arlett: d10: tech: 2,2,2,1,10,5,3,

Arlett: ((DAMM!))

Arlett: ((is honestly her only BAD roll on that since I started playing her!))

Ravyn: She just...can't quite figure it out. Might be because the language is just bizarre. It's all written in what looks to be Angelic script. There are nine new buttons, though. One for each Sphere, with their Arcane symbol next to them.

Arlett: *blinks, pouting.. fine if you can't find out peeking under.... peers at the buttons, tenses the one with Matter.. yes that.. see what it does*

Ravyn: When she pushes the Matter button, she hears the door behind her, nearest the Deacon's offices, open, in it's slow, hissing style.

Arlett: *oookay... turns, to look at the door, just peering back to the board to see if that was randomly or has to do with how the buttons are pressed*

Ravyn: The timing is fairly uncanny, if it is coincidence...and besides, what mages believe in coincidence, these days? As Arlett looks back down the hallway past the door, she sees the faint image of a man walking away down the hallway. It's difficult to tell who...the lights in the hallway are off.

Arlett: *uh.. weren't they all out?... starts on towards the hall* hei!...

Arlett: ((hallway))

Ravyn: The form stops and looks over his shoulder at her. It's vaguely recognizable, though the darkness still conceals his image...what is recognizable is the way the light coming in from the main area gleams off the pair of guns that he holds, one in each hand. They're pointed at the floor, certainly not at the ready.

Arlett: *wich makes her... blink more, slowly, carefully and ready walking on* Michael? *well is the first name she has for two guns and someone in here*

Ravyn: It seems to take him a moment to recognize her, before he turns around, regarding her in the darkness of the hallway. "Arlett." Yes, that voice...it's definitely Michael. Unmistakable, that one is.

Arlett: *she smiles, well not really able to aboid it... hurries forward with all the intention to hug to him* you came back!

Ravyn: He doesn't move as she approaches, though his arms do come up to wrap around her when she hugs him. "In a manner of speaking, yes," he muses. It's odd, how physically cold the man is. He's almost leeching heat from her, though he certainly doesn't seem to notice it.

Arlett: *frowns, does not releases from him* in a manner of speaking?.... your' to cold...

Ravyn: "Am I?" He seems to consider the question, still holding her in that hug, the metal from the guns resting a little against her back...not pointed at her, just as the fact of them being in his hands and his hands being around her shoulder. "I hadn't noticed."

Arlett: *Shivers a bit, nodding* but you are.... are you fine? *well... biting her lips reaching into her pockets for the gameboy scanner*

Ravyn: He pulls just a little away, regarding her with a muted sort of curiousity as she pulls the scanner. It's still hard to get a good visual sense of the man in the darkness.

Arlett: *well she is meaning to scan him for why he is so cold, so presses buttons* ya realy should't port all the time... ya know? *well checking, making sure he is fine* ((with life and forces))

Arlett: d10: scan: 1,9,

Arlett: ((flee... HAD to be now))

Ravyn: ((Poor Arlett)) And the damn thing just isn't working quite right. "I didn't port here, Arlett. I just...entered. In some ways, I never really left."

Arlett: ((yea... nothing works for her right now! =( ))*pouts, frowning and does what any good Etherite does when a gadget is not working she smakcs it hard and tries again, peering up before though* how so? you left... you went to England... *scanning again*

Arlett: d10: scan: 7,6,

Ravyn: Ooh, there she goes. The Gameboy bleeps, and it comes up...without a Life pattern. The man has no body heat, and according to the scanner, he's not alive, either.

"No, Arlett. I'm here. I've always been here, and I always will."


Arlett: *blinks, staring at it wide eyed, then up to him... feeling a pang.. no...* but.... how... you....*Swallows* you don't read biological patters... you... you aren't dead... right?

Arlett: ((yea that was a dumb question))

Ravyn: A faint smirk in the shadows. "That's...a complicated question."

Arlett: *huffs* like there isn't one that isn't...*fine they are, but that is not to the point*

Ravyn: "I'm not dead, if that's what you're asking."

Arlett: then?

Arlett: *pursuing her lips... scans him with spirit... thinking and humm... prime, that, shoul say if some kind of.... 'scientific, magical' residue from Michael*

Arlett: d10: scan: 4,8,

Ravyn: The man's Etheric Flow is halted...rather then truly flowing through him, unfettered as it is with most beings, it's now frozen in his body, in stasis. There's a definite Resonance to him...something very old, Entropic. ((Int+Vampire Lore, if Arlett isn't sure IC.))

Arlett: d10: intel: 8,6,9,5,9,7,

Arlett: (roling to MAKE Sure MY right now fears))

Ravyn: Oh, yes...most definitely. The man is a vampire. He tilts his head, regarding her evenly as if he knows she's come to this knowledge suddenly.

Arlett: *yes, her eyes widen hugedly... but... staring up to him.. is NOT she dislikes vamps,.. is... can't...* wh...why... how? *and... then how he got back in?*

Ravyn: "How...not important." He shrugs. "You need me here. That's why."

Arlett: what?... *blinking* but... you... you hated them and.... you... you dind't ... is not.. you've neverd needed be like this to come

Ravyn: "No." He shakes his head. "Not to come, Arlett. To stay."

Arlett: *shakes her head a bit* why ?

Ravyn: "You need someone who will never leave, Arlett. Who will stay with you, always." A hand comes out to brush chill fingers over her cheek. Somewhere, off in the distance of the shadowed hallway, Arlett could swear she could hear a familiar woman's voice, faint, with an English accent, laughing brightly.

Arlett: *frowns more, shaking her head, cna't help peer towards the laughter, then back to him* no.... is... *frowns No, that's nt what she ment!* I... I know I have been a brat about it.. but I just missed you all.. I didn't mean for you to go doing this! you hated them! you said so! *blinking hard a few times*

Ravyn: "What did you mean, Arlett?" He cocks his head to the side, curiously. "You wanted someone who wouldn't leave. You have one. And now, are you not pleased?"

Arlett: but you hated them *frowning, going onto biting her lips hard, reaching slowly to touch his hand, hold to it* I... *swallows* just... didn't... what about all you were?

Ravyn: "All I was?" He seems...confused. Either he doesn't understand, or he doesn't seem to remember.

Arlett: your wife? *frowning more* your Magic! *shakes her head*

Ravyn: That gives him pause, and he looks down, trying to recall. "What about them?"

Arlett: how what? ... ((I -think- he was the one telling her.. but am not sure)) YOU were the one who told me it faded! it left you... and your wife? what... where is she?

Ravyn: "She's...not here." He shakes his head, frowning, and then looks at her. "It doesn't matter. I'm here for you. That's what's important, yes?"

Arlett: *she really doens't seem what to say for a moment, before most then anything she lurched forward, burrying her have against him* Im'm sorry.. I'm sorry *softly*

Ravyn: "Why?" He hugs her again, looking down at her with a muted sort of curiosity, perhaps confusion.

Arlett: *bites her lips hard, staying with her face to him* because I've been selfish....Because... I can't help to be so glad you are here... but I know is wrong... that... you... stoped being what you were... that... *sighs, and just hogs much more tighter to him*

Ravyn: "Right or wrong...it's irrelevant, isn't it?" He watches her, brow forrowed. "How have you been selfish?"

Arlett: *groans, staying with her face agaist him a longer moment, before breathing in and looking up* I miss you... and the others so much... I've been angry you are not with me... but... you are you.. you need your lives... I just... *shakes her head* don't want to be alone, but that ... that didn't mean... I had the right to hope ... for you to leave all just for me... and I'm sorry

Ravyn: "But...where did everyone else go? Where's Morgan? Jacobs? All the others?"

Arlett: *shakes her head, looking down* Is not the same... *huffs, looking up* I... don't feel safe with them... even if I know ... I know I can trust them I know they'll try... I .... *blinking* they don't look at me like you did.. and Charles... *sighs, biting her lips*

Ravyn: "Arlett..." He looks at her. "How do you wish people to treat you? Do you wish to be treated as a child, and given that freedom? Or do wish to be treated as an adult, and not a kid, as you so often remind people that you aren't?"

Arlett: *frowns* but I am not really an adult...*looking imidiatly down* but I know I am not a kid any more either... I just... it... scares me *softly so softly*

Ravyn: "You're growing up. And you're not sure wish you want to be."

Ravyn: ((wish=which))

Arlett: *nods faintly, keeping looking downwish*

Ravyn: He nods slightly. "I see." A moment's pause. "We are creatures of action, Arlett. Agents of change. Dynamism runs through our veins, and through our very souls."

Arlett: *Looks up a little bit, up to him* I know...

Ravyn: "And this...is merely another change."

Arlett: *nods, slowly, lowering her eyes a moment, before looking up, before sighing* I know... *it being hard to tell cause it makes it more real, to aknowledge it*

Ravyn: "Then why do you fear it?"

Ravyn: "Then why do you fear it?"

Arlett: *bites her lips* Because ... *sighs* because I'll .... I can't hide from it... I'll.... I'll have to be all strong and they'll spect I'll do thing I am not even sure I can do... it doens't mean I wont try, or that I won't work to do it... it just means... is gonna be worst if I can't

Ravyn: "You're doubting yourself."

Arlett: *frowns, mulling that over, shaking her head slowly* i know I can do it... *said slowly* I can do it if I really try ... but they don't listen to me.. they've never have... not even...*eh.. halts at that, shaking her head slowly, ok.. HE didn't heard it when she said it*

Ravyn: "Make them listen." He smiles faintly. "I know you can. Just make sure you listen back."

Arlett: *pouts slightly at that, with a faint sheepish grin* I try....

Ravyn: Michael nods a little. "Don't try. Believe you can do it. And you will." That laugh sounds again, echoing slightly in the hall, and Michael looks over his shoulder, frowning.

Arlett: *Nods, pouting slightly* I'll listen but that ain't means I'll agree to all *blinking, looking the same way he did* whose that?

Ravyn: "I don't know." He frowns. "Sounds like an intruder."

Arlett: But the alarms would have set off *looking ahead, towards the sounds* sounds familiar ((you said so I remember)) *slowly moving a bit ahead to try and peer*

Ravyn: "The alarms appear to be disabled," he says with as frown. He pulls the hammer back on his guns and calls out. "Lights." The lights flicker a bit, then come on, very dimly. The hallway is empty, as far up the curve as they can see.

Arlett: *Looks up* I was checking them *frowning a bit, then blinking up and ahead*

Ravyn: "Stay behind me," he says, and he starts to stride forward, moving down the hallway with both guns held out...slow, cautious steps.

Arlett: *Blinks again up... before moving behind, keeping her gameboy in one hand, the other going for the gun she modified*

Ravyn: More and more of the hallway becomes visible as they move around...and then, that laugh comes from behind them, bright and oh so familiar to her, toward the living area. Michael whirls, stepping to the side so that he's not aiming the guns at Arlett. ((Int+Alert))

Arlett: d10: inte-ale: 2,5,6,1,9,3,

Ravyn: The voice is definitely familiar, but it takes her a minute to recognize it, before it clicks. It's Cassie's.

Arlett: ((Casss got s british accent? *blinks*)) *she blinks, before she puts a hand on Michael's guns* is Cass *smiles and start going ahead towards the voice, wait... how SHE got in here?*

Ravyn: ((Yep!)) "Who's Cass?" He frowns, the guns staying up and pointed, as he walks toward the living area.

Arlett: ((jejeje she FAKES so many accents I never know now!)) *she blinks uh... eyeing Michael.. uh oh* a friend...*well... she was now... *

Ravyn: "A little more detail would be nice, Arlett," he says dryly, approaching the closed double doors. He comes up to them. "And once you're done, open the door, please." He can't, you see. Guns, and all.

Arlett: *blinks, biting her lips* just... friend... I...I've talked to her alot.. well had talked... but... she hasn't been around in a bit.... then she had to kinda hide... she is fine... though.. hum... not sure she should be here *no she shouldn't!, but then...* really... don't point at her...*not opening the door yet*

Ravyn: Eyes set in pale skin narrow, but nod. He slowly lowers the guns. "All right."

Arlett: *smiles a bit* thanks... she is not bad ya know *well not always, bites her lips some, before openign the door*

Ravyn: As the door opens, red just pours out from it. It looks almost like a solid color at first, as if the air on the other side was opaque and crimson. Almost as if in slow motion, the color takes form...or rather, texture, as it becomes liquid, pouring in from the room with a rich coppery smell.

Arlett: *and halts, completely... staring around, swallows, first trying to find Cass, though she immidialty moves to.... check if it IS blood.. cause if it is.. WHERE IS IT Coming from!!*

Ravyn: She can't quite react well enough...the blood (for yes, blood it is) is impossibly large in volume. It flows out of the room like a raging torrent, flooding the hallway and knocking both Arlett and Michael down, under the tide of red.

Arlett: ((ah!)) *yes.. knocked off, she lets out a tiny yell, trying to hold from the wall to stop being taken along or get up...while trying to see WHY is there blood streaming on.. from where?! just trying to get what is happening to act on it*

Arlett: *ergs... to would try hold from Michael..*

Ravyn: ((Roll me Strength))

Arlett: ((you had to ask THAT))

Arlett: d10: str: 4,

Ravyn: ((Ahh, I'll be nice. You can add Athletics to it))

Arlett: ((LOL.. no atlhetics...*whines*))

Ravyn: The flow of blood is too strong, and she's sucked underneath it, the last thing she hears before the flood covers her is the sound of Michael's guns going off, shooting at the incoming torrent.

Arlett: Michael!! *well she tries, trying so NOT to drink the think and keep on float or grab to anything*

Ravyn: Arlett manages to hold her breath, under the flood...as she does so, the river takes much longer then one would imagine to flow away. As she's underwater, she feels the liquid surrounding her, almost like a sentient being. It circles her, trying to find entrance. And then, she hears Cassie's voice, in her head. "Arlett...dear, let me in...please?"

Arlett: *she'll blink, if she wans't under...blood and keeping her eyes tightly shut, what?, shakes her head.. STILL remembering she must NOT drink anything... she told her.. she won't ever drink *((though she lets her do backwards...))

Ravyn: The voice becomes plaintive, whimpering...alomst begging. "Please, Arlett? Pleeaaase...I'm so cold...I need to feel alive..."

Arlett: *shakes her head, still trying to keep mouth and eyes tightly shot... Blaze said it... and even Cass said it and Ita... vampire blood enslaves you.. she can't... keeps shaking her head*

Ravyn: There's a last ditch, weak attempt, before the blood flows away, leaving Arlett on the cold, hard floor. She's alone in the hallway...the blood is all gone, though she's soaked.

Arlett: *shivers, just knowing she can't .... passing quickling a hand thorugh her eyes and mouth, to clean off the most she can before oppening her eyes, looking around* Cass?... Michael?

Ravyn: "Arlett?" The voice is neither Cassie or Michael's...it's Michelle's. She steps out of the office, looking at Arlett with concern. "Hon...are you okay?" She starts to make her way toward Arlett, moving quickly.

Arlett: *blinks, perking up to Michelle, nods slowly, getting up and looking slowly around* I... I am..*then to her* there was blood floading... Michael sure got dragged too *e.. before she stops.. she is NOT going to like a vamp Michael... shit*

Ravyn: She nods, leaning down to help Arlett up. "It's okay, honey. Michael's fine." She looks Arlett over, frowning a little. "This, though, just won't do. We need to get you fixed up."

Arlett: uhmm? fixed up? I'm not hurt *looking up to her again* the alarms are off thought... and someone changed them a lot I coulnd't desphifer them... you saw him? *peering to her eyes to check if she ... well knows*

Ravyn: "Yeah, I saw him. I've fixed him up. Now, it's your turn. Come on." She holds out her hand for Arlett. "Let me take care of you."

Arlett: fixed him? *you don't... fix.. that... maybe she doens't know.well she'll take her hand* I'm really ok... just need to shower... or something like that...*frowning, looking down at herself*

Ravyn: She smiles, and starts to lead Arlett toward the office. "We'll take care of it, sweetie. Come on into the office...have a seat."

Arlett: *follows, biting her lips* you found someone else? *wincing inwardly... because she...just has tot ell of Cass. mean is the CHantry!*

Ravyn: "No...just the people who have always been here." She leads her into the office...it's enpty. Michelle guides Arlett into the seat in front of the desk, turning it so it faces the side, and sides down in a chair facing her. Nothing is between them as they face each other.

Arlett: *sits, frowning a bit, before she sighs* there's someone else... I.. heard her... I don't know how she got in though *still biting her lips*

Ravyn: She smiles brilliantly at Arlett, nodding. "Thank you for telling me. It's important that you did." Her legs cross into the lotus position, and she closes her eyes, reaching out both hands to Arlett. "Take my hands, sweetie."

Arlett: *blinks at that, moving a bit forward to take her hands* she is not really bad you know?...

Ravyn: "I know she tries. Close your eyes."

Arlett: *Looks to her a moment, unsure she knows whom she is talking about, but ... closes her eyes*

Ravyn: As Arlett's eyes close, she feels a sort of calm settle over her. ((Intelligence+Enigmas))

Arlett: d10: enig: 6,5,6,6,5,9,

Ravyn: ((Good roll to succeed on. *S*))

Arlett: ((yea! *snugz* -today- it likes me *nods*))

Ravyn: Arlett feels a sort of calm settle over her, and the experience she's been through all suddenly becomes clear. She is alone, of course...she feels desperately alone. At the same time, there's people out there who are there for her, who try desperately to be there for her. The same people she pushes away when she makes to attempt to call them. What Arlett was wanting for them to be there for her all the time, at the expense of everything else...this is what Michael represented.

At the same time, she's been so alone that she has sought out someone who is a potential danger to her...she's been living on the edge, taking risks in order to feel like she did when she was with Blaze. Cassie, of course, is not Blaze...and as close as she was to him, she won't be him. Arlett found someone who was about as safe as a vampire can be, perhaps...but it is still a vampire, and a risk to her and others. She risks her life and her Avatar by choosing to reach out to a vampire that she thinks is always there for her rather then mages who try the same, even if they falter from time to time. ((More))


Ravyn: In the Michelle that is here, she finds the representation of all those people who want to be there for her. The fallible humans, the mages, who even when they stumble, always try to help and support her. They aren't perfect, any more then anyone else. They make mistakes, and they sometimes treat her in a way that they shouldn't. They may fall in battle, they may have to hide. But they will be there for her, whenever she needs, until their dying breath, as long as they are able. And they will always try to understand her, and will not manipulate her. They have her best interest at heart. And they love her. They are where she belongs, and she is where they belong.

Arlett: *She titls her head as her mind goes through all that, nodding, wihspering* I understand...*well.. to herself to...*

Ravyn: Her eyes open, of their own accord, and where Michelle was, she sees a man sitting there, all in red...spiky red hair, red eyes that flash with mischeviousness, and red clothes...the clothes a masculine mirror of Arlett's. He winks at her, and speaks in a chuckling tenor. "Time to go home, kiddo. Your people need you."

Arlett: *blinks, smiles, and nods... what she can't help it, she'll go hug him ((if you can do such a thing))* thank you

Ravyn: He's quite physically warm when she hugs him...actually hot. He smirks and hugs her back, then gives a little pinch. "S'what I'm here for. Go. And try not to freak too much"

And she blinks...next thing she knows, she's laying in her bed in her room in the Chantry.


Arlett: *she'll nod as the blinks goes,, blinking even more and going quickly up, looking once around, smiles a bit more* still thanks *sprinking up to go out try find Michelle or someone else in* ((yay!))

Ravyn: ((And you can spend your XP on Arete now. *S* Will update the sheet.))

Arlett: ((yay! *snugz and nods muchly* spent! =) *hugs* thanks!! a lot!!))

Arlett: ((oh and guess she finds the Chantry deserted as all went meeting way?))

Ravyn: ((Yep.))