McBish's Plots

[McBish]

This is a thread for various McBish the player's related plots, locations, and etcs. that might belong in other meta-threads but are put here for ease of use and quick reference. This is not an open area. Please use location tags.

Right now, current going ons include...

[Woods] Calvin is out in the woods camping, there may be monsters around.

[McBish]

[Woods]

Calvin has been amazed by the woods outside Inside. They seem almost endless and varied. Right now he is camping in a cool section of woods that is very hilly. Moss covered rocks and trees fill the landscape with many streams running through the woods. Calvin hasn't set up a camp site since he has been hiking every day finding a new spot to set up. It is quickly becoming dark out today though and he is starting to look for a safe place to camp.

[Deathkeeper]

Woods

Arty is also here, trying to get away from all the bustle in Inside that he's so unused to. The wilderness isn't the same as his nice, comfy school, but even he admits this sort of thing comes naturally to him. That's because Arty is a centaur, although a small one, being proportional with a light horse. His brown coat matches his short hair. He's currently wearing just a thin shirt (he's convinced he can't do the barechested look to save his life) and some gear strapped to his lower body.
Arty trots over and attempts to get Calvin's attention. This is harder than it sounds, because despite being seven feet tall and weighing half a ton, Arty is difficult to detect until seen due to a spell he isn't aware of and therefore never turns off.
Still, even muffling sound can't make someone speaking from fifteen feet away (assuming he gets that close) unnoticeable.
"Hello? Uh, hello? Are you out camping too?"
Arty's human half and voice indicate he's around sixteen or seventeen.

[McBish]

[Woods]

Calvin is hard to sneak up on. His senses slightly better then most humans. At least sight, sound and smell, both taste and touch are actually weakened a bit. So even as Arty gets closer to Calvin without being noticed then most Centuars would, Calvin is up on his feet looking around well before he gets that close to him.

Calvin looks to be a fit young man probably around 16 or so himself. He isn't obviously armed, but there are two short swords strapped to his backpack leaning up against a nearby tree. "Hi there, yeah I figured I was going to settle down here for the night. Try to grab a rabbit for dinner or something." Calvin looks a bit suspsicious, but that is just his standard mode of operation, he rarely meets a new person he isn't suspcious of.

[Deathkeeper]

Woods

Arty smiles. He was afraid that he'd be one of those people who aren't paying attention at all and he has to poke them on the shoulder to notice. Yes, sometimes it's that bad.
"Oh, well, there's a small clearing about a quarter mile west with a big rock that I've been setting up next to. You can pitch your tent next door, so to speak, if you'd like. Oh, you can call me Arty by the way."
It's a rather awkward invitation since Arty isn't expecting him to say yes.

[McBish]

[Woods]

Calvin was taught some harsh lessons on being aware of his surrondings. If people were able to get that close without him noticing he would most likely be dead by now.

Calvin wasn't expecting to run into anyone else out here though so he may seem slightly suspicious of the centuar. Then again he has been out here for a little over a week without any contact with someone he could talk to, so maybe he is feeling a bit lonely. "Thanks, I'm Calvin. Are you out here camping by yourself?"

[Deathkeeper]

Woods

Arty scratches at the back of his head.
"Yeah, I needed to get out. It's really noisy in the city and I just wanted to get some peace and quiet. I just sort of got shunted out of my home 'verse so I'm alone most of the time anyway."
He seems a little sad about that.

[McBish]

[Woods]

"I get that, I am on something of a vacation myself. Hey you haven't seen anything weird out here lately have you? I saw some tracks around that I don't recgonize. They sort of looked like a bear but the claws were wrong." Calvin doesn't seem concerned about the large unkown animal wandering around in the woods, more curious about what it is.

[Deathkeeper]

Woods

Arty shakes his head.
"Haven't seen anything like that. No, myself not included I've only seen natural-looking things around here."

[McBish]

[Woods]

"OK, it did look to be some sort of predetor if the claw marks it left behind are any indication, so I would keep an eye out if I were you." Calvin doesn't seem overaly concerened with any danger. Ever since he had a run in with an angry bear when he was 12 he has figured he could handle most wildlife. Still it can't hurt to be extra cautious, esspecially in the Nexus. "I don't suppose you would like some company for the night. I was just about to head out and see what I could get for supper. I'm pretty sure I could get enough for both if you would like."

[Deathkeeper]

Woods

Arty continues to grin. "I'd love to share company with you. You shouldn't need to trouble yourself too much on me. I've been grazing."

[McBish]

Woods

"How about you show me that clearing? I can drop off my stuff and then go see what I can round up for my dinner." Calvin grins, it has been relaxing being out in the woods by himself but it is good to have someone to talk to.

[Deathkeeper]

Woods

"Sure, right this way."
Arty turns to the left with a flick of his tail and heads off. And exactly how he said, a quarter mile in that direction past a line of trees is a small clearing. It's dominated by a mossy boulder in the middle, on which Arty seems to have constructed a decent little lean-to out of branches nearby. Walking up, he deposits the sack of firewood he's been carrying at a small fire pit that hasn't been quite finished yet. The lean-to doesn't have much room once Arty sits in it but they could probably drape something over the side for Calvin if he wants to save time pitching a tent. There's plenty of room in the space if he does, though.
"Not too shabby, right?"

[McBish]

Woods

Calvin tends to sleep out under the stars, though if it is raining he does have a piece of canvas he can create his own lean-to. Calvin walks around the campsite resting one hand on the boulder leaning into it. "No it looks like you have a nice place to set up. You sure you don't mind me joining you?"

[Deathkeeper]

Woods

Arty shakes his head with a grin.
"I've had roommates as long as I can remember. As long as you don't try to sleep by sitting on me or something I don't mind at all."

[McBish]

Woods

"Sounds good. I'll be back soon." And so he heads off into the woods to find himself diner.

Despite his words he isn't back soon. Soon the sun sets and he still isn't back. As the night gets darker Arty should hear the cry of a wild animal. It sounds angry and in pain, and it is very loud. It is hard to tell how far away the cry came from. The woods are eerily silent after that, the animals somehow knowing they should be hiding.

Calvin eventually does come back from his hunt. He has a few rabbits he is carrying, and a large tear on his sleeve and a bit of blood on him. He looks miffed.

[Deathkeeper]

Woods

Arty, who had been tending the fire, stands up at seeing Calvin (who hopefully hasn't changed his name over the course of his hunting excursion) return.
"Oh, my. What happened? Is that blood yours? I have medical training, you know,"

[McBish]

Woods

Calvin seems OK, it is hard to tell through all the blood but it doesn't look like he is injuried too seriously. "I'm OK, just a scratch. I am pretty sure I meet one of those creatures I was talking about before, the ones whose tracks I saw around. It came after me as I was cleaning the rabbits. I think I scared it off." He says glancing out into the dark woods.

[Deathkeeper]

Woods

Arty rolls his eyes.
"Yeah, just a scratch they say. Nothing suspicious about the weird animal they say. And twenty-eight days later they wake up naked in the woods covered in blood and the worst hangover ever, wishing they'd just let the horseman take a look. At least let me clean it while you get into something that isn't blood-soaked."

[McBish]

Woods

Calvin gives a little shrug and pulls off his shirt. The wound on his arm isn't deep a few centimeters at most. "I have some bandages in my pack if you think we should wrap it." If it was up to Calvin he would probably just leave it alone. "And the thing was actually fairly suspicious. Most wild animals wouldn't attack a human unless it was really hungry. This thing didn't seem like it would have a problem getting food."

[Deathkeeper]

Woods

Arty keeps a very well stocked medkit on him at all times. Not necessarily for any particular reason. For now he'll just ensure the scratch is clean and quickly look it over with one of his tools which helps him look for more supernatural bugs. Because the werewolf thing was a joke but it would totally suck if it ended up being accurate.

[McBish]

Woods

The wound is clear of any magical inflictions and it is easy to clean out any mundane germs. Seems like whatever it was that attacked him wasn't a were creature. Arty might also notice that the parts of the cut that are shallower are already starting to heal up. Seems that Calvin has some magical healing properties going on in his body. Not to mention he is a good patient, sitting still and quietly. His eyes keep scanning the peremiter of the clearing, making sure there aren't any creatures hiding in the shadowy woods. A high pitched cry/howl comes from deep in the woods, similar to the oine from before.

[Deathkeeper]

Woods

One of these days the monster is actually going to be fiendish or something and they'll thank Arty for being thorough! Until then-
"All clean and sealing up fast. You're good. And until then..."
Arty digs through his gear and pulls out a quiver which gets belted on to hang down his right foreleg. From the same pack comes a large cylindrical device which unfolds into a full-sized compound bow.
"better safe than sorry."

[McBish]

[Woods]

Calvin goes to his pack and digs out a new shirt to wear, balling up the other one and stuffing it soemwhere to be cleaned later. Calvin watches the bow unfold and gives a impressed nod. "Yeah proabably a good call. The thing was tough and took off running before I could finish it off." If it is pissed off enough it might just come back for revenge. "I think I am going to get these rabbits cooked."

[Deathkeeper]

Woods

Arty nods. "You do that. I'll keep watch in case the small attracts someone," he says, nocking and arrow and finding a good place to sit.
Despite the traditional look of his shirt and bags his weaponry and medical supplies were pretty high-tech (well as high tech as bows can get) so it should be pretty obvious that Arty isn't from any classic fantasy worlds.

[McBish]

Woods

Calvin finds some long sticks he can spear the rabbits onto to cook them over the fire. He digs out a few small spice containers to add some flavor to them as they cook. Depeneding on how jumpy Arty is he might start to think he is seeing shadows moving in the woods around the camp.

Calvin's equipment doesn't really show what tech level he is used to. He has a nice backpack, probably factory made and fairly modern. The swords look old and would fit in any fantasy setting, and they don't look very expensive. He doesn't seem to have any sort of ranged weapons on him, guns or bows. He must have caught those rabbits by hand, or maybe threw the long dagger he has on him.

"So Arty where are you from?"

[Deathkeeper]

Woods

Arty shrugs.
"Oh, just a small town on a quiet world. Nice place, decent people. I was getting my degree soon."

[McBish]

Woods

Calvin takes the rabbits off the fire and picks at them with his fingers. Tearing pieces of meat off of it and sticking them into his mouth. Apparently he doesn't feel like he needs silverware. "Sounds nice, what kind of degree are you working on?"

[Deathkeeper]

Woods

Arty responds without turning towards Calvin, still facing the line of trees.
"Pre-med. Minor in literature. I was...busy."

[McBish]

Woods

"Guess that explains all the medical equipment. I have a friend in the city who is studying to be a paramedic." It's proabably a good thing Calvin keeps meeting all these people that can patch him up after he gets hurt. He tends to get hurt fairly often.

Arty should be fairly sure there is indeed something out in the woods around the camp. It's hard to tell when the shadow moving is just a branch being pushed aside or a creature ducking down low. When a reflective pair of eyes briefly catch the fire light it is pretty clear that there is something stalking the campsite.

[Deathkeeper]

Woods

"Mmhm." he hums with a nod, trying to get a focus on the shape. He nocks a different arrow and fires, embedding itself in a tree close to where he saw the shape, and the shaft emits a bright light which should last several minutes.

[McBish]

Woods

When the glowing arrow sinks into the tree near the creature it ducks and runs for more familair shadows deeper in the woods. It looks to be the size of a large black bear, with no visible head. It's fur dark and thick, and it looks powerfully built. It moves surprisingly quietly and quickly.

When Arty looses his arrow, Calvin gets to his feet trying to see what the Centuar is shooting at. Arty might not hear Calvin get one of his swords from his bag, but by the time the creature has fled Calvin is standing with a sword ready in his hand.

[Deathkeeper]

Woods

Arty picks up the ordinary arrow he had been holding nocked earlier.
"So, did it have a head when you fought it?"

[McBish]

Woods

Calvin shakes his head. "No, I am pretty sure I saw a mouth on it's belly though. It came at me pretty quick before I didn't see too much of it. I'm a bit surprised it followed me out here." Calvin scans the woods looking for the creature as well.

From the darkness around them a low growl, almost like a hum starts to fill the woods. It comes from mutiple directions, and is either really echoy, or there are more then one of those creatures out there right now.

[Deathkeeper]

Woods

Arty has fully stood up by now.
"Being headless makes it harder to kill them quickly. Might be risky if there's multiple. If things get bad, jump on my back and we run like hell, ok?"
Combat is no time for centaur pride. If someone might get killed and you have eight hundred more pounds of muscle, you volunteer as the transport.

[McBish]

Woods

"At least until you figure out where to hit them that does count. They have to have a brain in there somewhere." Well I guess they don't have to but it seems likely that they do. "I only saw the one of them when I was out there, but it seems like he brough friends."

The growl seems to be getting louder, Arty should probably get a glimpse of one of the beasts as they are closing in on the camp. If he wants to take a shot he might be able to scare them away.

[Deathkeeper]

Woods

Arty does in fact take a shot. This one doesn't explode or glow or anything, but it's still a military-grade weapon with an arrow capable of punching through steel. And while not magically enhanced or anything Arty is a good shot.

[McBish]

Woods

A loud shriek comes from the creature as the arrow sinks into it. Two of the creatures burst from the underbrush into the clearing running towards the two of them. These two appear uninjuried as the one Arty shot hides in the trees not wanting to get shot again.

The creatures have large claws coming out of their front paws, and while their thick black fur covers most of their body you can see some short tentacle like appendages growing around the belly of the creature. They are quickly closing the distance between them and Arty and Calvin. Calvin looks fairly calm moving infront of Arty, doing his best to not block any of his shots.

Arty might have a chance to fire again before one of the beasts leap onto Calvin tackling him to the ground, the other looks to do the same to Arty, though he doesn't have the advantage of size against the Centuar.

[Deathkeeper]

Woods

The monster running at Calvin should find a fletch sticking out of its torso. The one charging at Arty should notice him spinning around as he fires. It might then notice a pair of hind hooves heading towards its face/torso. Arty's lower body is not a very large horse, but light horses still kick hard.

[McBish]

Woods

Both Arty's kick and arrow hit their targets. The one he kicks lashes out with it's front claws, trying to tear at his legs as it is kicked to the ground. It rolls back up to it's feet a bit stunned from the kick, and wary of apporaching.

The one on top of Calvin seems to have it's hands full as Calvin's sword is red with it's blood. The creatures tentcles on it's stomach are gripping one of his arms trying to pull it into it's mouth. Calvin seems to be winning the fight but it is still a struggle.

A third creature, the one Arty had shot before comes out of the woods behind Arty going to circle him with the other creature.

[Deathkeeper]

Woods

It's a good thing he kicked it in time, then. A light scratch if fine to leave, but any deep cuts and he wouldn't be able to reach back there to fix himself up.
Regardless, the one flanking him will have to wait. For now he has an arrow pulled back and is waiting for the one in front of him to raise itself up or otherwise expose its "face" for him to shoot.

[McBish]

Woods

The creatures stay on all fours denying Arty a clear shot at their "faces", but both of them are injuried and worried about attacking such a large defender that shoots those annoying little bits of wood and metal. There humming starts up again between the two of them, probabably coordinating their efforts.

Before they get a chance to attack the third creature that was fighting Calvin flies through the air crashing into one of it's pack mates dropping them both to the ground. Calvin, with his left arm and shoulder showing bloody gashes, charges into the stunned creatures. A swift kick to one lifts it off the ground with a sickening crunch of broken bones. Calvin is now holding a sword and what looks like a long narrow sharp piece of metal, though it isn't clear where he got that from. He attacks the two creatures ferociously stabbing and slashing them. He seems to have them both off balance right now and is winning the fight.

The third creature looks confused now that it's partner is in a new fight. It doesn't look like it is going to charge Arty by itself.

[Deathkeeper]

Woods

Arty can't get a clear shot at the two Calvin is fighting, so he'll instead just keep an eye on that brawl, and take a potshot at the third if it gets closer. He's trying to conserve his ammo a bit.

[McBish]

Woods

Despite his injuries Calvin shows impressive strength, managing to hold off the creatures and even shove them around. He slips one of the blades under the legs of one of the creatures stabbing it several times. The creature squeals in pain collapsing on top of him. He manages to kick the other one away from him. If Arty wants he has a clear shot at it. Otherwise both of the animals are running away into the woods.

[Deathkeeper]

Woods

Arty will take only one shot at the escaping beasts before turning his attention to Calvin and the one he's facing down.

[McBish]

Woods

The one fighting Calvin looks like he is dead. Calvin shoves it off him, the tentacles from near his belly let go of Calvin's bleeding arm. It looks like the creature really wanted to tear off his arm. The one fleeing into the woods gets an arrow stuck into it. That doesn't stop it from escaping off into the woods. "Bastards." He stands up and kicks the corpse.

[Deathkeeper]

Woods

Arty goes over to Calvin.
"Are you okay?"
He isn't entirely sure how his healing factor works, so it's best to be safe.

[McBish]

Woods

Calvin looks down at his arm and nods. Then with a calm well pratcied motion he shoves the sharp balde of metal down into his arm through his palm. Once the piece of metal is in his arm some of his wounds start to heal up. As he does this his face turns a pale white and it looks for a second like he is going to faint. A frown on his face. If Arty has any sort of magical senses or a device that can see the workings of magic he might pick up something around now.

"Um, yeah I think so. How about you?" He looks a bit dizzy as he walks over to his bag, digging out that bloody shirt to use to clean himself and his sword off.


--------------------------------

[Heaven's Gate Apartments]

These two tall apartment buildings have been around for years in the Nexus, and have recently undergone some major renovations, along with much of the neighborhood around them. New gardens on the rooftops and parks around the buildings. It seems like someone has sunk a decent amount of money into this neighborhood to make it a lot nicer.

The aprtments themselves are open and welcoming, but there are security camera's discretly placed around to keep an eye on things. The hallways are well light and have clean carpets and walls. The apartment Vel is staying at is up on the 4th floor.

[Reinholdt]

[Heaven's Gate Apartments]

Huh. Nice place. Nicer place than Rein usually stays.
He wonders why that is.
Ah well. Enjoy it while he's here. He wishes he dressed a little less... adventure-like though and a little more formal.

After he's done admiring, he makes his way to the indicated fourth floor room and knocks on the door. Knock knock!

[Deathkeeper]

Woods

Arty does not have any magic senses, just one thingy in his medkit to check for the weirder kind of infections. But Arty will stick close to Calvin, even offering a hand once and a while when he looks particularly unsteady.
"No, the only one that got near me I kicked in the face. It doesn't feel like it nicked me before that, although I can't quite see back there."

[McBish]

[Heaven's Gate Apartments]

Well the people that are living here don't seem to be dressed very fancy. Most of them seem to be common laborers, a lot of them bear a striking resemblance to farmers.

The door swings open shortly after he knocks to revel Vel. She isn't dressed very fancy. It looks like she was going for comfortable. Black tights cling to her legs, and an oversized paint/clay stained holey sweatshirt on top. Her hair pulled back into a ponytail. She smiles holds the door open inviting him in. "Hello, I'm glad you were able to stop by."

-----------------------------

Woods

Calvin cleans the blood of his arm and the wounds look to be mostly superficial. Arty will probably also notice what looks like several needle marks on his arms where the thing had been grabbing at him with the tentcles it had. Calvin could use a steadying hand every now and then, it seems like he is a bit out of it after the fight. "Here let me take a look." He offers the young Centuar as he double checks him to make sure he isn't seriously hurt.

[Reinholdt]

[Heaven's Gate Apartments]

Odd. Why would farmers be here?
Maybe they're retired farmers or this was the best vacation they could afford in today's economy.

"Of course." Reinholdt returns the smile as he steps inside. "How have you been? Enjoying the place so far?"

[McBish]

[Heaven's Gate Apartments]

"I have been good. I'll admit I haven't explored the city too much yet. Jay has been busy and I have enjoyed my time lounging around. I've started up a few projects but nothing that really is demanding of my attention."

The inside of Vel's apartment is a bit of a mess. The front door leads through a small modern kitchen with a couple of dirty plates and glasses in the sink. A few beer bottles and a half finished bottle of vodka sit on the counter. The living room looks like it has been transformed to an art studio, complete with paint and clay stained drop clothes. Vel has one of the windows open in her aparment with a canvas set up with a half finished city scape painted on it. In another corner a large lump of clay looks like it is slowly being turned into a statue a few feet high. If Reinholdt peaks through the cracked door to her room he will see piles of clothes tossed around in there.

[Reinholdt]

[Heaven's Gate Apartments]

"I see you, uh, take the artist motif seriously." Yeesh, messy. D=

He's no Butler, but he's still a cat. Clean is the way to go.

"What have you been working on?"

[Deathkeeper]

Woods

A quick inspection should reveal that Arty took a pair of shallow scratches on one of his hind legs, but they're too small and shallow to bleed much and shouldn't even leave scars. His other leg and hindquarters are untouched.
"You always woozy after using that thing? Because you don't look like you've lost much blood and if not I should probably be checking for something."

[McBish]

[Heaven's Gate Apartments]

"It's not a motif, it's a lifestyle." She explains moving some sketches and paintings off the sofa in the living room and tossing them into a corner of the room. "Oh this and that. I want to do a large sculture, and am thinking something with wings. But I'm not quite clear on what it is going to end up being. Please have a seat, would you like anything to drink?" She says motioning to the large lump of clay that will one day be a something, but for now is mostly just a lump.

-----------------------------

Woods

"No this isn't normal. I feel... drained." He takes a few deep breathes and looks to be on the verge of fainting. "Those things must have done something to me." He sounds more angry then scared.

[Deathkeeper]

Woods

Arty puts his hands on Calvin's shoulders to steady him.
"Those things are still out there. Say the word and I can get our stuff and carry you the hell out of these woods. Alright? "

[Reinholdt]

[Heaven's Gate Apartments]

"Certainly, thank you. Umm... do you have coffee?" Not everyone does.

Reinholdt takes a seat, trying not to get any errant wet paint on him.

[McBish]

[Heaven's Gate Apartments]

"As long as you don't mind waiting a few minutes for it to brew." She says moving into the kitchen to get a pot of coffee ready and brewing. Reinholdt will probably notice that she seems to have a lot of energy. She rarely stops moving around. "So I was hoping to be able to get a portrait of you. If you don't mind?" She says sticking her head out of the kitchen.

-----------------------------

Woods

"I'm fine, we scared off those things, I doubt they will be back." Says a clearly not entirely fine young man. He does have a point though, the two that fled were pretty wounded, and there is the dead one still laying in the grass where Calvin killed it. "Though maybe it would be smart to move camp. Something else might come sniffing around."

[Reinholdt]

[Heaven's Gate Apartments]

"I don't mind." Reinholdt says, looking around the place some more and taking it in.

"And yes, that was the goal wasn't it? Were you serious about taking it on a pile of treasure though?"

[McBish]

[Heaven's Gate Apartments]

Besides the scattered art equipment around the apartment is pretty empty. There don't seem to be too many personal effects laying around, which makes sense since she is visiting friends, not moving here. The apartment itself is fairly nice and spacious. It has all the modern conviences of heating and cooling, and looks like the carpet and paint are all pretty new.

Vel grins remembering that. "Well once I get a rough sketch I can postion you and put whatever background I want there. So while I don't have a pile of treasure laying around I could put you on one. What do you think, would you look good atop a pile of treasure?"

[Reinholdt]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

"I don't really know. I mean I have the treasure with me if you had the room, so I thought I'd ask." Rein shrugs. "But I don't want to impede on artistic creativity if you can create any background you want."

[McBish]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

Vel raises an eyebrow when Reinholdt claims to have a pile of treasure on him. She looks a bit skeptical but doesn't call him out on it. "Well we could shove the couch over a bit, make some room there. If you have the treasure I would love to see you atop it. I usually work better if I am painiting something I have really seen."

[Reinholdt]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

"All right I guess." Reinholdt says, standing and looking the couch over to make sure nothing gets in the way before they move it. Or he moves it if it can be shoved easily enough far enough.

[McBish]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

Vel helps him shove the couch. It isn't too hard to move and she shoves anything in the way with her foot. Then she digs through one of the piles of paper digging out a sketchbook and some pens and pencils. "Alright so let's see your pile of treasure."

[Reinholdt]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

"Right." Reinholdt starts pulling bags of treasure out of his hammerspace and dumping it on the floor. Gold, silver, gems, jewelry, platinum, baubles, rings, beads, pearls and whatever else randomly belongs on a treasure pile. Mostly sticking to coin though.

"Ugh. It's going to take forever to get that back in there and sorted properly." Reinholdt says, half-way through, realizing an error in this plan.

[McBish]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

Vel is impressed, actually overwhelmed is probably a more accurate description. She watches him pull out more and more treasure, occasionally picking up a piece to check to make sure it is real.

"I would be more then happy to help you sort it out when we are all done." Yeah sure Vel, Reinholdt has seen your messes it seems unlikely that she will be very helpful with any sort of cleaning. "Or you could just leave it here." She says grinning.

[Reinholdt]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

"Yeah... that's not happening." Reinholdt sticks out his tongue at Val. "I'll let you keep a piece if you want." Rein says, holding up a pearl necklace. Just an option.

The treasure's all real.

[McBish]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

"What you mean you aren't going to pay me for my art in piles and piles of money?" Vel puts on a pouty face which quickly disolves into giggles. When he holds up the pearl necklace she grins and nods. "That would be lovely, thank you. Here put it on me." She says turning and backing up into him so he can place the necklace on her neck.

[Reinholdt]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

Reinholdt hesitates for a moment before stepping up behind her. "All right." He'll unclasp the necklace, move to bring it over her head and reclasp it behind her neck. "And... there we go."

[McBish]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

Vel steps away running her hands over the necklace. "Oh my. You are precious, thank you so much." She looks at the pile of treasure that has accumulated on her floor. After a few seconds of a blank look on her face she goes and climbs on top of it adjusting and shoveling the treasure into the rough chair shape. "All right, take a seat up here."

[Reinholdt]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

"You're welcome." Reinholdt says with a small smile before watching her move the treasure around.

"Are you sure YOU don't want to be the one sitting there with your portrait drawn?" He kids. But takes a seat where she indicates all the same.

[McBish]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

"Oh I don't think so, it seems fairly uncomfortable. I think I will stick for pillows and blankets for my bed." She moves a stool in front of the treasure for her to sit on. She also adjusts the curtains to let in more light. With a few minor adjustments to the treasure to catch the light just right.

She gathers a pad of paper and a few pens and pencils that were scattered around the room. Then she fetches a mug of coffee bringing it back and handing it off to Reinholdt. "Don't worry about holding still, I just need to see you in the space for awhile."

[Reinholdt]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

"Well I wish I could say I was unused to discomfort..."
Still isn't fun. He thanks her for the coffee.

"So no specific pose I should be in?" He considers asking about the clothes too. Probably should have thought of that before coming over. Might take the jacket off at least to have something to sit on, but that'd probably ruin the point anyways.

[McBish]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

Vel thinks about it for a few seconds. "Sit like you are enjoying a good conversation with a friend." A grin spreads on her face. "Just try to imagine you are in a giant wing-back chair." She takes a seat on the stool putting pencil to paper and starting to sketch. She holds the pad so that Reinholdt can't see what she is doing. "Do you always carry around this much treasure? Or did you bring it to impress me?"

[Reinholdt]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

"... A good conversation. Ok." Reinholdt's at least had enough time in the Nexus to get used to conversation. He sits up and a little forward as best he can. "A what back chair?"

"My personal pocket dimension holds all my treasure. I always have it available to me." Reinholdt explains.

[McBish]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

"You know a wing-back. With the high tops that stick out." She holds up her hands over her head, making a gesture almost like a referee making a field goal sign rocking back and forth in the wind. If they were playing pictuanary I wouldn't guess wing-back chair (http://www.livingroomhome.com/upholstered-chairs/wing-back-chair).

"That is a handy trick. Must make packing for vacations a breeze." She says picking her pad back up and continuing to sketch. Taking long pauses to sit and stare at various parts of Reinholdt and the treasure pile. Honestly it is a bit intense and probably makes pretending to have a good conversation hard.

[Reinholdt]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

"Oh. Didn't know they were called that."

Reinholdt gives a... tense smile at her stares. Probably just an artist thing. The best ones need to concentrate after all, right? "It's proven to be the most invaluable magic at my disposal, yes. Particularly in the treasure hunting field."

[Deathkeeper]

Woods

"I'm fine, we scared off those things, I doubt they will be back." Says a clearly not entirely fine young man. He does have a point though, the two that fled were pretty wounded, and there is the dead one still laying in the grass where Calvin killed it. "Though maybe it would be smart to move camp. Something else might come sniffing around."

"Right." says Arty, grabbing his bags, which are draped over his back where his torsos meet so he can reach their contents easier. He'll grab Calvin's bag too as he walks over to him.
"You are in no condition to be walking, so you're either leaning on me or riding. Take your pick."

[McBish]

Woods

"I can walk. There is a road off to the east of here, a river up to the north. I'd say we head up to the river, but there is a better chance we run into the animals there then the road." Calvin would normally try to avoid the road and any people on it. Still it seems with circumstances like these it would be better to be away from wild animals.

Calvin will lean up against Arty for support whichever way they go. He would try not but he is feeling quite weak, stumbling over his own feet before they get to far.

===============

Heaven's Gate Apartments

"I can see why you are the treasure hunter extraordinaire. I have never seen a pile of gold this big." She doubts this is all his gold either. Who would dump all of their earning on a near strangers floor.

"What is your favorite piece of treasure you have ever found?" She asks curiously flipping to a second page to continue to sketch.

[Reinholdt]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

Someone who has a lot more stashed away. "Why thank you." :smallsmile:

"My favorite piece of treasure would probably be the Brightheart. But that thing got passed around so many times it was a candidate for a Zelda fetch quest series."

[McBish]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

"Brightheart? Sounds like either a sword or a gem, am I right?" As she keeps drawing she starts to stare less and less. She spends more time looking down at her pad of paper drawing, only glancing up occasionally.

[Reinholdt]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

That's a relief.
"Mmm... more like a magical orb energy source. Flooded with positive energy. Kinda lost track of what happened to it though." Gone forever Rein's pretty sure.

[Deathkeeper]

Woods

Arty shakes his head. "If they'd attack a campsite a road won't be a deterrent. We'll go by the river.
And he starts to go, until Calvin makes it evident he's become able to trip over his own feet. Arty puts on a stern face, which he actually pulls off despite his normal, slightly timid demeanor.
"Calvin, face it, this isn't working. You can barely walk, and this won't end well if things pop out again I have to stop to grab you. Get on my back. Me offering was kind of a big deal, and now I'm telling you for the sake of keeping both of us alive."

[McBish]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

"That's too bad, too loose you favorite treasure." She says with a shake of her head. "Good thing you have so much other treasure to keep you distracted."

She continues to sketch grabbing some nearby colored pencils to add some color. She seems pretty well practiced at following a conversation while appearing to only focus on her drawing.

----------------------

Woods

Calvin nods meekly. A geasture that would surprise most people who know Calvin. "Yeah. Thanks." Calvin climbs on top of Arty's back. Without Calvin slowing them down they should make it to the river in only a few minutes. Of course in the dark woods it takes a bit longer to get through the brush since there isn't a trail for them to follow. Several moss covered trees have fallen over the years creating large lumps in the ground, where the soil and plants have covered them. There are no signs of the creatures following them, as they approach the river the normal sounds that fill a woods at night surrond them.

[Reinholdt]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

Well Reinholdt suspects she's done portraits several times in the past.

"Well it's more one of my favorite Nexus adventures than it was the most useful treasure. Still rather nice to have though." Rein shrugs a little. He's lost a fair bit of treasure in the past, using it up.

[McBish]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

"What was the adventure like? The one that you got the orb in." She asks as she flips to a third piece of paper continuing sketching.

[Deathkeeper]

Woods

Calvin will likely have to wrap his arms around Arty's waist since it's unlikely that he can grip with his legs properly. Arty's discomfort at this would be obvious if he could see the centaur's face.
"You ok back there?" he asks as he checks his surroundings, including how deep the river looks.

[Reinholdt]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

Why does she keep flipping papers? Rein finds that weird.
"Ah well. There was a book that wrote to a small group of us telling us about the Darkheart and Brightheart located at this paladin fortress. We used a traveling time machine phone booth to go there. Anyways, I largely played distraction, hissing and clawing and causing a ruckus down below while the others grabbed the two orbs. We had to jump onto the flying phone booth at the last second and use lasers to shoot the fortress into small pieces in order to survive and get away. But then the book backstabbed us and tried to take both orbs when it said it would leave one as payment. So I went back in time and replaced both of the orbs with bowling balls and tricked our employer. It was great cause it was one of the few times I didn't even have to split the loot." It was ALLLL Rein's. Mwahaha!

"It's a more exciting story if you were there, I'll admit." And it's been years, so the story's probably about as inaccurate as you'd expect.

[McBish]

Woods

Calvin will indeed wrap his arms around Arty to avoid falling off. "Yeah I'm alright just tired." And if Arty could see Calvin's face he might disagree with the teen about him being OK. Deathly pale he can barely keep his eyes open he looks like he is about 5 days into a week long flu.

The river doesn't look too deep. There are a few spots where you wouldn't be able to see the bottom, and it wouldn't be surprising to find some deep holes in it. But with a little searching Arty could easily find a spot that would be easy to cross.

====================

Heaven's Gate Apartments

She giggles a bit when he explains switching the orbs with bowling balls. She obviously finds the whole story somewhat humerous grinning throughout. "A book betrayed you huh? Should have skipped to the end to have seen how it was going to turn out."

[Reinholdt]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

"Oh har har." Reinholdt says, grinning all the same.

"It was some sort of entity that could only communicate via writing. Don't know why."

[Deathkeeper]

Woods

Even with the extra weight Arty could probably swim if he had to, he just really doesn't want to. If he can get across without soaking Calvin and his gear he will. He'll also start searching for a clearing, cave, or otherwise serviceable site because he can already feel Calvin's grip loosening as he seems to be starting to pass out.

[McBish]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

"Maybe it just found it eaiser to dupe you in writing. Good thing you had that time machine huh?" It is pretty clear that she is impressed by the casual mentioning of a time machine. She has traveled farely widely she always thought, but never through time. Except the normal way forward at a rate of one second per one second. Time travel to her sounds exciting and dangerous.

=======================

Woods

If Arty heads up river for a bit he will find a spot where there is a series of falls in the river. The banks around the river were getting steeper and steeper, here they are almost flat walls with only a few feet to walk next the river on either side. It shows signs of having much higher water at different times in the year. There looks like there is a section that curves in on itself providing some cavelike cover. It would protect them from the rain and give them a solid wall at their backs.

[Deathkeeper]

Woods

That's good enough. Arty will go over and drop the packs in the curve and kneel down so Calvin can get off.
"It's a little hard, but the water should throw off those things if they're tracking us and it'll be easier for me to keep watch."

[Reinholdt]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

It is! Dangerous and exciting.

"Yeah. Wasn't mine, but it was fun to drive for a while. Only ever found one other time thing like that."

[McBish]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

"Seems like you have had plenty of adventures. Sounds exciting." She looks up at him like she is considering something before she speaks up again. "Would you be OK with taking off your shirt?" She askes managing not to blush in the slightest when she asks.

=======================

Woods

"I don't mind the stone, I'm used to it." Calvin says sliding off Arty's back. "You are going to need to get some sleep some time. Maybe after I get some sleep, wake me up and I will take over watch."

[Reinholdt]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

"Sometimes less exciting and more terrifying."

She can control herself better than him. He blushes a mild bit. "... Sure, I guess. Which one?" Reinholdt has a few. But he starts pulling off his outer jacket all the same.

[McBish]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

"As adventures often are in real life." Vel says sounding like she has had an adventure once or twice in her life. "Do you have one on with short sleeves? Maybe something that shows off your figure a bit." She says stopping drawing and looking him in the eyes smiling coyly.

[Deathkeeper]

Woods

Arty nods. "Sure." is all he says as he finds a good spot to sit down.

[Reinholdt]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

"Not many and I don't think they're sized well." Reinholdt says. "Not good against zombies."

Still, Reinholdt pulls out one of the shirts he was referring to from hammerspace and continues stripping off the rest of the clothes from his upper body. "Just... just tell me where you want me to stop." His face getting redder.

[McBish]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

She stops him before he is naked from the waist up. Barely, almost forgetting to stop him. "There you go that is perfect. So you often dress for zombie attacks?" She asks curiously going back to sketching.

------------------------

Woods

Calvin is out of it pretty quickly, sleeping quietly without tossing and turning. He sleeps soundly to, not moving or noticing any sound around him. So it is probably a good thing that no monsters show up while he is sleeping. It seems pretty peaceful by the river, though the sound of the falls could concel someone sneaking up on them possibly. But Arty shouldn't see anything.

[Reinholdt]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

Oh. Reinholdt was going to take off that last shirt briefly and put on the smaller, tighter short-sleeve one. He looks confused briefly, but neatly tucks away his removed clothes in hammerspace.

"Pretty much every day. You never know when they're going to come and just one bite will do you in. Why take that chance?"

"... I'll admit it gets rather hot." Reinholdt says, suddenly realizing just how cool it felt and how nice that was.

[McBish]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

Vel must have liked the way that last shirt looked. Or she forgot that he was going to take it off to put on the other one. "See and that is why I dress for comfort. Well that and I try not to stick out like a sore thumb. Not that I have to worry about that in this city."

[Reinholdt]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

"Yeah, you have people like me doing that for you, huh?" :smalltongue:

Reinholdt sometimes forgets about his pink eyes and flaming hawtness making him stand out. Probably because in the Nexus it doesn't really count for much. Purely because of text based medium, of course.

[McBish]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

At least he isn't an visual artist that exists solely in a text based world. :smallsmile:

"You do stand out. I think you would have to wear a mask not to draw someones eyes. A mask and some bulky winter gear to cover up your body. Which would be a shame." She says meaning the entire thing as a compliment. He should definitly get the feeling that she admires and appreciates his flaming Hawt looks.

[Reinholdt]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

Ohhh... ouch, yeah. Point taken.

"Well... it's no big deal. I sorta grew up around it, you know? I'm used to it at any rate." He doesn't quite say thank you since it wasn't particularly direct, but he does nod in understanding at least.

[McBish]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

"Oh I'm sure you are used to it. I bet you have to beat the women off with a stick. I hope that when I finish your portrait should be something special. After we are done here today it should take me a few days to get it onto canvas." She explains. Apparently her sketches she is making here won't be the final product. Probably why she is flipping through so many pages.

[Reinholdt]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

Ah. That explains it.
Or Val just wants an excuse for Reinholdt to return.

"No... no not really. I think people here are incredibly monogamous and the first person they hook up with, they're stuck with for life. Beyond that, they're either lesbians or just don't care about looks." Reinholdt shrugs. "Or they just don't like me. That's something frequently unavoidable." What with being mostly responsible for the Apocalypse Era the Nexus went through.

I'm not quite sure what Era the Nexus is in now, but it isn't the Apocalypse Era. It's something else.

[Deathkeeper]

Woods

Calvin is out of it pretty quickly, sleeping quietly without tossing and turning. He sleeps soundly to, not moving or noticing any sound around him. So it is probably a good thing that no monsters show up while he is sleeping. It seems pretty peaceful by the river, though the sound of the falls could concel someone sneaking up on them possibly. But Arty shouldn't see anything.

Woods

Arty never was good at all-nighters. He doesn't dare wake Calvin up until he starts to look better, which is unlikely to happen tonight. Eventually Arty has to pull out a book to keep himself up, but even then he'll start to nod off unless something happens.

[McBish]

Woods

Nope nothing to help keep Arty up for the rest of the night. Calvin is going to be out for the night and then some. When Arty does wake up in the morning he might be a bit alarmed to see a stranger leaning over Calvin. Standing just under 3 feet tall he looks like an old man with large chicken legs. He has a large feathered cloak that doesn't help him not look like a chicken. A large ragged top hat sits atop his wild gray hair that grows down into a wild gray beard. He is holding a long stick that ends in a spiral like a corkscrew. Gently poking and prodding Calvin with it as he quietly circles around him.

==================

Heaven's Gate Apartments

"Oh I can't imagine anyone not liking you. Maybe they are just intimidated by your dashing good looks." She says clearly not knowing anything about Reinholdt's past. "I could see how that could happen to you."

[Reinholdt]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

"Ah, well, uh, thank you." Reinholdt seriously doubts that's got anything to do with it, but doesn't want to dwell on the topic any further than he has to.

"So what about you? You must have a fair number of suitors at your beck and call."

[Deathkeeper]

Woods

"Hey! Hands off!" hisses Arty as he stands up in alarm. His weapon is not pointed at the man yet, so it's clearly more of a warning than a threat.

[McBish]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

"Oh well, I do like to have someone to keep me company. Though I am new to this city. I don't know many people here yet. Basically just you Jay and her friends. I have sort of been a recluse since I got here. It's been awhile since I've had a lot of time to just work on projects. It's been fun, but a bit lonely."

=================

Woods

The old chicken man jumps back waving his stick at Arty like it is a sword. "Ah ha, you are awake. I knew you would wake up soon." He declares as though it is impressive to predict a sleeping person would wake up is impressive.

"Your friend, he is drained."

[Deathkeeper]

Woods

"Well, duh, I can see that. And it's not going to get any better if you don't let him sleep you jerk." huffs Arty.

[Reinholdt]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

"Well you'll make friends fast I'm sure. You seem delightful enough." Reinholdt gives her a smile.

"How'd you and Jay come to know each other again? She seemed... extra interested in your works last I saw."

[McBish]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

"Oh we meet ages ago. She was helping out a mutual friend with some trouble. We have kept in touch over the years. I travel around a lot and have a gift for remembering faces. I've always been impressed by her work so she sometimes asks me to keep an eye out for someone for her. If I spot them I can make a quick sketch for her." She says with a little shrug. "I do hope you are right about finding more friends. I'm not sure how long I will be staying this visit, but I hope to come back in the future."

==================

Woods

"Oh no, if he gets better they will come back. They got a taste of his foul magic and will be back for more." The man dances away a little farther. He is standing in the river now his cloak getting wet. He leans forward squinting at Arty. "What about you. What kind of magic do you have inside you?" He flicks his stick through the river splashing it at Arty.

[Deathkeeper]

Woods

Arty doesn't care abut getting slightly wet.
"Far as I can tell it's all dedicated from keeping my anatomy from realizing it's completely nonsensical and imploding. That's how most magic creatures work."
So yes, centaurs are aware that they're so incredibly inefficient that there's almost no reason besides magic for their existence. Doesn't stop them from being awesome. And of course Arty doesn't mention the ninja powers he isn't aware of.

[McBish]

Woods

"Yeah sure." He ducks forward towards Arty trying to examine him closer. Sniffing and waving his curly stick at the Centaur. "You were attacked by the sniffers. Did they get a taste of you?" The old man seems fairly nimble as he looks around for any wounds Arty has. Calvin is still asleep, not as pale as he was but still not looking healthy.

[Reinholdt]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

"Ah. Got anything waiting for you back home?" Reinholdt shifts in his 'chair' a bit. Starting to get more uncomfortable now.

[McBish]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

"Maybe a few friends who would be happy to see me come back. But nobody that would be waiting for me know." Vel has been busy sketching throughout, now onto 6 pages or so. She is probably just about done.

[Reinholdt]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

"No fancy palace off all your massive artistic earnings?" :smalltongue:

Poor artists. Literally.

[McBish]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

Vel has a nice sound laugh, which she uses now. "No, not my style. I like to move around way too much to stick all my money in a place to live." Vel actually does pretty well for herself and wouldn't be considered poor. She finishes the sketch she was working on and looks up from the paper. "There I am all done, you can get up now."

[Reinholdt]

"Traveling is a great thing." Reinholdt admits, standing with a catlike stretch. Also some rubbing of his seat. It hurt being placed on misshapen objects.

"Am I going to have to wait for the finished product to see?" He asks.

[Deathkeeper]

Woods

"Yeah sure." He ducks forward towards Arty trying to examine him closer. Sniffing and waving his curly stick at the Centaur. "You were attacked by the sniffers. Did they get a taste of you?" The old man seems fairly nimble as he looks around for any wounds Arty has. Calvin is still asleep, not as pale as he was but still not looking healthy.

Woods

"Depends on how they taste. They might have gotten a few drops of blood, but it wasn't from their mouths."

[McBish]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

She stands up from her stool as well. "Yes I'm afraid. I think you will like it more if you see it when it is complete. You can have a seat on the couch if you want, and I will get you some more coffee if you want." She flips the pad of paper closed so he can't sneak a peak at what she drew.

==============

[Woods]

The man nods and hums a bit. "Yes yes, you should be fine. If you leave your friend behind." He says watching Arty cloesly to see how he reacts.

[Reinholdt]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

"But... fiiiine." Reinholdt gives her his most adorable pout.

"Should I go ahead and start cleaning up?" He asks, sitting on the couch again.

[Deathkeeper]

Woods

Arty shrugs. "Sorry, took an oath. Mostly involving being a stubborn bastard as long as my patient's still breathing. And he is, so hell or high water I'm getting him out of here. Plus I'm not a jerk."
He says that rather cheerily.

[McBish]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

Vel goes into the kitchen coming back with a fresh cup of coffee for Reinholdt. She hands it to him while sitting down next to him on the couch. Sitting closer then most people probably would. "Well we could leave it out for a bit longer. I mean I could help you put it back but I like seeing it out."

==================

Woods

The old man nods in approval. "Yes good then. There are more of those things in these woods. They drifted in and are a terror. They will be on your trail now that they have his scent." He points over at Calvin. "They feed on magic, apparently they find his magic tasty."

[Reinholdt]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

Reinholdt notices, considers saying something, but actively decides against it. Maybe he wants her to sit close. It'd been too long since he'd been close to someone.

"Eh, there's no rush. We can leave it out for the time being. How often do you get the chance to stare at piles of treasure anyways?" It does sort of excite Rein and remind him why he's in the business. He needs to find another dragon hoard to pilfer or something.

[Deathkeeper]

Woods

The old man nods in approval. "Yes good then. There are more of those things in these woods. They drifted in and are a terror. They will be on your trail now that they have his scent." He points over at Calvin. "They feed on magic, apparently they find his magic tasty."

Woods

"Alright. What's the best way to evade them? If I can get back to a populated area they shouldn't be able to follow us." Arty asks.

[McBish]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

"Well apparently you can whenever you want to take the time to pull it out. I think this is going to be a fairly rare event for me." Vel tucks her legs up underneath herself. She has a cup of coffee she brought out for herself when she got Reinholdt's. She sips it eyes going between the pile of treasure and Reinholdt.

=================

Woods

"To evade them you will want another magic to mask his. One of nature and growth, not the dark stuff in him. A cloak made of the leaves of a Aseke tree might cover it up." He says leaning over Calvin sniffing at him. He reaches down picking up one of Calvin's arms looking at his palm.

[Reinholdt]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

"The next time I hear about a good treasure pile, I can take you along on the hunt if you want. Then you can have your own pile to admire whenever you want."

Clean-up period and easy to steal are the reasons Rein doesn't keep treasure piles lying around. He drinks his coffee as only a coffee-holic can.

[Deathkeeper]

Woods

Arty's definitely never heard of those before. "Okay, and where and what are those, exactly?"

[McBish]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

Vel looks excited by that idea sitting up a bit. "Oh my that does sound exciting. I have always thought I could use my own treasure pile. Seeing yours just cements that thought in my mind." There aren't many reasons to have a giant pile of treasure just laying around. Unless you are dragonlike and can sleep on the hard awkward surfaces.

=============

Woods

"Why should I tell you? You seem like trouble to me. Bringing trouble into my woods aren't you." He accuses the centaur.

[Reinholdt]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

"Well ok. Can't say when that'll be, admittedly. Do have any... skills that'd help with treasure hunting?" Like pickpocketing or stabbing things with sharp objects.

[McBish]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

Vel bites her lip thinking. "Well I am a decent throw with a knife, and can fire a gun. I'm not the best to say the least but I can handle myself. I have a taser around here somewhere. I'm a good climber, I've free climbed mountains in the past." A hobby that got started looking for good viewpoints to paint from.

[Reinholdt]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

"Climbing's definitely a plus. Being able to defend yourself is most important I'll admit." Reinholdt will have to investigate some mountain based treasure hunts.

[McBish]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

"Well I try to avoid fighting when I can. I'm not sure how much help I would be in a real fight. You would watch out for me though right?" Vel reaches out to rest a hand on his knee or arm depending on which one is more conveniently located.

[Reinholdt]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

Sitting to the right of him, his knee. The left of him, his arm.

Reinholdt nods. "Of course. Avoiding the fight's the best step, but I do everything I can to protect anyone in my charge." He glances at the touch, feeling a tad warm now. Guess he got used to the temperature, cause he's still just wearing that one small shirt. He and I totally forgot to get all dressed up again for the zombies.

[McBish]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

Well there don't need to be any zombies around at the moment. Though from the looks she is starting to give him he might want to get dressed to protect himself from her. She lets her hand linger on his arm for a few more seconds before reluctantly pulling it away. "I'm glad to hear that. I'm sure I would feel safe with you. Your obviously a wonderful treasure hunter."

[Reinholdt]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

He might.
If he weren't so incredibly tired of protecting himself and playing safe. It's only ever brought him harm anyways.

He's quite for a moment, before doing that ridiculous stretch that allows him to put one arm behind Vel's shoulders. "Nah, I'm the luckiest treasure hunter. If you can stay alive through your first five to ten hunts, then you learn enough to get through the rest of them." Most get whacked off before they even get a chance to level! "You're a wonderful painter."

[McBish]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

Oh Vel likes that, she takes it as an invitation to snuggle up to him on the couch. "Thank you. I am really looking forward to working on your portrait. You have a lovely... well a lovely everything." A small blush forms on her face and she looks down from his eyes down to his chest. "I think it will be stunning when it is done."

[Reinholdt]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

It is an invitation. Snuggling is quite nice. He pulls her close as she settles in.
"I'm sure you'll make it come out great. But if you keep flattering me, and my head doesn't explode, I'll almost start to think you want something from me." He grins jokingly, even though his face is pretty red.

[McBish]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

"You have already given me plenty." A subject to paint, a pretty new necklace, a temporary pile of treasure on her floor, and now snuggles. If this was a first date Rein would be killing it. "I don't think I could ask for more."

[Reinholdt]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

"Fair enough. I'll admit, there's something... nice about this I wouldn't want to change." Quaint perhaps? Sweet? Something along those lines.

[Deathkeeper]

Woods

"Why should I tell you? You seem like trouble to me. Bringing trouble into my woods aren't you." He accuses the centaur.

Woods

"Sir, if you couldn't tell, I'm a centaur. It's considered weird for a person to wear clothes at all unless there's a practical purpose for it. Naturalism is practically in-bred, and the riskiest thing I ever did in the face of those principles was to move to the city so I could go to college. I'm really not the kind of guy to be threatening the environment." Arty says, exasperated.

[McBish]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

Vel hums happily at that thought. "Good to hear. I haven't been lonely here exactly. But I have missed... well stuff like this." She says wiggling into him a bit more to make her point.

=============

Woods

The man considers this and nods. "OK fair enough. Aseke trees grow on the top of Heckler's Hill. It is several miles from here. The daylight may hold off the beasts, if you have the cloak by nightfall you might be able to slip away from them."

[Deathkeeper]

Woods

Arty is glad that the guy didn't question someone of his age being in college. Or the fact that he's wearing a shirt.
"If I leave now, will he be safe? And who are you, anyway?"

[McBish]

Woods

"It seems unlikely. If he was alone here the creatures would most likely sense him as easy prey. I suppose you could ask the river spirts to watch over him. They haven't been very active lately but they used to live in this place and care for it." He says looking back over at the nearby waterfalls. He stares at it for a bit as he considers Arty's second question. "I am no one, just an old man."

[Deathkeeper]

Woods

Arty considers this. He would really prefer not to strap Calvin in and carry him in his condition, for a number of reasons.
"Forgive me, I thought perhaps you might have some connection to these woods. I've never seen your race before. How would I talk to these spirits?"

[McBish]

Woods

"I am connected to these woods. I've lived here as long as anyone else. I'm just no one important is all. As for the river spirts I'm not sure. You could yell at the river then push his body in and hope they listened. I would probably throw a gift in or something first though. They haven't talked to anyone for a few years." The man jumps onto some rocks in the river peering down into it as though searching for these eleusive spirts

[Reinholdt]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

"So have I." Reinholdt admits very quietly, gently rubbing Vel's back.

[McBish]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

"Oh that feels good." Vel says encouragingly. Reinholdt might be able to feel the tightness in Vel's shoulder and back. Small moans escape her lips when he touches on a knot or tender spot. Any thoughts in her head escape as she enjoys the backrub.

[Reinholdt]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

It was supposed to be a gentle light rub! But Vel seems to have gone without a good backrub for too long. Know how that feels.
"Can't say I'm great at back massages." Lack of trying.

All the same, Reinholdt will take up doing just that. A proper back/shoulder rub to get the tension out.

[McBish]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

He was just going to tease her with a light backrub and then leave her unsatisfied? :smallbiggrin: After a few minutes of getting her back rubed she turns her face to him. "I can do you for awhile if you want." She says offering him a backrub in that vague innuendo filled statment.

[Reinholdt]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

See? He's inexperienced in these matters. :smalltongue: Complete backrubs are the only way to go.

"S-sure. I don't remember ever getting one actually." Not as a human anyways. Lots backrubs as a cat, what with being the most popular petting area.

Reinholdt smiles a bit at her before turning around.

[McBish]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

"What? That is terrible. If you want a really good one lay down on your stomach. And if you take off your shirt it will feel even better?" She obviously finds it a shame that he hasn't had a proper back rub and is willing to fix this right now. She may not be a profesional masseuse but she is OK at back rubs.

[Reinholdt]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

"... Ok, I suppose." Reinholdt says, a bit awkwardly as he takes off his shirt, back towards her. Not that it makes it any less sexy, but it's the moderate attempt at modesty that counts. I'm sure she can position herself to see his front after the backrub.

Either way, he lies down, stomach first as instructed, head looking to one side.

((Deadtime for the day))

[McBish]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

"Trust me, I'm a enthusiastic amateur." She grins at him and then strandles his back resting most of her weight on her knees as to not squish Reinholdt. She will give him a nice long massage, rubbing his back neck and shoulders. She has always enjoyed giving people back rubs. She finds the experiance similar to shaping clay with her hands in a lot of ways, an activity she always has fun taking part in.

[Deathkeeper]

Woods

"I am connected to these woods. I've lived here as long as anyone else. I'm just no one important is all. As for the river spirts I'm not sure. You could yell at the river then push his body in and hope they listened. I would probably throw a gift in or something first though. They haven't talked to anyone for a few years." The man jumps onto some rocks in the river peering down into it as though searching for these eleusive spirts

Woods

Arty takes a moment to think about this one. All he has with him is some survival gear and a book or two. Nothing an immortal elemental spirit might want. He goes over to the river himself, pawing at the water with a forehoof.
"Pardon me fellows, but I'd like to inquire if you might do a young centaur a favor." he says, saying it straight but thinking it sarcastically. What? Try #1 should always be to ask nicely.

[Reinholdt]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

"Sure, I-ohhhhhh..."

Heaven's Gate is an apt description here. He's every bit as tense and in need of a good massage as one would expect. Which is to say, quite a lot. I guess wrapping yourself up in clothes and living in fear, guilt, and shame day in and out wears on your stress levels. I can't really describe what he's feeling right now, but it's very clear he's enjoying every moment of it.

[McBish]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

Vel will take her time giving him a nice long back rub hoping to get rid of a bunch of the stress. Her hands are firm and move up and down his back looking for knots to work out. He probably can't see her grin as she works, but she obviously is enjoying making shirtless Reinholdt feel good. When she finishes up she stands up off Reinholdt, "There you go, how was that?"

========================

Woods

The river doesn't respond to his polite question. The old man with chicken legs giggles a bit turning around to hide it. "Maybe they didn't hear you. You should try sticking your head underwater." Arty may start to feel as if this old man is playing some sort of joke on him.

[Reinholdt]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

Reinholdt's practically purring when she's done. She probably doesn't even need to ask.
"Incredible." Reinholdt whispers, with a bit of awe and a distinct lack of desire to move. "Are you sure you're not a professional?"

[Deathkeeper]

Woods

"Nope, I don't bend that way. I'd have to roll over to my side to submerge unless I found a really deep part. Welp, I'm out of ideas, so unless you have any I'm just going to strap my friend onto my back."
And he'll go over to dig through his bags for some rope.

[McBish]

Woods

The old man shakes his head. "Seems to be your best plan. I would move quickly if I were you." The old man dances across the river to the other side, jumping from rock to rock. The Aseke tree has large leaves the size of your head. They have long stems they hang from, you should be able to tie them together."

================

Heaven's Gate Apartments

Vel beams at his reaction. "If I had proper training you would be putty in my hands." She saunters into the kitchen to get another cup of coffee. She grabs Reinholdt's mug to refill it as well. He will probably have to sit up if he wants more coffee.

[Reinholdt]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

Reinholdt watches her saunter away, admiring her in a new light. But he'll eventually sit up as she makes her return. "Well I'm going to have to come back and do this again at the very least."

[McBish]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

She sits down next to him handing him a nice new hot cup of coffee. She takes sips of her own coffee. "So I have dinner plans with Jay tonight, but I was wondering if you would like to have dinner with me some other night soon?"

[Reinholdt]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

He needs that hot cup too. Keep him from getting cold without his shirt.

"I think I would like that very much. How high end are you thinking? I know a few places." He supposes it'd be up to him to pick the restaurant since he's been around the Nexus, but wants an idea of what to pick.

[Deathkeeper]

Woods

The old man shakes his head. "Seems to be your best plan. I would move quickly if I were you." The old man dances across the river to the other side, jumping from rock to rock. The Aseke tree has large leaves the size of your head. They have long stems they hang from, you should be able to tie them together."


Woods

"Well, I would certainly move a lot faster if I wasn't being fed red herrings, now wouldn't I?" Arty mutters exasperated as he moves to try to get Calvin onto his back. How he gets tied in will depend on whether or not he wakes up, but either way Arty shouldn't have too much trouble, being able to twist his upper body a pretty good amount.

[McBish]

Woods

"I see no reason to offer you any extra help. You may not mean to harm my woods, but you keep dubious company. I have told you where you can find the tree, that will be enough to get you out of my forest." The old man says as Calvin starts to wake up. He was sleeping soundly but not so much so that he wouldn't wake up when someone tries to pick him up. He looks a tad confused. "Hey Arty what's up." He doesn't sound super good, tired and a bit groggy.

-================-

Heaven's Gate Apartments

Vel apparently fearing for Reinholdt's warmth moves to snuggle into his side again as she sips her coffee. "Well I do love to get dressed up, but honestly fine dining has never really been my favorite. I like my food big sloppy and messy. I guess I would be fine with anything as long as you let me know ahead of time." Has to dress the part you know.

[Reinholdt]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

"Huh." Must be an artist thing, cause Rein definitely prefers clean, catered food. Or food he's had a chance to play with for a while.

Reinholdt snuggles up with Vel. "Well, I'll let you know a day ahead of time once I find something. What time do you have to go to meet Jay?"

[Deathkeeper]

Woods

"If you want me out, tell me where to go and that's it, don't make me dawdle and chase ghosts.

Sorry Calvin. We made it through the night so we should get moving now. We might have a way to keep the beasts from tracking you, but for now the most important goal is to get you going. I'm going to strap you in with these ropes so you don't fall off, okay? Shouldn't be hard to just cut them if something serious goes down."
Arty's making a pretty good show of hiding that he's kind of freaking out at this point. He's a doctor-in-training, not an adventurer!

[McBish]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

More of a hearty appreciation for food that focuses on taste over looks, barbeque, good stews, giant piles of food sandwiches.

"I have a couple of hours. But I think we may need that for cleaning up your pile of treasure. She says looking over at the mound of gold. Her smile clearly showing she is looking forward to getting to "play" in all of it.

=================

Woods

The man points in the direction of the hill they need to find, Heckler's Hill. Then as Arty is trying to rouse Calvin he disappears into the woods without a sound.

Calvin nods looking around in the daylight. "Yeah? That is good, good they didn't come after us last night." He looks a bit apprehensive about being tied in but doesn't say anything. He manages to get to his feet and is strong enough that it shouldn't be a problem to get him tied into place. Once there he does his best to stay upright. "Thank you Arty." He says remembering what Arty said about letting people ride him being a somewhat big deal.

[Reinholdt]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

"Well, I figured I could cut down the time on that by just scooping it into bags. I can sort it later with my sometimes unfortunate copious amounts of free time. But did you want to get started?" Probably shouldn't be left until the last minute.

[Deathkeeper]

Woods

If Calvin was strong enough to stand the strap will be pretty loose, more insurance than anything else.
"Don't worry about it. Not like I'm going to let anyone get mauled by any more fuzzy monsters on my watch."
That was supposed to be supportive, I swear. After grabbing his stuff, Arty will head towards the suggested direction. He's actually pretty fast at maneuvering around trees and such so if it's only a few miles he should definitely get there within the hour uninterrupted.

[McBish]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

"Yeah I guess that shouldn't take too long. Well then we can get it out of the way and find some other way to kill any time we have left." She says in a tone that makes it hard to tell if she means that innocently or has something in mind. She is obviously enjoying cuddling up to shirtless Reinholdt.

=================

Woods

Nothing stops them as they go. The hill in question is fairly easy to spot. A high point overlooking a bluff and the river. The Aseke's trees large green leaves make the trees really stand out. As they are getting closer Arty should hear a female voice singing from somewhere nearby.

[Reinholdt]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

"Sounds like a plan. I'm definitely up for it." Reinholdt affirms, petting Vel's hair gently. He pulls one of the empty bags he used earlier. "You can consider this practice for when we find you your own hoard of treasure."

[McBish]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

"Oh I like the sound of that." She says hopping up from the couch trying to snatch the bag away from Reinholdt. Then she will turn to the pile of treasure looking it over and planing her attack on it. She approaches it and will start to grab any big and gaudy pieces of treasure in the pile. She doesn't set a very quick pace for picking it up. Enjoying looking at various coins and shiny things.

[Deathkeeper]

Woods

Ugh, that's like one of the worst possible things to hear when you're trying to find something magical. Arty slows down to make sure he doesn't walk into something dangerous but doesn't stop moving towards the hill.

[Reinholdt]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

Reinholdt smirks a bit at that. She likes shinies almost as much as he does.
Almost.
:smalltongue:

Reinholdt takes a moment to actually put his shirt back on, but only the one tight one. He'll then pull out a bag and join her. He puts them back in a bit faster than she does, though mostly concentrates on the smaller, looser pieces.

[McBish]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

As an artist she has a special appreciation for beautiful things. Gemstones in jewerly seem to be a favorite of hers. She doesn't say anything when he puts his shirt back on. She will on occasion playfully try to snatch away whatever piece of treasure Reinholdt was going to pick up.

===============

Woods

The singing seems near the hill but not in-between the hill and them. Calvin leans forward speaking quietly. "You are hearing that too right?" He seems to be regaining a decent amount of strength. Still tired he is looking less like he is on death's doorstep.

[Reinholdt]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

Reinholdt gives her a funny look when she snatches his treasure. That's his dangit! He eyes her more warily now and scoots over a little that way.

*peeeeer*

[McBish]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

Vel giggles finding his reaction quite funny. She follows him as he scoots away. Looking for more opportunities to snatch away his treasure. She actually is picking up things quicker now that she is concentrating on her game and not looking over each piece she picks up.

[Reinholdt]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

"Quiiiiit ittttt," Reinholdt whines, though now he may be smiling. Just a little. Don't let that fool you though, he's working at a more feverish pace than ever now.

Because treasure.

[McBish]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

"I just figured if I was practicing I should try and grab the most valuable treasure." Like those coins Reinholdt was about to pick up. Those are obviously the most valuable thing around. Even if she has to reach over him to grab at them.

[Reinholdt]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

"Yes... but no... but hey! Watc-" Gah, she's tripping him up! Literally, reaching him over like that. At this rate, Rein's going to fall into the pile of treasure and he's going to desperately grab at Vel to try and keep him steady.

[McBish]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

Vel's shirt is baggy and easy to grab. As Reinholdt tries to regain his balance Vel pulls backwards over-correcting and quite possibly pulling them backwards so that he would land on her instead of the hard treasure. She is much softer then treasure.

[Reinholdt]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

It's like a human see-saw experiment.
She is much softer than treasure as Reinholdt finds out. Least no one got pinned between someone and the shiny treasure. That'd be hard and poking into you painfully in awkward places.

"... Sorry." Reinholdt says sheepishly, blushing profusely. "You ok?"

[Deathkeeper]

Woods

"Yeah, I do, and I'm really hoping it's completely unrelated to what we're doing," says Arty as he continues to trot.

[McBish]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

Vel smiles up from underneath him. "Yeah I'm fine. Sorry about that." She says sheepishly, blushing when she notices his blushing. She would get up but since he is on top she just enjoys being trapped under him.

==============

[Woods]

"Yeah. Good call." Calvin keeps an eye in the direction the song is coming from as they pass it and it fades into nothing. Traveling up the hills Arty finds the grove of Aseke trees. They look similar to willow trees with branches hanging down. Their leaves about dinner plate sized and a vibrant green.

[Reinholdt]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

Reinholdt starts to get up. Wants to get up.
But... I dunno. Something drives him to change his mind. Probably hormones.

Seeing as how he decides to lean in and try to kiss Vel instead. Timidly admittedly, but a kiss all the same.

[McBish]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

Vel responds positively to the kiss. She wraps her arms around him to make sure that Reinholdt doesn't change his mind and get up. She will forget about the treasure for a bit of kissing instead. She kisses him back. Hopefully he gets the message that he doesn't need to be so timid.

[Reinholdt]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

Reinholdt gets the message well enough when Vel wraps her arms around him to prevent him from getting away. It certainly encourages him, and though he's far from aggressive with such things, he does start kissing Vel a bit more assertively. Certainly better than that small thing he started out with at any rate.

[McBish]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

Vel wiggles a bit underneath him shifting to get comfortable. Eventually she will break off the kissing to nuzzle his neck giving a content hum. She is obviously enjoying this, just slowing down the pace a bit.

[Reinholdt]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

A part of Reinholdt is concerned he did something wrong and overstepped his bounds. Another part of him is just relieved.

At least she seems to be enjoying it. He certainly is. He stays in that position for a bit longer, basking in the contentment, before kissing the side of her head and carefully rolling off her, so he's beside her instead.

[McBish]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

Vel's restraint doesn't seem caused by anything Reinholdt did. It actually takes a good amount of will power on Vel's part, her hands eager to explore stay away from any naughty bits. She stays close to him as he rolls off her. Moving from his neck to nibble on his ear and then go for a few more kisses. Her feet stretch out and her bare toes touch the treasure laying on the ground near them.

[Reinholdt]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

And here Reinholdt thought he was parting to give them some room to breathe, but Vel dives right back in. Reinholdt audibly moans a bit at the nibbling, his ear a particularly sensitive spot. He starts returning the kisses again, one hand wrapping around the back of her head to indicate he does want her there as the other rubs the side of her arm.

[McBish]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

The next time the take a break from the kissing Vel glances over at the half picked up pile of treasure. "Looks like we got a bit distracted. You are warmer then the gold, more fun to cuddle with." As nice as the pile of treasure is, she would take a live playmate over it any day.

[Reinholdt]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

Reinholdt takes a moment to catch his breath. "Yeah... I think I like cuddling better." Almost. :smalltongue:

"I have a magic item that turns me solid gold coloured, but it's a mask that definitely precludes kissing." And who'd want to preclude kissing?

"... And another one that turns me into a cat." Reinholdt sort of throws that out there while on the topic. It's a curveball, somewhat, but also a lie. He wants to know what she thinks about it before turning into his real self anytime in the future. Last time he did it without much warning and he never heard from that person ever again.

[McBish]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

Well Vel hopes he likes the kissing and cuddling better then cleaning up piles of treasure. She wouldn't ask him to choose between treasure hunting and kissing though. She figures the excitment of finding the treasure the first time would make it on par with physical intimacy.

"Well kissing on the mouth, And I bet it would be great at masquarede parties. Aren't you just full of magic items. I bet you make an adorable cat." She says grinning and reaching over to pet him on the top of the head.

[Reinholdt]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

It probably is, yes.

Reinholdt gives her a silly, if lascivious grin.
"I suppose you'd have to make do kissing elsewhere, yes."

"And I do have a good number of items. Not as much as I should. But I'm twice as cuddly as a cat."

[McBish]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

"You seem like the kind of guy who will think he needs twice the number of magic items, even after you just doubled your number." She says with a grin, obviously understanding the sentiment of always looking for new toys.

"I've never meet any cuddly cats. I'm not a very big pet person normally, traveling around too much." Most of the cats she has encountered are either snooty house cats, or wild street cats. Neither of which are very cuddly kitties.

[Reinholdt]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

"Mayyyybe..." Reinholdt admits, pretty much confirming what she suspects.

"Huh." Rein frowns just a little. "Maybe you should get a parrot. I hear they like to travel."

[McBish]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

"Really parrots like to travel? Weird. I bet they aren't a fraction as cuddly as you are when you are a kitty though." Easier to pack up and keep as a pet though. Really though what good is a pet if you can't curl up with it she thinks.

[Reinholdt]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

"No. Not even close." Make a good meal in a pinch though. "Not the parrot's fault that I make an absolutely adorable kitty."

[McBish]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

"Maybe it is just your natural adorableness coming through. I mean you do make a handsome and nice and cuddly man as well." She says wrapping him up in a hug to prove her point.

[Reinholdt]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

"As said by a beautiful, warm woman with a keen artistic eye. I have no choice but to accept your critical judgment." Hugs!

[McBish]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

"Good if I had to convince you we proabably wouldn't have any time to clean up the rest of your treasure." She says grinning, and proabably making Reinholdt regret not arguing a bit more. "Which we should probably get back to soon." Says the woman making no attempt to break away from the cuddling.

[Reinholdt]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

Drats. He should've milked that one.

"Couldn't we just take a nap instead?" Reinholdt suggests. Moving isn't desired!

[McBish]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

He will have to keep that tactic in mind for later. Vel twists around trying to spot the wall clock to see what time it is. She considers and gives a little shrug. Maybe a quick one. We could go... up on the couch. The floor isn't my favorite napping spot." She almost suggested her room, but besides the mess that seems like it is moving a bit to fast for her.

[Reinholdt]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

"Oh. Right. Eh, maybe after we tire ourselves out by cleaning up the treasure." Reinholdt suggests. He forgot that some people don't sleep on floors like he has.

Either way, Reinholdt starts disentangling himself and sitting up.

[McBish]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

Vel much prefers soft comfy things to sleep on. And while the floor is carpeted it is still harder then she would take a nap on. "Sounds like a plan." She gets up with a bit of a stretch to help gather up the rest of the treasure into whatever bags Reinholdt has ready.

[Reinholdt]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

Reinholdt does in fact, produce several more bags for them to scoop the treasure into. So long as they concentrate on actually getting the treasure rather than casting fervent glances at each other and bowling each other over for make-out sessions, then it shouldn't take too long to get it all.

[McBish]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

Well with the promise of a cuddly nap Vel manages to keep herself in check. She keeps her hands to herself, though there may still be a few fervent glances, just not enough to slow her down in picking up the gold. Once they are all done she flops into the couch to claim her postion first.

[Reinholdt]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

That's not very polite of a host to her guest.

Reinholdt hammerspaces all the treasure bags when they're done and moves to the couch, looking to see where there's room for him. If any.

[Deathkeeper]

[Woods]

"Yeah. Good call." Calvin keeps an eye in the direction the song is coming from as they pass it and it fades into nothing. Traveling up the hills Arty finds the grove of Aseke trees. They look similar to willow trees with branches hanging down. Their leaves about dinner plate sized and a vibrant green.

Woods

Well, that didn't seem particularly...heckling. Arty looks about to check if anything else is around he should be aware of before reaching out and trying to pluck a leaf off a low-hanging branch by the stem.

[McBish]

Woods

Well it depends on if Arty knows what he is looking for. The grass is a bit greener in this part of the woods, tropical flowers can be seen growing out of place, there is a small ring of mushrooms growing around one of the trees. These subtle signs point to this place being the home to a fey.

Calvin doesn't seem to notice this. Or at least he doesn't make the connection to this lush part of the woods to the fey.

There is nothing to stop Arty from starting to pick the leaves off the trees though.

===================

Heaven's Gate Apartments

Vel scoots over a bit, still stretched over the length of the couch but there is room to lay down beside her. She pats the space invinting him to join her. "I think you said something about a nap?"

[Reinholdt]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

"Yeah. You take naps regularly right?" All the massaging and kissing and treasuring is tiring!

Reinholdt tentatively lies down next to her, trying not to make her uncomfortable.

[Deathkeeper]

Woods

Arty doesn't notice all the signs, but he does notice the odd flowers and he was already a bit distrusting of the place due to its source.
"Hello? I have reason to believe that I have need of a few of these so it would be nice if someone who might object to that to let me know now." He says in one breath. See what he meant about asking nicely?

[McBish]

Heaven's Gate Apartment's

Vel doesn't seem uncomfortable at all. She quickly tries to wrap her arms around his waist, and intertwine their legs so neither feels squished or about to fall off. "I like to sleep when I am tired, and I often stay up far to late. My job lets me take breaks whenever I feel like it. I love naps." She says adjusting a throw pillow under her head to make room for Reinholdt to share it.

======================

Woods

Calvin glances over at Arty wondering why he is asking nobody for permision. Then there is a quiet noise of someone coming from behind them. It would be hard to pick up unless you have very good ears. Calvin does and leans forward to warn Arty but before he does a voice calls out.

"Hello?" Soft but clear, very much a female voice. When she peers around one of the trees behind them she seems curious but ready to scamper away. She is short, 4'6", and despite her humoinoid shape has the fur of a deer, short soft and orange with white spots. She is wearing a white dress made of some sort of flowers and looks like she just got out of the water.

[Reinholdt]

Heaven's Gate Apartment's

Reinholdt smiles and accepts the position and the pillow, though it does make him red again.

"It's nice, being your own employer." He gives a rather big, cat-like yawn covering his mouth with his hand.

[Deathkeeper]

Woods

"Hello. Arty says as he turns around. Do you live here? I was told to come but I don't think I was given the full story."

[McBish]

Heaven's Gate Apartment's

"I agree, though sometimes nerve wracking. But if you are good at something, no reason to rely on others to tell you what to do." She giggles as he yawns pulling back to give him room for his hand. When he is all done she leans in to rest her forehead on his her eyes closed and a smile on her face.

===================

Woods

The deer lady steps carefuly out from behind the tree noding. "Yes I live here. Why would someone tell you to come here?" She says peering past Arty at Calvin on his back then back to Arty. "I don't get many visitors." She says sounding almost sad and very lonely.

[Reinholdt]

Heaven's Gate Apartment's

Reinholdt falls quiet. He watches her for a bit, before closing his eyes as well and relaxing to get to sleep. It all felt so... surreal right now.

[Deathkeeper]

Woods

"My friend and I were attacked by large furry beasts which drained his energy. I was told they might find us again and that a few leaves from this tree might help prevent them from tracking him. It seemed kinda odd to me, but the old man didn't rob me when he had the chance, so I thought I would at least play on the side of caution." Arty explains.

[McBish]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

Reinholdt might be able to hear or maybe even feel Vel's heart beating quickly as they lay together. She quickly drifts to sleep cuddling up with Reinholdt on the couch. She is a sound sleeper and has a good internal clock so she doesn't have to worry about setting an alarm. In a little over an hour she will wake up, unless something wakes her first.

====================

Woods

She moves around them, circling them to keep her distance looking them over. "Yes, with Aseke leaves covering him they would have a harder time sensing his magic." A small frown appears on her face at the mention of his magic. "But they are my trees."

[Deathkeeper]

Woods

Arty was expecting that response.
"Is there something I can do for you to act as recompense? I respect your domain but my friend could die if those things find us again."

[Reinholdt]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

She might want to get her heart checked. That can't be good for it.
To be honest, Reinholdt expected her to be more used to such things. She seemed like something of a flirt to him back at the tavern. Not that it's bugging Rein that he was wrong. He's glad he was. It's just a bit confusing to him.

Anyways, nothing happens within the hour that I'm aware of.

[McBish]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

It's not every day that she runs into a beautiful rich treasure hunter that seems more then happy to cuddle up with her. While she does seem pefectly comforable with physical intimacy, and clearly enjoys spending time with Reinholdt she still holds herself back for some reason.

When she starts to wake up she shifts and stretches out a bit. When her eyes flutter open she will lean in to kiss Reinholdt, either to wake him up or to say hello if he woke up first.

==============

Woods

The woman takes a step closer standing up on her tip toes to get a better look at Calvin on the back of Arty. "I could make you a cloak, but I would need a favor from both of you." As she looks them over she looses some of her childlike apperance. A much older and more calculating look crosses her face as she considers how to best use these two.

[Reinholdt]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

He did not, because waking up sucks. That's not to say he wasn't aware of her waking up, he just didn't feel like moving or opening his eyes.

But a kiss will suffice. "Time already?" Reinholdt protests.

[Deathkeeper]

Woods

"My friend can't walk without difficulty, so I doubt he could do anything I can't besides fit into a small room. And it can't be anything that takes too long since the cloak will do us no good if there's a pack of beasts on our rears by the time we earn it."
Sadly, centaur society's high value on honor doesn't make them terribly well-mannered, although Arty does make his words sound moderately polite.

[McBish]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

Vel nods. "Yeah, I should start getting ready before Jay comes to pick me up. Sorry." She says aplogetically nuzzling his neck just a bit, her legs untangling from his and stretching out.

====================

Woods

The fey nods understanding. "Yes I understand. Your task shouldn't take too long, and I would need time to make a proper cloak for him anyways. He can stay here with me. It will be safe for him, and we can discuss his favor to me."

Calvin frowns a bit and whispers to Arty. "I'm not sure this is a good idea." But having no better ideas he says it without much conviction.

[Reinholdt]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

Reinholdt turns and moves out the way a bit, sitting up and stretching himself. "It's ok. I fear I may have overstayed as it is." The portrait sketch thing was done ages ago!

[Deathkeeper]

Woods

"No offense Miss, but my friend is in no condition to defend himself at all, and while I'm sure you mean him no ill will I'm hesitant to leave him alone with someone I've met mere moments before." Arty says.

[McBish]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

"Well I'm glad you did." She says getting up off the couch with one last big stretch. "And you are welcome back to overstay here again." She says smiling and offering another hug if Reinholdt stands up.

=================

Woods

The little doe woman looks surprised. "Oh. I thought you wanted my help. He is hurt, I can help with that. I'm good at healing." She says slowly starting to approach the pair.

"I'm not hurt, just drained." His wounds are healing very quickly given a few more days and there won't be a sign of them.

She tilts her head and keeps walking forward, bare feet steeping softly on the grass. "Your injuries are buried deep. I don't want to harm anyone. But if you want the gift of the Aseke tree's I need you to do me a favor." She holds out a small hand for Arty to take. "Trust me."

[Reinholdt]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

Hug! Though Reinholdt's starting to feel awkward with all the touchy feely. This isn't like him usually.

"So just to confirm, we're meeting up in some several days to go to a restaurant and then come here and view the finished painting, right?" Rein doesn't want to get that mixed up.

[McBish]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

Vel loves the touchy feely stuff. If she goes too long without physical contact with other people she tends to get all emotional in a less then fun way. Rein didn't read her wrong about being a flirt, but for her it is more about getting to have someone to be close to then the sex.

She nods not noticing any akwardness Reinholdt might be showing. "That's the plan. You just give me a days heads up once you find a place. I think three or so days should give me plenty of time to paint."

[Deathkeeper]

Woods

"Just tell me what you want before I agree to anything." Arty says, not unkindly.

[McBish]

Woods

There is a golden hind in these woods. He is quick and shy. I would like you to deliver a gift to him from me. If you do this for me I will make your friend a cloak to hide him from the senses of the beasts that hunt him." She continues to hold out her hand for him to take.

[Reinholdt]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

"All right. I'll start looking. Thanks for inviting me over by the way. It was fun." Reinholdt admits.

He still wants to sneak a peek at that sketchbook sometime and see what she drew.

[Deathkeeper]

Woods

"Swear he'll be here and unharmed when I get back, and there aren't any crucial details you're leaving out and I'd call the terms acceptable. " Arty says, taking the hand.

[McBish]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

Well her sketch book is still sitting over on the stool she used when sketching him. It would be hard for him to sneak a look without her noticing since it is closed.

"I'm glad you could make it. It has been a really fun afternoon. I'm really looking forward to dinner."

------------------------

Woods

"I swear it. He will be safe I will watch over him while you are gone." As he takes her hand he should feel something travel through her to him. All of the sudden the woods look cleaner and crisper. It is almost as if he can see the small breezes blowing through the trees, and a scent floats in the air that he can smell now. "That should help you find the Hind." She says letting go of his hand and going to the tree with the mushrooms growing around it. She reaches down into it's roots and pulls out a small flower, bell shaped and bright blue. "This is the gift I want you to give him."

[Reinholdt]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

Yeah. He should have done it sometime during the nap, but he didn't think about it. He'll have to find it at a later date.

"All right, have a good night and say hi to Jay for me." Reinholdt says, as he moves to leave.

[McBish]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

"You to, and I will." She will follow him over to the door giving a little wave as he leaves and close the door after he is gone.

[Reinholdt]

Heaven's Gate Apartments

Once outside, Reinholdt goes about zombie proofing himself again before heading on his way home.

[Deathkeeper]

Woods

Arty blinks at the sudden shift in senses. "And shall I give him a name for on whose behalf it is delivered?"

[McBish]

Woods

"He will know who it is from. Oh and once you catch him he will hopefully eat the flower. So don't be alarmed when he does. Once he does that you can return here and I should have your friends cloak ready." The woman takes her hand back stepping back a few steps.

[Deathkeeper]

Woods

Arty nods and will hold out a hand to help Calvin dismount. Once he does Arty will press a small orange tube into Calvin's pocket with a look that says 'just in case.' It's a small flare gun, although it doesn't really look like a gun. The print on it should make it pretty obvious, This Side Up and all that. It's as bright and powerful as a modern one, just in a smaller package. Someday Arty will have to thank his father for packing his survival gear with this stuff.
Anyway, that settled, Arty will head off using his temporarily enhanced senses.

[McBish]

Woods

Calvin takes the flare gun tucking it away without the Fey woman noticing. She stands at his side directing him to lay down under one of the large trees. She stands close enough to help if he wants but doesn't touch him first. And since he doesn't want her help she doesn't touch him at all as he lays down under the tree watching Arty head off into the woods.

As Arty moves through the woods he should find it easier going. Like he has some sort of connection to the woods and they help him by showing him the best paths through. There is also the faint scent that Arty should assume is the Hind. He can tell if he is heading in the direction away or towards the Hind so it shouldn't be too hard to find it.

Should he follow these new odd senses he should come to a small clearing with tall grass and flowers growing in it. There stands the Hind munching on some of the grass. His golden coat catches the sunlight making him look like he is glowing. It lifts it's head and looks over towards Arty.

[Deathkeeper]

Woods

Arty grimaces for a moment as the deer reminds him that he hasn't eaten today. He was almost able to ignore that. Oh, well. Quest now, grazing later.
Arty makes a motion somewhere between a wave and a salute, before pulling out the item to be delivered and holding it out before him, not wanting to try approaching the creature himself.