The Librarian's Home

[The_Librarian]

If you follow a certain steep and winding cobbled path in the slums, you might find yourself amongst the charred shells and architectural bones of a part of the slums badly hurt by fire.

Built from materials salvaged from around here is a small, one storey house. A low stone wall separates the house from the street, and marks of a patch of dead, rubble-strewn earth which can not be persuaded into becoming a garden.

Inside, most of the house is taken up by a large room consisting of a rustic kitchen, a tin bathtub, a large fireplace and a few mismatched chairs around a partially scorched table. To one side is a door leading to the librarian's bedroom.

[Lykan]

Deme and Antony step inside. Antony wraps the cloak tightly around herself

[The_Librarian]

Greeny trots into the house to where a bemused, elfin Kratos looks at the two girls curiously.

"Kratos, spare me the indignity, will you?" the wolf asks, looking towards the fireplace. Kratos hops up and hangs a large, black kettle over the fire to boil. The wolf settles down before the fire and looks at the girls.

"All right, either you're closely related to or copies of Lykan's kids, and you've ended up here. An explanation would be appreciated."

[Lykan]

Antony bites her lip

Umm... Well...

She looks down

Before I start, would anyone happen to have an extra pair of pants laying around?

[The_Librarian]

"We got lots of clothes!" Kratos says cheerfully, rescuing a now boiling kettle to pour tea.

"There's a large chest in the bedroom. Help yourself." Greeny says. He turns to Deme. "What happened to her old clothes?"

[Lykan]

Antony goes into the bedroom and closes the door

Deme bites her lip

She woke up in an allyway without her boots and pants...

[The_Librarian]

"That was kinda careless - where'd she leave them?" Kratos asks, but Greeny growls quietly.

"You won't speak of it, cub," he says, and Kratos looks puzzled, but shrugs it off.

"I'm just saying." He hands Deme a mug of tea. Greeny paces in front of the fireplace.

"Where're your parents?" he asks Deme after a pause.

[Lykan]

Deme takes a sip of tea

They're in the town somewhere... I haven't seen them lately.

Antony comes out again, wearing a gray skirt to match her top

Will miss Libris mind if I took some of her things?

[The_Librarian]

The wolf looks at Antony, and then shakes his head.

"Can't have you running around naked. Well, not if you don't want to be. Besides, she doesn't have to know." He looks at Deme and Antony warily. "You know her, then. You've got a Shipmastery scent and something of the wolfman-"

"Wolfmaaaaan?"

"Yep, that one. But I ain't seen you before. So who are you?"

[Lykan]

Antony lessens her telepathy to just Greeny, her face turning red

I'm Antony... My 'brother' had a mishap with a belt of masculinity/femininity...

[The_Librarian]

Under normal circumstances, the wolf would burst out laughing and mock the pair, but even he's not that heartless.

"Are you stuck?" Greeny asks.

[Lykan]

Antony sighs

For now. Apperently a goddess may have a chance on removing the curse. Luckily, our mother's a goddess.

[Wukei]

Falon knocks on the door.

[Lykan]

Antony opens the door

Where've you been?

[Wukei]

She smiles at Antony. I had to take care of something.

[Lykan]

Antony frowns, sniffing the air, and turns to Greeny.

We should go...

Deme pouts, putting down the tea, looking back to Kratos

Thanks for the tea...

She kissses him on the ceek before heading out the door

Antony looks to her sister

Where to?

[Wukei]

Falon raises an eyebrow at Demi, before making a disgusting face. She looks to Antony. Why were you assuming we should leave?

[Lykan]

((Because Libris is offline. :P))

She shrugs

Don't you want to see if dad's doing any better?

[Wukei]

Falon raises an eyebrow and shrugs, heading out the door.

[Lykan]

Antony follows, sniffing the air again as she walks out.

[The_Librarian]

The wolves watch the girls leave, and Greeny returns to his spot by the fireplace, growling softly. Kratos, still perplexed, resumes his cubbish shape and curls up near him.

By the time the librarian returns, the wolves are asleep. She wonders why there are used mugs lying around, and then why someone had been rummaging through her clothes chest, but she shrugs it off, reasoning Greeny would have stayed awake to warn her otherwise.

In the morning, Greeny, Kratos and the Librarian leave their home, carefully locking the door behind them.

((This is not to say that they never return here, because obviously they do, but not much happens here so I won't be posting here unless I have visitors))

[Lykan]

Deme looks around the house

Heeellloooo?

[The_Librarian]

The house is currently empty. A big, brown leather bag is missing, and a few books of healing magic are open on the table. From the warmth left in the stones of the fireplace, they can't have left all that long ago.

[Death, your friend the Reaper]

*A little present is left on the doorstep, it smells strangely of rum*


http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j139/z-t/jacksparrowjq4.gif

[Lykan]

Deme gets up, and looks around the house

Hello?

[The_Librarian]

Kratos looks up from a large tome of magic.

"Hullo! You sleep okay?" he asks brightly.

[Lykan]

She nods

Yup...

She looks over at the book he's reading

Ooh, studying magic, are we?

[The_Librarian]

Kratos nods.

"Yup! Looking for a cure-all, heal-all, do everything spell. I found one which cleanses apparently. No more icky soap!" Even as an elf, it's clear his tail is wagging.

[Lykan]

She grins

Prestidigitation?

[The_Librarian]

Kratos pauses for a moment.

"Aww frick... I never thought about that! Nah, this kills the tiny demons that make wounds go bad... the cleansing bit's a side-effect. He smiles sheepishly. "I bet great-grandad would have thought about that. How're you feeling anyway? I know the cot gets kinda creaky."

[Lykan]

She smiles, sitting next to him

It's fine... This place is great!

[The_Librarian]

Kratos grins.

"Living with a librarian is cool - she puts away all the books. And this part of the slums isn't too noisy 'cos a lot of it got burnt down by a dragon. And I can say QUIET!"

[Lykan]

She grins

Yeah, no pesky tentacles here!

She looks over at the book

So, you're trying to learn more healing magic, huh?

[The_Librarian]

Kratos nods.

"Ah huh. I didn't like not being able to help you when that mean ol' spider bit you," Kratos says. "Next time, I want it so that no matter what bites anyone, I can help."

[Lykan]

She nods, biting her lip

Umm... I'd help... But I don't know too much about healing magic and all that.

[The_Librarian]

"What sorta magic do you know?" Kratos asks. He almost asks a second question, but catches himself. "Did... ah, um, no worries."

[Lykan]

She raises an eyebrow questioningly

Did what?

[The_Librarian]

"Well, I was gonna ask if your dad taught you but then I remembered that things had been rough anditwasastupidquestion" Kratos says, descending into near incoherent mumbles.

[Lykan]

She bites her lip

He... Taught me how to make magic things... But other then that, no... I just sort of learned how to control magic by myself.

[The_Librarian]

"Wow, that's kinda neat," Kratos says. "I mean, you'd have to have like super will power to do that. I'm kinda in that situation right now. There aren't any wolf mages left, and it's not like they ever wrote anything down."

[Lykan]

She grins

Not all magic is written down. Some of it is innate.

Her hands is immobolized in purple flame

Like mine.

[The_Librarian]

"Cool!" Kratos says, watching the fire in awe. He lowers his voice. "Can you keep a secret?" he asks.

[Lykan]

She nods

Of course.

[The_Librarian]

"Canis took magic away from the wolves when we used it to do something awful. My Great-Grandad was the last mage, and he was only allowed to keep his magic because he tried to fix it... but then he died. A dragon stepped on him."

[Lykan]

She growls

What dragon?

[The_Librarian]

"Joborah," Kratos says. "He was king of a city called Perch, and he was really mean to the wolves, so they played a trick on him and turned him into a dragon using these three books. It made him all crazy and he destroyed the city and when my great-grandad tried to stop him, he got in the wrong place and got trodden on."

[Lykan]

Her eye twitches

Is he still alive?

[The_Librarian]

"Joborah? Nah. Claw managed to cast a spell before he died that let some other people kill him."

[Lykan]

She nods

... Oh.

She look back up at him

So, are you trying to carry on your great-grandad's legacy?

[The_Librarian]

"Ah-huh! I could be the first proper mage we've had since him!"

[Lykan]

She grins

I could teach you some things if you wanted...

[The_Librarian]

Kratos nods, and then sits attentively to learn.

((This is where we'd have a montage while I log off... see y'all))

[Lykan]

Deme knocks on the door

Anyone home?

[The_Librarian]

"Uh, just a sec!" From inside the house, there are a few thuds and a surprised *Meep!* before the door is unlatched from inside the house.

"Help!"

[Lykan]

Deme steps in, and her hands instantly are alighted by amethyst flame. She scans the room, crouching low to the ground

What's wrong?

[The_Librarian]

Having somehow ended up under the table, Kratos the cub is currently lying on his side. Long, glossy locks of green fur are impeding his movement, getting tangled around his legs, while only his nose can be seen poking out where his head should be.

"The spell went wrong! And everytime I try to fix it, it gets longer!"

[Lykan]

Deme calms down a bit and bites her lip

Oh... Hehe...

She tries to cast Dispel Magic on the mass of fur that is Kratos

[The_Librarian]

Unfortunately, the spell has no effect.

"There might be a pair of scissors around somewhere," the cub says. "I can't believe this happened. This is really embarrassing.

[Lykan]

Deme grumbles

Well, this doesn't happen very often.

She growls, and begins chanting quietly, as energy begins to swirl around the room

[The_Librarian]

The spell still has no effect.

"See? It just doesn't respond to magic!" He wriggles about. "It's nice and soft though."

[Exachix]

((And the innovator's award goes to.. Kratos, for making magic-resistant fur!))

[Lykan]

She grins and pounces on him

Heh.. You're right! This is soft...

[The_Librarian]

"Gah!! No fair, no fair! I'm tangled!" the cub yelps as he's pounced upon. He barks a strangely echoing bark carrying the same spell he tried on himself...

[Lykan]

Deme's hair grows long, to the point where her current state makes her a splitting image of her mother at a younger age

Hey! That's not funny!

[The_Librarian]

Kratos snickers from beneath his fur.

"Did it work?" he asks.

[Lykan]

Deme brushes the hair from her face

Yes.

She bites here lip, then she gets an idea

Kratos... Can you change to human form? I've got an idea.

[The_Librarian]

Kratos changes to elfin form. His long green hair brushes his elbows and falls over his face in an uncanny, if green, impression of Cousin It.

[Lykan]

She giggles

Okay.... Hold on a minute.

She tries to make Kratos fly up into the air and turn upside down

[The_Librarian]

"Wuh-woah!!!" Kratos says uncertainly as he's turned upside down.

[Lykan]

She gigles again and summons a blade made of some black metal to her hand.

Don't flinch.

She attempts the slice at any hair hanging down, a few inches shy of Kratos's head.

[The_Librarian]

The hair cuts as normal hair would - it is no stronger than any other well-kept hair.

"I'd like to say my head feels lighter... but I think that's just the blood rushing to it..."

[Lykan]

Deme stops cutting when the hair is a couple inches long, then flips him back onto the ground again. She smiles

Better?

[The_Librarian]

Kratos sways and giggles.

"Yup, much better... wooooah giddy though..." He sits down quickly. "How's stuff?"

[Lykan]

She plops down close next to him, moving her hair out of the way as se does

Alright... I've been looking for you.

[The_Librarian]

"Oh? Wassup?" Kratos asks. "If anyone's going bald, I can help!" he adds brightly.

[Lykan]

She giggles

You're just fun to hang around with... I like you.

[The_Librarian]

Kratos grins.

"Thanks! I like you too," he says cheerfully. "Especially 'cos you're really smart with the magic... I don't get to talk magic much."

[Lykan]

She bites her lip

Thanks...

She looks at him again, and smiles again

Can I try something? A new spell I learned?

[The_Librarian]

"Sure!" Kratos says, looking eager.

[Lykan]

She grins, almost mischeviously, as she casts Dominate Monster on Kratos

[The_Librarian]

Kratos blinks.

"I don't think it worked. Nothin' happened."

[Lykan]

She bites her lip

Hold on...

She concentrates

You are to act as if you and I are lovers. Otherwise, you may act normally.

[The_Librarian]

Kratos looks vaguely puzzled for a moment, then smiles at Deme.

"Sorry, didja say something?"

[Lykan]

She sighs and looks at the ground

No...

[The_Librarian]

Kratos gets to his feet quickly and hugs Deme.

"You sure? You seem down..."

[Lykan]

Deme raises an eyebrow but quickly, her face goes back to normal and she hugs him back

Yeah... Well you haven't kissed me in the longest time.

[The_Librarian]

"I haven't ever kissed anyone..." Kratos says, looking very sheepish. "But I'd very much like to kiss you..."

[Lykan]

She smiles, her cheeks turning red, and kisses Kratos.

[The_Librarian]

The elfin boy pulls away after a few moments, blushing quite obviously. He grins and looks a little awkward.

"Um, wow... um... you're really good at that too...

[Lykan]

She smiles

Thanks...

She wraps her arms around his neck

I liked it, too.

[The_Librarian]

"I think I've been a bit of an idiot," Kratos says shyly. "I've been so excited about the magic, I didn't notice much else. You're really pretty, and you're smart. You're like, the best girl that I've met ever."

[Lykan]

Deme blushes again

It's okay that you like magic so much, though... It just makes you all the more promising with it...

She smiles, and leans slightly into Kratos

Thank you... You're very sweet...

[The_Librarian]

Kratos grins.

"It's all the muffins, I'll bet. Dad's always saying that if I went and fought with him and Libris, that the baddies would have me for dessert." He grins and hugs Deme tightly.

[Lykan]

She giggles, hugging him back

I think you'd be the kind of desert treat that'd bite back...

[The_Librarian]

"Danger! Causes severe cavities!" Kratos says, grinning, before looking sheepish again. "Uh... what do I do now?"

[Lykan]

She smiles, her head lolling to one side

You could always kiss me back...

[The_Librarian]

"That's allowed, huh?" He grins and kisses Deme a little less shyly than before.

[Lykan]

She giggles and kisses him back, leaning in closer to Kratos and smiling

Absolutly.

[The_Librarian]

Kratos pulls away just slightly so he can speak.
"You sure? I don't need to take a few levels in something or other first? he asks, grinning still.

[Lykan]

She grins

Consider it a skill you can use untrained.

[The_Librarian]

"Well in that case..." he grins mischievously and kisses Deme again.

[Lykan]

She giggles, kissing him back

Now, what do you want to do, wolfboy?

[The_Librarian]

"Something that involves you being awesome?" Kratos suggests. "I don't know, I'm new to this... if you were a girl cub, I'd probably just playfight."

[Lykan]

She smiles

Well... You know, I am a werewolf...

She shifts to wolf form, tail wagging

[The_Librarian]

Kratos changes shape.

"I should warn you... I have two bigger siblings and they always used to beat me at this." He grins and pounces.

[Lykan]

You aren't the only one!

Deme grins and pounces back at him, attempting to gain greater hight so she could knock him back to the ground and pin him

[The_Librarian]

Though Deme is the more powerful pouncer, Kratos, beong smaller in wolfish form, manages to wriggle free. He playfully tries to nip Deme's tail.

[Lykan]

Deme yips and springs away, hiding behind a chair and whimpering quietly

[The_Librarian]

Kratos looks at Deme worriedly.

"Sorry! Sorry! Did I do something wrong?" he asks.

[Lykan]

Deme takes the oppertunity to spring at Kratos

Wolf sneak attack!

[The_Librarian]

"GAH!" Taken wholly by surprise, Kratos is caught by the attack. "My siblings never tried that!"

[Lykan]

She grins, and licks his noes

Well, you can't learn new things by practicing over and over with the same people.

[The_Librarian]

Kratos paws at his nose.

"Ewwwww..." He grins up at Deme. "They used to do that though..."

[Lykan]

She giggles

What, prefer human kisses?

[The_Librarian]

"Nuh-uh! But not licks on the nose... ewww..." He suddenly brings his head to lick Deme on the nose and see how she likes it.

[Lykan]

She giggles and nuzzles him

There's worse forms of affection... At least your aunts don't try to pull your face off by the skin on your cheeks.

[The_Librarian]

Kratos laughs.

"Yup, got me beat... your aunts do that to you?"

[Lykan]

She grins

No, but I've seen other humans do it.

She flops onto the ground next to him and shifts to human form, wrapping her arms around his neck again

[The_Librarian]

Kratos changes back to elfin form and grins.

"You got me beat. No way I can escape this terrible stranglehold."

[Lykan]

Well, good, because I'm not releasing you any time soon.

She hugs him again

[The_Librarian]

"Do you wanna sleep over tonight? Your cot's still made up, and we could always drag it in here so you don't have to put up with Libris getting back late or anything."

[Lykan]

She grins

I'd love to stay over again...

[The_Librarian]

"Awesome!" Kratos hurries off to drag the cot into the main room of the librarian's home.

[Lykan]

Deme flops down onto it, smiling and yawning

Thanks, Kratos...

[The_Librarian]

"No probs..." he says, changing into cub form to settle down by the fireplace and yawning. "Just hope the other two don't wake us up..." He closes his eyes.

[Lykan]

She smiles

Goodnight, Kratos...

[The_Librarian]

"G'night Deme..."

[Lykan]

Deme gets up and looks around

Hello?

[The_Librarian]

Kratos looks up from a book of magic and grins.

"Heya sleepy." He puts a finger to his lips. "The librarian's still asleep. How are you?"

[Lykan]

Deme smiles, and lowers her voice

Better now...

She crawls out of bed and hugs/kisses him

[The_Librarian]

Kratos grins.

"Didn't wanna wake you - I'm only lookin' at borin' magic. Wanna hit the Town?"

[Lykan]

She grins

With you? Absolutley.

She gets her pack and comes back next to Kratos, intertwaining he arm in his

[The_Librarian]

Kratos grins and leads Deme out of the house.

_________


The librarian leaves her room and starts brewing tea over the fire. She sits back in a chair and begins reading from a text about the Faerun religion.

[Hawkeye]

There is a polite knock at the door.

[The_Librarian]

Lost in thought over a passage, the librarian takes a moment or two to hear realise someone knocked, but when she does, looks at the door a little suspiciously and opens it.

"Hello?" she asks, peering out.

[Hawkeye]

"Hmm, a little suspicious I see...don't blame you really Libris."

[The_Librarian]

The librarian smiles.

"Hey Eldoran. We just don't get many visitors here. Come on in." She moves back into the house and heads for the fireplace where the tea's been brewing.

[Hawkeye]

Eldoran smiles "Thank you" he enters the building and takes a seat at the fireplace "How are you holding up?"

[The_Librarian]

"All right," the librarian says, looking a little weary. "Rough night last night, but I'm feeling better now. Still not quite sure what to do." She looks awkward for a moment. "Not sure what to think, either. Maybe I've just been a huge idiot."

[Hawkeye]

"I don't believe you're an idiot...perhaps you might have made some bad calls on some things from time to time.

What do you feel, not think at the moment?"

[The_Librarian]

"Feel?" The librarian looks uneasy. "I feel like I should do something, while at the same time, not believing I can. And beyond that... alone. Greeny probably guessed already, but I haven't spoken to him about it. I daren't speak to anyone else in case I was wrong."

[Hawkeye]

Eldoran shrugs "I would advise not going the Shipmasters if you can help it...I think you would have already figured that out however. Beyond that I might be able to help in some ways. It just depends on what you feel you should do."

[The_Librarian]

The librarian laughs humourlessly at the mention of the Shipmasters.

"Ye-s... that would be a "fun" conversation..." She stares into the fireplace for a moment. "I can't help shaking the feeling that I was wrong. That sooner or later I'll walk into a crowded room and everyone will be laughing at me. And yet... if I was right, and he really was going good - I feel like I have a responsibility to try and help him, or at least sever whatever hold Bane has over him." She pauses. "Sorry - did you want a cup of tea?" she asks.

[Hawkeye]

"Yes please to the tea. As for shaking the influence of the black hand...that's tricky. But it might be possible."

[The_Librarian]

The librarian pours out the tea but it's clear she's interested.

"Oh? How so?" she asks.

[Hawkeye]

"It's a question of where to focus on. The Black Hand is far superior to anything we've got at hand, so we have to keep clear of him at all costs. Merant, on the other hand, is by far weaker and is almost certainly less powerful to the crying god.

Distract Bane by some manner to keep him far away from here, and we may be able to get to Merant for enough time to change things around and break the link to the Black Hand."

[The_Librarian]

"And what would distract him?" the librarian asks. "If I can do it, I will."

[Hawkeye]

"It'd need a big distraction, one that couldn't be done by one person..." He grimly smiles "and I think that would be arranged, lots of people would very much like to get at Bane, and it has the possibility of cutting off his right hand man so to speak."

[The_Librarian]

The librarian looks hopeful.

"If nothing else, drawing Merant off might interrupt whatever plans Bane's got for the Town. At best, we might even gain a powerful ally."

[Hawkeye]

"There's two questions now that must be addressed beforehand...the first is what Merant would be like after." he then looks at Libris seriously "And at for what's the main reason you have for doing this. Honstly."

[The_Librarian]

"As to the first question... I don't know. I don't know if he'd want to help us, and I don't know that he'd go good. As for your second... I'm under no romantic delusions of love, I assure you. I may have walked away from Bahamutte but that wasn't because I ceased believing in doing the right thing. Right now, Merant is trapped. I can't sit by and do nothing knowing that there's a chance he could be good."

[Hawkeye]

Eldoran nods "Alright. It's too early to call what will happen to him in the end, if it succeds at all." he shrugs "Most likely we won't know until it's happened."

[The_Librarian]

The librarian nods.

"I wouldn't trust any seer with making this call." She frowns. "There's only one person I can think of who'd know Merant well enough to properly advise... and right now, he's the very last person I'd speak to on the subject." She sighs, then yawns. "I'm sorry about this - I've not really been feeling right all day. I'd better get some rest or risk the wrath of Greeny."

[Hawkeye]

Eldoran nods "And I'd better leave, if that's fine by you. Ilmater has been very keen to know about my actions of late...catch you later Libris." he nods to her and leaves.

[The_Librarian]

Greeny doesn't so much paw at the librarian's door as fling himself bodily at it and snicker when someone inside yelps.

"GREENY!"

"Lemme in, lemme in, lemme in..." The door opens and the librarian looks down at the wolf.

"Must you keep doing that?" she asks the wolf, before looking up and seeing the llama. "Ah, hello Atreyu. Come on in." She steps aside and begins boiling a kettle of water over the fire.

[Atreyu the Masked LLama]

*he mumbles* "Here's where it was. I was way off. I don't know what happened."

*He steps inside looking around.*
"hi Libris. How are ya feeling?"

[The_Librarian]

The librarian opens her mouth to say the well-practised lie, but stops - with Atreyu, there's no need.

"Still scared to be honest. Wondering what on earth I should do. Wondering what would be best for, well, whoever this is going to be," she adds, gesturing at her stomach.

[Atreyu the Masked LLama]

*he nuzzles her* "don't worry, it'll be okay. The best thing for the kit...errr...kid is a parent wo will take care of it. You're gonna do that, I know you will."

"Hey Greeny, where did you want the hay?"

[The_Librarian]

The librarian smiles and looks a little relieved.

"That's very much along the lines of what I'm thinking would be best."

Greeny pushes the table and chairs to the walls to clear a space for the hay.

"Right here," the wolf says, wagging his tail. "A few handfuls here and there will make this place a bit less drafty at night."

[Atreyu the Masked LLama]

*Atreyu summons some hay to appear in the spots* *his wool takes on an organish color when he does*

"and a pile for sleeping?"

[The_Librarian]

The librarian sits down in a chair and shakes her head.

"You asked the God of Hay for a bed?" she asks the wolf. Greeny nods.

"Feathers make me sneeze, what can I say?" He looks back at the llama. "Cheers - orange, eh?"

[Atreyu the Masked LLama]

)(well...yellowis orange technically I guess) (errr hay colored)

"Its no problem. Anything for one of my worshippers" *he snickers*

"what do you mean orange?" *he looks at his wool* "Oh...never done that before"

[The_Librarian]

((The wolf's a bit colourblind - but is excellent at picking up shades of green ;) That's my excuse, anyway...))

"Well, as side-effects of godhood go, that's not too bad."

"Hawkeye ended up with red hair, poor guy," the librarian adds grinning. "But then, the best of us are redheads."

[Atreyu the Masked LLama]

(yuipes, gotta run)

"I tend to agree. What it is about the red heads?"
"eep. I'm also at Trog's. How did that happen? I better go see what I'm up too."

*he summons a nice hay pile for Greeny and disappears, leaving only a small pile of hay where he was*

[The_Librarian]

The librarian and Greeny wave goodbye to the llama, and then get around to doing boring household things for a bit.

((And I must leave...))

[Lykan]

Someone knocks on the door

Hello?

[The_Librarian]

"Just a sec..." The door opens and the librarian looks down at her visitor. "I didn't think I recognised the voice. Can I help?"

[Lykan]

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i311/ChimeraHybrid/My%20avis/Kalar.gif

Kalar smiles a fang-y smile

I'm looking for Deme. She's kinda my sister. Is she here?

[The_Librarian]

The librarian nods.

"Yeah, she's asleep in here." She opens the door wider. Perhaps unusually for someone at home, she has her sword ready in its scabbard at her side. She sits back down in a chair.

Another sibling? Deme, Ant, Fallon... Mhina's going to be busy.

[Lykan]

Kalar bounces into the room, happily

Okay, there's Deme...

He turns to Libris

And you're Keffren Libris!

His tail swishes through the air, and he grins

[The_Librarian]

The librarian looks at Kalar suspiciously.

"There's only two or three people maximum beyond my family who know my first name... so how do you know that?" However, the child seems so happy and bouncy that Libris relaxes a little and smiles. "You're quite the ray of sunshine aren't you?"

[Lykan]

Thanks!

He grins, bouncing over to Libris

Lykan told me, because your brother is sometimes here, and he's also Libris.

[The_Librarian]

The librarian folds her arms but any attempt to be serious keeps failing.

"All right, you get away with it... but no telling anyone else, all right?"

[Lykan]

Kalar nods, and grins

Lykan said it was rude for anyone to call Clawgravians by their first name and to only do it if I had to. So I won't tell anyone else!

[The_Librarian]

"Thank you... now, what do I call you?"

[Lykan]

He grins, bouncing around Libris

My name's Kalar! Me and Aesa share blood! Lykan created me by accident from her blood and manticore spines!

*bounce*... *bounce*... *bounce*...

[The_Librarian]

"Really? You sure he didn't leave a few bags of sugar lying around too?

[Lykan]

Kalar stops bouncing, and frowns

I know a hyper crack when I here one, Libris.

[The_Librarian]

The librarian grins.

"Well wherever you get your energy from, I wish I had the same," she says. "How is the wolfish inventor? Is he keeping well?"

[Lykan]

Kalar frowns

He looks unhappy most of the time. That's why I like spending more time with Aesa.

He grins, and begins jumping around again

[The_Librarian]

The librarian looks saddened.

"I guess he hasn't had much luck helping his daughter then... and Aesa? How is she?"

[Lykan]

He bounces around some more

Yesterday, she showed me her tower, yelled at some person, introduced me to a female Hiko and Maph'tey!

She took me to the mountains too, that was fun!

[The_Librarian]

The librarian smiles.

"Sounds like fun," she says. "Maph'tey? I don't think I've met him, or her."

[Lykan]

Kalar shrugs

I haven't found what specie he is any of my books...

[The_Librarian]

"Then whatever he is, I would assume he is a rare one. Is he friendly?"

[Lykan]

Kalar nods

He looks funny.

[The_Librarian]

""He looks funny"?" the librarian asks. "Like what? Is he furry or feathery or scaley?"

[Lykan]

He nods

Yup!

[The_Librarian]

"All three?!" She pauses. "All right, "weird looking" will suffice. So, you're Aesa's blood but being looked after by Lykan?" She grins. "Lucky you. Wolfman's very kind."

[Lykan]

He grins

Yeah. He's got all these weapons and books and magic items and stuff to play with. He says I'm smart for my age and I can learn to use them!

[The_Librarian]

"Really? Yikes... don't let Kratos hear you say that. I get the feeling the cub wants to learn to fight."

[Lykan]

Kalar grins and continues bouncing

I already know some spells. He's teaching me the Sandstorm Style of fighting. It uses a Scimitar and Kukri!

[The_Librarian]

"So you'll be able to defend yourself then. And what do you see yourself doing around the town?"

[Lykan]

He bites his lip

What do you mean?

[The_Librarian]

"Well, some people like to adventure, and others like a quiet life sitting in Trog's, and others devote themselves to lives of worship."

[Lykan]

Kalar bites his lip

I haven't thought about it... I guess I'll spend time with Aesa and Lykan.

He looks at Libris again

Oh! Lykan wants to see you about something!

[The_Librarian]

The librarian smiles.

"Then I envy them. He wants to see me?" The librarian looks a little reluctant, but picks up her bag and drops a couple of what look like very dry flapjacks into it. "All right. Lead the way, Kalar."

[Lykan]

Kalar grins, and leads her out the door, and to the workshop.

[The_Librarian]

The librarian glances back at the sleeping Deme, makes sure she's left a key for the girl to let herself out with if necessary, and follows the bouncing manticore chimera.

[Kyrian]

There is a knock on the door.

[The_Librarian]

An elven boy with shaggy green hair opens the door and peers out cautiously.

"Nuh-uh, I really can't buy any more cookies."

[Kyrian]

"Libris around?" Ares leans against an outer wall, looking worse for wear. His holsters empty, and his back without sword. His coat is in ruins, and the shirt beneath cut up and blood stained. He looks to the elven boy with one eye cut up and shut, the pain too much for the ex-god of war to bear.

[The_Librarian]

"Gah!!" the cub/elf declares, looking at the injured man. "Um, I don't know. Do you need a heal? I'm getting really good now. People's hair barely grows at all now!"

[Kyrian]

"I just need to speak to Libirs...tell her...tell her Ares is back."

[The_Librarian]

The cub/elf closes the door, and the sound of movement can be heard, followed by a muffled "No, wait!" and a groan as the door opens again.

"I told her!" Were the cub to be in his natural shape right now, it is certain his tail would be wagging. The door opens wider. Wrapped in a cloak, the librarian smiles sadly at Ares' appearance.

"I might still have a spare shirt lying around, you know..." She heads into the house and sits down.

[Kyrian]

Ares gives a soft chuckle and enters. He looks around with his right eye and takes a seat nearby Libris. "How are you?"

[The_Librarian]

Libris smiles.

"Well, fewer injuries than you. But a lot more falling. I have ended my relationship with Bahamutte." She smiles. "It's nice to have the red hair back though. Feels more like "me"."

[Kyrian]

Ares chuckles again and looks at her with his right eye. "Good to see you again, even if only with one eye."

[The_Librarian]

"What happened?" the librarian asks gently.

[Kyrian]

"I'm not as good at fighting as I used to be apparently..."

[The_Librarian]

"What have you been fighting?" Kratos, feeling a bit awkward, turns into his cub self and hops up into the librarian's lap.

[Kyrian]

"Demons, devils, gods...the usual."

[The_Librarian]

"What's the difference between a demon and a devil?" Kratos pipes up. "I mean the way I understood it, both were kinda evil, with horns, and magic."

"Was this for a quest?" the librarian asks the former god of war.

[Kyrian]

"Kinda...needed something to get my mind off things."

[The_Librarian]

The librarian nods.

"I can understand that." She brightens. "But it's good to see you back. What's brought you back to these maddening streets?" she asks with a smile.

[Kyrian]

"Word is that Kyrian's in trouble. Dark Saiyans are back and stronger than ever."

[Atreyu the Masked LLama]

*Atreyu trots in, headbutts continuity, hugs Libris* "Good to see ya again." *then he leaves after refreshing Greeny's hay pile.*

[The_Librarian]

The librarian looks grave.

"He mustn't sacrifice himself. If it didn't work last time, I doubt it will this time. He must find powerful allies. You'll tell him, right?"

[Kyrian]

"I fear he may try to do it again....and bring four others with him this time..."

[The_Librarian]

Libris groans.

"Who?" she asks. "Can it be prevented?"

[Kyrian]

"I've learned their names only recently, though I know none of them. Rafael, Leonel, Alain, and Nazgul."

[The_Librarian]

"Nazgul! No, he can't!"

"He's Aeri's friend. She'd be very sad if he died," the cub says.

"What's his plan?"

[Kyrian]

"I don't know his plan, but these four would likely follow it."

[The_Librarian]

The librarian rubs her face with one hand.

"Gods..." Kratos jumps down from her lap and changes into his elfish self. "The dark saiyan threat must be very great if he is willing to sacrifice so much to destroy them."

"What do they want?"

[Kyrian]

"He's not the only one willing. The five of them used to travel together, and all have similar background stories. They're friends, and where one goes, the others likely follow. As for what the dark saiyans want, beyond Kyrian's death? Control of the world, likely."

[The_Librarian]

The librarian nods.

"I'd hope it would be nothing less." She falls quiet for a moment. "Damn it... it's not fair. He's not been married that long and now this! I can't begin to imagine what's going through Lillah and Aeri's heads right now."

[Kyrian]

Ares rolls his eyes. "Knowing Kyrian, he sees this step in his head, but has yet to say anything about it."

[The_Librarian]

Kratos starts boiling water over the fire.

"Aeri's a fighter. She might even have some tactics... but I'd imagine that as soon as she knew, she'd try to stop them. At least, she'd try to save Nazgul. I wouldn't blame her either." She sighs. "But I shan't say anything. It's not my place."

[Kyrian]

Ares shrugs. "Who knows. From what I've learned of these four, they haven't said anything about it yet."

[The_Librarian]

The librarian nods.

"No, well, like I say. Despite Kyrian's motives being for the greater good, I'd imagine a fair number of people would try to stop him. What do you think? Do you think he has a chance?"

[Kyrian]

"Possibly. Who knows.."

[The_Librarian]

"I wish there was something I could do to help, but the dark saiyans had me outclassed before. They certainly would now."

[Kyrian]

"You know, you're stronger than you give yourself credit for sometimes."

[The_Librarian]

"Not anymore." She looks into the fireplace. "I'm not a paladin. I can still wave the sword around, but it lacks the strength it used to have." She smiles ruefully. "But in any case, I would be no help in this fight, paladin or not. What about you? Do you intend to join your pupil?"

[Kyrian]

"Fate hasn't yet given me a side."

[The_Librarian]

The librarian frowns.

"Wait... what? How could there be any doubt about sides?"

[Kyrian]

"I'm not a good guy, Libris."

[The_Librarian]

The librarian shakes her head.

"I've never known you to be anything but... and Kyrian is your friend. Again I ask, how could there be any doubt about sides? You wouldn't side with the Dark Saiyans, would you?"

[Kyrian]

"My plan is to stay out of this fight."

[The_Librarian]

The librarian looks troubled.

"Ares... please... tell me you wouldn't side with them."

[Kyrian]

"I wouldn't."

[The_Librarian]

The librarian smiles.

"Thank gods... a while ago, Kyrian was saying he'd had to fight you, and that he slew you. So help mr, in that fight I wouldn't have known who to try and aid. I wouldn't want harm to come to either of you."

[Kyrian]

Ares gives a nod.

[The_Librarian]

"I'd better get some rest," the librarian says. "Are you sure you don't want a heal? I'm not sure if it would help the eye, but the rest, certainly."

Kratos looks enthusiastic.
"And it makes your fur glossy!"

[Kyrian]

"I should probably just go..."

[The_Librarian]

"All right, but you take care," the librarian says. "And Ares?" She smiles. "It was good to see you. Really."

[Kyrian]

"You too, Keff..." Ares leaves.

[The_Librarian]

The librarian watches him go and removes the cloak.

"Think I got away with it, cub?" Kratos shrugs.

"Human noses are really pants. I bet you did."

"He's not human though. At least, I don't think he is." She begins pouring out tea.

[Hawkeye]

A soft, sinister voice calls out through the house "Ohhhh Libris...."

[The_Librarian]

The librarian looks around, startled. Kratos, in his cub shape, retreats and hides behind her.

"I'm here," Libris says, forcing her voice to stay calm. "Has your master sent you to taunt me?"