The Journey Home

The Puppeteer’s pace was slow, allowing Bruxa to catch up to him and resume her place at his side, perched on the curve of his arm. Once they were together again, a pair of darkly-clad figures, he ceased twirling his cane, clasping the shaft of it, and quickened his pace just a little though he kept it to the speed of a leisurely stroll. The night air was refreshing, despite the disappointment of their foiled plot. A small smile, like the waxing of a new moon so that it was a thin sliver in the sky, gleamed on his face as his gaze settled on his petite companion. Her idea, although ruined, had been a grand one that the very thought of had pleased him to the very bottom of his twisted heart. To think that she had come up with it all on her own when he would have simply dismissed the lonely lass, left her to the shadows and starlight.

Still, without the new Doll, it would fall to the Puppeteer to feed his precious Doll Bruxa. For a moment, the tingling of terror prickled across the back of his neck as the hairs of his nape stood on end. Deep within the flesh of his human body, the vessel that sheltered his vital thread of life, there was a fear of the vampiric buried. He longed to wrest the fright from the body, but he did not know where to begin to accomplish such a feat. The muscles in his neck tightened a moment and he swallowed, tongue snaking out to moisten his lips, as he pondered the curse that denied him complete control. With a shake of his head, he cast his gaze upon Bruxa again. “Come, let us return to my shop so we might have a quiet evening in peace.” The other pair were left behind, forgotten by the Puppeteer for the time being, as he sought to attend to far more important matters with his prized Doll. [Exits with Bruxa, unless stopped and if she allows.]

The whole scene had played out rather nasty. The way Mr. Ravnos stood, the way he took a protective stance. It was...well, it was downright amusing. She wondered idly if he even realized the stance he took. Her crystal eyes flashed to the piece of his hip. He hadn't even reached for it yet.

And then his hand clasped hers, and she blinked. A blush rose over her cheeks, and she quickly closed her eyes. Calm down now...he's just holding your hand to show unity aganist them...that's all it is, she told herself. She swallowed and let out a deep sigh, quietly. She was...grateful for Mr. Ravnos rescuing her from loneliness. She did wish that the scene hadn't played out so horribly, but it was hard to please everyone.

She turned to him, squeezing his hand softly, and a smile formed. "Go ahead and yell at me. I know you're itching to." she told him. It was alright for him to be a little concerned, but she expected the brunt of his frustration. Bad things could have happened to her if she'd gone with those people. But then again, she could have walked away with two new friends. It was hard to judge, and therefore wrong to make assumptions.

Her crystal eyes didn't miss things though. "Go on..." she urged.

As night's blanket enveloped the castle, Neihem became restless. He longed to escape the man-made stone walls of the castle for a while. Exiting the garden, he wound his way through the seemingly endless corridors, sensing more than knowing his way, feeling nature pulling him toward the outer walls.

The few social instances he had experienced with others at the school left him feeling more foolish than ever. He often found himself tripping over his own words, unable to master the social graces of this world. In nature, anything went, and usually did. His primal instincts drew him to the front gates.

In an attempt to learn more of the human world, he finally decided to use the cover of darkness to explore the nearby town. Ashuur prowled silently at his side, wings folded back against his small body, slinking low to the ground.

He roamed the town, staying to the shadows. No telling what the reaction of any of the townsfolk would be if they saw a robed man with large curving horns walking idly down the street. His old leg injury was starting to flare up, making his limp more pronounced, and he was just deciding to turn back to the castle when he heard voices. He closed in as softly as he dared on hooved feet, trying to avoid making any noise. Ahead seemed to be some sort of altercation. Three people he recognized. The young elemental girl and the librarian he had met his first day at the school. The third was the slinky vampire woman that had been in the clearing on the night of the Astronomy field trip.

The fourth man, well, he seemed... wrong. Neihem did not know how empathic the man may be, so he lightly reached out his nature sense, gently probing. The man seemed to be at least partially human, but underneath was a darkness he did not like.

The vampire and the man in the top hat took their leave, and the air grew a little less tense. He watched the elemental girl and the librarian exchange a few words, then stepped out of the shadows, trying not to startle either of them. Aside from the destructive weapon the librarian constantly carried, he genuinely liked the man. The girl, being tied closely to nature, he could not help but like.

"I think you made a wise choice tonight, my dear," he spoke softly to the girl. "Celestine, your boldness belies your occupation, and I commend you for that," nodding deeply to his colleague. "I apologize for eavesdropping, but I sense that both of you were in grave danger this evening, and may still be. Would you like an extra companion for the night?"

How dare he.... She thought... This librarian thinking he could just appear and expect everyone to change plans? Well...it did seem he had done just that... she grimmaced silently. The heels of those boots clicking against the cobblestone walkway drummed out the determined steps as she caught up to the Puppeteer. Hooking her arm into the crook of his own. Ebony hues danced in his direction, noting the smile, hearing the pace of his heart quicken as did their steps.

"Aha, so something good did come of this spoiled event..." The dark contenance seem to lighten if only slightly as that puckish smile returned. "It seems to brought a change of heart to invite me back to your new shoppe..." A childish giggle spilled from those plush lips as she glanced back over her shoulder to the dissipating scene. Noting how the once female victim and the librarian savior had clasped hands.

Dark eyes narrowed and drew to the strange being with the large horns that had appeared, remembering him from another event not so long ago. "Do you think green demons bleed green blood?" She whispered, mostly to herself as she stared at the trio while the top-hatted escort lead her towards his establishment.

[Exits unless stopped]

Celestine stood quietly, his eyes on the two as they walked off into the fog of the night. This wasn't good. He had no intention of making enemies at Caislin Hallows. He felt Angelique stir besides him and turned to her as she ranted. It was understandable. She was probably now afraid. Panicked. He showed merely calm. Unwavering calmness and steady eyes.

"I'm not angry with you. I've found myself in situations I'd rather not be in. In this case, I'm sure you were merely unlucky. There are things in life you cannot protect yourself against. There are things you can. Don't worry. It happens to us all."

With Neihem's arrival, Celestine stood, "Ah. Thank you Professor Neihem. It is nice to have some support as I did not see the whole scenario until I literall ran into it.. Please, join us, sir. I feel we may find the company warming in the night."

She couldn't help but feel like maybe Mr. Ravnos was misunderstanding her. While it was probably in her best interest to be terrified, she wasn't. She didn't feel sad, angry, or terrified. She was just glad to be out tonight, and now she had a friend to be with her.

Gently, she worked her hand out of Mr. Ravnos', as he talked. She looked up at him, and grinned. "I am perfectly fine. Thank you again for fending off the poachers." she told him with a laugh, her crystal eyes shifting to the fog. They were gone for now, but the man in the tophat would not take lightly to his plans being foiled. She didn't know him personally, but sometimes it was best to just go with instinct.

The apperance of her science class professor brought out a pixie like smile. She watched him and nodded in agreement. "How nice to see you out and about, Professor Steelwynd!" Sometimes it was easy to forget that professors were in need of the same thing that students were...their own lives. She shifted a little, and moved around Mr. Ravnos. It was easy to let her nature sense move out to reassure the Satyr that she really was happy to see him.

She glanced back to Mr. Ravnos, still smiling. "What shall we do now, the three of us?" she ask him playfully, her smile becoming a teasing smile.

While not completely at ease, Celestine gave the trio a bright, carefree smile that hid mischievousness and his own brand of experience. Celestine personally considered being out now passed nightfall in the old part of town unwise given there was no reason to tempt fate. He wasn't on any 'patrol.' as he had been in the past

"Well unless you wanted to go down the yellow brick road, my suggestion would be to head back to Caislin Hallows and retire for the evening."

His eyes wandered to the professor and then back to Angelique. "However, as I have not yet become an old fuddy duddy, then I have no problems escorting the young lady alongside the good professor in a wonderful nighttime walk."

Neihem still felt uneasy about the confrontation he had witnessed, but he attempted not to let it show. He had come to understand that his alien features did not belie much to the eyes of humans, in any case.

"I'm not sure what drew me to this place on this particular evening, as my kind generally steers very clear of large human habitations," he said. "I suppose it was a need to get free of the stone walls of the castle for a spell. To tell the truth, this place is a bit unnerving. If any of the inhabitants here were to spy me, there is no telling what might ensue." He cast his eyes down, feeling more of an outsider than ever.

"I have heard of a place in the forest not far from the castle that I've been meaning to visit for some time now. It might be dangerous for you, but in my company you should be fine, if you wish to accompany me. I, of course, understand if you two have had your fill of danger for one evening." He smiled as best he could under the circumstances.

Her companions seemed so...discouraged. A frown split her features, her crystal eyes concerned. Why were they so afraid now? Of course, that brought around the question of why she'd been so afraid before too...but then again, she'd been without a companion then, and therefore had been afraid because she was simply alone.

Now, her confidence was reassured, because of her company. She felt strong and even happy now that she had friends to explore with. Though...the idea of going back to her dorm room and falling into an exhausted sleep did sound inviting...but perhaps a little exploring could be good for her.

She laughed softly, watching the two males decide what they would do. A trip somewhere into the forest, while appealing because of the enviroment, could be potentailly dangerous. She'd heard that beasts roamed the woods at night...but then again, how much more terrifying could that be compared to what had just taken place? And the Professor, being a Satyr would probably be the best guide, since creatures of the forest seldom attatcked that which was like it.

"It sounds delightful." she chimed in, her crystal eyes brightening with the idea of an adventure. Perhaps the night would be salvageable afterall...

The satyr's mirthful nature allowed a grin to split his face at the girl's enthusiasm. Such a rare and gifted child she was, yet so innocent. That innocence could prove to be dangerous - even fatal - amongst the company she kept at the school and this town.

Though he had no children of his own, Neihem had developed something of a fatherly instinct in his travels, healing the sick and helping the needy. He decided silently that he would have to keep an eye on young Angelica.

"And you, Celestine? I believe a scholarly man such as yourself might find this trip to be intriguing. Tell me, have you ever encountered any of the fae folk before?"