Trial of Trials : Act 2

[thequestgiver]

There's something uneasy that can be felt in the city, and seemingly no end to the rumors springing up in the wake of the downtown explosion that leveled BOARD's headquarters. Stories of an odd sickness where the afflicted suddenly winds up anemic, their blood levels dangerously low, despite feeling fine that morning have already taken root, others of strange animals seen roaming at night, and horrible screams and gunshots in one of the parking garages....

The space where the ill-fated headquarters lays silent, an empty patch of dirt and gravel that seemed to attract those drawn to stories and rumors. Police have already had to shoo away opportunists with metal detectors, hoping to find something interesting in the impressively quickly cleared wreckage, and others have reported something that just feels... wrong, when they walk by the site. The ghosts of those who hadn't made it out of the collapse? Or something else? Noone can really put a finger on it to explain.

And meanwhile, under the cover of shadows, things unknown to those who still walk in the light continue to move. Whispers of the rogue mage and a treasure trove of information, of upsets in the vampire hierarchy, and sworn revenge on the mages who had used one of their own for their gain.

And deep in a hidden lab, BOARD's remains and allies continue to work, twisting all they can get their hands on to create the perfect weapon; made of the very things they wish to cleanse from the world. The loss of the incapacitated vampire elder was only a small one, with how much they had already extracted and drawn from it. And if the rumors of their knowledge being in the hands of their enemies were true? They would just have to speed up their projected timeline. Or simply slow down that of the world. After all, they were mages. Reality bended to their will, not that of those who opposed them....

Comments

[triggerhappytraitor]

The question was met by another snort. No, he was well aware he could be scary. He had used that ability to his advantage, before he knew what damage he was causing... But it took far more than an annoyed glare for that.

His frown deepened at the tentative musing. Had his magic not been enough to purify the area? Or had that purification faded, allowing the remains of whatever had escaped to sink back into where it had come from? Or....

"Something hid in the shelter of something else?"

[dangerouslyinlove]

Ryoji shrugs a little. "It's certainly possible. I don't know what your friend did, after all. But if there was something overpowering, it's entirely likely they could have been too distracted to notice less powerful things. And maybe that's not what happened, but I can tell you it's not... entirely peaceful here now." 'Peace' is Ryoji's main goal with the dead, after all. He will fight them if he has to, and he's not bad at it. But he'd much rather bring their souls to rest.

[triggerhappytraitor]

Tachibana's expression softened, looking distant and almost regretful before he turned. "... do what you can, then." It wasn't as if his methods were designed for peace, after all. And any spirits that might be lingering... As much as he hoped only the more corrupt and aware members of BOARD had gone down with the building, he was sure at least some of the "grunts" of the organization had yet again been used as sacrifices.... They had deserved better in life, and even more so in death.

[dangerouslyinlove]

Ryoji nods. "I will." But he's still watching Tachibana, a quiet smile on his face. "You seem to know a lot about what happened here." It's not quite a question, but he is hoping the man might elaborate a liiiiittle bit more one what went down. It helps to go in with some information, to have an idea of what, exactly, he might be dealing with.

[triggerhappytraitor]

"Because I'm not some rubbernecking tourist poking around ruins my first day in town," Tachibana returned stiffly. It wasn't as it if were any big secret that he used to work there. Even before the 'help us find our employee' posters went up, with how often he acted as BOARD's spokesperson, most everyone knew his place of employment. Even if they had no idea what BOARD truly was...

[dangerouslyinlove]

Oh! That's right, Ryoji does recognize him now. And the pieces are staring to come together a little bit. "Well, it's very nice to meet you! What's your name? I'm Ryoji."

He's... not quite willing to give his full name to a mage, but using a fake one is honestly way too much effort. Not unless he wants to use it all the time.

[triggerhappytraitor]

"Tachibana." A common last name, nothing that could be used on it's own. And certainly not the name he took as his True Name when he ascended.

[dangerouslyinlove]

Eh, it doesn't bother Ryoji. It's not like he can do anything with names. "You've lived here for a while, I guess? I only just got into town. Do you have any recommendations?"

[triggerhappytraitor]

"...Do what you came to do, and then leave." The answer was curt, bordering rude, but there were already too many people sticking their noses into things that would likely turn ugly fast....

[dangerouslyinlove]

That's not very nice Tachibana. Thanatos, very protective of his host and much more sure that he has people's best interests in mind more than this mage. It flairs up again, large and intimidating. Ryoji looks around at it and sighs, waving a hand. "Oh hush, he just doesn't know me yet, it's fine."

He turns back to Tachibana, gentle smile still on his face. "Well, I came here partly for school! So I'm probably going to be here a while." He does look around the age of a freshman college student.

[triggerhappytraitor]

The Mage's head tilts, eyes narrowing at the spector. "...So you are aware of it..." he half murmured to himself with a frown.

The frown only deepened as Ryoji continued. "...Still part of the living world?" he frowned further. Had he been mistaken, thinking this child was the same as Takeru?

[dangerouslyinlove]

Thanatos stops posturing, but its gaze doesn't leave Tachibana.

Ryoji tilts his head at him, chuckling as he messes with his scarf. "Of course I am. That's kind of the point..." But he's not elaborating on that, redirecting the conversation back at Tachibana. "What did happen to the building? You said there are different stories. I'd like to hear yours, if that's alright."

[triggerhappytraitor]

There was a moment of curiosity where the man's expression almost softened--

-- only to harden to a glare again. "No, it isn't," he returned stiffly. What little he did remember of that night... No. No it wasn't anything he wanted to speak of. ...or anything he even should, considering those involved.

[dangerouslyinlove]

Well. That's a harsher reaction than he was expecting. Ryoji looks surprised, but not offended. "Alright," he says, still clearly trying to puzzle through Tachibana's reasons, but not pushing for more information, "Can you tell me anything about who might be there? It'll make it easier. If you don't feel comfortable with it I understand, though."

[triggerhappytraitor]

"Didn't I tell you not to poke your nose into things like this?" Tachibana glared.

...only to a moment later realize what Ryoji was likely asking for. With an annoyed scowl, he crossed his arms, looking to the side. "Tennjouji's spirit should have already been purified," he returned with a huff. "I don't know who else was there when it collapsed."

[dangerouslyinlove]

Ryoji considers that, nodding. "Alright... that should make it easier. I'll double check to make sure he's gone for sure." Geists can be very, very hard to get rid of. He only hopes that the more dangerous ones haven't found human hosts already. He doesn't like dealing with those.

[triggerhappytraitor]

"... Please do." The words were terse and unhappy, but genuine all the same. It would be for the best when everything BOARD had caused had faded... but he had the nagging feeling that it would take far more than a few well meaning individuals to lay that spirit to rest...

[dangerouslyinlove]

Ryoji smiles, nodding. "Do you want me to let you know what I find?" He is perfectly fine doing it with just him and Thanatos (he's never quite on his own, really), but this man is obviously quite invested.

[triggerhappytraitor]

The Mage was silent a long moment. "If you think there is anything I could do to aid the situation," he finally answered.

[dangerouslyinlove]

"It's possible there could be." He doesn't entirely know what's awaiting him, after all. He doesn't really like the idea of actually working with a Mage, however reformed he may or may not be, but if it'll help set the spirits to rest...

[triggerhappytraitor]

"Whatever is left was strong enough to survive what would normally cleanse those victims of supernatural death from any influences that might have tainted them," Tachibana explained with a slow exhale. "Not something that any of your kind or kin would want to experience."

He avoided looking over, a note of something much like regret in his tone.

[dangerouslyinlove]

...hm. That's... probably not good. "Hm. I guess I'll have to be extra careful!" It's not going to scare him off, definitely. If anything, that makes him more determined to help whatever's left find peace. Or... depending on who's there, make sure they don't hurt anyone.

"...Can you tell me what that was, at least?" Seriously please give him some hints here.

[triggerhappytraitor]

Another, uncomfortably long pause. "A Mage who had become so lost in his power that he would alter others of his kind to further it. One of many...."

[dangerouslyinlove]

.....Yeah. Not good is the right term for it. "Is that who you think your friend took care of before?"

[triggerhappytraitor]

"With how far down he was... it was easier for me to reach him," Tachibana confirmed uncomfortably.