{ LAIR } The Main Colosseum (PAGE 4)

[kuropeco]

Following Medea had proved to be quite interesting, Mengyao decided.

He could do without the sand, however.

After lowering his arm (which he had raised out of instinct in a vague attempt to block the howling wind from blowing anything into his eyes), he narrowed his gaze a little, following the lines of the enormous structure that had appeared before him. It stretched out in front of him, imposing and impressive, and Mengyao had to at least admit, somewhat grudgingly, that it was rather curious. He watched the hunters be dragged away, but his expression was disinterested, less inclined to discover their fate as he was the fate of others whom he was looking for.

It was warm here, and a gentle breeze rifled his hair, which was, miraculously, still pinned neatly and imperiously in place. Mengyao idly brushed a hand over the dark hands before he dropped it, tucking it out of sight into the opposite sleeve and entwining his hands together in front of him, both hidden beneath the draping blue clothes.

Out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of dark hair and pale skin.

Moving quietly, so as to not detract from anything else, chin lifted high, he walked slowly towards her, ignoring the way his chest constricted with relief, deliberately pushing aside the overwhelming sense of gratitude that she was still here, that she was still standing, that she was alive -

He stopped just behind her.

"Quite a sight, wouldn't you say?" he said lightly, and his gaze rested, not on Lifen, but on the coliseum still in front of them, tracing the lines of sand, the windows, the crevices of dirt.

But oh, he was happy to see her.

Nerpin

 

[Enoh Love]

Ah, he recognized this lair. He had been here once before in his youth. Such memories, such fond memories...

Salbei watched with a general disinterest as the Hunters were taken away once more by members of his own clan, instead looking around at those who had come to join them. Mostly fellow Horsemen, it seemed...but there were a few promising ones. In the short time he had with them he had grown fond of the little ones; they were still young, still very much a chaotic variable. Yet on the same token their youth made them easy to mold, if they were willing.

His gaze rested on one that seemed more than willing. Alex.

As he headed over to the Zomboil, he paused long enough to ruffle Jay's hair, giving her a bright smile. Soren received nothing but a smile as he passed, and eventually the Sage found himself behind Alex. Thin hands crept up, sliding to grasp the young zombie's shoulders.

"I'm glad you made it, little Zombie." Sal said in a rather honest voice; he was glad, really. He was quite fond of Alex, the only bloodthirsty and yet reasonable student he had come across. Red eyes drifted towards the figure who looked a little panicked, eyeing him with obvious interest. "So this is the one, hmm?"

Syusaki

Seussi

ramenli

 

[santime]

Yayoi

"I'm sorry, if I embarrassed you", Eisheth felt the need to add watching a frown touched Mei's face. Or was the student embarrassed with the public attention more than with the lecture? "But I was really worried". She didn't have more words to express her thoughts, but tried to much as much impact into this simple phrase, as possible. She wasn't really THAT talkative, after all, as most of the horsemen (except for Conquest), and never understood the urge to decorate the speech with too many tropes. Meaning was all that was important, and she hoped the ghoul would understand her.

Now that the greeting was settled, Eisheth had a lot to think. "The Lair is not for dwelling....", she replied wistfully. "It's a local base for harvesting Fear. Hunting - and haunting - humans, to be exact. They are captured and brought here to be milked for Fear, like we did with those hunters", she nodded into prisoners direction.  

[Yayoi]

Pulling out of the hug, but keeping close to the Horsewoman she grinned. "It was just...an unexpected and surprising reaction is all. Not unwelcome in the least I assure you." The reaction told her a lot about Eisheth and a lot about her feelings towards her. She had figured she would be more reserved around her fellow Clansmen but that didn't seem to be the case. The ghoul was glad for that as that had been what she expected. "I'm sorry for making you worry, I really am. Tell me how I can make it up to you and I will." She did feel bad and wanted to do whatever to make up for having run off a head and getting herself into trouble where Eisheth couldn't have reached her. It was a silly thing she'd done. But maybe if she had been stronger she would of been able to hold out until she had reached her.

Mei glanced around again, listening quietly to Eisheth's explination of what a lair actually was. Nodding on occasion and casting a glace in the direction the Hunters had been taken. "So you will remain at the reserve in Halloween town then for the most part?" Tilting her head, she glanced up at her from the corner of her eye. She figured Eisheth would probably spend a lot of her time here as it probably reminded her greatly of her home that she had lost. But if Mei was going to be working with the Horsemen as Medea had said then she too would probably be spending some time here as well.

"I see." She felt slightly sympathetic for the Hunters, those feelings brought back memories of the conversation she had had with Chryses. "Will they be completely drained?" Curious, in all honesty she understood the want of revenge from the Horsemen. But what good was it to kill the Hunters right out. In the end, it was the risks of fighting all of them had taken. If the Hunters had won more students might have been kidnapped. Tit for tat it seemed.

santime

 

[kuropeco]

Her voice sounded the same as it always had, and some of the tension eased from Mengyao's shoulders as he idly twisted his fingers together beneath the folds of his sleeves. A part of him wanted to pick Lifen up and carry her out of there right this moment, but he was not about to do that. It would be undignified, not to mention it would most likely draw a great deal of attention towards them.

"Mm...I tend to like the extravagance of things," he responded easily, and tilted his head, slanting a look down at her, a playful smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

The smile, however, flickered a little at her soft words, Mengyao's expression shifting to one that was less teasing and more serious, pressing his lips together. Silently he lifted a hand, and just for a moment his fingers brushed against her cheek, lingering on the pale skin of her face.

"I had not dared to think you were anything but fine," he said quietly. "I could not bear to think otherwise."

His fingers pressed gently, and then he lifted them, tucking a strand of Lifen's dark hair behind one ear, letting his hand trail down her jawline just briefly before turning away again, tucking his hand back into his sleeve. The entire gesture had been very subtle, very quiet, and now he looked back at the coliseum, narrowing his eyes a little.

"Have you seen Lan or Yuzhi..?"

Nerpin

 

[Ephebe]

The sand place was not what Leo had been expecting. Truthfully, she wasn't entirely sure what she had been expecting, but this was definitely not it. Still she followed the rest of the group and listened intently when Medea made yet another speech.

So. They were tagged. She balked at the thought of what would happen if they betrayed the Lost Clan - or was it Medea? - and already a tiny seed of regret took place in her heart. But there was nothing to do about that now. Literally nothing, except having her FEAR stripped and being left as a vegetable. Great. Just great.

But still... the power she had promised. It still tempted the mare greatly, the idea of finally being useful. Surely she could live with a little brand? It wasn't like she was planning on betraying the Lost Clan or anything like that, so there was really nothing to worry about.

And Mei was here. Yin and Alex too, she saw, and if they thought this was the best choice too, then surely it was.

Yes, everything would be fine. Surely.  

[santime]

Yayoi

The alchemist laughed hearing the "make it up part"; she leaned closer, and gently put her finger on Mei's lips making a hissing noise and whispering: "Ssssh! Don't say that, or I can ask something you won't be able to perform", she explained smiling playfully.

"Drained?... Probably", replied Eisheth watching the prisoners being taken away, "but not now... they will be suffering for a long time now. Don't sympathize them, if we didn't rescue the students, their fate would be much worse", she grinned.

Was she going to spend some time here?.. Actually, now that she remembered everything, Eisheth had a lot to think about. Seeing her fellow clansmen already settled and guarding the Lair was convincing, and also wasn't the Lair what she was thinking about as well?... But something bugged her, and the alchemist couldn't help feeling something was a bit wrong. First, why, why in the world didn't they know about the Lair before?.. Looks like it was organised quite a while ago, since it was fully functional right now, but Medea never told them about it, and that was a mystery how did she select the horsemen to help her with this project. Was Eisheth a bit jealous she wasn't the one?... Probably that was the case, but still, rethinking their last battle, she couldn't help feeling the Head priestess didn't tell them everything... perhaps, she had her own plans, her own target there, on the island, did she succeed or not. Anyway, it is not her business.

xoxomenai

Glancing thoughtfully over the cavern, Eisheth saw Kiwi. "Kiwi!", she shouted. "You all right?...". Thanks Queen, she had a skilled cousin who was able to defend himself causing no worries.

ramenli

Boozver

The alchemist also noticed Soren and Heidla not far from her and Mei. "Glad you all made it", she nodded to them. "So.. I'm curious, did you kill any hunters? How many?". Her own prey appeared to be a coward: he simply ran away, leaving her without anything to show off.

Enoh Love

And who was that guy standing near Mei's friend (Alex... looks like that was the boil's name) and Soren? The guy looked pretty much like Famine'r, and she was almost positive she had seen him before.  

[Yayoi]

Pouting Mei crossed her arms over her chest. She'd figure something out...eventually. When there was some down time perhaps. Though if Medea's words rang true they would all be plenty busy anyhow, so she'd have to figure something out quick. Either way. Letting out a heavy sigh she fiddled with her sleeves. "Finnneeee. I will figure something out on my own. Just you wait." The last part was a playful threat. It amazed her sometimes, after what they had just gone through, that she could still find the energy to be playful. The whole ordeal was draining and she was starting to feel the effects of it all. Like a flood gate opened and her head was slightly swimming.

Though the thought of the Hunters being tortured and suffering brought no real joy to her. They had had no sympathy for the Halloweeners or the Horsemen. That was clearly evident from the one Hunter she barely remembered fighting. The look in that female's eyes....it sent a cold chill through her. But in retrospect Eisheth was right. If the kidnapped students had been anything but 'alive' things probably would have turned out a lot worse than they had. "You are....you are right." Did the Hunters ever feel sympathy for what they did? Surely a few had to right? She hated being conflicted, but when it came down to it, it was the Hunters who hunted down their kind and destroyed them regularly. "I guess they deserve whatever it is that awaits them." The words were hollow though, in her heart of hearts she still had a piece of her that lingered in a well of sympathy. But now it was time to push that part of her aside.

Was that why she was so weak? Her compassion and sympathy....? Would Medea's offer of FEAR and power turn her into a cold hearted killer? Looking up at Eisheth, she searched for answers that weren't there. She would just have to find those herself in the time to come.

Her eyes traveled back to the entrance of the Lair and another familiar face popped up. Leo? Leo! She had lost Leo as well during the fighting. They had all become so scattered during everything. She was glad that the Mare had survived. But why had she come to walk this path? She did not expect to find the other ghoul here but she was a welcome sight none the less.

Still close to Eisheth, she waved an arm in the arm at the lone ghoul, "Leo! Over here!"

santime-

Ephebe-

 

[Ephebe]

Leo spotted Mei's waving pretty quickly, and if the gesture left any doubts as to its intent, the words following it did not. "Hey." She moved closer with a tired smile. Who was the ghoul next to Mei? She didn't seem familiar but then again, Leo didn't know all that many students. Although... squinting at the ghoul in red, she seemed less like a student and more like a horseman.

Well, leave it to Mei to make friends in odd places. With a slighty brighter smile, Leo nodded to the other ghouls. "Hey." Right, she'd already said that. "You're alive. That's great." The events were taking a toll on her, but it really was great to see Mei alive and whole. The words didn't come out quite as enthusiastically as she meant them, though. Oh well. "Really great." She amended.

santime

Yayoi

 

[ramenli]

Soren glanced down when he thought he heard someone addressing him, but did not see any that he knew. Not that he would have much to say. Captured by hunters, the very idea left a vile taste in his mouth. Plus, a stallion of his size was not meant to be confined to a net.

Now that his attention was directed downward he could see the noble as she approached. He nodded his acknowledgement to her, taking in her appearance. She had probably seen better days. "I should've done more," he admitted, the faintest trace of bitterness creeping into his tone. He had fought, but in a battle that Medea herself had intervened in. At least they had been victorious still, but he would have preferred to have fought. To have slain. There was nothing he could really do about it though, and now there were more pressing matters to attend to. Maybe he would get to help make sure that the additions to the lair supplied by the hunters were...comfortable. The mere thought caused the corners of his lips to curve up.

The sigh made him look down in concern before realizing what she was seeing. Quietly he spoke, the reason for his odd volume evident in the light layer of disdain in his voice. "They're to be treated as equals here." Students as equals. In a lair. Useful in battle they might be, and on their side. But equals? Equal to scarelings. He would tolerate them and work with them. He would not take orders from them. And if there was a decision between helping a horseman and a student...it was no question.

iStoleYurVamps

 

[Syusaki]

She could spot a few more students in the crowd now. Half-lidded eyes strayed toward the portal, then back to the group of horsemen and students. Hands clasped together, Jay waited for the priestess to speak once more, but found herself constantly fidgeting. Sometimes she shifted her weight from one sandaled foot to the other. Other times she crossed and uncrossed her arms or moved her head from side to side. They had only just arrived to the Lair and already she was beginning to grow restless. What she wanted to do the most was to find those hunters and play with them, make them dance and scream until she had had her fill.

A voice broke her out of her impatient daze and she chirped back at Shikoba, “Yes! Yes you are right, but it would be even better if we didn’t have to wait.” She frowned childishly. “But then the fun would be over too fast, huh? I’m sure the wait will be worth it.”

A passing horseman reached out to ruffle her hair and she giggled. There was no mistaking him for anyone else. “Sallie~” she sang softly, her hand brushing against his before he headed toward a pair of students. “Hmmmm.”

Ol-j-man

Enoh Love

 

[Molten Tigrex]

Being met with sudden heat was disorienting, to say the least. It wasn't until the group had ducked into tunnels that Aymet felt a sense of... familiarity? A maze of them, sand and scorching heat. He had stayed on the island of Famine, back before it had been bombed into nothingness and insanity by the hunters. This place seemed to be very much in the style of it. Not really comforting, least of all the heat, but it hearkened back to a secret he'd uncovered with Maodore and Sparrow. Those hunters could only wish SEEDS had captured them instead, if that secret room had been any indication.

As the horsemen carted off the hunter captives and devolved into friendly chatter, Medea presented the handful of students an ultimatum, a choice: join her, or get the Jack out of the way. Aymet turned toward the others, took in the mix of curiosity, uncertainty, and rejection.

A slightly younger dracolich once looked up to heroes. Covered his small room in books and comics and trading cards, memorized tabletop games from cover to cover, soaked up bravery like a sponge. Every character he ever rolled had gone on to do great things in that tiny dice-ruled universe, heroes of immeasurable worth. And on the other side he remained a scrawny, awkward teenager wondering when or even if his time would finally come too.

Of course Aymet stepped forward. The sigil of the clans burned with blue fire as a distorted eye, testament enough to his willingness to take action before consequence. Aymet didn't see a chain and a collar, he saw a fighting chance for Amityville - even for those too misguided, too afraid, to finish what they started when they accepted Medea's help in the first place.

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(( MAHIR IS TOO, HEY FAMINE BUDDIES ))