Nightfall:You're Worth Saving

[9:49:36 AM] Omniance: [Friday, June 9th 3:30 p.m.
Wildomar, Nadrageel Castle]

[10:02:28 AM] Arbi: Ricky: He's walking up the driveway towards the library with Lucas again. His Porsche is parked behind them by the sidewalk like before, but unlike this morning the metal frame is completely full of holes from Yuri's chains. A little bit of smoke can also be seen coming out from under the hood, likely the engine is damaged. He's wearing "new" clothes he bought from a thrift store on the way here, a plaid button shirt with khakis, since his other shirt and pants were ripped up by Lucas. It feels weird coming here two times in one day...

[10:08:06 AM] Omniance: Lucas: After Avo's funeral I was hoping I'd never have to come back here. He's wearing a plain black t-shirt and cheap red basketball shorts that are too baggy since they couldn't find anything decent in his size. He pulls them up a little and undoes the drawstring in the front and pulls it tighter to keep them from falling, then ties it. All the stores are nicer but the clothes still suck. He undoes it and ties it tighter again.

[10:08:52 AM] Arbi: Ricky: He stops at the doors of the library entrance, expecting someone to stop them again.

[10:12:44 AM] Omniance: There's a sound across the way, a little behind them, near the long hall that runs to the huge castle.

The Prince: And I'm supposed to believe there's no key?

Natalya: You can believe whatever you wish, the last one was given away. She's gliding out into the yard with the Prince walking beside her.

The Prince: You insist that you have no unknown copy?

Natalya: She stares ahead at Lucas and Ricky. It was given to them by my caretaker this morning. She motions to the two boys and looks at the Prince.

The Prince: Her green eyes seem to almost reflect in his as he stares back at her. After a moment he looks to Lucas and Ricky.

[10:14:40 AM] Arbi: Ricky: There he is... He starts walking across the yard towards the Prince and Natalya.

[10:16:13 AM] Omniance: The Prince: The two of you came back here? He looks at Lucas for a moment, then back to Ricky. ...Why? Natalya just stands there beside him. She doesn't look very amused at the situation.

Lucas: He follows Ricky quickly after a second.

[10:17:59 AM] Arbi: Ricky: He stops and looks at the Prince, even though he helped them before he still doesn't like him very much. You already know why we're here. You fought with him this morning...

[10:19:21 AM] Omniance: The Prince: Ah... He looks to Lucas, and can almost see what's wrong from his expression. ...Mr. Vidente. He looks to Ricky. I would stay far from him if at all possible.

[10:22:37 AM] Arbi: Ricky: He wants to take Vera's soul... He looks to the side across the yard. He's following us, along with Yuri...

[10:24:57 AM] Omniance: Natalya: I employed Nemo Vidente for some time. He was quite an asset... She looks to the Prince. Up until he became... Unstable.

Lucas: He looks down.

The Prince: As was my aim as well. He looks from Natalya to Ricky. Well let's head into the library shall we? I may be here, but I am still very much dead, so I may not be here for very long.

[10:26:58 AM] Arbi: Ricky: He looks at Natalya. He worked for you? I thought he just showed up...

[10:29:27 AM] Omniance: Natalya: He worked for a man that called himself the Druaght. After my son killed him, Nemo came to work for me in return for the deed.

Lucas: He grabs the key to the library from a bracelet with a cross and a few other things on it and heads towards the side door.

[10:31:23 AM] Arbi: Ricky: He walks up towards the door behind Lucas before looking back at the Prince. By the way, what happened to Maria?

[10:33:20 AM] Omniance: The Prince: She fled. It would seem that the Athame she held does not contain sufficient enough charge to last for an extended period of time.

Lucas: He opens the door and they head in. Natalya, true to her word earlier, seems content just waiting outside unless invited in.

[10:35:55 AM] Arbi: Ricky: He steps inside and follows the Prince, not even noticing that Natalya decided to stay outside.

[10:39:19 AM] Omniance: The Prince: So why is it that you are here then? The library shifts and the shelves slide into a different position. He continues walking as if nothing happened, straight ahead to one of the shelves that moved into place.

Lucas: We need a ward for Ricky's arm. The ink in it can be exploited by Nemo.

The Prince: I see... He pulls a large red book from the shelf. I of course cannot help you, unless you offer me something in return. He turns and looks at them. Nothing given, nothing gained. He turns away from them and heads to a pedestal that seems to rise from the carpet.

[10:40:53 AM] Arbi: Ricky: He sighs, remembering hearing about the Prince's deals before from the twins. We don't have time for this. What do you want?...

[10:43:08 AM] Omniance: The Prince: Right now? A great deal of human flesh. At least one-hundred pounds of it. He sets the book on the pedestal. Or you could deal with Mr. Vera's brother in a timely manner so that my consciousness does not return to being enslaved by whoever picks up my... "Merchandice". Either way I do nothing think you are capable of completing either request.

[10:45:13 AM] Arbi: Ricky: He looks at Lucas for a moment, unsure of what to do now.

[10:45:54 AM] Omniance: Lucas: We'll look ourselves. He grumbles as he moves towards a row of books in the back.

[10:47:22 AM] Arbi: Ricky: He looks back at the Prince when Lucas walks away. If we can't get you to ward the ink, maybe you can do something a little easier... for less payment.

[10:48:21 AM] Omniance: Lucas: Yeah but we can't half-ass this. Nemo's a lot smarter than me... He'll find loopholes. He looks back at Ricky with obvious worry.

[10:50:05 AM] Arbi: Ricky: We have to do something, Vera... I can't help you fight him with these tattoos in my skin.

[10:51:09 AM] Omniance: Lucas: ...I'm sorry... It's my fault you even have them. He tries to think of something. A hundred pounds of human flesh? He looks up at Ricky and sighs. What the hell kind of request is that?

[10:52:46 AM] Arbi: Ricky: I think he just wants us to sacrifice someone for another body...

[10:54:06 AM] Omniance: Lucas: That's what it sounds like to me... He's trying to get out of whatever Yuri is doing to him. He looks at little to the side. What if we ask the actual Prince? He looks up at Ricky. The creepy woman?

[10:56:23 AM] Arbi: Ricky: We could try...

[10:57:30 AM] Omniance: Lucas: Better then going out and grabbing someone and dragging them back there and letting him have his way with them... Or whatever the hell... He puts his hand to his forehead.

[10:58:43 AM] Arbi: Ricky: He nods after a moment and looks back towards the window, seeing her waiting outside. Let's go...

[11:00:44 AM] Omniance: Lucas: He walks passed Ricky and heads outside with him. Once outside he looks to Natalya. You're the Prince right? That means you're supposed to help people... Protect them or something... Right?

Natalya: No. She's looking out across the lawn.

[11:03:02 AM] Arbi: Ricky: What about helping us? He crosses his arms.

[11:04:16 AM] Omniance: Natalya: Why would I do that? She narrows her eyes as they dart around, looking at the courtyard.

Lucas: He mumbles. Because you're a good person...

Natalya: There's no reason for me to help you, and all you've to barter is the ownership of the library.

[11:07:23 AM] Arbi: An explosion is suddenly heard from inside the library that shakes and even shatters some of the windows, this is followed by several loud heavy thumps. It sounds like some of the bookcases fell over.

[11:08:51 AM] Omniance: Natalya: Her eyes dart to the door.

Lucas: What the hell was that? He turns and looks back into the library.

[11:10:30 AM] Arbi: Smoke begins to pour out of the broken windows.

Ricky: What the hell did he do... He looks at Lucas before running up towards the library door.

[11:11:35 AM] Omniance: Lucas: He sighs and runs in after Ricky.

Natalya: After a moment she follows them in, disregarding Lucas's demand that she never go back inside.

[11:16:41 AM] Arbi: The smoke makes it hard to see what's going on. The Prince is down on the floor far across the room with one of the massive bookcases that fell over crushing his legs. A large portion of the library is covered in what looks like dark grey fire.

Yuri: What do you think you're doing, Eddie? He grabs the book on the floor in front of him and throws it into the fire, it's the red one he was reading. Afterwards he squats down to look at him. You were supposed to be helping me. He smiles a little. I thought we were friends...

[11:19:45 AM] Omniance: The Prince: He looks at Yuri, his voice is strained, but only slightly. I have no reason to help you. He looks around the room at the shelves of books.

Lucas: Yuri! He stops in his tracks when he sees him.

[11:21:43 AM | Edited 11:22:21 AM] Arbi: Yuri: He stands back up as two chains fly out from the ceiling and stab into the bookshelf crushing him, they pull it off of him. Get up.

[11:23:36 AM] Omniance: The Prince: He slowly gets to his feet, one of his knees cracking a little as he does. He leans on his cane to stay standing. You know I have always found demons that exist only to cause misery to be the least interesting. He looks to Yuri. Possibly second only to demons that exist only to enforce anarchy.

[11:28:31 AM] Arbi: Yuri: You'd be surprised to find out that I'm actually human and that I never had any sympathy for you. He takes out the Prince's skull and raises it towards him. It's eyes start glowing as the Prince starts to relive the last moment before his death. Exhaustion overcomes him and what strength he has left seems to fade away.

[11:30:02 AM] Omniance: The Prince: Not... Very many things surprise me... Least of which is the onset of demon-induced... Mania... He collapses to the floor. It seems to run... In your... Family... He looks back at Lucas for a moment and then falls to the side, beginning to breath heavily.

[11:31:16 AM] Arbi: Ricky: Fuck, Yuri... Leave him alone! He takes a step forward, getting angry watching him do this to someone, even if it's The Prince.

[11:32:32 AM] Omniance: Lucas: He frowns as he watches his brother. ...Why did you do it Yuri? Why would you make another pact... Why would you do that? ...I... I don't understand...

[11:36:30 AM] Arbi: Yuri: He looks away from The Prince finally and looks towards the others here. He seems to lose his smile when he sees his brother again. Why are you still trying to save me?

[11:38:22 AM] Omniance: Lucas: Because you're worth saving. He says it as a look of resolve comes over his face. ...I know that sounded... Corny... But... He looks down and shakes his head. ...You would save me if I did something like this... He looks back to Yuri.

[11:42:56 AM | Edited 11:45:35 AM] Arbi: A few drops of rain start to fall on The Prince's clothing, it takes him a few seconds to notice the water before a dim light shines on his face seemingly out of nowhere, he remembers the RV lights.

Yuri: He narrows his eyes at Lucas. You left me alone... You abandoned me... Brothers aren't supposed to forget about each other!

[11:45:16 AM] Omniance: Lucas: I never forgot about you! Ever! I just wanted you to find your own way, your own life. I know we didn't spend as much time together, but I thought if you'd found someone to be with too, other people, new friends, something... He frowns and looks down. I didn't want this...

[11:50:23 AM] Arbi: Yuri: Your feelings don't matter anymore. I found someone to replace you. The floorboards in front of the Prince start to bend down like something heavy was rolling over them. He filled the emptiness you left in inside me... He helped me find new friends. He starts to smile again. I even got a girlfriend because of him...

[11:52:16 AM] Omniance: Lucas: Yeah, well now they're all dead because of him. Sounds like a really good catch. He starts to look mad.

Natalya watches apathetically as the Prince is crushed by nothing. Lucas's eyes dart to him, and then look away and he closes them in disgust.

[11:56:29 AM] Arbi: Yuri: A large crack suddenly forms in the skull in his hand before it starts to fall apart. He lets go of it and the pieces fall to the floor. I didn't kill them... I made sure they would never leave me like you did. A piece of the ceiling falls down beside him, the smoke is starting to fill up the room and the three of them can feel the lack of oxygen. I can feel them inside me, Lucas...

Ricky: He raises his arm to his nose to cover it with his sleeves as he starts coughing.

[11:57:49 AM] Omniance: Lucas: The smoke doesn't seem to bother him too much. Then take me too. He looks at Yuri sternly.

[12:10:55 PM] Arbi: Ricky: He backs away as another piece of the ceiling falls near them. I... can't breathe, Vera... His eyes start water from the smoke as he keeps coughing. We have... to get out of here! He realizes Lucas is using his dragon lungs to breathe and quickly makes his way out of there before he passes out.

Yuri: He shakes his head slowly before he stops, his tone changes to sound serious. Listen carefully... This is your last warning, Lucas. Go back to your apartment, live out the rest of your life and forget about me. You've been doing it for the past year... It shouldn't be too hard for you...

One of the nearby bookcases falls over, sending a rush of dark smoke in between Yuri and Lucas. When it settles he isn't there anymore. The fires have spread to almost every part of the library now, the ceiling starts collapsing around them.

[12:15:03 PM] Omniance: Lucas: We both know that's- He coughs suddenly. -That's NOT going to happen! He looks around for Yuri, and then turns, running passed Natalya and towards the exit.

Natalya: She narrows her eyes as she looks at the burning books. There's a sound of sirens in the distance. She turns her head and picks up a large tome, looking at it for a moment before throwing it onto the growing flames. She turns and moves outside.

Lucas: He's hunched over, coughing uncontrollably, standing near Ricky.

[12:18:19 PM] Arbi: Ricky: He's down on his knees and hands on the grass, coughing and spitting something dark out. It sounds like all the coughing is helping, even if it feels painful. Fuck... He looks towards Lucas to see if he's okay.

[12:20:55 PM | Edited 12:22:51 PM] Omniance: Lucas: He coughs a few more times, then takes a deep breath, he turns and screams fire up at the sky and then immediately falls forwards and onto the ground, coughing still.

Natalya: She watches the library burn as fire engines roll up and begin to spray water at the far side of the library. She turns and looks at Ricky and Lucas. I've half a mind to devour the both of you, with you having brought so much strife to my home.

[12:28:29 PM] Arbi: Ricky: He slowly gets back to his feet, still coughing a little so he doesn't start wheezing again. After a moment he looks back at Natalya. I didn't think... he'd come after us here. I'm sorry...

[12:31:31 PM] Omniance: Natalya: I should've killed him... She narrows her eyes and looks at Lucas. But I had hoped they'd kill each other and the Library would become mine.

Agatha: She walks up to them quickly. They're going to want to know what happened. She looks at Ricky and Lucas.

Natalya: She looks to Agatha. Show these two young men to a place where they can get cleaned up. She turns and walks towards the fire engines.

Agatha: She watches Natalya leave for a moment before looking at Lucas and Ricky. ...Are the two of you going to be alright?

[12:38:28 PM | Edited 12:41:35 PM] Arbi: Ricky: He nods, even though he looks and sounds pretty worn out from all the coughing and all his new clothes is covered in soot. ...Yeah, we're good.

[12:46:26 PM] Omniance: Agatha: Very well, follow me into the house... She looks back at the burning building. ...I'll gather some spare clothing and you can clean yourselves up.

About a half hour later they're sitting in the foyer. Lucas and Ricky are wearing neon green and black clothes, it's apparently all that Agatha could find in their sizes.

Lucas: He looks really distraught as he sits on a small couch next to a large staircase. ...I think some part of me... Believes that Yuri is right... I abandoned him... Let him... All on his own... He's looking down at the polished wooden flooring, seeing his reflection peering back at him.

[12:49:02 PM] Arbi: Ricky: You can't listen to him, Vera... He's standing in front of him, looking down at him. Demons will say anything to manipulate you.

[12:50:18 PM] Omniance: Lucas: But he's right. He puts his hands on the back of his head as he looks down. He got into all those drugs... And trouble and everything else and I didn't get him through it and now this is what's happened.

[12:53:43 PM] Arbi: Ricky: These past few years have been hard on all of us... I just didn't expect Yuri to feel that neglected. He looks down while he thinks. He never said anything to me...

[12:54:54 PM] Omniance: Lucas: I'm so tired... I've never felt so tired... Ricky... So... Just unable to even... Think of what needs to be done... He looks up at Ricky with an expression of hopelessness.

[1:00:05 PM] Arbi: Ricky: Yeah... He sits down beside him and places his arm around Lucas's back. I'm tired too... but we have to keep trying. He lets him rest his head on his shoulder. That small demon told us we would only find death unless we found Stacy Lee. I called Odie just before I lost my cellphone, he's looking for her. There's still hope, Vera...

[1:02:12 PM] Omniance: Lucas: It doesn't feel that way...

Natalya: She's suddenly standing in front of them. Her hair has been redone and she's in a long black dress that shimmers with silver threading. Why are you here? She's looking down at them with a cold glare.

[1:06:31 PM] Arbi: Ricky: He pulls his arm away from Lucas and looks up at Natalya. We came back to find a ward for this ink. His raises his arm. Without it... I can't hold back Nemo and if we can't even hold him back we won't be able to save Yuri.

[1:15:15 PM] Omniance: Natalya: She narrows her eyes at the tattoo then reaches out and grabs Ricky, pulling him to his feet and holding out his arm. Lucas stands to his feet. I grow so weary of Demons and their Marked Ones. She runs her silver nails over the surface of Ricky's skin, tracing the lines with inhuman precision as her fingers move across his arm. She reaches his shoulder and lets go of him. This is Nemo's alchemy. I can smell it even through your skin. She looks to Lucas. You and he seem to have a great deal in common. She looks passed Lucas at something, then her eyes dart to back to Lucas. You make an offer and I help you. Though I can think of nothing with which either of you can offer... Almost nothing. Her eyes dart to Ricky.

[1:18:00 PM] Arbi: Ricky: He looks back at her, although he feels his body freeze up he doesn't look scared. Almost nothing?

[1:29:03 PM] Omniance: Natalya: She looks away from him and seems to think for a moment. You and your friends and ilk have left an imprint on this town. Slaying devils, creatures, cultists, former Princes of this land... Even a god of the old world apparently fell to you... She looks to Lucas. Or at least it's druid did. Her eyes quickly dart to Ricky. As I said earlier, I've a mind to devour you myself... But I fear that may go against a prior agreement I had made with this one's grandmother. She sighs. I wonder if drawing her deathly ire would be worth putting you out of my way? What power could that old crone harbor in death? Is she more dangerous than the two of you? A bleak expression crosses her face. My dominion crawls north, and in time, it will cover this entire coastline, but you, and your infuriating little detective friend, the one with the shimmering eyes... She looks to the side with annoyance. The four of you have always been something that would become my obstacle... An eventuality that I have been unsure of. She pauses for a moment. If I help you remove the alchemy from your veins, you will stay out of my way. Feast or famine, murder or mayhem, whatever my will brings you will not lift a hand against me... Her eyes dart to Ricky. Your complacence is the only thing you have of worth.

[1:34:22 PM | Edited 1:35:12 PM] Arbi: Ricky: He wants to look back towards Lucas but he can't. Without taking his eyes off of Natalya's he says. If this will help get Yuri back... You have my word. We'll stay out of your way...

[1:36:11 PM] Omniance: Natalya: She turns and moves towards a small door near the back of the foyer. This way.

Lucas: He looks at Ricky.

[1:37:51 PM] Arbi: Ricky: He looks back towards Lucas and looks down slightly before following Natalya.

[1:46:21 PM] Omniance: Lucas: He trails after Ricky silently.

Natalya leads them down into a basement-like area and to a large vault-like stone door, lined with celtic runes and ornate glyphs. It seems to open at her mere presence and she continues walking without pause as it rises up into the ceiling. It leads into a large storage room that seems to run under a large length of the property. After leading them passed large locked containers and filing cabinets she leads them around a corner into a small work space.

Natalya: Ms. Sharpe. Veronica is standing in front of what looks like a large stone sarcophagus, dusting it off with a small brush.

Veronica: I think I've almost finished the translation on this piece... The writing is clearly Sumerian, so it'll take at least another day to make sure the translation is accurate. She continues to dust the top of it, then write something on a small notepad, as if she's recording the writings on it. She doesn't look up at Natalya, probably for obvious reasons she avoids eye contact.

[1:49:32 PM] Arbi: Ricky: He stops a few feet behind Natalya and looks towards the woman cleaning the dust off the sarcophagus. He realizes who it is after a moment and looks back towards Lucas.

[1:53:22 PM | Edited 1:55:07 PM] Omniance: Lucas: Veronica? He raises an eyebrow at her. You work for... He looks to Natalya. Her now?

Veronica: She looks up at Lucas and smiles, she looks pretty good, almost the same as when they last saw her. Lucas? I thought I'd never see you again. Her accent is familiar to Lucas instantly. It's almost comforting seeing his old boss again.

Natalya: They require an agent that will remove the ink in the muscular one's arm. She looks at the stacks of boxes and other assorted things in Veronica's workspace. See to it that they get it, then make sure they are off of my property. She turns and quickly leaves.

Veronica: She looks at Natalya for a moment then to Ricky and Lucas.

[1:55:07 PM] Arbi: Ricky: Do you think you can help? He walks up closer to her since Natalya left.

[2:01:29 PM] Omniance: Veronica: Well let's see, hold out your arm for me and I'll take a look. She adjusts her glasses as she grabs Ricky's arm.

Lucas: Why are you here Veronica?

Veronica: After you left, a Necromancer, who called himself the Draught sent more of those creatures into my museum. She turns Ricky's arm a little to look at the other side. Natalya's son, handsome young doctor, showed up one night, helped me fight them off. She takes off her glasses and pats Ricky's arm a little so he can lower it. His family bought the place out and now she's hired me to study some old relics for her, like this sarcophagus, though I don't say I have the key to get it open. So all I can do is try to translate the writing, which is not really my field of expertise... She shrugs and then looks to Ricky. How far does that tattoo go up your arm?

[2:07:22 PM] Arbi: Ricky: He raises his black and green shirt up. All the way up to my shoulder and down to my stomach... He looks to the side at Lucas while she's looking at the tattoos and flexes a little, his six pack abs bulging a bit.

[2:11:05 PM] Omniance: Lucas: He blushes for a moment and then clears his throat. Think you can get rid of it?

Veronica: She looks at the designs of the tattoo. This almost looks like a binding spell, who did this?

Lucas: I did... I'm a tattoo artist now...

Veronica: Very accomplish... She looks at Ricky for a moment longer then turns away and moves over to a desk, picking up a ring of keys. I have something that will do just the trick. I'll go retrieve it. She turns and walks off towards some of the cabinets. Back in a flash.

[2:16:52 PM] Arbi: Ricky: He lowers his shirt back down, noticing something as he does. There's a 10 on these shirts but they don't look like they're for any sports team... It's weird.

[2:17:57 PM] Omniance: Lucas: He shakes his head. The neon green is so loud that I didn't even notice... He smirks a little as he looks at Ricky. His face is still a little red.

[2:24:12 PM] Arbi: Ricky: He looks back at him and notices his red face. You doing okay there, Vera? Your face is a little red. He doesn't seem to care that Veronica can hear them.

[2:25:55 PM] Omniance: Lucas: He frowns slightly at Ricky teasing him. He speaks in a quiet tone. One of these days I'll find a way to make you blush.

[2:27:45 PM] Arbi: Ricky: Yeah? He smirks before looking back towards Veronica, hearing her walking back to them.

[2:29:23 PM] Omniance: Veronica: I have this tonic, pulls impurities right out of the skin. She holds it up to the light, it looks like a jar of water with a small label on it. It should do the trick if you use it on the... Well, affected, area. She looks to Ricky and holds it out.

[2:34:36 PM] Arbi: Ricky: He takes the jar and reads the label on it. Thanks, Veronica... He looks back up at her as he lowers the tonic. We really need the tattoo off right now, is it alright if we do this here?

[2:37:20 PM] Omniance: Veronica: She shrugs. I really do need t get back to work though. She looks at Lucas for a moment. He gulps and his face looks red again. Are you alright Lucas?

Lucas: He nods.

Veronica: She chuckles slightly and puts her glasses back on, walking over to the sarcophagus, as she goes back to writing on her notepad she remembers something. Oh yeah, and I should say that it's going to sting, quite a bit. She doesn't look up at the. You are pulling heavy metals right through the epidermis after all.

[2:42:25 PM] Arbi: Ricky: He whispers briefly. I think I saw a few bathrooms on the way here... Thanks again, Veronica. He realizes she's already focused back on the sarcophagus. Good luck with the... sarcophagus.

[2:44:21 PM | Edited 2:44:58 PM] Omniance: Veronica: It's Sumerian... You know the cover says something about Vampires I think... Some kind of bats... She trails off, obviously focused on her task. ...Drop by any time! She looks up and they're already gone.

Lucas: He's walking with Ricky and lets out a quiet sigh. ...You think the car will make it all the way back home?

[2:46:47 PM] Arbi: Ricky: Let's hope so... He doesn't look too sure himself.