5/14/2003

11:34 PM

Logfile from Sebastian.

 

 

East Houston Street

This avenue is much wider than most in Greenwich Village. A two way street, it has at least two to three lanes for each side, since it ends with the entrance of the FDR Drive, one of the main highways running north and south on the east side of Manhattan. The traffic varies with the time of day, sometimes jampacked with delivery trucks and taxicabs, other times clear of most cars save a few passenger vehicles.

Alternating blocks have different 'looks' to them. On one, there is a small asphalt park, complete with a children's playground and handball court, boxed in with a high chainlink fence. On another is a row of deli shops and antique stores, intermixed with all the haphazard sorting of a bingo tumbler. And yet another block hosts what appears to be a junk yard, but in actuality is a well known odds and ends dealership, where one can find the most eccentric objects, including at one point, the red TARDIS from Dr. Who. Only in NY.

Nicolette is here.

Obvious exits:

Washington Sq. (WE)   Brownstone-120   Brownstone-125   Tiger Kung Fu   Subway Entrance

 

The Village. Den of iniquity, center of sin and cultural obscenities. At least that's what Nikki heard about it over in Paris. Actually, she ended up in this part of the city because she's... lost. That does not stop the girl from wandering around though, pickpocketing just for the fun of it, the NYU students with their heads in the clouds or too busy being full of themselves to notice that one little high schooler is making off with their wallets. She only takes the cash though, not bothering with cards or much else for now. Pretty soon though, she starts to get bored especially as her wanderings takes her into a more residential section than one lined with shops. "Bored now." she says, quoting her favorite Buffy episode before she looks up and down the sidewalk for witnesses before reaching into her jacket and pulling out a makeshift Molotov cocktail. With a flick of a zippo, she lights the tip and chucks the bottle through an opening to the basement of a brownstone. Sitting down on the front steps of the building, she looks like just some neighborhood kid hanging out, waiting or something given that she's still in her school uniform.

 

And why ever would someone like Sebastian be wandering this way? In his long coat, chin lifted to an arrogant angle, stride subtle even if the heels of his shoes make a fine scratching rhythm upon the walk? Clearly this path isn't on his way home from work, because that is what helicopters that hop from business building to residental building are for -or other such talents. Never mind the reason. He is here, and making his way down the walk with almost negligent care for this time of evening. A lively flicker of light that isn't coming from a street lamp catches his attention briefly, focusing upon the girl and then sliding off just as easily. His approach draws him within a pace or two of passing her.

 

Nicolette

There's a certain catty quality to her knowing glance, jaded experience in the striking steel-blue eyes outlined by long dark lashes. They're upturned at the corners, emphasizing a touch of the exotic without needing any makeup to enhance those features. A golden touch to her natural complexion lends a certain tawniness to her overall look, made more so with the gentle curls of her Savannah-blonde hair, streaked with punkish highlights of red and more subtle lines of bleached ash. It sweeps back from her brow in a widow's peak, swirling in a loose natural tumble down to the nape of her neck and spreading out like a mane about her shoulders. Short and compactly built, muscular lines lurk beneath the soft roundness of her arms and legs, girlish figure hiding the strength and prowess contained within.

Despite being restricted to private school uniforms most of the time, Nikki has managed to adapt her outfit into something a touch more trendy, a little bit more scandalous than what's usually accepted. The white blouse with the school emblem on the front pocket is snug and molds to her figure, the sleeves rolled coyly over her elbows. Her red and yellow plaid skirt appears to have been adjusted slightly to reach only just above the knee, with white stockings that reach only just up over  the calves. The maryjane shoes are unusual as well, possessing a much thicker heel and not to mention the steel capping at both front and back ends.

Nicolette appears to be 16 years, 10 months, and 2 days old.

She is awake, but has been staring off into space for 7 minutes.

 

There'll be a lot more focus on the girl, or rather the building behind the girl as the flames that were building up in the basement of the brownstone start to show brightly through that broken window. She acts like she doesn't see, or doesn't care however, a leg swinging playfully as she watches those passing by. The smoke starts to become noticeable though, and there is suddenly screaming from within the building. Alas, by fate or whatever chance there was, the random building she just set fire to is not likely to have been one housed by any rather 'special' people. Give her a break, it's not like she's chi sensitive. However, in the dreams that lead her to America in the first place, there were faces in that shadowed presence of the great boar that called to her, and the blonde man certainly seems vaguely familiar. It's a good thing she didn't run into Dylan or something instead. ;)

 

Now, Sebastian believes in fate, but he believes far more in making things happen then to rely upon simply fate. He also believes in circumstance as well. And considering where he is standing in proximity to the building, the fact that there are flames pouring out of it, and that there are 'special' people that live in the area, it is fairly safe to assume that if any of /them/ notice him here, that circumstance will be applied to him. Aka blame. But, he does hesitate, slipping off to the shadows where only the vague hint of firelight will play over his features. Now, who is he to turn his nose up at the sight of a little destruction? While flaming destruction is a little... uncontrolled, it is still destruction of some form. The child perched on the steps is garnered an odd glance. After all, she is just /sitting/ there.

 

People are now starting to climb out of the building, any entrance, fire escape or whatnot. Few actually use the front door, probably because of the way the flames are coming up from the bottom of the building, cutting off that entrance. One guy actually does though, dodging the fire coming up from the basement stairs and heading out down the stops, not quite seeing Nikki just sitting there and going right past her. It could be noticed by the more observant that she ever so casually sticks a foot out at just the right moment to make the guy trip and fall to the sidewalk in a very painful looking sprawl. The look on her face then could be considered evil, but it is an evil wearing a plaid school girl uniform. Which is more evil, if cute. The golden haired teen stands up, pretending to be suddenly shocked and suddenly runs into the building itself as if to look for something. "They're still inside! They're still inside!" Actually, she's probably going in to lock doors and set off another fire higher up in the building.

 

Sebastian did notice the tripping. Petty. Really. But it does cause those pale eyebrows of his to lift ever-so-slightly in curiosity. But, you know curiosity killed the cat. Good thing he isn't a Byakko. Intrigued by the girl, and possibly the hint of something else, he reaches back to simply tie his hair in a knot at the nape of his neck. Fire can really be bad on a person's tresses. It is tucked under his coat as his long stride carries him up the stairs, two and three at a time to trail after the girl. Foundation dust is one thing, smoke is quite another.

 

There is smoke starting to fill the halls, making things difficult to see, though the lick of flames really hasn't climbed up to the upper floors yet. But suddenly there is an outbreak of fire starting on the third floor as Nikki chucks another flask through a doorway. She loves these little homemade fire bombs, using such innocuous ingredients that would not seem unusual in any home, makes forensics a real bitch later on. No one ever expects a young girl to do it either, unless it's by knocking over a set of new age candle holders or something. A scream from the other side of the doorway is heard, and Nikki reaches out and grabs the doorknob, preventing it from turning as whoever it is inside the apartment is trapped within. Flames start to lick around the door as the screaming dies out horrifically, the heat must be horrible..yet Nikki doesn't seem to notice them, except to duck down a little as the smoke starts to build in the hallway. Footsteps coming /up/ the building are notably a change from panicked stomping going /down/ though, drawing her attention enough to peer towards the stairwell, wary that some poor schmuck of a fireman might have shown up already.

 

Sebastian isn't exactly one to enjoy the lick of flames this close, the suffocation and near blindness that the smoke provides, or the heat that is flooding him. In fact, it is about at this time when he is wondering what in the hell he is even doing in here. He coughs briefly against the arm of his coat before emerging upon the third floor, squinting into the darkness to try to pick out the girl once more. Unable to spot her right off, he drops his arm away, instead calling out despite any remaining screams, voice tickled with his accent, "Wonderful work, child..."

 

Nikki lets go of the hot doorknob, stepping out of the smoke with a hand over her mouth and nose, but doesn't seem to mind the heat at all. She peers at Sebastian with some surprise at his apparent calm in the madhouse that surrounds them, though most of the people who can get out have left already. "Who are you?" she asks, her own french accent peeping through, her voice slightly thick from the smoke. "And you like my 'work'?" Her interest is piqued indeed, as she peers at the blond man. "You are not afraid? Le feu is spreading." Indeed, the licking flames have emerged from the room and is creeping down the hall after her, like a puppy trailing after his mistress.

 

Sebastian chuckles, darkly, approaching the voice. He continues to squint, the smoke really beginning to irritate his eyes, finally picking out the slightly darker form of the girl. "Just someone who appreciates your darling little foray into destruction. Random as it is." Yes, there is even a touch of reproof in his tone there. "Afraid? No. Want me to show you why?" Maybe it is the heat, or the circumstance, or that other thing that has him saying such, but he still approaches.

 

The girl is wary, just staying out of hands reach, but she has no fear of the flames, though she is more concerned about falling through the floors should the support beams fall away from under them. Fireproof does not mean safe in a burning building, something she's learned over the years. "This is just a little amusement." she says, accent growing thicker, nearly a purr. "But what are you trying to show me? I must confess sir, most men are not in a hurry to show me anything while a building is burning around them." Cheeky, very cheeky.

Is it because Sebastian feels fairly safe here? Despite the burning building. Maybe he is over-confident in his own abilities, or maybe not. "I can appreciate amusement. Even... this kind." As he speaks, arm lifts to wave through the smoke, gesturing beyond her to the fire trickling down the hall towards her. "Especially this kind." Intrigued by the moment at this girl that stands so brazenly in the hall of the flaming building, he watches her with a slight downturn to his brows. "I'm not most men."

 

Nikki peers up at Sebastian with just the slightest tilt of her head, golden hair darker than his own fluttering about her, seemingly also immune to the heat and flames. "No, you do not seem like most men. Maybe you are crazy, to stand here while the fire comes. I am leaving now, before the floor is eaten away. I suggest you go too, stranger." She tries to pass him and head for the stairwell, frowning as she spies the light of more flames now rising up from the bottom floors. "Sacre Merde." This will be more difficult to get out of than she thinks.

 

Sebastian is now arches his brows at her once more, interest and challenge showing. He doesn't move from where he stands, only shifting a little to watch as the girl passes him and moves to the stairs. Arm lifts once more, covering over his mouth and nose as the smoke thickens, and it is only through the hazy light of the licking flames that he can make her out. "I appreciate the suggestion. And I plan on it... in a moment," he murmurs, but only after his curiosity is satisfied. And so, he watches her, wondering how she will escape her little display after he managed to delay her upon this floor.

 

Nikki turns to look over her shoulder, frowning at the stranger who's simply standing around and watching her. "Stay here then, if you are not afraid to die. I do not think this place will hold much longer though. Au revoir, monsieur!" She waves her fingers at him and starts heading straight into the flames, ignoring the way they lick at her clothing and skin. What makes her pause is the ominous creak of wooden supports starting to give way. "Merde." she repeats unhappily, turning back around and eyeing the closed doors and trying to kick one down to get to a fire escape instead.

 

"Let me know if you happen to need any help," he almost cheerfully calls out to her. Sebastian shifts in place, eyes flickering over the make up of the hallway with the eye of a man that knows a thing or two about the engineering of a building, including support structures. He draws forward a couple of paces, actually more towards her, but finding himself a spot that might not find itself so easily attacked by the fire.

 

"And how do you propose to help, monsieur?" Nicolette asks, eyeing the stubborn door with a faint air of displeasure and rolling an ankle that feels just a bit bruised now. The movies made kicking doorways so much easier than it looks. "We will both be trapped soon, if we do not leave now." she says with a calm detachment, though she is watching the flames with the avid look of a pyromaniac. "And why would you help me? Even if you do look... familiar? Deja vu as they say."

 

Sebastian simply smiles at her, an almost Cheshire smile, but without all of the teeth. "Why? Because I appreciate your... initiative. How about that?" he answers, lifting his voice over the roaring of the fire, what could be sirens without, and the popping of timbers. And so help him if she says that he looks like Dylan, he gets enough of that as it is. Hand extends to her. "Time is running out..."

 

Nikki doesn't know Dylan, so she's not going to point out that reference thankfully. Having the option of still kicking another door down and finding another escape route, she hesitates again, looking up at the blond. For some reason, a part of her is telling her to take that hand while her more pragmatic instincts tell her to knife the wierdo and take her chances. Luckily, she takes his offer instead. "Not many would appreciate... this. But how do you intend to get us out?"

 

Sebastian probably wouldn't take too kindly to getting knifed. In fact, it is a fairly good assessment that he'd be a wee bit peeved if that did happen. "I have my ways," he adds in response. "Come now. Plan on being incinerated with the rest of your playground here? Or are you going to listen to reason and come with me? You have to take my hand though and do as I say." Yes, his hand gestures once more, fingers waving once in the smoke. His other finger briefly rips a hole through the air, actually creating a thin jagged line of solidity despite all of the haze.

 

Nikki was reaching for his hand already, figuring she has little to loose. Sebastian does not look like the sort that would be able to her usual deadly brawling and knifing, so she has not learned that sometimes things are not all they appear yet. Besides people who are not afraid of fire that is, but she's more used to that. Slipping slender fingers into his hand, her gasps is slightly muffled behind her other one as she covers her mouth against the building smoke. "I will not burn, but I might fall..."

 

Sebastian grabs a hold of her hand tightly, so that she won't disappear on him or try to tug free immediately. Well, at least she wasn't treated to a hard shoving through the portal, like he did to Rathan. "Hold on," he murmurs, almost unnecessarily as he escapes the harsh heat of the flaming building. Oh, how Kieran would enjoy this. But, Sebastian and Nikki are hopefully going to escape it before the beams come crashing down, or the ground opens up at their feet. So, he simply walks forward and disappears, pulling her along with him. Reese is /so/ going to be furious at the smell he is bringing home, but Aubrey might enjoy the girl.

 

You open a portal to Royal Elizabeth-Penthouse 1.

Nicolette has entered the portal.

You step into the portal, sensing an odd disorientation for a moment.

The sense of distortion continues, with a sense that your forward rush of motion is much greater than your initial step into the portal...

 

Royal Elizabeth-Penthouse 1

 

Mahogany is prevalent, drawing along the dramatic lines of this rather swanky penthouse. Opening into the outer hallway is a pair of double doors, raised upon a couple of steps before the sunken front area. With expansive wood floors and vaulting ceiling, the space afforded is extraordinarily luxurious.  Even more impressive is the view granted by the panel windows that look out onto a wide balcony dressed with topiary and the spread of Manhattan.

Within, there is a grouping of leather couches rather close to a fireplace and just off to the side of an open bar area. Further along and closer to the windows is a long dining table rimmed with high-backed chairs as off to the left leads to the kitchen. On to the right is a set of stairs that lead up towards a loft that overlooks the entire area. Over all, there is an almost impersonal aura to the place, with no personality other than what the interior decorator left it with.

 

Nicolette is here.

Obvious exits:

Exit   Loft

There is an open portal to East Houston Street.

 

 

5/15/2003

09:42 PM

Logfile from Sebastian.

 

As if walking out of air, Sebastian simply steps into the main room of the apartment, hand extended behind him as he leads Nikki with him. No matter that they might have just left a burning building, a faint coating of ash dusts over the oni, there might even be a couple of burn holes in his clothing, slight and from wayward embers, and then there is also that prevailing scent of smoke. "Still with me?" he speaks, almost unnecessarily. "And just so you know, I don't take kindly to having my furniture burnt to a crisp, nor anything else in here. Just a guideline."

 

Nikki's eyes are just a little wide and startled as they appear in the living room, looking around with a rather stunned expression, though she faces the surprise with a stubborn lift to her chin for all that her fingers are so tightly clasped around Sebastian's. "I do not 'mess' in someone's home. Unless they.. upset me." Or she gets bored, but she's bright enough not to be starting fires where she might be traced. While she does smell like smoke and probably touched by ash, she is remarkably free of any signs of scorching unlike the blond oni. "How did you do this, monsieur?"

 

As if in cue, Kieran walks down the stairs from the loft above, a towel over his head as he works at drying his hair the old-fashion way. However, one thing of note is the fact the man is otherwise naked, indulging in the fact that the penthouse is empty of teenagers. Or so he though. "That you Bastian," he asks, lifting his amber gaze from the steps to find the other man, only to find him and the young woman as well. Stopping in his tracks, he merely smiles. "Hello there. Didn't know you liked 'em that young, Bastian?"

 

Sebastian removes his hand from Nikki's only to move it over and try to shield the girl's eyes from the sight of the naked model. He replies to her first, "Actually, it is pretty easy, but not everyone can say the same thing. Told you I wasn't a typical person." Or something along those lines. He looks on to Kieran, chuckling, "Just fiery. And that she is. You don't happen to know if Aubrey is about, do you? She might like to play with her..."

 

Nikki only thought she was surprised before, even as Sebastian's hand covers her eyes, she gasps softly. "Mon dieu!" Yes, color the miko a bright pink, as she was definitely not expecting to see anything like that. "Monsieur! Just where have you brought me, and why?" The French girl is starting to become a bit unsettled, given the strangeness of the night. "Who is this Aubrey?"

 

Kieran narrows a fiery glance at Sebastian, "If Aubrey were /here/ I wouldn't be wandering around in the nude. I'm not a pervert. Damnit!" The towel he'd been using to dry his hair is relocated to around his hips, covering all his vitals. "There, that's better. You said she was fiery? Another oni?" He peers closely at Nikki for a moment or two, interest dawning.

 

Sebastian arches his eyebrows at Kieran at the reprimand, smiling faintly. "She /is/ known to hibernate in her room for long periods of time." He flickers a glance toward the close doorway, before glancing away and back to Nikki, "My half sister."  Once Kieran is suitably 'clothed', he drops his hand once more. "Oni? No. I don't think so. But she sure does like to burn things. I appreciate her... destructive tendencies. Reese here?"

 

Nikki is still staring though, blushing still as she eyeballs Kieran..there's just something familiar about him too, but not in the same way she thought Sebastian did. His own scrutiny is making her a bit uncomfortable too, as she is more used to anonymity. "What do you mean 'oni'? That's..not English. Japanese? Demon?" She huffs for a moment. "Pourquoi?"

 

Kieran waves a hand up the stairs, "Reese was sleeping when I came in, so I took a quick shower and came down here. She was still asleep when I left the room. I figured she had a long night." His amber eyes return to Nikki and he smiles, "Yes, Japanese meaning demon, usually. Short for onisenshi - demon warrior. And you're obviously French and that's actually one language I don't know well at all." His gaze flickers now to Sebastian, questioning, "She's a pyro? Like me?"

 

Sebastian moves to lay a hand upon the girl's shoulder, "Yes. He is one. I am one. And for a moment there, I thought that /you/, my dear girl, were one as well. Why else would I take you home with me?" He looks back to Kieran, smiling faintly, "Something like that. Happened upon her while she was busily setting fire to a building, locking the occupants in rooms, and generally having a fine old time. Of course, she had a little problem getting back out, so... here we are." He flickers a glance up to the bedroom, fingers plucking off his jacket and draping it over a chair. "Sleeping? I need to get this stink off of me..." He'll try not to wake her though, moving for the stairs.

 

Nikki was setting fires the old fashioned way though, with accelerants and a lighter. "I would not have problems leaving, if you had not blocked the way, monsieur! I would have been well away by that time, but you followed me upstairs." Her steely blue eyes narrow, eyeing both men with a trace of nervousness well disguised in a teen's sense of bravado. "Demon warriors? You are bizarre, both of you. But thank you for getting me out, I think I should go though?" Hanging around in strange men's apartments is not something a girl should be doing.

 

Kieran glances momentarily at Sebastian then chuckles, holding out his palm to Nikki. A small sphere of fire blossoms there, growing stronger until it forms a tight ball of flame, charring the skin beneath which in turn heals once more only to be burned again. "I can do this, actually. Bizarre or not, but this is part of what it means to be an oni. Bastian's ability to get you here from the building is another. You may not be an oni perhaps, but there's something to you still, perhaps?"

 

"Oh, don't leave yet, my dear. Maybe we could go out later and find a nice housing development to level. It has really been far too long. Want to come with, Kieran?" Sebastian adds, almost airily as he starts up the slight flight of stairs and then disappears towards the bedroom area. "Yes, there is something too her," floats his voice to the others. "Why else would I follow her into a burning building if...." But his voice trails off.

 

Nikki's attentions are suddenly riveted to the fire blossom in Kieran's hand, postponing her departure, not to mention the promise of leveling a whole housing development. Much better than just a little brownstone. She gasps softly, but it is with an air of wonder as she draws near to the model with the blaze flickering in reflection in her eyes. "Ohhh..how do you do that?" she coos, her own hand reaching out to touch that ball of flame without fear. In fact, she doesn't burn like he does at all. Yep, there's something to her alright. "Ahh, you're names are Bastian and Kieran then?" There were no introductions made after all, a very strange meeting it was. "Hmm.. Kieran?" She blinks and then gapes for a second as she looks up at the model. "Kieran /Savage/?" It was bound to happen, someone recognizing him. n.-

 

There is something akin to envy in Kieran's gaze as he watches the girl touch the flames and not be burned. "You're immune to the fire. I'm not, but I heal rapidly and the pain is something I barely notice anymore. It fades too quickly." The sphere is crushed out beneath closing fingers and he tilts his head at her, nodding, "Yes, Kieran Savage. And Bastian is Sebastian. I prefer the nickname I use over calling him Seb. And you are?"

 

There is a silence that is punctuated by what greets Sebastian in the master bedroom. Having intended to give Reese a soft kiss to her forehead before moving on and cleaning himself of the smell of smoke, the coldness of the woman is immediately noted, and then the rest. He whispers her name in query, and again, with just a little more worry, kneeling beside her upon the bed. The next time he speaks her name, it is fairly a bellow.

 

"Nikki." is the reply from the French girl, going more by that nickname than the unwieldiness of her fullname, not to mention she is still a tad bit wary of these men who've brought her hear. The sudden bellow from the upper loft is hard to ignore too, the blond girl tensing as she backs away defensively. "Monsieur? ...Mr. Sebastian? Is there something wrong?" Ah the innocence of that question.

 

Kieran turns his head swiftly at that bellowing, frowning and darting immediately for the stairs, jarring loose his towel in the process and leaving it behind him on the stairs as they vaults up them, two at a time. "Bastian! What is it?" Nothing good comes out of the other oni making noises like that. In fact, if Higuchi's memory serves him right, the last time he heard that tone there were holes in the penthouse and himself soon after.

 

Sebastian is bent over Reese's prone form, hands almost reverently sliding over the still features of the woman's face, drawing over the sides of her throat 'til coming in contact with the caked blood, smearing the wetness that hasn't dried yet, before he bows his head over her once more. Completely and utterly lost in his loss of her, the others aren't noticed, nothing much else is either. 

 

Nikki gets flashed again, and if the situation weren't so potentially frightening, she'd be gaping at that shapely ass going up the stairs. 9.9; Instead, she is creeping up slowly behind the oni, ready to make a break for it if things go wrong. The sight that meets her eyes makes the girl pause at the top of the stairs and gasp softly. "Wh-what happened?" She's a little unnerved but not freaked out as some might have been, death is nothing new to her.

 

Kieran's running steps bring him up beside Bastian, staring in horror at Reese's dead body. "What?" His deep voice falters, giving out completely with the lack of words to fit the emotions racing through is heart and mind. Concerned eyes are turned toward the oni at his side, a tentative hand reaching for Sebastian, even as he finds the ability to say to Nikki, "I think, perhaps, you might want to go before you get hurt. It's not personal, but Bastian... Damnit."

 

As with times before, the tumult of emotions that rage through Sebastian become too much for him, too much for the man that is so very used to denying himself even the tiniest one. A shiver courses through his form followed by almost a jerk. His hands slip away from her, eyes staring at the blood that now coats his fingers. Her blood. "No." And that is the only warning before the tell-tale glow forms.

 

Despite the fact that Nikki's sense of self preservation is rather skewed given her tendency to flirt with danger and flame, this is not one of the usual circumstances where she'd take a risk. The tell tale glow makes the girl squeak with more shocked surprise and with a quick glance over at Kieran for his warning, she vanishes down the stairs with little more than soft pattering of steps, followed by the sounds of the front door opening and closing as the would be miko escapes.

 

Kieran makes a grab for his pants, still pooled on the floor by the bathroom, pulling free the phone and hitting the speed dial button for Malachai. "Damnit!" he curses again, ducking low just in case a blast goes flying while he's naked and waiting for the artist to answer the phone.

 

Kieran begins to dial his phone.

 

<Phone> Kieran doesn't even wait for Malachai to say hello as he yells into the phone, "Malachai.. you need to get over to Bastian's now. NOW! Be careful - come in through the living room and up to the bedroom. Reese is dead."

 

Kieran hangs up his phone.

 

A portal has opened to DeCourtenayB - Penthouse

 

Nicolette walks out of the apartment.

 

Mitama comes out of the portal.

Mitama has closed the portal.

 

Sebastian's breath is coming in ragged gasps, uneven. Lost as ever in the unfamiliar chaos that is raging through him, the glow seems to intensify, flashes brightly for a moment and then a concussive blast rocks the apartment, shattering windows, sending the furniture to fall away, and more than likely opening a gaping hole through the wall to the outside. 

 

Only took a moment to activate a ward set into the floor of his own penthouse, feeling that the situation is dire enough to warrant a waste of energy to create a portal towards the pull of the location of another of his creations... in this case, the design right in Kieran's back. It is a beacon to draw him there, through the eyes of the phoenix he can see into the room and an open space where his portal opens and allows him to step forth. He wasn't sure he could do that at first, but necessity often creates avenues of originality. "What hap..." The words die off in the aftermath of that explosion, making the artist duck to the floor.

 

Kieran had been ducked down on the floor when Malachai entered, obviously without clothes. The moment the blast goes off he lunges for Sebastian, trying to reach those destructive hands in the same manner he had all those months ago when he had driven the oni to the breaking point. Perhaps not the brightest of moves, the model is, however, rather desperate to keep the place from falling on their heads or, worst, to have Sebastian nearly kill everyone outright.

 

Sebastian is seeing absolutely nothing right now. It is basically all a haze, some vague haze eclipsed by something else. The fact that it is Kieran that is tackling him doesn't register, but the reaction is automatic. He falls backwards, away from Reese's body, only to respond with a scream, glow manifesting once more. It isn't exactly directed at the body that just lunged at him. In fact, it isn't directed anywhere in particular. It just happens, blasting outwards.

 

Malachai's instinctive reactions are still in full force, pulling out slips of paper out of his clothing and tossing them into the air. The ofuda flicker black and red as colorful designs emerge as a screen before the artist, creating a protective barrier against the sudden blast. "Bastian! Stop!" the sorcerer yells, squinting against the explosive energies. He doesn't look towards the bed, he doesn't have to. Not with the angry spirits of the dead jabbering in his mind and telling him what happened, not to mention the all together too familiar smell of blood.

 

Last time, Kieran took a chi blast in the side. A chi blast that was sent more out of annoyance than the sheer insanity of grief. The other problem is that the fire oni is getting blasted right in the chest, square on and the force sends him flying backwards, a huge, open and gaping wound indicating the severity of his injury coupled with the fact he is not quite unconscious. Say night, night Kier.

 

As if Sebastian is going to come to heel so easily by being told to stop. Obviously, Malachai has never had the honor of being around when this particular oni goes into melt-down. As soon as the pressure is off of him, the man is climbing back up, any flicker of sanity having checked out long ago. The next blast to come from him coalesces about his hands only to slam outward, managing to obliterate a wall just shy from where Kieran lays.

 

"Kieran!" The scream is of shock and outrage, for all that Malachai knows that his lover can survive unbelievable injuries, it is another thing to witness it happening for the first time and by his other lover none the less. With a forceful gesture, the protective screen he'd formed before him goes sliding over across the floor to cover the model instead, trying to buy him time to recover. The flare of red at his throat signals Mitama's ire and wariness as he turns to regard Ichijin. "Bastian stop! Gods.." He has no recourse but to try and shake the man out of his insanity, more ofuda taken out and summoned. This time great spiraling banners of tendril-like ink reach out towards the blond man, hoping to ensnare him.

 

Once before, Reese actually managed to stop him before he could get to this point. Another time, she stopped Sebastian before he could lose himself to much. But this time, her loss is the cause of the torment that slams through him. The control that the others would like him to lose is absolutely nowhere in existence, and the only way to release the pent up emotion tends to be very, very destructive. And so, it is the restriction of those reaching banners that causes another reaction, another blast slams through the room.

 

Those banners widen to catch what they can of the explosive blasts, probably all that is saving the room from being destroyed outright as Malachai yelps and ducks down to avoid the blasts, arms protectively over his head. It is not a cowardly act, not as the wards he placed on his own body come to life to shield him from the worst of it. More ofuda are hastily brought out, the sorcerer limited in his attacks because he has no wish to honestly harm Ichijin. It seems though that words are having little effect, so he is forced try and contain the destruction. The walls, well what remains of them are suddenly reinforced by glowing sigils, absorbing the damages from the oncoming blasts. "Ichijin! Stop! Please!" Creating another ward before him, he tries to advance on crazed man, calling to him again and again.

 

Well, at least they haven't been subjected to religious rhetoric (so far). Oblivious of the fact that he is being approached by the other man, or even spoken to, Sebastian turns away from Malachai, gaze finding some focus as he starts for the one missing wall, staring on to the spread of the city beyond yet still not actually seeing it. He is completely oblivious to the damage he has already wrought to the room and whatever shocks that might have radiated to the rest or floors below. Nothing exists but the only way he can seem to release some of what is within him, by destroying everything without.

 

Religious rhetoric isn't likely to come out of Malachai anyhow, but he continues to approach, the fact that Sebastian turns away to stare out into the cityscape makes it easier for him to come up from behind. The sorcerer winces at the battering his wards take, not able to absorb the energies for anything other than defensive purposes, so he 'feels' the battering against them like bruising on his being. "Bastian please..stop..I know you're hurting. You can let the pain out in other ways.. please stop." Dare he wrap his arms around the grief stricken man? Can he even get close enough? He'll certainly try.

 

Sebastian's eyes flash. No matter the haze from before, they become almost intensely focused, even if he is still checked out. But in the next broken breath it is lost once more, clouded as the pain of losing Reese becomes unbearable once more. "No..." he murmurs before falling silent. Is he actually stilling, or just a temporarily lull? No outwards sign is shown of Malachai's close presence.

 

It is a great risk, but Mitama accepts the challenge, for what choice does he have as he watches the suffering of the man standing before him. Cautiously that shielding ward is dropped away, the flickering red sigil dying away as he wraps his strong arms around Ichijin. "Yes. You can let it out another way. Please Bastian, come back to us. Come back to me. You still have us.. I am so sorry, so very sorry." The artist is at a slight disadvantage being the shorter one, but the disparity isn't too great as he murmurs the words alongside Sebastian's ear, holding the man against him. "You are not alone. We..we love you."

 

 

5/16/2003

10:12 PM

Logfile from Sebastian.

 

 

Sebastian remains in place for the moment. Gaze remains trained in the general direction of open wall, but he doesn't see the expanse of the city scape. Maybe it is the presence of the other man, or what he says, or something else entirely, but Sebastian actually does respond. He draws in a long breath, only to release it with a shudder. "It's too much..." he gasps, eyes squeezing shut while he tries to ride the tide of the madness within him that simply wants to come out again. "Too much."

 

Malachai holds Sebastian tighter, pressing up his body against the other man, wondering at the scent of smoke and ash around him, but not caring as he tries to anchor the man to his presence. "I know, Bastian. I know. It hurts like nothing else in the world. But you have not lost everything. Reese would not want you to succumb like this. We're here.. feel my arms around you. Listen to my heartbeat. We're sharing your pain."

 

Kieran groans back into existence, slumped against the wall. The terrible wound in his chest has stopped bleeding as all begins to mend itself. The temperature of the room steadily rises as the oni regains consciousness, power pouring into the regeneration of his body, giving his skin a strange glow as it bleeds the fire of his chi. Amber eyes, crimson now, flicker open at last to attempt focusing on the other two.

 

Sebastian groans harshly as well, the noise being torn from deep within him. Head lolls forward as his arms seem to clutch at his midsection, just above that of Malachai's arms. He slumps forward, dropping to his knees upon the rubble-strewn floor, which will leave the artist either coming down with him or still standing. "No..." he moans again. "I can't lose her."

 

Malachai isn't about to let Sebastian go, so he has no choice but to go down with him, but trying to control their fall as to avoid debris on the ground or just plain squishing the man beneath him. Kneeling beside him, he tries to draw the stricken oni in his embrace lean against him. "I'm sorry Sebastian, she is dead. But she is not gone, never truly gone." His hand slides up to cover Bastian's heart, "You hold her memory and in that she is never truly gone." He could bind her spirit like he did with others, but that is not something he'd do without a great deal of thought and preparation, but it is something he'd hold as a last resort. The groan from the other side of the room makes him raise his head to look, sharp relief on his face. "Kieran... " He calls, but finds words failing him for once. 'Are you alright' seems rather stupid to say after all.

 

With another groan, Kieran's limbs come to life as he crawls on all fours toward the other pair upon the floor, heat waves rolling off his is glowing skin. The firebird spread out along his back shifts and coils with his movements. The moment he draws closer what appears to be a trick of the light upon his back is revealed to be healing skin, the blast having nearly gone completely through him. "Malachai? Bastian?" he questions in a rough, gravelly voice. A hot hand reaches out for them both.

 

Sebastian simply tries to drag in one breath after another, curled forward as he kneels upon the floor. "I can't..." He trails off, moaning once more and lowly, weakly. He remains silent for a long moment, still so lost in his own pain that Kieran's slow crawl towards the pair isn't even registered, and the fact that it is even Malachai who remains close as well. But, eventually, he begins to become a bit more aware of his surroundings, reclaiming his sanity bit by bit as his eyes slowly open, focusing upon the floor.

 

"You can. It isn't easy, I know. You can do it, I know it is in you, you can." intones the artist, a little bright eyed himself as he tries to pull Sebastian up against his chest, to rock them both, that universal motion of trying to diminish overwhelming pain. One hand reaches out to take Kieran's hand and draw him close, wincing at the injury though terribly glad that the oni can survive such things.

Kieran takes Malachai's hand, as he comes closer still, but his arms encircle Sebastian completely, hand sliding from Malachai's with a brief, bare smile as the grieving oni is enveloped within the incredible warmth of Kieran's body. Quite unlike the usual heat shared in intimate circumstances. Higuchi buries his face into the soft, blonde hair of Ichijin and shudders, releasing his own quiet moan of sadness.

Sebastian allows himself to be drug back against Malachai, chin lifting up and away from his chest. He becomes almost intensely aware of the man behind him, as he is being rocked. And then Kieran as well as the other wraps him up in his warmth. He simply blinks there for a moment before his head rocks back forwards to rest his head against the shoulder of the other man. He remains so for a moment before he rasps, "Aubrey? Rathan? Where are the others?"

 

Malachai frowns then, looking around. "Haven't seen signs of either of them. Not home. Probably too far to detect what was going on here." he murmurs, reaching up to run his hand soothingly up and down Sebastian's arm. "Do you want me to try and call them, find them?" he asks uncertainly, clearly reluctant in his tone to leave them at the moment as he rests his own cheek against Sebastian's back as he shifts the grip of one arm to envelope around Kieran as well, holding them all together.

 

"Aubrey really isn't at home. I opened the door to her room but didn't go inside. Her ward doesn't bother me too much if I just open the door," replies Kieran in subdued tones, sparing a glance for the bed. "I.... I should get rid of her body. I can do that without harming anything else. Before someone calls the police about the noise and ...." He looks to Malachai for direction, the staining of tears now on his cheeks.

 

Sebastian slowly draws his head up once more, long forelock overshadowing his eyes. "I need to know something hasn't happened to them as well," he murmurs lowly. "If... if something happened to her, then it could happen to them." At mention of the word 'body', Sebastian stills and then is abruptly pushing up to his feet once more, slipping from the grasp of the others, or pushing them aside if either were to try to hold him back. He steps around the rubble 'til reaching the bed where the woman's body remains, crawling upon it, careless of any glass shards or bits of the walls. Gaze rakes over her nude body, hesitating at her neck before looking on to the woman's face once more. There is a brief moment where his grief threatens to pull his barely-held sanity away once more, a soft sigh escaping from his throat as he curls fingers in her hair.

 

Malachai rather warily lets Sebastian go to get up, fearful that the man might succumb to his grief with explosive results again. As he only goes to the bed and still appears calm if barely, the artist rises too, brushing fingers over Kieran's side before heading over to rejoin Sebastian. "We can check in on them, if you wish." he says quietly, looking down at long last at the remains of the woman that had been so integral to the blond's life. Planting a kiss against the side of Sebastian's head, he quietly heads out towards the other rooms to have a look and call the others.

 

Kieran gets up on his own feet, hand pressing to his chest as he winces. Padding carefully to the bedside, he stands beside Sebastian, lying a hand on the other's shoulder. "Bastian?" he questions quietly, glancing down at Reese, his own tears falling slowly. "What do you want me to do? We can't... We can't let her lie there forever." The hand gripping the other oni's shoulder tightens, his free hand settling on the other as he steps in behind Ichijin, pressing up against his back.

Sebastian gently draws his fingers over the woman's face, tracing the lines of her cheeks and nose, chin and lips. He responds softly to the artist before the man leaves, "I have to know they are well. Thank you, Malachai." For it all though, he remains staring down at the woman, eyes exploring her. Either not hearing Kieran's words, or simply ignoring him, he speaks, "What happened to her?" he queries softly. "Who did this?"

 

The sounds of Malachai moving through the downstairs portion of the penthouse suddenly goes quiet. It is a foreboding silence however since he is supposed to be trying to contact the others. A silence that builds and finally breaks as there is a loud snarl and the sounds of the artist storming back up the stairway. Pale and shaking with anger and shock, he comes back to his lovers and hesitates only when he has stopped beside the bed. In his trembling hands, a bloodied note held tightly. "Aubrey did this." His voice is cold, flatly calm as he attempts to contain his own emotions, knowing that sharing the rage would not do any good in this matter.

 

Kieran lifts unbelieving eyes to Malachai, shaking his head, not sure he heard those words correctly. "Aubrey? But surely... but why? She's one of us." Right? The model stares unblinking at the artist, wanting desperately for clarification that what he said was somehow mistaken. Sure that particular chibi was scary, but she was supposed to have been an oni. Supposed to have been an alley. Not to mention her blood relation to Sebastian.

 

Sebastian lets his fingers slide down to gently cup the dead woman's cheek. He leans forward, bending so that his head drops next to her's, murmuring something in the woman's ear before he is turning his head to give her a soft kiss to her cold lips. Malachai's return causes the man to sit up, finally dragging his attention away from Reese and over to the man. Confusion litters his features as he stares at the other, "What?" Disbelief is obviously there, in the infinitesimal shake of his head, and in his tone as well, "Why?"

 

Malachai hands over the note wordlessly, his other hand fisted at his side. "I'm not sure why. I don't think she was one of us after all. The note is strange... but it seems that there are other forces at work here, besides the Yin and Yang gods. They have taken notice of our squabbling and she is evidently the embodiment of their displeasure." His expression grows darker still as he settles onto the bed beside his lovers. "As if this contestation between the gods were not troublesome enough." Then he sighs, not able to hold that cold countenance for long, it so does not suit him, but it takes much to let his grief show.

 

Kieran reaches out to try and take Sebastian's hands, trying to draw him away from the corpse upon the bed. "Bastian, I think it would be best if we left this place. I think it would be wise to leave for good. Until she is found, until she is punished. You can't stay here...." Again the fire oni looks to Malachai for assistance, wordless begging him for help.

 

Sebastian reaches over to take the note, reading quietly at what is scrawled upon it. His confusion only deepens, but is now imbued with something else. Hurt, anger, disbelief, and loss once more. The turmoil roils anew inside of him, fingers curling about the paper to wrinkle it in a fist. Dazedly the man peers at Kieran as he is taken away. His eyes try to seek out the fire oni's, "Burn it all. This room. The penthouse. Everything in here." The note is slid into a pocket, and then he steps away, moving slowly to a drawer in the dresser to pull out something and set it in another pocket.

 

Malachai can only agree, as he wishes to see the rest of them well guarded and safe too. Where better than his own well warded building. "There will be trouble with the authorities of course. But if there is less forensic evidence for them to scour later, it will be easier to take care of. Kieran is right, you can't stay here. There is plenty of room in my place however and it is protected. We can find Rathan room there too or wherever else he wishes if he prefers." Standing once more, he nods at the idea of burning this particular place. "Have a mind not to wreck the rest of the building, Kieran's miko would not appreciate that I'm sure."

 

"You two go. I need to get dressed and collect a few things for Bastian and I," Kieran replies woodenly. Namely clothing really, perhaps things out of Sebastian's office, and his cherished crystal bowl ashtray. "I'll find my way home." Meaning he'll attempt to tumble out of is his portal in the right place. His crimson gaze finds Malachai's, reflecting much that's left unspoken.

 

 

Sebastian smooths the palms of his hands over the dresser, his focus seemingly to drift away yet again. Fingers slide over the wood, the pads tracing lines as the other two speak. Eventually, something manages to make the man lift his head, turning to stare over at Kieran with an almost confused gaze. Footsteps draw him closer to the fire oni, eyes flickering down to take note of the marks on the man's chest, noticing the signs of what happened. "I did that, didn't I? I don't remember it at all, but I must have." He looks back up into the fiery, golden gaze of the man for a moment, still confused, but also repentant. But in the next breath he turns away, moving over to approach Malachai.

 

Malachai returns Kieran's look with his own in concern, gaze dropping to the healing wounds for a moment. He'll indulge in fussing over the fire oni later when Sebastian is more stable. Arms open to the blond once more, he gather's up the other oni in his embrace, blinking back those tears that threaten to escape whenever he stops to think about it. "We'll be waiting for you Kieran. Come Bastian, dear. I think..you need a shower and some rest." he says soothingly, taking out one of the few ofuda he has left on his person and dropping it to the floor to form another freestanding portal there.

 

Mitama has opened a portal to DeCourtenayB - Penthouse

 

Kieran nods toward Malachai, "Go with Malachai, Bastian. Don't worry about me, I'm fine. In a few hours no one will ever be able to tell I was hurt. I know you didn't do it on purpose. Go on." He catches the arm of the other oni a moment, bringing himself alongside to lean in and kiss him gently before stepping away to find some clothing for himself.

 

Sebastian allows himself to be pulled in by Kieran, eyes squeezing shut for the moment at the contact. He finally does crosse over to Malachai, easily slipping into the other man's arms. Granted, he's so drained right now from the overload of chi blasts from before, let alone everything else, it is no wonder he is allowing someone else to portal him away, even if being portalled about by means other than his own tends to give the man the most hideous bout of nausea. But at this point, he doesn't care, or simply doesn't think about it.

 

Mitama has entered the portal.

 

You step into the portal, sensing an odd disorientation for a moment.

The sense of distortion continues, with a sense that your forward rush of motion is much greater than your initial step into the portal...

DeCourtenayB - Penthouse

 

The artistry involved in the decor of the penthouse is a combination of nouveaux riche and antique, with an airiness lended by the blending of pale colors, good lighting, and the wide windows letting in the sun from every direction. At least out here the living room where guests often frequent. The furniture is comfortable looking rather than being overly expensive, overstuffed creamy leather with plush throw pillows. Old carved oak wood forms most of the different tables and stands, a few inlaid with glass tops. It matches the dining set by the bay windows that overlooks the city and harbor.

The inside rooms however, show a different style. The rooms are done in themes, the art studio itself is a mishmash of rioting colors and clutter for inspiration. The kitchen is dark marble with the capacity for catering, though to be honest it doesn't look like it's been used much.

 

Mitama is here.

Obvious exits:

Elevator   Oak Door   Cherry Door   Master Bedroom

There is an open portal to Royal Elizabeth-Penthouse 1.

The distortion ceases abruptly as you step out of the portal.

 

Higuchi comes out of the portal.

 

Malachai does have an incredible amount of space over at his penthouse, which made for rather lonely living up until Higuchi livened up his life a great deal. Even though he'd been a sybaritic socialite, he rarely chose to bring others into his private abode. Now he is making it home to others, but who better than those he's chosen to actually love? It is a good though though, that there are plenty of empty rooms, or rather spacious guest rooms that simply had never been used. Bringing Sebastian through the portal, Mitama steers them towards the bedroom, only because the master bath is there. "Come on Bastian, let's get you cleaned up a bit, some rest and we can see about what to do after that." He's going to fuss over both he and Kieran for a while, dealing with grief by keeping busy. His hands will be gentle and soothing, treating Sebastian as if he were fragile as glass till such times that such attention becomes unnecessary.

 

Mitama has closed the portal.

 

Sebastian will be fairly hanging off of Malachai as they come out of the portal, slumping against the man and simply relying upon the other to keep him upright. Just as with allowing Malachai to lead him off, and clean the stink of the building fire from him along with his own sweat, and Reese's blood. Through the process though, the man begins to revive somewhat, actually taking a bit more notice of his surroundings.

 

Malachai is strong enough to carry them both at least, it is a good thing that his power can be contained in the ofuda and released at will rather than having to drain himself directly. Of course he's going to have to make more for later. For now though, he gently seats Sebastian down on the padded bench before the bathroom vanity, going to turn the shower on before returning to extract the oni from his clothing. The artist keeps up a soft litany of soothing phrases, nothing of import, but keeping his attentions carefully on Sebastian's mental state. "I'd fill the tub and let you soak, but I think you need to clean up first." he murmurs steering them into the stall with the water now steaming warm.

 

Sebastian remains silent through it all. He goes through the motions like a man still shell-shocked, and utterly and completely drained from the evening's events. But, after a moment, a little more focus comes to his gaze, reaching up to still Malachai's hands. "I can do this. Thank you, Malachai. Go wait for Kieran to return. I swear I won't try to tear apart your home or drown myself. Please, just to meet him." He moves to stand then, crossing over to the bathing area without a backwards glance.

 

Kieran is stepping out the portal not shortly after Sebastian speaks those words, his arms laden with several bags filled with possessions, both his and Ichijin's. Rathan has since moved out, so there was nothing left of his to get. A faint sheen of ash covers his skin, dark smudges apparent on his face as he enters the penthouse and sets everything down, slumping to the floor tiredly.

 

Malachai bites his lip in concern, but nods slowly. "Alright Bastian..call if you need...anything." he says gently, hand brushing down the length of the man's hair before heading back out towards the main rooms. "Kieran!" his voice raises only a little as he rushes over towards the other oni, to do what he'd so wanted to do for ages now, ever since first seeing the man blasted across the room. He's doing alot of that holding and carrying it seems, but it's only fair as he gathers up his lover. "Looks like you'll need the shower too. I think Bastian needed a moment alone just now." Worry tinges his tone, brushing ash off with a hand. "You can clean up in one of the guest baths if you feel up to it." Hell, at the moment Mal's even willing to break out a sponge and a basin if he must.

 

Sebastian is going to take his time in the solitude of the bathroom. Maybe the cleaning is therapeutic in a way as he tries to scrub the filth and smell from him, rubbing furiously at times until his skin is quite pink. It takes him quite some time though within there. Eventually, he does emerge, wrapped in one of Malachai's robes that is a bit to short on him. He pads out into the main room, looking for the others.

 

Kieran shakes his head, clutching at Malachai and leaning in against him. "Don't want to move just yet. I burned it all as best I could without causing damage to the other apartments nearby. I heard the sirens coming when I left. But Reese... I made sure there was nothing left." He sighs dejectedly, swatting at locks of hair and only succeeding in smudge more grime across his forehead.

 

Malachai doesn't care how gritty or grimy the other one is, he's in due need of a cleaning himself. Running his hands up and down Kieran's back, the gesture is soothing, and for once not trying to mess with the tattoo back there. No, he's giving in to a moment of emotional turmoil as well. "I'm glad that's... taken care of. You must be exhausted. If you just want to crash in one of the rooms..it'll be quieter if you want." He himself wants a long bath and soak.

 

Sebastian looks quietly at the pair for a moment, tugging the robe closer about his body. He simply watches them, silently marveling at all each of them did for him this evening. At least that which he remembers. Focus eventually wanes though as the exertion of the evening begins to catch up to him. His hand reaches out to steady himself against the wall, a couple of breaths taken to give him a moment to bring his senses back together 'til he can make his way to a bed, couch, anything before the inevitable of unconsciousness takes him, taking him away from everything to give his mind some sort of rest. He doesn't say a word though as he turns back around to find himself a place to crash as well.

 

Kieran wants sleep more than he wants a bath, but he'll manage to pull himself together for a soak and wash in one of the tubs and Malachai is welcome to join him and scrub his back before the fire oni will also pass out, finding Sebastian (or carrying Sebastian if needed) back to the master bedroom so the three of them can snuggle together.

 

Malachai being the most physically able will of course be assisting his lovers in getting cleaned up, and tucked into bed as need, gently bestowing a kiss upon each before going about taking care of his own needs as well. There is a ritual in reinforcing the wards about the penthouse, the last thing needed is a repeat of any sort of disaster of course. Then finally he too succumbs and joins the others on the large bed, gathering them close in a pile of up limbs and long hair before sleep can claim him as well.

 

 

5/18/2003

09:42 PM

Logfile from Sebastian.

 

DeCourtenayB - Master Bedroom

Luxury and taste hold second place to personal touches here in the sanctuary of Malachai's abode. The room itself has been designed to simulate the interior of a european castle, stone work and marble flooring to go with a high ceiling cornered by flying buttresses of ornately carved wood. Murals have been hand painted across  smoothed plastered sections, depicting everything from angels to devils, creatures, and pastorals in bold colors. Doors at the side lead to large walk-in closets and a large private bath, while wide bay windows overlook the cityscape framed by heavy brocade curtains hang on motorized hangers to draw them closed with the flick of a switch.

There are a number of things that draws the eye, but the one that captures the most attention has to be the giant bed at the far back end of the room. Old german black oak makes for very sturdy, gothic design, a four poster with an iron wrought canopy frame over it, though draping sheets of sheer egyptian linen hang only from the corners. The headboard is heavily carved with mythical creatures, some reaching out over the bed where the potential for hangings can be placed, as well as secretive holes for other items to be stored. Upon the firm mattress, the covers themselves are gold and maroon silk bolstering from China, to go with the sheets in slick bold red. Just in front of the windows is a low chaise and ottoman couch, a small queen anne table in mahagony between them. Along the back wall is a writing desk with a Edwardian highbacked chair.

Mitama and Higuchi are here.

Obvious exits:

Hallway

 

Malachai snorts softly. "You? Too interested in sex and seduction? Who would have thought?" His voice is teasing though, turning his head again slightly to nip at Kieran's shoulder. "No, it's just that he was too restrained to appreciate it properly at the time." A faint smile appears as he looks back to the night the three of them spent together. "I think we've managed to break some of that mask he wore, that hard shell he encased his heart in. At least he was... more unrestrained even while we restrained his body." It was a very good night, but his smile slips away again. "I think it'll be slow going till the pain of loosing Reese... lessens."

 

"Bastian has been unreserved with me for some time, but that was slow going as well for a while. That he accepts you and can enjoy your company is a good thing for him. You've done a lot for him too. But yes, it will be slow going until his memories are less painful. I still find it hard to believe she's gone. Just like that. I cared for her as well. She was such a needy thing." Kieran sighs, voice quavering for a moment. "Damnit, I can't believe it was Aubrey. That traitorous little bitch."

 

Malachai's hand stills on Kieran's side as his thoughts darken too. "I did not know Reese the way the two of you did. We had a working agreement of convenience, but little beyond that. Because she was important to the two of you though, I cannot help but care what happened to her too." His voice drops down more, almost a low growl. "Aubrey, she was Bastian's.. half-sister or something, wasn't she? Traitorous, murderous.. I know the type well. But /why/. I understood my.. Tendou's brother's motives. But Aubrey.."

 

Kieran shakes his head, sighing as the hand stroking up and down Malachai's back stills for a handful of seconds. "She was and he was sure of that fact. She was sent here to be used against him no doubt. Perhaps Reese had suspected something. I was so sure Aubrey and she were close, but then again that could have been the little demon's plan all along. And to think we're considered the demons as well. The evil ones."

 

"That note was strange. I knew there were other forces out in the world besides our Yin and Yang gods. It explains the presences of others I have encountered that did not fit into our scheme of things." Malachai's tone goes thoughtful, letting go the anger to think more clearly. "I did not imagine those other forces would interfere, not like this." Sliding his hand up again, he traces patterns over Kieran's chest with a finger, eyes distant as he thinks. "Are we evil, my love? I have thought upon the matter for a while. There was an interesting encounter I had with one of the Yang seishi the other night, and it raised many questions."

 

"I don't consider myself evil, Malachai. I never have, I never will. I'm amoral, this I know, but that doesn't mean the same thing as evil. Ambivalent to the general populace is a more fitting description for myself," Kieran replies, words hushed. "I'm not that surprised that other forces are now interfering. To have this much power in one place was bound to catch the attention of others. I suppose we'll all need to be more watchful, more on our guard. Anyway, what questions were raised between you and the seishi, and who was it?"

 

Malachai continues to trace his fingers across Kieran's chest, lying in the middle of the pile up of bodies, voices low as the let Sebastian go on sleeping. "It would attract attention yes, but I didn't think any of them would take action against us before we even really got started or made noticable differences in the mortal lives." Rolling onto his back, he stares up at the paintings on the ceiling. "I had a conversation with Nicholas Gordon, one of the Seiryuu. It was a very fascinating encounter over dinner. We raised the question of whether or not the conflict between Yin and Yang should escalate further, whether or not either group should have dominance. If we are but opposite sides of a balance instead of the be all or end all of existance. At the very least, it was entertaining to speak with the one responsible for my brother's death last lifetime."

 

Having been blessed with a dreamless sleep so far, Sebastian's sleep has basically left him so weary that having fallen into place in one spot on the bed, he is more than likely still there and in that very same position. Maybe it is the muted voices of the pair or something else, but he does shift slightly, moving from his side and over onto his back instead. Eyes crack open for a moment before he is wincing and shutting them once more. Light, chi hangover, or whatever, he'd really rather return to that dreamless sleep.

 

Kieran blinks, "That does sound interesting and I do agree about the possible balance, since that /is/ the philosophy behind Yin and Yang, however I have a feeling our gods are so angry at their imposed imprisonment, that they no longer wish for that balance. Only to take what they fell is there's. To dethrone the Yang and sit in their place. But, he was the seishi that killed the one called Hotohori? I suppose that made you feel good then, yes?" That flicker of movement draws his attention from Malachai a moment, glowing eyes shifting to find Sebastian facing a different direction.

 

Malachai chuckles softly, keeping voice low still. "Yes, it made me feel good. It made me laugh a good long time actually. No doubt Nicholas thought I had lost my mind for a moment. I even paid for dinner, just as a thank you. Hmm, I have no qualms about tipping things so that our Yin gods have their moment of revenge, though destroying the world at large has become.. less appealing to me. Not when I have finally found things in this world that I wish to hold onto... live for." His smile is tender there, directed over at Kieran. But the sudden motion at his side makes him turn over to regard Sebastian, worry creeping into his expression then. "Bastian." he murmurs in low whisper, reaching over to gently caress his fingers across the blond's brow. "I think he's waking."

 

Sebastian is turning once more, this time to his side as he buries his face into the pillow, hands coming over to fold it about his face. He remains this way for a moment before surfacing once again, and squinting at the other two. "I'd much rather still be sleeping," he murmurs huskily before closing his eyes once more. "What are you discussing?"

 

"You to start, now Malachai's recent encounter with a Seiryuu seishi, the one who killed Hotohori," replies Kieran, unwinding one arm from Malachi to brush a caress long Sebastian's side. "Sorry to wake you, dear. Can either us get you anything?" He fire oni debates his next words, but then says, very quietly, "And the fire, was done. Just as you asked. I would imagine now there is nothing left of the place save the ashes."

 

"What he said, we were discussing you. You're of course more than welcome to stay here with me. Kieran was already living here part of the time and there are plenty of rooms that I haven't even stepped into after moving in over here." Unlike most penthouse apartments, Malachai's stretches over the top whole building, more space than he knew what to do with at first. "Do you need more rest, Bastian?" His hand like Kieran's is reaching out and touching, stroking the soft blond hair. "Whatever we can get for you, whatever we can do for you... just ask."

 

Sebastian shakes his head slightly from side to side, barely discernible. "I can sleep some more later. Always... happens after that." Pretty much well useless for about a week. He shifts once more, eyes flickering open just the slightest, and now focusing upon Kieran. There is a moment of confusion there as he tries to remember what he asked the fire oni to do, "Thank you. I... did everything to alright?" But, yes, he is now rather homeless, and his attention moves on to Malachai, "I don't mean to be a burden. I can easily find another place."

 

"I have some of your things in the other room. I managed to grab everything I thought would be irreplaceable, Bastian. Including any business related stuff like your laptop, etc." Kieran's fingers lift to slide over Sebastian's cheek. "You're not a burden. We love you and we want you here with us, got it? We talked about that too and it's been agreed. If you want to stay here that is?"

 

Malachai shifts closer to Sebastian, jade eyes bright as he mirrors Kieran's gesture, with fingertips circling the man's chin. "You're not a burden!" the artist insists adamantly. "I am wealthy beyond what I could honestly spend in a lifetime, living in a place that could house whole families, and spent most of that time alone before you and Kieran came along." His expression is both earnest and concerned, trying to convey his sincerity in the offer. "We can't force you to stay if you don't want to of course." Well, unless they tied him to the bed again, but that's different. "But we want you to, it would make us happy to have you here as well."

 

Sebastian shifts once more, watching the pair of them with a fairly devoid expression as he considers. His gaze flickers from one to the other before he nods his head as well as possible as he rests against the pillow. "Thank you. I appreciate that." He seems to sigh softly, curling an arm under that pillow, lifting up his head some, "I am not sure that I could find myself living in another quiet place again. At least not so soon. Thank you."

 

Kieran shifts his position, leaning over to press a gentle, albeit tentative kiss against Sebastian's mouth. "Nothing to thank either of us for, Bastian. You're someone we care for, we're here for you if you'll let us, right Malachai?" Amber eyes turn to the artist briefly, waiting for confirmation. "Besides, this bed is more than big enough for all of us, so as long as you don't sleeping every night with the human furnace, it'll be rather nice I think."

 

It's that devoid expression that concerns Malachai most, watching the blond's reaction very carefully. "I understand, I don't think I could take the quiet either. It isn't as if you've never spent the night here before, and Kieran does keep the bed very nicely warm." Of course the fact that Malachai can have industrial strength a/c units installed and indeed did have it done, does not hurt. He was getting used to being very warm all the time. He nods in reaction to the model's question. "If you want us, we're here for you Bastian."

 

Sebastian remains quiet for a long moment, gaze drawing away from them for a moment to some point upon the ceiling. The silence stretches for another few breaths before he finds his voice once more, eyes drifting shut as he speaks, "I think that I would like that." His eyes open once more, softly spoken, "Kieran... Malachai, I don't remember everything that happened, and I am not sure that I understand it all... but, I am fairly sure that without the both of you, I might not have been able to survive that. I... apologize for any abuse I might have given you, and still you offer me so much."

 

Kieran shakes his head, not about to bring up what was done to him. Nope. "Nothing happened, Bastian. We're both fine. All that mattered that you were going to be okay and that we could bring you back. Malachai did most of that this time. So thank him if you have to thank anyone." Kieran glances back to the auburn-haired man and kisses him gently, smiling before he does the same for Sebastian.

 

"You did not harm me." Malachai says reassuringly, in that he is not entirely lying as he did not suffer any physical injuries. "And there is no apologies needed, what happened... we understand. We were worried for you Bastian. Nothing would have stopped us from trying to help you." He nestles into the pile up of bodies and takes his own turn at passing kisses all around, hand not idle as they reach to touch and caress. Very touchy feely he is, a reassurance directed at them both as well as for his own sake.

 

Sebastian sighs softly, nodding his head just the faintest. Weary eyes drift over to briefly focus upon them, shifting a little so he can come in closer contact with the others. "You both are so quick to reassure. And so..." But words apparently fail him, a sad smile making a brief appearance before disappearing once again. "I do not know what I would do without you."