In the Mists

Summary:
July 11 2014: A thick fog leads to a chance encounter between Illyana, Amara and Fenris

M-Town

The main 'tourist' section of M-Town is populated at night mostly by clubbers and remains, despite the area's reputation, mostly safe. Tonight though, not all is quite as it should be.


Characters

NPCs

  • Omen Hounds

Mood Music:
[* None]


It's late in M-Town, a few hours after one of those rallies. The sun's gone down and a rather unseasonable mist has crept into M-Town, shrouding everything in a weird half light of deep shadows and orange incandescent lights. Even on the main drag where the clubs and bars are open late the people seem to huddle a bit closer to the neon lights and thumping bass. It's altogether eerie and it doesn't help that the moon is, they say, the largest in ten years.

Things are moving in the mist. Shadows that could be… cars or pedestrians but can't be made out clearly. And in the deeper darkness off the main drag, something watches. For anyone with even a whit of magical sense, Witching Hour has come early and strong.

*

A pair of blondes come out of one of the clubs, the one with the long bob in black leather and her arm through the taller one's arm. There's that brief burst of noise as the door opens that fades as it closes behind them.

"All I'm saying is that I'm perfectly fine getting home on my own if you wanted to take up the hottie on his offer." Illyana tells Amara as they amble down the street, grinning.

She tilts her head back, looking up at the full, full moon. "Of course, full moon. Maybe not such a good idea."

*

"So not worth it," Amara laughs, shaking her head as she glances back over her shoulder. The little white dress is definitely club wear. And god only knows how she's still wearing those heels.

"Besides, this is girl's night out," she points out. "No need to bring momentary amusements into things." Her smile fades a bit as she takes in the fog, trying to sober up a little bit.

As the two move up the street, and away from the club there's definite movement in the mist, across the street, somewhere amid the gloom and shadows of closed store fronts. The fog is not… super super thick. There's a good forty feet visibility, but beyond that it fades into murk. Whatever is moving is doing a very good job of keeping to it. In fact it takes some staring to even realize something's there and even then, one might simply dismiss it.

*

"Maybe you're not giving him enough credit." Illyana replies, chuckling. The amused sound trails off though, as they move further away from the lights and sound of the clubs and the fog closes in closer. Her steps slow, then come to a stop as she peers about. "You feel that?" She asks Amara as it pricks her senses.

*

"The pervasive feeling of creepiness?" Amara murmurs at Illyana's question, glancing back over her shoulder. "I do. On the other hand, I almost pity someone who tries to jump the two of us," she adds, slinging her purse across her body in an absent motion. "I could burn off some of the fog, but it would make things very obvious."

*

Illyana can probably feel it much, much better than Amara, but there's a prickly sensation of additional magical… things somewhere in the mist. Behind to the right. In the alley they just passed a couple minutes ago, coming down the side street after they cross, always behind them, like there's a number of somethings gathering in the gloom. Then a shadow in front of them obscures the next street lamp and there's the sensation of something undeniably predatory before them and a lot of prickly magic. The sensation behind them rather abruptly disperses.

*

"Well, it is M-Town." Illyana remarks in an absent manner. People doing weird things is somewhat expected. But occasionally gets you photographed for Facebook and tumblr. As the magic intensifies, Illyana's breath hisses through her teeth while her left hand tightens into a fist, itching for the feel of her Soulsword there. And then poof! Most of it fades away and she swings her gaze around forward.

*

"Also, I like this dress," Amara admits, holding out hand out slightly in front of herself to send a faint tremor through the ground, feeling for the feedback that should tell her of footsteps around them that she can't hear or see. "I would prefer not to ruin it just because someone with a talent for weather felt like playing a prank on two girls late at night."

*

There is, both Amara and Illyana's senses both tell them, nothing behind them anymore. In front of them is a different story and they don't have to wait long to find out what it is. A large wolf stalks out of the fog, six feet high at the shoulder, eyes like spent coals and coat of midnight black fur.

"The hounds are unusually bold tonight." It rumbles half to itself in a deep voice that if either of their memories are particularly good, they may remember. "Aaaah. Illyana… and Amara, is it not? Good evening." The massive lupine nods to the both of them, before adding, to Amara. "Nice dress."

*

"I should have known." Illyana drawls, glancing up to Amara as the big wolf greets them. "You've met, huh?" Her hand relaxes, shaking out a moment as she moves closer to the lupine. "Out hunting?" She asks, reaching up to try to scritch behind his ear in an utterly irreverent move.

*

Amara pauses for a moment as the wolf comes out of the mists, brows rising, until she hears his voice. Which only brings another pause. "Mister…Wolfson?" Pause. "Wolfson."

She arches a brow, shifting her weight to one hip as she crosses her arms beneath her chest. "I met Mister Wolfson, yes," she answers Illyana in a dry tone. "I was not aware that he was quite so…literal." She doesn't seem inclined to scratch ears. Or get much closer at the moment, for that matter.

*

The attempt to scratch his ear draws a curious look, but he doesn't try to stop her. Mind, actually reaching his ears would be quite a trick ordinarily but he'd lowered his head to examine the two women. After a few moments of scratching his form shimmers and shrinks until the familiar form of the tall lean man in slightly-too-nice clothes and coat is in evidence once more.

"This is a community of unusual individuals, is it not Miss Amara?" He says with faint amusement to her reaction in his voice. "Surely you are used to things being not as they appear."

Jeremiah takes a breath. "No I am not hunting so much as… enforcing. There has been a great deal of unrestrained magic use in the area of late and it has drawn the usual predators from their holes. The hounds in particular have taken to… poaching." That last word is said with singular distatste, though a moment later he glances over both women and smiles again. "Though their choice of prey tonight was poor even by their usual generous standards."

*

Illyana couldn't help it! Big fuzzy right there just sorta begged scritching. Of course, when his form shifts into that of a man well… that's less scritchable. She gives him a look that seems a lot like a pout. And lets her arm drop.

Amara gets a chuckle at her observation but Jeremiah's words get a frown. "Magic hmm? Odd." Given that the 'M' in M-Town doesn't stand for Magic.

*

"Yes," Amara allows, dipping her chin to Fenris' explanation. "An unusual place, indeed. What sort of hounds?" she asks with a faint frown, looking back over her shoulder as if she's going to see them there waiting for someone to wander away. Her posture relaxes, though, now that the immediate threat seems to have passed.

*

Fenris gazes back into the mist which seems to be thinning now. Far away, the sound of a large dog baying rises skyward. "Omen Hounds, they're called, amongst other things. Or Black Dogs. As you like it. Pack predators with a decidedly sadistic sense of humor." His disdain for them is quite clear. "And no manners." He adds after a moment. "I do so disapprove of poaching."

Illyana gets a glance and a smile. "No odder than a demon summoning in Central Park, is it Illyana Raputina." There's a particular cadence and inflection to the way he says her name. One that thrums with the power of a true name freely given. Then he… seems to relax somehow and appear a bit more normal.

"What, if I may inquire, were a pair of lovely young ladies doing walking home alone at this time of night?" Old fashioned doesn't begin to describe Fenris. Try getting your manners from two thousand years ago.

*

That might be far enough back where the proper etiquette would be to club them over the head and drag them off for one's own amusement.

There's the brief narrowing of eyes as Jeremiah speaks her name with such weight, but that's followed by a huff of amusement at his inquiry.

"Enjoying the evening, because even with the Dogs, it would be a nicer stroll than the quick trip home." Most people don't find Limbo terribly scenic. Stepping around Fenris so he's between them, Illyana slips her arm through his and, a bump of her hip nudges him towards Amara. "But I don't mind if you keep away the slobbery ones. Amara's dress tonight *is* really nice."

*

Amara's smile tugs at one corner of her lips at the question from Jeremiah. "As I was saying, Mister Wolfson, I rather pity the fool who thinks to attack Illyana and I." This is probably the only crowd in New York where she could say 'pity the fool' without eliciting a chorus of laughter. "We are not such easy prey as all that. But we were celebrating," she explains, shooting a brief, amused look at Illyana for the compliment. "Finals are over. Graduation is over. It is summer. There are important decisions to be made in the near future, but tonight…Tonight, we enjoy the night."

*

"Very fetching." Fenris agrees with Illyana's assessment of Amara's dress in that odd fashion that is complimentary without being… vaguely leering. Lost art, that.

"Ah, celebrating the turn of a new season? My congratulations." He follows Illyana's nudging toward Amara and doesn't seem to mind her arm in his though he does not seem to think Amara will be quite so forward.

"It also explains why you were stalked tonight. The Hounds are not very perceptive creatures in the best of times, but celebration and levity, particularly over new beginnings, does draw them. It's their nature."

*

"Yeah well, too bad new beginnings don't come with welcoming packets." Like houses! It's sad, really. Make the revelers work. "Amara and I have been roomies through University, so a night out seemed appropriate." Just the pair of them, like so many late nights of studying.

*

Amara takes the offered arm, though it's a formal gesture for her, rather than a familiar one. At least with Jeremiah. It's only appropriate, after all. "Or course schedules," she adds ruefully to Illyana. "I am afraid I have been…struggling with myself over where I go next. There is no syllabus for life. Speaking of which," she continues, looking back to Jeremiah with an arch of her brow. "How has Cora been adjusting?"

*

Jeremiah takes her arm politely and begins to walk. The mist has cleared by now, the Hounds apparently deciding there's no prey to be found here tonight. Though Illyana… and Amara if she has the sense for it, may be able to sense the occasional watchful eye.

"She is adjusting well as can be expected, thank you Miss Amara. Her socialization is still very animal, and her growth is slowed somewhat by the necessity of her… babysitter being non human herself." Hyowta, the zoo's hyena matriarch is, however, the best babysitter.

"It is, in fact, fortunate that I have run into you tonight, as I had hoped to contact you soon and attempt to arrange a time for Inara, Cora and I to visit the school."

The news that the two were room mates makes the god-wolf smile a bit. "I see. That seems rather complimentary. And if it does not overstep, what decisions are you putting off making with your revelry?"

*

"Well, I've already managed to put off having to make 'adult decisions' by signing up for grad school in the fall. But there's the whole where to live bit. I don't think I most people would appreciate me as a roommate." A brow gets lifted as she looks between the pair of them. "New student?"

*

"A child," Amara nods to Illyana. "With…a rather impressive talent. I was actually hoping you'd be able to meet with her, Illy. Mister Wolfson believes she may have access to some magical talent in addition to her mutation. But apparently, she'd been essentially living as a hyena for most of her life. She is one of those who desperately needs the safe space the Institute provides, I think, if she's to integrate with society in time." The question of her own future, though, takes a little longer to answer. "The question of Nova Roma's place on the world stage has been heavy on my mind, Mister Wolfson. And so I am torn between helping it through that change, and going where my heart leads."

*

"She has a rather impressive magical talent, but can only use it in the most instinctive of ways. In time, it will draw those beings that feed upon such things, so she must be taught proper control if nothing else." 'Wolfson' confirms. "Clearly, Miss Illyana, there is at least one person present who does not in the least mind you as a roommate." He's about to ask why she does not simply continue the association when Amara explains where her own thoughts lie.

"Ah. Service to the homeland and service to one's own dreams are the dilemma of many a man and woman throughout history." He notes, careful not to use the world 'mortal' as he is wont to do. "If I may offer my own point of view on the matter, somewhat hard won as it may be, being what you believe others expect you to be, or what you may believe your duty to dictate can be a kind of prison. I would urge caution before approaching the matter from those perspectives. The cries of the many too often trample the dreams of the one."

*

"You'd make a terrible Russian." Illyana chides Jeremiah before nodding at Amara. "Yeah, but we've got history." Also, Amara's got her own weird upbringing! Looking past Jeremiah to Amara, she asks the other blonde, "Everything still OK at home? No other groups looking to try to take advantage?"

*

"Not yet?" Amara answers Illyana, managing a faint smile. "I imagine they are licking their wounds and rethinking their strategies. But it won't last forever. We have something they want, and they are not used to being denied that. For the record," she adds with a smirk to Jeremiah, "Illyana is an excellent roommate. Once we agreed on a signal that…things," she waves one hand in a circle, "Were going on in the room, so that I did not walk into the middle of anything."

*

"Things?" Fenris smile is perhaps less… implying than others might be. In fact it's downright subdued and he knows very well generally if not precisely what Illyana is so he can imagine what 'things' might be either way.

"Things sound interesting. And I would believe her to be an excellent room mate. She's shared my hunting grounds for most of her life without altering me to her presence which is, honestly, downright considerate. I take it there are… Vandals at the Gates of Nova Roma?"

Fenris is quite old, and has an excellent memory though he is trying to remember what he ever knew about the place.

*

Illyana leans enough around Jeremiah to stick her tongue out at Amara. It's a silly, childish gesture that comes out mostly because of her level of comfort with the other blonde. "You make me sound terrible!" She protests at Amara. Of course, it's probably more terrible that she was doing Demonic-y stuff than y'know, making out with boys or something.

*

"Oil companies," Amara grimaces at Fenris' question, wrinkling her nose. "So. Worse. And there is nothing awful about it!" she protests to Illyana, even as a smile quirks. "I am told that all roommates have boundaries to determine. Most of them don't involve imps from Limbo, but one woman's underwear on the floor is another woman's tentacled pet, no?" she teases with an innocent look at the other girl.

*

"Limbo?" That is not a name Fenris has heard in an age. And even then mostly as whispers and rumor. His rather lupine gaze turns to Illy. "Tentacled pets, mmm?" He chuckles quietly. "Yes it sounds like having you as a room mate is lively, but your friend appears to have enjoyed it. Perhaps you shall not have to make so difficult a decision after all, though I suppose it depends upon hers."

*

Something odd has happened as they've walked. The world around them has sort of blurred to indistinctness, as if they are passing through it in a dream. It's actually a lesser form of teleportation. Fenris doesn't actually know where they're bound, so he's letting them lead him by the arm - literally - as he bends space around them to eat up the miles to wherever their destination is.

*

"Oh yeah, that made it sound *so* much better. Tentacled pets." Illyana says around a groan before looking over to Fenris. "Amara didn't usually mind my pets, but if she had a guest over to study with or something…" They weren't usually so keen on the critters. Jeremiah's questioning tone gets a glance. "Limbo. Used to be held by Belasco." Hasn't been in over a decade, but some peoples’ memories aren't that recent.

*

"To be fair, they were usually very quiet, and never left a mess on the floor," Amara adds helpfully. 'Helpfully.' "But yes, it is best not to accidentally walk in on some things with others in tow. Mutant prejudice is one thing. Reactions to magic are another entirely. Although, to be fair, New York City is full of the strange and the wonderful."

*

And horrible. And apocalyptic, though Fenris hasn't made his actual nature known yet. So far as anyone present knows he's simply a giant wolf who can be a man. Or perhaps vice versa. Illyana may have a clue that more is afoot.

"Ah yes, Belasco. Now that is a name I know? Used to be, mmm? Well, I cannot say that saddens me." A decade is, by Fenris' measure, practically no time at all. "Yes I imagine walking upon tentacled pets may not go over well with a certain breed of ostrich." Ostritch is one of Fenris' more amusing names for mortals. Heads in the sand, all of them.

*

A clue? Yes. But Illyana also knows that not everything is meant to be shared. She might be inclined to pry a bit… But she's already decided that would stir up more of a kettle of fish that she wants to deal with.

"Not for nearly a decade now. Which is why I'm pretty secure in the knowledge that none of the beasties crawling around are demons out of Limbo." Because she'd kick their ass.

*

Fenris chuckles. "I had not detected a particularly demonic feel to most of what I have hunted this last week, so I do hope that is not the case. However there seems to be a rather alarming windfall of people attempting to summon demonic creatures. Dissuading them from doing so is getting to be a full time job and I'm starting to suspect, quite intentional.

*

Illyana shakes her head, making a disgusted sound. "I should hijack some of their summonings some time and take them for a real ride." She says dryly. "Someone's got to be putting out some how-to manuals or seeding the area with artifacts."

*

"A little of both, I believe. I've yet to run across anything as powerful as the grimoire I entrusted to your care last week but…" He takes a white handkerschief out of his pocket and displays what appears to be a silvery needle. "These seem to be popping up with rather alarming frequency, among other things. I get the sense that a concerted effort to sow magical chaos is being made. If I did not know better, I'd suspect some acquaintances of mine but… this does not, at present, have the hallmarks of their work.

*

"Well there are an inordinate amount of Hells and even more Chaos gods." Illyana says, pausing so she can peer at the needle with a frown. It does remind her though… "I'm beginning to think that I need to construct something that can properly contain magical items. Somewhere other than Limbo, too. Some items I think are too dangerous to take there. But there are too damned many that need corralled."

*

"That seems prudent. Though not having it on this… plane, also seems prudent. There are too many, deities, demons and mortals alike with the ability to subvert the concept of space or time. I may be able to offer some advice, but sadly my ability to work magic is much, much less than my knowledge of its workings." The god-wolf sighs. Amara seems to have fallen silent, but to be honest, magical shop talk however urgent tends to do that to people.

*

"A lot of things I *can* lock away in Limbo. But there are things that I worry would disturb what balance I've managed to hold there." Illyana muses. "I could stick it in another plane, but it's harder to watch over like that." She falls silent for a moment and then huhs.

"Or maybe just like… magical safety deposit boxes that could contain them magically so they wouldn't affect Limbo."

*

"I'm sure such a thing could be constructed. I do recall once hearing of a box that send things to nowhere. The concept seemed somewhat dubious to me, but rather interesting. While within the box, the thing did not, strictly speaking, exist. It may have only ever been legend, but if you really do wish to isolate something from the rest of the world I can think of few better options.

Fenris eyes Illyana… somewhat oddly. "Mmmmm. You've changed, somewhat since last we spoke." He says by way of observation.

*

Illyana glances down at herself, and then back to Fenris with amusement glinting in her icy blue eyes. "Well, I try to shower and change at least once a day." She'll have to look into Fenris' suggestion. There's been far too many Dark Items recently.

*

"Ah yes." The predatory man chuckles. "That must be it. How silly of me." Other than the change in scents and some more attention grabbing outfits it must be said he really doesn't notice how people dress or care for themselves unless he has a personal interest in them. Changes in signature or aura though? Those he notices quite readily.

"Do let me know if I can be of any assistance beyond keeping my hunting grounds clear of poachers. I do have rather extensive knowledge, even if my talent is somewhat lacking.

*

"Sadly, my talent is rather lacking here as well." Illyana admits. Compared to Limbo, her magic on earth is almost laughably weak. "But let me know if you can dig up anything more on those boxes." There's a brief quirk of her lips at the use of the word 'dig', before she arches a brow at him as she knows damned well he wasn't talking about her clothes.

"Something bad?" Few have senses keener than a wolf.

*

Jeremiah frowns in concentration. "Something different. You've recently been in contact with something touched of the divine. And it has not affected you as I would have expected." After a moment, he shrugs. "Perhaps it was simply very weak. It's a bit like getting a whiff of perfume. There may not be much there, but catch the wind right and you'll notice sure as the sun rises."

Well, perhaps a sun eating wolf should use other metaphors for surety.

*

At least he didn't liken it to a steak dinner. Illyana mmmms softly, frowning. "I think it was more like twice removed. Contact with something that had contact." After the conversation with Jericho, she can figure out what she 'touched'.

"Nothing strong enough to cause me any pain."

*

"Mmmm. Curious." To him it is. Most creatures of the demonic aren't nearly as friendly as Illyana. Fenris' standards here are different as they often are from humanity at large. The world around them stops blurring, placing them near the location that Illyana and Amara were aiming for. Fenris looks about and glances from one blonde to the other.

"Is this the place?" Sometimes he doesn't quite get it right but he can fix that with a short portal hop if need be.

*

Illyana chuckles and pats Jeremiah's arm, going up on tiptoes while drawing his arm down enough to brush a kiss against his cheek. She's had a good night, and it shows in her mood. Even with the more serious discussions. "Yeah. This is good, shchenok." The nickname given she slips away from him, flashing an impish grin as she grabs Amara's hand and drags the other blonde off with her quickly. Before he decides to take offense from the mocking demon girl.


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