Searching for a Sign of Life (Core/Open)

[Claire]

All this water brought a familiar sense of peace to Claire, even if there wasn’t the lap of waves to break the silence in the cold air. Very cold air, in fact. She wasn’t sure, even with her leather and furs and heavy cloak that she had dressed warmly enough to venture underground. Her cropped short hair had grown down to her jaw but she still in all her layers looked like a tall and imposing man between the glowing rocks. The dead cold of the air was still biting her ears and nose as she ventured between glowing rocks, having abandoned her torch a while back. She knew there was a settlement here- she should have come down here sooner, perhaps gone with them when she had her chance, but she was too stubborn and suspicious to go. But perhaps these people knew where to find Mysteria.

The fingers of her thickly gloved hands curled around the hilt of the sword on her waist, letting out a visible puff of air in annoyance. “How do you people manage this cold, Citlali?” she asked quietly, pushing between rocks to the water’s edge. Her hand was still on the hilt, so the soul within the sword could still hear her and respond. “Caves, yes. I know caves. But not like-” her head tilted back to the cavernous ceiling, letting out another annoyed huff. “They can’t be far, this has to be the most convenient water source.”

Claire looked back down to the blade at her hip with a small smile, her feet sinking into the gravel at the edge of the still water. “You will owe me when I get you your body back, you realize. I hope you’re thinking of things.”

[Deleted]

Not too far from Claire, was Kail as it seemed the blond was training out at the crystal springs.  In his hands was a metal looking bow that looked other worldly and at his side was a side holster of arrows that he made. He takes a arrow out and places it into his hand and gets ready to take a shot. As he drew back on the bow string a icy blue glow came off the arrow and Kail was taking a deep breath right before letting go. Once aimed, the blond fired and the arrow wissled through the air. The arrow flew a good distance and landed into the water. After hitting the water the area where the arrow hit froze. "hhhhhhmmmm I need to work on how much I put into the arrow" said Kail as he took a look at his handy work. He was dressed in his jeans and a long sleeve black shirt. His hands were in some fingerless gloves and on his wrists were his bone bracelets. Although one of the other changes was on his right side was a large bastard sword and the sheath for it was nicely done. From his left he gets another arrow and shoots it at the floating peice of ice. Using it as a target so he could could practice his aiming. Since his Railgun was more of a point and shoot weapon then a bow and arrow. Which took a lot more skill to aim and shoot.

The blond needed to head into Nova soon, as he needed to get some more resources. Plus get some jobs lined up as his shop was nice but needed to go on adventures. That and some rare treasures either from ruins or perhaps take something that was valuable from an asshole.

[Core Noru]

The sword in Claire's hands began to glow a faint blue hue as she spoke out to it. Her question bringing out a chuckle from deep within the glowing blade that could only be heard by the maiden who carried the sword.

" Oh? Is that so? I guess I'll have to work real hard to find a way to repay you once I do get my body back, but I have to say; Normally we  Novian folk know not to wonder into strange caves during mid winter season." Core spoke sounding a little sarcastic at the end before emerging from the sword in a phantom form beside her. His arms tucked behind his head as he walked on the lake's surface, his semi transparent boots barely touching the water's surface as he mocked crept beside her.

" Caves yes? You sound like you are lost..." Core stopped, his tone sounding some what amused as he looked over to Claire. His arms quickly dropping back down to his side as he heard the whistling of something flying through the air. His attention darting over to where he noticed something hit the water just a few feet away. Ice forming on the water's surface.
'Now that's something you didn't see every day.' Core thought to himself before looking over his shoulder back at Claire.

" Careful, Someone up ahead is shooting enchanted arrows. " Core warned Claire as another arrow thunked into a piece of ice floating in the water close by.

[Claire]

“That’s what I have you for, you’re my Novian folk. Does any of this look familiar to you?” Claire turns her head to see the phantom form, eyes flickering from the trails of his long hair that seem to float on nothing to his eyes to his boots, her chest catching like she’s been hit suddenly. It’s a familiar feeling now, after being around him for a while, but it’s at least a feeling she can easily disguise. The phantom was too handsome for his own good and that sent a strange feeling of discomfort whenever she saw him, at least at first. At least if he were human she could shove him into the pool, that would teach him to tease her.

“I’m doing this for you, so you’d best be grateful.” Claire waved her hand in his direction, her eyes turning to the depths of the cave, along the water. “You’re-”

Her voice catches as the arrow whizzes through the air, immediately throwing herself against a rock and ducking in the shadows, concealing the glow of the sword in her cloak. “Enchanted?” she hisses, lifting her head after a moment to try and peer in the direction of the noise. She crawls up, slipping between rocks to try and get a better glimpse of who was firing arrows in their direction. After a moment of craning she spots blonde hair, then a familiar cut of profile that she hadn’t seen in a long while. A thrill of excitement runs through her in recognition and a broad smile breaks over her face in the dim light of the cavern, putting her back to a rock so he doesn’t shoot her when she yells.

“Kail!” Claire’s voice calls out across the rocks. “Do not shoot, it’s Claire!”

[Deleted]

As Kail was about to put another arrow into his bow until he heard someone talking or at least two people. Who they were though, that was another story as the cave and the ambient sound did distort things. He could at least it was male and female. None the less though he pulled back on the bow string and as he did though. A arrow formed out of ice appeared and he took aim until the person. Appeared out from a outcrop and to his surprise it was Claire of all people. This surprised him as he did not know that she knew of Gallows Bane. But had heard from time to time that Shy had been around and the two were partners or something. "Well what in the hell are you doing out here" he said and then pointed the bow away and fired the arrow at the target he had. It then froze the thing even more then it was previously. He then presses something and the bow string detaches and the bow folds up and puts it on his belt that had a slot for it. "You and Shy had a devorse or something? I hardly see the two of you without each other" he said with a laugh. Since thats all he knew since way back the last year that the two were working as a team.

He crosses his arms and just looked at Claire with a raised eyebrow and a curious look on his face. He had not seen her for a long time. "I kinda wanted to show her a war trophy I got after the undead attack on Nova" he said since well he nearly died fighting a goddess and making her retreat. For someone that came from another world and been there only for one year was impressive.

[Claire]

When Kail calls out Claire grins, pushing herself up over the rocks so she could walk in his direction. From the last time the young man had seen her, she probably didn’t look too different. Her hair was in a disarray though, her left hand clamped down hard on the pommel of a beautiful sword. “I could ask the same to you, it’s good to see you again my friend.” she reaches out, thumping him in the shoulder with her fist.

The smile fades a little from her face at the mention of Shy- she hadn’t seen her in months and despite her newfound friendship, she missed the woman. “Seanait has her own adventures, I have not seen her in a while. I hope she is as well and as happy as you seem to be.” her smile returns, pressing on.

“I was hoping you could help me. I’m looking for a mystic by the name of Mysteria and I hoped someone in the Bane knew where I could find her. I-” her gaze drops to the sword, then back up to Kail. “I need her help.”

[Deleted]

Kail listened to his old friend and chuckled when she playfully hit his shoulder. Since they had not seen each other, and things slightly went sour as Shy had parted ways with Claire. "I see.....another person I know has vanished to wherever. Oh well......." the blond and he did watch that Claire was holding on to the sword really hard. This wanted to make the male raise an eyebrow but that might have alerted the woman. Kail was not sure if she was being followed or something or there was something in there that he was not familure with. Such as a creature that was in hiding or not, but what alerted him was the fact that she was trying to find Mysteria. Kail had a chuckle at the irony on this matter as he had been apprenticing under her. But it had been awhile since he had heard from her. "I must appologize for the laugh. Awhile ago I was apprenticing under Mysteria, for a bit. I have not heard from her since before Helena's Assault on Nova. So I am not sure where she is at the moment" his tone then slightly changes. As he then crosses his arms over his chest and switches from a curious to a more serious tone and posture.

"To that end.......and my question is this. Why would she give you aid? I know she does not give hand outs from the goodness of there heart. I know she took me on for another reason, what it is I have no clue at the moment. I know that there must be some serious shit going on. If Helena openly attacked with that amount of undead.....and I nearly died fighting her. So I have more of a vested intrest in whats going on" said Kail as he was just trying to get information now. Since it seemed that forces beyond him were growing. Plus he was not getting stronger fast enough and knew this kind of thing too time to build. But he needed more to get above the shaddowy gods that sent evil to him and other fated.

[Claire]

Claire raises an eyebrow at Kail in return at his easy laugh, tilting her head as he explains. Her heart falls a little- blindly, she had hoped that there would be an easier way than just pressing forward into the caves. “That is odd.” she manages a small smile. “And that’s a shame. I was hoping you could make my job a little easier, but I suppose I am just unlucky.”

Claire takes a loping step around him, about to press on when he stops her with another question. She laughs, shaking her head and waving her free hand flippantly. “It’s not help for me, I should say. I’m not looking for a handout, but I have a friend who needs a favor and it’s in her interest to assist. Beyond that, I'm afraid it's a secret!” her easy smile falters a little at Kail’s seriousness and she sighs, shrugging. “My mission has nothing to do with that, I’m afraid. But if I do find her, I’ll send her your regards. I’m afraid I don’t know what’s happened with that either, but you know I don’t believe in your gods, Kail. I’m glad that you’re standing now, though.”

The woman waves, turning off again to head deeper into the caverns. “Good luck with your target practice, my friend. I’ll be seeing you again soon.”

[Core Noru]

Core didn't say much as Claire interacted with the strange blond haired male. He thought it was odd, though said nothing during most of the exchange. His grin growing however every time Claire lied to the poor boy however, knowing very well that the boy couldn't see him. He eyed Claire when she mentioned she didn't believe in the young man's deities. His brow raised in amusement while he out stretched his arms and tucked them behind his head. A laugh escaping him as she turned to leave the man behind.

" Well that was fun, but you are a horrible liar. " He continued to laugh. " Oh of course you don't believe in the gods...But I'm sure they believe in you." Core finished teasing looking back at Kail one last time with a worried expression. " You sure he isn't going to follow?" He asked, following Claire deeper into the caverns were the lake became larger and the cavern started to open up more.

Along the lake's edge beautiful glowing precious stones jetted up from the walls and ground; The precious stones illuminated the path along the shore. The stones lighting up the area, even the ceiling of the cave speckled with different glowing stones looking like a nebula. The lake even started to glow the further Claire walked. The crystals at the bottom of the lake made the water shine with different colors; All thanks to the effect of the stones at the bottom of it's clear water. Just a little Further out ahead a bridge could be spotted, leading out to a small island out on the lake where a house could be seen. Signs of life within the house were seen as light came from inside the house.

" Well would you look at that." Core whistled as he looked around while following beside Claire.

[Claire]

“What!” Claire proclaimed, then quickly dropped the tone of her voice. “I’ll have you know that I- oh, don’t bother with it. I wasn’t lying.” she shoots him a dirty look across the rocks, quickly finding her footing on the cold gravel. “I’d rather they didn’t, I don’t want to be involved. The Mother already sent me to you, so…” her voice trails off and she goes quiet, lips pursing into a frown.

She was sent to find him. This was what she was meant to do. But what after that? Her revolution? Was that part of Her plan? “He’s harmless.” Claire murmurs, continuing forward into the darkness. “He’s just a kid.”

When the path opens up to the glow of the multicolored stones, Claire doesn’t give herself the chance to stop and take it in. Her eyes light up at the sight of the house, starting to pick up her speed, hand still tight on the pommel of the sword. “That looks like a mystic’s house, doesn’t it?” her face alights with hope in the rainbow-tinted light of the stones as she makes it up to the bridge and across, hurrying over the sparkling dots in the clear water. A strange sense of nostalgia washes over her but she’s unsure where it comes from- it feels like a memory from a dream- but soon she’s at the door. She raises her gloved hand, curling it into a fist and knocking on the door.

“Hello? I’m looking for someone, maybe you can point me in the right direction?” Claire pauses, grimacing a little. “Please?”

[Deleted]

Kail was slightly put off by Claire's response but at the same time it was to be expected. Since he switched from a friendly tone to a more serious one. As he was thinking of what to reply with, the blond sees her walk away. Sighing a bit Kail was about to practice again but heard Claire speak to herself or something like that. He then gets curious as this caused an inkling in the back of his head to follow.  This had been a long time since he had seen her. Kail checked his bracelets and saw the dark gem and gave a nod of his head.  The blond keeps to the shadows and activates the Dark Gem and follows Claire. Moving as silent as he could and continued to follow his friend and saw something glowing from her side. It was the sword that she had her hand constantly on. The other fact that did come back into his mind, was the fact that she was in bane. Kail wanted to curse the fact that his friendship that he had with the woman. Had slightly blinded him on some things he should have picked up before hand.

The blond kept to the shadows and out of sight just incase the dark gem had depowered him. As he kept with her, there was a home within the area he did not see before. But there was something familure about the place and could not put his finger on it. Kail would try and get closer and closer while staying out of sight. Doing his best to be silent, his last adventure trying to find that Relic. Had given him better experience from watching some of the others there. And some of the don'ts to do while trying to sneak around. But if he had to fight though his first go to weapon would be his bow. Then go for a low powered lightning energy arrow and try and stun Claire if she attacked him.

[Mysteria]

The front door cracked opened; the hinges making a high pitch squeak as the door was pushed open by tiny hands. A small purple haired girl poked her head out from behind the door to look up at Claire with squinted lavender eyes. The girl looked no older than twelve. Her attire similar to that of a handmaiden with a black dress and eggshell white apron.

" Stella who is it? "

 A timid voice called from behind the door further back in the house. A blank expression crossing the young girls face as she glanced back and stepped out the rest of the way to close the door behind her. Her height barely measuring up past Claire's chest as she stared eye level at them.

" Em.. Who is it that you are looking for lady? " Stella asked, her curiosity rather peaked sense not many of the Fated that lived in Bane ever traveled out this far to visit. Plus this woman was looking for someone? Who could she be looking for and was that person in trouble or did she even know them at all? A small smile forming on her lips; Perhaps pleasantries were in order first to exchange information. So Stella waited to hear more information before deciding to to shoo her away. 

---

Meanwhile Core remained silent giving Claire a playful grin as she approached the house. When she knocked on the door he raised a brow and opened his mouth to speak. The moment he made a sound, the door opened and Core's attention turned to the child who popped her head out from behind the door. His grin becoming larger as he looked over to Claire and gave a loud chuckle.

" Well would you look at that! By the gods, Claire you must be lucky. You found one of the witch's Twins sidekicks. So you're at the right place." Core chuckled, finding this some what ironic that they had stumbled upon the place first. WHAT ODDS?! Or perhaps it was fate, who knew. Either way, there was nothing to question. He recognized that little girl's face anywhere; So he could only wait and watch to see what Claire would say with arms crossed and a mischievous cocky smile.

[Claire]

Claire jerked her hand back as the door opened, eyes snapping down to the girls at the entrance then over to Core, who was suddenly smiling. This was the right place? Really? She blinked down at the girls, realizing that she could be a threat with her heavy clothes and prominent sword, so she kneels to be at eye level with the girls.

“Hello. My name is Claire.” she briefly releases the hold on the pommel of the sword to pluck the glove off her opposite hand, quickly returning her gloved hand to the pommel as soon as it was off. She extends her clearly strong and calloused hand to the young girl, daintily enough for her to take. “I’m looking for your m-”

Mistress? Mother? Mystic? Claire didn’t know what relationship these girls had to the woman, but they were violet-haired like Core had described the mage they were searching for. “I’m looking for a mystic named Mysteria. I heard she lived down here.” she smiles a little, tilting her head around to look at the other girl and into the majestic house before refocusing on Stella.

“I’m here because Core Noru needs her help.” Claire’s voice drops to a whisper, between her and the girl. “We both need to talk to her. Can you tell me where to find her?”

[Deleted]

Kail had moved silently in the shadows until he got very close and stayed out of sight. When the door opened his eyes blinked several times as one of Mysteria's attendants poked her head out. And from what he saw it was Stella, this surprised him but at the same time he was slightly worried. What had happened to his teacher, was there a reason why she had not messaged him in awhile now. The blond was close enough to hear Claire speak the name of Core Noru. Kail was numb founded that she would hate Noku but then turn around and help another Noru? This was madness and now would have to step out as something was very very wrong "So Stella whats going on and why has Mysteria set up shop here" he asked and stepped out of the shadows with a hand on his sword. He was not sure if Claire would get violent or get spooked and strike him accidently. The blond was slightly tired a lot of shit. At the fact that people thought he was just young and stupid. But how was someone going to get older and wiser?

[Mysteria]

Stella stared up at Claire with a quirked brow; While beady child like eyes locked onto the woman as she waited for an answer. Her focus following the other woman as she cautiously bent down to her own eye level. A peculiar act; though one that most mortals of the human kind would do to someone of her size. Perhaps it was a custom thing she had yet to adjust to, either way, she couldn’t blame the stranger. Mysteria had crafted her to look like a child after all.

So once again, Stella just stood with a friendly smile and listened as Claire introduced herself. The name not familiar to her, however the next name to leave the woman’s lips was one she hadn’t expected to hear. This woman knew her mistress? Stella froze in place, her body becoming ridged. Her focus now locked onto the woman with extreme curiosity to how she would know her mistress. Though before she could ask, another name came out of the woman’s mouth that completely took her for a loop. The live like color of her flesh draining as she stared at Claire with a bewildered expression.

“ How do you know —”

Stella was cut short, her attention darting over to another familiar face that suddenly made themselves known while emerging from the shadows. Her eyes widening like dish saucers as she looked from Kail then back to Claire, Then back again to Kail.

“ Master Kail?“ Stella pointed directly at the young blond, Her expression some what overly exaggerated with dramatic shock. “ Whats going on?! You should explain that yourself apprentice, why are you hiding in the shadows down here of all places?” Stella barked back in a defensive manner, putting her hands on her hips and puffing up her lips.

“ That is a good question indeed… Tell me again, who sent you? “ A much older female voice came from inside the house, The front door opening once again to reveal a much taller lavender haired woman. Mysteria stepped out behind the door, her body clothed in a dark navy gown and black corset. Her shoulder’s exposed to the elements showing the empty socket where her right arm should of been. Her lavender-teal eyes flashing at Claire before slowly glancing over to look at Kail who now stood beside the woman she did not recognize.

“ My my whats going on here? “

---

Core stood back and watched, his arms still crossed as witnessed the scene unfold before him. Claire bending down to talk to stella and introducing herself. Not a bad move, though the more Claire talked to the child, the more he could see her expressions change. Even more so when his name was dropped. Core’s brow raised in curiosity and some what alarm. He wasn’t sure if dropping his name was such a good idea; even though now it was a little too late to take it back.

“ Claire…” Core spoke up, edging a little closer to her as though he was going to whisper into her ear. “ I know this is a little too late, but I’m not sure dropping my name is such a good idea.” Core reminded her by waving his transparent hand out front of her and wildly around in-between the two girls. He did this for a second before withdrawing his hand and stepping back, but by then the door was opening again and the Kail guy from earlier stepped out from his hiding spot.

“ Hey look Claire, I told you he would follow. Damn, I should of gambled on that, I could of won a free meal or something. “ Core chuckled, turning his attention back to the door to where Mysteria emerged. “ An the Devil herself appears. Careful what you say and don’t trust her completely, she is still working under the King if I’m correct. “ Core spoke, crossing his arms across his chest again.