Welcome to Abyssus Invocati!

[Crest Du Feu Noir]

(OOC: I know posting in the nightime is hard and might not fit some characters, I'd really like someone to try. Preferably someone Crest hasn't met before.)

It was evening and the largest public archive this side of the continents was about to close. He leaned against a shelf to conceal himself from any prying eyes that might question his presence. Leaving was no problem, but that should only be thought about later.

Crest moved as the last person had left and the great doors were locked. After the near success of the arsonist, this place might be very well put on tighter guard than a library permitted. He had brought a gas lamp and a book of matches with him, but hadn't lit it yet. The silence was absolute, just as a true library was meant to sound as, not the hustle and bustle that could still be heard in the mornings.

Crest crept along one line of books to another taking some at random because of the dark. Only when a handful were in his arms did he grab a chair and set the books down to light his lamp.

In his first book he found a short poem:

If you should sing me a death knell
Telling me I'd die, I'd smile.
If you should hold a knife to me throat
Ripping merciless, I'd laugh.
If you should drown me in miasma
Sweet with poison, I'd breathe life in.
If you should strike me with thunder
Bright lightning striking true, I'd leap for joy.

So tear my existence, my every waking moment
Fraught with your scent, all my joyous hours
Within this darkened heart.

So sing me a death knell, my very own requiem,
Sing me truth in a eulogy, praise in a final rite
With every fiber of your being and your soul.

And as such I'll sing you a love song
With the finality of the phrase:
"I love you."

Beautiful. And on his first leaf-through too.

Besides, no one would blame him for a little nighttime read. Especially of such beautiful verses.

(OOC: The poem is mine... See?)

This post has been edited by Crest Du Feu Noir on Aug 1 2008, 06:57 PM

[Farlis Ingram]

(OOC: Hide and Seek want.)

After the library arsonist affair, the official guards were the last ones who wanted to stay on duty in the evenings. If they screwed up, their jobs wasn't the only thing they'd lose. That being said, the library had to look to one of their more "special" workers". Farlis grunted at the term, but who couldn't beat an extra amount of cash for staying up for a whole night? It's not like he'd meet anyone or anything in the biggest library he's ever seen. Still, the mere fact of it sent a small shiver up his spine and nothing more.

Taking the lamp he was given, Farlis started to make patrol rounds first. Worst thing security could find in the past were fornicating teenagers, and he made a bet with the regular security he'd find a sleeping hobo or a thief. Heck, the library staff would find ways to remove his bounty if he found the arsonist here (which was a longshot). Slowly, he walked through the isles and corridors, only finding rats that were easily shooed away with his footsteps and staff.

[Fallen]

Here comes trouble!

Fallen decided to check out the library. Two reasons, first he was curious about the arson incident some time ago and second, he needed some information about the waterworks and culverts for his other plan. Surprisingly, there's two lamps lit inside the library but why were there two? Wasn't the security only allowed one lamp lit?

...perhaps somebody is doing a night time reading but at this time late at night?

...or the arsonist is back again! Oh-no!

Being the only one around the library and unaware which one was the arsonist, Fallen took it upon himself to break in before the evil villain unfold his ploy. He tried for the doors, but then that would easily be expected there. He tried for the windows, but they seem locked tight and although frail, the crash would've alerted him. He was running out of options, he needed to get there inside soon.

Fallen then began walking above the roof, to and fro, trying to hatch a plan. Unfortunately, the too much pacing to and fro made the roof weaken and before he knew it...

CRASH!

...well so much for trying to quietly break in. The 'heroic' thief then went to hiding immediately, knowing whoever heard it will surely come check it out.

This post has been edited by Fallen on Aug 2 2008, 10:26 AM

[Jessica]

This was terrible, being locked in the library and just when she thought things couldn't get worse for her. She sneaked out from her home since time wasn't on her side, her research was due tomorrow. Jessica could have asked any one of her servants for this but they needed their sleep now and she knew either Reis or her mom would have scolded her for not doing her work earlier.

This was her last shot and she just found the book she was researching for. Unfortunately, her mute demeanor proved fatal for this one as the last guard thought everyone had left and now she was locked it. All alone in the dark Jessica, curled to a ball in a corner and hugged on her knees. The library was sure different during the dark and a lot scarier as well.

Jessica shivered in fright as she heard some small noises coming from the library. She tried to reassure herself that those were just bumps in the night. Perhaps reading her research book would help calm her nerves? with little moonlight there is.

...no good her research book happened to be about ghosts. The book she held was about the story of a ghost named Casper. She didn't read the details well, how could with poor light?

Oh she really wished someone would find her.

Suddenly, there was a crash. Jessica was startled and quickly ducked behind one of the bookcases, but tripped as she knocked some chairs on the way. She quickly got up and ducked among one of many rows of books.

[Crest Du Feu Noir]

What

The

Fuck?!

Why would anyone be in the dark library at this time of night? What kind of demonically idolatrous and insensitive-as-a-she-goat person would break into a library? Not much flair to be sure. Crest capped the gas lamp, smothering the little flame.

Crest shifted in the dark. It enveloped him. He felt it caress the very fiber of his being. He moved silently from his seat and unsheathed Dendrobium. In the near total darkness, even the sword's glow did not exist. There were several people in the library, his senses told him, but why were they here?

Could it be the arsonist returning to the scene? Perhaps to complete the job this time around?

He would find Crest a little harder than the librarian who'd saved the library. In fact, he might not find anything at all with his eyes gouged out...

In the dark he knew than the library wasn't too big at all. Unlike the University Archive underneath the mountain, this one only extended as the land allowed it to. The one back at headquarters were even deeper that it was tall. Stil, it's size still posed a problem when playing hide-and-seek. He just hoped he wouldn't chance upon a night watchman and accidentally kill the poor man for doing his job.

Still lost in silent musings, Crest heard erratic breathing. It was almost sobbing. Crest smelled fear, but surely not aimed at him. Someone was trapped in here and was afraid. Now what did the other presences mean? And who made that loud noise above?

Crest could see well enough in the dark to see someone curled up. There was a familiar scent in the air.

(OOC: If Fallen is in his traditional cloak and mask, then I'd recognize him. And if he's not, I'd know him from the cafe with lady Anke and then I'd make the connection... BEWARE MR. THIEF :3)

[Farlis Ingram]

Farlis could have sworn he heard a flick up ahead of him. He didn't rush to the shelves where he knew he heard it, instead approaching them in a carefree demeanor. As he was about to turn to the area, something made a crash from the opposite area followed by the thudding of books and something falling. The flick would have to wait for now.

He rushed to the crash first and all he saw was broken plywood on the ground and a hole on the roof but no one was there. Whoever or whatever it was that brought the roof down must've been pretty heavy to do so despite the oldness of the wood. Farlis safely assumed that it was a pack of rats but there was still no evident sign of the group.

"On to the shelves I guess." Farlis said aloud. Maybe an intruder would hear him. Hide and seek, how lovely indeed.

[Fallen]

He heard it alright, just not falling for it even though his name was written all over it. Fallen already fell from the roof too anyway. Now at least he could hear whoever was coming from. Strangely he had only one lamp, though he could've sworn there were to.

...could he be the arsonist?

...he looks kinda stupid though...

...wait that's the supposed librarian but why was he carrying a staff and a lit lamp?

...oooh clever, he got it now.

The arson was maybe a distraction, probably just publicity stunt so he could have free admittance into the library and be an unlikely suspect. So this was perhaps the REAL arsonist act. It was night time and nobody was there.

Clever, but not clever enough!

Still, he could've sworn there were other noises. He needed to investigate those too, the guy might have accomplices. Without much making noise of his own, Fallen walked around the librarian carefully but just to ensure he won't mess around the library, he crept behind him, slid his mask slightly and blew off the lights.

Under the cover of darkness, he quickly retreated back into the shadows, making it appear like a slight breeze just blew his precious light off.

[Jessica]

She was cowering ever so quietly. Jessica rocked to and fro like a bundled little scaredy cat she is. Why couldn't she be more like Lady Amelia and simply whipped the stupid things whatever they are. It was then she noticed moonlight pouring into the dark from somewhere. She looked up, and there was a hole on the roof.

A hole on the roof, that could be her salvation in getting out of here!

"On to the shelves I guess." she heard a loud masculine voice. A rather welcoming voice as she recognized who that is! She hurried to the source of the voice, and she could barely see there was lamp light. To her, that would be a light of hope but suddenly it blew out.

...was this trickery? Are there ghosts in the library? Jessica was once again fell to the dark shadows of fear, her soul more tortured than before. She still held on in her arms about the ghost book of Casper. She would've dropped this stupid thing if it weren't for her cursed research. Suddenly, she saw traces of feint crimson eyes. Those eyes seemed to be brewing with malicious intent and the figure seemed to be wrapped in black cloak as well.

Driven by fear, she panicked and ran the opposite way, towards the History section.

[Crest Du Feu Noir]

The figure suddenly sprung up in panic and fright. He'd heard the voice too. It seemed that someone's been hoping for a reward to cover their bounty. To catch the mystery arsonist would be more than enough good news than these people could hope to hear, and if the librarian caught him then...

He side-stepped into the side of what he sensed by the thick books as the History section. He stepped in front of the oncoming figure just in time to save it from running straight into a shelf opposite them. The fragrance of perfume was familiar.

He held the struggling girl tightly and covered her mouth.

Caught.

It was the young girl. No wonder the mad rush had been so silent. Lady Jessica.

Hehehe. Right. This was unexpected. He removed the mouth cover.

He bent down close to her ear and whispered:

"Ssshhh. Stop struggling miss. We've met before. I gave you a short poem along with some maple syrup on bread under a beautiful tree. You played the flute for me. So keep calm and silent and I'll let you go. Otherwise, someone might overhear, maybe the arsonist who tried to burn this place down."

Crest had Dendrobium unsheathed and it glittered slightly from some light thrown off by the moonbeams on a table. Not good. Anyone with good enough night eyes would be able to see enough. It wasn't a flash, just a soft glimmer, but no doubt it might be enough.

He edged slowly into the shadows still clutching Jessica with one hand around her waist, still maintaining a tight but gentle grip. He edged toward a lone chair, no doubt used earlier to climb a shelf or to find a better position whilst having sex hidden by the bookshelves. Such things weren't unheard of anyway.

Crest sat her down and laid both hands on her shoulders to gently pin her down.

"I'm going to look for help. Stay here and don't draw attention to yourself voice of the tree," Crest said, referring to their first meeting.

Crest checked their position. Back to a wall, good view of surrounding shelves, clear and unimpeded route to the locked doors...

Making sure that she was as safe as could be in a dark library, Crest motioned to leave. Now where did that lamplight disappear off to?

[Farlis Ingram]

A small glint of light that shined off from the side of a bookshelf immediately caught his attention. Come on now. Some one was trying to screw around with him, and Farlis knew he wasn't alone now. There was definitely somebody in here. He gripped his staff even tighter as he turned around.

Nothing.

Farlis gritted his teeth. He then decided to go as silently as possible to the reading area, next to the History section. Before he did so, he killed the fire in his lamp to make sure that no one would watch him so easily. Taking each step slowly, he made a not-so-silent march to the general area, using the stray moonlight rays as his guide but at the same time avoiding getting close to them lest he be seen. He wished he hadn't worn his full mercenary gear this night; he would've been mistaken to be someone dangerous.

As he reached the center of the area, he took out another match and lit the lamp. In front of him was just some empty tables and chairs, nothing suspicious. When he turned around, what he saw on the far corner nearly made him jump.

"Miss Jessica?" He half-yelled.

[Fallen]

Oh ho, he didn't missed that glint! No thief would be caught dead, without seeing the shiny thingies. Shiny thingies are pretty thingies unless the pretty thingies are deadly thingies in which case they are pretty, shiny, deadly thingies.

Aside from that crazy thought, he seemed to recognized well this man. Funny, and he said he wouldn't be seeing him in town anymore, what a liar! He could even be that other guy's accomplice, definitely dressed for this part. Well time to put liars with their pants on fire or...just settle for some re-education.

Yeah that'll do.

So he did some 'poetic justice' by toppling said bookcase of the Poetry and Prose section right on top of the same guy who loves it so much. Let's see if he likes poetry now.

Hihihi.

When the dust settled afterwards, Fallen then turned to investigate the other guy. To his disappointment, he wasn't there anymore and there was no trace of the lit lamp. While it bothered him a lot at least he won't worry about the arsonist's attempt to brun the place again. Or perhaps he knew he was around?

In that case, time to crawl back more into the twilight zone.

Lurk, lurk, lurk.

[Jessica]

She didn't know what was going on. The stranger in front of her was the same one one she met by the tree. Though Sir Crest seemed 'nice' enough to protect her, she can't help but wonder what is he doing here in the first place. Well, best not to provoke him whatever his intentions are, hopefully they aren't anything malicious.

Jessica just sat by the chair, around some open space with the book cases all around. Despite her rather 'strategic' placing, she still felt really uncomfortable. Well she was still trapped in the library with a questionable figure with her. Jessica wondered if anyone had noticed she was missing. There was sudden crash of books and she reactively curled into a ball, her face masked behind her tall mess of of long hair under fright.

"Miss Jessica?" a familiar voice half-yelled.

She turned to glance and to her surprise, it was Farlis! Thank you goddess of fortune!
However, last time she was 'tricked' by the light. Just to make sure she was seeing the real thing and not an illusion, he approached him. Jessica examined him real closely, tilting her head left and right like some kind of owl, and then tried poking his nose.

[Crest Du Feu Noir]

Crest immediately sliced a wedge shape through the bookshelf. He pitied all the cut books, but he was too far from the end of the row to have run for it. Pages flew around him as the shelf crashed, leaving him standing in the middle of the debris.

Someone was out to make his evening a whole lot worse than it could be. Who would actually topple a bookshelf onto a person? Gods this was getting irritating for him. All he wanted was some peace and quiet for a relaxing read without signing up for a library card. Doing so would have written a traceable name on paper.

"Miss Jessica?" A man yelled.

Oh, she'd been found Crest thought. At least it seemed like someone here knew her. What the heck was he talking about? Practically all of Aspyre knew the mother-daughter musical sensation. But at least the girl seemed safe enough for now.

He ran as quickly as silence let him. He turned a corner and heard the sound of swishing cloak. He knew that sound from somewhere. His night eyes caught the silhouette of a tall man carrying a stave in front of where he had placed the girl. He seemed familiar too.

The Librarian!!! Crest almost shouted out but remembered a diagonal throb in his torso. Maybe some other time was a good idea. Besides, the man was the girl's newly acquired bodyguard.

But what about the other man? He silently crept away from the place, leaving the duo alone.

(OOC: This IS after Congee right? right? o.o)

This post has been edited by Crest Du Feu Noir on Aug 9 2008, 02:41 AM

[Farlis Ingram]

(OOC: @Crest: Yes it is.)

Jessica first seemed really glad to see Farlis, but strangely she let it fade for a moment and she drew closer to him. She was staring intensely at him for reasons he couldn't understand, so he stared back. Then she poked his nose. What?

"Uhh, yeah. I'll take it you're not used to the dark."

Then he heard a crashing sound. From his position, he could see some dust forming clouds somewhere ahead. Whoever it was, this idiot messing around was in for a really bad beating if he or she didn't have a good explanation for two things: first being in the library during restricted hours, and secondly for testing the limits of his temper. He'd get to that later since as for now, he returned to his client's needs since she was on his priority list.

"What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be at home?" He said, trying to sound concerned when he was actually worried with the crash.

[Fallen]

Darn, the guy's sword skills were a lot better than he expected. Well at least he's not gonna pay for those books and he gave himself more away than he did. It then occured to him this man's name, the other shadow was none other than....Crusty!

Hihihi.

Fallen noted carefully his movements, he noticed he checked upon the girl and as for the man with the staff, well looks like they doesn't seem to be accomplices with him. This was confusing, who was the true villain among them? The librarian was a natural local though he still had his doubts. Crusty certainly was a big man of mystery.

Now there's this pink princess in the middle of the library.

Wait, a noble inside a library at this hour? He took another closer glance, and yes it was in fact the famous Jessica Lorelei, carrying a book. What kind of book was this? Whatever this so-called noble was doing at this hour, she had suspicions written all over her too, just the same rank as Crusty or maybe even higher. She could be manipulating this man too with all that so-called innocence.

So who was the real villain?!

He best just to keep an eye as things turn out.

More lurking mode!