OOC: About the naming of this thread, Dragomir may split up like COR, it may not. I'm labeling it for the possibility of a break off.
The original Delphi thread is here: http://forums.delphiforums.com/ranma_fanfics/messages?msg=6545.1
At the moment there are no openings and the next opening available has been reserved. So there will be NO new members unless I post a notice that a spot is open.
IC:
Asrana smiled as she flew with the large dragon, waving for a moment to Nabiki as Kaye and Mike made their way towards Kei's tent, the mid-autumn air chill on their faces.
Folkan nodded and smiled to Calen, moving towards the tent Jon and Asrana had used to wake up the mage. Jon would need to be introduced if his plans were going to go they way he hoped they would...
Seraya smiled and followed her husband after a moment, breaking off almost as soon to talk to their guards, her hands already gesturing symbols to them.
OOC: Ginn, react if you want. Merc and Danax, continue your little bit.
Calen returned to his tent and quickly finished his packing, then found a comftorable shady tree to sit under and watched the proceedings.
Mike grinned as he pointed up to where Asrana was flying.
"Well Kaye, I guess that solves the question of wether the dragon is friendly or not, and I don't think we'll be able to ask Asrana-dono after all."
After packing up and shouldering her pack again, Nabiki started heading towards the dragon and Dragomirs...
Kaye scratched his head and nodded at Mike's comment. "Guess so."
A short pause befell them before Kaye, deciding they needed to do something suggested, "Say, what say we give Asrana a hand and wake up Kei in her stead?"
A grin lit up his face. "Perhaps with a bucket of cold water?"
Something about the fighter just seemed to scream to him, and apparently most everybody else, "Prank time!" and Kaye was decently willing to listen to that little voice in his head.
A large grin broke out across Mike's face. "Ice cold water, changing temperature of something is really easy." Mike tapped his temple, his grin only getting larger.
OOC: Yes, I finally dragged myself into posting, what's it to you?
IC:
The guards calmly watched their princess, some smiling, others simply watching.
Asrana giggled, gently floating to the ground with the dragon. Where she landed silently (not that you would have heard it anyway), the dragons full four legged landing shaking the ground slightly.
The guards barely noticed, turning back to the final preparation of their gear.
Folkan clapped his black gloved hands once outside Jon's tent, "Time to get up, Jon."
IC:
Kaye picked a bucket and filled it at the stall where the horses were feeding. However, he filled it up with food, rather than the water, as he wasn't paying that much attention, as he proceeded to lift the flap of Kei's tent.
"Shall we cool off our bucket first, or just our ally?" he said to his companion.
OOC:
Don't go telling me to splash him with water, I'd rather use horse slop, Danax, 'kay? =D
Mike grinned as he looked down at the bucket, eyes gettign greener as he readied himself to pull the heat out of the water. He started as he saw the contents of the bucket.
"Uh, that ain't water man, I can't really make that Ice cold, and I don't think kei would be to happy being hit by that, but whatever." Mike said with a grin.
OOC: heh I left it open for ya ^_^ sorry Kwok.
"You could always get your own bucket and clean him up with ice cold water afterwards," Kaye offered before turning back to the tent, and threw the contents of his bucket at Kei.
"He'll need the clean up even if he won't appreciate the cold"
ooc: ^_^
Mike shrugged as he watched Kaye toss the contents of the bucket.
"Wakey, wakey!" He yelled, holding back his laughter.
Nabiki walked through the camp of winged people and the retards, and up to the princess.
"Is he going to be coming with us on our journey?"
The dragon leaned forward and sniffed Nabiki, giving her a draconian smile before retreating to loom protectively over Asrana as she petted it.
Asrana smiled, "No, he's just saying goodbye to me before I leave. How has your morning been, Nabiki-san?"
OOC: I'm alive! Alive! Finally got internet working in the university! Bwahahahaha!!! ^_^
IC: Kei abruptly opened his eyes and went into a forward roll as the content of the bucket was tossed towards him. Stretching a hand out at the end of the roll, he aimed with the intent of knocking Kaye off his feet and his face onto the horse slop.
Nabiki smiled at the princess.
"Slightly amusing for once. The way that the boys act like playful children more than bodyguards is kind of amusing, in a very immature kind of way. But, I guess boys will be boys."
Turning her head, she regarded the dragon. Reaching out, she attempted to pet it.
"So, whats its name?"
Asrana giggled softly, a less childish giggle then she used around the 'boys', almost a mature laugh, "His name to most people is Midnight. But I use a shortened version of his real name." The dragon consented to being petted by Nabiki, it's eyes still shifting every now and then to check its surroundings.
"Hmm...Nabiki, what do you plan on doing once in Dracol? We'll likely be staying there for a week or so..."
"Well, you are paying for expenses, correct? I guess I could gather some of the rarer reagents for summoning and scrying circles. Since you said it was a military city, I assume it should have some good magic shops around. Otherwise, I guess I could see the sites, I guess. Does it have lots of training sites and various dojos and barracks?"
Asrana smiled, "I'm paying for whatever can be justified as expenses towards the mission." She fingered the hilt of her tachi, "Yes...though most of the training facilities and barracks are associated directly with one of the draconian clans."
"Hmm...not much in the way of sites, there's the citadel and the odd things there-in...but not much else."
Deciding to look at the big lizard up close, Calen stood up and made his way through the camp towards the dragon.
Surprised by Kei's sudden movement, Kaye gave a startled jump backwards with a small "eep", landing on his rear, his legs kicking up towards Kei's incomming rolling body.
ooc: Mike must be finding all this amusing ^_^
"Yeah, the clan training halls would be pretty nice to visit. Do they allow visitors to watch or train? Do they not like camparing styles and teaching some of the odder moves?"
Kei was in the middle of the roll when he saw Kaye kicking up at him. Since he was in the middle of rolling, there was no way he could stop.
But there was something he could do...
Thrusting his hands onto the ground, he pushed hard at the ground beneath him to hop up and used his remaining horizontal momentum to avoid the kick, the attack brushing against his back.
Orientating himself while in mid-air while angling himself to get the best hang time he could with his remaining momentum, he aimed to land on Kaye's chest with his knee.
Asrana smirked, "Were likely going to be told to restrict ourselves from using our clan schools. You'll be able to see and train in a few schools we're taught, but not the family schools. If you want to see our more odd techniques, you'll have to watch us in combat."
Midnight swiveled his head towards Calen, gaining a glance from Asrana as he leaned closer, sniffing towards Calen before giving him the same draconic smil he'd given Nabiki and going back to hovering around Asrana.
Eyes widened, and not really wanting to get kneed, Kaye grasped his staff off the side on the ground and placed it pointing upwards so it'd grab Kei on his way down.
'Jeez, this guy seems entirely too interested in trying to hit me' Kaye thought incredously as Kei started his decent towards the staff. 'It's not like I ever did anything to him...'
Technically that was true too, the slop never hit the dope.
OOC: Before anybody asks where the staff came from, Kaye always carry it with him even if I don't mention it. I asked Asrana to make sure it didn't just sound too unplausible an act, as well. If you thought it was anyway, I'll edit my prior posts accordingly so it makes a bit more sense.
Slightly un-nerved by the dragon's smile, Calen shook it off and steped closer.
"So who do we have here? A friend of yours?"
Kei widened his eyes as Kaye erected his pole to meet him.
"Crap," he thought as he descended. "There's no way I can get out of the way of his rod in time..."
And he was right.
With a loud "oof", Kaye's staff found its intended target and Kei found his stomach poked by the hard staff. With a low groan, he unceremoniously fell down the side of the staff, holding his stomach.
"I'll get you..." he declared, sounding out of breath as if he just ran a marathon or did some rather intense physical activities. "As soon as I get my second wind..."
OOC: ^_^
Mike watched Kei and Kaye in silence untill Kei finally slid to the ground. He stood there motionless for a momment befoer bursting out laughing.
Holding his sides he fell on his rear he was laughing so hard.
Asrana's warm smile widened slightly as Calen approached, "Yes...this is Midnight, an old friend of my father's. He was also around when I was a kid."
"How has your morning been, Calen?"
Nabiki stayed silent as Calen approached, wanting to hear about his morning.
OOC: I know, shitty post. -.-;
OOC: Well I hope you're happy, Kwok ^_^
IC:
Kaye's tense muscles relaxed. This unexpected workout had tired him, due to it's sheer unexpectedness. Kaye's labored breath slowly tapered off and he sat up, pushing Kei's groaning, tired body fully off his own. Kaye just looked at Kei and shook his head. 'Moron, you'd have been more satisfied with what would have come on your face than getting impaled,' Kaye thought.
"What are you laughing at?" He snapped at Mike as he pointed his staff at him. "You want to be impaled on this long, hard piece of wood too?"
A small smile appeared on Calen's face as he looked at the dragon. "Midnight? Interesting name."
Turning back to Asrana, he spoke again. "My morning was fine. I did manage to talk with your parents for a bit. I must say that they are interesting people."
Mike only laughed harder and louder at Kaye's words. Struggling he managed to get. "No thanks man, I don't swing that way." out between gasps of laughter.
Still petting the pitch black scales of Midnight's neck, Asrana's warm expression became unreadable. "That they are...in many different ways. How exactly did they strike you as interesting, Calen?"
OOC: <sarcasm> I love playing girls in RPGs. </sarcasm> And not getting the acting right. -.-;;
IC: Nabiki's paranoia rose, as she sensed that something was... amiss between Asarana and her folks. But then again, that could be the paranoia.
Time will tell, and patience was key.
"Ah, they remind me of my own parents a bit. Though I must say, yours seem to pay more attention to you." A small glint of memory made it's way into Calen's eyes.
"Keep laughing and you're gonna be swung to the moon by this staff!" Kaye said with a huff as he stood up and dusted himself. He pondered kicking Kei, considering he wasn't in as good of a mood as earlier, but decided he didn't really need to make Kei want to have revenge... any more so that he seemed to already anyway.
As Mike's laughter continued, veins popped up in the back of his head. "You deal with Kei. I'm gonna go tell Asrana that Kei is awake," he muttered as he walked past Mike. Right now, Asrana would be a welcome distraction, he thought.
Ironic, considering all this had been a distraction from her and the morning's earlier events in the first place.
Mike's laughter died out at Kaye stormed past him angrily.
"Aw come on Kaye, I didn't mean anything insulting by it, Sorry man." Mike watched Kaye's back as he walked away for a momment before turning to Kei.
"Up and at em Kei, we have a big-ass black dragon sitting in our camp and you sleep, some guardian you are!" Mike said jokingly with a friendly smile.
"Fine, fine..." Kei grumbled.
"Up we go!"
Pushing his hands against the ground next to his head and did a handspring to put himself back on his feet.
"Alright, what now?"
"I'm not sure, go say hi to the dragon, and good morning to Asrana?" Mike said as he turned to walk toward Asrana, motioning Kei to follow him.
Kei promptly disappeared from Mike's side.
"Good morning, Asrana!" he called out, loudly and cheerfully, even though he was still nowhere near her.
Mike watched as Kei sprinted towards Asrana for a second before chuckling and shaking his head.
'Kei is definatly Crazy.' He thought as he jogged after the sprinting martial artist.
Asrana's lips twitched upwards in slight amusement, "Ahh..." She shrugged, "The attention payed me was mostly training."
Her eyes shifted to Kaye for a moment as he came near, a flicker of unbknown emotion crossing her face as she seemed to tense slightly.
Sighing, she patted the dragon again as Kei called out. -Nabiki, how do you deal with people like Kei?- Asrana's mental tone was curious and exasperated as she focused on transmitting her thoughts.
- Kei? Well... ummm... I dunno, by this time, they'd usually be dead. But, if anything, try giving him tasks to do. The more he's working, the less he's in your hair. -
-Oh...thank you, Nabiki- Asrana shook her head, smiling for a moment.
"If you two don't want to stay for the moment, go ahead." Her voice was low, pitched for Calen and Nabiki to hear.
A smirk made itself known for a few moments. "Which is still more then I received."
Nodding, Calen made his way a couple dozen meters away, looking around at the other people preparing to leave.
"Oh? I hope there's a show..."
Nabiki followed Calen off to the side, joining her fellow teammate in the peanut gallery.
Asrana smiled softly to her two bodyguards, quickly removing the expression and patting Midnight as she waited for the rest of her bodyguards to show up.
"Hi Asrana!" Kei beamed as he reached Asrana.
"So what're we doing today?"
'Jeez, this guy moves around fast...' Kaye thought with a sweatdrop as he reached Asrana and the hyperactive fighter.
"So what're we doing today?" Kei asked as Kaye reached the duo.
"Finish our journey to her place, obviously," Kaye answered for Asrana before turning to face her. "I do have a better question in his place though. How close -are- we? From your...ah...friend, I assume we should at least be there within the day?"
He pointed over at the oversized creature which had startled him and Mike earlier with his still present sweatdrop and a nervous smile. 'God, I hope he's been fed already...'
Asrana smiled, still petting Midnight's neck, "We aren't even on the same plane as Dracol, as soon as everyone's ready my parents will open a gate to get there. Why else would we camp in dangerous ruins?"
SHe gestured to the black dragon, "Midnight doesn't live near Dracol anyway, his home in Draconia is south of their, in Demon clan territory."
Folkan and Seraya had entered the ruins, leaving the rest of the group to wander in apparently random patterns. The other guards simply watched, one or two of them smiling.
"Ah, so once this portal is opened we'll be at Dracol then. How long till that happens then?" Kaye asked, expanding on his former question.
He tried to ignore the d...Midnight, after Asrana said Demon clan territory. 'Yeowtch, even it's origin sounds scary. That thing smiles at me or bares it's teeth, I'm going to have to excuse myself. I don't care if it wouldn't really eat me. It -looks- like it would!' he thought with a nervous smile.
Mike approached quietly from behind Kaye.
"Good morning Asrana-dono." Mike smiled at her, as he half-bowed. Pausing a moment before a large grin broke out on his face. "Hows that? Its really wierd being formal so I figure I'll start getting used to it now."
Mike stood calmly with the smile on his face, sending nervous side glances over to the dragon on occasion.
OOC:
[edit] had to put something in about the dragon, it woulda been stupid otherwise heh [/edit]
"My parents are already opening the gate, Kaye..." Asrana's eyes flickered to the two wandering rulers, following their paths for a brief moment before turning back to her bodyguards.
Blinking at Mike, she shrugged, "True, it is a tad odd."
"Cool!" Kei bubbled enthusiastically, totally ignoring the menacing-looking drag. "What are we waiting for? Let's go then! I wanna see the place you came from! It HAS to be cool!"
Asrana sweatdropped at Kei, "Er...it takes time to open an inter-planar gate, Kei..."
Her hands flashed for a moment, signaling a pair of guards to take down the tent Kei had been using.
Kei grumbled.
"Aww... that sucks," he whined like a 10-year-old on crack withdrawal. "I wanna go to Dracol! I wanna go to Dracol! How long is it gonna take?"
Asrana's eyes flashed with silver fire, gaining a cold look. "Kei, stop that now. And it take as long as my parents need it to."
Kei seemingly wilted under the cold look.
"Yes, Asrana," he answered with a small voice.
Mike looked at Kei for a second then shook his head chuckling.
"Well I guess we know how to deal with Kei's outbursts," He said turning to Asrana with a smile. "Just get Asrana-dono to give him the death stare."
"Well, anyways I am going to go grab my pack and Escrema. Hopefully the gate will be open soon as I would also really like to get to dracol." With that Mike bowed lightly to Asrana before trotting back to his gear.
THe cold flames didn't leave her eyes; instead, the fire flared, seeming to chill the airdirectly around Asrana.
"I'm not finished. Kei, by now you've proven you cannot function as succesful member of this group. You would be an endangerment to all during the trip to Stathon. So I am dismissing you as my bodyguard."
Kei flinched at the hostility Asrana directed at him, and even more so at what she said.
"You wanna dismiss me? But I haven't done anything!" Kei defended. "I won't be an endangerment! I'll be good! I promise!"
"Kei, I don't 'wanna', I DID. Your antics have proven that you WILL be a dangerous risk going to Stathon. I won't take any more risks than I need to. You. Are. Dismissed."
She maintained a cold and level tone he entire time, exuding authority as her black glove hands clenched into fists.
Calen watched the confrontation with a neutral face. Hopefuly it wouldn't get out of hand. If it did he might have to step in.
Kei abruptly broke off the pseudo-confrontation and ran away from Asrana, towards where Folkan and Seraya were working to open the inter-planar gate to Dracol.
"Folkan... Seraya" he said in a low voice, despair and desperation evident. "Don't dismiss me as Asrana's bodyguard.... don't make me leave..."
"P-please..." he choked out, his voice beginning to sound distorted as he dropped his head low. "I-I'll do anything you want..."
Nabiki sighed gently. She didn't think Kei was that annoying, but then again... maybe this was the best for him... at least it would prevent needless splatter later.
Folkan and Seraya didn't even look up, Seraya continuing to walk in a seeming random as Folkan spoke in a neutral tone.
"It's her command. Asrana controls her bodyguards as a unit and has the authority t dismiss them before the actual mission has started. In the field she has to follow Dragomir martial rules, but right now she has free reign. I won't become involved."
Kei fell to his knees, the strength in his body having seemingly left him simply because of what Folkan said.
"Then tell me what I can do..." he said softly, his arms trembling as he tried to keep himself at least kneeing vertically on both knees as despair continued to set in, plunging him into the abyss.
"Please..." he pleaded as dual tracks of tears slid down his cheeks unnoticed. "I-I don't... don't want to leave..."
Kaye massaged his brow at Kei's display. 'Jeez, he's being pathetic. I guess he does need someone to play devil's advocate, he's not that bad.'
"Asrana..." he started speaking, looking at Asrana. "Don't you think you're being harsh? Okay, he's proven to be an annoyance and loud, but a danger? While not something I'd exactly want to remember right now, he does possess superior reflexes and a good danger sense, as shown from this morning. His recovery rate and how loyal and stubborn he seems to be in sticking around also mean that he wouldn't be taken out very easily. Anyway, that's just my opinion of the guy."
He paused at that point. "I know it's not my place to contradict you, as you are our boss, but since our job -is- to protect you, I felt I should point out his apparent reedeming qualities. You just have to decide if his bad qualities still outbalance his good ones."
He pointed his staff towards Kei and looked at him. "And you, get up, you're not helping your case very well like that. "
OOC: Hmm, I've been gone for a LONG LONG time and have no clue what's going on, besides the impending dismissal of Kei. So, I'm gonna just drop Jon back in and sink or swim.
IC:
"I'm perfectly willing to put him out of his misery. It would probably even be painless," Jon volunteered, grasping at the opportunity presented. A world without Kei was a better place to live.
OOC: WAI! DP is back!
Anyway, you seem fine, if you're unsure about something just grab me in IRC or AIM and ask, DP.
IC:
Asrana shook her head at Kaye and Jon, "Kaye, those are qualities that would make him good in the field or an open fight. Not the Ceran Forest or the stealthier activities involved in getting through it. He'd be a giveaway in the forest or mountains. So I'm eliminating him." Midnight seemed to nod, sniffing at Jon before smiling draconically, his silver highlited black scales glimmering in the sun as he went back to looming over Asrana protectively.
Asrana's lips twitched in a smile at Jon, "No...I'd prefer not to kill. And if it comes to that...I'll handle it myself."
***
Folkan shook his head at Kei, "I don't have any advice. It's Asrana's choice to downgrade the level of defense in favor of stealth. And I don't exactly blame her."
Kaye nodded in understanding of Asrana's explanation.
It was a sound decision she was making, as far as he could see. Of all of them, Kei was the only one who seemed to not be capable of stealth. He might actually be capable of it, but he hadn't -shown- it. To Asrana that would be the important thing.
He shrugged at the pleading fighter and said, "Well, I did a round of devil's advocate, and she convinced me of her own case. You'll have to defend your case by yourself now."
"If he is to be dismissed, wouldn't it be wise to deal with Kei in a way that he may not later come back to haunt us? I'm sure I've heard a saying about jilted idiots somewhere. The point being, willingly or not, he could end up as a tool of our enemies." Jon wondered how convincing he sounded.
"Perhaps he would make an acceptable thrall? Kei seems quite simple-minded and should cope well with being my puppet."
"Fine!" Kei said as he bolted up to his feet, his voice on the edge of hysteria. "If you want me to leave so much I'll leave!"
Spinning on his heels, he turned away and begain to walk back to the group. Eyes closed, he began to meditate and calmed himself as he walked.
"I really thought I loved you, Asrana," he said as he walked past the group and continued on without pausing. "I guess I really do. Guess it's all for nought now, huh?"
"I guess I was stupid enough to actually fall in love with you when I knew damn well that your way of life is so radically different from mine and that you'll probably never accept me," he laughed bitterly. "Look at me now, tossed away like an unneeded extra pile of trash."
Suddenly, he bent his knees and half-crouched on the ground as he unclenched his fist and lashed out with a powerful punch, caving the ground in slightly and sending cracks extending out from the point of impact. As he got up, his knuckles were dripping with blood.
"Guess I won't see you anymore," he continued as he got up, his voice betraying no emotion. "Have a nice life, Crown Princess."
---------------------
Kei flipped over his assailant's lunging punch and kicked him in the back of the head, sending him skidding across the floor.
"Back to the old lifestyle for me, I guess," he said as he picked the man up and lifted him off the ground by his neck. "I wonder how much the authorities would pay me if I turn you in? You ARE one of the most wanted criminals in the city, you know."
The man repeatedly tried to kick Kei's arm loose, but said arm wouldn't even budge, and his act didn't even earn a flinch from Kei.
"I suggest you not do that," Kei warned as he tightened his grip.
"Don't turn me in!" the man pleaded, knowing that he was outmatched. "I'll give you anything you want! I'll give you all the loot I've ever had!"
Kei's eyes sparked with interest. "Keep talking."
"Women! Any woman you want is yours!"
Kei's eyes suddenly grew hard at the reply. As if telling him that it was the wrong plead, he slammed the man into the wall, denting it and embedding the man into the wall.
Not satisfied with the man moaning in pain halfway inside the wall, he scooped the man up and over his head by the neck and slammed him down to the ground.
---------------------
He tossed the bag of gold pieces he received from the local authorities for the bounty up and down in his hands as he wandered into a bar.
He was immediately greeted by a large man seated at a table in the center of the room, waving him over.
Yep. I'm definitely back and free from bodyguard duty for Dragomirs and back to my real lifestyle. Life is good.
"Then why do I feel so empty...?" he said softly to himself as he put on a fake grin and joined the man in drinking pleasureless drinks and laughing humourless laughs.
Mike turned as he heard Kei's outburst, and watched him walk away from everyone. He turned a hard look on Asrana for a moment before going about finishing his packing.
Asrana returned Mike's look with one of cold fire before letting the energy dissapate from her eyes. Turning towards Jon a little, she shook her head, "No, if he ends up in the hands of our enemy, we can deal with him."
Her parents continued wandering, beginning to whisper in their own language as they paced, a haze of magic settling onto the ruins for anyone that could sense it.
Nabiki listened impassionately as Kei threw a little tantrum, and walked off. All the same, staying or leaving didn't matter. It was the ends that were important, not the means.
"Oh well. Maybe we'll meet again some day, under better circumstances." Like without supervision from overly kind employers.
"So, who's up for a game of stone the loser?"
Asrana sighed, beginning to wander away from the group and her guards.
She needed time to think.
OOC: I'm leaving it open for everyone to interact while Dracol catches up
Turning towards Nabiki, Calen raised an eyebrow. "Well. That was interesting."
"A bit... though we did 'trim the fat' from the group, so to speak..."
"But will it do any good is a question one might ask."
Nabiki scoffs.
"With Kei? Probably."
OOC: The original arc is reactivated!
REPENT! THE END IS NIGH! ^^;;
IC: As Nabiki and Calen conversed, a faint silver glow began to emit from the path Seraya and Folkan were following, growing until the chaotic web of arcane designs and symbols were apparent to everyone that looked.
Exiting the veritable maze of energy, Folkan signaled Asrana to rejoin them. Behind the monarchs, the silver mana began to glow and rise like a tide, the edges lapping at the air above them. The rising energy swelled as it reached the height of the surrounding tree tops, blossoming into a swirling mass of pure energy.
"If you haven't gone between planes before, you just step in one side and out the other." Folkan instructed.
The guards had formed up into three packs of three, one of the groups steadily walking into the swirling mass as a vanguard. Asrana stepped up next, but waited for her bodyguards to join her.
OOC: Two days to post before I NPC your char, and two days after that to get a message to me or post before the character is lost to the warps of interplanar travel.
Kaye headed towards Asrana as she moved towards the glowing and swirling energy, watching as three of their companions walked through.
"So...we just walk through, nothing fancy," he muttered under his breath, as he likewise waited for the others to gather near him and Asrana, so they could all walk in together with their charge.
"How many people can walk in at a time? Only three?" he asked of Asrana as they waited.
"No, they fight best in groups of three, and whenever going through a gate, we have to send a forward group." she answered, smiling slightly.
Shifting her weight nervously, she elaborated. "As many as can fit into the entrance can come through at once, which is around a dozen if we went through on different sides of the gate."
Calen drew his cloak around him. "So we are on the move again. Good. This day has felt too long for some reason. If you will excuse me."
Calen gave a small bow to Nabiki and grabed his equipment before heading for the portal. Nodding to Kaye and Asrana he walked forward. "I shall see you on the other side."
Nabiki sighed, and shouldered her equipment before giving a glance back at the tavern, and what was her old world.
She'll be back. Definitly.
Turning back to the portal, she walked through.
"Well, two of my companions have gone through, we might as well follow. The others can follow with the rest of your parent's group, in the meantime, why not give us a quick show around of your home while we wait for everybody to come through?" Kaye asked as he moved towards the portal.
Asrana nodded, stepping up with Kaye and into the swirling energies.
Stepping out the other side of the gate, they were in a circular room. Terraces, about three feet wide each and a foot high, ascende ten feet to a walkway along the edge of the room. Looking further up were elaborate metal grill work, and the faint shadows of archers behind them. There were four doors at the top of the terraces, one in front of where the group stood, on behind, and one to each side. The doors were large and made of a dark wood, bound in black metal. Above them, glowing yellow orbs provided light, the soft luminescence barely reflecting on the black marble walls and floor. The three guards were directly ahead of them, at the top of the terraces and waiting.
Asrana's boots clicked on the floor resoundingly as she set foot in her home. "Hmm...same gate room as always..." she murmured, looking about for her companions.
Calen looked around the area. "Interesting place. Though I guess we have to wait for the rest before we can see more of it."
Kaye nodded at Calen's comment and looked at Asrana. "So feel like showing us around while we wait for everybody else to come through?"
Nabiki looked around and took in her surroundings.
"Nice reception area. At least we know they're on our side."
Asrana blushed slightly at Nabiki's sarcasm, her fingers gesturing to the guards and hidden archers in a seeming battle language. "It's always like this..." she sighed. "Sefeya will be here in a moment to show us to our quarters..." The shadows behind the grates seemed to retreat, and Asrana removed her black leather gloves and cloak.
OOC: Start putting replies in Dracol Arc thread now, please >.>