I Had A Plan But Changed It At The Last Minute And Now I Have No Idea What I'm Doing by Fall Out Boy

[Zebey]

One of the other unicorns was humoring the self titled queen- or perhaps being serious, Zebey wasnt one to judge the inflection of magical horses- and let slip that they were new to the area too. They knew about as much as the rest of them did- well, except the new woman, waving around weird sticks in her hand. Her confidence seemed to belie a knowledge of the place.

Before the slayer could ask her any questions though, a shriek filled the air. Within the blink of an eye the woman's bow was back in her hands. Silver eyes zeroed in on the yellow-horned unicorn in which the sound came from. She witnessed the briefcase fall from the heeled woman's hand as she covered her ears and the briefcase smacked opened. Bloodied paper drifted in the breeze, though most remained in the case itself, too wet with sticky red blood to leave. Zebey frowned.

Before she could react to that unfortunate circumstance, one of the unicorns responded to her question directly- and wasnt all that pleasant about it. The drow stared at Paula with an expressionless gaze. They intended to come here, to the middle of nowhere? As much as she was curious to know why, the equines attitude was extremely off-putting and Zebey pointedly ignored her to return to Julio and Alice. "That's money?" The elf questioned, quirking a brow. "You use parchment as money? That seems like a poor investment, I doubt half of those slips are usable in the state they're in." As one who has battled demons and bandits, the bloodied currency came as no shock to her but the idea of parchment money was baffling. If you were in a place where bloodied money was a normal occurrence, why not use gold coins like usual? Even if they get blood or whatever on them, just wash them and they're good as new.

Zebey shook her head, glancing to the stricken look (which, by the way, was odd seeing on a horse) on poor Julio. Clearly he wasn't used to turmoil. "You get used to it after a while. I was battling demons before I showed up here. You have to make a living somehow." She shrugged, glancing back to Alice and putting her bow away slowly. This place was going to be interesting. That at least was certain.

[Alice Noe]

"Cotton, actually." She reflexively answered the elf, as if she had been asked similar questions before, "And laundering it is part of my job. Well, we have a machine for it but…" She nudges a turnip with her toe, frowning, "I don't think it'll accept these."

[Junho Song]

There was so much going on, so much commotion. A newcomer, a sort of hysterical unicorn, a mysterious suitcase, a continued delightful smell of cookies, and Junho was almost surprised when a soft voice crept up through him. It was not strange for him, to have someone else speaking to him directly to his thoughts, but he wasn’t used to such gentleness. He felt a sort of comfort that she didn’t really know what he was supposed to do either, it seemed like he wasn’t doing anything wrong then at least. Even with the commotion, others seem to have broken off, conversing within groups of one another. He felt that this unicorn should have his full attention at least, and he gave her a small smile and shook his head.

“I just got here, actually. A couple of days ago.” He flashed his back at her, showing off his current most prized possession, the tent that he had strapped to his back, with his rations and water sort of thumping against his side with his quick movements. It wasn’t much, but for now, it was home. It sounded a bit like a bunch of the other people had just gotten here, too, especially the cookie lady who had just poofed into existence. He didn’t know if the unicorn cared to hear his ramblings about the colorful characters (though these unicorns and humanoids certainly gave them a run for their money) that he had met in the last three days, all that he had learned and forgotten. If he was honest with himself, he wasn’t really sure that he could recount the tale himself, it had all felt like a bit of a dream.

He blinked, remembering the manners that were supposed to have been imprinted in him. “I’m Junho.” he pointed at himself with his index finger, as if his words alone weren’t obvious. “So now you know me, at least.”

[Artemis]

A thing! exclaimed Kamalah suddenly, distracted from Tynis by the abrupt arrival of a new person as excited to be there as she was. She trotted over quickly, shoving her snout forward and practically cross-eyeing to get a good look at the markers. Do you draw, then? Can you draw me?!

Briec meanwhile was as intrigued by The Queen as The Queen appeared to be by the unusual circumstances. When offered the ring, he backed up a step to touch the tip of his horn to them, and closed his eyes in concentration. A queen in need could not be ignored or left waiting. The horn glowed subtly, and then -- Nothing? he questioned the universe, confused and ever so slightly embarrassed or perhaps offended that he was not able to do the thing. He flicked his tail in irritation. My magic is infallible, he snorted, glaring at the ring. He had never failed to follow a guiding object in his entire life.

He also, for all his own ego, was wise enough not to accuse The Queen of lying about its counterpart's existence. She wasn't lying. Unicorns knew these things (or at least believed they did), and belief was its own powerful magic).

May I? a formerly quiet voice broke in, soft eyes staring at the ring intently. The Garra lingered back with the air of forced politeness, clearly interested in inspecting it herself.

Probably, but they won't admit it, Jenkins munched and answered Muriel's question with a vague sense of dismissal. He was too old to be prideful any more. Cookies were delicious, scuff off if you were too fancy for crumbly goodness. He twitched an ear at the mention of 'no offense', waiting for the -- Oh my, yes! BOND! The Green About The Gills Moeda to Muriel! Jenkins, by the who. Now, bother talking, time for scritches. Do you know how hard it is to give yourself scritches?

Are we supposed to have a thing, the first fellow to arrive asked, and another voice answered for him while Kamalah was distracted. Things are good, he confirmed, relieved to have a simple question with a simple answer. Things connect to owners, he explained matter-of-factly, which... he wasn't wrong, but did it really need to be explained? Maybe he simply liked feeling like he could explain something about this whole situation type deal. Do you have a thing?

Julio, for all his dramatic screaming, looking momentarily pleased that Alice was in incredible pain. Not that he was cruel, but good, someone needed to understand the depths of his agony. That is not what is meant by money laundering, sniped the female Espada in the temporary quiet, eyeing the rambunctious group haughtily from her own standing place.

You get used to it? Julio repeated after the drow, looking like he believed her exactly none and had no interest in 'getting used to it' himself. You could make a living, I don't know, not profiting off the suffering of others? Honestly!

One of the mares was starting to get a bit more intrigued as the conversation shifted towards money, currency, or whatever they wanted to bicker about calling it. Do you... generally make a good living, that way? she inquired primarily of Zebey, though her gaze flickered to Alice as well. She'd been trying to listen in on Haelys as much as possible, but if others also had, let's say, sufficiently promising lifestyles...

For a long moment, watching and processing them all, the golden-horned mare by Junho remained unresponsive, even after his introduction. She glanced around, pausing briefly on each person-like being and each Unicorn before she finally reached over and ever so lightly nudged his shoulder with her velvety muzzle. I'm Jin, she offered, with a soft mental smile radiating from her presence. So I guess we know each other, then. BOND! The Yellow-Bellied Cur Varinha to Junho!

[Tynis]

Tynis’s companion trotted off to a sunnier individual. Not that he ever blamed anyone for that. He did not radiate sunshine and happiness himself and he knew it. He smiled tentatively, eyes drifting over the gathering. They seemed absorbed each in their own way. The Queen had certainly caught the attention of more than one of the creatures, a shiny ring placed in her palm. And the other two talking about blood and money. The corner of his mouth twitched. These people were not of any race he was familiar with but they were just the same as the ones he’d encountered his whole life. The familiarity among all the sudden changes was certainly welcome.



He wasn’t neglected for long, though, as another voice slid into his mind. Owners… that was a weird thing to say. Why would a very sentient talking horse be concerned about an owner? And why were they so interested in these unnamed “things?” He shrugged his pack off his shoulder and opened it. His fingers traced over several vials tucked securely in their little pockets. Tinctures for pain relief and to ease the last hours of the sick. Packets of seeds held the potential for resurrection blossoms to remind the living of their lost loved ones. Another held figs to be buried with the dead. The tree would bear fruit back to the living. But it was the worn, leather-bound book that Tynis lifted out of it.



He thumbed through the petal thin pages. It was only half filled with text. He’d offered up his first rites at just 15. That left nearly 70 years of work all recorded in the tome.



“None of it is very useful I admit.” Outside of his very specific profession of course. “But these are all the people I attended to.” He realized that perhaps everyone else might not know what he did and awkwardly cleared his throat. “Uh, to help them, die I guess.”



He suddenly felt rather silly. Others were handling bloodied currency or talking about killing for coin and here he was getting all nostalgic about a bunch of dead people he didn’t even know. “That’s probably not what you meant by thing, though…”

[Zebey]

That was made from cotton? Zebey's gaze landed back on the bloodied currency, studying it. That was some weird looking cotton, and Alice certainly sounded like she knew what she was talking about... although, from the tone of the concerned unicorn as he snapped back at her, the elf could tell that she didnt sound knowledgable apparently. The drow leveled him with a cool look. "You think I profit off the suffering of others? I've spent the last year killing demons to prevent the suffering of others." Her retort was icy. She hadn't spent the last year thrust into the very center of hell that is the world wound, seeing unspeakable horrors and witnessing the gruesome deaths of hundreds to be accused of being profitable.

"Perhaps you should learn more about someone before passing judgement," she said firmly to Julio, a slight scowl on her lips. When the female inquired of her, it was done in more of a curious tone. The dark blue skinned woman shrugged. "I guess. You definitely get a lot of coin- demons like hoarding it- but the dangers and almost guaranteed death sentence scare off most people."

She fiddled with the bottom tip of her bow. The past year was a blur of terrible sights and atrocities. She had witnessed massacres and seen an entire city collapse. She'd been thrown into fights against hoardes if demons and nearly died twice. She had witnessed one of her party member's head get lopped off. Zebey shook her head, having momentarily been lost in the disturbing memories. "You have to fight to survive," she said eventually, quietly. After giving herself a shrug, she shook off the images that lingered and glanced at Alice.

"So... what exactly do you do?"

[Muriel]

Muriel gave an understanding, sympathetic nod. Of course they wouldn’t admit it, bless their timid little hearts. It took equal parts boldness and humility to take cookies from a perfect stranger, so she didn't blame the dears for passing them up. Plus, she was all too familiar with the feeling of being obligated to someone simply because of a free gift. It’s why those silly nickels in charity mailers brought a tinge of guilt to her generous soul. She always sent back a donation a thousand fold. This elder might not have been rich, but she felt all the better for her good deeds.

Speaking of which… there was a strange sensation settling over her, like skimming a college acceptance letter and falling head over heels at the phrasing: We are pleased to inform you… Yes, it was just the same titillation, the same rush -- she had been chosen! Her free hand flew to her fluttering heart as she grinned from ear to wrinkled ear.

Scritches? But of course! Muriel was more than happy to oblige. As soon as she had recovered, the old lady reached out to tickle under his chin, earning a slow, creased smile from the Moeda.

Goodness, this cookie tray was getting heavy though. She wished there were someplace she could set it down!

As soon as the thought had materialized in her head, strange legs sprouted from the bottom corners of the cookie tray. Startled, the little granny lost her hold, but the appendages were quick to grow, and before it could hit the ground, the tray became a tiny table about three feet high with four solid metal posts touching the grass. At the end of each leg was a rubber wheel. No, it wasn’t a table, it was a… cart? What’s more, a strange little box had materialized on the underside that looked like a… speaker?

It began to putt around the field, and as it chugged along, it pelted out some odd lyrics in a deep, gruff, blueish-sounding tone. C is for cookie, that’s good enough for me / Oh, cookie, cookie, cookie starts with C...

She gave the tray-now-musical-cart a little wave. ”Don’t worry, Jenkins my dear,” she reassured him, moving her hand up behind his ears to scratch his poll. ”There will be more where that came from.”

Never you mind, now, the green unicorn mind-mumbled through half-lidded eyes. Scritches had consumed every fiber of his bony being.

[Haelys Celtaris]

It must be said that Muriel earned some significant points with Haelys for referring to her as "Your Highness" (at least somebody recognized her), but the Queen knew better than to take cookies from strangers, so she refrained. She didn't have much of a sweet tooth anyway.

Haelys watched intently as Briec interacted with the ring resting in the palm of her hand. What looked to be a morbid spike thrust into the horse's skull seemed to be used for magical purposes. Perhaps she was wrong about this...curse? Anatomy? Gift? She had not formed a discrete opinion on it yet; she needed more information. Either way, Haelys knew magic when she saw it. And she also noted that Briec was distinctly controlling it—she could see his focus. Fascination swirled with excitement in her gut. Many ideas of what they might be able to do together began bubbling in her mind. Perhaps Fate had brought her to a new ally and the usurpers' plan had actually backfired. Oh, that breed of revenge sure would be sweet.

And yet...nothing?!

Initially, Haelys felt frustrated and disappointed, but she did not show a reaction. She took a few moments of silence to subdue her emotions, for a clear head provided the best solutions. Just as Briec gave her the benefit of the doubt, she did the same for him. His confidence did not seem to be a deception (infallible was a bold word); he had truly expected to be successful. So if Haelys was not lying and if Briec's skills were otherwise true...

"I fear there is more at play here than meets the eye." She paused, lowering her arm and curling her fingers over the ring. In her own way, Haelys was essentially saying it was not Briec's fault. Her eyes drifted to the grass below her, lips taut in thought.

As the glimmer of hope grew slimmer, Haelys began doubting that using her emergency amulet would do any good. She was no maegi or priestess, so if this creature’s magic had for whatever reason been unsuccessful, hers would likely be as well. She did not want to waste such a valuable object.

Her gaze lifted in response to the new voice addressing her (there were also about ten other voices she was trying very hard to ignore). With Haelys' ideas for solutions being whittled down, she would not hesitate to accept another's help. She did not feel that this strange mix of people and creatures contained malevolence, so her guard had slipped ever so slightly.

"Please." She stated simply as her hand raised and unfolded to reveal the ring once more. There was not yet any desperation in her tone. Her voice was a graceful invitation to approach, as this white-horned horse had been respectful enough to ask.

As if to completely shatter the moment, the tray of cookies swooped by Haelys while belting an absurd song, running over the pristine edges of her dress that touched the floor. It was difficult to tell, but one of her eyes may have twitched. She refused to have her focus broken by this NON-SENSE.

[Deleted]

It had been a perfectly lovely day up until this point. Which, perhaps, was a bit unfair of a way to put things, because no one said that the day was about to go bad. Just. Look. Len had been around the block a time or two, and stumbling upon a bunch of people and such in the middle of a field? Well.

We're ignoring the fact Len probably heard the commotion five miles away and followed the noise just to find everyone and see what was going on. He'd never admit to that.

Instead, the ex-reaper was just shocked and caught off guard that he'd stumbled upon this group with no warning. None. Not even a hint of a suggestion that something was going on here. Shocked, I tell you.

He was also wearing a flower crown, because it was a perfectly good field with perfectly good wildflowers. And he had specifically picked out ones that would be useful in some sort of herbal remedy or another. Because it amused him and why not?

Meeting a bunch of strangers and unicorns, with a bright, gaudy flower crown on his head had not been part of his plan for the day (really), but here he was. Eyeing this trainwreck of a meeting. There was bloodied money and cookies and the buzz of magic in the air, but hey, no one was dead. Or dying. Or even bleeding out slowly.

Len had no freaking clue even where to begin.

To be fair, he was still getting used to, well, interacting with people. Usually he was kind of invisible, and not really quite there, and watching someone die. The dead tended to be easier to interact with, even if there was panicking. The not-dead? Or even not-dying? That was another story.

For now, he was content to snag a cookie from the weird little musical cart thing that chugged by, assuming open permission to snag one. Apparently he had missed the memo about not eating cookies from strangers.

[Junho Song]

The unicorn’s lack of immediate response didn’t worry or bother Junho in the slightest. He understood the need to wait, think, take it all in and sit with your thoughts. It seemed that the others had broken out into separate conversations, just as he and his companion had (sort of). The tray of cookies tottered by him, and he did grab on ethis time. They were still kind of warm, and he did lift it up to his mouth before he felt a slight nudge in his shoulder. And then he felt it, warmth radiating out, then within. With half a cookie partially chewed in his mouth, Junho too paused at the introduction, swallowing the bits of cookie as fast as he could.

Jin. It was strange, when she said that they knew each other, he really felt it. They did really know each other now, didn’t they?

“Jin.” He echoed, noticing a new stranger approach from the corner of his eye but not really registering it. He really wanted to radiate that same warmth and gentleness back at her, and the unicorn could tell. “Jin and Jun, our names match.” His grin was goofy, a little shy. The idea of being connected to Jin at such depth in such an instant was not really something he anticipated. What was this strange planet that he had arrived on?

With the hand that he wasn’t holding a cookie with, he reached out to her, touching the side of her face, looking at her right into her warm honey-colored eyes. For now, anyway. “Now what?” He mused, feeling the touch of nerves heat up through her at the pressure of a decision. “Do you want to stay and watch?”

Jin for her part, was nervous that her presence alone would ruin this experience for the rest of the revelation. Because she was very capable for ruining things. Yes. She said definitively, taking some strength from Junho’s steady presence. Her eyes blinked up, a charming slate color from his angle, content to watch quietly.

ooc: I love her. T.T He loves her.

[Alice Noe]

"I do both, thank you very much." Alice sniped back at the Espada that had corrected her. Never mind that she had just admitted to crime while doing it, that wasn't relevant. What was a fae gonna do about her job anyway? There were emabssies and covens and things to jump through and was that really worth it if this horse-fae didn't even know her name or her Clan? Yeah, she was going to tell herself that.

Julio quickly took her attention back, "It's not my money!" Alice protested again, she profited off her own work thank-you-very-much. Sure she could guess where the money came from, with the individual who had brought it and the fact that it was covered in blood, but she didn't know for certain and it wasn't her job to ask. In fact it was her job to not ask, quite explicitly. "I just take it from people and store it, if it needs to be cleaned then we make sure that happens." Blood mages could get blood out of anything but you weren't going to catch her saying that to Julio.

"The bank takes a cut of anything that has to have special handling, like this-" She gestures at the bloody notes, "And then we store it for them and they can access it however they please." She explains, since Zebey had asked what she did exactly and Julio seemed insistent on believe the money was hers when it most definitely wasn't. Though it was about to become hers if she couldn't get back to the real world some time soon. Did Fae take US dollars?

She bit her tongue on fighting to survive, far too many of her Clan believed in survival of the fittest, and did very little to help each other. It was not something that Alice really appreciated, and why she'd never pursued a closer relationship with her Clan. She could get a cushy position, if she wanted, but she avoided it to the best of her ability.

[Artemis]

This was turning into... well, certainly a much more lively gathering than the revelation had anticipated, although they could be forgiven for not knowing much about the unpredictability of the Planet, being new to it themselves.

The giraffe-patterned Unicorn by Tynis waited patiently while he rummaged in his pack. It smelled... hmm. He couldn't quite say what it smelled. Sweet, but perhaps a touch sour? And a thin book, which smelled as old worn books do. A light huff answered the idea that 'none of it is very useful' as Abdul had very different ideas about whether such a thing as un-useful information was even possible, but he listened.

It is... a thing... is it not? An object? A noun-identified existence? He wasn't trying to be rude or snarky, merely sincerely confrazzled at what else 'thing' would have meant. He didn't seem as upset about the mention of death as some others, either. Do you work with them? he asked, lifting his head up from inspecting the book to point his nose towards Zebey and Alice.

... Where Julio was currently making quite the scene, one we're not even sur eif it was intended or not. I don't profit off suffering I'm just a murderer, Julio sassed back, barely interested in hearing what either of them had to say at this point. Oh I just kill stuff for all the past year, nbd, why do you think I'm mean and opportunistic Julio? Can't fathom. Done with his piece, he skirted around them to find someone more pleasant to talk to, flicking an ear briefly in Jin and Junho's direction followed by an approving nod of his head.

You! he addressed Tynis. Are you with them? I already asked. Let him answer. No pressure on the spot or anything.

I met a demon once, Ishmael said to no one because no one was listening but he still wanted to be part of the conversation. ... Maybe he should follow the singing cookie-cart. Have a snack. Hmm.

Oh my, Tahani's eyes fluttered at the mention of dangers accompanying the deal. She wasn't quite so keen on that aspect, thank you very much. She glanced at Alice, then at The Queen, feeling warring interests. I mean, a queen, how enviable in every way! But Tahani didn't need to be a queen to be happy. She didn't. She'd show you (who? Tahani no one said anything) she could be just as successful as any ~rOyAlTy~.

So, why do people give you their money instead of, well, keeping it themselves? she had to ask. Banking was a not a very Unicornish concept, for a variety of reasons including a lack of currency (but they understood compensation and salaries? listen we don't make the rules).

Ishmael spotted a newcomer and stepped over to him oh-so-subtly in the wake of the cookie-cart. Ever met a demon? I did, in case Leonard hadn't heard his initial declaration of such facts. Also apparently it was the current topic of conversation this aftermorneve.

And of the currently occupied horned horses, that left Briec and Marlene with The Queen. Who is apparently only to be known as The Queen no matter if she ever introduced her name or not. Anyway. Briec scanned between the Garra and the Queen, watching, waiting almost disappointingly for something to go right where he had gotten it wrong...

Oh.

Briec somehow managed to hold his breath even holdier.

I'm... I'm sorry, she said quietly, trying not to flinch at the twitch in The Queen's eye. You're from much further than we can reach. Farther, too. Her tail flicked around her legs. But we can try to find someone who can! We... I would hate for you to be somewhere you don't want to be. Who would that someone be? She didn't know. She didn't even know if there was any other someones on this whole Planet. But she couldn't just crush Haelys' desires and tell her it was hopeless -- technically they didn't know if it was! Maybe.. it was... a solar flare! An arcane flux? A poor alignment of the moons. They'd just keep trying. If she wanted to let them when they hadn't accomplished anything.

Briec breathed out slowly through his nose, trying to process this, and coming up with the question that hadn't been asked yet since it hadn't seemed to matter significantly. Where are you from? he inquired, first from The Queen, and then at the group at large, All of you?

[Deleted]

Leonard still wasn't sure what entirely was going on, but he had a very good cookie and if nothing else, he needed to figure out who made this wonderful treat and thank them. Maybe ask if he could buy a batch. Not that he was quite sure how money worked in this place, or even if there was money, but hey. He was a doctor and he had other useful skills he could trade, so. He was sure there could be something worked out.

Cookie-purchasing plans were put on hold as one of the Unicorns stepped over to him, not subtly at all, and Leonard was forced to take his gaze away from the musical-cookie-cart to eye the creature with open curiosity. "I've been called a demon in some cultures." He offered cheerfully. "So now you've met another one." Which, really, wasn't an answer, and maybe not what the stallion was going for, but...eh? "Where did you meet it?" He asked, even as he broke his delicious cookie in half and offered Ishmael the side that he hadn't bitten into.

Did Unicorns like cookies? No idea. Hopefully there was nothing in this cookie that would kill a magic horned-horse.

He'd heard the question from the other unicorn, but in the end chose not to answer. There was no easy answer. No city or town on some planet in a different universe. Things got headache inducing if he tried to explain. "Is this your home, or are you from far away places, too?" He asked, instead, to Ishmael, to Briec, to whoever really wanted to listen and give an answer. Len wasn't that picky.

[Zebey]

Zebey gave Julio no mere heed. Clearly these unicorns weren't used to danger- perhaps they were on the top of a food chain?- and wouldn't understand. Although, after hearing Abdul and Julio question Tynis, a realization hit her. The drow quirked a brow, glancing at Alice. "You both realize we've never met before, right?" she pointed at, gesturing between her and the vampire. "I don't think anyone here has have met each other, in fact," she continued, pupil-less silver eyes grazing over all of the people currently gathered.

It was... a strange group. From an entitled Queen, to a harmless old woman, to a strange bug-human- there was no way this selection of individuals would naturally gather otherwise. What was it about this place? Did it select people randomly, on a whim? Did they get sent here or were they brought here? The drow pushed her hair out of her eyes and shook her head. There was still too much confusion about the whole situation. She didn't like it. At least back home, things were generally simple- demons were invading and needed to be killed. Arrows worked very well. Simple.

Something caught her attention. Zebey refocused on the unicorns around the Queen, and they looked... sad, almost. Her head tilted to the side as she managed to catch the last bit of the conversation. Ah, there was the confirmation. They weren't from here. Marlene was being gentle with her, trying to offer her a hand finding a way back. Didn't sound like things were going well back where she was from, though. She was sent here in disarray, and seemed miffed, to put it nicely. Was she in the process of being dethroned? Was there war back home, and that's why she was so eager to go back? ... Was Zebey eager to go back? A break from demon hunting would be nice... It was very tempting. She felt a little responsible for the safety of those left behind, though. And then Briec's question was posed. A new person answered first- wait, when had he showed up?- and Zebey regarded Len briefly. "I come from the Worldwound," Zebey said after a pause."A place infested with demons that I was in the process of taking back..." She trailed off. The elf sighed. "I'm assuming I'm nowhere near there, now."

That was probably a safe assumption.

[Haelys Celtaris]

There came a time when the heavy reality of a situation settled in your gut. Haelys, of course, didn’t have a gut, because her figure was amazing, but it still felt similar.

For a moment, visions of her fears crossed her mind. Somebody unworthy sitting in her throne. Her daughter...dead? No, worse—humiliated. The country left open to invaders without a strong leader. There were many more possibilities, but Haelys reeled her thoughts in and put a lid on them. Now was not the time. Fear did not sit well with strategy.

With a slow, deep breath, the pale woman slid the ring back onto her finger. Her eyes settled on the horse with the white horn. There was no anger or sadness in her eyes. She seemed, in fact, rather calm. Some people worked well under pressure.

"You have given me extremely valuable information." This information had, in fact, changed the entire course of her day as well as all her expectations moving forward. Suddenly, all the strange creatures and people seemed less shocking. The usurpers had surely planned to put her somewhere she was absolutely not suited. She couldn’t remember the last time she had spent a night without proper comforts, even while traveling.

"You are correct. There is always another way." It is exactly as this horse said—somebody somewhere could help them. She would locate them...eventually. Her attention turned towards the red-horned horse that had originally assisted her. He seemed to catch on to what was happening here. Zebey's answer only confirmed this mismatch of worlds.

"I am from King's Landing. I am from royalty. And I seem to be from a place where some people do not know what is good for them." There was a vicious bite in her tone during that last sentence. She stated the city name as if anyone here knew the lands. She just could not bring herself to describe her home as some distant world. Besides, there was no quick way to describe such a place.

"The priority is now finding a suitable place to spend the evening." Haelys was speaking to Briec and Marlene as if she was telling them what they should be doing. "Where are you staying?" This question was addressed to the two horses as well as opened up to anyone nearby who was listening as Haelys glanced around her. Any information she could gather may be helpful. All she needed was a general direction towards a village or town. And, if these creatures didn’t know, she could at least walk in the opposite direction of where they had come from—if there no town behind them, chances were there was one in front of them.

Of course, what qualified as a 'suitable place' was an entirely different matter. That bridge would come later.

[Tynis]

The moment for perusing memories passed quickly. The drone of the musical cookie tray pierced through the cloud of nostalgia as the heat of nearby conversations rose. Suddenly another unicorn was stomping in his direction even as the other inquired after more. The same question came in quick succession and his eyes shot over to Zebey and Alice. He meant no harm in his tone, people would do as they had always done. But there was no masking the offense in his voice.

 “I would never kill someone. It is against our mandate.” Disgust dripped in his voice and quickly wrapped itself in pride. “I‌ am a priest of Duuara. I help those who are dying or who have died to pass on. I‌ provide peace and dignity for them and their families. For a person of my standing to willingly kill would be an affront to our God. I have made this path my life and there are thousands of people that have found solace through my work.”

 He snapped the book shut and hugged it to his chest as if to protect it. Many weren’t always comfortable with what he did, but they at least understood it within the framework of his homeworld and culture. His skin prickled from the confrontation. It would have been the most serious of accusations back home. One that would threaten his livelihood. “And we do not profit from Death. We take only what is freely given to support our temple.” Of course there were frivolities to be had. The flash of gold on his teeth told of at least some excess. His extensive wine cellar was evidence too. They all had their vices but most of their lives were simple enough.

 Other questions arose. Where were they from? Was there a way back? It was something he didn’t want to face quite yet and he merely shrugged his shoulders. He hadn’t considered the sudden change would be long-lived, or perhaps permanent. Haelys had a good handle on the practical side of things it seemed and he nodded as she spoke. “Yes. Finding a place to stay seems prudent.” One of them had to know where to go from here, right? Because it certainly wasn't going to be him.

[Nakolune]

“Oh yeah, definitely” Nako enthused, pulling a notepad and pen out from her back pocket. “I’ve only got small paper on me right now for the sake of portability, but if you don’t mind that I can definitely sketch you!”

She sat down in the grass and braced the paper on her knee, starting out the foundation lines and working them in carefully “I’m Nako, by the way.”

“It’s really nice to meet someone who is interested in art. I guess that’s why I brought the markers. They’re really fun to work with- Oh don’t worry, I -will- use them to color. I like to get the lines in with a pen because I can get those really fine details with a ballpoint. It’s really relaxing, just going out with a sketchbook and a pen and just working. You can’t erase pen so the mistakes you make are just kind of there… but a nice balance of caution and boldness makes it really rewarding. You don’t want to be needlessly sloppy, but you also can’t be afraid to take risks because if you don’t at least try… well you’ll never succeed.”

Even with a light hand, an attempt at a gestural sweep went astray. Nako paused for a moment, and opted to make the errant line a part of a wispy mane.

“Do feel free to stop me, I have a real bad habit of filling empty air with noise.”

Not that the air was empty at all, there was a lot of conversation going on around them, but Nako had already completely zoned them out, thrilled at the prospect of being requested to do some art.

[Junho Song]

Junho had since finished up his cookie, licking the crumbs off of his fingers though he was sure if his mother could see him she’d be clucking about how unsanitary it was. There was still a part of him that was growing accustomed to his link to Jin, but the entirety of him was comforted by it. The bond had only just connected them, he knew he had to give it some time. He felt himself lean towards her, because in this whirlwind of a day, of a world, he would welcome any sort of shelter with open arms.

Jin’s eyes and ears flickered back and forth between the conversations, but locked onto Briec as he opened up the floor to all of the attendents. It was as if a part of her knew where Junho had come from, but she would still like to hear it. Worldwound. King’s Landing. She turned to him, wondering what he would consider home.

“San Francisco.” He offered, taking the opportunity of the open floor to... he didn’t know. Make friends? That didn’t feel exactly right either. He felt a small bubble of curiosity coming from Jin, one that she seemed to be forcing down on her own accord. He’d love to take her there sometime, if he could, and he hoped that she knew that. Even though he wasn’t sure quite how people would react seeing a unicorn. Something so corporeal was definitely outside of the realm of the spirits in his world.

“You can get a tent.” He suggested, not with too much force, in response to The Queen’s words. She had seemed to take center stage, not all that surprising, being a Queen and all. He turned his body again, flashing the tent looped on his back again, as if it was something to be shown off. Maybe camping in a tent wasn’t exactly queenly, but hey. Junho didn’t really know any queens in real life. He didn’t want to make any snap judgements on this woman’s character, even though, well, she was very loud about it thus far.

“We don’t need to stay in a tent, if you don’t want to, though.” He said quietly, to Jin. Oh, no. You don’t have to worry about me. If you like it. Junho shrugged, for his part. “It’s home now. But it isn’t just mine. It’s yours too, if you’ll have it.” Though, realistically, yeah. A full grown unicorn wouldn’t exactly fit in there with him. “We’ll figure something out.”

[Alice Noe]

As the group shifted and the elf-fae and the horse-fae both drifted off, she found herself somewhat saddened by Julio leaving. For all that she was vaguely insulted by his insinuation that she had murdered the previous owner of this briefcase. Who knew how many hands it had passed before it came to her? (One, it had passed one.)

"I didn't murder anyone!" She insisted as Julio left, she would have said more but she found herself being spoken to by another Unicorn that she hadn't previously noticed. This one's horn was more yellow than Julio's bright gold, and she wondered if there was some relation. "Convenience. We store their money and then they can access it from anywhere. And they don't have to walk around like this." She raised up the bloody briefcase to underline her point. It had, after all, caused quite a bit of commotion here. Could the unicorn imagine what it would cause in somewhere more crowded?

She would have elaborated more had one of the more distant Unicorns not spoken up, but he did. And his question was one that Alice was hoping would lead to her going back to reality and leaving this whole Faewild nonsense behind. "Philadelphia, corner of 4th and Arch street." She explains to Briec.

[Artemis]

Much ado was happening, and unfortunately it had turned from being about nothing to being about something fairly important -- getting everyone home, or at a minimum figuring out if that was possible. Apparently nobody ever dropped by just to visit for a cuppa any more. It was all "I'm here against my will" this and "whomst the feck are you" that. Tragic.

Ishmael eyeballed Leonard real hard. Are... you now... Should he believe that he was talking to a demon? He didn't look like a demon. He didn't even look like an abnormal human. He looked like a normal human. Maybe that was his demonic disguise. Demons were wily ones, after all. Oh! DID YOU WANT TO HEAR HIS STORY SIR. ASK NO MORE.

So I was asleep, right, and I know I know you're going to say it was a dReAmMm but I swear on my horn it was real. So I was asleep, and this voice started humming in my ear. Not singing, not talking, just humming, you know, and I couldn't place it but it felt familiar right, like legitimately familiar not dream-familiar. Anyway, it was pitch black and all I hear is thi shumming, and then suddenly it stops. Dead silence. I'm just about to say something when this being just, just BURSTS out of flame in front of me, but like, invisible flame? Like. Heat mirages, like that. Wavering and hot but I couldn't actually see any fire around it. It's somehow a shadow and invisible, too, the being, but... I could see it? He didn't talk, not even the way we're talking to you, or she I guess it could be she, it was more like it sensed my thoughts and responded to them in some weird demon-magic way.

He took a deep breath.

"That never happened, snipped in Paula.

It did so! exclaimed Ishmael, aghast at being called a liar, in so many words.

"Demons do not exist. You were experiencing a period of particularly deep rapid eye movement sleep cycles after ingesting fluoromycea.[/b][/font]

I met. A demon. And I made. A deal with it! he insisted with a stamp of his hoof.

I don't like demons, Kamalah observed off-handedly, only half paying attention as she watched Nako draw her, tail twitching with curiosity to see the final results. Julio sighed, sick to death of talk of demons already. He had prudently stepped away from the offended Tynis, knowing when he had perhaps overstepped, even if he was too proud to admit it aloud. He poked his head over Nako's other shoulder now, ears flicking up as he observed the sketch and her idle chatter. He found himself bobbing his head agreeably with her description of the activity.

Do me next, he announced, eagerness sneaking in despite his attempt to remain aloof about it. Julio. Get my good side. Don't worry. They're all my good side. BOND! The Yellow Brick Road Varinha to Nako!

A horse of a different colour might have been offended by Julio sweeping in, but Kamalah was simply delighted he'd found someone he liked, and nickered pleasantly as she turned aside to address another lonely soul. Who probably wasn't that lonely, but Kamalah was here to be a ray of sunshine where she was needed, and somebody happy and already well-adjusted to their world would be able to get along without her.

Zebey, however, was radiating bad vibes. Probably! she confirmed cheerfully, But maybe a nice vacation will help you feel better! You seem tense, she observed with a bob of her head, as if unaware at least half that tension probably came from the opinions of one of her own companions. I'll cheer you up! BOND! The Red Letter Day Xicara to Zebey!

Meanwhile, The Queen (who was from royalty) was about to be lectured by the Blue In The Face unicorn about 'what is good' for anyone, and the nature of good, all sorts of snotty philosophical mush nobody had actually asked about; it was a feeling radiating off her that all the other unicorns, at least, could sense, even if it was not felt by anyone else. So, Marlene's interjection might come across a bit abrupt for the otherwise quiet demeanor she had portrayed so far, barely letting The Queen finish her last question before replying Wherever you are. She exhaled and quickly followed up with, We will find a place to your liking and go together. Or make one, if we must. Marlene did not know how to make a castle. Marlene would worry about that when the time came. BOND! The Little White Lie Garra to Haelys!

Briec, attention split between his prior focus on aiding The Queen and gathering the answers of the others, was momentarily at a loss as Marlene took the QUeen under her wing (so to speak). He... he had to help because he was a Good Unicorn who Helped People. But if she had Marlene, did she really need his help any more?

His attention drifted away, gazing 'round as the others spoke up, settling the last on the priest of Duuara. Solace in work. A place to stay. Yes. He -- I agree, his mindspeech murmurred. Let us rest, and then we can figure out how to help the others. BOND! The Red Carpet Treatment Xicara to Tynis!

Philadelphia, you say, Tahani replied to Alice, interested piqued. I'm not familiar with this... Philadelphia. Is it nice there? By the way, would you mind if I -- The old blood slipped away, dripping to the ground and disappearing, leaving behind a briefcase with normal levels of blood (none). It was gauche, dear.


ooc| Sorry if this is a bit janky/not veyr cohesive, I have a raging headache but did my best! Also... if anyone is interested in either Espada, you are invited to approach them, as at the moment they are planned to go wild but I hate to do so if anyone has changed their minds about either of them since you initially met them! Please do not feel pressured to do so if you don't have an interest, though, not every shiny is right for everyone :p