Gordon (Sponge)

[BlueSlime]

Re: Gordon (Sponge)

"Ah, you mean the old Widow Mossbern?" Deana said. "Eh... she's a crotchety hag who blames everyone for everything. It's nothing out of the ordinary for her. Still we can check her house next. It's just down at the far end of the main street."

The main street of course was not a street in any sense of the word that Gordon would use. It was little more than the most well worn path in the village. The widow's house was a small cabin, and inside were the trappings of what one might expect in an old woman's abode. A rocking chair sat by the fireplace, a large basket of yarn and some half finished knitting lay beside it. A bed was tucked away into one corner of the one room house, and on the other end was a small stove. Gordon did notice a line of thick books on a shelf built into the wall and upon gleaning over some of them, he saw that one of them was a book of natural spells. In the fireplace upon a spit was hooked a small black kettle, for the likes of making soups or some such. Over the mantle of the fireplace was a large stag's head, probably some trophy the widow's late husband had acquired.

The four investigators fanned out, searching for any sort of hidden doors and the like, but could not discover any hidden cache in the old woman's house.

 

[Sponge]

Re: Gordon (Sponge)

Sure looks like an old ladies house. So boring looking..

As they searched the place, he couldn't help but think back at how old people's houses usually smelled funny. Why the hell was that anyways? Did their sweat stink differently as they grew old? Whatever the reason, he didn't want to spend too much time on such a random thought.

The books were something he was especially interested in. Perhaps one the books contained a cult magic? Not many people decide to look at books for clues at the scene of a crazy person's house. But then they always find the diary that says "Kill kill kill!" Maybe the lady had a dark creepy side to her. Wouldn't surprise him though, he honestly was creeped out by old people in the first place. Couldn't put a finger on why, they just did.
Unfortunately, all he found was a book of natural spells, nothing suspicious like.

Still, I could use this. Always better to learn more spells if possible. I'll just borrow it for a while. He stashed the book away into his robe, hoping to read it on his spare time.

"Well, looks like the old lady is clean. Was hoping to get this search done soon as possible, but it seems like we can dismiss her as a suspect for now. Let's head to Lauralie's house."

 

[BlueSlime]

Re: Gordon (Sponge)

"Gordon..." Alicia chided him, taking the old lady's book out of his bag almost as soon as he'd stashed it in there. "You're not seriously stealing from a little old lady, are you?"

She put the book back in its place and looked at him sternly. She wasn't very intimidating, but those golden eyes staring at him in a way that was not affectionate was uncomfortable to Gordon. He didn't like the thought of Alicia disapproving of him.

Deana was already waiting by the front door, her cursory examinations done before the others.

"Lauralie's going to have a bunch of things in her house. How are we going to tell what's what?" Deana said.

Meanwhile Alicia stopped Gordon once again. "I can vouch for Lauralie. I've been living with her every day and nearly every night for a while now. I've never seen a hint of dark magic with her -- only the divinations that we already know she uses. If you ask me, I think the real culprit might be someone living on the outskirts of the village, the ones who live in the farms and woodcutter cabins."

 

[Sponge]

Re: Gordon (Sponge)

He felt stupid getting caught. Felt even worse that Alicia saw, and he didn't intend of exactly keeping it. With a tiny bit of regret, he watched as she put the book away....

As he arrived, Deana asked a pretty good question. How the heck was he going to figure out what was what, or what DID what for that matter.

Gordon was startled by Alicia's sudden approach, she seemed very sincere in her opinion on the situation, how her tutor wouldn't possibly be a culprit or a suspect. But Gordon had always done things this way, no exceptions. Plus, there was still one thing that still bothered him. He took her aside, before reaching Deana and spoke with her quietly.

"Alicia, I trust you. I always will. But I even searched your house, and that was the last place I expected to find anything at all. Of course, I didn't find anything that would ever make you a suspect, just like I knew. But this is being fair to the townspeople. If they ever found out we skipped her house, how could they trust me? And for all we know, the culprit might of hidden something inside her house, thinking that we would pass it as improbable or a waste of time."
He paused for a second, unsure of how to ask this next question.
"There was one thing I found in your house. It didn't make you any type of suspect, but it... it worried me. Why are there shackles in your house?"

 

[BlueSlime]

Re: Gordon (Sponge)

Alicia's eyes had been gazing into his fully as he talked, but fell immediately when he brought up the shackles.

"I..." she hung her head and shuffled her feet nervously. "I should have known you'd find them. It's... it's because I'm a lycan. It happened when I was a young girl. My father had taken us all through the woods with him on the wagon to visit family at the edge of the woods. It was a long journey, and he took my mom and me and my two brothers. We were all coming back from the trip, returning home... and that was when the lycans attacked. I never saw any of my family again, and I don't remember a lot of it. But for some reason I wasn't taken, just bit and left behind. A friend of Lauralie's found me. I remember she brought me to the village during the night when everyone was asleep and brought me to Lauralie. I've been living with Lauralie as her apprentice ever since... and my old family cottage was kept in trust for me. I never changed until my sixteenth birthday... but Lauralie had divined when it would happen, down to the exact day. She surrounded me in wolfsbane and had the shackles specially made to hold me. On a full moon... I change... I become dangerous, a Lycan like them. I feel in control, but I get so hungry that I'm thankful for the shackles. You can't tell anyone, not even Deana. There's such a stigma against the Lycans that the villagers would blame me right away. But I swear, Lauralie and I are not servants of the darkness. We're fighting it as much as we can."

She whispered all this in quick, hushed tones so that Deana and Jasmine would not hear. Thankfully those two were walking ahead and giving the two young lovers their privacy. They were all soon at Lauralie's house. The evil eye hung above the door with wolfsbane roots entwined in it. On the door were several scratches, quite obviously made by large and powerful creature.

 

[Sponge]

Re: Gordon (Sponge)

Whispering quickly, he only gave a quick short response.

"It's ok, honestly I've had the suspicion for quite some time. But knowing you, you'd never mean harm on innocent people. I had recently fought lycans, and one of them tried to convince me to be their mate. She stared me down, and that's when I noticed those golden eyes, they reminded me of you. Except on her, they weren't beautiful, they were savage. They acted totally different from any other person, only instincts seemed to drive them."

He honestly wanted to explain more, but perhaps they could later. Right now, they were approaching the door. Sure enough, just like he was told at the bar, something tried to get into their house the other night. Studying the marks, he hesitated to speak. He needed to make sure that he wasn't in any way relating his question to Alicia.

"From what I understand, when I first fled from the garden I was ambushed by lycans. One of the woman asked... well more like demanded that I be their mate. So that brings me to a question. Are they looking for new members? Is it possible that all the lycans are trying to recruit as many males as possible? If so, how do they make others become like them? I want to make sure what I'm going up against, and if there is any way to fight them more effectively."

He chuckled, turning to the others.
"Sorry, I tend to think out loud when I'm trying to concentrate or figure something out. All right, let's head inside. We don't have enough time to explore every little thing, but if you see ANYTHING suspicious, let me know. I honestly don't suspect Lauralie, but again, no exceptions in an investigation."

Though my hypothesis has to be wrong to some degree, no males lived in this house, yet they tried to attack the people who lived here.

 

[BlueSlime]

Re: Gordon (Sponge)

Alicia seemed to look away, as if trying to focus on things other than the conversation about Lycans. From her mannerisms, it wasn't difficult for Gordon to surmise that it was a touchy subject for the girl. He supposed it would be a touchy subject for himself too if he had to spend nights manacled to his own bedroom wall for the better portion of his life.

Still, when he did ask his direct questions about the possible goals and natures of the lycans, Alicia eventually answered after only a small pause.

"From what I've been told, and what I've researched over the years, fully transformed Lycans are driven by instinct - slaves to it sometimes. When they hunger for food, the HAVE to feed. When they lust to breed... well, it's the same thing. They have the natural instinct of any living creature to propagate the species, and they can do that either in the old fashioned way, or - when the moon is full - they can infect people with their bite, like I was. The degree of the infection is random - it's like a disease and certain people are more or less resistant to it seemingly at random. Some only bear scars from the bite, others, like myself, show signs and partial transformations. Some become true lycans with the dawning of the next full moon. Most suffer a lethal reaction to the infection."

Alicia rubbed her left arm, nervously. "If their pack alpha demanded to mate with you, it's probably because she wished to replace their numbers. Or she was just horny and wanting to mark you. It's an instinct for the alphas - a way of claiming things in front of others to show dominance. Lauralie explained it to me a long time ago - when I had a lot of questions about it."

The group moved into Lauralie's house as one and began to rummage through all the oddments and trinkets and books and bowls and jars and other assorted items within the house. Gordon found a few strange things, mostly jarred parts of various animals, and a old leather bound volume with a lock on it, which when he showed it to Alicia, was told that it was likely Lauralie's diary. There were many books on divination, many of which focused on omens and astrology. Not much in the way of practical spellworking, unless Gordon planned on studying to tell fortunes. There were certainly components in the house to work spells, but nothing to suggest dark magic.

A knock at the door startled them all. It was a heavy thumping, three times against the woodwork. Deana looked to Gordon.

"Everyone should still be in the tavern, shouldn't they?"

 

[Sponge]

Re: Gordon (Sponge)

Gordon nodded, listening intently to Alicia. That was enough information for now, he knew that you could only press a personal problem so long before it becomes unbearable for them. Knowing the enemies intentions and goals are probably the best information he could get. But it was time to end the conversation.

He gave one last whisper.
"Thank you Alicia. That's all I needed."

So it wasn't just a some random thing that the lycan was suggesting. I figured she was just doing it for torture, but if what Alicia said is true about needing to restore their dwindling numbers, does that possibly mean that even the lycan males are starting to disappear from their homes? If so, then they aren't the problem, they're as much of victims of whatever evil power this is like the people in this village. On the other hand, if they are, and they still dwindle in numbers, could it be possible they made a deal with The Darkness? ...... That's got a nice ring to it, I'm going to call it that from now on. So if the lycans are just a secondary variable, we could qu-

A sudden knock on the door startled him, he was in the middle of browsing through the books as he jumped, a couple books falling off the shelf onto the floor with a small thud. Glancing at Deana, he gave quiet nod without saying a word. He readied his staff and magic, he whispered softly. "Hide, if it's somebody we know, we're obviously gonna have some questions. If not... get ready for a fight."

He stood by the side of the door, his back flat against the wall as he waited for the others to find a place to conceal themselves. Once they did, he took his hand and placing it over the door handle. His other hand frosted over with a spell, ready for whatever was possibly behind the door. Pulling hard, he flung the door open....

 

[BlueSlime]

Re: Gordon (Sponge)

The door was pulled backwards to reveal perhaps the oddest woman that Gordon had seen yet. Clothed in little more than torn rags that hung loosely off her shoulder and left most everything except her private bits bare, her shimmering skin seemed to be some sort of bronze or coppery substance, and in place of her eyes were shimmering emerald gemstones, and her hair seemed to be like spun gold. He could discern no robotic or gear like joints, but he was certain that this girl appeared to be made up of a fluid metal.

The bronze girl stared from Deana, to Alicia, to Jasamine, and finally poked her head round the corner enough to spot Gordon himself. A shimmer of light flashed from within the gemstone eyes.

"Human male. You must surrender yourself to me. Do not resist." The girl's voice was hollow sounding, though not entirely emotionless. She reached immediately for Gordon, ignoring all the others in the hut.

Deana raised her sword and jumped forward, while Jasmine cocked her head to the side in stunned silence, as though she were trying to recall something. Alicia glanced warily at Gordon as the metallic hand went towards him.

"Gordon... look out!" she hissed.

 

[Sponge]

Re: Gordon (Sponge)

He could tell that the woman... or... robot.. seemed to notice everybody despite the fact they were all hiding. The moment the thing looked at him though, was when he noticed the odd eyes that seemed to be made of gemstone. A golem? An artificially created humanoid made out of metals and stone with magic effects? If so, hitting the thing with a stick would be hardly effective.

The thing reached for him and he ducked to dodge her grasp. Leaping backwards immediately he hoped to stay out of it's range, the thing probably had considerable strength. Instead of blasting his ice spell at his enemy, he blasted it at the things feet, hoping to the coat the floor with a thick layer of ice. If he could knock it off balance, perhaps he'd have an advantage then.

 

[BlueSlime]

Re: Gordon (Sponge)

Gordon's quick thinking managed to save him from the golem's grasp, but his ice spell, cast against the ground, did not result in his desired effect. The area around the golem's feet certainly grew colder, and various particles of moisture in the air shimmered with frost, but the spell was not utilitarian enough to create a solid sheet of ice to keep the creature of balance. Its gait was slightly slowed however, thought it did not seem to show signs of pain.

"Resistance is futile," the golem said, stretching her hands out once again towards Gordon while he lay on the ground. Deana's sword flashed and landed on the creature's head with a loud clang, creating a spark where metal clashed against metal.

"Stay away from him!" Deana shouted, moving herself inbetween the attacker and the male.

"Yes, stop!" piped up Jasamine. "What do you think you're doing?"

The golem girl's glowing gemstone eyes seemed to glitter with recognition when it saw the horned dryad, but after a momentary pause shook its head. "Stand away Leafling. I have orders."

The golem advanced again. And this time deflected Deana's blow with her metal forearm, creating more sparks as it shoved its way past the swordswoman.

Alicia ran to Gordon's side and as she hooked her arm around his, he heard her muttering an incantation. It sounded like a magic spell, and Alicia's eyes were glowing yellow.

 

[Sponge]

Re: Gordon (Sponge)

The spell didn't work the way he wanted. Apparently he was still getting the hang of just the basic things, and it really showed. He let out a weak gasp of disappointment and regret for his actions, thinking now that he'd probably just screwed himself over when he should of just ran for it. Though it's movement seemed slowed down just a tad.

Following the talk between Jasmine and the Golem, he figured somehow she knew where this thing came from, or possibly who made it. But now was not the time for questions. Feeling somebody wrap their arm around him, he could only blush slightly seeing Alicia grasping him, but soon realized it wasn't because she was scared, but rather she was chanting some magic spell. Her eyes seemed to glow in an enchanting way as well. He could only hope what she was doing worked....

 

[BlueSlime]

Re: Gordon (Sponge)

The golden glow surrounded them both, glowing brighter and brighter until suddenly the air around him seemed to condense tightly against his body, pressing down on him from every angle. It was not quite painful, but certainly a little uncomfortable. Then as soon as it began it was over and the glow subsided.

Gordon blinked and looked around. He was no longer in Lauralie's hut. In fact, he wasn't even indoors. He was crouched down just inside the opening of a cave, looking out over the forest. A soft chilly breeze caressed across his skin, giving him goosebumps, and he realized with a jolt of surprise that he was naked. Quickly spinning around he saw Alicia standing beside him, her creamy smooth body likewise bare of threads, her hands timidly covering as much of her breasts and nethers as she could.

"I-I'm sorry," she stuttered, the glow fading from her eyes. "I just did it out of reaction. I think that was some kind of golem we were facing and they're very tough and determined creatures. I thought it'd be best if we got away for a moment.... um... and I've only begun practicing that spell in the past year, I still haven't mastered bringing clothes yet." She blushed and half-turned away from Gordon, but still peeked down at him, her eyes snapping up to face after hovering lower for a moment.

 

[Sponge]

Re: Gordon (Sponge)

It felt like the atmosphere itself was grabbing him, holding him in a firm grip as the light around him grew brighter. As soon as the feeling left him, he already noticed he was in another place.

"W-wait a sec what just happened? Where are we?"

Is it me, or is it real cold all the sudden?

Looking over his shoulder and turning about, he started to address Alicia.
"Hey what the heck did you- oh dear! I'm so sorry!"
Averting his gaze from her naked form, he noticed he himself was naked too. Trying to cover himself up, he looked at the wall trying to keep some form of decency. He had never really saw her naked before, as that time they first had their encounter it was dark, so they felt each others form instead.

After she briefly explained what had just happened, he let out a stammering nervous laugh.
"Hah hah.. heh... um.. th-that's ok! I'm still getting the hang of my own spells you know right? Nobody is perfect! You didn't know this was going to happen and you did what you thought was r-right at the moment!"

But what about the others? They going to be ok? Probably, the golem seemed to be only targeting me, and wasn't interested in the others in the least.

He glanced back over his shoulder briefly, having a hard time keeping his mind off the fact she was naked right next to him.
"Sorry! OH! Um... so.. what now? Where are we? The others going to be safe?"
She's so cute when she's all shy like that...