Arrival

[Seya.]

The glimpse of fire had disappeared as they made their way down the side of the mountain, one of many in the wooded region. The forest was thick, and Larketh was forced to slow down and watch his footing along the branches and roots as the party of three trudged on towards the north-west.

Another hour passed, when suddenly there was a soft, almost curious tendril of energy he felt pass over the area like a hand testing the air. He waited as it passed over where he had slowed to a walk, once, then twice. When it came by the next time, he hooked it into his mind. Immediately, he was able to lead it, in a blurred, wispy path, back to the form of a youth a few hundred paces in the general direction they were heading.

He let go a big sigh of relief. Child... sin. Help me to find you. I am lost to where you are, he murmured, trying to sound gentle.

There was silence; maybe he had it wrong? But what else could have touched him so? There are people ahead, he began explaining to Lust and Restraint, offering as much explanation to them about why he had slowed down so drastically. There's one, a boy--

Coming! he suddenly heard chirped into his mind. Larketh huffed a laugh.

There's a boy that's going to meet us very soon. A sin. We're here.

ooc; Sorry for delay. As I said, things didn't quite go as planned...

[Kal Skirata]

Restraint looked around contemplating his surrounding. So this is the land I have been in search of for so long. Seems to tranquil for the home of the Sins. He remained on Larketh's back just in case things did not go as well as he hoped.

He twisted to look back at Lust and asked in a hushed tone, "So we are to wait?". He turned back to look ahead. He could feel the presence of another ahead but he was not sure who or what it was. His hand came up to his staff on his back but he did not retrieve it just yet. He decided to wait and see what happened.

[Ariadne]

Lust nodded absently as she drew her coat around her body. The chill winds whipped around her as they journeyed through the mountains. She felt an inner calm she did not expect. Whatever would happen would happen. She had done her part by coming back. Her wrist felt heavy, reminding her of what she had been charged to do.

"There is nothing to do but wait," she said quietly, as much to herself as to the man sitting with her astride the wolf. She looked off in the distance, felt a presence there. It was distant and faint, so she wasn't sure if it was familiar or not. Everything seemed to be a little unfamiliar after having been away for so long. Slipping off the back of the wolf, she gave him a pat on the back. "Thank-you, friend." she whispered to him before looking off again towards the approaching Sin.

ooc - sorry that took so long. Been busy preparing for google interview.

[Seya.]

There was an unexpected rustle of the brush-- the boy had come fast.

Deviance picked up his clumsy speed as the presence grew nearer, hurdling over logs with added ease due to Berjanji not being on his shoulder. Oops. The red panda would certainly be upset about this.

He crashed out of the trees, a bit dazed, his eyes focusing down upon the feet of another person. He leaped back with a shy breath and looked up; a gorgeous female was looking back at him. Beyond her he saw a monstrous wolf, green eyes glowing ominously, and what looked to be a rider upon said great beast. Deviance's heart skipped a few beats in excitement and terror.

"Who... hi," he began nervously, pinpointing the source of the connection he had made to the gigantic animal. Was this a summon? It seemed kinda... big. He studied the other two for a second, identifying them with the same lifeforce he himself had. "Are you sins like me?"

[Kal Skirata]

Restraint was still on Larketh's back when the small boy stumbled from the edge of the forest. He muttered under his breath to Nohar "This is not what I expected, I thought we would be meeting their leader not some small boy". You are not alone my friend. This comes as much of a surprise to me as well.

Restraint struggled to hold back a laugh as he turned to comment to Lust "Heh, is he really the one we are supposed to meet? I was expecting someone a bit... older." He turned to the young arrival and looked down on the boy. Restraint spoke in his usual calm but strong tone, "Well boy, the lady, Lust is a Sin. I however am of indeterminate allegiance. Once a Virtue, now I am in limbo, unsure where I wish to stand. I come seeking the chance to learn of the Sins conflict with the Virtues from the other side."

[Ariadne]

Lust raised an eyebrow as the young boy stumbled out into the clearing. While he bore the aura and energy of the Sins he certainly did not carry himself like many she knew from her former days among them. She watched him carefully. He didn't just appear young in body, he seemed young in immortal years as well. She felt Jakara faze into being beside her and she laid a hand gently on his sleek coat, sitting on her hip.

"What is your name young man?" she asked. She opted for caution - she didn't need rudeness added to her list of trespasses. On the other hand, she was getting anxious to meet with Deception and Vengeance.

[Seya.]

'The boy' turned his head to Lust, after staring doubtfull at the man who had nt given his own name. "I'm Deviance," he mumbled. Then, looking back at the being who had not dismounted, he stated, "You're on a wolf, aren't you? Daddy says wolves belong to the great Goddess Taint. If you're on a wolf and he's not turning around to eat your face off, then you're a sin."

He looked gleefully proud--and defiant--at his logic. There were a few moments of silence, then he nodded again.

"Did you come to see daddy?" he asked. His off-colored eyes glittered in excitement. "We doesn't have had vistors in a while." Deviance smiled, then faltered. "I mean... haven't had visitors in a while."

[Kal Skirata]

Careful Restraint, this is not the time to be rude. We must be as nice as we can to these people, Nohar advised. Mhmm, I will endeavor to do so, Restraint answered. He dismounted Larketh and approached Lust and Deviance."I suppose we have young one. Pardon my earlier insult it has been a long journey from the south." He added in a hushed wisper to Lust "This 'daddy' is who we seek correct?"

Restraint stretched his stiff muscles and let out a small grown. I guess you are right, Larketh here probably would have bitten my head off if I was still truly a Virtue. This is most likely of no consequence now as we are finally here. If we may continue on, I would like meet some of the Sins who are to be my allies, and I believe Lust has something she needs to do as well"

[Zee ♥]

Rapacity skidded to a halt before stumbling into the clearing. There are PEOPLE there who he doesn't recognize. And a giant wolf. Asim quivered. And Deviance is there, thank goodness. But what about the giant wolf? Act with caution. Asim advised.

"Uhm." Rapacity stated his presence, wondering what he was supposed to say to a bunch of people who have seemingly arrived riding a gigantic wolf. The name Larketh (mentioned by the guy who just dismounted the wolf) sounds familiar though. Had Deception mentioned..? Or perhaps Avarice?

Snapping out of his dumb trance, he shook himself and quickly asked before he lost a nerve. "Er, who are you people?"

[Ariadne]

Lust looked over at Restraint as he moved towards her, listened as he spoke. Whether or not he was Virtue was of no consequence to her, but it was certainly interesting that he had determined to defect in such a short period of time. At least, what she perceived to be a short period of time. Having never known any Sins to have had children, she was surprised that Deviance was indeed a product of two immortals. Then again, he may not truly be born of them, just calling one of them Daddy, and if she had to guess who would be his father figure... She knelt so she could look the boy in the eye, "We're here to see Deception," she said, smiling sweetly. "Can you take us to him?"

A noise off to the side took her attention from the boy and she straightened abruptly to look into the eyes of another man. He seemed at a loss for a reaction...and words...and tact for that matter. She brushed a stray copper strand behind her ear and batted her eyes at him. Her power seemed somewhat stronger here than it had in Desarith so she knew it would have some effect even if not so profound as it would have before. "We're Lust and Restraint," she explained, indicating her companion. She shifted her weight to better accent her figure, "and this is Larketh, he's been kind enough to bring us here."

She darted a glance at Deviance, wondering how the little one was taking the arrival of the newcomer. He seemed proud of his role as guide to Lust and Restraint. She didn't particularly care who took her to see Deception, as long as she got there. Her bracelet weighed heavily on her wrist and the side of her lip turned up in a half smile to hide her discomfort.

ooc - I'm in the Bahamas right now and we have to go to the internet cafe in order to use the internet, so I may be slower in responding until I get back home at the end of the week! Sorry about the late notice.

[Seya.]

Deviance looked up at the lady, Lust, with bright dual-colored eyes. "Alright, I'll bring you to see him. One sec, lemme see..."

Daddy!! the young boy mind-called as 'loud' as he possibly could. There was no immediate response, so he leaped into plan two. Berjaaaaaaaaanji!!

The red panda popped into existence on his shoulder, paws strung in his medium-length hair. You insolent, ignorant, rude little child! the creature scolded, but Deviance was clearly only suppressing a giggle. To run off without informing me of where you are headed! If you were my cub, oooh, I'd....

He looked up, and his fur stood on end.

...Larketh? he chirped, beady black eyes wide. Does this mean...?

The great wolf shook his head. Patience, Berjanji. For now, we must see Deception.

The small panda nodded, and poofed out of existence again-- certainly on his way to fetch the Emperor.

Deviance giggled. "Let's start walking for home." He grabbed Rapacity's hand, ignoring his blank look. "Hurry up, 'pacity. You're always so slow!"

[Kal Skirata]

Restraint turned his gaze to the newcomer. He seemed pretty uncoordinated for someone who was obviously an immortal, though this could be just an act. It wouldn't be the first time that somebody had tried to deceive him in such a way.

"Shall we be off then? I would very much like to meet this one you refer to as 'daddy', young one." Restraint asked sounding agitated. It has been several days since you have meditated hasn't it Restraint? Restraint sighed. It has my friend and my mind feels somewhat frayed Then after this ordeal is over I suggest you take some time to your self before we continue.

Restraint looked first to Lust and Larketh and then to the Sins in from of him with expectation.

[Zee ♥]

Asim nipped at Rapacity's ear in excitement, snapping Rapacity out of lala-land. Of course, how could he not know the great wolf? He felt silly for not recognizing in the first place.

As for Rapacity, he couldn't take his eyes off Lust before Asim had happily bit his ear. His time here with the Sins taught him that sometimes, powers reflect the wielder's name. Is that why he couldn't help staring? I mean, its not like they had girls like her in our place.. I wonder what would brother think? He thought silently to himself, trying not to gawk too much.

"Ow." He finally said, when Asim started to squirm more on his shoulder and nipped his ear. "I'm coming, I'm coming." Rapacity said to Deviance, blinking off his hazy thoughts and letting Deviance pull him along. Well, at least the kid isn't running off at full speed again. Gawd, he hated the cold.

Ooc: Eh, sorry if its messy. My brain is messy. D;

[Ariadne]

Lust felt every pair of eyes turn towards her. Her power must not have totally weakened she realized and smirked. Straightening from her position on the ground, she looked at the Sin she didn't recognize. They called him Rapacity, she mentally noted. She had suspected there would be some new Sins, though how many she had no way of knowing. Petting Jakara's head, she let her hand wander down the thick, fur coat of her summon, following his spine all the way to the end of his tail and winking at the Rapacity over her shoulder.

You're hopeless she heard him think. As if to agree with the large jaguar companion, she slipped her arm through Restraint's, holding on with her slender fingers.

"Well, let's be off, then." Her syruppy voice rang through the cold mountains as she smiled. With her other hand she gestured for the young boy to lead their ragtag group through the snow and ice towards their goal.

[Seya.]

(ooc; okay, so after reading this a bajillion times, I guess it's more appropriate just to make one in the Fort area. And someone needs to fetch daddy-o.... should I?)