Jaruzak's party: Thread 6.3

"I shall wait here for you and prepare for any injuries you may sustain," Kowen told them. "If you think it is getting too much for the three of you to handle I would advise you to retreat and we can come up with a better plan."

Having prepared themselves as best they could, the party finally went through the doorway. Stepping into the next room, things immediately felt much different from what they'd seen thus far. Beyond the door was a well lit corridor with red carpet covering the floor. Well maintained suits of armor stood in pairs all along the walls alongside many uncanny oil paintings of finely dressed men and women. Faint sounds of music came from the second door at the end of the corridor. The sounds of laughter and indistinguishable chatter could be heard as well

Zoliel kept staring towards them but noticed Jaruzak hadn't moved. She pointed forward at what was probably a wall. "Is there another door?" she asked a bit quietly, noting the sounds a bit away.

Jaruzak scanned the room thoroughly, trying to spot anything amiss. "There is another door across the room, which is our only way forward, I suggest we take it but I feel uneasy about this room."

Karuka also looked around the room but she focused more on pinpointing scents.

After a bit they all went through the next door.

Inside the next room they were greeted with an unusual scene. A moderately sized room with white marble walls and a blue rug stood in front of them. More paintings and statues were against the walls, but these suits were a shiny silver color. A gramophone stood by the door emitting classy music. Two tall women were seated at an ornate table in the center of the room. The table was covered in cookies, muffins, and other such treats along along with two cups of what could be assumed was tea. One of the woman wore a very decorated blue derby hat with an extravagant plum of feathers on it. She had a shiny silk blue dress and plenty of jewelry. The other had no hat, but her short blonde hair was complemented by a pink rose. Her dress was a shiny gold color with collar and no sleeves. She too had plenty of jewelry. These were two finely dressed women!

"...and that's when the bull kicked him in the face!" the one in red said ending a previous statement

"haha oh my!" The blue one humorously exclaimed after. "How could he honestly have mistaken a bull for-" She turned towards the strange group at the door. "Oh, it appears we have some guests, Geffy." She said as she took a sip from her drink.

"So it would seem." Gefax replied to her sister as she lounged in her chair. "strange ones at that."

Jaruzak kept a firm grip on his sword as it rested on his shoulder, "I think I can honestly say that I wasn't expecting this, but as you are here I believe you are our quarry."

Karuka nocked an arrow and drew it back slightly. She then took a deep breath in and prepared to move.

Zoliel kept facing towards them, from closer it was more apparent that they were sitting rather than floating, which worried her a bit, as it implied there would be things in the way she wouldn't be able to see. She figured she could think on how to work around that until someone moved.

"Now now. What's all this? Bringing weapons in here while we're eating! Didn't anybody ever teach you dragon kind manners?" Gefax said with an agitated huff. "How barbaric"

"Compose yourself Geffy." The other witch said calmly. "We can sort this out." She continued with another sip of her drink. "Now then, who do we have the honor of gracing our presence today?" She said with a smile. Her eyes were still concealed under the brim of her hat.

Karuka wasn't sure on the situation, this didn't seem to be what was expected as far as she knew, however she gave in to courtesy. She took the initiative and placed one step forward, held the bow and arrow with her left hand and done a traditional respectful gesture with her right hand as she bowed slightly without lowering her eyes. "I am Karuka Yrunda-Nevelui, and perhaps we have a different set of manners, as you seem to lack them by asking for someone elses name without giving your own first."

Jaruzak watched Karuka's display with surprise first, then amusement. He cracked a toothy grin. 'Very well, I'll join in this farce' he thought to himself. He mimicked Karuka's movement (although more awkwardly). "I am Jaruzak Urigazu-Rhetanju, what might you call yourselves?" He then turned his head slightly and in a low voice said to Zoliel, "The room has suits of armour around the sides, and the only other objects in here to worry about are the occupied chairs and table in the centre."

"Perhaps. You entered our home so it seems only natural that you address yourselves first. No matter..." The lady in blue said as she put her cup down. "I am Nocta and this is my sister, Gefax."  Gefax gave a half bow in her chair with a smile as her name was dropped.

"and who's this young lady? Gefax asked as she looked at Zoliel with a raised eyebrow.

Zoliel nodded quickly to Jaruzak after he spoke. For Gefax's question Zoliel looked a bit confused at first before mimicking Jaruzak's motion, adding a further awkwardness to the chain. "Zoliel Dewrai" she said slightly uncomfortably, this wasn't the situation she expected, but given Nocta's name she had a guess they were still in the right place.

Gefax gave an amused smile as she eyed Zoliel's blindfold

"What an interesting day. I haven't seen any of you dragon kin in ages and now two have come right to our doorstep." Nocta said as she allowed a floating teapot to fill her cup again. "Now, to what do we owe the pleasure of such a visit?"

"We are here for a mask that is either under your possession or becomes available if you die." Jaruzak stated bluntly.

"Ooh so direct." Gefax remarked with a chuckle. "Why do you need this mask?"

"And what makes you think it's here?" Nocta added as she took a bite of one of the cookies. "Oh how rude of me. Please help yourselves to whatever's on the table. while you're here of course." She said flustered at her forgetfulness.

"I guess I'll indulge you with the truth." Jaruzak took a deep breath in. "I was told by a rather reliable source that one of the masks was here. And it is needed to prevent a certain man from obtaining the collection of them, in which he becomes a self appointed 'god' and intends to rule the world with an iron fist."

Karuka listened intently without taking her eyes off the women in front of them.

"A god you say? Sounds like you've done your research..." Nocta said with a sly grin

"And it appears they'd rather have these masks for their own rule instead." Gefax added

"I'm sorry you had to come all this way, but I'm afraid you won't be finding any masks here." Nocta finally answered. "If there isn't any other matters you'd like to discuss I'd kindly ask you to leave us to our affairs and search elsewhere."

"I want to know more about this young lady here." Gefax said as she continued eyeing zoliel with a smile, her chin resting on the back of her hand. "She has such a dark aura around her. Where do you come from child?"

"Maybe not in the sense of north and south, but I'd say your sense of direction is rather impressive. You managed to lead your friends straight to us.. didn't you?" Gefax replied in the same pleasant tone.

Gefax passively nodded. "And this dark air about you... what do you know of it? What power is manifesting inside you?" She started leaning in more as she continued her questions.

Nocta sighed and continued with her drink.

"Some being from beyond the veil perhaps." Nocta presumed as she crossed her legs

Gefax closed her eyes and nodded absorbing the information. "Well you're quite the enigma then. If you decided to stick around... I'm sure we could help you find out more."

Jaruzak had heard enough. "I can easily tell you that I have no intention of using the masks power, nor obtaining them all to become a tyrant. I wished the first option of you handing the mask over peacefully was possible, but it doesn't seem like it is." Jaruzak leveled his sword at the sisters. "In the spirit of courtesy, I will allow you to finish your meal before you die. You may also take the time during eating to decide whether you will die on your feet in battle, or as painless as possible on your knees." Jaruzak returned the sword to his shoulder while keeping himself at the ready.

Karuka drew back on her bow and took a deep breath in and out, stepping back as she did so.

(OOC: wow rood)