The Wolf

[Final Boss]

Gabriel was finishing the last minute touches on the café, preparing it for opening day. He was busy organizing the tables and chairs when he noticed a young women walking by. Gabriel dashed out, leaving his duties, and a moment later was on one knee in front of this completely random women, a ring shining in his hand, "Please bare my children." The women was completely shocked as this stranger proposed to her, "Uhh, no." She continued walking as if nothing happened leaving Gabriel kneeling on the ground, heart-broken. He slowly stood back up, inserting the ring in his pocket, and sauntered back into the cafe flipping on a switch. A neon sign sparked into life, "Now Open."


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Welcome to "The Wolf" Café, the place for coffee, sandwiches, and more! This is the place for all Living World characters who aren't preoccupied with any missions. (plot threads)

Owners:
Gabriel Cross and Alexandra “Alex” Dupont

Employees:
Arielle Reyvia and Ally Uzuki

Location:
In a part of town where corporate suit-types work by day, and nightclub or restaurant patrons roam by night.

Opening Hours:
Mid-morning to late-night.
Serves the lunch, dinner and supper crowd.

Decoration:
Brightly-lit, simply-decorated and with a rustic 'old-fashioned country' feel. Red brick walls, and a solid dark timber flooring strewn with a couple of colourful rugs.

Furniture: sturdy wooden tables with actual checkered cloth tablecloths, sturdy wooden benches and chairs with cushions, and proper metal cutlery.

Decorations: an open fireplace, a music box (jukebox) in one corner, several pot plants. Wall decoration includes sports memorablia, scenery paintings, a mounted stag head, and several antique rifles.

Menu:

Soups and Salads:
Country Chicken Dumpling - Chunky Chicken & Rice
Garden Vegetable - Cream of Broccoli
Great Northern Bean - Creamy Potato
Gabriel's Famous Chili & Hearty Beef Stew
Cup - $2.55 Bowl - $3.15 Bread Bowl $7.45
*All soups are served with handcrafted Artisan breads*
Qt. of soup $8.99 Pt. of soup $5.25 Qt. of Chili or Stew $9.99 To go

Make Your Own Combo:
Cup of soup & House Salad - $5.75 Bowl of Soup & House Salad - $6.95
Cup of Soup & ½ Cold Sandwich - $5.95 Bowl of Soup & ½ Cold Sandwich - $6.55
House Salad & ½ Cold Sandwich - $7.25 House Salad - $3.95


Salads:
The Fisherman’s Net[/B]"]The Fisherman’s Net
All hands on deck for this awesome catch of the day.
Albacore tuna, olives, onions, cucumber, tomato, and hard boiled eggs.
Served on a bed of lettuce in a crispy bread bowl. Ranch dressing served on the side. $7.95
The Hollywood Cobb Salad
Adapted from the original Brown Derby recipe, this classic still delights with mixed greens, chicken breast, tomatoes, hard boiled eggs, crispy bacon and avocados
served with the classic Cobb dressing. $7.95
The Little Geisha
Mixed greens mingle with crunchy water chestnuts, carrot slivers, diced green peppers, sweet baby mandarin oranges, and multi colored grapes. All of this is topped off with oriental marinated grilled, chicken breast and seasoned slivered almonds.
Our ginger sesame dressing completes this east meets west creation. $7.95
The Huntley Terrace
Farmer’s Market Fresh Fruit Salad filled with seasonal favorites and specials. Served on a bed of mixed greens with our fresh and zingy fruity yogurt dressing. $8.95
*All Salads are served with fresh bread. Add a cup of soup for $1.50 additional charge*


Sandwiches:

Hot Sandwiches:
Classic American Club[/B] $7.95"]Classic American Club $7.95
A tripled stacked club featuring ham, turkey, bacon, Swiss cheese, mayo, lettuce and tomato.
The Tiffany $7.95
Classic hot roast beef served with melted cheddar
& mozzarella cheese; topped with onion, mayo,
lettuce & tomato.
The Sarah $7.50
Italian roasted beef served on a tender crust Italian roll with homemade red sauce, grilled green peppers and melted mozzarella cheese.
The Amanda $7.95
Italian sausage on a tender crust Italian roll with homemade red sauce grilled green peppers, and melted mozzarella cheese.
The Ashley $5.35
Hand carved deli fresh ham served with your choice of melted cheese.
The Claire $7.35
A classic retro favorite! Fresh ground chuck, grilled onions, Thousand Island dressing and melted cheese served on rye Bread. The ultimate patty melt.
Turkey Bacon Club $7.95
A hearty toasted wheat bun piled high with sliced turkey, bacon, melted cheddar & mozzarella cheese; topped with light mayo, lettuce and tomato.
Philly beef & Cheese $7.95
Slow roasted beef served with grilled onions, green peppers and melted mozzarella cheese on a tender crust Italian roll.
Chicken Cordon Bleu $7.95
Deli sliced ham, shaved chicken, melted Swiss cheese, Dijon mustard, mayo, lettuce and tomato.
The Laura $7.15
Seasoned and grilled chicken breast smothered with melted mozzarella cheese and served with tomato, mayo, and lettuce.
Sloppy Joe $5.45
An old-fashioned American classic. Fresh Ground chuck simmered in our special secret BBQ sauce.
Ultimate Hamburger $5.55
Fresh ground chuck grilled to perfection with lettuce, tomato, and onion.
Add cheese - extra $.50


Cold Sandwiches:
Garden Sandwich[/B] $5.75"]Garden Sandwich $5.75
Toasted Rosemary Ciabatta bun brimming with cucumbers, onions, lettuce, and black olives. Topped off with mozzarella cheese and Ranch dressing on the side. A veggies lovers dream.
The Christine $6.95
Tasty deli fresh shaved ham piled high with your choice of Swiss, American, or Mozzarella cheese.
The Ariel $5.85
Delicate white Albacore tuna salad served with lettuce and mayo.
The Alyssa $5.85
Farm fresh homemade egg salad served on lettuce.
The Nicole $6.55
Classic summertime treat - The BLT club. Loads of crispy fresh bacon, lettuce, farm fresh tomatoes, and mayo.
The Elizabeth $5.75
Thinly sliced mesquite turkey breast, served with tomato, light mayo, and lettuce.


Drinks:
Small[/U] Medium Large"]Small Medium Large
$1.45 $1.55 $1.65
Fountain Soft Drinks - Coke - Diet Coke- Sprite - Root Beer
Green River - Ice Tea - Mango Ice Tea - Raspberry Ice Tea
Mango Ice Tea & Raspberry Ice Tea .35 Ex.
Regular & Pink Lemonade
Hot Chocolate…..$1.50 Coffee…..$1.50 Pot of Herbal Tea…..$2.95
Milk….$.1.25 Bottled Water….$1.25 Smoothies or Iced Cappuccino…$3.50


Homemade Desserts
Tempting treats made daily in our kitchen - ask your server for today’s specials.
Scones….$2.25(3) Bread Pudding….$4.50 Pie….$2.95 Cake….$3.95
Cookies & Brownies….$1.50/each ala Mode add $2.03 per scoop

Hand Dipped Ice Cream & Creations
* Vanilla * Chocolate * Blue Moon * Cake & Ice Cream * Chocolate Chip *
*Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough * Putter Pecan * Strawberry * Cappuccino Chip *
* Chocolate Almond * Coffee * N.Y. Cherry * Bubble Gum * Black Raspberry Sundae *
* Cookies & Cream * French Silk Pie * Peppermint* Rocky Road*Cotton Candy*Spumoni* *Carmel Cone Sundae * Chocolate Peanut Butter * Mint Chocolate Chip * Pistachio * Walnut *
& Seasonal Specials - just ask!
Sherbets:
*Rainbow * Lime * Orange * Lemon * Raspberry *
Served in a cup or cone
Single Scoop…$2.03 Double Scoop…$3.14 Triple Scoop…$4.25
Jr. Scoop: Single…$1.60 Double…$2.24
Pint…$4.90 Quart…$7.10
Waffle Cone…$.65 Sugar Cone…$.35
Sundaes…$4.00 Served with Whipped Cream, Nuts, & Cherry (Extra Topping $.50)

Toppings:
*Chocolate * Butterscotch * Carmel * Marshmallow * Hot Fudge * Strawberry * Pineapple
Turtle Sundae…$4.25 Peanut Butter Sundae…$4.25 Brownie Sundae…$4.50
Banana Split Small…$4.75 Large…$6.25
Malt…$3.75 Shake…$3.60 Float…$.3.75 Soda…$3.50
Yogurt:
*Strawberry * Vanilla * Peach*
Single Scoop... $2.20 Double Scoop…$4.00 Triple Scoop…$4.80
Malt…$4.80 Shake…$4.50 Float…$4.50
Banana Split Small…$6.85 Large…$7.10
Pint…$8.25 Quart…$10.20




All Living World characters are permitted. Unpleasant behavior will result in immediate removal.

[Hiraeth]

The door of the cafe swung open to admit its first customer. The first thing one noticed was his hair, it was completely white, but his face was far too young for it to be that colour because of age. From under equally white eyebrows a pair of piercing aqua-coloured eyes scanned the room briefly before turning down to look at the floor. He was well dressed, in a black suit with a bow tie, a person couldn't help but wonder what he was doing in such an establishment. Pausing at the door, he held it open for someone else.

This second customer was shorter than the first, and much more relaxed. He ignored the man holding the door as he headed towards a table, running a hand through his unruly black hair. He too was wearing a suit, but his was powder blue, a colour that perfectly offset his slate coloured eyes.

Once the dark haired man had entered, the white haired one moved to follow a few steps behind him, even pulling out a chair for him to sit down. The dark haired man gestured for the other, obviously his employee, to take a seat, then he sat back, loosening his tie and slouching, as he waited for someone to bring him a menu.

[Final Boss]

"Ooooh our first customer." Gabriel watched as the door swung open to reveal two men, Gabriel's reaction to this was rather displeased, "No girl?!" Gabriel grabbed two menus from under the counter and walked over to their table.

"Hey there, welcome to "The Wolf." How may I help you?" As he spoke he tried to seem as friendly as possible, handing them both the menu.

[Hiraeth]

The man with the black hair took the menu off him without smiling "What a curious name for a cafe."

He barely glanced at the main pages of the menu, turning straight to the drinks menu. "Ah, I will have a cappuccino please."

The other man hadn't even opened the menu. The dark haired man took it off him and handed them back to the waiter "And he will have a Raspberry Ice Tea."

He glanced at his watch.

[Final Boss]

"Heh don't ask me where we got the name from." Gabriel kindly took back both menus, "A cappuccino and a raspberry ice tea coming up." He headed back behind the counter and began preparing the drinks.

[Hiraeth]

Out of the corner of his eye the dark haired man watched the waiter leave. His eyes settled on the light blue bandanna stuck in one pocket and an amused smile lit his face. "I would never have guessed." Now that they were alone he had reverted back to his mother tongue.

The man with the pale hair cleared his throat and the other turned to him with a sigh "What is it Stern?"

Stern bowed his head and replied in the same language "I apologise for my forwardness Master Philippe, but may I ask why we are ordering drinks rather than completing our objective?"

Philippe's smile didn't falter "Stern there are certain ways one must do something like this, it is a delicate procedure, I would feel rude to walk into a cafe and not order something."

He glanced up "But look, the waiter returns with our order, so we can do what we came here to do and set your mind at ease."

[Final Boss]

Gabriel came back with two glasses, one with a cappuccino and the other with the raspberry ice tea. "Here ya go." He slowly set the glasses in front of the customers.

"Anything else I can help you with?"

[Hiraeth]

Philippe lifted his drink to his lips and gently sipped it. He returned to speaking Japanese for the benefit of the waiter "My friend, may I call you Gabriel?" He didn't bother waiting for an answer "Gabriel, it seems to me that there is indeed something you can do to assist me."

He sipped his drink again then set it down and leaned back "I'm surprised you haven't already noticed, but there's a pair of large hollow running around in the park a few streets over. Well it was a pair when I walked past but one may possibly have been killed in the time since I've been here."

"I would like you to kill them, I understand you have some experience in that field, Undertaker..."

[Final Boss]

Gabriel was too busy daydreaming about women in swimsuits to notice the hollow's presence. "Hmmm it seems your right. As to how you know I'm an Undertaker I won't bother asking." Gabriel looked at both men, their clothing implied that they were wealthy, " Just letting you know, my services aren't free."

[Hiraeth]

Philippe sighed "Whatever happened to the days when a young man would act quickly to save innocent lives. Don't worry little Undertaker, I will pay what the job is worth, and if you do it well then I may have a business proposition for you."

[Final Boss]

"Hehe I only save the innocent lives of women." Said Gabriel with a smile, "No one can resist rescuing the life of a damsel in distress, certainly not me."

"Well if you plan on paying lets get going, I'd prefer to end this as quickly as possible." With that Gabriel headed out the door, grabbing his coat off a rack before leaving.

[Hiraeth]

Philippe watched the other man leave. The only movement he made was to lift his cup once again to his mouth then set it down again with a slight frown "Stern, I've changed my mind, we're going to go employ someone who makes better coffee."

The butler glanced upwards and nodded obligingly "A winning jest sir, however this boy is only one half of the partnership."

Philippe glanced at the Raspberry Ice Tea, still sitting untouched in front of Stern "You're not thirsty."

Stern bowed his head "No sir."

[Unicorn]

Alex yelled at the taxi driver to stop. The driver didn't have anywhere to park, and swore, but stopped obediently as a $100 bill was shoved in his face. Unfortunately, the now illegally-parked taxi blocked an entire lane.

Alex got out of the taxi and began to leisurely unload large boxes out of the car. Annoyed drivers began to sound their horns and yell abuse. Alex yelled back and even found the time to wave a third finger.

Finally, the taxi was unpacked and the driver gratefully drove off. Alex stood by the side of the road for the next few minutes, yelling abuse at the general traffic, before turning to carry the boxes into the cafe.

Only to see Gabriel running out in some hurry. She stood in his path and raised an eyebrow curiously.

"Whazza matter, Gabe? Some *** punk making *** trouble? Or you just ran outta potatoes?"

[Final Boss]

"Hey Alex. Oh crap, I forgot about the potatoes, I'll buy some on my way back." Gabriel passed by Alex giving her a pat on the shoulder, "There's some prey for the wolf, if you know what I mean. We got a pair of customers in there you should get to know, be nice."

With that Gabriel crossed the street and made his way to the park.

[Hiraeth]

Philippe sank into his chair, completely and utterly bored. In one hand he twirled a pen around his fingers a few times before grabbing it and slipping it into his breast pocket. He frowned and grumbled in French "This is taking too long. Stern, go and find him. I will wait here for you."

The butler stood and bowed "Very good Sir" before turning and heading out into the street.

[Unicorn]

"There's some prey for the wolf, if you know what I mean. We got a pair of customers in there you should get to know, be nice."

"Yeah yeah." Alex grumbled as she watched Gabe run off. If he wanted to do the work alone, so be it. She had some wiring to do.

Carefully, Alex carried the boxes into her workroom in the basement and stacked them neatly in a corner. After checking on her pot plants, she then walked up the stairs whilst running a hand through her unruly hair in an effort to tidy up.

She emerged from the cold storage room and looked around the cafe. There was only one man sitting there. Gabe said a pair didn't he?

Alex sauntered up to them and smiled. "Yo." ***, Gabe said be nice. "I mean, hello and welcome to The Wolf. Call me Alex. How's everything going? Need anything else from the menu?"

[Hiraeth]

Philippe glanced up absently "No, thank you I am perfectly happy with this horrible coffee, and the kind of food here isn't exactly to my taste. I'm just waiting for your associate to get back, hopefully accompanied by mine."

He looked her over with the air of a prospective buyer "You are a quincy then." It was not a question, he returned to staring boredly at his cappuccino.

The door opened with a jingle. Philippe looked up just as Stern sketched a bow to him "Sir, the hollow are disposed of but the Undertaker seems to have been divested of his weapon by a young girl."

Philippe snorted "And so the wolf is rendered toothless. He's no use to us now. Stern, pay the woman and let us head home."

[Unicorn]

Alex carefully eyed the man, and his companion. She was extremely interested to know how they knew who she was, but she learned patience.

"Aye, Gabe makes *** coffee. I am a Quincy. And the Wolves are not entirely toothless." Alex offered a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "We are pack hunters."

"Is the payment only for the drinks, or for Gabe's prey?"

[Hiraeth]

Philippe paused a second before replying "Mon cher two is a rather small number for a pack. As for your payment-"

Stern cleared his throat and Philippe nodded at him to speak "Sir, when I came upon the boy he was in fact chained up. He requested I release him, I obliged."

Philippe smiled "I guess that means we'll just be paying for the drinks." Stern opened the briefcase, extracted a wallet and paid the required amount.

Philippe reached into his pocket and pulled out a small square of paper "Alex was it? Such an ugly name, I hope for your sake it's short for something else. I have seen all I needed to see here, providing that Gabriel retrieves his weapon I have a business proposal that may benefit both our parties."

He handed her the piece of paper "You may contact me on this number when you've talked with the rest of your 'pack'. Right now I have somewhere more pleasant to be, au revoir."

[Unicorn]

Alex rolled her eyes when the other man mentioned that Gabe was chained up. Stupid *** must've gotten *** distracted again. Maybe he really needed to be neutered.

"I like Alex. Can't please everyone these days." She collected the money and tucked it into her jeans hip pocket. "You wanna the bill for those drinks? Or not?"

Alex flicked the card with her thumbnail, reading it. "So this ya office or home address? Posh place. Can we call anytime or what?"

"I'll check with Gabe. If he thinks he should've been paid for the work, we'll contact ya. If we think we wanna hear more about the proposal, we'll also contact ya."

She dug around in her back pocket and withdrew a few The Wolf Cafe business cards. Swiftly, she attached a tiny spiritron thread onto each card, then handed one each to both men.

"Here's ours. Nothin' fancy, you know where we are. And am sorry 'bout the *** coffee. You want another one, on the house?"

[Hiraeth]

Philippe had assumed the conversation was finished with, with a sigh he turned back "No bill is neccessary, and feel free to call anytime."

It was his turn to smile coldly as she mentioned payment "Tell Gabriel that if he decides he wants payment then it won't be a problem, it will be even less of a problem for Stern to return him to the condition he was found in."

He took the offered card "Thank you for the offer but I'm not sure I'm ready to risk my insides on another of your establishment's coffees."

He turned to leave, Stern holding the door open for him and taking a card of his own. As they strode around the corner towards a large black limousine parked in a side alley, Philippe flicked his card over his shoulder for Stern to catch.

The butler eyed the cards, complete with tracking devices, distastefully "Shall I dispose of these sir?"

Philippe shook his head "Not yet, she's just making sure we go to the address on the business card, no sense in making the girl mad. Destroy them when we get home, that should be enough to convince her not to try and screw with me."

Stern moved forward and opened the car door for him "Very good sir."

[Unicorn]

Alex watched them leave, and when the door closed, her mouth turned down in a distasteful scowl.

Both men had condescending attitudes, had obviously done their research on them, and had vague responses. She was intensely suspicious of them, and wanted to know what Gabe thought. Speaking of Gabe...

Alex sighed, went behind the bar and began fussing around. Her mental eye located the business cards travelling. She returned to a corner table with a bowl of mixed cold meats, a can of cold beer, a pack of cigarettes, a laptop and a mobile phone.

Pulling out a cigarette, she logged into her laptop, perched the business card on the keyboard, and called up a map of the city. Lets see where you really go.

After finishing her food, Alex pulled out her mobile and dialled Gabriel Cross.

[Final Boss]

Gabriel walked into The Wolf, Lana's unconscious body hung over his shoulder. "Yo Alex, I'm back." He walked over to one of the chairs and placed Lana's body onto it, he got some rope and firmly tied her to the chair. He began filling a large bucket with freezing, cold water. Once filled he dumped it all over Lana's head, soaking her entirely.

"Wakey wakey!"

[Shdo]

"Crap its cold!" Lana woke up in what seemed like a café, she was tied up, this wasn’t good at all. It seems that she didn’t had enough energy to bring her bike in, this completely illogical, sure its draining but it shouldn’t fail…it's that damn gun, somehow it drain her from power, "my, you got me all wet and tied up, you are a pervert!"

"I know what you want, this gun…well you can have it, it's cursed or something, I don’t want it anymore…it's in my hand." The shimmering light started to form at her hand as the gun appeared at her hand behind her back. The moment she took it out of her hammer space she started to feel the power flow again, her reserves started to charge up ever so slowly.

[Final Boss]

Gabriel snatched the gun from her hands, "Thank you. Now hand over the ring." Gabriel held a hand out expecting her to also give back his ring.

[Shdo]

She started to laugh; it was a mad laugh as if she heard the most hilarious joke ever. "Why should I do that? I like that ring and it will fetch a good price in the market," she started to stand as the ropes that bind her started to shine and disappeared into nothingness, "besides, I didn’t stole it from you, I simply accepted to take it since you asked so nicely," she was now more concerned about her wet cloths then the fact she was completely at the hands of strangers. She sneezed; it was cute, "see what you have done! You know what? I am a reasonable person, I think I can forgive your rude behavior and complete lack of respect to the costumes of gift giving, why won't we have a deal? You will get something you want and I will get something I want and we can part off as friends and maybe I'll even cuddle you a little."

[Final Boss]

This would be harder than Gabriel thought, "This isn't a negotiation, I want my ring back. Though the cuddling does sound nice." He snapped his fingers and red light completely binded Lana where she stood.

[OOC: This is a binding technique developed by Undertakers, similar to kidou.]

[Shdo]

"You are right, this isn’t a negotiation, in a negotiation you can alter the deal, and this is a fact, You will give me what I want and I'll give you what you want," she fell down, "there is nothing you can do to change my mind, if you kill me everything I took will disappear, and you can't really do anything else to me, if you will take a look at my back you will see what I mean, I was a ashtray for mobsters and victim of pedophiles since I was 6, there is nothing a sweet little guy like you can do to me," she turned around, showing her back at him, "when you will understand your situation you know where I am."

[Final Boss]

"I wasn't planning on doing anything like that." Gabriel said as he looked at her back, "But the fact is I'm pretty pissed off that you tried robbing me and that ring is precious to me." Gabriel thought for a moment, "What do you plan on doing with a ring like that anyways? It won't sell for much." The ring was indeed ordinary, there was no gem of any sort, it was just a plain silver ring.

[Shdo]

To you it’s a sentimental value, to me its gas money or right now, for the use of blackmail," she turned back at him, "I am a thief, that what I do for a living, ever since I was thrown to the streets, I use my special ability to take what I want without anyone even noticing, but there are some drawbacks…its seems I am a target to those damn masked things that plague the city, they seems to really want to eat me for some reasons and my weapons are barely effective against them…I need new toys and I know where to get them but I need someone to watch my back…this is where you come into the field, you will help me to get what I want and ill return everything to you, deal?"

[Final Boss]

"Well if you wanted gas money you should have taken my wallet." He pulled out his wallet from his back pocket and waved it in her face, "What makes you think it's got any sentimental value to me, I got alot more rings than just that, I'm on a quest to find true love and I gotta be prepared." Gabriel sat down in front of her, "So if ya want that ring go ahead and keep it, my gift to you. I can even get you a new set of clothes, I'll even help you get dressed for free."

[Unicorn]

From the corner, Alex had watched grumpily as Gabriel and some girl stomped into the cafe. Listens as Gabriel's interrogation techniques fail.

She walked over, a scowl on her face. "This the *** who *** conned ya? She's still conning ya, by the way. What, free food, gas and protection now?" She snapped, looking from one to the other.

Then handed a card to Gabriel. "Them *** nice customers said they won't pay. What *** happened and how ya wanna sort out?"

She looked down at the girl and sneered. "Aww you have a pity party. When is it, does it have free booze, can we attend?"

Alex then crouched down near the girl and stared. "So you're really not giving back that ring, huh?"

[Final Boss]

"Hehe hey Alex, yeah this is the girl who tricked me." He took the card from Alex and looked at it, "So they don't plan on paying? Does this little incident have anything to do with it?"

[Unicorn]

"It does. Something about his friend finding you chained up somewhere afterwards. If we chase payment, his friend can easily return you to chains. So he says, anyway. So watcha wanna do?"

[Final Boss]

Gabriel looked over the card, finding an address and phone number, "Well lets pay them a visit then."

He looked back at Lana, "So lil' girly it looks like I've got stuff to do. I can still offer you the change of clothing but other than that, everything else will have to wait. Be a good girl and stop stealing." Gabriel stood up and inserted Dawn back into his gun holster. He an unfinished hamburger from yesterday and some french fries, putting it all in a brown, paper bag. He walked over to Lana and dragged her by her shirt's collar out of the cafe.

"Lets lock up the cafe. The shield ready?" He exited and watched a shield form around the cafe. He placed Lana on a bench, "Keep that ring on ya, maybe I'll help you a little later, but the cuddling has got to be 100% guaranteed."

[Shdo]

"Common, don’t leave me like this, let me come with you. this guy is rich right? If he hire people for things and got helpers then he got to have something of value…you can never know when you need a thief in a group, don’t you ever play RPG's?" Some homeless people started to gather around the poor little girl.

"at least remove that damn binding so I will have something to do the cuddling with," one of the old homeless guys approached Lana and asked her if she comes here often. she replied with 'EEK!' noise.

[Final Boss]

"Sorry, I can't let ya come with me. The business I'm in is too dangerous for a little girl like yourself." Gabriel watched as men scrambled to get near her, he heard her scream and sighed. He released Lana from the binding spell, "Remember to keep the ring, now get going." In an instant he and Alex disappeared in a flash.

[Hiraeth]

The mansion appeared to be empty, save for Philippe and Stern waiting in the drawing room. Philippe was sitting in a large leather chair, an elbow resting on the arm of his chair, his face in his hand. His eyes were closed and it gave the impression he was dozing, however he was completely awake, waiting. Two chairs sat in front of him, it was fairly clear who they were for.

Stern was standing by the door, he was completely still, staring straight ahead. Philippe opened his eyes to glare at his butler "You know I would really appreciate it if you would remember to blink every now and then."

Stern's eyelids snapped down then up and Philippe breathed a sigh of relief "Thank you."

A few more minutes passed, until Stern appeared to prick up his ears "They're coming sir."

Philippe sat up and stretched "Finally. Do you think they'll use the front door?"

Stern almost looked troubled "I hope so. I rather liked them."

[Unicorn]

After reaching the mansion, Alex sent Gabriel a few silent hand signals check around the house.

They both split up and wandered off in different directions.

Alex made her way slowly around the house, using both physical and mental eyes to check the placement of the windows, any basement doors or handy hidden trapdoors. Nothing suspicious so far. She even checked the fountains and plots of garden. Nothing.

She met Gabriel at the other end of the house and signalled all clear.

[Final Boss]

Gabriel pointed towards the front door and slowly walked up to the door, being wary of any traps. He reached the front door with no problems, he waited for Alex and whispered, "Think he's home? Maybe we should knock?" Alex nodded in agreement and Gabriel knocked on the door.

[Hiraeth]

Stern had noted their presence when they arrived and had been keeping an eye on them as they checked out the property. He was mildly relieved when they decided to be civilised and use the front door. His master hated it when people weren't civilised and had filled the house with a number of traps for that very reason.

He was already waiting at the door when he heard their knock, and pulled it open to let them in.

"My master bids you welcome. Please come this way."

He turned and led them down the hall. From what they could see the house was sparsely furnished, and despite a few large paintings, it had minimal decorations.

Stern opened a door into the drawing room for them and indicated they should go inside.

Philippe was still waiting for them and gestured to the two empty chairs "Please sit. Can I have Stern bring you some refreshments?"

[Unicorn]

Alex followed along after the man, looking around curiously with both mental and physical eyes. There were some suspicious areas within the house that she'd like to check out more, but for now...

They were shown into a drawing room and saw the man together with two empty chairs. Obviously waiting for them.

Alex offered him a toothy grin and sauntered in. She chose a chair and sat down.

"Nah, no refreshments. I just had lunch." Who knows what you put in there, hmm? "Thanks on waitin' on us."

[Final Boss]

Gabriel followed Stern into a room, Phillipe was sitting there, obviously waiting, and there were two empty chairs available. Gabriel slouched down in the chair next to Alex, resting his head on his hand, "No refreshments for me, thanks though. So now that we're all here, lets get down to business."

[Hiraeth]

Philippe nodded graciously at Alex's apology "I am always happy to wait for a lady." then responded to Gabriel's comment by picking up two files from a table next to his chair. He handed them one each.

"These are copies of the case files on a pair of armed robbers that have been operating in the area. They've stolen over four hundred thousand US dollars, which is about forty-two million yen. It is not however the money that concerns me, but the fourteen people that they have killed in the process of obtaining it." His fist clenched and he pulled a pen from his top pocket and started twirling it around his fingers before continuing.

"They're trained professionals, they leave no evidence behind them and when they flee the scene they simply vanish. Because of this all regular forms of investigation are useless, and the police are simply waiting until they strike again before they attempt to catch them. I would like you two to find the killers before they strike and advise me of their location so I can alert the authorities."

He sat back "Please take a look at the files and decide if this is the kind of work you are interested in. If you decide to assist me with this, then I'll let you give me an estimation of how much this is going to cost me. If you're not interested I'll find someone else, perhaps the girl that so easily neutralised Master Gabriel. Please take your time to make up your minds, I will leave you alone to let you discuss it in peace."

He stood and waved his hand "Come Stern." The door of the drawing room closed behind them, giving them some privacy to discuss the proposal.

[Unicorn]

@ Hiraeth - I have assumed what was provided within the file. Let me know if you want me to edit.

..

Alex's gaze travelled between Stern and the other man as he talked. Stern was obviously his servant. The man doing the talking seemed to have a little twitch... nervous twitch? she wasn't sure. Time will tell.

Both men left the room to give them some time to discuss. Alex wasn't stupid, she was sure there were listening or monitoring devices around. She saw Gabriel looking around... he was thinking the same thing.

She rose an eyebrow at him, then flicked through the provided file. Inside was a list of dates, times and locations when the 14 murders and several robberies happened, and general eyewitness accounts. There was also a basic description of the armed robbers. The documents looked very official.

"Gabe, that man mentioned 'police' didn't he?" She asked thoughtfully, fingering the paperwork in the file. "You think he's really from the police?"

"Anyway, this job interests me. Wanna know them men a little more too 'cos they know alot 'bout us, and it ain't fair, hmm?"

Alex saw Gabe nod in agreement.

[Final Boss]

Gabriel quickly glanced through the paperwork, quite interested in the job offer. He looked back towards Alex, "Well he didn't seem like a cop when I first met him, I kinda thought of him as your normal rich guy."

"Well then it's decided, we'll take the job. I'll go and call them back in."

Gabriel stood from his chair and slowly walked over to the door, looking at all the expensive paintings that filled the walls. He opened the door and peaked his head out looking around.

He spotted Stern and called him over, "Oi we're done discussing your proposal and we're ready to talk."

[OOC: I assumed Stern was outside waiting, if not I'll edit.]

[Hiraeth]

[OOC: Nah it's fine]

Stern bowed his head and turned to his master, hidden by the other man's bulkier form, Philippe had been leaning against the wall. He stood without saying a word and headed back in, Stern following patiently behind him. He sat back down in the chair and slouched back into the leather surface.

"I assume that you have questions. You are free to ask them, however if they become too personal I may choose not to answer them, I'm not in the habit of trusting people I've only just met."

[Final Boss]

"Question, questions. Yeah, I think me and Alex are both curious to know if your a cop. Other than that I'll stick with business questions."

Gabriel took his empty seat and sat in a comfortable position, "Well we're definitely interested and would like to know more. Why are the fourteen people killed important to you? Did you know them personally? I would think the cash would be more important, but I'm not rich like you obviously are."

[Hiraeth]

Philippe sat up a little straighter in his chair "If I was a police officor would I invite you into my home and offer to pay you a rather large amount of money, I would imagine, to hunt down criminals for me? No I'm not a 'cop'. As to why the victims are important to me, individually they are not. I had never met any of them, nor do they have any connection to me or one another. They were just in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Without noticing he'd started twirling his pen around his fingers again. He caught it in his palm and slipped it back into his pocket "I guess you could say I'm somewhat of a philanthropist. As you've astutely pointed out Gabriel, I'm rich, however short of buying a lot of very ugly paintings, I don't really have any use for this money, so I figure I'll put it towards something that might benefit someone other than myself."

"The thing is, we all know there are sometimes crimes that can't be solved by conventional means, where the only people who know anything worth knowing are already dead. So basically I'm looking for people to talk to the spirits of the dead, find out what they know and follow the trail of evidence to the killers."

[Final Boss]

"Hmm I see what your getting at, me and Alex can communicate with spirits so you want us to find them and question them about these killers. Then after learning their next target alert you?"

Gabriel scratched his back and leaned forward, "About the cash, if all you want us to do is question a couple of spirits then it'll cost you about....$200, unless you have anything to say about it Alex."

[Unicorn]

Alex listened quietly to the conversation between Gabe and the other man. On such business meetings, Gabe preferred her not to talk, apparently she was too direct to create much goodwill. He was the more diplomatic one.

However he asked her opinion. "$200 to talk to a couple of spirits." Alex agreed.

"$200 to track down the killers and report their location to you."

"Additional $500 if you want them held in the same spot until you arrive."

[Hiraeth]

Philippe nodded "That seems fair, however you should probably know, not all the spirits are happily waiting to be buried, some became troublesome... So should you have to deal with any of these troublesome spirits I will give you a bonus of two hundred dollars. I'm sure you understand what I mean. And as far as holding the killers, I would ask simply that once you acertain their location that you watch them until I get there to take them into custody, is that reasonable?"

"Do you have any further questions?"

[Unicorn]

Alex smiled as the extra bonus was offered.

"Much 'preciated for that bonus. Was that $200 for each troublesome spirit, or all?"

"If ya want us to continue tracking them and reporting to ya if they change locations, that'll be $200 instead. More if things get messy and they try to run. We like payment in cash."

"So ya want us to leave once ya get there, or ya want us to stick around in case ya need any help?"

[Hiraeth]

He met her eyes squarely "For each 'troublesome' spirit, two hundred dollars each. Of course you realise that by 'troublesome' I mean hollow."

"Once I get there I'd suggest you leave, lest you run into any officers of the law and get asked any awkward questions. While I do have several police officers assisting me, I doubt that you'll be able to sweet talk all of them."

He smiled, without warmth "And do not trouble yourselves about my personal safety, I can take care of myself. The only reason I'm not tracking the killers down myself is that I can pay someone else to do it, and because I have other things to do with my time."

[Unicorn]

Alex closely watched the man as he talked. He mentioned police officers again, yet he claims he's not one of 'em.

" 'Kay we won't worry about ya then. Just offering." Alex replied. "It's decent little job, and it should be fun. Ya have any preferred completion dates? Or as soon as possible?"

"And last thing. Gabe says he did complete the work you asked earlier."

Alex let the hint hang in the air. Gabe could explain it more diplomatically.

[Final Boss]

Gabriel was off in his own world daydreaming about women when he heard his name mentioned.

"Oh yeah! I took care of that hollow in the park no sweat, but, as you know, on my way back I lost my gun to some lady."

He pulled out Dawn from his holster and began twirling it with his finger, "Thanks to Stern, who found me chained up, I found the girl and got my gun back."

He stopped spinning the gun and held it firmly in his right hand, "So will I get paid for dispatching that hollow?"

[Kolbertt]

"Ding-Dong ♪"

Those were Arielle's exact first words as she entered the place. This new Cafe, opened quiet recently on the way home, had called her attention by a sole fact.

That was, if the Cafe had been open... But there was not one person inside, the door wouldn't buldge, and there was a creepy old man approaching her. From his smell, Arielle detected the less than subtle fragance of alcohol...

"Tch... Maybe it's still closed?"

Having said that, she bathed the old man with a torrent of water... Public services always made her happy.

[Unicorn]

Alex eyed Gabriel's posturing and sighed mentally. Wasn't he the one that told her diplomacy didn't involve waving weapons around? What was he doing then, showing fancy fingerwork on Dawn whilst asking for payment?

Oh well. Best she'd be ready if the *** hit the fan. Or fancy airconditioning unit.

Suddenly, Alex straightened in her chair as she felt something disturb her shields. She closed both eyes and concentrated. No, just another customer trying to enter the cafe. Can't they see a closed sign on the door? Maybe she needed to install a huge neon sign instead, something worthy of Las Vegas. There goes our electricity bill she thought sourly.

She frowned a little as the customer expended some power. That was not a normal human.

Using her mental eye, Alex carefully began to watch the customer's movements.

[Kolbertt]

Too concentrated washing the teeth of the drunken man with a highly pressurized water splash to his face, Arielle was too busy to notice time's unchanged speed.

She soon lost interest in him. His screams for mercy and his penetrating odour were getting on her nerves rather quickly, so she let him be as she turned around and faced the road home...

Her options were rather simple, go home, or wait until the cafe re-opened. With nothing to do... So, she simply waited there. After all, her main objective had not been accomplished yet...

"Meh... Wonder how much they'll take to open it... Maybe they just needed to go to the bathroom... all at once?"

[Hiraeth]

Philippe sneered delicately at Alex's statement, then became very still when Gabriel removed his gun, and all traces of congeniality vanished from his manner.

"You come to a business proposal and threaten the person making said proposal? Truly you are an idiot Gabriel Cross. You should know that I have a rule against anyone drawing a weapon in this house."

He snapped his fingers and Stern moved, grabbing Gabriel's arm and twisting it backwards, forcing his fingers to release their grip on Dawn. Stern caught the gun and tossed it to Philippe who pointed it at Gabriel.

For a moment he simply stared down the sights, then he smiled "Ah, I see, intriguing." He tossed it back to Stern who still had a grip on Gabriel's arm.

He spared a glance for Alex "Don't even try to pull your crossbows on me, girl." Then turned back to Gabriel "I'm not a man who likes being threatened, even mildly. I pay what the job is worth, since you got rid of the hollows so quickly, I can only assume it was an easy job, in which case I'm not paying you a ridiculous sum of money for it."

He reached to the side of his chair and pulled out a briefcase from which he removed a wallet and selected a note. "How very lower class of you to quibble about small change. Fifty American dollars, I hope for your sake it's sufficient. Since you seem to have accepted my contract, from this moment on I am your employer and at our next meeting I know you will treat me with the respect due the position."

He passed the money to Stern who placed it in Gabriel's hand, which he still held at an awkward angle. Philippe stood and snapped his fingers at the butler, who dragged Gabriel to his feet and lead him in the direction of the front door. Checking to make sure Alex was also getting ready to leave, Philippe followed them.

He paused just inside the door "As for a time limit. I expect you to have found my armed robbers before they hit again. From a timeline the police created, that should be about three days. I hope you work fast."

"Stern please give Gabriel his weapon back and release him. I'm sure he won't be stupid enough to start playing with it again."

Stern did as commanded.

Philippe looked again at the Undertaker and the Quincy, his expression unreadable "Any last questions before I eject you from my home?"

[Unicorn]

Distracted with taking care of the stranger, Alex hadn't been paying enough attention to the interaction taking place around her. All she knew was that the man became annoyed when Gabe pulled a gun on him, and then things happened really fast.

Alex reacted, both crossbows blazing into existance. She twisted in her chair and pointed one at each man, swiftly analysing the situation and dangers.

She watched carefully from beneath long fringes as Philippe casually inspected Dawn, pointing the gun back at its owner. Unlike Dawn, her two crossbows were ready to go. If he fired, she'll fire too. Once to divert the bullet, and once more to kill Philippe.

However, all he did next was talk in a sneering voice and give Gabe some money. Alex frowned, highly suspicious.

Apart from Quincy and Undertaker there was no other power surges within the room, the man's servant managed to overpower Gabe, and Philippe didn't seem overly worried with having a flaming crossbow pointed directly at him.

Gabe was hauled off the chair and towards the front door. Alex tucked the file into her belt, then bounded off the chair and followed them, still with both crossbows flaming in her hands.

He paused just inside the door "As for a time limit. I expect you to have found my armed robbers before they hit again. From a timeline the police created, that should be about three days. I hope you work fast."

"Stern please give Gabriel his weapon back and release him. I'm sure he won't be stupid enough to start playing with it again."

"Any last questions before I eject you from my home?"

"Nope." Alex replied, then offered a cool humourless grin. "Guess we see ya in 3 days, huh?"

[Shdo]

Lana waited for gabriel and Alex to return, she still wanted him to go to the hit job as soon as possible, she needed a man at his size for her plan to work.


In the meantime she stayed on the bench.


Then a strange girl came, she had an umbrella even when it’s the wrong time of the year, she was weird…and familiar…where did Lana saw her before? the girl tried to enter the cafe without even noticing the close sign and then just stood there waiting.

[Hiraeth]

Philippe paused to look at the crossbows "I thought I asked you to keep those to yourself." He didn't seem particularly perturbed, but there was something in his eyes that told her that he didn't like being ignored. "For the amount I'm paying I would hope that I'd be seeing you before then, however as long as the job is done before more innocent lives are lost, I suppose it doesn't matter."

He stepped back into the hallway and motioned for Stern to close the door.

[Unicorn]

@ Shdo - The Wolf thread will contain movements between the cafe and Philippe's mansion to get work. Its precisely not a plot thread so it doesn't need a separate thread. 'work projects' will involve their own threads.

...

Once she was sure that Gabe had gotten back Dawn, and they were both shown the door without any further surprises, Alex began to relax.

She heard Philippe speak and saw his eyes. In response, Alex sketched a mock-salute with one of her crossbow-laden hands, then let both crossbows dissolve.

"I am keeping those to myself. We gals need to protect ourselves somehow."

The door shut in her face. She eyed it in partial amusement, then turned to glare at Gabriel.

"So much for being diplomatic. Next time, I do the talking." She snapped.

[Final Boss]

As Stern twisted Gabriel's arm he looked down towards the ground, hiding his smile. He allowed himself to be dragged out the front door and gladly took both the money and Dawn back.

He looked back up waving cheerfully to Phillipe and Stern, "Nope, I'm all ready to go. See ya in three days! Bye bye!"

He looked towards Alex, hearing her sharp remark, "What? If you wanted to do the talking you could have just asked, I find it boring talking with guys." He began to walk off Phillipe's property motioning for Alex to follow.

As they left Phillipe's mansion Gabriel looked back at Alex, "Besides didn't you want to find out more about these guys? I think that was a very educating experience, if you ask me."

[Unicorn]

Alex raised both eyebrows at Gabe, then grinned and nodded. So there was a method to the madness.

They both moved further away from the mansion in silence, and were halfway back to the cafe when Alex stopped to light a cigarette.

"Check for any unwanted souvenirs." She advised, nodding towards Dawn and the $50 bill. Alex ran a mental eye down and through the paper folder in her belt... nothing.

"Interesting men. You let the servant haul you around. Was honestly a bit worried there, I really thought you were in trouble. By the servant, no less."

Alex's hand thwacked smartly across Gabe's shoulder. "Don't scare me like that again." She snapped, then calmed down. Puffed out a few smoke rings and smirked proudly.

"They didn't seem disturbed at our weapons in their faces, Philippe managed to hold Dawn without any ill effects. I get the feeling that they can take us on, but I can't feel what powers they have. I'm extremely suspicious of them."

"Oh, whilst you were showing off Dawn, I noticed a snoop hanging around the cafe. Not sure if its one of their hirelings."

[Final Boss]

Gabriel pulled out the $50 bill and Dawn, quickly scanning both for any tracking devices. "All clean."

As Alex smacked him he mockingly rubbed his shoulder as if in pain, "Yeah yeah, I'll let you know beforehand next time. As for the snoop, I guess the only options we have are to hurry up and check on the cafe or trust in the barrier you set up. I think we have plenty of time to check up on the cafe though."

He slightly picked up his pace and headed towards the cafe. As he approached the cafe he noticed a girl waiting outside, she was holding an umbrella. Gabriel quickly rushed towards her, "My angel, spread your wings and take me to heaven!" He rushed forward, arms wide open, hoping to embrace the young girl.

[Kolbertt]

Since this man didn't smell of alcohol, Arielle wasn't really free to use her powers without exposing herself... So, Lero would have to act as a Baseball bat.

If this had been some cheesy anime, the pervert would have been rocketed into atmosphere. But in real life, he was simply nailed to the floor by a well possitioned strike.

"Ok. This is OFFICIALLY too much... One can't come to a freaking Cafe without being harrased? I mean, I'm still not properlly developed! What the FUCK is wrong with the world!"

The sudden apparition of a Gangster didn't really help her mood - Short hair, muscular, rude looking... Wait a second... Is he a WOMAN?!

"That's it, I'm leaving this place. A sandwich is not really worth all this trouble"

[Unicorn]

Gabriel successfully distracted the girl (as usual) for Alex to light another cigarette and examine everything around the cafe closely. Her shield was untouched, and there were no traps visible to both mental and physical eyes.

Little *** was still hanging around, obviously hoping for more free food, gas or protection.

The *** snoop suspect was swinging an innocent umbrella around at Gabe. However she could sense the power in the umbrella, and there was a puddle of water where the girl once stood.

Now the little snoop was shouting about leaving because she could not get a sandwich. Maybe she just wanted to leave because the cafe owners came back.

Alex smirked then sauntered up to her. "Sorry ya had to wet yourself whilst waitin' on jus' a sandwich."

[Shdo]

The moment Gabriel returned, and started to flirt with the weird girl, Lana dashed at him. If he had looked behind it would look like she was about to attack and in a way she did.

"Gabriel-Kuuuun!" she jumped at him from behind as he was facing the ground, grabbing his head and embracing it into her bosom from behind, "missed you…"

Actually she really wanted to kill him, he just offered her to marry him earlier today and now he jumped on another girl as if she was a big pile of money…big pile of money, that nice…Lana started to classify Gabriel as a dog person, most likely a person that will dump his wife every 2 years for a new one…she should kill him when she done with him for the sake of all women-kind.

[Final Boss]

As Gabriel approached the young girl an umbrella smacked him in the back of his head. "Ouch..."

Suddenly he heard a women calling out his name and was pulled back into something...soft. He slowly turned his head to and was staring straight into someone's breasts, "Ahhh this is welcoming." He looked up to see a familiar face.

"Hey! What do ya want to steal this time? My wallet?" Gabriel jumped back pointing a finger at Lana, "You think I'll be tricked again?! But anytime you want my face in your boobs just ask."

Gabriel took a brief moment to look back at the girl with the umbrella, he had sensed power in her umbrella and was curious to learn more. "Hey wait! I'll treat you to a sandwich of love! Just come back!"

[Shdo]

"Steal your wallet? Why would I want it? It barely got anything in it," she presented a black wallet to Gabriel, his wallet, "seriously, I earn more then you got here in five minute…well earn isn’t the right word, but you get the picture."

"I still wanted you to help me in that job that will give you back your ring. Take this," she presented a key with an address written on a tag attached to the key.

"My apartment key and address, don’t knock on the door, don’t try to break in, don’t try coming in from another opening, the place has more booby traps then the south-north Korean border," she turned to walk away, waving her hand in the air.

[Final Boss]

Gabriel watched as Lana began to walk away, "Hehe I guess it's gotta be this way."

He activated the sealed energy within the ring causing Undertaker energy to surge out from the ring.

"Sorry things ended like this girl, but I'm taking back my ring now."

[Unicorn]

Alex felt a headache coming along as she watched the little thief steal Gabriel's wallet and then try to blackmail him, and then him trying to flirt with the suspected snoop.

Fully intending to leave Gabe flirting with the girls whilst she had a whiskey or two, she turned, walked to the cafe, pressed her palm against the cafe door and took down the shield.

[Shdo]

In a flash Lana started to feel ill, her stomach ached like something has happened, like she was poisoned, she felt very weak. It has to be the doing of that damn pervert!

She turned at him, "if you think that you can do anything to force me to give it to you then you are wrong, I told you that if I die, everything is gone with…" Gabriel dashed at her, grabbing her by the shoulders.

That caught Lana by surprise; he had a serious look in his eyes that made her face away from it, "there is no way I am giving that to you."

[Kolbertt]

It's so annoying when everyone goes with "You got wet" Joke... It gets old too soon...

Being less than pleased with the side-effects of her powers, Arielle was not in the mood to answer back or even talk at all. She was willing to turn on her heels and head straight for... somewhere, but given the Gansta Woman had opened up the Cafe like nothing, it could only mean one thing...

"Wait... Don't you happen to be the Cafe owner?:wtf" - Arielle said with her most appealing tone voice. Who would have thought someone with such bizarre clothes would have such a wonderful taste?!

Meanwhile, the one who had made his moves on her was already attacking another poor helpless victim... Just remember he can be a sloppy idiot. No one believes in idiots. You can splash his face quickly and keep him quiet... Darn, but the Cafe owner is here as well...

"Oh, there was a massive leak in the wall over there. But I've kinda fixed it... By the way, is the Cafe open to the public now?"

[Final Boss]

Gabriel walked over to Lana, she was obviously feeling the effects of the energy released from the ring.

"Listen Lana, just hand over the ring and this'll all be over."

He approached her until he was directly in front of her, "Give me the ring now and I'll help you get what ya need later, I promise."

[Shdo]

She tried to look into his eyes but for some reason she couldn’t, "alright…if you want it so much…but you better keep your promise," he hand shined as the ring appeared on her finger, she took it off and handed it to Gabriel. "A promise is something I was never given…if you betray that…" she turned away.

[Final Boss]

"Yeah, I try to keep my promises, especially the ones I give to pretty girls."

He took the ring from Lana's finger and stuck it into his pocket. He looked as Lana quickly turned away, "What do ya need a hug to make you feel better?" He expected she wouldn't so he turned away and headed towards the girl with the umbrella.

"Hey! Sorry 'bout that, I had something to take care of." He kept his distance this time, he didn't want to get whacked by that umbrella again, "Yeah we're open. I'm Gabriel, one of the managers of this fine cafe, do you need something?"

[Shdo]

Actually she did want a hug; the promise he gave really shook her off. In all her life she was only given orders from gangsters and drug dealers, commands and facts, torture and beating.

Of course he was only mocking her with the hug proposition; there is no warmth in this world for her. She left back home.

[Unicorn]

"Wait... Don't you happen to be the Cafe owner?:wtf"

Alex wasn't surprised that the snoop followed her to the cafe door. However she was startled at the overly-sweet voice that was being used to talk to her.

She gave a sideways glance at the girl, wondering why she'd want to check out the cafe if her true masters already visited the place. Maybe she'd try to break into the cafe or get in via another way. Possibly the free sandwich that Gabe offered?

"Oh, there was a massive leak in the wall over there. But I've kinda fixed it... By the way, is the Cafe open to the public now?"

Alex opened her mouth to reply, only to be interrupted by Gabe bouncing up like an overly large puppy and responding to the girl's questions.

She tilted her head towards Gabe, indicating that he could deal with the girl.

[Kolbertt]

"Oh! So you are the owner as well? Excuse my sudden strike before! I thought you were just some kind of evil-doer"

Having apologized and winning the heart of the Cafe owner, Arielle followed the Ganster into the Cafe... Still being wary of his every movement... Even if she wanted to sound like a cute little girl to win some hearts, Arielle was totally alert. That ring he now had, even if for a second, had emmited a strange and strong energy... This cannot really mean nothing good

"So, Mr. Cafe Owner, mind you preparing that deliciously sounding Ariel Sandwich?"

[Unicorn]

Alex sighed as the girl followed them in and tried to flatter a free sandwich off Gabriel. Gabe being Gabe, he would probably give her a free meal anyway.

"Alex." Alex introduced gruffly, then headed behind the bar to look for her whiskey. She remembered that the girl might be a snoop, and dredged some manners up. Popped her head up above the counter briefly to stare at her.

"Coffee?"

[Kolbertt]

"Why not, thank you very much Maddame. I'd gladly take a coke with my sandwich though"

After a quick glance through the room, Arielle's attention had been caught by two particular things. The Stantler head, and the Jukebox. Music was Arielle's passion since she had memory -

"Mind if I take a look at that music box?"

[Unicorn]

"Yea 'K." Alex muttered in response. There was nothing magical about the Jukebox, however she was gonna check it thoroughly for any 'souvenirs' once the snoop had left.

Leaving Gabe to sort out the sandwich, Alex wandered over to table nearest the girl and plonked down a glass bottle of Coke. She sat down at the same table, drank whiskey from the bottle and watched the girl.

"Ya waited an awfully long time on the chance of a free sandwich, though."

[Kolbertt]

Frank Sinatra's voice filled the place, as the lyrics of "Fly me to the moon" were heard in the Cafe.

"Who said anything about free food? I just happened to have some free time, and that Ariel sandwich sounded delicious... Plus, it's not like I had anything to do at home"

Arielle quickly looked at Alex. She could make for an interesting person...

"By the way, ain't it horribly early to be drinking that trash?"

[Unicorn]

"Ain't trash, its healthy. Made from same stuff that goes inta ya sandwich bread."

"So's ya payin' for that sandwich?"

Alex thought over the girl's words, and eyed the umbrella again. Frank Sinatra wailed in the background and she fought the urge to shoot the Jukebox.

"What's ya name, why are ya really here?"

[Final Boss]

Gabriel nodded at Arielle's request, "An Ariel Sandwich coming up!"

He hurried behind the counter and began preparing the sandwich, watching as Arielle approached the jukebox. He continued preparing the sandwich as Frank Sinatra sounded throughout the cafe.

"So you still haven't told me your name yet."

[Kolbertt]

"Arielle's the name" She said as she politelly shaked her head.

"Kinda like your sandwich, but with an extra L, by the way, does this thing have any Placebo Songs? I found some good oldies, but nothing following 1980"

[Final Boss]

"Hmm I'm sure we have some Placebo songs on there, by the way your sandwich is done."

He came out from behind the counter holding a plate, the sandwich fully prepared and sitting in the center. He walked to a table nearby Arielle and set the plate down, also taking a seat, "Come and get it."

He settled into his chair, "So Arielle is it, that's a beautiful name, it's a pleasure to meet you." He glanced at her umbrella before speaking again, "That's an interesting umbrella you have there, but I think the forecast is for sunny days."

[Kolbertt]

"Yay!"

Slightly flattered by the compliment, and the fact that she was really hungry, Arielle jumped childly to get the sandwich, only to rectify herself almost instantly and walk to get the sandwich, she then continued her path to the Jukebox, at the same time the lines "I love you" were heard one last time.

"Oh, about Lero... You never know when the weather can change... Are you sure there is Placebo in... Oh, this will do!"

Instead of Placebo, Travis' "Why does it always rain on me" echoed in the empty bar - This place sure is comfy...

"Cwhee? Cwhu nwewer wnow when wrain will wfall down" She said with the sandwich in her mouth

[Unicorn]

Alex watched the girl... Ariell... act cute, and swore mentally. For an undercover snoop, she sure attracted heaps of attention.

Leaning back, Alex took another healthy gulp of whiskey, then proceeded to light a cigarette.

[Final Boss]

"Hmm I guess you're right, the weather can be unpredictable. Kinda like the opening hours for this cafe."

Gabriel laughed at his own joke, remembering that Arielle wouldn't understand it. He watched as she selected another song from the jukebox, "So you like European music huh? I assume you're European yourself, but I'm known to be wrong on rare occasions."

"Anyways, what do you think of the cafe?"

[Unicorn]

Alex glanced at Gabe and scowled. "She gotta approve the cafe decoration now?"

She turned her attention to the girl.

"Why ya really here? I know ya waited for ages out there."

[Kolbertt]

"Well... I had seen this Cafe Menu on display, and wanted to try the Ariel Sandwich. Which, by the way, was delicious! Mind preparing a second one for the trip home?"

It was obvious from the question, that Alex didn't really enjoy her company at all... But Arielle was not one to take challenges easily.

"What? Is there some kind of age limitation for entering this Cafe?" Her tone had changed from overly sweet, to directly defiant. A change that reflected in the stare she gave back to Alex.

[Final Boss]

Gabriel lightly pushed Alex aside, "What she means is, we usually don't have pretty girls waiting for us to open just to try our sandwiches."

Gabriel noticed the Arielle's change of tone, "Hehe of course there's no age limit to this cafe, in fact I would be glad to get ya another Ariel Sandwich for the trip home."

[Unicorn]

Alex ignored the shoving, returned Arielle's stare and smirked.

"Glad ya dropped tha' act. Was gettin' diabetes just from listen' to ya."

"Who do ya work for, missy?"

[Mad_Scientist]

Aoihana (http://www.bleachasylum.com/showthread.php?p=514932#post514932) had been having a rather frustrating past few months. Her first frustration was that her power growth had slowed down to a crawl, despite her constant training to improve it. She didn't fully understand why, but figured perhaps Heaven was telling her she needed to focus her time on something else for the moment. And so, she had attempted to locate other people with spiritual powers, as she knew she would need such people for her plans.

But that had been nothing but a big frustration as well. She first thought she might try and locate some Quincies, taking advantage of the fact that her late uncle had been one. But he had been too friendly with the Shinigami, and therefore had been rather estranged from his relatives. Only a single Quincy had even showed up at his funeral, and Aoihana couldn't locate this Quincy, despite her best efforts.

So she then thought she'd search for others with unique spiritual powers, like her. She knew they existed, for at times she felt odd surges of spiritual pressure that were neither Shinigami, Hollow, or Quincy. It should have been relatively simple to wait until she felt one of those surges again, and then head to the place where it was located. But no, that had not worked out either. Every time she arrived at a scene, whatever had occured was already over, and the people gone.

"This is Heaven's way of teaching my patience. I will need it in the future, so I better learn it now. I must... be... patient." Despite he thoughts, Aoihana couldn't fully contain her annoyance. A man walking by her on the street suddenly turned around and went the other way, and she realized she must have had a pretty frightening expression on her face. She did her best to adopt a pleasant smile, and continued onward.

She stopped in front of the entrance to a cozy looking cafe. "The Wolf" was it's name. It had just recently opened, she believed, and she was a little hungry, so she decided she might as well stop and pick up something to eat. She opened the door and walked in, and was immediately struck by the feeling that she had just interrupted something.

[Final Boss]

The entrance of yet another female customer instantly grabbed Gabriel's attention, he quickly dashed out towards her, greeting her as he usually did, "My lady, I am Gabriel, your knight in shining armor, please allow me the privilege of serving you a sandwich of love."

As he said this he knelt down and lightly grabbed Aoihana's hand, gently kissing it.

[Mad_Scientist]

Aoihana jerked her hand away from Gabriel, a bit forcefully. Considering her first inclination was to slap him, she felt he got off easy. Kissing a woman's hand as a way of greeting her could perhaps be considered a polite, old-fashioned gesture... but not in the way this guy did it.

Aoihana thought about turning around and leaving, if this was the type of guy who worked here, but then she remembered what she had just been thinking about before entering the cafe. "Patience... I am being taught patience, and how to control my temper and emotions. I must be meant to stay... this guy certainly looks like someone who can try a person's patience."

Forcing something of a smile to her face, Aoihana spoke, "Uh, thanks, I guess. I'm not certain what I want to order at the moment, though. Should I seat myself or...?"

Aoihana quickly glanced at the cafe's other occupants. There was a girl who looked to be of highschool age, apparently a customer, and a rather tomboy-ish young woman who was dressed like some sort of punk biker or something.

[Final Boss]

Gabriel was used to this reaction, he sighed, not really disappointed, and pointed to an empty table. He led Aoihana to the chair, pulling it out for her, "Have a seat."

He walked behind the counter and grabbed a menu, taking it back to Aoihana, "Anything my princess desires shall be given."

He set the menu in front of her and patiently waited for her order.

[Mad_Scientist]

Aoihana was tempted to order a soup or salad just to deny Gabriel the pleasure of making a "sandwhich of love" for her, but decided against it, as some of the soundwhiches available sounded too appealing to pass up out of spite. After reading over the menu for a bit, she made her order.

"A Chicken Cordon Bleu and a Raspberry Ice Tea please."

[Final Boss]

"Chicken Cordon Bleu and a Raspberry Ice Tea coming up!"

He moved behind the counter again and began to prepare the order, "So a pretty girl like yourself must have a pretty name, am I right?"

[Mad_Scientist]

"Oh, my name? Aoihana.

So, are you the owner of this cafe, or do you just work here?"

There didn't seem to be many employees, Aoihana had noticed. It seemed the only other person nearby who might work there was the biker punk woman. If she did work there, then she was probably the owner, as it was hard to imagine a normal employee getting away with such an odd appearance. If she didn't work there, did that mean Gabriel ran the cafe by himself?

Not that Aoihana was really that curious, but it might be good information to know in the event that the food at The Wolf was good enough to warrant coming back despite Gabriel's unfortunate manner.

(OOC: Trying to avoid a one sentence post, lol. )

[Final Boss]

"Oh, yeah I'm the manager. Along with my partner Alex."

Gabriel quickly pointed towards Alex then continued working on the order. He soon finished the Cordon Bleu and poured a glass of Raspberry Ice Tea, "So Aoihana huh? I'm right again, pretty name for a pretty lady."

He began walking towards Aoihana's table, a plate and glass occupied both his hands. He set both down in front of Aoihana, "Enjoy your meal. Is there anything else ya need?"

[Unicorn]

Alex had felt someone staring at her for the past few minutes. As usual, she ignored it. Right until another nosy customer asked who the cafe owners were and she heard her name.

She twisted in her chair to glance at the nosy customer.

[Kolbertt]

Arielle couldn't help but wondering what kind of name Aoihana was... Then again, she quickly remembered she was angry with the punk. She was more than willing to continue with the stare fight, but Alex had already lost interest in her... UNFORGIVABLE

"Hey... I think I'll come here some other time. It sure feels familiar in here. Don't you agree Maddame? Guess we'll see each other again for a looong time. Anything you want to say?"

[Shdo]

The damn hollow was still looking for her, she had to stay in the alley, in the darkness, until it will get tired and leave her alone.

"Damn that idiot and his cursed ring, I feel so weak…" she silenced her heavy breathing as the hollow moved across the main street, searching for traces of reitsu. Luckily for her it seems something else took its attention and the hollow left.

This wasnt Lana day, first she got to deal with the cursed gun and then the ring, and as soon as she left Gabriel she was attacked by a hollow. still weak from the ring ordeal she couldnt land a hit on the creature...

"How stupid can I be? How did I let my reserves get so low? One clip and no Molotov cocktails? And I am in no position to take a hollow in hand to hand combat…what should I do?" her stomach was crying for food.

She looked across the street from the black alley she was hiding at, "how far is it from here? 1, 2 blocks? I can make it…nothing social, just food drinks and maybe a bottle of alcohol to make more cocktails…the punk girl must have some," she exited the alley and looked for the hollow, "okay…GO!"

5 minutes later the door of 'the wolf' opened and the red eyed girl burst inside, heavily breathing and panting, "fo…food…"

[Unicorn]

"Hey... I think I'll come here some other time. It sure feels familiar in here. Don't you agree Maddame? Guess we'll see each other again for a looong time. Anything you want to say?"

Alex turned back to stare suspiciously at the snoop, then smirked again. "Am sure we'll see ya again. Ya haven't really answered questions why ya here and who ya working for?"

The door crashed open again and a familiar voice was heard. Alex sighed. "Look what the dog dragged in."

[Final Boss]

Gabriel quickly looked to see Lana burst inside the cafe, "Well look who's back. Ya want food? How about a kiss instead?"

Gabriel was clearly clueless to the situation Lana was in and continued to joke with her, "Or how about that cuddling you promised, I've been looking forward to that."

Gabriel glanced at Arielle as she began to leave, "Aww leaving so soon? Sure ya don't want that second Ariel Sandwich for the trip home?"

[Shdo]

"A kiss? I almost puked earlier thanks to your ring, I don’t need to empty my stomach, hentai-san," she gave him an ear to ear smile, "as for the cuddling, you know you need to earn it."

"but I didn’t came here for a chitchat, YOU!" she pointed at Gabriel, "2 glasses of milk and 1 big sandwich, and YOU!" she pointed at Alex, "3 bottles of alcohol with high concentration of alcohol," she slammed her hand at the table, "payment," her hand shined in bluish color and when she lifted her hand there was a 100$ bill laying on the desk.

[Kolbertt]

"I think I've told you. I, work, for, my, self" Arielle gave an irritating emphasis to each word. Everything to be irritating as hell... This woman had proven to be a pain in the neck... and Arielle quickly thought of something to annoy the hell out of her.

The newest person in the bar was not really worth nothing. Arielle knew everything about her already and her "Infame" in their school... However, for a second or two, Arielle felt a strange power. Not exactly like the one she had felt earlier, but something strange indeed. At any other moment, this would have been interesting, but right now, Arielle had other things in mind.

"Oh, sorry about that! You know Gabe, this sandwhich is soo delicious... mind if I work in the kitchen as to learn how to do it myself?" Even though she spoke to Gabriel with sweetness, her eyes defiantly stared at Alex.

[Final Boss]

"Whoa whoa, calm down a lil' on the ordering. That's no way for a lady like yourself to ask for food and drinks."

Gabriel glanced at Alex, he knew she wouldn't take kindly to Lana bossing her around. He looked as Lana continued panting, "What some bums chase ya all over town or something?"

He listened as Arielle asked for a job at the cafe, he couldn't resist a the opportunity to see Arielle every day, "A job? Well we do need some employees to work here."

He thought for a brief moment, "How could I say no? You fit the job description for me, pretty name, female, and finally beautiful. Sure I'll hire ya, but its a double approval thing."

He looked towards Alex waiting for her answer.

[Shdo]

The roar of a hollow was heard in the distance, "persistent bastard…"

"Seriously, do you guys hate money or something? Who need chitchat when I have a hollow whose blood is mine?" Lana turned her gaze at the door, "and I am no lady," she turned back at Gabriel, her red eyes flamed, "I am a monster."

"So, am I going to get my milk and food or are you going to handle the hollow on your own?"

[Unicorn]

"We don't sell alcohol here." Alex tossed over her shoulder. "No *** license and that sorta *** stuff."

Then returned her stare to Arielle who had just asked for a job, and listened as Gabe offered her one.

Alex thought quickly. The girl was almost certainly a snoop. Having her in the cafe was marginally better than having to continually watch for her hanging around. She'll reveal her hand soon enough and then Alex could get her.

"Can't make a sandwich on your own huh? Makes sense." Alex paused to drink another gulp, then offered a toothy humourless grin.

"Since Gabe likes ya so much, ya on probation. If ya steal anything, its not gonna be pretty. Understood, missy?"

[Shdo]

"I don’t want to drink this crap, I hate alcohol, and I am buying that directly from you," Lana pulled a piece of cloth and a lighter from her bag , "I don’t buy liquor from you, I buy ammunition…" she gave Alex a big smile, "besides, me and the law arent good friends anyway..."

Another roar was heard, this time closer, "Why do those idiots roar all the time? Egocentric bastards…"

[Unicorn]

Alex tilted her head slightly and listened.

"Ya wanna throw *** good alcohol at a Hollow?! Mad."

She shoved the chair away from the table and got up.

"Oi Gabe? I'll do clean-up. Ya deal with tha' gals, yea?"

Alex stalked out of the cafe, then tracked the hollow with her mental eye. There She ran after it.

[Final Boss]

Gabriel listened as the hollow roared, "Psh I don't think we would need your help with something as weak as that."

He hoped Alex would go out and take care of it, leaving him with three women. As he had hoped Alex left to take care of the hollow, "Sooo, I think we should all huddle close together in case the hollow manages to get here. We can hide together in that corner over there."

Gabriel knew the hollow wouldn't get past Alex but it seemed like a good excuse to get the girls to play along with him.

[Shdo]

Alex dashed to take the hollow out, she really loves her alcohol, "I wanted to kill it…"

"Hey, Gabriel, come here for a second…" Lana gestured to Gabriel to approach her, "closer..."

She whispered to his ear, "Tell me, did you hit on those two girls as well? Please don’t tell me that you allowed them to see you hit on the other one…" she could see the truth in his eyes. "Does this method of yours ever work?"

[Final Boss]

Before walking over to Lana Gabriel shuffled through his pockets and made sure nothing valuable was in his possession. He walked over to Lana and put his head closer as he listened to her whisper. He quickly pulled his head back, "Of course! Love is an emotion that cannot be contained! I share it with every lady that I see."

He lightly grabbed her by the arms and pulled her closer to the other girls, "Now we gotta hide in that corner, that hollow can come bursting in at any minute now and I gotta protect you lovely ladies."

He began to herd all three girls towards a corner in the back of the cafe, "Hurry we can hide near the jukebox."

[Kolbertt]

Arielle was rather shocked. She had expected Alex to throw a tantrum or have an angry runt. Instead, it looked like she had gotten herself a job...

It was a familiar roar what brought her back to reality. When she realized what was going on, Alex had already dissapeared, and Gabriel was already flirting with another girl - At the very least, I can hide behind the sexual harrasment law now :facepalm

"Say, Gabriel... I'd love to stay here and cuddle and everything, but there are some rather private matters I need to attend. See ya later!"

Having said that, Arielle immediatly left and headed for the source of the roar. Of course, Arielle didn't exactly know what a Hollow was, nor did she know that the people in the cafe were hiding exactly against the thing she was heading to face.

[Unicorn]

The hollow was a large one but its strength indicated it was a low-level. Alex frowned with disappointment. She had hoped for more of a workout.

"Oi You *** piece of *** *** faced ***!!!" She yelled, letting a white crossbow blaze into life. The hollow turned its attention to her.

"Thats right c'mon you *** *** ***. Free food, huh? I'll even say '**** help help' for ya."

Alex waited until the hollow was within lunging distance of her, then raised her crossbow and shot it point-blank.

[Shdo]

"You are hopeless…romantic as a tentacle monster," she slapped her face with her palm and nodded as she broke free from the tentacles that Gabriel called 'hands', "mind if I go and take a shower in your room? I am all dirty from running and getting buckets of cold water on my head…in the mean time, can you make the sandwich and milk? Pwety pwese?"

Gabriel had a look like he was afraid that all his earthly possession will be lost to him, "relax, it's not like you got anything valuable…by my standards that is…besides your talents that is."

[Final Boss]

"I'm afraid I can't let you go in the shower by yourself, a hollow could be lurking around waiting for you. I'll have to join you, I'll even help bathe you."

Gabriel began pushing Lana towards the bathroom, smiling, "Come on lets go."

[Mystic Serenade]

After another hard day's work of teaching, Mani had decided he would take the rest of this day off. Unfortunately it looks like his other "job" had other ideas. Sensing a hollow and also several sources of spiritually aware human beings nearby, he figured he'd at least go check out the scene. Once there he saw that what looked to be a quincy already decided to make quick work of the beast.

Interesting...

[Shdo]

" You don’t need to push me, I just want a shower, if you insist on joining in there are two things you must know," she marked two with her fingers, "one, you won't get anything, beside visual satisfaction, your sleazy behavior convinced me that you will be a bad mate, sniffing on every girl you see…I wonder how Alex lives with you…secondly, the little girl seems to be under aged, go for her and you will end up in prison…the other girl is legal but if you will follow me into the bath you will ruin any chance you might have with her for a zero chance with me…"


"I suggest you go and make my dinner, chat with that girl alone, propose to her…you know, the usual…and if the meal will be good, ill treat you in the future," with this she shoved Gabriel out of his bathroom and closed the door.


((Need to go to sleep; otherwise I would have continued this slapstick comedy a little longer))

[Kolbertt]

Instead of jumping into action, Arielle decided to look at the scene... The monster she had heard was now being attacked by no other than Alex... In a flash, she remembered the strange energy she felt from Gabriel when they first meet...

"It looks I've gotten myself in a bloody hell... Don't you think Lero?"

In the flash of the night, Arielle saw a figure in the distance. Someone who looked eerily familiar and unpleasant to her eyes---

[Final Boss]

"Like I said if you're going into the shower I have to accompany you. There's rumors that a snake hollow lives in the plumbing of this cafe and I can't leave you vulnerable to an ambush!"

He continued yelling, hoping that Lana could hear him through the door, "I'm warning you! It's 70 feet long and devours pretty girls like you like bite sized snacks!"

"Oi! You don't have a towel in there! Not to mention no clean clothes to change into!"

He heard no reply so he began to push open the door, it wouldn't budge. He moved back and charged the door, shoulder first, it flew back sending Gabriel flying into the bathroom. He mumbled, before looking up, "Guess we gotta get that door fixed."

[OOC: The bathroom is not in Gabriel's room, it is a separate room.]

[Mad_Scientist]

"Nope, I'm good for now, thanks though," Aoihanna replied in response to Gabriel's question. She was trying her best to maintain a polite attitude, and thought she was doing rather well, actually. She prompty started on her meal and found that it was indeed pretty good tasting. The tea was quite nice and refreshing as well.

The highschool age girl, who Aoihana noticed was clutching an umbrella, was apparently getting ready to leave the restaurant. From what Aoihanna could tell from the conversation between her and Alex, something had indeed being going on. It probably didn't really matter or have anything to do with Aoihana, though, so no sense spending too much time pondering the meaning of what had been said. As Aoihana continued eating, another girl, this one with long black hair and peculiar red eyes, burst into the cafe and demanded food... and then liquor? This girl looked a bit too young to be drinking though; she seemed to be bit older than the girl with the umbrella, but still in highschool.

It was around that time that Aoihanna felt a Hollow in the distance, and heard it's roar. Hollows weren't too unusual an occurance, though, and Aoihana didn't really feel like doing anything about it if she could avoid it. But then her ears perked up when the new arrival mentioned the Hollow. She didn't even call it a monster or something; she knew the world "Hollow". How did this girl know that? From the conversation that followed, it soon became clear that both Alex and Gabriel knew about Hollows as well, and also had the ability to defeat them. Could it be that after unsucessfully searching for months, Aoihana had suddenly ended up in the presence of multiple people with spiritual powers?

While Aoihana couldn't be certain, she thought that even the umbrella girl was aware of what the word Hollow meant. All of this couldn't be a mere coincidence; this was surely the work of Heaven. Aoihana had been rewarded for her patience, and brought to a gathering of spiritually aware humans.

Alex left, seemingly to take care of the Hollow, and Gabriel tried to herd those who remained into a corner. The umbrella girl departed soon though, and the red-eyed girl went into the bathroom after whispering with Gabriel a bit off to the side. They talked all the way to the bathroom, actually, and after the door was shut Gabriel started shouting something about Hollows eating people in the shower. He attempted to open the door, unsuccessfully,
and then he rammed into it and broke it down.


...


"That guy is scarier than I thought... I suppose I should probably say something. If I leave him alone, who knows what he'd do to that girl. But should I admit what I know about Hollows, or play dumb? Let's see how he reacts if I pretend to not know anything. That should distract him for a bit while he trys to come up with an explanation."

"Um, excuse me, Gabriel. You seem to be busy doing... something. But perhaps you could explain to me why you got me up from my seat and told me to go into the corner. What is a Hollow?"

(OOC: lol, gone for a few hours and there are a couple pages worth of posts already.)

[Unicorn]

The hollow disappeared in a cloud of dust. Alex let the crossbow disappear and swung around to go back to the cafe... only to see the new employee watching her.

"Seen enough, missy?" Alex called, striding towards the girl. "Or ya need more snoopin'?"

Alex grinned toothily. "Interview, part 2. The Wolf throws out *** troublesome customers. Can ya?"

She reached Arielle and leaned in really close. "I'm in the cafe, makin' trouble and wanting to steal money. No weapons. Just a street punk. Watcha gonna do?"

[Shdo]

Gabriel busted into the bathroom, clearly the guy wants to go to prison for molestation.
"Enjoying the view?" she was with her back to him, scars were clearly seen across it, telling a chilling story of torture by mobsters and pedophiles, the ones she mentioned earlier.

"you see, Gabriel-kun, I am damaged goods, so stop wasting our time, go to that girl outside, she just asked what are hollows… go and spread that sticky feeling you call 'love' somewhere else."

[Final Boss]

"Heh I've seen scars like that, Alex has 'em. Nice body though, mind turning around for a second?"

He quickly ran out of the room, dusting off his pants and shirt, and looked back towards Aoihana, "Whats a Hollow? Well a little lady such as yourself shouldn't trouble yourself with that kind of knowledge."

He scratched his head and sighed, "But if ya really want to know, a Hollow is a creepy monster of destruction that eats pretty girls when they're not looking."

He stood outside the bathroom and yelled one last thing to Lana, "Oh and Lana, don't be afraid of that hollow in the plumbing. I'll know if it comes out, I have eyes all over this cafe."

He began to walk towards Aoihana, "So anything else the cutie would like to know?"

[Shdo]

"you are more scary then any hollow..." as Gabriel left the room, Lana turned and barricaded the door.

She proceeded to take a bath, wondering if he even remember about her meal.

[Kolbertt]

"It depends. If you are around, I honestly doubt someone will dare enter our Cafe. Not even to steal or buy something."

By this moment, Arielle had already created her trademark Puddle under her feet. She had seen those kind of arrows before. "Shiro-Chan", as she called him, a man in white throwing light arrows that had broken Lero once. Ever since, she had gotten better, stronger, smarter... But what Arielle feared the most was the possibility of Alex taking out a normal gun and silence her right there.

"But in case we don't have you around to scare people away..." Arielle pointed her umbrella at Alex, the puddle streamed and tackled Alex at the same time Arielle used the recoil to gain some distance.

"I'll personally kick them out myself"

[Mad_Scientist]

Aoihana couldn't believe it. The guy wasn't even bothering to try and come up with a reasonable explanation for what had been going on. Any person who didn't already know about Hollows would certainly think him insane right about now. Actually, Aoihana kind of thought that herself, and she did know about Hollows. It seemed acting like she was ignorant would probably just get her a bunch of absurd answers, though, so she decided to end the act.

"There are quite a few things I wan't to know, actually. For starters, why did you give such an inaccurate description of Hollows? They don't just go for pretty girls. Male or female, young or old, pretty or ugly... while there might occasionally be a Hollow with a preference for one type or the other, they usually just go after the dead, or those with strong spiritual energy."

Aoihana paused slightly here, giving what she said some time to sink in. She went on, saying, "Also, why were you so careless? I can understand why the girl didn't show much caution throwing around words like Hollow; it seemed that she had been chased by one just a moment before entering here, so she was in kind of a rush and a bit scared. But it is odd that you and Alex didn't try to hide things better. And I can't believe you actually told me to go hide in the corner, without coming up with any explanation for what was going on. What if I truly had been ignorant about Hollows?"

"But I suppose what I'd like to know most is how you know about Hollows, and how you can fight them."

[Final Boss]

Gabriel listened as Aoihana talked about Hollows, "Hmm she has some knowledge of Hollows huh?" he thought.

He decided to act like he had no idea what she was talking about, "Wait hollows attack guys?!"

He put on a shocked face, "I can't believe it, I guess I should run along and hide somewhere then. I always thought Hollows were made up, evil creatures invented to scare bad children."

He heard Aoihana's last remark and dropped his shocked face, "What makes you think I would fight these hollows or whatever."

[Mad_Scientist]

Now he was pretending to act ignorant? His sudden supposed lack of knowledge was ridiculous, but somehow, he managed to act like a fairly convincing fool. At least for a little but, till he asked why Aoihana would think him someone who would fight Hollows. His sudden shift in expression and tone of voice showed that he actually could be serious if he wanted to.

Aoihana responded to his question, saying, "What, are you saying that all your talk about protecting us from Hollows was just a pack of lies? That's not very honorable of you, pretending to be able to protect someone when you can't. Of course, when the girl who ordered the alcohol asked whether you guys could handle the Hollow on your own, and you didn't seem too shocked by that question. You sure didn't seem to be treating the Hollow like just a children's tale either."

[Final Boss]

"Hmmm I guess I should stop playing games with you."

He walked over to an empty table and slouched into a chair, "So I know about Hollows big deal, it seems like you know about them yourself."

He motioned for her to take a seat at the table, "As for how I fight them? It's a secret. I can only assume that you also fight Hollows, I'll let you in on my secret if you let me in on yours."

[Mad_Scientist]

Aoihana hesitated. She highly doubted this man would turn out to be a suitable follower or real ally, so she didn't want to reveal too much to him. But simply revealing the basic nature of her powers couldn't hurt too much, could it? And she needed to learn everything she could about spiritual powers, and the various tools and abilities that were related to them, and it was unreasonable to expect people to tell her everything she wanted to know without herself giving some info in return.

So she walked over to table Gabriel was at, and sat down across from him. "Just because I know about and can see Hollows doesn't mean I can fight them. I haven't given any indication of such an ability yet. But even so... your assumption is not incorrect." After saying this, Aoihana unfastened a small bracelet made of silver links, that she had been wearing on her right wrist. Holding out the silver chain, she focused a small amount of her reiatsu and caused the chain to increase in size slightly. She made it move about in a snake-like fashion a bit, and then lightly struck the edge of the table with it.

"Of course, when I fight Hollows, I make the chain much larger, and it strikes with a bit more force. As far as I know my power is fairly unique, unlike anything possessed by another human. Then again, the only humans with spiritual powers that I know about, aside from myself, are the Quincies, so I don't really know how many other clans and groups might exist."

Aoihana returned her bracelet to normal and refastened it on her wrist. Sitting back in her chair slightly, she looked at Gabriel expectantly. "So, your turn now."

[Final Boss]

So the girl fights with a chain weapon, interesting.

"So you whip 'em with that chain weapon huh? I guess I'll show you my weapon now."

He pulled Dawn from it's holster gently tossing it onto the table, "That's my weapon. I shoot compressed bullets of deadly love at Hollows."

He smiled slightly, "All jokes aside, I compress spirit particles and my own reiatsu into bullets and shoot them from this gun."

[Mad_Scientist]

Aoihana was definitely paying attention now. She wanted to shout out loud and rejoice, but contained herself. Putting on a look of mild curiosity, she said, "Interesting. That's a bit different from my ability. You see, my weapon is something of an accidental discovery. I learned when I was fairly young that I had the ability to manipulate certain metals, such as silver, though only to a mild extent. It just turned out that the longer a particular piece of metal was in close contact with me, the easier it was to control. Since this bracelet is something I have worn since I was very young, it was near me a lot, and it proved to be my best weapon. But it wasn't something I purposely planned or intended, or anything.

But your gun... seems different. That isn't some normal gun that you just happened to discover you could use to fire reiastu bullets. No, it looks like it was built with that purpose from the beginning. I wouldn't have guessed you would be a scientist type, making tools that use spiritual power."

Aoihana hoped she didn't come off as too nosy with this questioning. But she couldn't help herself. As smart as she was at some things, she had little or no ability when it came to making spiritual tools, and those things would be essential to her in the future. If this guy knew how to make them...

[Final Boss]

"Well I did make Dawn for the specific purpose of harnessing my powers, so I guess I am sorta like a scientis