Moments of Epsilon

[Fanfic Fetishist]

Myriad nodded. "Sure, let's go," she said, finishing off the mouthful of food she was eating and getting up to leave with Mary.

Bhaltair shrugged. "There's not that much t'tell, really," he said. "Callie here and I grew up together, so we've been good friends ever since."

The Tavernmaid rolled her eyes. "You need to stop downplaying yourself, Bhaltair," she said, a Scottish brogue starting to come through her voice. "What he doesn't mention is the problems he had as a kid. Our town had a Purification Society faction in it, and because his mother was a DemiWar, he got harassed constantly by them."

Bhaltair snorted. "Och, them," he said. "Stains on the race, they are. Cannae accept change so they beat it up."

Callie smiled wickedly. "I'm the one who taught him how to beat them up right back," she said. "No one fucks with me lads except me."

Bhaltair grinned. "I noticed, lassie, that the more ye trained me the more ye seemed interested in me," he said, idly flexing one of his muscular arms.

Callie snorted, expertly keeping up the conversation while she helped customers, a testament to her skill as a bartender. "Don't look into it too much," she said. "Every Pokegirl appreciates a hot stud. Especially one who can wield a sword as big as yours WITHOUT it being overcompensation."

Bhaltair just cackled. "Anyway," he said. "Once I was old enough, I enlisted. I did a couple tours of duty, ended up in training te be a monster hunter. Been doin' that with me gels ever since, and haven't regretted it once."

[Creator_Drake]

Drake had paused his chewing noticeably when the Purification Society was mentioned but quickly resumed eating quitely while shaking his head. When it was mentioned that the jolly Scotsman's mother was a DemiWar the offworlder's head spun so fast one would think he was under a haste spell. His face was full of calm surprise, eyes wide and blinking. He swallowed what bits of wing he had as he continued listening, a small smile on his face as he nodded here and there, waiting until they were done.

"A DemiWar? I knew there was something about you that set you apart from the other tamers here, aside from your stature and positively sunny disposition. I never expected for your lineage to descend from War Prime herself. It would be an understatement to say both she and your mother are proud of your choice to be a monster hunter, yes?" Wiping his hands on a napkin Drake took another drink of water noticing it was near empty.

He quickly turned to the Tavernmaid who he now knew was called Callie. "Excuse me my dear, would it be at all possible to have a refill of water? When y7ou have a moment free of course."

==* Meanwhile *==

Leading Myriad into the bathroom Mary double checked to see if anyone was there; the bathroom was empty. Breathing a silent sigh of relief Mary turned to the sink and began to wash her hands while looking at the Legion's reflection in the mirror.

"Master would like to know what's wrong. Both you and Natsume didn't look that comfortable when that man sat beside Master, he could feel it from you."

[Fanfic Fetishist]

Bhaltair rolled his eyes and laughed.

Callie smirked and rolled her eyes, refilling his drink. "Careful how much you praise him. He's got a big enough head as it is?"

"Ye dinnae seem te mind when it's poundin' that tamin' hole of yuirs, lassie!" Bhaltair teased.

"Wrong head, doofus," she teased right back, upending the rest of the water pitcher over his head.

"GAH! COLD!" Bhaltair yelped, not losing his smile despite that. He shook off the cold and cackled. "As for yuir question, aye, they are proud. Grams herself even forged me sword, Garland. The Titan Monsters are a ruddy stain that won't go away, someone has te keep them in line. I have the Warbound blood trait, so this sorta thing is the only thing I'm really suited for. Makes me a little on the 'excitable' side, it does. But I put it te good work, doin' good work. Just like all Hunters." He chuckled, and stood on his barstool.

"BEHOLD THE WILD HUNT!" Bhaltair bellowed.

"LET TITAN SPAWN TREMBLE!" several patrons, human and Pokegirl, all replied.

"When the beasts that burst forth from the loins of the Seven Devils threaten those tha' done them no harm, who will stand and face them?" Bhaltair continued.

"HUNTERS! HUNTERS!" the crowd of humans and Pokegirls chanted back.

"When those whose actions make them monsters take te the streets and seas, who's there to push them back!?" Bhaltair almost crowed.

"HUNTERS! HUNTERS!" the crowd chanted, their good cheer and excitement infectious.

"THEN LET YUIR WAR CRY RING FORTH!" Bhaltair finished, pumping his fist.

"AHROO! AHROO!" the crowd chanted, the atmosphere getting even more excited. Bhaltair laughed, and started to get up on the bar to lead the chants further, but Callie gestured to another bartender, this one a ghostly woman with an aura of cold around her. Callie poured beer on the bar as Bhaltair stepped on it, the ghostly Pokegirl pressing her hand to the beer and freezing it instantly.

Bhaltair stumbled on the frozen beer and fell off the bar, landing flat on his face. His kilt upended, revealing thankfully that he was wearing shorts underneath it. The crowd laughed, the intense atmosphere broken. Bhaltair pouted, still not losing his smile. Nothing seemed to faze him.

"That was'nae very nice, lassie," Bhaltair said matter-of-factly.

"Neither am I," Callie said, thanking the Yuki-Onna bartender that helped her and cleaning up the frozen beer.

Natsume just shook her head, staring warily at Bhaltair. She scratched at her belly, Elohim's seal flashing briefly.

==* Meanwhile *==

Myriad huffed, looking away. "It's nothing, really, I just..." She shook her head. "Dunno if you know this, you're the youngest DemiElohim I've seen, but... Spirit types can just sense things about people sometimes. And what me and I guess Natsume got from the guy was..."

She looked into the mirror, trying to define the feeling that made her uncomfortable. "Violence. He feels like pure, unadulterated violence..."

[Creator_Drake]

Taking little pause Drake finished another wing as he watched everything unfold. He knew that organizations like this were important in realms that needed such, but it was always a refreshing eye-opener to see how much the people themselves took to it.

'It's so different from Prime. Despite the largely increased danger this might actually be better for the people.'

'Such things are always subjective as you already know.'

'True enough Kuro, true enough.' He chuckled as the other patrons laughed. He did raise a brow at the war cry, recognizing it easily from a time far more ancient for civilization. When the Yuki-Onna froze the bar top he lifted his plate without missing a step, giving the woman a quick wink when their eyes met. Odds were she already had a partner and that was fine, he wasn't looking to add any more until he was able to get a nice long look at the profiles so he could plan out the final 3 for his team.

Raising a brow Drake brought up a topic that had interested him.

"A swordsman? How long have you trained for Bhaltair my friend?" He made sure to keep both ears open as he oversaw the conversation in the bathroom...

==* Speaking of *==

Mary paused at the Legions admission, blinking as she caught the girls gaze through the mirror. Nibbling on her lower lip she finished washing her hands before proceeding to dry them.

"I will admit that I'm the youngest of my sisters, although I did know about Spirit types being able to tell things about people if they were strong enough. As for that ma- oh...the Warbound trait, that would explain it. Also of note is the fact that this man is one of War's descendants, a grandson to be precise."

[Fanfic Fetishist]

================
The bathroom...
================

"Oh great..." Myriad muttered. "I've never gotten along with War or any of her descendents." She shook her head. "That does explain why I get the feeling he's always looking for a battle."

================
The bar...
================

Bhaltair chuckled. "Och, since I was a wee bairne, really. Always been a scrapper. Me mum gave me first weapon, one of those Rising Sun League practice swords, when I was eight." He stretched, picking himself up, looking none the worse for wear for his tumble.

"Since then, I've been constantly upgrading until I discovered greatswords, settling on me Garland. I've been using her ever since," he said, chuckling.

[Creator_Drake]

Mary smiled. "I don't think you'll have to worry too much. I've met Lady War before when I visited her battle arena and she didn't seem all that bad. Besides you do remember what Lady Pestilence said the other day, that she should get along well with Master? So you should be fine in that regard. As for that man always looking for a battle, Master will be fine." As if to punctuate her words the feeling of reassurance came through the bond for Myriad, blanketing her to ease the Legions worry.

"Now I think we should head back, don't want people to think anything suspicious." A giggle came forth as she finished drying her hands, before tossing the used paper towel in the trash. Sure looking through some of his memories when they popped up did relieve some of her worry, but it didn't remove it completely. Remembering something she gave Myriad a quick glance, speaking in more of a whisper-like tone.

"Also, Master's background has his father as a shrewd man who took a Dark Knight as his Alpha and a Valkyrie as his Beta. The Dark Knight is Master's mother." She knew her team-sister would catch the hidden meaning.

==========

Drake put down another finished wing, nodding at the Scotsman's words. "That would make sense. The age of 8 is a good point to start, my aunt did the same for me at that age. More so to help me survive my mother's idea of training." He shivered then, prompting Niri to place a comforting hand on his shoulder. Taking a calming breath Drake gave his Alpha a nod in thanks before turning back to his meal, muttering to himself.

"No one should have to wake up to a flying kick to the face every morning..." He shook his head before taking another bite.

[Fanfic Fetishist]

Myriad nodded, understanding. "Let's get back, then. I think our noses are powdered enough," she said. She smirked at Mary, and added, "Although I wouldn't mind if we actually did do something. I don't mind being molested by a mega-angel."

==================

Bhaltair chuckled, patting Drake on the back as he sat down again. "Yuir mum sounds like a grand fine lady. I'd love te meet her one day, if that's all right."

He cricked his neck. "Och, I need a little exercise. Good food and good drink is fine, but I think I may have been overindulging this time. I always do when the hunt goes well."

[Creator_Drake]

Mary blushed as her wings began to curl around her, making her look undoubtedly cute. She was about to speak when she paused, her mouth closing suddenly with a clack.

"Master says things might get interesting soon, and he doesn't want us to miss out on it. Perhaps later tonight we shall have our fun sister, when master has tamed Natsumi?"

===================

At the mention of meeting his mother Drake tensed briefly before looking at his plate, his mood suddenly a little more sullen. Niri kept her hand on his shoulder.

"Yeah, she was great despite her quirks." A rueful smile had grown. "Next time I visit my parents markers I'll mention you, no doubt she'd have liked you."

Shaking his head he hid much of his sullen mood but it could still be seen in his eyes. He turned to the Scotsman while quirking a brow.

"You wouldn't mind if I joined you in some exercise would you? Perhaps you might have some pointers for a beginning hunter?"

[Fanfic Fetishist]

Myriad grinned wickedly.

"Sounds like a dandy time," she said, preparing to leave with Mary.

====================

Bhaltair sensed his mood, but was polite enough not to ask about it. He instead grinned, and said, "Sure an' that would be a fine thing," he said. "If yuir up te it, we can get our girls together and have a scrap somewhere. A friendly little donnybrook, and afterwards, whomever wins, I buy us both drinks." He looked around the bar, and said, "Not here, though. Too much collateral. Maybe in the anger deserts a few circles down? Nice, open spaces there."

[Creator_Drake]

Giving the Legion a nod Mary left the washroom and soon the pair made it back to Drake and the others just in time for his reply.

"That sounds perfect. I've been meaning to see what the 5th circle was like, get some training in for my girls and such." Opening a wet-nap Drake cleaned his hands and chin of wing sauce as he turned. Catching sight of Mary and Myriad he gave them a nod before turning back to Bhaltair.

"Of course that'll be after everyone has eaten their fill. Unless this bar allows take-out as well?"

[Fanfic Fetishist]

The waitress smiled. "We do, although we don't mind you hanging around either," she said.

Bhaltair laughed. "I call them the anger deserts, but they're really in the seventh circle, past the Suicide Woods. The Burning Sands. As for the fight, take yuir time, laddie!" he said. "I'll gather me girls and meet you there."

Six patrons of the bar left. Nobody noticed.

Bhaltair grinned, and turned to the bar patrons. "Lads and lasses! Old Bhaltair's gonna have himself a scrap down in the sevnth circle! If yuir up te see a drunken Scot get slapped around, then come down there and wait for us!"

The bar patrons cheered, laughing and singing. The bagpiper took a break, heading back to her table to get a drink. Bhaltair cricked his neck. "I have te do a few things te get ready. I'll see ye there, laddie. Just follow the main path down and go through the Suicide Woods, and ye'll get there right quick."

"I know the way," Myriad said.

Bhaltair grinned, nodding. "Good lass," he said, heading out of the bar.

Myriad quirked an eyebrow as he left. "Interesting..." the Legion said softly. "The Wood of Suicides is deliberately creepy, designed to agitate. There's other ways, but he specifically mentioned the path through the woods."

[Creator_Drake]

Drake smiled as the Scotsman left, stretching his neck to get rid of some kinks.

"Indeed, it seems the friendly Scotsman knows his way around." He sent a smile towards the Legion, his eyes giving her the message that they would talk after they had left.

"Now you 2 had better eat before your food gets cold." Niri spoke before taking one last bite from her meal, only a few french fries were left. After giving his Alpha a nod Drake turned his green eyes to his as of yet 4th member of the team.

"So Natsume, yen for your thoughts?"

[Fanfic Fetishist]

Natsume was calmly sipping her meal as Myriad eagerly tucked into hers. The YBS frowned softly, scratching her belly where Elohim's Mark was.

"It's... nothing," she said. "Something about this feels off. Bhaltair is a good man, I can sense it, but I think he's up to something..." She shivered. "I just feel that something... fearsome is coming. Something that will hurt you directly."

[Creator_Drake]

Drake smiled as he took a calm drink of water from his glass.

"So you noticed as well?" He spoke with a nod. "It is good to listen to your instincts, learning to not be enveloped by them is much harder." Both Niri and Mary smiled at those words, Niri remembering her own lessons from the man while Mary caught glimpses of memory from her masters own trainings. Both remained silent as they ate.

It didn't take long for everyone to finish, the group leaving with smiles and a promise to return to eat there once more. Walking down the beaten path at a sedate pace Drake hummed in thought. They had yet to pass into even the 4th circle so they had time. Casting discreet glances around he found that they were alone on the path, his senses telling his so as well.

Turning to Myriad he dropped the accent.

"Myr, do you know of any paths that would let us go around the Suicide woods but rejoin the forest path before we reach our destination?" Niri gave him a raised brow while a look of understanding grew on Mary's face, his thoughts passing through the bond.

"You want to make sure we aren't effected by the woods but make it look like we passed through them unaffected." She blinked as he gave a nod.

"Yes that's exactly right. So Myr is there a path like that?"

[Fanfic Fetishist]

Myriad shook her head. "I love Lucifell but she made things way too linear at times. She doesn't let anyone go around the Suicide Woods," she said. The Legion shook her head, frowning. "Legendaries and their freakin' obsessions. The Woods are goddamn CREEPY."

Natsume fingered the hilt of her sword. "Perhaps there is a shorter way through, then?"

A thoughtful look crossed the Legion's face. "Possibly... But it involves going through the creepiest and most enchanted part of the Woods. I've only been there once." She shuddered. "It sucks. It shows you images of yourself dying. If I didn't know better, I'd say Lucifell didn't know that part of the woods existed..."

[Creator_Drake]

The man tapped his chin in thought.

"Hmm, if that's the case then couldn't the opposite be true as well? A different path that while it may take longer it is the least enchanted? And let me guess, those that can fly can't go directly over the woods?" Niri gave a snort while crossing her arms.

"With what we've seen so far I wouldn't be surprised babe; seems like it would be too easy for you to ball us all besides Mary and have her carry you over." Anyone can say what they will about a Leviathan's mental ability but Niri could prove many of them wrong. At her words however Drake stopped walking mid-step, a look of slight shock appeared as a twitch developed. Looking at his thoughts while they whirled Mary couldn't suppress a giggle at his expense. With a resounding slap Drake's hand met his face as he groaned softly.

"Geez, how could I forget to ball you girls?" The tips of his ears burned lightly as Niri barked out a laugh. He wasn't going to hear the end of that one he just knew it.

[Fanfic Fetishist]

Myriad thought for a moment, and decided to let it go. She shrugged "You can try flying, sure. But the weird effects of the Woods will still affect you," she said. "Balling all of us and just walking the straight path through should work, though, since it was brought up." The Legion stretched, clearly wanting to get going. "If the snippets of memory I got while helping to heal you from Typhonna's poison are anything to go by, Master, then Lucifell's creepy enchantments on the woods won't even bug you."

[Creator_Drake]

Pausing for a moment he gave a nod.

"...True. Might as well just ball everyone once we get there then just walk through." Walking once more the man grabbed an empty ball from a slot in his glove before tossing it towards Mary. It bounced harmlessly off her shoulder, opening as the Demi was soon turned into red light. IT rushed into the ball before it closed and dropped to the ground. The sound of the ball performing a successful capture rang out not soon after, the ball not even wiggling in the slightest.

Picking up the ball Drake let Mary back out, they were still a ways yet from the forest and he would rather have every one out during the walk. Putting Mary's ball back in its slot he plucked out 2 more while turning around. Performing the same action to Myriad and Natsume he waited until both balls had stopped moving to pick them up. Letting them back out Drake began walking down the path once more, Niri and Mary falling into step on either side as he placed the now in-use pokeballs back in his Tamer Glove.

Feeling like it was a good time as any Drake pulled up the holo display of the dex and started to look through the profiles, starting with the girls entries and Primes before reading anything else...

(you can make a general summary of anything that happens, if any. Or pull up a shot of our Scotsman friend to see what he's up to ^^)

[Fanfic Fetishist]

Time passed, with nothing of note happening other than casual debauchery common amongst Tamers and their partners. At one point, a Shadowshaper Pokegirl wearing a Colonel's bird on her uniform came in and yelled at several of the patrons, dragging them out with shadowy tendrils while the rest of the patrons cheered.

Once the group was ready to set out, the trek through the Suicide Woods would be a simple one.

The woods themselves were... depressing. Images cast in wood of people killing themselves were shown in horrific relief, each carving a part of one of the grim trees that filled the forests of Lucifell's Pit. Lucifell's utter distaste for suicide could be easily felt. In several places, indigo suicide fruits grew, each one exerting a powerful influence on those nearby, although Drake would be strong enough to resist.

As they passed, a sad-looking young woman ate one, and promptly fell over into a death-like state.

About a minute later, she got up again, a horrified look on her face. She pulled a note out of her pocket and violently tore it up, yelled 'FUCK THIS!' and skipped away, her previously low will to live vastly increased to those able to sense such things.

Finally, the arrival into the Violence Desert. Flaming meteors tore through the sky, clearly illusions, while a fake sun beat down with incredible intensity, capable of bothering anyone who isn't a Fire element. The sweltering heat pounds down, but they're at the place of battle, just a few minutes walk away from where a crowd has gathered, the obvious site of the battle to come.

[Creator_Drake]

Drake was glad he had balled the girls before trekking through the woods. He felt the influence and allure of the suicide fruit, and the dreadful atmosphere would beat down on anyone's day. Mary would have had a bit more protection from these effects thanks to the Recognition bond but he wasn't sure how far it would go. The others he knew, especially Natsume, would be more susceptible compared. Although that did bring up the thought of whether pokeballs could shield them or not. He shrugged when it came up; he'd know when he let them out.

Seeing the effects of the suicide fruit first hand was a novel experience, and the girl's reaction afterwords brought a smile to his face as he walked on. He never did like suicide. It just never sat right with him, especially when he helped those poor souls pass on when he was allowed to. That brought up another question, one which he'd save for Death when he visited her realm. Would he be allowed to help a soul pass on to the afterlife? He'd been denied before, and he understood the reasons why. It was a general rule that each reality would have its own method of dealing with death, and did not respond well to outsiders encroaching on that territory.

He put the thoughts from his mind for now as he entered the realm of intense heat. Drake would complement Lucifel when he next saw her as sweat began to pour down his face, she did a damn good job on this one! Reminded him of when he passed through these deserts with Dante as he searched for Beatrice that one time. Shaking his head as Kurogame appeared discreetly at his left hip, his eyes glowed a soft emerald as his body adapted to the heat. He took a deep breath as his sweat glands took a break, stretching his hands above his head.

Shaking out his arms Drake then grabbed the occupied pokeballs and let the girls out one by one. Immediately both Mary and Niri began to sweat; the latter more than the former. He reached into his jacket as Niri began to fan her face.

"God damn, I know this is supposed to be a desert and all but still." She shook her head before smiling in thanks as Drake passed her a large water bottle. Mary did the same when he passed one to her as well. As they began walking Drake discreetly reached inside his jacket again, made what could be taken as a turning motion on top of his chest then placed his hands in his pockets.

Both Myriad and Natsume would feel something different as the energy they could feel from Drake seemed to diminish greatly, to the point where it felt like he were an ordinary human...