"Tiengue, is it? My friend you are in South America, how did you get here? And I don't mean running to this farm, how did you get from China to here, South America? Are you being hurt by your employers?" Max asked holding his hands out so that he could see them. Max marvelled at the creatures cultural context clues or the anomoly of the lack there of. It was almost as if this creature had been held hostage in captivity or enslaved...hmmm.

He has no idea where he is. Does he know anything?

Xuan assessed Tiengue's demeanor and judged that he may still feel threatened. As big as he was, he was still surrounded by 4 individuals, one of which at least had power. If it were Xuan in that position, he would be on edge as well. And who knew what kind of treatment he was used to? Casually, Xuan took seat cross-legged on the earth and cast a glance back at his companions that implored them to take a more passive stance.

"Cool Hand, do you think you can find some food for our new friend? It is likely that he is very hungry." He turned his attention back to the recently released. "As much as you can carry, I think."

"My friend speaks true," Xuan admitted to Tiengue. He saw no point in lying at this stage. "We are in South America, just North of the equator on the North Atlantic side. Can you remember anything about where you came from and how you got here?"

As Xuan looked back Aeviternus gave a quick nod, indicating he understood the lead to follow and went to the ground himself gently, sitting on his feet and retaining his curious posture.  Realizing he was counting on those behind him to take the cue, he stifled his tempation to look back upon them to confirm their understanding and instead focused his attention on the large creature's movements.  If this went awry, there was space between he and his partner that needed to be covered quickly whether by the chain of his weapon or whatever he could summon as quickly.

Aeviternus was banking on kindness prevailing.

    "I think it best if...,"Max began as Orlando elbowed him.

    "I'll give you a hand,"Orlando said wide eyed looking into Maxes eyes. He pushed Max around and pushed him out of the barn. You couldn't be sure if Max understood, sometimes he seemed a bit dense in social interaction.



     The three were alone...

      Hmmph, Tiengue exhaled long and slow. It seemed that his new captures were not going to let him leave, and yet they had unchained him. What did they want, Tiengue felt sorry for them in a way. He had tried to warn them to run, but they were stupid. Their fate was doomed, but they did have much power. They might have a chance, if they understood more. It seemed as if they wanted information.
      Tiengue  decided to try and speed this up. Tiengue spoke slow and deliberately. He had to use his limited vocabulary to find meaning to his thoughts. " You in danger, Demons come to kill family, kill land. Me slave to Demon clan," he showed his tattoos which to the laymen wouldn't mean squat, but to two individuals that had been enlightened to the ways of the world it meant he was property to one of the most dangerous Chinese Mafia groups, one of the most dangerous syndicated entities in the world, The Demon Clan.
     "Master make me hunt for new bad people," Tiengue pointed in the distance, his direction gave Avitenus a chill. He was pointing in the direction of his spirit walk, the direction he now felt pulled towards. "Bad people Demon clan," and Tiengue  wiped his face where the mask had been. "Bad people are want he," Tiengue pointed at Aviternus, "Masters want you," he pointed at Xuan. "Make deal with Masters."
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:08, Mon 27 Feb 2017.

Having been a chased man for centuries, Aeviternus was no stranger to being a target and he almost chuckled out loud at the idea of being traded.  However a pang of realization shuddered through him, stiffening his spine as he considered this group and their abilities... if they really wanted to incapacitate him, they had a real chance.

Being traded didn't seem appealing.  Being used as bait was at least considerable.

Might as well see how much the clan talks in front of their slaves.  "What exactly do they want me for?"

In reply to Aeviternus (msg # 39):

     " Aviternus is the Anti-Christ, and must be prepared for the reckoning, "Tiengue spoke in an other worldly tone. It was spoken by wrote. This was a phrase that he must have heard numerous times.

"'Anti-Christ' is a new one," Aeviternus remarked off-handedly.  He wasn't quite sure if this being was sent by the Demon Clan, or if his masters were some other group and it was the Clan that he was after.  The basic speech was hard to follow at times.

His tone changed slightly like a parent speaking in front of the children.  To Xuan he said, "I just returned from where he's indicating.  Whatever is out there is what's killing the land, I came back to discuss with you."

Picking his tone up once more he finished with, "Is the Demon Clan out there?" He pointed in the same direction as had already been indicated.

In reply to Aeviternus (msg # 41):

"Both Demon clan, [from where I'm indicating]," as Tiengue again pointed out to the south, which was the direction of the deep jungle. He tried to pick up Aviternus's inflection.

The more Tiengue spoke, the more Xuan's mood darkened. In a small way, he was glad Aeviternus could keep him talking. Xuan was busy trying to process the information and understand what to do with it. The information alone set him on edge, and he trusted the big man as much as he trusted a feral cat.

Xuan cast his eyes to the South, following Tiengue's finger. Stiffening, he almost expected the Demon Clan to be standing there at the edge of the jungle. The contents in the pit of his stomach turned sour, begging to come back up as he tried to peel back the layers of the jungle with his eyes, imaging grotesque faces and forms hungrily stalking their prey – the family. Xuan and Aeviternus were just their chattel, or maybe a prize or trophy, for which the demons would be delighted to slaughter for. And Aeviternus being the Anti-Christ? That was disconcerting, coming from them.

They had not attacked in full yet, however. Why? Did their confidence ebb after Teingue's defeat? Was his attack a test or a ruse? An infiltration? His victimisation seemed genuine, but that could be programming. The Demon Clan were nothing if not completely despicable in their methods. It was their nature. It wasn't unheard of that someone might join the Demon Clan willingly, in search of power or just pure sick satisfaction. Even the unwilling could suffer an appropriate fear of retribution or maybe go through a sort of Stolkholm Syndrome, given enough time.

Xuan turned on Tiengue. "Would you go back?" It was harsher than intended. Gathering himself, he softened his tone. "If you go now, would you go back? Back to them?" He almost spat the word. Despite Xuan's attempt at a friendly demeanor, two things were palpable – his disgust for the Demon Clan, and that nothing short of honesty would be acceptable at this point. Xuan needed to know this first. Then he'd find out what he meant by "both".
This message was last edited by the player at 23:03, Fri 03 Mar 2017.

In reply to Xuan Tien John Wu (msg # 43):

     Tiengue looked down towards the dust and debri, clenching his fists and setting his jaw he looked back up at the Asian man. "Would you go back," he repeated with a slow and monotone inflection. He seemed to chew on the words, he knew what they meant, but he had never uterred the words before, nor did he feel comfortable explaining his thoughts. "Demon Clan own Tiengue, Demon Clan find Tiengue. [there is no escape]," Tiengue's last phrase was a constant reminder in his younger years, and still a constant thought embedded in his psyche. He would not go back on his own, but he would be forced to return no matter what.
     "Tiengue make escape, Demon Clan catch Tiengue,"he said in a deflated manner..."Tiengue make escape," he said more resolutely with his chin up looking in the Asian man's eyes. He pushed his chained hand towards Xuan pointing,"make escape."       

While Tiengue answered John's question, Aeviternus mulled over the prospect of not one but two Demon Clans to tangle with.  This being was sent from the Chinese installment; could they also be here to join or war with a South American faction?  Who was Aeviternus kidding; if there were two here, they were obviously teamming up.  It couldn't go any other way.

That complicates things.

"Do not fear this;" he spoke directly to Tiengue as his pupils and irises disappeared into pools of luminescent pearl energy.  "This is not to harm, it helps me see."

There were clues to reality that the spirit could reveal if one could view it directly.

Aviternus had visual contact with Tiengue, seeing his spirit was easy, decifering what he saw was another matter altogether. It seemed to Ace that he could see multiple forces working on Tiengue, his soul in the middle seemed pure, but layers of darkening outside influences seemed to be surrounding him, or his soul rather. It was almost as if his soul was in a state of torture while it was being syphoned.

Aeviternus spoke more to Xuan, but he felt it was important for Tiengue to hear.  His eyes stayed full of energy, his sight still on Tiengue's soul.

"At his core, he is pure.  There are multiple forces vying for control, acting upon the host spirit and insisting their will upon him.  He is strong indeed to have come this far after so much... effort... on their part to establish dominance."

There might be some merit in attempting to sever the connection locally, certainly their will would be ended with the death of whomever held the other end of the leash, but who knew what could happen between now and then or if that being were even on the continent.

"Possibly with Orlando's help and Tiengue's permission, I could rid him of their presence."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:59, Fri 10 Mar 2017.

In reply to Aeviternus (msg # 47):

Tiengue turned towards Aeviternus, apparently doing the same thing, trying to see if he was telling the truth"...can make happen...you?"He said with trepidation in his voice, the you seemed to be added after a brief moment of thought. This happened to be the most Tiengue had spoken in years...combined, and they spoke the Han dialect of royalty.

"Why do?...Why do to Tiengue, why help?" Tiengue garbled out.

"Our fight is against evil. Against Demons, and their like. No matter their hold, you are not evil Tiengue." Or at least Aeviternus doesn't think so. Besides, one less warrior for them could only be a good thing. Xuan had spoken before he realized that he might be stepping on Aeviternus' toes. Offering a look of apology to the ancient boy, he added, "And maybe I can be of some help. My people have had experience in this sort of thing, though I admit I have little. I have Chi, and Chi is life, both good and bad, both harm and heal. Perhaps the healing part can help to burn away their presence. Though to this situation, I defer to you both."

Xuan looked back over to Tiengue, not without sympathy. "The real trap is your connection to them." Xuan motioned toward the jungle where Tiengue first indicated the Demon Clans. "You can shed those chains. We are not your enemies, but with our help, even if they do find you again, it will be much more difficult for them to take you."

Xuan held Tiengue's gaze long enough to let him know he meant it. Then he turned to Ace and asked, "So, what can we do?"

Aeviternus rose slowly to his feet and moved next to Xuan, repositioning himself back onto the ground without losing focus on Tiengue.  It hadn't occurred to him that the Chi Xuan wielded could be used for such a purpose, though now that it had been brought up and he'd seen what he had of what the man could do with that energy, he was not surprised.

To Xuan he said; "Sooner is probably better if we're going to make this effort and if you can help, I believe we should try.  Though what exactly your part in it would be, I can't say, however I might know more once I'm on the spirit plane and, moreover, I trust your instincts implicitly."

Then Aeviternus helped to try answering Tiengue's question.  "I believe it helps everybody except for the Demon Clan to release you, Tiengue.  Even if you were not to join our effort afterwards, you would be free and we would not need to fight you again."  His face still itched where the burns had healed from being nearly melted off scant hours ago.

At least here's hoping, anyway.

"I don't know if it will cause you pain nor exactly what we'll do to set you free, but to not attempt is to guarantee failure.  Are you willing to let us try?"

     Tiengue's eyes averted Aeviternus's when he noticed the huge platter of food Orlando brought it.

     "...Did I hear someone say exorcism?"Orlando said with humor.

The next morning...Aftermath of the Exorcism

The group had decided to split up, Kirby and Max had decided to stay behind to look after Kirby's Jandi, and to provide back up if needed.

Orlando began working on a plan with Kirby's grandfather Edmund in figuring out how to get Earl and Malcolm back to earth descreetly.

Edmund's group, (the Bostonian and Elsie) also stayed to offer support for Elizabeth and to Mission: Falling Star, which within hours was the new code name for the moon rescue.

That left Ace and John to move forward with their primary mission: Discovery and acquire if possible the lost expedition team, one of which included Xuan's mother, the former team member of Orlando.

Aeviternus stood in the doorway to Elizabeth's room in the wee hours of the morning. There were other connections that Aeviternus was discreetly pieceing together. He couldn't help the slow creep of dread as intangible connections were made...


45 years ago...

    Wind and rain pelted the country side manor as Aeviternus walked around his hosts study extinguishing the candles. The room was more traditional save for the one electric light in the room which hung over the door. Mr. Grey held two glasses and flicked off the light as the two men ended up close to the hearth, which was the only light now in the room. Aeviternus was youthful, in his 30's but his eyes were hard, so hard, Miss Grey flinched away when his gaze fell on her too long. A beautiful woman sat nervous primly dressed, with wild black hair, staring at the fire, afraid to talk out of turn or so one would think.
     "My Lord," Mr. Grey started, "Elizabeth is ready." Aeviternus again studied the woman, she was beautiful, and talented, and of his direct lineage. She was to perform his next rite of passage with her coven of Analecti. Her father and his father before him had been staunch loyalist to the cause, one of Aeviternus's most trusted. Would she be willing to give up the greatest sacrafice if he demanded it?
    "I'm not worried about her readiness Willford, she has quite a few more years to prepare and improve. I'm here because of the bethrothal to Jon Kanhai. I've done some digging, he will be leaving England soon, and taking Elizabeth with him?" Aeviternus said taking the glass from his host.
    "My Lord, her station will improve and provide.."
    Aeviternus waved him off, "I'm not concerned about her leaving, its where she is going. You are sending her out of my influence, into unfamiliar denizens." he smelled the wine... aresenic laced, almond bouquette. Aeviternus set the glass on the mantle and again looked at Elizabeth as she watched him intently. He wondered if she was placidly waiting to be addressed or holding back a fury. She is calm, this is good he noted.
    "She will be taken care of, nor is she in any danger by this coupling."
    "How can you be so sure?" Aeviternus said taking Willford's untouched glass, swirling it around, a salty residue slid slightly as he turned the glass, anfalax. Aeviternus smiled slightly tossing the glass into the fire. Aeviternus proferred the orginal wine goblet to Elizabeth. She took the glass and smelled it in turn, with deft hands pulled something out of her sleeve and stirred it in with her finger, then handed it to her father. He drank the wine down in one gulp.
   "Because my Lord the Kanhai family has special talents, and from what I have been assured young Jon Kanhai is exceptionally gifted. As is my daughter." Willford Grey stated.

     At that moment Aeviternus had marked Elizabeth as he loved to do. The stronger he could make his geneology the better, yes she might be called upon to make the biggest sacrafice that one could make, her child would be one of the best hosts he could hope for.

Present Day...

     He kissed Elizabeth's still unconcious forehead, and looked at the old man now before him slumped in the chair asleep. Jon, Kirby's grandfather, watched over her, ever by her side. He couldn't help the morose feeling, your protection still wasn't enough young man.

Ace and Jon left that morning early, before even the ranch hands had stirred.

A dark hulking figure waited out in the darkness along the road. It seemed the creature Tiengue still had a part to play.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:17, Mon 26 June 2017.

In the dim light before the sun crested the hills of Rock View that bordered the Madhya, Aeviternus watched Xuan's and his own breath form in front of them in the crisp morning air.  Their exit had been all but silent; the decisions had been made the previous night and there was nothing left but for the journey to begin.  He already trusted Xuan nigh implicitly, though that might not come out in conversation for some time, if ever.  They seemed to already have an understanding and this morning's ritual as they left the homestead was indicative of it, sparing no words, packing what was necessary and ready to leave simultaneously.  There weren't a lot of farewells bid to the group either, each man not much for sentiment in his own right and for his own reasons.  There was the job to be done and the mysteries to be solved in their own time, and that was enough.

As they walked, Aeviternus noted that Xuan made about as much sound in doing so as himself, which was to say virtually none.  The occasional crunch of a fallen fern leaf under a foot was all that signaled their travels as they made their way into the forests.  Light on his feet, a warrior, a scholar... a thinker; careful in both words and actions but never to the point of inaction or delay.  So far.  The old soul couldn't help sizing up his unlikely partner, in this case it was more than habit, it was interest.  The man was intriguing.

The prospect of waking Elizabeth was weighing on Aeviternus.  Nobody else had recognized him and why should they?  His features were an amalgamation of dozens, if not hundreds, of bloodlines and Avery was only loosely related, a distant cousin in the family.  But there was a good chance she'd note his eyes.  There were expressions and habits he'd carried through the millennia and tended to show through even the most dynamic and diverse hosts.  Yes, she'd likely remember the eyes.  And what then?  She'd made her choices, he'd understood and moved on.  Would she accept that?  He felt no bad blood but the heirarchy always twisted relationships, caused doubt despite his attempts to assuage.  Maybe he just wasn't skilled in putting people at ease.

That's a first.

Quiet or offer something useful, boy.

....

Aeviternus looked at Xuan, wondering how pieces would move if he started to go through the many stories, the varied connections.  Would the warrior's loyalty to his team propel him to divulge a version of everything that was said at first opportunity?  Would and should that matter?  Maybe they deserved the truth.  Maybe humanity did.  Ready though they may or may not be.  He once again focused on the path ahead.

"How did you get involved with this team, turtle?"  Aeviternus suddenly couldn't remember if it was turtle or tortoise that could be considered offensive to call somebody in Chinese culture, or if it was one and the same.  Surely John would understand he meant it as both an understanding and a compliment.

Would he?

"Hopefully it's clear I do not refer to you that way in a derogatory manner."

The tranquility of the cool dawn and the purity of the mission ahead placed Xuan's mood in good stead. His adolescent years in the mountains had acclimatised his body to the cold, and now he preferred it. It was one of the reasons San Francisco made for an acceptable residence in all the choices within the US. That, and the proximity to the ocean. And if he was being honest with himself, the city held a number of wonders and interests to explore and enjoy. For the first time, Xuan thought he might actually be missing the place.

The mission was only pure in the sense that it was a singular task, of which Xuan's destiny seemed tied to. Perhaps the only distraction was looking after the mammoth figure that accompanied Aeviternus and him. Tiengue would still need a close eye, though Xuan suspected that it wouldn't be until they were closer to their objective that complications may arise.

Aeviternus, on the other hand, proved to be a welcome companion. Most people felt uncomfortable in silence, speaking only for the need to fill the space in hopes of making a situation less awkward or unpleasant. The Old Youth displayed no inclination, confidently moving forward, competent in his role and trusting others to do the same. This was a skill learned in small communities where life or prosperity depended on each individual knowing their part. Xuan wondered if Aeviternus experienced such a life at some point. It also meant that Xuan had proven himself to be competent, or trusted. Or maybe he was reading it all wrong and he was just having some very interesting internal dialogue.

Either way, Xuan was content with him as a travel companion, even if he still left many secrets beneath his numerous surfaces. Time may divulge them, he figured, and that was fine. Xuan himself rarely let people know where they stood with him, a habit inherited from his father. He did, however, find himself trusting Aeviternus. He'd earned that. There was still an oddity about him though. He seemed young, in appearance, but very rarely acted so. In fact, his eyes were reminiscent of an old master of Xuan's, carrying a calm wisdom and, frankly, an arrogance of one who knows better than you due to their prolonged exposure to life. Xuan found it comforting. And occasionally unnerving.

"How did you get involved with this team, turtle?"

Xuan's surprise betrayed his facade. He wasn't sure if it was the break in reticence or the query itself that took him off-guard, but placidity was recovered almost immediately. He'd almost forgotten that the Ancient Boy knew about Chinese culture. Was that the youthful aspect or the ancient? Aeviternus spoke again before he could formulate a response, and Xuan halted to examine him.

"There is no insult greater, but for the turtle egg. I'm afraid this means one to one combat, hand to hand."

Xuan's shoulders rolled and his left heal shifted. Slowly he raised his right hand up to his face, loosely curled. Then he brushed his nose twice with his thumb and waited.

     Tiengue choked slightly "turtle?!", he couldn't believe the subordinate would insult his master in such a way.
Ah yes, they will fight now, this was a blood thirsty lot who couldn't keep from fighting amongst each other. Maybe he hadn't perceived the tension between the two, but now it unfolded.  Maybe he had made a poor choice in coming.

YESS!!

He's kidding.

DamniiIIIIT!!

Was he?  Honestly Aeviternus didn't have much evidence to support that conclusion.  He'd caught the subtle reaction from Tiengue, a Chinese native himself or certainly acclimated to their customs.  HE was definitely serious.

Aeviternus stopped walking and turned mostly towards Xuan.

"Truly?  You realize, if you won, you'd either be besting a child or a very old man.  And if you didn't, you'd be losing to one or the other.  Is that good for your honor?"  If not for the shadow of the hood, a creeping smile would be visible.

"Though some should certainly be redeemed for the most deft aversion to a question in the history of hiking."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:04, Sat 01 July 2017.

"Yyyes."

I'm confused. Must recover.

"I mean, no. I...I'm-"

Shhhhh.

Xuan lowered his hand and blinked. He called my bluff. He knows I'm joking. Ah. I see what's happening now.

A rare smile split Xuan's face and he admitted defeat with a nod.

"I have been bested. This battle of wits goes to you. Thank you for teaching this slow turtle, Sifu. You are right. There is no glory to be gained in shaming an old man or a boy. Or an old boy."

Xuan observed Tiengue's discomfort and decided it best to move on before the beast had second thoughts about accompanying them. He shrugged as if to say that they had better keep moving, then resumed pace.

"Too many times you hear an old man suggest what he could do if he were younger. The wisdom and knowledge of the ancient in the virility and potential of a youthful body... now, that is as formidable an opponent as any. So is that good for my honor?" An appraising glance was thrown at Aeviternus. "I'm not entirely sure I am ready to find out. As to how I was recruited to this cause, it feels so long ago I almost don't remember. I believe it started with my desire to find my mother. Though, I suppose that also means discovering who I am as well. She is my Western half, though I barely know her, having been raised by my father in China. So I moved to San Francisco and began my search. My father helped me to get in contact with Orlando, and... I have been part of this clan since."

Aeviternus resumed pace as Xuan did and when the question came about honor following the incredibly astute observation about the old soul's exact modus operandi, he turned his face to return a genuine smile to Xuan's appraising glance.  He listened as his initial question was answered and took a moment to absorb the information.  He had questions, as always, but first reciprocity.

"You discredit yourself.  There is nothing slow about you.  As anxious as Avery might be to test our skills against you, this old man is keenly aware that the young body is not ready and without the use of anything other than physique, I believe you to have the best of it."

Aeviternus went back to the origins story.  Xuan's connection to the group seemed to be based mostly in convenience, and with the warrior's abilities it was truly a mutually beneficial exchange.  There were still many missing puzzle pieces in this journey and Xuan's parents may turn out to be at least one of them.

"How does your father know Orlando?"  He paused and, thinking he'd rather avoid creating the perception of inquisitor, added the end game of his questions for the benefit of transparency.  "I become increasingly alarmed at the number of connections of both this group and its assignments.  I have identified some that I'm betting nobody else has just yet."