[Xanth]

In a muted flash, four people poofed into the cemetary of St. Ann's church in Derby, hidden from view of the church itself by a rather large oak tree. Xanth's voice floated between them. Suka, Aiden, Maximus, Ryou... do not enter the church until the Hind is distracted, but please take a look around. It is vital you stay hidden, though, this beast is highly dangerous and the four of you will not survive if it spots you. There are non-Elysians here in Derby, too, so unless you wish to start a nation-wide panic... She left the sentence open-ended, her brows arched pointedly, then winked and said Good luck. With that, she mist dissipated, leaving the four questers to look around.

[Suka]

Suka looked around. The suddeness of the change of atmosphere was enough to make him dizzy. Holding his still pressured head, he leaned back against a wall and tried to steady himself. After a moment, he peered up, trying to place his surroundings. Stright away, he noticed Aiden. He was glad to see he hadn't been hurt, or killed. The other two, he didn't recoginize. But then again, he got knocked out of battle before all the teams had shown up.

But...wait a second. What are we doing here? Where is here? Frowing, Suka pushed himself off the wall, and walked towrd Aiden. What are we doing here? Nodding to acknowledge the others, he looked down in his hand. He was still holding onto the his chain. I thought I would have lost this by now Looking back up at the others... he hoped he wouldn't have to kill anything. He didn't know why they were here, but it couldn't be for anything good.

[Aiden]

Looking about, Aiden's eyes widen when he sees Suka, completely healed. Approaching his partner, he said, "Hey, that healer has talent, to be able to heal you this well."

Stuffing his hands into his pockets, he looks around for the presence of those so-called non-Elysians. It would be horrible if Suka were caught like this. "We're supposed to hide and wait for the other group to come. When they start fighting the Hind, we enter the church to find Daz. Anyway, wake me when they come, kay?"

In the meantime, he, Aiden, was going to lay low. As a cat. Fingers joining to form a paw, the boy morphed into a spotted domestic cat. Too bad he couldn't be a leopard cub. That was his favorite form.

He eyed the tree above him. There were plenty of leaves to hide in, and that branch was pretty close...placing a paw on the tree trunk, the cat dashed to his sleeping spot. He'd restock on energy while the hind hunters got ready.

[Ryou]

Ryou leaned against a tombstone in the cemetary, staring at the spot Xanth had stood. "Ugh," he groaned, a bit irritated. He was supposed to escort Mahesa home, to make sure nothing happened to her. Instead, for some strange reason he couldn't grasp, he'd been called here.

He looked around at his companions. There was Aiden, the spotted cat 'shifter he'd seen around the market place. An angel, whom he'd heard was named Suka. And Maximus, the human. An interesting bunch, if he could say so himself.

Bending forward, he turned his torso so he could read the tombstone he was resting against, in what he thought a slightly rude way. The stone said that the deceased had only been seventeen at the time of his death. Ryou said a quick prayer, to no god or goddess in particular.

[Maximus]

Max looked around at the gorup. Aiden, the guy who'd applied for the assistant job at the vets. Max hadn't had the chance to tell him he'd got the job-he hoped he'd be around to fulfil the position after this damn quest. There were two others he didn't know. One was an angel, the other a dragon. He watched Aiden shift to his feline form and began to scale the tree they stood under. Since there didn't seem much else to do, Max planted a foot at the base of the tree and began to follow suit. All these afternoons climbing trees hadn't been a waste. As he climbed, he looked over to the other two of the group.

"Coming up here guys? We might want to think of some kind of plan, and perhaps the Hind can't climb trees." He called hopefully.

[Suka]

Suka stood there watching the others. This waiting wasn't exactly doing anything for his nerves. As the human climbed the tree after Aiden had, Suka lifted an eyebrow. That odd. He expected that from a cat, but not a human. Shrugging, he turned toward the dragon, he had leaned against s gravestone. How disrespectful. He was about to say something, when the human called out to them both.

"Coming up here guys? We might want to think of some kind of plan, and perhaps the Hind can't climb trees."

Suka automaticly thought of several rude things to reply to that, but he held them inside. Man, whats wrong with me? Why am I so cranky today? Shaking the thoughts from his mind, he looked over at the human. He really didn't want to climb a tree. He doubted the Hind...whatever that was, would find them here...let alone attack. Must we climb the tree? Suka looked at his wings. Not only did he think it would be hard to get up there, but he didn't like getting his wings dirty. They were such a pain to claen. A plan is a good idea though. Then again, we might want to wait until the calvery get here. Our plan has to echo theirs. Looking at the human, he hoped he didn't offend him. He just really didnt feel like climbing a tree.

Suka shot a glance over at the dragon, who was still hovering around the gravestone. Frowning slightly, he moved to stand closer to the tree so the four of them could work on some sort of plan. They could alwasy alter it when the others got there.

[Maximus]

Max was surprised at the Angel. He didn't even need to climb, he could just fly, surely? He didn't say anything, as he knew they needed to be able to work together if they were going to beat this thing.

"So, anyone got any ideas on how we distract it?" Max asked, hoping to get the ball rolling.

"I s'pose we could use blood of some kind, it seems to like that..."

[Suka]

Suka thought a moment. Blood huh? Although he was a healer himself, he still didn't like blood. Or pain for that matter. Looking at the human, he wondered if he ment cutting themselves, or getting blood from an animal. Either way, Suka wasn't pleased with the suggestion. I dont know about you three, but I don't plan on useing my blood. As soon as he said those words, he remembered what Aiden had told him.

"We're supposed to hide and wait for the other group to come. When they start fighting the Hind, we enter the church to find Daz..."

Before the others had a chance to reply, Suka comented. Wait a second. Aiden said the others are supposed to fight it while we rescue Daz. If we attract it with something, not to mention blood, then that thing is going to come after us, and then who's goings to rescue Daz? Besides. I don't think we're prepared to defend ourselves. Looking down at his chain, Suka shook his head. He was decent, maybe even good in his throwing. But this thing had hurt an Aide, and kidnaped another. Something about this mission seemed suicidle. He was just glad he was on the rescue team. For more than one reason.

[Maximus]

Max sighed impatiently, trying to keep his temper.

"I wasn't suggesting we use our blood. We've been told the Hind needs distracting. The church has windows. If we can find some sort of animal to throw in the window, then the Hind will probably go for it. Then we can get into the church unnoticed." Max explained.

[Suka]

Suka breathed in deeply while the human was explaining himself. He didn't like the idea of tossing an innocent animal through the the churches windows, and leaving it for the Hind to tear apart. There was just so many things wrong with those words. Instead of mentioning it, Suka took another path, hoping to avoid such a thing.

I think the other group is going to be our distraction. Lets just wait for them and then decide what to do. Suka turned from the human mumbling about the flaws in his previous plan. He hoped he wouldn't try and presue it. But if he did't, Suka wouldn't be part of it. He'll help Daz sure, but he's not going to kill anything. Or send it to its death.

And not that I agree with it, but I think they plan to kill the thing. So we should wait for them to get here before we try and get ourselves killed.

[Maximus]

Max frowned, growing more frustrated.

"The Hind is killing innocent people, of course they're going to destroy it. And we need to at least see inside the church, or we'll go blundering in and waste time looking for Daz. I'm not interested in spending a minute longer in there than I have to." Max remembered the Angel's parting comment.

"And surprisingly enough, I'm no more interested in "getting myself killed" than you are." He looked away from the Angel in disgust. He had no problem with the angel disagreeing with him, it was the holier than thou attitude that it had that irritated him most. If the guy was a healer, than it was likely he was using methods that were at one point tested on animals, so he could hardly object to a small sacrifice.

[Aiden]

The cat twitched its ears as the beings below him debated. He could sense the frustration in those two's voices.

While he itched to tell them to quiet down---they might attract the hind---he didn't. Best stay out of this. Besides, he'd have to turn human for that. And he didn't want to waste anymore energy. Flopping his ears downward to minimize the noise, Aiden tried his best to sleep.

[Suka]

Suka stared at the human, wondering why he was in such a hurry to die. Yes, he'd admit they needed to rescue Daz, and the sooner the better. But waiting for the others to get here would be more wise. This way, if they did decide to distract the thing, and it didnt work, the other group could protect them. Ok, then tell me what happens when you throw an animal through the church windows, but that thing comes after you instead of the animal? Who's going to help you? Looking around, he glanced at everyones hand. We dont have weapons.

Suka felt he made his point. But he didn't want to leave things with a bitter taste. I mean, i agree with you. Sitting here is wasting precious time. And Daz is in there, and needs our help. But were no good to her dead. And i honestly believe thats what will happen if we dont wait for backup. Looking toward the church, Suka wondered if there was a better way we could get the information they needed, without getting the Hind's attention. He looked up at Aiden, dozing in his cat form. I think, if you want to get a layout of the inside of the church, sending a little cat to look through the windows might be a little more quiet. I doubt the Hind would even notice him. Suka smiled up at Aiden with his last words. It was dangerious. But if Aiden was quiet enough, they might just be able to get what we need, and still wait for the others before diving in.

[Ryou]

All the while, Ryou had watched with little interest as the human and angel argued. He shook his head, sighing with irriitance. They weren't supposed to stand out to non-Elysians, and arguing was not the way to do it. He walked to the base of the tree, trying to decide what to say, if anything. The 'shifter stayed silent, so he figured he should, too.

His hand wrapped around the handle on his sword. The dragon stifled a laugh, thinking of how they could explain themselves if someone saw them.

Halloween early?

{{Sorry guys! I was away and didn't have access to a computer. x_x;;}}

[Maximus]

Max sighed in frustration, but didn't reply. So much for trying to plan something, the angel only semed intent on arguing. He wouldn't sacrifice a mouse or a rat, but he was willing to put an actual shifter into the church? Typical hypocrite. He leant back on the branch he was sitting on and stared at the church idly. He wasn't sure if he was imagining it, but he could have sworn he saw a black shape ambling around the church. Max reached down to his sword, which still had scorpion blood on it. He remembered how the blood had stung when he'd touched it. Perhaps that would be an advantage against the hind. He wondered where the rest of the rescue team were.

[Suka]

Suka inhaled deeply, trying to shrug off the negitave feeling the human was expeling. Looking at him, he followed his gaze toward the church. He didn't see anything out of the ordinary, but whatever it was, it was enough to make him reach for his sword. Ahh, so he does have a weapon. Suka looked away to notice the dragon had wandered over by the tree. He noticed him smiling, and wondered what he was thinking. Trying to lighten things up, Suka asked a netural question. Im sorry, but I only know Aiden. What's your name? He asked the dragon first, hoping the human would follow after.

[Ryou]

Ryou looked up when he was adressed by the angel. The dragon had heard that the human's name was Max- Talking to Mahesa and Aithe told him that. So he could only assume that Aiden was the 'shifter in the tree. "Ryou Shirogane," he answered simply. He arched an eyebrow at the angel, his own way of asking who he was.

{{600 points if you know where his name comes from! < 33}}

[Suka]

Suka nodded at Ryou's name. He hadn't met him before, but he was sure he'd remember him after this. Smiling, he told the dragon his name, Suka Matali. Looking toward the human, he doubted if he'd likly jump into conversation. He seemed a little bitter about their argument, but Suka just shruged it off. He himself didn't hold grudges. They were pointless. He just hoped everything would calm down. Everyone was one edge, but with good reason. They didn't know what would happen. This could be the last time they saw one another. And that was a scary thought.

(ooc: Didn't exactly make it hard did ya? Tokyo Mew Mew)

[Maximus]

Max continued to stare at the church. He heard the angel talking and introducing himself. Suka. He supposed he should introduce himself too. However much he disagreed with the angel's morals, he knew they'd need to be able to work together.

"I'm Dr Mills. But call me Max." He said, glancing away from the church for a second. After he finished speaking his eyes were glued to the church again. Someone needed to be paying attention to the church, and no-one else seemed keen.

[Xanth]

Xanth poofed into the tree above Max, swinging her feet childishly. If you were to look closely, you would see the same archaic scripture scrolling up her shins to her knees as appears on her arms, but the fluttering of her organza skirt is too distracting.

She listened to the two younglings argue, their voices getting louder. She tutted, poofing Aiden into her lap and stroking his back gently. The poor kitten was a bit startled, but no more so than Max and Suka when they were doused by chilly water from two tiny purple clouds that hovered over their heads.

When the two of you are done attracting attention I told you not to attract - she said, her voice throaty like the growl of a leopard - I have brought you your distraction. One by one, the four questers arrived, their weapons steaming where Elise had doused them in poison. You four, she told the newcomers, go play with the Hind. You four - she pointed at Max and Suka - Dazadi is inside that church. Under it, I should imagine. Be careful, my cubs, I have no need for eight new shades. With that, she poofed away, leaving Aiden on the tree branch.