#forestofforever

“Certainly, I have a shelf of classics.” Dwight says with a smile, his hand gesturing to follow him. The shop was decently sized, and if looked around, you’d notice that a majority of the books on the shelf were romance or some sorts.

That was enough to win him a stare, luckily of the unreadable kind typical of those who wore shades inside. Skepticism was really nothing new in her line of work. So, Rook only offered a silent glance that suggested it was best if neither of them tried winning that argument.

"Some people are more perceptive to this stuff. Unless somebody was murdered here recently, this probably has something to do with some item you brought in." She made a wide motion with her hand before adding, "My warning still stands, of course, but can you show me your latest arrivals?"

It was best to start figuring this out. While her marks could attest for the presence of some supernatural influence, she would rely on technology to get the job done. A device was retrieved from her belt and began beeping softly immediately after being activated.

Adlai was enjoying himself quite a bit. Even after all his years of being alive- he still couldn’t help but find humans to be so interesting. Interacting with them and living amongst them would never cease to provide him some temporary entertainment. Even with the lack of anger shown of the others face- it was still a satisfying reaction.

“Well, there is one thing that has peaked my interest but it doesn’t seem to like me very much.” Adlai would give a shrug and it would seem he would choose to back off a bit. After that last comment, he’d listen respectfully to the other. Giving a nod as if he was genuinely listening. The frosty haired man would reach out to grab a CD, flipping over the back and reading it casually as the other spoke.

“Occult themes?” He would look up and face the other now- his smile now just barely a visible grin as if being polite. “What do you consider to be occult?” Now, the question would have genuine curiosity rather than mischief. Adlai knew he didn’t belong in a place like this- well, at least not with the beliefs these people had. Now he wasn’t here to shatter them, he more intrigued in the other gods and religions people held dear to them. Despite being a god himself, no one believed in him.

Something interesting always seems to happen whenever Doom comes to visit this dimension, doesn't it?

First, there was that guy who killed someone by grabbing their wrist.

Then, there was that guy who wanted to take a dead body and turn him into taxidermy.

Then, there was that time that same guy was being randomly called a "monster" by some random stranger out and about.

And now that same guy is being chased by someone and he looks pretty terrified.

What's up with this guy?

Is he like, the village nerd or something? Everybody's gotta gang up on him and bully him for some reason? Call him names and chase him around? What's up with that shit?

Well, Doom doesn't like that. Her normal instinct would be to beat the shit out of the ones doing the bullying, but she decides to just remove him from the situation instead. She'll come back later and and knock some people around, but first, get this guy out of here.

Doom suddenly jumps out from behind a car, tosses Sylvester up over her shoulder like he weighs nothing more than a pillow, pops open a portal back to the Office, hops through it, and closes it immediately behind herself - although technically someone could follow her through it, if they're fast enough.

Assuming no one has followed her through, though...

The change in environment is probably huge to Sylvester, going from the city to a brightly lit inside of an Office building, with ugly orange carpets and old white walls and gray cubicle sets.

"Ehehehehe, that guy was too slow," she snickers, and goes to set him back down on his feet... only to realize that he'd apparently fainted at some point when he collapses straight away onto the floor like a pile of wet spaghetti. "Oh... Well, shit, my bad, man," she mutters, collecting him back into her arms and taking him to the nearest empty employee office that's been made over into a guest room.

There, she puts him down on the bed before backing off and putting her hands on her hips and just... staring at him all like, well wtf am I supposed to do now? wait for him to wake up or what?

@forestofforever // Manhandling Starters

Maybe if it had been a stranger, Artair would have resisted harder--- but it's Crow of all people. His friend. He knows something is wrong immediately by the way he reacts, the way he feels-- but he can't bare to hurt him just to escape. When he's pinned down, his breath leaves him in a gust against the forest ground, but even then, he still hesitates to fight back.

"Crow-- Crow. I know you're in there. Please-- what's going on? Are you alright? It's me-- it's me." He doesn't know if it will help to hear his voice. It likely won't. But he has to try, or at least understand what.... whatever this is, is making him do. He's been respectful to the forest, so surely this isn't the Heart, right?

"₳̷̬͎̚₴̵̧͕̪̒₮̶͇̓₳̶̥͂̽́₮̴̗̻̿̅Ⱨ̶̨̳̈́͝ł̵̨̼̜̈́₴̶̲̜͉̇"

... That's curious. The pronunciation isn't quite right, but someone, somewhere on Earth, just called Astathis' name. Real name. From the old Verse. The name one would call to ask a favor, or to summon one of the bolder gods.

Astathis, of course, is one of the bolder gods, especially in a case like this. How did a human even learn of Ast's existence? Let alone the (nearly) correct pronunciation of the name. This is simply a case that must be investigated.

Perhaps, given the occasion, Astathis' arrival is a tad bit flashier than usual. While all six of the other siblings appear without fanfare, a small shower of bubbles and sparkles always precede Ast, this time the sparkles nearly turning in to fireworks to show off a little. Best to strike a little awe into the mortals, no? Regardless of Verse.

A flourish of the arms and a dramatic-but-believably-casual pose accompany the little show, as Astathis appears in all 14 feet of height and all the shimmery, sheer, flowing layers of the most dramatic fabric ensemble in Ast's collection.

"Hello there," Annalise cooed softly to the creature, having spotted the bird while working about in the kitchen.

@forestofforever ... for you i would.

it would be easy to find herself lost in his eyes, or his words, or his voice. rain finds that a lot of the time with benjamin. everything about him is all enveloping, but... there is something about his choice of words. belong. he has used plenty of words to describe them, their relationship, but never that one.