Day 6, Amazing.

Donnie Darko: As lively as the town had been down that first street they were shown with the music eminating from almost every building and the smell of booze and sweat attacked your nose, the town was forgiving the pun, dead. Barely two turns around corners and the music dimmed, the cobblestone path became dirt and clubs became houses. The only light was that of a seemingly random pattern of streetlamps. Windows were crooked and doors were barely holding together. This place was a long way from Hopelite's standards of living, but then again, so were the occupants. "if you have some magical ability that allows you to detect caffiene, now would be a nice time to use it. I'm already lost and I don't think those Dark Mages will be as accomodating now their saviour isnt with us.." he turned and shot her a smile.

The Author: "I'm afraid I haven't anything like that..." She sighed some and glanced around the streets, finally come to a stop under one of those street lamps. "The city was so much more organized than this place... And I haven't left that place in...well, in a long time..." She frowned slightly as she looked around. "I feel more blind in this place than I ever did before...the Mana Streams are so different here.."

Donnie Darko: "Considering the type of people that live here, I'm not surprised that you can't see anything. Although, you can still see me, right?" He stopped walking and turned, struck by the absolute silence of the houses around him. Not even a loud snore. How many of those undead thingies were actually here? The thought creeped him out to the point where he eagerly checked every dingy little corner to make sure nothing was watching.

The Author: She smiled faintly and gave a nod. "Yes, I can see you. You're about the most consistant thing I can see in this whole place." She held a little tighter to her staff, holding it close to her as she gazed around. "I wouldn't have minded finding a quiet place to relax, but this is a bit much... Maybe we went too far?"

Donnie Darko: "We haven't been walking for any longer than a few minutes, how far could we have possibly gone?" Dom swivelled on the spot, checking for any streets that didn't look safe. Ok, so all of them didn't look safe. "Just some coffee.. is that so much to ask?" he whispered, his eyes catching a small glimpse of something in the corner of his eye. Movement! 'Shiiing'. His sword was drawn. "If anyone is there, I'd like you to stop playing with me now. Coffee is all we are here for." his eyes were useless, so he closed them. Listening for anything, he moved a little closer to Rhia. "Can you sense anything?" He knew something was there. He wasn't going crazy.. he wasn't going crazy.

The Author: "I can sense a lot of things, my friend... Frankly, this entire town feels threatening to me..." She reached out to gently take his arm. "Let's just go back to where there's at least some sign of real life... Please? At least you could fight something we can both see if it came down to fighting..." There was a hint of fear in her voice, definitely not comfortable with being so incredibly blind..

Donnie Darko: Ignoring her fear over his own sense of well being, his ear kept searching. The wouldn't have to do too much work considering that a second later a crash echoed it's way through an alley to their left. After he'd nearly leapt a foot in the air from fright, he swung round and almost took off Rhia's head with his sword. Peering down the alley, he heard the scuffling of boxes and wood, combined with a voice that cursed repeatedly; a childs voice. Blinking in disbelief, he made sure he'd processed that correctly. 'A childs voice..' yep. "Look, I have a very scared and very powerful woman on my arm, and to be honest, you're scaring me a little. So at least show yourself." His words appeared to be lost in the wind, when lo and behold, a child dressed entirely in black came out of the shadows only her gorgeous glowing purple eyes were visible. Dom was jsut lost for words, and damn, he wanted eyes like that.

The Author: Rhia ducked quickly to avoid that sword, tipping her staff forward towards that sound as well. Her heart was beating just a tad faster than usual, searching the mess of purple and darkness for some sign of the owner of that voice. When the girl stepped forward, Rhia was able to see an outline of her, as well as those eyes, and she swallowed a bit uneasily. She really should have gotten out a little more... She coughed faintly, gathering a bit of what courage she had left, still holding that staff defensively. "Who are you..? What do you want?"

Donnie Darko: The strange little girl answered in kind, her tone a little less than innocent. "My name is Kanara. And what I want is to scare the living daylights out of you two." She smirked just like Dominic did when he was being playful, and he almost fell in love with her right then and there. Dom watched her intently, those eyes still captivating him. He saw her mouth move and then she vanished into a smoky swirl, her outline washing away in a tiny breeze. Looking around ferverantly he almost didn't feel a small pair of hands wrap around the hilt of his other sword. Fortunately, she was too small to pull it out of the scabbard. Only managing one tug Dom sheathed his sword and scooped her up fast, holding her by the arms. "What exactly are you little girl?" Slowly, the glow in her eyes vanished and was replaced with human, normal eyes to Dominics disappointment. She didn't struggle to be let down and looked over Dom and Rhia with a childs curiosity. "She isn't supposed to be here, in this town at night. But you.." she stared into Dom's eyes, grinning with a hint of delight. "You have potential.." What in the hell did that mean?

The Author: Rhia frowned again, relaxing when the girl turned out to be human after all. The girl was damn right Rhia wasn't supposed to be here..nor did she want to be here, but she was here nonetheless. And she wasn't leaving Dominic's side, no matter what some little troublemaker said. "That's all well in good, Kanara, but we don't have time for games. Dom, just put her down and let's go back. Alex will be finished soon enough, I'm sure, and he'll be looking for us, right?" She did not like the idea of being left on her own in this place...for even a little while..

Donnie Darko: "Alex?" her little eyes lit up again, but not with the aid of magic "You are friends of Alexios, the one who will deliver us from the magi?" Dom put her down as commanded, but she did not run off. Instead she stood underneath Rhia, looking directly up at her. "Manae Solas." she whispered, her eyes started glowing again. "Whoooooa.. I've never seen such a bright light mana user. Why would you come here, to this town? If anyone else saw you, they'd kill you on the spot." gleaning with happiness, she turned to Dom again. "I know you're lost. And I heard coffee. Please let me take you to see my uncle. He works in a coffee place near the main gate, you walked right past his shop." Somehow Dominic didn't think that a brilliant idea. He leaned in next to Rhia. "Your call, I'm not too sure.."

The Author: She gazed down at the girl with uncertainty, flexing her grip on the staff. "We are friends of Alex.." She turned her gaze to Dom, smiling faintly. "We might as well.. How much better off are we out here, after all?" Frankly, she just really needed to sit down, sleep if she could manage. She looked again to the girl, smile weakening. "Your father doesn't employ the undead, does he?" She didn't think she could survive another encounter with the undead so soon after the first...her stomach had yet to settle over it.

Donnie Darko: Shaking her head eagerly, as if misunderstanding. "Nope, all the undead are out at the clubs. They are very good at bartending." Grabbing hold of Dom's hand and Rhia's, she tugged gently, already knowing they were going to say yes. "Come on come on, it's this way." Tugging harder, Dom yeilded. She dragged them down the street they had just come up and turned. They were just retracing their steps until down a narrow street the cobbles started again. He didn't know this due to light, as there wasnt any. Not a single street lamp. "Just.. round.." 'She better not be lost.' "HERE!" They stood next to a rather undistinguished building. Not a sign or anything. "Rhia..?" he asked, a little worried.

The Author: As uneasy as they both were, she decided to extend a tiny bit of her own precious store of Mana. She tapped the staff against the ground, and that piece of amber cast a soft glow, lighting up the area for Dom's eyes. It also extended a portion of her own Mana, she using it much in the way bats used echo location. She didn't sense anything more dangerous than the rest of the city, so she shrugged half-heartedly and glanced over at Dom. "Coffee's coffee, right?"

Donnie Darko: Shrugging in apparent agreement, Dom looked down at Kanara who was still tugging on his sleeve. "Take us to your leader.." That joke never got old. Inside they went and he was met with a somewhat unexpected sight. Inside were twelve or thirteen clean tables, sheening with the light from the ample amount of torches that lined the wall. Paintings were hung, though they were less than tasteful and soft music played from somewhere. And it was empty. kanara disappeared round the back of a curtain and Dom smiled happily at Rhia. "I think we deserve a rest, dont you?" He took the closest seat and ungentlemanly-like he kicked hers out for her too.

The Author: She caught the seat in one hand, sinking down into it with a heavy sigh. "More than deserve." She rested the staff against the wall, keeping the bottom of it rested against her calf. She melded herself to that chair, eyes closing for a long time as she just savored the feeling of her muscles being given a break. If she weren't thirsty, she might have let herself fall asleep just as she was, but unfortunately, her throat was dry, and her mouth tasted terrible..

Donnie Darko: Leaning back as far as he could in his seat he sighed with relief as all the bones in his back cracked, one after the other. Doing the same with his neck and fingers, he let the relaxing music enter his soul. "Why are you so tired anyway? Since that run from the ci--" he was cut off from the grandoise appearance of an un-grandoise man. Black clothes, grey hair and a walking staff, he marched into the room flanked by the little girl. His eyes were immediately on Rhia. "Hello! Welcome to my shop. I hear you are a friend of Alexios!" absently he patted the girls head. Dominic coughed, wanting recognition and all he recieved was a barely visible twitch of the eyes. Sulking, he sank into his chair. "My dear, I can feel your aura before I even shake your hand. You are indeed powerful, but the question thta begs to be answered is why are you here? Hmm?" he lifted his nose like old men do, sizing her up. "Not to ruin our mutual friends future plans I hope?" a hint of malice. Maybe this guy wasn't so friendly. Kanara's eyes were glowing again and Dom stared right into them.

The Author: She was too comfortable to feel threatened, gazing back into his eyes quite calmly. "My name is Rhia Kolareny, Container to King Justin, and plaything of the Magi Council. The only plans I am here to ruin are those of the very Magi that wish with all their being to see me dead." She looked away then, just as calm as before. "Now if you wouldn't mind, I would very much appreciate a cup of coffee." She wondered how many times she would have to justify herself...to reassure people that she was not of like mind of the Magi...probably to every person they had to deal with...

Donnie Darko: The same look of joy overcame him that Kanara had. Family indeed. "Good! That is indeed wonderful news. If you are against the magi then you are indeed welcomed here. I have faith that Alexios will need your guidance soon enough." A knowing smile played on his lips and for a few seconds silence ensued. "I'll take a coffee too, if you don't mind." The old guys head darted to face Dominics, totally offended that he'd broken the silence. "Yes.. coffee.." Turning slowly, he disappeared behind the veil. Kanara was still standing there, staring at both of them. "Hey, Kanara. I have a question. How did you get from the right side of in that alley to the right, and right underneath me without us noticing?" She smirked. "I call it a Shadow Blink. You use the dark mana.." she stopped, wary about what she said in front of the Container.

The Author: She glanced over at the girl, brow arched slightly. "What? I told your father, I'm not your enemy. The worst you'll do is offend me, but heck, this whole bloody town is offensive.." She grumbled under her breath, folding her arms on the table top and lowering her head to rest on them. She had no interest in how Necros went about their magickal ways.. There was little she could do to stop their magick whether she knew how they did things or not. So, she'd tune out their little conversation, instead focuing her ears and mind on the music playing, that taste in her mouth the only thing keeping her from falling to sleep.

Donnie Darko: "He's not my father." She added defensively, turning her attention to Dom again. "I use the dark mana to make me invisble to your eyes. I can move along it for a few seconds really fast!.. but if I stay in too long it would kill me." Like it was completely normal. "I could teach you if you want? It doesn't take long to learn. The dark mana would like you cause you aren't like her." She nodded at Rhia. Dom was considering this when the old man returned carrying two large mugs of sweet smelling coffee on a silver tray. He placed them both down and tucked Kanara underneath him. "Come now Kanara, let us leave them alone for a while. They are tired." One last smile and he took her behind the curtain. Dom eyed his coffee carefully. "He's poisoned it, I know he has.."

The Author: "He's done nothing of the sort," she grumbled, as she lifted her head again. She pulled that cup to her and drew in a deep breath, enjoying the smell of it. "He wouldn't risk angering their Lord and savior.." Said with a bit of distaste, though she quickly hid her look of disgust behind the mug, taking a long drink from it. Much better... She sat up a bit more, the sensation of something warm and delicious filling her stomach waking her up a little. She sighed a bit heavily and took another drink, then set the mug down on the table, wrapping her hands around it to warm them up. She still wore his cloak around her, her tired body grateful for the warmth and comfort it brought.

Donnie Darko: Carefully wieghing out the pros and cons, he nodded in agreement. "Your right. He wouldn't." Taking a slow sip he allowed the burning sensation to run right down his throat. The lack of whiskey left it without the kick he usually had, but it wasn't bad. "I just can't see that, you know. Even though he's walked into lights and come back dressed as a necro, choked someone lifeless and killed his own friend with his own fireball.." he paused, wincing slightly. He knew she felt bad about that whole thing. "I just can't see a lord and saviour there.." shrugging, he took another sip.

The Author: She winced as well, but just snorted a bit in a scoff, glaring down into that cup. "Neither do I." She sighed, again heavily, lifting one hand to rub at her forehead, eyes drifting shut. "I just don't see how someone who has no remorse with killing someone - which is exactly what this leader of theirs is suggesting - could possibly make this Kingdom a better place. It doesn't seem like any sort of change from what's allready happening, aside from who's killing who..." A sad look came onto her face as she gazed down at the coffee cup. "Killing just isn't the answer..."

Donnie Darko: "You might be right there, but at the same time, had we not killed a few of those guards in the city I don't think you'd be alive to say those words." Looking around, he stared at a certain picture on the wall. It looked like a knight atop a horse, black armour. But he was drawn like a walking shadow, parts of himself trailing behind. "Maybe they don't intend on killing once their Lord is fully recognised? Either that or a war is about to start. Now that you've run from the council, they'll be itching all over wondering what to do, and when you have a council of five men and women who can level entire cities, then perhaps they should just be let to slaughter each other. If theres no-one left, there will be peace."

The Author: She glanced over at him with a frown. "You're a very cynical man, Dominic." She took another drink of the coffee, licking her lips as she rested the cup back on the table. "A war will kill the innocent as well as the guilty, and that's unacceptable... I think we're all just a little too hasty, and, honestly, I think you're wrong about back there in the city." She said that very seriously, before letting her gaze drift over to her staff, her eyes tracing over the cracks in that stone. "There are always choices, but you can only see them if you open your eyes to them..."

Donnie Darko: Smirking, he let his eyes drift from the picture to hers. "I may be cynical, but not everyone can see your choices as clearly as you can. Take Kanara for example. A battlemagi storms in here and without thinking takes his sword to her. She's a dark mana user, she must be extinguished. I wouldn't have a second thought about slicing his head off. You could stop him with a simple spell I guess, but his choice was made, as was mine. She was innocent, he was guilty. Sometimes it is jsut that simple." Another sip, longer.

The Author: She looked over again, her gaze steady on his. "And if it was reversed? If a child took up arms against a man who was not prepared to defend himself, would you kill that child so readily?" She watched him closely, and even as she spoke those words, the amber stone pulsated softly, a certain crack along the surface seeming to glow a little more than the rest.

Donnie Darko: Closing his eyes for a moment, he took a deep breath. "Possibly not. But then again, I like Kanara, so I'd keep her safe anyway. Same with you, back in the city. I could say that you fed me and thats why I did it, but in the end, that would be a lie. Maybe it's a theives thing?" Smiling absently, he glanced at her staff and it struck him just then that she hadn't once let go of it, not even for a minute. Staring at the stone he looked back at her. "Whats with you and that staff anyway? Lucky charm?"

The Author: "Charm..?" She laughed faintly. "Charm, maybe.. Lucky, I should say not." She glanced over at it. "It's a symbol of my Contract... And the channel through which my life is fed." She lowered her gaze to her hands. "It is my leash...as well as my lifeline."

Donnie Darko: "Thats.. strange. I would have thought something a little more secure would have been used.. but I'm not the Mage." Another long sip of his coffee, which was tasing better every time he swallowed. "Is there no way for you to sever the link without dying or setting off a lot of alarm bells in the Magi High Council Chambers?"

The Author: Her eyes widened slightly and she looked over at him, disbelief on her face. "Why would I do that?" Apparently the thought had never entered her mind, and she looked clearly taken aback that he would suggest such a thing.

Donnie Darko: Stifling a laugh, he stared at her with the same disbelief. "Do I really need to remind you that you are in fact running from the very people that control your life? Youre witness to at least three counts of murder and you've helped a criminal escape capture. Twice. If that isn't reason enough, severing that link could very well mean living your own life. Choosing to uphold the laws of this world is very different from being forced to."

The Author: Her brow furrowed and she shook her head. "I could never sever my Contract... Not with Jus- Not with the King." She smiled faintly, another sad look coming into her eyes. "My life is not so simple as you make it out to be, I'm afraid."

Donnie Darko: The coffee mug felt too light when he put it to his mouth and to his dismay it was empty. "Simple or not, you are playing a very dangerous hand being here. I'd be surprised if anyone besides me and Alex really trusted you anymore. Not until this entire thing has blown over anyway. This isn't a journey as much as it is a crusade." he smirked. "Taking bets now."

The Author: She snorted, shaking her head some. "Do you honestly think anyone trusted me before? Why the hell do you think the Contracts even exist? The Hell Necromancers wreak by way of the dead a Container can wreak by way of the living. For centuries we've been considered even more of a threat than them and have been habitually killed off if ever one of our kind surfaced." She clenched her teeth, holding tightly to that mug. "The Council killed my parents, and would have killed me if Prince Justin had not saved my life by forging a contract with me, linking our lives." She glanced over at him. "The King is the only man who has ever trusted me my entire life."

Donnie Darko: Backing off into his chair a little he took in her information a little slower, just to be sure. "Wait.. your life is connected directly to the King's? That must be fun at parties.." shaking his head he stared down at the wooden table, thinking for a second. "Obviously my knowledge is limited here, but I thought that a reanimated body couldn't use the mana streams? I heard stories about mages in battles being turned on their own, but unable to cast any spells." Damn, he wanted more coffee now. "You are.. human.. right?" he eyed her with mock fear.

The Author: She sniffed in disgust, finishing off that coffee before answering. "I wasn't brought back to life. I never died. The Contract between a Container and her King is delicate and complicated, and can not be explained in few words. Sometimes I think even I don't fully understand it... Contracts were first created in hopes that we could be controlled in a way the dead are controlled by Necromancers, but they found that even while Contracted, a Container had a will of her own. So the Contracts became more complicated, stronger, and more constricting." She shrugged faintly. "They could never stop a Container from taking her own life, and thus the life of her Contracted as well, so they finally gave up and just began killing us off."

Donnie Darko: In the background he could hear footsteps, more than just Kanara are her old uncle. Easily three different pairs of feet. At the moment, they weren't hading back into the shop. Best Dominic could tell, the old uncle had some friends over to talk, probably after a hard night clubbing. "Back in the city, you told me wars had been fought over a containers allegiance. What happens after a contract has been forged and then the King they are bound to dies? Do both die?"

The Author: She shook her head with a small sigh. "No. A Container was to be passed down through generations should a King die. You see, our control over the Light Mana Stream allows us to evade aging and death for a considerable amount of time." She leaned back in her chair, glancing up at the stone of the staff. "We die once we have committed too many atrocities to our nature." Her gaze shifted over to him again. "Such as taking a life."

Donnie Darko: "I wonder. If Alex goes psycho on us and vows to destroy all humans and such, does killing him count as a good act or a bad act? Cause I sure as Hell won't want to step in and take your place." Those footsteps again, and voices now. Kanara came running out from behind the curtain before Rhia could answer. She ran up to the table and panted a little. "You two need to leave, now. My uncle has.." "Kanara!" She fell silent. From behind the curtain the old uncle appeared, followed by two younger men who wore the same robes. All were smiling a very eerie smile. Dominic stood up out of habit and stared at them all. "Please, do not be alarmed. We come only to test you. If you are going to be carting around with Alexios then I'm afraid we have to make sure you are capable and worthy." Dom sighed and looked at Rhia. He already knew what was coming.

The Author: She frowned a bit and slowly stood as well, taking her staff in hand. "What sort of test are we talking about?" She wasn't looking too comfortable with this whole situation. She was even more tired than before, the caffiene not seeming to have done much for her. "And can't it wait until tomorrow?" She glanced at each of those man, studying their auras to try to determine their temperment and intentions.

Donnie Darko: "I'm afraid, miss, that it cannot wait until tommorow." The man on the right stepped forward and caused Dominic to drop his shoulders. His hands were sparking, the flahses moving between his fingers, like he was a human light bulb. His eyebrows dropped and he squeezed his fingers, the sparks getting stronger. "If Dimitri gets a touch on you, I'm afraid your heart will stop." The uncle spoke with a sick expectation. kanara moved back in fear. "Rhia, next time, could you please just slap me when I say I'm going for a walk in a strange, freaky town?"

The Author: "Gladly, my friend," she said as she watched Dimitri uneasily. She backed up a couple of steps towards the door, taking her staff in both hands. "Please tell me we're not about to play some lethal game of tag..." The thought of having to run again made her ponder the idea of just letting him touch her and see what happens...who knows, maybe she wouldn't feel a thing...maybe...