Skin Deep - IC

[Gorbaz]

Avalon. It's the name given to a place that exists just outside of real-time. A place where beings that, on the surface appear human, but on closer inspection are infact fantastical creatures, gather. It is a place ruled over by three elders who make sure that the few rules they have are stuck to, and that it's a safe place for everybody. All who enter are made aware of the rules, which are:

1. No fighting except in designated arenas
2. Do not steal from another inhabitant
3. Do not reveal Avalon's existence to Humans

Other than that, everyone is free to do whatever they please.

What is more amazing about Avalon is that it is linked by magical transport tunnels to safe havens all over the world, meaning that, no matter where you are, you can always get to Avalon and, what's more, can travel half-way across the globe in a matter of minutes. As such, Avalon is a hub and melting pot of all cultures and peoples.

However, it exists for a reason. Long ago, the mystical races of the world lived in relative peace with Humans, but the Humans grew resentful of the gifts of the others, and combined with their fear of the unknown and what is different, began to hunt down the magical creatures of the world. In order to avoid extinction, two paths were taken - the construction of Avalon as a place to hide, and the creation of amulets that would allow those of a magical nature to blend in with Humanity.

Hundreds of years passed and Avalon turned from being a hiding place to a city where anyone could live in peace, free of Human intrusion. On the other side, those who blended in with Humanity interbred with them, passing their genes down the generations. The child of a magical creature would be one themselves, even though they would be born as a Human, and believe that they were Human, until their nature was revealed by the use of one of the amulets. These were responsible for the propogation of the stories down the generations of monsters, inhabitants of the night, creatures in the forrest, and others.

The year is 2008. Avalon is flourishing, Humans have all but forgotten that magical greatures exist.

It's a Tuesday

[Sortaix]

Steve had been searching for a full month, taking a leave of absence from his job to find out more about what this amulet did to him. He had heard of a club called "Avalon" that supposedly had magical stuff for sale. After a full month of turning back and forth from a human to wolf, he was ready to try anything. He had never believed in magic, but the recent events have certainly changed his opinion on that. He had no idea what to do or how to cope, so he was hoping to find someone who did. He kept the amulet in his pocket, not letting it touch his as, he walked down the dark alley, looking out for muggers or any other sort of scam, before he came to the door, which led into the club.
"Well, damned if I do, and Damned if I don't."
He then opened the door to the club, not knowing what he would find.

[Rooiehaan #2]

As always, Arakune tended to herself in her grandmother's shack. The days had gone by, simple house cleaning and the occasional hunting in the woods the only thing to keep her mind off of what her friends and family was doing at that hour. Would they be laughing after her disappearance? Crying? Would her never-found body be laid to rest? Questions haunted her day and night now that her grandmother was gone, quickly followed by gruesome pictures taken straight out of her nightmares. At one time, a tuesday in particular, she couldn't stand it no longer. She hád to get out.

When her grandmother was still alive, she had once or twice told her about her findings of place called... what was it again? A place for magical creatures, regardless of nature. A place where she could stay, if only she could find it. Her grandmother's best lead was near the sewers of the nearest city, Dyfed. It was a long hike away, but Arakune had grown pleasure in her walking trips. She'd be there in no time.
She grabbed the amulet around her neck and activated its magic, turning her back into her plain, mundane form of a human. She sighed, although it was a body she was most familiar with it lacked the prowess, the strength and the captivation factors... oh well, it would have to do. She put some leftover rations in a small backpack and flung it over her shoulders, before departing to Dyfed for good.

[Gorbaz]

James Molloy far preferred his human guise to his natural form. Far less threatening than being a giant dog with huge glowing eyes. He had been living in Avalon for a few months now, and had grown fond of a little cafe off to one side of the magical town, as it sold the most delightful cakes! Sure, he was far more carnivore than before, but that didn't mean he couldn't enjoy some baked goods every now and then. So, he sat there with his slice of chocolate sponge cake, and took another bite.

The door to one of the portal buildings nearby opened up. It was the one listed as "nightclub", and used by mistake more often than not by those who have not been in Avalon very long. He'd wandered in there by accident twice himself, but emerging from it now was a young man with blonde hair, a fine coat, and an wolfhead crest. Probably a new one. It was at times like this that a welcoming committe would be handy, as people come and go all the time and, given that the inhabitants of Avalon can appear as human, half-form, or full form as they like, it must look like a really wierd place at first glance.

Waving his hand at the new guy, James tried to get his attention. "Hey" he said in the most neutral way he could. Guess he's the welcoming commitee today

[Sortaix]

Steve was a little surprised when he opened the door to not find himself in an actual night club. Instead he found himself in a... different city? Wait this defies all logic and science and...stuff. Steve looked around a bit, barely noticing the man making his way toward him, until he was fairly close and called out to him. Steve then noticed the man and sized him up for any hidden weapons, as the detectives had trained him, before giving his reply to the man.
"Ummm... Hello there."
Steve then looked around some more, clearly not understanding how he walked through a door in an alleyway in the middle of a city to come out to an open area of a completely different city. He then looked to the new man.
"How...what...where am I?"
Steve asked, with confusion quite obvious in his voice.

[Rooiehaan #2]

Arakune had no trouble getting to Dyfed, but once she made her way into civilization again she found it hard to keep focused. so many memories getting to her, so many new things to see and explore. The only thing keeping her on track was the heavy medallion resting between her breasts, which just so happened to draw in a little too much unwanted attention for her liking. it wasn't like she couldn't deal with a couple of hoodlums and thugs, but the second her secret came out her life was forfeit and she knew it. Hence, she stuck to the back roads and dark alleys, until she came across the old sewer system outlet her grandmother had once described. Inside, it was told, was a secret entrance to the hidden city. Arakune on her part had no intention of jumping into the horribly smelling sewer, and thus looked up. There were several run-down buildings standing suspiciously close to the outlet, one of which seeming to be a club called Avalon. She chuckled, that name rang a bell. if anything, those inside might know a more proper way to descend into the hidden city. And thus she walked in, following a guy with blonde hair, almost immediately bumping into him, his broad shoulders as solid as a wall. She gasped and bounced off, falling on her butt. She looked up at him with big eyes, before blushing and quickly getting up. "S-say, don't you have any manners, bumping into ladies like that?"

[Reapergod36]

Kyle sat on top of a rooftop in London. "Why do we keep coming up here?" Kyle said annoyingly to himself. "Would you rather bash your face into a mirror again like in Michigan?" Reaper said to Kyle in a neutral and logical tone. "Yes." Kyle said being a smart ass, truly just being that kind of suicidal. "Regardless, you're not. Now come, we should get some sleep before the next school day." Reaper said in a calm tone. "Why the fuck should I keep going. I didn't fucking learn the first time, obviously i'm just too fucking worthless." Kyle said in a frustrated tone as he was still going to high school. As well when he threw himself off the London clock tower. Reaper quickly took control and slammed his claw into the ground. Taking changing Kyle into his half human form. It was late, and the skies started to feel as dreary and sad as Kyle did. "I'm worthless..." Reaper sighed, "No you're just wasting your time on the wrong things. Now come, lets get back home and play something to relieve that stress. League of Legends perhaps?" Reaper questioned. "I guess.." Kyle said as Reaper took full control of the body and lept through the streets.

[Sortaix]

Steve was still waiting for an answer when someone bumped into him, a young woman. He quickly twirled around, half expecting a con of some kind, before he saw her.
"Oh, I am sorry Miss. Are you alright?"
He asked as he extended his hand to her, to help her up. He then helped her to her feet as he looked back to the man standing in front of him.
"So, where am I?"

[Gorbaz]

Another person emerged through the doorway. How interesting! Two new people at once, and through the same door was definatly long odds - the ruling council really did need to set up a welcoming committe, James thought. Still, he was here now, so he would have to do.
"Where are you? Didn't you see the sign on the door?" he said with a slight smirk. "This is the city of Avalon, safe haven, and the only place where you can get the most awesome cakes ever". He indicated the shop behind him as if to make the point.
"Anyways. Welcome to the city. I'm James, and I guess I'm your tour guide, since no-one else is jumping at the job". Once again, he smiled at the newcomers. Need to keep the smile freindly, not that creepy toothy smile that freaks people out...

-----

As Reaper bounded through the streets of london, the common people on the street acted differently. Some panicked, seeing a half-human leap through the streets, while others pulled out mobile phones in order to take low-quality images, thinking it was a publicity stunt for some kind of film of product, oblivious to the fact that there are no film crew anywhere nearby. A couple just stood and stared with an almost disproving look. Still, onwards Reaper went, passing by shops, parked cars, garbage, homeless people, and other markings of the city.

As Reaper sprints out across one of the roads and past a kebab shop, a hand whipped out of the alley and grabbed hold of his arm tight and secure. A voice, low and femanine, hisses at him as the person attempts to pull him into the alley. "Quick! Get in here and out of sight!"

[Rooiehaan #2]

"I'm fine, i'm fine" Aruke huffed, after getting pulled back on her feet. She patted herself down to get the dust off her, before looking at the new guy. he had something... animalistic on him, something she coudln't quite describe.... someone like her. She flashed her teeth in a grin and walked up from behind the guy she followed just a second ago, and started to pat his arm possessively though seductively. Absently too, like she didn't even notice herself doing so, when she looked at the 'tour guide'. "Avalon, you say, save haven...?" She asked slowly, before her eyes grew big. "is this perhaps... that secret city i was trying to find...?"

[Gorbaz]

"Yup!" Jason grinned with genuine friendliness. "This is Avalon alright. Can't say if it was the place that you were sent to find or not, but folks like us tend to gravitate here anyways. Probably something to do with it being magic" he said before tapping a rather plain-looking amulet around his neck. "Say, do you guys have one of these yet? I hear some folks have their 'first time' just sprung apon them, others when they find one. If not, I can take you to a place that sells them"

[Rooiehaan #2]

"This... this is avalon...?" Arakune asked slowly, while a big grin started to form on his face. she let go of Steve and instead grabbed both Jason's hands. she looked at him deeply, before nodding. "I have one as well!" she said proudly, showing him the ancient looking, golden amulet that rested in the small between her cleavage. "See, see? So would that mean....?" She asked, but before he could answer she touched the amulet and focused. a blinding light suddenly blinded the bunch.

When the light faded, instead of the small, teenage Arakune stood a tall woman, serene and dignified. She looked at them with the smallest grin, her newly formed 'spider legs' that ornamented her neck weakly twitching in the draft caused by the door. Her figure was captivating, dignified but none the less even more curved then she was before. some might say that, while the young arakune was like a little imouto, the older version was definitely an onee-san.

She sighed, contently, and tugged a string of silky black hair behind he ear. "much better, don't you agree? My full form is so... limiting. My name is Arakune, pleased to make your acquaintance." She turned around to face Steve, "you too, of course" She smiled at him. "If i wouldn't have followed you inside i would never have found this Avalon."

[Sortaix]

Steve was still a little shocked, having never believed in magic. He was a little dumbfounded at the amulet question, pulling his out just before Arakune turned herself into an older version of herself, with spider legs on her neck. Steve took a step back, holding the amulet in his gloved hand, showing a little uncertainty.
"Wait, what are these things, and do they turn people into...whatevers? What is going on around here?"
He spoke more with uncertainty in his voice than anything, his mind still refusing to accept that magic is real, and that everything he was told growing up was a lie.
"What type of place sells amulets that turn people into different things, and how do these dang things work?"

[Reapergod36]

Reaper whipped to the side of a wall, he grunts and asks going in. "Who the hell are you." Kyle says.

[Gorbaz]

Jason smiled and nodded as Arakune used her medallion to shift her shape. Taking a step back, it didn't get past him how much more attactive she looked. Although, that's something that could be adressed at a laster time. Clearing his throat, he turned his attention to Steve. "You must be newly awakened, yeah? Well, you might want to sit down before I run through the details as best I know them." He led them both over to the cake shop and sat down at his table. "Fancy some cake? It's very good" he said

-----

"I'm the person getting you out of public view, that's who I am" the girl growled with a hint of irriation. "Or did you think it's entirely normal for non-humans to be running through the streets of London?" The girl appeares to be quite young and slim, and runs a hand through her green hair before siging. "Look, if you wanna go running around out there, at least try to look like everyone else? The last thing Avalon needs is military units running around and instigating a witch hunt while looking for us"

[Reapergod36]

"Reaper you understand this?" Kyle said, "Yeah, I do. Avalon is a place where people like us reside. A bit boring, the most interesting places are strip clubs." Reaper said. (by the way she can hear both. Reaper is a neutral logical tone. Kyle is a normal human but kind of a depressed smart ass.) "Because of the all the sexual positions?" Kyle says a bit enthused. Reaper responds with a slight chuckle and a sigh. "Precisely."

[Gorbaz]

"Oh, great" the girl muttered to herself. "Look Reaper, or Kyle, or whatever your name is, at least try to keep a low profile, will ya? You never know if you're running past a Demon-run shop, and they don't give friendly warnings. It's one slip, and you've got a hitsquad after you to drag you off to... wherever it is they drag folks off to"

[Rooiehaan #2]

Arakune gave a soft chuckle and tapped Steve on the cheek before following Jason to his patisserie. "I'm sure you're positively buzzing with questions, but for now let's accept this man's gentlemanly offer, okay?" She sat down next to Steve and nodded at him in recognition, before waving an elegant index finger to one of the waitresses. "What is your special for today, miss?" She asked when one of the waitresses came to call their order, already having made up her mind but simply asking to show interest in the cute little business. "I take it you don't happen to have any coffee bean -cherry parfait by any chance..?"

[Sortaix]

Steve just gave the gentleman who greeted him, and the lovely young woman a silent acknowledgement that he would accpet their invitation. A little defeated, he didn't say anything during transit he just walked over to the shop, silently. His entire universe just did a serious 180 degree turn, and he couldn't decide if it was for the better or for the worse. He didn't really pay attention as the group sat down, still trying to wrap his head around the fact that magic was actually real, When the waitress came over, he just asked for a cold tea, and nothing else. He rubbed his eyes a bit, before looking over to his new friend.
"Okay, you are telling me, magic is real, is that correct? Also, you called me Awakened, what is that? I have no idea what is going on here. I just found this weird amulet, when I busted a murderer, and it turns me into a wolf... What is going on around here?"
Steve asks these question, with very little emotion, more like an investigator, taking notes for a crime, for his mind to dwell on later.

[Gorbaz]

The waitress, a woman with the head of a lion, and a reptilian tail with a head of it's own, sauntered over to the table and smiled as politely as she could. "Our special today is a battenburg lemon-drizzle cake" she replied to Arakune. "And no, I'm afraid we don't have any parfait today. I'll put it on the list for next week, though". Turning her attention to Steve for a moment, she nodded and noted down his request for tea.

Jason leaned back in his chair and linked his fingers behind his head. "Sure, magic is real. It's always been real, as far as I can figure. Trust me, I know it's a bit of a culture-shock, I mean I've not been here very long myself" Unlinking his fingers, he scracted his head and leaned forward, placnng his elbows on the table. "Being 'Awakened' is the term used for.. people like us. People who have lived as Humans for our entire lives without knowing any different, until.. welll.." He touched his amulet and his form shifted into one far more canine in nature - his ears shifted up to the top of his head, nose and mouth formed into a muzzle, hair grew thickly all over and eyes grew wider. ".. We wake up looking like this. Or, y'know, something else. Or, in alot of cases, find an amulet. Because - and this might sound like the wierd bit, but... being Human? It was an illusion"