When To Hold Back

Ashryn turns his gaze towards Slave briefly, eyeing her blankly. He gives a small shake of his head, before his green eyes catch sight of Kali. The man shifts, almost standing, but he remained still, one hand on the counter, poised ready to stand.

Pratz looks back at the door as Kali walks in, then blinks watching her reaction to the guy across the room. He stands and heads over towards her table, kneeling beside it and looking in at her...

Jaia-Asumoto -- seat herself calmly on a stool, and stare into oblivion facing the table. She would think of her teachings...of Bushido, and lose herself to them, becoming deaf to all things not concerning her, until called. Moving her right hand back, she would lift the helmet from her hair, allowing the ebony strands of hair to fall down her shoulders. It had grown long in her solitude, if one had seen it before. Her bronze complexion giving away her Asian heritage, immediately...but she would merely place the helmet on the bar top, and stare back into oblivion again...finding peace, where none could be found.

Kali whimpers, pulling herk nees under her chin, and tighteningh er arms around her legs. She peeks out at Pratz with watery eyes.

Pratz nods in at the guy across the room. "Hey... you don't like him...?"

Ashryn stares at Kali, his face expressionless. But he merely turns after a moment, to face the bar.

Slave does not know why the man shook his head at her, but she mearly shrugs her sholders. She waits to see if the waitress notices her.

Kali shakes her head briskly, remembering Pratz form before. She snifs and crawls slowly over to him, leaning up, and whispers something in his ear, trying to remember the right words...

BenjaminBlue pivots his head to look towards the child clutching to Pratz's bottom half with an interested expression.

Kali shrinks back slightly, shivering, but not from cold.

Pratz 's face blanks as Kali whispers to him, then he looks back down at her and makes an effort to smile. "...Here." He takes off his blazer and puts it around her shoulders. "Go back outside and find a place to hide, ok?"

Ashryn emits a low, almost silent growl, folding his arms upon the bar top again. He side-glances to the two, Pratz and Kali, his green eyes flaring.

Flash_Guardian slowly pushes the Pub's main door open, eyes gazing down at the floor in contemplation. Slowly one foot gets placed in front of the other as he walks in, Flash's usually peppy and energetic demeanor replaced by the calm of inner reflection. Something dwells on this man's mind, that much is clear. Slowly he looks around, searching for familiar faces that may help him find his answers, moving aside so as not to get caught lurking in the entrance.

Kali sniffles, looking up at him, a single tear streaking down her cheek. She nods slowly, then practically runs to teh door and slips outside. She then sits in the darkest spot she could find, and waits.

BenjaminBlue delicately raises the glass to his lips and lets a little more wine trickle down his throat. The cozy atmosphere of the tavern had seemed to leave a bitter aftertaste in his mouth as he looked between the two strangers. Murder and acts of cruelty ran rampant in these trying times it seemed. He could only shake his head to dispell such a distasteful image from his mind as he looked towards Flash entering the pub in a certain fashion that Blue found somewhat debonair. Ben waved one hand and motioned to the chair beside him with a warm smile to cover his angst.

Jaia-Asumoto slowly closes her eyes, allowing the peace of darkness to shroud her vision. The sounds of the bar seemed to fade a little as she drove deeper into a trance. She would move around on the stool, feeling uncomfortable on such seats, the leather of the armour creaking as her body moved. Lost in a trance, which brought her such peace, she did not wish to be parted from it. Good memories. She would smile, just a little before suddenly being torn from this semi-conscious manipulation of reality by a bang directly in front of her head. A glass of water had been placed in front of her. Thankfully, she would not drink tea in the presence of saki and other alcohols. Picking the water up, she would sip it lightly before placing it back down on the bar's bench...Her back turned to the door, so she was unaware of Flash's arrival.

Alita walks in, coat pulled around her narrow shoulders, glancing here and there at the shadows - somewhat distracted.

Pratz stands, looking straight back at Ashryn, and pitches his voice to where the whole room can hear him. "Folks?" He raises his left arm, and his left hand is sucked into the giant gauntlet looking thing on his arm, as a dull whine begins droning out of it. "You might want to leave the Pub, there's about to be a giant mess on the far side of it."

Flash_Guardian watches as a tear stricken young girl makes her way hastily from the pub's confines, his curiousity rising another notch. As he searched the room earlier, he easily spotted Jaia seated over at the bar. He smiles ... perhaps he will answers to some other questions as well. Moving swiftly, he crosses the bar to arrive nearby, and incidentally happens to be near Blue and another gentleman as well, quickly taking the offered seat. "Hello, Blue ... Jaia," he says, offering a nod to each before looking to the third man as he speaks ... and charges something! Flash's eyes go wide. "A fight? Already? By the gods, I just got here!"

Ashryn swivels around on his stool to face Pratz silently, that sam blank expressiono n his face. Ah another one that wants me dead...Not surprising...If only they all knew... He thinks, sighing quietly.

Tanner in the act of raising a hand to his mouth to stifle a yawn came slowly down the stairs. Though minus the longcoat he often wore, instead a pair of breeches held up by suspenders and a shirt, just woken up. he licked his lips slowly as he reached the bottom and turned towards the bar, nudging a passing patron out of te way as he lowered himsel fonto a stool

[Pratz ] "You raped that little girl. Even though I don't know you, for that, you don't derserve this. You deserve a jail system and incarceration for the rest of your life. However, since we don't have that around here, we'll just have to do this street corner style."

Slave stays quiet as others enter and leave the place. She smiles at a waitress as a glass of water was placed in front of her. THen she continues to watch the rest of the room.

BenjaminBlue swirls his half empty glass with his eyes half closed and look lacking any enthusiasm. " It would seem that noble deeds and acts of judgement must be resolved with the spilling of both men's blood. If they would wish to solve the problem on a diplomatic scale, I would have no quarrel. They can even fight amongst themselves. But I would only wish that the sanctity of this tavern could stay still and peaceful for one evening... " His tone sounded a bit bitter and self centered, a trait not normally seen in this foppish priest.

JonathanRiem walked slowly into this foul den of decadence. In his hand he brandished a wicked blade, of the type used in torture chambers. His eyes glinted from the shadows of his hat's brim, and he focused them on every inhabitant, until he heard the words 'raped that little girl'. Evil. He began to stride towards he who had said those words, and looked at the other who he adressed, a look of purpose in his eyes

Ashryn rests an elbow casually on the bartop, studying Pratz silently, his head tilted slightly. But he remained silent.

Jaia-Asumoto would look up and smile gently, with a little nod. She was pleased to see him, although they never met for much longer than a few moments. Hearing the male's voice...and the sound of something charging, her expression would change. It would become dangerous, not angry, merely tested to the edge of her patience. Technology. If anything she hated equally or more so than magic...it was technology. One foot would strike the ground, the leather of the boots spreading out to absorb the impact. She would do this again and stand slowly, her brown eyes blazing with contempt. She would look at Pratz, and then at Ashryn...She would listen, face growing darker. It was the samurai's duty to avoid or stop conflict. If no solution could be reached...she would deal with it in the only other way possible. She pick her helmet off the bar and looked at both who were going at each other and in a voice, that would startle any who knew her, in tones of complete authority she would state, "No violence here. Take it elsewhere, --

Tanner turned about his seat with the newly acquired bottle in his hand, a slight nod to the barkeep before his gaze passed around the room, he took a long swig before resting both hands and bottle one his knees and again yawned

Pratz nods at Ashryn's silence. "I regret the interuption." A blast of plasma launches itself out of Pratz's Weapon Arm and flies for Ashryn's chest.

Tanner raised a brow, grabbed his bottle, ducked through the crowds and made swiftly for the stairs "damned if'n im eating breakfast down here" he coughed lightly before setting off up the stairs

Jaia-Asumoto -- or otherwise I will be forced to intervene. Believe me when I say...I won't be taking sides, either way." slowly she would place the helmet on her head, and pull down the mask of the Asumoto clan. A dead clan now...but alive in her. Frowning, she would watch the blast of plasma and knew that her efforts to prevent violence...at least in her presence had failed. Her left hand slid down the pommel of Ichijmond, to grip the sheath tight. Her right hand came across slowly, positioning itself above the hilt of the katana, as she pushed most of her weight back onto her left leg, which had slid back along the ground. There she would wait, hoping their provocation would cease before she would draw the katana...and by honour, take one or both of their lives. A sword once drawn, required blood.

Ashryn steps off his stool just as the plasma launches, and his body shimmers twice, making the man become somewhat tranparent, and the plasma would merely pass through him. But he was not quick enough it would seem, as when the plasma hit the wall behind the bar, he shimmered back to his original physical state, but his shirt was torn at the front slightly and burnt, as was his flesh beneath the charred material. The man makes no sound, though he was feeling pain, and merely straightens, staring coldly back at Pratz.

Pratz matches his stare, another whirring charging up from within his arm.

Flash_Guardian has heard enough ... from Pratz and from Blue. He looks to Pratz, then over at Ashryn ... and at the rising Jaia. With little hesitation, Flash tucks both of his hands to his chest silently, closing his eyes and focussing as he gathers energy for a spell, sliding off of his stool and moving to stand, just as the plasma bolt flies past him. Seconds later, Flash turns to face Ashryn and spreads his arms to either side, the energy flinging far and wide to either side of Flash and slowly coalescing into a potent magical barrier of translucent yellow force, tall enough to touch the rafters. Due to its width, anyone who wishes to walk around the barrier will have to move to the pub's far walls in order to do so. ((Place yourself on either side of the barrier, except for Pratz and Ashryn ... you two have been separated most purposefully.))

Alita frowns and pulls out her hand-crossbow...

JonathanRiem stopped. He was experienced with magicks, but such magick he had never before seen. This... Scum would wait for another day. And so he began to walk around the room, eyeing everyone he passed, looking for signs of mental, or physical corruption

Alita eyes Jonathan and smiles like a cat.

Flash_Guardian also glares at Pratz and Ashryn. "Stand down ... both of you. Contrary to what either of you may think, this is NO place for hostilities. If you have a problem, take it outside ... or you'll have more to deal with than just Jaia." An agreeable nod is given to Jaia ... she would not have to stand against this pair alone.

Pratz 's eyes flick back and forth between the samurai-ko and the mage. "...damn. You'd think I wasn't a good guy or something."

Tanner slowly paced down the stairs again, now the bottle in his hand empty, it hung in his grasp lightly, he sat down upon reaching the botton step and fumbled with something at his side as he manouvred his greatcoat on, "damnnois..." he was cut short, his gaze rising and settling on Flash

JonathanRiem stopped. There were many witches here. He would burn them all, unless they proved some use to him. But he walked towards the witch who had used this foul, disgusting knowledge, and he spoke, in his cold, ruthless voice "Why did you do that, witch?"

Cannon reverse-skates in through the door. Unfortunately, he seems to be feeling in a destructive mood today, his entire skin flickering in strikes between black and white. The door doesn't open for him, but rather he melts right through it without breaking stride, and goes straight into the room. Also note that any magic or energetic effects in his way will most likely be immediately absorbed into him. He spins as he comes to a stop not too near the centre of the room. "Whats going on here?"

Ashryn raises a brow, looking to Flash, a hand absently wrapping around his bleeding lower torso. "...I didn't make the first move..." He stats coldly.

[Pratz ] "Tell that to Kali, the girl you raped."

Ashryn shakes his head, looking to Pratz, a small smile playing on his lips. "...I suggest you talk to Cyclone..." He says, eyeign the man coldly.

Cannon would probably only absorb that part which came near him. Unfortunately, if like water it flows to even itself out over any holes, then it will be gradually drained. If its content to have a hole in it though, then the rest should be fine.

Tanner rose slowly from his perch using the bannister to lever himself up. "g.." he began but knocked his hat on the wall, so after righting it again and giving himself and affirmative nod he turned again to the assembled group of bar brawlers....smiling " .. I know It aint my place, but I don think the barkeep would be too impressed if you..." he glanced around again" ...mess up his place, ya know" he coughed lightly

Flash_Guardian stands confidently ... until his barrier of force is quickly absorbed by Cannon's presence, the yellow energy distorting and quickly getting sucked away. "Dangit, Cannon!" Flash growls, glowering at the bionically enhanced man. Flash doesn't seem to happy with Cannon right now, it would seem ... but perhaps it's more than just the barrier. Flash still stands between the two potential combatants, his staring them down. "I warned you both already ... stand down, or take it outside."

BenjaminBlue tilts his head back once more and imbibes the rest of his intoxicating beverage, licking his lips as he lowered his glass. Blue would be close to the wall, neat the fireplace respectively, so manuevering shouldn't be much of a problem. Blue shifted himself in his seat and looked towards the chaos unfolding the in a way that would show his irritation with the whole ordeal. Blue notices Cannon on the other side and motions to the group with one outstretched metal finger. " Another dispute it would seem... Whether your assistance is required or not remains to be said. I am most sure that your intervention will resolve the matter though, " he said in an aloof tone before focusing upon Pratz in response to his most recent comment. " A girl raped? By this loathsome dog? " he asked with a tinge of outrage. " It would be best that he leave this place immediately lest he feel the steel of most of who dwell within these walls. "

Ashryn merely smiles, white fangs bared, his body fading. "...And maybe you should speak with my master, Mayen..." He suggests, with a wave of his hand. ...I need that girl...But I'll collect her later...Kathryn will not die for my sake... He thinks, vanishes in a whisp of black fire.

Slave watches the others, especially the ones that were not fighting. Some of them she would not want to get near. Especially Tanner. Others she felt that they would not cause her any harm. Like Flash.

Jaia-Asumoto would stand there for a moment, watching as Flash moved to separate them and state to the pair of them to stand down. She would listen to their provocations and excuses no longer, and would stand up slowly...She would give both an icy glare, and for one who was normal a gentle creature...this was not a sign of good will. The words that came from her lips would lash like a command, biting harder than the winter breeze, "Enough! I will hear no more excuses as to whose fault it is. To fight in here would be the fault of you both. If you must seek justice, "she was speaking to Pratz, "then seek it...but not in the presence and company of people who came here to be away from such things!" her head would whip around to face Ashyrn with the same cold eyes, "As for you. Your past deeds and misgivings are of no consequence to me at present. If you should lift a hand of violence here, in my presence..then expect me to feel insulted." she would step back beside Flash for a moment and finish, addressing them both, --

Cannon gets the feeling that Flash is annoyed, yes, but also takes note of who he was giving a telling off to. Promptly, the bioweapon's response is to point one hand at Pratz and the other at Ashryn. He holds still momentarily and asks Flash: "Perhaps obliterating both of them would be a more efficient solution to whatever problem there may be?"

Cannon lowers the hand that was pointing at Ashryn. You cannot obliterate what isn't there any more

Pratz listens to Ashryn's word, then blinks as he begins burning, and then charges across the room but only making it halfway before Ashryn vanishes. "... Blast!"

Flash_Guardian gives an unconcerned glance to Jonathan, realizing that he must have been talking to him ... no malice in his voice for the stranger. "Merely trying to keep the peace, sir. Do not be alarmed."

Jaia-Asumoto -- "Settle this later." suddenly Ashryn was gone. She would take another step back, and nod to Pratz and Flash...a quick bow before, turning and stalking straight out of the pub. Her destination would not be known...but she did not care anymore. She had lost all care... She would breath the deep fresh air and shake her head lightly. She needed a bath...she felt as if she were saturated in the filth of violence.

Slave finaly turns her brigh silver eyes away from the rest of the groop. A lock of her soft silver hair falls gently near her eyes.

[JonathanRiem ] "You use foul magicks. You are a filthy witch. If you value your life, you will tell me of what you know. If you may be of some use to me, I will spare you. For a time."

Cannon 's remaining hand follows Pratz precisely, though his eyes turn to Flash

Pratz watches Jaia walk out. "OK ma."

Tanner quirked a brow at Jonathan's words before his mouth split open and he doubled over in a fit of raucous laughter, hands clasping at his stomach unable to say anything

Pratz shakes his head and his left hand reemerges from the Weapon Arm. He looks up at Cannon and arches an eyebrow. "And you're pointing at me.... why?"

Cannon closes his fingers around his directed palm, making a pinching motion, then slowly clenching that hand into a fist. The fist is rotated, then gradually brought back to him and relaxed. He watches Pratz the whole time though and answers in a soft voice: "I perceived a threat."

Flash_Guardian now turns to glare at Cannon directly, disregarding all others as a fire of his own burns deep in his eyes. "NO!!" Flash shouts at Cannon as his arms are raised in threat. Seems Cannon's pricked an earlier wound back open. A short breath is taken, and Flash regains control of himself, stating more calmly, "No, Cannon. That would be the worst possible situation."

Pratz shakes his head. "Only to ... whatever that guy's name was. Not to anyone else."

BenjaminBlue gentley lowers his crystal cup and pushes himself from his seat, running his hand over his custom made vestments in an attempt to rid himself of any folds. " Terrible to see acts of malice forming within this place. Intolerable even. Poor girl... That wretched creature should be punished, that is for certain. " After being satisfied with whatever arrangement he came to, Ben fastened his azure chapeau once again and stepped towards the group. " Goodman Flash. Stranger. He will be judge in due time by a righteous hand. Patience will be the key to his undoing I believe. " Blue gave the stranger a slight bow, removing his cap for only a moment. " Forgive my rudeness gentleman. "

Flash_Guardian looks around now at the situation that seems to have changed most dramatically. Jaia is now gone, Cannon has arrived, he was being erroneously deemed a witch by another, and Pratz still stands accusing the other man of child-rape. And Blue still sits at the sidelines, where Flash himself would prefer to be at the moment. All in all, Flash isn't sure who to deal with first, so he just shakes his head and settles his gaze on Cannon. "We need to talk," Flash states flatly, still seeming rather upset with the grey-skinned man.

Tanner gathered himself slowly, small tears on his cheeks, and his words still punctuated witht the odd giggle as he straightened his coat,

Flash_Guardian now nods to Blue once more, a slight smile given to the priestly man. "Well, I guess that could have gone worse than it did," Flash jests, at least smiling a little.

Cannon looks back to Flash rather blankly. "We do? So lets talk?"

JonathanRiem slipped his blade back up his sleeve, bringing something a little more suited to this out from his belt. A foot long shaft with a six inch blade of a fine steel, glinting. "You will answer me..."

Slave shivers slightly at the creepy laugh. She does not look at the others.

Pratz smiles a bit. "I was hoping to draw him outside, in any case. And I believe the gods expect a certain amount of effort on our part, Father. But it's no problem.. he's gone for now." Pratz seems utterly unconcerned about Cannon, then blinks and looks past him at the weirdo in the pointy hat carrying the dagger. "Whoa, easy there..."

Flash_Guardian lashes out with a lightning fast hand, reaching for the man's hand on the hilt to try and grab hold, thus ceasing the blade from being further drawn if possible, not wanting to see any more blades drawn in so short a time and so peacable a place. He now glares to Jonathan darkly. "For your information, I'm not a witch. Witches are female. I am a sorcerer, and I will happily use my magics if it will save the lives of others. Now who are you?"

[Flash_Guardian ] A sidelong look is given to Cannon. "Umm ... gimme a minute here ..."

JonathanRiem whipped his blade away. No one ever touched his blade. The blade would no doubt have a opened cut, and it was impossible to prevent it being drawn. It was drawn in a split second, speaking of years of experience. "I am Jonathan Riem. Hunter of witches."

Pratz groans. "Another religious nutter."

Cannon looks nonplussed, and from where he stands be points at Jonathan, two fingers extended like a child might when pretending they have a gun. Its a little more effective in Cannon's case, and as small pulses of light start to run down his arm toward his hand he glances momentarily to Flash. "There are a lot of interruptions here, and a lot of unpleasant sorts that should probably be removed."

Tanner had begun to slowly move towards the bar again, muttered apologies to anyoen he bumped into and outright apologies for the state of his player's Rping today....anyway. He reache dup to rub at his neck and as he leant over to 'procure' a drink another figure caught his eye, the young girl set apart from the main group. he retrieved a bottle of some unmarked brew and raised it to her as in toast before unplugging it, he seemed to mul somethign over in his mind before turning slowly and seating himself once more.

Alita reshuffles her wings and watches Jonathan, smiling to herself as she drinks her whiskey and water..

Slave shivers at Jonathans words. Quicky she stands and walks over to the bar. She didnt know if she orderd anything, but if she did, she was going to pay for it first and then leave.

Flash_Guardian and his lightning fast motion with his hand could have just as easily taken a split second to move, if not less so, also speaking of years of experience, and Flash would certainly possess the strength to hold an normal man's hand at bay. But since I don't want to argue speed with you, I'll deal. Flash's hand is quickly cut, not reacting fast enough as he leaps back away from the man, scowling and holding his hand.

[JonathanRiem ] "Do not ever touch my blade again, 'sorceror'. Your vile blood befouls it."

[Pratz ] "You're certainly proving you're a being of light and flowers and puppies yourself, hunter."

Flash_Guardian has no words for the witch hunter but this ... "Put ... the blade ... away. Please. " There is a harshness to his urging. He then looks behind him to Cannon. "You too, Cannon! You aren't any better as long as you keep pointing your own weapons at others!"

Alita whistles, the universal "Hey?" one-note, raising tone whistle. She is looking at Jonathan down the barrel of a hand-crossbow and smiling.

BenjaminBlue turns his maleficient gaze towards Pratz and crosses his arms. " A religious nutter, was it? Perhaps you find those who would follow the words of God lacking in character or good taste? If I didn't think your words to be without thought or consiration for present company, I would be insulted sir. Hmph!" he says defiantly and proudly before calling to the barkeep for a second glass of white wine. His mood had seemed to drop a bit from ealier this evening. " Thank you, " he said quickly as he drink arrived.

Cannon lowers his hand, though he does quirk a brow as he glances back to Flash. "I would only be assisting you by eliminating them."

Pratz 's eyes flick over to Ben and he grins. "Remember when I called you Father eralier? That was a term of respect. Religious nutter is specially reserved for the people who hide behind or use God as a end towards their own means."

Tanner shook his head in disbelief , the situation seemed to be far from cooling and indded showed every sign that it would escalate as another patron joined in, he riased a finger and silently waggled it at Alita

[Pratz ] "Besides, nutter seems to be accurate. I don't think this guy's playing with all his pointy hats on straight."

Flash_Guardian shakes his head and growls, glaring at the floor. "You know what? Fine. If my departure will stem any further conflict, I'll leave. Good day to you, sirs." An urging look is shot to the woman with the crossbow as Flash moves for the door calmly and peacably. It seems Flash doesn't look too kindly upon the woman's crossbow either. "Ma'am."

Flash_Guardian seems quite bitter as he makes his way out.

JonathanRiem slowly stuck his blade back through his belt. He growled at the woman with the crossbow, a feralness instilled within him now, that he was doing as was asked by a witch,

Pratz nods at Johnathan. "Y'know if you leave right now you might catch the doorknob in the behind on the nice sorceror's pushthrough."

BenjaminBlue gives a tiresome nod and takes a sip. " I understand. Those who are quick to judge differ from those quick to condemn. I feel no anomosity towards you, good sir. Just the frustration of tonight's event would sharpen my tongue. I apollogize, " he said thoughtfully, flashing a small but perfect smile to Pratz. Blue turns his gaze to Jonathan and crosses one arm as he takes a another sip, just analyzing him for now.

[JonathanRiem ] "Surely you too are not a witch, Father?"

Cannon just watches Flash leave with apparent indifference, then looks back to Jonathan. He glances over the pointed-hatted figure in a manner reminiscent of an inkjet printer going over a complex picture: descending, a horizontal line at a time. Only once he has taken in all he can fathom from a surface visual scan does he look the being back in the eyes momentarily.

Slave stayed at the bar. The hood of her cloak had fallen back and her bright silver hair was exposed to everyone else. She listens to the others in the room. Things were starting to get out of hand, but she might be of some assistance. Sho she mearly watched and waited.