All My Friends Are Dead (Open)

Astareal looked at the boy quizzically, wondering why he wasn't answering her. Staring at the boy for a moment, she debated on whether or not to ring Saraneth. It would be best not to use the bell on him as he was a living spirit, but if he didn't talk... the brunette smirked and looked away from the boy. She began to innocently pick at her finger nails, putting the bell away to do so. That would remove some temptation to ring it.

Morty returned after about five minutes, his fire brighter than ever. He seemed to be grinning. He took a place alongside Astareal and sat down, tongue lolling. After the necromancer was done picking at her nails she looked back to Xander. "I guess you don't have to tell me. I really don't care. I have no compassion." The tone was firm and emotionless. Astareal wasn't going to keep this up for long, she couldn't. She had a soft spot for adorable children, especially the ones who went into Death with her.

Xander looked at Astareal and then to his feet. "Ok then that is settled." He said matching her firmness. Although deep down he wondered if he would just tell her. He couldn't though, especially when he wasn't sure himself. Why was he here? How did he end up in this situation? Why was he stuck working as a slave to the queen? These were questions he would often ask himself. But there was likely not an answer, he was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. It was pure chance and nothing more. Perhaps if there was a reason it would be easer to accept...but maybe it would just make it worse.

Astareal studied the boy, beginning to like him more and more every second. When he used his firm tone she laughed lightly, a smile gracing her facial features. How adorable! Morty growled at the tone and she looked to the wolf and glared at him. That was a bit out of line. Astareal looked to Xander again. "You don't have to keep anythign from me. I don't have anyone I'm going to tell. I work solo; I don't trust people. Yrael isn't here, so you don't have to worry about him blabbing. I'm a good problem solver, too. I can help you sort a few things out. I have nothing better to do! I'm bored. My life is boring. You seem to be in trouble and I can help... if you trust me." Astareal said this calmly, not letting much emotion slip out of her voice.

Xander looked back up at Astareal, he was feeling a little awkward now. She thought he was amusesing...It was a strange feeling. His cheeks felt hot he looked at the smooth floor closely, looking at his reflection he could see his cheeks were a strange red color. He looked at himself puzzled wondering what was going on. Xander turned away not wanting the lady to see. "Um....well.." He began trying to find the words to explain. Xander sighed annoyed that he couldn't even find a way to explain. "The queen keeps me here sometimes....i'm her slave." He said quietly hopping that was enough, he couldn't really explain any further then that.

A slave? That was nice. Astareal had just made a potential enemy who was a queen. That probably wasn't all that good. Blinking furiously for a moment she looked to Morty. The great Dead beast was sitting there silently, listening and sniffing. It was a protector and a great bounty hunter. Blanking out for a moment she smiled lightly and looked back to Xander. "How wonderful. I've freed a slave. Now I do believe that it would be in your best interest to stay as far away from her as possible." Astareal didn't take anything into consideration. After saying this, however, she realized that he may not have a home.

Xander blinked and turned back at Astareal his cheeks were their normal pale color. " where?" he asked. She seemed angry that she freed him. he looked down, maybe he should have said something earlier. Now this lady could be in danger for helping him. Thinking for a moment he sat down. "You should go. I'll stay and then you won't get in trouble. If anyone asks i'll say that i broke the chain by myself." Which he probably could have if he wasn't still stuck wearing the necklace that interfered with his powers.

Astareal studied the boy as he told her to go. Smiling a small, pathetic little half-smile, she shook her head. "Lord only knows what that woman will do to you. I'm not going to abandon you and leave you here for the dogs, figuartivley speaking. As for where you can go I have no idea, but I'm sure it wouldn't be that hard to find a place." The brunette continued to shake her head for a moment before looking to the moon. She wasn't going to leave and abandon Xander no matter much she wanted too. She wasn't a cruel person.

Morty stood and walked out the door, growling. Something had alarmed him...

Xander looked in the direction of the door. "thats probably her..." He said trying to keep his voice even as he was struck with fear. She must have decided to punish him herself after all. "Go now." He said sharply to the brunette lady. As powerful as Astareal seemed she would be no match for the queen, not even with the help of the dead wolf she summoned." take this necklace of of me and i might be able to stall her while you escape. I can't remove it myself because it is enchanted and it stops me from shape shifting." His voice had a panicky edge to it. Xander as much as he was still unsure about the lady didn't want to see anything bad happen to her. Especially since she was helping him.

Astareal snorted and shook her head. She wasn't going to leave. If her stubborness brought her an end she really didn't care. She wasn't abandoning this kid! "YRAEL!" Astareal's voice boomed throught the castle, rough and frightening. The little white cat bolted up the stairs and skidded to a halt in front of the girl, bell jingling. It looked up to her with it's black eyes shining. "You have my permission." The cat turned into the small little boy with golden eyes, staring up at Astareal quietly. The Mordicant started down the stairs, growlling lowly and searching through the darkness to find the intruder.

Astareal looked to Xander, curious. "We won't be needing to take off that necklace it I can do anything about it. If things take a turn for the worse, however, I'll take it off." Astareal was ready to take off Yrael's collar before she removed the neckace from Xander. She knew he was a Hybrid but...

Oh, shit. Bob was doing mental flips, worried about what might happen. Who was going to die tonight?

Her Royal Highness was going to check on her wee little prisoner who hadn't killed off that rotten son of the devil like he was supposed to. It would be best to make sure he was still there. As her ears picked up a faint growl she was on her guard at once, summoning a large fire ball to fire at her will.

Xander slowly backed away from the door, if Astareal wasn't taking off the necklace he wouldn't be any help anyway. But he was a little hurt that she didn't trust him enough to let him help. After all he was the reason they were in this mess. "What should i do Bob?" He muttered to himself/bob quietly.

I have no idea. Bob was lost and kind of disbelieving. What a horrid situation.

Astareal thought for a moment, stuck. Should she trust Xander and take off the necklace or trust her faithful kitty and take his collar off? Time was running out and Astareal had no idea of what to do. Unless she could go into Death and bring out an Army of the Dead.... THAT'S IT! Astareal rushed over to Xander and took the necklace off him. "I'm going into death. Protect my body and if things get too bad take off Yreal's collar." Immediatley after doing this the girl entered Death, running as fast as she could to the Eighth Precinct.

The queen stopped and analyzed the sounds. As the flaming wolf appeared she was taken aback. It was a Dead creature. The only way to kill that thing was to douse it in running water. Thinking for a moment the queen laughed and pressed forward. Morty snarled and launched himself at the queen. The queen let go of her fire ball, sending the animal flying against the wall.

Xander nodded, he smiled lightly. At least he could use his powers now. He looked at the cat boy, he didn't trust it and defiantly didn't want to take of it's collar. He went over to the door. He could see the queen coming, his mind was racing as he tried to decide what form he should take. There was so many to choose from, all having their own advantages and disadvantages. Finally he decided to become a water dragon, he thought it would be a good choice since the queen was a fire elemental.

Yrael shook his head. This kid was going to forfeit his life to save the stupid wench who held Yreal prisoner. Debating on telling the boy this Yrael decided against it. If the little twerp was imprisoned it was his own fault.

Astareal arrived in the Eigth Precinct and rang Mosrael loudly, sending two spirits back to Life. They would be spirits of the Greater Dead, nothing more than shadows. With this she was forced back into the Ninth Precinct. She managed to not look up and went back to the eighth precinct, hurrying back toward Life.

The queen finished off the Mordicant, grinning to herself. Obviously there was a Necromancer nearby. She would be a nice slave to obtain, after, of course, checking on the one she already had. A loud crash behind her made her stop to think before starting up the stairs.

Careful. Let her kill off the dog first. Then sneak attack. Bob was glad he didn't have to handle this. He wasn't good with these situations.

Xander knew it probably wasn't a good idea to help a stranger especially since it was clear that she liked to use people. However, she did help him and he wouldn't feel right if he didn't return the favor. He crouched low near the door waiting for the queen to turn her back and kill the dog. When she did he charged at her breathing a jet of water from his mouth like a normal dragon would breath flames. His claws were also out stretched and ready to slice her.

Astareal was back into Life quickly, panting. Without thinking, she charged down the stairs and collided with the queen. "Get out of my way, Mary Poppins!" Astareal was outraged and shoved the queen out of her way, making it to the lower floor of the castle. Ringing Saraneth loudly she felt the spirits bind to her. All the same she didn't realize that a fire ball was heading straight for her back. Instead of thinking of this she linked with the Greater Dead and sent them flying toward the queen.

Yrael was trapped in thought but sensed danger. Astareal was in trouble and he didn't know if he should help her. Thinking for a moment he sighed and started down the hallway, also pushing right past the queen.

As the queen was hit with water she was disgusted. Her powers wouldn't be destroyed, just taken away momentarily. Her blood began to boil and the water evaporated, leaving her as dry as she was before. "That's not going to help, you know." As the girl charged past her and shoved her over the queen turned and sent a fireball straight toward her and began to go back up the stairs. When the cat came by and oh-so-casually pushed her out of the way she began to get infuriated. If she unleashed a fury she would kill them all...

Xander watched as Astareal and Yrael pushed pass the queen like she was nothing but an annoying tree branch. He would have laughed if it were not for the situation. He recalled his attack and flew higher into the open air when he noticed the dead heading toward the queen. Looking over the scene he noticed a fire ball was heading for Astareal and her cat didn't seem like he would make it in time. Xander went closer to the ground and breathed out a jet of water to put out the fire ball. When he succeeded he flew back into the air to see if the queen was being defeated or not. Then a thought came to him.. he had saved her from the fire ball so he no longer had any reason to stay, right? His dept was paid and yet for some reason he stayed. Then he realized what it was, he wanted to stay because he wanted to make sure the queen was dead. The only way for him to be free was if she died. Should i leave Bob?

(( We should play this out a bit more, the queen can't just be beaten so easily. LOL))