Otael was silent as the group walked around, but when Ahriman and Desmond talked about how the town got worse it did nothing to help Otael's state of trauma. He let out a high-pitched wince of pain as he curled inward crushing Fluffy even more. "No... Ravenholt better now..." he said shaking his head trying to reject what they were saying "No bad people! All nice." The terror was extremely apparent in his one eye that peered through his mask.

Desmond was made aware of Otael's trauma once more as the big man slowly caved in with Fluffy inside.

The stitcher didn't know how to comfort the man, why would he tell him that its all better when its apparently not? Its not that he condoned the act of lying but it was that it was right there in everyone's faces. Something was different than before.

Ghan went up to Otael, nodded and gave him a thumbs up with his free hand. The silent companion even opened the sack, took out a carrot and offered it to the rabbit inside.

Otael is scared. Fluffy is scared. They are two of one. Remedy one to remedy them both. Ghan said to his master.

Fluffy took the carrot with the same emotionless gaze she always held. If she was ever scared before, she was almost definitely fine. Otael on the other hand was not as well remedied. "Thank you." He said quietly in a quivering tone. He took a deep breath and tried to right himself. But he still didn't want to believe that everything had gotten even worse. It couldn't have gotten worse. Ravenholt was a disgusting place to him. There was no place worse, there couldn't be.

Septimius saw Jessica gesturing towards him and he walked up to her, "Umm... Jessica? I finished washing your ribbon." He held out the ribbon and smiled sheepishly. "Sorry it took so long."

Quote from BoomerangReturns

Meanwhile, Boris walked off to scan the area further. As he went deeper into the city, he became to further notice the vampires that smelled his human scent. Some began to call out to him, urging him to wait up. He continued to walk, however, but was then physically stopped by another vampire that had accidentally stumbled right into him. The black-eyed vampire looked at Boris, taking in his human scent, before drawing a courteous smile.

"Apologies, friend," he said, "I couldn't help but notice that you're....human. We don't notice many free humans in this city. It's very dangerous to be walking around in the city's epicenter. Why don't I lead you to the eastern side. Much less people, and much less danger for someone like you. I'll even give you a place to stay."

Figures.

"I'd appreciate your hospitality and concern, but I'm fine as it is," Boris said stoicly, keeping his composure as he's speaking with a bloodsucker.

"I am only just a visitor and I want no trouble. I'm aware of the dangers within these city walls, so thank you for your concern, but I think I'll pass on the opportunity. But mind if I ask you something? Who is the current erm... 'Count' of this city?"

"Oh!" she said to Septimius, Jessica took her ribbon immediately and returned the one that he gave him. "Thanks Septimius" she then placed it on her head again with a smile on her face "Let's look on Boris and decide what are we going to do about these poor humans..."

Septimius took off his hat and accepted the sash. He tied the sash back around his hat and placed it on his head. "Yep let's go look for Boris." He stated with a nod and followed Jessica.

As the others began to contemplate a plan in which all the humans could be freed, George, as Liss was now calling him, seemed genuinely terrified at these statements. He looked to Liss and Marcus, as well as Jessica, and began to stumble. "No...No no, we don't want to do that. We cannot anger the ruler. He doesn't...he doesn't like trespassers as it is."

As if on cue, the human slave turned his attention to a growing fissure in the crowd of people. They made way for another man, who was walking boldly down the street toward the scattered group. He glared down at the heroes for a moment, before letting forth a wide smile as he grew closer to them.



"My, my," He said in a thick accent of unknown origin, walking up closer to them, "I never expected that I would have such popular guests in my little old city. I am Count Draenor, the man who runs this beautiful place. What is your reason for stumbling upon this establishment...other than buying one of our auctioned humans when, last I checked, none of you are of vampire descent."

Meanwhile, the man frowned as he looked down at Boris, whilst he denied his courteous offer. He let out a heavy sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose, "You do not seem to understand, friend. I am doing you much more good than harm in this...precarious situation you have placed yourself in. Downtown, nobody with you, filled with vampires. We wouldn't want anything to happen, now would we?"

After making the casual statement, his frown turned into a slight smirk.

Marcus was genuinely curious when George mentioned trespassers. The doors were practically let open for the group to come in. Before Marcus could say anything a pale faced man was making his way closer to them. "You're saying our money is not good here? The man was being auctioned off and we paid the man's price for Georgie here. Count or not, whatever my lady decides to do with this man is none of your concern." Marcus didn't like how rude Count Draenor was. Sure they weren't being attacked by the vampires like they were in Falarog, but these creature's were far from civil and lacked all form of hospitality for a group of travelers. Marcus kept thinking about something the man said. What did he mean by popular guests? Does he know who we are?

Jessica was stopped by a vampire who called himself the Court Draenor, she simply didn't want to get involved with any vampire and started to walk by him looking for Boris. She said in an assertive tone, Jessica answered to the vampire "None of us are vampires, if you excuse me I'm a bit busy here...".

Septimius bowed, one arm around his midriff while the other was behind his back. "A man is deserved at least the respect of acquiring a title." He got back up and straighten his robes, "However if they are worthy of further respect befitting their title is another question. Now I'm curious, why would the ruler of a city come to greet us and investigate such a minor situation as the purchase of a slave? What's the real reason you decided to stick your pale, pointy nose into our business?"

Desmond kept a close watch on their surroundings, Ghan quickly did the same. He never saw the Count back when he was a child and he never really wanted to. As much as he traveled Ravenholt's alleys, he never went close to the more grand sectors. Things were different in those parts...

The count simply laughed at the individual reactions of the lot of them, his pitch black hues glancing between them one by one. "You are all exactly how he said you would be."

"I came to greet you because I know all about you....heroes. You valiantly battle monsters to capture Rae-Ala's feathers in an attempt to find her and save her. You desire to prod the monsters away with this arch angel, effectively bringing the humans back into control of the cities. When I saw your faces at my gate, I immediately opened the doors...mostly because you all make me, curious."

He let forth a light chuckle, shaking his head as he stopped Jessica in her tracks. "Just a moment, I can assure you that Boris is fine. I saw him during my walk over here. He is simply...enjoying the view."

On cue, Boris appeared in their line of sight, being escorted by another vampire. He looked to the group, and began walking towards them as the other being walked away. The count turned to Jessica, his fangs bared as their faces were only inches from one another. "See? There he is, safe and sound. Call that...A welcoming gift. However I assure you that next time I won't call them off when they see one of your helpless comrades deep in the streets."

He began to pace back and forth, looking between all of them. "My apologies for being so forward, I do appreciate the money you pay. However, these humans are made for the food of my kin, not for some vigilantes to save."

He leaned in to all of them, his smile turning into a frown, "Now....I'm going to ask again, seeing as you are in my city and seeing that I already know what it is you want, you might as well tell me...what do you seek, mighty heroes?"

Jessica grabed the handle of her sword immediately when the Court interrupted her on her way "Back off..." she said, and right after he explained where Boris was, she could indeed recognise his footsteps and was glad that he was ok. However she didn't let go her sword, when the vampire finished she said firmly and assertive once again "Human beings are not meant to be slaves, specially under the orders of a filthy vampire..." she said it with her head turned to him she even felt that she same eye contact with the monster "I see that you know about the feathers...how intersting, maybe you know the locations of one of them?".