While Flame had been no gambler per se, she was fairly certain that the secret to surviving was knowing what to throw away and knowing what to keep. Playing the game without as much as a proper memory on the other hand could prove dangerous, but she trusted that her instinct was pointing her in the right direction.

With or without Roc there were two others to choose from. Typhoon and Gale both seemed to be quite knowledgeable and although the former had been far more enjoyable to be around, she didn't doubt that the latter might be the better choice by the end of it simply due to intelligence. Allegiance counted into the whole affair as well, who'd work together with her all the way and not abandon her if things didn't work out the way they were supposed to. Having half a day with them in the cell would be more than enough time to gain further insights into their dealings and personalities since according to Nicodemus she couldn't get his errant done by herself.

Upon hearing the knock on the door she opened it for him, peeking out with most of her body hidden behind it despite wearing a towel as cover, not saying a word about the special something she did to her hair as if checking whether he picked up on it or not.

Carefully taking the heap of clothes from him her eyes flickered over the individual pieces, noting with delight that they rather appeared to be her actual size unlike the tight shirt she had worn the day before. "Mhm .. They might just fit." She nodded, then smiled briefly as she glanced back up at him. "I appreciate it, thank you very much." The red head bowed gently in appreciation or at least as much as the door would allow before closing it ever so slightly, leaving it somewhat ajar in such a way that he could probably take a peak if he wanted.

Facing the door with her back she was setting the pile aside before removing the towel from her otherwise nude form, swiftly slipping into her underwear though she shouted out as she struggled to make her way into one of the shirt's sleeves. "Just .. one moment!"

Fortunately the garments had been adjusted almost perfectly, accentuating her features well once the door opened and she stepped out before him, not too tight but not too loose either it almost felt like a tailor made them specifically for Flame. "They really are much better than the others, don't you think?" It sounded like an invitation to look at her or merely served conversational purposes, but she didn't hold a grudge against him at least.

She straightened up a bit, the posture pronouncing her bust more so than anything else. "So .. would you mind showing me what you've brought us for breakfast?"

She had a decision to make of course though Nicodemus did not pressure her and let her play it as she would. He notes the change in her hair style though he has known her for but a day and she is devoid of much of her earlier memory and he does not know if that was how she normally wore her hair and the other day was unusual but he draws that in as if he were appraising artwork.

Unlike humans he tended to note changes easier rather than being oblivious to most things.

“I like what you did with your hair. But yes, these should fit, the goblins do not know what I am, just you and Tori at this stage unless you mentioned matters to your cellmates.

“I am unconcerned who knows but I like keeping the goblins guessing as to how I fit in. A bit of bad news through magic communication is quicker and Tori is already sending Murk's replacement. Hopefully he won't be so disagreeable. Replacing a brute with another brute is indeed a simple matter.”

The door is left opened though. Quite tempted to peek though if he got a glimpse at those fine curves that he remembered so well there would be no telling if they would have the urge to use the bed again. Tempting though … although she may have been testing him too. She may have just as easily wanted him to look.

“Take your time,” he returns, the sound of his voice indicating he as clear across the room. He was thumbing through the pages of one of his favorite novels as he waited, skimming the well worn passages before setting the book back on the bookshelf when he had thought he heard the door creeping open.

He crossed the room and had a look. “Good to hear. These I had been allowed to alter it magically, none of the goblins had been around.” Oh the swell of her bosom, her shapely as, those flowing curves that drew his attention. He regarded her in silence for a moment, simply delighting in her fragrance, basking in what he saw. It would have been a lie to say that he wasn't getting a little aroused at least.

He held out an arm walking her to the balcony which was the start of their ordeal last night.

But it is there that he had breakfast brought, her choice of apple or orange juice, the eggs were scramble, bacon and sausage gave off to conflicting but pleasant aromas that swirl with that of the home fries.

“I didn't know how you preferred you eggs but for tomorrow I think pancakes will do.”

The subtle adjustment to her hair occured on a whim, but she was pleased to know that he'd noticed almost right away. It made her feel appreciated and despite vocalizing her mistrust earlier he still wanted to set things right, that nearly made her feel guilty of all things due to how charming the moment was. The slightly open door on the other hand hadn't been a sly maneuver to trick him into watching her dress, it was mere coincidence although if one were to reflect on this brief opportunity of his it might've appeared that way.

Flame hooked her arm with his upon departing from the chamber, wandering the halls which appeared to be slightly more lit with what little light the narrow slits in the walls allowed through. At least she was sober and the spare amount of daylight made it easier to map out the prison, what turns they took at which junction though dimly she recognized where they were headed, but that didn't slow them down.

Not only bad memories were associated with it, after all, the drink he'd taken from the crevice between her breasts being one of the more enticing ones and while the evening had been pleasant throughout she refrained from thinking along those lines now.

Soon enough a savory smell began to waft through the air the closer they got to their destination which she happily drew in with each breath until they arrived, releasing the lock of their arms as the red head took in the delicate pleasantries that were prepared for the two of them. Regrettably she couldn't enjoy it as much as dinner the day before with the thought of her lost virginity and the decisions that had yet to be made throwing her stomach into a constant state of discomfort.

"It looks absolutely delightful. May I?" As luscious as the food was the body before him as she bent over ever so slightly, the shapely backside of hers protruding toward him while she was casually pouring herself a glass of orange juice before asking the angel whether he wished to have some of either of the two in which case she'd cast him roughly the same amount into another glass, if he refused she merely had to insist. It only seemed fair to return the generosity of her jailor to some extent, but somehow it was slightly embarassing to take care of these little things in reflection of his earlier comment about having her do some naked house cleaning.

When the red head turned around to hand him the glass there was a faint blush on her cheeks though her gaze swept over the landscape once more before getting seated on the familiar chairs. She smiled briefly before picking up a piece of silverware, cutting off a chunk of scrambled eggs to test them first though by the time it vanished past her lips these ruby red eyes pressed close, followed by a content sigh as she munched on the thoroughly cooked yet juicy bits, revelling in its taste just a little longer before swallowing.

"This is delicious .. My compliments to the chef." Flame tried something differently once more, eggs, bacon and sausage all in a single bite that caused a salty yet pleasant mouthful of sensations atop her tongue. For a moment she hummed contently, then gestured him to take a seat. "Ah, but please, dine with me. I'd like to .. adress a few things."

The prison was large though only a small portion of it was being used, chiefly it had been the elementalists and guards. The remainder of the prisoners were shuffled off so that Nicodemus did not have to divide his attention all that much.

The light coming through the arrow slits ensured that should the prison be attacked by an outside force it could be locked down and defended though that was a little redundant for this was Carrion, there was no escape … normally and certainly not without help for there was nowhere in which to go save for the Badlands. Often an escaped soul was tortured and tormented by the other souls that resided in this place. Of course important prisoners could leisurely be recaptured.

Nicodemus had not been immune to her charms even though he did not feel she was intentionally doing it he did not keep his gaze diverted as he made it clear that he could appreciate her feminine form as her breasts drew his attention and their curves. Her pert ass which he still had questions about.

“Please help yourself,” he gestured to the food.

“Apple juice,” he returned after a moment, stealing a good look at her ass as she poured him a glass. He wanted so much to knock the dishes off the table, sweeping them to the floor and bending her over it as he thrust into that amazingly tight body. Oh, well. He allowed the thought to slip away.

He swings his gaze back to her after consuming a piece of sausage. “Oh? What is it that is it on your mind Flame?”

Perhaps it wasn't the time to adress the matter, but the more she thought into it the more worried she became and needed to be at ease for the challenge ahead. Taking another piece of scrambled eggs she placed the utensils back down on either side of the plate before her, glancing off into the distance for a moment as she considered. From his angle the morning sun gave her eyes a radiant gleam as its rays reflected off of the twin rubies. "For one I wasn't aware angels actually had to eat or drink."

The comment brought a smile to her lips although she sighed in reflection of the subject matter at hand and allowed for it to vanish. "You know, I just can't stop thinking about last night. It's all coming back to me, slowly but surely, and I remember that you, well .."

Flame was ashamed even remotely grazing that topic, but unfortunately she didn't have the memories to come up with an answer by herself what would happen if an angel and a human indulged in these rather personal aspects of life. "Well, um .. I don't know how to phrase this any better, so please bear with me and .. don't be offended. I mean, technically your body is, erm .. that of a human and the two of us had .. sex." It took her a lot of effort to pull through with it, merely forming the last word with her lips so she wouldn't have to say it out loud as her eyes trailed along the floor.

"I'd like to know if, by any chance, you might've been able to impregnate me. I won't blame you, of course .. but it's important to me to know." She was looking at him then, locking eyes with his though she was worried the answer would only confirm her suspicions. Not the most ideal discussion during the beginning of the day, but she wouldn't ask him what he'd meant by her being the one, Nicodemus had to answer that by himself after all. Aside from that they'd have to talk about what she had to do in terms of Tori, unless sooner or later they were destined to escape or have the sorceress end up either dead or in utter servitude.

“Or sleep for that matter ...” he added with a slight nod. “We do not have to unless we choose to, such as with sleep. Everything we consume is burnt off though and there is ambrosia that we consume often though have no real need in doing so.

“I'm merely being more social. I figured that you would expect me to eat in your presence and that you wouldn't mind some company while you ate.”

She explained further and while he had not been certain that she might have been concerned she could have been curious as well. Being fairly perceptive though meant that she did not have to finish.

“What of last night? Despite how it began I am quite pleased too. It was rather pleasant, there is no sense in denying that.” He nods at that, hoping to press it into her mind that he had enjoyed the matter. It would be another matter if he were indifferent or hadn't enjoyed what she gave up as being rather mundane.

But her question could not be ignored. “We are Tyrez's first children. Humans the second incarnation given free will.. We have it now but had to work to earn it. But we angels have aspired to be more like you mortals to the stage we have adapted to several matters.

“Free will being chief amongst them, not until one of our kind had been cursed and gave us all free will. From that point on we could choose for ourselves. But we are different species but made from similar blueprints so to speak.

“In the beginning we were all androgynous but with that curse we had to select a gender and became that one. Long story short there is a tale that it is possible to interbreed but hasn't happened yet, our species tend to stay apart … think or us as two siblings competing for fathers attention. Jealous of one another we don't hang out at the same places or have the same friends … but our circumstances have brought us together. It is possible from the rumors I've heard though it is yet to happen as far as I know save for in ancient fables when the curse was first set into motion making us more mortal than immortal, in more than a few areas. We just believe that these tales are fables. When he needs more angels Tyrez simply wills them into exsistance. Only the fallen amongst us will partake in sexual matters as the others become fallen when they indulge and loose that purity, but with free will now they can choose for themselves.”

"Staying with someone like you I figured that may be the case, but I appreciate your attempt at making me feel as if we were in a natural environment."

None of it felt natural, but if more was to come in the future she'd have to get used to his angelic nature. Someone like Flame couldn't easily if ever fathom what it was like to never sleep or eat unless they chose to. It was questionable whether the desire was actually there, perhaps to revel in the taste of certain foods though in terms of sleep there was nothing drawing an immortal being to it unless they wished to dream though even that in itself might've been impossible.

"Suddenly gaining free will must've been an overwhelming experience .." Taking a sip of orange juice she set the glas aside, contemplating his words though she merely interrupted him once on the matter of free will. Angels that actually believed in free will itself and not the illusion that fate created were rather peculiar if one were to account something as divine as destiny.

Patiently waiting for him to finish she neatly cut a piece of sausage before guiding it to her lips upon having her answer though conflicting thoughts arise in the back of her head. Nicodemus indulged in bodily pleasures before yet if none of the women he spent time with ever got pregnant it might be true that it wasn't possible in the first place. Flame nodded, slightly saddened by that realisation although it meant there would be no surprises in the coming months. "I was hoping for more than that, but if fables are all that speak in favor of a pregnancy then I'm quite relieved."

Briefly considering her words she meant to clarify, part of her wanted to stay with him after all. "Not .. in that way, of course, forgive me. If we were to have a future together, I'd like these tales to be true .." The last part was but a thought spoken out loud, but it didn't really matter if he picked up on it. She was fairly certain that he wouldn't mind trying to confirm them as much as his red haired companion. "I'm just not entirely comfortable with the idea of carrying a child until I can cope with my memories being gone or Tori decides to remove that blockade in my head and I know what I need to about any promises I've possibly made in the past. You understand my concerns, don't you?"

For a moment she wondered how much she actually knew before her imprisonment, if that knowledge could be recovered or she had to read some of the books back in his chamber to start anew. He gave her food for thought though she refrained from asking how angels chose their gender based on nothing but personal preference that couldn't possibly be there if they'd been tethered in their ability to choose before that very day. "I don't mean to question a deity's ways, but if Tyrez merely creates angels out of thin air .. wouldn't they be hollow husks without personality unless he provides for them? Despite having free will at their disposal I imagine they're meant to serve their creator in some way, after all .."

Something about it didn't feel right, that if he truly was an angel then choosing a hellish prison out of all places to stay in for eternity didn't make much sense. "If you don't mind me asking .. Why are you holed up in a place like Carrion if you're free to choose? Is it by any chance related to how you've fallen from grace?"

Flame understood perfectly that she was a mortal, that Nicodemus was brought down to her plane in a sense once he fell though he retained far more power than she could grasp, yet she didn't mean to upset him so if he prefered to keep it a secret there was nothing she could do.

“Yes, free will was an experience ...” Nicodemus had reflected back upon the mater. Now if he were to explain it fully to her everything was destined. Yet, free will could try to get a desired outcome by avoiding something the chain of events leading to that something happening occurred. In part he could have said that free will was a mere illusion and everything was predetermined yet you did not always know the outcome.

“Most angels continued to serve. Blind faith seeing that millennium had passed with them being concealed to obey that they never questioned their knew found freedom … well most of them anyway. Some obeyed but secretly questioned matters that they found faith lacking in areas.

"Destroy a city … Nicodemus couldn't understand taking all those innocent lives back then and he could not simply carry out the orders blindly but he dared to question them.

“I am unsure if it is possible or not. Fables are created from truth after all but this could be someone's wishful thinking or a means of reciting a memorable story. I will inquire more on this.” Nicodemus had been with other women, that was true though he still did not know if it were actually possible to impregnate them.

Flame was going to do him a favor and he had found himself asking a question of her that he had asked no other. Whether or not to come inside her. He had always pulled out, always smeared his angelic seed on their bodies. He had been so pleased with her and gave her that choice though he had not said anything about this just yet, least she panic about.

But she clarified her words and he turned his head appraising her again.. Of course he wouldn't mind trying at all though neither were in a good position right now. He smiled at her though.

“You have to have faith that these things can happen. The barren couple that suddenly gets with child after so long for instance but when you are ready, if you ever are then we will just have to be careful. Perhaps it will be I that restores your memory.”

He did not explain it much, she would find out soon enough. He did consider her question for a moment giving it a little thought . He had his suspicions of course though he kept those to himself.

“I am uncertain why these things are but that is the way that Tyrez chooses to do things. I have a theory on something though it is more one of those things … but yes, Flame, valid concerns and I understand them.”

It wasn't so much as a secret, it was upsetting at times though he was on the cusp of all that changing so he had not minded the last day or so now that he could see the end in sight. She certain got the right idea and she probably would work out something close to the truth if he had said nothing about it.

He was quiet for a moment as he determined just how much he intended on revealing here. Then he acknowledge the question with a slow nod, the sipping of his juice then the starts of the tale.

“It is true that it is tied to that fateful day, an ironic choice, Carrion … but it was not a choice. In truth I am no freer than you but I am forced to obey and have been sent here.

“See, that city I was suppose to destroy could have prevented all this. You would still be back on Sirocco, I would not have fallen and neither of us would have knowledge of one another.

“But there was a powerful entity there, one that I did not know of. A malignant evil that needed to be cut away but to do that there was going to be so much collateral damage. In the end hesitation cost me. The evil won the day and for disobeying I was cast out.

“Some of my Divine power broken down and scattered across the Shadows. I searched for these fragments and slowly but the pieces together until at last only one eludes me. But that evil found it first and had bond a wicked spell to the remnants of that essence that is in the form of a golden feather.

“The evil of course is Tori. I had a chance to slay her over a century ago and failed. I was cast out and eventual forced to serve what I had not destroyed though as the decades slipped past I have been able to fight against the intense pull of the feather more though of course she is unaware of this.”

"Please do." Flame nodded when he adressed the fables. Someone like him might know where to look for answers, places she wouldn't know of even if she explored the world for the rest of her life. Naturally she needed more time with him outside of the confines of the prison, if that day were to ever arrive in the future. She liked him and every moment she spent with the angel put her in a good mood, but something as extensive as pregnancy would require a lot more than that, starting with their escape from Carrion.

Restoring her memories on the other hand was a gamble, whichever way he planned on carrying out the process chances were that her heart was tied to another person and she sought to return to her special someone though the same thing she thought would've driven him away from that idea simply made her appreciate him more. Nicodemus would essentially give her the choice to stay or leave unless he forced her to remain with him, but it was the thought alone that made him all the more precious in her eyes.

Then again lovers weren't the only thing locked away, what if there were darker secrets she didn't want to remember? She'd have time to think, without a doubt, but the choice had to be made eventually.

Feasting on the meal before it got cold, she listened intently to the reasoning behind his fall. In a sense his failure allowed them to meet in the first place, but from what she had gathered up to this point someone as tainted as the witch was able to live for over a century beyond the day she was supposed to die. Flame had conflicting feelings about all this, but what was done had been done and dwelling in the past after so long seemed like a waste.

Unfortunately it appeared that she bound the angel using the last fragment of his divine power. She assumed that it was the reason why he made her such an offer, protection for a favor though she had no idea what she might've gotten herself into. "I see .. so that's why we were celebrating freedom."

Crossing her arms in front of her chest she gently embraced the bulk of her breasts, her gaze trailing across the floor in thought before returning to his. "Well .. What will you have me do, then? I think we both know that secrecy at this stage isn't going to get us anywhere and at the moment I don't know more than any other of the prisoners here, so I'd like to know what you expect of me and whoever I choose to bring with."

"Retrieve the feather for you? Break it? Either way is risky no matter how you put it and if I fail we're going to be neck deep in trouble if not facing certain death." The witch was no slouch, there were obviously reasons why she lived that long and attempting to outsmart someone like Tori simply by allying with a prisoner wasn't the most sophisticated idea Flame could imagine. "I'm sure you have your reasons to believe that I'll be able to do it, I just don't have the same faith in me as you do.", she added with a sigh, placing the glass of orange juice back onto her lips.

"There's something else .." An inconsistency she picked up on, though it may lessen her already low opinion on the supposedly righteous, heavenly angels she decided to bring it up anyway.

"You said the city was destroyed regardless and all those lives were lost, so how did Tori manage to get away? If she was the reason you were ordered to wipe out that town, I imagine it must've been pointless to kill the remaining inhabitants after she slipped away somehow unless she was believed to have corrupted everyone inside."

It made no sense that they hadn't tried getting rid of her ever again after Nicodemus failed to carry out the order himself. She didn't appear to be on the run, after all, since Flame doubted that anyone could actually elude the reach of heaven unless there were things the red head truly wasn't aware of, such as how much power the witch really posessed.

He would look into the matter, even now his network of information had been vast indeed. Nicodemus knew plenty of secret orders after all and societies that research that sort of thing along with prophecies and legends that he had not paid attention to.

If the information was out there he would find something more concrete than simple fairy tales about the matter. It may take him a little while, he may not have had much of a reason for it before though he would find such an answer out given enough time. If Tori were to have her killed or she died in the next few days then it became a moot question.

Though it might take a few weeks he would obtain the answers. He might not like them though. It was far more likely that she was admired by someone or admired someone in return. She was not unattractive after all and she was only human, it would be natural for one of her age to have amorous feelings towards another.

The fact that she had been a virgin only seemed to add to that deduced knowledge for it made a degree of sense that she was saving herself though really, she may prove to be just as tight if she were with another that was reasonably endowed they may not even notice at all.

It might go against his best interest in her learning though fate would determine that he supposed. If things were destined then they would happen some how in the end regardless of the choices they made along the way. Free will, he realized, was an illusion.

“It may be a bit premature but yes, I was celebrating our freedom the other day,” his eyes roam that delicious body as he thought of other ways in which they could celebrate. Of course he kept himself apart from such thoughts at least for the long term.

He had considered her question for a moment before he answered.

“Secrecy is out, no doubt and with all four of you here I doubt that Tori will wait long. If you are caught not only will you suffer but I shall as well. I may not be killed seeing how much Tori controls me through those wicked enchantments though I am uncertain.

“I believe that you will succeed, Flame.” Nicodemus smile and took a drink of his juice. “I can delay Tori a day, maybe two and say that you had escaped and have had to be recaptured. I can hold her off that long.

“I You and another of your choosing will be sent to retrieve the feather. I shall link you two with a simple enchantment so I can find you at any time. Even if it is dispeled I am immortal and will find you, in which case you'll have Carrion to look forward to. There is a means to get to your Shadow that I will point the two of you towards though it is up to you how to accomplish this. Your collars will be removed. I have limited the location of the feather to a small region, a coastal village near which is a cave that several monsters have been located at, which is probably where the feather is kept under the possession of guardians.”

He shook his head slightly. “A misunderstanding. The city was never destroyed. I was sent to “purge” it but had been baffled by the order and delayed long enough were Tori moved on. Tori is powerful enough to mask herself form divinations and we caught a lucky break and located her. However, it was felt that a frontal confrontation would only alert her into fleeing. If she fled then she could spread her evil further but in hindsight I suppose killing her would have been worth the colllateral damage considering the number of lives she has been responsible in taking since. I am sorry for any confusion my earlier words may have generated.”

Perhaps she was putting more pressure on herself than he'd ever manage to, but failure meant far more consequences than she was willing to endure. Their collective suffering, the knowledge that his faith in her was misplaced, that she nor he may ever be free although there simply was no choice other than going through with it.

"Thanks, I appreciate it .." That made one out of two who believed in her success though with each piece of information she grew a little more worried that it'd be too much of a challenge.

"I wasn't aware that we'd be leaving Carrion .." She had expected Tori to maybe carry the feather with her, that the whole task of retrieving that portion of his power would take place within the prison, but being released into the unknown was an entirely different story. "Ah, but the village .. is it inhabited by any chance? I wouldn't know how to get to that cave and might be able to hire a guide unless you have a map of the area .. or something along those lines that'll keep me on track."

Flame cocked an eyebrow when he mentioned the removal of their collars and what they might find upon arrival at the cove he thought would be the location of the feather. "Monsters?" Whether to fight or elude them, the red head was plainly outmatched by most existing creatures due to her lack of memory, magic being her only means of self defense against what she imagined these so called guardians would be.

Even lacking the collars then, at least Typhoon would retain his memory and potentially make better use of his chosen element since they were close to the sea, more so if the cave itself was filled with puddles of water. Despite having received the same treatment as Flame, Gale had shown talents in acrobatics which allowed her to take on opponents without magic whatsoever although Roc she did not know of. For all she knew he could be packed with layer upon layer of muscle, but strongest didn't necessarly mean best and she trusted that her earlier choice not to invite him to their chamber and therefore favor him the least out of the three had been the right call.

"Do you have anything more specific about them? I'm talking about .. strenghts and the like, maybe appearances .. After all you were going easy on me and I doubt if you wanted to defeat me from the start it'd have taken you more than the blink of an eye. If anything I encounter there gets the drop on me I wouldn't be able to last long, I'm afraid. I'd rather not know what those things would put me through once that happened .." If they weren't allowed to kill her, that is. If they did there was nothing else to worry about ever again, but if they didn't then perhaps enduring Murk would've been favorable by comparison.

Another bite, another sip, her hunger was waning though she blushed slightly at the end of his explanation, a familiar heat that made up her embarassment rising to her cheeks. "It's quite alright, don't worry about it .. I was simply wondering why she hasn't been apprehended since that day or if such an attempt was ever made in the past century, seeing how you're here and forced to serve Tori you'd know where she happens to be at times though I'm assuming being cast out of heaven also cuts off any means of communicating with other angels which haven't fallen yet."

Was his faith in her misplaced? He did tell her that Tori impaired her ability to remember given that she was the strongest. It was a second safeguard in a manner of speaking if she ever got that collar off though there were still things that came natural to her, while her power was great it was obvious that there had been things that she was forced to forget too. Chief amongst them had been the ability to conjure the Flame Serpent.

“Oh, the village is inhabited. Humans mostly … it is situated along the coast of ...” he paused as if he had some reservations about telling her something but figured that she was just going to find out in time.

“You will be in Sirocco. I will provide you a map of the region though you're free to investigate the village as you see fit but remember that you are under time constraints here. That is if you do not use the opportunity to escape.

“In addition I will give you a device that allows for contact with me so I can meet you once the feather is acquired. There are seals on the cave that prevent me from entering it so it will have to be outside of the cave.

“Though the village you can investigate local legends on the place and what not to further figure out what you are up against.”

He nodded. “Suspected monster or monsters I should say. Tori is far more likely to have some sort of guardian and the Efreeti have been seen in the area. They are in essence genies tied to the element of flame, evil and twisted though my investigations have not confirmed nor denied their existence at the caves it is obvious that the locals would know more about the caves.”

Nicodemus listens to her, though she had ever right to be concerned for as powerful as he was there were wards in place where he could not enter he cave to help out. Of course, Tori was under similar enchantments that made it difficult o find her most times unless a brake came their way. Tori could be at the cave too and he'd never know though that wasn't her style.

She wasn't a recluse and like displays of opulence over something spartan like a cave even when hiding she was a bit vain. He knew that she had a tower in Brindel that she often worked out of.

“Let me think for a moment. I have little information of the other elementalists other than the simple matters I was supplied with to be a better warden over them. Roc was a warrior monk before his enlightenment caused him to learn the elements of earth magic. He is a dwarf and hails from Brindel. Gale, an elf from Gaist I think. A pampered Princess that is younger than the dwarf but pretty versatile in other areas. She is no Master outside of air magic but has a good understanding of a smattering of most things.

“While Roc is less versatile he tends to be experience on the things he does know. I've been instructed to keep an eye on his prowess. He is an expert at hand-to-hand, combing magic with martial arts.

“Of course, last is Typhoon, the weakest of you four at least magically. He does not seem to have any hand-to-hand prowess but is said to be fairly intelligent. He is hiding something though. I know how he keeps getting his harmonica but not how he summons the rats to him or seems to control them without any sort of magic. I have kept tabs of this ability since he does not seem to be able to use this to a great extent to what I've been aware of.”

After a bite of food himself he grins. “If only it was so easy. I barely know where Tori is and have seen her a few times over the past century but never with fore knowledge of those meetings. When she needs me she arranges a meeting through her other minions most of the time so there is little face to face interaction. While I am aware that she has a place on Brindel she's got to know that it is being watched and no doubt has others to keep the angels guessing and probably has wards on each to prevent angels from bothering them.

“A century is not much time to an ageless creature so it may be that I am being punished further, not only have I fallen but am forced to serve the one responsible for that fall even if I did not know it at the time.”

The notion of Sirocco turned her attention toward him, even more so than before as it appeared she'd return to her homeland, at least a portion of it though she couldn't remember if she was in any way associated with the village Nicodemus spoke of. What little memory remained told her she performed poorly in terms of water magic and might've come across a location along those lines in the years she spent here, but she didn't count on it being the one.

Perhaps she'd be recognized upon her return as unlikely as it was which might slow things down if she got herself involved before carrying out the task at hand, but that shouldn't be of concern. Someday, if they managed to obtain their freedom, that might be an option in the far future.

"All that faith in me and you think I'll make a run for it?", she asked with a smile. "No .. no, that's out of the question. I'm afraid you're stuck with me, freedom or not."

"Truth is, you're all I've got now. I'll do my best to retrieve the feather until you can't stall her any longer and are forced to imprison me, but I won't hide nor run from my fate. If the outcome of my capture will be my demise, then so be it, but I won't let you suffer alone for my mistakes."

Flame hoped that'd get the point across. All she was had been sealed away unless he or Tori removed the mental padlock and for some reason she felt as though helping him was the only right thing to do. There was no point running from it, in any case she'd remember having abandoned him and she didn't wish for such an abhorrent thing to be on her conscience.

A day or two would have to suffice, it seemed, most of the time would be spent gathering information, cross referencing it with other statements and written materials to get a better picture of what appeared to be the most common thoughts on the monsters nearby. Getting a hold of the feather was one thing, getting out of the cave another matter entirely. Whatever was guarding the precious essence of her angelic captor could potentially allow them entry before trapping them inside, a displeasing thought though one of them could run off and message Tori while the intruders fought their way out.

She pondered for a moment when he told her more about her cellmates. "I know about the rats, but still .. I favor Typhoon simply because he has my sympathy. Whatever he's hiding I doubt it's meant to go against us, so what could go wrong if I kept him around for some time? His behaviour might just be an odd scheme to get people to like him and not think much of the things he can do whilst wearing the collar .. and yes, I don't fully trust him either, but I'm assuming with the proper incentive he won't try to trick or leave me behind and play along until we're finished."

"Of course I have yet to meet Roc .. Maybe when you pick me up for lunch I'll have a better answer for you, but I've barely spent time with the rest of the group before our little .. incident." She knew as much about dwarves as she knew about elves, though the notion of him being a monk was an interesting one to say the least. If by any chance she considered the effort worthwhile she'd ask Nicodemus to retrieve him in the afternoon, but for the time being she stood by her words.

"My apologies. I can only assume how horrible it must be to go through this ordeal for more than a century without being able to do anything, but with any luck your punishment will come to an end soon .. at least the portion I can help you with." The woman poured herself an extra bit of juice before emptying the glass, nearing the end of her meal as she consumed a few more pieces of the wide selection of food. "Could we take some time to study the map in the afternoon or do you plan on putting me back into a cell after lunch again?"

“Oh, I am most certain that you will not try to run but figured I'd just remind you seeing how you are going back to your Shadow and normally leaving this one is so difficult to get out of and impossible to leave without outside assistance.”

He grinned though and couldn't help but breeze the tips of his fingers against the side of her face tenderly. He was most pleased that she would return. Somehow “hell” did not seem so bad but for the last century there had been no bright spots in his life out there, none until she had arrived at least. Just existence.

“Stuck with you? Is that so? Well I can think of worse things,” he returned her grin with one of his own.

“Our fates will be intertwined. I will be able to hold her back for the day, possible too so there will be no time to spare. We certainly have until tomorrow evening. She'd want to give Roc a day to get adjusted and the goblins are nocturnal so most of the second day is a given but that evening may not.”


Nicodemus nodded after a brief thought. Roc or Typhoon? On the surface Roc appeared stronger but was probably as unyielding as stone. It occurred to him that the elementalists had traits similar to their elements too from what he gathered. He wasn't sure if that was how they were or they took on aspects of their elements which probably meant that Typhoon was the easiest to work with, far more adaptable then the others as water's shape conformed to the container that it was place in.

Besides, Typhoon was gay, not that he felt fear of any sort of competition though it might have made working with him easier if there were no sexual tension and what not. Roc was of a different species and not likely to be interested but that was not always the case given that he and Flame were of separate species.

“So you wish to meet with the others for a bit?” He had a few things in mind though most of the arrangements were already in place. The incentive for freedom was great though as a reward for accepting this.

Of course he had a few things on his mind but first thing's first, he had to get his feather back ...

That thought had crossed her mind, but there were no places to go that she knew of, less of all people to meet that would help her like he did. Escaping in such a manner brought along very few benefits, she'd merely end up without home, currency and memories, having only one thing aside from magic that could get her anything at all which she'd rather not think about.

The touch applied to her face was pleasant and wonderfully so, something that made facing the dangers ahead all the more difficult and while he had yet to regain her trust Flame knew it wouldn't be long until she was longing for him in ways that made it seem like nothing bad ever happened between them. In the end she might've had no reason to be upset, that if they hadn't slept together that night they propably would have done it another time, but unfortunately the circumstances were at fault for the mood she was in now.

She refrained from showing it too much as she finished her meal though she couldn't eat all he brought here that morning, neatly placing the utensils back down. "Yes, I'd like to make sure that my choice is the one that guarantees success the most .. Unless you'd prefer we stayed out here a little longer."

Aside from the fact that she took note of the abhorrent noises as she did just barely the evening before, she was enjoying this moment of peace. Flame briefly wondered if there were going to be more like it, slowly rising from her seat she looked back at him with a half hearted smile.

"Ah, but we better not appear to be too comfortable around them, so .. we probably shouldn't head back to my cell the way we came here. Less loving and a little rougher, perhaps." Of course Gale must've noticed something as they left though part of her considered the possibility that if she wasn't friendly to Flame then Typhoon wouldn't be too keen on chatting with her either. As long as she was the only one to suspect a thing it wouldn't truly matter to the red head, not in the long term at least.