Hunting the Stymphalian Bird (Success!)

[Stilia Medusa]

Jack asked about weapons, and Stilia patted at her hip. Jack wouldn’t be able to see, as he was driving, but the others who looked would see a sheath at her hips. “I possess a few weapons that will be of use. They are stronger than they look.”
The conversation then proceeded to turn to abilities, at Stilia’s question. She was relieved to find out none of them were human. Although a human could be extremely useful if intelligent, a stupid supernatural still had useful powers.
"I can move metal and cause you to see your worst nightmares, I would consider that a worthy skill, wouldn't you?"
Stilia smirked at the answer the man gave, but let the others talk. Jack, the unintroduced male, and Nyght (Nyght seemed a very odd name for a human, and Stilia wondered if her species was something a bit more exotic, however the girl smelled fairly human), could both control metal, which would be extremely useful. As long as they didn’t get in each other’s way, of course.

“Stilia is my name.” She replied, after shaking Nyght’s hand.

“I can take on the shape of almost any living creature, as well as stun other beings, and put them to sleep. I can also heal wounds, if they aren’t fatal, as well as ‘cause you to see your worst nightmares’.” She glanced at the unnamed one with a small smirk.

[Marcus Drago]

More talking, more introducing. It appeared that all this ride would be was more talking and more introducing. When Fletcher asked for weapons, Marcus thought to the katana blade on his back. That was all he would be using for the day since he was confident that his metallurgy abilities would carry him. However, Marcus did carry his desert eagle, concealed on his body incase a situation called for it.

The other woman seemed to also carry a sword, but this was one of a different type than his. It's color and shape reminded him of a similar blade that he had seen before. Curious of it, Marcus wanted to ask the woman if he could take a look at it. Unfortunately, too many people were talking, so he would have to wait.

The other girl greeted the woman and mentioned how she met Marcus before. That was odd, since Marcus had never seen her before in his life. Or, at least that's what he would be saying until the end of this quest. Night spoke about all that she could do, giving a good amount of information about her powers. He was rather impressed by her, seeing as she had come a long way in strength since the last time he saw her. Without a doubt, this girl was close to surpassing Marcus in power. 

The woman introduced herself as Stilia, then she mentioned all of her abilities, all seemingly important for this mission as well. When she mentioned the same ability as Marcus mentioned, the same way that Marcus mentioned, he couldn't help but smile as well. "You may all call me Marcus Drago," Marcus introduced. He then looked at Stilia and her sword, finally having the chance to talk with her. "If you don't mind, may I please take a look at your blade? I believe that I have seen it before and wish to check if it is the exact one.

[Jacksoπ Flεtchεr]

    "Nice to meet you, Stilia and Marcus!" The young man said cheerfully, glancing at the two in the mirror. He was relieved that the two he'd managed to invite through the internet would prove useful. For a moment, Jack had been worried that one or both of them might prove to be a liability to the group. After all, he didn't know them. But he supposed there was still time. They'd told him their abilities but Jack would have to see them in action before he was willing to believe them competent.

    Jack couldn't help but pick up some animosity between Nyght and the one who'd introduced himself as Marcus Drago. The young man was curious as to why. They must've met before now and he was guessing that Marcus hadn't left a very good impression on his friend. Interesting. Jack would have to watch that one. If Nyght didn't trust him, he assumed she had a good reason. That meant Jack probably couldn't, or at least shouldn't, trust the man.

[Nyghtingale]

     With introductions all done and powers all spoken about, Nyght lapsed back in to her silent phase. She went back out to staring out the window, watching as things whirled past. Her forehead pressed against the cool glass, she tried to relax and prepare mentally for what was to come. This was not going to be an easy task laid out for them, even though she was sure that some of them thought it would be. Despite the fact that most of them could manipulate metal, she had a feeling that alone would not be enough to get take these massive airplane sized birds out. They would need more then just that, and she knew that whatever it was she was up to the task. At least she was magically, the question was she mentally and physically?

     She exhaled upon the window, causing a small plume of fog to appear upon it and she obscure her vision momentarily. Then she breathed again, and this time she pulled her head away from the glass and pressed her finger against the glass. She wrote upon the foggy surface, her fingers working out the the Latin words. Acidus, Levare, Elektron, and Ferrum... these where her spells. These where her power she wield, and did so in different ways. With these spells she was learning herself, both inside and outside and delving in to the mysteries of her very past and heritage. However it was not enough, and she wanted to know more. She had to know more...to know herself. To know oneself was to have true power, was it not?

[Stilia Medusa]

The unnamed one introduced himself as Marcus, and Jackson made a polite comment. Stilia gave a small smile. “It’s nice to meet you too.”

Obviously, Jackson and Nyght knew each other, but Jackson did not know Marcus while Nyght did. The tensions were climbing by the second and the van was beginning to feel slightly claustrophobic. Stilia hoped that the drive would not be long, she detested being in the same car as this feud. It wasn’t her business, nor her problem, but it sure as Medusa was starting to feel like it.

Marcus asked to see her blade. Stilia took it out of the sheath and carefully laid it on her lap in the cramped van. “It is a magical blade, and although you are free to try and test my word, holding it will bring you extreme pain. It may only be held by its intended wielder.”

She would either let Marcus foolishly try to touch it, or if he heeded her words, hold it up for a better view. “I do not know where you would have seen such a blade, they are fairly rare, and belong to a group known as the Council.”

[Marcus Drago]

Marcus' eyes glimmered when he saw the sword unsheathed. “It is a magical blade," Stilia explained. "And although you are free to try and test my word, holding it will bring you extreme pain. It may only be held by its intended wielder.” 

Marcus chuckled, putting on his best friendly smile. "I thank you for the warning." Marcus stared at the blade a little more, admiring the antiquity of it, and enjoying the memories that it brought back. The last person he saw this blade with was someone who he considered very important, and for her to hold such a similar weapon most likely meant that she was important as well. 

"I do not know where you would have seen such a blade," Stilia said. "They are fairly rare, and belong to a group known as the Council.”

"Actually," Marcus leaned forward to catch a better view of the sword. "I met a women who held a blade similar to this. She was incredibly powerful, incredibly beautiful, and a little... Uh.. Eccentric. This sword brings back both good and horrifying memories." As Marcus leaned a little closer, he noticed how the edges of the blade did not seem very sharp. If it was a magical weapon, then its edges could not possibly be as dull as it seemed. Marcus was curious to know, "Does this weapon cut at all? Also, do you mind telling me a little about this council?"

[Jacksoπ Flεtchεr]

    Marcus had asked to see Stilia's sword previously. She mentioned that it was a magical blade, one that could only be wielded by her. It would cause pain to anyone else who attempted to wield it. The young man found this extremely interesting. After supernatural creatures of legend, magical items were like his second biggest obsession. Unfortunately, Jack couldn't see it because of his position as driver of the van. But perhaps he would get a closer look at it later.

    At the mention of a group known as the Council, Jack's brow creased with interest. That sounded awfully interesting. The Council? The group's vague, almost generic, name gave it an air of mystery which certainly wasn't helped by how Stilia had mentioned the name of the group but hadn't mentioned any details about the group itself. So many questions welled up inside the young man. Marcus beat him to the first.

    Rather than echo the other man's question, Jack remained silent, paying attention to the road but also listening for Stilia's reply. He also wanted to know more about this mysterious council she'd spoken of.

[Nyghtingale]

Nyght listened to the ramblings of the other two, talking about a magical sword she had and everything. Nyght did not see what the fuss was all about, and this council sounded like something her father would belong. Something secretive and mysterious that she would not ever know about and something that would attack to harm her if she ever got upon their wrong side. The right side of her mouth turned downwards making a half frown upon her face, and she decided whatever it was she wanted absolutely no part in whatever this council was despite Marcus apparent interest in the sect. Jack remained conspicuously quite through their enchange, and although she was sure he was and would play that off to driving she had a feeling it was because like herself he was listening closely and with deep interests to this 'council' business.

She really wished they would get off the is business about a council and begin to talk about a strategy of killing this creature. It did not sound like it was going to be easy. Not only where they going to have to watch what the creature was doing in case it flung it's massive metal feathers at them, but they where also going to have to watch where they where walking at the same time. A single screw up upon either could mean a rather brutal and nasty death to the person who failed to accomplish both. She really did not care what happened to the male behind them, and if he became a giant pin cushion of metallic feathers she could care less. Yet she also did not want to see that happen to Jack, or in turn to the other female who she barely new but wanted to get to know and thus did not want that to happen.

So Nyght sat stewing in her own thoughts, attempting to come up with some plan in her mind. She had no weapons, other then her powers. However if the creature flung it's feathers those themselves could provide her with a weapon to use against the creature. She was not sure how effective they would be, but something was better then nothing. Stilia had her weapons apparently, and she was sure Ghost/Marcus had weapons upon his person. Their last experience told her that much, that he never went anywhere with out a full load of weapons. Jack she was not entirely sure about, but she was not to worried either. He had never failed her before, but she was just nervous about his well being. She had her electrical spells, and if she could get the bird wet enough, that would exponentially help them out. She could not only electrocute the giant metallic monstrosity, but given enough time she could probably blow it up as well. She wondered if there was a way to use all that poop upon the ground to her advantage as well. Maybe get the giant bird to step in it, or somehow throw it at the bird and cause that acid to eat away at it's own metal body.

[Stilia Medusa]

Stilia raised a brow at Marcus’ claim of meeting someone with the sword. She wondered who it was, for the Council was currently understaffed, but did not press the man for information. However, he also expressed an interest in the Council, while Nyght and Jack remained silent.

“The Council is a group formed to help preserve the balance in the world.” Stilia told him, putting her sword back in the sheath. It was an awkward movement, sitting down in a van, trying to not whack anyone with it. “And yes, it cuts perfectly well.”

That was all she would tell them about the Council. It was, after all, technically a perfect summary of the Council’s mission. Her focus then turned from Marcus to Jack, as she was curious about what was to happen. Would the fight be today, or did they have a long ways to go? If it was not today, that meant they had to take into account the future weather of the week.

“Where exactly are we going? How long until we reach the bird’s nest?”

[Marcus Drago]

Marcus noticed how almost everyone went quiet after his question. He did not think much of it, though, as he figured that they were just busy driving, listening, or paying attention to something else. Most of his attention went to Stilia, who was giving him worthy information on a faction he might want to join some day. 

"The Council is a group formed to help preserve the balance in the world,” The woman explained. Marcus wanted to laugh, but he kept it in because he did not want to seem rude. Of course his nana had a group dedicated to her. She basically ruled this world, and with it came her right to assign people to keep it 'balanced.' Marcus wanted to mention her to this woman, but he was sure that he would be seen as a liar. So instead, Marcus looked out the window while the woman tried her very best to not cut anyone while sheathing her weapon. From the way she acted, as though a slight touch would draw blood, Marcus believed that the sword could cut.

“Where exactly are we going?" Stilia asked Fletcher when the sword was safely housed. She then questioned the length of this journey. Marcus also wanted to know how long this car ride would be. The daemon would be able to bear this long drive if it was not for the girl holding a grudge being near him. He felt like she had been planning something, Marcus could only guess his death. His senses did not flare yet, so he and her were fine for now. However, as long as she was around, Marcus had no chance to rest. If she continued to hold that grudge, though, the daemon would need to plan how he would get to her before she got to him. 

[Jacksoπ Flεtchεr]

    Like himself, Nyght had remained quiet while Stilia spoke about the Council. Jack glanced at her briefly, perplexed. She seemed awfully grumpy, having barely spoken since Stilia and Marcus had shown up. He wondered what was eating at her but, thinking it best not to pry, decided not to bother her about it. Jack turned his attention back to the others. Stilia had asked him where they were going.

    "Some miles from where I chose that particular shop for our meeting point is the location of the nest. I did some scouting and, from what I could put together based off of attacks and eye witness sightings, managed to locate the nest. It's fairly deep into the wilderness but the van should get us within hiking distance. From there, it will only be a handful of miles until we reach the nest. I didn't get a very close look, not wanting to risk a confrontation on my own, but I believe there are two of them."

    Jack paused briefly before continuing.

    "They chose a fairly secluded spot to nest, well hidden. If it wasn't for nearly stepping in a pile of acidic shit I might not have realized I'd found it. Anyways, that's where we're headed. In ten minutes or so we'll reach the point where it'll be time to climb out and hike the rest of the way."

    "Don't let that lull any of you into false confidence, though," He added, almost as an afterthought. "They've been growing bolder lately for some reason. With every step we take the chances of our being attacked increases."

[Nyghtingale]

     When Jack began to discuss the birds and what he had found out, she started to pay attention again. She listened closely to his words, though she was still staring out the window as if she had seen something interesting though not very important. He was talking about how he had gone out to scout ahead and almost stepped in a pile of bird shirt that was acidic. She snickered a little bit at that and rolled her eyes. She looked over at Jack and winked at him.

     "Well, I bet that would have just made you POP and wish you where some place sunny and warm, would it not Jack?" She grinned wickedly, knowing he would get the joke and stuck her tongue out at him before turning to Varos with a much more serious face. "That is an interesting sword indeed, and a I hope it keeps you safe. Strange that a small group of people need to keep the balance in the world. I would think that the world should keep itself in balance, and that if it needed to be kept in better balance should not the people higher in power then us mortals do such a thing?" She said this, point her finger towards the ceiling of the van indicating the people in the sky above them or whatever gods or goddesses there where looking down upon them. As far as she had seen, whatever gods and goddesses there where, they did not seem to keen upon the people of the planet they where suppose to be watching except for if it concerned them directly or their person power. It just seemed more like any other kind of government. Those in power did not want to lose their power and they awarded those who helped them out while punishing those who did not. It seemed rather arbitrary to her.

[Stilia Medusa]

Jack proceeded to brief them at Stilia’s request, and Stilia noticed that Nyght seemed to be paying attention again. At least there was that. Jack also mentioned that there were two of these birds, at least. That was unusual, as the birds were known for living alone. Perhaps they were mates. Stilia felt slightly uncomfortable at possibly destroying some baby birds too, but was also very curious on how a giant metal bird even mated.

She wondered if there was a way to scare them off without killing them. The species was rare enough already. Having babies would also explain why they are bolder, if they were searching for food to keep more than one giant bird alive.

Nyght seemed to jump back to the sword, and the Council. Stilia’s mouth twitched into a small smile. “We all know the world is shit, it’s why we have to hunt birds like this. The world can’t keep itself in balance, not with man and all those supernaturals running around and ruining it. My Council has the help of a Goddess. The more help she has in this task, the easier it is. She doesn’t want control, she is only interested in helping this world. So unless you want a Goddess dictating what everyone does, a group to help through free will is certainly helpful.”

[Marcus Drago]

When Jack answered Stilia, Marcus listened and did more. He removed his golden desert eagle from his inside jacket pocket. When Jack said that they were a mile away, Marcus knew that they would be at the Stymph site in no time. He readied himself for the challenge by making sure that his gun was loaded. He checked all its parts, then he cocked back the slide barrel. Marcus was careful to make sure that the gun pointed at no one. Like Stilia's sword, this was a destructive weapon that could harm others if not careful. Marcus was sure that at least someone in this vehicle would tense up at the sight of his gun, he did not want them to think that he was about to hurt them as well. Although, they needn't worry about him firing the gun. For one thing, the safety was on, and for another, Marcus did not want group casualties yet. 

Jack told everyone about his adventure before meeting them, and how he caught a glimpse of two metal birds. Two metal birds was all he mentioned, though. That did not seem like something a squad such as this would need to worry about. Marcus could handle two metal birds by himself. And, if Jack could do what he said he could, then two metal birds would be no problem for him as well.

When Jack finished explaining, Nightingale made an inside joke with him. She then turned to Stilia to add her thoughts on Stilia's sword and council. What she said was partly ignorant and showed how little thought of the gods and goddesses of this world. Marcus couldn't blame her for her views, however. She became homeless because of her father and mother, and then met Marcus in his angriest moment. So far, from what Marcus could tell, her life hasn't been lucky. In times of misfortune, many people would lose their way with the gods and blame them for not helping. She had every right to feel as she did, even if those feelings were wrong. 

Stilia wisely answered Nightingale's query. And when she managed to prove her point at the end, Marcus smiled at her and nodded. "Think of it as a family relationship," Marcus decided to add. "The gods are the parents and we are their children. The gods can lock us in our rooms, feed us, keep us sheltered and never allow us to go outside and get hurt, but what life would that be for us? We would live without living. Instead, they give us freedom. We can go outside, we can scrape a knee, and some of us can run back to those gods who may give them a bandaid and kiss their wound. They give us the right to learn and form opinions based on that learning. However, one thing that we can't learn on our own is that a hot stove is hot when it is on. That could do more than hurt us, it could damage us beyond repair. The gods tell us that the hot stove is hot, then gives us the right to either take their word for it or try to touch the stove ourselves. When they are not here to inform us, Stilia's faction steps in as our older sisters and brothers. And, they could either do the same as the gods and inform us, or they could wrestle us to the ground and tape our hands to our feet, preventing us from touching the stove."

Marcus laughed at himself. "I'm sorry," he said to everyone. "I think I said more than what was needed."

[Jacksoπ Flεtchεr]

    Jack groaned and rolled his eyes, smiling at Nyght's reference. He personally didn't see anything wrong with what he'd done. After all, it was that or death. So the young man found it slightly amusing that she was still jabbing him about it every now and then, though a tiny part couldn't help but wonder if Nyght actually held it against him, possibly seeing what he'd done as some sort of abandonment, however temporary. He hoped not, but refused to dwell on it.

    There was a teensy tiny little discussion about the Council and how maybe, just maybe, they were doing the gods' job for them. Jack wisely chose not to voice his own opinion. It wouldn't have changed anyone's view on the matter, anyways, so he chose to instead focus on the road while they talked about it.

    Finally, the young man reached the point he was looking for. Jack turned the van down a rough path, barely little more than a dirt trail through the wilderness. The vehicle bounced up and down, scraping and popping sounds being able to be heard underneath as rocks were dislodged and earth beat against the undercarriage. At a certain point, the van came to a stop.

    "Welp," Jack began, unbuckling his seat belt and climbing out. "This is as far as we're going to get in this clunky, old thing. Time to hoof it." He stretched a bit, groaning, before removing his shotgun from the pack he'd had and slinging it across his torso, holding it casually but prepared for business, before throwing the bag back into the van. The young man hated car rides, preferring to teleport. They were so confining. But it was necessary. After all, Jack couldn't have just teleported straight to the nest and brought everyone else with him.

    "Be cool, ok?" He told everyone before whistling a chaotic tune. After a few seconds of silence, a large, heavily muscled form began to cautiously approach from the forest. Jack's Akhlut pal. "This is Paquito. A friend of mine. So be nice, alright? He's here to help."