[PQ] [SE] when the party's over

Unsurprisingly, it had taken Thal weeks to finally clean her new apartment of all the mess her crew had made during their 'housewarming party' for her. She'd spent most of her time outside on the stairs, but they hadn't minded, more than making up for her absence with a pile of empty liquor bottles and capsized furniture. Their rowdy songs and shouts had echoed out of the windows; however, the owner of the building was rarely home, leaving them to be as deafeningly obnoxious as they pleased. As outwardly annoyed as she'd appeared, Thal had appreciated the effort they'd gone through to christen her new home. 

With the last bottle of whiskey tucked away, the Captain admires her work, finally feeling like it's ready for 'civilized' company. She's already sent an invitation to Asta after having promised him a proper introduction to the place he'd suggested to her, then immediately decided she might as well invite his boyfriend her new leader to join in the fun. After all, he had invited her to Asta's birthday party. It only seemed fair to return to favor. 

She takes a final glance at the interior, nodding her head before stepping outside to wait for their arrival. The Deepfrost chill has gone, but she still wears her signature cloak, daggers flashing from beneath to suggest at the coming activities. A flash of lightning in the distance lights up the overcast sky as she makes her way down the stairs and to the edge of the forest. It's dusk, the perfect time for their prey to begin their own hunts, and her mouth waters at the thought, ready to sink her teeth into something warm and satisfying. Surprisingly, she feels a bit of nerves at having people over to her home, but the distraction of food should be enough to calm her anxiety. 

When she finally spots them approaching, Thal flashes a sharp fanged grin. "Ready to get this party started?"

---

Welcome to Thal's hunting/housewarming party!

Please post your character arriving to Levinsward. 

1. Thalassa
2. Astaroth
3. Dantalion

thalassa

i came committed, guess i overdid it

there's an angel on your story and a demon in your bed
feels a bit surreal, feeling bad, don't feel it yet

It has been a while since the butcher has been to the Levinsward, not that anyone would know it given the state of their lie when it came to the exploding rock via lightning he claimed had destroyed his shoulder. But each time he’s here, he finds it just as beautiful as the time before, each electrified chaos in the distance sparking more and more delight through the butcher. So when the offer comes to finally take part in it, the butcher is ready to drop nearly everything, tug Danta along to the lightning scarred portion of his region for the mention of a hunt.

Something they could both use, as it turns out.

Idle chit chat between the two of them is the only sound of their arrival, meeting the captain at the edge of the forest with a brilliant smile on his face that shows each sharp tooth. “Thalassa, darling, of course I am ready.” He hums in a tone that seems to suggest a playful how dare she think he isn’t?? before he’s flashing that same, excited sharp smile toward Danta.

Astaroth

it's a roulette kinda deal, black and red is what you get

you were automatic and as hollow as the 'O' in god

It isn't often that Danta is the one following at Asta's heels, but considering the bumpy end to Longnight and the somewhat serious nature of his travels since, he's unusually subdued as they head out towards the edge of the forest at the Levinsward. Glancing up as the house comes into view - along with a familiar looking Ancient - he does his best to shrug away his sombre thoughts and relax into his usual brand on carefree chaos, even if it's a bit frayed around the edges.

"Always," he purrs towards Thalassa, rolling his shoulders and taking his hands from the pockets of his red coat to gaze up at the sky overhead and the storms rolling in the distance. "You picked a real dramatic spot," he adds with a grins. "I like it."

Dantalion

Having only met Danta one (kind of two) times, she's pleasantly surprised by his humor, although she probably shouldn't be since he was wearing shark shorts when they met. Chuckling, she dismisses the compliment with a wave. "I don't do anything subtle." Never have and never will. Where was the fun in it? 

But she can't take all the credit, and she shrugs her shoulders. "I also have Asta to thank for the recommendation." Looking to the man in question, she takes note of his appearance with a teasing grin. "Your shoulder healed enough for this, or are you just coming along to watch and enjoy the spoils?" She almost comments on his age (with his recent birthday and all) but settles for shooting him a wink before turning to lead the group into the outcropping of trees. 

Thal pulls her daggers from their sheaths, the red of Dygra's magic glowing against the black obsidian as another bolt of lightning strikes. She otherwise blends into the shadows, her figure dissolving into little more than an outline and a melodic voice that calls out, "I heard a few badgers poking around my place during LongNight. I thought they'd make for a fun hunt." When she turns to look at them, her fangs flash in an excited grin, the flare of bloodlust in her eyes. "Let's spread out and look for tracks."

---

Search the area for signs of the badgers! No posting order.

thalassa

i came committed, guess i overdid it

you were automatic and as hollow as the 'O' in god

"Oh? You're in good company. I know someone just like that," Danta says with a flash of teeth, bouncing his eyebrows towards the King of Unsubtle himself. It's of little surprise to learn that Asta is the one who recommended this spot, in fact, the Maverick reaching out to pat the butcher's good arm sympathetically. "I'll understand if you do want to sit this one out," he coos. "I'm sure we can manage to bring you something nice back."

A badger, as it happens, and before Danta can remark on Thalassa's daggers and how much he likes them, she's melting into the darkness and beckoning them to join her. "I like you," he announces to the captain with a fanged grin in return, and it's with only one more glance towards Asta that the Maverick sets off into the dusk to look for any tracks that might be worth following.

---

Danta looks for tracks!

Dantalion

there's an angel on your story and a demon in your bed
feels a bit surreal, feeling bad, don't feel it yet

A low chuckle leaves him as Thal responds to Danta’s comment, giving him a moment for them to get acquainted before he interjects again. Though, it’s with a soft twist to his sharp smile at the recognition of recommending it, that the butcher leans in a touch toward Danta. “I am a big fan of the Sparksbird Nest, you see.” Danta would know why, too, but he turns his attention back toward Thalassa before the dramatics overcome him again.

Rolling his eyes playfully, he looks faux hurt. “I am not broken. I fully intend on indulging, thank you very much.” His spaded tail flicks playfully to accompany his annoyance, before he’s straightening up a touch to follow after Thalassa toward the mention of badgers, watching as she melts into the shadows with ease. “She is my favorite captain, you know.” Asta drawls it like it’s a secret, but loud enough for her to hear as he clutches the threaded cane a bit tighter as they follow her, excited to try it out for one of the first times.

His gaze remains peeled, utilizing his familiarity with woods and greenery of all types to try and pinpoint any tracks.

---

Asta looks for tracks too!

Astaroth

it's a roulette kinda deal, black and red is what you get

Thal will definitely be asking about the Sparkbird later, but for now she shoots Asta a raised eyebrow that's sufficient enough to say, Suuuure, with about as much belief as a grain of salt. His injury hadn't looked like something he'd just brush off, although she won't stand between an Ancient and their meal. That doesn't mean she can't enjoy Danta's banter. 

Flipping a dagger in her hand, she points it behind her at the chatty boyfriends. "Okay, boys. If you keep talking, we won't find anything." But the teasing in her eyes and voice gives away how much she enjoys the attention. She then sets off on her own, sticking to the thicker section of trees that seem like a good place to hide a burrow, although she finds no such signs. 

The first of them to discover anything, Dantalion finds a pile of excrement that tells him it's close by, and shortly after Astaroth spots tracks on the ground. Both lead to a clearing with a den tucked into the base of an old creaking tree; however, apparently the badger has decided to take advantage of the new Flowerbirth blooms, gorging itself on the nearby berry bushes. It's found snoring in a mixture of blueberries and blackberries that coat the white sections of its coat a purplish color. The approach of people disturbs its food coma, awakening it with all the rage of a hangry, possessive girlfriend (sorry boys). It rolls over its protruding belly and onto its paws, letting out a deep growl of warning to the hunters who'd disturbed its nap. 

Hearing the noise echo through the trees, Thal curses softly under her breath. She obviously isn't the first to the party, but that doesn't mean she's going to miss out on the fun. Her feet carry her swiftly to join the boys just as the badger lashes out with a paw full of sharp claws. 

---

Danta and Asta both found clues that led them to the badger's nest! Thal didn't find anything but followed closely behind. 

Kill the badger! (No posting order)

thalassa

i came committed, guess i overdid it

there's an angel on your story and a demon in your bed
feels a bit surreal, feeling bad, don't feel it yet

“You underestimate us, darling.” Comes the confident purr before the butcher does, in fact, draw silent. A wink is shot Danta’s way before he slinks away slightly, covering more distance. As Danta finds a pile of excrement, it leads Asta toward drifting further through the thick of the forest, carefully stepping over the undergrowth so as to not step upon any branches that may alert the badger.

What he finds instead are tracks, trailing it with a glance back toward Danta and a nod of his head as a silent indicator to go this way. Upon reaching the den, the moment of surprise is gone unfortunately, but that’s fine. They can work with that.

Even as the badger launches a sharp paw their way, Asta’s cane lifts and the button’s clicked and he lashes out with the bladed whip portion to try and slash across the badger’s chest from the over extension.

---

Asta uses the whip portion of his bladed cane to try and slash at the badger’s chest!

Type: Dark | Style: Offensive | Level: Basic
Threaded Cane | A metal walking cane which, at the press of a button, breaks into conjoined shards to form a serrated whip. The range of the whip is 10ft. Should the cane be used as a weapon on its own, it will only ever do Basic damage.

Astaroth

it's a roulette kinda deal, black and red is what you get

you were automatic and as hollow as the 'O' in god

"Mmhm," Danta drawls in response to Asta with a catlike smile curling at his lips, though at that moment they are being scolded by their good captain, and the Maverick sketches a playful little bow as he turns his attention back towards the tracks. He and the butcher split up only to reconvene shortly after, moving around each other like a dance they've practiced dozens of times, until they come upon their unexpectedly purple prey.

And it's oh so glad to see them, he notes.

Flashing a fanged grin towards Asta - and already able to hear Thal's footfalls as she hurries to join them - Danta keeps himself well out of the way of the friendly fire range of the other man's threaded cane, eyebrows raising as he watches him. "I can see why you were so keen to get this," he purrs, even as he raises a hand to set a flare of fire raging at the badger's back, preventing its escape lest it want to be immolated.

---

Danta uses his fire magic to corral the badger forward towards them!

Fire Manipulation: Can create and control flames. Must be within a 30ft radius.
Type: Dark | Rank: Mastered

Dantalion

Despite her confident talk and utter determination, luck was not on her side tonight. Thal rushes in like a shadow, and almost just as effective. As the badger lunges forward, she releases her dagger to fly at its head, but the movement of its attack spares it a quick death, slicing across its paw as fire erupts from the blade. She raises her hand to throw the next, which turns out to be fully unnecessary. 

Astaroth's strike rips into the badger's chest, red blood splattering to join the purple juices beneath its feet. It lets out a growling scream of rage that echoes through the forest. Thal is a little jealous of the damage inflicted, ready to add to its suffering, when it decides that perhaps three Ancients isn't a fair fight. Still in its dazed hangry rage, it turns to flee, signing its own death warrant by stepping straight into Dantalion's flames. The smell of charred fur and sizzling blood mixes with the sweetness of the berries while the badger lets out a dying wail. 

When the fires fade, they'll find a scorched black and purple badger wheezing raspy breaths through its singed airway. Thal lets out a long sigh as she inspects the prey. "I was hoping it might last a little bit longer than that." It hadn't put up much of a fight, although looking at the rotund distention of its abdomen, it hadn't stood much of a chance to begin with. She retrieves her blade, wiping the bits of blood against her pantleg as she looks to Asta and Danta with a mischievous grin. "I've got some whiskey that will go great with this. Let's take it back to my apartment." 

---

All hit, but Danta lands the killing blow! Take the badger back to the apartment and feast! (No posting order.)

thalassa

i came committed, guess i overdid it

you were automatic and as hollow as the 'O' in god

Oh, well that went horribly wrong for their badger friend, to the point where Danta's lips have parted to half call out a warning before he remembers they're trying to kill the creature. He lets his fire die as it's apparent that the badger won't be putting up any more of a fight (not that it had put up much of one to begin with), clearing his throat and straightening back up to glance around at Thalassa.

"We can always keep hunting if you've a thirst for more of a fight," he suggests, smiling darkly. "But I can equally get on board with whiskey and meat." He glances to Asta and gestures to the charred creature. "Do you think you can take it back as a fyrhund, save getting out clothes ruined?" he asks.

---

Danta suggests Asta take the badger back as a fyrhund so as not to ruin anyone's clothes.

Dantalion

// go get your gun, get your gun //

The sharp grin as the threaded cane literally whips into action, it’s with a quiet chuckle toward Danta of “it is wonderful, isn’t it?” That dies the second the blades slice into the badger’s chest – blood splattering amongst the violet that stained the white portions of the badger already. Now, with his blood pumping from it, he aims to twist his hand just so that the blade can strike again before he realizes it isn’t that much of a fight – not between the singing blades of Thalassa’s and the beautiful flame Danta’s conjured.

So he lets the bladed ends drag against the ground slightly, clearing it from some of the blood before he returns it to its normal state. “Mm, we are quite efficient, darling.” Asta purrs playfully toward Thalassa, before he’s nodding toward Danta’s question. “If you are willing to take the favored cane back, yes.” He reaches up to cup Danta’s jaw in an affectionate touch before he hands him the cane and shifts.

Man becomes fyrhund and he heads over toward Thal and the badger, snagging the creature between his jaws as the volcanic plates shift around his shoulders – scarred on the dark rock portion of his shoulder, but seems to be maneuvering better in spite of it. Turning back toward the two with a wag of his tail, the butcher’s canine form does funnily enough reflect a lot of the butcher’s own normal tendencies, happy to trail after the two back toward Thalassa’s place.

---

Asta shifts to his fyrhund shift to take the badger back to Thal’s!

Astaroth

// and lets find out what it does //

Pushing her boot against the limp creature, Thal frowns playfully, "Maybe a little too efficient. It takes the fun out of things." Half the fun of bloodlust is spilling puddles of blood, getting their hands and faces dirty as they revel in the hunt. This was almost boring. But food is food, and she shrugs her shoulders to look at Danta with a wink. "Maybe we'll just have to fight over it like the good old days." A little reminder that she hasn't forgotten the last time they hunted 'together.' If she remembers correctly, she'd promised to wallop him next time she saw him. There was still plenty of time and opportunity for that. 

She watches with amusement (and a little bit of jealousy) as the two men converse, waiting patiently for Asta to retrieve their spoils. Her eyes note the blackened edge of his shoulder, making her wonder whether he'd encountered the 'exploding rock' while in his fyrhund shift. But she doesn't ask, figuring he'll tell her more one day, maybe when it's not quite so fresh. For now, they have a badger to enjoy and Thal leads the way back to her apartment, staying alert for any lingering predators that may have been dumb enough to stick around. 

When they arrive, she gestures them upstairs, helping Asta maneuver the body up, through the door, and onto the kitchen table. They'll note that the studio apartment is only slightly cozier than a ship's cabin, simple furniture and nautical tools scattered around the room. A single medium bed sits in the corner across from a small (barely used) kitchen that opens to a rudimentary dining table and chairs. The only 'welcoming' aspect of the entire room is a fireplace and two plush chairs. 

Leaving the men to either look around or dig into the berry badger, Thal steps to the 'kitchen' (it's more of a bar) to obtain some glasses and two bottles of whiskey. One is a long-distilled bottle from a little place in Stormbreak, and the other is a well-known maker from Torchline. She leaves the first unopened, offering it to Asta with a grin and a deeper meaning in her eyes. "For you. Happy belated birthday." She winks, but he'll know that it's for far more than that. The other, she pops the cork out of. However, before pouring three hefty glasses of the amber liquid, she dips their rims into the pooling blood of their dinner. When she hands them to the men, it's with a feral fanged smile. "Well, boys, let's enjoy."

---

This is the last round! Chat and eat your fill! <3

thalassa

i came committed, guess i overdid it

you were automatic and as hollow as the 'O' in god

Smiling smugly as the butcher clasps his jaw and offers him the cane, Danta of course accepts, and he's already turning to stroll back towards Thalassa's home with the weapon propped on one shoulder when Asta completes his shift. More than content for the fyrhund to trot behind them with their prize in tow, he offers a fiendish smile towards Thal. "Don't threaten me with a good time," he purrs, before falling into a comfortable silence for her to lead them back home.

Heading upstairs and raising his eyebrows in visible interest - Danta has never been on a real ship, in truth, and the nautical tools in particular pique his curiosity - he eventually focuses on the fireplace. Using his magic, he lets it roar to life and fill the room with the sort of warmth that would be uncomfortable for anyone not of the Ancient persuasion.

By the time that's done, the badger has been situated and he's being offered a very lovely glass of whiskey decorated with a blood rim. "My compliments to the hostess," he says, tipping a wink to Thal before taking a grateful sip of the alcohol and turning to tear into the fresh meat. He's never eaten a purple badger before, but he's far from complaining.

Dantalion