[A woman dressed in a blue kimono and red leather jacket would begin to take form inside the pool. What was a still image for a few moments, would shift and waver for a bit before suddenly become very real and causing the person displayed within to appear right in front of FH. She'd look around curiously for a moment, observing the beautiful garden before her before turning to FG with an expression of... Boredom.] "So then, I guess you've summoned me here somehow? Shiki Ryougi, but I presume you already know that since I'm here. I'm curious, what's the purpose of my being brought to this place." [She'd eye him blankly, eyes lighting up with a blue glow that would allow her to perceive any "Death" that might be possible for this man, she's half expecting not to see any lines upon his body at all, but she can't help being curious considering how powerful he must be to drag her out here like this.]

OOC: Pardon me, does the intro mean this is intended for a specific group, or otherwise? I somewhat expected an OOC note if that were the case, but it is better to be safe than look like a fool

OOC: Nah, tis just a neat intro in this case.

A boy with his eyes closed would appear before TH as well. He would look around confused as to where he was. This wasn't the strangest incident he had found himself in but being brought somewhere randomly was still disorienting none the less. "Weird, I could of sworn I was just at home a minute ago. Where am I now? Is this a garden? It's nice here and all but I really want to know how and why I'm here..."

Similarly, a dark-cloaked figure would soon appear in the pool, busy running around some sort of warehouse, what he is doing turned out not to matter, as the man is soon brought to the garden, he seems to have been... Flicking something? Only to be surprised as he is suddenly whisked away from home. Luard sighs at the intrusion, irritation clear in his voice What is the meaning of this interruption? I was doing... Very important work. Yes.

FH bobbed his leg up and down, watching as the three individuals appeared before him. Yes, these will do nicely. Welcome, one and all. You may call me FH. I hope your journeys here weren't too rough, teleportation on such a scale as that can be...tricky; but enough about that, I have brought each of you here today to aid me in a little investigation. There will be incentive for you, of course. I suppose for starters, I should describe your task. The book that was floating in the space in front of the man floats towards the group, opened on a page detailing a place called The Devil'S Crossroads. Are you all familiar with this tall tale? Legend goes that one Robert Johnson was a sub-par musician at best, but with one trip to a crossroads in Clarksdale, Mississippi, and suddenly he could play any song perfectly! He went on to be rather famous, actually. They say that on this trip, he met the devil himself, and had the unsavory individual tune his guitar for him. At the cost of course...of his own soul. Now, I myself am quite interested in these sorts of things, so that being said, your task is simple. You all will accompany me to this crossroads, preform this supposed ritual, and we shall observe the results. Simple enough, no? It shouldn't take much of your time, and it will satiate my curiosity. I...will also be sure to reward each of you as well. What say you all, hm?

Leo would show a little confusion at the task at hand or perhaps he was simply thinking about whether he should comply or not. It would be hard to tell exactly what he was thinking with his eyes closed and such plain reactions but finally he'd come to an answer. "I don't think I've heard of an urban legend like that before but I'd be willing to believe something like that. So, the fast would be to just observe, right? I happen to have a speciality with things like that."

Luard shakes his head and breathes a sigh of frustration, some sort of annoying, trivial task it seems. Considering he was dragged from his work, whatever it is must be important to this fellow You say that as though we have much of a choice... Of course, I suppose I may as well investigate regardless. That way my time here isn't a total waste

[Shiki would just stare at the man for a while... Something tells her things aren't as simple as this FH guy makes it out to be, she gets the sense that he's quite underselling things in fact. But she isn't going to turn it down such an idea in this case...] "Alright, I'll help out with this one, I'm more of a fighter than an observer really, but hey I maybe this will turn out to be something worth looking into for me." [She's not really one who's overly curious about such goings on, but there's no sense in turning down a chance that might lead to... A way to kill some time, as it were. Besides, as Luard said they likely have little choice in the matter.]

FH shrugs, leaning back in his chair. You caught me, truth be told, I didn't plan on taking no for an answer. I'm glad you all are so quick to comply, it makes things easy. Now, let us be off. With the snap of his fingers the group finds themselves in a desert faster than they really had time to process the scene had changed. FH looked around the mostly barren landscape. The crossroads itself was unremarkable at best, made up of four dirt trails that met in an X shape where the group was standing; and was only really notable for the tall sign that labeled it as such, adorned with large acoustic guitars. ...And just like that, welcome to Mississippi. It is, um... He clears his throat, the awkwardness was very palpable in the air as he struggled to find the words to describe the very plain-looking desert. One could almost envision a perfectly timed tumbleweed passing by. Perhaps he expected a bit more from the place. Well, let's not waste any time. The Witching Hour is already upon us, so that's one prerequisite down. He materializes a plain-looking acoustic guitar in his hand, and holds it out for any of the group to take. I do hope one of you can at least make some sound with one of these. The ritual itself is quite simple. Stand in the center of the crossroads, and begin playing. You'll eventually feel a tap on your shoulder. You are to hand your guitar over your right shoulder to the mysterious figure, without looking back. Never look back. The figure will tune the guitar for you, before handing it back to you in the same manner it was given. Simple enough, no? So, one of you take the instrument, and the other two, stand with me a ways away from the player.

[Selling her damned soul huh? Shiki doesn't have any real clue how to play the guitar anyway. But it doesn't sound like one needs to be overly skilled in its use for this little rite to work, so she'd grab hold of the thing and shrug as she walks to the middle of the place.] "So, just play this thing and hand it to the figure, and don't look back... I'll admit, I was hoping for more violence to be involved, but I guess this will be amusing to see if it works." [The woman would begin stringing out... Notes, to be sure, they have no rhyme or reason to them, yet they surely are notes being played upon a guitar. Even Shiki herself finds the sound awful, but she's not here to play good music regardless. Gotta get this done if she wants to leave anyway... Who knows, maybe she can get this "FH" to send her back home?"

Leo would simply look on at the situation unfolding as his eyes finally began to open. The entirety of his eyes as usual would be covered a blue glow that almost looked like some mystic pattern. These were the All Seeing Eyes of God, the eyes that could see the truth of reality. He'd watch Shiki identifying her aura and anything around her that possibly couldn't be seen with normal eyes or in normal reality. As his eyes began scanning the area strange blue circles would appear in front of them as well like a set of lens that enhanced his power further or perhaps this was closer to the eyes true power all along. "I'll just be watching from here. I'd rather not sell my soul to anyone. I can't even imagine what that might be like."

Thank you for volunteering, I'd hate to have to do so myself, besides, I am far more useful for analysis. Please try not to lose your soul. That would be unfortunate. With those calming words of encouragement, Luard takes his place near FH, bringing out a tablet from within his cloak, left hand hovering over it in preparation as it leans against his right arm. As he does so, he begins drawing a small pair of faintly glowing red circles, ready to begin at a moment's notice. let the experiment commence

Thank you for volunteering, Miss Ryougi; and do not fret, I have no plans for any souls to be lost today. The...less than stellar performance from Shiki would begin. If she turned her attention to where the others and FH had been, she'd notice that they aren't really there anymore. FH had hidden their presence, an easy way to describe it would be to say they were in a pocket dimension. Similar to the garden from before, FH had made it to be separate from the reality she was in, but still capable of seeing through to it. The ritual called for the musician to be alone, after all. A minute passed, then two, then three. FH sighed as the clock continued to tick. Perhaps this really was a waste of ti- Right on cue, the lights on the signpost above would flicker out, leaving Shiki in pitch black darkness. To those observing, nothing was clearly visible. Leo, with his abilities, would be able to sense...something behind Shiki at this point. It felt dreadful, like a sickening feeling in the pit of his stomach. This feeling of dread would like wash over Shiki as well as the temperature very quickly dropped in the span of a few seconds. All according to the legend, she'd feel a tap on her right shoulder, three actually.

[This feeling... It's almost like death washing over her, but somehow far less comforting than death is. Either way, she's not about to break down over something like this, she'd casually hand the guitar to the figure behind her, not even turning around as she holds it over her shoulder. Rather, she'd look at where her "friends" once stood. Or at least where she thinks they stood, eyes lighting up with a blue glow as the feeling of dread inside her is slightly washed away, even in this pitch blackness she'd still see the lines running across the ground in front of her, the sole sign that anything is even there right now...]

Leo would shiver in response before thinking to deactivate his eyes but he'd seen at least what he believed to be worse before not too mention that the presence interested him in some way. He had to be careful for if his eyes saw something that really didn't want to be seen or surpassed their power in some way then they'd begin to break, though only temporarily. "I-I....w-what is that thing? I-is that really the devil?" Leo was terrified of the idea of something supernatural of this nature but he still would attempt to observe it despite the risk.

FH sighed again, pinching the bridge of his nose. The devil? Hardly. Of this world, however...? I'll say no. He snaps his fingers. The guitar would glow red mid-exchange, before exploding violently. The explosion notably didn't harm Shiki, just the thing that had taken the guitar from her. Luard's scan would indicate that this thing did indeed have finite levels of power. Strong enough to steal the souls of ordinary people? Sure. However, it was nowhere the level of something like a god. FH's pocket dimension would fold away, and the lights of the signpost would flicker back on as the scene became clear once more. The figure was now visible, but there wasn't a ton to see. It was a humanoid, deathly thin, with a jaw that looked horribly dislocated and green hair going down to it's neck. Otherwise though, it was purely black in color. My, it hurts to be right. To think, something like THIS was the source for the tall tale. Still, it's good that we came. Now then, what to do with him...? What say you all? If you have no objections, I'd like to dispose of it here and now.

[Shiki would flip around, eyes glowing even brighter as a feral smirk crosses her face. This thing is no devil at all, and as her eyes of death shine blue, she'd search for lines across the being while her right-hand draws out a knife. Assuming there are any lines crossing the beast, the woman would strike her knife through one of them going up its arm and into the right shoulder, tracing the "death" of her target with sheer glee and even aiming to go all the way up to its neck. If she saw no lines, however, the woman would simply stare at it blankly and shrug. Offering a few words to FH.] "I see no reason not to do away with such a beast, killing is one thing and all, but this is... Pitiful, such a being that simply preys on the weak sickens me."

If you don't mind, I would like to finish the creature myself. Though it is not of any particularly impressive ability, it may still prove useful in my research. That said, Luard slowly and calmly walks towards the creature, shaking his head for a moment as he approaches the hideous creature. It would probably be terrifying to an ordinary person, yet Luard hardly seems to show any emotion at all.

Leo would seem to keep a distance from the corpse. He still couldn't get over the sick feeling from before and the talk of killing it certainly didn't sit completely well with him. In the end, he couldn't exactly defend a creature like this for its actions though so he wouldn't even bother doing so. "I don't really like the idea of killing it but you guys go ahead and do that if you think it's necessary. I just would rather not be part of it if you don't mind."

FH would place a reassuring hand on Leo's shoulder, and stare daggers at the creature before him. This thing is comparable...to radioactive waste. It exists solely as a result of another's existence. As such, I cannot allow it to remain. You may stand back if you wish. Shiki's attack was successful, for the most part. The creature leaped backwards, tearing its arm away from her knife as it stood with a hunched back, a good few feet away from the group. It shook its arm violently, black fluid flinging out from the large gash that went long ways up from its wrist to shoulder. FH simply stared at it coldly, before gesturing for Luard to go ahead. I have no use for it, if you wish to deal with it you may.

[Shiki would lower her blade and back away from the thing, if Luard wants to kill it himself she'll oblige this time, no reason to keep the man from whatever little experiment he has in mind after all. And its fleeing has already told her that this one isn't going to be worth much in a fight.] "I've got no issues with that Luard. This thing clearly isn't very impressive, so I can't say it's getting me all that interested in this battle."

Luard sighs and casts Shiki a cold glance as he attempts to step by her, though their relationship is certainly far from typical, Luard has a hint of disappointment in his voice For now, just watch closely. Consider it a preview, no doubt with your abilities you could do far more, given a few years. With that, Luard continues walking calmly towards the creature, coat fluttering a little in the wind. assuming he reached the creature with no issues, Luard would raise his left hand, Leo could likely see a faint aura around it the moment before Luard attempts to thrust his arm into the creature's chest. Were that successful, Luard would grab hold of the creature's remaining life energy, crystallizing it before tearing it out of the creature's body in the form of a round, green gem.

Leo would simply look in amazement. He'd seen many methods of killing in his time in Hellsalem's Lot but he only had known one man before who could seal something away and that was only with the use of his eyes to assist. He wondered if what Luard was doing could even be classified as the same thing as he recognized the gem as seeming similar to the ones from Luard's warehouse. Despite this, he'd only continue watching. He didn't quite know what to make of such a method but he assumed it had something to do with the experiments he was conducting before with the other gems. "That's...pretty impressive..."

FH clapped quietly at the display. Truth be told there wasn't much life force left in the thing to extract, but nonetheless it would drop to the ground with a thud as the small crystal was extracted from its body. It would soon fade into black smoke and rise up into the night sky. FH watched it go, his expression cold. Those things... usually are disposed of before they become an issue. This one was not only here, but has been for nearly a century. Was this a mere slip up on Phobos' part, or a deliberate effort to invoke fear in the hearts of the locals? Or perhaps Phobos has no part in it at all. He continued to mumble to himself, before turning his head back to the group. I suppose the short of is I owe you three my gratitude. I'd like to thank you all here and now, but this is quite troublesome and will require my full attention. I will send you all back to where you were before arriving at my garden, and when next we meet I shall explain further. Thank you once again, and goodnight. With another snap of his fingers, it was as-if nobody was ever there. For now though, the people of Clarksdale were safe from what they could only assume was the devil. Whether it actually being there or not would affect the attitude they held towards the crossroads though, would remain up in the air.

Its actually qui..... That's as far as Luard gets into his explanation before he vanishes, returned to his lab, dull green gem in tow .....te... Well, that was rather sudden. With a sigh, Luard heads to place the gem in storage alongside a variety of others, before returning to... Whatever he was doing before being summoned, its rather unimportant after all. Explanations can wait and see if he's ever asked

[Shiki was about to make some vaguely snarky comment to Luard, or perhaps ask Leo about those eyes of his... Instead, she'd find herself alone and back where she came from. That in mind, the woman simply cleans off her blade and then falls down onto a bed. For once, she actually feels worn out.]