The Netherside Inn

Whisker Falls, B.C. is home to Black Arcania Witches Academy, a cult of necromancers, a tribe of ogres, and a very strange Inn. Sitting all alone on a hill overlooking the sleepy little town and the Netherside Inn, is always open. No matter the day, no matter the hour. The Inn is owned by Timothy Greene an elderly man. Born and raised in Whisker Falls, Tim inherited the tavern from his father when he turned twenty four, but along with the keys came a secret. The Netherside caters to a particularly dangerous part of societies underbelly. The Supernatural part. A house of neutrality, and meeting for the strange creatures of the world, the Inn serves Vampires, werewolves, trolls and faeries, witches and wights.

But now Tim is ready to retire, he's decided he's too old to run the place, and tired of constantly sorting out feuds between Warlocks and Wizards. With no immediate family to take over the place, a solution presents itself when his nephew comes to visit. The young man is an ideal fit and has no idea of what awaits him at the Netherside Inn.

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Hey I thought a thread about this kind of place would be fun. Vampires could hit if off with Warlocks, Sorceress' could toy with werewolves, and Faeries could hook up with Genie! Anyone want to play? The staff are extra friendly! And of course there's a bar and rooms a plenty!

I'd like at least one lady to play a waitress though she can be of any racial (as in human, elven, demonic, angelic ETC) or sexual persuasion, and I'll be taking the role of the bewildered nephew who inherits the place and has to navigate the world of supernatural rather unexpectedly. Other than that we'll need customers! Regulars, first timers and unaware humans please feel free to drop in. Shoot me a PM and post! This thread is open to almost anything and anyone. Enjoy!

Name: Brad Greene
Age: 24
Height: 5'10
Appearance: Brad is neither overly handsome nor unappealing, he's above average but not great. His hair is dark brown and his eyes are a murky hazel that turns more to green when he's excited. His skin is deeply tanned from years of working outdoors and growing up in California. His frame is sturdy strong, and hard his stomach is flat but he lacks the almighty six pack.
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The rickety old truck roared impotently as it wove lazily down the road. Paint faded and chipped, windshield cracked and suspension creaking with every corner the rust bucket was ready to fall apart. Eric figured it held together out of pity for him, it was the only thing that hadn't failed him in the last two weeks. He'd lost his job to cut backs, lost his girlfriend to his neighbor, and lost his temper with his parents ever echoing 'We told ya so's'. Fuck 'em all. He needed some time away, and ole' Uncle Tim was always there for him so why not drive out for the weekend? He hadn't seen the old bastard in almost six years, though they talked often by phone. Not since Brad had graduated High School. But when he'd called, Tim seemed excited, and when Brad had asked to come and visit his fathers much older brother had nearly begged him to hurry, and so here he was. Driving along a dark moutain road in the dead of night, raining beating hard on the roof of his truck and a cigarette burning between his fingers.

Whisker Falls was quiet little hole in the wall, a community that really served as a stop over for people on the way to more important places (South of the border), but it had always held a special place in Brad's memory. He and his Uncle Tim had been close when he was little, and the old man have never failed to come through for him. As the town's dim lights came into view Brad felt some of his accumulated tension seep away. Almost there.

Taking a long drag of his smoke, Brad exhaled slowly, his window open just enough to let the curling plume whisk away in the wind. Once again promising himself that it was his last cigarette he flicked the butt out the window. This trip was the start of a new chapter in his life after all best to start it with as few problems as possible. Rounding the last bend as he headed into town Brad smiled at the sight of a battered green and white sign that read "Welcome to Whisker Falls! Population 6,000". What a backwater. There were very few cars about, and less that were headed through town toward the Netherside Inn. On the farthest edge of Whisker Falls the Inn looked over the entire valley, Brad figured that without this incredible view his uncles Pub would've died along time ago, but as it was the old man was quite well off. Finally reaching the parking lot, which was packed as always, Brad hesitated before stepping out into the rain and shouldering his bag. It was really coming down, and he was soaked by the time he got to the door, pushing his way in he sighed in relief. It was nice inside as always, and the entrance way felt very informal. Taking two steps up to the main floor he found his uncle hard at work behind the bar, smiling and laughing with his customers, passing beers out to two rough looking men dressed in deep indigo trench coats decorated with emerald lettering. The Netherside had always attracted weird people.

The Walls were a warm inviting shade of red, and all the woodwork was a deep mahogany. The bar ran the length of one wall and was well stocked, though the drinks were selling fast. Brad had a hard time believing it was only a Thursday. Tomorrow night would be wild. Every table, both the booths at the windows and the high tables in the center of the room were filled.

"Oi Bradley!" Tim shouted, catching sight of him.

"Hey Uncle Tim" Brad sighed, some things never changed.

"C'mere boyo don't lurk, have a seat you look like you could use a drink" the old man disappeared for a moment under the bar and came up with a bottle of coke and mickey of rum mixing the two in rocks glass Tim handed over Brad's favorite drink. "There we go!"

Brad raised his glass in appreciation. "Thank you Uncle"

"Say nothing of it I'll be back to talk to you in a sec here, got some witchy looking little ladies down the bar" With that he was left on his own, damp and uncomfortable. Looking around he saw that the crowd was even stranger than normal tonight. There was a group of big ugly looking men sitting in the corner, whispering to one another secretively, a party of young woman all wearing tight fitting black dresses, and steepled hats, and even a guy sitting alone at the bar wearing what could only be a deer's skull as a hat.

Was it a theme night or something? He felt a little out of place. Taking a sip of his rum and coke Brad desperately wanted Tim to return.

Daina pushed through the door and breathed in the familiar scent with a growing smile. She let the worries of the outside world drain away as she glided across the floor and towards the bar. “Sorry I’m late, Tim- Those damn holy feather dusters were at me again.” She called to her boss, slinging her bag behind the counter and quickly grabbing an apron to tie hazardly over her skintight dark grey jeans, and semi backless black top. A glance down revealed she went barefoot, a common trait for the fallen angel, who much preferred to fly when possible anyway.

She felt a presence behind her, and sensing the intention of the dark mind, spun around in time to clasp the wrist in a grip that was stronger then you’d expect. She smiled sweetly up at the regular, her fingers twisting the hand to cause significant discomfort. “Samson! What did I tell you last time you tried that?” The vampire just leered and tried to draw her closer. Daina ignored this and rolled her eyes. “That’s right, next time you try to touch my wings I break your wrist. This is your only warning.” The words brought attention to the magnificently realistic looking tattoos on her back. The wings spread out from her shoulder blades, covering a good proportion of what could be seen of her back. From the corner of ones eyes the tattoos almost seemed 3dimensinal. If only you knew.

She scanned the floor, taking in the familiar faces, and seeming undisturbed by the odd looking sight that reached her. It was after all, the norm for The Netherside. She quickly took some of the load off of Tim, arranging a tray of large pints of a strange green liquid and taking it over to the ogres in the corner. She sat them down to grunts of approval, seeming to understand the guttural voice that addressed her. “I know what I promised last week, Karch – but surely you realised I was lying?” She grinned and walked away as the table erupted in crashes of grunting laughter before they settled back into their somewhat softer tones of before.

It was on her way back that she noticed the mortal; infact she hesitated a moment and blinked. The sight wasn’t uncommon… well yes it was uncommon; the local mortals seemed to have a good sixth sense to avoid this place. And the others were usually acquainted with the supes world. His dazed expression appealed to the woman, who shook her mane of ebony curls back over her shoulders and approached - unable to resist her cat like curiosity. He seemed slightly familiar and she smiled at him as she placed the tray back down on the counter. “New here? We don’t get your sort often.” Stormy sapphire eyes twinkled mischievously as she boldly gave him a once over. Porcelian skin glimmered in the low lighting and she tilted her head to the side, her wings itching to be free from their two dimensional confines on her back. “I’m Daina, Netherside Waitress at your service.” She teased, droping into a small, mock bow.

“New here? We don’t get your sort often.”The young woman that appeared at his side caught him by surprise. Brad blinked in confusion, his sort? He looked at his clothes. He wasn't dressed unusually, just a comfortable pair of jeans and thrashed looking t-shirt did she mean a city-slicker? Nah couldn't be the chicks all in black were clearly goth-wicca types and they were always a city bunch.

“I’m Daina, Netherside Waitress at your service.” Her mocking little bow and bold eyes cleared things up. She thought he was a raging flowery poof. A little offended he made a show of slowing taking her in before answering. She was cute, tight little body, gorgeous hair, and eyes that made him think of a storm at sea.

"Uhh, hate to bust your gay-dar Daina, but I don't play for your team" he said taking another drink and looking past her, hoping Tim would reappear and save him. Did he really look like a poof? What the hell was he doing wrong? Was it the hair? No girl had ever mistaken him for a gay before. Thankfully Tim appeared to rescue him, clearly seeing his distress.

"Oh wasting no time I see, Daina, this is my nephew Brad, Brad this is Daina my guardian Angel" his uncle said, looking at his brother's son with curious eyes. The kid wasn't the type to look uncomfortable with a young (looking) woman around. "Without her here I wouldn't have time to breath, speaking of which, Daina the bone-casters want to know if you'll work their party tomorrow night, said you'd have to be comfortable serving bluh- blood red wine" Tim stumbled over his words, clearly trying to hide something.

His curiosity burning Brad gave his uncle a hard look. Was his uncle talking about something illegal?

"I told them I'd make the offer Lydia could cover you for the night... If she really had too..." Tim didn't seemed thrilled about the prospect but clearly Daina was someone to keep happy. Then Brad noticed she was barefoot. Staring down at her feet he glanced up at Tim, a mild look of concern on his face. Was she okay?

A look of stunned surprise crossed the fallens’ features at his retort. Gay-dar? Then realisation slithered in and she chuckled, trying to smother it so it didn’t become the full-blown, belly-aching, rolling on the floor kind of stuff. Luckily Tim saved the both of them, and Daina’s eyes brightened in interest at the mention of nephew. She knew he looked familiar. Dainas eyebrows inched another measure higher as Tim stumbled, his words quickly covering his slip. She raised an eyebrow, not at the mention of the party, but at the fact he was keeping his own nephew in the dark. How could Brad not know?

A moments hesitation went by in her pondering, then she realised they were waiting on her reply and she flashed her famous smile. “Of course Tim, they’re not half bad once you get past the…” she hesitated, her eyes flickering to Brad for a moment before she covered herself. “… eccentric personalities. Besides I need the cash, and hey is it cool if I crash here for a few days? I’ve hit some… trouble back at my place.” A vivid image of shredded feathers and a torn up apartment came to mind. A dark emotion crossed her stormy eyes, so fleeting it was hard to work out what it had been. Once you fell, the damn feather dusters didn’t let you live peacefully.

Her toes curled when she noticed Brad looking at her bare feet, she grinned mischievously. “I don’t use them enough to bother with shoes.” She told him in hushed tones, clearly enjoying confusing him even more. She threw Tim an amused look before prowling away and leaving Uncle and Nephew to it. She couldn’t help but chuckle again at his expression, barely able to wait until Tim had to tell him the truth. There was a soft rustle on her back as her wings agreed, for a moment a trick of the light seemed to reveal long black textured feathers instead of ink. She frowned, concentrating, and then just the ink remained.

There was a chorus of calls from the witches and she smiled, getting their drinks and taking them over with little fuss. She made a comment and one of the woman with a particular crooked and warty nose cackled enthusiastically. Daina did seem to have a way with the patrons, it came in handy with the amount of dangerous situations so many supes in one place could get themselves into. The last brawl had cost two patrons their human forms, and a good section of the wall seared. Still, Daina was one of the lucky few that loved her job. Granted, this was entirely more her element then those great stuffy white clouds and the roaring golden gates. Her eyes were pulled back to the mortal, the angelic blood in her dying to read his soul. But she withheld, to much trouble came from knowledge you weren’t suppose to know.

His aura however, well it was hard to miss the flaring, contorted colours from the corner of her eyes. She struggled to not see it, so stained was it with his recent hurts and misfortunes. And while Daina was no fortune teller, she couldn’t help but feel they’d be getting to know each other well enough in the future.

“Of course Tim, they’re not half bad once you get past the… eccentric personalities. Besides I need the cash, and hey is it cool if I crash here for a few days? I’ve hit some… trouble back at my place.”

Tim scoffed, smiling at Daina fondly. He was fully aware of her situation, and they both knew that if wasn't for the Inn she'd have a lot more trouble on her hands. But even Angel's had to respect the Netherside, it's neutrality was well protected.

"Pfff girl, you know you don't have to ask, there's two extra beds in my apartment up top, though if you need warmth and comfort I'll share"

He shot Brad a mischievous wink, and his nephew grinned. Dirty old bastard. But Brad's eyes inevitably returned to her feet, and her reply didn't clarify the situation much.

“I don’t use them enough to bother with shoes.” With that she was gone, sliding off into the crowd passing out food and drinks, smiling and laughing with the patrons.

"Shes a confusing little thing ain't she?" Tim asked leaning over the bar and watching Daina work. "Been working for me for a few years now, best employee I ever hired... her families something else though, you should ask her sometime"

"I don't think I'll be around that long" Brad said, a little distracted watching Daina, she was so... graceful and lacked the snotty holier than thou art attitude of a lot of women as beautiful as she was.

"Oh I wouldn't say that... s'hard to leave this place, especially when you've not really got anywhere else to go to" the veteran barman sighed. "S'a resting place for lost souls this old Inn, you should stick around for a while my boy, I could use another 'tender wouldn't be much different from what you were doing back home, a little slower pace is all"

"I guess a I wouldn't really be missed if I was gone a week or two" the young Mr.Greene pondered out loud, clearly regretting the loss of his job. "How are tips around here?"

"There ahh... not always what you'd expect, but you'll never be disappointed I promise you that" Tim smiled happily. Brad was going to be a great fit, the kid was a seasoned bartender himself, though he usually worked nightclubs and did a lot of that 'flairing' crap young people found so amusing.


"Yeah alright what the hell, a coupla week's helping around here ain't gonna hurt me" finally returning his uncles broad smile Brad finished his drink. "Now I think I'll take my stuff up to my room it still open?"

"Open and waitin' for ya my boy"

"Thanks uncle"

Shouldering his bag he trotted around the end of the bar and disappeared up the steps. Tim's Inn had three floors and a basement, the ground level was of course the bar, lounge and kitchen, all styled in the same way. While floor number two was devoted to guest rooms and was decorated a little old fashioned the walls plain wood almost like a log cabin. There were ten rooms, each done in a different theme, though they changed often and Brad didn't know what they'd be now. At the end of the hall there was a large sauna, and the set of stairs that led to the top floor. Shooting up to his favorite spot in the whole place, he made his way into Tim's home.

The entire ceiling was a skylight window. Showing off the stormy night sky to great effect, and the place was set up like one long hall. It was a reflection of his uncles tastes and habits. A large TV sat in a corner, clearly gathering dust from lack of use, while massive book cases filled with heavy looking leather bound volumes dominated every wall around it. These were kept spotless, organized and sorted. Clearly Tim read heavily, though the titles were nothing Brad recognized. A fire crackled merrily in front of two overstuffed arm chairs on the right side, and if one cared to look the fireplace was double sided, and a gap in the book cases revealed a smaller chamber dominated by Tim's bed nestled comfortably on the other side.

But best of all was the small loft set up in the top corner of the room, obscured by the book shelves and accessible only by ladder. Darting up the wooden rungs Brad was pleased to see the small nook hadn't changed. It wasn't much more than a section of floor about ten by ten, mostly covered by two comfortable looking double beds. This was the spot where he and his family used to stay when they came to visit. Memories filled Brad's head as he dropped his bag at the foot of one bed stripped down to his boxers and climbed into bed. Deciding he'd wait until morning to talk to anyone and he was sure Tim would understand.

Andre Vincent was not a normal man.

Oh, sure, he had a job, he lived his life, he went shopping for groceries twice a month. He had an IRA, and a 401K, and he even had a health plan from his employer. He had a house, a car...he even had a subscription to USA Today. But no matter how many 'normal' things that he did, no matter how much he tried to blend into the life that he had come from, he could never really fit into it. In fact he felt as though he were just a ghost going through the motions. An echo that never really touched his surroundings or interacted with the people.

But there was another life, one away from that. One where he wasn't spending his days working at his job, or worrying about the mundane...no, there was a life where the fantastic was the reality. One of the Fantastic things about his life was his ability to shed that human form, and instead go from being a six foot tall outdoorsman and Game guide to a black furr covered, eight foot tall muscled immense canine...Andre was a werewolf. He lived astride two worlds because of it. He lived his human life as a dream, but didn't wish to become one of the feral, almost bestial creatures that roamed the forest.

No, he prefered to live as a human as much as possible. As a human, he was quite a catch, that rugged and outdoorsy kind of guy who looked like he spent a lot of time outside and in the wild...but that was a lingering remnant, these days he spent most of his time organizing camping and hunting expeditions, ocassionally taking them into the woods...and keeping them away from the more 'exotic' residents of the sprawling woodlands of the northwest. He hadn't gotten out lately. But the office and home were not his only destinations these days...there was a third. He had discovered a quiet little Inn that seemed to be rather uniquely geared for his kind. He couldn't place just everyone in there, but they all had the aura of being the kind of folks that just wouldn't fit in anywhere else.

He'd hiked out to the secluded in, walking through the front doors in jeans, a black buttoned down shirt and a brown vest, his blue eyes gazing around the old interior, shaking his head ever slightly at the sights. He knew that if he hadn't been...different...he wouldn't have set foot inside. But despite the strangeness, he had only felt comfortable here lately, not at home, not at the office...here.

He ran a hand through his short brown-blonde hair and took a table that was empty, waiting for the server to make her way over.

Daina watched Brad disappear upstairs from the corner of her eyes, returning to the bar with dirty glasses and leaving them by the sink for Tim to deal with. The man in question glanced over and she grinned at him, shaking her head. “How are you possibly even trying to keep it from him?” She asked in amusement, wiping her hands on a cloth. Tim tried to give her an innocent expression, “Keep what?” she eyed him in teasing contempt, moving around the other side of the bar with a shake of her head. “Keeping this-“ With one dramatic flourish her wings exploded from their two dimensional hiding place on her skin, stretching to a metre and a half on either side of her as she spread them out. Each feather was glossy and ebony black, she beat them once, sending a gust of wind Tim’s way, always fond of a flair of dramatics. Once they settled down again she folded them back so they sat comfortably against her shoulder blades, the long tail feathers stopping just short of trailing on the ground.

Tim chuckled, reaching out a hand, “just a touch, Daina?” He asked teasingly, and she jerked the wing out of his reach, smiling though. “I think not, Tim. You really need to start picking on people your own age!” She grinned. Tim pretended to look wounded. “But I like older woman!” Daina gasped, smacking him playfully. “Don’t you know how rude it is to comment on a woman’s age!?” She turned way in mock indignation; her youthful energy and curved body giving little hint that the angel had been over a century old before she fell.

She let her wings have one last stretch before she tucked them back ontop her skin, ready to turn them into the rippling tattoo that seemed to shimmer in irritation. While her wings hated being confined, Daina wasn’t about to tempt them brushing against people. Or someone getting to curious when she wasn’t paying attention. Her wings were an incredibly sensitive part of her body, like all angels, and to touch them was to induce both pleasure and intimacy. Something that would be as uncomfortable as having her breast played with by a stranger, or some such.

Seeing a quickly becoming familiar face, Daina crossed over to the werewolf, having a nack for guessing what species people were. “So you’re back again, it’s good to have some new regulars! We’re never lacking excitement here.” She grinned, leaning against the free chair. “What can I get for you tonight?”

Andre sat back, watching the room and making mental notes about the people who were sitting at the tables around him. He wasn't such a familiar person in this Inn, to tell the truth, he'd only really been here once before when there had been a large crowd within...and that time he'd kept his head down, drunk his stout and left. Every other time had seen four or five people sitting apart, and every one of them were very, very human.

Now however...he was seeing creatures and individuals who were so very clearly not human. He looked about, and oddly enough wasn't afraid. Wheither it was because he was one of them, or because he could turn into an eight foot tall beast, he wasn't sure. He looked around as subtly as possible and wondered just what kind of disturbing twists of fate had decided to bring him here and to make him comfortable around such a...fantastic assortment of people. His mind was wandering enough that he didn't realize that someone had walked up to the table.

“So you’re back again, it’s good to have some new regulars! We’re never lacking excitement here.”

“What can I get for you tonight?”

Andre looked up and saw a young woman standing before him. But the fact taht she looked so lovely wasn't the first thing that drew his gaze. Instead it was the pair of large wings that she had resting over her shoulders. He almost stared at them so long as to be rude, but his eyes shifted to her face seamlessly, a smile on his lips.

"Other than the pleasure of your company?" Andre asked with a small smile.

Eucalyptus defined her name more than anything, born of a tree; she was a wood nymph and protected her forest which lay near the Inn. As such she frequented the Inn a great deal and entered it to see some familiar and not so familiar faces.

"Hey Daina" Euca called and waved to her friend, noticing she was with a customer.

Euca went to sit at a nearby table to wait for Daina to finish with her customer, she smiled at Tim and frowned at the dying plant on the table in front of her. She flicked her wrist next to it, the flower slowly gained life and started to grow into a beautiful blooming rose.

"Much better" She murmured with a smile.

Euca didn't often talk to new people, she'd never seen the world outside the Inn and her forest and as such had no idea of big cities and pollution. It would kill her to know so everyone pretty much kept that from her out of respect for her tender naive ways.

Eucalyptus' long blonde locks cascaded down to her knees, she had a wreath of flowers and vines twisted into her hair carefully and her attire was a sheer white dress made by silkworms. Her eyes were as brown as the trunks of the trees she defended but turned a bright green whenever she used her power to renew a plant such as the flower on the table before her. Her feet were bare, she preferred to feel the earth between her toes and never lose connection to it. She was lithe and bright with lily white skin, although she saw the sun a great deal; she never burned or tanned in any way.

Euca's youthful appearance hid her age greatly, she had protected her forest for over 500 years and had never left it. When the Inn was built; her natural curiousity overpowered her need to stay in the safety of her forest and she'd met people for the first time. Euca had been shy at first but now she was more than comfortable around the people inside the Netherside and was delighted to have some company. Euca knew some of the other wood nymphs around the area but just like Euca, they were protective of their environment and hardly ever left it.

His attention to her wings didn’t make her uncomfortable, in fact the wings themselves rustled at the attention, causing a silent sigh from her. They really did have their own frame of mind, and preening themselves for the werewolves was just asking for trouble. She was use to bringing attention to herself with the large, glossy, feathered things. Angels, even fallen ones, being a rare commodity. Between being destroyed by the avenging angels, and recruited into hells dimensions, Daina was yet to come across another of her kind. She wasn’t to phased though, she was also rare for a fallen, she fell out of boredom of purity, not because of an addiction to sin. So she wasn’t looking forward to the harsher, dirtier presences of her brethren.

Her lips curled into their easy smile at his comment, shaking back a tumble of curls as black as her wings. “Well at least you didn’t go with any of the ‘made in heaven’ bullshit. So for that, I’ll overlook how many times I’ve heard that line.” She grinned though, teasing him. Glancing up when she heard her name, and waving a welcome to the wood nymph. The rush of power from the other woman as she worked her magic on the plant sending a tingle up her spine.

“So would you like a drink? Or are you happy to be intoxicated off of my presence?”

Her stormy eyes glittered mischievously, her wings unfolding from her back slightly to send a breath of wind at him.

Andre shifted uneasily as the girl's wings beat the air slightly, sending a breeze his way. He'd never seen an angel before. Of course he had read about them, being divine beings of Heaven itself, one didn't usually see them waiting tables at an odd inn nestled in the forests outside of a small town. But then stranger things had happened...he was a werewolf after all.

"Well, I still can say the bad heaven line, I know a couple...completely tactless of course." He smiled at her, his eyes witching over her wings, wondering why they were so silky black instead of white, but thinking it calous to ask.

"But I usually spare lovely women the more tactless of my lines...I reserve them for when I really don't care but know I have to say something." Andre said, leaning back slightly, hooking his arm over the back of the chair.

"So...what should I call you besides 'attractive woman'? And what do you recommend as a drink for a wolf who's had a long week and can finally relax?" Andre asked with another smile, this time showing his teeth that seemed to be slightly too pointed to be a normal humans. He really was starting to relax in this place...

Daina laughed, a musical and earthy sound for one who dwelled best with the southern currents beneath her wings. Her eyes unfocused slightly as she allowed his aura to come into view, whatever she saw pleased her and she smiled yet again. Focusing on him once more, “Deep reds, oranges and earthy browns. Not a bad aura to have around.” She said to him cryptically, seeming to enjoy being mysterious with a simple playfulness.

“For your first question, I am, in all my glory, Daina. Your waitress for most evenings.” At her name she beat her wings a few times, lifting her slightly off the floor before she landed again with the grace of her element. Chuckling at the cries of half-hearted annoyance from the surrounding patrons who were buffeted in the process, quelling them with an apologetic wave. “As for your drink – well I have just the thing.” Her eyes sparkled mischievously and she slipped away, hips swaying as she padded barefoot to the bar. Ignoring Tim’s amused expression at her show of theatrics, she poured two drinks, a glittering amber drink for her wood Nymph friend, and a dangerous red looking brew for the werewolf.

Daina paused by Euca’s table, placing down the drink with a smile. “I’ll be back to catch up in a moment, let me just see how well this goes down.” She grinned, weaving back towards the table, and placing the large mug of red bubbling liquid before the werewolf. “This - is Goblins Fire.” She grinned, her eyes daring. “It packs one hell of a punch, but I’m sure a big boy like you can handle it.” It was a challenge all right, her teasing lips and eyes confirming the fact. Proving that she could play tag just as well as he was. “You drink that down without passing out, and you can ask the question that’s burning so delightfully in your eyes.” She grinned deviously, looking forward to seeing if he accepted. She herself had only tried Goblins Fire once before, and it poured like molten fire and a gods wrath down your throat. Funnily enough though, the after taste seemed delicious. The saying went that one took your tastebuds, the second took away gravity and the third relieved you of consciousness.

Daina was yet to see anyone but the goblins that preferred it go back for seconds. So she tilted a brow, waiting for his answer.

Andre smiled as the angel laughed, glad that there were at least some things that applied to angels just as he could apply them to 'normal' women...they all liked to hear that they looked good. His simle turned a little curious as she seemed to comment on his 'aura'. He'd never heard about that...he'd always been able to tell what something or someone was by scent. Though at the moment he wished that he wasn't so good with his nose at the moment. Some of the creatures in here seemed to enjoy being quite potent. He nodded to Daina respectfully, smiling that she had decided to tell him her name. He grinned a little as she lifted off the floor on beating wings. Aparently she enjoyed showing off.

He waited quietly for her to return with a drink and eyed the red concotion with a wary gaze. He'd never heard of Goblin's fire, but then the most exotic thing he'd drunk lately was Absenth. The drink was unusual enough to make him lean forward and sniff it in a very wolfish way, curious about something unsusual. Andre looked up at her with an uneven smile.

"Either you like me and want to test me, or you hate me and want to kill me." Andre said, reaching out and sliding the mug towards him. He lifted it up and eyed it again. Like most animals he was leery of the unknown...but a werewolf wouldn't back away from any challenge. On final impulse he lifted the mug to his lips and took a long swig of the drink. The burn came immedeiatly, as the drink flowed through his mouth. Oddly, it seemed to be a feel more than a taste. Yet his tounge didn't go numb, instead as it slid down his throat the sensation mingled between enjoyable and pain. He'd always had strange tastes, but becoming one of the chosen had only hightened that oddity.

He upended the mug, draining he last of it in one long pull and then lowered the drink. The burn seemed to have extended across his entire body, not just his throat and stomach...but the burning there had subsided to a plesant warmth while his tastebuds had begun to taste a wonderful flavor. He licked his lips and ran his tounge across his teeth, a smile on his lips.

"Never had that one before..." He said, his voice sounding a little rough, but he was still on his feet.

"I'll have another. But I'll ask you a question first...just what am I supposed to ask you? Something about why something as delightful as you is doing inside a place like this? Or am I asking the wrong question?" Andre asked with a low laugh that sounded vaguely like a wolf growling. He leaned forward across the table, resting his chin on his hands, elbows on the worn table top.

Daina just grinned over his words of testing or killing, her eyes glittering as the mug was lifted to his lips. She held her breath as he swallowed, watching his colouring change slightly as he dealt with the sensations. Her smile widened as he licked his lips, only slightly surprised when he managed the drink well. She chortled at his words, a hand running through the ebony locks as she looked over him again, her interest piping further. “Pace yourself, boy. I don’t want to have to fly you home.” She chuckled again, her eyes glittering mischievously once more at his question.

“Now surely you wont waste your question by asking what you may ask? There is no right or wrong answer; it’s your prize. This is your ticket past the usual rules and bindings of civilised conversation, for one question. Think on it.” She grinned wickedly, walking away and leaving him with that, unable to shake the memory of those eyes so provokingly meeting her own. She refilled a few more drinks, returning to the werewolf after a few minutes. Though lacking the Goblins Fire. Instead she placed a bottle of spirits on the table, and three shot glasses, her grin once more daring. She spun the adjacent chair around, and straddled it, allowing her wings to remain free on her shoulders.

Her wings draped from her shoulder blades, noticeably twitching away if anyone ventured to close to them. Daina wasn’t to worried, her senses alerted her when anyone’s fingers were venturing where they weren’t suppose to. Well, most of the time. Some minds shielded their intentions, whether naturally or not, but it was a rare skill to be able to out move an angelic. She didn’t inquire about his question, instead twisted in her seat, letting out a piercing whistle over the din of the Netherside, and calling Euca’s name. “Come join us!” She grinned at her friend, her arms draped against the back of the chair she leant into. “This,” she indicated her wood nymph friend, “Is Euca. Euca this is…” She tilted her head, eyes gleaming, “what is your name anyway, wolf?”

Tim watched the little scene unfold with some interest. Goblin's Fire wasn't something he served often, and it was really only on the menu for appearances sake. Though it was quite typical of Daina to try and coax some young hot head into trying it, but it seemed this guy could handle his combustible liquor. Pity about how his stomach would feel in the morning though, even a werewolf would feel the after affects of that.

Turning to the little wood nymph settling down on her own he grinned at the greenish glow in her eyes and the recovering rose "Good evening Miss Euca I see you saved my little flower, thanks for that I haven't got much of a green thumb"

She was a cute little thing, and Tim figured she was one of the regulars he'd actually miss talking too. Daina was still flirting with her new friend when the necromancer and paladin started to argue.

"...Your an abomination! A graverobber and a heathen" The paladin snarled, he was a younger man, went by Jory. Sadly enough he was on the tall dark and handsome side of things. Tim had seen him fight before he was as deadly as any modern paladin. As gifted with a blade as he was with a gun, and Tim didn't like having the stuffy pig headed fool around. His kind bothered everyone at some point or another, but of course the door had to be open to all.

"I'm sorry? What are you going on about man? I'm just here to have a drink with some friends" The necromancer replied evenly, he was a decent man by the name of Logan, about forty and a regular customer like the rest of his cult.

"You know what I mean ghoul-kin" Now things would start to heat up, Ghoul-Kin was a quite an insult to a Necromancer especially one like Logan and his lot, a rather progressive bunch that generally stayed on the straight and narrow.

"I have no idea what your talking about, I think you may have had a little too much to drink, could I get you some water?" Desperately trying to keep his cool Logan looked at Tim in desperation. Tim nodded, moving toward their dispute slowly. At least the rest of the room was still abuzz with happy chatter and laughter.

"So you can poison me? I think not little ghoul" An angry paladin was a foolhardy paladin, and Tim knew Logan's friends weren't taking the situation very well.

"Excuse me gentlemen, but your conflict is disturbing the other guests could I ask you to simply part ways?" Tim interjected, his voice cold and steely.

"Eh?!" Jory turned around "Sod off old man we're busy"

"Oh? Well I'd hate to have to interrupt Daina to have her throw you out..." the bartender replied steadily. "So why don't you go cool off with some water or a nice soda?"

"No, we're busy!" Jory snarled, twisting around and whipping a vicious backhand around to strike Tim's face. SMACK. Blood trailed down Tim's face from a messy jagged cut across his cheek. The ring on Jory's hand covered in red. "Now fuck off"

The room was deathly still. Nobody had ever seen anyone hit Tim before. Anger boiled up the old mans stomach, and a familiar burn seeped into his veins. But no, it would do no good to kill the little bastard.

"Out" Tim said simply. Jory glared, determined to not back down.

"No"

"Turik? Show him out" Tim turned away from the young knight as Turik the ogre rose to his feet, a full ten feet tall and well over three hundred pounds the larger 'man' simply seized the paladin and dragged him kicking and protesting as he was toward the door before tossing him bodily out into the rain.

"Thank you" Tim said, after he wiped his face off with disinfectant and slapped a band aid over the cut. "Now who wants a drink? Last call"

Andre swirled the remnants of his drink about in the mug and smirked at Daina. She was right, he had used his question on asking what question he should ask, but something told him that perhaps she wasn't going to hold that against him. He ran his hand through his short black hair and grinned at her, his eyes again falling on her sleek wings. He smiled, sliding the mug across the table and eyeing the bottle of spirits that Daina had brought. He ignored the massive man calling for last call, figuring that drinking with the barmaid was an exemption from that triviality.

"Alright Daina. Here's my question...what's a lovely woman like you doing in a tavern like this? I know that you're rather...special? Exceptional?" He said, searching for the right word, but abandoning the thought, it wasn't relevant. He reached out and examined the bottle label, un-capping it and pouring out a generous measure into each of the three glasses.

"My name? It's always wonderful for a gorgeous woman to show interest in little old me." Andre smiled at her, leaning forward on the table.

"Andre. If you wish to know lovely angel." He said wth another smile and looked over to the table that Daina had indicated and smiling at the woman who sat there.

Euca smiled and nodded to Tom, she'd come in many times to save his dying plants and knew quite well that he had no 'green thumb'. Euca shook her head; wondering where that expression came from as Daina called her over. The ever-smiling Eucalptus made her way over and carefully brushed her fingers over Daina's wings, she watched the Angel shiver and grinned. Wood nymphs could be naughty, mischevious creatures too!

"Hi Andre." Euca said as she took her seat.

When the argument between Tim and the paladin broke out, Euca had to restrain herself from going to Tim's aid. She knew the old man could handle it himself but Euca still felt oddly protective of her friends and was shocked when the paladin raised his hand and struck Tim. She was grateful when he was thrown from the Inn and relaxed visibly, her attention returning to the two in front of her as she sipped her amber beverage; it was made entirely out of bark and sap which gave it a honey kind of flavour.

Daina knew what Euca liked and Euca smiled at the thought, she looked at Tim as he yelled for last call and sighed. It was that time already? She thought of her forest and found that she wasn't quite ready to return to it just yet, she was enjoying herself immensely and had barely found a moment to talk to Daina yet though Euca could understand where her friend had been distracted...yummy wolf!

Vines started growing from the wreath around her crown as her thoughts became happier, the flowers on them blooming as they had died when the paladin hit Tim. One could always decipher Euca's mood easily, she found her emotions difficult to hide as she had never had to learn to control herself before, how times change!

Daina shook her head at him, her eyes showing a teasing disappointment. “And you still encase your question within another, wolf. But pretty words for me; pity the harmonious masses of the holy ones above have other names-“ She was brought to an immediate halt, her breath hissing to a close as the delicate finger ruffled through her feathers. The shudder started at the tip of her wings, moving vividly through her body in a wave of pleasure. She glanced around, lust darkening the blue of her eyes, seeing her friend she immediately scowled.

“One of these days, Euca, I will get you back for mistreating that skill!” Daina threatened, though there was a hint of a sheepish smile, her wings twitching and resettling on her back. Amused that the devious little wood nymph had to show her up in front of the big bad wolf as well. Her attention was then drawn by the Paladins’ arguing, her muscles tensing and the softer glow to her eyes dissipating as she watched the scene unfold. She was ready to go to Tim’s aid, her breath hissing in a soft snarl as he was struck. Her body tensed, half risen from the chair when he called the ogre in. She sat down, knowing the issue was taken care of, though she burnt the paladins face into her memory.

She slowly turned back to her companions, flashing an apologetic smile. “Never a dull moment at The Netherside, that’s for sure.” She relaxed, though her eyes danced towards the door that led to the rainy night, as though she restrained the need to go after him. No one hit her boss scot free on Dainas’ watch.

As Tim called last drinks, the fallen didn’t argue, instead giving the wolf another breathtaking smile. His sweet-talking and flattery amusing her as much as pleasing her. “I’ll have to help Tim close the bar, but you should return tomorrow. We have a party booked, but regular bar will still be open. And I’ll give you the answer to your prize then.” She laughed softly with her promise, sliding a teasing hand to caress the back of Eucas’ neck as she stood, stooping to smell the flowers the bloomed so prettily amid her hair.

He'd reached across the table and lifted his drink when Daina had said that she had to start clearing up. Andre was more than a little put out at that and checked his watch, it was barely even ten. One helluva let down to go out for a nice drink and to meet a nice woman...well, he'd had a drink and met two very lovely women, but sometimes it's just not enough in life. HE smield and sipped at his drink, his gaze drifting from raven haired Daina to golden blonde haired Euca. He smiled as his glass lowered.

"How ufortunate that we have just met and yet we must part. So teasing life can be for us mere...creatures." Andre said with a wistful smile, sipping his drink again to punctuate the comment.

"Well, if the tender has decided that it is time for me to leave, than I am not one to argue. If I was banned I would never get the chance to adore such lovely women as the two of you." Andre said, and finsished hist drink, standing up from where he sat. He turned to Euca, and bowed low to the Wood nymph.

"Tomorrow dear lady I hope to see you in here again, our conversation has yet to begin." He said and smiled at her with a small sparkle in his eyes.

"And Daina, I guess that my question will have to wait for tomorrow. But maybe I should reconsider and ask you something that is slightly outside of the norm? Since I think that you've been asked what I have in mind many times before a wolf as simple as I." Andre said and smiled in that very wolfish way, his eyes glimmering a little in the light as he bowed to Daina. He left his payment on the table, and left, a glance over his shoulder letting him know that the two women's eyes followed him slightly more intently than was normal for someone who was watching a casual aquaintance leave.

“One of these days, Euca, I will get you back for mistreating that skill!”

"You love it and you know it Daina!" Euca grinned at her, her innocence disappearing as she toyed with the Angel.

Euca placed her hand on Daina's as the Angel tensed up over the paladin, she pressed her hand tightly over her friend's to reassure her that it was under control.

When Daina stooped to smell the flowers blooming in her hair, it was Euca's turn to shiver as her flowers seemed to lean towards the angel and beg for more. Several more blossoming all over the vine as Euca smiled at Daina.

"I think you just returned the favour Daina!" Euca shivered, her skin crawling with goosebumps at her close proximity.

"Tomorrow dear lady I hope to see you in here again, our conversation has yet to begin."

Euca returned to the wolf and smiled, "Indeed, I come in everyday so no need to worry that you might miss me, I wouldn't dream of allowing Daina a moment's respite!"

Eucalyptus grinned at Daina and bid the wolf farewell, watching him exit and sighing a little. She returned her attention to the angel and stood up as she finished the last sip of her barksap beverage.

"Well til tomorrow Daina, the forest shall be in need of my services!" Euca smiled and began to wander to the door, "Bye Tim!" She yelled, grinning at the shock on the old man's face, innocent though she might appear she could be quite the cunning little nymph.

With that Euca exited the Inn and made her way back to her domain both tired and eager to see what the next day would bring and whether or not the wolf would actually return.

Tim glanced at the clock. It was midnight by the time everyone had left and the place was tidied up. The werewolf that had his favorite ladies chatting kept him amused. He seemed charming enough, though his choice of words seemed a little dramatic.

The cut on his head throbbed, and Tim realized with a sigh that the upstart young holy warrior had shaken him a lot worse than he had realized. Five years ago, hell a year ago, the blow would have never landed.

"Thanks for the help Daina" he murmured, as he wiped down the bar and put away the last of the empty bottles. She'd already finished with all the tables and chairs and had no doubt locked the door, and checked all the magical seals on the place as well. A few hundred years of experience and skill made her a fast worker, and she was always a step or two ahead of him. Increasingly it seemed in the few past months, as he continued to slow down. He supposed age was really catching up with him. He was well into his sixties after all, and dealing with Immortals, and magicians all day was no easy task.

When everything was finished he shut off the lights and sat on the stairs as was his habit. Lighting a cigar he took a long drag off of it and sipped at a glass of cold water. Mulling over the day and wondering what he had gotten his nephew into. "Daina, can we talk for sec?"

Leon Riese was a normal guy or at least normalish. He just turned 23 had short black hair and grey eyes . He was 5'10'' with an athletic body from his many hobbies like rock climbing and other sports. He worked as a part time writer and publisher. All was normal except for his little blackouts like he just had and was now standing infront of the Netherside Inn. One time he remembered having one in New York and woke up somewhere in Kansas.

"Might as well find out where i am" he told himself as he reached out for the doorknob. His hand suddenly stopped before he touched it and twitched. His vision began to darken "Not again" he barley managed to say before darkness over took him. His grey eyes flashed to a bright blue and his body was giving off a faint glow. "So there's one here" he said with no emotion in his voice as he turned the handle and walked inside.

The place was empty except for two people. One was an old man smoking a drag and the other was her. She didnt even try to hide her wings. "Disgraceful" he told himself and made his way over to the two. His own wings becoming visible with every step as they grew larger almost touching wall to wall to showing his rank as an Arch-Angel and this body was his host.

Daina grinned at Eucas shiver, watching the wolf disappear out the door with a thoughtful look. She waved a small goodbye to Euca, before finally shaking her head and sighing, gathering their glasses and taking them back to be washed. Years of companionship meant neither her nor Tim had to say anything as they closed down the bar, and bid the last patron farewell. She’d wiped down the tables, stretching for a moment before pulling the curtains over the windows. When she finally paused to glance around in satisfaction, checking everything was spotless, when she heard his voice. Her eyes were drawn to him easily, the sudden darkness not impairing her vision as much as one would think.

“Of course Tim.” She replied, slightly concerned about the weary tone that had been creeping into his voice more often of late. She left the door unlocked as she wanted to go out for a fly before she slept, and crossed to him on the stairs. She couldn’t help but noticed the slight flare of pain in his aura and her lips pursed. “I can heal it for you if you want, Tim.” She asked softly, not seeming concerned with the aftermath. She still had control over her angelic gifts, to use them though as a fallen caused great discomfort, even pain. Neither threat seemed to phased her much.

Before he had a chance to reply she heard the door open, even before that her wings had rustled as the air quality seemed to change. Even before the soft words were muttered, and the room lightened with just his presence, Daina was turning around slowly. Disbelief etched on her features, unable to comprehend what he would be doing here. When her gaze rested on him, the pang shuddering through her body at the sight of his pure wings, she couldn’t help but relent against the stirrings of fear. “Shit.” She muttered to herself, but immediately stepped infront of Tim, keeping her boss, and fragile mortal, behind her. Her black wings flared out on either side of her, dwarfed by the arch-angels, her eyes wary and icy.

“This is neutral ground.” She told the Arch-Angel, his presence registering in every molecule of her body. Her voice was surprisingly steady, her head tilted defiantly so her black curls fellt back from her face. “Even you have to acknowledge that. Besides, we’re closed.” She took a few steps closer, not wanting Tim to be anywhere close to her if the mighty feather duster himself chose to ignore all rules and obligations. Her hands clenched, the familiar presence drawing up memories she didn't even want to remember, the ebony feathers rustling on her spread wings. “What do you want?”

“I can heal it for you if you want, Tim.”

"No that's alright sweetheart, it's just a scratch..." he replied, taking another puff of his cigar. He wasn't sure how to tell her that he was leaving the place to a kid that didn't know a ghoul from a leprechaun, but he figured no matter how he put it she wasn't going to pleased. Pity it had to be handed over to a human, otherwise he would have given it to her until Brad was ready. "Well you see-"

The door swinging open was a welcome interruption to a conversation he didn't really want to have. Until he felt the Archangel's presence. Why today of all days? Daina stepped in front of him, distracting their new holy friend while Tim concentrated on which runes he would need to expel an Angel in case things went south. And with five feet of gorgeous fallen around, things were almost guaranteed to get worse. Stopping an Archangel was hard it was true, but far from impossible, and nothing Tim hadn't done before. The Inn's many glyphs and wards were all ready and waiting if the holy creature decided to play rough.

Stepping around his old friend Tim looked directly at the Angel.

"Can I help you?" he asked politely. Daina was clearly not happy, and he really didn't want the place destroyed if they started to tussle. "The bar is indeed closed, but if you need directions or a place to spend the night I'd be more than happy to help... Daina why don't you head up stairs and run yourself a nice hot bath? I'll be up in a few and we can continue our talk, I'll help our guest"

He looked at Diana as she stood before him. "Im hear as messager for now" he said with no emotion in his voice or face. He keept his cool blue eyes locked with hers ignoring the old mortal. "Heaven doesnt like it when its angels fall and even more so when it turns to the other side." He glanced downward then back to her. "Usually we kill any fallen we find because they have at least once done some act of evil to mankind. Thats why im here." He let it linger in the air for a moment before finishing. "Unfortunately it seems you have done no such thing. Quite lucky for you id say thats is why i haven't killed you already. The whole time you been down here you haven't done one unjustly thing to a human that they hadn't deserved but you will one day. Thats why ill be watching you and when that day comes ill kill you. You have been warned, now be gone as i talk to this man about arrangements"

He switched his attention to the old man. His grace felt something was bothering him and wished to help he wasn't here to interfer with humans only this fallen. "This body is my host so I must require of you to treat him like you would anyone else when im not in use of him. I would hate for him to die some how and have to bring him back. I would also like for you not to tell him or anyone else that he's a host for me. Other then that he won't beable to leave the grounds. Ill make sure of that so he might need boarding here. Doesnt matter where really as long as its here." he was about to go before he thought of something. He put two fingers on the man forehead "Bless you on your journey" he said and was gone. Leons eyes flashed back to grey and looked around. "Where am I?"