New visitor

   Gabriel had been hunting and felt better, it been a few days and Nine finally finish detoxing. Which made the house a little better emotion wise, however still was overwhelming for Gabriel. He was still trying to learn how Raven could shut his empath off, he'd ask the Indari, but they were still away. So he would figure it out himself and maybe impress Raven. He walks up to the house and when he got in, he was hit right off the bat with a feeling. He didn't see anyone and could gather real fast the tiefling and his brother done hooked up. Figure he rather just leave that alone now and so he run out of the house, panting some. He look to the bracelet and growled some, he wanted it gone so bad. He wander the forest some and came across a very beautiful woman who spoke "Ah you must be Aidan." she spoke. Gabrie figure she seen him around probably.

He also thought what luck, since the house was just pure lust of emotions, he could maybe swoon her. He move to her and says "Well what's a gorgeous woman like yourself doing in the woods? See you have heard of me." went to lean in and right as he did the women hits him and he goes flying back to the ground surprise. He look at her and she giggles, he growled "Ok who are you?" he ask. She fold her arms, she was tan skinned, with dark wavy hair. She wore a rather nice outfit too, more romani style, that added to her beauty. Her yellow hues watched Gabriel with amusement "Don't worry I am not here to attack, I just merely got rid of the lust that was in you with a simple spell. I assume the cottage is rather filled." 

Gabriel was guarded now, this was weird. She then spoke more "I am Voltaires mate, ask to check in on you. My name is Anastasia." Gabriel blinks a few times "Voltaires...mate....." Now he knew the man had lovers, but Voltaire did not seem like the type to settle down with one person. Anastasia laugh some "Yes." He then stood up "So he sent you then. To check up on us? Why couldn't he come himself this time?" Anastasia shrug some "He didn't say why, just ask I come see how you all are doing." Gabriel nods some "Ok. Im kinda amazed Voltaire settle down." he smirked.

Anastasia seem confused by this "What do you mean settle down?" Gabriel shrugs " I didn't think he was a marrying type, won't lie I am kinda insulted he didn't invite me to the wedding. I thought I was his friend." he then heard Anastasia bust into laughter and stared at her. "While yes we are mated, neither of us believe in the ceremony that is marriage. We love each other and are content to be together, but why do we need to do a ceremony to prove it to each other?" Gabriel nods some " I mean I get that and honestly I agree. I never really found the point of such, just surprise I guess. Although he was once with an angel. So if you don't mind me asking, what are you?"

Anastasia smiled "Oh yes I am aware of the angel he was with. I was around that time, just I wasn't as involved with him. Not like I was with his kids, he had ask me to keep an eye on them, cause he didn't trust the angel. I could not blame him, as for me though... I am the same as Voltaire." Gabriel blinks and stared at her " Excuse me? Like you are a chimera?" She nod to him. "Yes I come from the same place as him." Gabriel would just step back, not of fright but of sheer shock. "WAIT...you said you perform a spell. Voltaire can't do magic, yet you can."

Anastasia just smiled sweetly "While I am from the same place as Voltaire and created by the same beings, I was not created the exact same. Voltaire was created for fighting, I was created to be a catalyst of sorts. So my genetic makeup is different. I can perform magic." Gabriel listen and nods "I see, no wonder he mated to you." Anastasia giggles again "Yes. I see you are doing much better then before. I have heard alot about you from him. So how is your brother fairing then?" Gabriel sighs "He is still alive. I just....I want to help him, I just don't want to do so that is controlling. You know?" Anastasia nods to him "Oh I get that, but you are there for him so that is already good start." 

Gabriel nods " Then I have this on me." She look "Ah yes...I was told of it." Gabriel ask "Do you think you can remove it?" Anastasia inspects it and says "I possibly could. I can see my books and ask someone I know. You will have to atleast give me a week, cause the person I need to find is a little hard to track at the moment." Gabriel look so relieved that he hugged her. Anastasia giggles and hugs the man back "I will take that as you approve good." He then says "Look my brother and the tiefling have cuffs too "Anastasia nods "I am aware, but...that now...I can't removes right off. There is a special eclipse coming up and then I can remove that. However I was told of it, since you spoke with Voltaire a day ago." Gabriel nods " When is it?" Anastasia thought a moment "It will be a month."

Gabriel sighs "Right...well...I suppose we will be fine till then. Thank you soo much." Anastasia nods to him "You are welcome. Now I really came to help train with you on your magic. I hear you are very good in blood magic. I would love to train with you on it." Gabriel smile "I would like that actually. Its easier to train with another." Anastasia nods "I know what you mean. There's a wonderful spot we can go to." Gabriel nods to her and follows as they go to train. Finally a easy day for the poor vampire.

Cant get worse

     Gabriel woke up in a sweat, something was wrong. He could feel it, he wasn't sure what. It felt like everything was wrong, now everything was out of whack. He move out and head to Nines room, he was a sleep, but was shivering and squirming from nightmares he always had. He sighs as he rather not disturb his brother, as much as he like to wake him and say its a dream, Nine needed the rest. Though as he moved away he heard a sound, a sob sound. He moved to Zantro room and the tiefling is all curled up sobbing his eyes out. Gabriel could feel it, he thought it was all Nine. However now Zantro was depressed? He couldn't understand why, he had thought Zantro was fine. Took the bard out, he seem happy. Now he was sobbing and depressed and yet STILL filled with lust. Gabriel groan "whoever cursed you really hated you." he mutter to himself.

He wonder what or who the tiefling piss off for such a curse, though at the moment all this depression was even getting Gabriel down. "Why can't anything be easy." He would get his nerves together and move into the bards room. "What is wrong now?" he ask. Zantro looked at Gabriel and turned away "Go away." he say. Which caused Gabriel to blink "What no witty come back, no oh come to be with me remark?" Zantro just curled up tighter "Please leave." he say. Gabriel huff "I can't cause of this bracelet I feel everything HARDER!" he growled, but watch Zantro just shut down more. 

Gabriel took some deep breaths "Look, just....why are you crying? I thought you were happy, you got to be free in a brothel for abit." Zantro grab Gabriel "I don't KNOW WHY I'M SAD!" he say. Gabrie tense some and says "What do you mean you don't know?"  Zantro hugged on the vampire "I don't know. I woke up crying and I can't stop. I feel so depressed." Gabriel blinks "Oh god please don't tell me you are a empath." Zantro shook his head "I'm not." Gabriel felt soo uncomfortable. He pat the bards head "I...then why are you sad? Figure you have fun making my life hell." Zantro even though was in a deep depressive state, still had to adhere to the curse and grope Gabriel ass. To which without thought Gabriel launched the bard across the room. 

Gabrie wince as the bard laid there on the ground and sob more. "Oh god stop..." he told him. Now tears were running down Gabriels face " GAH.." he hated this. He move to the bard " Look you can't grope me..." Zantro whined "I can't help it...I...can't stop..... I feel like a failure and I don't know whyyyy." Gabriel frowns and sat on the bed "I feel like it too, but....I haven't even been here long enough to feel like a failed. Nines.......ARE YOU SURE YOUR NOT AN EMPATH!" Zantro curled up "I'M NOT...I KNOW I'M NOT...I USUALLY ONLY FEEL LUST AND NOW I FEEL SO DEPRESSED AND STILL FEEL LUST AND I HATE MYSELF AND JUST I WANT IT TO STOP!" 

Gabriel grabbed his head "Stop...you need to stop. Get a hold of your emotions. You are effecting me too damn much and I need to be strong for my brother." Zantro still laid there "I can't....." Gabriel growled, tears still running down his face "YOU HAVE TOO!" Zantro just curled tighter "I can't.....I'm alone....I don't have anyone." Gabriel stared at the bard a while. Just watching him, when the bard wasn't trying to get in his pants, he realize that there had to be some pain that was theirs. However he could explain why they felt Nines. Until he say the bracer a moment "What is that?" he ask. Zantro slowly looked to see what Gabriel spoke of and then the bracer "It was a gift." 

Gabriel narrow his eyes "From who?" Zantro still sob "I don't know...some guy came here and gave it too me. Said I never be alone if I wore it. BUT I FEEL EVEN MORE ALONE!" Gabriel blinks and says "Well well well...seems Astaroth turned on you, like I said he would." Zantro sat up  "He'd never!" 

Gabriel folds his arms "And yet here you are, with a bracer." holding his arm "Feeling everything." Zantro shook his head "I know it wasn't him. He'd never do that to me...he saved me when no one else would." Gabriel raised a brow. "What do you mean by that?" Zantro tried to wipe away the tears "When I was slave to a cult, he saved me. No one else would, they just laughed or said I got what I deserve for being a tiefling....but he didn't... he saved me!" Gabriel frown some. It seem the pain was mix between Nine and the bards.  Now Gabriels stuck fix this one as well. 

"Zan... Astaroth is a demon." he tried to explain, but Zantro yelled "AND I'M HALF A DEMON SO WHAT?" Gabriel winced some "He doesn't care about you." Zantro cried more "YOU ARE LYING!" Gabriel sighs, trying to not sob from the overwhelming feeling. He move to the bard and grabs him "Right now you are not alone." he told him. Zantro stared at Gabriel "I am..you hate me..everyone hates me. I can't stop this stupid curse and I am alone. Always alone.... " Gabriel trying to be patient "Right now you are not. You are here with me and my fucked up brother. Now I gotta fix you with him. I can't do that if you sit here self loathing. You are making me wish you were your normal whore self." Zantro cried more "I hate it!" 

Gabriel groaned and thought why he couldn't have it easy just once. "Zantro I swear...." but he stop a moment and notice the bard was doing more then feeling Nines emotions. He was broken out in a sweat and shivering. He move to put Zantro on the bed "How...do you feel aside from the depression and lust." Zantro stared at Gabriel "I...I hurt sooo much." Gabriel ponder something "like you are coming of something?" Zantro nods to him. "Did you take all those drugs with Nine?" Zantro shook his head no. "Yet you are detoxing." Zantro wiped his face again "What does that mean?" Gabriel moved away "STAY!" and headed to Nine room, he look and saw the same bracer on Nine "FUCK!" 

He knew it had to be Astaroth, but he couldn't convince Zantro. He just rub his temples a moment and then heads to the bards room "Ok... look what you feel is mostly Nine emotions ok... you are not alone. I need you to be really strong." Zantro was sniffling "I...what if I can't?" Gabriel stared at him "You survived Raven torture. This is nothing compared to that right?" Zantro thought and shook his head. "Right so I need you to...and I regret this sooo much...I need you to give into your curse more to combat this." Zantro would try to focus on this. Gabriel moved and went to make some tea, figure if he drug the boy he could get some rest himself. He move back in "This will help with the detox." Helping him sip from the cup.

After abit, Zantro was knocked out and sleeping. Gabriel move to his bed and flop in it. "I swear I will kill that demon." groaning as he would now try to get some rest himself, cause tomorrow was going to be hell.

When Jester visits

  Gabriel had locked himself in his room, trying to get a hold of himself. He felt so very overwhelmed and just even in his room the emotions poor into him. He couldn't make it stop, he was curled up and just struggling hard. Between Nines slow detoxing and dark depression and then Zantro ever growing lust. WHY WAS IT GROWING, he wanted to leave them. He slowly got up and figure maybe he could get the bard under control. Just maybe, that could help and get the damn bugger to take the bracelet off. He move to Zantro room and open the door. Zantro was right at the door staring at Gabriel and leans on the frame "I knew you couldn't resist me." he say with a playful growl. Gabriel just looked mortified a moment and says "NO." he then took a slow deep breath "Get this off me." the bard look at the bracelet "I can't." 

It took everything in Gabriel not to just gut the bastard there "What do you mean you can't? YOU PUT IT ON ME?!" Zantro frown some "Yes but... I was told too. I can't take it off, I don't know how." Gabriel brow twitched "Let me guess Astaroth?" Zantro nods. "WHY DO YOU WORK WITH HIM!?! He doesn't care about you and he'll just kill you when he is done." Zantro stared at Gabriel a while and then says "You wouldn't understand." Gabriel pinch the bridge of his nose. "Ok look you either got to go or control your damn lust."

Zantro shook his head "I can't go I am paid to be here and so yeah no. However if you just gave in...." reaching to touch Gabriel as he about jumped out of his skin "DO NOT touch me." he hiss. "Fine atleast let me have the other, he was willing." he whined " YOU CAN'T HAVE NINE. He is not in the right state of mind." Gabriel growled out. Zantro whined more "I need to feed my curse or else I black out and then I never know what happens. I just wake up from the after math...do you even know what its like to not know what you did?" Gabriel froze a moment and then groans "You are never leaving are you?" 

Zantro huffed, but then Gabriel heard someone and turn to see Jester just staring at them "So I was um...coming to check on Nine.I heard of Crow passing and well I am just gonna guess he is fine and leave. I am not trying to interrupt anything." Gabriel shout "STOP! Nothing is happening." To which Zantro slinks up against him, rubbing himself against Gabriel "But there could be." Gabriel shoved the bard off and Jester was out the door. Gabriel chased him "JESTER STOP!" Jester look back " Hey look I just came to check on a friend soo.." Gabriel pleads " You can't leave me alone here." Jester stared at Gabriel "Wait Gabriel?" he ask and the Vampire nods. " Did you lose your eye?" Gabriels and then says " what no...new body." Jester nods "oh well red hair looks good on ya." Gabriel stared at him "You can't leave I need you." 

Jester leans to see Zantro and says "Yeah I am crazy, but not crazy to touch that." Gabriel smack his face and said "I just need help. I'm trying to help Nine and now this bard won't go away and I'm overwhelmed." Jester kept a distance each time Gabriel tried to get closer. "Keep a six feet distance, cause I am need space to dodge if you jump me." Gabriel stared at him "Jump you? I am asking for help." Jester shook his head "Yeah I hear your words, but your face and body look like you want to jump my bones and yeah I might be bi but you are not my type." Gabriel paled and felt so embarrassed " I AM NOT TRYING TO FUCK YOU! I AM NOT THAT BARD!" Jester just kept his distance "Yeah ok like this whole conversation and everything is very uncomfortable right now. I... you are a empathy and I guess the bards lust is strong cause I can tell you are a little effected." he said kindly. Gabriel held his arm up "THE BASTARD PUT THIS ON AND NOW MY EMPATHY ON OVERLOAD!" 

Jester sighs and says "I see...I don't know much in that stuff...... maybe I can go get you someone to help you." Gabriel thought a moment and says "That...would be great. Could you? I just need someone to handle Zan." Jester then frown "I..... yeah I don't know anyone that crazy." Gabriel frowned "I thought I was just going to help Nine, I didn't think I have to deal with him too." Jester sighs "I'd ask maybe one of the girls I know, but I am terrified to put a girl in the mix with you guys."  Gabriel looked rather insulted " EXCUSE ME?" Jester state "The way Zan effecting you, you all would jump her not meaning too or she could jump you. Either way she kill all of you in the amid sex." Gabriel just looked bewilder " WHO THE HELL ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?!?" Jester shrugged "Sahara." Gabriel then just says " That crazy succubus bitch?" Jester nods "yeah but she might handle Zan or she could go nuts...that would not help you.....um.OH HEY! You remember Bob?" 

Gabriel dead face Jester "Bob? As in Bob who is dead?" Jester nods "Yes Bob who is undead. He is dead...like waist down nothing...unless of course you fuck Bob, then that be awkward for you and Bob...." Gabriel eye twitched "WHY WOULD I FUCK BOB?" Jester shrugs "I don't know you are the empath on overload here." Gabriel groaned. "I thinking here?" Jester shouted. "Ok ok...um....hmmmm....well I could travel to this place I heard Zantro was locked in. A library." Gabriel looked so lost "He was lock in a library?" Jester nods " Yeah its run by a dragon, maybe they know how to control him. They kept him there for some time." Gabriel sighs "Fine whatever....I just...I don't know what to do." Jester then adds "Take the lad out to get some." Gabriel blinks a moment "Get some yourself too. Nine is not going anywhere is he?" Gabriel look at the house, of course Zantro out of sight. "He's locked in his room." Jester then says "See leave him there, you two go out and come back. Should help. There's a place over in the village Alocoil. Private low traffic place. Perfect place to take him and just let him go lose. That's got to cut some of his lust down." Gabriel sighs. "Ok.." Jester nods "I'll go find some information come back." Gabriel nods and move in to the cottage.

He found Zantro in Nines room and grabs him "We are going out Nine, we'll be back." Nine growled " You are leaving me tied here?" He was sweating at as the detoxing was starting. "Yes, you need to get all that stuff out of you. We will be back." Zantro look at Gabriel "Where are we going. Oh Do you need private time with me...want me to handle you." his hand sliding at Gabriel pants " STOP IT! I am taking you to a place to feed your lust." Zantro was bouncing in Gabriels arms " YEAH!" Gabriel grimace.

While they were out, Astaroth moved into the cottage. He head to where Nine was "Tsk tsk. Look at you, once a strong warrior. I actually thought you could beat Caine. What was I thinking. You are nothing. Couldn't save your wife, couldn't save your friend or the town. You are a failure." Nine just stared at Astaroth, but said nothing. Astaroth shook his head "Just a husk. Maybe I should end you.....no that be too easy for you. You want that. No you will suffer longer." He put the bracer on Nine arm like Voltaire instructed. "Pathetic waste." leaving.

Few hours passed and Gabriel had to drag Zantro out. "HOW CAN YOU STILL BE THIS ACTIVE!?" Zantro groans "I told you I am cursed." Gabriel get him "I need rest DON'T...COME INTO MY ROOM OR NINES. IF  you do I will lock you up." Zantro sighs as Gabriel went to his room. Slowly Voltaire emerged "What a shame, he doesn't understand the pain you go through." Zantro turn to see Voltaire. Who walked up to him and caress his cheek "I understand. I know what it is like to feel soo alone, to never feeling like you belong anywhere." Zantro frowned and look down "Its ok. I come with a gift." He pulled out the brace "Where this and you'll never be alone." Zantro looked confused "How is that?" Voltaire smiled " you have to wear it and find out." Zantro seem hesitant, but Voltaire had that smooth voice so he trusted it and put it on. "I don't feel different " Voltaire smiled " Give it time." and was gone.

Just when it couldn't get worse

  Gabriel was sleeping, he had brought Nine to the cottage and in a bed.  Still unsure how to help him, but he was going to try. Slowly woke up and just stretched some. He got out of bed and slowly began to emerge down the hall. Which lead him to a doorway to the kitchen/dinning area. He head through and looks to his right, which was the living area. To which he finds yet again Zantro with his brother, who was smoking opium. Gabriel blinks "You....how...how did you get in here?!" he shout. Zantro turn to see Gabriel and says "He let me in."  Gabriel saw a variety of drugs on the coffee table before them. Zantro was once again straddling his brother. Gabriel march over and just as soon as he did, Zantro  stumbled off Nine "Hey he ask me too. You need to stop coming at me like this."

"Get out." Gabriel spoke coldly as he move to open the door. Zantro stared at him and then sighs "Fine..." moving like he was going to leave, only to shove into Gabriel last second and kiss him. Pushing the Vampire against the wall, while he slyly shoves the bracelet on him. The bracelet immediately got snug on his wrist and he felt like a shock went through him. He wasn't fully aware of what it was, all he knew was now he was overwhelmed. Between the lust of the bard and his brothers depressive state, it was worse then ever and when Zantro step back Gabriel feel to the floor. He even felt another feeling, who was this even coming from? It was loneliness and sense of wanting to belong, he thought maybe it was Nine. Nine always sort of felt like that, so to Gabriel there was hope maybe that Nine was still in there. 

Gabriel tried to get the bracelet off "What did you do." he hissed. However in this time Nine had gotten up, grabbed Gabriel by his foot and tossed him outside. Then locked him out of the cottage, Gabriel blinks and sat up "ARE YOU SERIOUS!?!" Zantro blinks as he watched this and saw Nine go back to the couch. Gabriel sat there a moment, remembering Ravens talk how his uncle tortured him till he became numb. He take this as a new lesson, get control of his empathy to the level Raven could, so he slowly got to his feet.

Gabriel moved around to try and find another way in.  As he does move, he gets to the side near the window that was next to the couch and could hear talking "You know he is trying to help you. " Nine groaned "Just shut up. I didn't pay you for your opinions." Zantro would keep talking, as Gabriel listen in. "I'd given anything to have someone like him to have been there for me. I mean maybe they would have stop me from doing something stupid..." Nine cut him off "Is there a damn off switch to your mouth?"

Gabriel rolled his eyes and moved to find a way in again, while Zantro stared at Nine. "Of course." He would move to prep opium for Nine, but in a different way. He grab a syringe and put some of the opium on a spoon and over a fire. He then get it in the syringe and moved and sticks Nine with it. He growled some "What the hell." Though the effects hit him faster and he relaxed. While Zantro had taken a cup of drugged blood into his mouth. He sat on Nine and went to kiss him, forcing the special blood into his mouth and making him drink it. In the short time Zantro had notice Nines lack of eating and thought this be a way to trick him into atleast eating.

Nine only ever so slightly struggled, but then just was relax again. Zantro leans back "I really hate people like you." he say "You have people there, who actually care. You treat them like shit. I'd given anything to have that. You are on this self destructive path and people still keep trying to help. I'M CURSED AND NO ONE CARES!" choking Nine now at this point "Its not right, why should some selfish bastard like you get kindness, but me who just happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, am just doomed to be kicked around and told get away."

Nine couldn't really stop the bard from strangling him, However Gabriel happen to get back in and grabs the Tiefling off Nine. He had the boy by his waste and carried off with him, heading to the hall and opens a door to one of the rooms and tossed him in there. Then locks the door, Zantro blinks at being tossed in a room and not outside. Figured Gabriel had made a mistake, moving to the windows, it was no mistake, there was no window big enough for Zantro to get out of due to his horns.

Gabriel then grabs Nine and drags him to his room, there he cuffs him to the bed with special enchanted cuffs that he couldn't break. Not that in his current state he could, Gabriel hissed "You are going to detox." moving out and then punch the door to Zantro room "You want to be here so bad, THEN FINE!" moving to the living area and finds Voltaire coming in. "I take it every things going well?"

Gabriel glared at Voltaire, out of all the emotions he could feel, Voltaire was a void still. While it was a relief to not have an extra emotion upon him, it kind of bothered him that Voltaire was just that a void. Nothing came off him and Gabriel knew that is not the case, he then sighs "Can you get this off?" showing the bracelet. Voltaire inspects and hmm some. "Possibly I need to look into it, I haven't really seen anything like this." Gabriel sighs and rubs his temples "I....its like I am overload of feeling emotions." Voltaire raise a brow "I see." Gabriel plops in the chair "On top of it all that tiefling bastard keeps showing up and won't go away." 

Voltaire smirk some as he slowly move to stand next to the chair "How are you handling that?" Gabriel looks up "Got him locked in a room, since he keeps coming back. Plus he tried to strangle Nine." Voltaire arch a brow "Thats...kind of different." Gabriel looks at the empty fireplace "He was upset that Nine push me away. Saying stuff like he wish had people like that." Voltaire leans on the chair "So he wishes for friends who care it seems. Must be real hard with that curse." Gabriel looks at him "What is this curse..." Voltaire looks "Have you forgotten... perhaps Caine took that from you. Zantro is curse with hedonism. He can't not be lewd and such, must make, making friends so hard. Probably very lonely and never really belonging anywhere. I mean then he's a tiefling and that already outcast him."

Gabriel then realized the feelings he felt before where Zantro. That the bard could feel outside of well his lewd ways. Gabriel groaned "I can barely help Nine, I can't help this creature too." Voltaire leans to him "And yet you put him in a room and not outside." Gabriel scowled some. "Perhaps this bracelet affects you too much, I will get on how to get it off. I merely came to check on you." leaving as Gabriel groaned again.

Voltaire headed to a tavern and sat next to a man "Well everything going off quite well. I think." Astaroth smirks "Oh?" Voltaire nods "He's got Zan in a room locked...the bracelets on him and he's rather confused." Astaroth "interesting. Would have love to seen his face when that bracelet hit him." Voltaire nods "I have my comeback." Astaroth looks intrigued "OH?" Voltaire sets down a bracer set "These I am going to have put on Nine and Zantro." Astaroth looked surprise "You are going to get one of your own in this?" Voltaire nods "Oh yes. You see these connect the wearers together. They can't travel far from one another or else they pass out and won't wake till reunited. They bother can feel to a point of what the other feels. Gives Nine a sense of empathy, Zantro well lets see what a mope hedonistic bard like. All while Gabriels super charged. Lets see what happens." Astaroth ponders "We are starting small, but growing. Ok...Ok... would you let me do the honors?"  Voltaire taps "Both of us will. You get Nine and I will get Zan." Astaroth smiled "Deal."

The start to aid

  Gabriel followed the note to where his brother was said to be at. Voltaires final parting words still ringing his mind "Now when you find your brother, just know he is in a dark place. A path you, yourself once walked. Maybe not the same way, but you will see things similar to your own struggles and things that are that of Nines. Remember the knowledge you gained on your travel of life and use it to aid your brother." 

Gabriel came to a tavern and sighs "Of course it be a place like this." He wasn't trying to judge Nine, who was he to even judge anyways. He just hated to be here, knowing its not of joy or cheery reunions, but of woe and sorrow. He figure he find Nine deep in bottles of some sort of alcohol, moving in and gives the place a glance. So far he had not seen Nine yet, so he moved around, the tavern had many off side rooms. It was a rather large place, but then the city was large too. He move to one of the rooms off to the side and was NOT ready to be grace with what he came to. 

Nine was there and bottles were everywhere, but not only that. The damn blue bard was sitting on his brothers lap, seeming to have his fun teasing at his brother. Though Nine just seem so empty, he also seem very well drugged. Sitting there as the bard nip and bit at his brothers neck, but Nine didn't seem much there. There was a familiar smell in the air, one Gabriel knew well and found a pipe off to the side. Seem his brother had taken up his own issue of addiction. Gabriel was more pissed off at seeing Zantro though, he stormed over and snatched the tiefling off his brother. Pinning him by his throat to the wall, Zantro was only mildly freaked out, not suspecting to be grabbed. He saw Gabriel and still not to sure of this new body, but he knew, he knew the guy from before. "Oh its you, finally come to get what all the fuss is about?" Gabriel pulled the bard back and slammed him into the wall again.

Nine just lazily looked at his brother and what he was doing "Get out of here." he say, but his tone was so dead and just empty. Gabriel stared at Zantro still "Hey he ask me to. I am not doing anything wrong here." Nine adds "Yes I did so fuck off." still sitting in the chair like a zombie though. Gabriel hissed" I'll get to you in am minute, as for you though." he growled to Zantro "You will not touch him and stay the hell away from him." Nine shook his head and got up, leaving.  While Gabriel was threatening the bard "Hey, I told you he ask me too, I mean if you wanting a threesome I can totally work with that. I wouldn't mind being sandwich between two hot vamps." Gabriels grip tightens. "I'm not playing bard."

Zantro tried to tap on Gabriels arm as he notice Nine left, but Gabriel was not in the mood for his games. While Gabriel shouted at the bard, Nine move out of the Tavern passing Astaroth, not even noticing the Demon. He was in a disguise anyways "What a waste." he say as Nine went out the door. Voltaire leans next to him "Yes well, give it time. He will recover. With Gabriels help." Astaroth looks to Voltaire. "I thought that was him. New body?" Voltaire nods and sips from a cup "Gift from Lilith. I doubt you tell Caine." Astaroth scoff "Fuck him. I'm free and don't give two shits about him. Though.....wouldn't mind having fun with those two again." he grin. Voltaire looked annoyed "Don't do anything that gets them killed." Astaroth chuckles "Thats not a no from you." 

Voltaire arch a brow "I can't stop you from doing what you want, but I can ask you not gravely harm them. They do have to learn how to beat you." Astaroth nods some "Agree." Voltaire glance and then saw Gabriel bolting out the door to find Nine. "Lets have some real fun" he say. "Nines in a bad state and could use someone and your bard can't seem to keep anyone around long enough. Plus Gabriel needs to be kept on his toes with Raven not around." Astaroth now arch a brow "Are we really planning here?" Voltaire smirks "Zan fun to watch. Let your bard stir things up some." Astaroth ponders "I'm still going to have some fun. Atleast maybe can break that damn Vampire Nine out of that, he's not fun when he's numb." Voltaire nods "No one is." 

Astaroth then adds "Besides how is he to beat Caine so broken. I want revenge against him." Voltaire grins "I knew we were friends for a reason. Lets get those two ready in the way we can." Astaroth smiled "Agreed." Zantro staggers out some and Astaroth calls him over. "We have a task for you." The bard look confused and Voltaire smiled "You like those two don't you?" Zantro felt like this was a trick but nods "Well yeah.." Voltaire then leans forward "Then go follow them, I'll make it worth your while if you just be yourself." Zantro look to Astaroth who gave a nod and so the bard slowly move to follow Gabriel.

Astaroth shouts "Oh and um Zantro." the bard turns to catch a bracelet "Can you put that on Gabriel. A gift from me to him." Voltaire smirk "Thats mean. He's the only stable one there." Astaroth shook his head "It's not gonna make him mad, just why not sharpen that empathy more." Voltaire sighs some "You are forcing him to feel Nine pain more?" Astaroth shrugs "He'll feel alot of things more, like...through walls." Voltaire laugh some "Oh god. I feel horrible now. You do realize this is sort of war between us." Astaroth chuckles "I am curious to your come back then."

Gabriel chase Nine "Stop." he grab his brother, who wasn't in much of a state to stop him. Stumbling abit as Gabriel went to help him not fall "Nine... I'm here for you." Nine just groaned "Go away." Gabriel ignored his words "Lets get you to a better place" Remembering Voltaire said he had a cottage outside this town, another safe house. Figure he take Nine there and get him hopefully in better condition. "Its going to be ok. I know about crow and the farm." Nine just stared blankly as he couldn't really fight where Gabriel took him. He just look so defeated then normal, like his fire really went out. "You can't get rid of me easily Nine. We will get through this." he told him. Not realizing Zantro was following them, keeping back and waiting.

At the Bottom

Gabriel had been training hard with Raven, he was wandering around the village nearby. Raven was out at the moment and they had agreed to meet up later at the tavern. Gabriel was actually enjoying this whole training, he was learning a lot and got to see a different side of Raven. Even enough to feel like the Indari was a friend.  Gabriel was also enjoying time with Naomi, they had gotten close even.  Naomi had went back to the city for a bit so it was just Raven and Gabriel again. He moves to head to the tavern, but didn't see Raven yet. Figure maybe Raven was busy still and decided to wait. Ordering a drink as he waited, few hours pass and Raven never showed, this concerned Gabriel.

Gabriel headed to the house first, to see if Raven was there, possibly hurt. He walk into the house and saw Raven and Voltaire sitting at the table in kitchen. He saw a look of pain on Raven face as the Indari glared at him, as if he had disturbed a secret topic or something. Raven bolt up and moved out the room fast, heading to his bedroom. Gabriel looked confused and look at Voltaire who also seem pained a little. There was bad news, he knew it. Did something happen to Naomi on her way back to the city? He moved slowly as he saw Voltaire signal for him to sit. Gabriel sat and looked at Voltaire, who slowly looked to him "You can gather there is something I need to speak to you on. We lost someone few days ago. Well means more to Raven then to you I guess. I really don't know your relationship with them was." Gabriel looked confused and lost "Who died? Was it Naomi?" Voltaire shook his head "No she is fine. It was crow."

Gabriel sat there a moment, he knew the Vampire. Crow was well known in the army, he was Caine's most trusted guard. He trained many and fought in countless battles for the whole race. Crow came from nothing and built a house name for himself. He was kind and proud Vampire, who even tried to train Gabriel. Though he gave the poor Vampire hell and refuse to listen. Even still Crow would smile each day and kept trying. Never yelled, he never lost his temper despite the hell Gabriel put him through. 

Voltaire sighs "You remember the town Nine was in?" Gabriel eyes lite up a moment in fear "Yeah." he said in a quiet tone. "It was under attack and Crow had led a charge there to try and stop the force attacking it. The enemy had a dragon and burned pretty much most of the city down, Nines farm included. Nine tried to help but..." Voltaire pause a moment. Gabriel felt cold with fear, was he about to be told his Brother died too. Voltaire frown "Nine couldn't stop them and watched as they beheaded Crow. Nine was real close to him, he hasn't taken it well at all." 

There was relief as Nine was still alive, Gabriel was use to his brother being a mourning Vampire. Though something about Voltaire tone didn't make it feel right. "So he's gloomier then normal?" he ask. Voltaire shook his head "If you thought he gave up before....well....he's just bumping around taverns and drinking. He just doesn't care. "

Gabriel was a little salty, he tried to speak to Nine before, when he had the farm. The way Nine seem to have given up just bothered him. So he scowled "So what, he'll just push everyone away and be destructive as always." Though he still cared about his brother, it just pained him to see his brother in such a state. Voltaire brow furrowed and he grab Gabriel " Come with me." Gabriel blinks and looks back to where Raven went. "He's going home for a bit to mourn and prepare for Crows funeral. He will need time. For now you will come with me." He took Gabriel and dragged him through a portal.

They were in a different place now and Gabriel looked around confused. "Where are we?" Voltaire then corrects him "When is the correct question." Gabriel looked confused. "I brought you into a possible future. A very strong possibility." Gabriel looked around and saw Jester who was older, with a few others he assume was whom his brother and Voltaire once use to travel with. Then he saw a real sight, Nine was with them, but smiling? Gabriel spoke loudly "Nine!?" Voltaire smirk "They can't hear us, I have not allowed us to be seen. Would you like to see him?" Gabriel look to Voltaire "He looks ... happy." Voltaire would snap his fingers "I will allow us seen, but they won't know its us. You can't say who you are, but you can speak to him." moving forward. 

Gabriel followed him, they group looks over "Well howdy there travelers." spoke Ash as he waved. Others gave a greet. Voltaire waved " hello there, we are merely passing through and thought we greet you all." they gave a nod and went back to their business. Voltaire look to Gabriel, who stared at Nine. Nine just seem soo different here, he was not at all the same broken Vampire he knew, no this was who Gabriel wanted to see Nine become. "Excuse me sir." Voltaire says to Nine, who turn to look at them and slowly walks over "Yes?" he ask. Voltaire spoke up "My friend here is having issues with his brother, they are really down in the dump and we don't know how to help. Perhaps maybe you had some advice?"  Nine arch a brow some and just smirk "I mean I have a brother too." he look to Gabriel "I'll tell you something, I too was once in deep depressive state. I use to push people away and just wish for my own destruction." he told him. All things Gabriel knew, but he merely says "How did you get pass it?" 

Nine looked up and sigh some " I had an annoying brother." he state, Gabriel looked irritated as hell, but Voltaire elbowed him. Nine continued "No matter how many times I tried to run him off, tried to get him to back off, leave me alone, let me be. He kept coming back over and over. To be honest I am glad for it. He help me trust again, cause no matter what I said or did he was always there. Always trying to help me, listened, even if I didn't think he did. So if you really care about your brother, be there for him. No matter what he says or does, cause even if it doesn't show, he appreciates it. You are who he relies on deeply." Gabriel blinked and was trying to not tear up some. Voltaire pats Gabriel shoulder "Thank you sir, wise words." Nine chuckles "I don't know about wise, but I hope it helps." he heard his name called and moves to head back. Voltaire pulls them back to their time and says "So next time you think Gabriel that Nine doesn't care. He does, he just...needs help. Its not about getting over Sephitia. It took me a long time to realize the real issue. He has masked it by using her death. His fear is what Basilisk brain washed into him. It is what keeps him broken, we have to break their hold on him once and for all so he can finally actually feel free."

Gabriel takes it all in and sighs "Right then that's what I will do." Voltaire smiled faintly "Right now he will be mourning the lost of crow, but this is going to be a hard road and quest. I know you can do it. You two are closer then you may think. Just keep being you and keep trying to help. Now go find him. For he truly think he has hit the bottom and that means there is nowhere to go but up." Gabriel gave him a nod as Voltaire handed him a paper "This is his last location." he explains. Gabriel took it and moved to go find his brother.