A new world has come

[Tadelin]

Albert looks at the door, then to everyone else. What's going on here? Who are we helping? What did I miss?

[Coan]

'Here at last, not so fast, past the door watch the floor. Evade the old man who plays you the fool, his hidden plans so very cruel...'

The whispers continue in muttered nonsense until one of the group step forward to which the person seems to respond in a new clear voice.

"I know who you are Ixevim."

[alhoon]

Evoking the Tower of Iron will to protect both himself and his companions from psionic attacks at least, Ixevim sends his mentality out to speak to this thing.

"Are you a follower of that abomination we met some days ago? How you know of me? What do you want?" Ixevim's mental reply is emotionless (except the barbs of hate when he mentions the creature that was attached to Albert in the cellar) and while he is surprised, he isn't particularly afraid.

[Coan]

The voice mutters some more.

"Abomination? I don't recall an... yes yes I do. The creature, it calls in the night. It want's to see us. Simone always thought this could be a problem. The darkness comes." there is a small fit of giggles "Ixevim how do I know me, I ask myself because I am. Ixevim I am, or was, now is, but not. I am Ixevim." the last 3 words the voice says with pride before calling out in a cry of anguish "I am not Ixevim. I am more and less. I am alive! Help me, somebody help me!"

Crying sobs echo from behind the open door. Nearby Rosette, who had silently moved nearby, shivers "What is wrong with him?"

"The preacher's daughter. Katrina. You have to believe me!"

[alhoon]

Ixevim stands there confused... Simone? Less and more than him? It is certainly more than a madman. But what is it? And is it mad?
Ixevim's telepathic voice goes to his allies.
"There is something there, calling for help. It knows much and speaks without a hint of sanity."

[Tadelin]

Albert is starting to get impatient. Are we going in or not?

His eyes scan back around the rest of the area, looking at the ruins on the landscape. With a bit of reflection, Albert reminds himself that he has been a bit more impatient than usual. Perhaps it's the smell of smoke, as fire always did set him into a bit of a frenzy.

[VAN]

Kimuriel looks around a bit nervously, he doesn't like this situation. So decides to partecipate, saying loudly:

"Do you want to step forward and being seen? We want to help you."

[Coan]

In response to Kimuriel's concerned voice the speaker's muttering quickly becomes incoherent.

"Is that Kimuriel or his brother? I get confused." is all that can be made out before a shape moves into view of the others and infront of the door.

His body is ravaged with age, what little hair remains is white and his skin is thin and marked. On his face he wears a malformed leather mask, cut and strapped across his bony head so to cover his features. Withered tendrils of cloth hang around his 'mouth'.

"Ixevim step away from the door." comes another voice and a hand pushes the old man back into the shadows. In his stead, steps a middle aged woman dressed in dirt speckled apron, ragged shirt and long skirt. "Ah I see." her voice sounds somewhat distant "Why didn't you get me old man. These are the group are they?"

[alhoon]

Ixevim feels frustrated. "Who are you people?" He demanded. "How do you know of us?"

[Coan]

The elderly man crounches down and hits his head.

"It doesn't understand."

At this the woman interjects "But I do. Ixevim, I myself find this slightly confusing but you are looking." she points to the masked man "at yourself... you made it back to your time. He really IS Ixevim -as are you."

"Tick tock, tick tock. Time laps, wraps like a ribbon. Poors out a thimble."

[VAN]

Kimuriel looks again the people in shadows, they didn’t remind him anything. Despite it was strange that they do already know Ixevim and himself, it was more strange know Van, his twin brother. They should have known them really well to know that detail. But if they did know them so well, they should know that Ixevim was in party with Kimuriel and not with Van. The psion is very confused.

Listening their words though, the half-elf remembered that Ixevim and Artemis have already traveled in time. The mind flyer was speaking often about that and he wanted to make a device in order to travel back at his age. They are heading to Hazlan for this reason. Kimuriel starts to believe that there is the minutest possibility that this man was telling the truth, and he is really Ixevim who has traveled in time one more time. But how he has gotten a humanoid shape? It was very hard to believe something like that, but the psion has seen or heard many strange things at his life time. So he addresses again the couple, but this time his voice is more steady and has also a hint of enthusiasm.

“May you get your mask off? It cannot be a better proof than that you are really Ixevim.”

At the same time a missive reaches Ixevim’s mind:

“Ixevim, can you see if there is magic aura around them? Ah, and remember that you have already traveled once in time, I believe that there is a minutest possibility that they are really telling the truth. Ask something that only you can know the answer and no one else and lets see how they will react.”

[alhoon]

Ixevim replied with his usual blank features. "He is a human. I'm not." Looks at his allies and the newcomers. "I believe my nature will be revealed soon anyway. Still, I don't plan to say anything more than that at the time."
Looks at the man feeling disgust. Some part of his mind started questioning why he saw that as a disgusting fate.

"Kimuriel is right. Tell me, what or who was Grud? If you are me 50 years later, you certainly know that."

OOC> Answer: Ixevim's thrall, a dwarf. Ixevim... valued him the way someone values a nice, loved and useful dog, not a friend, collegue or ally. Ixevim has changed since then, but he still feels mostly that way for Grub.

[Coan]

The masked man seemed to shake his head, sinking onto all fours he started to pad around the door.

"Woof woof! Grud good boy. Good boy Grud fetch things for me. Bark! Poor Grud, tasty brains!"

The man seems to make sucking noises before hobbling on his knees into the tower. At this the woman speaks "It is one of the few things he misses about his old life... the ...taste." she seems to go slightly whiter at the thought "But come in." at this she opens the door wide and turns up a small lantern to reveal a round room with several chairs, table and make shift kitchen with serviceable cupboards and space.

[VAN]

Despite keeping feeling nervous and uneasy, Kimuriel steps in.

[alhoon]

Ixevim's feeling of disgust towards that ... wretched joke of himself intensified. What happened to poor Grud? He was a loyal thrall, skilled and useful. Ixevim was always lenient with him, even allowing Grud to keep some of the wooden figurines he made, figurines of persons he loved in his previous life. That would have brought an aproar if it was ever learned. Probably Grud has been served as dinner once Ixevim was banished. What a waste of a good thrall... and of a good man of course.

What is happening to me? Ixevim wondered. He is thinking more and more the traditional way for his kin as he experiences horror after horror and surprise after surprise. He looked at that pathetic insane wrtech in front of him. Another mind flayer would just start mind blasting it and ordering his thralls to take it out of its misery... Ixevim found resisting doing just that difficult.