01 West Side~First Level

[unholydecree]

[For a man as paranoid and prepared as Cesare finding himself in this bizarre place with no clue as to why is very disorienting. While he may be near panic inwardly it shows only in how quickly he is walking, how cautious his eyes keep aware of his surroundings, and the fact he has his sword unsheathed and at the ready. He steps carefully, eyes

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[hollow_ring]

[It was only a glance at first, but the idea of seeing her brother here was far too much for her little heart to be disappointed with so she kept her head down and fingered her dress uncomfortably.

No, I swear I've seen him.. She looked again but all that she saw were empty streets and buildings that would hide her vision -- still, she wasn't beneath chasing ghosts so she headed toward the corner of the building and tiptoed around it quickly. Then the vision of Cesare's back was clear in sight and her lips parted with a gasp that she held in her chest as she ran up toward her brother. She dared not speak till her hands clasped his back with an eager clench.]

Cesare!!

[unholydecree]

[He doesn't hear her. Cesare is so intent on the way forward he does not listen to his back, the safe passage from whence he came, and when he feels hands on him he jerks and tugs away with great shock.

He spins and grasps at the attacker, sword coming up until his mind registers this is a woman firstly, secondly a woman who knows his name, and thirdly-]

Lucrezia?!

[Cesare's heart is pounding as he lowers the sword quickly and eases his grasp on her, eyes closing as he catches his breath.]

Thank God it's you.

[hollow_ring]

Oh! Cesare! [Her eyes are wide at the sword, but then she exhales and calms her expression before a smile widens.]

I would be very unlucky if I were not! [She starts to laugh lightly, her eyes beginning to tear up and then she pushes her face onto Cesare's chest and holds her arms around her brother tightly, her shoulders shaking. She didn't realize just how afraid she was of this world until she was safely in his arms, she didn't realize just how horrified she's been without him -- or perhaps she wouldn't allow herself to feel it.]

[unholydecree]

[His arms naturally wrap around her, comfortable and familiar, his cheek on top of her head.]

My love, what is this place? I do not recall having traveled here. Were we afoul of some plot against us?

[makaracles]

What trouble be looking for you, motherfucker? [calls out the gray skinned youth with sweeping horns and outlandish make-up, perched on top of a wall. He has an odd purple lace parasol, which he spins idly as he looks down at the human, sleepy amber eyes curious.]

[unholydecree]

[Cesare balks at the... whatever that is. His sword is brought high, pointed toward the foul-mouthed demon and he takes a few steps back cautiously.]

You, it would seem! What the devil are you? What is this place? [His tone is all demanding and expectant of immediate answers]

[makaracles]

Nah, I don't be knowing you, bro. I ain't got my peep on for shit right now. [There's an odd gleam (in so much as anything could be considered odd about such an outlandish creature) in the troll's eye as the sword's level at him, but Cesare would have to work hard to attack Gamzee, sitting on the high wall as he is, so he doesn't get too worried.]

Why you monkeys always gotta get your sponge in a knot about us trolls?

[unholydecree]

[The sword is kept ready in grip but the tip lowered a few inches as he stares hard at the troll. Troll is it, some mythical creature. It's not a demon or servant of the devil then.

And he finds that somehow more comforting because this is not the time or place to question his possible disbelief in God... but it is more frightening because at least a demon he would have some protection against given his Clerical status.]

Is this your city, troll?

[irrationaling]

[ Those black robes.. A priest? It's enough to make Alice curious either way, as she watches the manpace through the streets with that sword out. She doesn't speak up at first, she just stands there and watches, but.. well, it seems interesting enough for her to talk. ]

... Are you looking for something?

[unholydecree]

[The spin toward her voice causes his robes to flair and settle around his legs but the tip of his sword is steady when pointed toward her. Cesare eyes her suspiciously and takes a few steps forward, his voice harsh and demanding.]

Who are you?

[irrationaling]

My name is Alice. [ She sounds entirely unfazed by the voice's harsh quality, instead moving her arms to cross them over each other as she looks at him and his sword. ]

Alice Liddell.

[unholydecree]

Alice, what I am looking for is a clue as to where I am, and more importantly how to leave. I will not be kept here against my will.

[walksonrooftops]

[It's not the man that's worrying--it's the sword he's holding. While Asato has a sword of his own, and now carries it with him at all times, ever since Gamzee caught him so off-guard, he'd definitely rather not get into a fight right now. Human beings seem to react kind of...oddly to creatures like him, he's noticed. They may not really understand what cultural stigma are already against a ribika like him, but he doesn't trust them not to hesitate to just invent their own.

But he's not just an animal that cowers in fear, either. He can see the way this man's eyes are darting to and fro. Maybe this human is just as afraid as he was when he first came here, and only wishes to be prepared for the worst. Can't blame him for that.

If there's a sword, though, he'd rather not be enemies with its wielder. Cautiously he steps forward. He doesn't notice he was hiding his presence; he never does, it's as automatic as breathing is. The effect can be startling.]

Are you lost? [His voice is soft, as cautious as his stance.]

he's so cute :l

[unholydecree]

[Cesare turns quickly, sword pointed right at the man, but he is obviously startled by the look of him.

...and quickly decides the ears are fake. This has got to be some kind of jester costume or harlequin fancy. Cesare sets his jaw and is quiet before answering.]

Yes. Perhaps you can give me directions to Rome, or Italy if we are that far away. At the very least a pigeon messenger coop?

[walksonrooftops]

Rome. [He repeats it a few times to himself.] Rome....Roam...Roam? You're roaming? Then I don't think it really matters which way, right?

[There's no shortage of pigeons, though, and he points to a few roosting overhead. He's never heard of messenger pigeons, but maybe if this man can locate the birds in the first place, it would be a good start.] Should I catch one for you?

[unholydecree]

[Staring at the young man does nothing for his lack of understanding of what is being said to him. Cesare closes his eyes and tries to calm himself before he explodes in anger and does something he might regret. Not that shoving this man would cause him any loss of sleep but injuring the locals isn't a good way to make an impression in a city where you have no food, shelter or hardly any money on you.

He can't say he blames God for doing this to him. He may be a Cardinal but he's the most lapse priest in all of Rome he's fairly sure.]

Rome, Italy. It is the city I am from.

[Cesare opens his eyes and cannot help the irritated look on his face.]

No I do not want you to catch me a pigeon, I need a trained messenger bird to send word to my family, in Rome, where I am.

So laaaaate, thanks life

[smellyoudie]

[All these fancily dressed people these days. It's pretty interesting. She doesn't mind the sword, either. She's not afraid of that.]

What are you looking for?

[She's not making any intent to hide as she climbs out the first-floor window of a building.]

/shakes fist at life

[unholydecree]

[Much like he had to the other strangers he had come across, Cesare keeps his sword held aloft and ready in case this newest person is a threat.

He opens his mouth and lets out a delicate release of surprised breath over the sight of her.]

If anything not another troll, I should think.

[The deathly pallor and horns would indicate to him at least she was of the same breed as that other imp.]

[smellyoudie]

What's wrong with trolls?

[She's almost offended! Except not, it's just interesting. She wonders who he met first.]

[unholydecree]

[How they look, for one thing. Cesare still thinks they look disconcertingly like demons and having one there, talking to him, puts him on edge.]

I had not met one before today.