Ryu eyed Zeke curiously. It seemed from the warriors tone of voice he did not much appreciate Ryu bringing this creature back to life. Though Ryus orignal plan had been to send it back once they got the answers, now he figured there was no hurt in keeping it around, just to make others uncomfortable.

He listened quietly, realizing that his job was done for now. Slowly the group trinkled out, until Elizabeth stopped in front of Ayu and Him. Ryu was just about to curse her out when he was suddenly beat by Ayu and a small smirk appeared on his face. He quite liked how she was changing.

"Just push her out of the way." Ryu said, his scythe now back on his back and the man still holding its head limped after him. "I dont care to remain in here much longer."

"You may be the Emo Resurrection Prince, but I am not one of your undead lackies. Go do it yourself. Unless you are just hiding behind your scythe and your zombies and have no bite to go with that annoying bark." I'll adapt to this characteristic. It isn't that bad I guess. I kinda like it...

"Whatever works." Ryu said not giving into her taunts. Obviously Ayu didnt know just how useless the undead were unless he gave them some of his own power. Either way he knew he could kick Ayus ass with or without his weapons help. "If I didnt know better, Id say Im rubbing off on you Ayu." He added smirking evilly at her, as he placed an arm around her shoulders. "I quite like it."

As Estelle had not been privy to the topic of conversation her fellow guardians had been debating, she had been wondering what to do with the dead creature now that she had retrieved her rope. The silver blood appeared to have crystallized on the grass where it had dripped from the creature. Nudging the silvery substance with the toe of her boot, she knelt and scooped some up in a vial. Maybe she could study it later.

As she was standing again, Zeke came out of Mia's and called her name. She looked around, seeing the golden eyed man in the doorway. "Yes? I'm over here" she called to him. She glanced down at the creature's body again, wondering what they had chosen to do with the ones inside. At least the thing hadn't regained it's human features upon death. If it had, then there would certainly be other ways to reverse the transformation than death. "What did you guys wind up doing with the creatures?" she asked, not seeing any trace of the silvery blood on any of them. Perhaps they hadn't killed them as she had chosen to kill the one she had brought outside.

"Shove off old guy." She gingerly picked up his arm and moved it off her shoulders like it was a slimy unwanted animal. "Go get chummy with somebody closer to your age..." Ayu still wasn't adapted to the fact that she was 18.

Ryu's eyebrow twitched. Old guy? Sure Ryu didnt keep track of time but he was damn well sure he couldnt be more then a couple years older then Ayu.

As she picked up his arm, Ryu grabbed Ayu's hand and twisted it around in a way that bullys often did to their victims while having them say 'Uncle'. "Now if you dont mind, if you wont push her I will." He whispered into her ear before giving her arm a good yank down to cause her more pain before letting go and shoving both of them out of the doorway.

"Heralds or no... if I were one of these townsfolks, I wouldn't take her all that seriously - especially now that we've burned pretty much all of the evidence from this disturbance. " Zeke said matter-of-factly to Izumi, his head tilted slightly. In the moonlight his pale hair seemed to glow, casting the rest of his face in the shadows. "Especially now that most of the workers inside are gone, save Mia." Light glinted off the metal edge of his bracer as he raised a hand and pointed to a lone terrified figure not too far from them. "Not enough people would know... unless..." He broke off there, his brows forming a sharp "V" as he pondered over his plan. It would take a lot of energy, but he could pull it off - either cast a giant illusion of someone over the town to scare them into believing, or simply put multiple illusions of those things along the water front as a warning. But then again... those "Guardians" said they'd deal with it.

He raised his head sharply as Estelle's voice came forth from the darkness.

"I didn't do anything with them - the guy with the scythe set them on fire... or killed them in some very agonizing way." Zeke replied tonelessly as he walked towards Estelle. "He was tired of waiting for a decision, so he made one. And we figured out the source of their transformation - whatever they've changed into, it's because most of the supplies have been messed with in the kitchen - largely liquids. And they... Ah - it's like their blood," he muttered in amazement as he knelt down to examine the dead body. "Crystalization upon impact with air. Whatever was put into their food, it must be very easily absorbed by the body." It was then that Zeke told Estelle about the uncontaminated water and his hypothesis concerning the stream and the contamination downstream.

"And... I want to find Rion and ask if he has a way to reverse all of this; he seems like some sort of leader, the way that you guys talk about him." What was that in his voice - resentment, jealousy, or judgement?

Intrigued by Zeke's theory, Estelle eyed the crystalline silver blood in the clear vial she held. Had whoever tainted the restaurant truly polluted the town's water source?

"Rion does indeed seem to think he is in charge, and I merely go with the majority of the group" the star guardian said, glancing over at Zeke. "Everyone listens to him, so he keeps giving orders. I haven't quite determined where we are going or what we are doing, but everyone seems to thing Rion knows the answers." As she had nothing better to do then follow her fellow guardians, Estelle too had been following Rion. She did wonder if someone with such apparently frail health was up to being a capable leader though. Actually, she hadn't really seen him since coming to town. Where was Rion?

((Guhh. I'm finally back from vacation!))
While everyone else was talking Fayne listened quietly, admiring the silvery substance left on one of his normal bullets. It was crystallized over the bullet, making it pretty much useless for anything else. He dropped it on the floor, looking at an overturned glass of water with interest. Who had tainted the water? He shot a glance at Ayu hearing the "old guy" comment, feeling slightly annoyed considering he was probably a few years older than him.

Originally Posted by Hatake Ayumi

"Elizabeth, it is possible to walk outside, and I know that you remember how to walk, so what is the problem?" Ayu was developing a cynical side. One bad thing about Ayu, she seemed to absorb qualities from people and things around her. And, she just acquired Ryu's personality. Terrific. I'm Ms. Emo. This has got to be one of the worst qualities I've gotten...

((sorry for disappearing...had to leave for bed suddenly. and here's my favorite ethical dilemna to confront Elizabeth thus far...manipulating the weather))

"I just had an idea how to prevent the rest of the village from getting infected," Elizabeth replied. "I could try and cause a drought to remove the tainted water, then replace it with untainted water from elsewhere."
Elizabeth spoke excitedly, with barely contained eagerness.

"Though there is a possibility that this may ruin the balance in the ecosystem for a few months and the pollutant would still be there on the stream bed. We would need to skim the water source's bottom if we really want to do away with it." Ayu was massaging her shoulder and glared at Ryu. "No need to act all pissy about it. They say with age comes wisdom. Though I'm starting to doubt that."

((not to mention the tainted water would evaporate and enter the air...))
"Well, if it acts like the tainted vinegar, it shouldn't be all that difficult to skim the river bottom," Elizabeth remarked. "And I'm sure if it's done carefully enough, the ecosystem will quickly recover."

((The water might evaporate, but the blood may just crystallize instead when it touches the air while the waters evaporating))

Izumi remained quiet as it seemed Zeke was thinking things through more then talking to her. She really wasnt sure what was going on in his mind and so when he walked away she slumped down to sit on the stairs.

Zeke's and Estelles voices floated back to her as she watched through the darkness. Despite his words about Rion, Izumi couldnt help but feel he was more of a leader at this point though it could have just been due to Rion not being here. Obviously it was getting risky for her to stay here much longer, once they got Rion her chances of leaving again where pretty much zero as she was sure Rion could find a way to make her stay with all that Guardian and Goddess talk of his.

But a part of Izumi didnt want to leave just yet. Curiousity was a fickle thing and even now was taking over her better judgement. She was sorely interested in the person who could do something like this without anyone noticing and without leaving a trail. But it was because Izumi was trailless, she also knew whoever had done it would be long gone by now.

"Come on people, we need a decision and we need one now. We can't spend too long in one place. We might as well evaporate the water source, harvest the crystals, let the water rain down again, and leave and find a merchant caravan before they are all gone." Ayu put down all of her bags, the *chink* from the bags tied around her neck drawing a little attention.

"I'll get right on the evaporating the water source," Elizabeth said before walking out the restaurant. She was going to stop by the orphanage to get Kamui and have her show her where the village got its water from.

Wondering how they planned to manipulate the weather on such a large scale and if they realized what havoc it would cause on the ecosystem, Estelle tried to think of alternative. "Do you really think evaporating the water is the best choice?" she asked, stepping in front of Elizabeth. "The consequences might be more severe than you think. Besides, what is to guarantee that all of the substance will be gathered in the bottom of the water source? If it is an underground spring or reservoir, there are probably aquifers and underground streams feeding into it and flowing from it. Even while we are talking the taint could be spreading." She paused, trying to think of a better solution. "I wonder if we can isolate the trigger in the substance and engineer a chemical to render it harmless..." she said, thinking aloud as she glanced at the silver crystals in her vial again. After all, Zeke was holding a bottle of the original contaminate, that vinegar he had picked up in the kitchen.

((That's how many crystals are formed - like salt - lol by making the water dry up because the crystal-forming substance itself cannot evaporate even when it might've been part of a water-based solution. They have higher boiling points.))

"The majority," Zeke simply repeated after Estelle, his brows still furrowed deep in thought as he dragged a hand through his white hair - again. It was a habit that he has never quite managed to be rid off. His eyes flicked to the direction of Mia's as he heard movement - he was tense again, readied for battle. All of his senses were open and roaming in the darkess as he didn't accept the idea of the perpetrator's escape as quickly as some of the others did... who knows, the one that started all of mayhem may be still lingering around, waiting to finish one of them off?

Izumi, Rion, Estelle, and Elizabeth - there were at least 4 Guardians around that he knew off... not counting himself. He didn't welcome the idea of being a Guardian, becuase it meant responsibility and the duty to uphold justice always and forever and all that good stuff - he wasn't good. He was anything but good. It irked him to have to be one of the 'good' guys, really. "I think it's because Rion has the power to recognize the Guardians... which naturally makes it seem like he has all the answers, as young as he is." He said quietly as his eyes trailed Elizabeth's steps - where was she going?

Was evaporation such a good idea? Wouldn't it get into the system faster if the strange crystalline substance was vaporized? Or would it simply stay behind...? "I don't know much about these things... but can't one of you Guardians use your powers to analyze the components of the substance, figure out its chemical make-up? Or maybe find out what's happens once it reacts with blood and create some sort of a shield for the body to reject the venom? Clearly we have no way of reversing the transformation or eliminating the agent... so, why don't just quarantine it in the body before it gets into the system?" Zeke said with a shrug. "Elizabeth and you have samples enough between the two of you, I would think." He gestured to her vial, and then the bottle of vinegar in Elizabeth's pouch [?].

"Either way, my bet is that Rion's probably at the inn - at this God forsaken of the hour, any normal, sane person would be looking for a bed." Zeke declared boldly and stalked away from Mia's, towards the center of the town where the one, lone inn of Medina was located. "And if he's not there, then I'm finding myself a bed... and leaving as soon as I wake up tommorow morning before things get even more hectic. You guys coming?" He turned his head to look expectantly at Estelle and Izumi.

((Lol, Estelle never told Zeke she was a guardian, but I guess it's kind of obvious if she's aimlessly trailing Rion))

After a moment of hesitation, Estelle realized that sleep did indeed sound good. Anyway, if Rion was at the inn, he might be able to talk some sense into the other guardians. He did seem to be rather good at persuasive speaking. He had gotten Ryu to come along, hadn't he? She pocketed her vial to examine once she reached her hotel room and set off after Zeke.

"I'll come" she said, picking her staff up from where it had been leaning against the wall. Hopefully the guardians they were leaving would analyze the substance as she and Zeke had suggested rather than setting the little village up to be the prime victim of flash floods by drying out the river bed. She too glanced at Izumi, following Zeke's line of sight. Izumi was the most sane seeming one of the group here besides Zeke, not prone to temper outbursts like Ayu and Ryu. Elizabeth seemed the type to act first and think later, so hopefully the others could calm her down a bit, although it did not really seem all that likely.

"Of course, I haven't fully planned out exactly what I'm going to do," Elizabeth pointed out. "I'll likely have to change my plans, depending on what the riverbed is like. I'm really hoping that it is a rocky one, because that would make our job way easier."

((I got some new Skull Candys =] So I will def be on for a while today lol))

Izumi listened and observed, unsure if she knew enough to truly call the shots. The only sign that she was still awake and alert was her eyes, constantly flicking from person to person in turn. These Guardians were like sheep when they got confused. None of them seemed to be sure enough to call the shots and normally those who did got shot down. Which was probably why Ryu had taken that initiative in killing the beasts, tired of waiting around for the 'Go' and ready to put all this behind him.

Finally Izumi stood back up, dusting herself off lightly before looking after Zeke and Estelle. Suddenly she could feel her heart tightening in her chest at the offer to follow them. She knew by agreeing she would very well be stuck with them and would run the risk of being hunted down by her fellow 'workers'. This was one of the only spur of the moment decisions she had to think through and her mind was definietly in a whirl, each thought stumbling over the other. The welfare of the village being the last thought to enter her mind.

But it was when Estelle glanced at her Izumi knew the answer in her heart and immediently picked up her skirts to follow after them. "Im in I guess." She said slowing down as she came up to the side of them.

((What kind? I kinda want some new ones))

Ryu sighed as he stepped out and heard Zeke's questions, realizing it was up to him again to do something about it. "Ill take the samples." He said walking up to Estelle and the others. "Im sure I can find some sort of anti virus if you will for the body if you give me some time." He added while already working through the problem in the back of his mind and realizing he would have to get some more undead that hadnt been tainted yet. "Have fun sleeping." Ryu said testily as he realized hed probably be pulling an all nighter. Though he acted angry at the thought really Ryu hadnt gotten a full nights sleep in years.

[[Skull Candy? Like, the earphones and stuff? O3O
@Faithom: =D Even I know that!
And Sheep??? I'll have you know I've won 2nd Placein Leadership in this years States FBLA competition. XD]]

"Aargh. I thought that this would be sort of more... interesting." Ayu was still bored. She would start chewing her arm off if it got any worse... Grabbing her bags again, she followed the others to the Inn. If we have to share rooms, there will be murder. Seeing Ryu grab the samples, Ayu suddenly got the impression that, while he may come up with the answer, somebody might not die by her hands tonight or tomorrow. "Just don't try to experiment on dogs or cats... They may be dangerous when contaminated.

Before Estelle handed Ryu her vial, she split the sample. She still wanted to get a closer look at this stuff herself. She pocketed the now smaller sample and followed Zeke and Izumi into the inn. She heard Ayu picking up her clinking bags to follow and wondered if Ryu and Elizabeth would also follow. Since the town only had one inn, it made sense that they would follow, but seeing everyone stringing along behind Zeke made her giggle softly to herself. Some guardians they were...they flocked after their leader like ducklings, whoever the leader might be at the time.

However, she already preferred Zeke's leadership to Rion's. The golden eyes man seemed much more sure of himself and much less likely to get the entire group into trouble. Rion just seemed rather frail and unsure at times. His real claim to the leadership position was that amulet he wore, which had convinced Ryu to join the group it seemed. Estelle had missed the exchange herself, being more concerned with the necrom that had vanished. In any case, for now she was going to go take a look at the silver substance and get some sleep.

She approached the counter of the inn with Izumi and Zeke, wondering how many rooms a small village like this would have in their inn. Would there be enough for the entire group or would certain members be forced to share a room?

"Well, I'd give you all the time in the world if you could," Zeke replied, couldn't help but to be a little testy towards Ryu. "But I don't think it's really up to us." He estimated that they had about three hours until dawn - the two have until then to pull off their little miracle. Once the town stirs from its sleep... it would almost certainly be too late to prevent the catastrophe.

Turning his head to face the pebbled path before him once again, Zeke set out at a leisurely pace. His eyes fluttered shut for a brief moment, the twin lanterns extinguished for just just a few seconds as he let his thoughts slow and unwind. He opened one eye lazily and let his gaze slide over Izumi. "In? In what? We're just going to the inn and finding Rion, and I'm going to grab a few moments of shut-eye before everything gets too crazy. Not that I'm not confident in his abilities, but I don't think that man got what it takes to stop this." He was referring to Ryu, and he seemed to steal a glance back in the direction of Mia's as he spoke. "I wish that Shigo could just show up again... kind of point out where Rion disappeared too..." Zeke yawned, surprised by the hope lining his words. It was ridiculous. Perhaps he was simply just ready to hand all of this mess over to his former rival and then move on, as he had intended to earlier that morning.

It wasn't until then did Zeke realize that they had a fourth member in their little party. He opened both eyes and looked at her, not bothering to stop his feet in his desire to quickly get to the inn. "Who are you?" He said pointedly towards Ayu, not bothering to disguise the unfriendliness in his voice as they entered the inn.

"Have you seen a boy with light blue hair here earlier - wait, let me correct that," Zeke began quite briskly as he rapped smartly on the counter to wake up the man dozing-off there. "Have you seen a girl with light blue hair earlier ? It's a very peculiar shade, there's no way you could've missed it." A small grin played at the corner of his lips as he tried to imagine the indignity flashing across Rion's face at his description of him. He frowned when the man mumbled a 'hell no' and made the inquiry for rooms. At the prospect of customers, the short stocky man immediately woke up and inspected the group of them with shrewd eyes.

"Two," he said as he quickly made his inspection, holding up two of his grimy fingers and gave all of them a toothless grin. "One for the ladies and one for the gents - less you prefer to split in some other way..." His tone was suggestive as his eyes raked over them a second time, trying to figure out how much gold they carried with them. Not a lot, from the looks of it... but then again, looks could be deceiving.
[[Edit:// lol omg Ayaji you always sneak a post in when I'm writing mine!!! Haha done editing.]]

((i have no clue where i am physically at now...lol))

"Ryu, I want to help," Elizabeth announced in an almost childlike manner. "Besides, I could make sure that any test subjects you use doesn't get away or anything."