A new friend welcomed to the Caritas ((tag Rhys))

[slayers_desire]

April walks through the newly opened PINpoint portal into the Caritas, leading Rhys through it. Even though they had just met, April's voices were already guiding her into supporting this decision. That positive benefits would be discovered for Rhys.

And perhaps, the Initiative members would learn a lot from him.

The Caritas was not as lively as it had been, when Lorne was alive and running the joint. In several ways, it was like the building itself was still mourning the loss of Lorne.

But as the new managers, the Initiative put their hearts and souls into keeping it as an Open Door sanctuary for any demon or human who might need it. They all had taken different jobs around the bar too. So it was Rhys' chance to get to meet many of them in person.

Hulk was one of the bouncers. He could be seen standing in one of the corners', his glowing green eyes a constant reminder to those who might consider starting an incident.

87 was the bartender today. She was chatting up a rather large demon, who took up several bar stools, as he drank away his woes for the day.

Mouse was playing the DJ for the afternoon, with her cybernetics hooked into the karaoke machine to give any singer their chance on stage. She had some great songs playing now in the background.

"Welcome to the Caritas." April smiled at Rhys. "Where not everything is black and white."

Comments

[thecompanyman]

Rhys has never been to a nightclub before, though he's seen them in crappy holovids before. He doesn't recognize most of the species present, but he's seen a few aliens before so it's not terribly shocking.

His ECHOeye lights up yellow as he looks around, admiring the Caritas. "Nice place."

[slayers_desire]

"It has been a haven for demons, humans and vampires alike for ages. This is also one place that does have a anti-violence spell in place. So it is sort of like the Nexus, in that aspect." People nod at April as she gives Rhys the tour.

[thecompanyman]

His eye goes back to its normal, non-glowing yellow as he tilts his head slightly. "Is there a weapons check? 'cuz I do have a stun baton."

[slayers_desire]

"All weapons can be checked in with Hulk..." April goes over to the muscle-covered Cyborg with the green glowing eyes.

"I am sure he will appreciate it." Even though Hulk doesn't even manage a smile.

[thecompanyman]

Rhys is alert, but not hesitant to hand over his collapsible stun baton, deactivated of course. "Hulk, is it? Look after this for me, please."

[slayers_desire]

Hulk takes the stun baton, and activates the storage container behind him. He places the baton inside, and then gives Rhys a green chip with some numbers on it.

"Your weapon will be stored in slot X87-Y567."

"Would you like a full tour?" April asks Rhys.

[thecompanyman]

Rhys pockets the chip, then turns to April. "Sure, why not? Lead the way."

[slayers_desire]

"So the Caritas itself is only part of the entire facility. Through this door, we will come to a 15-floor apartment complex." April leads him to the entryway of the complex, which has a serene hotel feeling.

Swan, another initiative member, is behind the hostess counter today.

"We opened this place only a few years ago, to be a haven for demon families who were struggling to find suitable neighborhoods, where they aren't viewed as criminals or monsters."

[thecompanyman]

"Demons like actual demons?"

[slayers_desire]

"Yes. This world has several species of demons."

[thecompanyman]

"Huh." He might think that was stranger, if he hadn't already met a witch before, and spent weeks possessed by a digital ghost of Handsome Jack. Knowing that Sirens exist, on top of that. Other than that, he doesn't act scared or wary of the people he now realizes must be demons, out in the main room of the club.

[slayers_desire]

"Over here, we have a school for the children who can't attend public school." April guides him through another door. The school is a nine-room building. It is separated into subject, instead of grades.

Most of the children here are obvious demons. They obviously would not be able to fit into a human environment.

"This is where we teach electronics and cybernetics." April takes him to that classroom. War and Sorrow are teaching this class. Both initiative members are more machine than human.

[thecompanyman]

Rhys has been interested throughout the tour, but now he is especially attentive, both to the people in the room and the subject of the lesson at hand. "How advanced are the classes?"

[slayers_desire]

"War and Sorrow are both highly intelligent in the course, they can teach at a PhD level, if asked."

[thecompanyman]

"They have any training with ECHO tech?" Rhys doesn't think so, but it's worth asking. So far, no one he's met outside his own universe has even heard of it.

[slayers_desire]

"They would just have to connect with it once, to understand it."

[thecompanyman]

Rhys shows unease for the first time, looking wary. "Uh, I'll have to find something for them to plug into, then. I had a... bad experience with direct connections before."

[slayers_desire]

"I understand your concerns. The last thing we would want is to make you uncomfortable." April herself has had other people in her head. And she senses something similar here.

"I am sure you could talk to them, and figure it out."

"Technology is not my strong suit."

[thecompanyman]

Rhys doesn't want to interrupt the class, so he figures they can kill some time by chatting. "What is your strong suit?"

[slayers_desire]

"Telepathy. Telekinesis and psychic warnings."

[thecompanyman]

He's visibly surprised by this. "But you don't have Siren tattoos."

[slayers_desire]

"Siren? Is that something on your world?"

[thecompanyman]

Rhys nods. "There's only six in the universe at the same time, but they're all women with... amazing powers. I've never met one in person, but I read about them a lot as a kid. Some of my own tattoos are inspired by the Sirens," he admits, a little embarrassed. He tugs his shirt collar down a little, just enough for a glimpse of the blue markings on his chest.

[slayers_desire]

"I am unable to carry a tattoo. My body heals too quickly." April notes softly.

"In my world, I am known as a Key. A person with incredible powers."

"It is genetic. My mother had the psychic voices. My infant son seems to have inherited some abilities too."

[thecompanyman]

"It's not quite the same, but it sounds kind of similar. No one really knows how Sirens are created but it doesn't seem to be passed down in families. And the markings are naturally-occurring."