Better Left Forgotten

Cameron:<I still think it's worth it to make those stops.>

*Eve thinks about which group to invite herself along with*

Grimm drew and fired on the driver first, aiming for the back of the head.

Hector checked the time.

Noctis shook her head, "It isn't a big deal, really. I don't think I need to be thanked for helping my friends." With that she began to head towards the closest bus stop that would take them to the apartment building.

Taiyo: "That'd be all right. I just need to pick up some clothes. And see if anything has happened."

E"Alright."

L"Sorry, but I don't want my sister & I traipsing around a city looking for something that probably doesn't exist while some lunatic & his pet monsters are following us. We're going home."

*She puts an arm around Thiera & starts leading her towards the door. The time is 6:24 PM.*
=========================
*Grimm makes a bloody mess on the windshield. The other cop then tazes him with one hand, & grabs the steering wheel with the other, trying to keep them from running off of the road.*

<You fucking idiot!>

*His efforts are unsuccessful, as the car veers off of the ravine. It rams into several branches, turning to & fro on its way to the ground. At some point, the air bags deploy, & they come to a halt. In addition to having been tazed, Grimm is now cut up by broken glass, & his left shoulder is dislocated. He's lost his gun, but the door is slightly ajar, because of the frame damage to the police car. Also, the back windshield has been partially broken out, if he feels like climbing over more broken glass. He sees this thanks to car's lights--as he is back in the Black Forest, the outside is almost pitch black.*

Eve:<Since I'm staying with you two, can I come along?>

*Cameron glares at Lilith*

<Wanna get going?>

Taiyo: "I guess we'll see you later."

Hector gave Cameron's shoulder a pat, "It'll be pitch black out soon. Are you positive we can't wait the night out? We've got to drop off these supplies at home first anyway."

Astarte walked along with them.

Grimm looked into the front seat to see the fate of the other police officer who had tazed him.

Assuming nothing spectacular happens, they wait for the bus.

E"Yeah, sure."
=======================
*His view is blocked by the airbag.*

<Thanks.>

Cameron:<We should probably check on Tirea tomorrow, but I don't have any clothes...>

...Assuming nothing spectacular happens they get on the next bus, get off that bus, get to her apartment complex, and make their way up to the penthouse.

Noct opened the door and showed the group in. The apartment itself was dark, but well furnished, "Alright, it is a little underused, but there are two guest rooms, and the sofa is big enough to fit another."

"Why do you have two guest bedrooms?" Mortal asked.

Noct shrugged, and checked the fridge finding it mostly empty. She frowned, and gave the news, "There isn't much to eat, but there is juice, water, and some stronger stuff in the cabinets."

Gabe shrugged, "We could just eat out."

Mortal giggled, "I'm sure quite a few of us already had that planned."

Astarte took a moment and then had an embarrassed giggle, walking further into the penthouse and looking around.

"You can just borrow something if you like," Hector shrugged and took out his phone. "Now let's get a cab."

Grimm reached into the front and started fumbling around for the dead cop's pistol and flashlight.

*While he's doing that, a mass of shaggy white fur & red eyes appears in the window as the monster grabs Grimm's door & rips it free of its hinges, throwing it aside into the bushes.*
====================
"It's very nice, Noct."
====================
*Presumably, they catch a bus, & eventually arrive at Taiyo's house.*

"Yeah, what Aroma said," Sab added, walking in and taking a seat on the sofa.

Noct stretched, and followed her, taking a seat as well, putting her feet up on a coffee table, and slowly sinking until she was lying down, "Well, make yourselves at home. I guess we're going to have a long day tomorrow."

"What are you doing?" Mortal asked, checking out the aforementioned cabinets and pulling out a bottle of red wine.

"Looking at spooky places," Gabe said.

"Pretty much," Noct confirmed.

"God, I have the lamest friends..." Mortal said, shaking her head.

Astarte walked back to the sofa, feeling a little embarrassed at Mortal's derision, and sat down with Noct and Sab.

Grimm forgot about getting his flashlight and tried to quickly locate the pistol and pull it out.

And so they go in. Taiyo's mom comes by at the sound of the door.

Taiyo: "Hi, mom. This is Euryale and Eve."

Loren: "Hello, Euryale. Taiyo has told me quite a bit about you. Hello to you too, Eve."

<Right.>

*Cameron follows Hector*
---
*Eve smiles and nods*

<It's very nice to meet you.>

*Grimm manages to find it in the glare of the emergency lights. He also finds a clawed hand clamping around his throat, just as he manages to grab the firearm. As he gasps, the monster smashes his face down at on the broken glass & metal that was formerly the windshield. The blood glistening on it, he does see. Meanwhile, the airbag begins to deflate, the cop scrunching himself against the car door & raising his hands in a submissive gesture.*
========================
*Aroma looks sad.*
========================
"It's nice--uh, yes, what Eve said."

*She holds out a hand.*

*Eve does the same*

Sab also looks crestfallen.

Mortal looks at the bunch of unhappy girls, and frowns, "I was just joking, jeez."

"That aside," Noct said, standing up, "Do me a favor and pour me a glass as well. I'll be right back, going to set up, uh... my room really quick." With that she leaned down, gave Astarte a quick kiss, and disappeared into one of the rooms.

"Sure," Mortal said, pouring her a glass, "Anyone else?"

Gabe raised her hand, but Sab just shook her head, having learned her lesson some time ago.

"Astarte?" Mortal inquired.

And so Loren shakes everyone's hand.

Taiyo: "I'll be staying with Euryale for a bit, so I came to pick up some clothes. We uh...have a big project coming up."

Taiyo doesn't seem too thrilled about lying to her mother.

Loren: "Okay... Has everything been okay around school since your dorm was broken into?"

Taiyo: "Yeah..."

"Sure," Astarte said.

Hector, having called a cab, waited on a corner with Eduj and Cameron.

Grimm grunted and felt for the safety, releasing it and firing in any direction away from himself as quickly as he could.

*The bullet ricochets off of the roof & embeds itself harmlessly in the seat as Grimm sees himself rushing into an increasing pool of red over & over again until he can physically no longer keep his eyes open. Barely able to move, he's thrown to the ground, where he hears a hissing & clicking noise approach from the direction of his feet.*
=======================
*Aroma smiles at Sab.*
=======================
*Euryale just kind of awkwardly stands around.*

"Alrighty then," Mortal said, pouring the drinks. Mortal held up one of the full glasses, and said, "You know, I think these glasses are actually crystal."

"Quality of glass makes a difference with wine, actually," Gabe pointed out.

"I know, but who has a couple hundred dollars to spend on... Noct does, right," Mortal shook her head, and began passing out drinks. Mortal took a seat next to Aroma, and took a sip before asking, "So, what do you think she is hiding in her room?"

"What makes you think she is hiding something?" Sab asked.

"Noctis seems like the kind of person to hide things," Mortal said, "I bet she is hiding her pot stash so Astarte won't find it."

"But Noctis doesn't smoke..." Sab said, confused.

"Of course she doesn't," Mortal replied a bit patronizingly.