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[Alison]

It seemed her taunting was doing the trick. Drew was upping his flame. She was mindly impressed with how well the man was focusing and at the heat that she could feel coming from him. She wasn't focusing on him well enough to see the fine fire around his knuckles. But when the Demon spoke and showed off with his flame, she gave another smirk.

"Nope," she chuckled. Giving the man a wink to indicate otherwise. She looked up towards the lake, the ice was going down at a fair rate. It was a good job as well, she wasn't sure how much longer she could keep up the intense beating of her wings.

"I think you and your friends are nearly done," Cassie called out to Tiaru and the others. "Thank you for all your help!"

Despite his initial frostiness, it seemed Tiaru wasn't all that bad of a guy afterall. He had helped out, he had got others of his kind to help out. They had caused some slight amusement at the same time as well. Things were going along quite well.

[abadlex]

He didn't really hear much as he bought another ice piece close to the heat source... But Tirau certainly felt the increase in heat. Which meant things were pciking up in speed and the job would be finishing sooner.

The other merpeople were starting to slow as the number of ice pieces became less and less. They were still going at a steady rate and, with how the ice was melting, they will most likely be done wih their part soon.

Cassie seemed to have the same idea, calling out to the group to say that they were nearly done and to thank them for their help. The merpeople responded in kind, even Kaser, although he muttered "Fucking finally" under his breath.

Tirau, himself, glanced up from his work and gave Cassie a nod as a response. Admittly he was alright with the group... Before he had just considered them to be a happy sunshine bunch that he was stuck with. But now they were people he might be willing to work with again. Maybe...

As he began to get another ice piece, he shook his head a bit to clear it. "What am I thinking?"

[McDodgerman]

"Heh, sorry Cass, but I couldn't go faster if I wanted to. Not enough ice left~"

He chuckled as the last of winter melted into the lake, smooth and clear save for the light snowfall and the ripples of merpeople. Even they themselves seemed to defrost a fair bit, the slapstick antics having died down considerably since the job had begun. Maybe it's something in the water, he smiled as he extinguished his little salamander.

He waved over the water, towards all the fishmen. "Thanks everyone, couldn't've done it without you!" Again he was surprised how integral each person turned out to be. He turned to the fairy, smiling with a small bow. "Thanks to you as well, Cassie~"

[Alison]

With Tiaru's acknowledgement, Cassie turned her attention back to Drew as he spoke. The man had a valid point. The ice was more or less toast, their main job here pretty much done. Even Drew had to admit that the merfolk had been very helpful. She even felt smug when he gave a slight bow and thanked her.

The Fae smirked before she landed and folded her arms a little.

"You were impressive yourself," she responded to him. "We all played our parts well. But we need to know if they need anymore help. We may as well while we are here right?"

[abadlex]

All of the ice had disappeared from the lake, leaving clear waters getting hit by the light snow raining down. Tirau let his muscles relax as there was no more ice to push around anymore. The job done, he could go back to the castle, where his family waited. And to get away from the cold outdoors...

Nodding in response to Drew's wave and thanks, Tirau made his way back to the shore. He saw no reason to stay in the water now that the job was done. Or did he see a reason to stay out here... Though he can travel back with the group. They were alright people...

Climbing out of the water, he pushed the thought aside. He was alright with travelling back with the others, but what was with him taking a liking to these people?

[McDodgerman]

Drew nodded in return to the fairy. It'd be rude to leave now, but he wanted to get home at some point to work on his fire some more. Even now he flexed his fingers for another small wisp, igniting and dissipating it with each twitch of his hand. Even the walk back could be good practice if he could sustain a good temperature, for Cassie as well as himself.

He noticed the merman climb out of the water, deliberating for a moment whether to share his heat or not. Was Tirau resistant to a wet wind chill, or was drying out a bigger danger? Nevertheless, he made a good ambassador as any. "Is there anything else we can help you with? I'm sure there's some other task in need of doing..." He rocked onto his left leg to peek behind the merman, checking to see if he could address the elder directly, or for some sign of work in need of doing. He didn't quite know what to look for, though, no chance of taking down a fishing boat here...

[Qu33n0f1c3]

It seemed like her efforts had given the others the drive they'd needed to finish the job. Cassie flew in place harder than before, and Drew's hands glowed brighter. Together they looked-- Okay it would be a lie to say that the job had been finished in a magically beautiful flurry; Drew and Cassie weren't exactly the best looking pair in the world, but in the end they did what was necessary, and that's what mattered, even if Cassie had made an idiot out of herself huffing and puffing and beating her wings ridiculously hard just to get things done ahead of schedule. Lord Alucard was going to be pissed that she'd over done herself. Drew wasn't guiltless either. The two of them were going to be hurting later, mana potion or not. Then again, so was she. Her arms were already sore. Maybe she should just leave well enough alone and not tattle.
 
Already having landed, Nico brushed some fresh snowfall off of her robes and made her way toward the others, who had finished up and were talking to the merfolk, seemingly asking if they needed more help.

Nico thought this a ridiculous concept; it was bad enough they'd been ordered to come out here and do work for the merpeople, why should they go and do even more without obligation, especially as weak as they were?

"How's about instead of sticking around here, we invite 'em up to the castle?" Nico suggested, glancing between Cassie and Drew, then looking back at the merpeople, and eventually settling on Tirau. She wasn't sure what they'd do up there, except get out of the cold for a bit, but she was certain that Lord Alucard would allow them a hearty meal to restart their metabolisms after being stuck down there for so long.

[Alison]

Drew seemed to agree with her, great. The Fae had not know Tiaru was out of the water until she looked back towards it. She did not envy the Merman at all. From the water to the air, she would be freezing her little wings off if she was him. Cassie wondered how things were below the water, if the other Merfolk were okay. At least Drew was taking it forward and still continuing on with a little bit of fire in his hands. He was rather a nice guy!

Cassie was pleased, if somewhat tired, from the work they had done. But it had all been thanks to Nico having starting them off. If the ice woman had not broken the ice then they would have an even more difficult time of it. The ice mage had let them get on with their aspect of the job and they had done it.

As Nico spoke, Cassie nodded in agreement. Anything that meant she would be able to get warm and hopefully have a rest as well. That was certainly what Cassie was wanting.

"That is a better idea," the Fae admitted, her face likely now showing that she was rather tired before looking towards the Merpeople. "I would hope they would appreciate a place a little warmer for a bit."

[abadlex]

Tirau stared at Drew as he asked if there was more they can do, believe there was more to do.

"What the hell?" Tirau thought to himself. "He better be kidding... I want to go back now, not do another job"

But before the merman could say a word on the subject, Nico spoke up with an idea that he very much agreed upon. And Cassie also agreed with it... Tirau nodded at the words of the two.

"Our job's done. It was a lot of work. I'm sure all of us are tired. And I want to go back to the castle now" he said. "So I very much approve of this idea"

He glanced back towards the other merpeople, some of who have left as soon as the job was done. Only five remained, all of who had moved closer and overheard the idea. "If they wish to come along that is"

Zelit smirked. "Sorry but I'll pass. Swimming through this icy water is such a rush!!"

With that said, the merman dove down, leaving Tirau to simply shake his head.

"Pfft... No thanks" Kaser suddenly piped up. "I don't want to be associated with that jerk-off and his band of morons anymore than I already have"

He also dove down, flipping everyone off as he did so.

"I apologize for Kaser's rude behaviour" the elder said. "The hard times we had seem to have made their toll on Kaser more so than the rest of us..."

"..." Tirau stayed silent. The hard times he had certainly didn't him well... But was he the same as Kaser in that regard? He hoped not.

"Anyways..." the elder continued. "I gladly accept your invitation. As for Mara and McTher..."

A glance back showed the other two nodded in confirmation. It seemed that it was decided...

[McDodgerman]

Drew nodded to the ice mage's suggestion, the idea of food quietly audible in his gut. He tried not to think about it, though, he could sustain himself without the mention of what Lord Alucard could provide. Sometimes, passing through the castle, he could catch the scent of a warm meal from far off, and he had always avoided following it. Only polite, but it left his interest and appetite unsated... As much as he'd love to build favor quietly, maybe a little food wouldn't hurt now...

All seemed to be in accordance of this course of action, save a few mermen, but that was alright. He gave his fire wisp a bit of a twist, placing that hand behind his back and giving a swooping bow to Nico. "Care to lead us to Castlevania? I'll keep this mote behind my back for the rest of us." Shortly after, he unbent and waved to the fae and mer. "Follow as close as you want, got some extra fire for those that want." Though he rather liked snow himself, he might as well use his power for didn't. Sure beat finding a winter coat for wings or fins.

[Qu33n0f1c3]

It seemed that all but a few of the mermen rejected the offer to come visit the castle, something which Nico was more than a bit surprised about. She herself was a fan of the cool, chill weather, but she'd thought the fish-people weren't as keen on it. Perhaps she was wrong.

This band of morons freed up your home so that you can swim through the water again, Nico thought, shaking her head at the interesting fish-man gesture of 'affection'.

Ah well, three of them were going to come, and one of them was the elder, which was very good, because the elder could speak with Lord Alucard, and tell him what a wonderful job they did, and maybe they'd be rewarded for their good behavior! Nico was very much looking forward to this.

Nico somewhat glowered at Drew for a moment; sure, he'd made his request kindly enough, but he wasn't even offering her any of that heat! Not that she wanted any. But that wasn't the point. Drew clearly did not like her and wanted her to suffer. Even though she loved the cold.

Nico rolled her eyes at her own internal thoughts, and steered away from the group, slowly trudging back up the gradual hillside to the path protruding from the trees that would bring them back to the castle.