The Color of Magic
By Heridfel, January 24, 2008 in Riverside
Heridfel
The train continues along its path, coming within about a block of the address that Master Lee had given the two warriors. Dismounting from the train is easier than getting on it (especially with the nearby station), and both of them even manage to remain unseen from the crowds and any transportation security.
The neighborhood they've entered is borderline gentry. It looks like it's seen its share of ups and downs over the years, and it's currently on an up. Even so, there's something about the house that they stand before that seems to set it apart from the other ones. It's not any higher, or more ornate, but it gives off a sense of solidity, like the way that it is now is the way it has been for a long time. There's a short set of stairs up to the heavy wooden double doors at the entrance, and a knocker rather than any sort of doorbell. The shutters are closed in front, and the windows have curtains or shades pulled down, so it's impossible to see what's inside.
Following Nightrival to the door of the house Sen couldn't help but feel a little puzzled. Was this it? Some how he had expected soemthing a little grander. Who was this Adrian Eldricht anyway? What was he to to my father? His father had never been the sort to encourage a lot of questions.
Walking up the door Sen placed his hand on the knocker. Dark whispers filled his mind as the Muramasa came to life. IT was just like when he had gone to Master Lee's dojo. The blade recognized something. Before he banged the door he turned to Nightrival.
"what do you know of this Adrian Eldricht?"
Shadowboxer
Huh. Nice neighbourhood.
Nightrival admires the elegant architecture, not completely paying attention to Eldrich's house. The thrill from riding the train has long worn off, and he's stricken by the dramatic differences between Riverside and Hanover. Moments ago he was surrounded by suburban homes and hi-tech corporations, and now he feels as though he's stepped through a time machine. Seeing so many trees clustered together, despite their bare branches, warms Nightrival the same way Master Lee's school does. He disregards the closed shutters and curtains, too focused on the splendour around him.
This guy must be loaded, he thinks as follows Sen up the stairs. The strange aura surrounding the house finally washes over him, snapping him back to the moment. The house seems familiar, yet alienating at the same time. Nightrival ignores the sensation for the time being.
"Huh? Oh, um, not much really. Word on the street is that he's some kinda major magic-man. He shows up fer every major crisis, but most folks don't see 'em outside of that."
Sen shrugged. He picked up the knocker and banged on the door. The noise sounded ominously loud.
There's no response from inside. Nightrival and Sen both barely hear the sound of footsteps inside, but they must have moved away from the door, rather than to it to open it. Master Lee hadn't said to do if that happened - he had thoroughly assumed that the Master Mage would be in his abode.
It seems a little darker outside all of a sudden, like a cloud passed in front of the sun. The wind that had been exhilarating during their run over to Riverside now just feels cold.
Nightrival shivers as the biting wind swirls around him. "Man, the weather suddenly got nasty."
Upon hearing the footsteps on the other side, Nightrival's suspicions rise like water overboiling in a pot. He grips the knocker and bangs it against the door again, only harder.
"Hey, c'mon! It's gettin' cold out here! We got an appointment and everything!"
When Nightrival bangs on the door again, the sound seems louder this time than when Sen did it. There's still no answer at first, and then the door swings open, revealing a foyer with a checkered marble floor and antique furnishings, including a grandfather clock. If they step inside, they can see other rooms to the left and right, as well as a hallway and stairwell straight ahead.
"Okay. That's officially weird," says Nightrival, a slight uneasiness creeping into his voice. "It can't be good when doors open themselves." The same terrifying sensation he felt when Sen unsheathed his sword strikes him again. He peers into the hallway then turns to Sen. "Let's go."
Nightrival holds his breath and steps into the house. He slowly saunters into the hall towards the staircase, all the while watching for movement in his peripheral vision or listening for errant sounds that could worm into his ears.
He stops at the foot of the staircase and looks around once more. Slightly frustrated at not meeting Eldrich, Nightrival narrows his eyes and strokes his chin. Maybe he's out buyin' top hats or somethin'. He cups his hands around his mouth and takes a deep breath.
"Hello!" he cries out, "anybody home?"
Sen steps into the gloom eyes looking around.looking around. The Muramasa is silent now, as is the hallway that they enter. Sen's hand goes to the hilt of his sword as the two men go deeper into the home.
Sen would have sworn that the place could not be this big looking form the outside. There was only one explanation: sorcery. Sen had dealt with dangerous sorcery all his life. Though this seemed less hostile than what he had grown accustomed to.