Romance RP

(Back now. XD)

Lycoris smiled softly to the duplicate and said, "That's good. Today is the day so please be careful. We're depending on you."

*******************

The shapeshifter led the couple back to their room and after they were inside, she closed the door after them and locked it securely. Then she took her leave, waiting for Ryan's call.

(Welcome back.  ^^)

Lycoris' duplicate smiled softly at Lycoris and nodded her head in reply.  Seeing that everyone was ready, Ryan said, "I'll go make contact with the shapeshifter now."

He closed his eyes and using his telepathy, he communicated,

Are you there?


(I think we can hold off on Alex and Nerine for a bit?)

(Thanks and yup, that's fine. XD)

The shapeshifter smirked as she received Ryan's call and replied,

Right on time. Well? Did you make your mind?

(Coolies.  XD)

Ryan knew that he had to make his reply as convincing as possible and he knew how he wanted to approach the situation.  So after taking a deep breath, he replied,

Yeah, I have.  I've talked to Lycoris and although I really don't want to do this, she insists so...I'll exchange Lycoris for Alex and Nerine.  However, the exchange must take place in the gods' world right outside of the castle gates.  Lycoris has insisted that Alex's and Nerine's safety is most important so I want to do everything I can to comply with her wishes.  But I really do hate what you've done.  Lycoris is innocent, you know.

The shapeshifter couldn't help but laugh at Ryan's reply and after a moment, she replied,

Her innocence doesn't matter to me. I want her powers, you know, not her life. Here-I'll make you a promise. If she's alive after we take her powers, I'll give her back.

And tell your innocent Lycoris that your conditions don't work with me. If you've forgotten, I am the one who has the hostages, and I am the one who decides when and where the exchange takes place, not you or her.

Ryan gritted his teeth in irritation at the shapeshifter's reply and replied back,

These are our conditions.  You and your captain want her powers so badly and Lycoris is willing to give them to you.  But if you hurt Alex or Nerine, then the deal is clearly off.  Besides, it doesn't hurt to make the exchange in the gods' world.  Lycoris will see that Alex and Nerine are safe and that would make her more willing to give herself up to you.

The shapeshifter frowned to herself as she replied,

Your conditions? You're awfully suspicious, you know. I am not stupid, human. Of all the places, you chose the gods' castle where the queen is and hundreds of soldiers are. Let me remind you-I am the one who puts the conditions. Otherwise, I don't need the exchange. After all, this isn't my only chance of getting the girl, but it's your only chance to save the couple, if you care about your lives that is. I have no reason to hurt them if you're planning to hand me the girl.

Ryan replied,

I need to ensure Alex's and Nerine's safety and no offense but I don't trust you to make a fair exchange without there being witnesses.  Sia's soldiers won't attack you after the exchange is made, if that's what you're so worried about.  I am an honorable man, after all, even though your actions have clearly proven otherwise.

The shapeshifter couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. Something seemed off about the party insisting on the gods' world and she was almost sure it was a trap. Were they planning to ambush her or even capture her?

Laughing, she replied,

And am I supposed to trust your word of honor? If you don't trust me, I won't trust you either. No, human. I am not falling for this. To be so insistent about the exchange's place shows that you're planning something. And well, I am not risking it. You can keep the girl but likewise, I'll be keeping the couple. Dead or alive-that's up to the captain.

Ryan frowned, as he could see that the shapeshifter would not agree to the conditions.  He had to figure out what to do and so he replied,

Fine.  Where do you want to make the exchange?  It has to be in a safe place with plenty of witnesses, though.  I don't want any trickery on either side.

The shapeshifter smirked to herself, and replied immediately,

Right, I don't want any trickery either. Crestwood Forests in the devils' world. Obviously, we can't hold the exchange in the middle of the city for plenty of witnesses, human. But fine, you can bring a group of the castle's soldiers with you, if you want, but around five is your limit, and I'll bring the same number. Fair enough, don't you think?

There was a reason the shapeshifter had chosen that place, which was far from the hideout, but also had an advantage to her side.

Ryan wondered why the shapeshifter had chosen that specific location but knew it was better not to ask.  Thinking, he replied,

I need to consult with Lycoris and Sia quickly about this.  I'm sure they'll agree to the conditions but they need to know that things have changed.  That's fair, isn't it?  I'll contact you again as soon as I have confirmation on all sides.

The shapeshifter replied impatiently,

Fine, but don't take too long. Contact me as soon as you're done.

Ryan replied,

Fine.  I'll contact you again soon.


He then shut off the telepathy and facing Lycoris, he sighed and replied, "That shapeshifter wouldn't agree to our conditions.  She wants the exchange to take place in a place called Crestwood Forest in the devils' world.  Lycoris, I know you weren't in the devil's world for long but do you know anything about that place?  Is it special?  I think there has to be a reason that woman chose that place."

Lycoris looked disappointed as Ryan told her that the shapeshifter didn't agree to their conditions and looked puzzled as he mentioned the forests' name. Shaking her head, she replied,

"No, I never heard of it but then again, I don't know places in the devils' world. Maybe you can ask Sia? She might know."

Ryan nodded and replied, "I'll do so.  I told the shapeshifter that I'll contact her again soon so I should make this as quick as I can."

Taking out his pendant, he communicated,

"Sia, are you there?  I need to talk to you right away."

As Lisianthus was anticipating a call from Ryan, she immediately replied,

"I'm here, Ryan. What's up? Did you contact the shapeshifter?"

Ryan replied, "I did but she wouldn't agree to our conditions."

He then described the conversation that he had with the shapeshifter, especially the part about having the exchange in a specific area of the devils' world.  Once he was done, he asked,

"Do you know anything about it, beautiful?  I'm worried that after we get Alex and Nerine, we may not be able to return to the gods' world immediately."

Lisianthus looked confused as Ryan told her of the location's name, and after a moment of thought, she replied,

"I know it but I can't tell why she would choose that. They're really dead forests now, nothing special about them. Well, they were special back when the devils' world was alive, and they were the most beautiful and lively forests in the whole devils' world. I can't tell why she would choose that place out of all.

Don't worry about leaving to the gods' world though. I have this item which will allow you to transfer to the gods' world immediately after Alex and Nerine are safely with you. I can give it to you. It's a really rare item but in this situation, I think we should use it."

Ryan nodded and replied, "Yes, I agree.  So do you agree with the shapeshifter's conditions?  After I contact her, I'll contact you again so I can enter the gods' world and get five soldiers to come with me to the devils' world to make the exchange.  I'll bring Lycoris' duplicate with me, of course.  Then once the exchange is made, we can immediately return to the gods' world.  The duplicate will do her job well.  The captain won't know of the deception until they try to take her power."

Lisianthus nodded and replied,

"Alright then. If you see that everything is safe, then I agree. No need to come to the gods' world, cutie. I'll bring the five soldiers as well as the item and meet you in front of the gate. After all, I need to be present to adjust it to the devils' world. Contact the shapeshifter and go to the cave of the gate right away. You'll find me there with the soldiers."

Ryan replied, "Ok then.  I'll contact the shapeshifter and then I'll contact you again when I'm ready to leave.  Thanks, beautiful.  I'll talk to you again soon."

He then faced Lycoris and said, "Ok, I'll contact the shapeshifter now and agree to her conditions.  Alex and Nerine will be back and safe soon.  I promise."

(Getting sleepy here so I'll get off for the night now and go to sleep.  I'll check back tomorrow and post again.  Nite, nite, Love.  ^^)

(Nite, nite, phoenix. ^^)

Although Lycoris was a little worried at the change of plans, she needed to place her faith in Ryan so nodding, she replied,

"I trust you, Ryan. Okay then, do as you see fit."

Ryan reached out to give Lycoris' hand a gentle squeeze and replied,

"Everything will be all right.  Just believe in me."

He then used his telepathy and reaching out to the shapeshifter, he said,

We agree to your conditions.  When will the exchange take place?

The shapeshifter smirked to herself as she heard Ryan's response and replied,

There's no time as the present so right now is a good timing. Prepare everything and head to the far south of the forests, near the dried waterfall. You'll find me there.

(Ahh I'll be going out with my mom after a little bit so I might be a little late in posting. But I'll post as soon as I am back. XD)