Atlantis - City of Dreams Hotel

Strolling past the doors you are greeted by a set of beautiful women clothed in black and white maids outfits and men dressed in black suits. One of them will see your needs during your visit. They begin by asking if you have a reservation and if they can take your bags. While you are filling out paper work a staff member will put your things in your room. The main lobby is large and spacious with minimal decorations leaving things with a simple yet elegant feel. A large chandler hangs in the middle of the glass domed roof. The front desk is near the entrance with four clerks there at all times.

Ali - Hotel, Serpent Precinct

Ali enjoyed the relaxed conversation she was having with her childhood friend on the ride to the hotel in his Precinct. As soon as they crossed onto the inner ring she felt it the mark that was hidden on her body began to burn slightly. Her hand drifted up to her left side. Her gaze was drawn to the island just barely out of sight. She knew her brother could feel her just as she could feel him. It was a binding that let her wanting to cut him to pieces. Closing her eyes slightly she leaned back against the seat as they arrived at the hotel, "I'm hoping things will go better than I have thought."

Her garnet eyes glanced at the male next to her as they walked into the hotel, "I have somethings I'm sure you are curious to know about to tell you about."

Adran - Hotel, Serpent Precinct

Adran quickly took care of getting Ali's room key and led her into the elevator. They were headed to the floor just underneath the top floor, while in the privacy of the elevator, he felt like he could speak freely. "I've got something interesting to tell you too. Turns out that Lucius' powers turned off for no discernable reason last night. I saw him today and he was apparently under the weather because of it."

When they reached her room he allowed her to take it in. It was a lovely penthouse with a view of the center island, since he knew how important the Lion District was to her. "And don't even worry about the cost, I've got your stay covered. So, what was it that you wanted to tell me?"

Ali - Hotel, Serpent Precinct

Ali gave him a gentle smile as she sat down in a chair that faced out to stare at the land of her home, "It's simple really. There are bodies washing up on the main lands. At first everyone thought that it was merely coincidence that these bodies had anti-bodies like the ones we give out in the clinic in their blood streams. After all I'm sure you are aware of the rate of revenue Atlantis produces as well as how much of it is purely from outsiders coming and going as a freely as possible," Her eyes found his yet again, "This isn't coincidence. My brother is simply over whelmed at the time with how many people are on the island. At least that is what I am hoping."

The abilities of the current Pride determined the amount of influence those under him could have. Like a several tiered water fountain ran on a pump. Pride was the pump that fed the rest to the tiers with energy. Something was wrong currently with the pump. It remained to be seen what it was exactly. Folding her hands in her lap she gave a sigh. Some part of her prayed deeply that she didn't have to dethrone her brother.

Adran - Hotel, Serpent Precinct

Adran listened intently to what his old friend had to say, marking the parallels to what Mephisto had mentioned earlier. "If too many bodies start washing up, the mainland will start to figure out what's happening and launch an investigation into Atlantis' activities. It would probably be the end of life as we know it on this island." Would that really be so bad though? He thought to himself as he turned his gaze to hers once more.

"So what is it that you hope to accomplish by coming back, Ali? Do you want to assess Mephisto's abilities yourself, perhaps finally take the sin away from him? I doubt the latter given how taken you are to your new life." He couldn't hide the hint of hurt in his voice as he mentioned it. "What's your plan?"

Ali - Hotel, Serpent Precinct

She closed her eyes slightly, "I don't want him to loose his standing. He's truly a good leader but he has lost sight of something while letting people over indulge in what they love. He should be policing how killing and other things happen during the day," Her gaze stared up at the ceiling as she tried to think a little more about how things might go down, "You said someone was under the weather?"

Adran - Hotel, Serpent Precinct

He nodded at her words, coming over to sit next to her. "Yeah, Lucius. His powers shut off all of a sudden last night, and when he woke up this morning, he had flu symptoms. I wonder if his greed shut off as well. What I wouldn't give to have that happen to me, if only for a day." He laid back in his chair, looking much more tired than he had earlier, his headache was back and those always put him in a more morose mood.

Ali - Hotel, Serpent Precinct

She jerked forward quickly, "Shut off?" Her eyes were so wide one might have seen the soul that lingered in the depths, "That's unheard of."

Her hands clenched tightly together as she stared at them. Deep in her thoughts she couldn't seem to figure out how one Devil lost their power. Out of habit she stood and began pacing the length of the windows. If there was one thing she had over her brother it was her ability to remember every story she was ever told. In the current moment, she was digging though her memory in search of a story that would make sense of the chaos she saw around her.

Adran - Hotel, Serpent Precinct

He was brought out of his moroseness by Ali's sudden outburst. Sitting straight up he noticed her pacing the length of the windows. He stood as well. "Indeed, and if I recall correctly Mephisto said that if it happened to Greed then it was likely to have happened for Gluttony as well. I cant confirm that though as I haven't seen them since that conversation.

He stepped in the path of Alissa's pacing and placed soothing hands on her shoulders. "Easy there, it was a minor incident so we have time to figure this out, ok? Just calm down and talk it through with me." True to form, his inner therapist had kicked in and he was ready to assist Alissa in working through the problem at hand.

Ali - Hotel, Serpent Precinct

As her pacing was halted by the male now before her she gazed at him with eyes that seemed to see him for the first time, "I'm sorry," She whispered softly as she put her hands on his chest and pushed him away slightly, "I wish over and over that things could be different. I want so often to just hold onto the past before we came into our own," She looked away from him before turning away completely. Ali married her husband knowing her heart never belonged to the man. But she didn't want to fight with her brother much less kill him. So as the youngest she had chosen to leave.

Adran - Hotel, Serpent Precinct

He wasn't expecting those words from her, all this time he thought that she'd fallen for her husband, but these words, they put doubt into his heart. "Ali.." He trailed off as he embraced her from behind, tears starting to fall from his eyes. "Don't apologize, I understood why you had to leave. What broke my heart was never being strong enough to tell you how I felt. I've never wanted to be Envy, it's a curse that I lament every day, I just wanted to leave this place with you. Living out the rest of my days with the woman I love. But I understand, and I promise you, we'll make it through this together, just like old times."

Ali - Hotel, Serpent Precinct

She grasped his arms as he wrapped her into a hug and rested her chin on them, "I'm pleased you at least understand," She leaned her head back against his chest and stared up at him, "I knew how you felt. I'm sorry I couldn't return that affection," Ali tilted her head slightly as she gazed out over the island, "I must find away to save this place even if it kills me. There is no place like it in the world. Nothing like it that makes my heart soar like watching the leaves scatter and fly like birds."

Adran - Hotel, Serpent Precint

His grip tightened slightly when she mentioned the possibility of death. "Hey, you're not gonna die, not while you've got me watching your back. I'll help you every step of the way, even if Mephisto kills for doing so." It's the least he could do, to prove his love and devotion to her once and for all. He moved from the embrace and stood in front of her so their eyes could meet. "So, what's the first step? There's got to be some sort of explanation for what's been happening to the sins, right?" He said with a supportive smile on his face.

Ali - Hotel, Serpent Precinct

"Mephisto won't kill isn't not in his heart to do so. At least the man I used to know didn't kill," She returned his smile as she turned her gaze out to the lands around them again, "We first need to find out how the magic is being stopped and if it is a natural event or a forced one," Tapping her chin she tried to think if any of the old Devil's lived. As far as she knew the only one who could be alive was the last generation's Lust. Artemis Methuselah was an oddity in this world. She hid herself away. Only Mephisto and Ali knew where and why.

Usually when someone gained the title of a Devil the previous one had to pass from the world. But in the case of Lust, it granted the previous Devil immortality. This seemed to be a safe guard for keeping the Devil of Pride in check. Who had the potential ability to kill all the other Devils if he didn't like how they handled the powers granted to them, "I have to go see someone before I visit my brother," She told Adran as she moved away from him and the windows.

Ali moved to the bedroom where her luggage had been left to change into clothing better suited for roaming the island without drawing attention to herself. In a simple purple tee shirt and jean shorts completed with flip flops and sunglasses she returned to the living room. In another life she hoped she could be happy with those she loved the most.

Adran - Hotel, Serpent

Adran stood in contemplation as Alissa moved away from him. Looking out over the land he began to think out loud. "It might seem suspicious the longer I stay with you. Also with my own business I cant be away for too long, there are patients who depend on me, and I could also keep your presence hidden from the other devils. Ali, do you want me to come with you or handle this visit by yourself?" Both ideas had pros and cons, and it was her plan they were following, so he'd let her decide.

Ali - Hotel, Serpent Precinct

She paused for a moment, "I'm sorry but you can't come with me," She told him softly, "It's fine if the Devils know I am here. They will not be able to get in my way easily."

With that she picked up her purse and headed for the door. She was headed to the main island any ways. Most would never know there was an underground city there tangled in the roots of great tree. With in that city there was a library that held books from all over the world. And only one person lived there. Artie was a sweet woman with the humor of one who lived too long, "Take care of your patients, Adran, they need you for now."

Vanishing through the door she headed to the harbor that would take her to the main island. Boarding a personal canoe she pushed off and paddled her way to the island.