TOWN SQUARE'S ALLEY WAYS. TIME: DAY.  

Sinister intent radiated from this abysmal space, the silhouettes of two individuals dancing within. The first manifested elegance, swiftly matching the other's moves with a cool, calm, and calculative mind. The second? Frantic, their movements were sporadic, instinctual; almost as if they weren't dance moves at all. . . What was dancing supposed to mean again?

"You know, if you keep moving it'll only make my love for you grow." Those widened eyes seeking crimson frames, they narrowed as his maddening grin returned to him. The other silhouette had been a relatively innocent individual; an NPC perhaps? No matter, all women of this type were the same to him; candidates to be his queen. As he'd finally caught her, he slammed her hands against the harsh brick wall;  placing his hand upon her lips to prevent any unnecessary noise.

"This isn't my fault, you know." He leaned in closer, his face but inches from her own "You brought this on yourself, what with your oh-so-innocent front you put on. You shouldn't attempt to impress me then fall short upon meeting the real me." As he withdrew his blade, he slowly brought his hand back "Now...let me show to you the true definition of love!" Just as his blade touched her skin, his head jolted to the right; effectively halting his motions. 

[ PARTY REQUEST! ]
PLAYER: PETRICHOR
LOCATION: FAYWOOD
QUEST: MAGIC MUSHROOMS

His eyes widened as he gazed at the face of this player. "Petrichor..." her childish visage that exuded such a mass amount of hostility. He absolutely had to see what this was all about!

[ . . . ACCEPTED! ]

He retracted his blade, spinning it in his hands prior to sliding it back into his pocket. "My sincerest apologies, my dear. It seems something has come up and we'll be unable to finish our date." Releasing his grasp on her, he turns toward the alleyway, his devilish expression gazing back at her as he spoke his final words. 

"Your knight in crimson armor will return for you. When he does? I would highly suggest you not run."

. . . 

FAYWOOD'S TREELINE. TIME: DAY. 

The lush green forests of Faywood always brought a smidge of joy to his heart. The vast, spacious areas would soon become a stomping ground of his; being able to play a healthy game of cat and mouse with his dates prior to "making love". Ahh, he could hear their screams now. The pain and suffering of millions couldn't replace the genuine fear of being hunted by your lover. 

He was quickly approaching the requester. Due to being unsure of her personality, the exterior side of him hadn't many plans on how to behave. Perhaps he would wing it and if by some miracle she existed on the darker side of the spectrum? He'd no hesitation in bringing his true side before her. 

"Hello--" he froze before her, a large blush consuming his cheeks as he bore witness to this cold and icy gaze. Could this've been possible? For such a hostile vibe to exude from such an innocent and petite frame such as this? He hadn't even introduced himself properly yet all he could think of was seeing her fight. He'd have to reserve any further judgments until then. If she was to be a possible candidate, he needn't rush himself in the initial process. Coughing a smidge to re-assume focus, he properly introduced himself. 

"Would you look at that?" He gazed at the death and decay the infectious vegetation left in their wake "So much for the aesthetically pleasing, am I right?" He turned to her, eyes wide and smile bright "I'm Jack, it appears you and I will be partners." As he extended his hand, a coldness of his own began to settle; both sides simply waiting to see what the other would do. 

[attr="class","fish"]

Anger gathered within the depths of his soul, thinking back to when he'd first seen this girl's face on the GUI. Such innocence, such maliciousness, such raw, untapped rage. He could see this and more within her yet . . why was it that she'd easily made that picture look foolish before his eyes? The prior image simply hadn't done her justice. 

Many-a-cliche could describe his current emotion but he wouldn't bother with the theatrics this time around. Managing to keep himself composed however had felt nigh-impossible. With every milli-second, the urge to drag his blade across those soft lips of hers and bring out the most beautiful smile grew stronger. That aside, another odd sensation ignited like a spark within him; one he currently found unfathomable. 

More on this development as the quest progresses. 

Hearing her speak caused his innards to tighten, holding his breath and doing his best to remain as "normal" as possible. When she gazed at his hand and purposefully looked away, the interior jack exploded with emotion; dancing about that crimson throne as he spoke. "How adorable, how adorable, how adorable she is! She's doing this just for me, isn't she? Behaving in a manner only I would acknowledge? She's aware of my true nature, aware of the me that exists within this shell!" He paused, his body appearing almost lifeless as he looked toward the outside "I shouldn't keep her waiting. Let this lovely first date of ours continue!"

He was asked a question, the lass recommending they seek out the mushrooms before their current condition grows any worse. "That sounds like a wonderful idea, Petrichor. I'm ready when you are!" His eyes narrow momentarily, a very faint second where his inner demon is expose "Lead the way, I'll follow suit."  

[attr="class","fish"]

Candy had never looked so appealing to him until now. 

In silence, they stalked these once great forests of Faywood. As they had, his eyes were guilty of wandering in places other than objective-specific locations. Was he truly unjust in this? A being of her doll-like stature is placed before him, shifting about in such a way. How he sought to simply embrace her and never let her go. Yet, with that came a far more . . . sinister desire. 

Within her resided something far more primitive. Similar to the true nature that he cunningly kept shrouded in light, she too kept a beast of unfathomable power tucked neatly away. He pondered on whether or not he'd see it today - though, he wasn't entirely in a rush. Judging by her actions today, she certainly wanted to keep him around; why else would she have worn such delicious attire and acted in the manner she had? It was as if she was inviting him to engulf her life entirely. 

As they continued about this path, he would continue to stare; turning away whenever the possibility of her looking back arose. The stench of death waltzed with the stillness of the overall forest. As she moved in which ever way, the putrid smell grew stronger... 

.. Ah, smells like home. 

A soft groan came a short distance from the pair, the young lass stepping behind a tree and looking back to him. She'd told him that this may've been what they were looking for. As she looked toward them, he gave a light shrug and - without warning - began walking toward the noise. Behind his back, the blade began to grow a jet black hue; Jack grinning wildly while the girl hadn't been able to see him. 

"Hey, I think I've got a plan!" He said in his false overly optimistic tone of voice. "I'll try and draw one of them over here once we get close. If we know what kind of threat we're dealing with, we'll be able to properly plan how to take down the rest of them." As he grew closer to the shrooms, he looked back with a bright smile to assure she'd gotten the plan. 

[attr="class","fish"]