Lost in Mystic.

[Christian Dominic]

The hearth crackled, giving off a blazing glow on a figure laying on the couch in the Mystic Tavern - slightly curled. The place was empty, being so late in the night, so he had no disturbances. Aside from one, but that wasn't physical. No, the slightly curled figure was sweating at the brow - seeing odd images in a dream. People he did not know, though the faces were silhoutted - they always were. He turned, writhed, then fell still once more; heart pounding against his chest. His brown eyes shot opened, his pale tan skin covered in a thin layer of sweat and breathing abnormally. The dream left him with a feeling of regret, a complete feeling of despair.... he didn't understand it.

He sat up with a soft groan, his muscles felt so stiff, and his head was hurting him. He felt dehydrated and blinked as he let his eyes go to the bar; standing to his slick shoes. His suit was wrinkled from excessive use - having no clothing here. He pours himself a glass of apple juice, gulping it down until it was mostly gone, setting the glass down with a sigh. His strange dream left him with a feeling of forboding and tried not to think on it, maybe these dreams simply meant he isn't use to this realm. His mind's way of adjusting.

[Donovan NightWolf]

He felt a sudden need to travel to Mystic Tavern. Stopping by the Lake, scanning the serene waters with his dark blue pools before walking toward the building. A sense of dread surrounding him as he reaches out with a hand, turning and opening the old door. He swept his pools as he enters, instantly seeing a figure at the bar. He clears his throat as he shuts the door behind him, sticking his hands into his ripped faded jeans. He kept his long silver hair loose around his frame, he wore his brother's black boots along with the thick wristbands. As he neared the bar, he got a better look at the young man. "Good eve...."

He was about to say more when suddenly, he felt his chest begin to ache, almost burn. He gasped a breath then, catching a hand on the counter, closing his eyes tightly. It pained him, he felt his heart in its slow agonizing beat, then it began to beat more rapidly. He swallowed a lump in his throat, waiting for this horror to subside. He managed to slide down into an empty barstool. "I'll be fine," He rasps then for the man to hear, "pay no mind to a foolish old man." He chuckled bitterly then, opening his pools. When the threat of him having a heart attack passed, he sighs slowly. Wondering then what had happened. He rests a cheek onto a hand then as he looks at the bottles behind the bar and when the young man came back into his line of view, he blinks then. 'I've seen this man before,' He thinks to himself, 'but where?' His heart beat at an accelerated rate then. 'It can't be! It's impossible! This is not my brother! My brother is dead!' He began to panic. "Hand me a bottle of whiskey quickly,"

He said then, twisting in his stool. He felt as if this man was his brother, but the flesh was not. There was no mistake of the aura surrounding this man...but could it be a trick. Is someone playing a cruel game with him. He remembers then his recent encounter with Marius. Could the ancient vampire be cruel enough to trick him into believing his brother was alive? But what would he get out of doing that. Donovan's head buzzed and reeled with the data he was processing. He kept a close eye on the man as he swallows most of the whiskey down. Getting a better grip on himself, he lifts his dark blue pools directly into the eyes of the young man. If this was a trick, then this man would know. If he was innocent, his eyes would reflect that. "What is your name, boy?" He asks then, finishing the rest of his whiskey.

[Christian Dominic]

He pours himself another glass of apple juice, this time with a shot of Scotch in it - wanting a little bit of an ‘oomph’ to his drink this time. The siloutted images in his dreams had faded from his mind, as with most dreams, he already began to forget. Sighing, he took a drink from the glass before setting it back down. He heard the tavern door open and he naturally glanced toward the patron upon entering - finding his eyes stare at the man. He felt an ice cold chill run up his spine, leaving him breathless, and heard the man greet him. He cleared his throat and nodded, fiddling with the front of his suit absently. Oh my God, this man... this man with the silver hair... I know him somehow. He tried to connect it, for he hasn’t been in Lycosia all that long, and only met a small handful of people. Even though his mind was questioning, repelling even - his body was giving off opposite signals. His heart ached, hurt.... he felt tears immediately begin to fill his chestnut colored pools.

All of this happened in a space of a heartbeat, but it felt so much longer. He realized this male spoke to him, and he jerked, as if in surprise. His voice was quiet, trying to plaster on a polite smile. “Good evening.” He watched the male, who seemed to be acting rather strange, and looked away from him to his glass of juice and scotch - downing it quickly, he needed it more than ever. His imagination, he figured, was running wild - the tavern is strange, with strange effects. He’s only human, therefore, he is able to dismiss things easily with certain kinds of justification.

He heard the man speak again, telling him to pay no mind, and he tried to offer him a smile - which automatically lit up his face. Which was far too flawless for a human being. He tried to act casual as he wiped tears from his eyes, trying to ignore the sudden urge to bawl like a child against the bar top, his lower lip twitching slightly. He cleared his throat and allowed his brown hair to hide most of his features.

He heard the man speak, asking his name, and he allowed himself to slump onto a stool; speaking quietly. “I’m Christian Dominic, though others merely call me Chris.” He looked over and tilted his head. “May I ask your name as well, sir?”

[Donovan NightWolf]

As the name was given, Donovan relaxed, his muscles so tense he could snap like a twig. He felt his breath leave him in a long raspy sigh. "Nice to meet you Christian, I'm Donovan," He noticed the tears in the male's brown eyes and he knew those eyes were innocent. Still, this couldn't be a coincidence. No one on earth carried the aura of his late twin, Link. He wanted to know more from this young man, but he didn't want to frighten him. He wondered...just who this man was that 'felt' like his brother. "How long are you staying here then?" He asks in a meek voice. He remembered a time when he was that young. He didn't appear to be older than 21. Memories cascaded inside his mind then, time he shared with his brother.

(sorry so short)

[Christian Dominic]

He kept his head bowed as he looked to the bar counter, his dark brown hair covering most of his features, it seemed the perfect curtain. He then glanced over and a smile brightened his face, the tears glistening, though most were wiped away.

“I’ll be around here until.... Well, that, sir, I do not know. I didn’t come to these parts on my own. I ended up here and I haven’t a clue as to how. I was in New York living the life I was use to, then there is a large blank spot, and then this place.”

He frowned and gave a shrug, not realizing that the man probably didn’t even know what New York was. He couldn’t shrug off the strange, distant familiar feeling about this strange man and he glanced at him again, realizing he has large pointed ears - he gave an obvious shudder. His head felt light, and he sighed, letting it rest on the palm of his hand; elbow on the bar. Though he tried to act as casual as possible. Even if his body was betraying him.

[Donovan NightWolf]

The more Donovan listened to this man, the more he did realize this wasn't a trick, no one was intentionally messing with him. He felt pity then swell in his breast, as he studied Christian more closely, he noticed for the first time the condition of his clothing. They were almost in tatters. His pointed ears perk then as the man continues to go on about how he came here. He frowns. "That is an unusual way to come to this place. You are in Lycosia and this," He sweeps an arm back toward the room, "is the Mystic Tavern." He fell silent as he pondered quietly to himself. Knowing somehow Link was connected with him in some way and most definately not in the way of some offspring. His brother's offspring held its own sense.

This was Link's aura no question about it. "There are surrounding taverns and villages, but I do not suggest going alone." He lets out a sigh, wetting his dry lips. He saw the bottle of scotch then that the young man had used. He felt his dark blue pools tear, but he blinks them back. "I am from Hyrule...a land far far away. You noticed my ears eh?" With a finger, he brushes against a length of a pointed ear, "This is the mark of a Hyrulian. I am not human." He studied Christian hard, making sure to keep him as unafraid as possible. He would feel shock and sorrow and Don would be here to help him through it.

[Christian Dominic]

He was looking at the bar top, listening, thinking - unable to shake off the odd familiar feeling toward this creature. He was good at acting casual when his heart was pounding and he felt the urgency of panic; it was something he learned in New York. From the corner of his chestnut eye, he noticed the man observe him, knowing his clothing didn't look the best from excessive use, lifting his light tan face to gaze to him. "Yes, the Mystic Tavern. A woman named Kat told me this. She said the place can have strange effects on someone. I found that's true." He noted the place was called Lycosia.... Lycosia? He's never heard of this place... it's not something humans know of. So where was he exactly? Another dimension? He shuddered visibly.

"Surrounding taverns and villages?" He didn't realize that, he's never been off the grounds where the tavern sets since he arrived - he was afraid of the lake, and the woods he's been curious about, just not having ventured into them yet. He's been content reading a book he found in an upstairs room in Mystic and sleeping on the couch. His awareness of having no home left him uneasy, though.

He watched Donovan trace a large pointed ear and he observed it, listening to the explanation. Hyrulian? He noted how similiar he was to an elf. "Yeah, I have yet to meet another human around here. I feel as though I'm an oddity in this place." He frowned and tucked some tendrils behind an ear.

[Donovan NightWolf]

He listened to Christian intently, studying his every movement. He was surprised to hear that he had met Kat and he thought what she must have thought. Did she sense Link as well? Perhaps he would have a talk with her. He sighs slowly, feeling dread creep through his frame. He thought a moment about Arien and wondered how she was doing with her mother. He needed to pay her a visit soon.
"If you have no permanent place to stay, I can offer you one." He looked down at the bar counter, fidgeting with his hands. He wanted Christian to stay at his ranch house, away from pestering intruders. He would be free to come and go as he pleased. He had to get back to NightWolf soon and check up on Vincente. He dreaded that the most.
"I have a nice ranch just outside of the Mystic Woods. I no longer use it. I have a horse there," He smiled, scratching at a pointed ear. He wondered then, if Epona would have an effect on Christian. Perhaps the things his brother had known, Christian would know too. Is there a way of bringing Link back? He felt tired, tired of his questions pouring through his mind. So much has happened recently. He wondered what lies ahead.

[Christian Dominic]

His chestnut pools watched Donovan, unable to shake the sudden urge of panic... he seemed to have some kind of inner struggle - but he still tried to hide it. Permanent place? He shakes his head. “No, I don’t. Not a permanent one.” Did he hear right? Offer him a place to live? And a ranch house at that.

“As long as it doesn’t impose on anything....” He felt the urgency to accept this ranch house, and a horse as well? He wondered if it was an old mare, or if one was able to actually ride it. The thought of riding a horse brought a new excitement in his heart. He couldn’t help but wonder why this male was being so nice? He pursed his lips slightly as he stared at Donovan, before looking away - those pointed ears were bugging him. But why? "I know you... somehow..." He said softly, almost in a whisper.

[Donovan NightWolf]

He realized Christian was hesitant and leary and he had every reason to be. He cleared his throat and chuckled lightly. "I'm sorry...I am a protector by nature, a guardian you see and I couldn't help but notice you needed help..." He let his voice break as he sighs slowly. He shifted in his seat. "Tell me....tell me do you dream?" He had no idea where that question had come from, he felt compelled to ask. Perhaps his brother was in his subconscious. He wasn't sure who this man was exactly. It would be odd if he had been reincarnated, was that even possible? He felt his head spin and buzz as the questions continued to pour through his mind, causing it to ache painfully. He groaned in his throat. "Another whiskey please," He rasps, leaning against the counter. He felt old, too old sitting in this old tavern. He felt a part of it. He finds himself fidgeting with the thick black bands around his wrists.

[Christian Dominic]

Those soft chestnut pools watched Donovan carefully, looking away every now and again, as if his presence burned him - but it was always brief. Hearing the man’s explanation, he gave a nod, turning his head to view him once more; looking slightly surprised at Donovan’s question on dreaming. He looked down to the bar counter and began fumbling with his fingers, his speech nervous but also very eager to get out what he could - they have been bugging him terribly.

“I... I dream, yes.” He said unsurely, wondering where this question was leading, could he be asking about his nightmares? The ones that make him sweat, whimper and even cry in his sleep, the emotions were always quite strong, even if most of the people were hidden in blackness. He clears his throat, going back to the discussion on the ranch house.

“Could I really stay there...?” He raises a hand and tucks some strands behind a humanoid ear, watching him ask for another whiskey.

[Donovan NightWolf]

He cooled himself with a glass of whiskey, it helped to ease his mind. He sighs as a numbness began to throb, it felt good. He began to really relax. As Christian gave his answer on dreams, it was enough for now. Don felt constricted sitting in this tavern, talking to this man, his brother in human flesh. It was becoming more and more clear even though he still couldn't figure out how this all happened. There was only one place his brother could have gone after death...Don shivered coldly as he thought about it. He took another long swallow from the whiskey before speaking again.

"I know you don't know me...you're leary, scared I'm sure...." He sighs again slowly, god it was so hard talking with his emotions so high. His heart felt surely it would jump out of his chest. "See truth is....truth is you look so much like my twin brother...he uh..." He clears his throat nervously. "He has passed recently." He didn't know if saying that would have any affect on the man and he didn't know if telling him the truth would do any good. He lifts his dark blue pools into the chestnut ones of Christian, could he feel anything from Link? Did Christian know he was the very twin he was speaking of. Don hoped to ease him gently into awakening and once they got to the ranch house, there would be plenty of Link's old 'stuff' laying about here and there for him to see. He was saving Link's journal for much later.

"I want you to stay there Christian, you'll be safe." He offered a tight lipped smile, half expecting the man to run straight out of the tavern.

[Christian Dominic]

It was true he was leary and nervous, but a cool familiar feeling helped ease him from running from the place. When Don spoke of his twin brother recently passing, he frowned and looked to the bar counter: looking to his glass of apple cider. "The woman I met, Kat, she told me a good friend of hers passed recently as well..." Could it be the same person they are speaking of? And he looked a lot like him? He blinks and picks up the glass, taking a quenching drink - everything was so strange. A heavy stirring of unease swept through him, making it feel as if his chest was constricting, not lasting very long; he was glad for that. He shivered.

"I... I'd love to stay there." He agreed wanting to see this ranch house, remembering the mention of a horse - he was more than thrilled to recieve Donovan's aide. Maybe the nightmares would stop, if it was indeed, this magical tavern causing them. He allowed a smile to appear upon his features, feeling the simple gesture brighten his face, chestnut pools looking to Donovan as he stood uneasily to his slick shoes. The more he looked at Donovan, the more he wanted to reach out and hug onto him, but the feelings seemed to be coming from nowhere; he knew this man! But from where and how? Was he in some of his dreams? He strained to remember and eyed the large ears again... the ears... yes, yes! He has dreamt of him, he knew those ears from anywhere, this man had been in some of his dreams. This new realization made him look away quickly, still smiling as casual as possible and turned; feigning.

[Donovan NightWolf]

He watched with a heightened sense as Christian stood to his shoes, his heart throbbed sorely. "Follow me," He lowered his head then as he slid up from his barstool, steadying himself with a hand before shaking his head. He mumbled something in coherrent then as he stepped to the door, reaching for the doorknob. "Wha..whaz the matter with this thing..." He wasn't really sure what was happening then, his dark blue pools blurred and he sagged against the door, peering down at his head. He blinked to focus. He saw the thick black armbands around his wrist and he grinned, slowly turning his head over his shoulder toward Christian. "Sumthin's matter with da door...here.." He made a 'come here' motion with his head as he once again looked down, trying to see the cause of the problem.

He felt drunk and the feeling was increasing intensely at a heightened pace, his heart throbbed against his ribcage. He felt something behind his eyes and he groaned, leaning his other hand against the door. He closed his eyes tight and behind his closed lids he saw images. Cloudy and dark images, unfolding right behind his eyes. A light foggy mist began to grow around the cloudy images, rippling gently away like smoke as the picture began to clear. He saw his brother and himself, right at this door. They were severely drunk and he laughed aloud seeing this scene in his mind play out, as if it were happening. He heard these images speak then, remembering that about the door. He had mistaken it for being locked, when all he had to do was turn the knob the other way.

He gripped the knob then in his palm and turned it the correct way. He chuckled loudly then and stepped through the doorway. Once on the porch, his head cleared and the drastic change stunned him and he caught himself against a porch post. "It's not terribly far, but it's well hidden," He straightened himself up and stepped onto the path below, waiting for Christian to join him. Once he was at his side, he would begin a steady pace.

The way to his ranch house took around 30 minutes to get there by foot. Donovan stepping off the main path and going deep into the forest. The area was thick and dark, but a meadow was nearby as well as a small brook. His ranch house, ironically, was given to him by his brother Link, a very long time ago. Seems like ancient times.

"You'll be completely safe here Christian....Epona is nearby. Never tie her, never bound her, she is free to wander as she pleases. These woods are her home..." He sighs wearily. "These days, I do not often see her." He hesitates a moment, looking behind him for a second before darting his blue pools toward Christian. "I..uh...I have business to tend to...stay in this area. Do not wander farther than the brook, it's past the meadow," He motioned with a hand toward the back of the ranch house. "I will return as soon as I can," He smiled at the young man before turning and disappearing into the deep forest.