Acension city

[Aconitum]

Acon kicked the bottom of a large door that led to a private resteraunt owned by the Lovien family. A tall man in black anwered and let them in through the kitchen. Acon led Ray to the front of the resteraunt where a bunch of important men and women were mingling, telling stories of the old days. All of them looked like royalty in their expencive clothing and accessories.

[Rayleonarde]

*I clench my empty paw in anxiety.* "Umm...Acon? A-Are we in the right place?"

[Aconitum]

Acon linked her arm into Ray's. "Yes. I'm sorry I didn't tell you. Herman owns this place. It can be super intimidating at first, but as you attend more and more of his parties, you'll get used to it. I swear." Acon was greeted by a few older men. Most of them were death workers like Herman- missing teeth, severed limbs, sickly looking men- but there were all kinds of laberers. A few claped Ray on the back as crongradulations.

[SadDubwool]

*The scientists take me to a shack and quickly put me in the dark elevator to a Giant lab where they take me to a Med bay for..."Mechanical Replacements"...*

[Rayleonarde]

*I flinch.* "C-Can we get this over with?"

[Aconitum]

Acon smiled. "Don't worry. It'll be over before ya know it!" She encouraged. Herman was seated a table, surrounded by fellow mob bosses. They were all laughing at something cousin Vinnie said. When Acon and Ray arrived at the table the group of men turned their attention to Ray. Herman stood and greeted Ray with a smile. "Rayleonarde! Let me intorduce you to these men. They will become your BFFs as you come to work closely with them." Cousin Vinnie stood first, a cold look in his scarred face. He help out a rough paw. "The name's Vinnie."

[Rayleonarde]

*I nod, cautiously.* "P-Pleasure to meet you, sir."

[Aconitum]

The rest of the men stood and gave their names. Once introductions were finished, Herman motioned fot Ray to follow him to the stage in the middle of the room.

[Rayleonarde]

*I follow behind Herman, staying in his shadow.*

[Aconitum]

Herman stopped on the stage and took a microphone from its stand. "Everyone, please. Tonight is a special night, for this man," Hermab boomed, pointing his wine glass at Ray. "Tonight, a society man has been brutlely murdered and burned, only for him to be reborn from his own ashes!" The resturaunt erupted in clapping and whistling. Herman motioned for Ray to come closer. "Kneel, H. Rayleonarde III and receive the mark of your new life."

[Rayleonarde]

*I slowly take a knee beside Herman.* "L-Like this?"

[Aconitum]

Herman nodded in approvel. From his pocket, Herman unsheathed a dagger with a hilt made of bone. He held it to the light and admired its sharpness. Herman held out his paw for Ray's wrist.

[Rayleonarde]

*I cautiously place my paw in Herman's paw. I close my eyes, and set my jaw.*

[Farewell]

*gaia was in her apartment relaxing* "I hate this..."

[Aconitum]

Herman removed Ray's glove and drug the knife across his wrist. Herman let a drop or two of blood fall to the ground. He then lifted a small bag into the air. "And now to pack the remaining ash of Rayleonarde's past life into his wound." Herman took a pinch of the gray powdery substance from the bag and rubbed it into the cut on Ray's wrist.