Private Finished The Violet Pentagon

The large demonic guards had indeed noticed the approaching human. He did not appear to be armed, though that was less reliable of a thing given the powers available on the island, and he did not seem to be outright attacking.

There was a groaning sound, not unlike metal flexing under the pressure of a great weight and one of the guardians stepped forward and looked down at Alby. In a rough and loud, but understandable voice it asked, "Who are you and what is it you want here? We do not expect a human child today." They seemed thoroughly unimpressed with the young Alby, but then clearly their job was to be intimidating.

Just then there was a faint beep from behind them and a voice rang out from a small panel on the column adjacent to the gate. Or at least It could be presumed it was a voice, and a language. Though it was best described as sharp, discordant and almost painful to hear. A dark language- a version of the demonic tongue.

The second Guardian seemed to slump slightly and then reached over to pull the first one back towards the gate. "You will wait here. Someone is coming to meet you." The guardians clearly spoke english to Alby, but only begrudgingly.

Alby was left to wait there for several minutes before a new figure approached from within the gates. A pale-skinned woman with cyan colored eyes and hair, two large black horns and large black wings folded behind her. She was wearing what appeared to be a fairly nice pantsuit except that it had been altered to leave her midriff exposed. Rather than being some part of a salacious dress code or something along those lines, the actual reason for the uniquea attire was fairly evident. Her midsection had a huge mouth with long and sharp teeth and a similarly cyan colored, glowing faintly, tongue.

"Hello, I'm Adonia- Master Morey's assistant. Can we help you with something?"

The guardians backed out of the way, acknowledging the female demon's command to let her handle this situation. She remained on the inside of the gate for the moment, speaking to Alby through twisted iron and silver bars.

Her eyes narrowed at his statements, searching his face for signs of deceit but finding none. "Those are serious accusations. But Master Morey does have a limited amount of time available at the moment. Follow me. Touch nothing, do not wander unaccompanied and I will destroy any recording devices you attempt to use." She was most displeased with what Alby was saying and she had no reason to hide the coldness in her voice. But she was required to be polite enough and motioned for the gate to be opened.

Adonia didn't seem overly keen to idle conversation with Alby as they walked but she did lead him up the drive to the main entrance of the massive manor. Where gargoyles might have been engraved in the stonework were instead depictions of demons, some of which seemed to have glittering eyes of red and yellow and orange. There was the distinct feeling of being watched.

Behind the heavy wood and stone doors was an interior fit for medieval nobles, but everything was designed to be more dark than light. No brilliant white marble or bright golden inlay. Rich, dark woods and ornate stonework framed the rooms. Many alcoves and walls were adorned with wonderful artwork and even portraits of former residents. Some human but most demonic in nature. One particularly noteworthy piece of art seemed to be a sculpture of an old twisted oak tree, bent and sagging with age. It was jet black, literally since it was indeed carved from the stone, and a small set of stanchions were arrayed to keep the curious from approaching too closely. It reeked of despair and loneliness. But also a macabre sense of beauty. A small placard named it as "Dead Man's Folly."

But the assistant guided Alby up the broad and winding stairs and through several doors until they reached an ornately carved blackened wood door with a glossy handle. "Master Morey, the young Mr.... Alby to see you regarding the incident at the school," she called out after knocking and peeking her head inside.

A smoother, more refined voice replied, in English. "Let him come in. I very much would like to discuss things with him." The assistant nodded and stepped aside, granting Alby entrance into the large private library. Adorned with hundreds or even thousands of old books. And new ones too, with Colten's own works in a place of honor beneath the glass of a display case.

Adonia didnt particularly like the kid. Aside from the claims he was making about Colten, he gave off the similar sense of one of the many too-enthusiastic fans of Colten's novels. The kind she had to watch just in case they lost all sense of self control.

But she could do nothing other than approach, staying just a couple steps behind and to the side of Alby. Colten was being polite but he was prepared for some kind of trick just in case. She would literally eat any untoward magics if this kid tried anything.

Colten was seated in a slightly worn leather armchair, though the wearing seemed to give it that much more charm. Showing off that the furniture had been well tended to and maintained over a long, long period of time.

He frowned immediately as Alby greeted him with the implication that they had met before. "You should sit down, Mr. Alby," he said as he used his long orange and black tail to point at a smaller chair opposite him. They were roughly 20 feet or so apart. "To keep you from further insulting me I would like to make something quite clear: regardless of what the academy security claims I have not met you before and I do not go around roughing up students." He stared into Alby's eyes, daring him to refute his claims.

Colten closed his eyes and then massaged the base of one of his horns. Alby was being persistent and Colten knew for a fact he had never before seen him. Let alone was physical with him- something he was certainly not prone to doing without serious provocation.

"I am not lying. Nor is this something I would forget- not for one moment. But I was not present for this alleged incident. Indeed I was right here in Grovefire when the altercation is said to have happened."

He folded his hands over one knee as his tail flicked in annoyance. This was bothering him greatly. Had been ever since he heard about the allegations. Clearly someone was trying to frame him or damage his reputation for some reason. And he would not let that be.

"Alby if I was the kind of person to rough you up over something so trivial as a conversation, why would I invite you into my home and meet with you? Wouldn't I be displeased with you enough to give orders to have you sent on your way. Possibly with a fair bit of intimidation from one of my guardians at the gates?"

Colten shook his head. Did they really think he was foolish enough to get so wasted, on school property, to forget himself so badly? Sure he certainly knew his way around a glass of wine and he definitely could see how someone like Alby could get under his skin a bit with the persistence he seemed to display. But really?

"I do not allow myself to get that drunk in public. I have an image and a name that would not disrespect in that manner. This Manor holds itself together under that good name," he replied with cool irritation. He could tell this accuser was working down the list of evidence against him, but in his opinion each and every bit was circumstantial at best.

Then Alby revealed his trump card: the lapel pin left at the scene. And Colten... looked at it curiously. "It doesnt look particularly familiar. I do have a pin in the shape of a pentagon from one of the schools I attended, that looks vaguely similar I suppose. But mine is orange."