Loss

The class is silent as Dante's watch went off during art and he is now sitting down with Xin holding his shoulders. Talon's group was caught between a rampaging herd of Dark Rhinos and a Ravenous Rat Swarm. A recovery team will be sent out to collect what gear they can but all life signs went dark.

Johnny waves as everyone looks his way and he puts a hand on Dante's shoulder. "Dante, the rest of this week and all of next week the art classes have special assignment." Dante looks up to him as Johnny smiles softly "We are going to work on a memorial for your friend." Tears run down Dante's face as he nods softly and several in the class join him as their own tears fall.

Everyone is confused during combat class as Dante's group is on one knee. After a little while Carter notices the entire class is behind Dante as he kneels before open space silently. Two hours pass without a spoken word and only when the time ends does anyone move as Dante stands and turns to face everyone. "A great man and his team were lost today." everyone looks to him "We are Hunters and as such we never bow and cast our eyes down unless it is in memory of those who we hold in our hearts. I thank you all for joining me today and as such I will cook for our class this evening as we have a meal in memory of those we lost this day."

Carter walks up as everyone has left and puts a hand on Dante's shoulder. "You might be new to this Dante and you honestly may have issues I rather not know about." Dante looks to him with a slight smile "However you are a good man and I am proud of you."

Dante smiles when Carter nods and looks forward as he smiles. "Talon told me once that the moment he knew he was going to die is the moment he would be most alive." he shakes his head and smiles "I'm inviting some friends to our meal and I also invite you Carter." he looks over to him "You are also a Patroller even if a teacher now and while we can't drink. Please lift a glass for Talon?"

Carter watches him as he stands there for several long moments before he nods. "It would be my honor Dante." as they nod Dante tells him where to go as he turns heading out Carter thinks "I still am fearful of Dante but at the same time, I can't find fault with him."

Lisa looks at the message she got as they are walking towards the park to meet with the spiderlings and stops looking to everyone. "We are getting told to head back and not show up by Rendered." everyone looks to her as confused as she is "Talon was a patroller so what could be the reason why we can't share a farewell meal with students?"

Dustin steps forward and looks over. "Talon was his mentor and friend. I want abandon those spiderlings for no reason so unless I get a good reason, I'm going to join them." As the rest nod and follow Dustin, Lisa looks to Jenny shaking her head as she follows.

Dante looks up and waves as they head over and while he smiles some everyone knows how hard days like this are. After a handshake and hug from most he stays in Lisa's arms as she sighs and just keeps him close. "Thank you for coming."

She leans him back and smiles as she shakes her head. "We are with you too Dante my little spider so don't worry." as he nods and smiles more she hugs him again "So feed me now."

Dante is laughing some by her actions as she finally cheered him up. Heading back to the grill he nods as Xin smiles and steps aside with Zezz. Looking over everyone he closes his eyes taking a deep breath letting it out slowly and opens his eyes. "We celebrate a friend today so without further ado, let's celebrate!"

Everyone is laughing after nearly an hour of cooking and drinks for some of the members. During this time Dante reveals he will be trying out a new recipe using wolf meat. Most cheer out but Lisa looks to him like he is insane but will try it, for her little spider. Twenty minutes later she is devouring the meat with as much gusto as others. The spices and treatment has made it so soft and the flavors of the predator come out in the juices.

Edna contacts him and as he gives her an update she shakes her head about his choice of meats as wolf is one of the worst options to many. That is actually why he chose to use it but he isn't telling them this is all an experiment in cooking. However since she sent a gift he gets a smile and sends back some of his cooking as she accepts it. Looking to her aid she sighs. "You will eat the meat he is sending since it is wolf."

Carter and Dustin start up some old drinking song older than most of those present, which is causing some laughter from the students and other adults invited. Evelin has joined this time and as Dal introduces her she smiles and Dante gives her a quick hug like he did Dal. After giving them some heaping plates he smiles and heads off to talk with others and check the grill as she looks to Dal. "Friendly guy but did he say this is wolf?" Dal smiles and just takes a bite as her eyes widen and eats more with a near moan of pleasure.

Dante is talking with Tabitha about some new training methods they could use as suddenly someone shuts out in pain. He looks over as someone just struck Tim and as the guy hits the ground they kick him away. Dante rushes over as a man raises a club and sends a shot towards his chest knocking him back. As they get up and glare at Dante others are now moving and herding the non-fighters away. "You dare to lay a hand on me punk?"

Dante looks to him and looks to those with him as all of them are armed and nods his head. "So who sent you to attack us?" everyone is silent listening and the guy just laughs and shrugs "You are too stupid and cowardly to attack us normally. So who ordered you pets?"

He glares at him stepping forward and pulls out a card as he postures probably. "I am a Cast from Rendered. You attacked me so we have all rights to deal with you as we see fit."

Dante holds up a hand as he sees Dustin about to come forward and shakes his head as he looks to the guy. "So you are one of those Casters who start trouble thinking you or something and target others because you are too scared to go outside the walls." he looks at everyone and nods "Most of you are mid to late twenties and a few in the thirties I can see."

The man steps forward going to strike as Dante steps in and nearly rips his arm off. He kicks his bicep before a slight hop and spins around as his other leg comes up and catches the man's shoulder sending him sprawling away in a heap. One of the others looks over and glares at him. "You dare strike one of the Warrior Cast?" Dante smiles and nods his head laughing as the man glares "You are too ignorant to know your place but once we are done with you all, you will all know your place."

Dante moves his hand by his hip and lifts a card of his own as the other twelve of his squad do at the same time. "You are weak and hide in the city. We are all Hunters and go out of this city most days of the week." as they all look to them Dante nods "We are not Casters like you cowards. We are the real deal so back off before we do to you what you deserve."

They look to each other and people can see several talking as Dante is looking at them all trying to solve the leader since they are still organized after the first guy was knocked away. Finally a vehicle lowers down and settles on the ground as Dante glares and shifts his body facing it while not opening up to the group. Lisa looks over and as a voice calls out her blood turns cold.

"You dare assault my property and think some freelance little bugs can be safe?" the voice laughs as Dante now has a good idea who this wallet is "Break both your legs and maybe I will overlook this."

Dante shakes his head as he motions and the other start moving everyone further back as he stands at the front. "You are not getting your way. You assaulted us gathered to see off a mentor and friend. By Cast rights such an action is unacceptable no matter who you are and these are the core rules in this place." Dante watches as a couple move and keeps note of them "You attacked a guest here to send Talon off then threaten us."

His voice booms out as he shouts. "You think anyone would take your word at this you little bastard!" as Dante says yes the door opens as the man steps out and Dante laughs some seeing their gut jiggle "I will kill you here right now and what will you do besides bleed?"

Dante stands up straight and relaxes as he nods his head. "This entire thing is being recorded plus beyond students, we have teachers, and other professions and you just threatened all of them after assaulting us. Not only that you finally rolled yourself out of that ride so now you can't claim it wasn't you as your face is recorded."

He looks to Dante and narrows his eyes. "I can still destroy you all and starting with those twelve behind you, even if I can't do it today." Dante's eyes narrow as the man grins "You are just kids playing warriors while I can call in hundreds of top tier warriors to kill you and they will obey."

Dante glances to the beep on his watch and his heart breaks even with her apology and looks to the man. "How about this fat bastard?" the man's neck bulges "I will leave this rotten terrarium and you will leave them alone." he goes to speak as Dante barks loud to stop him "The wind so much as blows their hair the wrong way and I will descend on you like the first fall of man." none speak as Dante is now walking up to him "I know you are doing this for money to target me so here you go. Go suck some fat sausage and try not to die before I return." he turns around and looks over his shoulder "If they get hurt you are fully responsible so you best pray to whatever you do, nothing goes wrong on their hunts and in their lives."