View source for 2665/The Job

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2015/07/22
|Location=Chrysalis
|Synopsis=Euphonia holds a meeting with the Flotilla and company to share the ever-so-vague details of her aforementioned job proposal.
|Thanks=
|Cast of Characters=7, 562, 596, 632, 672, 839
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|pretty=yes
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{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:839|Euphonia (839)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;There is a surprisingly different atmosphere in the realm of Chrysalis today. Where before there was a pronounced air of tension, of uncertainty, even animosity, the world itself seems to make an effort to contrast those notes and keys with equally pleasant things. Things with beauty tantamount to the paranoia of before -- that is what Chrysalis strives to project. Perhaps this is why an aurora manifests in the skies surrounding the Needle in spite of the Spring Season, and perhaps this is why the sounds of the world seem to have fallen mute so as to allow the visitors to listen carefully to the circular cascades of pure flow which envelop the high monolith's base. Some small fireflies from the city -- the homes of those who dwell here -- add their own elements to the scene, allowing a gentle glimmer to wash over the continent south of Euphonia's home.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Of course, this can only persist so faintly within the halls of the Needle. Its walls are comprised of that same, sleek, reflective metal, and its whole interior as silent as a forsaken sepulcher; that's to say, it is every bit the metal tomb it proved itself as before. The good news is, the group need not travel so high into this structure as the last time -- Euphonia has called this impromptu 'meeting' on the four-hundred and ninety-seventh floor, meaning any approaching starships would be well-advised to park themselves closer to the ground. The complementary bad news, however, is that the elevator doesn't have a stop on this particular floor, meaning the group will have to take the stairs down from the four-hundred and ninety-ninth.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And this gives them all the time they could ever want to absorb the atmosphere of the building firsthand. Tiny cleaning robots wrought in the shape of mice squeak across the floor, perhaps bumping into the feet of passerby now and then. Perhaps it's due to their toil that the walls are clean enough for the group to see their reflections in. The vast majority of the doors are sealed for them, but the few doors that do open present rooms filled with bizarre, glowing machinery in some places then rich, mahogany floors and cream-colored walls in others. It seems these are the quarters of researchers and their workplaces all pushed together... though a more proper word might here might be 'were'. There is not another living being in sight. If that was the purpose of these rooms, the elites glimpsing into them may well get the impression that this was many, many years ago.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Still, those long-gones have left many mementos: pictures of their families, children smiling widely, vistas of childhood homes...<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;But eventually, they reach the stairwell. From there, it's an easy, thoughtless sojourn downward. Notably, there are no windows; the group is far too close to the center of the structure for that. And there is no sound here, either, aside from the almost rhythmic footsteps of the otherworldly visitors. It only makes this more strange should someone look up or down the staircase shaft: a mere glance in either direction will reveal only a cavernous, unending maze that would dizzy most any purely biological entity. It might hold less sway on the perceptions of spirits, or robots, but it would still be fuel for awe and, perhaps, vertigo.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:839|Euphonia (839)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Thankfully, this all changes once the group enters the next room. Euphonia is seated on a finely-wrought couch across from another of its ilk, parted from it by a dark wooden table. There are many other arrangements like this all situated around a bar in the heart of the heart of the area, but also no small number of chairs stacked against the walls. Each of these stacks seem to have accrued a thick layer of dust dense enough to be seen. Evidently, those 'mice' may not be quite so holistic as they appeared. But Euphonia is not alone this time: this time she is in the company of a kindly looking woman clad in silver-lavender robes. When the overseer nods to them, she instead offers a polite, amiable, smiling wave. They are then allowed to meander over at their own pace.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As for those who are not interested in the job offer, they remain outside. They do so knowing that Euphonia may be perturbed by this, but also that there has been no express mention that they should not be allowed to do so. There are likely many settlements in this area, but a few in particular beckon: an island far beyond the Southern continent, and the Southern continent itself. The former would be ideal for those who wish to communicate with Glitch, and the latter for those who would rather meet the general populace.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:632|Septette Arcubielle (632)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; If she were acting out of pure self-interest, Septette would likely have taken the job offer, then promptly betrayed its terms or played a minimal role if the mission's terms proved distasteful. But while Euphonia may already regard Septette herself with considerable wariness, blatantly subverting the mission would reflect poorly on the other Flotilla associates. So instead, the little robot has chosen to stay on the sidelines, investigating Chrysalis in more detail and not interfering with the work unless called upon. <br /> <br /> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; There are two main mysteries here: Chrysalis, and Euphonia herself. Septette does her best to get a feel for both by visiting the southern continent unannounced and seeing how the cryptic woman reacts to her presence. The robot herself could scarcely be ignored if one wanted to, despite her distance from the Spire: the huge amounts of harmless energy she radiates makes sure of that. <br /> <br /> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Arcubielle makes her entrance in typically dramatic fashion, though it's not quite as impactful as her first arrival: she manages to avoid blacking out this time, and steers towards what looks like an uninhabited area as she decelerates... assuming she doesn't land on anything important, she'd head for the closest signs of civilization, with a new cloak wrapped snugly around her bladed frame so as not to cause undue alarm.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:562|Eryl Fairfax (562)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Eryl has arrived, to hear about this 'job.' As a representative of the Union, he is here to try and gauge the temperament and personality of the ruler of this world. Tyrants have to be taken seriously, even in a seemingly idyllic world. Especially in seemingly idyllic worlds.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He was also privately hoping that the phenomena that occurred in the first visitors would happen again, the brief experience of a splitting headache. When it hits, he clutches at his skull while Original Face scrambles, trying to identify the precise cause as best it can.r<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;When it passes, he carries on! He arrives at the Needle on foot, looking up to marvel at its incredible height before stepping inside. Entering the elevator, he is momentarily confused as to why his destination lacks a button. "Why would you not?..." he mutters to himself before shrugging and thumbing the button for the floor above.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Upon arriving, he begins to stride towards the stairs, taking in everything his eyes can see and recording it. The sterile spotlessness of the walls, the little cleaner robots, the sealed rooms with contents hinting at occupants with happy lives. It might just be benign, maybe they were given time off. But Eryl can't help but shake that sense of unease, contrasted so sharply against the world's beauty.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Moving down the stairs at a fast clip, he arrives at the meeting room! Right away, he is able to spot the dust that covers the stacked chairs. Clearly, few people have been here for a long time. That uneasy feeling deepens... but, time to put his diplomacy face on. Pleasant smile, eyes wide and invigorated, he crosses the room to bow to Euphonia first, then the other woman. "Greetings to the both of you. I am Eryl Fairfax, diplomat for the ReGenesis Corporation, but I serve as an agent of the Union today. A pleasure to meet you both."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:7|Kotone Yamakawa (7)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Kotone had been more than a little wary of things, the sting from the incident with the Glitch colony? Was still fresh in her mind to be perfectly honest. She wanted to take a chance to gather more information as she wasn't the only one who was wary about things either. She knows others in the Flotilla would be getting information. She admitted she'd been interesting in work but she wanted to get a little more first hand information about this world. Even just better understanding the situation, even if she ends up doing jobs for Euphonia. If she had been wrong and burnt out a contact? So be it, better than blindly rushing in. <br /><br /> She trusted those going to hear out the job to do what they thought was best. Either way the Flotilla needed more information on this world, so she'd go check out the Island to the south. She knew there was a bit of a mystery here and she and to wonder about it. So while her ship had pulled into orbit? She'd not gone down to the meeting place she beams in for the island. She'd not been lying, she just wanted to gather first hand info. IF everything was on the level then she'd have first hand experience in dealing with the Glitch. <br /><br /> She'd thought to bring her optical cameo suit which she was wearing, she'd not brought heavy weapons with her, just what might be considered reasonable going out into the wilds of an unknown planet. So she closed her eyes and beamed down to the island below. Was she making yet another mistake? It was too late, now wasn't it? She kept in mind what she'd been told about the Glitch. They were Religious Fanatics and against all progress. Then again she'd been on the anti tech side of things back home., too. Which left her thinking often people didn't ask if they should and only if they could.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:672|Starbound Flotilla (672)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Flotilla is here!<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Core Fleet captains are some of the first on the ground. They may have experienced that headache again, but if they did, they're not saying anything about it. They head on through the 498th floor giving it all due consideration, and then the same for the 497th. They walk, as ever, in tight formation, badgering and bantering at each other like a family, on their way to the meeting.<br /><br />"<span style="color:xterm160">Lotta floors on this place. Hurts my brain to imagine what the basement's scaled like, if they've got all /this/ on the topside.</span>"<br />"<span style="color:xterm40">Isss like many meat people live here, then go away sssudden maybe. Why?</span>"<br />"<span style="color:xterm50">They wrought a story into this structure, but it is not yours to read.</span>"<br />"<span style="color:xterm184">Aye, ye fish, but what about--</span>"<br />"<span style="color:xterm39">Stern. Or to loot, Pavo.</span>"<br />"<span style="color:xterm15">I don't like this place and I don't like the surveilance in it. Finish our business here quickly.</span>"<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;They eventualkly do get to the room they're here to negotiate the job offer in. Moonfin is their diplomatic envoy. "<span style="color:xterm50">Greetings again, Miss. As ever, I am Moonfin, diplomatic representitive of the Starbound Core Fleet and the Flotilla as a whole. You have our gratitude for acting as host once more, though the invitation to the Flotilla facilities will remain extended for the duration of our business.</span>" He'll take a seat on that couch across from Euphonia when prompted by her, he's very polite about this! "<span style="color:xterm50">Now, I understand you have certain matters which you may wish to employ the expertise of our Flotilla for, matters of conflict and combat. We stand ready to aid, for the right prices and ethical intent. How can our grand fleet assist you?</span>"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:839|Euphonia (839)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;~ The Southern Continent ~<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Septette's arrival is surprisingly uneventful. That's to say, Euphonia makes no visible response to it, and she's allowed to make her way toward civilization without any obstruction whatsoever. Moreover, the /world/ likewise remains quiet around her. The most that changes as she progresses is for the ground beneath her to literally light up. Areas of the Earth that had previously been covered in grass suddenly flash a brilliant golden hue before they... shift, displaying instead some semblance of a 21st century roadway. They dye themselves black to simulate asphalt, then sections correct to yellow to display roadlines. It may take a moment or two for her to realize it, but this ground seems to be constituted by... solar panels capable of utilizing computer screens to display any sort of images that they like. And they're working together to create a road.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;That road leads her onward if she allows it to until she's come to the city proper. There's a far larger concentration of these reactive solar panels here, but there's at least one more 'normal', classical thing present: a marble fountain. Tiny waterfalls stream off the outstretched wings of a swan, the gentle trickles which resonate from it generating the only substantial sound for quite a ways. Understandably, most of the shops have begun to close... but less understandably, the stalls of street vendors have been left completely unguarded. There are no locks to protect their merchandise, and for all she knows, there may not even be locks on the -doors-. These people must have fathomless degrees of trust for one another.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Just as strangely, perhaps, is the fact that a pair of children have been allowed to venture outdoors at this our. In fact, they're the only ones here! ... and they're entirely unattended. They're sitting on the side of the waterfall swatting water toward one another, an act which only ceases once they see Septette. While her appearance likely /should/ derive quite a lot of uncertainty from young people under normal circumstances, these two are -exuberant- in their greetings. Both of them wave enthusiastically to her before... looking back to one another as though her presence were entirely normal.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;So there's quite a lot to learn just by /watching/ them. She could question the children for more information, or might consider knocking on one of the doors to ask an adult. That might be more fruitful.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:839|Euphonia (839)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;~ Glitch-Occupied Island ~<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The atmosphere here is decidedly different. Looking up after beaming down, Kotone would see... no light whatsoever. She finds herself immediately in a jungle so infested with vines, so covered by tree canopy, that she may not even need her active camo to blend in. That may be a double-edged sword, though, because it's also awfully different to walk. Her feet immediately begin to sink into the sodden soil, and quite frankly, it's a bit dark to be able to make out all the details of where she's going. Mercifully, though, it doesn't seem that there's enough liquid presence to be /harmful/ to her; just enough for her to be a bit uneasy about remaining. And it may not help her paranoia when she hears a sudden rustling in the trees: a loud shaking of the leaves.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A bleary figure works its way through the jungle. They seem to be wielding a machete or some such to clear their own path through. And when he finally does make way? He lowers his hands to his knees for a moment, clamping his hands to his knees and running an arm across his forehead. Only then, only after he has had the time to get his bearings, does he note Kotone's presence. Then, if she allows him to, he strolls over with his arms wiiide open.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Phew!" He lowers his arms, letting them hang loose at his sides. "Man, am I glad to see you. Seriously, this jungle's a mess! Forget the gigantic spiders and the venus flytrap knockoffs, dude -- it's the humidity that'll kill ya." Only then does he realize that he has a machete... which he promptly tosses aside as a show of good faith. "But, hey, what brings ya here? Did you wanna talk to the Glitch guys?" He nods before she even has the time to reply. "Cool. I can dig that. I'll let you do whatever, but you don't mind if I tag along, do ya? Eu's wanted me to drop in on 'em for a while now and I really hate to admit it, but I'm kinda past due. But this way, I could take care of that and escort a pretty girl at the same time? Two birds with one stone!" Then his hands go right back to his pockets. "So whaddya say?"<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;His glittering grin is something that even the darkness of the jungle can't ward off. Unfortunately.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:632|Septette Arcubielle (632)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Upon arriving at the city-like structure, Septette cheerfully waves back to the strange children even as she does her best to scan her surroundings in detail. She projects a harmless electromagnetic field towards the pair with a silent incantation and watches it for any unusual distortions- an improvised arcane metal detector. There are no obvious supply lines or food sources here, so unless there are underground hydroponic structures, there's a good possibility that the people here may not be flesh-and-blood. <br /> <br /> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Hello there, little ones," Septette says in a warm (though clearly synthetic) voice as she comes to a stop about three meters away from the children. She kneels so as not to stand taller than them- though there's likely less than a head's difference between her and the kids anyway- and parts her cloak a bit in the process, showing her armored 'ribcage' and a sliver of the glowing core inside. "I don't come from around here, and I'd like to speak to someone who knows a lot about your world. Do you know anyone who'd be willing to speak to me at this hour?" She finishes with a gentle smile, glancing from one to the other as if looking for their approval.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:839|Euphonia (839)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;~ The Needle ~<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Eryl's attempted analysis of the root cause of the headache is... well, it's difficult to pinpoint. He detects copious quantities of electricity around himself, certainly, but it shouldn't be enough to cause /this/ sort of reaction. But he would also detect a few other things. One of these things is the same as ship sensors might've determined before: a whole 1% of the atmosphere in the troposphere is composed of some gaseous presence he can't identify. And two: he felt the most bizarre sensation in his head -- or more accurately, underneath his head -- in the miliseconds after the migraine. It felt like a mite crawling on the skin of his arm, which is exceptionally strange considering the small quantity of nerve endings on the surface of the brain. Still, it was there. It was distinct. Why? He may not be able to say yet.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Once the Flotilla and Eryl arrive in front of Euphonia and her companion, the pair of them nod along with their respective introductions. "Likewise," Euphonia begins, "we are glad that your fleet has decided to humor us today. This job is one of the utmost urgency for us, as you have likely assumed based on our caution. But before we begin things properly, we believe our companion wishes to intdouce herself to you. So, if you would." At that, the robe-clad woman stands, lifting the sides of her cape in some semblance of a curtsey. Again in stark contrast to her presumed 'leader', she accompanies every gesture and movement with a warm smile. Euphonia, as ever, does not allow her countenance to budge an inch.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I am Note," She says, her voice soft, clean, pure, "and I am delighted to meet you. As you may have been informed last time, I am in charge of recordkeeping within the Needle. Thank you again for coming. I'm so glad to have visitors after so long."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;With the words 'after so long', Euphonia shoots her a distinctly displeased, severe look. Note seems to notice this -- interesting, seeing as she doesn't even look her way as she takes her seat again.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Thank you, Note. Now." Euphonia lays a flattened palm against the desk, ushering a flash of cyan light. Something reminiscent of a holographic computer panel emerges from the top of the table, after which Euphonia's fingers quickly begin jumping across it. She enters what appears to be a long, long list of passwords and codes, each of which unlock another level of encryption in a set of files. All of this seems to be written in nonsense, runic symbols -- something Eryl and the Flotilla likely would not be able to understand without some decoding and cross-analysis. Thankfully, this proves irrelevant; the file Euphonia had apparently been seeking was only a picture. She draws it off of the holographic screen with a swift, fluid motion of her fingers, lifting it so that it is at eye level with each of her visitors.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"This," She begins, tone as mute and balanced as ever, "is one of the local leaders of Glitch. But before we clarify further," She continues, training her eyes on Eryl, "We must confirm that you understand one thing. You say that you represent the Union, correct? Then on behalf of the Union, we are binding you to secrecy. Should you reveal my plans with the larger body which you represent without my express allowance, no matter your moral dilemmas with remaining silent, we will not longer permit any sort of communication with you, or any of the Union. Diplomacy will become a non-entity. Any Union affiliates who find themselves within the space of this world will be warned, then eliminated." She pauses a moment, nodding her head. In spite of the severity of her words, her eyes and face... demonstrate disturbingly little for Eryl to pick up on.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:839|Euphonia (839)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"That said," Her gaze trends back to the Flotilla now, "we wish for you to eliminate this man. In so doing, you would be not only lowering their morale, but likely giving us the opportunity to push Glitch influence out of the vicinity of the Needle entirely. Since there is a large presence of sensitive settlements and information centers here, this would be particularly helpful to our cause. Should you do this for us, you will be compensated very well. There is little limit to what we can provide you, as you may have gathered." Her gaze scrolls across all those present, now. "Is this acceptable? If so, I will begin discussing where this individual resides and what dangers you can expect. Ah, but if it makes this proposition more appetizing in the least," She pauses for effect, "then it is fine if you would prefer to reason with this man instead, if he will allow you to. If he will agree to leave, or if you can make his group leave without killing him, that is entirely your prerogative."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Euphonia folds her hands in her lap, now, watching the group expectantly. For her part, Note looks away uneasily, rubbing the length of her arm. She almost looks... bashful, really.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:7|Kotone Yamakawa (7)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Kotone Yamakawa had come ready for the terrain like this. She'd produced a simple machete of her own for hacking through plant growth in getting to look for the Glitch. She had to wonder about this idea. IT was dark she was shifting her eyes to night vision to better see what's going on around here. She does notice she's not alone she looks at the guy with the blade out. She listens to the comments on local wild life. She knows about deadly people eating plants, she's somehow friends with one after all. <br /><br /> She doesn't go for her's but she's eyeing him for a moment she looks the man over for a moment. She gets that the man is clearly in Euhphonia's employ or seems to be that way from how he's talking. She seems a bit concerned. <br /><br /> "Hello, Clive. I didn't think I'd see you out in the field. I'd come to talk, She had spoke that she'd wanted a peaceful solution to this problem if possible. I had hoped my being an outsider who has come from a background with somethings in common with the might be able to open a dialogue with them that might lead to non violent end to this problem. You understand the need to get first hand information, I hope? You can understand my concern given your station if you were to come along with me. I suspect your quite known to them." <br /><br /> She does catch the smile and does seem to take the compliment well enough but she's not moving out just yet. Just why is Clive out here? Is he here to keep an eye on her? Is he here on a mission to map Glitch locations? To take them out? She doesn't know but it's clear her actions have got some people's attention that much is clear.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:562|Eryl Fairfax (562)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Original Face's analysis returns with some troubling information. A mystery gas that makes up 1% of the atmosphere? The sensation of bugs landing on him? Already, solutions are being generated, and each one is less pleasant than the last. Nanomachines and mind-altering gas to keep the population pliant, perhaps?<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;However, like the consummate professional he is, Eryl doesn't let his worries show on his face as he meets Euphonia and Note. "A pleasure to meet the both of you," he says with a smile. Note's comment, and the look Euphonia shoots her for it are clearly caught, recorded, saved and flagged. His suspicions are confirmed, this place is mostly abandoned. Why?<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; He looks away as Euphonia begins typing in her passwords, not wanting to record any of it. That would be a breach of trust towards this new world, and while he has suspicions, there is nothing concrete yet. Paranoia and 'just in case' measures lead to distrust and a breakdown in harmony. No, best to avoid that for now.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;But speaking of breakdowns in harmony, now Euphonia is threatening just that! He stares at her placid face, mind churning. If she's threatening this right off the bat, what else might she have planned? That recent worry swims to the surface of his mind again, that dealing with hungry, desperate people might not have prepared him for this...<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;No, no time for doubts. Already, Original Have has pinpointed the only thing he can do. To refuse would mean he is thrown out and created a new enemy for the Union, which is unacceptable. All he can do is accept. "You have my word, I will not reveal anything with your explicit consent, Miss Euphonia," he says, swallowing his moral objections like a bitter pill.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; He stares at the picture of the man marked for death, and frowns slightly. He wants to interrupt, say that he is not a hitman, but waits until Euphonia finishes her proposal. So, a peaceful solution is allowed? Well then. "I will accept this job, purely as a diplomat. I will attempt to get them to leave. Should negotiations break down, I will attempt to preserve life and limb as best I can." He takes a slow, deep breath and adds, "... except in the case of this man. Should the Flotilla wish to kill him, I will not intervene." He feels so dirty saying that... well, all he has to do it talk them into leaving, right? Simple enough!... hopefully.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:839|Euphonia (839)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;~ The Southern Continent ~<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Septette's scan of the children reveals surprisingly mundane results: these children -are- flesh and blood. Entirely. Though since her scanners are able to sense even minute quantities of metal, they would also detect... fathomlessly small quantities of metal embedded in their skulls. These are undeniably humans, and yet there is certainly something odd. About them, and certainly about this environment. As for her scan of the atmosphere --<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;-- wait. What just happened? Another, bizarre sensation may wrack her head, though this one is far less painful than the sensation she might've felt upon entering before. It's a tingling sensation -- like what one would feel when touching a limb that has 'fallen asleep'. This sensation persists only for several seconds, but that time is long enough for her to... see something very unnerving. She sees visions of rust-colored skyscrapers whose roofs have begun to erode. She sees cracked streets like those projected on the holographic panels before, though these are infinitely less bright. For those choice few seconds, the world around her looks as though it has been entirely abandoned by humankind. And if she brings her gaze down to the children again? They look very different: they've adapted to their environment in kind, and are wearing dirty, tattered rags.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Thankfully, this visual doesn't last. Soon enough, she's back, and the children move to answer her inquiry. "Oh, I'm sure anyone who's awake would be fine to talk to you!" Responds the first of them. "Yeah!" Chimes the second, "You could even talk to my mom if you wanted! Or the mayor. I'm pretty sure the mayor is still awake, too. It's up to you!" Neither of them so much as flinch at the sight of her metallic ribcage. Either robots are extremely common here, or... or they've been desensitized in some other way.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Something is definitely wrong, at least. There's no question anymore, if there ever was.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:839|Euphonia (839)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;~ Glitch-Occupied Island ~<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Oh, hey, yeah," Clive says, "that's actually a pretty good point. If they saw you with me, it probably wouldn't go over too well. So how about this. Since I'm already here, I'll follow along, but I won't do a thing until you've had your chance to talk to them. Cool? I'll just hang out in a bush or somethin'. Trust me, I'll be quiet as a ghost." He pinches two fingers together, running them across his lips, then giving a thumbs-up with his opposite hand. "And sorry," He soon adds, "I didn't mean to get in your way or anything. To tell the truth, Euphonia's job request might have to do with Glitch. So we wanted me to reach out to them, right? To see if we couldn't work things out before we had to do anything drastic. I don't think anyone wants any more violence if we can help it."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Oh, and one more thing?" He points in the opposite direction of the path he had been cutting. "Their camp's thattaway." That said, he tags along with Kotone if he's allowed to. And if he isn't? He remains in place until Kotone clears out of the area, sinking back into the brush from whence he had come. Either way, he remains surprisingly docile, hands in his pockets where he couldn't conceivably reach for a weapon of any kind.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He knows he's not fooling anyone, but whatever.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:672|Starbound Flotilla (672)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"<span style="color:xterm39">Cheerful. An archivist. It's a pleasure to meet you, Note, thank you for the welcome. Maybe you'll have more regular visitors after today. We tend to bring a lot of interesting people to wherever we go.</span>" Seft speaks up to Note, her eye-visor screen taking on a '^_^' emote and doing a little formal princessy sort of greeting. But she looks a little more concerned at what Euphonia is saying, eye-visor swapping to an incredulous, examining sort of '=_='.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;George is the one who voices her concerns. "<span style="color:xterm160">Hey, dunno if I'm diggin' or something too much here, but I'd like hearin' some more about these Glitch types. Doesn't sound like the Glitch we got back where I come from, it'll make it easier for us to deal with this dude if you give us some basic deets about how they work.</span>"<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"<span style="color:xterm184">Assassination, huh? Me and the monkey gotta know...</span>"<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"<span style="color:xterm15">The advantages they have that stop you from doing this.</span>"<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"<span style="color:xterm184">Aye, lass, and the price ye pay for 'em.</span>" Pavo and Albert seem fairly in agreement about this matter, wanting to figure the details of how Euphonia is going to be paying -- credits, tech? -- and what she's asking them to face down!<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"<span style="color:xterm50">Once we have all the details, I will conduct our traditional vote. I expect it will result in taking your job, of course. We, of the Starbound Flotilla, focus exclusively on results. I respect the methods of pacifism and the methods of war, for each offer a way to solve this trouble. We will find a way, whatever it must be.</span>" Moonfin speaks up, gesturing in an appealing, positive way here. He clearly has at least gotten the Core Fleet to behave in diplomatic exchange.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:632|Septette Arcubielle (632)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Septette's eyes flicker and go dark for a moment as she turns her attention inwards. Something crosses her mind's eye unbidden- and then a burst of colors drowns it out in a synaesthetic seizure. For an instant of external time and a subjective eternity, her internal qualia re-map themselves to external sensations in response to the intrusion. Her subconscious defense mechanisms massively overreact, jumping to the worst-case scenario that it's some kind of hacking attempt and procedurally rewriting her sensorium to seal off the breach and neutralize a second attempt. <br /> <br /> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The little robot isn't conscious of any of those sophisticated mechanisms- just of the migraine-like disorientation that tells her something just tried to force its way into her head. All told, only a second or two passes before her eyes light up again. "I'd love to talk to the mayor," she says in a chipper tone, as if nothing had happened at all. "Though I'll settle for anyone at all who isn't busy, if it would be too much of an imposition." <br /> <br /> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Having consciously learned to imitate human psychology rather than being born with it, Septette knows more about emotions than most squishies do. Certainly, she knows enough to glean that there's something not-quite-right with these children... but these are children's minds in question, not crude machinery, and she's reluctant to probe too deeply lest something break in the process.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:7|Kotone Yamakawa (7)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Kotone Yamakawa looks at Cliver for a moment she's got a good idea about things. Clive isn't behind hostile to her and she tilts her head for a moment. Clive is a friendly sort but he's never struck her as a diplomatic sort. Kotone is innocent still in someways but very much not so in others. She listens for a moment and she nods a little bit. <br /><br /> "I suspected it would be related to them. I prefer to get first hand information on sensitive jobs like something like this. One wrong step and I could make a misstep that would be very bad for this world after all." <br /><br /> She doesn't think Clive was being sent to talk she thinks he was sent to seek and destroy. Given his seeming function? At best he's mapping camps or looking for Vips. <br /><br /> "Look and if your needing to enrage in aggressive negations with them? That wouldn't look to well on any efforts I made while I was talking to them. Could go no where and your op would need to consider the other way. Still wouldn't it be more efficient if something could be worked out. Still I am thankful you are being willing to let me talk to them. As for other thing perhaps we can go out for a drink another time?Just hold off and you understand I may need to do things to long term progress your boss's goals right that might be a bit rocky? Either way I'd like to" <br /><br /> She'll take the info he gave her about the camp he's already here and if he is going to hit them or was? There's a delay for her to get information. She doesn't like this at all but she's got to go ahead they are being hunted already. So off she goes. She does cloak for part of the way to avoid local wild life though and will decloak before she's too close she doesn't want to set them off.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:839|Euphonia (839)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;~ The Needle ~<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Eryl's reply garners a good number of blinks from Euphonia. She's silent for a long several moments before folding her hands together, saying, "We are going to assume that you already know what Glitch is, then, and why they are a prevalent threat to us. We do not believe it would suit a diplomat, least of all one representing such a large body, to be anything less than fully informed before agreeing to something like this." Was she... chiding him? How absolutely bizarre. Note seems to think so too, which is likely why she adds, "B-But I'm sure you knew everything already, right? All of you members of the Flotilla seem pretty close-knit from what Eu told me about before. I guess you must talk about this sort of thing on a private radio or something."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;At that, Euphonia's eyes widen slightly. "Ah. That reminds me." Euphonia turns to regard the Flotilla again. "Should you agree, may we be given temporary access to said channel? We believe it would behoove us all if we could be updated readily, and in a private environment, as you progress during the mission. If your vote results in a 'no', this would be a moot point, but otherwise we hope that you will consider."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Then, though, Euphonia's and Note begin to reply to the Flotilla more individually. The first to receive a reply is Seft. "O-Oh!" Note almost seems to jump, but once she's had a second to calm down, she begins to bob her head vigorously. "That would be nice! Gosh, it can get so lonely here sometimes. Euphonia likes the quiet, but Clive and I don't. Especially me. It scares me, sometimes..." She lowers her gaze to the floor, squeezing her hands together in her lap. Unlike before, Euphonia does not seem to make any sort of response to that statement, or her fidgeting. But the next question is one for Euphonia. Her gaze tilts slightly upward in thought before she eventually responds,<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"We can provide some insight. They are heavily armed, in this world, but they have only formally existed for a stint of ten-some years. Their communication with one another is fairly strained, so if you attack an isolated area, like an island, there's a good chance that you could sow paranoia by saying that one of their other outposts has been destroyed. They are comparable to a meritocracy in terms of how they elect leadership, which is to say their commanders are comprised primarily of 'war heroes' or the particularly skilled. This is why we believe that defeating one of their leaders would be such a hit to their morale. Lastly, we will add that 70% of their combat capable population is below the age of thirty, and almost none of them are highly trained soldiers. Still," She concludes, "they are terrorists. They utilize tactics like suicide bombing when they must, so even the most non-threatening of opponents may well provoke wariness."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;All that, and still almost nothing about their belief systems. Was that intentional? Probably.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The collective inquiry by Pavo and Albert elicits another series of blinks. Nevertheless, she eventually replies: "They refuse to cooperate with us. If they saw us or anything they believed might be related to us, they would not allow us time to negotiate. We do not wish for any unnecessary deaths, so we have yet to venture to any of their various basis in person. Further, we wish for Glitch to understand this. We want Glitch to understand that we, too, want a peaceful solution. Even if we did not provoke violence, any violent acts we commit would still be held against us. We are certain of this. Therefore, the help of unrelated parties would be preferable to our own intervention."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:839|Euphonia (839)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"We had intended upon compensating you monetarily, but if you would prefer a reward of technology, then we can allow you the chance before or after the mission's completion to peruse the Needle. There are many technological marvels here which you might find interesting or useful, including but not limited to weaponry. We can also promise you asylum here, should it ever be helpful to you for any reason."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Then, finally, she looks to Moonfin. "But we trust this will be enough to assist you in making a decision? If that is so, then we will be silent and allow you to complete your deliberation."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:839|Euphonia (839)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;~ The Southern Continent ~<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Septette might rightly assume, given what she has already learned, that the 'fear' reflexes of these children's minds are being suppressed by whatever has latched on to their brains. That would be the easiest explanation for why they did not react negatively to the presence of a stranger, then still did not after seeing something that would at least vaguely unnerve most fully grown people. But in much the same way as Septette is unaware of how the machinations of her mind are working to help her, so, too, are this children unaware of whatever it is keeping them calm. So they go on, undaunted, soon agreeing to bring Septette to the home of the mayor.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And as she might've expected, the mayor's home is particularly grand. Its roof is made of vibrant, cherry-colored tiles. At the peak of the cone formed by these constituents is a golden pole which flies a flag -- likely the flag of whatever province this is -- which is also the point of intersection for a line of bright banners which stretch between the central roof and the roofs of two smaller buildings which connect to the larger, central one. Earnestly, it looks like something from a theme park, which may seem eerie if that surreal experience from before has left any kind of mark on Septette's psyche. When they arrive, the children both knock on the door at once, skittering out of the way quickly before it swings open. Again, there is no time spared to undo a lock before this monocle-clad, white-haired individual appears in the doorframe. In so, so many ways, they look like the perfect embodiment of the 'kindly old elder' archetype.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Hmmmm?" The aged mayor -- a woman, apparently, clad in a long lavender coat accented at the collar by a yellow flower -- adjusts their eyepiece upon seeing Septette. "Who have we here? And so late at night! My goodness." Both of the children have hidden at the sides of the house so they cannot be seen, giving the illusion, for now, that Septette is the only one there. In spite of her insinuated irritation, her smile is unwavering. "Really, though, how may I help you? Are you a visitor? You can spend the night here if you're having trouble finding lodging."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Again, these people are bizarrely naive.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:562|Eryl Fairfax (562)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Eryl stares back at Euphonia, his face almost as blank as her own as she speaks down at him. He's not really offended, this is far from the first time he's been considered foolish for thinking a diplomatic solution is feasible.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Of course I am aware. I wouldn't be here if I was not. Glitch is a rebellion you are dealing with, correct? Attempting to overthrow you. Although I am unaware of their motives or driving beliefs," He gives Euphonia a significant look at that. One that both prompts her to explain, but almost expects that she won't. "I understand that they threaten the peace and should be dealt with."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Note's little comment to Seft only strengthens Eryl's thoughts on Euphonia. Namely, that she is a tyrant, and most likely not a benevolent one. He bites down on the inside of his cheek a little, trying to focus himself. Focus on what can be done at the moment, rather than quietly raging at things he's not happy about. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Hmm... that structure does make them hard to deal with. Since they are so isolated, each cell can continue operating even if all others are dealt with. Like a hydra..." The mention of suicide bombers does get Eryl more on Euphonia's side. Just a little. "If you wish to resolve this peacefully, we shall make it happen," the cyborg says, injecting a bit of zeal and determination into his voice. More for the benefit of Note than Euphonia, really. <br> <br>

:'''{{#var:632|Septette Arcubielle (632)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Septette smiles superficially, though her suspicions only deepen as she carefully watches the mayor's reactions. "Thank you for the offer, madam, but I don't sleep. I was rather hoping to find out more about your city, and strongly suspect that you can help me." Her hyperactive mind is straining to work out whether this course of action is really optimal, and how likely it is to be disastrous... but curiosity soon overcomes caution, and she raises one clawed hand towards the mayor in a strange gesture. "Volt Prophecy." <br /> <br /> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; It's a crude sort of improvised jamming, but it's rather effective nonetheless. A strange, flickering, yellowish barrier materializes around Septette and the mayor, though it carefully excludes the children. Those strange electromagnetic disturbances are muffled or blocked out within the bubble, or even simply reflected back to destructively interfere with other incoming signals: it's a bit like an ethereal Faraday cage, and a bit like noise-cancelling headphones. <br /> <br /> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Then she watches the mayor, and waits expectantly. If she's connected the dots correctly, something interesting is going to happen: a machine can't function without external instructions.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:839|Euphonia (839)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;~ Glitch-Occupied Island ~<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;After Kotone's extended explanation of why he shouldn't tag along, he makes a shrugging gesture, punctuating it with a long, deep sigh after a second or so. "Suit yourself. But don't blame me if you get lost! Seriously, if I gave you the wrong directions then it was probably an accident. I don't come around here very often, and even then I can't say I have the best sense of direction. You know how it is." But by the time he's finished his statement, she's probably already gone. Hmph. Only when he's absolutely certain that she can't see him anymore does he allow his posture to slouch further, and that smile on his face to dissipate. He mutters something to herself before vanishing into the brush as described before.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As far as Kotone's journey goes, she makes progress in a good clip. The vines and branches remain dense for another several feet, but afterward, things clear up substantially. She can put that machete away mere moments later, and then the village is in sight. She can see primitive houses with thatched roofs and candlelight filtering out of the glassless windows, but no people... yet. Still, she should be careful about how she decides to come out into the open. No matter what she does, they're likely to be wary, and --<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;-- and then suddenly, there's a shifting beneath her feet. It gradually worsens until it becomes a full-blown Earthquake. The trees shake and begin to collapse around her. Two wide trunks fall in the way of her path, not only obstructing her advance, but also preventing her from seeing into the village. Rather than worrying about getting there, now she has to worry about the forest itself. It's become an obstacle course now -- and a tree is falling her way right now!<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She can still make her way toward the village, of course, but it's likely to be in chaos now. And if she appeared immediately after something like that, it would be fairly suspicious. Then she may recall in supplement that Clive's primary abilities happen to be related to the weather and natural disasters, and... she can't confirm it, but it's pretty clear that, as she suspected, she's being played.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Clive was never amenable to the idea of her meeting up with Glitch, was he? But he wasn't here to hunt them down -- he was here to hinder her. How had he even known where she was?<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:672|Starbound Flotilla (672)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"<span style="color:xterm160">Huh, some general leader-guy? Yeah, whatev', votin' yes.</span>"<br />"<span style="color:xterm40">Floran vote yesss, isss honorable hunt if ssstrong guy.</span>"<br />"<span style="color:xterm39">Polite. Abstaining.</span>"<br />"<span style="color:xterm15">Hmph. Straightforward job. Voting yes.</span>"<br />"<span style="color:xterm184">Sounds like some profit t'be made here! Me vote is aye!</span>"<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"<span style="color:xterm50">And my place is to abstain in this instance. Four in favor, two abstaining. The Core Fleet will accept your job. Once we've returned to our own craft, we can provide you some access to Flotilla channels, certainly.</span>" Moonfin says, as he turns back to Euphonia and does a little bow-like nod.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Albert grunts and speaks up. "<span style="color:xterm15">Provisional. Understand our Flotilla is varied. You may not receive the same trust from other members.</span>" Then he seems to seems to verbally retreat from the <span style="color:onversation.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"cxterm40">Floran think, could be good! You work with Flotilla sssometime too. You, get out more, get more sssunlight. Look like doll, make Floran wanna hug. Flotilla friendsss alwaysss take tech payment when can. Isss more profit, long term. Better sssurvival.</span>" Biteblade says, piping up as well!<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:596|Zwei (596)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;/*You know at least /one/ of them is thinking it.*/<br />//And? It's still theirs to discover.//<br />/*I'm really not going to do anything?*/<br />//The answer to that question was obvious before it was asked.//<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;-Southern Continent-<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The eerie quiet of the evening sky is marred by the steady, though remarkably subtle whine of burners as a three ton Armiger descends from low atmospheric flight to the outskirts of an idyllic, green village; a monolith the same colour as the simulated road. Having monitored Septette's progress, both from above and over the radio, Zwei has reason to test what happens when it walks Asche straight into the heart of peaceful, low-level human civilization. For now, he does little, striding past the fountain with reverberating thumps of heavy feet, optical band sweeping from side to side without the usage of drones, coming to wait a short distance outside of the incredibly obvious disturbance that is Septette on the mayer's doorstep. Watching.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;-Glitch-Occupied Island-<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;There are limits to even Weiss' sensor range in a jungle so dense that it is practically more tree than air. Coming from a completely different direction didn't really help her odds of picking up on Clive, but the village itself, and by proximity Kotone, are easier by far to locate. The reconnaissance Armiger makes herself known by abruptly catching the most dangerous falling tree by the trunk, blocking it on her forearm so that her fingers don't sink into it under its own weight. She's in her bare minimum effort configuration, platinum blonde, aryan, and with more natural looking, non-emissive green eyes. "Didn't feel like sitting in on the talk huh? So how'd you walk into this one?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:839|Euphonia (839)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;~ The Southern Continent ~<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A bubble closes around the old woman faster than she can properly react. The children both look in at them, but for the first time, they seem to have a fearful response to something. They scatter away from the bubble while the old woman begins... quaking. Shivering. Her grasp around her cane tightens, and for the first time, Septette can clearly identify fear when she locks eyes with her. "Wh-What in the world is this? Please, please, be a dear and let me out of here. I don't like this. I don't --"<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And then it hits.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Suddenly, the woman isn't wearing her brightly colored jacket anymore. That cane of hers transforms from a finely crafted, ornate artifact to no more than a sturdy, gnarled twig. Her white hair is taken out of its elegant knots and is then tossed into a realm where it hasn't been washed in months, possibly years. The woman's eyes go wide, and she drops her cane to get a better look at her hands -- her scarred, knotted, aged palms. And once she has fully absorbed the reality of her physical form - her true form - she begins to survey the area around her.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Scarlet would see it, too: empty streets and street signals which have collapsed and rusted over not from warfare, but from neglect. Up and down the streets, she sees people meandering mindlessly, as if they were under some form of spell. And then the children -- the children are no longer running, but shuffling, their own flesh coated deeply in the crust of grime. Their hair is so long as to make gender completely indecipherable. Everything is... everything is bleak. It looks like something directly out of a horror novel. The old woman is forced to realize this in its entirety, all at once, and she falls to her knees. Her aged limbs struggle to wrap around her body for some comfort and she begins to rock herself, back and forth, back and forth. In the end, she lifts her gaze to Scarlet and asks one thing:<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"What have you done to me?"<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;How could she know?<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:7|Kotone Yamakawa (7)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Kotone Yamakawa is nearing the village she's not sure how much luck she's going to have with things here. Given Clive was in the area. She might need to come back later. However she does know she should decloak before she's in sight. Coming out of cloaking in town would be a very bad idea. She knows that much and then the earth shakes. She pauses and something comes back to her. Clive was in control of certain natural disasters, wasn't he? She lets out a curse on the Flotilla radio and is attempting to get out of harm's way. She's been played and now her best chance to get their side my be going up in smoke. <br /><br /> It doesn't take too long however before a tree's coming down on her, oh this is going to be bad she's trying to get out of harms way, thankfully? She's got some unexpected help here as one of Zwei's two parts show up and lets her a hand. 5R<br /> "Thanks, no I didn't. I wanted to try and make contact with the Glitch to hear their take on their issues. I had hoped to try to start brokering a non violent solution. I ran into Clive, I at first thought he was on a mission against them. I think he was targeting me. I don't think they want me talking to the Glitch and with the Quake? It's going to look really bad, but the villagers are in trouble. I can't just sit here either... even if this ends up just taking them elsewhere everyone might be happier." <br /><br /> She's also taken Septettes warning in mind ans has been using what oxygen cells she has to breath, maybe she should have brought a oxygen nanoskin with her. <br /><br /> "Whats' your read on this? Help? Pull back and try to figure out another idea later. My ... wanting to get theit side has got them hurt."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:839|Euphonia (839)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;~ The Needle ~<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Euphonia nods carefully, calmly in response to Eryl. "Then you are well informed," She says. "They are a threat to peace. But you have yet to learn why, yes?" She locks eyes with Eryl, now. Something seems to have changed about her -- something seems much more determined, even intense. Still, all of this remains carefully locked behind an illegible facade. "Then we will explain." It's because she's intent on defying his expectations, it seems. "Glitch is a threat to the peace because they prioritize freedom, pursuant a select few focuses, over a restriction which ensures happiness. They would forsake peace if it means they can indulge their curiosity. To put it bluntly, Glitch is an organization of children. Children who misunderstand. They think themselves good, and yet all they have been able to do thus far is destruction. They are irresponsible, and therefore, we are forced to deal with them."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Once she has said this, though, that almost invisible light behind her irises finally eases away. "That said," She continues, notably calmer even if none can be sure how, "we do not hate them. They mean well, and we would prefer that you were able to meet with them and take them off of this planet. But on one thing, we entreat you: for the sake of this peace we have fought so hard for, do not dig any deeper than you must. Do not steal happiness away from those people who do possess it. Think what you will of me, but the people of this world are happy. We will not allow you, the 'Union', or this Multiverse to take that from them."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;... where did that come from?<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Then, almost seamlessly, she looks back to the Flotilla. To them, she pays them a deep, even candid nod. "Your help is appreciated. And we reiterate: you will be duly compensated. In the meanwhile, we will do all that we can to assist the lot of you with your assignments so that we may adequately demonstrate our gratitude for your intervention here. We will expect nor accept any portion of payments related to these assignments -- we wish only to be of assistance. You have been eminently cooperative in spite of our caution at every turn, and we feel compelled now to repay that to you in full." No sooner has she said that, though, than do Note's eyes go wide. She tugs gingerly on Euphonia's sleeve before whispering something into her ear. Euphonia... is silent for a long, long period after hearing whatever it was that Note had to say, but when she speaks again, she says nothing to hint at what it was:<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"But if you have no further questions," She says, never skipping a beat, "then we will inform you when an ideal time for the execution of this mission presents itself. Thank you, again, for your cooperation." Shifting back to Eryl, she adds, "And you as well, Union Representative. Good evening."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;With that, she stands and makes her may toward the stairs. Note follows after her, reluctantly, and with an incredibly worried look on her face. In contrast with before, she's careful not to make contact with any of the outworlders in the room, instead following closely at the Overseer's heels.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She could still probably be caught for some last words before she leaves outright, though. Probably.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:839|Euphonia (839)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;~ The Southern Continent ~<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;For Asche's part, they would likely bear witness as the elderly woman drips to her knees, then clutches her head in distress. It would be rather difficult to discern why, though, unless they were to walk inside Septette's sphere of influence.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:839|Euphonia (839)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;~ Glitch-Occupied Island ~<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And no sooner has Weiss arrived on the island than has the Earthquake begun to quiet. It still has the magnitude of a 5.0 on the Moment Magnitude scale by the time Zwei stops the tree from falling on Kotone's head, but the magnitude falls shortly after until it can't be sensed by human or war machine. Still, though, that was -extremely- brief; even more brief than most other earthquakes. The epicenter seems to have been fairly distant, in the ocean a few miles away from the coast of this island, and yet Zwei wouldn't sense or see any sort of reaction from the ocean. In other words, the reaction here was entirely isolated and controlled, and the epicenter was purposefully moved away from this area so that they wouldn't be able to find its origin nearby. All pretty solid evidence that this was Clive's doing.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The jungle falls silent shortly after. The view of the village is still obstructed from here thanks to the debris, but they could probably get a better look from another angle. And Clive might still be lurking around on the island somewhere! Just, maybe a bit difficult to find on account of all the vegetation.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:596|Zwei (596)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;-The Southern Continent-<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Well there is precisely zero way in hell Zwei is putting anything inside a magical faraday cage constructed by a well-meaning but inarguably jerry-rigged robot on a whim of curiosity. That said though, it has the relevant pieces of data, and so things vaguely happen offscreen without the player around to portray them.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;-Glitch-Occupied Island-<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Weiss drops the tree to the left with a dissatisfied huff, hair whipping back from the wake it kicks up on impact with the earth. "A little naive, don't you think? If politely asking them to leave were in the cards then Euphonia would have no reason to go through the trouble of scheduling a secret hiring, assuming she was incapable of just doing it herself if all she cared about was being left alone. Whether or not you buy the religious extremist thing, they're this close to the Needle for a reason good enough that they haven't been scared off yet. If Clive can make his way out here just like that, then . . . do the math~" She then shrugs. "I think he's making a point. If you're really set on talking to them right now, I could try andf fight him off I guess."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:562|Eryl Fairfax (562)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Eryl suppresses his look of surprise as Euphonia rises to his look, spilling... well, not the whole can of beans. But some, enough. Listening to her words, Eryl begins to nod along with her. Clearly, she was omitting exactly what this 'restriction' was, but he could understand where she was coming from now. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"To live in a society comes with some restrictions on what you can and cannot do, for the sake of the society's ongoing survival," he says, sounding a bit more warm towards Euphonia now. But then she kind of goes on and on? So, whatever this restriction is, it is... fragile. Perhaps easily upset. The cyborg's mind flashes back to Heaven, to that meeting in Mizuki's world...<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;This is becoming a recurring theme in my life, he realizes.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I will... communicate that to the Union," he says, bowing his head. "For what it is worth, thank you for explaining. I still hope that this can be resolved peacefully, but I can now act in clear conscience." Mostly clear anyway. An overcast conscience.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The whispered words exchanged between the ruler and her aide results in a raised eyebrow, and the sudden ending to the meeting raises the other. Something must have happened. He bids Euphonia a good day, inclining his head as she strides out. He glances at Note, having a few questions he wanted to pose to someone who isn't Euphonia...<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;But, going behind her back so immediately, when she clearly has some issues with the Union? That would no doubt sour relations if she found out. No, best to wait another time. So he simply bows to her also, and begins to make his way back to the elevator, with the Flotilla in all likelihood. <br> <br>

:'''{{#var:7|Kotone Yamakawa (7)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Kotone Yamakawa is not happy about this at all, and she has no idea about what Zwei's other unit has found in the Southern Contient. She's looking to Zwei and she doesn't buy the Relgious fanatic bit anymore herself. Not after what Clive's done. After all she's get killed or surive and realize she'd been a fool and would be full out backing. They'd have nothing to fear from her contact with them. It seems they are afraid of their contact with them. <br /><br /> "Yes I get it I"m an idiot. Even when I try to be more cautious I'm still a bloody idiot." <br /><br /> She seems to admit defeat. <br /><br /> "Your right they should have the power to bomb this place from the skies orbit shouldn't they. Why don't they? Why are they afraid of me talking to them. I get the point is he doesn't want me near them, or if I try and come in now? They likely know what Clive and others like him can do. They will assume I'm one of them or in thier employ if I go now. We will need to somehow contact them, and you stuck in a running battle would mean he'd just drop another diaster on our heads right now too."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:672|Starbound Flotilla (672)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Seft's emoticon-eyes raise an eyebrow. "<span style="color:xterm39">Serious. Overseer Euphonia, you have our promise that we won't make any rash decisions about trying to alter your world. It's possible that we will, at some point, have some objections to what is happening on this planet. But we won't act rashly and without civility. I can't promise that if we find more information, the Core Fleet votes won't change, but I can promise your needs are going to be treated with respect.</span>" She says, in the same feminine monotone as always, eyes blinking every so often.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"<span style="color:xterm40">Floran not care a lot about big, whole tribe of lotsss of meat people. Floran care about friendsss. Floran think, you probably good friend! Give job, care about people, right? And have friendsss like recordsss friend, eyepatch friend. Floran not mess with home, would make doll friend sssad.</span>" Biteblade speaks up, cheerily, as Moonfin is at work on a polite bow.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"<span style="color:xterm50">We look forward to your contact, Overseer. I hope that together, we can build a mutually beneficial relationship. Thank you for acting as our host again, and now, an employer, even if perhaps only briefly.</span>" And then the Flotilla's heading on out. But first, a bit of data to relay to Septette... Data about how there was some sort of reaction from Note, perhaps, and the specific timecodes for it. They were asked to help her investigation, and so they will.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:596|Zwei (596)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Hey hey, no need to get all down on yourself! I mean it was a /little/ dumb, but no harm no foul, right?" Weiss dusts her hands off completely pointlessly, patting Kotone on the shoulder. "The rest of the Flotilla have some interesting things to report. I'm pretty sure you'll make sense of it quickly once you have the full story. Clive can wait for now, and so can the Glitch. They're obviously not going anywhere until we make an official statement of our involvement, which basically gives us all the initiative." She releases her shoulder. "You want a ride back?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:839|Euphonia (839)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;~ The Needle ~<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The responses of Eryl and the Flotilla... actually make Euphonia stop for a moment before she leaves the room. She does not turn around, but she does add, somewhat quietly, "Your attempts at understanding are appreciated, then. If nothing else, we will always remember that you did not jump to conclusions; that you gave our way a chance. This means very much to us. And if the time ever does come when you deem our way unconscionable," She gives the faintest turn of her head without looking back completely, "then know that our respect for you will never waver. We will do what me must to preserve our world, but none of those actions will manifest of malice."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And with that, she finally leaves. Note opens her mouth to speak, but can't quite get the words out before she retreats. And so the group is left there, again, to make their own way back.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Certainly a tyrant, but the jury may still be out on what kind.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:7|Kotone Yamakawa (7)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Kotone Yamakawa says "We should get going yes, your right it can wait here. We still learned something. If the others have information we need to put our heads together and do so. Yes I'd love a lift shall we get out of here before we act on less than the entirety of what the Flotilla knows?" <br /><br /> She seems to be thankful for the pat on the shoulder. Also it's showing Kotone may be starting to have some confidence issues too but she's clearly ready to head out.<br> <br>


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