View source for 713/Capriccio

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2014/10/01
|Location=A Quiet World
|Synopsis=A trek across the city to meet the 'Demon Queen'. 

Things go so much better, and so much worse, than anyone could possibly have hoped. 
|Thanks=Everybody. Just everybody.
|Cast of Characters=2, 7, 33, 152, 183, 495, 562, 575
|Tinyplot=A Chime at the Precipice
|Tinyplot2=
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:183|Mizuki (183)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Behind those arriving, the whistle of a train blows, and the vehicle claiming its ownership departs for parts unknown. Backwards. Anyone who rode in on that thing initially would probably know why, but any others might take it as foreshadowing of things to come.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Now, in front of them, the group would see a world that looks like something that should have been kept in Pablo Picasso's basement; the sky could barely be identified as twilight thanks to the orange hue that pervades the area, but looks far more like a bucket of lavender and yellow paints were dumped on to the sky. Clouds that look like they were scribbled in by a young child swirl in erratic, impossible patterns about that artsy spill, and in the distance, one could faintly make out a duo of statue angels splashing water at eachother in a fountain.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;But underlying it all is an overwhelming sense of wrongness that might, for a brief period upon entering, inspire some nausea. Maybe it has something to do with that tear in the sky spilling an inky black substance further to the east, or maybe it's that pure white girl up ahead with her hands folded behind her back, staring them down as would any ghost.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;... come to think, she -really- does not look like she belongs here. And Mizuki doesn't seem to think so either, immediately tensing and frowning as she catches sight of her. "... why in Creation must you hinder me so, Apathy? Stand aside, there is no need for --" The girl raises a hand silently; an obvious signal for 'stop'. Surprisingly, Mizuki obeys, and several moments later the porcelain woman steps closer to speak. "No, there is not. I would, however, like to meet these people." Her words are perfectly soft, synchronized, and emotionless; as doll-like as her other features would've suggested. "They are aberrant. It would not do to proceed without knowing to what, if anything, their appearance portends." She breaks eye contact with Mizuki, her glowing azure eyes going over each of those present in penetrating, cool analysis.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Mizuki is silent for several moments more before, with a folding of her arms, she reluctantly nods her head. "... very well. If you can swear to me that --" Again, she is interrupted by her color-negative 'twin'. "I will swear to nothing beyond my own peace, and trust that that is enough to satisfy us both." Mizuki sneers, but returns with another stiff, forced nod all the same. 'Apathy', meanwhile, calmly walks into the crowd of Elites in utter silence. The dream witch turns to watch her before clearing her throat, and addressing the growing group.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:183|Mizuki (183)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"First of all, thank you all for coming. The objective today is much the same as it was the last time: we are to make our way to the castle at the northernmost extreme of this city," She gestures back to an area where an eerie steeple can faintly be made out over the rooftops in the foreground, "consult with this realm's guardian, and retrieve the second number for my clock. A '3' this time, if memory serves." There's a brief, effectual pause. "Creation willing, we will not aggravate the locals, and the 'Demon Queen' will be more cooperative than I expect. The contingencies in which things do not proceed so smoothly are precisely what I have called all of you here for, though, so please be ready in the event that trouble arises. The locals can be quite... cantankerous." Mizuki eases her muscles faintly, offering the crowd a smile. "So without further adieu."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;With that, she would start down the road, leading them down the first of the city's many mazelike winds. At the end of this path is a park filled to the brim with withered trees and unhealthy brush, many of which see fit to writhe as people approach. Some houses shift and look on as people pass as well, the curtains in their window 'eyes' slanted so as to convey a sense of exhaustion that prevents them from being too concerned with the sudden appearance of foreigners. Past the park, the road forks to the left and right.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Mizuki is heading left.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(Some music for flavor, by the by: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7rRJA82A4Q)<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:562|Eryl Fairfax (562)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Eryl steps off the train and immediately wishes he could get back on. At least the train pretended to make sense. This whole vista is making his 'Original Face' scream bloody murder that it is broken and needs repairs like, right now. Can't even appreciate how lovely, if eerie, the view is. He shakes his head, both in a vain attempt to make it be quiet, and in response to the nausea he seems to feel just being here. That tear scares him more than anything he has encountered as of yet. At least his implants are clamping down on his cortisol production, preventing him from tensing up.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;When their mysterious host glowers at her photonegative twin, Eryl begins to step up to talk to her... but then she claims she means no harm, and so relaxes. Listening to her spiel, he inclines his head to the woman. "Thank you for having us, Miss Apathy, and thank you for the advice. Please, lead on." As Apathy leads them through the city, Eryl sweeps their surroundings, checking everything that might hide an assailant... even if the writhing trees and shifting houses make him wince a couple of times. When Mizuki starts to go left, he starts to turn with her. This is her journey after all, it would be best to stick with her.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:575|Ayako Hasekawa (575)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Ayako walks cheerfully into the train arrival and backwards departure platform through a nearby warp gate. Her arms are behind her head and her hands are by her ribbon; seems she's fixing it. She happens to be humming a song to herself absentmindedly-and then stops when she sees the sudden change in scenery.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Her hands drop to her sides and she inclines her head to the side gently. "Hmm... well. This is-" She bunches her hands into fists and brings them together in front of her chest, "Really interesting! Kyahaha." She giggles brightly and then resumes humming the same song as she looks around like a stereotypical toursit. After a moment of admiring the fountain with the angels splashing each other, she joins the group of people. Yes, she just sidles in.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Hi hi~. I hope I won't be a bother!" She just smiles softly and goes with the flow of the group, so to speak.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:152|Faruja (152)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span> The far-off architecture and the feeling of wrongness slowly causes the joy of the train ride to fade away. Faruja very much has the scowl of an irritated Inquisitor as he gazes upon it all. The arrival of Mizuki's nemesis and the inky ooze to the ease has the Summoner drawing his Seraphic Flamethrower. It's not yet leveled, but the mage looks very interested in having an excuse to use it. <br /><br /> Any potential intimidation might be lessened by just how /green/ he's starting to look as his weakness to the less-than-pure rears its head. His gaze never leaves the white-clad one. <br /><br /> "...'Aberrant' art we?" He clenches his weapon just a little tighter, and only the possibility that Mizuki herself might get hurt in the process halts him from just opening up on Apathy. <br /><br /> Bloody heretics. "Right. So long as ye remain peaceful, we shall tolerate thine presence." Comes the rat to Apathy as he quite simply teleports up behind her. When they start moving? He does his best to remain one step behind, distrust clear on his features. <br /><br /> Mizuki gets a look. "Then we art to bargain with an abomination? Daemons art fell and dangerous creatures, Lady Mizuki. Take care that ye doth not fall to this unholy serpent's poisonous fangs! I assure ye, at the first sign of trouble, I shall defend ye." And probably try to burn the Demon to death. And the minions. And the buildings. <br /><br /> "Really aught let Inquisitor Caecilia in here." He mutters to himself as he follows along. <br /><br /> Eryl and Ayako both get a low bow, at least. "M'Lady, Ser. It shall be an honor to fight alongside thee both." Clearly the rat expects a fight. Or more likely wants one. <br /><br /> "Inquisitor Faruja Senra of the Most Holy Church of Saint Ajora Glabados. Well met." He offers to the pair.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:2|Homura Akemi (2)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Homura has spent the ride quiet.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Scribbling in a notebook, mostly, while reading.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Homework. She could do it with a laptop or at least a tablet, but she's a bit old fashioned, something another of her classes probably reinforces because we all know how well the supernatural and technology tend to play together. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Following after Mizuki once off the train, the Puella Magi is wearing more casual clothes than usual, with her hair up in a bun held by a red ribbon. She's got boring black pants on and a fancy black jacket buttoned in the front, with a white, thick-collared shirt under it. A bit more tomboyish than her usual, but her appearance has never been a concern.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Being questioned by Apathy, she just shrugs.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I'm a magical girl," she simply replies, and then glances towards Faruja as she walks past, while he is talking the twin down. "That's abuse and you know it. Good job," is all she tells him though! It's not a sarcastic tone either. She is all for abusing things and people. It's her life story.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;If the area bothers her, she doesn't seem to show it.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Rather she just quietly strides after Mizuki.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:495|Riva Banari (495)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Riva departs from the train holding a swirled frozen custard in a waffle cone and a cherry on top. Her eyes sweep over the vista as she absently enjoys her imaginary frozen dessert. <br /><br />"Hmmm... Heavy Cubist influence, side of Impressionist. I like the color blending and how the texture leaves out just enough that the viewer's mind fills in the blanks." She gestures, wobbling a hand. "Not sure on the inky void action though, it feels like it's breaking the flow."<br /><br />She listens intently to Apathy and Mizuki's exchange, and she smiles. It's clear she doesn't care if Apathy hangs out with them. "So, you're Apathy? Nice to meet you. Name's Riva. Sorry about being aberrant, but you know, I guess that makes sense, doesn't it? We're in someone else's mind. We're not part of it. But I guess that just spices things up, doesn't it?" She holds out a hand to offer a handshake to what is theoretically the essence of what they're here to stop. But hey, she doesn't see the need to be /impolite/ about it. <br /><br />Riva walks along with the others, staying light on her feet. It doesn't look like she's feeling much tension at all, simply just taking in the environment and marveling in it. "Well, do keep in mind that the 'Demon Queen' is presumably part of her mind. My Philosophy class would have a field day in here talking about that whole thing though."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:7|Kotone Yamakawa (7)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Kotone Yamakawa enjoyed the trip as odd as it was and she's getting off the train with everyone else and she's stubbornly perhaps not making the full use of this place's certain abilities that it grants people whom enter. She bows to the person who greets them and follows after Mizuki while taking in eveyrwhere. She notices they are likely being watched. She looks to Eryl over for a moment then back to their host. <br /><br /> "Thank you for the weldome but I need to move on." <br /><br /> She follows right after Mizuki and takes a look at Riva as the art comments get mentioned. <br /><br /> "Never been one for art other than knowing I like a piece, myself Riva." <br /><br /> She looks at Riva. <br /><br /> "Wait we getting into Jung levels of Shadow here?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:33|Arthur Lowell (33)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;ARTHUR LOWELL is here!<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He, of course, winds up stepping forward aggressively with Mizuki, pounding one hand into the opposite palm in the universal sign for 'I'M READY FOR A FIGHT', before he stops. "We're NOT... Gonna fight? Oh. Well, I mean, OKAY." His mannerism does a complete 180 and he gives a friendly grin to Apathy. "Well HELL YEAH, I'm ABERRANT AS FUCK yo, I do ALL KINDS of portending. Well, actually, no, I don't, PORTENDING'S a little to pretentious for ME to ever be doin' THAT." A brief dismissive noise.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Well, whatever, you don't MAKE TROUBLE, we don't HAVE TROUBLE!" A friendly smirk to Apathy and then he sets about moving on, looking around. He admires the sky, even while he bites back the sensations of nausea, and absentmindedly starts following Mizuki with the others for a moment before he stops himself. "'EY MIZ, this a time we oughta SPLIT UP, or would that be a BAD IDEA?"<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As he walks, he talks to the others. "FARUJA! Bro, don't worry. Bein' MAD HOSPITABLE is an important kinda thing, lemme tell ya. Way I see it, you give people ONE CHANCE, minimum. If they SQUANDER that, then, HEY! Justified HOSTILITY forever. But, y'know, only after the ONE CHANCE. Or MORE if you're feelin' the GLUTTONY FOR PUNISHMENT, but eh." He shrugs playfully.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Anyway, he'll be heading left... Unless Mizuki or the others otherwise encourage him to take a right, in which case, he takes it with gusto! He's doing a sort of arrogant, confident, swaggering sort of walk as per the norm, so "gusto" is gonna apply to either side here.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:183|Mizuki (183)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Apathy fixes her gaze on Eryl first, her eyes bearing into him despite a still completely static expression. "If you would be so kind as to refer to me with a less officious moniker, I would be indebted to you." Blink. "'Sophia' is what I typically consider to be my name. If you are willing, defer to that." Her gaze lingers on him for but a second more before she turns away, appraising other people and aspects of the city in a leisurely - if chronically rigid - fashion.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Meanwhile, Ayako does a thing that people typically aren't supposed to do in public: she steps into the water alongside the statuettes, who themselves promptly skitter behind the fountainhead. It seems less like fear, though, and much more mischievous pseudo-timidity. Exactly the sort of thing you would expect a fairy to do, really. Still, they eventually peek their heads back out at her, their mouths forming small 'o's as she requests to stay. They both recede behind the flowing obelisk to deliberate, reemerging later to give two, simultaneous nods of their head.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;They scamper around her in circles until one of them lifts out their leg, and... attempts to trip her! Regardless of whether or not it's actually successful, they would both take to the sky via pairs of concrete wings, levitating and giggling to themselves. One of them even sticks out their tongue to drive the 'humiliation' home. This... is probably part of what Mizuki meant, isn't it?<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Apathy's eyes narrow faintly at Faruja once she's turned away from Eryl. "Aberrant insofar as I have not encountered you on any of the previous cycles, yes. Also, I do not currently seek to gain anything through violence, so be calm." Like everything else she says, its nature of total deadpan makes it sound like the citation of a textbook fact; only in this case, it's a bit too cryptic to attain that status in earnest. Mizuki slows her walk a bit to come within close speaking distance of Faruja. "... do not worry -- I shall not." She flashes him a small smile. "Was it not I that initially made you aware of her insipid nature? Still, thank you for your concern." And her grin grows ever wider, toward the end. "... and your protection, of course."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Apathy's response to Homura is much more reserved. Her eyes come out of their slitted state just slightly, and she regards the young woman with a nod, followed by more silence. In stark contrast is Mizuki's response to Riva, which is constituted by a quick, spinning flourish and a vivid smile. "Yes, those styles were exactly what I was hoping to encapsulate when I created this locale! Thank you ever so much for noticing. And even going so far as to apply the specific -terms-...!" Mizuki clasps her hands in much the same way as a certain water spirit had earlier, by now positively beaming. Her final comment is slightly sobering, but rather than responding with annoyance, Mizuki returns with another interested nod. "... perhaps. There will always be opportunities to revise it later, though. With the aid of certain parties even, if they are willing." Mizuki gives her another nod to signify that 'yes, she means you'.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Then, back to Apathy. She looks to Riva as well, looking her up and down briefly before speaking. "I did not mean for 'aberrant' to have such a negative connotation. It was a simple observation, nothing more. Do not apologize." She blinks along with the rest of her words, seeing fit to truncate her on on one more point: "We are in her mind, and we are not. It is a bit more complex than that, but I trust she herself will explain that to you if you are curious. Put succinctly, however, we are in a condensed environment catalyzed by her thoughts and then allowed to expand as bacteria might multiply in a petri dish. It is essentially surrounded by an all-encompassing, conceptual, semi-permeable membrane that serves as a direct filter of how much this world can affect the Multiverse, and vice versa." With but one more bat of her lashes, she turns again to face the road ahead.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:183|Mizuki (183)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;... at least until her attention is torn away again by Arthur. She flutters her eyelids with something vaguely like surprise. She mouths the word 'pretentious' to herself and turns back around, though she does seem to inch closer to him with time. She doesn't try to be subtle, but he still might not notice anyway if his attentions are elsewhere. Mizuki responds to him as well, grinning widely at first before straightening her expression to answer his inquiry. "In earnest, I believe that would only increase the chances we have of being involved in a skirmish with the locals. It might be best for us to remain cohesive this time, even if larger groups attract more attention in general."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Speaking of? It seems like there's a group of locals ahead. Four figures come into view as the path the group is on twists slightly, becoming just a bit uneven and off kilter; enough to foster feelings of vertigo, or to -really- bug someone with OCD. But ah, the people are more important: there are three skeletal forms, each of them clad in some form of Western business wear, inclusive of wilted flower broaches, torn up coat tails, and some deflated top hats. They seem to be hassling a much more normal looking girl with pink hair tied in twin tails, herself wearing an austere white dress and matching sandals.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Lost?" Croaks the first of the obvious bad guys, the bones of his mandible clattering almost comically with his words.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Yeah, she's 'efinitely lost there, Sam. 'Efinitely lost." That second one's voice is higher, but every bit as hoarse.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"What we gonna do with 'er, boss?" And the third is the token rotund, bumbling buffoon, with a voice to match.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The first draws a shank fashioned from bone after that, brandishing it at the little one. "I say we keep 'er. I think we jus' found our newest mealticket, friends. I think we did." There's a clatter of bone and laughter that pervades the area, along with some blubbering from the girl herself. Still, she's staying surprisingly quiet considering, mumbling to herself something that would only be audible to those in a very close proximity: 'M-Mommy will come back. She told me to wait here, but she'll be back any second...'<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:152|Faruja (152)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span> "Abuse? Ye hath seen /nothing/ mine dear. And 'tis for the good Lady's sake! Part of the duties of a priest is to act as moral guidance, and to guide others /away/ from acts against God and that endanger the soul and mind's purity." Comes the rat, Sermon Voice in full effect towards Homura. <br /><br /> Riva gets Faruja's attention. "Mayhaps. But even such well-kept minds as Lady Mizuki's may require...guidance and cleansing, as do we all. Though typically the process is not this...direct." Frown. <br /><br /> And then, good Ser Lowell. Faruja's agressive stride breaks in the face of such exhuberance. No, he just can't stay irritated in the man's presence. <br /><br /> "Thine tongue is clad in the ivory of wisdom, Ser Lowell! Yes, I suppose I aught offer her some measure of peace, if not trust. Still. Eyes upon all whom we meet here, be they of white or daemonic hue." <br /><br /> Riva gets a proper Templaric (for his Church, anyway) salute, and Kotone gets a bow. Then? He's back to watching Mizuki's white clad twin like a very hungry hawk. At least he's not looking like he's going to shove that flamethrower into her back now. <br /><br /> Faruja's brow twitches as Apathy speaks. Her deadpan only makes things worse. <br /><br /> "I shall be the utter picture of serenity once we art quit of this place and our task done, M'Lady." <br /><br /> To Mizuki, he finally cracks a smile. <br /><br /> "Quite so. Still. Paranoia and a good bit of luck is what hath kept me alive thus far. I wouldsts recommend exercising such mine dear. Ye know well that mine blade is always thine." <br /><br /> And then there are two skeletal men harrassing a girl. Faruja frowns, and simply teleports over to the girl. He'll try to physically yank her behind his short form. <br /><br /> "Mine /deepest/ apologies for the interruption, good Sers. However, methinks this good Lady hath little desire to be thine 'meal ticket' as ye put it. I must insist ye leave her alone and return to whatever dwelling ye may hath. Good day to thee both." The rat clenches a pocket watch in his free hand.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:575|Ayako Hasekawa (575)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Ayako did indeed get tripped by the two statuettes! Although she didn't make a splash, nor does she seem to get wet from the water of the fountain, she does look surprised. "A-aah!" Her cheeks puff out in a light pout for a moment, but then she smiles cheerfully. "Oh oh, nicely done!" She calls after the two retreating, flying statuettes.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Of course, that's not here or now, since she's walking along with the group. Ayako startles slightly when she notices Eryl is part of the group that she's following along with. "Oh. Hello Eryl! Sorry... didn't notice you there-there's a lot to look at here! It's sup-" She pauses that consonant for a few seconds, "-er interesting, this place! Eh heh."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Her gaze then turns towards the group Apathy included. "I'm Ayako Hasekawa. A water spirit." She inclines her head to the side for a moment in thought. "Maybe a tourist too, in this case?" She quickly notes Faruja, "Ah. Nice to meet you, Faruja." A polite bow is given to him and she quickly notes the slight tinge of green on the mouse's face. "Umm... are you feeling alright? I think I have something for that." Her hands cup together and a ball of water with a slight reddish tinge forms inside the cup. "It's healing water. This one's for muscle exhaustion, but it has an off-label use for nausea." She glances off to the side for a moment, "If it had a label, I mean."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Said ball of water goes flying into the air for a moment as Ayako tosses it up and raises her hands up into the air, excited. "Yay! Jungian philosophy!" She then (with some slight panic) recups her hands and catches the ball of water, resuming to offer it to Faruja. "This place is really nicely made, in my opinion." As for the skeleton people? Ayako just stays back, as if hesitating.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:495|Riva Banari (495)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Riva thinks for a moment at Kotone's comment, and then shrugs. "Maybe! I certainly like Jung more than Freud, that's for sure." She laughs at that. "We'll find out soon enough. The most important thing is to keep an open mind, isn't it? Ironiiiiiic~" She wiggles her fingers at Kotone in a sort of 'mysterious' gesture. Ayako's response causes Riva to lean over in her direction as well. "Hello there! I don't think we've met. Riva Banari!" She waves, since Ayako seems to be occupied holding water. "Nice to meet you. So you're into Jung too, huh?"<br /><br />Faruja's salute gets one in return from Riva. She's not nearly as dignified (or full of zeal) as Faruja is, but it's always good to give people a hand. "Brainkeeping is a thing, I guess." She says offhandedly. "Mine's got to be really messy, I bet." <br /><br />Riva grins at Mizuki in response. "Well, I /am/ an artist. Or supposed to be, anyway. It'd be really bad if I wasn't able to identify styles, right?" She laughs for a moment, and then looks back to Apathy/Sophia. "Pfft. Don't worry about it." Riva handwaves nonchalantly. "I'm not insulted. Though that's a pretty interesting explanation." Riva finds her hand unshaken, though, which causes her to just shrug as she heads off. <br /><br />Arthur's arrival causes Riva to grin. It looks like she seems to reflect off of the guy's energy and self-confidence. <br /><br />She does, however, hop, skip, and jump forward, tilting her head slightly at the asymmetry of the twisted road. She doesn't comment on it, but she does, however, notice the three skeleton guys and the little girl. Riva watches for a moment, licking her ice cream absently as she thinks for a moment. She makes a quick decision, but her totally awesome and not thought up on the fly and probably doomed plan is interrupted by others. <br /><br />"Hi there!" Riva waves from the back, happily.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:562|Eryl Fairfax (562)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Looking to Ayako, Eryl smiles and inclines his head to the water spirit. "Miss Ayako, good to see you." He smiles at Faruja and shakes his head slightly. "With any luck, we should not need to fight at all. Hopefully this 'Demon Queen' is a reasonable woman who can be convinced to hand over the number." He manages to catch Kotone staring at him from the corner of his peripheral vision, and his implants alert her to him. Turning his head to her, he offers a smile and a friendly nod.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Eryl's everpresent smile becomes a little wider when Apathy shares her preferred name with him. That's a good start. "Miss Sophie then. A pleasure to meet you. I am Eryl Fairfax, diplomat of the ReGenesis Corporation." He listens closely to Mizuki as she explains her reasoning for sticking together. "I agree with Miss Mizuki. The less fighting the better, especially if the Demon Queen decides to fight us also."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;But then? Skeletons in suits! Eryl's ears pick up the unpleasant implications of the words 'meal ticket' as well as the sharpened point of that drawn bone. Even as 'Original Face' screams at him that he must be seeing things. They are skeletons! No muscle to pull the bones, no tongue to speak, how are they doing it?! He pushes these alerts out of his mind and begins to walk up to them slowly, clapping his hands once to draw attention. "Gentlemen! For indeed, you must be gentlemen, in those dashing suits. A gentleman should understand the importance of persistance, yes, but they should also know to respect a lady's wishes. I am sure you have important business to attend to elsewhere, hm?" He never stops smiling, his voice carefully modulated to erase any irony or sarcasm that might be present.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:152|Faruja (152)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span> Two ears perk, as well. The water is looked at, and introductions taken just before his Heroic Actions. <br /><br /> "A pleasure to meet thee mine dear! A spirit of..." <br /><br /> There's a ball of water, and though he looks at it with slight distrust at first, he finally shrugs. Taking it in his hands, he politely sucks it down. Soon? His nausea passes even if he still feels that skin-crawling sensation of Corruption. <br /><br /> "Mine thanks Lady Hasekawa! 'Tis some kind of holy water?" <br /><br /> Pause. Senses and her words alike hit him like a truck. "Y...Ye art an /ESPER/!? Mine apologies, oh Holy God-Servant! May ye ever continue to defend and protect His Children!" Faruja is suddenly kneeling reverently before Ayako. At least until the two ruffians have him teleporting away to deal with them alongside Eryl.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:7|Kotone Yamakawa (7)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Kotone Yamakawa is now moving along and taking in the crazy art like place. The information brought up by Mizuki is imporant and she teies to take note of it. She pauyses to look to Arthur. <br /><br /> "You do seem to enjoy it don't you, Arthur?" <br /><br /> She looks back to Mizuki for a mment tiling her head and then back to the people watching them. She seems curious but she's not gong to try to press things for the moment. <br /><br /> She eyes Apthay' for a moment and thinks about it. If she was such she'd not have got back up. <br /><br /> "Humm if your refering to us we're not exactly from here." <br /><br /> She notes she looks at the 'bad guys' now tensing a little bit. Oh htis oculd get a bit strange and she's always a bit off guard here. She looks to Faruja for a moment and tilts her head. <br /><br /> "I don't even want to think about what my mind would be like Faruja. It's a mess to be honest." <br /><br /> Ayako gets a bit of a curious look at the mention of Jungian for a moment. <br /><br /> "Heh so you know of it, I only know of it in passing. I was too up to my elbows in mechanics really." <br /><br /> She looks at Riva for a moment at the mention of being an artist <br /><br /> "So thats what you were before you got dragged into things? I never knew, Riva."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:183|Mizuki (183)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Mizuki has just finished giving Faruja yet another friendly nod as the group happens upon the small gaggle of locals. She's about to suggest that they just navigate around them, but before she can -- Faruja. Yep. All four figures turn to look at him at once, the trio of skeletons with empty sockets and the little one through budding tears, hands held uncomfortable at her chest. "EH??" The first one who spoke, the 'boss' apparent, eviscerates the atmosphere with his shrill words. "WHOZZAT? You got some kinna BEEF wid us, pal?" He locks gazes with the holyrat, because locking eyes would be a complete misnomer here. "Ey, boys! I think this overgrown rat's gotta BEEF wid us! And what do we do when that happens, ey? What do we do?"<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The crony with the high voice chimes in first. "We CUT 'em, don't we? We cut 'em, boss!" No response comes from the third one at first, though; rather, he glances to Riva, and gives an almost bashful wave, his countenance slowly adjusting into its own sort of grin... before he's promptly whacked by the boss from behind. His head literally spins. "AUCH! I-I'm sorry, boss! They was wavin', an' they looked nice an' all, an' I..." Another whack. "Would you SHADDUP? They ain't NICE, you goddamn PATSY! They're do-gooding NINNIES is what they are!" 'Yeah, do-gooding ninnies!', echoes the second.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Then Eryl steps up, and all three of them glance at eachother. After some silent deliberation, they stare back again. "You know what I think, guy? You know what I think?" He stares at him seriously a moment, letting the silence last just long enough to be painful. Then, with a smile, he shouts: "I think we got a real WISEASS on our hands here!" He bellows out laughing, the second in command laughing just as heartily, and the third a bit more hesitantly. "Us? Gentlemen? HAH! Yer eyes gotta be some real awful kinna BROKE, guy!"<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Meanwhile, Apathy's eyes widen just faintly at Eryl and Riva alike in something that could almost - almost - be silent appreciation. Beyond that, though, she simply watches in silence.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:2|Homura Akemi (2)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Purity of mind, body and soul, I get it, I get it," Homura parrots at Faruja, not looking back towards him as she follows in Mizuki's footsteps otherwise fairly quietly. Hands behind her back, she just doesn't seem too much in the mood for conversation. Someone who actually knows her would know what's causing her tone shift-- but Arthur might be the only one half-qualified here to have noticed she always seems a bit more negative around periods of using certain powers.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;At the sight of the skeletal mafia, she sighs.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She pulls glasses out of her jacket, and swaps her current ones with the. Glances are offered to Eryl and Riva, but bites her tongue rather than be vocally annoyed. Instead she just disappears, and reappears a few feet behind the skeletons, arms still behind her back. Her glasses have reacted to the use of time magic by shadowing her entire face except her glasses and her mouth, two bright circles and a thin smirk amidst an otherwise pitch black face.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;That would normally scare off regular thieves, although these guys are armed skeletons, sooooo, you know. Not regular thieves. That's why a hand comes out from behind her back, holding a long, purple thunderbold-shaped sword. Tyrfing shines, a holy blade. A careful eye can notice it is burning her hand right now. It comes crashing down, towards the skeleton closest to the girl, to removing his offending arm outright, if he can't dodge.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I would reconsider the possibility you might be gentlemen and leave, if I were you."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:33|Arthur Lowell (33)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Arthur has become desensitized, recently, to girls trying to get closer to him. Elsa has disabled his ability to detect Apathy getting near him. However, Arthur does turn and give her another smirk. "Now, ME, I like being ABERRANT AS I CAN." There's a wink to Kotone. "YOU KNOW IT, I love this kinda thing."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And then he sees something. "SKELETONS!" He declares, his eyes lighting up. He strides forward immediately, his grin baring more teeth than ever. "HAHAHA! Bro, if he's got BEEF with you, you oughta be HAPPY there's ANYONE around here having FLESH with you. Motherfucker, call us NINNIES again, I'll turn you into a CALCIUM XYLOPHONE and play CLASSY SONGS on you for MIZUKI."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Only now does he turn and asides briefly to Mizuki. "'Ey." He says. "How bad will it be for us to START SOME FIGHTS? I've never been in a fight with a SKELETON and I keep hearing they're JERKS." He wrings his hands. "ALMOST, the one time. We OKAY here?" He turns back to the trio and pounds one fist into his palm eagerly.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:575|Ayako Hasekawa (575)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Ayako smiles cheerfully in response to Riva. "Nice to meet you, Riva. Umm... well, I don't know about 'into', but..." She nods her head once, "I'm definitely interested in how everyone sees the world. Beauty in particular is pretty interesting to me." Her hands clasp together gently as she smiles softly.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"No no, call me Ayako. Being called by my last name makes Me feel a bit nauseous." She giggles awkwardly in response to Faruja. "It's healing water."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Her eyes blink quickly when Faruja suddenly apologizes and kneels. "A-ah. Umm... there's no need to do something like that. I'm just a plain water spirit. Really. Not holy or anything like that." Her head inclines to the side as she listens to Eryl. "Eehh... so we're here to talk to a 'Demon Queen', huh? That brings back memories..." Ayako giggles softly and shakes her head.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A brief pause later, Ayako nods her head once. Seems she's decided on something. She walks quietly over to the girl and slips in between the girl and the suit skeletons. "Oh, you made your hair very nicely. The twin tail look is always nice." She nods her head once, "Although maybe a little bit of pink on the dress would be good too?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:152|Faruja (152)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span> A glance to Riva and Kotone both. "Shouldst ye require a bit of housekeeping, I shall be happy to oblige, fair Ladies." <br /><br /> Faruja simply sighs and shakes his head as there's talk of cutting, wise-asses, and general thuggery. <br /><br /> "'Tis pleasing that ye art at least self aware. Yes, I hath 'beef' with ye. Ye art assaulting a girl upon a street, abomination! CEASE OR BE PURGED!" He barks. And then Homura's moving. Smirk. <br /><br /> Right on cue, Faruja crushes the stopwatch, and the passage of time halts as the area goes grey-tinted. The others would find themselves unaffected, but the rat's enemies may well find themselves halted! Then, Faruja turns to two of the remaining skeletons. Apparently feeling artistic today, both hands glow with the black of gravity magic. He'll then attempt to twist, bend, and break the two skeletons into a well-formed cube. <br /><br /> "Feel free to contemplate the errors of thine ways in company with thine compatriot."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:152|Faruja (152)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span> Faruja glances back to Ayako. "Humble /and/ holy! Faram be praised! Let us speak when this task is done! If ye hath a proper temple, I wouldst be quite interested in visiting, oh Esper of Hallowed Water!"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:562|Eryl Fairfax (562)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Eryl sighs. He was dearly hoping that they would get the hint and leave. But some people-er, skeletons-just never consider the idea that they might be out of their league with him. One part of him notes that these guys must be real BONEHEADS. Perhaps it is the everpresent headache caused by all this impossible space, but he has to actually try really hard to not laugh at his own terrible pun.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Gentlemen, I assure you that I am no 'wiseguy.' I am mearly trying to advice yo-" And suddenly, Homura seems to just teleport, like Faruja did. Good. Another impossibility he has to deal with. He notes her burning hand and files that away for now, sighing softly. "My companion has the right of it. I was hoping you would take the hint and leave with your egos intact. But, if you will only react to threats of physical violence..."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;But then, it seems Faruja has it handled. By manipulating gravity? His sensors pick up a sudden increase around the skeletons, and that seems to knock him for a loop. He groans a little, hand reaching out to the nearest wall to support himself as he covers his eyes with his other hand. "Pardon me for a moment everyone... some of my implants need a quick reboot."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:7|Kotone Yamakawa (7)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Kotone Yamakawa Says "I thank you for the offer but I'm not sure I could deal with it right now." <br /><br /> She's been just keeping herself together since the day she woke up a full con cyborg after all. She does seem to be very thankful however for Faruja's offer. It's good to know someone cares, then Arthur's trash talk gets marks for being creative. <br /><br /> "You really don't want ti pick a fight with us." <br /><br /> Horrible bladed mehanical wings form out of Kotone's back as she says this and looks at them. <br /><br /> "You really dodn't want to." <br /><br /> She often feels weak around eveyrone else? Right now given her mind is s weapon here, not so much.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:495|Riva Banari (495)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"Brauty, huh? Well that's an interesting subject. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, after all." She waves. "Or perhaps the eye of the beer holder, if you listen to the guys at the parties." She chuckles at that, and then continues to observe the tableau unfolding before them. She doesn't move to assist, just watching several of them present engage in manhandling the skeletons... And she shifts her gaze to the little girl, watching her with an idle expression as she finishes off her frozen custard. Mmm. Custard.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:575|Ayako Hasekawa (575)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Ayako's eyes close halfway in annoyance for a blink-and-you-will-miss-it moment in response to Faruja's zealous outburst. She glances over to Faruja and says cheerfully, "Not the time! Later, later!" She giggles softly.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:183|Mizuki (183)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Finished with his laughing, boss skeleton puts a hand on his hip (bone) and assumes the most threatening stance that he can, neck hunched forward. "Now look, cousins. I'mma make this rreeaalll easy for ya --" He's about to raise a finger to compliment his words, but something stops him. Something that beats out the creepy factor of three shambling skeletons by quite a lot:<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Slendermura.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Numbers two and three jump back and shriek in pure horror, while boss skeleton breaks the Three Stooges mold by staying exactly where he is, and looking fairly unimpressed. The other two members give eachother looks and rush up to his side, finding some comfort in his ability to maintain composure. 'Wh-What are we gonna do, boss?' Number two blubbers, glancing up to the mastermind just in time for him to pluck his skull clean off of his shoulders.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Oh, I'll tell you what we're gonna do." His tone is low, suddenly; menacing. "We're gonna do what we always do: we're gonna break 'em up, haul 'em in, and take every valuable thing that might happen ta be on their worthless corpses." He stares at Arthur a second, his head cocking as it temporarily comes out of its socket. He readjusts that before continuing. The second one nervously raises a finger. "B-Boss, I don't think that's such a good -- HURK!" Then he and the boss are caught in a singularity, accompanied by no small measure of clatters and screams. The girl shrieks and instinctively clings to Homura, squeezing her eyes shut at the commotion and sobbing at a volume only the puella magi would be able to hear, for the time being. As for the skeletons, they crunch, and they churn... and the third one panics, running elsewhere. "Oh, man, please! Please!" He collapses to the floor, touching his forehead to the ground in a gesture of reverence. "I was jus' doin' what the boss told me to! I didn't wanna hurt anybody! P-Please!" Now the girl isn't the only one blubbering; this guy is legit terrified, and it shows.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;But at least the former gets some comfort. Ayako coming up behind her gives her a bit of a start, and the water spirit is eyed through an aperture of glossy tears. Still, the comments on her dress calm her down visibly, and she at least stops sobbing so much. A few moments later, she would turn her gaze to the ground, clamping a hand around her wrist. She doesn't give any sort of a verbal reply, but it looks like she helped a little at least.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Mizuki looks on at the whole scene with some degree of bewilderment, shaking her head just slightly and glancing to Eryl. "Th-Thank you for trying to be diplomatic, Mister Eryl." Swallow. "But I'm glad to see this was able to be resolved despite. I somehow doubt that he will pose any further issue." She glances to the pathetic third skeleton now, frowning.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And Apathy... Apathy's reaction is unique, at least. Rather than commenting or paying the situation general any mind, she walks up behind Homura and embraces the girl. This elicits a sudden burst of noise from behind Homura, along with some mostly unintelligible words of lament.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Herself a bit distracted by Apathy, Mizuki turns to Arthur with a slight fog in her eyes. "... I..." She exhales. "I believe they already have things covered, Arthur. But thank you." Before them all lies a silent mass of bone now, condensed to a size and shape similar to a beach ball.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Some more gargoyles fly by. Suddenly it's pretty quiet.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:562|Eryl Fairfax (562)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Eryl remains slumped and leaning on the wall until his implants have all rebooted. As soon as he reveals his eyes once more, he is again beset by the impossibilities of his surroundings. But at least the buildup of alerts has been tidied up, and his systems are starting to adapt.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I tried, Miss Mizuki. A shame they did not listen." He walks over to the blubbering third skeleton and kneels down, patting his shoulder. "Go now, and get out of this grisly business. Promise me that." He pulls the skeleton back to his feet and gives him a supportive smile. "Do not be so passive. You must have a spine in there somewhere, use it."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He looks over at the pink-haired girl, and leaves her for Ayako and the black-haired teleporter to calm.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:152|Faruja (152)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span> With the girl now safe, and the last minion blubbering, Faruja can't help but dust off his hands and look to Homura. <br /><br /> "Well done, Lady Akemi. Such a /curious/ blade ye possess! I didst not take ye for a swordswoman." There's a look of renewed respect in his eye. <br /><br /> "And if ye ever tire of good Ser Psyber's service, and fancy a change of heart about religion, methinks I couldst use a Lady whom is so...decisive in her dealings with the impure." <br /><br /> He glances over, and simply teleports before the blubbering skeleton. He takes off his cross, and offers it to the minion even as Eryl helps him up. <br /><br /> "Then ye art now free of those whom wouldst lead ye astray. Ser Fairfax speaks the Lord's own truth! Go! Take this and go, my Child! Commit thineself to God and mend thine evil ways! For then, even a creature of unhallowed bone such as thineself might be lifted up into His Glory! Find the true path ye were meant to walk, and surely prosperity shall follow! The coin of evil is fast, and gone swifter still. Hard work and a proper trade shall avail ye for the rest of thine unlife! Go with God, and be pure, for I absolve thee of thine Sins in the name of the Holy Prophet!"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:575|Ayako Hasekawa (575)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Ayako smiles comfortingly to the girl and then blinks her eyes quickly when Apathy gives the girl a hug. "A-ah? Is Sophia here your mommy?" Her gaze glances back to the skeletons and the group handling them for a moment. At least that seems to be being taken care of well!<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:495|Riva Banari (495)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Riva just winces as she sees things get resolved in a violent and semi-permanent fashion. "Wow. That looked... painful." She comments, before she watches things roll out. She steps over to the little girl and crouches down next to her. "You're safe now. Are you going to be okay?" She asks. May as well see how this gets handled.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:2|Homura Akemi (2)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Homura is awful at reassuring people. She at least doesn't mind the girl clings to her for a moment, but she will leave her in Eryl's care, since he seems to have a much firmer grasp on, well, words. Or Ayako. Really, anyone but her. Apathy, though, gets a glare from the corner of the Puella Magi's eyes, as her holy sword disappears into thin air.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Erm. Yes, hello."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She does not know how to react.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She distracts herself by looking at Faruja and shaking her head. "Your faith would not appreciate what I am, even if you did. I'm not much of a religious person, anyway." It's not dismissive, just matter-of-fact.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"What's your name?" she asks the terrified girl, reminding herself good manners are usually a good idea.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:7|Kotone Yamakawa (7)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Kotone Yamakawa pauses her wings claking a bit as Slendermura shows up, she's quite impressed at her quick thinking. Hopefully fear will work, right? Either way she's leaning in a bit more and her wings are looking less and less friendky at this point. It seems things have been orked out and she now relaents at this point she lwill let them go and she takes a deep breath and move oin but hte wings remain for the moment. <br /><br /> "Not bad Homurak, that was pretty clever." <br /><br /> She now looks to the girl and her wings while still there have folded up into s state of rest fully now. Shje does look to the little girk now smiling a little bit and paying attention to Faruja a bit more for a moment snd seems to not be sure on some of the thing's he's saying. STill the idea of a legit job over being a thug even if it's not a great job? Is still generally safer. <br /><br /> She moves to the girl her manner changing from being the scary thing with horrible metal wing claws to just being a lot more like her normal self, she wonders about this girl. <br /><br /> "You won't be harmed now I promise."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:33|Arthur Lowell (33)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Arthur laughs at Mizuki's comment here. "HAH. Nah, honestly, I'm more into the DRAMATIC YELLING than the fights for some of these. OH WELL, I'll get into a SKELETON FIGHT later." He puts his fists on his hips and does another, longer laugh.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He stares for a bit at "Sophia" hugging the girl, squinting one eye as if trying to analyze what exactly that's supposed to mean. Then he shrugs! "Well, we DONE HERE? Is the GIRL comin' along?" There's a brief laugh to Eryl. "HAH. She's got a SPINE, and now THEY DON'T! I'd take some of their VERTEBRAE and give her 'em if it wasn't MAD RUDE."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;There's also a few calming gestures at Faruja. "Try not to get her OVERLOADED, yeah?" Very plaintive. And then, he seems ready to move on! Arthur's quite eager to get to the relevant DRAMATIC CHALLENGES required to get an audience and such, even though he loves little moments of heroism like this.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:183|Mizuki (183)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The girl shakes her head at Ayako once she's had a good, long time to cry. "N-No, she isn't." She takes in a quivering breath. "Mommy is mommy. I think her name starts with a 'N' or something, but I don't hear her called that much." She's still dabbing at her eyes with her hands, but she seems to be calming down slowly. "But Sophie is my friend! She visits me a lot and gives me toys, and these pretty white flowers that I put in my hair. She and mommy get along really well, too." She looks to Apathy with a pair of glittering eyes that she returns with the same, unbudging look. She simply pats her on the head gently afterwards without any verbal contribution. Then she looks to the rest of them, and Faruja in particular.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"In the future, I would appreciate it if you would try to solve things a bit more gently when in the presence of small children." Blink. "That is not a criticism, merely a suggestion. The destruction of bodies is often less noble in the eyes of a child and more traumatic, regardless of the circumstances. It just so happens that this one," She glances to the little pinkette, "is fortunately quite strong."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Meanwhile, Mizuki looks to Eryl and nods. "I know that you did, Mister Eryl. Thank you." She watches as he walks over to the third - and now, the only - one, who lifts his head from his grovelling as the envoy of Regenesis approaches. He nods along with him, mandible clattering now for very different reasons than before. "O-Oh, yessir. I definitely will, yessir." He slowly lifts himself off of the ground. Gesturing behind himself, he smiles. "O-Oh, I gotta spine. I gotta spine! I-It's right back here, yeah?" He laughs faintly before he's approached by Faruja. Saying that his impromptu sermon is completely lost on him would be an understatement, and he stares blankly at him as he speaks. Eventually, he politely raises a hand. "H-Hey, uh, rat? Uh, guy? Rat guy? Whatsa God?" Sure, Faruja may receive no small quantity of contradictions to his beliefs in a day, but here's someone who genuinely doesn't understand conventional theism. How he deals with that reply is his business, though.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Eventually, the girl glances up at Homura, her countenance now sporting a full-fledged smile. She tilts her head a bit at the inquiry and points to herself briefly before answering, "Who me? I'm Melody!" At that, Mizuki's eyes bulge. She mutters something under her breath and shakes her head, which thankfully goes unnoticed by the young lady herself. "I'm from Candyland! But, um!" She points her finger at Homura. "Who are -you-?" Then Riva leans down to her, too! So much attention! Suddenly, she finds herself with a prominent blush on her cheeks. "Oh! I'm fine!" She smiles at Riva and gives her a small little bow, hands folded at her waist. "I see stuff like this a lot when I come to visit here. The township is a dangerous place! Mommy says so too, and she's the leader of it!" Kotone gets a nod from her too, and she mouths a teeny 'thank you'. For the most part, though, she just stays hidden in Apathy-Sophia after giving Arthur a MASSIVE nod. "Uh huh, uh huh! I want to see mommy, too! She said that I would see her soon if I waited here, so I guess she was right!"<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Mizuki audibly clears her throat now, moving to the front of the group. "Well. Since this has been taken care of, we should probably move on once we have collected ourselves." Her tone is still uncharacteristically weak, but still manages to uphold her usual regality. Oh, and she gives the third one a glance, too. "You may stay with us until we reach the Lachrymose Acropolis, but no longer. Once we reach the bridge, we must go our separate ways. Understood?" The skeleton nods fervently. "Y-Yes, Miss Noblelady. Yes, for sure." She nods to him. "Good." At that, she glances back to the rest of the group and beckons them onward, herself getting a bit of a head start.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:562|Eryl Fairfax (562)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Good man." Eryl pats the skeleton on the shoulder again as he scans the group. He notes Homura's apparent reluctance to offer any kind words to the scared Melody, smiles at Arthur when he adds to his little joke. When the skeleton asks Faruja what 'God' is, he chuckles and smiles at the ratman, leaving him to explain.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;But then he catches Mizuki's apparent surprise when the child introduces herself. That was not a look of pleasant surprise right there. He resolves to keep an eye on her, just in case. "Yes, let us continue." He follows after Mizuki, staying precisely three steps behind her at all times, hands in his pockets.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:575|Ayako Hasekawa (575)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Ayako smiles cheerfully at the girl. "Ahh, I see, I see. It's good to be reuinited with friends! Especially when something like this happens." She nods her head quickly as the girl talks about Sophie. "Un! The flowers are pretty. Melody is a really pretty name." It seems Ayako is good with children.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Well, let's be off then." Ayako walks carefully alongside Melody, measuring her own footsteps and pace so that she doesn't go ahead or behind her.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:2|Homura Akemi (2)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Nice to meet you, Melody. I'm Homura."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;That will probably be the extent of her handling the girl, though. She produces a pair of black gloves, sliding them over her hands immediatly, notably to hide the self-inflicted burns. Why she doesn't wear these all the time is beyond her, though she doubts it would help very much. It's not really the skin contact that's hurting her, anyway. If Mizuki and Apathy are fine dragging the girl along, she doesn't see why she'd object anyway.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"What was that about anyway?" she does remember to ask Apathy, though.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;You're not off the hook miss random hugs from behind.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:152|Faruja (152)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span> Faruja has the good grace to look mildly remorseful towards girl and Mizuki alike. "I...apologize, Lady Mizuki. At times mine passions overwhelm me, and I forget not all art so used to the execution of the Lord's will." Pause. <br /><br /> "Children art not mine forte." <br /><br /> And then the skeleton asks one of thos equestions that troubles the best of preachers. Faruja lets out a small sigh. A hand gently touches the skeleton-man's shoulder. <br /><br /> "'Tis a question I wish I couldst answer in full! But allow me to grant ye what little understanding I possess. 'God' is the Almight, the Perfect Being whom created all worlds and persons. A benevolent figure whom offers us weak, sinful creatures wisdom and life from afar. He is the True Father, and that which connects all of us in brotherhood. Ye may be caught in unlife, but know this; ye were once a fellow Child of God, and now thine sins art fled. Ye art /pure/ my Child! Doth not tarnish thine second chance at a proper life. Creator of all, and He whom offers us Holy Law in order that we find peace in our imperfect lives and society. But that is merely mine interpretation. God is greater than the understanding of a single 'rat'. Here." Faruja pulls out an Ajoran Holy Book, and gives it to the skeleton. <br /><br /> "God's wisdom as received by his Saints. Ultimately, the connection and understanding of God is utterly personal. Ye shall come to know him in thine own way in time." Comes the rat gently. <br /><br /> Right. Arthur speaks. Cough. <br /><br /> "...Of course." He agrees, and then he's following Mizuki and Apathy again. The latter is looked at with wariness, and an odd bit of respect.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:7|Kotone Yamakawa (7)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Kotone Yamakawa smiles to the girl and gets she doesn't wnat to go near thier mysteirous companion she's not about to force it here. <br /><br /> "No problem." <br /><br /> Still it's strange to not be the one whose afraid about things, she's not syre what to think on that. <br /><br /> "I'm Kotone, Melody it's goof to meet you."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:33|Arthur Lowell (33)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Arthur grins at Homura Akemi here now, that smug little smile all over him as usual. "Hey, even ANCIENT SEALED EVIL gets some FRIENDS and FAMILY sometimes, yeah?" He makes a broad, spooky gesture when he says this. Then there's a long look to Faruja, and Arthur winces. He's seen the Iguanas doing this sort of thing before. Oh jeeze, is that what's happening? Did Faram have to navigate a rat-filled land of adventures? That would be hilarious and yet also awful.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He moves the conversation along, then. "Soooooo, SOPHIE, you're pals with the leader here?" He gives her a genuinely friendly sort of look. "What's she LIKE, huh? The last lady was kinda SUICIDAL-STUFFY, what are we running into HERE?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:495|Riva Banari (495)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Riva can't help it, she leans in and gives her a hug. "You'll be okay, all right? Just be careful! I don't know how things really work around here, but I don't want to see anyone hurt, okay?" She glances over her shoulder at the skeletons, and winces. "Um... Mostly anyone." <br /><br />She stands and holds out her hand. "Come on along, we'll keep you safe. Hopefully without any more trouble!" She grins.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:183|Mizuki (183)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Melody's smile gets -wide- the more Ayako talks. "It's -really- nice to be together with friends! And flowers -are- really pretty!" She's swaying a little back and forth now, hands patting at her sides, but she stops to blush again when she calls attention to her name. "R-Really?" She skates one of her feet across the ground, lowering her gaze a bit. "Thank you so much! Ayako is a pretty name too!" So it should come as no surprise that, when she beckons her onward, she would attempt to take Ayako's hand with a radiant grin, and more than enough zeal for twelve people. "Un~!" Even mimicking her now, it seems. "Let's go~!"<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Melody is a bit too distracted to notice Faruja's apology, but Mizuki does, and waves her hand genially. "Please, don't fret over it, Faruja. As I've said before, your passion is one of your best qualities. Just..." She shuts her eyes momentarily, sighing. "... as a diplomat, I know I do not need to tell you that there is a time and a place for it. Knowing when and where to apply the holy fire that burns within you is certainly one of Faram's virtues as well, isn't it?" She gives him a somewhat tried, but still quite warm, grin. "But I know that all that you do is in the interest of my safety, and the safety of your allies. I could never be upset at you for something like that, to be sure."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Meanwhile, a certain portly sack of bones stares with astonishment at the scripture imparted to him. He glances fervently between it and Faruja for a few moments before he finds words again. "Wow. I, uh... wow. God sounds really nice! I think I will get to know him for sure, yup. Maybe he'll give me a better job than the boss did. Man, I hope so. I really do." He stares a few moments more before adding, "But doeszat mean God made this world, too? I'd heard the Noble Lady did that or something."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Melody, probably swinging Ayako's arm gently in their walk now, notices Kotone out of the corner of her eye. "It's good to meet you too!" She smiles. "Your hair is the same color as the sky near Leviathan! It's so pretty~!"<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Then, Apathy... or Sophia, as she is rapidly becoming. She certainly doesn't show it on the surface, but anyone who is especially attuned to the atmosphere would easily recognize that the world around the girl is considerably less 'heavy' than it was the first time they saw her in front of the clock tower. Maybe she was just sick of having a dirty nickname? ... naaaaaaaah. But she addresses Homura first, at first in contemplative silence but eventually in word as well. "You seem the sort who has seen patterns in Creation. Someone who has been made to hate the condition of knowing that which others do not, because no one will accept your words." She glances to Melody. "I hugged her because she has a dour future that no others here can know as of now; one that repeats in different yet equally horrid ways each time. I can do naught to stop it, but I wish still to give her all of the comfort that I may in the short time that she has left." If the situation were any different, it would almost be funny how melodramatic 'Apathy' manages to be without any expression in her tone whatsoever.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Fortunately, her reply to Arthur is much less severe. "I can assure you she is not at all like Miss Nightingale. Most of her personalities are quite stable, albeit a bit abrasive on occasion. At the least, I would advise you not expect much in the way of confrontation; she is fairly amicable, at her core."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:183|Mizuki (183)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As they chat, they proceed through the city. Gargoyles and errant eyes soar past, some homes on the side of the road yawn and close their curtains, presumably drifting off into their own sort of sleep. The rest of the walk is uneventful and, in its own way, strangely peaceful; all manner of demons and oddities of the imagination walk past - a stick figure of black lines, a lamppost with legs, and even a talking cloud at one point - but all of it would ultimately land them at the far end of a rickety bridge balanced over a black hole so deep that one could never hope to see the bottom. There, curiously enough, they are greeted by a scarecrow.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The scarecrow hops over to the group. It, too, is wearing a top hat and a suit with tails, though these seem to be in much better condition. A permanent smile is sewn on to its face, and a pipe stuck in them; really, he's quite the endearing charicature if one takes the time to look. He patiently waits for all of the group to assemble before the bridge and silently leads them across, into the grand door across the way.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;It creaks open to reveal a silent room with floors of marble and walls to match, the two of them separated by the golden trim at the corners. There is a red carpet stretched out on the floor that would presumably show them the way to their destination. From deep inside, a voice calls:<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"We have been waiting for YOU. We would welcome you most graciously into our humble ABODE. That is to say, US." A clicking sound reverberates through the room, and another voice comes. "Oh, is that you, Melody? It is so lovely to see you, dear. Have you made some new friends, perchance?" A different voice, now; this one sounds far gentler, and almost maternal. "... ah, wait, I see. The lady has come, and her shadow." A sigh emanates. "Very well. Please come in." Her words cue the next door, assumedly the door to the 'audience room' to swing open.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Inside, one can see an immaculate room of fine stone carving and little decoration. On the far side is a crystalline socket in which a large head rests, undulating as it observes the incoming guests.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:2|Homura Akemi (2)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"That's not too far off," Homura comments, adjusting her gloves. It takes her a few moments to register exactly what was said, at which point she actually frowns rather than agree. "I wish people would stop doing that to me, though. I don't go around digging into people's pa--" Samael, Burden, the Operators. Oh. "Erm. Turnabout is fair play, I guess. Nevermind. What you see, keep to yourself, though," she finally settles on, unhappy either way.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She turns to Arthur and shrugs. "I suppose so. That was still odd, so I was curious." Nothing to worry for the time being, really!<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In they go; the eyes are heavy and annoying, but there's nothing she can do about it. Finally a scarecrow greets them, well dressed and evidently a host. She avoids comments or sounds, simply following Mizuki in. This is about to become about words, so she'll be letting other people shine. Hopefully it won't turn violent and the need for people who know how to defend themselves and a group will have been for naught but dealing with a few skeletons.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:575|Ayako Hasekawa (575)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Ayako nods her head cheerfully as Melody blushes. "Thank you, as well, Melody. This name means a lot to me." She happily lets Melody take her hand and swing it gently. As they walk, Ayako talks with Melody about their likes and dislikes, and things about Candyland. All of which Ayako listens to attentively.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Her eyes tremble for just a moment when she hears what Sophia is saying very softly to Homura. Her usual cheerful gaze returns right after, though. Along the way through the city, she finds the oddieites quite interesting-and perhaps disturbingly, she finds the black hole underneath the rickety bridge so amusing that she actually laughs instead of giggles and takes a good few minutes to reign in her levity.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Once she arrives proper in the keep of the Demon Queen, she grins brightly at the greeting from the voice. "Oh, oh, very nicely done. I couldn't have done it better myself." She nods her head once. As the group is invited into the audience room, she bows politely to the large head as she enters, seeming to prefer to let someone else speak.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:495|Riva Banari (495)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Riva seems to be continually fascinated by the surroundings as they proceed through the city towards the casle. The amazing spectacle of the location makes Riva look at the infinite void that seems to dawn down below it, eyes alight with curiosity. At least she's not poking at the talking clouds. <br /><br />At the greeting from the Demon Queen (and Demon Queen, and Demon Queen, etc, etc), Riva just takes a stand to one side, waving cheerily at the Queen as she smiles. "Hello there!" She greets, apparently intending to be as cheerful as possible.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:562|Eryl Fairfax (562)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Eryl is jst happy to walk with the group as they continue their journey, letting their conversations wash over him. He overhears Homura's words, and resolves to keep his questions about her burning hand to himself. At least, until they become relevant to the current situation. He also catches Sophie's words about Melody's 'fate' and begins to frown. He did not believe in the concept himself, but maybe it does exist in some places? He resolved to keep an eye on the girl. Perhaps he can protect her.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;At the very least, words he can understand, unlike some of the things he sees as they progress. He ignores the walking light fixture and the speaking mass of water vapour as best he can, but he cannot ignore the guide in the form of a scarecrow. How is it hopping like that? He feels another headache coming on as he crosses the bridge and reaches their destination. Despite the blatent impossibility of the scarecrow, Eryl nods in thanks to it for it's help. Never hurts to be polite.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He listens carefully to the two voices and looks into the room they open for the group. He looks around as they approach the squirming mounted head, wary of traps. But when they reach it, he bows his head. "Thank you for inviting us into your lovely home. I am Eryl Fairfax, diplomat for the ReGenesis Corporation. But I stand here before you as a friend of Mizuki's."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:152|Faruja (152)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span> Faruja smiles gently to the portly skeleton. There's a small pearl handed to him. "Speak into this device, and thine words shall reach me. 'Tis known as a linkshell. Shouldst ye come to know God well? Mayhaps, even in unlife, there shall be a place in the Brotherhood that is the Church for thee. Advice, wisdom, or merely a comforting ear, all art at thine disposal. Fear not to call upon it." <br /><br /> And yet another sticky question. Sharp, for a skeleton! <br /><br /> "I cannot tell ye the truth of this world. But let us assume the Noble Lady hath done so. Whom do ye think created the Noble Lady!? She hath been given a most precious gift indeed, as caretaker of this place. Herself and this world are as one, and she with God's will. Consider her a...messenger, and administrator. Even perfect beings such as God require a little work from His Children every now and then, after all. It makes we mortals stronger, after all, to challenge and live...or unlive...through adversity! Ye too may well create thine own small world, with thine own hands! For she hath put in sweat, blood, and tears into his place. Do the same, and ye too shall create miracles with thine work, God willing!" Encourages the rat, ending with a gentle squeeze of a bony shoulder. <br /><br /> Oh yes, Arthur. There's Horrible Indoctrination taking place. <br /><br /> Faruja's Holy Work (tm) is interrupted by Mizuki, and the rat bashfully rubs his temples. "...Honestly? I oft leave the most subtle portions of mine occupation to Sister Greenwell. But ye speak true, restraint is something I am...working upon. Mayhaps a most restrained and courtly Lady as thineself might assist this humble servant of the Lord with such?" Implores the rat lightly, before they're sweeped into the Demon Queen (?)'s hall. <br /><br /> And there's a friendly scarecrow offering them into the hall with grace, and a head in crystal. Faruja can't help it. He's a bit stunned, here. His muzzle opens, closes, then opens. <br /><br /> There's far less confidence than usual. "...Hail, Lady 'Demon Queen' and thine most gracious servant! I am Inquisitor Faruja Senra of the Most Holy Church of Saint Ajora Glabados! As the good Ser Fairfox states, I too come as friend and compatriot to Lady Mizuki. May ye ever walk in the grace of God, M'Lady!" <br /><br /> Some inner part of Faruja cries at blessing a demon.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:33|Arthur Lowell (33)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Sophia" and her perfectly open response gets a pleasantly surprised look from Arthur. "WELL, sounds like she's TONS more pleasant! Lookin' forward to not having another fuckin' WIPE OUT THE CITY incident, 'cause fuck THAT specifically." He shakes his head and makes a disgusted face for a moment. "UGH, never mind. No sense bringin' up old BAD BUSINESS." He strengthens his grin and maximizes his swaggering strides to the bridge, and then along the way over it, not showing a bit of the vertigo that strikes him when he looks down into that hole. Honestly this place is all unsettling, but Arthur is very difficult to successfully force showing any unsettledness.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As he goes, he nudges Homura briefly. "Trust me, girl, don't gotta DIG to see it. That shit be MAD ENCODED into the way you do EVERYTHING. But DON'T WORRY." He gives her a friendly little wink. "Not many people know what it LOOKS LIKE to begin with, or what it MEANS when they SEE IT. And anyone who DOES is gonna know t'be MAD RESPECTFUL about it."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Arthur then steps in, already heading along the red carpet, giving a friendly little grateful nod to the scarecrow. "THANKS, PAL." And then he's on his way into the room. "Sounds like you already know who WE ARE. I've not heard much more about you than DEMON QUEEN, though that's a WHOLE LOT right there." He calls out, as he's headed to the audience room. He assumes she can hear him, whichever of the three she is!<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Arthur also nudges Sophia lightly with an elbow. "I like the way she TALKS." He says, simply, then presses on, intending to stride his way firmly through the door to the audience room without further delay! "SO!" He says. "Who're we owin' the HONOR of a LOT MORE HOSPITALITY than the last CURATE?" His beaming grin is as close to light-up as you can get without radiation getting involved and his confidence is at an all-time high. Let's get to talking!<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:7|Kotone Yamakawa (7)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Kotone Yamakawa says "It's nice to not be not alone right." <br /><br /> She was liing Melody really and she did have a thought could she be the one she was looking for? She looks to Mizuki for a moment. She listens. <br /><br /> "I think... I get it?" <br /><br /> She is trying to wrap her head around osme of this thing. She'll figure it out and they finally arrive at the keep and is invitd on in, so away she goes and her wings vanish now. <br /><br /> "Greetings."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:183|Mizuki (183)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Apathy stares silently for another moment. "For what it is worth, I do not and shall not know any specifics. I can glean a myriad of vague hints from studying people, nothing more." Blink. "I simply did that so that I could put things into a context that you might understand. I apologize if I was at all invasive." As has become customary, she simply turns away afterwards, stepping up to the face mounted on the wall along with Mizuki.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;But they aren't alone -- Melody breaks away from Ayako now, rushing up to the mounted face. "Mommy!!" In her run, she is caught and hoisted up by two translucent, black, spectral hands that hold her in the closest approximation of a hug that the two can likely manage. "Welcome back, Melody. It is a joy to see you. Are you keeping the Pink Ocean safe?" Melody bobs her head up and down vigorously. "Yeah, yeah~! Candyland is doing great! Still kinda stupid about where it has to be, though. I mean, there are so many fun places in the world! Like this one!" She contorts her expression slightly, pouting her lips. "Why can't the entrance be in one of those places?" The head tilts itself at a diagonal angle, heaving a sigh.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"To keep your realm solitary and unsullied, dearest. But pardon me a moment, please. I am going to let you let you sleep now. There are some things we adults must discuss." Before Melody can resist, the spectral hands begin stroking her head, which miraculously puts her to sleep in no time at all. Certainly a more benign power than bringing martial tomes to life, if indeed that is her speciality.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And then, she listens. Eryl's introduction earns a nod and a gentle whisper of the word 'Greetings', as does Faruja's. The latter inspires her to share something more, however: "Oh, please, none of this 'Demon Queen' nonsense. You may call me Nadia." She smiles down at them in a way that would seem far, far more angelic than demonic. "And it is a tremendous pleasure, Eryl, Father Senra, all of you. It makes me wish that I did not know why you have come today. Or rather, why she has come." Apathy steps up now, signifying a change of speakers.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Nadia, we need not draw this out any more than is absolutely necessary. You know full well that divulging everything now would only hasten my failure." One of the spectral hands extends to her head, and pats her gently. She's still smiling. "We need not divulge everything so long as they know your intentions, and know why I will agree to the coming request. Even if you cannot say everything, you must trust them all the same. Trust that they will understand the situation, and what must be done." Mizuki blinks several times, quickly becoming uneasy. It's abundantly clear based on her reaction that she hasn't the foggiest idea what they're talking about either.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Excuse me if I do not appreciate this exclusion from the affairs of my own world, but what exactly are you referring to? Your behavior tonight has baffled me, Apathy. I had thought you some embodiment of my negativity that I inadvertently created, and that was hell bent on destroying everything. If that is not the case, what is?" The Demon Queen and Apathy glance at eachother briefly, and Apathy replies in her usual, dry way. "It is most crucial that you be kept in the dark, unfortunately. Before, I admit that I had done so out of spite, but now I do solely for practical reasons. As it should be." She takes a few steps forward, looking over the crowd. "I have a proposition. I will share some information with one of you, and in exchange, you will give me a form of insurance -- a figure that will help balance the disparity between our available resources. If you accept, I know who I would wish to ask this of." She turns, locking eyes with Arthur. "You. I will create a fabrication of you, and your doubts. In exchange, I will impart upon you insight into the disease that plagues this world. You must swear upon all that is precious to you not to share it with Mizuki if I do so."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:183|Mizuki (183)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Mizuki spins around, fluttering her eyelashes in something mirroring awe. "E-Excuse me! Do I have a right to -nothing-? All of this omissive banter is --" Apathy looks to her, arms again folded behind her back. "Very well, then: my creation was not inadvertent. There, I have given you some fragment of knowledge. Now leave me be." Mizuki opens her mouth to say something, but Apathy outright ignores her, fixing her gaze on the group again. "So. Are these terms acceptable? It requires a good deal of trust on your part, I realize, but this is the very best I am capable of."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Nadia's head clicks, and the initial face reappears. "For what my words may be worth, she is not LYING. Also, the subject of the clock's number will be addressed in due TIME."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:152|Faruja (152)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span> Faruja listens and rubs his temples. Since when were demons so /nice/. And then there's a cute daughter-mother hug scene. Faruja barely avoids the strike right to the heart. The glance he gives the 'Demon Queen' is troubled, but vaguely accepting of the circumstances. <br /><br /> Mizuki gets a look. A 'ye owe me tea for creating this Heretical situation' look. There better be honey, good Time Lady! <br /><br /> The Inquisitor can't help but sense a poisoned apple before him. <br /><br /> "With all due respect to all parties involved, I wouldst call into question the trustworthiness of one whom wouldst oppose our dear Lady so, and any whom wouldst ally with her. Nay offense to ye, Lady Nadia, and call me paranoid..." <br /><br /> Faruja shrugs his shoulders. <br /><br /> "But I wouldst not trust Lady Sophia with a representation of someone so powerful as Ser Lowell in the slightest nay matter how much a boon as the Demon Queen's information might be." <br /><br /> A shake of the head. "However? Lord's own truth, Arthur, methinks 'tis thine own decision at the end."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:495|Riva Banari (495)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Riva listens to the progress of the negotiations with the Queen. She looks confused, but she has her phone in her hand. Maybe she's recording this for review later when she can pick at it. This is a strange and unusual situation that she's found herself within, and there's not a whole lot for her to jump at and go 'AH HA!' at. She'll settle for just waiting to see what is decided here.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:575|Ayako Hasekawa (575)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Ayako smiles gently when she watches Melody break away from her and run over to the face. She watches the two 'embrace' as well as they both can and watches Melody fall asleep.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Her attention then turns towards Nadia and Sophia. She stays quiet and simply listens. She opens her mouth to say something, but then quickly closes it.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:562|Eryl Fairfax (562)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The cybrog smiles at the reunion of mother and child, even when 'Original Face' panics at spectral hands. The head isn't so bad, as long as he pretends there is a possibility that they're just poking their head through a hole in the wall.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Knowing this place, that's not likely though.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He listens carefully to the offered deal. Apparently that loud young man has incredible power at his disposal, and simply having a copy of him would help even the scales. He raises his hand to ask a question. "Pardon me, Miss Nadia, Miss Sophie. You will give us information in exchange for a copy of Mister Lowell, yes? I just wish to clarify, this will be information that could help us figure this all out, yes? Not some banal fact or red herring?" He pays close attention to the two, facial and body language as he waits for their reply.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:183|Mizuki (183)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Apathy and Nadia each look to Eryl, the latter answering his question. "You have each of our assurances that the information will be quite RELEVANT." The former follows up with an affirmative nod. "Indeed."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:33|Arthur Lowell (33)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Arthur takes a good look at the immaculate stone room. "NADIA, then!" He says, in a bright, positive greeting. "Found your little lady there getting harassed by SKELETONS! I almost got to have a fight with a skeleton." He looks a little downcast for a moment, in a brief exaggerated sort of gesture. Then he perks back up long enough to falter as things get a little bit uncertain. "INFORMATION. About the PLAGUE. What, the SHADE stuff you're doing before? The..." He trails off. "RIGHT, obviously not gonna TELL me until you DO it."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He takes a firmer look. "My DOUBTS, huh? Well you can try, 'Sophia', but lemme tell you!" He takes a bit of a dramatic stance, pointing at her intensely. "You're not gonna find DOUBTS in HERE!" He taps a finger harshly against his head. He's not actually believing this, but he's putting on his best dramatically positive face. "I'm ONE HUNDRED PERCENT, all the time, so you're not gonna see a BIT of that! But f-fine!" He actually stammers a bit before he catches himself.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;There's a look to Faruja, with gritted teeth. "Now, c'mon, not THAT powerful. I'm just some HOOLIGAN, bro." A firm nod, more trying to convince himself than anyone else. Then there's a grin to Eryl. "Not gonna be a COPY of ANYTHING, just some DOUBTS, and there's gonna be NOTHING THERE worth workin' with!" He beams intensely and puts his hands on his waist dramatically. "Besides, there's NOTHIN' around here that can replicate the REAL DEAL."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He's very, very blatantly overdoing this whole coolkid thing in order to forcefully prevent himself from losing his cool, so to speak, at the prospect of airing his doubts, and is really only digging himself into more of a hole. He jabs a finger back at Sophia. "ALRIGHT YOU." He says. "YOU and ME knowing, even if MIZUKI doesn't, that's better than just YOU knowing. LAY IT ON ME. And see if you can find a DAMN BIT of DOUBT up in THIS." He slams one fist against his chest dramatically!<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:7|Kotone Yamakawa (7)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Kotone Yamakawa is looking to the Demon queeen aka Nida and nods a little bit. <br /><br /> "I'm Kotone Yamakawa." <br />% Sshe bows a little bit and holds back for the moment pondering about afew things. She wonders about what's being said and is now noticing how uneasy Mizuki seems to be. That concerns her. <br /><br /> "... We dobn't have much of a choice on this do we? Fine ...I accept."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:152|Faruja (152)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span> Faruja rubs his head, running a hand through his hair. <br /><br /> "'Hooligan'. Right." The rat's tone might as well scream 'Not Believing It'. Another long, hard sigh. Clearly, the rat isn't in favor of this decision. <br> <br>

:'''{{#var:183|Mizuki (183)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Apathy nods to Arthur. "Very well then. I would advise that you brace yourself for a conflagration of bizarre feeling, and that you move into a wide open space with as few potential obstructions as possible." She glances to Mizuki. "That includes you." In an irritated huff, she indeed clears the area, and assuming others do the same, Apathy begins.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Four pure white tendrils emerge from her back in a painfully sudden, tense gesture, and two gate-like openings in the fabric of space appear to her sides. Two more appear besides Arthur, and two tendrils shoot simultaneously into the portals, traveling until they collide with him directly, eliciting a sensation akin to being stabbed... nix any pain. Only the dull throbbing is there, and it persists.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The latter is something that only Arthur would see: his mind's eye is briefly thrown into a pure black void, but one where he can at least perceive his own body. Whilst there, he feels another dull throb, this one coming in waves. It repeats itself, causing the world around him to beat like a heart, until something inside of him 'snaps'. The easiest way to describe it is to say that something in his brain popped painlessly just them.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Then a shadowed image appears in front of him, indistinct at first, but quickly becoming what he could identify as his own silhouette. Like television static, it shimmers, gradually splitting into two separate but identical halves. Both halves pulse, their images gradually becoming clearer until he can identify them both.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Really, there aren't very many differences between them; both of them are wearing his same God-tier robe -- actually, wait, there is something different there. Each copy of Arthur possesses a half of the circle of slashes that make up the 'space' symbol. Also, the one on his left doesn't have the hood. And is it just him, or are their eye colors different, too? A blazing red on the left, and a more calm almond similar to his usual on the right.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Then things get a bit loud. "YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOU'VE DONE. SO LET ME TELL YOU." The one on the left's face suddenly transforms into a wild sort of grin as a broom materializes in his hands, and he points a finger toward Arthur. "YOU HAVE JUST UNLEASHED PURE, ONE-HUNDRED PERCENT, A-GRADE COOL INTO THIS WORLD. THE SORT OF COOL THAT ONLY EXISTS ONCE IN A REALLY, REALLY --" Then another noise; a clearing of the throat from the one on the left, who is almost too quiet to hear after that vocal bombardment.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"what he means to say is that we are now entirely separate, and he is no longer held back by anything 'uncool'. and by uncool, he most definitely means me." Rather than a broom, this iteration has a massive book bearing the space insignia. He rifles through it briefly as the image shatters, delivering Arthur back into the room with the Demon Queen at last.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Apathy stares at the two black masses gathering in front of Arthur with what could easily be misconstrued as interest. Idly, she notes, "The information in question should be in your mind now. It should all come to you once the initial shock has worn off. Ah, and thank you for your trust. It is appreciated." Moving right along, Apathy turns to Nadia. "Now, Nadia." The face swaps back to the maternal version, and she bobs up and down in her own, unique variety of nod.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"And now I am going to be destroyed, along with this worldspace." She turns to the group again. "It is advisable that you leave as quickly as possible once we do so -- you do not want to be swallowed by the resulting purgatorial wave."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:152|Faruja (152)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span> Faruja sighs as Arthur accepts. A shake of the head, and the nezumi grabs the arm of Redeemed Undead Hooligan. A teleport spell, and the pari are now a good distance away. Then, suddenly more Arthurs. <br /><br /> "...If only mine tongue wouldst possess more wit. Something about 'the multiverse not fit for more than one Arthur Lowell'." <br /><br /> Destruction. Purgation. Faruja suddenly has the fur on his body go on end. <br /><br /> "THERE VERY WELL BE BLOODY FIRE INVOLVED OR 'TIS NOT A PROPER PURGE! And Lord preserve me, at least send thine child with us!" <br /><br /> Then? He's all but yanking his new skeleton friend along as he Haste 2's the entire party for accelerated movement and/or teleportation, and possibly grabbing Demon Queen's child along for the ride. Demon spawn or not, he's not yet so callous as to deny a child a chance at a pure life. <br> <br>

:'''{{#var:562|Eryl Fairfax (562)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Eryl does indeed vacate the area round Arthur when asked. Realizing that some headache-inducing events are probably about to happen, he chooses to avert his gaze, turning back when it sounds like it is all over. Now there are three of them? That is far too much loud, but he doesn't not say this out loud.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He frowns when Nadia mentions that she, and this place, are going to be destroyed now. "Is that how this is done? I see..." He gives a little sigh, before smiling at her. "It was a pleasure meeting you, Miss Nadia. Goodbye." He nods his head to Sophia as well. "Perhaps we will meet again Miss Sophia."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He then begins to make his escape, with speed granted by Faruja's haste spell.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:575|Ayako Hasekawa (575)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Ayako quietly watches Arthur get stabbed by the tendrils and nods her head once. Although she can't see what exactly is in the black masses, she does make her way over to the unconscious Melody. She winces when Nadia mentions she is going to be destroyed along with this worldspace. "I guess... there's no way to avoid it, huh... But... Nadia?" Her gaze turns towards Sophia and Melody, "How about these two?" She sighs and then nods, quickly escaping with everyone else.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:183|Mizuki (183)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Mizuki's eyes go catastrophically wide again. "W-What? Apathy, what IS this madness? We could have retrieved the number without --!"<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;But there's really no time to think, and everything happens very quickly after that. The tendrils come back around to strike each of Nadia's faces, one after the other, and the number three slowly leaves her quickly fading form. Then that white, same as it did in the Historical District, begins to pour forth, slowly transforming the room into a bleak outline of what it once was. Mizuki quickly retrieves the number while Apathy moves to recover Melody, each of them leaving the area as quickly as possible. Provided that Arthur doesn't have his bearings and can't summon a gate yet; that would probably be the most convenient option for everyone.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Meanwhile, those trying to communicate might well note a peculiar, noise diluting effect that spreads out with the white. The closer to it one comes, the more it seems that you are speaking in a void, or underwater. Probably more like a void since the sound waves literally have no place to bounce off of.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And somewhere far in the distance, the clock strikes.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;It has never really done that before, despite being a clock.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:7|Kotone Yamakawa (7)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Kotone Yamakawa seems to have dodge a bullet and she looks at Faruja for a moment. She intends ot take the kid for a moment, she want to take htem too and she looks at Arthur ends up beside him self. She knows it's time to go and she intends to get going howver. <br /><br /> "I'm sorry things ended this way ..." <br /><br /> She couldn't stop it it's time to go and she's hauling ass not wanting to be stuck in this void for all time.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:495|Riva Banari (495)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Riva looks up at the proceedings, frowning as she gains a deep feeling like she's missing something. <br /><br />But that quickly becomes irrelevant, as she has no way to prevent the destruction that follows. "WHAT! 'And then I die'? That's rid- aw hell." She turns, and begins running, because she has no idea if Arthur can do his gate thing or not in his current state. "I /liked/ this place, dangit!" Is all Riva can get out as she boosts her speed, dragging anyone needed along. Now is not the time for slacking.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:562|Eryl Fairfax (562)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Eryl was looking over his shoulder as the final events began. He overhears Mizuki's claim that the number could have been claimed without loss of life, and saw Sophie take Melody with her. He also hears the clock chiming in the distance, but doens't really ascribe much importance to that, just putting one foot before the other, trying to get out, while dwelling on these mysteries.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;After their successful escape, he has no words. He simply bows his head to Mizuki and says, "If you are in need of aid, do not be afraid to ask," before leaving.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He is a controlled man, but someone with a keen eye might notice the tightness at the corners of his mouth, his fists clenching and unclenching in his pockets.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:33|Arthur Lowell (33)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Whatever reactions Arthur had, deep in the recesses of his own personal little vision quest. He comes out of it looking a little bit shaken, nervous, trying to choke back both feelings. he can't really seem to articulate anything besides nervous noises and a few stuttered objections to what he just saw.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He gives Apathy something not unlike a look of horror. "Ghhh-- Destroyed... Again?!" He barely manages to choke out, his face contorted by legitimate panic. "Sh-shit I wanted to stop..." He says, a bit distraught about this. "FUCK." He declares. "A-alright, everyone in the gate! We're... We're going! God damn it..." He seems a bit distressed about this, and his mind hasn't had the chance to assemble whatever information has been put into it now. With a quick, fourishing motion, a softly glowing green spirographic Gate is summoned, leading right back to the train station, offering the group and chance to re-board and get the hell out of dodge. He doesn't really trust his scattered brain to guide them back to Mizuki's own personal realm effectively. No more coolkid-isms the entire way, he's gonna be keeping quiet.<br> <br>


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