1916/Broken Bird

Broken Bird
Date of Scene:	30 March 2015
Location:	Terra Majora <TM>
Synopsis:	A small group of people try to heal Wrathborn.
Cast of Characters:	12, 92, 219, 253, 331, 383, 395

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Elliana Fairchild (92) has posed:
    This time, entering into Elliana's dreams is... different. There's no need for Wrathborn to open up access, so the fortifications that were put in place to keep people from snooping about unattended are more visible. The orb lands the Union where Mordred is already waiting: in a large, stone cube with the Gates closed on one side, and no other exit. The Gates are for Wrathborn's memories, not an exit... which means he probably put them there himself. The only comforts he provides this time are a set of chairs.

    Wrathborn himself is, of course, present. In his human guise, he's leaning against one wall, waiting for everyone to appear before he says out loud, "So... I hear you want to muck about in my head. Such as it is. Figuratively and all."

Psyber (253) has posed:
    "Yo Wrathy-b. I managed to find it," Psyber says, forcing a smile and holding up the (thankfully sheathed and non-active) sword known as Sovereign. Himei wanted him to bring it along today for the thing they were going to try. The half-angel is still wearing the same shirt and pants from yesterday, having not had time to change for Reasons. Then again, he dresses similarly every day, so not many people will notice.

    "I'll let Himei explain the plan."

Himei (331) has posed:
    "Hey," Himei says, nodding to Mordred. She has her hands in her pockets as soon as she recovers from being dropped into the dream realm again. "Hi, Wrathborn," she says to the man, fidgeting awkwardly. "Yeah. Something like that. It's a little dangerous, but we brought the best people we could think of for this. Laine is pretty good at conceptual stuff, and owes Elliana a favor anyway. Amalthea is a healer as you know, and Ariel... you should know Ariel from Abstractum stuff."

    She shrugs lightly, glancing toward the gate. "We're going to try to return you to what you were before the whole Amethyne war. I'm not sure if this means you'll change at all, or heal, or become something less... focused on darkness, or maybe even 'forget' the memories. So... given that much, it's up to you. We won't even try this without your okay, because it could mean messing with your memories. That's not what we're TRYING to do, but it is a risk."

Mordred (12) has posed:
    Mordred will be over there, just kind of leaning back. There's a non-zero chance she's just here to watch and make sure people don't fuck around, so she's not expecting to have to do a whole lot today, which is just as well since she's not a real brain surgeon.

    She will return greetings and waves boredly, at least.

Laine (383) has posed:
    It's true, Laine is here! Perhaps not the most qualified for brain surgery, considering. She's in owl form, at least, perched on Psyber's shoulder. A little flutter of wings announces her presence when she's introduced, and her head darts back and forth, watching the others. Mordred gets a chirp, since she hasn't interacted with the Servant all that much. She isn't actually speaking, though.

Amalthea (395) has posed:
    A per her part of this plan, Amalthea is present. Standing somewhat distant from the rest of the group and looking sullen. As her purpose here tonight is to heal, and not to defend, nor harm, it might be a surprising change of pace to see that she is in her less heavy set of armor tonight, layers of chain under light plating and navy surcoat.
    A mild grunt of greeting is afforded to Wrathborn as the plan is laid out, as she simply waits for the Shajem's consent. Otherwise nothing is getting done, right?

Ariel (219) has posed:
And then there's Ariel. The little Unicorn is in her humanoid form today, wearing Harmonious Deia. she's not sure if Abstractum even work in here, but it's an article of clothing she's gotten used to wearing, and Wrathborn should recognize the billowing cloak from the various times he's seen her. She waves a hand, "Hi! It's nice to meet you, Mister Born." Yes, she just called him that. "I'm not as good at healing as mom, but I do know sorcery stuff that might be helpful in doing this. So! Just let me know if you want me to try."

She also gives a timid wave to Mordred, a little less enthusiastically. Amhar scares her. Still, she's polite. "Hi, Sir Mordred."

Elliana Fairchild (92) has posed:
    Wrathborn flinches at Sovereign, but he nods as well, "So I heard. I also heard why they make me feel so... uncomfortable, most likely." He doesn't seem to hold any animosity toward Psyber for having the sword, though.

    Himei gets a small quirk of a smile, "Yeah... well, thanks for being honest, I guess. It's a big risk, huh?" He sighs, leaning against the wall again. But before he can say more, Ariel gives her introduction and makes him stare. "Just... Wrathborn, please. Mister Born makes me feel like a surgeon or something."

    Right, back to the matter at hand. "Look, I'm not sure this is a good idea... but at the same time, it's kind of something that I was asking for. So all I ask is that you take a good look at what's going on in there before you do any actions. I'm hoping Mordred will keep that in mind. And yeah, I remember Ariel... pretty sure she doesn't want to hurt me, at least, unless she's a better actor than Elliana."

    Which means... the key comes out, unlocking the gates and letting them swing open. Wrathborn tosses several coils of rope out. "Same as last time. I'll give you a reasonable amount of time, but if I see anything freaking out too much I'll yank you as well."

Mordred (12) has posed:
    "Yo, and yo," Mordred answers to Laine and Ariel respectively, glancing at the little unicorn. That is one polite and studious little girl to not need the loud reminder that it's sir, not lady, dame or miss. No complaints here. "Second unicorn I ever see, you all always so colorful?"

    To Wrathborn, the Servant shrugs. "Can't promise I won't let 'em hurt you just a bit but I've got no more interest than you in massive damage here, to you or my master. So yeah, yeah, I'll play night watch."

    Mordred produces a security guard cap and puts it on.

    "'least I'm not retirin' tomorrow."

Amalthea (395) has posed:
    Just like the last time, then, Amalthea loops the rope into her belt and knots it. A tug to ensure it's secured, and she flashes a thumbs up. "I'll try to not fuck things up on my end." She gives by way of vague assurance.

Psyber (253) has posed:
    Despite the almost perpetual look of exhaustion and stress Psyber carries these days, the half-angel looks at least slightly less immediately tense with the owl on his shoulder. His free hand comes up to rub the top of her head and then to smile a bit weakly, "Thanks for coming, Laine."

    Back to Wrathborn, Psyber nods his head, "Disgusting, though it's given me a new theory. If hypothetically true, could the two halves be reunited and the original entity restored to its original state?" He openly states this theory, "If so, it could change the world. It is worth investigating."

    He has no comments about the operation, he's here to supply a sword and some muscle where needed, "Anyway, I'm here to help, but I'll be following along more than anything else. I'm following Himei's playbook." He notes, stepping forward a bit. He limps still, though not as bad as yesterday.

Himei (331) has posed:
    "... right, thanks." Himei replies, staring at Wrathborn for a long moment. Maybe she didn't expect to get accepted? She grabs one end of the rope, glancing at Mordred and biting her lip. "Wait, seriously? You're... never mind. I guess you gotta have fun somehow."

    Though the thought hits her as she ties off her harness, "Are you so irreverent with your Master, Mordred? I don't really care, I was just realizing I don't know much about you and Fairchild." It's... kind of a lame attempt at conversation, really. Then again, she doesn't expect that she, herself, will be doing much here.

Laine (383) has posed:
    For some reason, Laine's response to Psyber is to PECK HIM ON THE HEAD! It's not really enough to hurt, just a sharp rap as if scolding for some reason. She doesn't talk though... even if she is fluttering a little bit. She did bring her own Abstractum, but she doesn't expect to need Silver's help.

    "HOOT!" It doesn't mean anything, just a reminder that she's here... and then she hops down, landing on two feet as she ends up in human form, so she can better use the rope harness. Mordred gets a minor sniff, but that's all.

Ariel (219) has posed:
Ariel ties off her harness too, and flashes a smile to Wrathborn. "We'll be careful, don't worry! I um... think. I've never actually done anything like this before, but it can't be any worse than living in the house, right?" That's a little jab at Amalthea and the crazy household, that's all. "I'll do my best!"

Elliana Fairchild (92) has posed:
    "I have no idea if that's possible," Wrathborn says. "And it's kind of disturbing to think about. I'll... see what I can dig up about that. Or ask Elliana, more specifically. Times like this, it sucks only being limited to what she knows." He gives a little wave as everyone straps themselves to the ropes. "It's odd wishing you all good luck, but there's not much else to do. Uh... be careful in there, my unease might make things a little rough. I have no clue. And thanks, Mordred... I think."

    Well, that was rather worringly non-confident. This could be a bad omen. It certainly is dark in here, with murky clouds of purple and blue swirling about the moment everyone steps in. Naturally, the relatively united purpose of the group rapidly leads to some kind of congealing landscape... blurry, at first, but resolving as the presence of sapients fills in the details. What ends up there is... very odd-looking. No humans are present, only Wrathborn, or what seems to be him... and one other.

    The creature here appears to be made out of rocks and trees all twisted together, but it's definitely animate. It's apelike and massive, at least three stories tall, and currently in mortal combat with Wrathborn. The creature is grabbing at the snakelike form, despite the fact that Wrathborn, like all Amethyne and Shajem, doesn't seem to have an entirely solid form. Somehow, the beast is holding on... but that doesn't help.

    Wrathborn's shape is less purple, with bluish highlights like before. Wings flap wildly when the creature holds him, but the one-eyed serpent retailiates with his tail, wrapping it around a leg and yanking hard to tear it away, then swiftly warping the land around it to form arches that pin the strange creature to the ground. This appears to be the tail end of some kind of fight between titans.

Psyber (253) has posed:
    "Ow! Hey!" Psyber shouts, rubbing at his head more in surprise than actual pain when Laine pecks him. It's not often that she actually overtly scolds him like that and he looks more than slightly surprised. He watches Laine depart her perch and land, tilting his head a bit as he prepares to go, "Disturbing, but better than not trying to fix such a godawful action." He replies to the Shajem.

    "What the fuck is that thing?"

    Psyber asks helpfully. He resists a few temptations, though he looks to Himei, "If that's the thing that corrupted the Shajem, should I like... go try to take a crack at it with Sovereign?" He inquires of the girl, not wanting to break the plan or anything.

Mordred (12) has posed:
    "I just don't really care what happens to him beyond the fact it might hurt my master," Mordred answers honestly, shrugging the line of questioning off. She's not fond of Wrathborn; maybe she will be one day, but that'll take a while still. She chooses not to comment on the fact Psyber's bird is pecking at him and sniffing her.

    As they finally go in, she quietly watches the battle and shrugs. "Fuck if I know. Amethyne, maybe."

Himei (331) has posed:
    Himei stares when they arrive, rubbing at her head. "I... don't know. How should I know? It doesn't look like an Amethyne, though. And it's also losing. Besides, this is a memory. I'm not sure how much we want to try changing the memory itself... maybe? I'm a little unclear on this thing, here. Or what to do. I just had the general idea and I'm winging it from here."

    Still, Himei draws her sword, just in case they need to fight. "For now, let's see how this turns out. Do we need to like... subdue him to take him back or something? Or would that do the opposite of what want?" She's asking about Wrathborn, but she's staring at the strange beast.

Amalthea (395) has posed:
    Once more into the breech, to a sight that Amalthea is not entirely sure what to do with. The sight of Wrathborn of Olde going mano-a-mano with the ape-like treebeast is one that she watches with something of a distant look in her eye. Before her gaze focuses more on the other beast.
    "It is fae." She notes absently. "Or close enough to it."
    Oddly she does not instantly go off on a homicidal rampage to kill it on sight, she merely snorts a slow gust of steam. "Did anybody bring any iron?"

Ariel (219) has posed:
"What's a Fae doing here?" Ariel looks a little confused, but only a little. She is, after all, not that familiar with this world. "Um... we'd better maybe see if he's hostile before figuring if we should attack or not, I'd think. Makes me wish I'd brought Demonbane, though. These guys are pretty big." She shuffles nervously, glancing at Amalthea.

Fortunately Amalthea isn't rushing off to fight the 'fae' being. That relieves her. "So none of you have seen anything like this?"

Laine (383) has posed:
    Laine stares at the fight for some time, her eyes going between Wrathborn, the creature, and then back to Ariel and Psyber and Mordred, in order. She frowns and looks at the fighting creatures again... with surprising seriousness. So serious, in fact, that she doesn't even talk in her normal disjointed manner. It no longer hurts her to focus that much, at least.

    "The new creature is a being of raw Wyld. Creation and chaos. Wrathborn is... it's like in my world, when the Wyrm used to work for Balance, then became something of corruption. This is like the Balance Wyrm, before he fell. Wrathborn is calming the land, bringing order to it."

Elliana Fairchild (92) has posed:
    Well, Wrathborn doesn't seem to be attacking the newcomers. It's true though, he's winning this fight. The crumbling creature of roots and rock falls, and the earth rises up and wraps around it to pin it down. Now, the appearance of Chalaine makes itself known, as the blue divinity glides up for a moment from nearby, floating and fluttering wings. A wild burst of greenery grows upward, blooming all over the creature... which is now a large mound in the ground. Chalaine, as if unconcerned, then flits off to another place, moving out of sight over another hill.

    Wrathborn lingers, hissing and coiling around the creature. That wild greenery is mostly grasses and shrubs, but the Shajem's power flares, and the blossoming shrubs grow faster, forming trees and vines... and then various rodents and lagomorphs burst from the ground, scampering outward and heading for newly-available dens, followed swiftly by minor predators such as snakes and foxes.

    That seems to be the end of Wrathborn's task, the one-eyed serpent turning and staring at the newcomers.

Psyber (253) has posed:
    Psyber listens to Laine's explanation, "Restaint," Psyber says. One simple word as he observes the process as Wrathborn brings the strange monster into temperance and then Chalaine causes its own effect, "And then catalyzation. That explains why they work in pairs, I guess."

    Psyber is not stupid enough to draw his sword, and instead he just holds up his right hand. As he does so, two things glow: The first is a scar on his back, a dull blue color. The other is the Hand of the Redeemer, most often in his right hand, lights up with a white color.

    He's not taking any action or aggression, he might just be trying to use its basic and primal nature as a conceptual power to appeal or establish commonality with the massive beast. It won't understand words, but concepts and instinctual forces might get through to it, and Psyber's communicating point is: Redemption.

Laine (383) has posed:
    At first, Laine does nothing. Then she suddenly steps up beside Psyber and holds out her hand. She doesn't seem to really be... /doing/ anything, except that she's actually reaching out with her spiritual gifts, trying to bridge the gap in communication. Letting the group get the conceptual framework of the creature known as Wrathborn is the best idea she has, and if she can use the hand of the Redeemer to help...

    It's not much, but it's something.

Ariel (219) has posed:
Woah. That was a pretty nice sight, and Ariel is duly impressed. She rubs at her head and watches, then sees the others stepping forward. Right. She needs to... do something. Aside from being a shining beacon of hope and all that, she can do other stuff.

    "Um... excuse me, sir." Fingerpoit. "We just want to help your future self, if you'd be so kind." In order to make it clearer, she begins working on a Sorcerous Working to wrap around the Shajem, taking it nice and slow. The idea is to capture a 'mold' of sorts, to preserve what the Shajem's nature used to be like and carry it out.

Himei (331) has posed:
    Well, Himei is now outside of her area of expertise. The Magical Girl can only watch at this, taking note of how things were supposed to work. She asks the obvious question, though. "I wonder... what broke them? Or was it humans? If so, why?" It's a good question, she thinks.

Elliana Fairchild (92) has posed:
    It's an interesting combination of effects. Himei's question becomes a little more clear when the approach begins... because the Shajem is wild, naturally, and reacts as any would. His head lowers, a deep hiss sounding out... and the ground ripples, starting to twist and rise in places. The creature manipulates the world, but humans are not necessarily its ally.

    The attempts to communicate bring wings fluttering, the nonsapient serpent glaring at first... then calming somewhat. It may not fully understand, but it's getting the idea that this isn't supposed to hurt it. Ariel spell is able to shape, and though it makes Wrathborn's memory nervous, it does little more than cause him to probe and test the edges while the spell shapes.

Himei (331) has posed:
    "It's your show now, guys," Himei admits. "I don't know how I can help here. It's not getting violent, and it looks like maybe we don't need Sovereign after all." She sheaths her sword and just passively lets out that faint glow of her own power, the hope-centered kind to help along anything in an emotional support manner.

Amalthea (395) has posed:
    The 'fae' is... Made one with the earth, by Chalaine and Wrathborn. It is an interesting sight, but once completed means the group is facing down the Shajem. One boot scuffs lightly at the ground, but Amalthea still does not reach for her weapon, as Psyber and Laine attempt to broach contact with the Shajem. The most she does, at first is tilt her head, intending to look as non-threatening as she can, as her lone eye seeks to make eye contact with the Shajem; perhaps in the same way one animal would meet another in passing, a wordless, placid, almost primal means of declaring no intent to harm, while Psyber and Laine reach out, and Ariel attempts her sorceries.

Psyber (253) has posed:
    "I guess this thing is finally useful for SOMETHING," Psyber says to Himei in regards to his glowing hand. It can't DO much, but at least he can use it in this instance. And maybe, if plans persist, he can have an alternate function ready by the summer. Consider this a beta test, of sorts. Overall, he just keeps his hand up and radiating concept while he watches Wrathborn.

Laine (383) has posed:
    Laine is ALSO a sorcerer, of sorts, though not the same kind as Ariel. She can, however, help in some ways. Her mastery of spirits and her own knowledge of strange natural concepts should help. "Thinking... is going to stay. Hurry?" she tries to hurry, anyway, in doing a quick shaping of her own magics, taking it easy and not hurrying /too/ much. She has no idea if a Retribution could happen in here, but if it does it could be... weird.

    Thus the Lunar tries to grasp at Wrathborn's concept, to 'record' it somehow, like Ariel. "Keep holding."

Ariel (219) has posed:
Oh... huh, Ariel um... has to do stuff now. "Wah?" She's feeling the pressure! But that's okay, because she's learned a LOT of magic lately, and even if Al isn't here, she can hopefully tie this off with Laine's help. The 'mold' closes in, for an instant, pressing against the concept of Wrathborn. She doesn't even realize it, but she's using some of her experience from seeing the Abstractum operate to attempt this, to grasp at the concept of the untainted Shajem... and have something to work with.

"I think I have it," she says quickly. "We should get going so mom can do her part, now."

Elliana Fairchild (92) has posed:
    Wrathborn squirms a little, but there's a lot of pacifying energy going out here. He hisses, wings lifting again... he looks a lot nicer with those wings, even if they're trying to threaten. But then... Laine and Ariel feel it 'catch' somehow, the imprint gathered and held, at least for a moment. He's still eying the group, but as long as Psyber's hand is out, and nobody is being threatening... he's fine with this.

Elliana Fairchild (92) has posed:
    With the mission accomplished, the dream shatters not long after. Wrathborn, the current one, appears in the forming room as the group feels a sharp yank at each of their waists and shoulders, spilling them all on the floor of the small room.

    The man that was a serpent crosses his arms as the gate slams shut. "You were really tickling some weird memories, in there," he notes. "I got a blurry flash of a giant robot or something." Apparently his memories of that time are... not so clear, consciously.

Ariel (219) has posed:
"Okay mom!" Ariel immediately calls out. "Ah... sorry, Mister Born. Um, Wrathborn. I don't know how long this spell will hold! Just um... I don't /think/ it will hurt? It's holy so it might." She huffs. "Mom, just heal him! Or um... you know, something like that! Laine and I will release the imprint and see if it takes!"

    As soon as Amalthea moves(presuming she does) to heal Wrathborn, Ariel will 'push' the gathered concept onto Wrathborn, hoping he's willing to try this.

Laine (383) has posed:
    When Ariel releases her spell, Laine lets go of the ties on her own sorcery, allowing it to 'snap' back into Ariel's full control and flow into the Shajem. She's frowning, though. This is a pretty big reworking, and she's pretty sure it only works because they're in a dream. "Can the wound be healed from inside what makes him powerful?" Yeah, she's so uncertian she's being careful to speak reasonably clearly.

Psyber (253) has posed:
    When they're yanked back, Psyber sighs a bit and lowers his hand, flicking it so the light washes away from it, "Today I learned I can do that still, I guess." Psyber looks to Wrathborn and then scowls a bit, "Hey man, how're you feeling? Everything okay?"

    Laine asks a good question a moment later and the half-angel lets out a thoughtful noise, "Good question, but. I think we should at least try." He looks to the man and squints a bit. Psyber, admittedly, falls back to watch the others work.

Himei (331) has posed:
    Himei is dumped on her ass, but as she gets up, she reminds Psyber, "Your hand thing might actually be helpful here. Or something. All I can do is shoot things, so uh... I guess I'll stand over here and see the magic work." She doesn't want to screw it up, though she's looking pretty relieved that things aren't screwed up worse, at least.

Amalthea (395) has posed:
    With the memory segment of this journey handled and Amalthea once AGAIN yanked in an undignified sprawling heap, the elder unicorn at least manages to pick herself up to stand as if it never happened. There isn't even a rustle of chainmail as she smoothly rebalances herself. "Aye, aye, hold your horses, this can't be rushed, child."
    It's without a word that she grabs Psyber's hand by the wrist, her own horn glowng gently with a flickering butterfly light, glimmering with a seashell reflection.
    No words. She simply lays her hand, and Psyber's on Wrathborn's chest in tandem, with a warm, gentle glow and feeling. "Now give it to him."

Psyber (253) has posed:
    Psyber looks awkward when his hand is grabbed by Amalthea. Not because he has any feelings over it, he was just surprised. There's no resistance as she drags him over, and when she places her hand atop his, and then both atop Wrathborn, Psyber thinks.

    "Alright. Fair warning, I have no idea if this works on anything but the Scar, but here goes nothing," Psyber closes his eyes and focuses the original intent of the hand. Almost ALL of his concentration goes into that, trying to use the Redeeming trait to, instead of judging the 'Scar of Annu' concept, just judge 'Scar's in the concept in general to find if Wrathborn has objectively earned a 'redemption'.

Ariel (219) has posed:
Ariel does not need to be told twice. In an instant, the little unicorn releases her hold, pressing that new mold down upon Wrathborn as firmly as possible. She... has no idea what she's doing, but she's pretty sure this is a conceptual change upon a god, basically. Pretty sure if Wrathborn doesn't want it, it'll just slough off.

Elliana Fairchild (92) has posed:
    Wrathborn looks a little bewildered at the sudden activity, all centering on... him? He doesn't stop it, even if he flinches, then cries out in sharp pain as Amalthea and Psyber are touching him. He quickly grips the half-angel's wrist, holding him there to let him know the pain is bearable. His body flickering, Ariel and Laine will feel what is going on... that 'mold' grafting onto him, settling around him, with the healing power and Psyber's own 'bolting' it to his form.

    It's not visible, though. Nothing changes, on the outside. He just... holds there, then slumps against the wall. The mold seems to be staying, but it doesn't quite fit right. Perhaps he needs to adapt to it, or grow into it. "That... was a little painful, but I think I'm all right, yes," he belatedly answers. He makes a strange gesture with his hand, then frowns. "... I'm not sure you did anything, but I think I can feel that there /is/ something missing now. Before I couldn't really tell exactly. I knew something was off, but not what."

    Awkwardly, he frowns again. "... thank you, for that much."

Psyber (253) has posed:
    "Yo bruh, radical conceptual shifting doesn't just happen over night. Except, you know, when it does," Psyber says seriously. The white flame on his hand goes out a moment later and then slaps both hands down on Wrathborn's shoulder, "This was a very touching moment, in a completely platonic way."

    "I need your advice on something, later. Can I arrange a meeting at some point soon?" Seems Psyber, at least, has accepted that some shit seemed to happen and change, but has also moved on to a different piece of business. He looks around at the group, "It's nothing related to operations. A couple personal questions."

Elliana Fairchild (92) has posed:
    Wrathborn rubs at his chest as if it still hurts. "Sure, sure. Whenever. Just give me a few days to get used to this." He glances at all the others. "I suppose we'd better be getting the rest of you home..."