2389/Stage Multiplication

Stage Multiplication
Date of Scene:	05 June 2015
Location:	Danbur <DB>
Synopsis:	After some hard work it's time to celebrate.
Cast of Characters:	Staren, Lyria Mason, 673, 741, 772
Tinyplot:	The Great Work

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Pius Athanor (741) has posed:
    Unlike yesterday, it's not raining today. It is however gray outside with cloudy weather, which means that the celebration will have to take place inside.

    The scratchy tones of a gramophone playing inside the house can be heard as people approach the house, and the doors are widen open today. Festive paper lanterns have been hung up on the front porch and in the entry hall, the house appears to have been cleaned. But the most telling is the scent of food that wafts through the air. Tender meat. Fresh vegetables. Something sweet. The heavy aroma of wine. It seems that the Athanor siblings have spared no expense today.

    Speaking of which, the young teenaged girl is there by the front door when people arrive, beaming brightly. Unlike her normal dress, Diane is wearing a deep crimson dress, and her hair has been braided neatly and arranged with some lovely black ribbons. "I'm so glad you could make it!" "Step right in!" "Make yourself at home!" Everybody gets a warm greeting, as well as a welcome drink that smells and tastes like sweet apple cider. There's quite a lot of them on her tray.

    Inside the living room there's a major change, as several of the tables from the workshop has been carried out, cleaned and partially hidden under white linens as makeshift tables where people can sit down. There's plates and eating utensils neatly set down, with folded napkins in the drinking glasses, candles have been lit... it's quite the sight.

    At the end of the table Pius is already seated, though he rises the moment the guests arrive. "Ah, welcome! Do sit down, Alexa is finishing up the final cooking as we speak!"

Hiei (772) has posed:
Hiei takes his drink, making eye contact with Diane, but not really saying anything. When he takes his seat, he begins taking light sips of the drink, but otherwise just sort of sitting there with his usual expression of boredom. There seems to just be a general air of almost indifferent melancholy around him, despite the festive environment.

Lyria Mason has posed:
Lyria Mason had made it once again her clothing hadn't changed much she doesn't own much in the way of non local clothing for where she's from, from the looks of it. She hs taken her jacket off and whelp she's clearly got some coiled serpent tattoos on her shoulder to go with the streak one on her face.

"Mmmm this is looking quite good."

Staren has posed:
    After staying up all night to help with the Magnum Opus, Staren has slept all day. With so many guests over, he didn't ask for a bed, but just turned into a cat and found somewhere to curl up. Now he awakes to find party preparations have sprung up around him! He returns to normal form so he can see from higher up, and looks around, eventually making his way back to Pius. "Hey! Wow, you're throwing quite the party... Do I need to dress up?"

    Staren spies Hiei and gives him a slight frown, but he's not going to start anything as long as Hiei doesn't. He smiles at Pius but is too fidgety to sit just yet. "Well, if any occasion deserves a party, it's this one!"

    Staren's clothes suddenly explode into a cloud of threads whipping about him, then reform into something resembling a police or military dress uniform. He pulls a badge from his bag and affixes it in place, featuring the letters LDF.

    Staren sniffs. "Mmm, whatever's cooking smells good..."

Rory White (673) has posed:
    Rory's arrival is hard to recognize as her. Yes, she beams down near the front door and wanders on in, but she is... not her usual self. A few inches shorter, somewhat leaner, a different-shaped face and with long blonde hair instead of blue hair... is this Rory?

    She's BREATHING. That's a big difference!

    "H-hello?" The young woman's stepping gingerly and carefully through the house, with every motion seeming to have her overwhelmed. Several times she leans against a wall and flails an arm at the air. "M-maybe this was... waaaas.... a bad idea..."

    So assaulted by smells and simply the sensation of moving, she's ENTIRELY overwhelmed... but eventually makes her way to the dining table and sits, slumping into the chair.

Pius Athanor (741) has posed:
    It doesn't seem like Diane is too enthusiastic about Hiei either, but she does give him a polite nod of her head. Hopefully he won't say too many things tonight, like how he sees what Pius is doing is unnatural. But still... why is he here? It gives her a bad feeling, but the young woman is too polite to say anything.

    She will be watching him however.

    Lyria is greeted with a bright smile though, and she even steps closer to hug her. "Hi! And thank you, we have been cleaning and cooking all afternoon! I hope you like pheasant?"

    The sleeping cat had been allowed to sleep all day without being disturbed. Truth to be told, Pius and Diane had slept all day themselves once they had finished the night's hard work in the upstairs workshop. But when he wakes up Pius isn't slow to notice, and he offers the cat boy a smile. "If you want to, Staren. What matters is that people show up to help us celebrate. Yes, it does deserve a party, doesn't it?"

    The sudden wardrobe change takes the alchemist by surprise, and he lets out a slight gasp before he glances down at his drink. What did Diane put in the drinks?

    Diane in the meanwhile looks uncertain about Rory's different appearance. "Uh, you okay there?" Diane asks, then moves to help steady Rory and help her to the table. Even if she isn't sure who it is. "Do you need something cold to drink...?" Diane offers carefully.

Hiei (772) has posed:
"I have a question." Hiei suddenly says after taking a long sip of his drink. His tone is calm but fairly serious, looking over at Pius. "Do you have any contingency plans? Many people attempt things like this without a contingency plan. Even though I don't know the details, I'd say you should consider it if you don't."

Rory White (673) has posed:
    Rory waves off Diane gently- or tries to. She ends up appreciating the steadying. "Just sitting down's fine! I'm still getting used to biology!" Yeah that kind of comment's not going to go over well at all, probably.

    This maybe wasn't the best idea.

    ONce she's seated, Rory ends up leaning against the table looking much like a fish out of water. The thoughts going through her head? Almost obvious 'WHAT was I thinking?'

Lyria Mason has posed:
Lyria Mason smiles to Diane with a grin.

"I love a good mean and learning how other worlds eat. I have no idea what pheasant is but I'm going to find out how if I like it or not."

She pause and looks at the woman. It takes her a moment as she looks at her for a moment.

"Rory?! Is that you?"

She's sitting now at this point and just looking at her. She's looking very confused, Lyria doesn't quite get what Rory's done. Well not yet.

"Wait are you all right you don't look well."

Staren has posed:
    Pheasant, huh? Staren doesn't think he's ever had pheasant. He wonders if it's like chicken or turkey?

    Hiei is a wet blanket. Staren glares at him. "Of course there are contingency plans, but are the details really your business? They'll be implemented if it comes to it."

    Staren doesn't usually leave his mesh connection on, but when he's expecting Rory to be around, or in this case, he left it on from last night. So when he sees her pop up on the Mesh he turns to greet her, only to see Diane helping... ??? Huh, Rory must have swapped bodies. He approaches, and his ears perk and his eyes widen as she clarifies that yes, she's biological. He pulls a flipphone-like scanner from his pocket and scans her anyway, and he stares. "Wow. Is this... your first time ever? What's the occasion? I mean, ah..." he glances between Pius and Diane and Rory. "Ah, I see, so you can eat the food? Food is delicious! I hope you like it." Staren smiles.

Pius Athanor (741) has posed:
    It does appear that Pius is not in the mood for such a discussion today as his head snaps to the side to outright glare at Hiei. "If you knew the details, then you would know that I need no contingency plan. I have a question of my own, however. What do YOU think we have been working on here, young man?"

    Diane looks confused at Rory, still not sure just who she is or why she seems to feel so faint. "Ummm, There are drinks too if you want one...?" she offers instead. Wait... What is Lyria saying? Rory?! Diane looks shocked, letting out a gasp as her hands cover her mouth. "R-Rory?"

    At that moment Alexa arrives from the kitchen, pushing a cart with several bowls on it. "Welcome." Her voice is as dull as usual. Pius however looks rather pleased as Alexa begins setting a bowl down in front of each seated person, and he picks up his spoon. "Ah, splendid. What soup will we have as an appetiser today, Diane?" The girl peers up from where she is standing next to Rory and Lyria. "Uh, we've made french onion soup..."

Hiei (772) has posed:
"I could care less about the details." Hiei states rather indifferently to Staren, then takes another sip of his cider. He doesn't immediately answer Pius, he seems to take a few moments to collect his thoughts. "Like most humans who attempt to bring back the dead, I assume it's for one of two reasons. Either to bring back a dead loved one, or pure hubris. I've rarely seen any other reason."

He rests his back against the chair, making himself comfortable, seemingly having an easy time relaxing. "Really, the only reason I asked about a contingency is because usually complete and utter confidence in a single plan and assurance of success is why these things fail. I want to give you every possible chance of success."

Rory White (673) has posed:
    "If the created body does not work, I'm willing to donate this one for an emergency measure." Rory exclaims. "It was simply in storage earlier... ah--ah, um..." The way Staren's fussing over her gets Rory shrinking away without thinking about it. It's an unexpected reaction on HER part too! She grips the table to not fall over...

    "P-please don't fuss over me, I just didn't want the effort to go to waste. This is, uh... this is disorienting. I can adapt! I... can... with some time..." Her shoulders bunch up in embarassment.

Lyria Mason has posed:
Lyria Mason will be trying all the food she's able today, well once she's had a chance she looks over at Rory for a moment nodding tiling her head. "Loolk I'm goingto ahve some questions to ask you about this once you had some time to adapt, Rory."

Staren has posed:
    Staren gives Hiei another cold look. "I, too, have a backup plan to help him. But it doesn't involve you."

    Staren looks back to Rory. "Hey, don't worry, it's alright! It's your first time being in a squishy meat body, I don't think any of us can imagine what that's like! Actually, I'd love to know what you think of it, if youu're willing to talk about it, but if not... um..." Staren looks at her shrinking away. "...Is there /anything/ we can do to make you more comfortable? It's not fussing, it's... all the party guests, we want everyone to enjoy themselves, right?"

Pius Athanor (741) has posed:
    "The details are what matter and make alchemy differ from other arts." Pius looks outright offended. Yet he is silent as Hiei voices his theories and tries to explain his earlier comment and supposedly try to clear up what might have been a misunderstanding. There's still a look of annoyance in his eyes however, and he exhales sharply through his nose in disdain. "We will be successful. I have spent months on the research... even before she died." At the other end of the table Diane looks a bit worried at Hiei, but then she sits down in the chair next to Lyria's, picking up her own spoon to begin partaking of the soup that she and Alexa spent so long time preparing.

    "The created body will work. I have created homunculus bodies for years, just look at Alexa!" Pius notes, gesturing towards the maid. "Though I will admit, this body is more complicated. It looks just like a normal human body, but transmuted through the art of alchemy. And strong enough to house a departed essence." It looks like Diane wants to say something, but she reaches over to steady Rory some. "Please try your soup...? It's very delicious..."

Hiei (772) has posed:
"There's a large leap from wondering about the existence of plans, to caring enough to know what they are." Hiei casually offers to Staren, then looks down at his soup. He grabs his spoon, then takes a sip. It's difficult to tell if he likes it, but he does take another sip. "So, you are capable, but that leaves another question. Do you know much about your world's afterlife, if it has one?"

Rory White (673) has posed:
    "EVERYTHING IS STRANGE." Rory declares solidly. "From moving a finger to breathing! Nothing feels like I'm used to. These hands are so sensitive it's like wearing fractal gloves and turning my head feels like I'm going to fall over. Biology is twitchy. I'm just glad to be seated. Uhhh... let's see, I've watched vids about this."

    How to eat. That is a thing, it is.

    With a somewhat trembling arm Rory grabs her soup spoon and gets to work, but the moment just some broth's past her lips her eyes go BUGGING OUT.

    "MMMMNGH?! MnMMMRGH!"

    Shock? Likes it? ... hard to say.

Staren has posed:
    Staren actually gives Hiei a surprised look. That's a good question!

    But then Rory's describing being in a squishy meat body, which is even more interesting. "Huh." He watches as she tries to eat, and... just puts hot soup right in her mouth! "Ah! You're supposed to blow on it first!" He reaches for the first glass of water he sees, which leaps into his hand, spilling a bit, and he holds it to her lips. "Drink! Don't burn yourself!"

Pius Athanor (741) has posed:
    "There are many theories about the afterlife, yet no proof that there even is one. What we do know is that when a person dies, their essence departs their body. Sometimes these essences are being kept, stored in amphoras. Many of our great leaders, cultural symbols and such are stored in statues to remember them by." Pius slowly unbuttons the top of his shirt, then pulls out the amphora on the string there, looking at it. "Yet nobody has dared to try and bring one of these departed souls back. Perhaps we can learn more from the afterlife after this. If their consciousness has gone somewhere else, that is."

    Everything is strange, Rory says. And Diane looks confused. "Really? I don't feel twitchy..." When she tastes the soup however, Diane looks startled. "Oh! Is it too hot for you? Too spicy?!" Why, she even looks worried, reaching for her napkin to offer to Rory.

Hiei (772) has posed:
"The same holds true for the Human World, in my universe. Humans have their religions and theories, but largely believe in science. They have no idea what the Spirit World actually exists, or Makai. Makai is where I'm from." Hiei continues to take small sips of his soup, his eyes wandering over to Rory, even though his words are meant for Pius. "The Spirit World is ruled by King Enma, he decides if spirts go to Hell or not. I can't tell you how exactly all of it works, but I do know that, just like your world, not every soul moves on. I can see them, after all. Spirits and things like that. Though I mostly ignore them."

He points his spoon at Pius. "King Enma is a wrathful being, he'd like nothing more than to see me dead or punished simply for stealing from him. I don't know if you have an equivalent here, but it's the reason I've been trying to inspire you to be cautious about your work. If there is a being, or beings who regulate the afterlife here, even if it's only a vague possibility, be prepared for them to act against you."

Rory White (673) has posed:
    That WAS probably stupid. But a very logical mistake made by someone who's never had to worry about such things before. Rory handles the offered glass in a panic, spilling a little of the water but manages to save the situation with a few gulps. Even gets her clutching at her neck ineffectually with a hand before she sets the glass down and just focuses on BREATHING.

    "Ahhh...hah.... f-food is harder to deal with than I thought. Sorry!"

    She's likely to make a mess at this rate, Rory realizes. Staren and Diane are both given sheepish looks of apology, her lips pressed together thinly.

    "Maybe I should have practiced?"

Staren has posed:
    "It's alright, it's alright. Hope you didn't burn your taste buds, that'd be a sucky first experience! No, no, don't worry. Here's how you eat soup, I'll show you." He sits down next to her, and scoops up a spoonful, then blows on it gently. "Blow on it to cool it. In case it's not cool enough, suck in a little, and if it's too hot, suck in air in your open mouth, like this." He slurps up the spoonful and then does as described, then after a moment, swallows and smiles at Rory. "See?"

    Staren looks over at Pius and nods. "Yeah, that's just one more reason this is a great endeavor for science, as well as a way to bring back his sister!" Then he looks to Hiei. "If the king of the afterlife has a problem with people being alive, then we'll take him on. Lives are more important than him, or her, or whatever." Staren states as if this is obvious.

Pius Athanor (741) has posed:
    Oh, Rory is all right! Diane lets out a sigh, though she smiles warmly at the other girl. "You can practice now, can't you? Take small spoonfuls! Ummm, should we get a straw for you? Maybe that's easier?"

    Whatever Hiei is talking about, Pius doesn't appear to be too concerned. "So you can see souls. That doesn't mean this world works as yours do. But let us assume that it does. Then what do you suggest?" he asks before he resumes eating his soup. At least it tastes decent. "Just what why would it care whether I put an essence back in a body that I made? The essences of many people are being kept around in this world, and no ill has come of it so far. So why should this matter?"

Hiei (772) has posed:
"There's a large difference between simply preserving a soul, and entirely bringing back the dead. Do you know why beings such as King Enma care? Power, control, preserving the natural order of things. But yes, you're correct, there's no guarantee that your world works like mine." Hiei agrees, holding his hand out in the direction of Rory's soup. Nothing visibly happens, though she might find it to be a more tolerable temperature. "However, if it does, I'd suggest having something to offer. Perhaps that you were doing this for entirely selfless reasons, that you have nothing to gain except for your loved one. Or, simply be prepared to -change- the natural order of things."

He stares down at his soup, then smiles slightly. "If you succeed, and there truly are beings who want to preserve the 'natural' order, I will help you change that order. We know little about your afterlife, but after all of this is over, if necessary, I'll help you find out."

Staren has posed:
    Staren nods enthusiastically when Hiei suggests changing the natural order. "Hmh. I guess we have something in common after all. But why would /you/ want the natural order to change, Hiei?"

Hiei (772) has posed:
"To see what would happen." Hiei answers very simply, lifting his bowl of soup to bring it up to his mouth and finish the rest of it.

Pius Athanor (741) has posed:
    "People change the natural order of things all the time."

    Pius speaks as if this is the most obvious fact. His expression is stern, though he seems to be paying rapt attention to Hiei as he speaks. Perhaps he's not so foolish after all. "What would you think a god of the afterlife would want in exchange? Another life? Gold? Suffering?" Only of of those things will be acceptable to give up. Though Pius narrows his eyes as Hiei goes on. "My main reason for doing this is to revive our dead sister. But if I do that, then will I not be entitled to be proud of surpassing the alchemical limits? To advance the science?"

    Hiei's reasons are a bit curious, but... at the same time, a chuckle rises from Pius's chest, and he leans back in his chair. "You sound more like a scientist now, young man."

Rory White (673) has posed:
    Rory decides to blow on the soup first, remembering about this from a vid. And she's left mesmerized by the experience. So much so that she's forgetting to reply to people until after several gulps of soup have been swallowed.

    Only after the mystifying sensation known as TASTE has finished being understood does she join in the discussion.

    "I am more worried about there being something wrong with the process of resurrection itself. An improper transfer or something else. The tale of Frankenstein's Monster comes to mind. This has never before been attempted and no amount of hard work can guarantee the validity of a theory until the attempt is made..."

Hiei (772) has posed:
"Well, as I said, King Enma would probably like me dead. I helped steal his most valuable treasures from him, the Artifacts of Darkness. We stole the Sword of Evil Invocation, which is a sword made of poison rock that can turn someone into a monster, a youkai, which is what I am. The Mirror of Darkness, which can grant any wish, but the user will die. And the Hungry Ghost Jade, which can mass suck the souls from the bodies of humans." Hiei explains, perhaps leading to something as he grabs a plate of pheasant, cutting into it with a knife and fork.

"I only have the sword now. The Confederacy confiscated the Jade when they made me join them. I have no idea where Kurama ran off to with the mirror." But finally, after chewing a bit of pheasant, he arrives at his point. "As these are King Enma's most valuable possessions, I can only imagine that one who would rule the afterlife values treasures that can manipulate life. You seem like a man who could offer such things."

Though, as far as him sounding like a scientist... "I constantly push the boundaries of what I am. I am not a scientist, but I'm also no stranger to overcoming the limits imposed upon me by nature and conventional wisdom." He points up to his white headband, which hides his currently closed third eye. "My Jagan is not natural, I was not born with it. It was surgically implanted by a youkai surgeon so that I could overcome what I am."

Staren has posed:
    Staren shrugs at Rory. "We anticipate and plan for whatever we can, and do our best to be generally prepared for what we /can't/ expect. I had... I got scared before I made myself immortal, before I tried swapping my body to a machine... but I still had to actually /do/ it, move forward. ...What else is there to say?" Staren shrugs.

Pius Athanor (741) has posed:
    As he finishes up his soup and Alexa begins serving the second course of the meal, Pius reaches for his wine glass and watches Rory. "It is a very strong theory. Though it required lots of magical components in order to even ensure that the essence will take over the body. But she will live again, that I know. She HAS to." His eyes glance at Hiei. "Even if I will have to suffer for it myself. Though I will not let others suffer. If... if indeed some supernatural being should emerge and try to stop life itself, then I do hope you are prepared to help me out. Which reminds me..."

    "What do you all want as payment for all your hard work? Name your price."

Staren has posed:
    Staren looks at Rory. "So, soup! What do you think so far?"

    Staren blinks at Pius. "Payment? I'm doing this because I believe it's right. ...I guess you could say seeing you succeed will be payment enough. However, if you don't think so... well, I look forward to working with you all the same. I think the future will bring plenty of rewards. Hey, hey, how 'bout a toast?" He holds up his glass of water. "To conquering a foe older than mankind itself, with knowledge! To a future filled with life and wonder!"

Hiei (772) has posed:
"Teach me all of the alchemy you know in relation to fire." Hiei states his payment without any real hesitation, then holds his glass up noncommittally as Staren suggests, though nods to Pius. "It's not as if I could get into -more- trouble with the Spirit World. I have experience with these things. So, I'll help."

Pius Athanor (741) has posed:
    "Very well," Pius agrees. "It is a hefty subject, but worth knowing." He too raises his glass, and Diane isn't slow to pick up her cider. "To life!" she adds after Staren's toast, smiling softly in her seat, glancing over at Rory and Lyria. It's nice to hear Staren being so invested in this as well, though she doesn't know what to think about her brother and the cat boy working together. Perhaps it will bear good fruits. One can only hope. Just as she can only hope that Hiei is wrong about other forces getting in their way when the time comes.