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Priscilla     Priscilla has very recently made the next set of coordinates in her trek back and forth across Lordran known to Confederate and Union allies, allowing them time to prepare for the next staging area, and the venture that lies beyond. Though Ariah isn't familiar with it, these new coordinates aren't so far from the time before last, being just inside of the limits of Anor Londo, city of the gods. Rather than the perpetual sunlight of before, painting marble of the skyward soaring city in shades of gleaming gold, a dark, starless twilight casts it into cool silver, and draws deep shadows from every arch, steeple and buttress. The hundreds of storeys below the mountain peaks aren't even visible, fading into blackness as the moonlight fails to reach them through the circle of mountains that surround it. The meeting point is atop just such one of those mountains, perhaps a half hour's hike from a small palace of some kind that overlooks the city from its edge. A stone dias is build right into the mountain rock; part of a lengthy series of pathways and stairs that seem to trace the inside of the entire mountain range, like the inside of a castle wall.
Ariah      Ariah's wanderings usually take her near and far, the vastness of the Multiverse being full of discoveries and dangers. But tonight her wanderings are with purpose. The exploration and conflict in Lordan is one she has been seeking to become a part of, and with the dissemination of fresh coordinates to involved parties, the witch takes advantage of the information given. The trek in the moonlight is no bother to her, no inconvenience, such a walk completed hundreds of times when she was still but a human soldier. At the rally she lingers, holding on to her staff, her white cloak and hood covering her and making her stand out all the more in the silver light, as if her own pale skin and platinum hair didn't do enough to that effect.
Nathan Hall     Nathan Hall has casually loitered in Lordran. He is, possily, the only human being who would ever do a thing like that. He is possibly spending his time reading, doing so vaguely in the company of Priscilla, for some reason. But for now, he's here mostly to greet and help speak to Ariah. Because he's the Talking Guy, and while she's improved a lot, Priscilla by nature really isn't.

    He has a weird white glow and a slightly unreal nature to him, because he's a phantom, visible during his hiking approach along the pathways. He is probably walking alongside what he vaguely estimates Priscilla's position to be (she is probably invisible) and more practically, he's probably just acting as some kind of indicator that there's an Approach Happening. Otherwise, Priscilla is probably going to scare Ariah, possibly, by suddenly speaking while invisibly arriving abruptly. I mean, sure, he'll let her speak up first, he just exists, visibly, in the vague vicinity of his Union ally, to make sure Ariah doesn't have to be startled.

    Also so he doesn't get maimed by the natives or the local fauna, but that's a tangential element of things.
Priscilla     From a distance, Ariah probably doesn't look a whole lot different than Priscilla, being of almost exactly the same colours. The latter woman stops as she arrives at the last dias before the palace on the mountainside, and begins the process of tracing convoluted lines onto the clear, flat surface it provides, using the point of some kind of cloth wrapped crystal that glows faintly in the dim light. She appears to have sketched the outline of a rather large circle, and is in the process of filling it in with a number of runes, the lines of which shimmer brightly, as if projected rather than actually engraved onto the stone, when she senses Ariah, well before she comes within earshot, and without turning to look over her shoulder until she puts the crystal down and stands up. She drops the invisibility right away once she gathers that the hooded figure isn't from Lordran, meaning it is the unfamiliar presence of a new face showing up to volunteer themselves for the meatgrinder.

    "Greetings to thee." She says as soon as Ariah is close enough to hear her fairly quiet voice. "I do not believe we hath met. Art thou one of Lady Serori's? A fair few of thine number hath appeared here as of late, but most often one at a time. The journey shall not begin for some time yet. Thou wilst be waiting some time if thou art here to prepare." She gestures vaguely towards the front doors of the building further along the path; obviously the only point of interest at the top of the mountain.
Ariah      The presence of the Phantom Nathan neither disturbs nor assures the vampiress. She keeps her staff close at hand, lifting one set of small fingers to pull her hood back and reveal herself to both. A nod to the Phantom is given, and then a deep bow to Priscilla. She shows nothing less than respect to the woman, though her eyes follow the gesture to the door. "I am with the Confederacy, yes. I am aware that the journey within will not take place until next eve. But I wish to introduce myself, and partake in the scenery before diving in head first."

     Her voice is soft and cold, her tone icy but not unkind, tinged with a thick French accent. "My name is Ariah, and I am here to pledge my aid to this... expedition, if that is the accurate word for it. It pleases me that my allegiance and loyalties are not an issues, if I may make that assumption?" she makes the inquiry, eyes drifting back to Priscilla, and then to Nathan, settling her gaze moreso on him.
Nathan Hall     Nathan gives his own quiet, respectful nod, saying, "Salutations, Ariah. I recall you from your superb performance in the WMAT." His voice is as monotonous as ever. "The scenery, beautiful though it may be, is exceedingly dangerous. I advise caution, regardless of your affiliation, and some briefings we may provide on a safer option for excursion protocol may be productive, should you find yourself wishing to assist."

    He's come to a stop, folding his arms behind his back, difficult to see with the robe-like adventuring outfit he has. "Your loyalty will not be an issue. I have collaborated a great deal with the Confederacy, and learned that a healthy degree of cautious trust is much more beneficial than any paranoia. I will not speak for my ally, but you will hear no objection from me. Your aid is appreciated."
Priscilla     One gets the feeling that Priscilla would be making a wry little grimace of a smile if she hadn't forgotten most of her facial expressions centuries ago. It takes careful attention to the subtlest nuances of her voice to pick up the faintly bitter, but helplessly accepting tone behind it. "This place yet remains scenic yet, but there is nothing left to see other than its architecture. I wish that I couldst show many people the way Anor Londo was, rather than what little of it hath been left behind, but such will not come to pass as long as the curse plagues these lands."

    If Nathan knows this lady, and seems to have no immediate problems with her like he would with the Confederacy's more unstable members, Priscilla has little reason to object. "Well met, Lady Ariah. Sir Hall speaks the truth. These lands are already far more dangerous than most any world thou shalt find, but the place we art about to visit has been deliberately designed to be even worse. The Duke will not lightly suffer an invasion of his home, if truthfully he is still here." She sweeps her arm towards the partially complete summoning circle. "For those who value their lives, I shalt be summoning them in the form I hath Sir Hall at this moment, as hath become the custom for these . . . adventures. I shalt teach thee the proper way to inscribe thine name, if such wouldst please thee."
Nathan Hall     "To clarify the mechanism of my summoning," Nathan speaks up briefly. "Local magic permits the manifestation of an external... 'Proxy' body of sorts, by way of having Priscilla summon us. It permits us the full use of our gear and abilities - in some cases, even providing additional insight - as long as Priscilla performs the summoning. I am not, you see, actually here, but at a classified location."

    He does a brief sort of nodding, open-palmed gesture. "I have seen many people die in Lordran. I have to say, having death be a tactical option instead of a tragedy is certainly preferable."
Ariah      Like a good stranger in a strange land, and perhaps a smart one, Ariah stays silent. Introductions are made, a nod of affirmation to Nathan's mention of the WMAT, and then the witch listens. She listens to all both have to say, expressionless. The plight of Anor Londo and the mention of the curse and its past does bring a light frown to her pale lips. Then at least she speaks, eyes on the summoning circle. "A safer option for excursion. This summoning ritual is the suggested, and preferred method of exploring these lands and eventually saving it?" she asks. Her eyes return to Priscilla, looking up at her, a faint violet glow in them. "Not that I am afraid of death, being what I am... but being spared the pain of steel and flame is preferable."

     She leans on her staff, placing the point directly in front of her toes, the tips forming an equilateral triangle. A gesture not likely lost on the Phantom of Nathan. Equilibrium. Just in case something leaps out of the shadows. "The runes here are unfamiliar to me, as well they should be. If you would bless me with the knowledge required to inscribe and be summoned, then by all means, please," she states with another respectful nod. "Is this place truly that treacherous, then?"
Priscilla     "Sir Hall hast the right of it. So far, seven capable Elites hath met their ends despite being at their fullest capacity at the time, and a total of eight true deaths hath been prevented in such manner. Those of prudence taketh the opportunity to ensure their safety where it presents itself, as many egos hath violently deflated upon exposure to Lordran's dangers." Moving over to Ariah, Priscilla reaches into one of her voluminous sleeves, and presses a similar crystal to the one she had been drawing with into Ariah's palm; one of the many she had begotten with the souls of slain monsters.

    "Keep this soapstone well, as I shall not furnish thee with another one. Shortly before the time we art sheduled to begin, the practise is to find a place where thine body shalt not be disturbed for some time, and to inscribe thine name on the nearest surface in the old language of Lordran. I mineself, knowing who shalt accompany me ahead of time, handle the complexities of tying the circle to thee. Once all places in the circle hath been filled, the consciousness is drawn from each body in turn, and given form from the remnants of the Ashen Misters. Mine power is great enough such that the limited time of summoning is great enough to be of no real concern."
Nathan Hall     "It is the traditional means of assisting, yes, and there seems nothing to be lost in utilizing it. Unless you are in possession of abilities that are peril-sensitive, anyway." Nathan says. It's not clear if he's joking. Is he? That tone is way too dry.

    "My understanding is that, like the Union, the Confederacy was at one point involved in the VRMMO crises, and therefore should have facilities that may yet provide you with the requisite support during lengthy periods of proxy-body operation and unconsciousness. Following your summoning, you will experience full immersion sensory experience in this proxy form, until the summoning expires, is dismissed, or is... Forcibly dissolved. The pain is visceral, butthe process ensures that one remains in a safe location even if they are resistant to death."

    "Now, I believe we may require a full name, correct? Or as much of a name as you may consider yourself bearing, in any case. Just 'Ariah'?" He knows a little of the language, but he's gonna leave the proper translation to Priscilla. Because he doesn't wanna make a big stupid fool of himself and accidentally summon that weird bunnygirl dragonborn.
Ariah      Ariah stays still when the woman approaches. She removes a hand from where it holds her staff, holding it palm up to accept the crystal given to her. She examines it closely, eyes widening slightly with wonder and interest. Even so far as to 'tapping' it with the touch of mana to feel the power it holds. "I will keep it safe," she says, almost distracted, before her eyes rise to meet Priscilla's again. That glow is a little brighter. "How much of my will am I able to exert upon this world in that form?" she indicates Nathan's phantomness. "I possess martial ability, but my primary talents lie in magic and runes. Will the realm and its terrain allow me to alter them if I am here in spirit, instead of body?"

     Her attention turns to Nathan, his words still not quite answering her query. She slides the soapstone into a pocket in her uniform, "My home should suffice. I have skimmed the VRMMO reports, but I admit that such technology is still... alien to me." A slight shrug rises with her shoulders, and that hand in her jacket finds something else. She produces a pair of dog tags, battered and decades old. "Ariah Olivie. The spelling is correct." World War II. Allied forces. She lets both Priscilla and Nathan see them to get the correct spelling down. Lest bunnygirls be summoned in her stead.
Priscilla     The soapstone is a curious thing to examine with other senses. It doesn't seem to possess more than faint traces of magical ability, but it gives the impression that it is already attuned to something else, as if a small piece of a much larger system. The power that can be felt within it is transient, passing through the crystal rather than being held inside of it. "As far as I hath seen, the magic of others functions the same. The art of summoning phantoms is deeply rooted in the way the mists convolute the flow of time. Consider it a . . . twist of causality, rather than an artificial duplicate. For most intents and purposes, thou art in two places at one time, though thine consciousness cannot inhabit both at once."


    Priscilla takes a moment to peer at the dogtags, being passingly familiar with English by now, though the pronunciation, and at a greater level, the facets of Ariah's spiritual identity that she can sense, are more important. Kneeling against the stone pathway, Priscilla picks up her own soapstone, and begins to drag the tip across the granite, though no sound of scraping can be heard. The letters she draws are angular yet flowing, with accents vaguely reminescent of musical notation, like the illuminated script of a medieval monk's work, but entirely unintelligible. Strangely, as soon as she finishes the last stroke, Ariah immediately gets the sense that the word on the ground relates to her. Looking at it creates the same sensation as if she'd just heard someone speak her name aloud.
Nathan Hall     "Trying to explain how time works in Lordran is something best left to one more educated than myself." Nathan says, shaking his head. "Most merely think of it as a proxy. The minutiae of its nature in terms of folding causality over distance and timelines, that is something I doubt you take particular immediate interest in. Suffice to say, you will retain all abilities."

    Nathan kneels down, watching the translation himself. As she translates, he explains. "The people of Lordran overcame the barrier of language some time ago, due the the sheer variety in physical form. It is an ancient language, primarily the domain of scholars and beings of great age. It should be able to connect to you directly and uniquely."

    He tilts his head, considering the dog-tags. Ariah will be able to tell he's considering the story behind that. But he doesn't say anything, clearly far too polite. "As for the matter of the VRMMOs, it is nothing you need concern yourself with, merely a simple matter to ask for the original infrastructure for. Thankfully, I expect it no longer sees much use."
Ariah      "That was my primary concern. I would not be able to aid your endeavors and my allies, though temporary they may be, if I am hampered or handicapped by the summoning..." Ariah says quietly. "But I feel assured that I will not be a burden, and further assured in that this ritual will allow me safety so I may continue to help even in the event of my untimely end as a doppleganger." Then she pauses, eyes immediately drawn to the name on the stone. She stares at the lettering, the words. Her name. It distracts to the point where it takes her a few moments to pocket her tags.

     "Immediate interest? No," Ariah states to Nathan, "...future interest, however..." she says quietly. "...if only because I am curious as to how folding causality affects leylines as well as timelines..." she says quietly. "If at all... As for the VRMMO, I will leave such technology to those who better understand it. The magic involved in this feels more... familiar to me. In a way. Thank you."
Priscilla     Standing up from writing Ariah's name down, Priscilla dusts off the knees of her dress. "Thou shalt be welcome to study such within these lands if we art successful in the venture ahead of this. The aid thou offer is fair compensation for such, provided it is actually given. WHere thou choose to lay thineself to rest tomorrow is of no true concern to me, merely thou thou shouldst be ready. Now . . ." She gestures towards the next slab of granite over, clearly expecting Ariah to make use of it. "Attempt to do so thineself with the soapstone I hath given thee. Thou may attempt to copy if thou must, but I assure thee it will begin to feel entirely natural the moment thou attempt it."
Nathan Hall     "Few have yet to be a burden in our excursions." Nathan says. "As someone ill-suited to the vicious demands of survival in Lordran, I can say with confidence that even if you were hampered, there would still be quite an opportunity to assist." There's a few firm nods, and not an ounce of sheepishness to his response. Dude's pretty secure and confident in his level of ability, which is to say, not really very much ability at all.

    There's a few nos and agreeable gestures as Priscilla speaks. "Your own self-defined name is much more natural a thing to learn than the more direct language-less expressions of other things, but ideally, when the curse of undeath is lifted, the inhabitants of Anor Londo found, and the land of Lordran overall brought back onto a path of reconstruction, we will have the time to be able to learn about these things at great length. For now, we focus; the crisis at hand demands our full attention."
Ariah      "My home will be the preferable location," Ariah states quietly. "I have a meditation circle which will serve me very well for this endeavor." She pulls the stone back from her jacket, stepping towards the slab as bidden. She looks towards Nathan, likely able to feel -something- from him, even if only the knowledge to an extent. She starts to copy the lettering, the first strokes taking a moment as she studies the lines drawn by Priscilla, and then the motions get smoother.

     "Then I will fight when I am needed, and study when I am able," the witch states, finishing the writing and looking at the lettering. "But my aid is given, that I promise. Hollow words will be rendered to actions come the morrow," she says with a nod towards Priscilla. "Tell me of our future endeavor. What lies beyond these gates, and what piece of the puzzle are we seeking?"
Priscilla     Priscilla must be pleased with Ariah's reproduction of her name, because she doesn't spare any time to criticize it. It's pretty decent for her first time, and she doesn't expect anyone to possess the same level of calligraphy in her native language as she herself does. That would be silly.

    "This place is an estate given to the sole duke of Anor Londo, awarded for his . . . performance in an ancient war. Within those walls is contained a comprehensive knowledge of all sorcery that has ever existed in this world, which humans most dearly covet. It is also the place where he conducts further research into the mysteries of the soul, and a pursuit of immortality, though I imagine he must hath succeeded if he is still alive after so long a time. His channelers still exist, and so they must yet be within the halls of his manse, carrying out his bidding. Likewise, I imagine it remains very well defended, though the impenetrable barrier surrounding it hast been dispelled by the return of the Lordvessel to its rightful home at Firelink Shrine."

    She pauses for a long time before continuing. "Lord Gwyn hath made arrangements such that he cannot be succeeded until one being possesses all the pieces of his power that he didst originally bestow upon his most trusted subjects in order to build his empire. The Duke possesses a fragment of Lord Gwyn's soul, which we will need to win back from him if we art ever to gain entry to the Kiln of the First Flame."
Nathan Hall     "There is also the matter of his channelers and their efforts to cause trouble for our party. While their efforts have been reduced since we addressed their... Troubling project in the sewers, I do not relish the idea of allowing them to rebuild their power and go after us again." Nathan says. Turning to Ariah, there is a soft, worried sort of noise. "To provide the relevant context, we have been attacked at least twice to my immediate recollection by channelers of Duke Seath, and once with the intent to kidnap our allies. I am a nonviolent man, but I am also a man who understands the value of a... Response to such offensive actions."

    He shakes his head. "In any case, good work, Ariah. It seems you understand the relevant mechanisms sufficiently now, and ideally will help us to deal with this matter tomorrow. Your assistance will likely be valuable, thank you for offering it, and I wish you best of luck in your own studies."
Ariah      There's just something about the way Priscilla says that. Something that makes Ariah's eyes glow even brighter purple in the moonlight. Like a child in a sweet shop. "I will admit that such knowledge would be of great interest to me. Ways to further my own abilities, or channel them more efficiently, or differently are always worthwhile things to study..." the witch says quietly. "The full sum of your world's sorcerous knowledge. Were I not already eager to offer my aid, I would be all in for the opportunity to peruse the information held within those walls. I am not ashamed to admit a touch of selfish desire now," she bows her head as she speaks honestly.

     Then to Nathan, "My blade and magic belong to this cause." Isn't she carrying a staff? "Beyond tomorrow, I will provide as much of myself and my time as I can until this crisis is resolved. That is a promise I can make," she says quietly.
Priscilla     Priscilla, strangely, doesn't hesitate for a moment as Ariah admits her selfish motives. "By the end of this, I expect that the duke will no longer retain his monopoly on such knowledge. I hath no respect for his desire to keep it, and every reason to allow mine allies access to his archives, though I admit many find the arts of soul sorcery to be . . . distasteful. It is a common viewpoint for many worlds to regard souls as something sacred and inviolate, and thus refuse to maketh use of them for practical purposes, believing that it shalt torture or sully them somehow. There is a scholar by the name of Griggs empathetic to our cause who knows much of Vinheim's human schools, and so I believeth he wouldst be grateful to show thee through to the less advanced texts." That said, Priscilla drifts back to the circle, resuming where she had left off. "I look forward to seeing thee tomorrow, Lady Ariah. Make the fullest preparations thou art able. The day shalt not be kind to thee."
Nathan Hall     "Griggs is a man of quality, as far as I can tell. I am not a very good judge of character, as has been demonstrated by constant betrayals executed against me, though." Nathan speaks with a frank sort of monotone, a dry kind of pacing to the words. "In any case, I hope you will find what you are looking for and we will find a means of addressing the issue of the Duke and his Channelers tomorrow."

    "Whatever your interests and motives may be, as long as you seek to remove the blight on this land, I will be appreciative of your assistance. I will look forward to your help tomorrow." There's a sort of firm nod there, then a glance to Priscilla. "I expect the name 'souls' is the primary trouble. With a proper euphamism, you would have much less trouble. Perhaps it is for the best, in that case. I know that magic of this realm is very potent; elements that ward off the laymen are likely the substitute."
Ariah      "Souls..." Ariah says quietly. She rolls the word around in her mouth as if tasting a new hard candy. "...there are powers I can and cannot harness... but souls... given shape and form... and tangibility..." she turns the stone over and over in her hands. "I hold no taboos on the use of such things as a source of power. And if my ability to tap and touch them is able to aid your cause by giving me greater strength, then all the better..." The vampiress gives one more long, respectful bow to Nathan and Priscilla.

     "You will not find me betraying your trust, not here in Lordran. I am a soldier, and I intend to act with integrity. I must return home to my meditations. At the appointed time I will ensure that I am sufficiently rested... and in my proper place to be... conjured."