Multiverse Crisis MUSH - User contributions [en]

5196/The Punishing Typhoon

2017-04-17T05:19:37Z

Blue Elf: Created page with "{{Log Header |Date of Scene=2017/04/12 |Location=The Tapestry |Synopsis=A factory for making slave workers is being assaulted by a strange new heroine. Ish. |Cast of Character..."

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2017/04/12
|Location=The Tapestry
|Synopsis=A factory for making slave workers is being assaulted by a strange new heroine. Ish.
|Cast of Characters=336, 756, 1064, 265, 331, 765, 1104, 1097
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:336|Starless Night (336)}} has posed:'''     The city where this factory is producing the 'slave laborors' is... actually very very close. The factory is more on the outskirts of the city, close enough for general businesses near by but far enough away that for the most part, people can ignore what goes on there. Paladins or those who have stated they wish to defend the place from the expected 'terrorist' attack will get a nice little window-bearing lounge from which to look over the small yard outside. The rough metal fence around the factory says that there have been some security issues in the past, even though the current attitude of the population favors this whole setup.     There are armed guards, and as expected of a place that can manufacture 'people,' even if they aren't legally people, the guards have some pretty advanced weaponry! This isn't an army setup though... there are a number of guards but not a whole battle unit, even expecting trouble as they are. As night approaches, they're just getting MORE nervous. 

:'''{{#var:756|Shin Tokuyama (756)}} has posed:'''     There's another group of people here! They're not belonging to any faction! They're the Pair of Protagonists, Shin Tokuyama and Velvet Crowe.     Shin is dragging his waifu by the bandaged arm and yanking her along, "I heard that there's gonna be some crazy shit going down here soon. Human rights, rebellions, probably some ideological speech-making. Could be a good chance for you to eat some douchebags with your arm and gain sick experience."     He grins as he yanks Velvet along. 

:'''{{#var:1064|Yuko Minami (1064)}} has posed:''' Defending an innocent factory seemed like it would be the perfect way for Yuko to build up some real credibility in the Multiverse. THe law must be upheld, after all, and what better way to look good while doing it than if it's against terrorists?      For starters, it would probably look better if the factory wasn't also producing artificial slaves. Still, she's agreed to help protect the place, and the rookie God Eater is waiting in the provided lounge area with her stupidly oversized anime scythe resting held down while she watches the yard from above.      "This is going to be tricky..." She murmurs to herself, actually looking troubled for once instead of wearing that usual cheery smile. 

:'''{{#var:265|Rabby (265)}} has posed:''' Anti-rebellion mental inhibitors. To some, it might seem like something totally bizarre or far-fetched, but for Rabby, it could prove to be quite useful for ensuring that people don't try to revolt or plan takeovers or things like that. It's one of those things that sounds so crazy they just might work. But whether or not it actually works has yet to be seen. That's why Rabby is in attendance here. Or rather, she's here, but not exactly in attendance. Instead, she's spotted a nearby vantage point to take cover with and is watching far from a distance with her binoculars. "Looks like it's well protected. I can't just say I'm here for a tour of the place. If the League is going to get this stuff, I'll have to find another way in..." 

:'''{{#var:331|Himei (331)}} has posed:'''     "Don't I know it," Himei agrees, leaning back and looking pretty casual considering. She's not happy about being called to defend this place either... but it is her job. It's making her more thoughtful than usual. Not that many could tell, given her tendency toward brooding. She is perhaps paying less attention to the yard than she otherwise would, given the whole situation with slaves and stuff.     Still, she's armed with a taser AND a pistol, and dressed all casual-like. She's also keeping an eye out for exits so she knows where best to evacuate to so she can get to any place in the factory. In front of her is a rough map of the place, figuring that the rebels will want to bust into where the current 'crop' is being kept. 

:'''{{#var:765|Gaonoir (765)}} has posed:''' The factory's location on the outer edge of town actually worked in their favor, as it was close enough to stake out the perimeter from atop one of the other nearby buildings. Not that Gaonoir cared for waiting, but he was trying to let his Tamer do her thing with investigating before he goes flying off into a heap of trouble before the objective is even in sight. Though that doesn't mean he's being patient, as the tapping of a bionic paw would start, stop, and start again. Meanwhile Erika was perched at the edge of the roof, using binoculars to look over the factory yard. "Those guards look pretty well armed. You'll probably have to fight through no matter what." "Fine with me," Gaonoir replied, cracking the knuckles of his metallic gauntlets. 

:'''{{#var:1104|Velvet Crowe (1104)}} has posed:'''     Velvet still dislikes the term 'protagonist'. She doesn't feel like one, and really the way Shin treats everything in narratives is... offputting, to say the least. On the other hand it balances out her moody attitude pretty well.     People who've seen Velvet before might be interested to notice her outfit has been repaired. There's not a tatter left on it, courtesy of Tomoyo. It's still a bit revealing around the chest, but the coat is now stylish as hell, she's wearing proper shorts and thigh-highs, and that red top under the coat at least feels like it's intentionally looking like that, not ripped apart.     "You don't seem bothered in the slightest you're offering me to just murder people as I see fit. I'm not going to turn it down if I feel like it, but what did you hear exactly and where are we?" 

:'''{{#var:1097|Samantha Middleton (1097)}} has posed:'''     Fido is not here today. For some reason, Samantha is without her power armor. She HAS carried two turrets along with her, and after making sure Gaonoir was around she's going to be following along with Shin and Velvet. "Hey guys. He heard it from me. We're going to bust open a factory making slaves, sound fun?"     Also in her satchel she has some explosives refined from the Vermillion Ore. Just to see. She has her goggles down to assess the factory and look for a good way to bust in. 

:'''{{#var:336|Starless Night (336)}} has posed:'''     So far everything looks... well, like there are a lot of options. The front gate is well-guarded, but also the easiest to just bust through the fence. The other fence portions have guard towers and spotlights, which means that the middle of the fence would be the best way in, on one of the other sides, if breaking it down is what's needed. Or an attempt can be made to go over. It looks like the loading bay is closed for the night, so that's a possible way in. It also looks like there might be rooftop access, or possibly a fire escape. Forcing the way in would be best.     Violette, the one who called for the Paladins, steps into the lounge with some coffee. "I wasn't sure you would come, but I appreciate it. Maybe just you two being here will help out." She eyes the scythe for a moment, but it's Himei that is getting a lot of her attention for some reason. "Anything you need?"     Well, she WAS asking that, when the opportunity that others may have wanted presents itself! Dramatically, a SHADOW falls across the factory, a young woman framed by the setting sun! She carries a sword at her side, and strikes a pose atop the... actually rather short building. No attempt to hide at all. She calls out!     "The Unleashed Sparrow     of the Punishing Typhoon     Will dispense justice!"     And then she leaps for the factory! A dramatic leap, with a grappling hook thrown out to latch onto the guard tower nearest her and swinging forward! This is a good thing with all the shots being fired suddenly. At least they seem to be using tranq darts? 

:'''{{#var:765|Gaonoir (765)}} has posed:''' A shadow! Does this shadow know what lurks in the hearts of men? Erika lifts her binoculars up to look from the field to the form posing atop the other roof. "... I don't think that's one of ours." A sheen flashes across his visor as Gaonoir turns his head and zooms in to look as well. "I don't think so either. But hardly gonna pass up a perfectly good opening." The Black Machgaogamon crouches a bit, the jet engines affixed to his back ratcheting out into position, innards starting to glow as they power up. "You stay here. Shouldn't need the big guy for this." There is an audible roar as engines fire and the digimon launchs off the rooftop. His path arcs upward briefly to get as much speed as he can in a relatively short distance, then dives straight for a second of wall. Between tremendous speed, strength, and the big metal fists extended in front of him as he dives it looks like Gaonoir intends to just living battering ram right through the wall. 

:'''{{#var:756|Shin Tokuyama (756)}} has posed:'''     "Hey Sammy!" Shin waves several times to Middleton before grinning to Velvet, "Yo, yo. I'm Japanese. I have a thing with societal systematic oppression and slavery. It's a long story," Shin says vaguely, waving his hand to Velvet a couple times to dismiss her claim that he was willing to let her murder people, "Plus I vetted this place through Sammy. She said it checks out."     "YOU... need some music." Shin takes an iPod out of his jacket and then thrusts a set of earbuds into Velvet's ears and gives her some music to jam to, shouting over said music, "JUST GROOVE TO THIS AND YOU WILL UNDERSTAND BEING A PROTAGONIST!" He then leaves her with the music player in her ears.     And then... Shin's attention is drawn by someone making an entrance! Shin has to respect the Sparrow's style, which is why he just gives a loud whistle and some applause for her stylish entrance. Velvet's Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiNyCunp4znGqemUGx8eNmrNKGjRVMCC9 

:'''{{#var:265|Rabby (265)}} has posed:''' As soon as the mysterious shadow appears, Rabby looks up and scowls. "Just my luck, someone had to show up to try to ruin everything." But then she notices the mysterious person going for the guard towers. "Or maybe not? Maybe while they're busy I can slip in undetected?" She looks at the fence and sees that it may be tall, but there's no wire on it. "Looks like I'm going up!" A few moments later, Rabby has slipped to the side of the factory to the right of the main entrance and is attempting to climb up the fence as quickly as she can without drawing attention from the guards. "As long as nobody spots me," She thinks to herself, "I should be fine." 

:'''{{#var:1064|Yuko Minami (1064)}} has posed:''' "Well... Maybe it'll work out better than expected~" Yuko replies with her usual cheerful tone, almost doing a facial 180 the instant Himei speaks up. "It's... Not a great situation, no. Still, we can keep it from getting worse!"      That would be even worse for her cred. No, if Yuko wants to get that PR bump, she'll have to work for it no matter how many haiku-spewing terrorists show up! Speaking of haiku-spewing terrorists, she squints slightly at the sight of the shadow at first, then the source of the words outside the factory.      Was that really a haiku? A dramatic one with proper form and firmly entrenching her as a freedom fighter rather than a terrorist, even... Still, judging from the lack of apparent lethal weaponry on the guards, the God Eater transforms her weapon into its similarly massive gun mode and fiddles with something on it for a while.      "We're going non-lethal with this, then? Oh, that's perfect~" Killing people in defense of a slave factory couldn't possibly look good, especially they're spouting things about justice. Just incapacitating them with electric shots, though? That's probably nice and clean-looking! Of course, choosing someone to shoot at is fairly tricky. Eenie meeny miney...      ... Sky! Warning shots are good, too. After switching to one her flashy decorative (and cheap) bullet patterns, the God Eater fires what appears to be a massive blast of colorful sparks into the air. "This is private property, so if you want to gain entry, you'll have to do so legally!"      That did not sound nearly as impressive as she hoped. Dammit. 

:'''{{#var:1097|Samantha Middleton (1097)}} has posed:'''     "Shin," Sam starts to greet... and her planning is interrupted by someone crashing the party. She sighs, and drops the first of her turrets nearby to set up an escape route. Then she comments, "Velvet, you'd better get on the ball. It looks like you've got a rival for Shin's protagonist affections." They do look like peas in a pod don't they?     She'd better get moving and help out that woman. "Better go make sure she doesn't get herself killed. Maybe find a way in, too! Hey Velvet, those rocks we found make explosives, I made a few."     Like Rabby, Samantha is going to sprint over and try to climb the fence. Unlike Rabby, her goal is to get up close to help the... Unleashed Sparrow? 

:'''{{#var:1104|Velvet Crowe (1104)}} has posed:'''     Whoever that mysterious figure is has quite the dramatic flair. Velvet's eyes are drawn to her as she delivers the short speech and leaps straight for the factory. This is fine with her. No need to think, just act. Follow that figure's lead.     Her attention returns to Shin and Samantha briefly, and she nods. "Sure, then. I'm hungry anyway." Then she's handed music.     First reaction: what the hell is this, music is coming out of these earbud things. Second reaction: oh, right, radios are a thing. That professor from the League also taught her about 'storing' data, so it must be a similar deal.     "It's not that I don't think the music, but you're still weirding me out," she answers honestly. Still, she doesn't take the earbuds OUT, so...     "Sorry, what?" she shouts at Samantha, due to the aforementioned earbuds. "Bombs? You do that!" She got the last part right at least.     Warning shots illuminate the sky for a moment, causing Velvet to glance up. Everyone's rushing in ahead, but there's someone shouting about the law. She frowns and starts running towards Yuko. Guess she's found something to do! 

:'''{{#var:331|Himei (331)}} has posed:'''     "Well that's... someone," Himei sighs, standing up. "Sorry, ma'am, but we'll have to get to work. I hope you aren't insisting we kill them. Like Yuko says, this isn't a situation we really want to make worse with needless bloodshed."     Nonlethal, huh? That means she can unholster the taser as she dashes out onto the rooftop. Wings of magic power spring from her shoulders, both drawing attention and preparing for a fight. It is, perhaps, intentional that she is QUITE far away when announcing herself, giving plenty of time to run instead of being captured.     "STAND DOWN AND YOU WILL NOT BE HARMED! THIS IS THE PALADINS, AND YOU'RE IN VIOLATION OF LOCAL LAW!" 

:'''{{#var:336|Starless Night (336)}} has posed:'''     Rabby is... spotted! Unfortunately for the spotter, it's a single guard who calls out, "We have an attack on the west side! Someone breaking in! HEY!" He waves wildly for reinforcements, but things are already spiralling out of control, leaving just the one dude to fire off a dart at Rabby. He's just a rentacop basically, he's not prepared to fight an Elite.     The wall is surprisingly sturdy! Mostly because there's a LOT of metal in there. The concrete shatters though, as does a window. If Gaonoir isn't stopped, then getting in one of the gaps will be... a bit of a squeeze, but quite doable.     The Sparrow is avoiding most of the darts, but as she scrambles up her grappling line, she's getting a LOT more attention. Good thing for her that there are others here to draw some fire. Samantha and Velvet, specifically, get a few people turning and drawing a bead. The range on those rifles isn't great, so they're taking their time.     Sparrow calls out to Himei, "Storm unrelenting, justice will never be quenched, no matter man's law!" She leaps up, scrambling toward the guard tower, doing a flip upward to strike one of the guards in the chest. "A strike like lightning, brings the minion to his knees, all as it should be!" 

:'''{{#var:1064|Yuko Minami (1064)}} has posed:''' Note to self: Workshop better law-abiding declarations with the other rookies before the next outing. Yuko won't have time to figure out something cool to say with a strangely-dressed lady coming at her, after all!      "Ma'am! This is a restricted area, so I'll have to fire if you come any closer~" That overly cheerful tone is still in Yuko's voice as she calls out that warning to Velvet, watching her feet of all places while thumbing the God Arc and switching its bullet patterns again. Still, it doesn't look like Velvet's going to take the first strike, and doing it herself...      That'd just look terrible even in this situation. Thus, Yuko goes for plan B: Meeting Velvet's advance while transforming the weapon AGAIN into it's shield mode. It's big, it's vaguely shaped like a turtle shell, and it's kinda bland looking! Still, it's an overly large shield, and Yuko's going to opt for using it as a physical wall against Velvet instead.      Perhaps tellingly, though, if Velvet doesn't suddenly rush forward? Yuko will actually slow down as if deliberately waiting for her to make the first move. It's time for a game of first-hit chicken! 

:'''{{#var:756|Shin Tokuyama (756)}} has posed:'''     There's a lot of chaos going on right now! And Shin's not actually totally sure what he should be doing.     So he just tries to punch the side of the building! Normally, this would be weird! Shin, however, has crazy ki-based punches! And so, if he's actually allowed to get a good shot in on the side of the building, he might blow a giant hole in it.     He's hoping that that will help some slaves escape or something! 

:'''{{#var:265|Rabby (265)}} has posed:''' As soon as Rabby is spotted, she gasps, and quickly leaps from the fence onto the ground of the other side. Without missing a beat, she rushes towards the guard and attempts to administer a shoulder tackle to knock him out. "Get out of my way! I don't have time for amateurs like you!" After she's taken care of the guard, she attempts to reorient herself and then spots the main entrance. "Looks like getting in will be easier than I thought!" Rabby says with a smirk. As she approaches the main entrance, Rabby takes a look around, trying to avoid being caught off-guard by any other guards or those who might be watching from afar. "Wait a minute, this is too easy..." She says with a scowl. "Something's wrong here, I can sense it." 

:'''{{#var:1097|Samantha Middleton (1097)}} has posed:'''     Oh joy, guards are coming toward HER now! Samantha ignores Himei for the time being, dropping her second turret and using that to shoot at the guards. It's small calibre ammunition, and she's shooting to wound, but it's a lot more lethal than darts. That's just to cover herself though while she digs out the explosive she made. Instead of using it on the wall, the cyborg girl uses her artificial arm to hurl it toward the base of the tower. She's no demolitionist, but blowing that up should make it fall, right? 

:'''{{#var:1104|Velvet Crowe (1104)}} has posed:'''     If Yuko won't take the strike, Velvet will. She's not a fan of law enforcers to begin with, so she doesn't need much excuse to attack. She's not here to 'free slaves' or 'dispense haiku justice', also what the hell is a haiku, she's just here because Shin asked. Hunger is a distant second factor. She's always hungry so it loses its punch as a justification for anything.     "Save the warnings for someone who cares!"     Velvet keeps running, and seeing the weapon shift into a massive shield doesn't deter her. It seems her intent is to slam into the shield, use it as a platform to flip over both it and Yuko, and then as her sword pops out of her bracer, release a sudden fiery slash towards her back, timed with a "Searing Edge!" because artes don't work if you don't announce them, it's a rule.     But that assumes Yuko doesn't have any nasty surprises in store and just lets it happen.     She has no idea security guards are aiming at her, so she can't really do anything about it right now. 

:'''{{#var:765|Gaonoir (765)}} has posed:''' He was trying to knock the whole wall down, but a hole is good enough. Gaonoir will just have to knock some more heads to compensate for it. As concrete rubble and dust collapses around him Gaonoir pulls up and drops to the ground as his engines quit. Legs flex as they land as he crouchs to absorb the shock, one metal fist thumping to the ground in front of him for support, engines retracting against his back again. Yeah, he just made -that- landing pose meme. Deal with it. "Sorry lady, not here to listen to laws that allow people to be abused and exploited like this." Not nearly as speechy as some other people, but his aviator scarf gives a dramatic flutter behind him all the same. Using the one hand on the ground he pushes off to stand, clenching both large metal fists and flexing his arms at his sides. "So who wants some of this? Com'n, I've been waiting all night to smash some face!" Up on the rooftop Erika slaps a palm to her face. Not quite what she intended when she told him to be a big distraction. Oh well, it seems to be working. 

:'''{{#var:331|Himei (331)}} has posed:'''     "Right or wrong, there are better ways to handle this than causing mass destruction," Himei counters, letting Yuko handle Velvet. Maybe. Shin will need taken care of, too, but first... a quick leap into the air, wings flapping, and then a dive foot-first toward Gaonoir.     Himei doesn't seem inclined to use her guns, instead sticking to what she knows best. Hand to hand punches and kicks. 

:'''{{#var:336|Starless Night (336)}} has posed:'''     Well, Velvet doesn't get shot at again, fortunately. This is because the guards don't want to shoot Yuko, actually. Instead, two of them come toward Shin with batons, shock batons. This is not going to end well for them, because they really aren't up to his level.     The wall IS pretty tough though. Ki-powered punches manage to smash a small hole, which reveals some kind of ruckus going on inside. Interesting.     Rabby... still isn't inside!! She suspects something? That's reasonable, because as she approaches she can hear the sounds of /something/ going on inside. It sounds kind of like a riot is going on? Did someone already get inside?     Other guards turn around and start shooting darts at Samantha, but their aim is off because of the cover fire. Shouting ensues as the tower buckles and crashes down! Yet Sparrow doesn't leap from within... she 'rides' it down by climbing out onto the window, but that is only so she can hurl her burden to safety on the grass! Her burden being the unconscious guard, so he isn't crushed.     Sadly this buries her in the rubble, with a loud shout cut off by the tumble of wood and stone crumbling atop her. 

:'''{{#var:765|Gaonoir (765)}} has posed:''' Gaonoir grins as the girl comes diving towards her, even as he holds up his arms to shield himself from the diving kick. Which still hits with enough force to make the Digimon skid back a bit. Though he moves quickly to grab the offending leg as he recoils, and twists around to toss his assailant off in the other direction again. "Sometimes destruction is the only thing people listen to. Tend to not like having their dirty little toys broken." 

:'''{{#var:265|Rabby (265)}} has posed:''' Rabby does hear the strange noises inside, and she knows that there's chaos inside. "I dunno who they are or what they want, but I'm not taking any chances!" She takes out her rifle and loads a clip into it before moving to the front entrance. She tries the door but it's locked. "Ugh, looks like I'm busting through instead!" A couple of well-placed kicks later, the door swings open and Rabby bursts in, sweeping her rifle around and looking for any immediate threats as she attempts to figure out where in the factory she is. 

:'''{{#var:331|Himei (331)}} has posed:'''     Whoop! Leg latched onto, Himei tumbles back in the air! Fortunately, being able to fly makes this not nearly as worrying as it would be otherwise. Himei stalls in midair, then hovers for a moment. "Fine, consider yourself under arrest. This is an awful thing they're doing, no argument, but we have to approach it the right way. I'm obligated to stop you."     It's true she isn't putting her full heart in this fight, though. Then again, that doesn't mean she isn't fighting. Obligation, as she said. Only this attack isn't to hurt Gaonoir... it's a slam into the ground nearby, blasting the roof upward and trying to hurl Gaonoir away from the hole. 

:'''{{#var:1097|Samantha Middleton (1097)}} has posed:'''     Wince! Oh no! Samantha sees the tower come down on top of the strange haiku woman, then breathes a sigh of relief when it's revealed she's okay... and managed to save the guard. Samantha can be a little careless sometimes, getting ahead of herself with her own cleverness, so this isn't an uncommon problem for her.     "Whoops!" The dart flies a bit too close, grazing her cheek, and it makes Samantha remember the other guards! Diving forward and rolling, she comes up with her prosthetic arm... and a blade snapping out of it! She slices at the rifle with that, before aiming a quick knee to the man's groin. "Sorry, mister, but I don't much like getting shot! Just let us do our thing and we'll be right outta here!" 

:'''{{#var:756|Shin Tokuyama (756)}} has posed:'''     Shin hears a ruckus through the hole that he punched in the side of the building. He sticks his head through with a wide grid, "Here's johnny, motherfuckers."     Shin then proceeds to get his arm through the hole and karate-chop straight downward, trying to cleave the hole even bigger with a swift motion. The martial arts expert then peers through the hole in the wall again.     "Hey! Everyone get escaping!" 

:'''{{#var:1064|Yuko Minami (1064)}} has posed:''' Today really isn't Yuko's day. Dramatic haikus on one end, snappy one liners on the other, and what's she got? A stupidly big shield that's a lot sturdier than she is. The God Eater takes the slam head on, although she does recoil considerably from the impact. It's only Velvet's announced Arte that has her realizing that she's even getting attacked from behind, and she barely manages to twist around in time to shove back against that flaming slash with her shield to stagger back and get some distance. Even with that blocked hit, though, the impact and flames still burn through to her arms, and she grits her teeth to avoid howling out in pain (and looking super weak).      Yuko might be a little outmatched here. At the rate things are going elsewhere, she's not even confident that the factory's going to be standing for long. Then again...      Maybe she could use that, too. "That's an impressive technique, ma'am! I've got one of my own, though, so don't hold back!" Shifting the God Arc into a massive scythe this time around, the blade glows with a dark energy and extends several yards in front of Yuko as she takes a massive horizontal swing at Velvet in turn. It's not the fastest strike or even the strongest one, but it's big and... Big! 

:'''{{#var:765|Gaonoir (765)}} has posed:''' Gaonoir lets out a barking laugh. "You're welcome to try!" And try she does as Himei impacts in front of him with enough force that the shockwave sends the digimon reeling backwards and tumbling a bit before landing on his bionic feet again to skid to a stop. "If you're so hung up on your rules that you can't see how they're being hidden behind, not my problem if you get busted up for it." Poor Paladins, stuck having to obey all these regulations and stuff. Oh well, not his problem. As he pushes back upright Gaonoir moves as if sucking in a deep breath much like a certain big bad wolf of lore. "Dark Mach Vortex!" And then heave it out again, sending a surging spiral of darkness infused wind rushing back towards Himei. 

:'''{{#var:1104|Velvet Crowe (1104)}} has posed:'''     Scythe! Unpredictable.     Yuko gets a very, very nasty slice right into Velvet's chest. It is after all a very big scythe and scythes are blades. The daemon tumbles back, bleeding, but doesn't remain down for long. "Fine! You asked for it!" She goes from tumbling to kneeling to lunging in a fraction of a second, her left arm suddenly bursting out of the bandages covering it. It's all black and red, more energy than flesh, letting off a weird sort of black and purple mist. Two, maybe three times the size of her original arm, clawed and patterned like a werewolf.     She doesn't seem to care or even notice that behind them the factory is suffering severe damage as people knock a tower down and Himei slams the ground. She's completely focused on Yuko's taunts (and Shin's music), extending her daemon arm forward in attempt to GRAB Yuko. Any part of her, really. Arm, head, neck, chest, even the scythe. And then, she eats!     HP, specifically, not powers. She's wounded. She needs to heal that. If she can grab ahold of Yuko, or even just slice her open with those claws, the arm'll do its job and start draining her life away to fix Velvet's gaping wound up. 

:'''{{#var:336|Starless Night (336)}} has posed:'''     Great, now fights are breaking out everywhere! And with a shifting of the rubble, Sparrow crawls out and dusts herself off, then thwacks the nearby guard with her sword. She turns around and... stops.     Because the guard with Samantha is going down too. "Shit," he blurts, his rifle snapping in two... before his eyes cross, and he thuds to the ground. Ouch.     Shin and Rabby get a sight though. Escape? Yeah that's... happening. Already. The 'laboror' race is a bit larger than most humans, and obviously artificial, though organic apparently. This is easy to see because Rabby is at the entrance and gets to see one smashing a guard against the wall, very hard. The guard gasps, "H-Help!" Further in, there's a full scale riot going on, with a woman twirling something in her fingers watching the whole thing.     Shin will see something similar, except the guard is not able to ask for help because he's getting his face punched in. The 'slave' looks up at the hole being widened, then calls out for some companions.     Meanwhile, a large flying craft is approaching at high speed, and opts to avoid the fighting by heading for part of the yard, readying to touch down. The speaker crackles to life. "ATTENTION: You are tresspassing on private property! This is Violette Dupre of the Chernobog Alliance, cease hostilities at once." 

:'''{{#var:1064|Yuko Minami (1064)}} has posed:''' "An Aragami...?" Yuko murmurs, that cheerful look disappearing almost immediately and a fire lighting up in her eyes. Her sworn enemy has appeared in front of her, and the God Eater looks much more ready to live up to her title. "So you've spread even out to here, then! Alright..."      The scythe's extended energy blade thing retracts into the oversized weapon as Yuko draws it back, apparently readying it for close range combat. Alas, she's not expecting Velvet to use that demonic arm to just grab her as quickly as she is, and the brunette grimaces as she gets her FACE grabbed by that inappropriately large hand.      Even as Velvet eats and feeds off Yuko's life, the God Eater doesn't let the inability to see anything but giant clawhand stop her from striking back. She thrashes around with the scythe, trying to wedge that blade in wherever she can and leverage it not unlike a really unwieldy crowbar. Sure, her movements are getting slower and weaker by the second, but Yuko's not about to go down without at least getting a few more swings in!      Especially not if her employer and anyone else with cameras is watching. About time Violette spoke up. 

:'''{{#var:265|Rabby (265)}} has posed:''' These 'laborers' are definitely not human, and definitely not one to be messed with. Rabby immediately goes wide-eyed as she realizes she may have almost bitten off more than she can chew. "Oh hell no," Rabby says with a scowl as she backs towards the entrance, believing that this is going to require a bit more planning on her end. "If I confront one of those things head on, I'll be crushed like a tomato!" It's only then that the craft is noticed and the speaker crackles to life. As soon as Violette finishes her speech, Rabby realizes that this is not going to end well if she keeps this up. Quickly strapping her rifle to her back again, Rabby raises her hands in surrender and yells out, "Don't shoot! I'm leaving now!" She attempts to run towards the nearest fence and scale it faster than she did before. Once she gets over that fence and touches the ground, she takes off running, not wanting to risk being captured or worse... 

:'''{{#var:1104|Velvet Crowe (1104)}} has posed:'''     "Aragawhat now?" That's a new, weird word. There's also a ship looming over their heads now. The distraction this causes easily allows Yuko to smack Velvet away with that scythe of hers. Luckily, this time, she avoids getting sliced open, getting away with just a headache caused by the impact. She also manages not to end up on the ground, catching herself to flip and land one knee down instead, that arm still out.     That gaping hole has sealed up, too! Mostly.     "I'm a daemon, not whatever you just said."     She... doesn't attack, though.     No, she stops.     Why?     With an annoyed expression, she finally asks: "Okay, you seem like you know what's going on here, so what's a haiku and why do people care so much?"     Priorities. 

:'''{{#var:331|Himei (331)}} has posed:'''     The Dark Vortex flings Himei back, but she digs a foot in and slides back with a grit of her teeth. She's been through worse, she can handle a bit of this. She prepares a counterattack but...     "Uh..." Violette's arrival makes her look up. "If she's here in the sky... then who was serving me coffee earlier?" She makes a gesture with her hands. "Timeout, I think one or both of us have been played." 

:'''{{#var:765|Gaonoir (765)}} has posed:''' Gaonoir winds back an arm as if about to lunge at Himei and punch her while she recovers, but stops beforehand at the proclimation along with the arriving aircraft. There's a pause, and a snorted snarl as he lowers his arm while glaring up at the ship. "I think you may be right..." 

:'''{{#var:1097|Samantha Middleton (1097)}} has posed:'''     Samantha looks up at the arriving craft! And she was just about to send herself in and do stuff, too! But it sounds like a riot is already going on? And Rabby is taking off pretty fast! That doesn't look good. Who is she, anyway? So when Himei says they've been had... well...     "... maybe we should bail." She pops up the turret she left behind, in case she needs it to help cover the retreat. "Hey Velvet! Shin! Gaonoir! Let's beat it! Looks like they've got this covered themselves from the sound of things." 

:'''{{#var:1064|Yuko Minami (1064)}} has posed:''' Velvet backs off just in time for Yuko to catch herself against her God Arc, the top of the scythe resting on the ground while she uses the whole thing like a portable wall to lean on. It's certainly large enough to act that way, and the rookie takes a moment to make sure Velvet's really stopped before staggering back up carefully.      "You... Aren't? O-oh. That's..." The fire in her eyes fades rather quickly at that point, and she's back to looking chipper! Exhausted and ready to pass out, but chipper and happy and everything's definitely okay. "... A haiku is a type of poem! Three lines, with the first and third being a certain number of syllables and the second having a few more than that."      She should have put on her glasses for that. Then Yuko would have a dramatic glint when she turns to Himei and Violette's incoming craft.      "That's... Curious. Hmm. We weren't being made fools of, were we?" The fire's starting to come back again. 

:'''{{#var:336|Starless Night (336)}} has posed:'''     It's a good thing Paladins are required to have their badges visible, because that keeps things from getting violent fast. The door opens, and it's Violette all right. "I'd heard that my credentials were used to call in the Paladins, and here they are actually needed." She isn't going to move forward though... and the troops in there aren't going to rush into the factory full of rioting artificial people. "This will take a long while to clean up. You'd best all make yourself scarce before I start picking out blame." She actually doesn't want a fight any more than the others do, so this is the only chance the Watch and unaffiliateds have to get out without a fight. 

:'''{{#var:765|Gaonoir (765)}} has posed:''' Gaonoir just hmphs softly, slipping back into his 'ominous lone wolf' persona as it's clear this fight is over. "Waste of time here at this point," is his somewhat indirect response to Samantha. He just turns away from the factory, activates his jet engines and rockets off to retrieve his Tamer from the other rooftops. 
}}

Character Index

2017-04-12T02:57:56Z

Blue Elf:

This page automatically lists all character pages created using the [[Making A Character Page]] page.

==Paladins==

===Facheads===
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==Concord==

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==League==

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==NPC & TP Characters==
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==Dropped & Fired==
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[[Category:Index]]

Character Index

2017-04-12T02:28:13Z

Blue Elf:

Character Index

2017-04-12T02:26:12Z

Blue Elf:

This page automatically lists all character pages created using the [[Making A Character Page]] page.

==Paladins==

===Facheads===
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==Watch==

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[[Category:Index]]

4996/Be Careful What You Wish For

2017-04-12T02:22:13Z

Blue Elf: Created page with "{{Log Header |Date of Scene=2017/01/07 |Location=Fall |Synopsis=A new leader is horribly oppressing his people, leading to a military coup. Or... is it? |Cast of Characters=33..."

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2017/01/07
|Location=Fall
|Synopsis=A new leader is horribly oppressing his people, leading to a military coup. Or... is it?
|Cast of Characters=336, 1007, 863, 571, 299, 8, 234
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:336|Starless Night (336)}} has posed:'''     The situation here escalated rapidly, and now matters are a bit tense... but also not into outright bloodshed yet. It seems like the people are still in shock, and aren't really willing to fully commit to a coup or resisting the military. A few scattered and very small riots, but things are more at a high tension state than anything else. So far. The problem is the division between the two. Edward is holed up in his castle, high up above most of the city, with loyalist forces. Some loyalists are also scattered throughout the city... including control of the local Warpgate. This complicates matters for the rebellion here. The loyalists are attempting to transmit a call for help, but jamming makes signals pretty rare, and their relationship with nearby countries is poor. They're pretty well dug-in though, and generally have better equipment.     Most of the rebellion are the have-nots, with a core of soldiers with some good equipment lead by General Marsters. The tech level here is a little in flux, so rifles and submachineguns are common, but tank mobilization is out of the question. A few anachronistic items are about, mostly in rebel hands, from the long period of unification before this all blew up. Two neighboring countries have a Warpgate that let sympathizers through and into rebel-controlled portions. Really, though, the capital is where most of the action is. General Marsters is hidden somewhere, but has liasons out calling for Edward to be toppled. Most people really just want to be left alone and aren't choosing a side at all.     So the 'battlefield' will be the city leading up to the castle, with barricades and outright segmentation of city blocks by the various forces. 

:'''{{#var:1007|Genji Shimada (1007)}} has posed:'''     In Feudal Japan, there was an answer to 'an enemy who is holed up in a fortress too well-armed and armored to easily displace or siege'.     That answer was 'ninja'.     There is a blur of motion past General Masters' general position, and a shuriken flung down into a convenient surface where it will easily be noticed. The shuriken bears a simple note: 'I intend to see if I can bring this coup to an early success before any fighting happens. Give this frequency to anyone else who will help. -G' There is, yes, a radio frequency scribbled on it.     For now, Genji Shimada is making his way over rooftops and through shadows, approaching the King's castle as swiftly and silently as he can. The plan? Sneak in /past/ the bulk of the enemy forces, and either force King Edward to abdicate his office, or...     .../force/ him to abdicate his office. 

:'''{{#var:863|Haguro (863)}} has posed:''' Haguro's not normally the sort that would encourage armed rebellion. Peaceful protests and the like, sure, but open conflict is somethings he's not so fond of even if she's getting more used to it. The combination of risks to civilian life should a prolonged coup take place and her reasons for being in the Concord being what they are, though, means that the ship girl does have some rather compelling reasons for showing up at the battlefield-to-be.      She's just not sure which side to actually take here: The elected king that's might have simply made some bad decisions on behalf of his people, or his actual people who might have just been pushed too far one too many times? It's a tricky situation, to be sure, but it's not as if the blame could be laid squarely on...      ... Actually, it probably could be laid squarely on the king, but still. For the time being, however, Haguro is just observing the situation from a rooftop near the edge of the city. She spots Genji's movement in the distance and squints slightly, but the boat ghost isn't making any move to intercept him yet. If anything, it's more that she's curious about what he and potential allies of his will do. 

:'''{{#var:571|Alexis Maaka (571)}} has posed:'''     When it comes to toppling regimes, Maaka's an understudy to the art. It's really not much of a science, sometimes you have the advantage of a whole army behind you, sometimes you gotta do it yourself.     Either way, this is just another day at the office for the cyborg.     She's cloaked like some kind of interstellar big game hunter, running from rooftop to rooftop with nimble leaps and well-timed boosts to keep her from falling between buildings. THat would be embarrassing.     Anyways, she has a sniper rifle in hand, and she's been scanning for targets ground-side, marking tangos already in position with MG nests and technicals. (Machine gun setups and trucks, anyways.) 

:'''{{#var:299|Charity Whiteheart (299)}} has posed:'''     Charity is, like many others, going through the rooftops to reach the castle, converging on it with all the other Watchmen and aides. Only, Charity is literally travelling through the rooftops. Though she has superhuman jumping, any great change in altitude just has her dashing through the intervening building, phasing past any barriers and out the other side. She doesn't want to expose herself to any viewers from the castle by going too high. For now she's sticking to rebel areas, but soon she'll be within sight of the fortifications to try to assess those.     "This is a bit of an awkward situation..." Charity mutters. Still, she didn't receive any countermanding orders to NOT work against Edward, so... 

:'''{{#var:8|Deelel (8)}} has posed:''' While not from Japan and only knowing the term ninja due to her time in the user world? Deelel did get the idea of what Genji had in mind. A few people could sneak in and eal with a problem where an army would fail and have a massiv ebutcher bill in the end. It was odd to think of how liberating it was in a way to be free of the old war. A War that had taken on a life of it's own and consumed so many lives not even the Users could grasp hopw many had been lost. Here however today is a chance to do something about a world suffering some serious issues. Still the thoughts about the common folk caught up in the grinder did get her attention to as she bounced along keeping a good pace after Genji as she thinks about just what to do depending on how the crowds and military react... 

:'''{{#var:336|Starless Night (336)}} has posed:'''     Sticking to the rebel area rooftops makes it easy to move among them. While approaching the castle does reveal that the parapets have some snipers, they seem reluctant to actually take a shot yet. This is civil war breweing, after all, and neither side wants to set off a full-blown conflict... seemingly. It's going to pop soon, but it looks like things aren't so tense that they're willing to take shots at singular ninja types just darting around... especially since there is some doubt that they can even SEE them most of the time. Rooftops are generally a good idea though, because the ground forces are arrayed in bottlenecks along the streets. Machine gun nests are a thing, though again they seem to be a deterrent rather than something under active conflict. Right now, both sides are growling at one another and baring fangs, not starting a bloody battle.     That may change, soon.     The people heading toward the castle will find it well-fortified. It would be quite a rooftop sprint to reach the walls, which are high and well-defended. This isn't anything to sneeze at, and doing it bloodlessly may be a problem. At least a dozen guards patrol each side, and they're well-armed and armored with some light body armor under heavier vests, with helmets to boot.     But there's activity in the city, as two dozen carbon-fiber armored troops suddenly spill out, moving in a smooth formation that shows some /very/ elite training behind them. In full battle regalia is a man who can only be General Marsters, sticking to a route that keeps him safe from snipers. With him are two more in battle armor, probably other officers who turned with him, along with a few who look to be more like civilian-level aides. Particularly a mousy woman in glasses with dirty brown hair, fidgeting nervously as she sticks close to Marsters with a notepad in hand. They're heading toward one of the routes up to the castle, intending on confronting one of the barricades directly. Without reinforcements, those elite troops can probably even take it... but it would be bloody. 

:'''{{#var:1007|Genji Shimada (1007)}} has posed:'''     Genji will go as far forward as he can, and then stop. He remains silent and concealed, not far from the General's armed entourage, and watches the forces on the wall.     He's waiting for an opportunity, a moment of distraction. He's waiting for all eyes and guns to be on the General. Only then will he act.     He'll form a single hand seal with his right hand, and a wispy, curling smokescreen will circle its way up, enveloping him entirely and then blowing away on the wind. He intends to reappear behind a guard on the top of the wall itself, where he can make a (silent) takedown and then proceed inside. 

:'''{{#var:299|Charity Whiteheart (299)}} has posed:'''     How to get in? Fortunately there's going to be a distraction. Charity waits for the General to confront the barricade, giving everyone's attention to that so she can move. A leap that rides the winds carries her... to the wall. She's aiming for a window, presuming the wall is thinner around that point, so she can safely phase through.     Any adults in the room she ends up in will have her spurs to contend with, doing a quick stab to shallowly penetrate and inject the venom. Children she'll leave alone with just a little tap to her lips for silence. 

:'''{{#var:863|Haguro (863)}} has posed:''' There's quite a few people coming out of the woodwork today, and not all of them are complete strangers to Haguro. She's wary of getting their attention just yet, but perhaps following them across the rooftops to see if she can get a better idea of what's going on might make it easier to decide on what to do, especially with the general leading the coup moving below.      The tricky part is figuring out how to get across those rooftops safely in the first place. She doesn't have the ninja skills of Genji, the augments of Alexis, the phasing power of Charity, nor the cyber-magic... Something or another of Deelel. What Haguro does have, however, is...      An inferiority complex! Psyching herself up as she paces back and forth on the roof she's on, she takes one more look at the general and his entourage below before going for a running leap to get to the next rooftop, nearly missing the damn thing and only landing on the other rooftop by the tip of her boots and a lot of arm flailing to fall on the right side of the rooftop instead of the wrong side onto the street below.      Still, get to the other side she does, and she's faced with a new dilemma: How is she even going to approach these Elites? What are they here for, anyway? 

:'''{{#var:8|Deelel (8)}} has posed:''' Deelel contiunes along with Genji and was on edge she gets the tip off and humms for a moment just what was the other side? The Encomy isn't doing well it's true and things are veyr bad but if the King has a reason such as keeping the League or another maniplative faction out? She could see why he might do it but it will be time for her to do what she can to help. she's fairly stealthy but not as good as Genji and she too will wait and follow up with non lethal take downs as needed. 

:'''{{#var:571|Alexis Maaka (571)}} has posed:'''     Maaka stops just as Genji does, dropping to a crouch as her vision zooms to observe the battlefield. MG Nests and special forces get her attention as she notices their arrival. When the resistance leader's aide contacts them, she shrugs. "Fuck it."     She'll begin to shadow the special ops guys, trying to scan for any snipers on-site. Should she encounter any, she'll take aim with her own rifle, and fire. The suppressor should mask her shots, hopefully. 

:'''{{#var:336|Starless Night (336)}} has posed:'''     The castle is well-fortified... very well-fortified. As the General's entourage approaches, a few things happen. One sniper appears from across the block, drawing a bead on him... when Alexis causes the sniper to crumple, stopping the hit. That's when things get... complicated outside. Because right after, the entourage suddenly dashes forward, in mid-negotiation, to swarm the fortification. Shots are fired, a few automatic bursts, but the two dozen men are /very/ fast and well-trained, and are quickly overwhelming the entire fortification. With enough of a distraction keeping the rest of the loyalists away, they could quite possibly take the castle themselves.     But they don't need to. Because Genji and Charity lead in to take out some of the defenders already, leaving a brief gap that Deelel can exploit. Finding the audience chamber after that shouldn't be difficult, as internally the guards aren't on hyper awareness. Though King Edward himself is just discussing matters with his council, and doesn't appear to be particularly aggressive. When found by the three infiltrators, he'll be saying, "... arsters himself suggested this course of action, so his sudden betrayal is as worrying to me as to any of you. All I am saying is that we really must not budge on these core points. A short term gain for the country is not worth the damage it will do to our national identity and influence as a regional power."     Outside, Marsters is left with an 'entourage' of six unarmed civilian sorts, one of his armored lieutenants, and two of the elites who are checking out the machine gun nest. Haguro and Alexis will see what happens next. The mousy-looking woman who was taking notes fusses with her hair... then draws a stiletto from it and, without any hesitation at all, thrusts it into the back of the neck where the armor doesn't cover, angled to strike right at the brain. Marsters crumples immediately, and the lieutenant is in such shock that it seems like she's turning around in slow motion, compared to the aide's rapid leaping retreat toward a window nearby. 

:'''{{#var:234|Lu-Mey (234)}} has posed:'''     That was rather sudden. The aide turning face and taking that kill all on her own. Though the Lieutenant may be stunned, it's one of the elite soldiers who are the first to act and respond. No longer checking out the machinegun nest, the man reacts with a lurch of sudden motion, turning towards the general's aid and raising his weapon.     There is something odd about the way he moves. It's a little stiff. But that does not stop him from sighting down his gun and taking aim, yanking the trigger and opening fire.     On his fellow soldiers all around him, to cover the woman's retreat.     Somewhere on the nearby rooftops, the sound of a stringed instrument, similar to a guitar, plays a few dramatic mariachi chords...     As Lu-Mey taps her foot to a beat in her head, humming along, while cradling an ornate blade on her lap. 

:'''{{#var:1007|Genji Shimada (1007)}} has posed:'''     "'Masters suggested this course of action yourself', you say," comes Genji Shimada's voice within the audience chamber, echoing maddeningly - impossible to pin down. "And you have the country's long-term best interests in mind." There are a few brief seconds, perhaps long enough to let them start loudly wondering who or where the source of that voice is, and then he adds, "You had better start explaining quickly. There is already an assault on this palace happening, and Marsters has been assassinated. If I like your answer, I may protect you from a similar fate." 

:'''{{#var:8|Deelel (8)}} has posed:''' Deelel exploits the gap to get in and also procs her helmet to rezz into existnace. Sure if you know elites she's still be pretty easy to id but it would be harder to make something like that stick and it provided her with some projection as well as she moves in. She move in and does pick up what they are saying and she drops in a moment after Genji and seems to be just as faceles as he is yet she has no weapon visable but who knows. Then it seems that Samantha had a job to take the general out? Well there's nothing that can be done now about that only to hear what the King has to say. "Speak wisely your magisty." 

:'''{{#var:299|Charity Whiteheart (299)}} has posed:'''     Charity remains quietly hidden in the audience chamber, for now. Her own knives are out, but something about this is really not sitting well with her. This rebellion doesn't seem... all that warranted? Either there's something nefarious going on with the King, or someone is intentionally trying to muck things up. 

:'''{{#var:571|Alexis Maaka (571)}} has posed:'''     "What the fuck?!" Maaka is about to take aim at the fleeing woman, before Samantha moves -way too fast- for even her to track with a bolt-action rifle. "Shimada, she fled. Bitch is faster than I took her for. God, I suck." She grumbles some more, before she begins to make pursuit, going from rooftop to rooftop while trying to track Samantha. 

:'''{{#var:863|Haguro (863)}} has posed:''' Haguro's left with a shocked stare when not only the aide turns on Marsters, but one of the soldiers turns on his allies as well. She's not sure what to make of all this, but if someone's goal was to sow chaos? They've certainly picked the right people for the job.      Firing on Samantha at this range wouldn't be a good idea. That leaves Haguro with another option: Dispatching the traitor from her vantage point on the roof. Switching to an armor-piercing round so as to avoid using actual explosives, she leans over the edge of the roof and takes aim at the soldier covering Samantha's retreat.      As she does so, however, she notices something else odd: The twanging of a guitar from a nearby rooftop. Holding her fire, she backs away from the rooftop's edge to look towards the source of that sound. Lu-Mey doesn't look familiar to her, but there's something off about someone just playing a guitar in the middle of a soon-to-be battleground. "M... Ma'am! You shouldn't be here. It may be dangerous here soon." She warns, although with a concerned tone rather than a suspicious one. She might just be an eccentric person, after all! 

:'''{{#var:336|Starless Night (336)}} has posed:'''     INNER GROUP:     Edward waves a hand dismissively, "Don't call me Majesty. King is but a title, I am more like... a President, if you will." His cabinet/council is tense, shifting to stare at the intruders as the guards lift their weapons, but Edward motions them to hold fire. "Come now, if they got this far, fighting would be a bloodbath. We'll try talking first."     He stares at Genji and Deelel. "General Marsters is the one who agreed that we had to close our borders and buckle down on imports. This was in an off the record conversation though, so I have no proof! He is a personal... WAS a personal friend of mine and I'd hoped we could talk this out. I've looked at the numbers... we all have. This is the only way, long term, for our nation to survive. But without a military I...." 

:'''{{#var:1007|Genji Shimada (1007)}} has posed:'''     "Then you need to explain this to your people," Genji's voice replies. "As it stands, they know only that you have locked everything down and made their lives worse. They don't know why. I believe you for the moment that he had a hand in this, but your people will not, especially now that he's dead. They would think you were using a corpse for a scapegoat. So you'll simply have to shoulder that burden. Why not start with us? Pretend we are your people. Explain how this will allow your nation to survive in the long term."     While he teases an answer out of Edward, Genji is on his guard - listening very carefully for any intruders, for any sounds of a struggle in the halls or outside a window. But more importantly, he's watching /everyone in the room who isn't the king/. The instant one of them makes even a vaguely hostile move, they'll be receiving a shuriken with rush delivery. 

:'''{{#var:336|Starless Night (336)}} has posed:'''     OUTER GROUP:     Samantha retreats with a few bullets pinging off her last position. She expected to get hit harder! The troops panic and are shooting at the one shooting at them, but surprisingly the lieutenant is not screaming. Some of the troops are shouting that Marsters is down, but the lieutenant just holds her hand out and down toward the corpse.     Corpse?     A shudder, and Marsters lurches upright, taking the offered hand to haul himself up. His other hand reaches back and yanks the stiletto out, tossing it aside carelessly. "Just a flesh wound. Resume operations! We'll take care of the traitors personally!" 

:'''{{#var:234|Lu-Mey (234)}} has posed:'''     Whelp, Marsters is dead, and that one soldier seems to be in on it. After gunning down the rest of his own squad, before he can cause any further damage, he lurches again. This time from taking fire. Haguro's shots punch clean through his armor. But... There's something wrong. Something ODD.     Her shots hit him dead on, fairly enough, slamming through armor, flesh, bone, and out the other side. He reacts like... A man that has been shot. But his movements are jerky, erratic, and stiff. The blood that erupts from his wounds is a dark red, sticky and matted, already looking like it congealed inside him, before even being shot out, and just like that he crumples to the ground.     It will have to take an incredibly keen eye to notice the large white spider that starts to worm and crawl its way out of the corpse's ear, where it had been controlling the dead body's motor systems.     But then Lu-Mey stops playing. "Ara ara..."     Caught.     In spite of the apparent danger and chaos, the dusky-skinned, horned, woman smiles sweetly. "Helloooo! I just thought all the tension needed some proper music!" She replies. "But I guess you're right, it IS dangerous, I should probably get going. Will you take me somewhere safe?" Lu-Mey asks of Haguro as she rises to stand.     And then the general gets back up.     She clicks her teeth. "My my... The drama intensifies." Mused as she heaves a small sigh... And drops that really nice looking sword off the edge of the roof for Samantha to catch.     "Oh oops." 

:'''{{#var:8|Deelel (8)}} has posed:''' No screaming about terror of other cultures, no screaming about how they are a master race she simply nods a the king explains. It's enough that she will trying to let the one with a better understanding of human poltical situations, that being Genji handle it. She does however seem to fall in line with how he's thinking. She's also keeping an eye out for things too but has yet to pull a weapon, she's on her guard. "Yes, I am willing to help as my companion is, explain us to us as a test run." So far so good right and she has no idea about what's going outside then she years a report? Wait the body of the general got up? Oh this is going to be a problem but now it smells that something was interfearing ... with things. 

:'''{{#var:863|Haguro (863)}} has posed:''' What is with this lady? Haguro blinks slowly while giving Lu-Mey a dumbfounded look, but the horned woman's lack of immediately apparent threat aside from her sword doesn't put the ship girl on the defensive just yet. Confused, yes, and perhaps a little suspicious, but not quite on full guard just yet.      "... Huh? O-oh, then you're...? Yes, of course. This... Erm. Th-this way, ma'am." She's still looking and sounding just a little intimidated as she usually is, and Haguro doesn't notice that spider crawling out of the fallen soldier's ear with as focused as she is on Lu-Mey in front of her. "I.. I don't know how much music would help calm this sort of situation down, though, but I've heard of a few stories..."      As Haguro murmurs nervously, she's checking the door to the rooftop to make sure it can actually open before turning back to Lu-Mey as she drops that sword. "Eh? M-miss? You dropped your..." Alas, she can't see it falling towards Samantha, but at least Haguro's trying to smile courteously and reassuringly regardless! "We can pick it up on the way down. This way. It should be safe as long as you don't wander too far, okay?" 

:'''{{#var:299|Charity Whiteheart (299)}} has posed:'''     Charity is listening, and she speaks now, too. Also hidden, she doesn't have a ninja voice trick, but she isn't too worried about being found. "Things seem to be getting a little messy out there. Uh... you might want to hurry, King Edward."     Backing out, Charity takes quick stock of the fortifications. They may have to switch sides here. Awkward. 

:'''{{#var:234|Lu-Mey (234)}} has posed:'''     Lu-Mey tilts her head, looking genuinely befuddled at Haguro. "Calm the situation?" She asks, looking at her malsha and plucking the strings in a few more bars. "Oh no, I wasn't trying to calm it. I said 'appropriate'.     But she did drop the sword. Lu heaves an airy sigh. It looked like an impressive and expensive sword too. "Oh that's not important to me right now."     Because it's not her sword.     "Let's go~."     Assuming Haguro still believes her after... Well. Everything. She'll just roll with it for now. 

:'''{{#var:336|Starless Night (336)}} has posed:'''     INSIDE:     King Edward sighs, "We have tried to explain. There is a lot of resistance and misinformation. Politics, as usual."     One of the council members grunts, "A lot of us still don't like it, but Edward has been very adamant and persuasive. Every man and woman on this council stands to lose something from this agreement, but we all stand by the decision anyway. We'd thought the population would understand as well, but..." He looks at one of the other council members, and she snaps immediately, "I told you that I didn't agree to funding that campaign. I fired the one responsible. I'm more behind this than you are, Timothy."     Edward motions for them to be quiet. "At the moment, the military coup is more immediate. We can't spread the word with communications channels locked down as they are." 

:'''{{#var:571|Alexis Maaka (571)}} has posed:'''     Maaka's just face palming hard when she notices Marsters get back up from being stabbed in the face. "Hey, uh, Starless?" She speaks into the comm. "EIther you suck /hard/ at assassinating people, or that guy's not exactly human. If you know what this is about, what the hell is going on?" She isn't gonna wait for an answer, not for long anyway. 

:'''{{#var:1007|Genji Shimada (1007)}} has posed:'''     "Unfortunately," Genji replies, finally showing himself by dropping down right into the middle of the room, "If the reports I am hearing are true, it will not likely be easy to stop this attack." He folds his arms over his chest, looking to the main exit. "Your general has stood back up after being stabbed in a way that would be unquestionably, immediately fatal for an ordinary man. At this point, we are going to have to weather the storm. Either he has prepared /very/ well for a bid to seize power from you, or someone outside has been manipulating events." 

:'''{{#var:336|Starless Night (336)}} has posed:'''     OUTSIDE:     Samantha/Starless catches the dropped sword as the fighting starts to escalate. Scowling, she steps out from cover, blade drawn, and whips forward to go for the lieutenant first. As should be unexpected for an assassin and blademaster of her caliber, the lieutenant goes down easily, an arm splattering to the side. Starless is a /very/ good swordswoman.     To Alexis, she replies, "I don't know. But I intend to finish my contract. You're welcome to try to stop me, or help me." And really... it shocks her, but her slice toward Marsters has him dodging aside entirely, a blurred motion which is countered by a few shots of his sidearm. Most miss, but one tags Starless in the shoulder. Whatever this guy is, it's actually... a challenge for her.     The other Elite Soldiers pause at the battle, before Marsters yells, "I'll handle this one. The rest of you, keep going for the castle! I don't want any of you harmed and you aren't on her level!" 

:'''{{#var:863|Haguro (863)}} has posed:''' "'Appropriate'...? Erm. That's... Fine, too, I suppose?" As confused as ever, Haguro still manages an awkward chuckle just to be polite. Horned people sure are strange. Not that she has anything against horned people, of course! She has plenty of supernatural friends, and who knows? Maybe Lu-Mey can become a new horned friend!      At least she's not British.      "I don't know if 'appropriate' music is really a good idea, but... W-well, once you're somewhere safe, you can play whatever sort of music you'd like. Now let's see..." Still unsuspecting of any potential foul play on Lu-Mey's part, Haguro leads the horned woman down to the ground level and outside of the building they've encountered each other at. The exit conveniently leads them to the sight of the lieutenant losing an arm and Marsters facing down 'Samantha', and the boat ghost holds an arm up to warn Lu-Mey to stay back.      "There's fighting going on just outside. Ah... I-I don't know if there's any back doors to this place, but if we're quick going out this way, I should be able to keep you safe... I-is that alright, ma'am?" 

:'''{{#var:8|Deelel (8)}} has posed:''' Deelel drops in with Genji anf she nods for a moment "I agree, when one dies one should stay dead. Something else is going on here and this is not a good thing. If there is another power player here we do indeed have a problem." She looks to Genji and nods and then switches to personal comm for a moment as she speaks with allies on how best to handle this mess. Also where was the third party messing with things? She offers up her plan to aid in the comm jamming over the radio and now waits for a moment. 

:'''{{#var:299|Charity Whiteheart (299)}} has posed:'''     Charity steps out of the shadows as well and crosses her arms. "Don't think you're all off the hook completely, but it sure sounds like someone is making things messier than you intended. We're going to have to stop the conflict first, and then figure out what to do. Perhaps you should come up with a less extreme plan and phase things in, I don't know. My Master was the politician."     In the meantime, Charity turns around to walk through the wall and head for where the fighting is. She's going to dive into the two dozen Elite soldiers and try to incapacitate as many as she can. 

:'''{{#var:571|Alexis Maaka (571)}} has posed:'''     "Unbelievable." Maaka begins to search for wireless comm signals as she heads for the interior of the mansion. The soldiers are on their own, she needs to figure something out here. Dismissing her sniper rifle for a bullpup rifle, a Thales F90, she makes for the walls and uses both her boosters, grapple gun, and her magnetics to crawl across the wall, infiltrating the castle itself while getting her hack on. 

:'''{{#var:234|Lu-Mey (234)}} has posed:'''     For the most part, Lu-Mey follows Haguro! The oni is all smiles and sweetness the whole way down off the roof and outside. And there is the general, lieutenant, and former aide. Lu-Mey shows precisely zero discomfort at the sight of severed limbs and bloodshed, though she does click her teeth.     Haguro holds that hand up. Lu-Mey sets a hand on her shoulder... Takes a breath and...     "I wanna take a closer look. Come with~."     Forces Haguro to babysit her.     It's so utterly BRAZEN how she traipses into an active battlezone-- pauses scooping a hand low to pick up the little white spider that had been skittering towards her- and slides it into her dress pretty casually. As super casually, in fact, as she kneels by the 'corpse' of the lieutenant that had acted quite sketchy when Marsters 'died'.     Lu-Mey proceeds to start poking the corpse.     "Ara...? My my... You're already cold aren't you?" Yes she's talking to a corpse as her poking gets more invasive, dipping fingers to the cut wound and then bringing them to her lips for a taste.     Then for good measure she places her hands on the woman's head. The intent there is pretty simple, she wants to give a nice, quick, neck snapping twist. 

:'''{{#var:336|Starless Night (336)}} has posed:'''     King Edward sighs, "Fine, fine. Look, I don't care if the details need to be negotiated again in light of all this, but there are some core policies we HAVE to do. It can be talked out later when we aren't under siege by a militant rebel wing. I'm willing to make some concessions with reasonable alternatives, but I'm not willing to step down because people are screaming."     That's his idea, anyway. The council all nod, and... well, all told he's coming across as a PRETTY REASONABLE GUY! One of the council says, "I don't know who is paying you, but I don't think we can offer anything greater."     Meanwhile, tapping into the comms is... going to be pretty rough. But just DISRUPTING them? The tech here isn't that great, so it is possible to just find the broadcast tower. It's deeper into rebel territory. Away from the castle.     Charity has no trouble stabbing two of the Elites, but the others are quickly clueing in to her game and clustering in groups of five or six, whicha re going to be more of a problem when they concentrate fire on any comers. That means there are about three clusters left, as the other two slump down.     Meanwhile, Starless backs up next to Lu-Mey, and Marsters reloads his pistol. They're entering into a staredown now. Marsters says, "I thought there would be an assassin after me. Fortunately, I'm a bit harder to kill than most here." 

:'''{{#var:863|Haguro (863)}} has posed:''' Haguro holds in a startled squeak when she feels Lu-Mey's hand on her shoulder, and it takes her a moment to process what's just happened. The horned woman doesn't want to leave through the front with that promise of safety. The horned woman doesn't want to look for a different exit. No.      The horned woman wants to go /closer/. "M... Ma'am? I can't guarantee you'll be safe if we get any closer than this...!" And yet, despite her protests, the ship girl goes along with Lu-Mey's prodding, sticking close and glancing around rapidly just to make sure nobody's firing anything in their general direction. Although she notices that scooping motion, she doesn't see what it was that Lu-Mey just picked up.      It's a lot harder to miss the corpse-poking, though. And the wound tasting. And the neck snapping. "Wh.. Why are you even doing that?! This isn't the right place for..." A pause. "... There's never a right time or place for doing any of that!" The fact that Marsters and Starless are fighting so close by is only serving to make Haguro freak out a little more than she already is, although she's actually doing a decent job standing between them and Lu-Mey should an errant shot or slash come their way. Having Starless so close by, meanwhile, is making her impromptu bodyguarding job way harder than it should be!      She's really starting to regret coming out today. 

:'''{{#var:1007|Genji Shimada (1007)}} has posed:'''     "I cannot speak for others," Genji replies, "But I am not here for pay. I came to ensure that the citizens were being treated fairly. If you really have the kingdom's best interests in mind, then I will make certain you reach that negotiating table again." He looks in Charity's direction, the faceplate of his cyborg body concealing whatever expression he might be wearing. "If we can get the general's men to stand down, one way or another, I think we'll be alright for the time being. Can you think of any outside forces who would stand to gain from your nation tearing itself apart in a civil war?"     He's still watching the others in the room warily, and keeping his ears open for signs of attack. 

:'''{{#var:8|Deelel (8)}} has posed:''' Deelel says "I too am not here for pay and I also came to ensure the citizens were being treated fairly. If you are as you say on these issues? Then I think there is nothing to fear long term. yes we'll need to get them to stand down so things can get to the negotiating table again." She pauses for a moment checking her gear, yes she brought some flash bangs and some other less lethal riot gear from the grid in the event there was need for it. "Yes we need to know who might ... gain from your nation being at it's own throat. It smells as if someone's playing you and your people against eachother." She looks to Genji anf gets reacy to follow Charity but she too is wary what if someoner's wairing to strike against the King too? 

:'''{{#var:234|Lu-Mey (234)}} has posed:'''     The horned woman DOES want to get closer! In fact, she's so close now that Starless is backing up next to her. This means she's in a position to join the melee, or worse, get caught in it. But for a moment longer, she's still prodding at the lieutenants corpse. "Oh we'll be fiiiine." She asides to Haguro while performing her completely unprofessional investigations. "I'm investigating!" She even answers the boat-girl. "Just pretend I'm batman! Have you ever met batman? I have. He's all dark and brooding, but under the mask he's... Well he's still kind of very messed up, I think. Anyway that's beside the point, the point is batman would do it."     Lu-Mey's logic there is flawless as she picks up the arm Starless had previously severed and starts to nibble on it casually as she stands up. And there's Marsters. "Well of course you're harder to kill!" She chirrups sweetly, reaching into her kimono again with her free hand. "I'm kind of not surprised there, I mean Starless did cut your spine, and your little friend here was dead long before she disarmed her."     Lu-Mey proceeds to wave to Marsters with his lieutenant's severed arm.     "It's because you're already dead, isn't it?"     Lu-Mey's expression shifts. It is something like this...     :3     Because she pulls that white spider from her kimono and proceeds to FLING IT AT MARSTER'S FACE. If it latches on, it's going to try and skitter its way into his ear. 

:'''{{#var:299|Charity Whiteheart (299)}} has posed:'''     Charity eyes the formations as they start to cover her. She quickly steps through a wall, then out at a different point, arms raised. She knows taking ALL of them on might not work out for her, so... time to bluff. it has worked before!     "So, you can see that I can just walk through any obstacles." Charity flicks her wrist and causes a support beam to collapse, sliced in two, thanks to her wind shear. "So here's the thing. Your companions are paralyzed, not dead. They'll recover shortly. You can either stand down and enter into negotiations with the King as he's agreed... and that was what you WANTED, right?... or we can continue this. And if we do, I'll need to get lethal about it. So, what do you say we just literally give you what you wanted if you stand down? Nobody wants more death on their hands, right?"     She's hoping that these were people who bought intot he propaganda, and not walking corpses. 

:'''{{#var:336|Starless Night (336)}} has posed:'''     It's pretty tense... but either there are no assassins in the audience chamber, or, more likely, they are not stupid enough to try anything with Genji here. Too risky. Edward is saying, "I want a complete staff review and an audit of all expenditures in the last six months. Yes, I know you already did one, but get another company to do it, then do it a third time with another!"     Outside, the Elites are paused by the fact that they ARE getting what they want. "But..." Another frowns and is probably radioing in to Marsters... but taps his helmet. "Comms are down."     And the General? He's edging aside to try to get a good shot when the spider flicks onto his shoulder. "What?!" A stagger back... then a quick jerk as he resists the influence. It's enough, though. A flung shuriken from Starless pins the man's shadow down, and a moment later her blade is flashing, slicing out to dismember the soldier into five parts with a sickening THUD onto the ground.     "About time," the 'aide' mutters. 

:'''{{#var:1007|Genji Shimada (1007)}} has posed:'''     "I think, for the time being," Genji says, finally allowing himself to relax just a tiny bit, "I will remain in the city. I can keep my ears to the ground as an outsider, hear things that others might not." Ears? He has ears? "And if need be, I can act as a bodyguard, if you will have me. As a shinobi, it's well within my purview." It's not a bad thought; while Edward is going through his own rank and file for turncoats, ironically an outsider is the more reliable choice. Someone who has no horse in the race, so to speak, other than seeing that things go smoothly. "My name is Genji Shimada, by the way," he adds, reaching out to offer Edward a hand.     "I'm a ninja superhero."     Pause.     "...or should that be 'superhero ninja'? I'm not sure. Which do you think sounds more impressive?" 

:'''{{#var:234|Lu-Mey (234)}} has posed:'''     Well not quite as expected, but even still it was a good distraction, right? Throwing the spider like that? Lu-Mey folds her hands behind her back as Starless cleaves the general. She's still smiling sweetly when the spider skitters back, allowing it to clamber up her leg and hide once again in her kimono.     "Oh come now, I totally helped and you know it." She asides to said 'aide', proceeds to pull out her malsha once again and lets her fingers dance over the strings in a mournful tune for Marsters. 

:'''{{#var:863|Haguro (863)}} has posed:''' "B... Batman?" What a terrible role model. "Just because you saw it in a documentary..." Before Haguro can finish her protest, she's cut off by another grisly sight: Lu-Mey chewing on a corpse's arm! Luckily, the need to vomit is something that probably doesn't exist for her, although the desire to is still strong. It keeps her from trying to understand that line of logic, at least, leaving the cruiser to focus on just protecting her inadvertent charge of the day.      This really isn't what she signed up for at all. Wasn't she supposed to have backup today?! No matter. It's becoming increasingly uncomfortable to keep Lu-Mey and Starless separated, but it's also becoming more apparent that they might vaguely recognize each other. How, though?      It's pretty hard to ignore that Lu-Mey just flung a spider at Marster's face, giving 'Samantha' the opportunity to just kill him outright. She's staring at the two in utter disbelief, but... Well, the fighting's over! Sort of. At the very least, Haguro's just looking between the two and the body parts strewn about, eventually gathering up enough courage to speak. "You... Planned this all out, then?"      Mission... Accomplished? 

:'''{{#var:8|Deelel (8)}} has posed:''' Deelel truesting things to Charity with the soldiers she'll remain with Genji and the King knowing Genji is skilled but a second body can help die uyp more attackers in the end and the program does seem to be looking a bit on edge here. She keeps her eyes out knowing there may be other assassins about but what happens when they have to leave? "Good thinking, with that." They would be also checking eachother if everything didn't like up between the groups checking the books? It would hint to other porblems as well. "I'd say you would be mistaken for a System Monitor back home but it's about the same thing I think and my name is Deelel" Her helemts vanishes in a flash of wireframe and lights revealing her face as well. "If I can help your Highness I would be glad to and I'm ... happy things were not as they seemed with you." The Watch got a bit played too by whatever is going on here. 
}}

4770/The Puppet War

2017-04-12T02:21:10Z

Blue Elf: Created page with "{{Log Header |Date of Scene=2016/11/11 |Location=Naturia |Synopsis=A newly-crafted kugutsu is about to awaken, and as usual the War Bride starts... a war. This time, others ar..."

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2016/11/11
|Location=Naturia
|Synopsis=A newly-crafted kugutsu is about to awaken, and as usual the War Bride starts... a war. This time, others are curious.
|Cast of Characters=336, 756, 353, 983, 1065, 255, 714, 1049
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:336|Starless Night (336)}} has posed:'''     The 'distress' signal is not exactly a distress call. It is, in fact, scattered transmissions concerning an army on the move, one which is, after some more snatches of static-filled interference and signals, apparently on their way to capture a dollmaker and a 'kugutsu' that they believe is rightfully theirs. It sounds like they aren't used to using radios, but some multiversal creep has slipped into the xenophobic world.     Triangulating where the army is headed is pretty easy. Surrounded by farming fields and with a small river passing right by it, the fortress has a wide open view of the whole surrounding area, and the farmers can withdraw into it at an uncanny speed. They've had more time than 'very little' to do so as well, so the fortress is pretty well sealed up. A first glance would make it look like a primitive one, thus open to numerous attacks... but a second look would show that the watchtowers are equipped with strange firearms that are tilted upward as if for anti-air, and the scurry of activity looks a little unusual inside.     The approaching army has two siege towers, and looks a bit small, but there's something odd about how they move as well. Some of the armored troops look odd, with one in particular marching at the lead in what appears to be heavy, metal plating from head to foot, yet tireless in the approach. They're still some distance from the gate. 

:'''{{#var:756|Shin Tokuyama (756)}} has posed:'''     Shin has been hanging around the Tenra Banshou world for like a month or two now. Ever since he heard that there were people who made fully-grown adult girls who had no memory and were prone to identity crisis issues. Honestly, people who don't know the exact tropes he's trying to proc and invoke here.     Which is why that signal scanner app on his phone is super useful. Shin is here today, having followed said signal to this exact location. He's got a big backpack on his back and sticks out like a sore thumb because of wearing a literal suit. He adjusts his tie and fixes his hair, strolling along.     "Oh no! I am a wayward protagonist who just happens to be passing through! I hope no circumstantial chains of events see me swept up in some grand plot!" 

:'''{{#var:353|Laer (353)}} has posed:'''     Laer is not very good at pretending to be a farmer watching the impending battle, even though she's got an illusion up around her that should fool any casual looks. For one, she's actually floating a few inches off the ground, because these are new shoes.     For another, she's far too interested in watching the armies and far too uninterested in fleeing. Still, she's wanting to let the two sides start to fight before she starts to intervene, unless given other instructions. Her brand of chaos is all the more effective if she's just adding to existing chaos instead of creating it all alone. 

:'''{{#var:983|Anne Blakely (983)}} has posed:'''     The anti-air makes it unlikely that Anne will approach from the sky. But she does! Sort of. Rupert, her dragon, swoops in at a low height in between the army and the fortress, only to pass right by and continue on, for now. She'll turn around and return in a little bit, but for now... the eight objects she dropped from the dragon will do her work for her.     Namely, half a dozen clockwork humanoids, unfolding and standing at attention with blades at the ready. The other two are large mechanical dogs, much like the ones she often has accompanying her. Only, they possess one rider apiece. Gepetto, the wooden doll, with a slightly discolored arm, and Penelope the copper clockwork girl, whose leg is mismatched from the other by virtue of being a less refined and well-made one.     Gepetto is the one who speaks, "HELLO THERE, ARMY!" He waves. "If you would like our help, then we would be glad to provide support for taking this fortress! You may have this 'kugutsu' in return, so long as we are allowed to take the creator for our own purposes! Do we have a deal?"     Penelope is peering around, though if she notices Shin she doesn't recognize him. 

:'''{{#var:1065|Devon-7 (1065)}} has posed:'''     It could be said that as the new Guardian liaison between the Vanguard and the Union, that Devon-7 is obligated to investigate more matters in the wider scope of the Multiverse beyond his home galaxy. It could be said he fancies himself some kind of roving intergalactic lawman. But...     The truth of the matter is, Devon-7 is a Hunter. Hunters go where they feel and do as they please, and really, the space cowboy just likes sticking his nose in other people's business, where it probably doesn't belong. An odd signal, preliminary reports of an army on the move, and something called a koo-goot-suu just happen to be what catches his ear and pulls his attention from the night's televised Crucible match. Iscariot-30 is leading by 1500 after an amazing play of touching down with the spark into the rift, and he's retty sure his money is in the bag for that bet.     Still, he punches a few commands into the console of his jumpship and sits back watching a playback, before the lightspeed ship settles into place over orbit.     "Hey Oakley, let's mosey."     A twitter of confirmation in his ear says his Ghost acknowledges as he slides his helmet into place, armor sealing, throws on his tattered old duster and plops his hat on. The hat is very important for the look as Oakley transmat's him down from the ship in a muted flare of silvery light. He lands without a sound atop one of the high walls of the fortress in a crouch, and then he's gone. A flicker of movement and ripple of light might catch the eye. Or it might not. It's a good vantage point to overlook the oncoming army, as well as get a look inside the fortress walls, and determine how to proceed, if intervene at all. 

:'''{{#var:255|Setsuko Kaminagi (255)}} has posed:'''     There are a number of things that are often sent by Union's intel division straight to Setsuko Kaminagi. One of those things is heavily war- or battle-related potential incidents; she has an uncanny knack for 'feeling' battles out, for determining how certain they are, how they're likely to go, and whether intervention is necessary. That's the case tonight, as certain signals have been sent her way in regards to the world of Tenra. And even before she's properly in range, her instincts and her divine senses practically trumpet at her: 'Battle is coming. Soon. Fierce. An army against a fortress.' That's more or less all she needs to pick up the pace.     The demigod hurtles in on the back of her usual hoverbike, but for once stops a good ways away, giving some respect to those anti-air weapons and trying not to antagonize either side until she has a better picture. What she sees is odd, to be sure, but none of it sets off any kind of mental alarm bells... not until her eyes pick out Rupert swooping in low and fast. Whatever concerns she might have had, whatever hesitation she might have shown at getting involved, it's swept aside.     Setsuko leans aside in her seat, and drops right off the hoverbike into a freefall.     Down, down, down she goes - first simply let gravity doing the job, but then suddenly accelerating around the time Gepetto yells. Even at this distance, her ears are good enough to pick him up, just barely, and that settles her course of action. She goes into a power dive, swift enough that she can safely bypass the anti-air defenses to land right on the walls of the fortress... quite possibly hard enough for cracks to spiderweb outward under her feet. But before the alarmed defenders can attack, she calls out, "Hold your fire. I'm not hostile."     Then she turns her back to them, facing outward over the field. Zanjintou whispers free of its sheath, then snaps outward as it takes its full size - easy enough to see even from a distance. Hello, Anne. "I'll be lending this blade to your fortress's defense today." 

:'''{{#var:714|Sanary Rondel (714)}} has posed:''' Sanary, meanwhile, is way too good at pretending to be a farmer watching the battle. Has she done this before? She's definitely done this before. Sure, she's more of a rancher at heart considering the whole pig angle, but there's certain techniques one learns from being forced to live off anything that can grow in crappy soil.      "Looks like we got somethin' big comin', heh?" She's even got that accent going as part of her act. It's... Part of the act, right? Right. The healer's not completely unarmed, at least, having hidden her massive gunaxe and a much more standard-issue kite shield in a nearby toolshed. Like Laer, she's opting to watch the armies go at it for the time being and observe whoever's coming in to intervene.      Hopefully, Shin nor Setsuko will recognize her face from afar. She's wearing a less fancy eyepatch, at least! 

:'''{{#var:1049|Nort and Scar (1049)}} has posed:'''     "Are we sure we want to be involved?" Scar rumbles. The giant wolverine is watching the oncoming battle from some distance away.     "We should at least check it out," argues the man astride the saddle. "It sounds suspiciously like something we may want to intervene with before it becomes a problem."     And then Anne swoops in and drops her payload. Nort looks down at Scar. Scar looks at Nort. A small grump, and the wolverine starts to lope toward the battlefield. 

:'''{{#var:336|Starless Night (336)}} has posed:'''     The armies are... mostly interested in one another, at least at first. Anne's drop of 'soldiers' makes the approaching army halt, and the offer gets something of a murmur. Technically they ARE here for the bride, not the maker. It's still an uncertain matter until they discuss it with their commanders, which takes several minutes. Warily, the reply comes: "Deal."     There's more to deal with on the other end of things. While the armies largely don't notice Laer or Sanary simply due to DISTRACTIONS they are undergoing, they do sort of have those distractions. One does point out Shin's odd appearance, but while they're discussing what to do about the random wandering protagonist, Devon and Setsuko slam down into the fortress, getting guns turned toward them and shouts of alarm. One particularly decorated, tattoo'd man who looks like seven feet tall and carries a massive(but not giant) blade looks ready to draw as Setsuko declares she's an ally, unsure about it.     "Now now," comes a sweet, youthful voice. A woman of seventeen or eighteen years of age emerges from the nearest building, wearing an elaborate kimono. "In a time such as this, can we really be suspicious of someone claiming to be an ally? We should give time for the Prince to finish preparing his meikyo. If they were here for the kugutsu, I think they would not try this approach, hmm?"     This seems to placate the men, and the girl vanishes back into the nearby building... right next to a huge, cloth-covred structure that is vaguely man-shaped. 

:'''{{#var:983|Anne Blakely (983)}} has posed:'''     Wonderful. Anne has heard that Setsuko is here, and that means she brings Rupert around at a different angle, swooping in low and then scraping the ground, to come to a rest some distance from the fortress. Atop him, Anne adjust the witch's hat she's wearing today. In a loud voice, "Kaminagi, did you have something to say to me?"     The other constructs turn and begin to approach with the army, with Gepetto clapping his hands. "Excellent! We'll just help you wit that front gate. Penelope? Do you have something for that you think?"     "Of course, dear," the little girlish copper girl says, holding up a little vial." 

:'''{{#var:756|Shin Tokuyama (756)}} has posed:'''     Shin's not really engaging either army right now, so much as he is just going along his merry way. He believes in the Peaceful Fist (For today, anyway), and so doesn't want to pick a fight where he can avoid one. Instead, he's much more interested in casually strolling along and getting a jaunty tune in his heart. So long as no one is directly stopping him or interacting with him, he doesn't really have a reason to fight or chat.     In fact, he's mostly browsing his phone as he walks and playing some sort of mobage to pass the time while he waits for the next step of his grand master plan to begin, "Oh dank. I got the lucky draw and managed to pull a Burst Soul Break off the latest banner in Catalogue Catcher. That's gonna make my Samurai way stronger." He taps at the phone a bit while going. 

:'''{{#var:353|Laer (353)}} has posed:'''     Laer will step out of the field, the air shifting slightly around her as she starts to look more like one of the soldiers around her. Actually, it's exactly like one of the soldiers, a bit away from her - she's cheating on the illusion some, mostly just trying to keep anyone from bumping into her as she starts to drum her fingers at her side. This is one of her slower ways of starting to wind up a spell, and it'll take a while, but the moment the army reaches the gates, a spell to grant speed and precision to as many of the ones around her as she can will fire off, even as she herself doesn't do any of the work.     The story later will mostly focus and embelish her role, but stories can only be written by people who don't go looking to get arrows in their face during the actual battle. 

:'''{{#var:255|Setsuko Kaminagi (255)}} has posed:'''     "If it will assuage your concerns," Setsuko says, for both the woman and the soldiers, "I do this not for pay or personal gain. I seek no reward or advantage, and we will probably never see each other again after today." She slings Zanjintou around, and rests it by the handle against her shoulder. "I have personal reasons to be here. The woman with the clockworks stands on the other side, and so I stand against her. Unless you give me a very good reason otherwise, of course." In a lot of ways, such a simple, selfish reason is more relatable and trustable than something loftier.     She might catch sight of Sanary in the distance, but she doesn't /notice/ the TOTALLY NORMAL FARMER, beyond a simple brief, faint moment of 'oh that's an eyepatch' curiosity. Most of her attention is reserved for Anne. When the witch comes back around, Setsuko lifts Zanjintou off her shoulder, holding the weapon straight out to one side and taking a two-handed grip. "Only that you should think strongly about leaving. We aren't in some back alley or remote village. This is a battlefield. I am more dangerous here than you've ever seen me. But you're not going to, are you?" She already knows the answer to that. 

:'''{{#var:714|Sanary Rondel (714)}} has posed:''' Is that Shin? Yep, that's Shin. Sanary peers at him and his phone curiously from afar, halting her hoe in mid-swing before resting the tool's head on the dirt. She can't quite tell what he's doing on that phone, but there is a hint of worry on her face as he keeps moving closer to that fortress.      Well, maybe it'll be a good opportunity to really see what he's capable of. Or it would be if Laer wasn't joining the fray. The healer seems to be having trouble deciding on what to actually do, looking between the two armies several times and catching glimpse of Setsuko... Did she just look at her? Sanary freezes for a moment at that, but quickly turns away and starts walking to the toolshed. Some rummaging around inside later, and the DEFINITELY NORMAL FARMER is back out with a... Shovel?      A shovel. The fertilizer needs spreading, and that'll still give her some cover to watch the impending battle without having to expose herself as a potential combatant just yet! 

:'''{{#var:1065|Devon-7 (1065)}} has posed:'''     In an instant Devon freezes. The rippling flicker stopping with him, rendering the Hunter a soft blur; hard to see, but there for the keen-eyed and observant. He opts to not draw attention for the moment, and then Setsuko arrives. He remembers her. That's one he recognizes, and the Guardian is perfectly fine with letting her announce herself, and choose sides for this engagement. It makes it easier for him, that way.     It allows him to spend more time soaking in the surroundings, now that the lines are drawn. The indistinct blur of his motion flickers again as he creeps along the wall, visor turned out to the approaching army. The dragon inbound and riders, calling out an offer of assistance to the force on approach. He unslings a rifle strapped on his back. Slender but sturdy; the barrel too long to be an assault weapon. The Hunter adjusts the range finder on his sniper rifle's scope. His finger is off the trigger as he peers through the sights, taking better stock of the soldiers below, before swinging back upwards. He adjusts the zoom again.     . o O (Really... Aiming at a woman and two children... Oh bearer, mine?)     Devon's finger twitches on the trigger, almost yanking it, but stopping himself at the hissing giggle of a whisper at the back of his mind, taunting him. He adjusts his aim when Rupert and riders actually land, setting his sights on Anne at first. But something catches his eye. His aim adjusts again, clawed gauntlet creaking as he squeezes his finger tighter on the trigger, compensating for wind and distance, as crosshairs set on that vial in Penelope's hand.     The Hunter may be cloaked, but the CRACK and report of his sniper rifle is not. The gun going off makes his cloaking systems ripple noticeably as the force blows his cloak back. 

:'''{{#var:1049|Nort and Scar (1049)}} has posed:'''     Now a mechanical dragon? Nort grumbles, "Still don't think we should be here, Scar?" He pats his mount, who grunts irritably before skidding to a halt. What should they do then? "We need to get inside there, but those things... hmm. Well, I suppose they won't care if we knock out a few of those."     He's now within sight of both armies now. Well, both of them are. Nort raises his rifle and he, too, takes a shot. His is with less hesitation, though. The disintegrator blaster cracks out with a sizzle and a wake of brilliant, retina-searing white light, crackling out toward one of the six constructs the dragon dropped. 

:'''{{#var:983|Anne Blakely (983)}} has posed:'''     Nort's blaster cleaves through the air, and... hm. These constructs are sturdier than the 'mook' ones that others have fought, but Nort's a pretty good shot and that blaster is a powerful artifact. The disintegrator shears off an arm, making the construct stagger and look as if confused. Three of them turn and start for Nort and Scar, firing off small but deadly bullets from their off hands.     And the shot from Devon? That blasts the vial and shatters it, making for a sudden, MASSIVE explosion. Penelope's mount is blown to pieces, and even the copper girl shrieks as she's hurled backward, her damaged leg ONCE AGAIN blown off as she's hurtled into the midst of the army.     Gepetto grumbles, "Well, guess we'll have to do this the HARD way." 

:'''{{#var:336|Starless Night (336)}} has posed:'''     Impending battle is right. There's... a lot going on. Or it seems to be. The explosion stymies the army for just a moment, before some of the riflemen drop down and add their shots to the ones toward Nort and Scar. Soem of the men rush forward, and one of them, sporting a mechanical arm and eye, shouts to Sanary and Shin, "YOU'D BEST GET OUT OF HERE!" At least they aren't laying sword to the farmers and passerby's?     The one in the middle is the one that is moving MUCH faster though. The one in heavy armor. The way he moves is unnatural... and headed right for the front gate. At high speed. Bullets from the walls just ping off of that armor.     From the inside, things are getting more complicated. "If you're here to help, then help!" the large man shouts... moments before he glows reddish, and bulks up with massive, rippling layers of muscle, an aura of power around him. Behind him, the cloth slides off of what appears to be a giant robot. But...     "WHERE IS THE PRINCE!" one of the workers shouts.     "Still inside! What's taking so long?" 

:'''{{#var:983|Anne Blakely (983)}} has posed:'''     Anne sighs as Penelope blows herself up accidentally. Ah well. Setsuko is the one who has her attention for now. "Perhaps I haven't seen what you can do," she points out. "But neither have you seen what I can do. Now then, Rupert. Why don't you give Miss Kaminagi a little demonstration of our own?" She pats the dragon...     With a rattle and hiss, Rupert's body lifts up, head lowering at the same time. The jaws open, and a stream of acidic napalm-like flaming substance is hurled outward, splattering over the west side of the fortress. Why bother with the gate? Wherever it lands on one of the defenders, they'll have to deal with intense, burning, flesh-eating fluid that can reduce a normal man to a skeleton in seconds.     "Come and get me, then~" she singsongs. 

:'''{{#var:255|Setsuko Kaminagi (255)}} has posed:'''     Well, as much as Setsuko might like to stand down on the field and repel the enemy army, Anne has just made herself a target the demigod can't ignore. Not with a siege weapon like that.     So Setsuko whips Zanjintou around herself once, and then leaps into the air, shifting her grip slightly on the immense blade and coming to stop just a dozen feet or so up. She cocks the sword as if preparing to strike... but a ripple of change works its way down the blade, a shimmer of blue-white that changes the shape of it. (Slightly) shorter, more curved, more... aerodynamic. "Zanjintou...!" And then she starts to spin.     "DAI!"     Faster and faster, building up momentum.     "SHAAA!"     A blur of black, grey, silver and steel, a whirlwind, a spinning top.     "RIIIIIIN!!"     And then she throws it. The still-massive blade goes hurtling through the air like a boomerang, banking around and arcing towards Rupert in a throw of uncanny accuracy, straight at his neck from the side. And Setsuko in the meanwhile rockets into the air, heading for the OTHER side - where she can come to a stop, waiting high above the ground to catch the sword when it goes by, as if perfectly planned. 

:'''{{#var:1065|Devon-7 (1065)}} has posed:'''     Well that set things off with a bang. Devon remains still for a moment, holding his breath after detonating the vial and sending Penelope airborne. He whistles quietly to himself at the effect and takes his finger off the trigger...     It is something else that gets his attention next, though. He leaps off the fortress wall and down into the fortress proper.     'Where is the prince?'     The Hunter decides to go see if he can find him. 

:'''{{#var:756|Shin Tokuyama (756)}} has posed:'''     "I hope we get another orbfest. I really need to upgrade some shit, but I can't do that with standard dailies and my stamina is shit," Shin mutters to himself as he goes along, playing with his phone and generally not interacting with the completely amazing battle that rages around him. This is because there's an epic-er battle raging on the screen in front of him and he totally wants a piece of that action. The battle on his screen has memory crystal drops and stuff.     It's when someone finally interacts with him and forces him out of his little phone world that he lifts his head and looks at the guy tiredly, "No way. I can't get out of here. I need to be here when the girl wakes up for reasons that wouldn't really make sense to you, but make perfect sense to me in this context."     And then people are off to go fight again! Shin's major obstacle right now is figuring out a way into the fortress without engaging with either army or the bulk of the defenses. This is, for someone like Shin, actually immensely difficult! It is, in fact, borderline impossible. And it causes him to stand there, rubbing his chin as he looks at everything.     The west wall has crazy crap pouring down that can melt people. So instead, he opts to climb the east wall. He's going to try to use the bricks to secure hand and footholds and kind of doggedly scale the outside of the castle while looking for a window. 

:'''{{#var:353|Laer (353)}} has posed:'''     Laer will have to drop the illusion to do much more. Fortunately, the illusion seems to no longer be needed; with the rush of battle all around, the army is unlikely to much mind suddenly having an elf among them. Hopefully.     The guitar on her back will probably still stand out.     "Why don't some of you go over the wall?" She'll ask; there's anti-air and then there's anti-person floating up right next to you. The elf is going to start casting flight spells on those near her until someone stops her or she runs out. Luckily, these take a few seconds per, so it's hardly going to be the end all be all, but if the army she's sided with cooperates it could be quite the tide-turner. 

:'''{{#var:714|Sanary Rondel (714)}} has posed:''' "Eh? But I wanna see this!" Sanary protests to the soldiers telling her and Shin to get to safety. It's not until she actually says that out loud that Shin might be able to hear her, though, and she quickly turns away to stab the dirt with her shovel some more. That's probably not suspicious at all!      Even Sanary has to realize how suspicious it is, though, and after a few moments, she instead heads right for the toolshed again. Instead of a tool, however, she emerges shortly afterwards with her gunaxe and that kite shield! Although she's not quite sure where Laer is, she can hazard a guess at what she's up to with those floating soldiers. Instead of heading that way and drawing the ire of the everyone on the front lines, she opts to head towards the east wall.      It's just going to take her a bit of very obvious running just to reach him. "Guh.. Hey, Shin! What're you doing up there?" She's not going to try scaling the wall just yet, but she does try climbing up just a little to see if the walls can even bear her and her gear's weight first. 

:'''{{#var:1049|Nort and Scar (1049)}} has posed:'''     Pew pew. Ping ping. Many of the bullets are deflected by the shimmering force field that surrounds Nort and Scar, but some get through, making the armored man grunt, and Scar growl as one drags a furrow through his fur and shoulder. He dislikes that.     "Guess we do this the hard way," Nort mutters. SCar growls agreement, and the wolverine CHARGES forward, eyes flashing and sending laser beams lancing through the constructs. Bleeding from his side, he favors the other, while...     Nort doesn't shoot again. Instead, a whistling hiss is heard, as a sonic grenade is launched amidst the oncoming soldiers and constructs. 

:'''{{#var:983|Anne Blakely (983)}} has posed:'''     A launched sword is a deadly thing, but Anne is right. Rupert is a level above many of her constructs that Setsuko has fought. A level above... but not indestructible. The dragon rears up, forcing her to clutch tightly, and she scowls as the divine blade manages to shear through her enchanted plating and actually open up the neck, tearing off a chunk of armor and exposing some of the clockworks within. It's not a deadly wound, not with the redundancies, but it's more damaging than she'd like.     "Yes, I know you are not a mere human," Anne replies firmly. She lets her construct twist about, and then LURCH forward with a sudden launch of a flurry of brass, enchanted spikes from the shoulders of the draconic being, following after the spinning sword. it's going to be quite a sight for the fortress to watch, the battle between brass dragon and goddess. 

:'''{{#var:255|Setsuko Kaminagi (255)}} has posed:'''     A mass of brass spikes hurtle towards the demigod. Though not fully divine, she is in her element - something in her seems more alive now, more energetic and potent than anywhere else. She catches the flying form of Zanjintou, slings it around herself once, and by the time it's on the other side, it's regained its full size and shape. But she keeps spinning it, this time in a defensive whirl that deflects aside a good number of the spikes... but not all of them. Several get through, clipping her across the limbs, one even gouging a deep wound across her left side, but when she moves it's as if she doesn't even care about the pain. She lunges FORWARD, through the hail, flinging herself and her blade into a direct attack. Or so it looks at first.     She cocks Zanjintou to attack, as if planning a straight-ahead chargethrough slash, but at the last second, dips down and to the left. The blade swings out once in passing, but it's a harrying blow, little more than that. Her path suddenly zigzags again, launching her straight /up/, where she turns a flip and then comes down with an overhead slash. It's aimed at the neck again, trying to deepen that damage. It's obvious what her goal is. 

:'''{{#var:336|Starless Night (336)}} has posed:'''     Climbing the wall is something Shin is... well. Going to find difficult. Difficult, but not impossible. Especially with the WEST wall pretty occupied with the fact that it's collapsing, and the FRONT gate is suddenly shuddering, then exploding in places as the armored 'man' proves to be some sort of construct himself, blasting it apart with powered punches. It's shuddering and in danger of failing.     Meanwhile, Laer flies up to meet... the buffed up guy! He flies as well, it seems, and without a word presumes that Laer is an enemy, hurtling toward her with blade first. It lashes out, the samurai showing his own powers in engaging the mystical elf.     The army starts to head for the gate and... well, a few head for the west side, but most decide not to get near the dragona nd the demigod. Probably wise. The defenders take shots at them... and at Sanary. One of them shouts up, "That's why!" Another, with a metal right leg, raises his rifle and fires a shot at the defenders. To Sanary, he says, "If you're going to help us, put that to use." A few others are heading for Sanary assuming she's an enemy though.     The grenade Nort launched blasts two of the three men down, while the third is injured but not badly enough to keep him from firing again. He's kind of outmatched though.     Devon slips into the building where the Prince is supposed to be... and finds that the bodyguard - or at least, an armed man with the livery of the fortress - has had his throat slit. Bleeding all over the floor. In the next room, another one is slumping to the ground, with an armmissing and numerous cuts across his body, while the prince - a boy of no more than twelve - is backed against the far wall staring. "S-sister, what are you... doing...?"     The woman who said Setsuko could help, apparently the boy's sister, has her bloodied blade out and flicks the blood from it. "I'm simply... oh, excuse me, brother. You'll have your turn." She pauses, turning to confront Devon with her blade at the ready. "Hm. I don't think you're a native. Family affair, you'd best turn around and take your leave." 

:'''{{#var:756|Shin Tokuyama (756)}} has posed:'''     "Oh hey Sanary! I'm climbin! Trying to get into the fortress. Got stuff to do here before the good guys and bad guys all fight over it and stuff," Shin says pretty flatly. He's making some good progress getting up it. It's not easy, though, especially in semi-dress shoes and a suit.     "I figure I can't stop all the really powerful people hanging around here. Or I really don't want to. I dunno. One or the other." He shrugs a bit and keeps climbing, "So I'm gonna hope I can do my thing before everyone kills a bunch of people, or however this plays out."     Shin's goal is, despite the difficult climb, to get up and over the wall pretty quickly. Hopefully Sanary can keep up if she wants to keep bothering him. 

:'''{{#var:1065|Devon-7 (1065)}} has posed:'''     And then Devon enters a horror show.     No sooner than he finds the first corpse, the Hunter kneels; inspecting the kill briefly. The body tells a tale. An easy cut of thr throat says the kill wasn't expected. He moves on. The second body, too, has a story. Losing the arm was already fatal, but the other injuries were to ensure the deed done and over with quickly. Pragmatic and efficient.     Then he catches the voices.     "Ahem..."     He is not a native, the battered suit of pressurized armor, the color of dust, completely out of place on a world more akin to feudal Japan. It's like The Magnificent One walked on on The One Samurai. Except in this case it's a killer shinobi. He's silent for a moment, expression unreadable behind his visor as he stares down the sight of the prince and his sister, apparently out for his blood. First things first...     Devon-7 tips his hat.     "Ma'am."     There. The niceties are handled. He has been polite and proper. But then he pointedly turns his helmet to the boy a moment. "Oh? Is that all? Ha ha, family matter, right, well then I'll just mosey." He announces. Another tip of the hat, he turns around...     . o O (She will kill him, you know. Gun her down. You know it is the only way... Oh bearer mine.)     It is, perhaps, out of simple spite, that when he wheels around, surprisingly fast in spite of his apparent bulk, that something silvery flashes through the air; a single razor edged blade flung from his sleeve. It is, technically, a lot safer than opening fire with the the boy so close by. 

:'''{{#var:714|Sanary Rondel (714)}} has posed:''' "Whoa, hey hey! What's the big idea?!" Sanary shoves off the wall forcefully as the defenders start firing at her, having to practically fling herself back just to not get shot through the side. At least they're forcing her hand now in joining up with the attackers by virtue of... Well, it's not like she planned to help the defenders to begin with, but still. She's got an excuse now!      She's also looking considerably more annoyed. "I just wanted to see what was going on, but if that's how you want it...!" Holding the gunaxe back with one hand and the shield forward with the other, the farmer-healer starts gathering energy into her magitech eye as the Fire matrix inside it powers up.      "So that's... Ah. Don't go left, Shin!" That's all the warning he gets before she fires a laser from her eye at the wall, sweeping it upwards and creating a series of small explosions tracing up the wall. She's making sure to keep it a fairly safe distance away from where Shin's climbing, at least, even as she's aiming to sweep that Fire-laser at the defenders firing upon her. "Keh... If you wanna get inside, why not help me take down these guys?"      She might be hiding some important details there, but it's not like she even knows them herself, right? Right. 

:'''{{#var:983|Anne Blakely (983)}} has posed:'''     Penelope sputters, "FINE JUST LEAVE ME HERE!" Oh, she's still alive. Dragging herself along, it looks like. Gepetto sighs, directing his riding dog-machine over to pick her up. The other remaining three constructs surge toward the door, firing at the defenders as well, while the others head for Nort and Scar... more slowly, since they're heavily damaged by the grenade blast that has caused them to limp and stagger. They're moving slower, now.     Meanwhile, Rupert growls as the scrape of the sword slashes along his side, and then the sweep of the blade causes another deep cut. This time, mechanisms are bared and damaged, spurting a silvery lubricant... but the nearest wing slaps toward Setsuko as well, and the dragon starts to turn and snap jaws.     That's when Anne reminds that she's on Rupert's back. Namely, by opening fire with her own pistol, snapping off a quick shot from the side. "You realize, this could end with less bloodshed. I only want the dollmaker. I won't kill him." 

:'''{{#var:353|Laer (353)}} has posed:'''     It's not that Laer isn't a semi-competent swordfighter, but more that she's managed to make it this far in life with a relatively low number of scars by not swordfighting with people who look like they practice it a lot more than she does. Buffed-up samurai guy seems like just the sort who would have, so she won't even bother reaching for the sword at her side, trying to fly backwards out of the way, her leg getting nicked on the retreat. A minor wound, particularly given the lack of weight on it.     She'll whistle, in turn, sharply, arms making the motion of plucking a bow. As she does, a green arrow appears between them, firing towards the samurai with a sickly trail behind it. "I'm not even here to fight you!" She'll yell at him, after attempting to put an acid arrow through his stomach. She has a funny way of showing pacifism, really. 

:'''{{#var:1049|Nort and Scar (1049)}} has posed:'''     Quick blasts from the wrist blasters work on cutting down the remaining soldier, and also fire at the constructs. Another bullet wings hard enough into Nort's armor to make him grunt again, but it's hard to tell how BADLY he's hurt. Enough that he doesn't want to stick around here. He's looking at the gate and the side of the fortress now.     "I think that's another one... we need to find this man fast," Nort says to Scar. "Scar... think you can get up enough speed to jump that wall? The acid should be weakened enough that it won't hurt your cybernetic claws, just don't let it touch your fur."     "Got it," the wolverine growls, blasting at one of the constructs with the eye lasers. Then he's dashing at high speed, working on skirting the battle between Anne and Setsuko to take another entry into the fortress. He's looking for where the dollmaker might be, and less interested in the personal conflicts here. To help, he whistles sharply, calling on a nearby rat to scout the buildings inside. 

:'''{{#var:255|Setsuko Kaminagi (255)}} has posed:'''     Zanjintou swings up, blocking the wing directly with a loud ring of metal against metal, and then smoothly shifts to deflect the snapping of jaws. But the bullet? That hits her cleanly. Right through the abdomen, drawing a sudden growl of pain. She pushes against Rupert's jaws, glaring at the dragon, but her words are for Anne. "The battle below would have happened even if you or I weren't here. And the fact that you want him alone, is enough for me to shed my own blood in stopping you. It doesn't matter what you have planned for him."     Suddenly, Setsuko lunges back and away, then drops down. This time, she stays down, and Zanjintou's massive blade dissipates entirely. She intends to stay close to Rupert's body, so close that his own size works to his disadvantage in catching her. And this close, she can also get in some prime strikes with her katana, particularly aiming for the base of the neck - still focused on disabling the ability that holds the most danger for the fortress. 

:'''{{#var:336|Starless Night (336)}} has posed:'''     The samurai fighting Laer was not ready for that. The acid arrow hisses into his stomach, making him grunt... but he looks to be tougher than the average guy. Laer /probably/ outmatches him enough to take him out, even being a bard not focused on straight combat, but it will not be a quick battle. Especially when he lets loose a blast of flame breath to counter the attack. "Get out!"     Unfortunately this leaves the front gate mostly unguarded, so that the smashing finally causes it to crumple. The defenders regroup and start to shower the whole entrance with bullets, but the metal man, despite damage, keeps coming forward. He too is looking for the dollmaker.     Meanwhile, Shin and Sanary can, with their respective abilities, manage to get inside... though Sanary will come under fire. Shin will get just one guy drawing a spear from a rack. "Hey, who ware you?"     It'll be relatively easy to find the dollmaker though. There's a fortified building which is rather nicely furnished, and that is very obviously where any expensive guests will be staying.     Inside, Devon hurls a knife at the sister, who tries to deflect but gets a bloodied shoulder for her troubles. "That would be a no, then. One moment, dear brother..." She flicks her sword to the side as if making a cut... then the other hand thrusts forward, a spray of strange webbing coming out. It isn't trying to entrap Devon, instead it slashes through the nearby wall, cutting right through the supports in its deadly arc to try slicing DEVON in half. 

:'''{{#var:756|Shin Tokuyama (756)}} has posed:'''     "Noooope. This is a you-centric problem, Sanary! I'm not involved in this narrative yet! You'll know when I am! But I have to be brought in by some very specific flags." He wags a finger, "Very specific flags! I have been trying for WEEKS to proc this event, can't slow down now. Can't, can't, can't!"     He seems weirdly emphatic about this little sidequest that he's talking to Sanary. And also about climbing that wall! Once he gets inside, though, he immediately gets to work, "DO NOT WORRY. I am not here to hurt or help! I just wanna see the Kugutsu! So you need to take a nap!" Shin dashes in towards the guy with the spear and gives him a judo chop to the side of the head to try to knock him down.     Once that is taken care of, Shin adjusts his backpack and starts jogging towards the fortified building in the center! He has a very limited timetable on this one and he needs to work fast. This entire place is going to shit. 

:'''{{#var:1065|Devon-7 (1065)}} has posed:'''     No sooner than that first knife is flung another seems to just slide into the Hunter's hand.     "It's a no." He confirms.     She swings her blade. He moves to evade- only to learn it was a feint. It's a testament to the gunslinger's reflexes that he's able to react in time. Weight shifting on a dime he makes to dodge and draw... At the same time.     "Don't wait for nothin', boy, git!" He encourages the prince with the basic reminder that sometimes discretion is the best part of living to see another day.     Tihs still does not handle his ninja assassin conundrum. But he moves like lightning, drawing that gold inlaid gun smoothly and fanning the hammer. Several shots ring out as he vaults. There is just a slight miscalculation, when he lands after that webbing whip sails by.     His arm is missing.     Clattering limp to the floor, it twitches and jerks; fingers curled and flexing around the second knife. But there is no blood. Niether end of the cut bleeds, though sparks visibly jump and arc from his shoulder.     "Well damn. That wasn't too kindly of you, ma'am."     He's still fast with one thumb to pull back the hammer on his six shooter. But he won't be blazing that rapid fire anymore. The question is, will he be fast enough to outgun the killer princess? 

:'''{{#var:714|Sanary Rondel (714)}} has posed:''' "NRgh...! Aw, come on! Fine, fiiine... But what's this about flags?!" Taking cover behind her shield, Sanary bites back the pain at bullets getting past her defenses and grazing or impacting against her arms and legs. Instead of showing the pain, however, she just grits her teeth and keeps moving inwards to keep up with Shin in her own destructive way!      Also, cheating with self-healing. She can have the bullets removed later, but dealing with that now means she'd end up falling behind, and she can't have that!      Once inside, the healer's more than content to let Shin handle the spear guard, but she's forced to start running again as he takes off. She's not even sure where this dollmaker is, but if she's going to be lucky today? She just might find him while following someone els!      That shield's going to stay up just to avoid getting shot in her everything, though. That might slow her down, too, what with having to cut down defenders or even blast them with her gunaxe's Fire shells. 

:'''{{#var:983|Anne Blakely (983)}} has posed:'''     The good news is, the idea works. The katana is sharp enough to cut through the armor of Rupert's throat, and finally disable that napalm spray. The bad news? This ends up spraying raw chemicals on Setsuko. It's rather acidic, though at least not actually burning like when Rupert breathes it out. It also makes the dragon HOWL as that's some REAL damage, and he almost bucks off Anne.     "PErsistent. I suppose I'll give you that. You hero types always are," Anne admits as the dragon scrambles to claw Setsuko away. 

:'''{{#var:255|Setsuko Kaminagi (255)}} has posed:'''     "It's my nature," Setsuko replies simply. "I don't rest until my objective is achieved."     And then she drops away.     Several claw-strikes manage to catch her with varying degrees of severity; in the couple of seconds it takes the demigod to disengage, she's even worse for the wear than before. But she's able to break free with gravity's help, and she's now dropping straight towards the fortress.     Straight towards the courtyard.     Straight towards the man in metal armor.     Zanjintou snaps out to its full height. Setsuko pushes power into her fall. The divine blade swings around once, and then the next time it moves is when she descends on him, with all the speed of her power dive, all the strength in her arms, and all the momentum of twelve feet of godly steel carries. "CHEEEEESUTOOAAAH!" 

:'''{{#var:1049|Nort and Scar (1049)}} has posed:'''     Nort dismounts from Scar as that fortified building is revealed. And... hey, a Shin. "Shin. Pleasure to see you again," he greets absently. The armored man still just busts through the door, looking around and calling out, "I'm just here for the dollmaker."     HE glances at Shin. "What are you here for?" 

:'''{{#var:353|Laer (353)}} has posed:'''     Breathing fire is something Laer's usually doing to people, not having done to her, and she finds she doesn't much like the role reversal, her dress still burning as she opens her mouth and starts to sing, six quick notes in a lilting language, vanishing after and reappearing twenty feet away. This is just to buy a bit of space, and to lure the samurai further away from the walls, defenses hopefully crumbling while she distracts the combatant.     Of course, as he's probably going to come flying in at her, she'll prepare another spell. This one's going to wait until he's close, hopefully, and then she's likely to draw attention from everyone as she lets forth a massive Shout, a blast of force and sound potentially knocking him back into the wall. At the very least, even over the sounds of battle, everyone involved in the fight will hear this. There may be collateral damage to some of the forces fighting, on both sides, in the area in front of her... but they weren't really Laer's troops, anyway. 

:'''{{#var:756|Shin Tokuyama (756)}} has posed:'''     "Oh hey Nort, my man, what's the haps? I'm here for some narrative bullshit related to the doll. I figure a lot of people are gonna be killing the guy, or kidnapping the guy, or whatever." Shin says with a bit of a shrug, chasing after Nort.     "I mostly just need to be here for when the doll wakes up. That's what my manga, Saber Marionette J, taught me about this." Shin pats his backpack a couple times, following Nort in. 

:'''{{#var:336|Starless Night (336)}} has posed:'''     Setsuko comes flying at the man in the metal armor, and... well. It doesn't end as expected. The demigod can slice into it, yes, and even does an excellent job. The arm that comes flying off is... hollow, though. Or rather, constructed of artificial servos and muscles. The 'man' looks at the missing arm, then counters with an incredibly powerful punch, though it's clear that he's far weaker than Rupert.     Meanwhile, Shin disables the man with the spear rather easily, while Sanary guns down one of the defenders. Meeting up with Nort in the fortified building is rather simple now that they're past the guards and the chaos is outside. This leaves three people in there with possibly different goals.     Nort's rat is able to find the exact room easily enough. The man is an older man, perhaps in his sixties, and is absorbed in the work of the lifelike doll's creation. She doesn't seem to be... quite finished. Though he's putting the finishing touches on her at this moment, her wooden body taking on the resemblance of flesh and blood. He glances up at the entry. "Eh?"     As for Laer, the Shout does work. The samurai is hurtling toward her, so the shout catches him and slams him into the wall hard, dazing him for a moment. "Rrrgh..." He shakes it off and snatches up his sword, but the elf has some breathing room.     Devon, however, has another matter on his hands. The boy does take off at a run, while the girl grunts as bullets slam into her, making her stagger backward. She grabs her chest, wheezing, but... the bullets don't seem to have penetrated nearly as far as they should. "Nngh..."     Like greased lightning, she lunges forward, the blade flashing out in a deadly arc that seems to change direction at the last moment. There's a sound like a loud click, then a tiny explosion... and that sharp blade hits like it has the force of a truck behind it, if it connects at all, as the soulgems surge through the Scarlet Steel of the gemblade. 

:'''{{#var:983|Anne Blakely (983)}} has posed:'''     Well this is unexpected. Anne doesn't really care about the invasion force though. She has her own goals, which are currently being thwarted... maybe. Sanary is inside there. "I suppose I may just have to take the doll if we can't capture the maker. I don't think the invasion force is strong enough."     Not without her 'siege weapon' anyway. Rupert isn't fully disabled... he could probably wreak some havoc in there even without the flame breath. It would involve fighting Setsuko more, though, and she's evaluating that risk right now. And keeping well away from the fortress for the moment. 

:'''{{#var:756|Shin Tokuyama (756)}} has posed:'''     "Awwww, it's happening! It's HAPPENING." Shin bounces up and down, clenching his hands into fists as he heads into the room and spots the man working on the doll and putting the finishing touches on it. He looks completely serious.     "No one take the doll yet! He has to finish it. This has to happen!" Shin shouts, "This is very important to me!" 

:'''{{#var:1065|Devon-7 (1065)}} has posed:'''     The boy ran. Good. That's good. Means he won't have to see what happens next.     Because when The Last Word DOESN'T get the last word in. He has a problem. It's in moments like these, where one can see their life flashing before their eyes. If there's any emotion upon the man's face, it's impossible to tell behind the mirrored goggles of his helmet and visor. He's fast... But she's faster.     Try as he might to deflect the blow, or turn it aside, or roll with it to abate the force, as the gemblade cuts through any defense his armor has to offer, the explosive force of the cut cleaving,     "ARGH!"     Clean through Devon-7.     There's a moment of stone silence. Several long beats of a perfect, quiet, stillness.     "Ah... Y'got me, pardner..." The space cowboy sighs, as his upper body slides neatly off of his lower body, both crumpling in lifeless heaps to the floor, sparks and smoke hissing from the single, clean, cut. 

:'''{{#var:255|Setsuko Kaminagi (255)}} has posed:'''     The most visible of Setsuko's superhuman attributes is easily her speed. But it's not her only one, and perhaps not even the most dramatic. Against Rupert, she needed both hands and her blade to stop blows, and avoiding them outright would probably have been the better call. Against this man...     His fist slams into her left-hand palm, and stops cold. She's strong enough to halt his punch directly. It kicks up furrows beneath her feet, but she herself holds firm.     "I see."     She shifts to one side and lets go, allowing the man's momentum to carry forward - intending to put him off-balance. Zanjintou, once again returned to the form of a katana, comes up; she aims to put it right through his chest, and then slash straight upward.     Then the signal from Devon dies. Unless something stops her, she means to go charging through the fortress at full speed to find him. 

:'''{{#var:714|Sanary Rondel (714)}} has posed:''' Sanary's still able to keep up with Shin and Nort relatively easily, cheating again with some magic in her legs to keep herself from falling too far behind. "Nort, was it? Aah... Sanary Rondel. Good to meet you!"      Manners are important.      Once they finally reach that building and the door's taken down, the healer rests her axe on her shoulder while glancing around slowly just to make sure there aren't any straggling defenders waiting to ambush them before following Shin and Nort inside. "So Shin's here for the doll, Nort's here for the guy, and I'm... Uh." She pauses, then steps aside briefly to speak with her allies while watching the man work on the doll idly.      "That so? Hm... Alright. I'll see what I can do." Sanary furrows her brow while looking between Nort and Shin, barely looking all that concerned about the dollmaker himself or his... Girl?      "So! Er. I just need to bring back either one of 'em." She turns to Nort. "I mean, do you need him long-term, or can I just bring him back when you're done? If not... Er. Shin? I can wait." She shrugs. It's easier than actually trying to fight them, right? 

:'''{{#var:353|Laer (353)}} has posed:'''     Laer's not really interested in fighting too much further; she isn't going to be the one to get to the doll, and the samurai seems like the sort who might actually try to hurt her if he can manage it. She'll lift a hand up, a giant orb of fire appearing in the sky above her a rock within it..     And with a gesture downwards, it'll glow and descend upon the samurai, threatening to engulf him if he doesn't somehow dodge it, moving seperately from Laer. Except... if it touches him, it's no warmer than a tanning lamp, almost entirely an illusion, one that the elf is using as a distraction to try to open a portal elsewhere. If she manages to pull this distraction off she'll step through into her temple quite a long ways away, undoubtedly annoying him. 

:'''{{#var:1049|Nort and Scar (1049)}} has posed:'''     "Nice to meet you, Sanary," Nort says. He's wearing a helmet... actually probably looks a lot like Devon, but without the duster and hat. He's less concerned about things than Sanary seems to be.     Then again...     Sanary asks, and Shin seems to want to be there when the doll is awake. He turns to Shin first, "She goes rogue, it's on you, Shin." He points, in an odd warning.     Then he lifts his wrist blaster and a blaze of white is sent toward the dollmaker's head.     "All yours, Miss Sanary," replies the man, turning to leave. 

:'''{{#var:336|Starless Night (336)}} has posed:'''     The dollmaker looks up, about to say something... and then his head is vaporized by an old world disintegrator. Whoops. The body slumps over, dead. Nort isn't even in the room when the kugutsu awakens, sitting up with a confused look on her face. "Father?"     And then... Laer throws an illusion at the Samurai, who shields his head... only to find out it's not deadly at all. He blinks, turning to the metal man... and Setsuko is cutting that in half now. So the Samurai grunts and leaps into the fray to drive off the rest.     Setsuko dashes into the building, the boy rushing past her in the process, terrified. But at the same time there's a loud BANG and a blaze of light. Continuing on will see small fires have been started, and the 'princess' who helped them is laying there, dead, stabbed through the lungs and heart by a single knife thrust. Only she looks a few DAYS dead and is not nearly as pretty. 

:'''{{#var:255|Setsuko Kaminagi (255)}} has posed:'''     Seeing the dead princess immediately tells Setsuko what happened. It's not the first time they've seen this, and she knows she's been had. But maybe there's still time. Maybe she can reach the man, the doll, /something/ in time. She's got to keep running. They just lost a man, this can't be completely for naught... 

:'''{{#var:1065|Devon-7 (1065)}} has posed:'''     Devon is also thereabouts. Equally dead in two pieces.     That's when he gives up the Ghost. Or to be more specific, his Ghost floats out from the tattered shreds of his duster; the blocky construct turning her cycloptic eye on the corpse of her Guardian.     Oakley sighs.     It takes her a moment, segmented parts splitting away, circling her core in an orbit as the entirety of her construction, no larger than a baseball, breaks apart, adjusts, re-assembles... And then there's a flash of light.     The corpse is gone. Devon's, that is. He is whole again, legs and torso in one piece, even his arm back in place. The Hunter draws a breath; his first of thise new life, and promptly collapses to his knees. "Ah, ah, ah... Darn it that ain't the best feeling..." Grunted as he holds a hand over a portion of his chest where he is pretty sure he was gut in half. It's a second or two before he actually shambles back onto his feet and starts staggering along. This is probably when he stumbles into view. And now sees the corpse of the girl.     "Goddamn, did you do that? She wasn't lookin' so... Dead, when I saw her last. You know, 'fore I died." 

:'''{{#var:756|Shin Tokuyama (756)}} has posed:'''     "WOAH, dude. That was like... 0 to 10, then back to 0. No chill, there, man. Geez." Shin looks more than a little shocked at the fact that Nort just completely vaporized a dude's head and then walked off. But at the same time, Nort vaporized a dude's head and walked off, so on some level Shin has to respect the narrative cojones that it took to do that.     Shin immediately dashes over to the kugutsu and grabs both her hands, "Hi. Hello. Hey. Hi. Your dad died. Terrible tragedy, but look at me here. Limited time schedule." He clasps her hands in his, "Shin Tokuyama. Hero of Fists. Here to protect you! Destined meeting. Yada yada. Remember my face."     And then he decides to involve himself, because the proper narrative flags have been triggered. The Hero of Fists has been activated from his dormant slumber. Shin stamps a foot down and there's a corona of ki around him as he lifts up both hands.     "I know I only just got here," That's not entirely true, "And I don't know what's going on," Also not true, "But I can't let you take this girl." 

:'''{{#var:714|Sanary Rondel (714)}} has posed:''' And then the dollmaker's dead! A shame. At least Nort still seems pleasant enough. "... Well then. Uh. Bye, I... Guess." Sanary's looking and sounding utterly baffled by what's just happened, but at least it means not fighting someone? Maybe. Probably.      Turning to the kugutsu as she wakes up, the healer raises her hand to the girl with a still-confused look on her face. "Er. Hi there. Sanary here. Don't worry, we'll take good care of y-"      ... Dammit, Shin. Did he just back down on his word that he didn't actually give? That's a violation of the highest order! OR... At least it's enough to get Sanary to give him a disapproving frown.      "Well, you know what the deal was. I waited for you to do your thing, so you should let me do my thing. I gotta bring her back home to keep her safe." Is that true? Sanary's not sure, so... At least she's not technically lying! She does brace her shield in front of her just in case, though, keeping a wary gaze leveled on the Fistman.      "... I mean. You can come, too, if you want?" Worth a shot. 

:'''{{#var:336|Starless Night (336)}} has posed:'''     "I don't... understand?" The girl shakes her head, sitting up. She looks rather blank, in fact! "Who am I? Who are you?" She's still unnamed, after all! Bewildered, she doesn't seem to have an opinion at all! "Thank you?" To Shin.     Basically, just taking her hand and pulling her out will lead her to whomever. 

:'''{{#var:756|Shin Tokuyama (756)}} has posed:'''     This is the golden opportunity!     "I already told you who I am, but..."     "Your name is Raspberry! You were designed to be a totally awesome fighting girl! You're on a quest to find true love!" Shin holds up his fists and takes a fighting stance, "They're going to take you from me, but I'll try to come rescue you some day! I promise!"     Shin looks between the two Feds, "You know, I probably can't take both of you in a fight." 

:'''{{#var:714|Sanary Rondel (714)}} has posed:''' Sanary blinks a bit, then lowers her shield slightly at the girl's apparent confusion. "Easy, easy. You're... Raspberry...?" She gives Shin another confused look, letting out a low 'uhhhh' as he continues. She rubs her forehead for a moment after putting her axe back on her... Back, then sighs and shakes her head before bringing her free hand up to her head in a brief salute. "Sanary Rondel, Confederate captain and medic. I dunno what Shin's talking about, but if you come with me? I can help you figure things out. Don't gotta rush it or anything. This place is dangerous, though, so we should get back to my place where it's safer."      She offers 'Raspberry' a brief smile, then turns to Shin once again while looking about as confused as she was moments ago. "But... You're welcome to come, too. We can just go." She even points back at the hole where the door was for emphasis! 
}}

3195/Healing Heart

2017-04-12T02:20:05Z

Blue Elf: Created page with "{{Log Header |Date of Scene=2015/10/12 |Location=The Citadel - Medical |Synopsis=Starless helps Sanary with getting over some of her trauma. Probably. |Cast of Characters=336,..."

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2015/10/12
|Location=The Citadel - Medical
|Synopsis=Starless helps Sanary with getting over some of her trauma. Probably.
|Cast of Characters=336, 714
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:336|Starless Night (336)}} has posed:'''     It's sudden, yet not. As if it haad been that way for a while, as if everything were normal. Such is the way with dreams, isn't it? The aroma of fresh tea is in the air, with a low table in front of Sanary, and a kindly aged woman pouring the tea. It's all subtly altered to be easy for Sanary to interpret, letting her own mind fill in the details. Starless won't see said details, but that isn't important.     "How are you feelings?" she asks mildly. It's a simple question, but despite the trappings that seem soothing, Starless doesn't hesitate to make some harsh guesses. "Horrified? Regretful? Angry? Hateful?"     it can't immediately wash away the idea of the shock that Sanary has gone through, but she's betting that the change in imagery might startle an answer out. 

:'''{{#var:714|Sanary Rondel (714)}} has posed:'''      Sanary's mind is in a rather fragile state at the moment. Constant self-doubt, festering anger, fear of the unknown... It's probably no surprise, then, that the sight of the table in front of her with that tea just waiting there is rather calming to her. It's a familiar table and a familiar scent, and she doesn't even question why they're there at first.      At least, not until she hears that voice. Even in her own dreams, Sanary is still in a daze, and she just keeps staring at the tea. "I... C-could be better. All... All four?" She utters weakly with a single low laugh, although it's quite clear that she's anything but amused. "Numb, too...? Numb's good."      She sniffs that tea and nudges it aside before resting her head on the table, hunching over a bit more while staring off into space. "Could've just left and... I don't know. What's... What the hell am I even doing here?" 

:'''{{#var:336|Starless Night (336)}} has posed:'''     "You are talking to me, and learning what you must," Starless replies mildly. "You're uncertain, and confused. You've just lost something important to you. Or... should I say that you had it taken from you, wasn't it?" She sips the tea. "Taken by someone else. Why would they do that, you think? What would have them force an injustice such as this upon you?"     The table is not actually in a building, apparently? It's in a ruined crater. That's very odd, isn't it? 

:'''{{#var:714|Sanary Rondel (714)}} has posed:'''      "What I...?" Sanary jerks up for a moment as she notices more of her surroundings, staring at the crater they're in before putting her head back down on that table. That safe, familiar table with the tea she's gotten so used to making and drinking.      "My home. It... It's gone. They destroyed it." She shivers and digs her head into the table, a pained groan escaping her as she recalls what had happened just one night ago. "Th... They had to. That's what they said. To keep the... Everyone from getting hurt more." She pauses and shakes her head quickly, not sounding entirely convinced of what she had just said.      "N-no. It's... But that's the way the world works, isn't it? The... The strong do what they want, and weak people like me can't do anything." She utters another quiet laugh before setting her head back down, that look of dejection and numbness returning to her again. 

:'''{{#var:336|Starless Night (336)}} has posed:'''     "Is it?" Starless asks as she scoots aside. "Your axe is beside you, Sanary. Pick it up if you wish." It's true, Sanary will find any equipment she wishes right next to her. But why? That is what Starless is leading into. "You are strong... but strong enough? Strong enough to slaughter those responsible? Would that even matter, would anyone even care?"     Behind her, on the ridge, numerous shadowy figures are gathering. The enemy. Powerful and silently staring. Starless points out, "Of course, with your allies, you could likely manage to kill them if you like. But there are many kinds of strength, Miss Rondel. Would you like to know the strength to keep anyone from taking what is yours ever again?" 

:'''{{#var:714|Sanary Rondel (714)}} has posed:'''      Sanary picks her head up again to look over as directed, staring at the gunaxe just sitting there against the leg of the table. As she reaches for it, however, she stops once Starless continues to speak and drops her head back on that table with much less care than before. "... Doubt it. All of them... They're too strong. I-"      Her gaze flickers to the movement around them, a hand clenching against the edge of the table as she raises her head again. "It's always my allies. They... They do all the heavy lifting, and I just... I can't do anything right." Even as she says that, she picks up the gunaxe and fires off a few shots at those figures, although it's clear she's doing it mostly out of frustration rather than making any sort of controlled attack.      "You... What sort of strength are you talking about?" Her gaze finally falls directly on Starless, and she rises from the table to reach out and try to grab her shoulders. "I... I need to get stronger. To stop this kind of shit from happening again!" 

:'''{{#var:336|Starless Night (336)}} has posed:'''     Shaken! Starless Night is startled, but doesn't move to stop Sanary at all. As expected, the shots do very little, but then this isn't about vengeance and hot-blooded murder. Thus Starless doesn't need to cater to that. She smiles and places her hand on Sanary's own, shaking her head. "You have many ways to grow stronger. Your allies can teach you. Enhance you. But no matter how strong you get, how much you can handle, your enemies will find ways to hurt you."     She's still smiling, though. And after she lets that thought sink in, the 'kindly woman' points out, "Unless, of course, you have sufficient strength of character to discourage such things from happening. To make it so that none would dare do something like that." 

:'''{{#var:714|Sanary Rondel (714)}} has posed:'''      "Then I just.. I just need to get strong enough that they won't. That's... That's easy enough, right?" Sanary actually manages a laugh that lasts more than one second, although she's still just as shaken up as she was before. She does seem just a little bit calmer than before, at least, as she stares right at Starless.      "Character? Like a... What, like in a TV show?" Although she's confused at first, a few of the pieces start to click together in her mind. "Unless... No. You mean... Uh. What /do/ you mean?" On the plus side, she's not rejecting what Starless is saying. She's just having trouble trying to understand what she truly means.      "If being able to fight better than them isn't going to do it... Then What is it? What type of strength is this?" 

:'''{{#var:336|Starless Night (336)}} has posed:'''     Starless just shakes her head, "There will always be those willing to risk themselves by attacking you, and seek to target those you care about." She rises up, gesturing at the ruined crater. "But would they if they knew that you would return in kind? It is not enough to merely kill your assailant. That is a quick end, a swift and oft-effective one... for the immediate problem."     "But..."     She smiles, producing a locket in one hand, and tosses it toward Sanary. "Let us say that this is a precious memory of a lost loved one. Your opponent has hurt you. Others have seen it. It is not enough to just defeat them. But what if you could send a message to everyone that in harming you or those you care about, they would cause themselves untold suffering? You would be safe. Your friends and allies would be safe." 

:'''{{#var:714|Sanary Rondel (714)}} has posed:'''      Sanary's gaze returns to that crater surrounding them, looking more and more like the one that her home had turned into. Expanding in size, slowly growing until it practically matched the desert further into the rest of the country. But that wasn't right, was it? It felt wrong, but... She can't even tell any more. Not with her mind in the state it's in.      She doesn't even notice that locket at first, only reaching out to catch it after Starless tosses it at her and the locket bounces off of her. Somehow, she still manages to get a grip on it before it can drop to the ground. "This is... The enemy's then? And if I have it, then... Then they'd want it back, right?" She stares at that locket, not even bothering to open it up as she looks back up at Starless after a long minute. "That's... That's the strength I want-no. That's the strength I /need/. I need to... I need to make sure they can't hurt me. Or hurt anyone else I care about." 

:'''{{#var:336|Starless Night (336)}} has posed:'''     Tucking her arms into her sleeves as she crosses them, Starless nods, "If it were, what would you do? You have the capacity to hurt them. To make them realize that harming you, assaulting those that you care about, will cause them much worse suffering. That is another type of strength. All it requires is that you set aside your doubts and focus on the results."     She nods toward the locket. "It is, in the end, just a trinket to you, isn't it?" 

:'''{{#var:714|Sanary Rondel (714)}} has posed:'''      A grin starts creeping across Sanary's face as Starles speaks, the possibilities of just what she could do with a theoretical object racing through the healer's mind. Destruction would be the easiest thing, of course. Destroying what they cherish, to stamp it into the ground, to wipe it from existence.      "My... Doubts. Doubts about... You mean about myself? Hn... Makes sense. Makes a lot of sense." She even chuckles lightly as she raises that locket into the air, peering it at. Tilting it. Measuring it. Weighing it. So many possibilities with such a small thing... She really could destroy it easily in this form, couldn't she?      "... Too easy." Sanary doesn't destroy it. Or even damage it with any sort of force, really. Instead, she drops it right into her mouth before following it up with a swig of the tea. Her tea of choice isn't any regular old tea, though. No, the tea that's always been a staple of her family has been made with pig's blood. The perfect thing to stain clothes, metal, just about anything, really.      To desecrate things.      "Mrph... Ptuh. You're right. As long as I get the job done and I can hurt them more than they can hurt me... That's the power I need, isn't it?" She spits that trinket back out and clenches it in her fist, that 'tea' staining her hand even then. 

:'''{{#var:336|Starless Night (336)}} has posed:'''     That was... surprising. Starless lifts an eyebrow at the choice Sanary makes, but it isn't a bad thing. She's always surprised at how ~creative~ people can be when pressed. But that's what makes it so entertaining, doesn't it? The action does cause the air to brighten a bit, to make the place seem not quite so... depressing.     "Power is important," she admits. "And there are many paths to it, which you need to decide for yourself. But far more important is how it is applied. The when, and how, and how much. That is another kind of power, and I think that you understand that now. You are not so helpless as you believe."     It's a 'lesson' more than a therapy session, but Starless does hope that the new focus will allow Sanary to awaken. For now, she knows not to press too much... to turn the dream into a nightmare would reverse any progress. "You know where to find me if you need to speak again, I think."     Technically, that would be 'next to Sanary' once the dream fades, but she trusts that the healer won't misunderstand what she just said. 

:'''{{#var:714|Sanary Rondel (714)}} has posed:'''      That's what Sanary had been missing. Attaining power was one thing, but learning how to use it effectively... That's something she'll need to discover on her own time. As the mood of the dream world lightens, so does the healer's expression. It's one of renewed vigor, confidence, and determination.      And then mild disgust when she realizes she's just spat a bloody trinket into her hand. "Just need to... Work even harder, then. Gotta get the power /and/ learn how to use it..." She chuckles again at those reassuring words from Starless, the grin slowly breaking into an actual smile for the first time today, both inside and outside of the dream world.      And once she's awake? Sanary gives her a long groggy stare. "... Found you. You hungry?" 

:'''{{#var:336|Starless Night (336)}} has posed:'''     Chuckle. Starless smiles, "I could get some food. I'm glad to see you've awakened. Try to take it easy for a little bit... I have a feeling you have a lot to consider and think about."     As ruthless as Starless is, she's also quite civil, and has no issue with offering a hand up to Sanary as she herself rises. Though that might be a way to note that she's a lot stronger than the frail frame she has would indicate. 

:'''{{#var:714|Sanary Rondel (714)}} has posed:'''      "Yeah... D-definitely. I.. Yeah. Not so bad in here, anyway." Sanary chuckles again, although she's sounding noticeably weaker than she did at her best in the dream. She's still mentally and physically drained, after all, and the memories of her loss are still fresh in her mind.      She's also hungry, though, and she gets up relatively easily with Starless' assistance. "Still... Can't get too lazy. I need to figure out where to go next with... Everything. The power. Using it. All of it." Getting off the bed is a bit of an ordeal as well, but she'll prevail! Eventually. "You wouldn't.. Uh. Happen to have any pointers on where to start with that, would you?" 

:'''{{#var:336|Starless Night (336)}} has posed:'''     "It will take a little time, I think, to properly process everything," Starless points out. "But there are options. Options to become stronger, though often at a price. Vega offered you one, and though he was blunt and crude about it, I have no doubt he CAN do it. I can offer a more refined one, with ninjutsu arts. Or you can try something more subtle, yet immediately effective, such as these."     She holds her hand out, letting a small crawling worm writhe across one finger before vanishing under the skin. It doesn't seem to hurt her. "But I understand that some are a little reluctant to go that far as well. That is why you must weigh your options." 

:'''{{#var:714|Sanary Rondel (714)}} has posed:'''      Sanary nods slowly while reaching up to rub her forehead, the physical pain starting to come back to her as her senses keep coming back to her. The physical wounds have mostly healed, but that doesn't mean the pain is completely gone. "Yeah... Better not to rush into anything, I guess. Vega's offered before, so that might work. And... Hm. Ninjitsu?"      Sanary furrows her brow. "That's the kind of stuff Yari uses... That could work, too." She goes quiet when Starless holds the hand out, staring at that worm for the brief moment that it's visible. Something about that worm just sinking into the woman's hand is unnerving, but...      She can't just rule that possibility out, either. "... Definitely going to need more info on that one. Uh.You don't have to worry about accidentally eating those, do you?" 

:'''{{#var:336|Starless Night (336)}} has posed:'''     Starless Night nods her head as she starts to walk. "Ninjutsu. Yari uses a different style than I use, but since my clan is dead I have no need to hold to secrecy."     The worm has vanished, and Starless seems none the worse for wear. "Keep in mind that I am not human, so you have options I do not. But no... the chitinshell annellids live under the skin and form a network of hard webbing, making me more resilient. The symbiotes in my body all have certain needs, however. The chitinshells, for example, require fresh fruit on a fairly frequent basis. Others, like the mindglowers, merely require some space once a day or so. While others yet, like the talonfang, require more... difficult ingredients such as fresh blood. Lu-Mey would be the one to speak to about those options, she is more skilled with them than I." 

:'''{{#var:714|Sanary Rondel (714)}} has posed:'''      Following behind Starless, Sanary's steps become a little more confident as the haze wears off. Plus, she's not expecting to have food delivered right to her as long as her legs are still working.      "You aren't? But you look so..." She pauses for a moment, weighing her next words carefully. "... Human-y. Great hair, too." She flicks some clumped strands of her own mussed-up hair for emphasis.      "To be honest, having a big... What's it called. Nest? Network? Network of insects crawling around in me doesn't sound pleasant. But if it works..." She makes a few noncommital noises, but at least she's considering it! "I'll.. Yeah, I'll have to ask Lu-Mey about this, too." 

:'''{{#var:336|Starless Night (336)}} has posed:'''     "That's intentional, that I look human," Starless points out. "And it is not exactly well-known that I am not. I am close enough to host the annelids, and that's enough."     She makes a vague gesture. "It isn't as unpleasant as you might think, but I wouldn't blame you if you think it is not to your liking. It takes a certain personality to really appreciate them. Talk to Lu-Mey, see if anything appeals, and if it doesn't... well there are certainly other options, yes?"     She smiles again, "I expect you're too hungry to give such things serious thought. Let's fix that instead of dwelling for now. It's hard to decide on an empty stomach." 

:'''{{#var:714|Sanary Rondel (714)}} has posed:'''      "If that's the case... Your secret's safe with me." Sanary reaches over to clap a shoulder against Starless' shoulder, that confident grin of hers appearing on her face despite the fatigue that's still apparent through the rest of her movements. "If you think it'll help, I'll definitely keep it in mind. Even if it is kinda..."      It's probably better if she doesn't think too much about having insects crawling around /inside/ her skin right before she eats. "... I'll talk to her, yeah."      Then she finally starts laughing. It's light, it's hearty, and it's over in a few seconds. Still, it's laughter, and she moves closer to try and catch Starless in a light hug from behind. "Thanks. Really. I'm gonna... I'm gonna make it up to you sooner or later. But first, let's eat!" 

:'''{{#var:336|Starless Night (336)}} has posed:'''     The kugutsu chuckles, "I appreciate that." It's not as if the secret would be TERRIBLE to reveal, but it's nice to have one more thing in reserve. She is, however, startled by the hug from behind. Not that hse minds, exactly, but it gives her a puzzled expression more than anything.     "Yes, let's do that," Starless agrees. "I know a few who will be happy to hear you are awake again." 
}}

Form:Character Page

2017-04-11T06:00:28Z

Blue Elf:

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| {{{field|FullName|mandatory|size=90}}}
|-
! Gender:
| {{{field|Gender|mandatory|size=90}}}
|-
! Species:
| {{{field|Species|mandatory|size=90}}}
|-
! Theme/Series/Source:
| {{{field|Theme|mandatory|size=90}}}
|-
! Chartype:
| {{{field|Chartype|mandatory|input type=combobox|size=90|values=FC, OC, OFC, FOC, NPC, TP|existing values only|default=FC}}}
|-
! Active/Dropped?:
| {{{field|Active|mandatory|input type=combobox|size=90|values=Active, Dropped|existing values only|default=Active}}}
|-
! Function:
| {{{field|Function|mandatory|size=90}}}
|-
! Faction:
| {{{field|Faction|mandatory|input type=combobox|size=90|values=Paladins, Watch, Concord, League, Unaffiliated|existing values only|default=Unaffiliated}}}
|-
! Rank:
| {{{field|Rank|mandatory|placeholder=#-Title|size=90}}}
|-
! Rank Type:
| {{{field|Ranktype|mandatory|input type=combobox|size=90|values=Member, Officer, Fachead, Unaffiliated|existing values only|default=Unaffiliated}}}
|-
! Groups:
| {{{field|Groups|placeholder=Groups you are in. Put in brackets to link.|size=90}}}
|-
! Quote:
| {{{field|Quote|mandatory|placeholder=From your +finger.|size=90}}}
|-
! Physical Age:
| {{{field|PAge|placeholder=What your character looks like.|size=90}}}
|-
! Actual Age:
| {{{field|AAge|placeholder=His or her actual age.|size=90}}}
|-
! Still Aging?:
| {{{field|Aging|placeholder=Is your character getting older?|size=90}}}
|-
! Height:
| {{{field|Height|size=90}}}
|-
! Weight:
| {{{field|Weight|size=90}}}
|-
! Hair Color:
| {{{field|Hair|size=90}}}
|-
! Eye Color:
| {{{field|Eyes|size=90}}}
|-
! Voice Actor:
| {{{field|Voice|size=90}}}
|-
! Themesong:
| {{{field|Song|placeholder=Title or Youtube links!|size=90}}}
|-
! Profile:
| {{{field|Profile|mandatory|placeholder=Your +finger profile.|property=TextField}}}
|-
! Defining:
| {{{field|Defining|placeholder=Your +adv/defining.|property=TextField}}}
|-
! Significant:
| {{{field|Significant|placeholder=Your +adv/significant.|property=TextField}}}
|-
! Minor:
| {{{field|Minor|placeholder=Your +adv/minor.|property=TextField}}}
|-
! Disadvantages:
| {{{field|Disadvantages|mandatory|placeholder=Your +disadvantages.|property=TextField}}}
|-
|}
{{{end template}}}

THIS FINAL FIELD WILL CONTAIN A COPY OF YOUR ENTIRE CHARACTER PAGE IF IT'S A CONVERSION JOB AND NOT A NEW PAGE! PLEASE DO NOT IGNORE IT AND PROPERLY CLEAN IT UP!

'''Other Sections! Whatever You Want!:''' {{{standard input|free text|rows=10}}}

{{{standard input|summary}}}

{{{standard input|minor edit}}} {{{standard input|watch}}}

{{{standard input|save}}} {{{standard input|preview}}} {{{standard input|changes}}} {{{standard input|cancel}}}

</includeonly>

Character Index

2017-04-11T05:59:55Z

Blue Elf:

This page automatically lists all character pages created using the [[Making A Character Page]] page.

==Paladins==

===Facheads===
<div style="font-size:9pt;">
{{#ask: [[Category:Characters]] [[Status::!Dropped]] [[Category:Paladins]] [[Category:Fachead]]
|format=ul
|columns=5
|template=NoDroppedDisplay
|limit=500
}}</div>
===Members===
<div style="font-size:9pt;">
{{#ask: [[Category:Characters]] [[Status::!Dropped]] [[Category:Paladins]] [[Category:Member]]
|format=ul
|columns=5
|template=NoDroppedDisplay
|limit=500
}}</div>
===Officers===
<div style="font-size:9pt;">
{{#ask: [[Category:Characters]] [[Status::!Dropped]] [[Category:Paladins]] [[Category:Officer]]
|format=ul
|columns=5
|template=NoDroppedDisplay
|limit=500
}}</div>

==Watch==

===Facheads===
<div style="font-size:9pt;">
{{#ask: [[Category:Characters]] [[Status::!Dropped]] [[Category:Watch]] [[Category:Fachead]]
|format=ul
|columns=5
|template=NoDroppedDisplay
|limit=500
}}</div>
===Members===
<div style="font-size:9pt;">
{{#ask: [[Category:Characters]] [[Status::!Dropped]] [[Category:Watch]] [[Category:Member]]
|format=ul
|columns=5
|template=NoDroppedDisplay
|limit=500
}}</div>
===Officers===
<div style="font-size:9pt;">
{{#ask: [[Category:Characters]] [[Status::!Dropped]] [[Category:Watch]] [[Category:Officer]]
|format=ul
|columns=5
|template=NoDroppedDisplay
|limit=500
}}</div>

==Concord==

===Facheads===
<div style="font-size:9pt;">
{{#ask: [[Category:Characters]] [[Status::!Dropped]] [[Category:Concord]] [[Category:Fachead]]
|format=ul
|columns=5
|template=NoDroppedDisplay
|limit=500
}}</div>
===Members===
<div style="font-size:9pt;">
{{#ask: [[Category:Characters]] [[Status::!Dropped]] [[Category:Concord]] [[Category:Member]]
|format=ul
|columns=5
|template=NoDroppedDisplay
|limit=500
}}</div>
===Officers===
<div style="font-size:9pt;">
{{#ask: [[Category:Characters]] [[Status::!Dropped]] [[Category:Concord]] [[Category:Officer]]
|format=ul
|columns=5
|template=NoDroppedDisplay
|limit=500
}}</div>

==League==

===Facheads===
<div style="font-size:9pt;">
{{#ask: [[Category:Characters]] [[Status::!Dropped]] [[Category:League]] [[Category:Fachead]]
|format=ul
|columns=5
|template=NoDroppedDisplay
|limit=500
}}</div>
===Members===
<div style="font-size:9pt;">
{{#ask: [[Category:Characters]] [[Status::!Dropped]] [[Category:League]] [[Category:Member]]
|format=ul
|columns=5
|template=NoDroppedDisplay
|limit=500
}}</div>
===Officers===
<div style="font-size:9pt;">
{{#ask: [[Category:Characters]] [[Status::!Dropped]] [[Category:League]] [[Category:Officer]]
|format=ul
|columns=5
|template=NoDroppedDisplay
|limit=500
}}</div>

==Unaffiliated==
<div style="font-size:9pt;">
{{#ask: [[Category:Characters]] [[Status::!Dropped]] [[Category:Unaffiliated]]
|format=ul
|columns=5
|limit=500
}}</div>

==Unsorted==
<div style="font-size:9pt;">
{{#ask: [[Category:Characters]] [[Status::!Dropped]] [[Category::!Unaffiliated]] [[Category::Union||Confederacy||Syndicate]]
|format=ul
|columns=5
|limit=500
}}</div>

==NPC & TP Characters==
===NPCs===
<div style="font-size:9pt;">
{{#ask: [[Category:NPCs]]
|format=ul
|columns=5
|template=NoDroppedDisplay
|limit=500
}}</div>
===TP Characters===
<div style="font-size:9pt;">
{{#ask: [[Category:TP]]
|format=ul
|columns=5
|template=NoDroppedDisplay
|limit=500
}}</div>

==Dropped & Fired==
===Dropped (Union)===
<div style="font-size:9pt;">
{{#ask: [[Category:Characters]] [[Status::Dropped]] [[Category:Union]]
|format=ul
|columns=5
|template=NoDroppedDisplay
|limit=500
}}</div>
===Dropped (Confed)===
<div style="font-size:9pt;">
{{#ask: [[Category:Characters]] [[Status::Dropped]] [[Category:Confederacy]]
|format=ul
|columns=5
|limit=500
}}</div>
===Dropped (Unaff)===
<div style="font-size:9pt;">
{{#ask: [[Category:Characters]] [[Status::Dropped]] [[Category:Unaffiliated]]
|format=ul
|columns=5
|limit=500
}}</div>
===Dropped (Syndicate)===
<div style="font-size:9pt;">
{{#ask: [[Category:Characters]] [[Status::Dropped]] [[Category:Syndicate]]
|format=ul
|columns=5
|limit=500
}}</div>
===Fired===
<div style="font-size:9pt;">
{{#ask: [[Category:Characters]] [[Category:Fired]]
|format=ul
|columns=5
|limit=500
}}</div>

[[Category:Index]]

Seifer Almasy

2017-04-11T05:57:47Z

Blue Elf:

{{CharacterNew
|NameOnMUSH=Seifer Almasy
|Color=#0099FF
|Char_id=1086
|Img=http://i.imgur.com/iV3t3us.jpg
|FullName=Seifer Almasy
|Gender=Male
|Species=Human
|Theme=Final Fantasy 8-1
|Chartype=OFC
|Active=Active
|Function=Gunblade Knight
|Faction=Concord
|Rank=4-Partner
|Ranktype=Member
|Quote="Someday I'm gonna tell ya about my ROMANTIC dream!"
|PAge=19
|AAge=19
|Aging=Yes
|Height=6'3"
|Weight=220 lbs
|Hair=Blonde
|Eyes=Cyan
|Voice=Will Friedle
|Song=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiUnvr12sZM
|Profile=Seifer Almasy is not the ideal model of an elite child supersoldier. He's a dreamer, ruled by his passions and his conscience more than his mission parameters. Unable to separate emotion from soldiering, Seifer left the service of SeeD to walk a different path and find the dream he had long been craving. Though possessed of a brash temperament and a quick-to-judge attitude, Seifer certainly did not get drummed out of SeeD for a lack of skills; the self-proclaimed Gunblade Knight is a swordsman surpassing the finest of his world and a durable opponent propelled by his heart and will more than his head. As proof of his skill, Seifer has even bound his own Guardian Force with techniques learned at SeeD - the bizarre extradimensional swordsman Gilgamesh, who provides him with the ability to Draw magical effects out of his opponents and use them to power new techniques or fuel dangerous spells.
|Powers=GUNBLADE KNIGHT: Seifer is a master of the Gunblade, a rare weapon from his own world said to be extremely hard for normal people to learn. Seifer's mastery of the gunblade is skilled enough to transcend into the realm of the supernatural; his aggressive, emotional style seamlessly weaves gunplay and swordsmanship into a fighting style that can even create incredible reversals against the godlike existences of his world.

DRAW <COPY1>: Due to his connection with Gilgamesh, Seifer can 'Draw' effects out of other beings or points of power for his own use. This paramagical ability allows him to summon up various effects either physical (such as weapon techniques) or magical (such as damaging spells) based on what he Draws.
|Skills=GILGAMESH: Seifer's Guardian Force is Gilgamesh, a powerful extradimensional entity that grants Seifer power. While Gilgamesh can be summoned to provide a single powerful sword attack before vanishing back into the ether, the main purpose of Gilgamesh is to provide Seifer with mild superhuman strength, speed, and durability by acting as his bonded spirit. Gilgamesh is also capable of giving Seifer advice, though only Seifer can hear Gilgamesh speak unless Gilgamesh is summoned for an attack - at which point Gilgamesh is manifest, and can say whatever he pleases, much to Seifer's chagrin.

SeeD TRAINING: Seifer was raised as an elite soldier for as long as he can remember. He is skilled at infiltration and squad tactics, though he frequently disregards both skillsets in favor of the direct approach. He is also a competent, though not amazing, strategist and tactician.
|Assets=HYPERION: Seifer's Gunblade is a unique semi-automatic weapon. It is a mixture of a blade and a gun, as the name implies, with two modes, switched by a second hammer on the hilt of the blade. The first mode allows Seifer to fire blank shells into the inside of his sword, using the vibrations to enhance the damage of an impact. The second mode allows the gunblade to fire like a semi-automatic pistol. It is otherwise simply a very durable and very sharp blade.
|Disadvantages=LEMME TELL YA 'BOUT MY ROMANTIC DREAM <TROUBLE>: Seifer is a man ruled by his passions, possessed of a strong code of honor about protecting women and fighting like a man - ideals that are an outdated hindrance even in the world he lives in. He is in love with the idea of being in love, obsessed with the idea of being a knight rescuing and defending a damsel, and enamored with the concept of defining his relationships to others by relative skill on the battlefield, and all those other terribly destructive things that can lead people who might theoretically be good down very bad paths. These dreams border on a madness, a mania, for the archetype of the Questing Knight, a hero walking a lonely and difficult path, and Seifer understands reality primarily through this lens, and attempts to make it conform to his view of the world. In essence he is the Main Man, the Hero, the Main Character - and this mentality leads him into trouble just about as often as one might imagine

DAMSELS ARE DISTRESSING <SIGNIFICANT>: Seifer is particularly susceptible to the wiles of women, especially women who seem like they need protection (or are capable of seeming so for the sake of deception). He tends to show off a bit more in these circumstances, especially if the woman is a princess (or could be thematically considered a princess).

THE CURRENCY OF MEMORY <MINOR>: The power of Gilgamesh requires Seifer to fuel his Guardian Force with his own memories, a heinous and forbidden art used by SeeD to empower their soldiers. Just maintaining Gilgamesh slowly gnaws at the periphery of his life, drinking colors and words away from important emotional events. Summoning Gilgamesh as an attack can make him forget whole days of his life, important names and faces, and other details. In effect, Seifer's memory is extremely fallible. Seifer is also susceptible to memory modification magic or effects, though with the caveat that such modified memories will usually be the first to be drained by Gilgamesh, and thus rarely last very long.

BROUGHT DOWN TO NORMAL <MINOR>: If for some reason Gilgamesh is forced out of Seifer's head, or their connection is severed, or Gilgamesh's magic is sealed, Seifer loses access to his supernatural strength, speed, and endurance, as well as the Draw power and any spells or attacks derived from it. Seifer does not lose his Gunblade Knight power.
}}

Character Index

2017-04-11T05:38:48Z

Blue Elf:

This page automatically lists all character pages created using the [[Making A Character Page]] page.

==Paladins==

===Facheads===
<div style="font-size:9pt;">
{{#ask: [[Category:Characters]] [[Status::!Dropped]] [[Category:Paladins]] [[Category:Fachead]]
|format=ul
|columns=5
|template=NoDroppedDisplay
|limit=500
}}</div>
===Members===
<div style="font-size:9pt;">
{{#ask: [[Category:Characters]] [[Status::!Dropped]] [[Category:Paladins]] [[Category:Member]]
|format=ul
|columns=5
|template=NoDroppedDisplay
|limit=500
}}</div>
===Officers===
<div style="font-size:9pt;">
{{#ask: [[Category:Characters]] [[Status::!Dropped]] [[Category:Paladins]] [[Category:Officer]]
|format=ul
|columns=5
|template=NoDroppedDisplay
|limit=500
}}</div>

==Watch==

===Facheads===
<div style="font-size:9pt;">
{{#ask: [[Category:Characters]] [[Status::!Dropped]] [[Category:Watch]] [[Category:Fachead]]
|format=ul
|columns=5
|template=NoDroppedDisplay
|limit=500
}}</div>
===Members===
<div style="font-size:9pt;">
{{#ask: [[Category:Characters]] [[Status::!Dropped]] [[Category:Watch]] [[Category:Member]]
|format=ul
|columns=5
|template=NoDroppedDisplay
|limit=500
}}</div>
===Officers===
<div style="font-size:9pt;">
{{#ask: [[Category:Characters]] [[Status::!Dropped]] [[Category:Watch]] [[Category:Officer]]
|format=ul
|columns=5
|template=NoDroppedDisplay
|limit=500
}}</div>

==Concord==

===Facheads===
<div style="font-size:9pt;">
{{#ask: [[Category:Characters]] [[Status::!Dropped]] [[Category:Concord]] [[Category:Fachead]]
|format=ul
|columns=5
|template=NoDroppedDisplay
|limit=500
}}</div>
===Members===
<div style="font-size:9pt;">
{{#ask: [[Category:Characters]] [[Status::!Dropped]] [[Category:Concord]] [[Category:Member]]
|format=ul
|columns=5
|template=NoDroppedDisplay
|limit=500
}}</div>
===Officers===
<div style="font-size:9pt;">
{{#ask: [[Category:Characters]] [[Status::!Dropped]] [[Category:Concord]] [[Category:Officer]]
|format=ul
|columns=5
|template=NoDroppedDisplay
|limit=500
}}</div>

==League==

===Facheads===
<div style="font-size:9pt;">
{{#ask: [[Category:Characters]] [[Status::!Dropped]] [[Category:League]] [[Category:Fachead]]
|format=ul
|columns=5
|template=NoDroppedDisplay
|limit=500
}}</div>
===Members===
<div style="font-size:9pt;">
{{#ask: [[Category:Characters]] [[Status::!Dropped]] [[Category:League]] [[Category:Member]]
|format=ul
|columns=5
|template=NoDroppedDisplay
|limit=500
}}</div>
===Officers===
<div style="font-size:9pt;">
{{#ask: [[Category:Characters]] [[Status::!Dropped]] [[Category:League]] [[Category:Officer]]
|format=ul
|columns=5
|template=NoDroppedDisplay
|limit=500
}}</div>

==Unaffiliated==
<div style="font-size:9pt;">
{{#ask: [[Category:Characters]] [[Status::!Dropped]] [[Category:Unaffiliated]]
|format=ul
|columns=5
|limit=500
}}</div>

==Unsorted==
<div style="font-size:9pt;">
{{#ask: [[Category:Characters]] [[Status::!Dropped]] [[Category:!Unaffiliated]] [[Category:!Paladins]] [[Category:!Concord]] [[Category:!Watch]] [[Category:!League]]
|format=ul
|columns=5
|limit=500
}}</div>

==NPC & TP Characters==
===NPCs===
<div style="font-size:9pt;">
{{#ask: [[Category:NPCs]]
|format=ul
|columns=5
|template=NoDroppedDisplay
|limit=500
}}</div>
===TP Characters===
<div style="font-size:9pt;">
{{#ask: [[Category:TP]]
|format=ul
|columns=5
|template=NoDroppedDisplay
|limit=500
}}</div>

==Dropped & Fired==
===Dropped (Union)===
<div style="font-size:9pt;">
{{#ask: [[Category:Characters]] [[Status::Dropped]] [[Category:Union]]
|format=ul
|columns=5
|template=NoDroppedDisplay
|limit=500
}}</div>
===Dropped (Confed)===
<div style="font-size:9pt;">
{{#ask: [[Category:Characters]] [[Status::Dropped]] [[Category:Confederacy]]
|format=ul
|columns=5
|limit=500
}}</div>
===Dropped (Unaff)===
<div style="font-size:9pt;">
{{#ask: [[Category:Characters]] [[Status::Dropped]] [[Category:Unaffiliated]]
|format=ul
|columns=5
|limit=500
}}</div>
===Dropped (Syndicate)===
<div style="font-size:9pt;">
{{#ask: [[Category:Characters]] [[Status::Dropped]] [[Category:Syndicate]]
|format=ul
|columns=5
|limit=500
}}</div>
===Fired===
<div style="font-size:9pt;">
{{#ask: [[Category:Characters]] [[Category:Fired]]
|format=ul
|columns=5
|limit=500
}}</div>

[[Category:Index]]

Form:Character Page

2017-04-11T05:30:17Z

Blue Elf:

<includeonly>
<div id="wikiPreview" style="display: none; padding-bottom: 25px; margin-bottom: 25px; border-bottom: 1px solid #AAAAAA;"></div>
{{{for template|CharacterRedux|label=Character Page}}}
{| class="formtable"
! @Name On MUSH:
| {{{field|NameOnMUSH|property=NameOnMUSH|mandatory|size=90}}}
|-
! HEX Color:
| {{{field|Color|mandatory|input type=combobox|size=90|values=#0099FF|default=#0099FF}}}
|-
! Character ID (Use +charid; if it doesn't work, +scene/setup, and try again!)
| {{{field|Char_id|mandatory|property=Char_id|textarea|placeholder=If the character predates Char IDs, put -1.|rows=1}}}
|-
! Image URL
| {{{field|Img|placeholder=Optional|size=90}}}
|-
! Full Name:
| {{{field|FullName|mandatory|size=90}}}
|-
! Gender:
| {{{field|Gender|mandatory|size=90}}}
|-
! Species:
| {{{field|Species|mandatory|size=90}}}
|-
! Theme/Series/Source:
| {{{field|Theme|mandatory|size=90}}}
|-
! Chartype:
| {{{field|Chartype|mandatory|input type=combobox|size=90|values=FC, OC, OFC, FOC, NPC, TP|existing values only|default=FC}}}
|-
! Active/Dropped?:
| {{{field|Active|mandatory|input type=combobox|size=90|values=Active, Dropped|existing values only|default=Active}}}
|-
! Function:
| {{{field|Function|mandatory|size=90}}}
|-
! Faction:
| {{{field|Faction|mandatory|input type=combobox|size=90|values=Paladins, Watch, Concord, League, Unaffiliated|existing values only|default=Unaffiliated}}}
|-
! Rank:
| {{{field|Rank|mandatory|placeholder=#-Title|size=90}}}
|-
! Rank Type:
| {{{field|Ranktype|mandatory|input type=combobox|size=90|values=Member, Fachead, Unaffiliated|existing values only|default=Unaffiliated}}}
|-
! Groups:
| {{{field|Groups|placeholder=Groups you are in. Put in brackets to link.|size=90}}}
|-
! Quote:
| {{{field|Quote|mandatory|placeholder=From your +finger.|size=90}}}
|-
! Physical Age:
| {{{field|PAge|placeholder=What your character looks like.|size=90}}}
|-
! Actual Age:
| {{{field|AAge|placeholder=His or her actual age.|size=90}}}
|-
! Still Aging?:
| {{{field|Aging|placeholder=Is your character getting older?|size=90}}}
|-
! Height:
| {{{field|Height|size=90}}}
|-
! Weight:
| {{{field|Weight|size=90}}}
|-
! Hair Color:
| {{{field|Hair|size=90}}}
|-
! Eye Color:
| {{{field|Eyes|size=90}}}
|-
! Voice Actor:
| {{{field|Voice|size=90}}}
|-
! Themesong:
| {{{field|Song|placeholder=Title or Youtube links!|size=90}}}
|-
! Profile:
| {{{field|Profile|mandatory|placeholder=Your +finger profile.|property=TextField}}}
|-
! Defining:
| {{{field|Defining|placeholder=Your +adv/defining.|property=TextField}}}
|-
! Significant:
| {{{field|Significant|placeholder=Your +adv/significant.|property=TextField}}}
|-
! Minor:
| {{{field|Minor|placeholder=Your +adv/minor.|property=TextField}}}
|-
! Disadvantages:
| {{{field|Disadvantages|mandatory|placeholder=Your +disadvantages.|property=TextField}}}
|-
|}
{{{end template}}}

THIS FINAL FIELD WILL CONTAIN A COPY OF YOUR ENTIRE CHARACTER PAGE IF IT'S A CONVERSION JOB AND NOT A NEW PAGE! PLEASE DO NOT IGNORE IT AND PROPERLY CLEAN IT UP!

'''Other Sections! Whatever You Want!:''' {{{standard input|free text|rows=10}}}

{{{standard input|summary}}}

{{{standard input|minor edit}}} {{{standard input|watch}}}

{{{standard input|save}}} {{{standard input|preview}}} {{{standard input|changes}}} {{{standard input|cancel}}}

</includeonly>

Form:Character Page

2017-04-11T05:28:51Z

Blue Elf:

<includeonly>
<div id="wikiPreview" style="display: none; padding-bottom: 25px; margin-bottom: 25px; border-bottom: 1px solid #AAAAAA;"></div>
{{{for template|CharacterNew|label=Character Page}}}
{| class="formtable"
! @Name On MUSH:
| {{{field|NameOnMUSH|property=NameOnMUSH|mandatory|size=90}}}
|-
! HEX Color:
| {{{field|Color|mandatory|input type=combobox|size=90|values=#0099FF|default=#0099FF}}}
|-
! Character ID (Use +charid; if it doesn't work, +scene/setup, and try again!)
| {{{field|Char_id|mandatory|property=Char_id|textarea|placeholder=If the character predates Char IDs, put -1.|rows=1}}}
|-
! Image URL
| {{{field|Img|placeholder=Optional|size=90}}}
|-
! Full Name:
| {{{field|FullName|mandatory|size=90}}}
|-
! Gender:
| {{{field|Gender|mandatory|size=90}}}
|-
! Species:
| {{{field|Species|mandatory|size=90}}}
|-
! Theme/Series/Source:
| {{{field|Theme|mandatory|size=90}}}
|-
! Chartype:
| {{{field|Chartype|mandatory|input type=combobox|size=90|values=FC, OC, OFC, FOC, NPC, TP|existing values only|default=FC}}}
|-
! Active/Dropped?:
| {{{field|Active|mandatory|input type=combobox|size=90|values=Active, Dropped|existing values only|default=Active}}}
|-
! Function:
| {{{field|Function|mandatory|size=90}}}
|-
! Faction:
| {{{field|Faction|mandatory|input type=combobox|size=90|values=Paladins, Watch, Concord, League, Unaffiliated|existing values only|default=Unaffiliated}}}
|-
! Rank:
| {{{field|Rank|mandatory|placeholder=#-Title|size=90}}}
|-
! Rank Type:
| {{{field|Ranktype|mandatory|input type=combobox|size=90|values=Member, Fachead, Unaffiliated|existing values only|default=Unaffiliated}}}
|-
! Groups:
| {{{field|Groups|placeholder=Groups you are in. Put in brackets to link.|size=90}}}
|-
! Quote:
| {{{field|Quote|mandatory|placeholder=From your +finger.|size=90}}}
|-
! Physical Age:
| {{{field|PAge|placeholder=What your character looks like.|size=90}}}
|-
! Actual Age:
| {{{field|AAge|placeholder=His or her actual age.|size=90}}}
|-
! Still Aging?:
| {{{field|Aging|placeholder=Is your character getting older?|size=90}}}
|-
! Height:
| {{{field|Height|size=90}}}
|-
! Weight:
| {{{field|Weight|size=90}}}
|-
! Hair Color:
| {{{field|Hair|size=90}}}
|-
! Eye Color:
| {{{field|Eyes|size=90}}}
|-
! Voice Actor:
| {{{field|Voice|size=90}}}
|-
! Themesong:
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THIS FINAL FIELD WILL CONTAIN A COPY OF YOUR ENTIRE CHARACTER PAGE IF IT'S A CONVERSION JOB AND NOT A NEW PAGE! PLEASE DO NOT IGNORE IT AND PROPERLY CLEAN IT UP!

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</includeonly>

Human Resources

2017-04-11T05:14:36Z

Blue Elf:

{{GroupPage
|Desc=Human Resources is a shadowy group intended to provide confidential, trustworthy services of any type, but specializing in the sort that require deniable assets, such as theft, assassination, and other less upright missions. Its main goal is maintaining the physical and financial security of its unaffiliated members, and providing a side income for faction-aligned members willing to perform missions without full details. Human Resources guarantees confidentiality in who hired them for a task, as well as factional security in never assigning an agent with conflicting loyalties to a mission. Though primarily mercenaries for hire, Human Resources on occasion performs missions for the group's benefit without a client.
|Leader=336
|XO=234
|Align=Unaffiliated
|State=Current
}}

Template:CharacterRedux

2017-04-11T04:55:55Z

Blue Elf: Character Template for new system

{| class="toccolours" style="width: 375px; float: right; margin-left:10px; margin-right:1px; margin-bottom:10px; text-align: left" cellspacing="2"
|-
! style="background:{{{Color|#0099FF}}}; border: 1px ridge; font-size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="4" | '''{{{NameOnMUSH}}}''' (Scenesys ID: '''{{{Char_id}}}''')
|-
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|-
! style="background:{{{Color|#0099FF}}}; border: 1px ridge; font-size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="4" | '''Quote'''
|-
! colspan="4" align="center" | {{{Quote}}}
|-
|-
! style="background:{{{Color|#0099FF}}}; border: 1px ridge; font-size: 110%;" align="center" colspan="4" | '''Profile'''
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Full Name:
! colspan="3" style="font-weight:normal;" | {{{FullName}}}
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Gender:
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! style="text-align:left" | Theme:
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! style="text-align:left" | Faction:
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{{#vardefine: charid | {{{Char_id}}}}} {{#set:Char_id={{{Char_id}}}}}
==Profile==
{{{Profile}}}
==Advantages==
===Defining===
<div class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="background-color:{{{Color|#0099FF}}};">POWERS, CLICK TO EXPAND<div class="mw-collapsible-content" style="background-color:#FFFFFF;">
{{{Defining}}}</div></div>
===Significant===
<div class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="background-color:{{{Color|#0099FF}}};">SKILLS, CLICK TO EXPAND<div class="mw-collapsible-content" style="background-color:#FFFFFF;">
{{{Significant}}}</div></div>
===Minor===
<div class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="background-color:{{{Color|#0099FF}}};">ASSETS, CLICK TO EXPAND<div class="mw-collapsible-content" style="background-color:#FFFFFF;">
{{{Minor}}}</div></div>
==Disadvantages==
<div class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="background-color:{{{Color|#0099FF}}};">DISADVANTAGES, CLICK TO EXPAND<div class="mw-collapsible-content" style="background-color:#FFFFFF;">
{{{Disadvantages}}}</div></div>
==Logs==
<div class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="background-color:{{{Color|#0099FF}}};">LOGS, CLICK TO EXPAND<div class="mw-collapsible-content" style="background-color:#FFFFFF;">{{Character Logs}}</div></div>
==Cutscenes==
<div class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="background-color:{{{Color|#0099FF}}};">CUTSCENES, CLICK TO EXPAND<div class="mw-collapsible-content" style="background-color:#FFFFFF;">{{Character Logs|Cutscenes}}</div></div>

[[Category:Characters]] [[Category:{{{Faction}}}]] [[Category:{{{Ranktype}}}]] [[Category:{{{Theme}}}]] [[Category:{{{Chartype}}}]]

User:Blue Elf

2017-04-11T04:33:50Z

Blue Elf:

==Overview==
Previously TP staff, Blue Elf was responsible for approving almost any plot requested on the mush. She is currently semi-retired and active only as a player.

==Current Public Alt List==

[[Duet Fortuna]]

[[Starless Night]]

==Previously Played Characters==

[[Kiyoko Saito]]

[[Ellestaria]]

[[Elliana Fairchild]]

[[Material-S]]

Orta

El'Shokah

Twilight Link

Rita Mordio

Herbert West(Confederate Filch)

Dark Schneider

Elliana Fairchild

2015-10-24T06:14:50Z

Blue Elf: Blue Elf moved page Elliana Fairchild to Duet Fortuna

#REDIRECT [[Duet Fortuna]]

Combat

2015-09-24T16:15:33Z

Blue Elf: Changed protection level for "Combat" ([Edit=Allow only autoconfirmed users] (indefinite) [Move=Allow only autoconfirmed users] (indefinite))

==Overview==

At '''Multiverse Crisis MUSH''', it is inevitable that many characters will engage in duels, or even enter full-scale battlefields during the course of the Union-Confederate War or other large-scale conflicts. This file covers our policies on combat and combat resolution. Resolution of combat situations can be handled in a few ways, but the primary two means of doing so are:

* '''Freeform Combat''', in which two players simply work out conflict resolution in the course of roleplay without the need of a mediator.
* '''Coded Combat''', in which the MUSH's combat system acts as a neutral arbitrator and dictates the outcome of combat.

Whether you prefer Freeform Combat or Coded Combat, the easiest way to determine the probable outcome of a fight is to compare the [[Power Levels]] of the two characters that are fighting. If there is a 2-point discrepancy (34 vs 36), then the outcome is '''highly''' favorable to the person with the higher number. A gap of 4 or more basically guarantees victory to the higher PL, at least in a fight.

----

==Coded Combat==

This section covers the rules of coded combat on the MUSH.

===AID & When To Use It===

Simply put, '''AID''', which represents healing, buffs, and debuffs, is a trait that has two major repercussions when used extensively in a coded combat scene

# The fight is inevitably prolonged by a significant amount of time.
# The fight is typically heavily lopsided in favor of the side with an AID-using character.

It is therefore appropriate, before a fight begins, to ascertain whether or not everybody wants AID to be used in the scene at all. If the usage of AID is not preferred, AID-based characters should convert a maximum of '''3''' points of their AID into regular combat stats and fight normally.

----

===Boss Modes & When To Use Them===

Beneficial boss modes may be used freely and without consent if you are fighting multiple opponents. They may be used in one-on-one combat or other circumstances with permission of opponent(s) or the GM. Staff may give special permission for boss modes to be used without player/GM consent, but will probably not do so.

Detrimental (debuff) boss modes triggered by weaknesses or what-have-you may be used at player discretion.

----

====FacHead Boss Modes====

Standard "Authority" boss modes may be used at FacHead discretion, with or without permission.

"'''Authority-F'''" is a special boss mode assigned to FacHeads and some officers for unusual circumstances. It exists to be used when another character is challenging the fachead's authority on the basis of martial prowess, and may be used whenever such a situation arises. These boss modes are deliberately overpowered and not intended to be beatable. Occasionally, officers or other specially-ranked characters will be issued an Authority-F mode. But on the whole, usage of Authority-F is extremely rare.

----

===First +Attack & Attack Level Escalation===

If you are the first person to attack in a coded fight, your opponent should be the one to escalate attack levels from there. So for example, if Megaman starts a fight by shooting Dr. Wily (usually with a level 1 or 2 attack), Dr. Wily gets to raise the fight's attack level to 3 - Strong later on in the fight.

In the event that somebody is fighting multiple enemies at once, the disadvantaged party should be the first to +attack his opponents AND the first to escalate to higher attack levels later in the fight. For instance, if Dr. Wily gets into a fight with Megaman, Protoman, and Bass, Dr. Wily gets to make the opening attack to those three, and later raise the attack levels from 1 to 2, 2 to 3, etc.

----

===+Pull & When To Use It===

+Pull is a command that can be used to raise your HP maximum from 100 to 250 or anywhere inbetween. It should be used when you are fighting multiple opponents. The bigger gap between your PL and those of any of your opponents, and the more opponents you have, the higher you should adjust your HP.

More specific ideas on how far you should +pull your HP in a given scenario will be forthcoming in the future.

----

===+Restat & +Armor===

Because players are allowed to stat their own PCs on the fly, it may seem reasonable to assume that you can change your stats mid-battle. This is correct, but has some caveats.

# Each +armor swap or +restat is your action for the round. Previously, some [[Advantages]] were allowed to bypass this limit, but that policy is being rescinded.
# Mid-Combat +Armor/+Restats should not suddenly introduce '''AID''' into a fight that previously did not involve it.
# At the discretion of scene runners or with explicit consent from opponents, instant armor swaps may be allowed.
# Characters who trigger '''[[Power_Levels|Aura Flares]]''' mid-combat are permitted to raise their power level to its modified value as a free action. This is the only exception to mid-combat +armor swaps taking up an action.

----

===Stuns===

Stuns should not be followed up by a level 4+ attack or sigmove. Stuns should plausibly be able to briefly incapacitate their target. Be aware that characters are allowed to be immune to stuns, though it is incredibly rare for them to be comprehensively immune to the point that nobody can find a way to temporarily incapacitate them.

Joke stuns are not okay unless OK'd by the target beforehand. Otherwise, If Tifa Lockhart lifts her shirt as a stun attack, the target is well within their rights to ignore it and sock her in the teeth.

----

===Ubers & Epics & Sigmoves Oh My===

Under ordinary combat rules, escalating to the usage of Level 4 (Uber) or 5 (Epic) attacks, or our special signature move attacks, requires the consent of the targeted party. Reciprocity is assumed -- if you want to nail somebody with an uber, epic, or sigmove, you're automatically giving the other party consent to return fire in kind.

It is poor form to request to Uber/Epic/Sigmove first if you are already significantly ahead of your opponent. Whoever is losing should usually be the first to escalate to higher attack levels, especially at the end of a fight.

==Freeform Combat==

===Power Levels in Uncoded Combat===

Just because you aren't using the combat code, doesn't mean that guy with 2+ PL on you isn't vastly stronger than you. While a character with a power level advantage can choose to be off their "A-Game", that power level should be respected even in Freeform/Uncoded Combat.

===Science of Sell===

It can be tricky to understand how to sell an opponent without a roughly objective gauge of exactly what you're doing to them, and exactly what they're doing to you. The solution to this is simple and easy: Get hurt, and show your opponent that you're getting hurt. This is easiest with characters like Wolverine or Alucard, who soak massive amounts of damage and bounce back from it to keep fighting. Nobody thinks they're a wuss when they make their opponent explode into a pile of bloody debris!

This does mean that certain character types need to bend the way they fight to be more accommodating. Characters that use force fields, or who dodge a lot, need to have breaches or glancing hits that bloody them up and injure them, rather than having their forcefield wear down gradually over a battle until they're finally getting hit directly. Start OFF getting hit directly, even if it's not as hard-hitting as it will be when your shields are completely down.

Make sure your opponent knows that they're taxing you! Unless there's a huge difference in power level, they probably will be pushing you pretty hard anyway.

----

==After the Battle: Healing & Recovery==

* Use common sense, don't nitpick the language of these rules, and don't game the system.
* If you fight, don't fight again on the same day or the day immediately after.
* If you get wrecked, spend more than the bare minimum of time in recovery and/or at less than your best.
* If you receive medical attention from a PC, or can self-heal, you can recover faster than other people unless something unusual prevents you from doing so.
* Want to fight while injured? If you're willing to RP being critically disadvantaged (basically guaranteed to lose to anything but the most absurdly outclassed opponents) due to your injuries, it is allowable.
* Waivers may be issued for unusual circumstances, TPs, etc. Ask on Staff-Help! about these.

----

[[Category:News File]]

2841/What Lies Beneath

2015-08-20T04:12:57Z

Blue Elf: Created page with "{{Log Header |Date of Scene=2015/08/18 |Location=Terra Majora |Synopsis=The woman known as Duet Fortuna seeks something under the Imperial Palace |Thanks= |Cast of Characters=..."

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2015/08/18
|Location=Terra Majora
|Synopsis=The woman known as Duet Fortuna seeks something under the Imperial Palace
|Thanks=
|Cast of Characters=92, 264, 730, 789, 825
|Tinyplot=The Price of Freedom
|Tinyplot2=
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Meeting up at the designated place was... actually very informative. First, there was the chance to meet Duet herself. A short, youthful blonde girl with her hair in a ponytail, she was dressed for the period, but with the odd addition of a plain yet obscuring mask over most of her face. It left her mouth free, that's all. She seemed prepared for the world, which turned out to be TERRA MAJORA.     She did not arrange period transport, from the look of things... but that turns out to be false. A truck was to carry the group closer to their goal from the warpgate, and inside the truck were several horses, so that the last leg of the journey could be made in a manner that made sense to the locals. Not that the locals didn't know about the Multiverse, but it'd stick out less to use horses.     "Thank you for accepting, you will all be well-compensated," Duet says, after interoducing herself. "Our target is the Imperial City... which is easy enough to enter, if we are careful, but reaching the catacombs will be much harder. To make matters more difficult, your task is not simply to reach the catacombs... but to get /me/ in there. Which means this is an escort mission, and I am much less capable of stealth than the three of you are likely to be." She pauses, recounts. "Four. If you have any questions, now is the time to ask." 

:'''{{#var:825|Ezio Auditore (825)}} has posed:'''     Ezio hasn't been in the field for long, not long enough to make him lose a step, but enough he's been aching for a chance to get back into the swing of things. This ought to be a routine infiltration, and he is glad to go in light for the time being.     Content knowing he's covered by a group of Hooded figures leaping across the gaps between rooftops like agile specters, Ezio himself is clad in very simple, common even, clothing that helps him blend into the area.     He nods his head to Madam Duet, having spoken to her briefly over radio beforehand. "What is enemy strength going to be? Given what you said, I have some ideas as to getting through untroubled." He says, arms folded.     He doesn't seem visibly armed, despite a single gauntlet, maybe a well hidden dagger pocketed someplace but otherwise he's boldly going without so much as a truncheon. 

:'''{{#var:789|Sarah Parsle (789)}} has posed:''' Sarah isn't actually sure why she's even getting involved in this. It's a curcuitous, strange situation that she doesn't have any immediately applicable resources or skills for. And yet something about it seems like it's something she can deal with. Sarah is dressed in a plain skirt and blouse. She could probably pass for some merchant's daughter, since she's just a little too clean to be a poor girl and yet not fancy enough to be a nobleman's daughter. Besides that, Sarah looks like she's completely unarmored, unarmed, and without any relevant tools. "Why are they even guarding the catacombs in the first place? Is it to keep thieves out or what? Who's buried in there?" Sarah gets a contemplative look on her face. She might not be the sneakiest of the group, but she is a problem-solver. 

:'''{{#var:730|Nagisa Shiota (730)}} has posed:'''     Yeah, Nagisa is here. The young boy is wearing a large cloak over his outfit, and when it shifts aside, the sight of what appear to be military fatigues can be seen. They aren't in camo, though... that's the only odd part. They're a plain tan, not something that blends well with a whole lot of things. He isn't really interested in the money, either... and looks surprisingly calm, considering he's pretty young to be doing this.     Hopping right into the truck, he takes a firm grip and settles in. "So... I guess we need to clear the way for you. This is just getting something, right? We aren't going to like... assassinate someone?" 

:'''{{#var:264|Eliot Ness (264)}} has posed:'''     Ness doesn't have many other outfits, but he's dressed exactly how one would expect someone from his time period to dress. A simple suit, with a long brown coat over it and a hat kept low. He has, since arrival, taken out a pack of Lucky Strikes, put one in his mouth, and lit it. He is currently smoking that cigarette as he adjusts his jacket.     "Don't have many questions to ask, maam. Less I know, the better, I think in some ways," He is still a Law Man and this is fairly illegal, so he doesn't want to get too much information on what laws he's helping to break and why, "So we get you there, get you in, and then what happens after that? How loud will your exit be?" 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Duet gestures to the back of the truck. "Local wear is available, if you need it to sneak in." Then she gets to answering questions as the truck have started to move. "We aren't assassinating anyone. If you kill some guards, I don't really care, but I also don't care if you want to leave them alive. I don't mind if they find out someone was down there, so long as we're out by the time they do... it doesn't have to be seamless."     She glances at Sarah, then smiles, "A good question, but it's simple enough. The catacombs - more like a labyrinth, really, as they aren't actually a grave as far as I can tell - are located directly beneath the Imperial Palace, so they keep a guard on them. While no one has found any direct means of entering the Palace through them as yet, the Emperor is naturally cautious."     She smiles to Ness. "You get me in, you wait a few minutes for me to get what I need... and then we leave as soon as we are able. No explosions, no screams, nothing like that, provided everything goes smoothly. They won't even miss what we take, it would be like taking a cup of water from the neighbor's incredibly well-guarded underground well." 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     To Ezio, Duet replies, "Mostly experienced guards but no one Blooded... I think. Unless we are loud or unlucky. The Emperor has recently instituted an elite force known as the Heaven Guard. If they show up, we are to withdraw immediately... I know very little of their capabilities beyond their leader being an accomplished Blooded who can make copies of herself. But the ones we will likely see will be either inexperienced or on punishment detail. It is not a popular assignment, since there's very little reason to go into the catacombs." 

:'''{{#var:825|Ezio Auditore (825)}} has posed:'''     Ezio is quick to nod. "As you wish. I didn't exactly come for a prolonged engagement anyways." He says, though admittedly he's faced much worse odds before in his time. That said, Duet's worry is justified, and Ezio will respect that. As for equipment, he just gets a sly grin as the gears turn in his head. "I think I can improvise as far as everything else goes." He doesn't mention the assassins handling rooftop detail just yet, but it might help to handle interference with the guards if things go hot.     With that in hand, Ezio climbs into the truck, sitting and waiting patiently. 

:'''{{#var:264|Eliot Ness (264)}} has posed:'''     "I'll pass on the local wear, thanks," Ness replies vaguely, having any number of reasons why he won't change his outfit. Most of them are legitimate like 'This is my favorite coat', but others are vague and mysterious. Mostly, he just doesn't want to dress like a faffer and look a fool. He's a modern, American man and prefers his suit.     He gives Duet a nod and says, "That works for me, maam. I'm all ready to go," He comments as he climbs info the truck for the voyage into the city, "I'll be hopeful it's as easy as you say it is." 

:'''{{#var:789|Sarah Parsle (789)}} has posed:''' Sarah nods. "Okay, that answers enough." You have to know a little background, after all. There's more than one way to get into someplace you're not supposed to be in. She swings into the truck, taking shotgun since no one else called it. "Let's get this done before something goes wrong." 

:'''{{#var:730|Nagisa Shiota (730)}} has posed:'''     "I'm always worried when people say it should be easy," Nagisa admits from his seat. "I'm fine for weapons and clothes though. My outfit is too useful to change out of, and I don't intend to hang around too long anyway. I'm glad we won't have to hurt anyone, though."     He certainly seems like the meek sort, it's true. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     The ride is pretty uneventful, but it does give Duet a chance to explain the layout. The city is fairly sprawling, but the best choices to get into the labyrinth are between one entrance in the market sprawl, and one that is better guarded up in the Noble Quarter. "The one in the market would be harder to get into unnoticed, but if a fight breaks out it would be easier to slip away."     Getting /into/ the city is pretty easy, at least. A short trip via horse - doubling up if someone doesn't know how to ride - and Duet speaks to the guards in the local language instead of relying on the Translation Effect. It's a simple matter for the group to get into the Imperial City right now... and it's very busy, with streets full of people despite the fairly late hour. It would appear that there are gas lamps in this city, even if they don't have electricity. 

:'''{{#var:825|Ezio Auditore (825)}} has posed:'''     "I will be right back." The horse Ezio rides will find himself without a rider before long, when Ezio hops off and hands the reins to someone else. The layout is taken note of, and the assassin waits before he spies some guards. Whistling sharply at one of them, Ezio uses the growing crowds to hide before he waits in an alleyway.     The guard will find himself dragged into the alley, and a sharp thwack to the man's head leads Ezio to free regin of the man's belongings and equipment. Soon enough, Ezio steps out as a guard incognito, going over the uniform before he scans to rejoin the crowd. 

:'''{{#var:730|Nagisa Shiota (730)}} has posed:'''     Nagisa nods at the decision, slipping off into the crowd a moment later. The young boy might be glimpsed clambering up one wall, but then he's gone... at least to the group, unless one of them follows him for some reason. He's taking the quick route by rooftops, a manner of travel that should be familiar to most here. He'll just go slow enough to keep an eye on Sarah if she needs it. 

:'''{{#var:789|Sarah Parsle (789)}} has posed:''' As they ride into town, Sarah looks around, paying attention to the signs and the people around them. Sarah watches the process of Ezio distracting a guard to walk into an alleyway alone from her horse. She just kind of stares, then mutters to one of the others, "They really don't pick the cream of the crop for these posts, do they? That was special bus material right there." She doesn't comment again, however, as they choose to go to the Noble Quarter. She actually ditches her horse when they get close to the area, as she heads into an alleyway, tosses a shoe, and gets some dirt on her clothes. Suddenly sniffling, Sarah leaves the alleyway and affects her best 'lost girl' look as she stumbles around towards the guardpost near the catacombs, making sure to get some nice weeping on for the audience. Which should be the guards. 

:'''{{#var:264|Eliot Ness (264)}} has posed:'''     Ezio's plan seems to be to attempt to generate sufficient distraction in the Noble Quarter rather than the market quarter. Either way, Ness knows how to generate a fairly safe sort of distraction. He reaches into the pocket of his jacket and rummages through his change. He takes out his lunch budget for the week: Two 1929 Gold Indian 5-Dollar Coins.     "Excuse me, sir! Sir!" Ness tries to flag down a passing Noble as he goes, speaking standard English, "I happen to be a traveller from a ways away, beating feet through this city tonight! I was wondering if you could lend me some money for an inn room? I don't mean to seem a beggar, but I'm sure you have some on- Ah! There!" Ness reaches towards the random man and pretends to grab behind his ear, "You must have money on the mind, sir. Found one right here in your ear."     He palms one of his own coins out from behind the man's ears and then says, "Ah ah, and you must be a politician, because you've got the golden voice," Ness notes, reaching again and making it look like he pulled a gold coin from out of the man's lips, "I see, yes, thank you very much, sir. You're a generous man, your wife should be proud." 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     As Duet said, the people chosen for this duty are usually those who fucked up or newbies. It IS pretty easy to just drag one off and knock it on the head. Ezio obtains: Guard's Clothing. Now he just needs some Cider and he'll be set, right?     Ness talks to some passing Nobles, who are at first offended at seeing a strangely-dressed traveller in their section of the city... but when he starts doing prestidigitation, they realize he's an entertainer, and that's a bit different. Still a little low-class, but the fact that he has /gold/ coins to flash means that he's possibly something a bit more than the average street busker. A small number of people start to cluster around him... which means they aren't watching the guards of the archway and heavy door nearby. The entrance is in a small gated area choked with weeds, clearly not used often.     Only problem is there are two guards, and they don't seem charitable. To Sarah, one of them just makes a shooing motion. "We aren't here charity, girl. Go find someone else to pester." However... if it is a distraction Sarah wanted to cause, she got it, as both of the guards at this gate are looking at her right now.     Nagisa can of course see this from his perch, though there's no direct way to get down from where he is to the gate. No tall buildings beside it, sadly. 

:'''{{#var:825|Ezio Auditore (825)}} has posed:'''     This city /does/ give Ezio some serious Rome flashbacks, at least Rome before he came and more or less single-handedly fixed things. As he sways through the crowds, using his guardly authority when people get billigerant. He also stops by a random drunk, pinching his cider before providing some cash for soup. Because Ezio is a nice guy...ish. Sometimes.     The two guards get his attention beforelong, and he gets ready to move on in. "You're being recalled tonight, I'm your relief." He tells one of the guards, holding up the cider. "Take the night off, my friend." He grins wryly, shaking the cider tantilizingly. He knows he wants it, it's so obvious. 

:'''{{#var:789|Sarah Parsle (789)}} has posed:''' Well, guards come in a few different types. Looks like these guys happen to come in the 'total jerk' type. I mean, come on, what kind of person wouldn't help a little crying girl? But that means Sarah gets to play dirtier. Despite one of them shooing her off, Sarah looks up with wide, teary eyes, and actually rushes towards the man. "Please, sir Guard, you have to help me! I went to buy something for Father and I am so lost!" She reaches out, grabbing at the man's hand and insistently pulling at him. "You have to help me, sir! Surely he would make it worth your time!" If you can't motivate their charity, you can motivate their purse strings. "Please, just take me back to the Roaring Lion Inn!" She says, grabbing the name of a random inn near the gates back in the Market Quarter. A bit of a hike, but hey, the promise of a little extra cash on guard wages, and the ability to spend it right there with that new guard relieving them... 

:'''{{#var:264|Eliot Ness (264)}} has posed:'''     It's probably not the most noble display of his years of training as a Federal Agent and Gunman, but Ness is pretty comfortable working in front of a crowd as he continues trying to be entertaining for the people. Most of his tricks are pretty basic, moving the coin from one hand to the other or making it seem like other people still have his two gold coins.     Eventually, he starts blending other tricks into his repertoire, remembering Duet mentioning these people are from a slave-owning society. He occasionally tries to pickpocket a piece of jewelry from a noble woman while flirtaceously making it seem as if she had stolen HIS coins in her purse.     Some of it (about half) is given back in a comical fashion, like Ness taking the hat off his head and pulling out a random noble's coin purse in surprise, "Sorry sir! I guess your wallet was the first thought on top of my head!" He says in a comical fashion. For a man in a suit, he definitely has an ease and grace around a crowd of people. 

:'''{{#var:730|Nagisa Shiota (730)}} has posed:'''     It looks like Ezio is leading the one guard off, and the other is getting tugged away by Sarah. Well, the one is taken care of, but they can't wait for Sarah to lead the guy all the way to the inn! Nagisa doubts that's her intention anyway. The boy slides down a gutter, shakes himself off, and just kinda walks up to where Sarah is leading the guard off. He does, naturally, wait until the other is out of sight and there's a good place to stash the one Sarah is with. Like a hay bale.     "Oh... sorry, my sister gets a little lost, I'll take care of her," he starts in, with that pleasant and innocent smile.     Stungun to the neck. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Ness is doing well keeping the crowd entertained... very well, in fact. This is good, because they don't notice the guards being lead off by two different means.     Ezio approaches and offers a bottle of cider and a break. Seriously? That's like, the oldest trick in the book! However... "Oh, thanks. I guess they won't mind a few minutes early." It must be near the changing of the guard... and perhaps this time was intentionally chosen for that reason. Or... maybe it's just luck. Whatever reason, he heads off with a grin and a thanks.     The other guard sighs, tugged along. "Look, brat, I don't really have time for this. I'll take you to the guard post and that's it. Any further and-"     BZZZT! He goes down like a sack of potatoes, thudding to the ground when Nagisa comes up and interrupts him with some obvious lie about family(Dude, Nagisa is Japanese!) and then drops him with a stungun. Sarah can draw moustaches or whatever she wants now.     Actually, Sarah is probably the one who will be most interested in what comes next. Duet slinks over at last, glancing around before nodding, "Thank you. Quickly now." She walks right up to the aged door, pushing on it firmly... and after a few seconds, it swings open. Did they just not /lock/ that thing?     Either way, the group is in, and Duet has flashlights if anyone forgot to bring one. The labyrinth is kind of cramped, but surprisingly doesn't seem that old in this section. Maybe 100 years? It's well-build though. 

:'''{{#var:825|Ezio Auditore (825)}} has posed:'''     Ezio can't help but look on in disbelief with how /easy/ that is. Shaking his head, Ezio shrugs a shoulder before he quietly watches Nagisa cold-cock the other guard with GLORIOUS ELECTRICITY! Man, he needs to get Leonardo to build him one of those taser things...maybe knuckles of some sort. Hmmm.     Anyway, Ezio doesn't take long to follow Duet, grabbing a flashlight when offered as he peers through the labyrinth. "Hmmm..." He will go in first, and he does so with a leap as he looks around. "I cannot help but feel this has been too easy for us..." He muses to himself. 

:'''{{#var:264|Eliot Ness (264)}} has posed:'''     It was a pretty entertaining performance, and eventually Ness takes off his hat and says, "Sorry folks, like all good things, this must come to an end," He holds the hat out upside down to collect any donations they might have for him (if it's gold or silver, he can at least convert it into a bit more money for his department), and then starts to disperse the crowd around him.     Once everyone is back to their business, he'll empty whatever money he made into his pockets of the coat and put the hat back on his head. Walking into the labyrinth, he takes out another match and a Lucky Strike, flicking the match off the wall before lighting his cigarette, "Not every job has to be hard." He comments to Ezio as he exhales some smoke.     "Especially not if we're doing it right." 

:'''{{#var:789|Sarah Parsle (789)}} has posed:''' Sarah can adapt to changing situations. Mostly, however, she just makes sure to let go when the guy gets stungunned. "Get what you server, jerkbag." Sarah mutters, and then nods to Nagisa, finally paying attention to him. "Thanks. Now help me with this guy." She says, as she grabs onto the guys's arms. She looks over atthe catacomb entrance, and squints as she sees Duet just... walk right in. "... Huh." she says, pausing for a moment... And then frowning to herself. she looks back to the unconscious guy, shaking her head as she dragoons Nagisa into helping dragon the guard into the catacombs so he's not just lying out in the street for someone to see him. Ness is good, but man, I dunno if even he can distract them that long, Copperfield routine or not. Once the guys is stashed, she rummages and then takes his own pouch, bouncing it in her hand before she stashes it in her SYLLADEX. "He should be happy I don't have more time. I'd string him up in his boxers. Dumbass excuse for a guard." She then kicks him again before heading in after Duet. she's curious, she wants to see what's up in this shindig. 

:'''{{#var:730|Nagisa Shiota (730)}} has posed:'''     Nagisa pauses to help stash the unconscious guard into a hay bale, or under a cart, or someplace else convenient. "It is kind of easy, but I don't think they're expecting trouble," Nagisa points out. The boy hurries after the group, just stopping long enough to see if the door was unlocked or never had a lock. It might be useful if they have to come back this way.     He'll take a flashlight though, once they're in. A faint hissing sound will come from the boy, and as he catches up with the others, they'll notice he's tucked his cloak away, and the odd tan fatigues now have the coloration and pattern of the stonework around them.     "This isn't really my thing, I'll leave it to you guys unless we run into someone." 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     The door DID have a lock. It looks like it was completely rusted through and snapped when pushed. Kind of weird. But yes, the man can be stashed under a cart easily enough, and now it's smooth sailing. Probably.     "You've all done very very well," Duet admits. "It's a shame I have to kill you now."     ...     "Just kidding," she finishes. "With any luck, I'll be hiring you again if I need a similar job done. Though with any luck, I won't need to do something like this again. It's not very pleasant." That's an odd thing to say, because the labyrinth beneath seems... pretty tame, really. A bit chilly, that's all. She doesn't comment on Nagisa's new look, but soon enough the monotony of bricks is broken up anyway by old, carved reliefs... very old. She's heading into a much more ancient part of the complex, and doesn't seem to have any trouble finding her way through it.     Right up until the ancient wall with a large, stone door, the middle holding a complex-looking mechanism of stone. "Would you all mind waiting here for just a few minutes? It shouldn't take more than... five, I'd say." 

:'''{{#var:825|Ezio Auditore (825)}} has posed:'''     Ezio scoffs. "Pathetic, I'd say. They are corrupt and complacent, no different than the men of the Borgia." His distaste for even having to wear the damn uniform is palpable as he shrugs at Eliot. "I suppose it is to be expected, time to time. I'm just being paranoid, I suppose." He'll take the lead here, a hand on the hilt of his guard-issue sword just as Duet announces her need to kill them all.     And then she trolls them immediately after. "Unbelievable." Ezio may in fact be muttering some /very/ unkind things under his breath in his mother tongue, but otherwise he keeps silent as he carries on.     He isn't sure whether or not to trust Duet here, but he does not voice such concerns just yet. 

:'''{{#var:264|Eliot Ness (264)}} has posed:'''     Ness watches her flatly. The threat seems to roll off of him, mostly because as a cop living in Chicago, actively fighting a corrupt police force and a mafia, the phrase 'It's a shame I have to kill you now' might come up between one and seven times a day'. It's like 'Some day you'll find the wrong end of a gun, Ness' or 'You can't fight the entire System'. A phrase he hears a great deal that he stopped reacting to a long time ago.     He may have been mentally gauging the distance between himself and her when she announces it's a joke. He gives her a flat look, "Very amusing, maam." He notes with a nod of his head to her joke. He, personally, has no real interest in what she's grabbing. So he waits outside and smokes. 

:'''{{#var:730|Nagisa Shiota (730)}} has posed:'''     Nagisa is... not going to listen entirely. He'll linger around outside until Duet opens the door(presuming she does so), and only when she's distracted by that will the camoflaged youth sidle up behind her, very much wary of what she just said. He won't go INSIDE but he's perfectly fine hiding in the doorway, taking a look at what she's doing in there. 

:'''{{#var:789|Sarah Parsle (789)}} has posed:''' Sarah doesn't really care where he gets stashed as long as he does. and did. As she heads through the door, she peers at the lock for a few seconds, and then nods to herself, as if seeing something she expected. "You wouldn't kill us this soon, definately way too early. Besides, looks like you're doing something actually interesting." There is another pause. "It's not about luck. Whatever you're here for, it probably isn't going to get the entire job done." She says, nodding to Duet. "If you need more help, though, I'll help you." They head down through the catacombs, and when they reach the big door with the complex mechanism, Sarah steps forward. "Interesting mechanism. You sure you don't want help with this? This looks like a puzzle, and I'm pretty good with puzzles." It's probably fairly obvious to the trio of assassins that she's wathcing Duet carefully this time. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Duet sizes up the door. "It is a puzzle, but I know the solution. Few do, but I was given it by an expert on this matter." She twists a knob here, tugs a lever here, and finally ends up with a small basin in the door. Rolling one of her gloves up, she nicks the flat of her palm and lets a little blood dribble out...     Which causes the door to open, effortlessly. It's easy to feel a wave of /something/ from within, some ancient power or presence. It even tickles at the mind a little, with a flash of disquieting emotion. At this range, there's no real effect, especially since the Shajem of Bitterness is still sealed.     Thus only Nagisa sees Duet walk into the large, vaulted chamber with ancient carvings on the floor, kneeling in the center for several minutes with a few whispers of power that cause the runes beneath to glow. Nothing escapes, though, but for another brief wave of that sensation. 

:'''{{#var:730|Nagisa Shiota (730)}} has posed:'''     Nagisa knows nothing about supernatural matters... but he does get a little worried by blood being required. Then again the blood seems to have been a key of some kind? He won't interfere, but he is now watching very carefully, eyes narrow. 

:'''{{#var:825|Ezio Auditore (825)}} has posed:'''     Ezio remains alert, but otherwise he doesn't seem too knowledgeable about what's going on. As the door opens, he does sneak a look at where Duet walks in, before exchanging a glance with Ness.     Screw it. The agent's right, so Ezio just kind of waits for now. 

:'''{{#var:264|Eliot Ness (264)}} has posed:'''     "I'm fine out here, maam. You can go in there with your ancient hoodoo and black magic all you need, I'll be right here," Ness holds up his hands and stays firmly outside that door. Last time he followed anyone into anywhere with a sensation even slightly like this, Pinkie's cult blasted him with necromancy. And he wants none of that. 

:'''{{#var:789|Sarah Parsle (789)}} has posed:''' Sarah just lets Duet do her think as she opens the door. She frowns for a moment as she feels the strange power within, and grunts. "An expert, huh. Come down to borrow a cup of dark power? Cool story." Sarah, unlike the proper and sensible assassins, wanders in and looks over the area inside with crossed arms. She's not sulking, but she does seem to be kind of... ruminating. She doesn't interfere at all, this is Duet's thing. And from what she sees of her jib so far, she might actually like the cut. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     And thus Duet continues her SECRET RITUAL unhindered and... and. And stands up, dusting off her skirt, before tucking a small globe of swirling energy into her top. The runes around her still glow, but if anything, while that sense of clawing emotion at the mind intensifies when Sarah walks in, it lessens when Duet finishes. She turns around and walks right back out, pushing a small plate to let the door slide closed once more. "It may surprise you, but nothing I just did could be considered 'black magic' by any stretch of the imagination. I am not a sorceress."     The door shuts, and then she gestures, "Let's get moving. The guard will change soon, and we should be gone by then." She glances at Sarah. "I told you not to come in, but I suppose it didn't hurt anything. Besides... you're right not to trust my word. Betrayal is a fact of life in this world. Fortunately for all of us, that isn't my intent."     She smiles at Sarah. "Something like that. This 'dark power' could possibly save someone's life." 

}}

2832/WMAT CQ1 Takamachi Nanoha vs Fate T. Harlaown

2015-08-20T02:09:11Z

Blue Elf:

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2015/08/17
|Location=WMAT Arena - Gizard Wasteland
|Synopsis=Takamachi Nanoha fights the older version of her best friend, Fate, in this explosive C-Bracket Qualifier
|Thanks=
|Cast of Characters=306, 381
|Tinyplot=WMAT 2015
|Tinyplot2=
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:381|Takamachi Nanoha (381)}} has posed:'''     The designated area for the battle is pretty clear, and Nanoha lands without much fanfare. She breathes a deep, nervous breath... because she knows who she's facing. Fate, her Fate, is skilled enough... so an older one is going to be a challenge! She'll have to use every trick she knows to take 'Destiny Ferrari' by surprise then.     Oh well. Still friendly, she flashes a smile and gives a bow. "Hello! I'm looking forward to seeing you. Let's have a good, fun match, all right?" Nanoha twirls Raising Heart into a ready stands and spreads her feet, bracing herself, even though the wings on her ankles are still glowing and present. 

:'''{{#var:306|Fate T. Harlaown (306)}} has posed:''' Already in Sonic Form, Fate likewise descends from the skies. She smiles softly to her opponent and holds Bardiche up. "It should be a lot of fun. I'm looking forward to seeing what you know so far!" The blonde shifts her weight slightly, glancing at her Device. There's no command given, but he chimes softly, ~Zanber Form~ before shifting into an oversized sword. "No matter who wins, after the match, I'll treat you to some cake, all right?" It's her responsibility as the older one! Besides, she wants to make sure Nanoha's not actually afraid of her or anything. 

:'''{{#var:381|Takamachi Nanoha (381)}} has posed:'''     "If you want," Nanoha agrees, concerning the cake. Afraid? Not exactly. Wary? Probably a little. "I wouldn't mind talking a little more. I know you were just trying to help. I guess things just didn't work out, huh? But... Fate and I are happy." Probably.     Oh well, enough chitchat. Sayeth Raising Heart, <DESTROY HER>     Nanoha sweatdrops, then shakes her head, "Good luck!" It's a pleasant chirp... the instant before she takes off, streaking /toward/ Fate, despite her knowledge that Fate is a melee expert. Raising Heart is held up as if to strike... but a few pink spheres bolt up from behind her instead, leading with those and using her own body as a feint. 

:'''{{#var:306|Fate T. Harlaown (306)}} has posed:''' "The situation was a little strained, and there was some misunderstanding." From the soft tone of her voice, Fate doesn't seem angry about how things happened. "I'm glad you're both happy, though!" Raising Heart's comment gets a giggle from the older blonde. It seems she's quite used to the Device's shenanigans. ~Ready, Sir.~ Fate nods once to her Device, then again to Nanoha. "And to you as well!" As Nanoha flies toward her, Fate takes to the air as well, speeding forward to meet the smaller mage. ~Sir~ comes a soft chime from Bardiche as the pink energy appears behind her, and Fate quickly twists her upper body, throwing her hand out to form a shield. It was... almost in time. Most of the energy balls explode against the shield, but one manages to get through just before it goes up, striking Fate and obscuring her in a cloud of pink smoke. A moment later, the blonde emerges from the smoke, holding her Device high and swinging it out, sending an arc of energy flying from the tip of the sword. ~Zanber Saber~ 

:'''{{#var:381|Takamachi Nanoha (381)}} has posed:'''     She was expecting a counterattack, of course. Nanoha jinks to the side, a blazing pink barrier popping up... but not really quite handling the attack, which smashes into it and slices through the side of one of her wrist bracers. It scorches her on the way, but it's still a light wound at least. "Mn," she mumbles, seeing that this one is if anything FASTER than the Fate she knew.     <ACCEL SHOOTER PHANTOM SHIFT> Raising Heart pings, but there's no actual Phantom Shift. Without Vesta, it's just a sudden stream of projectiles, spattering out in a wide spray in an attempt to catch Fate in their pattern. Nanoha does a quick soaring hook around one of the rocky pillars, trying to use it for cover against the inevitable counterattack. "I didn't expect it to be easy, though!" 

:'''{{#var:306|Fate T. Harlaown (306)}} has posed:''' Fate becomes a blur of motion, briefly moving so fast that she can't even be seen, not unlike her Sonic Move spell... except there's no word required. Still, it shouldn't be hard for Nanoha to identify what she's doing. The first few blasts are easily dodged, and explosions erupt from the ground.... and a single one in midair, where one of the blasts seems to have connected. Trailing steam from a burned spot on her Barrier Jacket, the blonde finally slows down and extends her arm toward Nanoha. ~Plasma Lancer~ "Quick shot, Fire!" There's only time for a few to form, but the balls of crackling yellow energy turn into arrowheads and fly toward Nanoha, occasionally arcing to correct their flight. 

:'''{{#var:381|Takamachi Nanoha (381)}} has posed:'''     Fate should recognize the move that Nanoha does... just not the way she does it. As Nanoha comes around the pillar, Raising Heart pings, <FLASH MOVE>     The sudden change of direction hurtles her BACK behind the pillar, meaning the bolts slam mostly into rock, with only a scattered clipping managing to shear some of her Barrier Jacket off. "Oop!" A little close there, but she darts around the other side at the ready, sending a brief spray of more tiny pink marble-sized attacks out, stuttering across the sky. Most are just meant to restrict Fate's fast movement... only a couple are intended to actually /hit/ her. 

:'''{{#var:306|Fate T. Harlaown (306)}} has posed:''' A golden streak blurs out of sight as Fate moves, seeming to teleport to avoid the blasts. Anyone who knows her, however, knows she's not teleporting... only moving extremely fast. Fast enough that she neatly dodges most of the attacks, though one does brush just barely against bare shoulder as she dodges another. Rather than trying to chase Nanoha around the pillars, though, Fate drops an armored boot down, using it as a pivot, and swings Bardiche at one of the pillars the younger mage is hiding behind. Whether or not Nanoha is back there, the stone spire is neatly sliced and comes tumbling down, sending rocks and debris every which way! 

:'''{{#var:381|Takamachi Nanoha (381)}} has posed:'''     Oops. Nanoha didn't think of that, and she really should have! The pillar starts to collapse, and she's left with pretty much one option: blow it up. Which she does! The explosion of pink shatters the pillar, but several large rocks still impact and drive her down, almost burying her beneath it.     <DIVINE BUSTER>     A pillar of pink light explodes outward, flinging rubble everywhere... and a certain little girl. It was partly a distraction, Nanoha trying some unconventional tactics against the girl who knows her so well. Flinging herself upward, she does a quick and dirty jab with her staff. She's much more practiced than the other Nanoha was at that age, like she's been training her staff-fighting. "Hi!" 

:'''{{#var:306|Fate T. Harlaown (306)}} has posed:''' Rather than sonic speeding away, a move which would leave her farther away from the young mage, Fate closes in quickly. She shifts to the side, letting the Device graze along her Barrier Jacket's side, and closes in to melee range. "Hello, Nanoha," she giggles softly. Although she is well aware that Nanoha isn't defenseless in close, Fate also knows she has the avantage here, and seeks to press that advantage before the short mage can speed away. ~Thunder Arm~ Electricity runs along the armored gauntlet on her hand, and Fate swings it forward, launching a punch that discharges the magical energy on contact with significant force. 

:'''{{#var:381|Takamachi Nanoha (381)}} has posed:'''     Smile. The little mage expected the counterattack, and just... let herself fall, tumbling back so that the strike passes narrowly over her shoulder and crisps the Barrier Jacket. She's in free fall now, much harder to track, but before she recovers Raising Heart locks on and she whips the front of her staff up toward Fate. "Raising Heart!"     <DIVINE SHOOTER> The ping comes with the loud clatter of a cartridge loading and firing off, the fast /streak/ of pink light fired at close range. She's trying to get some distance again, but if she has any luck she can actually nail her opponent before Fate can adjust... and before Nanoha runs out of tricks. 

:'''{{#var:306|Fate T. Harlaown (306)}} has posed:''' It seems Nanoha is already practiced in dealing with close combatants... something that makes Fate smile fondly rather than become annoyed. She can't be angry in this fight, not when Nanoha has offered to talk more later! Besides, it's not in her nature. Fate hears the cartridge loading, but at this range, it's too late to dodge away or throw up a shield. The pink blast strikes her torso, just a bit left of center, and sears clear through her Barrier Jacket, leaving a hole over part of her stomach. The skin underneath steams a bit from the dissipating energy. "Not bad, Nanoha. But..." Fate disappears, and just as suddenly is right on Nanoha's left side, trying to stop close enough to make it difficult to strike back right away. The blonde's hand is already up, palm right near Nanoha's body, and glowing brightly with golden energy that quickly expands out into a magic circle. "Trident Smasher." Triple beams of crackling energy explode from her hand at point-blank range as the magical energy flows down her arm and out through her palm. 

:'''{{#var:381|Takamachi Nanoha (381)}} has posed:'''     "Uh oh," Nanoha squeaks, realizing she played it a bit too close. She flings her arm out, a shimmering barrier of pink summoned up between her and Fate... but it's too late to fully solidify. It blunts the incoming from the FRONT, but the impact smashes Nanoha clean against one of those pillars, slamming her in hard with a little gasping cry!     Immediately, she's on the move again, trying to get some space. And to help her... <DIVINE BARRAGE> Raising Heart pings, sending several large but ill-aimed spheres out, blasting them at a high rate to try to make up for the lack of accuracy. 

:'''{{#var:306|Fate T. Harlaown (306)}} has posed:''' And just as suddenly as she appeared, Fate is gone again. With that much of a barrage, she's in constant motion, fading into view only to zip out again, just an instant before one of the blasts strikes her. It takes some time before she's able to finally -stop- dodging, letting out a few soft breaths as she tries to regain composure. "That was... dangerous..." Armored boots touch ground for a moment, as Fate lifts her Device up. "Riot!" ~Yes, Sir. Riot Zanber.~ The sword reconfigures slightly, blade shifting, then separating as the blonde pulls it apart into a pair of swords, connected with a tether of energy. Fate suddenly dashes forward, leaving puffs of dust in her wake, and crosses the twin blades as she strikes at Nanoha! 

:'''{{#var:381|Takamachi Nanoha (381)}} has posed:'''     Riot Zanber. That doesn't sound good. "KYAH!" It's her regular panicked noise, not one that Fate really needs worry about. Also, she's actually pretty quick to throw up a PROPER barrier, as Nanoha's hand streaks out palm-first.     <ROUND SHIELD> Raising Heart declares, catching the massive blade and... cracking. The barrier can't hold, but it does blunt the damage somewhat, so poor Nanoha is just hurled through another pillar instead of swat directly into the ground.     'Just.'     Sputtering, her Barrier Jacket now showing numerous tears and rents, she shakes the dust off with a few coughs... then quickly jinks aside, not staying in one place for long. "Ah... um... RIGHT!"     <DIVINE BULLET>     The ping of the different spell, one that the other Nanohas don't use, sounds out just before a highly-concentrated sphere of mana bursts out from Nanoha's hand, covering her escape... and surprisingly fast. 

:'''{{#var:306|Fate T. Harlaown (306)}} has posed:''' With an attack that fast, Fate makes a quick judgement. Instead of trying to dodge it, she puts up a quick shield. It's fast, it's not that good... but it softens the attack just a little bit before it strikes Fate in the shoulder, at least enough to keep it from spinning her around, though she does stagger back a step to prevent herself from being knocked back. "Mmm... bardiche?" ~Yes, Sir. Cartridge Load.~ One of the magic cartrdges is locked in, the casing ejected... then Fate vanishes again. She blurs back into easy vision near Nanoha, slashing out with one of the Stinger blades, then throws the other as she seems to vanish again. After it slashes out, the blade is yanked back the opposite direction, and Fate appears right in front of Nanoha, swinging one sword in hand while letting the other arc over like a flail. 

:'''{{#var:381|Takamachi Nanoha (381)}} has posed:'''     Nanoha isn't staying still, she's dodging left and right, zipping to either side in an attempt to keep moving, to keep from getting pinned down by the counterattack. Fate is... faster than her, though. By a lot. Even with Flash Move, she's easy to keep up with... but she still manages to mostly dodge the first few slashes, zipping to the side and losing part of her ribbon, getting a deep gouge in her amored bracer...     And then getting slammed right in the face, hurtling down to explode into one of the plateaus. At least, it looks like an explosion, with all the dust kicked up and the whole plateau crumbling(this IS a DBZ world, after all.)     Then, as the dust starts to settle...     <HYPERION SHOOTER> Raising Heart pings, the dust cloud making the lance of brilliant pink light erupt from an unknown angle. It's a powerful Divine Shooter, basically, blasting rapidly upward while Nanoha quickly dives toward another pillar for cover, trying to weave in and get 'lost' in the terrain long enough to recover from her coughing fit. 

:'''{{#var:306|Fate T. Harlaown (306)}} has posed:''' Ah, that dust is making it quite hard to guess where an attack is coming from... though at the same time, each attack only makes more of it, so there's not much that can really be done besides rely on instinct and reflexes! As soon as she hears Raising Heart's voice, Fate glances up toward it. She quickly leaps up, beginning to dodge away from the blast... but it still catches her right leg, almost completely searing away the stocking part of the Barrier Jacket. The blonde winces slightly, but doesn't stop her movement, flying up and right into the cloud of dust. ~Stinger Cutter~ comes Bardiche's voice from very close to Nanoha's right side, the blade glowing with energy... ...and that's when Fate erupts from the dust on the left, holding the other Zanber Stinger blade, the energy tether reaching toward the diversionary sword on the other side. The blade in Fate's hand glows as well, and she slashes at the girl, trying to cut through her defenses while she's focused on the other side. 

:'''{{#var:381|Takamachi Nanoha (381)}} has posed:'''     Oh, that worked! Nanoha is relieved, and briefly slows down... but that flash of yellow light from the side reminds her this is a BATTLE, and she can't afford to slow down. She whips around, hand outstretched and ready to block... but at the last instant, she remembers the other attack. It's a pretty good bet that she's going to get attacked from another direction. So...     <FLASH MOVE> Raising Heart chimes, blurring Nanoha's form for a moment. Just in time, really... even if the blade still manages to land a hit, scraping across the armored front of Nanoha's Barrier Jacket and shredding it, hissing over the skin beneath to force out a stifled cry from within.     <LOAD CARTRIDGE>     Uh oh. That loud *KACHUNK* that the staff sounds out can be heard when Fate is this close, followed by the less familiar next note: <DIVINE BULLET>     It's not just one this time. Numerous high-energy projectiles spray out as Nanoha dives, hooking under and turning around to face her foe with a desperate panting breath. "C-Close!"     She needs to stay out of melee range. 

:'''{{#var:306|Fate T. Harlaown (306)}} has posed:''' This fight -may- end up giving Nanoha an advantage the next time she spars with her own Fate. Maybe. Poor Fate. The first return shot is a near-miss, flying right through Fate's hair and sending a few strands floating to the ground. She brings up her gauntlet for the next, deflecting it away but losing a shard of armor as it's chipped away. The third, though, strikes her square in the stomach, exploding and obscuring Fate in a cloud of pink smoke. More explosions ring out in the cloud before the blonde streaks out of it, one sword held in each hand. If Nanoha wanted to keep her distance... that might not be possible, as Fate is suddenly -there-, swinging the paired blades one after the other in rapid succession, leaving streaks of golden energy in the wake of each swing. 

:'''{{#var:381|Takamachi Nanoha (381)}} has posed:'''     Did she get her? Nanoha is panting, the exertion of keeping up these maneuvers, plus all the aches and pains of the battle, starting to catch up to her. "Buh..." She wobbles a little in flight, then rights herself... where is Fate going to come from?     There... and she's too late. The slash impacts hard, slicing through her Barrier Jacket in front and drawing a short, shrill squeal from the younger girl. She ducks the worst of some of the others, tumbling away, but when Raising Heart is lifted to parry-     The slice shears through the staff, hitting Nanoha as well as the staff is cloven in two. The bottom half, now useless, tumbles away while Nanoha clutches the top half, lipping end over end as she tries to right herself. But what's she saying on the way down? Or... singing? Ragged but definitely melodi     chm"><STARLIGHT BUSTER>     The gathering of power is brief, motes swirling rapidly from the immediate area around Nanoha. A much shorter collection time, but a much weaker blast, as the eruption of pink light flares out and streaks toward Fate. 

:'''{{#var:306|Fate T. Harlaown (306)}} has posed:''' Poor Raising Heart. She's seen Bardiche damaged enough to know how difficult that can be, but she also knows the Device is tough and will recover, given enough time. That murmuring is a bit unsettling, if only because Fate knows Nanoha is preparing some spell or another. The blonde closes in again, both swords held in front of her and ready to strike! That's when the blast goes off, catching Fate as her blades are just a few inches from Nanoha. It might not be a full power blast, but Fate's Barrier Jacket has been soaking punishment this entire fight, and it's not extremely durable to begin with. From afar, it seems that the blast goes right -through- Fate... though fortunately Midchildan magic is nonlethal, and her Barrier Jacket, weakened though it is, still offers a bit of protection. Still, the blast is enough to send her flying back, slamming into a pillar of rock, and slump to the ground. A soft chime sounds from her Device as its light flickers several times, then reverts from a pair of swords back to jewel form. 

:'''{{#var:381|Takamachi Nanoha (381)}} has posed:'''     Nanoha tumbles, then rights herself, streaking to the side and briefly bouncing off one of the pillars. Wobbling unsteadily, she looks around for cover... before realizing that Fate is actually flickering and losing power. "Uwah!"     Without thinking, she darts over to try to catch in case Fate falls, only to see that she's slumped against a rock already. Instead, she unsteadily lands in front of her, panting heavily, and offering a hand up to the older woman. "Ah... I guess I got a little carried away. Are you all right?" 

:'''{{#var:306|Fate T. Harlaown (306)}} has posed:''' "Nnnn..." She was only out for a few seconds, but the blonde lifts her head as Nanoha approaches. "Ah..." A soft giggle, and Fate reaches both arms up to encircle the girl, trying to pull her into a tight hug. "Yes, I'm fine. You're every bit as strong as I remember!" There's even a light pat to the top of the head given if Nanoha hasn't tried to pull away yet. "Now... I did promise cake, right?" 

}}

2016/New Blood: Lord of Famine

2015-04-22T06:09:07Z

Blue Elf: Created page with "{{Log Header |Date of Scene=2015/04/13 |Location=Terra Majora |Synopsis=The Terra Majora alliance goes after another Shajem: The Lord of Famine |Thanks= |Cast of Characters=92..."

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2015/04/13
|Location=Terra Majora
|Synopsis=The Terra Majora alliance goes after another Shajem: The Lord of Famine
|Thanks=
|Cast of Characters=92, 134, 168, 253, 299, 340, 546, 707
|Tinyplot=New Blood
|Tinyplot2=
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     The province of Amber. That is where it turns out that the next Shajem is located. The province is actually not well-populated at all... and this is likely thanks to the origin of the name. No, not the mineral, but the coloration of much of this province, so named due to the abundant fields of grain that grow upon the land. Grain and crops from this land are especially high-quality and nutritious... which makes it odd that the Shajem is buried beneath the most healthy and abundant of the crops.     Naturally the Windward Empire, which holds this land, is not going to be pleased with powerful foreigners making a strike into their breadbasket. The mobility of those in the Union and Confederacy can't be matched, yet, by the Empire... but they are on their way. This puts a hard time limit on capturing and sealing the Shajem. This is on top of avoiding mass-devastation of the surrounding area, which will starve hundreds of thousands of the very people Elliana has set out to help.     It is for this reason that Elliana has not brought the Drasillum, but instead the mostly-repaired airship that was captured with the city. IT's more like a small yacht than something made for attacking, but it provides transportation for the Confederates, and she can dock it some distance from the supposed point of contact. A few scattered farmhouses will see the descent, but she is fairly confident they will stay back once the fireworks start. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     Union-side transportation will be handled by Psyber. It's a small, black helicopter that darts across the countryside. It might be a bit cramped to ride in, but it's fast and that's what's a bit more important. The vehicle makes a quick circle and then comes to hover not too far away from the airship that the Confederates brought.     Gently, it touches down onto an empty field and the blades slow to a stop. Psyber climbs out of the pilot's seat and grabs some of his gear before hopping out, "Alright. Here's hoping this one goes smoother than the last couple of runs we took at a Shajem." 

:'''{{#var:707|Xiaomu (707)}} has posed:''' "Well, you've got me here this time," Xiaomu comments to Psyber as she slides out of the helicopter; besides her staff and her vest (and presumably her guns), she's got a carry-pack slung across her back for ... whatever reason. Maybe extra grenades, or more ammo for her guns. Or maybe it's all snacks. 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     The lens is still fractured.     Nathan appears to have not replaced his glasses, but that's fine, he can mostly see. As for what he's been doing, he's attempted to work in a diplomatic capacity as always, trying to sew dissent among Empire military staff by informing them of how the Union halted some form of attack on the Windwards by the Starshine Kingdom. One hopes that this will buy them appropriate time and maneuvering space for this.     He slowly exits the helicopter with his traditional deliberate, slow, robotic motions. "Mmm." Is all the reply he has for Psyber's commentary about this going smoother Xiaomu's statement seems consciously ignored, for some reason. And of course, he'll point to where he was informed the Shajem would be, assuming he can gauge the landmarks properly and use the helicopter's basic navigational tools. "This way." And continuing to speak very little, he'll head on that way, intending to find the entrance. Has to be a door somewhere around the location he's got, right? 

:'''{{#var:546|Nox (546)}} has posed:'''     If someone didn't know better, they might say that Nox has taken a liking to riding on airships, given his growing history of doing so, and the fact that he currently occupies the top deck, completely immobile save for the flutter of his tabard in the high altitude wind. Logically however, it's simply better to be present for the entire journey, just in case any kind of unforseen complications come up. Fairly importantly, Nox has a vested interest in seeing this improved form of binding work, due to its close relevance to the matter of extracting the energy stolen from the previous Shajem without its core essence seeping into everything he could potentially use it for. Close examination of it has lead to him revising his specifically tooled device for a 1.2 version, and so there is the further motivation of wishing to test it. For now however, he seems uneasily content to wait until the Drasillum reaches its destination, though by then he'll have little tolerance for delays; especially knowing of the pre-existing time pressure. 

:'''{{#var:134|Sakura Haruno (134)}} has posed:'''     Flowers had gotten a pet out of the last time she'd made an attempt, but she was coming this time for more nefarious reasons. Which is to say, she wants to watch out and make certain there's not some sort of awful thing going on with Hall and Psyber beyond the obvious, and observing in person may help that.     She's taken the helicopter for that reason, with her traditional reaction to flight of wrapping her arms around her head and trying to pretend that giant gap between herself and Earth wasn't there, hurrying off the device once it lands. She's mostly subdued and quiet for the moment, which might be a relief to all involved, as she follows the General. 

:'''{{#var:299|Charity Whiteheart (299)}} has posed:'''     Himei must be busy tonight, but you know who isn't? Charity Whiteheart. She's standing near to Elliana, holding onto the railing as she watches the ground come in close. She's out of the ship in an eyeblink, floating lightly down to the ground to greet all the others. "General. Psyber. Miss Haruno. Nice to see you again."     This time it should be easier to recognize Charity, because she's in her combat gear, though she's left the hood down on her cloak. No need for such discretion, here. 

:'''{{#var:340|Mir (340)}} has posed:'''     Mir is here as well. She's treating this a /little/ more seriously than some other things she's done, and is thus in her skin-tight but revealing suit. In order to keep from drawing too much attention, the pale girl is wearing a cloak with the hood up, and she steps down from the ship when it lands without any fancy moves.     The Reyvateil stays quiet for now, approaching the others with a thoughtful assessment. It's not hard to tell WHO she is when she gets in close, but she offers no friendly greetings. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     It's... well, pretty boring. The whole area is incredibly boring, being just field after field of grain. It's pretty rich in content, and in the distance the nearest farmhouse has shut itself up, shutters closing and the occupants assuming trouble as the loud deathspinning bird and the battered Faranelian airship land in their fields. They might be willing to defend their lands, but not against overwhelming odds like that.     Elliana joins the group shortly, nodding to Nox, and Psyber, and Nathan, and Mir, and then to Flowers. "Hello again... Ah, Lady Haruno is here. Her talents might be /particularly/ useful. The Shajem is likely beneath the earth." She claps her hands, then levels a look at Xiaomu... but does not protest. She's going to presume the Union brought someone useful today.     And indeed, the fertility of the earth is obvious here, teeming with life that sets off both Sakura and Nox's senses. The buried presence of the Shajem /is/ there, but it's hard to pick out amongst everything else. Perhaps the sheer health of the land is helping to keep it sealed? 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     "You can handle sealing as well as your partner, right?" Psyber asks to Xiaomu, giving her a curious look as she trails along with him. Nathan receives a much more terse response which simply is: "Nn." In counter to his verbose 'Mmm'. See Haruno? They're fine.     Charity gets a nod of Psyber's head and at least a friendly smile, "Miss Whiteheart. As ever, no meeting will ever be quite as fun as the second time we met," He says in a vague tone. She'll probably never stop getting teased about that, but it's all in good fun. Mir gets a nod of Psyber's head, but he can tell she's serious.     "Nathan. Elliana," Psyber begins, looking to them both, "I know very little about the method of sealing Nathan used. Therefore, I will defer to your joint opinion: If the Shajem fear Sovereign, should I take it out of my Sylla-whatever as leverage during negotiations? Or should I leave the talking to Nathan purely?" 

:'''{{#var:707|Xiaomu (707)}} has posed:''' Xiaomu grins at Psyber's question. "Considering that I taught him a lot of what he knows - maybe not all, you can never be too sure - and I've been in this line of work about seven centuries longer than Reiji ... yeah, I'd say I can handle sealing as well as he can." Then the groups link up, and Xiaomu regards the assortment who's gathered here, Union and otherwise alike. Elliana's look is answered by a slight nod, and other Confederates get similarly mild but polite acknowledgments. She hasn't been paying quite as much attention to the Terra Majora situation as she could have been, so the sage fox is staying alert and keeping track of whose lead she should take her cues from. 

:'''{{#var:340|Mir (340)}} has posed:'''     Mir lowers the hood of her cloak to stare at the grain. "Mn... so this is what it will look like..." What a cryptic comment! She glances over toward Psyber, but that seems to be all the greeting she needs to give, and she walks up next to Charity for now. "I will need protection of some sort, as those of you who work with me know. I will work from here to try to mute the aggression of the Shajem as best I can." She sighs heavily.     Quietly, she also adds, "I have not used this song in over three and a half centuries, so I can't be sure if it will have any effect." 

:'''{{#var:546|Nox (546)}} has posed:'''     Though he waits until the airship lands, Nox doesn't make the effort of floating down the ramp. He zips through intervening space with a spark of blue light, reappearing a short distance from the gathering Elites with his back turned to the Unionites, closing his eyes so he can focus on the flow of energy that surrounds him, and more importantly, surges beneath his feet. The sheer amount of life here is a tempting prospect, but scouring it off the face of Elliana's world would be a bad idea, and completely unnecessary so long as he can reach their target deep below. It's irritatingly difficult to place a precise location on it though, as if it the lush growth overtop of it were some form of destructive interference on its wavelength.     "Whatever is necessary to keep the Shajem busy." he says, plain and curt. "Songs, sealing, Sovereign. I will be taking my usual role at the front, and operating the first stage of the process. I trust you're all familiar with how to deal with entities like these." 

:'''{{#var:299|Charity Whiteheart (299)}} has posed:'''     Charity gives Mir an odd look, but she steps in front. "Eh, I'm not sure how much help my powerset will be unless it starts animating the crops to come and attack us or something. So I might as well guard Captain Mir." She opens her cloak and raws out her knives, twirling them with a lazy look over the rest of those present.     Charity rolls her eyes at Psyber, then waggles the point of a blade at him. "Careful about that, I might have to make your life interesting." She then turns to Xiaomu with a suspicious eye-narrowing, but Nathan gets another look. "Are you sure you can handle this? Even with it weakened?" 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     "Charity." Nathan says, to, well, Charity. "Mir, salutations." Here's someone more familiar and less antagonistic! "Good to see that you are still well. Making agriculture plans, I hope." He won't foist more conversation on her than that, though. "Lady Fairchild is right. Haruno. Disturb the energies of the land as little as possible, but if you can make a passage, I believe it will be optimal. Please attempt to do so, and create an opening to any potential structures below. I can assist if necessary."     Then he turns to Psyber. "It may help. It may not. I believe it might, if Lady Fairchild accepts it. Coercion and pressure to accept the Negotiation." He says, but he doesn't seem to commit one way or another. Nox gets a... Odd look, and for a moment, Nathan seems nauseous for some reason, and there's a weird sparking noise, but it's gone as soon as it was here. Ideally around now Ethan and company will be getting here, if they're still necessary. Assuming Elliana can't do the thing herself now, anyway, in which case Nathan won't be risking Ethan for obvious reasons.     For now, he stays stepping to one side, giving the others room to work. His duties come later, obviously. 

:'''{{#var:134|Sakura Haruno (134)}} has posed:'''     Sakura is not exactly falling for the everything's good act, but she'll perk right up at the feel of the soil here, even managing to seem borderline cheerful in spite of Elliana talking to her. Of course, it seems to demand a response; she won't quite look at Elliana as she speaks, instead looking over the land. "You want me to try to dig to wherever it might be? I'll try to scout ahead first, then."     'Ahead' is a relative term. She's going to try and sink like a rock in water into the ground, just leaving a trail of disturbed dirt for the moment, not an actual passage - she'll have to come back and carve that once she finds the place, but if it's relatively smooth to do so, that's what she'll be doing.     It's certainly an escape from the social tension, at least. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     "Keep Sovereign nearby. Sheathed," Elliana answers. "The Shajem have an instinctive aversion... that could hurt us in 'negotiations' but if we need to herd him, that could be useful. Backbiter is not quite so powerful an effect, now, but being Sovereign's twin..." She trails off, then shakes her head. "Right. Lady Whiteheart, please protect Lady Mir. I do not know what she has planned, but I trust that she knows what she is doing. Nox... be ready to do your own thing. I will provide you with plentiful chances. Psyber... it will be up to you and Lady Haruno to keep him busy."     Ethan's arrival with the binders causes her to stop. Too bad Sakura probably won't see it, because it's... something of an emotional moment. The two stop very close to one another, staring for a long and tense period... before Elliana leans in and gives Ethan a very firm, tight hug. They don't exchange words, but the wan smile Elliana holds says that the meeting isn't entirely joyful.     Meanwhile... the power of the Shajem can be easier to feel for Nox. This is because Sakura nears it rather quickly. It's not hard to find, because she can feel the faint 'wrongness' in the earth around it, sealed in stone. It doesn't look like it's corrupting the land, or anything, and the actual Shajem is sealed in a simple clay pot, with only a hairline crack along it. This particular seal should hold for some time yet, perhaps a few decades. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     "Good to know," Psyber says to Xiaomu, "Did you bring something to store the energy in, like a crystal? I can provide one if not."     Psyber then smiles at Charity, "I may hold you to that Miss Whitehe-" And then he cuts off mid-step, pressing two fingers to his ears and listening with a scowl on his face. He murmurs a bit and then drops his hand away, a much more baleful look on his face after he does so.     "Affirmative. I understand the objective," He says to Elliana more stiffly than he was just a moment ago. He reaches into his jacket and pulls out the Order Modus, ripping off a page and Sovereign appearing (sheathed) in his grasp instead of the slip of paper.     Now in a much quieter posture, he simply trails along with the group. Not much else for him to say at the moment. 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     Nathan had considered that this would be Elliana's first meeting with Ethan in some time. He leaves them to it, though it's an oddly bitter sort of way, where he wanders off a while as if not trusting himself to stay tactful around what's going on here. Nothing sparky about it this time, just quietly wandering a few yards off until everything's resolved. Odd, but at least not disrupting anything. 

:'''{{#var:134|Sakura Haruno (134)}} has posed:'''     Flowers is going to very definitely not touch it herself, though she'll get rather close. She can't make earth completely vanish, so it's going to be obvious where she's going to be resurfacing, with a claustrophia-inducing smooth tunnel left behind as she comes up towards the surface at an angle, spreading the dirt across the area a little bit.     In her haste, she missed both the reunion for Elliana and the discussion of what she's supposed to do during the encounter; presumably, someone will catch her up. Remarkably, in spite of her diving about in the ground and all, her clothing and hair come through remarkably clean. This is because she's cheating; anyone else going down without cheating methods of their own may end up very dingy. 

:'''{{#var:707|Xiaomu (707)}} has posed:''' "Yeah, Reiji and I worked together on it," Xiaomu answers the chief of Heaven or Hell. "Should work fine, I primed it with a basic sealing sutra while we were purifying it for containment." She doesn't seem to pay any particular mind to Psyber's abrupt shift in mood, although she does tighten her grip slightly on her monk staff, glancing around almost idly. The reunion between Elliana and Ethan doesn't seem to draw particular notice from Xiaomu, although one of her ears does twitch slightly at the display, and a faint smile comes to her lips before fading back to her businesslike demeanor. 

:'''{{#var:340|Mir (340)}} has posed:'''     Mir's reaction to Ethan is to glower for a long moment, but she shakes away her distaste and takes a deep breath. "Mn... I suppose I should begin my own preparations. With any luck, this will help greatly."     Mir clears her throat... and when she opens her mouth, no words pour out. Instead, a few lilting strains of violins and woodwinds float out around her, then fade away without an effect. "I am ready." 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     The dirt erupts and Sakura emerges. Elliana smiles, "Thank you, Lady Haruno. Be prepared for trouble," she notes. The former priestess steps forward to the edge, peering downward. Now, it's easy for everyone, not just Nox, to feel the power emanating from that cracked clay pot. It's some distance down there, but anyone who wants to peek in can probably see it. "Perfect. It is much smoother than if I had used my own abilities, and without agitating the Shajem."     It only takes a moment to do what she needs to do. Concentration, a couple whispered words, and while she's doing that Ethan and the binders spread out, giving a nod to the others there.     "Ready," he finally says, the first clear word he's stated.     Elliana steps back with a small gesture of her hand. The shattering of the pot can be heard inside, and the roar of something escaping up the tunnel follows it. A massive purple serpentine body erupts, toothed maw open wide and with a glowing, whispy aura about it.     The Binders, and Elliana, are already attempting to wrap it in a complex series of wards. These are mainly meant to keep it trapped inside a small area, but they can't stop the warping, rippling effect that begins to spread out. The grain instantly crumbles to dust, the stalks withering and drying out, but the Lord of Famine does not transmit hunger for physical food as he 'eats' the surrounding crops.     No, the power that pulses out from this being is simple hunger. HUNGER. For anything that is craved in general. Power, love, security, acceptance... whatever is a desire suddenly becomes a NEED, something that is more important than anything else to the point of tunnel vision. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     Psyber steps forward after the group. Ethan gets a pleasant nod once Elliana's done greeting him. He watches as the Shajem rushes up and out of the ground, unsure how to react at first.     He can feel it, though. Hunger. What does he hunger for? Many things... He wobbles on his feet a bit, trying to steady his mind. But his eyes fall to several people present for individual hungers. Haruno is one. Nathan a second. Elliana a third. He can feel his mind becoming pre-occupied by that hunger.     To focus his mind again, Psyber opts to punch himself in the upper leg, using the sharp blast of pain as an anchor point to break his momentary obsession before he pursues one of them. He blinks several times and then looks really annoyed.     "Let's tag him and bag him," Psyber says, brushing back his coat with his free hand and firing a trio of blessed bullets at the Shajem. 

:'''{{#var:299|Charity Whiteheart (299)}} has posed:'''     Well. Looks like it's time for Charity to get to work! Her job is protecting Mir, but that's getting to be difficult when the Lord of Famine makes his presence known! Which means she starts to /hunger/ for... what? She had her vengeance not long ago, and thus she's sort of without purpose. This works out for her, since it means she has a hunger for PURPOSE more than anything else. Right now, her purpose is protecting Mir.     Which is why her blades lick out, sending sharp razors of vacuum through the air. She's trying to slice open the sides of the Shajem, to keep it coralled and away from Mir now. 

:'''{{#var:707|Xiaomu (707)}} has posed:''' Hunger, the most basic of all desires, common to pretty much EVERY living creature ... and 765-year-old sage foxes are no exception, a gurgling grumble rising from the vicinity of Xiaomu's stomach as the Shajem rises up and starts emanating raw hunger. Xiaomu doesn't even seem to think about what she's doing as she unbuckles her carrypack and drops it to the ground, planting her staff in the ground- *jingle!* - "Kh ..." Xiaomu shakes her head to clear it, then unzips her pack, revealing her precious cargo. Plastic bags of fried tofu, for the most part; also several handheld video game systems, and a portable DVD player with quite a few disc carriers. She honestly doesn't seem entirely sure what to pull out first, her right ear twitching a few times ... Then her staff topples, rings jingling again as the falling staff baps Xiaomu on the side of her head. "Oi!" she snaps, grabbing the staff - *JINGLE* And then the rings jingle louder as she jams her staff deeper into the ground, so it WON'T fall over this time. Her free hand dives into the bag, pulling out a small silk-wrapped package; unwrapping the silk reveals the bright gleam of a polished bronze mirror, which she skims across to the ground neaer the worm-like Lord of Famine. "Nice try, I'll give you that," Xiaomu declares as she stands up straight again, her stomach growling again. "Takes more than that to get the best of me, though!" She shifts her staff to her left hand, freeing up her right to thrust out towards the Shajem. "XIAOMU .... WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAVE!!!" The mirror glows - or maybe it's just catching the light better, for whatever reason - and a sealing circle appears, Xiaomu's own magic forming a spherical ward to try and entrap the Lord of Famine - although the Binders will probably take precedence. Xiaomu's ward is focused specifically on draining energy from the Shajem - and now that she sees other approaches in action, she understands what's going on: drawing power out of the Shajem to weaken it ... Although she's not quite sure what happens AFTER the weakening. 

:'''{{#var:546|Nox (546)}} has posed:'''     'Negotiations'. There's a word for it. An extremely ironic one, all considered. Nox finds it amusing, but has neither the time nor the care to express it, letting any kind of joviality die before it begins. He does exhibit the decency of letting Elliana and Ethan have their moment, seemingly a little out of character for such a ruthlessly schedule-driven person. He only opens his eyes as Sakura reappears, or more accurately, a moment before she does, his head swivelling with a distinctive mechanical click as she bursts from the earth. Teleporting over he leans over to examine the hole, before immediately discarding the idea of actually climbing down it. A couple of noxines go down instead, though they quickly return after finding nothing but the clay pot and the obviously marked Shajem, leaving him to simply wait until Elliana makes the first move.     The Lord of Famine is not the Shajem he should have come to face. The Lord of Rage had coaxed a measure of long-repressed wrath out of him, kept in check by the voice of the other he hears in his head. The Lord of Cowardice had little effect on him, having lost almost all notion of fear at least a century ago. Hunger however -- in the form of a driving, overwhelming, insatiable and unignorable desire -- is something that he lives every day. The anticipation of having the Shajem's energy becomes too much; self-control suddenly crushed under the weight of what he /needs/ it for. The complex strategems and tactics go out the window as soon as the feeling hits him, discarded in favour of playing the second stage of the operation immediately. The noxines draw their portal, and the clock hand comes through, sized down to the dimensions of a spear rather than a telephone pole after the last iteration. He grasps it in both hands, grip visibly shaking as he waits for it to make the spatial transition, before instantly warping with it into direct, close proximity with the newly released Shajem, reappearing just behind it and plunging it into its back, attempting to drain its energy well before anyone has had a chance to sufficiently weaken it. 

:'''{{#var:340|Mir (340)}} has posed:'''     "A variant, then," Mir mutters, before she feels that powerful slam of HUNGER gnawing at her mind. Mir has greater control over that than many others, though the temptation to simply cause a few casualties amongst her human allies rises. It is fortunate, then, that one of them is protecting her, and the others are known well to her. The temptation is there, and rising, but her focus is on something else. It is less fortunate that this mind-affecting ability is making her emotions roil, which dulls the effectiveness of what she's about to do.     Once more, the Reyvateil opens her mouth... but this time, it is a chorus of voices that rise from her, and the music comes later.     "Faura yerwe murfan anw sol ciel."     <The little bird chirps her feelings to the world>     "Faura sonwe murfan anw sol ciel ee."     <The little bird sings her feelings to the people.>     "Hymmnos oz faura pomb na omnis, den accrroad"     <But, the little bird's song won't give birth to anything, because it's being given>     "Sos yor, yanje revm, na endia revm, yehah revm..."     <to you, to send to you to an eternal dream, an endless dream, a happy dream...>     The song continues, rising in volume and with the addition of musical accompaniment, voice soft and calming rather than the violent, anger-filled tones that she usually has. It's a soothing song, and any feelings of anger or displeasure in the listeners will feel the music attempting to put away that rage, to pacify the injured spirits. 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     This intense amplification of 'need' seems to hit Nathan pretty hard. He needs, hungers for something, definitely. Whatever it is, we won't say much. But we will note that his power is getting in an odd way again, a way Psyber might recall. He looks nauseous again, and there's that odd sparking sound a few times again. There's a rather abrupt gush of purple fire and yellow light that erupts from his mouth as if he were sick, and it evaporates before it hits the ground. He looks ill, essentially.     He's trying to shove down the urges, though. A familiar history with disregarding his own hunger means that he can do so with a certain sort of apathetic dignity, even if this is hitting him pretty hard. As if he weren't having any trouble at all, he'll initiate his Negotiations again. Like before, the Hastur magic comes up, acting as a centralized interface through which he can interact with the magic of the Binders here. As before, he'll try a pair of abstract configurations, as a yellow spellcircle inscribes itself in the air in front of him. The outer ring of the circle rotates as he attempts first to determine core motivation, just as he did with the Lord of Cowardice. First, does it wish to INDUCE HUNGER, or does it wish to SATE HUNGER? He will try configurations that test its compatibility with Negotiations that involve it sating its own 'hunger' or causing 'hunger' in others, Which instinct is more important here? 

:'''{{#var:134|Sakura Haruno (134)}} has posed:'''     Sakura's a helper! And it's really a good thing that she's able to help out now, because she's totally not the person you want handling your emotions-affecting monsters. The good news is that her desire for revenge isn't actually the thing that she hungers for the most of the people here, on either Elliana or Nathan, in spite of what they might think.     The bad news is, whatever it is, she looks like she might actually start crying on the spot, and she doesn't really seem as soothed as she might otherwise be by Mir's song. It doesn't seem to have induced rage, but she's not going to contribute much until she gets herself together, and were she alone she'd probably have quite a hard time dealing with the Shajem at all from here. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     This is getting to be complicated. A group of binders is trying to hold the writhing worm in the middle of the withering field... it looks vaguely similar to Nox's normal work! Hey NOX! He's stealing your schtick! Elliana's hands tremble slightly, but whatever it is she desires, and now NEEDS, is not something that is immediately obvious. Indeed, whatever it is has caused a sudden eruption of spires of earth upward, wrapping together in a cage that may be all-too-familiar to Psyber, given what he's seen before. The rest of the Binders are attempting to weave their power with Nathan's, and fortunately have themselves shielded. They're made to fight these things, and are fully-trained in keeping the effects away from themselves. Or are they~?     Xiaomu's attack slams into the pinned Worm, as does the slashes from Charity. Gaps open up from the mystical attacks, and when the bullets from Psyber rip through its body, the Shajem shrieks and twists, preparing to burrow into the dusty, life-sapped earth.     It is ironic that Nox, the villain, whose own greed jumped the gun here, saves the day. That clock hand pierces the Shajem's body and PINS it in place, the cage keeping it from moving to either side and the clock hand keeping it above ground. The lashing tail swats at one of the Binders, possibly crippling if nobody stops it, and the angry roar starts to bubble up-     But anger is what Mir is nullifying, and the lashes are weak and confused, the Shajem's head darting back and forth more sluggishly. Nox gets a sudden RUSH of power, burning hungry power that saps from the struggling being of concept, rapidly filling the storage he brought.     Nathan's spell begins to work, and the obvious draw is toward the second: despite the desire within it, the creature needs to /cause/ that hunger. A difficult thing to 'seal' away. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     Psyber manages to tag it a few times with handgun bullets while seals and bindings are being dropped into place. Mir's song is helping him, in its own way. At least one of his three or four hungers is rooted in anger, closer to two. So Psyber manages to let out a hand exhale and holster his gun.     For NOW, it looks like things are falling into place. Nox's particular method has Psyber worried, and he resolves to keep an eye to watch for overdraining or something else that could cause another one of these missions to fall apart.     More than that, though, Psyber wanders over to Haruno and places his hand on the center of her back. He gently rubs a little, trying to reassure her but not saying much of anything. 

:'''{{#var:546|Nox (546)}} has posed:'''     Nox has exceedingly little concern for the binders at this point, or even the whole idea of sealing the Shajem for that matter. For the time being, he is consumed by the battle to maintain some semblence of rationality as the Shajem's power floods through the siphoning device and bleeds into him by proxy, the hourglass at the far end spinning like a dynamo as it rapidly fills with so much glowing fluid, distilled from the malevolent god-thing's core essence. No matter how it might thrash, he holds steady to his target, eventually regaining enough sense to fire a pulse of stasis into it at point blank to try and slow it down, refusing to let his fangs out of it now that he has it in his metaphorical jaws. 

:'''{{#var:299|Charity Whiteheart (299)}} has posed:'''     A flash of motion carries Charity forward. Her hunger is to protect... which is uncharacteristic of many, but proves useful here, if a little... troublesome to her. That's because she dashes in front of the Binder, stopping the lashing tail from connecting to the priest in progress.     "HNGH!" Unfortunately she can't block it with her blades, entirely, and is slammed hard enough to be sent flying, with the sound of a few snapping ribs. She plows into the dusty, consumed stalks of grain, shattering the dried-up husks like twigs, and lands pretty hard. 

:'''{{#var:340|Mir (340)}} has posed:'''     So that is how this works? Mir sees Charity defending like that, startled that her Confederate ally would be so... selfless? Is that the word? She lets her song fade, eventually, and takes a deep breath as she allows her energy to replenish. "I know what to do."     The next song she begins is... discordant. Screeching instruments at the beginning, slowly lining up with one another into a sharp, upbeat tune that floats over the battlefield. There's some of her natural anger in this one, making it easier to sing, and the effect is simple:     Freedom.     The song is meant to UNBIND, to throw off the shackles of another's influence. She is attempting to counter the Shajem's influence. 

:'''{{#var:707|Xiaomu (707)}} has posed:''' Xiaomu's stomach growls again, but she stays focused remarkably well, her eyes narrowing and the glow around her upraised hand brightening. The light from her sealing ward is brighter as well. Trying to exacerbate her hunger is probably not going to help the Lord of Famine so much right now, given how Xiaomu is focused like a planet-busting superlaser on helping contain this thing. 

:'''{{#var:134|Sakura Haruno (134)}} has posed:'''     That whole reassuring thing may or may not work out for Psyber, given her overwhelming need for friendship and acceptance and... well, on the bright side, at least she's not looking for romantic love or this could be even more awkward! It's going to be bad enough, really, that she tries to throw her arms around him in what could be described as a 'crushing' hug, plant her head onto his shoulder, and cry.     At least... possibly up until Mir's song takes effect. Then she'll be likely to blame him for this. 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     Nathan is still grappling with the hunger. There's a rumbling at his feet and more strange light dripping from his mouth, a gently sizzling cyan light now that quickly evaporates. He looks really goddamn ill by now, even with the power waning, but Mir's counter-spell to alleviate the effects, hopefully, will deal with this.     For now, he focuses. Okay, INDUCE HUNGER. Is it more desirable to INDUCE HUNGER in those who experience very little hunger, or is it better to induce hunger in those who experience much hunger already? The outer circle has locked into place; Nathan now spins one of the inner circles of the yellow spellcircle he uses to interface with this, trying to find an appropriate configuration there, and to test the waters for his theory. He's desperately, desperately hopeful that the former is true here. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Thanks to Charity's efforts, the Binding can continue uninterrupted, and the Seal around the Shajem begins to take form. A lattice of supportive magics builds out, linked into Nathan's attempted negotiation, allowing him to choose the final configuration. Elliana too is helping, though her Sealing is a temporary attempt to hold back the Shajem's power.     This, combined with Mir's song, lessen the hunger dramatically. While still plucking at the mind, it's no longer an overwhelming wave of need. It is, instead, a reminder, a gentle nudge.     Is this gentle nudge too much? Because Nox is getting some REAL POWER here, and if he doesn't cut off, he'll take more than the third he was promised. That rush of pure conceptual mystical power is... easy, so easy to tap into, isn't it? Easier than the last one, to be sure. It would be so simple to just take a little more, they wouldn't miss that much. Nobody would notice that it was 42% instead of 33%... right?     The rapid weakening is having a great effect though. Xiaomu's sealing is joining the others, and she's drawing some of that power away into the crystal if she desires. It's just a matter of keeping Nox from taking more than his fair share.     Nathan feels some resistance, but the spell circle does finally 'click' on one... on the Induce Hunger in those with none circle. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     "Uuurgh!" Psyber grunts as Sakura hugs him that tightly. The half-angel stiffens up a bit, looking awkward as he's overly hugged. A hand is raised up and he gently wheezes out a breath while trying to pat Haruno on the back of the head gently. He doesn't really DO hugs. He only gives out three a year and he already did that once in February.     He doesn't force Haruno off of him. Instead, he grunts out a reminder to the Confederates present, "Remember. Even thirds. That's the deal here." Mir's voice is at least keeping him calm, and Haruno's hug is placating some other famine of us, likely.     So he just opts to gently remind the Confederates of their deal. 

:'''{{#var:707|Xiaomu (707)}} has posed:''' It's a mirror rather than a crystal, but the effect is basically the same - a 'clear' object, pure to begin with, capable of containing the energies that are being drained away from the Shajem. And to judge by the look on Xiaomu's face, this is not as easy as she makes it look. Normally her sealing work is done pretty quickly - but then, first off, this is a *dark god* she's helping to bind, and second, she doesn't have Reiji weakening the target further with sword slashes or gunfire. Psyber's comment to Nox about 'even thirds' seems to spur her on, though, and she ratchets the intensity up a few more notches - trying to actively drag more power away from the Lord of Famine and fold it up into the mirror. She is going to absolutely MURDER her supply of fried tofu when she's done, though - and not just because of the forcibly-induced hunger that Famine-sama was hitting everyone with earlier (and presumably, still is). 

:'''{{#var:546|Nox (546)}} has posed:'''     There is absolutely no chance that Nox will actually stick to the rule of thirds out of a simple agreement. Not after going this far. Not under these circumstances. Not with so much to take. He is, however, not a sloppy man. After the last venture out to seal a Shajem where the terms of even divisions were decided, a great degree of the way he has miniaturized the device he currently holds was by cutting its maximum storage capacity down to a third of what it was before, designed to contain an entire Shajem's power and then some; seeing no reason to waste space and material on something that needs to be brought in with space altering magic.     As a result, the mad rotation of the hourglass at the clock hand's base abruptly jolts to a half as both halves are filled to completion, causing coruscating lines of electricity to run down its length and retract the point with a shower of sparks. Careful planning has played to Nox's advantage here, as he is forced to return the device to Horologium. Though he is finished long before the others, he realizes that he won't have the energy offloaded and the equipment returned before they are done, and so finally he is able to suppress that gnawing hunger with common sense, teleporting out of the bounded field before it fully activates. 

:'''{{#var:299|Charity Whiteheart (299)}} has posed:'''     Charity is kind of out of the fight now, at least without hurting herself more. She spits out some of the dust and grit before pushes herself up... and wincing. "Ugh..." She slumps against the ground, wheezing heavily and watching the sealing. "At least it looks like we're winning." 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     Nathan chooses the final Negotiation. He's not vomiting magic anymore, thank goodness. So he has the clarity of mind to establish a proper finalized agreement. The secondary circle clicks into place. There's a rather dramatic shockwave to it as the innermost spellcircle begins to reconfigure in multi-layered ways. The titanic worm may wander to where the most hunger is concentrated -- which Nathan attempts to focus on SOCIETAL hunger, to target lower classes, rather than INDIVIDUAL hunger, so it doesn't charge down ambitious nobles -- and gather data of the hunger they feel. It cannot touch them, harm them, go to close, linger too long, or otherwise affect humanity, besides being a bit visible, and it should flee if pursued, and only defend itself.     But that's only the limitations. Not what's allowed. He used geographic limitations for the other Shajem, he'll use temporal ones for this one. It's an animal, it will choose something that leaves it free for now even if it's limited later. So he picks tomorrow as an annual trigger. For 24 hours, it may blast all the hunger experienced by the most famished social classes directly into the minds of the least famished, which is to say, the social classes of the nobility, or at least that's what Nathan tries to optimize it into being with his skill here. It's meant to be a tantalizing treat to hold in front of the horrible monster, to motivate it to immediately take the deal and disregard the fact that for the rest of the year it has to do nothing to humanity. Always the most unfair negotiation tactics, with Nathan. 

:'''{{#var:340|Mir (340)}} has posed:'''     Time for Mir to switch songs again. This one is simpler. As the mind-affecting counter fades, Mir catches her breath and lets her energy ramp up again, giving several seconds of silence. She's casting her Song at roughly half-power now, but that's likely all that she needs, really. The song that floats up is lighthearted and soothing, very soothing... aimed at her allies.     The H-Waves condense into a materialized being, giving shape to a piece of Mir's subconscious. The fairylike being that forms is wearing a nurse's outfit, complete with high heels that are totally unnecessary. She also begins flitting around and violently shoving giant gel-caps down into everyone's mouths. These do work, though. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Diminished as it is, the large worm of a Shajem is thrashing about much less. Ethan wipes his brow, suddenly stepping back and sagging to his knees. Why? Because as the others drain off the power, it gets far easier... and Nathan has managed to lock in a deal. The creature isn't really sapient, after all, and it grabs onto that deal without fully thinking about it.     Elliana shakes her head, gesturing again. The spires retract, drawing into the ground once more, and the great worm dives into the ground. She takes a deep breath, announcing in a dramatic voice, "It is done."     This is somewhat ruined when a fairy flies in front of her and crams a pill down her throat, causing her to fall on her ass with a few gagging noises. She coughs, sputters, then mumbles to herself, "I think it's time we should go, before the Empire gets here and wonders about the crop circle we have left." She turns to head toward Charity, pausing only to flash a smile to Ethan and the Union. "Thank you all for the help. We should talk more when we are not so pressed for time."     Where she was standing, the wheat was shielded from the Shajem's effects. Except it's some type of corn now. 

:'''{{#var:707|Xiaomu (707)}} has posed:''' Xiaomu finally lowers her hand and cuts the 'power' to her own sealing efforts, only focusing enough to close the seal around the mirror she was using, now stuffed to the brim with HUNGER. So much hunger, you can hear an empty stomach growling for food if you listen -- Oh wait, That's XIAOMU'S stomach the noise is coming from. Mir's Medical Fairy just barely manages to chuck a pill down Xiaomu's throat before the sage fox drops to her knees, pulls out a package of fried tofu, and *DEVOURS* it. Not messily, mind you - just a brutally efficient *om nom nom nom nom nom nom* that lasts until she's on the last piece from the second packet. "Well," Xiaomu comments, starting to pull her dignity back together. "That was ... new." She eyes the last piece in the bag, shrugs, and scarfs it down as well. *nom* Then she starts gathering her stuff back up, including wrapping the mirror up very carefully and tying the silk in place with a silvery cord. Or maybe it's a finely-wrought chain ... ? 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     Psyber is really just getting bombarded with the worst affections today. Between the pink-haired ninja tightly clinging to him and the fairy cramming pills down his face, the half-angel begins to question the woman he keeps company with in a bit of an internal monologue.     "Ri-mmph. Right." Psyber notes around a wad of pills in his mouth, "We should get going. We'll mark this one a success and then get out of here. It was as good working with you all as could be expected."     Still, as he tries to walk-shuffle-drag Haruno out with him, he makes note of something that happened. His eyes narrow a bit, and then he gets back to trying to leave. 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     Nathan wasn't wounded, thankfully. But you know, that might not stop the whole nurse-pill-thing. If he's not that lucky, he'll choke on it a while before he swallows it down, but he's very quiet and just generally not particularly resistant.     He lets that finish off while he locks in the final layer, and it's done by the time he locks the final circle, and the circle disappears in a sudden shockwave, a prompt for the remaining binders to apply the finalized Binding, and for the Shajem itself to hopefully begin powering, and get out of here. Nathan, himself, doesn't... Seem to celebrate in any way. In fact, he seems a little bit lacking in any kind of reaction. He looks a bit ill for a moment, adjusts his glasses, and looks at Elliana when she smiles at the Union here. The corn isn't noticed, or maybe it is and he just doesn't react in any way. All he gives is a quiet sort of agreeing "Mmmm", looks down a bit, and begins walking back towards where they parked the helicopter. Normally he'd be sticking around to give everyone thanks and welcomes, and generally politely celebrate, but for now he's just... Leaving. 

:'''{{#var:340|Mir (340)}} has posed:'''     Mir huffs, flicking her hair back. She eyes Nathan as he shuffles off, then murmurs to Psyber, "It was a pleasure working with you again." That's surprising. As she walks off with the Feds, she grabs an ear of corn and shucks it curiously, to see how raw corn tastes. Someone might want to warn her. 

:'''{{#var:546|Nox (546)}} has posed:'''     Fortunately, Nox has a solid metal mask in front of his face, and so is spared the indignity of having a fairy shoving a gel cap at him. More genius planning has allowed him to keep his dignified, villainous air. The same mask also hides the intense displeasure he struggles to dispose of as the Shajem disappears, finally winning the war on himself to master his own priorities. The Union gets their third now, and he gets much, much more in the end. There is nothing to be angry about. Nothing he hasn't done a hundred times before.     "And this proves the viability of the method, no?" he finally says to Elliana. "Or is this not /quite/ what you were looking for?" He looks to Nathan momentarily before the Librarian starts to trudge away. ". . . no matter. We will have all the time in the world to discuss it later. For the time being, I bid you all adieu." He teleports out; a sudden and understated exit instead of something unnecessarily flashy. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     As Mir shucks the husk off the corn, it splits open as normal... but it isn't corn in there. A bright red bird of some kind leaps out, fluttering with loud trilling chirps and flapping off into the distance. 

}}

1906/Finish the Fight

2015-04-22T06:08:27Z

Blue Elf:

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2015/03/29
|Location=Terra Majora
|Synopsis=The Union and Confederacy make a push to finally seal the Lord of Cowardice for good.
|Thanks=
|Cast of Characters=12, 40, 92, 168, 202, 253, 331, 347, 395, 546, 598, 705
|Tinyplot=New Blood
|Tinyplot2=
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Tracking the Shajem of Cowardice was... harder than expected. Not exactly difficult, given the resources at the disposal of the Union and Confederacy, but pinning it down to one place long enough to respond and gather forces was trickier. Predictably, it finally lingered at an appropriate place that would be called something like 'The Cliffs of Doomed Peril' in many fantasy-esque worlds. They're a jagged collection of cliffs and mountains that resemble a fractured bone, crags full of danger and treacherous footing, not to mention the odd Twisted being. They overlook a roaring torrential set of rapids below, with a broken and craggy set of crocks making up the nearby shore until it lifts into more mountains that are less treacherous.     This being Terra Majora, the location is known as The White Cliffs Of Morning's Breath     The Shajem has stopped for now, and is 'roosting' in the cliffs. The edges of said cliffs are dangerous enough that a large airship would be hard to navigate through, though a small one could do so. Unfortunately, there weren't many places to land. That leaves landing some distance away and coming up or down river on foot or by personal flight, or landing atop the cliffs and going down the cliff face, as the most viable options.     Elliana parked the Drasillum /quite/ a distance away, and has chosen to approach on foot, leaving Veryx to guard the Drasillum. Of course, 'on foot' means she's actually flying low along the ground, and she has no doubt that Mordred can keep up. She's selected a meetup sight somewhat close, atop the cliffs, in case the Union want any last-minute plan revisions. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     The last time Psyber met Elliana in a cliff-side location, he got nearly sacrificed to a dark ritual. Let's see if today goes any better?     The half-angel is here and ready for the meeting. For the most part, he's dressed per normal though the 1911 he usually carries holstered at his side has been replaced by a different gun since he lost that yesterday. He's also limping a little bit on his left leg, but it's barely noticable.     At the side opposite the gun, Sovereign is here and is in its sheath. While he dislikes the sword in principle, he's not so outraged as to overlook its tactical usefulness. Mostly, though, he's waiting.     Well, that and occasionally taking a hit from a flask in his right hand. 

:'''{{#var:395|Amalthea (395)}} has posed:'''     Amalthea has just been missing all the fun hasn't she?     Well not this time. At the meeting point, at Psyber's side, by now the familiar sight of heavy silver armor, scarlet cloak, and pride parade rainbow mane, means Amalthea has been assed to come along, after like a week or two of being a silent hermit in her basement.     Of course she's just as armed to the teeth as Psyber, is, but most of her equipment is hidden out of sight under that heavy cloak.     "That leg's looking worse for wear." She idly notes to Psyber, "Want a pickup, or you just gonna walk it off, like normal?" 

:'''{{#var:705|Reiji Arisu (705)}} has posed:'''     Fortunately, Psyber isn't exactly here alone. Unless Elliana intends for everyone present to be sacrificed to some horrible dark god, things should go rather nicely. Nevermind that 'going nicely' is entirely reliant on the mood and peculiarities of a dark god. These ones don't seem to be the type to demand ritual sacrifice, though.     Reiji stands nearby, waiting. He's packing his usual aresenal today, but there are a noticable number of bandages wrapped around one shoulder, and the exposed sections of his arms. While he waits, he slowly stretches his neck to one side. Multiversal healing is pretty impressive, but it still leaves a few muscles stiff sometimes, it seems. At least he's not the only one going into this with a few cuts and bruises. "He should be fine," Reiji says with a shrug. "I imagine it's not the first time he's gone into one of these things with a couple aches and pains." 

:'''{{#var:202|Adelyn Lysen (202)}} has posed:'''     Adelyn could have tried bringing a small airship, but that would still have brought up the problem of it being far from stealthy. Given the prey they're tracking, she's opted for not being at the front of the party. Instead, she'll be working on the 'tracking' part of all this--following Lezard's original suggestion, she's using a sample of the Shajem and spells based in sympathetic magic to home in on its location. She's a rather patient hunter, so long as they keep getting closer, but has grown increasingly, if mildly, irate at the unexpected difficulty of getting the target to remain still.     Once parked, she heads out with Elliana, 'on foot' in much the same manner as she is, and as armed and--not really armored, but wearing defensive enchanted items--as their last encounter. Walking is for magicless peasants. 

:'''{{#var:331|Himei (331)}} has posed:'''     Himei has no trouble with walking, but screw that. She brought... a bicycle. Because why not? It's a cheap one, probably not intended to be brought /back/ now, since she'll be flying the rest of the way to the Shajem after covering any last minute plans... and she thinks they may need them. Nodding to the others as they arrive, she's staring at the cliffside thoughtfully.     "I guess it would have been too much to ask for him to hang out someplace easy to reach," she grumbles. "Oh well. Hopefully we have enough magical support that we can fly down and snag him and be done with this." 

:'''{{#var:12|Mordred (12)}} has posed:'''     Mordred is keeping up with Elliana... via motorcycle. As expected, whatever was once a normal modern world bike is silver and red steel reinforced now, the exhaust letting out blood red mana in its wake. Given the terrain, this might mean she has to take side paths or force the vehicle to do things it is wildly not designed for, but that's why she's pouring her magic into it to begin with.     She's not armored yet, actually enjoying the wind instead, with that cool jacket, tube top and jeans on. 

:'''{{#var:347|Abstractum.Net (347)}} has posed:'''     Brilliant Dawn is rather casual about these things. Despite the whole "being lit on fire" part of one of those last ones, the little pendant is quite casually accepting of the schemes Elliana leaves unspoken to it. "Hmmmm. It's less contained than it was before now, it might be able to flee. Would you like me to start tactical assessments and map for likely retreat routes? Or do you have some idea of how we'll calm it down?" There's a brief delay. "Are we planning on taking the rest of its power?" It seems a little... Encouraging of the idea. Or at least encouraging of considering it. 

:'''{{#var:40|Eleanor Lamb (40)}} has posed:'''     Eleanor likewise is here with Psyber, carrying her 'loaded for bear' gear. There's an uneasy look at the cliffside though. Flying is not something she's all that good at, being unable to fly herself. Also feet should have ground underneath them at a point where it's safe to let go. She'd much prefer this Thing being in a lake.     At least she's got teammates here for this. "Bother. I don't think I brought any cdecent climbing gear for this." She sticks an arm into her medic's back fishing around. 

:'''{{#var:347|Abstractum.Net (347)}} has posed:'''     Adjudicator is around Psyber's hand. Quietly, it's counting out something, every so often, whispering it to Psyber. But aside from that, it does speak more openly. "With a third of its power remaining, I doubt we will need to act in our traditional capacity. I will remain on standby, but it would be rude for me to keep the Strike Drivers active for now. We should look as harmless as possible as long as we can." 

:'''{{#var:347|Abstractum.Net (347)}} has posed:'''     Meanwhile Ironclad Oath rumbles gently. "He will continue, as is his duty. He can do little else. I have the feeling he is the sort to reject the help, though." There's an incredulous look up. "Be prepared. I have heard that the Shajem is prone to violence, like any scared animal. It may be more comfortable now, but that is still a possibility. Give signal, as soon as you need me, I am prepared. Until then, I'll look the least threatening I can." 

:'''{{#var:347|Abstractum.Net (347)}} has posed:'''     The smug grimoire that floats around Adelyn occasionally is as helpful as ever, in as know-it-all a way as ever. The drifting book provides live mapping of routes in and out that the Shajem's been likely to take, and a generalized collated datafeed, that it insists on presenting in the haughtiest way possible to anyone who listens. 

:'''{{#var:347|Abstractum.Net (347)}} has posed:'''     Himei may have either wings or a baton, but both can do roughly the same thing, which is to boost her athletic ability a lot. Honestly, at this stage, the thing's got enough resonance to actually boost her so much she could just ride the bike up the cliff, were she able to avoid getting skewered on its more dangerous areas. "Yeah, I think Nathan intentionally tried to get it to isolated places, so now it's a giant pain in the ass to get to. Least it's not hanging out around people though! Polite kind of monster now." 

:'''{{#var:347|Abstractum.Net (347)}} has posed:'''     Mordred's Abstractum sits over the back of the bike. Every so often on the way over, it makes a shitty joke. Right now, it's "We gonna eat this one too? Gwuhuhuhuhuh! I could go for another of those big meals! Stings going down but it fills you up! Who knows if I got the room though, gwuhuhuhuhuh!" That mucky laughter again. Given that the sword expects to see very little use, actually, it's treating this as a field trip for now. 

:'''{{#var:598|Lezard Valeth (598)}} has posed:''' There is a shriek in the air as another being enters the hunt. Upon a foul creature that seems to be a mass of feathers and claws, with a humanoid form vaguely visible within. Upon the Harpy's back rides the Necromancer of Midgard, who would not miss this opportunity for the world. After all, it's just /sloppy/ to leave a job half finished, isn't it? He looks to the others and keeps pace, using the creature to scale the updrafts around the horrifyingly spiky and painful-looking terrain. "Today will be excellent hunting indeed!" Lezard calls out with a measure of his own satisfaction. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     "Yes, Brilliant Dawn... that would be helpful. But no, we will not be grasping any of its power for ourselves. I believe Lady Lysen would like some, but not us," Elliana answers. She sounds mildly annoyed at this fact, but not at Dawn. "Too much Shajem power could imbalance us, anyway. No point in it if we cannot properly use it."     Siiiigh. "Unfortunately, this is a very defensible position for it. The Twisted nearby are unlikely to be a problem to us... with the Elites present, we can easily deploy forces to neutralize them. The tricky part will be keeping it from escaping. Fortunately, it should be limited in its ability to fight back. Though incomplete, the Binding that Sir Bloodstone and Sir Hall managed was... clever, I admit. A refinement of it could prove incredibly useful."     She sighs. "Tandem Paradigm will be available for those that desire it. Do you think we have enough forces to catch it in a pincher and drive it into a proper sealing? I will be here to aid in the sealing this time, so it should be relatively simple if we can hold it long enough." 

:'''{{#var:347|Abstractum.Net (347)}} has posed:'''     "I can keep you safe, Elle." The glove on Eleanor's hand says. "I'm sure that some biological boosting can let you use your abilities as such, and my Barrier should be enough to handle a heavy drop if you boost it with your own defense." The glove has obvious cause to want to keep her safe. "You should be prepared more to help ease the fear of the Shajem, as I understand it. Make it less... Enthusiastic, in fleeing." 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     "Stop counting," Psyber murmurs back to the gauntlet, knowing full well that it won't. Screwing the flask back up, Psyber sticks it back into his jacket and then looks to Amalthea and Reiji, "Nah, the leg's fine. Just a bit sore. A donut-monster-thing in Mizuki's subconscious took a bite out of it the other day. It's healing fine," He shrugs his shoulders again and adds, "The pain's nothing, really. Especially if we aren't expecting heavy combat today."     "I agree that full Strike Drivers would be excessive. If they are, we'll activate it, but doing so right now would just draw too much attention to our little cabal," Psyber says, turning his attention to the gauntlet on his, in full knowledge that the Saber-class known as Mordred was showing up on a roaring motorcycle and other people were bringing monsters.     A look of distinct worry plays across Psyber's face as he looks out from the view and listens to people, though probably not for the reason most people would think. The gauntlet-clad hand curls and twitches a bit before he makes a fist. Psyber takes a slow breath and then says to Elliana:     "Present terms are fine. We are cooperating with the arrangement we talked and I have no personal interest in Shajem energies today. The General is uninformed of this gathering, and though he is distracted by work I would prefer to return home as soon as possible before he notices my absence."     He looks up at the blonde girl with a bit of a detached gaze in his eyes, "If there is nothing else to discuss, I would prefer we move forward and finish this." 

:'''{{#var:395|Amalthea (395)}} has posed:'''     Oh come on, guys, it's not like Elliana could be planning the same thing twice, she's more original than that, right? Nevertheless, Amalthea flicks a glance at Reiji- and then at her own Abstractum, silver lips pursing into a frown. "I've known Psyber for years, and I know his bad habits of walking off sucking holes through the chest." She grunts. But then Psyber says he's fine so she leaves it at that.     "What we expect and what we get could always end up being very different things." She does note before conceding, with a lazy shrug.     On to present matters: "Just point me in a direction and tell me what to do, and consider it done." 

:'''{{#var:331|Himei (331)}} has posed:'''     "Psyber's right," Himei agrees. "I think... we might want to just rely on overwhelming firepower, especially considering what this thing does to our heads. I can resist it for a while, but it's tiring enough that I really don't relish going home with a headache like last time." She frowns in thought, then glances over her shoulder at White Rose, in wing form.     "I think it might be best if we Tandem, yeah, and I can fly out front to keep it from flying too far away from the cliffs. My powers work well on Shajem, and they're painful enough that I think this one will stick close to the cliff rather than try to slip past. So I guess I'll take frontal. Who wants the sides?" 

:'''{{#var:705|Reiji Arisu (705)}} has posed:'''     "Not even going to ask," Reiji grunts, massaging the bridge of his nose. Inquiring about a 'donut-monster-thing' seems like a good way to give himself a headache. That's the last thing he needs right now. "As long as you can maneuver around all these rocks, there should be no problem."     Their Confederate counterparts are trickling in bit by bit. Reiji nods as they make their way to the rendevouz point. "Alright. Whenever you're ready," the exorcist says, taking a moment to check the clip on his handgun. "Packing anti-spirit rounds today. I don't know if they'll do much against a Shajem, but it's better than nothing." 

:'''{{#var:12|Mordred (12)}} has posed:'''     "Yeah just blast it before it even has a chance to run," Mordred idly agrees, taking into full consideration the fact they have several people here capable of erecting barriers and bindings. She figures, weakened like it is, it's unlikely the Shajem has enough power to punch through them to escape.     Probably.     "Sorry Amhar but you ain't gonna be getting a real good meal today." A few nibbles, maybe. She'll allow it. 

:'''{{#var:347|Abstractum.Net (347)}} has posed:'''     Brilliant Dawn dutifully begins to run scans, drawing off a sliver of Elliana's power, mapping the area around them out, linking up with Adelyn's Gishur. It's going to get down a quick and simple assessment, as best it can, of probable paths of escape, as well as assessing them. Through wireless magical methods, and to any who have Abstractum that they'd willingly establish tandem with, this data is distributed. Gishur and Brilliant Dawn are acting, essentially, as secretaries and managers.     On the side, it quietly says, "Your choice, Lady Fairchild. Maybe we can come back for it later someday." 

:'''{{#var:40|Eleanor Lamb (40)}} has posed:'''     Eleanor sighs a bit, as Utopia lets out that little bit of information. "Bother. How do you calm down a primal creature made out of fear? That's... hnn." There's a little shiver of sensation as the Tandem comes online, and she sighs a bit. Flying. Tch.     She finally comes out of the bag with some sort of ice axe pick hatchet looking thing, and looks at the rest of the group. She's here for Active Morale and Morality Support, after all. Cowardice be damned.     "If someone would be so kind as to catch me if I fall that would very agreeable, thank you." And then she's heading as best she can down the side of the cliffs, pick slung over the loop of her satchel. 

:'''{{#var:202|Adelyn Lysen (202)}} has posed:'''     Adelyn is paying more attention to Gishur's mapping than anything else, at the moment, though she can probably still hear everything else being said.     She says to Elliana, "I do. But, not to worry. The form in which we have captured its essence, previously, still allows for its use. If you /could/ use it to a reasonable approximation of safely, that is still within our power to attempt. In the meanwhile, we have sufficient time to explore other avenues."     To Himei, and anyone else discussing tactics, "I will focus on limiting its escape options. I have some promisingly effective warding techniques. Other than that--Gishur, assist in the organization and linkage of the full party's efforts, but keep analysis of the target's motions as your first priority. Display this as I erect the barriers."     Draining the target will come after they have it locked into combat. 

:'''{{#var:546|Nox (546)}} has posed:'''     Though in the end, the covertness of any group inevitably comes down to the least subtle member of it, Nox can still take pride in being one of the strongest links today. Without the need to transport around large amounts of materials and equipment today, he is free to get around solely via the process of quickly and efficiently slipping through folds in spacetime, teleporting here and there with consmmate ease and a minimum of flash. Of course this would be more useful if he had a precise location on the Shajem. With the self-perpetuating binding feeding its own energy back in on itself, the creature's overall signature is basically invisible against the 'background radiation' of the world, meaning that he has to take it the long way like everyone else. Thanks Nathan.     "I believe my role will be fairly obvious this time." he interjects into the tactical discussion, at nobody in particular. "I assure you, once it is within line of sight, it might as well be over. The odds of this group composition failing are extremely low, and with any luck, maybe only one or two of you will die." It's surprisingly difficult to tell whether he's factually repeating some kind of simulation he did, or just shooting people's confidence for the sake of it. He's one of the few people present who doesn't have an Abstractum, and so the network talk is relatively meaningless to him 

:'''{{#var:347|Abstractum.Net (347)}} has posed:'''     "You know how to get me to stop." Adjudicator says, simply. "I'll be ready, if you need me. Give a signal. It sounds like the others have a more violent plan. It won't be unmoving long." 

:'''{{#var:347|Abstractum.Net (347)}} has posed:'''     The wings flare out. "Head on! I love it when we deal with our problems like that." White Rose says, encouragingly. "Nothing like it. Alright, got the tandem, we can head to most likely escape routes if you wanna!" As usual, she should be able to make use of the wings rather easily to begin flying. 

:'''{{#var:347|Abstractum.Net (347)}} has posed:'''     "Huhuhuhuh. Oh, planning on unsheathing a little? Mmmm, I can do with a snack then." The rumbly sword with Mordred says. "We'll get a proper meal another time. Still plenty full from those Twisted in the mountain." 

:'''{{#var:347|Abstractum.Net (347)}} has posed:'''     "I doubt we can calm them entirely." Utopia says, slowly. "But reducing the fear means reducing the panic, it means they'll flee less... Enthusiastically. It is an animal; do what seems best for such a being. You've a great deal of empathy, I think you can find a way." The tone is, as always, guiding only lightly, and in the Coo Uncle sort of mode. 

:'''{{#var:598|Lezard Valeth (598)}} has posed:''' Lezard also lacks an Abstractum. If that is due to a lack of interest or other matters is unknown. When Brilliant Dawn provides information to him, Lezard nods, producing that erstwhile book he always keeps with him, the information imprinting onto it. He looks over the data, mentally selecting several points. He touches them as the harpy works to maintain altitude, marking several adjacent points to indicate to the Abstractum he will deal with those routes. He then soars up into the air, directing the harpy with a flick of a hand and silent command as they move to prepare. "It will be most effective if we move to begin cutting off the routes all at once. The front line can work to funnel the beast towards a dead end, and Nox will be able to help ensure we have the time needed to perform our tasks. I am ready to move when you are." 

:'''{{#var:347|Abstractum.Net (347)}} has posed:'''     "Displaying, Mistress." Gishur says, smugly showing off how it's already calculated every possible escape route and categorized them according to probability based on the data from Elliana's own Abstractum, and its own scans. Very well-organized! As the book opens and the glowing green pages rapidly flip about, the projection is made in glowing magical lines in front of Adelyn. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Frowning, Elliana sighs at last and nods, "Dame Shoutan has a solid idea. She is correct, her powers are especially effective against beings such as this." She still fidgets somewhat, as if bothered by something... but knowing her, it could be an act. "The major objective is sealing it, but feel free to drain it as much as you wish. The core will resist after a point, of course. I would recommend stopping there. As much as the major power has side effects, trying to swallow the being itself is much, much worse, I can assure you."     She nods slowly, "It is true, in its weakened state this will be a short battle. Very well, move as you wish. I will help the Union Binder with this task."     On to other matters. "Thank you, Brilliant Dawn. And do not worry, Lady Lamb. One of us will catch you, I promise." It won't be her unless she can avoid it, though less from dislike and more from knowing Eleanor is probably not the type to enjoy Elliana's close presence.     One gesture later, and man-shaped masses of worms erupt from the ground, to handle the skulking creatures that are getting too curious. The escape routes are rather simple - to either side, or out to the mountain, plus the option of diving into the river. Shajem probably don't need to breathe, after all. That last one will be the hardest to block. The strategies employed by the Shajem thus far, though, give it the lowest probability. If they can capture it before it attempts that last-ditch option, it may not need blocked at all.     "I would wish you luck, but I doubt you will need it. A cripple Shajem against this group will be... well, perhaps not trivial, but I expect we can deal with any difficulties," she assures. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     "You know that's not an option right now. Drop it, alright? Besides, it's utterly unimportant," Psyber says to the Gauntlet with a hint of annoyance in his voice, keeping the argument vague. The half-angel shuts his eyes for a few moments, letting out a sigh and then clenching his hand into a fist, "The rocks won't be a problem," He assures to Reiji right after.     A fleeting glance, barely turning his head, is spared to the fidgeting Elliana. And then he turns away and looks out over the area. And then he simply takes a running leap off the side of the cliff. In a swift motion, he flings the gauntlet off his hand and turns it into his greatsword form, throwing it into the side of the cliff.     The half-angel then rides Adjudicator like a snowboard down the side of the mountain, trying to mostly do some sick 1080 Frontside Misty and ride his sword towards the den of the Shajem. Best to leave exit-blocking to the professionals and just go beat up the monster. 

:'''{{#var:347|Abstractum.Net (347)}} has posed:'''     The Greatsword is used as a snowboard. "This is not what I mean by righteousness, Psyber." It says, with a bit of humor. It does try to pick up the slack on Nathan's end, it seems, and the blade functionally protects Psyber, though it's beginning to glow gently, activating a Strike Driver or two to cut through the skewering rocks that pass ahead. It'll be powered up enough to be an efficient damaging option against the Shajem when Psyber reaches the lair, no doubt. 

:'''{{#var:202|Adelyn Lysen (202)}} has posed:'''     Adelyn gives a curt nod to Elliana. "Yes, of course, the scope of the experiment is understood." Some other time, she'll see about taking a Shajem whole, if the opportunity should arise. Oh, hopefully. But without any obligation toward Union assistance. Those are an unwelcome complication, given attitudes expressed.     Looking at Gishur's projections, she sets to work. At first, her actions are subtle, but they won't remain so very long. She's manipulating ambient mana into configurations that will let her quickly create hard walls, based on what proved effective in earlier Confederate research. The actual wards are fairly simple, intended only to slow and redirect, but with a weakened opponent, it should be sufficient. What's more, she'll be able to create a large number of them.     What she's doing *might* be detectable, to this kind of magical being, though the purpose of it should still be hidden to anyone incapable of sophisticated analysis.     She's not exactly heading down the cliff, herself, but she's also flying, so her mobility already assures a quick approach when needed. With as much sensory power as they have available, she shouldn't even need to get close to do her work, anyway. 

:'''{{#var:705|Reiji Arisu (705)}} has posed:'''     Without an Abstractum of his own, Reiji isn't quite sure what all the fussing is all about. The multiverse is really full of all kinds of amazing things, isn't it? He remains quiet through the planning session, only nodding in affirmation when the teams are divided up. Reiji's not exactly a 'closing off exits' kind of guy. He /can/ if he prepares the right arrays, but that wasn't really in the cards for today. Stabbin' and shootin' a dark god, though, is.     It's time to get moving. "Right," he says to the half-angel, "After you, then." Psyber goes ahead. Reiji follows after... Though somewhat less quickly. Without a snowboard-slash-greatsword of himself, his own descent is a little more careful. Fortunately, Reiji's legs weren't too cut up after yesterday's duel- and Psyber is opening up a nice, clean angle of descent for the rest of the group. He takes advantage of it, and wastes no time in sprinting downhill towards the Shajem Den. 

:'''{{#var:12|Mordred (12)}} has posed:'''     "Sure, sure," Mordred replies to her Abstractum, before grinning at Elliana's remark. "What, having doubts we can handle something like this? C'mon master, give me more credit than that."     But she doesn't want to waste time talking.     Instead she accelerates, to speed ahead and catch up with Psyber. Like him, she's better off on the front lines; just because she can speed around doesn't make her the best choice to block exits. The magicians are going to be way better at it. Meanwhile, Mordred is better at swording things.     No surprise there.     "Wonder how fast that bugger can even run." 

:'''{{#var:347|Abstractum.Net (347)}} has posed:'''     The Abstractum in Mordred's hand flares out, from the shortsword to the great bastard sword form it uses more directly. Massive teeth flare from the base, dripping some grim red energies in the wind. It's quite ready to strike, and intends to bite and latch on whenever it does, hopefully weighing down and slowing the Shajem while it tries to bite out chunks. 

:'''{{#var:395|Amalthea (395)}} has posed:'''     "Right, okay I guess we're off." What damage can a crippled conceptual entity do? A little rap on her gauntlet and Amalthea hops off in a rocket-powered leap with the assistance of her jump pack. "Oath tandem up or whatever and let's mosey."     Yep, she's moseying. Going to try and get a higher up view of the places the Shajem could run to and make a more informed choice of where to drop herself after things get started. 

:'''{{#var:331|Himei (331)}} has posed:'''     Well, looks like everyone is getting started. Himei sighs, giving Elliana an eye before turning and dashing off to leap off the cliff. She lets herself glide outward some distance before flipping into a dive, hurtling downward so she can get to the point of the Shajem's altitude. "Okay White Rose... let's see how rusty I am."     Not too rusty. Between recent Witch activity and Shajem fights, Himei's used her Magical Girl abilities a few times again. She shimmers into a silvery glow, then the beskirted girl flings a short peppering of small silver-white bolts toward the cliff face, enough to say 'hey I'm here and I hurt' to the Shajem. "Rose, make sure we're lined up with whatever the book and pendant are feeding us, okay?" 

:'''{{#var:598|Lezard Valeth (598)}} has posed:''' Lezard gets prompted about another containment unit, and he provides. Crystal, after all, is simply a matter of growing the proper matrices. The understanding of containment wrought by Duke Seath is simplistic and yet terrifying for its thoroughness. If the being only didn't go completely mad, he could have had a long talk with the Lordsoul bearer and perhaps have gained a greater understanding still. Oh well. He'll just have to content himself with access to the being's massive library instead. As he reminisces, he calls upon his powers of teleportation, invoking the ancient, forbiden arts to create the familiar slowly-forming circle. Once complete, another crystal, hexagonal, thin and irregular with crackling tendrils forming off of it in unusual dcurling directions, appears. It stands a couple feet tall. "I am not sure how far you will be able to transmit the energy, you may need to bring it closer to where the Shajem confrontation will be. Additionally, you will not have my assistance to stabilize the power influx this time. Be careful." Lezard warns. "I am off to spread the net!" He pronounces with glee, and hoves off with the harpy, the bird-demon screeching in the air. Lezard begins flying to one of the locations that he marked, and holds out his hands, muttering a long and complicated intonation. Purple holes open in the ground, and masses of bone begin to fly out, fusing together and condensing to form a massively thick wall of ultradense bone. Hopefully, it would take the Shajem enough time to break through such a thing that they would consider the path unviable. The process takes time, however, as he doesn't just keep Walls of Bone in his pocket. 

:'''{{#var:40|Eleanor Lamb (40)}} has posed:'''     Eleanor manages to toss a wane smile up the cliff, before she mutters about Other Elles and Too Many Elles and all of that. Ah well. She makes her way carefully, trying to keep an eye on the cliff side escape route as she goes. The others may be moving with more Gusto, but Eleanor is taking it as carefully as she can while attempting to not lag behind.     There's even a few jumps and leaps from time to time, as the Sister uses her climing pick to traverse as best she can. 

:'''{{#var:546|Nox (546)}} has posed:'''     That's all Nox really needed to hear from Elliana. Truth be told, the energy he'd gathered from the same Shajem last time is still far from an ideally usable state. Considering the amount of it there had been to grab however, he'd be a fool to pass up a second opportunity, considering that he could always find out how to refine it later, but not come back to get any after the others had already finished sealing the thing for good. He takes a look at Gishur's projections, but sees that Lezard and Adelyn have most of it under control, leaving the majority of the routes to them. He spares a passing stare towards Psyber as he leaps straight off the cliff edge, leaning over slightly to watch his sicknasty and totally radical descent for a time, before taking the much less flashy road of zapping off into nowhere.     Rather than going straight for the Shajem's lair, Nox makes a detour to the rapids winding beneath it, hovering over the furiously churning river at a decent height. Pausing for a moment to assess the tumultuous flow of water, he fires a wave of molecular decceleration magic into it with a commanding snap of his wrist, flash freezing a chunk of it from the stony floor to the frothing surface, terminating in a bristling forest of towering icy spikes to discourage attempting to leap down to the frozen section and skate away. Satisfied with his work, he rejoins the main party instantaneously, likely shortly before they make contact with the Shajem, and roughly around the same time Adelyn and Lezard are finished with their work. 

:'''{{#var:347|Abstractum.Net (347)}} has posed:'''     "I've got it!" White Rose says, fluttering briefly in an enthusiastic way. "Should be just fine!" It's honing Himei's agility and reflexes more than anything else at the moment, to make it easier for her to maneuver. Entertainingly, it can't actually effeciently boost her magical output without a lot of help, but it can do it a bit with Tandem's orders-buffs, so following Elliana's orders adds a gentle green fire to each strike, enhancing their explosiveness and spiritual "loudness" a bit. For the most part, it's just making sure Himei can KEEP UP, if this thing decides to book it. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Sliding down the cliff face - or climbing for those who do that - gets the Shajem's attention. It roars and starts to bolt outward... only to meet projectile spam from Himei. A sudden wave of utter fear pulses out from it, but the Shajem is weakened... the range is neither as great as it was before, nor the effect quite so potent. Being prepared against it, it should be possible to resist it even without special defenses, at least for a while.     Thus the weaseloid creature is turning into a plume of purple energy, darting down, to the side, and weaving about the eruption of spurs that tries to block it off. This leads it in a circular path, writhing about and keeping it in roughly the same spot for those approaching it through 'normal' means like a motorcycle down the cliffside.     The only difference from last time is that this time there really IS nowhere to run. The cliff face ripples, changed by more than just Lezard's spells. Adelyn can feel her wards strain as the creature fights back with geysers of erupting steam and flame, bursting from jagged spurs on the cliffside while it frantically seeks a way out. 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     And here's the part where everything goes wrong.     Nathan Hall is here now, at least one assumes that's him. Did anyone know he has an airship? He does, though it's a bit small, and very, very rarely used, Psyber and Himei and maybe Amalthea might recognize it from ancient activities. A small airship built by a mentor entirely out of shining gold orichalcum. This gives it a rather OBVIOUS appearance. He's rounded up Ethan Bloodstone and those Binders again, it seems, too. What goes on inside there is anyone's guess.     But how the hell did he get here!? Isn't he supposed to be wrapped up in negotiations!? And, it seems, his small craft has rounded one of the craggy mountains, and landed at the top of the cliffs, cutting off many immediate routes back up. It doesn't seem aggressive, but it's clearly an effort to use the craft to cut off escape routes for the Shajem, but unfortunately also for those in the canyon. It also puts the craft in the perfect position to see down into the canyon. It's roughly where Adelyn and others near her have stayed, if they're staying; presumably Nathan hasn't quite detected them. The others, down in the valley, though, it's easy to see them. Nox, Mordred, Himei, Lezard might be easily visible unless they get into cover fast. 

:'''{{#var:395|Amalthea (395)}} has posed:'''     That is a glorious golden airship.     Amalthea recognizes that glorious golden airship.     It is a very undignified squawk of surprise as she very QUICKLY grounds herself, landing in a tumble in some trees and rocks and stuff. 

:'''{{#var:202|Adelyn Lysen (202)}} has posed:'''     Adelyn plans on handling much of the draining herself, this time, and therefore grabs the crystal after Lezard summons it, hefting it while letting Gishur and Pure Guardian continue to float near her as hands-free grimoires.     The wards are failing, but she'll have to Lezard, and Nox if he has the time for it, reinforce the blockade. She has other priorities, the first of which is getting the the crystal in range. She doesn't have to go too far down--a quick strike to the cliff face and an earthshaping spell both hollows out and solidifies a cavity large enough for her to work in. It also causes a small explosion of dust and minor debris, but /she/ won't be visible and everyone out in the open can handle it.     "Beginning." Even though she's not visible, her magic is going to be very hard to miss. She can work more quickly, this time. The previous two attempts, first with Rage and then Cowardice, along with all the research since, have refined the process. Fewer fail-safes are necessary, and what are included should be more effective. A great deal of redundancy was proven unnecessary. Still, the spell circle that forms in shining white lines in the air is as intricate as one would expect from the head of a magic university, and there's a good chance of someone as detail-oriented as Nathan Hall recognizing it for Lysen work, once he does see it.     "Blood calls to blood." Sympathetic magic makes the link easier to form than ever. If the others can just keep it in range, her spell will dig in its hooks, and begin the siphoning process.     Given that she's gotten much better at this, it's still going to be far more difficult without the support of her fellow mages. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     Psyber reaches down and grabs the sword out from under his feet as Mordred comes to ride along with him. The half-angel instead hops up and stands on the back of her bike, taking a few moments to catch his breath. He still continues to cleave out huge swaths of spikes with his sword, trying to clear out a massive path.     Then something happens that immediately causes Psyber no small amount of duress. From the back of the bike, Psyber lifts his head to look upwards and scowls, "Fuck. Nathan's here." Of course, this is also the moment that a massive wave of fear hits Psyber, amplifying the immense amount of stress this entire arrangement was already causing him.     Wings flare out behind him and Psyber uses Mordred's speed to catch an updraft and take off, trying to curve his flight path and then fly over towards where Nathan is. With a few heavy flaps, he gets even more airtime and is gliding towards the General, trying to make it look like a routine rendevous.     If nothing else goes right, at least when the jig is up the only person in trouble will be Psyber. 

:'''{{#var:705|Reiji Arisu (705)}} has posed:'''     The wave of raw terror that washes against Reiji's psyche is a familiar one. Though this is nowhere near the same intensity as the one he was subject to weeks ago- and he's had ample time to recover since then. The exorcist dives down the slope, diverting his descent to chase after the fleeing mustelid-thing. Having all these pointy rocks all over the place makes shifting momentum pretty easy, if you know which ones to jump off of.     An arc of electric fury darts out of Reiji's arsenal as he leaps after the Shajem. A gout of flame barely misses his side, and the geyser of steam that accompanies it briefly sears at one side of his face- but he closes the distance all the same. It's about then that Nathan Hall becomes a complication.     Reiji curses under his breath as he drives Chirai down into the Shajem's flank. Lightning coruscates out from the blade, seeking the earth through the shortest available path. One that might just include the Lord of Cowardice. He was told to let Psyber handle things. And so he'll let Psyber handle things. For now, there are bigger, more immediate problems at hand. 

:'''{{#var:331|Himei (331)}} has posed:'''     Crap, Hall's here. Himei is momentarily distracted, and she barely has time to fling herself to the side, a jet of flame searing along her arm and leg. White Rose might blunt some of it, but it's enough of a painful blast to jar her out of her distraction. She has work to do. "Right, cover fire. Something not immediately obvious as me."     Her outfit flickers, and instead of white-silver bolts lancing down, something else comes. 'SPARKLING HOLY LIGHT!' Yeah, that. A searing beam of pink power blasts out, trying to cut across one side of the creature to keep it pinned down so the others can keep it busy. 

:'''{{#var:12|Mordred (12)}} has posed:'''     Mordred does not recognize Nathan's ship, and instead just goes with the "do shit faster" plan which, mostly, involves driving straight for the Shajem, with Bloody Amhar ready to strike. There won't be fancy tactics; she's here to smash faces and help beat the thing down so it's even easier to seal than it already is, so she'll get on with that.     The motorcycle's bright red exhaust lets out even more magical flames, and the Servant aims to drive by the Shajem and cut with her Abstractum's blade as she does so-- while avoiding Himei's blast, because that can probably hurt her. 

:'''{{#var:40|Eleanor Lamb (40)}} has posed:'''     And there it is. And there Nathan is. Bother. the Sister clambers a few more places along the cliff face, finds a nice firm spot to actually stand, and settles her feet. Okay, we can do this, just ignore the lethal fall three feet to your right.     The others are opening up with attacks and... calm it down. Well there's one major tool in her kit for that. She shakes out the hand with Utopia on it, and murmurs. "Let's do this." The hand sparkles for a second, before a fleshy wet noise explodes from the palm, extruding out a hefty globby ball of... something. And then she kisses it, and hurls her Hypnosis plasmid out across the field of combat, aiming for the Shajem. She's thinking really hard thoughts to Calm The Hell Down 

:'''{{#var:347|Abstractum.Net (347)}} has posed:'''     Adelyn's magics are amplified by the power feeding back her allies, through the Tandem. It's a pretty substantial boost! Gishur takes a bit of impact from the psychic wave, but besides faltering in its floating and snapping closed briefly while it locks itself up, little happens, thank goodness. She'll get a fairly substantial boost to RANGE related elements of the magic here due to the size of the group. 

:'''{{#var:598|Lezard Valeth (598)}} has posed:''' The pulse of fear coming from the Shajem strikes Lezard's mental defenses. This time, he holds fast. Familiarity is less of an issue. Emotions don't stop being emotions just because you've felt them before. Emotions are irrational, they do not obey rules or logic. It takes willpower to keep them under control and maintain stability. that, Lezard is prepared to do, even if the fear and paranoia begin clouding the edges of his mind, he grits his teeth and focuses, anger building within him as he uses another familiar emotion to try to push it away. Maybe Mordred gave him the idea somehow. Despite this, he swoops down, trying to hug closer to the cliff as he works to keep his barriers reinforced. Adelyn's wards are unfamiliar to him, but perhaps he can work to feed them power as well, helping to split his attention and keep them both operating while Adelyn moves to engage on her own terms. This, unfortunately, means he has little time for anything else. Lezard is a powerful mage, but hardly capable of unlimited feats of will. 

:'''{{#var:347|Abstractum.Net (347)}} has posed:'''     "God damn it." Adjudicator says, rather concisely. "If you intend to face the brunt of this, I approve, but I cannot help." The sword gleams brightly as it suddenly jumps back to Psyber's hand as he takes off. 

:'''{{#var:347|Abstractum.Net (347)}} has posed:'''     The wings are useful, because the rapidly flapping stems and thorns are a good thing to interpose between flame and Himei. Very suddenly, they slip between her and the fire, searing holes in them that make her flight a bit unsteady but preventing all damage to Himei herself. 

:'''{{#var:347|Abstractum.Net (347)}} has posed:'''     The blade in Mordred's hand splits wide down its length, turning into a jaw that can extend many feet wide; the slice Mordred goes for will attempt to SNAG the great beast, trying to use the weight of Mordred and her bike to slow it down, make an easier target, and eventually pin it. Well, no, that's a lie, those are all convenient side effects. It's actually trying to bite a chunk out of the Shajem and eat it. 

:'''{{#var:546|Nox (546)}} has posed:'''     With Adelyn taking care of the siphoning this time, Nox is able to lend the task at hand his full concentration, and thankfully, keep a considerable distance from the Shajem rather than having to be in close proximity this time. As a result, the wave of fear is well diminished by the time it reaches him, requiring only a moment to shake off. He is well familiar with the effects of a Shajem on one's mind after the bout with the Lord of Rage, and thus he is both well prepared, and determined not to fall for the same thing again.     The Xelor winks in and out of existence a few times to dodge the stray blasts of flame that come his way, maintaining a respectable gap between himself and the enemy to provide ample time to react. Once it falls into a predictable loop, he summons his sword, Aiguille, to hand, flipping his grip on it, cocking it back over his head, and then hurling it like a javelin, plunging the blade into the approximate center of the Lord of Cowardice's frenzied circuit. Using the Xelor relic as a relay for his own power, Nox lets off a concentrated burst of temporal stagnation into the surrounding area, washing over the rocks with a quiet, electronic hum, hoping to catch the Shajem into the wave where it will suddenly have to compete with an overwhelmingly powerful pull on its timeline, stretching it from both ends to make every movement take place over a much longer timespan. 

:'''{{#var:347|Abstractum.Net (347)}} has posed:'''     "Focus on what you can do. Let those around you bear their burdens if they can." Utopia says, trying to gently encourage. Alongside that, it glows a soft blue, before flaring up as the Hypnosis bio-construct is hurled. It's tried to add a healthy dose of its own CALMING influence, and speaking of that, seems to be resisting the pulse particularly well. 

:'''{{#var:347|Abstractum.Net (347)}} has posed:'''     Ironclad Oath, on demand after Amalthea lands, flares a deeper red, the bracer now saturating her body with the glow that sinks in deep below the plates. Pain becomes a numb, distant sensation, like something that happens to someone else entirely. Her endurance receives a hefty boost. 

:'''{{#var:395|Amalthea (395)}} has posed:'''     It takes Amalthea a second to disentangle herself from the myriad leafy greens of her impromptu landing. But there's no time to waste with Nathan on site now. Which means this has to be done. It has to be done fast. A steadying breath and she lets that distant sensation of her sensory perception dampening pain sensations to suit her needs.     A flex of her fingers serves as wordless thanks to her Abstractum as she hoists her shield. So long as Psyber keeps Nathan's attention and they work fast, this can be done without him figuring out a thing.     She hopes it can, anyway.     That might be why the sudden muffled krump of her charge launches her in a straight blitz. Amid pink light, drive by cuttings, and the wards, Amalthea's means are about as direct as one can get.     Because it's with the force and speed of a bus that she aims to slam herself down on top of the weasloid beast, shoving herself at it before she can let herself be persuaded off by the muted fear aura and...     She tries to fucking rocket tackle the thing and pin, ignoring the creaking groan of armor and body protesting at the ensuing abuse that will no doubt follow. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     With Nathan coming in, Elliana curses slightly and then focuses more on the task at hand. She'll need to.     The Shajem flails about, letting out a shriek of pain now. Mordred's blade sinks deep into it, and clamps on to keep it from twisting away. Thsi is somewhat helped by the fact that the pink laser blasting across the top clips its tail, and Himei's attacks are indeed very painful. It's thus left almost defenseless when Reiji opens up its side, gouts of crackling energy escaping.     This leaves the others to do their thing. Eleanor, in the midst of all this, manages to distract the Shajem with her attempts, and thus it's revealed just how weakened this being is by how swiftly the temporal distortion from Nox locks it down, pinning it in place for the others to get a clear shot.     A very clear shot, as the drain begins to siphon off its energy, and Amalthea pins it down with a twisting, hissing display of anger and fear. Mostly the latter. The Shajem's power is rapidly bleeding off, though... there's still a lot of it compared to just anything else in this world, but it's been crippled badly. Only some of it remains, and it has regenerated a small portion already... just not enough.     That's when the shining lance of light erupts from the cliff face, starting to curl over the creature, wrapping portions around it before vanishing, leaving it notably weakened. Elliana is attempting a Seal. 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     "Stay here. There's someone down there." Nathan says, simply, to Ethan, before emerging from the ship at the side, moving down the steps at a quick clip. He was shielded from the pulse by a wall of fancy solar metals, but he won't be shielded from subsequent ones. He's hearing familiar shouted magical girl attacks, from below. He comes to the edge of the cliff, able to see it, just where Psyber will likely land, his expression blank and completely stoic despite seeing obvious signs of the collusion. He won't look up at Psyber yet, though he will recognize the angel ascending. 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     "You were already here." Is the first thing Nathan says, to Psyber. The next is, "Why are you here?" He glances to Himei and Amalthea's end of things, not quite seeing Eleanor's less flashy stuff. "Why are they here?" And then he's turning his gaze to Lezard and his barriers, Nox's big energy blasts, and Mordred's high-scale sword attacks, all of whom are recognized very distinctly. Adelyn and Elliana aren't, but he has enough data. "Why are /they/ here?" 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     Psyber lands next to Nathan and his wings vanish, looking at the General and saying, "I'm already here because I needed to salvage this mission, and I ordered the others to help me do so," He openly covers, taking sole responsibiluity, "They're here because it's for the good of all Terra Majora. You just can't see past your own locked-in viewpoint to realize that this isn't a problem that can be solved without both factions cooperating." 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     "You weren't supposed to be here at all, frankly. You were supposed to be fixing your engagement," Psyber adds, his hands in his pockets, staring at Nathan, "I'm sorry you had to find out this way." 

:'''{{#var:202|Adelyn Lysen (202)}} has posed:'''     Given the range at which she's operating, Adelyn suffers only minor effects from the Shajem's emotion-manipulation. It's there, and she has relatively few defenses against it, but her will is sufficient. It helps that she's pushed into a hole in the wall from which she few visible stimuli. This is the kind of place someone might run to, if overcome with fear.     Soon enough, even those effects pass, letting Adelyn focus entirely on her work. This is good, since the base difficulty of the task is by far increased. She's pulling the energy out, filtering it through her spellwork to avoid it bleeding off in all directions, and finally directing it into the crystal container.     As Elliana knows her plan, she trusts that there will be no overt interference, as there was last time. This, at least, lets her continue at a measured pace, though she is still motivated to take as much energy as she can, before either the seal is completed or Nathan bypasses Psyber. Per her earlier warning, she'll stop when she feels a point of odd resistance, and then direct her magical senses--with Gishur's help--to determining whether there is anything left to drain. 

:'''{{#var:40|Eleanor Lamb (40)}} has posed:'''     Elenaor smiles a bit as she manages to 'subdue-ish' the Fear Demon, but she isn't about to give up just yet. She pulls out the climbing pick again, and starts making moves closer to the others now. She's got to get in and help support. Psyber's orders.     She hooks and jumps up to close in, before reaching the solid ground that Amalthea just pasted the Shajem into. A glance around and up to Elliana, before she's shaking out her hands, and thinking the Shajem frozen, a blast of cryokinesis seeking to plaster it to the dirt under the Robot Unicorn. 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     Nathan continues to not look up. He remains sickly and run-ragged enough that his pale face isn't much visible under the bangs that have grown a bit haphazard recently, and for some reason there's a bit too much glare to see the eyes. "She is draining away more of the Shajem energies." He says. Then his fists ball up a bit. "Despite your best efforts at reveling in the humiliation of the trap Lady Fairchild insisted on springing, I did manage to find the time. A spare eight hours to do what one will does wonders." 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     Nathan remains, essentially, motionless. "You have specifically violated each of my explicitly stated interests in the name of what is best for Terra Majora. What is 'best for Terra Majora' involves handing the copious quantities of power to those who bring chaos and destruction to avoid making a phone call? Is that truly what you believe and intend to act on?" 

:'''{{#var:705|Reiji Arisu (705)}} has posed:'''     This creature is significantly less powerful than it was the last time. Reiji leaps away from the Shajem just as Himei's magical assault strikes home. Dust scatters in his wake as he digs a narrow trench in the ground with the steel tips of his boots. Provided nothing goes wrong, this should be no problem at all. ...Provided nothing goes wrong. Unfortunately things have already gone very, very wrong. Whatever might happen, they need to keep up the pressure. Pressure is something Reiji's fighting style is tremendously effective at maintaining.     Reiji sheathes his wakizashi once more, and grabs hold of his shotgun instead. He fires it once, filling the space around the Shajem with enchanted fletchette bolts. He then... hurls it into the air and lunges forward, this time drawing both of his swords at once. The mobile arsenal is left behind.      Fire and lightning dance in energetic arcs around the exorcist as he leaps once more for the weakening creature. Karin is swung first. Its flames catch the shrapnel unleashed by Hollywood's earlier blast, consuming them and burning brighter for it. Chirai is next, lightning arcing through the super-heated air, transforming the plumes of fire into clouds of energized plasma.     He kicks away from the creature, hurling his two swords back towards the arsenal, and catches Hollywood in mid-flight. Gold is drawn to join it. He takes aim, squares his jaw, and pulls both triggers. Enchanted fletchettes and hardened slugs of magical metal are fired into the electric chaos and the Shajem within. The recoil sends him sailing back towards his arsenal. He lands, holstering both guns and collecting his blades. His right hand hovers near their hilts as he prepares for whatever might come next. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     Psyber doesn't look much better than Nathan, but nominally so due to superhuman physique, "Her draining a small amount is part of the agreement to sealing Shajems. Part of what I had to broker after you lost sight of what it actually meant to lead this for the good of everyone." Psyber notes in a tired tone. His hand reflexively goes to his jacket, taking out his flask. Not open yet, but holding it. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     "You claim that I violated your interests, but what about you, Nathan?" Psyber notes, unscrewing the cap on his flask. He takes a sip, "You broke down a cross-factional agreement without even asking them for clarification. You accused the Confederates of lying while you deceived us all. I did what I had to to salvage operations on this world." 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     Psyber spreads his arms out a bit, "So what do you want me to say here, Nathan?" He points out over the valley, "Unionites and Confederates, reaching an agreement to seal a Shajem for the good of Terra Majora. Something that would have been impossible had you been here, because you simply would not have allowed any compromise." He thrusts a finger at Nathan, "You don't care about Terra Majora. You don't care about helping people. You care about BEATING Elliana. You don't even want to WIN, you just want her to LOSE and you don't care how you get it." 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     Nathan Hall is completely silent. But after a brief pause, there's a strange sparking noise from his body. "I told you that I regretted that secrecy now." He says. He still won't look at Psyber. "I told you why. And I told you I would not, again. I trusted that you would be on my side, trusted you when we talked about how to approach this now. I had intended to go to see this in secret. But I tried to tell myself things would be different if I was honest one more time." 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     The sparking noises get a little more intense and repeated from Nathan. "But this. This is how you care about Terra Majora? She has murdered and killed and deceived and lied all her life, killing hundreds to get her way, and you /care/ about Terra Majora by letting her, helping her, do it /more/?" There's actually a few flickering, uncontrolled arcs of electricity. He trembles a bit, as if nauseous. 

:'''{{#var:331|Himei (331)}} has posed:'''     Himei has no idea if she's been recognized. Using her pink version was in the hopes of Nathan not recognizing her. But now that Psyber is talking to Nathan, she might as well use her full power. White light lances out again, blasting down any time the weasel-like Shajem tries to struggle free from Amalthea's grip. "How long until the Sealing is done?" She knows Elliana can work fast or slow depending on what she's doing, but has no idea what the criteria are. 

:'''{{#var:546|Nox (546)}} has posed:'''     With holding the Shajem still in time and space, Nox's attention is more or less monopolized by the task at hand. The number of melee fighters swarming around the Lord of Cowardice are difficult to work around, requiring him to selectively omit them from the localized temporal distortion as an utterly thankless task. Diverting some of his remaining focus, he selectively targets and accelerates the workings of Adelyn's power siphoning spell, increasing its cycling rate to speed up the flow of energy leaving its target. Altogether it's not especially flashy. He looks like he's just hovering there and staring, both arms outstretched as his magic works entirely invisibly. Only once Psyber flies off does he distract himself as much as he can afford, only then catching sight of the ostentatious airship. The eyes of his mask narrow, immediately sensing the general tone of this event. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     "And I believe you regretted that secrecy. But for me to salvage this, for me to get a cooperative effort going with the Confederates, deals had to be made," Psyber says to Nathan very seriously, "You apologized to me. But what about them? What about the Confederates? Where was their apology for you walking in there with a secret plan?" Psyber knocks back another sip of his flask, "For cross-factional collaberation to occur, your exclusion was necessary." 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     "And this..." Psyber looks tired. So tired. Exhausted as Nathan launches into a tirade about Elliana, "All of her life is hyperbolic and you know it. She was once a girl who was betrayed. In response, she shut herself off and did what she had to in order to adapt. It was more extreme, but didn't you do the same in response to her?" Psyber rubs his face with his palm, not seeming mad so much as weary, "I'm not HELPING her kill people. I'm helping seal the Shajem. I'm helping study the Shajem. I'm ACTUALLY trying to learn how to fix this place." 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     The trembling from Nathan gets a little more intense. He looks very sick. There's a soft, flickering purple fire that gently slips from his mouth like blood from someone suffering the ill effects of internal wounding. There's a very gentle rumble. "I am /nothing/ like her." He says, with the first bit of emotion in his voice. His teeth are gritted when he finally does look at Psyber, though his eyes still can't be seen. 

:'''{{#var:598|Lezard Valeth (598)}} has posed:''' As much as Lezard finds the confrontation between Nathan and Psyber interesting, he's occupied dealing with closing in the net. Every moment, he works on shrinking the potential movements of the Shajem, trying to reduce its movement potential even if it somehow breaks free. He takes his lockdowns very seriously, sir and/or madam. The arrival of the Seal is good. It means he won't have long to go. Hopefully, everything continues to go well at this rate. Well... Well for a given definition of the term. Psyber's got problems. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     "No, Nathan. You're EVERYTHING like her," Psyber takes an opposite stance to Nathan. If Nathan wants to be quiet, Psyber will opt to shout. But he'll do so through a hand over his face. He tosses his flask and then rubs his hand downward across his face, "And I think that scares you. That you KNOW if you were just ONE degree to the left, you'd be Elliana. Your origin story, all this power and prestige you've built, you got it on the back of her betrayal." 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     "No one saved you from the slums when you were there, just like her. And for that, I will NEVER stop apologizing. But because of it, you grabbed your bootstraps and you adapted," He thrusts a finger at Nathan, "Whatever it took just so you'd feel whole again. So you'd feel like you could LIVE. Yours was an emotional gutter, hers was a physical one. That's the ONLY difference." 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     "I fucking failed you as a friend in that much. We all did. We were so focused on our petty revenge that we didn't notice you clammed up and internalized it all. You have actual victim's trauma," Psyber continues to drill into Nathan, "But you're an Elite. You live in the Multiverse. So a gun didn't cut it. You got god powers. You got Exalt powers. You got... Hastur's powers. Anything so you could feel safe. This isn't about Elliana, Nathan. It's about YOU and YOUR traumas. You NEED a demon because you've made it define you. But you're chasing a white whale and it will drag you under." 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     "Is this really who you want to be, Nathan?" Psyber rants at the librarian, "Instead of 'Nathan the Librarian', 'Nathan the General', 'Nathan the HUSBAND', you want to be 'Nathan the Victim'. You have built so much into this chase towards stopping her that you lost perspective. You miss the forest for the trees. I could sit here and throw cliches at you all day, but the point is still the same. You NEED Elliana to be your monster because you're scared of letting that go and finding you have nothing left." 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     "And now look what your hatred has made me do," Psyber spreads his arms out as if presenting the entire scenario to Nathan, "You always said that you'd get stopped if you went too far. That someone would step in against you if you crossed the line into unreasonability." Psyber seems to make a gesture as if presenting the operation below once more, "Here we fucking are, Nathan. I have betrayed an organization I believed in for 8 and a half years. I could be up on the block for TREASON. And I did so because you forced this as the only outcome." 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     Then there's a gentle quiet, broken only by the rumbling. Nathan goes back to looking down at the events going on. Odd lines of yellow are flickering around his arms. The rumbling grows a bit more intense. Cracks in the earth form under his feet. He doesn't seem to want to acknowledge what Psyber said, and he tries to push on. Softly, but tersely, he whispers as an attempt to disguise the emotion in his voice. It's... Not anger. It's something else that doesn't seem to fit entirely, it seems disjointed. "You didn't answer the question I asked you." 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     There's... not much fight left in the Shajem. Reiji and Mordred pounding it while it's down, and Himei pinning it down with cover fire... in its weakened state, the fight is pretty short. These are all some pretty powerful hits, and it's now wailing and sending out flashes of fear, trying to sink its hooks into anyone's mind and forcing them to recall their greatest fears. It's pretty clumsy in doing it though... it's just too weak, with its power being siphoned out. It's likely that not ALL of it will be taken, but Adelyn, on the lookout for that, can sense some of it is getting pretty 'thick' now. Lezard is getting less than before as well, as it runs out.     This wasn't a bad job, nope. Nox cuts off its last escape route, even if it could squirm fully free of Amalthea's grip, so it finally gives up and quiets down, allowing the numerous 'ropes' of light to drag it down into the cliff surface itself. There remains the question of just where Elliana is sealing it, but it does look like it's vanishing away at last, as the fear effect fades rapidly. 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     Nathan hunches over a bit, as if even more nauseated, holding a hand to his mouth. A cyan and yellow light dribbles out, dissipating as it falls. He breathes a bit heavily. Is this the Shajem's last pulse of fear? It's something, at least. "Is this what you'll continue to do? Help her? You, and the others?" He doesn't even seem to acknowledge the idea that Psyber could be up on the block, or that he'd be accused of treason in the first place. The arcs of electricity grow even more intense though. A gentle puple flame is beginning to form on him. The rumbling is getting more substantial. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     In response to the flares of energy and the lines going over Nathan's arm, Psyber appears to be preparing in kind. His arms move slowly and he slips them out of his coat to the t-shirt underneath. It's not so dramatic as Nathan flaring and churning with his powers, but if he and Nathan got into a slugfest, he doesn't want the coat in his way, "Which question? About how if this is how I'm going to help Terra Majora? Yeah, it is, Nathan." 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     "And, if you force me to choose, I will choose to help Elliana for so long as I believe she is doing what is right for the world. I will act as I always have, opposing her when she's wrong and cooperating when she's right. Can YOU say the same? I notice you don't have much of a response to my other statement, Nathan," Psyber says, his hands curling into fists in kind as he glares at the General, "Another man's evil does not make you good, Nathan. You've gone off the rails, so of course it fell to me to move to counter that where I could." 

:'''{{#var:40|Eleanor Lamb (40)}} has posed:'''     Well, that's mostly handled now. The Shajem anyways.     Eleanor, however, is now focused with precision on the mounting... situation... between her two Bosses. She carefully hefts that climbing pick, the head subtlely crusting with frost. She's wishing this will turn out... alright.     It will not. 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     Nathan's head bows, His face his hidden when he turns from Psyber. The rumbling, the fire, the flickering, the electricity, the light, all come to a head immediately in a singular moment. There's a massive burst. Wind and water and ice, diabolical fire, roiling earth. The statement that he, and the others presumably, will choose Elliana, his him. He seems to double over from something, as this spills out of him in a completely uncontrolled way.     And then it terminates with a single flash at his face.     There's a sharp crack of glass fracturing. 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     "Fine." Nathan says, simply, standing back up. There's no more weird displays of magic. "I give up." 

:'''{{#var:598|Lezard Valeth (598)}} has posed:''' The Shajem has given up. Lezard doesn't see a need to maintain his defenses any longer, especially as the conflict between Psyber and Nathan have come to a head. He quickly begins to enact another teleportation, preparing to remove the crystal from danger. And then there is that surge of power. Lezard's eyes widen in a crackle of genuine fear as he feels the sudden power spike, and he turns to look in the direction of Nathan. The sudden change causes Lezard to watch Nathan carefully. He is quiet, considering the situation... And he nods, turning away. A teleportation ring begins forming under him as well as the crystal. It will be better if he is not here, he thinks. 

:'''{{#var:395|Amalthea (395)}} has posed:'''     Thwump. This is the sound of Amalthea hitting the ground after wrestling the Shajem down like a WWE pro, once the thing is bound down for sealing. A hisssss of steam from angry joints and her gaze silently turns up to the airship. 

:'''{{#var:202|Adelyn Lysen (202)}} has posed:'''     A very minor ward is holding up the tiny hollow in which Adelyn is working, just to keep the cliff from destabilizing. It's not made to stand up to any real attack, but it's enough to feel the first sense of something happening above her. Something is damaging the ground, and that puts her present position at risk. She may be fine, but the crystal constitutes delicate, experimental equipment.     Elliana hadn't defined precisely what it would feel like to be pulling at the last of the Shajem's essence, and she has to make a guess. Blind guessing is less acceptable when multiple guesses won't be allowed, and she therefore proceeds on the cautious side, cutting off the draining effect and completing the sealing of what energy she's gained, with Nox's assistance, into the container.     With a concerned frown and some unvoiced resentment for unreasonable individuals, she firmly seals up the crystal itself in another ward, making it safe enough to grab and leap out into open air. She falls for a moment before the wind catches her, lifting her up in a rustle of robes. Lezard's position is her destination, but this will have to be a by-hand send-off to be safe.     This is the moment at which Nathan, unseen from the direction she's facing, explodes. She can't possibly frown any more deeply, but the effects have not reached her defenses. She's not going to wait to see if anything else happens, nor to turn and watch--that would be irrational, as she is already moving further away.     Assuming Lezard has his a hand free for it, she passes the item off to him. Only then does she look up the cliff face. "Analysis? Uncertain. Too many moving pieces. Cessation?" She's muttering. 

:'''{{#var:705|Reiji Arisu (705)}} has posed:'''     Reiji waits and holds for a counterattack that never comes. Not physically. It tries to claw at his emotions again- tries to dredge up the greatest of his fears. But he knows She is strong. Strong enough to take care of herself. No matter how much this Dark God is trying to make him think otherwise.      Fortunately, the creature is contained before it can take hold. The Shajem is weakened, bound and is thus no longer a threat. What is happening overhead, however, just might be.     The exorcist frowns as he turns his eyes to the sky. Magical energies of all kinds erupt overhead-- and then abruptly cease. "What," he murmurs, "The hell is even going on up there?" 

:'''{{#var:40|Eleanor Lamb (40)}} has posed:'''     Eleanor looks over at Reiji, and murmurs. "Mr Hall is confronting himself. There is a lot to confront." 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     Psyber immediately jumps back as magic flares out, his hands coming up into a fighter's stance before the swirls and then watches it come right back in towards Nathan before he can react. When the man states that he gives up as he stands to his feet, Psyber tiredly spreads his arms and says, "The armies separated; and, it is said, Pyrrhus replied to one that gave him joy of his victory that one other such victory would utterly undo him," The half-angel sighs tiredly and then just... looks at Nathan, "I'm sorry. This isn't ever what I wanted. Not to hurt you or anyone. I doubt you'll believe me, Nathan, but I'm so sorry and... this is the farthest thing from what I wanted." 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     "All those times you just thought I was screaming at you overher on the radio, all the times you said you just wanted me to stop? You may not get it, Nate, but... I was trying my best to stop this very moment. Maybe two years ago, three years ago, if I was like I am now I could have stopped this," The half-angel moves both hands to his face and rubs it tiredly. He takes a long moment, "I can't debate like you. Or talk like you. Or negotiate like you. Any of that. But every time we came at eachother, I just wanted to resolve it with some finality, and I always made it worse." 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     "So," Psyber finishes, picking up his jacket, "I never wanted this victory. Not like this. I don't even call it a victory, because you're clearly not alright if you're blasting yourself in the face with magic." 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     "My apologies." Nathan says, simply. "I had a brief moment of difficulty. It has passed. I believe you. This is only because there is simply one thing you were wrong about." Nathan says. He turns back to Psyber. There's a mess of hairline cracks in the right lens of his glasses now, giving the eye a strange, unearthly appearance. "I am not able to hurt my friends like she is to get what I think is right. Tell her that I surrender. She can continue the Binding as it is. Or, if she will have it, I will offer my help, and the Binders I brought with me will likely follow, to restore the roaming Negotiation. The Confederates may take their prize. I will offer the alternate binding, and she may reject it if she chooses. I will comply with the negotiated terms." 

:'''{{#var:546|Nox (546)}} has posed:'''     It's a good thing the Shajem is handled when it is. Even in its severely weakened state, the effort of restraining it was significantly taxing, and Nox won't reap the spoils of this particular harvest for some time. More importantly, it frees up his attention just as the first flickers of power bleed from Nathan Hall, drawing his full and immediate focus. He knows exceedingly little about the Union's general, and only slightly more about his closest friend, and so the true nuance of their confrontation is lost on him, but the Xelor cannot possibly fail to notice the steadily escalating flood of raw energy that pours fourth from the Librarian in mounting waves; incredible puissance where there was absolutely nothing before. This of course, makes several kinds of priority lists at once, completely flipping Nox's opinion of the previously worthlessly unremarkable general, and predictably, getting all kinds of mental and literal gears turning. Though the brief conflict between Psyber and Nathan resolves without violence, he has plenty to think on. 

:'''{{#var:40|Eleanor Lamb (40)}} has posed:'''     The quiet now... Eleanor just looks up at Psyber and Nathan.     It is not a quiet she trusts. Not out of Psyber or out of Nathan. That sort of anger, pain, it doesn't just flit out of existance. Not even in the slightest.     There's a twitch of her lips, and Eleanor's fingers find her cell phone. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     "I don't think she can do that any more, Nathan," Psyber says to the man in a tired tone. The half-angel heaves a massive sigh as he stares at Nathan for a while. He turns away from the man and says, "For whatever you care, I really am sorry."     Picking up his coat and throwing it back around his shoulders, the half-angel stares at the ground for a long period of time, "Some day you'll understand a number of mitigating circumstances to what happened today. When that day comes, it will be okay if you choose to hate me," He says quietly.     "I also claim sole responsibility for all acts of treason, insubordination, or criminal content as the commanding officer. What is your call, General Hall?" Psyber asks with finality, his back still to the General. 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     "I believe that you regret this." That part is whispered. "My call?" Nathan says, turning away from the canyon and looking back to Psyber. Only the fractured eye is visible from this angle. "What do I have to make a call about?" He tilts his head. "The treason? I told you. I am not capable of hurting my friends for what I think is right." He makes a plaintive sort of gesture with both hands, and speaks what is simultaneously the best and worst thing that could be said at the moment:     "Choose your own punishment." 

:'''{{#var:202|Adelyn Lysen (202)}} has posed:'''     To Adelyn, Nathan's words are unsurprising. It was his control over his powers, and not his conclusions, over which she was uncertain. He's made the only rational choice. For the moment, of course. It's not as if she trusts him, and she therefore maintains a healthy paranoia over his future plans. For *now*, he has no reasonable course but to comply.     That he was previously irrational even in the short-term is something of which she's aware, but it's somewhat difficult for her to factor in. Understanding explicitly irrational behavior is both difficult and uncomfortable.     Her attention turns toward the Shajem, or what's left of it to bind. She can provide no assistance with that particular task, but trusts that Elliana is fully capable of handling it, with or without the assistance of the group Nathan has brought. What she can help with is providing a location that is somewhat less open to view, and the elements. Fortunately, there is a cliff face right here. It's already reasonably inaccessible to reach. If it's just to hide the thing--well, someone else may have to build on her work, but she'll do what she can in a short timeframe.     Earth-shaping comes naturally enough to an enchanter of her aptitude, thanks to the necessary affinities of Realm magic. Spell-circles flare disappear, rotate and reconfigure, and stone and earth respond. A narrow, hidden cave should suffice, she thinks, to camouflage the location, disguised as a naturally irregular portion of the cliff.     At the least, the incomplete binding Nathan performed has brought all of this to a location that most would fear to approach, in the first place. 

:'''{{#var:331|Himei (331)}} has posed:'''     Himei sees the Binding is taking, and finally she lands nearby where Nathan and Psyber are confronting one another. She can speak, if she wants, but she's going to leave it in Psyber's hands for now. This is something that they've been building up, she'd be doing little good if she interfered. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     "Like I said, I don't expect you to believe me," Psyber murmurs back in response. The half-angel lets out a tired sort of... defeated noise when Nathan plays the card of letting him pick his own punishment.     "My own punishment?" Psyber asks, his mind flicking over any number of possibilities. The Brig would just take him off the front lines and detriment the Union efforts. He already does enough community service. He's genuinely lost in this moment and lets out a slow exhale, "Shit. I dunno, I'll figure something out."     "Failing anything else, I'll just step into a General position on the council or something as my punishment."     It's a joke, but it's a weak one. Mostly because he has no actual punishment he can give himself. 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     "Unacceptable." Nathan says, remaining stoic-faced. "The Union does not permit cruel and unusual punishment, even in a court-martial situation. You will need to find something else." He hasn't missed a single beat there. Though there's something... Off about how he gets back into his first joke in months. Something wrong. It's off.     Hmmm. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     Despite them exchanging a brief joke, Psyber can still feel something off in the entire arrangement. It's as if the half-angel, on some level, knows that he didn't so much convince Nathan he was right as much as he just bullied Nathan until he finally broke to avoid conflict.     "I'll figure out a punishment later. I'll see you at home."     He thrusts his hands into the pockets of his coat and then starts walking off. 

}}

1906/Finish the Fight

2015-04-22T06:06:39Z

Blue Elf: Created page with "{{Log Header |Date of Scene=2015/03/29 |Location=Terra Majora |Synopsis=The Union and Confederacy make a push to finally seal the Lord of Famine for good. |Thanks= |Cast of Ch..."

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2015/03/29
|Location=Terra Majora
|Synopsis=The Union and Confederacy make a push to finally seal the Lord of Famine for good.
|Thanks=
|Cast of Characters=12, 40, 92, 168, 202, 253, 331, 347, 395, 546, 598, 705
|Tinyplot=New Blood
|Tinyplot2=
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Tracking the Shajem of Cowardice was... harder than expected. Not exactly difficult, given the resources at the disposal of the Union and Confederacy, but pinning it down to one place long enough to respond and gather forces was trickier. Predictably, it finally lingered at an appropriate place that would be called something like 'The Cliffs of Doomed Peril' in many fantasy-esque worlds. They're a jagged collection of cliffs and mountains that resemble a fractured bone, crags full of danger and treacherous footing, not to mention the odd Twisted being. They overlook a roaring torrential set of rapids below, with a broken and craggy set of crocks making up the nearby shore until it lifts into more mountains that are less treacherous.     This being Terra Majora, the location is known as The White Cliffs Of Morning's Breath     The Shajem has stopped for now, and is 'roosting' in the cliffs. The edges of said cliffs are dangerous enough that a large airship would be hard to navigate through, though a small one could do so. Unfortunately, there weren't many places to land. That leaves landing some distance away and coming up or down river on foot or by personal flight, or landing atop the cliffs and going down the cliff face, as the most viable options.     Elliana parked the Drasillum /quite/ a distance away, and has chosen to approach on foot, leaving Veryx to guard the Drasillum. Of course, 'on foot' means she's actually flying low along the ground, and she has no doubt that Mordred can keep up. She's selected a meetup sight somewhat close, atop the cliffs, in case the Union want any last-minute plan revisions. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     The last time Psyber met Elliana in a cliff-side location, he got nearly sacrificed to a dark ritual. Let's see if today goes any better?     The half-angel is here and ready for the meeting. For the most part, he's dressed per normal though the 1911 he usually carries holstered at his side has been replaced by a different gun since he lost that yesterday. He's also limping a little bit on his left leg, but it's barely noticable.     At the side opposite the gun, Sovereign is here and is in its sheath. While he dislikes the sword in principle, he's not so outraged as to overlook its tactical usefulness. Mostly, though, he's waiting.     Well, that and occasionally taking a hit from a flask in his right hand. 

:'''{{#var:395|Amalthea (395)}} has posed:'''     Amalthea has just been missing all the fun hasn't she?     Well not this time. At the meeting point, at Psyber's side, by now the familiar sight of heavy silver armor, scarlet cloak, and pride parade rainbow mane, means Amalthea has been assed to come along, after like a week or two of being a silent hermit in her basement.     Of course she's just as armed to the teeth as Psyber, is, but most of her equipment is hidden out of sight under that heavy cloak.     "That leg's looking worse for wear." She idly notes to Psyber, "Want a pickup, or you just gonna walk it off, like normal?" 

:'''{{#var:705|Reiji Arisu (705)}} has posed:'''     Fortunately, Psyber isn't exactly here alone. Unless Elliana intends for everyone present to be sacrificed to some horrible dark god, things should go rather nicely. Nevermind that 'going nicely' is entirely reliant on the mood and peculiarities of a dark god. These ones don't seem to be the type to demand ritual sacrifice, though.     Reiji stands nearby, waiting. He's packing his usual aresenal today, but there are a noticable number of bandages wrapped around one shoulder, and the exposed sections of his arms. While he waits, he slowly stretches his neck to one side. Multiversal healing is pretty impressive, but it still leaves a few muscles stiff sometimes, it seems. At least he's not the only one going into this with a few cuts and bruises. "He should be fine," Reiji says with a shrug. "I imagine it's not the first time he's gone into one of these things with a couple aches and pains." 

:'''{{#var:202|Adelyn Lysen (202)}} has posed:'''     Adelyn could have tried bringing a small airship, but that would still have brought up the problem of it being far from stealthy. Given the prey they're tracking, she's opted for not being at the front of the party. Instead, she'll be working on the 'tracking' part of all this--following Lezard's original suggestion, she's using a sample of the Shajem and spells based in sympathetic magic to home in on its location. She's a rather patient hunter, so long as they keep getting closer, but has grown increasingly, if mildly, irate at the unexpected difficulty of getting the target to remain still.     Once parked, she heads out with Elliana, 'on foot' in much the same manner as she is, and as armed and--not really armored, but wearing defensive enchanted items--as their last encounter. Walking is for magicless peasants. 

:'''{{#var:331|Himei (331)}} has posed:'''     Himei has no trouble with walking, but screw that. She brought... a bicycle. Because why not? It's a cheap one, probably not intended to be brought /back/ now, since she'll be flying the rest of the way to the Shajem after covering any last minute plans... and she thinks they may need them. Nodding to the others as they arrive, she's staring at the cliffside thoughtfully.     "I guess it would have been too much to ask for him to hang out someplace easy to reach," she grumbles. "Oh well. Hopefully we have enough magical support that we can fly down and snag him and be done with this." 

:'''{{#var:12|Mordred (12)}} has posed:'''     Mordred is keeping up with Elliana... via motorcycle. As expected, whatever was once a normal modern world bike is silver and red steel reinforced now, the exhaust letting out blood red mana in its wake. Given the terrain, this might mean she has to take side paths or force the vehicle to do things it is wildly not designed for, but that's why she's pouring her magic into it to begin with.     She's not armored yet, actually enjoying the wind instead, with that cool jacket, tube top and jeans on. 

:'''{{#var:347|Abstractum.Net (347)}} has posed:'''     Brilliant Dawn is rather casual about these things. Despite the whole "being lit on fire" part of one of those last ones, the little pendant is quite casually accepting of the schemes Elliana leaves unspoken to it. "Hmmmm. It's less contained than it was before now, it might be able to flee. Would you like me to start tactical assessments and map for likely retreat routes? Or do you have some idea of how we'll calm it down?" There's a brief delay. "Are we planning on taking the rest of its power?" It seems a little... Encouraging of the idea. Or at least encouraging of considering it. 

:'''{{#var:40|Eleanor Lamb (40)}} has posed:'''     Eleanor likewise is here with Psyber, carrying her 'loaded for bear' gear. There's an uneasy look at the cliffside though. Flying is not something she's all that good at, being unable to fly herself. Also feet should have ground underneath them at a point where it's safe to let go. She'd much prefer this Thing being in a lake.     At least she's got teammates here for this. "Bother. I don't think I brought any cdecent climbing gear for this." She sticks an arm into her medic's back fishing around. 

:'''{{#var:347|Abstractum.Net (347)}} has posed:'''     Adjudicator is around Psyber's hand. Quietly, it's counting out something, every so often, whispering it to Psyber. But aside from that, it does speak more openly. "With a third of its power remaining, I doubt we will need to act in our traditional capacity. I will remain on standby, but it would be rude for me to keep the Strike Drivers active for now. We should look as harmless as possible as long as we can." 

:'''{{#var:347|Abstractum.Net (347)}} has posed:'''     Meanwhile Ironclad Oath rumbles gently. "He will continue, as is his duty. He can do little else. I have the feeling he is the sort to reject the help, though." There's an incredulous look up. "Be prepared. I have heard that the Shajem is prone to violence, like any scared animal. It may be more comfortable now, but that is still a possibility. Give signal, as soon as you need me, I am prepared. Until then, I'll look the least threatening I can." 

:'''{{#var:347|Abstractum.Net (347)}} has posed:'''     The smug grimoire that floats around Adelyn occasionally is as helpful as ever, in as know-it-all a way as ever. The drifting book provides live mapping of routes in and out that the Shajem's been likely to take, and a generalized collated datafeed, that it insists on presenting in the haughtiest way possible to anyone who listens. 

:'''{{#var:347|Abstractum.Net (347)}} has posed:'''     Himei may have either wings or a baton, but both can do roughly the same thing, which is to boost her athletic ability a lot. Honestly, at this stage, the thing's got enough resonance to actually boost her so much she could just ride the bike up the cliff, were she able to avoid getting skewered on its more dangerous areas. "Yeah, I think Nathan intentionally tried to get it to isolated places, so now it's a giant pain in the ass to get to. Least it's not hanging out around people though! Polite kind of monster now." 

:'''{{#var:347|Abstractum.Net (347)}} has posed:'''     Mordred's Abstractum sits over the back of the bike. Every so often on the way over, it makes a shitty joke. Right now, it's "We gonna eat this one too? Gwuhuhuhuhuh! I could go for another of those big meals! Stings going down but it fills you up! Who knows if I got the room though, gwuhuhuhuhuh!" That mucky laughter again. Given that the sword expects to see very little use, actually, it's treating this as a field trip for now. 

:'''{{#var:598|Lezard Valeth (598)}} has posed:''' There is a shriek in the air as another being enters the hunt. Upon a foul creature that seems to be a mass of feathers and claws, with a humanoid form vaguely visible within. Upon the Harpy's back rides the Necromancer of Midgard, who would not miss this opportunity for the world. After all, it's just /sloppy/ to leave a job half finished, isn't it? He looks to the others and keeps pace, using the creature to scale the updrafts around the horrifyingly spiky and painful-looking terrain. "Today will be excellent hunting indeed!" Lezard calls out with a measure of his own satisfaction. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     "Yes, Brilliant Dawn... that would be helpful. But no, we will not be grasping any of its power for ourselves. I believe Lady Lysen would like some, but not us," Elliana answers. She sounds mildly annoyed at this fact, but not at Dawn. "Too much Shajem power could imbalance us, anyway. No point in it if we cannot properly use it."     Siiiigh. "Unfortunately, this is a very defensible position for it. The Twisted nearby are unlikely to be a problem to us... with the Elites present, we can easily deploy forces to neutralize them. The tricky part will be keeping it from escaping. Fortunately, it should be limited in its ability to fight back. Though incomplete, the Binding that Sir Bloodstone and Sir Hall managed was... clever, I admit. A refinement of it could prove incredibly useful."     She sighs. "Tandem Paradigm will be available for those that desire it. Do you think we have enough forces to catch it in a pincher and drive it into a proper sealing? I will be here to aid in the sealing this time, so it should be relatively simple if we can hold it long enough." 

:'''{{#var:347|Abstractum.Net (347)}} has posed:'''     "I can keep you safe, Elle." The glove on Eleanor's hand says. "I'm sure that some biological boosting can let you use your abilities as such, and my Barrier should be enough to handle a heavy drop if you boost it with your own defense." The glove has obvious cause to want to keep her safe. "You should be prepared more to help ease the fear of the Shajem, as I understand it. Make it less... Enthusiastic, in fleeing." 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     "Stop counting," Psyber murmurs back to the gauntlet, knowing full well that it won't. Screwing the flask back up, Psyber sticks it back into his jacket and then looks to Amalthea and Reiji, "Nah, the leg's fine. Just a bit sore. A donut-monster-thing in Mizuki's subconscious took a bite out of it the other day. It's healing fine," He shrugs his shoulders again and adds, "The pain's nothing, really. Especially if we aren't expecting heavy combat today."     "I agree that full Strike Drivers would be excessive. If they are, we'll activate it, but doing so right now would just draw too much attention to our little cabal," Psyber says, turning his attention to the gauntlet on his, in full knowledge that the Saber-class known as Mordred was showing up on a roaring motorcycle and other people were bringing monsters.     A look of distinct worry plays across Psyber's face as he looks out from the view and listens to people, though probably not for the reason most people would think. The gauntlet-clad hand curls and twitches a bit before he makes a fist. Psyber takes a slow breath and then says to Elliana:     "Present terms are fine. We are cooperating with the arrangement we talked and I have no personal interest in Shajem energies today. The General is uninformed of this gathering, and though he is distracted by work I would prefer to return home as soon as possible before he notices my absence."     He looks up at the blonde girl with a bit of a detached gaze in his eyes, "If there is nothing else to discuss, I would prefer we move forward and finish this." 

:'''{{#var:395|Amalthea (395)}} has posed:'''     Oh come on, guys, it's not like Elliana could be planning the same thing twice, she's more original than that, right? Nevertheless, Amalthea flicks a glance at Reiji- and then at her own Abstractum, silver lips pursing into a frown. "I've known Psyber for years, and I know his bad habits of walking off sucking holes through the chest." She grunts. But then Psyber says he's fine so she leaves it at that.     "What we expect and what we get could always end up being very different things." She does note before conceding, with a lazy shrug.     On to present matters: "Just point me in a direction and tell me what to do, and consider it done." 

:'''{{#var:331|Himei (331)}} has posed:'''     "Psyber's right," Himei agrees. "I think... we might want to just rely on overwhelming firepower, especially considering what this thing does to our heads. I can resist it for a while, but it's tiring enough that I really don't relish going home with a headache like last time." She frowns in thought, then glances over her shoulder at White Rose, in wing form.     "I think it might be best if we Tandem, yeah, and I can fly out front to keep it from flying too far away from the cliffs. My powers work well on Shajem, and they're painful enough that I think this one will stick close to the cliff rather than try to slip past. So I guess I'll take frontal. Who wants the sides?" 

:'''{{#var:705|Reiji Arisu (705)}} has posed:'''     "Not even going to ask," Reiji grunts, massaging the bridge of his nose. Inquiring about a 'donut-monster-thing' seems like a good way to give himself a headache. That's the last thing he needs right now. "As long as you can maneuver around all these rocks, there should be no problem."     Their Confederate counterparts are trickling in bit by bit. Reiji nods as they make their way to the rendevouz point. "Alright. Whenever you're ready," the exorcist says, taking a moment to check the clip on his handgun. "Packing anti-spirit rounds today. I don't know if they'll do much against a Shajem, but it's better than nothing." 

:'''{{#var:12|Mordred (12)}} has posed:'''     "Yeah just blast it before it even has a chance to run," Mordred idly agrees, taking into full consideration the fact they have several people here capable of erecting barriers and bindings. She figures, weakened like it is, it's unlikely the Shajem has enough power to punch through them to escape.     Probably.     "Sorry Amhar but you ain't gonna be getting a real good meal today." A few nibbles, maybe. She'll allow it. 

:'''{{#var:347|Abstractum.Net (347)}} has posed:'''     Brilliant Dawn dutifully begins to run scans, drawing off a sliver of Elliana's power, mapping the area around them out, linking up with Adelyn's Gishur. It's going to get down a quick and simple assessment, as best it can, of probable paths of escape, as well as assessing them. Through wireless magical methods, and to any who have Abstractum that they'd willingly establish tandem with, this data is distributed. Gishur and Brilliant Dawn are acting, essentially, as secretaries and managers.     On the side, it quietly says, "Your choice, Lady Fairchild. Maybe we can come back for it later someday." 

:'''{{#var:40|Eleanor Lamb (40)}} has posed:'''     Eleanor sighs a bit, as Utopia lets out that little bit of information. "Bother. How do you calm down a primal creature made out of fear? That's... hnn." There's a little shiver of sensation as the Tandem comes online, and she sighs a bit. Flying. Tch.     She finally comes out of the bag with some sort of ice axe pick hatchet looking thing, and looks at the rest of the group. She's here for Active Morale and Morality Support, after all. Cowardice be damned.     "If someone would be so kind as to catch me if I fall that would very agreeable, thank you." And then she's heading as best she can down the side of the cliffs, pick slung over the loop of her satchel. 

:'''{{#var:202|Adelyn Lysen (202)}} has posed:'''     Adelyn is paying more attention to Gishur's mapping than anything else, at the moment, though she can probably still hear everything else being said.     She says to Elliana, "I do. But, not to worry. The form in which we have captured its essence, previously, still allows for its use. If you /could/ use it to a reasonable approximation of safely, that is still within our power to attempt. In the meanwhile, we have sufficient time to explore other avenues."     To Himei, and anyone else discussing tactics, "I will focus on limiting its escape options. I have some promisingly effective warding techniques. Other than that--Gishur, assist in the organization and linkage of the full party's efforts, but keep analysis of the target's motions as your first priority. Display this as I erect the barriers."     Draining the target will come after they have it locked into combat. 

:'''{{#var:546|Nox (546)}} has posed:'''     Though in the end, the covertness of any group inevitably comes down to the least subtle member of it, Nox can still take pride in being one of the strongest links today. Without the need to transport around large amounts of materials and equipment today, he is free to get around solely via the process of quickly and efficiently slipping through folds in spacetime, teleporting here and there with consmmate ease and a minimum of flash. Of course this would be more useful if he had a precise location on the Shajem. With the self-perpetuating binding feeding its own energy back in on itself, the creature's overall signature is basically invisible against the 'background radiation' of the world, meaning that he has to take it the long way like everyone else. Thanks Nathan.     "I believe my role will be fairly obvious this time." he interjects into the tactical discussion, at nobody in particular. "I assure you, once it is within line of sight, it might as well be over. The odds of this group composition failing are extremely low, and with any luck, maybe only one or two of you will die." It's surprisingly difficult to tell whether he's factually repeating some kind of simulation he did, or just shooting people's confidence for the sake of it. He's one of the few people present who doesn't have an Abstractum, and so the network talk is relatively meaningless to him 

:'''{{#var:347|Abstractum.Net (347)}} has posed:'''     "You know how to get me to stop." Adjudicator says, simply. "I'll be ready, if you need me. Give a signal. It sounds like the others have a more violent plan. It won't be unmoving long." 

:'''{{#var:347|Abstractum.Net (347)}} has posed:'''     The wings flare out. "Head on! I love it when we deal with our problems like that." White Rose says, encouragingly. "Nothing like it. Alright, got the tandem, we can head to most likely escape routes if you wanna!" As usual, she should be able to make use of the wings rather easily to begin flying. 

:'''{{#var:347|Abstractum.Net (347)}} has posed:'''     "Huhuhuhuh. Oh, planning on unsheathing a little? Mmmm, I can do with a snack then." The rumbly sword with Mordred says. "We'll get a proper meal another time. Still plenty full from those Twisted in the mountain." 

:'''{{#var:347|Abstractum.Net (347)}} has posed:'''     "I doubt we can calm them entirely." Utopia says, slowly. "But reducing the fear means reducing the panic, it means they'll flee less... Enthusiastically. It is an animal; do what seems best for such a being. You've a great deal of empathy, I think you can find a way." The tone is, as always, guiding only lightly, and in the Coo Uncle sort of mode. 

:'''{{#var:598|Lezard Valeth (598)}} has posed:''' Lezard also lacks an Abstractum. If that is due to a lack of interest or other matters is unknown. When Brilliant Dawn provides information to him, Lezard nods, producing that erstwhile book he always keeps with him, the information imprinting onto it. He looks over the data, mentally selecting several points. He touches them as the harpy works to maintain altitude, marking several adjacent points to indicate to the Abstractum he will deal with those routes. He then soars up into the air, directing the harpy with a flick of a hand and silent command as they move to prepare. "It will be most effective if we move to begin cutting off the routes all at once. The front line can work to funnel the beast towards a dead end, and Nox will be able to help ensure we have the time needed to perform our tasks. I am ready to move when you are." 

:'''{{#var:347|Abstractum.Net (347)}} has posed:'''     "Displaying, Mistress." Gishur says, smugly showing off how it's already calculated every possible escape route and categorized them according to probability based on the data from Elliana's own Abstractum, and its own scans. Very well-organized! As the book opens and the glowing green pages rapidly flip about, the projection is made in glowing magical lines in front of Adelyn. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Frowning, Elliana sighs at last and nods, "Dame Shoutan has a solid idea. She is correct, her powers are especially effective against beings such as this." She still fidgets somewhat, as if bothered by something... but knowing her, it could be an act. "The major objective is sealing it, but feel free to drain it as much as you wish. The core will resist after a point, of course. I would recommend stopping there. As much as the major power has side effects, trying to swallow the being itself is much, much worse, I can assure you."     She nods slowly, "It is true, in its weakened state this will be a short battle. Very well, move as you wish. I will help the Union Binder with this task."     On to other matters. "Thank you, Brilliant Dawn. And do not worry, Lady Lamb. One of us will catch you, I promise." It won't be her unless she can avoid it, though less from dislike and more from knowing Eleanor is probably not the type to enjoy Elliana's close presence.     One gesture later, and man-shaped masses of worms erupt from the ground, to handle the skulking creatures that are getting too curious. The escape routes are rather simple - to either side, or out to the mountain, plus the option of diving into the river. Shajem probably don't need to breathe, after all. That last one will be the hardest to block. The strategies employed by the Shajem thus far, though, give it the lowest probability. If they can capture it before it attempts that last-ditch option, it may not need blocked at all.     "I would wish you luck, but I doubt you will need it. A cripple Shajem against this group will be... well, perhaps not trivial, but I expect we can deal with any difficulties," she assures. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     "You know that's not an option right now. Drop it, alright? Besides, it's utterly unimportant," Psyber says to the Gauntlet with a hint of annoyance in his voice, keeping the argument vague. The half-angel shuts his eyes for a few moments, letting out a sigh and then clenching his hand into a fist, "The rocks won't be a problem," He assures to Reiji right after.     A fleeting glance, barely turning his head, is spared to the fidgeting Elliana. And then he turns away and looks out over the area. And then he simply takes a running leap off the side of the cliff. In a swift motion, he flings the gauntlet off his hand and turns it into his greatsword form, throwing it into the side of the cliff.     The half-angel then rides Adjudicator like a snowboard down the side of the mountain, trying to mostly do some sick 1080 Frontside Misty and ride his sword towards the den of the Shajem. Best to leave exit-blocking to the professionals and just go beat up the monster. 

:'''{{#var:347|Abstractum.Net (347)}} has posed:'''     The Greatsword is used as a snowboard. "This is not what I mean by righteousness, Psyber." It says, with a bit of humor. It does try to pick up the slack on Nathan's end, it seems, and the blade functionally protects Psyber, though it's beginning to glow gently, activating a Strike Driver or two to cut through the skewering rocks that pass ahead. It'll be powered up enough to be an efficient damaging option against the Shajem when Psyber reaches the lair, no doubt. 

:'''{{#var:202|Adelyn Lysen (202)}} has posed:'''     Adelyn gives a curt nod to Elliana. "Yes, of course, the scope of the experiment is understood." Some other time, she'll see about taking a Shajem whole, if the opportunity should arise. Oh, hopefully. But without any obligation toward Union assistance. Those are an unwelcome complication, given attitudes expressed.     Looking at Gishur's projections, she sets to work. At first, her actions are subtle, but they won't remain so very long. She's manipulating ambient mana into configurations that will let her quickly create hard walls, based on what proved effective in earlier Confederate research. The actual wards are fairly simple, intended only to slow and redirect, but with a weakened opponent, it should be sufficient. What's more, she'll be able to create a large number of them.     What she's doing *might* be detectable, to this kind of magical being, though the purpose of it should still be hidden to anyone incapable of sophisticated analysis.     She's not exactly heading down the cliff, herself, but she's also flying, so her mobility already assures a quick approach when needed. With as much sensory power as they have available, she shouldn't even need to get close to do her work, anyway. 

:'''{{#var:705|Reiji Arisu (705)}} has posed:'''     Without an Abstractum of his own, Reiji isn't quite sure what all the fussing is all about. The multiverse is really full of all kinds of amazing things, isn't it? He remains quiet through the planning session, only nodding in affirmation when the teams are divided up. Reiji's not exactly a 'closing off exits' kind of guy. He /can/ if he prepares the right arrays, but that wasn't really in the cards for today. Stabbin' and shootin' a dark god, though, is.     It's time to get moving. "Right," he says to the half-angel, "After you, then." Psyber goes ahead. Reiji follows after... Though somewhat less quickly. Without a snowboard-slash-greatsword of himself, his own descent is a little more careful. Fortunately, Reiji's legs weren't too cut up after yesterday's duel- and Psyber is opening up a nice, clean angle of descent for the rest of the group. He takes advantage of it, and wastes no time in sprinting downhill towards the Shajem Den. 

:'''{{#var:12|Mordred (12)}} has posed:'''     "Sure, sure," Mordred replies to her Abstractum, before grinning at Elliana's remark. "What, having doubts we can handle something like this? C'mon master, give me more credit than that."     But she doesn't want to waste time talking.     Instead she accelerates, to speed ahead and catch up with Psyber. Like him, she's better off on the front lines; just because she can speed around doesn't make her the best choice to block exits. The magicians are going to be way better at it. Meanwhile, Mordred is better at swording things.     No surprise there.     "Wonder how fast that bugger can even run." 

:'''{{#var:347|Abstractum.Net (347)}} has posed:'''     The Abstractum in Mordred's hand flares out, from the shortsword to the great bastard sword form it uses more directly. Massive teeth flare from the base, dripping some grim red energies in the wind. It's quite ready to strike, and intends to bite and latch on whenever it does, hopefully weighing down and slowing the Shajem while it tries to bite out chunks. 

:'''{{#var:395|Amalthea (395)}} has posed:'''     "Right, okay I guess we're off." What damage can a crippled conceptual entity do? A little rap on her gauntlet and Amalthea hops off in a rocket-powered leap with the assistance of her jump pack. "Oath tandem up or whatever and let's mosey."     Yep, she's moseying. Going to try and get a higher up view of the places the Shajem could run to and make a more informed choice of where to drop herself after things get started. 

:'''{{#var:331|Himei (331)}} has posed:'''     Well, looks like everyone is getting started. Himei sighs, giving Elliana an eye before turning and dashing off to leap off the cliff. She lets herself glide outward some distance before flipping into a dive, hurtling downward so she can get to the point of the Shajem's altitude. "Okay White Rose... let's see how rusty I am."     Not too rusty. Between recent Witch activity and Shajem fights, Himei's used her Magical Girl abilities a few times again. She shimmers into a silvery glow, then the beskirted girl flings a short peppering of small silver-white bolts toward the cliff face, enough to say 'hey I'm here and I hurt' to the Shajem. "Rose, make sure we're lined up with whatever the book and pendant are feeding us, okay?" 

:'''{{#var:598|Lezard Valeth (598)}} has posed:''' Lezard gets prompted about another containment unit, and he provides. Crystal, after all, is simply a matter of growing the proper matrices. The understanding of containment wrought by Duke Seath is simplistic and yet terrifying for its thoroughness. If the being only didn't go completely mad, he could have had a long talk with the Lordsoul bearer and perhaps have gained a greater understanding still. Oh well. He'll just have to content himself with access to the being's massive library instead. As he reminisces, he calls upon his powers of teleportation, invoking the ancient, forbiden arts to create the familiar slowly-forming circle. Once complete, another crystal, hexagonal, thin and irregular with crackling tendrils forming off of it in unusual dcurling directions, appears. It stands a couple feet tall. "I am not sure how far you will be able to transmit the energy, you may need to bring it closer to where the Shajem confrontation will be. Additionally, you will not have my assistance to stabilize the power influx this time. Be careful." Lezard warns. "I am off to spread the net!" He pronounces with glee, and hoves off with the harpy, the bird-demon screeching in the air. Lezard begins flying to one of the locations that he marked, and holds out his hands, muttering a long and complicated intonation. Purple holes open in the ground, and masses of bone begin to fly out, fusing together and condensing to form a massively thick wall of ultradense bone. Hopefully, it would take the Shajem enough time to break through such a thing that they would consider the path unviable. The process takes time, however, as he doesn't just keep Walls of Bone in his pocket. 

:'''{{#var:40|Eleanor Lamb (40)}} has posed:'''     Eleanor manages to toss a wane smile up the cliff, before she mutters about Other Elles and Too Many Elles and all of that. Ah well. She makes her way carefully, trying to keep an eye on the cliff side escape route as she goes. The others may be moving with more Gusto, but Eleanor is taking it as carefully as she can while attempting to not lag behind.     There's even a few jumps and leaps from time to time, as the Sister uses her climing pick to traverse as best she can. 

:'''{{#var:546|Nox (546)}} has posed:'''     That's all Nox really needed to hear from Elliana. Truth be told, the energy he'd gathered from the same Shajem last time is still far from an ideally usable state. Considering the amount of it there had been to grab however, he'd be a fool to pass up a second opportunity, considering that he could always find out how to refine it later, but not come back to get any after the others had already finished sealing the thing for good. He takes a look at Gishur's projections, but sees that Lezard and Adelyn have most of it under control, leaving the majority of the routes to them. He spares a passing stare towards Psyber as he leaps straight off the cliff edge, leaning over slightly to watch his sicknasty and totally radical descent for a time, before taking the much less flashy road of zapping off into nowhere.     Rather than going straight for the Shajem's lair, Nox makes a detour to the rapids winding beneath it, hovering over the furiously churning river at a decent height. Pausing for a moment to assess the tumultuous flow of water, he fires a wave of molecular decceleration magic into it with a commanding snap of his wrist, flash freezing a chunk of it from the stony floor to the frothing surface, terminating in a bristling forest of towering icy spikes to discourage attempting to leap down to the frozen section and skate away. Satisfied with his work, he rejoins the main party instantaneously, likely shortly before they make contact with the Shajem, and roughly around the same time Adelyn and Lezard are finished with their work. 

:'''{{#var:347|Abstractum.Net (347)}} has posed:'''     "I've got it!" White Rose says, fluttering briefly in an enthusiastic way. "Should be just fine!" It's honing Himei's agility and reflexes more than anything else at the moment, to make it easier for her to maneuver. Entertainingly, it can't actually effeciently boost her magical output without a lot of help, but it can do it a bit with Tandem's orders-buffs, so following Elliana's orders adds a gentle green fire to each strike, enhancing their explosiveness and spiritual "loudness" a bit. For the most part, it's just making sure Himei can KEEP UP, if this thing decides to book it. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Sliding down the cliff face - or climbing for those who do that - gets the Shajem's attention. It roars and starts to bolt outward... only to meet projectile spam from Himei. A sudden wave of utter fear pulses out from it, but the Shajem is weakened... the range is neither as great as it was before, nor the effect quite so potent. Being prepared against it, it should be possible to resist it even without special defenses, at least for a while.     Thus the weaseloid creature is turning into a plume of purple energy, darting down, to the side, and weaving about the eruption of spurs that tries to block it off. This leads it in a circular path, writhing about and keeping it in roughly the same spot for those approaching it through 'normal' means like a motorcycle down the cliffside.     The only difference from last time is that this time there really IS nowhere to run. The cliff face ripples, changed by more than just Lezard's spells. Adelyn can feel her wards strain as the creature fights back with geysers of erupting steam and flame, bursting from jagged spurs on the cliffside while it frantically seeks a way out. 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     And here's the part where everything goes wrong.     Nathan Hall is here now, at least one assumes that's him. Did anyone know he has an airship? He does, though it's a bit small, and very, very rarely used, Psyber and Himei and maybe Amalthea might recognize it from ancient activities. A small airship built by a mentor entirely out of shining gold orichalcum. This gives it a rather OBVIOUS appearance. He's rounded up Ethan Bloodstone and those Binders again, it seems, too. What goes on inside there is anyone's guess.     But how the hell did he get here!? Isn't he supposed to be wrapped up in negotiations!? And, it seems, his small craft has rounded one of the craggy mountains, and landed at the top of the cliffs, cutting off many immediate routes back up. It doesn't seem aggressive, but it's clearly an effort to use the craft to cut off escape routes for the Shajem, but unfortunately also for those in the canyon. It also puts the craft in the perfect position to see down into the canyon. It's roughly where Adelyn and others near her have stayed, if they're staying; presumably Nathan hasn't quite detected them. The others, down in the valley, though, it's easy to see them. Nox, Mordred, Himei, Lezard might be easily visible unless they get into cover fast. 

:'''{{#var:395|Amalthea (395)}} has posed:'''     That is a glorious golden airship.     Amalthea recognizes that glorious golden airship.     It is a very undignified squawk of surprise as she very QUICKLY grounds herself, landing in a tumble in some trees and rocks and stuff. 

:'''{{#var:202|Adelyn Lysen (202)}} has posed:'''     Adelyn plans on handling much of the draining herself, this time, and therefore grabs the crystal after Lezard summons it, hefting it while letting Gishur and Pure Guardian continue to float near her as hands-free grimoires.     The wards are failing, but she'll have to Lezard, and Nox if he has the time for it, reinforce the blockade. She has other priorities, the first of which is getting the the crystal in range. She doesn't have to go too far down--a quick strike to the cliff face and an earthshaping spell both hollows out and solidifies a cavity large enough for her to work in. It also causes a small explosion of dust and minor debris, but /she/ won't be visible and everyone out in the open can handle it.     "Beginning." Even though she's not visible, her magic is going to be very hard to miss. She can work more quickly, this time. The previous two attempts, first with Rage and then Cowardice, along with all the research since, have refined the process. Fewer fail-safes are necessary, and what are included should be more effective. A great deal of redundancy was proven unnecessary. Still, the spell circle that forms in shining white lines in the air is as intricate as one would expect from the head of a magic university, and there's a good chance of someone as detail-oriented as Nathan Hall recognizing it for Lysen work, once he does see it.     "Blood calls to blood." Sympathetic magic makes the link easier to form than ever. If the others can just keep it in range, her spell will dig in its hooks, and begin the siphoning process.     Given that she's gotten much better at this, it's still going to be far more difficult without the support of her fellow mages. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     Psyber reaches down and grabs the sword out from under his feet as Mordred comes to ride along with him. The half-angel instead hops up and stands on the back of her bike, taking a few moments to catch his breath. He still continues to cleave out huge swaths of spikes with his sword, trying to clear out a massive path.     Then something happens that immediately causes Psyber no small amount of duress. From the back of the bike, Psyber lifts his head to look upwards and scowls, "Fuck. Nathan's here." Of course, this is also the moment that a massive wave of fear hits Psyber, amplifying the immense amount of stress this entire arrangement was already causing him.     Wings flare out behind him and Psyber uses Mordred's speed to catch an updraft and take off, trying to curve his flight path and then fly over towards where Nathan is. With a few heavy flaps, he gets even more airtime and is gliding towards the General, trying to make it look like a routine rendevous.     If nothing else goes right, at least when the jig is up the only person in trouble will be Psyber. 

:'''{{#var:705|Reiji Arisu (705)}} has posed:'''     The wave of raw terror that washes against Reiji's psyche is a familiar one. Though this is nowhere near the same intensity as the one he was subject to weeks ago- and he's had ample time to recover since then. The exorcist dives down the slope, diverting his descent to chase after the fleeing mustelid-thing. Having all these pointy rocks all over the place makes shifting momentum pretty easy, if you know which ones to jump off of.     An arc of electric fury darts out of Reiji's arsenal as he leaps after the Shajem. A gout of flame barely misses his side, and the geyser of steam that accompanies it briefly sears at one side of his face- but he closes the distance all the same. It's about then that Nathan Hall becomes a complication.     Reiji curses under his breath as he drives Chirai down into the Shajem's flank. Lightning coruscates out from the blade, seeking the earth through the shortest available path. One that might just include the Lord of Cowardice. He was told to let Psyber handle things. And so he'll let Psyber handle things. For now, there are bigger, more immediate problems at hand. 

:'''{{#var:331|Himei (331)}} has posed:'''     Crap, Hall's here. Himei is momentarily distracted, and she barely has time to fling herself to the side, a jet of flame searing along her arm and leg. White Rose might blunt some of it, but it's enough of a painful blast to jar her out of her distraction. She has work to do. "Right, cover fire. Something not immediately obvious as me."     Her outfit flickers, and instead of white-silver bolts lancing down, something else comes. 'SPARKLING HOLY LIGHT!' Yeah, that. A searing beam of pink power blasts out, trying to cut across one side of the creature to keep it pinned down so the others can keep it busy. 

:'''{{#var:12|Mordred (12)}} has posed:'''     Mordred does not recognize Nathan's ship, and instead just goes with the "do shit faster" plan which, mostly, involves driving straight for the Shajem, with Bloody Amhar ready to strike. There won't be fancy tactics; she's here to smash faces and help beat the thing down so it's even easier to seal than it already is, so she'll get on with that.     The motorcycle's bright red exhaust lets out even more magical flames, and the Servant aims to drive by the Shajem and cut with her Abstractum's blade as she does so-- while avoiding Himei's blast, because that can probably hurt her. 

:'''{{#var:40|Eleanor Lamb (40)}} has posed:'''     And there it is. And there Nathan is. Bother. the Sister clambers a few more places along the cliff face, finds a nice firm spot to actually stand, and settles her feet. Okay, we can do this, just ignore the lethal fall three feet to your right.     The others are opening up with attacks and... calm it down. Well there's one major tool in her kit for that. She shakes out the hand with Utopia on it, and murmurs. "Let's do this." The hand sparkles for a second, before a fleshy wet noise explodes from the palm, extruding out a hefty globby ball of... something. And then she kisses it, and hurls her Hypnosis plasmid out across the field of combat, aiming for the Shajem. She's thinking really hard thoughts to Calm The Hell Down 

:'''{{#var:347|Abstractum.Net (347)}} has posed:'''     Adelyn's magics are amplified by the power feeding back her allies, through the Tandem. It's a pretty substantial boost! Gishur takes a bit of impact from the psychic wave, but besides faltering in its floating and snapping closed briefly while it locks itself up, little happens, thank goodness. She'll get a fairly substantial boost to RANGE related elements of the magic here due to the size of the group. 

:'''{{#var:598|Lezard Valeth (598)}} has posed:''' The pulse of fear coming from the Shajem strikes Lezard's mental defenses. This time, he holds fast. Familiarity is less of an issue. Emotions don't stop being emotions just because you've felt them before. Emotions are irrational, they do not obey rules or logic. It takes willpower to keep them under control and maintain stability. that, Lezard is prepared to do, even if the fear and paranoia begin clouding the edges of his mind, he grits his teeth and focuses, anger building within him as he uses another familiar emotion to try to push it away. Maybe Mordred gave him the idea somehow. Despite this, he swoops down, trying to hug closer to the cliff as he works to keep his barriers reinforced. Adelyn's wards are unfamiliar to him, but perhaps he can work to feed them power as well, helping to split his attention and keep them both operating while Adelyn moves to engage on her own terms. This, unfortunately, means he has little time for anything else. Lezard is a powerful mage, but hardly capable of unlimited feats of will. 

:'''{{#var:347|Abstractum.Net (347)}} has posed:'''     "God damn it." Adjudicator says, rather concisely. "If you intend to face the brunt of this, I approve, but I cannot help." The sword gleams brightly as it suddenly jumps back to Psyber's hand as he takes off. 

:'''{{#var:347|Abstractum.Net (347)}} has posed:'''     The wings are useful, because the rapidly flapping stems and thorns are a good thing to interpose between flame and Himei. Very suddenly, they slip between her and the fire, searing holes in them that make her flight a bit unsteady but preventing all damage to Himei herself. 

:'''{{#var:347|Abstractum.Net (347)}} has posed:'''     The blade in Mordred's hand splits wide down its length, turning into a jaw that can extend many feet wide; the slice Mordred goes for will attempt to SNAG the great beast, trying to use the weight of Mordred and her bike to slow it down, make an easier target, and eventually pin it. Well, no, that's a lie, those are all convenient side effects. It's actually trying to bite a chunk out of the Shajem and eat it. 

:'''{{#var:546|Nox (546)}} has posed:'''     With Adelyn taking care of the siphoning this time, Nox is able to lend the task at hand his full concentration, and thankfully, keep a considerable distance from the Shajem rather than having to be in close proximity this time. As a result, the wave of fear is well diminished by the time it reaches him, requiring only a moment to shake off. He is well familiar with the effects of a Shajem on one's mind after the bout with the Lord of Rage, and thus he is both well prepared, and determined not to fall for the same thing again.     The Xelor winks in and out of existence a few times to dodge the stray blasts of flame that come his way, maintaining a respectable gap between himself and the enemy to provide ample time to react. Once it falls into a predictable loop, he summons his sword, Aiguille, to hand, flipping his grip on it, cocking it back over his head, and then hurling it like a javelin, plunging the blade into the approximate center of the Lord of Cowardice's frenzied circuit. Using the Xelor relic as a relay for his own power, Nox lets off a concentrated burst of temporal stagnation into the surrounding area, washing over the rocks with a quiet, electronic hum, hoping to catch the Shajem into the wave where it will suddenly have to compete with an overwhelmingly powerful pull on its timeline, stretching it from both ends to make every movement take place over a much longer timespan. 

:'''{{#var:347|Abstractum.Net (347)}} has posed:'''     "Focus on what you can do. Let those around you bear their burdens if they can." Utopia says, trying to gently encourage. Alongside that, it glows a soft blue, before flaring up as the Hypnosis bio-construct is hurled. It's tried to add a healthy dose of its own CALMING influence, and speaking of that, seems to be resisting the pulse particularly well. 

:'''{{#var:347|Abstractum.Net (347)}} has posed:'''     Ironclad Oath, on demand after Amalthea lands, flares a deeper red, the bracer now saturating her body with the glow that sinks in deep below the plates. Pain becomes a numb, distant sensation, like something that happens to someone else entirely. Her endurance receives a hefty boost. 

:'''{{#var:395|Amalthea (395)}} has posed:'''     It takes Amalthea a second to disentangle herself from the myriad leafy greens of her impromptu landing. But there's no time to waste with Nathan on site now. Which means this has to be done. It has to be done fast. A steadying breath and she lets that distant sensation of her sensory perception dampening pain sensations to suit her needs.     A flex of her fingers serves as wordless thanks to her Abstractum as she hoists her shield. So long as Psyber keeps Nathan's attention and they work fast, this can be done without him figuring out a thing.     She hopes it can, anyway.     That might be why the sudden muffled krump of her charge launches her in a straight blitz. Amid pink light, drive by cuttings, and the wards, Amalthea's means are about as direct as one can get.     Because it's with the force and speed of a bus that she aims to slam herself down on top of the weasloid beast, shoving herself at it before she can let herself be persuaded off by the muted fear aura and...     She tries to fucking rocket tackle the thing and pin, ignoring the creaking groan of armor and body protesting at the ensuing abuse that will no doubt follow. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     With Nathan coming in, Elliana curses slightly and then focuses more on the task at hand. She'll need to.     The Shajem flails about, letting out a shriek of pain now. Mordred's blade sinks deep into it, and clamps on to keep it from twisting away. Thsi is somewhat helped by the fact that the pink laser blasting across the top clips its tail, and Himei's attacks are indeed very painful. It's thus left almost defenseless when Reiji opens up its side, gouts of crackling energy escaping.     This leaves the others to do their thing. Eleanor, in the midst of all this, manages to distract the Shajem with her attempts, and thus it's revealed just how weakened this being is by how swiftly the temporal distortion from Nox locks it down, pinning it in place for the others to get a clear shot.     A very clear shot, as the drain begins to siphon off its energy, and Amalthea pins it down with a twisting, hissing display of anger and fear. Mostly the latter. The Shajem's power is rapidly bleeding off, though... there's still a lot of it compared to just anything else in this world, but it's been crippled badly. Only some of it remains, and it has regenerated a small portion already... just not enough.     That's when the shining lance of light erupts from the cliff face, starting to curl over the creature, wrapping portions around it before vanishing, leaving it notably weakened. Elliana is attempting a Seal. 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     "Stay here. There's someone down there." Nathan says, simply, to Ethan, before emerging from the ship at the side, moving down the steps at a quick clip. He was shielded from the pulse by a wall of fancy solar metals, but he won't be shielded from subsequent ones. He's hearing familiar shouted magical girl attacks, from below. He comes to the edge of the cliff, able to see it, just where Psyber will likely land, his expression blank and completely stoic despite seeing obvious signs of the collusion. He won't look up at Psyber yet, though he will recognize the angel ascending. 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     "You were already here." Is the first thing Nathan says, to Psyber. The next is, "Why are you here?" He glances to Himei and Amalthea's end of things, not quite seeing Eleanor's less flashy stuff. "Why are they here?" And then he's turning his gaze to Lezard and his barriers, Nox's big energy blasts, and Mordred's high-scale sword attacks, all of whom are recognized very distinctly. Adelyn and Elliana aren't, but he has enough data. "Why are /they/ here?" 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     Psyber lands next to Nathan and his wings vanish, looking at the General and saying, "I'm already here because I needed to salvage this mission, and I ordered the others to help me do so," He openly covers, taking sole responsibiluity, "They're here because it's for the good of all Terra Majora. You just can't see past your own locked-in viewpoint to realize that this isn't a problem that can be solved without both factions cooperating." 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     "You weren't supposed to be here at all, frankly. You were supposed to be fixing your engagement," Psyber adds, his hands in his pockets, staring at Nathan, "I'm sorry you had to find out this way." 

:'''{{#var:202|Adelyn Lysen (202)}} has posed:'''     Given the range at which she's operating, Adelyn suffers only minor effects from the Shajem's emotion-manipulation. It's there, and she has relatively few defenses against it, but her will is sufficient. It helps that she's pushed into a hole in the wall from which she few visible stimuli. This is the kind of place someone might run to, if overcome with fear.     Soon enough, even those effects pass, letting Adelyn focus entirely on her work. This is good, since the base difficulty of the task is by far increased. She's pulling the energy out, filtering it through her spellwork to avoid it bleeding off in all directions, and finally directing it into the crystal container.     As Elliana knows her plan, she trusts that there will be no overt interference, as there was last time. This, at least, lets her continue at a measured pace, though she is still motivated to take as much energy as she can, before either the seal is completed or Nathan bypasses Psyber. Per her earlier warning, she'll stop when she feels a point of odd resistance, and then direct her magical senses--with Gishur's help--to determining whether there is anything left to drain. 

:'''{{#var:40|Eleanor Lamb (40)}} has posed:'''     Elenaor smiles a bit as she manages to 'subdue-ish' the Fear Demon, but she isn't about to give up just yet. She pulls out the climbing pick again, and starts making moves closer to the others now. She's got to get in and help support. Psyber's orders.     She hooks and jumps up to close in, before reaching the solid ground that Amalthea just pasted the Shajem into. A glance around and up to Elliana, before she's shaking out her hands, and thinking the Shajem frozen, a blast of cryokinesis seeking to plaster it to the dirt under the Robot Unicorn. 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     Nathan continues to not look up. He remains sickly and run-ragged enough that his pale face isn't much visible under the bangs that have grown a bit haphazard recently, and for some reason there's a bit too much glare to see the eyes. "She is draining away more of the Shajem energies." He says. Then his fists ball up a bit. "Despite your best efforts at reveling in the humiliation of the trap Lady Fairchild insisted on springing, I did manage to find the time. A spare eight hours to do what one will does wonders." 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     Nathan remains, essentially, motionless. "You have specifically violated each of my explicitly stated interests in the name of what is best for Terra Majora. What is 'best for Terra Majora' involves handing the copious quantities of power to those who bring chaos and destruction to avoid making a phone call? Is that truly what you believe and intend to act on?" 

:'''{{#var:705|Reiji Arisu (705)}} has posed:'''     This creature is significantly less powerful than it was the last time. Reiji leaps away from the Shajem just as Himei's magical assault strikes home. Dust scatters in his wake as he digs a narrow trench in the ground with the steel tips of his boots. Provided nothing goes wrong, this should be no problem at all. ...Provided nothing goes wrong. Unfortunately things have already gone very, very wrong. Whatever might happen, they need to keep up the pressure. Pressure is something Reiji's fighting style is tremendously effective at maintaining.     Reiji sheathes his wakizashi once more, and grabs hold of his shotgun instead. He fires it once, filling the space around the Shajem with enchanted fletchette bolts. He then... hurls it into the air and lunges forward, this time drawing both of his swords at once. The mobile arsenal is left behind.      Fire and lightning dance in energetic arcs around the exorcist as he leaps once more for the weakening creature. Karin is swung first. Its flames catch the shrapnel unleashed by Hollywood's earlier blast, consuming them and burning brighter for it. Chirai is next, lightning arcing through the super-heated air, transforming the plumes of fire into clouds of energized plasma.     He kicks away from the creature, hurling his two swords back towards the arsenal, and catches Hollywood in mid-flight. Gold is drawn to join it. He takes aim, squares his jaw, and pulls both triggers. Enchanted fletchettes and hardened slugs of magical metal are fired into the electric chaos and the Shajem within. The recoil sends him sailing back towards his arsenal. He lands, holstering both guns and collecting his blades. His right hand hovers near their hilts as he prepares for whatever might come next. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     Psyber doesn't look much better than Nathan, but nominally so due to superhuman physique, "Her draining a small amount is part of the agreement to sealing Shajems. Part of what I had to broker after you lost sight of what it actually meant to lead this for the good of everyone." Psyber notes in a tired tone. His hand reflexively goes to his jacket, taking out his flask. Not open yet, but holding it. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     "You claim that I violated your interests, but what about you, Nathan?" Psyber notes, unscrewing the cap on his flask. He takes a sip, "You broke down a cross-factional agreement without even asking them for clarification. You accused the Confederates of lying while you deceived us all. I did what I had to to salvage operations on this world." 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     Psyber spreads his arms out a bit, "So what do you want me to say here, Nathan?" He points out over the valley, "Unionites and Confederates, reaching an agreement to seal a Shajem for the good of Terra Majora. Something that would have been impossible had you been here, because you simply would not have allowed any compromise." He thrusts a finger at Nathan, "You don't care about Terra Majora. You don't care about helping people. You care about BEATING Elliana. You don't even want to WIN, you just want her to LOSE and you don't care how you get it." 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     Nathan Hall is completely silent. But after a brief pause, there's a strange sparking noise from his body. "I told you that I regretted that secrecy now." He says. He still won't look at Psyber. "I told you why. And I told you I would not, again. I trusted that you would be on my side, trusted you when we talked about how to approach this now. I had intended to go to see this in secret. But I tried to tell myself things would be different if I was honest one more time." 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     The sparking noises get a little more intense and repeated from Nathan. "But this. This is how you care about Terra Majora? She has murdered and killed and deceived and lied all her life, killing hundreds to get her way, and you /care/ about Terra Majora by letting her, helping her, do it /more/?" There's actually a few flickering, uncontrolled arcs of electricity. He trembles a bit, as if nauseous. 

:'''{{#var:331|Himei (331)}} has posed:'''     Himei has no idea if she's been recognized. Using her pink version was in the hopes of Nathan not recognizing her. But now that Psyber is talking to Nathan, she might as well use her full power. White light lances out again, blasting down any time the weasel-like Shajem tries to struggle free from Amalthea's grip. "How long until the Sealing is done?" She knows Elliana can work fast or slow depending on what she's doing, but has no idea what the criteria are. 

:'''{{#var:546|Nox (546)}} has posed:'''     With holding the Shajem still in time and space, Nox's attention is more or less monopolized by the task at hand. The number of melee fighters swarming around the Lord of Cowardice are difficult to work around, requiring him to selectively omit them from the localized temporal distortion as an utterly thankless task. Diverting some of his remaining focus, he selectively targets and accelerates the workings of Adelyn's power siphoning spell, increasing its cycling rate to speed up the flow of energy leaving its target. Altogether it's not especially flashy. He looks like he's just hovering there and staring, both arms outstretched as his magic works entirely invisibly. Only once Psyber flies off does he distract himself as much as he can afford, only then catching sight of the ostentatious airship. The eyes of his mask narrow, immediately sensing the general tone of this event. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     "And I believe you regretted that secrecy. But for me to salvage this, for me to get a cooperative effort going with the Confederates, deals had to be made," Psyber says to Nathan very seriously, "You apologized to me. But what about them? What about the Confederates? Where was their apology for you walking in there with a secret plan?" Psyber knocks back another sip of his flask, "For cross-factional collaberation to occur, your exclusion was necessary." 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     "And this..." Psyber looks tired. So tired. Exhausted as Nathan launches into a tirade about Elliana, "All of her life is hyperbolic and you know it. She was once a girl who was betrayed. In response, she shut herself off and did what she had to in order to adapt. It was more extreme, but didn't you do the same in response to her?" Psyber rubs his face with his palm, not seeming mad so much as weary, "I'm not HELPING her kill people. I'm helping seal the Shajem. I'm helping study the Shajem. I'm ACTUALLY trying to learn how to fix this place." 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     The trembling from Nathan gets a little more intense. He looks very sick. There's a soft, flickering purple fire that gently slips from his mouth like blood from someone suffering the ill effects of internal wounding. There's a very gentle rumble. "I am /nothing/ like her." He says, with the first bit of emotion in his voice. His teeth are gritted when he finally does look at Psyber, though his eyes still can't be seen. 

:'''{{#var:598|Lezard Valeth (598)}} has posed:''' As much as Lezard finds the confrontation between Nathan and Psyber interesting, he's occupied dealing with closing in the net. Every moment, he works on shrinking the potential movements of the Shajem, trying to reduce its movement potential even if it somehow breaks free. He takes his lockdowns very seriously, sir and/or madam. The arrival of the Seal is good. It means he won't have long to go. Hopefully, everything continues to go well at this rate. Well... Well for a given definition of the term. Psyber's got problems. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     "No, Nathan. You're EVERYTHING like her," Psyber takes an opposite stance to Nathan. If Nathan wants to be quiet, Psyber will opt to shout. But he'll do so through a hand over his face. He tosses his flask and then rubs his hand downward across his face, "And I think that scares you. That you KNOW if you were just ONE degree to the left, you'd be Elliana. Your origin story, all this power and prestige you've built, you got it on the back of her betrayal." 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     "No one saved you from the slums when you were there, just like her. And for that, I will NEVER stop apologizing. But because of it, you grabbed your bootstraps and you adapted," He thrusts a finger at Nathan, "Whatever it took just so you'd feel whole again. So you'd feel like you could LIVE. Yours was an emotional gutter, hers was a physical one. That's the ONLY difference." 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     "I fucking failed you as a friend in that much. We all did. We were so focused on our petty revenge that we didn't notice you clammed up and internalized it all. You have actual victim's trauma," Psyber continues to drill into Nathan, "But you're an Elite. You live in the Multiverse. So a gun didn't cut it. You got god powers. You got Exalt powers. You got... Hastur's powers. Anything so you could feel safe. This isn't about Elliana, Nathan. It's about YOU and YOUR traumas. You NEED a demon because you've made it define you. But you're chasing a white whale and it will drag you under." 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     "Is this really who you want to be, Nathan?" Psyber rants at the librarian, "Instead of 'Nathan the Librarian', 'Nathan the General', 'Nathan the HUSBAND', you want to be 'Nathan the Victim'. You have built so much into this chase towards stopping her that you lost perspective. You miss the forest for the trees. I could sit here and throw cliches at you all day, but the point is still the same. You NEED Elliana to be your monster because you're scared of letting that go and finding you have nothing left." 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     "And now look what your hatred has made me do," Psyber spreads his arms out as if presenting the entire scenario to Nathan, "You always said that you'd get stopped if you went too far. That someone would step in against you if you crossed the line into unreasonability." Psyber seems to make a gesture as if presenting the operation below once more, "Here we fucking are, Nathan. I have betrayed an organization I believed in for 8 and a half years. I could be up on the block for TREASON. And I did so because you forced this as the only outcome." 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     Then there's a gentle quiet, broken only by the rumbling. Nathan goes back to looking down at the events going on. Odd lines of yellow are flickering around his arms. The rumbling grows a bit more intense. Cracks in the earth form under his feet. He doesn't seem to want to acknowledge what Psyber said, and he tries to push on. Softly, but tersely, he whispers as an attempt to disguise the emotion in his voice. It's... Not anger. It's something else that doesn't seem to fit entirely, it seems disjointed. "You didn't answer the question I asked you." 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     There's... not much fight left in the Shajem. Reiji and Mordred pounding it while it's down, and Himei pinning it down with cover fire... in its weakened state, the fight is pretty short. These are all some pretty powerful hits, and it's now wailing and sending out flashes of fear, trying to sink its hooks into anyone's mind and forcing them to recall their greatest fears. It's pretty clumsy in doing it though... it's just too weak, with its power being siphoned out. It's likely that not ALL of it will be taken, but Adelyn, on the lookout for that, can sense some of it is getting pretty 'thick' now. Lezard is getting less than before as well, as it runs out.     This wasn't a bad job, nope. Nox cuts off its last escape route, even if it could squirm fully free of Amalthea's grip, so it finally gives up and quiets down, allowing the numerous 'ropes' of light to drag it down into the cliff surface itself. There remains the question of just where Elliana is sealing it, but it does look like it's vanishing away at last, as the fear effect fades rapidly. 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     Nathan hunches over a bit, as if even more nauseated, holding a hand to his mouth. A cyan and yellow light dribbles out, dissipating as it falls. He breathes a bit heavily. Is this the Shajem's last pulse of fear? It's something, at least. "Is this what you'll continue to do? Help her? You, and the others?" He doesn't even seem to acknowledge the idea that Psyber could be up on the block, or that he'd be accused of treason in the first place. The arcs of electricity grow even more intense though. A gentle puple flame is beginning to form on him. The rumbling is getting more substantial. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     In response to the flares of energy and the lines going over Nathan's arm, Psyber appears to be preparing in kind. His arms move slowly and he slips them out of his coat to the t-shirt underneath. It's not so dramatic as Nathan flaring and churning with his powers, but if he and Nathan got into a slugfest, he doesn't want the coat in his way, "Which question? About how if this is how I'm going to help Terra Majora? Yeah, it is, Nathan." 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     "And, if you force me to choose, I will choose to help Elliana for so long as I believe she is doing what is right for the world. I will act as I always have, opposing her when she's wrong and cooperating when she's right. Can YOU say the same? I notice you don't have much of a response to my other statement, Nathan," Psyber says, his hands curling into fists in kind as he glares at the General, "Another man's evil does not make you good, Nathan. You've gone off the rails, so of course it fell to me to move to counter that where I could." 

:'''{{#var:40|Eleanor Lamb (40)}} has posed:'''     Well, that's mostly handled now. The Shajem anyways.     Eleanor, however, is now focused with precision on the mounting... situation... between her two Bosses. She carefully hefts that climbing pick, the head subtlely crusting with frost. She's wishing this will turn out... alright.     It will not. 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     Nathan's head bows, His face his hidden when he turns from Psyber. The rumbling, the fire, the flickering, the electricity, the light, all come to a head immediately in a singular moment. There's a massive burst. Wind and water and ice, diabolical fire, roiling earth. The statement that he, and the others presumably, will choose Elliana, his him. He seems to double over from something, as this spills out of him in a completely uncontrolled way.     And then it terminates with a single flash at his face.     There's a sharp crack of glass fracturing. 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     "Fine." Nathan says, simply, standing back up. There's no more weird displays of magic. "I give up." 

:'''{{#var:598|Lezard Valeth (598)}} has posed:''' The Shajem has given up. Lezard doesn't see a need to maintain his defenses any longer, especially as the conflict between Psyber and Nathan have come to a head. He quickly begins to enact another teleportation, preparing to remove the crystal from danger. And then there is that surge of power. Lezard's eyes widen in a crackle of genuine fear as he feels the sudden power spike, and he turns to look in the direction of Nathan. The sudden change causes Lezard to watch Nathan carefully. He is quiet, considering the situation... And he nods, turning away. A teleportation ring begins forming under him as well as the crystal. It will be better if he is not here, he thinks. 

:'''{{#var:395|Amalthea (395)}} has posed:'''     Thwump. This is the sound of Amalthea hitting the ground after wrestling the Shajem down like a WWE pro, once the thing is bound down for sealing. A hisssss of steam from angry joints and her gaze silently turns up to the airship. 

:'''{{#var:202|Adelyn Lysen (202)}} has posed:'''     A very minor ward is holding up the tiny hollow in which Adelyn is working, just to keep the cliff from destabilizing. It's not made to stand up to any real attack, but it's enough to feel the first sense of something happening above her. Something is damaging the ground, and that puts her present position at risk. She may be fine, but the crystal constitutes delicate, experimental equipment.     Elliana hadn't defined precisely what it would feel like to be pulling at the last of the Shajem's essence, and she has to make a guess. Blind guessing is less acceptable when multiple guesses won't be allowed, and she therefore proceeds on the cautious side, cutting off the draining effect and completing the sealing of what energy she's gained, with Nox's assistance, into the container.     With a concerned frown and some unvoiced resentment for unreasonable individuals, she firmly seals up the crystal itself in another ward, making it safe enough to grab and leap out into open air. She falls for a moment before the wind catches her, lifting her up in a rustle of robes. Lezard's position is her destination, but this will have to be a by-hand send-off to be safe.     This is the moment at which Nathan, unseen from the direction she's facing, explodes. She can't possibly frown any more deeply, but the effects have not reached her defenses. She's not going to wait to see if anything else happens, nor to turn and watch--that would be irrational, as she is already moving further away.     Assuming Lezard has his a hand free for it, she passes the item off to him. Only then does she look up the cliff face. "Analysis? Uncertain. Too many moving pieces. Cessation?" She's muttering. 

:'''{{#var:705|Reiji Arisu (705)}} has posed:'''     Reiji waits and holds for a counterattack that never comes. Not physically. It tries to claw at his emotions again- tries to dredge up the greatest of his fears. But he knows She is strong. Strong enough to take care of herself. No matter how much this Dark God is trying to make him think otherwise.      Fortunately, the creature is contained before it can take hold. The Shajem is weakened, bound and is thus no longer a threat. What is happening overhead, however, just might be.     The exorcist frowns as he turns his eyes to the sky. Magical energies of all kinds erupt overhead-- and then abruptly cease. "What," he murmurs, "The hell is even going on up there?" 

:'''{{#var:40|Eleanor Lamb (40)}} has posed:'''     Eleanor looks over at Reiji, and murmurs. "Mr Hall is confronting himself. There is a lot to confront." 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     Psyber immediately jumps back as magic flares out, his hands coming up into a fighter's stance before the swirls and then watches it come right back in towards Nathan before he can react. When the man states that he gives up as he stands to his feet, Psyber tiredly spreads his arms and says, "The armies separated; and, it is said, Pyrrhus replied to one that gave him joy of his victory that one other such victory would utterly undo him," The half-angel sighs tiredly and then just... looks at Nathan, "I'm sorry. This isn't ever what I wanted. Not to hurt you or anyone. I doubt you'll believe me, Nathan, but I'm so sorry and... this is the farthest thing from what I wanted." 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     "All those times you just thought I was screaming at you overher on the radio, all the times you said you just wanted me to stop? You may not get it, Nate, but... I was trying my best to stop this very moment. Maybe two years ago, three years ago, if I was like I am now I could have stopped this," The half-angel moves both hands to his face and rubs it tiredly. He takes a long moment, "I can't debate like you. Or talk like you. Or negotiate like you. Any of that. But every time we came at eachother, I just wanted to resolve it with some finality, and I always made it worse." 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     "So," Psyber finishes, picking up his jacket, "I never wanted this victory. Not like this. I don't even call it a victory, because you're clearly not alright if you're blasting yourself in the face with magic." 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     "My apologies." Nathan says, simply. "I had a brief moment of difficulty. It has passed. I believe you. This is only because there is simply one thing you were wrong about." Nathan says. He turns back to Psyber. There's a mess of hairline cracks in the right lens of his glasses now, giving the eye a strange, unearthly appearance. "I am not able to hurt my friends like she is to get what I think is right. Tell her that I surrender. She can continue the Binding as it is. Or, if she will have it, I will offer my help, and the Binders I brought with me will likely follow, to restore the roaming Negotiation. The Confederates may take their prize. I will offer the alternate binding, and she may reject it if she chooses. I will comply with the negotiated terms." 

:'''{{#var:546|Nox (546)}} has posed:'''     It's a good thing the Shajem is handled when it is. Even in its severely weakened state, the effort of restraining it was significantly taxing, and Nox won't reap the spoils of this particular harvest for some time. More importantly, it frees up his attention just as the first flickers of power bleed from Nathan Hall, drawing his full and immediate focus. He knows exceedingly little about the Union's general, and only slightly more about his closest friend, and so the true nuance of their confrontation is lost on him, but the Xelor cannot possibly fail to notice the steadily escalating flood of raw energy that pours fourth from the Librarian in mounting waves; incredible puissance where there was absolutely nothing before. This of course, makes several kinds of priority lists at once, completely flipping Nox's opinion of the previously worthlessly unremarkable general, and predictably, getting all kinds of mental and literal gears turning. Though the brief conflict between Psyber and Nathan resolves without violence, he has plenty to think on. 

:'''{{#var:40|Eleanor Lamb (40)}} has posed:'''     The quiet now... Eleanor just looks up at Psyber and Nathan.     It is not a quiet she trusts. Not out of Psyber or out of Nathan. That sort of anger, pain, it doesn't just flit out of existance. Not even in the slightest.     There's a twitch of her lips, and Eleanor's fingers find her cell phone. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     "I don't think she can do that any more, Nathan," Psyber says to the man in a tired tone. The half-angel heaves a massive sigh as he stares at Nathan for a while. He turns away from the man and says, "For whatever you care, I really am sorry."     Picking up his coat and throwing it back around his shoulders, the half-angel stares at the ground for a long period of time, "Some day you'll understand a number of mitigating circumstances to what happened today. When that day comes, it will be okay if you choose to hate me," He says quietly.     "I also claim sole responsibility for all acts of treason, insubordination, or criminal content as the commanding officer. What is your call, General Hall?" Psyber asks with finality, his back still to the General. 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     "I believe that you regret this." That part is whispered. "My call?" Nathan says, turning away from the canyon and looking back to Psyber. Only the fractured eye is visible from this angle. "What do I have to make a call about?" He tilts his head. "The treason? I told you. I am not capable of hurting my friends for what I think is right." He makes a plaintive sort of gesture with both hands, and speaks what is simultaneously the best and worst thing that could be said at the moment:     "Choose your own punishment." 

:'''{{#var:202|Adelyn Lysen (202)}} has posed:'''     To Adelyn, Nathan's words are unsurprising. It was his control over his powers, and not his conclusions, over which she was uncertain. He's made the only rational choice. For the moment, of course. It's not as if she trusts him, and she therefore maintains a healthy paranoia over his future plans. For *now*, he has no reasonable course but to comply.     That he was previously irrational even in the short-term is something of which she's aware, but it's somewhat difficult for her to factor in. Understanding explicitly irrational behavior is both difficult and uncomfortable.     Her attention turns toward the Shajem, or what's left of it to bind. She can provide no assistance with that particular task, but trusts that Elliana is fully capable of handling it, with or without the assistance of the group Nathan has brought. What she can help with is providing a location that is somewhat less open to view, and the elements. Fortunately, there is a cliff face right here. It's already reasonably inaccessible to reach. If it's just to hide the thing--well, someone else may have to build on her work, but she'll do what she can in a short timeframe.     Earth-shaping comes naturally enough to an enchanter of her aptitude, thanks to the necessary affinities of Realm magic. Spell-circles flare disappear, rotate and reconfigure, and stone and earth respond. A narrow, hidden cave should suffice, she thinks, to camouflage the location, disguised as a naturally irregular portion of the cliff.     At the least, the incomplete binding Nathan performed has brought all of this to a location that most would fear to approach, in the first place. 

:'''{{#var:331|Himei (331)}} has posed:'''     Himei sees the Binding is taking, and finally she lands nearby where Nathan and Psyber are confronting one another. She can speak, if she wants, but she's going to leave it in Psyber's hands for now. This is something that they've been building up, she'd be doing little good if she interfered. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     "Like I said, I don't expect you to believe me," Psyber murmurs back in response. The half-angel lets out a tired sort of... defeated noise when Nathan plays the card of letting him pick his own punishment.     "My own punishment?" Psyber asks, his mind flicking over any number of possibilities. The Brig would just take him off the front lines and detriment the Union efforts. He already does enough community service. He's genuinely lost in this moment and lets out a slow exhale, "Shit. I dunno, I'll figure something out."     "Failing anything else, I'll just step into a General position on the council or something as my punishment."     It's a joke, but it's a weak one. Mostly because he has no actual punishment he can give himself. 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     "Unacceptable." Nathan says, remaining stoic-faced. "The Union does not permit cruel and unusual punishment, even in a court-martial situation. You will need to find something else." He hasn't missed a single beat there. Though there's something... Off about how he gets back into his first joke in months. Something wrong. It's off.     Hmmm. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     Despite them exchanging a brief joke, Psyber can still feel something off in the entire arrangement. It's as if the half-angel, on some level, knows that he didn't so much convince Nathan he was right as much as he just bullied Nathan until he finally broke to avoid conflict.     "I'll figure out a punishment later. I'll see you at home."     He thrusts his hands into the pockets of his coat and then starts walking off. 

}}

1822/A Knife in the Dark

2015-03-17T04:46:00Z

Blue Elf: Created page with "{{Log Header |Date of Scene=2015/03/16 |Location=Terra Majora |Synopsis=Charity makes her move to resolve the issue with the man who framed her and left her for dead. |Thanks=..."

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2015/03/16
|Location=Terra Majora
|Synopsis=Charity makes her move to resolve the issue with the man who framed her and left her for dead.
|Thanks=
|Cast of Characters=12, 92, 188, 202, 253, 292, 299, 589, 598
|Tinyplot=New Blood
|Tinyplot2=
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     With the army being drawn off to fight Elliana's creations, the city is /relatively/ undefended. A small militia is all that's left, fairly nervous and obviously ill-trained. The city does sport some pretty thick walls though... numerous ones, three rings of them. The first ring is the middle and lower classes, and the markets, while the second holds the nobility and upper class, the rich. The final ring holds the higher nobles, including the Baron himself. Baron Shining Soul, the target of this assault, is somewhere in that deepest ring.     The bulk of the army is busy with Fairchild's minions, and she is there to 'coordinate' the assault. This mostly consists of sitting on a high bluff under an umbrella in her swimsuit, enjoying the unseasonable warmth, while she watches the battle with a pair of sunglasses on, sipping a Mai Tai. Hard at work with her part of the plan.     The city is thus sparsely-populated, as the nearby battle has gotten most of the civilian population to shutter themselves in the houses and basements. This doesn't mean the place is undefended, though! Aside from the militia, Elliana has firmly informed those in the operation that this city has quite a few Blooded in it. 

:'''{{#var:12|Mordred (12)}} has posed:'''     Door. An interesting word. An entryway, a passageway, an area through which one typically enters, possibly closable, fortified, or otherwise as sturdy as the wall. Given a choice, it is always the best way into any given area, short of having supernatural means of bypassing physical obstacles. A Servant, for example, does not have to care about walls or doors, wielding the ability to turn incorporeal at the drop of a hat.     Therefore, what are city walls to a Servant?     "AWW YEAH!"     In a blind fit of absolute excitement, Mordred suddenly bursts through the first layer of fortifications surrounding the city, covered in full armor, treating the solid stone as if it were just layers of paper, sending large chunks of broken wall every which way.     She would look to the side, spotting the city gate. The guards haven't had time to secure them yet, they're just loosely closed. "GOD DAMNIT."     With a huff, the armored Saber moves for the gate. She will ignore the guards to give the door a sturdy kick. It's not so much to open it so much as splinter it in two. She is unarmed, you see. Half of a gate should make a suitable weapon until she gets bored. 

:'''{{#var:188|Lute (188)}} has posed:'''      With the signal given, Lute is ready. He was positioned in this area outside of the town, Miko there with him. And, as the distraction from Elliana comes out, he sets Despite being wildly out of place with this world in so many ways. But, with the army drawn away, he feels a need to flex his muscle a bit. Show off a bit to his allies. And so, he is going to be starting off big, especially since Stealth isn't a concern.      He holds a black Pokeball. Opening it, Giratina appears. The large ghostly dragon Pokemon towers above, and Lute climbs onto its back. He offers Miko a hand as well, to help her onto its back. And, with but a command, it takes into the air, flying into the city.      "...Miko. Be careful, alright? I'll stay near you to help make sure you can complete your mission, and make sure the Rules are not broken."      And with that, he continues to fly in on Giratina's back. Probably one of the most notable and obvious targets here, by far. Hey, one of his big talents is basically just being a meatshield for his allies after all, a major distraction. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     A figure in a hooded cloak moves quickly through the city, but also sticks to relatively obscure pathways so as to remain unseen. This means his path will be longer as he avoids checkpoints, guards, or anyone he might have to identify himself to in the city. The longer he can avoid having to officially mark his presence, the later he can say he arrived. Which will be important for Reasons.     Hooded cloak aside, the figure is dressed pretty basically. Slacks, tunic, sword at his hip, guns kept out of sight. Boots tap across the ground with forceful steps. He's not interacting with many people, and he DOES have a slight advantage over most Confederates (save possibly Charity): He knows where the Baron lives. He's been to his house before, so he can remember where it is and heads in that direction fairly persistently. 

:'''{{#var:292|Purity Hopesong (292)}} has posed:'''     Purity had agreed to this particular mission out of a very slight sense of loyalty to Charity, and a vague desire for future employment. Also, of course, she was hoping for a chance to get to cut down some of her foes, and other thoughts that the scarred woman would try to surpress, at least publicly. She has enough issues as it stands without letting that get out.     As she makes her presence known, not all of her is present. Her right hand has been replaced with a hook for the moment, and an eyepatch covers her left eye.     "Well. Let's see." She'll say to herself, keeping back a little ways. She's very slightly handicapped at the moment, after all, at least here.     Elsewhere on the battlefield, of course, a hand wielding a sword is flitting around corners. There's an eye strapped to its top in a very carefully designed glove. This is how she's presently scouting. 

:'''{{#var:299|Charity Whiteheart (299)}} has posed:'''     This is more support than Charity expected. Not that she minds the lack of stealth. She could have tried sneaking in and downing the Baron by herself, if she really wanted... send a message that hiding doesn't keep anyone safe from revenge and justice. This... works just as well. Utterly smashing the resistance is a valid tactic, and sends a message: you can't stand against us if we really want to crush you.     It's a message Charity is fine with.     It also provides quite a distraction for her to abuse. The thief is fast-moving, darting and zig-zagging in to approach one of the solid walls. She doesn't 'bust' through, just uses her normal locomotion: phasing right through the wall and to the other side. She's traded her daggers for two longer blades, still only about two feet long, but with an edge. Despite being pretty careless about anyone who gets in her way, she's avoiding any guards or Blooded, moving at high speed through the alleys... up and inward, toward the center of the city. 

:'''{{#var:202|Adelyn Lysen (202)}} has posed:'''     Adelyn promised an 'assistant,' which could mean any of a number of individuals. Considering that Mordred largely does what Vrenyn does, but better, that Adelyn won't require a dedicated defender, and that Azon's mobility and stealth are limited--     As far as most should be able to tell, there's no one there. Those with senses tuned to the ethereal will instead see a clear presence--long, black hair and dress, red eyes and sash, and twin straight blades of unusual length. This is Lialyn Earthdance, and her current, unmanifested state makes it difficult to make our her expression, even for someone that is able to see her.     Having been deployed to assist Charity, it's right on her position that the spirit follows. And then Charity goes right through the wall--and she still follows.     "Charity Whiteheart, I am here." The voice manages to come at a conversational tone despite the circumstances, and with relatively little risk of being overheard. This might be confusing if they've never met, or if not like this. "I will only be able to safely materialize once, with what mana I have. Signal me if necessary." 

:'''{{#var:589|Miko Fujimoto (589)}} has posed:'''     The pink-haired magical girl, Princess Paladin, rides into the battle zone atop Giratina. She nods to Lute, but can not spare him much more attention than that. She is prepared to follow the Rule that she transformed for. And that purpose is to ensure that Charity Whiteheart reaches the baron. To that end, she keeps an eye on the progress of Charity through the city from above as best as she is able, and directs her Sacred Scepter at those below. While she avoids civilians, or blowing up random buildings, she still launches holy lasers down upon the defenders if she spots them with her transformation-enhanced eye sight. The 'Penance Beams' are weaker versions of the ones she uses when she calls out the name of the attack, but are still capable of drilling through most things in their way.     For now she is just acting as a distraction and aerial bombardment. But if she needs to get down there and get in the middle of it, she can jump from all the way up here and land somewhat safely. And if she doesn't, she can heal. 

:'''{{#var:598|Lezard Valeth (598)}} has posed:''' City walls are of no use against the Necromancer of Midgard. A teleportation circle draws itself atop the innermost ring of wall, and Lezard appears atop one of the guard towers, his cloak rippling in the wind. "With one hand we giveth. With the other, we taketh away." He says simply, as he produces his ruby-tipped scepter. He reaches out, his voice echoing oddly as he begins an incantation. "I am he who hath entrusted his soul to the eternal vortex of time. Ye know me! And if ye do not, ye shall be made to know me. It shall be engraved on thy very soul, Lezard Valeth! If ye shall accept the brand of Hel upon thee, thy sanctions shall in turn be lowered. I shall grant thee the deliverance of thy soul, and ye shall come now before me!" As the call finishes, purple holes begin to open throughout the area, disgorging spirits and minor undead. Under mental directions from their master, the undead surge forward, ignoring civilians present while assaulting local guards. It looks like such control requires concentration from Lezard, however, who continues to hold his hands out his expression a mask of concentration to make sure the requested goals are met. After all, it's /inefficient/ to go smash one's way through an army personally. The Blooded might be another story, but that what the others are for. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Mordred knocks hard, and her response certainly does seem to be the sort that shouts 'attention given!' A few arrows uselessly plink on her armor, if she doesn't bother to dodge them, and then... they halt. Busting through the wall like that, it is pretty clear the militia can do squat against her... so they don't try, and instead lay down a peppering of arrows around the Servant, arrows that are bursting into flame and ringing her in a circle of flame. This seems pretty pointless... until the flames roar to life and spin in a circle around her. Looks like there's a Sorcerer somewhere nearby, and the militia have just provided them with some flame to be manipulated. The flames start to blast arrows of fire toward Mordred.     Speaking of arrows of fire, a few arrows don't quite reach Lute and Miko, falling short of their arc. The archers are now scattering for cover, diving under eaves and the like. There are a curious abundance of those. They leave it to two other soldiers. One of them manifests as a streak of light, an intensely fast pulse shooting upward, lance-first, trying to impale the Giratina upon it. The user can't fly, though, so they end up plummeting down lance-first toward the pair atop the back. Looks like an armored lance-user, helm down. The other Blooded that attacks them does so from the ground, blasting with bolts of bluish light fired from a bow, though the rain of arrows briefly stops when one of Miko's shots drags a furrow along their thigh, forcing them to stagger aside.     Meanwhile, the militia that is regrouping ends up... tangling with undead. There are screams and shouts, and for the moment it looks like Lezard is easily handling them. They're rallying, but only in small pockets. He could probably crush them if need be, but either way they're occupied.     As for Purity, she's scouting, and her eye and hand are quickly ducking away from any threats. She does manage to find the sorcerer, in one of the guard towers, looking out the window at Mordred and making his gestures. She also notes the presence of at least two others in fine armor, which are most likely Blooded, who have yet to join the battle. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Psyber reaches the house a few moments ahead of Charity. The guards snap their spears down toward him. "HALT!" The speartips are both quivering a little, as they've seen the firepower sent their way. They're nervously holding the spears, but there's also a definite bustle of activity in the house. Psyber might be able to just force his way past... or even just reveal his identity, if he wants.     If he doesn't, then he'll be there when Charity and Lialyn arrive, though Charity is much less likely to worry about mere mortal guards and their lives. Or maybe she's feeling...     Charitable. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     Psyber is stopped by the guards. The half-angel looks at them and then takes a long pause. He isn't sure how best to address this, because he doesn't want to kill these guys, but if he just leaves them here, he is pretty sure they'll die.     So keeping his head low, the half-angel says pretty directly, "You stand at a crossroads in your life. Your loyalty is commendable and I respect it, but there is a storm coming and you will be dashed upon the rocks when it arrives. This means that, at the fork you are at, you have two options: Live as men or die as heroes. The second may sound valiant, but please think of the people that care about you."     "You will not stop the people coming, you will only add to their death total. They are like none you have ever seen and you should flee now. Please do not waste your lifes." He says as he pulls back his hood and stares down the guards with shining red eyes. 

:'''{{#var:598|Lezard Valeth (598)}} has posed:''' Spirits, lesser vampires, ghouls, and harpies wreak havoc across the city, working to keep the militia hemmed in when possible. The Harpies pluck at soft targets with their greater manuverability while the spirits slip through to try to interrupt bowmen. They're moving with coordination due to Lezard's direct influence over them... But that doesn't make them any more durable. These undead are weak enough that while a threat, they can be killed by mortal men. Several fall, pierced with spears or lances, and Harpies make excelent archer bait. The dead creatures dissolve in stinking purple flame, sometimes leaving behind small glittering gemstones in their wake. Lezard himself remains focused on controlling his undead, so he can do little against the opposing spellcasters at this time. Of course, should something result in him releasing his control, well. That would hardly be HIS fault, would it? 

:'''{{#var:188|Lute (188)}} has posed:'''      As the lance user comes in, Lute is fairly surprised. Giratina sees it coming, and he tries to move out of the way. But, quite simply, he doesn't react fast enough. The bright white lance scrapes along Giratina's side, and as the user comes down to try and bring the lance down on Giratina's back, it hits. Lute frowns at the guy. And at the incoming magical arrows.      "Hey, knight dude. We're just trying to, you know. Come in and visit the place. We're just tourists. ...That's believable, right?" Lute knows full well it isn't, though, but he's just trying to buy time as he looks back at the knight further down on Giratina's back. As he says this, something pops out from under his shirt. A large number of Unown, the Pokemon that resemble glyphs. He had them merged onto his body, flattened out. About twenty of them. They fly towards the knight, trying to batter him.      "Princess Paladin, take care of that archer so they don't end up going towards Charity and stopping her path. ...Also the knight might be trying to get in the way too, so." He knows a bit of Miko's magic. She can only use the transformation for the purpose she transformed for. But, at a guess, as long as everything can be tangentially related to the vague purpose of 'Make sure Charity gets to the Baron', things should work out, right?      Either way, though, he mutters orders to Giratina, to try and fly towards Charity's location. Closer Princess Paladin is, the more directly she is helping. Giratina is trying to fly smoothly while remaining rather high, to make sure that the non-magic archers can keep missing. 

:'''{{#var:589|Miko Fujimoto (589)}} has posed:'''     The rain of arrows coming down at them from some kind of super-leaping archer can not be completely avoided even with the enhanced speed provided by Paladin's transformation. She takes a few hits, some glancing off armor, some slicing flesh, and one going into her abdomen before it disappears - after doing its damage. She responds to the attack by leaping up to meet the enemy, without seemingly even noticing her injuries and before Lute has even spoken. In mid-air, she attempts to clobber the archer with a two-handed, spinning swing of the Sacred Scepter, the Artifact of Holiness and Law able to do plenty of damage normally, but even more so with superhuman strength behind it.     Whether the attack lands or not, Paladin only takes the time needed to touch down on Giratina before firing a full strength magical attack at the enemy. "PENANCE BEAM!" she calls out, before unleashing a spiralling beam of pink energy that attempts to drill through the target.     She is fulfilling her Rule by keeping these enemies busy. She doesn't necessarily need to be right there, fighting alongside Charity, especially when Charity is seemingly doing just fine sneaking in and avoiding trouble. So entrusting that to others is fine for now.     But that doesn't mean these two who have come up to fight Lute and Paladin in the sky are off the hook. She leaves the Lancer to Lute for now, but if Lute gets injured, Paladin can at least provide healing for the two of them once the is a break in the fighting. 

:'''{{#var:12|Mordred (12)}} has posed:'''     It is true that Mordred's armor is pretty sturdy. Well, less the armor and more the concept of her existence as a whole-- endurance is an odd stat when it comes from your Prana Burst, but that's going into unnecessary detail.     It's with an annoyed growl that the Saber picks up a large section of the broken gate, as flames attempt to burn her. A dome of blue-ish light seems to make it difficult for the magic to reach her, but not impossible in the slightest. The steel burns, and the Servant is made uncomfortable in her full armor. Might as well be cooking right now.     But she does not move, and instead turns to glare at the guards who put their weapons down. It's easy to tell she's glaring at them, even though she's wearing that helmet. Call it imminent bloodlust and violence creating an almost physical effect.     "You fuckers listen, we're here to kill the Baron. If EVERYONE just stays the fuck out of our way, we're in, we're out, and you guys can go on. If you DON'T, I'm shoving this gate down one of your throats and then using the resulting combined weapon to bludgeon the others. TICK TOCK, YOU HAVE FIVE SECONDS TO PICK!" 

:'''{{#var:292|Purity Hopesong (292)}} has posed:'''     Purity will continue along, rather behind the rest of the group, sticking to the shadows as best she can. She'd likely be recognized, and many Blooded would give her quite the hard time if she was pressed, especially when her attention and limbs were split in the manner they currently were.     She will make a request on radio, though, one Mordred may realize applies to him at present. "Can I try to kill the sorcerer?" At confirmation that she can, even with the two extra blooded in the room, Purity's loose hand will drive forward, trying to drive its blade into the back of the sorcerer, aiming straight for a kidney, totally spoiling the effectiveness of Mordred's proposed truce.     The hand is going to be skittering away full-speed, of course, trying to not get caught by the remaining Blooded she'd spotted. She wants to have it gone before they can destroy it; regeneration's a bitch. 

:'''{{#var:299|Charity Whiteheart (299)}} has posed:'''     "Thanks," Charity says mildly to the mysterious voice. She has learned to just accept that sort of thing. "Just keep an eye out for now. If we do run into the twins, I might need your help. I don't think I could take on both of them and the Baron at the same time." So at first she just passes through walls with the summoned spirit-being, and makes her way to the Baron's residence.     She arrives in time to hear the tail end of Psyber's statement. Emerging from the nearby wall, she just starts walking toward the manor. In plain sight. "He's right. I'll kill you if I have to, but if you turn away now you won't be harmed. You aren't in the right class for this, and there's no shame in letting someone more qualified fight me." As demonstration, one of her blades licks out, slicing the nearby tree in half at a diagonal, without even touching it. "The Baron. Is he in there, or not?" Psyber gets a quick look, assessing as if deciding if he's friend or foe. 

:'''{{#var:202|Adelyn Lysen (202)}} has posed:'''     Lialyn doesn't say anything more. She just keeps the pace, and keeps her eyes ahead. The world looks differently from her perspective; it's not a full shift to another plane, but the spectral is clear, and the physical is fogged. She expects that Charity will spot any specific obstacles of the latter category well enough, so she focuses on the former. In particular, the residence--once they arrive, if there's nothing in the way, she'll try flitting through the wall and back to see if any wards had bypassed her senses.     This is after giving Psyber a look of recognition. Yes, they've met. Probably not like this. Can he see her in this state? She's a little curious about that, but spares only the one look toward the angel before moving. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     LEzard is certainly taking care of the militia. One of them dies messily, nearby, but two more take down the harpy right after. They're... learning. Surprisingly fast for militia. Taking some casualties, but they're learning and starting to organize. It's not enough, of course, but then again all Lezard has to do is keep them busy long enough. He doesn't have to win right now, and unless some of the Blooded can help the militia won't survive a prolonged fight. Does Lezard want to end it more quickly, or just do a holding action?     The archers have given up on Lute, now... well, all but the Blooded one. The lancer is plummeting past, and then flicks his lance up to streak into the air again, plunging /through/ the Unown! This... only works while moving though, and a moment later he's pummelled and send tumbling through the air. This isn't as crippling as one would think, because he's jabbing and whirling the lance at the Unown even as he's falling through the air. And he's /fast/ about it. He would be faster, but it looks like he's favoring one shoulder from the earlier impact.     The archer below is... mostly dodging, now. He fires a bolt at Miko again, then leaps to the side... to keep from getting pulverized. Instead he's 'merely' wounded, and stumbles down atop a different rooftop to slide against a wall, briefly cutting off the shots raining the air. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Purity's blade comes for the sorcerer... and he sees it at the last second. "Wha...?" The flying sword impales him, but not fatally. It's still enough to break his concentration and leave him staggering into the tower, clutching a bad wound on his chest. He'll be out of commission for at least a few minutes, possibly the rest of the fight. One of the Blooded sees the blade, and launches toward it with her lance, the ribbon on the end fluttering. She's too slow, but it's going to be a close call.     This means Mordred's circle of flame dies down abruptly. The guards all look at one another... then their weapons come up. Not into a guard position, but a 'not pointing at Mordred' position as they rapidly skitter out of the way. This isn't a bad idea, because an instant later two Blooded appear. One of them, the female, bears a lance... and looks exactly the same as the one who attacked Purity's hand. The other is using a sword and shield, and while the lance-bearing one circles around, warily looking for an opening, the sword-wielder leaps forward and makes a slash toward Mordred's head!     Or does he? Parrying it will feel the jar of the blade, super strength behind it. Dodging it will feel the close brush of the wind whistling past. Yet an instant later, the blade is slashing along the horizontal, toward Mordred's side, as if the first attack never happened and the Blooded's balance was all toward this strike. 

:'''{{#var:598|Lezard Valeth (598)}} has posed:''' There are always more souls in Niflheim. These creatures are utterly expendable to Lezard. He could probably mount a sizable siege on the city if he wanted to commit some actual resources to this, but that isn't necessary. Therefore, Lezard amuses himself by attempting to harry and delay the militia pockets as much as possible. He starts making a game out of pulling his forces into alternate positions, strikign from unexpected quadrants and having them use tactics to make it as annoying as possible to kill each one. He is losing basically nothing in the exchange, but the act is, perhaps, all the more cruel for how hard the militia must battle to remain alive. After all.... There's always more undead. And unless the Blooded or Sorcerors present have some way to keep him from calling them up, he can do this functionally forever. Were the major players not locked down by the other Elites present, it would be far more interesting challenge. But he smiles as he controls his minions. The forces of Fairchild have swelled dramatically in recent times, and even being here is more than enough. There is no need to expose his true ability. This is not a war. This is a demonstration. 

:'''{{#var:188|Lute (188)}} has posed:'''      As the Unown are stabbed, jabbed, smacked, and hit with the spear, a few of them simply fall to the ground. Lute has a lot of them, and they're a bit odd as far as Pokemon more. They think in a hive mind, so they're a bit used to losing a few of them. Still, though, it doesn't make quite happy for it to happen. And so, he gives Giratina a quick order.      "Turn around, fire a Shadow Ball, and then keep going towards our goal."      The Giratina turns rapidly. Lute's confident he and Miko can stay aboard. And, the ghost-dragon Pokemon launches a ball of shadow towards the knight, before turning back towards where Charity is. Once it's above the Baron's house, though, it'll simply circle the area in the sky above the house. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Lialyn will see three powerful presences in the house... but two of them are moving away rapidly, leaving via the roof and heading toward Lezard. It's the twins, for anyone curious, using their enhanced physical capabilities to head out and try to take down the necromancer.     The guards look at one another, uncertain if they should go this far or not. It's true that they'd certainly lose, but... they do have a job to do. The question is solved when the door opens, and the third presence steps out. Carrying a spear of bone, and bone armor, the Baron himself just walks out, glowering at those present. "Move aside. She is out of your class... something beyond even a Twisted. She needs to be put down, but neither of you have the skill."     The Baron looks toward Psyber. "Hmm... do I know you?" He blinks, then lifts an eyebrow. A slight hint of relief might be visible when he realizes who it is. 

:'''{{#var:12|Mordred (12)}} has posed:'''     Either these two knights are very courageous, or they're Blooded. There's a flash in Mordred's mind, as the swordsman lunges forward with a feint-- Mordred parries with the broken gate, and then the sword lodges itself into the side of her helmet painfully. There's not even a second before that brief insight and the actual sword swing comes, and rather than try to parry it, the Servant does what she does best.     Mostly, that means Be A Berserker.     He broken gate is tossed to the side like worthless trash and one empty gauntlet reaches up to catch the sword. It would cut, without a doubt, and draw blood, but now it's all about whose strength is highest, and Mordred has the slightest hint of confidence she has a firmer grip on that sword now than the knight does.     But she's certainly not going to leave it at that.     The rest of her body surges forward, trying to slam shoulder-first into the swordsman, a burst of red magic flaring out of her feet for a sudden supersonic acceleration. It's going to be a hell of a tackle-- that shield might not survive, if it's mundane. More at risk is whatever wall has to tank the impact, if the swordsman can't hold his position.     Ignoring the lancer is probably a bad idea, but one step at a time. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     Charity wonders if Psyber is Friend or Foe.     The half-angel looks to her and smiles, "Miss Whiteheart. As always, I barely recognize you without your ass on top of me." He seems cordial enough, even if she's on a mission. He knows she gets more professional, but he tends to at least like to break the ice.     "Baron," Psyber says tersely, "There are between six and eight Elites in the city to kill you. Even with my immense combat capability, I could not defeat them all. I could kill four. Maybe five. I would eventually succumb to my injuries. Therefore, I must opt to the option that saves the most lives," Psyber says.     For the record, he actually does feel pretty bad. The guy was a dick, but he's facing the consequences of his own actions. Psyber still hates leaving a guy to die. Still.     Psyber turns, eyes briefly falling on where Lialyn would be. He can't see her outright, likely, but he can sense something where she'd be thanks to his unique eyesight. He takes a slow breath and then says to Charity, "I would ask you to make it quick and painless, but that hardly seems your style."     And then he crouches a bit and takes off into a jump, aiming to leap onto and across rooftops after the direction of the twins that he was pointed in. 

:'''{{#var:589|Miko Fujimoto (589)}} has posed:'''     The enemy archer continues to shoot blazing energy arrows from below, and Paladin does her best to deflect those she can by racing around striking at them with the Sacred Scepter, so it's not entirely based upon Giratina's dodging ability. But she needs to deal with that enemy to keep them from taking down Lute's pokemon.     "I'll leave the skies and the lancer to you," Paladin offers to Lute, as she runs swiftly across Giratina's back, and then propels herself off the pokemon's side, so hard and fast she leaves a shockwave in her wake. She plumets through the air towards the enemy below, at around a hundred miles per hour, ready to strike with Artifact or fists depending on what's needed. The archer will shortly have pink-haired death descending on him at high-speed, heedless of what impact this will have on her physically.     Paladin has pretty high-tier healing magic. Broken legs and skull fractures are no biggie as long as she can apply that healing before going back to normal form. But since she's magically tougher anyway, the damage shouldn't be THAT bad, right? Right.     Would be more damaging if she got one of those arrows in the forehead, and her own well-being is not a concern. Preserving her health is not part of the Rules. 

:'''{{#var:292|Purity Hopesong (292)}} has posed:'''     The hand will be still carrying the sword, and will head for the window. Purity's going to lead the Blooded straight back to her, through many of the rest of the Confederate forces if the Twin cooperates, because she's well aware of her relative weakness compared to many of the others who'd come along.     What she lacks in strength, though, she tries to make up in being a complete jerk, the flying blade, hand, and eye passing not too far from Mordred on the way in on its own way out to meet with Purity. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     For Lezard, it is kind of a game. The militia are... well, they obviously aren't experienced troops, but they're learning pretty darn quick. The change in tactics from the undead briefly throws them off, resulting in two entire units getting slaughtered by the mobile corpses.     He also has twin girls with swords bounding toward him, but Psyber quickly catches up with them. They skid to a halt, swords going up in defense. Both of them may recognize him, but it takes a moment before one calls out, "What are you doing here?" 

:'''{{#var:299|Charity Whiteheart (299)}} has posed:'''     When Psyber takes off, Charity stares... then blushes as she realizes what he said. "HEY!" Shaking her fist after him, she huffs and glowers, then turns her eyes toward the Baron. Under her breath, to Lialyn, she murmurs, "Make sure he doesn't have any nasty surprises inside, then help the others if you need to. This one is mine alone."     She readies her blades... then charges directly toward the Baron, aiming to just phase through him, then rebound off the wall and aim a slash, with wind-cutting power behind it, toward his neck from behind. "I won't promise painless, but if you want it quick, that's up to you!" 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     Psyber springs up and then drops down in front of them, putting himself between them and Lezard. He reaches under his cloak and draws a sword. It's nothing too fancy and, in dungeon terms, would be a +2 Magic Longsword. Against Psyber's better judgment, he left home all three of his more powerful swords: Adjudicator, Einherjar, and Sovereign (aka 'Excalibortion').     The half-angel squares off with the two of them, "I will be your opponent, because I wish to speak to you about your employment." The two may be weaker than him, but if he's fighting non-lethally and against two opponents, it might be a halfway even match.     "Under what terms does your employment to the Baron end?" 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     The lance knight is changing direction again, lancing toward the large pokemon with intent to kill. At least, that's the idea. The Shadow Ball slams into him, and the lance of light vanishes for an instant... before busting through. It looks like it had no effect!     Or did it? The trajectory is now off, and though it may clip the legendary on the way past, that knight isn't turning back. He slams into the upper wall instead, making a deep gash within the stone before coming to rest, dazed and clearly injured by more than the impact.     Miko, meanwhile, shatters the wall between herself and the archer upon landing. He is panicking now, but he doesn't have actual arrows, so one lances out toward Miko. It's weaker than the others, but might get her shoulder or leg pretty bad...     Before he's sorta reduced to paste. These Blooded are much more dangerous than the soldiers, but they're still overpowered a bit. Most of them. 

:'''{{#var:598|Lezard Valeth (598)}} has posed:''' If Lezard notices the incoming threats, he doesn't seem to show it. He's too busy micromanaging his troops. This is not his usual style and it shows in how much of his attention it requires for him to do this. It's when Psyber springs up out of nowhere to defend him that he glances to one side. His efficiency drops in his undead manipulation, because this is something he absolutely wants to pay attention to. If nothing else, the Twins are disrupting him with their presence. 

:'''{{#var:202|Adelyn Lysen (202)}} has posed:'''     Lialyn delivers her report, watching the way the twins--if that's who those were--are headed. Her eyes shift back to Psyber, then, noticing the returned attention and filing it away in case it should ever be useful later. One might hope that it won't be.     She's sure she doesn't know what thing he said to Charity was about.     Apart from the Confederate bands, she remains silent, so as to avoid any chance of the baron overhearing it. Charity may miss the nod she gives in nonverbal response, and will certainly miss any subtle looks of 'are you really sure about that?' And yet, she obeys, for the moment. Still in spirit-form, she heads inside the house, looking for anything at all that might seem dangerous. She's holding herself in reserve, and if the baron likewise has more cards to play, it's against that that she'll set herself.     Once she's done looking, and while standing well out of sight of the two outside, the swordswoman materializes. Changing to physical form is somewhat slow for a quick strike in combat, so she's better off getting it out of the way before anything happens. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     The gate is pretty trashed after that strike, but- wait, huh? No, it's perfectly intact! Well, not perfectly, but pretty intact. Moreso than it was when Mordred parried... did Mordred parry? It doesn't make a lot of sense! Either way, Mordred smashes forward and- impacts against the knight's shield hits the shield at an angle, with a sickening crunch, sending him wrenching it free from the man's arm flying back. The Servant will feel painfully. A twisting snap can be the bones crack and give way despite heard as the arm breaks, but he superhuman toughness, and the Blooded survives mostly intact, just in great slams into the far wall to cough out pain. Staggering back, a clumsy jab a disturbing spray of blood- is aimed toward Mordred while he tries to recover.     While the knight is recovering, the woman with the lance is still circling... and chasing Purity's hand at the same time. With a frustrated grunt, the one chasing gives up and whips around, trying to lunge in at superhuman speed at Mordred's side with the spear. The other /exactly identical/ figure scoots in from the other side, aiming a less powerful but still swift jab toward one leg. 

:'''{{#var:188|Lute (188)}} has posed:'''      With the Unown floating around still, Lute gets a good view of what the Knight is up to, and the predictament he has ended up in. They've spread out a bit, so he keeps rapidly flipping through the various Unown's vision, to see for himself where the Knight is. And, with Miko definitely able to handle the archer on her own? Well. Lute smiles at the knight.      It's time to enjoy being a big overpowered against a relatively minor opponent. By completely obliterating the knight.      "Giratina. Hyper Beam."      And, Giratina opens its mouth. The incredibly powerful beam of destruction bursts out, flying towards the knight. Trying to engulf him completely. Trying to destroy him utterly. Giratina is, of course, careful to make sure no others are caught in the massively powerful blast, of course.      And, as the attack hits, Lute pauses a bit. ...He really should've at least asked the knight for his name. But, oh well. His next of kin will figure it out eventually anyways, won't they? No need for him to make sure they're informed of his death. Assuming he actually does in fact die.      Lute laughs a bit, "No one can possibly survive a Hyper Beam from Giratina."      Hopefully Lute didn't just jinx it by saying it out loud. 

:'''{{#var:589|Miko Fujimoto (589)}} has posed:'''     There's some hairline fractures from breaking through the wall, but nothing life-threatening. More of a concern for Paladin is the arrow that is fired right before she pulps the enemy. Despite being covered in blood and gore, the magic of her transformation makes her look impressive somehow. Like a heroic warrior who has battled through hell for the sake of others. And that same magic, which makes her appear mature and graceful, also conceals that the girl inside of the magical girl can feel the pain of the arrow shot through her leg all too keenly. Her leg protection extends from her feet up to her knees, and then stops. That final magical arrow went right through her leg just above her armor.     But because of Law Magic, she is not allowed to express discomfort from her injury. She's not allowed to stop and attend to it if it doesn't directly interfere with her mission. And right now, her mission still involves making sure Charity Whiteheart reaches Baron Fuzzywuzzy or whatever his name was. She should check if that part of the objective has been met yet, but after taking a moment to look up at Giratina in the sky and see how it and Lute are doing, she starts heading in the direction the others went. She might be a bit too late to catch up with them, but given she's still clocking in a several dozen mph with a hole in her leg and another hole in her abdomen, maybe she'll arrive in time to accomplish something regardless. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     So now we come to Charity. Charity, who passes right through the slightly startled Baron to cleave at his neck. Yet the Baron has fought Charity before, and he wasn't entirely surprised by that move... it's just hard to counter. A bone spur erupts from his shoulder, the mystically-enhanced bone getting sheared off but saving his neck, delaying the strike just enough to keep him from decapitation.     He whips around, blood flung from the shallow cut along his cheek. The swift stabbing thrust he does toward Charity isn't strong, but it is fast, trying to catch her before she dematerializes again. "No, sorry. Your twisted ideal is not going to come to pass. Stolen powers are nothing against one BORN to them." He does have a point. He's had his powers for decades, while Charity is relatively new to hers.     Lialyn, meanwhile, will slip through the building of the manor and materialize... and the clearer sight that material form grants will show her that it isn't all clear like initially seen. The fuse is pretty long, but he's set up numerous barrels of what are probably explosives in the house. The idea is pretty clear... if he wins, he just yanks the fuse out. If he loses, the whole place goes... unless Charity wins in time and is aware of the threat. 

:'''{{#var:292|Purity Hopesong (292)}} has posed:'''     Purity sighs as the pursuit of her hand is broken off. She'll pull the eyepatch off, revealing the nothingness underneath it, right up until she jams her eye back into place, a moment's concentration sealing it there. Then, naturally, her freefloating hand cuts off the left hand in a quick and surprisingly relatively bloodless motion.     That hand floats up as well, pulling a second hook from under her cloak to quickly attach it to Purity's other hand, then ripping a sword free. Purity is now quadruple wielding, two-uping many the minmaxer, and the mercenary will rush towards where Mordred is, leading with her hands, striking out in a pair of blows with the two flying swords. The hooks are really more to defend herself, but with her full body in the same place she has more absolute control over the hands, and her experience in this odd style of fighting will immediately be clear. 

:'''{{#var:12|Mordred (12)}} has posed:'''     Evidently Mordred gave the knight too little credit. Getting rid of his shield was good enough-- certainly not the impact the Saber wanted, but still good. It's becoming obvious these two might just be enough to push her back. The thought should certainly make any normal knight worry... but Mordred is just grinning wide instead.     The Servant's unwounded hand suddenly gathers red energy, which forms into the large shape of her blade, Clarent, the silver and red sword with fairy engravings upon it gleaming a radiant silver. It's used to attempt to knock aside the clumsy jab, hard enough to break an arm if the swordsman were to insist, but he seems to have the same supernatural insincts as she does, so it won't be hard to tell that might be a bad idea. On the other hand, she may be underestimating the swordsman's strength.     Then come the two lancers-- two? Ugh. There was just one a moment ago! Three on one, this is hardly fair. But let it not be said Mordred dislikes a challenge. She will absolutely be pissed if she loses, but it's the sort of anger that drives a fighter to improvement and further fights, not to hatred.     If these were normal people, she could easily parry both of them with one wide arc-- but their speed makes that impossible. Instead, she turns to face the first lancer fully, gathering large amounts of blood red magic in her feet and arms. She swings Clarent to meet the spear, releasing a burst of red, blood-like, searing magic along with the blade, while her feet crater the ground and send a plume of it backwards, trying to block the second lancer. 

:'''{{#var:202|Adelyn Lysen (202)}} has posed:'''     Lialyn would be in quite a lot of trouble here, as her ability with explosives is very limited. She can hit them, or carry them, but disarming anything complicated is well beyond her ability. She could dematerialize to escape, but she'd have almost no mana left to actually fight. That would be her exit from the field.     After conferring quickly via her link to her summoner, she puts what knowledge she does have to use. Her blades flick out with surety, and she cuts the fuse.     If nothing explodes, it will then be time for her to look out and get a visual update on Charity's condition. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     The militia are starting to rally... but they have taken losses. Their idea now is a delaying tactic, to cluster together and find a fortified position so as to remain safe until support can arrive. The twins must have been that support. At least they are indirectly doing just what they intended, right? They're also providing quite a show for Lezard!     Both twins stare at Psyber. "Until he releases us-" "Or a more valued person earns our loyalty," the other finishes. They ready their blades and don't elaborate on the last bit at all. Instead, one of them darts to the side, slashing the air to send a spray of ice crystals at Psyber.     The other's weapon darts out, not aimed at the half-angel, but instead at the ice crystals, working in perfect tandem with her sister to send a spray of /water/ toward Psyber instead, cold liquid water just like a large slash.     And the moment it hits, the other sister uses her power again, flash-freezing the water in an attempt to freeze the limbs solid. 

:'''{{#var:299|Charity Whiteheart (299)}} has posed:'''     The bone lance comes about and does a shallow but effective jab. "GAH!" Charity was caught by surprise, and though she was half-phased, it wasn't enough. The tip slides through her shoulder, drawing some blood and pain, but more importantly she's now pinned against the wall, and her sword in that arm clatters to the ground. She hisses in pain, the other sword dropped as well to clutch the bone lance. "Nnf... explosives. In case you lost, huh?"     She grits her teeth and glares at the Baron. "Yeah... you were born with it. That's all that matters with you Blooded. The right of birth... not worthiness. It's all about your dynasties and heirs, isn't it?" She draws a pained breath. "I'm not going to kill you... but I'll end your line."     Her knee comes up, aiming toward the man's armored crotch. The instant before impact, a wind-shearing bone spur erupts, all her air-powered piercing magic going into it to try to stab through the armor at a shallow angle.     She's not trying to kill him. She's trying to permanently cripple in a very, very specific way. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     "I see. I can commend your loyalty to him, but I will not let you die for him. So I will be your opponent over the others," Psyber says, flourishing the sword in his hand. He takes a slow breath. He knows he's being watched and judged for the fight that's about to happen.     And, according to the Twins, not just by Lezard but by them too.     He switches his grip on the sword, holding it in a reverse grasp and adjusting his stance, "I hold you no animosity, this is purely to save your lives."     He ducks and weaves around the water, trying to avoid it as best he can. But it still hits him in his left arm, followed by a coldsnap to freeze the limb solid. The arm hangs at Psyber's side, stiff and icy, blue in color from frostbite and cold damage.     But he powers in right towards the two of them. The first and most obvious fact: Their powers and better abilities will rely on their coordination. Psyber, then, decides to attempt to disrupt their rhythm.     Since he only has one arm, he tries to swipe his sword at one sister and send her into a retreat before he pivots during the swing and uses it to rotate his entire body, throwing his weight into a crushingly-powerful heel kick aimed at the other one.     He's having to get creative due to lacking one functional arm at the moment. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     The hyper beam lances out from the pokemon, and the knight's eyes widen. The masonry around him crumbles and explodes with energy, and a moment later as the light fades, he's nowhere to be seen. Just a smoking crater and crumbling stonework, which rumbles and collapses a moment later. Surely he's been killed and vaporized, right? Or, possibly, used the last of his strength to drill down into the stone and find cover, and is thus merely badly wounded and covered in rubble. Maybe we'll find out some day.     The archer, though, is definitely dead. Neck snapped, ribs crushed, he's slumped over. With the undead issues, all the militia are trying to deal with Lezard's troops. This gives Miko some time to pull out and find somewhere to recover. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Lialyn disables the explosives by cutting them. This was... fairly simple, once she decided to do this. She'll be able to slip out just in time to see Charity's attempt, which is forthcoming shortly. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Mordred's sword is stronger than even the super strength of the Blooded, so it's a strike that - - shatters the blade and slams his arm into the ground - - forces him to roll with it and stumble away. He's on the defensive now, and barely turns in time to start parrying the blades Purity is lashing toward him. Two on one, and his shield gone, he has to rely on his uncanny 'instinct' and his super speed. It's odd, because it seems like Purity is landing some clean hits on him, when he tries to advance, but he never gets any closer and never seems to bleed. His 'overwritten' reality doesn't actually erase the memories that it happens, which is probably disorienting. The fact remains that he's off-balance, though, and Purity is good enough to keep him on his toes if she presses the advantage like that.     The lancer attacking Mordred's side gets slammed by the prana burst... and disintegrates into red mist. Literal red mist. The other is knocked backward, staggering back against the wall behind her, and the red mist swirls and combines with her as she takes a breath, shuddering in apparent pain. "Mmf."     She leaps to the side a moment later. That red mist returns, swirling out from her and reforming into an identical body, which /lunges/ forward with a lance of her own. Seeing them in action, it's easy to see which one is the copy... the one being more reckless. 

:'''{{#var:188|Lute (188)}} has posed:'''      With the lance-knight assumedly dead and not secretly escaped, Lute turns Giratina towards the Baron's house. He has the Giratina continue to circle around the Baron's house, watching down over the edge of Giratina at what is going on below. He's being very relaxed overall. A bit overconfident this is going to go okay.      His Unown, though? Although some of them were killed, the others are beginning to spread out across the city, exploring and searching. Making sure everything is in order, and relaying information to Lute about what is going on. And, sending him flashes of visions if he sees anything unusual.      Plus, he's really curious what is going on between Charity and the Baron.      He's probably going to be a little bit terrified and sympathetic. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     So what does Lialyn see? What does Lute find? They'll arrive in time to see Charity pinned by the lance against the wall, and the Baron smiling. "Hmm? You had an interesting power... powers, it seems. But you're still new to them. Pity. If you were actually Blooded, I imagine you could have gone f-"     *SCHLRK!*     "-aarrrrrr-*" The Baron's eyes bug out and his voice raises two octaves when the knee comes up. Blood erupts from the back as the bone is penetrated by the spur, the wind-sheath giving it the power to pierce the enchanted armor. His grip tightens on the spear, unintentionall twisting it a little... before he collapses backward, gurgling incoherently. 

:'''{{#var:188|Lute (188)}} has posed:'''      Lute looks down just in time to see what Charity did.      He feels vomit coming into his mouth a bit, but swallows itdown. He closes his eyes, and mutters to Giratina.      "...Just... just land near the door, block the unconcious guy from my sight, and let me walk into the house without seeing that again."      And, Giratina will land, and Lute is going to move into it. Checking for valuables, stealing the explosives, and basically rooting through the person's stuff as quickly as he possibly can before they leave.      He also finally vomits into a potted plant. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Psyber goes on the offense! He does a valid tactic, even crippled as he is. The twins are used to working with one another though... and a lesser man wouldn't have managed to succeed in such a tactic. They're used to people trying to disrupt their abilities.     Even working together, though, the twins are only moderately above most Elites. Psyber's strike is caught by one twin's sword, and it knocks the blade clean out of her hands. She's startled by the sheer force of it, and it sends her more off-balance than she expected. A jet of flame lances out, but it's aimed too high... it'll do little more than restrict Psyber's movement.     Which doesn't matter much, because the ice sister gets a full-on hit with the heel of the foot. "AHH!" She wheezes out, slammed hard enough to hit the wall behind her. She stumbles, clutching her stomach before slumping to the ground. It should have shattered bone, but the Blooded are made of sterner stuff than most. Either way, one is disarmed but for her native abilities, and the other is stunned. They have to know they're outclassed. 

:'''{{#var:202|Adelyn Lysen (202)}} has posed:'''     Lialyn's brow raises at the sight. "Effective." For the given goal of humiliating him, at least. It's not her place to question why this is necessary, and so she doesn't. If the objective was fulfilled, all this means is that it's time to leave. Since Lute is doing the opposite of leaving, he gets a sidelong glance, but she'll neither assist nor distract him. Instead, she leaves.     Charity gets a nod, while the baron is given as much attention and sympathy as a sack of flour. When the former is ready to leave, Lialyn will go with her.     Lialyn will incidentally wreck the baron's garden in passing, pulling up the earth up under her like a wave to carry her down the street, which should last just long enough to get her up to speed before she has to vault a wall. 

:'''{{#var:299|Charity Whiteheart (299)}} has posed:'''     As the Baron falls bleeding on the ground, Charity yanks the spear out of her shoulder rather than phase through it. She tosses it aside, then gathers her swords up, sheathing them at her side. To the fallen noble she shakes her head. "You brought this on yourself, playing games with people who didn't have the luck to be born with noble blood. Things are going to be changing soon. You should feel fortunate. You're going to see the end of an era, and the beginning of the new."     She walks past the pokemon, not really caring if Lute grabs all the explosives. Then she leaps up and heads for the far wall. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     Psyber easily skids to a stop right after, "You two are strong. Do you want to die here? The Baron's bloodline is ended. His new role is to fade into obscurity from this generation on."     Psyber sheathes his sword and then flexes his arm. The ice covering it cracks and falls off, and though the arm is still deeply frostburned and damaged in places, and still a blue-purple shade, with black splotches, Psyber flexes it and looks to them.     "Work for me, if I've earned your loyalty today. Flee the city if I haven't, but I won't see you die for a man who dug his own grave," Psyber narrows his eyes at them, "I already have your first mission in mind." 

:'''{{#var:12|Mordred (12)}} has posed:'''     The weird overwritten reality effect is definitely unique-- she'd withdraw her thought about comparing it to her own Instinct skill, if she weren't busy actually taking these two seriously. Mordred would have to admit, that mist trick is cool. Annoying to fight against, but cool. Seems these two are near the top of the food chain.     "You two're damn good. Be a shame if you died here for some dumb baron. Listen, from what I'm hearing, shit's over. We're pulling the fuck out 'cuz we're done here, but if you're REALLY sure you want to keep picking that fight--"     There's a click and a metallic noise coming from Mordred's sword, as the inner designs near the guard suddenly deploy out like spikes, just about half a foot of gleaming silver steel at both sides of the blade. Red lightning arcs around the sword, giving it a gloomy red aura, with swirls of liquid magic spiralling around like blood.     She swings the blade forward, carving a crimson arc forward with the lightning and raw magic. It's not aimed so as to directly impact the incoming lancer, but rather to split the ground open between the two knights (i.e. Mordred and her). Of course, if she doesn't stop in time, she might get caught in the edge of the blast, but it shouldn't be too bad.     It's obviously an attempt to discourage pursuit. 

:'''{{#var:598|Lezard Valeth (598)}} has posed:''' Lezard has been informed that the objective is complete. He turns to look at the Twins and how they handle Psyber's response, even as he releases his grip on the undead. The undead, freed of the close control, go feral, striking suicidally for blood with hatred and fury. With the fortified militia, they will die in droves, but they may take another couple with them. It's not his problem anymore. He smiles to the twins, and raises his hands, a magical circle forming around him. They might not know what he is doing, no attack comes. When the circle complete, Lezard fades out, his voice resonating in the air with a low chuckle. 

:'''{{#var:292|Purity Hopesong (292)}} has posed:'''     Purity does rather hate fighting Blooded, mostly because of that constant feeling that they have advantages to match hers without all those pesky downsides of corruption and having to hack off their own bits and all. The feeling of having landed a variety of clean hits that don't actually seem to have happened will add to her frustration, but given that Mordred seems inclined to pull back, the mercenary will start with a defensive plan.     That is to say, her body will turn and run, with her hands hanging back for a few seconds to discourage the knight from coming after her. Once she has a suitable lead, they'll fly off after her faster than Purity can actually run. Hands are kind of overpowered. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     The twins cough and rise up, knowing they're outmatched. They'd probably still fight, but since Psyber isn't actively going against the Baron now... it's kind of pointless. They look at one another, then one murmurs, "We'll think about the offer."     Meanwhile, the reality-copying man is starting to press the attack when that chasm opens. "GAH!" He leaps back - twice - and scrambles against the wall before steadying himself. That lets Purity take off, all right.     The copy-lancer's lance gets sliced in half, but even the copy manages to stop before the split. Maybe they share pain or something? She stares at Mordred, then the copy dissolves and she nods. "It's not certain if we could beat you. It would probably result in some heavy injuries even if we won." Hey, she can probably word this as driving the enemy to retreat, if she really wanted. 

}}

1794/Loose Ends

2015-03-13T04:32:45Z

Blue Elf: Created page with "{{Log Header |Date of Scene=2015/03/12 |Location=Terra Majora |Synopsis=Nathan and Eleanor go to talk to Eveningstar, while Psyber, Mordred, and Lezard Valeth dress down the B..."

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2015/03/12
|Location=Terra Majora
|Synopsis=Nathan and Eleanor go to talk to Eveningstar, while Psyber, Mordred, and Lezard Valeth dress down the Binder Order
|Thanks=
|Cast of Characters=12, 40, 92, 168, 253, 598
|Tinyplot=New Blood
|Tinyplot2=
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     THE BINDER ORDER     The headquarters of the Binder Order is in the Windward Empire, though they are technically not under Empire jurisdiction. Well outside of the nearest city, it is actually a sprawling fortress, though parts of it are in better repair than others. Several Blooded stand guard at the gates, which are massive wooden doors that are closed, though the portcillus that provides an extra level of defense is raised... and doesn't look like it's been down in a while. This isn't a fortress that gets attacked seriously, much, and they probably wouldn't even have guards if not for the recent upheavals. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     EVENINGSTAR     Since the big battle, Eveningstar has been in a process of rebuilding. The Regent was rather popular, so nobody cares much or suspects foul play when the Council is still reported as missing. It is also more accepting of Union visitation, after the whole city had to move and new roads had to be built. The Regent is busy, but calling ahead has ensured that the waiting period is pretty short. She does have guards, but the young girl is willing to see Nathan and company.     She does look rather tired, though. When she takes a seat, the fatigue in her eyes and face is readily apparent. "Good evening, I apologize for the wait." 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     THE BINDER ORDER     Psyber is wearing what looks like a long coat over slacks and a button-up shirt, trying to pull off the look of a casual Blooded who took fashion tips from a few offworlders. He probably, actually, commuted here after classes if the leather satchel he's wearing is any indication. He does have something to redeem himself for his lazy cover ID: A big tupperware container of leftovers. This is, obviously, immediately handed to Mordred. It has a sampling of most things present at the party last night.     "Here. Eat this. Gonna try a cover ID."     The cover ID is his standard one: "Yes, I'm Paul Blackdeath. I'm here to look at some Binder texts. My messenger should have arrived earlier today with my royal warrant if he did not... well..." Psyber makes a 'tipping back a bottle' motion with his hand, "You know how hired help can be, never expecting to be caught slacking off. 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     Nathan Hall looks kind of shitty these days. Which is to say, in order to make time for this, he's missed out on a lot of sleep and a few meals, and the sickly, worn look on Nathan's face isn't too tough to see. ELSEWHERE, a certain someone might be parsing it as noble dedication to helping the Taliel Kingdom. Nathan himself has business either way.     "Salutations." He says, taking a seat wherever they might have set up their meeting. Likely somewhere humble and inconspicuous in the recovery camps. "Thank you for taking the time to meet with me. I understand you are extremely busy with other matters of an extremely pressing nature. But for obvious reasons, I believe our concerns are likely to be connected. I would like to speak with you about the Council, and the means by which you said we were all mislead." He's likely come without guards of his own. Possibly without companions. He's not terribly inclined to talk about this with people at the moment, but he DID schedule this right over his therapy session with Eleanor, after all. So he might not have gotten away.     He's going to keep a light hold on the conversation, letting the Regent speak her place first, and offer whatever details she might prefer to give initially. 

:'''{{#var:40|Eleanor Lamb (40)}} has posed:'''     Damn right you scheduled it over our therepy session. Elle is still peeved about that, but holding it in well as she sits with Nathan. She's fixed this role before nad is attempting to blend in rather nicely as a Loyal Assisstant to the Librarian. She's even got a clipboard and a little pocketwatch on her hip     -heeyyy wait a nimute. 

:'''{{#var:12|Mordred (12)}} has posed:'''     Mordred is with Psyber. She is unarmored for the time being (jeans, white tank top, Cool Jacket), to avoid the Binders flipping their shit at Fairchild's Servant showing up. Y'know, especially after the INCIDENT at the temple. So many bodies. And all she had to do was ask them instead of fighting. Big oops, there.,     Since she is calmed by offerings of FOOD from Psyber, the blonde teenager will not be saying stupid things right now, just stuffing her face instead. OMNOMNOMNOM. 

:'''{{#var:598|Lezard Valeth (598)}} has posed:''' Lezard is present, dressed in his more usual outfit. He might even fit in here. He remains pleasantly businesslike, waiting at the gates for Psyber's success or failure as needed. He is well behaved, but even so, you can't erase the shadiness from him entirely. It's just part of who he is. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     REGENT     "Mn, the Council..." The Regent makes a distressed face at first, then sighs as she waves to the guards to step back, affording her the illusion of privacy. "Unpleasant business, but given the situation that happened and your role in stopping it, I think we can be open. You look like you've been dealing with some matters of importance, as well. What can I answer for you, offworlders? But first... what interest do you have in all this?"     Illuvia was, in fact, convinced that Nathan was a superhero. That didn't stop her from trying to dote on him a bit. At least she made sure that when he was speaking to her, he got something to eat. 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     "In its most broad sense, I seek resolution to all matters currently assailing the population of your world as a whole. While some may not believe the matter pressing, you have seen yourself what the Shajem are capable of and how close to the bring we all are." Nathan says, gesturing in the direction of the catacombs. "The interest I have in this is the preservation of humanity as we know it in Terra Majora. Everything else is simply the natural extension of that. I seek to ensure that what happened here does not happen anywhere else. We moved in blind ignorance. Doing so had unforgivable consequences, and as such, I seek to remedy that."     "My questions, of course, concern the Shajem, first and foremost. Why its influence was not appropriately contained, what the Council was doing, and what risks may have been present here that can be given all due consideration in future efforts elsewhere." 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     BINDERS     The guards look at one another uncertainly... and perhaps a little worriedly. One of the three steps forward to whisper something to the other two, then heads into the fortress after struggling with the door a little. The two remaining stand at attention, and one says, "Please wait here a moment, Sir."     It really is just a moment, though, before the door opens again, and a grey-robed older gentleman steps out. "Hello, then. Interest in the Binder texts is it? Not a request that we get at this particular fortress, from those outside. May I inquire as to the reason for your visit?" 

:'''{{#var:40|Eleanor Lamb (40)}} has posed:'''     Eleanor sighs. 'all matters' indeed. She makes a lengthy note on her clipboard.     And then she's looking up. "Was there any awareness that a Shajem was living directly under the city like that... before it decided to get up and walk around, that is?" 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     A BETTER ORDER THAN 1186     Psyber nods his head, "Yes. I am here for texts and, rather, for the entirety of the Binder order in some manner," Psyber explains, waving his hand a bit, "I have brought an expert in magic theory and an expert in proactivity," That second one is a very fancy way of saying Mordred does whatever the fuck she wants. The first one is a genuine compliment to Lezard.     "We wish to discuss the Binder texts and, by extension, the proactivity and autonomy of given Binders in researching new or more lasting forms of Binding to help the whole of Terra Majora. I think we can all agree this is a useful topic." 

:'''{{#var:12|Mordred (12)}} has posed:'''     EXPERT IN PROACTIVITY.     Omnomnom sushi.     And then glitterbomb.     Mordred's upper body is now covered in glitter, and she frowns. That does not stop her from finishing to chew and swallow the rest of the sushi because wasting food is a worse sin than trapping it.     And then she smacks Psyber behind the head.     "What the fuck, now I look like a unicorn puked on me."     The actual thing she wanted to say isn't PG-friendly.     "Who DOES THAT to fucking food, man?" 

:'''{{#var:598|Lezard Valeth (598)}} has posed:''' Lezard does not comment on Mordred's new glittery appearance. This is because he doesn't want to decant a new homunculus shell for himself tonight. Instead, he bows when introduced as an expert in magical theory. He does have a sideline in proactivity too, but he won't complain. "The threat of the Shajem is something that concerns all peoples of the world." Always a popular theme, protecting the innocent peoples from the depredations of things. and stuff. Whatever, heroes. "Of course, we would want to discuss such things with those who have been responsible for such for uncounted years, indeed?" He smiles pleasantly. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Sighing, the Regent shakes her head. "You have reasonable questions, but ones that I cannot answer very well. We don't know how much influence the Shajem had on the Council... it could have been leaking into them, generation after generation. We know they were... doing unpleasant things for some time. We've found documentation of certain sacrifices to be performed..." She shakes her head to clear it of unpleasant thoughts. "This isn't important. We've had a crippling blow to our government, and the entire kingdom is in chaos." 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     BINDERS     The man in grey considers the group thoughtfully. "Hmn. Laypeople are really not ones who need to concern themself with the Order. This is, after all, our particular specialty. You have nothing to worry about." He smiles, attempting to be reassuring... but ends up staring at the glitter bomb for several long seconds.     "Ahem," he finally clears his throat. "I have been told to make you comfortable and answer questions if you like. Call me Father Justlove. May I order you some tea, everyone?" He gestures to the doorway, inviting the group in for now. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     Psyber's head snaps forward when Mordred smacks him in the back of it.     "A present from your Master and from me. Revenge for the tilde-escapades." Psyber comments in a diplomatic tone. Not an untrue statement on either part, Elliana did show interest in Mordred covered in glitter, Psyber just took an initiative.     Either way, he lets Lezard turn on the charm while his own hands move to fold behind his back. Mordred will only find ONE food item trapped. The rest is delicious and trap-free.     "I will not partake in tea," It's a Boston thing. Or so he'd have people believe. He just doesn't like tea, "Father Justlove, a pleasure to meet you. I appreciate your cooperation in letting us ask you questions." 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     Nathan nods with a somber sort of posture to his stoicism. "I understand." He says, simply. "I believe I already have seen some of the results of this unusual management. Wightseer was heavily Twisted." He sighs a bit heavily. "You are correct. The details, specifically, of the council, these are nor important. What is most important is that I determine that this manner of trouble will not rear its head again vis a vis the other Shajem." He at least notes the answer to Eleanor's question there. That's useful.     "As for the matter of the chaos, given that the entire ruling body responsible for the inhumane legislative tendencies is currently gone, the Union can offer a measure of assistance, if the proper reforms can be agreed upon. I will not press the issue further, unless you find the option appealing. I will focus, for now, on more relevant matters, and ideally waste little of your time. All I need to know is what caution is necessary as we move forward toeards the other Shajem. Was this something they were communicating with other kingdoms about? In collaboration? Or something they might have known other kingdoms were doing? That is the extent of what I need to know." 

:'''{{#var:40|Eleanor Lamb (40)}} has posed:'''     REGENT:     More scribbling of notes from Eleanor. A glance over at the Regent and then to Nathan Hall and then back to her notes. A little furrow on her brow.     "I'm trying to get a list of the most major repairs and infrastructure neccessites going forward. What's the most critical damage at this point? For humanitarian purposes or otherwise." 

:'''{{#var:12|Mordred (12)}} has posed:'''     Grumble. Mordred sighs. She'd much rather punch Psyber right now, but this is neither the time nor place. On the other hand the so-called father's name makes her have to control a laugh.     What a terrible name for a priest.     Or a good one, depending.     "Fuck tea, we came here to be proactive," she complains.     "No 'ffense, father." 

:'''{{#var:598|Lezard Valeth (598)}} has posed:''' "Indeed. and the Order has done a great deal of work in helping the people of the world. But there is no harm in self-review and reflection. Assistance can always come from unlikely sources, as meager as it might be, Father." The offer of tea is considered. "Thank you for the offer, Father, but it seems we will have scant time for refreshments today. Please, let us proceed and see what we can accomplish today." 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     REGENT     Sadly, the girl shakes her head. "We can provide some of what we know, but it is scarce little. From what I have been told by those investigating, the Council believed they could leverage the Behemoth and the Shajem to strike against the Windward Empire, and gain their territory. Or some of it. I'm not sure what the real plan was, there are numerous revisions. We don't know what the current one was, and it's likely they changed it every few generations." She spreads her hands.     "Ah... we need to fix plumbing, many of the streets, and there are some injured," she replies to Eleanor. "And I am still learning of this Union, but decorum and morale prevents me from asking myself. The offer will be... examined." Which likely means she's looking for the help it would provide. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     ORDER     Justlove sighs, "I see. Very well. Come on inside." He turns to lead the group in, but once inside he speaks more candidly. "We know that at least two of you are offworlders, and presume that the third is as well. This is not normally something we would permit, but Father Windson has loosened the restrictions out of pragmatism, of late." This might seem like good news, but the man adjusts his glasses as he leads the group into a small, cozy, but not all that luxurious sitting room.     "Understand that your offworld influences have nearly destroyed the status quo here," he states as he gestures to some seats. "This has angered some powerful people, and made quite an issue for Father Windson. We are understandably reluctant to encourage further disruption." 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     BINDER ORDER     Psyber is walking along with Mordred as Justlove talks. The half-angel is pretty calm and mostly letting Lezard take point at the moment. He promised Mordred a card game, and so he takes two Magic Decks out of his coat pockets, "So do you want to be the RDW Deck or the classic Mono-White Soldier?"     Magic is probably a game that will just piss Mordred off more.     "Please understand that we're not meddling because we want to destroy your world," Psyber notes in a serious tone, "There are some fundamental flaws in the workings of Terra Majora, especially in its adherence to very obstructive ideals. We're pursuing the best course of action we can see. We're here to try to do so as unobtrusively as possible." 

:'''{{#var:12|Mordred (12)}} has posed:'''     "What the fuck is RDW. Ugh. Whatever, soldier deck, I guess." No, she doesn't know how to play. This might be a very bad idea overall, especially in the middle of BUSINESS.     She idly answers Justlove: "What he's trying to politely say is that your status quo was kind of shitty, falling apart, and dooming you all to way worse than what's going on right now before too long. And we're kinda here to fix it. So you could work with us here and make it easier on everyone." 

:'''{{#var:598|Lezard Valeth (598)}} has posed:''' Lezard follows along, adjusting his glasses as he looks in the corners of the doorway, along floor lines, at the base of columns, and other places where one can secret runic scripts into a building. After all, he does it himself, he knows what to look for. He is not expecting this to come to that point, but it is good to know what built-in defenses a place like this might have in case Mordred decides it's time to cut to the heart of the matter. Lezard sits as requested, and he smiles to the Father. "Of course. But at the same time, nothing lasts forever, does it? Even without our influence it would have to change. Our interests, as stated, are in assisting to preserve this world. As you have so astutely noted, a number of us are not of your world, and yet we have concerns. Have you considered that the state of Terra Majora as it lies now has wide-reaching effects even beyond its own world?" Lezard adjusts his glasses again. Like most people with them, he likes using them as puncutation. "And even so, the actions... Or more accurately, lack of action of the Order have been called into question more than once. We are not saying that you are not capable of doing your jobs, far from it. But we would treat with you to discuss current events and find a way to resolve them in a more... proactive manner." That's always a good word. Proactive. 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     REGENT     Nathan assumes his proper displomatic posture. "Assuming full compliance with regulations concerning humane policies, the Union is prepared to offer humanitarian aide or long-term assistance, potentially in the form of mutual alliance, but more immediately, we have extensive masses of knowledge and labor to assist in restoration of infrastructure and administration of medical care and supplies." This isn't TOO out of line to offer, now that the entire government of this area has been gutted save for this one person who demonstrated a lack of involvement in weird sacrifices.     Nathan nods to the Eegent. "I understand. With poor or manipulated archiving, these sorts of things become lost. You need not apologize. We can investigate further independently. Of course, the plan is, by now, irrelevant for the most part. What is important is something entirely different: Indications that they may not have been alone in these matters, so I can understand what contexts require further caution." He's going to need to link this with Redmist at Lastfall, and get some comprehensive view of all this... 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     BINDER ORDER     Justlove rubs his temples. "It seems to have been stable for centuries before this unification business. Now, I am not the head of the order, but I am certain he would disapprove of altering our policies which have been working for so long merely because some others who know nothing about our world have barged in and-" He's raising his voice, starting to straighten up.     "That will be enough," says the man stepping through the door. He wasn't trying to hide himself, so he can easily be heard coming, it isn't a surprise. Well, not to anyone but Justlove, who sighs and sits down again. The elder who brushes off his own robes introduces himself, "Gray Windson, Head of the Order of Binders. My subordinate is correct. On occassion we have someone who insists things need to be moved along, that we risk our Binders in some foolish pursuit. All we are doing is being cautious." 

:'''{{#var:40|Eleanor Lamb (40)}} has posed:'''     REGENT:     Eleanor scribbles some more. Is she drawing something? Maybe.     Another look up. "What the General means is that we're certianly able to assist any willing government in a time of crisis. No one want sto see Morningstar turned into a shell of refugees and homeless, that's no good for anyone."     More brow furrowing. "I can assume that basic supplies and engineering crews would be acceptable to start with, to ensure that civilian relief is in place." 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     REGENT     Nathan gets a shake of the head, "No, nothing that indicates anything like that yet. It's very... complicated though. I'm sure if we arrange matters with your government, we can provide some of the documentation. In the absence of the Council, I currently have all the power... though there is talk of replacing the Council. Their families are beginning to raise a stink, so... we should move quickly."     The young girl rubs at her eyes. "I didn't think it would get this complicated so soon. But... it does seem that they intended to sacrifice me within a few years. I think I will take Union membership over risking that. Can you provide protection?" 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     BINDER ORDER     Psyber actually doesn't play Magic with Mordred. Because before he can get past explaining Mana and upkeep, Windson has arrived. Psyber spins both decks in his hands and they vanish up his sleeves like a magician. He turns to Gray Windson and says, "Hypothesis: I believe that upholding the status quo risks more Binders and the balance of the world than changing it does."     "Basis of Argument: Multiversal interference in the politics and matters of this world are inevitable. Newer, more efficient forms of Binding that put less risk on Binders and provide a more sustainable solution are being persistently researched by outside parties as we speak. The Binders are presently at a crossroads," Psyber notes, "Either the order will help us with these new Methods and be able to carry them on into the forseeable future with as much importance as they presently share, or we will master new methods of Binding and the order will be supplanted and left to irrelevancy."     "Conclusion statement: You know how this world treats irrelevant parties, even those like the Blooded and Binders. It is most productive to come in on the ground floor." 

:'''{{#var:12|Mordred (12)}} has posed:'''     Mordred is already looking frustrated a minute into explanations when Psyber puts the decks away. Now she just looks pissed, and the fact this is turning into a contest of careful words makes her cross her arms and sigh in defeat.     She decides NOT to speak her mind, just this once. It would be pointless antagonizing, and Windson doesn't seem like the sort of man who brushes that aside. Not in his own place. The murderbeast of a Saber will stay back, for now.     Maybe finish those leftovers. Omnom. 

:'''{{#var:598|Lezard Valeth (598)}} has posed:''' Lezard's smile dims as Justlove begins to get indignant at him. He is about to deliver a blistering retort when Windson steps in and makes the situation much more palatable. "Excellent." Lezard replies. "I was hoping we would have the chance to meet with you, Master Windson." He pauses as Psyber lays out a Hall-esque demonstration of carrot and stick. He gestures to Psyber, and then comments. "It is true. I am one of those who are in fact researching such a thing, and I can confirm that our basic methodolgies are rapidly reaching the aforementioned crossroads. Many, many options will become available soon. Some of them are more permanent than others." 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     REGENT     Nathan assumes his proper displomatic posture. "Assuming full compliance with regulations concerning humane policies, the Union is prepared to offer humanitarian aide or long-term assistance, potentially in the form of mutual alliance, but more immediately, we have extensive masses of knowledge and labor to assist in restoration of infrastructure and administration of medical care and supplies." This isn't TOO out of line to offer, now that the entire government of this area has been gutted save for this one person who demonstrated a lack of involvement in weird sacrifices.     Nathan nods to the Eegent. "I understand. With poor or manipulated archiving, these sorts of things become lost. You need not apologize. We can investigate further independently. Of course, the plan is, by now, irrelevant for the most part. What is important is something entirely different: Indications that they may not have been alone in these matters, so I can understand what contexts require further caution." He's going to need to link this with Redmist at Lastfall, and get some comprehensive view of all this... Eleanor gets a few agreeing motions, though. "My friend is correct. Punishing or hunting everything related to this sort of thing is one thing, seperate from all else here." He says that as if it wasn't a severe and direct lie, considring the access-grabbing game plan she's always in need of. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     BINDER ORDER     Windson sits down as Justlove takes his leave. Oddly, Justlove mouths a 'good luck' to Lezard, despite the earlier antagonism, before he's out the door. Windson doesn't notice, of course, since he's facing the other way and getting ready to retort.     "Yes, I am sure one versed in the mystic arts would say that," Windson states. "Maneuvering for a better position for yourselves, always on the lookout for some sort of extra power. I know how your kind work," he wags a finger at Lezard. "No offense to you, personally, but you will need to provide proof that such methods are even /necessary/ if you want that argument to hold."     Psyber and Mordred(mostly Psyber, given Mordred is eating) are given some scrutiny now. "I assure you that our order has everything under control when it comes to the occasional supernatural creature," he states. "The fact of the matter is, nothing large enough to be a threat has been seen in centuries... until you sorts came along and suddenly, we have a rampaging Amethyne about, and stories of tremendous powers being thrown against one another. I say that you should leave us alone, and if you wish to fight a battle of words over who is to blame to worsening the situation, then... well." He shrugs, looking at Mordred now. "Do you have any evidence that matters will need any sort of change without external interference /forcing/ the issue?" 

:'''{{#var:40|Eleanor Lamb (40)}} has posed:'''     Eleanor sighs a bit. She shuffle around on her notepad and smiles at the Regent. "Here, I've got a list of contacts you can get to at Union Diplomatic Corps and we'll get things sorted out. JUst... We're happy to help get people back on their feet, you know. We'd very much rather see you protected, after all. Sacrifice in that manner is always a poor choice if one can make it."     A POINTED LOOK AT THE SIDE OF NATHAN'S HEAD. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     BINDERS     Psyber takes a very slow breath, "Very well. Here is my case, stated differently, Mister Windson."     He detaches more fully. It's something Elliana advised him against before, and probably not the best idea, but he forcibly shoves down his emotions at the brushoff and talks in an eerily even tone, "You have external influence from the Multiverse solely to thank for the continued existence of your society and all living beings. Arguably, were I a man seeking glory or power, I would walk to the Windward Empire and demand my title, lot of land, noble position, and blouse-bursting wench-wife now. I would base this demand on the fact that were it not for the direct influence of myself and other external powers, the Shajem of Nightmares would have been fully unsealed, completely harnessed, and you would be contending with an Avatar of Nightmares stomping around your world with the goal of rewriting reality. Had anyone but Multiversal Externals been in the cave during Fairchild's bid for power, we would not be standing here having this conversation."     "This is my first piece of evidence that you need change regardless of external interference: external interference saved your world." His half-lidded eyes stare on in a monotone look that could be boredom were it not so fixated on the man he is talking to, "Every single negative thing that has happened on your world would have been possible by the hand of on-world people without our influence and was nothing but mitigated and lessened by our presence and would have inevitably occurred without us here."     "Shajem being harnessed by major national leaders. A tree surpressing an Amethyne's existence. Major geo-political strife spanning generations in origin. None of these are attributable to our interference, but their mitigation and weeding are directly thanks to our aid. Your argument is flawed because it ties responsibility for problems that were brewing for centuries onto our recent efforts in the past three years. One does not grow a giant mountain turtle monster in just three years. One does not plan a 10-year-long Reality Reconstruction in three years unless they are a number of people I can count on two fingers. These are the problems of YOUR world and WE are fixing them."     "Can you tell me if these problems had surfaced without our presence, they would have been mitigated with as little loss of life as we did so with? Please tell me how your Binders would handle a Shajem with the cunning of a genius. Please tell me how your Binders would handle the leaders of a nation refusing a rebinding and turning to monsters? Please tell me how your Binders would handle a mountain-sized turtle monster with a city on its back." 

:'''{{#var:12|Mordred (12)}} has posed:'''     Mordred glares at Windson. She returns every bit of his sizing up, trying to figure out if the man is anything special-- but likely in vain. He certainly doesn't seem the warrior type, and magical aptitutes are hard to detect when not in use.     She lets Psyber explain, and then adds:     "The Lord of Rage was being harnessed by some asshole from your world, too. It's 'cuz WE showed up that it isn't fucking rampaging around or whatever the hell the jerk was going to use it for. Lord of Cowardice? The fucking council was harnessing it for power. That sure woulda ended well OH WAIT they all fucking died. And it almost broke free. P.S. it still kind of is and we're gonna fix that soon, no fret."     She is not a diplomat, no. 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     Nathan gets a little stiff. "I see." he says, one eyebrow twitching slightly. "I have no love for the agendas of traitors. You will be protected, and your subjects assisted in the path to recovery as best we can. The exchange for what assistance you can offer, in records and perhaps later in action, will be enough." He says, his monotone having a rather firm, intense quality to it. He's obviously suddenly much more invested in this. "We have little time to strike a deal. Assuming we can assure the compliance with Union regulations, we will establish alliance immediately. I will expedite the matter within our diplomatic corps as soon as possible." He says, as he gestures at Eleanor. He misses the stare. That's not a passive-aggressive thing, by the way. That's just Nathan being oblivious. 

:'''{{#var:598|Lezard Valeth (598)}} has posed:''' Lezard gets some scorn. His expression changes back to amusement in this case as he adjusts his glasses once more. He laughs as he replies. "I assure you, Master Windson, there is precious little I need from this world or its peoeple. I am interested on a more academic level. But as you say, there is the matter of proof. As you will of course not be disposed to words alone, allow me to provide something more substantial." Lezard holds up a hand, and a magical circle begins drawing itself in the room. The process is fairly slow and interruptable. Unless stopped, a hulking shape fades into view: One of the twisted Council members, the spiderlike form mauled by the battle of course. It's also sitting on a metal tray that has been capturing various unpleasant juices. Pins are stuck into it all over its body, and several stainless steel medical implements are holding open various parts of the flesh, exposing the innards where battle damage hasn't already done so. Looks like he was in the middle of an autopsy with this one. "You can keep this one." Lezard says dryly. 

:'''{{#var:40|Eleanor Lamb (40)}} has posed:'''     Eleanor's face flattens a bit as Nathan keeps harping on traitors and treachery and and and.     MORE SCRIBBLING.     She looks up at the Regent, and holds out large card with contact information on in in the standard Terra Majoran languages. "Here. You can also get in contact with our people in Boston and have things smoothed over as well if... if there's issues that aren't... ah." She purses her lips. "Entirely suited for diplomatic exchange." 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     REGENT     "I will do all I can," the Regent says. She looks curiously at Nathan, but doesn't say anything. She's been forced into being paranoid and politically savvy, but she is still pretty young, and doesn't understand what she's seeing with the man. Thus she has to direct her attention to more immediate matters with Eleanor.     "Thank you," she says to the acting therapist. "This will really help our morale and keep us afloat. I will see what I can do to help you in return, but... we simply don't have the military might to stand up to the Windward Empire for very long. They knew we had some secret, I think, and now that the Behemoth is gone..." She shakes her head. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     BINDER ORDER     A wet thud announces the proof that Windson asked for, though even just the words are... well, pretty damning. He flinches, which is unusual for him, but he doesn't say anything. He's alone here, so there's no threat of lost pride, most likely. There's that, at least. Injuring his pride could be a very, very bad thing.     He backs away from the creature, then adjusts his robes and clears his throat. "Fairchild," he finally declares. "Was Bloodstone's responsibility. TOO OLD! I told him, I told him she was too old. Too much /history!/ And look where it got him!" Well, there's that.     But the acts of the Starshine Kingdom and others can't really be dismissed. Wightseer... it's uncertain if he even knows about him. "I will... take your words into consideration. Bloodstone has been talking of some new theory, and when he returns perhaps I will let him present it more appropriately." 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     THIS is the moment that Psyber actually breaks the neutral facade. When Windson makes a declaration about Elliana Fairchild, Psyber stands up, lifts his hands up, and then slams them down on the table with a resounding and echoing noise and then keeping them where they are.     But when he speaks, his voice is calm and still like the center of a hurricane, "Fairchild is the failing of your world as a whole," He notes, taking a very serious stance, "She was created by the greed of men, corrupted by their schemes, and let loose into the world by their negligence. She was Ethan's responsibility, but she was the World's Fault. If it had not been her, how long before it would have been another? One who wanted power? Or a Kingdom? Or who simply hated everyone?" He looks to Windson, "If nothing else, at least under Ethan, the monster this world created through its sin had a single glimmer of light: Humanity."     His gloved hands slowly withdraw from the table and it's not hard to see he buckled and cracked the wood with his impact. But only the most keen eyes would notice that as his hands go into his jacket pockets, the black fabric goes slightly darker, "Never blame Ethan. If nothing else, thank him for giving her humanity."     Taking another breath, Psyber adds, "I would suggest you do listen to him and deeply consider our help and the theories he presents. I would rather make friends than enemies." 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     "What you can do is all I will ask." Nathan says, in that standard monotone of his. "We will not ask you to stand alone against the Windward Empire. We likely will not ask you to stand against it at all. Only what you can do is what we will ask." He glances to Eleanor. "My assistant is correct. This contact is better suited for more personal matters. Please send information or requests to it in the event of a situation necessitating more tactical action. As a subordinate member of the organization myself, I can assure you of its performance in the field."     "It seems we have discussed all that needs discussing. I look forward to the execution of these arrangements, to our mutual benefit, and I wish you the best of luck in your recovery besides. Please contact me via either of the routes my assistant will provide if you have further need of me. Unless there are further matters you wish to discuss, I will cease occupying your valuable time. I understand you are extremely busy, and thank you for meeting with me." 

:'''{{#var:12|Mordred (12)}} has posed:'''     "Oh cut the crap about her and whether it's good or bad that she's how she is," Mordred grumps, at both parties, crossing her arms and attempting to stuff the desire to be violent back into its box. "I've heard enough of that shit for years to come, find something else to obsess over. Like, I don't know, fixing this world."     Although it looks like this went well enough and Ethan's going to get some slack in all this. Which is good. Probably. In the meantime they still have to fix that last screw up, but it's not like the Shajem is in any state to cause a mess in the meantime.     "We done here? All these book germs are giving me a sore throat and making me impatient." 

:'''{{#var:598|Lezard Valeth (598)}} has posed:''' Lezard has no horse in the appearance or opinion of Terra Majora towards Elliana as a whole. He's been called worse things, so manybe his viewpoint is a little skewed. He remains quiet through Psyber's calm rage, not saying anything until he has let it sit there for an appropriate amount of time. Eventually, he says, "I believe we have made our position and evidence clear. The game is now in your court, Master Windson. I look forward to your response." He nods to Mordred. "I think we are, yes." 

:'''{{#var:40|Eleanor Lamb (40)}} has posed:'''     Another look at the Regent, Eleanor's face... the long face of a clerk putting up with their boss's nonsence. That look of a middle bureaucrat trying to do their job with people around. A comforting look, she's hoping.     "Call us anytime." A soft smile. 

}}

New Blood

2015-03-13T04:21:43Z

Blue Elf:

{{TPPage
|Summary=The balance of power is changing in Elliana Fairchild's world, and even she isn't sure what to make of it. Nations, kings, gods and sorcerers clash to find the new pecking order in a world where stability has become a storied myth.
|Scale=Major
|Plot_id=1
|Runner=92
|Contacts=None
|Theme=Immaculate Visions-1
|Audience=Anyone Interested
|Genre=Mixed
|Events====Act I===
====Drake Wightseer====

Act I of the plot opens entirely in the background, unknown to any PC. The Knight Errant of the Starshine Kingdom, Drake Wightseer, discovers the remnants of an ancient ritual of some kind, and begins to search for the original locations where the Shajem, the world's dark gods, have been sealed for centuries. Many are lost, so this process takes weeks... especially as the first location they find is the location of the Lord of Nightmares, where they encounter the remnants of [[Elliana Fairchild]]'s ascension.

====The Fall of Faranel====

Unrelated to Drake's quest, Elliana had determined that a powerful force was trapped beneath the great tree of Faranel, a small forest nation in her homeworld. Aided by several allies, a large battle was fought, resulting in heavy losses all around before Elliana seized the great tree's heart, managing to corrupt it with her own power and uproot it. This freed the Amethyne Neuvinia, a spirit of rebirth, but earned Elliana the ire of the nation and lead to more polarizing opinions on her state of being, especially since the entity within her helped so readily to free the being.

====Investigations====

The freeing of Neuvinia sparked investigations into the other Shajem and Amethyne by both sides. The Confederacy begin making moves toward fighting the Empire of Elliana's world, which had destroyed her home and orphaned her to begin with, but also gathered what information they could... finding that another force of some kind was doing the same. They eventually heard of Drake and investigated the Starshine Kingdom, as well, finding the Starshine Kingdom curiously welcoming of Confederate forces despite being unwilling to ally.

The Union meanwhile met with some of those in power in Elliana's world, including her original mentor in the priesthood, and the man who had ordered the death of Elliana's servant, [[Charity Whiteheart]]. Drake's minions also met with the Union in investigating Fairchild herself, while at the same time murdering several knights of the Empire who might interfere. At first the murderer was unknown, so both Confederates and Union were searching for Drake to find out what he knew about the Shajem or the murders.

====Revelation====

Neuvinia was detected struggling against a binding of some sort at a harbor city. Union and Confederate forces both rushed to the scene to find the city in chaos, and Drake fleeing with his minions. Several of his minions were killed or captured while Neuvinia escaped, and Drake escaped after losing an arm, by taking a ship. The ship had a Union tracker planted upon it, however. Now, both sides had evidence that Drake was behind the murders and that his goals were less than noble, and both had differing reasons to stop him.

====The Lord of Rage====

Drake's tracker and activities took him to a small island, which the Union and Confederacy immediately followed him to. They found the island disturbing, with a population that was eerily friendly and peaceful despite being armed to the teeth. Tracking Drake into the volcano temple, they found him attempting to siphon away the power of a Shajem, the Lord of Rage. Both Union and Confederacy tried to stop him, resulting in a titanic fight in the volcano. Mistakes were made, including a berserk half-angel and dangerous backlash from an [[Abstractum.Net|Abstractum]], until eventually Elliana's Servant [[Mordred]] managed to capture the Lord of Rage by consuming it.

Drake was captured by the Confederacy and questioned.

===Act II===

====The Nightmares(I)====

Seeking understanding of Elliana, the Union gathers together several trusted people and, with her permission, enter her nightmares. There they find her fear of losing those she has grown close to... both enemies and friends. They also find one of the root causes of her psychosis, in her deep-seated fear of loss of control, stemming from the death of her parents.

====The General's Daughter====

In earlier investigations, the Union found the name 'Steppenworth' of import... and accidentally let it slip in Elliana's nightmares. Now both of them are seek the man known as General Steppenworth, but they find that the General is a burned, bitter cripple of a man who has lost his family and now struggles against a strange vigilante in his home city.

Elliana attempted to take her vengeance upon Steppenworth, but was informed that if she killed him, she would be orphaning a girl just like she was orphaned in the past. Reluctantly, Elliana conceded the point and agreed to work to find out who or what was behind all of these problems. Thus an uneasy alliance with the Union was formed.

====The Nightmares(II)====

Further exploration of Elliana's nightmares reveals memories and worries that hint that she worries she will lose control of herself... but moreso, show that her ultimate fear is that without her, her world will burn. Further insight is gained into Elliana, but that is not the most important part of the nightmare expeditions.

In delving into Elliana's nightmares, the combined exploratory force finds Wrathborn's memories, and discover that the Amethyne and Shajem are not light and dark gods, but instead natural parts of the world who existed in mated pairs, and the aggression of the Shajem is due to human cruelty.

===Act III===

====Eveningstar====

A Shajem is discovered beneath the capital of the Starshine Kingdom, and a combined Union-Confederate force secretly moves on it behind Elliana's back. This results in the loosing of a gigantic Behemoth and a battle within the depths of the mountain, but the most telling blow is to the Union, as Nathan Hall subverts the original plan in favor of a binding he came up with in secret, thus losing the trust of the Union and Confederacy both.

====The Hundred====

Meanwhile, Psyber's investigations into the Hundred, sacred weapons against the Shajem, have found one in the form of the blade Sovereign. Experimentation and hints from the dreams of Wrathborn reveal that the Hundred, which exist in fifty pairs, are actually made from the unhatched eggs of an Amethyne and Shajem mating.
|Info=This is a long-term plot requiring player agency to advance the plot to some degree, and which can allow players to introduce new elements into the theme. While plot elements have been introduced, player investigation will determine which threats are dealt with, and there are a few(but not many) red herrings to chase if players aren't careful.

The plot does have an end goal, but how successful it is will be determined by what course the players take. As of this writing the true end goal has not been revealed, though one of the major antagonists has been dealt with.
|State=Current
}}

1684/Search for Sovereign 2: Hunting a Wizard

2015-03-13T04:13:19Z

Blue Elf:

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2015/02/28
|Location=Terra Majora
|Synopsis=The next (and final) leg in the hunt for Sovereign.
|Thanks=
|Cast of Characters=2, 40, 92, 168, 253, 626
|Tinyplot=New Blood
|Tinyplot2=
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     The Blooded keep records of who fought in large battles, most often. It is a matter of lineage and bragging rights. So with a quick visit to Lastfall or somewhere, it's a pretty simple task to look up the prominent families present at the battle, and to find out which ones SURVIVED and passed on their blood.     So it is pretty simple to find the sorcerer's family. That battle gave them some prominence, but they are by now a fairly minor noble family. Not really /disgraced/ so much as fallen by the wayside, they have a smallish manor overlooking a rustic little town in the rural areas of the Windward Empire. Airships rarely visit, leaving carriage or horseback as the most inconspicuous way of finding a way into town. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     By Carriage, do you mean... full-sized van? Because I feel like you meant full-sized Van.     Also that's what's cruising through town.     Psyber is sitting in the driver's seat of a full-sized van. People in the front, room for gear in the back. The half-angel is also nodding his head along to an iPod plugged into the tape deck that is currently running through a playlist of 1970s Rock and Roll. You can debate amongst yourselves who got shotgun.     "So. Hopefully the Merrihearts..." He pauses for a long moment, surpressing a reflex to judge by name, "... will be helpful. And might have some records or antiques. Maybe a family crypt. That would be the most ideal for u- Oh shut up, I love this part."     There's about a 40 second pause for a guitar solo in a song.     "-s, since if this doesn't pan our, our leads will look pretty slim. Let's try to be polite at first and, if we need to negotiate, let Nathan beat them up with his words."     His goal is pretty much just to drive up to the front door of the manor unless stopped. 

:'''{{#var:40|Eleanor Lamb (40)}} has posed:'''     Eleanor Lamb... came prepared. You don't roll up in a van like this without being at least a little tooled up. Thus th wrench and the pistol under that leather jacket. She does puff up a bit though, and calls out. "Is there a scale on 'the nicer the name the worse they are'? I mean, Merriheart, i am expectign them to open the door with death magic blazing." 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     Nathan, who as always has the 'shotgun' position, stares at Psyber for the duration of the guitar solo with a completely dry, emotionless expression. And then follows up. "Yes, we should try to use a minimum of force, both diplomatically and martially. I would appreciate the opportunity to gain their cooperation with a minimum of trouble. Word does not travel fast in this land, but those with agendas can speed bad news very effectively."     He turns back to stare at Eleanor a bit. "I am not sure what you mean." He says, frankly. "But as their political relevance has waned, I doubt they are particularly on guard against traveling diplomats and treasure-seekers. Be cautious regardless, they are still Blooded." 

:'''{{#var:2|Homura Akemi (2)}} has posed:'''     Homura is in Psyber's shadow as usual, and has preemptively finished her homework for the weekend. Just this time she gets a free weekend. And immediatly starts using it to handle heroics.     Sigh. It's like an addiction.     That hasn't stopped her from having her nose in a book the entire trip here, but will put it away as soon as the van stops. Her hair's in a ponytail, she's got a nice formal white shirt and black pants.     "What do you expect they'll know and share, anyway?" 

:'''{{#var:626|Kyra Hyral (626)}} has posed:'''     Kyra is so aboard the party van. She sits in the back on the far left side up against the window, a big fat Moogle-shaped backpack in her lap. The last time she was here she found herself wishing she had more explosives and although this was meant to involve questioning a family about their former wizard patreon, Kyra's not taking any chances. Her own experiences with this world very scant compared to the others, she cannot truly appreciate how ominous a family name such as 'Merriheart' is in these parts. In the meantime, on the way over she seems to be engaged in...texting someone it looks like?     "Erm, quiiiick question." Kyra holds up a hand, waggling her fingers, finally disengaging from her phone, "What is the meaning of 'Blooded'?" 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     It's isolated enough that the van gets some very curious looks, but the fact that a Multiverse is out there is known to enough people that it's not really seen as a monstrous invasion. By now, most everyone knows of the other realms past their own... but few leave their own place. So there's no panic, just stares and the occasional shuffle to tug a friend over to see the weird vehicle with the screeching 'music' coming out of it.     The van sure does roll right past the manor gates! Guards are inside, but it looks like the gates are open, and not guarded. The only guards are the two at the front door, and the approach has been seen far enough away that a man is there to 'greet' the group. He steps forward as the van stops, and clears his throat. "Apologies, but the manor is not open to visitors, not even offworlders."     The decor, by the way, consists of columns that are decorated with inlaid bone, with what appear to be human skulls embed upon the doors to the house. Purple and black are the dominant colors, and much of the mural that is faded on one side of the manor seems to have lots of swords and blood. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     "Blooded are supernaturally empowered individuals of varying levels of potency. They comprise most of the nobility of Terra Majora. Most are jerks, save a very limited few," Psyber comments to Kyra. To Homura, he answers quickly, "Antiques. War trophies. The location of a tomb."     When he rolls the car to a stop and looks out the window, Psyber tilts his head. He says to Eleanor, "It is a pattern, but not enough to establish a certainty."     To the man who comes up to tell them the place is closed, Psyber thinks for a long moment on how to approach it. While he grapples with this, Nathan will probably do something amazing. 

:'''{{#var:2|Homura Akemi (2)}} has posed:'''     "I somehow doubt they will just hand us that information," Homura answers, somewhat skeptical, especially at the sight of the motifs around the mansion. This does not look like a place where someone friendly lives. Maybe it's all the bones. Or blood motifs. But that's a big maybe. It could be anything!     Like Psyber, she will let Nathan say hello. If they continue denying them entry she'll probably just do what she usually does when told she can't go inside a building and take everything that isn't bolted down. 

:'''{{#var:626|Kyra Hyral (626)}} has posed:'''     "Aaaaah." Kyra drawls, slipping her phone back into her pocket. "So all the high-ranking people here have the cool powers leaving the regular folks kind of SOL, huh?" Not that she'd seen much 'regular folk' in this world yet. Mostly monsters and dead bodies. "That seems a little unfortunate."     This commentary stops once they're in earshot of the locals. She squirms in her seat, trying to peer out the window to get a better look at the mural. "...hey." she says quietly, "He said we can't go inside but nothing about looking around outside, right?" 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     "Little, and less." Nathan replies swiftly to Homura when she asks what he expects to be told and given, without missing a moment. Kyra also gets a quick response. "Blooded. Individuals possessing hereditary holy energies. A variety of physical enhancements, practical abilities, and sorcerous potentials are inherent to their heritage." And then they arrive!     This is iffy. A cold negotiation means Nathan doesn't have any opportunity to gather data or get things rolling behind the scenes vis a vis this challenge. Well, he's dealt with worse. The General rolls down his window rather casually. "Salutations." He says in the usual monotone, and with the timing of someone who does this sort of thing regularly. Okay, cold negotiation strategy one: Take advantage of the fact that they don't know what to expect either. Nathan does his best to put the cadence of his voice into one of a high-ranking official doing one of dozens of rounds. "Merriheart Manor, home of what remains of the Merriheart line, correct? A lack of visitors will do that, yes." He pulls out some sort of record pad, looking the guards up and down, examining them, and the man here to greet them, and writing something down. Stragegy two of the cold negotiation: Do whatever you can to make your opposition self-aware of their traditional behavior, to make them open-minded to the idea of going against it. One way of doing that is to record what they're doing.     He looks at the mural and raises an eyebrow. "Hmm. I thought it involved much, much more mass land manipulation, and much, much less swordplay and blood." And then he peers at the skulls. "These specific trophies at least, are those available to examine? Hmmm, likely not. Well, we do not mind reporting the Merrihearts as empty-handed for this." Cold negotiation strategy three: Bait the opposition into tipping their hand. This is a matter of pride for the families. His commentary about "'what remains of the Merriheart line'", his mild awareness but mild 'inaccuracy' about the subject of the mural, and his apparent vague but easily dropped interest in the minor group are a combo designed to force the man to engage rather than discard the group, while Nathan's appearance of stoic, regular apathy is designed to be a deft means of averting any appearance of ignorance.     If his guess is right, the family is gradually declining while making a greater and greater show of their glory days through trophies, art, and similar displays. As such, by initially appearing to be an extremely vague opportunity to increase the glory of the family line, but one that will be easily lost by potential rejection, he'll hopefully get the family to engage more directly. 

:'''{{#var:40|Eleanor Lamb (40)}} has posed:'''     Eleanor grumbles in the back of the van and looks over as Nathan attempts to Socially Engineer his way inside the facility.     A look over to Himei and Kyra, and she fidgets. She'd help but she doesn't have Nathan's expansive and didactic memory. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     The man replies stiffly, "No, you may not examine those." He now frowns, looking disapproving. "The family is just fine, thank you, and I believe you should go immediately before you wear out your welcome. We do not-"     "FREDERICK!" A young man calls out loudly. "Why didn't you tell me we had guests!" The youth, no older than 17 or 18, appears to be jumping out the second story window to land in the grass. He's dressed in dark clothing, with silver studs and a little skull motif going. Otherwise he looks pretty normal, handsome even.     "Master Timothy, I do not believe-"     The boy waves a hand, wandering over to the van. "Don't be ridiculous! They're just here to look around, right? I mean, what could a bunch of offworlders want here?" He grins, flicks his hair back. "HEY! Welcome to Merriheart Manor! Don't listen to Fred here, he's just pissy because the-"     "Master Timothy-"     "-front door has been stuck for three weeks, and he doesn't like to admit it," the young man finishes. "Hi! Name is Tim Merriheart, Sorcerer in training! What brings you all here to our neck of the woods?" He pauses. "OH! Right! If you want to come in and hang out, we'll have to go in through the back door. That's fine, it's closer to the kitchen. We don't have a lot on hand right now but I think there's some bread and cheese and maybe a nice wine left..." 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     "Ah. Thanks for your hospitality, Mister Merriheart," Psyber says, smiling at the boy. Psyber places his hands in his pockets and then shakes his head, "I don't need anything to eat."     "Ah, around the back door. I see, I see." Psyber says with a nod of his head, "Truth told, I'm hoping you can tell me about your ancestor at Glittering Fields. I've been tracking that war and it's a fascinating piece of history." Play into the ego.     "Did your ancestor keep any, you know, souvenirs? Bring back any trophies?" 

:'''{{#var:2|Homura Akemi (2)}} has posed:'''     All this noise over a stuck door?     Homura frowns, mostly from how suspicious and odd that all is. Not quite her place to question it, though. Instead, she'll focus on something else entirely: "The place looks... interesting. Aren't you even slightly concerned it looks fairly ominous?" 

:'''{{#var:626|Kyra Hyral (626)}} has posed:'''     While the man at the door is occupied, Kyra stealthily takes a picture of the mural so they can study it later, need be. She's not really sure how well the picture is going to turn out, given how faded the mural is. Some of the colors might be off but the thought doesn't cross Kyra's mind.     Leaning forward to listen to Nathan Hall execute some masterful social engineering hacking, the white mage finds herself startled when a teenager leaps out of the second story window to land nearby them. Kyra leans forward, peering out the window at him for a second before scrambling to get out of the van, sliding her backpack over her shoulders as she moves. As she hops out, her boots jingle with her movement and continue to do so as she walks around Timothy, looking him up and down with an appraising eye.     "You have good style." Kyra finally confides to him with a grin on her face. Her compliment at least sounds genuine enough. "But! Like our friend here said, we're pretty interested in the escapades of your bloodline. Not that I wouldn't mind hanging out." 

:'''{{#var:40|Eleanor Lamb (40)}} has posed:'''     Eleanor smiles cheerfully from the back of the van, and... Well. He's a happy sort. So lets try happy. Also this is a van full of young ladies here to see a young and ASPIRING SORCERER. BRITISH PEPPY CHARM ACTIVATE.     "Wine and cheese sounds lovely, thanks!" She practically climbs over Nathan to stick her hand out the window of the van. "Hi! I'm Eleanor!" 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     Nathan's maneuvers don't go well. But at least his embarrassment winds up getting overshadowed by the arrival of Timothy here. "Ah, salutations." He says, still from the passenger seat of the van."'Hanging out' certainly sounds agreeable, we will be happy to." He leaves the van quickly, and offers a handshake. "Nathan Hall, holistic librarian. A pleasure to meet you, Tim." He drones, offering a handshake politely, and nodding.     "If you would, we will certainly follow." He says, agreeing to heading to the back entrance. But he focuses partway on assuaging Frederick. "Thank you for the hospitality, we will be sure to give it due respect." Just a bit meant to defuse some amount of the potential tension there. And he heads forward! 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     Psyber, realizing he forgot to introduce himself before asking about antiques, immediately goes, "Oh shit, right. Psyber, private investigator." 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     "Yeah, nice to meet you all! I've never met offworlders before. Nobody comes to this place, and we don't travel much. Town troubles, you know? Well, I mean dad's out of town, but..." Tim rambles on, waving his hand in the air, while Frederick sighs and comes around back to open the door for everyone. It leads into a surprisingly simple kitchen, though it's very clean, and Tim himself starts to hunt for the bread before Frederick shoves him toward the guests while he takes care of getting food.     "Glittering... oh yeah!" Tim snaps fingers and smacks his fist into his palm. "Grandpa used to ramble about that all the time. Sorry, not a lot to tell beyond some stories, though. I know them all, but if you're looking for trophies there's not much. Nobody likes to give Sorcerers stuff like that, they prefer to give out cash or titles."     He leans against a table, looking at Kyra and flashing a grin. "Thanks, family style." To Homura, the young man shrugs, "Ominous? I guess to strangers. Grandpa was uh..." He frowns, then shakes his head. "Well, he always said respect was gained through fear. Dad didn't believe the same. Me, I'm just enjoying things before I have to be serious, so we're still doing it dad's way. The place may /look/ creepy but the town doesn't care. I think." He scratches his head. "It's true we don't get all that many visitors even though we leave the gates open." 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     Psyber actually feels somewhat bad to be considering stealing from this guy. Timothy seems nice, his dad sounds nice. The half-angel sighs a bit and then nods as Tim goes into the whole explanation, "What's wrong with the town?"     "You seem like a nice family. Kinda lame to hear that the town is in trouble and see your manor in disrepair. Want me to try to fix that door for you? I do a lot of work with tools," He offers, smiling at Timothy and then leaning over to inspect the door. Probably just needs WD-40.     "Did your Grandfather ever talk about an object called Sovereign? Or talk about where they TOOK the objects recovered from that battle?" Psyber is still being vague about what Sovereign is, but that's because he doesn't want to spoil the surprise. Or, you know, get hopes up.     "Actually, were there any stories in general that stood out from that incident?" 

:'''{{#var:40|Eleanor Lamb (40)}} has posed:'''     Elle makes her way inside and... uh, yeah this place is pretty spartan for a Blooded house, isn't it? Psyber's already off to handle the front door, so Eleanor settles in at a chair near the table, happily waiting for Hospitality. "Oh yes, I'd love to hear stories. I mean, Nathan is a big fan of stories. He's that sort of Librarian you know. Histories and ancient lore and all that."     She thumbs up at Nathan, and then leans in to LISTEN CLOSELY TO TIMOTHY, radiating happy. 

:'''{{#var:2|Homura Akemi (2)}} has posed:'''     "You should consider a restyling, then. This place gives off "evil wizards live here" vibes a mile away," Homura peanuts, mostly content to have asked a question that made the guy speak... well, presumably honestly, and fairly naturally. He doesn't SEEM like a liar. She'll continue playing tourist and just sort of hanging back, since Psyber seems comfortable enough and that's usually a good sign. 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     "Indeed." Nathan says, nodding to Eleanor. "Stories are certainly enough, considering what we are here for. If you have them, we will be happy to hear them. We visited the Glittering Fields ourselves, actually. The name is very inaccurate. It was educational, but only partially so. We thought we might be able to gain more insight here."     There's a glint on those glasses for a moment. "Before you have to be serious?" He asks, tilting his head. "Upcoming duties, or are you simply prepared for a more grave incident?" He seems socially curious here, not especially stuffy about things as he wanders into the kitchen amicably. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Frederick returns with bread and cheese, along with knives. Apparently they... are kind of trusting. The bread is GOOD bread, for anyone who tries it, though the cheese will probably be pretty hard and crumbly for anyone who is used to softer sandwich cheeses.     Tim sighs, "Well, I have a TON of stories, but if you're looking for relics you're in the wrong place." He crosses his arms. The name 'Sovereign' does get him to perk up. "Oh, you're after one of the Hundred? That explains it. I... don't actually remember grandpa mentioning Sovereign by name. It wouldn't surprise me that it was at that battle, though."     Tim smiles at Homura, "Yeah, well... it IS our heritage, and the skulls ARE enchanted. It's not like they aren't useful, just creepy. As soon as we get the money I plan on changing the color scheme, that might help. Dad wants to refresh the mural first, though. It's actually an image of that battle, if you want to take a look." 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     Psyber closes his eyes and draws in a sharp breath, hissing a bit as if stunned. He didn't expect the boy to recognize the name, nor to simply state what it was, and because of this Psyber mentally recoils. He didn't want Nathan knowing what he was searching for until he had it in-hand. At least he knows Nathan won't elaborate on the term 'The Hundred'.     Psyber brushes it off, quickly, "Ah yes, the Mural! I'd love to see it. Please show it to me right away." He urges, trying to steer the conversation in that direction. 

:'''{{#var:2|Homura Akemi (2)}} has posed:'''     "... ah? Is that so? What do the skulls do?" Homura asks, curious. She was also going to say she'd like to see the mural, but Psyber's beaten her to it. It still holds, though. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Tim doesn't notice the tension. "Oh... nothing grave. I hope. Things are actually improving of late! Just, you know. I'll be turning eighteen soon, and I'm /technically/ old enough to take over now. But dad wants to wrap up a few things first, so he's handing over the keys to the house then instead of now." 

:'''{{#var:626|Kyra Hyral (626)}} has posed:'''     "It's true, she's got a point." Kyra nudges her head in the direction of Homura. "I mean, clothing-wise I think it's okay. Decore wise...well there's only so much skulls you can have before people get suspicious, you know?" But it quickly becomes clear that Timothy here was very unlike his grandfather.     Or...he was very like his grandfather and much better at hiding it. 

:'''{{#var:40|Eleanor Lamb (40)}} has posed:'''     Eleanor blinks a bit. Psyber and Nathan will have their fill of lore tonight, that's for sure. She doesn't catch the tension just yet either. "Hundred? Is that the number of people who were at the battle? Or something else?" 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     The youth tugs at his vest, grinning at Kyra's comment. "Heh, thanks. Yeah, I want to keep SOME of the family... tradition, I guess? We can probably make it less offputting though. We aren't /necromancers/ after all. Sorcery is its own bag of tricks." He frowns suddenly, then waves away the thought. "Frederick, can you get a platter for this? We'll make it a picnic while I talk about the mural."     Timothy turns to the door again, but Eleanor gets a funny look... then he smacks his forehead. "Oh, right, offworlders! You wouldn't know all our legends. The Hundred are artifacts that were used in the war... the old war. The Shajem War. Swords, shields, helms, whatever. Not a lot of them known these days, though. What I wouldn't give to have one of THOSE here... but they say the Hundred choose the wielder, too, so maybe it wouldn't do much." 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     There's a moment where Nathan recognizes the name and a heavy twitch in the face as he glances to Psyber heavily, incredulousness inherent to the stoicism. And then he's back to Tim. "I see." He refuses to make a big scene here or something like that.     "The mural out front." Nathan asides to Psyber and Homura. "With the swords and the blood." And then he considers the words of Tim, turning back to him. "Enchanted skulls... Keys to the house... Ah, your father is away on business, and the skulls are warding, or something like that?" He guesses. Best way to flatter someone to pay attention to them and respond with theorizations and suchlike this way. "In any case, what has had your father so occupied? I admit a bit of curiosity. You said he was doing something in opposition to the way your grandfather did things?" He's mildly curious about if he might motivate a bit of help from this sorcerer himself, since he seems so un-twisted by the insular blue-bloodedness of some of the Blooded in this world. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Homura's question gets Tim to pause. "Well uh..." He's suddenly flustered, a little. "I can't tell you what they do. A warding? Kinda, yeah!" He perks up a little. "I mean... it's part of the family secret and all. Sorry. A couple pretty faces can go a long way, but I'm not going to give out our secrets!" He grins. "It's also kind of creepy anyway. Not important." At least he isn't trying to pass it off as being innocent!     As Frederick moves outside, Tim starts to move too. "Anyway... it was a pretty bloody battle. My great grandfather fought in it... he lived a lot longer than most. There are rumors he used necromancy to do it, but I think it might have been something else. Great grandpa was a real asshole... uh... a REAL asshole, but I'm pretty sure he wasn't THAT bad." There's a bit of desperate hope in his voice there, and just a hint of pleading. "The mural! It's hard to see with the grime and fading, but it's basically the last charge of the Windward Kingdom. They were /losing/ and getting pretty desperate, but my ancestor and another sorcerer whose name escapes me - he died in the battle - summoned up the water from the earth and smashed the enemy line right ahead of the charge. Completely broke them, and turned the tide when they lost most of their front line. Somewhere in there, their commander fell, and that's probably what really saved the day." 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     When Nathan looks at Psyber, the half-angel just narrows his eyes and looks back. Staring contest between the two of them. The kind of staring contest that isn't a contest at all, but more a precursor of 'some shit might go down some day and this will come up when it does'. Or possibly just 'I don't want to deal with this right now'.     "Nnn." Psyber remarks to the story about the Glades, "If that's true, logic says it's under the Glades. But I already tried going carving holes out there. Maybe I didn't go deep enough?" He thinks. The Mural might have a clue, though. Or he's being obtuse and missing something. 

:'''{{#var:40|Eleanor Lamb (40)}} has posed:'''     Eleanor manages to follow the rest, catching the looks between Psyber and Nathan and the words and... ooh. Well. Elle calls up all of her limited theatrical training and makes a show of a faux dissapointed gesture. "Ah, well. I wasn't after secrets, really. Ooooh."     She points up to the mural. "And this is why you bring wizards to a war. They can do... very effective things to the enemy lines. Artillery and engineering all in one package." 

:'''{{#var:626|Kyra Hyral (626)}} has posed:'''     "Skulls on buildings is one thing, skulls on people is another and it takes a certain person to really pull that off well." Not that Kyra was really implying that Timothy was a certain person-actually, no, she really was. She was implying this so they'd look even better and get Timithy even more willing to talk.     Her mind jumps to a conclusion that the thing Psyber seeks is one of the Hundred...but she doesn't voice this aloud, letting Timothy continue to speak. His story so far does seem to track well with what they found at the battlefield. 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     "No need." Nathan assuages Tim. "We will not pry." And then they head out. He's quiet for now. Attentive, listening. Maybe chewing on some good bread once it's available. Psyber's already asked the core question, Nathan just needs to listen now. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     The mural seems to capture what he's describing... two sides of a battle, with a large mass of soldiers on one side, and the other a smattering of troops running forward under cover of a building wave of water. A figure is up high, gesturing dramatically... and from a poor tactical position, since an archer could take him down. No doubt it didn't actually go down this way.     Tim nods, "Yes, well... pulling off a sorcery of that level is not really common. It took two working together, killed one, and my great grandfather was crippled for years." He fusses with one of the buttons. "Well... there's only so much you can do with skulls. And you can't just have them sit there out of place. I'm not really a decorator. I don't suppose I could ask you to come by later and give me a hand with that, once I have the money and the time?"     Then Tim just shrugs. "Anyway... you won't find any artifacts from that here. Minor stuff is mostly grabbed and passed down or sold off. Major ones... well, they either go to next of kin, or sometimes are buried with the wielder. So maybe Sovereign was buried on the battlefield? Which is kind of a pain, finding a grave and hoping it isn't full of monsters or undead. You might be better off looking for its twin. Which is uh..." He stops, rubbing his head. "I wish I'd studied this stuff more. It was another high-brow name, but maybe it's lost, too."     Frederick interrupts, "Majestic. It is in the Fairchild family."     Tim snaps fingers. "Right, right. No luck there. I think they've been gone for years. Unless you want to poke around their family tomb." 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     "Majestic is known as Backbiter now," Psyber says, immediately taking the initiative and cutting this off right at the pass, "It is in the hands of Elliana Fairchild and therefore presently unavailable for numerous reasons." Put that one right down on the line. Secret's out, anyway. Mostly. He has pieces to withold still.     'Finding a Grave and Hoping it isn't full of monsters'     Psyber abruptly shouts, "SON OF A BITCH."     The half-angel turns and starts heading for the van. 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     Nathan is finding the act of resisting a biting comment towards Psyber to be physically painful, but he pushes through it, merely muttering, inaudibly under his breath, "Actually, 'Backbiter' nowa--" Oh, Psyber cut him off there, alright. But, he's keeping his bitterness to himself, under his hat so to speak besides the bitter mutterings. He speaks up properly shortly after Psyber heads out. "It was certainly an impressive battle maneuver, considering the small level of sacrifice." He stands and nods quickly. "I believe our visit may be being cut short by my friend. Please forgive him, he does this at times."     "It was a pleasure meeting you, and I hope we do so again. If you are so inclined, I invite you to join us in our own efforts, but it seems you will shortly be required to be serious in some capacity. I believe we may be visiting nearby areas in the near future, for other investigations into matters of the past; perhaps we can meet again sometime." He's not going to miss the ride out, and he's heading right for his long-reserved shotgun seat. The ride is going to be awkward, of course. 

:'''{{#var:40|Eleanor Lamb (40)}} has posed:'''     And now confusion on the face of Eleanor as Psyber and Nathan have A MOMENT and then bundle everyone back to the van. Apparently she's missed something again, but... she's coming to expect that at this point.     She does pluck up a piece of bread though, and wave to Timothy as they're all leaving. "Yes! It'll be nice to see you after the serious. DOn't get yourself embroiled in awful backwards political jerkery! Or try not to!" 

:'''{{#var:626|Kyra Hyral (626)}} has posed:'''     "Thanks for letting us hang out at your place, Timothy." Kyra offers as the conversation draws to aa close. If she notices the back and forth with Nathan and Psyber, she doesn't outwarly acknowledge it, focusing on their host instead, "Who knows, maybe we all can hang out with you again sometime, right?"     She flashes him one more friendly smile beforethey pack up to leave. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     When Psyber explodes like that, Timothy pauses. "Was it... something I said?" He scratches his head, then sighs... only to perk up again. "Oh... one of them survived? Weird that I didn't hear. Dad was talking about marrying us off at one point when I was really young, since she's about my age. Fell through even before the whole mess." He smiles. "Still, nice to hear she's alive... maybe." He hasn't missed the reaction that got from everyone.     "Ah, I'll see if I can convince dad to let me out for a while, check out the other worlds." Tim belatedly realizes he never explained where his dad was! "He should be back soon, he's just doing the vote and tax thing."     Kyra and Eleanor bid him farewell, and he gives them a smile. "Ladies. You're welcome any time. Next time I'll show you around town, you can see what little we have to offer. Things are getting better but we are kind of in the middle of nowhere. Take care of yourselves." 
}}

1718/The Fairest Maiden of Hall

2015-03-13T04:12:56Z

Blue Elf:

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2015/03/03
|Location=Terra Majora
|Synopsis=Nathan meets with his unwanted fiancee
|Thanks=
|Cast of Characters=92, 134, 168, 253, 299
|Tinyplot=New Blood
|Tinyplot2=
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     The kingdom of Taliel is supposedly quite small. This... is true. Very true. It's basically one city and the surrounding forest, plus a few small villages scattered about. The 'castle' is more a large house or manor, and they've recently done some work to clear off a landing pad. There are signs that it used to be much more extravagant, with a crumbling outer wall and signs of fancier decor.     Assuming that the Union has told them they'll be coming via... magic or pigeon, a small escort is awaiting outside, just at the entrance of the manor. This includes two large men who appear to be guards, from the weapons, along with an older man in his middle age, with grey streaks in his hair. Beside him is a young woman, seventeen or eighteen years old, dressed in a pleasant and ruffled dress that is both pretty yet not ostentatious. She wouldn't be called lovely, but 'cute' or 'pretty' would be good descriptors. This is likely Illuvia. 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     The Union has provided forewarning, as seems appropriate for the situation. They have no reason to deceive, after all. Nathan arrives via a Union air transport, something that may or may not have been arranged by Psyber. Whether or not Psyber has accompanied him, Nathan is the first to step out.     It's sort of the usual adventuring gear, though he's taken off the armor and the weapons for today. If he looks like any kind of leaer, it's a scholar. He doesn't especially blame the Taliel... City itself, for the misunderstanding. As such, there's no repressed hostility or resentment when it comes to this. His stoic expression and deliberate posture are all very professional and leaderly in as much as they ever are, but in that harmless way. "Salutations. Your Highness, Illuvia Taliel, I presume?" He says, quietly, and politely, as he does a brief nod that carries the message of a bow. She's probably nice, right? Elliana mostly exploits and manipulates nice people, according to Nathan's logic, and as such he assumes well of her immediately. He'll follow the welcome group inside when prompted.     It doesn't show, but situations like this make him extremely nervous. Current status on a scale of one to marriage is somewhere around "dry throat". We'll see where that goes. 

:'''{{#var:134|Sakura Haruno (134)}} has posed:'''     Flowers has decided that she's coming along on this to ease the poor girl's heartbreak. This is because she has decided she is Heaven or Hell's most credible person on the hearts of young women.     For the record, the current status of everyone Sakura has either had a date with or had a crush on: Dead, dead, dead, and murdered the previous three. This is not the only topic where Sakura's presumption of her own expertise is likely inaccurate, though.     The medic will at least have the grace to let Hall lead the way, of course. She's simply coming along, taking a ride with the others, to try and smooth things over when he fails. She is also still harboring a very slight suspicion that Hall did something to cause this. At least she's dressed up-ish. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     This is a rare occasion in which, despite both deploying to the same mission, Psyber and Nathan did not arrive simultaneously or via the same vehicle. Not long after Nathan arrives, a second dropship clears a Union officer arriving and touches down just long enough to let the half-angel out before it darts off again. Owing to the nice occasion, Psyber is wearing a dark grey suit with a light blue shirt and a dark blue tie.     While not here to be obstructive, his motives aren't the most helpful either. Curiosity drags him out more than any other motive, with the second place motive being 'If him turning down the marriage causes an attack, I should probably not have him die'. A far distant third is that he wants to see a new place.     The curiosity is the main thing, though. He wants to see just how bad it is when Elliana moves to put someone in the penalty box. 

:'''{{#var:299|Charity Whiteheart (299)}} has posed:'''     And... then Charity is there. Stepping 'out' from the trees nearby, she is dressed in a nice outfit, and walking casually up to and alongside the group as if they were on the same side. She's holding a clipboard and wearing glasses, too, and as the others approach, she speaks as if being helpful, "Just let me know if you need any native insight into matters, I will be nearby."     Yep. Looks like she's here to watch as well. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     The King and Princess don't see a problem! The man steps forward to greet. "Welcome! It is wonderful to finally meet you!" If he takes offense to the lack of a bow, he doesn't show it. "While some lands have a tradition of not meeting the bride before the wedding, that is a bit outdated, and I thought you would like to talk first. Illuvia, say hello."     The girl steps forward, doing a polite, perfect curtsy. She smiles, and then she speaks... and her voice is melodic and flowing, soothing even, with a /very/ mild mystical effect that tries to put everyone at ease. "Greetings. May I ask which of you is General Hall? I would presume it is this one?" She nods to... Nathan, actually. She picked that one up pretty quick, rather than picking the more 'heroic' Psyber. 

:'''{{#var:134|Sakura Haruno (134)}} has posed:'''     Sakura, at least, will look at Charity with a bit of relief; she'd love a guide to local customs! So, she'll gesture the advisor over descretely. And without suspicion; in spite of her reputation in this regard, she's willing to jump to conclusions about trustworthiness, and Charity happens to come up on the good end of this.     "Aah. I'm Captain Sakura Haruno, with the Union. I wanted to find out more about the traditions and customs, how the wedding comes about, what might happen if.. something were to prevent it from happening, or another was needed to fill in for the groom, or anything along those lines."     This is all in a whisper, to try to keep it from being overheard by the proud father and bride to be. 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     Nathan does not notice Charity. No, this isn't some clever gambit where he pretends not to know who she is, he just didn't really notice her at all. Well, he didn't notice she's that particular ally from Elliana's inner circle, anyway. It was probably the glasses. "Certainly, thank you, I will make sure to ask. Please do inform me if I approach any faux pas" He asides to her with his usual lack of emotion. The nervousness has him a bit unobservant.     There's a nod to the man. "Your Majesty." He says respectfully. "Salutations. A pleasure to meet you as well. I appreciate your willingness to meet with us. It will be good to meet your daughter before things become particularly intense." He makes note of the man's willingness to set aside the outdated. Maybe he can work with that here? Illuvia gets another respectful nod of sorts, and Nathan folds his arms behind his back. "You are correct. I am Nathan Hall." He omits his title because this makes him a lot more comfortable. "These are my friends, Captain Haruno and Reserve Colonel Psyber." He gestures to each one. "I am pleased to meet you as well, and thank you. My apologies for the lack of introduction, I imagine I am not precisely what one imagines when they think of a general." Oh hey, mystical effects! Nathan is one hundred percent vulnerable to these sorts of things, and is immediately put at ease slightly more. He's also avoiding steering the conversation much, figuring the King and the Princess decided on how to work this out before they arrived.     Mildly increased nervousness is counteracted by mild relaxation. We're still at "dry throat" for now. Anxious scientists examine their readings everywhere, seeking signs of positive or negative fluctuations. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     Psyber gives a polite nod, "He is General Hall, yes. I am a Reserve Colonel under the callsign 'Psyber'," the half-angel notes. The voice tone seems to put him at some degree of ease based on its more flowing and mystical nature, "It is a pleasure and thank you for the welcome to your kingdom."     Internally, Psyber wonders about different things, none of which the least bit relevant to this conversation.     He looks over to spot Charity coming out of the forest, "Charity, nice to see you. Bit of a surprise." Even with glasses, Psyber endeavors not to forget people who crash through ceilings and land on top of him, "Coming to check on the status of things?" 

:'''{{#var:299|Charity Whiteheart (299)}} has posed:'''     "Psyber," Charity replies. "Just keeping an eye on things. Both ways, as it stands. Can't have him slipping up due to something obvious and getting himself killed." She pauses, flashing a quirky smile. "Besides, it should be pretty fun to watch, I think." Scribbling something on the clipboard, she notes, "You guys move pretty fast. I didn't even hear about this until the announcement myself."     Sakura gets another grin, "Well, that's what they're here for. It probably won't be something with /too/ much pomp. I'm wondering how open they'll be to offworld customs." 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Illuvia smiles, "No, I was given a rough idea. More of a scholar than a warrior, but then... that is not a bad thing, is it?" She takes over for her father, walking up and making a motion to guide the group inward. Her eyes pass over Psyber, Sakura, and Charity in turn... curious, but saying nothing. It doesn't appear that the mild calming effect is increasing... perhaps it is something she does unconsciously.     "We are very much looking forward to this, and are surprised that you agreed with so little that we can offer. Our strategic position is good, especially if our neighbors follow suit, but the Union that I have heard of has made little motion against the Windward Empire." 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     "Well obviously," Psyber says to Charity in a pretty mild tone. The half-angel adjusts his tie in a calm manner, "She wants to waylay him until he can calm down, not place him in a grave." He doesn't actually seem that upset about her presence. She's not his FRIEND, but he'll at least bring a level of politeness if she's going to.     "I imagine Nathan wanted to address the matter directly and swiftly," Psyber using the phrase 'Nathan' as opposed to 'the Union' is a minor quibble on his part. Still, he looks towards the woman, "How have you been, by the way? I haven't seen you active in quite some time, though I believe that is a good thing in your particular profession."     To Illuvia, Psyber seems calm and fairly subdued. He actually is rather enjoying the effect, such that he's not resisting it. It's probably the most relaxed he's felt in weeks, all things taken into consideration, "De rustico amnem transituro. Still waters run deep." Psyber notes to her in a relaxed cadence, "You do not let anyone to find out your plan until it is too late to stop it. Be it any plans about the Empire or otherwise."     OR OTHERWISE, NATHAN. 

:'''{{#var:134|Sakura Haruno (134)}} has posed:'''     Sakura will continue to glance over Charity, though she genuinely doesn't recognize her. "I'm not particularly familiar with what Hall's customs would be, myself. It's hard to imagine him having a genuinely romantic side, really." She considers for a moment.     "Well, either way, we should really figure out just what's going on. Do you know if we had a serious negotiation over this, or is this something that Nathan managed to stumble his way into?" The pinkhaired woman wil offer Illuvia a smile; the calming seems to have more of an impact over the medic than over most of the others in the room. 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     "I would certainly hope it is not a bad thing." Hall says, making a short, plaintive gesture and changing his tone not one bit. "It is rather the only thing I can be, after all." Another brief little hint of humor. He's actually completely unaware of the mystical effect, so it just hits him at whatever level it might hit your average person.     Then the Windwards are brought up. "We act with care and consideration." Nathan says. "The Windward Empire and the Union have extensive differences, but before we would act against them, there are less ambiguous and more critical matters, as well as other routes to pursue solutions through." He speaks as they move towards the interior. Psyber's words are adhered to: That nonsense where he accidentally made Eveningstar move, or his intent to disassemble the perceived conspiracy in the Windward Empire, go unspoken. Just a reasonable, moderate political stance.     He tilts his head. "It pains me with some embarrassment to admit, but at the moment it would seem there is a small lack of clarity regarding our mutual agreement, likely due to an unlucky combination of cultural differences and ongoing diplomatic events elsewhere. I can elucidate in a moment, when we are inside. For now, could you explain further?" He glances between the king and the princess, speaking a question either could answer. "Regarding the advantageous position vis a vis the Windward Empire, of course." Okay, let's keep this conversation about you, Nathan thinks, so we don't need to discuss the wedding too much. Would rather be sitting down when that goes down, he thinks uneasily.     "I do not... Ghhhh." He makes a helpless noise at Haruno. "I have explained this to you at length, I do not stumble into these scenarios. I have already explained the matter at length." Despite the monotone he does a brief bit of handwringing. Nervousness going up a bit, more reminders of the inevitable terrifying end-states of this. 

:'''{{#var:299|Charity Whiteheart (299)}} has posed:'''     Charity shakes her head at Sakura, "I think this is the serious negotiations. I'm afraid that General Hall has gotten in over his head quite badly this time. Though at least Illuvia really is a very nice girl. Nicer than me, at any rate." She nudges her glasses up. "She will likely pester him with silly questions."     Psyber gets a smile, surprisingly. Charity seems a lot more relaxed than the other times the half-angel has seen her. All those were on the job, and off-the-clock, or in jobs that aren't her usual, she's much more easygoing. "I've been fine, thanks. Yes, if you hear about anything I do, it's gone poorly. Fortunately, not too much requiring extreme measures."     To Nathan, "General Hall, I would suggest letting it slide. It may be better for you to pass it off as just such an accident, if you think about it." 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     "Oh, we aren't going inside," Illuvia answers quickly. "It's nicer to just use the walkway around. You'll see plenty of the inside later." That might sound sinister, but for one thing her voice makes it seem less so. For another, she's actually not being sinister anyway. She just likes the outdoors. But for the question about position, she looks back to her father.     The King answers amiably, "Our territory as it is now borders both a main trading road, and a river used for transport by the Windward Empire. In the last few centuries, they have grown complacent with regard to the threat we pose, both political and military." He frowns. "Not without reason. Our military is tiny, barely more than a militia, and we can bring little pressure to bear on our neighbors. They are all watching this to see how it affects the balance of power. To be quite honest, in another generation Taliel may not exist. We do not have much left to cede to the Empire, if they brought pressure upon us. Illuvia here is the one who is eager for this to be prevented. Politically, if you wish to coax more allies to your side, we believe that allying with an... 'underdog' such as us will bring several of the smaller nations out with interest. Militarily, this would be an excellent staging ground against the Empire's Western holdings. If you can properly guarantee us safety, there is also the matter of the dowry of course."     Illuvia sighs at that. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     "I'm glad to hear that. Have you made any progress on that guy who betrayed you? I'd prefer to see him, well, taken out of play," Psyber says pretty bluntly. He actually, despite Nathan having formed an alliance some time back, deeply dislikes that man. And has said so repeatedly.     To Haruno, Psyber finally speaks. And he's quite pleasant about it, actually, "I've been meaning to ask you, Haruno. Your outfits have been growing more towards colder weather. Do you need me to use office funds to help your clothing budget? I imagine your new place of treatment must be fairly different from Boston, which was already pretty cold." He asks it honestly, tilting his head at her and seeming fairly cheerful.     Psyber's final statement goes to the King, "I may not look like much in this suit, but I was a sellsword of sorts a long time ago. My offices are still hireable outside of Union operations. If the Windward Empire ever applies undue military pressure, please contact me. I am sure I could sortie a suitable response to defend your borders." And then he reaches into his breast pocket and holds out a business card, "Very reasonable rates."     All things actually considered, Psyber would eat a financial loss if it meant getting to bloody the nose of the Empire's armies. 

:'''{{#var:134|Sakura Haruno (134)}} has posed:'''     "Yes you do. I already explained that you're wrong to you." is Sakura's only response to Nathan, which was probably for the best, given that they already had that little argument and Sakura is convinced that she won.     She'll give Psyber a confused look for a moment. "I have a clothing budget? Really?" She'd maybe misunderstood that a little bit, but that does seem rather sincere. She mostly wears clothing that she received as gifts or from Cecil's dead mountain ghost dad.     She'll tilt her head, looking back over towards the King. She's curious about the dowry - not exactly a custom she's familiar with - and just what they're expecting from Nathan in return for this whole generous offering. Other than his eternal soul in marriage and all; important things. 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     Nathan did not hear anything sinister there. How could he? He cannot read between lines. "The Union has resources at its disposal required to supplement your military power and ensure that you have all you need to resist political pressure. And of course, we can provide our own martial force in emergencies or upon demand. I would hope to ensure that you both find your kingdom preserved through these difficult times." Nathan says. This is more business mode than anything else, but there's a palpable sense that he wants to make sure the King's own wishes are respected. This is a man who has probably had more than enough of other people pushing him around, and Nathan seeks to cultivate an opinion that he'll have plenty of control all on his own. Zero 'puppet king' nonsense here. That's not just because he wants to be in the king's good graces, that's because it's just moral. Good graces would be a really nice bonus though!     "In any case, you may consider me convinced of your ability to provide an equal exchange for a full alliance." He can't seem to figure out how to broach the topic of the marraige issue and it keeps coming up very slightly. "Ahhh... Dowry?" There's a sigh! Nathan is suddenly hopeful that this will be easier to manage. Maybe if he can get the King or the Princess to initiate this discussion on their own. Of course, there's the matters on the side. Charity gets a strange noncommittal noise that seems to not even quite understand the advice given, but the subject does get dropped. 

:'''{{#var:299|Charity Whiteheart (299)}} has posed:'''     Charity shakes her head at Psyber, "Not all that much," she admits. "Soonish. I haven't brought it up to... the boss yet, but she did promise me that we'll take care of him, and you know how she is with her promises. I'm not going to force the issue when she has so much to do right now." She frowns. "But I guess I could remind her. It would be a good distraction from her terrible mood of late."     As for the dowry, Charity helpfully supplies as if Nathan didn't know, "Yes, they offer something in exchange to the husband to be. Something of an old tradition, but very important for the Blooded." She emphasized that last word, very importantly. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Illuvia gives Charity a cross look, for some reason, then sighs and looks down. "Yes, there is a dowry," she states softly. "That was in the negotiations. I assume that is the real reason you agreed to this?"     The King takes card with a curious expression. "Well... I suppose it will have to do, though there is little to be done against the full might of the Empire. I doubt they would waste it for us." He sighs as well, pocketing the card... by handing it to an aide. "Yes, well, the treasury is nearly empty, but if you truly can aid us against the Empire, then we are willing to give up our family treasure for it. Illuvia is ill-suited for it, but we were hoping that she would bear us a son who could bear it into battle. Would you like to see it?" 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     Psyber nods his head and says, "Right. I imagine it can't happen until the right pieces are in place for the biggest impact," He thinks it over and sighs a bit, "Her mood. Mn. I imagine things have been hard. Last I spoke to her, she sounded sad." He shakes his head and then says, "If you ever need help with the surprise party, give me some forewarning and I'll tag in. Might have to wear a mask, though. But no offense taken if you don't want my help."     To Haruno, Psyber pretty honestly says, "Well yeah. When your job makes you move," A VERY loose way of phrasing what happened, but let's go with that, "It's pretty traditional for the job to give you a stipend to help you get settled. Hold on, does two thousand credits sound good?" Psyber asks, taking out his business checkbook and starting to write.     Psyber is still writing as the words 'treasure' and 'bear it into battle' come up. The half-angel looks sidelong, trying to play non-chalant. 

:'''{{#var:134|Sakura Haruno (134)}} has posed:'''     Sakura looks at Psyber as he starts to pull out the checkbook as though he has grown a second head; she seems completely bewildered. Possibly just by the idea of having to mess with a check, possibly by what he is saying. This is probably for the best, because it means the medic is not paying attention to just what it is that's going on with the dowry.     At least, until Psyber's interest seems to go that way, upon which she'll look over. "What, you're going to give the General some sort of weapon or armor? Well, perhaps his child will be more suited to it than him." Sakura sounds skeptical. She knows all about combat genetics. 

:'''{{#var:299|Charity Whiteheart (299)}} has posed:'''     Charity just shrugs. "She doesn't show it all that much, but I know her at least a little bit better than most of her uh... coworkers," Charity admits. The suggestion gets a snort from the young woman. "I don't think a surprise party will help her, not like that. But I'll keep it in mind." It's odd, how relaxed she is with an enemy. As if there's nothing personal about her attempts to jab knives into Psyber's friends.     Maybe there isn't.     If she knows anything about the family treasure, Charity is staying mum on the subject. 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     "The reason..." Nathan tries to find a way of saying this that doesn't implicate him as the one responsible here. He almost has the feeling she might be disappointed in him. "If I have any reason to agree to this, it is the wellbeing of humanity, not greed. As I mentioned before, there are some unusual circumstances distancing me from the negotiations. It is against my beliefs to attempt to use people for acts of greed such as that." The monotone he has is a somber one.     He then turns to the king, and tilts his head. "I am not a man who is inflexible. Negotiations may be regarded as still... Open, in a way. Should you have any particular specifics when it comes to how the Union can assist your kingdom most effectively, please tell me." And then he nods, albeit slowly. "We can assist you against the Empire. To ensure that you are safe, and retain your power." He says. He... Well, he does seem like he's about to say he's just fine without any family treasure, thank you very much. But he should see it before he judges. "I would like to see it, yes."     The discussion about her bearing some child amps up the awkwardness again, past "dry mouth" somewhere over to a tier between "mild fidgets" and "grinding teeth". He gives a look at Haruno and makes the helpless noise again. "Please do not use that phrase?" The phrase 'his child', presumably. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Illuvia is looking oddly at Charity and Psyber, as if she isn't sure what to make of the two of them. But Nathan's statement makes her smile. "If that truly is an honest statement, then I have gained an even better husband than I had thought," she says with a mellow murmor. Oops!     The King is walking around toward the manor again, and the doors are opened for him as he moves toward one of the more secure rooms. "What I want most is to preserve our people. We are a very simple kingdom, and do not ask for much. My Blood may be weak compared to most, but Illuvia's is not. I like to think I have taught her how to be a grand noble. We do understand that we will be giving up some things when joining your Union. Slavery has never been a common thing in our land, and I believe there would be no real backlash if we decreed it gone, but assistance to the former slaves might be best." Not all shiny and nice, these people.     Beyond the door, though... is a padded cushion, beneath what appears to be a glass case. The glass has an odd sheen to it, but it doesn't obscure the weathered metal bracer within, inlaid with ancient designs. The King gestures, "Don't step to close, please. Shivan, twin to Ifran. Sadly, I never learned to use it, but I am assured it still has its potency." 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     Psyber has always said that if he held a grudge over everyone who tried to kill him, he would have very few friends. It's just that simple. Though when Charity misses his original meaning, he murmurs something very quiet. Almost inaudible, actually.     "She hides her emotions, but her recent choices must have been very difficult. Please, give her my regards when you see her. You are both welcome to come by Boston and we can grab lunch. Winter Flounder season just started south and east of Cape Cod. We could rent a boat, big old office outing," The half-angel says this to the woman while he finishes writing a check for Sakura. It's written out to 'Cash', just to make her life easy as he holds it out to her.     To Charity, Psyber remarks, "You know what the most interesting part is? If he'd been less tunnel-visioned, he might have been able to intercept this before it reached the point it has now. But he was so distracted that he's in a blind spot of his own creation. It's quite interesting to observe externally."     The half-angel curls his hand into a fist and rests it under his chin as they're led to the treasure room. Granted, the fact that they're standing in front of one of the One Hundred is also very awe-inspiring, "Ah, to think your Kingdom would have such a treasure. Do other Kingdoms know it is here?" 

:'''{{#var:134|Sakura Haruno (134)}} has posed:'''     Sakura will take the check, still looking confused. "Are you.. I don't really understand." She finally admits, though she'll take the check anyways. It may or may not ever be cashed, anyhow, but it's made it into the ribbon of the kimono she'd worn here.     She has been less familiar with the lore of the local kingdoms and such; she doesn't really get what this particular weapon is. She'll hiss at Psyber in a raised whisper. "Is this something I should know about?"     Of course, the medic is mostly internally cringing at the girl heading towards more betrayed and heartbroken. The poor girl couldn't know what she was getting into with Hall! 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     SHIT, EMERGENCY, PULL UP.     Nathan keeps a completely stoic look when Illuvia responds positively to what he said in a way that he did not want her to. Damn it! Okay, he resolves to try to say things in a way that isn't going to make her like him MORE. Hopefully. "The wellbeing, freedom, and happiness of people is our priority." Nathan says. "If your kingdom promotes these things, we will preserve, assist, and protect it. I thank you for being willing to accomodate us. I hope that, with our assistance, it can be made worth it to your kingdom. Education, economic adjustment, and other services can certainly be offered to those freed." He's taken this whole slavery thing kind of well! Mostly.     And then there's the artifact. A bracer? Nathan knows its value, but he doesn't know its purpose. He keeps a respectful distance, though, stepping back and nodding. "I see. A moment, please." He considers it, and with a blink, his glasses fill with obfuscating glare as he attempts a [SCAN]. Normally it just tells magical or anatomical weaknesses, but this should more productively give Nathan some idea of the scale of the magic inherent to this artifact. 

:'''{{#var:299|Charity Whiteheart (299)}} has posed:'''     Charity gives Psyber an odd look, then just shakes her head. "I know. It's a pity. I haven't seen her sink this much effort into something in a while. If things get resolved, though, I wouldn't mind coming to an outing. My job is my job, I don't really have anything against you or yours."     Charity will then step back away from the door, when she sees it open. Kind of hanging near Sakura. "I'll just... stay over here." 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Illuvia blushes faintly, "If I were more of a warrior, I could use that, I'm sure. I have more of the Blood than my father does." She sighs. "It has come to this that we are willing to part with it, to save our kingdom."     The SCAN will show that it is an artifact of immense magical power. The exact properties are hard to place, but it's quite similar to what Elliana's sword looks like under a scan. Judging from the aura and name, it has some cold-related ability. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     "I would enjoy that," Psyber says to Charity, nodding his head. He won't have much more to say on the matter. She said it wasn't personal, all he can add is, "I have no hard feelings, obviously."     Psyber explains to Haruno what it is on another channel, before saying, "As for the check, I merely want to ensure your comfort wherever you feel the need to work from. It is my responsibility as your employer and your friend to help you find such a thing," He'd actually like for her to come home, BUT. After the past few days, he understands why she left. This is his obtuse way of supporting her decision, while trying to express that he may not agree with it. He's bad at heartfelt moments.     Nathan? Psyber simply watches Nathan. He's radioactive right now, and with Charity there he's not keen to actively help. Besides, he gave Nathan the answer already, but does Nathan know it. 

:'''{{#var:134|Sakura Haruno (134)}} has posed:'''     Sakura has about as much a chance figuring out those signals as she does taking Nathan's place in the wedding; instead, she's presently worrying about what she might have done to make her leave as bad as needing a bribe.     She'll try to figure it out later, of course. Right now, she's sternly watching someone who outranks her by a mile to make certain he doesn't do something like try to steal the weapon and crush the bride-to-be. She's rather less worried about his happiness, shockingly. Glancing to Charity she'll ask, finally. "Is something the matter? Do those make you nervous?" 

:'''{{#var:299|Charity Whiteheart (299)}} has posed:'''     Charity adjusts her glasses when Sakura turns to her. "It does make me nervous. The Hundred are the symbol of Blooded superiority in this world. As nice as these two seem to be, those of us who don't have the priveledge of being born with the Blood still feel a little... nervous around such things. They grant the user some incredible powers, and frankly most of the Blooded are very poor at targeting such power." 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     Nathan's just holding that scan, almost a bit obsessively for a moment. God damn it, Fairchild! She probably even set up some kind of countermeasure for attempting to go after an optimized third option. "I understand." He says, simply, pausing after he does for some time to continue to stare, and then turning on his heels.     "Your Majesty, I will tell you now that as long as you are willing to comply with the humanitarian regulations of the Union, your kingdom will be saved, or at the very least the Union will do all in its power to do so, and an alliance may be formed based on reasonable mutual assistance." For the brief moment, he pinches the bridge of his nose. "While I admit that Shivan would provide a tremendous amount of benefit to me, due to other efforts closely associated with our efforts to resolve the issue of the Windward Kingdom, I believe I cannot accept this particular part of the exchange at this time. The first and foremost reason is that, by the cultural rules of my own home, your daughter is not currently of an appropriate age."     "Additionally, I believe there may have been a diplomatic misunderstanding of a grander scale, due to an assortment of miscommunications. Among the Union, alliance is not secure by marriage among representitives." He gestures to the princess herself. "It is an adjustment made to our cultures over a long period of time, meant to reflect a profound respect held for the individual rights of nobility to choose their partners by their own will. It would be a faux pas of a substantial level for me to... Impinge upon the rights of your daughter to choose a partner of her own will. We are willing to declare an alliance in absence of marriage, if this is acceptable to you."     This has him extremely nervous and he hopes he's managed to spin it correctly, to something suitable for the King. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Hearing those words, the King is surprised, while Illuvia... stares. "Wha..." Her eyes blink a few times, and she opens her mouth, then closes it. "A-am I not desireable?" That melodic voice, this time, transmits the emotion of sadness, perhaps making it more obvious that it's an unnatural effect.     The King fortunately steps in, "I was not aware that any miscommunication had occurred," he states. "And the neighboring kingdoms will be looking for a wedding to show the dedication of the Union as much as our own." He glances at Shivan, then motions for the doors to be closed. "It is very honest of you to turn down the dowry when stating this, but please understand that this is not so easy a thing undone. We can, of course, respect your own culture in waiting until my daughter is of the proper age, provided it is not too long of a wait."     He takes a deep breath, and though it shows some strain, he also shows himself capable of reason. "If she will come of age soon enough to make a reasonable but not too great delay, perhaps we can use that time to come to a better understanding?" 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     A sidelong glance is given at Charity. Psyber is, internally, glad he didn't bring Sovereign. Charity might actually have been able to recognize it, which would have been bad. As Nathan begins talking, Psyber rocks back and forth on his feet.     A hand slips to the inside of his suit and takes out a flask. As the waves of sadness come over him from the princess, Psyber tilts it backwards and takes a long drink from it. The flask comes away and he coughs slightly before swallowing and placing it back into his jacket.     He tries to keep a neutral face and parse through what's happening. Emotion-related Blooded power. Elliana's trap deepens the longer he stays here. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Psyber gets a reply from the King then, as it is on topic. "The other Kingdoms, including the Windward Empire, know we have a great treasure. They do not all know its nature. Only one or two have that knowledge, and I ask that you keep it from spreading to the Windward Empire." 

:'''{{#var:134|Sakura Haruno (134)}} has posed:'''     Sakura will flinch visibly as the wave of sadness crashes over her, and listen in on the conversation. She manages not to cry, at first, at least. But she'll fold her arms up, and start to get rather emotional on the topic herself, and likely make matters much, much worse for Nathan on radio. At least she isn't getting directly involved with the King and Princess.     Yet. 

:'''{{#var:299|Charity Whiteheart (299)}} has posed:'''     Charity heaves a heavy sigh at that. "I feel sorry for her," she murmurs at Sakura. "You and I both know that he can't accept, but she seems to have taken a liking to him." 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     OH NO, SHE MADE A SAD VOICE.     This stabs Nathan in the gut, partially because of emotional magic, and actually mostly because Nathan is unable to sustain any action that makes cute, harmless girls sad.. THANKS FOR DOING THAT AGAIN, ELLIANA. His awkwardness immediately launches from "grinding teeth" to tiers that would make most people stammer and blabber. "No!" He actually breaks his tone of voice for a moment. "I mean-- Yes. No, I mean no." He tries to settle down for a moment with a very deep breath. "You are certainly extremely charming, Your Highness." He makes a plaintive open-palmed gesture. "It is merely that in my culture, it is expected that both partners should know each other for some time, even nobility. It would be unconscionable for me to take your hand in marriage if you were not providing it without coercion and with your own will. In my own particular culture, it would be extortion to withhold my assistance for marriage, unless you had some strong desire to marry me. I cannot force you into marriage with me, you see?"     He makes a mildly off-kilter noise at the King, but nods very gratefully. "Yes, I... Yes, a delay, at least, until the matter may be sorted, would be best. Perhaps if, during the delay, the Union may bolster you kingdom to the point where the lack of marriage does not show a sign of weakness in dedication from either side?" Maybe? Maaaaybe? Nathan is a little bit off track here, what with all the emotions. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Illuvia clasps her hands and tries to gather herself up. "I... see." But a moment later, she murmurs, "I am feeling unwell, father. I think I shall retire for the night." Curtsying to the others, she turns about and heads for the nearby stairs.     The King lifts an eyebrow. "If you would do that for us, that may indeed help. For now, I will place a delay in. She reaches the age of eighteen in six months, would that suffice to give us enough time?" 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     As the princess leaves, Psyber finally lets show that the particular aura she exudes has exacerbated some of his existing feelings. The half-angel takes a casual gait towards Nathan and slaps him SQUARE in the center of the back. Not hard enough to actually hurt, but it leaves a sting.     "Congrats, Slugger. You're now 2 for 2 in disappointing 17 year old girls. Keep it up." Psyber says before smiling at the King, "Call my office if you need me. I'm gonna signal my pickup now." 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     Nathan makes a helpless noise at Psyber and wrings his hands a little bit. "I do not even know what the /first/ one is." He says, and then makes a frustrated noise. Monotone still steady, though. He tries to get back to the king before he completely falls apart. "I believe that with my experience in this matter, I may be able to make a sufficient show of political dedication to render the marriage redundant." This is exhausting, and as such, Nathan lets out a bit of a heavy breath. "My apologies for the confusion, Your Majesty. I hope that we can each pull through this with mutual benefit soon. Thank you." He'll be heading out for now, unless, you know, that's stopped. 
}}

1740/Totally Mundane Meeting

2015-03-13T04:12:32Z

Blue Elf:

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2015/03/06
|Location=Boston-666
|Synopsis=The Union and the Confederates operating on Terra Majora begin a tentative alliance.
|Thanks=
|Cast of Characters=12, 92, 202, 253, 331, 340, 347, 395, 598
|Tinyplot=New Blood
|Tinyplot2=
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     Only an idiot would plot direct treason with five Confederates in the city where the General lives.     So anyway, it's a pretty chilly day in Boston-666. The high was about 25 degrees and the low was about 14. The sky was partly cloudy and the winds were a weak five miles per hour. Thankfully, it is not actually this cold where Psyber has asked the Confederates to meet him and the two officers he trusted enough to bring along.     The city has mostly rebuilt itself, which means the harbor is open again after the Confederate attack some weeks back. Psyber has asked for a meeting at a small, out of the way patio cafe. The outdoor area is kept decently warm by a series of outdoor heating units meant to stave off the cold weather.     Psyber, himself, is sitting at one of four gathered-together tables in the pretty deserted place. It has a decent menu of mostly late-lunch foods like sandwiches and soup. The half-angel is having a roast beef-cheddar melt and a bowl of clam chowder. 

:'''{{#var:395|Amalthea (395)}} has posed:'''     So about those plans for clandestine meetings with The enemy...     Amalthea is here- lacking her armor in a rare display of some tenuous trust. This is supposed to be a meeting to discuss things, not a brawl. Though she isn't unarmed, in the event of something crazy happening like an extra Confederate showing up and things devolving into a Mexican Standoff. But she's not blatantly showing this fact.     She's decked out in a casual tie-dye tank top, some girlishly over-decorated charm bracelets, and a set of jean cutoffs, the ultimate attire for treasonous plots, as she's settled beside Psyber, slowly sipping a beer and plinking at her own bowl of chowder. 

:'''{{#var:331|Himei (331)}} has posed:'''     Himei's worn a heavy coat with a lighter liner, allowing her to wear the liner as a jacket in the warmer cafe. She too has chosen to show some trust in coming unarmored, though it's less of a risk for her considering her situation and skills. She's sipping a coffee, relaxed and leaning back in her chair. As usual, she wears drab and dull clothing that doesn't stand out at all. You can't take that part of her out of her... even if she's shown a lot more color when she wants to, lately. 

:'''{{#var:202|Adelyn Lysen (202)}} has posed:'''     Boston-666 seems a pretty cool place, eh. They get visited or invaded by bizarre off-worlders on a monthly basis and aren't afraid of much. So it is that Adelyn Lysen expects no more attention in her mage robes and her occasionally-moving little headwings than anyone else going down this street. She doesn't actually have far to walk, intentionally, as walking is primarily for chumps.     This particular group of Unionites, of course, are immediately recognized, and the Confederate lieutenant gives a smile in greeting that, it is entirely plausible, was not meant to look anything like a smug smirk. Maybe her face just got stuck that way.     She's not visibly carrying any weapons, but she is carrying large books hooked to a set of belts that seem to be there only for that purpose, and in the context of her abilities that can be basically the same thing. Grimoires, like swords and other weapons, can also make it inconvenient to sit in small chairs. Bother.     The first words out of her mouth are, "Yes, I'll have the chowder. That's warm, isn't it? Right, good." 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Despite the temptation, Elliana neither rode Veryx nor took the Drasillum. Nope. Instead... she rented a car. A sports car. All they had was a Camero, but that should be fine, right? Naturally, since she can't drive, she let Mordred do the driving. Thus her actual entrance will depend on how Mordred wants to drive the car.     It should be noticed that Elliana is wearing jeans, a coat, and a PAX East sweatshirt, along with a ball cap that has her hair tugged back into a ponytail out the back. "You like chowder, right Saber?" 

:'''{{#var:340|Mir (340)}} has posed:'''     Even though she wasn't at the original event in question, Mir knows Psyber, Elliana, Adelyn, and even Nathan. It's not a surprise that she'd show up if she took an interest... which she did. She hasn't decided if she's going to help out with this yet, but it's interesting enough for her to hear out what the Union has to say about this. She's going to be quiet for once, and listen to things.     She is dressed in a catholic school girl outfit.     "With extra paprika, yes, and ground beef," Mir is saying, before wandering over to the tables and just sprawling in a chair. "Hi." 

:'''{{#var:12|Mordred (12)}} has posed:'''     Surprising NO ONE, Mordred drives in a way that borders the legal. Fortunately, she also does so with great skill, obviously unnatural for a KNIGHT, but nobody's going to question Servants anymore if they're smart. She is wearing the cool red and gold jacket she was given months earlier, along with torn jeans and a white tube-top underneath. Bloody Amhar may or may not be visible right now, either sheathed or in a new form that makes it easier to haul around.     The car will come to a screechy and showy stop in front of the restaurant, perfectly inserting itself into a parking slot with no difficulty. Mordred is grinning, so if Elliana was trying to make her Servant a happy murderbeast she succeeded. Hopefully it'll last until the meeting is over.     "The real question is do I like food, master?" 

:'''{{#var:598|Lezard Valeth (598)}} has posed:''' There might be an idiot around here somewhere, but Lezard Valeth generally is not considered one of them. The Sorceror of Midgard is taking some token efforts to blend in with the modern environment, dressing up in a cardigan sweater and white button-up shirt with slacks and some black work shoes. He'd probably fit right in a university library or a Harry Potter convention. He arrives on foot (having teleported in to a spot out of casual observation), and sits down at the combined tables. He nods to Psyber. "Greetings again." He says with a smile to Psyber. There is a glance to Amalthea, and he smiples pleasantly. He offers a hand to Amalthea, then Himei in turn, though he STINKS OF DARK MAGIC. Some things just don't come off in the mana shower. "Greetings." He says. "It is good to see you both. I am Lezard Valeth, Alchemist of Midgard." He chooses to not immediately comment on the sorcery, necromancy, and forbidden rituals. He looks over the menu as he sits, and then simply sets it aside. "I will have what he is having." He replies, gesturing to Psyber. "You have good taste in food as well as drink, I see." The arrival of the others elicits a smile and a gesture of greeting. He does not say anything else yet. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     The three cop cars keeping an eye on Mordred all pull up next to the car when it FINALLY comes to a stop. They don't ticket her, but they do seem baffled to see a driver so reckless while Psyber is sitting at a table eating a meal. A couple do a double-take, even. Then they drive off.     "You know, Ell. I might not go next year," He notes, pointing at her shirt, "It was SO crowded this year and it stank of basement ogres. But if you drag me by the arm again, I just might."     "Chowder is a hot soup, yes." Psyber responds to Adelyn, sipping his scotch and soda before sighting a bit. None of the Confederates ordering food actually have to PAY, so it seems Psyber has covered their tabs for the day so long as they're heading his way. We're sure Mordred won't viciously abuse free food.     "Greetings and thank you for meeting us. After the fiasco of five days ago, I would not have been surprised if you elected not to," Psyber begins to the gathered Confederates. Notably, Nathan is definitely not here, which means Psyber seems to be taking point on talking, "Let me open this by stating one thing which I wish to establish: Nathan Hall acted alone and without the knowledge of any Union personnel. He kept his own operations team in the dark. As such I, and to a lesser extent these two, will be usurping him as the Confederate point of contact for joint-operations."     Psyber takes a slow breath, stirring his soup, "You will find I operate very differently in terms of what I believe is equality. And that I am very willing to cement cross-factional collaberation on Shajem Sealing." 

:'''{{#var:347|Abstractum.Net (347)}} has posed:'''     Mordred appears to be wearing a bracer -- though maybe more of a fashion type? -- with teeth jabbed into her body. It's not actively sucking her blood, but it is a little shitty to wear, kinda chafes in this form. You can still see the eye, if you peer closely.     The form is not unlike Amalthea's Abstractum, who seems a bit cautious, but not offensively so, merely in the dutiful manner of a bodyguard.     Himei's set of wings is concealed under the heavy coat, shifting occasionally in an uncomfortable way, but otherwise politely packed up.     Gishur doesn't even need to be disguised, its normal mode is a book, who's gonna give Adelyn grief for walking around with a book? It did insist on sitting on TOP of that stack of grimoires.     Brilliant Dawn hangs around Elliana's neck contentedly. The pendant seems to be quite comfortable with the current course of action.     And Adjudicator, in gauntlet or perhaps even sword form, is likely set off to one side. It keeps a presiding, mature sort of posture, silently approving of the insubordination but monitoring it closely regardless. 

:'''{{#var:395|Amalthea (395)}} has posed:'''     Immediately Amalthea is beset by an amazingly awkward quandry. Pausing in her consumption of delicious chowder as the Confederates arrive, Lezard presents her with a hand. Oh it's not the first time she's met the man but in the last time she did, she was not in such a delicate social situation requiring her to touch him.     Slowly, the unicorn's lone eye glances down at the hand. She VERY MUCH triest ot not look at it in the same manner one would look at something unpalateable on their plate. But Amalthea is a good girl.     Thankfully, Ironclad Oath is on her hand, which means the gauntlet will eat the brunt of terrible, horrible PHYSICAL CONTACT for her, an act she generally does not like overlymuch except with those she calls friends. Of course this means a very WEIRD left-handed shake.     "I remember you. Lordran."     She pauses however at Mir's request. She then awkwardly looks AWAY from Mir as fast as she can. 

:'''{{#var:331|Himei (331)}} has posed:'''     Himei hastens to add, "Not that we don't have requirements and restrictions." She is going to leave most of the talking to Psyber, but she doesn't want things to seem like the Union are too soft. "And in fact I think we have a proposal you'll be interested in. I think we can all agree that everyone would have been more effective if we'd coordinated what we were doing Sunday, right?"     Himei shakes the hand, and though it gives her a small ache in the temples it's not enough to really put her on guard. She nods to Mir, "Mir, nice to see you again on less violent terms." 

:'''{{#var:202|Adelyn Lysen (202)}} has posed:'''     Adelyn doesn't generally make a point of it, but she might also have a bit of that dark magic going on. But then, she has a lot of magic going on. Some of it just seems to run together. Perhaps more importantly, she's not trying to touch the unicorn.     She gives a nod at Psyber's confirmation. She actually looked up Boston before coming here, but wiki articles tend to omit those things that everyone in /that/ world already knows. She's in no particular hurry to actually get her food once she's ordered, with enough else to occupy her attention.     "Really? He didn't tell anyone about that spell he was working on? Apart from the Binders. They were working with him on it, after all." Finger-steeple. "Interesting. I see. I acknowledge this transfer of roles." She nods, then, to Himei. "There was some wasteful effort that could have easily been avoided." 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Elliana shrugs, "The odor was offensive. Maybe as a one day thing, next time." She settles in to enjoy some warm chowder, glancing at Mordred without comment. Then she folds her hands together, listening to apologies and the beginnings of plans. It is only then that she speaks on the matter of coordination.     "Of course, if you had brought me onboard you would have also had my expertise, which you must admit is even greater than Sir Bloodstone's in this particular category." She tsks, and then continues, "But then, that would defeat the purpose of showing me that you could take your own initiative. I suppose I can't complain about the attempt itself, but the fact that Sir Hall interfered instead of helping... mn. And it was such a clever idea, too." 

:'''{{#var:12|Mordred (12)}} has posed:'''     Mordred ignores the cops. Let's face it it'd be a bad idea for them to pick that fight without Psyber as backup. Granted, he probably would step in if she became aggrassive.     If she minds the bracer with teeth sunk into her arm, it's not showing.     "Sure, if you want to go staight to the point, we had a PLAN, which was to actually SEAL the damn thing, with the side-benefit of us getting a small chunk of it. And then Hall did his thing and we had to rush it because we didn't know what the fuck was going on. So let's put this shit on the table right now, there's a Shajem loose and none of us trusts it'll stay safe. We're going to finish the job."     Not 'we want to'. Not 'will you let us'. 'We will'. 

:'''{{#var:598|Lezard Valeth (598)}} has posed:''' Lezard doesn't seem to take any particular pleasure in the mostly-hidden distress of Amalthea. Then again, they haven't really had much time to interact. "Indeed. Lordran, wonderful place..." He does smile at that, though more in a 'fond reminiscence' instead of 'ominous' style. Of course, it being Lordran, that probably says volumes on its own. Lezard takes a bite of his sandwich when it arrives, apparently showing an appreciation for good red meat. He IS from Midgard, after all. "Master Hall does seem to have some... odd behaviors in this regard, but I can respect your efforts to work around the issue. After all, there is too much at stake for simply allowing one man to hold it back, no?" He considers the three present. "You, Amalthea, and Himei, correct? Very well, this is workable." Himei begins to add to it, and Lezard folds his hands. "I am sure whatever restrictions you have will be reasonable. We will have some of our own, of course. Such is the nature of a cooperative venture, is it not?" Mordred offers their own side of the story. Lezard also supplies his own addition. "We believe that studying the tapped energies of the Shajem will be extremely useful in the future, as we are seeking knowledge of both how the energies function as well as how they can be both contained and negated. If this is possible, we can convert the Shajem from a dangerous terror to something more... useful for a world..." He pauses again. "... As well as less dangerous for those who bear them, perhaps..." 

:'''{{#var:340|Mir (340)}} has posed:'''     "It has been some time," Mir admits, speaking to all three of the Unionites. She's putting forth a relaxed air, but those who know her can easily see the slight tense of arms and jaw when Psyber explains what happened. Demonstrating some supreme control, the Reyvateil does not comment on the situation yet, though. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     Psyber nods first to Adelyn, "His principle was sound and the theory has a valid base, but he kept it from us all and then severely damaged cooperative efforts by accusing the Confederates of deception." Psyber slowly eats a spoonful of his soup, "As such, we will not be using his Binding unless and until Elliana has reviewed and approved its usage. At such a time, we will see how things play forward." A concession on his part that functionally loses nothing: Wait until Elliana allows its usage. A moot point too, since Nathan was benched right now with other matters.     Mordred comes in precisely in her style: Aggressive, strong, and straight to the matter. Psyber remains pretty calm despite this, looking over at her, "No part of your statement is incorrect," He says carefully, "You had an independant plan which you, likewise, did not inform the Union of. It was not to the magnitude of General Hall's, but we were uninformed. He made an accusation rather than an inquiry." A pause, "There is a Shajem loose with a degrading seal. The job must be finished."     He lets Himei say her piece. He's not inclined to disagree with her, or to stop her from making a proposal. If he's talking and coming across as the 'ringleader', it is for a very specific point that will come up far down the line. Smarter people may already suspect why he is placing himself as a central figure.     "Shoutan's proposal will be hers to make. Here is mine:" He begins, looking at the gathered individuals, "You made offer of our services. It is foolish not to believe you would want something in return. You deserve fair trade for your expertise and I am not going to deny you that right. I only know what Mordred wishes their share to be used for. Frankly, I do not care about the motives of the rest of you. This is not an insult, it is a careful level of deniability on my part. I would like no knowledge of your ultimate goals, so that I may remain ignorant as to whether you merely wish to study it, eat it, weaponize it, or elsepurpose."     After this, he takes a deep breath and makes his offer, "One third of the energy of every Shajem dealt with will be yours with no intervention from Union forces. In return, the Union will receive an equal piece to do with as it pleases, whether that is to remain with the sealed Shajem or be used independantly will not be disclosed. And the core third which comprises the being itself will be sealed in some fashion so as to not rob Terra Majora of powerful cosmic entities until they can be mitigated."     "In this, I feel, there is a fair balance for all involved parties."     As he finishes speaking, Psyber gives Mir a slight smile. He knows she will be, at least, slightly unhappy to hear of Nathan's betrayal. All he can really offer her is a bit of an apologetic look, even if she was uninvolved. 

:'''{{#var:347|Abstractum.Net (347)}} has posed:'''     "We know there's a history about it." Brilliant Dawn speaks up. "And there's some mistakes and downsides about the approach. But Terra Majora's problems aren't just Shajem. We need a lot of power if we're going to improve the welfare of the entire world. We'll ask your help if there's anything the Union share could be used for, collaboratively. We can't do this without every ounce of power we could get." The pendant seems quite intent on this fact. It's also generally intent on a positive spin to Elliana's side of Psyber's statements here. 

:'''{{#var:202|Adelyn Lysen (202)}} has posed:'''     "There are potential issues with the details of such an agreement, and it locks out certain avenues that have yet to be fully explored. However, I cannot speak to the likelihood that these issues will be significant until there has been time to analyze recent results. There is much to still be attempted."     Adelyn, for her part, is just having the one bowl of hot broth. It will satisfy her immediate curiosity as to Bostonian cuisine. It will also make it difficult to keep talking, as it now arrives. 

:'''{{#var:331|Himei (331)}} has posed:'''     Himei shifts a little, scooting back in her stool. Brilliant Dawn talking has her keenly aware of how many Abstractum users are here, but it seems to be neutral ground. "Most of what I have to say is about some long term planning, so won't be immediately relevant right now. This is something I want Mordred and Elliana to hear and consider, especially, but given the kinds of powers I saw you guys throwing around, I'd really like to have some Fed help on this, too."     She doesn't speak on the matter that concerns her yet, though. She wants to let Psyber finish negotiating the immediate terms. 

:'''{{#var:395|Amalthea (395)}} has posed:'''     Lordran. Wonderful. Sure. Settling back in her seat as Psyber begins the meeting officially. Amalthea grimaces for a wholly new reason as the events just days prior are dredged up, and the unicorn takes a steeling sip from her beer. This is going to be a doozy, especially as Mordred already states some pretty clear intent.     Truth be told, this is all so over her head; a slow breath filtering a gust of steam from her nostrils, holding her thoughts for now. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     "Brilliant Dawn is correct," Elliana states. She gives Himei a curious glance, but is otherwise listening to Psyber's explanation and offer. She purses her lips tightly, then sighs as she nods and closes her eyes. "I see. Yes, the part about the ritual and binding would be... agreeable. Sir Bloodstone does know his material, so it is likely that the theory is sound if he attempted it. There can be no doubt that it was rushed, however. I will look into it and see what can be done as soon as possible."     Lezard and Adelyn's commentary about the refinement of power earns them a long look, but she doesn't support nor decry their statements. Instead, she simply nods slowly. "I believe we should, at least, leave open the possibility of /renegotiation/ before every Shajem is attacked. It is something of a relief that I do not need to personally attend to each, though I likely will if possible simply for the added expertise." 

:'''{{#var:347|Abstractum.Net (347)}} has posed:'''     Gishur is the one who speaks up. "It's folly to guess that you know everything about this from the start. When we manage to find more data, we'll likely need more renegotiation, Fairchild is right. We re-open the agreements each time." This book sure does manage to spin not knowing a lot in a know-it-all way. 

:'''{{#var:340|Mir (340)}} has posed:'''     Mir speaks up again, "Those of you who know my history know that I have some experience with sealing beings of great power." On the wrong side of the sealing, maybe. But she doesn't say that. "And Miss Fairchild is an ally of mine. Much as I would rather let these things exterminate the planet's human life, she would dislike that."     Lest she be chided for her statement about genocide, Mir pauses and then adds, "It sounds to me as if the humans on this world deserve it more than most." 

:'''{{#var:347|Abstractum.Net (347)}} has posed:'''     Bloody Amhar pipes up with a few mucky growls at Mir, from Mordred's arm, but agreeable ones. "More than a few." It says. "I don't think anything's worth saving. But some parts are not worth it a hell of a lot more than others." Apparently the sword doesn't really have a concept of altruism but at least there's some dislike of the Greater Evil there. 

:'''{{#var:12|Mordred (12)}} has posed:'''     Mordred considers. She crosses her arms.     "Sounds fair. So, we split every Shajem in three. We get a third, you get a third, and we seal the rest. I disagree with the secrecy part. We can't seal those things on half-assed measures. If we want GOOD sealing spells we need to know from the start if we're sealing a third or two thirds of the Shajem. Pretty sure that's a factor. Besides, why would you want to just leave your third with it? It's free and you get to study it."     She does not understand why the Union would arbitrarily choose to sometimes not take their share, but maybe there's a good reason. Oh well.     "So. Somethin' else. Bloodstone whined the Order is being a pain in his ass. I don't like him, but master probably agrees it's a good idea for him to have free reign to get shit done. We gonna take this up with the Order? Violently, if need be?" 

:'''{{#var:598|Lezard Valeth (598)}} has posed:''' Lezard shrugs, shaking his head, and then leans back in his chair in an overly casual manner. "Very well." He lays a hand down ont he table and drums it idly. "I doubt it would be simple to measure such things easily, but I will leave /that/ difficulty to later events. He ponders for a moment, looking back at Elliana, his expression pleasantly neutral, and he smiles, nodding to her. Perhaps in deference? She certainly has the most experience at the table. "At the current time, we see no need to very our method of extracting and weakning from the Shajem. It is not... an easy process, but it is known to be functional. Assistance from Miss Fairchild will allow us to refine our techniques, undoubtedly, now that we are all operating on similar pages." 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     "The reason the Union third is kept at our discretion allows for the addition of our share on a necessary basis," Psyber explains to Adelyn, Elliana, and Brilliant Dawn in tandem, showing he put some thought into the arrangement, "If you find avenues of research to better the whole of Terra Majora, we will be willing to collaberate with our share and energy as necessary. The thirds are separately owned, but have a potential for joint-collaberation. I wish to secure an agreement that simultaneously reaches the middle ground between optimal independant goals as well as collaberative potential. This is the best compromise of the moment."     "I am also endeavoring to avoid ultimatums on my part which may strain relations. However," Psyber says, looking between the gathered Confederates, "Any renegotiation would have to provide the Union with some method of equality in their execution. The Confederacy is already in possession of two Shajem and a flying base of operations, while the Union is severely hampered in its foothold of operations on Terra Majora if we do not take into account General Hall's present diplmatic engagement. The Union acts out of altruism, and I understand the Union is momentarily operating from a place of diminished trust, but I am not Nathan Hall and I will not be deceiving the Confederacy for so long as we are in cooperation." For all the concessions he's offering Confederates, he's also trying to stick to his guns on a few key points. He's not Nathan, though. For good or bad in this case, he is definitely not the person he is modeling his negotiation style after. He's sure Nathan could argue this into perfect hypothetical symmetry, but all he can do is say, "I cannot, especially if I am circumventing the involvement of my own direct superior, come back with an agreement that looks potentially slanted."     With a serious tone, Psyber states his summary, "Renegotiation is an option, but even someone who trusts Elliana as much as I do can see the inherent flaw of renegotiation at time of sealing. With a higher volume of powerful and planning-oriented Confederates involving themselves directly, it poses the ostensible risk of the Union gaining disadvantageous negotiations as a matter of course. If Elliana can promise me this will not happen, I will draw some measure of reassurance." Naively, Psyber banks on the inability of Elliana to lie.     The half-angel slowly takes a cigarette out of his jacket and puts it in his mouth, slowly taking a drag from it and then exhales, "To Mir's comment, the most I can offer you is this: Sustained effort on the planet will allow you to systematically upheave a group of empowered humans that have used blood-based racial motivations to institute systematic oppression. It will not be wholescale extermination, but you will be granted a level of cathartic upheaval." 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     Finishing all that up, Psyber looks to Mordred and says, "How to deal with Ethan and the other Binders?" He thinks for a moment, "I will, in all honesty, defer to Miss Fairchild's judgment in that matter and act according to her wishes. If it requires moving against the Order as a whole to grant him autonomy, I am willing to follow along with that plan so long as innocent casualties are avoided where necessary."     Psyber adds, seriously, "I will still pose resistance to the spilling of innocent blood, however, and would prefer we attempt to start with negotiation and leave violence as a secondary option." Seems, for all Psyber LIKES Mordred, he's not sure about the level of restraint that a Rage-God-Fueled-Bloodthirst-Sword-Wielding Saber Class can show. 

:'''{{#var:12|Mordred (12)}} has posed:'''     "Oh man, we have two giant monsters, a third of another, and a big tree! Seriously, that's your measuring unit? You have more manpower, more plans, and let's face it half the shit I've done I did because you asked me to come along, so take a step back on our advantage there and look at yours. You're not behind us in the slighest, you people keep stumbling on shit a step ahead of us. You want real equality, you're gonna have to start forking over everything you know and have planned, if you expect full cooperation. Otherwise y'still have a hell of a leg up on us," Mordred grunts, nitpicking the idea they'd somehow need to fut forward more effort right now.     "How about you come clean and tell us ALL your little plots and ploys and we'll do the same, sealed agreement, and at no point do we get to change the terms of any of the clauses, but neither can you. And then we're all on the same bloody page and maybe we can fix this shit and Terra Majora can have as happy an ending as we can salvage now."     Truth told she doesn't give a fuck about the world itself, just about Elliana, but it seems making the world a better place is what she wants, sooooo. On that note, she glances at her master to hear her stance on shanking the Order. 

:'''{{#var:347|Abstractum.Net (347)}} has posed:'''     Adjudicator is the one who speaks up more immediately. "Mordred. Your Master can decide what is equal. Equality in all fields is not the right way. Elliana has advantages in the fields she wishes to hold an advantage in. Psyber may keep an advantage in the field he wishes to hold an advantage in. Some secrets are best kept secret, though, and I believe Elliana would agree. Miss Fairchild?" The sword prompts her reply, and works to neutralize the most aggressive element on the Confederate side using another Confederate element. Outmanned at the negotiations table, this sort of tactic is pure necessity. 

:'''{{#var:331|Himei (331)}} has posed:'''     When Mordred goes off on that, Himei raises a hand. "Woah, hey now. One of the things I'm going to do here, today, is tell you some of our long term plans. I can't promise ALL of them because we haven't refined them all yet, but the ones that we're planning on performing? Sure." She lowers her hand and frowns.     "But I'd also like to at least keep one bit of information to ourselves for now. Until it's time to move, we're going to be keeping the specific locations of the Shajem a secret. I don't have a problem with giving you the list of which ones we know, but I think we should keep at least the location to ourselves as a bargaining chip. That sound like a good deal? We plan the strike together, and once we're all agreed on each strike, we give out the location. In return, I'll tell you some of the plans that I think we have a good chance of performing, and as we develop new ones we'll share information and expertise. No point in not tapping into what you guys know, right?" 

:'''{{#var:202|Adelyn Lysen (202)}} has posed:'''     "Hmm." Adelyn elects to ignore a large chunk of what she sees as entirely irrelevant, though there's a fair chance that someone else will pick up on those points anyway. She just focuses elsewhere. And finishes enough of her chowder to feel warmed up.     Though, Mordred speaks before her thoughts are composed. That makes things a bit simpler, actually, as she can just state a reassurance that ultimately means very little, unless one chooses to personally trust her word. It's not quite as if she's ever given reason to doubt it, but neither does she really expect much trust from any involved.     "As an official declaration, I will neither take, nor authorize, any action upon the homeworld of my ally, Elliana Fairchild, that is against her interests." No smiles, now. "Given that the Union's interest align with hers in resolving the problems of Terra Majora, is there any further problem inherent to renegotiation in the event of new findings? That we avoid hindering such resolution is the main point, isn't it?"     What's really bothering her, though, is that they can't even TRY some things if their goal is to drain-and-seal the Shajem every time. But she'll save that point for later. There's too much already on the plate. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Elliana listens to all the arguing, then sighs heavily as she crosses her arms. "I see. I am willing to set aside renegotiation /during an operation/, as that is exactly the sort of hindrance we want to avoid. Renegotation of the next Sealing's terms after completion of one seems to be agreeable, or in the event of new findings when not in an operation. During an operation, of course, we need to be willing to share any information that may be immediately relevant to changing battlefield conditions." She drums her fingers. "As for the Order..."     Elliana sighs, "Killing them would weaken the Binders, which is exactly what I do not want. I think, however, that we need to put pressure on Windson, the leader of the Binders. He was a thorn in Sir Bloodstone's side from the beginning, and he is the larger reason why Sir Bloodstone's faction is so weak." 

:'''{{#var:598|Lezard Valeth (598)}} has posed:''' "I, too, will be guided by Lady Fairchild's desires." Lezard replies. "I see my involvement in the affairs of Terra Majora as a chance for practice and research. I see no reason to jeopardize the land for... ill-advised reasons. Mordred has given you our current objectives. Others will be pending based on our findings and research. Once we have viable plans, I am sure we can share them with you, just as you will be sharing viable plans with us." He pauses. "If you choose to hide the locations of the Shajem, be aware that we will be under no obligation to share ours as well." The mentioning of Windson causes Lezard to tap on the table again. "It would be a simple matter to begin setting our combined intelligence resources to looking for ways to... reduce his influence, would it not? He may be prepared for interference from his world, but he cannot be prepared for everything." 

:'''{{#var:340|Mir (340)}} has posed:'''     Mir rubs her chin while she listens to everything, then nods her head as she agrees with something. "I am less concerned with hiding the locations until operation time than some," she admits. "They need our help, or at least want it, so they have no reason to keep it hidden indefinitely. That would defeat the purpose of sharing information in the first place." She spoons some more chowder in, and smiles, "I think I could help with Windson. It would not be the first time I had manipulated a Church man." 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     Where normally Psyber would display overt frustration, he instead displays a bland monotone, "Despite 'stumbling on shit a step ahead of you' as you say, the Confederate forces have managed to meet or surpass Union operations in many critical avenues." Put simply, despite being outmanned, Elliana was kicking the Union's ass in raw planning. More Confederates in the field frightens Psyber to a degree. But it is Himei and Adjudicator that come to his rescue against the aggressive Saber-class. So instead of saying any more, he simply looks at her with a distant dullness in his red eyes before looking to Adelyn.     "Yes," Psyber says to her, "This is acceptable so long as I gain the word of Elliana as well. If this is reached, the sealings can be left to pre-mission flexible negotiations where necessary, be they original methods or newer and experimental procedures. The only form of sealing which I would like to see off the table are harnessing them for or placing them within selected individuals." A reasonable demand, if objectively discriminatory towards Elliana and Mordred on a technical basis. If NOTHING ELSE, this is becoming a slowly stressful exercise in how Psyber infuriates Nathan with this, as Psyber has had to resist the urge to shout counterpoints at least twice now.     He takes a calming breath and a drag from his cigarette before nodding to Lezard, "That is correct. If we keep the locations of the Shajem hidden until the time of the missions, that puts under no obligation to share yours immediately. HOWEVER," Psyber is careful to point this out, "The point Shoutan was making is that we would share each one after the terms of its mission had been worked out. Would the Confederacy agree to do the same?"     "If the answer is yes, that while we would keep some individual elements of our plans a secret until they are relevant, but would ultimately share them at the proper times and not be in competition over the Shajem, I am willing to accept these terms."     Inside, Psyber is using almost every instinct he has to resist rash or instinctual decisions, to operate off his gut, or to 'wing it' as he often wants to. Externally, Psyber remains detached and (slightly uncharacteristically) calm.     "Is there anything further to negotiate?" 

:'''{{#var:12|Mordred (12)}} has posed:'''     Mordred huffs.     "For once I agree with the justice sword, then. Fine, whatever, we have the raw power advantage. That doesn't change the fact you have a bunch of advantages on your side too. Don't forget it just for the sake of making it sound like we owe more stuff on the table than you do. If anything it's even. But you start keeping secrets and we will too. And that shit's just gonna escalate until another crash and burn like last time," the Servant explains, drawing on personal experience that the more shit you stack the more likely Camelot is to go up in flames.     "So, you know. Keep that in mind. Master's a hell of a schemer, and I get skeevy asshole vibes from Lezard and Adelyn a lot too," she would glance at them, "No 'ffense," before turning her glance to the table, since it serves a metaphorical purpose here. "You turn out to have big secrets we're not okay with and that might just lead to another clash." 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Elliana considers. "If we are working together to seal a Shajem, it would make sense to share the location once terms have been agreed upon." Yes, this leaves her some wiggle room, but it also gives her a reasonable outlet to demand terms. "For now, we can agree on this. No more surprises during the mission... and I am willing to take it on /good faith/ that Dame Shoutan is going to share any relevant information. This is a consideration I am not willing to extend to Sir Hall at this time."     Elliana nods at what Mordred says, and adds softly, "Sir Hall's current situation is regrettable, even as I gain some amusement from it. It is entirely due to his breaking good faith. I am attempting to honor the spirit of our agreement here, but should matters turn sour, do not think that I have not made plans. I really do not wish to use them." She pauses, then allows, "Well, a tiny part of me does, just to show off, I admit. Saber is correct, however. It would be /unpleasant/ if we were to clash again due to a loophole on either side." 

:'''{{#var:331|Himei (331)}} has posed:'''     Himei frowns at some of this, and then speaks up. "As a sign of good faith - one of several - I'm going to share some of our long term plans that we're still working on. I'm going to ask you all for help because I think you'll enjoy the challenge. I realize you may have a more utilitarian use for a god in a box or something, but I'm going to offer you something that I think at least some of you have an interest in." She sits back, looking at each Fed in turn.     "Mordred can confirm this, but... the Shajem weren't always like this. They weren't always so... extreme." Himei takes a deep breath. "I have some... ideas. I need to check up on a few things first, but we can lay the ground work now. What I'm offering is something better than just sealing or making the Shajem harmless... I'm offering the chance to utterly usurp the natural order of the world. We're going to make the Shajem more benign. I think... I think it's possible to make them non-corrupting, non-evil entities. To literally change the makeup of the entire pantheon. That's the information I'm going to be sharing, as soon as I check on some suspicions." 

:'''{{#var:340|Mir (340)}} has posed:'''     "Mn," Mir frowns. "If you were to ask me which ten Unionites I would trust, you three plus Nathan Hall would be on the list. But since Nathan betrayed our trust, I'm not sure how much I can trust any of you." She glances toward the others, especially Elliana, and makes a face. "Since it is up to Miss Fairchild, and you seemed to be as betrayed as the rest of us, I will reluctantly continue to hold you three to your word. I am less interested in schemes as vengeance though." 

:'''{{#var:598|Lezard Valeth (598)}} has posed:''' Lezard has been casually consuming the meat and chowder he ordered while they went back and forth on this. He doesn't look exceptionally interested, and simply smiles with a shrug at the accusation of 'skeevy asshole vibes'. But when Himei offers her plan to alter the nature of the pantheon itself. Lezard's gaze suddenly focuses directly on Himei. His expression becomes alert, and he straightens in his chair. "Your proposal is... very interesting, Dame Shoutan." Lezard replies. "Such a thing would require an exceptional understanding of the metaphysical fabric of Terra Majora's universe as well as the nature of both Shajem and Amethyne." He pauses, a familiar-looking glint entering his eyes, to some. It's his 'I hate gods' glint. "If you wish additional research ro verify if such might be possible, I would be willing to help on this project." His tone is even, pleasant, but his body language says everything else that needs to be said there. 

:'''{{#var:202|Adelyn Lysen (202)}} has posed:'''     Adelyn waits to speak, less because she needs more input than because she intends to agree with her fellows in the matter. "As stated. I've no amendments to make." Turning to Himei, then, "Potentially interesting. Of course, more data is necessary. I'm prepared to reciprocate with such knowledge as would be relevant to independent avenues of research." Meaning, she'll share what might make Himei's plan work better, but makes no promises otherwise--not that there's anything but congenial cooperation in her tone. Lezard's more eager offer gets a nod.     The Realm mage doesn't even glance at Mordred in regard to the, truthfully unsurprising, choice of phrasing in referencing her ability to scheme. It's the sort of thing she'd say. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     Psyber takes a slow breath and nods his head, "Very well. I did not mean to imply the Union was at a disadvantage." He notes to Mordred, shutting his eyes and slowly opening them again, "Quite the opposite, it was a testament to Confederate ingenuity to have come out objectively ahead while being at a diminished level of involvement. You should take it as a compliment to your usefulness and devotion to Lady Fairchild."     "I have am under orders from Nathan Hall that any information he gains moving forward will not be given to you or your subordinates by myself. This is why I will be placing Shoutan under orders to relay them for me," Psyber notes, looking to the Confederates, "It will ensure you remain informed as we go forward, regardless of consequences." His voice hollows out a BIT more at those last three words.     "As another show of good faith on our part and to facilitate our cooperation into the future, I am willing to make an additional revelation," Psyber notes, looking down at his soup, "I have strong suspicion to believe there is an unhatched Shajem preparing to make entry into the world of Terra Majora. The first one in perhaps centuries or thousands of years and the counterpart to Neuvina. It will be a chance to observe an untained Shajem."     "This, along with one other revelation: This new Shajem may be the child of Wrathborn and Chalaine." Psyber places his hands flat on the table, not out of a threatening gesture, more out of how out of his element he is and trying to keep from fidgeting. He takes a slow breath again.     "I believe this gives us four valid areas of pursuit now to collaberate on. The first is Shoutan's plan. The second is locating and studying the egg. The third is attempting to locate Chalaine." He pauses, "And finally, I believe the first Shajem that we should collaberate on sealing is the Lord of Cowardice. It will be good for morale on both sides to see that work finished."     He looks around the table for a few moments, "Have I missed anything? If not, I will set up a channel for you to collaberate with Union members we see fit to include into this arrangement so that we may all discuss matters." 

:'''{{#var:12|Mordred (12)}} has posed:'''     Hm. That is an infodump alright. Mordred looks satisfied, although now she has a question. "Actually, speaking of. Where are we going to seal it? We can't just sort of seal that thing wherever we find it. We need somewhere suitable, and I doubt we can drag its ass back to the catacombs easily. Or maybe we can, if it hasn't gone too far yet."     She omits to say anything else-- it's Elliana's place to weight in on the plans and how they will be approached, after all. Mordred is a more straightforward person, and 'smacking the Lord of Cowardice' is the forefront matter in her mind. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Since she knows that some may not know, Elliana first answers the obvious question. "Chalaine, for those who do not know, is Wrathborn's counterpart in the Amethyne. The strongest of the Amethyne and the one that I had pledged service to as a Binder." She keeps her tone even, betraying no shock at the moment, though she's still processing some of the new information.     "My only question," she continues, "Is what plans we have for locating Chalaine. It is also something in doubt that this 'egg' as you call it leads to a Shajem. Neuvinea, as you recall, was formed by the remnants of energies left in the earth, as far as I could tell. But for now let's presume this is correct, as you seem to have a source of information that hints at such."     She looks at Mordred, and nods at the Saber's comment. "Indeed, we need both an item to seal them within - though that I can provide easily enough, or your own Binder... Reiji wasn't it? More importantly, they must be placed in an area that is difficult to access, and where leakage cannot do any undue harm. With any luck at all, Sir Hall's incomplete Binding will have placed the Shajem in a location suitable for this. As I do not want to rely on luck, we have the option of finding a remote and dangerous location that it is reasonable to fear... or placing it in a location that we want others to fear. I suspect the previous location was just such a political maneuver. With some, it does not matter as much, as with Lastfall." 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     "I feel the need to footnote all of this negotiation with one simple fact," Psyber begins abruptly, looking at people around the table, "I am not an intelligent man. I am, in fact, an idiot and an idealist. I am playing a negotiation with people who are far more cunning than myself. As a personal request, please do not take advantage of my naievety and my belief in Elliana Fairchild," Psyber notes absently.     "That said, I have a suitable location in mind for the placement of the Lord of Cowardice."     "I believe underneath the Glittering Fields, either at the bottom of one of its swamps or in a cave underneath the location itself, would be the ideal location for the Lord of Cowardice. The location is already sufficiently tainted with negative magic that it is beyond recovery and people should keep away from it as a matter of course. Its hostile environment is also a natural discouragement."     Elliana's OTHER question, though. Psyber says, "You are correct. It is not with certainty that the egg will be a Shajem. It could be a unique being entirely. All the more worth study." He explains a bit more, "I believed it to be a Shajem because it was the product of mating between a Shajem and an Amethyne. And an Amethyne had been born in recent months. If Neuvina hatched recently, it would be a cosmological balance for a new Shajem to come into existence in the immediate future, as they are paired entities." 

:'''{{#var:347|Abstractum.Net (347)}} has posed:'''     "Such a thing," Comes a confident voice, muffled from under Himei's jacket. "Would require a /lot/ of love-slash-justice beams too, the way I've seen it." With a sudden soft glow, the wings are in Himei's hands, as a small wand shaped like a pure white rose. The little eye marks it as an Abstractum, and it waggles a petal at Lezard. "So you figure out all the metaphysics, the weird reality stuff, and we can figure out everything else. Honestly, if you're on board with this, I'm pretty sure we can trust Elliana to vet your word here. That look you've got is suspicious as all heck but I'm starting to get the vague feeling you don't actually have a mode that's not suspicious as all heck." 

:'''{{#var:331|Himei (331)}} has posed:'''     Himei sees that she has Lezard's attention, at least. Time to make her pitch. She takes a deep breath, "We've seen what Wrathborn originally looked like, and it wasn't the way we've seen him. We also have evidence that the Amethyne themselves were used to bind him. I... have a feeling that something was done that 'damaged' the Shajem. We could thus naturally find out what, and 'fix' them. Maybe it was something done to their partners." She then straightens up and gets a little more bold.     "More importantly, if their nature was altered once, it can be done again," she states. "Here's the real meat of it. Originally they were pretty destructive to humanity. These things aren't naturally intelligent, Wrathborn excepted. Maybe we could do something that alters the nature of both of them to make them more uh... I don't want to say 'friendly' so much as something that doesn't get in the way of humanity by blundering about on pure instinct. I have a pretty strong suspicion that the Church might have the answers we need, since they're the ones who pulled off the original Binding. I'd bet there's some lost lore there, or original records before they were mucked with to make the Blooded look like heroes."     She glances at her shoulder and Abstractum. "Yeah. You do look pretty shady, but I am trusting Elliana here to keep you from screwing with me too much, even if it's only so it doesn't mess with her world. I would like to think she doesn't want to screw me over, and I KNOW she doesn't want to mess her world up worse." 

:'''{{#var:12|Mordred (12)}} has posed:'''     To Himei, Mordred says: "Why don't we just find suitable hosts for all of them? Being inside Elliana transformed Wrathborn, why can't that happen to every Shajem and Amethyne? Seems like 'making them more human' is an option. If we can find out how to safely use their powers without all the shitty side-effects, we'd just have to find worthy hosts. People who won't shit everything up when given unimaginable cosmic power. Like Bloodstone, I guess." 

:'''{{#var:598|Lezard Valeth (598)}} has posed:''' "Love and justice are resources to be used like anything else," is Lezard's response. Nevertheless, there is a twitch of an eyebrow as the Abstractum waggles at him. "As before, I have no interest in damaging the world." He glances up to Himei as she responds. "So they were changed once... And you believe it is possible to change them again. It is a logical assumption, provided we can find proof. But such proof will be exceptionally well guarded." He taps on the table once more. "I have no doubt that we will run afoul of certain people who wish that information to remain hidden, and others who would exploit such information in ways that are not to our desire. I hope you are prepared to deal with them in any way necessary." 

:'''{{#var:331|Himei (331)}} has posed:'''     Himei shrugs in reply, "I'm pretty pragmatic, as Fairchild can confirm. I'm not really the type to kill, but I'm not afraid of knocking people around to get them to see straight." She smiles. "I'll let you know if I find anything more clear than the dream that Mordred and I saw with the others. It'll be interesting... I'm not a wizard or anything, just a girl who punches things." 

:'''{{#var:598|Lezard Valeth (598)}} has posed:''' "Yes, and I am simply a man who makes potions." Lezard says with only gentle sarcasm, smiling. "Keep us abreast of events. We will ensure you are also informed of our progress, as per our agreement. This is far more efficient if we actually trust one another..." He arches an eyebrow. "And by that I wish you all good luck." 

:'''{{#var:331|Himei (331)}} has posed:'''     Turning to Mordred, Himei shakes her head at the idea. "I'm pretty sure Elliana's unique like that. And even if she isn't... I'm not sure we have any guarantee of what the Shajem would end up like. Wrathborn's kind of a jerk. An OKAY jerk, as jerks go, but he still doesn't have a lot of human understanding. It'd be easy for a different one to end up... well. You know. And remember, he only got that way AFTER taking over Elliana once." 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     "Mn," Elliana says. She taps her chin. "For now, we have no reason to not presume the hatching will be a Shajem, it's true. But more investigation should be done. Plan around what we know, for now, but always find out more." She frowns then, staring hard at Psyber.     "The Glittering Fields would be ideal," she finally says. "It couldn't make the area worse, and it is suitably accesible that a dedicated Binder team could make it in and renew the Seal, but keep out any riffraff. Though I wonder why you know of such a place, unless you have been reasearching for this particular idea."     She doesn't agree for the others, since she can't, but she does shrug. "Helping my world is what I've wanted from the Union for years. Sabotaging it would be... counterproductive." 

:'''{{#var:12|Mordred (12)}} has posed:'''     "Just don't abuse our trust 'n we won't abuse yours," Mordred answers Psyber, pretty straightforwardly. It's as true as it'll get. Things will stay clean and nice as long as nobody steps out of line. At the suggestion of the location, she shrugs, turning to Elliana to see her judgment on it.     Though idly, she tells Himei: "Hey, I'm just sayin'. It happened once. Why can't we make it happen twice? You gonna be satisfied with just making them harmless when y'had the option to integrate them into society instead? If they turn out to be assholes then that's where we come in. Y'know, again." 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     "I know because..." Psyber begins, staring back at Elliana. His red eyes meet her red-and-teal gaze. He halts halfway into the sentence.     He takes a deep breath again and says, "I know because I..." Psyber halts again, partway into the sentence. His eyes look away and he seems to contemplate for a long moment. How would she react if she knew the truth? How would she feel about it? He had told her he would set up a contingency for her, she said he should.     And then Mordred says that key phrase 'Don't abuse our trust and we won't abuse yours'. That's right, if he kept this under any justification it would just damage everything going forward when it came out.     "I know because that's where I found Sovereign." Psyber finally says to Elliana, staring her dead in the eye. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     One eye twitches when Psyber says that. "I see." She stares back at him, then shuffles and sets her empty cup down. "You really have been busy. I hope you know what you have gotten yourself into. Mastering one of THOSE is not easily done, and even then there can be a price. I never fully mastered Majestic. Be careful, Psyber."     She then smiles, "We should go now, before someone shows up wondering why you are meeting us. Thank you for dinner." 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     Psyber's eyes narrow at the eyetwitch. He tries to file it and figure out a meaning. Anger? Betrayal? But she lets it go away too quickly. He's left simply wondering. But he forces a smile, "I asked you if I should plan a counter to you, and you agreed." He says, perhaps in defense of himself.     "I do not intend to keep it permanently. It is a legacy of the Fairchild family and I will return it to them once I feel their current inheritor is fit to wield it, that I promise," Psyber says to her in an awkward tone, sighing.     "Yeah, though. I said I'd be home tonight, so I'm sure Nathan and the others will wonder where I am." 
}}

1777/Who Would Be King

2015-03-13T03:52:18Z

Blue Elf: Created page with "{{Log Header |Date of Scene=2015/03/10 |Location=Planetary Plains |Synopsis=The Union investigates a strange new ruler in a rural city. |Thanks= |Cast of Characters=607, 617, ..."

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2015/03/10
|Location=Planetary Plains
|Synopsis=The Union investigates a strange new ruler in a rural city.
|Thanks=
|Cast of Characters=607, 617, 626, 655, 728, 730
|Tinyplot=
|Tinyplot2=
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:607|Serenity (607)}} has posed:'''     Otho, the site of this particular Out of Place Scenario, is a walled city-state that technically owns much of the surrounding lands, including villages. As a sovereign state, they largely remain neutral because there's really nothing important enough here to make it worth the bother. It's a low tech, low magic world and the area has no real resources but good farmland. They have stone and iron and such things, but not in rich quantities. It'd probably be /nice/ to have, but there are just higher priorities.     It is market day, which is probably why Serenity chose this day to put together a team. She's given information on the local clothing and what little of the customs she could find. On market day, the gates are open and the security is at its lowest. Serenity herself is dressed in normal, if worn clothing, with a thin blindfold over her eyes. This makes her look like a petite blind girl, but she also has no problem showing that she carries a sword. The 'blind swordswoman' thing must be something she feels safe going with. 

:'''{{#var:730|Nagisa Shiota (730)}} has posed:'''     Nagisa has shown up wearing nothing but a homespun shirt and pants, with a travel cloak. Underneath all this he's wearing his duty clothes, and his belt pouch carries most of his usual stuff. Inside the cloak, he has a taser, and a knife is up one sleeve. Otherwise he looks like a normal teenage boy. As a Last Chancer, he isn't hanging exactly /with/ the group.     Which is fine, because his manner of going through the gates is to just walk right through, as if he is supposed to be there, with a quiet and distant-looking expression on his face. 

:'''{{#var:728|Ban (728)}} has posed:''' Ban's wearing his red leather studded shirt and a pair of jeans as he arrives. Taking care of some king or something is the mission, right? Sounds like fun, and possibly a fight or two involved. Maybe they'll have some local ale to pick up afterwards (or before, if he gets the time!) to collect the labels of. Despite probably not looking like he belongs there at all, he's going into the gate after Nagisa. The question is, does he actually notice Nagisa, or did he also decide to just strut in? Probably the latter. 

:'''{{#var:655|Dominic Masoch (655)}} has posed:''' Dominic has arrived and is dressed in his normal affair. It is archaic-modern enough to fit into most settings as either a noble adventurer, travelling noble, or many other subsets that are preceded or followed by the phrase 'Noble'. With one hand kept on the hilt of his rapier, Dominic looks around and wanders his way through the crowd. Missing where he's going, he bumps into Nagisa owing to not telling he was there in the first place. He blinks a few times, "Sorry, Miss." He notes, mistaking Nagisa for a female and steading her with both his hands before walking along. He has some generic silver coins in his hand and appears to be putting up an image of a busy Noble trying to buy useful items from nearby stalls. 

:'''{{#var:617|Chloe von Einzbern (617)}} has posed:''' So what in particular, you may ask, does one Chloe von Einzbern do when she is bored? The answer to that is quite simple. She involves herself in other people's business to alleviate her lack of entertainment. It might be why when no one is looking she SUDDENLY APPEARS, looping her arms around Dominic's with a "Heh heh~." Normally she would look absolutely horridly out of place in her trendy modern clothes. But today she's not wearing shirts and skirts. That dress is way too ornate and frilly. She could probably pass for some minor young noble that decided to run off on her own. "Big brother you ran off without me again~." Ignoring the fact that the two don't look anywhere close to related, that seems to suddenly be her story and she's sticking with it." 

:'''{{#var:607|Serenity (607)}} has posed:'''     If it wouldn't break cover, Serenity would facepalm. Maybe she should have brought a different three. Four. Four people. She keeps forgetting about Nagisa, even though her particular sight can see him /much/ more clearly than most. Something about his attitude, probably. Still, despite her worry, the guards don't really seem too into their jobs. They don't even NOTICE Nagisa, as is standard for him, and the others get barely a glance if that. Getting into the city was... disturbingly easy.     The city itself is still pretty bustling, but there seem to be a lot of guards. In addition, everyone keeps glancing over their shoulders, with a notable air of nervousness. Well, the natives do, at least. Scaffolding is in the large manor in the distance, making it PRETTY obvious where the supposed new ruler is. The construction they're using, though, looks somewhat strange. 

:'''{{#var:730|Nagisa Shiota (730)}} has posed:'''     Okay, they're in. Easily. That makes Nagisa nervous. The young blue-haired boy mumbles something to Dominic, adjusting his cloak before splitting off and going further into the city. "Odd. Everyone is looking so nervous..." Which means, if he wants to blend in...     Nagisa starts looking over his shoulder now and then, before finding an alleyway where he swiftly clambers up a wall and onto the roof, bounding from one to the next to move across the rooftops and toward the manor. He wants to get a closer look before actually trying to scale the scaffold. 

:'''{{#var:655|Dominic Masoch (655)}} has posed:''' Chloe is suddenly hanging off his arm in an outfit that he never expected she would be wearing. Dominic takes a couple moments to fully parse what is happening before he says, "Ah, my apologies, Elizabette." He places a hand on top of hers and pats it a couple times. "I wished to do a little shopping, but now we simply must proceed," Dominic says with an authoritative tone. If there's one thing being a noble teaches you to abuse, it's looking like a noble. Dominic has found that most people, even guards on duty, won't bother you if you look three things: 1) Like you belong, 2) Like you're in a hurry, and 3) Like you're very annoyed. Presumably with Chloe in tow, Dominic starts to briskly walk towards the large manor, putting on his best 'we are annoyed and in a hurry' face that he can manage and just heading straight towards it like anyone who stops him would be in Serious Trouble. 

:'''{{#var:728|Ban (728)}} has posed:''' Nagisa's trying to sneak in, while it seems Dominic's going to try and bluff his way in. Ban's going to follow a bit behind Dominic before moving towards any cover near the manor. How Dominic does will let him decide what to do next, he's not ready to start fights /just/ yet. That might get him in big trouble too soon! 

:'''{{#var:617|Chloe von Einzbern (617)}} has posed:''' "A boy huh?" It's an idle musing as Chloe briefly WATCHES Nagisa break off from the group. Keen Archer eyes miss very little, but aside from this she keeps her trap shut and tosses her hair in a very snooty flicking motion. "Shopping without ~me~?" 'Elizabette' sniffs in mock injury. Indeed though, she is in tow, and it's frighteningly easy for her to act like a brat as follows hanging on Dominic's arm like she completely belongs. Okay she's not acting the part of being a brat really. That's not acting. 

:'''{{#var:626|Kyra Hyral (626)}} has posed:'''     Since it is an operation in a low tech, low magic world, Kyra opted to dress the part which is why she's actually a little late. It took her time to prepare and conceal what weapons she was actually able to bring. Her grenade-launcher-like healing device, the CURE-ALL, had to be left behind in her dorm room, for example. All of her piercings had to come out.     She's left dressed as the plainest, most ordinary peasant girl out there, complete with bulky dress. She looks downright miserable as she scrambles to catch up. Dominic is at least easy to spot and, not knowing any better about his and Chloe's bluffing, starts to approach him. 

:'''{{#var:607|Serenity (607)}} has posed:'''     Nobody is going to stop the crew from /approaching/ the front door of the manor, but the guards that are there are much more attentive, and are formed up in front of the door. They have spears, and some odd object holstered at their hip. It isn't a gun, though it certainly looks like the visible portion is plastic or something. It's a small rod-shaped device, though. When the group gets close at all, they all start looking alert, stepping forward if it looks like anyone is coming near the door. Looks like they aren't going to just let the group waltz in.     Nagisa has instead decided to parkour it toward the manor, and thus ends up on a slate roof across from the scaffolding. It isn't currently being worked on, since market day is right now, but it all looks pretty normal... except for the wiring being run up inside the wall, and the CCTV that is whrring back and forth to watch the street below. 

:'''{{#var:617|Chloe von Einzbern (617)}} has posed:''' Elizabette and Dominic belong. Elizabette and Dominic are walking. Elizabette and Dominic look very annoyed. Especially Elizabette. Apparently still surly about being left behind when it comes to shopping. It is probably best to not approach her. Which means the guards looking ready to stop her and her erstwhile 'brother' for the duration of this operation have to contend with a sour ten year old. No sooner than the first guard takes a step to block the path, she looks up, scowling. Those golden eyes flicker, glowing with an eldritch light. So much as looking into them will cause an instant paralysis in any of the men that come near. Such is the terror of trying to stop a cranky noble. Or maybe she could just be using thaumaturgy. 

:'''{{#var:655|Dominic Masoch (655)}} has posed:''' Oh, Kyra made it after all! And she's heading right towards him. Dominic looks around and then spots the girl coming towards him. She looks... WAY different from normal. He is so used to her having all the piercings and dressing like a crazy punk rebel that seeing her dressed down and into a peasant outfit is bizarre. He doesn't want to abandon her, but her outfit doesn't fit in with him and Chloe being NOBLE. That means he'll have to concoct a reason for her to be there. And that is the moment in which Dominic shouts something no boyfriend in his right mind should EVER shout at his girlfriend under normal circumstances: "You there, woman! Stop dilly-dallying and catch up," He points to Kyra in his haughtiest tone and then snaps his fingers, "Come come, your services are required inside." He notes while Chloe handles the guards in her own way. Then he immediately starts whispering into his radio. 

:'''{{#var:730|Nagisa Shiota (730)}} has posed:'''     Once he is sure the camera isn't watching him, Nagisa does a running leap to catch the scaffolding, climbing up and perching on the building. Here, he makes his way over to find a window, listening at the edge before climbing in, if he doesn't hear any indication of someone inside. Presumably the others will find their own way in and maybe distract the guards inside. Maybe he can also find a room that explains what the heck is going on here. 

:'''{{#var:728|Ban (728)}} has posed:''' They have some sort of nobility thing going on. Ban doesn't want to miss any action, and this is rather entertaining-did she just paralyze that guard-so he'll be getting involved. Ban moves from his cover and heads towards Dominic, Kyra, and 'Elizabette'. And he speaks. He's not the best actor. But he wants to go in with the rest! "Sorry about the delay, siiiir. Was grabbing a bite to eat.~". Bodyguard: ACQUIRED. There is absolutely no way this can go wrong. 

:'''{{#var:626|Kyra Hyral (626)}} has posed:'''     As she catches up and looks around, spotting things such as plastic and CCTV cameras, Kyra begins to wonder she might have overestimated the 'low tech-ness' of this particular world. "...I could have gotten away with piercings here..." she mutters in her approach before speaking up, "Hey, what are we-"     Dominic mutters an apology over the radio channel and unleashes /that/ little gem. Kyra freezes for a moment, one of her eyes twitching just slightly, before continuing onward. Damn it, might as well own it: "Forgive my lateness, Master! I tried my best to catch up." Abruptly she stops and folds over in a bow. 

:'''{{#var:607|Serenity (607)}} has posed:'''     The various masquereades are... well, suspicious. Not SUPER suspicious, but the guards are already pretty suspicious to begin with! "Sir, you can't come here. We aren't expecting any visitors today." Sorry, can't fool them that way! Of course the guards have to get close enough to say this, and the ones who do sort of just... straight up halt, caught by Chloe's bewitching eyes. This makes the others look confused, but there's only two left. Easy enough to take care of, since they're still not sure there's even a /threat/ here. It's all very fishy! One of them does have the presence of mind to turn around and rap on the door, probably a warning to those inside. The noble and his sister, plus bodyguard and servant girl(ouch!), are kind of... worrisome?     Nagisa manages to slip into a window. This section of the building is under construction, so not much to see. Plus side: not many guards, either. It's easy enough to slip into the other areas of the manor, with nice carpeted hallways, because in the great hall there's a commotion, with guards tromping out into the great hall and a long-haired man in a robe, carrying a staff, shouting at them to keep any visitors out! Behind him is another man, dressed in odd, modernish clothing, with his arms crossed and looking impatient. He's quite some distance from all the others, standing at the top of the stairs. He also has a sidearm at his hip. 

:'''{{#var:728|Ban (728)}} has posed:''' Looks like it's time for Plan B. Ban can handle a fight. And he wants a fight. So he simply walks up to one of the two bodyguards...and tosses a punch at his face. It's super strong, and Ban's going to punch the guy until he's down, before moving to the other unless someone already has them handled. Once both guards are down, he's going to wait for the others to split...and kick through the door, whistling. Distraction! 

:'''{{#var:655|Dominic Masoch (655)}} has posed:''' "Not expecting visitors?! Well I never in my years heard of someone inviting me here and then turning me away at the door. If this is your master's idea of a lark, he will hear from me at length! AT LENGTH!" Dominic says, nodding to his guard as he joins the party. Easy enough just to play a huge distraction so Ban can jump the guard. And then Dominic's own sword is out. Might as well make Ban's life a bit easier. With a flash of his blade, it coats with light blue mana. And then he lashes out with a Sleepblade at the remaining guard, trying to just knock him out with an easy surge of mana to render him supernaturally unconscious. And then he's darting off to try to find a side window or entrance while Ban occupies the front door. That'll make it easier to get inside, hopefully. 

:'''{{#var:730|Nagisa Shiota (730)}} has posed:'''     Nagisa waits patiently in a doorway... and when the door is broken down by Ban, Nagisa just walks right up behind the armed man and whips out his stungun. The man may have a flash of danger the instant before the blue-haired boy jabs the stunner right toward his back. He is hoping that he takes him down this strike, but hey, best to do it during a distraction if he can.     There's really no way to fancy it up. Nagisa is so unassuming he basically just tries to walk up behind the guy and zap him. No special maneuvers. 

:'''{{#var:626|Kyra Hyral (626)}} has posed:'''     Kyra straightens and watches the remaining two guards talk. A frown forms on her face as it becomes clear that they aren't buying it and won't be letting them in the mansion. "Oh dear." Ban suddenly jumps the one guard, then Dominic the other. Knowing that there's probably a camera trained on them right now, Kyra actually doesn't reach for whatever she might have hidden on her right now.     Patiently, she waits for the way to be clear before she decides to show her hand. 

:'''{{#var:607|Serenity (607)}} has posed:'''     Dominic lances the guard with his Sleepblade, causing him to crumple. It was pretty easy, because the guard was turning around to retort, "Sir, I told you that you can't- HRK!" Don't be such a baby, guard. It's just a sleepblade. When he goes down, it's pretty easy to find a window nearby, which can be smashed through or just plain opened if Dominic or Kyra has a way to do so. Maybe Chloe does.     Ban just smacks down the guard, who is flustered by Dom being a giant noble dick. "H-hey!" THUD. These guys aren't built to take on superhumans or Elites at all, really. Neither is the door, which splinters apart easily when Ban busts through, right into a room full of guards and a strange man with robes and staff. The same one that Nagisa saw! Said man yells, "FOOL! HOW DARE YOU INVADE MY HOUSE!" Then his... staff crackles loudly, makes an electrical hum, and a *SKRABOOOM!!* of a lightning bolt lances toward Ban!     In all this noise and chaos, nobody notices that the grumpy looking guy in the corner collapses like a sack of potatoes, because there's no way he's going to sense Nagisa before it's too late with all this crap going on. 

:'''{{#var:728|Ban (728)}} has posed:''' Oh no, lightning! Ban isn't quick enough to avoid it, the blast going straight through his chest, ripping a hole through him, and sending him crumpling through the wall. Rest in pieces, Ban. Well, that's what everyone /saw/. But there is Ban, standing up and removing the rubble off him, a hole on either side of his jacket the size of the blast, but no wound. "Nice staff. Very, very nice staaaaff.~", Ban hums out, as he reaches his hand out...and attempts to stop physical movement of the staff, as he walks forward. He's going to walk straight up to the king and try and take his staff. Or he'll get stopped by guards, but that's something he's expecting and /wants/ to happen. 

:'''{{#var:730|Nagisa Shiota (730)}} has posed:'''     Efficiently, Nagisa disarms the fallen man and unloads the pistol, before dragging him out of sight. Given the furball that is about to happen, Nagisa then walks up to where the man was standing and crosses his arms to watch, making sure that peripheral vision will make it look like the man is still there. Even though Nagisa looks nothing like him. 

:'''{{#var:655|Dominic Masoch (655)}} has posed:''' After putting a guard to sleep, Dominic's plan is to clear tail out of there. There is one (actually two) other person handling the interior, and he (they) seem to know what he (they) is (are) doing with the whole affair. Because of this, with sword in hand, Dominic tries to blend into the crowds and start tapping on guards with the very tip of his sword, trying to put as many of them to sleep with that gentle sleep blade as he can. His current goal is to clear an escape route for the other guy (guys). 

:'''{{#var:617|Chloe von Einzbern (617)}} has posed:''' In the door and Ban eats a lightning bolt. Where most little girls would scream out in horror, be traumatized and suffer PTSD for many long years from such a sight like a hole going clean through a man, Chloe sort of just... "Well that's disgusting." Reacts with all the horror of someone who's seen a bug get squished. But then he gets back up. Good as new. Still, there are guards about and the girl rolls her eyes. She lets Dominic handle them and... Laughs into the back of her hand. After living with Luvia long enough... She has this 'noble bitch' act down pretty well. "Ohohohohohohoho~." 

:'''{{#var:626|Kyra Hyral (626)}} has posed:'''     Once Dominic is on the move and the door is broken down, Kyra slips in behind him, but not after hiking up that damn ugly peasant dress just enough so she can pull one of her guns out from underneath it. Apparently her needlegun was carefully strapped to her calf. Following after Dominic, she starts providing backup in the form of darts filled with some kind of paralytic agent.     Then Ban dies. Kyra double takes because she clearly just saw a gaping hole blown through this person's chest with that lightning spell. Yet now there is NO HOLE. "...what the hell?" she says, breaking character, "Did you just die!?" 

:'''{{#var:607|Serenity (607)}} has posed:'''     Breaking character isn't all that important, because the room is utter CHAOS! The guards are shouting and waving weapons about, but Dominic is the only one who has to deal with an attack... which is easily parried. Kyra and Dominic are pretty well above these guys, though they aren't /bad/ really. Just ill-prepared for this sort of mess! Four of them are down already, and the other two are backing off from the laughing girl.     The man with the staff is struggling with it, which means he is now... backing away in fear from the man who just stood up. Ban has him pretty well dead to rights, because that staff is humming and hissing, with smoke coming from it. Long recharge time. He glances back and yells, "Stop them! You said you would support... me?"     Hmm, dude is a lot shorter now, isn't he? 

:'''{{#var:728|Ban (728)}} has posed:''' As Ban approaches the wizard dude, he cracks his head towards Kyra, a fangy grin, as he quips in a sing-song, "I got better.~" And then he turns his focus back on the wizard. Ban's going to try and grab the staff with one hand, and punch the dude in the face with the other. He thought there'd be more fighting involved! For now, this guy's incompetence is just making him sick. He'll deal with the guy in the corner next. Wait...huh? 

:'''{{#var:626|Kyra Hyral (626)}} has posed:'''     "What /are/ you, immortal?" Kyra questions, lifting her dress up to her knees again so she can grab some more ammo really quickly. As she reloads, she glances over at Ban again quizzicaly. "I need to know, man, because that way I know if I need to bother healing you at all!" Kyra assumes no. "If you want to be some kind of invincible monster tank here, then I'm pretty okay with that!"     She looks to the so-called 'wizard', still charging. She would have hit him with a dart too if Ban hadn't immediately jumped on him. 

:'''{{#var:730|Nagisa Shiota (730)}} has posed:'''     Well it looks like everything is under control here, so Nagisa squats down to tie up the man who was here before. She's not going to worry too much about the others, with this group. Dom and Kyra seem to have the guards well in hand, and Ban is... well. that works. "I think we're about done here," he admits sheepishly. 

:'''{{#var:655|Dominic Masoch (655)}} has posed:''' Dominic, who is not taking time to comment on the guy who just died and got back up because Kyra is handling that for him, contains his mix of horror and amazement for now. Immortal people can be gawked at later, right now it's time to go to work. He flicks his blade and the blue mana falls off of it. The effect switches over, mana running across it like an electrical field. He darts in towards the Wizard as people are going be preparing to subdue the wizard. It's a shallow cut from his blade, but it sends a pulse of mana into his neurosystem, trying to act like a tazer. "My jobs seem to grow stranger with every new adventure," He murmurs to himself. Hopefully all this excitement will cause Kyra to forget about his earlier statement and he won't have revenge taken out upon him. 

:'''{{#var:607|Serenity (607)}} has posed:'''     To sum up what happens: The guards are taken down, and as Ban charges, the 'wizard' is looking quite fearful. "No wait! I can pay-" WHUMP! The punch smashes him into the stairs, where he stumbles down with a dazed look. Ban really punches well, and without his staff, he's... actually incredible for surviving it.     Then he jerks spastically as the blade hits him, tasing him with a *FHSFSDFS* noise from him. Thudding to the ground, it is time for Kyra to step in, because this guy is going to need some medical attention after all that.     It looks like the staff was some kind of electrical weapon. Tech-based. The man probably has more details, but he's still just waking up when Nagisa finishes tying him up.     Mission accomplished? 

}}

1718/The Fairest Maiden of Hall

2015-03-13T03:12:46Z

Blue Elf: Created page with "{{Log Header |Date of Scene=2015/03/03 |Location=Terra Majora |Synopsis=Nathan meets with his unwanted fiancee |Thanks= |Cast of Characters=92, 134, 168, 253, 299 |Tinyplot=Ne..."

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2015/03/03
|Location=Terra Majora
|Synopsis=Nathan meets with his unwanted fiancee
|Thanks=
|Cast of Characters=92, 134, 168, 253, 299
|Tinyplot=New blood
|Tinyplot2=
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     The kingdom of Taliel is supposedly quite small. This... is true. Very true. It's basically one city and the surrounding forest, plus a few small villages scattered about. The 'castle' is more a large house or manor, and they've recently done some work to clear off a landing pad. There are signs that it used to be much more extravagant, with a crumbling outer wall and signs of fancier decor.     Assuming that the Union has told them they'll be coming via... magic or pigeon, a small escort is awaiting outside, just at the entrance of the manor. This includes two large men who appear to be guards, from the weapons, along with an older man in his middle age, with grey streaks in his hair. Beside him is a young woman, seventeen or eighteen years old, dressed in a pleasant and ruffled dress that is both pretty yet not ostentatious. She wouldn't be called lovely, but 'cute' or 'pretty' would be good descriptors. This is likely Illuvia. 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     The Union has provided forewarning, as seems appropriate for the situation. They have no reason to deceive, after all. Nathan arrives via a Union air transport, something that may or may not have been arranged by Psyber. Whether or not Psyber has accompanied him, Nathan is the first to step out.     It's sort of the usual adventuring gear, though he's taken off the armor and the weapons for today. If he looks like any kind of leaer, it's a scholar. He doesn't especially blame the Taliel... City itself, for the misunderstanding. As such, there's no repressed hostility or resentment when it comes to this. His stoic expression and deliberate posture are all very professional and leaderly in as much as they ever are, but in that harmless way. "Salutations. Your Highness, Illuvia Taliel, I presume?" He says, quietly, and politely, as he does a brief nod that carries the message of a bow. She's probably nice, right? Elliana mostly exploits and manipulates nice people, according to Nathan's logic, and as such he assumes well of her immediately. He'll follow the welcome group inside when prompted.     It doesn't show, but situations like this make him extremely nervous. Current status on a scale of one to marriage is somewhere around "dry throat". We'll see where that goes. 

:'''{{#var:134|Sakura Haruno (134)}} has posed:'''     Flowers has decided that she's coming along on this to ease the poor girl's heartbreak. This is because she has decided she is Heaven or Hell's most credible person on the hearts of young women.     For the record, the current status of everyone Sakura has either had a date with or had a crush on: Dead, dead, dead, and murdered the previous three. This is not the only topic where Sakura's presumption of her own expertise is likely inaccurate, though.     The medic will at least have the grace to let Hall lead the way, of course. She's simply coming along, taking a ride with the others, to try and smooth things over when he fails. She is also still harboring a very slight suspicion that Hall did something to cause this. At least she's dressed up-ish. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     This is a rare occasion in which, despite both deploying to the same mission, Psyber and Nathan did not arrive simultaneously or via the same vehicle. Not long after Nathan arrives, a second dropship clears a Union officer arriving and touches down just long enough to let the half-angel out before it darts off again. Owing to the nice occasion, Psyber is wearing a dark grey suit with a light blue shirt and a dark blue tie.     While not here to be obstructive, his motives aren't the most helpful either. Curiosity drags him out more than any other motive, with the second place motive being 'If him turning down the marriage causes an attack, I should probably not have him die'. A far distant third is that he wants to see a new place.     The curiosity is the main thing, though. He wants to see just how bad it is when Elliana moves to put someone in the penalty box. 

:'''{{#var:299|Charity Whiteheart (299)}} has posed:'''     And... then Charity is there. Stepping 'out' from the trees nearby, she is dressed in a nice outfit, and walking casually up to and alongside the group as if they were on the same side. She's holding a clipboard and wearing glasses, too, and as the others approach, she speaks as if being helpful, "Just let me know if you need any native insight into matters, I will be nearby."     Yep. Looks like she's here to watch as well. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     The King and Princess don't see a problem! The man steps forward to greet. "Welcome! It is wonderful to finally meet you!" If he takes offense to the lack of a bow, he doesn't show it. "While some lands have a tradition of not meeting the bride before the wedding, that is a bit outdated, and I thought you would like to talk first. Illuvia, say hello."     The girl steps forward, doing a polite, perfect curtsy. She smiles, and then she speaks... and her voice is melodic and flowing, soothing even, with a /very/ mild mystical effect that tries to put everyone at ease. "Greetings. May I ask which of you is General Hall? I would presume it is this one?" She nods to... Nathan, actually. She picked that one up pretty quick, rather than picking the more 'heroic' Psyber. 

:'''{{#var:134|Sakura Haruno (134)}} has posed:'''     Sakura, at least, will look at Charity with a bit of relief; she'd love a guide to local customs! So, she'll gesture the advisor over descretely. And without suspicion; in spite of her reputation in this regard, she's willing to jump to conclusions about trustworthiness, and Charity happens to come up on the good end of this.     "Aah. I'm Captain Sakura Haruno, with the Union. I wanted to find out more about the traditions and customs, how the wedding comes about, what might happen if.. something were to prevent it from happening, or another was needed to fill in for the groom, or anything along those lines."     This is all in a whisper, to try to keep it from being overheard by the proud father and bride to be. 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     Nathan does not notice Charity. No, this isn't some clever gambit where he pretends not to know who she is, he just didn't really notice her at all. Well, he didn't notice she's that particular ally from Elliana's inner circle, anyway. It was probably the glasses. "Certainly, thank you, I will make sure to ask. Please do inform me if I approach any faux pas" He asides to her with his usual lack of emotion. The nervousness has him a bit unobservant.     There's a nod to the man. "Your Majesty." He says respectfully. "Salutations. A pleasure to meet you as well. I appreciate your willingness to meet with us. It will be good to meet your daughter before things become particularly intense." He makes note of the man's willingness to set aside the outdated. Maybe he can work with that here? Illuvia gets another respectful nod of sorts, and Nathan folds his arms behind his back. "You are correct. I am Nathan Hall." He omits his title because this makes him a lot more comfortable. "These are my friends, Captain Haruno and Reserve Colonel Psyber." He gestures to each one. "I am pleased to meet you as well, and thank you. My apologies for the lack of introduction, I imagine I am not precisely what one imagines when they think of a general." Oh hey, mystical effects! Nathan is one hundred percent vulnerable to these sorts of things, and is immediately put at ease slightly more. He's also avoiding steering the conversation much, figuring the King and the Princess decided on how to work this out before they arrived.     Mildly increased nervousness is counteracted by mild relaxation. We're still at "dry throat" for now. Anxious scientists examine their readings everywhere, seeking signs of positive or negative fluctuations. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     Psyber gives a polite nod, "He is General Hall, yes. I am a Reserve Colonel under the callsign 'Psyber'," the half-angel notes. The voice tone seems to put him at some degree of ease based on its more flowing and mystical nature, "It is a pleasure and thank you for the welcome to your kingdom."     Internally, Psyber wonders about different things, none of which the least bit relevant to this conversation.     He looks over to spot Charity coming out of the forest, "Charity, nice to see you. Bit of a surprise." Even with glasses, Psyber endeavors not to forget people who crash through ceilings and land on top of him, "Coming to check on the status of things?" 

:'''{{#var:299|Charity Whiteheart (299)}} has posed:'''     "Psyber," Charity replies. "Just keeping an eye on things. Both ways, as it stands. Can't have him slipping up due to something obvious and getting himself killed." She pauses, flashing a quirky smile. "Besides, it should be pretty fun to watch, I think." Scribbling something on the clipboard, she notes, "You guys move pretty fast. I didn't even hear about this until the announcement myself."     Sakura gets another grin, "Well, that's what they're here for. It probably won't be something with /too/ much pomp. I'm wondering how open they'll be to offworld customs." 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Illuvia smiles, "No, I was given a rough idea. More of a scholar than a warrior, but then... that is not a bad thing, is it?" She takes over for her father, walking up and making a motion to guide the group inward. Her eyes pass over Psyber, Sakura, and Charity in turn... curious, but saying nothing. It doesn't appear that the mild calming effect is increasing... perhaps it is something she does unconsciously.     "We are very much looking forward to this, and are surprised that you agreed with so little that we can offer. Our strategic position is good, especially if our neighbors follow suit, but the Union that I have heard of has made little motion against the Windward Empire." 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     "Well obviously," Psyber says to Charity in a pretty mild tone. The half-angel adjusts his tie in a calm manner, "She wants to waylay him until he can calm down, not place him in a grave." He doesn't actually seem that upset about her presence. She's not his FRIEND, but he'll at least bring a level of politeness if she's going to.     "I imagine Nathan wanted to address the matter directly and swiftly," Psyber using the phrase 'Nathan' as opposed to 'the Union' is a minor quibble on his part. Still, he looks towards the woman, "How have you been, by the way? I haven't seen you active in quite some time, though I believe that is a good thing in your particular profession."     To Illuvia, Psyber seems calm and fairly subdued. He actually is rather enjoying the effect, such that he's not resisting it. It's probably the most relaxed he's felt in weeks, all things taken into consideration, "De rustico amnem transituro. Still waters run deep." Psyber notes to her in a relaxed cadence, "You do not let anyone to find out your plan until it is too late to stop it. Be it any plans about the Empire or otherwise."     OR OTHERWISE, NATHAN. 

:'''{{#var:134|Sakura Haruno (134)}} has posed:'''     Sakura will continue to glance over Charity, though she genuinely doesn't recognize her. "I'm not particularly familiar with what Hall's customs would be, myself. It's hard to imagine him having a genuinely romantic side, really." She considers for a moment.     "Well, either way, we should really figure out just what's going on. Do you know if we had a serious negotiation over this, or is this something that Nathan managed to stumble his way into?" The pinkhaired woman wil offer Illuvia a smile; the calming seems to have more of an impact over the medic than over most of the others in the room. 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     "I would certainly hope it is not a bad thing." Hall says, making a short, plaintive gesture and changing his tone not one bit. "It is rather the only thing I can be, after all." Another brief little hint of humor. He's actually completely unaware of the mystical effect, so it just hits him at whatever level it might hit your average person.     Then the Windwards are brought up. "We act with care and consideration." Nathan says. "The Windward Empire and the Union have extensive differences, but before we would act against them, there are less ambiguous and more critical matters, as well as other routes to pursue solutions through." He speaks as they move towards the interior. Psyber's words are adhered to: That nonsense where he accidentally made Eveningstar move, or his intent to disassemble the perceived conspiracy in the Windward Empire, go unspoken. Just a reasonable, moderate political stance.     He tilts his head. "It pains me with some embarrassment to admit, but at the moment it would seem there is a small lack of clarity regarding our mutual agreement, likely due to an unlucky combination of cultural differences and ongoing diplomatic events elsewhere. I can elucidate in a moment, when we are inside. For now, could you explain further?" He glances between the king and the princess, speaking a question either could answer. "Regarding the advantageous position vis a vis the Windward Empire, of course." Okay, let's keep this conversation about you, Nathan thinks, so we don't need to discuss the wedding too much. Would rather be sitting down when that goes down, he thinks uneasily.     "I do not... Ghhhh." He makes a helpless noise at Haruno. "I have explained this to you at length, I do not stumble into these scenarios. I have already explained the matter at length." Despite the monotone he does a brief bit of handwringing. Nervousness going up a bit, more reminders of the inevitable terrifying end-states of this. 

:'''{{#var:299|Charity Whiteheart (299)}} has posed:'''     Charity shakes her head at Sakura, "I think this is the serious negotiations. I'm afraid that General Hall has gotten in over his head quite badly this time. Though at least Illuvia really is a very nice girl. Nicer than me, at any rate." She nudges her glasses up. "She will likely pester him with silly questions."     Psyber gets a smile, surprisingly. Charity seems a lot more relaxed than the other times the half-angel has seen her. All those were on the job, and off-the-clock, or in jobs that aren't her usual, she's much more easygoing. "I've been fine, thanks. Yes, if you hear about anything I do, it's gone poorly. Fortunately, not too much requiring extreme measures."     To Nathan, "General Hall, I would suggest letting it slide. It may be better for you to pass it off as just such an accident, if you think about it." 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     "Oh, we aren't going inside," Illuvia answers quickly. "It's nicer to just use the walkway around. You'll see plenty of the inside later." That might sound sinister, but for one thing her voice makes it seem less so. For another, she's actually not being sinister anyway. She just likes the outdoors. But for the question about position, she looks back to her father.     The King answers amiably, "Our territory as it is now borders both a main trading road, and a river used for transport by the Windward Empire. In the last few centuries, they have grown complacent with regard to the threat we pose, both political and military." He frowns. "Not without reason. Our military is tiny, barely more than a militia, and we can bring little pressure to bear on our neighbors. They are all watching this to see how it affects the balance of power. To be quite honest, in another generation Taliel may not exist. We do not have much left to cede to the Empire, if they brought pressure upon us. Illuvia here is the one who is eager for this to be prevented. Politically, if you wish to coax more allies to your side, we believe that allying with an... 'underdog' such as us will bring several of the smaller nations out with interest. Militarily, this would be an excellent staging ground against the Empire's Western holdings. If you can properly guarantee us safety, there is also the matter of the dowry of course."     Illuvia sighs at that. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     "I'm glad to hear that. Have you made any progress on that guy who betrayed you? I'd prefer to see him, well, taken out of play," Psyber says pretty bluntly. He actually, despite Nathan having formed an alliance some time back, deeply dislikes that man. And has said so repeatedly.     To Haruno, Psyber finally speaks. And he's quite pleasant about it, actually, "I've been meaning to ask you, Haruno. Your outfits have been growing more towards colder weather. Do you need me to use office funds to help your clothing budget? I imagine your new place of treatment must be fairly different from Boston, which was already pretty cold." He asks it honestly, tilting his head at her and seeming fairly cheerful.     Psyber's final statement goes to the King, "I may not look like much in this suit, but I was a sellsword of sorts a long time ago. My offices are still hireable outside of Union operations. If the Windward Empire ever applies undue military pressure, please contact me. I am sure I could sortie a suitable response to defend your borders." And then he reaches into his breast pocket and holds out a business card, "Very reasonable rates."     All things actually considered, Psyber would eat a financial loss if it meant getting to bloody the nose of the Empire's armies. 

:'''{{#var:134|Sakura Haruno (134)}} has posed:'''     "Yes you do. I already explained that you're wrong to you." is Sakura's only response to Nathan, which was probably for the best, given that they already had that little argument and Sakura is convinced that she won.     She'll give Psyber a confused look for a moment. "I have a clothing budget? Really?" She'd maybe misunderstood that a little bit, but that does seem rather sincere. She mostly wears clothing that she received as gifts or from Cecil's dead mountain ghost dad.     She'll tilt her head, looking back over towards the King. She's curious about the dowry - not exactly a custom she's familiar with - and just what they're expecting from Nathan in return for this whole generous offering. Other than his eternal soul in marriage and all; important things. 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     Nathan did not hear anything sinister there. How could he? He cannot read between lines. "The Union has resources at its disposal required to supplement your military power and ensure that you have all you need to resist political pressure. And of course, we can provide our own martial force in emergencies or upon demand. I would hope to ensure that you both find your kingdom preserved through these difficult times." Nathan says. This is more business mode than anything else, but there's a palpable sense that he wants to make sure the King's own wishes are respected. This is a man who has probably had more than enough of other people pushing him around, and Nathan seeks to cultivate an opinion that he'll have plenty of control all on his own. Zero 'puppet king' nonsense here. That's not just because he wants to be in the king's good graces, that's because it's just moral. Good graces would be a really nice bonus though!     "In any case, you may consider me convinced of your ability to provide an equal exchange for a full alliance." He can't seem to figure out how to broach the topic of the marraige issue and it keeps coming up very slightly. "Ahhh... Dowry?" There's a sigh! Nathan is suddenly hopeful that this will be easier to manage. Maybe if he can get the King or the Princess to initiate this discussion on their own. Of course, there's the matters on the side. Charity gets a strange noncommittal noise that seems to not even quite understand the advice given, but the subject does get dropped. 

:'''{{#var:299|Charity Whiteheart (299)}} has posed:'''     Charity shakes her head at Psyber, "Not all that much," she admits. "Soonish. I haven't brought it up to... the boss yet, but she did promise me that we'll take care of him, and you know how she is with her promises. I'm not going to force the issue when she has so much to do right now." She frowns. "But I guess I could remind her. It would be a good distraction from her terrible mood of late."     As for the dowry, Charity helpfully supplies as if Nathan didn't know, "Yes, they offer something in exchange to the husband to be. Something of an old tradition, but very important for the Blooded." She emphasized that last word, very importantly. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Illuvia gives Charity a cross look, for some reason, then sighs and looks down. "Yes, there is a dowry," she states softly. "That was in the negotiations. I assume that is the real reason you agreed to this?"     The King takes card with a curious expression. "Well... I suppose it will have to do, though there is little to be done against the full might of the Empire. I doubt they would waste it for us." He sighs as well, pocketing the card... by handing it to an aide. "Yes, well, the treasury is nearly empty, but if you truly can aid us against the Empire, then we are willing to give up our family treasure for it. Illuvia is ill-suited for it, but we were hoping that she would bear us a son who could bear it into battle. Would you like to see it?" 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     Psyber nods his head and says, "Right. I imagine it can't happen until the right pieces are in place for the biggest impact," He thinks it over and sighs a bit, "Her mood. Mn. I imagine things have been hard. Last I spoke to her, she sounded sad." He shakes his head and then says, "If you ever need help with the surprise party, give me some forewarning and I'll tag in. Might have to wear a mask, though. But no offense taken if you don't want my help."     To Haruno, Psyber pretty honestly says, "Well yeah. When your job makes you move," A VERY loose way of phrasing what happened, but let's go with that, "It's pretty traditional for the job to give you a stipend to help you get settled. Hold on, does two thousand credits sound good?" Psyber asks, taking out his business checkbook and starting to write.     Psyber is still writing as the words 'treasure' and 'bear it into battle' come up. The half-angel looks sidelong, trying to play non-chalant. 

:'''{{#var:134|Sakura Haruno (134)}} has posed:'''     Sakura looks at Psyber as he starts to pull out the checkbook as though he has grown a second head; she seems completely bewildered. Possibly just by the idea of having to mess with a check, possibly by what he is saying. This is probably for the best, because it means the medic is not paying attention to just what it is that's going on with the dowry.     At least, until Psyber's interest seems to go that way, upon which she'll look over. "What, you're going to give the General some sort of weapon or armor? Well, perhaps his child will be more suited to it than him." Sakura sounds skeptical. She knows all about combat genetics. 

:'''{{#var:299|Charity Whiteheart (299)}} has posed:'''     Charity just shrugs. "She doesn't show it all that much, but I know her at least a little bit better than most of her uh... coworkers," Charity admits. The suggestion gets a snort from the young woman. "I don't think a surprise party will help her, not like that. But I'll keep it in mind." It's odd, how relaxed she is with an enemy. As if there's nothing personal about her attempts to jab knives into Psyber's friends.     Maybe there isn't.     If she knows anything about the family treasure, Charity is staying mum on the subject. 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     "The reason..." Nathan tries to find a way of saying this that doesn't implicate him as the one responsible here. He almost has the feeling she might be disappointed in him. "If I have any reason to agree to this, it is the wellbeing of humanity, not greed. As I mentioned before, there are some unusual circumstances distancing me from the negotiations. It is against my beliefs to attempt to use people for acts of greed such as that." The monotone he has is a somber one.     He then turns to the king, and tilts his head. "I am not a man who is inflexible. Negotiations may be regarded as still... Open, in a way. Should you have any particular specifics when it comes to how the Union can assist your kingdom most effectively, please tell me." And then he nods, albeit slowly. "We can assist you against the Empire. To ensure that you are safe, and retain your power." He says. He... Well, he does seem like he's about to say he's just fine without any family treasure, thank you very much. But he should see it before he judges. "I would like to see it, yes."     The discussion about her bearing some child amps up the awkwardness again, past "dry mouth" somewhere over to a tier between "mild fidgets" and "grinding teeth". He gives a look at Haruno and makes the helpless noise again. "Please do not use that phrase?" The phrase 'his child', presumably. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Illuvia is looking oddly at Charity and Psyber, as if she isn't sure what to make of the two of them. But Nathan's statement makes her smile. "If that truly is an honest statement, then I have gained an even better husband than I had thought," she says with a mellow murmor. Oops!     The King is walking around toward the manor again, and the doors are opened for him as he moves toward one of the more secure rooms. "What I want most is to preserve our people. We are a very simple kingdom, and do not ask for much. My Blood may be weak compared to most, but Illuvia's is not. I like to think I have taught her how to be a grand noble. We do understand that we will be giving up some things when joining your Union. Slavery has never been a common thing in our land, and I believe there would be no real backlash if we decreed it gone, but assistance to the former slaves might be best." Not all shiny and nice, these people.     Beyond the door, though... is a padded cushion, beneath what appears to be a glass case. The glass has an odd sheen to it, but it doesn't obscure the weathered metal bracer within, inlaid with ancient designs. The King gestures, "Don't step to close, please. Shivan, twin to Ifran. Sadly, I never learned to use it, but I am assured it still has its potency." 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     Psyber has always said that if he held a grudge over everyone who tried to kill him, he would have very few friends. It's just that simple. Though when Charity misses his original meaning, he murmurs something very quiet. Almost inaudible, actually.     "She hides her emotions, but her recent choices must have been very difficult. Please, give her my regards when you see her. You are both welcome to come by Boston and we can grab lunch. Winter Flounder season just started south and east of Cape Cod. We could rent a boat, big old office outing," The half-angel says this to the woman while he finishes writing a check for Sakura. It's written out to 'Cash', just to make her life easy as he holds it out to her.     To Charity, Psyber remarks, "You know what the most interesting part is? If he'd been less tunnel-visioned, he might have been able to intercept this before it reached the point it has now. But he was so distracted that he's in a blind spot of his own creation. It's quite interesting to observe externally."     The half-angel curls his hand into a fist and rests it under his chin as they're led to the treasure room. Granted, the fact that they're standing in front of one of the One Hundred is also very awe-inspiring, "Ah, to think your Kingdom would have such a treasure. Do other Kingdoms know it is here?" 

:'''{{#var:134|Sakura Haruno (134)}} has posed:'''     Sakura will take the check, still looking confused. "Are you.. I don't really understand." She finally admits, though she'll take the check anyways. It may or may not ever be cashed, anyhow, but it's made it into the ribbon of the kimono she'd worn here.     She has been less familiar with the lore of the local kingdoms and such; she doesn't really get what this particular weapon is. She'll hiss at Psyber in a raised whisper. "Is this something I should know about?"     Of course, the medic is mostly internally cringing at the girl heading towards more betrayed and heartbroken. The poor girl couldn't know what she was getting into with Hall! 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     SHIT, EMERGENCY, PULL UP.     Nathan keeps a completely stoic look when Illuvia responds positively to what he said in a way that he did not want her to. Damn it! Okay, he resolves to try to say things in a way that isn't going to make her like him MORE. Hopefully. "The wellbeing, freedom, and happiness of people is our priority." Nathan says. "If your kingdom promotes these things, we will preserve, assist, and protect it. I thank you for being willing to accomodate us. I hope that, with our assistance, it can be made worth it to your kingdom. Education, economic adjustment, and other services can certainly be offered to those freed." He's taken this whole slavery thing kind of well! Mostly.     And then there's the artifact. A bracer? Nathan knows its value, but he doesn't know its purpose. He keeps a respectful distance, though, stepping back and nodding. "I see. A moment, please." He considers it, and with a blink, his glasses fill with obfuscating glare as he attempts a [SCAN]. Normally it just tells magical or anatomical weaknesses, but this should more productively give Nathan some idea of the scale of the magic inherent to this artifact. 

:'''{{#var:299|Charity Whiteheart (299)}} has posed:'''     Charity gives Psyber an odd look, then just shakes her head. "I know. It's a pity. I haven't seen her sink this much effort into something in a while. If things get resolved, though, I wouldn't mind coming to an outing. My job is my job, I don't really have anything against you or yours."     Charity will then step back away from the door, when she sees it open. Kind of hanging near Sakura. "I'll just... stay over here." 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Illuvia blushes faintly, "If I were more of a warrior, I could use that, I'm sure. I have more of the Blood than my father does." She sighs. "It has come to this that we are willing to part with it, to save our kingdom."     The SCAN will show that it is an artifact of immense magical power. The exact properties are hard to place, but it's quite similar to what Elliana's sword looks like under a scan. Judging from the aura and name, it has some cold-related ability. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     "I would enjoy that," Psyber says to Charity, nodding his head. He won't have much more to say on the matter. She said it wasn't personal, all he can add is, "I have no hard feelings, obviously."     Psyber explains to Haruno what it is on another channel, before saying, "As for the check, I merely want to ensure your comfort wherever you feel the need to work from. It is my responsibility as your employer and your friend to help you find such a thing," He'd actually like for her to come home, BUT. After the past few days, he understands why she left. This is his obtuse way of supporting her decision, while trying to express that he may not agree with it. He's bad at heartfelt moments.     Nathan? Psyber simply watches Nathan. He's radioactive right now, and with Charity there he's not keen to actively help. Besides, he gave Nathan the answer already, but does Nathan know it. 

:'''{{#var:134|Sakura Haruno (134)}} has posed:'''     Sakura has about as much a chance figuring out those signals as she does taking Nathan's place in the wedding; instead, she's presently worrying about what she might have done to make her leave as bad as needing a bribe.     She'll try to figure it out later, of course. Right now, she's sternly watching someone who outranks her by a mile to make certain he doesn't do something like try to steal the weapon and crush the bride-to-be. She's rather less worried about his happiness, shockingly. Glancing to Charity she'll ask, finally. "Is something the matter? Do those make you nervous?" 

:'''{{#var:299|Charity Whiteheart (299)}} has posed:'''     Charity adjusts her glasses when Sakura turns to her. "It does make me nervous. The Hundred are the symbol of Blooded superiority in this world. As nice as these two seem to be, those of us who don't have the priveledge of being born with the Blood still feel a little... nervous around such things. They grant the user some incredible powers, and frankly most of the Blooded are very poor at targeting such power." 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     Nathan's just holding that scan, almost a bit obsessively for a moment. God damn it, Fairchild! She probably even set up some kind of countermeasure for attempting to go after an optimized third option. "I understand." He says, simply, pausing after he does for some time to continue to stare, and then turning on his heels.     "Your Majesty, I will tell you now that as long as you are willing to comply with the humanitarian regulations of the Union, your kingdom will be saved, or at the very least the Union will do all in its power to do so, and an alliance may be formed based on reasonable mutual assistance." For the brief moment, he pinches the bridge of his nose. "While I admit that Shivan would provide a tremendous amount of benefit to me, due to other efforts closely associated with our efforts to resolve the issue of the Windward Kingdom, I believe I cannot accept this particular part of the exchange at this time. The first and foremost reason is that, by the cultural rules of my own home, your daughter is not currently of an appropriate age."     "Additionally, I believe there may have been a diplomatic misunderstanding of a grander scale, due to an assortment of miscommunications. Among the Union, alliance is not secure by marriage among representitives." He gestures to the princess herself. "It is an adjustment made to our cultures over a long period of time, meant to reflect a profound respect held for the individual rights of nobility to choose their partners by their own will. It would be a faux pas of a substantial level for me to... Impinge upon the rights of your daughter to choose a partner of her own will. We are willing to declare an alliance in absence of marriage, if this is acceptable to you."     This has him extremely nervous and he hopes he's managed to spin it correctly, to something suitable for the King. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Hearing those words, the King is surprised, while Illuvia... stares. "Wha..." Her eyes blink a few times, and she opens her mouth, then closes it. "A-am I not desireable?" That melodic voice, this time, transmits the emotion of sadness, perhaps making it more obvious that it's an unnatural effect.     The King fortunately steps in, "I was not aware that any miscommunication had occurred," he states. "And the neighboring kingdoms will be looking for a wedding to show the dedication of the Union as much as our own." He glances at Shivan, then motions for the doors to be closed. "It is very honest of you to turn down the dowry when stating this, but please understand that this is not so easy a thing undone. We can, of course, respect your own culture in waiting until my daughter is of the proper age, provided it is not too long of a wait."     He takes a deep breath, and though it shows some strain, he also shows himself capable of reason. "If she will come of age soon enough to make a reasonable but not too great delay, perhaps we can use that time to come to a better understanding?" 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     A sidelong glance is given at Charity. Psyber is, internally, glad he didn't bring Sovereign. Charity might actually have been able to recognize it, which would have been bad. As Nathan begins talking, Psyber rocks back and forth on his feet.     A hand slips to the inside of his suit and takes out a flask. As the waves of sadness come over him from the princess, Psyber tilts it backwards and takes a long drink from it. The flask comes away and he coughs slightly before swallowing and placing it back into his jacket.     He tries to keep a neutral face and parse through what's happening. Emotion-related Blooded power. Elliana's trap deepens the longer he stays here. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Psyber gets a reply from the King then, as it is on topic. "The other Kingdoms, including the Windward Empire, know we have a great treasure. They do not all know its nature. Only one or two have that knowledge, and I ask that you keep it from spreading to the Windward Empire." 

:'''{{#var:134|Sakura Haruno (134)}} has posed:'''     Sakura will flinch visibly as the wave of sadness crashes over her, and listen in on the conversation. She manages not to cry, at first, at least. But she'll fold her arms up, and start to get rather emotional on the topic herself, and likely make matters much, much worse for Nathan on radio. At least she isn't getting directly involved with the King and Princess.     Yet. 

:'''{{#var:299|Charity Whiteheart (299)}} has posed:'''     Charity heaves a heavy sigh at that. "I feel sorry for her," she murmurs at Sakura. "You and I both know that he can't accept, but she seems to have taken a liking to him." 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     OH NO, SHE MADE A SAD VOICE.     This stabs Nathan in the gut, partially because of emotional magic, and actually mostly because Nathan is unable to sustain any action that makes cute, harmless girls sad.. THANKS FOR DOING THAT AGAIN, ELLIANA. His awkwardness immediately launches from "grinding teeth" to tiers that would make most people stammer and blabber. "No!" He actually breaks his tone of voice for a moment. "I mean-- Yes. No, I mean no." He tries to settle down for a moment with a very deep breath. "You are certainly extremely charming, Your Highness." He makes a plaintive open-palmed gesture. "It is merely that in my culture, it is expected that both partners should know each other for some time, even nobility. It would be unconscionable for me to take your hand in marriage if you were not providing it without coercion and with your own will. In my own particular culture, it would be extortion to withhold my assistance for marriage, unless you had some strong desire to marry me. I cannot force you into marriage with me, you see?"     He makes a mildly off-kilter noise at the King, but nods very gratefully. "Yes, I... Yes, a delay, at least, until the matter may be sorted, would be best. Perhaps if, during the delay, the Union may bolster you kingdom to the point where the lack of marriage does not show a sign of weakness in dedication from either side?" Maybe? Maaaaybe? Nathan is a little bit off track here, what with all the emotions. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Illuvia clasps her hands and tries to gather herself up. "I... see." But a moment later, she murmurs, "I am feeling unwell, father. I think I shall retire for the night." Curtsying to the others, she turns about and heads for the nearby stairs.     The King lifts an eyebrow. "If you would do that for us, that may indeed help. For now, I will place a delay in. She reaches the age of eighteen in six months, would that suffice to give us enough time?" 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     As the princess leaves, Psyber finally lets show that the particular aura she exudes has exacerbated some of his existing feelings. The half-angel takes a casual gait towards Nathan and slaps him SQUARE in the center of the back. Not hard enough to actually hurt, but it leaves a sting.     "Congrats, Slugger. You're now 2 for 2 in disappointing 17 year old girls. Keep it up." Psyber says before smiling at the King, "Call my office if you need me. I'm gonna signal my pickup now." 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     Nathan makes a helpless noise at Psyber and wrings his hands a little bit. "I do not even know what the /first/ one is." He says, and then makes a frustrated noise. Monotone still steady, though. He tries to get back to the king before he completely falls apart. "I believe that with my experience in this matter, I may be able to make a sufficient show of political dedication to render the marriage redundant." This is exhausting, and as such, Nathan lets out a bit of a heavy breath. "My apologies for the confusion, Your Majesty. I hope that we can each pull through this with mutual benefit soon. Thank you." He'll be heading out for now, unless, you know, that's stopped. 

}}

1698/New Blood: The Secret of Eveningstar

2015-03-13T03:12:05Z

Blue Elf: Created page with "{{Log Header |Date of Scene=2015/03/01 |Location=Terra Majora |Synopsis=A Shajem has been found under Eveningstar. Binding it proves to be complicated. |Thanks= |Cast of Chara..."

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2015/03/01
|Location=Terra Majora
|Synopsis=A Shajem has been found under Eveningstar. Binding it proves to be complicated.
|Thanks=
|Cast of Characters=12, 19, 40, 92, 134, 168, 202, 253, 331, 347, 395, 546, 598, 701, 705
|Tinyplot=New Blood
|Tinyplot2=
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     The Starshine Kingdom dislikes visitors from outside the kingdom. Insular but well-regarded by its citizens, it has a reputation for keeping its population happy and well fed, without resorting to slavery like the Windward Empire does. Due to a combination of geography and a strong national spirit, it is more trouble than it is worth for the Windward Empire to attempt to take over Starshine right now.     Which is not to say it is all THAT difficult to get into the kingdom, with aircraft of sufficient speed or just taking a less-travelled road. The border patrols are meant to keep out armies, not a small group of people. The air force is also geared toward troop transports or small military vessels, and a well-equipped airship can blitz right past them, though it will draw the resultant formation of Eveningstar's air force out. Mostly small ships with cannon, as air combat in this world is still relatively low speed.     Eveningstar itself, the capital of the Starshine Kingdom, is a breathtaking sight to any who appreciate such things. Built upon a large rocky uprising, set against a mountain, the palace of Eveningstar is a small city unto itself. Elaborate walls and walkways thread through the high-altitude fortress, making for an incredible fortification against enemies, even from the air. Smaller 'ledges,' each with acres of space, make up numerous boroughs of small towns, each one reasonably defensible even without the high walls of the main city. It's an incredibly impractical setup for any normal world, but apparently they have some means of providing food. Rumors say that the mountain beneath Eveningstar is a honeycomb of passages which can store years of food and water, and provide rapid deployment of troops throughout the city.     The target, if Nathan Hall's source is to be believed, is somewhere beneath the mountain. 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     Nathan Hall is here. As per the norm, the man arrives with no emotion to his posture, no feeling to his tones. Slightly less normal is the fact that today he has pulled out all the stops on his equipment. A pair of goggles obfuscate his eyes and glow softly, a large machete with a complicated trigger system is sheathed at his back. His approach is aggressive and quick in a way, swift and not taking a single break. He's likely arrived via one of Psyber's vehicles, but his directions to Heaven or Hell's members, or various other assorted Union members, are to meet up with one of his contacts on-site.     He's going to locate ETHAN BLOODSTONE, whose connections he has hopefully managed to use to secure safe passage to their objective location. He does intend to back the Binder up though, and use his own. He'll have gone through all available channels to initiate an investigation into DRAKE WIGHTSEER, using various bits of evidence of his past contact and the inarguable fact of his current Twisting, to acquire a warrant to search the area, or at least soften them up for Ethan.     Which will, ideally, result in Nathan entering Eveningstar, if not the catacombs of the mountain itself, in his usual tunnel vision mode, taking wide steps to get there swiftly and seeming very, very obvious in the fact that he's focusing on one thing and one thing only, in his usual unhealthy way. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     Psyber is here! But not as you'd expect.     Also Psyber is not 'here' in the conventional sense of arriving via ship. Instead, he's here via screaming metal cylinder careening into the ground from high up in the atmosphere. It whistles through the air and glows a bright red as it skims through the air, trailing fire. It is pretty big, about the size of a van, maybe larger.     It drops from the sky right into the center of the city, making a cataclysmic-loud crashing sound as it skids along the ground and then eventually comes to a screeching stop somewhere in the center of the square. It wobbles a bit and then rights itself upwards onto tripod legs. Then three hatches open in it and slam into the ground with a THUNKING noise.     Psyber walks out of the pod, wobbling a bit as he stretches and then places his hands on his back, "Man. That was a rough one. Skid landings aren't fun. Next time, I have to get them to angle it for a solid-impact drop. I guess it meant a smaller crater, though." He grouses, stretching and working out some kinks.     Bitching aside, Psyber is geared for war today. He's wearing a more utilitarian outfit of body armor over a black long-sleeved shirt and BDU pants. He has a rifle slung under his tactical vest, which is loaded with ammo, as well as a couple pistols. He also has, of all things, two swords with him today. One, across his back, is a greatsword and slightly archaic and draconic in design: Adjudicator, his Abstractum. The other is kept at his hip and is a longsword kept in a battered hilt wrapped in dirty cloth. That one is new. 

:'''{{#var:202|Adelyn Lysen (202)}} has posed:'''     It's difficult to resist that drive toward experimentation, for natives of the research-focused Nation of Towers. With a new airship design using a just-prototyped, hybrid technomagical engine--how could she not? This is far too exciting. Adelyn Lysen is /far too excited/.     "Increase the forward wind shield--the density has increased. We're ripping through with more strength than expected. The reshaping has proven effective, I see. Engine power? Still that low? Well, we'll push it another day. We're nearly there." The crew obey instantly, as well they should be expected to. Most of them, unusually, are bound undead, with ghostly, pale skin and glowing eyes. They're intelligent, but likely not good for much past their appointed tasks.     The ship itself hails from a country not known for its high-speed aircraft, but this experiment has so far proven a success. Its weaponry will remain hidden beneath its armor as long as possible, while it simply rushes to the appointed meeting point. From there, it's either a matter of disembarking in the typical fashion (via ramp), or of using the ever-useful air magic Adelyn stores in her staff to carry her, and any comrades who require it, to land. The crew, at that point, will remain onboard. 

:'''{{#var:598|Lezard Valeth (598)}} has posed:''' Lezard doesn't really care whether people like visitors or not. He goes where he pleases, as is the right of one who bears the power of space at his command. Normally, Lezard would have a great deal of other things to attend to, but the situation that has arisen thanks to the timely notification of Mordred became something he could not pass up. Training has been undertaken. Tactics have been formed. Thus is it that Lezard Valeth, God-Foe and Necromancer of Midgard, has arrived upon Terra Majora with his allies. He stands upon the airship, arms folded as he looks out over the terrain, the city below, and the rapidly approaching mountain. "This will be a time to remember, I believe." He comments offhandedly. When the time comes, Lezard disembarks via the ramp, his casual motions bespeaking nothing of the dire intentions to come. 

:'''{{#var:395|Amalthea (395)}} has posed:'''     "So, Psyber, you gonna introduce me to the new guy?"     That was like an hour ago.     "Oh man one of these? Well I guess you can call it bonding."     That was like ten minutes ago.     Now.     The jarring, high velocity, hiss and whine of metal on re-entry would be an unnerving sound for most, but the landing is probably the worst part of it. With a HISSSS-POP of another panel on the pod bursting open, Amalthea unhitches her crash webbing and storms out on her feet in an instant. "I donno, Psyber, I've had worse landings. I've had better too, but I've had worse."     The unicorn is also decked out for full scale assault, the heaviest plating straight from her armory, two swords sheathed at her hip, shield in hand, and other sundry tools of war and small scale destruction in the folds of her cape, belt, and weapon harnesses.     "Hi." 

:'''{{#var:331|Himei (331)}} has posed:'''     Himei's arrival isn't actually an arrival yet. She's taken a lightweight aircraft, not jet-powered but fairly quiet and simple. She doesn't have the training to use onboard weaponry, so this one is unarmed and pretty unarmored. It has passengers, but it's a fairly comfortable ride... for now.     Himei is keeping in the air, doing a slow and wide circle around the city rather than come down and enter the catacombs yet. This is partly to keep an eye on the Confeds. She invited them, but she wants to make sure this doesn't cause any more stress than usual. She tries to keep it at a polite distance from the air force, just circling around the entire area.     "Looks like the others are starting to arrive. I guess we'll see how accurate this is now," Himei is saying, looking at her passengers. 

:'''{{#var:12|Mordred (12)}} has posed:'''     Saber of Red, aka MORDRED, is among those who disembark from Adelyn's ship once it lands. Fully armored from head to toe, including that helmet, those who have not previously met her are out of luck to recognize her; her voice masked, androgynous and metallic, while her appearance is covered by an odd, grainy filter that prevents getting a clear read on just how tall the knight is, or even get a good grasp on the true appearance of the armor. To some it may appear black and jagged, to others white and pure, but whatever the case it is obvious it's a knight, at least.     BLOODY AMHAR, if it is so inclined to be awake, her Abstractum, is idle in one hand, the blood red longsword with jagged teeth the only part of the knight not so obscured by her helmet's effect. Her other hand does not bear a blade yet, mostly because it's awkward walking with two swords out. 

:'''{{#var:705|Reiji Arisu (705)}} has posed:''' Reiji is presently regretting his life choices.     As the drop-pod's doors open, a hand shoots out to grab hold of the metal doorframe. Another joins it on the opposite side, though somewhat more unsteadily. Reiji staggers out shortly thereafter, looking just a little more pale than he usually does. "That... Was unpleasant."     In addition to his usual gear, Reiji seems to be carrying around a metal briefcase across his back. The pouches on his armor seem to be a bit more heavily weighed down, too. Something seems to suggest that he may have... overprepared for this trip. But can you really OVERprepare for fighting a god? He clearly doesn't think so.     "Psyber," Reiji grunts, shaking his head as his legs slowly start responding like actual limbs instead of unstable pillars of gelatin. "I could have used a warning about that landing," he mutters, then straightens. "So," he continues, transitioning into business mode at breakneck speeds, "Where do we go from here? I'll be following your lead 'till we get to the target." 

:'''{{#var:134|Sakura Haruno (134)}} has posed:'''     Flowers is in the back of Himei's aircraft, looking like she very much regrets the decisions that have brought her to this point. When Psyber and Hall actually agree on a path of action regarding this theater of affairs, she's hard pressed to argue much, but flying is always slightly stressful for the ninja and flying with Himei is a special kind of worrying.     Though at least if they crash, she'll be on the ground again.     She's not really looking at just where they're going, and so, her eyes shut and bending forward, she'll ask that most eternal and important of questions, strain showing in her voice.     "Are we there yet?" 

:'''{{#var:40|Eleanor Lamb (40)}} has posed:'''     Eleanor... trusts Himei. She's a friend, an old friend. And she trusts Himei.     She does not trust planes. The Big Sister is gripping on for dear life in a seat behind Sailor Nothing, grumbling about feet on the ground and aerofoils and elevators and the Bernoulli Principle. 

:'''{{#var:701|Circe (701)}} has posed:''' A dusky-skinned woman with a huge, fountain-like ponytail of flame-red hair arrives upon the airship with the others. She has stayed as far away from the crew as possible, preferring to not even share the same ground with them by levitating, and has kept a handkerchief pressed to her nose and mouth to preserve her from any undead-smells (imagined or otherwise). She finds these dead people extremely odious, intelligent or no, and thus should be quite pleased to depart into fresher environs upon their landing. Instead she can only mutter about how dreadful that was and brush (definitely imaginary) corpse particles off her clothing before even bothering to take the time to look around. Once she does so, of course, she is quite pleased with the chance in decor and the impressive environment. "Good. Finally, a more proper place, which is suitable to my tastes and standing." Caster, of course, makes no attempt at concealing her appearance, though the number of people who have met her in-person remains low still, so that does not mean much. Her voice, at least, should be recognizable. The purple-garbed woman deigns to descend to earth finally, feeling the ground beneath them with her bare feet and stretching her legs after being bent beneath her for so long. "Though I imagine we are not here to sight-see, and do not have time to take in the pleasures to be had from a place such as this?" the Servant mutters. Oh, well. Maybe another time. If the place remains intact when they are done here. "You there," she indicates Lezard. "Fetch my luggage, won't you?" 

:'''{{#var:546|Nox (546)}} has posed:'''     Though maybe he should, Nox hasn't taken any pains to disguise his appearance either. It'd likely be far too difficult without the aid of magic to begin with, and furthermore it'd be incredibly obvious who he was the moment he started using his own. For a change, he takes the scenic route, hovering a foot over the deck of Adelyn's airship a short distance away from Lezard, casting occasional glances to the world below as the terrain scrolls by. His eyes fix on the capital as soon as it is in sight, at which he stares for a good, long while. "Indeed." Is all he has to remark to Lezard, mostly ignoring the undead on board the ship, finding no real reason to be repelled or distracted by them. Whatever look he sends towards Caster is thankfully impossible to discern through the mask, because it might be more than a little disapproving. As soon as the airship lands, he'll meander off it at a leisurely pace rather than teleporting, preferring to stick by the other Confederates present. 

:'''{{#var:19|Maya (19)}} has posed:''' Maya had thought it best to come with others rather than go in alone so here she is on board with Himei and anyone else whos come along for this ride. Maya doesn't seem to put off by anything about the trip herself. She'd chatted a bit with Sakura and Eleanor if they were willing. She wouldn't have pressed it however. "It does look that way, and your right we're going to find out shortly." 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     The air force is keeping a wary eye on matters, but it looks like Nathan and Ethan managed to arrange a sort of... reasonable expectation of peaceful investigation! That's good, right? At least, it should be. That's the plan, and all. The Council and Regent both agreed to it, and there should be an escort out to meet the new arrivals and Nathan, to guide them down into the catacombs.     That was the plan.     It is true that an escort has arrived for the others, made up of numerous troops that look to be the elite of the city. In fact, several are wearing armor and weapons not in the standard uniform, indicating some sort of Irregulars. They also arrive with the Regent: a young girl of no more than fifteen years of age, clad in fancy regalia. She is not a Blooded, one of the things that makes the Starshine Kingdom interesting. The Council is not there, however.     The young girl steps forward, "Greetings, everyone!" She glances at the drop pod, and the large ship that Adelyn and Lezard and Mordred disembarked from. "I wish I could say welcome, but it appears that we have all been mislead. It is with a heavy heart that I must admit that you would perhaps have been better to... simply attack the palace, rather than attempt an investigation."     Ethan, who is already nervous, tenses up at hearing the news, fingering an amulet at his chest. "Oh no..."     One of the irregularly dressed men steps forward. "Shortly after meeting with the Union General, the Council convened privately. They were taking too long to come to a decision, so the Regent and I intruded, only to find them missing from the chamber. The catacombs have been sealed shut, but we have no idea what they might be doing beneath the city right now."     As if on cue, a tremor runs through the streets. It's a small one, but enough for people nearby to stop and glance down. That's a mild concern, but then the tremor returns, much stronger, and the entire street /lurches/ to the side, tipping at a very slight angle that makes footing treacherous. 

:'''{{#var:598|Lezard Valeth (598)}} has posed:''' Lezard pauses in his stride with Caster addresses him. Irritation flickers across his face for a moment, but it smooths out to an almost insouciant, pleasant expression. "Of course. Allow me to assist." He holds out a hand, and energy grows beneath him, rising up as he channels it into his invocation of teleportation magics. The destination ring appears in the air, and Caster's luggage fades into view. It then tumbles down into a nice mussy pig sty, possibly crushing the occupants. Lezard doesn't really care. "I believe you can take it from here." He comments to Caster, smiling as he adjusts his glasses. And then to things that are actually important. Like the ground shaking. "Oh my. This is going to be interes-" He pauses, and then the ground lurches, Lezard actually being thrown to the ground. "Gah!" He hisses, and he straightens up, scrambling to his feet amidst the shockwaves. "We have to move, quickly!" He calls, forming up with Mordred and the others to prepare to assault the location where the Shajem is being held. 

:'''{{#var:546|Nox (546)}} has posed:'''     Footing isn't really an issue without feet on the ground, but even Nox can notice the sudden, nearly tectonic upset beneath him. Like many other people, he looks down at the street the moment it begins to tilt, his head moving with a little mechanical tick with the suddenness of the movement. Next he turns to Mordred, seeming to be the one most well versed in this world's affairs. What exactly the council running away from a peaceful confrontation means is up in the air, but the rest of it only takes an educated guess.     "I assume the catacombs beneath the city are the most likely place for the Shajem to be sealed, yes? Would you care to forward any idea as to why the rulers of this city would suddenly abandon the pretense of cooperative investigation and rush off to meet their obvious demise?" He pauses for just a moment. "Though I suppose this only makes things easier!" He inclines ever so slightly towards the Regent, bidding her a possibly facetiously respectful "madamoiselle" before immediately teleporting to the first set of coordinates someone can forward, or failing that, repeatedly ahead of the group as they move towards the site. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     "Reiji, meet Amalthea. One of the closest things I have to a brother," Psyber says in reference to the clearly feminine Unicorn hanging around, "We're going to want to rendevous with Nathan and then get to work. If he's handling political negotiations, there should be no problem." Psyber notes, carefully striding along, "Also sorry for the lack of warning, Reiji."     At the note from the girl and the city shaking, Psyber scowls heavily, "So they're trying to get in front of u-" He cuts off as a tremor runs through the streets and the terrain lurches. Psyber adjusts his footing and then says to Reiji and Amalthea, "We're going. Cover angles, move in formation."     Slacker gone and transitioning into professional, Psyber brings his assault rifle up. The FN SCAR has its safety turned off with a click and Psyber is bringing it up towards his shoulder as he darts forward. His current plan is simple: Straight to the palace and try to get after the missing Council.     Normally, the presence of Confederates would be a worrying point to him, but he at least is neutral to favorable on most of them. Mordred rates highly. Adelyn, Psyber respects if disagrees with. Lezard is a Confederate Psyber has some positive feelings towards. Caster he is indifferent to. Nox? Psyber dearly wants to beat Nox into a pulp after the Boston attack, but he restrains that urge for now.     "Everyone. Try to minimize casualties if you can, but if you have to kill someone to get through them, do so without hesitation. Reaching the Shajem is priority one."     This statement is loud enough for most people to hear, if they're moving on the palace from the ground. 

:'''{{#var:202|Adelyn Lysen (202)}} has posed:'''     Adelyn actually disembarks last, after taking care of something else onboard. It will probably not be important.     While she can do the whole flying thing, that requires her to actually have some warning. She's in not much better shape than Lezard is, as is, stumbling mid-stride as the ground moves beneath her. With a snarl uncharacteristic of a detached researcher, she slaps the ground with a magic circle, her mental control of the mana immediately forming the intricate design necessary to force her will on the earth. Earth magic is one of her older specialties, and though she can hardly control an entire mountain at once, solidifying a path is a fairly easy feat. The effect begins at her immediate location, then spreads forward, running ahead of both her and everyone else here. Hopefully, its effect will be strong enough to prevent anything like a cave-in or a chasm opening up and swallowing the group, letting others focus on the matter of breaking through the barriers that were already there.     "Go on, then! As the man said, blitz them!" 

:'''{{#var:12|Mordred (12)}} has posed:'''     Mordred is not BIG on political games. She can manage them, but they were never her forte. The exact situation of this kingdom escapes her, and she isn't immediatly aware of what the Hell the Union has been up to here, but evidently it's gotten the council's panties in a bunch. The knight rumbles, pretty much in sync with the tremors, as a sign of discontentment.     "Whatever. If they're going to do something stupid then it's the last thing they'll do." Her footing seems fine, but then it'll take more than a slanted street to tip over a Servant.     She strides along with the others headed for the palace. The mountain may be threatening, by virtue of being a god damn mountain that's moving around, but it isn't the Shajem, and therefore it isn't the Confederacy's problem here. The Union wants to save lives-- they can deal with it themselves. The great part about being evil. 

:'''{{#var:395|Amalthea (395)}} has posed:'''     Reiji immediately gets a pretty solid thump-pat on the back. "Oh come on it wasn't that bad. Like I said it could've been worse; the retrothrusters could have failed, pod crushed on impact, and the three of us killed instantly on impact, reduced to a mixed mush of red pasted and machine fluids." Introductions though. "Yo. Nice meeting you. Let's try this again over a beer or something next time, when we're not busy having to hit the ground full tilt."     Because the news that drops means she IMMEDIATELY slides to Psyber's side. as he draws his SCAR, she draws her Vector .45 from the sling at her back. The Confederate presence doesn't go unnoticed-- a particularly withering scowl directed at Nox, before the takes to formation on the half-angel, motioning for Nathan to hunker up behind her miniature armored bulk. 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     Nathan is in a mood. As such, the news sets him into an intensity of hollow stoicism that borders on the insane. "I understand." He says, with a tranquil monotone as the street lurches around him. His EARTH MAGIC makes this less trecharous, or maybe he's just that goddamn stoic.     "Show me, and Ethan, to the sealed catacombs. We will be creating the appropriate routes." He says. And from there, if she's following those directions, Nathan will immediately break into a mad, determined dash, going up to twice the speed you'd expect from a person like him. But of course, it'll be behind Reiji and Amalthea, potentially on a path wrought by Adelyn's own magic here, and he'll be giving his directions to the pair. Of course, Psyber is likely to be brought along purely by virtue of the fact that he needs to breach the catacombs as well. He'll likely wind up alongside Mordred pretty soon!     PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: Make it to that fucking catacomb entrance with Ethan and their guide, and keep out of the way while Mordred and Psyber likely tear it open. 

:'''{{#var:705|Reiji Arisu (705)}} has posed:'''     "Amalthea," Reiji repeats, inclining his head in greeting. "I am Reiji Arisu, exorcist and onmyoji. It's a pleasure." His gaze flickers towards Psyber briefly, an incredulous glimmer in his eyes. Can a female unicorn really be a... 'brother,' technically? "Sorry if I sound a bit terse. We can talk more when the job's done." He pauses, shaking his head, "Dwelling on those could-have-beens is kind of pointless now, isn't it? Let's just focus on the job."     Well, at least the arrival was... More or less peaceful. For various definitions of peaceful that don't exclude 'orbital hot-drop.' The news they're hearing of the situation is somewhat less welcome. His lips turn ever so slightly downward as it quickly becomes obvious that a more... aggressive measures to resolve this situation. "Well that sounds like a problem. Why wouldn't they--"     The ground rumbles. Reiji reflexively widens his stance to absorb the shock. Living in the City of Quakes makes you used to this kind of thing. Though he does slide ever so slightly to one side when the street begins to warp and distort. He grunts, hands moving instinctively toward his weapons... And then Amalthea opens the street beneath their feet, illiciting a quick nod from the swordsman. "As you say. Psyber, I'm going on ahead."     And so he goes and does exactly as he says. He surges down into the depths, his free hand hovering over his portable arsenal to strike down whatever might rise to engage them. 

:'''{{#var:40|Eleanor Lamb (40)}} has posed:'''     Eleanor sighs a bit at the sight of the mountain moving, hands lifting up to plant on the wall of the aircraft. Bother. This just got awfully complicated. "Flowers, you can punch through large walls. Do you think, given the effort, you could shatter the legs of that... mountain beast? I assume it's made out of rock. Himei, think you can... ah."     She screws up her face. "Get us closer (to the ground) and see if we can spot what's going on down there? Maybe there's more than just 'a lot of magic' working." 

:'''{{#var:701|Circe (701)}} has posed:''' Caster smiles pleasantly back at Lezard despite the haphazard job done with her 'luggage'. The squawking of some kind of tropical bird continues unendingly in its cage and a satchel of assorted potions and elixirs are both simply left where they fell. Her allies will have to do without her aid, it seems. She has no problem with pigs as long as she doesn't have to touch them. "Your assistance will be remembered," the redhead promises. But there are more important matters afoot, and playing nice is the order of the day. She lowers her head respectfully to the regent upon her approach. Diplomacy, etc. But the news that things have already gone not-according-to-plan means that the time for politeness might already be at an end. As the ground shakes, Caster employs floating if things get too unstable, but Adelyn seems to be keeping the ground intact. However, as her allies head towards the catacombs, she chooses to remain outside. Going into a place with more dead things does not sound pleasant, and they need someone to keep an eye on things out here anyway, right? Right. She flies up into the air, carried on air currents, and looks upon the enemy! ...Which appears to be a mountain with legs. Red eyes narrow into a squint. "...Almost Titan-like, isn't it?" she comments to no one. A Noble Phantasm in the form of a golden, thorny staff appears in one of her hands, but for now she holds off on attacking. She is a Caster. If she is going to attack directly, it should be when someone else already has the enemy's attention. 

:'''{{#var:331|Himei (331)}} has posed:'''     Plans are made, and when Himei relays that the mountain is moving, a strategy is made! "Right. Elle, you're with me, right? Maya too? Flowers, we'll get you as close as possible to drop you off." We. Right. It's up to Himei to bring the plane around closer, choosing one of the joints near the side with the great beast. The plane actually comes in pretty close, despite some turbulence, and she slows it as much as she can. "I can't exactly land this thing on there, can you jump from here?" She's pretty sure Sakura can do just that, and it's not that far of a drop for a ninja.     Following the dropoff, Himei brings the plane up in a wide turn, coming in toward the city and coming in toward a street. Of course, with the fact that it's pitching about like crazy, this causes the buildints on either side to tear off the wings, sending the craft to a screeching halt.     "See? Landed just fine! Let's go meet the others." 

:'''{{#var:19|Maya (19)}} has posed:''' Mayadoes get the option to use less lethal force and will intend to given the situation, she'll follow her orders sure. She's however made sure to have said cards palmed and ready for when they were able to deploy. She's seen a lot but seeing a mountain come to life like this? That is something new and she watches with no small amount of awe as the thing is moving. She looks to Eleanor for a moment nodding it's a fairly solid plan. "If needed I can take to the skies, so I can give airborne support and hum if it is just animated earth I might be able to do something with one of my summons." She hold a small amulet that's about her neck for a moment. "Sounds like a plan then and ya I can jump from here..." Whelp there's no time at this point she has to hang on for a very wild ride. She can not throw stones, it's been better than some of /her/ landings. She's clearly looking a bit frazzled after the whole affair. "We're walking away from it, I'll call it good, Himei." They have a job to do after all. 

:'''{{#var:134|Sakura Haruno (134)}} has posed:'''     Once Himei's gotten them entirely close enough to the mountain, Sakura will bite back her distaste for what she's about to do and go over to jump from the plane. "Right. We'll meet up afterwards?" She asks, before diving from the plane towards the mountain.     This is a dive in the classical, literal sense, with her hands stretched above her, going head first. This is because she's planning on diving directly through the mountain, carving out a deep, deep crater, and then trying to get to where the legs are under it. She could do that without leaving a hole through the mountain, but if it's really alive instead of just some odd enchantment, this might do real damage.     Of course, it's always possible her jutsu will fail on the particular material, in which case she's going to be very embarrassed while healing her shattered arms and fractured skull. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     Psyber, after escorting Amalthea, Reiji, and Nathan as far as he possibly can, stops in the street and starts taking off his gear, "Alright. End of the line for me. Keep Nathan safe," He orders to both of them.     Stripping off armor and guns might seem foolish, but he's about to go fight a mountain. He gets the impression maneuverability will be more important than the minimal defensive advantages of his current armor. And guns will be virtually useless. This means that he has to rely entirely on brute force and speed.     "Jude, Gauntlet." Psyber says as he drops the last piece of his armor onto the ground on top of his rifle and vest. The sword unfolds off his back and wraps around his arm, creating a metal gauntlet.     "Good luck, everyone."     And then Psyber dashes off through the streets. As he does so, black wings erupt from his back and flap, the half-angel taking flight up towards the skies. Before he makes an opening attack, he wants to get some distance away and figure out just what he's looking at and about to be fighting beyond 'Monster made out of mountain'. 

:'''{{#var:40|Eleanor Lamb (40)}} has posed:'''     Okay, so to recap, we've just crashed landed a plane with Eleanor Lamb inside of it. In a defense mechanism, her Insect Swarm Plasmid overcharges, and there's a lump of beeswax holding Eleanor firmly in place in the seat, safe from harm and sparing her the indignity of screaming like a tiny child.     Though, oncee they're in place, she stammers and peels herself out, shaking a bit as she follows Himei. She must really be shaken up, because instead of her usual wrenches, she's immediately gone for her favored 3-iron, the tip of the golf club crackling with electricity. 

:'''{{#var:347|Abstractum.Net (347)}} has posed:'''     Adjudicator is pushing power into Psyber, extreme amounts of amplification. As soon as he touches the hilt of the sword, outrageous amounts of energy are pouring into his body and a red glow gushes down its length in seven sequential intensifications, before it folds into a hefty gauntlet around his hand. "Powering Strife Drives." It says, in a mature, calm tone. "Redshift Abstraction." Adjudicator pushes Psyber into Halo Shift, manifesting brilliant red lines of scripture on his body going up its right side, before suddenly forming the namesake halo of justice imagery behind his back. This is an emergency situation, and as such, it can push Psyber into its more extreme modes of enhancement.     When Psyber does choose to strike, it will be with positively TREMENDOUS levels of weight and impact, titanic waves of red fire, and a terrain-shattering tendency to produce massive shockwaves. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     MOUNTAIN GROUP:     Those converging on the base of the mountain will see it's been torn up from the earth at the bedrock. It is definitely a beast, not magical rock, but being close to it the mystical nature of the being is pretty obvious. Sakura's dive burrows into rock, but at the very end she hits a carapace of some sort, which is still earthlike in consistency but not exactly dirt and rock. This is an earth-tuned beast, but not MADE of earth.     As for what it is doing, the behemoth is slowly stomping forward, heading toward the north... and the Windward Empire, apparently. It looks sleepy rather than active, still waking up, with its head turning this way and that. It hasn't yet noticed anyone attacking it, though small bulges erupt at the leg nearest the hole Sakura made. These 'burst' into large, man-sized tick creatures, skittering forward toward the hole as some sort of defense mechanism. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     The group clustering together to secure the catacombs gets help in the form of the Regent, who nods her head and gestures for the others to follow. It's not a long walk, allowing Himei and the others to catch up if they hurry. A small group of five or six sorcerers are chanting around a great vault set in the floor of the basement, a literal seal made of stone and magic. They've almost burned through it already, being familiar with the type of powers used. When it cracks open and crumbles to dust, it reveals a set of ruined stairs.     Ethan and his Binders(he's brought five of them) don't appear worried about the staircase being broken up at first, but... there's a complication. "This isn't going to be easy," he notes, vanishing into a blurry form for a moment to reappear at the edge. This is because of the sudden screeching eruption of large, dog-sized batlike creatures pouring out from the hole, Shajem-corrupted beasts that are drooling acidic spittle and doing crazed dives at everyone in the room. One of the guards is already down, screaming.     The other complication is that the beast below is walking, and thus the floor sways unsteadily and without an actual pattern, pitching at random times to make footing treacherous for those that rely on it. 

:'''{{#var:134|Sakura Haruno (134)}} has posed:'''     The good news for Sakura is that she's able to stop before doing any real damage to herself, coming to a halt within the ground, moving about within it as easily as she would water. With less trouble breathing, even. She'll feel at the carapace, and slipping her knife out, will start to cut at it. If she can open up a wound, she can start getting medical details on the beast; from there, she can perhaps identify weak spots, or just start punching with all her might over and over.     Either way, she almost seems to have simply vanished from any outside perspective as she kneels down on the carapace and works at cutting it. This is not the dramatic massive attack she'd been expecting to do, but it's nice in its way. 

:'''{{#var:12|Mordred (12)}} has posed:'''     "Worried about a few beasts? Hnf. To think my master still likes you," Mordred grumps towards Ethan as he assesses the situation and the creatures start pouring out from the depths below. She clenches her Abstractum-- again, if it deems waking up, but even if it doesn't, it's still a sword-- and grins, stepping forward.     "AMHAR! FEAST!"     Though she has to watch her footing, having the Instinct skill makes it a lot easier than it would normally be. Glimpses of the mountain's moves appear moments before they happen, and the knight is able to adjust her flurry of slashes and her stride forward into the beast-infested lair accordingly. It goes without saying, but she's trying to brutally maim as many of the beasts as she can reach-- ideally, letting her sword drink their blood. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:''' TEAM... 'IN THE BIG ROCK SHAJEM MOUNTAIN THERE'S A LAND THAT'S AWFUL AND SUCKS. AND YOU FIGHT A LOT OF WEIRD SHIT AND YOU KILL A LOAD OF SHMUCKS. WHERE THE BINDERS ARE ALL DOUCHBAGS AND SHOULD PROBABLY ALL DIE. AND THE BLOODED HAVE ALL FLOODED ALL THE LAND WITH THEIR DUMB LAWS. AND YOU SHOULD BUST THEIR JAWS. IN THE BIG ROCK SHAJEM MOUNTAIN':     On some deep level, Psyber is both happy and disappointed he had to break formation. Sovereign will remain a secret a while longer, but he won't get to test it. More importantly, he gets to battle a mountain, so that's a treat.     If Solanda 'Totally Not Caster' Songsteel wants to give him a potion, he'll accept it and drink it. But she's going to have to come to him, because he's airborne and has a desire to punch landscape in the face.     Shift Two is good for this. In desperation, and if things get bad, he might try for Shift 3. But for now, he'll settle for Shift Two. As the power roars up around him and his Abstractum wakes up, Psyber slowly grins hungrily, "Oh it's been a while since we really cut loose. Let's make this fun."     Slowly, his right hand curls into a fist as the iconography of the shift appears all about him. He shuts his eyes and takes a deep breath. And then his wings fold back and he's diving in towards the lumbering piece of terrain-monster. With all that power being funneled into him, that sheer destructive force at his fingertips, Psyber aims to come in fast and hard.     He tries to uppercut a mountain square in the jaw before it can get too awake or gain too much momentum. 

:'''{{#var:347|Abstractum.Net (347)}} has posed:'''     "YES! BLOOD MAW!" Bloody Amhar calls out as the staircase fills with MEAT. Acidic meat, sure. But Bloody Amhar currently can channel power from a Shajem of its own, something to contain and devour the Twisted energies. The blade errupts with teeth, a jaw spreading from the hilt all the way down its length with unusual hunger. It's not just going for meat, it's looking to outright bite out chunks of flesh from these dogs and chew through them, gorging itself on blood despite the painful sizzle of acid on its surface.     It will not be leaving much in the way of recognizable corpses behind. 

:'''{{#var:202|Adelyn Lysen (202)}} has posed:'''     Light magic is, unfortunately, not within Adelyn's specialties. She can manage some minor spells, but they're largely only available with the aid of Pure Guardian's memory function. At least one archmage before her must have been better-versed in such. Given this difficulty, she opts for the most efficient usage available--by combining it with her enchantment ability.     "Have your weapon ready." All business tone, now, rather than her excitement over earlier experiments. There isn't time to control for experimentation at the moment. A pity, that.     Hand motions and vocal chants combine with her mental control of the surrounding mana, running it through the conduits within her body and back through the spell circle forming in the air, as she channels it from there in brief, bright flashes of light aimed at each weapon that a nearby elite makes available. She'll offer the same to the guards, though only if she has time left over, given that she has a low opinion of how much use they'll get out of it before something eats them.     Realm 'Light' magic, when combined with other elements, produces a 'holy' effect, which should be good enough to be applicable to these opponents. What she's supplying should be short-lived, but potent for that duration.     "Gishur," she addresses her Abstractum, "See what others you can link to. We're supporting." 

:'''{{#var:331|Himei (331)}} has posed:'''     "Right," Himei says, coming in at the tail end of the matter. The eruption of the corrupted beasts from within gives her a focus, at last, and she twirls White Rose in one hand while she makes a run for the side of the entrance. Her body flares with silvery white light, in seconds leaving her in that silver-trimmed fuku of a Magical Girl. "It's been a while," she remarks to herself.     Wings spring from her back as she makes a short leap into the air to meet the creatures one on one. "White Rose, give me a little extra speed?" It's a request, and it's easy to see why. She isn't going to be hurling bolts clumsily this time, she's thinning out the herd more dire     chw">'Starlit Striker,' Sailor Hope calls out, her off hand surrounded in a wreath of shimmering light. It's a focused effect, like a short range beam around her fingers. Short jabs strike at the wings, shearing a few off to send the creatures falling to their deaths. 

:'''{{#var:395|Amalthea (395)}} has posed:'''     "Go get 'em, Tiger." Amalthea says as Psyber departs, breaking off for the mountain. Though as he starts dropping equipment, she does snag his pistol, slotting the lovingly customized 1911 into magnetic lock at her hip for easy access. "I'll keep my eye on this one for you, I know it's one of your favorites." She promises idly.     "Alright, marching orders, I'm-- following the crazy Servant, Nathan directly behind me at all times, Reiji, Psyber says you're good so I'm not gonna worry a lick about holding your hand." She barks, hustling for the catacombs.     As soon as the stairs are revealed-- and the beasts come pouring fort, one floppy ear flits upwards, as Nathan rattles off directions, the Vector in her hand is already barking, braced over the lip of her shield as she holds it in front of her to present herself as a solid wall of armor, already working her way down the stairs. Her weapon is at the ready though, and the Light affinity flowing into the SMG results in a subtle flare of white with every muzzle flash as she starts surging down the steps after Mordred. 

:'''{{#var:347|Abstractum.Net (347)}} has posed:'''     "Ah, of course, Mistress!" Gishur says, with a gleefully smug sort of tone. "I'll ensure you've an easy path to help them." And it does! The floating tome flits in front of Adelyn, glowing green pages flipping rapidly as it manifests a magical interface allowing her to channel her magic to all those allies present in the Catacombs Excursion Group who are allied and consenting. "No idea what they'd do without us. Honestly." It says. There's an especially potent connection with the weapons BLOODY AMHAR, WHITE ROSE, IRONCLAD OATH, and UTOPIA, which are held by MORDRED, HIMEI, AMALTHEA, and ELEANOR respectively. They'll begin to glow with intense holy magics. 

:'''{{#var:598|Lezard Valeth (598)}} has posed:''' Lezard exerts a small amount of power to lift himself off the ground, rushing along with the others into the catacombs. the situation there looks moderately dire. He frowns at the sights of the seal. "What does this council even believe they are going to accomplish by doing this?" He asks no one in particular, mainly because there are more important things to concentrate on. Like the horrifying acidic dogs that want to literally eat their faces. And the rest of their bodies, but mostly their faces. Lezard himself gets pounced on by one of the beasts, the acid spittle sizzling across his blemishless face with a painful noise. Lezard yells in pain, gripping the beast by the throat with a sudden surge of unexpected strength. "Get... OFF, YOU BEAST!" He hurls it towards Mordred, who liekly gleefully adds it to the butchery pile. He withdraws his ruby-tipped scepter, a fury hot in his eyes as he levels the magical conduit. "MYSTIC CROSS!" He calls out, a flurry of bright sparkles gathering to shower upon the dogs and detonate on impact with light-elemental blasts. He's trying to coordinate with Adelyn's field control abilities. 

:'''{{#var:19|Maya (19)}} has posed:''' Maya has been quiet on the radio for hte most part, not intending ot be insulting but intending to keep it more clear for vital chatter related to the mision. She looks now to see the thing is a beast it's not a animated stone, that shockes her almost evne more. She's knowns she might need to get to the iar so wshe uses the amulet muttering a spell and blue semi transparent energy weings form from her back and she hovers off the ground slightly as they start to flap he wings and she also casts a hase spell on her self. She sees the creeatures coming and well now that she's got some air that's where she's going to start with the fun fire, she did note she cna use holy magic but right now she's going to save it. She just is spraying fire trying to keep the swarm at bay for now, doing her best to support Himei. 

:'''{{#var:347|Abstractum.Net (347)}} has posed:'''     "Gotcha boss, little boost coming right up." White Rose says, unfolding from Himei's back in a dramatic flare and a rush of white, shining rose petals. "Powering Dash Drivers." Intense red light rushes through her, into her back and down her legs, filling her with vitality and energy, cutting the drain on her endurance and vastly improving her muscle performance. The wings themselves get in on the fight, darting forward and back to cover Himei's flank, slamming thick, thorny rose stems brutally against any attacker. "Been a while? More like too long!" 

:'''{{#var:40|Eleanor Lamb (40)}} has posed:'''     Eleanor Lamb's footing steadies itself as she walks forward, observing one of the guards being torn asunder by the evil critters. But now the game is afoot, and her galf club crackles with electricity, and holiness and light and there's less of a dread in her heart now, seeing all of these allies around her. Allies. Of course.     More so as she can feel Utopia slide into a connection with the rest. Right. Homura may not be here, but one of her cartridges is. And Eleanor smiles as she stretches out the now glowing Utopia. "Utopia. SHIFT. CARTRIDGE ON. LET US SHOW THESE PEOPLE THE PROPER PATH." And she charges in. She may not have a Red Abstracum, but that doesn't mean she's out of place. From the Sister's body explodes waves of file, billowing, hot, aggressive, cleansing flames that lick out at the horrible evil twisted beasts. "Let us make this place extremely hostile to the Shajem, Utopia." 

:'''{{#var:701|Circe (701)}} has posed:''' //MOUNTAIN// Caster flies up to Psyber, after diving down to retrieve her satchel and bird-cage from the pig pen delicately between two fingers of one hand and hooks the cage onto her staff. She only touches the handles, and uses a prana burst to disperse the filth from them both. When she gets close enough, the purple-tunic-wearing Servant offers a bottle with a purple fluid within to the half-angel. "I have a stronger one, but it has unfortunate side-effects I imagine neither you nor your allies would be pleased with. This one simply provides enhanced stamina and strength temporarily. Drink, and be merry in your destruction of mountain-bearing beasts." The Greek woman then smiles brightly and floats back out of range, because she is not getting caught in what's about to happen. If she notices anyone else in need of aid, such as someone requiring healing or replenishment of energy, she is fully capable of flying towards them to provide such as well. But it's not an instantaneous process and going too fast uses energy of her own. She is avoiding using too much prana presently, relying mostly on her own reserves as she is, but flight is something she is quite good at, and she should only require a little bit of rest if she does not do it too much or go too quickly. Really, though, she is just watching with great interest the demonstrations of power and skill being employed by the Union. Things to remember for later. 

:'''{{#var:347|Abstractum.Net (347)}} has posed:'''     "I will ensure you do not falter in your duty." Ironclad Oath says, rumbling sternly. The bracer on Amalthea's body floods her with its own energies, and one can see strange red smoke from the gaps in her armor. Amalthea's ENDURANCE has been amped up severely, while her pain and exhaustion sensations are severely dulled, making her momentum unstoppable. 

:'''{{#var:546|Nox (546)}} has posed:'''     The looks of barely restrained hate cause Nox to chuckle ever so slightly, though he doesn't act so garish as to make a show of returning any of those glares. He's much more interested in seeing the unsealing of this Shajem more than anything, so entirely focused on this particular aspect of the situation that for a moment it seems as if he fails to notice the mountain moving at all. Amalthea, Eleanor, Himei and Nathan coming along for the ride is something of an annoyance, but at the very least, he won't be surrounded by a whole horde of Unionites as the situation unfolds, for the time being, he follows Mordred, Ethan, and his sealers.     The normal thing to do when happening upon a room of sorcerors engaged in an ominous ritual to unseal an ancient, ruinous power would be to attempt to stop then, but Nox only summons his sword as the unbinding continues, the gear teeth rapidly settling together as it forms itself from nothing just in time to be 'blessed' by Adelyn shortly before the corrupted beasts spew forth.     "Really? I see little reason to be upset about this. A small impediment." he intones, clearly confident in the assembled strength of the forces gathered in the catacombs. He makes a token effort of killing the animals that come close to him, zapping out of the way of their lunges with tiny, precise teleports and cleaving heads from shoulders or skewering them through their chests with alarming strength, but otherwise he allows his allies to clear the bulk of them rather than expending energy. As is the custom, he sends a handful of noxines down the stairs ahead of him, having caught up quickly from the ship. It seems as if it would be difficult for them to see anything, but he does it anyways, remaining in the room for a few more moments if killing any of the sorcerors becomes necessary before winking out of existence again. 

:'''{{#var:347|Abstractum.Net (347)}} has posed:'''     "Blueshift Abstraction." Utopia speaks up, suddenly gushing with blue light. The sea of life within Eleanor will quiet sharply, and her mind will experience an intense calmness and clarity. A sheer power boost to her plasmids is a wonderful side effect of this. The glove glows white and azure as it emits a wave of fire, as the HOMURA cartridge lets her establish timing that's in perfect tandem with Nathan's orders to intelligently assault clusters and masses of the creatures.     Blue lines of genetic information have rapidly shot up Eleanor's arm, double-helixes of data combined with philosophy rushing up half of her body from that glove. "The path may crumble, but it is the right one, so walk it steadily." 

:'''{{#var:705|Reiji Arisu (705)}} has posed:'''     "Got it," Reiji nods to Psyber as he departs, "Don't do anything dumb out there. Or if you do, make it count." Reiji waits for the others to catch up, before moving forward into the darkness. It doesn't take long, however, for them to reach... Something. A pit in the ground, a staircase leading deep into the earth, and a group of sorcerers undoing the seal upon it.     Honestly it's just about as much as Reiji had come to expect when he was informed of the nature of this particular operation. What he wasn't expecting, necessarily, was the bats. That's not to say he wasn't prepared for it.     "Tch, flying rats. Nathan, keep behind me," he grunts, a hand flying to the shotgun at the bottom of his weapon rack. It comes away with a click, spinning up into his open hand. A split second later, Adelyn's enchantment floods into his weapon, setting its barrel alight with holy light. A sliver of time after that, and Reiji depresses the trigger, filling the swarm of flying creatures with clouds of brilliant buckshot.     One bat gets a bit close for comfort, its acid splashing across Reiji's jacket, sizzling away at the reinforced fabric. It's bisected a moment later, roaring flame mixing with the plumes of golden gunfire. Reiji replaces it into his arsenal a moment, later, and draws his pistol as its substitute. Heavy, oversized slugs scream through the air to try and obliterate the larger chiropteran creatures. Soon, it too glows as his shotgun does. It seems like his solution to this situation is 'more bullets than anyone should have the right to carry.' 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     Nathan doesn't stop for a moment. The catacomb vault door crumbles just as he gets to it and if someone else doesn't do it, he's going to practically shoulder-check his way through the crumbling dust. Thank goodness for those goggles keeping that out of his eyes, they do something! "It as never going to be easy." He says, to Ethan. And as the group reaches the Twisted defenses, Nathan slows, keeps behind his guard, and immediately begins to call out tactics.     The darkness of the crumbling stairs makes his eyes glow ominously. His face is completely stoic while he strides, combat and chaos raging around him, completely calmly and almost indifferently, despite the lurching below his feet and calling out the tactical data. He just advances with pure emotionlessness and determination. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     MOUNTAIN TEAM:     The Behemoth IS a creature. Mystical, perhaps, but it possesses organs and the like. Sakura slicing into the carapace reveals the back muscles, throbbing and twitching with some kind of mystical power. She can sense the chakra within it very strongly... but even more interesting, she can sense that the chakra within is stolen, in some manner. Mingled bits of /human/ energies, hundreds upon hundreds, possibly thousands of life forces flowing through the muscle and along the body.     One of the tick-things is skittering up to the hole she left, burrowing into the looser earth left behind and aiming to get its pincher-probiscus or whatever it is on its head into her. It isn't really a threat, but it is a distraction.     Psyber's incoming attack slams into the creature's head, smashing it openly and causing blood and bone to splatter across the base of the mountain. It staggers a little, but that leads to some screaming up above. There IS a city on this thing.     But that definitely hurt it. The impact point is healing, but slowly... and the head turns to regard Psyber as a threat, letting loose a tremendous vomiting of hot mud toward him. It's thic and viscous and /burning/ as well, both with temperature and with unholy power. It also dries very swiftly, obviously intending to cake his wings and weigh him down in an attempt to ground the half-angel. Whatever of the mud misses will boil and hiss as it dries on the opposite mountainside it splatters across, causing the vegetation to wilt, then twist and sprout vicious-looking thorns. 

:'''{{#var:134|Sakura Haruno (134)}} has posed:'''     Flowers frowns as she detects the multitude of life forces within the mountain-beast, starting to send out a message regarding them. This is cut off when something starts to try to pincer her head, which causes her to perhaps unsurprisingly scream. She's also going to try to punch it directly upwards, likely spreading a blast of earth out in a fountain-esque pattern as it goes.     If that's successful, she's going to go back to her detection and her work, trying to find just where those chakra patterns had originated at, cutting in deeper if she can. She'll start trying to cut her way down into the body, which is going to likely leave her even more badly needing a shower than she already does.     All in all, she's having about an a-minus sort of day, discovering new life and such with only a few downsides. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     CATACOMBS:     It's true: the bat-dogs are made into mincemeat by the assembled power of the Elites. Bullets strike down several, without issue, and the crunching noises of golf clubs crushing, hands striking, or Amhar /eating/ the things creates a layer of dead bodies, some of which tumble down into the darkness. In fact, the group gets off with minimal injuries despite the acid drool. Some of the guards fall, but most of them retreat to let the more competent Elites handle it.     Ethan answers Mordred, "These are not a threat, but they indicate that the power leakage from the Shajem is greater than we'd thought. It may already be awake, and has been growing in power all this time. It may not be one that is just waking up and weakened." He doesn't appear worried about the creatures himself... in fact, the Binders he brought with him line up behind him confidently. Ethan looks at Mordred, and then he notes, "Your Master, eh? My former student, then. You should know, for all her potential, there are things that she didn't have time to learn."     He makes a few motions, familiar to those who have seen Elliana bind. But instead of sealing a single being, a shimmering web of energy leaps up in front of him, ensnaring any of the bat-things that come his way. This makes them easy pickings for Maya or Himei, for example.     Actually descending into the catacombs is... not very catacombey. There are, obviously, branches and tunnels, but whatever released these creatures has left a massive hole boring down into the earth itself. Presumably it reaches to the Shajem itself, since a faint purplish glow can be seen deep within.     But the second wave is coming up, and they are much more of a problem. Two giant, bulbous creatures are skittering up the sides of the tunnel. Spiderlike and massive, they have humanlike faces with screeching maws. Screeches that echo through the tunnel and cause the guards atop the entrance to bolt immediately, screaming in terror. This is likely due to the fact that the screeching causes a mystical clawing at the mind, the tendrils of raw, undirected terror reaching into the minds of all present. Even if they aren't affected, it's easy to tell what that screaming is trying to do. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     TEAM 'GO TELL IT TO FUCK OFF ON THE MOUNTAIN':     Psyber is washed over with searing hot mud. The thick, burning goop is so heavy and so painful it causes Psyber to cry out in pain and plummet to the ground along with the flow of the attack. He never even got to thank Not-Caster for the potion she used to buff his strength.     In the pool of caked mud and goop on the ground, a figure stirs. He slowly stands up, surpressing his desire to scream in intense pain. the searing hot substance can't corrupt him solely due to his conceptual nature. But it can hurt, and that shows. The parts of Psyber not covered by cloths: His face, neck, and left arm, they took the most visible damage.     As the substance drops or is wiped off his non-gauntlet arm, blistered and peeling skin comes with it, clearly showing second and third degree burns up and down the length of his arms, while his neck and face remain (thankfully) covered in mud to conceal his burns there. He wobbles on his feet slightly, clenching and unclenching his fists as he tries to figure out which muscles took the deepest tissue damage and adjust his fighting style accordingly. It's an eerily calm system of determining his avenue of attack.     When he feels like enough regeneration has occurred to allow him to fight again, Psyber beats his wings once and clears the mud off them. Their much tougher nature leaves them relatively undamaged. Slowly, he inhales and then exhales.     And then he takes off in flight. The good arm is aimed towards a new target: Instead of the head, hit the joints. Psyber wants to avoid damaging the city, so best to immobilize this thing first. So, with that same crushing power as before, Psyber aims an airborn haymaker towards one of its 'knees', trying to see if he can maybe cripple it. 

:'''{{#var:546|Nox (546)}} has posed:'''     Nox isn't quite so far removed from human concerns that he can't feel a psychic presence of that calibre. He pauses momentarily at the same instant the guards run, struggling for an instant with second thoughts. Knowing full well that this is the Shajem's influence after experiencing that of the one sealed within Mordred however, he resolves to ignore it. Even without that knowledge, he's far too fixated on what lies ahead to be dissuaded so easily. When he gets into these situations, he pursues them with a relentless, single minded determination, perhaps only behind the General's at this moment.     Teleporting ahead of the frontline fighters for a moment to give him a few seconds to fire without worry of collateral, he levels the point of his sword down the tunnel, causing a roiling conflagration of cerulean fire to bubble and boil at the tip, swelling like an angry sun until it drowns the corridor in blue-white light. The next moment, he releases it in a raging torrent of barely contained magical energy, deliberately filling up the whole hall so that the spider beasts have nowhere to dodge or take cover, letting the blaze abate just in time for someone to run ahead of them and finish them off. 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     The thing about trying to make Nathan Hall feel terror is that Nathan Hall is always feeling terror. Terror, fear, and fright are not strangers to him in any way. So trying to compound that is mostly ineffective. Unfortunately, that just means the stream of tactical data is steady. It will not mean that those present will, necessarily, have the presence of mind to act on that.     He will stop and keep behind his bodyguards, and move or continue when necessary, but can do little else but [SCAN] the beings, his goggle shining white in the darkness for a moment, to report their magical or anatomical weaknesses to the party in calmly called statements. 

:'''{{#var:395|Amalthea (395)}} has posed:'''     Down, down, down, descending into the pit, Amalthea pot shots a few of the webbed up fliers, courtesy of Ethan, before ejecting the spent magazine from her Vector and sliding a new one into place and priming the now sanctified gun for another go. "If it might have already been awake how did the hell did we not notice until now?" She grunts at Ethan.     Before something gives her pause. Like a deer in the woods, listening for a predator, the unicorn goes dead still, ears lifted as she tilts her head back and sniffs the air.     It is the scuttling ascent of the spider-like beasts rising the meet the group that makes her head snap back down. Tucking her gun away, she draws not her sword, but her lance, the silvery gleam of the Wishblade flickering with a butterfly light in the gloom of the catacombs.     "Yo Reiji. I'm leaving Nathan with you for a few."     With the familiar, and oddly chillingly relaxing feeling of Ironclad Oath numbing her body, she takes a much more reckless approach. Even as the monstrosities reach out towards her mind, she draws a steeling breath. But she does not let herself quail, despite the stiffness of her body that she can't- or perhaps refuses to acknowledge. A sudden burst of force and she leaps upwards, before vaulting off the nearest wall and aiming herself on a course for one of the creatures, lance first, a sudden extra surge of acceleration from the jump-pack lashed on her back, sending her careening down at it in breakneck speeds. 

:'''{{#var:40|Eleanor Lamb (40)}} has posed:'''     Elenaor skids to a stop, the holy flames still billowing from herself and Utopia when the spider monsters launch that psychic assault on the party. She stammers and staggers, eyes going wide at the height of it, gripping her hand tight at the leather and cloth of Utopia, the gem-eye of the Abstractum a hard point for her to focus on as the mental energy batters at her ego.     The Sister's feet plant themselves though as she looks up at the remains of the Council. She dimly watches Nox fly into the tunnel, and then lets out a ragged breath. Right. This we can still do. Both hands grip her 3-iron like a bastard sword, and Eleanor charges at the Spider monster on the right. If they are going to attempt to scramble her brain, she will return the favor. "BOTHER IT ALL. WOULD YOU KINDLY KNOCK THAT RACKET OFF?" And then she leaps, her golf club BLAZING with fire, an arcing, terrible pall of light streaking over her head and towards one of the beasts. 

:'''{{#var:598|Lezard Valeth (598)}} has posed:''' Fear battles with anger in Lezard's mind as they advance. That emotion, something he hasn't truly tasted in some time, strikes mentally and causes him to pause in his advance for critical moments as he attempts to do battle with it not in the realm of the flesh, but of the mind. "These beasts... are quite effective." He grimaces, working to keep focus as the Binders form up. "We will have to work together in order to beat back these abominations." Even so, his attempts to focus are shaken as he tries to gather up the power. Knowing the mental presence is being imposed from outside does not make it much easier, though it lacks the touch of something with true finesse in such matters would have, making it more vulnerable to defeat through sheer willpower. In the meantime, he is forced to take shelter behind the others as he comes to grips. 

:'''{{#var:347|Abstractum.Net (347)}} has posed:'''     The Abstractum as a whole are vulnerable to mental effects. Each buff they've provided wavers and falters somewhat; most of them will be pushing through their terror, but the beneficial amplifications will suffer somewhat as a result of their innate vulnerability to this sort of thing. 

:'''{{#var:19|Maya (19)}} has posed:''' Maya :is looking at the horrible bat dog things and is very thankful for the holy power that's imunbed her, while she can use it herself it's only certain spells this seems to apply to even her rifel's attack and this is very useful. She takes her shots trying to shoot the things. Her rifle chatters away spraying shells as she does so. Still there seemsto be more shells than the gun could hold and Maya's not reloading it visable. "So we hve to head down humm." Maya gets ready to move but it seems there's new things comming. She stares at the new horror. She doe snot like spider like things, spiders on her world get to the size of things like dogs or wolves, she does not like them /at/ all. She takes a moment shifts her rifle and fires a napalm canister at one of the, which with the power she's been effected by? It might just be holy napalm! 

:'''{{#var:12|Mordred (12)}} has posed:'''     Amhar feasts. All is well in this world.     Mordred continues grumping at Ethan though. "That's fine. There's tons of shit you couldn't have taught her and she learned. Give and take, huh?" She really must not like him. Maybe it's because he's a goody two shoe and Elliana likes him.     Could be jealousy.     Or it could be the fact his purpose here could potentially fuck with hers. It's also possible it's just Mordred being Mordred.     They go in deeper; she minds her mouth for a while, but then larger, more threatening creatures decide they want a go too. Are they screaming FEAR at the group? Fuck this Shajem. Mordred growls, flickers of fire bleeding through the eye sockets of her helmet. She sends a burst of rage outward, against friends and foes alike. Does cowardice stack with rage? We'll find out how that works.     But rather than quietly observes, she dives forward, infusing Bloody Amhar with a raging fire and trying to violently and angrily cut and tear into anything that gets into her reach. She might even try to rip off one of the two massive spiders' legs and use it as a bludgeon with her free hand. Just, with a lot of fire. And raw mana. Prana Burst is kind of a drug. 

:'''{{#var:705|Reiji Arisu (705)}} has posed:'''     As the last dregs of the bat-dog-things begin to fall under the elite assault, Reiji holsters his shotgun and pistol once more. His wakizashi replaces them, cutting down whatever Ethan's (rather fascinating) magical ensnarement catches. "When you say that its power is leaking, isn't that a good thing in the end? It'll make our job easier when we get down there," Reiji observes as they begin descending even further into the depths. "Unless that's something that only happens when it has power to spare." In which case... Sealing it could be rather more problematic than he was presuming. Considering that he was already assuming a rather difficult task to begin with, that's going to be... an issue. And then there's a /scream./     Reiji grunts as that terrible sound washes over his consciousness, clawing at the walls of his mind. His eyes sharpen, his will forming a bulwark of spiritual and mental might against the onslaught. For now, he's safe- but no man's will is infinite. They need to bring them down, ASAP. "Bigger ones," Reiji deadpans, "Great."     Once again, he draws his firearms, slipping fresh clips into each one. Reiji stands between Nathan and the nearly fathomless depths of the earth. "You got it. I'll give you whatever support I can," he says to the unicorn.     And then he starts opening fire. Nathan's information directs his shots, with Gold's penetrating bullets smashing into more heavily armored segments while Hollywood pounds at the fleshier bits on the creatures' bodies. Each one still glows with holy flame-- he's going to have to get him some of that magic. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     MOUNTAIN:     Sakura's punch LAUNCHES the tick out of the hole, whre it bounces off the side, bounces off a leg, then lands with a crunch on the ground. Predictably, the oblivious Behemoth stomps on it without realizing, just a moment later. It continues lurching onward, without even noticing. This gives Sakura some freedom to analize the bloody muscles, reaching ruther down to notice blood vessels and chakra lines. Well, that's not what they are, but that's what she can perceive them as being. It's definitely human chakra... and a lot of them. This thing has been growing for CENTURIES like this, probably with regular sacrifices. It's a familiar enough circulatory system that Sakura could probably /follow/ it though.     Psyber's onslaught slams into the knee with a loud, very disturbing CRUNCHING noise, echoing out and causing a bellow of pain from the giant beast. It staggers, but doesn't fall. Regeneration starts to work on the knee, but knees are innately vulnerable joints. It's paused the Behemoth for now. 

:'''{{#var:701|Circe (701)}} has posed:''' //MOUNTAIN// Caster I mean Solanda delves into her satchel and retrives six vials of extremely potent sleeping potion. She is not keen on getting close enough to distribute them to the beast itself, but she may need to get close enough to hand them off to those who can do so for her. Therefore, assuming Psyber and Sakura are into that, the redhead goes flying towards each of them, intending to offer three vials to each. It may take more than a moment to visit each person, however, so the potions are not available instantaneously. Especially given Psyber is in the middle of trying to break a monster leg and Solanda doesn't want to get caught in the shockwave from such an attack. Or the flying flesh bits and shockwaves of Sakura's own attacks either. Shockwaves are generally unpleasant to be caught in, on principle. But sacrifices must occasionally be made, and she is durable on account of her nature. Maybe just not AS durable as these two juggernauts of strength and fury. 

:'''{{#var:202|Adelyn Lysen (202)}} has posed:'''     Magic can do a lot of things, and Adelyn has spells across a large set of magical disciplines. She also has a set of arts in which she has no ability whatsoever, for the nature of her affinities. Unfortunately, for this moment, that latter set includes direct acts upon the mind. Psionics are well outside her field. As such, she's forced to take the full brunt of the attack, with only a generalized field of disrupting mana standing between it and her. If it really were a spell from her world, she might be able to counter it with an oppositional force, but that's unlikely here.     Mentally, she retreats to a prepared defense of a differing emotion. Physically, she enhances this mental shift by biting her fingers hard enough to draw blood. This is the necessary catalyst for her to transform her present emotional state, albeit temporarily, from one side of the fight or flight response to the other. She was terrified; she is now enraged. She is also bleeding and in some degree of pain, but that's entirely secondary.     The upside is that she is now able to act. The downside is that she will have a harder time planning those actions. This counter itself wasn't well-planned, but that's an unfortunate consequence of the nature of the attack. She did not have time to think this through.     Adelyn makes a sweeping gesture that seems to grab and compress a light into her hand. When her fingers spread, the magic circles appear as if an afterthought, circling the white-hot beams of energy that leave sizzling, ionized trails through the air, between her and her targets. She's firing at any point at which she has a clear shot. It may fall to Gishur to continue coordination, such that she doesn't accidentally hit any of her more mobile allies. 

:'''{{#var:347|Abstractum.Net (347)}} has posed:'''     Amhar tears forward. FEAR being counteracted with RAGE means that some of the Abstractum, Amhar included, can provide their buffs, but with less regulation, less accuracy, less coherence. The teeth are jagged, mis-shapen, inaccurate. But they are still teeth and still devouring strongly. Amhar makes every slice into a goughing maiming attack, replacing all the faculties lost by terror with rage instead, thanks to Mordred. 

:'''{{#var:331|Himei (331)}} has posed:'''     Himei streaks downward, but when the scream rattles out she pauses in midair, staggering and almost dropping instead of flying. She flaps her wings, biting her lip and grunting. She starts to flutter upward for a moment, but then... a brief flare of power surrounds her, and she narrows her eyes. "Remind me to thank Yuri for being a giant dick to me," she says with a growl.     White Rose is whipped forward, and she slots two cartridges: an ELLESTARIA LVL 1 and a PSYBER LVL 2. Then she dives into the side of the tunnel to brace, sending a lance of pure white divine energy down toward one of the spiders, her aura EXPLODING into silvery light. 

:'''{{#var:347|Abstractum.Net (347)}} has posed:'''     Gishur looks a little green around the gills. "G-gods, at least Mistress' aren't so..." It manages to quietly trail off there, but the connections with the group are still faltering just slightly, making the holy effect waver and flicker like a dying lightbulb at times. Still, it keeps strong as it can keep, and maintains the connections necessary for the buff to keep in effect, trying its hardest to not let its User down here and lose face. 

:'''{{#var:347|Abstractum.Net (347)}} has posed:'''     Ironclad Oath is one of those affected by Mordred's ENRAGING SHOUT during its vulnerable time from the fear. Instead of faltering in its effect, the effect becomes overwhelming at certain points and times, spread somewhat unevenly in its severity. It's TRYING its damndest to keep going, and uses the enraging as a motivating element, but the mental effects are still substantial for it. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     So this thing is vulnerable to damage, for all its massive size. After his attack, Psyber backs off a bit and lands on the ground with a skid. He exhales and tries to catch his breath, huffing and puffing as the beast pauses in its movement. There's a long moment of pause,     The half-angel slowly brings his hand to the sword sheathed at his side. The sheath is old and worn, with dusty wrappings caked in dirt and a battered leather exterior. Since its recovery, Psyber had been scared to draw the weapon. Or rather... Psyber had been scared he COULDN'T draw the weapon. A single line from Timothy Merriheart has stayed with him:     'What I wouldn't give to have one of THOSE here... but they say the Hundred choose the wielder, too, so maybe it wouldn't do much.'     A frightening prospect for him: What if the sword wouldn't allow itself to be wielded by him. What if Psyber's months of planning and searching came to a single object that never wanted to be in his hand in the first place. So paralyzing was the fear of being wrong, that Psyber had not found the courage to even attempt to draw the blade since it was recovered Friday.     Time to do or die.     "Let's hope I'm worthy, Adjudicator."     Gauntlet-clad fingers wrap around the hilt of the blade and red eyes wince shut. Slowly, Psyber pulls his hand upwards. The half-angel attempts to, for the first time in decades or perhaps even centuries, draw Sovereign from its resting place. It's a pivotal moment for him, as frightening as it is inspiring. Attempting to draw this blade represents a number of symbolic things for him: -The potential to be chosen by a world not his own. -Taking a more literal stance as opposite to Elliana. Not her opposition, but the light to her dark, two sides of a conceptual coin. -And honestly, maybe getting to wield a really cool sword.     Barring any catastrophic failure on his part, Psyber would draw the sword and, unsure of how to wield one of the One Hundred, he simply dart-flies in towards the Mountain Monster again and tries to sever its leg right at the knee with a mixture of the blades power, his own strength, and Adjudicator's boost. 

:'''{{#var:134|Sakura Haruno (134)}} has posed:'''     Well, if there's a circulatory system, there has to be a heart in there somewhere. Sakura will sigh to herself before continuing to cut in, getting in to try and follow along the path of the 'veins', whether literal or not. She'll go as quickly as she can, but it's unlikely she goes unnoticed in this forever, given that she's basically going to be burrowing further into the thing.     This is why she is not going to be accepting any potions; she's not really looking to put it to sleep, given the methods she's going about. Sakura's intent is to get to whatever will pass as the behemoth's heart and cut it out, possibly from the inside if it comes to that.     "This is the grossest thing I've done this year." She grumbles to herself, which is actually quite a high bar. 

:'''{{#var:347|Abstractum.Net (347)}} has posed:'''     MENTAL EFFECTS! Utopia is specifically geared to deal with those. As a blue-type and as a psychology-focused Abstractum besides, it resists most effectively, leaving it capable of both sustaining the Shift and trying to help Eleanor Lamb. "Eleanor! Keep your focus on my voice. There is one challenge and one solution. The voice of the masses doesn't matter when you find a time like this. Dedicate your mind only to the path ahead, there's nothing to be gained from a debate about no choice at all."     As it does, it's using PSYCHIC IMPULSE that it's capable of as Eleanor's Abstractum caretaker to get the damn sea of life to shut it a bit, mind-punching a few Rationalists who are getting uppity. 

:'''{{#var:347|Abstractum.Net (347)}} has posed:'''     Himei's SPEED BOOST falters, but it's the loss of the FLANK PROTECTION from the wings that's most trouble here. THough, hey, she's been encouraging her Abstractum! It can push a little more, further, trying to add a bit of extra oomph to Himei's attack by way of reducing the drain on her endurance. It can also help by channeling those CARTRIDGES! "CARTRIDGE INSTALLING!" It calls out, fright still quivering in its voice. PSYBER LEVEL 2 CARTRIDGE provides a tremendous boost that's proportional to VIOLENT INTENT from the target, meaning it's especially effective against mindless soldier-creatures. Meanwhile, ELLESTARIA LEVEL 1 CARTRIDGE provides an amped-up biological effect against mutations or biological engineering, seeking weaknesses in the creatures from their mutation. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     CATACOMBS:     Nathan's SCAN reveals that these things used to be Blooded humans, definitely. Probably Council members, really. They aren't very coherent, though, and their minds are probably wholly gone. They're entirely Shajem-twisted creatures now... and pretty strong.     Fortunately they are STUPID too, so they shriek loudly when Nox fills the corridor with blue energies, blasting through it. They thrash about, but they aren't burnable like spiders should be. Carapace scorched, both of them LUNGE upward, spitting 'webbing' at everyone. It's not physical webbing, but some kind of mystical burning flame or something, like a concept of a web.     When one of them lunges upward, it's met with a gory impalement from Amalthea's lance, spurting ichor across the walls. That one starts to skid back down, scratching the walls.     Ethan answers swiftly, "I think that they did notice. The Starshine Kingdom handles their own affairs. If we'd been able to visit regularly, this could have been- nnf - avoided!" His Binders are following him, but start to retreat when the screeching starts. Without blinking, Ethan weaves another Binding, surrounding the group in a bubble that seems to calm them. "I can't maintain this and help the rest of you, though!" On the upside, this gives Lezard an advantage in calming him, if he moves over with the Binders.     About then, the rocking and pitching steadies somewhat, as the Behemoth takes a moment to gather itself. This should help things, especially as Eleanor dives down and smashes a HOLY GOLF CLUB into the spider-thing that Amalthea impaled, crushing its head. It gurgles, cutting off ONE of the shrieks and weakening the effect. It's still 'alive' to a degree though, and flails madly with its spiderlegs. This is making it start to tumble down the shaft though.     Mordred solves this shortly by leaping downward, tearing off two of the legs. The gurgling spider tumbles into the abyss, while its legs are then used to BEAT THE OTHER ONE, forcing it back and making it shriek more. It's a weaker effect even with the desperation though. Reiji's bullets are tearing into it in another moment, guided by Nathan's words, and it tears through the flesh thanks to the weakened but still effective holy buff. With Adelyn's shots peppering it, the spider goes on the offensive.     Himei finishes it off, thanks to a rather lucky combination of cartridges and the fact that it wasn't prepared for a beam attack when Mordred was BEATING IT TO DEATH WITH LEGS. The violence-boosted blast of holy power is already something that tears into the creature, particularly effective against beings like the Twisted. The fact that the bio-weapon targeting is preacent means the lance of light twists and blasts right into the core of the being, which is somewhere in the join of the humanoid and spider parts, disintegrating the core and causing it to crumple and tumble downward, dead. 

:'''{{#var:347|Abstractum.Net (347)}} has posed:'''     "We will soon see." Adjudicator sspeaks quietly. "I shall plead your case." And then the rush of red fire dies down. One sword speaks to the other, the gauntlet humming gently as it conveys all it knows of Psyber to Sovereign. In its most basic level, the gauntlet acts not unlike a lawyer, presenting its evidence plainly in the brief trial that will be drawing the blade and wielding it appropriately. The Hundred choose their wielders, after all, but some mechanism must judge, and Adjudicator will feed it all the information it needs. 

:'''{{#var:701|Circe (701)}} has posed:''' //MOUNTAIN// After attempting to come to Sakura to make with the team work by providing sleeping potions to the person who is both best suited to saving lives and should probably WANT to save lives most as a medic, Caster is ignored. Well, that's fantastic. She flies back to the creature, muttering, and just dumps all six potions into the circulatory system herself via the exposed injury that Psyber has conveniently provided. Hopefully she doesn't get caught in any kinds of weird sword laser hijinx along the way. Maybe this will do something, maybe it won't. But Solanda's ability to aid and willingness to put herself in danger to do so have both reached their limits, so she tosses the satchel full of healing potions to Psyber once his attack is complete, whatever the result, and calls, "Everything left in here is healing or energy-replenishing in nature. You appear to have greater need of it than I do!" Then, with shining staff, bird cage still containing a highly agitated tropical bird, and an absence of interest in getting squashed or sworded, Caster attempts to take her leave of the immediate battlezone. Too close to the action for her. Of course, she might not get away without being attacked if this monster has more weird tick defenses or mud shots. But if those potions have any effect, it might be to slow it down enough with tiredness to not attack back. Hopefully. 

:'''{{#var:546|Nox (546)}} has posed:'''     Nox scowls invisibly as the web falls on top of him, raising his arm over his head to ward it off, only for the flickering flames that comprise its strings to begin sizzling into his armour, slowly sinking in to the swiftly glowing metal at several points all over his body. His ability to feel pain is relatively little, owing to his artificial body, but the conceptual web is offensive enough that he feels the need to get rid of it.. The Xelor is surrounded by the momentary, warbling thrum of something winding up, before a hemispherical blast of blue-tinted air is expelled out from him, shredding the web and likely cratering the walls on either side as they absorb the spatial explosion's energy.     That taken care of, he pauses at Ethan's words, stopping to consider their significance. "So you suspect that the Shajem has already been unsealed, possibly a long time ago? In that case, what level of opposition do you expect we'll face, and . . ." he looks to Mordred again, still the one most familiar with Shajem. "What tactics shall we use?" He's already somewhat familiar after having fought her Shajem in the Field of Trials, but the differences between a spirit of rage and a spirit of . . . fear, perhaps, could be very significant.     "If monsieur Ethan will continue to ward us, then there may be no issue, but I suspect the mental influence will intensify the deeper we go. The only feasible way forward that I see is a direct confrontation. I believe we will inevitably be forced to face it in combat if we are to weaken it enough for binding." Yes. Binding. "Though far from it that I would instruct our Union friends in what to do, I forward that it would be best for our number, being primarily composed of mages, to take a rear line role while your people stand in front under our armoured friend. There are some countermeasures I have in mind, which I will not discuss at this time." 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     MOUNTAIN:     The beast is wounded, so Caster's potions are poured right into its bloodstream. Such as it is. This may later be a problem for Sakura, especially if she's headed for the heart... but she isn't. We'll deal with that in a moment. The major thing is that the turtle-behemoth slows, grunting heavily and slitting eyes. Then it snorts a glob of that hot mud toward Caster.     Sakura's dive to follow the 'chakra' channels will prove to be messy, but not lead to the physical heart. Instead, she reaches a nerve ganglia of sorts, tearing through the body to find a hard carapace of some sort, attached beneath the top of the shell, just underneath the highest point. Everything is flowing through here, which appears connected to a piece of stone above, atop the shell and 'outside' of where she is. Something living is in the smooth sphere. 

:'''{{#var:395|Amalthea (395)}} has posed:'''     The jarring impact of lancing a spider-thing dead on does not stop Amalthea. Twisting in the air to plant her boots on the thing and wrench the Wishblade deeper, she holds onto the silver lance while opting to ride the beast back down with her sudden momentum, drawing Psyber's pistol from her leg and emptying the clip point blank at the former Blooded THING, when Eleanor joins her and smashes its face in.     "Oh hey Eleanor. Here for the ride?"     An idle quip as she opts to ride the skittering corpse down the rest of the shaft on its own gravity as Mordred rips and tears and finishes the job of it. She actually dares to hold her gauntlet-glad hand out to the Servant for the ride.     "That went surprisingly well." 

:'''{{#var:40|Eleanor Lamb (40)}} has posed:'''     Eleanor's wide eyed gaze is still there, a counter to the fear and aggression that the spider-bloded had been thorwing off. But now she's in with Amalthea, and the attacks are lessening, and she lets out a quiet, easier breath. "Hello, ma'am." She smiles and curls an arm around one of the unicorn's biceps, murmuring. "I think we're doing fine tonight, just... a bit of a scare is all."     She thumbs up with the hand withthe golf club in it, and sighs as they move deeper. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     MOUNTAIN:     Psyber leaps forward with a hopeful attempt at using an ancient weapon that hasn't been used or cleaned in centuries. The half-angel's blade is drawn, revealing a dust-caked, aged-looking blade that is apparently... nicked and dulled with disuse and poor care. Oh well. Too late to change the mind now, even though it feels like a normal sword, utterly without power or enough sharpness to pierce the scales.     It's the moment before impact that there's a reaction. The blade flares to life, a brilliant bluish-white halo surrounding it for just an instant. When it pulses into life, Psyber's arm will feel an incredibly powerful, burning /heat/ travel up it, as if trying to tear and burn the muscles themselves. The painful wave of pure flame feels /wrong/ somehow, and it /does/ do damage as it reaches in, licking at his soul.     In the same instant, just long enough to finish the swing, the blade erupts into an arching wing-like shape, pure energy and sparkling false feathers fluttering up from it. Without any resistance at all, it cleaves right through the joint of the Behemoth, severing it at the leg and causing a sudden wobble as the beast roars, shifting its weight to try to steady itself with one less leg.     The moment it's through the behemoth's flesh, the blade returns to its normal dull, disused look, and the flaming roar in Psyber's arm vanishes. 

:'''{{#var:705|Reiji Arisu (705)}} has posed:'''     Burning spiderweb spreads through the tunnel. Reiji growls, thowing himself between Nathan and the flames. In a smooth motion, he replaces his shotgun and draws his wakizashi, slicing as much of the webbing apart as his pistol keeps right on firing. Some of the fire gets through, searing his flesh and setting bits of fabric aflame. He grits his teeth and fights through it, only putting out the fire after the creatures were well and truly dead.     He sighs, then, rubbing at some of the burns crisscrossing his face, "Could've been worse..." Reiji glances over his shoulder, "Nathan, you alright?"     Nox's words draw his attention, then. The exorcist shrugs, sheathing his weapons for the time being. "Ostensibly, I'm the guy the Union's sent down to seal that thing away," he says, patting at the briefcase still strapped to his back, "Brought something down here to keep it contained until we can get it somewhere more permanent. Of course, that hinges on it being weakened to the point that the vessel will tolerate, which isn't exactly a guarantee."     He frowns, then, rubbing at his chin, "Plus, I'll need to be working at the ritual to make sure it goes right. If I want to do that, then fighting it directly might be out of the cards, as far as I'm concerned."     "Looks like we have some pretty decent front liners, though," his gaze flickers towards Mordred. "And I can probably help out for a little while towards the beginning, but getting this ritual started is going to take up most of my attention." 

:'''{{#var:12|Mordred (12)}} has posed:'''     The downside to going in like Mordred did is that she didn't really have a concept of defending herself. The spiders claws and searing webs would have struck blows-- while not lethally threatening, definitely a visual indicator that the knight's rage wasn't without drawbacks. She emits angry, mindless growls for a while, especially as she finishes beating the spiders to death with their own limbs, but eventually the flames subside, and the berserk knight regains what could pass as a slightly more peaceful personality.     For a given value of peaceful. It's still Mordred.     Dents and gashes in her armor are repaired with prana, at least visually. The injuries might be closed, but they're still very much there.     She glares towards Nox, and then shrugs. "Yeah, listen to 'em. Mages to the back, us swordy folks to the front. Let's get this shit taken care of." She is unsure what other advice she could provide. The Shajem will be whatever it is, sadly, and her own is a poor reference frame. Wrathborn is rather different from the Lord of Rage, after all, so this one is probably pretty different too. They'll just have to hope it works out.     "Not gonna lie, Bloodstone, you guys might want to get a bit more VIOLENT and DIRECT about shaking the assholes guarding the Shajem tombs into gear. 'cuz this is pretty damn awful. You coulda stabbed a bitch in the face and handled this instead of trying to play word games and waiting it out." 

:'''{{#var:134|Sakura Haruno (134)}} has posed:'''     Sakura will follow along, and along, and try very hard not to think too much about what she's doing. She's partly successful at that, too, because she's too busy being surprised at what she finds to concentrate on her own situation.     This time she'll use chakra scalpels to cut her way out, feeling her poor magical knife may be too abused for the day at this point. Making her way to the sphere, she's going to make an attempt at something that may, truthfully, be rather foolish. The medic will take the sphere in her hands, and not knowing just what it is, she'll try to remove it from the structure, tugging at the connections to see if that will disrupt the behemoth.     She'll put her back into it, and also totally cheat by using her chakra enhanced strength. She won't crush the sphere, though, not knowing just what's within it yet. 

:'''{{#var:19|Maya (19)}} has posed:''' Maya sees her Napalm was overkill okay, they have a lot of fire power down here, and she's gong to press head in the Catacombs she looks to make sure Ethan is all right, she fades back a bit she doe snot run no she looks to both Himei and to Miss Lamb. Both would find Maya's casting, blue fire is leaking out of her body and into several cards she's holding, they seem to burn but they are not /consumed/ soon both would find their reaction times have gone up a lot and they almost blurr when they move at full speed, they would addtionally find they had been blessed and would be a good deal stronger up close, and the other forms of attack would also be improved. 

:'''{{#var:598|Lezard Valeth (598)}} has posed:''' Lezard knows an advantage when he sees it. He quickly moves to stand withing the barrier, and the terror begins to die along with the spider-creatures. He inhales deeply, for a moment, as if gathering himself. And then a low hum of Power grows around him, his eyes flashing with pride and anger. How dare he be manipulated by such a beast? How dare they tread upon his own sacred grounds of the mind? He says little, cloaking himself in raw, unfocused power that he could unleash at any time. Nox's words gain a comment. "Indeed. Our Binder associates will be little help if they are allowed to be attacked directly by the Shajem, let alone allowing any of us to do our jobs. Move quickly, steel yourselves, and /strike this being down/." The last is hissed with the weight of terrible purpose. 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     Nathan is terrified. Nathan is ALWAYS terrified. But Nathan is also trusting. His TANK, Reiji Arisu, will be intercepting those webs, no doubt, thank god for that. So hopefully Nathan can survive here, without getting burned brutally and lethally by magical fire!     And then things calm down. "Thank you, Ethan." He says, calmly, and then begins to assess the planning here. Nox is nodded to. "That is correct. However, we will need to adjust the strategy depending on the arrangements required for the Binders in terms of their formation. Ethan, please provide details." He'll work out formations for everyone based on how the Binders need to be arranged, of course, likely in multiple stages based on how mobile and combative the Shajem itself is.     Reiji gets a nod. "Correct, we have several individuals well suited to the task of combat in the front line." He says. "Amalthea, Saber of Fairchild, and any others who are especially capable are advised to remain on the frontlines at all times. We will need a great deal of focus on support for the Binders, so those of you capable of multiple roles in terms of ranged attacks and enhancing effects, utilize those more at your discretion. With luck, the arrangement of tactics will be condusive to weakening and sealing the Shajem swiftly. Unfortunately, we have little time. We must move out immediately." He's gonna try to get the group moving on shortly, after figuring out the appropriate contingencies.     Mordred gets an aside on the way out, "Saber, you are preaching to the choir, as I believe it is said. He is the leader of the Binder faction that specifically wants that. Windson is the one you should take issue with, and you have my assurance that you should take a great amount of issue with him." 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     Psyber goes through a myriad of emotions in the time he's attacking the creature. The first is disappointment in himself for not planning this out ahead of time. Then fear of failure. And then incredible pain as it comes to life. This is mixed with shock and awe from the power the blade produces and its flame that sears down to Psyber's very soul.     It is here that the concept dawns on him: If he were a full angel, this weapon might have killed him to wield it. Or maybe it hurts every user that wields one. He's not sure. Was this what the General's daughter felt when she held her lance? He's going to have to go consult with her on this point. These thoughts pierce him through the pain of wielding the blade.     And as soon as the attack finishes, he sheaths the blade immediately. It was not to be wielded until he could research it more, which he fully intended to do. And perhaps see it reforged. Maybe it will hurt him less if he makes it whole again.     When the satchel is placed at his feet, Psyber looks down at it. The gauntleted hand picks it up and takes out most of her potions. Psyber is not a medical professional and, more than that, Psyber isn't sure if the potions are topical or ingested. This means that his solution is mostly to crush them in his hands and then smear the concoctions all over his wounds. The healing will counteract the broken glass, right? Mostly.     So then, covered in mud and potions which are healing wounds inflicted by the mud, Psyber adjusts his grip and Adjudicator folds off his arm and into a sword. For Psyber, it's a battle of stalling for Haruno to do her work. He feels confident he could win, but whatever the ninja is doing vastly overshadows his own decide to beat up a big monster. In his pocketed center of operations, Haruno is the VIP and Psyber is just a distraction to keep the monster in check.     Owing to this, the half-angel wields Adjudicator in sword form and attempts to sever another leg with a mighty cleaving swing. One leg slowed it down, he's hoping he can get another and permanently halt it. 

:'''{{#var:347|Abstractum.Net (347)}} has posed:'''     The Abstractum are affected by the warding as well. They're all taking their chances to calm down and recover. Looks like being dependent on someone else's aura doesn't leave you with a lot of mental defense! Dang. They generally got hit pretty bad by that effect, but should be more prepared for it the next time, and therefore hit a little less brutally. 

:'''{{#var:331|Himei (331)}} has posed:'''     Himei glances at Nathan, squirming away from the webbing that's forced her to land on the crumbled stairs. It's burned her arm, but she got away mostly all right. Mostly. Internally, she's a little worried about the attrition their forces are taking. If they'd had less firepower...     "I can go on the front lines as well," she admits. She swaps White Rose to her attacking hand, pondering the wand thoughtfully. "Well, I guess we won't find out how tough it is if we stand around just chattering. White Rose, don't try anything complicated. We're just going to hit it. I expect it will feel a lot like those spider things." 

:'''{{#var:701|Circe (701)}} has posed:''' //MOUNTAIN// Scalded by EVIL MUD while she is in the process of retreating, Caster has only time to memorize the sight of Psyber's mighty blade strike and report such to her Confederate allies briefly, and then - struggling to maintain her composure while suffering pain and GROSSNESS - she takes her leave. She dissolves into motes of red light and vanishes from sight. She is sure the others can handle themselves without her, and she needs to attend to her wounds, and take the longest, hottest, soapiest fucking bath ever. Seriously. MUD SNOT. UGH. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     MOUNTAIN:     The Behemoth ROARS as Adjudicator cleaves into another leg, causing it to stagger. It isn't as clean as Sovereign's cut, but let's be serious: It hurts a LOT less to use, and it's possibly more destructive in the general term, with all those strike drivers. The turtle is already starting to crumple, which makes the slope of the city start to tilt crazily but steadily.     Then Sakura cheats her way to the middle of the chakra flows. Or energy flows. Either way, that sphere is pretty solidly set, but with her enhances strength the mednin manages to YANK it hard enough to make a loud *Crack* noise, pulsing through the flesh and blood of the creature. Immediately a horrible, rancid smell permeates the entire body as it begins to putrify at an accelerated rate, literally rotting out from under her. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Carefully, Ethan is already picking his way down the stairs with his Binders, keeping up the ward for Lezard and any others who want to benefit from it. "General Hall is correct," he says calmly. "I am the one who has been advocating action. Even doing this may get me excommunicated from the Order, that is why we have only these five with us. We need to spread them out as much as possible, which could make warding difficult. If you have some kind of power to expand our range, that would help. I know you offworlders have some unusual abilities sometimes." He frowns. "But it's going to be difficult if this one is full power."     The descent opens up into a chamber that is quite large, with twisted heaps of bodies all around. It looks like the other Council members weren't quite so 'lucky' in receiving the 'gift' of the Shajem, and ended up dying from it. The Shajem itself looks... vaguely snakelike, like most of them do, but where Wrathborn is a one-eyed serpent and the Lord of Rage is a dragon, this one looks more like a weaseloid naga, thrashing about and darting from one end of the chamber to the other. At least until the group arrives, which causes it to huddle and curl up at one end, hissing viciously in an echoing voice. It looks much more solid than the newborn Amethyne was, more grounded in concept. It also starts emanating those waves of terror, though they are less focused than the ones from the spider things. 

:'''{{#var:134|Sakura Haruno (134)}} has posed:'''     There's good news and bad news as far as Sakura's concerned! The good news is her plan seems to have worked. The bad news is that her plan seems to have worked, and that she's not standing on what could properly be called solid ground anymore, and that she's still holding the sphere. She'll essentially drive downwards, the sphere going away as well, trying to shield herself from just what she's going through with chakra concentrated into her feet. If she's lucky, she'll hit air and/or ground to burrow into and get away from the remains of the turtle.     If she's not lucky, that'll still happen. It'll just take longer. 

:'''{{#var:12|Mordred (12)}} has posed:'''     Nathan addresses Mordred-- this causes her to surge with anger again, taking a step to glare him in the eye. Well. Helmet to eye. It would probably be better if she took the thing off.     "After what YOU did to my master I find you have a lot of nerve to try to direct me like that! You think I'll just FORGET? That you sat there and ENJOYED her fucking NIGHTMARES? You act high and mighty on that tall chair of yours, but you're just as fucking petty and amoral as the rest of us!"     Huff. Well, Nathan's little statement isn't without effect. Mordred then turns to look at Ethan. "Yeah? Then fucking come with me and stay in the Drasillum for a while after this shit's over. Have a chat with my master. 'cuz if what you want is to force some sense back into the masses, that's what she wants to do too. And the Order'll be hard pressed to get to you there."     Well, anyway. Time to head down.     They reach the room; the council's dead.     Mordred steels her mind against the terror the best she can. It's difficult to completely shrug off, but at least she's not quivering in her boots or anything like that. She crosses her arms to observe whatever it is Nathan intends to do. From here onward it's on Lezard's cue, anyway. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     MOUNTAIN: Sakura plunges down... and out, erupting from the rotting undeerbelly of the behemoth with the sphere. It's not TOO long of a fall, but by now the outside is visibly rotting and falling apart as well, and the mountain is slowly correcting its lurch as the behemoth collapses.     Someone should get Sakura out of there, before a mountain falls on top of her. 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     Nathan just stares at Mordred while she rants at him. His expression remains completely unchanged, quiet, and calm. He'll wait it out, and simply let Mordred continue. When she's done, he just turns and advances on with Ethan without another word. It should be clear even to Mordred that he's just not gonna have this conversation right now, but whatever effects it had, if any, on Nathan himself, his face isn't showing at all, behind those goggles and that stoic expression.     "I am going to attempt something. It will likely fail, albeit hopefully harmlessly. Be prepared to initiate combat in the originally planned encounter when it does. But please allow me a short time." Nathan says, as he walks into the massive chamber. Even with Ethan's ward, he's abjectly terrified of what's in here, especially with all those corpses making him nauseous and scared. He knows Shajem power. He got eaten by a Shajem that one time. But he knows even more how to command his own fear. The first thing he does is walk forward, out of Ethan's ward, and towards the Shajem, perfectly calmly, and looking completely harmless. If there's one thing Nathan's very good at, it's looking harmless.     He signals to the Binders, attempting to get them to spread out into their proper positions. And then, in the air ahead of him, he begins inscribing yellow lines in the air. A centralized spell interface crafted out of Hastur magic, designed to hook up with multiple external sorcerous constructs. A strange, labyrinthine spellcircle growing in the air in front of him. First test. Figure out of the ritual he asked for can even connect, compatibly, with the Shajem. 

:'''{{#var:331|Himei (331)}} has posed:'''     It's actually an effort for Himei to keep her mind focused on the task, because resisting that fear effect requires a level of anger that is hard for her to sustain... and dangerous, given some of the accusations flying around. Like Mordred's. The Knight yelling at the General gets a quick glance, but it wouldn't do for her to say anything that might be approval here, even if Nathan WAS pretty petty there.     So she says nothing about that. Instead she moves to the side, angling near but not in Nathan's way. She takes a deep breath. Her powers would be useful against the Shajem, but are of the lethal variety when dealing with those creatures. She'll need to be careful. 

:'''{{#var:202|Adelyn Lysen (202)}} has posed:'''     Adelyn has taken this time to somewhat calm herself, though tasting her own blood has an effect on her that won't immediately dissipate. It's fortunate that the Shajem itself has a less focused version of the arachnoid creatures' attack. At this point, for the sake of being able to properly conduct their plans, she'll have to get through it with more mundane means of resistance. Really, she chides herself, they should have made some attempt to identify the type of magic by which the Shajem project these emotions. What a wasted opportunity.     Warding circles appear in the air, mutating through new configurations several times per second as Adelyn tries to find something, anything that will have an effect in blocking off the emotions the Shajem is trying to feed her, through her standard method of disrupting magical effects that need to travel from one point to another. She can't spare too much time for this, but if she does find something that's even slightly effective, she'll pour more power into it, giving however much peace of mind she can to herself and those standing close by--Lezard, most likely. If not... she is, at least, strong-willed. She would be unable to accomplish what she has, otherwise. She would hardly be able to remain in her position, otherwise.     What Mordred is saying to Nathan sounds terribly interesting, but also largely irrelevant to current events.     Oh, they're waiting to try something? Well, that gives her a few more seconds to try to come up with a halfway effective ward. 

:'''{{#var:546|Nox (546)}} has posed:''' Nox spares a moment to turn and look at the exchange between Mordred and Nathan. He knows little about the former, and even less about the latter, and so the argument proves most interesting, if only as a judge of the Union General's character. He pays more attention to his noxines however, arriving the chamber a little ways ahead of him, and immediately settling into far corners and in the crevices afforded by the dead bodies, taking snapshots of the area with their tiny shuttered eyes. Seeing no immediate danger, Nox takes a deep mental breath and teleports down the last flight of stares, fizzling into existence at the entrance of the chamber where he can see the Shajem.     To call it underwhelming compared to the Lord of Rage is an understatement. After the fear-exuding horrors that had clawed their way upwards, he had expected some kind of dark god of terror, too horrifying to even look upon. This thing however, seems to be fearful of them more than anything.     "Hmmm. Could it be that this creature doesn't rule over fear, but the desire to run away? The primevil flight instinct perhaps. A Shajem coward." he thinks out loud, folding his arms behind his back. "Will it even be necessary to weaken it? It doesn't seem especially formiddable as it is, though I could be wrong." The lenses of his mask shut closed for a moment, before they reopen with a more intense glow, amplifying his vision so that he can properly read the flow and density of energy in the room. Obviously it has managed to kill a significant number of people, but he doubts they were terribly strong. In any case, he'll have a read on its overall power soon enough. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     Psyber sheaths Adjudicator in the aftermath of taking out the second leg of the mountain monster. Two legs crippled means this thing is functionally stuck where it is. He takes a few moments to flap and fly in the air, waiting and watching.     It's after Haruno comes out on the underside of the mountain that Psyber starts to fly towards her. The half-angel extends his hand and attempts to either grab her after she lands or as she falls, trying to fly her out from under the collapsing mountain. Nothing too fancy or showy for the moment. 

:'''{{#var:598|Lezard Valeth (598)}} has posed:''' Lezard isn't surprised at all that the rest of the Council are dead. The ones they just killed were the 'lucky' ones. Lezard remains within the ward as long as he is able, but eventually he parts. One cannot have reward without risk, after all, and the Binders will be needed elsewhere. He drops into the center of the area, looking upon the horrifying... or perhaps horridied serpent with narrowed eyes. "Cowardly beast which crouches in the shadows, your fear will avail you naught." He hisses, beginning to draw upon the sight of this being... Whatever it is called, whether dark god, devil, evil spirit, Shajem... He desires to see the fall of these beings. The unfocused terror beats against him, but for now he seems to be resisting on anger and will. He raises his hands, and a circle begins to draw itself to one side of the battlefield, a complex formation of Midgardian runes and sorcerous power while Adelyn begins to assist the well-being of her comrades in her own way. With any luck, it will be enough. Within them appears a crystal, looking at once both delicate and terrible as the air wafts around it in white puffs, a cold that is no mere absence of heat, but an absence of spirit. He moves to the side of the crystal and weaves his magic, focusing his power upon protective wards around the object. 

:'''{{#var:134|Sakura Haruno (134)}} has posed:'''     Sakura will decidedly take the help, especially given that she's plummeting and also about to maybe be crushed. Which doesn't sound like a lot of fun, really. Her hands were full, of course, with the sphere, but she'll do everything she can to hold onto it with one hand while getting rescued by the other.     She still hates flying, and falling, of course. It's just slightly below dying on the list of things she doesn't want to do. Also, Psyber may also need a shower after touching her. 

:'''{{#var:40|Eleanor Lamb (40)}} has posed:'''     Right. Eleanor's in the chamber, her brain is boiling at the psychic assault and the efforts of Utopia to keep it all out of her system. Voices and lives threaten to pinch at her, but the Sister snarls, and flourishes a auto-injector of some sort from her gear.     It's... EVE. The glowing blue fluid that powers her abilities, when she isn't making it herself internally. She hisses and swats the injector into her hip, the syringe shoving all of the glowing fluid into her. She bluhs and shakes her head, and looks much better, mentally. 

:'''{{#var:395|Amalthea (395)}} has posed:'''     The plan is simple enough. Heavy hitters stick to the front, let Nathan try his thing. Sit back and watch Mordred verbally haul off on the general.     Amalthea gives Nathan a very 'you're on your own' look when the Servant vents her usual- if justified anger, over the nightmare debacles.     The Shajem is up ahead. And the room full of bodies, while an unpleasant sight, is not what bothers Amalthea the most as she takes a position at the fore, but out of the way for Nathan. She can only mentally ward herself so well and for so long before things start to sepe in, and the spiders from scant moments before wore on her despite lack of show. In the face of the Shajem, her ears fold back, eyes widening as silver lips curl to show teeth. One boot scuffs the floor as she closes her eyes and enacts the best mental defense in her repertoire.     "... Summer is a comin' in, loudly sing, cuckoo... Sing cuckoo, sing cuckoo. Sing, fucking cuckoo, fucking sing." Grumbling under her throat as she closes her eyes and tries to focus on the beat of her heart while the test of the ritual gets underway. 

:'''{{#var:705|Reiji Arisu (705)}} has posed:'''     Reiji nods to Nathan, "Got it. I'll be doing what I came down here for, then." He inclines his head at Mordred when she... erupts? Spontaneously combusts? She's angry. Fortunately, she drops the issue in short order, and Nathan doesn't fire back, so Reiji simply moves on. With preparations concluded, the group moves into the depths of the catacombs... They find carnage. Carnage and a hungry god.     Reiji's expression drops into a tight grimace as he regards the dark deity. For now, he stands towards the back- but he isn't going to wait for neither Nathan's success nor his failure. Instead he sets down his portable arsenal and unslings the briefcase from his shoulders and begins unbuckling its clasps. 

:'''{{#var:19|Maya (19)}} has posed:''' Maya is pressing on now suppoting people whom she can she gets the message Nathan sems to want her on support to keep eveyrone up. That's fine she can throw in with magical or more conventional firepower. She falls in dept now with her cards ready she knows they got some serious stuff ahead of them. "Right Himei we should try to get this overwith as soon as posisble." Maya seems faiurly focused now and she's clearly ready to go. She listens to Ethan frowning. If he needed power? She could help she could give him a lot of tht but it seems that isn't the cse here. Maya does not like what she sees she sees the corpses she sees the think and part of her very being is screaming to kill it in fire. Thankfull ut should be listned to shortly by everyone else. She focus on her magic Ethan would find he's warded unless something will stop it, hopefully that can give him some protection, she does however start moving with her cards. Nathan would also find himself with an barrier, as would Reiji, strange runes would appear under thie feet, that might be ID as having perhaps something in common with the long dead nation of Babylon. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Coiling up, the Shajem hisses again, echoing and primal. A brief pulse of fear emanates from it, but it is once again undirected. Only Nathan's approach warrants a reaction, as the others aren't close enough, and haven't made any hostile moves at all. Nathan seems harmless, but that doesn't mean anything to a coward. Unfortunately, a cornered rat is pretty dangerous, so while the creature doesn't attack it does demonstrate just how dangerous this can be.     The hiss is followed by a sudden wavering of the rock behind it. The shuddering of the mountain settling down with a crunching *THOOM* shakes the room... and it doesn't stop shaking until a row of crystalline spikes has erupted to form a fence of sorts between the Shajem and Nathan. It's a massive wave of earth-manipulating magic, and the Shajem did it much like it was ruffling its feathers upward, without any effort at all. Getting too close, or setting it off, could give quite the fight.     It does let the Binders get into position, and they begin a strange whispered ritual, the words less sure than the earlier ones. Ethan frowns, but also begins. It's a Binding, but it's unlike anything he's tried before, or anything Elliana has done. It doesn't really seem like it's meant to CAPTURE the Shajem, strangely. Is this what Nathan planned?     One Binder is near Adelyn, and gives her a small bit of help, "Do not think of it as blocking out the fear. Think of it as pushing it to the side. It is an emotion, slippery like fluid. You need to cut through it, not resist it."     The ritual of the Binders is connecting to Nathan's magic, but stiffly. It's still fragile. Needs adjustment. There is no way this could subdue the Shajem, as it is. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     CITY: Psyber and Sakura will find the city... well, it's like it's been through a large earthquake. It's built pretty solidly, though, and while there are some people trapped under rubble and some casualties, the city already has teams out helping people, and the casualties are remarkably light considering all the motion they went through. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     IN THE CITY:     Psyber swings back around to the city after picking up Haruno, setting down on solid ground. For as gross as whatever she's covered in is, he also has weird, acidic bile-mud all over himself, so the shower was mandatory anyway.     "Do you want to stay here and help with the medical part, or come with me to check on the binding?" He asks her seriously, staring hard at her, "I can still fight, so if shit hits the fan, I wanna be over there on guard duty."     Regardless of Haruno's answer, Psyber darts off after she gives it, taking into a pretty heavy sprint to cover lost ground. 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     Nathan accepts the fence the creature establishes, as it matches the buffing that Maya has helpfully provided. Hey, if that thing wants to get a little barrier, that's fine. He stops at the wall, and forms his circle in the air, there. Both hands go out, fingers splayed wide, humming with the yellow glow of power. The Binding links cleanly into his interface, but there's no way it'll subdue as-is. Nathan intends to reconfigure, swiftly. In order to stabilize, he first must learn what requires stabilizing.     There are two initial configurations. Let's call them the FEARFUL configuration and the TERRORIZING configuration. The central section of the spellcircle rotates for each one. He attempts to gauge the STABILITY and COMPATIBILITY for the binding based on both configurations, to see if one, the other, or even both manage to establish increased compatibility and therefore increased strength. 

:'''{{#var:134|Sakura Haruno (134)}} has posed:'''     Flowers will at least show the sense to ask the situation beffore deciding whether to stay within the city or go and help, and when she learns of the terror effects going around within the catacombs, she'll show enough sense to remember her general vulnerability to such things.     Which is mostly to say that she'll be trying to assist the city in recovering from the turtlequake, and available after the group in the catacombs is done, but not particularly relevent for the next bit. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     The FEARFUL Configuration seems to resonate the most, though both have the potential to sync up. That one seems to get the most resonance. Anyone who is working on a binding or something of the sort can see /some/ sort of mystical ward coming together, encircling the Shajem in a loose net of possibility. It isn't 'active' yet, it's just being set up.     Ethan frowns at something, but he maintains his part of this. He just has to add, "It's... theoretically possible, but I'm not sure we can handle this right now. It needs refinement. But maybe if we can weaken it enough we can learn enough about it to make it more viable." 

:'''{{#var:395|Amalthea (395)}} has posed:'''     Fingers curl and unclench repeatedly around the haft of Amalthea's silvered lance. One loppy ear flicks, apparently picking up on that errant tidbit of advice for Adelyn and she sucks down a breath through her teeth, ceasing her litany of demanding some poor bird to sing for her mental state, and cracks her eye open and lean over towards the nearest person. In this case, Mordred.     "Are they done yet?" She whispers completely irreverently. 

:'''{{#var:202|Adelyn Lysen (202)}} has posed:'''     Adelyn immediately takes this advice, reconstructing her wards with the swift efficiency of an author's pen. Redirection, diversion--it is as effective as direct blockage and disruption. So long as the effect does not strike its intended target, the result may as well be the same. She has even less time to work, now, because she would very much like Nathan to finish his attempt and for them all to just GET ON WITH IT.     She may be getting antsy just because she has investment in the results of her own experiments and little in the results of his.     Whether or not she does make progress, she then diverts her attention to other matters. Like Reiji and Lezard, she has her own preparations to make. These involve establishment of yet another spell circle, this one held high above the group's heads, shining white with Arcane energy, and swiftly expanding and filling out with such a level of intricate detail that it seems rather impossible for a single mind to, in present-time, even remember its full shape, let alone be writing it into the air. From the movement frantic, precise motions with which she pulls the strings of mana and establishes the interlocking mechanisms of the ephemeral circle, she is doing just that. Her fellow Confederates, here, may recall this particular configuration of magic, as it is quite like what she used against the Shajem of Rage--refined, of course, for the experience. 

:'''{{#var:546|Nox (546)}} has posed:'''     Nox gazes towards the crystal summoned by Lezard rather than the ones erected by the Shajem, seemingly taken in by something entirely different than the great being in front of him. It is most certainly powerful, that's for sure. Very powerful. That fact alone is what carries him through the ocean of bubbling fear that silently embroils his subconscious, rather than accentuating it. Excitement. Pure and simple. The high before the big payoff. The crystal is the signal to begin the /real/ reason Nox is here, quietly worked out ahead of time in secret.     Removing one arm from behind his back, Nox raises a hand as if to signal anyone behind him to stop moving, causing the tiny glowing lights of the noxines spread throughout the room to hover upwards, gathering in a loose collective. Snapping that hand forwards, the miniscule drones suddenly surge forward, weaving through the gaps in the crystal barrier to get to the Shajem. Communicating by wireless magic, they converge into a perfect circle, then spin a complete rotation, drawing lines of cyan energy into the air behind them until it connects end to end. The circle forms into the shimmering surface of a semi-translucent portal, moving parts just barely visible from the other side.     An apparatus roughly the size of a small tree trunk breaches the portal's surface, shaped of brass, gold and steel into the form of a complex series of clockworks terminating in a classical clock hand's point. Nox fizzles out with a little snap of static, reappearing on the opposite side of the crystal barrier to place it between him and the union as device fully exits the gate, leaving him to gesture towards it with one hand to hold it up telekinetically, and to use his other to fire a concentrated blast of temporal stasis at the Shajem to slow it down enough to give him time to move the machine into position.     The rear of the clock hand, holding an hourglass in a glittering series of rings, touches against Lezard's crystal, letting off sparks of light as it makes the connection. The point moves until it is little more than a foot away from the target, and then a blinding, serpentine arc of cerulean lightning runs its entire length, collecting at the tip as a white hot star. Instantly, the Shajem's power is drawn away as if into a black hole, surging into the clock hand in a visible stream of crackling energy, causing all of its component gears to spin and whine like an electrical generator, filling the hourglass at the end. Each time one side fills, the glass turns over to deposit the energy into Lezard's waiting lacrima. 

:'''{{#var:40|Eleanor Lamb (40)}} has posed:'''     Bother all this magic nonsense. Eleanor's eyes start to glow faintly as the EVE takes a firmer hold in her bloodstream, the plasmic energy suffusing her whole frame. She looks over at Mordred and Amalthea and grouses.     Eleanor likewise looks to Mordred. "Is your mother still a bitch?"     Something the pair can bond over. 

:'''{{#var:202|Adelyn Lysen (202)}} has posed:'''     The circle completes. Once done, the thing is a good fifty meters across, smaller portions within it constantly in motion. It's a self-correcting spell with layer upon layer of redundancy in its safety measures, all for the sake of applying maximum strength toward a singular purpose. It's made far easier for Nox and Lezard handling bother other ends of the effort, and for having, this time, prepared everything well in advance. That singular purpose is actually quite simple: Grasping the essence of the Shajem, and directing it into the container. Simple, efficient, safe--as much as is possible. More than the other two, Adelyn is concerned with preventing any loss in the transmission. 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     Nathan locks in a configuration he wants. Semi-fearful. Enough stability. "Then it will be weakened." He says, tensely. He glances to what Nox, Adelyn, and Lezard are doing and makes a terse... Profoundly hateful noise. His eyes narrow at Mordred for a moment, his stoicism breaking long enough to shoot her a look so incredibly full of venom it might be painful. It's certainly beyond anything Nathan's ever done in front of people before.     But he can't afford to stop now. He has more important business. Being stabbed in the back here is at a lesser priority than his plan to save the world. And so with the central element of the binding locked in, the second stage begins to spin. Terms, clauses, additional elements. It's sparse, liberal, less gaps in the rules, and more rules in the gaps.     He tries three new second-stage configurations to see what can be done here. The PANIC CONFIGURATION, the ALARM CONFIGURATION, and the HORROR CONFIGURATION. Hopefully the feedback data will be easier to read for the Binders and for Nathan himself in the current state, even if this is damaging to his overall plan. 

:'''{{#var:705|Reiji Arisu (705)}} has posed:'''     Unlike some of the more dedicated sorcerers in this mishmash of monster hunters, Reiji's magic seems to be more... subtle. He begins arraying a series of seemingly random objects on the ground around him. A saucer filled with burning incense, a lump of ore, another bowl filled with mercury, a lotus in a dish of water, a warmly glowing torch.     Of course, the objects in question are hardly random. Each one was selected for its own particular elemental association. Each one meticulously prepared in ages-old, arcane proportion. In Reiji's left hand, there is a loop of sacred rope, in the nook of his folded legs, a simple, brass mirror. In front of him, there is a wooden container filled with a pure white powder that smells of the open sea.     He sits at the center of the ring of objects. "Om," he intones, a sacred syllable tumbling from his lips, "Na-mu-ka-ra-tan-no..." It seems like he's doing... Something. Exactly what that something is might be difficult to say for those uninitiated in Eastern sorcery, but Adelyn might note it to be... somewhat similar to what she is attempting. Could this create complications!? Maybe... Maybe. 

:'''{{#var:19|Maya (19)}} has posed:''' Maya is down there ther is fear she can feel it it's constant the natural fear is there but hter emay be even worse. She's glad she was able to help NAthan get some level of protection, and Maya seems to be gathering magic for something else, likely if any other heavy healing or other magic is needed. She has a very wide spell book and that could be of use here as they look to deal with the Shajem she can only make ready. Nox however gets her attention. Maya has some small control over time but Nox? He was something else Maya also will providie magical power for the ritual as needed. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     CITY: Sakura will find a turtle in the sphere, but when she offers to help, she'll also find medical relief in this city is REALLY well-organized, and quickly finds her things to do. So there's that. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     The Shajem SHRIEKS as it feels its space invaded, and its power leeched. It's harder to yank away than the Lord of Rage's power, which is by nature meant to be external. This Shajem is an introvert by comparison, greedily clinging to its power and making the drag of energy slow and sluggish. Yet it DOES work, and it has a lot to draw from.     Of course, this also means Nox is open to a sudden barrage of power as the weaseloid summons freezing lances of ice, sending them out in a more or less directed barrage at the nearest entities. Mostly Nox, but someone might want to protect Nathan.     The 'ALARM' configuration seems to latch on best, and Ethan flinches, along with some of the Binders, as power flares through the room. Numerous bindings are coming together right now, but his is complex and difficult, with an uncertain purpose that seems to be threading through the Shajem itself. It's also very delicate, fraying at the edges as the Shajem thrashes about. 

:'''{{#var:331|Himei (331)}} has posed:'''     When icicles start flinging about, Himei finally moves. A quick blast of her power hopefully helps fight them off, but otherwise she moves to protect some of the binders, even though that gets her a grunt of pain for her motion. One of those icicles has embadded in her thigh, lancing right through and freezing the blood cold.     "Hey, could we hurry it up?" she calls out. She doesn't fire directly at the Shajem though. 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     Nathan narrows his eyes. He locks in the ALARM configuration. If any of those icles impact him, they'll just tear right into his flesh, lacerating and stabbing him all over. Only if he's not covered, of course. The data is good, but the panic is not. He needs to come back, when this thing is less under attack. And he needs to prevent it from being under attack. He needs to refine his ritual. This won't be a functional Binding. He can't pull it off. For a moment, he considers cutting losses, going to plan B. He considers doing the rather entirely logical thing here.     But what he wants, more than anything, right now, is to give a big fat "fuck you" to the traitorous efforts going on here. And he decides to give into that hatred just this one time.     He modulates the ALARM configuration. Turning, twisting, optimizing. And then the whole spellcircle locks into place with a valid configuration. It's not good. It won't last. But it's better than the un-bound Shajem they found in the center of the mountain. "Do it." He says, Ethan. "We will have another chance. Release what remains of the original. We can improve this. And try again."     He moves aside, out of the path from the Shajem to the door. 

:'''{{#var:395|Amalthea (395)}} has posed:'''     Amalthea has her moments of fun and games, and though just a moment ago she was jabbering about as maturely as a schoolboy in the back row of a church, in an instant she rips her attention back to the fore. "--I'm paying attention, I swear."     In a sudden thrust of the jump pack on her back, she almost instantly crosses the necessary distance to put herself in the path of the ice lancing on course for Nathan, shield up.     There's a CRUNCH of metal and a squeal of plating and joints as the frozen spears impact her shield, denting it- battering it- punching through it and through the arm behind them-- through her armor and several directly into the softer plating of her body beneath as she makes a wall of herself in front ot Nathan, gritting her teeth as...     "... Huh. Oh shit that is a lot of blood." For a moment it's as if she doesn't even notice it.     Until her eyes instantll glaze over with immense agony.     It's a look that lasts all of a scant handful of seconds as the cool wash of painlessness re-takes her as she glances at the gauntlet on her wrist, and a very sick look seems to overcome the ancient knight even if Oath gets things back under control. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     Psyber arrives just in time to do nothing of value for the ritual as a participant. Instead, he places himself directly between Nathan Hall (and next to Amalthea) and the barrage of icicles. The sharp spearing shards piercing into him in multiple places and causing an intense amount of performation.     Due to the sheer number of them, Psyber can't do much more than JUST shield Nathan, even with Amalthea here. Psyber, who was already suffering second and third degree burns from the turtle monster, is now at significant levels of damage from the icicle storm.     Massive shards of ice stick out of his body in multiple places and he wobbles on his feet a bit, but plants Adjudicator into the ground to steady himself and remain on his feet. He looks immensely unhappy, though. 

:'''{{#var:40|Eleanor Lamb (40)}} has posed:'''     "BOTHER." Eleanor shouts out as Nathan gets tanked, and fishes around in her satchel. She's not in time to tank for the Librarian, but she can help out. She is a support after all, and supports get to do things like this. She scampers forward, eyes still glowing from the EVE injection teleporting once and swats a blue ball of energy into her palm. This she SQUEEZES, hard, a wave of energy flashing out across the room...     And the Sister reaches out, mentally, for all the various wards and security systems in this wretched old catacomb... and turns them inwards, full throttle to defend Nathan and the rest of HoH. She even shoves Utopia into this one as well. "YOU ALL BELONG TO ME NOW." 

:'''{{#var:546|Nox (546)}} has posed:'''     Nox wasn't entirely unprepared for something like this. Unfortunately, while manipulating his machine, he doesn't have the leisure of simply teleporting out of the way. Damage to his body can be repaired, but missing out in the change to siphon this much energy is inexcusable. He throws his free hand out in front of him, just a split second too slow as the first lance of ice pierces through it and then into his chest just below his collarbone, letting off a flash of sparks and a squeal of deforming metal as it wrenches the clockworks it passes through, leaving an ominously glowing blue hole in his body after it crumbles. He withholds a bitter hiss of pain, able to feel that one pretty well despite his lesser sensitivity.     The rest of the icy spears are a little too late however, as his spell completes regardless, throwing out a wall of off-coloured distortion that makes the air vibrate as it passes through, instantly locking the attacks in place, hovering in mid air. A second pulse follows up on the first, exciting space to shatter them to pieces rather than wasting energy continuing to hold them in frozen time. He begins charging energy for a more powerful spell if a second assault comes at him, fully prepared this time. 

:'''{{#var:202|Adelyn Lysen (202)}} has posed:'''     Adelyn is thankfully spared from icicles, by virtue of being far off from the action. Hooray for the back row! This leaves her free for important things, like working orthogonally to Nathan's spell.     She is uncertain as to the exact nature of the binding being attempted, but with a /complete/ binding--which this is not, but if it is at all similar--with a complete binding, the transfer of energy would necessarily end. That would be suboptimal. The spell she cast earlier is there primarily to ensure that the transfer continues, but in its first useage, she didn't have all this setup. It was also what she used to grab onto Mordred's Shajem, and pull it out.     This is going to be much, much harder, as she does not have the same hooking points of working with a Shajem that's already been pushed into something. She's working against gravity, so to speak, but she still has a lever. "Full power, then." The tattoo-like lines across her skin glow. This is often the point at which things start exploding, but... that doesn't seem like it's going to happen today. Not if she can finish this quickly, at least.     Her magic, overrun with lines that seem to glow a black light, reaches for the Shajem and PULLS. She won't let it go quietly back into its hole, nor wherever Nathan would let it. No. Into the crystal with it. 

:'''{{#var:19|Maya (19)}} has posed:''' Maya looks as Eleanor does her thing and she prays it works. Maya meanwhile is contiuning to barrier ward those with her she can't block mental or spirital attacks but she can protect from the more physical side odf things. She knows this isn't the best but swhe thinks this is the smartest thing. She doesn't wnat to mess up the ritual to bind this thing down like it should be. She hopes Adelyn is able to pull this off and it looks like she is. Maya is as ever supplying magical power where her allies need it. 

:'''{{#var:705|Reiji Arisu (705)}} has posed:'''     Well, it seems like damn near everything is hitting the fan. Reiji's eyes are still half-lidded as he continues his ritual. Leaving the circle to step in and defend Nathan at this point isn't going to fly at this point. Not while he's still trying to force the Shajem into a little brass mirror. Fortunately, there are other people who can do that instead of him. This is a good thing! The downside is that at least one of them is hurting /real/ bad. Thankfully he's off to the side and not in front of the door itself. So he's probably not going to get run over by a giant snake-god thing if it manages to get free!     "-To-ra-ya-ka-" He drones on, scattering grains of salt between each of the five elemental foci at his periphery. The grains... do not go randomly across the floor. The pull back, pooling into fine lines that link and flow from one focus to another. They skitter across the ground, forming shifting glyphs of sacred significance. "-Na-mu-o-ri-ya-bo-ryo-ki-chi-" He drizzles salt over the pristine mirror in his lap, forming a miniature copy of the sigil manifesting all around him.     Light, warm and inviting, begins pouring out from the polished brass surface, filling the circle and the chamber beyond. Reiji opens the gate for the Shajem to enter- and so he continues, ceaseless, words falling in rhythmic, steady notes.     The air begins to whirl about him, the elemental forces churning with him at its focus. Reiji's eyes gleam with inner brilliance out from under his half-lidded stare. He keeps droning on, and on, and on... 

:'''{{#var:598|Lezard Valeth (598)}} has posed:''' Lezard sees that Nathan is doing something using eldritch forces, but he's not sure exactly /what/. It turns out that he has his own plans in regards to binding the beast. The Necromancer of Midgard sighs, and continues attending to the wards protecting the crystal. The unexpected attempt by Eleanor to hijack them results in a moment of surprise, and then a twisting of magic as he tries to wrench them back with his own will. Adelyn asks for an increased transfer rate, and Lezard considers for a moment... And then suddenly Adelyn being hauling down power. Lezard's attention is forced to become focused entirely on ensuring the crystal remains stable. Stable enough, anyway. It wouldn't do for it to rupture into a giant blast of fear-power with him at the epicenter. That would be terrible. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     A loud snarling hiss rises from the Shajem, with a writhing lash of tail thumping against the cavern wall. Ice crystals form all around it... then suddenly HEAT flashes through the entire cavern. It's not enough to damage, but it certainly takes its toll on anyone who feels fatigue from such. The Shajem is lashing out at random, though with less lethality than before. Eleanor's protections manage to blunt the attempt considerably.     It's also being yanked several ways. The crystal fills with power, flowing slower than the Lord of Rage, but steady at least. It accelerates slightly when Reiji begins to pull it into the Mirror, materializing a significant chunk of the Shajem's essence within. It's resisting a full pull though. Perhaps if Ethan and the other Binders were helping, they could do so...     The end result is a hefty siphoning in multiple directions, which also pins down the Shajem and allows the Binding that Nethan and Ethan are doing, normally too fragile to take hold, to latch down and finally complete... showing exactly what it was meant to do.     The flow of energy is cut off from everything, and somewhat VIOLENTLY at that! The magical blast isn't lethal, but it's a powerful wave of force that pulses through the entire chamber. Those doing bindings can now see what Ethan and the others were doing, using NATHAN as a focus: a delicate, intricate system of bindings and restrictions that feeds into the Shajem's nature. Weakened as it is, it 'accepts' the Binding, and the lattice falls into place.     Abruptly, the Lord of Cowardice shrieks and makes a bolt for the tunnel entrance! It has a binding on it, of some kind, which is restraining its fear aura... for now. And the Binding's energy is theoretically indefinite, because the power source is none other than the Shajem's being itself. How did THAT work? 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     Nathan has stepped to one side. His cloak flaps dramatically in a sudden rush of wind when the Shajem bolts, as he grimaces at Mordred. The trio of individuals she brought to steal the Shajem "Get out of the way." He says, simply, and with a tone of malice.     "Do not stop it." He orders, to the Unionites. 

:'''{{#var:202|Adelyn Lysen (202)}} has posed:'''     Adelyn is in a prime position to both see and understand exactly what is happening. It's similar, in some sense, to a discipline of magic very close to her heart. And yet, entirely alien in many respects--but she understands it, all the same. She also understands that she has no way of holding it down while they attempt to siphon off more of its being. The thing is a spirit, and the airship full of minions she has waiting over the catacombs' entrance lacks a strong mage contingent. Unfortunate.     The Shajem is let go. Adelyn makes absolutely no move to stop it, just looking at Nathan curiously, as if to question why he would even give those orders. She doesn't say anything more to him or his bizarre ideas. Nope, gonna save some ammo for later. Instead she smiles over at the crystal. Yes, they did get what they came for.     She claps her hands together. "Excellent. This was a reasonably fortuitous, if not optimal, outcome." She looks over toward Nox's position. He did seem to get stabbed a bit, but also seemed alright to talk. "Come along, then. We're leaving." 

:'''{{#var:705|Reiji Arisu (705)}} has posed:'''     Dark energies swirl down, down into the mirror. The flowing cycle of the five elements forms a whirlpool, drinking deep of the great source of negative energy. The mirror's light intertwines with the seemingly endless darkness, forming a tight, chaotic spiral within the truly endless depths of the mirror.     And then the thing cuts abruptly off. Reiji grits his teeth as the wave of force smashes into him. The salt begins to scatter, but he focuses his will, pulling it back into its pattern for just long enough. With a quiet grunt, he wraps the sacred rope about the mirror's surface, tying it securely about its reflective surface.     The elemental chaos within the mirror slows, light seperating from darkness. Beads of one remain in the other as they churn ever onward upon one another. With one last metallic gleam, the mirror's surface becomes inert once more, though emblazoned with the very same magical circle he had inscribed upon the ground.     "What in the Hells," Reiji asks of everyone around him... As the Shajem charges. He leaps away just in time to avoid being slapped by a giant monster snake-weasel's tail, seizing his mobile arsenal in his now-free hand, "We're just going to let it go, then?" He looks to the Confederates and their crystal, and frowns. "Oh," he grunts, keeping the mirror close to his chest, "I think I see." 

:'''{{#var:395|Amalthea (395)}} has posed:'''     And there goes the Shajem. On orders to not to follow, Amalthea decides to just get her arm over Psyber's shoulder, panting. Though her Abstractum dulls the pain to a large degree, she's currently not in much condition to do much any further as she gets her hand around an ice shard embedded in her gut and snaps it off, tossing it to the floor with grunt.     For some reason she looks much more surly than she did moments ago. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     Psyber doesn't stop the Shajem, letting it go of its own accord. When an arm goes over his shoulder, Psyber looks at Amalthea. As the radio begins to escalate, the look on his face changes as if to say 'This is proving the exact point I just said to you'.     "Can you stand? Or walk?" Psyber asks in a dull, distant tone to her.     When and if he receives confirmation that she can, the half-angel elects to simply put Adjudicator onto his back, turn away from the group, and walk off. Amalthea is probably in tow. 

:'''{{#var:19|Maya (19)}} has posed:''' Maya is about to unleash a number her spells at Nathan order she hopes he's going somewhere with this, but he also knows the situation than she does. She's only recently comes into this so she's going to have to just trust this and hold off she ishowever keeping magic here. She hears things play out over the radio and sees where this is going. This could work this very much could work. However things could get messy with the Feds or maybe it won't end up as such. 

:'''{{#var:546|Nox (546)}} has posed:'''     Nox has to watch the Shajem escape, unable to chase after it with such unwieldy equipment. The last few turns of the hourglass are self contained, keeping roughly half of the power divested to Lezard's crystal to itself, being the more dense of the energy storage mediums according to Nox's specialty. As much as he hates to admit it, Adelyn is more or less right. It's time to leave. Thankfully he'd kept the portal open, as this allows to him wave the specialist Shajem-draining device back into its place at Horologium, swiftly followed by the now empty noxines before the gate closes. "We will meet again later then." He spares a sideways glance to Nathan as he leaves, and then a little more of an intent one at Reiji, before abruptly disappearing in a fizzle of static. 

:'''{{#var:395|Amalthea (395)}} has posed:'''     "I'm alive, aren't I?" Amalthea chuffs to Psyber in reply. "Lemme just catch my breath like this."     Off they go. 

:'''{{#var:598|Lezard Valeth (598)}} has posed:''' The sealing is complete in its own way, the magical backlash almost knocking Lezard off of his feet, were he not prepared for such. He knew they were about to get cut off. When the event occurs, Lezard steadies himself and looks to the now bound Shajem, considering it for several moments. He looks... unsatisfied. But instead of taking action against the Shajem, he does not interfere, allowing it to escape as it wills. Instead, he focuses on creating a teleportation circle with which to move the crystal before the heroes get any more ideas to interfere. There will be much to research soon. 

}}

1664/New Blood: The Bloodstone

2015-03-13T03:10:52Z

Blue Elf: Created page with "{{Log Header |Date of Scene=2015/02/25 |Location=Terra Majora |Synopsis=Nathan meets with Elliana's mentor, Ethan Bloodstone. |Thanks= |Cast of Characters=92, 168 |Tinyplot=Ne..."

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2015/02/25
|Location=Terra Majora
|Synopsis=Nathan meets with Elliana's mentor, Ethan Bloodstone.
|Thanks=
|Cast of Characters=92, 168
|Tinyplot=New Blood
|Tinyplot2=
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Ethan Bloodstone has some connections, still. Yet meeting him is again done in a small, somewhat modest place. It is in a small town, in an inn and tavern combination like what is so common. It isn't a shady place, it's just rustic and nice... and also offers a private room for discussion, which is why Ethan arranged for this when Nathan contacted him.     The man is waiting already, when Nathan arrives. He is actually studying a collection of papers, leafing through them. They look like printouts, rather than something locally made. 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     "Salutations, Ethan." Nathan says. First name basis for him is really easy to get, it seems. "You have my gratitude for agreeing to meet today." The librarian is able to respect a more spartan style of meeting, it's not like he insists on any elaborate shows even with his connections and salary as General. He'll take a seat as soon as it's polite to do so, and he'll take a very professional sort of hand-clasping work discussion stance. As ever, his tone remains firmly monotone and his face remains firmly devoid of emotion.     "As the mentor of Lady Fairchild, you are in a position of extreme qualification on the matter of Binding and Shajem, even if you may lack the scale of raw talent and power she possesses. As one of the few who firmly believe it to be a pressing matter, you are also one of the few with motive to help us. I am requesting your assistance, Ethan. My allies and I have intelligence regarding the locations of multiple Shajem, but for obvious reasons our own Binder is less directly accessible."     Right to business, not one second wasted, though not impolite about this. No sense waiting around, when he can open with a more no-nonsense approach. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     "Mn... I apologize again for the trouble she has caused," Ethan says, setting the papers down. "I've been... gathering what information I could on her, myself. A lot of hearsay though. Even in this Multiverse." He sighs, sitting back in his chair and rubbing his temples.     "It's true, I don't have the power she does," he finally says. "I have support, though. Multiple Binders. In raw talent, she's better than all of us combined, but in experience... she barely had 2 years to study here. Even assuming she continued in secret, she doesn't have the background and techniques that me or my supporters have. I'm not sure if we can pull off a Binding, exactly, but our chances are better than you might think." He looks up. "Locations, huh?" 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     "You are not at fault for the trouble she has caused." Nathan says, with no comfort on his face but plenty on the words. "You may have had involvement in the formation of certain ethics she acted upon, but her execution of those ethics was her own." He rubs his forehead for one moment. "For the sake of some of my allies, I will try to restrain myself from gushing the facts of the matter regarding her situation. They would be skewed so heavily that it would not serve your understanding of things well."     "Regardless, there is your faction of the Binders to consider, yes. I had... Been hopeful that I might have your more direct assistance in that regard. But I was hesitant to ask for it. The situation is dangerous, much more politically than would be ideal." He leans forward and looks much more intent now. "If you can offer your Binders to assist us, that would be tremendously helpful. We have located several Shajem, and their Bindings require refreshing. However, I will make no demands that you do so, or think less of you for not doing so. And... If my ideal plans come to fruition or hold any viability, it is possible that you may yet utilize a much larger power source anyway. Even if I can only have your support in assisting me with the design of one particular specialist Binding." 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Ethan nods, then lets out a heavy sigh. "Right. Time to focus. If you can really get us access to some of the unknown Shajem, that would be enough for me to lend you Binders. I may even be able to get some of old Windson's more experienced Binders on our side. It's not much, but every little bit helps." He considers Nathan, rubbing his chin. "But if you want something odd, I'm the best you'll get. Most of the Binders are pretty conservative. Where are these locations you're talking about? I may be able to use my own influence - such as it is - to get you access." 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     "Right, the central business first." Nathan isn't sure if he wants to tip his hand here, entirely. The priesthood is still aligned with the Windward Empire. He decides to play things extremely safely, where he can, and focus on just one location. Best they leave Lastfall and the farmlands -- their most easily accessed locations -- for later.     "We are still gathering data." Nathan says. "We have two other locations that require further investigation, but the third has been narrowed to one location. We intend to visit Eveningstar. There is a Shajem benath the city, alongside possible valuable information concerning associated threats." Threats to the Empire? To people in general? Nathan is actually only saying as much as he knows here. "Having your Binders to assist us would be extremely valuable, considering we are not able to secure a Binding method that has particularly substantial certainty to it. If we can each do our part here, I would be extremely appreciative of the opportunity to work together in addressing further Shajem issues." He's got more to ask for, but only if Ethan can reasonably agree to this. "Your connections would be appreciated, but I do not want to strain your position. Only assist as much as you are comfortable with providing the help." 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Something in that causes Ethan to frown. "I wouldn't worry about my reputation. At this point, any success against the Shajem would be worth the risk. The church is attempting to suppress the idea that Fairchild has a Shajem inside her, but it is impossible to hide the Amethyne's presence. Faith is at an all time high, but this also means people are more willing to listen to me."     He drums his fingers on the table. "Eveningstar is another matter. The Starshine kingdom is too insular, and the political fallout from going in there will be... considerable. We can do it, but if this goes poorly it could burn bridges." He smiles. "But it's /certain/ to go poorly if you try it without any Binders at all. I'm sure I can get a few, in addition to myself." 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     There's a relief. "Politics and diplomacy are things I have a measure of experience in. And I have a history with one of their knights that may allow us some measure of access with lesser restrictions. A Binder investigation will be easy to arrange; you need only exploit the fact that I have certain proof that one of the knights errant of the Starshine Kingdom was heavily Twisted." We can tip the hand just a little bit. Nathan still has evidence of Wightseer contacting him, and is politically in a position to make such a grand claim. Devious diplomacy, to be sure.     "I know that, at minimum, I will need at least one Binder to execute the more optimistic plan I have. A specialist technique that I would like to consult with you, to determine its viability." 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Ethan merely shakes his head. "I have doubts that the Starshine Kingdom will so easily acquiesce. Still, I don't really care how you get in, or how you get us in. At some point we need to make a move, and I've seen what your people can do." He must mean the Union. Ethan taps his fingers together, staring across the table. "I am curious how you found out about this, though. Where did you get this information?"     It's a casual but important question. FOrtunately it MAY not be prodded too much, because his eyebrow lifts. "Specialist technique? I /am/ the one to talk to for exploration of new techniques." 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     Nathan's completely stoic expression becomes maybe mildly unsettled for just a moment, but one could blink and miss it. "Our source is an unusual one. The shortest and most simple explanation I could provide is that it is, in a sense, a piece of information acquired from Lady Fairchild by proxy, though she, herself, may not be quite aware of it."     "As for the specialist technique, I find myself trying to find the missing piece of precisely the situation we find ourselves in." He makes a broad, plaintive open-palmed gesture. "A high level of skill, a high level of technique, a high level of training, but lacking the raw power. As you can see, there is one missing piece." He clasps his hands together now. "Now, I have only the perspective of an outsider, and you likely have far greater qualifications than myself on this matter, so perhaps the premise of the proposition itself may be flawed. This is, additionally, no doubt a risky proposition to make, which is why I only propose it as an option to be considered when I have a traditional, well-tested option to fall back upon if this would not suffice."     He leans forward, clasped hands moving up in front of his chin, glasses gleaming for a moment. "Ethan. Binding power is derived from your Blooded nature, correct? And the Blooded nature, itself, is derived from Amethyne. And we might consider Lady Fairchild, herself, likely to adhere to the same chain of derived power. As a demonstration for how the influence of these great beings can directly become compatible with fueling a Binding. Is this, roughly, an appropriate understanding?" 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     He's listening. Bloodstone rubs his chin, and he doesn't pry about the source of information. Is he that desperate, that he doesn't want to dig too deep? But the rest... the rest he can answer, at least. He listens to the uncertainty and nods sagely, taking it in before considering how to answer.     "I'm not sure I catch your meaning entirely, but I believe so. It's a little more complicated than that, but it's true that only a Blooded can become a Binder. Not every Blooded can, but not every potential Binder develops their powers that way. Fairchild had a particular talent for it, which is highly unusual." 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     "The Shajem and the Amethyne are a direct powersource for the Binding process. Not universally compatible in all their elements, but an entire, whole instance of this great entity would suffice as a means of powering a Binding. In fact, such a being should have a vast surplus of such power, capable of sustaining a Binding indefinitely if it were so inclined, not merely continuing the cycle. Outright concluding it permanently." Nathan says, He doesn't move an inch as he talks, at least not visibly, with his mouth and eyes hidden.     "I propose that a Binding upon a Shajem could be executed such that this cycle of failure itself might be averted, in perpetuity, by way of having the Shajem itself fuel the Binding. For obvious reasons, no Shajem that behaves as one might expect they would would willingly supply this power to bind themselves, but does your expertise indicate that this is theoretically possible?" 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     That series of logic and questions gives Ethan pause. He considers it deeply, then shakes his head. "Theoretically, maybe. The problem is the connection. To force a binding like that, someone would have to be... er..." He coughs into his fist. "I did some research into what Fairchild did. I have a vague idea. Someone would have to bind themselves permanently to the Shajem, and then do a Binding on the Shajem. It would be suicide. I'm sure we have Binders willing to make that sacrifice, but then the problem of skill and power to force it..." 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     "Theoretically, it would require suicidal sacrifice. However, I need to know if that may depend upon one specific key element of the scenario. The unwillingness of the Shajem itself." Nathan says, with the tone of someone intending to continue further. "If the Shajem itself had the intent to sustain the binding, would the requirements be the same? In terms of power, and in terms of..." He gestures, making a worried noise. "Loss." 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Ethan's eyes narrow. "You're... saying get the Shajem to sustain the binding willingly? If that could happen, then yes, it could be done. It's not really possible, though. The common man may think they could do so, but I'm a Binder, and I know they don't really think or communicate like we do. To roam free is in their very nature, a self-Binding would be impossible for one to attempt." He pauses. "Theoretically possible, without a sacrifice, but there's still a lot we don't know about them. So even now, I can't say if it would work. I'm more curious where you're going with this." 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     "That is the thing, though. Your objective is not to keep them from roaming free. It is to keep them from harming humanity and the world." Nathan says, unclasping one hand to gesture with it. "The two are not mutually exclusive. I know they do not communicate, or think like us. That is, in fact, the premise of how I have considered this. Think of a thunderstorm. One does not attempt to contain the clouds. A sorcerer may try, but it is no long-term solution. Lightning will take the path of least resistance, the waters of a flood will flow down..." He goes back to clasping those hands. "Their core nature, their drive and their conceptual purpose, is animalistic and simple in a way. But I regard it the way one might regard a hurricane, or an earthquake, or any other natural disaster."     "They are unstoppable. You can halt them for a time, as the Binders have done for ages, or you can weather their damage, as humanity did for long before. But, when you are faced with a thunderstorm, you can build a lightning rod. When faced with a flood, you can dig a trench. When a fire menaces a forest, you burn a ring to halt its advances. That is what I propose. A set of Bindings, provided by your Binders themselves. Bindings that would offer a means for the Shajem to go free, by passing through them and applying them to itself. I believe that if those bindings are dynamically configured on-site to match the terms of the concept of the Shajem itself, if the terms of the binding enable it to roam free and act upon its drive, but in a manner that does not do substantial harm to humanity, the world, or the Amethyne... Then the Shajem will, naturally, provide its own power towards its 'escape route'."     "A storm lacks patience, forethought, planning. An animal will not wait for the power of their cage to wane. I believe that if a Shajem is given the opportunity to immediately leave its Bindings and roam, with some limits on how it may express its drive in certain contexts, but otherwise free, it may be possible to cause it to apply a self-sustaining high-power Binding to itself, so long as the correct... Diplomacy, and finesse, is put to use in determining the conditions of its Binding. I have experience in negotiating with natural disasters, and in communicating with the utterly animalistic, alien, and conceptual."     "And if this is not successful, you and your Binders simply change tactics and apply the traditional approach that has always worked." He unclasps his hands and leans back now, palms down on the table. "Do you believe this may be viable?" 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Sigh. "If you're asking me purely as a theory... then yes," Ethan admits. "You could /maybe/ do that. There's still a lot we don't know, but what you say is... I don't see why it /couldn't/ work. If the Binding were just right, and everything moved perfectly. It has two flaws, that's all."     Ethan holds up a finger. "One: we'll have to know a lot about the Shajem to begin with. This won't be all that hard, if we have access to the right libraries. Most are covered by Binder training. But that assumes that they're the same as in the books."     The other finger. "What do we do if someone decides it's a good idea to hijack the Binding for their own personal Shajem-pet?" 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     "This is why I require a dynamic setup." Nathan says, making a plaintive gesture with those hands now. "Something that can be reconfigured immediately. I am making this analogous to a Cold Negotiation, a diplomatic encounter between two parties that are completely unfamiliar with each other. One cannot have an inflexible stance, and they must be prepared to shift position immediately, and gather information as they go. The available records will be valuable insight, but the most important information that determines the appropriate stance will come from how the Shajem reacts to the proposed Bindings that are offered to it."     The second flaw gets a twitch of one eyebrow, just slight. A lot of expression for someone like Nathan Hall. "We have had a great deal of demonstration that that risk is quite present in the traditional Binding method already. Of the two Bindings of Shajem I have seen, both have used the old ways, and both have resulted in a Shajem reduced to a servant for Lady Fairchild. It is a flaw in the process, yes, but I do not believe it is a flaw inherent to the proposed technique. Rather, it is a flaw inherent to the circumstances of the world. Speaking from a purely statistical viewpoint, that flaw is heavily reduced simply by removing Lady Fairchild from the Binding process." 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Ethan sighs. "You are... mostly right," he squirms, nervously. "There are worse people than Fairchild out there, though. That girl at least WANTS to do good. I have to think that." He sounds pretty desperate to believe it, though. "I... taught her to take the long view, and she is. All those people she hurt, in the long run she helped our cause."     From the way he's talking, he doesn't necessarily think teaching her this may have been the right idea.     "I will see what we can do," he finally says. "But it will take time. If we could recruit Windson, it would be easier. Him or Fairchild, but I'm sure she's not an option and I don't know if she'd talk to me right now anyway. I haven't seen her since... a long time." 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     "True." Nathan says. He's not gonna get into a fight with a stranger about Elliana. "But, what I mean is," He gestures to Ethan. "You and your own group will be the ones who determine the toolset I have to work with. Unless your own group has the potential for betrayal, this is even more advantageous: Anyone who seeks to turn the Shajem into a tool will find it fleeing or fighting back, rather than immobile, helpless, and seeking any possibility for freedom. The risk is managed, measured, carefully calculated. It is meant to be a better option than the current one, but it is still an option. If someone attempt to subvert it, I trust you will ensure the traditional solution is employed in its stead."     And then he considers Windson, putting a hand to his chin contemplatively. "I am much better at negotiating with humans, yes." He says, nodding firmly. "I believe... Hmmm. I believe I have a potential diplomatic vector to employ, to recruit him. I will attempt to do so, if time permits. Let us hope it does." He nods, albeit mildly uncertainly. "In any case. Thank you, Ethan. If this is successful, your help here will be incredibly valuable. And if we have to fall back to the old option, your help will still be critical, and you have my gratitude either way." He pauses, for some time. "I believe that if this is successful, she will wish to talk to you. Ideally, I may make an arrangement for such a meeting, if that is what you wish, when it is time."     Nathan stands, offering a handshake of mutual respect and deal-sealing, likely to leave soon unless there are more matters that need to be discussed. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     The arguments are pretty seductive. Ethan nods his head, slowly. "If we can get it to work at all," he points out. "I'll try to see what sort of powers that will need. We may be thinking with a different paradigm here. Our Bindings aren't really meant to work quite like that."     He hesitates, something making his face grimace, then he steps forward to shake the hand. "It was a pleasure talking with you. And I'll do everything I can to get some recruits to Starshine as soon as I can. I uh..." He frowns. "I'd like to talk to her again. I like to think she was /happy/ here, and I wonder where I went wrong." 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     Nathan nods. "I will explore whatever information is necessary. I have considerable sorcerous expertise myself. If you will permit me, I would like to work closely with you and your allies in this development process. Please keep in contact. Even if it does turn out to not work... I would rather we try, at least. Little can be lost by trying."     "It was a pleasure speaking to you as well. Thank you for your assistance." He pauses for some time, but leaves matters of Elliana herself left unspoken. "I will owe you a great deal for your help. If I can assist you, I certainly will." He decides to say, leaving the exact use or correlation to the Elliana matter unspoken. Hmmm. Unless he's stopped, he's probably heading back out the door now, with his usual slow, shuffled, deliberate steps. 

}}

1651/Secret Dream: Genesis

2015-03-13T03:10:05Z

Blue Elf: Created page with "{{Log Header |Date of Scene=2015/02/23 |Location=Wrathborn's Memories |Synopsis=Opening the Gate in Elliana's dreamscape, it turns out to instead be Wrathborn's memories. |Tha..."

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2015/02/23
|Location=Wrathborn's Memories
|Synopsis=Opening the Gate in Elliana's dreamscape, it turns out to instead be Wrathborn's memories.
|Thanks=
|Cast of Characters=12, 92, 253, 331, 395
|Tinyplot=New Blood
|Tinyplot2=
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Once again, Wrathborn doesn't make a welcome room. Yet he is not without some preparation for this small, select group. Mordred will be given some veto power, here. He can't stop people from entering the dream realm... but Wrathborn CAN stick them in a dull-looking room that doesn't look like anything, while he attends to guests he wants there.     For today, he has brought in everyone at a balcony. A large balcony, overlooking the winding serpent that is his 'real body' after a fashion, with the nightmares of Elliana atop it. The balcony itself is set in front of the large gate that Wrathborn warned people about... and this time it is open, with Wrathborn twirling the key around one finger.     "Welcome, welcome... or, I wish I could say that," he states as people filter in. "I'm afraid that where you are going, I cannot enter. I'm not sure why. But in any case, I have no idea what is beyond here. I've tried to make a sort of lifeline for each of you, and I will attempt to pull you out after a time if you don't emerge within a few hours." He gestures to several ropes with harnesses. "I don't know if you'll find anything useful in there, or what it will look like. I'm sure you understand now why I was hesitant to allow just anyone in here."     The gate holds a swirling mist of multiple colors, mixing and separating at random, which obscures what is beyond the entrance. He really doesn't know what's in there... probably. 

:'''{{#var:331|Himei (331)}} has posed:'''     Blah blah casual clothes, blah blah Himei. The magical girl is here again, but she didn't expect what Wrathborn says. "Wait... you've never been here? It could be ridiculously dangerous... or it could be deeply damaging to Fairchild if we go in there, couldn't it? I mean, even if we don't want to cause an issue."     Or Wrathborn could be lying. This is a LOT of trouble to go through to just knock off Elliana's strongest supporters, though. It doesn't feel right for that to be the case, though maybe he isn't telling the whole truth. Either way, the harness seems like a good idea to her, and she's buckling it on. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     A man wounded, but still moving forward, Psyber is here. Not given nearly the appropriate amount of time to recover from the ordeals of yesterday, Psyber looks exhausted and somewhat pallid, but continued to press forward. Of course he would be HERE, Wrathborn originally asked him to pick the four people he'd take.     He still doesn't know how much more of these he can take, but he's going to stick it through to the end. A new flask (since he broke the last one last night) is produced and tipped backwards, "Right. Lifeline. Dangerous dream. Don't know what's inside."     Psyber rubs his face with both palms and takes a deep breath, "Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more." He murmurs a bit, standing up straight and saying, "Alright. I'm ready." 

:'''{{#var:12|Mordred (12)}} has posed:'''     Today, Mordred is not wearing the Dream Coat.     She is not smiling, either.     Saber of Red is fully armored, minus helmet and sword. She is visibly unhappy, but has managed to take most of her anger out on the Drasillum, which is, thank god, sturdy enough for an angry Servant to vent. The fact it's still kind of a half-abandoned city helps. Lots of stuff to tear down and just enjoy the carnage a bit. Hopefully Elliana doesn't make an inventory of available housing anytime soon.     The blonde, green-eyed Servant has her arms crossed, essentially idle by Wrathborn for most of this. You can tell something is wrong from the fact she's not taking it out on the snake bastard, which would be an obvious first choice.     "Gonna guess Elliana's keepin' you out. Making sure she has at least ONE dream you're not fucking up," she glares at Wrathborn, probably very unfairly. He's been a decent guy! For, you know, a certain definition of decent. Definitely better than he used to be.     She grabs a harness, although rather than tie it around her waist she just sort of rolls it around one of her gauntlets. It's not like it'll matter where it is when it pulls. 

:'''{{#var:395|Amalthea (395)}} has posed:'''     "Never? Not once?" Amalthea is here, rubbing at her elbow somewhat awkwardly. But never once can it be said she stepped into Elliana Fairchild's dreams unprepared. As usual she's in armor, her lighter set of layered chain, light plating, and a navy blue Astora surcoat.     Still, despite the events of the night before, she is back, and Psyber gets a light nudge of her elbow.     "Yo. I'm sorry about the other night. That was inappropriate and childish of me." Given as she eyes the tethers, before latching it to her belt. "Good to go, I guess. I'll try to not fuck anything up." 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     Psyber shakes his head to Amalthea, "It's cool," He notes, looking over at her and managing a slightly hollow laugh, "Besides, it was a ridiculous setup anyway. Married to me? I can see why it was a nightmare," Psyber facetiously comments, waving a hand a bit.     One of the harnesses is also taken and fastened to himself in some fashion so as not to limit his mobility, but still serve its core function, "I think it's more important that we get through this one and try to do what we can." 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     "I could be dropping you into that, yes, Himei," Wrathborn says quietly. "But it isn't the first time you've gone in blind. I've figured out that you all saw SOMETHING in the temple. I guess she was keeping me out of there. If this is the same..." He trails off, shrugging at Mordred. "But I don't think it is. Whatever's in here is unlikely to be as... uh... coherent as what you've seen before. Which means yeah, you could do some real damage to her nightmares and dreams. So don't fuck this up."     He has noticed Psyber's condition, and gives the man a pat on the shoulder. "Hey. Almost done, I hope. Just think of the possibility that you might give her a good dream. It's happened once or twice in these forays, right?" He pauses. "... married? No, never mind. Out of context I'll just jump to the wrong conclusions." Or the right ones?     He steps aside and gestures. "Any time. Just uh... try to think of some solid thought, preferably together. Hopefully that will guide you." 

:'''{{#var:331|Himei (331)}} has posed:'''     Think of something. Great. Himei sighs, nodding at Wrathborn. "Right... we'll be careful." She looks at Mordred, wincing slightly, then turns to Psyber. "Come on. This is our chance to dictate what we see. Maybe. Though now I'm having trouble thinking about..."     She's halfway there when she halts suddenly. "Got it." She holds out her hands for anyone who wants to grab hold. "Let's see then..." But she doesn't say what she's thinking. Wonder why? 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     Psyber laughs slightly and nods to Wrathborn, giving him a thumbs up, "Yeah, you're right. Good dreams will be the ideal outcome." He shakes his head to Wrathborn, "It was nothing of significant meaning. She summoned up a scenario in which a situation was engineered to maximize her guilt and regret over her decisions. I was merely assigned a role within that. The role itself is meaningless," He plays that off defensively.     For Psyber's own part, when told to visualize something, the answer is easy. Though it probably won't be the same thought many others. He does still grab ahold of one of Himei's hands if we're doing that kind of exercise. 

:'''{{#var:12|Mordred (12)}} has posed:'''     It's probably for the best Nathan and Haruno aren't here, as concerns Mordred's temper. Psyber's mostly clean, at least. Himei's somewhere in the middle. Amalthea benefits from having generally not done anything of negative note from her point of view. Nonetheless it's fairly easy to tell the Servant is unhappy and you're not going to be fixing that while here.     At Wrathborn's advice, Mordred glares back towards the group before they all plunge in. "Think about fucking cheesecake. I swear if I see anything except cheesecake on the other end of that portal I'm kneecapping someone. With like, chocolate icing, and a side of ice cream. It better be the best dream dessert we've ever seen."     Having dictated the common though they should focus on to make this less catastrophic, it bears noting Mordred does not fully follow her own advice and can't really shake off thoughts like 'being absolutely pissed at the group in general' 'feeling like she let Elliana's head get trampled around' 'questioning whether her presence is optimal for Elliana or not'. Just that sort of stuff. 

:'''{{#var:395|Amalthea (395)}} has posed:'''     "Yeah, yeah I just said I'm not going to fuck this up." Amalthea grouses. She evades talk on the temple however and adjusts her belt and harness, and crosses her arms. What the fuck is everyone supposed to think together?     She looks to Himei who seems to have somethingbut... Doesn't elucidate.     "Fuck it."     She grabs hold. "I'm still wondering about..." She trails off, and just rolls her shoulders in a shrug.     Well clearly it's not cheesecake. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Some interesting thoughts, here! And they serve a purpose... even if it isn't the one anyone really thinks of, except maybe Himei. That's because stepping through the mist leaves the group floating silently for a long moment, before something shimmers inside it. A fragment, or perhaps a screen of glass? That's what it appears to be. It passes over the group, and they find themselves-     *HATE HATE HATE HATE*     It is a battle, familiar to most anyone here. From the point of view of the group, Psyber is there, bearing down on the group with blazing sword. He's surrounded by a flickering blue aura, burning all around him... but he isn't the source of that powerful emotion that wells up. Nor is he the target. The source seems to be the group's point of view, and the target...     That temple in the distance, covered in bugs and swarmed by strange robots. Himei is battling Mordred in the distance. It's the battle Wrathborn fought against Psyber, with Mordred's aid, in attacking the temple of Chalaine.     This is Wrathborn's memory. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     "This explains why Wrathborn could not enter this dream. The recursivity of entering into his own Dreamscape is impossible. It necessitates his external presence, so he could not enter it, for in entering it, he would vanish," Psyber looks around carefully. In Absence of a Nathan Hall, he tries to explain the situation more fully, or at least offer theories to explain the current situation.     Psyber has a personal investment in this moment, because he wishes to see precisely what Wrathborn will feel during a critical moment that stands out as, to Psyber, one of the defining moments in his friendship with Elliana, even if she wasn't actually present for it. He wants to see if Wrathborn learns something in the moments to follow. This is an important thing for Psyber to observe.     External desires to view past events will take place after Psyber can see what happens here. What Wrathborn felt in the following moments. 

:'''{{#var:12|Mordred (12)}} has posed:'''     On one hand this is not cheesecake. On the other, this is not a situation that threatens Elliana either. At least, not as far as Mordred can guess. If this is in Wrathborn's head, then he's the one their presence would harm-- or help. Takes a weight off.     Doesn't make her too much happier, but it's a start.     "Sure, whatever. Let's watch how this goes, and then see how far we can rewind. I want to see the face of the guy who put Wrathborn in a cell for that longass time." 

:'''{{#var:331|Himei (331)}} has posed:'''     Himei carries on with Psyber's thought, but has another theory. "Or he knew, but didn't want to say so we'd only bring people he trusted," she offers. She's staring at the battle, remembering this pretty well. She can't help but glance over at Mordred... this being one of the first times she met the Saber, before she learned her identity. Brings back memories.     She'll watch and just feel out the emotions for a little while, at Psyber's request. "Yeah... that's a good idea," she murmurs. "The first Sealing." She'll only really concentrate on it after the scene's played out a bit, though. 

:'''{{#var:395|Amalthea (395)}} has posed:'''     In through the mists and on to face a rampaging Psyber. Though the pervasive feeling of such a powerfully violent and angry emotion from where the team is, and spying the temple in the distance, makes the coin drop.     "Huh."     Wrathborn's perspective then, it's an odd change of pace. "Alright, I'll bite and watch." She agrees with the others. "But that doesn't change the fact that he's still coming straight at us with a sword."     Just an idle thought, there. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     The battle goes much as Psyber and the others remember it. A bullet is fired into Wrathborn, but the sensation is muted somehow. Or perhaps it is that burning hatred that keeps coming during the fight, directed at the temple. Along with... something else. There's a deep, aching void inside the emotions, as of something gnawing at Wrathborn, something that is causing the hatred.     Elliana's blade heads for Psyber's neck now, as Psyber bears Wrathborn over. This tilts the scene crazily, forcing Wrathborn onto his/her back. And the blade arcing forward triggers something, indeed. A surge of terror, of loss, and the sudden dreded sensation of /deja vu/ somehow. It's like this stirred an even deeper memory somehow, and it was a painful one. Some of the terror is not Wrathborn's, however, but that's to be expected. Elliana stayed his hand... but Wrathborn /allowed/ it.     Then the scene fragments.     The next one rushes forward, almost without any respite at all, forcing the group into a different view. This memory is... fuzzy. Fluid. Far less sharp and clear than the other one. Pain is there, intense pain. The pain comes from the vague humanlike shapes that lash out with burning 'lances' of some kind, purple-blue and in abstract patterns. The details fill in, giving the people shapes of men and women, the flames the shapes of weapons. They're assaulting Wrathborn, bearing him down, forcing him to the ground. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     Psyber mmns faintly, thinking about that sensation of emotion and the events that transpired. His inability to choke Elliana, her preventing his death. But that new sensation: Terror at a loss of control. Interesting.     "My theory is incorrect. This was not the emotion I expected him to experience at this time." Psyber notes flatly. He's able to fill in easier here and seems to be, at least, gaining a steady footing as it becomes apparent this will not inflict more immediate trauma on him (or so he would believe).     The new scene is strange and alien to him, and nothing from his memories. Instead they're all from Wrathborn. And they seem to be the requested moments of his sealing, "Terror. And Pain. Is this feral, or does he understand?" 

:'''{{#var:12|Mordred (12)}} has posed:'''     Oh, here we go. Now this has Mordred's undivided attention. Not that the other scene wasn't interesting, but she was there, and admittedly she has less interest in Wrathborn's personality changing than the others do. She has more simple wants, like, well, this.     Even if it comes with feelings of pain and terror.     "Dunno. I didn't think the Shajem even had personalities unless you shoved 'em in someone like master, so wouldn't he just be a mass of nightmares back then? Man, look at all those fancy weapons. They sure went all out getting him down." 

:'''{{#var:331|Himei (331)}} has posed:'''     The pain and terror is... not entirely unexpected. She didn't see the fight from THIS perspective, so Himei is paying attention... but she has some disappointment when the only emotions are those two. When did he start to feel more?     But this... this is more interesting. "Well, it makes sense," she says. "Wasn't it supposed to be a big war? I guess they had to hurt him before they could seal him. Something to think about for later, huh?" She eyes the weapons, shifting on her feet... or wherever she may be standing. 

:'''{{#var:395|Amalthea (395)}} has posed:'''     The shift in scene after the tumbling confusion of roiling emotions-- and actually tumbling, leaves Amalthea working on re-orienting herself after the sudden forward rush into nothing but a blur and pain. "Ruh."     Still, her thoughts linger on the initial memory, for a moment. "It felt like there was something missing?" Muttered before her attention is brought to the fore. "--How long ago was that war again? I'm guessing this is going to lead into the sealing, isn't it." 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     The pain is there, but the hatred is... not? How odd. Instead, the emotions that come through are vague confusion. It's probably hard for a Shajem so feral to comprehend any other emotions than this, because they seem vague, half-formed. Confusion is definitely the term for it. That sense of aching loss is still there, though... that's a definite. It also seems fresher, more close to home. But this isn't the sealing, is it?     It is, though. One of the 'heroes' slice along Wrathborn's side, and another manages to bind him. Physically, that is. Trees warp and grow, wrapping around the writhing serpentine shape and forcing the view to the level of the ground. THIS is when the Sealing happens... and it isn't like what is depicted on the Temple walls. Not really.     A young girl steps forward, with flowing hair. Like the other humans, her shape is vague, unsteady. Blonde, and details fill themselves in. Strangely, they do NOT fill in to Fairchild's look, though they certainly take some inspiration. If he's filling the gaps via what he's seen since, he doesn't equate Elliana with this girl.     What IS clearly seen is the plume of blue behind the child. It's also somewhat serpentine, but more along the lines of a feathered sort, almost angelic in appearance. The humans are speaking, but it's only vague noises thanks to Wrathborn's lack of intelligence.     The blue light flares, and a constricting presence is felt. Squeezing... /forcing/ Wrathborn to diminish. That terror of loss of control... it's here now, but it's oddly not WRATHBORN'S loss of control that is causing it.     The terror flared from a tiny glimpse, barely a heartbeat long. One that has eerily familiar chains rattling from the Amethyne's body, linking it to the young girl. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     If Nathan got to see this, Psyber is relatively certain the librarian would know exactly the meaning and weight behind what he is seeing. Psyber, however, can only guess:     "I see. The first Blooded were like Elliana, maybe. That's why the Amethyne are so absent. Many of them were bound into service for moments like this. And we have no idea what would happen to Wrathborn if Elliana ever fell in battle." Psyber notes, scowling, "Or if the original Gifted are still alive."     Psyber sighs a bit, watching that girl, "It makes me wonder just how old that Binding Elliana invented actually is." 

:'''{{#var:12|Mordred (12)}} has posed:'''     Morded watches with interest as things start defining themselves out. She's a bit bummed she can't quite recognize what must be the leader-- well, main character of this story. And that's a feeling amplified by the fact she's got that glow, and SOMETHING is-- powering? Influencing? Her.     Wrathborn's emotions, though, remain as difficult to get a feel for as before. Probably the fact he isn't exactly a person at all right now. But for all his side is interesting, it's the woman the Servant is really interested in. She'd like to see more of the Amethyne-- of her equipment. Of how she's putting it all together. But she expects, very very soon, Wrathborn's memory won't cover this section of history anymore, or if it does, it'll be from within a prison, so...     "Who wants to see what next, anyway?" 

:'''{{#var:331|Himei (331)}} has posed:'''     Yeah yeah. A battle. Terror. Himei remembers feeling terrified when she fought, when she felt pain. She still feels it. She swallows, watching the battle play out... right to the sealing. And she gets the terror, suddenly.     "He isn't scared for himself. He's scared about the chains," she mutters. "And... he wasn't intelligent when this happened, right? So why would he be scared of chains on his enemy?" 

:'''{{#var:395|Amalthea (395)}} has posed:'''     Scootching down into a crouch, Amalthea continues to watch, elbows planted on her knees and setting her chin in her palms as she observes with a long, silent, and intent stare, focusing her utter best to try and perceive what she can with everything so blurry. The serpentine blue figure, and the flaring sensation of terror as... Wrathborn watched the Amethyne be bound.     Silvery lips purse into a thin line. "Maybe. Maybe it wasn't his enemy?" She muses to Himei. "I know it sounds wild, with the Shajem and Amethyne not being on the best terms..." She trails off. "Yeah it's probably just a wild theory." 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     The chains were only there for an instant. Well, only VISIBLE for an instant. The brilliant blue glow sears across Wrathborn, but it oddly doesn't hurt like it should. At least, not at first.     That squeezing sensation intensifies, and the scene starts to fade, the memory darkening as everything grows, from Wrathborn forced downward and into the sphere that held him. And as he is forced in, he screams an animalistic, feral cry of outrage.     It is a cry that is echoed in a floating, chiming and melodic voice. It mingles with Wrathborn's own in an eerie resonance, at first, then sudden disharmony as the Shajem is bound. And all that is left is a seething hatred, and darkness. 

:'''{{#var:331|Himei (331)}} has posed:'''     Himei stares at the scene she sees, letting it fade to darkness and consider the ramifactions. "Well. Let's see if we can squeeze in one more thing, huh?" She flashes a grin at the others, then takes a deep breath.     "Wrathborn, let's see you before you were hurt. When were you happy?" 

:'''{{#var:395|Amalthea (395)}} has posed:'''     Amalthea is still hunkered in her thoughtful crouching pose. However she flashes a thumbs up in agreement. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     Psyber, as well, does that thing that everyone else is doing and follows along with the memories. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     It's already dark, so the fading into the swirling colors is easy. It takes a while to solidify though... a long while. Several seconds of stifling quiet, before the image coalesces. It's brief, but informative.     A swirling apocalypse is the best description of what's going on. Amethyne and Shajem in conflict! Battling one another! Crashing into one another and-     Oh. Wait. That's not /battling/ is it? That's uh... um. Maybe this is a good time to cover eyes if you don't want TMI.     But it seriously isn't THAT kind of mating. It's definitely something like it though, of mingling presences. It also seems rather destructive to the area around, but it doesn't appear to be inhabited. There are two major things of note before the scene fades.     The first is when the two break apart, a sparkling light shoots off from the union and blasts into the ground. Unlike the contact between the two beings, this doesn't cause any destruction, passing harmlessly into the crust.     The second is that when the two break away, they possess markedly different attributes. The Amethyne is brilliant and bright, even more than Neuvinea. And Wrathborn, or what can be glimpsed of him as he retreats from the scene in the reflection of the water, has feathered wings trailing blue light, looking more like a slightly darker version of the Amethyne he was with than his current form. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     The scene hasn't even fully started to fade before a hard YANK is felt. The dream-cords are still there, and with a splintering of the view, all four are suddenly HAULED backward, tumbling out from the door.     Wrathborn releases the cords, "You were in there a while. Find anything interesting?" He appears completely clueless. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     "Welp."     Psyber would have more to say, but instead he's yanked back out of the dream and towards reality. The half-angel looks to the apparently clueless Wrathborn and tries to think of what to say. There's an obvious joke he could make, but instead he takes a deep breath.     "Your memories. These were yours, not Elliana's. It may explain why you were unable to enter them. And..."     He looks to Wrathborn, "I understand now. Your hatred. Your pain."     The half-angel just looks at Wrathborn with an incredibly sad look, "What they took from you. Used against you. I'm... so sorry." 

:'''{{#var:12|Mordred (12)}} has posed:'''     Yanked.     Mordred winds up on her ass, although it's not especially long for her to get back up. She regains her frown and serious face, glaring Wrathborn down. She supposes she might have been wrong about the guy. Kind of. She's not really inclined to admit it though.     Instead, she's just blunt.     "Blue feathers. What was her name?" 

:'''{{#var:395|Amalthea (395)}} has posed:'''     Amalthea watches as her theory is apparently given credit. And then gets YANKED OUT IN A TUMBLE OH JESUS.     The sudden bleat of surprise isn't very graceful, and she ends up on the floor, tangled up in her own cape. As cool as a cat she picks herself up and dusts herself off as though none of that just happened, as Psyber explains the truth of what they saw. She wouldn't have, otherwise, but that may be just why she's very gentle in asking,     "What was the Amethyne's name, Wrathborn?" 

:'''{{#var:331|Himei (331)}} has posed:'''     Himei stumbles as she's yanked in, thudding to the ground on her ass. She rubs her eyes, still a little shaken by what she saw, then slowly pulls herself up. She'll accept a hand up from anyone in this group, even Wrathborn or Mordred, too. "Yeah... yeah. That was... different."     After she's up, she mumbles, "I'd... recommend keeping most people out of there, Wrathborn." 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Wrathborn, instead of brushing it off, actually just... pales a little. "I suspected they might be mine," he admits. "But I don't know what you'd find in there other than what I had with Elliana." A possible security breach, really. Which is why he's so startled at the questions thrown at him regarding Amethyne.     Wrathborn looks bewildered, then shakes his head, "I don't know what you're talking about. I don't have any memories but vague flashes before I came to awareness inside Elliana." He pauses and reconsiders. "And even if I did, it was the humans who gave us names. Such things would have been meaningless. Or do you mean my philosophical counterpart? That would be Chalaine, Elliana's patron Amethyne." 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     "You used to be different," Is Psyber's response to Wrathborn. He shrugs his shoulders a bit and says seriously, "If nothing else, it helped me understand some things about Elliana's world and, beyond that, further showed me the depth with which history would go to conceal the sins of men on Terra Majora. And the monsters men create by their own hand."     "Chalaine," Psyber notes, thinking it over, "If you could meet it again on peaceful terms, would you?"     He narrows his head and then says something deliberately vague to Wrathborn, "I also am now certain I would like to help you on that matter we discussed personally." 

:'''{{#var:331|Himei (331)}} has posed:'''     Psyber is heading up the questions, so Himei shuffles over next to the others. "We may need to rethink our game plan. And... I'm not sure how much of this Elliana should know. At least right away. What she knows, he knows, and I'm not sure what he'll do." 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Wrathborn replies quietly, "I don't know. A lot of these emotions are new to me. I think I'd prefer to just avoid Chalaine. I don't have any... real problem with her, in my head, but I think my instincts would drive me to do something irrational." 

:'''{{#var:12|Mordred (12)}} has posed:'''     "What, fight, or mate?" Mordred asks.     More seriously, she adds: "Why, anyway? Did you Shajem develop violent instincts because of Binders? Should I ask Angry McDragonPants, 'cuz I'm sure that's gonna be fuckin' insightful. Hey entity only capable of rage, explain to me why you're angry at this specific group of people. What's that? It's because you're just very angry all the time? Well fuck." 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     Psyber looks to Mordred and abruptly asks, "Come to think of it... is your Shajem going to develop this level of autonomy? Has it begun to show personality development already?" 

:'''{{#var:12|Mordred (12)}} has posed:'''     "No it just kind of roars angrily at people and makes me puke fire. Animates the toaster and makes it fight the chair. Makes them gang up on me. That sort of shit," Mordred answers. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Wrathborn answers both. "I don't know, it just feels natural," to Mordred. "We lash out. Even the ones that aren't... Mcdragonpants. Our powers hurt one another..." He trails off, as if something fleeting occurred, then he shakes his head again. "Mordred's binding is different than mine. My particular sphere of influence was also well-suited for interaction with my host." 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     "So does that mean the more people piss off Mordred, the more that Rage can seep into her mind to discover human emotion?" Psyber asks in a pretty serious tone. This is, while a bad phrasing, a completely serious question, "I mean, obviously there's the fact we don't want a Takeover Two-Point-Oh going on, but..." He looks over to Mordred, "If the Shajem of Rage could be controlled, imagine how much that could change Mordred's existing interactions with its powers." 

}}

1639/Final Dream: Abandonment

2015-03-13T03:08:47Z

Blue Elf:

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2015/02/22
|Location=Elliana's Nightmares
|Synopsis=Delving into an empty temple in Elliana's nightmares, the group finds a hidden nightmare.
|Thanks=
|Cast of Characters=12, 40, 92, 134, 168, 183, 253, 331, 395, 495, 570
|Tinyplot=New Blood
|Tinyplot2=
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Once again, upon entering the nightmare realm. Wrathborn brings the entire group into the needed dream without any interim placement. Well... almost. This time, the group will manifest outside some aging, ancient doors that some in this group will be familiar with. This is it. This is the Temple of the Lord of Nightmares, the place where Wrathborn was sealed for centuries before Elliana betrayed the Union and set herself on her current path. One would think it was an extremely important place in the whole scheme of things, but... Wrathborn is leaning against the side of the temple, the doors already open, and waiting for arrivals.     "Ah, I see most everyone is here again," the man says. He looks a little less stringy, today. "Welcome to the last of the major recurring Nightmares. I'm not sure why this one is so important that it lingers, though... it's pretty boring. Just look inside, see for yourself." He shrugs. "On occasion she'll have other ones, but with this one you've covered all the major bases. I'm afraid you'll be disappointed, though. You'll pardon me if I don't follow you in... this particular place is unpleasant for me to revisit, so I rarely look in, especially once I found how empty it was." 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     Psyber is here! And he brought Wrathborn a treat again. Only instead of a super spicy curry sandwich, it's just a bacon cheeseburger with curly fries and a shake. Half to make up for last time and half just to try to give Wrathborn something interesting to do while they're all faffing about. Eating is a pretty interesting activity, after all.     "The last nightmare, huh?" Psyber says to Wrathborn as he tosses him the bag, "And it's this place. Interesting, but not surprising. This was a major turning point in her life and a location where everything changed for her in an instant." He scowls a bit and looks around.     "I suppose if we're going, we should go." Psyber doesn't waste much time and immediately gets to walking. Best to inspect this one right away, in his mind. 

:'''{{#var:570|Kimiko Shinobu (570)}} has posed:'''     As before, Kimiko is here. As before, dressed in unassuming, civilian clothing, suitable to a recent cold snap. It won't really matter here, given the dream nature, but it's how things have been for her recently, so it's the self-image she's currently projecting.     She gives a slight nod to Wrathborn, neither in a hurry to see the inside--she imagines anything they need to see, they'll have time to--nor to question the Shajem. She leaves the initiative to others, thus following Psyber as he goes in. 

:'''{{#var:40|Eleanor Lamb (40)}} has posed:'''     Eleanor brushes off her dress, a meaningless gesture here but something to calm the nerves. She's heard the story on this one, of course, they likely all have, but she didn't witness the betrayal, of course.     A nervous look over to both Psyber and to Nathan. Both have different reasons to be here, of course. 

:'''{{#var:395|Amalthea (395)}} has posed:'''     There is a unicorn here today, as per usual when it comes to such things. Wrapped up in her cloak and armor, Amalthea is rummaging around in search of the coffee urns that had previously, and oddly, been present at the start of prior dream events, and generally looking like she's been spending far too long in bed with something messing up her hair, and not eating properly.     Maybe she should get help about MMO addictions.     Her GGO habits that NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT set aside, when the group is set in front of the old temple devoted to the Lord of Nightmare, she glances up.     "Well shit, this brings back memories." She chuffs and folds gauntlet-clad hands behind her head. "Huh, might as well."     Oh hey she's following. 

:'''{{#var:134|Sakura Haruno (134)}} has posed:'''     Flowers is here, and she's at least slightly less bundled up than the previous time - maybe it's finally starting to thaw where she's been staying, or at least she's getting used to the cold. Either way, she doesn't look tremendously happy about the location this time. Though she's only very rarely tremendously happy.     "Well, I suppose it's good to get all the way through them. I'm not really sure how much they've helped, though." She muses, though this may be because of her not normal reasons for attending. Though she wasn't actually present here the first time. 

:'''{{#var:331|Himei (331)}} has posed:'''     Himei's presence isn't surprising, at this point, is it? Also dressed casually, she eyes the temple with some trepidation. Not very good memories, this one. "Yeah... but boring? This was anything but, for us." She glances at Wrathborn. "I suppose for you it's just a reminder of confinement, but for us..."     The dark-haired girl sighs, but Psyber has the idea. "I guess we should head inside. I hope we won't have to fight any strange statues this time. That was a nasty surprise. Though so far we haven't had to do much fighting, I guess that's something." 

:'''{{#var:12|Mordred (12)}} has posed:'''     Mordred is here, mostly as a property of however the Hell it is she gets here. One presumes hefty abuse of Elliana's dream powers and the inherent ability of a Servant and Master to share dreams, which kind of blends in together. As usual she is wearing Dream Psyber's Dream Coat, because she has figured out how to keep that thing on her whenever she pops in. She has also plucked something from elsewhere in the landscape.     From behind, the Servant boredly throws tildes at Psyber.     Playing darts with those things is great. She filled her pockets.     "We should make sure to ask the doors if it's okay to go in, wouldn't want this to go TOO fast~." A small cost to pay to throw those things. 

:'''{{#var:183|Mizuki (183)}} has posed:'''     After appearing, Mizuki would take some time to analyze the ghoulish bastion before her. This place may lack much of the mystique it holds for the others present, but nevertheless she might get a vague sense of its import just by being within a certain proximity of it. Still, though, yes -- it's a bit boring. Far more austere than the pirate ship she'd come in on last time, but still, she's always appreciated the aesthetic of temples anyway. Dark, dank, labyrinthine sometimes; a bit like graduated mausoleums of which she has far greater attachment. Still, she cares more for the history and subtext that surrounds them. This place must certainly have a lot of that if it's traveled through both time and the mind alike to arrive here, so in that, limited way, it might garner some allure despite its unfamiliarity.     Not that her feelings of it are of any great consequence, though. This dream is a shadow cast by another person, and so -their- feelings are the ones that must be considered more heavily. Were it only that she knew that person at all, but alas, it seems she's done things in reverse order, so she lacks any such hints. If anything she's here to observe and record things objectively so that the others - Nathan, perhaps, or Psyber - might make something of the details later. This is why she has come wielding a pen and tome rather than a sword and magic. She trusts that the others have fended for themselves in their previous excursions and that they should have no trouble doing so again, and that she should have no especial need to intervene in the realm of combat. At the least, she didn't last time.     All that aside, though, she would pay Wrathborn a small nod, and perhaps share the same with others she knows -- Kimiko, Psyber, and perhaps even Nathan would be included among that number, but likely no more. Mordred might get a slightly nervous look, but she hopes it will not linger long enough for her to notice. Otherwise, this is one of those rare occasions where she sees no express need for communication and will say nothing to obstruct the natural course of things. For the same reason she's come wearing none of her usual, flamboyant garb, electing instead to wrap herself in a dim, pitch robe that attempts to pay the atmosphere some sort of penance in the form of modesty.     She'll probably be doing a lot of writing today. 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     "I see that an understanding of who she is might begin where it ended." Nathan says, quietly under his breath. He has his traditional stoicism in play, so his reaction to such a familiar and intensely emotionally charged location is impossible to read. Only those incredibly familiar with him will realize he's having any reaction at all. It's that tunnel vision mode again.     He's going to head in with Psyber right away. Eleanor gets no immediate reaction to her look, when normally she would; it should be plain now that he's in one of those hyperfocus moods. "They have helped." Nathan says, concisely, to Haruno.     Now, he knows how this went. First: The antechamber was full of giant statues. His original solution was redundant, as one can see from the gleaming Key in his hand; has Wrathborn cleared out the first challenge from this area as well? Nathan intends to solve this more directly if he can, based on how the solution to the matter was seen the first time. 

:'''{{#var:495|Riva Banari (495)}} has posed:''' Riva's never been here, though WORD ON THE STREET is that some serious crap went down here. This doesn't keep Riva from launching between Mordred and Psyber like a bodyguard (Or perhaps an over-exuberant dog) and snatching a flying tilde out of the air. She lands on the other side and immediately begins fiddling with it. "Oh my god, is this a tilde~" She starts trying to bend it and mess with it. There is a pause and a blink as she considers the unexpected effect of having one... And then shrugs. People who know her knows she does it a lot anyway. "Where did you get it, some kind of crazy word-place area?~" She hums for a moment, and then sticks it in her red hair like a pick, letting it accent while she focuses on the task at hand. She doesn't seem to bother protecting Psyber from the rest of Mordreds's shenanigans. He's a big boy, he can handle it, she just wanted to keep a tilde. "I wonder what we'll see in there~" She says, looking between the expressions of those present. The badfeels, they are super real here. She might have to put on her game face. Though the rampant tildeness seems to be pretty normal for Riva. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     "Oh, thanks," Wrathborn says, accepting Psyber's fast food. He pauses though, pointing the shake straw at the half-angel. "But I'd better not find you've messed with this. I expect not. You're half-divine, and it would be an unforgiveable sin to mess with a bacon cheeseburger." That was... probably humor.     "Hello again, Eleanor. Riva. Mizuki, wasn't it?" Wrathborn is being... surprisingly polite. He's showing vague signs of nervousness, though, and he's new enough to human emotions that he can't hide these without directly drawing on Elliana's skill at masking her thoughts. He isn't doing that right now, so he's looking fidgety. "As for what you'll see... well, nothing much. Just me," he states.     Thus, he doesn't stop the group from walking through those doors. Just like before, the room beyond is an antechamber. The inscriptions are more vague and blurry this time, though concentrating on them will reveal a minor inscription of one of the attempts to Bind the Shajem. It's off of Elliana's memory, though. The two statues are here, but they are silent and inert, with the next doors opening without trouble.     It is, in fact, boring... though not quite as it was in the real world, for those who were there. It's a large chamber beyond the antechamber, with arches buttressing the walls and dome-like ceiling. A broad circular area, carved with glowing runes, seems to keep the pedestal in the center sealed. The globe containing the swirling Lord of Nightmares in non-corporeal form is on that pedestal, though this one has a hairline crack in it.     That's it. Nothing else of interest in this room. Wow, that is kind of boring. 

:'''{{#var:40|Eleanor Lamb (40)}} has posed:'''     Eleanor gives a surprised look at Wrathborn. He remembers her. "I'm not quite sure how to take you knowing who I am, though... I suppose Elliana knows who I am, and you... would have access to that right now." She purses her lips and keeps looking at the spirit, though, as the rest of the group filters into the Antechamber.     But she's looks over to Psyber and Nathan, murmuring. "what was supposed to happen here? What may have changed to turn this into a nightmare... other than Nathan being the one to betray Elliana?" 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     "This one's legit. Diner burger and fries with a shake. I promise, totally good~," He says, grinning to the man and holding up his hands in a defensive manner. As he starts walking, he looks over to Riva, "Oh~. Glad you could make i-~"     "DAMNIT MORDRED~!" Psyber is swiping at his back, trying to clear off the tildes that got stuck there before Riva interevened. He tosses a few back at the knight, wanting to spread the curse around a bit before he spots Nathan heading off.     To Eleanor, Psyber simply replies, "It is possible this is a nightmare in its basic state of events. This is the location in which Elliana betrayed everyone she cared for in pursuit of her ideals, and did not wholly succeed. It represents a loss of her gains, a loss of control, and a forsaking by everyone she once stood with. There is little you could add to this series of events to make it more nightmarish," Psyber notes in a bland, somewhat distant tone.     "Though I do have an external theory."     Psyber crosses the room easily, in a practiced gait, trying to beat Nathan to the orb. He cups his hands against it and peers inside, having a theory he's not fully vocalizing. 

:'''{{#var:331|Himei (331)}} has posed:'''     Himei looks back at Eleanor. "Wrathborn knows a lot of what Elliana knows, though not all of it. He's much more informal, though. I wouldn't worry about it. For an incarnation of evil, he's actually pretty laid back." It sounds weird, saying it that way.     The boring room is pretty... boring. It still brings some chills to her, because that particular point in her history with Elliana was not pleasant. She also keeps looking backward at the antechamber, as if expecting the statues to stomp in and attack. "It could be a lot of things. If she regrets turning on us, or a nightmare where she lost, or... a lot of options. But apparently it's nothing?" She hasn't noticed the crack in the sphere, which would make a lot more sense to her. 

:'''{{#var:134|Sakura Haruno (134)}} has posed:'''     Sakura will give Wrathborn a glance as though he had grown a second head as she catches the joke; she really was not prepared for that. Assuming it is a joke, at least, but she's not really ready for lethal threats in seriousness over food either.     She'll walk into the room, and in spite of the impact the events of this place had had on her life, she'd never been there in person. If the place was even still there; she hadn't asked.     "Well. This isn't the most exciting nightmare, is it?" Not that she's going to underestimate the torment a location could have, really. "It may require her emotional background to really mean anything. I'm sure all of us have dreams that wouldn't impact others the same.." 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     Nathan watches those statues. They don't move this time. Good.     He's wandering inside, looking around for now. The Shajem is still bound here, with the hairline cracks in its container, though not as many. As it was BEFORE Elliana's binding, though, not, theoretically, after? Just like with the statues. Maybe. Alright, time to test the first theory. "The area was uninteresting, empty, because Wrathborn did not trigger the effects we trigger." Nathan quietly mutters in monotone as he wanders the room. He's banking on a reaction when the group is all present. His theory is that the chamber is less of a nightmare in itself and more of a stage, as a subconscious reaction to the intrusions made on the area.     He also checks the ground. Any faded signs of Elliana's brand of chalk marks for Bindings? He thinks he might have the same theory Psyber has, about Elliana's role in the Binding in this theoretical what-if, which would explain certain elements of the chamber, and confirm what he thinks Psyber's theory might be. There should be old signs of wide outer rings, if Elliana-style binding occurred here, and none, if not. 

:'''{{#var:183|Mizuki (183)}} has posed:'''     Mizuki never could be counted on to keep her silence for very long, though, and she doesn't. Riva would receive a nod as the others did, but in supplement to that, a smile. "Now you sound even more like a caricature from a nursery rhyme, Miss Banari." Then she goes back to staring at her book so she can play it cool.     Her jokes suck, so it's probably a good thing that people move into the temple where it cannot linger. She lags behind them a moment to respond to Wrathborn, though. "Yes, it is. But before I go inside, I did want to thank you and your... well, your 'keeper' for lack of a better word, that I'm grateful for your help before. With the reclamation of Arthur, if you recall." She would allow for a brief pause before concluding, "... if you can relay they to her somehow, I would appreciate it. If not, then I suppose I will do so. Eventually." Because this pseudo-deity isn't nervous of talking to Elliana in the least, nope. NOPE, moving along.     Then she joins the others in the antechamber. She passes each statue, jotting something down in her journal as she follows after the others. She might attempt to sketch them, but she has a bit of a rough time of it -- art was always her librarian's forte, not her own. She is much more taken by the next room, though; she has always had a soft spot for the Romanesque, and dome-shaped ceilings are certainly evocative of that in her mind. She might smile a bit before she notices that odd, gently fractured globe, and her eyes lock on to it instead. There's a hint of worry in her eyes, now. Is... is that going to do something bad? She looks to Psyber as if expecting some reply, but of course she won't receive one unless she asks. For some reason she's finding herself quite reluctant to do so this evening.     So for now, she watches. And listens. Everyone has their theories, and yet she has none. A sorry state of affairs, for her, but at least she's learning a bit from her eavesdropping. 

:'''{{#var:12|Mordred (12)}} has posed:'''     Mordred gets a few tildes stuck into her chest. We could make a padding joke, or talk about how the tildes have more curves than she does, but let's be mature about this.     "I stuffed my pockets full of them, a couple more won't hurt me22:06, 12 March 2015 (CDT)~."     The Servant will get bored of playing tildedarts eventually. Mostly, as they go in, and she looks around and concludes this place is boring and just this once maybe Wrathborn was right.     "Uuuuugh. Please tell me we didn't come all the way in here just to look at wall paintings and pedestals. Why don't you suckers try standing the way you were when she stabbed you and at least make this historically accurate for me." Yes, she pocketed the tildes. 

:'''{{#var:570|Kimiko Shinobu (570)}} has posed:'''     Kimiko gives an odd look to Mordred, Psyber, and Riva's antics. She has a vague recollection of this speech-related curse, and stays out of the line of fire with a frown.     Given that the Puella Magi wasn't even in Heaven or Hell at the time events occurred here, she doesn't have any recollection of this place. She looks up the walls of the antechamber as they pass through it, and then falls behind Psyber as he runs up to the orb. She continues walking, but still at the same pace.     Presently, she turns to Eleanor. "Nathan betrayed her...?" 

:'''{{#var:40|Eleanor Lamb (40)}} has posed:'''     Elle nods at Kimiko. "Well, if it's a Nightmare, I thought maybe perhaps the tables might be turned on Elliana and it would have turned out the mild-mannered Nathan Hall harbored the mind of a serial killer. I mean, that clearly isn't the case."     A look over to Nathan and Psyber fighting over the scene before them. A sigh. 

:'''{{#var:395|Amalthea (395)}} has posed:'''     With all the tildes flying, Amalthea keeps her shield at the ready. But mostly figures is fhe stays out from intervening between Psyber and Mordred she should probably be fine. Unless a terrible ~misfire~ of some sort occurs or something.     Briefly she crouches, lone eye peering down at the sigils and inscriptions on the floor. Up until Psyber goes for the orb anyway.     Idle aside to Eleanor and Kimiko: "Serial Killer Nathan Hall. That's kind of a scary thought." 

:'''{{#var:495|Riva Banari (495)}} has posed:''' "Hello Wrathborn! It's nice to meet you again~" Riva trills a bit, smiling to Wrathborn as he greets them. "I'm sure it'll all be fiiiine, just relax~!" She seems to ponder for a moment, and then nods. "Enjoy the lunch~" She calls, turning to head in with the others. The antechamber gets Riva poking at it quite a bit, since she's been concenred with trying to pay attention to her surroundings. The statues are examined in detail, even though there's likely nothing of note. She makes humming noises, though it's kind of clear she has no idea what she's supposed to be looking for. More importantly is the next chamber. She looks over the area with wide eyes, blinking at it. "Oooooooh. This is neat~" Nathan and Psyber rush the central orb, so Riva busies herself with looking over the runes on the architecture. "Let's poke around and see what we can find out~" She laughs at Mizuki's response, and grins. "Mary, Mary quite contrary, how does your garden grow o/~" She hums musically, though it might sound odd under the tilde's influence. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Wrathborn nods to Mizuki, "Oh, I can speak to her. I'll pass that along. Any time, really." He doesn't go in with them, though. He stays outside. This is an important detail, considering what happens next.     Investigating the floor and the like will find no chalk marks. This wasn't an Elliana-style binding. Maybe that explains the length of the fracture in the globe. Wrathborn isn't about to burst out dramatically, but this isn't a binding that can hold for all that much longer either. Months or years, not decades. The other runes around the room are faded but... well, they'd be readable if Riva knew the language. Obviously they are meant as part of the binding or something.     But no, it isn't anything but purple mist in the sphere. In fact, the only thing of interes is when... the doors slam shut behind everyone, and the entire room fades into darkness.     Even for the fliers, there's a sensation of 'falling' within the area. Those a little more in tune with dreams will realize this is just the mind filling in the motion into the depths of a hidden dream. Vague glimpses of roiling chaos surround the group, but really it's all over in a few heartbeats.     MEDICAL WING 33E     A wide corridor. That's where everyone is now. Down the hall is a set of double doors, leading to the treatment rooms and patient beds. It's a madical wing, as the large sign declares.     The older ones in the group will recognize this as Daystar Alpha, the old Union base before Njorun was finished. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     Psyber loses his footing at the sense of falling, stumbling a bit in his stance and trying to keep a solid standing. He scowls a bit and then looks around at the change of location, "This is... wow. Talk about an outdated base. Might as well be New Washington or some shit," Psyber murmurs.     Psyber sighs a bit, "Alright~." Psyber pauses to brush off a tilde stuck to his shoulder, "One theory down. About a billion more to go," He notes, getting his bearings. If this is a nightmare, aiming towards the worst outcomes possible for a given situation. He looks to the group, "We should head to the ICU. Assuming the worst in a dreamscape, that will be where the narrative continues."     "I have exhausted my current theory, however, and will instead be proceeding as if I have no knowledge of what this dream is about." 

:'''{{#var:134|Sakura Haruno (134)}} has posed:'''     There are things Sakura handles fairly well, and things she doesn't. The earth natured ninja does not do well with not being on the ground, something most of the ground knows, but the shriek that comes from her when she's suddenly surprise-falling is probably not going to go over that great with those who're near her anyways.     She'll look mildly embarrassed as she sees the area they arrive in, a place she most likely does know better than anyone else within the group. "Aah. There was the ICU, but we also had isolation wards here, and they were more secure. It could be either of those; I never treated Elliana. Was she a particularly bad patient, do you think?" 

:'''{{#var:40|Eleanor Lamb (40)}} has posed:'''     No one likes falling, least of whom is Eleanor who already despises flying to begin with. There's a squeal of panic from the girl before she stumbles to her footing in the very old... Medical labs. A blink, a look around and she brushes at her dress again, fixing it back into place from her panic. "Right, well, I... This is awkward. Please excuse that noise, I... ah."     Ears turn a little pink, and the Big Sister murmurs. "Secure beds would be down the hall yes, but who the devil are we here to see is the question?" 

:'''{{#var:331|Himei (331)}} has posed:'''     Himei latches onto the reason instantly, though. "Elliana's never seen the inside of Njorun. Why would we end up there? Daystar Alpha was the base we had when she was in the Union. So... either we're back in time, or this is just a representation of how Elliana imagines the Union base to be."     She brushes off her hands, then nods at Psyber's idea, too. "The ICU... yeah, that's probably the place to go. Or at least head that way. This whole dream narrative thing means we'll run into the right place anyway, if we bumble around enough. I think we should be careful about ending this one early though, right?"     Himei offers a hand to Sakura for steadying, then makes her way down the hall. 

:'''{{#var:395|Amalthea (395)}} has posed:'''     Amalthea is still poring over the runes for a moment, before she lets out a completely graceless squawk when the doors slam, the mist rolls in, and she does EVERYTHING SHE CAN to try and maintain her balance during the sudden gut-lurching feeling of gravity deciding to take a day off.     The situation ends when she finds herself stuck horn-first in the ceiling of the Daystar medical wards.     "I know this ceiling." She announces while extracting herself and landing with a CLANK-CLANK and hiss of steam from her ankles.     Like a cat that absolutely did not just fuck up in any way at all, she simply brushes her hair back and pretends that never happened. 

:'''{{#var:183|Mizuki (183)}} has posed:'''     Mizuki is surprised when the visual of that misty purple sphere fades away, certainly, but she has a sort of kinesthesis within dreamscapes like this. That's to say, she knows what's going on to some degree, and though she can't predict where the group will end up she is able to cope with the shift fairly easily. As such, she has the mercy of a quick acclimation to the environment of the medical station which she exploits to do a quick, premature analysis of things. She has only been to Njorun one or twice, though, so she doesn't really pick up on the similarities, and nor does she have the foreknowledge that would tell her exactly where they are meant to be. Thankfully, though, some commentary from Psyber narrows things down: this is likely an old Union installation of some form, which means this place is likely tied to some memories of consequence.     If she weren't trying so hard to suppress it at the moment, that might make her giddy. She can't lie -- both as an authorial sort and as a human-like being shackled to errant personal curiosities, things just became quite a lot more interesting. She might learn something about Psyber or Nathan; something that would make both of them less nebulous beings whilst bringing their own histories into greater focus. Then, too, she might finally learn something of consequence about Elliana, and find some way to be relevant in this condensed narrative.     ... bah, but those are all very egocentric things to be thinking. With a deep breath, she would attempt to expel them, and follow the others toward the ICU. She would certainly jot a note or two about this on her way, though. 

:'''{{#var:570|Kimiko Shinobu (570)}} has posed:'''     Kimiko tries to keep her balance, but she's unable to determine that she is even, in fact, standing on anything. Heartbeats later, she is again on solid ground, arms out, leaning back, and standing on one foot. This is not a good position from which to remain standing.     With a swift step backward, stomping the ground, she does. She turns her head to either side, first confirming that everyone is here, and then looking at the sign.     "...I don't know this area." She would say something more, but instead nods to Himei. They'll inevitably head in the--or at least, a--correct direction, just by following what's defined. 

:'''{{#var:12|Mordred (12)}} has posed:'''     Whooooo falling!     That's too bad, Mordred really wanted to see Nathan reenact getting stabbed. You know, to solve a puzzle. Not just because she's bored.     Darting back to her feet, dusting herself, she glances around, having only the loosest sense of maybe having seen this in a dream just the one time but not knowing where it is. Himei answers that question, so that's that.     "So, what, you think this is a nightmare where she trusted you guys and didn't shank a bitch to catch a snake?" With all her eloquence, Mordred offers that theory while following along. She does not really believe in it herself, she's just filling time by talking. 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     "That was not a Fairchild-type binding, at least not the one she used." Nathan says. "Nor one that utilized her potency and power, I think. The statues were restored to their proper position. I believe I understand now." He manages to get to his feet after being unsettled off of them, by the sensation of falling. Not a graceful guy, that Nathan. "Patient beds, Treatment rooms. She originally assisted with long-term Union Elite care and short-term emergency care. I suspect we are near her. She worked in Daystar medical, not Njorun. I believe we are not here to see a patient."     He moves on. Nathan wouldn't have been an unusual person to see down here given how often he got injured before partnering with Psyber. And if the current what-if to this dream is what he suspects, he likely would not have become a general, nor partnered so directly with Psyber, so he would not be unusual to see down here. "It is possible." Nathan says, simply, to Mordred. "It is the theory I work with."     "But more than that, I believe she simply may have never tried to perform the Binding in question in the first place." He moves on. They're near a door, just like they were at the start of the dream. Let's see what's past it! 

:'''{{#var:495|Riva Banari (495)}} has posed:''' Riva might not know the language, but she takes some pictures with her phone anyway. Can you take phone pictures in a dreamscape!? WE'LL SEE! She meeps and lookc up when the doors close, the nightmare moving on to taking a new, unusual shape. Medical Wing 33E. This doesn't mean anything for Riva, so she looks to the others. She has a Bad Feeling About This. Everyone heads to the ICU, and Riva follows, giving Eleanor a comforting pat on the shoulder. "It'll be fine~" She reassures her, and brings her along. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Looks like everyone has adjusted, and... yeah. Some of the guesses are correct, even, because just walking down the hall opens up into one of the treatment rooms. These are for wounded, not diseases, where the wounds are assessed and triaged. More importantly, this is where the Union healers, if any are on duty, apply any mystical or otherwise powerful healing.     As guessed, Elliana is here, and she's just finishing up with a nameless wounded soldier. Flesh knits together and bleeding stops, as the young blonde straightens up and wipes her brow. Any who remember when Elliana had healing abilities will realize they are MUCH stronger than when she was in the Union, though.     "Ah!" She glances up. Both eyes are blue, but she looks... actually a little older than the curren tone. Elliana stopped aging, but this one did not, and looks like her actual twenty years of age. The subtle lines of corruption and the slight alterations made from using her powers are also gone, along with the scars over her eye and on her forehead. "Flowers, are you here to relieve me? I feel like I've been here for ages." She pauses, frowning, and the Dream seems to 'glitch' a little as she shuffles the others into the narrative. "Why are the rest of you here? Did something happen? Nathan?"     Yeah, she used first names, not her usual titles.     With a sigh, she glances at Kimiko. "Or did you overextend yourself again, Kimiko? I swear, you Puella Magi..." 

:'''{{#var:570|Kimiko Shinobu (570)}} has posed:'''     Kimiko follows along, eventually arriving at their destination, and finding Elliana... older? It might go without saying, but she finds this curiously peculiar on a variety of levels. That Wrathborn may have known about this nature of the dream and have thus declared it 'boring' doesn't cross her mind, until Eleanor mentions it. Piecing together things that way isn't something she leaps at, compared to trying to make sense of what's directly in front of her.     "I am fine for the moment, Miss Fairchild." 

:'''{{#var:134|Sakura Haruno (134)}} has posed:'''     Sakura goes by that nickname almost more than her actual name, and there were confederates who had used it, but the look on her face when Elliana uses it is about as surprised as though she'd been shot - beyond the formality normally forthcoming from the girl, they hadn't exactly been friends even when Elliana was in the Union.     She'll shoot the others a look, though, and then.. "Aah. Of course I can give you a rest. I believe that everyone wanted to talk to you, though." She says, gesturing at Himei and Nathan in particular, then moving over to look for the next patient, giving up a bit of time herself with the dream to let the others ask any questions they might have without disrupting it. 

:'''{{#var:40|Eleanor Lamb (40)}} has posed:'''     Eleanor pokes her head into the room... We are not to disrupt the dream just yet, right.     "Hallo, Not Me! How are you doing, Ellie?" Let's be pleasant for now. "Have you seen any of the girls around? I think a few were floating through today to be social with some of the patients." 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     "Mm. She never met me until towards the end of her plan," Psyber quietly murmurs to himself, looking awkward, "Come to think of it, she probably wouldn't have known me that well were it not for that." He laughs awkwardly at the reveal of this particular nightmare slice and rubs at the back of his head.     Almost immediately, Psyber steps to the side and leans against the wall, crossing his arms awkwardly and pointedly avoiding the situation. His statement isn't wholly inaccurate, considering that he came in on the back end of her plan and hadn't known her that well before. And his involvement afterwards came out of a conceptual necessity. This Elliana is a total stranger, in his mind.     She he immediately shuts off and lets the others talk to her instead. He'd smoke, but... hospital. 

:'''{{#var:12|Mordred (12)}} has posed:'''     Mordred abstains from chatter, since she reckons this is a situation in which she has no analogue. It could be strongly argued it's Wrathborn that summoned her, not Elliana. Or it could also be said that's literally what happened. Either way, she doubts she has an explicit slot to fit in here.     "I don't know if this is a real nightmare but if this turns into hours of happy chatter like nothing is wrong it's gonna become MY nightmare," she complains, about as loudly as the previous times. Bluh bluh there's nothing to stab. She'll get over it. 

:'''{{#var:395|Amalthea (395)}} has posed:'''     Whelp looks like Nathan was right in his theory doesn't it.     Fun fact, Amalthea's armor has spaces that double for pockets. Her hands are firmly stuffed in them by the time the group finds Elliana, a healer instead of a Binder.     When Sakura looks nigh stricken from being called by her nickname, by said Elliana, one hand sets on the mednin's shoulder.     "Do you want that hug I owe you now, or later?"     But then Psyber steps aside. Okay, time for Amalthea to approach this with as much tact, class, and subtlety as she can finagle. "Well, we were wondering what you were doing here? Aside from your job." 

:'''{{#var:331|Himei (331)}} has posed:'''     The theories tossed around have Himei looking thoughtful, but it proves that one or two of them are at least mostly right. Unfortunately, though Himei's been pretty confident through the dreams up until now, she's briefly baffled by what this means. The fact that Elliana's dream self uses the term Puella Magi vaguely alarms her, though she realizes that the priestess would naturally know a little about the topic, wouldn't she?     "Right. Talk," Himei mumbles. "Everything going all right here then?" It's a little vague, and she holds further questions back to let Nathan speak. 

:'''{{#var:495|Riva Banari (495)}} has posed:''' Riva is unfamiliar with the environment, but that doesn't keep her from following along. She sticks with Psyber, perhaps unconsciously adopting the same stance as she leans against the wall. "There's a lot of possibilities here~" She comments offhandedly to Psyber. "I'm not sure what to look for though, always the problem with coming into a story in the middle~" She smiles a little. "Mizuki would know all about that, I bet~" 

:'''{{#var:183|Mizuki (183)}} has posed:'''     Mizuki may be a bit lost, but she's not so dense as to miss the point of this entirely. And she knows that things are likely to get darker, yes. And that this is just a dream. And that this is all going to vanish as soon as they leave. Still, she would look to Psyber for a moment before she averts her gaze and smiles. If there is one thing that she has learned recently, it's that there is nothing but suffering to be found in stewing endlessly over the condition of a future you can never truly know. In contrast, then, there is value in appreciating the present, and an eternity's worth of interaction with her own mind has done much to help her perceive dreams as real, tangible things as well. So she's content to indulge herself a little naivet� for the moment, and to appreciate this shade of the would-have-been.     More than that, though, it makes her hopeful. She's heard the tale of her betrayal, and she's had ample time to realize the bitterness Nathan hides behind his analytical facade. Now, though, she's having an opportunity to see Psyber's side of things -- the 'good' person that might hide there, or at the least, an uncertainty that opens up the possibility for good. This dream's mere existence tells her that the woman herself must have entertained the possibility of remaining in the Union, and that alone is something good. A hope to hang on to, and a thing much more valuable than others may consider it to be.     'Don't view this as a malevolent tease of the past,' She might have wanted to say, 'but as a possibility for the future.' She wants to get sanctimonious, but she doesn't... outside of her mind at least. One cannot fault her so long as it remains there, so all she shows outside is her same smile. She would be careful to shuffle behind another, more relevant figure so that this Elliana is given her time with those who might appreciate her presence here, but she would certainly watch for every moment. It's a happy thing, tempered by intrigue and ominousness though it may be. A thing she can't help but to enjoy seeing.     Ah! But she almost forgot her writing. To start, she writes down what this Elliana had said, and how the others respond. It's inevitable that she would notice Psyber's reaction, which would elicit a frown from her. Now she's extremely glad she hadn't said what she had thought out loud -- it wouldn't have been her place to suggest the notion of this being a preferable outcome, would it have? She would sigh, but that isn't really her right either. So, finally, her gaze would simply rest on this alternative being so that she might look into her eyes. Elliana sacrificed something to to what she had in the 'real' world, but what had she sacrificed here? Certainly, there must have been something. Something...     ... for now, she keeps her pen held tightly. 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     Nathan was someone Elliana knew well at the distant beginning of all this. Very good friends! Hmmm. If she did her traditional field operations in the Union as well... Nathan keeps an eye out for telltale minor swordswoman calluses on the hands, to judge how much she's been doing field operations. He needs to double-check his approach, to see how familiar he should be acting. If she has them, she's been doing field ops too, but if she doesn't, she's 'retired' to medical. "Nothing so awful, Elliana. Though as always, your tremendous help is appreciated" Nathan assures her. "Just here with friends, since you came up in a brief conversation. I had heard how busy you were doen here in medical, and Flowers thought to come help give you a bit of time off." Not calling her "Haruno", and not calling Elliana "Lady Fairchild"? Nathan must really be getting into this nostalgia for past ages, but he's got a keen eye turned towards how familiar she acts with him, and with the others.     "We thought you might want to join us in the cafeteria for a while. George and Rampart and the others are already there, I believe, and we all always need to squeeze additional camaraderie out of Psyber more anyway. The job of a healer may never be done, but a little time off could not hurt." Mentioning a few of the others she knew only particularly intensely and emotionally because of the betrayal. How deep does this run? He tries to scope it out a little. He's also... Vaguely attempting to emulate how he understands his emotional development might have gone in the absence of Elliana's betrayal. To the others it may seem... A little uncanny. 

:'''{{#var:183|Mizuki (183)}} has posed:'''     Once she's had time to leave her own thoughts, though, she might flash Riva a look -- a very distinct sort that communicates her bemusement well. She seems to appreciate the remark, but she doesn't interrupt the scene with any words of her own. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Elliana hesitates, glancing over at Haruno. "Are you sure? Well, I got most of them... could we wait for Flowers, just a few minutes, if nothing comes up? I encountered an injury I'd like to talk over with her." So apparently there's a professional relationship there, at least. Still, the conversation seems to be flowing easily enough. She points to a little drawing that wasn't there before, and says to Eleanor, "One of them stopped by earlier with a little get well note. I really shouldn't have let her in, but I assessed that the injury wasn't too bad. I think she went to have some milk with one of the orderlies."     What is she doing here? Amalthea gets a stare. "I work here, at least today. I won't be able to next week, we have some missions planned. Having a Servant is an endless battle, really. Himei would know, yes?" She sighs, shaking her head. She hesitates, as if realizing something is wrong, then she flashes a smile to Riva and Mizuki. "Were you two the ones putting them up to this? Well, it's a good idea. All right, let's drag Psy out for some socializing."     'Psy?'     She flits right over to Psyber and kisses him on the cheek. "Come on, dear, you're showing your nerves. I'm sure it will get easier, but you promised! Let's go. If they brought Arturia, I'm sure they'll have quite the variety." She glances at Mordred when she says that, before reaching for Psyber's hand.     "Is Peg back in town?" She asks conversationally, as if nothing was amiss. 

:'''{{#var:183|Mizuki (183)}} has posed:'''     "I might have been." Mizuki transitions into conversation surprisingly well, for her, but that wit does not stay with her long. She may not know Elliana at all, but she has begun to learn about Psyber, and that knowledge is all she needs for her eyes to go wide as soon as Elliana... k-kisses him. Her face goes pale. Her pen would fall from her hand, but she would catch it in a stasis field just in time for it not to clatter on to the floor. This... is too much. Far too much. There is an interstice where one might be able to look on with some degree of melancholy and fondness at a memory like this, but this... is not that. This is more than anyone should ever have to bear. Though there are many better suited to handling this, she's sure, she reacts instinctively:     "W-Well. Regardless of our involvement," She would begin, stifling her stuttering as quickly as could be expected, "I'm afraid he's been kept from smoking this whole journey. Before we whisk him off to adventures abroad, we might consider giving him a moment to himself to do so. Wouldn't want him doing any of that in a medical ward, would we?" No, she's not as good at this sort of thing as Nathan, but she's trying. Damned if she won't try. 

:'''{{#var:570|Kimiko Shinobu (570)}} has posed:'''     Kimiko is basically just going to stand to one side, and maintain a very intense poker face at everything that is happening. 

:'''{{#var:395|Amalthea (395)}} has posed:'''     "Well yes I meant 'aside from your job'. As in what Nathan lead into with the whole 'let's go for beers and--'"     And that happens.     Amalthea trails clean off after Nathan's amazing save. She was about to roll into it and get into character.     She opts to just put an arm around Haruno for a moment, face looking like she's completely at a loss for a moment, before moving on. She recovers at least. "Peg's back, yeah. Keep it on the hush hush down low, but Psyber and I are gonna help Nathan pick a ring later."     She has GOTTEN INTO CHARACTER. 

:'''{{#var:134|Sakura Haruno (134)}} has posed:'''     Flowers had rather needed more reassurance, but the hug helps just a little bit, and she'll perk up. She's rather quick to treat the nearest faceless npc - she's speedy about that even when it's an actual person, and fake people are all the quicker. Still, since the progression is evidently going to wait on her, she'll try to play the part she's been given. Fortunately, she's better at lying than she is trying to discern lies.     "Aah. You said you had something you wanted to consult with me about?" She asks, stepping back over, and shooting Amalthea an incredulous look that Elliana hopefully misses. 

:'''{{#var:40|Eleanor Lamb (40)}} has posed:'''     Eleanor's face falters, ever, ever so slightly atthe immeiadte implcations of Elliana's actions. Of her efforts in crafting this dream world of hers, of the frankly intimate nature of what's going on. This was all...     Right. This was perfect, Elliana's idealized sight of what might have been. Friendship and hope, love and more. All because she didn't make that last step.     It breaks her heart. But she smiles. "Ah, thank you, Not Me. I'll make sure they get home safe don't worry I..." An appropriately scandalized noise at Amalthea though, and Elle... shuffles over to help Sakura. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     "You want to look for where the weakness is. What the centerpiece of the scenario is being held as. Sometimes it's a fear of her childhood, or a fear of compromising her ideals like in the two towers that you weren't here for. Each one has a core theme and when you find that, it becomes easier to understa-" He stops dead mid-sentence, looking over to Elliana. 'Psy?' His red eyes blink several times as he looks over at the medic. And then she flits over and kisses him on the cheek and the half-angel sort of (read: entirely) locks up from the gesture. Red eyes wide, totally lost, the entire shebang.     If Elliana's going to drag him by the hand, he doesn't have much struggle left, "Y-yeah. Nerves. What'll get easier?" He asks her, turning to look at her and seeming to be having trouble processing the current situation. A problem has been detected and Psyber has shut down to prevent damage to your psyche. UNABLE_TO_RESOLVE_CURRENT. If this is the first time you've seen this error screen, restart your Psyber. 

:'''{{#var:12|Mordred (12)}} has posed:'''     ARTURIA?     ARTURIA?!     Eh, fine. Mordred grumps, probably too familiar with the theory she's advancing on why this might be a nightmare. It's not like she hasn't been there herself. She certainly didn't HAVE to burn Camelot, and didn't have to create a civil war out of thin air resulting in the death of the entire mythos save a couple of the knights. She'll never know how things would have turned out if she'd just behaved. Better, maybe. Maybe not. It's awful, though. And that's kind of why she doesn't bother sleeping much. Being linked to Elliana means delicious, delicious nightmares everytime she tries.     Adjusting the tone of her voice, rattling her head for proper manners, Mordred resigns herself, on one condition. "I hope there will be food. I am starving." In her distraction she has missed any and all hints on who her master here is, but isn't really sure she cares too much.     Maybe it's a cool dude with biker clothes and shades. That'd be swell. He'd use a shotgun and have a sports car. They'd go on adventures as Team Dad.     It'd be great. 

:'''{{#var:495|Riva Banari (495)}} has posed:''' Riva just smiles as Elliana comes flitting by. She gives Elliana a big smile. "Oh, don't worry about me. I'm new~" She replies with a giggle, and makes sure to stay out of the way as Elliana kisses Psyber on the cheek. Oh my~. She draws up next to Mizuki and elbows her. "Stay on target~" she whispers, winking to her conspiritorially, then pipes up. "You know how these things get. Show up and go on a tour, and next thing you know you have an entire mass of people all meeting and greeting~" She says brightly, smiling to Elliana. "It's so wonderful what you're doing here in Medical. How long have you been working here~" She asks. The advantage of not being familiar with Elliana suddenly makes itself apparent: She can ask questions and not look like a moron. Well, more than usual. 

:'''{{#var:183|Mizuki (183)}} has posed:'''     Mizuki seems to have forgotten just how good Psyber is at acting.     Sigh. Well, she'll leave him be for now. Riva shoulders her, but she takes that as her cue to slip back out of the narrative rather than to engage in any sort of friendly hijinks. Really, she had hardly bought herself a place in it to begin with, but this is... not something she feels comfortable participating in. Watching, perhaps, but not interacting.     So she'll just be hanging back here, far, far away from the rest of them for a bit.     Yeah. 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     She has a Servant, alright. That clears that up. Okay, his tactful approach is working. Good. "Certainly, take any time you need." He says, casually. And then she's over kissing Psyber. Nathan's brain is in complete bluescreen mode for a moment, but it lasts mere fractions of a second before he seems to hard-restart. After a short pause, he seems to restart, and then here comes Amalthea with the right hook. This one, Nathan can't stoicface at, he actually full-on blushes and chokes a bit.     But this is calculated. He has to make this seem optimized. He is repressing the blush less because he needs to emulate what Fairchild might think of as the ideal outcome to this decision, someone more open with their emotions. "Y-yes, hush hush and as low as down can get." He manages to get out. Can't break continuity here.     RIGHT, WELL, let's move things on. "She will be soon. I am," He shuts both eyes tightly. "Trying to welcome her back well, yes." He looks at Amalthea. It would be a ":|" if "&#58&#124" wasn't his default face. Then over to Psyber. He thinks he knows how this goes. "You do not need to pretend, Psyber. Kicking your habit was always implicitly part of the deal, considering her occupation, but the difficulty of doing so is nothing we particularly wish to understate." A minor prompt. What's the deal here?     Arturia. The other Saber, right? Hmmm. Might be something there. Nathan focuses himself on setting up the narrative transitions in this, presumably with Flowers coming along later, or something similar. But he is taking this chance to indulge a little. This is practically a perfect dream for him, honestly, even with the Psyber issue and the TEASING. And he does so deeply wish he could rub Elliana's nose in how much he would theoretically be right about the other outcomes of her decision. 

:'''{{#var:331|Himei (331)}} has posed:'''     Himei stares at how Elliana is acting. What she says. The implications of it all. It's weighing rather heavily on her, what might have been... or... is this a trick? Some means Elliana is using to make them think everything could be okay? She shakes her head and searches for something, anything, to figure out the narrative.     As the group prepares to go, she asks, "When was the last time you went to visit your home world?" If she really DIDN'T do the Sealing that started all this, then wouldn't her world still be in danger? 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     "Wonderful!" Elliana says to Amalthea. She turns to go when Sakura seems to be ready, and says to the mednin, "Ah, it's a little technical. It looked like the wound was caused by... actually, we might want to wait until AFTER we eat, considering the company."     Discussing the difficulty is, indeed, referring to the habit. The habit of smoking. "No no, no smoking! We're trying to get him to quit, as he should have ages ago! It's bad for the baby, and I won't have Ethan growing up asthmatic!"     Whelp.     "Ah, sorry Arturia! I've been using too many of my reserves, I guess. I'll be more careful," she says to Mordred.     Riva gets a smile, "Off and on, about three years. Minus time for helping in operations and maternity leave, of course."     Then Himei asks her question.     in mid-step, Elliana falters, her smile slipping. It returns in another moment as she shakes her head in a quick toss of hair. "Ah, not yet. I mean, I haven't been back yet. Like I said before, my world is unremarkable. No real point in going back. I'm happier here, anyway." 

:'''{{#var:570|Kimiko Shinobu (570)}} has posed:'''     Kimiko says, perhaps even more quietly than before, "I don't see what is so surprising about this."     The mention of Elliana's homeworld gets a sharp look from her. Ah, there it is. There's the difficulty. "That was the trade-off, wasn't it. This, or your world. Or so you thought." 

:'''{{#var:12|Mordred (12)}} has posed:'''     For some reason people seem to think arguing with the Knight of Treachery on the subject of treachery being bad is a good idea. Predictably, Mordred rolls her eyes and just kind of ignores the arguments being given. 'sides, she's the only one here this scenario directly damages, so that's not a battle she'll win in either direction.     "That's alright. I enjoy eating."     No need to lie about that part, at least.     Well, either way, Elliana just dropped the facts. This choice is selfish. She's happy, sure. Meanwhile her world is burning unchecked in the background. 'Better' choice sure depends on perspective, now. 

:'''{{#var:40|Eleanor Lamb (40)}} has posed:'''     Eleanor sighs as the others keep wheedling at the happiness of Elliana, and then the others focus in on that idea, the hint of Terra Majora being uninteresting. Wrathborn was bored, indeed.     She brushes at her dress and smiles. Let's twist the knife then. Happy happy happy. "Oh that's wonderful Elliana. There's really far too little in the way of fruitful relationships around here. Well, except for Amalthea who builds her way into proper parenthood."     She smiles at the Unicorn and then huffs and puffs. "All the Other Elles are all happy and married and you still haven't helped me find someone, 'Thea. It's very rude." 

:'''{{#var:183|Mizuki (183)}} has posed:'''     "It would be best if he would relinquish that habit, yes." That's all she says, for now. Afterwards she simply ducks back into her book, writing as quickly as her hand can move, if not a trifle faster on the providence of temporal shenanigans. As promised, every word is noted, and as many aspects of the environment as she can notice are taken down as well. Himei is absolutely right, but since humans are imperfect creatures, she hopes her contribution of a written manifest might be helpful in some way or another.     Even more, though, writing is just her nervous reaction to everything that's happening around her. She's a lot more distressed by this whole thing than she has any reasonable right to be. 

:'''{{#var:395|Amalthea (395)}} has posed:'''     The issue with having one eye means it's really hard to hide where one is looking. Amalthea's gaze is flitting back and forth like a silent machinegun. She opts to now completely keep her trap SHUT right this second.     "I'm a unicorn, not a wish-granting matchmaker." She counters Eleanor. But then her eye is locked right on Elliana.     Unremarkable? Really? 

:'''{{#var:495|Riva Banari (495)}} has posed:''' Riva claps her hands and gasps as she hears that Elliana is a mother. BABIES ARE ADORABLE WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF THEM. Immediately, she claps her hands, eyes bright as she grins... And then she glances over to Psyber. You can almost /hear/ the mental screech in her mind as she throws her brain out of Baby Gushing Mode, and will probably have to take it into the mechanic later to look at the transmission damage. Considerably more subdued, she nods. "That's wonderful to hear~" She says, but her heart isn't really in it. She wears her emotions on her sleeve most of the time, and something seems to have put a boot into her going in whole hog. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     When Psyber snaps back into reality, he blinks a few times. And then he seems to immediately adopt a new stance in terms of his social interaction. It's an emotional and physical cringe before he plays it off as a slightly awkward laugh, "Ah heh, right, right. I was hoping you'd forget. I just ran out of patches, is all, so I'm slightly cranky."     His smile is hollow and his tone is fairly bland. The WORDS are there, and the phrasing is right, but it lacks Psyber's usual genuine palpability. The quality that makes Psyber so relatable or... himself. It's more of a knock-off of his normal dialect than it actually is him.     He can't process what to ASK Elliana, in this moment. He can barely process how he should be reacting to the situation and put forward that role. He takes a deep breath and then says, "Luckily Laine will be around to help us with Ethan." Laine would be Psyber's obvious, logical choice for a Godparent. 

:'''{{#var:134|Sakura Haruno (134)}} has posed:'''     Flowers is possibly overwhelmed already by the revelations; she seems to be looking more at Psyber than at Elliana. Possibly because of the beliefs she's already expressed. She's not really much more hurt by the friendliness, though. "Hm? Is it as technical as that? And they've all been through a few things, I'm sure they can stand a few medical details over dinner."     This is a lie, but those from heaven or hell would know that it's something that Flowers regularly does, part of what makes her truly excellent company. "We can talk about it later, though. Who's babysitting tonight?" 

:'''{{#var:331|Himei (331)}} has posed:'''     Himei glances at Flowers as the mednin gets into it a little, but Himei herself didn't miss that stagger, nor did she fail to notice what Kimiko said. She agrees with it, and that's why she's staring at Elliana now. Should she push the matter? Or should she let this play out?     Himei's never been particularly great at social situations, and here, she's doubly unsure.     "Right, right... but uninteresting can be nice sometimes," the Magical Girl finally says. "Sorry. I was just curious what it was like." At least she's not gauche enough to bring up parents or the like. "So you don't mind leaving your world behind? You're... happy here, huh?" 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     This is the way the world is. You do not get your vengeance, but the world continues to turn anyway. Nathan revels briefly in this nightmare element. "Certainly understandable." He says, nodding several times. "My own homeworld is similarly unremarkable. People like us should consider it a blessing. It is good that you are happier here though, like I am." Rub it in. RUB IT IN. But continue observation. Arturia. That's notable. Nathan's understood how this works. Wrathborn never formed in this what-if. That means Elliana sought a Servant on her own, either seeking a good catalyst or naturally forming a more heroically-inclined Hero.     "Yes, Amalthea, I would not object in the least if you dedicated some of your strange, incredible matchmaking skills to Eleanor instead of me. A fifty-fifty split? Or perhaps twenty-eighty? In her favor, of course. I am sure there are more war machines in your world." He says, in a dry, friendly-jabbing sort of way, but still monotoned.     Himei pushes a little. Nathan's eyebrow goes up, but his expression doesn't change in the least. He works with her here. In a way, it's almost rubbing it in worse. "Indeed. A few others once helped me with an incident in my own world, irrelevant as it may be; they happen all the time. Let us know if there are any problems you ever need help resolving there, we will be happy to assist, as we seemed in the case of my own." Nudge that just a little more, but undermine the premise just slightly. She could always ask for help with the society issues, after all, Nathan is sure.     But he doesn't keep focus on that. "But as long as you are happy and doing good, that is best. I am reminded, how are things in that Grail War matter? Assisting in incidents is one thing, but you have a much better view of the big picture." What sort of things are her normal operations now? How is she handling challenges and problems in the what-if-verse? 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     It's as if Elliana was hoping someone would change the subject. Kimiko's comment almost jars her out of the dream, right then and there, getting a stare and a faint paling of her cheeks. It's no wonder that she latches onto other topics, right away.     "I know a prince, Eleanor, I could arrange an introduction? I can be very persuasive when I want to be. I know I'm a little relaxed with all of you, but I can be formal!" She nods firmly, but that just makes her twitch in discomfort again.     Sakura gets a glance. "Laine, of course. And Tender Whisper." As if it were obvious. "Though I suspect that is not going to work out well for Rampart, as she seems to have taken quite a liking to Ethan." Oh dear.     She can't escape the topic, though. Faltering, she murmurs, "Y-yes. Of course. But my world is... it isn't pleasant and... I..." Being reminded is part of the narrative, and it's really causing a rapid breakdown. "My world never did anything for me. It's too late to help it, let's just move on. Food. Yes. I like food." 

:'''{{#var:40|Eleanor Lamb (40)}} has posed:'''     Eleanor's lips purse a bit at Elliana. "Well I /was/ a Duchess for a while, so there's that, but that title's been mostly vacated or revoked or however one does those with nobility. You'd know better, of course, Ellie."     Oh, the others are doing a much better job at being Nutra-Sweet than she is, and the Sister brushes at her dress again fitfully. "But again, that would only mean consigning someone to a life of caring for foster kids and that's awfully tough. Not like being a mother." 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     Around the second time Laine's name gets dropped, Psyber sorta gets an awkward look. He actually half-wishes she was here right now, if simply because he needs to have a breakdown and she's the only one that gets to see that. So he'll soldier on.     Playing to his part of the non-smoker, Psyber reaches into his jacket and pulls out some beef jerky. Not gum, because he doesn't roll like that. Mordred gets offered some of the beef jerky as he holds it out to her before he tears off a strip and starts to gnaw on it. It's teriyaki flavored.     Most of this is to keep Psyber from having to deal with Haruno or whoever else is taking shots at him. For the stoic humor he's putting up, they're slowly chipping away at him and it shows as his tone grows steadily more distant, while still containing his natural words and phrasings, "Dinner sounds good. I'm sure the cafeteria can accomodate us, though probably no buffets for the Saber-class."     Mordred gets a hollow smile and then Psyber adds, "But the rest of us should be fine."     And then Psyber looks to Elliana, "I'm sure Rampart will be fine. He can't be much worse for a child to be around than myself." 

:'''{{#var:395|Amalthea (395)}} has posed:'''     Amalthea proceeds to hook her arm around Nathan's shoulder. Be ye proud to be among the small handful of people that a unicorn is actually willing to make physical contact with, Nathan. Because keeping true to her role, she puts on the biggest smile. And then commences giving the Union general a MASSIVE NOOGIE. "Don't be silly, Nathan, I had nothing to do with any matches made, not now, not in the past, and not in the future."     It does not last long though as she detaches and crosses her arms. "Yeah come on Elliana, give us the deets, it's not like any of us are actually squeamish here when it comes to horrible maiming injury." Nevertheless she presses with all the subtlety of a bull through a china store window, pressing when Elliana falters.     "Man, your world can't be that uninteresting. You didn't leave anything behind back there? No unfinished business?" Uh oh.     "Iunno, Psyber, with how much Whisper bitches about him..." 

:'''{{#var:495|Riva Banari (495)}} has posed:''' Riva's looked agitated for a bit ever since the true meaning of the nightmare unfolded. She loks around, an unpleasant look flickering across her face. Perhaps she's not feeling well or something. After a short time, she pulls out her phone again, poking at it. She pauses. She looks over to Psyber, and then at Nathan and Sakura. She ponders for a moment, again... And then she looks up at Elliana. "Elliana, I've heard you're pretty good with weird languages. Would you be able to look at something for me? I took some pictures." She holds out her phone, offering it to Elliana. The pictures in question happen to be the temple they were just in. Picture of the surroundings, the architecture, the runic bindings, and of course the orb and Psyber poking at it. This might get messy. 

:'''{{#var:183|Mizuki (183)}} has posed:'''     The strokes of Mizuki's hand keep up even as the voices turn sour, and the topics grow grim. Her hand does pause a moment, though, on the final syllable of the word 'food'. Truth be told, this is making her a little bitter. Are -all- of these 'happy fantasies' doomed to spontaneously combust? Are they all fated to be discovered and eviscerated by the people who occupy them, out of spite? If someone were to wrap you in a blanket, would your first instinct be to tear the thing from your body, strike a match, and watch the thing burn?     ... no. No, she knows the circumstances aren't the same here. She knows this environment is far too duplicitous, too nuanced to be a blanket. But more and more she's finding it difficult to accept these sorts of things. Must every dream just be some thin veil that hides darkness? Must every single one be a lie, and a thing to be shed once a person has the 'strength' to face reality? It's a conundrum that's grated at her being for as long as she's held sovereignty over her own mind. And even more officious to her is -obligation-. Were she in Elliana's shoes, she would have abandoned such a world without a second thought. She would have seen it burn, and such nightmares would never haunt her mind.     "Yes, let us consume things." Her tone is flat, yet somehow very deep. Dismal. "That is the way of all life. To eat or be eaten. To force or to be forced. Likewise, that had to be your choice -- you would either flee, or your world would devour you whole. You had to choose your happiness, or their lives." She lays her pen upon the pages of her book. She folds her hands across her tome. She does not look up. "No one faults you, but as we sit here and speak in perfect peace, quiet; as your baby prepares to enter into this world, countless people have lost their children in kind. One life for thousands. And beyond all that, so many wrongs -- unpunished."     She would close the book, now, the pen saving her page. "Humans crave adversity," She would continue, "but you have managed to extricate yourself from that lust. That need. You should relish that. You should cherish every day you have from now until the end of time. Enjoy this life such that you may live for all those who have been lost."     Those words were poison, and she knows it. She was wrong to open her mouth at all, and she knows it. 'But if these people are so fond of decimating happy dreams,' She justifies, 'then it's just as well I do it for them.'     She is really going to regret this later. 

:'''{{#var:570|Kimiko Shinobu (570)}} has posed:'''     Kimiko lets out a breath with her jaw lightly clenched, lips drawn. She shrugs, and then stays quiet. Throughout, and afterward, she stares at Elliana. She's not going to say any more about it. Not out loud, anyway. What could she say? It's not as if she's even that familiar with the situation on the traitor-wife's homeworld.     Even if what she did was the only possible path by which to effect a change upon that world, it's not as if Kimiko could ever accept the choice. It's not within her ability to forgive it.     It seems others aren't leaving well enough alone, and the dream is likely going to destabilize, but Kimiko retains her silence even in the face of that inevitability. She stares, and nothing more. 

:'''{{#var:12|Mordred (12)}} has posed:'''     Mordred chews on the jerky. It's better than saying what she thinks, or doing what she's thinking about doing. Even if the build up of anger will make it difficult to control that if people keep pushing their luck.     Shoveling food into her mouth should keep her calm though, like the great angry furnace that requires weed or corpses to silence. 

:'''{{#var:134|Sakura Haruno (134)}} has posed:'''     Sakura, oddly, will take some pity on Elliana. "Let's just go to dinner. We can share medical stories. And talk about the wonders of childbirth, maybe." She adds, giving Psyber a look with a slight smile for a change. "I don't think we should take too much longer, though, because I'm sure you called ahead for reservations, right?" She doesn't want to end this 'nightmare', it seems - she'd rather extend the assorted suffering involved. 

:'''{{#var:331|Himei (331)}} has posed:'''     Himei watches the others cause Elliana to falter and stammer like that. The picture on the phone and the constant jabbing will inevitably cause her to collapse, or at least confront the point of the dream. Seeing how everyone is twisting the knife, Himei opts to try something different by reaching out and resting a hand on Elliana's shoulder.     "You can't take responsibility for an entire world," is all she says. Then she gives a light squeeze. 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     "It is best to not think about it." Nathan says, casually, as if the heavy discussion were mostly irrelevant, or a side-conversation. "The magic mountain ghost dad of Cecil Harvey once taught me that one should affect what they can and leave the rest as it is. Trust that people can handle themselves, and get by, even if they might not do it as well if you helped." A bit of devil's advocacy here. "There are a few things worth doing for the sake of oneself."     He once again offers the change in subject that Elliana is seeking. "In any case, I am still curious, how have things been in the Grail War matter? I am still looking to help any approaches you may be making in that, or in the other matters you are dealing with." Still being the perfectly supportive, positive Nathan here. And still trying to figure out how she'd be operating in this hypothetical what-if. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     It's a lot to take in. It's also very strange that Sakura, of all people, is offering comfort. Himei is less surprising... though the dream-Elliana has her relationships all mucked up anyway. Mizuki's words, followed by Riva's phone image, really strike home. The blonde takes a step back, gently brushing Himei's hand away. "I... it... it's a binding to..." No, it's very clear that she can't talk about this now. Tears well up in her eyes before she can say anything more on the topic, and she takes another step back.     "I... I couldn't. You don't understand. The only way I could... I wasn't strong enough..." Her eyes dart around to everyone, and it looks like Nathan won't be getting his answer about the grail war. Elliana is facing something else, which requires her full attention just to prevent breaking down. "... I was selfish. Am selfish. I'm sorry."     Turning on her heel, she dashes for the door at high speed. Very, very high speed. The older ones might remember that super speed was one of her powers BEFORE her upgrade.     Needless to say, the dream splinters immediately after, its agency broken. Any last words had better be quick. 

:'''{{#var:570|Kimiko Shinobu (570)}} has posed:'''     Anything Kimiko could say to this Elliana, she could just as well tell her after she wakes. That is, in fact, much the reason for her earlier silence, and it is the reason that silence will continue. 

:'''{{#var:331|Himei (331)}} has posed:'''     Shaking her head, Himei watches Elliana flee... and the nightmare start to break down. "Well. I guess we know why this is a nightmare." She looks toward the others. "I hope you're all happy. I think a few of you forgot that Elliana doesn't /have/ nice dreams." 

:'''{{#var:495|Riva Banari (495)}} has posed:''' The response is precisely what Riva was expecting. What she didn't expect were Mizuki's words, and she glances over in surprise. There's nothing for her to say at this point, however. Everything that needs to be said has been, as the dream explodes around them. 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     "They bound the Shajem on their own, without you. It was flawed, but you did not need to be there. People will make due, and get by. Your vengeance and justice go unfulfilled, and the world continues to turn anyway. Do what good you can in the world, and then no more. Burn the fuel you have to spread its light. Burn yourself, and all you will spread is ash."     That's what Nathan says, as Elliana leaves, and then after, as he's sure she can still hear him. That's about all he needs to. He crosses his arms and closes his eyes in preparation for the collapse. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     This has been a long night for Psyber. This has been a long MONTH for Psyber, if one accounts for the sheer magnitude of things that have been occurring to him and around him. The 'smile' from Haruno is met with a narrow, red-eyed glare that could probably put a hole in a steel wall.     The half-angel opens his mouth as if on the verge of saying something to her, even. But then he shuts his mouth as Elliana runs off and the dream goes into splinter. He simply looks after Elliana as she flees and says nothing. He looks to Nathan and Haruno and continues to say nothing. It's taking almost all of his restraint to remain silent.     He reaches into his jacket and pulls out a flask, unscrewing it and tipping it back for a long moment before crushing it into a steel ball in his hand and dropping it. A rare and brief glimpse of vented rage.     And then he just waits for it to end. 

:'''{{#var:134|Sakura Haruno (134)}} has posed:'''     Sakura sighs as she watches Elliana flee. "The torment she should have isn't that she was selfish in this dream. Reality should be the nightmare for her." Flowers is not exactly full of the forgiveness, even if she'd shown a little bit of kindness here by not prodding in the same way the others had. At least not at Elliana.     She'll wait on the dream to end, bracing herself against whoever's closest and willing in case there's another fall. She doesn't approve of falling, after all. 

:'''{{#var:395|Amalthea (395)}} has posed:'''     That didn't go well. Off Elliana goes running as people jab hot pokers into an obvious wound. And when the dream shatters abruptly, the unicorn heaves a hefty sigh, rubbing at the back of her neck.     "Well I feel like such a fucking heel, now."     It's with this announcement that she reaches into her armor. Because when Psyber pulls out that flask, she's at his side, producing a pack of cigarettes and offering one to the half-angel.     She can't give him a light though, because when she pops one in her mouth she just starts chewing on it. And then swallows. 

:'''{{#var:40|Eleanor Lamb (40)}} has posed:'''     Eleanor Lamb's face is pall of anger, and now the regret has spread not only to Elliana, but to others of the party as well.     Good.     The Big Sister rubs both hands at her face to try and calm herself, and then waits for the dream to pass. What a shitshow. 

:'''{{#var:183|Mizuki (183)}} has posed:'''     Mizuki watches her departure with mixed feelings. It... always feels like bile after she indulges that sort of anger, and she only hopes it was subtle enough - or otherwise 'constructive' enough - to evade notice. She'll make her apologies later, but she's beginning to reconsider her involvement in the affairs surrounding Elliana. It inspires... something in her. Something extremely uncomfortable, angry, pained; she takes things personally that she shouldn't and, in so doing, projects herself upon peoples' dealings in ways she feels will eventually cost her friends.     She sighs. She will be thinking long and hard before she trifles with all of this again. If she does, she hopes she'll be in a better position to curb her own inclinations. Only now has her arrogance receded to a point where she can finally understand more fully why Psyber and Nathan had cautioned her about involving herself with this before. It isn't just because they are personally invested in this, but because every situation surrounding Miss Fairchild seems to... evoke something in people.     Psyber's words echo in her mind, though, if in a paraphrased form: Will you face yourself? Or will you develop a facade so perfect that it will overtake your being entirely? She... believed she had made her choice already, but this whole episode has made her want to reconsider. Either that, or to persist in 'helping' here so that she will be forced to learn something. Only, she's sure that 'something' will revolt her, and is horribly uncertain whether she'll be able to accept it at all. But, earnestly, could it be any worse than her finding a way to overlay all this story's more relevant details with her own, pithy, personal reservations?     ... never has she felt so horribly, terribly, disgustingly human. 

:'''{{#var:570|Kimiko Shinobu (570)}} has posed:'''     As the dream fades, Kimiko heaves another sigh, this one more tired and obvious. Slightly odd, for her. It's a clearer indication of emotion than the reserved young woman usually gives. She seems to want to speak, even, but a look up toward Psyber's silent rage gives her pause. He's likely not the only person rather upset by this--though the reasons may vary from person to person.     Still. "I do not believe much of that was helpful or necessary." She opens her mouth, closes it again, and frowns in a thin line. "Some things can as easily be said while she is awake. And then, she will remember them."     It takes her a bit to realize why this is actually upsetting her, but she doesn't share that personal revelation. 

}}

1639/Final Dream: Abandonment

2015-03-13T03:06:39Z

Blue Elf: Created page with "{{Log Header |Date of Scene=2015/02/22 |Location=Elliana's Nightmares |Synopsis=Delving into an empty temple in Elliana's nightmares, the group finds a hidden nightmare. |Than..."

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2015/02/22
|Location=Elliana's Nightmares
|Synopsis=Delving into an empty temple in Elliana's nightmares, the group finds a hidden nightmare.
|Thanks=
|Cast of Characters=12, 40, 92, 134, 168, 183, 253, 331, 395, 495, 570
|Tinyplot=New Blood
|Tinyplot2=
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Once again, upon entering the nightmare realm. Wrathborn brings the entire group into the needed dream without any interim placement. Well... almost. This time, the group will manifest outside some aging, ancient doors that some in this group will be familiar with. This is it. This is the Temple of the Lord of Nightmares, the place where Wrathborn was sealed for centuries before Elliana betrayed the Union and set herself on her current path. One would think it was an extremely important place in the whole scheme of things, but... Wrathborn is leaning against the side of the temple, the doors already open, and waiting for arrivals.     "Ah, I see most everyone is here again," the man says. He looks a little less stringy, today. "Welcome to the last of the major recurring Nightmares. I'm not sure why this one is so important that it lingers, though... it's pretty boring. Just look inside, see for yourself." He shrugs. "On occasion she'll have other ones, but with this one you've covered all the major bases. I'm afraid you'll be disappointed, though. You'll pardon me if I don't follow you in... this particular place is unpleasant for me to revisit, so I rarely look in, especially once I found how empty it was." 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     Psyber is here! And he brought Wrathborn a treat again. Only instead of a super spicy curry sandwich, it's just a bacon cheeseburger with curly fries and a shake. Half to make up for last time and half just to try to give Wrathborn something interesting to do while they're all faffing about. Eating is a pretty interesting activity, after all.     "The last nightmare, huh?" Psyber says to Wrathborn as he tosses him the bag, "And it's this place. Interesting, but not surprising. This was a major turning point in her life and a location where everything changed for her in an instant." He scowls a bit and looks around.     "I suppose if we're going, we should go." Psyber doesn't waste much time and immediately gets to walking. Best to inspect this one right away, in his mind. 

:'''{{#var:570|Kimiko Shinobu (570)}} has posed:'''     As before, Kimiko is here. As before, dressed in unassuming, civilian clothing, suitable to a recent cold snap. It won't really matter here, given the dream nature, but it's how things have been for her recently, so it's the self-image she's currently projecting.     She gives a slight nod to Wrathborn, neither in a hurry to see the inside--she imagines anything they need to see, they'll have time to--nor to question the Shajem. She leaves the initiative to others, thus following Psyber as he goes in. 

:'''{{#var:40|Eleanor Lamb (40)}} has posed:'''     Eleanor brushes off her dress, a meaningless gesture here but something to calm the nerves. She's heard the story on this one, of course, they likely all have, but she didn't witness the betrayal, of course.     A nervous look over to both Psyber and to Nathan. Both have different reasons to be here, of course. 

:'''{{#var:395|Amalthea (395)}} has posed:'''     There is a unicorn here today, as per usual when it comes to such things. Wrapped up in her cloak and armor, Amalthea is rummaging around in search of the coffee urns that had previously, and oddly, been present at the start of prior dream events, and generally looking like she's been spending far too long in bed with something messing up her hair, and not eating properly.     Maybe she should get help about MMO addictions.     Her GGO habits that NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT set aside, when the group is set in front of the old temple devoted to the Lord of Nightmare, she glances up.     "Well shit, this brings back memories." She chuffs and folds gauntlet-clad hands behind her head. "Huh, might as well."     Oh hey she's following. 

:'''{{#var:134|Sakura Haruno (134)}} has posed:'''     Flowers is here, and she's at least slightly less bundled up than the previous time - maybe it's finally starting to thaw where she's been staying, or at least she's getting used to the cold. Either way, she doesn't look tremendously happy about the location this time. Though she's only very rarely tremendously happy.     "Well, I suppose it's good to get all the way through them. I'm not really sure how much they've helped, though." She muses, though this may be because of her not normal reasons for attending. Though she wasn't actually present here the first time. 

:'''{{#var:331|Himei (331)}} has posed:'''     Himei's presence isn't surprising, at this point, is it? Also dressed casually, she eyes the temple with some trepidation. Not very good memories, this one. "Yeah... but boring? This was anything but, for us." She glances at Wrathborn. "I suppose for you it's just a reminder of confinement, but for us..."     The dark-haired girl sighs, but Psyber has the idea. "I guess we should head inside. I hope we won't have to fight any strange statues this time. That was a nasty surprise. Though so far we haven't had to do much fighting, I guess that's something." 

:'''{{#var:12|Mordred (12)}} has posed:'''     Mordred is here, mostly as a property of however the Hell it is she gets here. One presumes hefty abuse of Elliana's dream powers and the inherent ability of a Servant and Master to share dreams, which kind of blends in together. As usual she is wearing Dream Psyber's Dream Coat, because she has figured out how to keep that thing on her whenever she pops in. She has also plucked something from elsewhere in the landscape.     From behind, the Servant boredly throws tildes at Psyber.     Playing darts with those things is great. She filled her pockets.     "We should make sure to ask the doors if it's okay to go in, wouldn't want this to go TOO fast~." A small cost to pay to throw those things. 

:'''{{#var:183|Mizuki (183)}} has posed:'''     After appearing, Mizuki would take some time to analyze the ghoulish bastion before her. This place may lack much of the mystique it holds for the others present, but nevertheless she might get a vague sense of its import just by being within a certain proximity of it. Still, though, yes -- it's a bit boring. Far more austere than the pirate ship she'd come in on last time, but still, she's always appreciated the aesthetic of temples anyway. Dark, dank, labyrinthine sometimes; a bit like graduated mausoleums of which she has far greater attachment. Still, she cares more for the history and subtext that surrounds them. This place must certainly have a lot of that if it's traveled through both time and the mind alike to arrive here, so in that, limited way, it might garner some allure despite its unfamiliarity.     Not that her feelings of it are of any great consequence, though. This dream is a shadow cast by another person, and so -their- feelings are the ones that must be considered more heavily. Were it only that she knew that person at all, but alas, it seems she's done things in reverse order, so she lacks any such hints. If anything she's here to observe and record things objectively so that the others - Nathan, perhaps, or Psyber - might make something of the details later. This is why she has come wielding a pen and tome rather than a sword and magic. She trusts that the others have fended for themselves in their previous excursions and that they should have no trouble doing so again, and that she should have no especial need to intervene in the realm of combat. At the least, she didn't last time.     All that aside, though, she would pay Wrathborn a small nod, and perhaps share the same with others she knows -- Kimiko, Psyber, and perhaps even Nathan would be included among that number, but likely no more. Mordred might get a slightly nervous look, but she hopes it will not linger long enough for her to notice. Otherwise, this is one of those rare occasions where she sees no express need for communication and will say nothing to obstruct the natural course of things. For the same reason she's come wearing none of her usual, flamboyant garb, electing instead to wrap herself in a dim, pitch robe that attempts to pay the atmosphere some sort of penance in the form of modesty.     She'll probably be doing a lot of writing today. 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     "I see that an understanding of who she is might begin where it ended." Nathan says, quietly under his breath. He has his traditional stoicism in play, so his reaction to such a familiar and intensely emotionally charged location is impossible to read. Only those incredibly familiar with him will realize he's having any reaction at all. It's that tunnel vision mode again.     He's going to head in with Psyber right away. Eleanor gets no immediate reaction to her look, when normally she would; it should be plain now that he's in one of those hyperfocus moods. "They have helped." Nathan says, concisely, to Haruno.     Now, he knows how this went. First: The antechamber was full of giant statues. His original solution was redundant, as one can see from the gleaming Key in his hand; has Wrathborn cleared out the first challenge from this area as well? Nathan intends to solve this more directly if he can, based on how the solution to the matter was seen the first time. 

:'''{{#var:495|Riva Banari (495)}} has posed:''' Riva's never been here, though WORD ON THE STREET is that some serious crap went down here. This doesn't keep Riva from launching between Mordred and Psyber like a bodyguard (Or perhaps an over-exuberant dog) and snatching a flying tilde out of the air. She lands on the other side and immediately begins fiddling with it. "Oh my god, is this a tilde~" She starts trying to bend it and mess with it. There is a pause and a blink as she considers the unexpected effect of having one... And then shrugs. People who know her knows she does it a lot anyway. "Where did you get it, some kind of crazy word-place area?~" She hums for a moment, and then sticks it in her red hair like a pick, letting it accent while she focuses on the task at hand. She doesn't seem to bother protecting Psyber from the rest of Mordreds's shenanigans. He's a big boy, he can handle it, she just wanted to keep a tilde. "I wonder what we'll see in there~" She says, looking between the expressions of those present. The badfeels, they are super real here. She might have to put on her game face. Though the rampant tildeness seems to be pretty normal for Riva. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     "Oh, thanks," Wrathborn says, accepting Psyber's fast food. He pauses though, pointing the shake straw at the half-angel. "But I'd better not find you've messed with this. I expect not. You're half-divine, and it would be an unforgiveable sin to mess with a bacon cheeseburger." That was... probably humor.     "Hello again, Eleanor. Riva. Mizuki, wasn't it?" Wrathborn is being... surprisingly polite. He's showing vague signs of nervousness, though, and he's new enough to human emotions that he can't hide these without directly drawing on Elliana's skill at masking her thoughts. He isn't doing that right now, so he's looking fidgety. "As for what you'll see... well, nothing much. Just me," he states.     Thus, he doesn't stop the group from walking through those doors. Just like before, the room beyond is an antechamber. The inscriptions are more vague and blurry this time, though concentrating on them will reveal a minor inscription of one of the attempts to Bind the Shajem. It's off of Elliana's memory, though. The two statues are here, but they are silent and inert, with the next doors opening without trouble.     It is, in fact, boring... though not quite as it was in the real world, for those who were there. It's a large chamber beyond the antechamber, with arches buttressing the walls and dome-like ceiling. A broad circular area, carved with glowing runes, seems to keep the pedestal in the center sealed. The globe containing the swirling Lord of Nightmares in non-corporeal form is on that pedestal, though this one has a hairline crack in it.     That's it. Nothing else of interest in this room. Wow, that is kind of boring. 

:'''{{#var:40|Eleanor Lamb (40)}} has posed:'''     Eleanor gives a surprised look at Wrathborn. He remembers her. "I'm not quite sure how to take you knowing who I am, though... I suppose Elliana knows who I am, and you... would have access to that right now." She purses her lips and keeps looking at the spirit, though, as the rest of the group filters into the Antechamber.     But she's looks over to Psyber and Nathan, murmuring. "what was supposed to happen here? What may have changed to turn this into a nightmare... other than Nathan being the one to betray Elliana?" 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     "This one's legit. Diner burger and fries with a shake. I promise, totally good~," He says, grinning to the man and holding up his hands in a defensive manner. As he starts walking, he looks over to Riva, "Oh~. Glad you could make i-~"     "DAMNIT MORDRED~!" Psyber is swiping at his back, trying to clear off the tildes that got stuck there before Riva interevened. He tosses a few back at the knight, wanting to spread the curse around a bit before he spots Nathan heading off.     To Eleanor, Psyber simply replies, "It is possible this is a nightmare in its basic state of events. This is the location in which Elliana betrayed everyone she cared for in pursuit of her ideals, and did not wholly succeed. It represents a loss of her gains, a loss of control, and a forsaking by everyone she once stood with. There is little you could add to this series of events to make it more nightmarish," Psyber notes in a bland, somewhat distant tone.     "Though I do have an external theory."     Psyber crosses the room easily, in a practiced gait, trying to beat Nathan to the orb. He cups his hands against it and peers inside, having a theory he's not fully vocalizing. 

:'''{{#var:331|Himei (331)}} has posed:'''     Himei looks back at Eleanor. "Wrathborn knows a lot of what Elliana knows, though not all of it. He's much more informal, though. I wouldn't worry about it. For an incarnation of evil, he's actually pretty laid back." It sounds weird, saying it that way.     The boring room is pretty... boring. It still brings some chills to her, because that particular point in her history with Elliana was not pleasant. She also keeps looking backward at the antechamber, as if expecting the statues to stomp in and attack. "It could be a lot of things. If she regrets turning on us, or a nightmare where she lost, or... a lot of options. But apparently it's nothing?" She hasn't noticed the crack in the sphere, which would make a lot more sense to her. 

:'''{{#var:134|Sakura Haruno (134)}} has posed:'''     Sakura will give Wrathborn a glance as though he had grown a second head as she catches the joke; she really was not prepared for that. Assuming it is a joke, at least, but she's not really ready for lethal threats in seriousness over food either.     She'll walk into the room, and in spite of the impact the events of this place had had on her life, she'd never been there in person. If the place was even still there; she hadn't asked.     "Well. This isn't the most exciting nightmare, is it?" Not that she's going to underestimate the torment a location could have, really. "It may require her emotional background to really mean anything. I'm sure all of us have dreams that wouldn't impact others the same.." 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     Nathan watches those statues. They don't move this time. Good.     He's wandering inside, looking around for now. The Shajem is still bound here, with the hairline cracks in its container, though not as many. As it was BEFORE Elliana's binding, though, not, theoretically, after? Just like with the statues. Maybe. Alright, time to test the first theory. "The area was uninteresting, empty, because Wrathborn did not trigger the effects we trigger." Nathan quietly mutters in monotone as he wanders the room. He's banking on a reaction when the group is all present. His theory is that the chamber is less of a nightmare in itself and more of a stage, as a subconscious reaction to the intrusions made on the area.     He also checks the ground. Any faded signs of Elliana's brand of chalk marks for Bindings? He thinks he might have the same theory Psyber has, about Elliana's role in the Binding in this theoretical what-if, which would explain certain elements of the chamber, and confirm what he thinks Psyber's theory might be. There should be old signs of wide outer rings, if Elliana-style binding occurred here, and none, if not. 

:'''{{#var:183|Mizuki (183)}} has posed:'''     Mizuki never could be counted on to keep her silence for very long, though, and she doesn't. Riva would receive a nod as the others did, but in supplement to that, a smile. "Now you sound even more like a caricature from a nursery rhyme, Miss Banari." Then she goes back to staring at her book so she can play it cool.     Her jokes suck, so it's probably a good thing that people move into the temple where it cannot linger. She lags behind them a moment to respond to Wrathborn, though. "Yes, it is. But before I go inside, I did want to thank you and your... well, your 'keeper' for lack of a better word, that I'm grateful for your help before. With the reclamation of Arthur, if you recall." She would allow for a brief pause before concluding, "... if you can relay they to her somehow, I would appreciate it. If not, then I suppose I will do so. Eventually." Because this pseudo-deity isn't nervous of talking to Elliana in the least, nope. NOPE, moving along.     Then she joins the others in the antechamber. She passes each statue, jotting something down in her journal as she follows after the others. She might attempt to sketch them, but she has a bit of a rough time of it -- art was always her librarian's forte, not her own. She is much more taken by the next room, though; she has always had a soft spot for the Romanesque, and dome-shaped ceilings are certainly evocative of that in her mind. She might smile a bit before she notices that odd, gently fractured globe, and her eyes lock on to it instead. There's a hint of worry in her eyes, now. Is... is that going to do something bad? She looks to Psyber as if expecting some reply, but of course she won't receive one unless she asks. For some reason she's finding herself quite reluctant to do so this evening.     So for now, she watches. And listens. Everyone has their theories, and yet she has none. A sorry state of affairs, for her, but at least she's learning a bit from her eavesdropping. 

:'''{{#var:12|Mordred (12)}} has posed:'''     Mordred gets a few tildes stuck into her chest. We could make a padding joke, or talk about how the tildes have more curves than she does, but let's be mature about this.     "I stuffed my pockets full of them, a couple more won't hurt me22:06, 12 March 2015 (CDT)~."     The Servant will get bored of playing tildedarts eventually. Mostly, as they go in, and she looks around and concludes this place is boring and just this once maybe Wrathborn was right.     "Uuuuugh. Please tell me we didn't come all the way in here just to look at wall paintings and pedestals. Why don't you suckers try standing the way you were when she stabbed you and at least make this historically accurate for me." Yes, she pocketed the tildes. 

:'''{{#var:570|Kimiko Shinobu (570)}} has posed:'''     Kimiko gives an odd look to Mordred, Psyber, and Riva's antics. She has a vague recollection of this speech-related curse, and stays out of the line of fire with a frown.     Given that the Puella Magi wasn't even in Heaven or Hell at the time events occurred here, she doesn't have any recollection of this place. She looks up the walls of the antechamber as they pass through it, and then falls behind Psyber as he runs up to the orb. She continues walking, but still at the same pace.     Presently, she turns to Eleanor. "Nathan betrayed her...?" 

:'''{{#var:40|Eleanor Lamb (40)}} has posed:'''     Elle nods at Kimiko. "Well, if it's a Nightmare, I thought maybe perhaps the tables might be turned on Elliana and it would have turned out the mild-mannered Nathan Hall harbored the mind of a serial killer. I mean, that clearly isn't the case."     A look over to Nathan and Psyber fighting over the scene before them. A sigh. 

:'''{{#var:395|Amalthea (395)}} has posed:'''     With all the tildes flying, Amalthea keeps her shield at the ready. But mostly figures is fhe stays out from intervening between Psyber and Mordred she should probably be fine. Unless a terrible ~misfire~ of some sort occurs or something.     Briefly she crouches, lone eye peering down at the sigils and inscriptions on the floor. Up until Psyber goes for the orb anyway.     Idle aside to Eleanor and Kimiko: "Serial Killer Nathan Hall. That's kind of a scary thought." 

:'''{{#var:495|Riva Banari (495)}} has posed:''' "Hello Wrathborn! It's nice to meet you again~" Riva trills a bit, smiling to Wrathborn as he greets them. "I'm sure it'll all be fiiiine, just relax~!" She seems to ponder for a moment, and then nods. "Enjoy the lunch~" She calls, turning to head in with the others. The antechamber gets Riva poking at it quite a bit, since she's been concenred with trying to pay attention to her surroundings. The statues are examined in detail, even though there's likely nothing of note. She makes humming noises, though it's kind of clear she has no idea what she's supposed to be looking for. More importantly is the next chamber. She looks over the area with wide eyes, blinking at it. "Oooooooh. This is neat~" Nathan and Psyber rush the central orb, so Riva busies herself with looking over the runes on the architecture. "Let's poke around and see what we can find out~" She laughs at Mizuki's response, and grins. "Mary, Mary quite contrary, how does your garden grow o/~" She hums musically, though it might sound odd under the tilde's influence. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Wrathborn nods to Mizuki, "Oh, I can speak to her. I'll pass that along. Any time, really." He doesn't go in with them, though. He stays outside. This is an important detail, considering what happens next.     Investigating the floor and the like will find no chalk marks. This wasn't an Elliana-style binding. Maybe that explains the length of the fracture in the globe. Wrathborn isn't about to burst out dramatically, but this isn't a binding that can hold for all that much longer either. Months or years, not decades. The other runes around the room are faded but... well, they'd be readable if Riva knew the language. Obviously they are meant as part of the binding or something.     But no, it isn't anything but purple mist in the sphere. In fact, the only thing of interes is when... the doors slam shut behind everyone, and the entire room fades into darkness.     Even for the fliers, there's a sensation of 'falling' within the area. Those a little more in tune with dreams will realize this is just the mind filling in the motion into the depths of a hidden dream. Vague glimpses of roiling chaos surround the group, but really it's all over in a few heartbeats.     MEDICAL WING 33E     A wide corridor. That's where everyone is now. Down the hall is a set of double doors, leading to the treatment rooms and patient beds. It's a madical wing, as the large sign declares.     The older ones in the group will recognize this as Daystar Alpha, the old Union base before Njorun was finished. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     Psyber loses his footing at the sense of falling, stumbling a bit in his stance and trying to keep a solid standing. He scowls a bit and then looks around at the change of location, "This is... wow. Talk about an outdated base. Might as well be New Washington or some shit," Psyber murmurs.     Psyber sighs a bit, "Alright~." Psyber pauses to brush off a tilde stuck to his shoulder, "One theory down. About a billion more to go," He notes, getting his bearings. If this is a nightmare, aiming towards the worst outcomes possible for a given situation. He looks to the group, "We should head to the ICU. Assuming the worst in a dreamscape, that will be where the narrative continues."     "I have exhausted my current theory, however, and will instead be proceeding as if I have no knowledge of what this dream is about." 

:'''{{#var:134|Sakura Haruno (134)}} has posed:'''     There are things Sakura handles fairly well, and things she doesn't. The earth natured ninja does not do well with not being on the ground, something most of the ground knows, but the shriek that comes from her when she's suddenly surprise-falling is probably not going to go over that great with those who're near her anyways.     She'll look mildly embarrassed as she sees the area they arrive in, a place she most likely does know better than anyone else within the group. "Aah. There was the ICU, but we also had isolation wards here, and they were more secure. It could be either of those; I never treated Elliana. Was she a particularly bad patient, do you think?" 

:'''{{#var:40|Eleanor Lamb (40)}} has posed:'''     No one likes falling, least of whom is Eleanor who already despises flying to begin with. There's a squeal of panic from the girl before she stumbles to her footing in the very old... Medical labs. A blink, a look around and she brushes at her dress again, fixing it back into place from her panic. "Right, well, I... This is awkward. Please excuse that noise, I... ah."     Ears turn a little pink, and the Big Sister murmurs. "Secure beds would be down the hall yes, but who the devil are we here to see is the question?" 

:'''{{#var:331|Himei (331)}} has posed:'''     Himei latches onto the reason instantly, though. "Elliana's never seen the inside of Njorun. Why would we end up there? Daystar Alpha was the base we had when she was in the Union. So... either we're back in time, or this is just a representation of how Elliana imagines the Union base to be."     She brushes off her hands, then nods at Psyber's idea, too. "The ICU... yeah, that's probably the place to go. Or at least head that way. This whole dream narrative thing means we'll run into the right place anyway, if we bumble around enough. I think we should be careful about ending this one early though, right?"     Himei offers a hand to Sakura for steadying, then makes her way down the hall. 

:'''{{#var:395|Amalthea (395)}} has posed:'''     Amalthea is still poring over the runes for a moment, before she lets out a completely graceless squawk when the doors slam, the mist rolls in, and she does EVERYTHING SHE CAN to try and maintain her balance during the sudden gut-lurching feeling of gravity deciding to take a day off.     The situation ends when she finds herself stuck horn-first in the ceiling of the Daystar medical wards.     "I know this ceiling." She announces while extracting herself and landing with a CLANK-CLANK and hiss of steam from her ankles.     Like a cat that absolutely did not just fuck up in any way at all, she simply brushes her hair back and pretends that never happened. 

:'''{{#var:183|Mizuki (183)}} has posed:'''     Mizuki is surprised when the visual of that misty purple sphere fades away, certainly, but she has a sort of kinesthesis within dreamscapes like this. That's to say, she knows what's going on to some degree, and though she can't predict where the group will end up she is able to cope with the shift fairly easily. As such, she has the mercy of a quick acclimation to the environment of the medical station which she exploits to do a quick, premature analysis of things. She has only been to Njorun one or twice, though, so she doesn't really pick up on the similarities, and nor does she have the foreknowledge that would tell her exactly where they are meant to be. Thankfully, though, some commentary from Psyber narrows things down: this is likely an old Union installation of some form, which means this place is likely tied to some memories of consequence.     If she weren't trying so hard to suppress it at the moment, that might make her giddy. She can't lie -- both as an authorial sort and as a human-like being shackled to errant personal curiosities, things just became quite a lot more interesting. She might learn something about Psyber or Nathan; something that would make both of them less nebulous beings whilst bringing their own histories into greater focus. Then, too, she might finally learn something of consequence about Elliana, and find some way to be relevant in this condensed narrative.     ... bah, but those are all very egocentric things to be thinking. With a deep breath, she would attempt to expel them, and follow the others toward the ICU. She would certainly jot a note or two about this on her way, though. 

:'''{{#var:570|Kimiko Shinobu (570)}} has posed:'''     Kimiko tries to keep her balance, but she's unable to determine that she is even, in fact, standing on anything. Heartbeats later, she is again on solid ground, arms out, leaning back, and standing on one foot. This is not a good position from which to remain standing.     With a swift step backward, stomping the ground, she does. She turns her head to either side, first confirming that everyone is here, and then looking at the sign.     "...I don't know this area." She would say something more, but instead nods to Himei. They'll inevitably head in the--or at least, a--correct direction, just by following what's defined. 

:'''{{#var:12|Mordred (12)}} has posed:'''     Whooooo falling!     That's too bad, Mordred really wanted to see Nathan reenact getting stabbed. You know, to solve a puzzle. Not just because she's bored.     Darting back to her feet, dusting herself, she glances around, having only the loosest sense of maybe having seen this in a dream just the one time but not knowing where it is. Himei answers that question, so that's that.     "So, what, you think this is a nightmare where she trusted you guys and didn't shank a bitch to catch a snake?" With all her eloquence, Mordred offers that theory while following along. She does not really believe in it herself, she's just filling time by talking. 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     "That was not a Fairchild-type binding, at least not the one she used." Nathan says. "Nor one that utilized her potency and power, I think. The statues were restored to their proper position. I believe I understand now." He manages to get to his feet after being unsettled off of them, by the sensation of falling. Not a graceful guy, that Nathan. "Patient beds, Treatment rooms. She originally assisted with long-term Union Elite care and short-term emergency care. I suspect we are near her. She worked in Daystar medical, not Njorun. I believe we are not here to see a patient."     He moves on. Nathan wouldn't have been an unusual person to see down here given how often he got injured before partnering with Psyber. And if the current what-if to this dream is what he suspects, he likely would not have become a general, nor partnered so directly with Psyber, so he would not be unusual to see down here. "It is possible." Nathan says, simply, to Mordred. "It is the theory I work with."     "But more than that, I believe she simply may have never tried to perform the Binding in question in the first place." He moves on. They're near a door, just like they were at the start of the dream. Let's see what's past it! 

:'''{{#var:495|Riva Banari (495)}} has posed:''' Riva might not know the language, but she takes some pictures with her phone anyway. Can you take phone pictures in a dreamscape!? WE'LL SEE! She meeps and lookc up when the doors close, the nightmare moving on to taking a new, unusual shape. Medical Wing 33E. This doesn't mean anything for Riva, so she looks to the others. She has a Bad Feeling About This. Everyone heads to the ICU, and Riva follows, giving Eleanor a comforting pat on the shoulder. "It'll be fine~" She reassures her, and brings her along. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Looks like everyone has adjusted, and... yeah. Some of the guesses are correct, even, because just walking down the hall opens up into one of the treatment rooms. These are for wounded, not diseases, where the wounds are assessed and triaged. More importantly, this is where the Union healers, if any are on duty, apply any mystical or otherwise powerful healing.     As guessed, Elliana is here, and she's just finishing up with a nameless wounded soldier. Flesh knits together and bleeding stops, as the young blonde straightens up and wipes her brow. Any who remember when Elliana had healing abilities will realize they are MUCH stronger than when she was in the Union, though.     "Ah!" She glances up. Both eyes are blue, but she looks... actually a little older than the curren tone. Elliana stopped aging, but this one did not, and looks like her actual twenty years of age. The subtle lines of corruption and the slight alterations made from using her powers are also gone, along with the scars over her eye and on her forehead. "Flowers, are you here to relieve me? I feel like I've been here for ages." She pauses, frowning, and the Dream seems to 'glitch' a little as she shuffles the others into the narrative. "Why are the rest of you here? Did something happen? Nathan?"     Yeah, she used first names, not her usual titles.     With a sigh, she glances at Kimiko. "Or did you overextend yourself again, Kimiko? I swear, you Puella Magi..." 

:'''{{#var:570|Kimiko Shinobu (570)}} has posed:'''     Kimiko follows along, eventually arriving at their destination, and finding Elliana... older? It might go without saying, but she finds this curiously peculiar on a variety of levels. That Wrathborn may have known about this nature of the dream and have thus declared it 'boring' doesn't cross her mind, until Eleanor mentions it. Piecing together things that way isn't something she leaps at, compared to trying to make sense of what's directly in front of her.     "I am fine for the moment, Miss Fairchild." 

:'''{{#var:134|Sakura Haruno (134)}} has posed:'''     Sakura goes by that nickname almost more than her actual name, and there were confederates who had used it, but the look on her face when Elliana uses it is about as surprised as though she'd been shot - beyond the formality normally forthcoming from the girl, they hadn't exactly been friends even when Elliana was in the Union.     She'll shoot the others a look, though, and then.. "Aah. Of course I can give you a rest. I believe that everyone wanted to talk to you, though." She says, gesturing at Himei and Nathan in particular, then moving over to look for the next patient, giving up a bit of time herself with the dream to let the others ask any questions they might have without disrupting it. 

:'''{{#var:40|Eleanor Lamb (40)}} has posed:'''     Eleanor pokes her head into the room... We are not to disrupt the dream just yet, right.     "Hallo, Not Me! How are you doing, Ellie?" Let's be pleasant for now. "Have you seen any of the girls around? I think a few were floating through today to be social with some of the patients." 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     "Mm. She never met me until towards the end of her plan," Psyber quietly murmurs to himself, looking awkward, "Come to think of it, she probably wouldn't have known me that well were it not for that." He laughs awkwardly at the reveal of this particular nightmare slice and rubs at the back of his head.     Almost immediately, Psyber steps to the side and leans against the wall, crossing his arms awkwardly and pointedly avoiding the situation. His statement isn't wholly inaccurate, considering that he came in on the back end of her plan and hadn't known her that well before. And his involvement afterwards came out of a conceptual necessity. This Elliana is a total stranger, in his mind.     She he immediately shuts off and lets the others talk to her instead. He'd smoke, but... hospital. 

:'''{{#var:12|Mordred (12)}} has posed:'''     Mordred abstains from chatter, since she reckons this is a situation in which she has no analogue. It could be strongly argued it's Wrathborn that summoned her, not Elliana. Or it could also be said that's literally what happened. Either way, she doubts she has an explicit slot to fit in here.     "I don't know if this is a real nightmare but if this turns into hours of happy chatter like nothing is wrong it's gonna become MY nightmare," she complains, about as loudly as the previous times. Bluh bluh there's nothing to stab. She'll get over it. 

:'''{{#var:395|Amalthea (395)}} has posed:'''     Whelp looks like Nathan was right in his theory doesn't it.     Fun fact, Amalthea's armor has spaces that double for pockets. Her hands are firmly stuffed in them by the time the group finds Elliana, a healer instead of a Binder.     When Sakura looks nigh stricken from being called by her nickname, by said Elliana, one hand sets on the mednin's shoulder.     "Do you want that hug I owe you now, or later?"     But then Psyber steps aside. Okay, time for Amalthea to approach this with as much tact, class, and subtlety as she can finagle. "Well, we were wondering what you were doing here? Aside from your job." 

:'''{{#var:331|Himei (331)}} has posed:'''     The theories tossed around have Himei looking thoughtful, but it proves that one or two of them are at least mostly right. Unfortunately, though Himei's been pretty confident through the dreams up until now, she's briefly baffled by what this means. The fact that Elliana's dream self uses the term Puella Magi vaguely alarms her, though she realizes that the priestess would naturally know a little about the topic, wouldn't she?     "Right. Talk," Himei mumbles. "Everything going all right here then?" It's a little vague, and she holds further questions back to let Nathan speak. 

:'''{{#var:495|Riva Banari (495)}} has posed:''' Riva is unfamiliar with the environment, but that doesn't keep her from following along. She sticks with Psyber, perhaps unconsciously adopting the same stance as she leans against the wall. "There's a lot of possibilities here~" She comments offhandedly to Psyber. "I'm not sure what to look for though, always the problem with coming into a story in the middle~" She smiles a little. "Mizuki would know all about that, I bet~" 

:'''{{#var:183|Mizuki (183)}} has posed:'''     Mizuki may be a bit lost, but she's not so dense as to miss the point of this entirely. And she knows that things are likely to get darker, yes. And that this is just a dream. And that this is all going to vanish as soon as they leave. Still, she would look to Psyber for a moment before she averts her gaze and smiles. If there is one thing that she has learned recently, it's that there is nothing but suffering to be found in stewing endlessly over the condition of a future you can never truly know. In contrast, then, there is value in appreciating the present, and an eternity's worth of interaction with her own mind has done much to help her perceive dreams as real, tangible things as well. So she's content to indulge herself a little naivet� for the moment, and to appreciate this shade of the would-have-been.     More than that, though, it makes her hopeful. She's heard the tale of her betrayal, and she's had ample time to realize the bitterness Nathan hides behind his analytical facade. Now, though, she's having an opportunity to see Psyber's side of things -- the 'good' person that might hide there, or at the least, an uncertainty that opens up the possibility for good. This dream's mere existence tells her that the woman herself must have entertained the possibility of remaining in the Union, and that alone is something good. A hope to hang on to, and a thing much more valuable than others may consider it to be.     'Don't view this as a malevolent tease of the past,' She might have wanted to say, 'but as a possibility for the future.' She wants to get sanctimonious, but she doesn't... outside of her mind at least. One cannot fault her so long as it remains there, so all she shows outside is her same smile. She would be careful to shuffle behind another, more relevant figure so that this Elliana is given her time with those who might appreciate her presence here, but she would certainly watch for every moment. It's a happy thing, tempered by intrigue and ominousness though it may be. A thing she can't help but to enjoy seeing.     Ah! But she almost forgot her writing. To start, she writes down what this Elliana had said, and how the others respond. It's inevitable that she would notice Psyber's reaction, which would elicit a frown from her. Now she's extremely glad she hadn't said what she had thought out loud -- it wouldn't have been her place to suggest the notion of this being a preferable outcome, would it have? She would sigh, but that isn't really her right either. So, finally, her gaze would simply rest on this alternative being so that she might look into her eyes. Elliana sacrificed something to to what she had in the 'real' world, but what had she sacrificed here? Certainly, there must have been something. Something...     ... for now, she keeps her pen held tightly. 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     Nathan was someone Elliana knew well at the distant beginning of all this. Very good friends! Hmmm. If she did her traditional field operations in the Union as well... Nathan keeps an eye out for telltale minor swordswoman calluses on the hands, to judge how much she's been doing field operations. He needs to double-check his approach, to see how familiar he should be acting. If she has them, she's been doing field ops too, but if she doesn't, she's 'retired' to medical. "Nothing so awful, Elliana. Though as always, your tremendous help is appreciated" Nathan assures her. "Just here with friends, since you came up in a brief conversation. I had heard how busy you were doen here in medical, and Flowers thought to come help give you a bit of time off." Not calling her "Haruno", and not calling Elliana "Lady Fairchild"? Nathan must really be getting into this nostalgia for past ages, but he's got a keen eye turned towards how familiar she acts with him, and with the others.     "We thought you might want to join us in the cafeteria for a while. George and Rampart and the others are already there, I believe, and we all always need to squeeze additional camaraderie out of Psyber more anyway. The job of a healer may never be done, but a little time off could not hurt." Mentioning a few of the others she knew only particularly intensely and emotionally because of the betrayal. How deep does this run? He tries to scope it out a little. He's also... Vaguely attempting to emulate how he understands his emotional development might have gone in the absence of Elliana's betrayal. To the others it may seem... A little uncanny. 

:'''{{#var:183|Mizuki (183)}} has posed:'''     Once she's had time to leave her own thoughts, though, she might flash Riva a look -- a very distinct sort that communicates her bemusement well. She seems to appreciate the remark, but she doesn't interrupt the scene with any words of her own. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Elliana hesitates, glancing over at Haruno. "Are you sure? Well, I got most of them... could we wait for Flowers, just a few minutes, if nothing comes up? I encountered an injury I'd like to talk over with her." So apparently there's a professional relationship there, at least. Still, the conversation seems to be flowing easily enough. She points to a little drawing that wasn't there before, and says to Eleanor, "One of them stopped by earlier with a little get well note. I really shouldn't have let her in, but I assessed that the injury wasn't too bad. I think she went to have some milk with one of the orderlies."     What is she doing here? Amalthea gets a stare. "I work here, at least today. I won't be able to next week, we have some missions planned. Having a Servant is an endless battle, really. Himei would know, yes?" She sighs, shaking her head. She hesitates, as if realizing something is wrong, then she flashes a smile to Riva and Mizuki. "Were you two the ones putting them up to this? Well, it's a good idea. All right, let's drag Psy out for some socializing."     'Psy?'     She flits right over to Psyber and kisses him on the cheek. "Come on, dear, you're showing your nerves. I'm sure it will get easier, but you promised! Let's go. If they brought Arturia, I'm sure they'll have quite the variety." She glances at Mordred when she says that, before reaching for Psyber's hand.     "Is Peg back in town?" She asks conversationally, as if nothing was amiss. 

:'''{{#var:183|Mizuki (183)}} has posed:'''     "I might have been." Mizuki transitions into conversation surprisingly well, for her, but that wit does not stay with her long. She may not know Elliana at all, but she has begun to learn about Psyber, and that knowledge is all she needs for her eyes to go wide as soon as Elliana... k-kisses him. Her face goes pale. Her pen would fall from her hand, but she would catch it in a stasis field just in time for it not to clatter on to the floor. This... is too much. Far too much. There is an interstice where one might be able to look on with some degree of melancholy and fondness at a memory like this, but this... is not that. This is more than anyone should ever have to bear. Though there are many better suited to handling this, she's sure, she reacts instinctively:     "W-Well. Regardless of our involvement," She would begin, stifling her stuttering as quickly as could be expected, "I'm afraid he's been kept from smoking this whole journey. Before we whisk him off to adventures abroad, we might consider giving him a moment to himself to do so. Wouldn't want him doing any of that in a medical ward, would we?" No, she's not as good at this sort of thing as Nathan, but she's trying. Damned if she won't try. 

:'''{{#var:570|Kimiko Shinobu (570)}} has posed:'''     Kimiko is basically just going to stand to one side, and maintain a very intense poker face at everything that is happening. 

:'''{{#var:395|Amalthea (395)}} has posed:'''     "Well yes I meant 'aside from your job'. As in what Nathan lead into with the whole 'let's go for beers and--'"     And that happens.     Amalthea trails clean off after Nathan's amazing save. She was about to roll into it and get into character.     She opts to just put an arm around Haruno for a moment, face looking like she's completely at a loss for a moment, before moving on. She recovers at least. "Peg's back, yeah. Keep it on the hush hush down low, but Psyber and I are gonna help Nathan pick a ring later."     She has GOTTEN INTO CHARACTER. 

:'''{{#var:134|Sakura Haruno (134)}} has posed:'''     Flowers had rather needed more reassurance, but the hug helps just a little bit, and she'll perk up. She's rather quick to treat the nearest faceless npc - she's speedy about that even when it's an actual person, and fake people are all the quicker. Still, since the progression is evidently going to wait on her, she'll try to play the part she's been given. Fortunately, she's better at lying than she is trying to discern lies.     "Aah. You said you had something you wanted to consult with me about?" She asks, stepping back over, and shooting Amalthea an incredulous look that Elliana hopefully misses. 

:'''{{#var:40|Eleanor Lamb (40)}} has posed:'''     Eleanor's face falters, ever, ever so slightly atthe immeiadte implcations of Elliana's actions. Of her efforts in crafting this dream world of hers, of the frankly intimate nature of what's going on. This was all...     Right. This was perfect, Elliana's idealized sight of what might have been. Friendship and hope, love and more. All because she didn't make that last step.     It breaks her heart. But she smiles. "Ah, thank you, Not Me. I'll make sure they get home safe don't worry I..." An appropriately scandalized noise at Amalthea though, and Elle... shuffles over to help Sakura. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     "You want to look for where the weakness is. What the centerpiece of the scenario is being held as. Sometimes it's a fear of her childhood, or a fear of compromising her ideals like in the two towers that you weren't here for. Each one has a core theme and when you find that, it becomes easier to understa-" He stops dead mid-sentence, looking over to Elliana. 'Psy?' His red eyes blink several times as he looks over at the medic. And then she flits over and kisses him on the cheek and the half-angel sort of (read: entirely) locks up from the gesture. Red eyes wide, totally lost, the entire shebang.     If Elliana's going to drag him by the hand, he doesn't have much struggle left, "Y-yeah. Nerves. What'll get easier?" He asks her, turning to look at her and seeming to be having trouble processing the current situation. A problem has been detected and Psyber has shut down to prevent damage to your psyche. UNABLE_TO_RESOLVE_CURRENT. If this is the first time you've seen this error screen, restart your Psyber. 

:'''{{#var:12|Mordred (12)}} has posed:'''     ARTURIA?     ARTURIA?!     Eh, fine. Mordred grumps, probably too familiar with the theory she's advancing on why this might be a nightmare. It's not like she hasn't been there herself. She certainly didn't HAVE to burn Camelot, and didn't have to create a civil war out of thin air resulting in the death of the entire mythos save a couple of the knights. She'll never know how things would have turned out if she'd just behaved. Better, maybe. Maybe not. It's awful, though. And that's kind of why she doesn't bother sleeping much. Being linked to Elliana means delicious, delicious nightmares everytime she tries.     Adjusting the tone of her voice, rattling her head for proper manners, Mordred resigns herself, on one condition. "I hope there will be food. I am starving." In her distraction she has missed any and all hints on who her master here is, but isn't really sure she cares too much.     Maybe it's a cool dude with biker clothes and shades. That'd be swell. He'd use a shotgun and have a sports car. They'd go on adventures as Team Dad.     It'd be great. 

:'''{{#var:495|Riva Banari (495)}} has posed:''' Riva just smiles as Elliana comes flitting by. She gives Elliana a big smile. "Oh, don't worry about me. I'm new~" She replies with a giggle, and makes sure to stay out of the way as Elliana kisses Psyber on the cheek. Oh my~. She draws up next to Mizuki and elbows her. "Stay on target~" she whispers, winking to her conspiritorially, then pipes up. "You know how these things get. Show up and go on a tour, and next thing you know you have an entire mass of people all meeting and greeting~" She says brightly, smiling to Elliana. "It's so wonderful what you're doing here in Medical. How long have you been working here~" She asks. The advantage of not being familiar with Elliana suddenly makes itself apparent: She can ask questions and not look like a moron. Well, more than usual. 

:'''{{#var:183|Mizuki (183)}} has posed:'''     Mizuki seems to have forgotten just how good Psyber is at acting.     Sigh. Well, she'll leave him be for now. Riva shoulders her, but she takes that as her cue to slip back out of the narrative rather than to engage in any sort of friendly hijinks. Really, she had hardly bought herself a place in it to begin with, but this is... not something she feels comfortable participating in. Watching, perhaps, but not interacting.     So she'll just be hanging back here, far, far away from the rest of them for a bit.     Yeah. 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     She has a Servant, alright. That clears that up. Okay, his tactful approach is working. Good. "Certainly, take any time you need." He says, casually. And then she's over kissing Psyber. Nathan's brain is in complete bluescreen mode for a moment, but it lasts mere fractions of a second before he seems to hard-restart. After a short pause, he seems to restart, and then here comes Amalthea with the right hook. This one, Nathan can't stoicface at, he actually full-on blushes and chokes a bit.     But this is calculated. He has to make this seem optimized. He is repressing the blush less because he needs to emulate what Fairchild might think of as the ideal outcome to this decision, someone more open with their emotions. "Y-yes, hush hush and as low as down can get." He manages to get out. Can't break continuity here.     RIGHT, WELL, let's move things on. "She will be soon. I am," He shuts both eyes tightly. "Trying to welcome her back well, yes." He looks at Amalthea. It would be a ":|" if ":|" wasn't his default face. Then over to Psyber. He thinks he knows how this goes. "You do not need to pretend, Psyber. Kicking your habit was always implicitly part of the deal, considering her occupation, but the difficulty of doing so is nothing we particularly wish to understate." A minor prompt. What's the deal here?     Arturia. The other Saber, right? Hmmm. Might be something there. Nathan focuses himself on setting up the narrative transitions in this, presumably with Flowers coming along later, or something similar. But he is taking this chance to indulge a little. This is practically a perfect dream for him, honestly, even with the Psyber issue and the TEASING. And he does so deeply wish he could rub Elliana's nose in how much he would theoretically be right about the other outcomes of her decision. 

:'''{{#var:331|Himei (331)}} has posed:'''     Himei stares at how Elliana is acting. What she says. The implications of it all. It's weighing rather heavily on her, what might have been... or... is this a trick? Some means Elliana is using to make them think everything could be okay? She shakes her head and searches for something, anything, to figure out the narrative.     As the group prepares to go, she asks, "When was the last time you went to visit your home world?" If she really DIDN'T do the Sealing that started all this, then wouldn't her world still be in danger? 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     "Wonderful!" Elliana says to Amalthea. She turns to go when Sakura seems to be ready, and says to the mednin, "Ah, it's a little technical. It looked like the wound was caused by... actually, we might want to wait until AFTER we eat, considering the company."     Discussing the difficulty is, indeed, referring to the habit. The habit of smoking. "No no, no smoking! We're trying to get him to quit, as he should have ages ago! It's bad for the baby, and I won't have Ethan growing up asthmatic!"     Whelp.     "Ah, sorry Arturia! I've been using too many of my reserves, I guess. I'll be more careful," she says to Mordred.     Riva gets a smile, "Off and on, about three years. Minus time for helping in operations and maternity leave, of course."     Then Himei asks her question.     in mid-step, Elliana falters, her smile slipping. It returns in another moment as she shakes her head in a quick toss of hair. "Ah, not yet. I mean, I haven't been back yet. Like I said before, my world is unremarkable. No real point in going back. I'm happier here, anyway." 

:'''{{#var:570|Kimiko Shinobu (570)}} has posed:'''     Kimiko says, perhaps even more quietly than before, "I don't see what is so surprising about this."     The mention of Elliana's homeworld gets a sharp look from her. Ah, there it is. There's the difficulty. "That was the trade-off, wasn't it. This, or your world. Or so you thought." 

:'''{{#var:12|Mordred (12)}} has posed:'''     For some reason people seem to think arguing with the Knight of Treachery on the subject of treachery being bad is a good idea. Predictably, Mordred rolls her eyes and just kind of ignores the arguments being given. 'sides, she's the only one here this scenario directly damages, so that's not a battle she'll win in either direction.     "That's alright. I enjoy eating."     No need to lie about that part, at least.     Well, either way, Elliana just dropped the facts. This choice is selfish. She's happy, sure. Meanwhile her world is burning unchecked in the background. 'Better' choice sure depends on perspective, now. 

:'''{{#var:40|Eleanor Lamb (40)}} has posed:'''     Eleanor sighs as the others keep wheedling at the happiness of Elliana, and then the others focus in on that idea, the hint of Terra Majora being uninteresting. Wrathborn was bored, indeed.     She brushes at her dress and smiles. Let's twist the knife then. Happy happy happy. "Oh that's wonderful Elliana. There's really far too little in the way of fruitful relationships around here. Well, except for Amalthea who builds her way into proper parenthood."     She smiles at the Unicorn and then huffs and puffs. "All the Other Elles are all happy and married and you still haven't helped me find someone, 'Thea. It's very rude." 

:'''{{#var:183|Mizuki (183)}} has posed:'''     "It would be best if he would relinquish that habit, yes." That's all she says, for now. Afterwards she simply ducks back into her book, writing as quickly as her hand can move, if not a trifle faster on the providence of temporal shenanigans. As promised, every word is noted, and as many aspects of the environment as she can notice are taken down as well. Himei is absolutely right, but since humans are imperfect creatures, she hopes her contribution of a written manifest might be helpful in some way or another.     Even more, though, writing is just her nervous reaction to everything that's happening around her. She's a lot more distressed by this whole thing than she has any reasonable right to be. 

:'''{{#var:395|Amalthea (395)}} has posed:'''     The issue with having one eye means it's really hard to hide where one is looking. Amalthea's gaze is flitting back and forth like a silent machinegun. She opts to now completely keep her trap SHUT right this second.     "I'm a unicorn, not a wish-granting matchmaker." She counters Eleanor. But then her eye is locked right on Elliana.     Unremarkable? Really? 

:'''{{#var:495|Riva Banari (495)}} has posed:''' Riva claps her hands and gasps as she hears that Elliana is a mother. BABIES ARE ADORABLE WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF THEM. Immediately, she claps her hands, eyes bright as she grins... And then she glances over to Psyber. You can almost /hear/ the mental screech in her mind as she throws her brain out of Baby Gushing Mode, and will probably have to take it into the mechanic later to look at the transmission damage. Considerably more subdued, she nods. "That's wonderful to hear~" She says, but her heart isn't really in it. She wears her emotions on her sleeve most of the time, and something seems to have put a boot into her going in whole hog. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     When Psyber snaps back into reality, he blinks a few times. And then he seems to immediately adopt a new stance in terms of his social interaction. It's an emotional and physical cringe before he plays it off as a slightly awkward laugh, "Ah heh, right, right. I was hoping you'd forget. I just ran out of patches, is all, so I'm slightly cranky."     His smile is hollow and his tone is fairly bland. The WORDS are there, and the phrasing is right, but it lacks Psyber's usual genuine palpability. The quality that makes Psyber so relatable or... himself. It's more of a knock-off of his normal dialect than it actually is him.     He can't process what to ASK Elliana, in this moment. He can barely process how he should be reacting to the situation and put forward that role. He takes a deep breath and then says, "Luckily Laine will be around to help us with Ethan." Laine would be Psyber's obvious, logical choice for a Godparent. 

:'''{{#var:134|Sakura Haruno (134)}} has posed:'''     Flowers is possibly overwhelmed already by the revelations; she seems to be looking more at Psyber than at Elliana. Possibly because of the beliefs she's already expressed. She's not really much more hurt by the friendliness, though. "Hm? Is it as technical as that? And they've all been through a few things, I'm sure they can stand a few medical details over dinner."     This is a lie, but those from heaven or hell would know that it's something that Flowers regularly does, part of what makes her truly excellent company. "We can talk about it later, though. Who's babysitting tonight?" 

:'''{{#var:331|Himei (331)}} has posed:'''     Himei glances at Flowers as the mednin gets into it a little, but Himei herself didn't miss that stagger, nor did she fail to notice what Kimiko said. She agrees with it, and that's why she's staring at Elliana now. Should she push the matter? Or should she let this play out?     Himei's never been particularly great at social situations, and here, she's doubly unsure.     "Right, right... but uninteresting can be nice sometimes," the Magical Girl finally says. "Sorry. I was just curious what it was like." At least she's not gauche enough to bring up parents or the like. "So you don't mind leaving your world behind? You're... happy here, huh?" 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     This is the way the world is. You do not get your vengeance, but the world continues to turn anyway. Nathan revels briefly in this nightmare element. "Certainly understandable." He says, nodding several times. "My own homeworld is similarly unremarkable. People like us should consider it a blessing. It is good that you are happier here though, like I am." Rub it in. RUB IT IN. But continue observation. Arturia. That's notable. Nathan's understood how this works. Wrathborn never formed in this what-if. That means Elliana sought a Servant on her own, either seeking a good catalyst or naturally forming a more heroically-inclined Hero.     "Yes, Amalthea, I would not object in the least if you dedicated some of your strange, incredible matchmaking skills to Eleanor instead of me. A fifty-fifty split? Or perhaps twenty-eighty? In her favor, of course. I am sure there are more war machines in your world." He says, in a dry, friendly-jabbing sort of way, but still monotoned.     Himei pushes a little. Nathan's eyebrow goes up, but his expression doesn't change in the least. He works with her here. In a way, it's almost rubbing it in worse. "Indeed. A few others once helped me with an incident in my own world, irrelevant as it may be; they happen all the time. Let us know if there are any problems you ever need help resolving there, we will be happy to assist, as we seemed in the case of my own." Nudge that just a little more, but undermine the premise just slightly. She could always ask for help with the society issues, after all, Nathan is sure.     But he doesn't keep focus on that. "But as long as you are happy and doing good, that is best. I am reminded, how are things in that Grail War matter? Assisting in incidents is one thing, but you have a much better view of the big picture." What sort of things are her normal operations now? How is she handling challenges and problems in the what-if-verse? 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     It's as if Elliana was hoping someone would change the subject. Kimiko's comment almost jars her out of the dream, right then and there, getting a stare and a faint paling of her cheeks. It's no wonder that she latches onto other topics, right away.     "I know a prince, Eleanor, I could arrange an introduction? I can be very persuasive when I want to be. I know I'm a little relaxed with all of you, but I can be formal!" She nods firmly, but that just makes her twitch in discomfort again.     Sakura gets a glance. "Laine, of course. And Tender Whisper." As if it were obvious. "Though I suspect that is not going to work out well for Rampart, as she seems to have taken quite a liking to Ethan." Oh dear.     She can't escape the topic, though. Faltering, she murmurs, "Y-yes. Of course. But my world is... it isn't pleasant and... I..." Being reminded is part of the narrative, and it's really causing a rapid breakdown. "My world never did anything for me. It's too late to help it, let's just move on. Food. Yes. I like food." 

:'''{{#var:40|Eleanor Lamb (40)}} has posed:'''     Eleanor's lips purse a bit at Elliana. "Well I /was/ a Duchess for a while, so there's that, but that title's been mostly vacated or revoked or however one does those with nobility. You'd know better, of course, Ellie."     Oh, the others are doing a much better job at being Nutra-Sweet than she is, and the Sister brushes at her dress again fitfully. "But again, that would only mean consigning someone to a life of caring for foster kids and that's awfully tough. Not like being a mother." 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     Around the second time Laine's name gets dropped, Psyber sorta gets an awkward look. He actually half-wishes she was here right now, if simply because he needs to have a breakdown and she's the only one that gets to see that. So he'll soldier on.     Playing to his part of the non-smoker, Psyber reaches into his jacket and pulls out some beef jerky. Not gum, because he doesn't roll like that. Mordred gets offered some of the beef jerky as he holds it out to her before he tears off a strip and starts to gnaw on it. It's teriyaki flavored.     Most of this is to keep Psyber from having to deal with Haruno or whoever else is taking shots at him. For the stoic humor he's putting up, they're slowly chipping away at him and it shows as his tone grows steadily more distant, while still containing his natural words and phrasings, "Dinner sounds good. I'm sure the cafeteria can accomodate us, though probably no buffets for the Saber-class."     Mordred gets a hollow smile and then Psyber adds, "But the rest of us should be fine."     And then Psyber looks to Elliana, "I'm sure Rampart will be fine. He can't be much worse for a child to be around than myself." 

:'''{{#var:395|Amalthea (395)}} has posed:'''     Amalthea proceeds to hook her arm around Nathan's shoulder. Be ye proud to be among the small handful of people that a unicorn is actually willing to make physical contact with, Nathan. Because keeping true to her role, she puts on the biggest smile. And then commences giving the Union general a MASSIVE NOOGIE. "Don't be silly, Nathan, I had nothing to do with any matches made, not now, not in the past, and not in the future."     It does not last long though as she detaches and crosses her arms. "Yeah come on Elliana, give us the deets, it's not like any of us are actually squeamish here when it comes to horrible maiming injury." Nevertheless she presses with all the subtlety of a bull through a china store window, pressing when Elliana falters.     "Man, your world can't be that uninteresting. You didn't leave anything behind back there? No unfinished business?" Uh oh.     "Iunno, Psyber, with how much Whisper bitches about him..." 

:'''{{#var:495|Riva Banari (495)}} has posed:''' Riva's looked agitated for a bit ever since the true meaning of the nightmare unfolded. She loks around, an unpleasant look flickering across her face. Perhaps she's not feeling well or something. After a short time, she pulls out her phone again, poking at it. She pauses. She looks over to Psyber, and then at Nathan and Sakura. She ponders for a moment, again... And then she looks up at Elliana. "Elliana, I've heard you're pretty good with weird languages. Would you be able to look at something for me? I took some pictures." She holds out her phone, offering it to Elliana. The pictures in question happen to be the temple they were just in. Picture of the surroundings, the architecture, the runic bindings, and of course the orb and Psyber poking at it. This might get messy. 

:'''{{#var:183|Mizuki (183)}} has posed:'''     The strokes of Mizuki's hand keep up even as the voices turn sour, and the topics grow grim. Her hand does pause a moment, though, on the final syllable of the word 'food'. Truth be told, this is making her a little bitter. Are -all- of these 'happy fantasies' doomed to spontaneously combust? Are they all fated to be discovered and eviscerated by the people who occupy them, out of spite? If someone were to wrap you in a blanket, would your first instinct be to tear the thing from your body, strike a match, and watch the thing burn?     ... no. No, she knows the circumstances aren't the same here. She knows this environment is far too duplicitous, too nuanced to be a blanket. But more and more she's finding it difficult to accept these sorts of things. Must every dream just be some thin veil that hides darkness? Must every single one be a lie, and a thing to be shed once a person has the 'strength' to face reality? It's a conundrum that's grated at her being for as long as she's held sovereignty over her own mind. And even more officious to her is -obligation-. Were she in Elliana's shoes, she would have abandoned such a world without a second thought. She would have seen it burn, and such nightmares would never haunt her mind.     "Yes, let us consume things." Her tone is flat, yet somehow very deep. Dismal. "That is the way of all life. To eat or be eaten. To force or to be forced. Likewise, that had to be your choice -- you would either flee, or your world would devour you whole. You had to choose your happiness, or their lives." She lays her pen upon the pages of her book. She folds her hands across her tome. She does not look up. "No one faults you, but as we sit here and speak in perfect peace, quiet; as your baby prepares to enter into this world, countless people have lost their children in kind. One life for thousands. And beyond all that, so many wrongs -- unpunished."     She would close the book, now, the pen saving her page. "Humans crave adversity," She would continue, "but you have managed to extricate yourself from that lust. That need. You should relish that. You should cherish every day you have from now until the end of time. Enjoy this life such that you may live for all those who have been lost."     Those words were poison, and she knows it. She was wrong to open her mouth at all, and she knows it. 'But if these people are so fond of decimating happy dreams,' She justifies, 'then it's just as well I do it for them.'     She is really going to regret this later. 

:'''{{#var:570|Kimiko Shinobu (570)}} has posed:'''     Kimiko lets out a breath with her jaw lightly clenched, lips drawn. She shrugs, and then stays quiet. Throughout, and afterward, she stares at Elliana. She's not going to say any more about it. Not out loud, anyway. What could she say? It's not as if she's even that familiar with the situation on the traitor-wife's homeworld.     Even if what she did was the only possible path by which to effect a change upon that world, it's not as if Kimiko could ever accept the choice. It's not within her ability to forgive it.     It seems others aren't leaving well enough alone, and the dream is likely going to destabilize, but Kimiko retains her silence even in the face of that inevitability. She stares, and nothing more. 

:'''{{#var:12|Mordred (12)}} has posed:'''     Mordred chews on the jerky. It's better than saying what she thinks, or doing what she's thinking about doing. Even if the build up of anger will make it difficult to control that if people keep pushing their luck.     Shoveling food into her mouth should keep her calm though, like the great angry furnace that requires weed or corpses to silence. 

:'''{{#var:134|Sakura Haruno (134)}} has posed:'''     Sakura, oddly, will take some pity on Elliana. "Let's just go to dinner. We can share medical stories. And talk about the wonders of childbirth, maybe." She adds, giving Psyber a look with a slight smile for a change. "I don't think we should take too much longer, though, because I'm sure you called ahead for reservations, right?" She doesn't want to end this 'nightmare', it seems - she'd rather extend the assorted suffering involved. 

:'''{{#var:331|Himei (331)}} has posed:'''     Himei watches the others cause Elliana to falter and stammer like that. The picture on the phone and the constant jabbing will inevitably cause her to collapse, or at least confront the point of the dream. Seeing how everyone is twisting the knife, Himei opts to try something different by reaching out and resting a hand on Elliana's shoulder.     "You can't take responsibility for an entire world," is all she says. Then she gives a light squeeze. 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     "It is best to not think about it." Nathan says, casually, as if the heavy discussion were mostly irrelevant, or a side-conversation. "The magic mountain ghost dad of Cecil Harvey once taught me that one should affect what they can and leave the rest as it is. Trust that people can handle themselves, and get by, even if they might not do it as well if you helped." A bit of devil's advocacy here. "There are a few things worth doing for the sake of oneself."     He once again offers the change in subject that Elliana is seeking. "In any case, I am still curious, how have things been in the Grail War matter? I am still looking to help any approaches you may be making in that, or in the other matters you are dealing with." Still being the perfectly supportive, positive Nathan here. And still trying to figure out how she'd be operating in this hypothetical what-if. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     It's a lot to take in. It's also very strange that Sakura, of all people, is offering comfort. Himei is less surprising... though the dream-Elliana has her relationships all mucked up anyway. Mizuki's words, followed by Riva's phone image, really strike home. The blonde takes a step back, gently brushing Himei's hand away. "I... it... it's a binding to..." No, it's very clear that she can't talk about this now. Tears well up in her eyes before she can say anything more on the topic, and she takes another step back.     "I... I couldn't. You don't understand. The only way I could... I wasn't strong enough..." Her eyes dart around to everyone, and it looks like Nathan won't be getting his answer about the grail war. Elliana is facing something else, which requires her full attention just to prevent breaking down. "... I was selfish. Am selfish. I'm sorry."     Turning on her heel, she dashes for the door at high speed. Very, very high speed. The older ones might remember that super speed was one of her powers BEFORE her upgrade.     Needless to say, the dream splinters immediately after, its agency broken. Any last words had better be quick. 

:'''{{#var:570|Kimiko Shinobu (570)}} has posed:'''     Anything Kimiko could say to this Elliana, she could just as well tell her after she wakes. That is, in fact, much the reason for her earlier silence, and it is the reason that silence will continue. 

:'''{{#var:331|Himei (331)}} has posed:'''     Shaking her head, Himei watches Elliana flee... and the nightmare start to break down. "Well. I guess we know why this is a nightmare." She looks toward the others. "I hope you're all happy. I think a few of you forgot that Elliana doesn't /have/ nice dreams." 

:'''{{#var:495|Riva Banari (495)}} has posed:''' The response is precisely what Riva was expecting. What she didn't expect were Mizuki's words, and she glances over in surprise. There's nothing for her to say at this point, however. Everything that needs to be said has been, as the dream explodes around them. 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     "They bound the Shajem on their own, without you. It was flawed, but you did not need to be there. People will make due, and get by. Your vengeance and justice go unfulfilled, and the world continues to turn anyway. Do what good you can in the world, and then no more. Burn the fuel you have to spread its light. Burn yourself, and all you will spread is ash."     That's what Nathan says, as Elliana leaves, and then after, as he's sure she can still hear him. That's about all he needs to. He crosses his arms and closes his eyes in preparation for the collapse. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     This has been a long night for Psyber. This has been a long MONTH for Psyber, if one accounts for the sheer magnitude of things that have been occurring to him and around him. The 'smile' from Haruno is met with a narrow, red-eyed glare that could probably put a hole in a steel wall.     The half-angel opens his mouth as if on the verge of saying something to her, even. But then he shuts his mouth as Elliana runs off and the dream goes into splinter. He simply looks after Elliana as she flees and says nothing. He looks to Nathan and Haruno and continues to say nothing. It's taking almost all of his restraint to remain silent.     He reaches into his jacket and pulls out a flask, unscrewing it and tipping it back for a long moment before crushing it into a steel ball in his hand and dropping it. A rare and brief glimpse of vented rage.     And then he just waits for it to end. 

:'''{{#var:134|Sakura Haruno (134)}} has posed:'''     Sakura sighs as she watches Elliana flee. "The torment she should have isn't that she was selfish in this dream. Reality should be the nightmare for her." Flowers is not exactly full of the forgiveness, even if she'd shown a little bit of kindness here by not prodding in the same way the others had. At least not at Elliana.     She'll wait on the dream to end, bracing herself against whoever's closest and willing in case there's another fall. She doesn't approve of falling, after all. 

:'''{{#var:395|Amalthea (395)}} has posed:'''     That didn't go well. Off Elliana goes running as people jab hot pokers into an obvious wound. And when the dream shatters abruptly, the unicorn heaves a hefty sigh, rubbing at the back of her neck.     "Well I feel like such a fucking heel, now."     It's with this announcement that she reaches into her armor. Because when Psyber pulls out that flask, she's at his side, producing a pack of cigarettes and offering one to the half-angel.     She can't give him a light though, because when she pops one in her mouth she just starts chewing on it. And then swallows. 

:'''{{#var:40|Eleanor Lamb (40)}} has posed:'''     Eleanor Lamb's face is pall of anger, and now the regret has spread not only to Elliana, but to others of the party as well.     Good.     The Big Sister rubs both hands at her face to try and calm herself, and then waits for the dream to pass. What a shitshow. 

:'''{{#var:183|Mizuki (183)}} has posed:'''     Mizuki watches her departure with mixed feelings. It... always feels like bile after she indulges that sort of anger, and she only hopes it was subtle enough - or otherwise 'constructive' enough - to evade notice. She'll make her apologies later, but she's beginning to reconsider her involvement in the affairs surrounding Elliana. It inspires... something in her. Something extremely uncomfortable, angry, pained; she takes things personally that she shouldn't and, in so doing, projects herself upon peoples' dealings in ways she feels will eventually cost her friends.     She sighs. She will be thinking long and hard before she trifles with all of this again. If she does, she hopes she'll be in a better position to curb her own inclinations. Only now has her arrogance receded to a point where she can finally understand more fully why Psyber and Nathan had cautioned her about involving herself with this before. It isn't just because they are personally invested in this, but because every situation surrounding Miss Fairchild seems to... evoke something in people.     Psyber's words echo in her mind, though, if in a paraphrased form: Will you face yourself? Or will you develop a facade so perfect that it will overtake your being entirely? She... believed she had made her choice already, but this whole episode has made her want to reconsider. Either that, or to persist in 'helping' here so that she will be forced to learn something. Only, she's sure that 'something' will revolt her, and is horribly uncertain whether she'll be able to accept it at all. But, earnestly, could it be any worse than her finding a way to overlay all this story's more relevant details with her own, pithy, personal reservations?     ... never has she felt so horribly, terribly, disgustingly human. 

:'''{{#var:570|Kimiko Shinobu (570)}} has posed:'''     As the dream fades, Kimiko heaves another sigh, this one more tired and obvious. Slightly odd, for her. It's a clearer indication of emotion than the reserved young woman usually gives. She seems to want to speak, even, but a look up toward Psyber's silent rage gives her pause. He's likely not the only person rather upset by this--though the reasons may vary from person to person.     Still. "I do not believe much of that was helpful or necessary." She opens her mouth, closes it again, and frowns in a thin line. "Some things can as easily be said while she is awake. And then, she will remember them."     It takes her a bit to realize why this is actually upsetting her, but she doesn't share that personal revelation. 

}}

End of an Age: Awakenings

2015-02-21T08:16:03Z

Blue Elf:

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2013/02/18
|Location=Earth-776
|Synopsis=The Union hears of an important figure in Garou lore being found... and in danger from an ancient foe long thought defeated. They rush to the scene to help... but what price must be paid to defeat it? (NOTE: Some Radio chatter has been included from Laine's perspective, which may say 'you' instead of giving her name)
|Thanks=
|Cast of Characters=383,178,134,10,109,331,92,253,301,2,416,385,Alexis Maaka, Seras Victoria, Kimiko Shinobu,209,255
|Tinyplot=End of an Age
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:-1|RADIO CHATTER}} has posed:''' <!-Scene-Hooks> Laine |Earth-776 sure has had a lot of problems! All the other chaos is suddenly added to with what appears to be a massive storm system, swirling and black and choking with smog from nowhere! Smog is not that strange over the US, but such a storm of it in what is essentially wilderness, some distance away from any actual urban settlement, is very strange. 

:'''{{#var:383|Laine (383)}} has posed:''' The actual location arrival is not hard. With the amount of spiritual energy here, and the target location, Laine actually just has everyone dash to a nearby spot in the woods and... well. Moon Bridge time. Not the Null Zone this time, but a much cheaper, simpler path that has people walking a few steps in sparkling light and then dumped out at the end result. Said end result is RIGHT under the Storm, swirling above and thundering up high. It looks like, from the faded markings and rocks, that the group is atop a blunted mesa in the middle of nowhere that holds some kind of American Indian ritual site. This should come as no surprise to people who know where Laine gets her power. She's in Crinos form, the half-wolf form, and shaking her head with a sniff. "Is very bad. Ready for coming Umbra?" 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:''' A certain priestess happened to be visiting HoH on this fateful day, and she's here now, the wind whipping her hair about. The sword at her side is in a secure grip at the hilt by her hand, and she's stepped out of the bridge to stare upward with a frown. "Now this. This is not pleasant. This is what I expect the Union to fight. Whatever it is. Also, hello again, Dame Shoutan." 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:''' "Ah God, not the fuckin' Umbra. Please? Can't I deal with this in like...not the Umbra? I hate my Umbra forms, they're both such tools." Psyber is practically pleading with Laine as he adjusts the long jacket he wears and rubs his face in a tired motion, "Like. Man. No." He's actually, legitimately, pleading with the wolf for there to be a way he does not have to enter the Umbra. After a couple moments, though, he sighs, "Fine. Yeah. I'm ready." He finally submits to the Garou, looking over at her. 

:'''{{#var:301|Tony Stark (301)}} has posed:''' At least, with the armor on Tony hasn't got to worry about the wind lashing his face and hair. Not that windswept isn't a good look for him but -- /not the time, Stark/. "You said, in the Umbra we look like... our real selves?" he questions Laine uncertainly. Not uncertain about going in; he said he'd help and he's determined to do that. But he'd be lying if he said he wasn't trepidatious. 

:'''{{#var:2|Homura Akemi (2)}} has posed:''' "No, I am not," Homura creeps in from behind in her usual wasn't there five seconds ago fashion, already transformed and wielding her jeweled black bow, sans arrows. "But now is as good a time as any to figure out if I can keep the bloody thing in my Soul Gem at the very least." She figures if she just thinks hard enough at it she can at least keep her Daemon from taking over. Keep it quiet, probably not, but better it be talking from her Soul Gem than her mouth. 

:'''{{#var:331|Himei (331)}} has posed:''' "Relax, Stark," Himei says. "You're basically a normal human under there. I didn't change much and I doubt you will." She looks over at Jack, then frowns, glaring at Elliana. "No funny business, Fairchild. I know you're still a sealing evil sort, but we seriously don't want anything messy here. If you weren't so useful right now I'd ask Psyber to kick you out, but someone with your power might be nice." Himei herself draws a shining sword from her side, one that looks incredibly well-made, and readies it. "All right, Laine, I'm ready if they are..." 

:'''{{#var:301|Tony Stark (301)}} has posed:''' "Basically," Tony agrees with a wry smile audible if not visible. 

:'''{{#var:416|Jack (416)}} has posed:''' Jack the Ripper is here. She was not here a moment ago. The Assassin Class Servant simply seeming to manifest at Himei's side without so much as a warning nor a hint of transition, in her Assassin garb. Perched on her toes in a crouch, legs hugged comfortably to her chest as she plants her chin to rest on one knee. "We are here." That's the extent she announces her presence, in a quiet and soft voice. Well, she said she was with Himei, after all. 

:'''{{#var:-1|RADIO CHATTER}} has posed:''' <Union-IC> [5-SA] Himei says, "Think you've got it under control, Homura?" <Union-IC> [2] Homura Akemi says, "Maybe if Stark can lend me some of his overconfidence I'll say yes." <Union-IC> [5-SA] Psyber says, "I'm approving Jack for Tac-Band Access." <Union-IC> [5-SA] Psyber says, "She shouldbe linking up now." <Union-IC> [LC] Jack clicky. "Yep yep." <Union-IC> [2] Tony Stark chuckles. "Hey, if you're nervous I can hold your hand." <Union-IC> [2] Homura Akemi says, "... I think I'll be fine." <Union-IC> [LC] Jack says, "You can hold ourr hand if you really want one, Mister Stark." <Union-IC> [2] Tony Stark says, "Okay, well, the offer's open. Uh... no thanks, I'm good." 

:'''{{#var:383|Laine (383)}} has posed:''' Hearing as much assent as she'll get, Laine wrinkles her nose at Elliana, but doesn't argue. She sniffs at Tony for being so Weaver-oriented, yet she knows he's a good guy so she ignores it for now and just nods to the others. "Is time. Hold..." Hold? The actual transition doesn't even need a mirror or anything, at Laine's current level of skill. Just a ripple of /something/ passing over everyone reveals the Penumbra, like a veil being torn off. There's some brief clasping of some kind of chill at everyone, and the sensation of violence, of resistance, but here the Gauntlet is so thin that there's no danger. It's the same geographical location, but everything looks more vibrant, more /real/ here, and the starry sky is burning with lights, not to mention the half moon hanging in the sky looks so incredibly close and burns with a silvery light. Speaking of burning... The holy spot the group is gathered upon has a shining light piercing the sky, and in the distance to the west are several more similar lights. It should be obvious to those with any knowledge of sealing or binding magics that this is one point in some sort of ward, and what it's meant to hold is... well, we'll get to that. The important part is the air around the group, the entire sky, is FULL of spirits. Flame spirits, plant spirits, wind spirits... they're easy to identify in a vague fashion, because they're flaming or swirling. And they're all in a massive battle, like an aerial war, with greenish, /wrong/-looking and twisted beings. The spirits are at war here, already, while in the distance below another battle is fought. A small group of a dozen Garou in their war-forms is half-running, half fighting from what looks like a veritable horde of twisted and howling, gibbering werewolves. Silver blades are flashing, blood flying everywhere, but the Garou are defending valiantly while trying to carry one tiny burden toward the spot the group is standing. And one more thing. From out of the earth, chunks of dirt and rock tumbling off of its hide, a massive, wormlike dragon is starting to rise, tearing its way free of the earth in a sluggish but ominous fashion.

:'''{{#var:-1|RADIO CHATTER}} has posed:''' <Union-IC> [5-SA] Himei says, "What the..." <Union-IC> [5-SA] Psyber says, "Well this is..." <Union-IC> [5-SA] Psyber says, "Who wants to call dips on the dragon?" <Union-IC> [A] Laine says, "Eater-of-Souls" <Union-IC> [5-SA] Psyber dibs* <Union-IC> [5-SA] Himei says, "Right uh." <Union-IC> [LC] Jack says, "Mother. Orders." <Union-IC> [5-SA] Himei says, "I'm going to set up a supplemental so we can coordinate with Fairchild." <Union-IC> [5-SA] Psyber says, "Right." <Union-IC> [A] Aaron Smith says, "It came before. It came again. There are no Middle Brothers left to sacrifice. Endless hunger, eternally craving, never satiated, never satisfied." 

:'''{{#var:301|Tony Stark (301)}} has posed:''' "...Whoa," is Stark's erudite first impression. "Jarvis," he murmurs, "are you getting this?" "My sensors are having difficulty with the visual translation," the AI replies calmly; "but I am compensating." Iron Man -- who really does look about the same, albeit his armor seems to be a bit darker color -- turns in a slow circle, taking in the whole of the scene. "This is... like, what's all around us all the time, only we can't see it?" he muses. "Creepy. Like looking at your skin through a microscope for the first time... "I'm gonna assume that big dragon thing is our bad guy, huh?" 

:'''{{#var:-1|RADIO CHATTER}} has posed:''' <Union-IC> [A] Laine says, "Is not yet." <1X-Supplemental> Psyber says, "Jack, you hungry?" <Union-IC> [A] Aaron Smith says, "Soon." <1X-Supplemental> Jack says, "We have room for snacking." <1X-Supplemental> Psyber says, "Chow down." <1X-Supplemental> Psyber also totally called her Assassin. <1X-Supplemental> Assassin: Jack says, "Nomz." <1X-Supplemental> Himei says, "Okay, someone should help those werewolves." <1X-Supplemental> Tony Stark says, "What is it they're carrying?" <1X-Supplemental> Laine says, "Perfect Metis." <1X-Supplemental> Himei says, "Okay then, that's just become our new top priority. Forget the dragon." <1X-Supplemental> Psyber says, "Moving to escort." <1X-Supplemental> Himei says, "Actually, Elliana, you think you can try to hold off that thing?" <1X-Supplemental> Assassin: Jack says, "We will follow Psyber. Nom on anything that gets close." <1X-Supplemental> Homura Akemi says, "I'll help her. And keep an eye on her. Maybe not in that order." <1X-Supplemental> Assassin: Jack says, "Good luck Auntie Homura." <1X-Supplemental> Tony Stark says, "Get the package to the top of the hill. Got it. Just like on Playstation Live." 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:''' It's... stunning, even for Elliana. Her eyes go wide as she whips about, looking all around with a startled expression. And unlike some, Elliana's appearance has changed a fair bit. While she looks the same in her human form, there's an addition to it... a twisted, purplish, snakelike presence that twines its way up her legs and around her torso, its head slumbering on her shoulder next to hers. Painful-looking binds of barbed, silvery cord are wrapped all around to tightly leash the creature to her... and its body in many places intersects with hers, wrapping around her internals in spots. Her attention is quickly caught by the other details, including Himei's request. Wings split out from her shoulders as the priestess flexes them, a tail sprouting from behind. "Hmm. Well, not what I expected to be doing today, but I suppose I can lend my aid, Dame Shoutan." Kicking off into the air, she gathers power and swoops in to first zip around the giant wyrm beast, to guage its power and wakefulness. 

:'''{{#var:-1|RADIO CHATTER}} has posed:''' <1X-Supplemental> Elliana Fairchild says, "I will take a look at it." 

:'''{{#var:2|Homura Akemi (2)}} has posed:''' "Ha! Magical girl Homura-chan, reportiiiiing~. Wait. Hey, why am I in the Soul Gem this time? This is too mean, you know," echoes Homura's Soul Gem. "Eat shit and die," echoes Homura with a very slight smirk. The Puella Magi takes a good long look around the area, mostly to take in the sights of the spirits and what the fuck is that even okay giant dragon Wyrm thing, great. "All things considered you've got more chance of dying than me right now, you probably shouldn't be so harsh~." "If I die you die, now quiet down and just... I don't know, be my soul quietly and stop being louder than me." Good enough, really. "Now come on, we're going dragon-slaying." She's not confident at all she can handle the giant thing, not even with one of the allegedly more powerful Confederates helping her. But she's used to fighting huge things and it's not like her powers are much use evacuating people. Angelic white wings sprout out of Homura's back, and she takes off towards the dragon, though not even remotely at the same speed Elliana can. Her wings are less for speed and more for convenience. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:''' "Don't split in the Umbra. You are a divine being crafted by the hand of a flawless creator. Your form is perfect and to change it is disgrace to your origin." Psyber says to himself, as if trying to deliberately keep himself in his singular form instead of letting even more people see his deliberate Umbra form. He wills this so hard that, as it changes to the Umbra, his form flickers for a moment and then he seems to re-solidify as his normal self. He opens his eyes slowly and looks around, "Well damn. They went and started the party without us. How rude." He comments in a tired tone, running a hand through his hair, "What weapon to use. Guns don't feel strong enough. The artifact sword might screw with the Umbra. I guess that just leaves..." He holds out his hands and focuses, a swift cut of blue flame appearing and then materializing the grand goremaul from Annu into his hands, "Erinyes. You carry my sins from one universe. Hopefully the weight of that will help me protect another." He grits his teeth and swings the hammer, a massive rocket sprouting from the back and sending him spinning towards the gibbering horde chasing after the Garou, "Go. I'll deal with this horde. Protect the Metis." He says to the fleeing ones. 

:'''{{#var:-1|RADIO CHATTER}} has posed:''' <1X-Supplemental> Himei says, "You got it, Stark. I'm going to see about helping Elliana and Homura with the dragon." <1X-Supplemental> Psyber says, "I'm gonna hit the horde hard." <1X-Supplemental> Psyber says, "We should also get someone skybound and helping those spirits." 

:'''{{#var:331|Himei (331)}} has posed:''' Wings of light spread out from Himei's back as well, her skirt materializing around her. The Magical Girl is in the air in an instant, unable to fly as fast as Elliana but keeping up with Homura in short order. "Monstrous being that can only be beaten against all odds, fate of the world in our hands... just like old times, huh?" She says that in a grim tone to her friend while the others are running down below. Since she can't go as fast as Elliana, Himei turns her attention upward and starts sending short bolts of light toward some of the evil-looking spirits, to distract or destroy them if she can. Also, Himei looks mostly the same in the Umbra. 

:'''{{#var:-1|RADIO CHATTER}} has posed:''' <Union-IC> [LC] Jack says, "Mother. We will be using some of your power." <Union-IC> [5-SA] Himei says, "All right." 

:'''{{#var:301|Tony Stark (301)}} has posed:''' Mission assigned, Iron Man first checks to see that his suit is in working order by firing a few test pulses from his repulsor transmitters; satisfied (and not a little smug at the reliability of his engineering) he leaps from the height of the mesa and sweeps down the steep hillside after Psyber. His focus is less on attacking the oncoming horde than in running defense for the home team; he fires deterring blasts into the ground at the feet of the raving beasts and bodychecks one in what would be a fairly good tryout for NFL linebacker if he weren't far too old for that nonsense. 

:'''{{#var:416|Jack (416)}} has posed:''' It is precisely just before the entry into the Umbra that Servant Assassin... Vanishes. A slight shift on her toes and it's as if she slides aroun a corner that isn't there, disappearing from sight, eliminating any trace of her existence entirely. Yet she is still present. The small hand latched onto Himei's side proves that as Laine says to hold on to something. Though she cannot be seen, blue eyes widen. It's a sight like the Servant has never seen before. A war of the spirits going on right over her very head, and the sight of Garou in frantic flight, and the great dragon... Jack has seen unicorns before. But not dragons, nor werewolves. But her decision is made. Like a phantom she stalks behind Psyber, the feeling of an absolutely tiny rider suddenly clinging piggyback and using him to close the distance. Fast. It's when Erinyes flares to life and the great rocket hammer is swing, she detaches, selecting her target. An a thin layer of mist seems to spread amid the umbra. Cold and chilly, floating in a clinging, cloying fog that lingers and follows the psychotic werewolves. Jack the Ripper is unseen. The first strike is hers. The first strike is vicious. Methodically choosing her target... A particularly wild and dangerous looking female werewolf. It is night. It is misty. Her target is female... "Maria the Ripper..." It is with this declaration that she can no longer hide. Appearing from nowhere, an absolutely tiny little girl, frail and weak looking. Her dress is tattered and black. Though her clothes are ratty and she is barefoot, the child herself is clean, pristine and healthy looking save for five huge bloodstains marking her, with innocent blue eyes. It is this decree that she invokes her Noble Phantasm. Four wickedly sick blades appearing in a flash before her briefly before they vanish. And seek to re-appear INSIDE the werewolf and carve her apart from within, bursting outwards in a sickeningly violent display as Jack, the child, lands on her toes, drawing a bloodstained scalpel from seemingly nowhere. 

:'''{{#var:383|Laine (383)}} has posed:''' The team heading for the Garou below are all pretty fast. Stark and Psyber can fly at a good clip, while Jack is Jack. The hammer blasts the ground and takes several of the werewolves with it. They howl and screech, some of them more batlike than wolflike, and one of them with supernatural speed is leaping right toward Psyber with jaws agape, drooling some sort of sizzling poison. Another is sending out what looks like a /fireball/ of green flame, which just /feels/ wrong. Another is vivisected to the degree that not even Garou regeneration could handle it, tearing it apart with a screech of fury more than pain. Stark slams into one and manages to get the other Garou some breathing room... though two of them aren't running. One of the two is holding a massive silver blade, and is over nine feet tall. He offers a grunt to the group helping. The other is female, lean and athletic, and her /claws/ are silver, hissing and burning constantly. On top of that, her shoulders and the mane of hair atop her head appear to be on fire. She's just disembowling one when the others come to help, getting a startled look. "Nnf. Don't know who you are but not going to argue now." The others are staggering toward the hill, and now everyone can glimpse the Perfect Metis. Gender is still indeterminate, but the little cub is peeking over the Garou's shoulder with a serene, sorrowful look. They look... about thirteen or fourteen, though in Crinos that still means over seven feet tall, just very lanky and capable of being carried. Some of the spirits go down or disperse at Himei's shots. They aren't all that powerful, just minor Banes, there's just a ton of them. Meanwhile, the dragon is still stirring, and approaching him makes that /wrong/ feeling more strong. He's still waking up, but as Elliana approaches a bleary eye cracks open, focusing on the flying Nightmare-Girl. He's not sure what to make of her, given she carries a being that's so evil and malevolent within her. But the waking dragon starts to yawn, carelessly slurping in a screeching pair of fighting spirits without regard to which side they're on, swallowing them whole without any effort at all. As Himei and Homura approach, the beast stirs with greator energy, pushing itself partly upward... eyes are flicking between all three winged females now. Laine is actually still just standing there, staring, taking no part in the battle at the moment. Anyone watching her might see her tremble a little, then taking a deeeeeep breath, ears laying flat as she murmurs something under her breath.

:'''{{#var:-1|RADIO CHATTER}} has posed:''' <1X-Supplemental> Himei says, "So uh. Capabilities of this thing? Anyone?" <1X-Supplemental> Elliana Fairchild says, "I'm working on that." <1X-Supplemental> Homura Akemi says, "Laine called it the Eater of Souls. I believe it may eat souls." <1X-Supplemental> Psyber says, "Tony, are you familiar with a phalanx?" <1X-Supplemental> Laine says, "It isn't supposed to be awake quite yet. The Eater of Souls is one third of the Wyrm itself, a manifestation of its need to consume. If we destroy it it will cripple the Wyrm, but that would also destroy any chance of forcing things into a natural balance." <1X-Supplemental> Homura Akemi says, "Can we... I don't know, appease it? For a while?" <1X-Supplemental> Laine hesitates. "Yes..." <1X-Supplemental> Homura Akemi says, "Long enough to fix all the other stuff without it rampaging." <1X-Supplemental> Laine says, "There is a price involved." <1X-Supplemental> Tony Stark says, "Read about em in school, Psyber." <1X-Supplemental> Himei says, "How's it looking down there?" <1X-Supplemental> Homura Akemi says, "Can we appease it without feeding it may have been a better question." <1X-Supplemental> Psyber says, "Good, we're going to push these douchebags back and give that kid some room, Tony." <1X-Supplemental> Psyber says, "Apparently it's the Prophecized Chosen One." <1X-Supplemental> Elliana Fairchild says, "An excellent reason to be saving it." RADIO: You radio Homura Akemi, Psyber, Tony Stark, and Himei with 'There is a Rite which can force it to slumber, if only for a little while.' RADIO: Psyber radios Homura Akemi, Tony Stark, Himei, and Laine: What's that? RADIO: You radio Homura Akemi, Psyber, Tony Stark, and Himei with 'But we need to do it now.' RADIO: Homura Akemi radios Psyber, Tony Stark, Himei, and Laine: We do need to add as much time to the clock as we can, so how? RADIO: You radio Homura Akemi, Psyber, Tony Stark, and Himei with 'A strong, opposing life force, similar to when the Croatan sacrificed their entire Tribe. That worked for centuries.' RADIO: Psyber radios Homura Akemi, Tony Stark, Himei, and Laine: So one of us has to give up their life? <1X-Supplemental> Tony Stark says, "Gotcha." RADIO: Homura Akemi radios Psyber, Tony Stark, Himei, and Laine: We don't have an entire tribe to sacrifice, ignoring the correctness of that. RADIO: Psyber radios Homura Akemi, Tony Stark, Himei, and Laine: Or worse, we all might have to. RADIO: You radio Homura Akemi, Psyber, Tony Stark, and Himei with 'The one you call Fairchild is too twisted to be of that use.' RADIO: You radio Homura Akemi, Psyber, Tony Stark, and Himei with 'You save the child, I will do it.' RADIO: Tony Stark radios Homura Akemi, Psyber, Himei, and Laine: Is all of us gonna be enough? We're not exactly a tribe. I don't need to tell you I'm not so hot on the idea of sacrificing people. RADIO: You radio Homura Akemi, Psyber, Tony Stark, and Himei with 'I should give us a number of months, I hope.' RADIO: Himei radios Homura Akemi, Psyber, Tony Stark, and Laine: No, no way. We need you here to tell us what's going on. RADIO: Homura Akemi radios Psyber, Tony Stark, Himei, and Laine: I'm not killing one of us for the sake of natural balance, I'd rather just kill IT at this point and deal with it that way. Besides, we need you to figure this out. RADIO: Psyber radios Homura Akemi, Tony Stark, Himei, and Laine: I'm not keen on the idea of any of us dying either. /No, Laine/. You can't die, you're too vital. I'll do it. RADIO: Tony Stark radios Homura Akemi, Psyber, Himei, and Laine: Laine, you can't sacrifice /yourself/, we need you-- *stops, as other people chime in with exactly the same thing* 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:''' "I'm that kid's Guardian Goddamn Angel." Psyber says, looking up and behind him, "Watch out for the wings, Jack. They're coming out." And as he said that, a pair of massive black wings come out of his back and flap, giving him enough leverage to fly up and away from the drooling jaws. It nicks his arm, though, and the sizzling poison burns at the skin and the blood, Psyber hissing in pain and his arm goes lip for a moment. He moves to land near the Garou so fiercely in battle. He tilts his head to the side and flares out his wings, "I will block them here at all costs. The Metis must be saved if this world is going to survive. I know Garou are untrusting, but you will be better served with him than dying in battle. You and your friend should go." And then Psyber swings the hammer up again and brings it down, trying to fissure the ground to delay the encroaching horde, staring them down. 

:'''{{#var:-1|RADIO CHATTER}} has posed:''' RADIO: You radio Homura Akemi, Psyber, Tony Stark, and Himei with 'I have the Rite ready, but...' RADIO: Over the radio (to Homura Akemi, Tony Stark, Himei, and Laine), Psyber transmits the falling of a hammer, "God damnit, I'll be over in a second to die, okay? Just gimme a minute to clear this out." RADIO: Homura Akemi radios Psyber, Tony Stark, Himei, and Laine: But nothing! We'll just have to kill it. Screw balance, screw the universe. We'll deal with this the non-one-of-us-dies way. RADIO: Himei radios Homura Akemi, Psyber, Tony Stark, and Laine: How long do we have? RADIO: You radio Homura Akemi, Psyber, Tony Stark, and Himei with 'Minutes. A little more if you can hurt it.' RADIO: Himei radios Homura Akemi, Psyber, Tony Stark, and Laine: All right, we'll figure this out. Just hold on, okay? RADIO: Homura Akemi radios Psyber, Tony Stark, Himei, and Laine: Fine. It's as good as dead, then. Come on, Himei. RADIO: Himei radios Homura Akemi, Psyber, Tony Stark, and Laine: Right behind you... 

:'''{{#var:301|Tony Stark (301)}} has posed:''' Tony's suit could certainly handle the weight and unwieldiness of one or two of the Garou if it did come to carrying them, but he hesitates to go leaping forward with that plan, unsure whether he as an outsider ought to be... you know... touching the package. "Stark," he replies succinctly to the big female as he thrusts a palm outward and blasts another of the oncoming horrorwolves square in the gaping jaws. "Looked like you could use a hand." And then, as his radio buzzes with a flurry of transmissions, and Psyber slams the ground, he drops to a knee for stability and loads one of the palladium cartridges into his laser emitter. A searing line of crimson light lances out, beneath the feet of the flying angel, at the milling hordes across the fissure. "Go on, get your people up the hill!" 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:''' Elliana doesn't bother with her sword. Instead, she lets loose a few of the silvery bindings, sending the snakelike being's shadowy presence outward for a quick strike. It hisses downward, a plume of purple energy coming out to blast at the dragon waking below, while Elliana still stares at it. "There is some sort of binding upon it already... I see. A powerful one... mmf." The Nightmare Queen darts aside, using her sword this time to split an errant spirit that wandered near, then she narrows her eyes at the bestial presence. She's still trying to analyze the binding, to perhaps reinforce it. 

:'''{{#var:2|Homura Akemi (2)}} has posed:''' "Don't joke about that, Himei. This thing's a Storm in the first place and pretty much bringing back all the bad memories. Striking a bit close to home there," Homura says between wing flaps, letting loose a few idle arrows of light here and there without much aim-- towards whatever spirits might try to get too close to them, if anything. "At least it's not laughing at us and hurling fire around." Yet. Ugh. "We'll give us some time and reduce that thing to shreds. This shouldn't be any harder than--" Fuck, bad example, that was hard. "Whatever." Homura stops in front of the Eater of Souls, raising her bow and drawing a large, magical pink-purple arrow onto the equally magical string. "HEY! You want food? Come on, try me! Show me that throat of yours!" She's trying to gaud it into opening its mouth to her, really. She knows where she wants to shoot a dragon if ever she has to. Of course, the purifying arrow isn't the only thing that'll fly. A few dozen RPGs just appear out of nowhere all around the Puella Magi, like a wall of rockets just popping up and rushing in. Tony's equipment is probably going to detect the temporal anomaly without much trouble there. To say he's operating with only the best of the best equipment is an understatement. Doesn't mean Jarvis' clock might not suddenly be a few minutes late all of a sudden, though. 

:'''{{#var:-1|RADIO CHATTER}} has posed:''' <1X-Supplemental> Elliana Fairchild says, "There is already a Binding here." <1X-Supplemental> Laine says, "The Croatan." <1X-Supplemental> Himei says, "Laine are you all right? You're talking clearly again." 

:'''{{#var:416|Jack (416)}} has posed:''' Assassin is not made for direct confrontation. Assassin was not made for battle. That one, vicious, stroke was probably the best thing Jack the Ripper could possibly provide in this wild and open blitz of blood and fury. But even if it was just one target rendered incapable of being able to fight further, than she has done something. She doesn't particularly need to watch her head when Psyber's wings flare free, being so small that the black plumaged appendages end up going over her head, as does Stark's pimp laser of doom, anyway, as she crouches, close and low. "Uncle Psyber we can't help here." She whispers apologetically. There would be no way she could possibly help hold the line, and she can't vanish again now that she is engaged. "We are helping." She does reply to the female. "We will try and protect." And with that she turns on her heel, making to follow after the Garou on the run for the hill. 

:'''{{#var:-1|RADIO CHATTER}} has posed:''' <1X-Supplemental> Laine says, "It's a strain. Too much of my mind is scattered about. But I can do this much." <1X-Supplemental> Tony Stark says, "--what the hell just happened, I just lost about three minutes. I didn't black out did I? Jarvis--" "You did not, sir." <1X-Supplemental> Himei says, "Probably an Umbra thing." <1X-Supplemental> Homura Akemi says, "Huh, that's me, sorry." <1X-Supplemental> Homura Akemi says, "I suggest using an external clock while near me." 

:'''{{#var:331|Himei (331)}} has posed:''' The brief radio conversation distracts Himei for a moment, causing her to lag behind. A brilliant silver beam blasts out from the Sailor Hope flying behind Homura, lending a bright holy beam to the barrage of rockets. It's... very brief, though. Very very brief. Homura, after the rockets fade, will hear a faint and distant, "Sorry..." Because she's already darting back to dive at full speed downward, even if it jars her on impact when she lands next to Laine, panting. "What do I need to do, Laine?" 

:'''{{#var:383|Laine (383)}} has posed:''' The Garou next to the Iron Man and Angel just grunt, snarling softly, "It is our duty to defend her. If it means we have strange comrades... so be it." The female chuckles, kicking one of the pursuing horde aside, but the horde has thinned dramatically and does one last surge forward, pouncing at the feathered wings and their owner with a roar, claws trying to peel off alloyed armor, and the big guy taking a deep gash in the arm. There are only a handful staggering toward the mesa, and the one holding the Metis itself - who turns out to be a girl, by the way - staggers and stumbles, bleeding badly from an earlier wound. It's already festering and /rotting/ from whatever hurt her, and the Metis is looking worried now. Also trembling, joints popping and her height now a little smaller. She's going through her First Change. Like... RIGHT NOW. The one holding her growls, "Get her... away..." To Jack, because Jack is a model of helpfulness. Probably to one of the other wounded and dying Garou, actually. Though they're all bleeding horribly. Meanwhile, at the Wyrm. The dragon-being grunts as it's slammed by Elliana's attack, rolling over with a flinch. It isn't indestructible, as the mass of rockets that impacts a moment later reveals, combined with that lance of holy energy. A writhing shriek lifts out from it, and more earth slides away, yet it also flinches and shuts an eye. It's not fully awake yet... they could kill it now. Except Himei is at Laine, and Laine is looking at her uncertainly. After a moment the werewolf rests a hand on Himei's sternum, where that blue mark of the Emperor's still burns, and finishes her Rite with a few strokes of the claw making faint, glowing embers of the mystic rite she started minutes ago appear on Himei's body. "Let it win." 

:'''{{#var:-1|RADIO CHATTER}} has posed:''' <1X-Supplemental> Assassin: Jack says, "She is a girl." <1X-Supplemental> Psyber says, "Assassin, be the bodyguard." <1X-Supplemental> Assassin: Jack says, "None shall pass, none shall pass." <1X-Supplemental> Elliana Fairchild says, "Dame Shoutan, where did you go?" <1X-Supplemental> Himei says, "Taking care of something." <1X-Supplemental> Assassin: Jack eh? <1X-Supplemental> Psyber says, "Oh you better not be." <1X-Supplemental> Tony Stark says, "You're not doing something stupid up there are you?" <1X-Supplemental> Homura Akemi says, "She's behind m-- ... she is not behind me." <1X-Supplemental> Himei says, "Sorry." <1X-Supplemental> Psyber says, "I am serious! You better not be doing what I think you- *cry of pain*- a-are!" <1X-Supplemental> Himei says, "You got a better idea?" <1X-Supplemental> Assassin: Jack says, "Idea?" <1X-Supplemental> Homura Akemi says, "No but that doesn't mean you have to do THAT!" <1X-Supplemental> Psyber says, "Let me do it! I'll be up there in a-" <1X-Supplemental> Psyber cries out in pain. <1X-Supplemental> Himei says, "Assassin, make sure Psyber stays to help the Metis." <1X-Supplemental> Elliana Fairchild says, "What are you doing, Dame Shoutan?" <1X-Supplemental> Assassin: Jack says, "Mo- Ma-. What. Why?" 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:''' Psyber looks over his shoulder to see one of the guardians collapse. Psyber stops and looks over at Tony as the Garou close in on them. Psyber folds his wings over himself, jaws digging deep into his wings, spreading feathers and blood onto the battlefield as they gnaw through his protective wings. Psyber winces back the pain as it runs through his appendages. "Tony. I need you to go help Jack and protect the Metis." Psyber says in an almost eerily calm done. His form briefly flickers and then he reasserts single-minded dedication, "You're way more fitting to be a Big Damn Hero than I am, so save that damsel in distress." There's a bloody spray as he pushes back and wades into the horde of enemies that, while thinning, is still quite enough of a threat, "I'm going to need to hold them, but some will get through to the Metis and she MUST be sa-" He suddenly stops and turns towards Himei's location, red eyes widening as he says, "Oh she better no-" And then the horde is upon him, jaws digging into his shoulders and wait keeping him in place. He's thrashing out, reaching with hands and snapping necks, crushing skulls where he can. But he's locked down by the gaggle of monsters he just waded into. Vainly, he shouts, "HIMEI NO!" 

:'''{{#var:-1|RADIO CHATTER}} has posed:''' <1X-Supplemental> Himei says, "You'll just have to trust me on this one, Assassin. Ah... hold on." 

:'''{{#var:331|Himei (331)}} has posed:''' "Thanks, Laine. I won't... I mean... thanks," Himei mutters awkwardly. Boy, she thought she'd have more to say for that. The wings spread and she grips her sword more tightly, the Sailor leaping into the air again, flapping the mystic wings to take to the air again. She blasts an errant Bane on the way, then streaks toward the dragon being again, to rejoin Homura and Elliana. "Hey. Sorry, Homura. I screwed up a universe once. I'm not really wanting to be a part of doing it again, and I don't think you do either." Thing is, she isn't stopping to shoot. She's heading directly toward the Eater of Souls, sword in hand. 

:'''{{#var:-1|RADIO CHATTER}} has posed:''' <1X-Supplemental> Homura Akemi says, "Shut up! I've screwed up my universe a hundred times over for one person, what's one more time? I don't bend over for natural balance or for the universe's whims, you should know that by now! You think I want to watch you do that?!" <1X-Supplemental> Elliana Fairchild says, "Dame Sh- Himei you-" <1X-Supplemental> Elliana Fairchild apparently putting two and two together. <1X-Supplemental> Elliana Fairchild says, "Psyber, do you trust me?" 

:'''{{#var:301|Tony Stark (301)}} has posed:''' "Psyber!" is Tony's first reflex to shout, and he very nearly leaps into the fray after him. But he's right, of course. The child has to be the first priority. Not that he particularly understands all of this spiritual chesswork, but it seems a pretty straightforward messianic symbol. With a cry of frustration, he turns and blasts back up the hill, discharging the spent palladium cartridge with a angry pump of his fist. As he roars up the hillside, his HUD is picking out the glowing silhouettes of those creatures that did manage to get past his and Psyber's defense, and plumes of smoke explode from his shoulders as mini-missiles streak out in tandem with each lock. Nothing he can do to save Himei now. That's what he tells himself, anyway, to assuage his conscience. That, and if it kills him, that cub is getting out /safe/. 

:'''{{#var:-1|RADIO CHATTER}} has posed:''' <1X-Supplemental> Psyber says, "I..." <1X-Supplemental> Psyber sighs, "Yeah, Elliana. I'll trust you." <1X-Supplemental> Elliana Fairchild says, "Clear me an area to land!" <1X-Supplemental> Elliana Fairchild says, "Homura, keep that Dragon busy." <1X-Supplemental> Psyber violent throwing noises, "Get off me you fucking mutts." 

:'''{{#var:416|Jack (416)}} has posed:''' Finally Jack catches up with the Garou. the sight of their wounds is not promising, and now she's amid them to help protect the Metis like a good little serial murdering bodyguard. She is, in fact, a model of helpfulness when she reaches for the pouch at her hip. Though her technique is over a hundred years old, it is bolstered by prana, strengthened with magic as her hands work in a blitz. Though they said to get the Metis and go, she's quick in stabilizing as many of the Garou as she can into better running condition. She's kind of big. And Jack is small. So very very small, but the commotion elsewhere gets Jack Shoutan's attention glancing back as she makes to heft the changing young Garou over her shoulder with surprising strength. Glancing back towards Himei. 

:'''{{#var:-1|RADIO CHATTER}} has posed:''' <1X-Supplemental> Homura Akemi says, "I WILL NOT KEEP THAT DRAGON BUSY! I will not watch someone throw themselves to their death for the sake of universal balance! I didn't have any of that years ago and I will not now!" 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:''' As soon as Elliana hears what's going on, and sees Himei streak past her, she curses to herself and is darting backward in midair, weaving through the hellstorm of enemies and making her way toward Psyber. And in midair, she's chanting. "With Eyes that See You..." A sword slice takes care of a Spirit, and then she's above the position, waiting for an opening to land as soon as Psyber can make it. It's a chant he probably recognizes. "With a Mind that understands you..." She lands roughly, breathing heavily, and the serpent within her is writhing madly now. She huffs, "This will need timed just so. I don't have the strength for more, but..." Breathe in. "With a Heart that knows you..." 

:'''{{#var:-1|RADIO CHATTER}} has posed:''' <1X-Supplemental> Himei says, "Homura..." <1X-Supplemental> Homura Akemi says, "I'm still not okay with what Madoka did! Do you think I'm alright with you doing it too?!" <Heaven or Hell> Office Manager Psyber over the sounds of fighting, "Himei, I feel a personal need to state my own objection." <Heaven or Hell> IV: A New Hope Himei says, "I'm sorry." 

:'''{{#var:2|Homura Akemi (2)}} has posed:''' So hey this went south awfully fast. Homura's gone from nailing the dragon with all the artillery to dodging spirits, trying to stay clear of the dragon and the earth being split, and whatever other threats keep popping up. She's also trying to spot Himei-- and keep her eye on her, but with everything flying around, this is getting hard. And emotions have swelled up so much... "Why can't I just-- STOP, DAMNIT! WHY WON'T TIME STOP?!" These are the complete opposite of ideal conditions, and she may end up keeping the dragon busy for Fairchild against her desire not to just by being in front of it and struggling to use her magic. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:''' Psyber takes a moment to insert a second pose in here for the sake of literary convenience. The half-angel, despite being pretty consistently mauled and pinned in place, is killing as many of the twisted creatures as his hands can get purchase on. Crushing skulls with his bare hands, snapping necks. A combat knife comes out and starts severing throats with a silver-edged blade. But when Elliana comes down, asking for a place to stand and chanting at him, Psyber pushes with his entire body and becomes a whirlwind of stabbing, crushing, and murder. His singular goal is to clear Elliana that spot she needs and give her the room to do her special ability. Bloody, wounded, bleeding and poisoned in several wounds, he shouts to Elliana, "NOW! DO IT NOW, FAIRCHILD!" 

:'''{{#var:383|Laine (383)}} has posed:''' For a brief moment, Tony manages to clear a path right up the ragged trail leading upward, toward where Laine is waiting and panting, her eyes unfocused. She's having a hard time doing... whatever she's doing, but Jack has plenty of space now, thanks to Iron Man's decimation of the werewolves. They're thinning out considerably, but there are a lot more Banes in the air, including some rather nasty spidery ones. One of which is heading right toward Homura, so hopefully she can dodge that weird, reality-manipulating strike that ripples through the air toward her. Elliana gets a few close calls, but Psyber's murder barrage clears away most of the debris of Black Spiral Dancers with a shower of blood and gore, and it does clear enough of a space for Elliana to land. Himei breaks free of the cloud of Banes just in front of the Eater of Souls, which is thrashing a little and grumpily looking upward at the glowing morsel. A morsel that it leaps for, roaring out in utter hunger and catching a Nexus Crawler in its maw on the way to strike Himei. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:''' Deep breath. Fairchild isn't sure exactly where Himei is right now, but Psyber is shouting so she's just going to have to take it. Her free hand yanks a knife from that priestess garb she wears, whipping it around and striking forward in a fierce lunge toward Psyber's shoulder. "Sorry. Not quite as unlike last time as I'd like but..." "With this Blood, I Bind Thee." The blood that erupts from Psyber's shoulder takes on a brilliant white glow immediately, swirling around him... but then shooting out sparkling lights that streak in an arc, wrapping chains around the writhing Dragon beast and vanishing inside. 

:'''{{#var:331|Himei (331)}} has posed:''' The Wyrm beast is leaping for her, and Himei is... diving straight into its maw. She takes a breath, muttering to herself. She thought she'd have more to say for goodbyes. But then... "Screw this. I'm Sailor Hope." Memory blazes to life, a silvery white light against the darkness, visible through the crowd of spirits for an instant before she dives right into the dragon's maw. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:''' "Look, for what it's worth? I don't blame you for how it all went down last time. Not happy about it, but..." He trails off. The knife is sheathed at his side and Psyber draws a 1911 out of his side-holster, "Do what you have to do right now." His tone is grim. As she chants and prepares, Psyber's left hand is whipping around with the 1911, aiming silver rounds for the foreheads of the Black Spiral Dancers as he tries to keep the priestess covered while giving her a target to bind with. However, when her knife digs into his shoulder, it erupts in a spray of blood. Blood which is drawn out of him, swirling and sparkling towards the dragon. All throughout this, Psyber lets out a scream of pain and buckles to one knee, the shoulder with the knife embedded into it throbbing and aching from blade. He weakly raises his head in time to watch Himei fly straight into the dragon's maw, a sight that will haunt him as a failure for the rest of his life, more likely than not. And yet, "... must press on..." He states, the hand with the gun coming up to wipe a tear from the corner of his eye as he drops an empty clip out and reloads the gun from a clip up his sleeve with a calm motion. "Fuckin' kid." He says through choked voice, "That was supposed to be me and you know it." His pistol levels itself on the Bane going for Homura, trying to cover the Puella currently in breakdown, even from such a distance. But it's hard to shoot through tears. Not that he's crying or anything. That's just a reaction to the pain and poison. 

:'''{{#var:2|Homura Akemi (2)}} has posed:''' She's trying to talk to Himei here, damnit! Go away, angry spirits! Homura is very obviously shouting through private radio, but it's getting more incoherent and broken by the second. When she finally raises her bow again, it's not to aim at the Banes, but at Himei. Homura's crying, yes, there's no way she can hide it right now. She draws a magical arrow, aiming it straight for the other magical girl-- before that damn spidery Bane slams into her, causing the her arrow to take off upward and towards absolutely nothing at all, before Psyber most likely obliterates the hell out of that thing. DAMNIT SHE STILL HAS TIME. SHE STILL HAS TIME. "I can still--" No, she doesn't have time. Or the focus to even aim. That's not happening, no matter how much she wants it to, and she's still too conflicted to stop time right. "HIMEI!" There is apparently nothing else she can do. 

:'''{{#var:301|Tony Stark (301)}} has posed:''' Tony simply takes up position near Jack, firing repulsor blasts at any remaining werewolves that try to mount the hill after them. He has a distinct feeling that things are going Very Wrong with that dragon, but... someone has to protect the child. Actually that looks like a pretty big burden for Jack to be carrying. "You want me to take her?" he offers, even as he throws another hostile off the path with a bolt of force. 

:'''{{#var:416|Jack (416)}} has posed:''' A little bit of space is all Jack needed. Now she just needs to get to safety while carrying a seven foot tall werewolf over her shoulder and trying to run. Though she has the strength for it, the sheer difference in size still make the Metis and awkward encumberance. One that she nearly drops when stumbling to a stop, mind a whirl in the last moments of telepathic communication with her Master and adoptive mother figure. 'Remember what I said about being a hero? That sometimes you have to do what's right even if you don't want to?' '-What. Mother what are you doing?' 'I'm really proud of you, Jack. But that little girl needs someone. Take care of her, okay?' Those blue eyes; those innocent, perfect, blue eyes widen. Locked, horrified, on the sight of Sailor Hope flinging herself into the beast's waiting maw. Every single move Jack the Ripper makes is burdened with hesitation. A sluggish unwillingness to move, not knowing what to do. She should be protecting the Metis. She should be dragging the Garou to safety. But everything inside her is screaming to drop the bitch and run back at the dragon in a full tilt, futile as it may be. She is fast. But simply not that fast. And in that last moment, she simply drops to her knees in weak defeat. She can't move. She can't do what's right. "M-... Mother..." "I'm sorry." 

:'''{{#var:-1|RADIO CHATTER}} has posed:''' <Union-IC> [5-SA] Himei says, "Jack Angelica Shoutan I Command you to save that child!" <Union-IC> [LC] Jack says, "Wh-" <Union-IC> [LC] Jack says, "I... Will obey, Mother. I'm sorry. I'm sorry... I'm sorry." <Union-IC> [A] Kimiko Shinobu says, "...that's it. I'm heading to your last location." <Union-IC> [A] Kimiko Shinobu says, "I hope there's a way for me to find you once I'm there." 

:'''{{#var:383|Laine (383)}} has posed:''' As Himei dives in, and Elliana's spell wraps around the form of the elder beast, the dragon's jaws snap shut around the offered magical girl, cutting her off from everything in an instant. It pauses there for a long moment... And then, with a massive groan, the entire body slams into the ground, already starting to sink downward. Like the dry earth was suddenly mud, it's sinking deeply, the earth itself swallowing its body. The few remaining werewolves stop, stunned that this happened /again/... and then let out howls of frenzy all around, one of which is quickly cut off. Because stuff is still happening. And there's now a flood of not just Banes of your average variety, but Nexus Crawlers, reality-warping monsters that are swarming from where the dragon fell, all heading right toward that precious entrance to the real world that Laine's maintaining. And Tony and Jack are almost there! She actually has an entrance ready, and panting, she announces, "Get her out. I've done... everything I can." 

:'''{{#var:-1|RADIO CHATTER}} has posed:''' <Union-IC> [5-SA] Himei's voice is a little shaky. "Just stop it, guys. Do what you can. And don't worry about me. I'm Sailor Hope. Remember? See-*" <Union-IC> [5-SA] Himei's signal flatlines. <Union-IC> [5-SA] Psyber takes a deep breath, "All Union forces." <Union-IC> [3-Of] Sakura Haruno says, "...Wha.." <Union-IC> [5-SA] Psyber shakily, "Requesting backup. Shoutan presumed dead. My right arm is useless. We're severely outnumbered." <Union-IC> [1] Crys Gattz says, "On my way." <Union-IC> [A] Adelaide Flowers says, "Shit. On my way boss." <Union-IC> [5-SA] Psyber says, "This is an SOS. We need.. backup immediately." <Union-IC> [1] Yuna Kagurazaka says, "Eh - ?!" <Union-IC> [A] Alexis Maaka | Taka says calmly, "We receive. Master?" Alexis says, "I'm already on the way!" <Union-IC> [5-Of] Lloyd Irving says, "What just happened?" <Union-IC> [1] Yuna Kagurazaka says, "I'm en route!" <Union-IC> [A] Kimiko Shinobu says, "Way ahead of you." <Union-IC> [0] Seras Victoria says, "I don't know sir, but... this is Seras Victoria! I'm on the way. Any suggestion for weapons loadout, Psyber?" <Union-IC> [5-SA] Psyber tchs, "Bring weaponry for large-number target elimination. We must... protect the Metis." <Union-IC> [1] Crys Gattz says, "Understood." <Union-IC> [A] Alexis Maaka says, "Copy that!" <Union-IC> [A] Adelaide Flowers says, "Aye aye." <Union-IC> [PA] Noh says, "I will come, if allowed, Mister Psyber. Do my best!" <Union-IC> [0] Seras Victoria says, "Right. On the way!" <Union-IC> [A] Alexis Maaka CA-CHAK! <Union-IC> [LC] Jack says, "W... We... I have her. I've got the Metis. I just... I'm going. Mother told me to go." <Heaven or Hell> Tsurupettan Adelaide Flowers says, "Hall!" <Heaven or Hell> Sphereless Nathan Hall says, "Yes?" <Union-IC> [A] Kimiko Shinobu says, "Jack. Are you still connected?" <Heaven or Hell> Tsurupettan Adelaide Flowers says, "Watch the building. Boss put out an SOS, I'm responding. Mind the store till we're back." <Heaven or Hell> Doctor McNinja Sakura Haruno, desperately. "Get her body, Psyber. There's always a chance of being able to do something." <Union-IC> [PA] Noh says, "Is okay, Friend Jack. Follow your orders, we will do the best we can to cover you, yes?" <Heaven or Hell> Office Manager Psyber says, "No body. She got eaten." <Heaven or Hell> Sphereless Nathan Hall says, "I will keep an eye on it." <Heaven or Hell> Doctor McNinja Sakura Haruno says, "I'll be there as.." <Heaven or Hell> Mercury Lampe Suigintou says, "Eaten?!" <Union-IC> [A] Alexis Maaka says, "We got your back, kid, don't worry." <Heaven or Hell> Office Tabby Cat Na`Sabal-Une Fang says, "Who?" <Heaven or Hell> Tsurupettan Adelaide Flowers says, "Thanks. Back soon." <Union-IC> [A] Alexis Maaka says, "Just keep the...thing safe and cover your ears." <Heaven or Hell> Doctor McNinja Sakura Haruno says, "Then cut it out of whatever did it!" <Heaven or Hell> Cybadorable Cas says, "... someone was eaten... ?" <Heaven or Hell> Office Manager Psyber says, "/WE CAN'T/. It will screw up this universe." <Heaven or Hell> Mercury Lampe Suigintou nngggh... <Heaven or Hell> Office Tabby Cat Na`Sabal-Une Fang says, "Go into stomach, pull out body. Leave stomach." <Heaven or Hell> Office Tabby Cat Na`Sabal-Une Fang as if that solves everything. <Union-IC> [LC] Jack says, "I..." <Union-IC> [LC] Jack says, "No." 

:'''{{#var:301|Tony Stark (301)}} has posed:''' "COME ON!" Stark bellows, throwing an arm around the wavering Jack to push her along the rest of the way. Whether she wants the help or not he's also slinging one of the Metis's arms over his shoulder to take on part of the weight. The end result probably looks like some horrifying patchwork three-legged race, and as he cries, "Flares!" and a blinding payload of fireworks explodes from his hip at the encroaching monsters, the utter chaos is probably complete. If Jack STILL hesitates, he'll goddamn pick up her and the Metis both, and try plunge like a charging bull through the portal with them. 

:'''{{#var:-1|RADIO CHATTER}} has posed:''' <Union-IC> [A] Kimiko Shinobu says, "Okay. We'll work that out later. Jack? Don't worry about it right now." <Union-IC> [A] Alexis Maaka says, "Stark, get them both out /now/" 

:'''{{#var:416|Jack (416)}} has posed:''' Commanded. Himei wielded a Command Seal. An absolute right of authority over a Servant which they must obey. Certainly a Servant with incredible willpower could be defiant. But Jack does not. Gritting her teeth as the magical imposition of the spell binds her to Himei's will and desire... Jack does not hesitate anymore. Even as tears start to stream down her face, she stumbles back onto her feet, the blade in one of her hands is tucked away in order to free it and better carry the Metis. Jack the Ripper... Jack Angelica Shoutan is up and running as fast as bare feet can carry her towards the mesa and support, whispering 'I'm sorry' all the way along. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:''' The Binding, plus what she's about to do, has taken a lot out of Elliana. That being, she summons up everything she can and gestures, a wall of blazing hellfire leaping into existence between her, Psyber, and the others, and the swarm approaching. And as soon as she does that? She sort of collapses, shakily, and mutters, "I did all that I could." She wavers, then tries to struggle up toward the opening. 

:'''{{#var:383|Laine (383)}} has posed:''' Actually, the Metis is feeling a lot lighter. Like, a teenage girl lighter. Naked, shivering, but otherwise okay. For those who arrive on-site from the original location, it's an empty mesa with nothing interesting around, but for a few old markings that don't look like they've seen use in a long while. Yes, there is a hazy opening there, translucent and odd-looking. That's what the others are heading for. And if anyone hesitates at all from leaping in, they'll see the strange spiderlike beings manifesting in the physical world, skittering up toward the mesa from the flat desert plain below. Just one at first, then two... then more and more, just materializing from nowhere. 

:'''{{#var:2|Homura Akemi (2)}} has posed:''' Ha... retreating... At this point, Homura can't think straight anymore. Her Daemon has shut up, entirely, and completely. She's fallen back, sure. She's backed away towards the portal, between shouting fits and crying fits and everything inbetween. But if she's going to retreat, it will be last. Her Soul Gem darkens. "RAAAAAAAAH!" Energy builds up like a colum of pink-purple link, and without Homura so much as moving an inch there is a rain of large, purifying magical arrows covering the entire battlefield, striking left and right with no concern for collateral, only for putting the biggest possible dent into the horde of Banes and Nexus-Crawlers. And her Soul Gem darkens, ever faster. But if this doesn't put a dent into the army, nothing will. 

:'''{{#var:-1|RADIO CHATTER}} has posed:''' <Union-IC> [2] Homura Akemi says, "She... this isn't... it shouldn't have..." Weakly, then, "Why this again..." And in contrast, with extreme vigor afterwards: "RAAAAAAAAH!" The next sound is just a virtually endless rain of energy projectiles. <Union-IC> [5-Of] Lloyd Irving says, "..." 

:'''{{#var:385|Yuna Kagurazaka (385)}} has posed:''' When Yuna Kagurazaka comes through the portal, she does so more or less armed for war - she's only in her regular Light Suit, but the full Matrix of Light is with her, the little robo-faerie-like Elner flitting upwards to get a better overview of the situation, and all three of Yuna's android partners arriving in their true, armored, forms. But to judge by the aura of raw, sacred radiance which emanates from Yuna's Light Suit as soon as she sets foot on the mesa and sees the spider-things, she hardly needs to combine with any of them right now. A ball of light explodes into being around Yuna, the Matrix Divider materializes in her hands, and with a scream of fury, she launches herself at the monsters, cutting through them like a sunbeam through shadows. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:''' Psyber pushes himself back to his feet in a slow and shakey manner. He lifts the gun up and looks towards Elliana. Placing the gun in his teeth, Psyber uses his left hand to pull the knife out of his now-limp right arm and then tosses it to the ground at Elliana's feet. He stares at her hard, "Go now, or there's going to be a dozen Unionites here out for blood." Seeing Elliana stagger towards the opening, Psyber hardens his gaze towards the approaching forces, "Well then. I guess I only have one choice at this point." He slowly walks forward, holstering the gun at his hip as he extends his hand, "Daniel 6:22 - My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths.." Psyber states, flourishing his hand as a blade appears in it. "Time to do the Lord's work." Psyber says in a cold tone as he swings the sword with his left arm, sending a gale of lightning out towards the forces rushing towards Laine and the portal. He's slowly making his way towards the exit, but right now his primary priority is securing exit for those who were making their way towards it. But there's still one he has to protect in all this. One who needs him. One whom he can still save. He pushes his way towards Homura through the forces and then slowly, weakly, he lifts his immobile right arm and puts it on Homura's shoulder, "We're getting out of here. She wouldn't want you to handle it this way." And then, since one arm is holding a sword and the other is largely useless, he starts trying to hipcheck Homura towards the exit with his superior size and weight, knowing she can't time-jockey him as long as that hand is on her shoulder. 

:'''{{#var:-1|Alexis Maaka}} has posed:''' The transmission's gotten just about every single Union Elite awake and active on high alert. The portal opens up and already hell begins to pour right out of it. One of their own is possibly KIA, or worse, none of the Union is going to take this lying down. Hell, Alex probably one of the first through the gate and swinging, and she's only known the kid's name for about a month at the most, maybe a couple weeks. This is unusual for Miss "I work best on my own." herself, the cybernetically kitted out Lone Wolf with more guns and ammo than an action hero strapped to her body. In her hands is a massive weapon with a customized scope, a heavy barrel, bipod and foregrip combo, and all manner of other attachments. It's also not a sniper rifle either. It's a fucking MK 48 LMG. Alex growls out as she shoulders the massive weapon, sighting down the first groupings of these unholy beasts she sees and squeezes the trigger in bursts, spitting out leaden death upon them with divine wrath prayer and fasting only hopes to accomplish. 

:'''{{#var:209|Zelgius (209)}} has posed:''' Location: Deserted Mesa Objective: Escort Target, Hold Position Zelgius felt old. It had been weighing on him for a while, in his solitary office, as his sole secretary punched away at the mountain of paperwork. So there he sat, scribbling at paperwork as he hears a terrible plea for aid. The need of another. And, sitting in his office, Zelgius, Earl of Khadol, General of Begnion smiles, ever so gently. It is not a happy smile. But he knows that someplace far away needs a soldier. Rising, he slides a brilliant silver sword into its sheath, before gripping another from the rack, this one dull and steel. Then, reaching for his belt, he grips a pouch of tiny golden grains, and tosses them up. And then the general is gone - reappearing upon the mesa, fully armored in crimson plate, yellow cape billowing out as he strides forward. It was a line to be held. A gate to be held open. A single point to which victory could be held. And so Zelgius charged, wordlessly, making for the gaping maw of the portal, to hold open that gate, or die trying, sending asunder any foul creature that dared think to impede him. 

:'''{{#var:134|Sakura Haruno (134)}} has posed:''' Sakura had not actually been at Heaven or Hell that evening; she still took shifts in medical on a regular basis, and she had been on one when the SOS had gone out. Luckily, there were no shortage of people to cover for her. Unluckily, it meant that unlike most of the others, she wasn't particularly prepared for combat; in fact, she's actually still wearing scrubs. Which are rather disconcertingly blood-spattered even as she takes a teleport in to the scene from other Union forces. She looks only about half-focused on the world around her as she arrives, a chakra scalpel forming at her fingertips in place of the knives she did not bring, swiping out at any foes that come within arms reach, but heading for that portal. Either someone is going to come through it, or she is going to go get them if she can. 

:'''{{#var:-1|RADIO CHATTER}} has posed:''' <Union-IC> [1] Yuna Kagurazaka | Elner transmits, "Not from Yuna." <Union-IC> [2] Homura Akemi says, "PSYBER! /LET GO OF ME/." <Union-IC> [4-Of] Zelgius says, "If it is within my power... I'll keep the gates open." <Union-IC> [5-SA] Psyber says, "NO GOD DAMNIT I AM CARRYING YOU OUT OF HERE." <Union-IC> [A] Laine says, "Homura, if we save the child, Himei won." 

:'''{{#var:416|Jack (416)}} has posed:''' Running. Running. Sobbing. Jack does not stop. The lighter load is an easier burden to carry as the arriving Unionites are witness to the sight of a small girl, with another girl in her arms, running at them at full tilt. Jack probably needs cover and protection while she books it. 

:'''{{#var:-1|RADIO CHATTER}} has posed:''' <Union-IC> [A] Adelaide Flowers says, "What's the target, those flying things?" <Union-IC> [5-Of] Lloyd Irving says, "... She...?" <Union-IC> [A] Alexis Maaka says amid heavy gunfire, "Everyone, cover them both!" <Union-IC> [2] Homura Akemi says, "I'm not leaving until every last one of these things is dead! You can handle the child, I'll just-- buy time until I can't fire another arrow, I can handle it!" <Union-IC> [A] Madoka Kaname says, "Homura..." <Union-IC> [A] Madoka Kaname says, "Do your best." <Union-IC> [5-SA] Psyber grabbing noise, "I am carrying you the hell out of the Umbra NOW. I'm not losing two in one night, damnit." 

:'''{{#var:178|Noh (178)}} has posed:''' Noh doesn't know exactly where she's going. Nor does she _care_, because right now, she's following a request for help and she is someone who insists on helping when she can. She follows the rest answering to the SOS call; her glowing polearm-spoon in her hands, and her most FEIRCE expression on her face. This is SERIOUS TIME. As soon as she arrives upon the Mesa, her eyes light up slightly orange among the green, and her appearance becomes less the cute and more the True as she shifts that little, nigh constant bit of concentration away from keeping up the glamour and slides it instead into /celerity/. Her speed excelerates, and she launches into the creatures she can vaguely make out as they move - to, from, it doesn't matter, she can tell they are not natural, and at the moment they are the target no matter the amount of legs - and she, too: Moves for the Portal, willing to give aide. Despite its appearance, the pole-spoon is being used to swing into the creatures. This is her /SPOONSTICK/. 

:'''{{#var:-1|RADIO CHATTER}} has posed:''' <Union-IC> [5-Of] Lloyd Irving transmits a choke, then the sound of his radio being stabbed. Desync. 

:'''{{#var:255|Setsuko Kaminagi (255)}} has posed:''' Kaminagi Setsuko is coming. There's no acknowledgement. No spoken word over the radio. It's just a gleaming blue light in the sky that comes hurtling down out of it at speeds that far exceed the safety tolerances of the hoverbike she's taken to using habitually as her means to get anywhere she needs to go. The thing is already groaning under protest as its engine starts to overheat from the constant redlining. It's fine; she wouldn't be able to fly it back out safely anyway. The grips have been pretty well crushed by her hands. The demigod would much prefer to go diving straight into that portal. Every instinct is screaming it. But before she gets there, long before an ordinary human would ever be able to, her superhuman eyes spot strange creatures working their way up the side of the mountain. Whatever they are, they're a problem. Answers can wait. It's pointless if no one keeps this side of the portal clear. And so Setsuko jumps. A blazing comet of bright blue skids across the top of the mesa as the hoverbike explodes against the side. The demigod has to dig her blade into the stone and carve out a gash along it just to kill her speed. She slides to a stop right on the edge of the mesa, still crouched, one hand on her blade, the other still holding the sheath. And then, calmly, the last Kaminagi stands and begins the job of keeping the mesa clear. In the most bloody, efficient, and most importantly /only/, way she knows how. 

:'''{{#var:109|Adelaide Flowers (109)}} has posed:''' Hesitate, no. Adelaide doesn't do much of that once orders are given; the former sailor scrambles through the portal and clears it quick. Storming a not-a-beach on another world, how's that for earning the naval-infantry badge! She drops to the dirt, while the massive black machinegun in her arms clanks as it's placed. "Someone cover my ass!" She needs a few seconds to get set up, and isn't very mobile - but the tripod-mounted M2HB .50 caliber belt-fed is a monster of firepower. The ammo box is mounted, the belt fed into the tray, the lid closed, and the handle racked back - and with a clunk sounding like a bank vault closing on the fate of their enemies, the bolt goes home. "What's the target, those flying things?" With a confirmation over the radio, Addie nods. And then the devil himself starts perfoming a drum solo, when that machine gun opens up a stream of tracers and explosive rounds on the flying creatures. 

:'''{{#var:-1|RADIO CHATTER}} has posed:''' <Union-IC> [A] Alexis Maaka says, "ADDIE, PULL YOUR SOCKS UP!" <Union-IC> [2] Homura Akemi says, "I--" Struggle struggle. "-- WILL YOU JUST LET GO OF ME?!" <Union-IC> [5-SA] Psyber sigh, "I don't have time for this argument, Akemi. I'm sorry." Karate-chop noise. <Union-IC> [A] BADADADADADADADADADADADAD Adelaide Flowers says, "the hell you say?" <Union-IC> [A] Alexis Maaka yells over bursts of fire, "COVERING!" <Union-IC> [2] Homura Akemi knocked out, apparently. 

:'''{{#var:10|Crys Gattz (10)}} has posed:''' There was a chill down the numan's spine as she prepared to deploy here. She'd picked her load out quickly chainsawed, mech pistols, Fal Claw and Ruby Bullet, She was already tech artillery the weapons would help if anything got close to her. Still memories surface of the Crimson Flames and Team Six when the ture form of Ragol had shown itself. She'd on edge to be sure but she's ready, there's no pretense at covering whom she is at this point. The Ruby bullet appears in her off hand as she summons the photon pistol and her right arm is enahsed up to the shoulder in the hulking mehanical working of the Fal Claw, the weapon was an oddity in a world where energy weapons had been the name of the game. A few older sorts like this existed the powerful sharp claws had a hydolic system that could be used to crush through the armor plate of a combat drone or light combat vechile if needed. It should do she thinks, it should do the Numan thinks. Sti,ll zshe had no idea just what she was getting into. She's one of the first ones out of the warp portal. Her weapon ready and she's looking about with her one good eye as she tries to size up the situation as she arrive upon the mesa. Her Mag seems skitish as heck as it hovers by her head and is panning about looking for trouble, there's also a crackle of flames about her body "RAFOIE!!!" And then the fire starts to rain into the things bursts of fire like explosives would be lighting up the region as Crys just unloads oddly she maintains enough control to not harm any ally. 

:'''{{#var:-1|RADIO CHATTER}} has posed:''' <Union-IC> [5-SA] Psyber hoisting grunt, "Heading towards the exit." 

:'''{{#var:301|Tony Stark (301)}} has posed:''' Iron Man dives through the portal along with Jack, slightly disoriented as he finds himself back in the physical realm but by now the whole 'protect the girl' mantra is so thoroughly pounded into his head that all he can do is keep picking out targets and blast any that come too close. He does pause, briefly, for a, "Huh," as one of the hovering spider creatures simply disintegrates from the force of a repulsor beam, and quickly hypothesizes that the things are not nearly as nasty out here as they were in there. Leaping aloft to fly cover over Jack, he lets out a yell of cathartic /violence/ and unleashes hell on the swarm. It's like an umbrella of force over her that nothing can slip through. "Yeah! Keep goin' kid, I got you covered!" 

:'''{{#var:-1|Seras Victoria}} has posed:''' A union VTOL teleports in near the mesa, swooping down to it while the hatch opens, revealing... Seras Victoria. The thin young woman's body is burdened heavily, for strapped to her back are the twin ammo drums of the Harkonnen II. Its barrels both point out the hatch, and as the vehicle nears the mesa Seras simply hops out. Almost 400 kilograms of mass slams into the ground, supported impossibly by Seras' legs, kicking up a small cloud of dust. The police girl's expression is grim and focused, and she brings the weapons up swiftly. Then starts the yelling. And the shooting. A LOT of shooting. The twin cannons hurl projectiles almost as big as her arm, if the barrel size and rain of casings from the automatic cannons is any indication. 

:'''{{#var:-1|Kimiko Shinobu}} has posed:''' "Give me your bike." "What?" "And your helmet. No, nevermind, I have my own." "Who do you think you--FBI? But you look like you're thirtee--AUGH, STOP, STOP!" A short while later... Shinobu Kimiko was already on her way, and now she arrives. She is riding a motorcycle (specifically, an off-road Harley sportster), and the motor is redlining. It's been like that most of the way, and it's been rough going since she left the road, but somehow she's managing. She is, in fact, already transformed--she's even wearing her armor. Somewhat stranger is the fact that the vehicle under her is faintly warping, touched by the formless, magical aura surrounding her. A glancing strike against a rocky outcropping that should have sent her flying--doesn't, and the torn side-view mirror heals itself, the metal bending back into place, and even the shattered mirror returning to a mostly-functional state, though now the colors it reflects are muted. The mesa is just ahead of her, and from this approach angle, there's no way to avoid that she is running straight into a cliff. There isn't even time to stop--she doesn't have to glance at the dial to know that she is driving much, much too fast to even try to avoid getting splattered all over those rocks when she finally hits. So she grits her teeth, prays, tenses her shoulders, and lifts. Her aura spreads out behind her, and becomes solid. A pair of wings, solidly white and shockingly bright, spread out enormously behind her. She, and her vehicle, leap into the air. She tilts and comes in at the ground sideways, skidding in a long stop aimed just to the side of Jack. She has a back seat. "Jack." 

:'''{{#var:383|Laine (383)}} has posed:''' It's an overwhelming number of creatures... but they aren't prepared for the firepower they encounter. A huge number of Elites against manifested Banes? This close to a spiritually 'pure' zone? It doesn't matter that the Black Spiral Dancers that appear are helping them manifest, the appear... and they die. They die in droves, splattered by rockets, by bullets. Banes crawl and gibber, climbing over the edge of the Mesa only to find a demigod's sword ruthlessly cutting them down. Sacred fire from above. Chakra slicing them apart. Cannons chewing into them. Some of them just discorporate. Others actually take so much damage they disintegrate from loss of spiritual energy. It's actually a horrendous loss for the Wyrm, all told. This much power is a good portion of its forces manifesting here, and that must mean this child is important. And then people start materializing from the Umbra. Laine stumbles through, as does Iron Man and Jack, carrying a teenage girl now. A girl who is trembling, naked, and unconscious by now. Before Psyber gets there with Homura, two large forms stagger out, carrying their wounded. The massive werewolves collapse with grunts and heavy breathing, down to a mere five - three of them crippled - from their original dozen. They're greet by a motorcycle and an armored Puella Magi with an attitude. "Who... are you people?" 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:''' You know who else staggers out of that portal? Elliana Fairchild. She takes one look at the Union response here, and then, her body still showing the wings and tail, she grunts and vanishes in a shower of purple magic, collapsing inward as she expends the last of her energy in a teleport to get the heck out of here. Not a healthy place for the lone Confederate betrayer to be. 

:'''{{#var:-1|RADIO CHATTER}} has posed:''' <Union-IC> [4-Of] Zelgius says, "I assume there is a reason she was here. No matter. Keep the door clear." <Union-IC> [5-SA] Psyber says, "Fairchild... helped this mission." 

:'''{{#var:-1|Alexis Maaka}} has posed:''' The werewolf gets a single, terse response as Alex joins the conversation, amid still cutting down foe after foe without so much a blink. "We're the fucking calvary, ma'am." She says calmly, smashing one o a prone bane's legs off with a stomp of her boot, then pulls out a Five-SeveN to finish it off with a double tap to the head. With that, Alexis goes back to work with shredding baddie after baddie ruthlessly, burst-firing hot 7.62 rounds to cover the extraction. 

:'''{{#var:-1|RADIO CHATTER}} has posed:''' <Union-IC> [4-Of] Zelgius says, "Understood." <Union-IC> [A] Kimiko Shinobu says, "Jack." <Union-IC> [LC] Jack mnh? <Union-IC> [A] Kimiko Shinobu says, "Hn. Passenger." <Union-IC> [A] Kimiko Shinobu says, "I should have brought a bigger bike." <Union-IC> [LC] Jack says, "We're both small." <Union-IC> [A] Kimiko Shinobu says, "True." <Union-IC> [A] Kimiko Shinobu says, "Get on." <Union-IC> [A] Laine weakly, "Spirits hold. Caern strong again." <1X-Supplemental> Elliana Fairchild says, "I consider my debt to Dame Shoutan clear now." 

:'''{{#var:385|Yuna Kagurazaka (385)}} has posed:''' With the spiders (and any other nasties) being obliterated that quickly, Yuna runs out of targets in short order; either they're dead or they're running faster than she wants to pursue. Her aura subsides again within another second or so after she realizes the fight is basically over, and she lets the Matrix Divider disappear, turning to see who all is *here* and trying to get a better sense of what's going on. At least there are a lot of familiar faces ... But one is still missing. Yuna closes her eyes tightly, shaking her head a little as she walks over to join those who just escaped back into the real world - from the Umbra, apparently. 

:'''{{#var:209|Zelgius (209)}} has posed:''' Zelgius stands as close as he can to the Umbra, heedless of the personal danger, as he strikes everything in arms reach that doesn't look like a 'friendly' elite with his immense piece of metal some might call a 'sword' on a good day. He is not a subtle combatant, and his weapons are more battering devices with an edge then finely honed and balanced mastercrafts. The tide washes in, and then breaks upon the responder's fussilade of efforts. And Zelgius holds that line, between real world and Umbra, making /sure/ his vigil over their escape path does not wane. 

:'''{{#var:416|Jack (416)}} has posed:''' Jack doesn't stop. She will not stop even if the world itself were offered to her. Iron Man gallantly escorting her like a gentleman by viciously killing anything that ares get near her, there's a stumble now and then, but she keeps her balance, able to deftly hop onto the back of the motorcycle when Kimiko makes her dynamic entry. Jack clings. both to the trembling girl in her grasp that she was Commanded; that she gave her word she would protect, and to Kimiko, to hold on. Once through the portal, she's looking like her normal self again, which means she's a bit bigger, and surprisingly, less covered in blood. And she's quietly, biting her lip hard enough to bleed al the way for her ride out. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:''' "I'm sorry, Homura." Psyber says before he brings the hilt of his sword down square on the top of her head in a single, forceful strike. As she goes limp, Psyber moves forward with his injured right shoulder and hoists her up over it, "I can't lose two people in one night. Not like this." He murmurs a bit. And then he runs, jogging towards the portal at a slow, injured stance. He was a regenerator, but the Black Spiral Dancers have taken their toll. He was poisoned, weakened, clawed and bitten. Bleeding, and his right arm was motionless for the moment. He ran towards the exit to this hellhole with Homura over his right shoulder, his left sweeping behind him in wide arcs to send blasts of lightning at anything trying to follow him. Finally, he makes it to the portal and jumps through, tumbling out on the other end in a heap with Homura over his shoulder before collapsing facefirst onto the ground and wheezing a bit, blood pooling around him and making a red mud from his many injuries. 

:'''{{#var:109|Adelaide Flowers (109)}} has posed:''' Her firepower is certainly eclipsed by the insane cannon that Seras brought; the 30mm shells deafening and the destructiveness immense. And Seras brought /two/ of them. Y'know what, this vampire thing has its advantages, Addie decides. But she's busy right now, and there's still plenty more - so the heavy fifty caliber continues its work, sending its own bullets downrange. "Boss! Pull out, we'll hold until then!" She shouts to the angel, hoping he can hear her over the racket - which is tremendous. But it also has been working, and the strange things...start to fade out, as if they're running out of troops. Or backing off. The heavy machine gun goes nearly silent, short bursts at airborne targets, before finally coming to rest covering the new arrivals. Smoke curls from the barrel as Addie wonders what to do. "Friendlies?" Called to the others. If it's a 'No' it'll be simple enough to service those targets as well. 

:'''{{#var:-1|RADIO CHATTER}} has posed:''' <Union-IC> [A] BADADADADADADADADADADADAD Adelaide Flowers says, "Friendlies?" <Union-IC> [5-SA] Psyber collapsing noise, "Do not shoot... the Garou." <Union-IC> [A] off Adelaide Flowers says, "Aye aye." <Union-IC> [LC] Jack says, "A..." <Heaven or Hell> Office Manager Psyber says, "Jack... You can... stay at the office for a while, if you want." 

:'''{{#var:134|Sakura Haruno (134)}} has posed:''' Sakura will stop as the group begins to materialize from the portal, not reacting quickly enough to indulge her own desire to stab Elliana somewhere extra-bleedy, and instead the obvious medic will look to the worst-injured immediately visable. Which is probably Psyber, once he's through, with the blood around him and all. And with Homura right there, too? Sakura will just get right to work, starting with Psyber, poking gently at his wounds as she kneels down in the mud next to him. Her scrubs were already bloody, anyway. 

:'''{{#var:-1|RADIO CHATTER}} has posed:''' <Union-IC> [LC] Jack says, "A shirt... A dress... Jacket... Blanket." <Union-IC> [LC] Jack says, "Someone... Give me one." 

:'''{{#var:301|Tony Stark (301)}} has posed:''' Tony Stark pulls himself up into a hover as the onslaught seems to disperse. He keeps Jack, the Metis and the girl with the motorcycle on his peripheral scanners but the remainder of his attention turns back to the portal, and those emerging. Counting. He waves an arm in a vague, beckoning arc to the reinforcements. "We have wounded here. Psyber, Homura... get those Garou patched up too, someone. They've been through hell." 

:'''{{#var:-1|RADIO CHATTER}} has posed:''' <Heaven or Hell> Silence of the Lambs Jack says, "I... Someone needs to tell Mother's mother and father, but..." 

:'''{{#var:255|Setsuko Kaminagi}} has posed:''' Setsuko's blade continues to flash left and right, the demigod not stopping until it's clear that these strange, tainted creatures are retreating. Only then does she fall still. Only then does she pause a moment to even assess the situation. She knows before she even looks that checking 'just to make sure' is an act of wishful thinking. Shoutan Himei isn't among the group. But she looks anyway. As she slowly brings herself up to standing again, Setsuko's aura is finally dying out; but even as she quietly returns her weapon to its sheath, the flowing, billowing blue storm cloud around her never quite disappears. Her face is a mask, eyes sweeping those present. There is nothing to be said - either explanations will be forthcoming, or they won't; they will have time to talk sooner or later, or not at all - and so she saves her breath, simply listening in silence. 

:'''{{#var:-1|RADIO CHATTER}} has posed:''' <Heaven or Hell> Doctor McNinja Sakura Haruno says, "...Aah." <Heaven or Hell> Mercury Lampe Suigintou says, "Medium. One of your own was lost?" <Heaven or Hell> Doctor McNinja Sakura Haruno says, "I can. I've had to do.. similar.. before. And I met them, once." <Heaven or Hell> Office Manager Psyber mutters something about failing again. 

:'''{{#var:-1|Seras Victoria}} has posed:''' Seras has really only one strategy in use righ tnow. 'Open fire.' Every Bane that appears she's fired upon, and fired upon some more, moving with insane speed considerinher her load. The 30mm shells whiz by with surgical precision despite split-second aiming... and at last, the Banes seem to be driven back. And poof, here comes all the people! With the THINGS driven back, Seras's cannons fall silent. Which is good. They are quite deafening this close up. "... What HAPPENED?" She finally asks, to nobody in particular... right about when Psyber hits solid ground. She rushes over to him first and sort of half leans, half crouches to check his wounds and turn him on his side so he doesn't drown in bloodied mud. 

:'''{{#var:-1|Kimiko Shinobu}} has posed:''' Kimiko is looked at, and she looks back. Her aura is still there, wings almost-but-not-quite real, looking one moment like you could touch them, and the next like you'd just be passing your fingers through mist. But they slowly flap and relax like real wings. This is new to her, too, but she's not one to let that show. "We're here to help." And that's all she has the time to say, because now Jack's aboard, along with the special important someone-or-other that she's going to think about later, and she's already turning and revving that so-abused motor hard--not that it's likely to break with her magic infusing it, even if you fired a cannon at it. The enemies may have been cleared out for the moment, but she's not in the mood to hang around and relax just because it /looks/ safe. She came here to get someone out, and to be sure an order was followed, and that is exactly what she is doing. She takes off for the same cliff she came up, because she at least knows that way is clear. The motorcycle, and its three riders, fall away over the edge, with just the briefest flash of her wings unfolding before she's out of view. She probably won't be able to relax any time soon. 

:'''{{#var:109|Adelaide Flowers (109)}} has posed:''' The Garou are allowed to continue existing, the heavy gun remaining silent. Addie keeps her thumbs off the paddle and lifts the gun to a safe position, keeping her eyes moving around the skies in case any more of those...things return. Pull back, regroup, and strike as hard as you can just before the enemy completely escapes. She gives a glance back over her shoulder when Seras' own guns stop firing. Seeing the angel laid out like that hurts her suddenly, - no, the blonde vampire is dealing with it. Fine. Hopefully she's a corpsman as well as a shooter, but if she's occupied with him then Addie's back on defense. 

:'''{{#var:178|Noh (178)}} has posed:''' To be honest, Noh is breifly distracted from killing things by giant werewolves suddenly appearing. Mostly because it's an instant feeling of, 'look, there are Garou, and you are _food_ to the Garou'. And Noh, despite her initial bravery, is not really interested in being someone's food. But, shaking her head, curling lips, she drives off the usual cowardice with a reminder that this is not the time to run. Instead she shakily returns back to swinging her weapon for the spider-like Banes, muttering a mumble of apology to her own Spider-God, different of those from this world. And then someone makes a request for clothes; and well if there's one thing Noh has, it's a surplus of clothes. She peels out of her ratty green jacket - but then pulls off a button up red sweater directly beneath it, before pulling the green one back on, and making a dance-like jerk in the direction of Jack real fast, throwing the sweater in her direction vaguely, before she whirls into the spider-like banes again-- finding them in retreat causes the little, determined Dhampir to draw strength in. Something about her neck flashes, and then she lets out a loud, groundshaking roar of noise in their wake. 

:'''{{#var:-1|RADIO CHATTER}} has posed:''' <Union-IC> [5-SA] Psyber says, "Kimiko. Keep the Metis safe till we return her to the Garou. Take her to a Union Base." <Union-IC> [A] Kimiko Shinobu says, "Understood." <Union-IC> [LC] Jack says, "I'll watch her." <Union-IC> [LC] Jack says, "Mother... Told me to." 

:'''{{#var:255|Setsuko Kaminagi}} has posed:''' When Kimiko goes over the edge on her bike, she's followed shortly thereafter by a swordswoman wrapped in blue light. Setsuko may not have the bike, but she can still run fast enough to keep up with the motorcycle, at least on this terrain. If the girl is that important, the more bodyguards the better. 

:'''{{#var:-1|RADIO CHATTER}} has posed:''' <Union-IC> [PA] Noh says, "Here is sweater; do not worry about give it back, I have many more." <Union-IC> [A] Kimiko Shinobu says, "...Setsuko." <Union-IC> [3-Of] Sakura Haruno, hesitantly. "...Jack. Is she really..?" <Union-IC> [A] Adelaide Flowers says, "Stow the chatter for now." 

:'''{{#var:416|Jack (416)}} has posed:''' Reflexes as sharp as a razor, the toss of that sweater doesn't go missed. Even at top speed on a motorcycle, one gloved hand snaps it out of the air. And Jack hefts the Metis to quickly slip it over the unconscious girl's head before she's off the cliff with Kimiko and Setsuko. 

:'''{{#var:-1|RADIO CHATTER}} has posed:''' <Union-IC> [LC] Jack mmph. 

:'''{{#var:383|Laine (383)}} has posed:''' Fortunately the Garou here are reasonable sorts, because Laine has collapsed from exhaustion. They are pretty badly-wounded, and both the ones who are conscious accept this for now. They're wary, naturally, especially when Kimiko drives off with the Perfect Metis. Not something they'd normally allow. But this is a friend to the one who just threw herself into the maw of the Wyrm to give them a little more time. They're willing to give the benefit of the doubt here. The female twitches and starts to look angry, but the big guy is the first to say something. "Thank you." 

:'''{{#var:-1|RADIO CHATTER}} has posed:''' <Union-IC> [3-Of] Kaminagi Setsuko, softly, "I can keep up as long as you stay around... what was the speed... I think it's 40 miles per hour?" <Union-IC> [3-Of] Kaminagi Setsuko says, "I don't remember the conversion. But I'll be fine." 

:'''{{#var:-1|Alexis Maaka}} has posed:''' Alexis lowers her weapon when the monsters seemingly disappear, and she opens it up to take the belt out of cycling before locking the hood in place again. She slings the massive LMG over her shoulder and looks among the carnage and combatants both relieving and previously onsite, sighing to herself as she rests a hand on her hip. Whatever questions or comments she might have are kept to herself, they aren't needed. 

:'''{{#var:-1|RADIO CHATTER}} has posed:''' <Union-IC> [5-SA] Psyber grunts in pain, "There's... a slim chance." <Union-IC> [A] Kimiko Shinobu nn. "There's hope." <Union-IC> [5-SA] Psyber says, "Fairchild told me. There's a small chance Shoutan survived." <Union-IC> [3-Of] Sakura Haruno says, "...Survived being eaten..?" <Union-IC> [A] Kimiko Shinobu says, "Eaten?" <Union-IC> [1] Yuna Kagurazaka says, ".. Is there anything we can do, besides praying and continuing?" <Union-IC> [5-SA] Psyber exhales heavily, "Fairchild, when she sealed the dragon. She tried to seal its Consumption." <Union-IC> [5-SA] Psyber says, "We'll... all we can do is wait right now..." <Union-IC> [PA] Noh says, "If he lives, we will rescue. We are Union, it is what we do." <Union-IC> [1] Yuna Kagurazaka says, "... So it would be unable to digest Himei?" <Union-IC> [5-SA] Psyber says, "Maybe. Right now I'd prefer we not wake it up and check." <Union-IC> [0] Seras Victoria says, "... Let's hope..." <Union-IC> [5-SA] Psyber says, "Considering what we gave to put it down and what it means if we're wrong." <Union-IC> [3-Of] Sakura Haruno says, "Mm. Stay still." <Union-IC> [A] Alexis Maaka says, "She's the Sailor of Hope, right? Best we can do is exactly that." <Union-IC> [1] Yuna Kagurazaka says, "If all we can do for Himei right now is hope and pray for her well-being, then that's what I'll do ..." <Union-IC> [PA] Noh says, "Agree with Friend Kagurazaka." 

:'''{{#var:10|Crys Gattz (10)}} has posed:''' Crys Gattz lowers her weapons at this point as she looks around her ki reserves pretty much spent in that massive furry of pyrotechnis she looks about. She looks about. She still has her pistol and she'l put it to use where needed really and soon she finds there's no more tarkets the numab still doesn't like this what the hell just happened here othe than it was bad and needed support like this? Dark Days have certainly arrived here. She has some healing abilities and she'll put her healing abilities to work for any who might need it.

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:''' Psyber lets out a sputtering cough as he's rolled over onto his back. For Sakura inspecting his wounds, several of them are bitemarks infected with strong poisons. One is a distinct and nasty magical dagger wound in his shoulder which seems to have immobilized the arm. Overall, his body is covered in bite and claw marks from the Black Spiral Dancers and he's groaning a bit. "'m fine, fine..." He complains, waving at Haruno as he motions to the Puella, "Soul gem. It needs to be purified." He murmurs, slowly trying to defy conventional medical advice and push himself to his feet. He staggers forward, giving a slow enough pace for the Mednin to keep up with him if she so desires. "You." He says as he firmly plants a hand on the back of one of the Garou... the big male one, "We'll arrange a meeting within a week. To decide where the Metis is safest." He states in a tired tone, "Is this acceptable?" 

:'''{{#var:-1|RADIO CHATTER}} has posed:''' <Union-IC> [LC] Jack says, "The contract is cut again. But... If there's a chance Mother will come back, I'll protect the girl until she tells me to stop." <Union-IC> [1] Yuna Kagurazaka says, "Jack, does somebody else need to contract with you until Himei returns?" <Union-IC> [A] Kimiko Shinobu says, "Psyber. Later, tell me why she did this. Not now. I might be angry if you told me now." <Union-IC> [LC] Jack says, "I'm still connected to Homura in a secondary cntract, but right now I will use my own prana until Homura recovers too. She used a lot." <Union-IC> [5-SA] Psyber says, "Yeah... I will, Kimiko." <Union-IC> [LC] Jack said 'Auntie Homura' there. <Union-IC> [A] Kimiko Shinobu says, "For right now, I will believe it was necessary." <Union-IC> [5-SA] Psyber says, "It probably saved us all." <Union-IC> [A] Kimiko Shinobu says, "Good." <Union-IC> [5-SA] Psyber says, "Report will be up tomorrow." <Union-IC> [A] Alexis Maaka says, "Till then, let's clean up what we can." <Union-IC> [A] Adelaide Flowers says, "Looking forward to this one. We leaving then?" 

:'''{{#var:134|Sakura Haruno (134)}} has posed:''' Sakura looks up, a bit shocked as Psyber stands up. Especially given that she'd just told him to stay still and all. "You.. you know that there's absolutely no way that you can help do that in your condition, right?" Sakura asks, even as she climb up to her feet, brushing herself off. "Is there no chance at all it can at least wait until you're not poisoned?" Sakura sighs, and reaches into the pouch at her side, removing a single tiny griefcube. "This isn't much. But it should be able to buy her twelve hours of sleep, okay?" She says, moving over to tend to Homura. 

:'''{{#var:-1|RADIO CHATTER}} has posed:''' <Union-IC> [A] Kimiko Shinobu says, "Jack. Tell me before your reserves become a problem. Just in case." 

:'''{{#var:178|Noh (178)}} has posed:''' And with the Banes bleeding off, Noh turns her attemtion now to the wounded. What can she do to help? Not much, she knows. She looks through the baubles about her neck, before rubbing one in her thumb and finger. She asks softly: "If need aid, I can offer small health boost. Is not much, but is better than nothing?" Weak smile. Because right now, even as she's thinking of Cure Drink, she's got her eyes on the really big Garou. Wary. This is a world in what she knows as 'Gehenna', after all. A time, she had been told, for many MANY years, that would mean her utter end, were she not careful, and hidden.

:'''{{#var:-1|RADIO CHATTER}} has posed:''' <Union-IC> [LC] Jack says, "I'll be fine. I'll be fine. I won't use my Noble Phantasms for a while." <Union-IC> [LC] Jack says, "I'll start... Using... My christmas gifts..." <Union-IC> [LC] Jack hic. <Union-IC> [A] Kimiko Shinobu says, "..." <Union-IC> [A] Kimiko Shinobu says, "You're a good girl, Jack." <Union-IC> [A] Kimiko Shinobu might be headpatting. Hard to tell over motorcycle noises. <Union-IC> [LC] Jack mmph. <Heaven or Hell> Doctor McNinja Sakura Haruno says, "...Aah. I may need a couple of days." <Heaven or Hell> Office Manager Psyber says, "Take all the time you need, Haruno." <Heaven or Hell> Tsurupettan Adelaide Flowers says, "Same goes for you, Psyber." <Heaven or Hell> Mercury Lampe Suigintou says, "I suppose I can refrain from drawing on you for a while." <Heaven or Hell> Doctor McNinja Sakura Haruno says, "I don't want to.. spoil Jack's hope. Watch out for her, okay?" <Heaven or Hell> Tsurupettan Adelaide Flowers says, "We'll take good care of her." <Heaven or Hell> Office Manager Psyber says, "I already invited Jack to stay here." <Heaven or Hell> Doctor McNinja Sakura Haruno says, "She can use my room for the next bit, if she needs." <1X-Supplemental> Noh lets out a hiss of air through clenched fangs: "Is safe to drop speed again? Or should I keep it up?" 

:'''{{#var:383|Laine (383)}} has posed:''' The big Garou shrinks down to human form, though he's still pretty buff. And fortunately clothed. He grunts, "We don't have the power to protect her right now. But she's going through First Change. Someone who knows the Garou ways should speak with her." He sighs and supports the injured. "But she's alive thanks to all of you. Perhaps this is Gaia's will." Awful philosophical for a Get. 

}}

End of an Age: Awakenings

2015-02-21T08:11:57Z

Blue Elf: Corrected Pipe character

Confed Crisis Report

2015-02-21T07:49:21Z

Blue Elf:

==Introduction==
This is a way for players to keep the crisis report up to date themselves at a static location. Don't add stuff that isn't an actual on-going plot you intend to run stuff for, whether it's a TP or not. If you were in a TP which doesn't have an entry yet you can ask the TP runner if you can add it for them if they haven't done so themselves (especially if you're in charge of the reports, since that puts you in a good position to do this). If you aren't sure whether something fits on this page or not, you can typically ask your respective fachead.

'''This method of doing things requires YOUR participation to keep up to date! If a new TP starts or if you are involved in a TP (especially as the report writer) you are encouraged to help keep this page up to date!'''
===Example Entry===
'''Main Contacts''': Player1, Player2, Player3 (please note if a main contact is not part of the faction) 
'''Themelist/World''': A Good Theme-1, Earth-12345 
'''TP Page''': If relevant, otherwise you can ignore this section. 
'''Summary''': There is a thing happening and things need to be done. This section should contain key elements without being overly big. Include if possible factional information (is the other faction involved? is there a truce in place? do people have free agency to do whatever they want?) and if there is one the common goal that should be worked towards. Include links to other wiki pages if needed, like the TP page or character pages. Etc.

==Current Crises==
A list of things currently going on that need player involvement.

===Lute's Unown===
'''Main Contacts''': [[Lute]] 
'''Themelist/World''': [[Pokemon-2]] 
'''Summary''': Lute's illness due to his link with the Shadow Registeel reached a critical level until a swarm of Unowns claiming to be his' appeared and seemingly healed him, giving him what seems to be the knowledge and experience of an alternate version of himself in the process. They slowly lead him towards an unknown goal, and Confederate Elites are asked to assist and prevent Union Elites from interfering and stopping Lute, while keeping an eye on him for suspicious behavior or side-effects.

===Serori's Dragon Ball Hunt===
'''Main Contacts''': [[Serori]] 
'''Themelist/World''': [[Dragon Ball Z-3]] 
'''TP Page''': [[A Wish for the Future (Part One)]] 
'''Summary''': Serori is attempting to collect the seven Dragon Balls hidden across Earth-4555. Conflict has been heavy, as the world is Union-affiliated, meaning we've got a whole bunch of nosy do-gooders getting in Serori's way. So far, only one Dragon Ball's been taken by the Confederacy, with the second found Dragon Ball now in Ryuko Matoi's hands.

===Dragon's Bane===
'''Main Contacts''': [[Gaius Van Baelsar]] 
'''Themelist/World''': [[Final Fantasy XIV-1]] 
'''TP Page''': [[Dragon's Bane]] 
'''Summary''': An old enemy of Eorzea and former Garlean Legatus, Nael Dues Darnus, has reappeared, wielding powers on-par with a Primal. At the same time, a horde of Dravanian dragons has appeared, suspected to be under his command. Union and Confederate members alike are asked to help destroy him and this army of dragons before they can do anything that cannot be undone.

===Priscilla's Hunt===
'''Main Contacts''': [[Priscilla]] (UNION) 
'''Themelist/World''': [[Dark Souls-1]] 
'''Summary''': PLEASE INSERT.

===Terra Majora===
'''Main Contacts''': [[Elliana Fairchild]] 
'''Themelist/World''': [[Immaculate Visions-1]] 
'''TP Page''': [[New Blood]] 
'''Summary''': Elliana Fairchild seeks a way to contain or eliminate the dark beings known as Shajem that occupy her world. In the process, she has uncovered a massive amount of conspiracy and danger from the humans of her world. The current state is in the final stage: track down these Shajem and contain them, or find a way to safely eliminate them. This is a joint operation with the Union... mostly.

===The Shivan Confederacy===
'''Main Contacts''': [[Souji Murasame]] 
'''Themelist/World''': [[Final Fantasy: Act: Class-1]] 
'''Summary''': Souji is using multiversal mercenaries through proxies in order to cause a political upheaval in his world to undermine the ruling party. The plot is intended to focus around the creation and progress of the newly-formed Shivan Confederacy, based on nationalist, self-defense, and anti-multiversal platforms, and their conflicts with more moderate and pro-multiverse factions in Galianda. Confederates will be able to intervene in various points as well as to help deal with the coverup. The plot is somewhat political but there will be plenty of room for those not interested in politics to get involved.

===The Homeworld/Abstractum===
'''Main Contacts''': [[Abstractum.Net]] 
'''Themelist/World''': The Homeworld 
'''TP Page''': [[When They Return]] 
'''Summary''': Abstractum, sapient objects, part of the Abstractum Network, are waging a war against Them, an unknown, conceptual force attempting to end all of reality. Keep an eye out for Pures (their champions and vanguards) such as [[Samael]] surfacing, volunteer to obtain an Abstractum and help it grow powerful by using it, create a Node in the Homeworld wherein you can complete a story to strike a blow to Them, or find your own ways to assist in this matter. There is a truce between the Union and Confederacy in order to fight Them, but the truce does not prevent either side from targeting Abstractums and their Users.

===Caster's Cores===
'''Main Contacts''': [[Caster]], [[Psalm]] 
'''Themelist/World''': [[Fate/Stay Night-4]], Various locations 
'''TP Page''': N/A 
'''Summary''': Caster is seeking the reagents she needs to employ one of her Noble Phantasms. It takes a month of preparations in addition to the reagents themselves, and obtaining those reagents isn't easy. Other Confederates willing to help out in acquiring the reagents or warding off Union and other menaces are desired. A reward has been promised to anyone who assists, and all of the Confederate Elite Forces are welcome to partake of the results of this project once it has been successfully completed. One reagent has already been obtained, and the Union is likely to interfere in the rest of the acquisitions as they attempted for the first one. There are planned to be four primary reagent scenes, and at least one optional objective (with the possibility of two) that can be sabotaged or interfered with by outside parties. Decide how easy or hard it is to succeed by helping out!

==Former Crises==
A list of crises that were resolved or faded away. Don't start adding stuff from years ago, only use this to move things from the current crises list to this one, it's better than complete deletion.

1619/Penultimate Dream: City of Sorrow

2015-02-21T07:43:19Z

Blue Elf: Created page with "{{Log Header |Date of Scene=2015/02/19 |Location=Terra Majora |Synopsis=Visiting Elliana's nightmares again, a small group investigates her early life in Heaven's Victory |Tha..."

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2015/02/19
|Location=Terra Majora
|Synopsis=Visiting Elliana's nightmares again, a small group investigates her early life in Heaven's Victory
|Thanks=
|Cast of Characters=12, 40, 92, 134, 168, 253, 331, 495, 570
|Tinyplot=New Blood
|Tinyplot2=
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     This time, entering the nightmare realm does not deposit the dreamtrekkers on a ship, or in a nice table. No, immediately the small group will find themselves just off the side of a busy street, underneath a marketplace stall. It looks to be market day at a fairly large city, with bustling citizens making their way about to buy various wares. The city itself is old, with a mix of ancient stone buildings and newer brick or wood, even here. This obviously isn't the nobles quarter... it is, in fact, kind of slummish. The entire place has a pall of gloominess, though it might be hard to pin down why. Perhaps it is the way everyone looks drab and washed out, or perhaps it is the slightly sinister glower on most faces. Or perhaps it is just the gloomy sky, roiling with dark clouds.     Wrathborn is here, the slender man just leaning against a wall with some kind of fruit. It looks like an apple, but it's orange in color. He's munching it lazily while everyone pops in, the crowd avoiding both him and the new arrivals without thinking or even seeming to realize they are there. "Welcome back, everyone." He gestures to the city. "To the City of Sorrow. Aside from the boring temple that's always here, this is the only Nightmare she's having tonight that nobody has seen. But that's okay, because it's a two for one deal!"     He produces a bag of fruits and holds it out to anyone interested. "Ask any questions quickly. Any minute now, you'll see a little blonde girl dash by. Don't worry, you won't have any trouble catching up due to the nature of this place, but she'll split off rather quickly. Two nightmares at once. Taking the left fork, you'll see a scene that will be hard to interfere with, and comes from before she'd killed, not long after being orphaned. Take the right fork, and you'll see a nightmare that can be changed. This one won't be an accurate memory, but a might-have-been. Maybe if you can help out, she'll have the dream the way it actually went. Think about it before you have to choose." 

:'''{{#var:570|Kimiko Shinobu (570)}} has posed:'''     Kimiko arrives in whatever odd fashion is dictated by the dream. 'No one notices; you were always there; what are you talking about' seems to be that mode, with which she has no complaints. She takes all of a second to look around the city before Wrathborn starts talking, and that apparition then has her attention, as he tells her of another.     "And what if we choose both?" 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     Man, the lack of a ship is kind of a hinderance for Psyber. He brought a snack for Wrathborn. The half-angel is holding said snacks (sandwiches) in a brown paper bag that contains two sandwiches. One sandwich is quickly traded to wrathborn, "Here. I brought you some homecooked food from outside. Dunno if you can eat. Delicious. Enjoy." He thrusts the bagged lunch square into Wrathborn's chest (The contents of it will be paged to Elliana).     "I know this Nightmare," Psyber says pretty definitively, "Or something like it. This is the first Nightmare of Elliana's we ever saw, when the Orb was first discovered. This is the one where she kills someone for the first time in order to survive. Over a..."     Psyber takes the fruit out of Wrathborn's hand, "... piece of fruit."     Psyber tosses the fruit up in the air and sighs heavily, "I'll go with the hypothetical." He says firmly, gripping the fruit in his hands. He looks to Wrathborn and echos Kimiko's question, "Can we divide and see both?" 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Wrathborn answers easily, "You personally? No. But you can split the group if you wish." He glances at Psyber, taking the bag. "Oh, thanks. Ah, but this is a different nightmare. Same time period, different events. A lot of bad memories here." 

:'''{{#var:40|Eleanor Lamb (40)}} has posed:'''     This is, admittedly, the firstish time that Elle has been exploring someone else's dreamstate. She's usually more concerned with her own awful melange of psyches and existances that inhabit her soul. She's also following the lead of the others here. Though, Psyber's explanation of things gets her to perk up a bit. Loss of innocence is always a very... vital part of a child's and person's upbringing after all.     She does accept the fruit though, symbolic as it is. "If this Nightmare has already been explored, why are we seeing it a-" And then Wrathborn completes his thought, and Elle purses her lips. "I'll take the left path." 

:'''{{#var:570|Kimiko Shinobu (570)}} has posed:'''     When Wrathborn replies, Kimiko says, "I would rather see the truth. But if that is not available, I would rather see what can be changed." giving what is possibly not an actual answer as to whether to go right or left. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     "Of course it was a lot of bad memories. This was the period that informed who Elliana Fairchild would some day become," Psyber notes, scowling. He sighs a bit, keeping the other sandwich (his sandwich) for himself. He places that in the pocket of his jacket (it's wrapped in butcher paper, don't worry), "I'll head down the Right Path. I think I'd be best suited to guide a malleable event rather than witness a set one." 

:'''{{#var:12|Mordred (12)}} has posed:'''     Blah blah Mordred blah blah tiny blonde bundle of nerves blah blah Dream Psyber's coat just to make a point. She will help herself to a fruit, and then when everyone's gotten one or two demand the rest of the bag from Wrathborn. Or take. Probably take. She's going to be eating these the rest of the time they're here.     "I can't be two places at once so I'll go the way that can be changed to make sure you don't fuck this up. Guess there isn't much harm that can be done the other way."     Trustworthy group or not that IS the purpose of her presence. 

:'''{{#var:331|Himei (331)}} has posed:'''     Huh. A bustling city right away? Himei quickly gets the idea when Wrathborn starts to explain. Saving time, maybe giving the group a better idea of things. She wasn't present for the original nightmare that the others are talking about, so this is all new to her. She listens carefully to the options, and the debate afterward, then nods her head slightly before taking a bite of the fruit.     "I'll take the left path, see what I can find out," Himei finally decides. "Mordred, I'm going to need a moment of your time real quick. It's kind of important, I thought you'd want in the loop." 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     Nathan is immediately very unsettled. The landing he makes is always uneasy and slightly nauseating, unsettling for reasons he can't place, but the environment is not one he likes, and that is rather a bit more impactful than just the transition.     He remains silent in his reaction to Psyber's discussion of the cause, but he does visibly ponder. He then tilts his head at Wrathborn, seemingly recalling a past discussion. Wrathborn clearly knows what will be present on the left path. Nathan is looking for other insights. Something Wrathborn wants him to seek, but which he can't approve showing. Unlikely he'll find it here, but he has to try. "I will take the right-side path." He says, quietly, and there's little else. He takes an apple and bites into it with an uncharacteristically harsh crunch and scans the streets. He's got that look he gets when he tunnel-visions in on something and just hard-charges at it. 

:'''{{#var:134|Sakura Haruno (134)}} has posed:'''     Sakura's a bit more uncomfortable than normal within the dream - no small feat itself - and she's rather studiously not looking at Psyber as she looks about the area. Welcome is one word for it, she supposes, though she largely stays subdued rather than commenting on the greeting.     Unsurprisingly, she's not going to take the fruit that's offered. Instead, she'll slip her hands into a pouch, shaking her head. "No, I think I'd better stick to my diet." That may or may not be the truth, but either way. She'll drift off towards the left path, following not terribly far after the pint-sized version of Elliana. She's not sure what she might learn either way, but influencing things seems more dangerous. 

:'''{{#var:495|Riva Banari (495)}} has posed:''' Oh look, a dream world! She's seen thes-OH WAIT THIS ISN'T LIKE THE OTHER ONE AT ALL. Riva can tell instantly on contact that her assumptions can cause some Bad Things if she screws up enough. The entire environment is different. This isn't a comforting, welcoming feeling. Something about it makes her spine shiver as she looks over the old architecture, the expressions on the faces that pass by. Lady of Nightmares, indeed. Nevertheless, she tries to bear up despite the pall that weighs heavily upon her. She smiles, leaning up on her tiptoes as she leans a little to the side, examining Wrathborn intently. "Hmmmmm." She emits, before she nods and waves. "Hi there. Nice to meet you. I'm Riva. I'm here to help out." She replies pleasantly, and then she shuts up and listens. It's amazing how much you'll learn when you do that. The input from the others helps give her more context. "Ooooh. Oh. I see." She ponders for a moment. Most people seem to want to choose the more malleable option. But what to do... She looks between Eleanor and Psyber, pondering for a moment, and then draws over towards Psyber. She will probably be more useful there. She does, however, take the fruit and munch on one casually. Mmmm, fruity. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     "Wrathborn, pleasure's mine. I'm the monstrous demon god that lives in Elliana's head," says the man. He has sandy brown hair today, which is lighter than it was last time, and looks more like Nathan than someone fit to be a warrior. This is less athletic than he usually looks, but his appearance is always recognizeable no matter the minute changes he makes.     The fruit, for those who take it, is like a crisp mango in taste, with just a hint of peach. He hands the rest of the bag to Mordred, still holding his sandwich. Looks like he'll wait to take a bite until after things are underway.     "Get ready," Wrathborn says, though he makes no move himself. A moment later a small blonde figure in a ragged blue dress darts through the crowd, weaving and shoving her way through. She clutches a small bag in her hands, but her exact features and age are hard to see due to the speed. Those with vision capable of seeing such swiftness will note that it seems to change moment by moment, anyway.     She is pursued by shouting men. The actual shouts are incoherent, but they are definitely angry. It's but a moment before the girl splits in two, one dodging left into an alleyway that looks like a dead end. This girl is perhaps six or seven years old, far too young to be stealing for a living. The other is much older, perhaps ten or eleven years of age, and does an incredible leap that no human should be able to do, over a cart and around a corner. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     RIGHT PATH:     Those who make their way over to the right path, with the older Elliana, will come upon a scene of... oddness. She was always a Blooded, even before she gained her current power, but she hadn't manifested it as a very young child. Apparently, at THIS age, she had. The blonde girl is diving and dodging with ease, avoiding the numerous guardsmen that are trying to grab her. The girl is a blur of motion, moving much faster than anyone has a right to, and has already managed to knock a sign off of one of the shops to knock out two of the seven guards. She's /laughing/ as she does it, but matters change very quickly.     Appearing as if out of nowhere, a young man who can't be older than twenty steps right into Elliana's path. His hand darts out with supernatural speed, pinning the girl's to the wall, while his other snatches at the free hand, barely managing to grasp it. It's clearly a struggle to keep hold of her, especially keeping Elliana from reaching that jagged and broken knife tucked at her side.     "LET ME GO! UNHAND ME!" Elliana screeches, in a very undignified manner. She follows it up with very loud screams, but it seems like none of the civilians are prepared to go against the man. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     LEFT PATH:     The alleyway is indeed a dead end. Or is it? Only two men are chasing Elliana here, and Elliana isn't nearly as nimble. This must have been before her abilities fully manifested. But she is not defenseless! In passing, she kicks a pole out from under an awning, causing it to tumble down in a heavy tarp into the way of the two men. This causes them to stumble, giving the child precious seconds to... head to the dead end wall.     The alleyway's wall buttresses a larger building's wall, the newer construction built right next to the old wall that's much lower. Elliana scrambles up the low wall, rolls atop it, and then vanishes. It appears that there's a narrow gap there, though the coloration and height fool the eye into thinking it's seamless. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     Mordred, himself, Riva and Nathan. Not a BAD combo. Three people that could feasibly rein in Nathan if he started prodding dangerously close to psychological damage.     Much like Haruno to him, Psyber is pretty distant and deliberately non-acknowledging of Haruno's presence. Best to just avoid that landmine for the day, particularly when there are so many other, fresh landmines he can lose a foot and a leg to. He spares a glance her way, but then gets to following the Elliana and the Nathan in tow behind her.     He puts a hand on Nathan's shoulder and says firmly, "Hey. Remember, we're a team. Keep me informed here," He says to the librarian before looking to the others, "Keep in touch. Keep each other appraised of what's happening."     But then they're splitting up and Psyber is trailing after the Right Elliana. Of course, almost as soon as he tells Nathan not to go rogue, Psyber opts to get aggressive at the projected image.     "HEY. PUT HER DOWN!" Psyber is already drawing a knife from under his coat, "Lord Paul Blackdeath of House Plagueblight commands it." That's one of his Terra Majora codenames, anyway. It, at least, dates back to Charity Whiteheart. Everyone seems to accept that dude as a pretty nice guy. 

:'''{{#var:12|Mordred (12)}} has posed:'''     Omnomnom bag of fruits.     Mordred seriously considers taking Wrathborn's sandwich too. It's REALLY tempting. On a coin flip's whim she does not in fact rob him of his meal, though. You get to have your sandwich, snake.     To Himei: "Sure, whatever. Now or after?"     Although, it might have to be after unless it's done over radio, considering the split happening.     Following along Psyber, Nathan and others taking the RIGHT path, the Servant eats her fruits. This really was a good acquisition. She watches the superfast little girl, recognizing her-- she gave her a piggyback, way back. It was a pretty great entrance. Well, time to play her role as a Saber-class Servant.     It seems that in her own blurr, Mordred is next to the scuffle. Psyber goes for words, the Servant goes for something a bit more violent. It starts with "Hey." and ends with 'using the fruit bag as a bludgeon with Servant strength'. She's even careful on angle to make sure he can't just suddenly swing Elliana around like a shield. That'd be awful. 

:'''{{#var:570|Kimiko Shinobu (570)}} has posed:'''     Kimiko takes the left path, following after the younger girl without apparent hurry. She was assured that there would be no difficulty in keeping up with her, so she doesn't put herself to any difficulty. She does, as a matter of course, move fairly quickly--even in casual clothing, untransformed, she's quick enough to navigate any kind of crowd.     Once they reach the dead end, however, she makes the leap to the wall as soon as she sees that the girl isn't stopping. Wrathborn didn't say how long it would be easy to stay with her, and he didn't say it was completely impossible to change things. Even if she doesn't know what's going to happen, nor why she would change it, nor whether changing it is even a good idea--she's going to stay right on the child's back if she can. If the gap looks like it would slow her down, she'll go straight up. 

:'''{{#var:40|Eleanor Lamb (40)}} has posed:'''     Much like in another place that Eleanor's been working with Kimiko, she curses and grumbles and starts lopeing after Kimiko, limber legs letting her leap and keep up with the Magi. Bother all of this. Why does everyone have to use their powers all the time?     The sudden 'disappearance' of Baby Elliana gets her to frown for a moment, before she's leaping up and over with the Magi. "Thoughts on what we're expecting to see out here? I'd like to know at least what she's running from." 

:'''{{#var:331|Himei (331)}} has posed:'''     Answering Mordred, Himei supplies, "As soon as we have time. It's something I'm going to ask you to keep quiet from Elliana, at least for a little while. You'll understand when I clarify. I can't beg you, just ask. We want to-"     Aaand there goes the girl. Himei sighs, "I'll explain later. Good luck." With the others taking the left path, she dashes off after tinyana, though not at full speed.     She's momentarily worried when the wall is scaled, but Kimiko seems on top of things. "I guess we follow?" She hops up to climb as well, take a look at this escape place. She answers Eleanor, "The guards, I'd guess. They're chasing a little thief. That's how Elliana survived as a child. After she was orphaned." That should be something Eleanor can understand. She offers a hand to Lamb and Haruno, though she's not worried about either getting up. Hell, Sakura can walk on walls. 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     Nathan is intensely focused, zeroing in directly on his target and breaking into a dash behind her as well. He could powerwalk, of course, but one can't help the instinct. There's a glance at Psyber. "When I have certainty." He says, as if it explains everything. He's focusing on the girl in front of him, when she splits off. 10 or 11. Maybe a year or two after the one they encountered in the early formation dreamscape.     When Psyber immediately comes in with the major aggression, Nathan takes this opportunity to do several things. He avoids entering the context of the altercation itself, trying to keep on the border of that area so that Dream-Elliana will not notice him, and so he can act from outside the context.     Two things first and foremost. This is Bloodstone. Hall thinks he knows exactly where this is going. So he has to scope ahead now. The dreams typically are low-resolution in 'irrelevant' areas. And so, Nathan tries to identify the likely escape route Elliana has for this what-if by examining the layout of the street for her probable paths, and the resolution therein. Because, he expects, she's not likely to stick around, since Psyber just claimed to be nobility.     Second is to see what she's got. She still holding that bag? Can Nathan get any idea of what's in it? He needs to get an idea of what the context is here. 

:'''{{#var:134|Sakura Haruno (134)}} has posed:'''     Maybe not so much a dead end; Sakura's pretty easily able to notice the gap, this being one of the few areas in which she actually has ninja-like senses. This is because she's totally cheating with her earth nature, though.     She'll smile at Himei's hand, briefly, but won't burden her on the way up, making it in a few quick steps as she chases after the tiny version of her hated foe. "I suppose we should stay within a certain distance, shouldn't we?" She asks, though she's not going to go all out in pursuit either. Staying close enough to watch and not let them get away is all they really need, after all. 

:'''{{#var:495|Riva Banari (495)}} has posed:''' Mmmm, good fruit. Riva seems to really enjoy the flavor complement, since after one bite she starts devoring the thing at high speed. However, the appearance of mini-Ell causes Riva to get back to business. Riva hustles after the others and comes skidding to a halt near the confrontation. Her surprise when seeing a little girl move like that is evident; it appears she is not used to dealing with superpowered preteens, all magical girl jokes aside. Psyber takes on the lead, and Riva thinks about what he's goign to do. She decides on a course of action and quickly steps up beside him, calling out, "Lord Blackdeath, please don't be so hasty! Surely these men can explain themselves." She does not identify herself, sticking to talking very quickly and sounding reasonable. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     LEFT PATH:     The opening is narrow... very narrow. One person can squeeze through, if they twist their body correctly. Sakura's Earth Sense can actually tell that the 'real' gap was even smaller than this, as Elliana could barely squeeze through. Everyone else may notice how the city seems much... bigger right now, too. To a tiny girl, her memories tend to make everything look larger, and now the others are in-scale to being children in a big city.     The gap is fortunately short, opening up into a small cubby that is... pretty cozy. Looks like Elliana is living here, to some degree. It's hard to say how it came to be, but the jumble of buildings sprang up around this secluded space, and it's made a perfect hiding spot for a young girl.     As for Elliana... she's kneeling in front of one side of the hidden place, the 'wall' being made up of weathered stone that looks like it was once ornate. She's fishing in the bag she stole, pulling out.. a clump of crumpled but still rather pretty flowers, of various kinds, which she sets before the grave. "Flowers are supposed to make the dead feel better... so does that mean you can stay?" She sounds very tired, yet hopeful at the same time.     Coalescing in front of the monument is a faded, barely-humanoid shape. A shade of some kind, floating in front of Elliana. 

:'''{{#var:570|Kimiko Shinobu (570)}} has posed:'''     Kimiko takes the gap, since it actually sizes to fit--which is rather strange, but she accepts the dream logic that allows this to be. Coming through, she stops as Elliana does, walking to the opposite side of her and waiting to see what she does. When the ghost appears, she frowns.     "Phantoms of phantoms. Even greater difficulty, I think, in affecting these." She keeps her eyes on the shade. "What are you, then? Or else, who were you?" 

:'''{{#var:40|Eleanor Lamb (40)}} has posed:'''     Eleanor takes that hand, and smiles to Himei. It is not a happy smile. "All of this seems so familiar. So many of my lives starting this way in one way or another. And then Elliana. That could have been me, conceptually." A little grumpf of breath, as she follows right along with the others.     Inside though... She frowns. Ghosts. Another thing she knows far too much about. A little frown and she looks to the others, staying a ghostly observer herself. Kimiko appears to be attempting communication at least. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     RIGHT PATH:     The man holding Elliana - or trying to - starts to say, "I'm not going to hurt her, she just needs to calm-" Well, he STARTS to say that, but ends up with fruit in his face with a messy 'splut' and a bit of a crunch. Those fruits were solid enough that Mordred may have just broken the man's nose, and it DEFINITELY causes him to stagger, letting loose of one hand.     The other men are groaning and rising to their feet, but they aren't immediately attacking the newcomers or anything. This is... not a situation they can really understand. So at least Riva and Psyber keep that out of the way.     Nathan will find... very little that's clear. The clearest exit is a nearby door, into what looks like a mason's shop.     With her hand freed, little Elliana yanks her dagger out, whipping it around into an attack position. 

:'''{{#var:331|Himei (331)}} has posed:'''     Scooting through the narrow gap, Himei rubs at her back and frowns, finding... a little hideaway and a ghost within it. Now it's a little clearer why they can't affect this easily, and it's also a pretty interesting thing to see.     "Are you even a ghost, if you're feeling ill?" THAT is her question, really. 

:'''{{#var:134|Sakura Haruno (134)}} has posed:'''     "Things don't quite feel right here." Sakura says, making a slight humming noise to herself. "The proportions aren't matching up to what it feels like. I guess a dream or a memory doesn't have to be exactly what was, though."     She's focusing on that because, as the others with her might notice, she's trying very hard to not look at the shade. It's not about Elliana - part of her glancing around is looking down to the girl and the flowers she's brought - so much as it is her not wanting to examine that ghost too closely. One of them, at least, would rather not know if it was truly there or not. 

:'''{{#var:12|Mordred (12)}} has posed:'''     And that's how you make food taste better.     Mordred takes a chomp out of one of the applemangos still in the bag, deciding the violence really does make them better. Or it could be the blood. Either or. She grins at the sight of Elliana readying herself.     "I think I like her better like this, she's spunky and has an attitude," the Servant notes, before speaking to the girl. "C'mon, let's get you somewhere else, these assholes aren't worth your time. We have food."     She'd offer Tinylliana one of the applemangos while at it. She would also offer a piggyback again, normally, but she needs to hold all these fruits. Maybe if nobody else does she will anyway. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     Psyber looks to Ethan and says, "You mean her no harm, but she is being chased by men. She needs to calm down, but your actions breed panic," Psyber snaps at Bloodstone, "Do you know NOTHING of dealing with a frightened girl?"     Psyber scowls at him right before Mordred nails him with an entire fruit upside the head. Psyber shakes his head and then looks to Elliana as she draws a dagger on him, "Hey. Are you hungry?"     Psyber takes his sandwich out of his pocket, "Here. This is for you if you'll put away the knife and talk for a bit. Any of them tries to hurt you, I'll put em through a wall."     It is, for the record, a delicious and mild-flavored curry on french bread. He offers half the sandwich to Elliana. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     LEFT PATH:     Elliana does not appear to hear the voices behind her at all, but the /ghost/ does. The hovering shade pauses, speaking out in a hollow voice, "I was once the Champion of Durak, the Hero of the Rifted War. Now I am forgotten by all. As was my blessing, and my curse."     Elliana didn't hear that, but she hears what the shade says next, speaking to her in soft tones despite the hollow voice. "It is the way of the world, Little Sunshine. I do not belong here, and my deeds are forgotten. Memories of the old world are swept away by the new, and the cleansing has already been performed."     "But-" Elliana whines, starting to sit up, but the shade motions for her to calm.     "I was a servant in life, but the living fear the dead. They fear that which is different. Fear is one of the great curses that has lingered. You should not be afraid, Little Sunshine, and everything will end up all right." 

:'''{{#var:495|Riva Banari (495)}} has posed:''' The poor guy gets fruited in the face and he falls back. Riva moves to help the man and glares at Mordred, getting out a cloth and offering it to the man to help him clean up his face. "Are you going to be okay?" She asks the guy. "She looks like she's pretty feisty, what was she doing that brough t down the guard on her?" She asks. 

:'''{{#var:570|Kimiko Shinobu (570)}} has posed:'''     "You are not forgotten," Kimiko says, "or we would not know you, now. Whatever you can tell us will be known. Your blessing, and your curse."     She's rather focused on this point and not really paying attention to the rest of the area, in addition to being distracted by the idea that things 'need' to end horribly. 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     Nathan's going to see if he can head around, into the shop itself. While remaining outside of the context of the dream, he hopes he won't have to interact with the 'extras'. For now, he attempts to circle around, either around the altercation itself or maybe around through an unclear, low-resolution alleyway to the opposite side of the store. He's going to try to enter first to see what possibilities are present here. If Elliana escapes the man in the street, and the rest of the team, what possibilities were being formed here? What narrative concepts were being established to receive Elliana? His hope is that the perception-based nature of this world will let him see what sort of information could be found.     So, yeah, he'll creep inside for now, keep an ear out for what's going on outside, and see what AMORPHOUS CONCEPTUAL POSSIBILITIES are being assembled in preparation for this potential outcome of Elliana's altercation, with the intent to call out orders if he can find that they're especially productive or unproductive in the perception. 

:'''{{#var:331|Himei (331)}} has posed:'''     Himei gets more direct still, and after glancing at Sakura to reach out and give her a reassuring squeeze on the shoulder, she asks the ghost, "What is your relationship to Elliana, anyway? And what is it you are calling her? Little Sunshine?"     Eleanor gets a quick look, then a shrug. She doesn't know what to think of this, either. 

:'''{{#var:134|Sakura Haruno (134)}} has posed:'''     Sakura will glance up and over at Himei, giving a smile that quickly wanes away as the ghost establishes himself, story and all. "Would it really surprise you if she simply found him here while hiding from other guards? It seems a believable enough coincidence, given the.. concealed location and all." Sakura says, very quietly.     "Whatever war that is, it was likely quite some time ago." She adds, looking at the grave. "He should have been allowed to pass on more peacefully, if he was truly a hero." 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     RIGHT PATH:     The bag, by the way, has a pair of sandals in it.     Nathan slips in a side door and finds... a completely empty room. Amorphously so, even. It looks like Elliana never went into this shop, either in the dream context or real life. Which means whatever happens must happen there, in the street.     Outside, the man rubs his face and mutters, "Thanks. We weren't going to do anything to hurt her, but she doesn't trust us." He rises to his feet unsteadily, with Elliana now backed up against the wall and eying everyone suspiciously.     She's pretty wild, apparently. Mordred's words and Psyber's offer do reach her, though. She starts to make a jab toward Ethan's throat... but changes her mind and instead 'just' stabs him in the stomach, making the man jerk back with a choking noise of pain.     She keeps the knife in hand, but eyes the sandwich. With those bizarrely fast reflexes, she darts forward and grabs it, stuffing some in her mouth... paper and all. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     "Woah hey, you don't need to wolf it down. Take your time," Psyber notes to the feral iteration of Elliana. He watches Ethan take a knife to the gut and then says, "How deep is that? Stay back and let me calm her down. Get that bandaged." Pause, "What do you need with her?"     Where Nathan is an expert in the objective investigation, Psyber prides himself on being personable and more emotionally in-tune. The half-angel switches from a crouch and into a sitting position, cross-legged on the ground.     He looks over to Riva, "Can you see to that guy's wounds?"     He's trying to leverage that natural charisma and personable nature into getting the small girl to calm down, "Look." He speaks slowly for the wild-looking girl, "Can you speak?" He asks, staring at Tiny-ana.     He is still holding the sandwich out, though. He doesn't mind sharing it, and it is pretty delicious all told. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     LEFT PATH:     The shade pauses, the head-area bobbing toward Kimiko and the others. It's an acknowledgement that they are there, even if he is speaking to Elliana... but she's speaking first.     "It's not fair!" Elliana is looking more and more upset. "You're the only one I like here! You're my only friend and they have to take you away just because you're dead? Why? Why don't they remember you?" She's actually cracking in the voice toward the end there, and it's pretty obvious what this nightmare/memory is now. She's starting to cry, and she's just stated that the shade is her only friend. She's reliving the moment she became alone in this city.     The shade speaks to her at the same time as the others. "I was a great warrior because of my power. It let me be forgotten when not in sight. It is weaker now... and you can remember me. That is how I know you are special, Little Sunshine. You brought me light in the last moments before I moved on. For that I am very grateful. Finding one another was a wonderful accident."     The shade's whispy arms reach out, settling lightly on Elliana's shoulders. "You, too, may forget me in time. That is all right. I was happy to have known you, even in death. Things will get better, Elliana, and I think you will help them be so. Stay strong, and you will not need anyone. Remember that, even if you forget me." 

:'''{{#var:12|Mordred (12)}} has posed:'''     "She's just getting more and more adorable," Mordred side-comments. Stab-happy Elliana makes her Servant quite content. If only she would do that more often. As she reaches into the bag for her next fruit, she only pulls out a pair of sandals. Okay that's not a fruit at all. Do they seem to fit Tinylliana's feet? Maybe she wants new sandals.     "Can we keep her? If I ever have to have an heir, I want one like that. We should get her a real knife though." 

:'''{{#var:570|Kimiko Shinobu (570)}} has posed:'''     "By 'blessing' and 'curse,'" Kimiko says, primarily to the other three that came with her, "I think... he meant his power. And yet... he was a hero. A hero needs to be known. And wars are not so easily forgotten."     She doesn't try to do anything to interfere with the shade and Elliana. 

:'''{{#var:495|Riva Banari (495)}} has posed:''' Riva gapes in shock for a moment as Ethan gets straight up stabbed. "WHOA!" She yells, flailing for a moment, but quickly responds, tearing off some strips of clothing to try to bind the stomach wound. "Just hold still, okay, don't move, you'll make the wound worse." She seems entirely focused on trying to keep the guy alive longer, but she knows as well as most people do that a gut wound is both:     1) Very hard to treat in the field, and     2) Incredibly goddamn painful. Stomach acid doesn't discriminate. And she's no surgeon. "YOU!" She points at a random guard, hoping volume and an authoritative tone will get him moving. "GET A DOCTOR! HURRY!" She has no idea if it'll help in the least, but it's best to keep up appearances. "Stick with me, man." She says to Ethan, trying to do her best to stanch the wound. 

:'''{{#var:40|Eleanor Lamb (40)}} has posed:'''     Eleanor frowns at the shade, and then at the others. Alright. "That power is not a easy one to bear. I know that... several of the Exalts are supposed to have that power, but... mmmh. Of course I cannot rember if I know any." Poor Lily.     She sits down on her knees though, in her tiny girl proportions, and looks to the Champion. "I see... you are only know by a title, sir. Is that by choice or is that all you could ever carry?" 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     Alright, that answers that question. Time to back right back out of here. Nathan opens the door and stands in the doorway. Alright, Psyber's asked him to talk her down. Time to put his social savvy to use. "Lady Fairchild." He calls out in his calm monotone. "You may leave, if you like. I believe there is a back entrance here." He's standing to the side of the doorway, one hand out in an inviting sort of way. "The rest of you, could you provide some space for her? I believe it would be best for everyone involved if our conversations are held from a distance. Lady Fairchild, is there another context, or another place you would be more comfortable speaking in?" Step one for dealing with Elliana Fairchild: Put her in a position where she feels like she has more control, where she does not feel helpless.     With step one done, step two is now. Appeal to her mixed senses of self esteem. "I humbly ask that you at least give a small amount of your time for rational consideration to what those present have to say. I am sure your caution has saved you from innumerable wounds and losses at the hands of people misunderstanding or exploiting your skill, but you have our assurance that we will be entirely willing to abide terms of your caution."     Give her control, respect and validate her desire for control, and seem willing to accept what she says. That's how Nathan chooses to approach this. 

:'''{{#var:331|Himei (331)}} has posed:'''     Himei stares, trying to puzzle this out, then snaps fingers and claps her fist into her other hand. "I got it. The reason this is a deeply-buried memory is because his power is still working. But she remembered the message. Isn't that what her problem is now?" Himei looks around at the others. "Stay strong. And she doesn't need anybody."     She looks at the shade again. "It was advice to keep her alive, but she remembered it so deeply she clung to it even after it wasn't needed." 

:'''{{#var:134|Sakura Haruno (134)}} has posed:'''     "Right. Well, that seems an unfortunate power." Sakura says, before getting sidetracked from focusing on her own path by someone getting stabbed on the other one. Sakura, of course, is a little bit too late to do anything about healing the ghost. She doesn't do necromancy; find an evil clone for that.     Glancing back up, she'll make a hmming noise again. "It's not the worst advice, even if she corrupted it rather a bit. It's always worth trying to find strength for yourself, if you can." 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     LEFT PATH:     Elliana is only six or seven, so she isn't very coherent and... just starts crying loudly. Which is about what you'd expect for an orphan whose only friend is vanishing.     The shade answers, first, "She never knew my real name, so neither do I, now." He shakes his head, then leans down and touches the girl on the head. "Be strong. Find your way home. Some day, we will meet again on the other side."     Then he begins to fade. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     RIGHT PATH:     Elliana looks very wary, and she keeps the bloody dagger raised. She doesn't make any hostile moves, though, and she reluctantly scoots to the side, where she has an easy escape route. She doesn't run, though... which is a good thing.     Ethan is choking on blood, at first, but as Riva looks over him, his hand covers the wound and glows. Slowly, he draws a ragged breath and sits up. "Easy... we aren't going to hurt you. You have talents. We just want to see you use them properly. You could be one of the strongest Binders I know, if you wanted. Have respect and all the food you could want."     He glances at the others, muttering, "Thank you for the help, I suppose." Even if it got him a broken nose. He could have been killed, though... it's doubtful that he can heal a throat wound.     "What do you say?" he asks Elliana. "Food, shelter, teaching... we'll even teach you how to fight, if you want. You can leave any time. I promise."     This is starting to destabilize the dream, though. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     "I severely doubt she could exist outside of this specific realm and iteration of Fairchild's psyche," Psyber says to Mordred in a distant monotone. He blinks several times and then takes a bite of the sandwich himself, tiredly eating it. This is a very stressful situation.     "You should go with him, Elliana," Psyber says firmly. He doesn't inherently agree with that point, because going with Ethan starts her down a path to where she is today. But on the other hand, if she hadn't made this choice he wouldn't know Elliana.     "Go with the man," Psyber says, firmly, one more time.     Psyber looks to Ethan and asks one very important question: "What city is this that we're in?" 

:'''{{#var:570|Kimiko Shinobu (570)}} has posed:'''     Kimiko, unfortunately, lacks anything on which to write. Hopefully, someone else came into this nightmare better prepared with basic necessities than she did. If nothing else, someone is probably recording the radio.     She elects to do what she can in the time still permitted to her. She walks to where the shade had stood, and then steps up to the small Elliana, kneeling down as needed. Given that this is Kimiko, she is unlikely to be successful in being comforting, even should she be seen. And given that it's Elliana--she finds it difficult to want to be. She does, yet, have something to say.     "Remember. Remember him, and what he told you. You can remember him. You are remembering him now. Remember all he said to you." While it's still fresh in her mind, "'I was happy to have known you. Things will get better, Elliana, and I think you will help them be so.'" 

:'''{{#var:12|Mordred (12)}} has posed:'''     Well, Mordred will hand Elliana back her bag plus sandals if she had to take them to check the contents at all. Stuff a fruit in there. Then she'll shrug and point towards Ethan.     "You shanked him in the stomach, I guess you owe him to check his shit out. If it's shady you can always shank him a second time, but aim for the throat that time."     As usual, she provides good advice to children. 

:'''{{#var:331|Himei (331)}} has posed:'''     Himei chooses a different approach. It's short and sweet... walking up to the shade, looking him up and down. All she says, simply, is... "Thank you for keeping her company." 

:'''{{#var:134|Sakura Haruno (134)}} has posed:'''     "Ghosts aren't.. the best friends to have, but they can be better than no friends." Sakura says, in a way that makes it seem like she's agreeing with Himei. She will give a glance to the small Elliana. "A shame he couldn't have stuck around. Maybe she would have ended up better, I suppose." 

:'''{{#var:495|Riva Banari (495)}} has posed:''' Riva watches the man heal himself and sighs in relief. Well, that's a /pleasant/ surprise for a change. She gets out of the way and lets the man make his pitch. As everyone seems intent on convincing Elliana to go with him, she says nothing, thinking for several moments and nodding to herself. "No problem." She mutters back. "Good luck, okay?" Poor guy. She thinks. Maybe. Ish. 

:'''{{#var:40|Eleanor Lamb (40)}} has posed:'''     Eleanor, however, has no truck with ghosts whatsoever, they are natural and rude for being unexplainable. She does hever have truck with memories, and moves over to examine the stone of the grave itself, wiping at the surface as best she can to make out more of the markings on it. If this man was so forgotten... what was written on his marker? 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     Nathan emerges from the doorway properly now, shuffling over to the main group. There we go, that seemed to work out. That, of course, is destabilizing the dream. And since a certain someone doesn't want to give Nathan free reign to be abusive in someone else's mind for no good reasopn -- what a jerk! -- Nathan decides to squeeze all the blood he can from this stone.     he's going to wander to Elliana's side, while most of the others deal with Ethan. There's a bit of a nod to Mordred, a sort of silent 'yeah, I won't hurt her' message, before he approaches properly. He's mostly here to ask a quick aside to Miniana. "Before you go. Tell me, what do you think of him? The man after you, I mean." Wow, that describes like half a dozen people there, Nate.     He's listening for cues and tones, to match up with how Elliana acted on that nightmare that Nathan intentionally crashed. Can he get some idea of the difference between a premise-breaker crash and an authentic emotional resolution crash? It'll confirm or deny his attempt long ago, if the tones of voice, the spiritual atmosphere, and other suchlike match up. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     LEFT PATH:     The shade nods his head again, but says nothing as he finishes vanishing. In another moment he's gone.     Elliana's wailing softens to some sniffling, and she finds herself trying to focus on Kimiko's face. It's probably a face that Kimiko hasn't seen before... with both eyes still blue, for one. Cute, frail, inexperienced. Maybe a little trusting? "I'll... I'll try..."     The only letters that can be made out are: 'CA.....N'     There's not much left to this dream though, so it begins to fade as well, colors washing out. The group will end up on a featureless white plain, after a while, with just Wrathborn and the others about.     RIGHT PATH:     Slowly, Elliana nods her head. She mumbles something like thanks as she takes the sandals and slips them on - a little large, but mostly fitting - and then she shuffles toward Ethan and Riva with a nervous look toward Riva. Swallowing, she says, "... sorry for stabbing you, then. Are you still going to do all that?"     Ethan leans down and smiles. "It's fine. You've been alone and fighting for your life, I understand. But you don't have to kill people to get what you need. I know a way that you could help people instead, and you're going to be the prettiest, fanciest, and strongest Binder anyone has ever known. They'll all look at you and say, 'there's a girl that I can respect.'"     Elliana stares, and the dream is starting to fade. She looks at Nathan and shrugs. "He's kind of a dork, but he's okay I guess. I stabbed him and he got up, and now he wants to help me?" She tilts her head. "... he's nice, I guess."     Then the dream fades away into white, and the groups are back together. 

:'''{{#var:331|Himei (331)}} has posed:'''     "Well. That was... interesting." Himei frowns, looking back at the blank area where she guesses the shade might have been. "How long was she alone, you think? Three years? Four?" She shakes her head, walks over toward the others.     "Mordred. If I told you a secret that might help Elliana if it stayed secret, could you not tell her? You might come in handy." 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Wrathborn answers for the disappeared Ethan. "The city is Heaven's Victory. It's one of the older cities in the Empire. Predates the Empire by a good bit. Kind of an ironic name, really." 

:'''{{#var:570|Kimiko Shinobu (570)}} has posed:'''     Kimiko gets as much of a response as she could expect. She nods, once. "Good." She stands.     It's ended. 

:'''{{#var:12|Mordred (12)}} has posed:'''     Well, that worked itself out. Kinda.     Mordred turns to look at Himei and shrugs. "Yeah, probably. Unless it's shady as shit, but you guys ain't the shady as shit kind of people. Whatcha got in mind?" 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     "One: Thank you." Psyber says to Wrathborn as he reappears in the gathered area. He then turns around and says to Wrathborn, "Did you eat your sandwich? I had someone from my office make it. Was it good?" He narrows his eyes, "You better eat it at some point. Kongou puts a lot of work into her curry." He wags a finger.     And then he folds his hands behind his head and sighs, "Heaven's Victory. I should visit that at some point." He then looks over at Wrathborn, "Say. What do you know about the Glittering Glades and the battle that happened?" 

:'''{{#var:331|Himei (331)}} has posed:'''     Himei glances over, then just shrugs. Nobody here would make a big deal out of it. "We're going to hit a Shajem. Take it down and safely contain it... without Elliana. She's going to kill herself trying to take care of everything herself. She needs to know that we're taking this threat seriously... hell it's what she wanted from us. So... we're doing it. Are you in?" 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Wrathborn replies, "Yes I did you asshole!" He's shouting at Psyber, giving him a flip of the middle finger. "Why do you think I went quiet for a while!?"     If he heard Himei(he did), he doesn't voice an objection. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     "Don't stick your tongue in my ear, then, bro!" Psyber says, laughing hysterically at the gesture from Wrathborn. The half-angel holds his side a bit and takes a few moments to laugh. He's pretty content by that reaction, and won't press over the lack of response to the other part. He figures Wrathborn just doesn't know. 

:'''{{#var:12|Mordred (12)}} has posed:'''     "Sure, nothing like bashing a Shajem on the head to get in good spirits. I'll keep it from her, shouldn't be too hard," Mordred answers. She's already considering things, although fortunately none of them involve trying to eat that one too. She doubts she has room in her head, anyway, and it'd probably be a very bad idea.     "Which one?" 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     "The obligatory caveat is that you do not get to eat this one. We do not currently have a solid lead on its identity, but I believe it to be either the Lord of Bitterness or of Cowardice." Nathan says, a quick addendum to Himei. He was completely silent for a while, contemplating things, trying to match patterns where patterns likely don't exist in the first place.     He crosses his arms, briefly. "We need to meet with Bloodstone again." He says, his monotone somehow definitive and firm. "I am increasingly of the opinion that his involvement will be critical to our efforts. We also need to launch an investigation into this Durak, and the Rifted War." 

:'''{{#var:331|Himei (331)}} has posed:'''     Himei nods at what Nathan says. "Yeah. We've gotten a lot of good info, and we still have one nightmare left. We'll see how it goes." 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     Psyber wipes a tear from his eyes and ahems, "Yeah, I agree. We should look into Bloodstone again for another meeting. Let's make contact with him." 

:'''{{#var:331|Himei (331)}} has posed:'''     "Remember Drake and the Starshine Kingdom?" Himei looks to Mordred. "It's there. Somewhere. We'll give you the exact location later. I think after all this prep, you're as impatient to move as I am, huh?" 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     There is also one brief moment where Nathan approaches Wrathborn. With a perfectly serious face, he says, "Whatever he just did, it likely is a symbol of friendship. I have had similar, albeit less open reactions, to his traditional friendship gestures. Consider it as you would some form of alien compliment." He nods, firmly, seriously, and somberly, sharing or at least attempting to share a brief moment of camaraderie with the horrible titanic snake devil. Camaraderie about pranks. 

}}

1601/Hunt for Sovereign

2015-02-21T07:42:16Z

Blue Elf: Created page with "{{Log Header |Date of Scene=2015/02/18 |Location=Terra Majora |Synopsis=Psyber seeks an artifact in an ancient battlefield. |Thanks= |Cast of Characters=2, 40, 92, 168, 253, 3..."

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2015/02/18
|Location=Terra Majora
|Synopsis=Psyber seeks an artifact in an ancient battlefield.
|Thanks=
|Cast of Characters=2, 40, 92, 168, 253, 347, 622, 626
|Tinyplot=New Blood
|Tinyplot2=
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     The place that Bloodstone's maps lead everyone is of an unassuming name: Glittering Glades. Those who are curious can get the history from Nathan or Psyber, as either one probably knows at least a little of this. Their pretty name is, like many things in this world, a misnomer. The 'glades' are more like marshes, with copses of rotten-looking trees pocking a landscape of shallow, sludgy pools and brief spurts of relatively pleasant-looking grasses. Relatively. Even today, the occasional glimmer of metal can be seen, or the glimpse of white from a skeleton.     This was the site of the battle that lurched the entire Windward Empire into becoming a world power. It is, ironically, also the place where they have some of the weakest presence, and the site of an incredible failure. The clash here was already partially corrupted, the land warped but fixable. The battle that decided ownership had been vicious and bloody, with sorcerers eventually calling upon some of the most twisted magics available. The Empire had won that day, utterly devastating its enemy and starting the string of military superiority that had lead to hundreds of years of peace and stability... but it was still a stinking marshland of unusable land, festering and riddled with mutated creatures of raw corruption.     Most of these creatures are small, but often hunt in packs. They cluster around small rocky formations or mounds, and they are swift even in the day. It's easy to see why the Empire hasn't gotten far in reclaiming this land, even with airships at their disposal. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     "Welcome to Terra Majora, home of political strife, God-powered jagoffs, and Elliana Fairchild's team. Luckily, we shouldn't be running into that third one today, because she doesn't know we're here," Psyber notes to everyone who is catching a ride in the back of a smooth-flying air transport. Psyber is dressed in his usual attire and leaning against a wall of the vehicle, one hand gripping an overhead rail for steadiness.     "Stay in pairs at least, cover eachother's backs, and if someone asks us why we're here, tell them to talk to Nathan," Psyber notes. He continues a moment later: "We're heading onto an old battlefield where there's some nasty business still hanging around. If it's that corrupted, what we're looking for shouldn't be impossible to find. You'll feel it before you see it, I hope."     He switches to a more casual demeanor, "I'm Psyber, for the new people. The man, the myth, the legend. If you want to take photos, please do so now before the aircraft lands. I appreciate you all coming out to help tonight."     Weirdly, he's yet to go into too much detail on what it is.     "We're looking for an object called Sovereign. Reports say it's going to be holy-alligned, I believe." 

:'''{{#var:40|Eleanor Lamb (40)}} has posed:'''     Eleanor once again grumbles at the air-drop. Airplanes. Nnnn. She is likewise holding on to a rail, looking nervously out the windows, and over at the others. Simon and Krya are new and she waves at the pair. "I'm Eleanor, I'm one of Psyber's science advisors."     A glance over at Psyber. "Are we talking the Holy we'd know, or is it the sort of convoluted good things are bad this place has?" 

:'''{{#var:626|Kyra Hyral (626)}} has posed:'''     "Boop. Done." Kyra announces cheerfully as she lowers her phone, having just taken a picture of Psyber. There's a cheeky grin on her face before she slips the fancypants Galianda smartphone back into the front pocket of her hoodie. Both of her hands then moved to rest inside the pockets, her back slouching slightly as the air transport conveys them to this corrupted marshland.     Completely new to the situation in Terra Majora, Kyra tried to glean what she could from older files about the world, somewhat disbelieving in the idea that the Union wanted 'new people' to come deal with the problems there. Maybe it was a seeking new perspectives thing? Either way, she's not going to turn down the opportunity for an adventure.     "Huh, I knew this was an investigation mission but I didn't realize it was an investigation mission in a really hostile area. I should have brought more explosives." Indeed, the small backpack she had with her on the Syndicate job with the ReGenesis Corporation is absent. Only her very, very shiny golden rifle remains slung on her back.     "Kyra." she introduces herself to Eleanor. "White mage, chemist, student...eventual doctor." 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     Nathan immediately assumes a cautious posture about a place called Glittering Glades. He's not sure /why/, but something about the name makes him instantly suspicious, as if through trained pavlovian response to certain naming conventions. What is it, precisely, that makes these reactions so strong? It is a mystery to everyone, except people with basic pattern recognition skill. Let's get back on subject: Nathan Hall, with all his traditional stoicism and abject lack of emotion to his face, speaks up in a monotone over the soft whir of the transport.     "If we are able to find Sovereign, remain cautious. Previous Amethyne artifacts have been known to cause damaging incidents through somehow provoking unbound local gods. There is no assurance at this time that the same cannot happen here; be cautious when you find it." Then he answers Eleanor's query. "Holy in the traditional sense should suffice as a definition. Fragmented power originating third-hand from the ostensibly benevolent creator deity. The closest we can assume, anyway." 

:'''{{#var:2|Homura Akemi (2)}} has posed:'''     Fortunately Homura is both free of coursework this week but also more or less recovered from taking a severe beating. She would still have spent the entire time with her nose in a book. Writing, apparently-- not an actual theory book, looks more like a personal diary. Well, given the size, more like a grimoire by now, with all the bookmarks and obvious extra inserts.     She is, incidently, wearing black formal pants with a white shirt. Her jacket is off to the side somewhere. Her hair's in a sidetail, she has her glasses on, and the usual red ribbon keeping the sidetail tied.     "I'm not good at locating holy things. But if the entire battlefield's corrupt, I could probably look for the least corrupt part and we can start there. Or the most corrupt. That's how powerful artifacts usually get found, right?"     Holy places or absolutely awful places. 

:'''{{#var:622|Simon Petrikov (622)}} has posed:''' They're heading to an unpleasant location, it seems. Though Simon is not quite aware of that. The scholar is more concerned about this flight than anything else. He has been on planes before, of course, but you don't STAND AROUND on those. Simon's attire if typical for him, a charcoal-grey suit, if cleaner than it would have been if he were still ekking out a living on his own world. Of note, however, are that he is not wearing his eye glasses, and the Crown is nowhere to be seen. He does pull out a cellphone though, and hold it up. "Hey, can you smile real quick? I'll show this to Marcy when I get back." Then he takes a photo, and puts the phone back away again in his pocket. "Simon," he responds to Eleanor's greeting. His other hand is hanging onto one of the railings, but now that his hand is free of phone he uses it to gesture while he speaks. "Aside from being 'holy', what do we know about this Sovereign thing? Like, is it in an abandoned temple, or stolen by hobgobs, or just sitting in a museum, or what?" He pauses, and then asks, "'Sovereign' isn't a crown is it?" It's a valid question, given the name of the thing. Oh, but then Nathan answers that for the most part. 'Assume dangrous'. Got it. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     There are no museums here, it is easy to see. Just... roaming packs of giant ratlike things, which skitter in and out of view when the chopper comes in for a landing. One or two may venture closer, and they DO look dangerous, but any one of the Elites here can take down a couple with ease. These things make bringing any significant force into the area, but they aren't the sort of thing that threatens Elites of this level.     There are other things, however.     The glades are large, but the vague horror of the area is strongest in a few places. One of the larger shallow ponds, some distance away, is one that seems especially foreboding. A dark thicket of treelike growths is another, with the feeling of being watched. Finally, in the distance, several large bestial creatures are lounging atop a tumble of rocks, surveying the land as if they own it. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     Psyber responds to Simon: "Not a crown." A beat later, "If my research is correct, the Glittering Glades was the last reported sighting of it. It vanishes from history after making an appearance here. Spooky, huh?" He says cheerily, grinning widely. For a detective like him, he's in the last leg of a good investigation. And, if an external source was right, it could be the starting leg of another.     "Good to finally meet at least two of you in the flesh, by the way." He does pose for a picture, smiling for both Kyra and Simon so they can get nice pictures to remember him by. Very photogenic half-angel.     When the chopper touches down, Psyber hops out with a handgun drawn, "Homura has a sound theory. Light draws dark. Head towards the most corrupt places and check em out. They might be trying to patch over the Light artifact."     He takes a potshot or two at a rodent, just to establish dominance early. Kyra gets a look, "You got enough medical supplies? Consider me low priority, no matter how bad you see me get hurt."     "So. Any one got a preference? I like the ponds, feels nice and corrupt." 

:'''{{#var:2|Homura Akemi (2)}} has posed:'''     "I don't have a preference. We might want to check all of it out, regardless," Homura notes as they disembark the transport and touch ground. Extending her hand, producing her Soul Gem, she squirms a bit at the state of the area. But at least, there are spots that are worse and that can be pointed at-- though she'd really rather not keep her senses open to it that long.     "But. That way," she points towards the pond, "And that way," towards the overgrowth. "There's also the matter of... hn. I don't know. We're not alone, though. Those don't look too friendly, in the distance. We might have to shoo them off sooner or later."     She has, by the way, put her book away. Gone into thin air, back into her convenient hammerspace with everything else. Her jacket's been slung over one shoulder. "What do you want it for, anyway? Don't you already have an angelic holy blade a tier above most things?" 

:'''{{#var:626|Kyra Hyral (626)}} has posed:'''     Kyra grins and takes the moment to unzip the front zipper of her hoodie. Of course, underneath are pockets, a pair of bandoliers, and at least three different (additional) guns in their holsters. "I'm pretty good for medical supplies, especially with this." She jerks a thumb to the rifle on her back, "Failing that, if I run out, I do have magic."     Part of her really, really hopes she wouldn't have to resort to magic. Something still didn't feel right.     Of all the firearms on her, Kyra selects what looks to be the most ordinary of the bunch: a black, normal-looking semiautomatic handgun. It had the most ammo and these vicious mutated rat creatures didn't look like the kind of thing Kyra wanted to waste fancy ammunition on. "Something also feels dark and forboding about that weird-looking stand of trees out there." Noting one of the same spots that Homura just pointed out, she pauses then offers in a low voice, "I kind of have strong feelings about splitting up but if we're all going to be in visual range of each other it shouldn't be so bad, right?" 

:'''{{#var:622|Simon Petrikov (622)}} has posed:''' Once they've landed, and Simon has begun to step off the helicopter he takes a look at the rodent-like creatures and goes, "Eesh." He's rethinking this, honestly. He has no weapons, no real fighting skills... He can use what's on hand for survival, but that's about it. It's even more of a reminder that he needs to become stronger. But he didn't come along to provide combat support. He came because ancient artifacts and antiques were his specialty. "Soooo... Swamps, am I right? Heh heh. Hehhhh..." His rather weak attempt at humor sounds lame even to his ears. After all... LOOK at this place. Look at those THINGS running around. He has seen weird beasts before, especially after the War, but it's not really the wild life that's bothering him. "Eh... That's good I guess," he replies to Psyber distractedly. "Usually heading towards danger isn't my thing, but it's what you have to do sometimes I guess. That pond is definitely pretty nasty looking. I mean... It's like a puddle of gross dark stuff, just sitting there. If I was a bad dude and wanted to hide something good inside of gross, that might be the place to do it. But those rocks with the beastiomorph things on them are also pretty awful. Not as much, but that stuff is leaking out of SOMEWHERE. Those trees are just kind of oogie, but I think there's real unpleasantness going on there too." All this time Simon has been describing these places and gesturing, he's been doing so in response to things he can see and that he is assuming everyone else can see. But that might not actually be the case. The writhing corruption and twisting rot that pours out of these locations is really obvious to his Wizard Eyes. They 'feel' bad too, but mostly he's gauging them based on sight. "Anyway, I'm not keen on those trees, but I think something might be under those rocks. I agree with Kyra about splitting up, but as long as we don't go too far, I think we could be okay. If someone is willing to go along with me over there, I could check out if there's anything over where the Wild Things are. Maybe they're smart or something and we can negotiate." Always the optimist. 

:'''{{#var:40|Eleanor Lamb (40)}} has posed:'''     Eleanor huffs and puffs a little bit in relief as the VTOL lands, and alights from the chopper, looking so much more relieved. Right. "Ah, well, I'm not really an expert on what is or isnt't holy. Ah, religion is really your thing, sir. But."     She glances out at the critters in the darkness. "Perhaps if we lit this place up a little bit more we'd have a better chance." A little bit of fire starts to crackle and crisp at the hand with Utopia on it, and she bites her lip. "Point me in the right direction, and I'll illuminate." 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     "As you said, we should split into pairs." Nathan says. "I shall investigate the ponds as well. Ancient holy artifacts are known to come to rest in small bodies of water, so it is a likely location." There is a firm nod there from him, but no more expression as he gets out just behind Psyber. He'll be linking up with Psyber and following along. "It is also the only location I may be of particularly substantial use investigating."     Stepping firmly onto squelching marshlands, Nathan shakes his head at Homura. "Fragments of Amethyne-aligned power are, in a sense, precision tools best suited for this specific world. It is best to have an arsenal of what we need." He peers off towards the direction Psyber favored, and will start heading there to investigate if Psyber's gonna come along. Kyra and Simon do get some acknowledgement. "Splitting up may be less sensible in certain scenarios, but we may have a more limited timespan. No firm foothold has been established here. I can only assume that is because disruption attracts escalating response. A slow, deliberate investigation of one at a time may see us run out of time." 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     Psyber elaborates for Homura, "Sovereign is a very special object. Once we find it, I'll let people in on its true purpose." He notes evasively, looking towards the girl, "Till then, trust me. It's... gonna be a major find, if it exists still. Could be destroyed, then I'll be SOL."     He looks towards Simon's appraisal and thinks, "Three corruption points. I dislike that idea. But we'll do what we can." He pauses, looking towards Simon, "Keen ability, by the way. That seems pretty useful for the future." It's an off-hand compliment.     "Nathan, you're with me." Psyber says rather distinctly, "Uh... Kyra, you wanna go with Homura to check out the thicket while Eleanor and Simon go to the third option? Or you can swap that around however you want."     Splitting up is Risky, Kyra has that much right. But it's fastest and easiest to figure out what the deal is. He gives Kyra a nod to her comment about the medical supplies, "Alright, good. Nice to know you're prepared in case this gets messy."     "Use your radio if you get in to trouble, backup won't be too far off."     He adds before heading towards the pond. Nathan's right about artifacts and bodies of water, he hopes. 

:'''{{#var:626|Kyra Hyral (626)}} has posed:'''     "I agree, Hall, spending more time than needed in this place seems like a bad idea. This place is...sick, I guess?" Kyra pauses for a moment before quickly shooting a rat creature as it makes a lunge from over a rock.     "Go with Homura? I guess I could do that." Kyra looks to Homura whom strikes her as vaguely familiar. Wasn't she the secretary of Elliot Ness at one point? When Elliot Ness was on that one mission undercover as Federal Agent in Divided Equestria? ...yeah, Kyra's not going to bring any of that up. "Hello Homura, nice to meet you. Want to go check out the thicket?" 

:'''{{#var:40|Eleanor Lamb (40)}} has posed:'''     Eleanor smiles over at Simon, and bows her head a little bit. "And since i am dreadfully poor with magic, I accept that. Lead on, Mr. Petrikov." That said, Eleanor reaches into the medic's bag at her hip, and pulls out... her handy dandy wrench. Fire in one hand, and a blunt object in another. A good start to things. 

:'''{{#var:622|Simon Petrikov (622)}} has posed:''' Useful ability? Did he do something amazing by accident or something? Scratching his head he just replies with, "Thanks?" He can't actually tell whether the things he sees are real or not. Sometimes he keeps quiet specifically because of that. But in this case, he made the assumption, and it turned out to be correct. ...He'll figure it out later. Nathan's reasoning makes total sense. Simon agrees with it. "Like I said, sometimes you have to do what you have to do. I'm just glad I didn't bring Marcy with us. This is no place for a little girl." The assignment of teams seems fine. The spark of fire Eleanor produces catches Simon's eye, and he nods approvingly. Many animals are instinctively afraid of fire - or rather, of unrecognized phenomena in general. When she says she's terrible at magic, Simon just assumes the sparks are accomplished by some other method. He's more comfortable with the products of science anyway, so that's fine with him. "Well, I barely know anything about magic personally. I'm trying to change that, but so far the only time I've been able to use was when I-Ohhhhhh." He realizes what ability Psyber was talking about now. "Riiiiight. Uhh, I guess I kind of do have a little bit of magic, but I can't exactly use it at will. It's just... Always on. Showing my weird visions and crazy, crazy, crazy, just in my face, all the time." He sighs and looks down at his hands as he and Eleanor towards the rocks. "All the time," he says quietly. Before they get close enough to be attacked (hopefully) he drags his gaze back up and puts on his determined face. "Right, so, should we try to scare those things off or talk with them? Corrupting influences can have some weird effects on native life. You'd be surprised what can wind up capable of intelligent discourse." 

:'''{{#var:2|Homura Akemi (2)}} has posed:'''     "I see. Fair enough. You're the one who'd know," Homura answers Psyber, and then puts her Soul Gem away-- well, back into ring form, rather. No use having the vulnerable egg-like gem glowing in her hand obviously here.     "Sure, Hyral." The tone isn't condescending or anything-- it's just typical Japanese habit to refer to people by surname unless you're overly familiar with them. Homura oscillates a lot between that and not doing it depending on how much of a hurry she's in to shout names.     Having a White Mage for company is never bad news.     As they head for the thicket, she makes small talk. "One wonders how long it would take to fix this place. And whether or not the spells used still exist." Admittedly, she can't help but occasionally wander over where the sheen of age-old metal can be seen. It's the hoarding magpie in her. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     THE POND:     And so the group splits up! The pond attracts the attention of some heavy hitters, Psyber and Nathan, and approaching it is a little disconcerting. The earth under the grasses gets moist, squishing underfoot and releasing a disturbing smell. It's like... rotting flesh. Even the corrupted ratthings are avoiding this pond, and very soon there are not even footprints leading toward it.     The pond itself is still and silent right now. The water looks crystal clear, but after a few inches it reveals a murky darkness, with a subtle sway to it. Both Nathan and Psyber are likely to be observant enough to realize that there /is/ a slight breeze, rustling the grasses nearby, but the surface of the pond is utterly still. Not even a ripple.     THICKET:     The ratthing shrieks and the sound of many of them skittering away is heard. That should keep them busy for now. As Kyra and Homura approach, the thicket wavers. Almost like it wasn't really there. There's a definite gloom about it, but it looks more like the darkness itself is pulsing within. In fact... Homura will be familiar with this sort of weirdness, and she might be able to see the brief tendril of darkness that curls outward, brushing over a root before retreating again.     MOUND:     The creatures on that rocky mound perk up and lift their heads at seeing two approaching. Their movements are oddly stiff and jerky, whipping heads about to display... no eyes. Just pits in the head. Every movement is a slight creak, and the creatures are all dark and glossy in some manner. It only becomes clear a moment later why, as one of them lazily rises, tearing bits of dirt and clumps of earth free from the rock with fibrous roots that retreat into its underside. They look like giant cats, but they're entirely animated plant material. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     AT THE POND:     "So. Stay away from the edge of that water, Nate," Psyber says in a serious tone, looking around, "This is a really disgusting mess," He adds with a cough.     He looks around, scowling and making a truly grossed out face as the rotting flesh smell starts to permeate. Rather than choose to try to go INTO the water, Psyber testingly tries to kick the surface of the water witha boot and see what happens. It could be an illusion. 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     "Hmmm." How articulate, Nathan Hall. When he eventually finds the edge of the pond, squelching through the dirt and suppressing his smell reaction, hestops right when Psyber tells him to. "Unusual surface behavior. Noted lack of reaction to natural external force."     He stays distant. "I will keep away, until you determine it is safe to investigate more directly. I have ideas of how it may be more educationally examined, after we know for sure that it will not try to murder me." 

:'''{{#var:40|Eleanor Lamb (40)}} has posed:'''     Eleanor grumbles at the plant-monster-dog-things as she gets close, trying to get a better look before deciding against it. Ugh. "Well. At least we know what they are now." She looks over at Simon, and then over at the plant monster things. Talking first, hmmm?     She holds up her hand to cast more light at herself and Simon. "Ahoy there. We're hoping to poke around your mound of dirt there for a bit, if that's quite alright with you." 

:'''{{#var:626|Kyra Hyral (626)}} has posed:'''     "Only one way to find out." Kyra offers at first to Homura's open-ended questions about the corruption in this world. "Someone'll have to take the time to sit down and study this place specifically. Hell, I'd take a look if we were going to stick around long. As of fixing it.."     She grins, "I bet it could happen." The grin slowly disappears as they near the thicket and it seems to waver like a mirage caused by heat exposure. She hesitates for a few steps before catching up again with the girl. "Hey Homura...does this place look funny to you?" Warily, she stows the normal handgun and pulls her rifle into her hands. The rifle, though not at all lethal to anything (the quite opposite was true, in fact), it does give a longer reach good for poking things. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     THE POND:     It's eerily still, yep. And Psyber's foot reaches out to tap with a boot in a light kick, to reveal... what? What exactly is it? It isn't solid like glass, but it really isn't water at all. It's more like some sort of clear ooze. The impact is enough to send a tiny ripple along the surface, making the murky darkness below stir...     And then geysers of black, murky mud erupt all around the pond, from a distance of about ten feet from the edge. They rapidly interlink in the 'splatter' into a complex lattice, a web. A NET that is crashing inward, trying to join at the top before its 'prey' can escape. 

:'''{{#var:2|Homura Akemi (2)}} has posed:'''     Is it.. focusing in places?     The tendril is, unfortunately, gone before Homura can get a lock on it. What IS that? A single entity? The area itself? But what's the point, can this place really get worse than it is that something needs to actively reach out with tentacles?     She looks towards Kyra and shrugs. "Looks? It's creepy, I guess. Wouldn't plan a picnic or vacation here. It... FEELS wrong, though. And I think I just saw something reaching for that tree," she points towards the root that she thinks she saw the tendril near.     "White Mages have holy spells, don't they? What if you tried... undoing that thing's work. On that tree, specifically. Try luring it out." 

:'''{{#var:622|Simon Petrikov (622)}} has posed:''' Ah! Big cats of some kind! Not... His preferred animal to negotiate with, but you never know. He raises a hand, and his eyebrows, and plants a big smile on his face as he calls out. "Uhh, hey there! Sorry for intruding, but we were kind of hoping to..." Then he notices they have empty sockets instead of eyes, and his lips, turned into a broad smile, part a bit, as he sucks in a breath through his sharp, triangular teeth. Then they get up, moving in weird ways, connected to some manner of vegetation. Simon's eyebrows and the corners of his mouth both come down, though he continues showing his teeth as he lets the air slowly hiss out between them, all while his raised hand slowwwwwllly lowers until its about parallel with his head. "Hsssssssssssss..." He lifts and lowers his fingers in a small good-bye wave, and then backs up to let Eleanor go in front of him. She attempts to negotiate now, and Simon says, "IIII'm not sure they're going to be listening to reason, but maybe someone more intimidating will get them to do so." Pause. "And if that fails, dessicated bodies tend to burn good." He pauses, darts his eyes from side to side a few times, and says, "...Or so I'm told!" 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     "SHIT. Nate, Countermagic. And get back!" Psyber says firmly, trying to hop back as a lattice closes in around him and (potentially?) Nathan. The half-angel immediately draws his gun and empties a clip into the surface of the pond.     They're bullets, in the end, so they may not be effective against a gelatinous monster. But at the same time, it's custom ammunition that a hunter uses: engraved and blessed silver with various runes and etchings. It's not certain if he can kill the monster before it attempts to eat him.     He's hoping between himself and Nathan, he can get something going. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     THICKET:     Prodding the thicket with a gun is weird. The darkness is tangible, but not thick. It's not solid, nor even really liquid or the like. It just feels like a very, very thick fog, enough to resist the barrel of the rifle with a ghostly tug. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     THE ROCKS:     The panther-like beast - Planthers? - stare at the two as if assessing, taking a small sniff of the air with wooden nostrils that don't flex at all. It's like they are mimicking animals, without being them. They all give off the same very dark, aching feeling of /wrongness/ as anything else, but...     Are they intelligent? Maybe not. Maybe they are. Either way the entire group of five or six begin to climb down, wandering further toward the lake to sit and watch the spectacle and leaving the mound unguarded. Weird. 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     Nathan stands at the border of this series of geysers, looking very much like a guy who didn't just see a giant pond-sized monster try to spurt its giant horrible trap around his best friend. It's a very stoic look, but a very worried noise. He runs through several basic facts: This area is Twisted, and Nathan Hall has yet to encounter a creature made out of pure magic on Terra Majora besides gods, mostly beasts affected by magic, or at very worst plants affected by it. Therefore, it stands to reason that this is a mutated, Twisted beast, of some especially vast scale.     "Countermagic will be ineffective until I can identify a valid target. Stand by." He says, in a perfectly tranquil monotone. "I have an idea." A beast as large as a pond has two core facts worth investigation. First is the location of its core anatomical features, and second is the resonant frequency of their major movements. The first will give Psyber a good target, and the second will give Nathan something he can use himself. A massive mutant jellyfish? Some kind of titanic worm masquerading as a lake? If it's got a heart, eye-spotss, or similar structures, he can locate them with a swift use of his SCAN ability in tandem with the use of his SONIC SPANNER to determine active movements and similar frequencies. He'll follow up with his own more direct assistance to Psyber shortly. 

:'''{{#var:626|Kyra Hyral (626)}} has posed:'''     "Yeah, we do-huh, look at that, it's like it's not even there." Kyra straightens and lets the rifle dangle in front of her by the strap. "So, let's see, high level holy magic would do a lot. But something smaller might work too, like Banish. I'm going to try that. Stand back."     Kyra opens her right hand and murmurs a few words, power gathering through her. The only really audiable phrase happens to be 'Banish' and when directed upon the tree-well.     Something goes wrong. Horribly, terribly wrong. It isn't holy magic that comes out of her but something else entirely, wild and unpredictable. It is fortunate it is centered on an inanimate object and not a person this time because the wild magic aims to destroy its pattern entirely and polymorph it into something completely different.     Unfortunately, that something completely different happens to be an ochu, a writhing, carnivorous plant-monster native to Kyra's and a number of other similar worlds. The good news is it is rooted to its spot, much like the tree was. The bad news is...it's still pretty hostile and its vines have reach.     Kyra reacts accordingly and puts distance between her and the ochu as its vines start whipping out at the two of them. "Shit! That was not supposed to happen." 

:'''{{#var:40|Eleanor Lamb (40)}} has posed:'''     Eleanor blinks... as the shamblecats ingore both her and Simon completely. A look over to Simon, and she shrugs, and... gets on the radio. <<Psyber, Nathan, you've got earth elementals coming your direction. Cat like things. They didn't attack us.>>     And then she's hopping over to the mound itself, smiling at Simon. "See? You were right! Just chat a bit first after all. Let's see what we're dealign with then." The Sister pulls out a proper flashlight, poking at the rocks with her wrench to see what's inside. 

:'''{{#var:622|Simon Petrikov (622)}} has posed:''' Simons watches the planther things wander off, apparently aware of them, but not caring in particular. The blue-skinned man looks towards Eleanor, exchanging a glance, and then just shrugs before starting to head towards the rocky mound too. "Yeah, I guess so! Hey, whatever made those panther things into plant-cat things might still be in here. They were flowing with some kind of bad stuff, so let's like, uhh... Be careful what we breathe or come in contact with, yeah?" He looks around for a stick or something, but doesn't have one on-hand so roots around in his backpack instead. He can't make Eleanor do all the work, after all! What does he withdraw from his backpack? Why a gold-painted prop statue of a falcon of course! ...Why is he carrying this around! ...Because he liked that movie! He starts using it as a combination bludgeon and pry bar, not caring about the damage to the piece of movie history apparently. "Heh. I guess maybe I'm not useless after all. Do missions like this usually work out when we try dialoguing with terrible monster things first?" 

:'''{{#var:2|Homura Akemi (2)}} has posed:'''     Homura stands back as instructed.     Unfortunately Kyra does not manage to do what she was supposed to at all. Or maybe she does and this is actually what happened because of it? It's pretty unclear. But what is now clear is that the tree is not going to be a simple point and click job anymore.     "I hope that was actually supposed to happen."     Well, no use milling about and wasting time.     Which is why Homura stays by Kyra's side and does absolutely nothing! This is pretty typical and you get used to her not doing anything ever after a while. Unless you're sensitive to time shenanigans, anyway. In which case you might be able to discern why a pair of grenades just suddenly appear, without pins, a foot over the monster's large gaping maw, with for obvious goal to fall in there.     But maybe the darkness here will make this a worse encounter. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     ROCKS: Prying up some of the rocks is... not easy, but doable. Most of them are jagged and broken, making for easy handholds. They slide away without much progress at first, but soon larger stone slabs are visible. Still crudely-shaped and nothing made formally, but someone of great strength has chiselled in faded lettering. Only a few letters, very rough, but obviously meant as some kind of label. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     POND:     Psyber fires several bullets into the ooze, and they are quickly spent, momentum-wise. BLUP BLUP BLUP! So, that was pretty ineffectual. Ooze and bullets don't mix very well, even if the impact DOES carve out several large craters in the ooze, which are slow to fill.     Or... is it ineffective? Because a bubbling, hissing noise is rising from the monstrous pond, the blessings on the bullets eating into the clear gel and causing the bullets to sink farther, making the darkness thrash in pain. This does nothing to stop the mud net from closing in on Psyber, though, and beginning to close off the openings in the net, starting to form a dome. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     THICKET:     An Ochu. Wonderful. It's already flailing around, burbling a roarish-type thing. Burbling is a good word, yes? But then grenades appear, and as soon as the Ochu was summoned, it's kind of knocked out by the dual explosion right in its mouth, causing a convulsive seizure and smack of the tendrils against the ground. It's not dead, but it's certainly stunned in some way, and badly hurt.     The darkness in the thicket /moves/ then, rippling outward in a wave that slowly engulfs the wounded 'prey' that it has identified. This, bizarrely, leaves the thicket looking less threatening, with the gloom there only natural. It's light enough in there to see a few old, pitted bits of armor and weapons from foolhardy adventurers. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     "You better be right, Nate! You better be VERY RIGHT. If I die, control of my company goes to Laine! Imagine Laine as your boss." Psyber notes as the net causes him to close in on the oozing not-Lake. He'll handle those earth creatures heading his way later, this is a more pressing matter.     The gun is holstered and Psyber claps his hands. There's a peal of thunder and a flash of lightnign beore Einherjar appears in his hands. The longsword crackles with electricity as he tries to thrust it into the godawful being and discharge holy lightning. 

:'''{{#var:626|Kyra Hyral (626)}} has posed:'''     Kyra has a special place in her heart for time magic thanks to SOUJI MURASAME. ...and Nox and Kenshin to a lesser extent now. That is to say she's not much of a fan but can recognize the signs of time shenanigans and time magic. Objects and people suddenly appearing places is usually a good indicator. Today Kyra will just be thankful that the time magic isn't being used against her for a change.     In the meantime, she grasps what few liquid napalm flasks she has on her, tugging them free of her belts. "Not the intended effect, I'm pretty sure. The white magic did not come out as white magic which is entirely /my/ problem. Though I guess it is possible that the environment here had an effect on me...a pretty distressing thought, actually-" Her words are interrupted by the grenades exploding inside the ochu's mouth. She looks up to assess whether or not Homura's grenades did the thing in.     It didn't seem dead-that is, it was still in one piece. Kyra's all ready to give it a little double tap with one of her explosives when the intangible darkness leaves the thicket to go devour the stunned monster.     "...wow, predatory darkness mist. It must be lairing there?" she looks to Homura, "I think now would be a good time to loot-er, I mean check its den. While it's busy eating." Slowly, Kyra puts away her chemicals and sidesteps towards the grove. 

:'''{{#var:40|Eleanor Lamb (40)}} has posed:'''     Eleanor huffs and puffs as she clears the pile of rubble, surprisningly strong for a young lady of her stature. Hands grip and tugs at the rocks until she sees... they've got a puzzle on their hands. "Bother, I don't know this language. Hmmmm, but, we can at least try to put this back together. Assuming we've got most of the pieces."     A smile over at Simon. "How are you at jigsaws?" A grin, and she starts turning over their bits of 'rubble' to see if they've got more of this message there. 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     Nathan takes a moment to prepare, taking a ready stance. He has detected RESONANT FREQUENCIES of the motion in the mindless creature's roots, deep in the earth. "I would prefer not to imagine the headwear involved in that change of ownership, yes, I can assure you I have confidence in this assessment. Strike from above. I shall work from below."     Magic swirls around one of his feet, and begins to stamp the dirt rapidly, blasting EARTH MAGIC into the ground in a way designed to forcibly disconnect roots from the earth and break up the lower structure of the creature with a minimum of disruptive ground-shaking. This should have at least the basic effect of un-grounding more of the creature, to ensure the electricity passing through it is most effective.     Distant planthers are given concerned looks. Nathan does not like having his backup trapped in a net while predatory plants look on. and hopefully they're just there for an interesting show. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     POND:     That's actually pretty effective. The pond doesn't make any noises, no shrieks of pain, but thrusting the sword in like that can even reach to the dark wavering bits. The electricity bolting through the creature has an immediate effect, especially with the holy element. The crackling pulse lights up the darkness, outlining organs and putrid messes of former meals, then the mud-dome immediately starts to dry out, crumbling slowly around Psyber. 

:'''{{#var:622|Simon Petrikov (622)}} has posed:''' ...Huh. "The markings on these rocks..." Simon peers at them. He checks to see if the marks appear to be worn by natural means or a conscious effort on someone's part. Regularity doesn't necessarily imply intelligent craftsmanship after all. But there's no mistaking it. This was intentional. Now the problem is determing the nature of the markings - are they just 'tags'? Words? Pictographs? Is this a language Simon can decypher, or something completely alien to him? They have limited time here, and the other groups are under attack. He's not super strong himself, but working with the surprisingly strong Eleanor should get these rocks turned over and sort through them a bit faster. He has a pen and a pencil in his pocket, and papers in his backpack. Making rubbings should at least give them a record they can take with them, since transporting giant rocks isn't necessarily viable. "I've never met crossword I didn't like!" he replies as he gets to work. 

:'''{{#var:2|Homura Akemi (2)}} has posed:'''     "Hm. Not a bad idea. If it's eating that thing, then..." Homura considers. How long can the Ochu last, badly wounded, against darkness so thick it forms an almost physical presence? Whatever that answer is it's almost assuredly not long enough move around with total freedom and be a loot-obsessed treasure hunter.     Thankfully, limited time will never be an issue for Homura.     She moves towards Kyra and without warning grabs her free hand. A thick ribbon is tied to it, and extends about ten feet before tying around Homura's hand as well. "Keep this on, don't wander off so far it breaks."     And then, time stops. The world loses some of its colors, though does not become complete greyscale so much as faded-- besides the two of them, that is. It's also maddeningly quiet, since there's not so much as a single background noise like this. It's the sort of quiet that would generally make you want off the ride after a while.     On the other hand, this gives them more freedom to go look at all those bodies and their equipment. Dig up a bit. The darkness is probably strong enough to break free after a while... but for a couple of minutes, it should hold. Probably. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     ROCKS:     Hauling the rocks out of the way enough to see more of the stone slabs, at first it looks like a very... bizarre puzzle. The letters don't make much sense, especially in an unknown language! But with Simon actually writing down and comparing them, he'll easily notice that most of them have variations of the same sequence on the letters. Some are the exact same, in fact, but the second sequence is always different.     They aren't able to fit together, either. They definitely are ordered, roughly, in how they're set in the earth though. Which means each one has a short, similar message, followed by another word. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     THICKET:     The good news is that with time stop, it's pretty easy to get in, check things out, and get out. The darkness is feeding, not just fighting, so it needs time to defeat and then /eat/ the ochu. It might have been a more epic battle if Homura hadn't blown off the ochu's mouth. On the other hand, the darkness probably sensed the wounded animal.     The bad news is, most of the equipment is pitted as if by strong acid, obviously not of the quality Psyber's looking for. Or if it is, it's ruined now. A single, shimmering spear tip, leaf-shaped, is the only thing that has survived worth gathering. The rest is trash. The speartip might be magical, though the subtle tarnish it has gained says it isn't indestructible. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     "Fuckin' DIE. DIE DIE DIE. You piece of shit!" Psyber stabs at the bond violently, thrusts of his blade and crackles of lightning surrounding him as he does so. He's not going to stop until the thing stops moving, and even then he's going to keep going to try to vaporize it out of the way so he can see what it decided to settle on top of.     "So Nathan, I HAVE been thinking about hats though," Psyber says standing up, "I think you should get a tricorn. I'm an Admiral now, you're my second in command. You need a ship hat. Can you really think of a hole in this plan?"     He's wiping disgusting mud off himself as he says this. 

:'''{{#var:40|Eleanor Lamb (40)}} has posed:'''     Eleanor just smiles over at Simon, happy to be of help really. The man seemed a little distant, and this seemed to be helping. Besides, she really didn't feel likecalling up someone from her blood in a place like this to play Linguist. This didn't seem like the sort of place to call up the memories of a dead person, even if the method wasn't magical in nature.     Elle will dutifully shift rocks and slabs around for Simon to solve this puzzle. 

:'''{{#var:626|Kyra Hyral (626)}} has posed:'''     Homura seizes Kyra's hand and she looks up, startled, assuming that she was about to be pulled away from some kind of danger. Turns out it was just to dole out a lifeline. She holds up her hand to examine the ribbon only to be seriously distracted as she realizes that, for once, she was on the other side of a stop spell. Only this time it looked like the whole world was stopped which is practically unheard of where she was from.     The purpose of this is clear, though: plenty of time to dig through the remains at the den. There are quite a lot of them, it seems and Kyra finds herself with newfound respect for this creature's dangerousness. Unfortunately, their thorough search does not reveal any sign of what might be a super holy weapon.     "I'm not seeing anything, Homura. It looks like all the stuff here was seriously wrecked by that mist's digestive system. Well...except that. Maybe." Kyra points to the shimmering speartip. 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     Nathan continues to stamp in the direction of those organs. Once things seem to work out, he's going to wander over to the corpse of the pond. Lord, what a weird line to write in any context, that one's just something you'd never expect to put into narrative. Well, anyway, his footing is unsteady but he takes this all very slowly, so he likely gets to Psyber after a long delay, but eventually gets there, and takes his standard neutral stance.     "It would not suit the chairs you select." Nathan says, dryly. "Additionally, important facts to consider: A dog wearing a hat is only remarkable because of the people around that dog /not/ wearing hats." Nathan Hall, dropping philosophical bombs here after almost dying. "Now, let us see what can be done here." Nathan's no ICE KING but he's got a bit of storm magic to try and freeze the vast creature's protective membrane for easier (and less nauseating) vaporizing, expelling the magic at his feet towards the thing. Hopefully its offensive capacity has been dealt with, anyway.     He's on Artifact Patrol, which is to say, he's looking very, very carefully at those old meals for anything that's unusually holy. Glowing, shiny, pure, that sort of look. 

:'''{{#var:622|Simon Petrikov (622)}} has posed:''' Simon is bothered somewhat by the fact the pieces don't seem to go together. "I don't think this is a puzzle. But there's definitely a recurring sequence here." He puts aside rearranging the stones, and says, "Hang on a sec, please! I need to get something write on!" Simon trusts Eleanor's strength and her ability, and assumes no gross corruption mist is going to snake out and kill him while his back is turned without at least a warning being shouted his way. Completely forgetting Eleanor can't... Actually see that stuff. WHOOPS. He starts rooting around in the backpack again, and pulls out a thick scrapbook, stuffed to the brim with newspaper clippings. One of them flutters to the ground and seems to depict a tan-skinned man with wavy, dark hair, and glasses, carrying an odd looking book. The headline is 'Simon Petrikov Unearths Ancient Treasure'. And beneath that, 'Silly man returns from expedition with a marginally exciting discovery.' Not exactly flattering but if Eleanor notices while Simon is busy tearing blank pages out of the back of his scrap book that's... Marginally interesting maybe? Probably would be more so in a less immediately dangerous location with so many far more exciting things going on. Once he turns around and starts writing down the symbols in order, he notes that - while he can't read the language, it seems that a phrase is being repeated - or variations upon such, some with a second and different sequence. "I can't read this right now, but figuring it out will have to come later. Sounds like the others are having trouble." 

:'''{{#var:2|Homura Akemi (2)}} has posed:'''     A speartip's better than nothing. As Kyra points it out, Homura reaches out to grab it-- if that means sustaining damage from any leftover or pooling acid, it's not too big a deal, she'll have Kyra fix it. Though a bit of reinforcement with her own magic can't hurt there.     Once they have the tip, she'll take a good look, allowing Kyra to as well. "I doubt this is what Psyber wanted. A magical weapon is a magical weapon though. There must be more lying around, but we shouldn't strain this much longer. I think I might know a blacksmith who can take a look at this if you don't."     Lloyd, most likely.     Well, time to go. But before they do...     Homura's free hand produces a bright purple lightning bolt, forming into a sword. The holy blade Tyrfing gleams, and she points the blade towards the darkness and the Ochu. A blast of holy lightning is released, and freezes about halfway to the monsters. Then she puts the sword away.     "No use letting it get a free meal. If you want to add something in, go ahead while you can." No such thing as overkill, and Kyra can probably hurt the darkness much easier than she can.     If Kyra does not want to pitch in, time will resume its course. It will otherwise do so after she pitches in. 

:'''{{#var:626|Kyra Hyral (626)}} has posed:'''     "Don't mind if I do!" Kyra chimes in cheerfully after spending a little too long looking at the frozen in the air bolt of holy magic that Homura just produced from Tyrfing. She gathers up ever single one of her remaining liquid napalm flasks and spreads them all around the Ochu-darkness pair as close as possible, circling the monsters. Once time starts going again and the holy lightning strikes, the flasks will all trigger soon afterwards.     "We might want to put some distance between us and those things when the napalm goes off." 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     POND:     Freezing the pond's surface helps, allowing a shattering jab to clear things away. There's... not much in here, though. Some scraps and bleached bones, and two pretty nice but barely-magical daggers. Nothing of artifact level. Which means it either... isn't here, or it's somewhere around that mound of evil. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     THICKET:     There's no need to go into detail here. The darkness was physical enough to hurt, and the ochu was already dying. The chief threat with this one was the possibility of walking into the darkness and basically ending up in a monster's maw. Whatever it uses to 'digest' stuff didn't seem to be an acid that lingered, though. In fact, the trees were untouched, so it must selectively 'eat' stuff. At least they got something out of it, yes? 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     "Tch, just daggers," Psyber says, adding them to his Fetch Modus with minimal effort on his own part.     Psyber looks to Nathan and says, "You're right. LAINE needs a hat. It's all so clear to me. I'll get her a tricorn." Psyber decides, flipping through his Fetch Modus and eventually tearing off a page with a half-assed sword drawn on it. He rips that page off and a new weapon appears.     It's a massive greatsword, "Hey Jude. Spool up all muh Strike Drivers. I wanna just crack this place like a walnut and see what's hanging out underneath it."     And just like that, Psyber swings his Abstractum up over his head and then straight back down. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     ROCKS:     Finally, the slabs. The writing is pretty clearly improvised, but it's chiselled in hard. The actual mound used is old... really old. And the planthers have been 'rooting' there for a while. Some of the large slabs are off-kilter. One of them, when being shifted to read, shows a rotting steel-toed boot poking out under the earth. A corpse. The dark magic reeks here more, but it doesn't look animated. 

:'''{{#var:2|Homura Akemi (2)}} has posed:'''     RIP the Ochu and the darkness.     It was probably a spectacular show though.     Homura unties the ribbon from her hand, assuming Kyra will follow suit. It is not especially important but waste not want not, she'll stuff it back into her hammerspace.     "Guess we'd better regroup with Psyber."     And lo they will do so. 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     "Fantastic." Nathan says, satisfied at having deftly avoided the headwear issue entirely. Still monotone, still so dry that environmentalists are putting millions into reforestation around his vocal cords. All in good humor, though, he was being a bit silly there.     Oh, Psyber's about to split the earth. Nathan draws a quick circle in the air with one glowing fingertip and quickly steps onto a translucent yellow circular platform. "Oh, we are doing that, then, okay." 

:'''{{#var:626|Kyra Hyral (626)}} has posed:'''     Kyra unties the ribbon from her hand     "Well that was fun. I'm out of napalm but I feel it all went to a good cause." Kyra holds her hand out for a down low high five from Homura, hoping it'll be recognized. She moves on soon afterwards with Homura, though, knowing that they should catch up with Psyber in case he needs some backup. 

:'''{{#var:40|Eleanor Lamb (40)}} has posed:'''     Eleanor sighs at the dead man's boot, even as she looks over her shoulder at Psyber getting ready to Zantetsuken the pond and everything else around them. She sighs a bit and looks over at Simon. "How much of that have you got copied?" She is already slipping gloves on, and moving to hastily attempt to uncover what's left of that corpse. If they're here for an artifact, it's likely down in that muck... if it's here. 

:'''{{#var:347|Abstractum.Net (347)}} has posed:'''     Adjudicator emerges from the Sylladex groggily, but dutifully. "Of course." It says, swiftly. The greatsword glows a deep crimson, and fire begins to build on it, intensifying in seven stages. When Psyber slams the blade into the ground, the brilliant flames are at least as tall as the man himself, and all at once they plunge straight into the ground, trying to crack it open. On some worlds, power of this scale would be akin to a major meteor impact when it comes to terrain damage, bringing out a huge crater. How much will be revealed here is another matter entirely, up to the resilience of this world's terrain composition. 

:'''{{#var:622|Simon Petrikov (622)}} has posed:''' Simon wrinkles his long nose at the uncovering of the dead body but continues with his work until everything is copied down. "All of it. The dark magic is stronger the further down we go. I don't know what that foot's attached to, but even if it's not moving right now, be careful. It could pull something funny at any moment. Or worse." It really does seem as though this mound is really old. Then Simon thinks for a moment and says, "...Wait, I think this might be a burial mound. A cairn or something like it. Maybe we shouldn't, uhh... Disturb the remains. I can't exactly dismiss the idea of ghosts and curses as superstition anymore, yeah?" He will move to help Eleanor if she continues, but holy artifact or not, digging up dead people just doesn't seem RIGHT somehow. Or maybe that's the feeling of 'wrongness' that is getting stronger the further down they go, to say nothing of what he can actually SEE coming out of it. "...Also maybe hold your breath." 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     POND:     *KTHOOOM!*     Seven or eight Strike Drivers blast downward, shattering the corpse of the pond and splitting the ground asunder! That's a bit of a hint, because it cracks deeply into the ground... rather deep, in fact, but it's not a devastating assault that would happen in certain other worlds. It's deep /enough/ though. It digs down to the SHAJEM'S TOMB!     Or it would if there was one there. There isn't. What it does find is a lot of dirt and rocks. That... and skeletons. Bodies. Some with equipment on, but they're buried between two and ten feet underground, all about. The pond had three of them tangled up together, one with a sword in the other's gut. The remnants of the battle, apparently. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     Upon discovering that his impromptu investigation brought about nothing, and receiving proper allowances from the radio channel, Psyber sheaths his sword upon his back. He then folds his hands behind his head and lets out an incredibly stressed sigh, "I really wanted to find Sovereign before the next stage of the plan. Vexing." 

}}

1496/Snakes In A Library

2015-02-21T07:40:01Z

Blue Elf: Created page with "{{Log Header |Date of Scene=2015/02/05 |Location=Terra Majora |Synopsis=Wrathborn speaks with Nathan Hall about Elliana |Thanks= |Cast of Characters=92, 168 |Tinyplot=New Bloo..."

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2015/02/05
|Location=Terra Majora
|Synopsis=Wrathborn speaks with Nathan Hall about Elliana
|Thanks=
|Cast of Characters=92, 168
|Tinyplot=New Blood
|Tinyplot2=
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     No pirate look or ship this time, nope. When Nathan enters the dream it is... familiar. In more ways than one. For one thing, it is a library, with numerous shelves filled with books. Most of them look handbound, but a few that were obviously made from after the printing press was invented are about here and there. It isn't a LARGE library, but one suitable for a private wealthy individual. The architecture is also very familiar, clearly that of Elliana's childhood manor.     Wrathborn is sitting at a reading desk, but he isn't reading. He's writing with a feather quill in a large tome, just scrawling out something. He finishes the sentence before setting the feather down. "Good evening, Nathan." 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     Nathan's always a little unsettled by the drop into a nightmare, and lands a bit flatfooted as usual, stumbling through the library. BUt it is a library, and technically the most comfortable place for him to be, even if it is sort of the belly of the beast. This is exactly the kind of place he likes to be, and so before approaching the reading table, does wander about a bit in the small room before he eventually finds Wrathborn.     "Wrathborn. Good evening. I was told you wanted to see me." Nathan's inherent caution doesn't show in his face or tone, but it does show in how he stays standing unless offered a seat. "I admit, such a request from you of all entities was entirely unexpected, given the context of most of our interactions." He patiently awaits hearing what the man has to say. He's a little more talky with him than with Elliana, oddly. Probably easy to tell that it's due to his beliefs regarding inhuman god-beings. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     The books in the library are... well, a lot of them repeat. That's to be expected, since it can only be stocked by what Elliana has read or heard of. Some of them are modern works of literature, indicating she's apparently been reading some in her spare time. Others have bizarre titles in unknown languages, or nonsensical titles. And some are more interesting, such as what appears to be a set of Wrathborn's memoirs. They're on a very high shelf, though.     "Why is it so unexpected?" Warthborn asks, gesturing to a chair across from him. "Have a seat. You were a prominent figure in shaping Elliana's current thought processes, and your blood is the key to my seal. You were instrumental in forcing me back and allowing her to regain control, as well. We have quite a history, it's true, and when I list the events that way it does sound like I have every reason to hate you." He rubs his chin. "Maybe you hate me. I'm not good with reading humans, when I'm not directly tapping into Elliana's talents. But in the end, the things you've done have worked out for the better for me, haven't they? I wouldn't be the man I am today if not for you." 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     There's a bit of a sigh from Nathan as he takes his seat, not exasperated but a bit embarrassed. "I am sure there is no secret of my hatred for Elliana between you and her." Nathan says, taking a seat. "But I indulge such disgusting failures on my part as little as possible." He tilts his head. "Why I would hate you, I am not sure. When a hurricane devastates a town, one does not blame the weatherman. There are things you do not have a choice in, and just because a threat now has a face does not mean it has and always had the entire suite of choices available to us humans." His monotone and posture don't shift but his words turn more grim. "Of course, that does not mean I am comfortable with my part in this in the least. One begrudges neither storm nor weatherman, but if the levies they build serve only to amplify the coming flood, it is no less distressing."     "As for why it is unexpected, I thought I had made myself somewhat... Less desirable as a conversational partner. Perhaps even less so as an agent for any particular purpose you may need to request." 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     "I'll get straight to the point," Wrathborn states. He folds his hands together. "My initial instinct was to free my brothers and kill my sisters, in no particular order. This is no longer my goal. I wish to keep both my brothers and my sisters imprisoned, at least until Elliana and yourself can determine the nature of the imprisonment of my sisters. As such we are... for the time being, on the same side. However your history with Elliana, and her own inability to trust others, means I cannot rely on either of you to perform the most optimal course. So... this meeting is twofold."     Wrathborn leans back. "First, I can answer any questions you may feel uncomfortable asking Elliana. Of course, unlike Elliana, I can lie... so keep that in mind." The man smiles. "And the second is to give you something that I think you would like. If I decide you will use it properly." 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     Nathan's expression remains motionless, except for the fact that one eyebrow goes up. "I see." He says. "I regard your words with a measure of skepticism -- given your own professed capacity for lying -- but I will admit that our goals have allegedly aligned. I make a policy of attempting to allow even my enemies at least one chance to establish mutual assistance. At times it turns out badly, as with Baron, but the majority of the time, it is productive." He gives a firm sort of nod. "As the goals are similar to what Lady Fairchild claims her goals are, I am relatively certain our arrangements in their execution will not be altered, but as long as you are acting productively on those goals, I will do what little I can." He makes a sheepish, almost embarrassed sort of noise. "However, you are correct. My history with Lady Fairchild compromises my ability to act optimally. It is a shameful sort of thing that I endeavor to compensate for and correct, though perhaps ineffectually. I can promise that if you decide I am unworthy or something like that, I will not be throwing a tantrum. I certainly do not think of myself as terribly worthy."     Then, time to consider various questions. He ponders the things he'd like to ask Elliana, but that also don't fall under the category of things he shoudn't talk about to an ancient evil god. The category is very narrow, and yet perhaps a bit insightful. "Lady Fairchild intends to enact her social change within Terra Majora and resolve the matter of containment of both your brothers and sisters. What is it that she intends afterwards? Her 'end goal' before was very easy to determine, she wanted to be a creator god. But it is difficult to determine what place she intends to have in the world she wishes to build." He leans on one elbow, and makes a worried noise. "Perhaps two answers. What she intends, and what place you think she will have, based on your own understanding and perspective. I know better than to ask for all the details of the world she seeks to make itself, but this is the part that I am most concerned by. As a non-introspective perspective with a high degree of access to the information she has, you are uniquely qualified to render as close to an objective judgement as possible."     "There is also another question, that of the Gifted. She only began producing them shortly after your... Mental developments. I am beginning to believe this is connected in some way with the Servant you acquired during your period of control. What influence do you have over the Gifting process? How much of it is purely decided by Elliana? What are your intents concerning its potential societal effects in the world as Fairchild enacts her own social upheaval? We should likely set that question to be answered after we have discussed the first, however." Two basic questions, one queued until the other has been discussed. Probably a third forming in Nathan's mind to boot, though. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Wrathborn tsks, then laughs, "You don't hold back, that's for certain!" He muses on the answers. "I am not entirely privy to her plans. We share... sensory input, most of the time, and a good portion of memories. Hers are clearer than mine, I admit. Sapience does that. But her intentions? Going by her own statements, I only know she has no interest in directly ruling anything. Whether that means she has no interest in ruling, or thinks she would be a poor one, or she prefers a puppet ruler... I can't say. On the whole I think you would agree with her ideals, since she does want to make the world a better place. As she is now, though, it's likely she would be an outcast from whatever society she helped to form."     The second question gets a frown. "Ah... the Gifted." He shakes his head. "Elliana calls them an equivalent to the Blooded, but that isn't quite right. The... method is something she came up with herself, and while I'm not certain how the Blooded work, I do know this is different. It does require us both agreeing to do it, though. She can create the lesser forms of altered beings without my input, but a Gifted requires the two of us together. It is not lightly done, which is why their numbers are so few. We do not directly control them... we can't revoke the Gift, though we can temporarily make it stronger, nor does it give us any control over their thoughts beyond... well, giving them nightmares. We're working on that part." 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     "It would not be productive to hold back." Nathan says, gesturing a bit vaguely. "As you said, you cannot read humans. I, in turn, cannot read titan devil-snakes. I cannot expect honesty and straightforwardness that can cut through these sorts of limits from you if I do not provide at least some measure of the same to you." And then he leans forward, focusing on these answers. "I believe I understand. Useful insight, I believe. I will not insist on finding out more, this answers my initial concern."     He then considers. "I see. So you have some level of control over the means of production but Lady Fairchild is the one who conceived of this. For a time, I thought it had something to do with the Servant. Perhaps only indirectly, I see now." Now, Nathan leans back, as if in thought, looking up for a moment but still not shifting his expression. "...Hmmm. My third question is perhaps a bit more focused on you. I am to understand your intentions are meant to be in the best interests of Lady Fairchild herself. As someone who has not... Suffered the wrongs she has, to what degree do you share her inclinations of punishment of the noble class as a necessary evil?" He makes a plaintive gesture. "I have no leg to stand on, making judgements about tendencies to indulge emotions like that. So I will not. But I am curious what your stance is."     It's obvious that the question isn't the whole question. It's meant just as a polite sample of the whole issue. An invitation for Wrathborn to segue into discussing the whole issue if he likes, and avoid it if he prefers that. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     That's a sticky question, admittedly. Wrathborn places his hands together, knuckles to knuckles, and rubs his thumbs over one another. "Mmm. That's going to be hard to answer. Hate comes easily to me, it is love that is strange. And... there can be no doubt that Elliana was wronged by the nobility. You also bring up punishment, and I point out that their ancestors, if what we have found is true, have done me great wrong as well. Whether or not the current ones have any knowledge of that, I can't say, but it does make me negatively biased."     It's not quite a dodge of the question, because he realizes it sounds like a dodge. "What I want? I really do want to see them suffer. More pragmatically, if I am keeping Elliana's needs in mind, I think that there should be more investigation done. I was hoping you could look into some of those leads... and I was also going to give you a warning." 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     Nathan tilts his head, considering the response. "I understand." He says, nodding in a more gentle sort of way. "And I will render no judgement, since as I have said, I am not especially qualified to render one if I wanted to. I was simply curious." He thinks a while. Maybe that's the source of Wrathborn's connection here? The suffering felt at the hans of the nobility? Hmmm. He ponders the implications and uses this connection may have.     And then, onwards to the next matter. "Investigation, I am sure we can all agree, is best. I had hoped to some degree that hunting and killing your... Erm, unborn brother..." He stops for a moment and rubs the back of his neck sheepishly. "Apologies. I am sure you understand." An awkward throat-clearing cough. "Right, well, in any case, I had hoped that development might be something that could give us leads, as others involved in the potential conspiracies we seek to investigate are no doubt seeking the same objective. There is also the temple that Lady Fairchild drew our attention to. I have had hopes of finding more solid leads on other locations of investigation. I have plans for how to effectively use Father Windson as a route of approach as well, using some creative methods. What particular leads might you offer? I can promise I will give them all due consideration and attempt to investigate them thoroughly."     Then the warning. He tilts his head curiously, but remains attentive and listening expectantly for the cautions Wrathborn might have. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Wrathborn smiles. "My brothers share a kinship of nature, not affection. If you can safely dispose of them, I will not hate you for it. I prefer to keep them imprisoned because they /are/ family, but..." He spreads his hands. "And the Newborn... yes, that will need taken care of, somehow. Good luck on that. I am giving you options, here."     When he says options, he slides over two slips of paper. "These are the best guesses I have for the locations of two of the Shajem. The Lord of Famine I have narrowed down enough that it should be relatively easy to find, but not to deal with. He is beneath the farmlands of the Empire. I worry that Elliana, in her obsession, may... ruin the fields in her attempts. It is a matter best left to the Union, though I do not think Elliana would not at least consider the dangers. And the other is... ah... beneath Eveningstar in the Starshine Kingdom. That is possibly where Wightseer was corrupted. Whether that is Cowardice or Bitterness I do not know. Despair you know, in Lastfall."     He frowns, "But as I said, I should warn you. Do not cross Elliana overmuch. You will need to tread lightly. She has noticed your hatred, and come up with a contingency plan precisely tailored to you. She really would not like to use it, and I'd prefer she avoid any more guilt about you. You'll understand if I can't tell you more than that." 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     Nathan nods. "I understand. I had the impression it was something like that. It is just very awkward to talk about." He makes another sort of helplessly plaintive gesture. "Right, well." He gingerly takes the slips of paper, examining both and committing them to memory. Since, you know, they're not real, they're just dreams. There's a glance up. "I see. So we have three options for the Shajem, alongside one for investigating the Amethyne and various other potential vectors."     Setting the slips of paper aside, he clasps his hands in front of him, gesturing lightly in the air occasionally. "Our interests are in the social progression of Terra Majora, and a famine-inducing change to the ecology will exacerbate the difficulties of any social stratification. Given Lady Fairchild and her past methods of drawing our attention, it is best we handle that proactively. I take more interest in Wightseer and his initial target in Lastfall, as those seem like leads on potential greater influences that had their hand in his corruption."     That last part gets just the slightest twitch of an eyebrow and a narrowing of eyes, the only expression Nathan's emotions can manage to squeeze out of his mask. "I do not cross. I hold no grudge against her for the contingency, but it is simply something I do not do. I promised to work with her towards the resolution of the social and divine troubles of this world, and I meant it. When this is done and our collaboration concluded, or during times in which she indulges her more directly villainous schemes, she can expect me to endeavor to thwart in as much capacity as I have ever thwarted in the past. But she will have no unexpected turn or sudden, unexpected actions against her from me. It is one of the ways we are very, very different." He grits his teeth just slightly. "If she ever has anything to worry about from me, it will be with no shortage of warning."     Then, a sigh. "But you are correct. Tension from me has been too high. I will..." He rubs his forehead while sighing with an almost exasperated tone. "I will try to adjust my social posture more than I have. You of all people have the most insight here." He makes a stressed, strained noise, but otherwise his face and the tone of his voice offers nothing. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     The tension there makes Wrathborn frown. "You're getting angry about this? I should point out, it's quite a leap for her to be making plans against your betrayal when she has none of her own." He pauses, then amends softly, "That I am aware of." Sigh. "Well, no matter. You seem to have gotten the gist of my concern. I'm not very good at empathy, but I can do basic pattern recognition."     He stands up and opens a drawer, taking out a framed picture. "I do have something that may help," he offers. "This is something that she... well, it isn't hidden from me, but it's hidden from most of the Confederacy. You may find it of interest. She's kept it in her room every time she's moved since joining the Confederacy. Took it with her when she bound me to her. I know you can't take it with you, but before you go, you should take a good look at it and think about what it means. Because... well, to be honest, I'm not sure."     He sets the picture down on the desk and steps back. It is pretty simple, just an impromptu snapshot of a small group. It's the group that went up the mountain to the sealing, all eight people together. An unscarred Elliana, Nathan, Kevin, George, Rampart, Psyber, Amalthea, and Himei. "If you can tell me why it's so important to her, then I would appreciate it. I don't think I want Psyber to know, he... would interpret it only one way." 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     "I am not angry." Nathan says. Perfect monotone, as always. "I simply find the premise false." He looks down a bit, strained. Yeah, that whole bit at the end was pretty much a lie. But, hey, at least he's not done anything YET. Back on topic, anyway.     Nathan examines the photograph with a somber look, and sighs. "There are several possibilities. While I believe some more than others, I will tell you what possibilities I perceive. We will start from the most cynical interpretations and ascend to the most optimistic and idealistic." One finger goes up. "The first is what you might be told if you asked Sakura Haruno: It is a matter of keeping your enemies close, a constant reminder that, if her social falsehoods collapse, she may be besieged anew by a vengeful Union. Likely even serving the form of a list, people who need to be neutralized before she can be safe." Another finger up. "The second is what you might be told if you asked Amalthea. That it is a complex emotional connection that cannot be explained in words, that it is an example of a mixed but intense feeling shared between individuals who have experienced the pains of betrayal and near-death. I believe she would call it a form of hope. The most hope that can be summoned by the hopeless."     The third finger goes up, with a casual gesture. "Were you to ask someone like Himei, I believe you would be told she keeps the picture out of a sense of nostalgia, an old respect and an old fascination with days long past. Lady Fairchild is someone who is defined by their history, even more than most. and so it would not be unexpected for them to have things purely for keepsake value." The fourth goes up and Nathan sets the hand down on the table. "And if you asked someone like Psyber, he would likely say it is a source of regret for her, a means of reminding herself about mistakes she made and failures that require resolution, something she keeps to make sure she never makes the mistake again." Nathan then shrugs. "And who would be right? I can honestly say I do not know. Even if you asked Lady Fairchild, who prides herself no never telling a lie, I doubt even she would know the full, true extent of her own motivation. Perhaps one of these possibilities, several, all, or none. I hope, at least, you can piece together something you feel is accurate from this."     Conspicuously, his own opinion is absent. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Wrathborn doesn't offer his opinion, but he does listen carefully, nodding with every statement. Splaying fingers, he threats them together thoughtfully before he tsks to himself. It takes a few long moments before he makes a statement about that.     "... if you tell me what you think, I will tell you what I think."     The smile is light but genuine, the man settling into his chair again. "I've given you what I wanted. A means to... strike. Whether at my brothers, or at Elliana herself... you've gotten both of what you want. Don't try to deny it, I'm well aware that I've quite possibly given Elliana's greatest enemy a weapon against her. I think it is only fair that you be honest and tell me what you think. It's not as if /we/ are rivals." 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     There's a very long pause that Nathan goes through, almost motionless. "Correct. I cannot imagine why you would think my opinion, of all things, is near the worth of anything like that, but I will provide it if that is what you ask. Lady Fairchild has gone her entire life being told that she is very important and then being thoroughly abused by the world around her in a way that made her feel marginalized, set to the side." He says. "One moment, to her, shines like a beacon. Important military leaders, political leaders, spiritual authorities, great heroes, they were all poised to do whatever she asked and help her, all regarding her an important individual central to this event and critical to the safety of the entire world. She had trust, esteem, friends, power, control, and was fulfilling the greatest possible expectations her peers and mentors could have ever had for her."     "The importance of these things -- not just in practical terms, but in emotional terms -- is something she refuses to acknowledge directly, as it is a vulnerability, even something of a childish one. But she is not practically capable of distancing herself from the period of time in which the part of her that she set aside in order to steel herself for killing all her friends was completely validated and fulfilled. I would call this a picture of everything that she desires in the most selfish sense, rather than the moral sense." He makes vague, wide gestures. "These days, she surrounds herself with thieves, vagabonds, warlords, tyrants, ancient titan devil-snakes -- no offense intended -- and suchlike, either as co-workers or as minions." And then an eyebrow rises. "But you already know some of this, right? Her ideal world, her most selfish type of world, was never one where she was a queen, it was one where she was an adventurer, respected and liked and understood and capable, never threatened but never so powerful that she was beyond the sort of personal esteem from that type of peer. Where she had problems featuring clear-cut lines of who is right and wrong, and just enough responsibility to be important and respected but not enough to be hated. The photograph is the last moment she spent in that world, the world of us mere humans, and the peak of her success in it, in that most selfish definition of success."     "In my humble opinion, anyway." 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     One eyebrow rises as Wrathborn hears that very thorough and detailed theory. It even makes him smile. "That's a very, very good theory, and something close to what I think. All right. She's waking up soon, so I need to tell you what I think. I'm not sure I'm right, my understanding of human psyche - especially hers - is not the greatest."     He plucks the picture up again, opening a drawer to place it within once more. "You are right... and you are wrong. It's understandable, you have some gaps in your knowledge that you can't possibly know yet. Or... well, maybe you could, but have not found them yet. You've made what I think is a correct deduction that she appreciated the acceptance there, in a purely selfish sense. In taking me into her, she made herself a pariah from any friends she already had, or at least believes that. Even if she'd succeeded, everyone she'd ever cared about would be unmade or dead. Well... she planned to spare you, but that's beside the point. It's in a way everything you said. A reminder of how one should keep their enemies close, and of the friendships she had and misses. You were good people, and she knows that. A large part of her knows she was wrong to try what she tried. She did it anyway because..."     He stops and frowns, as if just realizing something, then shakes his head. "It's a reminder of what could have been, to her, and of her sacrifice. It isn't her ideal world, but it's good enough. It is also the last time she was accepted as a person, as you'd guessed... but there's a very crippling flaw in your idea."     He smiles. "It was the last time, but it wasn't the first. You've seen the reasons why she hates her world and the people in it, but I know you've also seen her struggling to change her ways. What you haven't seen is an important piece of the puzzle, because I can't show you that. Find the gap, Nathan, and I think you could get through to her." 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     "There is a reason I do not speak my opinions on these sorts of things with much firmness." Nathan makes a sort of helpless shrugging gesture. "I am a librarian. I am used to whole narratives. With half of one present, I try to abstain from speaking. But I would like to see what was missed, and understand what I do not. It seems these days that I am very often having to make decisions with just that one core piece of information missing. I likely need to get better at this."     He leans back and rubs his forehead. "I understand our time limit, and thank you for the invitation. It was productive, and I hope that the work I will do soon because of it will bring benefit to us all. I will also look forward to increased understanding. As I am sure you know, I have no desire to hate her. If there is some piece of the puzzle that will improve this situation, I will eagerly see it in our next visit." There's a few polite, bow-like nods. "Until next time, Wrathborn. Thank you for inviting me." 

}}

1412/Antagonist Chat

2015-02-21T07:39:04Z

Blue Elf: Created page with "{{Log Header |Date of Scene=2015/01/25 |Location=Terra Majora |Synopsis=Nathan Hall and Elliana Fairchild have a civil discussion about their rivalry. |Thanks= |Cast of Charac..."

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2015/01/25
|Location=Terra Majora
|Synopsis=Nathan Hall and Elliana Fairchild have a civil discussion about their rivalry.
|Thanks=
|Cast of Characters=92, 168
|Tinyplot=New blood
|Tinyplot2=
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     In order to keep things... uncomplicated, Elliana has arranged for a neutral meeting place. It is on her world, but in a small nation on the Western Continent, and the Drasillum is quite some distance away. An upscale inn is what she's using, one with a private room that provides a nice place setting, tea, and other such trivialities.     Elliana herself is not looking all that nervous about the meeting, but that doesn't mean anything. Her sword is nearby, and she's waiting patiently. The Union General will find that upon arrival, he'll be greeted with utmost politeness by the staff, given a chance to freshen up, and brought to the room as soon as he's ready.     The only oddity is that Elliana's eyes have a slight darkening beneath them. It's almost like she hasn't slept, though by all accounts she's alert. 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     Nathan's habit of diving into someone else's dreams means he's not gotten a regular sleep himself. But, here he is, and rather like always. He takes advantage of the inn's hospitality to prepare himself both in appearance and in mind, and when he enters, it'll be with matching politeness. He'll indulge the tea, giving his own bland preferences gratefully and sipping in a well-mannered way when it's provided.     Then he clasps his hands in front of him on the table, leaning forward just a bit, and will have an expectant sort of look. He's worried about the sword because he's worried about everything, but he's at least sure she's not going to do something horrible violent, and he'd be a hypocrite because his gun is holstered at his side as well.     He remains wordless, for the most part, seeming to invite Elliana to begin her questioning at her leisure. What is it that she wanted to know, specifically? He knew she wanted to know something about the things that were stressing him, but the General has a hard time trying to figure out what she'd especially care about. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     So... staring in silence for a while? Fine. This isn't a power struggle, though, and Elliana doesn't mind being the one to break the silence. She did call him here. "Good evening, Sir Hall." She pauses, right after saying that, and sighs. "Actually, if it does not bother you, I think for tonight I will be more familiar. Good evening, Nathan. You should relax, for tonight... it is just us, and I mean you no harm for tonight. Wrathborn is not listening, either."     She leans back with a cup of tea, staring again for one more long moment, as if deep in thought. Finally, she speaks, "I have questions I would ask you, but for now I am more interested in what concerns you. I know it is... unusual... but I do like to think that we have some similarities just as strong as our differences. Do you want to talk before we begin?" 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     Nathan seems to take several moments to think. "It does not bother me if you choose to call me Nathan." He says in his usual emotionless monotone. "Though you will forgive me if I am disinclined to relax. For what little it is worth, there are very few people in the multiverse for whom I will. I advise you not think of it as an expression of our own tension." Nathan seems willing to talk, even if he's not the one to initiate things that much.     "As for my concerns, I am sure the more immediate ones are entirely obvious. Distress on various subjects concerning intent, affiliation, eventual outcome, and other matters. These are all tensions you are intimidately aware of and require no answers concerning. Previously you seemed in my immediate tension in response to your discussion of my emotion. This is an answer I have no comfort at all answering." Of course, he did agree to answer before, so there'll be no grudge if she pushes that.     "I will admit we share similarities in methods and behavior. As strong as they are, the differences become all the more critical. And I will make no secret that there is little I have worth saying in the first place for a scenario like this. You can begin when you like. I have no desire to waste your time." Plenty worth saying, of course, but Nathan is indulging a small amount of his old self-depreciating posture here. That part is, oddly, completely without even hidden aggression towards Elliana. He's not abstaining from discussing it of his own volition out of a lack of trust, even Psyber had to corner him about that sort of thing. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Elliana, in typical elegant evil mastermind fashion, stirs her tea and lightly taps the spoon on the edge of the cup. The light chiming, in the silence of the moment, is a cliched threatening noise... but she isn't actually going for that, so she eyes Nathan with consideration... then huffs her breath on the spoon and lightly hangs it off of her nose.     Despite the ridiculous appearance this gives her, Elliana's voice is still level and has that same mild authority and formality she always has. "I could query with numerous questions, and probe and quest with indirection. Really, though, at the root I only have one question, and I want you to answer that before we move on." She pauses, then opts to tug the spoon off and lay it on the table, taking her more serious look back.     "What do you want from me?" 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     Nathan thoroughly examines his tea, which is to say, he avoids looking at Elliana Fairchild for some time. "I do not believe this line of conversation will produce any positive results." He eventually says. "Regardless, I doubt it will much sate your curiosity. What I want from you, in its most broad definition, is no longer something that is within the capacity of anyone to achieve. I hold an intense desire to no longer hate you, but as all conceivable outcomes regarding that are undesirable for one or more parties involved, that is not a valid desire. At best, I could state what I previously wanted. Which was for you to return to the Union and ally with us again."     He makes a sort of plaintive open-paled gesture with both hands, and then goes back to drinking sipping tea. There's clearly more left unsaid, but it can only be extracted if approached the proper way... 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     The request leaves Elliana lifting an eyebrow. "And you expect that I could simply walk right up to the Union, and they would take me back? I highly doubt that, even if we did not have some philosophical differences." Her eyebrow twitches. "You might be surprised..."     Setting her teacup down, Elliana folds her hands together with a serious expression, though the curl of her lip is gentle. "Nathan. I know you hate me now, and I have a general idea why. You said as much. I'm opening up my deepest nightmares to you... you're seeing things that I haven't told anyone, or at least seeing details that I... glazed over before. I am not doing this simply because you asked, but because I want you to understand me, and I want you to know me in such a way that we can trust one another again. I know that I am... flawed. I know that I have had some very difficult decisions and I made them in ways that you have objected to. But I am /trying/ now. What is it you want /now/ that cannot be given?" 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     Nathan narrows his eyes briefly and there's a flicker of frustration on his stoic face. For that man, it's the equivalent of getting red-faced and RANTING. "Of course now. Now you have betrayed us multiple times." He sips rather casually, still retaining utmost emotionlessness. "At the time, however, it could certainly have been done. The others may have attacked you with violent intent or outright wished death upon you, but I very vividly recall being the one to beg you not to leave even while you were in the act of betrayal. The option was and did remain open for quite some time." He makes a sort of shrugging gesture. "Of course, precluding it has brought us to this now."     He sets his cup down and pushes it a bit to the side. "I told you. I very much want to not hate you. There are many potential solutions for it, and none of them are agreeable to all parties involved. You could die, which none of us want. You could return to the Union, which, as you have said, none of us want. There are many similar options. The core of the matter is that my hatred for having to chase you has been fueled by your running away." He leans back, his glasses shining for a moment. "What cannot be given is simple. From the first day of your betrayal until now, I have sought you facing the full consequences of your actions directly. And my hope is that, at such a point, I would no longer experience the /profound/ embarrassment of having an actually uncontrollable emotion such as that." And then he takes his cup again.     "Does that answer your question?" Sip. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     SOMETHING that Nathan says makes Elliana tense up, ever so minutely, and she opens her mouth as if to retort in a sharp and quick fashion... only to close it and sigh, shaking her head. "I have never run away from the consequences of my actions, Nathan... even if it may look like I have. Everything I have done, I have done to help my world. It may not be a method you like... and most likely, it is not a method /I/ like. While I admit that initially, I had nothing but contempt for the Union, I am not... so sure I would say that I do not want to return now. Only, I am not so sure it is a good idea."     She scoots her chair back, quite suddenly, and rises to her feet to turn around and walk toward the window. "I do not /run away/, and it is an insult that you think this is what I have done." A small pause. "Well, technically I have run away in the sense of fleeing certain death or the like, but not how you have put it. I tried running away once. It made things worse."     She goes quiet for a long, long moment, then speaks more quietly. "Things have changed. I don't think you realize that I've changed. Just like I don't think you understand how I was then, nor how I am now. Maybe this was all a mistake, after all. Maybe all I'm giving you from these little forays is a way to strike at my weaknesses." 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     Nathan tilts his head, as if legitimately confused by something.     "When you fled the Union and defected to the Confederacy, you were, at worst, fleeing a small amount of brig time and a demotion to publicly disassociated ranks." He leans on one elbow and keeps his eyes turned, slightly, from Elliana. "If you do not run away, then I will certainly accept counterargument. Feel free to state the consequences for your actions you deserve to experience, and which you have. I mean no insult, as I am sure you know, and apologize for insensitive words." There's a brief sort of inclining of the head. "But you did ask, and I did tell you it was something that would be best left without discussion. The insult is certainly not one that is difficult to disprove, if you would like to."     He makes that same plaintive gesture with both hands. "As for whether or not you have changed, I seek, at all times, to counteract my bias and hatred. Certainly, I am open to the possibility, and in my actions seek to provide opportunity. As you are no doubt extremely aware, I seek to find some means of allying with you whenever I may. To date, objective examination puts the results roughly at a one in two chance of betrayal." 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Again, the frown flits on the edge of her lips. "Brig and demotion? If you'll recall, Father Weissman tried to KILL me. I was in intense pain, and struggling to contain an entity beyond my comprehension. I fell back to my contingency plan. Of COURSE I ran. I knew, walking into that temple, that no matter what happened I would be losing the friends I had made. Either the six sacrifices would be dead, or I would be enemies with them... perhaps dead myself. I was ready to accept that." She actually DOES blush. "Though I did perhaps have a starry-eyed and insipid idea of you being there with me. I believe I had a crush on you, in hindsight."     As if to attempt to brush that admission under the rug, Elliana quickly continues, "When have I /betrayed/ you since that day? Do you think I /want/ people to hate me? I do what I do because it is the only way to save my world... and giving up some of that control and trusting you and the Union to help me with that is... difficult. You CANNOT say I have not tried." 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     "You ran directly to the Confederacy." Nathan says, still seeming so INCREDIBLY emotionless with one hand propping up his chin. "You of all people should trust my ability to negotiate with others. Did you really believe I could not tame the momentary rage of those allies? It is frankly impossible to imagine that you could have truly believed that walking back to the Union after leaving the temple would have resulted in your death, had you negotiated it with me. You will recall, Nine was in a position to kill you himself and I did my best to protect you. You had very well-demonstrated examples of both my ability and my intent to protect you from my allies, and did not act." An eyebrow goes up, incredulously. "Did you require I go through the same gestures as Psyber? He may have the celestial grace to pull that off, but I certainly do not, it would have been an embarrassment to both of us."     The other question gets a confused noise from Nathan prefacing it. "Damcyan." He says, simply. "That seemed very straightforward." 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     "As I said. Contingency plan," Elliana replies. "And you will pardon me, again, if I did not carefully consider each and every person's history and capabilities /again/ while in the midst of having my eye shot out." She frowns, "Though you are correct that in hindsight, I could have perhaps gotten back in, my perspective is different now as well."     The more important thing is that she ends up leaning forward, and pointing her finger at Nathan in a much more aggressive manner. "I had nothing to do with what happened at Damcyan beyond being in the room. I did not know the exact plans there, did not set it up, and while I fought in the battle it was not my plan that you fell victim to. As I recall I even expressed my distaste for using you in that manner on Confederate channels afterward." 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     "You just happened to implicitly endorse the honesty of it, continue to pursue the same plan and support the one who conceived it, and then gain substantial martial and political power as a result of doing so." Nathan doesn't actually say that. He just sort of gives Elliana a very meaningful silence that strongly, STRONGLY implies it.     But back to the other subject. "I did not hate you for a very, very long time. I do not refer to your actions in the temple. As I said in the negotiations with Nine: I forgive you for taking them, and I understand why you needed to. Even in the temple itself, I did not understand but I wanted you to stay." He makes a plaintive gesture. "So in the many months that followed, with such demonstrations as my efforts to work in tandem with you in Skyrim, Damcyan, and suchlike, and with demonstrations of both my ability and intent to neutralize all undue threats against you..."     He makes that gesture again. "You did not return. So, you have not answered my question. What consequences did you deserve to face, for the initial scheme, and for continuing your campaigns with the Confederacy, which you have faced, as you claim?" 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Elliana shakes her head, "I am ashamed of many things, but you cannot glare me into submission for this. The Damcyan incident is one I expressed my distaste for along the proper channels. I am sure that you, as Union General, are aware of the need to follow such channels rather than show visible strife to the enemy?" She lets that hang in the air for a long moment before moving on.     "I did not return, no," she allows. "I did not return because the Union was not something to be allied with, but far more useful to me as a tool. Now..." She shrugs. "I don't know. I have no problems being in the Confederacy, but it does sometimes feel like I would be better-suited in the Union. Now that we are far off track of what I wanted to talk about."     She sighs and straightens. "And what makes you think I have not suffered for this? Do you think doing what I am doing is easy? Do you think I like knowing that some people that I could have been friends with are now set on killing me?" She holds up one finger. "Do you know what this is?" 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     "What makes me think you have not suffered for this is rather easy to answer. Since your defection, you have gained political power, magical power, assets, and material wealth, accomplished many of your goals, gained useful human tools with which to exert your control on events around you, and similar suchlike." Nathan says. The monotone is the same, but the pace of the wording makes it sound like this should be obvious.     He stares at the gesture she holds up for a while. He looks to her face, then back to her hand. "Well, it looks like a finger." He says. "But I assume it is meant to represent something you will shortly clarify." 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     "Mn... true." Elliana does not argue the point of what she has gained. "And I ask you, Nathan, has any of that given me what I wanted? It is a means to an end that has yet to bear fruit. If you will recall, the last time I started trusting, it lead to ME being betrayed."     She lets that hang in the air, pointedly, before amending, "A situation which has since been resolved, it is true." She lowers her finger, and shakes her head. "It is a finger counting the number of people that I called friend in the eight or nine years before coming to the Union. And it leads into the other question I wanted to ask you, before we got... ah... sidetracked with this."     There's an uncomfortable pause before Elliana says quietly, "I will take what you have said into consideration, and repeat my question. What can I do, now, that you want? Even if it would be inconvenient for me. And the other question... what do you think of Wrathborn of late? He concerns me." 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     "Short of determining some means by which my capacity for hatred in this particular scenario could be forcibly removed from my mind, I can think of very little you could do." Nathan says. "Your mistake is believing that I have any real desire to act on my feelings. I want to act against them, and endeavor to do so. I am entirely cognizant of the fact that hatred is, in itself, a terrible and irrational thing, and that this hatred is no better. Since all of the available options for resolving my hatred are no longer available and since I respect the moral principles you act upon and you tend to act almost exclusively upon them, there is nothing more I can request."     There's that almost helpless open-palmed gesture again. "I have few desires I can reasonably express beyond that. If there were something else you could do that would have caused a simple, switch-like cessation of the hatred, I can assure you, I would probably have embarrassingly given you an overwrought session of begging for that thing too while I was busy dropping all of my blood."     Nathan seems to have his thoughts already collected about Wrathborn. "Your mind is postured such that you seek and maintain any semblance of humanity that you can retain. Wrathborn is patterned off of it, and expresses this tendency. Assuming he is not being selective in his guidance, the understanding I achieve through examining your nightmares indicates that Wrathborn himself may express these and other tendencies positively if cultivated in the proper way. I have been somewhat 'hands off' in interactions with him, myself. Primarily due to embarrassment regarding absurd statements I made during our very first encounter." 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Elliana scowls. "And your mistake is in concentrating on me, rather than my goals." She does not clarify that statement, immediately moving on to Wrathborn. "I am not entirely sure that is correct, but it is a thought. One of the reasons I am... attempting to alter my behavior is due to him. Some of the things he has said and done have given me pause, made me rethink my actions... and others, I think he is wrong and naive."     Her head tilts, and she pulls up a chair again. "What did you say to him that was so absurd? This I really must know." 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     "He will not be patterned off of your desires, your core nature, and such things. He is merely patterned off of the means by which you express those things, the 'infrastructure' of your mind, as I understand it. Therefore, I assume some measure of that is the use of apparent humanity for..." Nathan starts, then makes a vague gesture. "Whatever requires expression. He is not introspection on who you are, but rather how 'who you are' translates to 'what you do', and 'what you say'."     Then he makes a sighing, exasperated, almost flustered noise. "As I am sure you have seen, I get into moods of a sort under unusual circumstances. Situations like my behavior during your betrayal, my behavior during our fight in Cirrus Marine, or my behavior shortly after your restoring the seals on Wrathborn. As you may recall from the things I was saying or even doing then, I tend to be /profoundly/ embarrassing in a way that I am sure nobody involved would like to repeat outside of those who were forced to bear witness to it." It's clear he'll explain if she pushes it, but seems averse to doing so! 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Elliana really wants to push for that. She really, really does... but she smiles. "I will leave your secret to yourself, for now. We are not here to embarrass you, I simply wanted to know what is troubling you. I still have not gotten that, so perhaps I will just... encourage you with the root of my thoght, and tie this all together."     She checks the pot, then gently heats it with a small surge of power. Wasteful, yes, but there are perks to being what she is. Pouring herself one last cup, she sits back and sighs. "The Shajem are creatures born of corruption and destruction. They exist to annihilate the powers of creation. Perhaps our creation myth is not quite right, but that fact is undeniable. Yet..."     She taps her cup, and then begins to list, "It is Wrathborn who advised against the Faranel plan. It was he who made a selfless sacrifice in taking on all of my pain when I was aflame. He was the one guiding me to save that space station when Samael appeared. All of these behaviors and more are... more human than I have been. It makes me wonder, though..."     She offers the last of the pot and asks quietly, "If he can change so drastically, then why can't I?" 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     "You already know what troubles me." Nathan says, as if it were the simplest thing in the world.     He listens closely to the rest, though, keenly attentive. This is valuable insight, whatever he may believe. He seems to give it a heavy degree of quiet contemplation. Unlike his stoicism before, which sometimes seems to drip a "look how much I don't care" attitude, this is a much more somber, respectful sort of posture. After a lot of thinking, Nathan says, "I believe I understand. You are beginning to come to the conclusion that the nuances of your mental infrastructure allow for deep-level redefinition of the soul that resides within. The possibility of a hopeful future clashes violently with the fear that you could also become something horrible." Nathan very intensely recalls some of those nightmares...     "As you have, in the past, already experienced a great degree of personal change and growth, you find yourself unable to predict what you may yet become, and have a very, very obvious display that even the greatest and darkest depths of pure destructive nature are not outside the reach of your mind's mold to encompass. Wrathborn received the gift of that template for the mind which clearly has the capacity to shape something that you have spent your entire life learning to fear, and therefore if it can go one way, why not the reverse? And you are uncertain about whether or not to hope, more optimistically, that you, yourself, may not be beyond a more improving sort of capacity."     Nathan drinks down the rest of his own tea all at once to punctuate things. "Or perhaps I am just spewing false pseudo-insight. Is that something like how things are?" 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Narrowing her good eye, Elliana surveys Nathan for a long moment. She finally shakes her head. "No... it was a question, and the answer is not what I wanted to hear, but what I should have expected." She stands abruptly, snatching up her sword and sliding it into place at her side. "I am going home. Yet I suppose you have won this round, Sir Hall." She doesn't punctuate the words, but it is unlikely she needs to point out the reversion to using his old title again.     "You wanted to know why I didn't go back? Fine. Here is the answer you were really seeking. The one I won't dodge. I didn't go back for all the reasons I gave before, but for one real one," Elliana murmurs, stopping on her way toward the door. "I did not answer your plea because I was too proud. I did not go back later because I was /ashamed/ to face up and beg for forgiveness. I've said it before, and I suppose it must be true: If I have to be a villain to save what matters, then I am willing to be one. But in doing so, I have matters that are important to me. I have a Servant... is SABER welcome within the Union? I have a woman who owes me her life and relies upon me to support her. Is Lady Whiteheart someone I should abandon on the flight of fancy here? For good or ill, I am responsible for what she does. Things are not so simple as you present... and I know you are an intelligent man, Sir Hall. You should know better than to ignore all the other factors. Give me a solution that works."     She stops right before leaving, and adds in a reluctant note, "Please." 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     "There are few I do. I will hope that winning is defined positively for both of us." Nathan says. "You will change. Psyber and I, for all our differences in how we feel about you, we will each do what we can to ensure it is a good one." He quirks an eyebrow. "You know my history. Pegasus. Nine. I will always be an agent of change where it is needed, and where it is suited."     Then he looks square at Elliana. "And that is why I did not propose it as what I seek from you. At the time, perhaps, it was reasonable to ask, and I certainly did. Now, it is not, and so I will not. As you said, there are other factors. I will not ignore them." He looks somber and... Almost vulnerable, for a moment. "I do not enjoy hatred. It is a shameful thing. A liability for me to harbor, and an embarrassment to express. I have sought solutions. I will ask that you believe I share every ounce of desire for that outcome. But there has yet to be an appropriate solution, since the first was made unreachable. Otherwise, I certainly would have told you by now."     "If I ever do find one, I will make sure to seek it, and ask it of you. Ideally without making a fool of myself this time." 

}}

843/Drake Interrogation

2015-01-19T08:05:16Z

Blue Elf: Created page with "{{Log Header |Date of Scene=2014/10/23 |Location=Terra Majora |Synopsis=The Union interrogates Drake Wightseer for information on the Shajem. |Thanks= |Cast of Characters=92, ..."

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2014/10/23
|Location=Terra Majora
|Synopsis=The Union interrogates Drake Wightseer for information on the Shajem.
|Thanks=
|Cast of Characters=92, 168, 253
|Tinyplot=New Blood
|Tinyplot2=
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     The terms of this interrogation had been set long ago, and thus it shouldn't be a surprise that Elliana was here. The meeting location was not on her giant tree fort though, but instead in a small cell on the borders of Confederate territory, near an ostensibly neutral zone. The room was actually pretty comfortable, with the chairs padded and a table for receiving drinks and some small sandwiches. Oh, the door was pretty solid, that wasn't any different, but it was hardly the dank cell one would expect.     Drake had shaved and made himself presentable, but was still missing the plant-arm he'd created with his powers. He had, in fact, been provided with a cybernetic arm by Confederate medical. It was a very simple, fragile matter, but it replaced his arm well enough to be used for most household tasks. It probably also included a bomb or something, knowing the Feds. He looks a little uncomfortable with this whole situation, but then he isn't in control any more. 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     Nathan Hall's arrival at the isolated imprisonment site is likely with guard from Psyber, and also likely via whatever vehicle he's elected to arrive here in as well. His approach is measured, deliberate, and emotionless as always, with a particularly quiet, unassuming sort of shuffle.     Nathan will hopefully have a chance to meet Elliana outside the meeting area of the cell. "I would like to avoid forcing you to retread ground you have already gone through." He drones in his traditional monotone. "Has he been inclined to give up information in the initial interrogation, or will I be approaching more resistance than that? What information, if any, has he been willing to provide without our pressure?" All business, very professional, even when talking to his nemesis of sorts about this collaboration. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     Psyber had asked to be along with Nathan during the interrogation. Partially as security, but there's also the fact that the half-angel is very averse to being betrayed, and so this was a bit personal from him. Whereas Nathan may want to play diplomatic carrot, Psyber, at least, believes that it's the stick that makes the carrot more appealing.     "Hey Ell," Psyber says pretty basically before Nathan begins speaking, hands in his pockets. He's being well-mannered enough not to smoke in the indoors environment, though that may change when he wants to annoy Wightseer, "Has anyone tried to find him? Asked about his whereabouts? Attempted breakouts?"     A different line of questioning from Nathan. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Elliana is meeting both outside, of course. Nathan gets the answer first, with a shake of her head. "He has given some interesting information, but it would be best if you heard it from him. I will fill in any holes you may have missed that I got from him, that I deem relevant. I largely questioned him on the ritual he used and what he was attempting. The answers were both more and less informative than I thought."     To Psyber, "No, none have tried to claim him, though the Starshine Empire did inquire about his whereabouts and I suspect they may request extradition. It will not be granted." 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     "I understand." Nathan says, simply. One of those sorts of situations. "Then there is little else we need do besides begin speaking to him, in that case. I trust you will manage the exchange appropriately." He shuffles his way to the big door, awaits Elliana's unlocking, and begins to open it, slowly. There's particular notice of her mention of the Starshine Kingdom's interest, but you can barely see it on his blank expression and it manists as the slightest bit of blinking.     When he arrives in the chamber, he does so in a friendly sort of way, without any real fanfare, as if he were just room service or something. He'll probably be taking a seat without any particularly assuming postures, whether or not Drake has taken one. He's not waiting for Drake to speak up his greetings; he needs to appear to have some measure of control, without aggression. "Salutations." He says, simply. "I am told you have matters that you are willing to discuss with us. Despite the souring of our past dealings, I see no reason to not open discussion." He clasps his hands. "And I have no interest in wasting your time with repetition of questions you have already dealt with. This will not, for the most part, concern the details of the ritual until later, in other contexts, if at all.".     "I have questions. About the Starshine Kingdom, the Windward Empire, and your own personal history. So before we begin, perhaps you would like to clarify your own posture concerning this." Since he'll show off how cooperative he intends to be anyway, Nathan might as well prompt it to look more like he's in control. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     To Elliana, Psyber sighs, "I see. That means either, in the good case, he was acting at least somewhat autonomously and may not have a support network. Or that network, in the bad case, is so compartmentalized that it works without him," Psyber rubs his chin, "Either very good or very troubling, wouldn't you agree?" He says to Elliana before heading in after Nathan.     Psyber leans up against a wall not too far from Nathan, "Hey Drake," His tone is casual and slightly cordial. If Nathan wants to try at this nicely, he's more than willing to facilitate that. He reaches into his breast pocket and pulls out a flask which he takes a sip from before offering it to the man. It's Scotch, "Drink? You can water it down a bit in a glass if you need."     "Drake, I mostly wanna know why," Psyber says on his end of the questioning, "Why you'd want to reverse engineer what she did. Why you would want to betray us and your faith. What happened?" 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Drake has his cup of water, and he nods his thanks to Psyber as he adds a dash of scotch to it to give it a shot. "I have some matters. But if you're expecting a long story about how I was wronged and wish vengeance upon the Empire or somesuch, you'll be disappointed. My reasons were simple, and had nothing to do with my affiliations." It appears he's answering both at the same time.     Drake leans back as Elliana takes a seat, but he barely looks at her. "I don't have much animosity toward the Starshine Kingdom, except for the veneer they have. They treated me as well as I could expect, but I can't really tell you more about them." He frowns. "Though the Empire's expansion is pretty worrying, from a purely defensive view."     He shrugs and leans back, sipping his drink. "I had a mission, and it was... is... glorious. I'm sure you've seen the corruption that rules my world. I wanted to burn it away. Reverse-engineer? I was using the /original/ ritual. I don't know what Lady Fairchild did, but it was much different from what the scrolls talked about. I was just doing what the Blooded did so many years ago." 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     Several matters flash through Nathan's mind quietly, prompting no shift in his expression. The Empire wiping out the Binders. Drake's access to enough Shajem influence to become Twisted. Another individual having come to the same realization as Nathan and Elliana, regarding the One Hundred and Ten Thieves. Someone with leads on the creation of the Blooded. The Starshine Kingdom continuing to be interested in him... Something fits together here.     "Certainly." Nathan says, simply. "Not all histories are melodramatic. Regardless, I believe you may know more than you, yourself, realize. And while, given your methods and the source of your power, I cannot say that we will work for your release, I can say that we do intend to work towards a goal not especially unaligned with your own." He leans forward. The posture he has is the kind that he gets when he's deep in serious discussion.     "'Scroll', you said. Let us guess, for a moment, that this was more abot your affiliation than you thought. You say scrolls, scrolls that taught you about this. You must have received them from somewhere. From someone. Tell me, would I be accurate in guessing that the source of these scrolls may be, in some way, connected, both to your... Unusual secret power, and to the Starshine Kingdom?"     Nathan's interested in this. But, of course, that's all a subterfuge, too. He's even more interested in finding these scrolls himself. Of course, for the same reason he acted as though he wouldn't ask about the ritual, he can't let Elliana know that. Elliana's no doubt listening to see what Nathan's interested in finding out; he has to use his previous truthful statements of an agenda against potential conspiracies within the Windward Empire to mask endeavors to seek out information on a more subtle agenda. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     Psyber takes back his flask and puts it in his jacket after Drake is done with it. He then listens to the responses they're given. They're pretty direct and he doesn't have much reason to suspect Drake of lying. So he accepts it as a loose truth and nods his head to Wightseer.     "What was the end game?" Psyber asks in contrast to Nathan's question. Nathan can search backwards into the origin of the plan, Psyber is willing to move forward into where the plan was supposed to go, "The ritual was completed, you got the end result you wanted, and then what?" Psyber asks curiously.     "Elliana said that it would have woken up again anyway. And the power you siphoned would have dilluted over generations. Two generations later, gotta reseal it, power you get weakens down the bloodline. What was the plan?" 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Drake chews on that, before finally answering Nathan first. "They were difficult to track down. It took me many years, and I burnt them afterward. I knew that I could do this, with enough willing vessels. Translating the scrolls was the hard part. It was never all about power... it was about release. The Shajem ache to be free, and that's why their influence is on the world. I felt it, I could hear them calling to me, when I went out. Then, one day, when I was out hunting for an escaped criminal... I just understood. And what I understood..."     He looks at Psyber, because his answer addresses both. Elliana's fingers tense, which hints she may know what he's about to say.     Then the knight continues, "It would be difficult, at first, but we could collect and distribute the power of the Lord of Rage amongst ourselves... and more Shajem still. Taking their power, we could force them into dormancy. It would let us challenge the Blooded, eliminate the unworthy ones... and perhaps it may have awakened again. Lady Fairchild knows much of this. But tell me, if that were inevitable, then I have a question for you:"     He sets his cup down, folds his artificial fingers with the real ones, and asks the two men before him, "Where are the rest of the Amethyne?" 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     Nathan makes a quiet, tense noise of frustration. He's so CLOSE! And yet, he can't actually seem to nail down anything here. His paranois and obsession with identifying some culprit for this flares up again. His mind races to connect things to see if they fit. What can he find here...     "Of course, I had the added bit of evidence that the ritual I used to bind Wrathborn to me was partially based on ancient Binding techniques..."     "Translating the scrolls was the hard part..."     "Then, one day, when I was out hunting for an escaped criminal... I just understood..."     Something encoded into the historical information about Binding itself? Something memetically encoded, some telepathic influence from something? This was two people who both independently came to such similar conclusions with such intensely destructive potential end results, there HAS to be a connection, Nathan thinks!     Of course, he can't openly obsess about the scrolls. He's almost about to ask about the criminal when he instead focuses on the next part. He realizes he doesn't know well. Neuvina is the 21st. Chalaine... Chalaine? Wait. Elliana had assaulted her temple. The Amethyne had been there inside the temple... Right? His look flashes to her, and she'll likely see the unspoken question about that attack in his eyes, boring a hole right through her immediately before he flashes back to Drake. "I have seen only the one you have seen, myself." He says, with a terse pacing to the monotone. "I am assuming you intend to answer that question yourself, because if you are implying the falsehood of our current understanding, I should very much like to hear the alternative you insinuate." 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     Psyber may already know the answer, but it's a dreadful and terrible one indeed. And one he's hesitant to take a guess at, "The other Amethyne..." Psyber begins. He tries to think of how to phrase the thought formulating. He doesn't know as much of the world history as Nathan or Elliana do, being more a detective of action. But he bites his lip and says, "They're not all in their Temples, are they? Or mm... not there voluntarily."     "There's a reason why the Blooded don't fade out over generations, why the power never dillutes." Psyber frowns a bit, "Logically it should. People theorize it should be with the Blooded, but no studies are able to prove it." He takes out his flask and takes another, this time longer, drink. Steeling his nerves before pitching a very dark idea.     "That ritual. If it were done consistently, on a schedule if you will..." Psyber looks to Nathan, hoping he's on anything close to a right track, "If it were done out of the public eye and always split in the right way, you could create the illusion of a staticly perpetuating power."     "And then, if you created that illusion, what was once a short term solution becomes the status quo, doesn't it?" Psyber clenches his jaw a bit, "They're using the ritual on Amethyne. To make it look like the power never dies down, but in reality it's just recharging Bloodlines off a battery." 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Nathan's look to Elliana just has her sipping tea and lifting an eyebrow. Has he even gotten anywhere that she hasn't yet? Either way, she nods... he's on the right track, at least not so far off she feels it's going nowhere. And so is Psyber, for that matter.     Drake answers with a spread of his hands. "I don't know. My plan was to free the Shajem... eventually. At first, we would be nigh-unstoppable compared to the Blooded, and could force them to take the roles they were meant to have, or show themselves unworthy. In time, the seals would weaken again... or with some outside help. The Shajem would rampage unchecked, unless we were given the means to keep them weakened as the Amethyne are. It was to force their hand into revealing how, but I don't yet know exactly how it is done... or how many know how to do it. Now that I'm thinking more clearly, it may not even be something they're aware of doing."     He picks up his cup again and takes a long pull. "Mmhm. But I think your friend here is right. Somehow, they're continuing to draw from the Amethyne. One side of the war is sealed away, the dangerous side. The other prevented from enjoying their victory by being used as... batteries, as you describe it." 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     Here we go. This is more Nathan's speed. And yet, somehow, more confusing. Competing internal factions? Some potential connection between the Binders being destroyed and the forceful charging of the Blooded? He thought he had some bearing on how this fit, before, but everything's suddenly being thrown into a disarray! Even if one excludes Elliana and Drake and their sudden genesis of similar techniques and ideas, who could stand to benefit from keeping the Blooded empowered while weakening the people who keep the Shajem in line?!     Nathan's going to need to buy a pegboard and some strings.     "Certainly quite a plan. I will leave it without judgement; I doubt it would be productive." He says, leaning forward more. Not a single damn twitch to his face to show his distressed feelings. "You had plans regarding the others. In fact, you even found the second one that you went after. A product of your connection with the Shajem? It could not have been. You went looking for scrolls, and, I expect, for the Shajem. Did your connection with them start that as well? There has to have been some source, someone who might..." Nathan says, making more soft, frustrated noises.     He's actually a little distressed about the thing Psyber's on too. This sort of conspiracy will make it vastly more difficult to address this problem, much more so than the way he had originally intended. He makes a vaguely worried noise at him. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     "Worrying," Psyber says to Nathan, "If I'm right, like he thinks I may be, man didn't just steal fire like you thought. Man put Zeus in a jar," Psyber notes, expanding on an older analogy that Nathan used during a discussion with Elliana. He frowns and then looks over to Elliana, "How long have you suspected?" He asks her pretty directly, figuring she has no reason not to answer.     "You placed the breadcrumbs months ago to lead us here. Years, even, if we count Nathan's experiences. A temple attack, Drasillum, verses from lore and scripture, even mentioning dillution in the Blooded," Psyber seems to have taken attention off of Drake and onto Elliana. It's not an annoyed tone, like one might expect. He's come to expect it from Elliana. She doesn't respect people who just want answers, she wants people to understand how those answers are arrived at. Or so he'd guess internally.     Psyber looks to Nathan once more and it's a hard stare, "If this is true, it extends to the highest levels, globally. The only person that could feasibly be uninvolved are... the people in this room. Almost everyone else is suspect."     Psyber walks over and leans in and whispers something quietly to Nathan before placing his hands on the table, "So Drake, you're a smart man. If this is the information you will give up freely, what are you keeping in your pocket to trade for your freedom?"     Psyber theorizes THAT question may be where gold lays for him. Nathan has a mind for politics, but Psyber isn't sure that he knows how criminals play. And Elliana grew up on the streets, but Psyber thinks she holds herself above that past.     "This information is the appetizer. I bet you have a main course that you're gonna give us in exchange for... what? Protection from extradition? Death Penalty off the table? Amnesty?" 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Elliana answers first, shrugging her shoulders. "I suspected soon after I sealed Wrathborn, and had been gathering evidence for some time. It was the capture of Sir Wightseer that first convinced me that I was on the right track, though I had some details wrong. I did not want to level such an accusation without some amount of proof... it changes matters greatly."     Drake lets her finish before he answers both Nathan and Psyber. "My bargaining chip is that I know something very, very important that all of you want. The answer to your question-" He points to Nathan with the cybernetic arm. "Is what I'm keeping to myself. How much I tell you depends on what you're willing to offer me." He frowns grimly. "But this part is for free. You're missing something big here. Something very dangerous. I'm sure you'll figure it out without me, but will you in time?" 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     Nathan gives a nod to Psyber, a grim sort. It's serious. His analysis is right. Nathan's looks at Elliana were meaningful in many different ways. His focus on this is intense and powerful, overcoming any of his other emotional concerns and focus, or, in this case, replacing them.     Then Psyber pushes in a different way, and hits gold. A potential lead! And hell, Drake is probably playing him something harsh here about his obsession with figuring out what's going on here, but Nathan doesn't care for the moment!     "Wightseer. You have dedicated your being to the disassembly of the selfish Blooded heirarchy, purging the unworthy from their positions of power. What I offer to you is what I intend to do already." Abruptly, Nathan shows his emotions in a brief spike of movement, unclasping his hands and SLAMMING them into the table, palms down, as he leans forward. It's a stark contrast to his monotone, calm voice. "I am not a man capable of violence and destruction. But promise you that if you tell me what you know, I will not be resting until the Blooded are forced from their position as the perpetuators of strife and misery, and either protect the people as they were meant to, or find themselves under the swords of those who do. You are not a man who cares about material goods, trinkets, even your own freedom and welfare, as long as your goals are accomplished. What you have demonstrated that you care most about is principled action."     Nathan grits his teeth and says, "I already intend to provide that. If your price goes further, /you need only name it/." Somehow that last line, while promising anything, somehow manages to sound slightly aggressive and threatening from Nathan. Clearly he really, really wants a lead on this whole conspiracy thing he's after. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     "Mmm... I figured it would be something like this. Negotiation isn't my strongest suit," Psyber says to Drake, stepping back and away to show his detachment from that particular negotiation, "Now if they want me to get a phone book to like... punch you like an answer pinata and not leave bruises, that's my area of specialty." He admits a bit coldly, perhaps being overly threatening to make himself seem scary.     Psyber does put a hand on Nathan's shoulder at this comment, trying to bring some calm back to his friend. Not in a 'hold him back' kind of way, but to remind him that he has a friend nearby. And to perhaps make him aware of his current position.     "I dislike the Blooded as much as Nathan," Psyber says to Drake before looking over to Elliana. He has yet to reply to what she told him, but there's not much TO reply to. Instead, he says to Drake, "Put your offer on the table. We'll consider it." 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Elliana clears her throat, "I remind you, Sir Hall, that he is in the custody of the Confederacy right now." It's a quiet reminder, though, as she is also waiting to hear his bargaining chip. "I have not pressed him for this information, believing it important enough that you should be present as well, but if I do not believe it is worthwhile..."     Then Drake says something that shuts up Elliana, by clasping his hands together and stating in a quiet, even tone: "I can give you the location where the twenty-first Shajem will be born." 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     Nathan actually seems a little bit calmed by Psyber's hand. But, not as much as he really should be. Of course, the change is near imperceptible. It's not entirely clear why he's so intense about this. Hmmm.     There's a look to Elliana. "He stays with you. What he asks, and what I do after I leave, are not bound by those terms." He says, simply. "You are both quite aware of the limits of my capabilities. And I suspect there is little else besides practical action that Wightseer intends to demand."     And then there's a wide-eyed, intense look to Drake. "Another?" He whispers, urgently. "Like the twenty-first Amethyne?" He leans forward again. "What. How? No, /where/?" He knows that Drake wants offers. But what does he want? This is serious, and needs Nathan's prioritization more than almost anything else, even if he's being manipulated. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     "I can't make an offer for the Confederacy." Psyber says. Despite not being the best at negotiations, he does feel it necessary to step in when Nathan begins to show how much he wants this information. Psyber pats him on the shoulder again.     "For the Union side of this I am prepared to offer you this..." Psyber says in a firm tone. His voice is cool and mellow, "Publically, Drake Wightseer will be returned to Starshine Kingdom as a corpse, executed for numerous murders and the attempted murders of several high-value Union Personnel. His crimes were horrific and he committed atrocities against humanity by all accounts."     "Privately..." Psyber cracks his knuckles, "We will see about getting you a plot of land. Some small farm, out in the sticks. You will stay there forever. You will be monitered. This will give you a front row seat to the proletariat masses finally toppling the bourgeoisie when Nathan and I succeed. You will be irrelevant to history and to the world. You may get visitors, spoilers it'll probably be us, and you can talk to them, and by talk I mean you will answer questions."     "But please be assured if you even think of straying off the little farm," Psyber says seriously, "I will hunt you. I will hunt you like I have hunted every other monster. And whether you flee through forest, river, land, or desert. I will creep up on you one night and you won't see the knife that ends you."     Psyber looks to NATHAN, "I do not speak for the Confederacy, but will you agree to this offer from the Union, General?" 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Drake nods, "As there was a new Amethyne born, so too is a new Shajem incubating. I don't know why it is taking longer, but I do know what I felt." He rubs his chin at the offer, but Elliana can give him a better one.     "The Confederacy can give you a better offer," Elliana states. "You will work for us on a... mission by mission basis, and otherwise live in a pleasant but modest home. You will be monitored, but allowed occasional visits and may offer your services in order to build favor. Your arm will be replaced with something a little less delicate, and I may even release the seal on your powers if I feel you can control yourself. It is rare to find a sane Twisted." She gestures. "Or if you wish to live a quieter life, you may take the Union's offer."     Drake shrugs. "I'll think about both offers. I can tell you where you can start looking, before I choose. The Crystal Forest is what you want. But... that won't get you to the bottom of the conspiracy. I doubt even the Union and Confederacy can spare enough skilled help to handle both at once." He holds up his hand. "I can give you better coordinates. All I ask is that once you find out more about what has happened... tell me. I'd like to die satisfied." 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     "The Union will honor the offer Psyber has made." Nathan says, putting a hand up in an official sort of gesture in Psyber's direction. "As long as information you provide bears fruit, I will let you know every last detail of its harvest. I do not care that it is not enough to unravel the whole conspiracy. That there could bea lead at all is enough. I intend to find out /everything/ that has happened to throw this world into so much chaos, and make things right again."     "If that suffices for you, you need only give us a location." He says, tersely. "And we will move to deal with this." 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     "Both offers are appealing in their own way," Psyber says vaguely, looking to Elliana doubtfully as she makes hers. Whatever judgment he has about it, he keeps it quiet. Instead he looks back to Wightseer and says, "Admittedly, I hope you choose a peaceful and quiet life." He shrugs.     "Otherwise, pretty much what Nathan said." 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     "I'll give you what I remember, but how you take care of it is up to you," Drake grunts. "Obviously you don't approve of my method." There's also the matter that he could be lying about his intentions. "I'll mark it on a map when Lady Fairchild provides one." 

}}

1325/The Third Dream

2015-01-19T07:51:29Z

Blue Elf: Created page with "{{Log Header |Date of Scene=2015/01/13 |Location=Terra Majora |Synopsis=For the third time, the Union dives into Fairchild's dreams. |Thanks= |Cast of Characters=12, 92, 134, ..."

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2015/01/13
|Location=Terra Majora
|Synopsis=For the third time, the Union dives into Fairchild's dreams.
|Thanks=
|Cast of Characters=12, 92, 134, 168, 183, 253, 331, 395, 570, 575
|Tinyplot=New Blood
|Tinyplot2=
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Those who were made aware of the attempt into Fairchild's dreams will find it is pretty straightforward. Mordred has been through this before, and the Unionites have a mystical orb that flares to life now and then. Touching this brings them to... another place. A much different place. The realm of Elliana's Nightmares.     It doesn't look very nightmarey today though. When the groups manifest together, it is on a large sailing ship, with a handsome man in his mid-twenties manning the wheel. He has garish dress, including a wide pirate hat and an eyepatch. Those who have been here before will recognize him a Wrathborn's human guise. "Yo ho ho! Welcome once more! I was beginning to wonder if you'd all forgotten about us in here. I'll be your escort again tonight... CAPTAIN Wrathborn, of the SS Nightmare!"     Someone is in a good mood.     The ship isn't all for show though. It appears that the dreamscape is much more vast this time, and the snakelike body that bears the various locales is made up entirely of water. The ship sails upon this water, that body surrounded by a starry void... and each little island possesses a fragment of memory or thought. Wrathborn adds, "I've taken the liberty of crossing out all the places ye've been."     Crossing out refers to the large map on the table on deck, an animated map. It shows the massive snakelike body in a slow undulating motion, and the islands labelled. Crossed off already are THE TWIN TOWERS, THE BURNING MANOR, and THE CITY OF MURDER. Still labelled are THE WASTELAND, THE CITY OF SORROW, and THE TEMPLE. The massive GATE is also on the map, but not labelled. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     Psyber wasn't going to miss one of these for anything. Personal desire to help Elliana Fairchild aside, he wasn't going to let Nathan traipse around in her subconscious un-chaperoned due to his irresponsible obsessions. The hypocrisy of this personal stance is not lost on the half-angel and the irony is something he fully recognizes.     "Wrathborn. You look... festive," Psyber says in a flat tone, looking at the man in his garrish dress and his unusual demeanor, "I have personal matters I need to discuss with you specifically, but I will arrange for another day to address that. For now, let's get moving," He adds with some finality.     Apparently he doesn't recognize Elliana's subconscious as a No Smoking Area, because he takes one out of his jacket and lights it a moment later. He lets the crumpled cigarette hand in his lips as he looks at the map, tilting his head. He scowls a bit.     "I vote for the Wasteland." 

:'''{{#var:12|Mordred (12)}} has posed:'''     Mordred is currently half asleep on one of the wooden beams supporting the sail of the ship, overlooking the deck in general. She is wearing Dream Psyber's Dream Coat, because Dream Logic and also shut up. The young teenage Servant has already considered hopping down, punching Wrathborn and taking command of the ship, but that'd probably be a horrible idea.     Or a great one.     Verdict's still out on that.     "Don't care where, let's just get rolling already. C'mon snake, this is a dream, shove afterburners on this ship and let's go." 

:'''{{#var:395|Amalthea (395)}} has posed:'''     Kuklos ka Amalthea Schmendrick-Fortuna has her own reasons for being here. Though she's poked her head into Elliana's dreams before, now she has a much more direct motive into the matter aside from simple personal reasons, and this is why the unicorn is present.     However dreams can be a treacherous place, and it means that she is nowhere close to unprepared. Decked out in chain, light plate, and surcoat, she can't help but... Furrow her brow a little at Wrathborn.     "Dude... Talk like a pirate day uh... Kind of passed." She points out under her breath, rubbing at her eye over her new eyepatch. 

:'''{{#var:575|Ayako Hasekawa (575)}} has posed:'''     Well, this is something new! Ayako herself doesn't dream-let alone sleep, so entering a realm of nightmares is something novel for her. "Ehh? Well, thank you and nice to meet you CAPTAIN Wrathborn. You seem to have a very nice ship." Ayako smiles cheerfully at him from next to Psyber. Best to stay by someone who can fight! And at the same time be ready to defend Nathan from anything... nightmarish? She curtsies elegantly towards the captain. "I'm Ayako Hasekawa, a water spirit! Please call me Ayako."     She looks back towards Psyber and Nathan. "Umm... as someone who doesn't really know what is going on, I'll defer to those that do." Ayako smiles a bit awkwardly at them both... and then resumes gazing at the water underneath the ship. 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     Nathan Hall is always looking a littole bit grim when he jumps into the mind of Elliana Fairchild, as well as a bit unsettled by the fall caused by this orb. He sure does have a purpose here, but his purpose is not especially pleasant. His eyes narrow at the map. Wasteland. Hmm. "I have no opposition to visiting the wasteland. It will likely provide precisely the sort of insight I am here to find. The Temple is a location that immediately provokes my substantial interest as well, and must be visited at some point, so I will suggest we take that in the next nightmare in which it appears. It does appear with regularly, correct?"     He tilts his head at Wrathborn, narrowing his eyes in the only violation of his stoic unexpressiveness. There is a moment during which only Wrathborn would have the inhuman, long-term insight to pierce the stoicism and see that Nathan Hall is observing, and turning over in his mind, the implications of Wrathborn's enthusiastic embracing of human cultural memes. "Is there an occasion, or have you chosen this yourself?" He asks, in perhaps a meaningful way. 

:'''{{#var:134|Sakura Haruno (134)}} has posed:'''     Sakura likes to turn up for these things appropriately dressed, which is mostly to say that she's wearing pajamas underneath her light armor. It's hard to even tell, however. She hadn't been on one of these little excursions since running into Elliana's mental version of herself, an experience that had been quite awful enough for a while.     Still, she's here for some of her own reasons, which include mostly keeping quiet. "I suppose the Wasteland works." She decides, after the conversation is mostly had, but she looked worryingly close to siding with Nathan. 

:'''{{#var:331|Himei (331)}} has posed:'''     Hmm. Himei stares at Wrathborn, then sighs and shakes her head. "I'd go for the City of Sorrows just because of young Elliana, but the Wasteland might be interesting. I don't think we've ever failed to learn something important in these locations. Where are all the nightmares of Fairchild going to Confederate War Councils in her underthings?" 

:'''{{#var:183|Mizuki (183)}} has posed:'''     In spite of warnings from Nathan some time ago that invading Elliana's dreams would be a risky business, she is most certainly not content to sit idly by whilst she knows someone - anyone - is having dreams related sojourns without her being present for them. It's likely not a coincidence at all, then, when at a specific moment an hour or so prior to the flashing of the orb, Mizuki would get an inkling that 'something important' would be happening. It was also not by chance that she again ended up in the shadow of Psyber, clad in a somewhat unusually austere gown (by her standards), and followed him - knowing or no - into the dream world. This is where she excels, you know? Or, to parse it another way -- when it comes to dream delving, she is simply the best there is. Probably. I suppose we'll see, tonight.     Putting all that aside, though, she would soon arrive on the deck of the ship with the others, surveying Wrathborn with a quirk of her brow and, perhaps, a gentle twirl of her parasol. "Well, I can hardly forget something I never knew. At least, it wouldn't be -logical- if that were to happen -- I'll not claim that it could never be so." She wouldn't go through the whole process of formal introductions with the... er... swashbuckling dream guide, instead electing to simply bow her head and allow this to speak for her. She's quite a bit more interested in having some input on where their next destination is concerned, though, so she'll address that before moving on to anything else. "Er... hmmm. This 'City of Sorrow' certainly sounds appetizing. Ah, but as Psyber suggested, the Wasteland does as well..." Her eyes close briefly in contemplation, her cheek gently leaning into her closed palm. "Well. You all have been here more than I, so I shall let you decide. Today. Though I shall of course become vocal as I grow more comfortable."     That's what being polite is like, for her.     But with that she would close her umbrella and meander somewhere between Psyber and Ayako, giving them both her usual nods and smiles of greeting whilst trying to glean as much as she can about this plane from a cursory glance. She looks out over the 'ocean', if indeed it really is one, and beyond it attempt to spot any of the landmarks that she happened to notice on the graphic that Wrathborn shared with them. At present, she's mostly trying to gauge just how much similarity, if any, this place bears to her home, and how she might use that familiarity to her advantage. Otherwise she's perfectly content to lower her guard and enjoy the scenery (regardless of how unwise that likely is), at least until the time comes for some her to give some urgent response. 

:'''{{#var:570|Kimiko Shinobu (570)}} has posed:'''     Kimiko does not show up in pajamas, but she does appear somewhat sleepy. She's wearing a coat and scarf, which seems more appropriate to other climes than that typical to a pirate deck, but whatever. It's presently the clothing in which she finds herself most comfortable, so it's how she shows up, here.     She has nothing in particular to add, voicing nothing concerning the next destination, trusting that to others. She spends her time watching--Wrathborn and Mordred, primarily. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Wrathborn spins the wheel about, setting the ship in motion at last. It turns about and begins sailing... and Ayako can tell that something is 'off' about the water now. Mizuki probably has an easier time realizing that the 'motion' is entirely conceptual, but that isn't surprising. This entire landscape is really just a way for people to interpret matters.     "What's wrong with enjoying myself a little?" Wrathborn answers, calling over his shoulder. "This is almost the only time I have that Lady Fairchild isn't watching... and with sapience comes boredom. There are a lot of new things to try! And I don't exactly have a body of my own to go out and do them with. So why can't I dress up? Hello, Ayako... and I think the other one is Mizuki? Miss Shinobu I didn't expect to see in here, but you're welcome to look around. She had a nightmare about you a few weeks ago, you know."     As the Wasteland nears, Wrathborn explains, "Yes, the Temple is always here. Always empty, at least when I have looked in." He shifts as if uncomfortable. "But there are other nightmares. Less coherent ones, irrelevant ones... occasionally ones that deal with Confederate secrets. I mostly filter those out for you. Even if they might be insightful, they're not stable enough to really manifest like this anyway. Too many people here."     The ship creaks as it runs aground, and spread out before the group is what looks like twisted, corrupted fields with rotting crops, and a city in the distance. Arnol's Watch. It looks like the Drasillum, the giant tree that Elliana uses as a base, has overgrown the fortress of the city, and the roots are crushing quite a few of the streets. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     Psyber gives Ayako a smile and a nod. He's cordial, if terse and pretty serious at this moment, "Ayako. Nice to see you," These incursions are always fairly high-tension for him due to personal relationships. In fact, on that note...     He turns to Mizuki and gives her a pretty serious look that lacks his usual humor or good attitude, "Mizuki. Nice to see you." A pause, "I appreciate your help and I'm sure your skillset will be useful here, but I would be negligent not to warn you: You will feel a need to take certain authorial liberties or whims. Unless you are relatively certain of their success, I would ask you to exercise caution and restaint. This realm, for all its beauty, is incredibly dangerous and one wrong move could cause unknown damage." He gives her a slight smile, "Sorry to sound stern, but this particular matter is of immense importance to me."     And then he looks back towards the approaching Wasteland. Some part of him, truthfully, wishes to revisit the Twin Towers and explore that realm more, but it also felt like it was tapped out of information for the moment. Wrathborn leaving it crossed outt cements this for him. As they pull in close, he says formally, "Thank you, Wrathborn."     Psyber lets out a tired sigh and looks up at Mordred, "Nice coat, by the way." He calls to the errant teenage knight. He'd offer her a cigarette to complete the themed outfit, but he refrains. He does offer one to Amalthea, though. He has no idea if she smokes.     Himei and Haruno get nods of his head and a, "Yo. Been a while since we were on a mission together," From him. He smiles at them both in a friendly manner too.     But most of his attention returns to Arnol's Watch, overrun by the Drasillum, "Well. This is grim." 

:'''{{#var:575|Ayako Hasekawa (575)}} has posed:'''     Ayako smiles cheerfully at Mizuki as she moves her gaze from the 'water' and nods a greeting to her as well! "Mmm... dreams are definitely something interesting..." And then smiles another cheerful smile at Psyber. "Always nice to see you, too, Psyber." She smiles brightly at Wrathborn. "And I don't see anything wrong with dressing up!" Of course the water girl with the water clothes and extremely vast amount of outfits would say that.     "Hmm... a temple... huh?" Ayako becomes quiet for a moment, and then blinks her eyes slowly when Psyber warns Mizuki about taking authorial liberties or whims. "Mmm... I suppse we are sort of... in her soul in a matter... huh? Best not to leave a mess..." And now she becomes extremely quiet with her amber gaze turned downwards at the deck of the ship, for some reason...? 

:'''{{#var:12|Mordred (12)}} has posed:'''     Psyber's words snap the Servant out of her boredom. "Forget dangerous for you or inconvenient for Psyber, you do anything here that even remotely threatens my master in the slightest way possible and I'm skewering you and throwing you out myself," Mordred rumbles from atop her perch towards Mizuki, before jumping down to stand by Psyber. "Love the coat by the way, thanks. Just wearing this one here because I wanted to see if I could dream shit up. You tell your grabby friends they can look but if they start touching it ain't gonna end well. This isn't a themepark." Well, for a given definition. It's fine if they play along and do stupid things, there's just obvious do's and don't's, and Mordred's already had to play clean up here, so she's not interested having to do it again.     "Come on, let's go explore a tree-overrun city."     Not that talking is boring, but.     Okay yeah talking bores Mordred a lot.     Let's go take a closer look. 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     Nathan makes an almost distasteful noise. "I am not here to spy on my opposing faction." He says. "Continue to filter the Confederate secrets as you like." And it really, honestly is true, even coming from him! His stoicism allows only for a small widening of the eyes as they approach Arnol's Watch. The librarian knows exactly where he needs to go first. As he seems to "process", he speaks up. "Psyber is correct. Utmost discretion. I am certain both our group and Elliana can pull through any unfortunate events, but the information here is valuable and we need caution to ensure our chance to see it."     Nathan makes a wordless motion, inviting the others to take action, and descends himself. Psyber, and probably even Himei and Haruno, will be able to recognize that Tunnel-Vision Mode he's got again, immediately focused on something to the exclusion of almost all else. Without hesitation, Nathan makes a humble sort of leap off the bow of the ship and onto the ground, his mechanical wing-pack unfolding briefly and flaring out under his cloak to slow his descent before he clumsily lands, and begins marching forward very, very intently and seriously. Get to Arnol's Watch, that's the first part of this, so he's focused entirely on the city and hard-marching his way to it. A moral failure. There was the invasion of the Noble Quarter, there was the incident with Neuvina... Come on, Nathan, you can figure this one out... 

:'''{{#var:183|Mizuki (183)}} has posed:'''     Mizuki would perk up at the mention of her name. "Ah! It's awfully nice to know that I'm remembered. Yes, I am Mizuki. Pleased to make your acquaintance, though we might've done so already through some other means. I'm sure neither of us can really say." Mizuki would soon turn from Wrathborn to get a glimpse of the 'Wasteland' proper, though, stopping just short of the boat's edge to just sit back and marvel. "Ah..." The girl takes a deep breath. "... I don't believe I'll have any regrets about coming here, no. When I read 'Wasteland', I had this stereotypical image of some horrid desert come to mind. But this place has some character! Quite a bit of it, really." Her free hand would fold behind her back. "I'll have you know, there is little I love more than ruins. All that wreckage of propriety, all those memories just beyond our temporal awareness... even if that is all a simulation here, it makes it no less delightful to muse on, truly."     Then, Psyber. Mizuki's smile would slowly even into something a bit more sober. When his statement concludes, she would give a long, knowing nod. "That... seems to be something of a constant when it comes to any sort of psychology, really. Don't fret." She might give another quick glance back in Wrathborn's direction. "... and, as sarcastic or distracted as I may seem, I can assure you -- I will budge not an inch without counsel with your, Nathan, or another 'savvy' sort beforehand. It is my hope that I may be able to help you somehow, here, with my particular talents, but if there is one thing I understand as someone who appreciates the history," She would give a meaningful pause, "it's that it takes a careful, dedicated hand to build something up, and but the gentlest nudge from a reckless one to destroy it entirely. I would not wish to undo what you have been able to accomplish here. Mercifully, I am not that frivolous. Oh, though I did not at all believe you were accusing me of being so, of course." With that, her expression would morph back into a much lighter smile, and she would give a final, supplemental nod before disembarking.      She would not wander very far afterwards, instead keeping close to the shore and giving a few more, periodic twirls of her parasol. She would continue to gaze about with the same interested, furtive glances as before, occasionally looking back to scan the rest of the group that she entered this realm with.     For now, she's going to make staying put her way of demonstrating her sincerity to Psyber, though she might peek back at Ayako for a moment. She would open her mouth as if she were about to say something, but she would think better of it before the words have the opportunity to escape her mouth. Probably for the best that way. 

:'''{{#var:331|Himei (331)}} has posed:'''     Himei... fistbumps Psyber, and nods to Sakura. Mordred's concern has her speaking in a mild tone, "We aren't here to mess things up, and we'll make sure the newbies don't step out of line. I think Kimiko has been in the dreamscape before, anyway."     Himei hops off the ship, landing on the ground and brushing herself off. "So... what was this one? Personal failure of a moral nature? What's that supposed to mean, anyway?" She frowns... "Is this what would happen if she considered /herself/ evil?" 

:'''{{#var:395|Amalthea (395)}} has posed:'''     Amalthea has a LOT of bad habits. Between the foul language and an addiction to tacos, a cigarette is the least among the list of the worst things she can do. Though she has long since toned back her antifreeze issues.     By the time Wrathborn turns the SS Dreamskimmer about to run aground on rotting crops, Amalthea hops off the ship. A sudden burst of sparkles and rainbows from her ankles slows her descent to keep from breaking her legs on the way down, she is chewing on the cigarette, munching slowly; as the prime ingredients consist of dried leaves. It is not exactly tasty, but she just munches slowly as she casts her eye on the overgrown Arnol's Watch. Oh she would recognize the tree there, of course. "Well that looks inviting." 

:'''{{#var:570|Kimiko Shinobu (570)}} has posed:'''     Kimiko slowly blinks a few times, more out of apparent sleepiness than reaction to anything. Wrathborn's comment then has her attention--she gives a short nod acknowledgement as she's addressed, and then a quirked brow. "I haven't done anything to her, have I?"     Has she? Well, there was...     More importantly, people are descending. Kimiko will follow, shortly, though she first gives a nod to Himei. "I have." 

:'''{{#var:134|Sakura Haruno (134)}} has posed:'''     "Besides, it's best if we not start having any sort of fights here." Sakura doesn't seem too surprised at Mordred's outburst, in spite of not having spent that long around them, because they're something like four for four in having those sorts of outbursts now. At least this one's directed at someone Sakura herself is a bit wary of.     "Mm. Well, I recognize the tree, of course.. but I admit I'm not certain what moral failure might have been involved." Sakura misses a lot of the forest for the tree in her analysis of Elliana, though. She'll hop off after Nathan, keeping an eye on his back since she's mildly convinced he won't be doing anything to keep himself safe. 

:'''{{#var:575|Ayako Hasekawa (575)}} has posed:'''     Ayako shakes her head quickly and then smiles softly. "A-anyway!" And then she notes Nathan already descending off the the ship! "I... What? Is... is Nathan always like this?" She quickly makes haste to jump off the ship and floats quickly after Nathan! "Don't go off on your own, Nathan!"     After a brief moment, Ayako realizes she's floating without her broom! She quickly rummages around in her hat and takes out her broomstick and sits down sidesaddle on it. What? There are appreances to maintain! 

:'''{{#var:183|Mizuki (183)}} has posed:'''     Before departing from the ship proper, Mizuki would also turn to study Mordred for a few moments. She's silent, at first, falling back on a more neutral expression so as not to seem quite so haughty in the presence of someone she believes might... not respond well to that attitude. After a deep breath and some time to consider her word choice, she would add: "I am here to observe. For less practical reasons than Nathan, perhaps, but certainly not ones that should threaten Miss Fairchild in any way, nor ones that should be a detriment to you, personally. I shall endeavor to show you as much in deed as we progress." She would give a short bow of her head. "... ah, and I very much doubt that you are one for pleasantry, but I don't believe I've ever met you before. It is good to make your acquaintance, Miss."     Her smile is a bit forced, but it's passable. Mostly. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Wrathborn frowns at the arguing. "You know, I'm standing right here." He sighs, tossing his eyepatch off and leaping down to join everyone on the ground. It can't really be called shore, because the boat is now in the middle of a field. "Mordred, I do appreciate your dedication here. If I haven't thanked you for that lately. Now then..."     Wrathborn gestures as he starts to approach. "I don't really like this one. It's based on a lot of presumptions that aren't... necessarily true. I'll let you see what I mean. Once again, for those who are new to this place, I remind you that this is her fears, not necessarily her thoughts." He glances at Kimiko. "You said something to her once that bothered her. I wouldn't worry about it. I can't really figure out her mindset there, anyway."     The city, on approach, is not exactly ruins. Sure, it is RUINED but... there are people there. Sort of. Scraping by, but there... like a war zone. It's pretty clear they're trying to stay out of sight, and the middle of the street, on approach, is dominated by a man impaled upon the sharp tip of a root, his blood drained by the Drasillum's root. He's still quite recognizable, but not as a native of this city. Most probably won't recognize him, but he is ETHAN BLOODSTONE to those who do know. 

:'''{{#var:12|Mordred (12)}} has posed:'''     What's that, Sakura? Mordred needs to have MORE outbursts, and they need to be completely unreasonable but AT LEAST not directed at her?     Okay, sure.     "MISS?" Green eyes trail off the sight of the war zone entirely. The battlefield, the giant tree, Bloodstone, it doesn't quite matter to the homunculus anymore in light of the minefield Mizuki just accidently walked into. Mordred frowns, and she looks fairly insulted. "That's sir. Or Saber. Or just Mordred. But not miss, and not lady, and not dear, and definitely not princess." Huff. Maybe one day someone'll manage to make her secure about that part of her identity, although that's pretty unlikely.     Then to Wrathborn: "Don't push your luck, if you didn't fuck shit up in the first place I wouldn't need to be dedicated. Might not be here at all either, but that's aside the point."     Well someone's a ray of sunshine tonight. 

:'''{{#var:134|Sakura Haruno (134)}} has posed:'''     "Alright, Saber-hime, calm down." Sakura says, evidently poking the bear a little bit to distract from a theoretical ally. This may be the same way she ended up getting Tsunade to throw heavy things at her for training, too.     She's stepping up, though, towards the impaled man, starting to try to figure out if he's even alive at all, and if so, if she can remotely begin to try to get him off that root without killing him. She can hardly heal him mid-impalement, after all.     "I don't suppose blood types matter that much in dreams." She muses to herself, wondering if that much would be influenced by Elliana's knowledge. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     Okay, first and most important thing: Himei's fistbump is returned, locked, and then blown up in a suitably dorky fashion as Psyber tries to look like a cool guy. No one has done those handshakes since the nineties.     Mordred gets a slap to the center of her back, "Glad you like it." And then he sticks his hands in his pockets, "How're things with you and your father, anyway? You back to bein' the good son?" He asks in a casual tone, exhaling a small amount of smoke. She already got two hugs last year, so he'll spare her the torture this time. Plus her mood seems to be Stabby, and that is a bad time to try.     Mizuki gets a nod of his head and a grateful, "Thanks. I appreciate it." He then sighs heavily and walks over. The sight of a man impaled isn't so terrifying to him, mostly owing to his own propensity to be impaled on things in the line of duty. So he circles around the man a few times, letting out a shrill whistle not unlike a man calling a taxi, "Yo. You awake?"     He'll let Haruno work, though. Instead he's mostly making his conjecturing guesses over the radio, "I'll need to see more of the dream to get a clear picture," Psyber says. He does kick one of the other roots a couple times to see what happens. He has no comment to the woman chewing a cigarette. He does, probably happily for Amalthea's note, smoke filterless cigarettes. Which means it's pretty all-natural. 

:'''{{#var:183|Mizuki (183)}} has posed:'''     Mizuki... practically winces at Wrathborn's next words. Her confidence in being here is rapidly deteriorating, and nothing of consequence has even happened yet. With something of a well-hidden sigh, she would turn to the nightmare creature and gingerly nod her head again. "... apologies." Not much else to say, there, really. But just as she's turning back around, just as she's about to take a breath, she's mentally propelled forward several centimeters by the earth shattering repetition of the word Mizuki had just uttered. She would turn to face her with a genuinely dumbstruck expression that Psyber -- or anyone who had known her before now, really -- might find absolutely hilarious in spite of themselves. Her eyes are bulging, and they're as bright as a pair of mingling supernovas.     "I-I..." Her body is rigid, and for once, she has very few words. She didn't know if trying to broach conversation with Mordred would end well or not, but... well. -Well-. She swallows. "... I... am very sorry if I've offended you, somehow. I tend to default to certain honorifics, so I would be quite obliged if you'd not take it personally. I don't know how often we'll interact in the future, but I will certainly address you as 'Sir' in the future, if the situation demands." ... well, at least she... they... Mordred gave Mizuki their name with their little outburst. That's kind of a plus? "And again, it is... a pleasure to meet you, M-... -Sir- Mordred."     Do -all- knights react this way if you don't address them properly? A mental image of Bedivere exploding in a similar manner comes to her mind, suddenly. Prrroobably not, but she'll... she'll be more careful in the future, at least. Though she doesn't have eardrums that could ring, she nevertheless gives her left one a rub to symbolically put this borderline traumatic few moments behind her.     Sheezus.     Then her eyes dart to Sakura. Oh -God-, now she's picturing Toreador Haruno and Bulldread. She's really conflicted as to whether she should laugh, run for her life, or thank Sakura for redirecting the 'Sir's' aggressions, but regardless, she'll just take this opportunity to inch of closer to the ruins, and further from the boat. She'll also be gravitating toward Ayako for a while for emotional support.     ... n-not that she really needs 'emotional support' or anything! She's not -actually- scared. (Baka!)     When she's had some time to calm down, she'll head over to Bloodstone's position as well, looking them over critically but not breathing a word. She has gotten herself in quite enough trouble with words for one evening. 

:'''{{#var:331|Himei (331)}} has posed:'''     Himei listens to the history of the man, and the arguing behind her, and frowns. "Saber's right," she says absently. "And try to get along for this. Fairchild might be our enemy, but we should probably remember that she has to live with this sort of thing just about every night."     Himei starts walking around the root, pondering the situation. "Mordred, you have any insights Wrathborn can't give us?" 

:'''{{#var:575|Ayako Hasekawa (575)}} has posed:'''     Ayako pauses in her floating upon the sight of the man impaled on the sharp tip of a root. She gazes around slowly. The people that are living in this place aren't approaching the man... and she begins to float over to the impaled man. Although Sakura seems to have that situation under control.     Best to let Sakura handle that then! Ayako floats a bit higher and takes a look around-while keeping an eye on Nathan just in case he does something Too Straightforward. 

:'''{{#var:395|Amalthea (395)}} has posed:'''     Well, Ethan looks like he has seen better days. Impaled and drained like that.     "I think I vaguely remember this guy. Sucks to be him." Amalthea muses, amid chewing her cigarette thoughtfully.     She motions at Psyber for another when she swallows because she is full of bad habits. Before looking around for a stick to poke Ethan with while the half-angel tries to engage him.     You know. Just to see if he's awake and or alive.     In the event of a lack of sticks she will poke him with her horn. 

:'''{{#var:570|Kimiko Shinobu (570)}} has posed:'''     Kimiko looks at Wrathborn, but doesn't voice anything more on that topic. She might have an idea of it, but it's probably not relevant to the current situation. Nor are Mordred's insecurities, though that does get another look from her. She might have more context there if she'd ever made close acquaintance with another Saber.     A glance over those assembled, listening to the words being said, and she reaches a quick conclusion: There is not anything within her usual purview to worry over, withing this group. For that reason, she turns again, and begins walking into the city. If there is anything dangerous here, she'd like to trigger it sooner than later, and would rather it be on her than another. She doesn't imagine Haruno's work will take so long that she gets out of sight, or anything of that irresponsible nature. 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     Nathan continues his march. The man -- possibly a corpse, meant as a warning? -- is given a wide berth. Nathan recognizes him, and underneath that mask of stoicism, he's feeling disgusted, distressed, and intimidated, but the man himself simply keeps his blank look and makes a very soft worried sound. The others, the living among here, so fearfully.     "Recall that she chose to." Is all the words Nathan leaves, to Himei this time. "I believe I have a 'hunch' regarding the narrative of this. I am going to go confirm, while you address this." And then he's pushing on. Unlike the locals, he steps through the streets directly, likely alongside Kimiko. He tries to get to a part of the Noble's Quarter that will let him get a good look at Steppenworth Manor, and perhaps approach if something provokes interest there. He'd like to see what remenants of the narrative there may be here, even if they do intimidate and disgust him.     And then, of course, his primary goal: Determine a way of ascending the Drasillum, He can fly, but as always, he would rather not. That's the primary objective here, though, and he knows the way to where he needs to be. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Getting Ethan down is a little bit of a struggle, but... horrifyingly, he DOES still seem to be alive. This is a dream, and the actual physics of doing so would have been impossible otherwise. It's doubtful that he'll give any useful information in the state he's in, though.     Wrathborn calls out, "I'd ah... be careful in there," to Kimiko and Nathan. It's not an unreasonable statement, either! The townspeople are staring from hiding... the ones that have survived. It's not that surprising when a snarling, manlike being bursts from an alleyway, dressed in tattered rags of a guard uniform and with a twisted, bestial appearance. Thorny bone spires jut out at odd angles... odd enough that it's probably incredibly painful for him to move, let alone do the feral howling attack he's trying. It looks like the guards have been turned into some kind of beasts to hunt down the townspeople.     Presuming Nathan lets Kimiko deal with that, he will indeed find Steppenworth manor in short order. Details will not be said here, let us just say it is incredibly gruesome and involves redecorating the insides of the manor.     On the plus side, reviving Ethan, even if he's still unconscious, has gotten one of the children to be brave enough to approach the group. 

:'''{{#var:395|Amalthea (395)}} has posed:'''     While the others handle Ethan, Amalthea can't exactly do much. Sure she can try and shed a tear over him, but Sakura really has the medical attention handled, so she steps back, no longer poking him with whatever is on hand.     It's the approach of the child that has her attention. And just like that, the unicorn scootches low, hands planting on her knees as she tilts her head. "Aye, child?" She asks in a soft voice, attempting to be as non-threatening as an armored unicorn-knight can be. 

:'''{{#var:183|Mizuki (183)}} has posed:'''     The presence of a child does something to jolt Mizuki out of her current lull. There's... something very nostalgic about this scene. She has met far too many children who have been in such dismal circumstances, hanging on for dear life in a world that has fallen apart, principally because she has sought those troubled souls of her own volition. To 'save' them, as it were, and offer them respite in her home. Only... she hasn't done anything of the sort since her world merged, the intricacies of that would likely make the offer a trifle immoral in the presence of others, the child would likely not accept even if she should offer, and... otherwise, it just does not seem like a very good suggestion to put forward. Oh, and that's without considering that this person is the product of someone -else's- imagination, and that transfer would likely not go over well. Pity.     Still, that won't stop Mizuki from approaching them. She would approach them with a soft sort of smile, stopping at what she hopes will be a comfortable distance and offering a quick curtsy gesture. Only when she concludes does she begin to realize how utterly wrong those behaviors may seem with the world around them in tatters, and she immediately tries to correct herself to a more appropriately somber set of mannerisms. This is, thankfully, reflected in her inflection. "Greetings. Please, try not to be afraid. Our group has some extremely capable individuals among its number, and we'll see to it that you will not be harmed. Or... harmed further, at the least." She contemplates asking them for their name, or where they'd come from, or another such simplistic query to ease them into a more earnest interrogation, but she decides against it for now. She would look to Psyber and others she knows to have visited this place previously for guidance, as well as Ayako whom she knows to be very good with children. As much as she would -like- to be the best person to handle this conversation, she probably isn't.     Whilst waiting for a response from the child and further input from her companions, Mizuki would glance around the city to form a mental schema for the people living here. Conditions are... dismal, to say the least, and at first she obviously had not been expecting anyone to dwell here at all. She might finally be curious about the tree that dominates the landscape, too, giving a fleeting look in the direction of its bower before glancing back at the child, hopefully. 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     Psyber isn't great with children. Slightly-damaged Magical Girls Aged 15-22, we're right in his wheelhouse, but children are not his strongsuit. And so Psyber will not go and deal with the small child approaching. He will, awkwardly, produce another cigarette and hand it to Amalthea so she can chew on it.     Mizuki, shellshocked as she is, gets a slap on the back, "That's Mordred, eldest SON of King Arthur. You shouldn't forget that about her," Psyber says with a thumbs up to her. He smiles, "Just gotta make sure to mind your Ps and Qs on that matter. Even I can't get away with calling her Miss or anything like that."     "I'll catch up with you guys," Psyber says, wings unfolding. He figures this place is best dealt with on multiple fronts, investigating from all angles. So he looks towards the top of that tree and then over to Mordred, "You want a ride?"     If Mordred says yes, he'll carry her. She's saved the embarassment of something like piggyback or princess carry, instead being hoisted by her underarms. If Mordred says no, Psyber will just fly up solo. 

:'''{{#var:570|Kimiko Shinobu (570)}} has posed:'''     Kimiko, like Nathan, gives little outward reaction when encountering such things as corpses and monsters, as different as their internal reactions may be. For her part, when she first senses danger, her clothing is replaced in a literal flash, modern winter wear disappearing in favor of frills and long, fingerless gloves. As the former guard approaches, she makes a fist, summoning to hand a spike-tipped and double-headed axe, the handle nearly long enough to make a halberd.     "Excuse me. I will deal with this."     There may be some effective but less final solution to the obvious problem, but she shows no interest in pursuing such. She waits only long enough to be sure that the bestial creature is charging them before she steps forward and swings, timing an overhead slash to bring it down with enough force to cleave an armored soldier in two. 

:'''{{#var:12|Mordred (12)}} has posed:'''     If Bedivere is capable of that sort of outburst it will be one of the rare few times Mordred will actually respect him. Sadly it'll probably be a cold day in hell before that happens.     A wide grin appears on the Servant's face, evidently quite happy with Mizuki's reaction. She'd push, try to make her even more uncomfortable, or try (and probably fail) to look scary (in no small part because Mordred's only five foot tall, that tends to not help). But then she comes under triple focus, and decides to brush the matter off since Mizuki did apologize.     And really, what more can you ask for.     First the pat from Psyber is met with a shrug. "S'fine. I mean, Bedivere's still a hardass and it's making it kinda hard, but I guess I'm not giving him a breather either. Can't change overnight."     Then Haruna gets a bloodthirsty stare, completely shifting the aggro from Mizuki to Haruno if there was any left. An effective use of taunt, right there.     Finally, the request for information is simply answered with: "Eh. She mentions him on and off. Positive tone, usually. One of the rare people from her past she does that to much. But she ain't really gone into details."     And to defuse the matter, Psyber offers her a ride away. Mordred grins and hops onto Psyber's back, not at all embarassed by a piggyback. "Aww yeah, adventure! Let's go." 

:'''{{#var:575|Ayako Hasekawa (575)}} has posed:'''     Ayako floats after Nathan as he starts to actively push on past the impaled Ethan. And then startles when a snarling beast-like and bone thorny guard gusts out from an alleyway! But Kimiko seems to have this under control. And so Ayako quickly floats after Nathan to make sure he at least can stay safe while he's being so straightfoward. 

:'''{{#var:134|Sakura Haruno (134)}} has posed:'''     Sakura's response to the aggro is probably not very impressive, given that she's busy pulling a man down from being impaled and is so not paying sufficient attention to Mordred to be cowed. It's probably just as well, though.     Once she's got him mostly stablized, she'll lift him up. It's not like she really wants to carry him around, mind, but she's hardly just going to leave him there to rot. So instead she's going to take him further into the tree as she starts to follow along after Nathan, vaguely, exiting stage up to get away from the children. She's bad with children, especially freaky nightmare children. 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     Nathan remains stock-still when the beastman approaches. That's not because he has any particular overwhelming power he intends to strike the man down with, but because of his rather absolute confidence in Kimiko's defense of him, simply watching closely and with utmost stoicism, taking in the details. Physical mutation. Deformity. Like Elliana's abuse of animals. And yet, this one is human. Not like the twisted, but more like the animals affected by Shajem influence.     Nathan begins to guess that this nightmare features more of Elliana's efforts to spread her power among other people. This troubles Nathan /profoundly/. He will keep his distance while Kimiko does... Well, whatever she will do, to eliminate the threat, on his way to the manor. He very promptly decides to not investigate further, after seeing something in the window. He has control of his own emotions, but even Nathan Hall has his limits.     No point in going back for the others, they have it under control and Nathan's in tunnel vision mode far too much to do that. For now, he focuses on the Drasillum. "We will ascend." He says, simply, to Kimiko and Ayako, and begins to stride forward. Then there's a glance, sidelong, to Ayako. "Might I trouble you for another ride?" Then another glance, to Kimiko. "I am certain you can handle your own ascent." If Ayako will permit, he's going to take another ride up with her, intending to direct her into the Drasillum's residence, where he recalls Fairchild is now living, from their meeting before, as well as hopefully lining up with Psyber and Mordred on their approach. 

:'''{{#var:183|Mizuki (183)}} has posed:'''     Mizuki's back is slapped.     And again, she freezes as though she were a cat who had just seen a Grand Piano come crashing down in front of them. Her nerves were -already- shot, and she's never been that great with physical contact (she's incorporeal half the time, so go figure), so this likely gives the child a fairly amusing reprise of her earlier panick attack. It's slightly watered down this time, though, and her shock cures almost as soon as she sees that the hand belongs to Psyber. /Phew/. She's too relieved to pout, but she might still pucker her lips just faintly.     When she does have time to loose her dramatic exhalation, though, she would reply to Psyber with a meek 'Right' and a series of nods. The mention of the word 'son' does get a tilt of her head, but her confusion is quickly relinquished. It... doesn't seem all that strange to her, really, and after a final triplet of nods she would resurrect her grin, hopefully in a way that will last this time. A woman who prefers to be referred to with masculine honorifics? That reminds her of someone else she knows, actually. She wouldn't say this out loud, but she actually finds the whole debacle novel and, dare she even think it, endearing. So after taking her turn to either creep (or gross) Mordred out with a genuine, radiant smile in her direction, she would look to the younger visitor with a sort of renewed vigor.     She's too flighty to stay shellshocked for long, sorry. 

:'''{{#var:331|Himei (331)}} has posed:'''     Huh. Himei nods slowly at what Mordred says, but she's distracted soon after by the child. "Hey. Don't worry... we're just going to go look in the tree. But it might get dangerous, so you should probably get somewhere safe. Unless there's something you wanted to tell us?"     Then Himei is struck by an awful, horrible idea.     "Wrathborn, why don't you find this kid's parents and get him to safety?"     Mostly, she wants to see how he reacts. 

:'''{{#var:575|Ayako Hasekawa (575)}} has posed:'''     Ayako smiles softly at Nathan and nods her head slowly. "Certainly, Nathan." In a moment, she scoots forward on her broomstick and sweeps downwards so that Nathan can take a seat on the broom in the more secure seat by the brush. Once Nathan takes a seat, she floats back up and lets him guide her to where he wants to go. After all, she has no clue at all. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Kimiko... cleaves the former guard in two. He was strong enough to terrorize commoners, but let's be honest, Kimiko has dealt with far worse. The ichor splatters all over, and he slumps to the ground, dead. Some whispering starts in the town.     It's the child who answers at all. "I don't think she'll like that..." is all he says, quiet and worried. He glances around, but then he's offered to the Nightmare being, who is giving Himei an incredulous look.     "You all DO know that these people aren't... real, right?" Wrathborn says finally. "They'll vanish with the dawn. Or, well, her waking." He sighs, holding out his hand to the boy. "Come on, kid. We'll go play video games or something while they... see what Elliana is terrified of becoming." 

:'''{{#var:570|Kimiko Shinobu (570)}} has posed:'''     Kimiko looks down, letting the head of her axe fall. It's about what she expected, but she had to be ready to be surprised. The gore-splattered axe is dismissed as quickly as it appeared.     "Hn," comes her response to Nathan, thoughtfully glancing up toward the destination. Yes, she should have little difficulty making her way up, now that she's transformed. Acrobatics are within a Puella Magi's powerset.     She spares no words to the child, but begins making her way up. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     To those ascending, either by flight or climbing, it is... well, a dream. It goes MUCH faster than it should. Perhaps it is a little easier thanks to the efforts down below, because already the town looks a little healthier than before. Likely, these people have no hope at all, normally, and now they do. Perhaps this softens the blow of the Nightmare, when she wakes up... or maybe it will encourage her.     Moving toward the residence is pretty easy... and of note, THIS dream has no sign of Mordred in it. Somewhat unusual, especially considering the important role that Mordred played last time. Nor are the others present!     All that is here is one lone... creature. It can't /really/ be said to be Elliana, not with the decor of skulls mounted about(which look REALLY odd in the living room, but it is a dream), nor with the fact that she's stooped over, with her wings trailing along the ground and a writhing and scaled tail. Clawed hands and an incredibly bestial, almost draconic look are the dominant features of her body.     She's just sitting, waiting, and flicks a forked tongue. "It was unsatisfying killing you all the first time. Why have you returned?"     Well, at least she isn't attacking? 

:'''{{#var:570|Kimiko Shinobu (570)}} has posed:'''     Kimiko adopts a quizzical cant of the head.     "You killed me?" 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     "Oh god, my back!" Psyber says before flying Mordred up to the top of the tree. At least, you know, she seems comfortable. And he has a soft spot for her, so he'll allow it. He feels very silly about it all, though, and his wings flap heavily as he ascends with them both.     Of course, they land and come to the woman herself. Psyber will let Mordred get off his back as they land before he says anything. Having a Saber on your back is not great for making speeches. It also gives him time to figure out what he wants to say. Not very much time, so what he does say is incredibly cliche.     "Die, monster! You don't belong in this world!" Psyber says uncertainly, playing into the fact that Elliana probably, at least in his guess of how she views him, sees him as some sort of cliche and self-sacrificing hero archetype. It is her weird dream hyperbole, after all.     Psyber draws a gun as he says this. 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     Nathan dismounts from the broom swiftly, and with a short, succinct "thank you" to Ayako. Then there's a short walk through the manor at the top of the tree, which Nathan takes with speed and determination. When he strides in, he feels both a deep sense of fear and a deep sense of vindication, and neither of these show on his face.     "You know just as well as I do, why any phantom chooses to haunt the world. Unanswered questions and unfinished business." Nathan Hall speaks up, then strides forward, with an almost fearless walk that rather contradicts the deep, intense intimidation he feels at the idea of Elliana actually vindicating him in the end. "The first, before the second. Why. Explain. I know what you are like. No part of you, Shajem or human, would ever claim to dislike the opportunity to experience dramatic attention that transcends the boundaries of life and death. So take your chance." Hall knows her vanity, at least, will have survived... Whether or not this is a nightmarish mirror of Wrathborn or a potential future Elliana Fairchild perceives for herself. Hopefully he can squeeze a monologue out of her, for insight. 

:'''{{#var:12|Mordred (12)}} has posed:'''     "Are you saying I'm heavy?"     There is definitely going to be painful blows and jabs against Psyber's back and shoulders as he flies if he doesn't handle that bomb quickly. But once they reach the top, and Elliana, she just hops off and finds a corner to idle in.     "Oh. Oh, I get it. Is thia an Elliana who won and totally absorbed Wrathborn way back when? Man, that means she never had the great joy of my presence. Or maybe it's something else. I'unno. Oh well. S'outta my league, you kids have fun, I'm gonna watch."     Unless she becomes needed, anyway. 

:'''{{#var:395|Amalthea (395)}} has posed:'''     We're flying we're flying, we're landing, we're landing, we're getting told we were killed before.     Hold the phone.     Amalthea has to pause on that one, head canting to an inquisitive angle as she arrives with the rest of everyone else, Elliana isapparently hardcore evil and Psyber draws iron.     Amalthea however stays her blade. But she keeps up with the moment and goes with it, rather than against it.     So be it.     She has but one question for this Elliana.     "Is this what your mother would have wanted for her little girl while sending her to live?" 

:'''{{#var:183|Mizuki (183)}} has posed:'''     With the child accounted for, Mizuki would summon her wings and, quickly as she can, ascend with the rest of the group. Once there, she would find... something quite unlike the Elliana that she remembered meeting. Granted, she does not at all claim to know her -well-, but even she can tell that this is a twisted quagmire of the person whose fears have brought this world into being. All of a sudden, Mizuki might feel a subtle... pang of pain that she can't entirely identify the source of. It's likely more of an enigma her than it is to her friends that she, too, has had nightmares of similar situations... and... that makes this situation a bit hard to swallow even without any proper context. Perhaps this is why, even considering all her horrific features and all the powers she likely has at her disposal, Mizuki finds it quite difficult to summon her sword.     Still at a loss for words, the lady would have very little to say to 'Elliana', here. Still, she would still manage, "... what a peculiar way to meet you for a second time. Or perhaps it isn't 'you', but rather... ah, the technicalities don't matter. Still, I feel as if I'm going about this whole thing in a very subverted, roundabout..." Her thought train would peter off into nothingness as Nathan steps up, again wielding his silver tongue in a manner she used to believe she might've fancied herself capable of, many months prior. Idly, her arms fold behind her back, and she grows extremely quiet. It's a fairly neutral, calm quiet this time, though, and it seems the state she's lapsed into now is one reserved for the sort of 'distant analysis' she's so fond of. It's abundantly clear that she has no role in this tale, and, well... she, and everyone else, would be better served if she would take this opportunity to listen rather than speak where she knows naught.     So that's precisely what she does. Watching, waiting, and forcing the situation before her eyes on to a metaphorical stage too distant to ever pose her harm. Ah, though she did want to ask... 

:'''{{#var:575|Ayako Hasekawa (575)}} has posed:'''     Ayako hops off of her broom a few moments after Nathan does. She snatches the broom back up in her hands and follows closely behind him until she catches up with him and then walks side-by-side with him. Her amber eyes blink slowly when she encounters Elliana and her head inclines to the side gently. Huh... Well, she certainly looks different in this nightmare.     And... well, Ayako isn't as good at this improvized dramatics thing as everyone else! So she just moves her hands behind her back with her broom held horizontally as leans forward slightly as she watches. 

:'''{{#var:331|Himei (331)}} has posed:'''     Himei scoops up Sakura, but fortunately Himei is used to carrying awkward loads... though she still drops the mednin as soon as she can find a branch wide enough.     This leaves Himei's arms free to... er... crack knuckles and look really, really apathetic. "I punch you." Her body shimmers, and she's in that dark gray and black uniform.     She turns to the others and gives a shrug. "What? I didn't talk as much back when we met!" 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     Psyber wants to reinforce Nathan's point. And Elliana clearly views herself as an ultimate villain here. That means that Psyber wants to play into the setup that Nathan is doing. So, with the gun in his hand, he continues his speech, "I trusted you, Elliana! You used to be human! Look at you now!"     Psyber throws the gun to the side, "Yeah, I'm back. And I'm going to keep coming back until you're defeated," Psyber shouts, charging in towards the Monster Elliana in the dream world. His hand coils into a fist and he swings it forward towards her.     The Punch is easily telegraphed, predictable, dodgeable, and Psyber leaves himself WIDE open as he runs in to EVERY retaliation Elliana could make. If she takes the bait and just strikes him down, he will stay down and just listen, basically being ostensibly dead.     After all, the main villain always strikes down a hero before the big speech. 

:'''{{#var:134|Sakura Haruno (134)}} has posed:'''     The mednin nods in thanks to Himei, having very carefully avoided kicking or any other uncouth behavior on her way up. No matter how much she wanted to.     She's not really thrilled about the idea of making her actions those that Elliana would expect from her - she's seen the image that Elliana had had of her, after all. And she doesn't have a sword anymore. She'll pull out a knife, though, turning towards the monster and pausing just a moment to hope for some confirmation from the group. The only thing Sakura'd wanted to do was kill her, after all. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Elliana... just starts to laugh! She doesn't actually recognize everyone, exactly, but the rest will get a role to fill in. "Charge in and attack. The same as always," she hisses. Literally hisses, in fact. She doesn't move, doesn't even try to move... because she's in the Drasillum, and the vinelike protrusions that whip out lash out at Psyber, tipped with vicious barbed spikes. It doesn't actually /hurt/ but they will 'damage' if they hit, so he can play his part just fine.     Playing the role of the heroes like that is... perfect, really. A cackling laugh, and 'Elliana' threads her fingers together, though she narrows her eyes at some of those here. Ayako, Mizuki, Mordred... this incarnation doesn't know them well, and it's throwing her off slightly. Just slightly. "More allies? Then I will just slay them if need be. I can grant you that mercy. Why do you persist? This is MY world now... my place. It is MINE to punish as I will!"     Punish. She draws that word out as she starts forward, eying her opponents. "Hmmm... punch me? Kill me? I suppose 'heroes' will do that. Throw away their lives for some perceived wrong. Humanity killed the world... now I will make them suffer, or give them a new identity."     Sadly, that's all you're getting, because the dream doesn't actually include a battle here. Elliana flicks her eyes to each as the room begins to sag and melt, fading away bit by bit.     "Kimiko Shinobu, so high and mighty. You dislike my truths? Then I discard them. IT was... freeing. Honor is such a shaky term, is it not?"     "Nathan... oh Nathan, I offered you power, and you rejected it. I offered you 'friendship,' and..." She laughs, flicking tail. "Is this what you want? A villain to fight? So you can be RIGHTEOUS? Then I will welcome it."     Psyber gets a level stare. "Mmm... so obsessed with bringing me into the light, aren't you? Does it make you uncomfortable now that you are bleeding to see the evil that I have? Welcoming the Shajem was the best thing that could have happened to me. If I cannot remake the world... I will punish it."     She hisses at Mordred, and requires a pause, unable to entirely fit her into the narrative at first. "Your attempt to save me from myself was valiant, knight. So very valiant and futile. Do not forget who holds your leash. I am surprised you did not bring your father."     Amalthea receives a level stare. "My mother died from the cruelty of man. She is no longer mine. I cast aside my humanity... and she was too soft. She can burn with the rest."     Himei, next, gets a click of the jaw. "You... I wonder how you never fell to this hatred. No matter."     Mizuki gets a level stare, then a shake of the head, "And you, do you really care what I do to these lesser creatures?"     Sakura is next, and she cackles as the mednin readies her knife. "So vengeful. The healer ready to draw blood. I welcome it. You, of all people, understand hate, don't you?"     Ayako is the one she knows least, so the water spirit takes another pause. "And what will you do here? They will die before you can help them, and you cannot hurt me. We both know this."     The monologue was given, and perhaps not pretty. But there's... not much left now. Elliana's hissing cackle builds up again, before the entire dream shatters, dropping everyone onto the ship's deck. 

:'''{{#var:395|Amalthea (395)}} has posed:'''     "No, sorry. That's bullshit." Amalthea counters smoothly. Loppy ears flit as she tilts her head to the other side now- still not reaching for her blade. It's a time old ancient signal; a proverbial white flag of body language in exposing one's jugulars to be perceived as less of a threat, as she folds her hands under her chest.     But the unicorn sucks on her teeth. "Your mother died in the act of giving her life so someone she trusted could take you to safety. She could have ran, she could have saved herself, she could have even left you behind if she so felt it. But you know what she did? She gave up everything all for your sake. And you're just... Going to cast her away? Say she can burn?"     Now. Now, Amalthea scowls. "She did burn. So that you wouldn't have to. That's not softness, that's more strength than you could ever imagine; because no amount of human cruelty can measure up to the kindness humans are capable of."     Up come her hands in a shrug. She's said her peace, before getting dumped back on the ship's deck.     "Sometimes I hate this dream shit so much." Grumbled as she chews on her cigarette. ... And nudges Psyber for a third. 

:'''{{#var:168|Nathan Hall (168)}} has posed:'''     Nathan remains wordless. This is a bit of a rarity for him. But all throughout that speech, he was wide-eyed and intensely attentive, examining every inch of movement and analyzing every warble of tone variance. He can see the image forming in his mind. He speaks it on the radio, albeit a concise version with many of his more dangerous insights censored harshly from the assessment.     He remains stock-still for some time, even long after the dream has shattered. Then he heaves a heavy sort of sigh, and plants both hands in the pockets of his robes. "This has been an informative investigation." He says. "It is best we conclude for the night, as I need to compile the information." He goes now to Psyber's side, if he's still on the ground, and offer his hand to his friend, to hoist him back up. As he does, he tilts his head at Wrathborn. "You said you do not like this place." He tilts his head, considering their guide and his more human changes. He considers trailing off, or saying 'never mind', for a moment, but figures this is more prudent, and so after a moment of consideration, he continues. His tone is flat as ever, abjectly devoid of hope and very simply factual, perhaps even apathetic in a way.     "Does that mean you might not like to become that as well, Wrathborn?" 

:'''{{#var:134|Sakura Haruno (134)}} has posed:'''     Sakura looks a little bit uncomfortable with that response, slipping into silence for a few minutes as she lands back onto the deck, looking about as she sets the knife back into her pouch, listening in on Nathan and Wrathborn if she can, but contributing only minorly to the discussion. She hasn't changed her stance that much from when Elliana'd met her, after all, even if it's slightly less hate-based these days. 

:'''{{#var:183|Mizuki (183)}} has posed:'''     Mizuki would stop and think for a few moments, remaining still and quiet as before. Her eyes would alternate between being closed and shut until, finally, she folds her arms in front of herself and looks back to Elliana. "'Lesser' is a funny way to put it. I would say they are, perhaps, different, but not so much as I had once fancied. Nor do I think you are that different, really. You have power, yes, but it's my feeling that all the power and plenty in Creation and far, far beyond could never quell a mind that operates as yours, mine, and theirs do. It's not really my place to pass judgment, but I feel that you are cheating yourself by living this life. And that is precisely why I would call this world a nightmare. I believe, somewhere, you know that this is unsatisfactory, and that you will always lust for more. But this is all just speculation, really. Forgive my preconceptions."     Her right arm would fall gently to her side, and her left hand would cradle her cheek. "As for whether I care...? Well. I don't view death as a 'robbery' or even a separation, exactly. I believe it would be a shame for their stories to end prematurely, and while I have equivalent interests myself in seeing them wax and wane, I see no reason not to act in the interest of their continued life and happiness. That solution, if we're treating 'happiness' as some arbitrary quantity, would be higher collectively if I did help than if I didn't. And I suppose, for one reason or another, I prefer to see that number higher rather than lower. Though, that's really enough about me, isn't it?"     Her eyes would meander back to Elliana's. "This is but one choice you could make. You have many. Those choices compound into a sort of power in and of themselves, and if that is the case, you would lose very much of that power were you to choose this option. This closes so, so many more doors than it opens. Binding you to the ownership of a single world, saddling you with the responsibility... that occasional, inescapable guilt you might feel from time... though I suppose that depends more on the context in which the decision was made, and the current condition of your mind. I am under no delusions with regards to what I know; I know absolutely nothing. And yet, I still felt compelled to share at least this much."     Her eyes might narrow faintly. "... this... path involves so much grief, and so much loss. I would view your loss of an ability to care as a one of the most high prices involved with this decision. But I suppose there is no use in lamenting our choices when they've been made, and there is no use speaking to you as you are. Here, you have passed a point of no return, and the words I could share will have no impact but to tease you with the phantom of thoughts you can no longer associate with. Still, I feel as though I've learned a great deal, somehow." A tiny, tiny smile begins to form on her face, and she bows her head toward the girl. Softly, she says, "Thank you." 

:'''{{#var:570|Kimiko Shinobu (570)}} has posed:'''     Kimiko slowly nods as this image of Elliana speaks, as if understanding something.     Even when they return to the ship, she is not forthcoming on what, exactly, she understood. Rather, it seems she is now ready to leave, waiting only so long as others are speaking to Wrathborn. 

:'''{{#var:92|Elliana Fairchild (92)}} has posed:'''     Amalthea is given a guarded look. "You're walking a very dangerous path, unicorn. But maybe it's one that needs to be walked. Be careful."     Nathan's question gets the man to pause right when he's turning the wheel. He looks over his shoulder, then sighs. "I don't know. I'm not something that is sure about his identity, right now. A lot of people simplify the Shajem as the evil gods, and the Amethyne as the good gods. It's... not really like that at all. We just are. We have our natures. Mordred can tell you... I'm sure she can feel my brother inside her just raging to destroy and lash out. It's not really... hate. It just is. We CAN hate, but that isn't in our nature. It had to be taught."     Wrathborn looks forward again to steer the ship toward 'home.' "My nature, before, was to twist and reveal the darkness within the light. It still is, I guess. At some point, we started our feud with our sisters, and then the humans... fixed that. I wasn't intelligent, so the details are blurry. Now I'm something else. I don't even know what. But I don't think I want to be that. I want something with more... purpose?" 

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''     There is no retort from Psyber, who simply stares at the ground under him and sponges up Elliana's words.     Psyber is nudged in the side with a foot several times. He speaks his answer into the ground, "No, I'm cutting you off. Lest and Ariel will have my ass in a sling if I get you into nicotine." Psyber mutters into the deck of the ship. When Nathan offers a hand, though, Psyber takes it an hops back to his feet, dusting himself off.     Psyber takes out a wallet a moment later and then hands Nathan a crisp five-dollar bill, "You won tonight." Psyber says in a serious tone, sighing a bit as he slaps the cash into his friend's hand. And then he looks over at Wrathborn, tilting his head a bit.     "You're becoming a very interesting individual. When do you want me to stop by?" He asks, wandering over to the Captain and slapping a hand down on his shoulder. 

}}