[Nexus] Inside 23

[Darkcomet]

Current events:
-The Evolution Electronics and Power corporation recently took the name Evolution Industries and took over the role of the Empire's main military supplier.
-A skirmish between the Imperial Navy and AMEN has left the docks with quite a bit of fire damage, though they are largely functional.

Rules and locations in the spoiler. Please Spoiler any fan service written in this thread. Thank you.
All standard forum rules apply here, as do the godmodding rules generally agreed upon on this sub-forum.

Locations
PM Darkcomet to have a new location placed in this registry.

A note on the 'Zones'.

The Blue Zone is the area of the greatest Imperial presence, housing the Imperial Army and ISF HQs and boasting the greatest concentration of Imperial influence. Physically, it's located in the center of the city.

The Yellow Zone has some Imperial influence, but it's not as significant, so crime rates there are higher than in the Blue Zone. The Yellow Zone is physically located at the outskirts of the city, with the justification of having to keep an eye on what's coming in and out of the city, and thus the main concentrations of Imperial influence in the Yellow Zone are at the docks and city gates.

The Null Zone is around midway between Yellow and Blue, and lacks much Imperial influence. Despite this, it's largely a quiet environment.

Perhaps it is because the Red Zone, a blemish on the otherwise neatly-organized Zones, is essentially a fancy term for the crime infested slums? Who knows! The Red Zone is essentially just the slums, independent of the neat physical arrangement of the others, though DC imagines it's around Null/Yellow, physically, since it wouldn't make all that much sense for the Red Zone to be right on top of ISF HQ of all things. This is where you go if you're trying to escape the prying eyes of the Empire in Inside.

Imperial Bases

Acro-Imperial Army HQ (Blue Zone)
The Imperial Army HQ itself is a massive dome-like structure in the center of the city. The building itself is fairly standard at ground level, but going up from there is when you reach the dome. The dome is the focus of the visible structure, and is capable of housing one of the Empire's oh-so-loved airships.

The main building itself also has underground portions, as it's not like the rest could contain everything a building of this purpose needs.

This building, however, has concrete walls surrounding it at a sizable distance in a square shape, with gates in the center of each segment. The walls have rapid-fire laser turrets mounted at corners and on each side of each gate. Interlopers beware!

ISF HQ (Blue Zone)
Go here! (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=164358)


Acro-Imperial Civil Government Complex (Blue Zone)
The main center of the Empire's central government is an odd complex composed of five main structures.

The more notable four are a group of futuristic, utopian-looking towers arranged in the shape of a Y, with the tower taking the position of the center joint being significantly taller than the outer three towers, by about 40% of the other towers' height. This is harder to make out than it seems, however, due to the odd nature of the fifth 'structure'.

This one is actually surrounding the lower two-thirds of the outer three towers, with all four appearing to be coming out of it from the outside. It resembles an odd set of walls, following along the Y-arrangement of the towers. These 'walls' are in the shape of a highly irregular hexagon. The top side, with the two points of the top of the Y within, is fairly long, with two shorter segments heading downward at an obtuse angle from them. These are very short, and two more long wall segments soon move downward and inwards, speaking from a bird's-eye view, ending a bit after the edge of the bottom tower in the Y-arrangement. A final long segment links these two ends.

However, the 'walls' are not merely walls, but actually enclose the area around the towers, with their own roof. The four towers seemingly erupt out of the top of this structure, while they do actually have the rest of them beneath it. The wall-like structure is built around the towers, linking to them at certain points. The structure is not merely that shape described previously with a flat roof, however-the walls reach to a certain point, then slant upwards and inwards, again from a bird's-eye view. The upward slant stops at the edges of the outer three towers, and from there now forms a flat area, this flatness marred only by the towers.

There are three main entrances to the odd complex, each at the center and bottom of one of the longer wall segments. These are oversized sliding doors, essentially. Each is a long, dull metal slab in appearance. When the entrance is open, these are drawn upward into the wall-structure, and when closed, they drop back down like blast doors.

The complex is guarded by normal military and ISF elements alike, landspeeders patrolling the ground outside with the silent gunships patrolling the skies above. The main soldiers guarding the area are ISF troopers, as they are more specialized for urban warfare. Several rapid-fire pulse laser turrets (laser chaingun turrets, essentially) are mounted on the slanted portions of the outer structure, with a single heavy turbolaser turret mounted at the upper central area of each slanted area of the longer sides.

There are two enclosed bridge-like structures linking each of the three outer towers to the main building. The lower one is within the wall-esque structure, and the upper one is visible from the outside, linking the upper areas of the outer towers with the main, central one. To avoid confusion, there are two of these per outer tower, putting the total count at six.

Imperial Docks (Yellow Zone)
These rather typical drydocks hold the Imperial naval fleet. Due to its relative lack of size, the Imperial Navy falls under the Imperial Army's authority.


Evolution Industries Headquarters + Factories (Player: Darkcomet, Blue Zone)
The headquarters of the company known as Evolution Electronics and Power is a fairly standard-looking modern-day tower in appearance, not quite reaching the level of skyscraper.

The company owns a large factory nearby, used in production of its MACE units, and potentially other products, should it be desired.

The company also possesses a number of other factories around the city, used for production of weaponry and other military materiel.

Retail outlets for Evolution's products are scattered around the city.

Trader's Trove (Player: EleventhHour, Null Zone)
A large, crashed starship lies in what was once a park, now ruined by its crash.

The ship is very strange to most, resembling Gothic architecture, particularly cathedrals, in appearance, while at the same time being a spacefaring craft. Or, rather, a former spacefaring craft.

The ship remains in use, however. The owner is a Rogue Trader, and is currently using the ship as a shop.

Erin's Emporium (Player: The Bushranger, Yellow Zone)

Construction Gnomes have been hard at work renovating a small store along one of the various merchantile roads. Well, it was small. Now it's bigger on the inside.

And filled with every sort of weaponry imaginable, from across the multiverse. From blaster carbines to P-90s, surface-to-air missiles to ballistas, zats to nunchucks, they're all here.

Is that a siege crossbow sitting in the corner?

The Misspelled Cemetary (Null Zone)
It's the rain that makes for the perfect atmosphere.

Since the party left the well lit cobbles lanes of the Market Streets the sky has opened up upon our intrepid band of adventurers with a vengeance. The wind howls through barren trees as the rain descends in sheets. The heavens are split by a ribbon of lightning and a roar of thunder.

A massive cast iron gate surrounds this place of once hallowed ground. Yes, hallowed once but no longer. The earth appears dead. Rotten. A phosphorescent green fog creeping along the ground. Misshapen fungus and molds clinging to crumbling monuments. Corpses exposed on the surface, half-eaten with decay.

The gate creeks open of its own accord as the party nears.

And above the gate, in rusted iron letters, reads:


The Misspelled Cemetary

The Misspelled Cemetary is largely ruins now, due to the battle against Ebon Mirror, an evil Exalt that used it as his base of operations.

MagMart (Player: Lord Magtok, Blue Zone)
An absurd mash-up of K-Mart, Wall-Mart, Target, and every other vile retail chain, MagMart is staffed by an unswervingly loyal Magbots, lobotomized talking cats that are too brain-dead to know any better, several voodoo spirits, and a pickle jar that everyone insists is a sentient being that only communes with those who truly believe in it.

Here you can find everything from curtains to carpets, macaroni to monkeys on motorcycles, groceries to zombies. The staff is always happy to help (or else), and if you aren't entirely satisfied with your shopping experience, you can pay a small fee to watch the MagMart employee of your choosing get fired out the MagMart complimentary employee morale cannon.

Pontius' Custom Constructs (Player: Earl of Purple, Null Zone)
The caravan of 6 wagons (I never said 3! Well, I did, but still.) arrives at a warehouse, previously for sale. The gnomes lead the golems and other constructs inside, and get to work. The warehouse has an open yard at the main entrance, and several golems, like crude figures of worked stone or wood, stand in the yard. A gnome wearing an apron over smart-yet-practical artesan's clothes and puts a sign up.


Pontius's Custom Constructs
Golems of Any Material* at Unbelievably Low Prices!!!**
You Won't Find a Golem, Gargoyle, Guardian or Homonculus Cheaper!!***
Come Now and Buy 1 Get 1 Full Price!!!****



*Flesh has an additional charge. **Define 'low'. ***Except at our competitors. ****Terms and conditions apply.

Sanctuary Fortress of Zoemaytare (Player: Rebonack, Blue Zone)

Like so many other prominent buildings in Town, or not so prominent buildings for that matter, this place seemed to pop up out of nowhere over night.

Buildings are like mushrooms in Town. Probably spread via spores, too.

Regardless, here it is. A rather sizable campus marble hewn from the mountains some distance away. Carved and hauled here near the edge of the slums where they were no doubt assembled. Though... no one can quite place a finger on when this happened.

Though the buildings aren't of only cold hard stone, no. There are timbers as well. Not what one might expect, however. They seem almost organic. As though they had grown into place rather than being hewn.

Oddness aside, the temple is arranged in a rather interesting fashion. Several concentric wall and courtyards ending in a central temple.

The outer wall is lower than the rest, each tier of the temple built onto higher ground like a wedding cake. Each wall is topped with a roof supported on the inside by pillars, creating a sheltered walkway. The exact use of these porches depends on the section of the temple one happens to be in.

Anyone is allowed entry through the first wall and into the first court, the Court of Meeting. Beyond the second wall only worshipers of Zoemaytare are allowed admittance to the second court, the Court of the Blessed. Beyond the third wall only the priests are allowed, where they carry out holy rituals within the temple itself.

The Court of Meeting is dedicated to service of those the worshipers of Zoemaytare dwell among. Food is prepared for the hungry here and given out without expectation of recompense. Those without a place to lay their head are allowed to sleep within the porch. The grounds beyond the porch are devoted to a wondrous garden boasting vibrancy and spectacular color. This are is always comfortably warm and brimming with life. Wounds heal faster as the body is refreshed. Undead creatures will find that remaining here is decidedly uncomfortable.

The sky above the temple seems to be perpetually clear, filled with pleasant sunlight in the day and cloaked with gossamer stars at night. Benches are set up here and there, under trees with hanging branches and above fragrant shrubbery. A lively stream flows endlessly in a circuit about the Court, spilling into several larger pools and meandering up a small outcrop of stone before cascading back down the other side.

This section of the temple is tended by members of the faith. Not priests, though devote. They can be found tending the garden and serving warm food. When in service to the temple these devotees wear a white linen ephod bearing the symbol of a willow tree, ornately rendered in blue thread. They'll be more than happen to answer any questions. Priests tend to have stricter ceremonial garb, including a blue tunic and white robe in addition to the ephod.

Welcome, traveler. May you be more blessed when you leave than when you came.

New information that isn't readily noticeable at first glance at the temple will be added here.

The temple grounds are protected by a dampening field that blocks unauthorized teleporation and dimensional shifting. The place is something of a fortress after all. Being able to pop in and out at will would defeat the purpose.

Zoemaytare isn't a god of (fill in the black) but rather the patron and protector of her people. As such, her domain, if she even has one, is over all that her people do. The people in question are collectively known as the Zoeos, and this particular temple is their first major venture into Town. At present their stated goal is to set up trade relations and aid the city. This is ministered through the temple on account of the Zoeos government being a theocracy.

It just so happens that there's a dungeon under the temple, though the entrance to it is well hidden.

NPCs thus far:

Potentate of the temple: the head priest and administrator. He has yet to be seen 'on screen' though he has been referred to.

Regent Zachius: And elderly human with a coppery complexion and deep-set wrinkles, the sort of face one expects of a person who has spent a great deal of time in the sun smiling. He's a kind old fellow who is in charge of the Court of Meeting.

Regent Stephen: A younger human who smells rather distinctly of wolf. He's in charge of the dungeons of the temple and seems to be a rather caring and compassionate fellow. It's his job to bring the cases of prisoners before the Potentate.

Regent Thadeus: One of the priests who aids in minor upkeep in the temple proper. He usually isn't seen outside the temple and since his position doesn't put him in much contact with the common folk he tends to be somewhat aloof and judgmental. Also happens to be an elf. Those snooty elves!

Bognus Thundershield: a lay dwarf that operates the temple's teleporter, primarily from Trog's. Though people can be 'ported in from elsewhere as well. While it isn't commonly known, this device can send people over rather long distances, though it's somewhat inaccurate when doing so. Bognus is a bit gruff, though generally good natured. He speaks with a thick Scottish Dwarven accent.

Currently burned down Divinations (Player: happyturtle, Yellow Zone)
Not far from the city walls is a small shop which opened up soon after the war with Felina. Over the door hangs a painted sign.


http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq40/happyturtle-avs/hamsa-1.jpg
Divinations

Inside the air smells of dead things - musty and unpleasant. Ghavrion, a rather plain young man is behind the counter. (PM Happyturtle to interact with Ghavrion)

http://public5.tektek.org/img/av/0912/d04/0830/db0f761.png

Trollfinger, Ironpick & Greencheek, Mining & Engineering (Player: Morty, Blue Zone)
A run-down building near Trog's Tavern was bought by three goblin enterpreneurs with a large crew and now houses their mining and engineering company. Everyone who needs something dug, built, repaired or blown up is welcome.

The Temple of Dalachrech (Player: Earl of Purple, location pending)
The first room entered is a foyer. On the walls are red drapes with silver, two-tailed scorpions embroidered on to them, and next to the door is an ornate font. The granite font stands about waist height, and is a plinth with a bowl of unholy water. Winding around the font are carved centipedes. A door away from this chamber leads to the main prayer hall. This room also has drapes with the two-tailed scorpion device on the walls, and a red velvet carpet flanked by wooden pews leads to an altar at the far end. The altar is covered with red velvet, with a gold statue and red candles placed upon it. The statue depicts a demon with a centipede's body, a scorpion's tail with spinnerets next to the sting, a stag beetle's head and the claws of a praying mantis.

Warwick Works (player: happyturtle, Yellow Zone)
In the industrial area, a building is rented and has a new sign put out front.


W
Warwick Works

The building itself consists of a small office area in front and warehouses in back. There is no indication of what sort of business this is, but a certain cyborg with a satellite might recognize the logo and name.

Eternal Library - Across from Trog's (player-Eternal Drifter)
The First floor has bookshelf after bookshelf of various books, and a few tables in three corners, and a checkout counter. There is a fireplace leading upwards at the side opposite the door. All the books are stamped "Property of the Eternal Library," and have security devices on them. There is a security bar at the entrance of the building. In one corner is a stairwell leading upwards.

The Second Floor is a hallway with three rooms. One of them is a bathroom for public use. The other two are rooms with chairs and a large table in each, mainly for meetings. The larger of the two meeting rooms, "Space," has a fireplace.

The Third Floor is Drifter's personal residence, with all the necisities. This floor is private, officially only open to Drifter and those who have recived and invitation from him.

Drifter (played by Eternal Drifter) is the librarian. You are free to check out books as you wish, but be sure to actually have the books checked out before you leave... those who forget quite often find themselves at the receiving end of Drifter's glare and Magic Missile spell.

Emergency Bunkers

Eight bunker-like structures in a ring-like arrangement at about the midpoint between the walls (or the docks) and the center of the city have been completed.

The interior of each is rather dull, rather befitting a bunker, but there are underground areas beneath the visible bunkers. These are similarly dull and military-styled, but they also act as hospitals.

These are mostly designed with emergencies such as shelling in mind, and are usually closed.

Hastings and Sons Mortuary (player: Kid Kris, Yellow Zone)
Near one of the older parts of the city sits a large and somewhat dour building of brick and mortar, built in the traditional sense, with a metal plaque by the door that reads (predictably enough):

Hastings and Sons
MORTUARY
For the preparation of the dearly departed.
And indeed, should one go in one should find all the trappings of a conventional mortuary, including several large visitation rooms, run by this guy:

http://public5.tektek.org/img/av/1008/d05/2213/715a669.png (http://tektek.org/avatar/38746382)
Though of course, usually without the zombie there.
In recent times however, the true business of the resident Mortician has branched into a more heretical bent, offering certain services to the living impaired (more commonly known as the foul Undead). These start at simple healings and flesh grafts (the flesh occasionally obtained 'legitimately', when a body comes in for cremation and the Mortician gives them an urn full of wood-ash, but usually corpses are obtained through donations from customers or good old fashioned grave-robbing). But services can also range into body part replacement and augmentation for the undead who wishes his creator had seen fight to give him a giant lobster claw or retractable venomous spines, or even full body/flesh reconstruction for the self-conscious lich (or lich in disguise, though making your new flesh look like someone else usually costs extra) or the zombie in his golden years. These customers usually come in through the back door, where there is a plaque listing the full list of services. Though of course some are brazen enough to come through the front door anyway.

((PM if you wish to interact with the Mortician, as Kid Kris may not always check the thread.))

Emergency Clinic (Null/Yellow Zone border)
Funded by the empire, this clinic provides the care you would get in a modern emergency room. This is the place to come for getting bones set, wounds stitched, normal illnesses treated, etc. They can't handle magical ailments, nor do they provide magical healing, and the further a being is from being human, the less likely they are to have the necessary expertise to help.

This is an NPC facility. Please godmod your own care.

Witch Which's Wish Shop (Yellow Zone, Player: Haruki-kun)

Welcome. If you have stepped into this store, it is because you have a wish.

The store is big, ancient and beautiful. It has a large garden with colorful flowers, a pond with fish and running water, and chirping birds. This is the outside of the store. The inside, however, is, to put it simply, gloomy. There’s burning candles and incense everywhere. From the hall where you enter you are led off into a side room with a low table and cushions around it. A tall, masked and unnamed stranger brings tea and snacks to the guests. The Witch sits opposite and rarely ever moves.

RULES (OOC):
This is a Wish shop. Your character will only enter this shop if he has a wish. Whether the wish is granted or not is a different issue.
Witch Which is in charge of the shop and will grant wishes to everyone who asks, regardless of intent or alignment, as long as the appropriate price is paid. Under certain conditions:

Condition one: Witch Which will not haggle. She couldn’t lower a price or overcharge even if she wanted to. A balance must be kept in order for the wish to be granted.

Condition two: When a Wish directly affects another player’s character in a way that would be considered godmodding, the other player must agree first.

Condition three: The Witch may not reject any wish unless the price is too high to be paid. Wishes to take a life or to destroy the world, for example, carry a price higher than anyone can pay. ANYONE.

Condition Four: The Witch will never engage in battle. Be glad. The Witch is the very definition of True Neutral.

Condition Five: The store is not hard to access; in fact, there’s a big sign outside and everything. However, the store’s grounds exist in a special separate dimension, protecting it from anything that could destroy it, up to and including plot.

Condition Six: Haruki-kun reserves the right to alter the conditions if he feels they’re causing problems such as godmodding or similar issues.

NOIR (Red Zone, Players: Moff Chumley and Project_Mayhem)
In a rather seedy building, off of a rather seedy hall, is a door. It's not a pretty door, but it does its job admirably. It's got an eye painted on it, rather sloppily. Under the eye, is the word "NOIR". Inside, is a small, cramped, rather dusty reception room. Coffee machine, secretary's desk, several chairs, the like. The desk looks like it's never been touched; the coffee machine, like it's survived several wars. Three doors lead off the room: Raz's office, Ilyena's office, and a closet. Word to the wise: don't open that door.

Between the two of them, Ilyena and Raz are capable of everything from fairly standard PI fair to more complicated contracts using Ilyena's ability to write spells.

On the City's government
As the capital city of the Acronymian Empire, Inside is subject to its laws. They largely resemble modern-day laws*, with the exception of weapons control and small-scale vigilantism, as those would be extremely difficult to enforce. Vigilantism, however, once again becomes problematic when it causes more problems than it fixes.

Slavery is illegal in the Empire. This would be treated as a given (see above), but it has come up many times.

The Empire has also imposed a light tax on arms sales and a light-moderate one on imports. The latter grants much more funding than it normally would, thanks to the Empire's location in a nexus of realities-many goods, mundane and exotic, often pour into Inside and the greater Empire.

*DC may experiment with punishments, though, as he's aware that being unable to play a criminal character because they're stuck in jail for a realistic amount of time is no fun.

The title is a misnomer, of course. No doubt the moniker of this place was settled on after a brief conversation that started with, 'Wouldn't it be funny if...?'. But now the name has stuck.

But what is this place, you ask?

The city of Inside is the capital city of the nation known as the Acronymian Empire. The city was once the center of the Nexus, the dimensional anomaly that acts as a crossroads between any number of radically different worlds. Now, it is no longer the center, but still shows the influence of the Nexus.

Thanks to the Nexus, the cityscape is high in variety of architectural styles, varying tech levels factoring in to the myriad designs. Though the city is now relatively stable, it's still possible to find buildings of any number of architectural styles within it. Shopping malls lie beside medieval architecture, and futuristic towers rise alongside old cathedrals.

The city is surrounded by defensive walls, with an artificially and accidentally created moat outside the walls. A gap in the walls and a bridge allow for entrance into the city proper, the main gate opening up to welcome newcomers Inside.

[ThirdEmperor]

[Temple to Dalachrech]

Prince staggers into the tenple, using his saber as a walkig stick and looking like s***. His shirt has been torn off, revealing bleeding wounds all across his torso in what seems to be a written spell, and his eyes are gone, nothing but bleeding sockets in his skull remain. His arms and legs are covered in scorch marks, and he looks like he's about to faint from bloodloss. I need help. Lots of it.

[happyturtle]

Alizarin shakes his head after several moments of thought. "No, you could provide better ends for your robots then I could. While I wouldn't hurt them willingly, many would like go haywire with things I do. It's why I don't use any. But, if you want, I have other associates I can speak for. I'm sure one or two would like to have a coup-"

He interrupted by one of his daughters coughing. "We could have one or, Daddy." Diedre says with a grin, her hands behind her back. Sylvia grins as well. "Could we Daddy? We promise we won't hurt them."

"Pleeeeeeeeeese??"

He gives the young ladies a look, judging their eyes. "If that's okay with Sunny."

Sunny tap tap taps on her laptop, and a telewarp portal opens up. Two beautifully made robots step through, looking similar to the Seraph-1 model from Gunnerkrigg, but without wings. "These are RC-5 and RC-6." Then she turns to the robots. "RC-5, Sylvia is your new owner." The robot executes a low bow and tries to kiss Sylvia's hand.

"A pleasure, Mistress."

"RC-6, you now belong to Dierdre." RC-6 appears more professional and bows only slightly, omitting the hand kiss.

"Acknowledged. How may I serve?"

[UncleWolf]

[Alizarin's Labs]

The two girls squee and go to drag the two off to show them around the place while their adoptive father winces at how easy it was to get into his home. He was going to have to fix that sooner or later.

"Thank you. I try to give them attention, but sometimes..." Alizarin sighs. "Sometimes I can't."

[happyturtle]

[Alizarin's Labs]

Oops... should have said 'attempts'. In any case, she couldn't have done it without already being there with her laptop or sending a robot ahead.

"I wish you weren't so sad," Sunny says.

[The Alexandrian]

[Temple to Dalachrech]

Half a drop pod zooms towards the temple. It is carrying a person who was hired to rid the world of Prince. It is estimated to arrive in approximately fifteen Nexus minutes and should appear on any radar system in the area. The man inside is perplexed. He listens to the song Starman.

"Now where have I heard this song before?"

[Ashen Lilies]

[Some sort of Hall of Records]

Reinholdt is researching! He's looking up Byron industries, the place with the gnome that Care had been working for. In particular, he's looking up those who funded the place. Shareholders, loans, anything else that could indicate the passage of money to Byron from another place.

Files are examined. He's likely to find that Byron wasn't all too successful, at least until half a year ago, though the reason for the sudden change is mysteriously missing. Or maybe just missing. Kris isn't aware of how much information would be publicly available, and what would be private and thus require a little bit of corporate espionage on Reinholdt's part.

[UncleWolf]

[Alizarin's Labs]

Nah, it's okay, he never had a defense for them anyways.

He finishes his tea with a sigh. "I will be fine after this project is done, but that will be a while. It helps knowing that you're doing well though." He says sincerely.


[Markets]

After a while with Molly, Jeremy turns to Fitzhenry. "Mind if we talk somewhere a bit more private?"

[happyturtle]

[Alizarin's Lab]

"Do you want me to come see you again?" Sunny asks. "I'm trying to stop being afraid of things."

[Markets]

"Certainly. Wherever you like," Fitzhenry says.

[UncleWolf]

[Alizarin's Labs]

"You may visit any time you wish, Sunny. My door is always open to you or your creations."

[Markets]

Jeremy nods and gestures at a small restaurant. If he goes in, Jeremy will grab them a booth seat. If Molly is distracted, he start talking. "There's been...well, someone's taken an interest in me, and I wanted to warn you. I doubt he'll do anything, but I'm sorry all the same."

[happyturtle]

Alizarin's Lab

Sunny smiles, and starts to talk about Ilyena and his magic - tech work.

Restaurant

Molly sees some of her fellow (npc) students at PACK, and goes over to visit with them.

"And you're afraid that your friends may become targets?" Fitzhenry asks, in a low voice.

[UncleWolf]

[Alizarin's Labs]

The Mad Scientist gladly listens to her talk, grateful for the company and the break from his work.
[Restaurant]

Jeremy sighs and nods. "He left as soon as Molly spoke, so I don't think he wants to be discovered, but..." He pauses, running his fingers through his hair. "It's Suffering, and he has power. Lots of it."

He looks at the direction Molly went. "I have someone watching over her now. I hope you don't mind."

[happyturtle]

[Restaurant]

"Suffering? Gracious god!" Fitzhenry is rather alarmed, and looks at Molly, who is playing a three way clapping game with her friends. "When you mean someone watching her, what do you mean?"

[UncleWolf]

[Restaurant]

"Suffering seems to be wanting to get a hold over me, not the people I know, but I believed it to be important to warn you. If you see something that looks like a migraine, just call for me." He turns to watch the kids play. "Lady Luck herself agreed to help watch over her. She's subtle, but much more powerful than I will ever be."

[happyturtle]

[Restaurant]

"And how do I reach you?" Fitzhenry asks.



[Alizarin's Lab]

Sunny will talk tech with Alizarin as long as he wants, then eventually take her leave and return to Watchtower

[UncleWolf]

[Restaurant]

"Simply call out for my name, either of them, and I'll arrive. You and Molly are people I always listen for. Other than that, I live at Watchtower for now."

[Alizarin's Labs]

Once Sunny leaves, Viscose retires to his bed for some much needed rest. Soon, he'd start the second generator, and plan the next soul trapping.

[happyturtle]

[Restaurant]

"I thank you for the warning," Fitzhenry says.

Molly skips back to the table. "Jeremy! I almost forgot, I have your scarf!" :smallbiggrin:

[Reinholdt]

Files are examined. He's likely to find that Byron wasn't all too successful, at least until half a year ago, though the reason for the sudden change is mysteriously missing. Or maybe just missing. Kris isn't aware of how much information would be publicly available, and what would be private and thus require a little bit of corporate espionage on Reinholdt's part.

Hmm... Reinholdt investigates into major events in the finance world that occurred around half a year ago. By digging through the local Digest back-issues of course. There's always a chance he won't find anything.

At which point... it's back to Byron's. But as a cat. Byron only saw flaming hawt Reinholdt, so he figures there's a decent chance of infiltration, especially once everyone's gone for the night. Surely there's a return address or name on something innocuous that Byron forgot to burn.

One step at a time though. Finish looking through the public records for hints.

[Ashen Lilies]

*searches through old Acro registry

Sox months ago? Nothing, at least, not from this player.

[Reinholdt]

Curse the tabloids not keeping track of KK's movements! :smallmad:

Reinholdt turns into a blue cat, hammerspaces his rifle, and heads to Byron industries.

[Byron]

Where he approaches to see if it is in fact still here, hopping up to look in a window if needed.

[Rae Artemi]

[Streets]

Rae and Emily are walking around the streets, looking for somewhere to eat, or at least buy some food.

[Lix Lorn]

"If we don't find anywhere, we could resort to Trogs." said Emily, looking around.

[Rae Artemi]

Yeah, I know, but besides GLoG, Trog's is the only place I've been to in this universe. A little variety can't really hurt, can it?

Rae says, looking around himself to see if he can find anywhere.

Tell me if you see anywhere interesting.

[Lix Lorn]

She nods, looking carefully.

[Rae Artemi]

Rae and Emily are walking through the Blue Zone, passing buildings such as Evolution Electronics and Power, MagMart, Trollfinger, and Ironpick & Greencheek, Mining & Engineering.

So, any of these places catching your eye?

[ThirdEmperor]

She may notice a hastily erected stall where a rather skinny looking orc with a massive beard is frying some kind of delicious looking steak. The sign above reads: Morug's Authentic Orc Cuisine, and the smell coming from it is mouthwatering.

[Lix Lorn]

"There's that place?" she points at the Orc Cuisine. "Looks like meat. Yum."

[Rae Artemi]

Orc cuisine? Alright, if you're up for it, so am I.

Rae walks up to the stand and takes in a big whiff of the steak.

Well, it doesn't smell like human, at least.

Rae looks at the orc.

Well, what do you got?

[ThirdEmperor]

Any cut of cow, pig or sheep you want, prepared and seasoned using ancient orc secrets. I don't serve dog or horse though, why everyone assumes I do is a mystery to me. I also have stew, made with eight different kinds of meat and three vegetables and authentic Orcish ale, but you may not want to try that. I myself have trouble standing after a shot of that. Morug says, chuckling. It is worth noting he wears dark sunglasses and is obviously blind.

[Rae Artemi]

I don't drink, so no ale for me, but I could go for a nice ribeye. What about you, Emily?

[Lix Lorn]

"Yeah, a nice steak of beef would be nice." she smiles. "Same for me."

[ThirdEmperor]

Two ribeyes coming up. Morug says, throwing two steaks onto the grill.

[Lix Lorn]

"Awesome." she grins.

[Rae Artemi]

So, how much will that be?

Rae reaches his hand into his pocket, and his eyes open as wide as they could go. He leans in closer to Emily and whispers.

I just realized that all of my money is still in the pocket of my jacket. My jacket is still on the floor of your bedroom.

[Lix Lorn]

"Uh." she said. "Let me summon some..."

She concentrates, and what looks suspiciously like a Bag of Holding appears. She draws some money from it.

[Rae Artemi]

Rae looks disappointed.

Well, that's slightly less fun than my plan, but I guess it works.

[Lix Lorn]

"What was your plan?" she asked curiously.

[Rae Artemi]

Rae gets a mischievous smile on his face.

To take the steaks and run, of course. I may be trying to be good, but lawful I ain't.

[Lix Lorn]

She snorted.
"More trouble than it's worth, really."

[Rae Artemi]

It would be fun though. Especially with me lacking my denimancy. It's been a long time since I couldn't use that to get myself out of a jam, and I think I'd like the challenge.

Rae looks at the orc again.

So, are they almost done?

[ThirdEmperor]

That they are. Morug says, flipping the steaks onto two plates. That will be five dollars thank you. He says, tapping a smal sign which reads: Dine N' Dashers Will Be Fed The Remains Of The Last Idiot To Try It.

[Rae Artemi]

Wouldn't be the first time someone tried to force feed me people. I doubt you would be able to do it, though. Emily has money, though, so no need to worry.

[Lix Lorn]

"Yep!" she said, reaching into the bag. "Dollars... dollars... haven't needed them for a bit..."
She eventually fishes out five, and hands them to him.

[ThirdEmperor]

Thank you. Morug says, taking the money and passing Rae and Emily their plates. That signs worked wonders I tell you. I can understand why too, you humans taste truly awfull.

[Rae Artemi]

So, now we just need to find something to drink and a place to eat. I think that MagMart place sold drinks, wanna check it out?

[Lix Lorn]

"Sure." she said. "Hey, they owe me something free for helping during the apocalypse!"

[ThirdEmperor]

I would avoid MagMart if I were you. There's a reason I'm blind and it's called Magtok. The guy will kill you if he decides he dislikes you. Just some friendly advice.

[Lix Lorn]

She shrugs. "I'll be fine." she says. "...I could probably heal your eyes, if you wanted."

[Rae Artemi]

Or I could. But, whether you want healing or not, I'll still take my chances at MagMart.

[ThirdEmperor]

Really? You could? That would be.... I can't really express my gratitude. The steaks are on the house of course. He says, passing back the five bucks.

[Lix Lorn]

"It's fine." she says, waving away the money. "In a world full of magic, no-one deserves to stay crippled. Of course... I can't promise it'll work, and even if it does, he might pop up behind you and stab you again." she warns.

[Rae Artemi]

Rae stands by to let Emily work.

You'd better take the first crack at it, Emily, as I'm not entirely sure whether or not I can use my other powers besides denimancy right now.

[Lix Lorn]

She breathes deeply, and starts to gather white and green mana.

[iElf]

(somewhere in the blue zone)

A man simply appears on the streets. pops out of nowhere. first, no man, then....suddenly man. this ma not be a strange occurrence in the nexus, but the man certainly felt this was one, and does what most people ought not to do in any situation, but do so anyway. he panics. the middle aged man in the middle of the street, runs in circles screaming, most of the toothpaste froth in his mouth flying out.

he has short auburn hair, brown eyes, and is currently running into trogs tavern, wearing only his slippers, his dressing gown, and a set of pyjamas.

[ThirdEmperor]

Thank you again. And don't worry, if he tries to blind me again...... Well, I may just go off my diet.

[Lix Lorn]

She nods, eyes glowing a green-white, putting her hands on each side of his head. The mana flows into him, gathering in his eyes. If it works, his eyes will regrow all but instantaneously. They'll also be perfect vision for his race; and a random but natural eye colour.

[Moff Chumley]

((Can we let the record show that Maggie's never touched the guy? That was The Moff. Nice to see you were paying attention. :smallyuk:))

[ThirdEmperor]

(Can we let the record show Prince just dislikes Magtok and want's to give him as much bad PR as he can? Prince despises anyone he thinks doesn't take being a villian seriously.)

As the mana flows into him he removes his sunglasses, which sadly gives both Rae and Emily a perfect view of his eyes regrowing themselves. It ain't purty. Thank you...... It really sucks being a blind chef, sometimes I wonder how I still have fingers. Morug says, almost crying.

[Lord Magtok]

Hey look! Up on the rooftops, there's What, scoping out his assassination target!

Oh nevermind, that' just a Halloween decoration. And so is that pumpkin over there. And that one...and that one, too?

Jeez, there's a lot of pumpkins out tonight, and not all of them have been carved into jack o' lanterns, either. There's only one with a suit attached to it, though, and the pumpkin-headed fellow who bears this unique distinction goes out of his way to avoid making this noticeable. He's creeping around slowly, watching Prince from above, waiting for the right moment to strike him down with his own gun.

Normally What wouldn't make use of something as slovenly and unprofessional as a anything-that-isn't a knife, but for this particular case, he supposes he can make an exception. This guy lit his suit on fire and broke one of his heads.

[ThirdEmperor]

Riv was the one who shot What, not Prince!

[The Alexandrian]

[Temple to Dalachrech]

The Apprentice drops from his pod as he nears the temple. He falls about 12 yards to the ground where he lands with both feet and one fist planted into the ground. He notices all the pumpkins around this night...wait, was that one moving? It doesn't matter, The Apprentice enters the temple, attempting to locate Prince. However, his hand is no longer grasping the hilt of his sword denoting this intrusion may be peaceful in nature...

[ApeofLight]

[Yellow Zone]

Somewhere near Warwick Works what appears to be a shadowy person is moving, looking for Warwick Works and Warwick himself.

[happyturtle]

[Yellow Zone]

Warwick Works is pretty easy to find. Not much activity around the building itself this time of night.

[The Bushranger]

[Brendan's]

Meanwhile, Brendan decides to close up for the day, and heads out onto the streets, heading in the direction of Trog's.

[IonDragon]

[Streets]

After several minutes, Lo seems to realize where he is isn't where he was. First he looks across the street, at the stone and thatch buildings. Then he looks up at the (mostly) blue sky, and the airship above. Finally, he looks around the corner, back into the alley way which seems to be a dead end.

"-the hell?"

Bloodstream swimming with low grade painkillers, he stands. He really should get to a doctor. Quickly. The stitch he'd given himself would keep the pain at bay for... a good 30 minutes easy, but prompt medical care was always a good idea. He quickly spies a quite tall person with dental grafts, and a bad skin color job standing behind a cart labeled "Morug's Authentic Orc Cuisine"

"Eh!" He strides over, left arm still held tight to his chest. "Where's the hospital?" He asks sliding over a folded 500¥ bill.

[ApeofLight]

[Yellow Zone]

Teb walks around the perimeter of WW, sizing up the security. Let's see... He has to mess with the papers so... needs to find the main office and get in.

[ThirdEmperor]

Prince isn't in the temple, he made a dash for it when he saw you coming.

Morug, who's skin color job and dental grafts are exquisite and almost entirely undectable, looks at Lo with his newly recovered eyes. Sir, I've been blind for twenty years, I have no idea where anything is. I can however sell you a low grade healing potion, can't regrow anything, but it'll stop you bleeding and heal light wounds.

[happyturtle]

[Yellow Zone]

Well, there's a loading dock, a smaller door near the big loading bay, a front door, and a roof entrance. Only a couple of windows near the front door, with blinds keeping anyone from seeing in. The rest of the building has no windows.

Also, horngeek had a character hired to do security, but I don't know if he still intends to play her. I don't even remember her name. :smallconfused:

[ApeofLight]

[Yellow Zone]
" Heh, This is too easy... " Teb says and then starts to levitate.

The drow levitates up to a suitable hight and then walks over to the roof entrance. Well, that's his plan at least. He has no clue what could happen! Oh, and the cloak he's wearing basically makes him looks like a shadow moving across the night sky.

[IonDragon]

((Lo is new to the Nexus, and assumes that Morug's orcish features are the result of either botched or low quality cosmetic surgery. If he appears human, then I missed something somewhere and it's my mistake.))

A quick blink. "A 'healing potion'? What do you take me for? " He makes to grab back his money, and stalk off.

[The Alexandrian]

The Apprentice looks around inside the temple and yells when he cannot locate Prince,

"Putrid coward! Let him know that the death that will occur this night rests on his soul! The gutters shall run red with the blood of the living, an eternal stream of decay pouring into the vat of eternity where he will forever boil! Or better yet...he shall have none of this. Yes...there is so much more fun when one does it this way..."

With these enraged words, The Apprentice turns about and exits the temple, his master leading him right to Prince. Along the way, he spews forth oaths as he impassively fires on anything alive he encounters this night (which isn't really that much, seeing as wherever he goes the npcs have already heard his expletives and probably evacuated).

By the time his oaths can be heard at the stall by normal humans, he has executed an astounding total of three dogs, five cats, two rats, and one tree that really ticked him off.

[happyturtle]

[Yellow Zone]
" Heh, This is too easy... " Teb says and then starts to levitate.

The drow levitates up to a suitable hight and then walks over to the roof entrance. Well, that's his plan at least. He has no clue what could happen! Oh, and the cloak he's wearing basically makes him looks like a shadow moving across the night sky.

Horngeek says he's not playing her anymore.

Nothing stops Teb from getting to the roof entrance. Once there, he'll see it's rather locked.

[ThirdEmperor]

Now look here sir. I'm not trying to rip you off, the potion actually works. Tell you what, try it and if it doesn't you get your money back. Morug says, pulling out a glass vial. Then he hears the swearing. Oh, hreat, the assassin is here.

[ApeofLight]

[Yellow Zone]

" Heh, way to easy. " Teb pulls out a small lock pick and starts to try to unlock the door. He's not very skilled and if he fails at unlocking it he's going to try to quietly break the lock.

How? With a magical arrow with flame properties shoved into the locking mechanism.

[IonDragon]

"Right then..." He locks eyes with the vendor, gives the vial a dubious sniff then downs it.

Then the swearing started. In the distance, but growing closer. "I've got a feeling today is going to be very expensive for me. What - " he pops a fresh clip of armor piercing carbine rounds into the SMG "- is that?"

((How's this assassin outfitted?))

[happyturtle]

[Warwick Works]

It's a good lock. If Teb isn't good at what he does, then he'll probably fail at the picking. And I'm having a hard time seeing how a magical arrow would help. Arrows are bigger than keyholes, and fire is... well.... not terribly effective against steel unless magical fire is way way hotter than I have ever imagined it being.

On the bright side, Teb seems to have remained undetected.

[ThirdEmperor]

The potion is a perfectly normal potion of cure light wounds. Morug just looks at Lo. That is a very, very bad assassin.

[ApeofLight]

[Warwick Works]

Teb sighs and the arrow disappears in a black mist back to his quiver. He then pulls out a small vial of metal eating acid. " I hate to use this on something so trivial but... " He uncorks it and carefully pours the liquid into/onto the lock and stands back. What, it creates dangerous fumes.

[happyturtle]

[Warwick Works]

The lock gets dissolved away. Teb can enter. The door opens inwards.

[The Alexandrian]

The Apprentice turns round the corner, still fuming as he levels his minigun at Prince's head.

"If you are stupid you will try to run. I don't want to kill you, I just want your book and to know what the hell you were trying to do in AMEN alone. So come with me back to SAINT if you want to live much longer and we will patch you up right quick. And then, for your retribution against AMEN. We will do it together, it will be glorious."

[ApeofLight]

[Warwick Works]

Teb smiles and walks in. Time for stealth mode! Walk quietly around searching for Warwick's office.

[happyturtle]

[Warwick Works]

As soon as he steps in, the steps turn into a slide, sending him down to the basement. Weeeeeeeee! :smallbiggrin:

[ApeofLight]

[Warwick Works]

" Wha! Ahh! "
Teb can't help but try to run against the slide and save himself. It's really quite comical, especially since he trips and is soon plummeting down towards the basement.

[ThirdEmperor]

The Apprentice turns round the corner, still fuming as he levels his minigun at Prince's head.

"If you are stupid you will try to run. I don't want to kill you, I just want your book and to know what the hell you were trying to do in AMEN alone. So come with me back to SAINT if you want to live much longer and we will patch you up right quick. And then, for your retribution against AMEN. We will do it together, it will be glorious."

Well, that sounds reasonable. Morug/Prince says, removing his beard and the face paint. But, well, there may be bad news on the book. I can't get to it at the moment. Long story, blame AMEN.

[happyturtle]

[Warwick Works]

His landing is cushioned by a ball pit, so he shouldn't be seriously injured. Then the room is sprayed with a knockout gas.

[IonDragon]

With a mental twitch LoVoltage's face plate descends with a snap and a hiss while the sides lock into place. He couldn't let anything happen to his pretty face. Maybe it was the drugs. Maybe it was how freaking weird this day was going. Maybe it was just how very, very BAD this guy was at his job but Lo wanted to fill him with bullets. "Wrong move" came his distorted voice.

[ApeofLight]

[Warwick Works]

Teb falls into the pit and quickly starts getting up. " What in the!? " Then he sniffs the air. " Oh, for the love of... " Teb then falls over knocked out.

[The Alexandrian]

(The Apprentice is wearing black-plated stealth armor with a red visor. Underneath, he wears a reflex-enhancing nanosuit that is a part of the armor but can operate as a standalone if worse comes to worse. He has a gat gun built in to his rather thick armor on his left side and an energy blade on his right. Blades extend from his forearm armor in half elipses while his boots are spiked. He uses the sword strapped to his back as his primary weapon because his minigun is rather unwieldy and has a pretty small amount of ammo for a minigun. He has a neural uplink to a comm system with his master, a tactical database, and the equivalent of a scouter system built into his armor. The armor is pretty impact resistant but it can be dispatched with emps, explosives, or lasers rather easily. In his full armor mode he is bulky but difficult to hurt but in his nanosuit only he is nimble but rather easy to damage. Think of him as the equivalent of the Iron Knuckle from Legend of Zelda. Armor piercing rounds would also work on him, they would just have to be of a pretty high caliber and hit him a little bit before they made his armor unusable.)

"I just want to destroy the book, Prince. I don't think that it ever should have existed."

He now swings the minigun in his armor around to face Lo.

"Back off, you know nothing of what is transpiring here!"

[happyturtle]

Warwick Works

When Teb wakes up, he finds himself strapped to a table, stripped to his underpants, with Mei Li, a little Chinese woman in her 50s watching him.

[ThirdEmperor]

Seeing as it currently resides in it's own demi-plane, which even I can't access anymore, is rigged with enough traps to vaporize a god and is written in a code it took me three thousand years to devise, I'd say it's as good as non-existant for the moment. And waving that gun around will just make stuff worse.

[ApeofLight]

Warwick Works

Teb growls and tries to quickly find out if he still has any of his jewelry, like the house symbol, and where his stuff is in the room. " I suggest you let me go. Now. " He says turning to look at the woman with a piercing gaze of hate.

[IonDragon]

Eying the armor, either the man underneath was massive, or he was packing some serious hardware. Lo glances at the meat vendor before doing anything.

[happyturtle]

Warwick Works

Teb uses HATE GLARE. It's not very effective.

Everything was removed, unless it was trapped somehow to prevent that. In which case we'll have to rewind a bit and roleplay that out. I should have had an attempts post. :smallredface:

"You break in here. Why?" she says.

He doesn't see his stuff.

[The Alexandrian]

The Apprentice lowers his minigun and reaches up with both hands, lifting his visor thus revealing his true identity as Alexander Pyborne, a teenager with a massive scar running across his face. He then speaks in his rather soothing voice,

"Now you both know who I am. I have revealed myself to you both as a sign of good faith. As for the suit, I wouldn't have worn it, but I was under the impression that I was going to have to charge AMEN head on in order to free Prince here and decided that I wasn't about to die without taking some of them with me."

[ThirdEmperor]

Consider the potion on the house, now go find a hospital before he shoots you. I hear GLoG will patch you up in a pinch. Prince says to Lo, pulling his AK out from under the stall and holstering it.

[IonDragon]

Opening his face mask up to preserve the filters, "And that would be... which way?"

[ThirdEmperor]

That way. Prince says, pointing as he retrieves the rest of his gear. But unless you're a long distance runner you may wish to get a taxi. He then turns to Alexander. Now, what exactly is your problem with AMEN? Mine is that they tied me up and tortured me, and although I didn't really mind, I have to get revenge on principal. That and other reasons.

[The Alexandrian]

"AMEN is a league of fools and nothing more. They are an insult to evil everywhere! They also caused me pain awhile back. They will pay for it dearly."

Alex seems to have a twinge of hatred in his voice as he responds.

[ThirdEmperor]

Well, you pretty much summed up my "other reasons". Being one of the original pawns in the game of good and evil, I don't particularly appreciate them treating it as a joke. Especially as they also dishonor half the cliches I invented. I really do despise "Bond Villian" wannabes who don't even know what class is. Prince says, putting his jacket and bandoleer back on.

[ApeofLight]

Warwick Works

Teb uses HATE GLARE. It's not very effective.

Everything was removed, unless it was trapped somehow to prevent that. In which case we'll have to rewind a bit and roleplay that out. I should have had an attempts post. :smallredface:

"You break in here. Why?" she says.

He doesn't see his stuff.

Well, there is Teb's warforged like arm which has a blade hidden inside of it... Does that count?

Teb sighs when he doesn't see his stuff. " What did you do with all of my clothing and items? Some of that stuff is very expensive you know. " Teb says trying to be the leader in the conversation.

[IonDragon]

"Thanks for the drink. Good luck!"

I'll go find a taxi to the hospital now.

[The Alexandrian]

"What happened to you in there anyway? It seems like they did something really terrible, especially for you to rush to the temple of the bugs for aid."

Alex inquires, ready to depart for SAINT whenever Prince is.

[ThirdEmperor]

Actually, it would appear a taxi has found him. A anceint horse buggy made of plates of metal pulls up to Lo, drawn by four horses who's color cannot be determined, as it seems to shift with the light. The driver, a dwarf a mane with long and unruly blond hair and a completely unbraided beard, looks down at Lo, pulling open the door. Yer be wantin to go ta GloG rite?
-----------------------------------------

Prince looks at Alexander for a moment before speaking, ignoring the cab. They stabbed me in the neck and blinded me, nothing serious. I went to the temple of Dalachrech because I needed to speak with a god I haven't pissed off yet, meaning one I haven't met before.

[The Alexandrian]

"What do you mean nothing serious? They were your eyes! Oh yeah I forgot, you are a super powered maniac who is either invincible or insane!"

Alex says, sarcasm and disbelief dripping from the words.

[IonDragon]

"I need a doctor. If there's one at this GLoG and it's closer than the hospital, that's fine. I'm new in town. " He hauls himself up into the back.

[Moff Chumley]

((TE, I know this is before your time, but Prince is almost going out of his way to make The Moff hate him... the fact that he's completely classless isn't helping, either. :smalltongue:))

[ThirdEmperor]

(Hey, Prince has class. He just doesn't bother using it most of the time. And Prince despises Moff anyway, so Moff can go ahead and despise him back.:smalltongue:)

Prince grins at Alexander's sarcasm. I've had my eyes ripped out more times than your heart has beat. Trust me, it's nothing. And insane maniac I may be, but I've never had superpowers beyond my own skills, and thanks to AMEN I'm no longer invincible. That was why I went to the temple, I need divine intervention to undo what they did to me.
-------------------------------------------

Well,, we don't have a hospital around these parts, so GLoG it'll haf ta be. The taxi-man says, putting on a set of ancient motorists goggles. The fare will be one tale. Anything will do, news, myths, even just something that happened to ya.

[The Alexandrian]

"Well we can take care of that back at SAINT. I'm sure that Anya has some sort of Russian god that you haven't met yet that probably worships you and would reverse the pathetic magic of AMEN."

Alex winks as he begins to lumber towards the SAINT facility.

[ThirdEmperor]

Fair enough. As long as I get to hurn down that disgrace to proper evil. Prince says, following.

[IonDragon]

"A story? You've got to be kidding me..."

He backs down the steps and shuts the buggy's door.

"If we're going to be talking, I may as well ride shotgun. What would you like to hear about? This one time, I spent almost a month in this little pod hotel a couple years back. Actually, you'll probably want to hear this other one. I was transporting some goods... "

Length. Possibly.
"I had a buyer for some off brand bio implants. You know, muscle grafts, replacement livers, enhanced adrenal glands. Run of the mill. So anyway, had this buyer in lower city, so I find myself a seller in uptown. Get some cash up, get the goods from the seller and go to make the drop in some no name warehouse district. Buyer's acting all antsy, you know? You make enough deals and you learn to trust your gut, so I'm gonna fold it, maybe sell the goods at a loss someplace else, when his guys jump me. Couple faces I recognize. And not old buddies if you get my drift. A few guys looking for a piece. One of em goes by the name Sloan. Pretty sure he set the whole thing up from beginning to end. I'm able to blow my way out of the building, fight my way down an alley. I take a couple. Hard. So I'm running down this alleyway, and they're coming after me. I use the last of my contact grenades, and all of a sudden I'm alone. Here. I've got no idea where here is, why I'm here or how I got here. "

[happyturtle]

[Warwick Works]


Well, there is Teb's warforged like arm which has a blade hidden inside of it... Does that count?

Teb sighs when he doesn't see his stuff. " What did you do with all of my clothing and items? Some of that stuff is very expensive you know. " Teb says trying to be the leader in the conversation.

Luckily Mei Li didn't cut off his arm, but it is strapped down, like his other arm.

"I burn it. Why you break in here?" she repeats.

[Lix Lorn]

(Can we let the record show Prince just dislikes Magtok and want's to give him as much bad PR as he can? Prince despises anyone he thinks doesn't take being a villian seriously.)

As the mana flows into him he removes his sunglasses, which sadly gives both Rae and Emily a perfect view of his eyes regrowing themselves. It ain't purty. Thank you...... It really sucks being a blind chef, sometimes I wonder how I still have fingers. Morug says, almost crying.
She smiles, leaning back. "Did it work?"

[Rae Artemi]

Well, he just thanked you and we saw his eyes regrowing themselves, so of course it didn't.

[Lix Lorn]

"H...hold on... Detect Sarcasm!" said Emily in mock horror. "The... the sarcasm level... it's over nine thousand!"

[Lord Magtok]

Riv was the one who shot What, not Prince!

((Oops, my mistake.))

What gets a better look at his target, and realizes he was mistaken. Huh. Well, now that he knows that, he'll put the gun away. There's still plenty reason to go ahead and try to murder this individual, though. Ultimate power, even if not of any particular use for oneself, can probably buy him a whole year-round pumpkin farm and personal tailor. What gets a little jumpy just thinking about it.

Speaking of jumping, Prince might want to look up. There's a pumpkin-headed assassin diving off a rooftop. He's holding a butterfly knife in one hand, and looks poised to shove his target to the ground with the other. Now, I don't know about you, but I for one, don't like getting stabbed. Prince, let's hope your friend there is interested in your well-being, or this could get messy.

[ThirdEmperor]

[Inside > GLoG]

Interestin. I guess, ya bein new to da Nexus n all, I can cut ya a break. Yar in tha Nexus, kinda a in-between fa worlds. As fa how ya got ere, The dwarf says, spitting out a wad of some unidentifiable gunk as the buggy begins to move, the horses doing little more than trotting yet covering a seemingly impossible amount of ground. people just seem ta show up. One moment ya at home, sippin ya tea, the next ya gettin et by a dragon. It's all part o da way worlds work if ya ask me, somethin gotta keep em from crashin togethar, and that be da Nexus. Anyway, here ya go, Good League O Good, watch ya step, avoid anythin that seems normal, it ain't. He finishes, just as the buggy stops in the center of GLoG. Oddly enough, it didn't take anywhere near the amount of time it should have. In fact, if Lo knew anything about the Nexus he may have noticed that the buggy was going from one place to another without going through any of the places inbetween.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
[Morug's Authentic Orc Cuisine]

Oh, s***! Shouts Prince, rolling to the side unholstering his AK and firing at What. And probably missing, as he can't shoot anymore.

[Rae Artemi]

Rae looks toward Prince when he hears gunshots.

Umm, yeah, Emily, we should probably be leaving now. Gunfights aren't my thing, and I'm weak as it is.

[Lix Lorn]

Emily nods, taking his hand. "C'mon, let's go."

[Rae Artemi]

So, hide out in MagMart and get our drinks? Or maybe head for Trog's?

[Lix Lorn]

"Magmart." she said. "Like I said, they owe my stuff."

[Rae Artemi]

Alright then.

Rae says, starting to dash toward MagMart, staying low to avoid bullets fired at head level.

[Lord Magtok]

MagMart

Hey look, it's that Magbot with the ridiculous pole-head! It looks like he's gotten it fixed since that zombie apocalypse, too.

Greetings, shoppers! We have a special today on-

He groans at the sight of Rae and Emily. This "Defend the store and get free stuff" thing has been cutting into their stock, and with Black Friday looming, things are not looking good for the store.

Oh, you guys. Go ahead and grab your free stuff, and make it quick. Don't let the door hit you on the way out, either.


[Morug's Authentic Orc Cuisine]

Oh, s***! Shouts Prince, rolling to the side unholstering his AK and firing at What. And probably missing, as he can't shoot anymore.

Three or so rounds hit What's chest, but you wouldn't be able to tell just by watching his reaction. It doesn't seem to phase him at all, he just begins running right at Prince, intending the bury his knife into the shoulder of the target's dominant arm.

[Lix Lorn]

"I'm guessing a killsat is aiming too high, right?" grins Emily.

[Rae Artemi]

[MagMart]

Yes. Yes it is. We're just here for drinks, remember?

Somehow, Rae has managed to not drop his steak while running from the gunfight.

[Lix Lorn]

"I can pay for the drink, I get something FREE." she grinned devilishly.

[Rae Artemi]

Emily, I swear, if you get anything ridiculously dangerous, I'll break it. I'm quite good at breaking things.

Rae gives her the biggest grin he can manage.

[Lix Lorn]

"Aww. Spoilsport." she frowned.

[ThirdEmperor]

Dangit. Prince says, and detonates the charges strapped to the cart. The charges were, however, aimed away from where What is, but the impact can still probably fling him a dozen or so feet. Prince serves as a good example of this as he is thrown into a nearby wall.

[Rae Artemi]

I said ridiculously destructive. Anyways, I'm sure you'll be able to find something you like in here that won't level a city block if you hit the wrong button, this is a pretty big place. Anyway, drinks first, free stuff later, our steaks are getting cold.

[Lix Lorn]

"A good Killsat can target a mouse and leave everything else untouched." she pointed out, folllowing him.

(What can I say, other than Ion Cannon Ready. (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/SugarWiki/MostWonderfulSound?from=Main.MostWonderfulSound))

[Lord Magtok]

MagMart

The robot greeter shakes his head sadly.

And that's precisely why the Empire's banned us from producing them. Of course, id we did have kill-sats, your assistance wouldn't have been necessary, and there wouldn't be any need to offer free ones.

In the Streets

What is tossed to the ground, and parts of his suit ignite. Uh-oh, that could be bad.

[Rae Artemi]

Yes, but it can also devastate an entire city if you miscalculate.

Rae looks around at the impressive collection of drinks that MagMart is guaranteed to have. He ends up grabbing a gallon of milk.

[Maxios]

Signs suddenly appear around inside reading

HIRING FOR CANDY QUEST
GET PAID IN LOADS OF CANDY
FOR MORE INFO CONTACT MAXIOS

[ThirdEmperor]

You know, I really should start running now. But as I'm to dizzy to move that fast, I'll have to make you incapable of moving at all. Prince says, picking himself up and drawing a meat cleaver from his pouch as he walks towards What.

[Lix Lorn]

MagMart

The robot greeter shakes his head sadly.

And that's precisely why the Empire's banned us from producing them. Of course, id we did have kill-sats, your assistance wouldn't have been necessary, and there wouldn't be any need to offer free ones.

In the Streets

What is tossed to the ground, and parts of his suit ignite. Uh-oh, that could be bad.
"Awww." she says sadly. "I'll make my own... alright... umm... oh, forget about taking advantage."
She went to find the dress she'd looked at last time. Poor substitute for an ion cannon, but it would do.

[Lord Magtok]

MagMart

The dress is still there. Yes, that same exact one. It even has a little tag on it that says "A PC was looking at this, stay away or you might die in some improbable freak accident", too!

Streets (of Rage)

What takes a serrated hunting knife out of his suit with his free hand, and waits for Prince to make his move.

[Rae Artemi]

After grabbing his milk, Rae follows Emily to the dresses, whe- Flyer on his face!

Ah, Get it off! Get it off!

Rae starts waving his hands around, unable to remove the paper due to him holding a gallon of milk in one hand and a plate of steak in the other.

[ApeofLight]

[Warwick Works]



Luckily Mei Li didn't cut off his arm, but it is strapped down, like his other arm.

"I burn it. Why you break in here?" she repeats.

Teb's eyes go wide and turn a deep dark red. " You what!?! You insignificant worm! That Piwafwi cloak alone was worth more than your entire life! Not to mention the nearly irreplaceable magical items AND all of my poisons!!! I should kill you where you stand now but that would be too quick and painless for what you've done!!! I demand that you release me this instant!!! " Teb yells and screams fighting against the bonds with all his might and anger. His anger being very intense and large right now.

[happyturtle]

[Warwick Works]

The bonds are steel reinforced canvas straps. Unless his anger makes him go all Hulk, he's probably stuck.

"Oh sure. I release you after you say you kill me. Much big incentive." Mei Li says with sarcasm. "Last chance you answer. Why you break in here?"

[ApeofLight]

[Warwick Works]

" Why!? WHY!?! " Teb yells his eyes still a deep red. " I came here hired to spy on Warwick and as the assignment said 'mess with his papers'! That's why I came! Not so some sorry excuse for a intelligent creature could destroy items worth thousands upon thousands pieces of gold and platinum! HAPPY!!! "

[happyturtle]

[Warwick Works]

"Oh, you want Mister Warwick. He not here now. I tell him come see you when he come back." Mei Li says.

[ApeofLight]

[Warwick Works]

Teb's eye twitches in annoyance. " Listen to me and listen carefully you little worm. You will salvage all that you can of the things that you destroyed that where mine and then you will repay for the rest. You will also let me go now. If you do all of these, maybe, just maybe I'll let you live out your pitiful existence. "

[happyturtle]

[Warwick Works]

"Stupid dwarf. You make big talk, but you the one in underwear." :smallamused:

[ApeofLight]

[Warwick Works]

Oh, now you've really gone and mad Teb mad. His eyes darken to a near black color and he starts shaking with rage. " WHY!... YOU!... LITTLE!... "

Teb's hands start to move in a rapid but controlled manner and he quickly chants a few spells. " Cause fear! " He yells casting it on Mei Li, which should incapacitate her with fear. " Bull's Strength " He casts on himself hopefully giving him enough strength to at least loosen the bonds a bit so he can get out of it.

[happyturtle]

[Warwick Works]

Mei Li's eyes go wide with fear, and she flees the room and hits the emergency button.

The one that makes the room fill with knockout gas. :smalltongue:

((Don't worry, you'll get a chance to escape, but Mei Li is Warwick's Only Sane Employee (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/OnlySaneEmployee). Way too competent to escape from.))

[ApeofLight]

[Warwick Works]

Teb holds out longer this time, whether because of rage or because he's getting used to all of these dang knockout poisons. " I hate... this world... so... f-....uhhh. "

[ThirdEmperor]

[Streets of Rage]

Grinning, Prince dashes forward and swings at What's legs with the cleaver, trying to chop one off,

[Lord Magtok]

Streets

What uses the butterfly knife to try to catch Prince right in the bicep, holding it out in the path of Prince's sudden cleaver swing, to use the target's momentum against him. Should Prince's arm be stopped in time, he might soon find What's hunting blade being abruptly jammed into his left lung.

[ThirdEmperor]

Prince, now completely unable to use his knives, stares at the knives in his lung and bicep. Oh, f*** this. He coughs out along with a lot of blood, pulling himself back and attempting to dump the contents of a tin can from his pouch on What. The can contains thermite. Last I checked what was on fire.

[Lord Magtok]

Streets

What (and most likely, Prince as well, given how close the two were) explodes violently.

[happyturtle]

Emergency Clinic

Funded by the empire, this clinic provides the care you would get in a modern emergency room. This is the place to come for getting bones set, wounds stitched, normal illnesses treated, etc. They can't handle magical ailments, nor do they provide magical healing, and the further a being is from being human, the less likely they are to have the necessary expertise to help.

This is an NPC facility. Please godmod your own care.

((approved by DC))

-----------------------------

The MagMobile arrives, carrying Willow and Winslow Warwick. EMTs show up and start treating the latter, while Willow calls her mom.

Willow isn't a machine empath, but she does take the time to thank the MagMobile for getting them there so quickly.

[The Alexandrian]

Alex is grumbling as he walks back to where he last saw Prince. He arrives in just enough time to see the flames engulf the two.

"Oh hell no! The third cool person I meet here and he gets set on fire up by a...pumpkin in a suit?"

Alex facepalms as he walks towards the burning figure/figures. In his right hand (which isn't being used to facepalm) he grasps his Patronus sword as he prepares to enter the fray (if anyone is still in a fighting condition at this point).

[ThirdEmperor]

(Most types of thermite don't explode, they just burn really, really hot. The variety Prince threw at What is aluminium-iron(|||) oxide, commonly used to weld railroad tracks together, and it doesn't go boom except in much larger amounts.)

[Lix Lorn]

MagMart

The dress is still there. Yes, that same exact one. It even has a little tag on it that says "A PC was looking at this, stay away or you might die in some improbable freak accident", too!
"Now that is service!" exclaims Emily, picking it up. "Alright. I'll have that."

[Rae Artemi]

Rae is still flailing his arms trying to get the flyer off of himself. It isn't working out very well.

A little help, please?

[Lix Lorn]

"Oh!" she says, blushing. "Sorry!"
She goes over to help.

[Rebonack]

[Open Square]

Things are going fine! Everything is normal! Nothing to worry about!

Or... well... As normal as things can be in a dimensional cross-roads of sorts, a place that's about as static as jello nailed to a wall. But oddness aside... normal, yes. At present a troop of Archavian Slam-Poets are dropping sick beats upon one another, much to the amusement of the onlooking crowd.

Of course most people present have no idea what they're saying, what they're talking about, or even comprehend the absurdly convoluted Archavian language, but it's neat none the less.

Though that isn't our focus today.

Oh no.

Our focus is on something...

Different.

"Attention, ladies and gentlemen! Ladies and gentlemen, your attention please! There is an announcement to be made, oh yes indeed," comes a rather distinctly purple voice crackling our of thin air as if squeezed from the tormented speaker of an ancient intercom system.

As one might imagine this gets the attention of more than a few. Usually when a high-pitch voice brimming with scarcely contained excitement and more than a little insanity starts echoing out of nowhere something unpleasant is about to happen.

"An announcement! Yes, oh yes and announcement to be made! And for that I will need your attention, ladies and gentlemen! Your attention will be required!" as the voice continues shadows begin to pool, rising up from the ground into crude anthropomorphic shapes with little real feature aside form a single white 'eye' in the middle of their head. An eye that hums with dull radiance.

People are getting a little nervous now... But these strange apparitions don't seem to be violent.

"There shall be festivities! Events most joyous and jocular! A carnival for one and all and none and those that might not even yet be! So gather around, ladies and gentlemen! For the fun will soon begin!"

Several of the shadowy golems begin to peel apart like ethereal onions, wisps of vapor congealing into ropes and canvas and cages. Polls and pegs and cables.

It would seem a rather large cluster of tents are busy assembling themselves.

"Oh yes, yes come one and all! The Shifting Carnival has come to town!"

[Terumitsu]

[Streets]

There are moments where one has to simply stop and look around at things. Where one is suddenly beset upon by the total absurdity of the world and that the only reaction availible is to step back for a moment to observe what it is that garnered such a reaction in the first place. Such things are rare, tresureably so even. And as often as not, heralds of new and exciting things to come.

Quint was just on the recieving end of just one of those moments as he witnessed the abrupt announcement as well as the alarcity involved in raising chromatically colorful tents of colossal proportions. This was certainly a novel thing as memory could not serve to find an equal occasion such as this.

And all that Quint could do upon this revelation was thus:

"Wait.. What? What just happened?"

[Rae Artemi]

Rae winces as the staple keeping the flyer on is yanked out, and a drop of blood comes out of both of the holes left by the staple. When Rae wipes the blood off, though, both holes are completely healed.

So, what does that thing say?

((In case it wasn't clear, the flyer is advertising the candy hunt ))

[Lord Magtok]

(Most types of thermite don't explode, they just burn really, really hot. The variety Prince threw at What is aluminium-iron(|||) oxide, commonly used to weld railroad tracks together, and it doesn't go boom except in much larger amounts.)

...Oh. Well in that case, What tears off his own glove and part of the suit sleeve beneath it, and tosses that into a nearby trash bin. There's...I don't know, something wrong about what he had tucked away beneath that sleeve. It's not an arm, it's not a tentacle, and it's probably not just empty space, but I can't really say for sure. Focusing one's eyes on it is nearly impossible, something in the mind just wants to pretend it isn't there and that the glove is still on.

Lucky for Prince though, this doesn't seem to be any sort of attack. In fact, right after What does this, the burning suit deflates like a balloon and his aflame pumpkin head tumbles to the streets.

[Lix Lorn]

"It's... an advert for a candy hunt." she blinked.

[Rae Artemi]

Rae's eyes light up and a huge grin spreads across his face.

Candy? Let me see!

[Lix Lorn]

She gives him the-still slightly bloodied-flyer.

[Rae Artemi]

Rae reads the flier, and his grin lessens somewhat.

That's odd. This flier says to contact Maxios, but it doesn't say who Maxios is or how to contact him. I guess we could ask around about him when we finish shopping. Speaking of which, I think you'd look really pretty in that dress, Emily.

[Lix Lorn]

"If you say so. Your wish..." she grins, holding up a hand with a spark of magic. Her clothes vanish, and the dress appears. "...is my command."

If Rae was looking closely enough there might be a moment with an entire lack of clothing. He might get the idea that this was intentional.

[ThirdEmperor]

Prince grins at his clever victory and turns to Alex. Let's get going.

[Rae Artemi]

Rae does notice, but doesn't comment on it. It's not like it's something he's never seen before. He puts a hand to his chin, and remarks.

You know, I think I was wrong. You don't look pretty in that dress. You look beautiful. Though you should probably have purchased it before you put it on.

[Lix Lorn]

"They owe me it for free." she pointed out. "Plus it was reserved and all."
She looks around for the magbot, and smiles. "We're square! I'm sure to be back. Oh, and if you Saw anything... I dunno if you're fully functional, but consider the view a tip." she winks.

Then the beautiful comment got through, and she blushed, trying to brush it off. "Well... of course I am! I'm me."

It was obvious that this arrogance, unlike the rest of it, was fake.

[Rebonack]

[Open Square, Now with Tents!]

Mister Roboto probably wouldn't be too surprised to discover that the reaction of pretty much everyone in the crowd matches his rather closely. Wait, what?

The tents rise ever higher, spiraling and expanding and inflating in a gaudy display of clashing color and seemingly impossible angles and blatant disregard for any complaints the laws of physics might lodge. There's something quite off about the whole display, something about every protruding pole and every crease of canvas that's subtly wrong.

Not enough to be sinister, no.

But enough to bring to mind old paintings of abstract landscapes and melting clocks and the cabinets of certain doctors with Micky Mouse gloves.

Higher and higher they rise, coiling in an impossible helix of pin-striped tents, fabric merging together into an ever more surreal spectacle until at last the top vanishes beyond sight.

Outside the tents booths and wheeled cages begin to sprout from the earth like mushrooms, manned and filled by things that are best left unsubscribed.

But still no signs of violence... No sign of any way to get into the tents as of yet either...

[ApeofLight]

[Open Square]

Foro walks by looking sullen and angry. It's probably because he didn't get his random encounter. So he stomps along with a frown on his face and walks right by the tents and what not sprouting from the ground. Then back-peddles as he sees the carnival and it registers.

The monkey looks around with an expression of curiosity which soon turns into a big silly grin as he starts to giggle madly. " It's... It's the carnival! " He says happily starting to run around the crowd yelling about how great the carnival is.

Clearly the magma elemental hasn't noticed anything wrong with the picture yet. Could it be that the monkey sees the bright side of things? Or is Foro just really that ignorant?

[Terumitsu]

[Open Square, Now With 30% Less Organised Geometry!]

Quint was reminded of Escher back when he had a form more based around carbon and water than titanium and polymer and carbon nanotubing. He'd always thought that the designs were pretty cool. A bit odd, yes, but still interesting. He could get all philosophical about it if he wanted to. Heck, the idea of quite a bit of art is to put an interesting outlook on perspective. Maybe he would have been inclined to do so if there weren't a giant tent doing wierd things to what was left of physics right now.

This left the question, though. What to do about it. Quint, finding that this here was an answer to a small question of what to do with himself. So, he decided that while he was here, he might as well give it a good look around. It was the logical answer at least. Not terribly rational, yes, but logical. It was odd but people got those two things confused quite a bit.. Heck, a lot of logical things were terribly irrational. But again, the great tent beckoned, meaning he would have to save the philosophical quandries for another day.

[Rae Artemi]

That is true, you really are beautiful all of the time, with or without that dress. Especially when you are blushing like that.

[Lix Lorn]

She blushed deeper. "Accursed blushing..."

[The Alexandrian]

Alex is still in disbelief that Prince just brawled with a pumpkin.

"Ummm...yeah, let's go to SAINT..."

Alex begins to head back to SAINT holding his head and wondering whether or not he is inebriated.

[Rae Artemi]

How could anything that makes you look so cute be accursed? I certainly don't think it's a bad thing.

Rae's grin widens again.

[Rebonack]

[The Shifting Carnival]

Yes, the tent beckons.

And in an almost literal fashion, too. Something about the strange spectacle seems to be drawing people in despite the very clear fact that most of them are well aware that this probably isn't a terribly positive thing to be drawn by. The sense of wrongness is just so obvious that it leads one to conclude that it couldn't possibly be as dire as it seems.

Because if this were really some kind of evil carnival then wouldn't it make more sense to hide it?

Those nearby may very well find themselves rationalizing away the decision to stick around when all other senses suggest that fleeing might be more prudent.

And then...

"Come one, come all, ladies and gentlemen! Come to the greatest show that never was!" speaks the strange purple voice without a source.

And yet, quite suddenly, with one.

A strange man in a ring-leader's top-hat and tails stands atop a garishly painted drum, gesturing with his can toward the disturbingly mouth-like entrance to the massive tent. "Step right up! Don't be shy! Feast your senses on what lies beyond, oh yes! Do come and see and hear and smell! Come and experience the greatest of shows!"

All the while shadowy humanoid figures scurry to and fro and round-about, carrying stage equipment and props and lights and all manner of brightly colored implements, quite the contrast to their monochrome appearance. The various booths have now better resolved, housing all the games one might expect to find at a carnival. And all manned now by completely average looking folk.

Certainly couldn't be a trick of the mind trying to glaze over what shouldn't be seen, oh no! That would be silly! Because this carnival certainly isn't sinister in any way.

[ThirdEmperor]

Hey, if you think that's weird I gotta tell you some of my more normal war stories. Prince says, pulling the knife out of his lung and limping after Alex.

[Lix Lorn]

How could anything that makes you look so cute be accursed? I certainly don't think it's a bad thing.

Rae's grin widens again.

"...meep..."

[Rae Artemi]

If that blush gets any deeper, I think I may start blushing.

Rae says, touching his hand to her cheek.

Huh? What happened to his hands being full? Uh... he ate the last time Emily deadtimed. Yeah, let's go with that.

[Terumitsu]

[The Carnival Conglomerate]

The mind of a human was indeed an odd thing. However, Quint had found that his faculties had been somewhat altered in his transformation. True, he held on to many of the habits he had from when he was biological as well as the core of his persona but he noticed from time to time the artifacts of his mind running on machinery rather than biology. It was a very curious occasion indeed. As such, there was likely a bit less glazing over the unwelcome truths of things. Yet, he might have a higher capacity for such things anyhow what with the slight yet fundamental differences that now resided within his core.

However, that did not mean he couldn't go about and enjoy himself a little bit. A spectical was indeed an interesting phenominon that was rarely repeated, if one felt inclined to describe it as such at least.

That is, assuming that there was something for the mind to glide over and bury. At the very least, this odd occasion merited further investigation. Also, he had to find out if those milkbottles at the bottom were really weighted or not as he had particularly good aim being what he was.

[ApeofLight]

[The Shifting Carnival]

Foro's eyes brighten with glee and wonder as he runs from booth to booth. Where to start? What to win? So, many decisions and who knows how much time? Should he do the silly balloon popping game first or the strength test? Oooh! And look over there! It was one of those silly games where you had to squirt water into the clowns mouth till you got the gauge all the way to the top.

Wait! Foro has to get cotton candy first. " Oh? Oh, no when does the main show start!? Does Foro have enough time to waste Foro money on silly prizes and games?! And Foro wants pink AND blue cotton candy please. " The magma monkey says to the booth operator at the cotton candy machine.

[Lix Lorn]

If that blush gets any deeper, I think I may start blushing.

Rae says, touching his hand to her cheek.

Huh? What happened to his hands being full? Uh... he ate the last time Emily deadtimed. Yeah, let's go with that.

"Yeah well... shut up..." she said, in the comeback of the centure, blushing scarlet.

[Rae Artemi]

"Yeah well... shut up..." she said, in the comeback of the centure, blushing scarlet.

((Censure? He's still complimenting her...)))

Wow, I must be doing something right, I've never been able to make a girl blush like this before.

At this point, Rae's cheeks start to pinken too.

[Lord Magtok]

MagMart

Here in MagMart, we pride ourselves on having the best customer service in the entire Nexus. The very best. Of course, it helps a little to have absolutely no competition in that category due to a complete lack of rival franchises in the area, but we still pride ourselves in customer service anyways.

That, my dear friends, is why instead of having one of the employees shout "GET A ROOM!", a Magbot in the store has decided to cut out the middleman entirely, and dive at the two with a telewarp pad. Should they happen to be too caught up in staring into each other's eyes, it might be too late to stop the clerk from instantly sending them both to a cabin in GLoG.

[Rae Artemi]

[MagMart]

Considering that he already built a cabin in GLoG, and getting teleported back beats having to walk, Rae won't do anything to stop the Magbot.

[Rebonack]

[The Shifting Carnival]

And of course there's a cottan candy machine. What kind of carnival would this be without one? A really lousy carnival. That's what. The operator of this particular booth happens to be...

eerr...

Come to think of it...

Aside from the rather distinct impression that the fellow is quite normal in appearance and very trustworthy it's kind of hard to nail down the person's distinct features. But boy does he look jovial and friendly!

"Of course, sir. Right away," the attendant replies in a rather kind way. "The main show doesn't start for some time yet. Why don't you enjoy some games and carnival food?"

As for Mister Roboto, finding the milk-bottles in question isn't terribly difficult to do. And no sooner does he approach will he find another generically likable person ready to ask, "Are you ready to test your aim in this fine game of skill?"

His robotic nature might make it a bit easier to see flashes of... something else behind the thin facade of banality, but then again maybe not.

[The Alexandrian]

"You can tell me all your weird war stories on the way to SAINT. Fighting a pumpkin...good grief..."

Alex will accompany Prince to the phone booth then wait for him to descend before he himself enters the facility.

[Terumitsu]

[The Shifting Carnival]

Oh it would indeed make it more likely for Quint to see under the mask. However, it would be a better idea to see exactly what was up before doing anything about it. Perhaps it was a perfectly legitimate thing that just happened to have all the wrong trappings. Stranger things had happened before and really, it was likely only a matter of time before something such as this happened anyway.

With that said, he had to admit that it was just a bit wierd. Old habits, even subconcous ones, died hard.

"I would. Do I have to pay in special coins or stamps or whatever? I've not seen an exchange booth so I don't really know" Quint said, drawing upon an old and slightly fragmented memory of being a child at a town fair. Try as he might, he simply could not focus the image more than just an indistinct blur of notion and color. A lot of his pre-transformation memories were like that, much to his chagrin.

[ApeofLight]

[The Shifting Carnival]

" Hooray! " Foro yells happily slapping down the money for the cotton candy before grabbing it and running off to find the 'test your strength' bell. You know the one with the mallet and everything.

[happyturtle]

MagMart

Here in MagMart, we pride ourselves on having the best customer service in the entire Nexus. The very best. Of course, it helps a little to have absolutely no competition in that category due to a complete lack of rival franchises in the area, but we still pride ourselves in customer service anyways.

That, my dear friends, is why instead of having one of the employees shout "GET A ROOM!", a Magbot in the store has decided to cut out the middleman entirely, and dive at the two with a telewarp pad. Should they happen to be too caught up in staring into each other's eyes, it might be too late to stop the clerk from instantly sending them both to a cabin in GLoG.

((You got telemaported, Lix))

[Warwick Home]

After being discharged from the Emergency Clinic, Winslow Warwick is taken home by his fretful, worried wife, and welcomed by his younger children.

[Reinholdt]

Curse the tabloids not keeping track of KK's movements! :smallmad:

Reinholdt turns into a blue cat, hammerspaces his rifle, and heads to Byron industries.

[Byron]

Where he approaches to see if it is in fact still here, hopping up to look in a window if needed.

A repost several days old.

[Haruki-kun]

[Witch Which's Wish Shop]

Welcome. If you have stepped into this store, it is because you have a wish.

The store is big, ancient and beautiful. It has a large garden with colorful flowers, a pond with fish and running water, and chirping birds. This is the outside of the store. The inside, however, is, to put it simply, gloomy. There’s burning candles and incense everywhere. From the hall where you enter you are led off into a side room with a low table and cushions around it. A tall, masked and unnamed stranger brings tea and snacks to the guests. The Witch sits opposite and rarely ever moves.

RULES (OOC):
This is a Wish shop. Your character will only enter this shop if he has a wish. Whether the wish is granted or not is a different issue.
Witch Which is in charge of the shop and will grant wishes to everyone who asks, regardless of intent or alignment, as long as the appropriate price is paid. Under certain conditions:

Condition one: Witch Which will not haggle. She couldn’t lower a price or overcharge even if she wanted to. A balance must be kept in order for the wish to be granted.

Condition two: When a Wish directly affects another player’s character in a way that would be considered godmodding, the other player must agree first.

Condition three: The Witch may not reject any wish unless the price is too high to be paid. Wishes to take a life or to destroy the world, for example, carry a price higher than anyone can pay. ANYONE.

Condition Four: The Witch will never engage in battle. Be glad. The Witch is the very definition of True Neutral.

Condition Five: The store is not hard to access; in fact, there’s a big sign outside and everything. However, the store’s grounds exist in a special separate dimension, protecting it from anything that could destroy it, up to and including plot.

Condition Six: Haruki-kun reserves the right to alter the conditions if he feels they’re causing problems such as godmodding or similar issues.

[ApeofLight]

[Warwick Works]

Tebtranlyn did so hate being knocked out. That and being left there for who knows how long. With this coupled with the recent knowledge of all of his belongings destroyed, as far as his knowledge goes, made this one cranky drow waking up.

So, the drow woke up with deep red eyes glowing with hatred at anything nearby as he looked around.

[Just outside Witch Which's Wish Shop]

Al was walking home from AMEN trying to figure out how to deal with this current dilemma of his. He did not know how to control things from the far realm. The only way he could think of finding out how to control something like that would be to understand the far realm itself, which was basically an impossibility at the moment.

That's when he say the sign. Wishes? Well he could use a wish. It could actually be real or it could just be a big hoax. You could never tell here in the Nexus.

Al decides to walk in to see if his wish might be granted.

[Haruki-kun]

[Wish Shop]

It's like the shop itself calls the hearts of those with wishes to its grounds.

As Al walks into the garden, the main door opens and a tall masked man in a Tuxedo walks out, bowing, and leading the way in. As the door opens, what appears to be purple mist is released into the air.

[happyturtle]

[Warwick Works]

Mei Li is there again, along with a pudgy, middle aged man, with male pattern baldness, who looks perfectly harmless. Teb should recognize Winslow Warwick from the contract.

Warwick is rubbing the bridge of his nose. "... but you should have called the police at once, Mei Li. How am I going to explain keeping him knocked out for days?"

For days? Eek. Thank the gods for this trope (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/NobodyPoops).

Finally Warwick sits down and uses the controls to turn the table upright. "Right. My assistant tells me you broke in to beat me up and steal my paperwork. Why?"

[Reinholdt]

[Wish Shop]

Butler B. Butler enters the wish shop! He's never been here before.
His tail twitches in curiosity and he looks around.

[Haruki-kun]

[Wish Shop]

The tall man in the mask and tux opens the door and leads Butler in. He does not speak, however.

However, the voice of a woman can be heard from within. "Come in, child. I've been waiting."

[Reinholdt]

[Wish Shop]

Butler looks around for the child. Was there someone else here he didn't see? :smallconfused:

Well... better let them go first if they were here first. Butler politely waits his turn. :smallsmile:

[Ashen Lilies]

A repost several days old.

[Byron's]

It is indeed still here, and there are lights on inside, though the door has a big sign reading

ALL APPOINTMENTS WITH DR. BYRON CANCELED
(due to mental health issues)
Sorry For The Inconvenience
tacked to the door.

[Reinholdt]

[Byron's]

It is indeed still here, and there are lights on inside, though the door has a big sign reading

ALL APPOINTMENTS WITH DR. BYRON CANCELED
(due to mental health issues)
Sorry For The Inconvenience
tacked to the door.

Reinholdt frowns and hops up to a window to peer inside, tail twitching behind him.
Presuming... there are windows and such.

[ApeofLight]

[Wish Shop]

It's like the shop itself calls the hearts of those with wishes to its grounds.

As Al walks into the garden, the main door opens and a tall masked man in a Tuxedo walks out, bowing, and leading the way in. As the door opens, what appears to be purple mist is released into the air.

Al follows trying to not breath in the purple mist.


[Warwick Works]

Mei Li is there again, along with a pudgy, middle aged man, with male pattern baldness, who looks perfectly harmless. Teb should recognize Winslow Warwick from the contract.

Warwick is rubbing the bridge of his nose. "... but you should have called the police at once, Mei Li. How am I going to explain keeping him knocked out for days?"

For days? Eek. Thank the gods for this trope (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/NobodyPoops).

Finally Warwick sits down and uses the controls to turn the table upright. "Right. My assistant tells me you broke in to beat me up and steal my paperwork. Why?"

Teb sighs shaking his head. " I was never hired to hurt you, just to spy on you and mess with your paper work. That's it. "

[happyturtle]

[Warwick Works]

Oops. Player mixed up IC and OOC knowledge about the beating.

"Right. Spy on me and mess with my paperwork. As if I wouldn't have a dozen backups after the last time," he sighs. "Okay, here's how it's going to go. I have a job I need done, and if you do it, I'll return your gear and let you trash my office so you can get paid for this job."

[ApeofLight]

[Warwick Works]

Teb looks at Warwick with his piercing red rose colored eyes. " So, my stuff wasn't destroyed after all was it? Hmm... Depending on the job I'll accept. Tell me what you need done and we'll see if it's acceptable, alright? " The drow says seeming to relax somewhat as it seems everything is coming to a good conclusion.

[happyturtle]

[Warwick Works]

"There's a MagClone who is being held at a mental institution under the name Tom Godlark. I want him rescued with no killing." Warwick says.

[ApeofLight]

[Warwick Works]

" And why is that, if I might ask? "

[happyturtle]

[Warwick Works]

"Because I hate Dr Stroffelnburg more than I hate Magtok." Warwick says. Not at all because he feels guilty about the whole Regina mess. Nope. Definitely not.

[ApeofLight]

[Warwick Works]

Teb nods. " Alright then. All payment needs to be up front though. " He says looking at Warwick.

[happyturtle]

[Warwick Works]

"Pardon me if you've lost a bit of trust with the way we've met," Warwick says. :smallannoyed: "I'll return some of your gear, that looks like the stuff you would use on a mission. The rest I'll hold until you return with Magtok."

[ApeofLight]

[Warwick Works]

Teb shakes his head. " Sorry but no good. All payment must be upfront for jobs. So, if you want me to do the job all payment upfront. That means all my equipment and the finishing of my previous job before I do your job. No haggling over this whatsoever. "

[happyturtle]

[Warwick Works]

"On second thought, I imagine I can find a more competent person to do the job," Warwick says. "Mei Li, please call the ISF and tell them I need to turn someone in for breaking and entering."

Mei Li heads out of the room.

[ApeofLight]

[Warwick Works]

" Mmm, pity that. If you don't mind me asking what are these bonds made of? " Teb says flexing his limbs seeing how well they are held and to see if he can't get his warforged arm hand's palm near any of them.

[happyturtle]

[Warwick Works]

They're made of steel reinforced canvas. Does his warforged arm look different from his real arm? "Why should I tell you that?" Warwick says. :smallannoyed:

Elsewhere, Mei Li telephones the ISF.

[Darkcomet]

[Warwick Works]

((*applies approved call handwavium*))

Mei Li will be informed that someone is on the way to pick up the thief.

[ApeofLight]

[Warwick Works]

Yes, his warforged arm looks quite different from his other arm." Just wondering, I didn't really expect you to tell me anyways. Oh, and I forgot to mention that SAINT will continue to try and fulfill the contract set on you until it is fulfilled or voided. Just an FYI. "

[happyturtle]

[Warwick Works]

"Mhm..." Warwick says absently as he taps a bit at the computer, not really listening. If Teb is going to try any magic to escape, he doesn't have much time.

[Haruki-kun]

[Wish Shop]

"Oh, come on in, don't be shy. And don't worry about the smoke. It's just incense. It won't hurt you or anything."

EDIT: @Rein: It's OK, I think we can handle plot clones for several customers. Or see you both at once. Come on in.

[Reinholdt]

[Wish Shop]

"Oh, come on in, don't be shy. And don't worry about the smoke. It's just incense. It won't hurt you or anything."

EDIT: @Rein: It's OK, I think we can handle plot clones for several customers. Or see you both at once. Come on in.

Oh I didn't mind that. That was purely a Butler IC reaction. You said "Come in child." Butler knows he's not a child, and therefore figures she was talking to someone else. Classic Butler case really. :smalltongue:

[Ashen Lilies]

Reinholdt frowns and hops up to a window to peer inside, tail twitching behind him.
Presuming... there are windows and such.

Windows! There is still some work going on inside, but it's slowed down considerably, due to the lack of Dr. Byron. Mostly it's just housekeeping stuff.

[Reinholdt]

Windows! There is still some work going on inside, but it's slowed down considerably, due to the lack of Dr. Byron. Mostly it's just housekeeping stuff.
Huh. Strange. Where was the gnome?
Reinholdt hops down and goes around a corner to shift into a human and then walk around and knock politely at the front door.

*knock knock knock*

[ApeofLight]

[Warwick Works]

"Mhm..." Warwick says absently as he taps a bit at the computer, not really listening. If Teb is going to try any magic to escape, he doesn't have much time.

Teb sighs and starts to quickly chant under his breath. " Bull's Strength, Haste, Resistance to fire, mage shield, Fireball! " So, hopefully with those spells it will give Teb enough strength and weaken the bonds enough for him to break or slip out and not get toasted by his own fireball.


[Wish Shop]

"Oh, come on in, don't be shy. And don't worry about the smoke. It's just incense. It won't hurt you or anything."

EDIT: @Rein: It's OK, I think we can handle plot clones for several customers. Or see you both at once. Come on in.

Al walks in looking around for the voice and a place to sit.

[happyturtle]

[Warwick Works]

The canvas part of the straps burns right up, and Teb should be able to stretch the metal bits enough to squirm out. Yay!


"Gaaaaah!" Warwick is fireballed. :smalleek: Booo!

[Ashen Lilies]

Huh. Strange. Where was the gnome?
Reinholdt hops down and goes around a corner to shift into a human and then walk around and knock politely at the front door.

*knock knock knock*

The door is opened, and a tall robot with a humanoid torso and six spindly legs arranged in a circle opens the door, churning an automated message.
Welcome to Byron Industries! How may I help you?
Hey, that's new.

[Reinholdt]

"Yes, I'm here to see Mister Byron. I was told he was here."
Huh. What happened to that other secretary?
So... much... mystery...
No wait.
The answer's clear now.
The BORG got them all. :smalleek:

[Ashen Lilies]

Mr Byron is currently not available, but you may leave your number with the secretary, so that an appointment may be made at a later date. Recounts the android automatically, before there's a click and a much deeper, and sort of familiar voice comes through the speaker.
"That is, if this unit's voice identification algorithms didn't identify you as reason I'm spending thousands on psionic treatment to repair the damage done to my mind." Says the Byron-recording. "Go to Hell, bastard. Here, I'll give you a ticket."
There's a whirr and a click as a panel opens up on the robot's shoulder and a little strut pops out, with what looks like a micro-missile attached to the end.
...
*spark*
WHOOOOOOOOOOSH.

[Reinholdt]

Reinholdt doesn't remember doing THAT much damage to the poor gnome. :eek:

Options, options... Gah! He's right next to the dang thing! What options are there?
Reinholdt ducks!

[ThirdEmperor]

[Streets]
Stumbling around like a homeless drunk, which he is, Mercury makes his way through the streets of Inside, grabs the first car he sees and begins working magic on it, trying to teleport it to the Desert O' Doom.
---------------------------------------------------------------

[Wish Shop]

Edgar, his unstylish pink tutu now resown into a far more flattering skin-tight pink vest, makes his way to the Wish Shop, his eyes literally burning with fire. Walking up to the door, he knocks on it and waits for a answer.

[Ashen Lilies]

The rocket flies over Reinholdt's head, exploding against the nearby wall.
...
Then proves that it's not merely a micro-missile, but an micro-annihilator, as it explodes again, blowing a small divot in the (admittedly already quite pockmarked) wall and spraying shrapnel at Reinholdt. You know what kind of shrapnel.
Meanwhile, the robot is trying to kick him in the shins.

[Reinholdt]

The kind of shrapnel that's... shrapnel? :smallconfused:
He's not sure what's worse. Getting shrapnel in his spleen or getting kicked in the shin. He knew he should have stuck to the original plan...

He tries to crawl away from the psychotic robot, bleeding profusely from various holes that shouldn't be there. I kinda mean a literal crawl at this point. Stupid missiles at really close range.

Seriously, wasn't this guy overdoing it? Reinholdt tried to forcibly grab some documents! Granted, he tried to magically enchant his way into them, but that's about all he can remember doing to this guy. Ow ow ow ow ow...
"I'm sorry!"
*crawl crawl crawl*

[Ashen Lilies]

...
Your spleen is really not the best place to be having explosive shrapnel. Granted, at this tiny scale the Annihilator shrapnel does nothing much more than pop, but it's really not going to be comfortable for Reinholdt.

[happyturtle]

[Wish Shop]

Edgar, his unstylish pink tutu now resown into a far more flattering skin-tight pink vest, makes his way to the Wish Shop, his eyes literally burning with fire. Walking up to the door, he knocks on it and waits for a answer.

A tutu is a skirt, not a top.

Also, what is the Desert of Doom? :smallconfused:

[ThirdEmperor]

(Don't most tutus have a top part as well? Nevertheless, he has resown it into a vest, so technically he's still wearing it. And Desert O Doom is part of the Treasure/Candy quest. Mercury is trying to obtain transport for his fellow questers.)

Finishing his spells, Mercury claps his hands and the car vanishes in a flash of light. Some poor NPC will have to walk home today, but this does not overly concern Mercury as he falls over, unconcious.

[Reinholdt]

Once Reinholdt is around the corner and not getting body slammed by robots, he pulls out one of the healing potions Happy gave him and chugs it. He probably won't be dying anymore from the spleen shrapnel as it gets pushed out. Still... that was a fair amount of lost blood just going a little ways. He needs to rest and recuperate.

Which is fine by him. He's going to wait until nightfall anyways, shift back into a cat, and bust in there while everyone's gone.
That's the plan anyways.

So... Nighttime!
Reinholdt the cat limps back over to the window and flies up to sit on the sill and peer in. See if anyone's in there. Normally he'd hop, but shrapnel did a fair bit of damage. More than a single healing potion could fix, for sure.

[ApeofLight]

[Warwick Works]

The canvas part of the straps burns right up, and Teb should be able to stretch the metal bits enough to squirm out. Yay!


"Gaaaaah!" Warwick is fireballed. :smalleek: Booo!

Now free Teb dashes over to Warwick with super natural speed while a hidden blade pops out from the bottom of his wrist on the warforged arm. Teb then tries to grab Warwick by the throat and bring the blade right up to his eye.

" Now, I can either kill you and go looking for my stuff and finish my job or you can hire me and pay me everything upfront and call off the ISF. Your choice. " The drow says making sure it is obvious he's not joking by almost putting the blade into Warwick's eye.

[happyturtle]

[Warwick Works]

Teb gets to Warwick and pulls him up, but probably notices the overweight middle aged scientist is limp and unconscious (and ON FIRE!!!), which might affect his interest in delivering an ultimatum.

[ApeofLight]

[Warwick Works]

Teb sighs and drops the man looking around for something to put the fire out with. Perhaps a fire extinguisher or a blanket or something like that.

[happyturtle]

[Warwick Works]

Teb might remember he's in a room where knockout gas could get sprayed in at any time. >.>

But if he doesn't, and he wants to hang around, he can find a fire extinguisher on the wall.

[ApeofLight]

[Warwick Works]

Teb remembers, so he acts quickly. He grabs the fire extinguisher off the wall and sprays Warwick with it to put out the fire. He then tries to pick him up with one arm while the other keeps a blade to his neck. The drow then tries to carry the middle aged man out of the room keeping him in a hostage position.

[happyturtle]

[Warwick Works]

The man is extinguished and turned into a hostage, though he's going to be rather unwieldy in the classic hostage position since he isn't supporting his own weight. The fireman's carry is a lot more practical for such things.

The next room is another high tech area with computer controls and monitors and such, though the room is empty of people. There's a set of steps leading up and a box sitting on a chair.

[ApeofLight]

[Warwick Works]

Teb looks at the monitors and computers, trying to get an idea of the situation. Then he spies the box. " Wake up Warwick you fat old man. " Teb says trying to shake Warwick awake.

[happyturtle]

[Warwick Works]

Most of the monitors are off, except for a couple displaying the room they were just in.

Warwick does not wake.

[ApeofLight]

[Warwick Works]

Teb decides to drop him for now. That way he can go over and carefully open the box on the chair. Never know what might happen when you open a box.

[Darkcomet]

[Warwick Works]

The sound of sirens is audible in the distance.

Teb really ought to get out of there before the ISF dispatch arrives.

[happyturtle]

[Warwick Works]

How convenient - it's Teb's clothes and weapons! This is the equipment Warwick planned to return to him to allow him to do the Magtok rescue. The poisons and the jewellery isn't here though.

((Not sure of his entire equipment list, but Warwick wanted to keep enough back to act as security for him actually doing the job.))

[ApeofLight]

[Warwick Works]

Teb growls to himself. " Erg, Damn. The only important thing here is the piwafwi cloak. " He says quickly putting everything on. Once he has everything Teb dashes for the stairs and goes up and up trying to find Warwick's office. He might still be able to finish this.

[happyturtle]

Warwick Works

Teb makes it upstairs. He's in a sort of hallway area. The main labs are to the left, the employee break room in front of him, and the front desk and office areas to the right.

[Haruki-kun]

Al walks in looking around for the voice and a place to sit.

[Wish Shop]

"Come on, come on, I'm sure you don't have all day. Sit." The Witch is sitting on a cushion at a low table. There's several other cushions around the table. On the table there is burning incense and candles, as well as a crystal ball.

She gestures at him to sit opposite him. "Now then.... welcome. I suppose you have a wish?"


[Wish Shop]

Edgar, his unstylish pink tutu now resown into a far more flattering skin-tight pink vest, makes his way to the Wish Shop, his eyes literally burning with fire. Walking up to the door, he knocks on it and waits for a answer.

The masked tuxedo man opens the door and points inside, without saying a word.

[ThirdEmperor]

Thank you. Edgar says, walking inside.

[Reinholdt]

[Wish Shop]

Butler's inside, waiting his turn. The catman smiles and waves to Edgar.
"Hi sir." :smallsmile:

[Haruki-kun]

[Wish Shop]

Being a separate dimention, the room drifts away into another time-space and reappears empty, waiting for the next customer. Al can have his wish later, which in regular time will have been earlier.

"Next!" says the witch.

[Reinholdt]

[Wish Shop]

"That's me sir. Bye sir." :smallsmile:
Butler waves bye to Edgar and heads on in, taking a look around the room and smiling at the witch. "Hi ma'am."