[Nexus] The Nest/K's Forest V: Now with more arms per Karyana!

[Mindfreak]

Wedding
Megan nods and cuts the first slice of cake, cameras going off as she does so.
She puts it on a plate and hands it to Aseti.
"Smushy."
She then proceeds to try to smush the cake onto Aseti's nose, as is tradition. :smalltongue:

[Lady Serpentine]

[Five]

Tiri nods, grinning.

"Yeah... You'll have to introduce us at some point."

She giggles, and goes to kiss Nirva's cheek.
---
[Motel]

Talina grins back, holding her close.

"Hey! How've you been?"

[Beans]

[Five]
Nirva blushes but keeps purring.
---
[Motel]
Nycca grins. "Great, what about you?"
---
[Wedding]
Aseti giggles madly, returning the smushing favor to her bride! Cake!

[Lady Serpentine]

[Five]

Tiri goes to slip her left arms around Nirva, and lead her over to somewhere they can sit down.
---
[Motel]

"Even better now that I'm back!", she says, grinning as well, and going to stroke Nycca's wings.

[Beans]

[Five]
She is glad to sit down, relaxing with Tiri and... also Tiri.
---
[Motel]
She nods, snuggling close.
((Also thing: since repairing the lappy would cost almost as much as a new comp, we're replacing it; I'll have my old lappy for a few more days, it seems, before I get a new one and undergo the Great Moving of Files And Stuff.))

[Mindfreak]

Wedding
"Mrflargle."
It's hard to speak when you have cake in your face :smalltongue:
Megan giggles, scrapping some cake off of her face and eating it.
"It is rather good cake..."
Taking the knife in hand, she will proceed to cut the rest of the cake. Then she'll grab two slices for her and Aseti.
"Here you go, try it." 030

[Beans]

[Wedding]
Aseti makes cake-eating adorable with little effort, even though she kind of inhales her slice.

[Lady Serpentine]

[Five]
She is glad to sit down, relaxing with Tiri and... also Tiri.
---
[Motel]
She nods, snuggling close.
((Also thing: since repairing the lappy would cost almost as much as a new comp, we're replacing it; I'll have my old lappy for a few more days, it seems, before I get a new one and undergo the Great Moving of Files And Stuff.))

[Five]

Tiri snuggles against her friend, watching the waters.
---
[Motel]

Talina kisses her head, smiling.

"Do you know where the others are?"

((Hopefully things go well! :smallsmile:))

[Beans]

[Five]
Nirva keeps the baby happy, or at least tries to, with purring.
...
Hey.
... Do you remember this?
---
[Motel]
She shakes her head, snuggling closer.
No, sorry...

[Mindfreak]

Wedding
Megan savors her slice.
It was really good cake!
She looked at Aseti and giggled.
"Aseti...savor the cake.":smalltongue:

[Lady Serpentine]

[Five]
Nirva keeps the baby happy, or at least tries to, with purring.
...
Hey.
... Do you remember this?
---
[Motel]
She shakes her head, snuggling closer.
No, sorry...

[Five]
Baby-Tiri seems to be perfectly happy with that.

Tiri thinks for a minute, then nods.

"Yeah, actually... Didn't know who we were at the time, though, and then I just never thought about it once we grew up."
---
[Motel]

Talina smiles, going to pull one of the magically-heated blankets over them.

"Don't worry about it... I was just curious."

[Beans]

[Five]
Nirva thinks about that for a moment, eventually shrugging.
Meh, time things.
---
[Wedding]
Aseti nods, giggling.
Yes I am.
---
[Motel]
I think they're out doing things... which is silly. I like being lazy.

[Lady Serpentine]

[Five]

"No weirder than you hanging out with your mom before you're born, yeah...", she agrees, smiling, and resting her head on Nirva's shoulder.
---
[Motel]

"It's nice, yeah... Though there are things worth exerting a little effort for," she says, grinning wickedly, and going to kiss the bat-fey.

[Beans]

[Five]
She nods.
If anyone actually cares about this timeline stuff, they're probably having a fit right now.
And I don't mind that.
---
[Motel]
Mmm, some things.
She kisses back and giggles.

[Lady Serpentine]

[Five]

Tiri giggles, nodding as well.
"Neither do I... After all, it led to us being friends again, so..."
---
[Motel]

The sorceress giggles as well, hands wandering a bit.

"I've missed you..."

Nycca may have gotten a bit of a surprise from that, seeing as Talina just contacted her telepathically...

[Beans]

[Five]
Nirva shrugs, stretching a little.
Mmmhmm... s' nice.
---
[Motel]
Nycca sits up and bounces excitedly, arms waving.
You did a thing! You said words in my head! That's so cool, how did you do it?!

[Lady Serpentine]

[Five]

Tiri nods, thrumming gently, and curling up next to her.
---
[Motel]

Talina grins at her, nodding, seeming rather excited as well.

"Telepathy, sort of, but sort of magic... I could teach you, if you like?"

[Beans]

[Five]
Nirva soon dozes off, nestled close.
---
[Motel]
Yes! This is the coolest thing ever!

[Lady Serpentine]

[Five]

Tiri tries to wave Paisley or Aephiti over, if they're in sight, then, yawning.
---
[Motel]

Talina's grin widens, and she sets to work; Nycca should pick it up quite quickly.

[Beans]

[Five]
The adorable coyote-girl trots over to hold the baby for them, giggling.
---
[Motel]
AHHH LOOK LOOK I'M DOING THE THING
She is so excited, bouncing and wiggling.

[Lady Serpentine]

[Five]

Tiri smiles, reaching up to pet her ears when she arrives.
---
[Motel]

Talina grins happily, hugging Nycca, and going to pick her up.

"Congratulations!"

[Beans]

[Five]
Aephiti giggles quietly, nuzzling closer.
---
[Motel]
AHHHHHHHHH
So what do we do now?

[Lady Serpentine]

[Five]

Tiri giggles as well, going to stand up so that they won't wake Nirva.
---
[Motel]

"Well, we can do this, now..."

Should nothing stop what she does from working, they'll both begin feeling the other's body as well as their own.

[Beans]

[Five]
She takes er to the opposite couch to snuggle, grinning.
---
[Motel]
This is too much for Nycca, who starts poking herself and her girlfriend and giggling madly.

[Lady Serpentine]

[Five]

Tiri grins as well, nestling against her.

"How've you been, Ae?"
---
[Motel]

Talina grins as well, and they likely have a poke-war for a bit.

[Beans]

[Five]
Good, how'bout you?
She giggles.
---
[Motel]
Nycca topples over, giggling madly.

[Lady Serpentine]

[Five]

"Me too," she says, giggling as well, and reaching over to provide belly rubs.
---
[Motel]

Talina goes to catch her, smiling.

[Beans]

[Five]
Aephiti is very happy about this development!
---
[Motel]
Nycca snuggles close, still grinning like... well, herself.

[Lady Serpentine]

[Five]

Tiri smiles, nestling against her, and reaching up to scritch her ears as well.
---
[Motel]

Talina grins back, going to kiss her.

[Beans]

[Five]
Aephiti sighs happily, laying down on her lap.
[Motel]
Nycca kisses back, holding her close.

[Lady Serpentine]

[Five]

Tiri thrums happily, continuing, and leaning down to nuzzle Aephiti's cheek.
---
[Motel]

It's likely an... interesting... experience for them both, and Talina holds the kiss until Nycca breaks it, stroking her wings.

[Beans]

[Five]
She nuzzles back, wriggling quietly.
---
[Motel]
... Huh. I apparently taste like kiwi.

[Lady Serpentine]

[Five]

Tiri giggles, kissing her cheek, and seems to enjoy the nuzzling.
---
[Motel]

Talina nods, grinning.

"Yep! And apparently I taste like... Smoked ice?"

[Beans]

[Five]
She keeps her giggles quiet so as not to wake the baby and kitty!
---
[Motel]
Yeah, that's honestly the weird thing about you. Everyone has their weird thing and yours is that one. She grins.

[Lady Serpentine]

[Five]

Tiri gently hugs her, smiling, and continuing the belly rub with her lower arms.
---
[Motel]

"Weird in a good way, I hope?", the sorceress asks, going to pick her up.

[Beans]

[Five]
Eventually Nirva awakens, yawning softly and stretching.
---
[Motel]
It's neutral, but even if I didn't like it it wouldn't matter. She giggles.

[Lady Serpentine]

[Five]

Tiri waves to her, smiling.
---
[Motel]

"Well, if you didn't like it, I'd see about changing it...", she points out, smiling, and carrying Nycca into the bedroom.

[Beans]

[Five]
She waves back, smiling a little herself.
---
[Motel]
Nah, 's fine... how do you make smoked ice anyway? Is it a magic thing?

[Lady Serpentine]

[Five]

Tiri goes to carefully disentangle herself from Aephiti and head over, going to hug the catgirl when she arrives.
---
[Motel]

"I don't know, I've never tried... I guess get some kind of dome or something, trap smoke in it, and then freeze the other half back on?"

[Beans]

[Five]
How long was I out?
She hugs gently back.
---
[Motel]
... Soooooo it's magic.

[Lady Serpentine]

[Five]

Tiri shrugs, going to crawl into her lap.

"I dunno, a while..."
---
[Motel]

"I guess, yeah... I don't even know if it's actually a thing or just what I taste like, y'know?"

[Beans]

[Five]
Nirva blushes, a little surprised, and blinks.
---
[Motel]
Maybe it exists in space.
Magic space!

[Lady Serpentine]

[Five]

Tiri quirks her head curiously, plainly wondering what Nirva's surprise is about.
---
[Motel]

Talina laughs, kissing her forehead, and sitting down on the bed.

"Maybe. We'll have to see about finding out at some point..."

[Beans]

[Five]
This is a little bit awkward, Tiri...
---
[Motel]
Nycca giggles, again excited by the whole telepathy thing. It's way past cool, bro!

[Lady Serpentine]

[Five]

Tiri blushes, and goes to slip off to one side.

"Oh. Sorry."
---
[Motel]

Talina smiles, gently stroking her wings, and Nycca may find that she slowly starts to be able to sense the sorceress's emotions.

[Beans]

[Five]
Nirva looks down at her sneakers and wishes she could stop being alive right now.
---
[Motel]
Nycca looks up at her with a warm smile.

[Lady Serpentine]

[Five]

Tiri frowns, hesitantly reaching out to slip an arm around her friend.

"What's wrong? Anything I can do to help?"
---
[Motel]

Talina smiles back; she seems to be feeling happy, loving, and somewhat excited.

[Beans]

[Five]
Still a bit awkward, aren't we?
---
[Motel]
If Nycca's emotions are felt in return, she'll notice that she's very much the same way!

[Lady Serpentine]

[Five]

Tiri nods, smiling just a bit, though she still seems concerned for her friend.

"Yeah, we are..."
---
[Motel]

Indeed they are!

A moment later, Talina grins, and goes to feed her own emotions into Nycca, then take on those, before repeating the process, presumably creating an empathic loop.

[Beans]

[Five]
She gently pats her friend's back, hoping it's enough to convince her that she's okay.
---
[Motel]
And Nycca eventually explodes into candy and balloons!
Nycca eventually gets overloaded with happytimes and conks out on her lover's chest, giggling and smiling softly.

[Lady Serpentine]

[Five]

Tiri smiles a bit more, though still seeming slightly worried, and snuggles against Nirva's side, chittering a little.
---
[Motel]

Talina backs off a bit at that point, smiling as well, and looks around to see if the wingbrush is anywhere nearby, seeing as it's been quite a while since she's done that for Nycca, and the bat-fey probably needs it again.

[Beans]

[Five]
She frowns, squeezing her a little closer. "Hey, you okay?"
---
[Motel]
Wingbrushing will make the bat-fey very happy in her doze!

[Lady Serpentine]

[Five]

Tiri seems to enjoy being squeezed closer, and nods.

"Pretty much, yeah.."
---
[Motel]

Talina will probably still be brushing when Nycca wakes up, then!

[Beans]

[Five]
She smiles a little, rubbing her back softly.
---
[Motel
Nycca giggles happily, smiling up at her!

[Mindfreak]

Wedding
Megan giggled.
"Mhmm..."
Megan continued to savor her own cake.
"So...you up for some dancing soon?"

[Beans]

[Wedding]
DANCING IS GOOD. WE SHOULD DO IT NOW A BUNCH.
She looks, as always, allllll the excited.

[Lady Serpentine]

[Five]
She smiles a little, rubbing her back softly.
---
[Motel
Nycca giggles happily, smiling up at her!

[Five]

Tiri thrums quietly, smiling as well, and goes to return the backrub.
---
[Motel]

Talina leans down to kiss her, smiling as well.

[Beans]

[Five]
Nirva blushes, but manages a smile.
---
[Motel]
Love you, dear....

[Lady Serpentine]

[Five]

Tiri blushes a bit as well, returning the smile.

"Sorry, didn't mean to make you uncomfortable... You want me to stop?"
---
[Motel]

"Love you too... You want to go get some breakfast?"

[Beans]

[Five]
Nnn, 's kay.
---
[Motel]
She nods, giggling madly.

[Lady Serpentine]

[Five]

Tiri thrums happily and continues, then!
---
[Motel]

Talina giggles as well, picking up the bat-fey and going to carry her into the kitchen.

[Beans]

[Five]
Aephiti giggles, watching them with a grin.
---
[Motel]
What should we have?

[Lady Serpentine]

[Five]

Tiri grins back, waving Aephiti over with one of her lower arms.
---
[Motel]

"I don't know... What've we got?"

[Beans]

[Five]
Carrying the baby, she snuggles into Tiri's lap and grins.
---
[Motel]
Ummmmm... I dunno, let's see...
She finds some sausages and giggles.

[Lady Serpentine]

[Five]

Tiri smiles, nestling against them both, and going to pet Aephiti's ears.
---
[Motel]

Talina smiles, and nods.

"Works for me..."

[Beans]

[Five]
She smiles and snuggles, cradling the child as she sighs happily.
---
[Motel]
She smiles and starts getting it all cooked up and stuff!

[Lady Serpentine]

[Five]

Tiri smiles and continues, nuzzling Aephiti's shoulder.
---
[Motel]

Talina assists her, if needed, and presumably they have breakfast in short order!

[Beans]

[Five]
You two are pretty cute...
Nirva's cheeks start doing their fire-engine impression; most of her blood is probably there at the moment.
---
[Motel]
Nycca giggles, and soon a breakfast is ready to be enjoyed!

[Lady Serpentine]

[Five]

Tiri giggles, and nods, blushing as well.

"Thanks!"
---
Talina smiles, and slips an arm around Nycca as they eat, having missed the bat-fey.

[Beans]

[Five]
oh gods how do i even interact with people any more
Aephiti tweaks Nirva's ear with a mad little giggle.
---
[Motel]
Nycca sighs happily, glad to be back in her arms.

[Lady Serpentine]

[Five]

Tiri giggles again as well, reaching over to gently pet her friend.
---
[Motel]

"You want to go find the others once we're done, and let them know I'm back?"

[Beans]

[Five]
Nirva sighs. You guysssss.
---
[Motel]
She nods, grinning!

[Lady Serpentine]

[Five]

Tiri gently kisses her cheek, smiling.
---
[Motel]
Talina grins back, kissing her forehead, and presumably, they head off to do so!

[Beans]

[Five]
She relents and softly pecks back.
---
[Motel]
Jen, when she sees them, runs over in her typical manner, looking excited and sporting yet more scars.

[Lady Serpentine]

[Five]

Tiri smiles, nuzzling her neck.

"I've missed this..."
---
[Motel]

Talina grins, going to hug her tightly.

"Hey! How've you been?"

[Beans]

[Five]
She blushes harder, but lets her continue without protest.
---
[Motel]
Heyyy, I've been good! How are you?

[Lady Serpentine]

[Five]

Tiri seems content with that for now, figuring it's probably bet to let Nirva calm down before going any further.
---
[Motel]

"Better now that I'm back with you two. Where'd you get your new scars?"

[Beans]

[Five]
She does settle a bit in a short while, thankfully.
---
[Motel]
Razorturkeys!

[Lady Serpentine]

[Five]

A little after she does, Tiri, somewhat hesitantly, goes to kiss her, blushing rather heavily.
---
[Motel]

"You manage to find the weirdest stuff... Were they any good?"

[Beans]

[Five]
If it's on the cheek, she just wriggles in embarrassment and make a little cat noise.
If on the lips, she'll pull back in surprise, confused.
---
[Motel]
Yep! Real good...

[Lady Serpentine]

[Five]

It is on the lips, yes.

Tiri pulls back behind Aephiti a bit, looking rather nervous.
---
[Motel]

"We'll have to go hunt them again at some point, then..."

She smiles, snuggling against the Gaunt girl.

[Beans]

[Five]
Nirva eventually sighs, shaking her head.
I'm sorry, Tiri, but I don't think we should do that.
---
[Motel]
She snuggles back happily, Nycca hugging her too.

[Lady Serpentine]

[Five]

Tiri seems slightly disappointed, but relieved that the reaction isn't worse.

"Alright. I can handle that, I think... Whether or not we go that route again later, friends is far better than nothing."
---
[Motel]

Talina goes to kiss her, smiling happily.

"How has everyone else been?"

[Beans]

[Five]
She nods with a blush, patting her friend's back awkwardly.
---
[Motel]
Goooood, sorta boring though.

[Lady Serpentine]

[Five]

Tiri smiles a little, snuggling against her side.
---
[Motel]

"Hm... We'll have to liven things a bit at some point, then. Did I miss any meetups?"

[Beans]

[Five]
Nirva smiles back softly.
---
[Motel]
Noooo, I don't think so.

[Lady Serpentine]

[Five]

Nirva, after a bit, may find her ears being petted again.
---
[Motel]

"Good. When's the next one?"

[Beans]

[Five]
You're too good at that... do you practice?
---
[Motel]
Pretty soon, I think?

[Lady Serpentine]

[Five]

Tiri shakes her head, smiling.

"Not other than on you, no..."
---
[Motel]

Talina smiles, quieting down for the moment, apparently perfectly content to simply snuggle with her girlfriends for now.

[Beans]

[Five]
Natural talent, I guess...
---
[Motel]
And her girlfriends are happy to snuggle back!

[Mindfreak]

Wedding
Megan giggled as music begins to play, a nice slow dance song.
She stands and offers her hand to Aseti.
"May I have this dance, Madam?"

[Beans]

[Wedding]
She nods excitedly, taking her hand and coming close with a grin!

[Lady Serpentine]

[Five]
Natural talent, I guess...
---
[Motel]
And her girlfriends are happy to snuggle back!

[Five]

She nods.

"Plus I still remember what I learned when we were together..."
---
[Motel]

After a bit, Talina gently nudges Jen, gesturing discreetely to Nycca's wings, likely suggesting that they give her a wingrub.

[Beans]

[Five]
Oh, uh, right...
---
[Motel]
Jen is all too happy to begin wing rubbing!

[Mindfreak]

Wedding
Megan will wrap her arm around Aseti's waist and try to slow dance with her.
She's grinning rather broadly right now. She's rather happy. :smallredface:

[Beans]

[Wedding]
Aseti grins up at her, tail wagging like mad.
Psssst.
Meggy.
Hiiiiiii.

[Lady Serpentine]

[Five]
Oh, uh, right...
---
[Motel]
Jen is all too happy to begin wing rubbing!

[Five]

Tiri smiles, kissing her cheek.

"You alright, dear?"
---
[Motel]

As is Talina, who quickly gets rather absorbed in it.

[Beans]

[Five]
She nods, blushing up a storm!
---
[Motel]
Nycca is very happy, eyes closed in bliss.

[Lady Serpentine]

[Five]

Tiri smiles, seeming relieved, and gently hugs Nirva with her lower arms.
---
[Motel]

Tiri smiles happily, leaning over to kiss her as she works.

[Beans]

[Five]
She hugs back, patting her back with a small sigh.
---
[Motel]
Nycca kisses back, giggling softly.

[Mindfreak]

[Wedding]
Aseti grins up at her, tail wagging like mad.
Psssst.
Meggy.
Hiiiiiii.
Wedding
Megan giggled.
"Hi Aseti."
Dancing! Yay!

[Beans]

[Wedding]
Aseti manages not to bounce while slow-dancing, snuggling close and resting her head on her shoulder.

[Mindfreak]

Wedding
Megan smiled at this and continued the slow dance.
She her arms wrapped around Aseti more tightly, Megan loved this girl.
"So...you liking the wedding?" she asked, hoping that Aseti was enjoying herself as much as she was.

[Lady Serpentine]

[Five]
She hugs back, patting her back with a small sigh.
---
[Motel]
Nycca kisses back, giggling softly.

[Five]

Tiri smiles up at her, seeming reasonably happy.

"Something wrong?"
---
[Motel]

Talina holds it for a while, but eventually breaks off to continue the wingrub, grinning.

[Beans]

[Wedding]
Aseti nods emphatically, grinning.
Mmmhmm! Best wedding I've ever gotten married at! She winks with a giggle, snuggling close.
---
[Motel]
Nycca snuggles into the attention, blissfully happy.
---
[Five]
We keep tripping into awkwardness, don't we?

[Lady Serpentine]

[Motel]

That likely continues for a quite a while, though eventually Talina goes to work on the rest of Nycca as well.
---
[Five]

Tiri nods, sighing a bit.

"Yeah, we do..."

[Mindfreak]

Wedding
Megan hugs her close.
"Good. I'm glad you liked it."
More dancing.
"I love you, Aseti."
She certainly couldn't say that enough either. :smalltongue:
((So...should we give them a honeymoon?))

[Beans]

[Wedding]
((Preferably one on the moooooon.))
Aseti nuzzles closer, giggling. Aww, Meggy...
---
[Motel]
Soon she's asleep again; massages put her out fast.
---
[Five]
Nirva rolls her eyes and pulls Tiri in for a hug.

[Lady Serpentine]

[Motel]

Talina continues for a bit, then smiles over at Jen, and goes to hug her.
---
[Five]

Tiri smiles a bit more, nestling against her, and happily returning the hug.

[Beans]

[Motel]
She hugs back, giggling!
---
[Five]
Maybe let's go home soon...

[Lady Serpentine]

[Motel]

Talina giggles as well, and goes to kiss her, hands wandering a bit.
---
[Five]

Tiri nods, gently squeezing her friend.

"That sounds good to me..."

[Beans]

[Motel]
Jen squirms, ticklish as ever.
And extremely silly.
---
[Five]
She starts to stand, waving a little to the baby and Aephiti.

[Mindfreak]

Wedding
Megan smiled.
"And I don't think I'll ever stop either."
She's silent for a moment.
"You wanna go to the moon for a honeymoon?"

[Beans]

[Wedding]
Aseti nods like crazy! She seems to be all up ons that idea.

[Lady Serpentine]

[Motel]
Jen squirms, ticklish as ever.
And extremely silly.
---
[Five]
She starts to stand, waving a little to the baby and Aephiti.

[Motel]

Talina giggles, going to pull the Gaunt girl into her lap.

"I've missed you..."
---
[Five]

Tiri stands too, also waving to them, and, presumably, the pair head back to HALO. (Or Tiri's room in the Forest, if Nirva prefers.)

[Beans]

[Motel]
She smiles, hugging back tightly.
---
[Five]
To HALO!

[Lady Serpentine]

[Motel]

Talina gently kisses her forehead, snuggling close.

[Beans]

[Motel]
Jen giggles, kissing her forehead.

[Lady Serpentine]

[Motel]

Talina snuggles against her, hands starting to wander a bit.

[Mindfreak]

Wedding
Megan smiled.
"Leave it to me."
((End wedding time?))

[BladeofObliviom]

[Front Door]

A figure strides toward the front door of The Nest, really hoping that this was the right address.

Her hair is a matte black color, and rather messy. She has blue eyes, though they are bloodshot from constant stress and worry. Her skin tends toward the slightly pale, though only her head and hands can be seen. The rest of her is covered by a battered and oft-patched armor of leather and fabric, with crimson bloodstains evident even against the burgundy cloth. There is a silverite dagger concealed within the folds of her sleeve, but that isn't actually evident just looking at her.

I don't know if anyone else here would, but Rael at least would no doubt recognize Sarah.

[Lady Serpentine]

[Front Door]

Rael does indeed recognize her, as does Karyana, since they've shared those particular memories. And, too, Karyana saw Sarah at one point when Sarah and Rael went after her in AMEN.

In any case, as Sarah approaches, a winged woman with four arms coalesces behind her out of a cloud of crimson mist, followed by two others, one on each side, and then, finally, ahead of her, Rael.

If she's paying close attention, however, she might be able to tell that they're not the only ones watching her, based on the odd-looking, apparently organic, barrels that appeared from various cleverly concealed gunports in the front of the building.

"Welcome... What brings you here?"

He sounds pleased to see her, but wary, uncertain of her motivations in coming here.

[BladeofObliviom]

[Front Door]

In what probably shouldn't be a surprise, being suddenly surrounded by vampires whom one did not even know were capable of teleportation is a very jarring experience. Sarah, as a result, lets out a shocked squeal and trips over her own foot, resulting in a somewhat comical faceplant.

Ow.

Whoops! Of course, Rael's question goes unanswered for a moment as Sarah staggers back to her feet, catches her breath, and reconciles with the fact that she probably just had a few years of life scared right out of her. Even with recognition that she's not in immediate danger, though, she looks pretty nervous and has a very fast heartbeat. That might just be due to a subconscious understanding that she's surrounded by predators, though.

[Lady Serpentine]

[Front Door]

Rael offers Sarah a hand up when she tumbles over herself, smiling apologetically at her, clearly intending to make her somewhat more at ease, insomuch as he can, considering that smiling involves showing his fangs.

"My apologies," he says softly. "I didn't mean for you to hurt yourself... Shall we discuss things inside?"

Should she agree, the four smoothly turn to face the building rather than her, save for Karyana, who was already doing so, and head inside, presumably accompanied by the other blood mage, the unusual weapons poking from the front of the building tracking Sarah as they go.

[BladeofObliviom]

[Front Door]

Despite the fangs, she's not especially terrified of a friendly Rael; she suspects he wouldn't attack without good reason. It's more the fact that she was suddenly surrounded by creatures known to prey on humanity. She's used to losing a lot of blood, but her subconscious is screaming at her to run for her life, not entirely dissimilar to the way that one might be terrified of heights even when the risk of falling is very low.

She's not paying enough attention to her surroundings to note the turrets. She's already a bit out of breath, though she's recovered enough to get a sentence or two out.

"I'm alright, you just startled me a bit. Somewhere to sit down a moment sounds... ...nice."

She willingly follows, of course.

[Lady Serpentine]

[Front Door]

Not turrets, actually; there are people standing inside aiming those at her, just in case.

When they enter, eight Quill Wolves join the party, quills half-raised; not a direct threat, as it would be were they fully up, but a warning, that, should it be necessary, she'll end up with her skin considerably less intact than is desirable.

However, a few moments after they're inside, Sarah might feel a gentle touch on the back of her neck, and then find herself rapidly dissolving into a mist of blood; if so, she and the rest of the party will soon reform in a reasonably nice, if somewhat barren, bedroom somewhere in the Nest,

[BladeofObliviom]

[Bedroom?]

She freezes slightly as her neck is touched; She's rather sensitive there, and she really wasn't expecting it, but offers no resistance. She nervously takes a look around, trying to get a proper bearing on her surroundings.

"Geez, buy me dinner first!" :smalltongue:

"Huh, nice place."

[Lady Serpentine]

[90th Floor]

"My apologies for blipping around like this, but... The Operative was less than pleased with me last time I spoke to him, so someone from MURDER showing up on my doorstep makes me a bit paranoid.

Now, what brings you here, assuming that you aren't trying to kill me, or at least that, knowing you, you're not going to tell me if that's the case?"

[BladeofObliviom]

[90th Floor]

Thankfully, the apology seems to actually have done some good to the girl's nerves. At least she isn't shaking anymore.

"Oh, right. I'm assuming that means you haven't heard yet after all: MURDER's been disbanded. I'm checking over my shoulder once in a while myself, since you never know if or when the Operative might decide to clean house.

Also, if I wanted to kill you, I'd try something better than walking up to the front door. The track record there is... ...poor."

Yeah, she's fine. That sounded suspiciously like self-referential humor.

"Erm, anyway, I'm here because I really just wanted to say hello, and give you the news if you haven't heard it already."

[Lady Serpentine]

[90th Floor]

Rael chuckles, nodding in agreement.

"Yes. Yes it is... Though admittedly, I do know you well enough to let you in, clearly.

And thank you for telling me. Do you need a place to stay, since presumably The Operative isn't planning on leaving the base open for our personal use? There are plenty of unused floors you can take, and we have enough experience with construction to change them if you want any alterations made..."

[BladeofObliviom]

[90th Floor]

(Forgot that we had a scene here. >.>)

She seems genuinely surprised at the offer, but both reluctant to accept and not sure she wants to refuse.

"I... ...erm, wouldn't mind having someplace to crash for a while."

Upon closer inspection, it's apparent that she hasn't gotten properly clean in at least a week. From the look of her, she's probably been sleeping on the streets. If she was lucky enough to snatch up some real estate, she might have a box, but it doesn't look like it.

[Lady Serpentine]

[90th Floor]

"Then we'll leave you to pick somewhere and get settled in," Rael says quietly, as everyone but himself and Karyana mists away. "Unless you'd prefer someone show you around, of course?"

[Devixer]

Front Door

Another woman is at the front door, dressed in jeans and a hooded sweater, with short black hair and brown eyes. She seems to be looking at the building front, wondering if this was the right place.

[Lady Serpentine]

[Front Door]

Should this be later, Karyana will be the one to open the door, a small group of people in power armor, with odd, organic-looking, rifles, accompanying her; otherwise, it'll be a chitin-covered mix of a human and a wolf, wearing the same black armor as her companion, but no helmet, with much the same group behind them.

[Devixer]

Front Door

It is later.

"Lot of people for just one person," the woman says. "Am I at the Nest?"

[Lady Serpentine]

[Front Door]

Karyana nods sharply.

"Yes. Why do you need to know? And considering the myriad things you could be, seeing as this is the Nexus this is hardly an unreasonable number to meet someone who might plan to kill me."

[Devixer]

Front Door

"You're a bit paranoid, kid," she says in reply. She holds her hands up to show that she's unarmed. "I want to speak to Real Kairos."

[Lady Serpentine]

[Front Door]

"I'm a vampire. People don't like that. They also tend to get a bit tetchy about mucking around with life, especially when it's sentient, which is one of my specialties," she replies, shrugging. "And seeing as Rael most certainly didn't invite you, nor do we know you, why do you need to talk to him?"

[Devixer]

Front Door

"Privileged information," the woman says as her hands return to her pockets. "Don't recall you being a member of our organization."

[Lady Serpentine]

[Front Door]

"And I don't recall your organization still existing, if it's the one I'm thinking of," Karyana points out, shrugging again. "So its rules no longer apply, do they?"

[Devixer]

Front Door

"Doesn't much matter if we exist or not. We've never had many members, and you aren't one of them." She remains still.

[Lady Serpentine]

[Front Door]

She shrugs... And, a moment later, her form ripples disquietingly; perhaps thirty seconds later, Rael is standing in front of her. While this is still Karyana, there shouldn't be, short of forcing her to return to her true form, any way to tell that.

"Enough with the games. What is it that you've got to tell me?"

[Devixer]

Front Door

The woman (who is totally not Jane in one of her disguises, not at all) narrows her eyes at the scene. Though she's suspicious she figures that Rael would end up telling Karyana about whatever transpired. "You apparently already know of the state of the organization, which means I can get straight to the point." She somehow keeps a straight face without getting angry at herself. "I need work as an enforcer. Right now, you're my only contact that could actually lead to that."

[Lady Serpentine]

[Front Door]

'Rael' appears to think it over for a moment, before nodding, though in reality, the pause is the real version of him taking over, as he now that he knows what she's here for, he actually does want to handle it himself.

"Work as an enforcer... That could be useful to me, yes. But why in particular should I use you? What sets you apart from anyone else willing to take such a job?

[Devixer]

Front Door

"Before I answer that, I'd ask exactly how many people are looking for that bit of work in the first place. But anyway, I have decades of experience as bodyguard, mercenary, and assassin, and I'm a better fighter than any other applicants that you might have." That seems like a bold claim, but it's one that Jane makes with knowledge of her skill.

[Lady Serpentine]

[Front Door]

"As many as I need. 'Creating life', remember?", he replies cooly, sounding unimpressed by that argument, though her later claims do seem to have made a bit of an impression. "But your skills could be useful. If you're willing to prove that you can fight as well as you say, I may be able to find a job for you."

[Devixer]

Front Door

"I'm all ears, then," Jane says, withdrawing her hands from her pockets. "What would you have me do?"

[Lady Serpentine]

[Front Door]

"Testing scenarios, to start. Protecting an incapacitated charge, for instance, since bodyguard may be one of the things you'll have to do."

[Devixer]

Front Door

"I'll wait for you to get this started, then," Jane says. "It's your test, after all."

[Lady Serpentine]

[Front Door]

"Follow me, then."

Assuming she does so, she'll be led deeper into the Nest, eventually ending up on one of the middle floors, and from there to a door apparently set into the wall leading to the outside of the building.

[Devixer]

Front Door

Jane follows further into the Nest, observing her new surroundings. She doesn't seem fazed by the door supposedly leading to a drop.

[Lady Serpentine]

[Testing]

The door, once opened, apparently actually leads to a plain covered in twisting masses of crystal; assuming this is the testing area, it's going to be very hard to see where anyone else is, and quite dangerous to maneuver in.

[Devixer]

Testing

Jane withdraws what looks like a cigarette case from one of the pockets of her sweater. As she opens it, she also activates one of her augs, which allows for infrared vision.

[Lady Serpentine]

[Testing]

That may or may not help, as the crystals are apparently scattering heat that passes through them.

[Devixer]

Testing

Jane concludes that all the sources of heat will prove too confusing in combat, and switches her eyes to a more simple night vision. At the same time, she takes a small cylinder from the case and spins it between her fingers.

[Lady Serpentine]

[Testing]

I'm not sure what night-vision will do for her, but the crystals don't appear to do anything too odd to it.

"Now that you've had a chance to study the testing environment...", 'Rael' says quietly, indicating the plain. "You will be tracking down an injured, or possibly dead, harpy, your charge for this scenario. Those who injured her may or may not still be present, and it is equally likely she was unable to fly as that she was capable of doing so."

[Devixer]

Testing

Jane doesn't make a verbal reply as she turns off the night vision (I thought it was darker than it really was, and activates another aug that enhances her sense of smell to the rough equal of a blood hound. At the same time, she presses a small button on the cylinder, extending it into a short spear. If she finds a scent, then she follows it at a quick pace.

[Lady Serpentine]

[Testing]

A scent can be found, though it's faint enough to be difficult, due to the scouring winds that Jane will find whistle through the crystals as soon as she steps through, as can a blood trail, if she's careful about looking.

[Devixer]

Testing

Jane doesn't react much to the wind. She had a faint trail, and that was enough. She'd only send drones if it took two minutes. She sets off at a jog, following the trail as best she can, which is pretty good.

[Lady Serpentine]

[Testing]

Approximately a minute or so in, after going through various twists and turns, Jane may notice something rather odd - at one of the many areas where the harpy could have gone multiple directions, the scent trail seems heavier in one, while the blood trail leads another.

[Devixer]

Testing

This was a little odd, but Jane chooses to follow the blood. It was more indicative of injury. All the same, she enhances her speed via the sits in her legs so that she can retrace her steps quickly.

[Lady Serpentine]

[Testing]

As she advances, the blood trail becomes easier to follow, and the scent returns to normal, then gains in strength, as though whoever it was was resting fairly frequently as they got deeper in.

However, it'll take a fair bit longer than two minutes to actually reach the harpy, should Jane still be adhering to her plan of sending out drones if it takes longer than that.

[Devixer]

Testing

Jane does stick to that plan. She reaches into her pocket to pull out a small disc, which she tosses into the air as she keeps following the trail.

[Lady Serpentine]

((...What does said disc do? And how does it work? What methods of detection would pick it up? :smallconfused:))

[Devixer]

((The disc hovers in the air after being tossed and acts as a video camera, capturing a radius of roughly 150 yards and providing a direct feed to the person who tossed it. Any standard radar will likely detect it. Sorry for being vague.))

[Lady Serpentine]

((Would that be a circle covering a total of 150 yards, or one the edge of which is 150 yards away? (Sorry if that should be obvious, but I'm coming down with something right now...)))

[Devixer]

((The outer edge of the area is 150 yards from the drone.))

[Lady Serpentine]

Just at the outer limit of the drone's vision, something that could be what she's looking for can be seen, though it's quite hard to tell, between the wind and all of the obstructions.

[Devixer]

Testing

Jane grits her teeth in the face of all the wind and presses on to what the drone tells her is an anomaly in the terrain.

[Lady Serpentine]

[Testing]

She'll find a quite a bit of blood there, in a small open area, along with some feathers, as though the person she's tracking paused to rest for a while, though they seem to be yet deeper in...

However, she may be distracted by the fact that something along the lines of a fish comes sailing from beyond the boundaries of the drone's view, and, unless it can dodge the rather fast moving projectile, strikes it, exploding on impact.

[Devixer]

Testing

Jane almost expected her drone to go down at some point. They weren't designed to last terribly long anyway, and at least she seemed to be close. She keeps going despite her drone being shot down, making sure her reflexes and speed are as fast as they can be while keeping her smell as strong as it is.

[Lady Serpentine]

[Testing]

She'll find the barely-conscious harpy a ways further in, then, as they somehow seem to have had about a day's head start; they're in rather bad shape from the heat and blood-loss, apparently at a good risk of dying fairly soon if not patched up more than they were able to manage.

[Devixer]

Testing

Jane rushes to kneel next to the harpy, laying her spear on the ground next to her. She takes another small case from a pocket, containing an all-purpose medical tool. "I'm here to escort you to safety," she says. "Just stay still for a moment." She tries to apply the tool to any particularly bad wounds, deploying a gel that will act as a suture.

[BladeofObliviom]

[90th Floor]

Oh jeez, there were still people in the room? I'd assumed that Rael and Sarah were alone, in the relative sense of the word. I must've derped a little. :smalltongue:

Sarah smiles.

"That sounds really nice, actually. I can find my own way around, thanks, but let me know if you need someone patched up! Medical services are free for friends."

I don't actually know if they already have a medic around or not, but Sarah's a Spirit Healer; If she can't fix someone, they're already dead.

[Lady Serpentine]

Testing

Jane rushes to kneel next to the harpy, laying her spear on the ground next to her. She takes another small case from a pocket, containing an all-purpose medical tool. "I'm here to escort you to safety," she says. "Just stay still for a moment." She tries to apply the tool to any particularly bad wounds, deploying a gel that will act as a suture.

((Ghnargh, blanking for this, sorry.))

[90th Floor]

Sarah and the rest of the party misted up, so yes, there were indeed others about; the four who met her outside and the Quill Wolves, to be specific.

They do have medics, sort of, but Blood Magic is hard to heal with properly, since it involves causing more bloodloss to produce the flesh and such one is replacing, so Sarah's services will likely be quite useful. (Also, Spirit Healer as in Wynne?)

"We probably will at some point," Rael answers, grinning at her, and starting to dissolve. "Though we'll try not to take you up on that too often, for various reasons.

And in that case, we'll leave you to make yourself comfortable. Ring if you need anything..."

That last, rather odd, phrase is quickly explained by a high note from behind Sarah; Karyana appears to have somehow left a large, though surprisingly light, bell on a tripod stand in her place when she left.

[BladeofObliviom]

(Me too, really. Sorry for my lateness.)

[90th Floor]

"Okay. And... ...thanks, Rael. Homelessness sucks."

Also, yeah, like Wynne. Unless you mean copossessed by a spirit, in which case no. Sarah is not currently possessed.

[Lady Serpentine]

[Testing]

Given the depth of some of the cuts, and the fact that she appears to have internal burns, she'll need more than just stitching up, but the harpy can't stop Jane from applying the gel, and doesn't seem to want to.

However, partway through patching her up, Jane may end up rather distracted, as one of the nearby crystal formations explodes into a spray of heavy, sharp-edged shards...

[90th Floor]

Rael smiles, and nods, just before he fully dissipates, leaving Sarah, presumably, alone.

[Devixer]

Testing

Jane isn't capable of treating all of the harpy's wounds right now, her supplies are rather limited. But she can treat some wounds now and prevent further injury. Speaking of which, a crystal explodes. She still has enhanced reflexes, so she moves to block the shrapnel with her back. At the same time, her skin hardens. Her sweater will be torn up, but she'll be unharmed.

"Right, time to move." She tries to gently pick up the harpy and retrace her steps at a sprint.

[Lady Serpentine]

[Testing]

She may find that oddly difficult. While picking up the harpy isn't an issue, the path she took no longer exists in places, new crystals having formed, and others vanished.

[Devixer]

Testing

Jane grits her teeth again as she keeps moving. She has a fine sense of direction, but these crystals were getting in the way. She still knows the general direction, though, so she keeps going. She'd loose another drone, but her hands were full.

[Lady Serpentine]

[Testing]

She should be able to make reasonably good time, then. Though a further complication soon arises when it's clear she's not getting lost, in the form of someone, apparently using the crystals for cover, shooting at her, though for the heavy winds are keeping anything from hitting.

[Devixer]

Testing

Jane whips her eyes around while switching to thermal vision. Not so she can fire back, though, since she only has her spear, but to know how best to avoid it.

[Lady Serpentine]

[Testing]

Thermal vision is still odd out here, hotspots showing clearly as extant, but with strange holes and blobs in them where the crystals scatter and absorb the heat. It may be possible to tell where the person is, but it's going to be hard, to say the least.

[Devixer]

Testing

Jane puts thought of detection out of her mind. Right now, she had to focus on speed. So she activates the gauge that let her run faster than normally possible, while keeping her skin dense enough to block projectiles.

"Hold on," She mutters to the harpy.

[Lady Serpentine]

[Testing]

The harpy holds on as tightly as she can, which isn't very, and, since she's blocking projectiles, Jane can likely get to the door without too much trouble.

Getting through it, however, is another matter; something very much along the lines of the 'vehicle' Rael made for MURDER is guarding it.

[Devixer]

Testing

Jane kneels down and tries to place the harpy on the ground before pulling out her last resort for escape - a smoke grenade. She pulls the pin and throws it at the vehicle before it bursts. The white smoke is both a visual screen, and a scrambler to any targeting systems.

She picks the harpy up again and tries to rush past the vehicle, through the door.

[Lady Serpentine]

((Does it cause issues with tracking by scent?))

[Devixer]

((The smoke is intended to throw off scent, yes.))

[Lady Serpentine]

[Testing]

Through the door she goes, then!

Though this time it leads to what appears to be an infirmary of some sort.

[Sarah's]

Sarah, a day or so after her arrival, may notice the bell ring, once, rather loudly.

[Devixer]

Testing

Jane is quick to close the door with her foot as she carries the harpy through. When in the infirmary, she looks for both any beds and a medical kit.

[Lady Serpentine]

[Testing]

There are beds, and a fair selection of medical supplies, though about half of them seems to be living creatures of some kind.

((Should probably pause the scene soon, since Sarah is being called because of this.))

[Devixer]

Testing

Jane lays the harpy down on a bed before perusing the medical supplies. She swears under her breath when she realizes she doesn't know how to use half of them. Still, if she recognizes sutures and numbing agents, then she grabs those and heads back to harpy.

[Lady Serpentine]

[Testing]

Sutures and numbing agents are present, though she might want to hold off on the former until she's had a chance to look inside her a bit more, seeing as some of the wounds quite likely did internal damage that will need to be repaired first.

[BladeofObliviom]

[Sarah's]

The bell catches her just as she finishes properly dressing herself, actually. Then the bell ruins the quiet. :smalltongue:

She walks over to the source of the noise, before coming to a rather embarrassing realization.

"Oh. Um. How do I operate this again?"

She tries hitting it back. Maybe that'll work?

[Lady Serpentine]

[Sarah's]

Well, she might notice the little black bag that wasn't there a minute ago under it when she goes to hit the thing. That would probably help?

[BladeofObliviom]

[Sarah's]

Oh. Now she feels a little bit stupid for not checking beforehand. At any rate, without waiting for any result of hitting the thing, she tries opening the black bag.

[Lady Serpentine]

[Sarah's]

Inside, she'll find a note:


Hello, Sarah. This is Karyana, if that means anything.

These bags move anything placed in one to the one it's linked to. Hence, they're often used to pass messages, though they work nicely for giving gifts too. This particular one is linked to mine.

Unfortunately, we're having to call on your services rather earlier than we'd hoped we would. If you're ready, please send another note back letting us know how you'd prefer to get down here.

[Devixer]

Testing

Jane tries to diagnose the harpy. She's not a doctor, but she does have the moderate medical knowledge of any proficient assassin.

[Lady Serpentine]

[Testing]

The harpy has broken ribs, damage to her left lung, and appears to have had a fire set in her chest cavity at one time. There may also be other internal injuries, but if so, they're less obvious.

[BladeofObliviom]

[Sarah's]

Sarah has a pen, but no paper. Hmm...

She writes on the back. :smalltongue:


Oh, hey. If you have an elevator or something, that'd be nice. If that's too slow, I guess we can play around with the teleporting too.

[Devixer]

Testing

"How're you feeling?" Jane asks the harpy. She knows the answer, but keeping her talking is a good way of keeping her conscious. At the same time, she grabs of needle of morphine and prepares to operate with her limited supplies.

[Lady Serpentine]

[Sarah's]


Up to you, so... Should I pop up and show you how to find the elevator, or just grab you when I get there and give you the tour later?

This time, the note is accompanied by a stack of paper... Though oddly enough, the bag doesn't show any noticeable change in size, other than rustling slightly.

[BladeofObliviom]

[Sarah's]

A stack of blank paper? Useful!


Just come and pick me up, I guess. If someone needs medical attention, sooner is better than later.

[Lady Serpentine]

[Sarah's]

Karyana mists into being next to her, then, in her fully-human form, smiling a bit, and reaches for her hand.

[BladeofObliviom]

[Sarah's]

What else can she do? The mage takes it, and braces herself for the disorientation.

[Lady Serpentine]

[Sarah's -> Infirmary]

The two, presumably, dissolve and reform behind Jane, then.

[BladeofObliviom]

[Infirmary]

Sarah, still mildly disoriented from the process despite having been braced for it this time, shakes her head a bit to realign things. She's just about to greet the person who looks vaguely familiar but not quite recognizable, but her eyes settle on the Harpy instead before going wide.

"Oh Maker, that does look bad."

Jane and Karyana both have a chance to act before Sarah does, though.

[Devixer]

Infirmary

Jane turns her head to look at the newcomers. "She's badly wounded and I'm under equipped to operate. Are either of you versed in magical healing?" She's partially playing a part in pretending not to recognize Sarah, and she probably isn't terribly familiar herself.

[Lady Serpentine]

[Infirmary]

"That is why she was brought, so yes," Karyana replies quietly, stepping back a bit, to give Sarah more room to work. "And you pass that test, by the way."

[BladeofObliviom]

Infirmary

"Yeah. See what you can do about keeping her awake, and maybe administer something for the pain. I'll see what I can do about the internal injuries."

In any case, she calls upon the power of the Fade, drawing forth spirits of Fortitude and Health to aid her, as she attempts to slowly will the body back into the shape it was meant to have...

[Devixer]

Infirmary

Jane prepares the shot of morphine she already had and tries to inject it into the harpy.

[Lady Serpentine]

[Infirmary]

The harpy can't do much to stop Jane, though morphine may not be the best option for ensuring wakefulness.

In any case, she slowly begins to heal as a result of Sarah's actions.

[BladeofObliviom]

[Infirmary]

Well, with the power of Morphine taking hold, Sarah can afford to speed up a bit. Her magic works better on people that she's healed before, but it's strong enough even on the first time that she usually holds back due to excruciating pain of the process. With sensation dulled, the REAL healing starts!

[Lady Serpentine]

((Feel free to godmod the harpy, since I'm going out for a while. Nothing will stop the healing from taking effect.))

[Devixer]

Infirmary

There's not much more that Jane can do, now that Sarah's taken over. So instead, she steps back to rest for a few seconds.

[BladeofObliviom]

Infirmary

It'll probably take a few minutes for her to finish, but unless the Harpy expires at the worst possible moment or something, there shouldn't be any complications.

Working her way from the worst injuries inside to without, any foreign bodies are pushed out by new tissue as the body is repaired far faster than natural healing could ever offer.

As soon as the outer wounds finally close up, Sarah finds something to sit down on as she allows the spirits to return to the Fade, taking a deep breath.

"Alright, she needs to take it easy for a few days. I sealed up the wounds, but they could reopen if she's not careful."

[Sonzai]

Crystal Grove (K's Forest)

Azatha appears here, teleported by Karyana, and she looks around at the scenery.

Waiting for Karyana to arrive as well, she says, "Well, this place looks... expensive," she says nonchalantly.

"I don't suppose those are energy crystals, though."

[Lady Serpentine]

[Crystal Grove]

Karyana, who's standing next to her, shrugs.

"They're not what we're here to see, other than tangentially... Can you see magic on your own?"

If she can, the godling is likely aware that the whole area has a high-level magical field suffusing it.

[Sonzai]

[Crystal Grove]

"Well, sure, there's definitely some kind of magical field here," Azatha says, "eh, not all that impressive, though..."

Azatha will try to tap into the field and absorb some of its energy.

[Lady Serpentine]

[Crystal Grove]

Azatha's attempt is accepted, but warily, the magical field seeming almost sentient, and unsure of whether or not she should have access to it.

Meanwhile, Karyana laughs, using the ambient field to warp space, in order to deposit them just outside the Grove, where it's the middle of the night, and an extraordinary array of stars can be seen.

Assuming that nothing prevented them from arriving outside, the field produces a massive spike a moment later, at which the stars begin to move; Azatha may be able to determine that they are, in fact, shifting position, rather than this being an illusion, or anything of that sort.

"Still not impressed?"

[Sonzai]

[Crystal Grove]

Azatha will try to absorb a relatively small amount of power, say enough to cast a fireball, since the field seems to be resisting her somewhat. The space-warp-teleport works fine.

"Okay, not bad," she says at the movement of the stars, "so, you run this place or something?"

[Lady Serpentine]

[Crystal Grove]

It's siphoned off without too much difficulty, then, the dimension accepting that since Karyana hasn't told it to cut her off, Azatha is allowed to be doing what she is.

"You could say that. It was a blank dimension, but it imprinted on me, so now I can basically do whatever I want to with it."

[Sonzai]

[Crystal Grove]

"Sounds good," Azatha says, trying to absorb more energy now that the field seems responsive - say, about 10 times as much. If successful, Karyana may notice Azatha's aura begin to increase, although not too dramatically yet.

"So... what do you do with it? Just give tours and light shows?"

[Lady Serpentine]

[Crystal Grove]

Karyana can't sense magic anymore, that being related to her natural abilities, but the siphoning is successful, and the field doesn't seem to be decreasing in strength.

"Well, you've seen some of the stuff I do," she says, gesturing at the trees. "And there are other such things here. But what I do with it is generally simply live here."

[Sonzai]

[Crystal Grove]

Having been successful so far, Azatha will again try to increase her energy drain by another factor of 10. If successful, besides her aura, Karyana may also notice Azatha becoming slightly taller...

"So, you have a whole dimension with nearly unlimited power to yourself, and you... live here... and practice interior decoration?" Azatha says.

"Well K, I'm afraid you suffer from, how should I put this - a lack of imagination," she says, "don't you have any goals or desires besides this? Shouldn't you at least be trying to rule over some civilization, or strike terror into the hearts of lesser beings, or I dunno, open a really awesome theme park or something?"

[Lady Serpentine]

[Crystal Grove]

Karyana does indeed notice that, and when Azatha says that she suffers from a lack of imagination, the vampire's eyes flare, and she seems to grow to loom over her while simultaneously remaining the same size

"First, the power does not extend beyond here. If one has the capacity to store it, then one could take as much as they could hold out, but I no longer have that capability. The effects of trying to remove said block are unpleasant enough that I have resigned myself to its existence.

Second, I have a very nice home, where I can live with my wife and our lovers, without any need to worry about all of the enemies we have outside it. I can also, despite the fact that they have a tendency to attract the hostility of godkillers, keep my friends safe. Would you deny that those are worthy goals?

Third, I live in a place where whatever I can imagine, insofar as I am willing to exert my abilities, is mine with a thought. What other desires do you expect me to have in such a place?

Finally, you have not seen the twentieth part of this one dimension, much less the others I control. Do not presume to claim my ambition is lacking."

[Sonzai]

[Crystal Grove]

"Whoa - calm down," Azatha says, stepping back slightly, "I didn't mean to offend - you've got a pretty nice place here, honestly." (She then holds back the contradictory snarky remark she was totally thinking about adding here.)

"But still, you say you control multiple dimensions, and yet still have enemies that bother you?" she continues, "hmm... perhaps we could arrange a partnership - for example, do your enemies require crushing into dust, utter annihilation, or public humiliation?"

"Because those just happen to be my specialties," Azatha says confidently with a slight smirk.

[Devixer]

Around

Jane is looking for Rael, to talk about her living quarters, or lack thereof.

[Lady Serpentine]

[Around]

Rael can be found, though I had been under the impression she was offered the standard 'pick a floor' option?

[Devixer]

Around

No, she was never talked to about residence.

When she does find Rael, her hood is down, revealing mostly the same face she had as the secretary of MURDER, but with sharper features. "So did I pass your test?"

[Lady Serpentine]

[Around]

He nods, seeming somewhat uncertain why she's asking.

"You're still here and alive, aren't you?

[Devixer]

Around

"And that's your only standard for security personnel?" Jane can't say she isn't surprised by Rael's response. If only because her previous employer was much more strict.

[Lady Serpentine]

[Around]

"No. However, had you not passed, you would either no longer be here, or you would be dead. Is that clearer?, he asks, sounding a bit annoyed.

[Devixer]

"Yes, that's better." Jane's response to the annoyance is a bit difficult to read. "So what's the next order of business?"

[Lady Serpentine]

"You remember Riv, yes? While I'm aware that the contract on him is no longer valid, I have issues of my own with him, so if you would be willing to put your talents to use, I believe I might have some work for you that's more interesting than bodyguarding..."

[Devixer]

Around

"I know of Riv, yes. I would need to retrieve my weaponry before taking the assignment, but it is more than possible." Jane left a lot of equipment behind when she came here.

[Lady Serpentine]

[Around]

Rael nods thoughtfully, smiling a bit.

"Fair enough... Come up to the 101st floor when you have, and I'll explain what the plan is.

[Devixer]

Around

Jane gives a single nod before turning to leave. She'll be back in a few hours, carrying several duffle bags with her to the 101st floor.

[Lady Serpentine]

[Planning]

The elevator comes out in a rather large room containing multiple holomap tables, a pile of portable terminals from which to program them, and various other accouterments of a war room.

The largest map table currently has Rael, Karyana, a Quill Wolf, and a few NPCs gathered around it, placing various markers.

[Devixer]

Planning

Jane steps further into the room, not removing her duffle bags. She steps toward the large map table to glance at whatever this plan is.

[Lady Serpentine]

[Vo's]

Accidents happen. Sometimes, people get hurt. And yes, that applied to training, too, but not to that extent. She might end up sore at the end of the day from working herself, but the worst that was likely to happen wouldn't be anything a healing potion wouldn't take care of. That was the extent of what Naera had been willing to tell Blank about her fight on the trip - and now that they had arrived, there were more pressing matters...

Vo, of course, knew more. After all, she'd been able to see the fight as it went on. But if she could read the demonkin's body language, and the look that she'd given the undead woman as she walked - still injured, having not received the healing potions the other contestants had at the conclusion of their bouts - out of the arena, she'd know that Naera was in no mood to discuss it right now, though she would likely explain later...

[Beans]

[Vo's]
Vo had, she'll admit, a hard time not crying as she watched her girlfriend get hurt. It had been utterly terrifying, in fact. Now, she drapes her coat around Naera's shoulders. Oh, sweetheart... c'mon, sweetie, let's get you home and healed up. I'll take care of it, I promise... It'll be okay, I promise, c'mere now...

[Dark Elf Bard]

[Vo's]

Blank bites her thumb nervously. What happened during your fight? Who did this?

[Lady Serpentine]

[Vo's]

Naera gently kisses Vo's cheek, relaxing wearily into her arms as they go up the drive, though when Blank draws the Hunterkin's attention back to her, the mercenary reaches down to take her hand, smiling faintly.

"He... Broke my control. It went poorly for him. As for who he was, suffice to say that he will not ever be bothering us again."

[Beans]

[Vo's]
Vo frowns, helping her girlfriend inside and to the couch.
You just sit down, dear, I'll get you nice and patched up...

[Dark Elf Bard]

[Vo's]

Blank lets her hand be taken and squeezes it gently, worried for her foster mom. She sits by Naera quietly on the couch, not wanting to make anything worse.

[Lady Serpentine]

[Vo's]

Naera nods, sitting down quietly, then going to slip her arm around Blank, and gently pull the young Tiefling against her side.

"You okay, liasa-veleen?"

[Dark Elf Bard]

[Vo's]

I'm okay. Spec was really good, I lost. Blank leans into Naera. I'm more worried about you... who did you fight?

[Lady Serpentine]

[Vo's]

"Some idiot called Meyrink... I won, but I ended up killing him accidentally," she replies, stroking Blank's hair. "I'll be alright, though. Don't worry about me, okay?"

[Dark Elf Bard]

[Vo's]

Blank winces and gently snuggles up against her mom. Sorry.