Taskforce Dragon Reboot (Exalted IC)

[Maugan Ra]

Several years have passed since the Steel Lotus incident, when terrorists disguised as members of the famous Taskforce Dragon stole a flight of Meruvian gunships and slaughtered thousands in the capital city of An-Teng. Conspiracy theories abound, both regarding the incident itself and the remarkably diplomatic resolution, but the world as a whole has largely moved on.

New crisis have arisen and been dealt with, new advances made and incorporated into daily life. Sorcery has been created and scientifically proven to exist, opening up an entirely new frontier in technological and cultural development, the implications of which are even now only just coming to light. And, as always, the war against the hostile spirit nations at the perimeter of the world continue to grind ever onwards.

It is this ever-changing and dynamic situation that serves as the backdrop for the impending events, as once again, momentous news is conveyed to you by the most innocuous of techniques. In this case, a letter.

None of you have any idea where the letters come from. One moment, there is nothing next to you but an empty desk or a vacant table - the next, an envelope of deep crimson rests in clear view, addressed to you by name. It is handwritten, another surprise in this age of computers and essence messaging, and aside from it's suspicious delivery there doesn't appear to be anything unusual or supernatural about it.



Honoured members of Task Force Dragon

I am writing this missive with the intent of arranging a meeting between your distinguished selves and I, in the penthouse level of the Garvin building in Crane Bay, one week from today, twelve noon.

I am extending you this invitation for a very simple reason - it has come to my attention that my reputation has been rather unfairly maligned by an individual with whom you have had frequent contact, and I would like a chance to correct that impression. To present my side of the story. Even the most spurious mockeries of the legal system allow the defendant at least that much.

I appreciate, of course, that you might not trust me very much - I can only imagine the tales your informant has spun about my numberless crimes. Therefore, I urge you to take whatever measures you believe would be necessary to guarantee your own security. The penthouse is accessible via a landing pad, if those measures would draw unwanted attention walking the streets to the main entrance. For my part, I will come unarmed and alone, trusting only in your good conduct and the armour of civility to protect me. I think this shows an adequate extension of sincerity on my part.

I also pledge to make no attempts to away your minds beyond reasoned, mundane argument, if such a possibility concerns you.

I hope to see you there, and look forwards to what I trust shall be a most rational and civil meeting between us.

Yours Sincerely
Gorol

[Lix Lorn]

Brooks slams one hand down on the table, looking around at the rest of the taskforce.
"So." she says. "Do we trust anything in this letter? Do we go? Exactly how screwed are we?"

[industrious]

Vannevar Green

Vannevar arches a thin eyebrow at the author-slash-ruler of the Underworld.

"A tad more but a good deal less than you might think, Amelia. Being contacted by this 'Gorol' fellow means that we have come to his attention; the letter's contents indicate that someone who knows of Morgan's mentor-or possibly is the man himself-has realized that we know a trifle more than we should."

He pauses for a moment, fishing out a very sleek black smartphone from his pocket.

"...And yet, this letter arrived despite a security team that I had expected premium service from, and without any sort of warning or premonition of danger, despite our own unique abilities and instincts. If he had wished it, Gorol could have delivered an explosive. Or a canister of nerve gas."

[Ifni]

"Ah, that's right. You weren't present the last time around, Vannevar."

Morgan puts a hand on the table, stilling the vibrations. The Air Aspect's voice is calm, untroubled.

"I can share all I know of Gorol Thrice-Blessed, if you wish, although it may be safer for you to remain ignorant. Your choice. This may be in part a bluff, an attempt to learn something by how we react. But I do think I should go, at least." She smiles faintly, wryly. "I have no reason to trust his word - save that I do not think he has any need to lie to us. Same principle as your point, Vannevar. Likewise, if we do go, my inclination would not be to expend too much mental effort devising precautions against betrayal. Gorol has rather more experience at this than we do."

The scientist-sorceress lifts her hand in a small graceful gesture, the delicate bracelet around her wrist chiming softly, the flame caught within the amber stone flickering bright. (A token from the far South. The bracelet holds one for each Direction; a keepsake and a memory, for those few among the discovery team who were there through the whole long endeavor. Morgan's involvement with the Task Force has been punctuated by lengthy absences, over the past few years.) "I've contacted Fisher already. Securely." There seems to be a new paper on communication sorceries every month, these days, but she still prefers the elemental simplicity of the Wind-Carried Words Technique. "I imagine he'll respond if it's safe for him to do so."

There's a curious formality in Morgan's voice; some of the sentence constructions, the pitch and intonation, are reminiscent of Old Realm. But then, she's been living and breathing that language for most of the past few years: it seems better-suited to sorcerous principles than less structured modern tongues. Perhaps it's unsurprising.

Morgan would have called Fisher with the WCWT immediately on receiving the note, just to let him know that Gorol wants to talk to them, and ask him to confirm he's all right (if he is).

[Maugan Ra]

Fisher, somewhat worryingly, has not responded to Morgan's attempts at communication. Anna has likewise vanished in the past few days, and has not yet reappeared. Neither of them gave any reason that indicated they expected to be out of contact.

[Edge]

Carl's fingers rap upon the table as he mulls the news over.

"I think this might be the most obvious trap I have ever seen in my career," the brigadier blurts out gruffly before leaning back into his chair, the hand on the table moving to fidget with his dog tags as he turns to look at Morgan.

"Yeah, he says he'll be unarmed, but let's be honest. How good are the odds that he could kill us with his bare hands?"

[Ifni]

The Air Aspect shrugs, silver-white hair stirring slightly in the ever-present breeze that surrounds her. "Reasonable? I mean, it's not like we're inept at unarmed combat - but we've both sparred with Anna and Fisher, and I had that no-holds-barred fight with Anna when she was trying to arrest us, at the start of the Steel Lotus incident. I'd be surprised if Gorol is less skilled. But more to the point... this is a situation he's designed. He's not going to surrender an advantage if he thinks it might matter."

"I just feel that if he wanted us dead he probably wouldn't need to resort to subterfuge. Which doesn't mean it's not a trap, of course."

Her fingers tap gently on the polished wood of the table. "Have you heard from Anna recently, Carl?"

[Edge]

The Earth Aspect shakes his head.

"Last saw her a few days ago. Not had any word from her since, or any warning beforehand that she'd be going AWOL," he says, shaking his head. "The whole thing reeks. Wouldn't be surprised if Gorol has her and Fisher ready as bargaining chips."

[Lix Lorn]

"There's also the fact that he's secretly our bosses' bosses' boss or something?" Brooks says, not entirely sure. "And he probably knows we're having this conversation. I expect he's laughing."

She scowls.
"Somehow, I think we're gnats here. Maybe he's wondering if we're worth swatting."

[Ifni]

"Of course he knows we're having this conversation. Hence my desire to not waste too much mental energy on it." Morgan's tone is light, but grows more grim as she looks at Carl. "I share that suspicion. It's part of why I intend to go."

As she speaks, without movement or comment on her part, the breezes that curl around her grow stronger for a moment, ruffling the others' hair. Whispering silently into their inner thoughts:

All right. If you don't want to know everything I know about Gorol, tell me now and I'll drop you from the link. If you stay in, you're in.

Morgan's favorite Charm goes up again, With One Mind on everyone assembled.

[Edge]

I'm almost offended you felt the need to ask, Carl jokes over the link. I'm in, Morgan. Hundred and ten per cent.

[The_Snark]

Leah clears her throat, deliberately avoiding the mindlink for the present.

"We should also keep in mind the chance that he means exactly what he says in the letter. We're pretty prominent these days. We don't like him. You don't stay in power for long by ignoring that sort of thing. He might be confident enough, or arrogant enough, to think he can sway us to his way of thinking. Or at least cast doubt on what he thinks we think." She shrugs. "Even complicated people use simple methods sometimes."

"I'm not saying don't be careful, but I think that's how he'll start. Traps and hostage schemes risk making us outright enemies. There'll be plenty of time for that sort of thing later, if he doesn't get what he wants out of this meeting."

Through the mental link she adds, I'm listening. She hardly needs to say it; Morgan knows her well enough to expect this answer. Besides, they've discussed this subject before, if not recently.

[Ifni]

"True, but if he's considering using Fisher and Anna against us in the future, securing them before telling us that he knew would be sensible. And they do seem to have dropped out of contact. Although I suppose that could also be the case if they were hiding."

But as she speaks, she's waiting for silent assent from Vannevar and Brooks, and when they give it -

All right. Here is what I know. Leah's heard most of this already -

The sharing of thoughts has both advantages and disadvantages, for communication. It's easy, especially for an untrained user, for the desired message to be contaminated by an enormous amount of junk data - irrelevant snippets of sentences, personal feelings, idle musings. But on the other hand, it's much faster than talking - and allows the sharing of concepts that are very hard to put into words.

First a memory, from three years past, all images and confusion, filtered by time and Morgan's humanity. The knowledge of that filter, and the memory of the world-changing stunning shock it was to look on them without it - that's part of the memory, too.

An endless city of obsidian and brass, arranged in looping patterns and lit by a burning emerald sun... an infinite expanse of silver sand, desolate and providing... a storm of multi-coloured rain... a shadow in the shape of a great beast... a singularity that walks... a laughing wind... a mountain.... words...

Outside the world they wait. The 'Primordials'. "Somewhere between sentient landscapes, distributed hive-minds, and anthropomorphic personifications of particular concepts" - so I was told.

Millennia ago this world belonged to the spirits, as well as our ancestors and the other races. The greatest among the spirits were the Incarnae...

She shares with them the memories emblazoned in her mind, the images Fisher had clearly cherished for so long. The five sisters, guardians and embodiments of Fate. Pale-haired Luna. Golden Sol.

The posts being referenced are here (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=14931640&postcount=352) and here (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=14932576&postcount=355): Maugan had lovely descriptions and I don't want to just copy-paste them.

They shared power with mortals, as Fisher told us, back before the Steel Lotus Incident. Created the first Exalted, out of their own strength. The Sidereals, like Fisher and Anna, were made to assist the Maidens in keeping the world stable against the Wyld. I don't know exactly what the Solars' and Lunars' original purpose was.

There was a war, thousands of years ago, between the spirits and Exalted on one hand and the Primordials on the others. Gorol fought in it, Fisher too - on the same side, at first. Gorol was Chosen of Sol, then.

And then he betrayed them, or so Fisher said, along with a few others. Took the power the Primordials offered and turned it against the Incarnae and their fellow Exalts. And won.

The Incarnae were bound away. The Solars joined the winning side, or died. The Lunars scattered. The spirits mostly fled to the poles, to carry on the war. And the Sidereals chose to bow to the victors.

The information is a flood, passing from Morgan's mind to theirs in the seconds between her spoken words. In the conference room, the Air Aspect shakes her head slightly, thoughtfully, carrying on the discussion out loud. "I have a tracer spell, I could try to find where they are. It doesn't always function against magical concealment though."

And silently she continues, her mind flashing up memories of the war in the North, of howling ice-storms and infowar attacks to cripple cities, laid against the white-hot searing of a soul's brand.

Fisher is under pretty severe magical control, if you remember. She flashes the memory of the Essence-pattern against her fingertips to Vannevar. Compelled eternal loyalty, and a failsafe Charm that basically melts him from inside if he violates any of the trigger conditions. Gorol was the one who set those controls. An edge of fury is perceptible, through the emotionless calm of the sending. Not hard to tell, since he signed his name to the brand. He is also, Vannevar, the Head of Special Operations for the Office of Meruvian Intelligence.

The Althing, as Fisher calls it, is the organization of the Exalts who won that war, and - much more commonly - their heirs. Originally Exalted of the Sun, now also bearing the power of the Primordials. You know what he and Anna have told us about them. I don't think there are many around who would remember the beginning of the war, but Gorol is one of them.

So... that's what we're dealing with. A millennia-old immortal who apparently specializes in very nasty mind-control Charms, who fought on both sides of a war between the Sun, Moon and Fate on one hand, and vast inhuman embodiments of abstract concepts on the other. Who won that war. And yes, Brooks, also our boss.

"So do we all want to go, or have someone stay on the outside?"

[industrious]

Vannevar

If the illustrious Professor Uqalik wishes to share information with me, I cannot in good conscience say no.

He listens to Morgan's tale, silent and still, and when she is finished, gives no outward indications of his inclinations.

"Even the greatest may be slain by surprise. If one of us were to remain outside and far enough away, with suitable weaponry...purely for insurance purposes, of course. The letter does specify that we can make such preparations such that we deem necessary."

An interesting story. But, as I know little of either Fisher or the study of Essence, you will forgive my hesitation regarding the details of such a fantastic tale. While I am sure that Fisher's honesty is without question, time and resentment may have caused him to omit details, and the man is hardly without bias.

[Ifni]

No. But I touched the Charms laid on him, signed with Gorol's name. And I saw the Primordials, beyond the boundaries of the world. So in these matters we have independent confirmation. He surely did omit details; five thousand years would have too many of them to tell. But I do not think he would have lied outright to me.

Morgan nods to Vannevar. "If you'd like to take that role, I'd have no objections. Or maybe Carl or Brooks...?" She glances at the Earth and Fire Aspects. "Vannevar, Leah, you're generally our experts at figuring people out. Might be handy to have you in the meeting."

If Leah is no longer investigation-heavy, The_Snark, let me know, but I think you said she was still a detective.

[industrious]

Vannevar

Vannevar drums his fingers against the table idylly, frowning at the state of his nails.

"I'm more skilled with small arms than long, I fear. Though, of course, my suggestions are merely an offering of opinion. "

Yes. But merely because Fisher told you of the origins of the world, does not mean that spiritual rule is correct. He benefited from the prior arrangement; there was a war, and these 'Primordials' won, with the current results. He fought in such a war, and is now bound to the victor's will. That does not mean that Fisher is more moral than Gorol, or that the spirits who continue to attack us today-who our men fight against-are somehow correct. I am not endorsing one over the other. But you have still only heard the story from a single side. If a Factor of the Guild Coaltion were to speak of his former country today, and you did not know of Meruvia, you should not accept his story so readily.


Obviously, Vannevar is wrong. But he doesn't know it, and he does have a point.

[Ifni]

Morgan raises an eyebrow at Vannevar. "You're one of us, as involved in this as anyone. Your suggestions have the same weight as any of ours." She smiles slightly.

... you may have the wrong idea, Vannevar. I've fought the spirit war as well. Perhaps more directly than you have. I've had this information for three years: do you see me trying to overthrow the government? I care about Fisher, who taught me, who risked himself to give us information we needed, who saved my life when there was nothing in it for him. What was done to him was vile, and I would see it undone, and the fact that Gorol did it makes it... hard... for me to respect or trust him.

But Fisher doesn't hate the Infernals, or want to see the world we know brought down - as enough of the spirits do.

Morgan's loyalties are also somewhat complex here, even without knowing that her best friend from childhood is an Infernal.

Morgan is also a Compassion-5 Idealistic Academic.

[Edge]

"Sure, I could go on overwatch if you guys wanted me to," Carl responds. "Shouldn't be too hard for me to requisition a sniper."

Of course, there might be a better option. If we can grab blueprints of the Garvin building, well... Concrete's made out of earth on the elemental level, right? If we needed to get the f**k out of dodge, I'm sure that 'removing' the building's load-bearing structures might get the bastard's attention.

[Lix Lorn]

"Or me." Brooks shrugs. "I can't blow things up from the same range as a rifle, but I'm certainly not bad at it. I mean, we all know what happened last time I sniped someone..."
It's been several years, and Brooks still doesn't quite follow what chain of events led to her life as it is now.

"If we're worried about not knowing the other side of the story, then isn't that what he wants to tell us? I mean, problem solved right there."

[Ifni]

"Heh. We could have your Dragon on overwatch, perhaps, Brooks? We'd want him nearby anyway, I think." Morgan's tone is nearly affectionate. She's rather proud of the Dragon, even if his interpersonal interaction skills still leave a little to be desired.

I'd rather not collapse a building in an inhabited area, Carl; we don't have Anna's skills to ensure nobody is injured. Unless you think you can control it that finely? Even if we could protect bystanders, there'll be innocents on the lower floors, unless Gorol's had them evacuated.

Oh, another point - for those of you who know it, the Defense-From-Anathema Method should work against Gorol. It appears to function in the presence of anyone Exalted by the spirits.

[industrious]

Vannevar

I apologize, Professor, and for questioning your judgement. I merely wished to note and account for two possibilities.

[Ifni]

Thank you for doing so, Vannevar. Don't worry, I wasn't offended. But as Brooks said... that's a reason to go, and hear his story. Not a reason to trust. Which I think was your point also. The Air Aspect smiles, but doesn't speak, waiting for others' input.

[The_Snark]

Leah's heard most of this story before, but it's not the kind of thing that gets easier to face the second time around, even if she's felt the truth of it herself. Especially if she's felt the truth of it herself. It's something of a relief to dive into the minutiae of precautions and preparations.

"Well, I think we all agree that we can't just pass on this," she says eventually, still turning over options in her head. "Personally, I'd rather have us all in the room. Safety in numbers - which is another reason I don't think it's a trap. If he just wanted us dead, he could have gone after us separately, taken us all off-guard. As a team, we're hard to kill." This is said matter-of-factly, a statement of fact rather than a boast.

And if it is a trap, he'll have prepped for it; I'm not sure a sniper would catch him off guard. We can check out the area before we go in, just to be sure. If we really want to call his bluff? Ask him to come meet us somewhere else, at a location of our choosing.

[Ifni]

"I'm certainly not going to tell anyone they shouldn't come," Morgan agrees. "We could name an alternate place or time. Outside the city, we wouldn't have to worry so much about innocents getting hurt if it does go bad, and it would give us more freedom for elemental manipulation. I can send a message to Gorol by sorcery, if we want to do that. I doubt he'll have any trouble getting to a remote area." She smiles slightly. "And it'd mean the Dragon would have less arguing to do with air traffic control, although I know he sometimes enjoys it."

[industrious]

Vannevar

Vannevar strokes his chin, shifts in his chair.

"Even Hand has a corporate retreat we use, near the slopes of Mount Meru. Leadership training, team building, that sort of thing. It's fairly secluded, fairly luxurious, and isolated enough - you see cars coming miles before they arrive. We don't own it, but we can rent it for a few days."

[Ifni]

Morgan nods. "That sounds good. Just make sure we've rented it exclusively. If this goes wrong, I don't want innocents caught in the crossfire. Um... might want to see if you can arrange for any administrative staff to take a paid vacation for a couple of days, too."

A place like that probably has good insurance, right? Right.

The Air Aspect leans back in her chair. "I'll send the message, then, once you have the location confirmed, Vannevar. Same time as the initial request, a week from today?"

Part of her would like it to be earlier, but... if Gorol has taken steps to get Fisher and Anna out of the way, they should still be perfectly safe. There's absolutely no reason for him to harm them before talking to you.

[Maugan Ra]

And... SCENE CHANGE.

A week later, exactly five minutes before the agreed upon meeting time, Gorol Thrice-Blessed walks in through the front gates of the corporate retreat, completely alone.

There's not much doubt as to who this is - quite apart from the fact that no one else has a legitimate reason for being here, there is a certain air about him that you have only felt before in the presence of the truly rich and powerful. It straddles the line between arrogance and supreme self-confidence, and Gorol wears it like a cloak.

In physical appearance, he is remarkably ordinary - glittering green eyes, shoulder length black hair, a complete lack of any distinguishing scars or unusual features - yet there is a certain indefinable something that would make him stand out from any hypothetical crowd. Even now, dressed in comfortable slacks and with an expensive silk shirt halfway open, he manages to look almost regally important.

It doesn't hurt that he evidently takes great care of his own body. As he walks across the grounds towards you, you cannot help but notice the smooth, almost inhuman grace behind his every movement, or the carefully precise gestures that speak of immense strength held under tight control. When he speaks, his voice has a warm, rolling quality to it, with an accent that is not quite easy to pin down.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for agreeing to see me." he says with a slight nod. "Shall we get down to the matter at hand?"

[Ifni]

The front entrance to the retreat is an elegantly landscaped garden, bounded by the flagstone-paved road that curves around toward the buildings. Water cascades down an artful tumble of stones, filling the air with its whispering; graveled paths and lush green lawn and polished wooden benches are shaded by cherry trees draped in snowy blossoms.

It's a pretty time of year, and a pretty location, despite the looming vertiginous presence of Mount Meru blotting out part of the sky. Calm. Peaceful.

Until now, at least.

Morgan is seated on a rounded rock beside the waterfall. She is dressed relatively informally: a wide-sleeved green silk jacket over a white blouse and dark slacks. Her silvery hair falls to her waist in a single thick braid.

A small bronze plaque at the rock's base names a designer; she noticed it when she arrived, along with the rest of the flood of sensory information assailing her fugue-enhanced senses. She's tried to keep most of it from the link, blurring it to a bearable background of noise for her allies - but for herself, she'd rather go into this with eyes wide open.

And so she listens to the patterns of Essence in the sound of water, and watches insects trying to hide against the bark of trees, until Gorol arrives and gives her something much more interesting to examine.

She looks first for mortal truths, but with the eyes of one who sees beyond sight, to the sparking Essence-flows of the world. He seems calm, relaxed, warm: how much of that is true, and how much a mask? One could wear... many masks, in five millennia.

And then she opens her inner eyes wider still, to direct perception of the Essence of the man called Thrice-Blessed. She expects it to dazzle, to burn - like a flash of lightning, or looking into the sun - but fear has never held her back from knowledge before.

"As you wish," she says evenly, after a moment, when no one else speaks first. "Have a seat?"

Morgan has precast Fugue of Truth (http://forums.white-wolf.com/default.aspx?g=posts&m=1113405#post1113405), and also has active Defense-From-Anathema Method and With One Mind.

I would like to attempt a Read Motivation action, since Fugue of Truth enhances those, to try to pick up Gorol's dominant emotion in the scene. It's a Perception+Socialize roll,
[roll0]
+possible stunt [roll1]
+5 sux from the spell.
EDIT: 9 sux base, 10 with a 2-die stunt.

Difficulty is his (Manip+Socialize)/2. If I hit double the difficulty I start intuiting Intimacies.

Then spending 3m to reflexively activate an All-Encompassing Sorcerer's Sight equivalent, again via Fugue of Truth.
[roll2] Int+Occult
[roll3] Scientific Method specialty (observation is a key ingredient!)
[roll4] possible stunt.
EDIT: 5 sux base, 8 sux if specialty applies.

All UMI and astrological blessings/curses are Obvious to me, until I dismiss the spell (or sleep).

[industrious]

Vannevar

At Morgan's side is a slim, black and silver tablet. A yellow, slightly adhesive note is attached to the back.

Set Me Up, it reads, in Vannevar's flowing script. Knowing the Water Aspect, the word choice is no accident.

[Ifni]

As Gorol walks forward, Morgan reaches down and thumbs the tablet on, tilting it back against the sun-warmed stone so the camera has a good view of the approaching... Exalt?

[industrious]

Vannevar

"Hello?" the tablet's speakers are not especially good, and his voice crackles and breaks with static.

"...Mister Gorol, I presume? Wait...what do you mean, insufficient bandwidth for video? I paid over one thousand yuans for this device, upgraded the wireless capacity...apologies, Mister Gorol."

[Maugan Ra]

"Don't mind if I do."

As Gorol moves across the garden and drops into a reclining position on the grass, Morgan's enhanced senses get a good look at him, and the essence patterns surrounding him. One thing makes itself immediately apparent - Gorol is not human.

He might have been, once - there's a certain familiarity to some of the essence flows, a type of underlying order that hints at a long lost humanity, but it is all but buried beneath the changes wrought upon his spirit. The fugue-enhanced glimpse lasts for but an instant, but in that single moment, you identify at least several dozen major reconstructions and alterations that have left their mark on his essence.

More than a few of them cluster around his head and eyes, and Morgan is suddenly very sure that sharing a mind-link with this man would not be a prudent decision.

Of course, anyone else linked in via With One Mind also gets that impression. Gorol is a highly experienced Infernal, one who not only has his own suite of developed Heretical charms, but has mixed them with his native Solar charmsets as well.

For a reference in describing your reactions, you are looking at a man who has deliberately used his soul to forge together the imprints of at least four separate Eldritch Abominations.

"Just 'Gorol' will be fine." The 'man' says, a slight smile on his face. "It is my only name - 'Mr' implies a familial lineage I do not possess."

Read Motivation:
You can't tell. Actually, attempting to figure it out just strikes you with a sudden sense of 'forbidden', like you are attempting to pry into a state secret. What, exactly, Gorol has done to get his own motivations declared secret by the laws of the universe is a different matter entirely,,,

[Lix Lorn]

Brooks has gotten a lot better at hiding her emotions since becoming a queen.
But she's still herself. The mindlink is filled with a flurry of 'holy what the ****ing ****', even as Brooks smiles, and a spark of essence fires in her words, thoughts shifting a little as she forcibly thinks of it a different way.

Not oh god what the hell is he as much as holy **** that's awe-inspiring.
"We've heard... not a lot about you, but what we've heard is beyond interesting. Well met, Gorol Thrice-Blessed."
Bowing, she executes a perfectly regal greeting, smiling.

Firing Auspicious first meeting for 2m. I... will have to scan through my charms when it's not 6am.
I forget if we actually know that title. Please ignore it if we don't.
(The alien mindset thing is not a charm, just how brooks is learning to operate)

[Maugan Ra]

"And I have heard quite a bit about you in turn, Miss Brooks... or should it be 'your Majesty'?" Gorol says with a seemingly genuine smile, inclining his head towards her in turn. "I'd be interested in taking the time to find out how much of it is true. You seem to be an absolutely fascinating individual."

He sighs, then raises his hands in a quick shrug. "Sadly, such pleasant diversions will have to wait for another day. You said you have heard some things about me, and doubtless you have extrapolated more. Does any of it concern you in particular? That would make for as fine a starting point as any."

[Edge]

"Does any of it concern us?" Carl interjects. The Earth Aspect leans against a large, decorative boulder in dress uniform. His bare face is pale from all the time in his helmet, its chiselled appearance not aided by his dirty blonde buzz cut.

"Well, it might just be me, but I'd say pretty much all of what I've heard about you concerns me."

[Maugan Ra]

Gorol raises an eyebrow. "Well, specifics would be nice. If I have to go back and defend every action I've made over the course of my life, we'll be here for quite some time."

[Ifni]

"I don't think we're pressed for time," Morgan says, a little distantly. "You're the one who asked for this meeting, Gorol. Presumably you had something in mind to say. Or are you just fishing to learn what we know?" There's no accusation in her tone; she sounds like she's considering some new and interesting phenomenon. She shrugs slightly. "Perhaps begin at the beginning? Effects are easier to understand if you know the causes."

[Maugan Ra]

"Very well, then." Gorol says, clicking his neck and settling into a comfortable seated position on the grass.

"In the beginning, as I understand it, the Incarnae made all of Creation. They say they did, anyway, and I nobody has ever found a way to confirm for sure one way or the other. They forged it out of the Wyld, and set the spirit courts to oversee it's running and general management. Understand, of course, that I'm speaking in broad strokes here, since this happened long before I or any other human was born, and the details are thus rather obscured. In any case, all those spirits, and the Incarnae themselves, they wanted a way to recoup the investment of time and energy placed into the world. So, they created humans."

The man shakes his head, a bitter smile on his face. "You know, of course, the dangers spirits can pose to humans when they are allowed to gain dominion over an area. When humans pray, the spirits receive energy and a general sense of pleasure. The Incarnae built them that way, so they would have reason to seek out sources of prayer. And they built humanity so that we would have reason to pray."

His face twists into a frown. "We were little more than glorified batteries in their eyes, a sustainable resource for their own needs. And they worked to keep it that way - those who are strong enough to stand on their own, after all, are much less likely to pray to a local spirit lord to help them. And when the spirits hold such total power over you and your livelihood, well, you're not likely to disobey their oh-so-simple 'requests'."

A fierce smile. "I decided to change all of that. So far, I think I'm doing a reasonably good job."

[Ifni]

"Is it not true, then, that the Incarnae willingly granted to humans the power of Exaltation?"

Morgan's voice is still distant, and calm. Curious, not accusatory. Her gaze darts over the surroundings but circles back to Gorol, again and again. Seeking truth, beyond his pleasant words.

Morgan is taking Discern Lies actions, augmented by Fugue of Truth (so she's rolling 5 dice for Perception+Socialize + 5 sux from Fugue of Truth), at every opportunity. Difficulty is his (Manip+Socialize)/2.

[roll0] + 5 sux for the first one, feel free to make rolls for me, Maugan.

[Maugan Ra]

"Oh, they gave us Exaltations... But that doesn't absolve them of anything." Gorol says, a slightly bitter tinge to his voice. "The Sidereals were made as glorified assistants, given a small slice of the pie so that they'd handle the drudgery of keeping Creation running when it's Creators didn't want to put the effort in all the time. You've seen how the world forgets they ever existed... that was built into them, so that they wouldn't be tied down by silly mortal things such as love or family."

"As for the Solars, the ones like me... we were weapons. Ignis Divine only created us after the initial stages of the Primordial War, when it became apparent that the Incarnae might actually lose. We didn't get a choice in the matter - he just selected us at his whim, elevated us and then conscripted us into a war against terrifying things we could never have even imagined."

"It was only when I investigated on my own that I discovered his lies. The Primordials are not evil, they were simply alien. They found it difficult to understand us, but I made the effort to bridge the gap none the less."

[industrious]

Vannevar

"Thank you for the clarification. Though my colleagues, I fear, are a tad too focused on the distant past. My own inquiries are focused on more immediate applications."

"If the Incarnae made the first Exaltations, then whence came the deathknights? And on a more personal note...why did you permit yourself to fade as the Sidereals do, and remove yourself from history? You deserve recognition for your accomplishments, Gorol. Even if you allowed your current status to remain unknown, your story, that a brave soul gave mankind freedom from the tyranny of the gods, would serve as an inspiration to us all."

[Maugan Ra]

"The world did know, for a time. But we speak of events millennia past. The details faded from memory, or were altered in the telling over each generation. I simply did not bother to correct it when it happened."

"As for the Deathknights..." he smiles slightly. "Well, after the war was over, we had to find some way to deal with the Exaltations of those who refused to side with us. So we hid them in the Underworld, and sealed that entire realm off from our own. What happened between then and now, and why they are only recently reappearing, is... something of a mystery."

That one, folks can tell, is something of a half-truth.

[Ifni]

"Perhaps I am too focused on the distant past. And yet still curious. Do you know what precipitated the war in the first place, Gorol?"

Half-truth, Morgan says, silent condemnation flowing through the link. Through her trance she feels it as a wrongness in the world, a warp in the pattern.

[Maugan Ra]

"When was the last time a war had a single, easily-definable cause?" Gorol returns, one eyebrow raised. "The Primordials were the first to strike a blow in anger... or as close to anger as they come... but each of them believes they were justified in doing so for a different reason. You'd have to speak with them to find out what those reasons were."

"Still, as fascinating as the events of the distant past doubtlessly are, I do not think they are likely to form the basis of our relationship." he continues, evidently deciding to just cut to the heart of the matter. "You're basing a lot of what you believe around what my old associate taught you, aren't you? It's... he goes by Fisher now, yes?"

[Ifni]

"Give me your word no harm will come to him as a result, and perhaps we may speak of my sifu," Morgan replies. Even through the fugue, her focus seems to sharpen.

[Maugan Ra]

"I'm afraid I can't do that." Gorol says, his calm expression not even flickering for an instant. "Your Sifu is presently receiving a rather uncomfortable lesson in what happens when he tries to circumnavigate my instructions... which is, coincidently, linked to the reason I requested this meeting."

The Infernal shrugs. "So you see, protecting him from any consequences of what you are about to tell me is not really a viable option."

[The_Snark]

Quiet footfalls announce Leah's arrival in the garden. Her uniform is absent today; this is decidedly not official business and she won't mock her oath of service in that way. Her typical off-duty clothes are casual khakis and shirts, the kind of thing you'd wear hiking around the backcountry, but that won't do either. And so today finds Leah in formal wear, white blouse against black skirts, a binder carried under one arm. Not something she's comfortable in, but this meeting isn't supposed to be comfortable. Somehow she manages to make it look severe rather than awkward, a judge in a hanging mood.

"That's exactly the kind of attitude we've been led to expect from you, Mr. Thrice-Blessed." Her tone is mildly rebuking. She carries a binder under one arm, mostly for effect - her memory is good enough to recall everything in it.

Inwardly she's a bit surprised; she'd have guessed that Fisher and Anna were sent on assignment to keep them out of the way. Simple, relatively painless. The naked threat (taunt?) seems uncouth, at odds with how he's presented himself so far. But she doesn't show it. Careful, Morgan. Don't force a confrontation just yet.

"In fact, Fisher doesn't talk about you much. I'd like to start with a different line of questioning, if you don't mind. The deathknight calling himself Fury of the Forsaken had a vendetta against you; a personal grudge, I believe. What can you tell us about that?"

Leah is using Falsehood-Unearthing Attitude, although both she and I are pretty sure it will register him as alien/unreadable. Also Scent-of-Crime Method, because you never know!

[Maugan Ra]

"I have very clear rules in place for members of my organisation. Fisher was caught attempting to sneak some confidential data out of a secure facility, and he knew the consequences when he attempted it." Gorol explains calmly. "Don't worry, he's not going to die. I'm too fond of him for that, and he's proven himself very competent when my wishes and his ethics don't end up conflicting."

Surprisingly, Gorol still reads as a native of Creation - or at least, Leah isn't getting the typical feedback she'd associate from an outsider. He's not feeling remotely guilty about anything right now, though.

"As for the Deathknight, I suspect that's a case of residual memories. There has been some evidence that unless it is properly treated between hosts, a member of the Exalted may end up experiencing some of the memories of their predecessor as though they were his or her own. Current theories suggest a similar thing might occur with the offspring of the Dragon-Blooded, but that's yet to be proven one way or another."

"In any case, no matter how justified I was in my actions, I can easily believe that the Deathknight found himself associating me with strong feelings of pain and betrayal. He might actually have been one of my old comrades in life... I don't know how exactly the Deathknight exaltation process works."

[Ifni]

I'll stay quiet, Leah. If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all... Bitter amusement flows through the link. You should keep talking. It'll likely be better for Fisher, as well as us, if we can persuade Gorol that he's won us over. But right now I don't think I can manage courtesy to a ****ing inhuman monster who's enslaved and tortured my friend and seems proud of it.

The profanity is unusual. Morgan doesn't swear much, even in her thoughts. Nor does she easily hate; she's usually the most forgiving of the Task Force, the one who has to be reminded that sometimes ruthlessness is necessary. But there is a sharp note of hatred in her emotions now, as she looks at the once-man called Thrice-Blessed.

Beginning a Major Intimacy of Loathing toward Gorol.

[Maugan Ra]

Gorol smiles... smirks?... and turns back to face Morgan. His tone is conversational.

"You know, using telepathy to carry on a second conversation right beneath my nose is rather rude." he says softly. "Especially when I can read you so easily anyway. Let me guess... you object to what I've done to Fisher, yes? What would you suggest I do instead? He did try to assassinate me once, so you'll understand if I'm less than entirely willing to extend him any real trust."

[industrious]

Vannevar

"Personally," Vannevar's voice crackles from the tablet's speakers. "and with absolutely no hostility or ill will towards Fisher or Professor Morgan, I would recommend a swift and painless death."

He forges on, refusing to stop speaking over any objections.

"Pragmatically speaking, Gorol, you have an agent whose loyalty is without question-unquestionably against your person. You have bound him to the best of your ability, and yet he continuously attempts to escape his bonds, is constantly testing their limits, and will, at the first sign of weakness, do his utmost to destroy you. Given your nonchalance while describing his rebellion, I can only imagine that he's performed similar actions before; torturing the man has proven similarly ineffective as a punishment and future deterrent as before. You cannot trust him, and you cannot afford to spent overmuch time on him. For obvious reasons, you cannot free him. Let the man die."

"And, Professor, such a death would be nothing less than euthanasia. Fisher has spent millenia of his life-time long enough for history to fade to legend, legend to fade to myth and myth to dissipate entirely-in bondage to a man who he despises. He is a man cut off from his native time, and unable to form new connections. While you value your friendship with him, you must admit that he was forced into becoming your sifu. Your relationship is tainted by his antagonism with Gorol; he did not instruct you completely of his own will."

Bing!

Morgan's cell phone has a picture message on it; a seemingly random series of squiggles and slashes. Some might term it abstract art. It is, of course, a highly dense information packet encoded in a specific pattern.

Don't be offended, it reads. Gorol is an intelligent person. He's thought of everything I've said. But his response to such an assessment will be...interesting.


Flurrying a Manipulation+Presence attack, spending 3m on an Excellency, as well as a Simple action for Craft Icon (2m)

Attack(Manipulation+Presence-intent is to get Gorol to open up between himself and Fisher. Also, to get Gorol to regard him more favorably):[roll0]
Specialty Dice (Inspiring Speeches? Maybe? I should probably swap my Performance and my Presence Specialties...):[roll1]
Excellency: [roll2]
Stunt Dice:[roll3]

Craft Icon(each sux allows for one minutes worth of information, this is less than that): [roll4]

[Maugan Ra]

"Actually, he did." Gorol says, giving no hint as to how persuasive he might have found the suggestion. "Decide to instruct you, I mean. His bonds do not extend to the point of requiring my authorization for his every action or decision. He is simply forbidden from causing me or my associates harm, and from revealing the particulars of any of our operations."

That, you sense, is not entirely accurate.

He grins fiercely. "Frankly, I'd be disappointed in him if he didn't try to oppose me. It would mean that he has given up."

The Infernal relaxes again, slouching backwards, a calculating gleam in his eyes. "But I am not an unreasonable individual. Fisher clearly means quite a lot to you, either as a friend or a potential resource. And judging by your actions, I think some of you at least have a mind towards playing the game for yourselves, rather than as an agent of another party. So... I might be willing to trade."

[Ifni]

Morgan takes her cellphone out at the ping, and glances briefly at the screen before slipping it back into her pocket.

"As far as telepathic commentary goes, Gorol, I could say it to your face if you like, but that seemed rude. And redundant, if you can read me so well."

"So shall we mutually agree to avoid that waste of time? Yes, Fisher matters to me, at least; I can't imagine you were unaware of that fact. As for the rest... we would not have accepted your invitation if we weren't willing to listen. What did you want to propose?"

Her voice still has the oddly emotionless quality of the fugue; truth, truth, truth reverberates in her ears. It's harder to lie, when every falsehood you speak jabs at you. Harder to concentrate even on matters of life and death, when the Essence of the world wafts strange fragrances to your nose, and sings in your ears, and tingles on your tongue, and caresses your skin. But she doesn't regret the spell; it's the only thing letting her parse Gorol's half-truths.

In her thoughts there is an unspoken awareness of that handicap, and a wordless encouragement, I trust you all to speak for me.

Morgan's currently at a penalty on everything that isn't "sensing what is really there". And she's social-tertiary anyway. I posted because there had been a bit of a gap and I wondered if people were waiting for me, but I don't mind at all if people who are better at negotiation want to take the lead here.

[Maugan Ra]

"Nothing objectionable, I promise you." Gorol says with a lazy smile. "I want to send you all on a rescue mission. Someone of great importance to me has been kidnapped by what I believe to be a detachment of spirits, operating far behind the lines of the war, and they are intending to blackmail me into helping them with... well, whatever ridiculous scheme they manage to cook up next."

"So. You recover the hostage from those who took her... preferably in such a way as to discourage any kind of repeat effort... and I release Fisher from bondage. No strings attached. Sound reasonable?"

He seems to be telling the truth here, with complete honesty... at least in the literal sense. You're reasonably sure he's hiding something, or several things, but that is pretty much par for the course with this man.

[industrious]

Vannevar

"It sounds reasonable," the speakers say. "But would you begrudge a man some insurance as to your word? "

[Lix Lorn]

"Knowing why they were taken might be useful too. If your friend is secretly a serial killer who stabs babies for fun, Fisher may have to deal with this himself." she says dryly. She then feels this was a little unfair. "...although you don't seem that bad, so that was uncalled for. My apologies... although the point stands."

[Ifni]

"Even if they were, discouraging hostage-taking as a tactic would still be a reasonable goal," Morgan comments, also rather dryly. You're one to talk, Gorol. "In addition to those questions, Gorol, will you promise that you'll release Fisher alive, sane and unharmed? And if we accept your mission, but die in undertaking it, will your pledge still hold?"

"Also. We haven't seen the Sidereal called Anna in the last couple of weeks, either. I'd understood her relationship with you was more... cordial. Can you comment on her whereabouts?"

She briefly entertains the possibility that Anna is the kidnap-ee, but in that case - well, she'd feel a little sorry for the spirits.

[Maugan Ra]

"I do not know precisely why she was taken. Actually, I suspect that the spirits do not know of her connection to me, which is also why I would rather not attempt the rescue myself. Being associated with me in the eyes of my enemies is a rather unhealthy situation."

He cracks his neck, and considers you all for a long moment, his gaze turning cold and evaluative. "But since you might as well know... her name is Julia Lasky, a mortal archeology student. She is my daughter." he says softly, voice hard. "Rest assured that if you attempt to use that against me, I will kill you all with my bare hands. She has nothing to do with me and my organisation, but I will not tolerate threats to her safety."

His gaze switches to Vannevar's tablet. "Though if you desire... insurance, well, that depends on what precisely you have in mind."

[industrious]

Vannevar

"...Hold on a moment."

A few minutes later, a light flashes on the tablet; the computer has received mail.

"Standard service contract," Vannevar says from his physical location. "We'll rescue your daughter if you release Fisher afterwards. Don't think of it as an obligation. Think of it as a guarantee that Morgan won't betray you, and a gesture of goodwill towards the future."

Strangely, it seems that Vannevar is having an off day. From the looks of things, there are linguistic loopholes large enough to drive an oil tanker through...


First off, Distraction of the Babbling Brook. I'm hiding in the fine print actual definitions, supplementary notices, and legalities to make the contract irontight; it only looks shoddy.

And then Drowning in Negotiation Style, because trust is for the foolish.

Int+Bureaucracy+Specialty+Excellency on the Contract: [roll0]

[Ifni]

Morgan gives the tablet a mildly offended glance: As if I would agree to rescue a kid and then abandon her, Vannevar. But sure, say it for Gorol's sake.

And please tell me you put a specification in there that requires Fisher be released unharmed.

She looks back at Gorol. "I'll accept those terms - but I want to see Fisher before we leave, and I want his... punishment... stopped now. And is there a reason you didn't answer my questions?"

[Maugan Ra]

Gorol barely even looks at the written contract before shaking his head. "No. I don't work like that, either as Gorol or as the head of Special Operations. Deniable assets become rather less useful when they are carrying a signed and magically reinforced contract declaring their association with you. The consequences of betraying me are more terrible than anything you could possibly put into that contract in any case."

He switches his gaze back to Morgan. "Fisher will be alive, and as sane as he ever was. And yes, unharmed. But no, if you should die, he stays bound. I will not give away such an asset for no gain." he shrugs. "Still, if you want to see him, I suppose that can be arranged. Now?"

A pause. "And Anna... you can come out now."

There is a faint shimmer, and then the red-haired Sidereal is perched on top of one of the nearby rocks, dressed in what appear to be grey and black urban camouflage fatigues, the top half left open to reveal the white tank top underneath. She flips a lazy salute in your direction... but her trademark smirk is missing.

[Ifni]

Morgan nods at Gorol's question. "Now, yes, since you're offering."

Her gaze on Anna sharpens for a moment, as she returns the lazy salute, looking past the Sidereal's familiar face to the equally familiar red blaze of her Essence. (Or... well, possibly. Anna is very good at disguising herself. She's learned not to make assumptions.) Does any foreign influence mar the other woman's soul? Anna may not be her sifu, but she's still learned quite a bit from the Chosen of Mars, and her lack of expression is... worrying. "It's good to see you, Anna."

"Gorol, how much do you know about the spirits that took your daughter, and where they went? Where was she kidnapped?"

Using the insta-Essence-sight option on Fugue of Truth for 3m. Mostly wanting to check if Anna's been soul-marked in the same way Fisher was, but in general checking for active Charms or effects.

[roll0] Int+Occult
[roll1] Scientific Method specialty if relevant
[roll2] stunt if relevant.

EDIT: Well, that was a poor roll, but at least all Charms are still Obvious.

[Maugan Ra]

Anna seems unmarked, in body or spirit. She simply watches the meeting with a grim expression, nodding shortly when you greet her. "Likewise, doc."

Gorol smiles thinly. "They took her from a field trip, and they hid in Yu-Shan, at the peak of the mountain. The environment up there makes it difficult to provide detailed information."

[Ifni]

"... Yu-Shan. All right. What information can you give us, about conditions up there? Were others taken as well, or only your daughter?"

She considers for a moment, but in the end refrains from inviting Anna into the mental link. (Although she does regard the other woman closely for a moment, looking for any subtle signal that might indicate I want to talk to you.) Gorol almost certainly has his own Essence-sight active, and she doesn't want to cause problems for the Sidereal; she seems to be unharmed, for the moment. Although the look on her face... might not bode well for Fisher.

[Maugan Ra]

Anna catches Morgan's gaze, and gives the shallowest of nods. Her fingers dance in a subtle pattern for a moment, completely without meaning... unless you happen to be looking at the true nature of things with magical enhancement.

Talk later. Important.

"Anna can brief you on all the details." Gorol says, rising to his feet. "Still, if you want to see Fisher, I can take care of that before I depart."

He raises one hand in a warning gesture. "It may be wise to brace yourselves. The location is... somewhat unsettling, to the inexperienced."

[Ifni]

Determination and unease flows through the link, along with a question. Are the rest of you on board with this? I'd take the chance, for Fisher, and for the kid - not her fault who her dad is - although I wonder if there's more to this story. If they don't know who she is, why would spirits kidnap a random archaeology student?

Out loud she only says, "Are you planning to take us there, Gorol, or just show us? And if the former - " she glances at her colleagues, "- do the rest of you want to come?"

[Maugan Ra]

"I intend to open a gate to where he is being held. It is your choice whether or not to pass through, or simply look."

[Lix Lorn]

"Can't let you go alone." says Brooks cheerfully.

[Edge]

Carl gives Anna a slight nod in reply when she appears, the movement purposefully restrained. He says nothing in response to her, not wanting Gorol to discern his relationship with the Sidereal and stays quiet as the discussion continues further.

"Before we all go jumping through gates to who-knows-where," Carl interjects, his brows furrowed, "I want to know if Mr. Thrice-Blessed here can guarantee our safety on the other side."

[Maugan Ra]

"I cannot guarantee it, but you should be fine, so long as you remain polite. You... well, you'll see why."

With that, Gorol turns and paces away into the centre of the nearby lawn. He raises one hand, sheathed in a bilious green energy, and drags it through the air in a series of carefully precise movements that leave searing contrails behind them. It's clearly sorcery of a kind, but there is something... off, about it, as though the entire spell is based upon unfamiliar principles.

The green glow fades away, leaving a shimmering rune hanging in space that slowly seems to collapse inwards upon itself, distorting the air around it until it at last tears free. Revealed behind the gaping wound is a large, free-standing and ornate doorway, seemingly formed of some kind of volcanic rock. And on the far side of that otherworldly portal...

It is a City, though the word strikes you as hopelessly inadequate. A great, sprawling metropolis of iron and basalt, awash in a pale green light that casts no visible shadow. From your current position, you cannot see more than the slightest fraction of it, and even that is momentarily obscured as Gorol steps calmly through the portal and into the winding street beyond.

Anna takes the opportunity to reposition herself amongst you, in such a way as to hide the motion of her lips from any curious onlookers. "Malfeas, the demon city." she whispers. "Do not be fooled. This is not where the Primordials live. Malfeas is a Primordial. For your own sakes, say nothing that could be taken as an insult."

[Ifni]

Morgan's focus sharpens again as Gorol shapes his magic, honed to a keen edge by her own spell and the years of experience that went into creating it. Something new. Something different. Something, therefore, to try to understand. Unfamiliar principles, yes, but are there points of commonality? Something that could be adapted?

Through the link the others can sense the equations and half-formed visualizations that flash through her mind, a bewildering maze of symbols and diagrams and strings of Old Realm words incomprehensible to anyone without a degree in motic theory. Is it akin to what she did, when she touched the wound in the world those years ago, and stepped through? Akin to what Winter's Mask did? More controlled, though...

The Air Aspect nods absent-mindedly to Anna as she rises to her feet and walks toward the gateway, eyes fixed on the city beyond. (At the expense of paying attention to her immediate surroundings; she has the look of one who could easily walk into a tree or a river while lost in contemplation.)

Using the All-Encompassing Sorcerer's Sight option again, and putting 3m into the Excellency on this one. Then going to see what a Primordial looks like from the inside with Fugue of Truth active :smallwink:

[roll0] assuming applicable Specialty
+[roll1] possible stunt.

[industrious]

Vannevar

"...I'm sure it's lovely. I don't suppose someone could carry the tablet? I think I might be able to get video soon, provided the Demon City has wireless."

A pause.

"...That may or may not have been one of the strangest speculations I've ever uttered."

[Ifni]

"... electricity doesn't always work outside Creation. Near the poles, anyway. But I'll bring the tablet if you don't mind risking it shorting out."

Morgan tears her eyes away from the gateway for long enough to recover the tablet, and then walks back over to Gorol. Or to the gate, rather. She takes a last slow breath of Creation's air and then steps through into the emerald-lit street.

[Maugan Ra]

The doorway brings you out on top of what appears to be a skyscraper made of weathered bronze, every inch of plated metal etched with small angular runes. All around you, the streets of the demon city stretch out towards the horizon, an endless labyrinth of brass and black stone.

There is no sky.

Floating districts the size of continents drift past one another in an endless dance, moving back and forth with an undeniable sense of coordination and leaving no room for mere empty space to break up the unity of the skyline. Long, arcing bridges connect the different plates to one another, bending and flexing in time with the tectonic movements, occasionally snapping when the two anchor points drift far enough apart. Even as you watch, more bridges grow to replace them, a strangely organic process for such an artificial place.

It is inhabited.

You are too far away to make out much detail, but there are undeniably figures moving through the endless streets, strange and varied beings of otherworldly forms that throng in the millions. From here, the movement of the crowds looks like the flow of blood through the artery-streets, or perhaps the basest code that forms the foundation of even the greatest computer.

The city is singing to itself.

You have often heard the more poetical scientists describe the work as 'listening to the music of the spheres'. Here, that phrase takes on an unusually literal meaning. In the distance, great horns roar in sequence, and ten thousand instruments come together in a mad harmony that threaten to render you deaf. It is beautiful, and terrifying, and awe-inspiring all at once, and you know with complete surety that nothing that mortal musicians ever do will even begin to approach this sound.

And to Essence-sight, it is alive.

Essence flows here in great torrents, pouring between the continental plates in tremendous waterfalls and running under the surface of each street like some kind of magical circulatory system. In aspect, it is quite unlike anything you have seen, either in Creation or the Underworld, a sort of pure and caustic variation that seems completely unique to here. And it all revolves around the great emerald star at it's very centre, a green sun that burns with the strength and power to annihilate whole worlds in the blink of an eye. It should be blinding, should be burning out your eyes in the first second of exposure, and yet... it does not.

"They looked upon this place, and would have seen it murdered to appease their god." Gorol says, standing on the very edge of the tower's roof and staring out over the impossible vista before you. "At times, when I might otherwise regret what I had to do, I come here to be reminded of all that could have been lost."

The Thrice-Blessed has... changed, somehow. It is nothing obvious, but you are put in mind of a silhouette, or perhaps a medical diagram. Backlit by the light of the green star, it is increasingly obvious that the pleasantly mortal visage he wore to the meeting is little more than a flimsy disguise. The true Gorol lurks beneath, obscured in detail but still undeniably alien.

Vannevar
The computer seems willing to give you video at last, though based on the feelings you are getting over the mental link, it is not quite an accurate representation of what your teammates are seeing. Such issues are somewhat less important right now, however.

Someone, or something, seems to be attempting to hack it's way into your computer systems. Little alert warnings flash up in sequence as each level of protection is overcome in turn... before suddenly stopping. A small text box appears in the middle of your screen.

"Hello?"

[industrious]

Vannevar

When his laptop switches connections, Vannevar knows that the area is safe. He exits his hiding place with a controlled flow of essence; stretches his limbs in the sunlight. Almost as an afterthought, he slides Even Hand, his shellcaster, back into a shoulder holster.

The Dragon-Blood clicks a box on the laptop: enable video. He lets out a long, soft whistle at the sight before him. And as the something hacks into the laptop's systems, Vannevar offers little defense; he bought the machine yesterday, and hadn't installed any custom programs or useful data.

Hello, there he types back. May I ask who this is?

[Maugan Ra]

Vannevar

"I am... the name is difficult to translate into this linguistic base. Perhaps..."

A small icon pops up on the screen, a symbol from the language of the Old Realm. It generally translates as 'Blade of the Champion', though context often matters rather more than literal meaning when dealing with that language.

"I am of the Star. A... herald, I suppose, or translator. We felt you seek to speak across our sphere, and grew interested. Who are you?"

[Ifni]

"It is amazing," Morgan says quietly. "Why don't more of us know about them, Gorol? If you made meaningful first contact, and brokered a peace, millennia ago... are there regular channels of communication and I just haven't had access? I can name at least ten colleagues off the top of my head who'd give anything to meet truly alien intelligences. Or do you think they'd take poorly to people who aren't you - or part of the Althing, I suppose - trying to communicate?"

She wonders if Gorol is trying to protect one side or the other, given his own changes. And certainly her own first encounter, three years before, would not have gone well for her without Fisher's help. But this is a much more hospitable environment than the void she found then.

She takes a long breath, of the air of another world. "Anyway. Fisher?"

[Maugan Ra]

Gorol turns to look at Morgan, and there are green fires burning faintly behind his eyes. "It is not safe. The Primordials have difficulty understanding mortals at the best of times, and some of their interactions..."

He contemplates for a moment. "To speak or hear the true name of the Principle of Hierarchy is to have ones own sense of identity redefined in context with Her perfect order. It is not a conscious decision, any more than the earth makes a conscious decision to drag you down with gravity, but it makes dealing with them... dangerous. They are fascinated by us, but in their attempts to interact with and study us, they very nearly unmade Creation by accident."

He points at the burning emerald orb that hangs above you in the city-sky. "Still, there are ways around this. That is one part of Ligier, the heart of Malfeas. The other part walks abroad in Creation even now, seeking to understand humanity by living as one of them." A pause, and then an undeniably mischievous smirk. "You've actually met him, so presumably he's not doing too badly as passing himself off as a mortal."

Gorol frowns for a moment. "Actually, on that note... why did you insist that I stop Fisher's punishment? I can understand why you would see him free, but he knowingly broke the rules, and is receiving his just punishment for it. Why do you seek to change that?"

[Ifni]

"... Ligier? Lucien Igier?!" Morgan splutters. "The b-" She glances up at the Green Sun, and swallows the epithet she was about to use. "He never told me! I've known him for nearly twenty years! He was on my thesis committee! And then my tenure committee!" Her voice is indignant, but she can't suppress the delight as well. "When I get back to the Heptagram I will have to talk with the good Director..."

The animation fades from her face at Gorol's question. When she looks back at him her brown eyes are guarded. "I do not think I share your idea of justice." The memory of the brand is at the forefront of her mind, the failsafe; cold fire not just to kill but to kill hideously, painfully. Set me on fire and infect me with fast-acting and terminal leprosy...

"But perhaps I'm wrong. If you can take me to Fisher?"

[Maugan Ra]

Gorol shrugs, and snaps his fingers. For a long moment, nothing happens. Then, in the not-sky above you, a small light flares into existence. It grows larger, and larger... until you realise that no, it's actually coming closer.

There is a discordant clang as the meteorite smashes into the roof of the building. Fisher, his suit smoking and his skin covered in painful burn marks, rolls limply to a halt at Morgan's feet. He blinks up at her with his dark green eyes.

"Well, this is new. He doesn't usually go in for hallucinations..." he says in a drowsy fashion.

[industrious]

Vannevar

Vannevar Green. I am one of the Dragon's Blood.

Play things slowly, cautiously.

Someone you might know brought a machine into your sphere that lets us talk, but I am not really where you are. What is it like?

[Maugan Ra]

Vannevar

Vannevar Green. I am one of the Dragon's Blood.

Play things slowly, cautiously.

Someone you might know brought a machine into your sphere that lets us talk, but I am not really where you are. What is it like?

+You can see it on the screen, yes? Pictures tell a thousand words.+

+But a machine... Aha! You're using the internet! And that would make this a computer, yes? That means cross-sphere communication is possible. Marvelous discovery. Though why you had so many clinging layers around it is...+

+...oh. Those were protective walls, weren't they? I apologise for breaking them. It was not my intent to take offensive action.+

[Ifni]

Morgan sets down the tablet carefully before crouching beside Fisher. She reaches out to help the Sidereal sit up, trying to avoid the burns. "Not a hallucination, Sifu. Gorol wants a favor." Her gaze traces his injuries, lips thinning in anger. The fugue shows her everything, in more detail than she really would have liked. "Let me fix those."

The healing techniques of Wood didn't come naturally to her, but it was worth the trouble. And burns are easier than most. Chilly air, moist with a hint of snow, whispers from her hands to soothe the angry red marks. She sinks the cool web of Essence deeper, to draw out the heat and wash away the detritus of damaged cells. She may not be able to make the burns vanish completely, but she can lessen the pain, and speed their healing.

As she works, she looks up at Gorol. "I've never liked the idea of retributive justice. I don't like seeing people hurt in any case, but especially when there seems to be very little point. This manifestly isn't an effective deterrent, it's not undoing anything that's happened, it's just causing pain for the sake of principle."

"But philosophy aside. You said you wouldn't pay if we failed. Fine. But in that case I want a... downpayment, gesture of good faith, whatever you want to call it. And that is that Fisher's punishment stops now. I don't mind if you want to keep him under close guard in Meruvia until we get back or it becomes clear we've failed, but if you want my help, there'll be no more of... this."

She looks at Fisher a little apologetically. "Sorry, Sifu, for talking past you. You came in part-way through an ongoing conversation. How are you managing?"

Using Wound-Closing Touch to try to fix up the burns. Let me know how many motes I should spend? (if they were already bashing, never mind, I'll just try to cool them down with Morgan's air/snow Essence and it'll be flavor :smallwink:)

[Maugan Ra]

It's only two levels of damage, made worse by other charms. Easy enough to heal, though.

"Oh, you know me." Fisher says lightly, though one hand closes around Morgan's arm in simultaneous reassurance and warning. "I'm a stubborn fellow. Not going to let something as deep radiation burns slow me down."

Nearby, Gorol snorts and rolls his eyes. "And don't I know it. Anyone else in the world would have learned their lesson by now, but you..."

Fisher looks to be on the edge of a sarcastic retort, before his eyes widen and his gaze snaps back around to Morgan. "Wait, favour? No, don't tell me he's gotten to you as well..."

"Oh stop being so dramatic. It's nothing dire. I even think your prehistoric sense of morality would approve. Still, I'm afraid I am going to have to insist the details remain confidential."

There is only the slightest threat in Gorol's words and gaze, but here, in this otherworldly place, the effect is somehow magnified.

[Ifni]

Morgan sighs. "Yes, Gorol, I know. Note my careful and discreet phrasing?" She looks back at Fisher and her eyes soften; she briefly rests a hand on his arm. "It really is fine. Like stopping Fury of the Forsaken - it might be dangerous, but that Gorol's giving the orders doesn't make it unethical." A wry glance up at Gorol. "No offense intended."

She stands up, offering a hand to Fisher, and regards the Infernal steadily. "I'll keep this confidential, as you require. Will you agree to my condition?"

[Lix Lorn]

Brooks is... uncomfortable.
Perhaps it's odd, that the queen of another realm feels so lost when she steps into another world.

Or perhaps she just has two homes, and has stepped away from both of them in one action.

The woman can't quite contain the slightest shudder of discomfort.

[Maugan Ra]

"By all means. He will remained unharmed until you return, or until I determine that you are all dead, whichever comes first." Gorol says easily. Now then, the portal will remain open for another few minutes, so you should probably be departing. I will remain here... as will Fisher."

The Sidereal sighs, and turns to embrace Morgan in a brief hug. "Always with the heroics. Try to avoid doing anything incredibly foolish for the moment, hmm?"

As he says that, there is a slight movement of one hand, and then a piece of paper is slid easily into one of your pockets.

[Ifni]

Morgan hesitates for a moment, considering his not-fully-healed wounds, and then hugs Fisher back tightly. "I'll have to, won't I, since you won't be there to pull me back to Creation this time?" She smiles slightly. "Don't worry. I have a couple of pretty good incentives to survive this one. You take care as well, Sifu."

Reluctantly releasing the hug after a moment, she smooths her green silk jacket, picks up the tablet and walks back toward the portal. Seen everything you needed, Vannevar?

[The_Snark]

Leah follows Brooks through the portal, but stays next to it rather than joining Morgan and Gorol by the edge. Years of working with the Taskforce have given her some experience controlling what seeps through the mental link; now she uses all of it to close herself off. She wishes the others would do the same. Bad enough seeing all this crazy **** through one set of eyes. Morgan's perceptions are especially bad, filtered through the unnatural dreamlike clarity of her spell.

It isn't just the sensory overload. It's standing on the surface of another world. A world that's - that's - alien is the only word she can think of, and that's not nearly enough to encompass the vastness, the strangeness. It's not the first time in the past few years that Leah's felt out of her depth, dealing with ghosts and gods and psychopaths from the dawn of time. Beneath the jade implants and Terrestrial genboosts, she's a small-town cop from the Green Belt. All of this makes her feel... well, small.

And damn, she hates that.

Much easier to concentrate on the mission to come. She has misgivings about making any kind of deal with Gorol, but frankly the task seems like something she'd do anyway, if the girl really is in the dark about her father's... business.

[Maugan Ra]

"Indeed. I don't know how exactly you intend to survive without the wisdom of my enlightened guidance, but I'm sure we'll both manage."

He stands there, watching you, as the portal slowly closes and separates you all once again. The last sight you have of Malfeas is Gorol's hand coming down on Fisher's shoulder, the ancient Infernal smiling thinly.

After a long moment, Anna speaks. "Hate that place. Absolutely hate it. Nothing works right there." she shudders, and the turns around to properly regard you all once more. "So, is there a plan? Please tell me there's a plan."

[Ifni]

Morgan hesitates on the threshold, and then reaches into her pocket, pulling out a black coin engraved with arcane sigils. It glitters oddly in the coruscating light of the green sun. "Fisher. Catch." She tosses it to the Sidereal, a low slow underarm throw. "I'll keep an eye out for you."

Gorol can likely use the arcane link of the coin against her, but... honestly, OMI already has about a hundred samples of her blood. And she wants him to know Fisher has it. Not any kind of threat - unless he breaks their bargain.

She watches the Chosen of Secrets in return, until the portal has fully closed, and then turns to Anna.

"You have a briefing for us, right? Do you want me to link you in, or stick to verbal communication?"

I'm assuming everything Gorol said toward the end there registered as truth to Morgan. Let me know if that's not the case.

I'm also assuming Morgan can have a precast Coin of Distant Vision, since you can only have one and they last forever. So tossing that over to Fisher, so she can check in on him and make sure he's okay. Which is also handing Gorol an arcane link to her, if she breaks her end of the bargain.

[Maugan Ra]

"Verbal's good. I hate that mental stuff. Anyway, briefing... about what, exactly? Yu-Shan?" Anna snorts, a humourless smile on her face. "It's the old spirit capital, at the peak of Mount Meru. Almost completely isolated by warding effects, and wrapped in a constant blanket of essence storms. The biggest fights of the War took place there, when Gorol turned on everyone, and the place was pretty much wrecked in the process."

It is at this point that the laptop in Vannevar's hands shivers and makes an odd sort of choking noise. A moment later, and the lights on the screen flare into greater life, somehow projecting the words displayed there into a holographic form in the air between you.

+Did that work? Honestly, these computer things are so incredibly one-dimensional... The voice recognition system should be working now, though. Hello?+

[Ifni]

"Do we know anything about who took Julia, beyond 'spirits'? Was anyone else taken? If not, are there surviving witnesses to the kidnapping? I have a tracking spell I could attempt, and Leah should be able to protect us from any natural environmental dangers up there, but -"

Morgan gets that far before Vannevar's laptop starts talking. She falls silent, regarding the machine with the focused hawklike intensity of the fugue. She'd almost been able to ignore the heightened sensations, in her worry for Fisher, but this new development plunges her back into the trance.

"Hello," she says absently, walking forward to pass a hand through the holographic form. "Vannevar, introductions?"

[industrious]

Vannevar

"Apologies. Everyone, this is Blade of the Champion, who is apparently an interpreter of sorts, and, I believe, akin to Malfeas. Incidentally, Blade of the Champion, there's no problem for what happened. In fact, what you did was absolutely fascinating; I hope we can discuss your accomplishments later."

"And...hello Anna. I do believe this is the first time we've met, unless you were the one responsible for tutoring me in my martial arts style? I seem to have very distinctly indistinct memories of that period..."

[Maugan Ra]

"Air Dragon, right? Not me. I know it, but I don't believe I taught it to you specifically." Anna says in a somewhat distracted fashion, watching as the various projected letter shift and respond to the unknown commands, forming new messages in turn.

+Not 'akin' to. Part of. Sub-soul of a sub-soul. Metaphysics too complicated to explain easily, but short hand...+

+'Primordial' is the designation for overall gestalt. Like Malfeas the Demon City, or Adorjan the Silent Wind. Each has large, very complex minds. But they can splinter their consciousness, break themselves down to look at things from a different scale before putting themselves back together. These primary fragments are the Third Circle souls... Ligier shin Malfeas being an excellent example.+

+Each third circle also possesses a complex mind, but always in seven parts. Warden, Indulgent, Defining, Messenger, Expressive, Reflective and Wisdom. Parts of their psychology, expressed as individuals. I am Blade... no, word 'Gervesin' better fit. Gervesin shin Ligier shin Malfeas. Pleased to meet you.+

+Also, this 'Internet' is fascinating. Do you know where I can find it's defining soul?+

[industrious]

Vannevar

"Not you?" Vannevar muses. "How many pet Sidereals does Gorol have?"

[Maugan Ra]

"Call me a pet again, Mister Green, and I will break you into pieces." Anna says in a serious tone. "And not every instance of failed memory or elaborate disguise can be put down to the involvement of a Sidereal."

[industrious]

Vannevar

"I'm sorry...if my remark offended you, Anna."

He smiles levelly at her.

"But Let us not delude ourselves here. Or do you believe that Gorol wouldn't do to you what we just saw with your colleague if you ever step out of line? You aren't the one being tortured right now. That doesn't stop you from being a pet."

A pause. Mocking self-reflection. That smile turns into a grin, lips curling upwards to reveal gleaming teeth.

"That just makes you well behaved."

This entire time, Vannevar's hands have been in his pockets; he takes them out, spreads his arms wide with open palms.

"So go right ahead. Break me. Take your frustrations out on me; I won't raise a finger to stop you. But I'm not the reason why you're in this position. And I believe Gorol wants you to brief us. How do we get to Yu-Shan?"

He glances aside to Gervesin, bows his head in mild apology.

"Sorry, Gervesin. Sometimes, I fear, people just need to know their place."

[Maugan Ra]

Anna raises one eyebrow, her red eyes level and unamused. "You know what? No. I have a better idea."

She makes a complicated little motion, and a vibrant green spider appears, sitting on one of her hands. She raises it to her lips and mutters something to it, silently, before it vanishes in a puff of essence. Then she looks back at Vannevar.

"Funny thing about Sidereals. We are very, very good at working indirectly. So let me explain what your little piece of showboating just cost you."

"Twenty four hours from now, you won't have a single penny to your name. Every last investment and savings account that you possess is about to crash and burn. Even Hand Investments is going to fold, and a good twenty percent of it's senior board are about to be charged with a variety of rather scandalous crimes. You yourself will be getting a visit from some rather angry federal agents after they discover the ties that you, personally, have to child prostitution rings throughout Meruvia."

Her voice remains perfectly flat and level, save perhaps for the slightest hint of cold satisfaction. "Your file and clearance with OMI has been deleted, and everything from your passport to your driver's license has just been revoked. You officially no longer exist, and according to the official records, never have. I even expect to see your house foreclosed on inside of a week."

"Unless, of course, you'd like to apologise for your comment. Now. On your knees, in the dirt." She smiles, just slightly. "After all, sometimes, people just need to know their place."

[Ifni]

Morgan has been talking to Gervesin throughout this, tone quietly enthusiastic, every sense tuned to the study of the alien entity.

"Hello, Gervesin. I'm Morgan Uqalik. Pleased to meet you. As for the soul of the Internet... we don't think it has one. I suppose you could consider it an emergent gestalt entity - there are certainly structures and patterns that hold on larger scales than individual users - but individual consciousness is seated only in the humans who contribute to it and communicate through it."

"... please do let us know if you have reason to think otherwise. And please do not try to force it to develop its own soul, or anything like that. Doing so without permission of its conscious user-constituents would be impolite."

"I suppose you could talk to one of the people who invented it, or the people responsible for creating or running significant parts of it? If you would like, I could try to set that up. Although Gorol seems to want to keep the existence of your sphere secret, and not all of those people might be in on it. But I am told your progenitor Ligier walks in this world, and if it's who I think it is, I know him quite well - he could probably make the necessary introductions..."

Her voice trails off as she finally registers what's going on with Vannevar and Anna. She opens and shuts her mouth a few times. Exasperation and a hint of real distress streams over the link.

Vannevar, explain why you felt that this was a good time to prod at one of our allies about a long-lasting compromise situation that they're not really in a position to change? If you're trying to work on subverting her loyalty to Gorol, I don't think she is loyal to Gorol, particularly...

Out loud she says, "Vannevar, Fisher is bound to Gorol with loyalty-compulsions and a killswitch if he rebels. Anna's situation is somewhat different; she is not under those controls. For your information. And both of you... is this really the right time for dominance posturing?"

[Maugan Ra]

+Really? Interesting. So it is a communication network and storage method. It's beautiful.+

Gervesin falls... well, not silent as such, but the text stops changing. Anna, for her part, just shrugs.

"No one speaks to me like that without consequence. Not even the Thrice-Blessed." she says in a tone as unyielding as iron.

[industrious]

Vannevar

It isn't about loyalty. It's about resentment. If Anna is ever to defect from Gorol's side...she's very prideful. She is going to need to realize the nature of her position, how thin her illusion of safety is.

Anger, and fury ripples throughout the bond, and cold certainty.

If she accomplishes what she just threatened, I will kill her. Nobody takes what is mine away from me.

"Really? I've found that an honest evaluation, or even overly harsh criticism, does wonders for restraining one's sense of ego. It allows one to reevaluate and reflect on one's deficiencies, improve onesself through opposition."

"And I don't suppose you realize exactly what you've done? You do know that Even Hand is a highly leveraged investment fund, correct? That it owns and is owned by other firms which own and are owned by other firms, and that it manages money for an ever increasing number of other companies? As Even Hand falls, those others will fall too, creating a chain reaction of devastating financial proportions. Congratulations, Anna. You just sent the Meruvian economy into another recession, caused billions of yuans worth of financial havoc. Careers, livelihoods, savings...all gone, because your ego couldn't take the words of another."

Vannevar claps, once, twice. Straightens his tie, and checks the cuffs of his custom suit.

"Now, I believe we have a mission to attend to. There is an innocent young woman caught in the crossfire. Shall we save her sonner, rather than later?"

[Ifni]

There is a noticeable teeth-grinding noise coming from Morgan's direction. She realizes it after a moment, and stops.

"... did you two never learn that deliberately antagonizing someone you want to work with is unwise? Or that when you ask for an apology from someone - or comment on someone's situation - you severely reduce your chances of accomplishing anything if you insist on gloating about it?"

She takes a long breath. "I thought you were both more sensible than this."

"Look, stand on your pride and keep trying to tear each other down if you want. Vannevar, I'll note that I watched Anna destroy a parking garage with a single punch, and as it fell every single piece of debris managed to miss the crowds of people in the street below, so I wouldn't bet against her ability to control the consequences of her actions. Anna, I'll note that Vannevar is part of the Task Force for a reason, and you know perfectly well what we're capable of."

"But I want to work with both of you. I respect both of you. I think you would both like to see Fisher free, and this student safe. So as an alternative, might I propose that Vannevar apologizes, Anna accepts it, we all acknowledge that nobody here thinks anyone else's place is as their inferior, and we get on with the mission at hand?"

Morgan's voice is quiet, soft as a breeze. (Louder would hurt her fugue-enhanced ears.) But cutting, as well, as the damp chilly northern winds of early spring.

[Maugan Ra]

Anna turns her scarlet eyes on Morgan, and in that moment, she looks almost as inhuman as Gorol did. "A major corporation is harder to demolish safely than a parking garage. I will have help from the other Shieldbearers in limiting the fallout, but Mr Green is right about some of the likely consequences. His only error is assuming that I care."

She shrugs. "As for Fisher... Fisher will never be free. The Thrice-Blessed has never given up that which he considers his. The bonds that bind them go far beyond a simple charm and some formal authority by now. Fisher has no life, no family, no personal commitments any more. He has only his vendetta, and while Gorol lives, he will not relinquish it."

[Ifni]

"Perhaps with the obvious controls broken Fisher might be able to rebuild more of a life. And I wouldn't say he cares for nothing but revenge against Gorol, even now, judging by his past actions." Morgan shrugs. "Maybe you're right, Anna, but I'd still like to try. I owe Fisher a lot."

She studies the Sidereal carefully. What drives her? Wounded pride, perhaps, but even before Vannevar's comments she was tense, without her usual amused cynicism.

More quietly she adds, "You said earlier you wanted to talk later, that it was important. Is there something else going on we don't know about?" One corner of her mouth lifts in a faint smile. "I mean, apart from the usual array of Sidereal mysteries."

She has no intention of dropping the topic of the apology, but if she can work out why Anna is so on edge...

Read Motivation action on Anna. (Remember that despite the name, the baseline effect here is just to pick up their dominant emotions in the context of the scene.) If I double the difficulty (which is her Manip+Socialize/2), I can start checking her Intimacies.

[roll0] Perception+Socialize + 5 sux from the spell.
EDIT: 7 sux.

[industrious]

Vannevar

"Anna," he says through clenched teeth. "I apologize for my comments towards you. I may have...issues with being thought of as inferior, and I may have lashed out. Please accept my apology."

"...Now, would you kindly remove whatever trick you put on me?"

[Ifni]

"Thank you, Vannevar," Morgan says quietly. "Anna - meet him halfway? Please? You may not care about the consequences, but I do, and I... hoped I'd earned your respect, at least a little."

Hoping that Morgan's positive Major Intimacy to Anna is at least reciprocated at the level of a Minor Intimacy, so she has some kind of handle here.

Lemme know if you want me to roll a social attack.

Morgan is entirely happy to plead with her friends to give them an excuse to be reasonable :smalltongue:

[Edge]

Carl follows the others through the gate and into the Demon City. Going through the portal and seeing the vast space spread out in front of the Task Force is dizzying, bewildering, but Carl is used to disorientation in more stressful situations than this. He shakes his head and gets a hold of him self, and begins passing a critical eye over the city, scouring it for strengths and weaknesses, anything he should be aware of or able to exploit if this world should ever become a threat to Meruvia.

Malfeas defies his examination. Carl's attempt to guess purpose or reason behind particular structures is an uphill struggle against the fact that none of them were built for any reason, they have simply grown. It is as he attempts to determine the function of a particularly unpleasantly organic-looking building that he finally gives up, just as Morgan returns from her examination of Fisher. Concern flickers across both the Earth Aspect's face and the psychic link, but it is brief and Carl soon returns to his default blank expression.

Once the Task Force has returned to Meruvian soil, Carl lets out a breath he didn't realise he was holding in. And then the exchange between Anna and Vannevar occurs. Carl sighs in frustation.

"Really? Really, guys? We haven't even started the mission yet and we're already setting up another potential front?" the Earth Aspect groans, his face directing a glare at Vannevar. His expression then turns to one of disappointment as he turns to Anna. "As for you, sifu... I thought you were more professional than this."

If this scene continues this way, I might have it count as a scene spent eroding Carl's positive Intimacy toward Anna. He is really not impressed with what's she just pulled, given the effect it'll have on Meruvia.

[Maugan Ra]

Anna's motivations:
Right now, you can tell that Anna is generally acting out of fear. She has a Defining Intimacy towards her own Freedom, and Vannevar's comments pretty much hit that on the head, driving her towards proving that she still had some degree of personal agency.

The Sidereal clicks her jaw, contemplating, then nods. "Fine. Truth be told, I don't actually have to do anything to stop it. I set up things like that on a two-trigger system... if I don't send another signal inside of twelve hours, nothing happens." she admits after a moment. "It stops me from doing stuff like that on a whim."

She stretches, clicking a number of other bones, before slouching back into her more typically relaxed posture. "So. Yu-Shan. I don't recommend trying to fly or walk there - the essence storms are a natural hazard, but the place has it's own active defenses, and I don't know how many of them are still functional. They could fend off Primordial attacks in their day, though, so it's probably not a good idea to risk it."

"Instead, I'd recommend taking one of the Heavenly Gates. They are how the Gods and Exalts moved back and forth between the various fronts of the war with sufficient speed, and while I know a few of them were broken, most are still intact."

[The_Snark]

Whatever kinship Leah felt with Anna over their shared reaction to the Demon City evaporates. Not that Green isn't being a slimy ass by poking at her, but ruining someone's life - not to mention fraud and falsifying evidence on a massive scale - is not an acceptable response. And tempting as it is to call one or both out on it, that's likely to just make things worse...

"Where's the nearest?" she asks, more than glad to move back to business. "And do we know which way the spirits took to get in? If we can cross their trail I might be able to track it; I'm not sure how well I can find them otherwise." She's always had a knack for finding things, but who knows whether Yu-Shan will be open to her senses? The Underworld remains obstinately enigmatic, closed and dead to her intuitive Charms, and she's pretty sure the Demon City would be worse.

[Ifni]

"Thanks, Anna," Morgan murmurs. She falls silent, waiting for answers to Leah's questions - and remembering, takes the slip of paper from her jacket, and unfolds it.

[Maugan Ra]

Fisher's Note
I was caught trying to smuggle out information on the Dragon-Blooded project. Gorol has likely wiped my memories of it by now, but I made copies, and sent them to a dead drop. Box 194, Central Post Office, Crane Bay.

It's complicated, and I won't retain the details after he's done with me, but... The Terrestrial program requires the treatments to begin in the womb.

Anna shrugs. "I have no idea how the spirits got in or out. We're not on speaking terms, and I don't know a great deal more about this particular band than the average man on the street."

"The nearest gate is easier. It's wherever I want it to be. Most gates are stationary, but one can move from place to place... and it can be summoned with a ritual. I'll need a couple of hours to set it up, though."

[industrious]

Vannevar

"Then we'll leave you alone while you prepare. In the meantime...the retreat has a very well-maintained golf course, and there are spare club sets. Anyone willing to play a round?"

[Maugan Ra]

Vannevar

"Then we'll leave you alone while you prepare. In the meantime...the retreat has a very well-maintained golf course, and there are spare club sets. Anyone willing to play a round?"

"Right. You'll be wanting to be armed, mind. Yu-Shan can be a dangerous place."

+Would I be allowed to participate?+ Gervesin's letters suddenly flash back into life. +I am unfamiliar with the rules, and it would require me to manifest a physical form, but it sounds interesting.+

[industrious]

Vannevar

"Of course you may. I was not aware that you could manifest physically. Please, by all means."

[Maugan Ra]

+I have not attempted it before. But it's always good to experiment.+

There is an odd sort of greasy crackling noise, and the laptop collapses into pieces. A moment later, those pieces burst into vivid green flames, which rise up to form a blazing pyre before receding just as rapidly.

Standing where the computer once was is a large - close to eight foot tall - human male of apparently Eastern descent. His skin is perfectly bronzed, and the muscular physique is the very picture of physical health. His eyes are an unusual golden colour, and when he speaks, his voice is surprisingly deep and powerful.

He is also completely naked.

"So. How did I do? Honest feedback is very important."

[industrious]

Vannevar

"Very well for a first attempt," Vannevar says, carefully keeping his eyes at the...spirit's? face. "But perhaps twenty-five percent smaller; we don't have any clubs sized for someone of that height. And clothing is always preferable for humanoid forms in public."

[Maugan Ra]

"Hmm. Not sure if I can change the size. Experiments will be required. And... oh yes, clothing."

Gervesin tilts his head down, moving his limbs experimentally so as to properly study his new form. "I... have no idea how to make that. Hmm."

[Ifni]

"... if you can't change the size, clothing may also be challenging. But there should be bathrobes in the rooms at the retreat, at least, even if they only come down to your knees - why don't I go check..."

Morgan makes a hasty retreat toward the main building. She manages to suppress the laughter until after she gets inside. Gervesin is a welcome distraction from Fisher's note, at the least. She heads upstairs to the guest rooms; a mote of electric Essence tickles the keycard lock on the first one, and the small light beside it flashes green. Now, if this place is as luxurious as she thinks it is, there should be a closet for bathrobes and slippers close to the shower...

While she searches, she asks more seriously through the link, Should one of us check out this dead drop of Fisher's before we go? Or send someone to do it?

[industrious]

Vannevar

My assistant can take care of the dead drop. Her loyalty is without question.

It was said that you couldn't buy loyalty. A six figure salary, good treatment and benefits, and several judicious applications of mutually agreed upon, Essence-enhanced contracts told an entirely different story.

[Ifni]

All right. Make sure she knows to be careful. Someone might be watching, if Fisher didn't manage to keep it secret under interrogation.

Reluctantly, Morgan adds, So... does what the note said line up for the rest of you? I was an IVF baby...

Do my parents know?

Fisher could be mistaken, of course. But she doesn't think he'd lie to her about something like this.

A few minutes later Morgan emerges from the building clutching a large white terrycloth robe. "Try this, Gervesin. It should be loose enough that you can at least put it on, and long enough to cover the, er, most critical bits, while you figure it out. If you're part of Lucien - Ligier - I'm confident in your ability to jury-rig something."

"I have a bit of experience at weaving and sewing if it'd help... or Vannevar, you must know places to get custom-made suits at short notice, right? For the prices you pay I'd think they'd be able to accommodate an eight-foot-tall man with the physique of a Fellaran statue..."

[industrious]

Vannevar

Eminently possible. My mother was...public health clinics were involved during her pregnancy.

"I fly to Calin for my garments, usually. But there are a few local custom tailors who I could call on short notice. And given your status, Gervesin, I'm sure charging OMI would not be amiss."

Another encoded sigil message, to his secretary. The location of the dead drop. An emphasis on discretion. A request to take some of that vacation time she's been building up.

[The_Snark]

Possible, Leah says briefly through the link. She too has gone inside, to retrieve her weapon and change into combat-ready clothes and okay, yes, because there's a tall naked man out in the garden. An alien, maybe, but nonetheless male. Extremely so. This is Not Proper. Gervesin isn't bad-looking, but that really doesn't help...

[Edge]

Carl glances up at Gervesin's form and arches an eyebrow.

"Say, you ever considered a military career, buddy?"

Well, I don't know about pre-birth genetics stuff, but I do know I never went through the whole Dragon-Blooded procedure. I went elemental on the battlefield, spontaneously. Suits made me keep quiet about it, though.

[Maugan Ra]

"Ah, my thanks." Gervesin says smoothly, pulling on the robe. It's a bit small on him, but it does at least solve the immediate problem. "And I do not know of any nations that might employ a Second Circle demon. My military experience is... somewhat outdated now."

He scratches his head for a moment in contemplation. "I have been to Yu-Shan, but I suspect the layout may have changed somewhat since those days."

[Ifni]

You can come out, Leah, I found him a bathrobe.

"If you would like to accompany us, I wouldn't personally have any objection. But nor would I wish you to come to harm, Gervesin, when communication between our sphere and yours is still quite rare." Morgan's fallen back into the formal cadences of Old Realm that she uses when discussing sorcery; she notices, and grimaces faintly. "In the next two hours I'm sure we could find someone who'd be delighted to chat with you about the Internet, as well as some clothing - I suppose what I'm saying is that you shouldn't feel obliged to stick with us."

"I don't think I have much preparation to do. I guess someone should pick up food and water and survival supplies, in case we're there for a while - that can be me."

The Air Aspect glances inquiringly at Anna. "Anna, how large is this gateway going to be?"

[Maugan Ra]

Anna is currently sitting cross-legged nearby, scratching a series of small runes on the ground in front of her, and occasionally muttering what sounds like highly advanced mathematical formulas.

"About yay big." she says in an offhand fashion, waving one arm in a rather large arc.

Gervesin inclines his head to Morgan. "I have little fear for my own life in this situation. At worst, the physical body will be destroyed, and I will return to Malfeas... save, of course, for the intervention of certain particularly specialized techniques on our enemy's behalf."

[Lix Lorn]

Brooks, astounded by the sudden scuffle between Anna and Vannevar, is then shocked further by the appearance of a completely naked demon.

Having come into quite some social standing, she tries very, very hard not to stare.
Being her, she fails.

Fisher's note, and the revelation it brings, is a half-welcome problem to grapple with.
"Hm. That could explain a lot, actually... well, just the one thing, but it's a very large explanation. A large throb-" her mind wanders and she clamps down on it, carefully and noticeably looking away from everybody else in the room.

[Ifni]

... Brooks, what are you thinking? Never mind, on reflection I think I know and wish I didn't.

"Hmm. Yay big probably isn't large enough to fly a Dragon through, at a guess?"

"And... if you're sure, Gervesin. Well. Brooks, feel like flying us into town to pick up some supplies and perhaps try to procure some clothing or armor for Gervesin, while the boys play golf?"

What does it mean, if Fisher's right? That we were... made, from before birth, to be weapons for the Althing?

There is something still and cold in that thought.

Vannevar, I think I'd like to pick up those materials from your assistant sooner rather than later.

I don't thiiink I have much preparation to do, so at least from Morgan's perspective would be okay to fast-forward, but should get around to finishing my sheet at some point.

[Maugan Ra]

"Actually, it probably is." Anna says in a considering fashion. "Bit of a tight squeeze, but Brooks is a good enough pilot to handle it."

Alright, time-skip seems reasonable. Post what preparations you're intending to take before making the trip to Yu-Shan. In particular, which artifacts etc you're taking, and any other preparations you'd like to make.

And now, the data-drop.

Vannevar's assistant is evidently capable enough, and by the time everyone has reconvened at the site you have in your possession what appears to be a pair of small memory cards and a few pages of hand-written notes.

The first memory card contains a number of medical texts, revolving around the more intricate and technical details of the Dragon-Blood program. Except... they don't speak of elemental infusions or chemical treatments. They speak of genetic manipulation, of soul-splicing and artificial Exaltation. None of you are biologists, but the procedures detailed inside seem feasible enough for what you know of Dragonblooded physiology, and they do indeed seem to require the treatments to begin pre-birth.

The second memory card holds the details of the development of those treatments. The tone is clinical and detached, but there is no disguising the ruthless nature of the tests, or the horrifying results many of them had. File after file speak of 'uncontrolled eruptions' and 'unexpected degradation', as the bodies of the test subjects fail under the strain of withstanding the elemental powers grafted to their soul. More than once, there is reference to 'The captive Dragons', who appear to be involuntary contributors of some kind to the project.

The pieces of paper seem to be extracts from a diary, evidently belonging to a project manager. It concerns itself with plans for the distribution of the successful catalysts, through charitable clinics and corporate medical teams. Mention is made of 'smokescreen' projects, efforts made to disguise the common root behind all of the various 'independent' Terrestrial programs in different countries. The tone is both contemptuous and gloating, save for where a few rough sums are jotted down in the margins, calculating just how many 'unfortunate failures' would be required to disguise the extensive preparatory work that went into each expected Dragon-Blooded Exaltation. There, it just becomes annoyed.

[industrious]

Vannevar

"...As fascinating reading as this is," Vannevar says slowly, each word carefully measured. "I don't believe this changes much. While it does indicate the extent of the Althing's influence, it is not adequate proof of their existence to the public. And whether we were...selected before birth or not, the Althing is not capable of controlling the course of our lives."

[Ifni]

"Yet we're all here, aren't we?" Morgan says aloud, once they're together again with the notes laid out before them and the files open on Vannevar's laptop. "You say they can't control the course of our lives, but - except for Carl, I guess - we all went into the program for which they'd designed us. They got what they paid for."

The Air Aspect shakes her head slightly. "I don't know how much it changes either, in that regard. I certainly don't regret my Exaltation. But if this is an ongoing program, if they're still doing this to people -" She pulls up one of the files, a particularly gruesome description of one of the later failures. They'd had the basics down by then, and had been working on refinements, but that hadn't made the consequences any less hideous, only more complicated. "It doesn't sound like most of the people - or beings - involved were volunteers."

"And you realize what this means, about the... 'unfortunate failures', right? What was the fatality rate in your training course? Those people were murdered."

[Maugan Ra]

Gervesin, now dressed somewhat appropriately, balances the golf club on his shoulder and peers over at you. "Is that a problem?" he asks in a tone of honest curiousity. "It seems a strange thing to be concerned about. The weak live and die at the whim of the strong. That is the natural order of things. And through their deaths, you are made stronger. Where is the problem?"

[Ifni]

"The weak live and die at the whim of the strong? Is that something Gorol taught you, or learned from you?"

Alien. Remember.

"Our sphere is... different, in that regard. Or at least we try to make it so. We go beyond nature in plenty of other ways, after all."

[Maugan Ra]

"It is the way of Malfeas, an indivisible part of His nature." Gervesin says easily. "Your ways seem strange to me, but that is hardly new. Though the Endless Desert believes as He does, the Principle of Hierarchy gives priority to those placed higher in Her perfect order. The Silent Wind teaches that care and attachment in general invites death and pain. And the Shadow of All Things..."

The demon makes a face. "The Shadow of All Things hates and hurts just about everything, including itself. We do not like to associate with it more than absolutely necessary."

[Ifni]

"Are the others also their own spheres? Civilizations unto themselves?" The Air Aspect looks up at Gervesin curiously. "And the... people, in the streets of the City. Are they part of Malfeas' soul-structure as well, as you are?"

It's easy to distract herself, by talking to Gervesin - but it is fascinating. Whole new alien worlds...

[Maugan Ra]

"Yes, to both. The body of the overall gestalt is called a jouten, and not all are so... material... but they are each a mind of thousands. When first we encountered your... Creation, we thought it a... long-lost cousin? It was quite a surprise to discover otherwise."

"And the ones walking the streets would be the First Circle. They are species, while the Second and Third Circles are unique individuals. You have... cells, is that the term? Blood and bone and skin, many individual sub-units coming together to make a whole. Those are the First Circle. "

[Ifni]

"But they are sentient? Or does it vary? Do they have individual consciousness, or are they only aware as part of the gestalt?"

Morgan is reading through the hand-written notes more carefully as she speaks, paying particular attention to the corporate medical teams mentioned. If they used the Magadon clinic... might Sam know something?

"You understand... in our cities, if you go there, everyone walking the streets is a unique individual."

[Maugan Ra]

Unfortunately, the notes don't seem to mention any individual doctors or teams by name. There is only reference to 'Team A' or 'Doctor S'. However, there are a few notes that suggest Magadon (or someone inside it) is vaguely connected - apparently the corporation was refusing to cooperate with certain aspects of the project, which frustrated the anonymous author considerably. It is possible that the Magadon records would reveal more, if you could acquire them for cross-referencing.

"Incorrect." Gervesin says, raising one finger. "More species walk the streets of your city than humans, and not all are sentient. The birds, the rodents, the pet canines... but you don't consider them people, and so you overlook them. And while each is an individual lifeform, you would rarely think of them in such terms."

He shrugs, which causes his muscles to ripple visibly under his shirt. "Still, it varies. I could introduce you to some, if you would like. There is a Sorcerous spell... or at least, a method that should be reproducible via your own unusual methods... that calls them between the worlds. Would you like to experiment?"

[Ifni]

"Hmm. Fair point. Although the birds, the dogs and so on - people would be upset if they were harmed at the whim of those stronger. Especially the pets. Not so much the rats and insects, admittedly - we do have our own hierarchies of value. But human life is always considered important, at least in theory."

Morgan blinks at the suggestion, and then grins. "I would love to. That said, sorcery is draining and spell research more so, and if we're going through to Yu-Shan within the hour, perhaps now isn't the best time." She sounds regretful. "But when we return...?"

[Maugan Ra]

"True enough. Well, a time and a place for all things, I suppose. And this does promise to be highly educational. Speaking of which..." he leans in, and lowers his voice. "The Lady of Fire seems to be avoiding me, and averting her eyes whenever I come near. And she keeps turning red. Is there some social nuance I am missing here? It is rather disconcerting."

[Ifni]

"Ah." Morgan reddens faintly herself; the mental link is inconvenient sometimes. "Not your fault. She's probably trying not to imagine you naked. She'll get over it once she has something else to distract her, like combat."

"I, uh, gather clothing is not a social requirement, in Malfeas?"

[Maugan Ra]

Gervesin blinks in momentary surprise, and then grins, revealing a mouth full of pearly white teeth. "Is that all? I really must get better at reading mortal's body language. Well, it is no bother... I'm actually rather flattered."

He straightens up again, and then calls out to Brooks in a rather clearer voice, one flavoured with unmistakable sense of warm mirth. "Lady Brooks - Would you be interested in accompanying me on a small holiday after this current issue is resolved? I happen to be familiar with a great number of pleasure parlors and exotic resorts throughout the multiverse, each of which contain a number of pleasurable diversions unlike anything you would find in Creation. Trust me when I say the experience would be... memorable."

His smile has a decidedly wicked tinge to it now, but the... offer seems sincere enough. He turns towards the rest of the Taskforce a moment later. "You are of course all invited as well, if it interests you... and well it should." a pause, as though the demon is struck by a sudden memory. "If you happen to have strong feelings regarding sharing or particular body types, I know several other attractive individuals who would be happy to spend the time with you instead."

[Ifni]

Dammit, can't we get through three missions without some dangerous alien entity trying to seduce Amelia, or vice versa? This is just like that time in Velennia...

"I'll pass on the exotic diversions," Morgan says rather dryly, while she waits for Brooks' (probably predictable) reaction. "I suppose I could come along to see the scenery, if you need the equivalent of a designated driver."

[Lix Lorn]

"...I can't exactly refuse such a unique offer." Brooks breaks into a grin, knowing exactly what the rest of the group must be thinking, and not really caring.

[The_Snark]

"For the record," Leah says to Gervesin, unfazed but also wholly unamused, "that kind of invitation isn't normal around here. Some people might take offense."

She might have found it funnier if not for that bit about the natural rule of the strong. Leah has long since given up being angry or scandalized by anything Brooks does. Exasperated, yes, maybe occasionally annoyed, but not truly upset. It's like having a wayward younger sister. And the demon has been polite and genuinely eager to learn. Ten minutes ago she might have agreed -

- for the cross-dimensional sightseeing, not the... other bit; Gervesin isn't that cute -

- but "he's a great guy when he's not being blasé about torture and murder" is a pretty low standard as far as Leah is concerned. It falls well short of her dating standards, and she doesn't think she wants to go vacationing anyplace where that sort of thing is accepted. Especially not the way the Demon City gave her the shivers last time.

[Maugan Ra]

"Really? You people are very strange. Fascinating, but strange." Gervesin says, looking somewhat puzzled. "Oh well. What about you, Chosen of the Star-Maiden?"

Anna looks up from her calculations, one eyebrow raised. "The last time I tried relaxing in Malfeas, at least three separate things tried to eat me, and then I kicked the personification of it's libido in the face."

"I know!" the demon says with a wide grin. "She found it rather attractive."

The Sidereal shakes her head. "I'll pass. Anyway, we're about done here."

With that, she presses her hands against two of the small icons she's drawn on the ground, and crimson essence flares into life. There is a deep rumbling noise, and then an immense archway rises up out of the ground, until it stands some thirty feet high. The doors, both seemingly wrought out of pure Orichalcum and engraved with images of great lions and swooping thunder-birds, swing open without a sound to reveal a plain of seemingly endless white on the other side.

"Alright kids, saddle up. We're going to Yu-Shan, and I do not expect a warm reception."

[Ifni]

"Think your Dragon can make it through that gap, Brooks?" Morgan raises an eyebrow at the Fire Aspect as she stands up and adjusts the swords at her hips, checking that they slide easily free from their scabbards. "Actually, did you two figure out a name for him yet?"

She glances at the Sidereal. "You have any idea what we're likely to meet on the other side, Anna? And I know you don't like the telepathic link, but... it is effective in combat, so I'll ask again if you want in." Her gaze goes to Gervesin. "... and I should probably ask you as well. Do you have any sense if sharing thoughts and senses with us would be dangerous, to either party? Given that you're not human?"

Still haven't figured out preparations properly, but may as well ask questions in the meantime :smallwink:

[Maugan Ra]

"In specific? No. In general, well, Yu-Shan is pretty much an urban wasteland. It's likely to be filled with traps, some deliberate, and some the unexpected side effect of attack techniques or damaged essence-constructs. The main routes between the functional gates will be clear, since we still use them occasionally for rapid transit, but deeper in... you could find just about anything." she shakes her head. "And no, no thought-sharing. There are several reasons why, most of which are private... but no."

Gervesin likewise shakes his head. "I do not know, but it would be better to experiment outside of potentially life-threatening situations."

The gate looks just about big enough for the Dragon to fit through.

[Lix Lorn]

Snort.
"When have I ever said no to that kind of question?" she grins.

[Ifni]

"Heh. Fair enough, but I had to ask. Want to call him down, then, so we can get going?"

Morgan nods acknowledgement to the Sidereal and the demon, although those linked with her may faintly sense frustration. "Anna, you mentioned other functional gates: can you give coordinates or directions for those? Amelia, it might be worthwhile for the Dragon to listen in as well. Will this gate stay intact once we go through it? And do you know if electronics will work normally there? They sometimes go haywire near the Poles."

She plays idly with the bracelet on her wrist as she speaks. "My current idea, if we're not attacked immediately on passing through, is to fire off an Infallible Messenger and watch where it goes. We know the girl's name, so that should at least give us a direction, and then hopefully Leah can find signs of them once we get closer. I can also scry, see if I can hear anything from her vicinity, but that might not tell us very much."

"For the actual rescue... well, I can add Julia to the link once we get close in, and then I guess we'll figure out what we're doing based on the situation. But we might want to know rather urgently where the nearest exit is, at that point."

Morgan shrugs, and glances meaningfully at the others. "But I'm not the best tactician in this group. Thoughts?"

[The_Snark]

"Problem with the messenger is that they might see it too," Leah says, checking the safety on her rifle. There was a time when she preferred to carry a sidearm, making a point of using a policewoman's weapon rather than a soldier's. But times change. "Let me try something first. I'm not sure it'll work, but it might give us a starting point."

Yu-Shan. The city of God, according to the holy Book of Ikerre, home to the rarely-glimpsed true angels and higher mysteries still. Not that Leah expects to find anything like that. After everything they've learned over the the last few years, it isn't really a surprise to find that her religion doesn't hold all the answers, but... it's one thing to suspect that your sacred truths probably aren't, and another to confront physical evidence of it. It's not as shocking as it would have been for her great-grandparents, or even her grandparents. She grew up in an Immaculate-dominated countryside, her family open-minded of necessity - clinging strictly to all the old Ghanariqi tenets would have made them pariahs. The Book isn't absolute truth. Still... she'd grown up thinking there was something to those beliefs. There were commonalities you could see, looking at the Immaculate churches and her own. Faith in something higher, something better than humanity and the petty trickster-gods of Creation.

But if such a thing exists, she has yet to find it.

She does her best to keep her unease from leaking to the others. This isn't the time to be thinking about this; there's a search-and-rescue mission to deal with.

Leah is referring to Dredged Murmurs Hunch, which might or might not function in this situation. Depends on whether Yu-Shan counts as wholly separate from Creation, and whether the presence of elementals affects the Charm, and on our ability to interpret whatever hint it provides. But given its 1m cost, it's worth a shot.

And we see Leah's religious side for the first time, I believe! It never really came up in the first game.

[Maugan Ra]

"The other gates are located all the way around the perimeter of the city. Pretty obvious things. If we need to run, just pick a direction and go flat-out - you'll reach a Gate. The city was designed that way."

Leah reaches out to the essence underlying Creation, focusing her attention on the peak of the Mountain, the supposed City of God. What she feels there is... unexpected.

It feels like a temple, a great church dedicated to the mysteries of the universe. There is something sacred and enlightened at the top of Mount Meru, a place of faith and learning beyond all others. The essence flows positively thrum with energy and purpose, and distantly, Leah feels completely certain that if she could just study there for a time, she would understand everything.

Except... it is broken. Something dark and twisted has defiled the temple with fang and claw, leaving great rents in the fabric that weep poisoned tears. She can hear sobbing, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth... and behind it all, a desperate plea for help.

Her revere is broken by the sudden arrival of Brook's Dragon, which plummets out of the sky above you at a dangerously unsafe speed, before firing it's engines and pulling back into a hover barely a few centimeters from the unyielding ground. The access hatch slides open, and one of the signaling lights on the side flickers on and off briefly, in a gesture strangely reminiscent of a wink.

[Lix Lorn]

Brooks grins, seeing absolutely nothing wrong with this method of arrival, and heads in.
"S'up with you?" she asks conversationally, grinning.

[Maugan Ra]

+Nothing much, boss-lady. Was just having some fun with a local storm-front when I got your message. So, where we off to this time? Somewhere exciting, yeah?+

The Dragon speaks through it's own internal comms network, with a distinctive rural twang. No one has worked out exactly why, seeing as it was built, assembled and then enlightened in entirely urban areas, but the spell often seems to produce strange quirks of personality like that.

[Ifni]

"The messenger's pretty hard to see while it's moving, and if I make the message instantaneous it'll only be clearly visible at the destination for a fraction of a second, and sorcery's not so common that most people would be able to identify it from a glimpse... but agreed, Leah, if you can do something with no risk at all, that would be better."

Morgan climbs up into the Dragon's access hatch, with a brief pat on its side. "Be good, now. We have guests this time. And yes, somewhere exciting. Ever heard of Yu-Shan?"

Her tone is almost maternal. She's rather proud of the Dragon.

[Maugan Ra]

+Right, polite and civilized. I can absolutely do that, ma'am.+

You aren't quite sure if that's a joke, sarcasm or complete sincerity. The metallic tone of the speakers often lacks certain refinements and vocal cues. Of course, the fact that an awakened machine possesses the ability to be sarcastic or humorous has given the scientific community a great deal to debate over.

+Anyway, these the folks then? Don't see what's so... WOAH, you're heavy. What, you eat solid lead for breakfast?+

Gervesin, who has just stepped inside the passenger compartment, looks vaguely surprised. "I do not eat, as such. And I wove this body out of the locally available elements in Malfeas. So... Brass, Obsidian and molten vitriol, for the most part."

+I love you people! You make everything so interesting!+

[Lix Lorn]

"Interesting is pretty much our job." she grins widely, sitting in the pilot's seat and caressing the joystick affectionately.

[The_Snark]

"Y'know that's a curse in An-Teng," Leah says to no-one in particular, settling into one of the rear seats. Oddly, she has a good feeling about this mission, for the first time in... ever, maybe. The Taskforce doesn't get assigned to pleasure cruises or children's birthday parties (with one memorable exception). But she finds she's actually looking forward to seeing Mount Meru, rather than being resigned to it. She doesn't normally like these ventures beyond the boundaries of normality.

"Morgan, you'd better try your spell once we're in. I'm not... I felt something, but I don't have any idea where to look."

[Maugan Ra]

OK, moving us ahead now, to prevent the delay from stretching on for too long.

+Bah. Them Tengese just don't have a proper appreciation for life. Anyway, here we go.+

With a roar of it's engines, the Dragon lifts itself back into the air, and then plunges forwards into the great golden gateway before you.

Everything goes white.

A moment later, and colour returns to the world, allowing you to see the nearby environment once again. The first thing you notice is that the sky has turned black, and that the ground has disappeared from view. You sail through the void at the upper edge of the world, even though the Dragon's instruments insist that it is still midday and that the air outside is no thinner than at sea level.

Still, the view is impressive. Endless constellations of glittering stars parade overhead, and long streams of vibrant colour twist and ripple like rivers of silk. There is a sense of ethereal beauty and wonder to the whole scene, and even Anna's voice is subdued and... almost reverent as she looks up at it all.

"The Maidens built that, you know." she says softly. "And when Sol Invictus first laid eyes on it, he fell in love, and decreed that here would be the site of their capital, that he might appreciate it forever more."

As though summoned by her words, ahead of you, a city begins to materialise out of the darkness. Despite the utter darkness of the night sky, it is somehow perfectly visible, though you cannot make out any discrete sources of lighting.

The first thing that you notice is the size of the place. Mount Meru is large, to be sure, larger than any other mountain throughout the entirety of Creation, but there is still a limited amount of space that could logically be found atop it's peak. And yet the city before you, though undeniably arranged in a tiered structure around that self-same peak, has to be at least the size of a small continent. Several of the larger buildings look like they might qualify as mountains in their own right.

The second thing to impress itself upon you is how extravagent it seems. You can see streets paved with Orichalcum, moving statues of fluid Moonsilver and great buildings of solid Jade. Glittering decorations of precious jewels stud the landscape, and flowing rivers of molten gold and silver wend their way through the streets and pour between the levels in tremendous waterfalls. It should look tacky and over-done, and yet every street and building bears the hallmarks of a master architect, blending the disparate displays together into a single, harmonious whole.

And yet, just as obvious as that great and glorious wealth are the signs of death that mar the otherwise pristine image. Clouds of choking grey smoke flow along the streets like water, eerily reminiscent of those you might see in a Shadowland, and everywhere there are signs of extensive battle-damage. Great craters and burn scars dot the landscape, some still glowing faintly with the residual energy of whatever terrible weapon inflicted them, and on one of the eastern platforms you can see something which looks disturbingly like a giant hoofprint.

The essence here feels wrong, like a succulent feast poisoned by the addition of some foul chemical. You can each of you feel the imbalance in the elements itching in the very core of your being.

"Cast your spell, Morgan." Anna says quietly. "We do not want to be here for very long."

[industrious]

Vannevar

He stares at the buildings, at the opulence, at the sophistication...at the sheer wealth. Mentally, he begins to tally numbers; he soon stops, not because he can do so no longer but because there is a point where numbers don't matter. Where enough becomes, for once, a feasible option.

"A beautiful place," he muses. "how could such a city fall?"

[Maugan Ra]

"Treachery." Anna says simply. "Gorol disabled the defenses and threw open the gates, and the armies of the Yozi poured in. Even so, it was still the single largest military engagement in the history of Creation."

"It was glorious" Gervesin says, with a look of fond remembrance on his face. "We have always respected the strength of the Incarnae, even as we fought them. They were terrifying. It was only with the aid and advice of Gorol and his cohorts that we comprehended how they might be undone. Such strange flaws they each had, that we needed to exploit..."

"You know, I always was curious." Anna says, turning to the demon. "We study the history of the battle sometimes, when we can get away with it... but we never did find out how you beat Ignis Divine. He was the mightiest of them all, and yet from what I hear, he never even got the chance to take to the field against you. What happened?"

Gervesin chuckles, as though at a private joke. "Gorol doesn't like us telling people about that one. He prefers to keep it a secret... uses it as part of his mystery. But, since my Lord Ligier despises the obnoxious fool, I suppose I can tell you." The demon says, pearly white teeth gleaming as he smiles. "He threatened a child. A single, solitary, mortal child. I have no idea where he got her from, but he put a blade against her throat and ordered Ignis Divine to stand down, or he'd kill her. And it worked.... no one knows why."

[Edge]

As the Task Force bundles into the Dragon, Carl practically tears his dress uniform off, switching to the combat fatigues and artifacts he had left aboard. He straps himself into his Bullet-Eating Sparksuit almost by reflex, slapping his new model shellcaster with its iconic bayonet to the magnetic sheath on his right shoulder. His bracers and medal quickly follow, before he rams his signature helmet onto his head, slapping it once his face is obscured from view.

And then the city lies before them, and Carl's jaw drops.

"Hot damn," he says with a whistle of respect, "Have to give to those spirits, they know how to build to impress."

Then Anna and Gervesin move the topic to Primordial War strategy, and the soldier's ears prick up.

"With anyone else, I'd have said that sounded like a hell of a gamble... but having just met Gorol himself I kinda get the feeling he knew what the result was going to be way before he made his move."

[Maugan Ra]

"Yeah, well, Gorol was a Solar. One of the big guy's chosen few, his inner circle. He'd had years to study how his boss behaved, how he fought and what he valued. When you know a man... or god, as the case may be... that well, predicting which way he'll jump is fairly simple."

+Uh, guys? Hate to interrupt.+ The Dragon breaks in suddenly. +But I'm getting a sort of itchy feeling all over my chassis right now. I think someone over there knows that we're coming.+

[Ifni]

Morgan's gaze passes briefly over the city below. Sadness touches her dark eyes briefly, but she sets it aside. It's not the first war zone she's seen, although if what they've been told is true, it's probably the oldest. The glory of the stars and shimmering auroral ribbons above holds her gaze for a moment longer; she'd always loved looking at the constellations, since her first telescope as a child.

But at Anna's comment she nods, and spreads her fingers in the gestures of the spell, knotting together tangles of blue and silver Essence with swift expansive gestures. The power burgeons in her hands, expanding like a bubble to fill the template she's built, forming into a child-sized construct - a splash of rainbow watercolors in the sleek metallic interior of the Dragon.

She leans forward to whisper in its ear, "Be ready". No more than that. She doesn't wish it to linger at its destination. She sits back up. "Find Julia Lasky."

The cherub spins in the air and there is a blur of color, a flash like lightning leaping to earth. And then it is gone.

Morgan blinks and comes out of the casting trance, abruptly catching up with the Dragon's last comment. "Well, let's get moving then!"

She doesn't respond to Gervesin's description. To his glee. It's an old war, not one she needs or wants to re-fight.

And yet she can feel the lasting pain, the unending taint, in the very air of this place. And she remembers that first battle with Anna, and the vision of the little girl.

Casting Infallible Messenger. I doubt we can keep up with 1000mph but it should (I hope) give us a direction.

If there's a contested roll involved due to an opposing magical effect, my roll is Essence + Willpower as per the spell description:
[roll0] Essence+Willpower

[Maugan Ra]

The messenger streaks off towards the celestial city, and the Dragon reacts with split-second instincts, a small screen in the passenger compartment flickering on to display it's progress. The recording pauses, re-winds, then proceeds to replay for you as it tracks the Sorcerous messenger to it's destination.

The Dragon is an artifact craft, it probably has really powerful and sensitive equipment on board to do exactly this sort of thing. Because plot convenience.

There is a tower on one of the higher tiers of the city that rises at least half a mile into the darkened sky. It is made of some pale stone that gleams softly to look upon, and is supported by sweeping buttresses of green jade. Large portions of it's facade are covered with overthrowing plant life, though the structure itself seems to have weathered their attentions well enough, and the entirety of the surrounding terrain is swathed in rolling banks of pale mist. The messenger vanishes straight through it's outer wall.

A moment later, and the screen shifts it's view directly upwards, focusing on a humanoid figure standing on the tower's roof. She is tall, and dark skinned, dressed in nothing more than a long cloak of multicolored feathers. In one hand she seems to be carrying some kind of spear.

"Oh, dragons below." Anna says, with an air of profound distaste. "That's bloody Nasri. The hell is she doing here?"

For those of you likely to know - those with any decent War or Occult scores, mostly - Nasri is a rather infamous being. She's the General of the Aerial Legion, which is one of the closest things to a unified and trained military force that can be found amongst the Elemental Courts of Water and Air. Very little is known about her individually, since no country has ever managed to get an operative close to her, but interrogations and rumors tend to indicate that she is herself an Air elemental of tremendous power.

What exactly she's doing in Yu-Shan, close to the heartlands of Meruvia, is a complete mystery.

[Ifni]

"Ah hell. Nasri -" The information from long-ago briefings and rumors flashes through Morgan's shared thoughts. She peers at the screen. "You still tracking the Messenger, Dragon, or did you just decide to take a look up there?"

She glances at Anna. "... this almost has to be a trap, you know. Advice?"

"If the kid's in that tower, I can probably get us in without damaging the structure and risking injuring her, although it'll take a fair amount of power. Or we could dematerialize, but that one really takes a lot of power, and against spirits it may not be much of an advantage."

Occult 5 and Connections in the Northern spirit courts, so I'm going to guess Morgan's heard of Nasri.

[Maugan Ra]

+Found her by back-tracking that... urgh... that horrid tingling feeling I mentioned. Girl is putting out some crazy-strong hate-beams of targeted death.+

A pause. +You know, metaphorically. Point is, she's got us clean on her radar, or whatever it is spirits use instead. Not sure I can shake that in clear skies.+

Anna shakes her head. "Of course it's a trap. You don't put your General on lookout duty, and you don't let them travel without serious escort. As for advice..." she looks over at Brooks. "That depends just how good our pilot feels. I can only assume that we're out of range for the moment, but Nasri is basically a goddess of hurricanes and lightning. If we want to get close, that either involves drawing her away, or flying straight through the mother of all storms... possibly while under direct attack from whatever Elementals she's brought with her."

"I could distract her." Gervesin offers. "I think I know a way to antagonize her. If I do that... and then run away, very quickly... it could buy you time to get inside the tower."

[Ifni]

Morgan nods to the demon. "Thanks for the offer, Gervesin, but... let's think about other alternatives first?"

"I know a ward against scrying, and it can block supernatural senses - but it's designed to work on places, not machines. I suppose I could climb over the Dragon while chanting the Mudra -" Thank you, perfect balance Charms, "- but I'm not certain it would work. I'm willing to try if you think it might be worthwhile. It'll take power - if I do that and also try to open a way into the tower, even with my lightning box I'll be pretty much out - but not much time."

She glances at the others, questioning.

"The other thing is... this seems like a lot of trouble to go to, just to kill whoever Gorol sent after his daughter. I wonder if she's important to them in some other way, if there's a reason they brought her to this building? Or if this was meant to lure us here, but they have some other purpose in mind? I could just call Nasri and ask if we think there's a chance they want to talk. Anna, do you happen to know what that building is?"

She threads a little Air Essence about herself as she speaks, and glances at the polished inner walls of the Dragon. Let's see if we have any eavesdroppers...

The spell I am wondering about is Private Plaza of Downcast Eyes (http://forums.white-wolf.com/default.aspx?g=posts&m=1144313#post1144313). It's probably not worthwhile given the cost; if it's possible to use it on the Dragon (which it may not be), I should've cast it in prep time. Ah well! Still curious if it could work.

Also putting up Spirit-Detecting Mirror Technique to see if we have any dematerialized eavesdroppers.

[Maugan Ra]

"No idea. But I can find out." Anna says, making a slight twist of her wrist. A small spider of emerald hue crawls out from under her sleeve and perches on the back of her hand for a moment, forelegs waving, before vanishing.

"...oh, that's just great." Anna says in disgust a moment later. "That's the Forbidding Manse of Ivy... personal domain of Jupiter, Maiden of Secrets."

"So. Trapped?"

"Oh yeah. Big time."

Orchid's scan reveals no immaterial eavesdroppers.

Anna sighs. "You want to call Nasri and ask to talk, it might be worth a shot. She might even be willing to listen. Or, you know, she might summon a typhoon and do her best to kill us all. Fifty fifty."

[The_Snark]

"She could do that right now, the way you tell it." Leah is all business now, the wonder of the city and constellations forgotten. Time to contemplate that later. "I say we try it. Don't know that we'll get anywhere with hostage negotiations, but if Nasri already knows we're here we haven't got anything to lose. We might learn something."

"And I think we need that. Why set a trap here? Who do they think is going to follow Julia all the way to Yu-Shan? Doesn't make sense, unless..." Leah glances at Gervesin, and finishes her sentence through the mindlink. Unless they know who Julia's father is. Remember, he didn't think so. But maybe he's wrong, or maybe she's mixed up in something else.

And Morgan, careful what you say out loud. If you let slip that she's Gorol's kid in front of the wrong person, this could all go to hell in a handbasket. To cover the silence, she says, "I just think we're better off figuring out what's going on than rushing in guns blazing."

[Maugan Ra]

"Of course, her being here might only be vaguely related to the whole 'kidnap' thing anyway." Anna points out. "Unless Gorol was holding back on us... which he might very well have been, true... one girl is almost never going to be worth moving one of your top generals right into the middle of a hostile country. I wonder..."

+Woah!+ The Dragon barks out in shock, as dozens of small red triangles burst into life all across the display panels. +Getting painted by anti-air batteries here. A lot of them too. Since when do spirits use mortal guns like that?+

The air outside rumbles like thunder, even though the sky is clear, and the hull of the aircraft shivers beneath it's harsh touch. More alarming, perhaps, is the fact that beneath the savage noise you can clearly hear words.

"Who... are you?"

[Ifni]

Right, Leah. So my first assumption was that they do know who her father is. That Nasri is here implies they have something important in train. But... even if they know, I'm not sure that explains what we're seeing.

... wait. If they have some important military project going on - if that's why the guns and one of their greatest generals are here - if Julia left the rest of her group and stumbled across it, that might explain why they snatched her. Domain of the Maiden of Secrets. Maybe they're looking for some old knowledge?

... in which case, they're going to think we're really incompetent spies. Dammit. Telling the truth about being here to recover a citizen of Meruvia might actually be our better option...

"Dragon, you've got external speakers, right?" Morgan says softly. "I'm not our best diplomat, but I can start things off."

She clears her throat, and once the speakers are switched on, leans over to say, "My name is Morgan Uqalik. I suspect you've heard of me. Who do I have the honor of addressing?"

I've had some... not entirely hostile contacts with the northern spirit courts. We've made deals before.

[Maugan Ra]

On your screen, you watch as Nasri takes a step forwards and leaps off the side of the tower. Her dark skin ripples like water, before falling away like a snake shedding it's skin, and her true form is revealed as she surges towards you.

The four-hundred foot long eastern dragon circles your craft at a distance, dark blue scales shimmering in the unnatural light and blood red eyes the size of dinner plates glaring across at you.

"I am Nasri, Daimyo of Storms and General of the Aerial Legion. I know you, bastard child of Mela. Speak quickly, before I swat your group of walking blasphemies from the sky."

[Ifni]

"Greetings, Daimyo," Morgan says quietly. Bastard child of Mela?

... 'the captive Dragons', who appear to be involuntary contributors of some kind to the project...

She breathes in, and out, and the Essence of the wind surges through her, tuning her words to the dragon circling them.

"We did not come here to attack you or your troops. Nor to spy on you, or we would have been much more careful to hide ourselves. But there was a field trip up here, not long ago, and one of the students did not return."

The Air Aspect's voice is mild despite Nasri's characterization of the Task Force, laying out the logic of their good faith, carefully refraining from accusation.

Firing up Voice of Mastery, targeted on Nasri (+Essence dice to speech-based social rolls against Nasri for the scene). Presence+Manipulation social attack to try to set the scene and get her to keep talking? If the Logically specialty applies, I'll pay 1m from the First Excellency to add another 2 dice (if it doesn't, Voice of Mastery caps out my dicecap).

Presence (5) +Manipulation (4) +Voice of Mastery (5): [roll0]
If "Logically" specialty applies, Specialty (2) + Excellency (2): [roll1]

Possible stunt: [roll2]

EDIT: The dicebot just doesn't like me very much at the moment... 8 sux if specialty applies, 4 if it doesn't.

[Maugan Ra]

'Logically' doesn't really apply there, since you're really just makes claims of your intent. Fortunately, she's willing to talk anyway, at least for now.

"I know the one of which you speak." Nasri confirms in her deep, rumbling voice, small tendrils of lightning playing along her hide as she continues to circle you. "You cannot have her. I will not permit it."

[Ifni]

"Why does she matter to you?" Morgan asks curiously. "From our perspective, she is a mortal girl who vanished without explanation, and her family is worried about her."

It's always good to roll terribly on unimportant rolls. I meant "logically" in the sense of "if we'd come to spy on or attack General Nasri, we would've taken a lot more precautions, so you can at least eliminate those as possibilities". But this works, saves me a mote of Excellency :smallwink:

[Maugan Ra]

"My motives are my own." Nasri says bluntly. "Unfortunately, I cannot allow you to leave here with the knowledge of our presence. Out of respect for your reputation, I will give you a chance to surrender."

The steady chiming of the multiple target locks gives you a fair idea of what will happen should you refuse.

[Ifni]

"I'm fairly confident you can't kill me quickly enough to stop me from getting an alert out," Morgan says flatly, and equally bluntly. "I'd rather not do it that way, because you might well be able to kill me before my friends and I can get to safety, and there's also an innocent kid in the picture. But if you don't want certain people to know about your presence here, then you might wish to consider making a deal."

"Or you could open fire. But while I'm not sure I can get what I want here, I'm damn sure I can deny you the secrecy you want. So with all due respect, General, and acknowledging that I am not your equal in tactics - that option really seems like a lose-lose situation."

Buckle up, guys. Or feel free to chime in on this...

[Maugan Ra]

"You would fight to the death on the behalf of that thing?" Nasri snarls, revealing a mouth full of fangs the size of sword blades. "What possible hold does it have over you? Do you not know what it is? What it has done?"

The wind-speed is picking up, and dark storm clouds are beginning to form. You are unsure if this is a deliberate move on Nasri's part, or simply a side effect of her turbulent mood.

[The_Snark]

Leah leans forward to address the speaker, rifle now cradled in a state of semi-readiness. "General, as far as we're concerned Julia Lasky is an archeology student kidnapped for unknown reasons. Not a combatant. That's enough for us. If you know more, feel free to enlighten us."

She keeps an eye on the gathering stormclouds. Leah can shoot a fly out of the air from a mile away, or knock bullets off course in mid-flight. She's never tried to shoot a lightning bolt down... but there's a first time for everything.

Just a minor correction: Gorol said his daughter was kidnapped from a field trip, and that the spirits hid in Yu-Shan. I don't think we were explicitly told that the field trip was in Yu-Shan - it's possible, and it's not an reasonable assumption to make (particularly if you don't have a photographic memory), but we aren't certain.

[Maugan Ra]

For a long moment, Nasri is silent, her scarlet eyes fixed on you with an unblinking intensity. Then, at last, she speaks.

"We did not kidnap her. She came to us, pleading sanctuary. I promised her that she could have it, and I do not break my promises."

[industrious]

Vannevar

"If she is here of her own free will, then would it be possible for us to see her? At some sort of neutral ground, of course. There doesn't have to be any bloodshed for either of us."

[Ifni]

"Right," Morgan nods. She doesn't seem surprised by Nasri's words, although her mouth twists a little in resignation. "If we could see her, get some assurance that she's safe and here voluntarily, to take back to the people who care about her - that would be something, anyway."

She bites her lip for a moment, thinking of Fisher. But if Julia has good reason to flee her father, then - Fisher would not want me to deliver someone else into slavery to buy his freedom.

I didn't catch any lies in what Gorol said, she adds mentally, after a moment. I had the impression he did believe she'd been kidnapped.

[Maugan Ra]

Nasri seems to consider this, and then turns and almost flows down towards the ground. She touches down in a small courtyard near to the tower, and almost instantly appears as the dark-skinned human once more.

"Land." she says, her voice still as resonant as ever. "I will ask if she wishes to see you."

Then she walks into the tower and vanishes from sight. The anti-air batteries remain fixed upon you, however.

+Calls herself a Dragon. Bah.+ Your aircraft mutters... quietly. +More to being a Dragon than just being an overgrown lizard.+

[Ifni]

Morgan reaches over to switch off the voice pickup. "We know you're the best Dragon," she murmurs quietly to their aircraft, with a small smile.

The Air Aspect turns in her chair to face Gervesin. "It's probably best if we try to keep your presence secret, Gervesin. Not sure about you, Anna? We may be able to pretend ignorance, where you probably can't - have you had dealings with Nasri before?"

So the spirits have one of their top generals fortifying a city on top of Mount Meru, and they've clearly managed to deal with the Essence storms to the extent of building serious anti-aircraft defenses. And gates can be opened between here and anywhere in the world. Does this... sound bad to the rest of you?

[industrious]

Vannevar

"More cynically, spirits are known to be treacherous when they feel they can be. The two of you are more familiar with the perils and geography of this place. Could you make sure we are not ambushed?"

[Maugan Ra]

"Not remotely. While I suspect I could help, I would need to be physically present, and they are... likely to object if they discover that." Gervesin says slowly, evidently thinking it over. "However, I do believe I have a solution to that one."

There is a flash of green light, and where once there was a tall, Eastern man, there is now a glittering dire lance of vibrant jade. Small runes glow along it's length, but aside from that, it looks just like any number of weapons wielded by Dragon-Blooded throughout the world.

Except for the talking, anyway.

"If one of you carries me in this form, I would likely be completely overlooked. I would recommend the Lady Brooks, myself - I believe I can enhance your elemental bolts with my own power if you channel them through me, and I can lend you some of my own essence to power your techniques as well." he says, though precisely how is an interesting question.

Anna, meanwhile, shakes her head. "I haven't had any dealings with Nasri, but she'll know what a Sidereal is, and to be wary of me. It will be much easier if she doesn't know I'm here. Fortunately, I'm good at staying out of sight, and I can disguise myself as a God, essence patterns and all. If I slip away the moment we land, I can scout the nearby area and be unexpected reinforcements if everything goes to hell." she says, before hesitating for a moment. "Also, I really need to take a look around here, work out how they did this and how strong they are."

[Ifni]

"Sounds good to me," Morgan says with a firm nod to Anna. "Take care. Sure you don't want the mental link to keep in touch? Sorry to keep asking, but the circumstances have changed a bit. Last time, I promise." She grins a little. "At least on this mission."

Best for someone to be free to warn Meruvia, if necessary. And do we ever need more intelligence on what they've done here...

She eyes the dire lance. "Very pretty. You may want to keep quiet once Brooks takes us down to ground level, though.

The Air Aspect sits back in her seat. "I'm ready when the rest of you are."

[Maugan Ra]

"Woman, if you don't stop trying to get inside my head, I'll have to file a restraining order." Anna says with a smirk. "In other words, no, I'm quite sure."

[Ifni]

"Hey, I have to figure out how you kicked me that hard somehow," Morgan grins back, relaxing for a moment. "Also how you manage to have multiple Forms active at once. Not to mention borrowing other people's animas. I'm sure that counts as cheating."

[Maugan Ra]

Anna chuckles. "In order... Crystal Chameleon style, the same way that Creation has multiple Elemental poles, complete mastery of my own soul, and it's not cheating if you're the one making the rules." she says dryly. "You might want to talk with Brooks. I understand she's made some interesting developments in that direction. But, you know, later."

[Ifni]

"Indeed. I haven't spent enough time in the dojo recently. Sorcery has been occupying my attention..." Morgan shrugs, still smiling. "Later." She leaves unspoken the awareness that there may not be a later; this is even more of a hornet's nest than she'd thought they were poking. But there's no point in dwelling on that.

Just random banter while waiting for Lix to take us down to land. I don't think I have much prep to do given that we can converse telepathically during the discussion itself, which reduces the need for private pre-planning.

[The_Snark]

Leah is silent for a minute. If what Nasri says is true... Yes, that definitely changes things. Gorol might have lied to them. Or been ignorant. Or lied.

Yeah, Morgan, it looks bad. Remember - Leah sends a flash of memory through the link, Nasri the storm serpent growling: I cannot allow you to leave here with the knowledge of our presence. I don't get the feeling she's luring us into a trap, exactly. But she's not going to let us waltz out of here to bring back reassurances. We need to figure out an escape plan, or make a deal, or something. Keep an eye out for that.

[industrious]

Vannevar

I have a plan. It is...risky, though. And...I should ask what our ultimate objective is.

[Lix Lorn]

"I never object to throwing better fire." remarks Brooks with a grin, beginning their descent.

She's surprised - very surprised - by Anna's comment.
"Me? Oh, no. I'm barely even scratching the surface of martial arts. I need at least six more months to master it."
There's a slight note of hesitance under her bravado. Her thoughts become much, much quieter, more guarded than they would usually be.

[Ifni]

That's the right question, Morgan agrees, glancing at Vannevar. Or a right question, anyway.

For my part... if Julia genuinely wants to be here, I am reluctant to try to drag her back to her father by force. Not to mention - she glances at Nasri, on the display - it doesn't seem very feasible.

My reading of the situation is that they really, really don't want Gorol to know what they're doing here. So we may have some leverage there. But... depending on what they intend, getting that information back to Meruvia may be more important than anything else. That they have major anti-aircraft emplacements and the General of the Aerial Legion present - doesn't seem like a good sign.

She looks at Brooks with a touch of concern as they descend. You okay, Amelia?

[Lix Lorn]

Absolutely okay. she thinks, flooding her mind with an obviously excessive impression of sincerity.

[Maugan Ra]

Guided by Brook's prompting, the Dragon comes in for a landing just outside the banks of coiling mist that surrounding the Ivory Manse. As it swoops in over the nearby buildings, Anna calmly steps out from the passenger bay and onto a nearby parapet, completely ignoring the thirty foot gap in between. She flips you a lazy salute, and then vanishes.

The engines slowly power down as your craft settles in for a landing, and in the distant sky, you can clearly see the slowly circling forms of a number of other air Elementals. They don't seem intent on attacking, but neither are they making much effort to hide the way that they are watching you.

For the moment, at least, everything seems peaceful enough, though there is no sign of anyone coming to meet you just yet.

[Edge]

Well, Carl broadcasts over the link, This is fun. And by fun I mean tense as ****.

The Earth Aspect pulls his shellcaster from its magnetic holster and does one last check to ensure everything is functional before sliding it back.

How do we want to play this? I mean, regardless of whether we get the kid out or not, OMI needs to know about this setup the spirits have here. And if they don't want us leaving, then that could involve a metric ****ton of ammunition.

[Maugan Ra]

The sound of metal boots upon tiled streets fills the air, and a moment later, a lion wanders out of the clinging mist and stands before you. Of course, simply calling it a 'Lion' doesn't quite convey the truth of the matter. The beast is close to ten foot tall, and carries itself in a regally intimidating that hints at far more than merely animal intelligence.

It also appears to be made out of solid Orichalcum, a mythical statue come to life.

Sitting on it's back is a thin, graceful teenage girl with long black hair and green eyes. Her clothing is almost deliberately archaic, a collection of leather plates and small pieces of bronze that defy any explanation other than 'steam punk'. The familial resemblance to Gorol is undeniable.

"So. You the ones he sent to bring me back, then?" she says with an air of polite inquiry, peering at you over the top of some nightmare combination of glasses and welding visor. "Huh. Not what I was expecting."

[Ifni]

Morgan tilts her head inquiringly at the girl. "Julia Lasky, I presume? What were you expecting, if you don't mind me asking?"

[Maugan Ra]

"That's me." she says with a cheerful grin, and pats the gigantic Lion on the head, a gesture it seems to tolerate with bemused affection. "This here is Shining Barrator. He's my friend, even if he does get a bit over-protective at times."

"Anyway, I'll be honest, I was sort of expecting assassins or something. Dad's got some real scary people working for him, even if he doesn't know that I know, and I thought for sure he'd send one of them. Except you lot sound more like a rescue party... guess he hasn't worked out what I stole yet." she says happily. "Probably for the best. He gets real mean when he's angry."

[Ifni]

Morgan rubs her forehead. "Julia... you're very important to your father. As far as I could tell he honestly thought you'd been kidnapped." Her voice has a note of rebuke in it.

She nods to the lion - "Hello, Shining Barrator. I'm Morgan -" before looking back up at the girl. It is, in a peculiar way, like gazing into a mirror.

What would you have done, in your twenties, to study a place like this...

(If she's honest, the 'in your twenties' bit of that sentence isn't strictly necessary.)

"I don't suppose you'd like to tell us what you stole? I mean, presumably your dad's going to find out anyway, and it'd be nice to know exactly how angry I should expect him to be."

[Maugan Ra]

"Of course he thought I'd been kidnapped. It probably never even occurred to him that I might just not want to serve as his pet scientist for the rest of my life." Julia says in a tone of supreme disgust... before switching back to cheerful confidence a moment later. "And you're right, it probably doesn't matter any longer. I stole the codes to the Heavenly Gateways. I guess you used one of them to get here? Well, there are sixty of them, all around the world, and for absolutely ages they've been locked away behind all these wards and codes so that only dad and his agents could use them."

She looks positively mischievous right now, even playful. "Thing is, Dad's really old, and some of this new-fangled computer stuff just goes right over his head. So the security on his 'top secret' files was surprisingly easy to break, even for me. So I took the Master Code, came here, programmed a back door into the whole network, then called Nasri."

She leans forwards slightly, as though confiding a great secret, casually ignoring the way it makes her position on the Lions's back kind of precarious. "She's kind of mean. Hot, if you have a thing for warrior girls, but wow she has a temper."

[The_Snark]

Nasri is good-looking, if you like that sort of thing, but now isn't the time or the place. Leah frowns. Growing up beneath strict grandparents, she understands a little of how Gorol's daughter might feel, but really - handing over military access codes as a kind of teenage rebellion? Is she blinkered, or does she just not care?

"Miss Lasky, I don't care for your father any more than you do, but I'm not sure you've thought this through. If Nasri fortifies this place and uses it as a staging point to launch attacks past the Threshold, people are going to die. Regular people, who don't know what this war's really about, and don't want to be involved. Your father will be annoyed at losing assets, but it won't really hurt him. Is that what you want?"

[Maugan Ra]

"And if I didn't hand them over, more people will die anyway, not knowing how or why." Julia says, her expression becoming suddenly serious. "One way or another, this war has to end. It's already gone on, in one form or another, for centuries... maybe even millennia, depending on where you fix the start date. Millions of people have died, on both sides... and yeah, spirits are people too. They love and cry and bleed and die just as much as any human."

She sighs and leans back against Shining Barrator's head. "Nasri has a plan. It's a good one. You'll understand I can't just tell you about it, what with you working for the enemy and all, but I really think the world will be a better place if she manages to make it work. So yeah, I'm going to help her."

Another manic grin, tinged with just a hint of bitter regret. "Of course, it's help a lot if you just whacked my dad for us yourself. He deserves it, believe me. Most of his lot do, for one reason or another."

[industrious]

Vannevar

"And you will sacrifice many innocent lives to do so. There are other ways, ones that don't involve civilian deaths. A conventional assault will only bring more war; you will kill enough to make them afraid but not enough to cow their anger."

Vannevar abruptly changes topics to ask a seemingly unrelated question.

"How skilled are you-not personally, but your organization-in treating a variant of fast-acting disease? I'm unclear of the name but its magical in origin..."

[Maugan Ra]

Julia raises an eyebrow. "This is Nasri we're talking about here, yeah? She's not an idiot. A conventional assault... 'specially one that kills civilians... that wouldn't work. She knows that. Dunno why you immediately assumed that was the plan - bit of a morbid streak there - but you're barking up the wrong tree."

"And diseases? Huh... don't know particularly. You'd have to check around. That said, there's certainly gods and folks with pretty powerful healing tricks out there. Would need a few more specifics, though..."

[industrious]

Vannevar

He tilts his head acknowledging her point.

"It's some sort of magical leprosy your father is able to weaponize."

Now, he states calmly through the mental link. Now is the time where we must recall why we joined this taskforce. Forgive my presumption, but I believe that we volunteered for similar reasons: to make a better world. Not only for ourselves or the mighty, but for those who have no defense. For our friends. For our families. For our children. For a better tomorrow.

I think we can agree that Gorol plays no part in that better world.

[Maugan Ra]

"...oh. That."

Julia peers intently at you all for a long moment, and you think you can see strange ripples of essence playing around her eyes. "Huh. Well, none of you look to be marked... must be a friend or something, yeah? Anyway, I know the trick, and in theory, there are dozens of spirits who could heal it. 'Course, there's a catch."

She lounges back on her celestial steed, who shakes his head and snorts in mock-annoyance. "See, one of the things Dad works for... or uses, or whatever... is really big on rules. Actually several of them are, but anyway, point is, her biggest rule is 'Might makes right'. And not in the typical way. Basically, under her system, the weak physically cannot go against the will of the strong, or oppose their works."

"So, if you're wanting a brand he placed personally to be removed, well, the only spirits who'd be able to do it are ones outright stronger than Dad. Which is basically the Incarnae... maybe a few of the bigger Generals and the like. All of whom are either imprisoned, insane or really, really hard to get to. Exact reasons are all very metaphysical, and you'd probably be able to get around it with non-spirit magic or something, but yeah."

She bites her bottom lip for a moment. "Also, guys, I gotta say... bringing a demon with you? Not good for first impressions. Or second, for that matter."

[industrious]

Vannevar

He shrugs at her last remark.

"You say that as if we had a choice in the matter. Your father can be quite insistent."

"Additionally, and forgive the intrusion, but it takes no ordinary skill to determine who's been marked. Were you genetically enhanced like the rest of Project Dragon-Blood?"

[Ifni]

I had not pegged you for an idealist, Vannevar. Then again, perhaps I'm speaking too soon, given that you seem to be implying that you'd be happy if they removed Gervesin for us.

What exactly do you want to do? Offer to assassinate Gorol, as she suggested?

The Air Aspect's thoughts are cool and considering. Now that the situation seems less immediately dangerous, the sharp-edged focus of adrenaline ebbing, flashes of the fugue-state filter again through the link. The tufted golden mane of the Lion, the faint clink of the bronze on the girl's clothing, the dusty scent on the breeze in the cool shade of the great tower... Yu-Shan tugs at her attention in a thousand different ways.

Morgan tilts her head, studying the girl thoughtfully. What are you, child? I doubt you're one of us. Like Gorol? Or something else? The lure of something new and inexplicable sends a brief bolt of counterintuitive happiness through her. And so she opens her eyes and looks beneath surface appearances, smiling openly at Julia, knowing that the girl most likely sees her too.

Apologies, I forgot Fugue of Truth was still up when I rolled my earlier social attack, but it wouldn't matter.

Running Detect Lies actions on Julia as I did on her dad (5 sux + 5 dice Perception + Socialize, vs Manip+Socialize/2), and spending the motes to activate the instant Essence-sight option.

[roll0] Int+Occult
+possible stunt [roll1]

[Maugan Ra]

One-dice stunt for Morgan there.

"Hmm? Oh, that. Yeah."

Julia vaults from the back of the Lion, landing before you all and performing an extravagant bow, still grinning widely. A burning silver mark comes into existence on her forehead, a hollow argent ring that gleams with the moon's light.

"Julia Lasky, Chosen of Luna, pleased ta meet ya."

To Morgan's essence sight, Julia appears protean. It is the best way to describe it, really - her essence is silver in hue, tinged with an unnatural sort of not-quite-real colour, but aside from that very little about it seems to be fixed. It swirls and changes even as you watch, a constant cycle of magical variation.

Gervesin, for his part, says and does nothing, though he does feel as about uneasy as a sentient spear can possibly feel.

[The_Snark]

Leah meets Julia's scorn-and-raised eyebrow with a shrug, unfazed. "People die in storms on the northern front all the time. They don't exactly announce what gets planned by who." But it's not confrontational, just matter-of-fact, because that's a better answer than Leah expected. Isn't that something she's thought herself? That one way or another, the endless war out on the edges of the world needs to stop?

On the other hand... taking Julia and Nasri at their word is a risk, with an awful lot at stake. Tricky.

Think it's about time we heard that plan of yours, she thinks to Green, and aloud says - "Your father know about that?"

[Maugan Ra]

"What, this?" She points at the glowing brand on her forehead. "Nope. Least, don't think he does. It's a pretty recent development. Actually, it only happened once I started with the hacking. So, couple of weeks, absolute tops."

"I'd rather he not know, actually, if it's all the same to you." she continues a moment later, looking rather nervous. "I'm pretty sure I only got away with everything I did because Dad didn't think a mortal could pose much of a threat to him. If he finds out, he'll take way more precautions on keeping me in line, and that would suck."

[The_Snark]

Leah smiles faintly. "I haven't even begun to work out what we're tellin' who, Miss Lasky, assuming we get out of here at all. But we'll keep that in mind." How much would it take to make Gorol reclassify "dear daughter" to "threat"? Not much. If she's reading him right, he wouldn't even see a contradiction between the two.

Except... Gervesin is here, listening to every word. That complicates things. Might've been better to leave him with the 'copter, in retrospect.

[Maugan Ra]

"Oh, you'll probably get out of here fine, I think." Julia says, hopping back up onto Shining Barrator's back. "Leastwise, it's not impossible. Nasri kind of wants to eat you all and spit on your graves, but she's smart enough to know that's not really fair. Can't find it in me to blame her too much, though."

She props up her chin with both hands, swinging her legs idly back and forth. "See, Nasri's an Elemental Dragon. And you're Dragon-Blooded. She feels a kind of instinctive kinship with you... it'd probably be especially pronounced with you two..." she says, pointing to Morgan and Vannevar, "since you're Air and Water, like she is. Only, the elemental blood in your veins was given to you, it's not your birthright. And you've been using it to fight her and her kind for years, even if you didn't know the whole story. So, to elemental eyes, you're basically thieves, blasphemous mockeries, blood traitors and rapists all in one."

She shakes her head. "The General's got a good mind in her head, once she calms down, but that's a lot of instinctive hate to get around first."

[industrious]

Vannevar

"Understandable."

He leans against the side of a nearby wall, crossing his legs and steepling his fingers as he does so. His eyes flicker towards Brooks...or more specifically, the spear she is holding.

"Gervesin. Would you mind joining our other guest in making sure the area is clear of ambushes?"

Gervesin is, as he indicated, functionally immortal. Killing him would be useless, and worse, it would indicate our change in viewpoint. Assassinating Gorol, as tempting as that sounds, would be an exercise in futility. Leaving aside the current difference in capability, he also commands a network of followers and a broad power base. Killing him would cause an eruption of chaos. To defeat him, we must chip at his power, erode his support, and ultimately nominate a viable replacement.

The first step, therefore...is Anna.

[Maugan Ra]

"I would advise against it." Shining Barrator says in a low, rumbling voice. "We recognize his profile. Gervesin, Messenger Soul of Ligier, is wanted for crimes both numerous and terrible. At present, we restrain ourselves, since he is in your company. Should he stray, he will most likely be devoured."

"Nice to see you too, law-keeper." Gervesin says, abandoning the spear-form for his humanoid appearance once more. There is an unusually nervous look on his face for someone who boasts functional immortality. "What did I do to you, to deserve such treatment?"

"You murdered my child."

The demon winces. "Ah. I don't suppose the fact that he was probably trying to kill me at the time would serve as a defense?"

Judging by the look on Shining Barrator's leonine face, it would not.

[The_Snark]

Leah stamps down hard on her first reaction to Julia's words. It's an explanation, not an accusation or insult. No point getting defensive about it.

What about Anna, exactly? she thinks to Green, eyeing Gervesin sideways and wondering once again if bringing him is going to backfire. Back when this was a simple search-and-rescue mission, it seemed like a good idea. Now, though... He doesn't like Gorol, so they've got that in common, at least. But he's still a loyal(?) soldier for the enemy. Makes cutting any kind of deal with the spirits tricky.

Leah is going to use Scent-of-Crime Method, just to see if Gervesin actually feels guilty about this. Of course, the Charm doesn't actually target individuals - it just picks up who in the scene is feeling most guilty. Which could be someone else!

[Maugan Ra]

Gervesin does not appear to be feeling guilty in the slightest.

[Ifni]

"Her name is Mela, right? Or his? The captive Dragon of Air." Morgan looks up at Julia, ignoring Barrator and Gervesin for the moment. A soft breeze plays with her silver hair.

It was a gift, Exaltation, even if it came with strings attached. To breathe the air and feel it resonate with her own Essence, to play the substance of the world like the silver keys of a flute - even as it reshaped her body and her mind (she sometimes reads her diaries from before the treatments and they are subtly different, in a hundred ways), even as she entertained suspicions about the means of her recruitment, she never regretted the Exaltation itself.

Birthright. Since birth and before, if Fisher's lore is to be believed.

... thieves, blasphemous mockeries, blood traitors and rapists...

"You know how we were made, then, I gather? We hardly had much choice in the circumstances of our births; didn't even know about it, until a few hours ago. But well, so. I won't dispute Nasri's feelings."

The Air Aspect shrugs, and looks up at the... Lunar. Fascinating, beautiful Essence. Fisher had said the Moon was the world's most terrifying hunter...

"Do you think we are less dangerous to you, knowing that you are fortifying this place and have backdoor control of the gate network, but not any details of your plan? That's not a rhetorical question. It's a tradeoff; if you try to persuade us you do give us more information with which to oppose you, should we escape this place alive. But if you believe in your cause, trying to persuade us should also improve the chances that we will not oppose you. Or even help you. But that will require you to take a risk by giving us more data. It's not reasonable to ask us to aid you simply on your word that your intentions are good."

She tilts her head, birdlike. "Do you hate your father? Intend to kill him? I am curious where you see his place in your future."

... yes. But let's see if we can get any more information out of Julia? She seems willing to chat.

[Maugan Ra]

"I still love him." Julia admits, looking pensive. "I mean, this is still my dad, you know? He used to take me rock-climbing when I was young, used to always make time to tell me how proud he was whenever I got another good grade. I don't know if I could kill him, even if I was ever strong enough. But... just because he was nice to me, doesn't mean he isn't an evil man. The world... is still better off without him in it."

She takes a deep breath. "As for all that other stuff, that's not really my place to say. It's really more..."

"Mine."

Nasri walks in through the same street that Julia entered previously, once more in her humanoid form. She has, out of some sense of propriety, donned a soft leather outfit under her feathered cloak, but it does nothing to reduce the aura of savage majesty that she seems to wear like a mantle. Small lightning bolts dance in the depths of her eyes as she studies you all, and it is easy to see the instinctive revulsion that Julia spoke of. Still, she is trying - while her words are still resonant, they at least no longer shake the earth with their fury.

"Her name is Mela, yes. We do not know the full extent of the atrocities Gorol and his ilk have inflicted upon her, but every Elemental who bears the heritage of air can feel her pain to some extent, though only the strongest can truly place the source of those feelings." she explains with a reasonable degree of calm. "And while the link between you and her is not immediately obvious, there is a... familial resemblance of sorts. It was not hard to fit the clues together."

You can see a number of other shapes slowly beginning to fill in the surrounding streets and buildings - canines and humanoids and avians, all spirits of various descriptions, though none seem intent on approaching any closer.

Also, Nasri is not exactly a master socialite, and it is fairly easy to see she knows nothing about the whole 'modified in the womb' thing.

"As for convincing you to join us, or at least not oppose us... it is a difficult prospect. We intend to free the Incarnae - that at least is no great secret, for we have always attempted to do so, though we are closer now than we ever were in the past." the General continues thoughtfully. "I can only attempt to persuade you that such an event is a desirable thing... and it is. The world needs them, and they need us. Not as slaves or resources, as Gorol believes, but as companions and children."

"The Sun sacrificed himself for the sake of a single, human child. Tell me, does that sound like the decision of a cruel tyrant, profiting from the pain and terror of it's creations? Or does it sound like a loving father, putting the well being of his child before his own?"

[Ifni]

"... I always had nightmares, as a child, in Gethamane," Morgan says quietly. "White fangs. A whirlwind of air and shadow. Other things. I never thought much of them. Lots of people sleep poorly, there. And of course I wasn't Exalted then. But they're worse now, when I go back... and we've received information that suggests our inoculation with elemental Essence began before we were born, so the latent potential might have been in place even during childhood. It might be somewhere to look for your Mela."

"As for the Incarnae - we'd heard that story, yes. What would you say of the others? The Maidens, and the Moon?"

[Maugan Ra]

"We know of Gethamane. But simply launching an assault on a city, without sufficient intelligence, is likely to result in nothing more than pointless collateral damage." Nasri says, though she does have the look of someone filing away a potentially useful bit of information.

"As of the others... there are eight, in truth, though I am not surprised that some are less well known than others." The General continues. "First is Gaia, the Emerald Mother. She takes little interest in humanity, comparatively speaking. Her children are the Elementals, and from her comes the balance of energies necessary to life as we know it. It was her hand that forged the Elemental Poles, and without her guiding touch, all of Creation is slowly becoming unbalanced. The underworld did not exist before her banishment."

She glances at Julia. "Luna is her lover, and she is... complicated. She is as ferocious as the mightiest beast, and as dangerous as any storm. But it is from her that humanity gets it's survival instinct, and the ability to adapt so easily to changing circumstances. You have heard the saying 'never come between a mother and her young'? That is Luna in essence. She is not kind, and she is not gentle, but she would do anything for those that she loves. It is how Gorol bound her away, by wounding Gaia such that the Argent Madonna dare not leave her weakened love unprotected for any length of time. "

"She still visits Creation, from time to time." Julia puts in quietly. "When I was feeling cold and alone, lost and terrified with no idea what to do next... she came to me, and she held me like I was her child."

Nasri nods. "She has a sibling as well, her brother Autocthon. He is called the Great Maker, and as I understand it, humanity was one of his favourite creations. He gave you the ability to use tools, and the spark of creativity and innovation, paired with an endless curiousity. We... we do not know what happened to him, or if he even still lives."

"And the Maidens... the Maidens gave us everything else. Mercury is the wanderer, the explorer, the reason we have for wanting to see what is over the next hill. She brought the concept of progress and self-improvement to compliment Autocthon's boundless creativity. Venus invented and personified love in all it's forms, promoting happiness and joy to reward us for our toil."

"From Red Mars we learned the joy of competition and rivalry, and the ability to take pride in what we do. Jupiter showed us how to learn and teach in equal measure, how to look for the hidden meanings behind all things in Creation, even as the Incarnae searched for the truth of the cosmos as a whole. And Saturn... Saturn brought death, a peaceful ending to all things that they might make room for the young of the next generation, but also the concept of medicine."

The Elemental Dragon smiles sadly. "I cannot prove to you that my words are true, for they have all been gone from Creation longer than any of you or your forefathers have been alive. But I assure you, they are great and wondrous beings, and Creation is made lesser by their absence."

[Ifni]

"Or, to play devil's advocate," Morgan says softly, "they were. Can you tell me that you know they haven't been changed by their long imprisonment? Have you had contact with them, over the last few thousand years? You say you want an end to the war, but after what was done to them, will they?"

The Air Aspect watches Nasri levelly, but there's no hostility in her voice, just genuine curiosity and concern.

"Or at least an end that isn't... what's the saying? To make a desert and call it peace? As you said, Julia - just because someone was kind to you doesn't necessarily grant much insight into their character, although it certainly doesn't count as evidence against them."

She glances at Barrator, and then back at Nasri. "Is it peace you want, or victory, or revenge? With regard to the other spheres, the 'Primordials' and their descendants, not just humanity."

[Maugan Ra]

"I will not leave them imprisoned just because they might seek justice for what was done to them!" Nasri snarls, and the air grows sharp with sudden charge.

Shining Barrator gives her a warning look, even as small currents of static electricity course along his Orichalcum frame, and Nasri turns away in order to control herself. The Lion turns back to you.

We desire victory, and an end to this war. If that can be done by achieving peace, then we will do so... but we do not think it possible. They have never shown interest in such a settlement before, and they are unlikely to do so from their position of strength." he says in his rumbling voice. "Is that not right, demon?"

Gervesin shrugs. "Malfeas is King. The King does not negotiate, he demands. That is as it is, and as it ever shall be."

[The_Snark]

Well, that settles that question. Leah clears her throat.

"What I'm worried about," she says, "is getting dragged into this war on the wrong side. More than we already are, anyway. You want to fight Gorol and his lot? Good. I won't stand in your way. You want to fight demons, fine - doesn't sound like they're giving you much choice about that." She flicks a flat look in Gervesin's direction, the disapproval clear.

"But it seems to me that you've spent the last few thousand years fighting humans. I guess what I'm looking for is some kind of assurance that that'll change. If you free your Incarnae, and they decide to help your armies conquer the world quick so they can get to the real enemies..." She shrugs. "Not acceptable. Not from where we're standing."

"Say you do set them free. What's your next step?"

[Ifni]

Morgan nods in agreement at the Wood Aspect. "And Gervesin, as for you... they negotiated once before, didn't they? With Gorol, when they gave him power and he helped them win the war. Malfeas does not appear to rule in our sphere, at least. A king can have neighbors, and diplomats to negotiate on his behalf - no?" She tilts her head quizzically at the demon.

[Maugan Ra]

The demon shakes his head. "You do not understand. Malfeas is not a king. Malfeas is the King. The unquestioned master who rules over all else, he whose will can never be denied, the Ultimate Sovereign. He accepts no neighbors and no peers, only subjects to be ruled and enemies to be crushed. If you stand against him, he will barely even notice the effort it takes to destroy you."

The demon spreads his arms, the grin on his face widening. "You say he does not rule? You merely mistake the signs of his influence for the natural order of things. Every day, a billion mortal tongues speak his praises as they petition the Black Jade Emperor for consideration. When fanatics spill each others blood in the name of the One True God, it is His approval that they seek. When the tribes gather and set down roots, when they build the villages that will one day become great cities, it is because they ape His divine perfection of form."

He laughs scornfully, mocking the silently watching spirits with every word. "You think you can still win this war, Barrator? You lost it millennia ago. Mankind, and the Creation in which it dwells, belong to us now."

He turns to Morgan. "When you put your mind to the task and seek the truth that underlies all things, when you trust in your scientific method, you do honour to the Pyrian Flame."

To Brooks. "When you put pen to page and write such stories as to make grown men weep, you do so in pale imitation of Elloge, Sphere of Speech."

To Leah. "When you comrades turn a blind eye to the sickness around them, when political expediency ties your hands, when good men and women give in to their vices and the innocent fear to walk the streets at night... it is because the Shadow of All Things whispers in their ear."

To Carl. "When you lie awake at night, hearing the screams of your dying friends, it is because the Typhoon of Nightmares has laid her mark upon your soul. When old comrades drive themselves mad rather than face another day of memories, they are embracing the wisdom of the Silent Wind."

To Vannevar. "And you... you are of Malfeas if anyone is. Your ambition, your drive, your refusal to let anyone else take what is yours... Oh yes. We are more alike than you know."

"So set aside this foolish talk of opposing Him, all of you, for it is pointless and will bring you only ruin. The Primordials are never going to yield to your demands, never going to sit down and negotiate as though you are peers. They own you, body and soul, and have done since before you were even born. You are strong and resourceful individuals, yes, but in the face of that... what could you possibly do?"

[The_Snark]

There's a moment of silence, and then -

"Is that supposed to impress me?" Leah asks flatly. "Corruption and vice? Madness? Nightmares? Pointless bloodshed? I can't tell if you're just gloating because you think you'e won, or if you're actually trying to convince us, but you're doing a pretty piss-poor job of it."

The smell of fresh-cut grass is rising in the air, sharp and green and alive, the first sign of Leah's anima. "You almost lost once, from what I've heard. Sounds to me like you're worried."

[industrious]

Vannevar

While it would be trivial to refute Gervesin as to the invincibility of Malfeas, doing so would be counterproductive. Do remember that he is, by his own admission, part of Malfeas; I don't believe that convincing him otherwise is possible.

"Maybe we are," Vannevar speaks mildly, nonchalant as ever. "And maybe opposing Malfeas is an exercise in futility. But I am not opposing Malfeas, any more than one opposes the tides or the ocean. One swims with the current, is guided by it and uses its ends to further ones own. There is no opposition in harnessing the waves to sail to a distant land, even if sailor and sea are not, nor can never be equals."

"Come," the Water Aspect says breezily, quoting from the Immaculate Texts. "Let us reason together. We all have certain...objectives, desires, here. They are not all mutually exclusive. Let us see if we cannot come to some agreement."

As for Anna...if we are to oppose Gorol-which is not the same as opposing Malfeas, or supporting the spirits-she cannot leave Yu-Shan. She must defect, or she must die.

[Ifni]

"The Shadow of All Things was the one you said nobody liked to associate with, yes, Gervesin? I'm surprised that you invoke it."

"It's odd, don't you think," Morgan adds conversationally, "how similar your two lines of argument are? Jupiter taught humanity how to look for the hidden meanings behind all things in Creation - but when I seek the truth underlying the world, I honor the Pyrian Flame. Nasri describes it as a gift bestowed on us by the grace of the Incarnae, Gervesin as a paean we raise to the Primordials, but the object is the same."

For neither of them is this about humanity. Her thought is cool and pointed.

But aloud she laughs softly, a joyous sound, and studies Gervesin curiously. "You are alien. You're part of your progenitor, yes? Can you even disobey his higher souls, bound as you are by your Law? But humanity is different; we may honor our parents and teachers but they are not us, we are not them. And so we may go beyond them, seeing further and reaching higher because we stood on their shoulders."

She tilts her head to Vannevar in acknowledgement, still chuckling a little. "Go on, Vannevar. My spell is effective at seeing the truth of things, but a little distracting." She glances at the ivy-wreathed tower, and smiles a quirked smile. "Perhaps it is a prayer to Jupiter, in this place."

Go on, Vannevar. But I will not be a party to killing Anna. She's helped us when there was no need and I won't repay that with death. Even if we could. Our last fight... I am almost certain she let me win, although I made some mistakes I won't make a second time.

[industrious]

Vannevar

I am new to this squad, and I was not privy to Anna's prior aid. But I will lay my points out, give you the structure of my arguments, and I will ask you all to judge them.

The first is this: she may have treated you well in the past, but Anna has admitted she does not care about the consequences of her actions; her pride is such that she would cause great devastation over an insult. I may have provoked her, yes. But her response-beyond the pale.

An image flashes through the bond; a small home in a downtrodden neighborhood. Leah feels a great sense of guilt from the normally confident Vannevar.

This is the Joanna Home for Troubled Youth. It takes in children from broken homes, shelters them, cares for them, feeds them, schools them. Some stay here permanently...others, we have to give back to homes we know are abusive, though we tip the police whenever we think we have enough proof. I founded it. I own the building. I fund the Home. I don't advertise it to the press, or use it to state I am a moral person. I do it for...other reasons.

Vannevar's emotions close away from the link; they feel absolutely nothing directly. But they can hear his nonverbal agony, the shudder and hesitation in his thoughts during a slow and ponderous revelation.

Anna knew about this place, of course. She knew it when she threatened me with that charge-of doing...terrible...unspeakable things to...children. She would see this place gutted, defunded, leave children on the street and in terrible condition...if I didn't do as she wanted. Anna doesn't care. And she doesn't have the excuse of being controlled or threatened like Fisher is. She did this of her own free will. She is part of the system you so detest, Morgan.

The second reason is more pragmatic. Gorol trusts her. And while the extent of Gorol's influence over the totalitarity of Creation can be argued...he doesn't know what is happening here. If Anna is dealt with here, we can claim she betrayed us, and blame our inability to retrieve his daughter upon her. Unless you want to go to the man and tell him we decided not to take his daughter back? Leave Fisher to be tortured? Or do we kill the lion, subdue Julia, and leave her to the tender mercies of her father?

[Ifni]

She was terrified, Vannevar. Her reaction was beyond the pale, yes, but panic can drive people to strange places. She wants to be free, needs to think of herself as free, and the thought of her personal freedom and agency being subtly eroded, without her awareness, until she's entirely Gorol's creature - that's a nightmare for her. Didn't you see her expression when she first came out? She wasn't happy about the situation in the slightest, but having an outsider taunt her about it...

As for her prior aid - well, the first time was when we were accused of genocide, in the Lotus Incident. She was sent to arrest us, not Fisher, because Gorol thought he would let us escape. She knew we weren't responsible, but argued that she needed to apprehend us to show that Meruvia was taking action, to forestall a war that would have killed vast numbers of innocents. Leah pointed out that a splashy attempted arrest would serve the same function, Anna agreed, and that was when she brought down a parking garage around us. Without harming a single innocent bystander. Leah ran, I dueled her.

I was very obviously outclassed, but at the end... she winked at me. And let me win. Let me knock her unconscious, in a burning street. Trusted me with her life, so that I could get away and help clear our names.

Morgan's thoughts go still for a moment.

As for Fisher...

A pause. A flash of pain. A deep well of determination.

I doubt we can lie to Gorol and not get caught, Vannevar. Unless you have specific magic for it? And in any case he would not free Fisher if we failed, he made that clear.

But if the spirits have a way in mind to get past the security on the prisons of the Incarnae, and release them - if we do decide to help them by acting against Gorol, they can damn well help us rescue one Sidereal. I can scry on him through the coin, Gorol knew I'd be checking on his safety. I... am not certain about the brand, but they said non-spirit magic might work, and there is sorcery designed to break other spells.

[industrious]

Vannevar

...Then we better be sure we can convince Anna to aid us. And we are going to have to deal with Gervesin - permanently. If he warns Gorol, or Ligier...

[Ifni]

It has been implied he doesn't like Gorol very much. And... it does feel like a betrayal, since he came with us to help. But you may be right, it may be necessary... Still, a deep unease seeps through the link. Perhaps we could argue that if Malfeas is so surely invincible, he should let us try without interference - or even help us - to demonstrate the point...

"Perhaps a good starting point would be an answer to Leah's question, General Nasri," Morgan says politely, out loud.

[The_Snark]

I can take care of Gervesin, if we have to.

A memory unfolds through the link. It is a peculiar quality of Leah's enhanced neural system that all her long-term memories are washed clean of emotion; the images are photographically perfect, every conversation is recorded word-for-word, each sensation imprinted with laser precision - but it's devoid of context, more like watching an impossibly detailed recording than being inside a living person's head. So while the brilliant greens of jungle foliage, the hum of bird and insect life, and the damp heat in the air are all quite vivid, it's impossible to tell what Leah was thinking when -

- the man holds out a hand, palm up. He's big, bronze-skinned, dressed in the remnants of a Meruvian special forces uniform. His features have an Eastern cast to them, skirting the line between ugly and ruggedly handsome: bald head, nasty scar running across his face, a grin that reveals several silver teeth. To the casual observer he appears at ease, but a discerning eye can tell he is ready to move - one of the soft martial arts styles, perhaps.

"This," he says, crooking a finger to beckon her closer, "is how you kill me."

flicker

The memory jumps forward abruptly -

"Why are you teaching me this?" Leah's voice: guarded, confused, with an undercurrent of anger. Different place, same jungle (probably). Something is off about the memory; the details are blurred, the sense of balance is wrong. Pain. Fatigue. Maybe something more.

The man flashes that gap-toothed grin again, looking entirely too pleased with himself. "That's an excellent question, little sister. I won't spoil it with an answer."

Leah cuts the memory off before it can run more than a few seconds, moves on.

Anna doesn't like Gorol, but she looks out for herself first. I think she's open to the idea of rebelling, but if she doesn't think we can pull it off? She won't risk it. Gorol trusts her more than Fisher - trusts her enough to know who his daughter is, remember - because she follows orders. She doesn't do impractical moral stands.

So we need to convince her that this plan - whatever we end up doing - will work. Or that there's no other choice. Otherwise...

[Maugan Ra]

Nasri is glaring hatefully at Gervesin, but eventually tears her attention back to you. "I cannot speak for all spirits. Only myself, and those who follow me." she says slowly. "But... no. I have no intention of fighting humanity for any longer than absolutely necessary. This war was never about your race as a whole, only about the actions of your leaders... open and secretive."

"I cannot swear that the Incarnae will choose to act as I would like, for they are by their nature beyond my control... but I will advise them to seek peace, not war, with humankind. On that, you have my solemn word."

[Ifni]

I concur with Leah's assessment of Anna. And honestly, it would be good to have a better idea of whether Nasri's plan is feasible even setting aside the need to convince her...

Morgan's gaze doesn't linger on her allies, darting in fascination across the assembled spirits, but her thoughts focus on each of them in turn. So... what are you thinking? Carl, Amelia, you've been quiet. If we do want to ask Nasri for more information, without Gervesin overhearing, I could pull her into this link, or shut this off and open a new one, but I'm not going to do either unless everyone agrees. Especially the former.

Her thoughts shift for a moment, then, leaping to a distant world: the memory of Malfeas, living singing city, and the beings thronging its streets, millions, and Gervesin saying, I could introduce you to some, if you would like...

And though the thought of Gorol comes with a sharp edge of hatred, her mind lingers on remembered words, echoing through the link: I come here to be reminded of all that could have been lost.

It's nothing so well-defined as even a verbalized thought. Certainly not an active protest. Just the memory, and a sense of pensiveness. But she leaves it hanging there, in the stillness between them. Humans may not be the only innocents...

[Lix Lorn]

I really dunno. I'm just the pilot. And the artillery. And... well, I'm a lot of things, but not the leader.

[Edge]

Carl shrugs and sighs.

Honestly, I don't have much to add. Just a couple of things.

The Earth Aspect turns to look at Gervesin.

"Yo. Demon-spear-dude. Just a few questions for you. One, if Malfeas is so invincible, why did he have to resort to a traitor and a child to get a surrender from the Incarnae? Two, if he so damn "Kingly", why didn't the spirits just kneel right off? And three, if they didn't and haven't kneeled before him, why the everliving **** should we?"

[Maugan Ra]

"Are you trying to provoke me?" Gervesin asks, tilting his head curiously. "I don't know what you think that will accomplish. I have little intention of starting a fight here."

"Still, shall we cut to the chase? Either you take the girl now..." The demon's words are momentarily drowned out by a rumbling growl from Shining Barrator. "Or you don't. And if you decide not to, you will have to explain yourself to Gorol, who does not look kindly on disobedience. The only way you would have out of that situation would be to come up with a reasonable excuse... which you don't have. And since I would feel compelled to inform him and the rest of the hierarchy of what you have done here - nothing personal, it's part of my nature - your only real option would be to kill me first."

He grins, seeming surprisingly unbothered by the concept. "So. What's it going to be?"

[Ifni]

Morgan chortles mentally. I like you, Carl. I probably don't say that often enough. But her thoughts fade swiftly to seriousness. All right. Decisions. Honestly, between Nasri and Julia on one hand, and Gorol and Gervesin on the other, I find the former much more persuasive. Although I still would prefer not to kill Gervesin if it can be avoided.

"Can we have a minute to think about it?" Morgan asks a little plaintively, although she's smiling. "I'm not sure why you seem so enthusiastic about the prospect, Gervesin. Bored?"

She studies the demon in genuine thoughtfulness, considering his brashness, that flashing grin, balancing them against his earlier unease. Does he have a trump card, or is he just pretending he does?

Would the rest of you be okay with me drawing Nasri or Julia into the link?

[Maugan Ra]

Reading Gervesin:
The demon is currently enjoying himself, in a 'high-stakes-adrenaline' sort of way. He also has a positive intimacy towards Battle, and the creation thereof.

"Bored? In such fascinating company? Perish the thought." the demon returns. "I told you, didn't I? It's the Way of Malfeas. Right now, you are stronger than me, we are far away from any outside observation, and I am standing in the way of your goals. Killing me might even appease all these watching spirits."

There is a cold look in his green eyes now, as he stares at you in challenge. "You claim you do things differently to Malfeas? Prove it."

[Ifni]

No one disagreeing? All right. Guard your thoughts -

The warning is a swift flicker across the group-mind. Morgan quirks an eyebrow at Gervesin.

"You want a fight, don't you? A glorious war. Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori? Although I suppose Malfeas is patria to you in more ways than one..." Her voice is light, musing. She smiles, not without irony, yet almost in affection. A little sadness. "Whether it's against us, or with us against the spirits. Battle for its own sake. Or perhaps in glory to the King. Am I wrong?"

Her hands are open. She does not reach for her swords. The fugue still holds her, caught in the desire for understanding.

But as she speaks there is a quick lash of unseen lightning, a brief keen of an unheard wind, as she bridges the gap between her mind and Nasri's.

General Nasri, greetings...

The first thing to cross the link is a quick flurry of compressed information, the surface of the Air Aspect's thoughts sparking with concepts as sharp-edged and intricate as a storm of snowflakes: this is how you hold back your deeper thoughts, this is how you reserve your emotions, this is how you speak into the link, this is how you tell me to BREAK IT OFF, NOW...

Physical sensation flows with the concepts, carrying the pinpoint focus of the fugue. The dusty taste of the air in the back of her throat; the cool fragrance of the ivy; the faded sullied colors of the broken city and the watching spirits like a living shifting rainbow; the sound of footsteps each an individual drumbeat in a braided cord of percussion.

And the wind, flowing across her skin, dancing counterpoint to her moods, bright font of breeze-and-storm Essence; like a friend's hug, like a lover's caress, always there.

Only then, if Nasri does not demand the link be broken, come words.

I think we are inclined to side with you, General, or at least not against you. But we would know your plan, so we can estimate its feasibility.

She has long practice with this Charm, and so the steely focus required to not think about certain topics, not to let them ripple the cool surface of her mind, comes - if not naturally - at least without too much effort. But still, best this be done quickly.

I will swear any oath you wish that regardless of what we choose, to the best of my ability to ensure it, Gorol and his allies will not learn of your plan or its existence from me.

Spending 1m on With One Mind on Nasri. I believe the last time we did this, the ruling was that I just added the new person to the existing link. I'm fine with that - if I have the option for a separate Morgan-Nasri link I might do that though, depending on how others feel about it.

[Maugan Ra]

"I am a weapon." Gervesin says bluntly. "A 'spear of the champion'. Without war, without conflict, I have no purpose. Without purpose, I might as well not exist."

Nasri's mind is, as expected, distinctly inhuman. Her thoughts and emotions surge and roar like the fiercest ocean storm the world has ever seen, momentarily flooding the mental link before the General constructs the required mental walls to keep it in check. Even so, you can still feel the pounding force of her mind in the distance, shading her every thought with constant, elemental fury.

Are you done negotiating with this... thing? I will not tolerate it's presence for very much longer.

[Ifni]

I think we're fast approaching that point, General, Morgan answers silently. I would ask you, though, to stay out of it - unless he kills us all, in which case, of course, you'll do as you must. Gervesin accompanied us to help rescue a kidnapped child. If we're going to betray him we'll do it with our own hands.

Her thoughts have a taut-wire hum to them, a chill and steely tension. There is a jagged edge to the emotions behind them, saw-toothed against the dismissal of Gervesin as a thing.

But another question, General Nasri. Do you know this man?

An image flashes through the link, memory of a memory.

A much younger Fisher, his hands glowing with emerald energy, standing triumphant above the curled body of a dragon, miles-long. It bleeds metaphor from wounds in armor formed of analogy and language...

The image goes out as if a light had been switched off. Another replaces it.

An older, weary Fisher, burns and bruises not yet fully faded, watching through the diminishing portal, in the harsh light of the green sun. Gorol's hand on the Sidereal's shoulder, and the Infernal's thin smile.

This one holds for a moment and then vanishes even more abruptly: from the distaste that edges the link, it's clear Morgan does not like to dwell on it.

He passed us information on the Dragon-Blooded program, the Air Aspect explains flatly. Hence the current punishment. But he's been a slave for a very long time. His freedom was Gorol's bribe to us, for this mission.

My colleagues can speak for themselves, but for me... this is my price, General. Help us free him, and I won't stand in your way. And if you can convince us that your plan is workable, perhaps we can help you free your prisoners, too.

Her mind leaps to another memory-of-memory, the Incarnae before their fall. The gentle quirk of Jupiter's smile. The dust on Mercury's clothes. Stern Mars and cold-eyed Saturn and Venus in her azure gown, Luna pale-haired and deadly, and last the Sun - glorious and virtuous, and eventually, betrayed.

Seconds only pass, in the silence following Gervesin's remark. Into that lingering pause, Morgan's eyes grow less distant: she shrugs one shoulder, and frowns a little, and then speaks directly to the demon. "So your fascination at the Internet, your enthusiasm for taking us to see the other spheres... no purpose there?" She opens her hands. "You are an aspect of Ligier, are you not? I would not call you a liar, Gervesin, but there seems more to you than a simple blade."

"But so."

She rests her hands on the hilts of her swords. "I don't disagree with your analysis of the situation. And you seem disinclined to try to persuade us to your own point of view."

She slides the swords a little way out of their scabbards, testing how freely they move. "If it is battle you desire, we can test our mettle against you." She smiles suddenly. "I am always eager to learn. But you want to know how differently we might do things...?"

Her voice is musing, thinking out loud. "Suppose I were to propose this: that we shall fight you, but the five of us alone, asking the spirits to stand aside. And that if you lose, and yet survive - if we prove the stronger, and by your hierarchy free to do as we wish - then you promise us two things only: to keep silent about what you have learned here until Gorol and Malfeas' hierarchy discover it by other means, and that if war comes, to fight only in defense of your home and people, not to take the battle to Creation."

And if I were to lose, and yet survive..."

Shadows curl around the silver-haired scholar, licking along her hands, shrouding her in darkness. But her voice is clear, first-frost and wind-chimes. "Then I should do my best to ensure you leave Yu-Shan alive, and if war should come, I would make you the same pledge: to fight only in defense of Creation and its people, and not to seek to bring harm to your own world."

She opens her mind to the link, and Nasri, as she speaks. Silent wordless explanation, without a hint of defensiveness: the memory of Malfeas, the living mind of an alien world - the thronging millions in the streets - the blazing green star above - the wild exuberant fountains of Essence and energy and life. Alien, yes, dangerous, yes - but are we children, to try to break what we do not understand?

A slight wry smile. Her tone is clinical. "Of course that may all be moot if you simply take the opportunity to kill me. But in either case, at the very least, you avoid having to fight us and the spirits all at once. And we give up a stronger position, for the sake of - do you understand?" Would the King comprehend such an action? To volunteer a concession, to an honorable enemy?

Morgan shrugs again, her smile turning a little fey. "Or do you have another means in mind for us to prove that we are different? I am listening, Gervesin." Listening to all the myriad whispers of the wind, the soft rustle of the ivy, the slow and rapid heartbeats of the crowds around her.

If battle comes she will have to release the fugue. It's too distracting to see everything in a thousand new shades of color, to hear every turn of a leaf beneath your feet. So for now she takes quiet joy in it, in the world so bright against her senses, so easy to see and hear and understand.

[Maugan Ra]

Nasri studies you thoughtfully before replying. Very well. I agree to your price, and the terms you have set for this contest.

There is a harsh tearing sensation as the Storm Dragon tears her awareness away from the mental link, and then steps backwards towards the edges of the square. The rest of her host does likewise, creating a makeshift ring around you and the demon.

Gervesin is silent, weighing you each in turn with his gaze. Then he nods sharply, once.

"Agreed. But you should know - I am a part of those above me. Should I die in truth... and I know at least one of you has the power to make that happen... they will know. They will feel it, just as you would feel the pain of a missing limb."

With that, the demon takes a step back and stretches his arms out to his sides. There is a faint crackle, and you can all taste the coppery tang of blood in the air. Then, like old wallpaper peeling away from the stone belief, Gervesin's skin rapidly starts to rot and fall away, taking the borrowed clothing with it to lie in a gently steaming mess at his feet.

The stench is indescribable.

The being beneath is statuesque in a far more literal fashion, a corroded monument of tarnished brass illuminated by a network of burning green veins. Eyes of burning emerald fire fix upon you, and a cloud of super-heated steam escapes from between brass fangs as the Second Circle Demon settles into a fighting stance.

"Come then. Test your strength against mine, and to the victor, the spoils."

Join Battle, folks. Snark, I really think we need a sheet by now...

Gervesin's roll: [roll0] + 1 sux

You may each of you also activate a single Combo before rolling JB, of you wish. Obligatory power-up stage!