[Nexus] Riverside 13

[Gullara]

http://i749.photobucket.com/albums/xx135/oots12321/Other/Riverside2-1.png
By Darklord Bright

Riverside, a small, modern city outside the reach of Remnant control. The city has always been known by one defining factor, it's status as a hive of scum and villainy. A number of factions vie for footholds in the city, though they are largely peaceful at the moment. No doubt some would jump at the opportunity to expand their influence. Riverside sits on the edge of the Nexus, so while it's still prone to the strangeness common there, it's far more stable than other parts of the Nexus. Being the hive and scum and villainy that it is, the streets can be dangerous and shady deals and dark alleys are plenty. Welcome to Riverside.


Current Events:





The Districts:
Northside


Eastside

Eastside is mostly a middle-to-lower class, densely populated area. It's fairly multicultural, even by Nexus standards, and inhabited by a wide range of species and cultures.
Like the rest of Riverside, Eastside has been in the hands of either criminals or supernatural factions for a long time. Now it has changed - a democratic election organized by the Democracy Now movement led to the creation of the Eastside Parliament and a Mayor. They hold the power in Eastside now, and the Hunters enforce the law within it.

Southside

Where there was people and buildings as dense as the rest of Riverside, the territory once ruled by the Court of One was emptied by its queen when she vanished. What was left behind was a featureless expanse of land.

Since then, a number of different people and groups have taken the opportunity to construct their own buildings and get a foothold in the city. What resulted from this is a scattered collection of factions with their own territory.

Westside

Most notably, the district of Westside is covered by a field of darkness. During the day, the sky is an inky black, where no sign of the sun is visible. During the night, the field allows the stars and moon to show through it. In place of the sun, the "Light of Evolution" lights up the strange sky. It served to light up the days, but the light is more white than natural sunlight.

Because of these unique conditions, Westside is home to far more citizens of the variety that would typically avoid the sun by living underground and staying indoors during the day. on the other hand, you wouldn't find anyone that couldn't adapt to the lack of proper sunlight here.

Westside is home mostly the middle class, tough a section of it houses a much more wealthy class of citizens. Large, old mansions are found in this area, surrounded by fences and large yards. the rest of the district is more typical.

Places Within:
Northside

Malechenar Castle Shadowcaller
The castle is a gigantic structure, far larger than any other building in the city and somehow defying the laws of gravity by levitating right over it. This castle have no visible courtyard or entrances however, just a myriad of strained glass archway-shaped windows surrounded by round black walls. The walls are arranged like gigantic archways which supports structure with smaller archways on top which in turn supports other other archways which builds up the entire wall which is connected by an myriad of spires and build in passage ways. {Reference Image (http://english.ncu.edu.tw/susanna/images/gothic/archi02/11.JPG)}

There are five much larger spires coming off from the main structure, reaching up into the air like spikes. Four of them end with large diamond shaped objects made of a red glass-like material. The fifth and tallest spire is in the very middle of the structure and could be called a tower instead as it's much wider than the others and ends with five smaller spires arranged in a similar ways as the ones in the castle itself.

All over Malechenar sit gargoyles upon ledges which seem to have been specifically made for them, their black skin blending in perfectly into the building.
Moth Park:
About 100 acres, the moth park is approximately rectangular in shape, with a bandshell/performance stage at the north end, a soccer field and softball diamond at the south and a forested area in the center.

It also holds two playgrounds (swing sets, slides, monkey bars) several fountains (most of which are nonfunctional) various statues and a network of walking paths.

Since the re-opening, Moth park is pretty popular with the local residents as well as those who come into the area to work or visit.
Police Station:
The police station is a large but simple brick building. All police activity is based out of this building. It's outfitted with interrogation rooms, a few offices, and other rooms that a police station would have.
Riverside Hospital:
This hospital is the only one currently in Riverside. It was built after the old hospital burned down some years ago. As a result, it's of fairly modern design. It works just like a normal, modern hospital would with the exception of magic being used along normal medical procedures to achieve better results.
Sawyer's Inn:
The inside of Sawyer's is beautiful, though humble. Whoever keeps the place, keeps it in fine condition.

The dark wooden floors are waxed and shiny. There are four wooden pillars that reach up to the ceiling. The four walls are painted in a brick red, with light grey accents.

Along the left wall there is a large hearth fire burning, with a dog and cat sleeping together. The dog raises it's head slightly to observe the newcomers, but doesn't rush to sniff them out.

Along the right wall is the customer service area, with a dining hall just past it. The smell of freshly baked bread and some kind of meat can be smelled eminating from beyond.

And then there is the back wall. There is a set of stairs leading up and another leading down. Both sets are made of the same wood as the pillars and floor.
Temple of Dalachrech: Earl of Purple
This building closely resembles all the other semi-detached houses along this road. The temple takes up both halves of the house, however; although the building has been designed such that the halves don't match to maintain the illusion of separate owners. It has a red tile roof and is constructed from red brick, although the left half has been painted white. There's a pair of garages and two front doors, both of which work.

The temple is a private location. Please PM Earl of Purple before visiting.
Posts for the temple should occur in this thread (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=263702).


Eastside

Cosiellio's Temple: Harnel
There's a small temple here that just finished construction last week. It's a fairly plain thing, more utilitarian than ostentatious, but it's made of marble and granite, giving it a glowing white appearance in the sun, with Cos' holy symbol in a large carved statue above the front door. It's a shield with feathered wings imposed along the front, giving it the impression of a heart. It's carved impeccably; it must have been done with magic.

A few of Cos' faithful are here almost all the time - given the informal nature of the temple, everybody drifts in to say a few prayers whenever they're feeling like they should, or whenever they have the time. Cos himself regularly visits, of course, and answers prayers directly.
Fallow’s Furry & Feathered Friends: Earl of Purple
The shop is lit up with bright lights and neon advertising. Around the store is a secure, electrified fence and there's four watch towers in the corners. The gate is near a large, secure-looking building within which are three ogre guards. Inside lie four warehouses, a large collection of aquariums and gigantic tanks, a squat and ugly toilet block and three seperate bunkers for customers to evacuate into should something more dangerous escape, such as a smilodon from the Mammal House, a wyvern from the Reptile House, a giant carnivorous slug from the Invertebrate House or something worse. Patrolling the wide, open spaces are the occasional group of six uniformed humans armed with net-guns. Slaves can be bought here if one asks the right questions.
Golden Flagon Tavern:
The Golden Flagon Tavern was once the main hideout of the local mafia. It was destroyed, but recently it has been fully restored. It still tends to attract the unsavory sort, but the owner keeps things civil.

The tavern is very old fashioned. It's a stone building with polished, wooden supports. A fire always warms it's large hearth and the drinks always good. It makes for a comfortable atmosphere.
Hunter Lodge: Morty
The main administration building for the Hunter force. The Hunter Commander's office is located there, as well as the rest of the administrative staff.
Light's Heart: Shadowcaller
The citadel rises up like something taken from a sci-fi movie. The walls are golden colored, untainted by age and dirt. Like something that was just build just recently.
Five towers have been built into the wall, standing no less then 40 feet tall, looking like they have been cut out from the same stone.

Above the towers rises the citadel itself, completely square in form and made of the same golden stone it have numerous arrow slits carved out at the upper floors.

Leading around it's form is a wooden staircase going from the top of the citadel to the courtyard below.The only visible entrance is the massive gate made of obsidian colored wood which stands wide open, inviting anyone inside.
Parliament: Morty
Not far from the Town Hall, the small circular new building serves as the meeting place for the People's Parliament. It includes a large hall for meetings as well as offices for all the members.
Town Hall: Morty
Converted from several buildings in the middle of the district, it serves as the seat of the administration. The Mayor resides there.


Southside

Church of Terenti: Reinholdt
This rather classic looking cathedral sprung up overnight by Terenti's blessing. It is holy ground for those it matters to. Every day the high priest Saul, holds sermons to a slowly growing congregation on Terenti's Word, the Seven Virtues, and redemption before the cleansing fire.
Harald's Lab: GrandDM
Located under an apparently empty lot in Southside, this facility contains a lot of science experiments and equipment, as well as a large number of robots and orks. Due to the teleblocker and dimensional lock, the Lab is only accessible by Harald's teleporters, and thus by invitation - unless you want to try and dig down to it.

It is currently undergoing expansion to equal the size of the facility removed from Inside.
Lotus Gardens: Wolfbane
The Lotus Gardens are a veritable Eden, a paradise in the middle of an otherwise fairly "normal" city. The entire section appears carved of white marble and smells of sweets, a hint of sweat, and exotic flowers, inviting all to come and stay in the Lotus Garden's Embrace.

Home to the Slaanesh Cult "The Masks", the population is full of exotic and beautiful appearing people who are always welcoming. Though many just live around the area, actual cultists seem few and far between, wearing their Masks as they patrol the streets as guards.

In the very center is the Mask Temple, a cathedral of white marble and stained glass windows, surrounded by paired statues of lovers locked in eternal embrace.
AMENside

AMEN Embassy: AMEN Players
The Main Base for AMEN in Riverside, this building is shaped like a spider above ground and goes fairly deep below ground.
AMENside Wall AMEN Players
This wall forms a large slightly amorphous half-circle in connection with the river and clearly designates AMEN's territory. It is guarded by the occasional emplaced turret and has gates for entry/exit.


Westside

Blood Donation Clinic:
A small clinic has been established in Westside for the purpose of collecting blood from those willing to donate. The blood is then distributed to those that require it. This is primarily Tenebras vampires, but any being that requires blood for sustenance can get it here. Some blood can be given to the hospital when needed as well.

The clinic itself is a small building. Inside there is a reception area, and a few different rooms for the actual procedure. There is usually one person on site twentyfour seven.
Cathedral of the Sacred Order of Cunningham: happyturtle
The Westside Cathedral is large enough to house people for emergency purposes, but in general, only the family of the pastor and the groundskeeper live there.

Pastor Rockwell is the Pastor
Sister Janice is the Pastor's wife, and a skilled hippiemancer.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7f/Worcester_cathedral.jpg
Club Pulse: Shadowcaller
The club is quite easily noticed by the huge neon sign outside, Pulse was easily recognized as Riversides largest nightclub. Beyond the line and the bouncer outside is a classic club layout with a large dance floor with loud music and flashing lights.

In a slightly more calm area of the club is the bar run by an one-eyed bartender called Ryo.

There are two stairs leading up to the upper floor where it's easier to talk and drink.

The atmosphere is pretty heavy as you walk inside with techno music playing very loud.
Doctor Stroffelnburg's Psychiatric Clinic: Reinholdt
This rather unassuming white building contains the world's finest psychiatric doctor. After the setback at his hospital that caused the loss of the use of his legs, Doctor Stroffelnburg took his savings and set up a smaller clinic here in Riverside. Walk-ins are encouraged.
Enforcer HQ: Gulaghar
On the outside, this building almost looks like a bunker. It's a low, squat building constructed of stone. The only windows are on the front of the building and they are small. There is a fenced off area in the back that contains a number of vehicles.

The lobby area is fairly bare. There are a few different clearly labeled desks to approach, depending on the reason for being there. One is for general business with the Enforcers. The wall opposite the desks is lined with chairs.

Off to the left is a hallway that goes deeper into the building. An Enforcer guard stands at the entrance to this hallway at all times. At the end of the hall is a heavy steel door with a card based lock. Behind this door is an armoury that contains the Enforcer's weapons and armour.

On the opposite side of the lobby, there is a similar hallway, though it's not guarded on the lobby side. At the far end there is a door that leads to an area with a few holding cells and a desk for a guard to work at.

Halfway down the same hall is another hall intersecting it. This hall is lined with doors to a number of offices and other rooms.
Evolution Industries: Darkcomet
The Westside branch of EI. The main building is a fairly nondescript, tall (not a skyscraper or anything, but still with several floors) modern one, with a large Evolution Industries logo on it.
Evolution Industries Power Plant: Darkcomet
The Class 3 MACE unit offered by Evolution Industries is a large, static installation capable of generating enough power to supply all of Riverside with electricity, and it was Tenebras that commissioned the first of these installations from EI.

The installation is housed inside a large, reinforced building. The interior has multiple levels linked by elevators and stairs, all surrounding the roughly cylindrical silver crystalline structure that is the actual Class 3 unit. It's quite the view at the top for EI's employees and the occasional tourist, and naturally there are plenty of guard rails. Naturally, office space, bathrooms, and the like are all present in the building, though obviously away from the main spiral surrounding the installation itself. Many computers and other such pieces of equipment are present in the areas around the installation, perpetually monitoring and controlling its output.

The building itself is guarded and patrolled by Evolution Industries' corporate security division.

All that is known to the public, but given what Evolution Industries used to do, and the identity of its head, it's possible the place is far more guarded than it immediately seems...
Exbourne Manor: Gulaghar
Exbourne manor is rather old, though kept in excellent condition since it was restored when Tenebras moved in. The rooms are large and spacious, and most of the public areas have been painted in bright pastels and decorated with vases of flowers.

The ground floor largely consists of the lofty entrance hall, a comfortable living room, and the kitchen. Ramiro's office is also on the ground floor for easy access. The second and third floor have mostly bedrooms and attached washrooms. The basement serves as rooms for the servants primarily. In a separate part of the basement is a large vault as well as an Evolution Industries Class 2 MACE Unit which provides the building with electricity. Finally, the attic contains whatever it is that creates the darkness field within Westside.

The manor is surrounded by a courtyard. An iron fence surrounds it, and a number of trees provide privacy along the sides and behind the building. The courtyard is grassy and has a cobblestone trail leading to the front door. Behind the manor is a private garden. The courtyard's gate is almost always left open.
Light of Evolution/Control Center: Darkcomet
Once the Class 3 Installation was completed, the head of Evolution Industries approached the leader of Tenebras with an answer to a question that had been asked of him before-that of bringing light back to Westside.

The building at ground level is fairly normal-looking, wide but not overly tall. It is marked with Evolution Industries logos, and serves as the control and maintenance center for the site's true purpose.

The crystalline sphere that serves as Westside's artificial sun, known as the Light of Evolution, floats in the air far above the building, a bright blue beam linking it and the structure. This serves to power the Light. This beam is surrounded by a translucent, shimmering blue forcefield, to prevent anyone from interrupting it.

The beam is projected from a system usually at the roof of the building, and is taken in by a receiver panel at the bottom of the Light, which is how it powers it.

The Light brightens and dims as appropriate to simulate a natural day-night cycle, and the beam that powers it dims with it. After all, when it is dimmer, it requires less power. In the darkest times of the night, the beam projector deactivates and the forcefield drops. The former lowers itself down into the building, and the Light floats down on anti-gravity systems with their own onboard power. The Control Center's roof contains a hatch that, at this time, opens and allows the Light to land for maintenance. During the day, this hatch is normally sealed around the energy projector that powers the Light, preventing it from being used as a secondary entrance during this time as well.

Naturally, the site is heavily guarded by Evolution Security, and no tourists or civilians are allowed inside.

Interestingly, Evolution Industries has issued an official warning that it is not responsible for the results of anyone flying into the forcefield around the power beam, or the beam itself should those be somehow disabled. It is noted that death or serious injury is likely to occur.
MagMart: Lord Magtok
If the individual entering has any sort of familiarity with the other MagMart, back when it was its own building apart from Mallside, they'll probably notice that this Riverside one doesn't look anywhere near as glamorous as its predecessor. It's a modest purple brick building, the glass display windows aren't even properly bulletproof, and the smelly homeless people usually employed to wander around about the front of the store in a wacky MagMascot costume with an enormous cyborg head are mysteriously absent.

That said, you can still find just about everything here that you can at the Mallside store. Curtains to carpets, macaroni to monkeys on motorcycles, groceries to zombies garlic. The staff is always happy to help (or else), and if you aren't entirely satisfied with your shopping experience, you can pay a small fee to watch the MagMart employee of your choosing get fired out the MagMart complimentary employee morale cannon. Except in this store, the 'morale cannon' is really more of a morale bazooka, and while it's still fun to watch, it's nowhere near as charming.
Toy Tinker: Murkus
Here stands the Toy Tinker, a rich, ancient wooden building styled after the sort of boardwalk shop you might've found on Earth in the early American twentieth century. It's a crude blocky affair dominated by sweeping, simple architecture, built in two stories with a basement beneath. The front of the shop is covered by two long, shiny windows, behind which waits a plethora of playthings. Mostly metal work, plus some plastic or wood worked in. The various creatures move about with a life of their own, eyes aglow by some strange inner light. Dragons with clockwork guts waddle alongside tin soldiers run on batteries and copper wire. You can find just about any sort of toy here.

The Tinker supplies the most lifelike toys anywhere, guaranteed. Just don't ask how the proprietor makes them - unless you're looking for business of a different sort.
Westside City Hall: Gulaghar
The newly constructed city hall is a towering, impressive building. It is crafted primarily out of a light stone. There is an old feel to it's design, but it is very much a modern building on the inside.

It opens up to a wide open lobby. The floor is a clean white and the room is brightly lit by florescent lights. Immediately to the right of the door is a reception desk where a receptionist can be found for direction during business hours. On the left of the entrance is a security desk where an Enforcer can be found. In the middle of the room is a small fountain with several chairs around it. On the far side of the room is an elevator and there are a number of other doors that lead out of the room.

On the second and third floor there are a number of offices. The mayor's office is on the third floor and there is an office for the Enforcer chief here as well.

Previous Threads:
Riverside 12 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=278058)
Riverside 11 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=262777)
Riverside X: Take a Walk on the Wildside (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=253781)
Riverside IX (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=248824)
Riverside VIII: A New Side (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=238369)
Riverside VII (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=226275)
Riverside VI (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=218891)
Riverside V (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=213952)
Riverside IV: Offside, 10 Yard Penalty (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=207810)
Riverside III (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=199842)
Riverside II (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=183453)
Riverside I: The Beginning (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=180396)

[UncleWolf]

Outside Eastside Hospital

"What kind of demon?" Talaitha asks, reaching into a pouch to draw three cards, hoping that the fates guide her right in what she should do next. Ten of Wands Reversed. Hierophant. Nine of Pentacles.

The elf will see the Romani looking at the cards before smiling and snickering a little, putting them away. "Well, the Fates have no idea how we should proceed, but they promise success at any rate. Among other things. Though, it's going to be difficult. Now that my idea doesn't seem to work. What do hyu have in mind?"

[Zefir]

Clegg glowers in rage as his volley of cannonballs do absolutely nothing but cloud up the air. Oh well, The Crone's Claw was still hidden underneath the massive green fog, hiding the ship from anyone's view. As for the cannon from Deus Ex Machina, it misses. There's no way it can get a shot to hit, for Clegg came into the fight expecting to be attacked, and so he made it storm and fog. So between the heavy rain, and the massive amounts of green fog flying everywhere, it's nigh impossible to hit. The perfect tactical position for Clegg. The Undead Captain raises his fist again, shouting out, FIRE, ye beggarly bunch of bones, slice their weak mortal flesh to ribbons! FIRE THE SHRAPNEL SHOTS, AND PREPARE THE MAW. The Maw was the massive cannon on the front of the ship, on deck. This huge thing could swivel and turn. It was a huge cannon, and it was built on top of the deck nearest to the front. This cannon turns to face DMside, and after a few seconds, fires. The massive projectile is meant to take down enemy ships in one big flaming shot. The cannon ball is shot, on fire, and as soon as it hits something, the huge thing will explode, sending shrapnel everywhere and probably smashing buildings.

At the same time, Clegg orders firing of the fifty shrapnel cannons on AMENside, sending a hailstorm of jagged metal and glass down on the HALOites and Clarissa. It is storming, which makes the shrapnel spread, so it will effect a large area. At the same time, the other fifty cannons on the other side are fired, sending cannonballs smashing out there as well, probably decimating a few buildings. Blow them all to HELL! BUAHAHAHAH!!

AMENside - DMside

The big cannonball flies in the direction of DMside. Assuming the fog is also woking against Clegg's men, it would have missed, but DMside rose a shield in defense. So it will explode at the shield, giving DMside their own smokescreen.

"Shields are on 35%." A man shouts as the shield starts t flicker.

"Channel the energy of the gate shields to the main shield and fokus on the front. Place guards, just in case. i doubt they will attack us on the ground." Mia shouts her order.

The man just does so and the shield stops to flicker. Then another man comes over his robot carries a pc.

"High Priestress? We discovered a way to get better aim of the ship. Due to their constant fire and the attack against us AND the shouting of their captain, we are able o predict their movement inside of the cloud."

"Good. Send in some drones. The weapon still cools down so we can't land an attack. I want to get a safe shot on this ship. Remember our target is to damage them enougth so they flee, we don't need to kill them."

The man nods and heads away. A few seconds later four objects leave DMside and head for the cloud. They all got an X form and seem to be very high tech.

AMENside - Beta

The emerald disapears into the ground and Tovpir follows his leader underground.

AMENside - Defence

Again Clegg's massiv attack causes a few mines to explode. A lot less then before.

[Shadowcaller]

Outside Eastside Hospital

"It's a elder fear demon according to my sources." Obriane explains as Talaitha draws her cards, she leans to the side a bit, trying to see what she got. As the Romai suddenly asks a question her attention spins around 180 degrees back to the other woman. "Umm... I think I told you my plan already. It just wasn't working out. So I need to think of a new plan." She thinks for a moment. "The best way I think is to find out more about the demon, that's usually how you beat something this powerful. Find it's weak spot."

[The Bushranger]

((Will post for other stuff later))

Lotus Gardens - Magtok


"You weren't at that Skyside thing, were you? Yeah, I think so. The voice is vaguely familiar. I think there's an AMENite who could pass for your sister, too. What was her name..." Well of course there's an AMENite who could, Magtok. You're looking at her right n-

"Ivaz! That's right, Ivaz, if she dyed her hair darker. She has eyes full of crazy like yours."

Rebecca laughs at that, shaking her head bemusedly. "Oh, I know...of her. She might well be my type. I appreciate your fashion sense, at least." She chuckles, reaching up to her eyes for a moment? :smallconfused: "Of course, there's plenty of my types here."

And as they reach the top of the Temple steps, she turns to smirk at Magtok -
- wait, weren't her eyes blue before?
Because they're bright red now, quite noticable against her pale skin.
Musta been contacts...

[Lord Magtok]

Lotus Gardens - Magtok

"Yes, I get it, you're all Slaanesh types here. Attractive people with libidos bigger than my over-inflated sense of self-worth. You don't have to-"

Magtok stops abruptly, blinks, and glances at those red eyes a second time.

"Wait wait wait. You said Rebecca. That...you? Here? Clothed? How? What is this, I don't even-"

Oh snap, Becky's cover has been blown! And so has Magtok's mind!

[The Bushranger]

Lotus Gardens - Magtok

"Surprise"
And the Shadowmancer did grin...
"I was wondering if you'd make it all the way to Lady Jezebel without catching on, Tin Man," she says in a sing-song voice, turning back to head to the door.

[Lord Magtok]

Lotus Gardens - Magtok

"Alternate dimension Becky? Secret twin who's messing with me right now? Head injury leading to amnesia bring you here? Mind control? If it's mind control you can tell me, I don't care enough to help AMEN bring you back. Did Ilpholin have you split in half, too? Wait no, that's doesn't make sense, you don't even have a decently-dressed half. Not even a well-dressed tenth, for that matter."

Whatever the case is, it's obviously not the Becky he knows, acting of her own free will. It couldn't be. That's not true, that's impossible!

[The Bushranger]

[Lotus Gardens - Magtok]

Search your feelings, you know it to be true!

"Nope, nope, nope, would I even know, don't care, she broke my heart, and Lady Jezebel wants me to be 'a proper lady'," 'Rebecca' replies dryly, holding the Temple door for the cyborg. "After all that was going on, I couldn't stay. So I came back here," she explains, wrinkling her nose a bit. She'd suggest Magtok try it but (a) this is Magtok and (b) even if she didn't hate his cyberguts he has catgirlfriends and probably has fleas.

[Lord Magtok]

Lotus Gardens - Magtok

"So you finally realized you were being used as little more than a cheap lay, and-" Magtok stops himself midsentence, the harshness of his own words catching up with him, biting him with their venomous fangs before he can go any further. It's time to face facts, Ilpholin hurt people. She ruined lives, and he just sat around the base the whole time ignoring it all, telling himself the victims deserved or wanted it. Not just that vampire boy fell prey to her vile and obsessive brainwashing, but Becky too, probably. It doesn't help that he feels a similar sense of betrayal, though obviously far less intimate than what was going on with the recent Mask convert.

"Right, well, err...that was probably for the best. Riverside was a trap, and when I called Ilpholin out on that, they called me the traitor, so I left too. So, umm...good luck with your proper lady thing, okay?"

That...wow, I think he actually meant that. Obviously he'd never go so far as to say he's sorry for anything, since this is still Magtok we're talking about, and he has his pride preventing that sort of thing, but I think that's as close to an apology as he's ever come with Becky, or ever will.

[5a Violista]

Leaving the Northside Temple of Dalachrech

Shanaya Evilene Klisvane, a 14 (almost 15!)-year old girl, wearing clothing befit of a Brand-New-Novice of Dalachrech, leaves to go down to the Southside Temple.

She walks the whole way, 'cause she's a Player Character and Player Characters always decide to go walking.

On the road between Northside and AMEN'sside

It would be so incredibly awesome for some random attack/encounter/vampires/whatever to befall Shanaya along the way (hint, hint).

Edit: of course, it's only logical for her to get lost on the way, so basically anything can happen.

[The Bushranger]

Lotus Gardens - Magtok

"Thank you."

Becky says nothing more, but her back does stiffen a bit, and she remains in uncomfortable silence as she leads Magtok the rest of the way to Jezebel.

[UncleWolf]

Outside Eastside Hospital

"The bane of all fear is courage in the face of it." Talaitha suggests, looking at the door again. "Perhaps we should push on then? Fear only hurts us if we let it after all."

Lotus Temple - Magtok

Magtok will be lead to Jezebel's office, where she's waiting in her usual revealing toga-style dress. She gives Rebecca a smile and nods, gesturing for her to leave. Once she does so, she gives Magtok a smile as well. "What do you think? Of both this place and of her? I understand you two worked together."

[Shadowcaller]

Outside Eastside Hospital

Obriane scratches the back of her head and looks down at the ground. "Eh... wouldn't that be... a bit bullheaded? Not sure if I want to charge into the lair of a elder demon with a complete stranger." She laughs nervously. "Not that I'm scared or anything of course, it just seem a bit... foolhardy."

[Lord Magtok]

Lotus Temple - Magtok

Magtok takes a seat. "The place is very...very you. Beautiful, charming, hypnotic. A subtle undercurrent of danger, of playing with fire every step of the way."

Of making Magtok doubt his heterosexuality, but that's not something he'd ever admit to anyone.

"As for Becky, or Rebecca, or whatever, I was never too close to her. The assless chaps made it kinda hard to take her seriously, as you can imagine. No idea how you convinced her she was wrong about that."

[Halae]

[Northside]

"Please, I'm not an amatuer Sora! Demons might not be my speciality but everyone knows that. Can't trust a single being you deal with, they are all untrustworthy." The merwoman nods sagely.
[Northside]

Vax chuckles, finding his warning amusing. "We've both dealt with demons personally. There's no need to tell us. I'm glad to hear that you know well enough to be careful, however."[Northside]

"Can never be too careful, and you'd be amazed how many idiots think themselves badass summoners and lose themselves in a bargain. Still, I'm glad to know you two are fine with it. Anyways, what's next on the agenda?" His tail swishes back and forth happily. He's enjoying the day today so far.

[UncleWolf]

Outside Eastside Hospital

"What do hyu recommend then?" The woman asks with a slight smile. "If we aren't to go in, and they aren't able to come out, we're at an impasse."

Lotus Gardens - Magtok

"There wasn't, really." Jezebel admits. "Except it was so...debasing. This place is about one thing." She starts, giving him a small smile. "A new start. For anyone. The Lotus Gardens taken in all sorts of people. Give me your poor, your downtrodden. Give me the whores and refugees and I can give them all a place to live. I house them, feed them, offer them warmth and comfort. I can educate them and give them clothing. Most importantly, I give them a shoulder to lean on and cry to. And all I ask in return?"

"Just a bit of understanding about what we are and friendship to everyone else here. I nurse everyone back to help, despite whether or not their issues are physical, mental, or emotional. I have apartment complexes where people can rest without having to worry about paying rent. Sure, they're communal, but it offers a chance for interaction in a place where they'll grow healthy." She says before grinning. "Besides, some people like such group things." The daemon points out with a wry smile to Magtok before shaking her head.

"But no, like I said, there was nothing wrong with Rebecca acting or dressing how she was, but she came to me for comfort after that trash abused her. In return for her confidence, I'm molding her so she'll have some self-respect and the ability to take care of herself instead of having to rely on others. In the meantime, I get a wonderful handmaiden and a good student."

[Gnrlshrimp]

Creationside

"He made it shoot out of my skull. I took it upon myself to do the same to him. I don't see how him being a god makes any difference at all." Magtok allows himself a small smirk, as if daring Black to say otherwise, to tell the cyborg exactly why what he did was impressive, and why we should all be celebrating Maggy's awesomeness for having done such a thing.

"Gods do not earn their title by being easy to kill, Magtok. One need only look at a single pantheon and see all the gods constantly seeking to stab each other in the back to know that, despite their arrogance, they have a knack for survival. If not, each pantheon would surely soon be reduced to just a single god. One could argue that getting rid of a god would be almost as impressive as, say, actually killing you off for good."

Yes, that's a compliment.

Probably.

Maybe a hint of a threat too. Though there's nothing sinister in Black's tone of voice.

"As I said, you impressed Affidavit. If you expect us to deny that what you did is impressive when we've already said it is, you're very much mistaken. Father speaks the truth when he says he has no desire for conflict with you any more. It is...a waste of resources. However much he may criticise your methods, you have proved yourself a worthy adversary in the past and you've done some very impressive things. You've killed a god. Now Father finds himself wanting to know how to go about doing so. So he's asking you."

[Gullara]

[House of the Kidnapper]

Irena just drives, at least Nadia wasn't breastfeeding them anymore ech. :smallyuk: Once they come to the hospital she will just let Nadia leave the baby there.

[Northside Hospital]

"Come in with me, Irena. This is going to take a while." Welp, looks like they aren't just dropping anyone off. Nadia wouldn't even think of it!

Nadia leads the way inside and to the emergency area. She explains that the unknown baby is sick or somehow unhealthy and that Eliseo might have a similar issue. She's not sure exactly what. She explains a little bit of the situation at the kidnapper's house. They need to wait for a while, but nadia uses that time to call the police and explain what happened. Looks like she's going to have to talk to them in the near future about missing child stuff.

Eventually, a doctor is able to see them. he gets right down to business after asking nadia and Irena a few questions. He starts by examining the obviously unhealthy baby, with Eliseo coming next.

[Lord Magtok]

Creationside

Magtok clears his throat. Right, down to business, then. "I'd like to know what his intentions for this knowledge are, and how much he's willing to part with in exchange for the the truth. If you're not lying about me being here as a guest, that I'm not to be tortured and such, then you already knew there was going to be a price tag attached to this information."


Lotus Gardens - Magtok

"You're certain, then, that she's not just trading one mistress for another. Or at least, if she is, that you'll be able to turn her against that sort of thinking." Magtok words it as a statement, but his tone carries nothing but questions and uncertainty. Jezebel might be pretty impressive, but some people were born to be sheep. Destined to follow, to do what they're told without question or thought. Breaking a lifelong habit like that sounds nigh-impossible.

"Riverside is doing a thing. I don't know what yet, but I was there, at the Skyside party, and I could tell even without overhearing anything that the River reps were saying that something might be happening soon. With my name off the AMEN member list, and with the Riverside branch of MagMart in particularly dire straits, you can see why such information might have its uses. I know that no matter my reputation elsewhere, I'm merely a minor businessman in this neighborhood. I understand I'm hardly worth inviting to whatever talks may have happened or will be happening, I know all of that, but I still can't help but feel snubbed."

[Gnrlshrimp]

[Creationside]

"Aside from any personal projects he embarks on, Father's work is always focused on improving us. I'm sure you can see how a god might be of use in this. Not that we plan on going on a massive god-killing spree or anything, not at all. If possible we want to avoid causing any violence. But when dealing with such beings it is worth knowing how to gain the upper hand should it be necessary."

Black falls silent for a moment, contemplating the second part of Magtok's query. Of course there's going to be a price. No doubt quite a hefty one too. Knowing Magtok, it's not unreasonable to assume he already has something in mind...

"Name your price, Magtok. What do you want?"

[Shadowcaller]

Outside Eastside Hospital

"What do hyu recommend then?" The woman asks with a slight smile. "If we aren't to go in, and they aren't able to come out, we're at an impasse."

Outside Eastside Hospital

Obriane raises an eyebrow, give the other woman an irked look. "I already told you my plan. I'll go and look up a weakness for the demon and then we- I mean I get back here and banish it." She explains and then just looks at Talaitha for a moment. "Hey, why are you helping me anyway? Did your cards tell you to?" Now she's suddenly sounding curious.

[UncleWolf]

Outside Eastside Hospital

"They did, yes." The woman admits, frowning as she thinks of Obraine's plan. "At least, they said I would give aid to something near a place of suffering, but hyu were the only one I saw near one." She admits before a smile crosses her lips. "Unless hyu think the demon is what I'm supposed to help?"

The woman chuckles at the joke.

Let's hope it's a joke.

Lotus Gardens - Magtok

At that, Jezebel just gives Magtok a slightly annoyed look. "Magtok, honestly. Don't you think sending an invitation to a shindig to you would be a little wasteful? After all, there'd be nothing I could do to really prevent you from coming anyway. I do recommend bringing some information to trade though. I promised only the heads of three of the governments here, and you don't count." Jezebel points out before a small smile crosses her lovely lips.

"But a part of the banquet is to discuss how to take care of AMENside should this attack fail. Then the question becomes what do you wish in return for the info."

[Lord Magtok]

Lotus Gardens - Magtok

"There's a simple enough solution. I'll just attend without claiming to represent anything. You haven't already picked out your plus one, have you?"

Magtok, willingly attending an important gathering as someone else's date? Putting aside his own brand and image to play second-fiddle to someone else? Dear gods, he must really care a lot more about that MagMart than I thought he did.

"That aside, I can't really say I know what kind of currency you deal in. I have all sorts of information, if you're in the market for secrets. If you need hard data on a Westside smuggling ring with a MagMart as its front, I can do that. This or that about Watchtower, NO, GLoG, I can help out there.

The MagCave has bodies capable of killing, listening in, and creating things, if you'd rather something like that. A laurel made of Elementium, maybe? We've acquired some recently, thanks to that stupid war with Excelsior. It'd look nice with the toga, and there's not exactly very many other means by which you could acquire the stuff, seeing as Excelsior is a mob of bloodthirsty eunuchs."

Creationside

Magtok's lips curl into an awful, twisted, almost masochistic sort of 'you are totally going to try to punch me in the face for this and I don't care' grin. He clears his throat and steeples his fingers together, barely concealing that obnoxious, infuriating smile of his.

"I want...two things. A name, and contact information."

He leans back, already getting ready to roll with the punch that's sure to hit him square in the face.

"There's no dragoness on my list, and I mean to fix that. Black, I'd like you to fix me up on a date with your mother."

[UncleWolf]

Lotus Gardens - Magtok

"Actually, I had been intending to bring a priest of Dalachrech as my +1 for reasons related to the banquet, but since I am the Hostess, I'll just mention it's a +2 to everyone involved." Jezebel admits with a wry smile. "You don't have problems with a threesome, do you?" The daemon asks with a chuckle before frowning when she thinks of Excelsior.

"I admit, Excelsior really does seem the Eunuch type, don't they?" She asks rhetorically with a raised eyebrow, pondering the issue. "Though, they appear to be all Olympian Males, so I could send Juan to test out the theory, but knowing them, they'd probably catch on too quickly. I would like the Laural though." She ponders aloud before setting back and putting her legs on the table to stretch them and letting Magtok see how underdressed she really is underneath that toga.

"As for information, I always have need for such, and I can always get such on short notice. I just need to know a few days ahead of time. It takes a bit to have one of mine start a "relationship"."

[Terumitsu]

[Northside Hospital]

Being a child with no known records due to the circumstances, the doctor would inform Nadia that they wanted to keep the child under watch at the hospital in case it's condition were to deteriorate. As of now, it seemed to be steady although it was definitely sickly. There was some talk of possible long term effects although they were followed by assurances that they wouldn't be the catastrophic type so much as there possibly being some occasional difficulties that a normal child wouldn't need to deal with.

Eliseo, on the other hand, would prove to be a surprisingly robustly healthy child. Really, all that might be of circumstance would be the need to bring him back in a few weeks for a checkup on his condition and to sooner or later apply a round of booster shots for his system. Other than that, he would be no worse for ware which was likely a welcome thing to his mothers' ears.

[Gullara]

[Northside Hospital]

Well that's a relief about Eliseo, and it looks like the other baby will be okay in some time too. Nadia is hopeful at least. She'll leave her contact information for if anything comes up with the baby and then leave him there. She's going to have to visit too. She can't help but feel responsible for that baby.

As they walk out, Nadia puts her free arm around Irena and leans against her a little bit. This day has exhausted her down to her bones. She doesn't say anything, but Irena will be able to tell she's finally winding down.

[Shadowcaller]

Outside Eastside Hospital

"I don't think that demon needs much more help." Obriane remarks without any mirth. "But do you serve the cards themselves or an entity which communicates through the cards?" Apparently the distinction is important.

But as they stand there talking however there is a third woman approaching them, coming from outside the hospital. She has long unkempt brown hair, freckles and glasses, her simple jeans and shirt worn out long ago.
She's walking quickly but in a way that suggests she's carrying something, her blank eyes stare right ahead.

[Northside Hospital==>Suncrest Manor]

That's a relief. Irena puts an arm around Nadia's waist and proceeds to lead her wife and Eliseo back to the car. It was finally time to get home. It hadn't turned nearly as bad as Irena had expected, that thief had been a pushover and Eliseo was okay.

Now they just needed to get home and forget this ever happened.

[Northside]

"There is the upper floors but we haven't really decorated them yet." Zareen explains. "So we could go and see Sekai now if you want, she should be at her office."

[Gullara]

[Suncrest Manor]

When they do arrive home, Nadia says. "I think I'm going to have a nap. I'm exhausted." She certainly looks it. Even if it is still the morning, it feels like it's been a long day already.

[Northside]

"You came a bit too early to see this place done up nicely. It's still a work in progress." Vax adds.

[Lord Magtok]

Lotus Gardens - Magtok

The cyborg laughs, and shakes his head. "Jezebel, you know me. Any day of the week, I'd be more than willing to bottom for you. For you, not for Spiderman. I'd already be in a position to be diplomatically torn to shreds even without the bug priest, but when you add him to the table, then I'm a foreign business interest with even less weight than the controversial invertebrates. Let's not pretend I'd be more important than the priest; I'd be your number three, and with that carries a certain insignificance that not even I'm sure I could shake free of. I'd have a better chance of being taken seriously if I went in drag as Ramiro's latest mistress."

He doesn't show even the slightest hint of shame as her legs are propped up against the desk, his eyes wandering up, down, and then back up again to make eye contact once more.

"Anyways, I can have the wreath ready before the party. Any fancy toys thrown in? Would you like a built-in laser? Two-second forcefield activated with a thought? Something more in keeping with your usual style and religion?"

[Slii Arhem]

"I'll be fine in a bit." Isabelle's mumbling probably isn't all that convincing. "Pretty sure you're more comfortable than an actual hammock anyway."




Westside Greenhouse

"Well, perhaps in that case I'll leave the glasses here for you two. I have a bit of an errand I can run while you two slowpokes recovery." Cin teases as he sets the glasses down and stretches.

Westside Greenhouse

"Alright then, bring back a three person hammock... or two. It's entirely likely one will break if we're not careful with it, and we'll need the spare." Shayan says obligingly, calling Cin out on a possible bluff. It's at times like these that she wonders why she never just went into professional poker.

[UncleWolf]

Lotus Gardens - Magtok

"Just the usual wreath would be fine. I'm a simple daemon at heart." Jezebel says with a slight smile before leaning back forward, setting her feet on the ground. "And what would you like in return for coming then? I really would appreciate you doing so. But I think I'd also appreciate you bottoming for me even more, if you know what I mean." She adds with a throaty purr, leaning across the table more with a predatory smile and keen interest in her eyes.

[Lord Magtok]

Lotus Gardens - Magtok

"All I came here for was to keep the Riverside MagMart from being cut down in a secret meeting I'd have no control or influence over. Maybe hint to the few AMENites I can tolerate that staying out of Southside on a certain day and time would be a good idea in exchange for favors," Magtok points out, trying to hide the uncertainty and nervousness in his tone. He's lost track of who's offering what, and to whom. Wasn't him going to the meeting Magtok's own idea? And now he's supposed to get something for going? If that's the case, why's is he getting Jezebel that laurel wreath thingy? The overt sexuality and that comment of his backfiring on him and such isn't helping him focus on what he's supposed to be doing here, either.

"...But if Bugsy Malone can keep his gropey slaving hands to himself, I'm fine. I can play arm candy for an evening, and maybe the morning after. Just a matter of price, of course. I haven't got any ideas, though..."

You know putting off this whole bottom nonsense for after the party won't save you, right Magtok? You won't be allowed to give another MagClone this job, they'll all know the exact same details you do, and insist that you make good on the promises you made on the collective's behalf. Besides, the term is vague enough that Jezebel could interpret it to mean just about anything. Just pick a safe word, know your limits, and you'll be fine.

[UncleWolf]

Outside Eastside Hospital

"I follow Fate through the Cards." Talaitha explains before quirking her brow at the newcomer. "And it seems that someone else seems to be "following" something else." She says, nodding her head towards the woman.


Lotus Temple - Magtok

"I'm sure he'll be fine." Jezebel says with a small smile before leaning back again. "And don't worry about the Bottoming thing. It was just a jest unless you'd like that." She teases with a grin.

"Do whatever you feel would be best."

[Lord Magtok]

Lotus Temple - Magtok

"Oh thank gods! I don't...I say stupid things all of the time, and with my ego, I don't know if I'd have been able to let myself back out of that. Then somehow someone would find out, word would get around, and then Pat's Magtok would be screaming at me because she decided to do something special with him for our birthday, and-"

He shakes his head, and lets out a chuckle at his own expense.

"Wow. I reserve the right to change my mind on that later on, though. Anyways, price. I just had an idea. Huge elaborate money-making scheme, but I'll need some low-rent apartment buildings to get it right. I'll swallow my pride and be your number three, but I'm going to need a piece of Southside, preferably next to your own. Not that much, not even enough to count as a fully-fledged MagSide, just enough turf that I can stuff a whole lot of people there for cheap."

[UncleWolf]

Lotus Gardens - Magtok

"Done. Even if we don't get Southside. What's the purpose for it?" Jezebel asks, clearly curious and knowing better than to poke more fun at Magtok for the moment.

But just for the moment.

[Lord Magtok]

Lotus Gardens - Magtok

Magtok smiles. Oh boy, does he love explaining once he's put together a cunning master plan like this one.

"You said you have apartment complexes where people can live without having to pay rent, but there's always going to be poor and downtrodden who won't accept that. Too much pride, too suspicious or fear of owing your organization a favor. My plan is simple, and relies upon a combination of charitable donations and the rent payments of those too proud to turn to you.

I want to institute an anonymous slave buy-back service. There's no safe, economic, moral way to get rid of a slave, and I intend to fix that. For two-thirds the market value of the individual being sold, I intend to take slaves off the hands of their owners. The old, the sick, the ones who are too rowdy or otherwise just not worth the trouble of keeping any longer, I'll buy them, set them free, get proper documentation and Riverside citizenship and the like, and if they don't have anywhere to go, I'll provide cheap housing and menial labor jobs to help them build their way back up. The slavers get to drop their inventory and run, a necessary evil so that the service can function, and the slaves get to start their lives over. I had the Magbots draw up a graph, and in maybe a single afternoon, I could free up to twice as many slaves as Watch has!"

Oh, of course. It's all about making Watchtower look bad, isn't it? Jeez Magtok, warn me next time you do a thing like that! I was starting to panic, thinking you were starting to shift alignment on me or something!

[Gnrlshrimp]

Creationside

Magtok's lips curl into an awful, twisted, almost masochistic sort of 'you are totally going to try to punch me in the face for this and I don't care' grin. He clears his throat and steeples his fingers together, barely concealing that obnoxious, infuriating smile of his.

"I want...two things. A name, and contact information."

He leans back, already getting ready to roll with the punch that's sure to hit him square in the face.

"There's no dragoness on my list, and I mean to fix that. Black, I'd like you to fix me up on a date with your mother."

Black stares at Magtok.

"...unexpected."

It appears to be considering the request rather...thoughtfully. There's no sign of anger though, no sign of it about to punch Magtok in the face. It would seem that Magtok's attempt to draw a reaction out of Black has...not gone as planned.

Eventually Black leans forward, its glowing eyes staring into Magtok's. "We do not anger as easily as our Father. We serve him. We obey him. We work to aid him in his goal of making us greater. We are not easily insulted or provoked. If you actually want us to try and set you up on a date with Mother, we can attempt to do that. But if you'd rather, you could stop trying to provoke us and accept that we aren't going to rise to your insults, and make a new request instead. Your choice."

*****

[Westside Greenhouse]

Isabelle mumbles something softly, already half-asleep. She can probably be ignored for the time being, unless Shayan or Cin do something to rouse her from her semi-slumber.

[Lord Magtok]

Creationside

The cyborg frowns in disappointment. Where's his rage and fury? Goddammit, that's just like an Affybot, too. Just when you think you've found the right buttons to push to cheese them off, they don't even bat an eye. Boring, apathetic, emotionless drones, the whole lot of them.

"Monty Python and the Holy Grail's Black Knight, I would love to make a more serious demand than that. No honestly, I would. The sad fact is, however, that a date with a dragoness is the most valuable thing you could possibly offer me. Don't believe me? Let's go over the options, then.

You seem friendly enough with Prommy and his friends. Should I ask for Excelsior secrets and a spy in their midst? Pfft, hell no. You're as much an honorless dog as I am, I couldn't trust you to be giving me accurate information on them. You'd just take a big stack of cash from Daedalus and try to lead me into a trap. Technology? Your equipment is trash. Crude, ugly, strictly utilitarian devices that you'd set to explode in my face at an inopportune time for your own sick amusement. I can trust it about as far as I can throw you.

'Well okay, okay,' I can hear you thinking, 'how about the one thing we're best at, Magtok? How about stupid violent robots with no emotions?' Nope! You couldn't do anything when I needed the help, and now that I've won the war, I certainly don't need your goons now. You did all of this, all of this kidnapping nonsense, because you're afraid of Excelsior. Excelsior, the people who lost the battle for the MagCave.

So no, Black, I'm deadly serious about my offer. Whatever your mother can offer me is at least five times better than knives in my back or cowardly lions at my beck and call. It's still not much, but it's the only thing of value you have. Set up the date."

Okay, this should get a reaction. Not that Magtok's trying for one this time. Mostly he's just annoyed that he has to go to all the trouble of explaining to Affidavit's goons how terribly worthless they are.

[Shadowcaller]

[Suncrest Manor]

When they do arrive home, Nadia says. "I think I'm going to have a nap. I'm exhausted." She certainly looks it. Even if it is still the morning, it feels like it's been a long day already.

[Suncrest Manor]

"Yeah, I'm feeling sleepy too." Now that wasn't entirely true. Irena hadn't been nearly as stressed out as Nadia and it was still pretty early.

[Outside Eastside Hospital]

"Oh look, it is..." Obriane waves friendly to the newcomer. "Hello there friend, what-" Bang The woman has raised her arm, revealing the fact she was carrying a gun which she just fired. Thankfully it appears she couldn't aim very well and pull it up at the same time so both Obriane and Talaitha are still standing.

That might all change in a few moments though.

[Northside - General]

After the AMEN plague and invasion northside have been hit by another large wave of immigrants from Elshar and Malechenar is seemingly enabling them to stay here, granting them both land and letting them buy up previously abandoned houses cheaply.

The immigrants seem to be mostly poor peasants looking for a better life and it seems that compared to Elshar, Riverside can grant them that as there are a lot of them crossing through the portal to this world with Malechenar's help.
Soon enough they will outnumber the native nexus-dwellers who actually have started to leave Northside in favor of East and Westside.

Meanwhile the nobles quarters Malechenar started working on about the same time as the first wave of immigrants his northside finally stands finished. The people living here are almost exclusively Elshar nobles who also seem to be interested in moving to the nexus.

There is about to be a grand cultural shift in northside with so many people moving there at once.

[Gullara]

[Suncrest Manor]

Nadia smiles at Irna gratefully and starts toward the bedroom with her wife, Eliseo in hand. She doesn't take a detour to Eliseo's room, however. The baby is coming with them. And a moment later, Irena sees what Nadia intends. She strips off her pants, not having the energy to get properly undressed and into a nightgown, and slides into bed. She props herself up a bit and settles Eliseo comfortably to sleep on her chest.

[UncleWolf]

Westside Greenhouse

Cin smiles and bows. "Very well then. I'll be sure to get the hammock. Maybe out of Kevlar or Carbon Fiber. Have a pleasant evening." He adds as an afterthought. Unless stopped, he'll head on out after leaving the drinks. It appears he's not bluffing, or at least won't let his bluff be called.

Lotus Gardens - Magtok

"It's certainly worth a shot." Jezebel admits. "Will you be needing anything else from me to help with it? I can provide opportunities for the ex-slaves to work for a wage at least."

Outside Eastside Hospital

Talaitha is surprised by the gun, jumping a bit before frowning. She doesn't raise her crossbow, instead choosing to let Fate decide what happens to the attacker and draws a card from the air. She doesn't look at it before throwing it accurately at the woman.

If it hits, Fortune will bestow a mixed curse on the woman, sapping her of a lot of her strength, but also making her somewhat more resilient overall.

[Lord Magtok]

Lotus Gardens - Magtok

Magtok bites his lip. "Weeeeeell, it's not a secret that the Dalachrech religion has had an ugly history with slaves and slavers. Now, I'm not going to condemn any of the churches for this or that without evidence, but I wouldn't be surprised if they could get the word out to slavers. Word of mouth and whatnot, since I can't go posting information about this sort of thing publicly, where Watch and Remnant and everyone and their mother can set me on fire and pretend they're doing good. I'd talk to them myself, but you're the one who's already building ties with them, and I'd probably find some way to accidentally offend with implied accusations and ruin the whole operation before it can even begin."

[Shadowcaller]

Outside Eastside Hospital

The woman is hit by the card and she noticeably starts to shudder. She fires the gun again, but it's even more off this time considering she can barely hold the gun up. Her whole body starts to spasm, but she's still standing.

Obriane makes a motion with her hands, looking like she's holding a bow and pulling back an arrow. She let's go of the invisible string and suddenly an arrow made of stone materializes in the air, hitting the woman square in the chest. The arrow is too blunt to even pierce her skin but it does knock her down on the ground and it doesn't look like she have the strength to get up again.

The arrow then disappears. "She's possessed, we got to help her." The elf claims as she looks down at the shaking woman.

[Suncrest Manor]

Irena lays down besides her and puts her arm around her waist before she attempts to relax. Even if she couldn't sleep she could at least offer some comfort to Nadia.

[UncleWolf]

Lotus Gardens - Magtok

"I'll be sure to pass along word alo-" Jezebel starts before a small beep breaks her off. She looks down at her phone. "I have to take this, but I don't mind if you listen in." She admits before picking up the phone. "Yes, Tualtha? Okay. Did it go well with Quinn?" She asks before a frown crosses her face and she gives a deep sigh, putting her face in her hand. "Willing or not?" She asks, on the verge of groaning.

Finally, she does groan, though not in the interesting-kinda-sexy way. It's in the semi-painful-realization way.

"Why?"

Such a simple question with so many possible answers.

She seems to listen for a long time, a look of resignation on her face. "Alright, bring her in tomorrow morning. Do you have any Handles in case you need them? Okay. Have a good night and dream well."

She sets the phone down and sighs, setting her forehead on the table.

"Magtok? What's happened?" She asks as she raises her head up again. "When I arrived to this world, I had heard so many heroic tales about GLoGers and the like, but know what just happened? A spy of mine admitted her goals to Quinn, and Quinn is happy! What the hell kind of logic is that?!? She's happy because apparently someone considers them important. Was I lied to or is this some elaborate hoax?"

Outside Eastside Hospital

"Nice trick." Talaitha admits with a wry smile as she walks over to the person to study her. "Is she possessed by the demon, or just it's will?" She wonders aloud, kneeling down to pat the victim down for clues.

[Gnrlshrimp]

[Creationside]

Black's eyes narrow.

Yup, now Magtok has managed to get a reaction. "And who are you to accuse anyone of cowardice, Magtok? You can lie and boast about all your fantastic achievements and claim they're proof that you're brave. But your clones exist for exactly the same purpose as Affidavit transferring himself into our mental network. To cheat death. To live far beyond you're ever supposed to. Individual MagClones may not care, why would they? They're just one of many! If they dies, why does it matter? But as a whole, Magtok...the MagCollective, whatever undoubtedly stupid name you have for your big gang of Magtoks, you're all cowards."

Black gets up and walks over to the door, standing by it. It reaches out to knock, then stops and turns back to address Magtok once more.

"I can see why Affidavit is so dismissive of you most of the time. You are just as arrogant and ignorant as he is. He thinks you're a damn fool because you waste so much time and resources on pointless activities, wastes of time that accomplish little other than giving you a chance to show off. All those songs and dances, proposing to that catgirl by writing it into the moon of all things!" Black shakes its head and strides back across to its seat, "You should know better than to think Affidavit would ever let something as simple as money convince him to stab someone in the back. You're right that he's honorless, but you're wrong in thinking that Excelsior has anything of value to offer him. And he should have known better to be surprised that you managed to kill a god. But all this secrecy about Excelsior? It's nothing to do with cowardice. We do not want to make ourselves the enemies of the Nexus. The days of KNAVES are long gone, AMEN is a joke by comparison, Excelsior with all their resources couldn't defeat you. There is no value to be gained here in conflict any more. We are trying to establish ourselves in the Nexus to resume our research in a manner that will be more rewarding. But Affidavit is concerned of what fools like Excelsior could do if left unchecked. Eventually someone will decide to deal with them head-on, and he'll be there to cripple them from the inside. Do you understand what he's trying to do now?"

[Lord Magtok]

Lotus Gardens - Magtok

"It's no lie. Happy died, fell ill, and then retired, in that order. Her husband deadtimed. Saint Nil was infected with the soul of a lich, went to my home and forced me to kill him, came back as a clone of him I forgot I was keeping in storage, and then retired. Lots of others deadtimed and/or retired. DC and some others left to go found WATCHTOWER, and Tobias married and used to only involve himself in his own world's conflicts, where he had a certain home field advantage." Magtok responds without hesitation. Man, he didn't even stop to think about his answer. I wouldn't be surprised if he's been waiting for an excuse to go off on GLoG like that for a long time.

"Quinn is incompetent trash. The only reason she has her position is because there wasn't anyone else left to take it.The redemptionists don't exist anymore, the cat who instigated multiple apocalypses is allowed to come and go as he pleases, without so much as a scolding if he were to murder somebody."

Yep, he was definitely waiting for this opportunity.

"Jez, this world is screwed up. Completely, undeniably ****ed. The supposed good guys aren't rising up to do anything about it, and the more attractive half of the alignment chart just tosses and turns like Bonnie Tyler, holding out for...I don't know, a paladin or something. I think we should stop doing that. I feel...I don't know, like I should be out there in a mask and cape or something, anonymously or not so anonymously showing up Watch at its own game."

Creationside

"I understand exactly what you're doing. You're going to sit and wait until nobody cares about Excelsior anymore, and then eat what's left of them. What prestige, positive attention, and beneficial trades you might have earned for your valor in slaying them sooner will fail to turn up, and then you'll whine and complain about how it was a waste of your time and you deserved more applause for what you did."

Magtok rolls his eyes, and gestures for Black to hurry this up.

"C'mon, could we get this moving? I'd explain how all of my bombastic displays are largely elaborate acts to make me look more powerful than I am to dissuade direct strikes against me and my people, but I don't have the time to go into every nuanced detail of the tactical value of my public persona. Just agree to the dragoness thing so I can tell you the Zeus thing and then go home."

[Shadowcaller]

Outside Eastside Hospital

"I'm not su-" BANG

The gun is fired again, right into the ground. The bullet ricochets into the air, brushing just past Talaitha's shoulder. Obriane ducks down a bit before looking around to make sure everyone is okay. "Get that thing away from her!"

[Gullara]

[Suncrest Manor]

Irena lays down besides her and puts her arm around her waist before she attempts to relax. Even if she couldn't sleep she could at least offer some comfort to Nadia.

[Suncrest Manor]

Nadia smiles at Irena as she closes her eyes. Eliseo is already fast asleep, and Nadia doesn't take very long to join him. She sleeps peacefully for a while, but soon she's plagued with nightmares. She mumbles something in her sleep and her eyes squeeze tightly closed. She's obviously very agitated. Nightmares are something Nadia is familiar with since they first went to that castle and she met that goddess, and unfortunately recent events are probably only going to make them worse.

[UncleWolf]

Lotus Gardens - Magtok

"Well, if that's something you want to do, I say go for it. I can't join you as I doubt a mask would ever hide who I am." Jezebel admits. "Whatever GLoG is now seems to work for them, but it does seem that the Hero side of things has gotten a bit sparse."

Outside Eastside Hospital

Talaitha will try to kick away the gun quickly before giving a little shudder, quite glad that she wasn't shot. "What now?"

[Slii Arhem]

[Westside Greenhouse]

Isabelle mumbles something softly, already half-asleep. She can probably be ignored for the time being, unless Shayan or Cin do something to rouse her from her semi-slumber.


Westside Greenhouse

Cin smiles and bows. "Very well then. I'll be sure to get the hammock. Maybe out of Kevlar or Carbon Fiber. Have a pleasant evening." He adds as an afterthought. Unless stopped, he'll head on out after leaving the drinks. It appears he's not bluffing, or at least won't let his bluff be called.




"Professor?" Shayan calls out quietly, "Please do hurry back after your errands are finished. We'll need you and your company sooner, rather than later."

[Shadowcaller]

Outside Eastside Hospital

The gun is kicked away, the woman unable to hold on to it. So now he just lay there, spasmodically trying to grip on to a gun that isn't there anymore.

"Um, we should perform a exorcism but I have no idea what symbolism that works on this demon yet. Do you maybe have an eldritch trick that could work? Like what you did with those cards. If we free her from it's hold she might have information we need." Obriane suggests as she looks at the woman.

[Suncrest Manor]

Irena doesn't want to wake Nadia up but she will gently start to run her fingers against Nadia's hair in an attempt to sooth her troubled mind. If that doesn't work then maybe she should wake her up.

[Lord Magtok]

Lotus Gardens - Magtok

"So what you're saying, if I've got this right, is that the leader of the Masks can't be hidden behind a mask." Magtok wears the stupidest grin on his face, apparently quite proud of that moronic bit of wordplay there.

"No, mostly I'm just bored. I might do the hero thing, maybe. It's just been too long since I've fought someone and had fun with it. Excelsior went and made everything too damned personal, and Watch has too many guns. All the good guys either have too many guns or not enough guns to be worth messing with."

I don't think you have any idea what the right number of guns even would be, Magtok. I think you're just too much of a wimp to do anything other than complain.

[Gullara]

[Suncrest Manor]

After a minute, it looks like Irena's attentions sooth Nadia somewhat. She doesn't look like her sleep is entirely untroubled, but she's more peaceful certainly.

A little while later, however, it's Eliseo's turn to cause trouble! He's starting to wake up, making whining noises. If Irena doesn't do something fast, he's going to start crying and wake Nadia up.

[Earl of Purple]

The Lotus Gardens

Azurelle is here. She's an attractive aasimar woman with silver skin, golden hair and golden eyes. She's currently wearing a low-cut spider-silk dress that exposes how fit and strong she is. The dress is black, with a white centipede circling around it, and hanging from her belt is a polished steel rod.

[UncleWolf]

Lotus Gardens - Magtok

"I doubt a mask, any mask, would hide my body." Jezebel admits. "I can shift my form a little, but not that greatly. If you do the Hero thing, I could help provide whatever assistance you might need."

Outside Eastside Hospital

Talaitha shakes her head. "No, I don't believe I can do anything for this except perhaps a potion to try and give her back her will."

Westside Greenhouse

Cin gives another nod and heads on out.

A couple hours later, he'll return with a large box for an extra-sturdy hammock as well as an extra large bed in case they wanted something a bit plushier to sleep on together.

He also brings in more wine, but that's beside the point.

[The Bushranger]

The Lotus Gardens


Azurelle is here. She's an attractive aasimar woman with silver skin, golden hair and golden eyes. She's currently wearing a low-cut spider-silk dress that exposes how fit and strong she is. The dress is black, with a white centipede circling around it, and hanging from her belt is a polished steel rod.

Waiting outside the temple is Rebecca, wearing a somewhat daring backless, V-neck black dress (http://dorisgoshopping.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/08/black-sexy-evening-dress-7013m.jpg), and upon spotting the approaching Azurelle she stands, stepping towards the newcomer with a smile quirking her lips. "Welcome to the Lotus Gardens, Lady Azurelle," she says, her voice a sensual purr.

[Shadowcaller]

Outside Eastside Hospital

"That could work." Obriane replies when she suddenly looks up again and around the hospital. "...think I just heard something. We probably shouldn't stay around at a place like this." She shudders noticeably. Abandoned hospitals weren't exactly places you wanted to stay at for too long.

[Suncrest Manor]

Um... maybe rub his belly a bit? Yes, let's do that.

Irena moves her hand down over Eliseo's belly so see if that does anything.

[Westside]

Batu is lead to the west part of riverside, it's an rainy afternoon and the sorceress is utilizing and wall of air to keep the rain off their clothes. "...so the eldritch particles push away the terrestrial ones creating a slight breeze of air wherever something is summoned. It would be far more difficult to summon something inside another type of material than terrestrial air though." Cessie explains as they finally arrive at the cemetery gates standing besides two tall pillars.

Sitting atop the pillars are gargoyles like Garn who turn to look at them as they come near. "Ah, here we are."

Through the gate Batu can see a large round church surrounded by tombstones and a small chapel. Not exactly the most friendliest of places.

[Lord Magtok]

Lotus Gardens - Magtok


Lotus Gardens - Magtok

"I doubt a mask, any mask, would hide my body." Jezebel admits. "I can shift my form a little, but not that greatly. If you do the Hero thing, I could help provide whatever assistance you might need."

Magtok shrugs. "Sure. So where's this Dalachrech alliance and Riverside meeting thing going? Is Evolution Industries attending? Sorta important to know if I should be watching for them, they might still be in the 'shoot on sight' mood and I don't know if I have a formal-looking set of armor lying around anywhere..."

[Gullara]

[Suncrest Manor]

Rubbing his belly does... nothing helpful! Oh dear, she's starting to squirm and cry, and Nadia's stirring too. Nadia will wake up any second if Irena doesn't do something!

[UncleWolf]

Outside Eastside Hospital

Talaitha stands and sticks a pair of fingers into her mouth to give a loud shrieking whistle. A moment later, hoofsteps can be heard as her carriage begins to approach. "Do hyu have an idea of where to go?"

Lotus Gardens - Magtok

"No, EI won't be invited. I'm sure they'll take it as a slight, but seeing as their CEO tried to kill me with a lascannon, I feel it's worth the risk, don't you?" She asks rhetorically. "The meeting will be nearby here. In a small banquet area in the park."

[Lord Magtok]

Lotus Gardens - Magtok

Magtok nods, running out of excuses to keep this meeting about business and Nexus events and the like. He hasn't quite decided whether he's going to try convincing Jezebel to keep him around an extra few minutes, if he should ask if Sarah would be free later today, or how he's going to make his exit. Teleport right out from inside the office? Walk out of the temple so people can see he visited and left intact? Bump into Rebecca on the way out the door and 'accidentally' make her trip on her dress?

"Should I be there early? Already be there at your side when the other dignitaries and such are showing up?"

[UncleWolf]

Lotus Gardens - Magtok

"Arrive whenever you wish to. I'll send out the date and time in a day or two." Jezebel informs Magtok before leaning across the table, a wry smile on her lips as the tip of her tail rises up to sway back and forth behind her. "Is there anything else I can help with, my Lord?" She asks in a sultry tone.

[Gnrlshrimp]

Creationside

"I understand exactly what you're doing. You're going to sit and wait until nobody cares about Excelsior anymore, and then eat what's left of them. What prestige, positive attention, and beneficial trades you might have earned for your valor in slaying them sooner will fail to turn up, and then you'll whine and complain about how it was a waste of your time and you deserved more applause for what you did."

Magtok rolls his eyes, and gestures for Black to hurry this up.

"C'mon, could we get this moving? I'd explain how all of my bombastic displays are largely elaborate acts to make me look more powerful than I am to dissuade direct strikes against me and my people, but I don't have the time to go into every nuanced detail of the tactical value of my public persona. Just agree to the dragoness thing so I can tell you the Zeus thing and then go home."

"There are more important things than popularity, Magtok. We are trying to avoid ever taking centre stage in anything. Conflict has ceased to be profitable. Though you've, admirably, managed to defend your cave, you must surely admit that your actions have made a lot of enemies, and sometimes that does turn out to be quite costly. We have no desire to...compete with you, or follow in your footsteps. You could explain at length all the tactical value of your public persona, but it clearly has some serious flaws too."

Black's voice is low, rather quiet even. It's got its temper back under control and once more seems largely emotionless, its eyes now at a dull glow instead of a vicious brightness. Back to business...

"If you insist, then yes. We will set you up on a date with Mother. But as for getting things moving, you will have to be patient. It has been a while since we have needed to contact her. It will take a little time to find her. We would let you leave now after giving us our information, but you've made it quite clear that you think Affidavit would stab someone in the back even though he'd gain nothing out of it. So you'll have to wait here." Black states simply, staring at Magtok, perhaps daring him to object.

[Morty]

[Westside]

Batu is lead to the west part of riverside, it's an rainy afternoon and the sorceress is utilizing and wall of air to keep the rain off their clothes. "...so the eldritch particles push away the terrestrial ones creating a slight breeze of air wherever something is summoned. It would be far more difficult to summon something inside another type of material than terrestrial air though." Cessie explains as they finally arrive at the cemetery gates standing besides two tall pillars.

Sitting atop the pillars are gargoyles like Garn who turn to look at them as they come near. "Ah, here we are."

Through the gate Batu can see a large round church surrounded by tombstones and a small chapel. Not exactly the most friendliest of places.

"Isn't... this the place where the humans bury their dead?" Batu asks, visibly and audibly nervous. This place is really giving him the creeps.

[Shadowcaller]

[Suncrest Manor]

Rubbing his belly does... nothing helpful! Oh dear, she's starting to squirm and cry, and Nadia's stirring too. Nadia will wake up any second if Irena doesn't do something!

[Outside Eastside Hospital]

"Oh, your creepy carriage, great." Obriane says as she see the carriage, trying to smile to hide her uneasiness. "We could go to a local holy place. They usually have the symbolism we need to drive out the demon. You know any of those?" She asks the other cleric.

Clearly they should visit the masks, that's a "holy" place right? :smalltongue:

[Suncrest Manor]

Geez, what was she, the baby-whisperer? How was she supposed to understand what "waaaah" meant? Irena scratches her head, maybe he wanted food or something? It was either that or poop.

Irena, not wanting to deal with poop starts to look around for something to feed him with, Nadia had to have formula somewhere here right?

[Westside]

"Yes, at least in my culture we tend to bury the dead in graves when they die." Cessie explains as the two gargoyles on the pillars reaches down to open the gates for them.

"You should not worry though, my brother is attending this graveyard. We have nothing to fear here." Cessie says, looking at the hobgoblin. "You can stay outside with Garn if you so wish though."

[Gullara]

[Suncrest Manor]

Nope, no bottle in the bedroom. Nadia has her boobs for that! The bottle is just on standby most of the time. Unfortunately (or fortunately) it looks like it's going to be taken out of Irena's hands. Eliseo's crying has reached full volume and Nadia is waking up.

Nadia looks downright exhausted still, despite the sleep she has gotten and the fact that it's the middle of the day. If only there was someone who could tend to Eliseo that she would trust to do so.

"Irena?" Nadia looks over to find her wife awake. "Could you feed Eliseo for me? The bottle is just in the fridge downstairs. Just pop it int he microwave for [time] and test the milk on your wrist before you feed it to him to make sure it isn't too hot." Nadia asks sweetly.

[Morty]

[Westside]

"No, I will go inside," Batu says. "I'll be fine." If he is to practise sorcery among humans, he should start getting used to this sort of thing.

[Lord Magtok]

CreationSide


"There are more important things than popularity, Magtok. We are trying to avoid ever taking centre stage in anything. Conflict has ceased to be profitable. Though you've, admirably, managed to defend your cave, you must surely admit that your actions have made a lot of enemies, and sometimes that does turn out to be quite costly. We have no desire to...compete with you, or follow in your footsteps. You could explain at length all the tactical value of your public persona, but it clearly has some serious flaws too."

Black's voice is low, rather quiet even. It's got its temper back under control and once more seems largely emotionless, its eyes now at a dull glow instead of a vicious brightness. Back to business...

"If you insist, then yes. We will set you up on a date with Mother. But as for getting things moving, you will have to be patient. It has been a while since we have needed to contact her. It will take a little time to find her. We would let you leave now after giving us our information, but you've made it quite clear that you think Affidavit would stab someone in the back even though he'd gain nothing out of it. So you'll have to wait here." Black states simply, staring at Magtok, perhaps daring him to object.

"Or you could just let me go, call me back later, and-" Magtok ceases his objection about two-thirds of the way through, and sighs in exasperation.

"Right. I can't be trusted either, can I? Dammit. Well alright, instead of steak, could you serve mutton? All this nonsense about Zeus has put me in the mood for goat meat. How long is 'a little time' probably going to take? I don't think either of us want to spend a week in each other's company, but I could probably stand staying overnight or something."

Lotus Gardens - Magtok


Lotus Gardens - Magtok

"Arrive whenever you wish to. I'll send out the date and time in a day or two." Jezebel informs Magtok before leaning across the table, a wry smile on her lips as the tip of her tail rises up to sway back and forth behind her. "Is there anything else I can help with, my Lord?" She asks in a sultry tone.

"Well now that would depend, wouldn't it?" Magtok states with a bemused smirk, seated for the time being, enjoying the view. I'm not talking about any windows Jezebel might have in her office, either.

"When you say 'my lord', do you mean your Lord? Or your Lord?" Magtok challenges, rising from his chair to place his hands over hers, and lean forward to meet her halfway across the table, his face a scant inch or two away from hers. Magtok does so love his games of power and control, dueling and squabbling for superiority. Figures he'd take the same approach to fooling around with Jezebel. More than anyone, she should be capable of crossing metaphorical blades with the cyborg, matching him flirt for flirt, blow for blow, tease for tease.

[Shadowcaller]

[Suncrest Manor]

Oh crap. "Eh, sure. Then you just stick the bottle in his mouth right?" But with her luck he would poop and pee everywhere. :smallyuk:

[Westside]

"If you're sure." Cessie replies before heading up towards the church. Pushing the large wooden door open Baku can see into a small hallway leading into a much larger round room with an large altar in the very middle. "This is an Hestopian church. It's here we pray and celebrate various religious occasions. This one can't have been in use of many years though. I don't even know why it's here, Hestopia isn't a part of the nexus." Cessie rants in her usual way.

Batu can see a robed man appear in the doorway leading into the altar room. "Ah, you're finally here sister. You have to excuse the weather, I'm afraid I can't do anything about that yet." He turns to look at Batu, his eyes the same color as Cessie's. "And what about you? Had a nice trip?"

[Gullara]

[Suncrest Manor]

"Yeah, just make sure it's not too hot." Nadia hands the bawling baby off to Irena. She almost wanted to tend to Eliseo herself, but she can trust Irena to handle it. Besides, Irena needs to get used to helping with the baby she figures.

[Aric Kale]

AMENside

Chuckles and the Crew attack! twenty squads of ten, five squads to each HALOite group, with the remaining fifty crewmen moving to reinforce the base. Keep in mind, any half-decent fighter should be able to easily vanquish an average member of the Crone's Claw. However, each squad has their own decent soldier, wielding a cutlass and pistol, ready to bring the pain.
They wait for all of the cannonballs to make impact before the charge, after the first volley the HALOites will find 150 bullets/musket balls (give or take) heading their way.

)(Sorry for the lack of detail, in the car, on the phone. Let me know if you need something specific)(

[Morty]

[Westside]

"It was... enlightening," Batu says. "I'd never been in a human city before. Or in a human temple."

[UncleWolf]

Lotus Gardens - Magtok

"Well, I think that'd depend on how the evening went, wouldn't it?" She purrs before tilting her head curiously to the side. "I've always wondered. Is Lord a self-proclaimed title?" She asks him as her tail slides around to run over his shoulder.

Outside Eastside Hospital

"There are a few places, but none perfectly suited to our needs." Talaitha admits. "Perhaps a mercenary minister?" She suggests as she tries to stoop down to pick up the woman so she can put her in the carriage.

[FireFox]

AMENside Battle


AMENside- Alpha

The lead demon jumps, leaving the ground just before the grenade shatters into a spray of shrapnel. Three of his kin leap with him. The rest are cut down, some dead, some lamed and left to thrash their death throes in the dirt.

The alpha lands before Sam, roaring in challenge. his pack setting down in a wall between her and her partner. A stinger jabs at Dani's leg, claws like meat hooks slashing at her torso, the third demon standing back to intercept if she tries to dodge away. The holy ground hisses against their feet like a frying pan, but doesn't do much immediate damage.

Theo's shot blows the right half the demon's skull into a spray of red and grey, but still it crashes against him. Mangled as it is the monstrousity clings to life, clawing weakly at Theo, trying to do whatever damage it can before, inevitably, death claims it.


AMENside- Alpha



Dani holds her hands to the ground, spinning to dodge the stinging tail. The claws are harder to dodge, however, and she gets a good-sized chunk torn out of her arm as she cries out in pain, maintaining her sanctification, channeling Holy energies into the area!

While lifting one hand and clenching it as she glares at the attacking demon.

Which might, suddenly, discover itself developing a nasty headache.
More of a migraine, really.
Not quite your head asplode. But it might wish it would!


AMENside - Sigma

Nai holsters his weapon and approaches the fire, not seeming to care about the heat. None of his clothing lights on fire, not even the gauze covering his face. "You do not have the right to speak of courtesy," he says, as he draws a revolver again and fires at each of the cannonballs heading for him. The bullets should be able to simply break the cannonballs into pieces and slow them down enough to make no difference.


[Clarissaside - Sigmahhh!]

Oh my word!

Now this... This is not a development that Clarissa had anticipated. There are no less than fifty cannonballs pelting the earth around everyone like hail. Well, there shall be soon, but I'm getting ahead of myself again.

Shield bashing a mighty, bellicose, cornered demon-angel-goddess-monster-person in the head while being thrown to the ground in front of her with considerable force is a exceptional feat that would require dexterity galore! Clarissa is struck by the shield and, while it doesn't deal much damage to her, it does knock her off balance. Her plight is compounded by her giddiness. As the world spins before her eyes, she stumbles backwards several feet and falls upon her rear with cartoonish cries of "Woaaah!" and "Oof!" without any of the grace or elegance befitting a supernatural angel-demon-predator of her caliber.

This embarrassing display might in turn complicate targeting her with cannonballs as she staggers backward without any observable pattern whatsoever.

It wouldn't be easy hitting her with cannonballs in the first! Standard cannons are fixed in place on a ship, after all, so that they won't rocket backward with the recoil of firing the instrument of death and crush the cannoneers. Therefore, the skilled undead cannoneers in zombie pirate LeClegg's employ probably won't be able to all fire at Clarissa unless they fire one by one instead of firing everything in a single destructive volley of death. Additionally, as there is no rifling in the barrel of a standard cannon (as far as I am aware) and Clegg's zombie crew members aren't firing anti-personnel shot (grapeshot) at Clarissa, the statistical probability of any of the cannonballs hitting Clarissa is likely extremely low, if their cannonballs were allowed to hit the powdery ground around Clarissa, I mean.

Fun fact: cannonballs were effective weapons against large groups of people because the momentum of the cannonball would transfer to the bone of the skeletal system of whoever it hit and cause them to explode, shooting bone shrapnel into everyone unlucky enough to be standing near the guy the cannonball actually smashed into.

Without warning, eight colossal black tentacles ascend from a section of the bubbling lava encircling the arena. Thankfully, the tentacles aren't surrounding the arena so whatever abomination they are connected to won't be bursting out of the ground under anyone's feet. What's more, four of the tentacles dive back into the lava seconds after they are visible. The behemoth's four remaining tentacles are assigned no more than two tasks telepathically by Clarissa, which they diligently attempt to carry out without any delay or hesitation whatsoever.

One of the tentacles forcibly appropriates a gold plated wall of Clarissa's nearby fiery temple before attempting to use it as a paddle in the world's biggest game of ping pong, swatting at any cannonballs that could potentially crush Clarissa in order to deflect them, possibly smacking Andy if she is riding her cannonball all the way to the ground. The other three begin attempting to flog the bagpipes to death, kicking up a huge cloud of fine black suffocating powder that isn't healthy to breathe but isn't so fine that it'd pass through the simplest of filters and that, with the aid of the cannonballs, envelops the battlefield in an instant.

Die bagpipes! Die! :smallfurious:

As if that blinding, suffocating black powder environmental effect isn't incapacitating enough, Clegg's squall of rain produces scalding clouds of steam that might make it difficult to safely abseil onto the battlefield upon contact with Clarissa's lava. Depending on how low the airship is floating, the steam might even affect the ship's flight somehow!


Clegg glowers in rage as his volley of cannonballs do absolutely nothing but cloud up the air. Oh well, The Crone's Claw was still hidden underneath the massive green fog, hiding the ship from anyone's view. As for the cannon from Deus Ex Machina, it misses. There's no way it can get a shot to hit, for Clegg came into the fight expecting to be attacked, and so he made it storm and fog. So between the heavy rain, and the massive amounts of green fog flying everywhere, it's nigh impossible to hit. The perfect tactical position for Clegg. The Undead Captain raises his fist again, shouting out, FIRE, ye beggarly bunch of bones, slice their weak mortal flesh to ribbons! FIRE THE SHRAPNEL SHOTS, AND PREPARE THE MAW. The Maw was the massive cannon on the front of the ship, on deck. This huge thing could swivel and turn. It was a huge cannon, and it was built on top of the deck nearest to the front. This cannon turns to face DMside, and after a few seconds, fires. The massive projectile is meant to take down enemy ships in one big flaming shot. The cannon ball is shot, on fire, and as soon as it hits something, the huge thing will explode, sending shrapnel everywhere and probably smashing buildings.

At the same time, Clegg orders firing of the fifty shrapnel cannons on AMENside, sending a hailstorm of jagged metal and glass down on the HALOites and Clarissa. It is storming, which makes the shrapnel spread, so it will effect a large area. At the same time, the other fifty cannons on the other side are fired, sending cannonballs smashing out there as well, probably decimating a few buildings. Blow them all to HELL! BUAHAHAHAH!!



AMENside - DMside

The big cannonball flies in the direction of DMside. Assuming the fog is also woking against Clegg's men, it would have missed, but DMside rose a shield in defense. So it will explode at the shield, giving DMside their own smokescreen.

"Shields are on 35%." A man shouts as the shield starts t flicker.

"Channel the energy of the gate shields to the main shield and fokus on the front. Place guards, just in case. i doubt they will attack us on the ground." Mia shouts her order.

The man just does so and the shield stops to flicker. Then another man comes over his robot carries a pc.

"High Priestress? We discovered a way to get better aim of the ship. Due to their constant fire and the attack against us AND the shouting of their captain, we are able o predict their movement inside of the cloud."

"Good. Send in some drones. The weapon still cools down so we can't land an attack. I want to get a safe shot on this ship. Remember our target is to damage them enougth so they flee, we don't need to kill them."

The man nods and heads away. A few seconds later four objects leave DMside and head for the cloud. They all got an X form and seem to be very high tech.

AMENside - Beta

The emerald disapears into the ground and Tovpir follows his leader underground.

AMENside - Defence

Again Clegg's massiv attack causes a few mines to explode. A lot less then before.


AMENside

Chuckles and the Crew attack! twenty squads of ten, five squads to each HALOite group, with the remaining fifty crewmen moving to reinforce the base. Keep in mind, any half-decent fighter should be able to easily vanquish an average member of the Crone's Claw. However, each squad has their own decent soldier, wielding a cutlass and pistol, ready to bring the pain.
They wait for all of the cannonballs to make impact before the charge, after the first volley the HALOites will find 150 bullets/musket balls (give or take) heading their way.

)(Sorry for the lack of detail, in the car, on the phone. Let me know if you need something specific)(



[AMENside - Alpha]

It should be noted for the pirates that the entire airfield is sanctified with powerful Holy energy. Evil people may feel sick and compelled to leave. Demons, the undead, and other Evil aligned creatures may be hurt or even destroyed by the divine magic.

Theodore Goswell's arms get clawed as he brings them up to protect his face. Right now he's pinned to the ground by the dead demon, but the corpse does provide cover from the pirates' fire.

Samantha Goswell roars right back at the leader of the demonic pack. She tosses aside her carbine and draws her primary edged weapon: a very strong, very sharp, custom forged combat knife. She is absolutely ready to fight the large demon to the death in one-on-one combat. Come and have a go if you think you're hard enough!
That's when over 15 bullets hit her as the charging pirates take the team by surprise. Most of them flatten against her body armor, but a few strike her arms and legs. But one shot, be it through luck or skill, connects with her head and drops her instantly.


[AMENside - Sigma and Beta]

The dust clears for a brief moment to show Bellatrix Vulpan protected by a dome of divine energy. The dome just happens to be bright pink and decorated with rose and heart designs. Her shield spell stands up to the second volley of cannonfire, but wavers as the musketballs start hitting it. She can't do anything else unless she stops concentrating on her spell.

HALO's Patrol Team Beta enters the area at the same time as the pirates. Hector is moving quickly and confidently through the line of fire, somehow managing to only get nicked in a few places, firing his battle rifle and trying to kill as many of the mooks as he can. Pleithar also empties his powerful revolver at the pirates before catching a few bullets with his torso. The space elf cries out in surprise and pain, then perishes.

[Lord Magtok]

Lotus Gardens - Magtok

"Self-proclaimed? At the moment, sure. Later? Well, I think that'd depend on how the evening went, wouldn't it?" he mirrors her words, before turning his head to allow his lips to meet hers, putting a temporary halt to whatever retort she might've had planned. Bold claims, cyborg. I'm sure you're not the first to insist they could make Jezebel proclaim something in throes of passion, sure you can make good on those words?

[The Bushranger]

[AMENside - Alpha]

Seeing at least fifty pirates firing at them, Dani starts to call out a warning, only to see Sam suddenly collapse.

For an instant, the pint-size priestess stares, her eyes, and mouth, open wide...

...she then screams.

Ear-shatteringly loud, and soul-rendingly, as she lunges to Sam's side, slamming her hands to the ground either side of her.

And she suddenly pours ALL of her power into the sanctifying spell, sending a blast of Holy energy through the ground, wavering visibly above it as a shockwave from her position, a dome of expanding, shimmering golden energy, exploding outwards and slowly fading as it passes.

Odds are this won't be very pleasant for the creatures around them, be they undead, Evil, or both; it might even be downright destructive.

And as it fades, it leaves the priestess unconscious atop the unmoving figure of her wife, completely spent, barely alive, and with tears running down her cheeks.


[AMENside - Sigma]

The bagpipes keep playing, although their sound gets even more discordant as they take damage! It might be another round or two before they're taken out, but now they're screeching in an unworldly, hellish fury!

The banjos, not being attacked, continue twanging away.

And through the dust against the overwhelming hundred-to-six odds against them, Andy plummets, bullets ripping through her clothes and leaving gouging scrapes in her skin, twin razor-sharp blades pointed straight down as she drops, accelerating under the pull of gravity, upon where she saw Clarissa last!

[Devixer]

AMENside - Sigma

Bullets and shrapnel both pass through Nai's body. Two musket balls go straight through his head, but he's barely even pushed back by it. Some of the gauze falls off of his face, revealing that he really shouldn't be alive. His skin has been burnt to a crisp, and his eye sockets are completely empty.

He approaches Bellatrix, intending to strengthen her shield with his own divine energy. "If the rest of you keep her off of me, I will keep them off of you," he says, indicating Clarissa, then the horde of pirates coming for them.

[Shadowcaller]

[Westside]

"And this is only the beginning. My sister was right in sending you here. I have been hoping for some company in this gloomy place." The man replies and then bow down before the hobgoblin. "But let us introduce ourselves I am Arik Mithar and you must be Batu, a seeker of forbidden knowledge just like me, isn't that right?" Arik looks up, smiling at Batu.

[Outside Eastside Hospital]

The wood elf gives the other cleric a anxious look. "I was thinking the same thing." She lies, jittery eyeing the surrounding hospital. "Now let's get out of this place before more possessed people comes wandering." She quickly grabs the woman's legs, ready to lift her into the carriage with Talaitha's help. "Quickly now, don't want the spell to wear off." She chuckles nervously without any real joy.

[Suncrest Manor]

"Right, right, not too hot." Irena repeats before slowly lifting up Eliseo from his mothers arms to take him down to the kitchen. She's holding him away from him as she's terrified he'll suddenly puke on her or something like that. Who knew what that deranged thing had been feeding him?

Well down in the kitchen she places the child in the baby chair I assume they must have by now. Otherwise she'll simply put him on the table. "Let's see. Formula... got to be around here somewhere."

[Gullara]

[Suncrest Manor]

There is indeed a high chair, and Eliseo is put into it without any trouble. Except that he's still bawling at the top of his lungs. Cry cry cry! He's hungry! He wants food! Hurry hurry!

[Morty]

[Westside]

"My name is Batu, yes. Son of Tengal. I wish to learn sorcery, for which I was banished from my tribe," the hobgoblin replies.

[Halae]

[Northside]

"There is the upper floors but we haven't really decorated them yet." Zareen explains. "So we could go and see Sekai now if you want, she should be at her office."

[Northside]

"You came a bit too early to see this place done up nicely. It's still a work in progress." Vax adds.[Northside]

Sora nods, "Let's do that then. I see no reason to delay it, and I'm eager to meet her."

[UncleWolf]

Lotus Gardens - Magtok

As soon as the kiss happens, Jezebel will lunge across the table, possibly tackling the Clone, just to see if he's even able to make good on his word.

Outside Eastside Hospital

Talaitha nods and drags up the body, entering the carriage first to do so. Once the elf enters, the door will shut of it's own accord and the carriage will begin to move. "Any idea where? I know one, but..." She starts, shaking her head and figuring some things are better left unsaid.

[Lord Magtok]

Lotus Gardens - Magtok

Oh dear, that was unexpected. Magtok figured he had maybe another twelve seconds or so of flirting, innuendo, and teasing before this happened. That's not to say he wasn't prepared for this eventuality, just...when you're a mere mortal, dealing with daemon queens of limitless endurance, you have to try to pace yourself, y'know?

Magtok is not about to let that discourage him, though. He's highly motivated by pride and ego to make good on his word, to prove his bluffing was anything but. While the curtain's down, he makes every effort to impress as he takes charge, accessing the memories of the last clone to fool around with Jezebel, already familiar with her form even though this is the first time this particular clone has met her. Exploitation of what worked last time, abandoning what didn't merit as much attention before, and so on.

Even then, that's still not quite comparable as a sex daemon's inordinate capacity for this sort of thing. Jezebel could probably find someone better than our cyborg, probably has curtained with someone better before. Given that this is a world with incubi, succubi, and everything in between, there's bound to be more than a few who could literally go for hours, and our Maggy is only human, unfortunately.

That's why our cyborg decides to cheat, of course. He's too vain to swap in another clone halfway through, or ask for a second cyborg to join them, however. No, there's another trick our tin man has up his sleeve. Magtok has some limited shapeshifting going for him, as I've noted before. He has the ability to take maybe a inch or so of flesh off one leg, and move it to, let's say an arm. The utility of this power...well, I'm not going to go into it, but you can very well imagine how it'd be useful in this context, right? He's going to exploit that as much as he can, not much caring if Jezebel knows about that little trick of his. It's bound to become common knowledge sooner or later, given that he's been putting it to use more and more often lately. Might as well stop trying to keep it a secret. Factor in some abuse of neurochemistry, stifling of nerves and hormones and the like that would otherwise impede him, and he's well on his way to exceeding expectations.

[Shadowcaller]

[Northside]

"Hah! You won't be feeling that for long." Zareen jokes as she leaves the summoning chamber and will lead the tiefling through a short corridor to a door which would have looked like all the others doors if it hadn't had a eye carved into it. An eye which blinks at the party as they approach.

Zareen waves enthusiastically at it. "Hey Sekai, can you open the door for us?"

The eye turns to focus on Sora specifically and frowns.

"Oh, you don't have to worry about him. He just wants to join. He isn't some secret demonic agent. Just a weird-looking tiefling." The merwoman turns to him. "Right Sora?"

[Westside]

"Ah, then we have something in common already. Please follow me, unless you like to stand the whole visit." He replies as he turns to enter the chantry of the temple.

"I figured you might be a better teacher than me Arik, considering you have a quite vast collection of books in the matter." Cessie says as she follows her bother along.

"Of course, from your description of the eldritch spell he cast, I think I have exactly what he needs."

Inside the chantry Batu might note faded paintings, most likely religious in nature depicting hooded winged beings with dragon wings ascending to a shining light with beams like the sun at the very center of the ceiling. The altar itself is positioned right below this center with an pillar pointing right at it.

Dim light enters the chantry through stained glass windows with portraits of artificial beings of silver. Eventually they reach a small room nearly completely filled with books. There are three bookcases, but they are completely crammed, the rest of the books ending up on piles on the floor. The only free space in the room have been made for a small table with four wooden chairs. On top of the table are two glowing obelisk-shaped objects on each side of an large open book Arik must have been reading. There is a single small window right behind Arik's seat and a old faded banner to the right which once must have depicted a silver dragon on a blue background. Otherwise there aren't much in the way of decorations.

The sorcerer takes a seat near the book and gestures for them take their seat as well. "So Batu I must admit I have never heard of hobgoblins before, just goblins. Why don't you enlighten me?" The chairs might be slightly large for him though.

[Outside Eastside Hospital]

Obriane enters but jumps slightly as the door suddenly slams shut by itself. "Ah... v-very convenient." She observes as she looks at the door. Or at least she hopes it was supposed to do that. :smalleek:

"But, uh, I don't have any ideas myself so maybe we should try there? it sure beats staying around here. Not that I'm afraid or anything. This place just feels... unsafe." She tells Talaitha as she attempts to make herself in the seat of the carriage. Wooden seats had always disagreed with her though, especially in this armor.

[Suncrest Manor]

Jesus, patient. It was a wonder Nadia could listen to this everyday and not go crazy. How did she do it? Her wife must be some kind of super-human. Or super-lampade, whatever. Her point was that she'd never be able to do it.

Assuming Irena can see the bottle she grabs it. Now she was supposed to pour something in it though, she gives it a suspicious look. Nadia had said milk, but it was supposed to be some kind of special milk wasn't it? Oh geez, how the hell was she supposed to think with the constantly bawling in the background?

"Just shut up." The witch mutters under her breath, gritting her teeth as if she is unable to see anything else, will just grab milk from the fridge and warm it. That should be good enough right?

[Morty]

[Westside]

"Our kind is... related to goblins," Batu says, sitting down in a chair. "Although none of us like to admit it. We, and the orcs, are the Gol-kin, sharing some sort of ancient ancestry. But we hobgoblins roam the great plains while goblins hide under the mountains. We move across the steppes, prairies and tundras in tribes, accompanied by our great wolves and sometimes other beasts. Unfortunately, sorcery is anathema to our culture. It is reviled as a an abomination concocted by the dwarves and an affront to the spirits and the elements."

[Gullara]

[Suncrest Manor]

Eliseo doesn't reply to her cruel words! He just keeps on crying. He's hungry and being hungry woke him up. =c

Thankfully there's some formula prepared in the fridge! It's clearly marked too. So it's a simple matter to get that in the bottle and put that in the microwave. Now, what did Nadia do at that point? Irena may recall Irena shaking the bottle after it's heated up. And then probably nothing else?

[Westside]

'Weird looking tiefling'. Ah, her love has such tact. Vax would have to tell her that that wasn't appropriate later. "We will try to not take up too much of your time, Chapter Master."

[UncleWolf]

Outside Eastside Hospital => Tiny Shed at the edge of town

"He is called The Minister, and is a bit...Eccentric." Talaitha admits. Well, that's not good. If the Romani is calling someone else that, it's a bad sign.

Unless something happens, it'll be about ten minutes before they pull up in front of a rickety shack which seems to have flickering candlelight coming through the window.

Lotus Gardens - Magtok

While yes, she's had better lovers than the Clone, Jezebel is extremely appreciative of Magtok's efforts, and readily shows her appreciation, there's still something that he can't hope to match. Jezebel was granted literally unending endurance.

Over time, she'll wear him down to complete exhaustion, and at the end, she just carries him out of the office and into a guest room so he can rest on a soft bed. She'll depart after that point, having work to do, but the next time Magtok wakes, he'll find a pair of lovelies snuggled up against him for warmth and comfort.

Seems that Jezebel treats her lovers quite well.

Lotus Gardens - Quinn

"Vivian" will park outside the Gardens before guiding the paladin into the area, letting Quinn see all the sights, but making her way to a large and ornate apartment complex with a green awning out front. Unless Quinn stops to look at something or someone, she'll be taken up to the Penthouse suite. "My Mistress waits within." The spy says as she gestures for Quinn to open the door and enter.

[The Bushranger]

Lotus Gardens - Quinn


"Vivian" will park outside the Gardens before guiding the paladin into the area, letting Quinn see all the sights, but making her way to a large and ornate apartment complex with a green awning out front. Unless Quinn stops to look at something or someone, she'll be taken up to the Penthouse suite. "My Mistress waits within." The spy says as she gestures for Quinn to open the door and enter.

Quinn doesn't stop as they walk, but she does have her head on a swivel, "Vivian" will probably notice, taking in all the sights. As her cheeks turn pink, then red... "This is a...very freedom-loving place you have here," she observes, collecting herself and smiling at her escort as they arrive at the suite. "And, thanks again for putting me up," she adds with a tone of gratitude, before going to open the door and step inside!

[Beans]

[Neighborhood Pool]
The couple that recently moved in, the lady in the duster coat and her darker-skinned wife, arrive at this "pool" thing Columba told Saffron about. The horned woman looks interested on one hand, and totally prepared for her wife to have been dumb on the other.

[Shadowcaller]

[Suncrest Manor]

How was she supposed to recall all that when there was a little monster screaming in her ear? The sooner she stuffed the bottle in his mouth the sooner he'd be quiet. She can only imagine how disgusting that guck tasted like.

After a light shake she attempts to feed Eliseo. This had to work.

[Westside]

"Athema? So why did you choose to ignore these traditions of yours and be exiled from your own tribe by taking sorcery to heart?" Arik asks curiously.

Outside Eastside Hospital => Tiny Shed at the edge of town

Eyes are watching them as they leave but no one is actually attempting to stop the carriage. Obriane only seem to be relieved as soon as they're are away from the hospital. "Phew, so eccentric huh? I can deal with that as long he got what we need." She says with a smile.

[Gullara]

[Suncrest Manor]

Suddenly, quiet. It's like someone flipped a switch and turned the crying off. Eliseo drinks from the bottle hungrily, his little hands holding onto it, though not strongly enough to support it himself.

[Lord Magtok]

Lotus Gardens - Magtok

The cyborg wakes up in a strange, unfamiliar setting, and immediately goes on high alert. Oh gods, where is he?! What is this?! What's going on?! Why-

Alright, enough of that. Stay calm, Magtok. Just like we rehearsed. Attempt turn to one side slowly, eye closed, as if you were still asleep. Your red eye can look around and such for you, since looking around the room with that eye doesn't look any different from being sound asleep and not using the eye at all.

Rolling didn't work? Something weighing you down? Okay, well what if you tried rolling the other way? Something weighing you down on that side too? Damn. Can't move your head much either, I see. Okay, well what else do we know? We're in a place with a marble ceiling? Okay, that's...that's something, I guess. A pair of warm, very distinctly feminine bodies are snuggled up against your own? Alright, that helps too, even if it's just prompting more questions than it's answering. Explains why you couldn't sleepily roll onto one side. At least, not without putting so much effort into it that you'd make it obvious you're awake.

Time to start putting the puzzle pieces together. Marble building, pair of women snuggled against you, waking up in unfamiliar environment with only the vaguest recollection of how you got here. Okay, theory #1: Jezebel poisoned you for being a disappointment and you're in some sort of Slaaneshi-esque afterlife somehow, because of weird poisonous soul magic interfering with your usual method of recycling MagClone souls. Hypothesis two, she wasn't disappointed, Jezebel can split herself in two, and the two three of you are basking in your glory right now. Third guess, you've been kidnapped by insane psycho fangirls after Jez left you out in the street to fend for yourself. You were that much of a letdown; she just up and left you for dead. Wild Assumption Four, you weren't glorious, but you weren't pathetic either, and maybe Jezebel has important office work or something keeping her from being here right now, so she delegated keeping you company to two of her disciples who-

"Oh, hi there. If either of you lovely ladies are Becky from AMEN, would kindly teleport away before I turn my head, see you next to me, and start screaming in horror? Alright, thanks."

Neither of them feel anywhere near slimy, gross, and radiating a strong enough aura of awfulness to be Rebecca O'Brien, but better safe than sorry, right? :smallyuk:

[The Bushranger]

[Neighborhood Pool]


The couple that recently moved in, the lady in the duster coat and her darker-skinned wife, arrive at this "pool" thing Columba told Saffron about. The horned woman looks interested on one hand, and totally prepared for her wife to have been dumb on the other.

There does, in fact, appear to be a pool here. A filled pool. That is, at the moment, unoccupied. Also a bit Olympic in size. Wonder who built it and why? Hmm...

"See? I told you there was a pool!" Columba, dark hair spilling out across her shoulders in a wave and wearing a comfortably tight one-piece swimsuit, grins at Saffron.

[Beans]

[Pool...]
Saffron edges forward and pokes the water with her tailfin. Poke.

[The Bushranger]

[Pool]

It's water. Magically kept clean, so there's no chlorine.

Columba, of course, dives right in.

Ker-SPLASH.

[Beans]

[Pool]
Saffy slips in rather more gracefully behind her wife. ... Better than expected.

[Morty]

[Westside]

"Athema? So why did you choose to ignore these traditions of yours and be exiled from your own tribe by taking sorcery to heart?" Arik asks curiously.


"It was... Batu pauses. "I've been fascinated by sorcery ever since I first learned about it from a group of dwarves. I believe their kind was the first to discover it. I scrounged up as much as I could about it from the other peoples. I wanted to know more. Its call was... is irresistible. What can be more important than bending reality itself?"

[The Bushranger]

[Neighbourhood Pool]


Saffy slips in rather more gracefully behind her wife. ... Better than expected.

Columba pops up behind Saffron to hug her from behind.
"This is great, isn't it?!" she declares happily.

[Beans]

[Neighborhood Pool]
You have chosen well. Let us make it a habit for once. She smiles softly, reaching to pat her wife's hand.

[UncleWolf]

Lotus Gardens - Quinn

Jezebel is waiting when Quinn enters, but she's facing away, out a large bay window. She's wearing a beautiful purple sequin dress that covers her but hugs her curves. The penthouse is a huge and ornate room separated into smaller ones by folding paper screens. The center, the one she's in, is the large bedroom with a bed that's larger than any Quinn's seen before. Everything is decorated in pale lavenders and soft blues. Jezebel will give Quinn a moment to take it all in before speaking.

"Hello, Quinn Druid. I'm Jezebel Tel'Vree. I'm glad you came. Sorry about Vivian." She admits with a small smile when she turns around. "But she tells me you have some troubles and I'd like to help."

Lotus Gardens - Magtok

The Clone will hear a pair of giggles. "No, we aren't." The first says, propping herself up on her elbow to reveal dark plum skin. Otherwise she appears perfectly human except for the rather warm body temperature. Of course, that might just be her proximity.

"Mistress asked us to lay with you so you'd stay warm and comfortable." The other says as she props up on her own elbow, showing creamy skintone compared to the other's.

The Minister's Shed

When the carriage door opens, a man stands on the other side. He's dressed in a preacher's outfit and wears a wide-brimmed black hat. His face is hidden from view, but the elf might sense him watching her. "Hello again, gypsy. Have you come for Absolution finally, or is it yet another task you have for me? Or perhaps you think the elf would make a convert of Clint?"

Talaitha sighs and looks at her new friend. "Told hyu."

[The Bushranger]

Lotus Gardens - Quinn

Quinn pauses, her eyes drawn to Jezebel's curves in surprise.

Nobody expects an eight-foot Daemon Queen!

(And just a little bit of envy, too, perhaps...)

She pauses, noting the bed in the room with a bit of surprise as well, before composing herself, taking a deep breath, and then a respectful bow. "It's an honor to meet you, Miss Te'Vree. And...well, I suppose your assessment is somewhat accurate. But...how do you desire to help, and why, if I may speak frankly?" She remains standing until indicated to sit.

[UncleWolf]

Lotus Gardens - Quinn

"The how is simple enough." Jezebel says before reaching out to a nearby table to pick up a pair of keys. "This place is yours." She says before throwing them to the Paladin. "You and your husband. Call it a vacation home. I think you'll find everything you need here and it'll always be reserved just for you two." She says with a small smile.

"As to why...well, I'd like a favor in return. While my people are fairly peaceful, there are times when I've become too...ambitious. Or people have decided to Judge us before knowing who we are. If that happens, I would like GLoG to accept the civilians here with open arms if it ever comes to that point. Not permanently, but at least until they can decide where to go."

[The Bushranger]

[Lotus Gardens - Quinn]

That brings an expression of surprise to the paladin's face, even as she catches the keys and studies them for a moment before looking back up to Jezebel. "...as long as they can...moderate themselves," she says, a blush returning to Quinn's cheeks as she speaks, "then displaced refugees are always welcome, and we will care for them to the best of our ability," she promises. "I...I'm sure we'll make use of this place, it does seem...like a good place to escape from mundane life to," she adds after a moment. "I have to say I never expected to see a place like this. Or, well, to meet someone like you," she continues, her smile warm and genuine now.

[UncleWolf]

Lotus Gardens - Quinn

Jezebel inclines her head slightly, nodding to Quinn in respect. "Perhaps, but I think you misunderstand. By the civilians, I meant simply those who live here. Maybe a few of those within my organization to help them along, but not many." The Daemon clarifies. "Too many are too loyal to ever leave, but I must make the option possible and neither they, nor the civilians, have shown anything but restraint."

At that, Jezebel gestures for Quinn to take a seat at a small dining table as she does so herself. There's a pot of tea that she pours from, offering the Paladin a cup and taking one for herself. "Did you have any other sorts of problems that I might be able to help with while you are here?"

[The Bushranger]

[Lotus Gardens - Quinn]

"Then all will be well," Quinn says with a nod of understanding, taking the seat across from Jezebel and accepting the cup of tea with gratitude. "Thank you. And...well, I'm honestly not sure. There are many things that weigh on my mind, but many are personal and petty things," she admits. "While others are things that, well, some I have to deal with personally..."

Sighing a bit, she looks down into her cup of tea, swirling it for a moment before taking a sup.

[UncleWolf]

Lotus Gardens - Quinn

When Quinn looks down at her cup, Jezebel will try to reach over to pat it gently. "Whatever you say here will never be heard by another soul. I swear it." Jezebel tells her with a tone full of understanding.

[The Bushranger]

[Neighborhood Pool]



You have chosen well. Let us make it a habit for once. She smiles softly, reaching to pat her wife's hand.

"Sounds like a good idea to me."
Columba giggles...

...and then goes to dunk Saffy. Of course.

****

[Lotus Gardens - Quinn]

"You're very kind. And we've only just met." Quinn blushes a bit, but looks up, and manages a smile. "There's any number of things really...such as the fact GLoG is considered interesting enough to spy on being the highlight of, well, for as long as I can remember in our organisation; that we've lost our way, both when it comes to doing good and when it comes to redeeming people. That my husband got hit by a gender-bending spell, and wound up hotter than I am, and where he, she, might be seriously considering staying that way, and while it's fun I want more children," she admits, more sober than when she poured out her worries to Vivian and yet still feeling the desire to let it all out. "That...a decision I made, long ago, to try and redeem someone at the cost of a friend...to do what I felt was right, regardless of the cost...seems to have come back to bite me with failure. And the list goes on."

Shrugging, she sets down the teacup, folding her hands on the table. ...I guess it helps, just to say these things out loud to somebody, even if there's nothing to be done about them..."

[Lord Magtok]

Lotus Gardens - Magtok


Lotus Gardens - Magtok

The clone will hear a pair of giggles. "No, we aren't." The first says, propping herself up on her elbow to reveal dark plum skin. Otherwise she appears perfectly human except for the rather warm body temperature. Of course, that might just be her proximity.

"Mistress asked us to lay with you so you'd stay warm and comfortable." The other says as she props up on her own elbow, showing creamy skintone compared to the other's.

"Oh, alright. That's good. Did she say anything else? Oww." It's only after an attempt to lift himself up that he realizes how raw and sore every last inch of his body is, and he promptly sets himself back down. Ouch. No, it looks like he'll just be staying here for now. This is why you don't challenge a sex daemon queen of unlimited sexual endurance to a sex-off, Magtok. You can't just deploy various shenanigans and cheat your way to victory like you can in a fight; curtains just don't work that way!

...No! You're not allowed to go looking for a tiefling to splice unlimited endurance into your DNA, either! Not one of these two, not Jezebel, not Kal, nobody! Bad cyborg! Your blood is muddied enough by that shapeshifter nonsense, any more and people are going to be able to tell you're not all human anymore!

[Shadowcaller]

The Minister's Shed

Obriane just smiles politely at the man. "While I'd love to hear more about Clint I am actually ordained with the faith of Sheanine and we came here for another reason." She gestures towards the weakened woman. "This poor soul is possessed and I don't know the appropiate symbolism to throw the demon out of her."

[Westside - Temple]

"Power has a certain call, yes. But it also must be respected as it's also feared. Once you have gone down this path the world will see you in a different light. The path you thread down is dangerous and you can't do it alone. Like a newborn you can't take care of yourself just yet and until you do you need an ally to protect and help you." Arik explains. "I know since I were like you once and I can sympathize with what you have gone through." He gestures towards the book piles. "And as you can see, I think I have what you need to be able to take care of yourself."

[Suncrest Manor]

Phew.

Irena grabs a nearby chair and drags it closer to take a seat as she feeds the little bugger. She could really appreciate for not making her do this more. Man, suddenly there was a whole new aspect of her to like. She'd probably have to buy her something. Maybe something for this little guy.

She looks down at the infant. What the heck would he even want? :smallconfused:

Eh, she'd figure it out eventually, that was what the internet was for.

[Gullara]

[Suncrest Manor]

Eliseo finishes drinking when his bottle is just about empty. The baby grins up at Irena and holds out his hands to her. He babbles some nonsense and opens and closes his hands. He wants up!

[GrandDM]

[Outskirts]

On an apparently empty lot which was recently purchased for an outrageous sum of money is a sign:


The Scientist
Information, equipment and mercenary units
No questions asked
Drop a note in the box

There's an old-fashioned mailbox to one side, with paper that never seems to get wet no matter how much it rains and a pen that never seems to run out. Notes put in the box disappear as soon as the door is closed.

[Morty]

[Westside - Temple]

"Power has a certain call, yes. But it also must be respected as it's also feared. Once you have gone down this path the world will see you in a different light. The path you thread down is dangerous and you can't do it alone. Like a newborn you can't take care of yourself just yet and until you do you need an ally to protect and help you." Arik explains. "I know since I were like you once and I can sympathize with what you have gone through." He gestures towards the book piles. "And as you can see, I think I have what you need to be able to take care of yourself."

"As I understand it, there are many forms of sorcery in this... nexus of worlds. Do you think you have books from my world among your collection?" Batu asks.

[Beans]

[Neighborhood Pool]
"Sounds like a good idea to me."
Columba giggles...
...and then goes to dunk Saffy. Of course.
SPLOOSH.
Saffron's tail snaps out to grab her by the waist and briefly plunk her under in return!

[The Bushranger]

[Neighbourhood Pool]

Columba shrieks with happy laughter, and splashes frantically as a grin crosses her face. "Hey, no fair!" she protests, although the mad giggles bely it.

[GrandDM]

[Pretty Much Everywhere]

Interaction Wanted

Except in places where they'll be stopped getting in (and even then, they'll try and find a back way) are small groups of orks, clad in high-tech armour, stomping around. They'll go up to everyone they pass and shove a photo in their face, asking them "You seen dis guy?"

It depicts an old man, Oriental-looking with a long, droopy moustache. He's been around the city for a few days, so people may have seen him.

[Beans]

[Neighbourhood Pool]
Columba shrieks with happy laughter, and splashes frantically as a grin crosses her face. "Hey, no fair!" she protests, although the mad giggles bely it.

Splashing back, Saffy smiles, just a little. It is fair---dunk me, get dunked.

[UncleWolf]

Lotus Gardens - Quinn

Once Quinn is done rambling, Jezebel gives the woman's hand a gentle squeeze before appearing thoughtful. "While I can't help with your guilt, I can at least do a couple things. First, I suggest you find yourself a new Purpose. For yourself or GLoG as a whole. If this hasn't been your dream, then perhaps it's time for you to try and turn it into such. The stories I've heard of you and your organization were those of a Crusader for all that was good. Perhaps you simply need to go out and be such again." Jezebel points out before setting her cup of tea down so she can clasp her hands.

"As for the issue with your husband, well..." She says before concentrating for a moment and slowly parting her hands. As she does so, a small plum vial shimmers into being. "Perhaps this will help. If you're jealous of his looks as a woman, perhaps you should become a man." She says, offering the potion to Quinn. "The effects are permanent unless canceled out by other magic, and if you two truly wish a child, well, perhaps it's time for him to do his own fair share." She tells the Paladin with a wry smile.

Lotus Garden - Magtok

Poor Magtok, unable to get out of a bed that's filled with naked women. How will he ever bear such? :smalltongue:

"We've been asked to attend to your needs." The first says with a small frown at his wincing. "So why don't you turn over so we can relax those muscles for you?" The second suggests.

If he does so, the Clone will find out that the pair are excellent masseuses.

Minister's Shack

The man tilts his head a little to the side to look at the possessed woman, as if analyzing what's within her. The new angle will let the elf see a thin angular and grizzled face. The man has hard eyes that seem to be locked in a permanent squint. After a couple moments, the man's right hand darts in and out of his pocket, drawing a .44 Magnum that seems to give off a throbbing presence.

He points it directly at the woman's head. "In the Name of Eastwood, I command thee out." He says with a growl before pulling the trigger, releasing a bright beam of light that should strike the woman's forehead. It won't damage her, but hopefully the holy energy will push the demon's control over her away.

[The Bushranger]

[Lotus Gardens - Quinn]

Quinn listens, nodding a bit at the comment about dreams and purposes. When Jezzy offers the vial, she blinks in surprise, then accepts it with a smile. "Thank you. I'm...not sure if I'd want to make such a change, but just having the option...well, it could be interesting." After thorough investigation of the potion, of course. But it does give her leverage. :smalltongue: "And you might be right about needing a new purpose. Mostly we've been about redemption in our history, though; HALO is more the Crusaders types, I think. But perhaps we need to...be more pro-active about redeeming people, instead of waiting for them to come to us," the telepath muses as she slips the vial into her purse.

"I guess perhaps I lost sight of things under mountains of paperwork, and motherhood. Although," she quickly adds, "I wouldn't trade being a mother for anything." She pauses. "I would throw the paperwork to the Sarlacc in a heartbeat, though."

[Lord Magtok]

Lotus Garden - Magtok

Hey now, don't go putting words into my mouth that weren't there. I never said he was unable to get out. I just pointed out there'd be some difficulty. Whether it's enough to actually merit staying here, or just a flimsy excuse...well, that's for Magtok to know, and you to only guess at.

"And that's all she said?" Magtok questions once more as he turns about, almost definitely fishing for some sign of Jezebel's impending wrath or whatever else. His ego is so pathetically fragile, for something so stupidly massive.

[Rebonack]

[Pretty Much Somewhere]

"Yeah, I saw him," a shady looking fellow with a crooked nose reports. "Saw him skulkin' 'round down by Pam's Chowder Shop. Looked like he was up to no good, if ya catch what I'm sayin'."

The man might or might not be telling the truth.

But he's probably hoping for some kind of reward.

After all!

Nothing is free around here.

Except maybe a mugging.

[Shadowcaller]

Minister's Shack

The man tilts his head a little to the side to look at the possessed woman, as if analyzing what's within her. The new angle will let the elf see a thin angular and grizzled face. The man has hard eyes that seem to be locked in a permanent squint. After a couple moments, the man's right hand darts in and out of his pocket, drawing a .44 Magnum that seems to give off a throbbing presence.

He points it directly at the woman's head. "In the Name of Eastwood, I command thee out." He says with a growl before pulling the trigger, releasing a bright beam of light that should strike the woman's forehead. It won't damage her, but hopefully the holy energy will push the demon's control over her away.


"As I understand it, there are many forms of sorcery in this... nexus of worlds. Do you think you have books from my world among your collection?" Batu asks.

Minister's Shack

As she's hit by the bolt her eyes and mouth goes wide open and it sounds like she's trying to scream but simply can't get a sound out of her throat. What instead comes out is a fountain of vomit which likely will end up all inside the carriage and everyone inside it.

Anyone with a spiritual sense can feel an malevolent presence leave her body at the same moment. The apparition lingers nearby however, something drawing it here.


[Suncrest Manor]

Eliseo finishes drinking when his bottle is just about empty. The baby grins up at Irena and holds out his hands to her. He babbles some nonsense and opens and closes his hands. He wants up!

[Suncrest Manor]

"Yes, let's go back to mommy." Irena replies as she attempts to take the baby and haul him up. Finally she'd be able to get some sleep since after all this she actually felt rather tired. A nap would do her some good.

[Westside - Temple]

"I should and if I don't, I know someone who does so don't worry. As a sorcerer you need to have the right kind of contacts. That's why it's important to talk to people. Now I'm hardly the most competent person socially but with the powers at your disposal it's easy to make some friends anyway if you know where to look." Arik explains to Batu.

[GrandDM]

[Pretty Much Somewhere]

"Yeah, I saw him," a shady looking fellow with a crooked nose reports. "Saw him skulkin' 'round down by Pam's Chowder Shop. Looked like he was up to no good, if ya catch what I'm sayin'."

The man might or might not be telling the truth.

But he's probably hoping for some kind of reward.

After all!

Nothing is free around here.

Except maybe a mugging.

The orks nod. One of them reaches into a bulging pouch and pulls out a small diamond of very high quality.

"Boss sez we give these to infora - infu - people who tell us stuff."

He tosses it across.

[Gullara]

[Suncrest Manor]

Eliseo grabs at whatever Irena happens to be wearing right now, giggling gleefully. He isn't tired at all apparently. He had a good sleep right up until he woke up hungry.

Back up in the bedroom, Nadia is still lying on the bed, peacefully fast asleep. She doesn't react at all to her wife and child entering the room.

[Rebonack]

[Pretty Much Somewhere]

And lo, the greasy looking shifty guy gained a rock of little intrinsic value! Sure diamonds were pretty rare before folks discovered that kimberlite pipes existed, but since then the value of diamonds has been maintained mostly by illegal price fixing and slave labor.

The more you know!

Okay, so it isn't totally worthless. Some people like sparkly things. And diamonds have some practical industrial uses. And like most gemstones they have useful magical applications. But of course, if someone is giving them out like candy that depreciates their value.

The economy in the Nexus is weird.

Anywho!

The greasy guy stalks off to cash in his prize.

[The Alexandrian]

The Lotus Gardens

Azurelle is here. She's an attractive aasimar woman with silver skin, golden hair and golden eyes. She's currently wearing a low-cut spider-silk dress that exposes how fit and strong she is. The dress is black, with a white centipede circling around it, and hanging from her belt is a polished steel rod.


The Lotus Gardens

Waiting outside the temple is Rebecca, wearing a somewhat daring backless, V-neck black dress (http://dorisgoshopping.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/08/black-sexy-evening-dress-7013m.jpg), and upon spotting the approaching Azurelle she stands, stepping towards the newcomer with a smile quirking her lips. "Welcome to the Lotus Gardens, Lady Azurelle," she says, her voice a sensual purr.

[The Lotus Gardens]

On the heels of Azurelle enters another. Her icy blue eyes glow with malevolent cunning. She seems almost too aware of her surroundings. Every movement is traced and analyzed in cold flitting glances hither and thither. For all the bountiful beauty to be beheld herein, she remains outwardly aloof and dispassionate, a hint of suspicion crossing her features before being crushed and chained in the same breath. She herself is a blonde buxom lass, meticulously bred to tempt and tease, to tickle the more carnal senses of those whose eyes should be drawn to her like a bee to a single flower in a boundless field of ash. Her fair skin is covered in a simple light green dress that is more formal than flattering compared to what the other characters are wearing. While much weaker in physical strength than her companion, she is equally dangerous. Her preferences lie not to the sword but to the mind, a weapon which she wields with lethal efficiency. Manipulation is her art, and she favors it above all others. For a time, it was the only defense she had, and she has not forgotten all the good it has done her and the evil it has spared her.

-------
[AMENside - Stuff]

((Haven't forgotten about this. Will post for this when I have more time.))

[Earl of Purple]

The Lotus Gardens- Order of the Centipede

"Hello, Rebecca. It's good to see you again. This is one of our trainees in the Order." Azurelle motions to her companion. She would introduce her, but she is unsure as to whether or not her companion has chosen a new name or not yet.

[Reinholdt]

Art Museum - Southside

After not going into AMENside, Reinholdt makes his way here.

If the door's open, he'll head right in to look around and see if there's anything valuable. If not, he'll knock.

[FireFox]

Art Museum - Southside

Reinholdt will find the front doors unlocked and open. The first floor of the building has a rather nice lobby with empty help and security desks. There are no exhibits, only restrooms on one side and a bank of three elevators on the other.

[Reinholdt]

Art Museum

Welp. Reinholdt tries one of the elevators. It'd better do some spy stuff or at least have decent elevator music or Rein will be sorely disappointed.

[FireFox]

Art Museum

Instead of buttons, the elevator has a keyhole and a screen, which flickers on when Rein enters. Reynard's handsome face grins down at him. Any trouble finding the place?

[Reinholdt]

Art Museum

"It's the only art museum brazen enough to even exist in the Nexus. No trouble at all." Plus Southside's easy to navigate. Gangs, gangs, Berlin wall, two temples, and an art museum.

[FireFox]

Art Museum

There's the Flugelheim on 89th and Keaton in Inside, actually. But some joker went and vandalized all the paintings. The Trickster shrugs. The elevator doors open on a new floor, without seeming to have moved at all. Second room on the left. We've got lots to talk about!

[Reinholdt]

Art Museum

"What a waste of perfectly good valuables." Reinholdt says.

Before stepping out of the elevator and heading for the second door on the left, the character certain that Reynard spun that into a reference of some kind, but not well read enough to know what.

[The Bushranger]

[Lotus Gardens - Becky the Tour Guide]

Becky favors Azurelle with a warm smile and curtsey. "Welcome, Lady Azurelle. It's good to see you again." She turns to the blonde, raising an eyebrow as she examines her. 'Rebecca', it might be noted, is no shrinking violet herself; she is in fact rather amply buxom and to the trained eye might even appear slightly taller than when Azurelle met her at the Green Fields; in addition, her pale skin is wholly flawless and she has every sign of being in absolutely perfect health, her hair has a lustrous, silky sheen...and she gives every impression of having judged the newcomer and found her wanting, for a moment, before a fully professional expression returns to her smoothly sculpted facial features. "And well met, Lady...?"

[FireFox]

Art Museum

And here Reynard thought that Reinholdt would appreciate a Batman reference more than Milton or something as high-brow!

The first room on the left is pretty much what you would expect from an art museum's exhibit. There are a few paintings and some sculptures amid tasteful lighting. The first room on the right, by contrast, only has two Siberian tigers, one white and one black, pacing around. The second room on the right resembles a funhouse maze of mirrors at first glance. The second room on the left is a luxurious penthouse apartment, its far wall one big window that looks out onto a breathtaking vista of the Bank of China Tower in the middle of the NYC skyline, under the shadow of Mt. Rainier, with the Mediterranean in the background. Reynard is lounging on one of half a dozen couches, listening to organ music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuL0XC2_g8g).

[Reinholdt]

Art Museum

He was thinking about how the door choice was some sort of allusion and completely missed the obvious. Clearly over thinking things already.

"Do you really need this many couches?" Reinholdt considers flopping on Reynard's lap to throw him off from the get go, but can't imagine it'd work like it did on Kyne so takes a seat on a couch further away than necessary.

[FireFox]

Art Museum

Of course not. When was anything with him ever about needs? How's tricks?

[Reinholdt]

Art Museum

When he tried to recruit the demented Magclone.

"Tricks?" Reinholdt can guess at who or what Reynard is referring to, but would rather not, cause he'd probably just get it wrong and look stupid.

[FireFox]

Art Museum

Well, apart from that.

... Things, Reinholdt. The man in the bespoke suit gives a long-suffering sigh. How are things? It's an informal colloquialism. I'm asking how you have been. You know, making pleasant conversation?

[Reinholdt]

Art Museum

"Well you said tricks. I have plenty, but if I reveal my secrets, they aren't tricks any more!" Every good magician knows this.

"I'm getting along well enough. Are you opening the museum soon or this going to be one of those 'Opening Soon' indefinitely deals?"

[FireFox]

Art Museum

What, you mean opening it to the public? Why would I ever do that? Reynard airily waves a hand. No, this is just for the enjoyment of myself, my colleagues, and perhaps the rare guest.

[Reinholdt]

Art Museum

"Right. So what's with the mirror maze? It hiding anything good?" It was most interesting.

[FireFox]

Art Museum

Oh yes! Yes indeed! And each mirror shows a slightly different you. Reynard tosses over a key. For the elevators. I'm on the seventh, Arina is on the fourth, and Callie is on the second. That leaves the third, fifth, or sixth floors for you. You can do whatever you wish with the entire floor. Exhibit your favorite art, fill it with trophies of your adventures, even turn the whole floor into a hedonistic love palace, if that's your thing.

[Reinholdt]

Art Museum

Reinholdt takes the key and rolls it in his hand. "I'm not Magtok." Leave the hedonistic love palaces to the dress wearer.

"Thanks. I guess. For the record though I am obligated to be opposed to the oppression and imprisonment of Yin and Yang. My species isn't just pure housecat."

[FireFox]

Art Museum

Callie works for me of her own will. She has the freedom to terminate her employment at any time, without any advance notice or, oh, wait, you were talking about the tigers. No, that's not a Yin-Yang thing. He ignores the issues of oppression and imprisonment.

[Reinholdt]

Art Museum

"It was my best guess. Still, cats are meant to be free! As a general anarchist at heart, I'm sure you understand, right?" Or perhaps Reynard prefers things entangled in his web.

[Morty]

[Westside - Temple]

"I should and if I don't, I know someone who does so don't worry. As a sorcerer you need to have the right kind of contacts. That's why it's important to talk to people. Now I'm hardly the most competent person socially but with the powers at your disposal it's easy to make some friends anyway if you know where to look." Arik explains to Batu.

"I see..." Batu says. "I'm eager to learn whatever you have to offer, then," he adds with a bow.

[FireFox]

Art Museum

I think you have me confused with one of my aspects. Reynard says dubiously yet politely.

[Reinholdt]

Art Museum

"Oh dear Eve, please don't tell me you have aspects too." Why do powerful beings from Tobias' world like splitting off parts of their own personality? It's weird.

[FireFox]

Art Museum

Not as you understand it, no. My aspects are every Trickster deity and archetypal figure in the multiverse. I was humoring you by entertaining the possibility that one of them is an anarchist. But, to be painfully honest, none of them care about you. He shrugs apologetically. Shall we get to business?

[Reinholdt]

Art Museum

Hmph. Rein's considering making them care.

"Yes. Please."

[FireFox]

Art Museum

Reynard tells Reinholdt the plan. I trust you have no objections?

[Reinholdt]

Art Museum

"Objections to stirring up Tobias' marriage by trying to seduce Quinn? Just a few, mostly with the part where I get murdered horribly for this and would deserve it." :smallyuk:

[FireFox]

Art Museum

... I like the way I worded it. It sounded more elegant and less dangerous. At any rate, at least try to enjoy yourself. Reynard leans back and smirks. Now... is there anything I can do for you? I prefer to think of this as us working together for mutual profit and fun! Not, you know, him threatening to go after Toby's children to make Rein obey his commands.

[Reinholdt]

Art Museum

"**** you." Reinholdt gives Reynard a nasty gesture, but it might be lost in translation because it's a nasty cat gesture.

He'll wait for anything Reynard has to add before turning to head out.

[UncleWolf]

Minister's Shack

As she's hit by the bolt her eyes and mouth goes wide open and it sounds like she's trying to scream but simply can't get a sound out of her throat. What instead comes out is a fountain of vomit which likely will end up all inside the carriage and everyone inside it.

Anyone with a spiritual sense can feel an malevolent presence leave her body at the same moment. The apparition lingers nearby however, something drawing it here.



Talaitha slips out of the carriage quickly, somehow avoiding the vomit, though she gives The Minister an angry glare. She doesn't say anything though, knowing that he's done them a favor. Even if it doesn't feel like it.

The Minister's eyes glow red as he ignores the fluids that splash on him, and he looks around for the evil presence, gun at the ready as he tries to find it. If he does so, he doesn't wait and simply shoots at it.


[Lotus Gardens - Quinn]

Quinn listens, nodding a bit at the comment about dreams and purposes. When Jezzy offers the vial, she blinks in surprise, then accepts it with a smile. "Thank you. I'm...not sure if I'd want to make such a change, but just having the option...well, it could be interesting." After thorough investigation of the potion, of course. But it does give her leverage. :smalltongue: "And you might be right about needing a new purpose. Mostly we've been about redemption in our history, though; HALO is more the Crusaders types, I think. But perhaps we need to...be more pro-active about redeeming people, instead of waiting for them to come to us," the telepath muses as she slips the vial into her purse.

"I guess perhaps I lost sight of things under mountains of paperwork, and motherhood. Although," she quickly adds, "I wouldn't trade being a mother for anything." She pauses. "I would throw the paperwork to the Sarlacc in a heartbeat, though."

Lotus Gardens - Quinn

"If the paperwork is getting to you, then throw it out and take a sabbatical. Go on a quest or two. Have an adventure and find the person you used to feel like." Jezebel suggests with a small smile. "Take a vacation, drag someone along with you and have fun. You're no use to people if you sit back and let paper eat away your life."


Lotus Garden - Magtok

Hey now, don't go putting words into my mouth that weren't there. I never said he was unable to get out. I just pointed out there'd be some difficulty. Whether it's enough to actually merit staying here, or just a flimsy excuse...well, that's for Magtok to know, and you to only guess at.

"And that's all she said?" Magtok questions once more as he turns about, almost definitely fishing for some sign of Jezebel's impending wrath or whatever else. His ego is so pathetically fragile, for something so stupidly massive.

Lotus Gardens - Magtok

The first can't help but snicker a bit. "The Mistress doesn't speak to us about those she's with." She admits as she tries to do her job and massage the Clone's shoulders. The second one speaks up as she'll try to work on the arms. "But if it helps, you're the first that's been serviced like this afterward."

[The Bushranger]

Splashing back, Saffy smiles, just a little. It is fair---dunk me, get dunked.

"But when you put it that way, it makes it sound so reasonable," Columba counters, pouting theatrically.

***

[Lotus Gardens - Quinn]

"...that is a good point. Again." Quinn can't help but chuckle softly, the brunette leaning back with a sigh. "I guess...I've just tried to do too much myself. Scared to let somebody else do anything, even though there is a Council to handle things that was created expressly because I couldn't," she observes. Then frowns as something occurs to her. "Technically they're supposed to approve any large arrangements, like pre-planning arrangements with other groups for potential refugee movements," she muses cautiously. "But it shouldn't be a problem." And shrugs. "But yeah. Vacation would be nice. Maybe head to Toby's kingd- er, homeland for a time..."

[Beans]

"But when you put it that way, it makes it sound so reasonable," Columba counters, pouting theatrically.
[Pool]
I am nothing if not reasonable, dear. One of us must be, after all. She smiles, swishing a little.

[FireFox]

Art Museum

The Trickster frowns and lets Reinholdt leave.

[Shadowcaller]

"I see..." Batu says. "I'm eager to learn whatever you have to offer, then," he adds with a bow.


[Suncrest Manor]

Eliseo grabs at whatever Irena happens to be wearing right now, giggling gleefully. He isn't tired at all apparently. He had a good sleep right up until he woke up hungry.

Back up in the bedroom, Nadia is still lying on the bed, peacefully fast asleep. She doesn't react at all to her wife and child entering the room.

[Suncrest Manor]

Irena is actually wearing more clothes than usual considering she didn't take anything off after their little adventure. Jeans, a sweater and a t-shirt underneath it. So Eliseo is probably grabbing Irena's sweater. "Yes, very funny." As she enters the bed room she is meet with a quite a conundrum. He was obviously not going to lay there peacefully besides Nadia. So she had to... do something.

She just wasn't sure what.

Why the heck hadn't she hired a servant or something already?!
She looks down at the toddler, what is he doing now?

[Westside Temple]

"I'm sure this will be a learning experience for both of us. Why don't you start by seeing if there are any books that you know at sight to be meant for you?" Arik asks, once again gesturing at the piles to his side. "You can go through them later I'm sure. You will have all the time in the world."

[Minister's Shack]

Obriane just sort of stands there, frozen in an attempt do doge the vomit like Talaitha but with less success. Now she's not moving anymore as her nice chest plate, antler crown, hair and clothes are covered in it.

The Minister will be able to tell that the presence is near the wood elf, in fact, it seems to be hiding behind her like it's trying to enter her but without much success.

[The Alexandrian]

[Lotus Gardens - Order of the Centipede!]

"My name is of little consequence. You should know me in act, not in name, but if a name you must have, you may call me Toy."

Toy darkly and almost sinisterly answers after but a single second's pause.

Toy, quite frankly, doesn't care what Rebecca might think of her, and she only pretends to care what Azurelle might think of now that she is free of her yoke so long as Azurelle continues to be of use to her.

Becky's appearance does put her on edge, however. Flawless beauty... Perfect physical health... And it isn't just this one, is it? Toy can feel the disturbance.

This is weird.

[Earl of Purple]

Lotus Gardens- Order of the Centipede

"I chose to bring Lady Toy with me to teach her the benefits of diplomacy and speech. Her mind is the sharpest weapon she possesses. And I'd say the same if she used a supernaturally sharp sword or axe rather than a mace." Azurelle smiles at Toy. The flattery is also sincere; Azurelle knows that Toy is at least as smart as she is, and probably more so, as Azurelle has put more effort into her physical training than her mental one.

[Morty]

\
[Westside Temple]

"I'm sure this will be a learning experience for both of us. Why don't you start by seeing if there are any books that you know at sight to be meant for you?" Arik asks, once again gesturing at the piles to his side. "You can go through them later I'm sure. You will have all the time in the world."


"I should be able to recognize familiar writings," Batu says as he starts to search through the pile. Eventually, he picks out one book and starts leafing through it. "I think I may have found something."

[Lord Magtok]

Lotus Gardens - Magtok

The first can't help but snicker a bit. "The Mistress doesn't speak to us about those she's with." She admits as she tries to do her job and massage the Clone's shoulders. The second one speaks up as she'll try to work on the arms. "But if it helps, you're the first that's been serviced like this afterward."

"It helps, but still. How many foreign dignitary types or whatever have gone to her office and-" Magtok stops, blinks, and raises an eyebrow. "It'd be too much for me to hope that you'd tell me if a Remmie, Vyrn, or Watchtower member has been here, wouldn't it?"

[Gullara]

[Suncrest Manor]

Irena is actually wearing more clothes than usual considering she didn't take anything off after their little adventure. Jeans, a sweater and a t-shirt underneath it. So Eliseo is probably grabbing Irena's sweater. "Yes, very funny." As she enters the bed room she is meet with a quite a conundrum. He was obviously not going to lay there peacefully besides Nadia. So she had to... do something.

She just wasn't sure what.

Why the heck hadn't she hired a servant or something already?!
She looks down at the toddler, what is he doing now?

[Suncrest Manor]

Eliseo has managed to secure one of the strings of Irena's sweater! He starts to lean back, tugging on it as hard as he can. He is determined! Though, whatever he's trying to accomplish is a mystery, if it's anything at all.

[The Bushranger]

[Pool]



I am nothing if not reasonable, dear. One of us must be, after all. She smiles, swishing a little.

"Good point," Columba agrees, before letting go and setting out on a race to the other end of the pool!

"Last one there's a rotten egg!"

Seems she's forgotten just who is the swimmer here...

===

[Lotus Gardens - Order of the Centipede]




"My name is of little consequence. You should know me in act, not in name, but if a name you must have, you may call me Toy."

Toy darkly and almost sinisterly answers after but a single second's pause.

Toy, quite frankly, doesn't care what Rebecca might think of her, and she only pretends to care what Azurelle might think of now that she is free of her yoke so long as Azurelle continues to be of use to her.

Becky's appearance does put her on edge, however. Flawless beauty... Perfect physical health... And it isn't just this one, is it? Toy can feel the disturbance.

This is weird.


Lotus Gardens- Order of the Centipede

"I chose to bring Lady Toy with me to teach her the benefits of diplomacy and speech. Her mind is the sharpest weapon she possesses. And I'd say the same if she used a supernaturally sharp sword or axe rather than a mace." Azurelle smiles at Toy. The flattery is also sincere; Azurelle knows that Toy is at least as smart as she is, and probably more so, as Azurelle has put more effort into her physical training than her mental one.

No doubt it's a great disturbance in her Force!
"...very well, then." From the expression on 'Rebecca's' face she finds that name slightly unsettling, but she sets it aside in short order. "Lady Jezebel has asked me to provide you with a tour of our Gardens, and if she isn't busy afterwards you may have an opportunity to meet her." From the tone of her voice, this would be a Great Honor, Indeed. "I'm sure you've already noticed how the people here are," she says, starting the tour already. "This is an effect of the Temple itself; those who live here find themselves cured of what ails them. And sometimes, they find themselves gifted with a blessing, changing them to how they desire to be."

[Beans]

[Pool]
Indeed! Saffy cuts through the water, beating her wife's time handily because that's what her entire butt was made for.

[Earl of Purple]

Southside- Isolated Bit

A van is headed cross-country here! It's been painted bright purple, although the wheels are green. The exhaust is kicking out large amounts of red smoke that smells of boiled cabbage and vinegar. It brakes suddenly, and something is thrown out of the back. It then turns around and drives off again.

Around where the something is dumped are several aborted devices made from all manner of scrap devices; there's something that was clearly a hair dryer before it was taken apart and mixed with parts of a microwave and a smart phone, with a metal crutch used to extend the handle and turn it into something that looks vaguely like a rifle. Wired into it is a large tomato in place of a power source. Also there's other things, but that's the only one that doesn't seem broken.

[ImpSyndrome]

Southside- Isolated Bit

A van is headed cross-country here! It's been painted bright purple, although the wheels are green. The exhaust is kicking out large amounts of red smoke that smells of boiled cabbage and vinegar. It brakes suddenly, and something is thrown out of the back. It then turns around and drives off again.

Around where the something is dumped are several aborted devices made from all manner of scrap devices; there's something that was clearly a hair dryer before it was taken apart and mixed with parts of a microwave and a smart phone, with a metal crutch used to extend the handle and turn it into something that looks vaguely like a rifle. Wired into it is a large tomato in place of a power source. Also there's other things, but that's the only one that doesn't seem broken.
A few minutes after the van makes its getaway, the "something" ejected from it begins to stir. A young man in grubby, shredded clothes slowly rises from among the detritus, struggling to get his bearings. He takes a quick look around, trying to determine his location, but his surroundings are foreign and his head spinning, and he remains baffled. Not even the sight of the town not too far from the scrap heap seems recognizable.

Eventually, the young man clambers out of the pile of widgets and stumbles onto terra firma. Still somewhat disoriented, he sits down and flops gently down onto his back, but no sooner does he touch the ground than he sits bolt-upright again, a sharp pain suddenly digging into his spine. He reaches behind his head and feels around below his neck, and his hand finds a small, tough growth in the middle of his back. His fingers grip it gingerly as he attempts to determine its nature; to his alarm, it seems to be a part of him, formed naturally (or as naturally as such a strange mutation could be, anyway) from his own bone and tissue. Now more bewildered than ever, he resolves to enter the nearby town and look for some indication of his location.

Before he heads off, the strange young man spots an odd contraption reminiscent of a firearm among the peculiar devices in the scrap heap. Although it looks somewhat unreliable as a weapon (especially with that tomato hooked up to its power supply), he picks it up anyway; the last thing he wants to do is venture into a strange town with no way to defend himself if the locals turn out to be hostile. With the veggie-rifle in tow, he makes for the village and starts seeking out sources of information...

[Earl of Purple]

Southside- Isolated Bit

The tomato isn't hooked into the power supply- it is the power supply.

It's also basically a heat-gun.

[ImpSyndrome]

Southside- Isolated Bit

The tomato isn't hooked into the power supply- it is the power supply.

It's also basically a heat-gun.
((Well, that's why Shame isn't a scientist, inventor, or whatever: he wouldn't really know the difference.))

The deserted young man treads cautiously as he explores the town, hopeful that he won't run into any trouble. He isn't sure that he wants to know what the odd tomato-gun actually does...

[Arkhosia]

Fallow's Furry Friends

A drow walks into the shop. Her red eyes glows faintly, ands he has a long orange ponytail that ends at the waist. She walks up to Fallow.

It appears you've won.

[Earl of Purple]

Fallow's Furry & Feathered Friends

To reach Byont Fallow himself, one must walk through the large gate in the defensive wall erected to protect the rest of Riverside should anything happen to escape and into the office building away from the animal houses and ask the receptionist for him. From there, it is along a corridor large enough for two ogres to walk abreast and into an office with an ogre-sized door and with a lock at the very top; a lock too small and fiddly for an ogre, and too high for anything else. Beyond is Fallow's office, featuring a desk, a wheelchair, an ogre sitting in the corner and several filing cabinets.

The ogre is wearing a pair of leather trousers and a strange, harness/saddle thing that enables Byont to strap himself to the ogre's back and use him as a way of getting around. Byont is short, obese and has a large nose, brown hair and beady brown eyes. He's wearing a designer business suit. "Good. Do you have the money to pay?" The ogre, it should be noted, is close enough to block the door easily.

[Arkhosia]

Fallow's Furry & Feathered Friends

To reach Byont Fallow himself, one must walk through the large gate in the defensive wall erected to protect the rest of Riverside should anything happen to escape and into the office building away from the animal houses and ask the receptionist for him. From there, it is along a corridor large enough for two ogres to walk abreast and into an office with an ogre-sized door and with a lock at the very top; a lock too small and fiddly for an ogre, and too high for anything else. Beyond is Fallow's office, featuring a desk, a wheelchair, an ogre sitting in the corner and several filing cabinets.

The ogre is wearing a pair of leather trousers and a strange, harness/saddle thing that enables Byont to strap himself to the ogre's back and use him as a way of getting around. Byont is short, obese and has a large nose, brown hair and beady brown eyes. He's wearing a designer business suit. "Good. Do you have the money to pay?" The ogre, it should be noted, is close enough to block the door easily.

The drow looks down at the floor. Not enough.

[Earl of Purple]

Fallow's Furry & Feathered Friends It's your turn in Outside, by the way.

"Well, bonus points for not running and trying to hide. Saved yourself about four broken bones and much miscellaneous pain. The good news, though, is that I can recoup the money you owe with your help. All you have to do is give up your liberty and freedom and subjugate yourself to somebody else. Alternately, I can have you beaten, robbed, and sold for slightly less due to previous damage."

[Arkhosia]

Fallow's Furry & Feathered Friends It's your turn in Outside, by the way.

"Well, bonus points for not running and trying to hide. Saved yourself about four broken bones and much miscellaneous pain. The good news, though, is that I can recoup the money you owe with your help. All you have to do is give up your liberty and freedom and subjugate yourself to somebody else. Alternately, I can have you beaten, robbed, and sold for slightly less due to previous damage."

The drow sighs.
I'll come quietly.

[Earl of Purple]

Fallow's Furry & Feathered Friends Still your turn in the Outside Adventure scene.

"Good. Come with me. Bruce, pick me up." The ogre lurches up and forwards, picking the gnome up and strapping him into the basket on his back. Byont will then direct the ogre out of the office and to another room. "I'll give you a free medical assessment. Hope you're healthy; I don't want you losing me money." Byont will press a button on a buzzer thingy he takes from his pocket.

[Arkhosia]

Fallow's Furry & Feathered Friends Still your turn in the Outside Adventure scene.

"Good. Come with me. Bruce, pick me up." The ogre lurches up and forwards, picking the gnome up and strapping him into the basket on his back. Byont will then direct the ogre out of the office and to another room. "I'll give you a free medical assessment. Hope you're healthy; I don't want you losing me money." Byont will press a button on a buzzer thingy he takes from his pocket.

(And... Posted!)
Invidia follows.
That's... reasonable. Please keep any irony remarks to yourself...
What are you doing?

[Earl of Purple]

Fallow's Furry & Feathered Friends

"Calling the doctor that will give you the health check." As if on cue, the door opens and a figure wearing a white labcoat and jeans enters. He's a gnome, small and wrinkled and seemingly elderly.
"She the goods?" Says the doctor, to which Byont nods. "Right. Remove your clothes and lie on the table." The gnome doctor is intending quite a thorough check up.

[Arkhosia]

Fallow's Furry & Feathered Friends

She sighs.
Fine...
The drow does what she is told.

[Earl of Purple]

Fallow's Furry & Feathered Friends

The doctor will determine Invidia's general health and any signs of physical weakness or deformity, anything that would lower her value- like a poorly healed break in her leg bone leading to a slight limp, or something similar to an arm bone. He'll also attempt to determine her virginity; that's something that could increase her price, or at least the speed at which she is sold.
"What would you call your main skills?" Again, something that could increase her price.

[Arkhosia]

Farrow's Furry & Feathered Friends

Nothing that would lower her value, and a virgin. The demon thingy might be detrimental, but I don't think he knows.
I'm a skilled sword wielder.
The drow replies, trying to keep her magical ability private. Not going to let him make more money than he already will off of her

[Earl of Purple]

Fallow's Furry & Feathered Friends

"All good. Untouched, by the looks. Nothing major. Keep her apart, I'd say. Unless you want to see if you can breed her?" The doctor is mostly emotionless, seemingly unaware that Invidia is a person.
"Very good, Doctor. No, no breeding. I don't have another drow to breed her with, and elves live so long it's highly impractical and not very cost efficient. Not like with humans. Go now, and fetch Sorcerer Malacasi." Byont heard and nodded at the swordsplay; that'd make her a useful gladiator, though he suspects given her age and the rarity of drow he'd make more money selling her for other purposes.

[Arkhosia]

Farrow's Furry & Feathered Friends

Invidia tenses up at the last part. Crap!

[Earl of Purple]

Fallow's Furry & Feathered Friends

"A pity you aren't male. Then I could keep you and breed you with humans for half-drow. Reckon they'd sell well, especially the girls. Hmm. I'll have to make a note of that. Too tall for my tastes, though. And I could find out what a half-drow half-elf looks like, if it works. Might kill the elf, and that'd be a waste of a few hundred gold. If it works, though... oh, that'd be worth it." Byont takes out a notebook and writes a memo to himself to try and obtain a male drow for breeding purposes. The sorcerer has yet to arrive, though.

[Arkhosia]

Fallow's Furry & Feathered Friends

"A pity you aren't male. Then I could keep you and breed you with humans for half-drow. Reckon they'd sell well, especially the girls. Hmm. I'll have to make a note of that. Too tall for my tastes, though. And I could find out what a half-drow half-elf looks like, if it works. Might kill the elf, and that'd be a waste of a few hundred gold. If it works, though... oh, that'd be worth it." Byont takes out a notebook and writes a memo to himself to try and obtain a male drow for breeding purposes. The sorcerer has yet to arrive, though.

Invidia simply glares at him.

[Earl of Purple]

Fallow's Furry & Feathered Friends

The door opens again. This time, it's another gnome. This one has a small nose, though a nose that's small for a gnome is still large by anyone else's standards. He's wearing a pair of leather trousers and a bandoleer over a pudgy beer belly and flabby arms, though he's not overweight, just unfit. "You know what to do. Check her for magical ability and curses. No, you can't have a go. She's a virgin, and I'd prefer it to stay that way, as I'm not likely to get another drow any time soon. Hands off." The sorcerer frowns at Byont, but obeys, waving his hands above Invidia's body as he chants. His eyes don't move so much, though, staying firmly fixed on one point of her anatomy.

[Arkhosia]

Fallow's Furry & Feathered Friends

The door opens again. This time, it's another gnome. This one has a small nose, though a nose that's small for a gnome is still large by anyone else's standards. He's wearing a pair of leather trousers and a bandoleer over a pudgy beer belly and flabby arms, though he's not overweight, just unfit. "You know what to do. Check her for magical ability and curses. No, you can't have a go. She's a virgin, and I'd prefer it to stay that way, as I'm not likely to get another drow any time soon. Hands off." The sorcerer frowns at Byont, but obeys, waving his hands above Invidia's body as he chants. His eyes don't move so much, though, staying firmly fixed on one point of her anatomy.

Invidia sighs. Not much she can do now. Oh well.

[Earl of Purple]

Fallow's Furry & Feathered Friends

The sorcerer is looking for magical ability, as well as any curses or permanent spells that have been anchored to Invidia's body. When that's complete, he'll go over her equipment as well.

[Arkhosia]

Then he probably learned of the demon. And the sorcery ability she has.
Her equipment isn't magical.

[Earl of Purple]

Fallow's Furry & Feathered Friends

"Magical ability, definitely. Strong, too; I'd recommend a mage collar, just in case. There's a demon in her, too her mind/soul." Delete whichever is inappropriate with regards to the last word. "Her stuff's not magical." Byont nods at the news.
"Collar her. It'll serve as a reminder that she's got magical potential." The sorcerer will nod and will try to fasten a collar about Invidia's neck. The collar is enchanted to suppress magic, and if it feels somebody that isn't a gnome try to take it off then it will blast both Invidia and whomever is removing it with electricity- enough to hurt, but not fatal. Each time an attempt is made, the voltage is racked up slightly.

[Arkhosia]

Soul.
Invidia does not struggle. She's smarter than that.
I can get my clothes back on now, right?

[Earl of Purple]

Fallow's Furry & Feathered Friends

"Sure. You, go." The first word is directed at Invidia; the other two towards the sorcerer, who promptly leaves.

[Arkhosia]

Invidia puts her clothes back on. She really hopes she won't need to part with them any time soon. Sentimental value.

[Earl of Purple]

Fallow's Furry & Feathered Friends Could you please use location tags? It's a good habit to get into.

"Follow me." Byont will then direct the ogre (using a series of taps on the shoulder to indicate turnings and doors; it enables him to talk as well)) out of the room to another chamber, though this one is actually a lift if Invidia is aware of those.

[Arkhosia]

Farrow's Furry & Feathered Friends

Invidia does what she is told.

[Earl of Purple]

Fallow's Furry & Feathered Friends

"Very bottom please, Bruce." The ogre will push the button at the bottom of the lift's control panel, and it descends into the earth. After a minute or so, the lift's doors open and Byont will direct Bruce out of the lift.

The tunnel away from the lift is lined by cages on both sides, save for the occasional turning. Inside the cages are lone individuals- humans, half-elves, halflings, half-orcs, orcs, goblins, dwarfs and elves most often, but sometimes something else instead. Outside each cage is a small sign detailing the occupant's age, gender, skills, species and also the price. The youngest individuals are often caged with their mother, although those over ten (or the equivalent of ten) rarely are.

[Arkhosia]

Fallow's Furry and Feathery Friends

Invidia follows them, crossing her fingers in the hopes she won't end up next to an elf.

[Earl of Purple]

Fallow's Furry & Feathered Friends

Invidia is led to an empty cage in an area completely devoted to female slaves, most of them younger than Invidia or at the least not much older. On her left, there's a pair of goblins- probably twins- wearing loose, revealing robes. To her right there's an empty cage. Opposite, there's a human girl wearing a simple sheer dress. Each cage has a fully-functioning toilet, a comfortable bed and very little else. "You'll be bathed every other day, and will receive three balanced meals. You'll also have an hour in the gym daily. Feel free to talk to your neighbours."

[Arkhosia]

Fallow's Furry & Feathered Friends

Invidia is led to an empty cage in an area completely devoted to female slaves, most of them younger than Invidia or at the least not much older. On her left, there's a pair of goblins- probably twins- wearing loose, revealing robes. To her right there's an empty cage. Opposite, there's a human girl wearing a simple sheer dress. Each cage has a fully-functioning toilet, a comfortable bed and very little else. "You'll be bathed every other day, and will receive three balanced meals. You'll also have an hour in the gym daily. Feel free to talk to your neighbours."

Fallow's Furry & Feathered Friends

Invidia enters the cage. She then turns to the human.
So... How'd you end up here?

[Earl of Purple]

Fallow's Furry & Feathered Friends

"I was born here. Well, in the crèche. I've been in this cell for five years, now. You won't, don't worry. Elves go quickly, and I've never seen one your colour before." She looks as though she could be seventeen, and resigned to her fate.

[Arkhosia]

Fallow's Furry & Feathered Friends

"I was born here. Well, in the crèche. I've been in this cell for five years, now. You won't, don't worry. Elves go quickly, and I've never seen one your colour before." She looks as though she could be seventeen, and resigned to her fate.

Fallow's Furry and Feathered Friends

I'm a Drow. Made a bet with Fallow, couldn't pay up. My name is Invidia by the way. Invidia Sarghess.

[Earl of Purple]

Fallow's Furry & Feathered Friends

"Drow... Aren't they supposed to be slavers, not slaves? I've never seen one before. I'm April Eighteenth Ninety-Six." Which is not her name, exactly, but rather her date of birth.

[Arkhosia]

Fallow's Furry & Feathered Friends

"Drow... Aren't they supposed to be slavers, not slaves? I've never seen one before. I'm April Eighteenth Ninety-Six." Which is not her name, exactly, but rather her date of birth.

Fallow's Furry & Feathered Friends

Technically both. We don't discriminate when it comes to slavery. I guess you could say we're equal opportunity Enslavers. Glad to meet you. Mind if I call you April?

[Earl of Purple]

Fallow's Furry & Feathered Friends

"Sure, everyone else does. What else do drow do?" April is really curious. The two goblins also seem interested, possibly because of the opportunity to learn something.

[Arkhosia]

Fallow's Furry & Feathered Friends

We're not very good role models. Mainly we clans often battle eachother for control or higher status. Other than that, the normal sort of things. You know, go to taverns, read, draw, buy and sell, etcetera.

[The Bushranger]

[Pool]


Indeed! Saffy cuts through the water, beating her wife's time handily because that's what her entire butt was made for.

Columba finds herself falling behind!
Not that she minds.
It is a very fine view, after all.
And she can hug when she catches up!
Hurrah!

[Earl of Purple]

Fallow's Furry & Feathered Friends

"What's a tavern like?" April is pressing herself against the bars of her cage, eager for knowledge of how free people live their lives.

[Arkhosia]

Fallow's Furry & Feathered Friends

Nothing really special, usually. A small restaurant with a bar and a few tables, maybe rooms if they offer accommodations.

[Earl of Purple]

Fallow's Furry & Feathered Friends

"What's a restaurant?" This is likely to go on for a while, and there's a bit of attention from the others in neighbouring cells.

[Arkhosia]

Fallow's Furry & Feathered Friends

"What's a restaurant?" This is likely to go on for a while, and there's a bit of attention from the others in neighbouring cells.

Fallow's Furry & Feathered Friends

A place where you can go and order food to eat. Most people have to cook for themselves, and sometimes they just don't feel like it, aren't skilled enough to make a certain food, or some other reason.

[Earl of Purple]

Fallow's Furry & Feathered Friends

"Can't they get their slaves to cook for them?" April is of the belief that most people are slaves, because most of the people she sees are slaves. Unless they're gnomes, anyway; there's no gnomes enslaved here.

[Arkhosia]

Fallow's Furry & Feathered Friends

"Can't they get their slaves to cook for them?" April is of the belief that most people are slaves, because most of the people she sees are slaves. Unless they're gnomes, anyway; there's no gnomes enslaved here.

Fallow's Furry & Feathered Friends

Yes, but some places have laws making slavery illegal there, and some people think slavery is wrong. Also, not everyone can afford slaves or afford to take care of them.

[Earl of Purple]

Fallow's Furry & Feathered Friends

"What's 'illegal'?" April lives below the law- here, what Byont (and before him, Durk) said was law, and nobody else knows she exists. The same goes for most of the slaves down here.

[Arkhosia]

Fallow's Furry and Feathered Friends

Basically, something that is illegal is something the government, or the authorities, punish you for doing.

[Earl of Purple]

Fallow's Furry & Feathered Friends

"Like trying to escape, or biting. I get it." April smiles.

Also, three guards are headed this way, escorting a red-haired halfling wearing a strip of cloth with a hole cut in it for the head and tied loosely at the sides, revealing her ribs, thighs, and most of her legs. The guards are all female; two humans and a gnome.

[Arkhosia]

Fallow's Furry & Feathered Friends

"Like trying to escape, or biting. I get it." April smiles.

Also, three guards are headed this way, escorting a red-haired halfling wearing a strip of cloth with a hole cut in it for the head and tied loosely at the sides, revealing her ribs, thighs, and most of her legs. The guards are all female; two humans and a gnome.

Fallow's Furry & Feathered Friends

The drow nods. Exactly.
She eyes the guards warily.

[Earl of Purple]

Fallow's Furry & Feathered Friends

The guards will unlock the cage to Invidia's right so the halfling can enter. Her hair is wet, and she looks to be fifteen, maybe sixteen. The guards will then walk to April's cage. "Eighteen Four Ninety Six, bathing time." The gnome unlocks the cage (all the locks are at gnome height, and she's the only one with a key) and April leaves her cage.
"See you later, Invidia!"

[Arkhosia]

Fallow's Furry & Feathery Friends
The drow waves.
She then turns to the halfling
Hello. Invidia Sarghess, glad to meet you. Sorry it couldn't be under... Better conditions.

[Earl of Purple]

Fallow's Furry & Feathered Friends

"Twinkletoes Rarediamond. Pleased to meet you, too. Don't worry about the conditions; be glad you're here rather than in the 'general' or 'breeders' sections. They have male guards." The halfling will stick her hand through the bars to shake. If Invidia is wearing any jewellery on her hands, it may go missing.

[Arkhosia]

Fallow's Furry & Feathered Friends

"Twinkletoes Rarediamond. Pleased to meet you, too. Don't worry about the conditions; be glad you're here rather than in the 'general' or 'breeders' sections. They have male guards." The halfling will stick her hand through the bars to shake. If Invidia is wearing any jewellery on her hands, it may go missing.

Invidia shakes her hand. She is wearing a silver bracelet and laughs when she notices it missing.
Thief, I presume? You're good. I'm a summoner and sword wielder.

[Earl of Purple]

Fallow's Furry & Feathered Friends

"If you want it back, I'll give it back. But after your bathing session. Otherwise, you'll never see it again. Believe me, gnomes have fingers nearly as quick as mine. Yes, I'm a thief. Thought it would be a good idea to follow a gnome rich enough to hire ogres to carry him and break into his house, where I stumbled into a trap. How about you?" Twinkletoes will examine the bracelet.

[Arkhosia]

Farrow's Furry & Feathery Friends

The silver bracelet has a simple clasp designed to look like a turtle.
I made a bet I couldn't pay.

[Earl of Purple]

Fallow's Furry & Feathered Friends

"Well, that's just stupid. I don't know what the gnomes you're used to are like, but these are shrewd traders and businessmen. They won't gamble unless they can rig it in their favour, and only take risks if it's guaranteed to improve their fortune. Such as this slave market- it's the largest around, or one of them, and the only one so close to a major city. Risks are high; rewards are greater." Twinkletoes would pocket the bracelet, but doesn't have any pockets in her 'dress'.

[Arkhosia]

Fallow's Furry & Feathered Friends

"Well, that's just stupid. I don't know what the gnomes you're used to are like, but these are shrewd traders and businessmen. They won't gamble unless they can rig it in their favour, and only take risks if it's guaranteed to improve their fortune. Such as this slave market- it's the largest around, or one of them, and the only one so close to a major city. Risks are high; rewards are greater." Twinkletoes would pocket the bracelet, but doesn't have any pockets in her 'dress'.

Farrow's Furry & Feathery Friends

In my defense, A: We don't have gnomes back where I'm from, and B: I was a little drunk at the time.

[Earl of Purple]

Fallow's Furry & Feathered Friends

"Rule thirteen of a long and happy life: Never mix alcohol and gambling unless you trust everybody present. Where are you from that doesn't have gnomes?" It can't be the Underdark, as Svirfneblin are gnomes. Though they may be sufficiently different from surface gnomes for it to hold true.

[Arkhosia]

Fallow's Furry & Feathered Friends

"Rule thirteen of a long and happy life: Never mix alcohol and gambling unless you trust everybody present. Where are you from that doesn't have gnomes?" It can't be the Underdark, as Svirfneblin are gnomes. Though they may be sufficiently different from surface gnomes for it to hold true.

Chel, During the Moonless Age

[Earl of Purple]

Fallow's Furry & Feathered Friends

"I can't say I've heard of it, but there's so many different worlds it's really hard to know all of them. I'm from a backwater called Falligan. It's a nice enough place, I suppose, if you like water. The largest island I know of is about a hundred and forty miles across, though you're never out of sight of one." Lots of small islands, lots of small kingdoms and tribes. A few larger groups control multiple islands, but since most of the islands are uninhabited, at least most of the time, they aren't too influential.

[Arkhosia]

Fallow's Furry & Feathery Friends

Chel is a massive city. The usual vying clan situation persists there.

[Earl of Purple]

Fallow's Furry & Feathered Friends

"I wouldn't know what's usual for a drow city. Most are built in really isolated areas, with all sorts of protections and illusions in Falligan." The Underdark of Falligan is mostly inhabited by dwarfs, illithids and beholders, all of whom have lived there since the world's flooding and smart enough to build pumps and walls to keep the water out.

[Arkhosia]

Farrow's Furry & Feathery Friends

Usuallyghere will be different clans of nobles that periodically fight or conspire to gain power or land in the city

[Earl of Purple]

Fallow's Furry & Feathered Friends

"Ah, I see. Where I'm from, there's plenty of space for those that don't get on. Lots of the islands are uninhabited, and most of those are habitable. Though, they don't always stay inhabited, due to pirates, slavers, nomadic raiders and flying or amphibious monsters." Twinkletoes managed to avoid those, until she reached the Nexus.

[Arkhosia]

Fallow's Furry & Feathered Friends

"Ah, I see. Where I'm from, there's plenty of space for those that don't get on. Lots of the islands are uninhabited, and most of those are habitable. Though, they don't always stay inhabited, due to pirates, slavers, nomadic raiders and flying or amphibious monsters." Twinkletoes managed to avoid those, until she reached the Nexus.

we have to share a cavern. All 10 of the clans. And the commoners. Basically, it's like sharing a cabin with 10 other people who are constantly bickering

[UncleWolf]

Lotus Temple - Magtok

"Well, Cessie visited a while back. Does that count?" The first says with a slight smile. "There are other functionaries as well, but we're not allowed to speak of such for the most part."

Lotus Gardens - Quinn

After that, Jezebel can't help but give Quinn a small smile. "Is there anything else I can help you with, or do you think that is all for now? If the latter, you are always welcome to come seek me out for advice and help in the future."

The Minister's Shack

The Minister's eyes lock onto the elf and he raises his pistol once more before firing a couple times. The shots won't hurt her, though they might send a chill down her spine, and they'll continue through to try and hit the interloper to destroy it.

[The Bushranger]

Lotus Gardens - Quinn

"Well, that's all I can think of for now..."
Oh, Quinn can actually think of a few possible things, but she's a married woman. >>
"I have to say you're...not at all what I expected. I'd love to visit again, sometime perhaps," the brunette suggests. "I'd offer a tour of GLoG for yourself at some point, as well."

Because Jamie totally needs another strong older woman to be envious-in awe of-crushing on like Vidalia, of course.

[Earl of Purple]

Fallow's Furry & Feathered Friends

"Or a carrack with a hundred halflings on it. We're a nomadic people, and I'd never stayed even a month in one place before I arrived in the Nexus. I've been in here two months, now. Seems nobody's interested in sexy young halflings." Halflings are quite common, so they often sell slower than others. Elves usually sell quite quickly, because they stay young and attractive for longer, and also because they're expensive they're a status symbol.

[Arkhosia]

Fallow's Furry & Feathered Friends

"Or a carrack with a hundred halflings on it. We're a nomadic people, and I'd never stayed even a month in one place before I arrived in the Nexus. I've been in here two months, now. Seems nobody's interested in sexy young halflings." Halflings are quite common, so they often sell slower than others. Elves usually sell quite quickly, because they stay young and attractive for longer, and also because they're expensive they're a status symbol.

Fallow's Furry & Feathery Friends

Let's hope that changes, then.

[Prince_Selm]

[Somewhere in Riverside]

A man dressed in a snappy 20's suit is walking around, chatting up the local NPC's

Hey, I'm looking for a group- Oh, okay, you're busy.

Hey, I really need to find some people that ar- Okay, I'll leave.

Pardon me miss, do yo- Wo dong zhongwen. I SPEAK 253 LANGUAGES DO NOT PRETEND YOU CAN'T HEAR ME...

*sigh*

HEY! DOES ANYONE KNOW ABOUT A CULT IN THE AREA?

Aparently I am not one for subtlety.

[Shadowcaller]

[Suncrest Manor]

Eliseo has managed to secure one of the strings of Irena's sweater! He starts to lean back, tugging on it as hard as he can. He is determined! Though, whatever he's trying to accomplish is a mystery, if it's anything at all.


"I should be able to recognize familiar writings," Batu says as he starts to search through the pile. Eventually, he picks out one book and starts leafing through it. "I think I may have found something."


The Minister's Shack

The Minister's eyes lock onto the elf and he raises his pistol once more before firing a couple times. The shots won't hurt her, though they might send a chill down her spine, and they'll continue through to try and hit the interloper to destroy it.

[Suncrest Manor]

Irena sigh. Stupid babies, why couldn't they take care of themselves? She had no idea what to do with him now. Maybe if she placed him in his crib he'll eventually get drowsy or something? With that idea in mind she goes to his room with the intention to do exactly that.

The Minister's Shack

Obriane barely manages to react to the sudden gunshots, instinctively (and uselessly) shielding herself with her arms and closing her eyes as the Minister shoots. The entity is hit by the beams however and flees, or rather is dragged back to whatever it came from. But it's not another dimension, it's somewhere here in Riverside.

"Uh..." Obriane opens one eye. "Oh, you banished the demon right? That's what you did just now?" She asks, for the first time really noticing the guns the Minster was holding. Those were symbolic implements she had never seen before. Interesting.

[Westside Temple]

"Oh? Show me." Arik says, Cessie looking up curiously as well. "Yes, what is it?"

[ImpSyndrome]

[Somewhere in Riverside]

A man dressed in a snappy 20's suit is walking around, chatting up the local NPC's

Hey, I'm looking for a group- Oh, okay, you're busy.

Hey, I really need to find some people that ar- Okay, I'll leave.

Pardon me miss, do yo- Wo dong zhongwen. I SPEAK 253 LANGUAGES DO NOT PRETEND YOU CAN'T HEAR ME...

*sigh*

HEY! DOES ANYONE KNOW ABOUT A CULT IN THE AREA?

Aparently I am not one for subtlety.
[SOMEWHERE IN SOUTHSIDE]

The young stranger hears a raised voice and ducks into the shadows of a waste dumpster nearby, not waiting to find out if some manner of violence had broken out. As he collects himself behind his makeshift cover, the thought of a cult in the town sends a chill down his spine, and he can't help but wonder what kind of place he has stumbled into.

((By the way, this is just a way to give Shame some form of activity, since he doesn't really have a set direction right now; you don't need to respond to his presence at all, if you don't want.))

[Morty]

[Westside Temple]

"Oh? Show me." Arik says, Cessie looking up curiously as well. "Yes, what is it?"

"It... seems to be a dwarven book," Batu says. "'To Reach Beyond; A Tome of Sorcery'." He flips it open and begins to read aloud. "Sorcery is the incarnation of will and its expression upon the face of the material reality. Read on and you will cast off the mortal shell our forefathers shackled us in."

[Earl of Purple]

Somewhere in Riverside/Southside

A helpful figure will approach! They're a Dunmer, with ash-grey skin, bright red eyes, black hair tied into a ponytail and a short beard. He's wearing a blue jumpsuit emblazoned with the words 'Vault 29' and at his waist is a straight-bladed sword of Elvish manufacture and a green laspistol marked with a two-headed eagle. "Which cult are you looking for? There's the Masks, which are rather uninhibited socially and sexually, the group in Bugside that worship insects and there's a couple of new temples that were built recently." He doesn't know much about the new temples, though.

Fallow's Furry & Feathered Friends

"Oh, yes. And hopefully whomever buys me won't have very good defences to stop me from robbing them blind and making my escape." Which is her main complaint at the moment, because this part is devoted to slaves Byont intends to sell for pleasure purposes, rather than anything else.

[Arkhosia]

Fallow's Furry & Feathery Friends

let's hope! I just hope I don't get sold as a gladiator.

[Earl of Purple]

Fallow's Furry & Feathered Friends

"Unlikely. We're all virgins, in here. The gnome wants to sell us to brothels, or lusty young aristocrats, or maybe a wizard that needs the blood of a virgin for some spell or ritual. Be glad you're not April. She's pretty much the basic model- illiterate, no special skills, can't speak anything besides Common, no magical potential. If somebody needs a virgin cheap, for example some nutcase priest that wants to sacrifice you to his crackpot god, they'll go for a human. Sure, goblins are cheaper, but they're smaller so they have less blood for the congregation to drink or what have you. And goblins are the only people here cheaper than humans; Gaptha and Iktha in the other cell are twins, and will be sold as a pair. Together, they're worth more than April is." That's either reassuring, or not. Depends on if Invidia thinks living as a gladiator is better or worse than living as a prostitute.

[ImpSyndrome]

Somewhere in Riverside/Southside

A helpful figure will approach! They're a Dunmer, with ash-grey skin, bright red eyes, black hair tied into a ponytail and a short beard. He's wearing a blue jumpsuit emblazoned with the words 'Vault 29' and at his waist is a straight-bladed sword of Elvish manufacture and a green laspistol marked with a two-headed eagle. "Which cult are you looking for? There's the Masks, which are rather uninhibited socially and sexually, the group in Bugside that worship insects and there's a couple of new temples that were built recently." He doesn't know much about the new temples, though.
[SOMEWHERE IN RIVERSIDE]

The first voice is soon joined by a second, quieter one, and the cowering foreigner listens in on their discussion, picking up mentions of a group called "the Masks" and a location named "Bugside". Positive that he has never heard of either of these things before, it seems clear to him that he has found himself in a place very different from his home. He checks around the environs for some indication of a way out of town; he now no longer cares where the town is but is posessed with fear of what might befall him should he fail to make a prompt retreat. Unfortunately, he fumbles with his makeshift firearm as he attempts to slink away, raising a slight racket. Not having the stamina to run from prospective pursuers, he trembles in the shadows, praying that his presence will be overlooked or ignored...

[Gnrlshrimp]

CreationSide

"Or you could just let me go, call me back later, and-" Magtok ceases his objection about two-thirds of the way through, and sighs in exasperation.

"Right. I can't be trusted either, can I? Dammit. Well alright, instead of steak, could you serve mutton? All this nonsense about Zeus has put me in the mood for goat meat. How long is 'a little time' probably going to take? I don't think either of us want to spend a week in each other's company, but I could probably stand staying overnight or something."


"If you trusted us, Magtok, perhaps we would be able to trust you. If you are so certain that we would stab you in the back, then I imagine you'd be quite willing to stab us in the back. It works both ways, you see. And before you point out the problem there, yes, I am quite aware that it is equally difficult for you to start trusting us, knowing we do not trust you. And I doubt we can come to a mutual agreement since both you and Affidavit are stubborn, arrogant, and convinced of your own superiority. We are well aware of Father's flaws. One reason for our existence is because he recognised the need for someone without those flaws."

Of course, some of the coloured creations are arguably far more flawed than Affy...but they weren't too bad for a first attempt, right?

"Mutton can be arranged. As can any other food or drink you desire...within reason. You should be able to leave by tomorrow. Bedding will be provided. Do you have any other requests to make your stay less unpleasant? I imagine the colours of this room are not to your liking, for example."

[Lord Magtok]

Lotus Temple - Magtok


Lotus Temple - Magtok

"Well, Cessie visited a while back. Does that count?" The first says with a slight smile. "There are other functionaries as well, but we're not allowed to speak of such for the most part."

"Probably not, but I can't discount anything."

Magtok continues to yammer! I doubt anything noteworthy's going to happen here, though, so timeskip+scene close?

CreationSide

The cyborg shrugs. "Color's tolerable, I can stand it for a day. If there was a way I could pass the time besides talking to you guys I'd be all set, I think. Some way to quietly timeskip through all of this, y'know?"

[Arkhosia]

Fallow's Furry & Feathered Friends

"Unlikely. We're all virgins, in here. The gnome wants to sell us to brothels, or lusty young aristocrats, or maybe a wizard that needs the blood of a virgin for some spell or ritual. Be glad you're not April. She's pretty much the basic model- illiterate, no special skills, can't speak anything besides Common, no magical potential. If somebody needs a virgin cheap, for example some nutcase priest that wants to sacrifice you to his crackpot god, they'll go for a human. Sure, goblins are cheaper, but they're smaller so they have less blood for the congregation to drink or what have you. And goblins are the only people here cheaper than humans; Gaptha and Iktha in the other cell are twins, and will be sold as a pair. Together, they're worth more than April is." That's either reassuring, or not. Depends on if Invidia thinks living as a gladiator is better or worse than living as a prostitute.

Fallow's Furry & Feathery Friends

****. Excuse the pun. Well, at least I won't be killed to make someone happy. I really hope that doesn't happen to April, although I'm aware the chances of that happening are in the 90s.

[Earl of Purple]

Fallow's Furry & Feathered Friends

"Her most likely fate is to go unsold until she's twenty-one, at which point she's likely to go to a slave farm and give birth to new slaves until she's no longer fertile. At which point, she'll probably be executed or sold at a severe discount. The same will happen to me or you, but we live longer so we'll stay here longer. But we'll stay fertile longer, too. There's lots of virgin humans to choose from, some of whom are closer to the entrance." Yeah, April has a very slim chance of a happy ending.