Reincarnation wars.

[3SecondCultist]

Alexander stops to listen, absorbing every syllable and turning them over in his head. The implications of what Slaughter was saying were... well, nothing short of horizonal. The first man and woman had given birth to the consciousness of the Powers. It was a singular moment of mutual understanding, a deadly clarity coming out of the murky origins of the omniverse. There is something totalitarian in that. He thinks back to theories on the philosophy of history. The world historical as a process of consciousness coming to know itself, rushing towards an ultimate telos. He cannot help but laugh at the image. Yes, there will have to be an end.

"You did this singlehandedly? What happened to the other Powers with you? Did they scatter to the four winds, like leaves in a storm? Did you come to form some kind of agreement with them? And if you have been sentient for this long, why is it only now that you have come forward? For all my own power, I cannot recall tell of you in any kind of history - " He pauses as the knocking at the back of his mind starts up again. Rob. He really was persistent sometimes. Alighting on the island, Alexander strokes the dead burnt corpse of the tree. He then turns back to Slaughter. "Please forgive me a moment, there is something I need to deal with. This shouldn't take very long."

As soon as he jumps back into his mindscape, Alexander begins to shape a new form. The door that the fellow Namer is knocking on has already been sequestered in a dark corner of his psyche, but he makes sure to set up psychic wards to prevent DeSaqqara from getting anywhere he oughtn't. Compounding his metals so as to increase his mental speed doesn't hurt either. Operating in the space between thoughts is a good enough pace for him, and he has no doubt that Rob will be able to keep up. The last preparation is the creation of a hall around the door - it is almost spartan, but Alexander makes sure that every surface is coated in mirrored silver. His own outline is twisted and distorted thousands of times over, through pillars and walls. The ambient light radiates from beneath the mirrors, creating a kind of reflective nexus. He briefly considers a throne, but ultimately decides against. He would meet with Rob as an equal. Finally, he moves to open the door.

I'm here. What do you want?

[Sen isSaqqara]

The look on Rob's face when the door opens is one of worry, but it quickly flashes to relief, then a cool calm.
Ah, Alex, good to see you back again! I'm afraid you dissappeared while I was momentarily distracted in the real world, then I heard noise from beyond the door here, and I was justifiably (considering you left that James character in charge) somewhat worried. If you're back, though, there's no problem. I'm sure you can take care of yourself. How are you doing, by the way?

[3SecondCultist]

I'm not too bad, all told. I'm actually in the middle of something at the moment. Were you looking for anything in particular? Or did you just want to catch up?

[Sen isSaqqara]

No, that's alright. We can catch up at some other, more convenient time. You should know, though, that the rest of us are back on that crazy ship from earlier. As it turns out, these Powers are going through a post-unlife crisis of sorts at the moment, and it would seem that our task is to help them deal with it. Nominally, anyways. I've got my own agenda, and I've no doubt that you do to. Rob watches Idrian with a questioning look. He's remained on his side of the door's threshold, now standing with his arms crossed in front of him.

[D20ragon]

Sigil, the city of doors.
THE planar metropolis. If you can't find it here, or where it is from here. It doesn't exist.

This meant a short shopping trip took hours. And unless you were pretty damn good at protecting your stuff, it wouldn't take long for you to loose it all, the problem with the Free League running the Great Bazaar.
Fortunately, Aleandrea was no Clueless, and so with all the souls they managed to make it to a bodyguard and hire him to by and sell...
The first things on the list, enough conductive blades to allow her to shred a golum in a heart beat... A few candles of invocation...
"Oh, conductive miniguns with unlimited ammo, but wizards couldn't- It was just made for warlocks... You know, I thought Sigil was kept in the past?"
"Only for ease, part of connecting to the entire world is that it actually has all sorts of stuff from plenty of spots in time. A useful benifit of connecting to the plane of time."
"To bad it doesn't make it into the games."
"Yea. There's also the gods trying to keep out the Anarchorism stew."
"That makes a strange amount of sense... But how do people-"
"Keep enough space and act well enough, enough research, Sigilians probably take day trips to all sorts of worlds. I just wonder why these items really exist, it's not like any in power will really allow their use."
"I figure enough people like us exist for it to be worth while on occasion, and subtle enchantments in the future would be worth while..."
"True... Could a genie-"
"Yea, a genie could enchant weapons over various wishes. I planned on doing so for this suit of armour anyway..."
"This..."
"Don't get me wrong, it's good. But it could be better."
Crowds of people, spirits, tea sets, zombies, devils, angels and aliens rush by you, all joined by the one common activity: shopping.
Your bodyguard, a tall, thin man with a hand mirror where his face should be stands impassivly at your side, reaching out cold hard fingers to snap wandering hands every so often.
Now he pushes you back, a quick, fluid motion that sends you staggering back into the stall behind you.
Be still
He hisses.
Revel, king of Sigil and master of the divine feast may all praise him is near.
Beg for the intoxicating touch of his wine, and lose yourself in his laughter.
Horns sound in the distance, echoing through the city.
A deep rolling laugh follows, the archetype on which all laughter is built.
The mirth you have known seems small and dull compared to it.


Daniel collapses the Revenant, letting it and the Ares simply float beside him for the moment. The lightsaber crystals he scoops up and shoves into one of the pockets of his coat. "You know a surprising amount about weapons. Way more than I would have expected."

"Alright, Lollipop, you heard the girl. Give me a bandolier, twelve thermal clips, twelve 15 round mags of 12mm ammo, some duct tape, a hardpoint system like they use is Mass Effect, a pistol holster, a smartgun link for an Ares, and some smartgun enabled sunglasses. And, just out of curiosity, is the armory here limitless? And do you have artifacts like Kusanagi or Rhongomyniad?"

Well, I think we now have enough firepower to kill just about any mortal that comes before us. I don't know what some of these things are, but they certainly sound dangerous.

The Ares Predator is a type of heavy pistol from a campaign setting known as Shadowrun and the Revenant is a light machine gun from a series called Mass Effect.

Well, I guess there are perks to having a Servant living in your head. If any of the rest of you have questions about the time period, direct them at Lancer, please.

The armory here carries endless mundane items, but no more.
The ship sighs, as the goods you asked for hover towards you.
One of my only failings.

I am Death, after all,
Death reminds you gently.
I know weapons.

[DoctorFaust]

"Well, the fact that you don't have the weapons that are still talked about in legend and song isn't that much of a failing," Daniel says, after taking a few moments to put all of his new weaponry away. "And yes, I know you're Death. It would be rather hard to forget that fact. But I would more be expecting someone like War to know this stuff."

"Anyway, Lollipop, take me back up the deck. I need to talk to some of the other people about stuff. Death, would you care to accompany me?" he asks as he offers his arm to her.

[Erik Vale]

Erik relinquished control to Aleandrea, this was Sigil, Aleandrea knew Sigil.
Aleandrea turned and glared through the visor as her bodyguard talked, her tension easily seen before she let Six take control, the suit becoming impassive.
'The Lady of Pain rules Sigil and has stood undefeated for time immemorial, she-'
Her thoughts are stilled as the laughter comes through, And with a mind to resist the divine she holds her mind intact in the moment the souls need to regroup before their gestalt mind becomes a bastion.
'Aleandrea, ID-"
'You want me to ID something based on a single feature that could well be epic wizardry? Sorry, try again later... I need to find a Psion with a Thought Bottle. I should pick one up myself as well. However we're going to stand up, and look around, the bodyguard could be trying to save us instead of damn us...'
As Erik stands from the store, his only movements are his head slowly glancing around, mean while Six very carefully examines the bodyguard with eyes trained to get tells from aliens and people in full body armor that would leave most with nothing to see, with a visor as reflective as this mans face.

[Sen isSaqqara]

Rob steps through the closet doorway, into the scene of Time's death. He looks around, keeping a sharp eye out for anything unusual. Well, more unusual than normal, anyways.

[D20ragon]

Erik
The mirror faced man stands tense and still, his body crouched in a position to run at the slightest threat.
He is terrified, you can tell, his fingers clenched so hard they seem about to break.

The laughter echoes again, much closer, and a voice follows it.

Layydeeezzzz and Gentlemen! Let's give it up for the best ruler Sigil has ever had and will ever have... Revel!


A parade comes into view, floats the size of buildings.
Ferris wheels spinning madly, billboards, Dragons, fish, cattle, moons, stars, suns, birds, faces all swim by you, borne on the backs of men, woman and children, almost helpless with laughter, most half nude or completely naked.
All around them is a presence, seemingly everywhere at once, in your face, close enough to touch, and at the same time one hundred feet away.
A tall man, or woman, cheeks red as apples, mouth dimpled with a huge grin, eyes tearing from laughing so hard.
A bizarre mixture of clothes adorns him, a ringmasters top hat, crowned with laurels, a flappers dress that ends in a thong, clown shoes, a toga draped over all of it.
The clothing is all psychedelic, colored with swirling neon light.

Tomorrow night!
She blares in your face, before chugging from a huge keg that had certainly not been there moments ago.
A once in a lifetime opportunity! The lady of pains execution, 3D, live, in full color! Free First row tickets are available to the winner of tonight's strip tournament, our gladiatorial match, the drinking contest, the comedy event, or whatever comes up!
Bring your kids and the dog!
I'll be hosting poker tonight!
And remember,
Why Have Pain, when you can Gain!?


Just as suddenly, the parade has gone, and the being with it, leaving behind confetti, spilled booze, and dollar bills, along with a scattering of popcorn and fried dough.

[Erik Vale]

Slowly, by degrees, bodily control goes to Aleandrea, who is in the middle of a panic attack.
Slowly, she reaches out and touches her bodyguard [Assuming it's still here.], and in his mind he can sense some sort of door to the strange Cul de sac that is Erik's shared mind scape, and from it Aleandrea's voice near shouts.
"Ok, I know I hired you as bodyguard but I need to know what the F*** is going on!.. I can pay you..."
Should he look in, Aleandrea is just stalking back and forth, fidgeting. All she knows is one of the central tenants of her multiverse has been turned on it's head.
"Calm girl..."
"Yea, what's so bad-"
Aleandrea just turns on the spot, and... There seems to be some kind of surge around Six.
"Oh..."
"Yea, Oh... I need to find a Nightmare... I need to talk to death... Simulcra! Scrolls of Simulcra... Greater Telepathic Bond if I need, and some nightmares, those are next stop... Information!"
Aleandrea whirls towards the bodyguards manifestation, or towards wherever the visualization of his mind is.

[Dorian Gray]

Slowly, the man who was James stands.
"That... is a lot to take in."
Swiveling around, he asks (more to himself than to anyone else), "So, I just say where I want to go? I already heard about what happened in London, and I doubt it would be wise to go there. In that case... take me to New York City."

[D20ragon]

"Perfect." Rob takes a moment to lower the lighting in another corner of his room, casting it into shadow, before stepping into the closet door.

The shard of Rob's mind tasked with hounding Idrian does just that. In his mindscape, he stands next to the door to Idrian's mind, knocking loudly on it seven times. Let me in. We need to talk.

The vast closet is still as cluttered as you remember it. Nothing has changed, save that the items are all new and polished, and the walls have new wallpaper and the ceiling is freshly plastered.


Slowly, by degrees, bodily control goes to Aleandrea, who is in the middle of a panic attack.
Slowly, she reaches out and touches her bodyguard [Assuming it's still here.], and in his mind he can sense some sort of door to the strange Cul de sac that is Erik's shared mind scape, and from it Aleandrea's voice near shouts.
"Ok, I know I hired you as bodyguard but I need to know what the F*** is going on!.. I can pay you..."
Should he look in, Aleandrea is just stalking back and forth, fidgeting. All she knows is one of the central tenants of her multiverse has been turned on it's head.
"Calm girl..."
"Yea, what's so bad-"
Aleandrea just turns on the spot, and... There seems to be some kind of surge around Six.
"Oh..."
"Yea, Oh... I need to find a Nightmare... I need to talk to death... Simulcra! Scrolls of Simulcra... Greater Telepathic Bond if I need, and some nightmares, those are next stop... Information!"
Aleandrea whirls towards the bodyguards manifestation, or towards wherever the visualization of his mind is.

Revel is the new king of Sigil, all bless.
Why have pain when you can gain?
The man says tensely.
The old Lady dies tomorrow. I have no tickets.


Slowly, the man who was James stands.
"That... is a lot to take in."
Swiveling around, he asks (more to himself than to anyone else), "So, I just say where I want to go? I already heard about what happened in London, and I doubt it would be wise to go there. In that case... take me to New York City."

All about you, the boat shifts and hums.
Suddenly, the air is filled with sounds. Cars, people, airplanes, a street performance, all clamoring for your attention.
One voice cuts over the rest.
A cabby leans out of his window, snapping his fingers under your nose.

I said, where to, Mac?

[Erik Vale]

Aleandrea
-Sigil-
"That's all. No there was a fight, someone who slays gods without anyone noticing until they find the corpse using no noticeable effort is just laying down and dying?"
Aleandrea shakes her head, and she pulls out of the vision.
"Ok... I know someone who does higher end scrolls, and then I- No I'll bind them, keep things simple.

Interrupting her shopping Aleandrea goes to a scrolls crafter, some Warlock with a thought jar and a slave in a ecstasy trap, makes her purchases. She then rents a small binding room for a few minutes. Reciting a persisted time stop, she creates a Simulcra of herself. She then casts the various spells to bind a nightmare and link minds. Dismissing the time stop, it takes all of 1 minute to force them to her will, though she promises pay later should they wish to maintain the bond and service, stating she's fine if they leave service once the bindings up, and that it's something she simply needs to do.

-The Ship-
Suddenly, an Erik arrives on the ship, however he's instead covered in leather armor and unarmed...
"Good Ship Lollipop, this is a Simulcrum I've linked, could you please direct me to Death, Aleandrea has some questions."

[D20ragon]

What did you want me for?
Deaths small voice asks in your ear.
You start. A small grey bird is sitting on your shoulder, watching you intently.

[Erik Vale]

Erik
Erik shifts with a start before settling.
"Hmmm. A few more and I could pretend to be one of the horsemen..."
"I... Is the Lady a power or being of such potency, or one of the Gods. Because she's about to be executed somehow and and-"
'One question at a time... Calm yourself. It's not like the Lady is a personal friend.'

[D20ragon]

The Lady... She is a lesser Power, one born of the others. She is Pain.
And yes, she goes do her death. She does so willingly, with a laugh, and a dance. For no one can remain somber when the Queen of dancing, the King of wine bids them to smile.

[Erik Vale]

Erik
-The Good Ship-
"So she... She chooses to die..."
"Well then, there is not much we can do about it can we. I've a feeling slaughter only truly fell because he wanted to, and yet the Lady is about to die, so he must continue on in some way. Pain will continue, it's just that Sigil shall exist in upheaval for a while. Some other planar metropolis will take it's place."
"I... Your words make sense... I would like to view it though."
The voice that came out was basically everyone saying why, such a jumble of notes most would be unable to decipher it as the simulcrum failed to speak intelligently.
"... I don't know... However it may be to see the new powers officially crowned or some such... I think I'll remain in Sigil a while longer, perhaps try the gladiatorial or see if we can book a scrying view... Death... What other powers are letting themselves die?"
"And also, if bodies are recent, is that just for major powers, or is the Lady just an exception to the rule?"

[D20ragon]

None choose death.
Deaths voice is at once bitter and angry.
Do not think you killed Slaughter. You have nowhere near the ability.
Could an Ant kill a man in combat?
I think not.
But Revel is no such ant, and this is no combat, but an execution.

[DoctorFaust]

"Hold on just one ruttin' second. If Slaughter isn't dead, then what the hell did we just kill? And why are Powers trying to kill each other? And are we just going to let another power walk to their death without doing anything about it?"

[Erik Vale]

Erik
"So the lady didn't choose death, and time was killed by slaughter and slaughter isn't dead..."
The simulacrum throws up it's hands.
"Wait... Times dead. I'm coming back."
Shortly after the real Erik appears, again astride a nightmare... However he does use Sonea's mock flight to reduce his weight to almost 0 so as not to crush the beast.
"Ok... So we only needed to try hard to move time about... Ok... So lets try and arrive before the Lady was removed from power."
With that, Erik meditates a moment, before again disappearing, his destination Sigil.

[Dorian Gray]

James
Somewhat distractedly, James slides into the back of the cab. "Ah... take me down to east 12th. 12th and Stuyvesant."
James leans back into the black cushions and idly fiddles with the bandages wrapped around his hands. Gazing out the window, he sighs. "It's been a while. I left after... but you never really forget what it's like, here."

[Sen isSaqqara]

Looking over the scene of Time's murder, Rob opens his Sight. He peers into the true nature of the scene, trying to pick out something useful.
Time? Are you still here? If even a fragment of your mind remains, I offer you safe haven with me.

[D20ragon]

"Hold on just one ruttin' second. If Slaughter isn't dead, then what the hell did we just kill? And why are Powers trying to kill each other? And are we just going to let another power walk to their death without doing anything about it?"

Deaths girl body unfolds from the grey bird.
Her lips twist in a grim smirk.
The urge of destruction, it seems, is part of the package when becoming mortal.
The Powers are free to act on their grievances, and do so.
As for Slaughter... The Powers exist across all of time and space. You have only killed an Aspect of him. A shard, if you will.


Erik
"So the lady didn't choose death, and time was killed by slaughter and slaughter isn't dead..."
The simulacrum throws up it's hands.
"Wait... Times dead. I'm coming back."
Shortly after the real Erik appears, again astride a nightmare... However he does use Sonea's mock flight to reduce his weight to almost 0 so as not to crush the beast.
"Ok... So we only needed to try hard to move time about... Ok... So lets try and arrive before the Lady was removed from power."
With that, Erik meditates a moment, before again disappearing, his destination Sigil.

You reappear on the streets.
All is silent.
Nothing stirs.
Not a single merchant bids you to try their goods.
For the first time in history, the streets of Sigil are empty.


James
Somewhat distractedly, James slides into the back of the cab. "Ah... take me down to east 12th. 12th and Stuyvesant."
James leans back into the black cushions and idly fiddles with the bandages wrapped around his hands. Gazing out the window, he sighs. "It's been a while. I left after... but you never really forget what it's like, here."

That's for sure.
The cabby chuckles.
Where've you been?


Looking over the scene of Time's murder, Rob opens his Sight. He peers into the true nature of the scene, trying to pick out something useful.
Time? Are you still here? If even a fragment of your mind remains, I offer you safe haven with me.

Ah. Rob. I am sorry to tell you that I am indeed dead. No fragment of me remains. This is merely a message that I prepared when I saw that you would return.
I assume you have questions. In fact, I know you do. Please, ask away.
I'll pause so you can speak.

The voice of Time stops for a moment, leaving behind echoes that bounce around the closet before dying away with a small sigh.

[Erik Vale]

Erik's Simulcra, Sigil
The Astral Projected Simulacra looks down on the Astral Projected Nightmare.
"Now's when we be glad not to be here... To bad I'm not a wizard though, I'd reform to pause time..."

Whilst minds can easily be shielded, Erik thought it might be worth trying to sense minds, and so Sonea reached out, just trying to find... Anyone.

Erik, Astral Plane
Erik himself is in a similar state, instead watching over his bodies in order to keep them safe, whilst still using hie eyes and ears and smell, all of which mock a man's senses, even in his suit.

[3SecondCultist]

Yes, I have my own agenda. But there is nothing better than a little improvisation sometimes, no?

Stepping back from the room and cutting off the link, Idrian looks back towards Slaughter in Eden. He has already begun to formulate the next step of his plan.

"Slaughter, I would like to help you. I would like to help you find out what it is that happened to you, and see if we can reverse it. But to do that, we will need to find the other Powers. If we work together, we can find them more quickly, and maybe then you can get the answers you need."

[Sen isSaqqara]

And yet, time still flows around us. How is this? Have you perhaps been reincarnated, or has your mantle passed on to another? Or does your dead body still remain, waiting? If you are more human now, perhaps you would be more susceptible to human methods of resurrection? Rob wanders around the scene as he speaks with Time, still looking for anything out of the ordinary.

[DoctorFaust]

"Well, to hell with that. An ant can still sting, and we are very large ants indeed." Turning in place, Daniel sticks his hands on his hips and shouts, "Lollipop! Take me to Sigil beside Erik."

[Dorian Gray]

James stares absent-mindedly at the buildings passing by.
"I spent a while somewhere in Ohio- I just couldn't stand the city. After a year or two of that I went to LA. It wasn't like here, though."

[D20ragon]

Erik's Simulcra, Sigil
The Astral Projected Simulacra looks down on the Astral Projected Nightmare.
"Now's when we be glad not to be here... To bad I'm not a wizard though, I'd reform to pause time..."

Whilst minds can easily be shielded, Erik thought it might be worth trying to sense minds, and so Sonea reached out, just trying to find... Anyone.

Erik, Astral Plane
Erik himself is in a similar state, instead watching over his bodies in order to keep them safe, whilst still using hie eyes and ears and smell, all of which mock a man's senses, even in his suit.

The wave of mental noise almost drives you mad.
A billion billion minds, all shouting, laughing and crying in a trillion languages.
For the first time, all of Sigil is crowded together in one crowd, in the center of the city.
And over the clamor is the manic shouts of Revel, urging you to drink, ****, smoke, snort, and dance until your body falls down dead, and scream, laugh and shout until your lungs give out.




Yes, I have my own agenda. But there is nothing better than a little improvisation sometimes, no?

Stepping back from the room and cutting off the link, Idrian looks back towards Slaughter in Eden. He has already begun to formulate the next step of his plan.

"Slaughter, I would like to help you. I would like to help you find out what it is that happened to you, and see if we can reverse it. But to do that, we will need to find the other Powers. If we work together, we can find them more quickly, and maybe then you can get the answers you need."

If we find the other Powers, I will try my best to Kill them. A leopard does not change it's spots so easily, and our grudges run deep.
Slaughter warns you, his huge talons flexing and straining against the fertile soils of the First Garden.


And yet, time still flows around us. How is this? Have you perhaps been reincarnated, or has your mantle passed on to another? Or does your dead body still remain, waiting? If you are more human now, perhaps you would be more susceptible to human methods of resurrection? Rob wanders around the scene as he speaks with Time, still looking for anything out of the ordinary.

I have flung my Death into the future, Rob. The end of time will come at long last. It is even now rushing towards you. Time becomes unstable in my absence, and any attempts to change it will meet with chaos.


"Well, to hell with that. An ant can still sting, and we are very large ants indeed." Turning in place, Daniel sticks his hands on his hips and shouts, "Lollipop! Take me to Sigil beside Erik."

The laughing face of Revel, lips bloodred and streaked with booze, cheeks flushed and stained with grapes, nose white with cocaine springs from the wood of the floor, swallowing you with a laugh.
Then it vanishes, and you stand in the empty streets of Sigil, alongside Erik.



James stares absent-mindedly at the buildings passing by.
"I spent a while somewhere in Ohio- I just couldn't stand the city. After a year or two of that I went to LA. It wasn't like here, though."

No place like here, that's for sure. I came from the stars, and I figured I'd just stay for a vacation, but when I got back my wife had been cheating on me, so I quit my job, and came back here. Haven't left since.

[Erik Vale]

Simulcra, Sigil
Minds don't normally press into her so, and with Sonea unprepared for this world automatically shuts down and closes in. Iron wills almost melt in a moment, whilst the divinity assaulted her mind with a tiny fraction of it's will, it's all the others pressing outwards, collapsing defenses with sheer force of will.
Under Erik, the nightmare disappears to prevent itself from being crushed, even being a ethereal projection, however it appears alongside him shortly.
If the simulcra could think in that moment, it would wonder why some heroes could regenerate so quickly, yet only Deadpool was immune to the effects of mental influence...
Instead, being weaker than the original, it's mind caved.

Erik, Astral Plane
Erik winced as he shunted out the mental assault, albiet extremely reduced. Secondhand through a bond not designed for it, the effect does fail against the true Erik.
Instead, Erik glances into the Simulcra's mind, he finds it clear, the effect only affecting the projection but lacking proper contrul. Erik turned to the simulcra's nightmare, and told it to end the projection and reset it.

Simulcra, Sigil
It wasn't a sensualist, but a fight sounded good. And someone just-
It flickers out of existence.

Suddenly, it reappears, mind cleared of the effect.
"Note to self. Keep your mind locked tighter then the wall... Daniel! I take it your following me?"

[3SecondCultist]

"Consider me warned, then." Alexander cannot help but laugh aloud. It is a clear thing, sharp and loud and rings over the broken branches. It rests comfortably, rules a little while, and eventually absconds. Fondly, he remembers an older paradigm. A ruler, to fulfill his destiny, must find pleasure in the commanding. A high will dwells in his heart, yet none must know his mind. That way, a lasting dignity allies itself to supreme power. Those were the words he lived by, before. But now? He is not so sure.

"Kill them all if you wish, but I will ask that you let me talk to them first."

[DoctorFaust]

Staggering under the sudden mental blow, Daniel waves halfheartedly to Erik. "Yeah, I am, but I'm not thinking that it was such a good idea anymore. If you'll excuse me for a second, I need to change."

Sinking deep within himself, Daniel changes form again, shifting completely into Lancer's form. Diarmuid stretches his arms experimentally as if he is unsure of the capabilities of his body. "Well, this is interesting indeed," he laughs. "I believed that I would be consigned to the Grail for all eternity, forced to live out eternity away from my Grannine and denied the honor of serving my lord, and then I end up here. A planar metropolis. Wonderful."

Bowing formally to Erik so as to keep his face averted, Diarmuid says, "Tis a pleasure to meet you in my own flesh, sir knight and lady mage. I know that Daniel had been meaning to speak to you about supplying me with a body made of mana, as he viewed you as the strongest in the party. But! I must warn you. There is a curse placed upon my face that causes all women who gaze upon the spot to fall in love with me, so I would suggest avoiding doing so without some kind of magical protection from it."

Daniels voice comes to the surface momentarily, saying, "And my apologies for his verbosity. I was not expecting it when I discovered I was he."

And Death, he calls in his mind, I am sorry that I didn't tell you first. I will be back as soon as I am able.

[silphael]

Chanting in his room, both insanely far away and unbelievably near, Ethan were apparently carving signs everywhere, thinking nearly out loud :

Can't you help me on that one?

I could, be that won't help us have near independent existences... the three other will have nearly total independence, yet you will still depend on me... In that situation I don't know if your mind may survive my raw presence. That's what i guided you to that solution : we won't really separate, because doing so will outright go against the most standard rules of what's still sane to do light hearted, but we will be able to act separatly, without having to ask you for everything.

How do you manage to do that? I mean, making everything look like devil's bargain?

Studied that, too, for a time. You better know how everything is working before hitting a decision. Not worth it anyway, and they are far too easy to fool. Don't even bother about it : not worth anything they are asking.

Still not confortable with your idea, but...

"Solid Earth, take now the form of the very rock behind each living flesh, modelate into bones of the vessels I'm building..."

Out of the walls appear pieces of mud, slowly turning into solid bones with a slight grey tone.

"Fleeing Water, infiltrate that mud, give it the very flesh it needs to move, make the bodies of those vessels."

Slowly flesh appears around the different piles of bones, ordering those into whole bodies, looking more like mud puppets than real bodies, with apparent silvery threads entwined in the future muscles place.

"Twirling Woods, give it the sprouts of life, make it move as living vessels!"

The appearance of the puppets change dramatically, now looking more humanlike, perhaps too much, yet each of the puppet having distinctive features.

"Raging Fire! Let them make the burning wish of eternal duty, give them the flaming heart needed to carry the weight of his own deeds!"

Now, by added imperfections, the puppets become truly humanlike, with apparent pulse and breath, eyes nearly opened.

"Cold Metal, nurish them with the steely resolve needed to bring down any opponent, the cold desire turning kids into men, men into heroes, and heroes into legend. Make those legends of other time into something greater."

Wait, you're using chinese elements? Interresting...

"Balance, built into those bodies, give them strength, bind them together and make them move as one. Now."

All eyes open fully.

[Erik Vale]

Erik's Simulacra shrugs.
"Late warning, and I'm just a simulcra. Well, a projection of a simulacra... Sonea however is swooning, Aleandrea less so."
"I am not!"
"You took over to say it, which proves it... As for a body made of Mana, as in a literal one? I might manage one of force that you can sustain but I doubt raw Mana... Though apparently there are magic elementals... Though who do you think is a Sir Knight in this body?"

[DoctorFaust]

"Ah. Well, here comes the awkward part. Lancer is dead. Like, really dead. I am well aware of that, master. All servants are aware of their demise. And I perceived you clad in full plate at one point of the fighting. Is the owner of it not a knight? So yeah, he's a Servant, and he's dead, and normally, in order for him to manifest a body, a mage would supply him with prana through a summoning ritual, which would enable him to create a body whose power was relative to the power. I, however, have no magic users to m' name. Which presents me with a problem, as I am not at my full strength unless I have a body to control."

[Erik Vale]

"Hmmm."
Erik floats up and off his nightmare, striding over to Daniel, taking off his helmet.
"Nope. And this isn't full plate... Now if you wouldn't mind touching my head I can supply you with more mana than you could possibly need."

[Dorian Gray]

James raises an eyebrow at the cabbie's story and the corner of his mouth quirks up. Then the memory of the past few hours hits him, along with the sudden realization that the man might not be joking, and the smile vanishes from his face. Still, his voice doesn't betray any insecurity as he replies,
"That sucks. Funny though, I think everyone who runs away eventually passes through here. No matter where you've been, what you did, this city won't bother you as long as you don't mess with it. All roads, you know?"

Glancing out the window, James coughs.
"Well, the traffic might get on your nerves."

[DoctorFaust]

"Currently it would do more harm than good to allow me to manifest a new body. I am, after all, in all likelihood the most powerful being inside Daniels head at this point."

[Erik Vale]

"Oh... Then why did you ask?"
Erik looks confused, putting his helmet back on.
"Whilst I did go insane for a moment, I did get a bead on where people are concentrating, however you may have trouble keeping your mind there... I would planeshift straight over, but I think it would be better if we flew. Would you like a ride?"
Erik motions to the nightmare as he turns, rising slightly... You notice that his bootprints are a lot smoother than they should be, courtesy of a barrier of force surrounding him.

[DoctorFaust]

"Because that was the most significant thought I could hear of Daniels about you that was fit to be uttered in polite conversation? And it seemed polite at the time."

Waving away Erik's offer, Diarmuid gathers himself up to jump. "Thank you, but if you tell me where we are going, I should be able to arrive just as quickly as you can."

[Erik Vale]

"You say that like it was an exact bead and like I've memorized Sigil streets. I don't think a Elan could do that."
Erik shakes his head.
"So then.... Up up and away."
Erik suddenly shoots up above most of the small buildings, and begins heading in the direction of the previous mental assault, the nightmare chooses to plane-shift elsewhere, keeping an eye on Erik through their bond... Mostly because it couldn't keep up.
When Daniel inevitable catches up Erik turns his head to him, asking with a magically projected voice.
"So what thoughts did he have about me that weren't good for polite conversation?'

[DoctorFaust]

Diarmuid throws himself up into the sky after Erik, leaving behind a few puddles of broken glass as he breaks the sound barrier 4 times over. Flipping over to face the larger man as they fly along, he says, "Well, the large majority of it goddamit Lancer if you tell him anything I'm never letting you ta was at least slightly sexual in nature, including at least one reference to wanting to, and I quote, 'pin that suit of armor against a wall and run my tongue down its collarbone', as well as thinking that 'that was the sexiest gorram fireball that I have ever seen.' Would you like me to I will tell kill you more later ,at a later time, of course."

[Erik Vale]

Erik takes half a second to speed up so Daniel doesn't have to slow down so much, he didn't feel a need to break the sound barrier, but that was a hell of a way to catch up... He did however find himself being greatful for his helmet.
"Unfortunately for him, Two of the three guys in here are very straight and the others asexual, so no chance there..."
"You say that like polymorphing isn't a thing. Hell, you three could even sleep and skip the spell."
Sonea makes Erik blush over his blanch rather than speaking, she also being glad for the helmet and hoping Daniel can't see through it.
"Yea.... Let's take a rain check. Power killing abomination first, urge for the bleach second..."
"Also I'd rather my armor get's ripped apart in combat over angry sex... Hmm. The thy-"
"Please don't follow that train of thought 6."

[DoctorFaust]

Diarmuid laughs deeply at Sonea's remark, the noise ringing out like a bell on a cold day. "I am not so sure you would wish to make that offer, lady mage. My curse has been known to alter people's judgement more than they would think."

Going to end you painfully, Lancer. You're lucky I'm not Saber as well, otherwise I'd kick you out of this body so fast even you wouldn't be able to follow.

"Hmph. My master is a strange person, to say the least. And he has the trait of anthropomorphizing inanimate objects. He is quite enjoyable to embarass, however."

You've got that much right, at least. Think we'll need the amulet this go around?

[Erik Vale]

Aleandrea convinces Erik to give her control of his mouth.
"Yes, Erik is rather fun to tease, Wolverine seems to be alternating between looking at me concerned and teasing him as well... Sonea though is just stuck blushing in a corner trying to concentrate on flying. Six on the other hand seems to think I'm strange but given his augs I don't think he counts... As to the curse I've recognized it but I'm having trouble containing it, fortunately I'm currently a projection, so it'll end as soon as I get the nightmare to end it's spell."

Looking at Lancer Aleandrea doesn't notice a chimney which she slams straight through without pause.
"Ok, that's enough of you. Sonea could you please burst the outer layer of the barrier, I'd rather not be covered in soot."
With that there is a very slight explosion around Erik, sending the suit which clung to the barrier off him.

[Sen isSaqqara]

If you've cast your death to the future, you are not yet dead. Not completely. Tell me when you've set your death to be: I will strive to be there. Perhaps I can stop it. Perhaps I can do even better... I wonder what would happen, if the world were watched over a Time not alive, but undead? You're a person now, right? I'm assuming you mean to say that you've removed yourself from the timestream until a later date to postpone your death, it's the only thing that makes sense. I could catch you as you drop back into the stream, and make you one of us. There's no evil in being a vampire.

[DoctorFaust]

Diarmuid drops down onto a roof momentarily, sprinting a few steps to gather speed before throwing himself in the air again. Just in time to catch a face full of soot off of Erik's suit.

"I would consider it a favor if you could avoid doing that in the future," Diarmuid shouts over the wind. "Do you have any idea of the kinds of resistance we should expect? After Slaughter, I do not doubt that the Power on its own should be powerful enough to engage us both, but from the way you described the party, it sounds as if a large portion of the population is under a glamour of some kind."

[Erik Vale]

"Well, imagine the stereotypical god of sex and drugs, you shouldn't be too far off. I'm thinking the only challenging thing about the power will be concentrating or trying to guide your insanity into something useful. If I flicker in and out a lot, don't worry, problem with being a simulacra is being vastly weaker than the original in many ways, but the real me may come around eventually."
"And then there's the fact that this place is Sigil, so you need to be ready to fight a large number of people just shy of gods in power level. I've currently been loading up Sonea. I'm thinking I might well act as a really large bomb if I have to clear the place, but if I'm lucky the pair of us may be able to pull off something Erik calls a 'Wave Motion Gun'."
'That wouldn't be luck, it's just another blast. The problem will be directing it while containing the damage to the beam instead of just blowing up."
"Sound's like luck to me. I think we're predicting a not-quite-star in a beam. Worst to worse it'll make nukes look small I suppose."
"Yes. I'm having trouble with the limitless power on tap thing."
"Just as long as it's not self sustaining and growing we'll be fine."
"No, Aleandrea's power cuts off on death so just a huge explosion. However I do wish I could have that much beer on tap."
"Ok. Note to self, set up better walls and get an actually everful mug."
"You talk like you think you can actually keep us out."

[silphael]

He is five and they are one now. Wearing a long weather jacket, with long silvery hair, Ethan grabs the sword standing nearby, then calls the ship :

"Ship? Can -guys, we really shouldn't try to all talk at the same time, really - can you send... let's say Enoch to where the vampire guy is, Kisidan to where lightning speed boy is, Sentry's gonna go above the masses - you sure everything'll be fine? -, and Haru's gonna stay with me, not like i'm really a fighter, and even epic magic has limits it seems."

Kisidan :

Clad in golden armor of exquisite craftmanship, a bandana on his head, and a katana hanging at his belt, Kisidan usually walk as an high ranking officer, what he technically is. His empress is far from danger, and he knows the other knights of the ninth circle are far enough to protect her, but he still shows no satisfaction.

Enoch :

As the first real Oracle, Enoch has no typical appearance : he simply takes the form he wants. That next form will be a woman wearing a blue robe with runes everywhere to be seen. Black hair and red eyes, and she is walking as if being queen.

Sentry :

He wears his usual costume, slightly modified to be easier to hide, but that's all.

Haru :

He seems to be nowhere to be seen : Ethan is wandering alone in the street of the library he's visiting.

[Tris]

"And what if it's too late, Gandalf? What if I am barred from the Light forever, because of my past misdeeds, and unable to ever be one of the just? I feel the blood of billions calling out to me for mine. Thank you Gandalf, and you also, Enoch. "

"It is never to late. You can always choose good no matter what you have done in the past. You must persevere." Travis insists. If Jacob has nothing more to say he will walk over to the chest.

[ArlEammon]

"Thank you Gandalf. . . for now, I must go with the others." Jacob stated in reply.

[Tris]

Travis approaches the heavy wooden chest. He notices the brass lock. "Um, how do I open this, Lollipop?" he asks the ship.

[D20ragon]

"Consider me warned, then." Alexander cannot help but laugh aloud. It is a clear thing, sharp and loud and rings over the broken branches. It rests comfortably, rules a little while, and eventually absconds. Fondly, he remembers an older paradigm. A ruler, to fulfill his destiny, must find pleasure in the commanding. A high will dwells in his heart, yet none must know his mind. That way, a lasting dignity allies itself to supreme power. Those were the words he lived by, before. But now? He is not so sure.
"Kill them all if you wish, but I will ask that you let me talk to them first."

No promises, child,
Slaughter says, running his tongue along his teeth, the size of swords.
But for now, where do we travel to? I'm afraid you'll have to do most of the thinking. I'm not quite... Accustomed to it yet.


Staggering under the sudden mental blow, Daniel waves halfheartedly to Erik. "Yeah, I am, but I'm not thinking that it was such a good idea anymore. If you'll excuse me for a second, I need to change."

Sinking deep within himself, Daniel changes form again, shifting completely into Lancer's form. Diarmuid stretches his arms experimentally as if he is unsure of the capabilities of his body. "Well, this is interesting indeed," he laughs. "I believed that I would be consigned to the Grail for all eternity, forced to live out eternity away from my Grannine and denied the honor of serving my lord, and then I end up here. A planar metropolis. Wonderful."

Bowing formally to Erik so as to keep his face averted, Diarmuid says, "Tis a pleasure to meet you in my own flesh, sir knight and lady mage. I know that Daniel had been meaning to speak to you about supplying me with a body made of mana, as he viewed you as the strongest in the party. But! I must warn you. There is a curse placed upon my face that causes all women who gaze upon the spot to fall in love with me, so I would suggest avoiding doing so without some kind of magical protection from it."

Daniels voice comes to the surface momentarily, saying, "And my apologies for his verbosity. I was not expecting it when I discovered I was he."

And Death, he calls in his mind, I am sorry that I didn't tell you first. I will be back as soon as I am able.

Just make sure you do come back, all right?
Death asks worriedly.
And if that bitch touches one hair on your overly adorable head, I swear I will END her. Or him. You know what I mean.


James raises an eyebrow at the cabbie's story and the corner of his mouth quirks up. Then the memory of the past few hours hits him, along with the sudden realization that the man might not be joking, and the smile vanishes from his face. Still, his voice doesn't betray any insecurity as he replies,
"That sucks. Funny though, I think everyone who runs away eventually passes through here. No matter where you've been, what you did, this city won't bother you as long as you don't mess with it. All roads, you know?"

Glancing out the window, James coughs.
"Well, the traffic might get on your nerves."

Yeah, I guess it could. It's not bad compared to what I've seen though.
He lapses into silence, and you drift on through the city streets for an age, it seems.
You know, if you look at the city from high enough up, it just looks like a cluster of stars.
Just little points of light, in a endless night.
Maybe that's what stars are, you know. Cities.
Who's to say, really.

Your stop's coming up soon.


If you've cast your death to the future, you are not yet dead. Not completely. Tell me when you've set your death to be: I will strive to be there. Perhaps I can stop it. Perhaps I can do even better... I wonder what would happen, if the world were watched over a Time not alive, but undead? You're a person now, right? I'm assuming you mean to say that you've removed yourself from the timestream until a later date to postpone your death, it's the only thing that makes sense. I could catch you as you drop back into the stream, and make you one of us. There's no evil in being a vampire.

Oh Rob. My Death will be the End of time. It will not happen until you least expect it.
And I cannot, or will not, return.
What's done is done, and we will all have to live with my actions.
All I can do is buy you enough time to maybe set things right, before the end.


"Well, imagine the stereotypical god of sex and drugs, you shouldn't be too far off. I'm thinking the only challenging thing about the power will be concentrating or trying to guide your insanity into something useful. If I flicker in and out a lot, don't worry, problem with being a simulacra is being vastly weaker than the original in many ways, but the real me may come around eventually."
"And then there's the fact that this place is Sigil, so you need to be ready to fight a large number of people just shy of gods in power level. I've currently been loading up Sonea. I'm thinking I might well act as a really large bomb if I have to clear the place, but if I'm lucky the pair of us may be able to pull off something Erik calls a 'Wave Motion Gun'."
'That wouldn't be luck, it's just another blast. The problem will be directing it while containing the damage to the beam instead of just blowing up."
"Sound's like luck to me. I think we're predicting a not-quite-star in a beam. Worst to worse it'll make nukes look small I suppose."
"Yes. I'm having trouble with the limitless power on tap thing."
"Just as long as it's not self sustaining and growing we'll be fine."
"No, Aleandrea's power cuts off on death so just a huge explosion. However I do wish I could have that much beer on tap."
"Ok. Note to self, set up better walls and get an actually everful mug."
"You talk like you think you can actually keep us out."

Oh, listen to this guy, ladies and gents!
A real comedian. Master of irony!
He took the words right out of my mouth.
"You talk like you can keep us out"
Ah well. We can't all be winners.
But you, Sonea... You could have the time of your life!
Look at lancer. Don't you just want to grab him and **** him over?
You could do it. Right now! It'd feel good! He wants you to!
The words weave around your head, and into Soneas mind, growing more reasonable with every passing moment.


He is five and they are one now. Wearing a long weather jacket, with long silvery hair, Ethan grabs the sword standing nearby, then calls the ship :

"Ship? Can -guys, we really shouldn't try to all talk at the same time, really - can you send... let's say Enoch to where the vampire guy is, Kisidan to where lightning speed boy is, Sentry's gonna go above the masses - you sure everything'll be fine? -, and Haru's gonna stay with me, not like i'm really a fighter, and even epic magic has limits it seems."

Kisidan :

Clad in golden armor of exquisite craftmanship, a bandana on his head, and a katana hanging at his belt, Kisidan usually walk as an high ranking officer, what he technically is. His empress is far from danger, and he knows the other knights of the ninth circle are far enough to protect her, but he still shows no satisfaction.

Enoch :

As the first real Oracle, Enoch has no typical appearance : he simply takes the form he wants. That next form will be a woman wearing a blue robe with runes everywhere to be seen. Black hair and red eyes, and she is walking as if being queen.

Sentry :

He wears his usual costume, slightly modified to be easier to hide, but that's all.

Haru :

He seems to be nowhere to be seen : Ethan is wandering alone in the street of the library he's visiting.

The ship gives a exasperated groan, and shudders. Your incarnations disappear, reforming in the places of their choice.


"Thank you Gandalf. . . for now, I must go with the others." Jacob stated in reply.

To this the ship gives a single finger, forming out of the wood of the floor.
Hey taskmasters! Guess what finger this is! Did you get it right? Huh?
But you vanish with a pop, reappearing on the streets of Sigil.


Travis approaches the heavy wooden chest. He notices the brass lock. "Um, how do I open this, Lollipop?" he asks the ship.

What am I, a butler? Figure it out. You're supposed to be a being of godly power.

[Erik Vale]

Whilst Gain or... Party or Revel or whatever it was, targeted one of the more important and potentially powerful members of the group, and one most open to suggestion, it forgot a couple of things.
Sonea may well be the second weakest willed member of the group.
Six had a mind refined like one couldn't believe. Wolverine was among the epitomes of self determination. Aleandrea was so able to protect her mind that only the most powerful could manipulate it with raw will, and only the very skilled could double talk her around.
And Sonea was also self sacrificing.

So for a moment they flickered in and out before realizing that the power's will had flooded through the projection/primary link. Each time they came back they did so on nightmare, Until eventually, they stopped, coming in again Sonea's mind touching Daniel's/Lancer's for a moment, one tinged with lust and schoolgirl crush, underlined with images, most involving her actual body whilst some with her/his current body.
'It's gotten to me.... I... I'm going to be sitting in a mental corner for a while which means we wont have mental communication... The Nightmare probably won't last long so Erik will loose flight... I... Aleandrea!'
With that, mental contact ended.... And then Erik abruptly stopped flying, breaking the nightmares back and crashing through the roof of a flimsy medieval style house before disappearing, then flickering back and sliding off the nightmare leaving it back in.
"Sorry, no flight! Go ahead if you want!"
With that, Erik starts off on a run, which as a Spartan 3 in full armor, is very fast. And weighing in barely above a ton, he just bashes through any non-magically enhanced walls going in an almost straight line, with Aleandrea advising Erik when to go around a building instead of through using her ability to detect magic.

[Tris]

[Room with Chest]
"Fait enough" Travis says. Then, he raises his sword and it is becomes enveloped in white flame. With all his strength, Travis swings it down on the chest.

[DoctorFaust]

Diarmuid drops out of the sky, running along at an easy pace over Erik and occasionally jumping over gaps in roofs. "Is something the matter with Lady Sonea? I can carry you if you wish, or if she is not able."

Don't worry Death. If I'm lucky, she won't be able to get a hit in.

[Erik Vale]

"I... The power has got Sonea almost over to running on lust, I've got her hiding out in a lockbox at the moment for her and our safety. I'd rather you not carry me but if you would rather then pick me up."
'Why wouldn't you?'
'The whole aspects wanting to bone. I think it might be getting to me because I'm feeling sick and really wishing he was a girl.'
'Do I need to lock you up?'
'Nope, not just yet.'

Erik slamms through a mansion wall, personally smiling at the thought of the damage and wondering why the person didn't pay to have hrd to break walls... Of course, he did have to go around a panic room.
'I'll have to find a Greater hat of Disguise so the two of you can work it out of your system... Maybe two. Wolverine-'
'I... I think I'm finding neurones to fix, but I've never done this before, definitely not consciously... And let's not let them f*** it out. Jean should be able to set them right. How is it spreading from Sonea, she was the target?'
'I don't do mental manipulation.'

[DoctorFaust]

Daniel takes back control of his mouth momentarily to quip, "While I appreciate the compliment, you aren't exactly my type Erik. I prefer a bit more feminine and a bit less juggernaut of destruction-y. And I think Death would get pissed at me. But regardless, will you be able to keep up on foot?"

[D20ragon]

Hehehehe.... Look at that....!
You just smashed right through that wall... Felt good though, didn't it? Ain't nobody can stand up to you, and that bitch of a wall's just an speed bump, bro! Why don't you smash some more stuff! Let it all out! I'll get the beer, and maybe a hammer! Woooooooooo!
The brief pleasure you felt at the destruction of the wall grows stronger, burying itself deep into your subconscious. Why shouldn't you break stuff? It's pretty fun, after all.

[Erik Vale]

"I could fix- Damn that's not even the power..." Aleandrea's voice trails off into mutterings into how she can put things off, that Danial could probably still hear.
"I'm glad your so chivalrous though.... But given you can break the speed barrier no. Also I didn't think I was projecting my thoughts..."

Aleandrea takes a moment to scramble around in her brain, noticing that Sonea is projecting through the 'box' still given her state of distraction before Erik has another mental discussion with his personas.
'Damn... Why do I have to be a Simulcra? She's projecting, he may still be able to hear our thoughts just because. I don't think I can stop that.'
'Should we just let her out?'
'I don't think so.'
'Should we call the original?'
'Let's find the party first...'
And then part of the party comes to them.
'Does he need to shout?'
'It is pretty fun, but I'd prefer busting him up... Perhaps we could make some cooler ones.'
'I'll do a couple of jumps before we get picked up.'
"It's trying to delay me! Let hurry up.... Damn I wish we- Do we have any explosives!"
"Nope.... I think haste is definitely the main option!"
This time Erik jumps through a wall, performing a diving roll through the wooden shanty as it explodes. His orrigionally wide arms causes it to collapse behind him... Meanwhile Aleandrea is reminded of her hometown, the barn crumbling as it burned, people hoping it didn't collapse as they had to fight Deurgar and Gith.

[Sen isSaqqara]

But... I... Y'know what? Fine. Just do tell me when you are about to die. I want to give it a shot, at least. One last question, though: Where can I find Logic?

[ArlEammon]

Jacob looked at Travis. . . "This is odd, they've been gone an awful long time, considering that there doesn't seem to be anyone here."

[DoctorFaust]

Spotting Jake warp into Sigil in the corner of his vision, Diarmuid shouts down to Erik, saying, "Another one of us has arrived. I believe it to be Jake. Keep going, and we'll catch up."

Leaping off of his current path, he glides through the air and lands atop a building opposite Jake. "Sir Jake!" Diarmuid calls. "If you would follow me, Erik and I are attempting to find Revel. I, personally, am just heading towards where ever Revan says feels most ominous."

[Erik Vale]

"Acknowleded.... Ahh a chimney!"
Erik swerves to blast through another chimney, filling the street which is currently parallel with his path with soot.
"Ok, taking bodily control. Erik can't be trusted. Cycling shields...."
The armors energy shields shimmer slightly, slowly causing him to shed soot, allowing him to actually see rather than having to rely on his AI breaking the suits motion tracker to reveal walls with his movements.
'Numbers are dropping fast....'
'Good thing you have healing to revert and slightly more self control than he does... Aleandrea, perhaps we should shift in and out with the nightmare?'
'And risk loosing it to Revel? It's will is only just stronger than those two and I can tell soon we'll be two.'
'Good point... Well it's a nice jog at least, if rather old timmey. Wolverine-?'
'Has control over his urge to party and trash things, there's no girls to f***, and I drink just for the taste. I can't get buzzed...'
'... That absolutely sucks. Will- of course it will... F***.'
'Hey, at least there's no virgin vampire problem.'
'Thank the gods...'

[ArlEammon]

"Can anyone tell me what the hell is going on? Who is this Rebel, and what is he rebelling against?" Jake asked with all sincerity.
Crickets chirped a thousand times in one mere moment, and Jacob felt a strange, ominous change in the multiverse, as if a thousand puns cried out suddenly, and were silenced.

[3SecondCultist]

Very well. Alexander looks inward, letting his powers guide him. He knows where it is he wants to go next. In his mind, he can feel the other souls shifting restlessly in the parallel realities he has restored. All but one.
You call on me again, Master?
Yes. I want you to set up a portal network. Set the central marker right here in Eden, under this tree. I want to see if I can't get the attention of some of these Powers. Maybe instead of finding them, they'll come to us.
As you wish. Aren't you worried about the other Namers coming after you, though?
Perhaps. In this state, there would be little they could do to stop me even if they wanted to. But you have a point. Start by opening up gates to the Ethereal Plane and the Plane of Shadow, and any local demi-planes that are coterminous with this one. Open up a dozen for now, and if nothing happens, we'll work our way outwards.

Alexander turns back to Slaughter with a big grin on his face.

"I watched you murder Time - I'm sure other Powers might not take too kindly to something like that. Maybe some of them will even come after you. Vengeance or Wrath would certainly be appropriate, at least. Honey is better than vinegar. Now, let's see what we can snare with a trap like this, shall we?"

[Dorian Gray]

James nods. "I haven't seen it from that angle, actually. I don't fly much."
Unbuckling his seat belt, James pulls out his wallet. "How much?"

[D20ragon]

But... I... Y'know what? Fine. Just do tell me when you are about to die. I want to give it a shot, at least. One last question, though: Where can I find Logic?

Well now, what kind of an parting would this be if I just told you? I am the Oracle, after all, and we're not known for our straightforwardness.
Logic is, of course, in the most Logical place for it to be in.
Now, where would that be?


"Acknowleded.... Ahh a chimney!"
Erik swerves to blast through another chimney, filling the street which is currently parallel with his path with soot.
"Ok, taking bodily control. Erik can't be trusted. Cycling shields...."
The armors energy shields shimmer slightly, slowly causing him to shed soot, allowing him to actually see rather than having to rely on his AI breaking the suits motion tracker to reveal walls with his movements.
'Numbers are dropping fast....'
'Good thing you have healing to revert and slightly more self control than he does... Aleandrea, perhaps we should shift in and out with the nightmare?'
'And risk loosing it to Revel? It's will is only just stronger than those two and I can tell soon we'll be two.'
'Good point... Well it's a nice jog at least, if rather old timmey. Wolverine-?'
'Has control over his urge to party and trash things, there's no girls to f***, and I drink just for the taste. I can't get buzzed...'
'... That absolutely sucks. Will- of course it will... F***.'
'Hey, at least there's no virgin vampire problem.'
'Thank the gods...'

No girls to... Buddy, you insult me! Girls? I'll get a whole goddman harem!
Now, how do you want them?


"Can anyone tell me what the hell is going on? Who is this Rebel, and what is he rebelling against?" Jake asked with all sincerity.
Crickets chirped a thousand times in one mere moment, and Jacob felt a strange, ominous change in the multiverse, as if a thousand puns cried out suddenly, and were silenced.
Revels laugh fills the streets of Sigil yet again, rolling on and on, crashing around you like a screaming, sobbing, wave of uproarious sound.
Hooooooolllly crap that's hilarious! Rebeling against who!
Like.... Like.... Do you get it guys! He, he, he says "Rebeling against what?"
Oh good god that's funny! Ow! ****, my abs hurt from laughing...
Rebel! Oh dear lord...


Very well. Alexander looks inward, letting his powers guide him. He knows where it is he wants to go next. In his mind, he can feel the other souls shifting restlessly in the parallel realities he has restored. All but one.
You call on me again, Master?
Yes. I want you to set up a portal network. Set the central marker right here in Eden, under this tree. I want to see if I can't get the attention of some of these Powers. Maybe instead of finding them, they'll come to us.
As you wish. Aren't you worried about the other Namers coming after you, though?
Perhaps. In this state, there would be little they could do to stop me even if they wanted to. But you have a point. Start by opening up gates to the Ethereal Plane and the Plane of Shadow, and any local demi-planes that are coterminous with this one. Open up a dozen for now, and if nothing happens, we'll work our way outwards.

Alexander turns back to Slaughter with a big grin on his face.

"I watched you murder Time - I'm sure other Powers might not take too kindly to something like that. Maybe some of them will even come after you. Vengeance or Wrath would certainly be appropriate, at least. Honey is better than vinegar. Now, let's see what we can snare with a trap like this, shall we?"

The grumbling noise echoing around you could have been a derisive snort from a dragon... Or, perhaps not. You just can't quite tell.


James nods. "I haven't seen it from that angle, actually. I don't fly much."
Unbuckling his seat belt, James pulls out his wallet. "How much?"

Oh, don't worry about it. Not every day I get such an interesting customer.
Hope to see you around sometime. You take the taxi much?

[DoctorFaust]

Diarmuid brushes off the laughter resonating through the streets, calmly replying to Jake. "As you can tell, it is not rebel, but Revel that we are seeking. If you follow me, I will lead you back to Erik," he says, letting Daniel take enough control to loosen the Predator in its holster. "And since Revel appears to be getting more active, I would surmise that we are getting closer. Once we get back to Erik, I will be going to scout ahead, most likely towards the coliseum."

Diarmuid leaps into the air once more, flipping enough to beckon for Jake to follow. Revan, I require your assistance. Your force sense will be invaluable in locating our target.

I'm not sure how much help my sense will be. It's like everywhere we go, the Force is screaming in agony. Since Time's death it has constantly felt worse than Malachor V, and Surik was rendered nearly catatonic by that disturbance. And I can feel the beginnings of another surge, far off in the distance, yet just over the horizon, as if it is only a possibility. One of many. I might be able to lead you too it, but if it comes to pass, I will need to shut myself off for a while to recover.

[Erik Vale]

Wolverine starts his train of thought, realizes where's he's going, and just gets annoyed.
'How much longer?'
'.... Maybe a minute if we go through walls, one and half if we avoid them.'
'Ok... Walls.'
Erik blows through another house, it collapses in his wake as he makes a beeline for Revel.
'Lock me up if you need to.'
'I will. I don't exactly want him supplying Jean even if I could take her. I'll just be glad Six here isn't at risk.'

[D20ragon]

[Room with Chest]
"Fait enough" Travis says. Then, he raises his sword and it is becomes enveloped in white flame. With all his strength, Travis swings it down on the chest.

The sword cuts through the chest like a knife through hot butter.
A brilliant light fills the room for a moment, then fades.
Lying on the ground before you are your old weapons, as familiar to you as the fingers of your hands.

[3SecondCultist]

Alexander suppresses his annoyance. Using Glaistig Uaine to open up a larger portal network through the Ethereal Plane and into such domains as the Abyss, Arboria, and Tartarus. He omits Celestia and the other heavens, if only because the kind of Powers he is looking to attract are not of the angelic persuasion. Perhaps this would need a more direct hand. Through the open portals, he begins to broadcast images of Slaughter in all of the forms he has ever seen him. Alexander moves to stand next to the dragon himself.

"You know, helping me is a possibility. I saw what you did to Time, what you can do to the other Powers. I'm all but feeding you dinner here, so the least you could do is show me some respect!" He stops. He had not intended to lose his temper - it is very unlike him to do so. Taking a breath and slowing his thoughts down to half their speed, Alexander begins to pace beneath the shadow of Eden's tree. All he has to do is be patient.

[D20ragon]

And we're all sure that's going to work out just fabulous.
A sneering voice cuts through your mind like acid eating through steel.
Please, kid. All knowing, all seeing sound familiar? Yeah, that's us. I'm sorry, but you'll have to do a bit better then that.
The voice wraps around you like a serpent, sinking it's fangs into your thoughts. Your head throbs, a migraine wracking it.

[ArlEammon]

Jake simply looked towards Revel, hoping to find out this enemy so he could confront it. He still wasn't sure what was going on. "Revel huh? Revel, that's a word that sounds like Old English. Not rebel, Revel. Hmmm. . . "Please show yourself, Revel." Jake stated as a question.

[3SecondCultist]

The moment this new presence enters his mind, Alexander goes into full battle mode. He compounds atium along with the base mental metals, speeding up his thought processes to just beyond light speed while anticipating the next hundred moves his opponent will make while in his mindscape. Thankfully, Sylar's wonderful power of intuition allows him to keep up with the changes as they come. The migraine is admittedly annoying, but his regenerative abilities keep the worst of the pain at bay. He does not try to break free of this new power right away, but forms his mind into a perfectly smooth sphere with no angles of attack. This way, he can launch any attacks outward while still maintaining an optimized defense.

That ploy was a bit obvious, wasn't it? I apologize. But then again, it worked, did it not? Here you are, with me.

[Sen isSaqqara]

Fine. I can deal with that. It's not ideal, but I can deal with it. Thank you for your help, time.
Rob takes one last look around the closet, then steps into the shadow of one of the musical instruments in the corner, muttering to himself in Latin. A moment later, he reappears in the shadowed corner of his room, stepping forth from the darkness in a suitably dramatic manner. It is, of course, wasted, as nobody is there. Only the simulacra he left to watch the room waits for him, and he reabsorbs it.

Hey War. I've got a question for you. Well, two questions, really. Firstly: do you have any idea where Logic might be? I figure that as your aspect is influenced in a significant part by all the strategy and tactics and whatnot, you might know...

As he waits for a response, Rob walks back through his room's main door, back to the ship's common room.

[Tris]

"Well, that was easy" Travis says. The sword he was using clangs on the floor as he discards it. Then, he takes a hold of the Master Sword and raises it up in front of him. The cold steel of the blade in infused with power and seems to glow with a pale blue. "Perfect" he says. It is great to be holding this familiar magic sword. Then, he hangs the scabbard on his back and sheaths the blade. Next, he lifts the Hylian Shield and holds it in front of himself, refamiliarizing himself with his old shield. He also puts this on his back. Having finished that business, he asks the ship, "Could you take me back to others please?"

[D20ragon]

Wolverine starts his train of thought, realizes where's he's going, and just gets annoyed.
'How much longer?'
'.... Maybe a minute if we go through walls, one and half if we avoid them.'
'Ok... Walls.'
Erik blows through another house, it collapses in his wake as he makes a beeline for Revel.
'Lock me up if you need to.'
'I will. I don't exactly want him supplying Jean even if I could take her. I'll just be glad Six here isn't at risk.'

Ooh! That's an idea! How'd you like to see Jean again, lover boy?


Jake simply looked towards Revel, hoping to find out this enemy so he could confront it. He still wasn't sure what was going on. "Revel huh? Revel, that's a word that sounds like Old English. Not rebel, Revel. Hmmm. . . "Please show yourself, Revel." Jake stated as a question.

Why?


The moment this new presence enters his mind, Alexander goes into full battle mode. He compounds atium along with the base mental metals, speeding up his thought processes to just beyond light speed while anticipating the next hundred moves his opponent will make while in his mindscape. Thankfully, Sylar's wonderful power of intuition allows him to keep up with the changes as they come. The migraine is admittedly annoying, but his regenerative abilities keep the worst of the pain at bay. He does not try to break free of this new power right away, but forms his mind into a perfectly smooth sphere with no angles of attack. This way, he can launch any attacks outward while still maintaining an optimized defense.

That ploy was a bit obvious, wasn't it? I apologize. But then again, it worked, did it not? Here you are, with me.

Fine. See if I care.
The voice retreats from your head and becomes audible, the sibilant accent twisting through your ears.
And it's not like I haven't been here all along. Of course I have! Were you go, I go, Alex. And I admit, you've become so much more fascinating of late.


Fine. I can deal with that. It's not ideal, but I can deal with it. Thank you for your help, time.
Rob takes one last look around the closet, then steps into the shadow of one of the musical instruments in the corner, muttering to himself in Latin. A moment later, he reappears in the shadowed corner of his room, stepping forth from the darkness in a suitably dramatic manner. It is, of course, wasted, as nobody is there. Only the simulacra he left to watch the room waits for him, and he reabsorbs it.

Hey War. I've got a question for you. Well, two questions, really. Firstly: do you have any idea where Logic might be? I figure that as your aspect is influenced in a significant part by all the strategy and tactics and whatnot, you might know...

As he waits for a response, Rob walks back through his room's main door, back to the ship's common room.

Logic is always were it makes most sense for it to be.
So, where's that? Logically, if you were looking for someone and can't find them, were would they be?
This is a rather good lesson in the nature of Powers, actually. Try and figure it out, it'll help you in the long run.
Ask if you get stuck.


"Well, that was easy" Travis says. The sword he was using clangs on the floor as he discards it. Then, he takes a hold of the Master Sword and raises it up in front of him. The cold steel of the blade in infused with power and seems to glow with a pale blue. "Perfect" he says. It is great to be holding this familiar magic sword. Then, he hangs the scabbard on his back and sheaths the blade. Next, he lifts the Hylian Shield and holds it in front of himself, refamiliarizing himself with his old shield. He also puts this on his back. Having finished that business, he asks the ship, "Could you take me back to others please?"

Lollipop doesn't even bother herself with theatrics this time, merely sending you to Sigil with a bored "Pop"

[Erik Vale]

Six slows as he approaches a row of reinforced houses, after a moment he begins going around them looking for a alley way or something.
'Try it Revel, see where it get's you.'
'Wolverine, I know we're just projections of simulcr- Why are we climbing? Just project past. Anyhow, let's not taunt the power-killing power please.'
'She's dead it-'
'Is a power currently in a universe where death is cheap. As soon as he calls on a cleric of Sune he could have Jean right next to him, trust me. And it'd be only moments later if he contacted some other clerics... Where are monks when you need them?'
With that, the projection flickers out of existance, then back in, and out, and in, and out. Each time the Simulcra appears closer to Revel then before.

[3SecondCultist]

"Ah. I thought I killed you, Light? Or at least, I assumed you were no longer in the proverbial picture." Alexander isn't sure whether to be satisfied or annoyed with this development. Don't any of these Powers stay dead? It seems as though his intuition doesn't apply to their rules, and Alexander realizes just how much this irritates him. He is used to knowing how everything works. This new state, this unknown, is frankly quite bewildering.

[D20ragon]

Six slows as he approaches a row of reinforced houses, after a moment he begins going around them looking for a alley way or something.
'Try it Revel, see where it get's you.'
'Wolverine, I know we're just projections of simulcr- Why are we climbing? Just project past. Anyhow, let's not taunt the power-killing power please.'
'She's dead it-'
'Is a power currently in a universe where death is cheap. As soon as he calls on a cleric of Sune he could have Jean right next to him, trust me. And it'd be only moments later if he contacted some other clerics... Where are monks when you need them?'
With that, the projection flickers out of existance, then back in, and out, and in, and out. Each time the Simulcra appears closer to Revel then before.

The sound and laughter grow louder and louder the closer you get, till finally they are overwhelming, chatter and screams of pleasure and pain, laughter rolling though all of it.
You stop in a large clearing, all the buildings which once stood there reduced to rubble, or pushed aside.
A huge circus tent stands there now, of as many different shades and hues as you can imagine.
Throngs of people mill around, laughing, talking and dancing.


"Ah. I thought I killed you, Light? Or at least, I assumed you were no longer in the proverbial picture." Alexander isn't sure whether to be satisfied or annoyed with this development. Don't any of these Powers stay dead? It seems as though his intuition doesn't apply to their rules, and Alexander realizes just how much this irritates him. He is used to knowing how everything works. This new state, this unknown, is frankly quite bewildering.

Light? Oh no. I'm a bit more personal to you, more close to your heart. Don't you know me?

[DoctorFaust]

"It means to party, basically. Now follow after Diarmuid, for chrissake. I don't even want to think about what would happen if Pain dies. Crudely put, but correct. It would undoubtedly wreck untold havoc on the omniverse," they shout back at Jake. "So turn up the crowbegotten speed and follow after us."

"And Desire, or Revel, or whatever your puffed up ego makes you call yourself in this universe, hear me well. Slaughter perished under my blades. So I'd like to see what a puffed up frat boy like yourself can do."

But...

I know, but don't say anything. And manifest your amulet. I get the feeling we're going to need it

So when Diarmiud lands besides Erik, the outline of a silver foxhead begins to burnish itself onto the breastplate of his armor as he draws his spears and shifts his swords for an easier draw. "Boldly they rode and well, into the jaws of death, into the mouth of hell, rode well, three."

[ArlEammon]

Why?
"Revel, it's quite simple, I want to discuss something important with you. It's true that talking is boring, but it's more fun if I get to see you while we talk, and our discussion would be VERY important."

[3SecondCultist]

Not Light? Alexander grits his teeth inwardly, but says nothing. He anticipates the Power picking up on it, as they often do, but already has half a dozen defense strategies. He knows that although the more outward struggle is over, social interaction is as much of a battle. There are opponents, usually some form of rule system, and a mostly clear winner and loser. He intends to be the former, and not the latter.

"Well I'm not going to play twenty questions, so you will just have to tell me who you are. But since you're here, can you answer some questions? I have a few things I'd like to discuss with you."

[Dorian Gray]

"Thanks, man! I appreciate it!"
As the cab slows to a stop, James steps out, looking up and down the street. Leisurely, he walks south and steps into a small thrift shop. The shoes and the coat first... the portrait can come later.

[Sen isSaqqara]

Alright. I'll think it over for a while. In the meantime, though, second question: You summoned up Victory on the battlefield earlier. I don't suppose you know where she is? We could certainly use her help.

[Tris]

[The streets of Sigil]
Travis is startled when instead of appearing on the deck of the ship, he finds himself in some abandoned city. He reaches out with his mind to see if he can sense the presence of any other minds.

[Erik Vale]

"Can you possibly sound any stranger? Doesn't matter. I won't be hear that much longer."
"So are we watching for friendly fire?"
"More dominated. But letting god sort them out and those who ca afford resurection works. Anyone here is either very thoroughly dominated and was from the start, or is among the very stupid who stayed once things started going crazy. If we're lucky, not too many epics. I figure that I'll be going reformater hunting as soon as the actual's projection arrives... I hope they've been busy with the idea share... Anyhow..."
"Well how about we don't be stupid and switch out early."
"Smart. Anyhow, let's jump on the loud speakers so that actual doesn't have quite so much pushing to do-"
"Seeking presence, repelling!"

Travis feels his mind strongly rebuffed from a mind at the edge of a see of minds, being told to shut down his search for his own safety... And given directions for aproaching... Which some up to follow the path of destroyed buildings to the huge tent surrounded by them.

"Done... Ok then... We ready?"
"Ready enough."
Erik takes a deep breath, his AI turning up his suit speakers as much as possible before bellowing at the top of his lungs into the crowd surrounding the tent.
"MAKE WAY!"

[Tris]

As Travis starts to follow the directions, he says, "Lollipop? Why did you take me here? Where am I?"

[D20ragon]

"It means to party, basically. Now follow after Diarmuid, for chrissake. I don't even want to think about what would happen if Pain dies. Crudely put, but correct. It would undoubtedly wreck untold havoc on the omniverse," they shout back at Jake. "So turn up the crowbegotten speed and follow after us."

"And Desire, or Revel, or whatever your puffed up ego makes you call yourself in this universe, hear me well. Slaughter perished under my blades. So I'd like to see what a puffed up frat boy like yourself can do."

But...

I know, but don't say anything. And manifest your amulet. I get the feeling we're going to need it

So when Diarmiud lands besides Erik, the outline of a silver foxhead begins to burnish itself onto the breastplate of his armor as he draws his spears and shifts his swords for an easier draw. "Boldly they rode and well, into the jaws of death, into the mouth of hell, rode well, three."

Slaughter... Dead? Not you too with the jokes! I swear, your team is better then a barrel full of monkeys high on coke!
The voice of Revel is silent for a moment.
Then it blares back, the sultry voice of seductress and the fast patter of a ringmaster all at once.
Boldly, eh? You like being bold? Being hero? How'd you like to be the biggest hero there was?
Would ya? Of course you would!


"Revel, it's quite simple, I want to discuss something important with you. It's true that talking is boring, but it's more fun if I get to see you while we talk, and our discussion would be VERY important."

BORING!
I don't do boring. I'd much rather do this!
Surprise!

A squealing and chittering fills the air as 25 dolphins in tutus and the faces of the US presidents fall from the sky, brandishing large pistols in their flippers.
The next moment, you're buried beneath the sweetest, stickiest whipped cream you can imagine, as all of the guns are let off at once.


Not Light? Alexander grits his teeth inwardly, but says nothing. He anticipates the Power picking up on it, as they often do, but already has half a dozen defense strategies. He knows that although the more outward struggle is over, social interaction is as much of a battle. There are opponents, usually some form of rule system, and a mostly clear winner and loser. He intends to be the former, and not the latter.

"Well I'm not going to play twenty questions, so you will just have to tell me who you are. But since you're here, can you answer some questions? I have a few things I'd like to discuss with you."

Oh Alex, I knew you'd need me in the end. That's why I stuck around, you know.
As for my name, it shouldn't surprise you.
I'm Betrayal! Now, what did you want to talk about? Tell me everything.


"Thanks, man! I appreciate it!"
As the cab slows to a stop, James steps out, looking up and down the street. Leisurely, he walks south and steps into a small thrift shop. The shoes and the coat first... the portrait can come later.

The bell above the door rings as you push the door open.
The shop is cluttered, the shelves dusty and fairly breaking with the weight of the items stacked upon them.
The light is a dim yellow one, the swaying bulb hanging by a wire.


Alright. I'll think it over for a while. In the meantime, though, second question: You summoned up Victory on the battlefield earlier. I don't suppose you know where she is? We could certainly use her help.

Yes, actually.
I don't think I could make her come if she didn't want to though. She is Victory, of course.
The last time I could manage it because of the medium, which, as you remember, was a War game.


"Can you possibly sound any stranger? Doesn't matter. I won't be hear that much longer."
"So are we watching for friendly fire?"
"More dominated. But letting god sort them out and those who ca afford resurection works. Anyone here is either very thoroughly dominated and was from the start, or is among the very stupid who stayed once things started going crazy. If we're lucky, not too many epics. I figure that I'll be going reformater hunting as soon as the actual's projection arrives... I hope they've been busy with the idea share... Anyhow..."
"Well how about we don't be stupid and switch out early."
"Smart. Anyhow, let's jump on the loud speakers so that actual doesn't have quite so much pushing to do-"
"Seeking presence, repelling!"

Travis feels his mind strongly rebuffed from a mind at the edge of a see of minds, being told to shut down his search for his own safety... And given directions for aproaching... Which some up to follow the path of destroyed buildings to the huge tent surrounded by them.

"Done... Ok then... We ready?"
"Ready enough."
Erik takes a deep breath, his AI turning up his suit speakers as much as possible before bellowing at the top of his lungs into the crowd surrounding the tent.
"MAKE WAY!"

Nobody listens. Your voice, while loud, only mingles with the tipsy shouts of those drinking, eating, dancing and having sex as they wait for the main event.


As Travis starts to follow the directions, he says, "Lollipop? Why did you take me here? Where am I?"

The silence you receive in return is almost smug, if silence can be such a thing.

[ArlEammon]

"Revel, I'm serious, I want to discuss an idea I have in mind. I'll make you an offer I can swear you won't refuse." Jake stated in all honesty.

[DoctorFaust]

"I do not wish to be a hero, of the kind that is sung about in legend and song, though that proved to be my fate. I only wished to serve Finn faithfully, as a true knight should. And light knows that I never wanted to be a bloody hero. Heroes die far to often. and way too bloody soon. All I wished, and all I ever wished, was for peace, and to live beside my wife in it. De duty of knights, or paladins, or cavaliers, or whatever you chose to call us, is not to be hero. It is to serve, and to serve well. It is to take the bullet when others will not. It is to look out at overwhelming odds, knowing you may fall, and going to meet dem anyway. And Revel, if you weren't such an anthropocentric bag of d!cks, you would know what poem I just quoted. And you would know that the five hundred did ride out, and ride well, they did so unwillingly."

[Tris]

Travis continues walking in the direction that he was directed.

[Erik Vale]

Six just shakes Erik's head at the crowd, half listening to the speech.
'Ramming Speed?'
'... May as well.'

A thing about Spartan's is that they accelerate extremely fast, and in their suits can move at speed equivalent to a car, whilst weighing much the same...
This means that Erik quickly carved a swath through the crowd by simply setting his shoulder and charging. Normally he would react nearly 3* faster than a normal human in spartan time, but with Aleandrea being anything but normal herself and being bolstered magically, if not through speed, combining with Six's incredible sense of balance, the high speed could easily be maintained...
This meant that with very little deviation, the projection of the simulacrum quite easily carved a almost straight line of broken bodies to revels tent at perhaps 50K/H... And in the small blank zone around the tent, that speed reached 60K/H.

[Sen isSaqqara]

That's fine. I'll make it my mission to convince her to our side while I think over your riddle. Where is she?

[3SecondCultist]

"Betrayal... I suppose you being here is just as fitting, in a way. I suppose I cannot trick you." As he speaks, Alexander gradually moves to position himself between Slaughter's physical form and the source of Betrayal's voice. He knows if the two Powers fight, there will be little he can do about it, but the least he can do is try to be ready for anything. Inwardly, he prepares his powers for combat. But on the outside, he brushes motes of dust off his long grey coat with an air of indifference. He must press his advantage - Slaughter will not wait long.

"I brought you here to talk about a plan of sorts. I want to discover what happened to all of you, to make you like this. It would appear that Slaughter here wishes that things went back to the way they were, before the Fall. I can accommodate his wishes as well as serving my own agenda, but I will need all the help I can get against my former companions. They are only ever a planar jaunt away, and have proven to be quite persistent in the past. Suffice it to say, they are a match even for my talents. I want to incorporate both of you within my own body. I have seen it done before, with another Power. It would take a strong force of will to hold both of your natures together within myself, but I assure you that I am more than up to the task. See for yourself if you don't believe me."

[D20ragon]

"Revel, I'm serious, I want to discuss an idea I have in mind. I'll make you an offer I can swear you won't refuse." Jake stated in all honesty.

More whipped cream sprays down your throat, causing you to sputter.
Fine then.
With a shout, a peal of laughter and a fanfare, Revel appears before you, in the form of a nude hermaphrodite wearing a beer hat.
What' s so ****ing important?!


"I do not wish to be a hero, of the kind that is sung about in legend and song, though that proved to be my fate. I only wished to serve Finn faithfully, as a true knight should. And light knows that I never wanted to be a bloody hero. Heroes die far to often. and way too bloody soon. All I wished, and all I ever wished, was for peace, and to live beside my wife in it. De duty of knights, or paladins, or cavaliers, or whatever you chose to call us, is not to be hero. It is to serve, and to serve well. It is to take the bullet when others will not. It is to look out at overwhelming odds, knowing you may fall, and going to meet dem anyway. And Revel, if you weren't such an anthropocentric bag of d!cks, you would know what poem I just quoted. And you would know that the five hundred did ride out, and ride well, they did so unwillingly."

I'm not a idiot. I know everyone who ever partied, and believe me, that's most people.
So yeah, I know the poem.
And what's your point? Just cause your all virtuous and **** doesn't mean you can't let it go once in a lifetime!


Six just shakes Erik's head at the crowd, half listening to the speech.
'Ramming Speed?'
'... May as well.'

A thing about Spartan's is that they accelerate extremely fast, and in their suits can move at speed equivalent to a car, whilst weighing much the same...
This means that Erik quickly carved a swath through the crowd by simply setting his shoulder and charging. Normally he would react nearly 3* faster than a normal human in spartan time, but with Aleandrea being anything but normal herself and being bolstered magically, if not through speed, combining with Six's incredible sense of balance, the high speed could easily be maintained...
This meant that with very little deviation, the projection of the simulacrum quite easily carved a almost straight line of broken bodies to revels tent at perhaps 50K/H... And in the small blank zone around the tent, that speed reached 60K/H.

The crowd pays no attention. To them, the broken bones and screams are just another part of the show.
The tent billows before you, it's opening inviting you in with billboards, posters, and neon lights.
"Right this way, Erik!"
"Come on in!"
"Drink till you die!"
And other messages flash before your eyes.


That's fine. I'll make it my mission to convince her to our side while I think over your riddle. Where is she?

Should be anywhere a contest of some sort was won.
Not hard to find her.


"Betrayal... I suppose you being here is just as fitting, in a way. I suppose I cannot trick you." As he speaks, Alexander gradually moves to position himself between Slaughter's physical form and the source of Betrayal's voice. He knows if the two Powers fight, there will be little he can do about it, but the least he can do is try to be ready for anything. Inwardly, he prepares his powers for combat. But on the outside, he brushes motes of dust off his long grey coat with an air of indifference. He must press his advantage - Slaughter will not wait long.

"I brought you here to talk about a plan of sorts. I want to discover what happened to all of you, to make you like this. It would appear that Slaughter here wishes that things went back to the way they were, before the Fall. I can accommodate his wishes as well as serving my own agenda, but I will need all the help I can get against my former companions. They are only ever a planar jaunt away, and have proven to be quite persistent in the past. Suffice it to say, they are a match even for my talents. I want to incorporate both of you within my own body. I have seen it done before, with another Power. It would take a strong force of will to hold both of your natures together within myself, but I assure you that I am more than up to the task. See for yourself if you don't believe me."

Interesting! What's the dental plan like?

[Sen isSaqqara]

Nothing more specific? Ah well.
Walking into the common room of the ship, Rob is only mildly surprised to find it mostly empty.
Ship, where have the others gone?

[ArlEammon]

"Alright. . . Revel, I think we should get something out of the open. I think that I can be of great use to you. I'm curious what would happen if you should get rid of the Lady, but, for some reason, I think you would be doing yourself a great disservice by doing so. Anyway, you could probably do a whole lot more for your goals if you would just use the Lady as an instrument rather than a tissue. It would be a shame if she would be just disposed with. Are you understanding what I'm saying?"

[3SecondCultist]

"Well as you are a Power, I can promise an interesting ride with little risk. My own powers are very good at protecting my body, or at least regenerating it from nothing if I so choose. Between Sylar, Alduin, and Rashek, my body is all but invulnerable to most avenues of attack. And my mind... I will be honest, my psychic abilities are not what they were. Nonetheless, I am quite adept when it comes to mental strategy. Rest assured that you will be kept safe." As he speaks, Alexander realizes just how much he means it. Someone who cannot be relied on to protect his allies is a poor companion indeed. His next inevitable thought is whether or not having Betrayal in his head is a good plan after all.

"Before we do this, I need an assurance from you. While inside, I will give you limited freedom, but you will try not to damage anything or access any sensitive material without my express permission. You will be a willing passenger. Think of it as a contract, if you wish."

[DoctorFaust]

Diarmuid jumps after Erik, sailing over the heads of the crowd, but it is Daniel's voice that comes from the body's mouth. "Yeah, we get it, Revel. You think that everyone should be partying, stoned, and drunk all the damn time. All play and no work, all that crap. I honestly don't give a single flying sh!t about debating philosophy with you right now. I'm just here to stop you from killing Pain like Slaughter did to Time. Speaking of..."

Death, is there any way that you could, maybe, stop Pain from dying? Or would that be outside of your control

[D20ragon]

Nothing more specific? Ah well.
Walking into the common room of the ship, Rob is only mildly surprised to find it mostly empty.
Ship, where have the others gone?

Sigil. Something about a crisis, I believe?


"Alright. . . Revel, I think we should get something out of the open. I think that I can be of great use to you. I'm curious what would happen if you should get rid of the Lady, but, for some reason, I think you would be doing yourself a great disservice by doing so. Anyway, you could probably do a whole lot more for your goals if you would just use the Lady as an instrument rather than a tissue. It would be a shame if she would be just disposed with. Are you understanding what I'm saying?"

Now that.... Confuses me. Pain is lame, stupid, and outdated.
Nobody wants pain! When you've got it, all you do is complain!
It's your life, it should be about pleasing you!
Out with pain, in with the party!


"Well as you are a Power, I can promise an interesting ride with little risk. My own powers are very good at protecting my body, or at least regenerating it from nothing if I so choose. Between Sylar, Alduin, and Rashek, my body is all but invulnerable to most avenues of attack. And my mind... I will be honest, my psychic abilities are not what they were. Nonetheless, I am quite adept when it comes to mental strategy. Rest assured that you will be kept safe." As he speaks, Alexander realizes just how much he means it. Someone who cannot be relied on to protect his allies is a poor companion indeed. His next inevitable thought is whether or not having Betrayal in his head is a good plan after all.

"Before we do this, I need an assurance from you. While inside, I will give you limited freedom, but you will try not to damage anything or access any sensitive material without my express permission. You will be a willing passenger. Think of it as a contract, if you wish."

Oh sure. Goes without saying.
I do hope that I'll be able to roam about your memories? Hands off of course. Just professional curiosity.
As for the rest, what's in it for you?
A contract generally has two sides.


Diarmuid jumps after Erik, sailing over the heads of the crowd, but it is Daniel's voice that comes from the body's mouth. "Yeah, we get it, Revel. You think that everyone should be partying, stoned, and drunk all the damn time. All play and no work, all that crap. I honestly don't give a single flying sh!t about debating philosophy with you right now. I'm just here to stop you from killing Pain like Slaughter did to Time. Speaking of..."

Death, is there any way that you could, maybe, stop Pain from dying? Or would that be outside of your control

No control, remember? I'm just an enabler.
Think of me as the switch on an electric chair.
Death makes no effort to conceal her bitterness.

[Erik Vale]

Aleandrea takes control, looking around, trying to isolate the Lady of Pain, or Revel, both of which had easy to remember faces.
'Come on out Revel, I thought this was supposed to be a party. Or are you always such a terrible host? I mean, I do want to have a great deal of fun with you?'
Aleandrea tries, but probably fails to sound as if she's affected by a heady dose of lust.

[Sen isSaqqara]

Thanks, ship. Send me over there, will you?

When he arrives in Sigil, Rob jumps into the air, soaring above the city. Briefly scanning the area with the Sight, he takes off towards the nearest or largest commotion.

[ArlEammon]

"Revel, I suppose you are right. I would like to make another offer then. I suppose that I have been missing out on something all my life. I would like to join you. What would you say to that?"

[3SecondCultist]

"If you will allow me to set up a few blocks beforehand, I will give you as much access as you please." He finds himself wondering if Betrayal finds him as interesting as he finds the Power.

"What's in it for me? Well, there are a few things you can offer me. The first and foremost is information, but the personal power you can bring to bear against those who stand in may would not go amiss." Alexander smiles knowingly. Betrayal would hardly be the most reliable of allies, but if his suspicions were right, there were but a few avenues.

"What about you, Slaughter? Can I convince you with a similar bargain? I assure you that I am looking for the same answers you are. And with our combined strength, we can backstab as many people as we can, and as brutally as possible." The smile has transformed into something far less attractive now, but the glint of pleasure in Alexander's eyes has grown to a slow-burning flame. He has not felt this way for a long time. In a flash, he feels out the containment facilities he has built in his mind. Predictably, both Sylar and Rashek were hard at work formulating their own plots to take over again. How tiresome. He sends a few mindquakes their way, building up a series of additional fortifications to keep the incarnations out of reach of his powers. If there's anything he has learned from those who have walked in his shadow, it is how to regulate his own thoughts.

[DoctorFaust]

Diarmuid falls from his glide in front of a large tents, pausing long enough to pull it out of the ground and offer hasty apologies to the couple he catches in medias res. Leaping away again with his cheeks bright crimson, he lands closer to the center of the compound and closes his eyes. Muttering, "Luck, if you're actually flamin' there, don't go away just yet. The dice can't stop rolling yet. Not while we're so close," he spins in a circle, stopping randomly, and leaps off in whatever direction he ends up facing.

[D20ragon]

Aleandrea takes control, looking around, trying to isolate the Lady of Pain, or Revel, both of which had easy to remember faces.
'Come on out Revel, I thought this was supposed to be a party. Or are you always such a terrible host? I mean, I do want to have a great deal of fun with you?'
Aleandrea tries, but probably fails to sound as if she's affected by a heady dose of lust.

Right here!
Revels screaming sobbing laughing voice is deafening at close quarters.
Now a man, now a woman, It stands on a pile of Christmas presents, wearing shoes with springs on them, a party hat, and lacy panties.
Now a man again, he's grown 4 arms, and is playing the trombone whilst caressing a nearby couple.


Thanks, ship. Send me over there, will you?

When he arrives in Sigil, Rob jumps into the air, soaring above the city. Briefly scanning the area with the Sight, he takes off towards the nearest or largest commotion.

That would be Revels circus. The sounds of fornication, drinking, music, laughter and a general good time being had can be heard even from your lofty position.


"Revel, I suppose you are right. I would like to make another offer then. I suppose that I have been missing out on something all my life. I would like to join you. What would you say to that?"

I say **** YES!


"If you will allow me to set up a few blocks beforehand, I will give you as much access as you please." He finds himself wondering if Betrayal finds him as interesting as he finds the Power.

"What's in it for me? Well, there are a few things you can offer me. The first and foremost is information, but the personal power you can bring to bear against those who stand in may would not go amiss." Alexander smiles knowingly. Betrayal would hardly be the most reliable of allies, but if his suspicions were right, there were but a few avenues.

"What about you, Slaughter? Can I convince you with a similar bargain? I assure you that I am looking for the same answers you are. And with our combined strength, we can backstab as many people as we can, and as brutally as possible." The smile has transformed into something far less attractive now, but the glint of pleasure in Alexander's eyes has grown to a slow-burning flame. He has not felt this way for a long time. In a flash, he feels out the containment facilities he has built in his mind. Predictably, both Sylar and Rashek were hard at work formulating their own plots to take over again. How tiresome. He sends a few mindquakes their way, building up a series of additional fortifications to keep the incarnations out of reach of his powers. If there's anything he has learned from those who have walked in his shadow, it is how to regulate his own thoughts.

Persuasive argument. I think I'll stick around...
Slaughter snarls.
I'll come along, I suppose, but I won't be cooped up in your mind.


Diarmuid falls from his glide in front of a large tents, pausing long enough to pull it out of the ground and offer hasty apologies to the couple he catches in medias res. Leaping away again with his cheeks bright crimson, he lands closer to the center of the compound and closes his eyes. Muttering, "Luck, if you're actually flamin' there, don't go away just yet. The dice can't stop rolling yet. Not while we're so close," he spins in a circle, stopping randomly, and leaps off in whatever direction he ends up facing.

The big top lies open before you as it was for Erik, the signs having changed to accommodate your name instead.
Aggravatingly enough, there does seem to be a peep show featuring Jean Grey.


Travis continues walking in the direction that he was directed.

The sounds of the circus was over you with every step you take, growing louder until all you can hear is the noise of Revels domain.

[ArlEammon]

"I would like to see the Lady of Pain, Lord Revel, please take me to her! I would like to watch this thing first hand." Jacob waited for Revel to make his move.

[DoctorFaust]

Diarmuid slices through the silk roof into the big-top, landing in a crouch in front of Revel. "While I appreciate the offer of the show, I think I'm going to have to take a rain check. Right now, we need to settle. You want to kill Pain. I don't want you to kill Pain. So, I propose a trade. Me for her. Four lives for one. You can take my body, use it for whatever you like. Shunt any pain off onto my mind, so that you wouldn't feel a thing even if you cut off your own arm. Use me as a toy, a punching bag, as whatever the hell you want. Just let Pain and Erik walk out of here. So what say you, Revel?"

Daniel, his personality still covered by Diarmuid's, shoves his thoughts out towards Erik. Start funneling magic now. I've got a plan.

[Sen isSaqqara]

Rob looks it over from the air, carefully taking in each part of the circus. From his position in the air, he lets out a quick, derisive 'heh', then places a carefully fabricated grin on his face. Landing behind an unoccupied structure, he makes his way to the nearest participant, ignoring whatever it is they're up to.

"So who's in charge here?" he asks, speaking in such a way that he's really addressing the crowd at large, "Whoever set this up, I'd like to buy the guy a drink!"

[D20ragon]

"I would like to see the Lady of Pain, Lord Revel, please take me to her! I would like to watch this thing first hand." Jacob waited for Revel to make his move.

Sure thing, buddy!
The whipped cream around you swirls upward, carrying you to the big top in a whirlwind of fluffy dairy.


Diarmuid slices through the silk roof into the big-top, landing in a crouch in front of Revel. "While I appreciate the offer of the show, I think I'm going to have to take a rain check. Right now, we need to settle. You want to kill Pain. I don't want you to kill Pain. So, I propose a trade. Me for her. Four lives for one. You can take my body, use it for whatever you like. Shunt any pain off onto my mind, so that you wouldn't feel a thing even if you cut off your own arm. Use me as a toy, a punching bag, as whatever the hell you want. Just let Pain and Erik walk out of here. So what say you, Revel?"


Daniel, his personality still covered by Diarmuid's, shoves his thoughts out towards Erik. Start funneling magic now. I've got a plan.

You confuse me. What does the universe gain if I kill you? You'd have no fun, the party would suck, we'd all feel bad. But if I kill Pain, only she's got to feel bad, and then everyone's happy, all the time!


Rob looks it over from the air, carefully taking in each part of the circus. From his position in the air, he lets out a quick, derisive 'heh', then places a carefully fabricated grin on his face. Landing behind an unoccupied structure, he makes his way to the nearest participant, ignoring whatever it is they're up to.

"So who's in charge here?" he asks, speaking in such a way that he's really addressing the crowd at large, "Whoever set this up, I'd like to buy the guy a drink!"

That'd be me!
Revel beams down at you, one of her bodies appearing in front of you as an catgirl clad in a tuxedo.
Feel free to buy me a drink anytime!

[3SecondCultist]

Alexander thinks something to himself, a private thought that passes even before Betrayal begins to settle himself within the Namer's mind. It is high time he left this place.

With Glaistig Uaine helping him once more, Alexander steps out into the void that is the space surrounding the Eye of Terror. Truly, this place is aptly named. The gods of Chaos make their home here, and he finds himself swayed by the horrific miasma of it all. Maybe here, he can get some answers about the Powers.

[DoctorFaust]

"Revel, pain is what defines us. If there was no pain, there would be no sensation. No feeling of the earth beneath our feet. No gentle caress of a lovers embrace. No joyful burn from hard work done well, or to tell us where our limits are and how to move beyond them. No sting from a clawing in the heat of passion. Tell me you have never taken pleasure from pain, Revel, and I will call you a liar," Diarmuid says, eying Erik pointedly.

"But I am attempting to debate a force of reality once more. Which even Stupidity itself would know not to do. So, Revel, I ask of you, ask twice, and yea, a third time. Release Pain, and do not bother the Lady any further. And 'sides, who said anything about killing me. I offered you my body to do whatever the hell you wanted to with. That includes foisting off any pain you feel onto me. I sincerely doubt you would feel anything is you killed me, anyway. Well, besides Diarmuid's spear in your crotch, but that's a natural result of trying to kill me."

Crap, Death, forgot to ask you something. Well, two things, really. If any of the other Namers try to come through, point them in our direction. And second, if I do... ah, damn it. Never mind.

[Sen isSaqqara]

"Awe, man," says Rob, barely able to contain his laughter, "Wait, really? No... Wow. You really go straight for a guy's weak spot, don't you."


Really?
Of course not. I'm just f**kin' with him. Or her. Or it.

"So about that drink. I can hardly go buying drinks for pretty girls whose names I don't even know. Who are you?"

[Dorian Gray]

James wanders through the shop, grabbing objects seemingly at random. An old, tattered coat and a bowler hat find their way into his arms, as well as a dark brown cane. A watch. A broken hand-mirror. After a while, he makes his way up to the counter. "I need these. What do you want for them?"
OOC: Sorry for not posting- I've just been... meh. Goddamn teachers.

[D20ragon]

"Revel, pain is what defines us. If there was no pain, there would be no sensation. No feeling of the earth beneath our feet. No gentle caress of a lovers embrace. No joyful burn from hard work done well, or to tell us where our limits are and how to move beyond them. No sting from a clawing in the heat of passion. Tell me you have never taken pleasure from pain, Revel, and I will call you a liar," Diarmuid says, eying Erik pointedly.

"But I am attempting to debate a force of reality once more. Which even Stupidity itself would know not to do. So, Revel, I ask of you, ask twice, and yea, a third time. Release Pain, and do not bother the Lady any further. And 'sides, who said anything about killing me. I offered you my body to do whatever the hell you wanted to with. That includes foisting off any pain you feel onto me. I sincerely doubt you would feel anything is you killed me, anyway. Well, besides Diarmuid's spear in your crotch, but that's a natural result of trying to kill me."

Crap, Death, forgot to ask you something. Well, two things, really. If any of the other Namers try to come through, point them in our direction. And second, if I do... ah, damn it. Never mind.
Still no deal. Why don't you just join me, like Jacob? He's got the right idea.
Oh, and Death? Total lame-ass. Kills the party every time. Thanks for reminding me, I should kill her too.


"Awe, man," says Rob, barely able to contain his laughter, "Wait, really? No... Wow. You really go straight for a guy's weak spot, don't you."


Really?
Of course not. I'm just f**kin' with him. Or her. Or it.

"So about that drink. I can hardly go buying drinks for pretty girls whose names I don't even know. Who are you?"

I'm Revel, the Nights best Queen, and Mistress of the Gala.
She winks at you.
May I have this dance?


James wanders through the shop, grabbing objects seemingly at random. An old, tattered coat and a bowler hat find their way into his arms, as well as a dark brown cane. A watch. A broken hand-mirror. After a while, he makes his way up to the counter. "I need these. What do you want for them?"
OOC: Sorry for not posting- I've just been... meh. Goddamn teachers.

The old man looks up from his paper, smoke from his pipe streaming around his head, eyes glowing like hot coals in the dim room.
"Oh, just your soul should be enough."

[Tris]

Travis stops walking. He shouts, "What is going on here?!" If he sees anyone, he approaches them.

OOC: What are my surroundings at the moment?

[DoctorFaust]

"Revel, in the words of Czernobog, f*ck you, f*ck your mother, and f*ck the f*cking horse that you f*cking rode in on. I'd rather eat my own d!ck and die than join up with someone who wants to kill a force of reality. But if it'll keep you away from Death, I will."

[ArlEammon]

Jacob went to the Queen of Pain and looked for her . . . interesting. He surveyed his surroundings, looking for whatever was available. "Queen of Pain, where are you?" Jake asked.

[Dorian Gray]

A voice rises unbidden from within James's throat. "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice..."
The bandages around James's hands shift and twirl, tightening until no skin is visible. "In this city, there are laws against unreasonable clauses to contracts. You can feel free to try to bargain my soul away from me, but I have become very familiar with the rights I am owed."
James smiles. "I can tell you where to get the best pizza in the five boroughs, though."

[Sen isSaqqara]

"I'm afraid not," replies Rob, "I'm here on business at the moment, but the sooner I finish with that the sooner I can join you." Gesturing to one side, he draws Revel into a more private space to talk. When he does, it is with an air of bored formality transitioning into a more suggestively interested tone.
"My name is Rob deSaqqara. I am the seventh, and the watcher. I'm here looking for some... acquaintances of mine. Powerful namers, no doubt running around causing trouble. I'm here to keep them under control, more or less. If you've seen them around, I'll head over and round them up. Then perhaps we can get to that dance?"

[D20ragon]

Travis stops walking. He shouts, "What is going on here?!" If he sees anyone, he approaches them.

OOC: What are my surroundings at the moment?

Nobody listens to you, too busy enjoying themselves.
Ruins of buildings form a vast wall around a huge circus, shattered and sagging walls encircling tents overflowing with people engaged in every pleasurable activity they can manage to do at once.


"Revel, in the words of Czernobog, f*ck you, f*ck your mother, and f*ck the f*cking horse that you f*cking rode in on. I'd rather eat my own d!ck and die than join up with someone who wants to kill a force of reality. But if it'll keep you away from Death, I will."

Hypocrite Revel says laughingly.
But I won't hold it against you.
Oh, and sure! I'll stay away from Death if you'll join me! Why not?


Jacob went to the Queen of Pain and looked for her . . . interesting. He surveyed his surroundings, looking for whatever was available. "Queen of Pain, where are you?" Jake asked.
Oh, she's right here.
Revels voice echoes and screeches from a thousand thousand surround sound speakers.
You are standing on a tall column raised high above the swirling masses of people on the seats below.
The Lady of Pain is nowhere to be found. In the center of the floor, a huge vat full of lava, acid, poison, octopuses and sharks stands menacingly.
A diving board is suspended high above by means of magic, rotating slowly in midair.


A voice rises unbidden from within James's throat. "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice..."
The bandages around James's hands shift and twirl, tightening until no skin is visible. "In this city, there are laws against unreasonable clauses to contracts. You can feel free to try to bargain my soul away from me, but I have become very familiar with the rights I am owed."
James smiles. "I can tell you where to get the best pizza in the five boroughs, though."

"Eh, fair enough."
The man shrugs his broad shoulders, chuckling into his beard.
"I haven't had a decent slice in... Well, a long time, I'd say. Care to join me? Good company is even harder to find then pizza."


"I'm afraid not," replies Rob, "I'm here on business at the moment, but the sooner I finish with that the sooner I can join you." Gesturing to one side, he draws Revel into a more private space to talk. When he does, it is with an air of bored formality transitioning into a more suggestively interested tone.
"My name is Rob deSaqqara. I am the seventh, and the watcher. I'm here looking for some... acquaintances of mine. Powerful namers, no doubt running around causing trouble. I'm here to keep them under control, more or less. If you've seen them around, I'll head over and round them up. Then perhaps we can get to that dance?"

Oh, certainly. One's over above the Pool of Death, the others somewhere outside, and the others should be somewhere in the tent.
Is that good enough?

[DoctorFaust]

"...I'm sorry, but I've thought of a better way. I'm sorry, I truly am. I am so, so sorry."

Daniel moves faster than he ever has before, closing the distance between himself and the Power, sending his red spear hurtling towards Revel's thigh, drawing Durendal, and slamming it up against Revel's throat, all in the same second.

"You want to dance? Let's f*cking dance," he snarls, pressing the sword harder and harder into where the throat of Revel's current form should be.

[D20ragon]

Fine! I like dancing! But why so intense?
Revel takes you hands, forcing them into hers, pressing her body against yours as you waltz across the tent.

[ArlEammon]

"Where is the Lady of Pain of Sigil?" Jake asked. "I do not see her. Could you please allow me to give her a good piece of my mind. I have been waiting to explain to her how much she has displeased me." Jake stated, careful to guard his mind with a half truth in order to protect himself from Revel finding his true motives.

[DoctorFaust]

Daniel falls easily into the waltz after taking the time to lop the one of Revel's hands that was grabbing at Durendal. "Well," he replies with an air of complete calm, "I've always been told that you shouldn't fight to win the first battle, but all the ones after it. So, you're going to let Pain, Erik, and Jacob walk out of here unharmed. Then you're going to give me three very good reasons not to kill this fragment of yourself right here. This I demand of you, not once, nor twice, but thrice."

With the last few words, Daniel shoves his will against that of the Power, using the Force to try and plant the suggestion deep into its mind.

[Sen isSaqqara]

"Oh, that's fine. I'm guessing you're watching them right now, aren't you? As long as you keep them safe and out of trouble, it would appear that my work here is done. I'm sort of contractually obligated to end anyone who hurts them or their companions, and that would put a bit of a damper on the party, so it is to be avoided. Now, why don't you tell me a bit more about what's going on here as you show me to the dancefloor?"

[D20ragon]

"Where is the Lady of Pain of Sigil?" Jake asked. "I do not see her. Could you please allow me to give her a good piece of my mind. I have been waiting to explain to her how much she has displeased me." Jake stated, careful to guard his mind with a half truth in order to protect himself from Revel finding his true motives.
I'd really rather not. It'd ruin the surprise! I can tell you one thing, though.
She isn't in a head of cabbage.


Daniel falls easily into the waltz after taking the time to lop the one of Revel's hands that was grabbing at Durendal. "Well," he replies with an air of complete calm, "I've always been told that you shouldn't fight to win the first battle, but all the ones after it. So, you're going to let Pain, Erik, and Jacob walk out of here unharmed. Then you're going to give me three very good reasons not to kill this fragment of yourself right here. This I demand of you, not once, nor twice, but thrice."

With the last few words, Daniel shoves his will against that of the Power, using the Force to try and plant the suggestion deep into its mind.
Oh, sure. I can do that. Pain, Erik, and Jacob will all leave, no problem.
Now, just shut up and enjoy the moment Revel scolds, her four arms becoming one again, and a evening dress replacing her stripper outfit.



"Oh, that's fine. I'm guessing you're watching them right now, aren't you? As long as you keep them safe and out of trouble, it would appear that my work here is done. I'm sort of contractually obligated to end anyone who hurts them or their companions, and that would put a bit of a damper on the party, so it is to be avoided. Now, why don't you tell me a bit more about what's going on here as you show me to the dancefloor?"

Well, Revel says, taking your hand in her slightly furred one.
I'm holding a big party to celebrate the end of all pain, forever.
She giggles.
Sooo.... An average day, I guess? What's your story?

[DoctorFaust]

"Lady, Sir, whatever manner of being you call yourself, I would love to stay. I am sure that you would be an excellent host. However, there is a quote by a very old writer whom I enjoy immensely. And though I do kinda wish I didn't have to keep quoting people to get my point across, I will in this case." With a sigh, Daniel dips Revel, spinning her up after a long beat and pulling the Power close in to him.

"If you have to look along the shaft of an arrow from the wrong end, if a man has you entirely at his mercy, then hope like hell that man is an evil man. Because the evil like power, power over people, and they want to see you in fear. They want you to know you're going to die. So they'll talk. They'll gloat. They'll watch you squirm. They'll put off the moment of murder like another man will put off a good cigar. So hope like hell your captor is an evil man. A good man will kill you with hardly a word," he whispers in its ear. "I am not an evil man."

The golden spear of Diarmuid appears in his hand as if by magic, and he punches out twice, his fist a pink and gold blurr.

[3SecondCultist]

Well, you know what I seek, do you not? Betrayal, what kind of answers can you give us about the nature of these Powers? More pertinently, can you drive me towards where I can find more? I came here to the Eye of Terror, because I was looking for Fear and Chaos. If there was anywhere in this god-forsaken multiverse such entities would dwell, it would be here. Am I wrong?

[Tris]

Travis walks into the circus scene. What a crazy place this is. Everyone in this city seems to be here.

[Sen isSaqqara]

"Trust me, you wouldn't believe me if I told you. Besides, I'm going to hold on to that particular conversation topic for later, as it goes well with a good wine in a classy chair near the end of a party." He looks around at the eternal party surrounding them. "Though at this rate I suppose we'll never quite get there. But I digress! What were you saying about the end of pain? That sounded far more interesting."

[ArlEammon]

"Please Revel! I must insist! I just can't hold it all inside! There is so much that I want to say! Pleaaase!" Jake begged.

[D20ragon]

"Lady, Sir, whatever manner of being you call yourself, I would love to stay. I am sure that you would be an excellent host. However, there is a quote by a very old writer whom I enjoy immensely. And though I do kinda wish I didn't have to keep quoting people to get my point across, I will in this case." With a sigh, Daniel dips Revel, spinning her up after a long beat and pulling the Power close in to him.

"If you have to look along the shaft of an arrow from the wrong end, if a man has you entirely at his mercy, then hope like hell that man is an evil man. Because the evil like power, power over people, and they want to see you in fear. They want you to know you're going to die. So they'll talk. They'll gloat. They'll watch you squirm. They'll put off the moment of murder like another man will put off a good cigar. So hope like hell your captor is an evil man. A good man will kill you with hardly a word," he whispers in its ear. "I am not an evil man."

The golden spear of Diarmuid appears in his hand as if by magic, and he punches out twice, his fist a pink and gold blurr.
Revel gasps, then chokes on her own blood. She gazes up at you mournfully, then laughs a final time, spattering your face with her hot red blood.


Well, you know what I seek, do you not? Betrayal, what kind of answers can you give us about the nature of these Powers? More pertinently, can you drive me towards where I can find more? I came here to the Eye of Terror, because I was looking for Fear and Chaos. If there was anywhere in this god-forsaken multiverse such entities would dwell, it would be here. Am I wrong?
Seems reasonable, doesn't it?
Betrayal says off handedly.
You know, it's not like we're one happy family. I don't know where they are.
And given the... Ah... nature of my work, I don't get along to well with any of the other Powers. I can answer questions though. Hit me!


"Trust me, you wouldn't believe me if I told you. Besides, I'm going to hold on to that particular conversation topic for later, as it goes well with a good wine in a classy chair near the end of a party." He looks around at the eternal party surrounding them. "Though at this rate I suppose we'll never quite get there. But I digress! What were you saying about the end of pain? That sounded far more interesting."

Revel staggers for a moment, and coughs.
Well, for one, when Pain is gone, this won't hurt so ****ing much...
She mutters under her breath.
I'm awfully sorry about that. Anyway, yes, in what may have been a choice made while under the influence of alcohol, narcotics, or both, one of me seems to have taken it upon themselves to kill Pain.
That's why we're all here, you know. We invited ourselves, literally.
She giggles.


"Please Revel! I must insist! I just can't hold it all inside! There is so much that I want to say! Pleaaase!" Jake begged.

Hmmmmm.... How about.... No. Well, maybe. Would you owe me a favor?

[3SecondCultist]

The question tactic had yielded some results in the past, so Alexander complies to Betrayal's request happily. The more he knows about the Powers, the better equipped he will be.

"First of all, you can tell me everything you know about how you came to know yourself. Slaughter here told me a wonderful story, but you'll have to forgive me if I want a second opinion. What kind of apotheosis brought you out of the woodwork of existence, and into the blinding light of sentience? And how do you function? Normally, my intuition is second-to-none as a road map to understanding how things work, but my own gifts don't seem to apply here. What kind of powers do you, as Betrayal, possess? Are you under the constant compulsion to back-stab and overturn everything you see? What then happens to the act of betrayal itself? Can you betray that? If so, what happens?"

[DoctorFaust]

Daniel manages to take five shaky steps away from Revel's corpse before he bends over and violently loses what little he ate on the Lollipop. "F*ck me," he mutters, doing his best to scrub the vomit and blood off his face. "People have too much f*cking blood in them."

Casting his mind out, Daniel manages to steel his thoughts enough to sound normal for the time it takes to send out, Jake, Rob, Travis, James, Erin, somebody, just answer me and tell me where you are, for Christ's sake!

[ArlEammon]

Jake smiles and nods. "I owe plenty to you already, Revel!"

[D20ragon]

The question tactic had yielded some results in the past, so Alexander complies to Betrayal's request happily. The more he knows about the Powers, the better equipped he will be.

"First of all, you can tell me everything you know about how you came to know yourself. Slaughter here told me a wonderful story, but you'll have to forgive me if I want a second opinion. What kind of apotheosis brought you out of the woodwork of existence, and into the blinding light of sentience? And how do you function? Normally, my intuition is second-to-none as a road map to understanding how things work, but my own gifts don't seem to apply here. What kind of powers do you, as Betrayal, possess? Are you under the constant compulsion to back-stab and overturn everything you see? What then happens to the act of betrayal itself? Can you betray that? If so, what happens?"

Betrayal laughs, a highly unpleasant noise.
Well, you certainly know how to ask the right questions.
Now, let's see here.
I first became aware of what I was when I became a man called Judas. I rather promptly left that body as soon as it expired, and have been merely.... experiencing sentience for the last few... Months? Years?
You see, I don't appear to exist as a entity, rather, I inhabit all those who carry traitorous thoughts, and as of yet am incapable of leaving them.
I function.... As a living desire, you might say? Nothing's been able to harm me as of yet, and I don't have a physical body, thank god.
As Betrayal, I posses all the abilities of the traitor I inhabit, as long as they use them with backstabbing as the intent.
Yes, I do like to Betray everyone and everything, but I'm not stupid. I can pick and choose, at least a little.

It laughs again.
and for the last question, let's put it this way. If I could, I would.



Jake smiles and nods. "I owe plenty to you already, Revel!"
Hmmmmm... I'll think about it. Maybe you could cover me in whipped cream... Or ice cream. Iced whipped cream? Whipped ice cream! That'd just be soft serve, wouldn't it....
Anyway, then you could lick it off.

[ArlEammon]

"The Queen? Where is she?" Jake asked. "Oh, and I'll get to all that in a second. I need to see her!"

[D20ragon]

"The Queen? Where is she?" Jake asked. "Oh, and I'll get to all that in a second. I need to see her!"

Ruuuude
Revel sticks out her tongue.
What's she got that I haven't? I've got boobs. I think. Am I a guy right now? Oh, maybe. In that case, I've got a ****, and she doesn't. And her hair is all spikey. Mine is soft and strokeable.

[3SecondCultist]

A parasite. He lets the thought echo throughout his mindscape, hoping that the Power will hear him. It is not a term of disgust, just a statement of fact. He bears the Power no ill will - indeed, he seeks to foster Betrayal. The implications of everything that Betrayal has told him race around him, foremost of which is the fact that the Power sought him out, like it had Iscariot himself. According to Dante, Alexander had attracted the worst possible sin to himself. He smiles, for he knows now how far he has fallen. And I won't stop until Hell itself is behind me. At least when all of this is over, I can rest easy knowing that the suffering of its denizens has come to an end.

"So... you really are both Biblical then, aren't you? It is interesting that Slaughter is born of the Old Testament, while you are born of the New. What can we read about the nature of man from that, I wonder?" He pauses for a moment, the next step of his plan coming to him. This excursion will do him no good: he needs to go back to Eden. With little more than a thought, he stands beneath the shadow of the great tree once more.

"The next Power I'm after is Knowledge. Slaughter, you said that you were born at the moment of original sin. If the authorities really are true, then the moment of your creation came from eating of the fruit of this tree, and the pursuit of the knowledge of good and evil. I now pursue that same task. Help me find Knowledge, both of you, beyond what mere inquiries I can offer you in this mortal form."

[D20ragon]

A parasite. He lets the thought echo throughout his mindscape, hoping that the Power will hear him. It is not a term of disgust, just a statement of fact. He bears the Power no ill will - indeed, he seeks to foster Betrayal. The implications of everything that Betrayal has told him race around him, foremost of which is the fact that the Power sought him out, like it had Iscariot himself. According to Dante, Alexander had attracted the worst possible sin to himself. He smiles, for he knows now how far he has fallen. And I won't stop until Hell itself is behind me. At least when all of this is over, I can rest easy knowing that the suffering of its denizens has come to an end.

"So... you really are both Biblical then, aren't you? It is interesting that Slaughter is born of the Old Testament, while you are born of the New. What can we read about the nature of man from that, I wonder?" He pauses for a moment, the next step of his plan coming to him. This excursion will do him no good: he needs to go back to Eden. With only a step, he stands beneath the shadow of the great tree once more.

"The next Power I'm after is Knowledge. Slaughter, you said that you were born at the moment of original sin. If the authorities really are true, then the moment of your creation came from eating of the fruit of this tree, and the pursuit of the knowledge of good and evil. I now pursue that same task. Help me find Knowledge, both of you, beyond what mere inquiries I can offer you in this mortal form."

Now that, Slaughter says, breaking out of his reverie, Is extremely hard to do. I tried to kill that bastard more times then I care to remember. They know everything. They know why you're after them, and they know where to hide.
He lapses back into a sullen silence.

[ArlEammon]

"Well then use your head. Let's ask her to join us!" Jake suggested.

[3SecondCultist]

Alexander turns to Slaughter, his expression neutral. While he is delighted to hear that he seems to be on the right track, the rails don't seem to go anywhere pleasant. Chasing after a Power that does not want to be found is hardly the most appealing task, but there is a time for everything.

"Well then, it seems as though we have our work cut out for us. Let's start with some answers on your end. What kinds of places has Knowledge hidden in before? I'm not so slow as to suggest that a Power like that would hold to a pattern, but I would like to get a feel for my quarry. What else can you share about Knowledge?"

[silphael]

With two books under his arm, Ethan finally opened his mouth :

"Revel, if you destroy pain, what about sadistic people? What about the masochistic? What about Schadenfreude? Furthermore, pain is needed : people will hurt themself without even seeing it... And don't try it on me, I revel in tricksing people, I revel in twisting other's thoughts through my own!"

You mean, already? Before my appearance?

Nope, you are.

Wait, it's a plan to shut me down? Boy, you're a genius!

Holy crap, stop telling that!

[Sen isSaqqara]

"Interesting. But how do you plan to go about it? I don't suppose you've found Pain, have you? But even if you did, how do you plan on killing a Power like yourself? Understand, I ask only from an academic point of view."

[D20ragon]

"Well then use your head. Let's ask her to join us!" Jake suggested.
I'm fairly certain that I already told you I wanted to kill her. So why the **** would I want to join forces with a grade A bitch like her?
Revels voice is exaggerated, as if she was talking to a particularly stupid small child.


Alexander turns to Slaughter, his expression neutral. While he is delighted to hear that he seems to be on the right track, the rails don't seem to go anywhere pleasant. Chasing after a Power that does not want to be found is hardly the most appealing task, but there is a time for everything.

"Well then, it seems as though we have our work cut out for us. Let's start with some answers on your end. What kinds of places has Knowledge hidden in before? I'm not so slow as to suggest that a Power like that would hold to a pattern, but I would like to get a feel for my quarry. What else can you tell us about Knowledge?"

Only that They know everything. They don't tell us anymore then that, pretentious bastards.


With two books under his arm, Ethan finally opened his mouth :

"Revel, if you destroy pain, what about sadistic people? What about the masochistic? What about Schadenfreude? Furthermore, pain is needed : people will hurt themself without even seeing it... And don't try it on me, I revel in tricksing people, I revel in twisting other's thoughts through my own!"

You mean, already? Before my appearance?

Nope, you are.

Wait, it's a plan to shut me down? Boy, you're a genius!

Holy crap, stop telling that!

How many sadistic and masochistic folks are there compared to those who aren't? Last I checked, the difference was pretty large. And besides, a sadistic dude can still like ice cream. It's a sacrifice, but a small one.


"Interesting. But how do you plan to go about it? I don't suppose you've found Pain, have you? But even if you did, how do you plan on killing a Power like yourself? Understand, I ask only from an academic point of view."

Honestly, I don't know. It wasn't me who wanted to kill Pain, remember?

[ArlEammon]

"I'm sure you could convince her to have a romp with us! That's what I was talking about Revel!"

[DoctorFaust]

Daniel spits the last of the vomit from his mouth, standing back upright. "Well, if nobody is going to answer, I'll do this my way. Revel!" he yells. "Now that I have your attention, I would like to know what you did with Jacob and Pain. Neither of them are here, yet you promised that they would go free."

[D20ragon]

"I'm sure you could convince her to have a romp with us! That's what I was talking about Revel!"

Jake. Just because I like to have a good time, doesn't mean I'm going to invite the single most buzz killing person I know besides Death. And I only tolerate her because some of the afterlives rock. 72 virgins, amIright?



Daniel spits the last of the vomit from his mouth, standing back upright. "Well, if nobody is going to answer, I'll do this my way. Revel!" he yells. "Now that I have your attention, I would like to know what you did with Jacob and Pain. Neither of them are here, yet you promised that they would go free."
And then you killed her. Frankly, Daniel, that kind of puts a damper on any further interaction with us.
A small girl of 6 floats by you, suspended by 5 balloons. She is wearing a party hat, and licking the tallest ice cream you've ever seen.

[ArlEammon]

Jake. Just because I like to have a good time, doesn't mean I'm going to invite the single most buzz killing person I know besides Death. And I only tolerate her because some of the afterlives rock. 72 virgins, amIright?

"Who cares? Let's try to make her enjoy it? Haven't you realized by now that's it's best to make people see the way you do by force? Or else why are you doing this?'

[D20ragon]

"Who cares? Let's try to make her enjoy it? Haven't you realized by now that's it's best to make people see the way you do by force? Or else why are you doing this?'
Um. I care, Jake. Force can be fun, but only up to a certain point. I'm only doing this because I know that life would be more fun without worrying about getting hurt!

[DoctorFaust]

"Yes. I did. I was under the impression that I had made the deal with Revel as a whole, and not just the fragment of you that was here. Furthermore, considering the interactions I've had with you Powers to date, it seemed wise at the time. She had threatened my friends and myself, so I feel like there was some reason behind it. Besides, you try living with the ghost of an angry Sith lord in your head, see if it doesn't hamper your decision making skills some. If you would like compensation for my actions, I am willing to do what you wish," he says. Glancing at the floating child, he waves his hand in her direction, layering his voice thick with the Force.

"Once you let Pain go. Which you will."

[D20ragon]

Would if I could, mister, the girls says, looking regretfully down at you.
I'm only six, see? Not much I can do!

A tall woman advances towards you, green hair flying angrily out behind her, her long wedding dress swishing around her like a storm of silk.
How ****ing dare you? she snaps at you, smacking your face with the back of her hand.
Her wedding ring leaves a scratch.
Using the force on her! She's only a little girl, you bastard!

[ArlEammon]

Um. I care, Jake. Force can be fun, but only up to a certain point. I'm only doing this because I know that life would be more fun without worrying about getting hurt!

"People can get a lot more hurt than just feeling an owie." Jake made a point. "Not to mention, that without feeling an owie, you can run into a lot more buzzkill and problems than an end to the party. It can ruin your weekend. FOREVER!" He pointed out again.

[D20ragon]

"People can get a lot more hurt than just feeling an owie." Jake made a point. "Not to mention, that without feeling an owie, you can run into a lot more buzzkill and problems than an end to the party. It can ruin your weekend. FOREVER!" He pointed out again.

Oh, Shame and Sorrow will still be around, I guess. maybe I'll kill them later. But I still don't see why no pain is a bad thing.

[ArlEammon]

"It's not that absence of Pain is a bad thing, Revel. It's more like, Pain being necessary. Not always. It won't necessarily be needed or even acceptable in some places in this Megaverse. For one thing, Pain is needed for us, because even though we might have no need for it to be inside us, we will need to use it to protect ourselves from our enemies. You can't have a party if you're dead. If there's no Pain anywhere and won't ever be available, it's like throwing away a kind of food that's bad for you just because you shouldn't eat too much of it. It doesn't mean Pain feels good, but it does mean it's definitely nice to have at least some of the time."

"It's even more than that when you realize that, at least for you, Pain is actually something you can Revel in. Not necessarily in a masochistic way, although being you, you are certain entitled to that. Some people Revel in the fact that certain levels of pain indicate that they are making progress towards certain goals they need to achieve. Like, you know, reaching an experience level in a video game, or getting stronger in a gym by working out. You can party harder, and have a lot better time if you work out to make yourself stronger, healthier and more flexible. Pain makes these things easier to do if it exists."

"Furthermore, Pain might even have a place in our feelings, Revel. If you do something that makes someone else sad or gets you in trouble, having Pain could make it seem like you won't have fun again, but it's not true. If you have Pain, either figuratively or literally, you get stronger, you learn from your mistakes, and all of this makes it easier for you to have fun, and if for some reason it becomes impossible for you to have MORE fun, at least the Pain you've had in your past does two things. First of all, it makes the fun you've had have more meaning, and it makes the fun you are having even that much better."

"I"m just suggesting that, for all of our sakes, and your sake, that you consider ruling over your certain attribute a little bit more thoughtfully. Revel might be less mentally intensive when it's something you have. On the other hand, you can save yourself a lot of both shame, and disappointment, like you mentioned, if you would just try to make a place for it. You aren't making a place for it if you just erase too many challenges."

[DoctorFaust]

"I take it you are also Revel?" Daniel asks, rubbing his cheek. "I apologize for trying to influence you, but I was under the impression that you were essentially ageless. Am I still addressing the you that wants Pain dead, or do all of you want her dead?"

God, that was the weirdest sentence I have ever said.

[Sen isSaqqara]

"Well let's go find out then!" exclaims Rob, grasping Revel's paw and leading her into a dance. It is a dance of movement, a run where every footstep is carefully placed, twirling back and forth between party-goers and moving remarkably efficiently in one direction. "Lead away, party-cat-lady!"

[silphael]

Well, that one's kinda harsh, let's try that :

"Revel, let's make it simple : do not kill the messenger. Pain isn't the one to blame, it's simply the messenger whenever something turn awry. If you want to make her disappear, make... dunnow, Awry disappear? Because if you kill her we will just have no chance anymore to survive anything, hence no reveling anymore : she's kinda like your opposite : you hate each other yet cannot live without each other. An old couple, basically."

How old are you?

Reading a lot.

He keeps walking in the streets with his books under his arms.

[3SecondCultist]

"They? Is there more than one, or do they just not identify as a gender that you are aware of?" It is a strange phenomenon, these anthropomorphic entities taking on gender roles at the drop of the hat. Idly, Alexander wonders whether or not they were 'born' this way, or whether or not they choose their identities.

[D20ragon]

"It's not that absence of Pain is a bad thing, Revel. It's more like, Pain being necessary. Not always. It won't necessarily be needed or even acceptable in some places in this Megaverse. For one thing, Pain is needed for us, because even though we might have no need for it to be inside us, we will need to use it to protect ourselves from our enemies. You can't have a party if you're dead. If there's no Pain anywhere and won't ever be available, it's like throwing away a kind of food that's bad for you just because you shouldn't eat too much of it. It doesn't mean Pain feels good, but it does mean it's definitely nice to have at least some of the time."

"It's even more than that when you realize that, at least for you, Pain is actually something you can Revel in. Not necessarily in a masochistic way, although being you, you are certain entitled to that. Some people Revel in the fact that certain levels of pain indicate that they are making progress towards certain goals they need to achieve. Like, you know, reaching an experience level in a video game, or getting stronger in a gym by working out. You can party harder, and have a lot better time if you work out to make yourself stronger, healthier and more flexible. Pain makes these things easier to do if it exists."

"Furthermore, Pain might even have a place in our feelings, Revel. If you do something that makes someone else sad or gets you in trouble, having Pain could make it seem like you won't have fun again, but it's not true. If you have Pain, either figuratively or literally, you get stronger, you learn from your mistakes, and all of this makes it easier for you to have fun, and if for some reason it becomes impossible for you to have MORE fun, at least the Pain you've had in your past does two things. First of all, it makes the fun you've had have more meaning, and it makes the fun you are having even that much better."

"I"m just suggesting that, for all of our sakes, and your sake, that you consider ruling over your certain attribute a little bit more thoughtfully. Revel might be less mentally intensive when it's something you have. On the other hand, you can save yourself a lot of both shame, and disappointment, like you mentioned, if you would just try to make a place for it. You aren't making a place for it if you just erase too many challenges."

As for me, Jake? I'd rather have a painless struggle. I can be challenged without being hurt.
And if no one can get hurt, it's harder to hurt them.
You haven't persuaded me, Jake. I prefer a world without pain.
You see all these people?
Your vision swims unbidden, taking in the mad party around you, thousands of thousands having the time of their lives.
They all agree.


"I take it you are also Revel?" Daniel asks, rubbing his cheek. "I apologize for trying to influence you, but I was under the impression that you were essentially ageless. Am I still addressing the you that wants Pain dead, or do all of you want her dead?"

God, that was the weirdest sentence I have ever said.

Not all of us! How many 6 year old murderers do you know?
The woman spits angrily.
God. Some people are so goddamn insensitive.


"Well let's go find out then!" exclaims Rob, grasping Revel's paw and leading her into a dance. It is a dance of movement, a run where every footstep is carefully placed, twirling back and forth between party-goers and moving remarkably efficiently in one direction. "Lead away, party-cat-lady!"

Revel mews, then jumps 50 feet forward and up, landing on a tightrope, which sways alarmingly with the sudden impact.
Weeelllll....
She says, shading her eyes and glancing around for a few moments.
I'd say it probably has something to do with that.
A replica of the collisium, only around 500x the size sits in the distance, the ancient stone painted and graffitied until the original work is hardly visible.



Well, that one's kinda harsh, let's try that :

"Revel, let's make it simple : do not kill the messenger. Pain isn't the one to blame, it's simply the messenger whenever something turn awry. If you want to make her disappear, make... dunnow, Awry disappear? Because if you kill her we will just have no chance anymore to survive anything, hence no reveling anymore : she's kinda like your opposite : you hate each other yet cannot live without each other. An old couple, basically."

How old are you?

Reading a lot.

He keeps walking in the streets with his books under his arms.

I don't want to ****ing talk about it any more! We've gone over this!


They? Is there more than one, or do they just not identify as a gender that you are aware of? It is a strange phenomenon, these anthropomorphic entities taking on gender roles at the drop of the hat. Idly, Alexander wonders whether or not they were 'born' this way, or whether or not they choose their identities.

They have no gender we know of.
And the amount they know seems only capable of being contained in multiple minds; thus, They.

[DoctorFaust]

"Uh, about two hundred or so, I think. You would be surprised what a few thousand years of memories can give you examples of. So where are the other aspects that wish to kill Pain? I kinda want to talk to them, now that I've actually contained Revan."

[Sen isSaqqara]

Rob jumps up next to the tightrope, walking along on thin air at the same height as he gazes off towards the coliseum. "Perhaps we should head over that way, then. What do you think?" Turning back to Revel, he offers her his hand.

So. Opinions on this one?
Crazy. Not worth the trouble.
I honestly don't know what to make of all this. For the moment, I agree. She's clearly not playing with a full deck.
Hmn. I think she could be interesting. As long as we keep playing along...
My thoughts exactly. Heh. How about you two? War? Greed?

[3SecondCultist]

"Multiple minds? What can we surmise about that? The only way I can see us defeating Knowledge is through Ignorance, and I find myself hard pressed to believe that it would count among the ranks of your Powers. Besides which, I cannot see myself aligned with such a force, outside of a temporary partnership to attain Knowledge. And yet... in endless permutations of epistemology and teleological hierarchy, ignorance is often needed to bridge the gap between the self and a greater understanding. Plato will always need a Cave, just as Descartes will always need hyperbolic doubt. In all of these cases, a negative is required for a positive framework to be built. And so it is with Knowledge and Ignorance."

Alexander stares around at the shadow of Eden's great tree once more. He looks, perhaps in vain, for any traces of where an apple might have grown once. He does not really expect to find anything, but a hopeless search is better than none at all.

He smiles wickedly as he hears James' screams of agony from the special partition of his mind. Just because he has sent his empathic side to die doesn't mean he cannot derive any satisfaction from the process. The door has been left slightly ajar, and the agony that his counterpart undergoes fuels him. That hatred, that irrational disgust for weaker beings has lit a fire in Alexander's belly. The fact that he has no basis for his cruelty is sweeter still, as he soaks up every last ounce of James' pain.

Struggle all you want, pretender. You stole my body from me, and now you are paying the price. This is what comes of crossing Alexander Idrian.

[ArlEammon]

"Revel. I would rather be your friend than be anything else. I can only hope you are a cool person. Or, as I have found out, more than just a recent person who has never matured. Think about this Revel. Please, consider having the time of your life, a billion times over, rather than just having the figurative equal of a one night stand with Fate. I won't get in your way, if you would rather just have me leave. I cannot stand by and let you murder, even the Lady of Pain. Please reconsider, but if you do not, I would rather not see it."

[D20ragon]

"Uh, about two hundred or so, I think. You would be surprised what a few thousand years of memories can give you examples of. So where are the other aspects that wish to kill Pain? I kinda want to talk to them, now that I've actually contained Revan."
And I should tell you why? I'm afraid you don't make the most convincing argument, Mr. "I Drug Kids".


Rob jumps up next to the tightrope, walking along on thin air at the same height as he gazes off towards the coliseum. "Perhaps we should head over that way, then. What do you think?" Turning back to Revel, he offers her his hand.

So. Opinions on this one?
Crazy. Not worth the trouble.
I honestly don't know what to make of all this. For the moment, I agree. She's clearly not playing with a full deck.
Hmn. I think she could be interesting. As long as we keep playing along...
My thoughts exactly. Heh. How about you two? War? Greed?
Revel accepts the proffered hand coyly, grinning wider then a Cheshire Cat .

Of course!
Together, with her in the lead, you begin to navigate that tangle of electrical wires, tightropes, and girders that crisscrosses the top of the tent.


"Multiple minds? What can we surmise about that? The only way I can see us defeating Knowledge is through Ignorance, and I find myself hard pressed to believe that it would count among the ranks of your Powers. Besides which, I cannot see myself aligned with such a force, outside of a temporary partnership to attain Knowledge. And yet... in endless permutations of epistemology and teleological hierarchy, ignorance is often needed to bridge the gap between the self and a greater understanding. Plato will always need a Cave, just as Descartes will always need hyperbolic doubt. In all of these cases, a negative is required for a positive framework to be built. And so it is with Knowledge and Ignorance."

Alexander stares around at the shadow of Eden's great tree once more. He looks, perhaps in vain, for any traces of where an apple might have grown once. He does not really expect to find anything, but a hopeless search is better than none at all.

He smiles wickedly as he hears James' screams of agony from the special partition of his mind. Just because he has sent his empathic side to die doesn't mean he cannot derive any satisfaction from the process. The door has been left slightly ajar, and the agony that his counterpart undergoes fuels him. That hatred, that irrational disgust for weaker beings has lit a fire in Alexander's belly. The fact that he has no basis for his cruelty is sweeter still, as he soaks up every last ounce of James' pain.

Struggle all you want, pretender. You stole my body from me, and now you are paying the price. This is what comes of crossing Alexander Idrian.

Precisely. And as for Ignorance, It lives as I do in the hearts and minds of all beings.
However, the more knowledge you amass, the more ignorance shrinks, to the point of being undetectable.
And few have made contact with It, for in its great Ignorance, it knows nothing of us, or our desires.and therein lies our problem.
The apple tree is bare, save for a single branch, twisted and broken.
Ah, of course. The Apple. Some of my best work, I daresay. And sadly, one of the reasons Knowldge loathes me so much.


"Revel. I would rather be your friend than be anything else. I can only hope you are a cool person. Or, as I have found out, more than just a recent person who has never matured. Think about this Revel. Please, consider having the time of your life, a billion times over, rather than just having the figurative equal of a one night stand with Fate. I won't get in your way, if you would rather just have me leave. I cannot stand by and let you murder, even the Lady of Pain. Please reconsider, but if you do not, I would rather not see it."

I would rather be friends as well. It would be much less painful for both of us. But once I kill Pain, it will not matter! Neither of us will be worse off for this conflict!

[ArlEammon]

"You are so wrong. Revel. So so wrong, on many levels. Once Pain dies. I will die." Jake responded. His voice seemed very masculine, deep and gentle, but there was a twinge of evil in it. "There is nothing that I do that does not bring pain. Should she die. . . if I do not die, I may never be the same."

[D20ragon]

Why? Who are you, Namer, that your nature is so intertwined with Pains?

[ArlEammon]

"It is not the Namer which is in Pain but I. Samael. Satan. Lucifer. The Dragon. The Devil. I am the Lord of All Evil. And this is my child. So foolish to put his faith in a weak God. In the end. The unworthy prevailed over the Worthy. I. Lucifer, the Beautiful. The Wise. Have been reduced to my enemy's lap dog. I have not yet come into the Primary Ego. Yet I am to come. I know this. I am Evil. All of me is Evil and Pain is an infinite fruit of my Tree of Pain. I am warning you. Not in extortion but in self-preservation. . . I bring this knowledge. If the Lady should die. You jeopardize everything and everyone."

[DoctorFaust]

"Mr. I drug kids? Lady, you don't have a leg to stand on. You are, almost by definition, the reason kids do drugs. An aspect of my personality turned out to be far more ruthless than I thought he would be, and I shut him down as soon as I could. You want to erase an aspect of reality. I want you to not erase an aspect of reality. How did your convoluted little mind ever come to the conclusion that you were the moral victor here?

[Sen isSaqqara]

Upon the lack of response from War and Greed, Rob becomes slightly worried. He looks over to them, to see what's wrong.

Back in Sigil, Rob dances his way towards the execution grounds. The dance accelerates, becoming a free-flying whirlwind with both partners throwing each other towards their destination. When he arrives atop the colosseum wall, he turns to pull Revel up from her last jump onto the wall next to him, then looks into the arena below.

[D20ragon]

"Mr. I drug kids? Lady, you don't have a leg to stand on. You are, almost by definition, the reason kids do drugs. An aspect of my personality turned out to be far more ruthless than I thought he would be, and I shut him down as soon as I could. You want to erase an aspect of reality. I want you to not erase an aspect of reality. How did your convoluted little mind ever come to the conclusion that you were the moral victor here?

It's all fun and games until someone gets hurt. I don't like pain, of any kind. Pain kills a party.
So yes, unless somehow you thought you were doing a child a favor by drugging them, I remain on higher ground then you.

She sticks out her tongue at you.
And how long will it take you to remember that not all of us want to kill Pain?



Upon the lack of response from War and Greed, Rob becomes slightly worried. He looks over to them, to see what's wrong.

Back in Sigil, Rob dances his way towards the execution grounds. The dance accelerates, becoming a free-flying whirlwind with both partners throwing each other towards their destination. When he arrives atop the colosseum wall, he turns to pull Revel up from her last jump onto the wall next to him, then looks into the arena below.

Both Greed and War hide in the furthest reaches of your mind.
Even you, whose thoughts they lurk in, are hard pressed to reach them.

Far below you, the vast ground of the arena lies, it's sand glittering gold and silver, pink and yellow and green.
A huge contraption dangles from the ceiling above. A vat of golden liquid, funneled through countless tubes of colored glass, heated by thousands of tiny flames, spiraling around until it ends in a single spout, positioned above a champaign flute.


"It is not the Namer which is in Pain but I. Samael. Satan. Lucifer. The Dragon. The Devil. I am the Lord of All Evil. And this is my child. So foolish to put his faith in a weak God. In the end. The unworthy prevailed over the Worthy. I. Lucifer, the Beautiful. The Wise. Have been reduced to my enemy's lap dog. I have not yet come into the Primary Ego. Yet I am to come. I know this. I am Evil. All of me is Evil and Pain is an infinite fruit of my Tree of Pain. I am warning you. Not in extortion but in self-preservation. . . I bring this knowledge. If the Lady should die. You jeopardize everything and everyone."

Satan? What are you doing here? Awwwww.... Is somebody all grown up? Think your ready for the big leagues, cutie?

[ArlEammon]

"I never was about being big. Omnipotence, Omnipresence, Omniscience, worship of the entire angelic host of Heaven and all mortals. I never wanted very much. I'm a humble urchin just wanting his piece of the pie from the kitchen of life." Satan replied sarcastically. "You on the other hand, are about to gamble with a little something I call a pawn. It's frighteningly fitting that I may perhaps end my life as just a pawn. A pawn of my own. You see, I've learned through the Aeons that the bigger the gamble, the bigger the payoff. I can easily over power my itty bitty amigo here, as long as I can see you suffer with him. Of course, it would be much better if I could just kill you and be done with this little shindig but hey, I'll take what I can get. Maybe I can stall you in the meantime until the others get here."

"Oh, and one more thing. I may not have the power to mix and match my power with the others since he isn't in control, but I certainly can put a little bit in your sensitive skin, if only as a mosquito. Who knows? Maybe I can even lay some parasitic eggs in you as a host?"

Jacob glared into Revel with his eyes contorting into a reptillian scowl. His eyes appeared blood red as it gazed straight into the Power. Jacob's body contorted into a giant covered in a durable exo-skeleton, and he unleashed all of his strength, combining every molecule in his body into a focused, coherent beam of light which flashed throughout the entire room. . . it was meant to locate the area where Pain resided. . . but perhaps do anything it possibly could to stall Revel.

[Tris]

Why is everyone ignoring me? Travis wonders. And, what happened to the person who called me over here? He attempts to grab the nearest partier and shouts "What is going on here!"

[Sen isSaqqara]

Get out here, you two.
In less than the space of a moment, Rob's mindscape collapses. The two powers stand in front of him, in the middle of an open, empty space.
What's the matter with you? You exist in my mind now. You literally have nothing to fear here but my displeasure, and I see no reason for that to be a problem at the moment.

Gazing down on the colloseum proper, a look of interest appears on Rob's face. His eyes trace the apparatus, taking in each detail of the system.
"Any idea how this works? Or what it's for?" He asks Revel.

[D20ragon]

"I never was about being big. Omnipotence, Omnipresence, Omniscience, worship of the entire angelic host of Heaven and all mortals. I never wanted very much. I'm a humble urchin just wanting his piece of the pie from the kitchen of life." Satan replied sarcastically. "You on the other hand, are about to gamble with a little something I call a pawn. It's frighteningly fitting that I may perhaps end my life as just a pawn. A pawn of my own. You see, I've learned through the Aeons that the bigger the gamble, the bigger the payoff. I can easily over power my itty bitty amigo here, as long as I can see you suffer with him. Of course, it would be much better if I could just kill you and be done with this little shindig but hey, I'll take what I can get. Maybe I can stall you in the meantime until the others get here."

"Oh, and one more thing. I may not have the power to mix and match my power with the others since he isn't in control, but I certainly can put a little bit in your sensitive skin, if only as a mosquito. Who knows? Maybe I can even lay some parasitic eggs in you as a host?"

Jacob glared into Revel with his eyes contorting into a reptillian scowl. His eyes appeared blood red as it gazed straight into the Power. Jacob's body contorted into a giant covered in a durable exo-skeleton, and he unleashed all of his strength, combining every molecule in his body into a focused, coherent beam of light which flashed throughout the entire room. . . it was meant to locate the area where Pain resided. . . but perhaps do anything it possibly could to stall Revel.

Revels mouth opened, some condescending phrase on her lips, her eyes wide with false love.
Then the light tore through her, penetrating every cell of her being and filling it so full of radiance that it burst, like a million million million tiny suns going into supernova.
It ripped into her consciousness, sifting every thought within a second, and returning to you with full knowledge of Pains location.
Where Revel once stood now was nothing.
A few bystanders applauded the apparent fireworks show.
You barely hear them, instead trying to keep up with the flood of intoxication, sex, and joy flooding through you mind. Out of this torrent, one thought is clear.
The lady of Pain stands beside Revel. You see this clearly.
It is the same tent, the same wild party. Everything is the same... Except for you. You are not in this memory. But you know this thought is recent. In fact, it is being thought right now.


Why is everyone ignoring me? Travis wonders. And, what happened to the person who called me over here? He attempts to grab the nearest partier and shouts "What is going on here!"

The party goers spin off of you, taking with them you shirt.
"I don't know!" One screams back at you.
"But it's a ****ing great party!"


Get out here, you two.
In less than the space of a moment, Rob's mindscape collapses. The two powers stand in front of him, in the middle of an open, empty space.
What's the matter with you? You exist in my mind now. You literally have nothing to fear here but my displeasure, and I see no reason for that to be a problem at the moment.

Gazing down on the colloseum proper, a look of interest appears on Rob's face. His eyes trace the apparatus, taking in each detail of the system.
"Any idea how this works? Or what it's for?" He asks Revel.

War stands before you, in the form of Sun Tzu, a heavy scowl on his face. He clenches something tightly in his fist, though you cannot tell what.
Only your displeasure.
War scoffs, tightening his grasp.
This is REVEL! Anything seems like a good idea! Perhaps you haven't noticed, but despite everything, you're enjoying yourself! Admit it! And with Revel, that's as good as a white flag!


Beside you, Revel sniffs the air, tasting something intangible with her small pink tongue.
Well... I'm not sure about the device, but the liquid is hard cider, that's for sure.
Her nose wrinkles in confusion.

[Sen isSaqqara]

What? With the trouble she's caused my compatriots? With the self-destructive party she's imposed on this place? You think I'm... Enjoying myself? Give me some credit, War. Of course I'm enjoying myself, I have to if I want her help. But at the same time, I'm not. It's one of the first things our resident Master Namer taught me: to hold two contradictory truths at the same time, believing each with equal conviction. I've taken it a step farther: there are many of me in here, and each can hold their own point of view. But this impartial face, the one you've dealth with most often in here? This is the one that holds true control.
So yeah, part of me is waving that white flag for all its worth, but it's too minor a part for you to worry. There will only ever be one person in control of my mind: me.

Rob offers Revel his hand, then steps off the wall and walks through the air to the device, giving it a more thorough once-over.

[ArlEammon]

Jacob falls down from the display of power, sweating with the feeling of being touched in his soul very deeply. . . He put his left hand to his forehead so he could concentrate. . . and he gave the knowledge he just saw in his mind to all the other Namers. . . "It's Jake. . . I've found the Lady of Pain. . . She's with Revel. Also, Revel is not invincible. I managed to banish her from my presence, but it took every ounce of strength I had. Oh, and, for the record, no one come into my mind at any point in the future under any circumstances. I've just discovered it's far more dangerous than any of us could imagine."

[DoctorFaust]

When the amulet lying on Daniel's chest grows cold, he shoves Lancer's powers to the forefront, trusting to the amulet and the anti-magic to keep him safe from whatever magical attack was just attempted on him. "Revel, we could stand here all day arguing point after point, but someone just tried to assault my mind, and I have no confidence that it won't happen again. Please, can you just take me to wherever you are holding the Lady Pain so this matter can be discussed with whichever of your figments want to kill her?"

[Tris]

Frustrated, Travis tries another tactic. He relaxes and sends calming feelings towards anyone nearby. If this doesn't work some other force must be keeping them like this.

[3SecondCultist]

Alexander stares at the solitary branch on the tree, a thoughtful look stealing across his face.

"Your work? How did the Apple come to be, exactly? And did the first men really eat it, as the 'Good Book' says?" He can feel the restlessness of the souls within their respective cages: it is no longer just James, but Rashek and Alduin. In the space between a thought, Glaistig Uaine moves to silence the voices.

"You are dispersed in your form here, and yet focused on me. I can only assume that these rules extend to all of the Powers in their semi-sentient forms. How then, can you imbue beings with elements of your own power? Are your depths truly limitless?"

[D20ragon]

What? With the trouble she's caused my compatriots? With the self-destructive party she's imposed on this place? You think I'm... Enjoying myself? Give me some credit, War. Of course I'm enjoying myself, I have to if I want her help. But at the same time, I'm not. It's one of the first things our resident Master Namer taught me: to hold two contradictory truths at the same time, believing each with equal conviction. I've taken it a step farther: there are many of me in here, and each can hold their own point of view. But this impartial face, the one you've dealth with most often in here? This is the one that holds true control.
So yeah, part of me is waving that white flag for all its worth, but it's too minor a part for you to worry. There will only ever be one person in control of my mind: me.

Rob offers Revel his hand, then steps off the wall and walks through the air to the device, giving it a more thorough once-over.

Well, excellent. Let's keep it that way.
War sighs, then grits his teeth and clenches his fist.
But still, be on your guard. This is obviously a trap. And I'm not counting the six or seven really obvious ones.

The device is a glassblowers masterpiece, and a logical mans nightmare.
Huge, twisted tubes lead into thin air, then sprout upward into branches as the liquid flows skyward.
Then they plummet downward, somehow shattering and reforming every couple feet until the cider pours into another vat, where it spins rapidly clockwise, then counterclockwise, funneling into another set of convoluted tubes and wires, until it reaches the end of the contraption: a tiny eye dropper, which slowly, drop by drop, fills the delicate champagne flute.


When the amulet lying on Daniel's chest grows cold, he shoves Lancer's powers to the forefront, trusting to the amulet and the anti-magic to keep him safe from whatever magical attack was just attempted on him. "Revel, we could stand here all day arguing point after point, but someone just tried to assault my mind, and I have no confidence that it won't happen again. Please, can you just take me to wherever you are holding the Lady Pain so this matter can be discussed with whichever of your figments want to kill her?"

Find them Yourself.
The woman flips her hair over her shoulder and strides away, her wild dress fading to a more respectable grey one.
The small girl sticks her tongue out at the retreating woman's back, then flips her off.
****ing aunt responsibility. Not even a real Power. Annoying as **** though, with her aura and ****.
Anyways, what types of drugs was I gonna get? They'd better be good, cause I ain't tolerating no second hand crap high.
This statement is disconcerting, coming from a 6 year old.


Frustrated, Travis tries another tactic. He relaxes and sends calming feelings towards anyone nearby. If this doesn't work some other force must be keeping them like this.

Slowly, the party around you slides into a more steady, normal pace. People stop copulating in the streets, and instead chat over cocktails.
The music slows, becoming a soft background jazz piece.
Tables filled with hors d'oeuvres appear, tiny nests of pea shoots and cress cradling salmon and crème fraiche, other holding mint and blueberries.
The ambient light dims.


Alexander stares at the solitary branch on the tree, a thoughtful look stealing across his face.

"Your work? How did the Apple come to be, exactly? And did the first men really eat it, as the 'Good Book' says?" He can feel the restlessness of the souls within their respective cages: it is no longer just James, but Rashek and Alduin. In the space between a thought, Glaistig Uaine moves to silence the voices.

"You are dispersed in your form here, and yet focused on me. I can only assume that these rules extend to all of the Powers in their semi-sentient forms. How then, can you imbue beings with elements of your own power? Are your depths truly limitless?"


Well, somewhere, yes, Adam and Eve did partake in a fruit which resembled mine.
But although they served similar purpose, my apple had rather wider scope then a single multiverse.

And our limits? If we have any, we've yet to find them, Slaughter adds, voice rumbling with both annoyance and pride.

[Sen isSaqqara]

"Alright," says Rob to Revel, "Let's see what's going on here."
Turning to the center of the stadium, he shouts out in a magically amplified voice, almost (but not quite) enough to shatter the delicate glassworks:
"WHO'S IN CHARGE HERE?"
He makes sure to shield Revel's ears from the magic, but adds no other restraints. It should be loud enough to reach quite a distance.

So Jacob's found another Revel. She must have split herself up. All the better to be the perfect host, I suppose. Can you two do that too?

[Tris]

Travis is startled by how quickly the scene around him changed. At this point, he also receives Jacob's mental message, but it doesn't make much sense to him. Now that the people around him have calmed down, Travis asks again, "What is going on here, and why are the streets outside deserted?" to a nearby party attendant.

[ArlEammon]

Jacob collapses in a small flash of magic in front of Travis. He crumples to the ground in front of him, and his face is drained, completely white, almost albino, and he struggles to move but only manages to twitch, as if he is severely weak. . . His eyes were opened in terror, and he was sweating blood from his pours. . . somehow through a Herculean effort he managed to turn around off his stomach, only to reveal his face, wide open in both his eyes in horror, and drained of color in front of his friend. . . a voice comes from his mind only Travis can hear. "Heeeeelp meeee. . . " It was as loud as a horrifying scream, yet it was still somehow only a whisper.

[Tris]

Jacob collapses in a small flash of magic in front of Travis. He crumples to the ground in front of him, and his face is drained, completely white, almost albino, and he struggles to move but only manages to twitch, as if he is severely weak. . . His eyes were opened in terror, and he was sweating blood from his pours. . . somehow through a Herculean effort he managed to turn around off his stomach, only to reveal his face, wide open in both his eyes in horror, and drained of color in front of his friend. . . a voice comes from his mind only Travis can hear. "Heeeeelp meeee. . . " It was as loud as a horrifying scream, yet it was still somehow only a whisper.

Travis quickly kneels down to aid Jacob. "What happened to you! Is there anything I can do to help?" He holds Jacob in his arms and tries to comfort his friend's pain with Faen's empathy.

((That is assuming he is in pain. If he's not Travis should be able to tell, and I need to change this post.))

[ArlEammon]

Travis quickly kneels down to aid Jacob. "What happened to you! Is there anything I can do to help?" He holds Jacob in his arms and tries to comfort his friend's pain with Faen's empathy.

((That is assuming he is in pain. If he's not Travis should be able to tell, and I need to change this post.))

((It's all psychological.))

[DoctorFaust]

"Okay you know what, screw this." Daniel leaps forward and tackles the older version of Revel to the ground. Then, moving at the speed of sound, he flips himself back up onto his knees, landing on her midriff, and grabs her by the head. Leaning in close, he allows himself to fall into the Force and begins shoving his way into her mind to search for the location of Pain.

[Tris]

((It's all psychological.))

((psychological pain is still pain, so Travis doesn't do anything different.))

[ArlEammon]

Travis heard Jacob's reply, a whisper, seemingly tortured, harsh and raspy, somehow quiet, yet painfully loud.
"I cannot live, yet and I cannot die. Destroy me before it is too late. None of you are safe from me."

[Tris]

Travis is unsure of how to respond. "What...? I don't understand. You can't die, but you want me to destroy you?"

[ArlEammon]

"Destroy the body. Slay my body. . . my spirit shall live."

[Tris]

"You're sure?" Travis says, still bewildered. Then, he stands up, draws the Master Sword, holds it in the air for a moment, and swings it with all his might at Jacob's neck.

[ArlEammon]

The Master Sword's power grew bright. . . it grew brighter than the Sun, if it where an inch in front of Travis. . . as the sword swang down, it mysteriously phased through Jake's body harmlessly, entering his Primary Ego, and piercing all of the evil souls inside Jake's mind. . . they all screamed like a world of demons and devils, but Jake was unharmed. Ironically, so were the evil souls in Jacob. It just so happened that the Sword of Evil's Bane caused them all enormous pain. . . sending them into shock, so they would go into a slumber. Jacob's face grew much less gaunt, and he struggled to stand on his feet, only to fall back to the ground as he held himself up, barely, with his two hands, throwing up violently. . .blood flowed from his mouth. . .

[Tris]

Travis feels the screams inside of Jacob so powerfully that he stumbles backwards a bit. "What just happened? What is going on here?" he asks as he stands there confused. "I sensed an outburst of great pain that seemed to come from many souls at once."

[ArlEammon]

Jacob was too busy vomiting blood, and wretching on the ground to make a response. He was a little too shaken to respond or understand. He nearly began to convulse.

[D20ragon]

"Alright," says Rob to Revel, "Let's see what's going on here."
Turning to the center of the stadium, he shouts out in a magically amplified voice, almost (but not quite) enough to shatter the delicate glassworks:
"WHO'S IN CHARGE HERE?"
He makes sure to shield Revel's ears from the magic, but adds no other restraints. It should be loud enough to reach quite a distance.

So Jacob's found another Revel. She must have split herself up. All the better to be the perfect host, I suppose. Can you two do that too?

But of course,
War says, inclining his head.
A general for every soldier is a great advantage, is it not?



"Okay you know what, screw this." Daniel leaps forward and tackles the older version of Revel to the ground. Then, moving at the speed of sound, he flips himself back up onto his knees, landing on her midriff, and grabs her by the head. Leaning in close, he allows himself to fall into the Force and begins shoving his way into her mind to search for the location of Pain.

A sense of guilt floods your mind. You almost break down sobbing, so great is your remorse.
This isn't how your powers should be used! They're meant for better things!
Yet, shining through the grief is a beacon, steadfast, welcoming.
But you still have time to turn all this around! Do it the honorable way!


Jacob was too busy vomiting blood, and wretching on the ground to make a response. He was a little too shaken to respond or understand. He nearly began to convulse.
Amid all the comatose evil, something stirs, sneaking out of your soul like a serpent winding it's way through a battlefield.



Travis feels the screams inside of Jacob so powerfully that he stumbles backwards a bit. "What just happened? What is going on here?" he asks as he stands there confused. "I sensed an outburst of great pain that seemed to come from many souls at once."

A small twinge at your soul.
A slight knock, then another.
Permission to enter?
A soothing voice asks your very being, wrapping itself warmly about your spirit, purring slightly.

[Tris]

[A small twinge at your soul.
A slight knock, then another.
Permission to enter?
A soothing voice asks your very being, wrapping itself warmly about your spirit, purring slightly.

"What? What's that? Who's talking to me?" Travis says out loud. In reaction, he closes his mind and soul off resisting whatever it is.

[Sen isSaqqara]

As long as they're all of the same mind, replies Rob, or at least of the same set of minds. Let's try something.
He gestures for effect, and they drift back into the central control room of his mind. With another token gesture, the walls become as mirrors, reflecting off into the distance a million copies of this simple mindscape. In an instant, most darked, leaving a handful brightly illuminated. In each one, Rob, the Powers, and his Incarnations move separately.

In the colloseum, Rob makes another slight gesture of his hand. From a sudden writhing shadow, a half-dozen or so forms appear, each an exact mimicry of him. They are little more than puppets, but with a splinter of Rob's mind to control each, they should be fine. Each nods to the original, then they disperse into the shadows.

One appears next to Daniel.
"That's probably a bad idea, you know. Let her up and come with me. I'm reuniting this group so we can get something done."

Another appears beside Jacob and Travis, striding forth from the shadow of a nearby alleyway. It takes a moment to consider the mess they seem to have gotten themselves into, scowling slightly.
"Are you two alright? If there's anything I can do to help, tell me quickly, because we should really get going."

A third shadow-puppet stays its ground in the shadow, reaching out with its mind, finding the door to Alexander's mind. Knocking briefly but firmly, it stands waiting for a reply.

The remainder seek out any of the others who have been left behind, offering each in turn guidance to the colloseum.

[DoctorFaust]

As the cold tendrils of guilt begin to worm their way into Daniel's mind, he growls, and shakes his head like a dog working water out of his ears. "No," he mutters. "The honorable way is reason, or negotiation. That doesn't work with the Powers."

As the worst of the guilt begins to fade and the amulet on his chest begins to burn ice cold, he starts to work his way back into Revel's mind, but is interrupted by the appearance of one of the other Namers. Waiting out the specter's speech, Daniel glares at him, and replies, "And what the hell have you been doing that you know Pain's location? Partying with Revel?"
----
Deep within Daniels mind, a figure, chained and masked above a field of nothingness, raises its head at the sound of Rob Desaqarra's voice. And smiles.

[Sen isSaqqara]

Daniel:
"Yeah, more or less." replies the puppet. "When in Rome, and such. Anyways, I figure we'll do more good if we're all working together, so I'm here to

[DoctorFaust]

Daniel cuts off Rob with a hard glare, still kneeling on one of the many Revel's chest. "Rome burned. First of all, tell me how the hell you found me, and then tell me where the hell you are so I can get there. You can tell Rob, if thats not actually you standing in front of me, that I'll be along once I get the damn location from Revel."

[Sen isSaqqara]

Daniel:
"I saw you from the shadows." replies the shadow. "I'm waiting for you at the Colloseum, over there." He points to it. "I think Pain is over there. Or at least, it's where the execution is going to happen. I'll wait if you want to continue here, though."

[ArlEammon]

Jake coughed more. . . "Ugh. . . What just happened. I remember talking to Revel and then suddenly everything went black. I don't remember anything else."

[Sen isSaqqara]

Jacob and Travis:
"No idea. You're pretty tough, though. You'll be fine." The shadow helps Jacob to his feet, dusting him off. "Now let's get going, you two. Places to be and things to do, and whatnot."

[ArlEammon]

"Well um. . . okay. I might just kill you all if you look at me funny though. Look out."

[Tris]

"You came to me asking me to destroy you. You said I could destroy your body but your spirit would live on. So, I swung the Master Sword at you, but it just passed through. I sensed the pain of countless souls crying out right at that moment. Then, some other force tried to enter my soul, but I shut it out." Travis explains. "What is going on here?" He is very confused.

[Sen isSaqqara]

Jacob and Travis:
"Again, no idea. Though from the psychic shock Jacob emitted a few seconds ago... Either way. Have you two been dealing with a fragment of Revel? That seems to be hapening to everyone."

[Tris]

"Is Revel another one of the powers?" Travis asks.

[DoctorFaust]

Daniel:
"I saw you from the shadows." replies the shadow. "I'm waiting for you at the Colloseum, over there." He points to it. "I think Pain is over there. Or at least, it's where the execution is going to happen. I'll wait if you want to continue here, though."

Daniel grunts and appears, now standing, next to the shadow. "Well, that's pretty goddamn creepy. I mean, hell, I think that was something Nicodemus could do. Actually, I'm pretty sure that that was one of Archelone's powers," he says, staring at the shadow, suspicion evident on his face. "But no, don't wait. Go away and tell Rob that I'll be there in a few seconds."

Happy now, mysterious voice? And furthermore, how the hell did you get past all my anti-magic ****?

[ArlEammon]

"Yes. . . actually, I think I'm remembering a little bit of what happened. It. . . it's too horrible. One of my souls is Lucifer. . . Satan, you know, The Devil. . . he. . . I don't know what happened, or how he's still interacting with the surrounding universe since our souls should have passed on before we collect them."

"Satan's power was so evil and overwhelming he temporarily took control of me. It . . . hurt. It still hurts. I can never find the redemption that Gandalf had suggested was possible."

[Sen isSaqqara]

Daniel:
"Sounds about right. He was a fun character, always loved the books he showed up in. Still, he's not the only one who uses shadows. I'm relying on Eva's magic at the moment. Anyhow, I'll be going if that's what you want. Try not to hurt that splinter of Revel too much."

Travis and Jacob:
"Hmn," mutters the shadow, its gaze now a bit more wary but expression overall still nonplussed. "And here I was, under the impression that the morningstar wasn't really all that bad of a guy. I suppose it really depends on the interpretation you're using..." it trails off, before snapping back to attention. "Well, anyways, yes, Revel is a Power. A splintered one, at the moment, it would seem. Not all of the splinters are of the same mind, either, as far as I can tell. One led me to the Colloseum, where a large apparatus is set up, apparently for the purpose of killing Pain."

[Tris]

"Revel is trying to kill Pain? I suppose that would make sense. So, now we need to stop that from happening? Do you know where Pain is? We need to warn them. Where are we anyway?"

[Sen isSaqqara]

Travis:
"Heck if I know. Walking the shadows does not a good sense of direction make. I was sorta hoping you would know."

[DoctorFaust]

"Killed a ****load of people though," Daniel grumbles. "But actually, can I ask a question, Dresden? Would you try and get the information out of Revel with magic, or the Force, or whatever, if normal methods didn't work?"

[Sen isSaqqara]

Daniel:
It is dresden's voice that speaks this time. "No. I don't even know if it would work. Something as powerful as Revel, there's a good chance you'd just wind up getting yourself hurt for your troubles. And that's only if you could even justify using magic that way in the first place. I'd imagine any Force-user would have similar qualms."

[ArlEammon]

"Satan managed to give Revel a royal surprise, causing her to vanish for some reason from his display of power, despite the fact Revel had just called him a pip-squeek, even if not in those exact words. That's just one soul."

[Sen isSaqqara]

Jacob:
"So far as I can tell, Revel's split up into several splinters at the moment. I'm afraid you were only dealing with one. Why did you feel the need to banish her, though? I mean, I hope you weren't trying to fight her straight-up or anything."

[ArlEammon]

Jacob:
"So far as I can tell, Revel's split up into several splinters at the moment. I'm afraid you were only dealing with one. Why did you feel the need to banish her, though? I mean, I hope you weren't trying to fight her straight-up or anything."

"No. Satan knew she was hiding herself. He used my power to reveal her location. That's when I sent the mental images of her to you all. . ."

[Sen isSaqqara]

Jacob:
"Mental images? I don't... Oh, that's what that was. I filter out any psychic intrusion, so I knew you were doing something, but I wasn't sure what. I suspect each of us does something similar. Anyways, are you two ready to go?"

[Tris]

"Yeah, I think we should meet up with everyone else."

[ArlEammon]

"Yes. I suppose that I am ready. Just make sure to be on your toes if I start to have glowing red eyes. I wish I were just being humorous in saying that."

[DoctorFaust]

Daniel runs a hand through his hair, mussing it up while deep in thought. "******* morals," he finally says. "I'll be with you in a second."

He jumps up and out of the tent, bursting through its fabric in the direction that Rob's shadow pointed him in.

[Sen isSaqqara]

Daniel:
The shadow watches Daniel leave, shaking its head slowly. Then it turns down to the shard of Revel he's pinned to the ground, offering it a hand. "I appologize for my companion's behaviour. Care to follow me? I've got a shortcut back to another Revel, perhaps the two of you could reunite. If nothing else, it might ease whatever pain he may have inflicted on this body..

Jacob and Travis:
The puppet!Rob gestures, and the shadow from which it emerged flows forward over you. Sinking into it, you find yourself stepping forth from another shadow, in an alcove near the floor of the Colloseum. The puppet, standing next to you, nods to the original, who floats in the middle of the arena, then disappears, fading back into the shade. Said original is sipping a glass of wine with Revel. Noticing you, he walks over through the air, landing a few steps away.
"Ah, here you are! Revel, may I introduce Jacob and Travis, two of my companions. Jacob, Travis, meet Revel. May I offer either of you a glass?"

[Tris]

"Ah, no thanks," Travis replies. He then, turns to Revel. "So, you're Revel. Rob told me about you."

[D20ragon]

Daniel runs a hand through his hair, mussing it up while deep in thought. "******* morals," he finally says. "I'll be with you in a second."

He jumps up and out of the tent, bursting through its fabric in the direction that Rob's shadow pointed him in.
You push through the party goers in a burst of speed, the world a crystal clear montage of debauchery.
Again, the voice in your head sounds.
Do you really think you can hide from a conscience, Daniel?
Allow me to introduce myself: I'm Aunt Responsibility. Some bodies got to keep you over-powerful idiots from destroying the worlds. Any of them.


"Ah, no thanks," Travis replies. He then, turns to Revel. "So, you're Revel. Rob told me about you."

Revel turns from you with a shy titter.
What should I look like? What does he like?
She whispers to Rob, her voice a flutter of panic and excitement.

Some distance away, the woman picks herself off of the ground.
Revel? I would not dream of associating with that mad-woman. I...
Here she draws herself up proudly
Am Aunt Responsibility

[DoctorFaust]

Well, Responsibilty, thank you very much for introducing yourself in this incredibly non-invasive manner. Now would you kindly **** off before I give a Sith Lord control of my body again and see what sort of **** he gets up to in the name of the greater good.

With a quick flick of his legs, Daniel hurls himself up into the air, trying to get over the top of the coliseum.

[Sen isSaqqara]

Revel:
"I have no idea, dear. Speaking honestly, I've really just met him quite recently myself. He's human, though, you're likely safe with the usual."

Responsibility:
"Ah. My bad, then. Rob deSaqqara, at your service." The shadow pauses to think for a moment. "Well, not the original, but we don't really make that distinction. Regardless. Would you care to accompany me? I'm trying to bring everyone involved here together so that we can sort out exactly what's going on. Revel will be there, but I find that if you think about it, you'll realize that, like for any other, she has a time and a place. Viewed outside that context, she may seem rather mad, but she has a part to play, just as much as you or I."

[Tris]

"I don't really care what you look like. That is hardly important compared to everything else that's going on. I'm still rather in the dark about that, but I think we can wait to sort things out until we have everyone here."

[ArlEammon]

"Hi Responsibility. Sorry about not being able to do my homework, but I'm a little indisposed with demon possession, being taken over by masses of pure evil psycho paths, and saving the world at the moment." He joked. . . "Although, having all this power means I get to clean any mess of blood, vomit, or bloody vomit I make all over the streets by being devil possessed, and that's always a positive. Mister Clean, Mister Clean!"

[D20ragon]

"I don't really care what you look like. That is hardly important compared to everything else that's going on. I'm still rather in the dark about that, but I think we can wait to sort things out until we have everyone here."
Revel giggles, then twirls, her cat ears melting into long auburn hair that flows down a pale back.
She returns, facing you in the green hoop skirt and flowered straw summer hat of a southern belle.
The effect, however, is somewhat ruined by the fact that she is completely topless.
Whisking a drink from somewhere, she shyly asks from behind a fan:
Is this all right?

[Sen isSaqqara]

Revel:
"Well, I for one certainly approve."

[Tris]

Travis glances away. "Sorry, but I'm not used to women displaying themselves before me like that."

[DoctorFaust]

Daniel lands on the floor of the coliseum with a thump. Walking over to Travis and Jacob, he nods in greeting and says, "Hey. What the hell happened to your chest?"

[ArlEammon]

"Why? Are you talking to me? Who's talking about anymore? I hope I can just find myself waking up in an insane Asylum soon so I can start the road to recovery."

[Tris]

"Does anyone know why we're at this place, and what is going on now? Like, what is the deal with Revel, and what are we doing here?" Travis feels rather bewildered and frustrated about everything.

[Sen isSaqqara]

"As I understand it, one of us headed to Sigil for reasons unknown, and the rest followed in turn to see where everyone was going."

[DoctorFaust]

"Why? Are you talking to me? Who's talking about anymore? I hope I can just find myself waking up in an insane Asylum soon so I can start the road to recovery."

"Yeah, I'm talking to you. No one else has a big-ass blood trail going most of the way down their shirt. Erik was the first one to head here, I went after him. Not sure how the rest of you got here. Now, Rob, your Shadow said that you thought you knew where Pain was. Can you take us there?"

[Sen isSaqqara]

"Not sure where Pain is. I've got fairly good idea of where Pain will be, though. According to Revel, here, the contraption you see above us is intended for Pain's execution."

[ArlEammon]

"Yeah, I'm talking to you. No one else has a big-ass blood trail going most of the way down their shirt. Erik was the first one to head here, I went after him. Not sure how the rest of you got here. Now, Rob, your Shadow said that you thought you knew where Pain was. Can you take us there?"

"I just vomited a lot. . . but uh, you're seeing things, I cleaned the stain from my shirt, and generally made the streets a bit nicer. It's not there anymore. As for if I can get to Pain, I don't know if I can. All I know is that it's this exact location. Revel is with her, so maybe she doesn't even know she's in danger."

[Tris]

"Do any of you know what Pain looks like at least?"

[ArlEammon]

"Do any of you know what Pain looks like at least?"

"Yes. . . let me think a second." Jake thought for a moment, digging it out of his memory. He then relates her appearance to the rest of them (Just posting it this way because I don't think I got a description of her the last time I saw her in the searching spell).

[DoctorFaust]

Daniel blinks his eyes hard, twice, like he's trying to clear his vision. "So you did. Damn Force visions. But if Revel's going to kill Pain up there, shouldn't we be there as well? And the Powers can change appearance, so it doesn't make much sense to rely on sight to identify them."

[Sen isSaqqara]

"Well, we were up there just a few seconds ago, and it seemed deserted. Besides, we're in a colloseum: I think the idea is to have a crowd to witness the execution. Does that sound right, Revel?" He pauses for a moment, in thought. "You know, we need a better way to address you. To specify whether we mean you, or the part of Revel that intends to kill Pain. Is there a name you would prefer?"

[DoctorFaust]

"They're all Revel. Why would they need a name other than that?"

[ArlEammon]

"Maybe some of them actually bother to ear clothing?" Jake quipped.

[Sen isSaqqara]

"Well, each clearly has differing opinions. Each may be but an aspect of an overall personality, but that's individual enough for me. Besides, when each has separate agency, it makes talking about them easier on the vernacular. I mean, just look at me now!" He gestures towards Revel. "Talking about Revel as if she isn't here, because I have no way to address her in particular. I must seem rather rude."

[Tris]

"So, this Revel here," Travis gestures to her. "You're separate and have different motivations from the Revel trying to kill Pain?"