Serious Plots 9: Srsr and srsr

[Reinholdt]

[Frozen Angel]

"That long?" Well, it can't be helped. Ilpholin will look around for a stump the seers aren't using, but if she fails to find one, sitting in the snow is just going have to be option two.

Sitting.

And waiting...

[Shadowcaller]

[Frozen Angel]

"If there had been more Seekers here I could have redirected the light to the lake but then there wouldn't have been anyone to perform the ritual so I'm afraid we have to wait." Cerabella remarks as she gazes up into the sky. "Still, it could be an opportune time to learn more about this world..."

We could probably handwave them exchanging some information while they're waiting.

[Morty]

[Frozen Angel]

"We can also attempt to show you a vision while we wait."

"It is what this place is for, after all."

"Is there anything you wish to see?"

[Reinholdt]

[Frozen Angel]

Ilpholin will contribute what she can about the Nexus when appropriate. She'd rather the angels be as prepared as possible.

But when asked about visions, Ilpholin was not prepared for such an offer. She had always imagined those came with some kind of price or great pilgrimage or whatever else weird fey in secluded valleys enjoy.

"Can you show us the demon lord Sargon?" Intel on him, his location, and his intentions have been scarce. Anything would be of help in taking him down.

[Shadowcaller]

[Frozen Angel]

Cerabella glances at Ilpholin and then nods to the seers. This was a question she too would like to know the answer to.

[Morty]

[Frozen Angel]

The Seers say nothing more. Instead, they start humming. It's a low, harmonious sound, almost inaudible, but soon rising with force. The snow vibrates and swirls in rhythm with it. The air fills with power and life. Ilpholin will find it reminiscent of witnessing the King in Rags call upon his power, but it doesn't have the same intensity. It doesn't touch the Fairest of Lands, merely create an echo of them. The breath that can be heard when the King works his will on the world is distinctly absent.

As the Seers sing their melody, the ice of the pond turns entirely white, then begins to clear, like milk dispersing in water. First there are images of the battle of Vigil, years ago, then the invasion of Riverside. As the battles rage, the vision abruptly shifts to showing the sea, then a construction rig around a flying castle above water, then briefly Sargon himself. Then the vision ends.

[Reinholdt]

[Frozen Angel]

Well... that was less helpful than Ilpholin had hoped. She had wished to see Sargon openly discussing his evil tactics and plans to someone. Why wasn't he sitting at some commander's chair giving orders this very second? This must be one of those get what you pay for visions.

Not completely useless, mind. "We may be able to disrupt the plans they have for that castle or take Sargon out with a sneak attack, but I doubt we could do both," Ilpholin ponders with Cerabella, now that they have Sargon's general location.

[Shadowcaller]

[Frozen Angel]

"Do not fret, Ilpholin. This is one of our courts sacred duties. Once our forces have arrived and we've found this lair that you've revealed to us-."
She gestures at the seers. "They will be vanquished and order will prevail. We have fought them many times before and this is but a remnant of what they once were. We just strike before they can enact whatever plans they have for this world."

[Morty]

[Frozen Angel]

"The ice will show nothing more."

"Enforcing the concept of past and future on the visions is difficult."

"Was this the leader of the demons you wish to fight?"

[Reinholdt]

[Frozen Angel]

Ilpholin glances at Cerabella, wondering if hubris or experience was talking. Guess only the results would prove one way or the other. "Fine. But I want to be there when they burn."

The nymph nods to the seers as she returns to getting comfortable for the wait. They only needed the sun now. Not something she ever thought she'd need. Glad she never went through with that fantastical idea to try and block it out. "One of them. The most prominent one in the Nexus that we know of. Or at least the most public." They actually have little intel on the full workings of the demon's caste system.

[Shadowcaller]

[Frozen Angel]

Cerabella nods to Ilpholin. "I will make it so. But yes, this one seems to be the in or at least near the center of whatever plot they're conducting." She turns to the seers. "Know that what they're doing is not only effecting this world but others as well. Openings between it and ours started opening more than a decade ago and it have only grown worse ever since. As if they're trying to tear a hole in the very interdimensional fabric, likely with horrific consequences. Therefore, stopping them is paramount. So if you know of anything else that could help us, please do not stay silent on the matter. When the scale of order and chaos is but a feather away from turning over and we can all make a difference."

[Morty]

[Frozen Angel]

"We do not know anything of these demons."

"But we can continue peering into the ice in search of them."

"If the ice reveals something of use, we will pass it along."

[Reinholdt]

[Frozen Angel]

Cerabella's words aren't particularly reassuring. She made it sound earlier like they're an elite force who has stamped out the demons on many worlds already. Yet when discussing the issue with the seers, it sounds like the demons are precariously close to overturning reality itself and winning whatever protracted war has been occurring. Not exactly what you want to hear in regards to something that's 'just a remnant'.

Well at least the seers were reasonable about all of this. She'll have to pass along to the King in Rags that they're reconsidering his position and theirs. For now, it looks like it will be quiet meditation in the cold until noon for her. Lolth knows she's been slacking on the meditative practices necessary for any seasoned warrior.

[Shadowcaller]

[Frozen Angel]

Cerabella nods, a human-like gesture which her bird-like head seems to have some difficulty with. "Good. Then we can go on." She looks up to the mountain crests. "It doesn't look like the sun is far off. Soon we will be able to call upon the celestial host. I will start to prepare."

Then with a single beat of her wings she's suddenly off the ground and is now flying in circles over the lake. Seemingly searching for something.

[Morty]

[Frozen Angel]

The Seers also seem to slip into meditative silence as they await the opening of the way. The sun is creeping over the horizon and it won't be long before it finally shines down on the shaded valley.

[Shadowcaller]

[Frozen Angel]

Cerabella looms flying over the lake until she finally seems to spot what she's looking for as the sun finally starts to raise above the hill.

It won't take long for the seers and Ilpholin to see it too as its the very first spot on the ice which the sun touches. The angel descends and settles on the ice for a moment where her talon-like hand reaches for these distant sun ray's. And as the light starts illuminating Cerabella a spear forms in her open hand. Appearing as if the sunshine had somehow frozen in place and gained a solid form.

Cerabella then strikes the ice time after time until a large hole has formed within it, revealing the water underneath. Satisfied by her work she ascends once more as her spear flickers out of existence with its purpose fulfilled.

Her wings take her far above the lake once more but by this time she's bathing in the sunlight and seems to glow even brighter than before. While her body never seemed to completely work by conventional physics alone it seems to abandon such notions completely once her wings simply stops beating.

But instead of falling she's suspended in the air, her wings spread out into their full span as she gazes down into the hole below. Unless they have enhanced sight (which potentially the seers might have) they would need to be standing on the frozen lake to see what happens down there.

Soon it seems clear that the water is not just reflecting the light anymore. It is as if a second sun had been born within the waters of the lake and its light is illuminating the entire lake. Coming straight through the ice from underneath which gives it an ghostly appearance.

"It's begun. It will only take a couple of your mortal minutes." Cerabella remarks as her wings once again have animated and carries her over the lake in great circles. Almost seem celebratory in nature.

[Reinholdt]

[Frozen Angel]

Ilpholin watches Cerabella work in what is almost reverence, the nymph gazing upon the angel above. There's at least some admiration present. Or perhaps Ilpholin is just joyous at the raw hope she hasn't felt in... a very long time. Killing all demons herself has felt more and more insurmountable lately. Not that she's ever let the impossible stop her before. She doesn't intend to ever let it stop her.

And maybe these angels were the answer. Sure, she'll have to compromise on how many killing blows she personally delivers, but it was the practical answer.

So it is with great eagerness that she steps forward to the edge of the lake to look upon the illumination below and await what emerges from within.

[Morty]

[Frozen Angel]

Whether the seers can see what's truly happening or not, they make no remarks and have no visible reactions. They simply wait and observe. Soon they'll see what they really agreed to.

[Shadowcaller]

[FrozenUnfrozen Angel]

Despite the sun now raising over the valley the beam of light which now pierce the frozen lake is still clearly visible like an enormous lighting bolt in the sky above them.

Like a second sun, a beacon of pure light, its likely seen from miles away. Heralding the arrival of the host of light.

And they all arrive at once.

As if abruptly stopping mid-flight countless of wings break off from the beam. Each pair blazing just as brightly.

Cerabella lands before Ilpholin and the seers just as the beam fades and so does dozens, perhaps hundreds, of others like her.

Of the ice on the lake there's nothing left.

"Let's finally free this world now shall we? No more shall the people of it fear the presence of demons."

[Reinholdt]

[Frozen Angel]

"AAAGGGHHH!" Ilpholin whirls back, turning away from the light and bringing up her filters. Too little, too late.

Ilpholin stumbles over to one of the seers, hand grabbing his shoulder for support and just clinging there, back turned to Cerebella as she lands. With her free hand, she holds up a finger and talks without turning to face the angel. She's too busy panting from the unexpected pain.

"Yeah, yep, yeah... just... give me two minutes. The demons can wait two minutes. Phew..." It's an awkward two minutes. She's never had to regenerate her eyes before, so it ends up being more like three. There's probably a cough in there to break the silence. Do angels cough? Maybe it was one of the seers.

Doesn't matter! When she's ready, Ilpholin steps over to Cerebella. Because one of these angels is going to have to carry her if they go flying out of here. "Alright. Ready. Let's go save the world." Ilpholin can't hide her excited smile.

[Morty]

[Unfrozen Angel]

The Seers are already blind, and whatever senses they use to perceive reality appear unhurt by the intense light.

"It is done, then."

"Welcome to our world."

"We can only hope you will uphold your end of this bargain."

[Shadowcaller]

[Unfrozen Angel]

The demons can wait?!

Never would the world think it would hear such words from Ilpholin.

Cerabella seems confused at the reaction but several of the others appears to get what's amiss and starts to approach the nymph. "Do you require healing, stranger?"

But it seems like she does not and so the other angels look to Cerabella as well since she's become the de facto leader while communicating with these otherworlders.

So she nods curtly to the seers. "Of course." Then Cerabella gestures to the host and that seems to be enough for three angels to fly forward and nod in an equally courteous fashion. "These are Kaiel, Ophial and Empryss. They will safeguard this place."

Then Cerabella turns to Ilpholin. "Then we shall set off. Shall we head straight for this seaside or is there any other stop you feel we should do before we search for the enemy? It has been suggested to alert those that fulfill a similar role as ourselves of our presence as to not provoke conflicts but perhaps that only requires the attention of our diplomat host."

Each angel, while identical at first glance due to the armor they're wearing, seems to have individual traits that set them apart from one another. Differently shaped beaks, a different feather color, the glow of their eyes being of a different tone, etc.

But the angels Cerabella seems to be referring to here stand out even more due to their silver-colored eyes and their few numbers compared to those with golden colored eyes.

[Reinholdt]

[Frozen Angel]

"Ah, uh, thanks anyways," Ilpholin tells the kind healing angel. Healing was an odd subject for the cybernetically enhanced nymph.

She turns to Cerebella, eyes blinking as they slowly refocus. "No... there's no place like that we need to stop by. If you want to send your diplomats to cities and organizations to entreat their aid or announce your presence, I can hardly stop you, but be forewarned. Many of them have taken to integrating with and defending demons," Ilpholin replies a little more coldly than usual.

[5a Violista]

[Magical Forest]

It's been a little while.

The bogwitch has been teaching her froggy apprentice Rowan some of the starting points and basics of magic, and presumably he has been studying on his own too.

They've gone over how to draw magical energy from nature.

And potion-lab safety.

And, after that, making natural remedies from plants and other materials, and how to determine magical affinities of potion ingredients.

And simple ways to infuse magic into objects and how to draw out their latent magical-material effects.

And the tadpole apprentice has finally started growing legs.


Now it's time, the witch feels, for her apprentice to get some practical experience in the final foundation of witchiness: making deals with fairies.


And that's why they're headed outside today, going to the edge of the swamp and into a more regular forest.

[Deathkeeper]

Magical Forest

Rowan supposes that fey deals are better than demon deals. But still a weird thing to be part of the basics.
He hops behind the big witch, wrapped in his tiny witch-frog robe and tiny witch-frog hat.
"So...wHAAAt's the kind of fAErie we're dealing wIIITh today?" he croaks.
Rowan has not made any progress in not croaking while talking.

[5a Violista]

[Magical Forest]

The bogwitch continues 'walking' - it's hard to really walk with tentacles and such in this environment so she has to slow a little more, but it's okay! She's fine with it.

"Today," she answers, "I have an appointment with a banshee later, there's a Will-o'-the-Wisp in the area, and I believe there's a new dryad around that I wish to meet."
She stops, and turns towards her not-quite-willing apprentice. "I hope you'll make a deal with at least one of them today, no matter how inconsequential. The banshee won't be available until later, but if you'd rather meet one of the others first then I'm open to suggestions."

[Deathkeeper]

Magical Forest

Rowan continued to look puzzled, but his froggy face always looks like that.
"I still don't knOW what the pOInt is. WhAt am I gOing to get OUt of a dryad when I have a GAIad on speed dial?" It's true. Sage is fairly powerful, even if they haven't spoken in a while due to Rowan's embarrassing current state.

[

[Interesting Times]

Gwas considers himself a reasonably polite man. When visiting a friend, he runs through all the normal courtesies; show up on time, knock loudly but be patient while the door is being answered, wipe your feet, that sort of thing.

But his trip up to Mina's manor home had been just the worst. First he had to find his way to Groundtown (which was somehow more heart-rendingly poor than his cursed homeland), then he fell out of the lift because of lax handrail standards. Then, when he got up to Skyside proper, he got mugged twice on the way to the district Mina's home is in, and to top it all off, he's been struck by lightning a further three times on his way to the door.

So he lets himself in. Still soaking wet from the sudden rainstorm, fur frazzled from the lightning, blood still staining the front of his armor and him still picking bits of fabric from his teeth. He's not especially proud of how he handled that last mugger.

"Hello? Miss Tososora? Are you home?" Gwas calls from the foyer, wiping himself off in an attempt to look more presentable.

Interesting Times

Sai is the exact kind of person to set up a perimeter lightning defense system but not actually lock the front door. The foyer is grand, with Sai's arcane statues, simple but elegant panels and dark color scheme. A door slides open and Mina steps out, clearly surprised.
Mina's been having a long day. She tried so hard to look nice for Gwas' first visit. But Mina never bothered with makeup and such before (it's expensive) and as it turns out almost none of it applies that well when you're a giant cow. Her eyelashes still work the same way but even those done don't look right because she's absolutely massive as well as furry. Though given that Sai sized the whole place for her she sometimes is able to forget how much bigger she is from everyone until someone walks in.
Case in point, she towers over Gwas pretty clearly now. She's wondering if he'll notice. Most people she met before and after meeting Libra don't seem to remember the interval she was a "normal sized" minotaur and even she and Sai have found remembering specific details difficult. Gwas might not notice at all or he might feel a nagging feeling or he might be as lucid as her about the whole thing. What she's sure about is that as she walks up to him she can't tell what he'll think of her. Sai had prepared her a long, formal outfit with a simple floral pattern at the bottom and a belt at the waist. She doesn't think such pretty things were meant to be scaled up as much as this one had to be for her. She also polished the heck out of her hooves and horns because that's something she can do but is he even into that?

Of course most of her trepidation melts away immediately when he turns and she gets a good look at him.
"Gwas? What the heck did you do? Did-did you eat someone?" She had been going to ask why he wore full mail while there for a meeting-a-friend-slash-date-thing but that takes a back seat to there being blood spilling down the entire front of his armor and chin.

[Ironsmith]

[Interesting Times]

Gwas opens his mouth to defend himself, but his first defense ("Not all of him") doesn't seem like the appropriate response. So he takes a moment to compose a different one. "Unfortunately. It was in self-defense; a pair of slavers attacked me on the way to your home. One of them was an ogre; he put me in a headlock, and I had to fight by unconventional means." He wipes the blood from his mouth and sighs. "My apologies. I should have gotten cleaned up before I came to see you... in deference to your efforts if nothing else. Here I am, still battle-bloodied, and you stand before me a Lady in all but name." He gives a polite little bow, one hand over his chestplate and the other behind his back. "If you'll permit me, I'll need to use your washroom."

[Deathkeeper]

Interesting Times

Mina is going to be nice and assume he just maimed the ogre instead of actually devouring an entire person. Still, he just lost a lot of points for being a creepy vampire who casually admits to eating people. Frankly if she wasn’t friends with Owena that would be enough for most people to throw him out on the spot.
”Right there. Take a bath if you have to. I’ll have something clean for you.” Mina goes into the side bedroom to find one of the outfits from when Sai was younger. Gwas is about his size though Sai didn’t own footwear.

…what? Sai’s a weapon again he isn’t using those clothes.

[Ironsmith]

[Interesting Times]

So Mina assumes. But she runs into two problems in enacting this plan.

First, while Sai and Gwas were about the same height (assuming Sai didn't always have back problems and stood up straight at some point), Gwas has a good two hundred pounds or more on him, most of it muscle. Sai's old robes would need alteration to fit him properly. Second, even as a young minotaur, Sai's fashion sense was a few hundred years behind the present, and a little quirky besides. Hopefully, Gwas doesn't object to floral wear.

Fortunately, that may not turn out to be a problem; Gwas's under-armor wear is still in usable condition, and with minimal adjustment, makes for a decent outfit, if not quite what Mina would expect to see.

That being said, he... certainly is taking his time.

...Probably just being thorough.

That was a lot of blood.

Or maybe he's just fascinated by the running water. Vampires have a thing about that, don't they?

Eh. Mina might want to check on him.

Or she could spend this time reviewing the details of their date. Double-checking the details of where they're going and what they're doing when they get there, make sure their reservations aren't going to expire in the extra half-hour it'll take Gwas to get clean, that sort of thing.