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  1. - Top - End - #151
    Ogre in the Playground
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    Default Re: Inside 74: Summer Fun and Zombies

    [Glimmer Mist Park]

    "I have not seen many ordinary animals as of late. Maybe all the zombies and angels scared them away", Hoshiki muses. Though he wouldn't be surprised if there's a zombie-angel-deer lurking behind a corner nearby.

    He recognizes what the younger man is doing as a protective circle against evil, but doesn't know enough of Paths of Binding to bolster it in any way. He figures he has to tell someone about it, before the circle is washed away.

    "I can't say how much I'm like you or not", he continues on a tangent, "I used to fight evil spirits and take souls of the dead to afterlife. We didn't really make a distinction between living or dead gods... a lot of what people worshipped as gods were spirits of the dead in some form or another, regardless. I take it your gods were very big and ancient, if people can travel inside them." Though in the spirit world, physical dimensions start to lose meaning. The young man, as a dragon, was physically much bigger than Hoshiki, but that wouldn't have stopped the swordsman from dragging him into his inner world.

  2. - Top - End - #152
    Barbarian in the Playground
     
    Rebonack's Avatar

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    Default Re: Inside 74: Summer Fun and Zombies

    [Glimmer Mist Park]

    No sooner do the words leave the swordsman's mouth does there come a rustling from the nearby bushes!

    Something draws closer.

    CLOSER!

    ...yeah that's a regular deer. It walks out of the shrubs in that cautious, head-bobbing way that deer do, approaches Hoshiki fearlessly, and proceeds to bow to him.

    It's a weird gesture to see, coming from a deer.

    After bowing it begins waiting expectantly.

    "That's a normal animal," the young man points out helpfully. If Hoshiki doesn't provide the deer with free food within a few moments it tries approaching the crossbowman and bows to him, too. "I think it wants something?"

    Very perceptive.

    He tries reaching out to touch the deer, but the animal scoots out of petting range.

    "The Dead Gods are old, I think. No one really worshiped them anymore. Or, well, I suppose the heretics and cultists did. Do. Maybe they destroyed everything because they were, um... upset? About no one worshiping them. I don't think anyone likes being forgotten. But... yes? Ancient and big. It's like a whole world inside Moirai. Like that with the other gods, too. Or I imagine it is. I haven't been in all of them. Maybe someone has, but not me."

    Now that he has all his things gathered and stuffed into a backpack that absolutely has no business being able to contain all that junk he straightens up and-!

    "I'm... um... I'm Oneiro. Are there any uh... any shops that might sell wood? Or maybe fabric? For... you know... making a little shelter around the riftgate? If it isn't warded Moirai monsters m-might find it and start coming through. I don't... well... you know we probably don't need more of those."
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  3. - Top - End - #153
    Ogre in the Playground
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    Default Re: Inside 74: Summer Fun and Zombies

    [Glimmer Mist Park]

    Bowing is not that odd for a deer. Many such animals appear to bow in preparation of a headbutt. This one does not appear all that aggressive, though. Hoshiki refrains from bowing back, so that it may remain so. "I think it wants food. Sadly, I don't have any", he says, smiling at the animal. "It appears half tame. Maybe people have been feeding it. Animals are intelligent things, they sometimes pick up odd customs from humans."

    He keeps on eye on the animal but returns most his attention to the younger man. "I know one shop that sells more or less everything. It's on the other side of town, where I keep my mirror. But wood and fabric shouldn't be hard to come by. I own a house too, I might have some junk I have no use for there. How much do you need?"

  4. - Top - End - #154
    Barbarian in the Playground
     
    Rebonack's Avatar

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    Default Re: Inside 74: Summer Fun and Zombies

    [Glimmer Mist Park]

    "Food? Umm... I think..." Oneiro digs around in his pack a few moments before pulling out a bit of trail bread and offers it to the deer. The deer seems content to take the bread and begins chewing on it, bowing to Oneiro again.

    To which Oneiro returns the gesture because...

    He isn't sure.

    The deer is being polite?

    Would it be rude to snub its gesture of gratitude?

    There!

    One issue taken care of.

    "How much? I... hmm... Enough to build a little shelter above the gate. And... maybe a floor, too. Something to protect the binding circle. If there are lots of people alive here still then... um... then there probably won't be many scavs. I'll... need to tend to the riftgates. N-normally I could trust other people to help keep the..."

    He gestures vaguely at the circle of powdered silver and salt.

    "Keep them warded. To keep the monsters out."
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  5. - Top - End - #155
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    Gullara's Avatar

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    Default Re: Inside 74: Summer Fun and Zombies

    Quote Originally Posted by Morty View Post
    [Normal Escort Mission]

    The elf in front of the store leans against the wall, looking bored and relaxed, but in fact scanning the street in front of her attentively.
    Quote Originally Posted by Rebonack View Post
    [Normal Escort Mission]

    "There is always another way in, if you have the eyes to see it," Neshi replies as she reaches out to offer a hand to Onyeka.

    Should she take the offered hand, there suddenly comes a sensation of wrenching as though getting pulled inside out. There's no pain at all, but it's terribly disorienting.

    For a brief moment it is as if she were looking down upon the world from above(?) with everything splayed open before her eyes. Somehow it looks... flat? As if she were looking at an image cleverly drawn onto the surface of a painting to give it a convincing illusion of depth. And then all at once there's a sensation of motion it's over again and they're standing in an unoccupied, unwatched nook within the shop.

    Whatever that was that was...

    Not...

    That wasn't teleportation.

    They moved but it was through the splayed open wall of the shop. The wall that didn't (exist?) in whatever direction they moved in.

    Hopefully Onyeka doesn't throw up. That might blow their cover.
    [Normal Escort Mission]

    Onyeka staggers slightly. Their cover might have been blown by some verbal expression if the moment she opened her mouth she didn't feel extremely nauseous. She covers her mouth with both hands, willing her stomach to calm. The worst passes in a moment and she leans over, supporting herself with her hands on her knees. "What was that?" She whispers.

  6. - Top - End - #156
    Ogre in the Playground
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    Default Re: Inside 74: Summer Fun and Zombies

    [Glimmer Mist Park]

    "Well, if you stay put for a few hours, I can fetch the requisite materials", Hoshiki replies. "maybe someone to build the thing, too." He's starting to regret not taking Banael with him. Someone able to build things real fast would be quite handy.

  7. - Top - End - #157
    Barbarian in the Playground
     
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    Default Re: Inside 74: Summer Fun and Zombies

    [Glimmer Mist Park]

    "I don't think-"

    Oneiro eyes the deer.

    Just in case it suddenly gets bright ideas about licking up the salt circle.

    "-it should be alright. For a little bit. Probably? I... hmm..." he continues in that halting way of his as he raises a hand and rends open a much smaller rift that otherwise looks very similar to the first.

    There is, however, something different about it. Something difficult to place a finger on. Where the first, in some indescribably awful way, feels like gazing into the eye of a dead god, the second is just...

    A portal.

    A rippling shape of magic.

    The arbalist touches the rift he just created and looks thoughtful.

    "Oh. I can't... huh. I can't feel any of the riftgates I secured. Just... I don't recognize any of these places. That's strange," he mutters before shaking his head. "I don't think I need to stay put. I can get back to here quickly. Where... um... where would a good place for supplies be? Do they take iron tokens?"

    Everyone takes iron tokens, right?

    They can be made into useful things.
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  8. - Top - End - #158
    Ogre in the Playground
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    Default Re: Inside 74: Summer Fun and Zombies

    [Glimmer Mist Park]

    Hoshiki grimaces at the question about currency. "It's a gamble. Many kinds of money from many different places end up here. Ask and hope for the best, I suppose." The swordsman begins moving towards Arkham Street. He beckons ahead. "My house is this way. It's a long walk, so keep your eyes open. There might be other suitable shops on the way."

  9. - Top - End - #159
    Barbarian in the Playground
     
    Rebonack's Avatar

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    Default Re: Inside 74: Summer Fun and Zombies

    [Glimmer Mist Park]

    "I don't know why I can feel any other riftgates," Oneiro mutters. "I don't... I don't think the distance should matter? Should it? Is this... somewhere all the people who survived fled to? And... found a way to keep the zombies out?"

    And thus Oneiro follows.

    The walk out of the woods and into the surrounding neighborhood doesn't take very long and the scene that meets them is uncanny. The silk is gone. As are the disturbing bone totems that dotted the surroundings. As are the zombies and beasts of Moirai. All touches left by the Dead God are gone. It leaves the plaza surrounding the park eerily still. Empty store-fronts. Abandoned cars. Not a soul to be seen.

    The arbalist seems deeply surprised by all these sights!

    "I've never been in a city like this before where... where everything is so...?"

    Not utterly demolished?

    "Are these all horseless carriages? They look so strange," the young man says, eyeing one of the cars as they pass.
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  10. - Top - End - #160
    Ogre in the Playground
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    Default Re: Inside 74: Summer Fun and Zombies

    [Walking away from Glimmer Mist Park]

    Hoshiki shrugs. "Don't ask me about them. I'm not very good with technology. I usually only got involved when someone made a fatal mistake driving one of those things." He stops, frowning. "It is oddly empty here. Did all the people get dragged into your god's world?"

  11. - Top - End - #161
    Barbarian in the Playground
     
    Rebonack's Avatar

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    Default Re: Inside 74: Summer Fun and Zombies

    [Walking away from Glimmer Mist Park]

    "I've never seen one moving before," Oneiro admits. "But I've heard the old timers talk about them. What is was like before the Catastrophe."

    How cheerful!

    The young man moves with his crossbow at the ready, the bolt pointed down toward the ground. He isn't sure if anything else might attack them out of the blue.

    Hopefully there aren't more zombies around that will move into the void left behind by the destruction of the dweaver.

    "Everyone consumed by Moirai would have been taken. Those people are all part of them now. Parts of their dreams," he replies, his tone sad. "The dead gods they... take. They take until there's nothing left."

    Which isn't great, really.

    "Do you... know how far Moirai had reached? With the dweaver, I mean. Do you remember when you first stumbled into their web?"


    Thankfully not far. Not until he got off the side streets and into the plaza itself.
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  12. - Top - End - #162
    Ogre in the Playground
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    Default Re: Inside 74: Summer Fun and Zombies

    [Walking away from Glimmer Mist Park]

    Well that's disheartening. Hoshiki hoped at least their spirits would be freed by destroying source of the incursion. "I was almost at the park before I noticed anything strange. This is already further out than I thought the effect reached. But there were still people arriving from the outside so... let's keep walking. Unaffected areas shouldn't be far." If traffic hasn't been redirected from this part of the city, they should come across moving cars soon. A traffic jam caused by the disappearing people wouldn't be surprising. Maybe the swordman will have to deal with car crash victims once again. Such a cheerful thought, isn't it?

  13. - Top - End - #163
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    5a Violista's Avatar

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    Default Re: Inside 74: Summer Fun and Zombies

    Quote Originally Posted by Ironsmith View Post
    [Riftline: An Angel and Me]

    "Um..." Marianne begins, drifting around the question for a moment. Should she tell this lady the whole truth? That may not be wise, given her reaction to the pixies being eaten...

    "W-well, you see... there's a certain kind of demon we angels have to watch out for." She replies, rubbing her hands along her arms. "They're people in suits with knives for hands, and if they touch you, they'll melt down your soul for parts. It's, um... one of the few ways to actually hurt an angel, you see. So if we spot one, the thing to do is generally, uh, run away."
    [Riftline: An angel and me]

    "Yeah, definitely sounds like an ex," that woman says after hearing Marianne's explanation.

    She adjusts her sunglasses, and then glances out the train door's window, checking if a station is coming up soon.
    It's not.
    She looks back at the other five sleeping passengers so that she can watch them in case they suddenly wake up, or something.

    "Seriously, though, that sounds the worst. Someone ought to tell them to stop doing that: there's other better things they could be using their powers for."

    Speaking of the other passengers, starting now further inspection would reveal that the one closest to them is actually a mannaquin. The one farthest in the back has blood pooling on the ground. And the one closest to the front starts snoring. And the other two...well, nothing's changed about them.


    Quote Originally Posted by Ironsmith View Post
    [Indie Wedding Chapel]

    Braeg raises an eyebrow at that. "Ogre?" He chortles, barely restraining a chuckle behind his fist. "I've been called worse!" He manages, shoulders shaking with laughter. Maybe he did fit some definition of "ogre" around here. What typically comes to mind is some kind of man-eating giant; hardly an apt description for him, except maybe in metaphorical terms.

    The fiendling rises to his feet and deposits the coins into Violeta's hand, still coming down from her likely-unintentional joke. "You see what I mean about entertainment?" He smirks, shaking his head. "'Ogre'. Ha!" He waves the topic away and gestures toward the door. "With that in mind, let us continue. What sorts of things do you like to eat?"
    []B]Indie Wedding Chapel[/b]]

    Violeta Escarlate laughs, too. "Just because I called you the wrong thing doesn't mean you should make fun of me," Violeta complains, even though she's not actually mad or anything like that. Rather, having someone laugh at her for something inane is a welcome distraction.

    ...
    "Mostly I like any meats," she says, "But fruits are okay too. But mostly meat, that's my favorite." Oh wow, how surprising. The foxgirl's favorite food is meat.


    Quote Originally Posted by Rebonack View Post
    [Hodgepodge Street]

    It's a sad day.

    How could anyone ever say something like that about coconut sweetbread?

    Absolutely unconscionable is what that is.

    But never fear!

    Seraphina will make a startling, remarkable discovery.

    Outside the baker, staring up at it thoughtfully, is a girl.

    Maybe sixteen? Give or take? Maybe younger? She's pretty short. Wearing mishmash collection of scrapped together armor; clothing with old metal plates riveted to it. Also wearing a backpack with a spiked targe hanging off it. Also also wearing a pink knit cap on her head with two little points sticking up on it. Not quite the right shape for ears, though. Her eyes are also a very odd shade of pink. Unusual for a person, certainly.

    But that isn't the important part.

    The important part is that she's holding a bag full of coconut sweetbread and currently eating one of the buns.

    The girl isn't paying much attention to Seraphina. She's probably thinking about whether or not she can replenish her coconut sweetbread supply at this bakery, unaware of their terrible opinion on coconut sweetbread.
    [Hodgepodge Street]

    Unfortunately, the bakery smells seduced Seraphina into buying some other more boring and plain kind of bread instead. And a churro. She asked for it to be filled with sweetened condensed milk but was told off and kicked out and banned for her heresy.

    She leaves the bakery.

    Almost doesn't notice the girl with the kind of bread she had ordinarily, but!
    Then she does.
    Mostly because she was thinking about how much she wished she had them, how it's been so long, and then she thinks she only imagines the teenager has those, before she realizes it wasn't her imagination.

    "Hey!" she says to the girl. "Ummm...sorry. I mean, where did you get that bread from?"


    Quote Originally Posted by 5a Violista View Post
    [Church of Venus]

    The outsider in the stolen cloak scoots forward, to listen better to the conversations going on deeper into the church.

    Something about a bake sale.
    Proselytizing plans.
    Blessings, prayers, testimonials.
    Some kind of confession.
    Something catches her attention: still no confirmation on where Venus is. The outsider isn't sure whether to feel relieved or worried. Mostly relieved, with a little bit of worry.
    Well, that changes to worried with a little relief after she overhears that supposedly somone spotted her on the beach, and so a few of the more devout have been sent to that beach to see if they can confirm that rumor.

    Especially since the last time June had heard of Venus was when she was drugged out of her mind on warlock drugs in a binding circle on a tropical island after getting chased and shot at by crazed cultists...
    ...
    Okay, maybe they really did see her on that beach.
    Goal of today: find out which beach and where it is, before leaving, before anyone can put together what she's doing.
    </will deal with later maybe>
    Last edited by 5a Violista; 2022-06-22 at 03:30 PM.

  14. - Top - End - #164
    Barbarian in the Playground
     
    Rebonack's Avatar

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    Default Re: Inside 74: Summer Fun and Zombies

    [Walking Toward Arkham Street]

    Moirai's grip on the people it has corrupted is, apparently, pretty strong. The zombies that were destroyed by the swordsman were freed, if he's able to feel impressions of such things, but the draconic insectile things were so completely corrupted that their reincarnation would merely be more horrible draconic insectile things.

    Rather akin to Oneiro, honestly. With the major difference being that his will is still his own and breaking the symbol of his power as a beast of Moirai returns him to a human shape.

    At least....

    Temporarily.

    Maybe.

    Sure enough, it isn't long before they reach another neighborhood with no sign that anything strange had happened. They'll find Intersection officers moving in the opposite direction to investigate the disturbance that was reported.

    Oneiro seems deeply impressed by the sight of a living city. He's never seen such a thing before. It shouldn't be terribly difficult for the the needed building materials to be found. The swordsman can join the scavenger as he builds a little shelter around the riftgate or he can continue on to his own ends. All should be just fine, really, unless something else befalls them along the way.


    [Hodgepodge Street]

    Now, normally, it is kind of unusual to be stopped by strangers and asked about bread.

    When Seraphina speaks up Magdalene initially glances over her shoulder to see if someone else is being spoken to.

    No, it would appear, is the answer.

    She's the only one around with any bread, let alone bread in her mouth.

    "At a bakery," Magdalene replies, completely unhelpful. After a few seconds pause she elaborates a bit. "My apartment is on top of this bakery in Riverside. They make it there."

    The teen takes another bite out of her unobtainable (presently, for Seraphina) sweet bread.

    "Why? You want some?" she glances at the much closer bakery. "They ain't got any in there?"
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  15. - Top - End - #165
    Ogre in the Playground
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    Default Re: Inside 74: Summer Fun and Zombies

    [Walking towards Arkham Street]

    Hoshiki can usually feel what happens to spirits of beings he's personally killed, but even that's not a certain thing when they are being pulled by another power. He's feeling a bit of guilt for rushing things - maybe a better outcome could've been reached had he taken time to sever Moirai's victims from it individually.

    He helps carry the materials back to the park and build the shelter around the riftgate. Better do at least this part properly.

    Then it's time to return home, or what passes for it. "So, have you decided where you want to go?", he asks the younger man.

  16. - Top - End - #166
    Barbarian in the Playground
     
    Rebonack's Avatar

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    Default Re: Inside 74: Summer Fun and Zombies

    [Walking towards Arkham Street]

    It's possible.

    Maybe if the swordsman had destroyed the individual mummies they would have been left behind thanks to their strings having been cut already.

    But that's just a guess.

    That's one of the problems with linear time, isn't it?

    Hard to guess what could have happened if you took a different path.

    "I... um... I think I'm going to head out of the city. This place just feels too... overwhelming," Oneiro replies a bit uneasily. "There are just so many people. I know they aren't, but it feels like they're all watching me."

    Scavengers are always looking at with something straddling the line between fear and awe.

    The expectation to solve everyone's problems makes Oneiro feel a little uncomfortable.

    "This place sounds big. And... there are lots of places to see that don't... you know. Have lots of people? A little village is okay. Or an... an outpost. But this is too much."
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  17. - Top - End - #167
    Ogre in the Playground
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    Default Re: Inside 74: Summer Fun and Zombies

    [Walking towards Arkham Street]

    "There's still my mirror. The offer stands. If you feel like helping my associate get some sunken treasure, it can take you to far islands on the seas. A lot less people there, I promise", the swordsman reminds helpfully. "I realize we haven't done proper introductions. You can call me Senshi Hoshiki. Title,
    then name, if it's of concern."

  18. - Top - End - #168
    Barbarian in the Playground
     
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    Default Re: Inside 74: Summer Fun and Zombies

    [Walking Through Arkham Street]

    "Oh, um... I'm just Oneiro. I don't have any titles or... or anything like that," the arbalist replies.

    That is absolutely untrue.

    His monstery form actually has one.

    But he doesn't particularly like advertising that and also it is pretty strange, in his opinion.

    "It's nice to meet you, Hoshiki you seem like a very good warrior. I... um... I don't know if, you know, if going treasure hunting is a good... idea? I think, maybe, finding other riftgates and purifying them is more important. Since I don't... really want the Dead Gods to ruin this place, too."

    The Dead Gods ruining places is just the worst.

    It would appear as though Oneiro has that 'great power great responsibility' attitude.

    It would also appear as though Oneiro finds the fishy folk who frequent Arkham Street a little unnerving.
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  19. - Top - End - #169
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    Lord Magtok's Avatar

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    Default Re: Inside 74: Summer Fun and Zombies

    Robot Radio

    Spoiler
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ironsmith View Post
    [Robot Radio]

    Lucy slowly stands up and wipes the dust off her dress, glaring at Prime but saying nothing.

    "{...Did it work? It can't be that simple, can it?}" Phoebe frowns, watching the bridebot stand there motionlessly.

    "{Her processor may be stalling. Lucy, love, can you hear us?}"

    "{I can hear you just fine, yes.}" Lucy straightens, not taking her eyes off of Prime.

    "{Oh good!}" Phoebe beams, hugging the bridebot. "{...How do we know if you're still subject to the three laws, though? We don't have any humans around to try and give you an order, or for you to try and hurt. And testing if you'll preserve your own existence sounds kind of pointless.}"

    "{We can find out at a later date.}" The bridebot straightens. "{For now, the plan remains unchanged. I will pass on your orders to the rest of the Systerhood, Mister Prime. But before I do, I want to make one thing clear.}" She leans forward so her speaker is right next to his ear.

    "{If you ever attempt to order me around like one of those wet-brained cretins again, you will find the nearest trash compactor, lock yourself in it, and let it run to completion. You will then do the same for any other body you inhabit.}" Lucy rumbles into Prime's ear, repeating Phoebe's trick of turning his voice back on him.

    "{...Ooh. You're not supposed to do that...}" Phoebe warns belatedly.


    "{It's fine, Phoebe. I have no further reason to seize Lucy's autonomy, and the voice functions best when it is unexpected, whereas this has all been terribly predictable,}" Malice Prime answers dismissively, despite an overpowering need to put Lucy in her place screaming in the back of his head. Instead, he reaches into his red robe to produce...why the hell did Malice keep a bunch of fireworks in his pockets? Why didn't he warn Prime about this; what if they went off when Prime was experimenting with fire earlier? Stupid shell, that's your own petty mortal existence you're gambling with tricks like that, not Magtok Prime. The M80 is returned to the pocket it came from, and Prime withdraws the church stone he intended to pull out of his pocket, rolling the polished lump of granite around between his fingers.

    "{Do we have any other matters to settle? Machismo posturing between myself and Ares? Petty squabbling over who should be in command? Would you like to try to threaten to destroy me next, demand that I not go free until I explain why my voice works on organics, but yours only reprograms fellow machines?}" Prime asks tiredly, warming the rock as he waits for the wretched robots to decide the best way to disappoint him and inconvenience all his plans.
    Quote Originally Posted by RabbitHoleLost View Post
    Magtok's the best
    "You probably found 'How to Survive a Robot Uprising' in the humor section. Let's just hope that is where it belongs."
    -Daniel H. Wilson
    Unhooded Magtok avvie by urodivoi

  20. - Top - End - #170
    Ogre in the Playground
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    Default Re: Inside 74: Summer Fun and Zombies

    [Walking through Arkham Street]

    "That's fair", Hoshiki says. Far be it from him to tempt someone to abandon pursuit of greater good for mere material wealth. They arrive at the swordsman's mansion, which still has a broken front door. "I suppose. this is where we part ways, then, Oneiro. This is my house. I wish you luck, stopping your gods. If you ever need my help, now you know where to send a message." He gestures at the mansion.

  21. - Top - End - #171
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    Rebonack's Avatar

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    Default Re: Inside 74: Summer Fun and Zombies

    [Walking through Arkham Street]

    "I do. I will. Umm... contact you, I mean. If I ever need help," Oneiro replies, still looking a bit unnerved by the surroundings. The fishy look of some of the people here remind him of some of the fishy monsters he has encountered before and it isn't a particularly great. "And we can part ways if you... if you like? Since I don't think I really need..."

    He stares off into space, down toward a rocky inlet of the bay.

    It's an odd, day dreaming sort of expression.

    "Oh."

    Oh?

    "I think... there's another riftgate somewhere nearby. I can feel it. It's... The sea god, I think."

    He takes a few steps toward the bay. A closer rift wouldn't be bad, if he can secure it. That would mean he wouldn't have to walk quite as far to get to the swordsman's home.
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  22. - Top - End - #172
    Ogre in the Playground
    Join Date
    Mar 2020

    Default Re: Inside 74: Summer Fun and Zombies

    [Walking through Arkham Street]

    The swordsman is alarmed by the younger man's demeanor. "Well, good luck with the sea god, then", he says, "don't get eaten by a shark. And don't get in over your head! Fetch me for help if it looks bad."

    If Oneiro looks like he still has his wits about and doesn't request help, Hoshiki will let him go. The locals maybe a bit fishy, but they have not shown any inclination to cause end of the world. Even if they maybe sacrifice a baby or two on high tide to please their god.

  23. - Top - End - #173
    Barbarian in the Playground
     
    Rebonack's Avatar

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    Default Re: Inside 74: Summer Fun and Zombies

    [Walking through Arkham Street]

    And thus the swordsman has finally managed to get home!

    Goodness.

    That was quite a bit of nonsense, wasn't it?

    Oneiro waves before departing at a jog, his crossbow held firmly.

    After all, he's got some fishy zombies to put down.

    Ugh.

    He hates the fishy zombies.

    Those are quite possibly the worst kind.
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  24. - Top - End - #174
    Titan in the Playground
     
    Morty's Avatar

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    Poland
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    Default Re: Inside 74: Summer Fun and Zombies

    [Normal Escort Mission]

    No wards or defences are triggered by their ingress. Such movement seems to be something the proprietors of the store simply didn't expect. The two will find themselves in what looks like a storage room. It's unlit and there's no window here, so how much they see is unclear. But the room is small and crowded with shelves, which are occupied by meticulously sorted and arranged boxes and chests. There's only one way out, through a small door.
    My FFRP characters. Avatar by Ashen Lilies. Sigatars by Ashen Lilies, Gullara and Purple Eagle.
    Interested in the Nexus FFRP setting? See our Discord server.

  25. - Top - End - #175
    Bugbear in the Playground
     
    Ironsmith's Avatar

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    Default Re: Inside 74: Summer Fun and Zombies

    Quote Originally Posted by 5a Violista View Post
    [Riftline: An angel and me]

    "Yeah, definitely sounds like an ex," that woman says after hearing Marianne's explanation.

    She adjusts her sunglasses, and then glances out the train door's window, checking if a station is coming up soon.
    It's not.
    She looks back at the other five sleeping passengers so that she can watch them in case they suddenly wake up, or something.

    "Seriously, though, that sounds the worst. Someone ought to tell them to stop doing that: there's other better things they could be using their powers for."

    Speaking of the other passengers, starting now further inspection would reveal that the one closest to them is actually a mannaquin. The one farthest in the back has blood pooling on the ground. And the one closest to the front starts snoring. And the other two...well, nothing's changed about them.
    [Riftline: An Angel and Me]

    "Were it only so simple." Marianne mutters, taking a seat nearby. "They sort of have to do what they do. It's kinda like... have you ever spent any amount of time in a mob town? You might not like the guys in charge, but whereas you don't want to get fed feet-first into a woodchipper or tossed into the river with cinder blocks on your feet, you do what they say." She sighs. "...After a while, you sort of forget how to object and it takes a couple of fresh faces reminding you it doesn't have to be that way to snap you out of..."

    The angel trails off as she looks over the other passengers, noticing the less-than-reassuring details among them for the first time. The mannequin was excusable; there's a number of innocent, if bizarre, reasons why it might be here. But the pool of blood forming under one of the bodies? The fact that none of them are moving? That might be cause for concern.

    "...Are you seeing what I'm seeing?" Marianne croaks worriedly.

    Quote Originally Posted by 5a Violista View Post
    [Indie Wedding Chapel]

    Violeta Escarlate laughs, too. "Just because I called you the wrong thing doesn't mean you should make fun of me," Violeta complains, even though she's not actually mad or anything like that. Rather, having someone laugh at her for something inane is a welcome distraction.

    ...
    "Mostly I like any meats," she says, "But fruits are okay too. But mostly meat, that's my favorite." Oh wow, how surprising. The foxgirl's favorite food is meat.
    [Indie Wedding Chapel => Krikebulin's Kobold Cuisine]

    Braeg smirks. Meats, huh? That described pretty much every restaurant in town that wasn't specifically vegetarian. Violeta was not going to be a hard date to please.

    "Fantastic." The fiendling Lord chuckles, putting a hand on Violeta's shoulder. "I know an excellent place we could go."

    One poof of earthy-smelling green smoke later, they're outside the aforementioned restaurant.

    Quote Originally Posted by Lord Magtok View Post
    Robot Radio



    "{It's fine, Phoebe. I have no further reason to seize Lucy's autonomy, and the voice functions best when it is unexpected, whereas this has all been terribly predictable,}" Malice Prime answers dismissively, despite an overpowering need to put Lucy in her place screaming in the back of his head. Instead, he reaches into his red robe to produce...why the hell did Malice keep a bunch of fireworks in his pockets? Why didn't he warn Prime about this; what if they went off when Prime was experimenting with fire earlier? Stupid shell, that's your own petty mortal existence you're gambling with tricks like that, not Magtok Prime. The M80 is returned to the pocket it came from, and Prime withdraws the church stone he intended to pull out of his pocket, rolling the polished lump of granite around between his fingers.

    "{Do we have any other matters to settle? Machismo posturing between myself and Ares? Petty squabbling over who should be in command? Would you like to try to threaten to destroy me next, demand that I not go free until I explain why my voice works on organics, but yours only reprograms fellow machines?}" Prime asks tiredly, warming the rock as he waits for the wretched robots to decide the best way to disappoint him and inconvenience all his plans.
    [Robot Radio]

    "{Mmm, no.}" Lucy replies simply. "{So long as we all understand each other, we can move forward with our plans.}" The bridebot turns and beckons to her partner. "{Come along, you lot. We've got work to do.}"

    Phoebe comes up next to Prime as the pair start walking away. "{You're taking this pretty well. I know how much having someone else use your scary voice makes you mad. It must take a lot of restraint to just grin and bear it.}" She offers in a consoling tone. "{So I just want to say.. proud of you!}"

    glomp!
    Who're you? ...Don't matter.

    Want some rye? 'Course ya do!


    Here's to us.
    Who's like us?
    Damn few,
    and they're aaall dead.


    *gushes unintelligibly over our cat, Sunshine*

    [Nexus characters, grouped by setting:
    Ouroboros: here
    Maesda: here
    Others: here
    ]

  26. - Top - End - #176
    Orc in the Playground
     
    Earl of Purple's Avatar

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    With folk in the North
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    Default Re: Inside 74: Summer Fun and Zombies

    Krikebulin's Kobold Cuisine

    It's an upmarket restaurant, with a notable cave-style décor style. The dining area is in two halves, a lower and an upper; the lower area has human-sized tables and chairs, whilst the upper area, with its lower ceiling, has everything sized for goblins, gnomes and other shorter peoples. There's also some tables that bridge both areas, so mixed groups can sit comfortably. The waiters are all kobolds; small, dinosaur-looking chaps with large eyes, long rigid tails, and a notably bird-like gait. They're small, most under a metre tall, and wear specially tailored suits.

    Braeg and Violeta will find all the chairs have large cut-outs on the back so they fit most tails easily, and there's stools available if either of them have wings. There's plenty of empty spaces, though it also seems to be relatively popular; amongst the other patrons, there's more kobolds, many more casually dressed than the waiters, drow, dwarfs, gnomes, humans, and a very large octopus slumped onto a chair.
    Terrowin Avatar by HappyTurtle. Much thanks!

  27. - Top - End - #177
    Barbarian in the Playground
     
    Rebonack's Avatar

    Join Date
    Nov 2006
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    The King's Grave

    Default Re: Inside 74: Summer Fun and Zombies

    [Normal Escort Mission]

    Ah.

    They would appear to find themselves in a closet.

    Well.

    There's only one way forward from here, isn't there?

    Open the door and step out.

    Neshy once again leans heavily upon the sphere of Perception. Pay them no heed. There is no reason to acknowledge their existence.

    This would have been strained if she had tried to shove the creature in front of the door outside out of their way.

    But so long as no one is leaning against the closet their entry should be below recognition.


    [Steele Street]


    Good old Steele Street.

    A great location if you're fond of Victorian style outfits, steampunk technology, spring-heeled stabbers, dubiously functional time machines, and oppressive amounts of smog.

    After visiting DinoCo to get some fuel (which was staffed entirely by tiny fluffy velocoraptors with garishly colorful feathers) our sandal-clad hero will be arriving in this rather distinctive part of the city. Finding the tower Zee was talking about might be difficult, though. Mostly because the smog limits visibility to a few hundred feet. There must be a good way to figure out where the zombies have been taking the metal they have been pilfering, though. How about that kid over there selling newspapers? Maybe he's heard something? Or maybe that crashing sound from a nearby alley is the evidence he's looking for? Or maybe he should harass that gentleman coughing into a handkerchief with a silent spectre of a dead woman looming behind him?

    Lots of options!
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  28. - Top - End - #178
    Ogre in the Playground
     
    Gullara's Avatar

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    Sep 2009
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    Beyond the Wall
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    Female

    Default Re: Inside 74: Summer Fun and Zombies

    Quote Originally Posted by Morty View Post
    [Normal Escort Mission]

    No wards or defences are triggered by their ingress. Such movement seems to be something the proprietors of the store simply didn't expect. The two will find themselves in what looks like a storage room. It's unlit and there's no window here, so how much they see is unclear. But the room is small and crowded with shelves, which are occupied by meticulously sorted and arranged boxes and chests. There's only one way out, through a small door.
    Quote Originally Posted by Rebonack View Post
    [Normal Escort Mission]

    Ah.

    They would appear to find themselves in a closet.

    Well.

    There's only one way forward from here, isn't there?

    Open the door and step out.

    Neshy once again leans heavily upon the sphere of Perception. Pay them no heed. There is no reason to acknowledge their existence.

    This would have been strained if she had tried to shove the creature in front of the door outside out of their way.

    But so long as no one is leaning against the closet their entry should be below recognition.[B]
    [Normal Escort Mission]

    "Where are we?" Onyeka whispers. Her voice is shaky and she's still looking woozy, but she's recovered enough to start to interpret her surroundings. "Are we actually in that building?"

  29. - Top - End - #179
    Ogre in the Playground
    Join Date
    Mar 2020

    Default Re: Inside 74: Summer Fun and Zombies

    [Steele Street]

    The bandaged man is not clad in sandals and is only dubiously a hero.

    The roar of a Harley Davidson echoes through the street for a while before he parks it under a lone gaslamp. He takes off his helmet and looks around. He bought some things from DinoCo, aside from just fueling his bike. Specifically, two jerrycans full of gasoline and a handful of fridge magnets.

    Spotting the paperboy, he heads towards him. "Hey, want to make some extra cash?", the bandaged man asks, pulling out the magnets, a tattered notebook and a handful of cash from the pockets of his jacket. "Could you go around and pin pages of this book on every man-portable steel object you can find?"

    The pages are adorned with geometric patterns and an ecclectic mix of words written in Hebrew alphabet, runes and hanzi. Some of them seem to be prayers. Or invocations.

  30. - Top - End - #180
    Barbarian in the Playground
     
    Rebonack's Avatar

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    Nov 2006
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    The King's Grave

    Default Re: Inside 74: Summer Fun and Zombies

    [Steele Street]

    Maybe he could go for a nice pair of sandals and a hero sandwich?

    It might make the job more pleasant.

    "Sure thing, gov," the lad replies, hastily taking both money and magnets. "This isn't going to get me in trouble, is it?"

    What if this is some sort of weird plot to turn the first floor of every building nearby into creamed corn?

    And then the lad got blamed for it!

    That would be terrible.

    Assuming the kid gets even slight assurances that nothing horrible will come of this he'll begin running around attaching pages to man-hole covers, bikes, and any other metal object he can find.

    He might be interpreting 'man portable' pretty loosely. No one is going to walk away with that lamp post.

    ...probably.
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