[Nexus] Inside 38

[Halae]

[Streets]

"I could use whatever information you have for me, sure." Jakus says, curious as to what he's going to be fighting.

[happyturtle]

Temple of Cunningham

Pastor Ellen dips her fingers in a small bowl and draws an infinity symbol on Sister Sophie's forehead. Nothing supernatural will happen at this point, unless Sophie's faith is so strong that she creates it within herself. "Welcome to the Sacred Order of Cunningham, Sister Sophie." Pastor Ellen says, and Elder Cooke and Dr Burnett say the same.

[Morty]

[Temple of Cunningham]

Smiling widely, Sophie bows. She feels better than she has felt in a long time. I'm really happy to be part of it. I'll do my best to make you all proud.

[VampireRot]

Rot is likely not counting on the bombs containing trackers, though. And Anatolij with his Fast Response team know they have no time. Four combat bikes started speeding through the Null Zone towards the area where Rot is doing his business as soon as they detected the bombs leaving the AMEN base.

[Null Zone]

Rot does not notice the bikes until they are very close. By that time, he's set up about half of the bombs. The vampire scowls at the approaching team and quickly activates the bombs' timer, then slips into an alley to try to hide from them. Of course, he takes the bag with the rest of the bombs, not realizing they're tracking him with them.

"Oh. Well, there's nothing wrong with that, is there?" Reinholdt says more than asks. Normal cat statues were nice.

She tilts her head.
"What if we hired an eldritch creature to go get it for us? There are plenty friendly ones around here somewhere."
Nah. Just stick with building the church up silly cat. It'll make it's way back eventually, probably, maybe, once you've made enough crazy cat ladies.

[Animal Shelter/Temple of Bast]

"No, I guess not..."

Akila wrinkles her nose.

"An eldritch creature? I wouldn't count on it, they're too unpredictable. And the Old Ones who attacked are serious business; even another abomination has no chance in one of their domains."

[Morty]

[Null Zone]

The group gets off the bikes and splits up. Three of the bikes carried two people each - four of those people are sappers who immediately rush to disarm the bombs, following each of the explosives' trackers. The other three people, one of whom is Anatolij, head into the alley, also following the trackers. Rot of AMEN! Surrender and you won't be harmed! Anatolij bellows. His description would be unnecessary at this point, as he's wearing light power armor that covers his body and face. He's armed in a handgun and a cavalry sabre. Accompanying him are another Remnant trooper and a Mortal Coil combat cleric.

[TechnoScrabble]

Red Zone

The combination of ice and being thrown about does not do the bogeys any good. They stumble about drunkenly, groaning.

[KerfuffleMach2]

Red Zone

With the ring floating by her, Demon Queen approaches the nearest bogeys. Using her abilities, she'll lift him into the air and turn him to face her.

You said you were doing this to find somebody. Who are you looking for? Why? And who sent you?

Demon Queen's current companion may notice that she seems to be straining. Against what, is unclear. Although, the red swirl on the stone in her chest is moving.

[PurityIcekiller]

[Red Zone]

"...Or maybe not more like it. This fight seems to be zig-zagging a lot." Kyinde turned away from the bogeymen and looked around for the "couple" to make sure nothing happened involving them.

[M. Mayonnaise]

[Wish Shop]

Plum giggles. "If the mistress says she can do it, then she can do it," she says.

"I'll be able to restore your major memories with that pendant," says Which. "Anything not restored will be small memories, events, anecdotes.... that sort of thing. You will still remember who you are."

Gaddiyel contemplates the gem in his hand for a moment. However valuable it might be, it's of no use to him without his memories. ... Very well. You have a deal." He pulls the chain from around his neck, offering it to the witch.

[Lord Magtok]

Sanctuary Fortress]

Spoiler

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[Sanctuary Fortress]

The medic smiles and adds, "While we don't demand payment for our services donations aren't frowned upon. Whether you choose to give or not go with Zoemaytare's blessing."

Maggy's wounds are mostly not quite as bad as the stuff that Ray suffered. Or at least not as obvious. Maggy gets his bald head anointed with the same bone-mending oil that Ray got to fix his skull fractures. He also gets offered a cup of something that smells a lot like tea, cream and cinnamon. "This will help to keep the brain-swelling down. Please drink it."

Brain swelling is terrible. Wouldn't want Maggy to get a bigger head than he already has.

"Brain-swelling? It's not that bad, is it? I mean, it didn't-" Magtok stops speaking for a moment, spits into his hand, and then winces at the ugly mix of saliva and blood. Eeugh, gross. Maybe he should stop talking and just let the treatment do its job.

He sips at the tea, making a face at first, clearly not a tea sort of person, before grudgingly forcing himself to finish it all off. As much as he hates whatever this stuff is, he dislikes the idea of getting culled by another clone for being too weak, broken and pathetic even more.

"So, maintenance costs and supplies and stuff aside, what would a donation go towards anyway?"

[MagMart]

Especially considering they don't know any other places. Soon enough they'll arrive at MagMart and make their way inside. "Now where to start looking." Sakura looks around, no idea where to head first. Hopefully a Magbot will be along at any time to assist them.

And look! One leaps in just in time to help!

"Scuse me ma'am, is there anything I can help you two with?"

[TechnoScrabble]

Red Zone

The bogey only flies up about half as far as the Demon Queen wants him to.
"Some lady with crazy firey hair. You ain't said lady. Beat it."

The couple is cowering in a corner.

[Rebonack]

[Sanctuary Fortress]

Amil's gone!

Once she had her wounds treated she got the heck out of here and dropped some money in the offering box. Place puts her on edge.

And yes Maggy, it can be that bad. Herniated brains are lethal things most of the time.

"Maintenance costs and supplies," the medic replies with half a grin. "This is a non-prophet organization. While we do get some funds from home we are required to be mostly self-sufficient. The donations cover these needs almost completely and whatever is left over is used for improvement projects here Inside."

Mostly in the slums. The area around the Sanctuary is actually in pretty good condition.

[KerfuffleMach2]

Red Zone

Demon Queen gives a smirk.

Yeah, that ain't happening.

She jerks her arm to one side, attempting to fling the bogeys into a wall.

[Lady Serpentine]

[Streets]

"I could use whatever information you have for me, sure." Jakus says, curious as to what he's going to be fighting.

"Fire Angels are something like a giant praying mantis, with fur and spikes. Dicing them is about the only thing that works to kill them, except maybe going for the heart - which they have three of -, including cutting off their head. Also, they're as smart as a human, and can fly."

[happyturtle]

[Temple of Cunningham]

Smiling widely, Sophie bows. She feels better than she has felt in a long time. I'm really happy to be part of it. I'll do my best to make you all proud.

Sophie is the recipient of a maternal hug from Pastor Ellen. Elder Cooke almost does so as well before he remembers how much dirt he has on him, so he puts his hands in his pockets and smiles. Dr Burnett (now Sister Frances to Sophie if she chooses ) warmly shakes her hand. "I'm sure you will, dear. Pawpaw, get back outside and finish with your muck. Dinner'll be ready at 6."

"Yes, Duckie," he says. The couple exchange a brief kiss - just a simple touch of the lips - and he goes back outside.

It's about now that Pastor Ellen spies Aleph watching. "There you are, dear. I hope you're well rested. Sister Frances, Sister Sophie, this is Aleph. She came here for sanctuary. Aleph, this is our newest sister, Sister Sophie, and Sister Frances, who grew up with us. I'm sure if you need any help and you can't find me, either of the sisters will be happy to assist."

[Reinholdt]

[Animal Shelter/Temple of Bast]

"No, I guess not..."

Akila wrinkles her nose.

"An eldritch creature? I wouldn't count on it, they're too unpredictable. And the Old Ones who attacked are serious business; even another abomination has no chance in one of their domains."

[Animal Shelter/Temple of Bast]

"Ah. Well it was worth a shot."
So this Bast statue was attacked by an Old One and sucked into their domain. Interesting.

"Don't know many shops around here that commissions statues though."

[happyturtle]

Market Streets

A pretty young woman - who is definitely not a werewolf, nope, not at all, just ignore her prominent canine teeth and twitching nose - is shopping among the food stalls.

[Lost_Deep]

Roof above market street

Two silvery extraterrestrials are here, overlooking market street. Why would ETs be overlooking market street? Looking for someone to abduct for alien science?

ACTUALLY, they are looking for a way down. How did they get up there? long story. Involves a moose. Suffice to say they can't get down that way.

[happyturtle]

Market Street

Lorraine sniffs something alien, but familiar, and looks around for the source. Then looks up. Oh hey! It's Tom and Jerry! She waves at them. They had been kind to her, if a bit nutty.

[KerfuffleMach2]

Market Street

Another young woman is here. Her hair is long and brown, her skin kind of pale. She wears jeans and a hoodie. Hanging from one shoulder is a canvas bag that clinks slightly as she walks. Resting against the other shoulder is what appears to be a giant skeleton key at first. Closer inspection reveals it to be made of engine parts.

Alysha looks around, a grin on her face. She liked looking at everything here. There was so much to see!

[Lady Serpentine]

[Wish Shop]

Tirin, unless stopped, heads out. It's getting close to time for the wedding.

((This is quite separate from the other thing going on in the Wish Shop.))

[Lost_Deep]

Market Street

The male alien does see Lorraine, but does not seem to recognize her. The female seems to be distracted by the lady with a large key on her back while trying to crawl down a drain pipe.

((Fyi, the translator circlet did, infact, re-sze when Lorraine changed. If she didn't remove it/it got knocked off, it could very well still be on her head.))

[PurityIcekiller]

Red Zone

The bogey only flies up about half as far as the Demon Queen wants him to.
"Some lady with crazy firey hair. You ain't said lady. Beat it."

The couple is cowering in a corner.

Demon Queen gives a smirk.

Yeah, that ain't happening.

She jerks her arm to one side, attempting to fling the bogeys into a wall.

Satisfied with what she'd seen, Kyinde turned her attention back to the fight. "I have to agree with my recently-acquired companion on this. We can't leave until you've stopped causing trouble." She twirled her sword in her hand as she waited for another opportunity to strike.

[happyturtle]

Market Street

"Hey Tom!" Lorraine calls, waving one arm broadly to get his attention.

If the circlet was like a headband that could be easily removed by the wearer, then she took it off, but still has it with her. If it stayed attached to her head, then she'll be rather more urgent about getting their attention because having something permanently in one's hair is kinda scary.

[TechnoScrabble]

Red Zone

The bogeys aren't thrownb nearly quite as hard as the Demon Queen probably would have liked, but still hit the wall with a satisfyingly sick thud!

Market Street

Yet another person is here!
Young is here, enjoying the fact that he is no longer an NPC, and is looking about some fruit stands, enjoying the seemingly endless revenue PCs get!

[KerfuffleMach2]

Red Zone

Demon Queen notices that the bogeys aren't flying as hard as she'd like.

Which, of course, she doesn't like.

She starts stalking towards the bogey, but suddenly stops. She draws in a sharp breath, closing her eyes and bringing a hand up to her forehead.

Market Street

Alysha sees Lorraine. And decides to try to talk to her.

Hi! Alysha gives a huge grin, revealing her fangs. I'm Alysha. nice to meet you!

[Lost_Deep]

Market street

'Tom' does not recognize the voice at first. 'Jerry', however, does. Distracted by this familiar voice, she falls off the drain pipe.

Thankfully, there is one of those cloth shop shade things for her to bounce off of comically.

In the end, she is on her back in front or Lorraine and Alysha.

((the circlet is designed to be snug, not irremovable.))

[Rebonack]

[Market Street]

Fruit stands!

YES!

Those are the best stands ever.

"You!" a rather large, gruff man points at Young with a knife as he passes by. "You want to buy a melon."

He then slooooowly cuts the melon open in a fashion that might be construed as vaguely intimidating. The orange flesh inside is juicy and very fragrant.

The man smells it and holds it out.

"Is good melon. You will buy it."

MEANWHILE!

"What do you mean it's fake?" Amil asks increduliously as a goldsmith examines a coin she had grabbed from the recent random encounter at Trog's. "It was random encounter loot. That stuff is crazy powerful and-"

The jeweler holds up one finger. "While the magical items might be powerful, my dear, the mundane loot is not. This isn't the first time I've been brought stuff like this before. It's some kind of magical simulation material. However, it lacks the magical and electrical conductivity of gold that actually makes the metal valuable."

Amil's shoulders slump a bit.

"Oh... Drat. And here I thought I would be able to retire on that junk. Well, sorry for wasting your time," and with that she trudges down the street, kicking her worthless coin as she goes.

[happyturtle]

Market St

Lorraine is distracted from her waving by Alysha, and then distracted from Alysha by the alien pratfall. "Oh hi, I'm Lorraine... Jerry? Are you hurt?"

She isn't wearing the translator circlet. She'll remember it when she fails to understand anything here in a minute.

[KerfuffleMach2]

Market Street

Alysha gives out a surprised yelp when Jerry falls.

Then she'll worry about her.

Oh, are you okay? Anything hurt? I can heal you if needed.

She says this rather fast.