Riverside 15

[Gullara]

https://drive.google.com/uc?id=0B5bKlQSiirV-dmxiQUpqa1hId00
By Darklord Bright

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


Current Events:

Tenebras as an organization has dissolved and it's remnant have been absorbed into Malechenar. Consequently, Malechenar now governs both the north and west sectors of the city.



The Districts:
Northside


Eastside

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

Southside

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

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

Westside

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

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

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

Places Within:
Northside

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


Eastside

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

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

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

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

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


Southside

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

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

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

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

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


Westside

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Previous Threads:
Riverside 14 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?322824-Nexus-Riverside-14)
Riverside 13 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=304493)
Riverside 12 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=278058)
Riverside 11 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=262777)
Riverside X: Take a Walk on the Wildside (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=253781)
Riverside IX (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=248824)
Riverside VIII: A New Side (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=238369)
Riverside VII (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=226275)
Riverside VI (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=218891)
Riverside V (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=213952)
Riverside IV: Offside, 10 Yard Penalty (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=207810)
Riverside III (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=199842)
Riverside II (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=183453)
Riverside I: The Beginning (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=180396)

[ThirdEmperor]

[The Heist!]

The burglar can hear the imp giggle from the lock. "Is it because you're so ugly otherwise? But really, I never heard of them demons and it doesn't really matter who you are. Unless I get a new gig you get out or I'll scream, sound the alarm, all of the above. You got that buddy?" It says.

"Hey!"

The Burglar hisses, glancing over his shoulder towards the bend of the hallway. Great. At the mercy of a talkative bit of furniture. "Okay, okay, um, look. I can get you a job. You want a contract? Okay, just you're going to, uh, need to explain the whole, y'know, how to do that." This is going to involve blood, isn't it? Always with the blood.

[Slii Arhem]

Elaine smiles as her nose detects the scent, but does not comment on it, instead saying, "Alright. I'm glad...I'm allergic to dogs, and I like to be...Alive." She finishes filling out the form and hands it back Shayan as she says, "So, when are we going to do this?"

Community Center

"Since dogs are not plants, usually, and the risk of death is extremely minimal you should find nothing too onerous about these trials. I can have you begin testing in the gymnasium with a few light exercises to get your heart-rate up and get a good idea of your vitals. After which, I have an on-site ward set up in the nurse's office for the tests, and any after-trial recovery that you need to do." The nurse likely won't mind, since she was told to be off-duty today, dosed with hypnotizing pollen, and then tied up and slightly gagged while in her fugue state.

Shayan will attempt to lead Elaine by the arm to the gym, and get her running on the treadmill. This part of the testing is entirely for verisimilitude, since it feels much less suspicious to the participants if they have to do some actual exercise for their money. "Just run until you can feel your heart pounding, the treadmill will automatically increase in speed, so place your feet off to either side once you are certain your blood is pumping quickly."


Community Center

Sophia shakes her head
Fraid not, sorry. I'm going to have to back out then.
And she leaves...

Another person appears!
A woman, her long black hair swept back, clad in navy blue cargo pants, a black blouse, and a blue military jacket, her feet bare, her fair skin contrasting with her bright amber eyes.
Through the many tears on her clothing, one can see a lot of her body, covered in bandages.
Hi. I'm interested in this experiment. May I sign up?3

Community Center

"You appear to be quite badly injured, judging by your extensive bandaging, unless it is simply a fashion statement. However, unless you have a specific plant allergy that would make you ineligible for the testing, my only warning to you is that the first part of these trials involves a slight amount of running to check your vitals, so if any potential injuries would complicate that, then I would advise against signing up." Shayan pushes forward a registration form and a waiver, tapping her finger against the space that says Allergies next to it as a reminder.

[Lord Magtok]

Invidia, clad in her armor and a black cloak, blushing, approaches Magtok hesitantly

Fallow’s Furry & Feathered Friends

"You're bright red. We can do this some other time if you have a cold, Invidia," Magtok offers, not even turning to look in her direction. He instead gestures towards a trio of hidden cameras installed on nearby lampposts, which seems to be how he knew she was blushing, without even seeing her with his own eyes.

"I've been watching the street. Either nothing suspicious has happened thus far, or they figured out I was watching an hour ago, only made it look like nothing suspicious happened out here, and have instead laid out a perfect trap to ensnare us both if I take so much as one step forward." Let's hope it's the former, then.

[Ionbound]

Apartment Block

How can you guarantee this? We will deliver mortals to you as per agreement but how do we know you will hold your part after you freed your lord? The demons asks. We'd like see some results before that considering we don't know how long time it would take to free him.

Adele frowns. Well, your list is rather...ambitious. Like I said, I have few daughters. And if we were to all be killed by HALO, or Watch, or Remnant trying to take revenge on us, then neither of our goals would be accomplished. We need more power. If you can help us with that, then we'll help you with your...list. If not, then goodbye.


Community Center

"Since dogs are not plants, usually, and the risk of death is extremely minimal you should find nothing too onerous about these trials. I can have you begin testing in the gymnasium with a few light exercises to get your heart-rate up and get a good idea of your vitals. After which, I have an on-site ward set up in the nurse's office for the tests, and any after-trial recovery that you need to do." The nurse likely won't mind, since she was told to be off-duty today, dosed with hypnotizing pollen, and then tied up and slightly gagged while in her fugue state.

Shayan will attempt to lead Elaine by the arm to the gym, and get her running on the treadmill. This part of the testing is entirely for verisimilitude, since it feels much less suspicious to the participants if they have to do some actual exercise for their money. "Just run until you can feel your heart pounding, the treadmill will automatically increase in speed, so place your feet off to either side once you are certain your blood is pumping quickly."

Elaine is led into the gym, and then nods when Shayan tells her to jog. She hops up on the treadmill, and runs for, oh, let's say, 10 minutes, before putting her feet to the side.

She takes a few deep breaths, and then says, "Alright. That wasn't so bad. What now?" as she, still a little apprehensive as one would be during a clinical test, rubs and scratches at the back of her head.

[Arkhosia]

Community Center

"You appear to be quite badly injured, judging by your extensive bandaging, unless it is simply a fashion statement. However, unless you have a specific plant allergy that would make you ineligible for the testing, my only warning to you is that the first part of these trials involves a slight amount of running to check your vitals, so if any potential injuries would complicate that, then I would advise against signing up." Shayan pushes forward a registration form and a waiver, tapping her finger against the space that says Allergies next to it as a reminder.


Fallow’s Furry & Feathered Friends

"You're bright red. We can do this some other time if you have a cold, Invidia," Magtok offers, not even turning to look in her direction. He instead gestures towards a trio of hidden cameras installed on nearby lampposts, which seems to be how he knew she was blushing, without even seeing her with his own eyes.

"I've been watching the street. Either nothing suspicious has happened thus far, or they figured out I was watching an hour ago, only made it look like nothing suspicious happened out here, and have instead laid out a perfect trap to ensnare us both if I take so much as one step forward." Let's hope it's the former, then.
Community Center

Well, I'm allergic to iguanas, and my injuries won't impair that, so I should be fine.
The girl replies earnestly, smiling slightly (the smile showing off slightly her brilliant white teeth).

FF&FF

no, I don't have a cold, Magtok. Jezebel decided she'd try to help me out by giving me some tips...
She replies embarrassedly, blushing even more.
Ok, that's good to know.

[Murkus]

Southside Sticks Chase

Shantelle investigates the construct to tell if it is still "Alive", and if not she darts after Sticks.
Are you ok sir?

The construct, if it can be called so and isn't something horribly alive underneath the rags, does not appear to be active. It doesn't move in the slightest. Sounded like it hit the ground pretty hard.

Sticks will be a bit harder to catch. He's running, but if she calls out, he'll slowly come to a stop and whip around, brandishing his two-pronged spear. "Where'd it go?" He asks, expecting it to reach out've the fog and grab him at any moment.



The Toy Tinker

Jim gets up silently and goes back to the desk. "You're too hard on yourself, Sticks. You're a good person." is all he says, quietly.

Sticks gives a little start at that, turning his head slowly to face Jim. He leans on one of the store shelves, resting his hand there. His smile returns, if small and weary. "Have you and the lady Uzume conjured a conspiracy to confound me? Whatever makes you tell me that?"



Malchenar

"The fair folk you say? Or the fey or fae as well as many other titles. I believe I have what you need in my personal library. Why don't we take a break from the project and take a visit there?" The door to the laboratory opens up seemingly on it's own and Ryhe gestures for Sticks to go first. "I believe it will suit your tastes, one collector to another."


While Sticks better judgement would normally rule against going into a room first, he's a bit too distracted right now to worry about it. He slips inside, glancing around, mentally high-fiving himself for ensuring these eyes could see in the dark. They aren't the prettiest eyes, by any means, but they are quite practical.

"Precisely. Now, I realize there is no one type of fey, but truly, any tome will do. Particularly newer volumes, on spirit worlds closely intermingled with the Nexus itself."

[Gullara]

Suncrest Manor

Misaka, rather surprised by the location's appearance, presses the button on the buzzer, easily noticeable by the camera.

[Suncrest Manor]

There's a couple of moments of delay before a response comes through the speaker. "Hello, can I help you?" A woman's voice says.

[Arkhosia]

[Suncrest Manor]

There's a couple of moments of delay before a response comes through the speaker. "Hello, can I help you?" A woman's voice says.

I'm here to see Eliseo. I'm an... acquaintance of his.
Misaka replies slightly awkwardly

[Lost_Deep]

The Dare Knight Falls (again)

Whoops, it loses it's grip and continues crashing to the ground with a roar. Bye, bye gargoyle!

This doesn't mean her troubles are over though as the rest of the flock is swarming at her location. One of them swooping down at her from above and trying to grip her arm with it's claws while another is trying to cut her drag chute. The rest of them are simply gathering around, trying to block her escape if she should attempt to swing away, limiting her maneuverability by basically forming a sky-wall around her. They seem better organized now than a few moments ago.

The Dare Knight Falls (again)

Charnel cuts the drag chute herself, falling for a ways, away from the gargoyles. She then forms her wing membranes, diving in a controlled manner into the streets below. She tries to duck into an alley or something similar, and there her skin will change color to suit her surroundings, similar to an octopus' or cuttlefish's camouflage.

[Shadowcaller]

While Sticks better judgement would normally rule against going into a room first, he's a bit too distracted right now to worry about it. He slips inside, glancing around, mentally high-fiving himself for ensuring these eyes could see in the dark. They aren't the prettiest eyes, by any means, but they are quite practical.

"Precisely. Now, I realize there is no one type of fey, but truly, any tome will do. Particularly newer volumes, on spirit worlds closely intermingled with the Nexus itself."


Adele frowns. Well, your list is rather...ambitious. Like I said, I have few daughters. And if we were to all be killed by HALO, or Watch, or Remnant trying to take revenge on us, then neither of our goals would be accomplished. We need more power. If you can help us with that, then we'll help you with your...list. If not, then goodbye.


"Hey!"

The Burglar hisses, glancing over his shoulder towards the bend of the hallway. Great. At the mercy of a talkative bit of furniture. "Okay, okay, um, look. I can get you a job. You want a contract? Okay, just you're going to, uh, need to explain the whole, y'know, how to do that." This is going to involve blood, isn't it? Always with the blood.

[The Heist]

Oh there will be blood alright.

"First we need a contract, but thankfully I can arrange that. I just need an deal and a signature from you my good man so you better start offering before I lose patience." It sounds like the imp is enjoying this a great deal.

[Malechenar]

The room is actually quite small, probably since it's it appears to be some sort of... elevator? Ryhe steps in after him and the doors slowly closes behind them before what sounds like an number of gears and wires are brought to life and the elevator takes them upwards. "Yes, I have books on that particular subject which you describe. It's a rather specific thing to ask for though which makes me curious of what you're going to use them for." The masked lord asks as they slowly are brought upwards.

Fourth Tower Compound

"Hmph, what? You expect Bigfang to just hand over information after you being rude to him? Bigfang wants something in exchange. Yes, you must finish Bigfangs quest for him." Another quest? "Yes, Bigfang serve many gods see? Him finishing great math problem for Chadwick then him try to finish great chaos quest granted to him by other god. But now Bigfang can't rest since he failed to complete the quest. It is a simple quest though, yes, yes. Not hard at all."

Eastside: Closed Scene

With a lot of blood flying I imagine. There was no such thing as a "clean kill" with weapons like that. "Are you okay?" She asks the woman, glancing at the dead creature laying by her feet. She had been in riverside a while but she had never seen something quite like that. "What was that?"



"And you're a vampire, from westside? You with Tenebras perhaps?" The guard asks her, making some notes on the paper he was given.

The Dare Knight Falls (again)

The gargoyle's follow but they probably aren't as fast as her as she dodges behind a corner. They can smell her however which might make them able to chase her a bit.

Apartment Complex

We realize that fulfilling the entire list would be short to impossible. Think it as... having a lot of potential candidates. Subtly is the key if that is a concept you understand, but do not worry. We will deliver mortals to you, be sure of that. The demon replies. [B]So was there anything else or should we get to it?

[Earl of Purple]

Fallow's Furry & Feathered Friends

From outside, it's hard to see into the pet superstore's compound. It's surrounded by tall, reinforced concrete walls topped with a wide platform patrolled by men with dartguns, and towers overlook the compound at every corner. It looks like a fortress, only with all eyes turned inwards, towards the centre of the compound and all its inhabitants. So more like a prison.

[Lost_Deep]

The Dare Knight Falls (again)

She smells... odd. There's a little bit of human scent, but it's mostly covered by an alien scent.

She's moving a bit fast to track by smell alone, too. She runs parkour, moving from place to place with efficiency and grace, her colors shifting to match the buildings around her. She's trying to disappear, lose the gargoyles completely.

[Lord Magtok]

FF&FF

no, I don't have a cold, Magtok. Jezebel decided she'd try to help me out by giving me some tips...
She replies embarrassedly, blushing even more.
Ok, that's good to know.


Fallow's Furry & Feathered Friends

From outside, it's hard to see into the pet superstore's compound. It's surrounded by tall, reinforced concrete walls topped with a wide platform patrolled by men with dartguns, and towers overlook the compound at every corner. It looks like a fortress, only with all eyes turned inwards, towards the centre of the compound and all its inhabitants. So more like a prison.

"Tips? But she doesn't even know about what we're doing here, she thinks that you and I are..." Magtok's sentence trails off, as he realizes exactly what kind of helpful advice Jezebel, in all her worldly experience, would be qualified to give Invidia, and how it would pertain to their alibi.

"Okay, so...okay. I'm...I'm going to need you, to forget everything she told you about everything, okay? Whatever she said that I'm into...just stop knowing any of that. Catgirls, positions, things to say or do...just stop. None of that ever happened and we're moving on now." Magtok, you can't just retcon things from reality because they're inconvenient for you personally. But you are right about one thing, it's time to move on and start the reconnaissance/sabotage mission. Magtok brusquely grabs Invidia by the shoulder, marching her towards the foul compound.

"Now remember, we hate each other. I'm your callous and heartless master, after buying you off of Jezebel. We're here because I've gotten bored with just you as my bodyguard/pet, and feel like expanding my horizons by buying myself a new girl. Definitely not to find and murder this Fallow guy and his entire extended family before running away with as many freed slaves behind us as possible. Understand?"

[Arkhosia]

Eastside: Closed Scene

With a lot of blood flying I imagine. There was no such thing as a "clean kill" with weapons like that. "Are you okay?" She asks the woman, glancing at the dead creature laying by her feet. She had been in riverside a while but she had never seen something quite like that. "What was that?"

An unfortunate member of my race who succumbed to his taint, the demon who inhabited him. He couldn't keep it at bay, and it took over his body.
Invidia calmly replies, cleaning her blade with a grimace.


[Below Malechenar]

"And you're a vampire, from westside? You with Tenebras perhaps?" The guard asks her, making some notes on the paper he was given.

Macbeth shakes her head.
Stone Mask Vampire.

"Tips? But she doesn't even know about what we're doing here, she thinks that you and I are..." Magtok's sentence trails off, as he realizes exactly what kind of helpful advice Jezebel, in all her worldly experience, would be qualified to give Invidia, and how it would pertain to their alibi.

"Okay, so...okay. I'm...I'm going to need you, to forget everything she told you about everything, okay? Whatever she said that I'm into...just stop knowing any of that. Catgirls, positions, things to say or do...just stop. None of that ever happened and we're moving on now." Magtok, you can't just retcon things from reality because they're inconvenient for you personally. But you are right about one thing, it's time to move on and start the reconnaissance/sabotage mission. Magtok brusquely grabs Invidia by the shoulder, marching her towards the foul compound.

"Now remember, we hate each other. I'm your callous and heartless master, after buying you off of Jezebel. We're here because I've gotten bored with just you as my bodyguard/pet, and feel like expanding my horizons by buying myself a new girl. Definitely not to find and murder this Fallow guy and his entire extended family before running away with as many freed slaves behind us as possible. Understand?"

Invidia nods, still blushing profusely as she's marched there.
I think it will be impossible for that to happen unless you happen to have MagBleach or [Magtok MindWipe pun] with you.

[Ionbound]

Apartment Complex

]Adele smiles, nods, and mentally says, Alright. You have a deal. I'll contact you once someone on your list has been...Dealt with. See you then.

[Earl of Purple]

FF&FF

Inside the compound, there's several large, brightly coloured buildings and it all looks very inviting. There's a building dedicated to mammals, one for birds, one for reptiles and amphibians, one for fish, one for invertebrates and two for animals that don't quite fit into any of those categories. Most notably, there's a large cage containing Fire Drakes, cat-sized reptiles with two legs, a pair of wings and a fiery breath that necessitates quite a large perimeter around their enclosure.

There's no visible signs of the slave trade outside.

[Lord Magtok]

FF&FF

"I don't suppose you would know the secret password that interested buyers used? Anything? Anything useful at all?" Magtok squeezes Invidia's shoulder enough to hurt, scowling coldly at her as he leads the way to the mammals building. He doesn't seem to have any trouble with staying in character for this mission, which might or might not have something to do with mentally slapping an image of Reinholdt's face over her own.

[Slii Arhem]

Adele frowns. Well, your list is rather...ambitious. Like I said, I have few daughters. And if we were to all be killed by HALO, or Watch, or Remnant trying to take revenge on us, then neither of our goals would be accomplished. We need more power. If you can help us with that, then we'll help you with your...list. If not, then goodbye.



Elaine is led into the gym, and then nods when Shayan tells her to jog. She hops up on the treadmill, and runs for, oh, let's say, 10 minutes, before putting her feet to the side.

She takes a few deep breaths, and then says, "Alright. That wasn't so bad. What now?" as she, still a little apprehensive as one would be during a clinical test, rubs and scratches at the back of her head.

Community Center

"Now you will be anesthetized, and undergo the implantation procedure." As she says this, Shayan begins to flood the space around the treadmill with her particular form of hypnotizing scent, produced from the plant fused to her spine. Normally this much would be enough to make someone very pliable to suggestion, but since Elaine's heart is racing and her blood is moving so quickly through her body, this amount of free-floating plant pheromones should just make her pass out as it hits her system like a truck. Unless she holds her breath or is particularly resistant, it should be lights out for her.

Thoughtfully, Shayan reaches out to turn off the treadmill before any potential falling happens, so that her guinea pig doesn't go shooting backwards and suffer any massive head trauma.


Community Center

Well, I'm allergic to iguanas, and my injuries won't impair that, so I should be fine.
The girl replies earnestly, smiling slightly (the smile showing off slightly her brilliant white teeth).
[/COLOR]

Community Center

"Once your forms are filled out, you can follow me to the gym for some light running on the treadmills to get your heart rate up." Shayan heads for the doors prematurely, wanting to get her second test subject underway as soon as she can. There's only so long she can keep up this facade before someone looks into these trials, so a quick turnover is paramount.

[Ionbound]

Community Center

Elaine jump back, expecting needles, and says, afraid, "Wait, what?" Cue the plant sleepytime goodness kicking in, and her shock becomes an, "Uh...." followed by a loud thump as she hits the floor. Oh dear. Shayan might have to deal with some skull fractures.

[Arkhosia]

FF&FF

"I don't suppose you would know the secret password that interested buyers used? Anything? Anything useful at all?" Magtok squeezes Invidia's shoulder enough to hurt, scowling coldly at her as he leads the way to the mammals building. He doesn't seem to have any trouble with staying in character for this mission, which might or might not have something to do with mentally slapping an image of Reinholdt's face over her own.

Invidia shakes her head.
Sorry, no"

Community Center

"Now you will be anesthetized, and undergo the implantation procedure." As she says this, Shayan begins to flood the space around the treadmill with her particular form of hypnotizing scent, produced from the plant fused to her spine. Normally this much would be enough to make someone very pliable to suggestion, but since Elaine's heart is racing and her blood is moving so quickly through her body, this amount of free-floating plant pheromones should just make her pass out as it hits her system like a truck. Unless she holds her breath or is particularly resistant, it should be lights out for her.

Thoughtfully, Shayan reaches out to turn off the treadmill before any potential falling happens, so that her guinea pig doesn't go shooting backwards and suffer any massive head trauma.



Community Center

"Once your forms are filled out, you can follow me to the gym for some light running on the treadmills to get your heart rate up." Shayan heads for the doors prematurely, wanting to get her second test subject underway as soon as she can. There's only so long she can keep up this facade before someone looks into these trials, so a quick turnover is paramount.

The girl, who's name is Ink, does so, following Shayan afterwards!

[Gullara]

[Suncrest Manor]

"Oh, alright. Come on in. Eliseo never told me he was having a friend over. Just come right up to the front door." And with that, the gate swings open before Misaka's eyes.

She is free to follow the cobblestone driveway up to the mansion. The grounds around the mansion are fairly sparse, but a good chunk of the area has been used for a baseball diamond as well as an open area for other activities. The mansion itself is three stories tall and of fairly new construction. She walks past the large garage and up onto the deck surrounding a good portion of the front of the building.

Waiting at the open door is a woman (http://turtle-arts.deviantart.com/art/Comm-Nadia-394471402?q=favby%3AGulaghar%2F49104216&qo=16). She looks a lot like Eliseo, though that she shares the same strange eyes is a dead giveaway. Considering that she looks to be in her thirties, she must be Eliseo's mother. "Hello there. I'm Nadia, Eliseo's mom. And you are?" She says with a smile. It's so nice to see Eliseo have friends over.

[Arkhosia]

[Suncrest Manor]

"Oh, alright. Come on in. Eliseo never told me he was having a friend over. Just come right up to the front door." And with that, the gate swings open before Misaka's eyes.

She is free to follow the cobblestone driveway up to the mansion. The grounds around the mansion are fairly sparse, but a good chunk of the area has been used for a baseball diamond as well as an open area for other activities. The mansion itself is three stories tall and of fairly new construction. She walks past the large garage and up onto the deck surrounding a good portion of the front of the building.

Waiting at the open door is a woman (http://fc06.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2013/231/0/d/0d33c62a29bb3b300cdec9cd596d7f1c-d6iuw2y.jpg). She looks a lot like Eliseo, though that she shares the same strange eyes is a dead giveaway. Considering that she looks to be in her thirties, she must be Eliseo's mother. "Hello there. I'm Nadia, Eliseo's mom. And you are?" She says with a smile. It's so nice to see Eliseo have friends over.

Misaka, clad in her usual uniform of a tan short skirt (really more of a brown), a beige sweatervest worn over a short-sleeved crisp dress shirt, and black shoes, smiles.
I'm Misaka, glad to meet you miss!

[Deathkeeper]

Sticks gives a little start at that, turning his head slowly to face Jim. He leans on one of the store shelves, resting his hand there. His smile returns, if small and weary. "Have you and the lady Uzume conjured a conspiracy to confound me? Whatever makes you tell me that?"
The Toy Tinker

Jim smiles in return. "Well, the consistent staring at your own hands, the speech you gave me about your magic, and the one just now. You don't seem to have the highest opinion of yourself, Boss. And you have plenty to be proud of. You make kids happy, if nothing else. "



Fourth Tower Compound

"Hmph, what? You expect Bigfang to just hand over information after you being rude to him? Bigfang wants something in exchange. Yes, you must finish Bigfangs quest for him." Another quest? "Yes, Bigfang serve many gods see? Him finishing great math problem for Chadwick then him try to finish great chaos quest granted to him by other god. But now Bigfang can't rest since he failed to complete the quest. It is a simple quest though, yes, yes. Not hard at all."


Arty grunts. "If it was politeness you wanted you could try not making comments about my biology. Personally I don't care so much for the problem itself so much as its final solution, but I did agree that I'd deliver it to Chadwick. I personally doubt that "chaos" and "simple" will be appropriate together, particularly considering you didn't finish it, but I'll ask regardless.
What is it?"

[Slii Arhem]

Community Center

Elaine jump back, expecting needles, and says, afraid, "Wait, what?" Cue the plant sleepytime goodness kicking in, and her shock becomes an, "Uh...." followed by a loud thump as she hits the floor. Oh dear. Shayan might have to deal with some skull fractures.

Community Center

Thankfully, a vine snakes out from under her labcoat to intercept the falling Elaine just before her head hits the hard gym flooring. Being an oracle provides Shayan ample resources to plan ahead. And now that her subject is fully unconscious, she can set her up in the nurse's office where she's laid out all of her equipment!

TIMESKIP

When Elaine wakes up, she'll likely feel quite stiff, perhaps even slightly sore in her neck, though that feeling would be muted by the strange quality of her skin. Shayan was perhaps not quite verbally honest with her test subjects, though the unexpected gassing could have probably tipped Elaine off, although a quick inspection of the waiver will show that it's all covered in rather plain and even moderately easy to understand legalese.

You see, what happened while she was out was that a proto-plant, made from the jellied genetic structure of a plant, was injected directly into Elaine's blood-stream and left to bond with her cells, growing off of the nutrients in her body and turning her into what is effectively a human-plant hybrid. Some things could have gone wrong with the procedure, like her body rejecting the infantile stage of the goop and forcing it all to sweat out of her pores, which would render the process inert, if make her waking up more damp than she'd like. If everything went well, or at least went as Shayan hoped it would, then the bonding would express itself in a few, unsubtle ways.

Firstly, all of Elaine's skin should be covered in a pliant, light brown bark that can be peeled off harmlessly to reveal slightly woody skin below, but slowly regrows in the presence of sunlight. It acts as a catcher for photosynthetic energy, storing the sunlight that she gets from her leaves and flowers to supplement her diet.

Said leaves and flowers are, of course, the other major way she's changed. They cascade down the back of her head on a series of thin, twiglike vines that are surprisingly flexible and durable, and resemble lilacs (http://www.photo-dictionary.com/photofiles/list/1180/4198lilac.jpg) in both smell and looks, alternating between deep purple bunches and creamy white ones.

Her copy of the waiver she signed was placed on her chest, along with an envelope containing enough money for a frugal person to live off for at least two months, and a card with a contact number on it in case any surprising symptoms arise from it. Shayan scribbled a small note on the card saying that the trial was a surprising success, and that she should be happy with her resilient genes.




The girl, who's name is Ink, does so, following Shayan afterwards!

Community Center

Shayan will try to set her up on the treadmill, "It will slowly increase in speed as time passes. Try to run for as long as you can until your heart starts racing, so we can get an accurate measurement of how fast it will beat. Then put your feet to either side of it when you're ready for the next phase." Shayan gets out a stopwatch, having picked it up from some storage cupboard to add to the officialness of this charade.

[Arkhosia]

Community Center

Ink nods, and runs on the treadmill for a while, surprisingly durable and athletically fit. Her heartraite's that of a human's, cuz she's a human.
She finally places her feet down, sweating profusely.

[Ionbound]

[Post Timeskip]

Elaine wakes up, feeling quite odd. Which, all things considered, is unsurprising, considering her new body. She runs her fingers through her plantified hair, and then wrapping it around her face and breathing in deeply, trying to get a good feel for how much she's changed, before reading the note, and grinning at the compliment, before calling up Shayan on her phone as she walks to her home.

Phone: "Okay...What the hell did you do to me? Not that I'm really complaining, but...I'd like to know if anything else is going to happen."

[Another Time, Another Place]

An alternate-Elaine, this one still human and unplantified, is strolling down one of the streets in Westside, a bit more confident in herself that usual...Hopefully something bad won't happen.

[Recaiden]

[Westside Streets: The Other Place]

A woman in crimson robes is striding down the street, enjoying the odd sunless light that prevails here. Noting Elaine, she stops and watches the other woman for a moment, before pushing through the winding street to her.
"Hello. Do you consider yourself to be a bird, or something else?"

[Ionbound]

[Westside Streets: The Other Place]

Elaine furrows her brow at the question, and replies, "...No? I don't think so...Why?"

[Recaiden]

"One of them recognized you. What's your name, girl?" A little silly to call her that, as the woman doesn't look old at all, maybe even younger than Elaine.
"And I thought, why would that happen if you weren't a bird? Tell me about yourself." The woman has turned to be standing beside Elaine, and motions that they should keep walking.

[Ionbound]

"One of them recognized you. What's your name, girl?" A little silly to call her that, as the woman doesn't look old at all, maybe even younger than Elaine.
"And I thought, why would that happen if you weren't a bird? Tell me about yourself." The woman has turned to be standing beside Elaine, and motions that they should keep walking.

Elaine looks confused, but says, as she continues walking, "Um...My name's Elaine. About myself? Why? Who are you?"

[Recaiden]

"To see what makes you exceptional, if not your birdness." She blatantly does not introduce herself, grinning as they go along.

[Ionbound]

"To see what makes you exceptional, if not your birdness." She blatantly does not introduce herself, grinning as they go along.

Elaine shakes her head and says, "Nothing, really. I'm just a human, living in a tiny apartment with a literally bloodsucking landlord. And not a lot I can do about that, either."

[Recaiden]

"What keeps you there? There's so many ways to get out. I think it saw that you were perhaps the exemplar of the city folk. It has a better eye through my eyes than I do, sometimes." Skye laughs.

[Shadowcaller]

The Dare Knight Falls (again)

She smells... odd. There's a little bit of human scent, but it's mostly covered by an alien scent.

She's moving a bit fast to track by smell alone, too. She runs parkour, moving from place to place with efficiency and grace, her colors shifting to match the buildings around her. She's trying to disappear, lose the gargoyles completely.


An unfortunate member of my race who succumbed to his taint, the demon who inhabited him. He couldn't keep it at bay, and it took over his body.
Invidia calmly replies, cleaning her blade with a grimace.


Macbeth shakes her head.
Stone Mask Vampire.


Apartment Complex

Adele smiles, nods, and mentally says, Alright. You have a deal. I'll contact you once someone on your list has been...Dealt with. See you then.

The Brave Knight Runs away!

A group of gargoyles still follow from the air, trying to keep up with them woman. Eventually they might lose her though as she's too fast for them.

Apartment Complex

We will be in touch. The demon replies before flying away. It had much to do now.

[Below Malechenar]

"You have to excuse me m'am, but could you explain what a 'stonemask' is, since I never heard about it." The guard asks.

[Eastside Demon Fight]

Obriane blinks. "Oh, he was possessed then?" She glances at the body, poor sod. "Like there is some sort of spirit de'mon on the loose?" Obriane looks rather worried as spirits tended to come to her before anyone else and that one didn't look very nice at all.

[Ionbound]

"What keeps you there? There's so many ways to get out. I think it saw that you were perhaps the exemplar of the city folk. It has a better eye through my eyes than I do, sometimes." Skye laughs.

Elaine shakes her head and says, "I'm broke. Like I said, bloodsucking landlord. He charges so much I barely have enough money to feed myself, much less save to be able to move."

[Lost_Deep]

Run Away!

She's sneaky, fast, and has no intention of going back up to the castle anytime soon: she'll head into the city, away from the castle. You think that she lost? She'd disagree. She had a blast, learned something new, and got away! Seems like a win to her.

[Slii Arhem]

Community Center

Ink nods, and runs on the treadmill for a while, surprisingly durable and athletically fit. Her heartraite's that of a human's, cuz she's a human.
She finally places her feet down, sweating profusely.

Community Center

"Good, now it would probably be for the best if you steadied yourself. I'm going to be applying anesthesia now." Once again, Shayan floods the air with hypnotizing pheromones that should, with Ink's increased bloodflow, knock her out. If she's resistant to the effects somehow then she'll likely just be woozy and suggestible instead of unconscious.


[Post Timeskip]

Elaine wakes up, feeling quite odd. Which, all things considered, is unsurprising, considering her new body. She runs her fingers through her plantified hair, and then wrapping it around her face and breathing in deeply, trying to get a good feel for how much she's changed, before reading the note, and grinning at the compliment, before calling up Shayan on her phone as she walks to her home.

Phone: "Okay...What the hell did you do to me? Not that I'm really complaining, but...I'd like to know if anything else is going to happen."

Post Timeskip - Community Alley

"Ah, good, you're awake on schedule. The implantation was a complete success in your case, and if it bears fruit with further testing it will likely be a reliable treatment for many chronic, fatal, otherwise untreatable diseases that the humanoid bodies can suffer. On top of making it much harder for virii and bacteria to take hold in you by hybridizing your cell structures with something they're unable to adapt to easily, the plants that I combine patients with can be keyed to produce special chemicals and circulate them through their bodies, effectively holding off any diseases they already have, like the chemicals that certain coniferous trees produce that are used in chemotherapy." Shayan nearly completely disregards Elaine's concerns, but then audibly remembers to address them with a small cough before her next statement.

"Your body may still elect to reject the hybridization in the coming months, in which case you'll likely molt your bark and branches, leaving you bald until new hairs can grow back in. If your splice develops further in a distressing way, you can call this number and set up an appointment to receive an antibody that will flush it out for you, though that compound is rather expensive to synthesize, and you'll have to pay for any out of pocket costs I incur making it for you, if it comes to that. Was there anything else?"

[Ionbound]

[Community Alley]

Elaine thinks for a moment, before carefully continuing, "Um...Well, does my new body have any weird...abilities? Like, I don't know, prehensile vines or anything weird like that?"

((Little meta there, but it's probably what came to mind.))

[Slii Arhem]

[Community Alley]

Elaine thinks for a moment, before carefully continuing, "Um...Well, does my new body have any weird...abilities? Like, I don't know, prehensile vines or anything weird like that?"

((Little meta there, but it's probably what came to mind.))

"If you can think of any supernatural powers a lilac tree would hold, then I'm certain you might have them. Otherwise, photosynthesis and having tougher than normal flesh and skin. You can feel through the bark, I tested for that, but it doesn't seem to have any pain receptors, so it won't hurt to peel it off or if something damages the bark but doesn't get through to the flesh underneath. Oh, and in my opinion you smell quite a bit better than you did when you came in, but that might be partially because of the sponge bath."

[Arkhosia]

Community Center

"Good, now it would probably be for the best if you steadied yourself. I'm going to be applying anesthesia now." Once again, Shayan floods the air with hypnotizing pheromones that should, with Ink's increased bloodflow, knock her out. If she's resistant to the effects somehow then she'll likely just be woozy and suggestible instead of unconscious.


Ink steadies herself and is K.O.ed!
((Hey, just an idea: maybe a rose or for the plant used?))

[Ionbound]

"If you can think of any supernatural powers a lilac tree would hold, then I'm certain you might have them. Otherwise, photosynthesis and having tougher than normal flesh and skin. You can feel through the bark, I tested for that, but it doesn't seem to have any pain receptors, so it won't hurt to peel it off or if something damages the bark but doesn't get through to the flesh underneath. Oh, and in my opinion you smell quite a bit better than you did when you came in, but that might be partially because of the sponge bath."

On the other end of the line Elaine nods, and says, "Hrm...Well, if I don't reject the...treatment, would it be possible for you to give me supernatural powers? I'm tired of being just another background player that can be kicked around by whoever pleases. I want to choose my own fate, and...I think you can do that for me. You've already made me into...This. I wouldn't mind going further, if you want."

[Slii Arhem]

Ink steadies herself and is K.O.ed!
((Hey, just an idea: maybe a rose or for the plant used?))

Community Center - Ink

When she awakes, much like Elaine, Ink will likely feel stiff and somewhat sore. If her body didn't reject the treatment, then what she will immediately notice is that her bandages have been replaced by a fibrous, papery substance that looks similar when it pokes out from the tears in her clothing. And yet even though this thin, white bark covers all of her skin below her neck, she can feel her clothes and the couch she's lying on just fine. Perhaps the next most obvious thing is that her muscles feel tensed, as if she was holding something up above her head, but it shouldn't put any strain on her or wear her out, it's simply a natural state of her muscles.

And if she had access to a mirror, the third thing to notice is that her hair is laden down with large, red, pink, and purple flowers (http://www.rgbstock.com/cache1ojLkS/users/b/be/berenika/300/mseLu5K.jpg) that are currently small and closed, apparently just freshly grown. Something that might be more easily figured out is that from the ends of her hair bundles of rose hips (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ec/Rose_hips.jpg) dangle, the weight of which might give them away.

She received the same bundle of money, waiver, and contact card that Elaine did as well, lying on her chest conspicuously.


On the other end of the line Elaine nods, and says, "Hrm...Well, if I don't reject the...treatment, would it be possible for you to give me supernatural powers? I'm tired of being just another background player that can be kicked around by whoever pleases. I want to choose my own fate, and...I think you can do that for me. You've already made me into...This. I wouldn't mind going further, if you want."

Community Center - Elaine

"You're asking for my services directly, in an attempt to change your fate? The irony is palpable. Come by the Westside Greenhouse after a few days of adjustment, to see if the changes actually stick. By then, perhaps I will have something cooked up for you. If I don't, or the changes you've already underwent don't take, then you'll have to take your money and buy a glowing wand and a schoolgirl outfit and change your life the same way all the normal people do it."

[Ionbound]

Community Center - Elaine

"You're asking for my services directly, in an attempt to change your fate? The irony is palpable. Come by the Westside Greenhouse after a few days of adjustment, to see if the changes actually stick. By then, perhaps I will have something cooked up for you. If I don't, or the changes you've already underwent don't take, then you'll have to take your money and buy a glowing wand and a schoolgirl outfit and change your life the same way all the normal people do it."

Elaine smiles at the snark and Shayan will likely hear a couple quiet, exhaling laughs before she replies, "Alright. See you in a few days, assuming everything works out." With that, she hangs up.

TIMESKIP, AGAIN

A few days later, Elaine shows up at the Westside Greenhouse, completely unsure of what she's supposed to be doing there. However, assuming nothing stops her, she knocks on the door, and asks, "Hello? Shayan? Are you here?"

[Arkhosia]

PLANT SCIENCE!

Ink does note all of this with an interestingly calm demeanor, probably a result of living in the nexus.
She, after examining the changes best she can, puts the money in her pocket along with the waiver, keeping the card in her hand.
After a moment or two of thinking, she calls the number

[Slii Arhem]

Elaine smiles at the snark and Shayan will likely hear a couple quiet, exhaling laughs before she replies, "Alright. See you in a few days, assuming everything works out." With that, she hangs up.

TIMESKIP, AGAIN

A few days later, Elaine shows up at the Westside Greenhouse, completely unsure of what she's supposed to be doing there. However, assuming nothing stops her, she knocks on the door, and asks, "Hello? Shayan? Are you here?"

Westside Greenhouse

A voice buzzes over the intercom, through the decontamination set of doubled doors, "How fortunate, I have the first of several of your possible splices ready, and by the time that one is complete, I will have the second ready as well. I hope you don't mind that one of them is somewhat derivative. It was difficult to engineer things that would work well with your current state and not make you look like a monster, or alter your brain chemistry so that you begin to rampage through the city trying to infect people. Once you're past the first set of doors, remove your clothes, put them in the plastic bin, and then press the button for the shower. Once it's done, you'll receive a hospital gown." The door opens, revealing the plastic storage bin and white, sterile space beyond. There is a sprinkler in the ceiling, and the next door has a slot in it that's currently sealed tight, probably for the gown to be pushed through.

There's also a security camera, but that's likely just to confirm who is stopping by. The fact that it's trained on the area under the sprinkler is a bit disquieting.


PLANT SCIENCE!

Ink does note all of this with an interestingly calm demeanor, probably a result of living in the nexus.
She, after examining the changes best she can, puts the money in her pocket along with the waiver, keeping the card in her hand.
After a moment or two of thinking, she calls the number

Plant Science

After half a ring, it picks up, "And you're waking up on schedule as well. Very promising results. What questions did you have?" Her tone is somewhat clipped, as if she's busy and distracted by something else.

[Ionbound]

Westside Greenhouse

Eyeing the camera nervously, Elaine asks, "Hey, uh...Could you please turn that off?" She then thinks for a moment, and then continues, "Gah, you've probably already seen me naked...I guess I don't have to worry about it..." before stripping her clothes off, taking one last nervous look at the camera before tossing them into the bin and showering.

[Arkhosia]

Plant Science!

Is the only difference now my appearance, or are there abilities I have now, or anything similar?
Ink asks inquisitively

[Slii Arhem]

Westside Greenhouse

Eyeing the camera nervously, Elaine asks, "Hey, uh...Could you please turn that off?" She then thinks for a moment, and then continues, "Gah, you've probably already seen me naked...I guess I don't have to worry about it..." before stripping her clothes off, taking one last nervous look at the camera before tossing them into the bin and showering.

Westside Greenhouse

"Hm? Oh, the camera. It's nonfuctional, but it deters burglars who would probably be eaten by something unpleasant if they were to enter here." After the decontamination shower is complete, a backless hospital gown is shoved through the now opened slot, "Dress, and then we can have your treatments underway." Once she is dressed, the door will open and she'll be admitted into a curtained off area of the greenhouse, set aside from the possibly carnivorous plant species Shayan tends to. There's a proper operating table here, and some monitoring equipment, as well as a pair of syringes on the tray next to the table. Some strange machine on a table in the corner is whirring, as if something inside it was rotating very fast.


Plant Science!

Is the only difference now my appearance, or are there abilities I have now, or anything similar?
Ink asks inquisitively

Plant Science

"There appear to be thorns beneath your skin now, held in place by an extra set of muscles you grew just for the task, that can be released if you wanted to give someone a particularly painful hug. They have their own holes, which are invisible when the thorns are retracted, so you don't need to worry about any pain from releasing them. Also, your rose hips may be explosive when enough shock is applied to them, so please be cautious with where you dispose of them. They're quite small, so one on its own would only cause minor damage under ordinary circumstances, but your hair seems to keep a ready stock of them as well as its natural blooms."

[Ionbound]

[Westside Greenhouse]

Elaine nods, and dons the gown and heads into the room as she says, "Hey, I want to say thank you for doing all this for me. I'm finally able to not be a nobody." She then looks at the table and asks, "So...Do I just lay down here?"

[Murkus]

The Toy Tinker

Jim smiles in return. "Well, the consistent staring at your own hands, the speech you gave me about your magic, and the one just now. You don't seem to have the highest opinion of yourself, Boss. And you have plenty to be proud of. You make kids happy, if nothing else. "


Sticks tries with little success to ignore the sky blue flush reaching his cheeks. It's doubtful that's real blood still flowing through his veins, but it produces a lovely color. He turns aside and pretends to fiddle with one of his shelved toys, narrowing his eyes at the feigned disturbance. Jim remains in his peripheral vision. "I suppose I enjoy some skill in the craft. Hm. Yes. I-it's just..." He holds up one of his hands, glancing sidelong as his apprentice. "People don't like. These. The way I look." He's not even going to start on magic.



[Malechenar]

The room is actually quite small, probably since it's it appears to be some sort of... elevator? Ryhe steps in after him and the doors slowly closes behind them before what sounds like an number of gears and wires are brought to life and the elevator takes them upwards. "Yes, I have books on that particular subject which you describe. It's a rather specific thing to ask for though which makes me curious of what you're going to use them for." The masked lord asks as they slowly are brought upwards.


Hopefully the technology in the elevator isn't all that new. Sticks and electrical equipment are not fond of one another. The tall man looks about in wonder - not often having the privilege of occupying such a contraption - and looks up pleasantly at his patron. "A bit of research. There's a young woman who has come to me seeking aid with an affliction of the spirit. I suspect the fairest of races or their lesser cousins have something to do with it." Those symbols on Obriane's body strike resonant with him. Or perhaps it's her body that strikes resonant!

He frowns flatly, annoyed with himself, and shakes his head.

[Lord Magtok]

Invidia shakes her head.
Sorry, no"

"Sorry Lord Magtok," the cyborg corrects, putting emphasis on the lord bit as he attempts to pull Invidia by her hood down to eye level. Given that there's like an entire foot difference in height, it's not the most polite of gestures. It could be worse though, he was initially going to grab her by the hair, before thinking better of it. There are some things that are simply not done, even for the sake of infiltrating the enemy.

"Go tell the man at the counter you accidentally left something in the back, last time you were here. Maybe they'll recognize you."

[Shadowcaller]

Hopefully the technology in the elevator isn't all that new. Sticks and electrical equipment are not fond of one another. The tall man looks about in wonder - not often having the privilege of occupying such a contraption - and looks up pleasantly at his patron. "A bit of research. There's a young woman who has come to me seeking aid with an affliction of the spirit. I suspect the fairest of races or their lesser cousins have something to do with it." Those symbols on Obriane's body strike resonant with him. Or perhaps it's her body that strikes resonant!

He frowns flatly, annoyed with himself, and shakes his head.

[Malechenar]

The technology is in fact ancient and would probably not work by conventional physics considering it's using another type of technology. "An fey affliction you say? Those are rather curious. Keep in mind however, the air is rather thin within the library walls to preserve the tomes kept within them." Ryhe warns as the elevator continues moving upwards. "What nature does this disease have? I know of a particularly odd one that caused the afflicted to see the flaws in everything. Quite useful, but also rather depressive."

[Fourth Tower Compound]

"A collection! Yes, the great god of Arbil likes a collection of oddities in nexus. Useless to the eye, but the great one can unlock their true power. What he needs is three of the following goodies:

Red half-dragons Harnel's adamatite bar.
A bra owned by human woman Charity.
A pair of socks owned by cyborg named Magtok.
Boxer shorts owned by drow called Kirk.
Dress owned by halfling girl called Lily.
Antlers from fey being.
Werewolf fur.
Vampire hair.
Hair from pony mane.

Just three of these! You got that?" Bigfang asks.

Run Away!

Not sure if she lost anything at all! She didn't even get wounded! She just didn't make it into the castle, that's all.

In either case, the gargoyle's finally lose her, now she can go and do something else.

[Deathkeeper]

Sticks tries with little success to ignore the sky blue flush reaching his cheeks. It's doubtful that's real blood still flowing through his veins, but it produces a lovely color. He turns aside and pretends to fiddle with one of his shelved toys, narrowing his eyes at the feigned disturbance. Jim remains in his peripheral vision. "I suppose I enjoy some skill in the craft. Hm. Yes. I-it's just..." He holds up one of his hands, glancing sidelong as his apprentice. "People don't like. These. The way I look." He's not even going to start on magic.


[Fourth Tower Compound]

"A collection! Yes, the great god of Arbil likes a collection of oddities in nexus. Useless to the eye, but the great one can unlock their true power. What he needs is three of the following goodies:

Red half-dragons Harnel's adamatite bar.
A bra owned by human woman Charity.
A pair of socks owned by cyborg named Magtok.
Boxer shorts owned by drow called Kirk.
Dress owned by halfling girl called Lily.
Antlers from fey being.
Werewolf fur.
Vampire hair.
Hair from pony mane.

Just three of these! You got that?" Bigfang asks.

The Toy Tinker

Jim snorts. "So? When does that matter at all? There's at least five worlds I know of which would kill people like me on sight, and that doesn't make me a bad person."

Fourth Tower Compound

Arty would actually deck this person if he was in front of him. The first would be priceless; no sane person would give that up and an equal number of people would have it unguarded. Two he's at least heard of the person, but Three and Four are so vague they could match hundreds of people in theory. Five could be simple if any fey behave like normal stags; they'd drop their antlers once a year anyway. Of course, spring is when they're growing them back, so it's unlikely they'd still have them around. Which means the last three were the most doable. The very last he could probably do in about fifteen minutes if he could phrase a request for it well enough. Ponies were always very generous, even though his anatomy often freaks them out a little.
"All right, if I completed this for you, would I just speak to you again or would you want me to do something specific with these objects?" he asks calmly.

[Gullara]

Misaka, clad in her usual uniform of a tan short skirt (really more of a brown), a beige sweatervest worn over a short-sleeved crisp dress shirt, and black shoes, smiles.
I'm Misaka, glad to meet you miss!

[Suncrest Manor]

"Nice to meet you too. Come on inside." Nadia steps back into the house. Inside the house is about as grand as Misaka would expect by now. It looks like the entryway could use a good dusting, though. "Eliseo is just in the living room playing one of his games. Do you want a snack or anything? I could make something and bring it to you two." Nadia gestures in the direction of the living room. Misaka can hear some kind of music coming from there.

[Arkhosia]

[Suncrest Manor]

"Nice to meet you too. Come on inside." Nadia steps back into the house. Inside the house is about as grand as Misaka would expect by now. It looks like the entryway could use a good dusting, though. "Eliseo is just in the living room playing one of his games. Do you want a snack or anything? I could make something and bring it to you two." Nadia gestures in the direction of the living room. Misaka can hear some kind of music coming from there.

Misaka enters, beginning with a slightly hesitant step over the threshold.
Um, sure!
Misaka replies greatfully.

[Recaiden]

Elaine shakes her head and says, "I'm broke. Like I said, bloodsucking landlord. He charges so much I barely have enough money to feed myself, much less save to be able to move."

"Sad. We can help you out, 've got a place where any are welcome who are strong enough to try. Whadda you say? Rent's just the work to maintain the place and to, well, it'll make more sense once you there."
Skye holds out a hand Elaine.
"You ever want to just make a new start, to just be someone else? Here's a chance."

[Ionbound]

"Sad. We can help you out, 've got a place where any are welcome who are strong enough to try. Whadda you say? Rent's just the work to maintain the place and to, well, it'll make more sense once you there."
Skye holds out a hand Elaine.
"You ever want to just make a new start, to just be someone else? Here's a chance."

Nervously, Elaine nods, says, "Alright," and takes Skye's hand.

[Recaiden]

[Westside Streets]

Nothing terrible happens! Elaine will feel a brief surge of heat, maybe painful, but brief.

"Let's go! Where you live? Have belongings to take, right?" Skye excitedly looks about, ready to follow Elaine, empty her apartment, and leave the city. There's no time to lose.

[Ionbound]

[Westside Streets]

Elaine gasps as the heat, and stops in her tracks as she asks angrily, "What the hell was that? What did you do to me?"

[Recaiden]

[Westside Streets]

Elaine gasps as the heat, and stops in her tracks as she asks angrily, "What the hell was that? What did you do to me?"

"The birds were just getting to know you." Skye giggles (a sound that might make you seriously reconsider this whole idea) and turns back to Elaine.
"Don't be upset...now, what did you say you did to pay the rent?"

[Ionbound]

[Westside Streets]

Elaine is terrified by the giggling, but manages to squeak out, "I-I give blood...My landlord is a vampire...But he also makes me pay money, too..."

[Recaiden]

"That's terrible. Come, show me your place. You needn't give blood again."

[Ionbound]

Nervously, Elaine leads Skye to her cramped place, right on the edge of some of the very nasty parts of Westside, but not all the way there. Once they're there, Elaine nervously asks, "So...What did you mean when you said I'd never have to give blood again?"

[Gullara]

Misaka enters, beginning with a slightly hesitant step over the threshold.
Um, sure!
Misaka replies greatfully.

[Suncrest Manor]

"Alright, I'll be around in a few." And with that, Misaka is free to head on over to the living room.

There she'll find Eliseo seated on the couch in front of a massive TV. The boy is staring intently at the screen, his face a mask of concentration. His thumbs mash the controller in his hand as he blows apart zombie after zombie in some shooting game. He's so focused on his game, he doesn't even notice Misaka come in! He's not a very good host, is he?

[Arkhosia]

[Suncrest Manor]

"Alright, I'll be around in a few." And with that, Misaka is free to head on over to the living room.

There she'll find Eliseo seated on the couch in front of a massive TV. The boy is staring intently at the screen, his face a mask of concentration. His thumbs mash the controller in his hand as he blows apart zombie after zombie in some shooting game. He's so focused on his game, he doesn't even notice Misaka come in! He's not a very good host, is he?

Misaka nods, and enters!
Um, hello!

[Gullara]

((Hey Ark? SC has requested I poke you to his scenes with him in this thread.))


Misaka nods, and enters!
Um, hello!

[Suncrest Manor]

Eliseo looks up from his game and looks surprised for a moment. Or right, he invited her here. "Oh, hey. One second, I go-" His head whips back to the screen as the zombie hordes decend upon his character and kill him. "****!" He curses loudly. "Stupid zombies."

"Eliseo! What did I tell you about swearing?" Nadia calls from the other room. The boy winces, muttering another curse under his breath.

"Anyway, uh, hey." Eliseo tosses the controller on the couch beside him. "So... what do you want to do?"

[Arkhosia]

((Hey Ark? SC has requested I poke you to his scenes with him in this thread.))



[Suncrest Manor]

Eliseo looks up from his game and looks surprised for a moment. Or right, he invited her here. "Oh, hey. One second, I go-" His head whips back to the screen as the zombie hordes decend upon his character and kill him. "****!" He curses loudly. "Stupid zombies."

"Eliseo! What did I tell you about swearing?" Nadia calls from the other room. The boy winces, muttering another curse under his breath.

"Anyway, uh, hey." Eliseo tosses the controller on the couch beside him. "So... what do you want to do?"

((Apologies, forgot about those! Thinking as we speak what to reply with))
Misaka sits down beside him if she can, suppressing a chuckle at the reprimand.
hmm... does that game have a multiplayer mode?
Misawa inquires with a dmile

[Murkus]

The Toy Tinker

Jim snorts. "So? When does that matter at all? There's at least five worlds I know of which would kill people like me on sight, and that doesn't make me a bad person."


"No, Jim, that's not... I misspoke," The tall man says, cringing a little. Gods, why does he have to be so awful at conversing? It would seem he was more referring to what Jim said about Sticks not having a very high opinion of himself. As for being a bad person... he can't even begin to imagine such a discussion with Jim. With anyone.

Sticks turns his head down, still blushing furiously, and begins to retreat toward his home in the basement. "I don't wish to speak of this any further, Jim. Just - just finish the badger, please." He's got to be alone, in the dark for a while. Just long enough to calm himself down.


[Malechenar]

The technology is in fact ancient and would probably not work by conventional physics considering it's using another type of technology. "An fey affliction you say? Those are rather curious. Keep in mind however, the air is rather thin within the library walls to preserve the tomes kept within them." Ryhe warns as the elevator continues moving upwards. "What nature does this disease have? I know of a particularly odd one that caused the afflicted to see the flaws in everything. Quite useful, but also rather depressive."


"I believe I could survive without oxygen for quite some time, my lord," Sticks says. He perfected internal air storage long ago. His cells are still somewhat alive, however. "The girl seems to attract spirits. Such an ability is of great interest to me."

[Arkhosia]

The Brave Knight Runs away!

A group of gargoyles still follow from the air, trying to keep up with them woman. Eventually they might lose her though as she's too fast for them.

Apartment Complex

We will be in touch. The demon replies before flying away. It had much to do now.

[Below Malechenar]

"You have to excuse me m'am, but could you explain what a 'stonemask' is, since I never heard about it." The guard asks.

[Eastside Demon Fight]

Obriane blinks. "Oh, he was possessed then?" She glances at the body, poor sod. "Like there is some sort of spirit de'mon on the loose?" Obriane looks rather worried as spirits tended to come to her before anyone else and that one didn't look very nice at all.

It's a mask from an ancient society that, when worn and in contact with blood, turns the wearer into a vampire..
She explains.

That's the Spirit!

No. Mages in my world will often allow a demon to possess them in a way, basically live inside, trying to take over, in order to gain power in their craft and become immune to harm from other demons that many summon to fight. Demons may force themselves upon others and possess in the same way.
Invidia sounds bitter when she says the last part.

[Slii Arhem]

[Westside Greenhouse]

Elaine nods, and dons the gown and heads into the room as she says, "Hey, I want to say thank you for doing all this for me. I'm finally able to not be a nobody." She then looks at the table and asks, "So...Do I just lay down here?"

Westside Greenhouse

"Lay down, stand up, sit on your head if you like. I don't need to knock you out this time, just administer a local anesthetic. The first treatment, while invasive, is not strictly painful. It's a seed injection that will help with your desires to be better than average. I'll let you know the effects once we've administered the local, patients are always more happy to hear what they're in for when they're higher than a kite." As she says this, Shayan unravels a vine with a syringe held tightly in its coils and maneuvers it around behind Elaine, aiming carefully for her spine.

"I would ask you to hold still, but then I might miss. Squirm as much as you like."

[Arkhosia]

Plant Science

"There appear to be thorns beneath your skin now, held in place by an extra set of muscles you grew just for the task, that can be released if you wanted to give someone a particularly painful hug. They have their own holes, which are invisible when the thorns are retracted, so you don't need to worry about any pain from releasing them. Also, your rose hips may be explosive when enough shock is applied to them, so please be cautious with where you dispose of them. They're quite small, so one on its own would only cause minor damage under ordinary circumstances, but your hair seems to keep a ready stock of them as well as its natural blooms."

Ok. Would it be possible you can aid me in learning how to use these abilities and master their use?
Ink asks, eager, intrigued and interested.

[Ionbound]

Westside Greenhouse

Elaine nervously squirms a little as the anesthetic syringe approaches her back, and then grimaces with pain as the needle slides into her back.

Not for long though, as when the anesthetic takes effect, a dreamy smile spreads across her face, and she slowly asks Shayan, "Sooo...You said dat you'd tell me watsh going to happen?"

[Shadowcaller]

Fourth Tower Compound

Arty would actually deck this person if he was in front of him. The first would be priceless; no sane person would give that up and an equal number of people would have it unguarded. Two he's at least heard of the person, but Three and Four are so vague they could match hundreds of people in theory. Five could be simple if any fey behave like normal stags; they'd drop their antlers once a year anyway. Of course, spring is when they're growing them back, so it's unlikely they'd still have them around. Which means the last three were the most doable. The very last he could probably do in about fifteen minutes if he could phrase a request for it well enough. Ponies were always very generous, even though his anatomy often freaks them out a little.
"All right, if I completed this for you, would I just speak to you again or would you want me to do something specific with these objects?" he asks calmly.

Fourth Tower Compound

"No need to bring them anywhere. Arbil will know when the task is completed and then give us reward for all hard work!" The gnoll explains eagerly.

[Southside Apartment]

The demon returns, this time in the form of a crow. It lands on the roof once again and reaches out into the mental world. It is us again. We have what you desire. We wish to ask for specifics however, we wish to learn more of what sort of servants you require to free your master as we have many.

That's the Spirit!

"I-I've been possessed..." Not a terribly pleasant experience. "Could there be more of them in thic city?" Since that didn't sound good. Not good at all. "And uh, I'm Obriane by the way, you're..." Ack, she couldn't remember buddy's master's name! In either case, she extends her hand to shake, unless of course it's all bloody and messy from the kill.



"Ah, the masters would probably be very interested in such an item if you still have it in your possession." The guard replies.

[Malechenar]

[B]"Really? That would be an useful ability for our project. If one could harvest the spirits she attract we wouldn't have to have to find them all by ourselves." Ryhe comments before the elevator suddenly comes to a stop and the doors opens. As the masked lord said the air is thin up here and rather hard to breath. They must be near the very top of the castle now. Here bathing in the pale light coming from an enormous stained glass window is a huge telescope aimed upwards the skies.

Against each wall are a myriad of bookcases filled with tomes and parchments, each case sealed behind a barrier of ether energy intended to protect the books from various misfortunes. A number of black wisps are patrolling the library, constantly going back and fourth. "Ah, here we are. Let's find us that book shall we?"

[Deathkeeper]

"No, Jim, that's not... I misspoke," The tall man says, cringing a little. Gods, why does he have to be so awful at conversing? It would seem he was more referring to what Jim said about Sticks not having a very high opinion of himself. As for being a bad person... he can't even begin to imagine such a discussion with Jim. With anyone.

Sticks turns his head down, still blushing furiously, and begins to retreat toward his home in the basement. "I don't wish to speak of this any further, Jim. Just - just finish the badger, please." He's got to be alone, in the dark for a while. Just long enough to calm himself down.

The Toy Tinker

Jim reaches out to grab Sticks by the shoulder. He gives him a very sad look. "Sticks, I'm always here for you. Please, please don't forget that." he says before releasing the man and going back to the desk.


Fourth Tower Compound

"No need to bring them anywhere. Arbil will know when the task is completed and then give us reward for all hard work!" The gnoll explains eagerly.

Fourth Tower Compound

Arty exhales. "Fine. I'll speak with you when it's done, if that's your price." And unless the gnoll's spirit has more to say, Arty will be 'hanging up' so he can get on with this nonsense. He hopes it doesn't; he couldn't take much more of this sort of news.

[Arkhosia]

Wine & Spirits

Probably. I know how it feels too, trust me.
I'm Invidia, by the way. Pleased to meet you.
And hands are shook!
Invidia sheathes her sword, and smiles slightly, amicably.
She then looks down at the body.
Tell me, do you happen to have an idea what to do with this poor soul's body?

Below Malenchar

Macbeth shakes her head.
I'm afraid not.
She replies with a rather unhappy tone.

[Recaiden]

Nervously, Elaine leads Skye to her cramped place, right on the edge of some of the very nasty parts of Westside, but not all the way there. Once they're there, Elaine nervously asks, "So...What did you mean when you said I'd never have to give blood again?"

"I mean what I say. We don't ask it as payment, and you should have a way to get by without it." Skye looks around the room disdainfully. People actually live like this?
"Gather belongings that you want to see again soon. I'll help with carrying them."

[Shadowcaller]

Fourth Tower Compound

"Wait!" The gnoll yells. "You wanted math formula yes? Since you promised to do mission I can give you it. Just need to possess your hand and write it on paper or somewhere."

Wine & Spirits

As Obriane let's go of Invidia's hand she looks speechless for a moment. The body? Oh, right. They... needed to do something with it. "Uhh..." She starts while staring at the bloody mess they left behind. "I'm not an expert on disposing bodies... think I saw a graveyard around here?" But that would mean they would have to carry it, ew!

Below Malenchar

"I see, well the masters probably would be interested in seeing you anyway." The guard stands aside and gestures to the others to open the gate. "Just continue down the street and towards the brown manor to your left. Lady Celestel will see you there."

[Ionbound]

"I mean what I say. We don't ask it as payment, and you should have a way to get by without it." Skye looks around the room disdainfully. People actually live like this?
"Gather belongings that you want to see again soon. I'll help with carrying them."

[Westside Streets]

Elaine nods, and disappears into her bedroom. A few moments later, she reappears wearing a backpack and says to Skye, "Alright, this is everything."

[Recaiden]

[Westside Apartments]

"Excellent!" Skye dashes out the door, down the hall and stairs, out of the apartment building as quick as she can. When Elaine is outside with her, she turns back and examines the building, how tall it rises, what it is made of.

[Ionbound]

[Westside Apartments]

Elaine follows Skye outside, watching her look at the apartment and asks her, "What's up?"

The building, meanwhile, is an old, twelve-story brownstone. It looks like parts of it are pretty run-down, but the very top floor is in pretty good repair.

[Recaiden]

[Westside Streets]

"Seeing how well this place will burn." Not terribly well, that is.
Skye holds out one hand, and a ball of dark flames coalesces in her open palm, growing larger and larger.

[Ionbound]

[Westside Streets]

When she sees the ball of fire, Elaine shakes her head nervously and says, with increasing panic in her voice, "Wait, you're not going to burn it down, are you? Where am I going to live? Where are the people who aren't my landlord going to live?"

[Recaiden]

[Westside Streets]

Skye turns to Elaine with a look that says 'what's wrong with you?', then shrugs and tosses the ball of fire up in the air, where it fizzles away to nothing.
"It burns up, silly thing. And hadn't you got yet that you aren't coming back? Come on. There's a long way to go, and a lot to do." She tries to take Elaine's hand and lead her off down the street.

[Ionbound]

Westside Streets

Elaine is half-dragged along by Skye and says, panic now obvious in her voice, "Wait! Where are you taking me? What's going on?"

[Recaiden]

[Westside Streets]

"Out of the city. You can't live always indoors like this. We go into the jungle, to a place called Ignitis. I will teach you how to really live."
She walks along with the reluctant Elaine, heading eventually towards the southwest gate out of the city.
"Don't be afraid, now. You might get burned."

[Ionbound]

[Westside Streets >> Southwest Gate]

Elaine reluctantly follows Skye to the gates before saying, "And...And I'll never have to be afraid, afraid for my life, of pissing off the wrong person again?"

[Recaiden]

[Westside Gate]

Skye nods, whirling about to try to embrace Elaine.
"That is it. It will be a hard way to pass, but I will make you strong and bright. You will master your fear."

[Ionbound]

[Southside Apartment]

A rather sleepy sounding reply comes in a few moments later to the crow, Eh? What kind? Just lure or trick mortals into our clutches. Well can remake them into the type of servant we need.

Southwest Gate

Elaine nods, and says, "Alright. I don't want to be afraid anymore. I'll come with you."

[Morty]

[Westside Park]

Batu, a wiry hobgoblin about 155 centimeters tall, with yellowish green skin and short, untidy brown hair, is sitting between two trees in the park, near his tent, and waving his hands in the air, muttering. The air around him shimmers dimly.

http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq40/happyturtle-avs/smilies/Giant%20Smilies/interactionwanted.png

[Recaiden]

[Southwest Gate]

"Good. You won't be, at the end."

Skye leads Elaine out through the gate, and off they go!

[Earl of Purple]

FF&FF

There's plenty of staff around, but most outside the buildings are guards with dart guns and nets. They probably won't know anything as they seem to just be hired grunts. It's even possible that most don't know of the pet shop's other, shadier side of business.

Westside Park

A girl approaches. She looks to be about eighteen, with long black hair and pale skin. Her eyes are blue with red flecks. She's wearing a pair of skinny jeans and a bright yellow t-shirt, with a black leather handbag slung over her shoulder. To most normal senses, she seems alive; she's even breathing. Her heart isn't beating, however, and she's a vampire so any supernatural senses may detect her.

[Morty]

[Westside Park]

The magic around Batu coalesces, burns bright and disappears. Then he opens his eyes.

"Oh... hello," he says. "It's not often anyone passes through here." Which is why he picked this spot to put up his tent and practise sorcery.

[Earl of Purple]

Westside Park

"I'm sorry, I don't mean to interrupt. I can go, if you want?" She's mostly curious and doesn't really want to interrupt.

[Morty]

[Westside Park]

"Er, no. It's alright. It's a public park," Batu says, nervous. He's not good at dealing with people, especially humans. He'd much rather have stayed in his tribe, but he didn't get to choose. "I was finished anyway. You might want to stand back, though. I'm not sure if what I'm about to attempt will work."

[Earl of Purple]

Westside Park

"OK." The girl will take a few steps back and sit down. She glances upwards, but this being Westside, the sun isn't visible so that's not something she needs to worry about should anything breach her skin.

[Morty]

[Westside Park]

Batu concentrates, says a few strange words and reaches out with his hand. The hand glows yellow, and a patch of nearby grass grows taller and more vibrant. The hobgoblin visibly struggles to keep the effect intact, and lets go after about thirty seconds. Then the grass abruptly returns to its original size.

[Earl of Purple]

Westside Park

"Oh wow, that was cool." She's really awed by that; she's not had too much experience directly with magic. There were a few clerics at the Temple she used to hang out at, but they didn't do much magic very often and never just for the sake of it or to practice.

[Morty]

[Westside Park]

"Uh, it was?" Batu asks. It's described as rudimentary magic in his books. "But, uh. Where are my manners? I'm Batu, son of Tengal, formerly of the Blind Crow tribe. I greet you in my father's voice," he says, giving a formal bow with his arms crossed across his chest.

[Earl of Purple]

Westside Park

She's seventeen, not nineteen; misread my notes, and they don't mention her surname or parent's names. I know she had a younger brother, though.

"I'm Emily Treatha, daughter of Sophia Treatha, associated with but not a member of Tenebras. I greet you to, but don't know the correct reply." She will imitate his bow, though, hoping she's not doing something wrong as she does so.

[Morty]

[Westside Park]

"If you were a hobgoblin, you'd greet me in your mother's voice and say you hear my father in my greeting," Batu says. "But you're not, so it probably doesn't apply." He rubs the back of his head. "I've had very little to do with those not of my people."

[Earl of Purple]

Westside Park

"I've never had much to do with hobgoblins, either. You aren't the first I've met, but the others were members of a motorcycle club. So I think they had a different culture." She will try to remember that, too, but will probably get it wrong, or forget. Or use it in the wrong context; there's lots of different hobgoblins across the myriad worlds, and many have visited the Nexus.

[Morty]

[Westside Park]

"What's a 'motorcycle'? Batu asks. Another strange thing in this strange city.

[Earl of Purple]

Westside Park

"A vehicle with two wheels and an engine that makes it go very fast. Very, very fast. They're usually very shiny, with black leather for everything that isn't polished metal or the rubber tyres." Hopefully Baku knows what an engine is.

[Morty]

[Westside Park]

"...so they're one of those machines that move by themselves and carry people," Batu says. "Bizarre. It's why I've stuck to this park ever since I arrived. Sorcery I can understand, not that."

[Earl of Purple]

Westside Park

"They're fun. You should try one. Well, be a passenger first. They're soo fast, it's incredible. Think of it as a metal horse." Emily doesn't understand magic or technology, but she's willing to take advantage of either.

[Morty]

[Westside Park]

"Well, I don't get horses either," Batu says, sitting on the grass. "What's the point of riding something so tame and easily spooked?"

[Earl of Purple]

Westside Park

"They're fast and they're strong. Maybe other reasons, too." Emily doesn't really know much about horses.

[FireFox]

[Northside - Wizard Community College - Open Scene]

It was the perfect day for a sniper spree. The weather was warm enough that an open window was expected, not unusual, and there wasn’t as much as a breath of wind to push a bullet off course. In addition, the melting snow made the campus field muddy. To avoid soiling their shoes and robes, the students walked to and from their courses on a narrow concrete path. Through his scope, the sniper could see 14 mage apprentices walking single-file towards him. From 100 meters away, with a zeroed in scope and a Sako TRG-42 rifle filled with .338 Lapua Magnum rounds, he might as well be shooting fish in a barrel.

Dwayne Gates woke up with a voice whispering in his head and the intent anxiety of martyrdom. He found a bag inside his car full of firepower. He didn’t bother to look inside it. The voice told him what it contained. He already knew how to use it. He left his apartment unlocked and drove right to the college. It was a wizarding school, a simple one. Undergraduate community college credits in all the practical witch and warlock subjects. Dwayne might apply here next year. If he had arcane ability. If he wouldn’t be dead by the end of the day.

He followed the voice’s directions and entered one of the towers without detection. Staring straight ahead, focused on his divine mission, Dwayne climbed the stairs to an open door. He locked the door behind him and set up an antipersonnel mine, aimed at the room’s only entrance and rigged to explode if the door opens. The second thing he took from the duffel bag was a foam mat, which he lays flat on top of a table near the open window. Then came the sniper rifle and ten five-round magazines. Finally a FN P90 with a spare 50 round magazine, which he put off to the side.

An over 19 gram Hollow-Point Boat-Tail bullet travelling over 800 meters per second with over 6,500 joules of kinetic energy hits the first student exactly in the center of his navel. As soon as he falls, the second student gets gutshot with equal precision. The third apprentice moved enough to take his round an inch or two off center. The screaming starts. The three victims in their pain and the other eleven in their fear. Dwayne works the bolt and calmly shoots the fourth in line, who was paralyzed on the path like a deer caught in headlights. The fifth mage in training was smarter, darting off the path. Too bad the nearest cover was over 25 meters away on either side. The sniper tracks her through his scope, his finger hesitating on the trigger. She’s a Halfling girl. A cute one, at that. Shooting her in the stomach might kill her too quickly, so he adjusts his aim and blows a chunk out her thigh in mid-stride.

The expressionless Mr. Gates reloads with practiced ease and resumes firing. The remaining nine students scatter in all directions. Three of them make the error of turning around and running back together, quickly getting shot in their lower spines right after each other. Eight shots, eight wounded magi. Someone at the far end of the field finally manages to call emergency services. God knows campus security can’t handle this. But the shooter has plenty of ammunition left. Unless someone in the school acts quickly, the rest of the original 14 are going to get shot. Of course, who knows what the surviving six students at the back of the line are capable of. They could be anyone. They could be heroes, not victims. Future adventurers, not future targets.

[Devixer]

Northside - Wizard Community College

Ashley Cross wasn't here to study - at least, not as a student. She was here to visit the library, hoping to find any kinds of texts about wizards suddenly losing control of their magic. Her journey hadn't brought her much luck so far, and more prestigious groups of mages didn't allow her entrance. So, she was here instead. She's heading down the path, a good deal behind the apprentices. She can't help but smile looking at all the students there. Maybe if there was a place like this where she grew up, she wouldn't have turned out the way she did. Maybe she would have stayed in her home world and became a prestigious sorceress. But then she remembers why she wouldn't want that at all.

Then gunshots rang out. Two years ago, she would've panicked and tried desperately to hide somewhere to discover the source of that blasted noise. Now, though, she knows the sound. That's a sniper rifle. A powerful one, too. Ashley is quick to run - although the direction might surprise some people, as she rushes to the source of the shots. When she starts running, she also casts a force shield in front of herself, in case the shooter decides to aim for her. Her eyes dart around, trying to find any sort of clue as to where this person might be.

[Arkhosia]

Mage School Shooting

One of the students, an [HAE of 18] year old drowess with dark skin, bright red eyes, and her white hair in a bun, an odd maroon tattoo on her right hand, takes cover behind a wall, flipping frantically through her spellbook.
She quickly looks out from cover to observe the location of the shooter, eyes full of fear.

[Morty]

[Westside Park]



"They're fast and they're strong. Maybe other reasons, too." Emily doesn't really know much about horses.

"Maybe it makes more sense if you're raised as human," Batu says. "I've only been living here a couple of months."

[Gullara]

Misaka sits down beside him if she can, suppressing a chuckle at the reprimand.
hmm... does that game have a multiplayer mode?
Misawa inquires with a dmile

[Suncrest Manor]

"Yeah, sure. Try not to die too fast, though. It's a lot harder with two people." Eliseo gets up and grabs a second controller, which he tosses to Misaka. "Catch."

[Slii Arhem]

Ok. Would it be possible you can aid me in learning how to use these abilities and master their use?
Ink asks, eager, intrigued and interested.

Plant Phone Science

"There isn't much I can do for you there. If you can't throw a small, light explosive object properly or learn to relax your muscles, then I have little hope for you to be any better at it even with my tutelage. Now I have another appointment coming up, so go give someone a thorny hug if it pleases you."


Westside Greenhouse

Elaine nervously squirms a little as the anesthetic syringe approaches her back, and then grimaces with pain as the needle slides into her back.

Not for long though, as when the anesthetic takes effect, a dreamy smile spreads across her face, and she slowly asks Shayan, "Sooo...You said dat you'd tell me watsh going to happen?"

Westside Greenhouse

"I'm going to inject you with a series of seeds that will grow inside your body and fuse with your spine. Rather derivative of me, but you asked for results and this was the quickest thing I had access to. The plants will extend throughout your flesh and should provide a secondary muscle network, reinforcing your bones and allow you to move even if you are severely injured, as well as enhancing your strength when you're in good condition." What Shayan fails to mention is that these planty muscles have a slight chance of stealing nutrients directly from Elaine's actual musculature and gradually replacing her flesh with a flora substitute that is many times stronger and unable to feel pain. ((It's up to you if this happens))

"And then the second enhancement should be ready, and your painkillers should have mostly worn off, enough to make you coherent enough to understand the next procedure." She gestures vaguely to the whirring machine, and then picks up a disquietingly large syringe with a tube hollow enough to pass sunflower seeds through.

Which is fortunate, because with a quick jab she's going to try to inject something sunflower-seed-sized into Elaine's lower back, along with a small payload of clear gel that will prevent the wound from leaking anything important while it takes root. She'll repeat the process up the spine every few vertebrae, provided Elaine doesn't flinch out of the way.

[Ionbound]

Westside Greenhouse

Elaine barely even notices the injections as she's high as a kite. She kinda woos around for the hour or so it will take for the seeds to gestate and grow, alternating between playing with the growing saplings and thanking Shayan profusely for helping her so much.

[FireFox]

Northside - Wizard Community College

Ashley Cross wasn't here to study - at least, not as a student. She was here to visit the library, hoping to find any kinds of texts about wizards suddenly losing control of their magic. Her journey hadn't brought her much luck so far, and more prestigious groups of mages didn't allow her entrance. So, she was here instead. She's heading down the path, a good deal behind the apprentices. She can't help but smile looking at all the students there. Maybe if there was a place like this where she grew up, she wouldn't have turned out the way she did. Maybe she would have stayed in her home world and became a prestigious sorceress. But then she remembers why she wouldn't want that at all.

Then gunshots rang out. Two years ago, she would've panicked and tried desperately to hide somewhere to discover the source of that blasted noise. Now, though, she knows the sound. That's a sniper rifle. A powerful one, too. Ashley is quick to run - although the direction might surprise some people, as she rushes to the source of the shots. When she starts running, she also casts a force shield in front of herself, in case the shooter decides to aim for her. Her eyes dart around, trying to find any sort of clue as to where this person might be.


Mage School Shooting

One of the students, an [HAE of 18] year old drowess with dark skin, bright red eyes, and her white hair in a bun, an odd maroon tattoo on her right hand, takes cover behind a wall, flipping frantically through her spellbook.
She quickly looks out from cover to observe the location of the shooter, eyes full of fear.

[Northside - Wizard Community College]

Ashley sees a tower ahead of her, but the distance involved means she won't be able to see which window the sniper is at. Not until she passes the wounded apprentices on the walkway, at least. By which time she will still have a hundred meters to travel directly towards the guy with a high powered rifle. Better hope that force shield is better than conventional military armor.

If the drowess is one of the six students being shot at, I have good news, better news, and bad news for her. The good news is that she's not being shot at. Two running magi ahead of her get picked off and then the Sako's magazine is empty. The better news is that she's close enough to see the muzzle flashes from those two shots so she knows which room the sniper is in. The bad news is that there are no walls close enough to take cover behind. As stated before, she'd have to run 25 meters over muddy field on either side of the path to get to safety. Or 100 meters down the path towards the tower the attacker is holed up in. Fortunately, if she's quick enough she'll be able to make it wherever she goes before being targeted. Unfortunately, that would be after the other 13 students got shot.

Immediate action is required to prevent anymore casualties. Dwayne stops shooting. He takes his eye from the scope. He ejects the empty magazine and tosses it to the side. He grabs a full one and loads it. He pushes the bolt forward and locks the cartridge in the chamber. He lowers his face to the cheekrest and looks through the scope once more. He inhales, waits a second, exhales half the breath, and puts his finger on the trigger. He prepares to resume shooting. The ten wounded youth scream in pain and terror and loss of control. Northside emergency responders are on their way by now, hopefully, but for the next few minutes... it's do or die time.

[Arkhosia]

[Northside - Wizard Community College]

Ashley sees a tower ahead of her, but the distance involved means she won't be able to see which window the sniper is at. Not until she passes the wounded apprentices on the walkway, at least. By which time she will still have a hundred meters to travel directly towards the guy with a high powered rifle. Better hope that force shield is better than conventional military armor.

If the drowess is one of the six students being shot at, I have good news, better news, and bad news for her. The good news is that she's not being shot at. Two running magi ahead of her get picked off and then the Sako's magazine is empty. The better news is that she's close enough to see the muzzle flashes from those two shots so she knows which room the sniper is in. The bad news is that there are no walls close enough to take cover behind. As stated before, she'd have to run 25 meters over muddy field on either side of the path to get to safety. Or 100 meters down the path towards the tower the attacker is holed up in. Fortunately, if she's quick enough she'll be able to make it wherever she goes before being targeted. Unfortunately, that would be after the other 13 students got shot.

Immediate action is required to prevent anymore casualties. Dwayne stops shooting. He takes his eye from the scope. He ejects the empty magazine and tosses it to the side. He grabs a full one and loads it. He pushes the bolt forward and locks the cartridge in the chamber. He lowers his face to the cheekrest and looks through the scope once more. He inhales, waits a second, exhales half the breath, and puts his finger on the trigger. He prepares to resume shooting. The ten wounded youth scream in pain and terror and loss of control. Northside emergency responders are on their way by now, hopefully, but for the next few minutes... it's do or die time.

The drowess fires a Magic Missile at the window in an attempt to hit the killer or at least temporarily incapacitate him as she sprints to get to the tower, and should make it there quickly.
She then attempts to quickly locate the entrance and enter, a magic missile held at the ready.

[Arkhosia]

[Suncrest Manor]

"Yeah, sure. Try not to die too fast, though. It's a lot harder with two people." Eliseo gets up and grabs a second controller, which he tosses to Misaka. "Catch."

Misaka catches it!
She nods.
Alrighty then! I'll do my best.

[Devixer]

Northside - Wizard Community College

The force shield is about as strong as conventional kevlar - meaning, it can take about one shot, then it's little more than a plate.

Although Ashley can't see where the muzzle flash came from, she can track the magic missile to a specific window. It was as good a place to start as any. She lifts off of the ground and starts towards the window. She's quick - maybe quick enough to get to the window before Dwayne is ready to shoot again.

[Deathkeeper]

Fourth Tower Compound

"Wait!" The gnoll yells. "You wanted math formula yes? Since you promised to do mission I can give you it. Just need to possess your hand and write it on paper or somewhere."

Fourth Tower Compound

Arty flinches as the spirit seemingly right in front of him yells in his face. "I think I have an idea for that."
He squeezes the spiritualist's hand for a moment to let her know he's talking to her. "Could you perhaps call your man in here again? I need something dictated." he asks her. He'd prefer not having his limbs possessed. And I don't think she was in a complete trance the whole time.

[FireFox]

[Northside - Wizard Community College]

Dwayne jerks the trigger as he's hit by the magic missile, his body shaking enough from the impact to send his shot wide. And then the drowess is at the tower entrance and the sorceress is at the window. He abandons his rifle, grabbing his PDW and rolling off the table to avoid any potential counterattack and to fire on anyone coming in. Ashley will be on her own for a minute, as it will take the other girl that long to get up the flight of stairs to the sniper's floor and enter the room.

[Arkhosia]

[Northside - Wizard Community College]

Dwayne jerks the trigger as he's hit by the magic missile, his body shaking enough from the impact to send his shot wide. And then the drowess is at the tower entrance and the sorceress is at the window. He abandons his rifle, grabbing his PDW and rolling off the table to avoid any potential counterattack and to fire on anyone coming in. Ashley will be on her own for a minute, as it will take the other girl that long to get up the flight of stairs to the sniper's floor and enter the room.

The drowess darts up the stairs to the slaughterer, summoning a Kevlar-level shield as she does so around herself.

Fourth Tower Compound

"Wait!" The gnoll yells. "You wanted math formula yes? Since you promised to do mission I can give you it. Just need to possess your hand and write it on paper or somewhere."

Wine & Spirits

As Obriane let's go of Invidia's hand she looks speechless for a moment. The body? Oh, right. They... needed to do something with it. "Uhh..." She starts while staring at the bloody mess they left behind. "I'm not an expert on disposing bodies... think I saw a graveyard around here?" But that would mean they would have to carry it, ew!

Below Malenchar

"I see, well the masters probably would be interested in seeing you anyway." The guard stands aside and gestures to the others to open the gate. "Just continue down the street and towards the brown manor to your left. Lady Celestel will see you there."

Thank you.
Macbeth continues down the street and towards the brown manor to her left.

Spirits

Invidia picks up the body, slinging the corpse over her shoulder and holding the head in her other hand.
Lead the way

[Murkus]

The Toy Tinker

Jim reaches out to grab Sticks by the shoulder. He gives him a very sad look. "Sticks, I'm always here for you. Please, please don't forget that." he says before releasing the man and going back to the desk.

"There isn't any need to be concerned, Jim," Sticks says, meeting his gaze, the tone of his voice speaking louder than his words. "The badger, please." He spreads his hand on the doorframe, gripping it tightly, before he limps audibly down the stairs to the cool darkness of his cellar laboratory.



[Malechenar]

"Really? That would be an useful ability for our project. If one could harvest the spirits she attract we wouldn't have to have to find them all by ourselves." Ryhe comments before the elevator suddenly comes to a stop and the doors opens. As the masked lord said the air is thin up here and rather hard to breath. They must be near the very top of the castle now. Here bathing in the pale light coming from an enormous stained glass window is a huge telescope aimed upwards the skies.

Against each wall are a myriad of bookcases filled with tomes and parchments, each case sealed behind a barrier of ether energy intended to protect the books from various misfortunes. A number of black wisps are patrolling the library, constantly going back and fourth. "Ah, here we are. Let's find us that book shall we?"

"Such were my thoughts," Sticks agrees. Among other things. He glances about in awe of Ryhe's library. As has been said, for a man without eyes... This is quite excessive. The tall man takes a few careful steps out into the dizzying room. "I believe... I believe I can extract the cause of her condition, given more details..."

[Earl of Purple]

[Westside Park]

"Maybe. Horses have been domesticated for long enough that now most people don't know why they were originally chosen, rather than, I don't know, zebras or rhinoceroses or woolly mammoths." In reality, there's a certain set of genes which makes animals amenable to domestication; horses have them, zebras don't. They can be tamed, and one Victorian nobleman I recall had two trained to pull his carriage, but every new generation had to be tamed in the same way as the first, whereas horses became domesticated quickly and didn't need so much training to get them ready to work. It was in a National Geographic last year, or maybe the year before.

[Shadowcaller]

[Southside Apartment]

A rather sleepy sounding reply comes in a few moments later to the crow, Eh? What kind? Just lure or trick mortals into our clutches. Well can remake them into the type of servant we need.


Fourth Tower Compound

Arty flinches as the spirit seemingly right in front of him yells in his face. "I think I have an idea for that."
He squeezes the spiritualist's hand for a moment to let her know he's talking to her. "Could you perhaps call your man in here again? I need something dictated." he asks her. He'd prefer not having his limbs possessed. And I don't think she was in a complete trance the whole time.


Thank you.
Macbeth continues down the street and towards the brown manor to her left.

Spirits

Invidia picks up the body, slinging the corpse over her shoulder and holding the head in her other hand.
Lead the way


"Such were my thoughts," Sticks agrees. Among other things. He glances about in awe of Ryhe's library. As has been said, for a man without eyes... This is quite excessive. The tall man takes a few careful steps out into the dizzying room. "I believe... I believe I can extract the cause of her condition, given more details..."

[Southside Apartment]

Sleepy? Demons don't need sleep comrade!

I see. The demon pauses. They shall arrive shortly then along with some assistance then.

Outside the apartment there are after a few minutes a sudden flash of hellish light and a strange twisted creature appears. It stands on four short legs that somehow manages to hold up it's otherwise massively bloated body. The dominating feature of the creature is it's mouth however which covers much of it's frame. Probably at the cost of othjer features as it completely lacks eyes, a nose, teeth's or any form of ears. It's grey skin looks extremely dry and shriveled and despite it's bloated proportions you can easily see it's skeletal form underneath the skin.

But perhaps even more bizarrely after another moment a group of poor naked individuals somehow emerges from it's mouth as if they were pushed out of it. Soon growing into a group that simply couldn't fit inside the creature. Some of the group, not looking all too healthy, even debilitated, suddenly attempts to run away. But before they can come anywhere a second being appears. This one distinctively artificial in appearance, made completely in a shining silver-like metal. It's vaguely human in appearance but extremely thin and delicate-looking with an hook-like head that should be far too large for it's weak looking body to carry. It has very sharp-looking claws however which it with a mere gesture with causes all the captives to freeze up.

"We have arrived."

Fourth Tower Compound

"Oh? What's going on in there? You having fun?" Zareen asks but doesn't wait for him to reply. "HEY KIPP COME OVER HERE! ARTY NEEDS YOUR HELP!" Speaking of loud...

[Graveyards and Spirits]

Obriane blinks as she see Invidia simply lifting up the mess of a corpse she left behind. She was going to get blood all over her clothes! If that even was blood and not some corrupted spirit essence, ew! "Uh, alright. I think it's this way..."

About 20 minutes later it starts to become painfully obvious Obriane has no idea where she's going and it takes nearly twice that time until they finally can see the graveyard which so happens to be in Westside. "There it is!" She exclaims, pointing at the gated off graveyard. It's as bleak and dark as you'd expect to find in a city run by vampires. There are two gargoyles sitting upon pillars on each side of the entrance, staring at them as they approach.
"Whooo goooes there?" The gargoyle hisses.



If Macbeth follows the instructions she will arrive at the gate of an large grey manor with an even larger garden surrounding it. A doorman opens the gate for her and bows before her. "Welcome to Sylesnya Manor. May I take your coat?" It's actually warm outside, not that I'm sure it matters to a vampire.

[Malechenar]

[B]"Of course, the section you're interested in should be this way." Ryhe glides into the room and Sticks can see how a section of the field surrounding the bookcases disappears. "So is this a curse or a blessing? Fey are know to use both." He asks while running his fingers against the spines of the books. The black wisps avoiding the two as they stand there, moving to other parts of the enormous library.

[Arkhosia]

Hope This Won't Be A Grave Mistake


Invidia Val'Sarghess. This is Mr. Headless. He's not very bright.
She replies, pointing to the dead guy.
What? Did you expect a drow to not have a dark sense of humor?

Mind your Manors

Macbeth shakes her head.
No, that won't be necessary. Thank you though.
Macbeth replies, smiling

[Ionbound]

[Southside Apartment]

A fat, toad-like man who is decidedly not our slinky-dressed demoness runs out, wearing a wife-beater top and jeans. He is carrying a shot-gun and shouts, "Hey! Demon! Heads up!" as he fires a load of standard buckshot at the demonic slave carrier.

[Gullara]

Misaka catches it!
She nods.
Alrighty then! I'll do my best.

[Suncrest Manor]

Eliseo plops back down on the couch and sets about setting up the game. Misaka is free to chose her own seet. There's the couch Eliseo is on, a couple armchairs, and a loveseat.

"You ever played games like this before?" Eliseo asks without looking up from the TV. "It's crazy how many people barely know what they are."

[Arkhosia]

[Suncrest Manor]

Eliseo plops back down on the couch and sets about setting up the game. Misaka is free to chose her own seet. There's the couch Eliseo is on, a couple armchairs, and a loveseat.

"You ever played games like this before?" Eliseo asks without looking up from the TV. "It's crazy how many people barely know what they are."

Not recently. Back home I didn't really have time and was busy with school, and I'm not exactly rich. I'm a bit rusty, obviously.
Misawa replies, sitting next to Eliseo.

[Deathkeeper]

"There isn't any need to be concerned, Jim," Sticks says, meeting his gaze, the tone of his voice speaking louder than his words. "The badger, please." He spreads his hand on the doorframe, gripping it tightly, before he limps audibly down the stairs to the cool darkness of his cellar laboratory.


The Toy Tinker

"The more you say it, the more hollow it sounds." whispers Jim quietly.
The finished toy will be sitting on the counter after Jim closes up shop for the night, nearly immaculate, or at least as close to perfect as you'd expect from someone with his experience. Next to it is an un-ordered but nonetheless completed goat next to it, of similar quality.



Fourth Tower Compound

"Oh? What's going on in there? You having fun?" Zareen asks but doesn't wait for him to reply. "HEY KIPP COME OVER HERE! ARTY NEEDS YOUR HELP!" Speaking of loud...


Fourth Tower compound

Arty smiles for the first time in the past few minutes. "Almost done. Just need to write some things down."
Then, back to Mr. Fang, "You can start in just a bit. I'm fetching someone to write this down."

[Morty]

[Westside Park]

"Maybe. Horses have been domesticated for long enough that now most people don't know why they were originally chosen, rather than, I don't know, zebras or rhinoceroses or woolly mammoths." In reality, there's a certain set of genes which makes animals amenable to domestication; horses have them, zebras don't. They can be tamed, and one Victorian nobleman I recall had two trained to pull his carriage, but every new generation had to be tamed in the same way as the first, whereas horses became domesticated quickly and didn't need so much training to get them ready to work. It was in a National Geographic last year, or maybe the year before.

"My... former tribe rides boars" Batu says. "I'm told other hobgoblins ride different beasts depending on where they live. Maybe humans are just attuned to horses the way we are to all beasts."

[Gullara]

Not recently. Back home I didn't really have time and was busy with school, and I'm not exactly rich. I'm a bit rusty, obviously.
Misawa replies, sitting next to Eliseo.

[Suncrest Manor]

"So we'll probably die a lot." Eliseo says flatly. Oh well. "Just follow me and cover my back, okay. There's always less zombies behind you, so I'll take care of most of them." He explains as he starts the new game.

[Arkhosia]

[Suncrest Manor]

"So we'll probably die a lot." Eliseo says flatly. Oh well. "Just follow me and cover my back, okay. There's always less zombies behind you, so I'll take care of most of them." He explains as he starts the new game.

Alright, sounds good.
Misaka replies, ready to play.

[Shadowcaller]

Hope This Won't Be A Grave Mistake[CODE]

Invidia Val'Sarghess. This is Mr. Headless. He's not very bright.
She replies, pointing to the dead guy.
What? Did you expect a drow to not have a dark sense of humor?

Mind your Manors

Macbeth shakes her head.
No, that won't be necessary. Thank you though.
Macbeth replies, smiling


[Southside Apartment]

A fat, toad-like man who is decidedly not our slinky-dressed demoness runs out, wearing a wife-beater top and jeans. He is carrying a shot-gun and shouts, "Hey! Demon! Heads up!" as he fires a load of standard buckshot at the demonic slave carrier.


Fourth Tower compound

Arty smiles for the first time in the past few minutes. "Almost done. Just need to write some things down."
Then, back to Mr. Fang, "You can start in just a bit. I'm fetching someone to write this down."

Hope This Won't Be A Grave Mistake

Obriane isn't sure if she should really give this stone creature her name, it seemed rather unwise. Some spirits even gained power over you if you gave them your name, at least if it meant something for you. "Ehh..." And then she falls silent as the gargoyle scratches it's chin while the other one is glowering at Invidia. "Soo you wantsss to bury a body, yess? The master accepts that on the condition you ssimply leave it out here." It points at the ground in front of the gate. "We take care of the rest."

Mind your Manors

"As you wish miss. Lady Celestel is currently holding a tea party, you wish to join or should I just escort you directly to the waiting room?" The servant asks as he closes the gate behind Macbeth.

Fourth Tower compound

"Yes, you should always write things down, like names." Zareen advice's. But before Kipp comes running Bigfang has a few things to say. "Noo, you can't have me tell you, it is very complicated yes. You would not understand all number of symbols. Not at all." The dead gnoll insists.

[Southside Apartment]

Perhaps alerting the alien creature to your presence before you attack it might not be the best idea. Not that it would have helped much considering the beings artificial reaction time and speed. Despite it's clumsy appearance the creature raises it's arm while the slugs projectiles towards and shield forms around it, deflecting them. The shield then gathers into a ball of pure light and shots back at the man. If it hits him his body will be disintegrated into dust unless he has some sort of protection against it. A quick and painless death considering the shield formed and shot back in the manner of a second, not giving him much time to react.

[Ionbound]

[Southside Apartments]

The man is instantly killed, and, moments later, Adele appears, wearing a slightly annoyed smirk as she says, "Mmhmm. A thoroughly unpleasant landlord. Perhaps I shall take over this place, now...Still, there is some value in subtlety. Anyways. Please, help me get these inside. I can take it from there."

[Shadowcaller]

[Southside Apartments]

The golem turns to Adele, it's face unable to form any expression just as it's monotone voice. "I'm going to observe the procedure." It informs her as the decimated people are forced to march towards the apartment. "Will they suffer? They have suffered for a long time." It's hard to guess wherever it thinks this is a positive or negative.

[Ionbound]

[Southside Apartment]

Adele shrugs and says, "Maybe, maybe not. It's hard to tell once they've been reborn," as she leads the slaves up to her apartment.

((TS, Earl, if you guys want to get involved, do it here.))

[Shadowcaller]

[Southside Apartment]

"Reborn." The golem repeats. "Will they be slaves? Or will they still have free will?" It asks her, following closely, above the raven still watches the proceedings, but as Adele, the golem and their victims goes inside it takes flight, the gate demon who took them here disappearing in the same hellish flash of light.

[Earl of Purple]

Southside Apartment

A blonde-haired fourteen-year-old with blue eyes leaves the apartment. She's wearing a red t-shirt and blue jeans. Accompanying her is a pale-skinned brown-eyed fifteen-year-old half-elf with a shaved head wearing a simple green dress. They'll look through the slaves, looking for the tastiest and the youngest, especially girls. Babette is also looking for any true innocents, those who have not only done no evil and also never thought any evil.

Any they choose with have a modicum of free will- they'll have to do what Babette asks, but they can do it however they want, and even argue against it if they disagree enough.

[Devixer]

[Northside - Wizard Community College]

Dwayne jerks the trigger as he's hit by the magic missile, his body shaking enough from the impact to send his shot wide. And then the drowess is at the tower entrance and the sorceress is at the window. He abandons his rifle, grabbing his PDW and rolling off the table to avoid any potential counterattack and to fire on anyone coming in. Ashley will be on her own for a minute, as it will take the other girl that long to get up the flight of stairs to the sniper's floor and enter the room.


The drowess darts up the stairs to the slaughterer, summoning a Kevlar-level shield as she does so around herself.


Ashley lands in the windowsill. Normally, she'd pick a stealthier approach than this, but something's come over her. Probably seeing students of magic hurt. Once she gets in and sees Dwayne with the firearm, she conjures freezing magic in her hand, and tries to hit the weapon with frost to render it unusable.

[Ionbound]

[Southside Apartments]

Elereshur nods and says, "You can stay, if you so desire. As for free will, they will retain most of it. There is a hierarchy, however, and they'll know their place in it. Anyways..." She inspects the slaves alongside Babette, though not caring about physical health, just seeing what was offered.

[Murkus]

The Toy Tinker

"The more you say it, the more hollow it sounds." whispers Jim quietly.
The finished toy will be sitting on the counter after Jim closes up shop for the night, nearly immaculate, or at least as close to perfect as you'd expect from someone with his experience. Next to it is an un-ordered but nonetheless completed goat next to it, of similar quality.


Sticks, being the paranoid fellow that he is, comes up out of his lair only to ensure everything's been locked. Jim was always a good lad about closing up, and he was beginning to think he wouldn't have to make checks like this any more. He moves over to the counter, so much tidier with mister Jim working there, and finds not one, but two finished playthings. There was Susie's badger, and then... a goat. A gift? For Sticks? Or merely meant to make an example of Jim's skill?

In either case, he takes the stuffed animal, deciding then and there that it would be his. It was... nice. A rather kind gesture. Perhaps... perhaps he could stand to talk with someone. Oh gods, could these secrets be a burden. The fact that Jim seemed a good candidate... well it was only logical.

Smiling, he tucks the goat beneath his arm, stroking it's head with a gentle murmur of cotton and steel. He ascends the shop's stairs, this time. Maybe with it he'd sleep. Perhaps, for once, he would not dream.



[Malechenar]

"Of course, the section you're interested in should be this way." Ryhe glides into the room and Sticks can see how a section of the field surrounding the bookcases disappears. "So is this a curse or a blessing? Fey are know to use both." He asks while running his fingers against the spines of the books. The black wisps avoiding the two as they stand there, moving to other parts of the enormous library.

The tall man watches the wisps carefully, following his client as closely as one's personal space would allow. He stops, fidgeting in place, his hands and feet searching for something to do when there is little to do but wait. "She seems to think of it as a curse, my lord. Though she has used it for good in the past, so I'm told. Exorcisms, you know, that lot." He waves his hand dismissively.

[FireFox]

The drowess darts up the stairs to the slaughterer, summoning a Kevlar-level shield as she does so around herself.


Ashley lands in the windowsill. Normally, she'd pick a stealthier approach than this, but something's come over her. Probably seeing students of magic hurt. Once she gets in and sees Dwayne with the firearm, she conjures freezing magic in her hand, and tries to hit the weapon with frost to render it unusable.

[Northside - Wizard Community College]

The effect of freezing magic on a polymer, fully automatic weapon... An interesting question, which I did my best to answer. Cold has two primary ways to negatively effect the operation of a blow back firearm. If condensation builds up on the guide rods, and then freezes, the gun will jam. But that is only likely to happen if the temperature goes from cold, to warm, back to freezing temperatures again. The second way is if the gun oil freezes, something that is likely to happen as the temperature falls below 0 (I use the Fahrenheit scale, as I'm more familiar with it). Now, the P90 is a well-designed weapon; it only needs a few drops of oil on its moving parts group. But an amateur such as this kid--oh, did I not mention Dwayne's age? Ashley will see he's not even 18 years old, younger than the students he was shooting--may have added more oil than necessary in a zealous attempt to make sure everything works. In subzero operations, it is actually better to run your weapons without gun oil than to use something which could freeze and cause malfunctions. Mr. Gates is unlikely to know that, however, much less anticipate subzero operations. So, having opened fire on Ashley once she came into his sights, the shooter may fire over 20 rounds of SS190 FN 5.7×28mm armor piercing rounds before her frost magic manages to freeze enough of the oil to cause a FTF jam. Of course, there is another aspect to cold magic and that is the human factor. Depending on the exact temperature of the spell and how quickly it works, Dwayne's hands are more likely to freeze before the weapon does. At the very least, the cold is causing him to shake and shiver vigorously, throwing off his aim and sending those 20 rounds every which way with very little accuracy.

The drowess makes it up the stairs and finds the correct door. It's the one with loud, automatic gunfire behind it.

[Deathkeeper]

Fourth Tower Compound

Now Arty is getting a bit annoyed. He'd prefer to thing Bigfang really only wants what he says, but his instructor's words stand, and he has no idea if the spirit is bound to its agreements.
"Besides medicine, my secondary studies included foreign cultures and writing systems. I'm quite sure that I will manage enough. Anything excepting can be written out in words instead of symbols if necessary. I don't need to understand everything to deliver it. Heck, I don't think Chadwick would understand any of it anyway.

Just what does the formula prove anyway?"

The Toy Tinker

Well, if he wishes to say anything Sticks will have the chance as the next day Jim will enter the store as he always does, about sixteen minutes early so he can leisurely set up shop before getting straight to work on the very exact minute of his proper shift. He'll cheerily greet Sticks when he makes an appearance as always, making no mention of the previous day.

[Arkhosia]

Magic>Guns

The drowess did!
She attempts to burst in and hurl a cloud if freezing daggersthe man, before taking cover behind a wall and flipping through her Spellbook.

[Arkhosia]

FF&FF

There's plenty of staff around, but most outside the buildings are guards with dart guns and nets. They probably won't know anything as they seem to just be hired grunts. It's even possible that most don't know of the pet shop's other, shadier side of business.
Invidia is pulled along by Magtok, looking rather irritated and kind of worried.
She does her best to nod

[Shadowcaller]

[Southside Apartments]

That depends, do they like crab? Since a lot of the prisoners (not slaves) are actually large crab-like beings that aren't very humanoid at all, though one of the crabs have an actual beard. Not sure how that works. Anyway, if they're looking for something more humanoid there are a few merpersons, they have long tails instead of legs however and long fins instead of hair and completely covered in blue-green scales. Then there is a male harpy, an older human woman and what appears to be an small furry creature of some sort? It's probably not edible.

"Who are they?" The demon gestures in the direction of the newcomers.

[Malechenar]

I'm sure we can handwave some of the questions as we both know all the details OOC. :smalltongue:

As Sticks explains the condition Ryhe suddenly chuckles. "You're in luck Mister Sticks, we were looking at the wrong place entirely." He moves away from the fey section and the forcefield reappears. Instead, assuming Sticks follows, he comes to another section which is labeled "worlds" where he takes out an enormous tome. "This was given to me by the fourth tower who had gotten it in a deal with an god of knowledge. It contains an enormous amount of information of a world they like to call "Kouy", an closed off world which so happens to have the condition you describe." He flips through the book before handing over it to Sticks. "Here, this section might be describing what you're looking for..."

[Arkhosia]

Graveyard

Invidia does so, leaving, waiting for Oribane to follow her.
Say, would you like to get a drink or something?
She offers.
Invidia is kinda jaded.

Market (Closed Scene)

Sakura walks in the market, looking around warily... but possibly not seeing anyone who could bump into her

[Earl of Purple]

Southside Apartment

"I am Babette, and this is Kessandra. We serve Elereshur." Both girls are dead, and it's the younger one who speaks. They'll pull out the youngest female merperson, unless she's over the equivalent of twenty. If there isn't a merperson under twenty, they won't select any of the prisoners and instead help Elereshur get them into the apartment.

Are any of them innocent of evil thought and evil deed? It's the former that's the hardest to find, lots of people fantasize about things that are morally questionable.

[Ionbound]

[Southside Apartment]

After examining the slaves, Elereshur tilts her head and says, "Interesting...They seem to be host to a secondary consciousness...Hmm..." She then turns, trying to grab the golem by the throat, saying, very calmly, "Do you take me for an idiot? Did you really think for one second that you could fool me?"

[Malchenar Keep-Gates]

Kanya approaches the gates of the keep, and, as she does, the temperature drops several degrees. However, she has gained some better control of her power, and, while it's still uncomfortable for most people, it's not lethal by any stretch of the imagination.

[Shadowcaller]

Graveyard

Invidia does so, leaving, waiting for Oribane to follow her.
Say, would you like to get a drink or something?
She offers.
Invidia is kinda jaded.

Market (Closed Scene)

Sakura walks in the market, looking around warily... but possibly not seeing anyone who could bump into her


Southside Apartment

"I am Babette, and this is Kessandra. We serve Elereshur." Both girls are dead, and it's the younger one who speaks. They'll pull out the youngest female merperson, unless she's over the equivalent of twenty. If there isn't a merperson under twenty, they won't select any of the prisoners and instead help Elereshur get them into the apartment.

Are any of them innocent of evil thought and evil deed? It's the former that's the hardest to find, lots of people fantasize about things that are morally questionable.


[Southside Apartment]

After examining the slaves, Elereshur tilts her head and says, "Interesting...They seem to be host to a secondary consciousness...Hmm..." She then turns, trying to grab the golem by the throat, saying, very calmly, "Do you take me for an idiot? Did you really think for one second that you could fool me?"

[Malchenar Keep-Gates]

Kanya approaches the gates of the keep, and, as she does, the temperature drops several degrees. However, she has gained some better control of her power, and, while it's still uncomfortable for most people, it's not lethal by any stretch of the imagination.

[Southside Apartment]

I should explain to Earl what I told FD in the IRC chat. The mermen are in fact all mindcontrolled by something (in this case a brain parasite) and have been so from birth. So it's quite hard to discern if they're truly "innocent" or not. They have all committed evil deeds (as generally seen by humans at least) in one way or the other but they weren't in direct control of their actions. Whatever is controlling them through the parasite is.

The golem stands motionless. "You stated you didn't care what mortals we brought you. These ones are controlled by something but we don't know what. Is that a problem?" It doesn't reply to Babette or Kessendra for now.

[Below Malechenar]

The keep itself is actually flying some distance above the city, but there is a community right underneath it where she might go. The blue-uniformed guards obviously recognize what she is as she approach and stand back. "Not any closer! Stand back!" One of them yells while the others are pulling some sort of crystals out of their belts, aiming them at her but doesn't do anything... yet.

Graveyard

"A- a drink?" Obriane stammers as they leave the gargoyles and the body behind. "I... guess?" She wasn't sure why Invidia would want to buy her a drink. Then again Alice had bought her a drink so maybe it was something people in lotus garden just did when they met someone? Some sort of tradition they had there.
Or a nefarious scheme to recruit people into their cult! Or maybe they're just nice.

[Ionbound]

[Below Malchenar]

Kanya stops, raising her hands in the air as she almost sobs, "P-please...I just want to find out what happened to me...I'm trying so hard not to hurt anyone..." With the last sentence, sparkles slide off her cheeks, which, the guards might realize, are flash-frozen tears.

[Earl of Purple]

Southside Apartment

Then so long as the parasite is present, they don't count, and possibly afterwards as well. If they were aware of what was going on, then they don't. Innocence at the magnitude Babette seeks is rare, and hard to find, and even the slightest thing can corrupt it forever.

The girlish ghouls stop, and wait to see what happens next. If Elereshur wants the other demon dead, they shall assist, but as it stands an explanation may be forthcoming.

[Ionbound]

[Southside Apartments]

Elereshur nods angrily and says, "Yes, that is a problem. Did you consider that the thing controlling these might come looking for them? Does subtlety mean nothing to you?"

[Earl of Purple]

"My... former tribe rides boars" Batu says. "I'm told other hobgoblins ride different beasts depending on where they live. Maybe humans are just attuned to horses the way we are to all beasts."

Westside Park ((Sorry Morty. I missed this.))

"Your former tribe? So, you're an exile?" She can empathise with that slightly, as she is quite possibly the only Skin-Stealer Vampire in Riverside, so she's surrounded regularly by others that aren't the same type of vampire as she is.

[Morty]

[Westside Park]

"I am," Batu says, as his shoulders slump. "I was exiled for the crime of practising sorcery. I was lucky enough to find a teacher and a place to stay afterwards."

[Earl of Purple]

Westside Park

"I'm sorry to hear that. My family was killed by a vampire, who turned me before the Enforcers arrived and killed them. I surrendered, or they'd have killed me, too. I can't remember the turning itself, which is a blessing." Because she instinctively knows how to perform it, and knows how painful it must have been.

[Shadowcaller]

Kanya stops, raising her hands in the air as she almost sobs, "P-please...I just want to find out what happened to me...I'm trying so hard not to hurt anyone..." With the last sentence, sparkles slide off her cheeks, which, the guards might realize, are flash-frozen tears.


[B]Southside Apartment

Then so long as the parasite is present, they don't count, and possibly afterwards as well. If they were aware of what was going on, then they don't. Innocence at the magnitude Babette seeks is rare, and hard to find, and even the slightest thing can corrupt it forever.

The girlish ghouls stop, and wait to see what happens next. If Elereshur wants the other demon dead, they shall assist, but as it stands an explanation may be forthcoming.


[Southside Apartments]

Elereshur nods angrily and says, "Yes, that is a problem. Did you consider that the thing controlling these might come looking for them? Does subtlety mean nothing to you?"


Fourth Tower Compound

Now Arty is getting a bit annoyed. He'd prefer to thing Bigfang really only wants what he says, but his instructor's words stand, and he has no idea if the spirit is bound to its agreements.
"Besides medicine, my secondary studies included foreign cultures and writing systems. I'm quite sure that I will manage enough. Anything excepting can be written out in words instead of symbols if necessary. I don't need to understand everything to deliver it. Heck, I don't think Chadwick would understand any of it anyway.

Just what does the formula prove anyway?"



The guards remain in position but makes no move as Kanya stops. The highest ranking member finally lowering his device. The others stand vigilant however. "What's your name? Why have you come here of all places?" He asks, his voice not betraying any of the fear his comrades seem to be feeling however. Whatever she is she sure got them spooked.

Fourth Tower Compound

"Hmph. It is actually more dangerous than one thinks horseperson." Apparently Bigfang forget that's insulting. "It is ritual that can damage gods. Yes, Bigfang made a ritual that can harm gods. You think about that, he got it from Arbil. But fine, if you think you so smart, I can simply tell you."

Now Arty can hear the door open and Kipp's voice. "Yes?"

"Good! You need to write down everything Arty here says while I maintain the ritual." Zareen states in a oddly cheerful tone.

"...right. Whatever you say."

[Southside Apartments]

[B]"They don't know what 'here' is. We took them from seaside, very far away. They won't be able to come here, nor are they capable of doing anything to harm us." The demonic construct states. "Anything else?" It asks, it's tone not changing the slightest.

[Ionbound]

[Beneath Malchenar]

Kanya says, panicked to try to get them to stop, "My...My name's Kanya...I came here because I...I thought you could tell me what happened to me...What I am now..." The temperature also begins to slide downwards as she begins to lose control of her emotions, though she's maintaining control. For now.

[Lord Magtok]

FF&FF



Invidia is pulled along by Magtok, looking rather irritated and kind of worried.
She does her best to nod

"If things get too intense or uncomfortable for you, just whisper 'Hephaestus' and I'll get us out of here, okay? I don't want to go past what you're comfortable with." Magtok leads the way inside. Hopefully they'll find this Fallow person, if there is, in fact, a person by that name.

[Devixer]

[Northside - Wizard Community College]

The effect of freezing magic on a polymer, fully automatic weapon... An interesting question, which I did my best to answer. Cold has two primary ways to negatively effect the operation of a blow back firearm. If condensation builds up on the guide rods, and then freezes, the gun will jam. But that is only likely to happen if the temperature goes from cold, to warm, back to freezing temperatures again. The second way is if the gun oil freezes, something that is likely to happen as the temperature falls below 0 (I use the Fahrenheit scale, as I'm more familiar with it). Now, the P90 is a well-designed weapon; it only needs a few drops of oil on its moving parts group. But an amateur such as this kid--oh, did I not mention Dwayne's age? Ashley will see he's not even 18 years old, younger than the students he was shooting--may have added more oil than necessary in a zealous attempt to make sure everything works. In subzero operations, it is actually better to run your weapons without gun oil than to use something which could freeze and cause malfunctions. Mr. Gates is unlikely to know that, however, much less anticipate subzero operations. So, having opened fire on Ashley once she came into his sights, the shooter may fire over 20 rounds of SS190 FN 5.7×28mm armor piercing rounds before her frost magic manages to freeze enough of the oil to cause a FTF jam. Of course, there is another aspect to cold magic and that is the human factor. Depending on the exact temperature of the spell and how quickly it works, Dwayne's hands are more likely to freeze before the weapon does. At the very least, the cold is causing him to shake and shiver vigorously, throwing off his aim and sending those 20 rounds every which way with very little accuracy.

The drowess makes it up the stairs and finds the correct door. It's the one with loud, automatic gunfire behind it.


Magic>Guns

The drowess did!
She attempts to burst in and hurl a cloud if freezing daggersthe man, before taking cover behind a wall and flipping through her Spellbook.

About twenty rounds are bounding every which way. A few of them hit Ashley, but her shield is able to deflect exactly one shot. The rest actually hit her, even though the force behind her magic is able to keep them from causing any serious damage beyond bruising. She winces at the impact, then hops off of the windowsill to approach the kid, maintaining her cold magic as she does so.

[Morty]

[Westside Park]




"I'm sorry to hear that. My family was killed by a vampire, who turned me before the Enforcers arrived and killed them. I surrendered, or they'd have killed me, too. I can't remember the turning itself, which is a blessing." Because she instinctively knows how to perform it, and knows how painful it must have been.

"I'm sorry to hear that too," Batu says. "I didn't even know that vampires existed before coming here. I mean, I'd heard stories about the corpses of those who weren't properly returned to the sky rising again, but I never quite believed them. Those who run this city seem alright, though. My teacher negotiated my place here with them."

[Earl of Purple]

Fallow's Furry & Feathered Friends

Of course Fallow is a real person! Admittedly, this is the second Fallow to own and run the store.

He isn't on the shop floor, however. He's got better things to do. There's several gnomish shop assistants, however; they seem to be running the place, dealing directly with most of the customers.

Westside Park

"I knew about them, obviously; my family lived here. But I wasn't expecting to ever become one. My family was quite devout, but gods really don't like the type of vampire I am. I can't even say the name of the deity I worshipped now, let alone ask Him for direct intervention or assistance." Not that He ever actually replied; she wasn't a priestess. But she was seriously considering it as a career.

[Morty]

[Westside Park]

"I'm told the totem spirit of my tribe too offence to my practice of sorcery, so I suppose I know what you mean," Batu says.

[Earl of Purple]

Westside Park

"If ever you see somebody whose eyes are flecked with red, go to the authorities and let them know. I have my weaknesses, but they are different to the ones of the ruling vampires here, and I have my strengths as well. One of them is shared by all vampires like me- we can wear the skins of our victims to masquerade as anyone we like." But not for forever; they rot quickly, but can be kept fresh by drinking fresh blood regularly. Or by having a rubber fake skin made and using that instead.

[Morty]

[Westside Park]

"I'll make sure of that," Batu says, suddenly a bit suspicious. What if she is just wearing the skin of a victim? "I don't leave this park too often, though. I like it here, and the city makes me nervous."

[Deathkeeper]

Fourth Tower Compound

Arty stops.
"Just a moment, Kipp.
Don't call me that, Bigfang. And that isn't what Chadwick told me to get. And given his mental state if he did he'd probably be trying to kill himself, which I wouldn't be encouraging."

[Earl of Purple]

Westside Park

"Here, feel. It's artificial skin, made of rubber and based on what my natural birthday suit." She holds out a hand for him to feel; it does feel rubbery. It's a good fake, but it's clearly fake.

And why would she warn him about something if she was doing it herself, especially something like that which helps her blend in?

[Ionbound]

[Southside Apartment]

Elereshur glares and says, "Take them away. I'm not going to risk it. Sorry, Babette."

[Murkus]

[Malechenar]

I'm sure we can handwave some of the questions as we both know all the details OOC. :smalltongue:

As Sticks explains the condition Ryhe suddenly chuckles. "You're in luck Mister Sticks, we were looking at the wrong place entirely." He moves away from the fey section and the forcefield reappears. Instead, assuming Sticks follows, he comes to another section which is labeled "worlds" where he takes out an enormous tome. "This was given to me by the fourth tower who had gotten it in a deal with an god of knowledge. It contains an enormous amount of information of a world they like to call "Kouy", an closed off world which so happens to have the condition you describe." He flips through the book before handing over it to Sticks. "Here, this section might be describing what you're looking for..."

I was just enjoying the way they discuss things! Plus, I have a horrible memory, so you may have to touch upon some parts of Obriane's condition.

Sticks can be assumed to follow, unless the lord Ryhe does something untoward while they're rifling through his inexplicable book collection. A compendium of worlds! No doubt ones catalogued by the mysterious Fourth Tower. Now that is a book he may well have been interested in, were Obriane not already on his mind. He could match their findings against his own journal. He often made numerous notes about the worlds to which he traveled before settling from time to time.

Depending upon the size and weight of this tome, Sticks may well be forced to lug it over to the nearest table or other flat surface. He grins, embarrassed, and leans over the weighty volume so he might learn it's secrets.

"A fey... intertwined with her soul? Why, I'm not sure safe magical practices would have any sort of effect here..." He begins to look somewhat troubled as he goes over the passage.




The Toy Tinker

Well, if he wishes to say anything Sticks will have the chance as the next day Jim will enter the store as he always does, about sixteen minutes early so he can leisurely set up shop before getting straight to work on the very exact minute of his proper shift. He'll cheerily greet Sticks when he makes an appearance as always, making no mention of the previous day.

While the Tinker opens quite late in the morning - ah, the joys of having one's own business - Sticks remains to be seen long after the store has already opened. Certainly some mornings he's emerged from his lab rather late, scorched and wide-eyed and grinning madly. As many as ten or fifteen minutes after the store's opening! Already inappropriate that he hadn't cleaned up, or even changed his clothes by all accounts, the tall man will sidle up behind the counter and simply sit there at length, staring blankly into space.

Today he can't even muster up the effort to do that. Hm. One must wonder where he could be.

[Slii Arhem]

Westside Greenhouse

Elaine barely even notices the injections as she's high as a kite. She kinda woos around for the hour or so it will take for the seeds to gestate and grow, alternating between playing with the growing saplings and thanking Shayan profusely for helping her so much.

Westside Greenhouse

The roots and vines are growing under her skin, close to her bones, so it's rather hard to play with them without ripping her skin and muscle open. Still, she's high as a kite, so it's entirely possible she thinks that she's growing plants out from her skin.

((But she is not, and I made that as clear as I could twice previously.))

Shayan waits until she comes down slightly before preparing and administering the second treatment, explaining it as she goes, "This one should affect your bark in a very beneficial way. I was leery of replicating my own regenerative properties in you directly, but I seem to have hit on a solution that will allow you to heal yourself from any wounds that puncture the skin, as well as apply healing to other." This treatment evidently began working more quickly, as Shayan levers a scalpel under the bark and lifts up a tiny sliver of it, exposing the underside's fresh, new, green-tinted sheen. Milky green fluids wells up on the bark, beading and sticking together in fat droplets.

"A numbing agent, an antibacterial, and a binding agent to seal the wound. Whenever your bark is pierced, it will produce this mixture and flood the affected area with it. In time, the rudimentary cells in the mix will speed up the healing by being converted to and replaced with your flesh, in a regenerative fashion. You could feasibly pry off your bark and apply it to another person's wounds, to seal them and begin accelerated healing on them. Your bark will grow back nearly daily now, so long as you get enough sun, so you shouldn't run out."

[Ionbound]

[Westside Greenhouse]

Yeah, high as a kite.

When she comes down, she's slightly disappointed at the lack of real saplings, but then very excited when the other treatment. After the demonstration, she gushes, "Ohmigosh, that's sooo cool. Thank you so much, Shayan...Mind if I stay here for a while until I get used to my new self?"

[Arkhosia]

Graveyard

"A- a drink?" Obriane stammers as they leave the gargoyles and the body behind. "I... guess?" She wasn't sure why Invidia would want to buy her a drink. Then again Alice had bought her a drink so maybe it was something people in lotus garden just did when they met someone? Some sort of tradition they had there.
Or a nefarious scheme to recruit people into their cult! Or maybe they're just nice.

Great! Is Trog's good?
The drowess questions, smiling.
Which is probably slightly creepy, as a couple flecks of red blood dot the left of invidia's face unbeknownst to her.

[Gullara]

Alright, sounds good.
Misaka replies, ready to play.

[Suncrest Manor]

And so the two play, much to Eliseo's frustration he soon discovers. It's a tough game, and he's not very tolerant of beginners, which Misaka definitely is. "I keep telling you that zombies come through those windows twice, not just the first time." He says after the fifth death, sounding exasperated.

[Arkhosia]

[Suncrest Manor]

And so the two play, much to Eliseo's frustration he soon discovers. It's a tough game, and he's not very tolerant of beginners, which Misaka definitely is. "I keep telling you that zombies come through those windows twice, not just the first time." He says after the fifth death, sounding exasperated.

Sorry.
Misaka simply replies sincerely, and indeed does happen to adjust to that!
They probably don't die nearly as often as misaka slowly but surely
Gets the hang of it.

[Morty]

Westside Park

"Here, feel. It's artificial skin, made of rubber and based on what my natural birthday suit." She holds out a hand for him to feel; it does feel rubbery. It's a good fake, but it's clearly fake.

And why would she warn him about something if she was doing it herself, especially something like that which helps her blend in?

Fear and suspicion are hardly rational, especially for a nervous person who is very much a fish out of water.

"That's... pretty impressive," Batu says uncertainly. "So what do you look like underneath the skin-suit?"

[Earl of Purple]

Westside Park

"Did you ever do any hunting? Because if you've ever skinned a rabbit or something, you have a good idea of what I look like. Only, human, not rabbit." Slightly more elastic, but she was flayed by her sire; it's part of how she became a Skin-Stealer Vampire.

[Shadowcaller]

Great! Is Trog's good?
The drowess questions, smiling.
Which is probably slightly creepy, as a couple flecks of red blood dot the left of invidia's face unbeknownst to her.


I was just enjoying the way they discuss things! Plus, I have a horrible memory, so you may have to touch upon some parts of Obriane's condition.

Sticks can be assumed to follow, unless the lord Ryhe does something untoward while they're rifling through his inexplicable book collection. A compendium of worlds! No doubt ones catalogued by the mysterious Fourth Tower. Now that is a book he may well have been interested in, were Obriane not already on his mind. He could match their findings against his own journal. He often made numerous notes about the worlds to which he traveled before settling from time to time.

Depending upon the size and weight of this tome, Sticks may well be forced to lug it over to the nearest table or other flat surface. He grins, embarrassed, and leans over the weighty volume so he might learn it's secrets.

"A fey... intertwined with her soul? Why, I'm not sure safe magical practices would have any sort of effect here..." He begins to look somewhat troubled as he goes over the passage.


Fourth Tower Compound

Arty stops.
"Just a moment, Kipp.
Don't call me that, Bigfang. And that isn't what Chadwick told me to get. And given his mental state if he did he'd probably be trying to kill himself, which I wouldn't be encouraging."




Kanya says, panicked to try to get them to stop, "My...My name's Kanya...I came here because I...I thought you could tell me what happened to me...What I am now..." The temperature also begins to slide downwards as she begins to lose control of her emotions, though she's maintaining control. For now.



The guard captain just stares at her for a moment, the others exchanging glances, all weapons ready. "Just... stay here. I'm going to talk to someone." He shoots a glance at the other guards who remains at their positions. If she does what ordered it will take a while until the guard captain returns. "You have been granted an audience to Malechenar, but on one condition. We need to put you under however to make sure you don't accidentally hurt someone until you're under controlled conditions. Eventually, once you learn to control yourself better you will be set free. Is this acceptable?"

Fourth Tower Compound

"You can encourage whatever. Bigfang just did what was told of him, nothing else. So you want it or not?" The gnoll ghost asks. "Otherwise you sell it or something maybe? It is worth lot to right persons."

[Malechenar]

The book goes on about so-called winter fey or "dark fey" or "fae" as they're also called (but with a more complex name). These beings can't unlike their cousins the summer fey (or just "fey") leave the fey spirit realm as they have no physical bodies of their own. Instead they let "fetches", basically golems made of various aspects taken from their victims to go into the mortal realm and gather even more material. They are said to despite the material world but still mimic it and it's aspects in their own world. They love "inviting" mortals into their realms so they can play cruel games with them.
However, it is said that a few of their number still are curious about the mortal realm and hijack newly formed to be born in their stead. These "vessels" as they're called often manifest strange physical aspects and can like the fae rule over lesser spirit beings. However they also lose all memories of their previous cruel lives as they're born and can thus not control their abilities very well. Therefore they're often subjected to spiritual possession as spirits of various kinds as lower spirits use their disoriented state to feed upon their great powers.
"Quite a curious passage wouldn't you agree? These vessels are apparently very rare so you're fortunate in finding one." Ryhe muses. [B]"So what are your plans now, knowing this information? You might have to confirm if you're really dealing with an vessel first."

[Graveyard]

Trog's? Wasn't that place where you got attacked all the time? "Eh, are you sure that's safe? I heard a few bad things about that place, like creatures suddenly showing up and attacking you." Then again, at least it wasn't some cultist bar.

[Southside Apartment]

"No, they have suffered enough. I will release them now, stand back please." The demon raises it's hand and at the same time the merpeople all look at it in horror, not many even realizing what is about to happen before it's too late. [B]"Jezeri Legias zerak." And with those, unless Adele or someone else manages to stop it a pure white light will surround the merpeople and all that will be left of them will be fine dust and the clothes they were wearing. Somehow everything but the merpeople themselves are completely unharmed.

The demon then touches it's head as if giving a sign of respect. "Lazeri ilja." Finally it turns back to Adele. "We will send other mortals for you then."

[Arkhosia]

Graveyard No Longer

fair point. Hmm... The Dancing Fox Inn then?
Invidia suggests.

[Shadowcaller]

Graveyard No Longer

"Never even heard of that place, but if it's safer than trog's then sure." She pauses, suddenly remembering something. "But it's... not associated with the Lotus district right? Not that I have anything against it, I'm uh, just curious."

[Arkhosia]

Graveyard No Longer

"Never even heard of that place, but if it's safer than trog's then sure." She pauses, suddenly remembering something. "But it's... not associated with the Lotus district right? Not that I have anything against it, I'm uh, just curious."

Nope, it's an independent business. If I remember correctly, it has a strict nonviolence policy.
Invidia replies

[Ionbound]

[Below Malchenar]

Kanya nods nervously and says with a slightly shaky voice, "Um...I'm fine with that...I don't want to hurt anyone. But...I don't think anyone can touch me..."

[Deathkeeper]

While the Tinker opens quite late in the morning - ah, the joys of having one's own business - Sticks remains to be seen long after the store has already opened. Certainly some mornings he's emerged from his lab rather late, scorched and wide-eyed and grinning madly. As many as ten or fifteen minutes after the store's opening! Already inappropriate that he hadn't cleaned up, or even changed his clothes by all accounts, the tall man will sidle up behind the counter and simply sit there at length, staring blankly into space.

Today he can't even muster up the effort to do that. Hm. One must wonder where he could be.
The Toy Tinker

Jim frowns at the prolonged absence of his boss, but for a short while doesn't take it as anything serious. After two hours, though, things are most certainly not normal. Jim walks up and creeps towards the door in the back (Is Sticks' familiar on his usual perch?). He hesitantly opens the door and knocks on the inside wall as usual.
"Sticks? It's not like you to stay away from the store. Are you okay?" he calls.


Fourth Tower Compound

"You can encourage whatever. Bigfang just did what was told of him, nothing else. So you want it or not?" The gnoll ghost asks. "Otherwise you sell it or something maybe? It is worth lot to right persons."

Fourth Tower Compound

Arty pales just a little bit. This is going too fast. This isn't just Chadwick being absent-minded, this is dangerous. And it seems his only way of getting the formula written down is to say it aloud to two people whose allegiance he's quite unsure of.
"I'd like to consult Chadwick about this before this thing is brought into the world and can become known. Could I get it from you if I called you again in a few days?"

[Slii Arhem]

[Westside Greenhouse]

Yeah, high as a kite.

When she comes down, she's slightly disappointed at the lack of real saplings, but then very excited when the other treatment. After the demonstration, she gushes, "Ohmigosh, that's sooo cool. Thank you so much, Shayan...Mind if I stay here for a while until I get used to my new self?"

Westside Greenhouse

"Yes, now, there's a muscle in your wrist that I'd like you to flex. It's the one that runs between your bones, on the inside of your wrist here." She taps the exact spot on the bark overlaying Elaine's arm and traces it up and down, "Flex it in a way that feels natural, and you should see what I've given you." If Elaine does so, she'll see the bark split and the tip of a vine emerge from the base of her palm. The muscly plant fiber stretches out, uncoiling from around the bones where it's taken root and moving as flexibly and quickly as she can will it to.

[Ionbound]

Westside Greenhouse

"Yes, now, there's a muscle in your wrist that I'd like you to flex. It's the one that runs between your bones, on the inside of your wrist here." She taps the exact spot on the bark overlaying Elaine's arm and traces it up and down, "Flex it in a way that feels natural, and you should see what I've given you." If Elaine does so, she'll see the bark split and the tip of a vine emerge from the base of her palm. The muscly plant fiber stretches out, uncoiling from around the bones where it's taken root and moving as flexibly and quickly as she can will it to.

Westside Greenhouse

Elaine grins and laughs as she manipulates the vine, testing it's limits, both in length, speed, and general silliness...Which mostly consists of trying to crack it like a whip. This should go by without anything important being broken, and once Elaine knows the full extent of her vines, she nods and says, "Again, thank you, Shayan. Seriously. I'm...Not a nobody anymore. I can finally stand up for myself."

[Gullara]

Sorry.
Misaka simply replies sincerely, and indeed does happen to adjust to that!
They probably don't die nearly as often as misaka slowly but surely
Gets the hang of it.

[Suncrest Manor]

They do better, but they don't get any further than Eliseo usually gets on his own. Of course, it's easier single player. In any case, several deaths later, Eliseo tosses the controller on the couch beside him and leans back. "I'm getting tired of this. Wanna do something else?" Not that he has any idea what that is. What does he have to do with someone in this house anyway?

[Arkhosia]

[Suncrest Manor]

They do better, but they don't get any further than Eliseo usually gets on his own. Of course, it's easier single player. In any case, several deaths later, Eliseo tosses the controller on the couch beside him and leans back. "I'm getting tired of this. Wanna do something else?" Not that he has any idea what that is. What does he have to do with someone in this house anyway?

The now slightlybored girl nods.
Sure! Hmm... maybe play a bit of soccer or something?
Misaka suggests.
As she puts the controller down, Eliseo may notice a small spark of electricity hit that exposed metal bit you plug into the charger.

[ThirdEmperor]

[The Heist]

Oh there will be blood alright.

"First we need a contract, but thankfully I can arrange that. I just need an deal and a signature from you my good man so you better start offering before I lose patience." It sounds like the imp is enjoying this a great deal.

"Alright, okay, uhh.." A frantic patting down of his pockets turns up a scrap of paper and a slightly chewed pen, which a quick scribble confirms still writes. The Burglar glances back up, goggles concealing the worst of the look he's giving his new 'friend'. "Um, here. 'I promise to secure for you, er, one job, which would, uh, include.. which would utilize prior experience?' That's a start, right."

[Murkus]

[Malechenar]

Great powers. Sticks eyes linger upon that part of the passage for a brief moment longer than necessary. When he speaks, he still doesn't quite look up at Ryhe, too drowned in thought and dusty ink. "I'd say it's rather well confirmed. She possesses a peculiar physiology, despite claiming to be born from human stock. At least now I know precisely why the spirits of this realm are so... captivated." The tall man finally looks at Ryhe's faceplate. "A plan? Why... I'm not sure. Do you think we could use the poor girl?"

[The Toy Tinker]

The little wall post from which Bolts often watches is occupied, but the bird appears to be dormant. There is no light in his eyes, and he's hunched over slightly, claws wrapped harshly around it's perch.

The lights downstairs are off, but that's quite normal. The knock and call go unanswered, at least at first. Just as Jim's about to turn away, he may well hear a voice call faintly, "Jim?"

[Arkhosia]

Northside

Hey look, a tower teleported in and collapsed!
Judging from the fact the debris is white and spongey, also on fire and turning brown, melting onto the buildings and roads it fell on (only 2 small hot dog stands and a deadens road that no one knew existed before), it was obviously not stone or space age materials or bricks or anything else.
Just marshmallows

[Deathkeeper]

The Toy Tinker

Both of those things are not good signs. Jim flips the lights on (low if possible; he remembers Sticks' sensitivity) and begins a clopping descent down the stairs.
"Sticks? Sticks, what's wrong?"

[Slii Arhem]

Westside Greenhouse

Elaine grins and laughs as she manipulates the vine, testing it's limits, both in length, speed, and general silliness...Which mostly consists of trying to crack it like a whip. This should go by without anything important being broken, and once Elaine knows the full extent of her vines, she nods and says, "Again, thank you, Shayan. Seriously. I'm...Not a nobody anymore. I can finally stand up for myself."

Westside Greenhouse

The vines can extend to about three times the length of her arm, though with them fully extended her arm only has the strength it did before they were imbued into her, making it hard to lift things at full extension. It seems to be a tradeoff of reach and lifting power.

"The vine is covered in a slightly adhesive substance to make gripping easier. It was one of my better ideas, as I find my own vines have trouble gripping without applying excessive force. Now, go forth and be someone, or whatever you like. Just don't get yourself killed and waste all this effort I put into you."

[Ionbound]

Westside Greenhouse

Elaine nods and says, "Um...I think I might a new place to stay...Any ideas?"

Southside Apartments

Elereshur nods and says, "Good. I would rather not risk being raided by HALO or WATCH. I'm sure you understand. I look forwards to the next delivery."

[Shadowcaller]

Nope, it's an independent business. If I remember correctly, it has a strict nonviolence policy.
Invidia replies




Kanya nods nervously and says with a slightly shaky voice, "Um...I'm fine with that...I don't want to hurt anyone. But...I don't think anyone can touch me..."


Fourth Tower Compound

Arty pales just a little bit. This is going too fast. This isn't just Chadwick being absent-minded, this is dangerous. And it seems his only way of getting the formula written down is to say it aloud to two people whose allegiance he's quite unsure of.
"I'd like to consult Chadwick about this before this thing is brought into the world and can become known. Could I get it from you if I called you again in a few days?"


[Suncrest Manor]

They do better, but they don't get any further than Eliseo usually gets on his own. Of course, it's easier single player. In any case, several deaths later, Eliseo tosses the controller on the couch beside him and leans back. "I'm getting tired of this. Wanna do something else?" Not that he has any idea what that is. What does he have to do with someone in this house anyway?


The now slightlybored girl nods.
Sure! Hmm... maybe play a bit of soccer or something?
Misaka suggests.
As she puts the controller down, Eliseo may notice a small spark of electricity hit that exposed metal bit you plug into the charger.


"Alright, okay, uhh.." A frantic patting down of his pockets turns up a scrap of paper and a slightly chewed pen, which a quick scribble confirms still writes. The Burglar glances back up, goggles concealing the worst of the look he's giving his new 'friend'. "Um, here. 'I promise to secure for you, er, one job, which would, uh, include.. which would utilize prior experience?' That's a start, right."


[Malechenar]

Great powers. Sticks eyes linger upon that part of the passage for a brief moment longer than necessary. When he speaks, he still doesn't quite look up at Ryhe, too drowned in thought and dusty ink. "I'd say it's rather well confirmed. She possesses a peculiar physiology, despite claiming to be born from human stock. At least now I know precisely why the spirits of this realm are so... captivated." The tall man finally looks at Ryhe's faceplate. "A plan? Why... I'm not sure. Do you think we could use the poor girl?"

Graveyard no More

"Oh, that sounds nice. I'll guess we could go there then." So many people had been inviting her to drinks lately. Maybe she just had that impression on people.

[Malechenar]

"Not directly of course and not without compensation, but spirits are an valuable resource if they could be captured and you're sort of an expert on that are you not? The fourth tower would pay you a great deal if you could sell them spirits to use." Ryhe suggests, helping him to hold the great tome.

Fourth Tower Compound

"Or he could ask for favors and resurrect Bigfang maybe? Death is awfully boring." The gnoll states. "You only become aware when someone contacts you!"

[The Heist]

[B]"A well paid job!" The imp insists. "Virgins blood and not the loser blood either, the chaste kind!" This demon had prospects!

((I'll post for the rest of the locations tomorrow...))

[Arkhosia]

Off to DFI!
You post first

[Murkus]

[The Toy Tinker]

"I've fallen..." Croaks a wretched voice. The words drift out from the black wooden door set into the wall opposite the stairs. It has been left ajar, and no light appears from within.

[Malechenar]

"Why I should say so! I would say I'm the foremost expert on such things in many realms," Sticks says, happily tooting his own horn for once. He feels the company is right, and he'd like Ryhe to have some trust in him. "I can catch spirits myself - in fact I often do - but not with the ease this young lady is capable of. Do you think I might convince her to work for me? And by extension, if you should require such services, for you?"

[Deathkeeper]

Fourth Tower Compound

"I'll mention it to him, but don't forget that Chadwick doesn't believe he has any powers. I'll at least try to talk to you again if it makes you feel better." Arty says, feeling pity for the spirit and the idea of a blank afterlife. Or maybe he can't remember it when Called so he can't spill any secrets? Who knows...

The Toy Tinker

Despite what some would call logical reasoning, Jim is quick to rush over to the door. He leaves it ajar, hoping that some light from the room spills in. Otherwise he'll be pulling a small flashlight from his tool-belt and giving it a shine through the door as he heads in. He'll call for Sticks again, adding if he's not in plain sight.
"Talk to me, Sticks. I need to know where you are."

[Morty]

Westside Park

"Did you ever do any hunting? Because if you've ever skinned a rabbit or something, you have a good idea of what I look like. Only, human, not rabbit." Slightly more elastic, but she was flayed by her sire; it's part of how she became a Skin-Stealer Vampire.

Batu's expression shows that he can imagine quite well what she means.

"I was never much of a hunter, but I've seen plenty of skinned animals. That's... gruesome."

[Earl of Purple]

Westside Park

"It is, yes. Fortunately, I can't remember the process. I was alive when it happened, and I know it happened because I know how to turn others into Skin-Stealer Vampires and that's an important part." She smiles apologetically at Batu's expression. She was expecting him, as an ex-tribal hobgoblin/bugbear (I've forgotten, sorry), to be slightly less squeamish.

[Morty]

[Westside Park]

Hobgoblin. The Mortyverse does not contain bugbears, as Morty considers them to be wholly superfluous. As for being squeamish, there's a difference between skinned animals and a skinless person walking around.

"Is there a way to reverse it?" he asks. He assumes she would have tried if there was.

[Shadowcaller]

Southside Apartments

Elereshur nods and says, "Good. I would rather not risk being raided by HALO or WATCH. I'm sure you understand. I look forwards to the next delivery."


[Suncrest Manor]

They do better, but they don't get any further than Eliseo usually gets on his own. Of course, it's easier single player. In any case, several deaths later, Eliseo tosses the controller on the couch beside him and leans back. "I'm getting tired of this. Wanna do something else?" Not that he has any idea what that is. What does he have to do with someone in this house anyway?


The now slightlybored girl nods.
Sure! Hmm... maybe play a bit of soccer or something?
Misaka suggests.
As she puts the controller down, Eliseo may notice a small spark of electricity hit that exposed metal bit you plug into the charger.


[Below Malchenar]

Kanya nods nervously and says with a slightly shaky voice, "Um...I'm fine with that...I don't want to hurt anyone. But...I don't think anyone can touch me..."

[Malechenar]

"You know this woman better than I do. But I do trust in your capabilities mister Sticks so I'm sure you can handle it." Ryhe replies "You wish to copy this information down? There is much more I could give you."

Fourth Tower Compound

"Or you ask fourth tower maybe? They would want paid though. Resurrection big thing you know?" The gnoll says. "But maybe Arbil can give you lots of money when you finish quest hm?"

[Shadowcaller]

Southside Apartments

Elereshur nods and says, "Good. I would rather not risk being raided by HALO or WATCH. I'm sure you understand. I look forwards to the next delivery."


[Suncrest Manor]

They do better, but they don't get any further than Eliseo usually gets on his own. Of course, it's easier single player. In any case, several deaths later, Eliseo tosses the controller on the couch beside him and leans back. "I'm getting tired of this. Wanna do something else?" Not that he has any idea what that is. What does he have to do with someone in this house anyway?


The now slightlybored girl nods.
Sure! Hmm... maybe play a bit of soccer or something?
Misaka suggests.
As she puts the controller down, Eliseo may notice a small spark of electricity hit that exposed metal bit you plug into the charger.




Kanya nods nervously and says with a slightly shaky voice, "Um...I'm fine with that...I don't want to hurt anyone. But...I don't think anyone can touch me..."

[Below Malchenar]

"We'll handle that... ma'm. Normally I would have asked you to sign a contract but under the circumstances perhaps we'll just can come to a mutual agreement. There will be a number of warlocks coming here who will handle you from now on, is that okay? They are the ones that can make sure that you won't hurt anyone else." The captain claims.

[Suncrest Manor]

Irena walks into the room in her underwear, drinking a beer as she spots Eliseo and his new friend. "Hey Eliseo, have you seen my bag of potato chips? I knew I left it around here somewhere..." She walks over to the coach and throws away one of the pillows to see if it's underneath it. SHe doesn't seem to pay their guest any attention at all.

Southside Apartments

[B]"The next delivery is already imminent." The golem states and heads out without a word. And sure enough the strange portal demon from before appears and spit out a new batch of "recruits". This time it's a group of furry fellows, thin but not very tall and rather short arms and legs. Round small furry ears and brown fur and a big place nose, the very same color as their eyes. They look around fearfully, all of them shaking like leafs. "These ones lack 'a second mind' as you called it. Will they do?"

[Gullara]

[Suncrest Manor]

"Ugh, put a shirt on or something, Irena." Eliseo grabs a throw pillow and tosses it at Irena's head. Not that Irena in her underwear could faze Eliseo after dealing with similar his whole life, but he has someone over!

[Ionbound]

[Below Malchenar]

Kanya nods, and says, "Okay...I promise, I won't try to hurt anyone. Please, send your warlocks in."

[Arkhosia]

[Suncrest Manor]

"Ugh, put a shirt on or something, Irena." Eliseo grabs a throw pillow and tosses it at Irena's head. Not that Irena in her underwear could faze Eliseo after dealing with similar his whole life, but he has someone over!

um, hello, miss.
Misaka says, surprised at the woman's sudden appearance, unfazed by the clothing of her because A) she's the same gender and B) Misaka's been in girl's locker rooms before.
She is kinda developing a slightly bad opinion of her though.
Haven't seen any potato chips recently

[Earl of Purple]

Westside Park

The Earlverse does contain Bugbears, but Earlverse bugbears aren't goblinoids. Or even humanoid- they're large, brown or black-furred bear-like creatures with opposable thumbs, a bad attitude and their own language. They occasionally let orcs or ogres ride them, but the bugbear usually controls the partnership.

"Normal vampirism can be cured, but I've had my skin removed. People don't live very long without their skin, and my real one rotted away a few years ago. I could try removing the vampirism, but unless the process regenerates the skin I go from being an undead corpse to just a corpse." She has no wish to become a corpse, either; she's in her early twenties, although she was sired when she was nineteen. I just can't remember if she became a vampire in 2011 or 2012, so I can't remember how old she is exactly.

[Morty]

[Westside Park]

"Makes sense, I suppose," Batu says. "There's so many terrifying things out there. Things were simpler in my tribe. I wish I'd been able to stay, but the law is very strict on the subject of sorcery."

[Earl of Purple]

Westside Park

"Yeah, I suppose there are a lot of dangerous monsters about. I haven't left the city for years; if I try, Gulthadar may think I'm trying to escape and hunt me down to kill me. I have no intention of dying yet, either." Which is one reason why she's tried to keep some of her weaknesses from Gulthadar. She's told them a stake through the heart will kill her, which is true, but the stake has to be hawthorn wood, otherwise it won't do anything.

[Murkus]

[Malechenar]

"You know this woman better than I do. But I do trust in your capabilities mister Sticks so I'm sure you can handle it." Ryhe replies "You wish to copy this information down? There is much more I could give you."


"More? Why, I'll take whatever you're willing to part with! Here, let me prepare some notes..." Says Sticks, removing a quill and a vial of ink from his cloak. "You know, Bolts ought to be back by now. If you'd still like that map of Ssut." Of course he does.



The Toy Tinker

Despite what some would call logical reasoning, Jim is quick to rush over to the door. He leaves it ajar, hoping that some light from the room spills in. Otherwise he'll be pulling a small flashlight from his tool-belt and giving it a shine through the door as he heads in. He'll call for Sticks again, adding if he's not in plain sight.
"Talk to me, Sticks. I need to know where you are."

Light does indeed spill in, casting a dim rectangle across the length of the room with Jim's shadow at its center. The floor is concrete, and disheveled paperwork lies in a random mess all about the visible space. Beyond that, it's pitch black. Sticks must have the lower windows covered when he isn't working. Across the room, at the far wall, stands a posh (if rather ancient) oaken desk, and upon that desk is a black wooden box.

Sticks' voice creeps out from Jim's right. A dim silhouette, an enormous jumble of machinery, scrapes the ceiling in the darkness. Only it's curved steel outsides are distinguishable, but they appear to be well cared for, unlike many other things in Sticks shop. The voice seems to come from beyond. The room must be rather large.

"Here... I fell..." It wavers on the edge of consciousness...

[Deathkeeper]

Fourth Tower Compound

"We'll see." says Arty, before signaling his host to end the seance. Or opening his eyes, if that was what he was told to do.

The Toy Tinker

Jim stops for just a moment. Just what is all this around? But he hasn't the time to linger. He swears, although not too loudly, abandoning his carefulness and running in the direction of the voice, staying mindful only of where he's going so he doesn't trip or slam into something.

[Morty]

[Westside Park]

"Have you ever been in the bigger city?" Batu asks. "The one they call Inside. It's an insane place by the sounds of it."

[Earl of Purple]

Westside Park

"No, I haven't. It was too far away, and the Riftline was introduced after I became a vampire, so I haven't had a chance to use it." I know that much, though I can't recall her age.

Southside Apartments

The two girls will look through the new recruits, Babette is looking for any that have never thought or performed anything evil; she can smell this quality on them, but if they aren't intelligent creatures then it won't matter. Kessendra will help Babette, but can't smell those innocent of evil thought and deed.

[Ionbound]

[Southside Apartment]

Elereshur also examines the new set of captives, making sure they're healthy and that the only consciousness in their head is their own.

[Shadowcaller]

"More? Why, I'll take whatever you're willing to part with! Here, let me prepare some notes..." Says Sticks, removing a quill and a vial of ink from his cloak. "You know, Bolts ought to be back by now. If you'd still like that map of Ssut." Of course he does.


Fourth Tower Compound

"We'll see." says Arty, before signaling his host to end the seance. Or opening his eyes, if that was what he was told to do.

The Toy Tinker

Jim stops for just a moment. Just what is all this around? But he hasn't the time to linger. He swears, although not too loudly, abandoning his carefulness and running in the direction of the voice, staying mindful only of where he's going so he doesn't trip or slam into something.




um, hello, miss.
Misaka says, surprised at the woman's sudden appearance, unfazed by the clothing of her because A) she's the same gender and B) Misaka's been in girl's locker rooms before.
She is kinda developing a slightly bad opinion of her though.
Haven't seen any potato chips recently




Kanya nods, and says, "Okay...I promise, I won't try to hurt anyone. Please, send your warlocks in."


[Suncrest Manor]

"Ugh, put a shirt on or something, Irena." Eliseo grabs a throw pillow and tosses it at Irena's head. Not that Irena in her underwear could faze Eliseo after dealing with similar his whole life, but he has someone over!

[Suncrest Manor]

"I was just about to!" Irena exclaims, waving the shirt she had in her hand around. Geez, sensitive much? Then she hears Misaka's voice and turns and waves. "Oh hey, who're you?"

Fourth Tower Compound

He opens his eyes and can see Zareen and Kipp there, the merwoman smiling at him. The tiefling looking somewhat bored. "So it went well? You got what you wanted?" She asks, finally removing her scaly hands from his.

[Below Malchenar]

"Good, they should be here soon. Just be patient and it will all work out ma'm." The captain states. "But is there anything we could... do for you while you wait? If you pardon me, you don't look too healthy ma'm." Not that it's easy to tell how healthy an fire vampire is.

[Malechenar]

[B]"Yes, of course. I will have someone look at it as soon as your servant returns. In the meantime my library stands open for you. Just be careful with the infused books, they're all possessed by various entities that aren't always willing to share their secrets. But otherwise feel free to look around and just tell me if you need any help. You may stay as long as you want, this project cannot be rushed after all. You an your helper will be able to come and go from this castle just as you please." Ryhe remarks, gesturing at the library around them. "You may even invite guests. At my permission of course."

[Ionbound]

[Below Malchenar]

Kanya smiles nervously and says, "Well...I'm very cold...But I'm always cold now...Otherwise, not much."

[Morty]

[Westside Park]

"It's an insane place of iron, stone and fire," Batu says. "We gave it a wide berth after spotting it in the distance. Can't say I'm very curious. You probably can't see the sky there."

[Earl of Purple]

Westside Park

"For me, no sky is good. It means no sun, and whilst my skin means I can walk around without being burnt, if I rip it I'm dead." Even the sunlight that reflects off the moon tingles. Which at least means she has a safe method of determining how badly her skin is damaged- just go out under the moon, remove her clothes and anywhere that tingles needs repairing.

[Gullara]

[Suncrest Manor]

Way to be clueless, Irena. "She's Misaka. We're hanging out." Eliseo waves a hand at her. And then for Misaka's benefit, "This is Irena. She's my other mom. Mom two point oh. Now with eighty percent less clothes."

[Arkhosia]

[Suncrest Manor]

Way to be clueless, Irena. "She's Misaka. We're hanging out." Eliseo waves a hand at her. And then for Misaka's benefit, "This is Irena. She's my other mom. Mom two point oh. Now with eighty percent less clothes."

Misaka chuckles, and nods, not sure how to reply.
WAY TO MAKE THE SITUATION AWKWARD IRENA! :tongue:

[Morty]

[Westside Park]

"I don't really care about the sun, but the sky... I like having it above me. It's a hobgoblin thing, I suppose." Batu shrugs.

[ThirdEmperor]

[The Heist]

"A well paid job!" The imp insists. "Virgins blood and not the loser blood either, the chaste kind!" This demon had prospects!

"To, uh, in which you would be paid above minimum wage in blood, from, uh, respectable and chaste people." The Burglar adds. "Is that it?"

[Earl of Purple]

Westside Park

"I know what you mean. The stars are so pretty at night. I'd never really looked at them until I no longer needed to sleep." She could enter torpor, but she won't be able to wake herself up very easily and may spend the next few decades pretending to be a corpse. It's something she can use to escape persecution- if she has somewhere safe, dark, and unlikely to be disturbed for a long time. And if she had an organic skin, by the time she wakes up it'll have rotted away completely leaving her very vulnerable.

[Murkus]

[Malechenar]

"Yes, of course. I will have someone look at it as soon as your servant returns. In the meantime my library stands open for you. Just be careful with the infused books, they're all possessed by various entities that aren't always willing to share their secrets. But otherwise feel free to look around and just tell me if you need any help. You may stay as long as you want, this project cannot be rushed after all. You an your helper will be able to come and go from this castle just as you please." Ryhe remarks, gesturing at the library around them. "You may even invite guests. At my permission of course."

Sticks blinks once, watching Lord Ryhe, and then places his arm across his chest. He bends in the deepest of bows, his head lowered before the master of Malechenar. "Your generosity humbles me." He turns his head up, one eye opening slightly. "There was, perhaps, one other thing I'd like to investigate, while I've the time."

The tall man turns reluctantly from his conversation with Ryhe and moves toward a shelf. He thought he recognized some of these tomes. He owns a few. The Anatomy of the Soul... The Scrolls of the Disciple of Asmodeous... And... wait...

"This is mine," Sticks says suddenly, plucking a cracked brown leather volume from the shelf. Nothing is written upon it. If Ryhe's read all of his collection, he might recall that the volume in particular is called The Soul of Magic, by the sorcerer Vargain...

Described by his allies as a tall, very slight man, of possibly Elvish heritage, who seemed to be composed partially of metal...



The Toy Tinker

Jim stops for just a moment. Just what is all this around? But he hasn't the time to linger. He swears, although not too loudly, abandoning his carefulness and running in the direction of the voice, staying mindful only of where he's going so he doesn't trip or slam into something.

He won't have far to run. Beyond the enormous engine, amidst other strange, indeterminable shapes, is a small depression in the basement floor. It slopes down, as though the concrete were warped, and amidst varied corner clutter squats a tall, ragged shape. A person, or something resembling one.

Two black wings unfurl from its back, spreading wide in a show of dark grandeur. It does not yet turn to face him.

The voice comes, very much not Sticks any longer. "I've fallen so far, Jim..."

[ImpSyndrome]

[JACOB THE MUTE]
(Closed scene with Solidarity)

Living behind locked doors probably isn't uncommon in a place like Riverside, nor are shut-ins who don't ever say a word to anyone. In the case of Jacob, however, such behavior is most unusual. Despite the peculiarity, such has been his life for the past three weeks, though not for lack of trying. The man has literally been unable to speak for about that long, and he's at his wit's end trying to solve the problem. Hoping to avoid any more awkward meetings with people that would think him rude or just plain strange for his silence, he's holed himself up in his home, waiting anxiously for someone to answer the request he recently made for a MERC contract...

[Deathkeeper]

Fourth Tower Compound

Arty leans his head a bit, a universal gesture of "sort of."
"He roped me into a somewhat simple quest as a price, but what he offered as payment wasn't what Chadwick asked me to retrieve. I didn't like the sound of it, so I told him I'll talk to Chadwick himself about it, and I'll talk to him again if he still wants it. You don't mind if I come back some time, do you?" he asks, only realizing now that they might.

The Toy Tinker

Oh crap, he's officially entered nightmare territory. Jim gulps, standing fast, but his twitching tail might give away his panic. Good thing it's mostly impossible to see from the front.
"Well, it's a good thing then that you're already equipped for recovering altitude. Now where's my boss?" says the faun, subscribing to the Peter Parker theory of Snark is a Good Substitute for Courage.

[Murkus]

[The Toy Tinker]

"Your boss?" Says the angel, standing up straight and facing the corner. "Who. Tell me his name."

[Deathkeeper]

The Toy Tinker

Jim takes a step back as the figure stands, but manages to stop himself beyond that.
"Bull****. Only two people are here consistently, so there's no way you'd know what to call me and not know him. Especially not considering you got in here somehow."

[Morty]

[Westside Park]



"I know what you mean. The stars are so pretty at night. I'd never really looked at them until I no longer needed to sleep." She could enter torpor, but she won't be able to wake herself up very easily and may spend the next few decades pretending to be a corpse. It's something she can use to escape persecution- if she has somewhere safe, dark, and unlikely to be disturbed for a long time. And if she had an organic skin, by the time she wakes up it'll have rotted away completely leaving her very vulnerable.

"We all make best from what life throws at us," Batu says. "All things considered, it could have been worse."

[Slii Arhem]

Westside Greenhouse

Elaine nods and says, "Um...I think I might a new place to stay...Any ideas?"

Southside Apartments

Elereshur nods and says, "Good. I would rather not risk being raided by HALO or WATCH. I'm sure you understand. I look forwards to the next delivery."

Westside Greenhouse

"Somewhere with more sun than here, and more excitement. Let me know if your vines begin to ache or your bark starts molting. And send me a gift basket or perhaps some chocolates once you're established. I don't usually do work for free." Or for negative money, since Shayan actually paid her for the first treatment.

[Ionbound]

Westside Greenhouse

"Somewhere with more sun than here, and more excitement. Let me know if your vines begin to ache or your bark starts molting. And send me a gift basket or perhaps some chocolates once you're established. I don't usually do work for free." Or for negative money, since Shayan actually paid her for the first treatment.

Elaine nods, and says, "I will...Thank you, Shayan." And, with that, she leaves, likely to go be a superhero or something. A few months later, Shayan will likely recieve a gift basket with $300 in it, as well as some chocolates, and a card saying, Thank you again. I've really turned my fortunes around-Elaine

[Earl of Purple]

Westside Park

"Yes, it could have been far worse." Gulthadar didn't need to keep Rebecca alive, or give her an artificial skin.

[Shadowcaller]

Kanya smiles nervously and says, "Well...I'm very cold...But I'm always cold now...Otherwise, not much."


[Suncrest Manor]

Way to be clueless, Irena. "She's Misaka. We're hanging out." Eliseo waves a hand at her. And then for Misaka's benefit, "This is Irena. She's my other mom. Mom two point oh. Now with eighty percent less clothes."


Misaka chuckles, and nods, not sure how to reply.
WAY TO MAKE THE SITUATION AWKWARD IRENA! :tongue:


"To, uh, in which you would be paid above minimum wage in blood, from, uh, respectable and chaste people." The Burglar adds. "Is that it?"


Sticks blinks once, watching Lord Ryhe, and then places his arm across his chest. He bends in the deepest of bows, his head lowered before the master of Malechenar. "Your generosity humbles me." He turns his head up, one eye opening slightly. "There was, perhaps, one other thing I'd like to investigate, while I've the time."

The tall man turns reluctantly from his conversation with Ryhe and moves toward a shelf. He thought he recognized some of these tomes. He owns a few. The Anatomy of the Soul... The Scrolls of the Disciple of Asmodeous... And... wait...

"This is mine," Sticks says suddenly, plucking a cracked brown leather volume from the shelf. Nothing is written upon it. If Ryhe's read all of his collection, he might recall that the volume in particular is called The Soul of Magic, by the sorcerer Vargain...

Described by his allies as a tall, very slight man, of possibly Elvish heritage, who seemed to be composed partially of metal...

[Below Malchenar]

"Just tell me if it gets worse then." The captain replies before falling silent as they wait. Eventually a small group of teal robed people arrives at the scene, coming from the city itself rather than inside the gated community. They stop an fair distance from Kanya, carrying a number of strange objects with them such as a small cage made of bones containing some sort of glowing orb. A green scaly woman with an tail rather than feet and fins rather than hair gives her a curious look with her fish-like yellow eyes. She smiles at the fire vampire as she strikes her chin thoughtfully. "I am Zareen, I'm from the fourth tower and here to help. I understand you must have recently turned?"

[Suncrest Manor]

Irena puts on her white t-shirt. "Hanging out eh? You go to the same school or something then?" Irena slouch down on the coach right in between the two. She couldn't place the girl though, not that she had a very good memory for all other kids Eliseo hanged out with. Kids were kinda annoying.

[The Heist]

[B]"Yes! But now you must make the pact and seal the deal or your soul... or whatever will be mine!" The imp exclaims, cackling madly from it's little lock. "Blood! Sign it in blood!"

[Malechenar]

Ryhe knows all the tomes here. He doesn't read them himself obviously but he has people that read for him and he remembers everything they tell him. "Yours? Have you written it?" Ryhe inquires curiously as he glides closer to Sticks. "I can't recall your name being mentioned as the author however..."

Fourth Tower Compound

"Come back? Not at all! But I believe you wanted Kipp to transcribe something, yes?" She points at the slightly frustrated-looking tiefling besides her whom stand ready with a parchment and a quill with an eye, ready to write.

[Ionbound]

[Below Malchenar]

Kanya nods and says, "I...I guess so. I was on an expedition to the Frozen Forest in Outside, and I got separated from my group, and then there was this light, and then I froze, and then...and then..." She starts sobbing, "And then I found my expedition after I was like this...And...And...I killed them all...Before I even realized what was happening..."

[Solidarity]

[JACOB THE MUTE]


(Closed scene with Solidarity)

Living behind locked doors probably isn't uncommon in a place like Riverside, nor are shut-ins who don't ever say a word to anyone. In the case of Jacob, however, such behavior is most unusual. Despite the peculiarity, such has been his life for the past three weeks, though not for lack of trying. The man has literally been unable to speak for about that long, and he's at his wit's end trying to solve the problem. Hoping to avoid any more awkward meetings with people that would think him rude or just plain strange for his silence, he's holed himself up in his home, waiting anxiously for someone to answer the request he recently made for a MERC contract...

The teleportation proved useful. From then on, Marcus followed the instructions of passersby in conjunction with the address listed on the contract. Soon he arrived at the house of Jacob the Mute. This city in general made him feel more uneasy than he normally did, which says a bit on its own. However, nobody seemed to near this neck of the woods. The streets didn't have even the occasional pickpocket that lined the busier places. Tense, but focused on his task, Mark smacks the ground next to the door once with his staff, lightly. Small lines form in the cobblestone. He then re-straps his staff onto his back and knocks on the door three times while clearing his throat.

"Anybody home?" he calls out. "I'm here on behalf of MERC. They're telling me you think you're cursed?"

Mark stands and waits on the doorstep, keeping an eye out for anybody else that might be scurrying around the area.

[ImpSyndrome]

[JACOB THE MUTE]


The teleportation proved useful. From then on, Marcus followed the instructions of passersby in conjunction with the address listed on the contract. Soon he arrived at the house of Jacob the Mute. This city in general made him feel more uneasy than he normally did, which says a bit on its own. However, nobody seemed to near this neck of the woods. The streets didn't have even the occasional pickpocket that lined the busier places. Tense, but focused on his task, Mark smacks the ground next to the door once with his staff, lightly. Small lines form in the cobblestone. He then re-straps his staff onto his back and knocks on the door three times while clearing his throat.

"Anybody home?" he calls out. "I'm here on behalf of MERC. They're telling me you think you're cursed?"

Mark stands and waits on the doorstep, keeping an eye out for anybody else that might be scurrying around the area.

It doesn't take any more than that to summon the homeowner. A middle-aged man with dark-red hair and dark circles under his dull brown eyes answers the door, motioning for Mark to enter. Once inside, the man leads him to the living room, which is currently empty save for a desk with a chair and a small stack of books related to vocal anomalies, both physiological and psychological. He retrieves a pen and a pad of paper and begins scribbling furiously. A few moments will pass before he hands over the pad, which reads as follows:


Thank you for responding so quickly. My name is Jacob Vane. As you can see, this problem has had me baffled for some time. I've ruled out just about any physical or mental anomaly known to man, so I'm near-certain that it's a curse of some kind. Do you think you can help me?

[Solidarity]

[Jacob the Mute?]

It doesn't take any more than that to summon the homeowner. A middle-aged man with dark-red hair and dark circles under his dull brown eyes answers the door, motioning for Mark to enter. Once inside, the man leads him to the living room, which is currently empty save for a desk with a chair and a small stack of books related to vocal anomalies, both physiological and psychological. He retrieves a pen and a pad of paper and begins scribbling furiously. A few moments will pass before he hands over the pad, which reads as follows:

After being graciously received, Marcus eyes the books and their titles. He takes the note and reads it a bit faster than most might. His face then lights up in a grin. Handing the note back to the man, Mark unstraps his staff. Taking his bag in one hand, he uses the staff to hit it gently. Three books levitate out from the bag, which appears as though it shouldn't have been able to hold them all.

"My guess is that if it's a curse, it's at least pretty close to one of the silencing ailments found in these." he says gesturing to the floating books. The books open on their own and Jacob might see a glowing symbol along each of their spines as they tilt toward the wizard flipping to certain pages. He begins to pace while looking at the books. "I'd bet it's a hex, but that's just me. We'll start with some pretty common disjunction magic. If it's a bit stronger, or a different type like something you ate that stole your speech we'll move on to more power stuff like serious dispelling. Now let's see..."

Mark stops in front of one of his books, labelled 'Kerrigor's Hexes and Afflictions vol. II'. Mark mutters under his breath as he rereads part of the book to make sure. Then suddenly he juts his staff out towards Jacob. A sigil (http://fc02.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2010/340/8/1/819b0be63c87f3818fc3b9071423cfd5-d34drlw.jpg) should appear on his midsection and glow very brightly for about four seconds. As it dims, Marcus retracts his staff, and turns to regard Mr. Vane.

"How we feeling?" he asks, expectantly.

[ImpSyndrome]

[Jacob the Mute]


After being graciously received, Marcus eyes the books and their titles. He takes the note and reads it a bit faster than most might. His face then lights up in a grin. Handing the note back to the man, Mark unstraps his staff. Taking his bag in one hand, he uses the staff to hit it gently. Three books levitate out from the bag, which appears as though it shouldn't have been able to hold them all.

"My guess is that if it's a curse, it's at least pretty close to one of the silencing ailments found in these." he says gesturing to the floating books. The books open on their own and Jacob might see a glowing symbol along each of their spines as they tilt toward the wizard flipping to certain pages. He begins to pace while looking at the books. "I'd bet it's a hex, but that's just me. We'll start with some pretty common disjunction magic. If it's a bit stronger, or a different type like something you ate that stole your speech we'll move on to more power stuff like serious dispelling. Now let's see..."

Mark stops in front of one of his books, labelled 'Kerrigor's Hexes and Afflictions vol. II'. Mark mutters under his breath as he rereads part of the book to make sure. Then suddenly he juts his staff out towards Jacob. A sigil (http://fc02.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2010/340/8/1/819b0be63c87f3818fc3b9071423cfd5-d34drlw.jpg) should appear on his midsection and glow very brightly for about four seconds. As it dims, Marcus retracts his staff, and turns to regard Mr. Vane.

"How we feeling?" he asks, expectantly.

Jacob watches (silently, of course) and listens intently as Marcus explains the procedure of determining what kind of curse has afflicted him, assuming that it is indeed a curse. He seems a bit nervous watching the man pace, but he does seem to have a plan of attack, which helps to set him at ease. The mention of possibly having eaten something that could steal his speech, though, causes him to flinch; the mere thought gives him goosebumps, and it's likely that he'll think twice about where he buys his produce until he educates himself on such artifacts.

Anyway, there's an uncomfortable pause as Marcus performs some kind of spell. A symbol of sort appears briefly over his shirt for a few seconds, and as it glows, a strange tingling sensation causes the man to shiver slightly. He seems to be slightly sensitive to this particular type of magic, although it appears to be a ticklish sensitivity as opposed to one of discomfort. Unfortunately, when he opens his mouth and tries to speak, no sound is produced, and he shakes his head with disappointment. Still, that was just a single spell, and judging by the number of books held by the spell-caster, he's got more where that came from; Jacob was hoping for a quick and easy solution, but he hasn't given up hope just because the first attempt was a failure, and the sour look on his face soon fades to indicate as much.

[Hattish Thing]

Light's Heart

Stepping up onto the golden stairs with a steel boot, Shoyler begins the ascent into the cathedral.

It was time he went about and started gathering people to fight with him. He'd been living here only a brief time, and had already found more darkness concentrated here than anywhere else he's been. Vampires, werewolves, evil spirits. Even witches. The Nexus was a breeding ground for Black Magic, and foul monsters. It was time someone actually did things about it. The Nexus would never be safe, unless some kind of movement was put in place. Maybe he could convince the Burning Light to join his cause. It was worth a shot, after all.

So, he'll move over to the doorway and knock, not knowing whether or not it'd be considered polite to just enter.

[Deathkeeper]

Fourth Tower Compound

Arty shakes his head. "I thought I did, but like I said, it turns out that he didn't have what I thought I was looking for. I'm sorry, Kipp.
Thank you for your help, though." he says to both of them. "I need to speak with Chadwick, but I can do that on my own. If you're busy I can take my leave."

[Murkus]

[Malechenar]

Ryhe knows all the tomes here. He doesn't read them himself obviously but he has people that read for him and he remembers everything they tell him. "Yours? Have you written it?" Ryhe inquires curiously as he glides closer to Sticks. "I can't recall your name being mentioned as the author however..."


Ryhe will recall, then, that the book largely had to do with the dangerous practice of using one's own soul to enhance spellcraft. In many circles it is considered unhealthy at best, and at worst, utterly mad. But on the other hand, what mage could be said to have full possession of his faculties?

"Vargain," Sticks says, once he's opened the cover. He's quite obviously fixated upon the book, even a blind man could hear it trembling in his voice. "Vargain. Was my name, then, that is. I wrote this. And I forgot." That's perhaps the most frightening thought of all. Sticks halts upon a particular page, one depicting what at first appears to be a standard blasting rod, intermingled with small mechanical parts and the depiction of a sparking battery on the shaft. It's tip differs as well - where normally a focus of some sort would be placed such that the mage could channel destructive energy through it, a strange claw apparatus is situated, shaped almost like a jagged umbrella that folds the wrong direction.

"This... enhanced magical items," says Sticks. Not reading from the passage but staring at the wall, trying, trying to remember. "A soul was... placed in the battery. And the item's effect was not just maximized, but multiplied. T-the dial here," He says, pointing at part of the diagram without looking, and only then glancing down. "The dial could control it. But there were settings even I dared not try."


The Toy Tinker

Jim takes a step back as the figure stands, but manages to stop himself beyond that.
"Bull****. Only two people are here consistently, so there's no way you'd know what to call me and not know him. Especially not considering you got in here somehow."

"Two? Two. There's but one person here with regularity, and he couldn't even be called one," says the figure, folding his wings, but with such tenseness that they could seemingly fly back out at any moment. "He's less than one. Not quite a something. And yet he could still call me here..." The creature is almost talking to himself at this point, and Jim will see a hand swing up, as though he were rubbing his chin thoughtfully. Clearly this one didn't know his master's true name, so questioning was pointless...

After a moment of silence, the winged figure speaks again, still not having the common courtesy to face Jim. "Sticks is upstairs. Asleep."

[Shadowcaller]

[Southside Apartment]

Elereshur also examines the new set of captives, making sure they're healthy and that the only consciousness in their head is their own.




Kanya nods and says, "I...I guess so. I was on an expedition to the Frozen Forest in Outside, and I got separated from my group, and then there was this light, and then I froze, and then...and then..." She starts sobbing, "And then I found my expedition after I was like this...And...And...I killed them all...Before I even realized what was happening..."


Light's Heart

Stepping up onto the golden stairs with a steel boot, Shoyler begins the ascent into the cathedral.

It was time he went about and started gathering people to fight with him. He'd been living here only a brief time, and had already found more darkness concentrated here than anywhere else he's been. Vampires, werewolves, evil spirits. Even witches. The Nexus was a breeding ground for Black Magic, and foul monsters. It was time someone actually did things about it. The Nexus would never be safe, unless some kind of movement was put in place. Maybe he could convince the Burning Light to join his cause. It was worth a shot, after all.

So, he'll move over to the doorway and knock, not knowing whether or not it'd be considered polite to just enter.

[Southside Apartment]

They all appear to be in order, even if they exchange hateful glances with the demon as she inspects them. [B]"So what happens now?" The being asks, apparently confident that she'll accept the new prisoners.



"You... killed them?" Zareen asks carefully. "We'll make sure that doesn't happen again but it might mean we have to limit your freedom as long as you don't have control. You understand? You are very unique, even for what you are now. All of your kind we've previously encountered wouldn't even feel bad for what happened." She attempts to explains.

Light's Heart

Coming out to greet him is an huge horned being, large as a car and clad in shining golden armor, walking nearly on all four as it approaches Shoyler, looking at him with it's intense burning eyes and as it opens it mouth to speak the same light exits it's mouth as if it's inwards were on fire. [B]"Who are you to enter here? You don't look like the usual astral pilgrims coming here." Tarim states in his deep menacing voice.

[Ionbound]

[Below Malchenar]

Kanya nods, and says, "I...I just don't want to hurt anyone else."

[Gullara]

[Suncrest Manor]

Irena ptsu on her white t-shirt. "Hanging out eh? You go to the same school or something then?" Irena slouch down on the coach right in between the two. She couldn't place the girl though, not that she had a very good memory for all other kids Eliseo hanged out with. Kids were kinda annoying.

[Suncrest Manor]

"No, She was in the park when we were in Inside the other day." Eliseo says. He definitely doesn't mention how exactly they met. He wants to spare himself that embarrassment again.

[Arkhosia]

[Suncrest Manor]

"No, She was in the park when we were in Inside the other day." Eliseo says. He definitely doesn't mention how exactly they met. He wants to spare himself that embarrassment again.

Irena will observe that Misaka, clad in her usual crisp white dress shirt, sleeves reaching the elbow, with a tidy tan sweater vest and short, clean brown skirt, appears to be quite intelligent, but has this fire of ambition, eagerness, and pugnaciousness in her bright eyes.
Yep. We kinda basically stumbled upon each other in a way.

[Deathkeeper]

The Toy Tinker

"Good." says Jim, a bit lost for words.
Who promptly starts walking away backwards, a quickly as possible while still being at all subtle about it. It's a good thing he was paying attention to the layout so he wouldn't run into anything.

[Solidarity]

[Jacob the Unfortunately Still Mute]


Jacob watches (silently, of course) and listens intently as Marcus explains the procedure of determining what kind of curse has afflicted him, assuming that it is indeed a curse. He seems a bit nervous watching the man pace, but he does seem to have a plan of attack, which helps to set him at ease. The mention of possibly having eaten something that could steal his speech, though, causes him to flinch; the mere thought gives him goosebumps, and it's likely that he'll think twice about where he buys his produce until he educates himself on such artifacts.

Anyway, there's an uncomfortable pause as Marcus performs some kind of spell. A symbol of sort appears briefly over his shirt for a few seconds, and as it glows, a strange tingling sensation causes the man to shiver slightly. He seems to be slightly sensitive to this particular type of magic, although it appears to be a ticklish sensitivity as opposed to one of discomfort. Unfortunately, when he opens his mouth and tries to speak, no sound is produced, and he shakes his head with disappointment. Still, that was just a single spell, and judging by the number of books held by the spell-caster, he's got more where that came from; Jacob was hoping for a quick and easy solution, but he hasn't given up hope just because the first attempt was a failure, and the sour look on his face soon fades to indicate as much.

There's no drop in Mark's expression, as he prepared for this. Internally, the disappointment lasts only so long as he methodically switches gears to his next prediction.

"M'k. That rules out petty hexes. Either you made enemies with pretty subtle casters, or you ate an even more subtle poison by accident. I'm going to check the house for hexes one last time and then set up a dispelling writ on your person." he states, walking over to his other book, labelled 'Elminister's Guide to Disenchantments vol XI'. "Lemme warn you though. Make sure to remove anything magical that you don't want to be mundane when I start the dispelling writ. This is potent stuff. Anything you carry, physical or otherwise is gonna get all its magical properties erased."

After his explanation, he walks back over to the first levitating book, and touches it with his hand. It glows as he steps away from it and touches the wall of the house. Runes and various symbols magically burn themselves into the entirety of the house (not permanently). No nook or cranny is spared. If there're any sources of curses in the house that's causing his rather severe speech impediment, they ought to shine brighter than the runes if physical and subsequently be countered. Otherwise, Jacob will remain mute for the next few moments and Marcus will walk over to the man and raise an eyebrow questioningly.

[Hattish Thing]

Light's Heart

Coming out to greet him is an huge horned being, large as a car and clad in shining golden armor, walking nearly on all four as it approaches Shoyler, looking at him with it's intense burning eyes and as it opens it mouth to speak the same light exits it's mouth as if it's inwards were on fire. "Who are you to enter here? You don't look like the usual astral pilgrims coming here." Tarim states in his deep menacing voice.

Shoyler is a dark-skinned man about the age of fifty. He's wearing a large dark leather armored longcoat of a somewhat tattered nature, obviously worn at a regular basis. He also appears to be regularly wearing some sort of chainmail, and a breastplate, silver buckles mixed in with the dull gray links. Dark red belts adorn his front, and dark red armbands are present over his coat. Combat boots, steel pauldrons, and dark gauntlets finish the man's dressage. He's a balding man, his hair in various stages of gray, from the steel gray of his eyebrows, to the lighter shaded sideburns. He's also boasting quite a proud looking beard, giving him a most regal appearance. He'd look fairly normal physically if it weren't for the odd metallic chunk covering his face, bolted right where an eye should have been.

The great being at the door should easily be able to spot a plethora of holy symbols etched into his armor, protections in every religious text he knows. These symbols don't really do anything, but they certainly look fearsome, and should easily identify him as some sort of cleric. His armor is black and silver, forged of Cold Iron and blessed by the head of his order. His long black armored coat covers most of his breastplate, however, so some of the more uncommon symbols are covered up by the thick leather. Shoyler was obviously a man who knew how invaluable armor was. His large heavy war hammer, Justice, can be seen, the beautifully crafted Reinforced Silver/Cold Iron alloy hammer hanging at his back. Shoyler was more than a little unnerved by the beasts light, but he'd seen stranger, and the beast didn't radiate negative energy. I am Shoyler Mctowry, of The Most Solemn Eternal Order of the Shroud, servant of Kelemvor, at your service, friend. I am a man of the cloth, much like you. He smiles a bit, though it's fairly awkward. The beast didn't seem to be like a man at all... I come with a few ideas to present to your council.

http://i1051.photobucket.com/albums/s440/Singingnoodle/MogrymNexus-1.png

[Earl of Purple]

Southside Apartment

The two girls will look through the new prisoners, taking out any that appear to be young females, especially if they're under twenty. Babette is also smelling out innocents, ones that have never committed an evil deed nor thought an evil thought. These people are quite rare, but once upon a time Babette was such an individual. Then she had her heart cut out to open a portal to a prison-plane.

[Ionbound]

[Southside Apartment]

And, at one point, Adele was just a naturalist wandering around the woods. Fascinating how the world changes, isn't it.

Anyways, once Babette has picked out her victims, Elereshur grins at the construct, and says, "Normally, I'd have them starve until they began to eat each other so that they'd be in a proper state of mind, but, for the purposes of my little demonstration..." She takes one from her group and random, and whips her tail around, implanting it in the back of the creature's neck. Likely, it will soon begin to transform into some type of demon, though everyone reacts to the process differently.

[Shadowcaller]

[Suncrest Manor]

"No, She was in the park when we were in Inside the other day." Eliseo says. He definitely doesn't mention how exactly they met. He wants to spare himself that embarrassment again.


Irena will observe that Misaka, clad in her usual crisp white dress shirt, sleeves reaching the elbow, with a tidy tan sweater vest and short, clean brown skirt, appears to be quite intelligent, but has this fire of ambition, eagerness, and pugnaciousness in her bright eyes.
Yep. We kinda basically stumbled upon each other in a way.




Kanya nods, and says, "I...I just don't want to hurt anyone else."


Shoyler is a dark-skinned man about the age of fifty. He's wearing a large dark leather armored longcoat of a somewhat tattered nature, obviously worn at a regular basis. He also appears to be regularly wearing some sort of chainmail, and a breastplate, silver buckles mixed in with the dull gray links. Dark red belts adorn his front, and dark red armbands are present over his coat. Combat boots, steel pauldrons, and dark gauntlets finish the man's dressage. He's a balding man, his hair in various stages of gray, from the steel gray of his eyebrows, to the lighter shaded sideburns. He's also boasting quite a proud looking beard, giving him a most regal appearance. He'd look fairly normal physically if it weren't for the odd metallic chunk covering his face, bolted right where an eye should have been.

The great being at the door should easily be able to spot a plethora of holy symbols etched into his armor, protections in every religious text he knows. These symbols don't really do anything, but they certainly look fearsome, and should easily identify him as some sort of cleric. His armor is black and silver, forged of Cold Iron and blessed by the head of his order. His long black armored coat covers most of his breastplate, however, so some of the more uncommon symbols are covered up by the thick leather. Shoyler was obviously a man who knew how invaluable armor was. His large heavy war hammer, Justice, can be seen, the beautifully crafted Reinforced Silver/Cold Iron alloy hammer hanging at his back. Shoyler was more than a little unnerved by the beasts light, but he'd seen stranger, and the beast didn't radiate negative energy. [B]I am Shoyler Mctowry, of The Most Solemn Eternal Order of the Shroud, servant of Kelemvor, at your service, friend. I am a man of the cloth, much like you. He smiles a bit, though it's fairly awkward. The beast didn't seem to be like a man at all... I come with a few ideas to present to your council.

http://i1051.photobucket.com/albums/s440/Singingnoodle/MogrymNexus-1.png



"Neither do we." Zareen replies as she grestures at the other warlocks to approach her. One of them, a man whose eyes is shrouded in magical darkness hands her the aforementioned bone cage. "So this will cause you to pass out as your fire goes out." She can see the orb within the cage throwing a fit as it it's trying to bash it open. For a moment she can see a human skull grinning at her from within it.

Then Zareen opens it up and the demon caged within goes for the largest source of fire nearby which so happens to be Kanya herself. It will devour her heat in an insant, causing her to pass out (unless she can somehow resist it) and the warlocks will have to cage it again before taking her up to the castle.

[Suncrest Manor]

"Uhu." Irena says, not really interested. "And what are you doing now? Failing completely at The Crawling Dead again? Have you even passed the third level?" She confidently puts, having cleared the whole game herself.

[Light's Heart]

[B]"Hrm..." The pit lord growls while looking at him intently with his burning eyes. "I am Tarim, servant of the burning light, holy man. What sort of ideas do you present before us? I want to make sure you do not waste our time." Not that much had happened lately. Not things they could deal with at the very least.