[Nexus] Riverside VIII: A New Side

[happyturtle]

Westside Markets

Vita, on the other hand, hates the darkness. It feels so unnatural and oppressive for it to be dark in the middle of the day. Even though the market stalls have electric lighting, she has to fight the urge to call up Vesta's fire again.

"What sort of fruit is this?" Vita asks, picking up a tomato. "I have never seen it before."

Forum

Janis continues to meditate, and those who are sensitive to magic may feel the subtle tendrils of Hippiemancy seeping out into the room. Where it goes, it works to calm tempers, soothe ruffled feathers, allow people to listen to others without taking offence. The civilian population seems to be at least somewhat affected by it. Whether the PCs are is of course up to their players.

(Like most of the Order's powers, it's subjective. Janis believes it affects vampires and other sentient creatures the same as humans.)

[Morty]

[Eastside Forum]

When Jezebel looks at the pair of Hunters, the old man meets her gaze. His eyes are like cold steel, and there's a glint of unrelenting conviction in there.
I can assure you that the citizens of Riverside will be looking forward to any joint defensive effort, he says.
However, wouldn't it be a good idea to recruit from the population? This way, we'd finally feel we have an actual say in anything.

[ApeofLight]

[Easide Forum]

As the Hippiemancy magic reaches the representative of Scaal it touches him for a second before it is cut off by a protective barrier. The Scaalanite let's out a low hiss and starts to scan all those gathered as if searching for the one responsible.

[Earl of Purple]

Eastside Forum

The Hippiemancy is subtle and benign enough to get past the defences of both Byont Fallow and Defelent A'dam.

"I will not be able to support a full-time defence organisation. Dalachrech forbids His clergy from maintaining anything more than some guards for the temple and a few bodyguards full-time. However, if this city is in danger, I can raise a larger force for defence and call upon the aid of the Order of the Centipede, holy knights devoted to Dalachrech. I do, however, think it is a good idea; I just cannot provide soldiers." Defelent is not being honest; he knows that the different factions in Riverside may come to blows and he would prefer anybody that he employs to defend the temple not be forced to kill their friends.

"I also support this idea, and I can help recruitment. In fact, I can immediately pledge twenty men to this defence force." Byont doesn't care about defending his shop. He's got a large force of ogres that are proven fighters specialising in non-lethal combat, in addition to the human guards that patrol Fallow's Furry & Feathered Friends openly.

[UncleWolf]

Westside Markets

Pet looks up, snapped out of his reverie when Vita speaks. When he sees the tomato, he smiles a bit and offers his basket for her to put it in there. "It's a bit of a vegetable as well. An oddball. Tomatoes are used mostly for sauces and being sliced up for various things." He informs her. Assuming she puts it into the basket, he'll grab a couple others since he was cooking for six now instead of just four. The thought of it makes him frown. The number was a clunky one without meaning to be. Sure, plenty of things were in a half-dozen or dozen, but when portioning it out...

He shakes his head to stop the thought and takes a half-step to get back at Vita's side as he gazes at the produce. "I hope you've settled in somewhat, and I apologize for everyone if there's something bothering you." Pet says, apologizing beforehand.

Eastside Forum

Jezebel will give the man a slight smile before finally turning her gaze back to the others. "I could provide some support, but I'm afraid my organization lacks the numbers to submit more than a dozen defenders, two dozen at most." The Daemoness admits.

[happyturtle]

Westside Markets

"Everyone has been very kind," Vita says, moving on to a selection of nuts. "If I seem low, it isn't anything that you have done."

She could do without some of the incidental nudity in her life - Charlotte in particular was fairly bad about it. But she felt it would be unjust of her to complain of that when the Virtues had done so much for her and her brother.

[UncleWolf]

Westside Markets

Pet is silent for a long few moments, pondering what she means. As he does so, he grabs a small selection of herbs and other spices before he finally believes he knows what might be bothering her. "While none of us have said it yet, we really are sorry for your loss. If we could have prevented it, we would have." He admits to her, referring to her city and Uncle. "It's just that after working as mercenaries for so long, it gets harder for us to find the ability to express such things. Instead, we just get lost in ourselves. To try and forget."

[happyturtle]

Westside Markets

"You did all you could. The rebellion was... unwise. I felt it so at the time, and feared that it would end badly." She closes her eyes and shudders. "It didn't end as badly as it could have. My Uncle did not suffer humiliation and public execution, and the city was not bombarded into rubble. Most of the people I knew will have already adjusted to being part of the Imperium again, and under a new governor." She sounds like she's trying very hard to see things in a positive light.

[UncleWolf]

Westside - Markets

Pet offers her a sad look as he listens to her. He understands that she's trying to cope with it all, but sometimes he knows that it's nearly impossible and easier to forget. He couldn't tell her that though, she needed to find that out on her own. "But it doesn't make it any easier." He tells her quietly. "Is there anything I can do to help?" He asks, needing to be able to help her somehow.

[happyturtle]

Westside Markets

"I just wish we could go home." Vita says. There's no comfort for the exile but time.

[Gullara]

[Eastside Forum]

"I find myself agreeing with Genesis." Ramiro speaks up. "It would be difficult for such a force to be truly unified. Who there wouldn't hold the interests of their respective factions above those of the force as a whole? I am certainly not opposed to cooperation between the various groups present, but unification is not a possibility."

[UncleWolf]

Westside Markets

Pet hears her speak and attempts to give her a gentle hug. There's no sensuality to it like she might have come to expect from any of the Virtues. Instead, it's a solid comforting embrace to try and give her mind and soul some measure of ease and rest from the experiences plaguing her.

[happyturtle]

Westside Markets

Vita is surprised by the hug and stiffens at first, but once she registers it as a hug of comfort without any other intent, she accepts it, resting her head on his shoulder and letting herself think... for only a moment... of Uncle Octavius and her governess and her fellow acolytes and all the people in her life who were now lost to her.

Her brother, who is back at home sitting in the hot bath with Charlotte, feels her distress and reaches out to her, giving her a mental hug.

I have you, and that makes the rest bearable, she tells her twin.

[McBish]

Northside Streets

A man by the name of Alex Hart walks down the street on his way home from work. He has lived here for just over 3 years now and he doesn't seem to have much to show for it. He has two crappy jobs that pay for him to live by himself in a small apartment. He has no close friends, and very few acquaintances. He had a girlfriend for awhile but not anymore, and with her a large portion of his small circle of friends went with her.

But he seems very happy tonight, headphones in his ears he listens to his favorite music as he walks.

He stops about halfway home and looks around, maybe he should stop somewhere to get a drink.

[Slii Arhem]

Moth Park

Here be fairies.

Well okay, not today. Here usually be fey of all sorts, as is usual in parks around the Nexus, but today there's just one by the name of Mintbalm, relaxing on a park bench and trying to enjoy some time off from granting wishes and playing tricks on people. To that effect, she's out of her work outfit and wearing a pair of cutoff jean shorts and a light green tank-top.

She's nearly dosing in the sun at the moment, just enjoying life. Everything seems to be dandy since Kate and her became fast friends again.

[McBish]

Northside Streets/Moth Park

Hm, maybe just a shortcut through park instead. He takes a turn, this way takes longer but is much prettier. He pulls out what looks like a hand rolled cigarette and lights it up as he starts walking down the path.

[Lost_Deep]

Moth Park

Movement in the trees? It's probably a squirrel doing squirrely things. That what you might think, until there is a large THUMP as someone lands on a branch.

"Once again, it seems that chance places me on the far side of the bell curve. An interesting situation, once again I honestly wonder if I am truly blessed and/or cursed with this peculiar brand of luck, or if perhaps some force actively messes with the statistics. In any case, it is a peculiar thing to... inherit."

Sitting in a tree across from Mintbalm is a woman-like construct in a blue dress with long green hair and blue eyes that look creepy if you see them at the wrong angle. She is smiling, and seems to be... analyzing Mintbalm.

((McBish, this was a planned scene. Sorry!))

[Slii Arhem]

Moth Park

Moth Park is hardly the prettiest destination by any stretch of the imagination, full of half-dead trees and snarling wildlife. To each their own though.

Mintbalm peers up at the disconcerting woman/thing curiously, tilting her head to the side.

"Do I know you? I'm sorry if I've forgotten already, but pixies forget a lot of things."

[Lost_Deep]

Moth Park

"You have not met me, nor have I met you, but I have you in my memories. Through a complex series of events, I was made as in individual with the memories of someone else. While we are not the same person, I appreciate her memories, and would also like to make many of the same friends. Your continued existence pleases me, Mintbalm. Can you guess the individual that I'm based off of?"

Now that you get a good look at her, her face might remind Mintbalm of... someone. But maybe not enough to actually place it.

[Slii Arhem]

Moth Park

Mintbalm puts a thumb to her lip, pouting adorably as she thinks out loud.

"Well, the only people I know who are as weird as you are is Libra, Kirk, Vrivvy, Lisa, most of the gloamings, and Mother Forest. So.... can I have anywhere between six and a bazillion guesses? I'll probably get it right at some point." Mintbalm counts off all the people she knows that might be "weird" enough to be transferred into a construct's body, leaving a generous amount left over for all the gloamings she knows.

[Shadowcaller]

[Eastside Forum]

"I don't like the idea either." Riaz says. "Seeing how different the organizations are some would be more dominating in this group then others. It would be unjust."

The pit lord gives a slight shrug at the critique, "I believe such a group could be forged under the same purpose. If you are of another mind however I won't force your organization to join. I will still be looking for recruits however but under another banner if everyone isn't interested. I will be right here after the meeting just in case..." And with those words the pit lord wanders off, shooting a last glance at the hunters and Jezebel before going off to the side.

"Thank you Tarim." Daeva says in a low voice before turning to Defelent. "So I must admit I don't know a great deal about your organization, nor do I think many others here does. Perhaps you can tell us a bit about it? How do you see on the current situation in riverside?"

[Lake Outside Riverside]

I think this scene is finished for now. We could probably have them visit the masks or something last time they show up.

[Exbourne Manor]

"Aren't-" Oh what was the use, she knew she would end up there sooner or later anyway so there wasn't really any use of protesting was there? "Fine, isn't this a job for a servant though?" She will follow Cynthia though, not really able to resist her call of innocence.

[Lost_Deep]

Moth Park

The woman shakes her head. "I suppose she neglected to tell you, then. It's understandable; she has a great many things to remember." She gets off the branch, landing easily. She then steps forward and offers her hand for a handshake. "I am Copi Kate. It is a pleasure to meet you."

[Slii Arhem]

Moth Park

Mintbalm takes the hand, staring at its smooth surface with a small amount of awe. This was another Kate?

Oh gods this was going to get confusing.

"So what happened to you Copi? You certainly don't look much like Kate anymore."

[Lost_Deep]

Moth Park

"Well, I was originally a copy of her mind inside a ring. Through a series of events I was put into a void... I lacked even senses. It was truly horrible. Until, suddenly, another being was in there. A powerful being. In the end, I annoyed her enough that she kicked me out of the void and into a body. Additional shenanigans with an additional powerful being gave me the body I have today. The physical parts aren't as important, ultimately, as the mental damage and changes that took place during my time in the void. It altered me greatly, as you might have noticed. However, I am told that the base personality remains mostly unchanged."

[Gullara]

[Lake Outside Riverside]

No doubt the rest of their date is very enjoyable. *nodnod*

[Exbourne Manor]

Cynthia guides Astrana back to Eadelain's room and walks right in unannounced. "I got her."

[Slii Arhem]

Moth Park

"Oh. Uhm... are you okay, like that I mean? I could probably do something about that for you." Mintbalm gestures to the body, thinking back to what Kate and her did with robotic bodies earlier. If she could do that in reverse...

[Lost_Deep]

Exbourne Manor

Eadelain's room is much as it was when Cynthia left, with the bed completely soaked in ink and all. Eadelain has gotten out of bed, and was rummaging through her small amount of clothes when the two got back.

Moth Park

"Hmm? Oh, no, I'm rather fond of it. It's a gift, if you will. But I feel an imbalance of information should be remedied; how have you been? I was rather expecting for you to have gone back to pixiedom by now."

Copi is missing the info on the pixie's life after Kate left the World Between... and Kate neglected to mention a few things to her the other day.

[Slii Arhem]

Moth Park

"Oh, well I got a new job, and I just figured being able to open doors mundanely was more useful than flying around. I'm less likely to get squished this way too, even though it's not outside the realm of possibility." Like in the event of a Kaiju attack.

"I'm spending almost all my time in the Nexus now though, so there's no reason to look like a pixie."

[Lost_Deep]

Moth Park

Copi is surprised. "A job? As in a real, paying job? Or a duty given to you of some sort? I cannot think of you with any kind of real job. At least, the situation in which you have one would have a number of dire circumstances and unfortunate implications. And seeing your overall chipper mood, this has either not come to pass or your mind has been severely altered."

Because the word "Impossible" is overused and inaccurate. This is the Nexus, after all.

[Slii Arhem]

Moth Park

Mintbalm giggles lightly into the back of her hand. New-Kate is silly.

"Well, it doesn't really pay much, and I'm not obligated to do it. Just something I'm doing to keep busy. It's helping people out a lot, I think, so I don't think I'll run out of things to do anytime soon. What about you?" Copi seems to be a bit odd to be working retail like Kate does.

Hey wait, if Copi doesn't know much about Mintbalm, does she... and if she doesn't...