[Nexus Alt-Plot] Nothing and Nightmares {Beans & C'nor}

[Lady Serpentine]

Talina reaches into her bag, pulling out a large flask, which has a thin layer of ice on the outside, full of pure water, and going to help Vo drink it.

Naera growls in frustration, and goes to the front to check for a driver, drawing her kindjal as she does.

[Beans]

It's empty, and in fact the tires have been very recently slashed.
---
Vo drinks, gasping.
As she moves, it seems she actually does have one arm still.
It's just not attached to her shoulder.
Help jam my arm back on. Stitches, tape, staples, anything.

[Lady Serpentine]

Naera sniffs around again, looking for any scent the former occupants may have left.

---

Talina nods, and goes to lift Vo out of the box so that she can do so, then, if it worked, taking a needle and a spool of suturing thread from her bag, both of which have been heatsealed into plastic, and are presumably sterile; if nothing stops her, she'll proceed to sew Vo's arm back on.

[Beans]

There's nothing to follow here; seems like they win, though only this time.
---
Vo sighs.
Healing this thing back on will be such an ass...
Thanks, Talina.

[Lady Serpentine]

Naera growls again, slashing at the side of the moving van with her claws to vent her frustration; it probably won't punch through, but it quite possibly leaves several deep scratches.

---

"You're welcome, Vo... Anything I can do to help you get it attached properly?"

[Beans]

I just need to rest and eat sometimes...

[Lady Serpentine]

Talina nods, motioning for one of the other girls to go get her some food.

Naera returns, looking rather angry, though she quickly suppresses her emotions again, going to check on Nycca.

[Beans]

Nycca is still shaking violently, but seeing that Vo is... as okay as a person with no functioning limbs can be.... has helped her feel a little less freaked.

((Having seen DEB's post with Kallista, I'm honestly not that pleased by what they seem to be trying to do. It might just be me, but I feel like it's a bit forced...))

[Lady Serpentine]

((They PMed me about it, and we're assuming that they've gotten considerably closer on Thunderhead; right now, as I understand it, this is a potential future, which won't actually materialize if that doesn't happen.

That said, Talina is still at most at the level of feelings she had for Jen early on, so if Nycca or the others object when asked, she'll apologize to Kallista and it won't go any further.))

Naera frowns slightly, and tries to lead Nycca to her room.

[Beans]

((As much I can see Nycca feeling bad for Kallista's unfortunate past and all, I cannot see her being receptive to Kallista in anything other than a platonic sense, so she will be very clear about her answer being in the negative.))
Nycca clings to her, shaking, only a little bit helped by Vo's attempt at a reassuring wave.

[Lady Serpentine]

((Talina will regretfully tell Kallista it's not going to work when they head back to ask her about it, then.))

Naera gently holds the bat-fey, crooning to her in some strange language, though the general message of comfort should be conveyed through her tone.

[Beans]

She nestles closer, shaking still.
---
Sherry experimentally opens one of the rubber bags...
The paper inside, when opened up, looks like part of a larger whole.

[Lady Serpentine]

The tone, while still one of comfort, shifts to a more ritual cadence; she appears to be reciting some sort of traditional sequence, possibly having forgotten that Nycca can't understand what she's saying.

---

Talina goes to get Vo propped up against something, then, if she was successful, will help her open up the rest of them, trying to put the contents together as they go.

[Beans]

She smiles weakly.
Sounds... nice...
---
Eventually, they'll have a big piece of paper put together.

YOU
NEXT

Well then.

[Lady Serpentine]

Naera returns her smile.

"Thanks, Nycca. Though I don't know if I have the voice for it, really..."

---

For a moment, Talina's face shows a cold rage, something they've probably only seen before when she pulled Nycca out of the blindroom, though it quickly clears, becoming an impassive mask.

"Right. Vo, you're going to be staying here until this is cleared up. As is everyone else, by which I mean we're not leaving the building other than as absolutely necessary.

Does anyone here have training in self-defense, combat, or magic?"

[Beans]

A few girls raise their hands, frowning.
((Dedtiem))

[Lady Serpentine]

"Can you teach others, then? If you can, pick out the people most suited to whatever you can train them, and take them as a class. Though I want everyone to be learning some of everything."

[Beans]

They nod, looking pretty consternated about this whole situation.

[Lady Serpentine]

Naera is probably still holding Nycca.

---

Talina smiles reassuringly, going over to whoever looks like they could most use someone right now.

[Beans]

Nycca nestles against her, starting to doze off.

[Lady Serpentine]

Naera smiles faintly, gently rubbing the bat-fey's wings.

[Beans]

She'll soon be asleep.
---
Downstairs, combat classes!

[Lady Serpentine]

When she is, Naera goes to gently lay her on the bed and head downstairs.

---

Talina is keeping a close eye on things to make sure that the girls being trained are safe.

[Beans]

They'll be pretty safe; Vo watches silently.

[Lady Serpentine]

Talina, once she's satisfied that they're safe, goes over and sits down next to Vo; Naera, should there be people for her to do so with, will join in training the other girls.

[Beans]

The training seems to be going pretty well!

[Lady Serpentine]

Talina smiles, idly watching them train.

"So... Do you know where the rest of your limbs are?"

[Beans]

They ate them.
Sherry, listening, winces.

[Lady Serpentine]

Talina frowns, looking rather confused.

"...What exactly did this to you?"

[Beans]

The ones with the saws were these porcelain golem things... I didn't get a good look at the others, though.
It's weird having your limbs hacked off when it doesn't hurt...