[Nexus] Inside 49

[Lost_Deep]

Unremarkable Street

The one will fire a few laser bursts at the chimera as it streaks toward him, but will miss because it wasn't expecting a giant chimera to appear. You wouldn't, either.

Presumably the three thin men are quickly dispatched. They poof into clouds of poisonous gas whe they die, of course, but once it's in the ship it can probably simply eviscerate the unsuspecting aliens.

Would you believe me, The Lost One's voice comes, but from where is anyone's guess, If I said that there was no magic in that whatsoever? It flew without wings, it shot death from its hand and it dies in a large and poisonous cloud... but there wasn't a mite of magic in it. It's all technology.

[Halae]

[Unremarkable Street]

"It's an airship, and it was using a gun. I've seen black powder before - the problem is, I have no idea what sort of thing kept it afloat. It's got no balloon, and I don't know what it was shooting."

The chimera stalks back over to Hadlin, looking a bit sick. It's tough enough to resist the poison, but it's going to be hurting for a while. Hadlin will lay a hand on its center head and it will recede back into his arm. "I imagine you have an explanation for that, though, which ties itno the whole "nothing makes sense here" angle you're going for, right?"

[UncleWolf]

Spoiler

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Milson Street

Kashi opens one eye and snorts questioning when Elaine yelps. "Snyui?" He's too groggy to notice Elias or Hekta yet.

Milton Street Bakery

"Kashi won't hurt anyone!" Hekta exclaims with a frown, were these people stupid or something? She follows Vinny closely though, the woman was a coward and probably not a thread, this guy looked far more dangerous.

Master Dahl's Bakery on Milson Street



"The dragon is your friend?" Elaine asks Hekta. There's a very primal part of her brain screaming 'Dragon! Dragon! Dragon! Dragon!' and demanding she run away. "No, I think we should take the boy to a hospital." Are you crazy, woman? Do you know what kind of horrors happen in hospitals?! Way more than happen in dragon's dens, at least in the Nexus!

Milson Street

Vinny frowns a bit as he slowly thinks and decides to stop walking as he ignores the dragon problem for now. "Why's yer magician-healer-friend at a bakery?" He asks, looking down at Hekta, suspicious of her reasoning. "If youse don't have one, be honest. Yer boyfriend here needs tha best help 'e can get, even if I gotta fix his leg myself."

[The Bushranger]

Ice Rink

Spoiler

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Needs shakes his head.

"Oh, no. No, but there's only so much you can do without innate magical talent, is there? Being a Magtok sort of limited us that way. There was that, and superiors forbidding the use of sentient sacrifices in one's rites, and a notable shortage of ancient tomes and artifacts around the MagCave, too. Even so, we weren't just going to stand around and not have any sort of magical defenses, were we?

Eventually you have to start making deals with things. I leased my soul a few times to Hastur, bought some hallucinogens off The Crawling Chaos, had my left eye replaced by Horus, babysat for The Black Goat of the Woods with a Thousand Young once or twi-"

Oh look, it's Eileen! Took Needs an awful long time to notice her, didn't it? And Tracey didn't seem to do much better, either. I guess she's just not very good at being noticeable, is she?

Tracey's eyes are starting to widen at Needs's description of how he got from a normal Magtok to whatever he is now, when Eileen arrives. "Hello, Eileen." Tracey says too brightly.

The two women have been living in very small quarters. Their outlooks on life are completely different. And Eileen has been going through alcohol withdrawal. Small wonder if the two have gotten on one another's last nerve.

"I guess you aren't here to skate, what with all that shopping. Too bad, huh?" Tracey says. Completely and utterly too bad that there isn't a place to check bags, like the lockers in the skate rental hut.

"Oh, I am here to skate. There's lockers in the skate rental hut, you know," Eileen says with an obviously affected chuckle. "Of course, I'll probably have two left feet, but what can you say?"

It's a wonder that the experience of living with the Material Girl hasn't driven Eileen back to drinking, but, somehow, she's managed to avoid it. Probably because she suspects Tracey expects it and so she's not doing it just to spite her.

"I didn't know Magtoks could skate, though..."

[KerfuffleMach2]

Park
The Lady nodded.
"That sounds...good."
She rubbed her eyes and muffled a yawn.
"So where's your place?"

Krystal holds her arm out for a moment, thinking, then points in a direction.

That way, at the Good League of Good. I work there, too. Office work in their infirmary.

[Lost_Deep]

Unremarkable Street

Actually, no. My point is, though it may seem tangential by now, that in the nexus, it is the flexible that thrive. Not necessarily doing the impossible, but those who can do something in any situation. Perhaps you will find new and interesting uses for skills you do have, or perhaps you will need to find new ones.

the jaunty hat will fall from the sky, probably landing on Hadlin's head.

As for business, I'm afraid I'm a bit preoccupied at the moment. I'll let you know when I'm ready to talk, mm? Don't call me, I'll call you. Try not to die!

And with that, Hadlin will be left alone. The hat is completely normal, with no magic in it whatsoever. However, inside the hat is a large revolver made out of some black metal. It's a magitek weapon that shoots laser bursts, capable of significantly more damage than normal bullets. It also has a respectable rate of fire and infinite ammo... which is very nice if Hadlin knows how to shoot guns, as the weapon itself adds no magic to the user's accuracy. On the barrel of the gun is a message:

School is in Session

[Mindfreak]

Krystal holds her arm out for a moment, thinking, then points in a direction.

That way, at the Good League of Good. I work there, too. Office work in their infirmary.

Park
The Lady stood up and stretched.
"Then let's go! I'm kinda tired..."

[KerfuffleMach2]

Krystal stands and stretches as well.

Okay then. Follow me!

Ans she'll lead the way to GLoG.

[Chaotic Bob]

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Outside Philip Memorial Library

The cyborg's head picks up, and he finally sees fit to contribute.

"I can vouch for Eris not being a serious threat to this mission. Whatever she's doing is probably just harmless shenanigans tied to that spooky costume party thing from October. She even asked nicely if she could use the casino for it, instead of just seizing it and doing whatever like some deities would. Hastur, I don't know a thing about, though."

...Wait, when the hell did they get here? Are those shoggoths? Holy crap, Sigil, what is wrong with you?! You brought him and the ponies to a place where shoggoths are wandering about, are you insane?! Magtok blinks in shock, suddenly developing a very strong urge to stay close to the middle of the group, with at least one pony between himself and the horrible monsters and fishmen all around.

[Outside Philip Memorial]

Well. Maggy has spoken up about the goddess of discord before Sigil could say anything. And to continue that trend he gets interrupted right about the time he opens his mouth to answer the other part of Luna's question.

"Well honestly? Last I checked this 'Twilight Sparkle' is planing on trying to harmonize the whole Nexus. GAG! Can you imagine anything more boring than that? Trying to get rid of all this glorious chaos?"

Fluttershy may or may not have just been displaced about six feet to the right and now the unholy lizard-snake-sea anemone tentacled thing that is Hastur's starspawn puppet is likely to have its one of its limbs wrapped around pegasus in a hug.

"I mean, really?" he leans in close to peer right into the yellow pegasus' eye. "I think I'll just sit back and observe. It's sure to be hilarious watching the purple unicorn try and fail."

The thing scoots back, rising up to its full height and leering down at the ponies (and cyborg). "Though I should probably warn you all. Some jerk went and told a bunch of adventurers about your friend's plan. So they'll be just dying for a chance to liberate her head from the rest of her body to win some quest XP."

That leer grows even wider.

"Think of it as a race and a hunt all at the same time!" the creature laughs, suddenly clothed in an English fox-hunting outfit. "The game's ahoof, everypony! Who's going to find her first? Tallyhooooooooo!"

Hastur then gives the bridle attached to the end table/lamp combo he's riding a sharp yank before galloping off into the distance.

...
....
.....

"We need to find Twilight. We need to find her right now!"

[Outside Philip Memorial]

"I see the...Nexus is in one of its more chaotic moments, currently." The Cricketbatman idly flicks some blood out of his eyes. "I think Hastur may be underestimating the purple one's chance at succeeding. Time runs short...ponies. I hope you find her in time. I would have no joy in...destroying her if we are left with no other means of stopping her." The Cricketbatman twirls the cricket bat in his hand.

He would appear to be quite serious.

He'd much rather he didn't have to make anything go boom here.

[Outside the Spooky Philip Library Place]

Who's conveniently nearby when Magtok heroically cowers in the middle of the group?
Pinkie Pie of course!
She seems quite happy to be his buffer against the insanity. Insanity always beats out other insanity, the narrative text says.
"Aw, it'll be okay Maggy. I gave 'em all cookies already! Want one?"
A spare cookie is proffered.

And then that Hastur thing happens.

There's a fairly unified mass of utterly horrified looks that seems to buy it about enough time to get its schpeel off before Luna and Applejack begin to run to Fluttershy's rescue.

Not that she really seems to have needed it all that much, really, as she mostly just glares back into the avatar's icky little face, while it exists there.

Upon being released, she shakes herself off as if removing a coat of particularly unpleasant dust.
Applejack swiftly takes up position between her and Hastur as it finishes its...whatever it's babbling about, casting her a concerned look.
"Ya'lright Fluttershy?"
"I'm fine."

A pair of pursed lips dissuage further questioning from the farm-pony, just in time for the avatar to leave.

And for Luna to begin sliding back into leader mode, swiftly cutting off a few still-stunned/horrified remarks from the others.
"We have no time for a manual search then. Twilight Sparkle death is not an improvement over her success."
A rather pointed look at Mr. Drippy over there.

"Magtok, I assume there's been no..."
What? What exactly are they looking for, other than a purple pony with a case of the Bad Ideas?
"...erm, rainbows or purple domes or...anything Twilightish?"
Luna seems so eloquent right now.
Also grumpily embarrassed.

[Vaguely Near Common Street]

She adjusts her coat a little, staring at the ground with the faintest of frustrations.
"I know I sensed something."
Power. We must finish the glyphs Twilight, our time is limited.
After a few paces, she leans down and stares into the street's storm drain.
"With a little extra power, I could probably place them all at once..."

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[Sewers- Red Zone]

Yuki's eyes widen as the dark creature leaps at him. With only a split second left before impact, he increases its power through a small sacrifice of HP life energy. Through the magic of improbability and the improbability of magic, the scalpel's chance of penetration has been heightened, and his target's chance of defending has been lowered!

He winces internally at the loud rumblings. Why did all of his companions have to do so much collateral damage?

Sewers
Kirlia wiped her brow. Putting out energy can be tiring sometimes, since it does draw from the power inside you.
But whatever.
Kirlia looks at her companion with a strange look.
"Do you want some help or do you got it under control?"

[Sewers - Red Zone]

So Yuki and the other nasty beastie thingy are on a collision course.

The beastie has claws and teeth and various bits and pieces that are undoubtedly unpleasant and is rather big.

...Yuki has a scalpel.

However sharp it may be, there is definitely not enough scalpel to deal with this much beastie nice and quickly.

Conclusion: Yuki is probably screwed. This is substantially less than ideal.

"He has not got it under control." Black observes as it sprints over. There's no way it can get there quickly enough to prevent the two colliding. Instead it intends to charge in and give the beastie an almighty kick to the face...or whatever bit of it is nearest to Black anyway. Being a creation, Black is capable of putting a lot of force behind its actions. As big as the beastie is, Black should be strong enough to send it sprawling across the floor.

[Red Zone - Sewers]

Kirlia...rests!
Yuki improves the odds of something mostly guaranteed of happening!
The creation thing does something to help Yuki!

Right.

A scalpel is a scalpel.
Pretty sharp. Not very big. Smarts, not likely to murder something twice your size in a little poke, unless its made of explodium or something peculiar.

So the odds of it penetrating the demon's hide? Already pretty much guaranteed. It's pretty big, and jumping right at him, so dodging wasn't going to happen either.

Stab.

The creature shrieks, and the site of contact immediately begins to smoke and sizzle, while its blood tries to disintegrate the blade and the blade tries to destroy the surrounding tissue.
An interesting reaction.

At least up until Black kicks it away, right as a clawed...tail? appendage hooks around and tries to snare Yuki by the head.

If it's going to be thrown, it plans to bring its aggressor along.



More cries sound from deeper in the sewer, high-pitched, unpleasant noises.

[Rebonack]

[Near Philip Memorial Library]

Sigil glowers pretty openly at CBM. "I would really appreciate it if you didn't keep reminding us that you're planning on murdering our friend if we fail."

Venom in his tone is obvious. Though that quickly gives way to a dejected sigh.

"Hey Rarity? I don't suppose you have any more mirrors on you?" Sigil asks, his tone somewhat hopeful. "Twilight knows about the trick, so she might have set up defenses against scrying. It isn't that difficult to do. But... it might be worth a try still."

Yes indeed!

Scrying on Twilight's location may prove effective!

[Mindfreak]

Krystal stands and stretches as well.

Okay then. Follow me!

Ans she'll lead the way to GLoG.

Park -> GLoG
The Lady follows!

---

Sewers
Waiting for Morc first.

[McBish]

[Greystreet Skies]

"That's perfect!" Young Star say, lightly jostling the passenger. "Can you tell me where he is? I can shake him down for the info while you deal with the spell."

Calvin pauses not sure if he wants to share the info with this guy. He doesn't know a thing about him and Calvin is the type that doesn't trust anyone. Then again he doubts that the superhero will find anything too troubling. Plus it would be a pain to wait till he get rid of the spell.

"All right, but if you find where these guys are you have to come and get me. Don't go after them after yourself, OK?"

[Morcleon]

Spoiler

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[Red Zone - Sewers]

Kirlia...rests!
Yuki improves the odds of something mostly guaranteed of happening!
The creation thing does something to help Yuki!

Right.

A scalpel is a scalpel.
Pretty sharp. Not very big. Smarts, not likely to murder something twice your size in a little poke, unless its made of explodium or something peculiar.

So the odds of it penetrating the demon's hide? Already pretty much guaranteed. It's pretty big, and jumping right at him, so dodging wasn't going to happen either.

Stab.

The creature shrieks, and the site of contact immediately begins to smoke and sizzle, while its blood tries to disintegrate the blade and the blade tries to destroy the surrounding tissue.
An interesting reaction.

At least up until Black kicks it away, right as a clawed...tail? appendage hooks around and tries to snare Yuki by the head.

If it's going to be thrown, it plans to bring its aggressor along.



More cries sound from deeper in the sewer, high-pitched, unpleasant noises.

[Red Zone- Sewers]

And that contact was all Yuki needed. He rapidly flips the hypospray around and shoves it into the opening created by his attack, mass-injecting all 9 remaining (blessed) paralytic doses. Yuki's goal had never been to destroy this strange specimen. He intends to capture it, in the name of SCIENCE!

Zooming onto the molecular scale on the scalpel front, only a few atomic bonds are broken before the supernatural protections kick in, defending it from disintegration.

As Black kicks the demon and said demon simultaneously tries to latch onto his head, Yuki shoves the hypospray into the body of his target, letting equilibrium (along with the disintegration of the container) to finish applying the last few doses. He also leans far far back, although not fast enough to avoid a rather painful glancing blow.

[Devixer]

[Generic Street]

Ignai struggles against her bonds, but she's not strong enough to hope to break free. The fires only get worse. Here and there the air itself lights up and more and more small fires form around them, one very close to Imesah. As close as Imesah and Sayuri are, they'll feel that the air is becoming uncomfortably hot, like standing too close to a bonfire. Imesah may catch sight of Ignai's eyes, and she'll see they're nothing more than two points of searing bright flame.

[Generic Street]

Wincing at the heat, Sayuri takes a step away from Ignai, the streamers lengthening to allow this. She smiles grimly at Imesah. "With you? Oh, my fight is with the both of you. After all, I can't very well fight honestly, can I? After all, I'm the evil side to Hikari's good."

Winking and cackling softly, she leaves her next question hanging in the air. "So, how will you proceed, paladin? Will you attack me, knowing you will be harming both the innocent Ignai and the good Hikari, or will you try to appeal to my better nature? Decisions, decisions..."

Imesah doesn't visibly react to the heat, but she certainly isn't comfortable in it. It was like the Demon Ruins all over again for her. At least there were less Capra Demons. She glances over at Ignai, and closes her eyes for a moment, wishing that she could help her.

"You may want to pay more attention to Ignai than me," she says. Perhaps she could get closer if Sayuri were distracted.

[Murkus]

Grey Zone - House of Wares

I Don't Think We're in the Red Zone Anymore...

-port!

Wrath staggers as they 'land' and the ground shifts beneath his feet, the sudden shift in air pressure making his ears pop and his equilibrium briefly become a lot less equal. "Ooohkay. This the place?" Please let this be the place. Another jump and he's liable to be sick.

"I can stop magical scrying, but I don't know much about the technical stuff," Ashley mumbles. "Stick close to me," she adds before casting the teleport spell. Should all go well, the trio will end up in front of an old-looking warehouse, a respectable distance from the Red Zone.

Kailee moves a bit closer before the sudden change in venue, buckling up for the ride. Her mind catches things that a human one couldn't, despite all her 'not a robot' pandering. She sees that awful, nauseating moment between spaces, the pink-black nightmare of the swirling aether. But magic is different. Instantaneous. All teleportation is instantaneous for regular humans, or at least that's how they see it, but with magic there's no sidetracking through alternate dimensions.

How fascinating.

Kailee stands perfectly still, analyzing Ashley's 'home'. "You live here?" She asks neutrally. Without a heightened emotional state, she's begun to slip back toward that serene calm that many of Elexxion's older machines exhibit.

[Deus Mechanicus Church]

Gabrial looks back, quiet a bit confused.

"Yes he did, but I though you already know that? Just cause they can't speak in common doesn't mean they can't do it. I think it's simular to plants. I can't understand them, but you can, right?"

Mia will arrive next post.

"Or like my dad with his animals. I think I see what you're getting at," Adir says, watching Simian leave. "I guess Mia wasn't always just 'commanding' that robot of hers."

[Devixer]

Grey Zone - House of Wares

"Yeah, it's the place. It's not much." Ashley's well used to teleportation by now, so she doesn't seem any different from before. "Come on. I should get the hiding spell ready." She leads Wrath and Kailee inside via a side entrance.

The inside of the warehouse has obviously been remodeled to serve as a home. A fireplace is in the center, along with a couple of chairs. Shelves that were meant to hold whatever cargo was stored here have been shoved to the side and now hold magical ingredients or food. A large desk is at one end of the main room, which is probably used for alchemy and enchantments. There's a small office off to the side which is probably Ashley's bedroom now.

"I'll have to get a couple of extra bedrolls. Are you two hungry?"

[Gullara]

[Deus Mechanicus Church]

"Well, not exactly, but I guess so." Sakura decides against trying to explain that trees don't exactly communicate with her. She's not even sure Adir quite understands, and she doesn't know how to go about explaining anyway. It's not like them being something that she wouldn't expect to communicate doing so anyway is what's so off putting anyway.

"I don't really know anything about robots." She says as a way of explaining. She's not sure what to make of them either.

[Generic Street]

Imesah's advice may be well founded, despite the intentions. The streamers may be feeling the heat now that Ignai is approaching temperatures that are very difficult to replicate naturally. The woman hangs limp in her bonds, resigned to what she's causing. Wisps of vapour flow from her eyes as her tears evaporate as quickly as they come.

Flames spread outward from the elf. The two will have to keep moving if they want to stay away from them. A nearby building is steadily becoming a pyre, and those nearby aren't fairing any better. Cries fill the air as panicked people flee the flames. They come up against the barrier and beat their fists against it. A scream of pain cuts through the clamor as the fire takes hold of one such person and cooks the flesh from their bones.

[Zefir]

Sitar's Strings

"My father? Why would he have anything to do with it?" Scott asks. Brian Starling is not Scott's father. He doesn't have any children.


"Yeah, sure, Dalton," Emily says. She heads back to the kitchen to tell them Dalton's order.

Meanwhile, Brian Starling is approaching the restaurant, already looking displeased at the vandalism.

Sitar's Strings

Really? thought he is his son. My mistake.

"I mean, if Mr Starling would mind if I just throw color over it. It would be much faster to cover it."

"Or like my dad with his animals. I think I see what you're getting at," Adir says, watching Simian leave. "I guess Mia wasn't always just 'commanding' that robot of hers."

[Deus Mechanicus Church]

"Well, not exactly, but I guess so." Sakura decides against trying to explain that trees don't exactly communicate with her. She's not even sure Adir quite understands, and she doesn't know how to go about explaining anyway. It's not like them being something that she wouldn't expect to communicate doing so anyway is what's so off putting anyway.

"I don't really know anything about robots." She says as a way of explaining. She's not sure what to make of them either.

[Deus Mechanicus Church]

The man nods.

"Yes, even thought MDM is one of the silent robots, she treats him as a friend. And if you want Mrs Frescot I or the high priestress are pleased to teach you about it."

And then Mia appears coming from the left building, while Semian returns from the right building holding a comfortable chari and a long hold. He will place the chair next to Sakura and the hold on the ground.

Mia doesn't wear her typical dress, instead she wears an overall which has several dark spot's most seem fresh. She waves at the pair.

"Hello. Nice that you managed to come."

Maybe now Adir and Sakura notice something odd. Mia is as they should know a young woman. She appears to be around 20 if not less., but the man they speak to could be her father (due to how old he looks)and some of the other people around are in the same age (as the man they spoke with).

((Edit: It's meant that the people here are all older than Mia at least 35-60 while Miais only around 20. Some might wonder why a younger person leads the old ones))

[Murkus]

[Deus Mechanicus]

"You should take him up, honey. We could use someone to take care of the kids from time to time," Adir suggests with a grin, nudging Sakura a little. "Heya Mia. I didn't know you were in charge around here." Adir's ears flick curiously.

((Ah, thank you. I've editted.))

[Grey Zone - House of Wares

"I don't sleep," Kailee says, just a bit more sheepishly. She realizes how that must sound with her previous sentiments. Sleep makes you vulnerable, after all, and Escorts are bodyguards more than they're anything else. "Or eat. I can. Eat, that is. But it won't sustain me as it will you. My fuel cell is too old to accept alternative energy supplements." She glances around, trying to focus her attention on something else. "However, a source of electrical power would not be remiss."

[Shadowcaller]

Milson Street

Vinny frowns a bit as he slowly thinks and decides to stop walking as he ignores the dragon problem for now. "Why's yer magician-healer-friend at a bakery?" He asks, looking down at Hekta, suspicious of her reasoning. "If youse don't have one, be honest. Yer boyfriend here needs tha best help 'e can get, even if I gotta fix his leg myself."

Master Dahl's Bakery on Milson Street

"The dragon is your friend?" Elaine asks Hekta. There's a very primal part of her brain screaming 'Dragon! Dragon! Dragon! Dragon!' and demanding she run away. "No, I think we should take the boy to a hospital." Are you crazy, woman? Do you know what kind of horrors happen in hospitals?! Way more than happen in dragon's dens, at least in the Nexus!

Master Dahl's Bakery on Milson Street

"Since he lives there?" Hekta replies with a raised eyebrow, the lie was much easier to uphold since Silas really existed, he just didn't live anywhere near here.
"Sstop being so sstupid!" She then exclaims. "You can't fix his leg! Jusst go away!" The demon demands, adding a threatening hiss to her tone.

[happyturtle]

The Sitar's Strings

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[Sitar's Strings]

Amil makes a bit of a frown. Mostly she's just interested in information. And this guy didn't even confirm whether or not he had any that would be relevant. Just that he wants money.

It isn't that Amil is lacking in funds. She has a well paying job after all. But she doesn't feel like throwing money at this guy on the off chance that he might know something useful.

Also? He kind of creeps her out in that greasy thug sort of way. Certainly looks the part.

"Sorry for wasting your time, then," the wood drake huffs before turning to leave. Well. Her one idea for finding a lead just got shot down. Maybe she could call Kate? Kate might be able to think of something.

She starts slinking off, pausing to glance at the mural that someone had painted on the front of the store again. She never really understood the whole 'pure humans only' thing. And she's lost a job before due to ceasing being a human. Her old boss had a pretty strict human only policy. It wasn't ever a problem before. Until she got eaten by an alien.

But intentionally antagonizing them like this? Why? Isn't that just going to make things worse?

"Sorry about what happened to your restaurant, for whatever that's worth," the wood drake comments to those busy trying to cover it up.

"That's very kind of you," a cultured voice sounds from behind Amil, as Starling takes note of her. He seems to have acquired a new top hat to replace the one that Clarissa stole. Not that he wants that one back anyway. Because, eww, Clarissa germs. "I do hope Dalton wasn't antagonizing you. He's a bit trying, but he is one of our regulars, so we put up with him."

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Sitar's Strings

Really? thought he is his son. My mistake.

"I mean, if Mr Starling would mind if I just throw color over it. It would be much faster to cover it."

"You mean paint over it?" Scott asks. "Some of it can, but most of it is brick. Miz Jan doesn't want to paint the brick. We have to get a specialist in with solvents and pressure washers and stuff."

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Sitar's Strings

Actually a block and a half or so down, behind a trash can, and looking through binoculars, a team of three are staring at the restaurant. One of them pulls out a walky-talky, and communicates with a team about the same distance in the opposite direction.

"Alpha team to Bravo team. Do you copy? Over." A huge grin is plastered on her face

"Loud and Clear Alpha team? What's your visual? Over."

"Reptilian creature and one of the regulars are talking outside, and the Queen Bee just walked back in. Pimple Face is still on the ladder talking to another regular and King Bastard himself has just walked up. When do we charge? Over."

"When did you come up with code names for them?" the boy of the group asks.

"Shh!"

"When the reptile is clear. No sense endangering a civilian. Over."

"Standing ready. Over and out."

(Orch post included for reference )

---

1

Ice Rink

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Ice Rink

"Oh, I am here to skate. There's lockers in the skate rental hut, you know," Eileen says with an obviously affected chuckle. "Of course, I'll probably have two left feet, but what can you say?"

It's a wonder that the experience of living with the Material Girl hasn't driven Eileen back to drinking, but, somehow, she's managed to avoid it. Probably because she suspects Tracey expects it and so she's not doing it just to spite her.

"I didn't know Magtoks could skate, though..."

"Needs is learning. I don't know whether any other Magtok clones can skate," Tracey says.

---

1

Milson Street

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Milson Street

Vinny frowns a bit as he slowly thinks and decides to stop walking as he ignores the dragon problem for now. "Why's yer magician-healer-friend at a bakery?" He asks, looking down at Hekta, suspicious of her reasoning. "If youse don't have one, be honest. Yer boyfriend here needs tha best help 'e can get, even if I gotta fix his leg myself."

Master Dahl's Bakery on Milson Street

"Since he lives there?" Hekta replies with a raised eyebrow, the lie was much easier to uphold since Silas really existed, he just didn't live anywhere near here.
"Sstop being so sstupid!" She then exclaims. "You can't fix his leg! Jusst go away!" The demon demands, adding a threatening hiss to her tone.

Elaine crouches to address Hekta. "I know you're scared, little witch. That party was awful. But even with magic, someone will need to set that bone first, and my friend knows how to do that. It hurts a lot when it happens, but he'll feel better when it's done. Can we take him to his room and set his leg before we go?"

[Halae]

Unremarkable Street

Actually, no. My point is, though it may seem tangential by now, that in the nexus, it is the flexible that thrive. Not necessarily doing the impossible, but those who can do something in any situation. Perhaps you will find new and interesting uses for skills you do have, or perhaps you will need to find new ones.

the jaunty hat will fall from the sky, probably landing on Hadlin's head.

As for business, I'm afraid I'm a bit preoccupied at the moment. I'll let you know when I'm ready to talk, mm? Don't call me, I'll call you. Try not to die!

And with that, Hadlin will be left alone. The hat is completely normal, with no magic in it whatsoever. However, inside the hat is a large revolver made out of some black metal. It's a magitek weapon that shoots laser bursts, capable of significantly more damage than normal bullets. It also has a respectable rate of fire and infinite ammo... which is very nice if Hadlin knows how to shoot guns, as the weapon itself adds no magic to the user's accuracy. On the barrel of the gun is a message:

School is in Session

[Unremarkable Street]

Hadlin looks at the gun with curiosity mixed with apprehension. He's fired a musket before, and knows full well the problems associated with firing a gun improperly. His big problem is that he's only ever done it once in all the time he's been around.

Still, an extra weapon is something nice to have, and very useful if you get into a pinch. For now though, Hadlin stands and stretches, before starting to wander once more. He tucks the revolver into his belt, just in case (the safety on, of course) and begins walking. He's not really sure what to do with the hat, so he simply keeps it with him for now.

[Into the Magmart]

Harnel, of all people, is here. He's currently got a greatsword strapped to his back, though in its sheathe it's impossible to tell whether it's Conflict or another blade. He's wearing a winter coat to ward off the cold of the overcast day, as always modified so that his wings aren't squished under his coat. of course, given that he has wings, special tailoring had to be taken into account. And in the case of an outfit that's supposed to keep him warm, that means there's large attachments that sit over-top of his wings.

They probably look rather hilarious.

At the moment, he's just shopping around, wondering what a good gift for Cessie might be. He really should have done his thanksmas shopping sooner. For now, he just wanders into this branch of Magmart, browsing.

[Gullara]

[Deus Mechanicus]

Sakura chuckles, but doesn't seem all that enthused at the thought of a robot taking care of the kids. "It'd be interesting to hear about at least."

When Mia shows up, Sakura greets her with a bright smile. "Hi Mia. Nice to see you." It's been a long time since they've seen each other at all. Sakura's been busy and hasn't been around Watch much. It doesn't occur to her that Mia's young age might be odd. After all, she's had a lot of contact with fey who age slowly or not at all over her life.

[Lord Magtok]

MagMart

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[Into the Magmart]

Harnel, of all people, is here. He's currently got a greatsword strapped to his back, though in its sheathe it's impossible to tell whether it's Conflict or another blade. He's wearing a winter coat to ward off the cold of the overcast day, as always modified so that his wings aren't squished under his coat. of course, given that he has wings, special tailoring had to be taken into account. And in the case of an outfit that's supposed to keep him warm, that means there's large attachments that sit over-top of his wings.

They probably look rather hilarious.

At the moment, he's just shopping around, wondering what a good gift for Cessie might be. He really should have done his thanksmas shopping sooner. For now, he just wanders into this branch of Magmart, browsing.

Oh look, it's Magtok! It's not often he shows himself around this particular MagMart. Not since the openings of both the Mallside and Riverside branches. It still does pretty well for itself, of course, but just isn't as much of a priority these days as it used to be, is it?

"Do you need any help, Harnel Somethingorother...Mr. Mithar, is it? Or is that just your house's name? Or your wife and your house? Shoot, what was I..."

Help, Magtok. You were asking him if he needed any help with his shopping.

"Oh, right. Thanksmas shopping, I take it. The Magbots somehow all managed to work enough overtime and align their schedules just right so they'd all go on break at the same time today, for an entire hour. Lousy bastards...with that in mind, anything I can do to help?"

The Sitar's Strings

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The Sitar's Strings

"That's very kind of you," a cultured voice sounds from behind Amil, as Starling takes note of her. He seems to have acquired a new top hat to replace the one that Clarissa stole. Not that he wants that one back anyway. Because, eww, Clarissa germs. "I do hope Dalton wasn't antagonizing you. He's a bit trying, but he is one of our regulars, so we put up with him."

James Dalton rolls his eyes as he takes his seat, studiously ignoring the two as he enjoys his beverage, doing his best Lazy College Senior impersonation as he drinks alone. Minus the burns on the arson-obsessed supremacist's face, it's a fairly uncanny resemblance.

Ice Rink

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"Needs is learning. I don't know whether any other Magtok clones can skate," Tracey says.

"They can't."

Well that answers that, I guess.

"Doesn't Remnant cover the correction of such birth defects, though? One would think it would."

Ugh, you simpleton. She meant two left feet figuratively, Needs!

Outside the Spooky Library

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[Outside the Spooky Philip Library Place]

Who's conveniently nearby when Magtok heroically cowers in the middle of the group?
Pinkie Pie of course!
She seems quite happy to be his buffer against the insanity. Insanity always beats out other insanity, the narrative text says.
"Aw, it'll be okay Maggy. I gave 'em all cookies already! Want one?"
A spare cookie is proffered.

And then that Hastur thing happens.

There's a fairly unified mass of utterly horrified looks that seems to buy it about enough time to get its schpeel off before Luna and Applejack begin to run to Fluttershy's rescue.

Not that she really seems to have needed it all that much, really, as she mostly just glares back into the avatar's icky little face, while it exists there.

Upon being released, she shakes herself off as if removing a coat of particularly unpleasant dust.
Applejack swiftly takes up position between her and Hastur as it finishes its...whatever it's babbling about, casting her a concerned look.
"Ya'lright Fluttershy?"
"I'm fine."

A pair of pursed lips dissuage further questioning from the farm-pony, just in time for the avatar to leave.

And for Luna to begin sliding back into leader mode, swiftly cutting off a few still-stunned/horrified remarks from the others.
"We have no time for a manual search then. Twilight Sparkle death is not an improvement over her success."
A rather pointed look at Mr. Drippy over there.

"Magtok, I assume there's been no..."
What? What exactly are they looking for, other than a purple pony with a case of the Bad Ideas?
"...erm, rainbows or purple domes or...anything Twilightish?"
Luna seems so eloquent right now.
Also grumpily embarrassed.

[Vaguely Near Common Street]

She adjusts her coat a little, staring at the ground with the faintest of frustrations.
"I know I sensed something."
Power. We must finish the glyphs Twilight, our time is limited.
After a few paces, she leans down and stares into the street's storm drain.
"With a little extra power, I could probably place them all at once..."

"Let me just double-check."

Magtok stop to check MagSat for any of those things Luna mentioned, even if Sigil seems to have come up with something better. That magic trick could be blocked by Purple's own magic, after all.

"And no thanks, Pinkie."

This is definitely not the time for cookies!

[Halae]

[Magmart]

Harnel grins when he hears Magtok's explanation, "Didn't realize I'd be treated to speaking with the manager today! There are a few things I could use some help finding, yeah. I need gifts for my wife, my twin children, and Sakura and Adir, a pair of fey. They're good friends. How's your thanksmas going so far?"

[Rebonack]

[Sitar's Strings]

To be brutally honest Amil wasn't expecting anyone to respond aside from perhaps some hard glares after the initial reception she had gotten. Suffice to say she's glad that someone polite is finally addressing her.

Her countenance brightens a bit as some hope creeps into her voice again.

"I was told in no uncertain terms that I wasn't allowed inside. Which I expected from what I had heard. Even if the sign has been painted over," Amil comments conversationally. "But... maybe you could help me? I'm not looking for a meal. I'm looking for someone who might know how to remove a curse. I was human when I first arrived in the Nexus, but it saw fit to bestow its strangeness on me. And it would be wonderful to be myself again. I thought... maybe since humanity is valued so much here someone might have knowledge of restoring it?"

She regards Starling with a pleading look. Please please please have a lead. Anything that could point her in the right direction.

[Earl of Purple]

Sitar's Strings

'Ekkehard Ohtheresson', better known amongst certain circles as the glabrezu Blagzrukel, arrives. Far as I know, none present know of his true nature nor his demonic name. He's quite a plain young man in his early twenties, with brown hair and eyes. He's also wearing a leather jacket and a pair of loose jeans.

I don't know if Starling knows he has some magical ability, including the granting of wishes, as he's trying to keep his nature secret and bartering for souls is a bit obvious.

[UncleWolf]

Milson Street

"Miss, I can help him, or I can set him down here and let you finish the rest. " Vinny says gruffly, somewhat annoyed. "And if I set him down, it ain't gonna be gentle loik. Not with that leg. Youse wanted our help, so decide."

[blackouttwo]

Warwick Works


"Sure, Tiger. What did you have in mind?" Willow answers, already starting to clean up her workbench. That was one thing she always did. Unless the building was on fire (which seemed to happen with more frequency when Arthur was at work), she tidied up everything on her work bench before she left, leaving everything immaculate. Her mother, siblings, and college roommate would have all been been stunned into disbelief if they knew, because that certainly wasn't how Willow kept her bedroom at home or her room at college. In the words of her roommate, her dorm room looked "Like a fashion magazine threw up in here".

Of course Willow's never taken Arthur to either her room at her parent's place or her dorm room. The stress of making the place presentable would be too much.

The tail wrapped around her leg tightens slightly, gentle but certainly making its presence known. "Oh, you know. Table for two, I was thinking Aubergine Elmhouse." Arthur hugs Willow a little closer from behind as she cleans. "Maybe a little something special later, if you're up for it." That could be taken so many ways.

[Shadowcaller]

Milson Street

Elaine crouches to address Hekta. "I know you're scared, little witch. That party was awful. But even with magic, someone will need to set that bone first, and my friend knows how to do that. It hurts a lot when it happens, but he'll feel better when it's done. Can we take him to his room and set his leg before we go?"

Milson Street

"I'm not scared!" Hekta loudly insists, definite anger creeping into her voice now. Why wouldn't these idiots understand?!
She turns to point at Vinny, "And you don't touch him!" A rather hard feat considering he's holding Elias. "I'm going to get some real help!" The little demon is actually starting to sound hurt, but she didn't want to cry again, least of all in front of these two morons.