[Nexus] Home 16 - Home is Where the Phylactery is

[Gullara]

Summit Springs

"Yeah. Least there's still the two of us to keep ourselves company. She's right though, you should get some rest. Want someone to keep you warm?" Misha may not be entirely done with the close and intimate contact thing just yet. If she can't have them both, then just Mimi will be fine for now.

[Summit Springs]

"Oh yeah, sure. I'm probably just gonna sleep soon, though." She yawns to emphasis her point. "Come on, let's go." The pixie starts to lead the way to her room.

[Terumitsu]

[Summit Springs - While The Muse Is Away]

Once Mimi (and quite possibly Misha as well) was back in her home, she might notice that there was something a bit different just inside the door. Rather, there would be a large package, comparatively at least, somewhat inexpertly wrapped and tied up with a large red bow that must have been a bother to tie up even considering the usage of tools made for fine manipulations. Some things just weren't a replacement for having fingers, after all.

Spoiler: Mimi's Gift

Show

Tucked inside would be a recording device resting atop a grey and blue bodysuit of a somewhat heavy mesh material under which was head-covering mask with goggles that seemed to be for more than just eye protection. Beneath all of that was a flat table sort of thing with a blue light up in the corner where it said 'power.' Pressing the 'play' button on the recorder would play back a cheerily toned message although slightly tinny given that it was the only thing not custom made for the pixie.

"Hello there, Mimi!" Riss would say across time. "I'm sure you're wondering just what I was thinking, dumping all of this stuff into your house and what it's all for. I know you spend a lot of time out hunting but, I'll admit, I'm always a bit worried when you come home beaten half to death. I'm hardly going to ask you to stop nor do I think I'd do anything but make you angry if I did but I do think I can maybe do something to get some peace of mind while you're out.

"What I've made for you isn't quite armor although it will help a little bit in that area. Instead, it's there to keep your wounds closed and your bones in all the right places... Well, that's half of it, at least. The other half is a set of programs for hunting... Things that normally wouldn't be seen in this area. You'll need to have the mask on for this part so you can see them but I promise you that each one will be a challenge..." The muse's voice tittered a little bit at this but didn't reveal anything else. "Other than that, it shouldn't get in your way. You can camouflage it with whatever you want and I think the only other changes you'll notice are that your scent will be masked a bit and it'll help keep you at a comfortable temperature. Oh! And before I forget to say, just make sure to put the suit and mask on the charging bench there when you go to sleep. Try them on! I think you'll really like them." And with that, the recording ended.

As for putting on the suit, it would slip on quite easily, especially considering that it was also form-hugging enough to be nearly a second skin, with just the perfect amount of space for the pixie's wings in the back. There were only a pair of fasteners over the shoulders that broke the illusion that Mimi really was that blue and grey mix of colors rather than simply wearing something. Putting on the mask, though, would result in a momentary tingling sensation like that of hairs pricking up from a buildup of static electricity before the muse's voice would sound near her ear. "Don't be alarmed. It's just the suit priming itself to give you sensory feedback when you go out hunting the things I programmed in. I can hardly expect you to take the hunt seriously if it doesn't feel real." came the chuckling explanation. "More than that, though... It lets me do this." Just as Riss spoke, the suit would tighten a little bit while the tiny electrodes that lined it would stimulate a few thousand nerve endings to result in a sensation of being gently hugged while the mask would do much the same to give the feeling of a light kiss on the cheek while the scent of cinnamon and chai briefly seemed to hang in the air. "I'll be with you again soon. Hunt well." came the quiet whisper before the various beasts that Mimi could choose to virtually hunt appeared in miniature through the goggles with an explanation on the finer details of how to operate that function.

In the days that followed, each time that the pixie would decide to don the suit and mask, there would always be that gentle hug and kiss although the latter wasn't always on the same cheek. And always it was accompanied with the muse's scent and some variant of the same words she had said that first time... At least until the tenth day where the message seemed to be absent altogether and it skipped right to the program. This time, it wouldn't be until the pixie had finished off whatever hunt she had chosen that the usual greeting would return. And this time, the message was: "I'll be with you again tonight. Come home safe..."

But until that happened, Mimi might have her hands full hunting the stranger and more elusive monsters that could be found in the Nexus... At least that was what it was hoped to feel like. Either way, things like pigmy manticores or drakelings, while not quite the size of their other monstrous kin, were likely to be plenty of a challenge for a single huntress.

Misha, on the other hand, would have to make her way back to her pool in order to claim what was left for her. Archimedes, citing the need to pick up specialty food for Imp, would gladly play escort for this particular trip seeing how the distance on foot was notably less easy to traverse than simply using the aircar. Of course, once she was there, the nereid would probably find it incredibly easy to locate what looked like a cross between a small projector and an unmanned submarine. The flashing green lights probably didn't hurt, though.

Spoiler: Misha's Gift

Show

A prominent play button glowed softly on top of the small submersible. Pressing it would result in it suddenly holding in place and turning to find the smoothest nearby wall before the projector bloomed to life. It was actually a highly sophisticated setup that managed to display on the selected surface in such a way as to give the illusion the it was flat and to keep the background colors from breaking up the image that was shown in real time. Of course, what might be the real shock would be that the sounds it produced had been delicately altered so as to sound the same as if one weren't under water.

The image and sounds were of a certain smiling muse sitting at a desk with the machine she was currently 'asleep' inside behind her. "Hey there, Vitae. I'm hoping you found this sooner rather than later. To be honest, what I've left for you didn't start specifically for this project that I've devoted so many hours and days to. As you'll see, it was back when we used to be in my employer's Cave that I had this idea where it might be for the best if I had some kind of record in case I had to be away for a little while. Back then, I was only guessing at what things those would be but I'm glad I started when I did so that I could build up so much content. Looking back over it all... I can't really call out anything that is all that important on it's own because a lot of it is really just me talking about nothing but altogether I think it's something you might enjoy. Of course at least two thirds of it all is me singing for you so you can skip the talking parts if they get boring." Riss said with a sheepish giggle while a free finger twirled a lock of hair. "You can pause at any time by hitting the play button again and you can backtrack or skip ahead with the buttons on either side in case you want to do that too. Now then, I've got to go upstairs now to see if I can drag you and Mimi into the springs for long enough for me to hide your gifts. I'll see you in two weeks, my love." Riss said, winking and blowing a kiss before the frame and sound faded to black.

It would come back up again to show her old lab in the Cave with her wearing an almost embarrassed sort of grin as she sat on a stool near the middle of the room. "Um.. Hello Misha. I.. Thought that I might start a kind of time-capsule diary thing in case I.. Well, I can't say I can guess what I'm gonna end up using this for although the you that this is playing for will probably know. Today was.. Good, I guess? I'll admit, I'm still getting used to the new horns and tail but I'm not sorry about them even though I made the decision about them while I was... probably more drunk than I had any right to be. I'm glad I decided to give Mimi a chance although I'm gonna admit you were a pretty big help in that decision... The rabbit was good, although I said that already. I'd like to try something like that again sometime... Um.. Today I'm mostly doing research but maybe in the future I'll talk about what you might see me making in the background or something. Anyway, I want to give you more than just a silly re-cap of the day so I think I'll end this entry with a song you probably know well by now.. It's really a weird kind of lullaby although that probably doesn't make sense because I haven't yet translated it to you. Maybe the you that I'm talking to would know, though. Maybe I've told you by then. Remind me about it sometime.. It's something best talked about in person, I think. Or maybe I'm just saying that so I have another excuse to spend time in your arms." Riss said, laughing a little before taking a deep breath and singing that slow, sweetly somber song that Misha should know well. Once she finished, she gave a small wave and the scene faded like before.

What followed were several more entries that were nothing more than more songs, some of them the nereid might remember from their first trip to her pool although the majority of them would likely be new. Occasionally, Riss would talk about this or that project in as clear terms she could use while other times she would sneak in short science lessons while she worked on something usually related to the properties she spoke about. Then one entry had her sitting with a bit of an unsettled expression as if she were unsure of where to start. "So.. Um.. I've probably just worried you and Mimi right now, leaving the room like that. It's not... I didn't hate any of it but... Well.. It wasn't.. I guess I should say that it's like... Misha, I'm not saying that I can't love two people at once but I feel very.. Caught in the middle, you could say? It's like I have to be careful or else I'll accidentally make one of you feel left out or unloved or... I don't know what else but it scares me and I just sort of.. Stress out over all of these 'what if' questions and have a hard time focusing on the two people that deserve my attention the most. I worry because you and Mimi are two almost completely different people with completely different wants and desires and I'm sitting here trying to be two things at once when I probably shouldn't be but..." Riss sighed and rested her head in her hands, sniffling slightly as she bit back the slight waver in her voice.

"I.. Really have no experience in any of this. I'm just trying to keep my head on straight and doing what feels like it makes sense or at least feels right to do but... I don't know. I'll probably figure something out. Really that's part of why I wish there were more of me. I.. I've never made it any secret that I'm no good with people or crowds. What I really want is just to be able to take either of you aside and be without any worries or stress about if I'm accidentally neglecting the other or feeling like I'm not doing all that you deserve from me so that I can just... Really, truly enjoy the time I spend with you. Because I want to be able to hold either of you in my arms and give you my full attention. Not think about the things I need to research or what engineering problem I've most recently run into or any of that while we're off... I don't know... At your pool, or visiting somewhere new, or-" Riss suddenly chuckled as her expression cleared a bit from before and seemed to tell of a silly thought that had come into her head. "Or maybe being completely indecent and unprofessional on one of Magtok's coffee tables while he's away although I doubt that'll ever happen." She held the smile for a bit more before she turned her gaze directly forward and spoke with a calm but firm voice. "What I'm trying to say is, I want to be able to let you know that, for all of those moments that I'm with you, doing whatever we might be doing, that you are my whole world. That's what I want you to feel and why I get so mixed up trying to split my attentions like just half an hour ago."

Letting out a long sigh, Riss stared for a few moments at the ground. She appeared to be quite relieved although also a bit tired at the same time. "That... Felt good. I wasn't lying to say that I had stuff to do but I needed to sort my thoughts out like this. I don't know when I'll actually work up the courage to actually say any of this to you or Mimi as I'm still pretty sure that I'm capable of some really stupid decisions despite what it might seem, but.. Well... Hopefully by the time you see this, I've not been so stupid as to let this get in the way or hurt the three of us. I won't lie to you here. I'm scared. This is all new to me and it's been going so well that I sometimes honestly fear that this is all some kind of dying dream of a brain slowly shutting down due to... No. If I go there I'll just be a useless wreck for the rest of the day. What matters is that I've got this amazing chance that I still can't fully comprehend and I've got to make sure that I'm not so scared of things going wrong that I miss out on it completely..." Another long sigh and the Muse cast her eyes down at the workbench in front of her for a long few minutes. "So that's all of that... I guess I could try telling you a few jokes that I read the other day during break. I think you'd like them, at least. I'd sing but my throat feels a bit tight still." she said with a nervous laugh before launching into a dozen rather lewd jokes before ending the entry.

That entry seemed to mark a bit of a change in the content that Riss recorded for the future. There were still plenty of songs and most of them weren't ones she had sung before although there was the occasional cover of some tune she had found and rather liked but now she seemed to have a more definite idea of just what she wanted to say. There was an air of confidence that had been lacking from before. Now it was things like why mint chocolate chip ice cream was the best aside from sorbet or gelato or why saffron was definitively one of the best scents or that she very occasionally wished she had a reason to go out in something other than her usual, rather boring outfit as she felt that her tail would look good with a few yellow ribbons tied to it. It was hardly anything great or serious and she made note of that in one of her later entries, this time in where Misha might recognize as the main room of their new home just after it had been carved out but before anything else had been done. "I haven't really gone over anything as serious as I did way back, have I? I'm going to admit.. I've not been as good at trying to fix... I guess fix me to keep from worrying but I want to think I've gotten better. Some days are harder than others but we're all still together so that has to count for something, doesn't it? Anyway, it isn't like I'm just trying to be vacuous or anything but... Well, I've just been noting that there are all these small, silly things that don't seem like they're important and they probably aren't in the grand scheme of things but it isn't like that means they're irrelevant. It's just.. Ever since then, I had this idea that, in a way, you are my future confidant. I know that I try to talk about the serious things as they come up but I feel sometimes I just might need to take a step back and put it all together and just send it off like I did... But at the same time, I want you to see all sides of me too. I want to see how your and Mimi's influence has kept me both sane and helped me start putting myself slowly back together. I know I seem fine around you both or at least I think I do but I'm not going to lie to myself and say that means I'm fine. I.. Well, I think you've noticed that I don't ever talk about my family or much about my past. I want to keep that buried, honestly, though I know one day I'll eventually have told you everything. What I'm learning is.. Well, what I'm getting is a chance to fill in all the gaping holes in my psychological foundation. I'm hardly doing an expert job at that and I don't ever expect to be without problems even with my projected lifespan but I'm getting to feel what it's like to have overwhelmingly positive relationships with someone... Or maybe some'two?' I don't think I'll ever like people in general, at least as a concept, but I'm learning that.. Well, maybe I can work on getting to know a few individuals at least. It's not going to sound like much when I talk about those small things but hopefully it's at least nice to listen to when I sing. It's just.. I guess my way of putting all the little bits and pieces together. It's me realizing all the little things that I told myself to ignore or just accept as out of my reach just to survive only made things worse for me in the end... That I had pretty much just turned myself into a nonperson and now I'm having to catch up on all those years that I missed out on because of that. It's... It's hard, some days, but I'm in a better place now than I would have ever wished for." Riss said, smiling like the sun. "And that's it for this entry. Sorry beautiful, I'd normally song for you, I know, but right now, the current me is going to grab the current you to ask for your opinion on a few things to do with what exactly we should do with the springs and I'm going to be unrepentantly ogling you the whole while.... Though I'm pretty sure you must think that's a pastime of mine by now... You'd probably be right about that too." the muse said, stifling her mirth as the entry ended.

There were yet more entries and more songs. Each one was like a brief snapshot of the construction of their new home although the latter ones seemed to be exclusively focused on the steadily growing machine in her lab. There were salacious jokes and occasionally stories she had picked up. Occasionally there was the humorous anecdote and oftentimes it was just simple natter over how construction was going and things she wanted to do in the future. She wanted to go see a beach, just the two of them. She wanted to get better at cooking as she had yet to really get the feel for how to 'deviate' from the standard recipes and really get creative. She was on the lookout for opportunities where she might be able to get to know someone else in a controlled sort of environment so that she at least would have a social contact if not maybe a chance at making a potential friend. She didn't need to mention it outright but she was finally putting some serious thought into wanting to plan for the future rather than restricting her focus to the present just so she wouldn't have the chance to dwell on the past.

Finally, the machine was complete in the background and Riss wore a nervous sort of smile. "Well, it's today. If you've been listening all the way through and haven't skipped anything or backed up to hear it again, you'll have listened to about 210 hours of me talking about.... Well, you've heard it all all now, I assume, so I don't need to say it again but for me its hardly felt more than twenty minutes" Riss said with a soft chuckle. "I'm a little nervous. I don't really expect anything to go wrong but.. Well.. I guess even a brain made of metal isn't immune to these things." she said with another shakey laugh. "Tonight, I only have one song for you. It's a weird sort of lullaby but... It's kinda fitting in this case, I think. It's an old one that I'm pretty side you know so no point delaying, right?" And with that, Riss began to softly sing that slow, sweetly somber song she knew by heart.

Once she finished, she gave a gentle smile. "I'll see you tonight, beloved Vitae." she said, blowing a kiss across time and space at Misha. "And no, not tonight by whatever odd time perspective ten days from this recording, I really mean tonight if everything has gone well. Surprise, I've not been away for a whole two weeks, I guess!" she said with a suppressed giggle. "I'll see you when you get here. Until then, my beloved Misha." and with that, the projection finally stopped as did the sound.

Of course, Misha needn't be still for that entire time as the submersible was actually shockingly light and could be carried with her if she wanted to leave her pool while still listening. It was well designed enough to keep playing as normal once it was above the surface of the water as well although that all depended on Misha's choice of action.

[Lord Magtok]

Caelynn's Apartment

Hey Magtok, whatcha doing?

"Breaking into Caelynn's apartment, obviously."

Why are you breaking into her apartme-

"Because pure evil is inside of her uterus. If I don't stop her now, an apocalypse might-"

No, I mean, why are you breaking into her apartment, with a hammer?

"Do I look like a master thief with a lockpick and years of ninja training to you? Some sort of stealthy saboteur who skulks in the shadows and steals gems from museums at midnight?"

Well...no, but-

"That's why I'm smashing the doorknob off with a hammer."

...Well alright then, I guess. Magtok attempts to break in, look for Caelynn, and then wait on her couch if she's not there.

[Arkhosia]

Caelynn's Apartment

Hey Magtok, whatcha doing?

"Breaking into Caelynn's apartment, obviously."

Why are you breaking into her apartme-

"Because pure evil is inside of her uterus. If I don't stop her now, an apocalypse might-"

No, I mean, why are you breaking into her apartment, with a hammer?

"Do I look like a master thief with a lockpick and years of ninja training to you? Some sort of stealthy saboteur who skulks in the shadows and steals gems from museums at midnight?"

Well...no, but-

"That's why I'm smashing the doorknob off with a hammer."

...Well alright then, I guess. Magtok attempts to break in, look for Caelynn, and then wait on her couch if she's not there.

He succeeds!
Not terribly secure for an apartment...
Caelynn's not here. Actually, a lot of stuff is not here. The posters, clothes, personal stuff... a window with an Ark-shaped hole is here though.
Seems like A) she left
And B) Ark visits her via window

[Lord Magtok]

Caelynn's Apartment

Shoot. Should've known she'd flee. She could be anywhere from HALO to GLoG to the second floor of Trog's by now.It'd take forever to locate her, unless...

"Hello, Caelynn?" Magtok calls her up on a phone. A phone equipped with a funky-looking call-tracing device. If he can just keep her from hanging up for a few moments, he should have all the information he'll need.

[Arkhosia]

Caelynn's Apartment

Shoot. Should've known she'd flee. She could be anywhere from HALO to GLoG to the second floor of Trog's by now.It'd take forever to locate her, unless...

"Hello, Caelynn?" Magtok calls her up on a phone. A phone equipped with a funky-looking call-tracing device. If he can just keep her from hanging up for a few moments, he should have all the information he'll need.

No answer.
However, tracking shows she's at Trog's.

[Lord Magtok]

Caelynn's Apartment

Trog's. Not a chance in the world he can keep this quiet, civil, and private, then. Magtok sighs, puts down the phone, and leaves the hammer behind on the floor as he heads out the door. If he's lucky, someone will assume it was just some careless, sloppy burglar, who fled when the place turned up empty.

[Recaiden]

Coconut Bee Bunker

"It's what the person who was sat here before arranged them, and I thought that was what you asked. Did I do it wrong?" If all three of them say the exact same words because Alice is now the unaware central pillar of a rudimentary hive mind, she will be incredibly creeped out.

"It's how I arranged them before. Did I do it wrong?"
"It's how they were arranged before. Isn't that what you said?"

Derek makes some notes "It's not wrong. Just interesting that you all understood it differently." Which isn't what they did at all, it's just that the hive-mind isn't coordinated enough for exact words.
"If you would all follow me outside..." They have another experiment ready.

[Murkus]

((I apologize profusely for the wait Baron. I hope you're not losing interest. v.v))

Maxwell's Office

"And maybe I will," Shark says, though he honestly wouldn't have any idea where to begin. Max mentions swimming downwards, and he looks a little perplexed, but follows nonetheless. "What, you have a sub or something?"

"Oh, better. Are you willing to trust me a little, Mister Shark?" Max asks, smiling and descending further into the tide.

[The Bushranger]

Fettina's Place

Sebastian, meanwhile, has the camera all set up and is trying to feign interest in the art. Any other day, he'd probably be fascinated by the chance to study the culture of an entirely different world, only...

Well, other days so rarely involve two beautiful women wearing outfits like that. Struck dumb is a good term; Most of Sebastian's remaining thoughts are concentrated on keeping his jaw from dropping through the floor like a Tex Avery cartoon.

"... You two look absolutely stunning."

Tina stalks out in front of the camera and stretches her arms, straining the tiny uniform. If Shrike's still beside her, she'll reach out and take the Exalt by the upper waist, pulling her close, their bodies maybe six inches apart. Her eyes drift from Shrike back to their photographer, hungry and buzzed.

"So how'd you want us, Sebastian? Together? One at a time?" She asks, voice honeyed with sensuality. I think she's still talking about photos. Gods, Tina, you're awful.

Shrike grins, cocking her hips just so and arching her back just so. Giggling, she leans against Fettina, her arm sliding around her lower waist, winking at the neon girl before looking back to Sebastien.

"Together would make for a better...composition, wouldn't you think?" she asks, winking.

[Devixer]

Maxwell's Office

"Yeah, sure," Honestly, Shark was less trusting of Max, and more trusting of his own ability to escape in case things get bad. He follows Max into the tide.

[Murkus]

[Maxwell's Office]

Max swims out into the clear blue ocean. A hundred feet out, he dives, down and down, long legs kicking through the water gently. From nowhere, a stony cavern entrance appears, at the very bottom.

Should Shark try to swim back up for air, Max will try to seize his arm and smile. He opens his mouth a little as if to illustrate. No bubbles escape.

[Gullara]

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