Nobilis: A Game of Powers

[Maerok]

"Well then, Kyle Hume, though I do not believe I asked for its... your... name. I conduct these meetings to survey the populace. The staff tells me exactly what I want to hear. So I resorted to this random selection." She stands up and sweeps her hand across the room.

It wasn't easy to notice at first, but the immense office was populated by, aside from the desk, the chair, and the fountain, with golden statues twisted into varying poses to serve as a dreadful living room set. "You can see that there have been many such occasions. And the results have been interesting."

[Krrth]

Mike breathes a sigh of relief as Limits leaves. He takes another swig from his coffee, and then notices Knowledge sitting across from him.

"Ah... Knowledge. Brilliant. Wonderful. Hi. Hi. What are you doing here? And I don't want any long rambling personal history about how you came to be a Noble, I've heard enough of them to last me five of your life times. What are you doing here here, in Café Freyja here, in my nice, safe, away from all the crap that is this Chancel, Café Freyja?
And please, please, keep your voice down. One newbie is enough. I don't want that walking shambles that is Tyranny to notice we're here."

He drains the last of his coffee then whistles to Amy for a refill, instantly regretting this very loud method of grabbing everybody's attention and immediately hunches down, trying his best to hide.

Tyranny, shambles? Why do you call him that? As for why I'm here....coffee. I wanted coffee, and I've learned that this place has the best coffee around. Bad day, I take it?

[Jibar]

"Yeah. Yeah. Bad day. Bad day ever since Tyranny got the great Excrucian Wipe. Since then ya know what the Imperator has done? Jack. Absolutely nothing. He made Tyranny over there and placed all his hopes on one newbie managing to bring back a concept. Heh. Heh heh. Didn't work before with Shumabalatitude. Look at you, he made you too, and I haven't seen him for months. Not like I want to..."
Finishing off another, he gets out his cigarette packet, thinks for a moment and offers one to Knowledge.

[Krrth]

Shumbawhatatude? Never heard of it. As for Tyranny...give 'em a chance. I mean, both of us are kinda new at this.
*Looks a cigarette*No thanks, I'm allergic to that stuff.

[Jibar]

"Fair enough. Pansy." Mike lights up. And stares at Knowledge for a bit.
"Ya know... you got it real lucky Newbie Twobee. Far as I know, Knowledge just kicked it. No Grand Master Excrucian Wipe for him. Bastard just died. Tyranny, however, heh... poor ol' Tyranny over there has got his work cut out for him. In this day and age outside of our merry old Chancel, Tyranny is what one might call a faux pas. Excrucian was clever this time. Very clever."
He puffs silently for a bit, deep in thought.
"I don't know what he's going to do. Poor dumb Newbie... I don't like you guys okay? Really. This bloody Chancel and this bloody Imperator and this whole bloody slice of existence... it's a mess. But I'm all for stopping the Excrucians. All for it. But this time they got us beat. They killed a concept that people want rid of. Ya know? Sometimes they go for stuff like Happiness or Love, or even memorable parts of history or... whatever. But this time they got rid of something that most mortals didn't even want. Tyranny over there has got to bring it back, without every thing with an opinion hating him. Tricky. Very tricky.
Now you, on the other hand. You've got it easy. Knowledge is something those daft humans have been working on for centuries. Millenia even. Tens of thousands of millions years. I remember when it began. And unless an Excrucian does something pretty damn drastic, you ain't got any problems. Knowledge is... huge. Absolutely huge. Lord Entropy himself, the daft git, would step in and take control if Knowledge was put in danger. Tyranny ain't got that pleasure. So yeah. Yeah. Tyranny is a shambles, and you're just a golden boy who don't appreciate what he got."
Mike smokes away, staring silently into the embers of the stagnant fireplace.

[Krrth]

Hmm, that's rough for him. Maybe we're looking at it the wrong way, though. A tyrant didn't used to be bad. Perhaps he can go back tp that? As for the previous Knowledge, I don't know what happened to him either. As for me....I didn't even know what I was agreeing to. For once, guess I lucked out. Seems to be a family trait, that. Incidently, how far back can you remember? *sips coffee* This really is good.

[Cannonball]

“A little bit defeatist aren’t you…?” Tyranny stepped over, his great coat flapping behind him a little in the gentle circulation of the environmental unit. He didn’t sit – content to merely stand at the table with his hands casually in his pockets. “But maybe that’s what Memory is; old and trapped in the past. Not that I blame you – we all need to escape there sometimes. Just can’t live there all the time. You fester~”

He lowered himself to the table and looked Memory in the eye: “I know I’m in a state, Mike but I’m here. Tyranny got a hole punched through it, I feel that, but it still exists and I know how to bring it back. Though…I might need your help there. Strange as it sounds asking a diehard anarchist like yourself – really, you probably won’t do anything to assist me on principle.”

He stood up again and shrugged a little with his hands.

“But you’re maybe one of the most important powers here, Mike – more so than even Knowledge and you know that. Without you, people are little more than hairy goldfish with a three second attention span. So I’d like you to reach into that very long memory of yours and tell me to my face: do people hate Tyranny or do they, in more ways than one, wish there was someone, at least a nice someone, telling them what to do and making their lives easy?”

[Jibar]

Mike looks him dead in the eye, flicking the crumbling cigarette away.
"Ooo, lookit the little eavesdropper. Got quite a mouth strapped to that domain, ain't ya? I can understand why people listen to ya now. One of those voices that demands attention. Not positive or negative attention mark you, but attention none the less. You demand people hear you, while you pass out commands like you're bloody Lord Entropy.
Hear me Tyranny. Hear me well. If I help you, it's because the Imperator tells me to. I have a debt to repay. Nothing more. Nothing less. Frankly, I'd wish you and your kind, the royal pains in the arses who seem to have this nutty idea that they're better than people, would all dissappear. But not by an Excrucian. No. Too easy. I want you to dissappear by your own hand, so that people can remember what you were and can be glad that you're gone.
Heh. You n' Newbie Twobie over there would make quite the team with your combined ignorance. People have never liked tyranny. They've never liked people telling them what to do. Why do you think there have been so many rebellions? And I know how many there have been. I know because I remember every individual one. And there have been far more people screaming for freedom than begging for a ruler."He stands up and makes for the door.
"Heh. At least you recognise the power of Memories. I'll be lucky if the Imperator ever recognises my talents, or even any of the other Nobles. Later Newbo Uno and Newbie Twobie. Don't screw your domains over too much while I'm gone, eh?"
Mike exits, lighting another cigarette, and once again loathe to enter his only safe haven, decides to simply wander the streets of Ataraxia. Maybe when he's done powers will have learnt where they are not appreciated.

[Krrth]

*Looks over*Oh, jeese Chaos. I didn't even see you there with the drama going on and all. So what do you think about all of this?

[puppyavenger]

I want his, pointing at TyrannyEstate back up and running ASAP, so that we can get a little freedom. should be simple enough, martial law, fanatical theocracies, insurgents, coups. All it takes is some unrest to cause drastic measures to be taken. he says, ignoring the obvious fear the other patrons were showing to him.

[Cannonball]

Roy smirked as he watched the Power of Memories walk away. He wasn’t totally unreachable…just exceptionally self-centred and perhaps a little too arrogant for his own good. Enough, at least, to only spit half of the story in his face: after all, what happened after every rebellion? After every ruler was dispossessed? Another took their place. Tyranny was control and without it there was anarchy. If people weren’t kept together they regressed so shamefully into barbarism.

Was there, though, a hint of regret in Mike’s voice? It occurred to Tyranny that Memories must be so impossibly old in a world that just kept repeating around and around: a glass of blood and sorrow for every drop of happiness. It seemed that with great power did come great responsibility. And his was the weight of humanity pressed upon his shoulders.

How horrible…though perhaps it’s his own fault. If people were a little more organised there’d be less nastiness to go around after all~

Roy steepled his hands underneath his chin and took a deep breath: “Oh well, at least that’s him gone. It isn’t polite to talk about people behind their backs after all – especially if they’re in earshot. Anyway, Chaos, to answer your questions – I’m here at the moment because…well, because Abis decided to show me some things. I can’t say I’m particularly grateful but he (or is that she/it?) is definitely worth listening too. My plans so far though are a secret though my life would be much easier with Mike onboard…and you actually, if you’re interested in restoring the Estate of Tyranny into something other than the mangled piece of Swiss cheese it is at the moment.”

“Knowledge too of course~” Roy glanced over at David and smiled pleasantly. “Really, I could try and go it alone but with all of you it would be so much easier. Especially as I’m rather confined to Ataraxia at the moment. Even Limits and Wealth would be worth more than I can imagine, but I’m not sure how interested they’d be as of yet.”

[Krrth]

Why start so big? If you really want Chaos, do little things at first. You know, crash a database here, turn the lights in an intersection green in both directions there....

[JMobius]

Maerok

Kyle, not being the brightest one, walks over to one of the statues in amazement and studies its detail's up close, blissfully unaware of the implications. Clearly amazed, he looks back at the Lady.

"Forgive me, lady. I'm not quite sure what you want to know. I work, my belly is fed when I need it, and so I'm just like everyone in else." He pauses thoughtfully. "I'm not married. Never won that one before."

Cannonball

A voice booms loudly across the Cafe. "My, my, isn't it sweet to see all the other little Nobles concerned for their dear brother's health! Perhaps if they spent more time weeping over their own Estates, I wouldn't have had to replace Knowledge as well. Just dying on me like that, pathetic."

A holographic silhouette of Soraire decorated the counter of the cafe, as all the patrons backed away warily, sensing in their hearts the power of this being even though his spirit was many miles away. "Come to the Malebolge. I need to speak with all of you, and I just love the atmosphere Anna keeps there. Do not tarry."

[Krrth]

Ok, looks like my coffee break is over. Um....all things being equal here, I think we are going to have to unite. Dispite being Knowledge, I *REALLY* don't want to find out what happens if we get fired. with that, David grabs his coffee, stands up, and heads out the door trying to figure out the quickest route to the Malebolge

[TakeV]

We find Abis in some deserted area, talking with Delphi. As the Power of Limits, the Duke is nearly limitless in nearly every aspect of creation. Even so, Abis found his unlimited patience nearly at it's end.

"I do not care that the latest fashion is three shades darker than the last one, Delphi, I simply wish for you two change an allotment..."

Why didn't you just say so!?

"...I had said so.

And please changed your appearance. You know I despise that setting..."

Suddenly, Delphi's image morphs into that of Soraire, disdainful expression and all...

"That is not exactly what I meant..."

[JMobius]

TakeV

As Abis consults Delphi to ensure proper punishment for Anthony, the Oracle's avatar's body twists and morphs into the familiar form of Soraire. "Ah, Abis, my oldest servant. Do you know what the problem with not being limited by mortality is? It's that you've disappointed me far too many times. Meet me in the Malebolge where your siblings are gathering. Be prompt."

Jibar

As he walks the street, Mike hears the all too familiar tap-tap-tap of Soraire's cane. Finding him at this point is a trivial matter, as no matter how narrow the corridor the people of Ataraxia give him a wide berth.

"Hello Mike, just the man I was looking for. Do you remember me?" -- he laughs to himself, an old pun that any human would have grown weary of epochs ago -- "I have need of you. Come with me."

[TakeV]

"Of course, Lord Soraire."

[puppyavenger]

Turning to Tyranny I would love to help, if Tyranny gets back into existence, Our Lord and Master can go back to the vale bellum and we get some freedom.
when Soraire arrives, Well, best be off and heads towards the Citadel, followed by Wolf

[Maerok]

"I cannot do that for you Hume. I merely run a casino, not a wedding chapel. Do you know about any opposition posed against me, or this glorious city's management? Otherwise I fear that you are no use to me. And you should be the one that fears that."

The Gilded Lady crosses her arms, looks down her nose at him, and takes a step closer.

[JMobius]

Maerok

This time, the message gets through quite clearly. Kyle yelps and takes a step backward, stumbling into the arms of a statue bearing an equally terrified expression.

"No! No ma'am! I've not seen... well, maybe, yes! I have heard of something, a book, keeps getting passed around on some of the agri decks. It... it warns of obeying you and your fellow Lords, says we have the power and right to rule ourselves. But I've never seen that wretched tome myself, I swear to Soraire, and you know I don't believe a word!" He trembles, whimpering.

[Maerok]

"Now there's a start. You will go now and find this book for me. And when you come back, we can discuss compensation for your troubles. That is, if it really is you who shows up at my doorstep and not something like you."

OOC:I'm going to be gone from tomorrow til the 19th (Tuesday).

[Jibar]

"Oh Thor dammit. Always show up just when I'm getting real pissed off, don't ya?"
Mike practically spits the cigarette at him.
"Bloody Imperator snark."
He follows him to the Malebolge, cursing under his breath the whole way.

[Cannonball]

Ohh...? Roy almost raised an eyebrow to his fellow brother, the Power of Chaos. He hadn’t thought about using that as persuasion…the better they did the less Soraire would need to intervene. Perhaps Mike would listen to that? ‘Help me get on my feet and you don’t have to see our Dread Master as much’. It was an idea worth trying…

Though speak the Devil’s name and He appears. Soriare’s presence could be describe as majestic if it weren’t so overwhelming, so powerful, so…Roy’s skin crawled and a little sweat trickled down the back of his neck. The Power of Tyranny managed a slight bow of respect: “Of course, Lord...”

Straightening up, after Soriare left, Roy took a breath to calm himself down:“Somehow, I don’t think He would fire us. More…work us to an eventually merciful death. Overuse us. I get the feeling we’re only tools to Him in some ways. Oh well~! There’s nothing men can do in the face of Gods. To the Malebolge it is.

The Power of Tyranny swept out of the door and out onto the glittering elevator. Massive in structure, it housed people and factories – the systems and support that ferried people to and fro between the flawless Ataraxia and its perfect child, Ataraxia-Minor that floated in the silent depths of space. For a moment Roy paused, his eyes cast out to the transparent walls. You could see the Earth from here, curving away far below them – the sky blue of the atmosphere gradually fading into the inky, star studded black that stretched out over their heads to the far beyond.

”Delphi…” he commanded mentally, linking with the Oracle-Net. “Prepare a private capsule for descent to the surface. We must make haste to the Malebolge.”

“Okie dokie, Roy. You’re the boss~” came the chipper reply. Talking like that was almost like instant messaging inside your head. Took a while to get used to…

The Baron of Tyranny took the lead and waved for the others to follow, making his way straight to bay six. “I’ve had Delphi prep us a ride down. It should be there for us when we arrive and the only way faster is to strap on some rockets and jump – and I bet we’ll still be chided for being late~!” He shrugged playfully. “In fact, we’d probably be chided for our lateness if we could teleport, but there’s not much we can do about it.”

[Krrth]

*stops when he hears Tyranny mention and ride* Oh good, I can just follow you.
*Thinks a moment*
You know, even if we can't stand each other, I think we should make the effort to work together as a group.I mean, Memory is depressing the hell outa me, and Limits is just creepy.

*Looks right at Tyranny*

On the other hand, I don't have a problem with you. As long as you keep searching for a good solution to our problems, you've got my vote. For whatever that's worth. Assuming you try to make the people living here as happy and safe as you can.

[JMobius]

Spoiler

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OOC sorry for the delay in response!

Jibar

Soraire laughs uproariously as they begin and promptly end the journey to the Malebolge (such is the power of an Imperator over their Chancel). "You shall always be my favorite amongst my Powers, Mike. You always understand!" he comments, chuckling to himself once more and smiling in a manner that remains sincere despite his omnipresent hint of contempt.

Maerok

"Yes, please, ma'am, I'll return right away! I'll find who has it and bring them here too!" Kyle chitters, before running off as quickly as he can manage. But moments after his departure, the familiar sound of Soraire's cane can be heard sounding off the marble floors outside. Anne sighs, sitting by the side of the fountain. Of all his Powers, she knew that Soraire generally hassled her the least; his visits, when he decided to make them, never bode well.

Spoiler

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Sorry if I dragged that scene on a bit Maerok, wasn't quite sure what you were aiming for at first. I do love your character, and I'll try as best I can to do her justice while you're away. Have fun! :)

As he enters the gilded room with the clearly displeased Mike in tow, Soraire smiled as he surveyed the grim furniture of the Malebolge. He muses, "I find it quite fascinating... you can command a human to live as a human, and without oversight they cannot do that with any competence. You command a human to live as a Power, they're no better. But," he pauses, examining up close some of the newer statuary since his latest visit. "If you command a human to live as a statue, this is something that they can do unto eternal perfection. I really should draw from their ranks more," absent mindedly casting a glance at Anne, who nods in silent respect.

"Now where are the others? I said to be prompt!"

[Cannonball]

“Here Lord~”

The doors arced open; white vapour pouring from them, escaping out into the air. Roy von Cale strode into the room, his coat whipping behind him as he halted. With a raise of his arm, he bowed deeply before taking his place among those gathered. For the moment, Tyranny remained quiet, still unsure of the exact limits he should place on his behaviour. Memory could get away with many things in His presence…but could the Baron do the same? For now, and maybe not for a long while, he wouldn’t risk it.

[Jibar]

Mike taps at the statues, examining them carefully.
"Couple new ones Wealth. Couple ugly new ones. Eternal imprisonment and you don't even offer to fix up their nose."
He glances at Tyranny and his entourage as they enter.
"You should move quicker you know. You're pretty powerful when it comes to this place. You should just have to blink and be where you want to be. Got a lot to learn Newbo Uno."
He taps another statue before turning to the Imperator.
"Poor sods. Come on then, what are we here for? Tell us fast so we can do it fast and get back to not being here, fast."

[Krrth]

*Looks into the room* Oh, hey. Looks like this is the right place after all. I got completely turned around in this place.

[JMobius]

Spoiler

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For the sake of moving things along, we'll assume everyone shows up. Abis is the last to arrive.

"Oh, there you are," he finishes, as Knowledge, Tyranny, and Chaos immediately enter the room. Abis follows some seconds later, and he suddenly snaps with cold sarcasm "My dear Abis, what took you so long? When I tell you to be prompt, I do not care for delays."

Expression still fill of anger, he surveys his team of Powers. "Yes, I have a task for you. As much as Ataraxia needs me, there is no denying that the Valle Beldum needs me more. That means it is time to fix your screwups, my dear Powers. I will not have Creation forget Tyranny."

"I am sending all of you to the Earth. All of you," he smiles, petting Tyranny affectionately on the head. "Choose a nation, any of great power and prestige. You will establish there a great mortal tyrant, one who will never be forgotten." He glowers at Abis briefly. "And you will do it with subtlety. Acting too quickly will arouse the suspicions of the Excrucians."

As he says this, he makes his way to Anne's desk, where he now sits down and kicks up his feet. He frowns. "Why are you all still here? Go, find me a man who will be a tyrant of tyrants and bring him to me. Go!"

[Jibar]

Mike gapes for a moment, then collects himself.
"We're doing WHAT!?"
He paces backwards and forwards in clear agitation while he speaks, stopping occasionally to try and light a cigarette, each time becoming distracted.
"We can't do this boss man, we can't do this. The Excrucian did their job too well, we can't undo this. And why should we do this anyway? Ain't the mortal realm better off right now, ya know, without tyranny. You wanna preserve it so badly, we could just have Newbo Uno sit here in the Chancel safe and sound. This isn't going to work, this... it ain't gonna work. Look I... I owe you but you gotta get one thing... aaaaaargghhh!"
He punchs one of the statues in anger.
"This ain't f***ing right!"
Mike seeths, his body heaving. He lights up and stares at the floor, trying his best to calm down.