[Nexus] Inside 31

[KerfuffleMach2]

Hotel

Delta is slightly stunned for a moment. She wasn't expecting that.

Oh...*blinkblink*...well...I guess it'd be nice to have a little sister...

((Night!))

[TechnoScrabble]

Yellow Zone-Dimly Lit Street

In a street where the street lamps have been dim the past few weeks, the strange plants growing out of the purple webbing have been growing much faster, aided by the tall buildings around them. A few alleys and the sides of the buildings around them have been completely overgrown with the alien flora and small fauna, but it seems something bigger is growing here, for deep within the foggy, damp, foul smelling mini-jungle, something is making a deep, undulating, metallic cry...

[Artemis97]

[Market Streets]

"I never noticed anything unusual." The apple merchant says. "This was the best harvest we've ever had."

The brewer waves a fat finger, disagreeing. "There was that one fellow, snooping around. Asking for offerings. I couldn't believe it. Do I look like I run a charity to you?"

"Hey yeah." The apple merchant nods, remembering. "He was that fellow with horse's hooves for feet."

[Chaotic Bob]

[Market Streets]

Horse's hooves? Maybe it's a kind of satyr.
Though...demons and devils come in all forms, and with this kind of effect, it seems more likely.
Or maybe it was just some other kind of odd-looking creature.

Offerings...that's religious. A typical church wouldn't cause something like this, for fear of public backlash, so it is likely some variety of underground cult.
Karaglen dislikes cults. They hurt people too often.

That certainly counts as an abnormal event. Did you notice anything else about him? Maybe any symbols or something?

[billtodamax]

((Sorry about the disappearance.))

Something exciting and fun! Iggy says with a happy grin that shows off his pointed teeth.

I'm not sure he's here for anything in particular. Probably just bored.

I think DLB missed this.

[TechnoScrabble]

The beasts seem normal at first. A small number of large wolfhounds, with wiry, matted, untamed fur ranging in color from a ghostly light gray to a coal streaked jet black. The ends of the fur let out little trails of an ashy grey smoke that seems ethereal at first, but sticks to one's skin and clothes like wet ash when passed through.

It seems at first, that something is reflecting off of their eyes, but inspection lasting longer than the few seconds it takes to run inside reveals that the eyes themselves are glowing wisps of deep, bright green fire. One dog opens its mouth, and it is revealed that their tongues are licks of a similar flame. There is a smell about them, one of dying embers and spent gunpowder, but also a less easily recognizable, musty smell-that of dried blood.

The wolfhounds are back! This time, in the red zone!

The pack is charging down the street, baying at the top of their lungs and snarling ferociously! Anyone brave enough to stick outside as they run by will probably be caught up in the primal instinct and will of the hunt, and will join in, losing all human thought as they somehow keep up with the hounds without tiring!

[AmberVael]

Hansel's Bakery

"I can live with that." Eric says, finishing his sandwich, "If you need anything, let me know and I'll do everything in my power to help yo with it."

Eric smiles as he begins on the cookie. This may take longer than just a single sitting. And It's wonderful.

Grace nods in acceptance and sips her tea, assuming that's what it is.
"Is there anything else you want me to tell you about?"
She asks.

[Halae]

Hansel's Bakery

Eric thinks about that for a moment, "No, but is there anything you think I should know?" then he takes another bite out of the cookie.

mmm. Cookie.

Streets - Red Zone

Eric's plot clone appears! and... he's rather surprised by the wolfhounds, but he isn't stupid. A bunch of giant dogs in the street? it's time to gt out of their way. Eric runs over to a turn, and goes down another street, wondering if they'll follow him. He hopes not. He's never been much of a dog person.

[TechnoScrabble]

Red Zone-Streets

The hounds run right on past him. It's not him they're interested in, though they seem to call out for him to join them. It's a strong compulsion.

[AmberVael]

Hansel's Bakery

"Well..."
What were the most important things for someone new to Nexus to know about?
"There's a theory I've been mulling over recently, and while I don't exactly have the full evidence to back it up, even if I'm not entirely right, it's a very important thing to know about Nexus."
Grace sets down her cup and meshes her fingers together.
"Nexus has some very powerful rules it seems to follow. They're not absolute, and not many people recognize their existence consciously, but they're very important."
She pulls out her silver pen, and writes the rules in midair with pink ink as she speaks them out.

1) Nexus and its major denizens resist true and obvious defeat.
2) Nexus flows towards significant events.
3) Nexus favors those who draw interest.
4) Nexus resists the departure of those who come to it.

"These aren't all of them, but they're the ones that immediately come to my mind."

[Halae]

Hansel's Bakery

Eric seems impressed by the floating rules. "So, wait, wouldn't that Nexus has some sort of intelligence behind it? It grabs hold and doesn't want to let go, and makes people who come here more inclined to do something interesting, while making sure that the individuals it brings here aren't killed. It sounds like a Genius Loci, a place that's formed it's own sentience. And... seems to be bored." Well, there's a disturbing thought.

Red Zone - Streets

Eric finds himself taken up with that compulsion. Why shouldn't he go? It'll be freedom for a while. Eric takes off after the wolfhounds, following the compulsion.

[AmberVael]

Hansel's Bakery

"You might make that assumption, but I don't think that's the only possibility."
Grace says, leaning back in her chair.
"In fact, I see a fairly plausible argument for it being more of a societal formed magic."

[Halae]

Hansel's Bakery

"Alright, you're going to have to explain what you mean by that."

[AmberVael]

Hansel's Bakery

"Societal magics are magics formed by a society rather than an individual. Fairly simple concept. The interesting part is that unlike individual magics, they have a tendency to be created in a subconscious manner, just due to how the society operates.
"In an environment like Nexus, where all kinds of realities and magics overlap, I find it incredibly plausible that the society within Nexus could leave a magical impression on the very area itself, which would then give rise to these tendencies."
Grace seems fairly into her explanation- obviously this kind of thing is what she enjoys thinking about.

[TechnoScrabble]

Red Zone-Streets

The hounds seem to grin when Eric joins in. Another member for the Hunt! They turn a corner and-
Start scratching at a thick iron door?
It seems they've reached their destination, but cannot open the door to get in.

[Halae]

Red Zone - Streets

Eric shall open the way. This puny metal door cannot stop the hunt!

Hansel's Bakery

"That makes sense," Eric is evidently enjoying the conversation as well, "The more its used the more it gets imprinted - people working in one fashion keeps everybody there working in that fashion. That could explain why places where something bad happened, or cemeteries, have such palpable airs. That can explain why SAINT has never completed a contract."

[AmberVael]

Hansel's Bakery

"Exactly. There are a few things that would still need to be explained, but I believe the basic concept is sound."
She crosses out the rules with her pen, and they vanish.
"I'd like to do more research into it, but I'm not precisely sure how to go about it."

[Halae]

Hansel's Bakery

"Is it possible to run tests on the plane itself? It may be quite a bit easier than doing it to any other world, but a Nexus should be a relatively small area"

[TechnoScrabble]

Red Zone-Streets

The door is opened and-
OH GEEZ THAT'S A LOT OF THUGS WITH GUNS!

Several men of the unsavory sort loose their low grade firearms at the Hunt! Unfortunately for them, hoods fire sideways like a bunch of low-pantsed morons. Most of the bullets miss, and the one that does hit a hound turns into an ashy, smoke like substance on contact with it's fur.

It's clobberin' time!

[AmberVael]

Hansel's Bakery

"Maybe. I don't have the skills or resources to accomplish that though, and societal magic is a pretty tricky thing."
Grace gives a shrug.
"Honestly, the important part is recognizing the tendencies and working with them."

[Halae]

Hansel's Bakery

"Fair enough." Eric says. He puts the cookie down. he's only finished half of it, but that's a lot of cookie. "what's say we head out?"

Streets - Red Zone

With a primal roar, Eric leaps forward, attacking the thugs with fists and feet, making good use of his steel toed work shoes.

[AmberVael]

Hansel's Bakery

"Sure."
Grace pulls out a small card and taps it on the table, and a nice stack of coins appears. She leaves this on the table (apparently confident that no one would dare steal from Hansel), and then stands and heads out when Eric is ready.

[TechnoScrabble]

Red Zone-Gang Hideout

Eric will find that he's somehow much stronger than usual, and that simple punches and kicks shatter bones and bruise flesh. The thug writhes in pain beneath Eric's assault and drops his poorly kept pistol.

Around Eric, the hounds and the crowd they amassed tear into the thugs with ruthless, bloody, messy efficiency. Nothing stops them, they are like vicious animals tearing into their prey.

The screams of the thieves and murderers can be heard several blocks away.

[Zefir]

Riftline

zefir obsetvs the sheets hanging aroun.

[Murkus]

[Red Zone - Chapel of the Masks]

Some weird, completely bald guy with a complex ward on his head approaches here. He's got a bit of a... worn look to him, but his face lacks scarring. He's got grey ey-- oh wait that's Jack. He's wearing casual civilian clothes, namely a white shirt and a pair of trousers. Still, I'm not sure many people will recognize him until they hear his voice.

He walks towards the entrance with a humble, controlled little gait.

[ThirdEmperor]

[University of Inside]

Promethius steps into the building, his eyes covered by a set of sunglasses, his claws currently retracted, meaning he looks like an average, everyday elven scientist. Hidden in his labcoat is an assault rifle though, because he has no expectations of this being easy. Striding up to the front desk, he speaks to the receptionist. I wish to speak to The Holder of Extravagance.

[Gullara]

[University of Inside]

The receptionist takes her time looking up at Promethius. She gives him a bored look, and sighs as she stands up.

"Follow me." She'll lead him down a hallway. The halls are walled with an assortment of items that simply demand to be examined further. Bright colours and flashing lights draw the eye.

Ever present is the sound of footsteps trailing behind them.

[ThirdEmperor]

[University of Inside]

Prometheus grins slightly, exposing his sharpened teeth. It was all going perfectly. He keeps staring directly ahead as he follows after the receptionist, not sparing a glance for the treasures to either side.

[Gullara]

[University of Inside]

The receptionist stops in front of a door. She holds out a hand, indicating him to enter.

[ThirdEmperor]

[University of Inside]

Prometheus yawns as he steps through the door, pulling the assault rifle out of it's holster and loading it.