[Nexus] AMEN XLIII: REVOLUTION!

[The Bushranger]

[Hallways]

"Professor Sin? Sounds like a cool guy." Becky hazards a guess she's mispronouncing his name, decides to do it deliberatly anyway. "And I see. Well, the interviews can take some time, you know. Depending on how...thorough Mistress Ilpholin wishes them to be..."

[Slii Arhem]

Hallways

"She is quite thorough in her dealings. She can see more with plain sight than I, that's for certain. No matter the result, I simply wish it would hurry itself along to its conclusion. You could say I've been waiting for these results my entire life and not be horribly wrong." If she could move her legs, Shayan would be tapping a foot impatiently. She doesn't even seem to be ruffled by the implication that Ilpholin and Cin may be behind a curtain, except for the fact that she assumes they both have exceptional stamina, and she'll be waiting an inordinate amount of time before she can leave.

[The Bushranger]

[Hallways]

Becky looks slightly dissapointed that her attempt at psycho-logic warfare (not a typo ) failed. "Indeed she does. It's one reason I find her so...well, amazing," the shadowdancer admits, revealing a bit more of herself than she might have intended...and frowning ever so slightly, trying to remember something...

[Zefir]

Front Entrance

A young woman walks in without knocking...

... and is promptly knocked down and glued to the ground by a Pantherbot.

"KAAAAAAAAAAL!" she shrieks in outrage. "Where are you? Call off your attack cats!"




((Anyone is welcome to encounter the new girl))

Front Entrance

Zefir, who just seems to be here and likely not attacked by a pantherbot until now, looks down. Then at the bot. He wasn't here when they where set as guards and therefor he doesn't know them. Actually Zefir wears a cape and is much over human size. his hands are scaled and his shoes look like a bit to small for his feet. A grey ape is covering the body (which are the wings) and a hood saves his face.

"I wonder why Ilphi set these things up."

Doesn't seem like he wants to help.

[Slii Arhem]

Hallways

"It makes her the most suitable candidate for AMEN's leadership, among other things." Shayan doesn't have much to say on the topic, and won't go into Becky's personal life unlike others would. From what she's seen of Ilpholin, the woman is capable, driven, and opinionated, all of which amount to a very powerful leader.

[The Bushranger]

[Hallways]

"Oh, most certainly. Be grateful you weren't around under the rule of El Gordo." Becky makes a 'pish-tosh' sort of gesture with one hand. "The old draconic galoot couldn't find the world to dominate with both hands and a pair of lab rats."

[Slii Arhem]

Hallways

Shayan seems somewhat uncomfortable now, perhaps revealing more of herself to Becky than intended, "Yes, I did have a run in with Gordon, and he seemed polite, if rather unintimidating. It's hard to believe that he was actually the leader at one point." Of course, she saw him when he was just walking out of death's door, so she can be excused for thinking the old lizard was less frightening than a particularly sickly hobo.

[The Bushranger]

[Hallways]

"Ah, so you had that misfortune. Gordo talked a big game, but...meh." Once again, the shadowdancer waved a hand dismissively. "No need to talk about him. He's old news!"

[Slii Arhem]

Hallways

"Old news which could come back to bite us in the latex-covered heiny if we aren't careful. The past is just as important as the future, as without context looking forwards is hardly any better than squinting at scrambled porn."

...

Wait what?

[happyturtle]

Front Entrance

Zefir who just seems to be here and likely not attacked by a pantherbot until know looks down. Then at the bot. He wasn't here when they where set as guards and therefor he doesn't know them. Actually Zefir wears a cape and is much over human size. his hands are scaled and his shoes look like a bit to small for his feet. A grey ape is covering the body (which are the wings) and a hood saves his face.

"I wonder why Ilphi set these things up."

Doesn't seem like he wants to help.

"Hey, scaley, make yourself useful and tell Kal that Jeannie is here." the girl says.

[Reinholdt]

Ilpholin's Office - Cyrus

Ilpholin gives a slight wave goodbye, but nothing else otherwise. Cyrus is free to join the people in the Main Hall which with one of my prior posts is now waiting on Noodle I do believe.

Ilpholin's Office - Cin

"Just a sec." Ilpholin says, looking over the form. Seems they've covered most of it...

"Where did you learn medicine?"

Ilpholin's Office - Cat Burglar

Ilpholin opens her mouth, trying to find words. Failing to do so, she closes it again and gives the two creatures in front of her a concerned look before taking the newspaper article and reading it over. She glances at Mittens a few times in this process. Ilpholin personally just prefers to feed cats to her giant spider friend. Might have to tell Mister Squiggles to not eat cats for a while. That won't make him happy at all.

She slides the newspaper article back. "Well... you have worse references than Orrey and that's saying something. But... this is such an utterly ridiculous... whatever it is, that I can't really disapprove it." Much as she almost wants to.

"So, I'll just move on. Any particular reason why you've always wanted to be a supervillain?"

[Hattish Thing]

Ilpholin's Office - Cyrus

Child's play. Hmmm...
"Don't know. The hobbit is returning shortly with our money and will show those going the way. Magtok, Megan, and Jack will also be working on the project. Gather what you need and meet them out in the Main Hall."

[Ilpholin's Office - Hatteress]

"Gordon may have originally saved AMEN, but he got caught up in Inside politics and was slowly driving AMEN into the ground. I couldn't stand by and let that happen." Ilpholin explains.

The drow looks over the form. "What is Kiroshandian?"

Ilpholin's Office - Cin

Ilpholin frowns a bit. "Well no taking powers from AMENites unless they volunteer. People get rather... protective of such things." Everyone else is open game of course.

She motions to the form. "And you still need to fill that out."



Main Hall

Marciano should find the group assembled here. Ilpholin looks up. "Got it in one bag this time, huh? You were barely able to carry 2 million last time."

Yes, wel' thi' i' a special bag. They're set up an' ready! Grea'! Let's go, I gots me van all rea'y t' go. Just ge' in, and we'll be off! He cucks the bag over to Ilpholin, which really isn't tht heavy suprisingly. Bag of Holdings do that. Marciano heads off to the van and when the group is sated inside, they'll drive off to the construction site, in Lov're Tower, In Outside.

[BladeofObliviom]

[Main Hall --> Marciano's Van]

Cyrus suppresses a snort of disgust.

"I can't believe I'm doing this voluntarily..."

Still, he steps into the car.

[Reinholdt]

Main Hall

"Have fun." Ilpholin says, waving the group off.

Before heading off to have the gold checked for various devices, tricks, and schemes, as well as counted by those who are good at checking for such things.

[ThirdEmperor]

Ilpholin's Office

"Uh, well.... Not really. I mean, I grew up reading comic books about superheroes and villains and sooner or later I just got to thinking that actually being one would be better than being, well, normal." There's a bit more of a story to why he decided to go through with it, but Ilpholin didn't ask that and probably doesn't want to know. "I'm not really the heroic sort I guess, so, yeah, I decided I wanted to be a supervillain. And here I am."

[Mindfreak]

Yes, wel' thi' i' a special bag. They're set up an' ready! Grea'! Let's go, I gots me van all rea'y t' go. Just ge' in, and we'll be off! He cucks the bag over to Ilpholin, which really isn't tht heavy suprisingly. Bag of Holdings do that. Marciano heads off to the van and when the group is sated inside, they'll drive off to the construction site, in Lov're Tower, In Outside.

Outside Megan looks a bit doubtfully at the van. Small places with a bunch of people wasn't her favorite way to travel...but she gets in.

[Reinholdt]

Ilpholin's Office - Cat Burglar

Well Ilpholin was digging for the story. She's not sure she actually wanted it though...

"Right. Comic books..."
>>
Not like she keeps Doctor Decibel issues in her desk drawer or anything.

"So you mentioned a crew you worked with for a while. Is that how you first got started?"

[ThirdEmperor]

Ilpholin's Office

Trust me. She really, really doesn't want to know.

"Um, no, not really. They were sort of pressional types, wouldn't ever have let someone just starting out in the crew. I, uh, I started out with pickpocketing, ran drugs for a minor gang, small-time stuff. Things like that tend to escalate and, well... And now he's dressed like a complete tool, which he is, trying to secure continued employment with one of the most dangerous organizations in the world. "I joined up with the bank-robbers about... three years in. After I'd built a bit of a reputation. They were, I guess they were pretty cool. Knew what they were doing at least."

[Zefir]

"Hey, scaley, make yourself useful and tell Kal that Jeannie is here." the girl says.

[Entrace]

With the edge of the lance Zefir tries to cut's through the stuff keeping her in place. (Not knowing exactly what it is)

"Do it yourself rooflayerfloorlayer."

[Reinholdt]

Ilpholin's Office - Cat Burglar

Well now I want to know.

"I see. But why did you not put them down as a reference?" Seemed a little unusual to her.
Well...
Not that that's abnormal dealing with this guy. But still.

[happyturtle]

[Entrace]

With the edge of the lance Zefir tries to cut's through the stuff keeping her in place. (Not knowing exactly what it is)

"Do it yourself rooflayer."

((Guess we'll have to wait for Mindfreak to say whether it can be cut or not, but I think the pantherbots have to release something that dissolves it.))

((What sort of insult is "rooflayer"? ))

[ThirdEmperor]

Ilpholin's Office

"Well.... The Cat Burglar takes his hat off, scratching at the back of his hair. Uncomfortable question, that. "We didn't exactly part on friendly terms. They were good at their jobs and all, but... Well, sort of crazy. I got out just before they ended up turning on each other.

The ones that lived through it aren't really the kind of people you can reference. Heck, they would probably try and kill me if I told you their names, much less how to contact them. And I wasn't going by 'the Cat Burglar' at the time either." And worse yet they'd probably be jerks about it and give him a bad reference too!

[Reinholdt]

Ilpholin's Office - Cat Burglar

Bad references aren't really worth mentioning, no.

"You mentioned some underworld contacts. What kind do you have?" Sometimes a person's contacts are more valuable than the person themselves.

[ThirdEmperor]

Ilpholin's Office

Well, that's another tricky topic. Thankfully the Cat Burglar's contacts aren't the sort who would have him killed over namedropping them, and he feels that the leader of AMEN isn't going to rat them out to Remnant.

"The usual stuff I suppose, I'm in good with a few fences and blackmarket merchants who can buy or sell just about anything. Uh, I know a few gangs, plenty of other professionals who I've worked with and can vouch for. Informants of course...

The MM too, sorta. They aren't precisely my best friends or nothing, but I've got a sort of mutual respect going on with them and a few favors owed." About as good as a cat can be expected to get on with mice, really.

"I guess you could count them as references, though I can't imagine they'd be too happy if you walked up and started questioning them about me."

[Murkus]

Main Room - Jack

Ilpholin thinks for a moment. Then shrugs. "Hell if I know."
...
That horrible pun aside... "I'm not actually running the project. A half-gnome by the name of Marciano is paying us to assist. Your job in particular will be to help him with the digging to the underworld. Lend whatever knowledge you feel is necessary."

"Once you get there, he's going to be syphoning souls off to fuel a machine. I want you to take advantage of the situation and grab whatever souls for yourself that you want to help bolster your forces. Unless you think that's a bad idea for whatever reason." He's more of an expert on the subject than she.

Halls - Wait, is the Jack Thing Another Scene? Blargh, I'm Confused

"Presumably whatever underworld is the least under-ish and below Inside. Hopefully there's not just magma and molten metals and stuff like science would tell you, or this could all be really awkward."

Magtok nods sagely, not in the least bit worried about being dissolved in agonizingly hot lava. He desperately hopes that Marciano will have the sense and generosity to leave the group alone and keep his horrible, intelligible mouth shut while they work on his wacky magi-tech thing, but it's not very likely. Might be best to get multiple MagClones working on this, so as to minimize the time needed to finish the drill and move past this pain and suffering.

"Ilpholin, I could build legions with that many souls. But I cannot begin to mention the number of things that might go wrong with this plan," Jack says, looking between Magtok and Ilpholin. He shrugs anyway. "Hey, I'm in. What's this machine for, exactly?"

[UncleWolf]

Ilpholin's Office - Cin

"That's a long and complicated story. Initially, I was just an orderly at a hospital. Spent 20 years there before I became a little country town "doctor" without a true medical degree. My skills in surgery were learned the hard way. Trial and Error. Once you spend 30 years as a town's vet, surgeon, chiropractor, mortician, and anything in-between, you know more than you'd ever dream of. During all that, we'd be invaded on occasion by Imperialist warbands which would provide me with more practice on more extreme measures." Cin explains it all without much thought to it, as if everything he had done was perfectly normal.

[Reinholdt]

Main Room - Jack

"You'll have to talk to him." Ilpholin says as Marciano just shows up and then prior posts about money and exchanges happen.

Yes, wel' thi' i' a special bag. They're set up an' ready! Grea'! Let's go, I gots me van all rea'y t' go. Just ge' in, and we'll be off! He cucks the bag over to Ilpholin, which really isn't tht heavy suprisingly. Bag of Holdings do that. Marciano heads off to the van and when the group is sated inside, they'll drive off to the construction site, in Lov're Tower, In Outside.

"Good luck." She says, heading off. Jack was Marciano's problem now. Or Marciano was Jack's problem now. One of the two.

Ilpholin's Office - Cat Burglar

"The.... MM? What's that?" Ilpholin has not had the distinct pleasure of running into the mouse mafia yet. Maybe for the best.

Ilpholin's Office - Cin

"Alright, I believe that's everything. You're free to go." Ilpholin says, passing back the report folder and taking the form to file.

[ThirdEmperor]

Ilpholin's Office

"Oh, uh, the MM is the mouse mafia. They... Well they mostly work off-world, but a lot of the higher-ups sort of vacation here to avoid law enforcement." One of the wonderful things about the Nexus is the relative disinterest in pursuing criminals who aren't directly in the midst of their occupation. "They do sell stuff here though, like, stuff that's too illegal or expensive to have a market anywhere else. Where I got most of my gear."

[Reinholdt]

Ilpholin's Office

"Uh-huh..." Ilpholin says. Great. An entire mafia that dresses up like mice. Well it certainly explains how this guy got his ear get-up.

"Where would you like to see AMEN in ten years?"

[The Bushranger]

Hallways

"Old news which could come back to bite us in the latex-covered heiny if we aren't careful. The past is just as important as the future, as without context looking forwards is hardly any better than squinting at scrambled porn."

...

Wait what?

"...Ivy, I think you and me are gonna get along just fine," Becky says after taking a moment to compose herself from breaking down in giggling. "You're certainly right on the last part. As for the first part...well, if El Gordo wishes to y-flaca his way back into this place, he's welcome to try."