Riverside 15

[Gullara]

By Darklord Bright

Riverside, a small, modern city outside the reach of Remnant control. The city has always been known by one defining factor, it's status as a hive of scum and villainy. A number of factions vie for footholds in the city, though they are largely peaceful at the moment. No doubt some would jump at the opportunity to expand their influence. Riverside sits on the edge of the Nexus, so while it's still prone to the strangeness common there, it's far more stable than other parts of the Nexus. Being the hive and scum and villainy that it is, the streets can be dangerous and shady deals and dark alleys are plenty. Welcome to Riverside.

Current Events:

• Tenebras as an organization has dissolved and it's remnant have been absorbed into Malechenar. Consequently, Malechenar now governs both the north and west sectors of the city.

The Districts:

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Northside


Eastside

Eastside is mostly a middle-to-lower class, densely populated area. It's fairly multicultural, even by Nexus standards, and inhabited by a wide range of species and cultures.
Like the rest of Riverside, Eastside has been in the hands of either criminals or supernatural factions for a long time. Now it has changed - a democratic election organized by the Democracy Now movement led to the creation of the Eastside Parliament and a Mayor. They hold the power in Eastside now, and the Hunters enforce the law within it.

Southside

Where there was people and buildings as dense as the rest of Riverside, the territory once ruled by the Court of One was emptied by its queen when she vanished. What was left behind was a featureless expanse of land.

Since then, a number of different people and groups have taken the opportunity to construct their own buildings and get a foothold in the city. What resulted from this is a scattered collection of factions with their own territory.

Westside

Most notably, the district of Westside is covered by a field of darkness. During the day, the sky is an inky black, where no sign of the sun is visible. During the night, the field allows the stars and moon to show through it. In place of the sun, the "Light of Evolution" lights up the strange sky. It served to light up the days, but the light is more white than natural sunlight.

Because of these unique conditions, Westside is home to far more citizens of the variety that would typically avoid the sun by living underground and staying indoors during the day. on the other hand, you wouldn't find anyone that couldn't adapt to the lack of proper sunlight here.

Westside is home mostly the middle class, tough a section of it houses a much more wealthy class of citizens. Large, old mansions are found in this area, surrounded by fences and large yards. the rest of the district is more typical.

Places Within:

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Northside

• Malechenar Castle Shadowcaller
  
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  The castle is a gigantic structure, far larger than any other building in the city and somehow defying the laws of gravity by levitating right over it. This castle have no visible courtyard or entrances however, just a myriad of strained glass archway-shaped windows surrounded by round black walls. The walls are arranged like gigantic archways which supports structure with smaller archways on top which in turn supports other other archways which builds up the entire wall which is connected by an myriad of spires and build in passage ways. {Reference Image}
  
  There are five much larger spires coming off from the main structure, reaching up into the air like spikes. Four of them end with large diamond shaped objects made of a red glass-like material. The fifth and tallest spire is in the very middle of the structure and could be called a tower instead as it's much wider than the others and ends with five smaller spires arranged in a similar ways as the ones in the castle itself.
  
  All over Malechenar sit gargoyles upon ledges which seem to have been specifically made for them, their black skin blending in perfectly into the building.
• Moth Park:
  
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  About 100 acres, the moth park is approximately rectangular in shape, with a bandshell/performance stage at the north end, a soccer field and softball diamond at the south and a forested area in the center.
  
  It also holds two playgrounds (swing sets, slides, monkey bars) several fountains (most of which are nonfunctional) various statues and a network of walking paths.
  
  Since the re-opening, Moth park is pretty popular with the local residents as well as those who come into the area to work or visit.
• Police Station:
  
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  The police station is a large but simple brick building. All police activity is based out of this building. It's outfitted with interrogation rooms, a few offices, and other rooms that a police station would have.
• Riverside Hospital:
  
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  This hospital is the only one currently in Riverside. It was built after the old hospital burned down some years ago. As a result, it's of fairly modern design. It works just like a normal, modern hospital would with the exception of magic being used along normal medical procedures to achieve better results.
• Sawyer's Inn:
  
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  The inside of Sawyer's is beautiful, though humble. Whoever keeps the place, keeps it in fine condition.
  
  The dark wooden floors are waxed and shiny. There are four wooden pillars that reach up to the ceiling. The four walls are painted in a brick red, with light grey accents.
  
  Along the left wall there is a large hearth fire burning, with a dog and cat sleeping together. The dog raises it's head slightly to observe the newcomers, but doesn't rush to sniff them out.
  
  Along the right wall is the customer service area, with a dining hall just past it. The smell of freshly baked bread and some kind of meat can be smelled eminating from beyond.
  
  And then there is the back wall. There is a set of stairs leading up and another leading down. Both sets are made of the same wood as the pillars and floor.
• Temple of Dalachrech: Earl of Purple
  
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  This building closely resembles all the other semi-detached houses along this road. The temple takes up both halves of the house, however; although the building has been designed such that the halves don't match to maintain the illusion of separate owners. It has a red tile roof and is constructed from red brick, although the left half has been painted white. There's a pair of garages and two front doors, both of which work.
  
  The temple is a private location. Please PM Earl of Purple before visiting.
  Posts for the temple should occur in this thread.

Eastside

• Cosiellio's Temple: Harnel
  
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  There's a small temple here that just finished construction last week. It's a fairly plain thing, more utilitarian than ostentatious, but it's made of marble and granite, giving it a glowing white appearance in the sun, with Cos' holy symbol in a large carved statue above the front door. It's a shield with feathered wings imposed along the front, giving it the impression of a heart. It's carved impeccably; it must have been done with magic.
  
  A few of Cos' faithful are here almost all the time - given the informal nature of the temple, everybody drifts in to say a few prayers whenever they're feeling like they should, or whenever they have the time. Cos himself regularly visits, of course, and answers prayers directly.
• Fallow’s Furry & Feathered Friends: Earl of Purple
  
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  The shop is lit up with bright lights and neon advertising. Around the store is a secure, electrified fence and there's four watch towers in the corners. The gate is near a large, secure-looking building within which are three ogre guards. Inside lie four warehouses, a large collection of aquariums and gigantic tanks, a squat and ugly toilet block and three seperate bunkers for customers to evacuate into should something more dangerous escape, such as a smilodon from the Mammal House, a wyvern from the Reptile House, a giant carnivorous slug from the Invertebrate House or something worse. Patrolling the wide, open spaces are the occasional group of six uniformed humans armed with net-guns. Slaves can be bought here if one asks the right questions.
• Golden Flagon Tavern:
  
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  The Golden Flagon Tavern was once the main hideout of the local mafia. It was destroyed, but recently it has been fully restored. It still tends to attract the unsavory sort, but the owner keeps things civil.
  
  The tavern is very old fashioned. It's a stone building with polished, wooden supports. A fire always warms it's large hearth and the drinks always good. It makes for a comfortable atmosphere.
• Hunter Lodge: Morty
  
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  The main administration building for the Hunter force. The Hunter Commander's office is located there, as well as the rest of the administrative staff.
• Light's Heart: Shadowcaller
  
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  The citadel rises up like something taken from a sci-fi movie. The walls are golden colored, untainted by age and dirt. Like something that was just build just recently.
  Five towers have been built into the wall, standing no less then 40 feet tall, looking like they have been cut out from the same stone.
  
  Above the towers rises the citadel itself, completely square in form and made of the same golden stone it have numerous arrow slits carved out at the upper floors.
  
  Leading around it's form is a wooden staircase going from the top of the citadel to the courtyard below.The only visible entrance is the massive gate made of obsidian colored wood which stands wide open, inviting anyone inside.
• Parliament: Morty
  
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  Not far from the Town Hall, the small circular new building serves as the meeting place for the People's Parliament. It includes a large hall for meetings as well as offices for all the members.
• Town Hall: Morty
  
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  Converted from several buildings in the middle of the district, it serves as the seat of the administration. The Mayor resides there.

Southside

• Church of Terenti: Reinholdt
  
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  This rather classic looking cathedral sprung up overnight by Terenti's blessing. It is holy ground for those it matters to. Every day the high priest Saul, holds sermons to a slowly growing congregation on Terenti's Word, the Seven Virtues, and redemption before the cleansing fire.
• Harald's Lab: GrandDM
  
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  Located under an apparently empty lot in Southside, this facility contains a lot of science experiments and equipment, as well as a large number of robots and orks. Due to the teleblocker and dimensional lock, the Lab is only accessible by Harald's teleporters, and thus by invitation - unless you want to try and dig down to it.
  
  It is currently undergoing expansion to equal the size of the facility removed from Inside.
• Lotus Gardens: Wolfbane
  
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  The Lotus Gardens are a veritable Eden, a paradise in the middle of an otherwise fairly "normal" city. The entire section appears carved of white marble and smells of sweets, a hint of sweat, and exotic flowers, inviting all to come and stay in the Lotus Garden's Embrace.
  
  Home to the Slaanesh Cult "The Masks", the population is full of exotic and beautiful appearing people who are always welcoming. Though many just live around the area, actual cultists seem few and far between, wearing their Masks as they patrol the streets as guards.
  
  In the very center is the Mask Temple, a cathedral of white marble and stained glass windows, surrounded by paired statues of lovers locked in eternal embrace.
• AMENside
  
  • AMEN Embassy: AMEN Players
    
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    The Main Base for AMEN in Riverside, this building is shaped like a spider above ground and goes fairly deep below ground.
  • AMENside Wall AMEN Players
    
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    This wall forms a large slightly amorphous half-circle in connection with the river and clearly designates AMEN's territory. It is guarded by the occasional emplaced turret and has gates for entry/exit.

Westside

• Blood Donation Clinic:
  
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  A small clinic has been established in Westside for the purpose of collecting blood from those willing to donate. The blood is then distributed to those that require it. This is primarily Tenebras vampires, but any being that requires blood for sustenance can get it here. Some blood can be given to the hospital when needed as well.
  
  The clinic itself is a small building. Inside there is a reception area, and a few different rooms for the actual procedure. There is usually one person on site twentyfour seven.
• Cathedral of the Sacred Order of Cunningham: happyturtle
  
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  The Westside Cathedral is large enough to house people for emergency purposes, but in general, only the family of the pastor and the groundskeeper live there.
  
  Pastor Rockwell is the Pastor
  Sister Janice is the Pastor's wife, and a skilled hippiemancer.
  

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• Club Pulse: Shadowcaller
  
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  The club is quite easily noticed by the huge neon sign outside, Pulse was easily recognized as Riversides largest nightclub. Beyond the line and the bouncer outside is a classic club layout with a large dance floor with loud music and flashing lights.
  
  In a slightly more calm area of the club is the bar run by an one-eyed bartender called Ryo.
  
  There are two stairs leading up to the upper floor where it's easier to talk and drink.
  
  The atmosphere is pretty heavy as you walk inside with techno music playing very loud.
• Doctor Stroffelnburg's Psychiatric Clinic: Reinholdt
  
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  This rather unassuming white building contains the world's finest psychiatric doctor. After the setback at his hospital that caused the loss of the use of his legs, Doctor Stroffelnburg took his savings and set up a smaller clinic here in Riverside. Walk-ins are encouraged.
• Enforcer HQ: Gulaghar
  
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  On the outside, this building almost looks like a bunker. It's a low, squat building constructed of stone. The only windows are on the front of the building and they are small. There is a fenced off area in the back that contains a number of vehicles.
  
  The lobby area is fairly bare. There are a few different clearly labeled desks to approach, depending on the reason for being there. One is for general business with the Enforcers. The wall opposite the desks is lined with chairs.
  
  Off to the left is a hallway that goes deeper into the building. An Enforcer guard stands at the entrance to this hallway at all times. At the end of the hall is a heavy steel door with a card based lock. Behind this door is an armoury that contains the Enforcer's weapons and armour.
  
  On the opposite side of the lobby, there is a similar hallway, though it's not guarded on the lobby side. At the far end there is a door that leads to an area with a few holding cells and a desk for a guard to work at.
  
  Halfway down the same hall is another hall intersecting it. This hall is lined with doors to a number of offices and other rooms.
• Evolution Industries: Darkcomet
  
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  The Westside branch of EI. The main building is a fairly nondescript, tall (not a skyscraper or anything, but still with several floors) modern one, with a large Evolution Industries logo on it.
• Evolution Industries Power Plant: Darkcomet
  
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  The Class 3 MACE unit offered by Evolution Industries is a large, static installation capable of generating enough power to supply all of Riverside with electricity, and it was Tenebras that commissioned the first of these installations from EI.
  
  The installation is housed inside a large, reinforced building. The interior has multiple levels linked by elevators and stairs, all surrounding the roughly cylindrical silver crystalline structure that is the actual Class 3 unit. It's quite the view at the top for EI's employees and the occasional tourist, and naturally there are plenty of guard rails. Naturally, office space, bathrooms, and the like are all present in the building, though obviously away from the main spiral surrounding the installation itself. Many computers and other such pieces of equipment are present in the areas around the installation, perpetually monitoring and controlling its output.
  
  The building itself is guarded and patrolled by Evolution Industries' corporate security division.
  
  All that is known to the public, but given what Evolution Industries used to do, and the identity of its head, it's possible the place is far more guarded than it immediately seems...
• Exbourne Manor: Gulaghar
  
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  Exbourne manor is rather old, though kept in excellent condition since it was restored when Tenebras moved in. The rooms are large and spacious, and most of the public areas have been painted in bright pastels and decorated with vases of flowers.
  
  The ground floor largely consists of the lofty entrance hall, a comfortable living room, and the kitchen. Ramiro's office is also on the ground floor for easy access. The second and third floor have mostly bedrooms and attached washrooms. The basement serves as rooms for the servants primarily. In a separate part of the basement is a large vault as well as an Evolution Industries Class 2 MACE Unit which provides the building with electricity. Finally, the attic contains whatever it is that creates the darkness field within Westside.
  
  The manor is surrounded by a courtyard. An iron fence surrounds it, and a number of trees provide privacy along the sides and behind the building. The courtyard is grassy and has a cobblestone trail leading to the front door. Behind the manor is a private garden. The courtyard's gate is almost always left open.
• Light of Evolution/Control Center: Darkcomet
  
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  Once the Class 3 Installation was completed, the head of Evolution Industries approached the leader of Tenebras with an answer to a question that had been asked of him before-that of bringing light back to Westside.
  
  The building at ground level is fairly normal-looking, wide but not overly tall. It is marked with Evolution Industries logos, and serves as the control and maintenance center for the site's true purpose.
  
  The crystalline sphere that serves as Westside's artificial sun, known as the Light of Evolution, floats in the air far above the building, a bright blue beam linking it and the structure. This serves to power the Light. This beam is surrounded by a translucent, shimmering blue forcefield, to prevent anyone from interrupting it.
  
  The beam is projected from a system usually at the roof of the building, and is taken in by a receiver panel at the bottom of the Light, which is how it powers it.
  
  The Light brightens and dims as appropriate to simulate a natural day-night cycle, and the beam that powers it dims with it. After all, when it is dimmer, it requires less power. In the darkest times of the night, the beam projector deactivates and the forcefield drops. The former lowers itself down into the building, and the Light floats down on anti-gravity systems with their own onboard power. The Control Center's roof contains a hatch that, at this time, opens and allows the Light to land for maintenance. During the day, this hatch is normally sealed around the energy projector that powers the Light, preventing it from being used as a secondary entrance during this time as well.
  
  Naturally, the site is heavily guarded by Evolution Security, and no tourists or civilians are allowed inside.
  
  Interestingly, Evolution Industries has issued an official warning that it is not responsible for the results of anyone flying into the forcefield around the power beam, or the beam itself should those be somehow disabled. It is noted that death or serious injury is likely to occur.
• MagMart: Lord Magtok
  
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  If the individual entering has any sort of familiarity with the other MagMart, back when it was its own building apart from Mallside, they'll probably notice that this Riverside one doesn't look anywhere near as glamorous as its predecessor. It's a modest purple brick building, the glass display windows aren't even properly bulletproof, and the smelly homeless people usually employed to wander around about the front of the store in a wacky MagMascot costume with an enormous cyborg head are mysteriously absent.
  
  That said, you can still find just about everything here that you can at the Mallside store. Curtains to carpets, macaroni to monkeys on motorcycles, groceries to zombies garlic. The staff is always happy to help (or else), and if you aren't entirely satisfied with your shopping experience, you can pay a small fee to watch the MagMart employee of your choosing get fired out the MagMart complimentary employee morale cannon. Except in this store, the 'morale cannon' is really more of a morale bazooka, and while it's still fun to watch, it's nowhere near as charming.
• Toy Tinker: Murkus
  
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  Here stands the Toy Tinker, a rich, ancient wooden building styled after the sort of boardwalk shop you might've found on Earth in the early American twentieth century. It's a crude blocky affair dominated by sweeping, simple architecture, built in two stories with a basement beneath. The front of the shop is covered by two long, shiny windows, behind which waits a plethora of playthings. Mostly metal work, plus some plastic or wood worked in. The various creatures move about with a life of their own, eyes aglow by some strange inner light. Dragons with clockwork guts waddle alongside tin soldiers run on batteries and copper wire. You can find just about any sort of toy here.
  
  The Tinker supplies the most lifelike toys anywhere, guaranteed. Just don't ask how the proprietor makes them - unless you're looking for business of a different sort.
• Westside City Hall: Gulaghar
  
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  The newly constructed city hall is a towering, impressive building. It is crafted primarily out of a light stone. There is an old feel to it's design, but it is very much a modern building on the inside.
  
  It opens up to a wide open lobby. The floor is a clean white and the room is brightly lit by florescent lights. Immediately to the right of the door is a reception desk where a receptionist can be found for direction during business hours. On the left of the entrance is a security desk where an Enforcer can be found. In the middle of the room is a small fountain with several chairs around it. On the far side of the room is an elevator and there are a number of other doors that lead out of the room.
  
  On the second and third floor there are a number of offices. The mayor's office is on the third floor and there is an office for the Enforcer chief here as well.

Previous Threads:

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Riverside 14
Riverside 13
Riverside 12
Riverside 11
Riverside X: Take a Walk on the Wildside
Riverside IX
Riverside VIII: A New Side
Riverside VII
Riverside VI
Riverside V
Riverside IV: Offside, 10 Yard Penalty
Riverside III
Riverside II
Riverside I: The Beginning

[ThirdEmperor]

[The Heist!]

The burglar can hear the imp giggle from the lock. "Is it because you're so ugly otherwise? But really, I never heard of them demons and it doesn't really matter who you are. Unless I get a new gig you get out or I'll scream, sound the alarm, all of the above. You got that buddy?" It says.

"Hey!"

The Burglar hisses, glancing over his shoulder towards the bend of the hallway. Great. At the mercy of a talkative bit of furniture. "Okay, okay, um, look. I can get you a job. You want a contract? Okay, just you're going to, uh, need to explain the whole, y'know, how to do that." This is going to involve blood, isn't it? Always with the blood.

[Slii Arhem]

Elaine smiles as her nose detects the scent, but does not comment on it, instead saying, "Alright. I'm glad...I'm allergic to dogs, and I like to be...Alive." She finishes filling out the form and hands it back Shayan as she says, "So, when are we going to do this?"

Community Center

"Since dogs are not plants, usually, and the risk of death is extremely minimal you should find nothing too onerous about these trials. I can have you begin testing in the gymnasium with a few light exercises to get your heart-rate up and get a good idea of your vitals. After which, I have an on-site ward set up in the nurse's office for the tests, and any after-trial recovery that you need to do." The nurse likely won't mind, since she was told to be off-duty today, dosed with hypnotizing pollen, and then tied up and slightly gagged while in her fugue state.

Shayan will attempt to lead Elaine by the arm to the gym, and get her running on the treadmill. This part of the testing is entirely for verisimilitude, since it feels much less suspicious to the participants if they have to do some actual exercise for their money. "Just run until you can feel your heart pounding, the treadmill will automatically increase in speed, so place your feet off to either side once you are certain your blood is pumping quickly."

Community Center

Sophia shakes her head
Fraid not, sorry. I'm going to have to back out then.
And she leaves...

Another person appears!
A woman, her long black hair swept back, clad in navy blue cargo pants, a black blouse, and a blue military jacket, her feet bare, her fair skin contrasting with her bright amber eyes.
Through the many tears on her clothing, one can see a lot of her body, covered in bandages.
Hi. I'm interested in this experiment. May I sign up?3

Community Center

"You appear to be quite badly injured, judging by your extensive bandaging, unless it is simply a fashion statement. However, unless you have a specific plant allergy that would make you ineligible for the testing, my only warning to you is that the first part of these trials involves a slight amount of running to check your vitals, so if any potential injuries would complicate that, then I would advise against signing up." Shayan pushes forward a registration form and a waiver, tapping her finger against the space that says Allergies next to it as a reminder.

[Lord Magtok]

Invidia, clad in her armor and a black cloak, blushing, approaches Magtok hesitantly

Fallow’s Furry & Feathered Friends

"You're bright red. We can do this some other time if you have a cold, Invidia," Magtok offers, not even turning to look in her direction. He instead gestures towards a trio of hidden cameras installed on nearby lampposts, which seems to be how he knew she was blushing, without even seeing her with his own eyes.

"I've been watching the street. Either nothing suspicious has happened thus far, or they figured out I was watching an hour ago, only made it look like nothing suspicious happened out here, and have instead laid out a perfect trap to ensnare us both if I take so much as one step forward." Let's hope it's the former, then.

[Ionbound]

Apartment Block

How can you guarantee this? We will deliver mortals to you as per agreement but how do we know you will hold your part after you freed your lord? The demons asks. We'd like see some results before that considering we don't know how long time it would take to free him.

Adele frowns. Well, your list is rather...ambitious. Like I said, I have few daughters. And if we were to all be killed by HALO, or Watch, or Remnant trying to take revenge on us, then neither of our goals would be accomplished. We need more power. If you can help us with that, then we'll help you with your...list. If not, then goodbye.

Community Center

"Since dogs are not plants, usually, and the risk of death is extremely minimal you should find nothing too onerous about these trials. I can have you begin testing in the gymnasium with a few light exercises to get your heart-rate up and get a good idea of your vitals. After which, I have an on-site ward set up in the nurse's office for the tests, and any after-trial recovery that you need to do." The nurse likely won't mind, since she was told to be off-duty today, dosed with hypnotizing pollen, and then tied up and slightly gagged while in her fugue state.

Shayan will attempt to lead Elaine by the arm to the gym, and get her running on the treadmill. This part of the testing is entirely for verisimilitude, since it feels much less suspicious to the participants if they have to do some actual exercise for their money. "Just run until you can feel your heart pounding, the treadmill will automatically increase in speed, so place your feet off to either side once you are certain your blood is pumping quickly."

Elaine is led into the gym, and then nods when Shayan tells her to jog. She hops up on the treadmill, and runs for, oh, let's say, 10 minutes, before putting her feet to the side.

She takes a few deep breaths, and then says, "Alright. That wasn't so bad. What now?" as she, still a little apprehensive as one would be during a clinical test, rubs and scratches at the back of her head.

[Arkhosia]

Community Center

"You appear to be quite badly injured, judging by your extensive bandaging, unless it is simply a fashion statement. However, unless you have a specific plant allergy that would make you ineligible for the testing, my only warning to you is that the first part of these trials involves a slight amount of running to check your vitals, so if any potential injuries would complicate that, then I would advise against signing up." Shayan pushes forward a registration form and a waiver, tapping her finger against the space that says Allergies next to it as a reminder.

Fallow’s Furry & Feathered Friends

"You're bright red. We can do this some other time if you have a cold, Invidia," Magtok offers, not even turning to look in her direction. He instead gestures towards a trio of hidden cameras installed on nearby lampposts, which seems to be how he knew she was blushing, without even seeing her with his own eyes.

"I've been watching the street. Either nothing suspicious has happened thus far, or they figured out I was watching an hour ago, only made it look like nothing suspicious happened out here, and have instead laid out a perfect trap to ensnare us both if I take so much as one step forward." Let's hope it's the former, then.

Community Center

Well, I'm allergic to iguanas, and my injuries won't impair that, so I should be fine.
The girl replies earnestly, smiling slightly (the smile showing off slightly her brilliant white teeth).

FF&FF

no, I don't have a cold, Magtok. Jezebel decided she'd try to help me out by giving me some tips...
She replies embarrassedly, blushing even more.
Ok, that's good to know.

[Murkus]

Southside Sticks Chase

Shantelle investigates the construct to tell if it is still "Alive", and if not she darts after Sticks.
Are you ok sir?

The construct, if it can be called so and isn't something horribly alive underneath the rags, does not appear to be active. It doesn't move in the slightest. Sounded like it hit the ground pretty hard.

Sticks will be a bit harder to catch. He's running, but if she calls out, he'll slowly come to a stop and whip around, brandishing his two-pronged spear. "Where'd it go?" He asks, expecting it to reach out've the fog and grab him at any moment.

The Toy Tinker

Jim gets up silently and goes back to the desk. "You're too hard on yourself, Sticks. You're a good person." is all he says, quietly.

Sticks gives a little start at that, turning his head slowly to face Jim. He leans on one of the store shelves, resting his hand there. His smile returns, if small and weary. "Have you and the lady Uzume conjured a conspiracy to confound me? Whatever makes you tell me that?"

Malchenar

"The fair folk you say? Or the fey or fae as well as many other titles. I believe I have what you need in my personal library. Why don't we take a break from the project and take a visit there?" The door to the laboratory opens up seemingly on it's own and Ryhe gestures for Sticks to go first. "I believe it will suit your tastes, one collector to another."

While Sticks better judgement would normally rule against going into a room first, he's a bit too distracted right now to worry about it. He slips inside, glancing around, mentally high-fiving himself for ensuring these eyes could see in the dark. They aren't the prettiest eyes, by any means, but they are quite practical.

"Precisely. Now, I realize there is no one type of fey, but truly, any tome will do. Particularly newer volumes, on spirit worlds closely intermingled with the Nexus itself."

[Gullara]

Suncrest Manor

Misaka, rather surprised by the location's appearance, presses the button on the buzzer, easily noticeable by the camera.

[Suncrest Manor]

There's a couple of moments of delay before a response comes through the speaker. "Hello, can I help you?" A woman's voice says.

[Arkhosia]

[Suncrest Manor]

There's a couple of moments of delay before a response comes through the speaker. "Hello, can I help you?" A woman's voice says.

I'm here to see Eliseo. I'm an... acquaintance of his.
Misaka replies slightly awkwardly

[Lost_Deep]

The Dare Knight Falls (again)

Whoops, it loses it's grip and continues crashing to the ground with a roar. Bye, bye gargoyle!

This doesn't mean her troubles are over though as the rest of the flock is swarming at her location. One of them swooping down at her from above and trying to grip her arm with it's claws while another is trying to cut her drag chute. The rest of them are simply gathering around, trying to block her escape if she should attempt to swing away, limiting her maneuverability by basically forming a sky-wall around her. They seem better organized now than a few moments ago.

The Dare Knight Falls (again)

Charnel cuts the drag chute herself, falling for a ways, away from the gargoyles. She then forms her wing membranes, diving in a controlled manner into the streets below. She tries to duck into an alley or something similar, and there her skin will change color to suit her surroundings, similar to an octopus' or cuttlefish's camouflage.

[Shadowcaller]

While Sticks better judgement would normally rule against going into a room first, he's a bit too distracted right now to worry about it. He slips inside, glancing around, mentally high-fiving himself for ensuring these eyes could see in the dark. They aren't the prettiest eyes, by any means, but they are quite practical.

"Precisely. Now, I realize there is no one type of fey, but truly, any tome will do. Particularly newer volumes, on spirit worlds closely intermingled with the Nexus itself."

Adele frowns. Well, your list is rather...ambitious. Like I said, I have few daughters. And if we were to all be killed by HALO, or Watch, or Remnant trying to take revenge on us, then neither of our goals would be accomplished. We need more power. If you can help us with that, then we'll help you with your...list. If not, then goodbye.

"Hey!"

The Burglar hisses, glancing over his shoulder towards the bend of the hallway. Great. At the mercy of a talkative bit of furniture. "Okay, okay, um, look. I can get you a job. You want a contract? Okay, just you're going to, uh, need to explain the whole, y'know, how to do that." This is going to involve blood, isn't it? Always with the blood.

[The Heist]

Oh there will be blood alright.

"First we need a contract, but thankfully I can arrange that. I just need an deal and a signature from you my good man so you better start offering before I lose patience." It sounds like the imp is enjoying this a great deal.

[Malechenar]

The room is actually quite small, probably since it's it appears to be some sort of... elevator? Ryhe steps in after him and the doors slowly closes behind them before what sounds like an number of gears and wires are brought to life and the elevator takes them upwards. "Yes, I have books on that particular subject which you describe. It's a rather specific thing to ask for though which makes me curious of what you're going to use them for." The masked lord asks as they slowly are brought upwards.

Fourth Tower Compound

"Hmph, what? You expect Bigfang to just hand over information after you being rude to him? Bigfang wants something in exchange. Yes, you must finish Bigfangs quest for him." Another quest? "Yes, Bigfang serve many gods see? Him finishing great math problem for Chadwick then him try to finish great chaos quest granted to him by other god. But now Bigfang can't rest since he failed to complete the quest. It is a simple quest though, yes, yes. Not hard at all."

Eastside: Closed Scene

With a lot of blood flying I imagine. There was no such thing as a "clean kill" with weapons like that. "Are you okay?" She asks the woman, glancing at the dead creature laying by her feet. She had been in riverside a while but she had never seen something quite like that. "What was that?"

[Below Malechenar]

"And you're a vampire, from westside? You with Tenebras perhaps?" The guard asks her, making some notes on the paper he was given.

The Dare Knight Falls (again)

The gargoyle's follow but they probably aren't as fast as her as she dodges behind a corner. They can smell her however which might make them able to chase her a bit.

Apartment Complex

We realize that fulfilling the entire list would be short to impossible. Think it as... having a lot of potential candidates. Subtly is the key if that is a concept you understand, but do not worry. We will deliver mortals to you, be sure of that. The demon replies. So was there anything else or should we get to it?

[Earl of Purple]

Fallow's Furry & Feathered Friends

From outside, it's hard to see into the pet superstore's compound. It's surrounded by tall, reinforced concrete walls topped with a wide platform patrolled by men with dartguns, and towers overlook the compound at every corner. It looks like a fortress, only with all eyes turned inwards, towards the centre of the compound and all its inhabitants. So more like a prison.

[Lost_Deep]

The Dare Knight Falls (again)

She smells... odd. There's a little bit of human scent, but it's mostly covered by an alien scent.

She's moving a bit fast to track by smell alone, too. She runs parkour, moving from place to place with efficiency and grace, her colors shifting to match the buildings around her. She's trying to disappear, lose the gargoyles completely.

[Lord Magtok]

FF&FF

no, I don't have a cold, Magtok. Jezebel decided she'd try to help me out by giving me some tips...
She replies embarrassedly, blushing even more.
Ok, that's good to know.

Fallow's Furry & Feathered Friends

From outside, it's hard to see into the pet superstore's compound. It's surrounded by tall, reinforced concrete walls topped with a wide platform patrolled by men with dartguns, and towers overlook the compound at every corner. It looks like a fortress, only with all eyes turned inwards, towards the centre of the compound and all its inhabitants. So more like a prison.

"Tips? But she doesn't even know about what we're doing here, she thinks that you and I are..." Magtok's sentence trails off, as he realizes exactly what kind of helpful advice Jezebel, in all her worldly experience, would be qualified to give Invidia, and how it would pertain to their alibi.

"Okay, so...okay. I'm...I'm going to need you, to forget everything she told you about everything, okay? Whatever she said that I'm into...just stop knowing any of that. Catgirls, positions, things to say or do...just stop. None of that ever happened and we're moving on now." Magtok, you can't just retcon things from reality because they're inconvenient for you personally. But you are right about one thing, it's time to move on and start the reconnaissance/sabotage mission. Magtok brusquely grabs Invidia by the shoulder, marching her towards the foul compound.

"Now remember, we hate each other. I'm your callous and heartless master, after buying you off of Jezebel. We're here because I've gotten bored with just you as my bodyguard/pet, and feel like expanding my horizons by buying myself a new girl. Definitely not to find and murder this Fallow guy and his entire extended family before running away with as many freed slaves behind us as possible. Understand?"

[Arkhosia]

Eastside: Closed Scene

With a lot of blood flying I imagine. There was no such thing as a "clean kill" with weapons like that. "Are you okay?" She asks the woman, glancing at the dead creature laying by her feet. She had been in riverside a while but she had never seen something quite like that. "What was that?"

An unfortunate member of my race who succumbed to his taint, the demon who inhabited him. He couldn't keep it at bay, and it took over his body.
Invidia calmly replies, cleaning her blade with a grimace.

[Below Malechenar]

"And you're a vampire, from westside? You with Tenebras perhaps?" The guard asks her, making some notes on the paper he was given.

Macbeth shakes her head.
Stone Mask Vampire.

"Tips? But she doesn't even know about what we're doing here, she thinks that you and I are..." Magtok's sentence trails off, as he realizes exactly what kind of helpful advice Jezebel, in all her worldly experience, would be qualified to give Invidia, and how it would pertain to their alibi.

"Okay, so...okay. I'm...I'm going to need you, to forget everything she told you about everything, okay? Whatever she said that I'm into...just stop knowing any of that. Catgirls, positions, things to say or do...just stop. None of that ever happened and we're moving on now." Magtok, you can't just retcon things from reality because they're inconvenient for you personally. But you are right about one thing, it's time to move on and start the reconnaissance/sabotage mission. Magtok brusquely grabs Invidia by the shoulder, marching her towards the foul compound.

"Now remember, we hate each other. I'm your callous and heartless master, after buying you off of Jezebel. We're here because I've gotten bored with just you as my bodyguard/pet, and feel like expanding my horizons by buying myself a new girl. Definitely not to find and murder this Fallow guy and his entire extended family before running away with as many freed slaves behind us as possible. Understand?"

Invidia nods, still blushing profusely as she's marched there.
I think it will be impossible for that to happen unless you happen to have MagBleach or [Magtok MindWipe pun] with you.

[Ionbound]

Apartment Complex

]Adele smiles, nods, and mentally says, Alright. You have a deal. I'll contact you once someone on your list has been...Dealt with. See you then.

[Earl of Purple]

FF&FF

Inside the compound, there's several large, brightly coloured buildings and it all looks very inviting. There's a building dedicated to mammals, one for birds, one for reptiles and amphibians, one for fish, one for invertebrates and two for animals that don't quite fit into any of those categories. Most notably, there's a large cage containing Fire Drakes, cat-sized reptiles with two legs, a pair of wings and a fiery breath that necessitates quite a large perimeter around their enclosure.

There's no visible signs of the slave trade outside.

[Lord Magtok]

FF&FF

"I don't suppose you would know the secret password that interested buyers used? Anything? Anything useful at all?" Magtok squeezes Invidia's shoulder enough to hurt, scowling coldly at her as he leads the way to the mammals building. He doesn't seem to have any trouble with staying in character for this mission, which might or might not have something to do with mentally slapping an image of Reinholdt's face over her own.

[Slii Arhem]

Adele frowns. Well, your list is rather...ambitious. Like I said, I have few daughters. And if we were to all be killed by HALO, or Watch, or Remnant trying to take revenge on us, then neither of our goals would be accomplished. We need more power. If you can help us with that, then we'll help you with your...list. If not, then goodbye.



Elaine is led into the gym, and then nods when Shayan tells her to jog. She hops up on the treadmill, and runs for, oh, let's say, 10 minutes, before putting her feet to the side.

She takes a few deep breaths, and then says, "Alright. That wasn't so bad. What now?" as she, still a little apprehensive as one would be during a clinical test, rubs and scratches at the back of her head.

Community Center

"Now you will be anesthetized, and undergo the implantation procedure." As she says this, Shayan begins to flood the space around the treadmill with her particular form of hypnotizing scent, produced from the plant fused to her spine. Normally this much would be enough to make someone very pliable to suggestion, but since Elaine's heart is racing and her blood is moving so quickly through her body, this amount of free-floating plant pheromones should just make her pass out as it hits her system like a truck. Unless she holds her breath or is particularly resistant, it should be lights out for her.

Thoughtfully, Shayan reaches out to turn off the treadmill before any potential falling happens, so that her guinea pig doesn't go shooting backwards and suffer any massive head trauma.

Community Center

Well, I'm allergic to iguanas, and my injuries won't impair that, so I should be fine.
The girl replies earnestly, smiling slightly (the smile showing off slightly her brilliant white teeth).
[/COLOR]

Community Center

"Once your forms are filled out, you can follow me to the gym for some light running on the treadmills to get your heart rate up." Shayan heads for the doors prematurely, wanting to get her second test subject underway as soon as she can. There's only so long she can keep up this facade before someone looks into these trials, so a quick turnover is paramount.

[Ionbound]

Community Center

Elaine jump back, expecting needles, and says, afraid, "Wait, what?" Cue the plant sleepytime goodness kicking in, and her shock becomes an, "Uh...." followed by a loud thump as she hits the floor. Oh dear. Shayan might have to deal with some skull fractures.

[Arkhosia]

FF&FF

"I don't suppose you would know the secret password that interested buyers used? Anything? Anything useful at all?" Magtok squeezes Invidia's shoulder enough to hurt, scowling coldly at her as he leads the way to the mammals building. He doesn't seem to have any trouble with staying in character for this mission, which might or might not have something to do with mentally slapping an image of Reinholdt's face over her own.

Invidia shakes her head.
Sorry, no"

Community Center

"Now you will be anesthetized, and undergo the implantation procedure." As she says this, Shayan begins to flood the space around the treadmill with her particular form of hypnotizing scent, produced from the plant fused to her spine. Normally this much would be enough to make someone very pliable to suggestion, but since Elaine's heart is racing and her blood is moving so quickly through her body, this amount of free-floating plant pheromones should just make her pass out as it hits her system like a truck. Unless she holds her breath or is particularly resistant, it should be lights out for her.

Thoughtfully, Shayan reaches out to turn off the treadmill before any potential falling happens, so that her guinea pig doesn't go shooting backwards and suffer any massive head trauma.



Community Center

"Once your forms are filled out, you can follow me to the gym for some light running on the treadmills to get your heart rate up." Shayan heads for the doors prematurely, wanting to get her second test subject underway as soon as she can. There's only so long she can keep up this facade before someone looks into these trials, so a quick turnover is paramount.

The girl, who's name is Ink, does so, following Shayan afterwards!

[Gullara]

[Suncrest Manor]

"Oh, alright. Come on in. Eliseo never told me he was having a friend over. Just come right up to the front door." And with that, the gate swings open before Misaka's eyes.

She is free to follow the cobblestone driveway up to the mansion. The grounds around the mansion are fairly sparse, but a good chunk of the area has been used for a baseball diamond as well as an open area for other activities. The mansion itself is three stories tall and of fairly new construction. She walks past the large garage and up onto the deck surrounding a good portion of the front of the building.

Waiting at the open door is a woman. She looks a lot like Eliseo, though that she shares the same strange eyes is a dead giveaway. Considering that she looks to be in her thirties, she must be Eliseo's mother. "Hello there. I'm Nadia, Eliseo's mom. And you are?" She says with a smile. It's so nice to see Eliseo have friends over.

[Arkhosia]

[Suncrest Manor]

"Oh, alright. Come on in. Eliseo never told me he was having a friend over. Just come right up to the front door." And with that, the gate swings open before Misaka's eyes.

She is free to follow the cobblestone driveway up to the mansion. The grounds around the mansion are fairly sparse, but a good chunk of the area has been used for a baseball diamond as well as an open area for other activities. The mansion itself is three stories tall and of fairly new construction. She walks past the large garage and up onto the deck surrounding a good portion of the front of the building.

Waiting at the open door is a woman. She looks a lot like Eliseo, though that she shares the same strange eyes is a dead giveaway. Considering that she looks to be in her thirties, she must be Eliseo's mother. "Hello there. I'm Nadia, Eliseo's mom. And you are?" She says with a smile. It's so nice to see Eliseo have friends over.

Misaka, clad in her usual uniform of a tan short skirt (really more of a brown), a beige sweatervest worn over a short-sleeved crisp dress shirt, and black shoes, smiles.
I'm Misaka, glad to meet you miss!

[Deathkeeper]

Sticks gives a little start at that, turning his head slowly to face Jim. He leans on one of the store shelves, resting his hand there. His smile returns, if small and weary. "Have you and the lady Uzume conjured a conspiracy to confound me? Whatever makes you tell me that?"

The Toy Tinker

Jim smiles in return. "Well, the consistent staring at your own hands, the speech you gave me about your magic, and the one just now. You don't seem to have the highest opinion of yourself, Boss. And you have plenty to be proud of. You make kids happy, if nothing else. "

Fourth Tower Compound

"Hmph, what? You expect Bigfang to just hand over information after you being rude to him? Bigfang wants something in exchange. Yes, you must finish Bigfangs quest for him." Another quest? "Yes, Bigfang serve many gods see? Him finishing great math problem for Chadwick then him try to finish great chaos quest granted to him by other god. But now Bigfang can't rest since he failed to complete the quest. It is a simple quest though, yes, yes. Not hard at all."

Arty grunts. "If it was politeness you wanted you could try not making comments about my biology. Personally I don't care so much for the problem itself so much as its final solution, but I did agree that I'd deliver it to Chadwick. I personally doubt that "chaos" and "simple" will be appropriate together, particularly considering you didn't finish it, but I'll ask regardless.
What is it?"

[Slii Arhem]

Community Center

Elaine jump back, expecting needles, and says, afraid, "Wait, what?" Cue the plant sleepytime goodness kicking in, and her shock becomes an, "Uh...." followed by a loud thump as she hits the floor. Oh dear. Shayan might have to deal with some skull fractures.

Community Center

Thankfully, a vine snakes out from under her labcoat to intercept the falling Elaine just before her head hits the hard gym flooring. Being an oracle provides Shayan ample resources to plan ahead. And now that her subject is fully unconscious, she can set her up in the nurse's office where she's laid out all of her equipment!

TIMESKIP

When Elaine wakes up, she'll likely feel quite stiff, perhaps even slightly sore in her neck, though that feeling would be muted by the strange quality of her skin. Shayan was perhaps not quite verbally honest with her test subjects, though the unexpected gassing could have probably tipped Elaine off, although a quick inspection of the waiver will show that it's all covered in rather plain and even moderately easy to understand legalese.

You see, what happened while she was out was that a proto-plant, made from the jellied genetic structure of a plant, was injected directly into Elaine's blood-stream and left to bond with her cells, growing off of the nutrients in her body and turning her into what is effectively a human-plant hybrid. Some things could have gone wrong with the procedure, like her body rejecting the infantile stage of the goop and forcing it all to sweat out of her pores, which would render the process inert, if make her waking up more damp than she'd like. If everything went well, or at least went as Shayan hoped it would, then the bonding would express itself in a few, unsubtle ways.

Firstly, all of Elaine's skin should be covered in a pliant, light brown bark that can be peeled off harmlessly to reveal slightly woody skin below, but slowly regrows in the presence of sunlight. It acts as a catcher for photosynthetic energy, storing the sunlight that she gets from her leaves and flowers to supplement her diet.

Said leaves and flowers are, of course, the other major way she's changed. They cascade down the back of her head on a series of thin, twiglike vines that are surprisingly flexible and durable, and resemble lilacs in both smell and looks, alternating between deep purple bunches and creamy white ones.

Her copy of the waiver she signed was placed on her chest, along with an envelope containing enough money for a frugal person to live off for at least two months, and a card with a contact number on it in case any surprising symptoms arise from it. Shayan scribbled a small note on the card saying that the trial was a surprising success, and that she should be happy with her resilient genes.

The girl, who's name is Ink, does so, following Shayan afterwards!

Community Center

Shayan will try to set her up on the treadmill, "It will slowly increase in speed as time passes. Try to run for as long as you can until your heart starts racing, so we can get an accurate measurement of how fast it will beat. Then put your feet to either side of it when you're ready for the next phase." Shayan gets out a stopwatch, having picked it up from some storage cupboard to add to the officialness of this charade.

[Arkhosia]

Community Center

Ink nods, and runs on the treadmill for a while, surprisingly durable and athletically fit. Her heartraite's that of a human's, cuz she's a human.
She finally places her feet down, sweating profusely.

[Ionbound]

[Post Timeskip]

Elaine wakes up, feeling quite odd. Which, all things considered, is unsurprising, considering her new body. She runs her fingers through her plantified hair, and then wrapping it around her face and breathing in deeply, trying to get a good feel for how much she's changed, before reading the note, and grinning at the compliment, before calling up Shayan on her phone as she walks to her home.

Phone: "Okay...What the hell did you do to me? Not that I'm really complaining, but...I'd like to know if anything else is going to happen."

[Another Time, Another Place]

An alternate-Elaine, this one still human and unplantified, is strolling down one of the streets in Westside, a bit more confident in herself that usual...Hopefully something bad won't happen.

[Recaiden]

[Westside Streets: The Other Place]

A woman in crimson robes is striding down the street, enjoying the odd sunless light that prevails here. Noting Elaine, she stops and watches the other woman for a moment, before pushing through the winding street to her.
"Hello. Do you consider yourself to be a bird, or something else?"

[Ionbound]

[Westside Streets: The Other Place]

Elaine furrows her brow at the question, and replies, "...No? I don't think so...Why?"

[Recaiden]

"One of them recognized you. What's your name, girl?" A little silly to call her that, as the woman doesn't look old at all, maybe even younger than Elaine.
"And I thought, why would that happen if you weren't a bird? Tell me about yourself." The woman has turned to be standing beside Elaine, and motions that they should keep walking.