Personification Life - IC Part VIII [open]

[Swith Witherward]

"Trust me, I never understood it either. Then again I never understood why the poor and the common man would go to war and people like politicians stayed at home and sat on their hands only to make up laws that burden the people more. I mean, for a month or so the politicians would care but after that they would forget all about us until significant progress was made, but by that time, most of us have lost dear friends, brothers and sisters if I must add on to that." He gave a sigh before continuing. "Only people who benefit from war are the victors. And usually the victors are those who send the soldiers to do their work."

"This reason alone is why when my nation goes to war, I fight along side it. Not only does it give the soldiers inspiration, but the fact that their leader ain't a total fat ass who only uses them for gain. That this leader understands war cause he fights along side us. I mean if it is a war I started, I will get involved and I will fight for and with my people no doubts about it. Hell if anything, I consider all of Gliese and the Empire itself as my family.. Well one of the few different types of family."

--

"Well despite the crusades, i found a lot of men from the first in heaven, not because they went on a massacre, but mainly because they were a bit mislead. Plus they didn't fight for God, they fought to clear out the bad Muslim group that was occupying and harassing Christian pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem. Their hearts were pure, but not their direction."

--

"But if we have too many mirrors then they would conflict with eat other, which can get a bit hectic."

Swith nodded. "I hate the fact that you go into the battlefield, but I admire that about you as well. You don't ask your men to do anything that you wouldn't do, and when things are grim, you put yourself in the brunt of it rather than make them suffer. Like the augmented children who... went rogue that time. You didn't give an order and walk away. You were there, and witnessed it, and participated in it, and bore the same internal pain that your men did."

She pressed her face against his arm. "If I wanted to marry a pacifist, I would have sought a philosopher in a cave. I fell in love with a leader and his people. You give a damn about them. They aren't subjects in your eyes. That means the universe to me."

--

"Plagues and crusades," Xanthe shook her head. "Good business for Chaos. Bad business for mankind. Well, except for commerce. I remember it increasing during the Crusades, but that's because trade routes were better protected, perhaps?" She shrugged. "I always wanted to start my own pantheon. I'd tell the people to not worship me. Instead, go out and play nice. I don't think it would catch on, though."

--

Blythe sat down on the bed and grinned. "Well, we don't need any. You can just stand there and be your beautiful self, and I'll admire the view. Although I have to leave every now and then, so one mirror won't hurt. And throw pillows. We need those. And chains. They're so underutilized as accessories. And a nice stall for the goats, because - hey. Where did Xanthe's goat go?"

[Torsiedellious and Sturmovosk]

Now back home and relaxed, Torii let her feet soak in the pool, while she paid down on the poolside. It was nice and peaceful, though she wished she had some company. Oh well.

A toy plane landed with a splash in the pool.

What was this that had disturbed the tranquility? Torii looked over to see.

She saw the airplane, and became slightly confused. Where did it come from? She looked around to see.

[Giovenith]

A toy plane landed with a splash in the pool.

What was this that had disturbed the tranquility? Torii looked over to see.

She saw the airplane, and became slightly confused. Where did it come from? She looked around to see.

"Seventy-five went down!" screeched Giovenith, hopping out from around a corner and stopping frantically at the edge of the pool. She had created some kind of headdress out of plastic arts and crafts feathers, decorated it with glitter, and put the wing-lead badge from her headband onto it as well. "Friday! Friday! King Friday, can you heeeeeear me?!" Giovenith yelled at the plane, bobbing in the water. "KING FRIDAAAAAAAAAAY!"

[Torsiedellious and Sturmovosk]

What was this that had disturbed the tranquility? Torii looked over to see.

She saw the airplane, and became slightly confused. Where did it come from? She looked around to see.

"Seventy-five went down!" screeched Giovenith, hopping out from around a corner and stopping frantically at the edge of the pool. She had created some kind of headdress out of plastic arts and crafts feathers, decorated it with glitter, and put the wing-lead badge from her headband onto it as well. "Friday! Friday! King Friday, can you heeeeeear me?!" Giovenith yelled at the plane, bobbing in the water. "KING FRIDAAAAAAAAAAY!"

Torii was more confused. "Um...Gio, what's going on?", She asked. "Is it the plane?"

[The New Velociraptor Empire]

"Yours, I don't even know who you are wolfman. Even Wilfred Warfstashe himself doesn't have access, only Betty Jackson and Dr. Martin have access to those patient files." Vanessa stated as she tapped away at the keyboard as the reception phone rang again. "Excuse me one moment....Martin Fertility Clinic how may I help you?" she answered and turned slightly away from the door to the examination rooms. A camera watched the door from the corner of the ceiling with the red light blinking away to show that it was on.

Ray decided that it might be a bit of a risk to try and steal any possible information off of the computer, so he decided that the best shot would be exiting out of the clinic. He made his way back to his car and stood outside of it, pulling out his phone and dialing up Wilfred from his phone's memory. Ray hoped he would get an answer: otherwise, he might have to try some of the rather unorthodox methods he'd figured earlier. If he'd get an answer from Wilfred, he'd tell him that he needed signed documentation from him if he could provide it.

"This is Wilfred Warfstashe, who am a talking to?" the client answered. He was in the middle of using beans to decide which employees of his got raises. He stood over the pictures and tossed the beans at them one at a time, making a clicking noise every time they hit the table.

[The BranRiech]

"That sounds good, a spare room or something?" Bran suggested and looked next door to them from the hallway. Sure enough, there was a vacant apartment room, one that the late Dr. Bernitz had used before her death in the last drone invasion. It was devoid of anything inside, besides a few papers and animal crates, as well as some various lab tools.

--

"So~!" What'cha want to do?" Kei asked and continued her rolling.

[Swith Witherward]

"Eh. Random really. Whatever fits the 'feel' of the Chapter or Legion for whatever means. Thus I'll likely grabbing a Thesaurus or two- never thought I'd need one in life. Odd. Such books are normally reserved for the stranger slaves of the legion that wish to insult their masters more eloquently. I suppose after discussing with Blythe and her Daemonettes and stopping by the library we might wish to grab a couple historical books as well. Pick apart our minds in search of a good name for the child. But enough planning- on to see if the Daemonettes are up for a celebration Tipper"

Volturius inquired with a raised, bald brow, already knowing the answer. They'd likely already met half the horde's number at Swith's birthday and likely forgotten the names of the lot from the complete sensory overload experienced.

Tipper grinned. "A celebrations would be good, but we also need to keep our minds on the task. When cavorting with Daemonettes, it's always wise to not sample too much of whatever they offer you. On the other hand, we should see if other cultists want to join us. Perhaps a few of the building inhabitants? But where do we find the main one in charge of the rest?"

Tipper actually didn't know where Blythe was or if she lived in the building at all. The properties of the structure messed with her senses a bit, and she still had a gnawing feeling that there were daemons in the walls. Or perhaps in the shadows touching those walls. It made little sense to her yet the hunch was there.

OOC: this has sat open on a tab for a long while. I thought it posted. Sorry for the delay.

[Germanic Templars]

"Trust me, I never understood it either. Then again I never understood why the poor and the common man would go to war and people like politicians stayed at home and sat on their hands only to make up laws that burden the people more. I mean, for a month or so the politicians would care but after that they would forget all about us until significant progress was made, but by that time, most of us have lost dear friends, brothers and sisters if I must add on to that." He gave a sigh before continuing. "Only people who benefit from war are the victors. And usually the victors are those who send the soldiers to do their work."

"This reason alone is why when my nation goes to war, I fight along side it. Not only does it give the soldiers inspiration, but the fact that their leader ain't a total fat ass who only uses them for gain. That this leader understands war cause he fights along side us. I mean if it is a war I started, I will get involved and I will fight for and with my people no doubts about it. Hell if anything, I consider all of Gliese and the Empire itself as my family.. Well one of the few different types of family."

--

"Well despite the crusades, i found a lot of men from the first in heaven, not because they went on a massacre, but mainly because they were a bit mislead. Plus they didn't fight for God, they fought to clear out the bad Muslim group that was occupying and harassing Christian pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem. Their hearts were pure, but not their direction."

--

"But if we have too many mirrors then they would conflict with eat other, which can get a bit hectic."

Swith nodded. "I hate the fact that you go into the battlefield, but I admire that about you as well. You don't ask your men to do anything that you wouldn't do, and when things are grim, you put yourself in the brunt of it rather than make them suffer. Like the augmented children who... went rogue that time. You didn't give an order and walk away. You were there, and witnessed it, and participated in it, and bore the same internal pain that your men did."

She pressed her face against his arm. "If I wanted to marry a pacifist, I would have sought a philosopher in a cave. I fell in love with a leader and his people. You give a damn about them. They aren't subjects in your eyes. That means the universe to me."

--

"Plagues and crusades," Xanthe shook her head. "Good business for Chaos. Bad business for mankind. Well, except for commerce. I remember it increasing during the Crusades, but that's because trade routes were better protected, perhaps?" She shrugged. "I always wanted to start my own pantheon. I'd tell the people to not worship me. Instead, go out and play nice. I don't think it would catch on, though."

--

Blythe sat down on the bed and grinned. "Well, we don't need any. You can just stand there and be your beautiful self, and I'll admire the view. Although I have to leave every now and then, so one mirror won't hurt. And throw pillows. We need those. And chains. They're so underutilized as accessories. And a nice stall for the goats, because - hey. Where did Xanthe's goat go?"

"Oh why thank you, dear. But I hope you do know I am quite the pacifist. I mean I am all for peace, which is why I try to avoid it to the best I can."

--

"Well I am sure if there was someone who was completely haughty as can be and liked being worshiped you could pair up with them. Me, I could care less if I become one or not."

--

"I am pretty sure she took that think out for a walk. Plus I really don't like looking at myself in the mirror. True I do like showing my muscles but not to myself. I like to let others see what I have and admire it. To put it in perspective, not showing off is the equivalent of owning a store but not putting up any advertisements. Or something like that, really. What I am trying to say is, is that no one will know what you have unless you show them. But I agree, we could use some chains."

[Torsiedellious and Sturmovosk]

"Well...."

Katya thought about it, but it was hard. Still, she eventually got an idea.

"Oh! How 'bout we go get waisted? Or we could check out some clothes, maybe catch a movie?"

[Tiltjuice]

"That sounds good, a spare room or something?" Bran suggested and looked next door to them from the hallway. Sure enough, there was a vacant apartment room, one that the late Dr. Bernitz had used before her death in the last drone invasion. It was devoid of anything inside, besides a few papers and animal crates, as well as some various lab tools.

"Where should I put it?" Chrys asked, as she had the stone broadside and parallel to her face. Then she made a face, deciding that the question was moot.

The stone dropped with whatever sound it would make as it connected with the floor.

[Primordial Luxa]

"That sounds good, a spare room or something?" Bran suggested and looked next door to them from the hallway. Sure enough, there was a vacant apartment room, one that the late Dr. Bernitz had used before her death in the last drone invasion. It was devoid of anything inside, besides a few papers and animal crates, as well as some various lab tools.

"Where should I put it?" Chrys asked, as she had the stone broadside and parallel to her face. Then she made a face, deciding that the question was moot.

The stone dropped with whatever sound it would make as it connected with the floor.

Calling it a sound would be an understatement. What really happens is a wave of kinetic energy equal to a sonic boom ripples out from the tablet smashing into all of the nearby residents with bone crushing force. A sound akin to bell being struck resonates with it leaving a ringing sound in the minds of all those nearby.

[Swith Witherward]

Dora smiled, uncharacteristically charmed despite herself by the old man's narration. Deciding to play into it a bit more, she gave him a wink.

"I've heard tales of the rabbit you mention, sir. And from the sound of them, I don't think you'd be very far off the mark. Maybe he brings luck, indeed! And a good sort, too. Tidy, always friendly. I wouldn't be surprised if some of the building people thought of him as you all do - as a mascot. He certainly seemed to be; though I'm not sure myself if he was there when the Drones came. The stories from that time were almost...chaotic."

He and the others had clearly been touched by MB, and she in turn felt touched by that willingness to believe. But her nature won out, despite his offer of 20% off, and she demurred.

"I'm just a girl on vacation," she tried, with another smile, as she reached into her purse for her wallet. "How much for the whole salmon?"

The lines of his face increased as he smiled. "How about 8?" He lifted a good fish from the ice and held it out for her to inspect, gently turning it so she could see the clarity of its gills on both sides. Sunlight seeped through openings in the tarp covering his stall and caused the fish's eyes and scales to twinkle.

[Tiltjuice]

Calling it a sound would be an understatement. What really happens is a wave of kinetic energy equal to a sonic boom ripples out from the tablet smashing into all of the nearby residents with bone crushing force. A sound akin to bell being struck resonates with it leaving a ringing sound in the minds of all those nearby.

Chrys swore as she rolled to her feet. Her armor had protected her from the force of it, but she'd gotten knocked down anyway. By instinct, she checked the others' readouts to see if they were about to shuffle off the mortal coil. She'd look bad if Bran died on her watch, and Jacob was her favorite pounce toy.

"Everyone OK?" she called.

The lines of his face increased as he smiled. "How about 8?" He lifted a good fish from the ice and held it out for her to inspect, gently turning it so she could see the clarity of its gills on both sides. Sunlight seeped through openings in the tarp covering his stall and caused the fish's eyes and scales to twinkle.

"That's a good price for a decent fish!" Dora reached out and prodded the flesh experimentally, pleased as it bounced back. Nodding, she fished out a few bills and handed them over.

"How often does this fish market run? I'll have to come down here more often, I think!"

[New Aksarben]

"Where should I put it?" Chrys asked, as she had the stone broadside and parallel to her face. Then she made a face, deciding that the question was moot.

The stone dropped with whatever sound it would make as it connected with the floor.

Calling it a sound would be an understatement. What really happens is a wave of kinetic energy equal to a sonic boom ripples out from the tablet smashing into all of the nearby residents with bone crushing force. A sound akin to bell being struck resonates with it leaving a ringing sound in the minds of all those nearby.

"AGH!" Jacob said, the force of the sonic boom throwing him into a wall. He coughed a few times, stunned by the sudden force. "How in hell did it cause such a powerful force by Chrys just dropping it?" He looked at Chrys, wondering how damaging it would have been for her, seeing as she had been closest to it. Then again, she did have that armor. He saw that she was fine, so he then looked for Bran to make sure he was fine as well. "Damn, that probably is going to cause some bruising later.... And that noise gave me a headache..." He held onto his head. His ears were back against his head from the pain and discomfort that he had just experienced.

[Erucia]

"This is Wilfred Warfstashe, who am a talking to?" the client answered. He was in the middle of using beans to decide which employees of his got raises. He stood over the pictures and tossed the beans at them one at a time, making a clicking noise every time they hit the table.

"Yes, Mr. Warfstache, it's Ray Jansma," Ray bit his lip as he tried to hold back a sigh. The inherent ignorance of Wilfred was absolutely stinging in this instance, just by his introduction and tone of voice. "Do I have permission to have your signature on a document that approves me as your representative to the clinic? I can't get the papers easily without your signature on a document stating that you acknowledge me...Unless you want me to cause a disturbance at the clinic, which could be more trouble than it's worth."

[Teepot Kingdom]

"Where should I put it?" Chrys asked, as she had the stone broadside and parallel to her face. Then she made a face, deciding that the question was moot.

The stone dropped with whatever sound it would make as it connected with the floor.

Calling it a sound would be an understatement. What really happens is a wave of kinetic energy equal to a sonic boom ripples out from the tablet smashing into all of the nearby resident with bone crushing force. A sound akin to bell being struck resonates with it leaving a ringing sound in the minds of all those nearby.

Ate, thrown against the wall, sat deathly still as he lay on the floor. _{What the?...} He thought, barely heard over the ringing in his ears. But his muscles, groaning and straining, managed to lift him into a sitting position while he attempted to regain his senses. How long had he been out, if at all? Being very disoriented and with his eyes blurry, he managed to make out what appeared to be the tablet laying on the floor. Had... Had it fell? It didn't make sense to him, at least not in this state. Attempting to get his sight back into focus, he looked around to the others, seeing them in doubles.

"I'm... I'm ok." Ate croaked from the wall.

[Swith Witherward]

"That's a good price for a decent fish!" Dora reached out and prodded the flesh experimentally, pleased as it bounced back. Nodding, she fished out a few bills and handed them over.

"How often does this fish market run? I'll have to come down here more often, I think!"

Pleased with her response, the man began to wrap her fish in waxed paper. "Every morning, miss," he replied as he folded over the ends. "Best catch is always in right before dawn. Freshwater fish usually comes in a bit later since it comes from the river side, but the ocean vessels pull up to the harbor by 5 AM usually, weather permitting. Winter is a bit different. Good crab season. Those arrive towards the end of each week and distribution is usually on Fridays. Eh, shellfish is always much more expensive here. I don't rightly know why."

He taped the edges of the paper and handed the bundle over. "Course, if you get here at dawn, they're still fighting mad and trying to flop off the ice," he winked.

[The BranRiech]

Bran sat up and coughed heavily for a few second, blood dripping out of his mouth as he did so. He didn't notice though, and instead focused on the searing pain shooting across his chest.

"I-I think I broke a rib." He wheezed and sputtered out some more blood. "Dammit, n-not the worst, but this really sucks."

[Tiltjuice]

"That's a good price for a decent fish!" Dora reached out and prodded the flesh experimentally, pleased as it bounced back. Nodding, she fished out a few bills and handed them over.

"How often does this fish market run? I'll have to come down here more often, I think!"

Pleased with her response, the man began to wrap her fish in waxed paper. "Every morning, miss," he replied as he folded over the ends. "Best catch is always in right before dawn. Freshwater fish usually comes in a bit later since it comes from the river side, but the ocean vessels pull up to the harbor by 5 AM usually, weather permitting. Winter is a bit different. Good crab season. Those arrive towards the end of each week and distribution is usually on Fridays. Eh, shellfish is always much more expensive here. I don't rightly know why."

He taped the edges of the paper and handed the bundle over. "Course, if you get here at dawn, they're still fighting mad and trying to flop off the ice," he winked.

Dora began to answer with her usual reply, that it was too cold for her blood, but then reconsidered. She'd been wanting to do things out of her comfort zone, after all.

"Strange that shellfish would be more expensive, but I guess that's always in demand. And crab, when in winter..." She trailed off, musing a bit about the sea. "Dawn it is, then!"

[New Aksarben]

Bran sat up and coughed heavily for a few second, blood dripping out of his mouth as he did so. He didn't notice though, and instead focused on the searing pain shooting across his chest.

"I-I think I broke a rib." He wheezed and sputtered out some more blood. "Dammit, n-not the worst, but this really sucks."

Jacob attempted to stand up, only for him to fall back down in his weak state. "Ow!" He shouted as he it the floor again. Apparently he had bruised his backside. "Damn, that is going to be very annoying..." He muttered, crawling back to his feet, and then leaning against the wall. "Are you okay,Bran? It might be a good idea to go and get help before continuing our experiments. Namely make sure Bran is not bleeding internally, and the same for the rest of us. I do not think I broke anything though. I just will have some nasty bruises in the coming days...."

[Giovenith]

"Seventy-five went down!" screeched Giovenith, hopping out from around a corner and stopping frantically at the edge of the pool. She had created some kind of headdress out of plastic arts and crafts feathers, decorated it with glitter, and put the wing-lead badge from her headband onto it as well. "Friday! Friday! King Friday, can you heeeeeear me?!" Giovenith yelled at the plane, bobbing in the water. "KING FRIDAAAAAAAAAAY!"

Torii was more confused. "Um...Gio, what's going on?", She asked. "Is it the plane?"

OOC: And then the internet said, "I shall troll my master, just as she wants to do something!"

"Oh, TORII!" said Giovenith, pointing at the plane in the pool. "Come on, come on, King Friday's plane fell!" Apparently Giovenith had been slammed face-full-force by the Fog for whatever reason, and was now living through with the symptoms. "Come now! Don't you know that liars say water is dangerous for mad girls? They'll sneak up and drown me if I try! Like a RAT!"

[Swith Witherward]

Dora began to answer with her usual reply, that it was too cold for her blood, but then reconsidered. She'd been wanting to do things out of her comfort zone, after all.

"Strange that shellfish would be more expensive, but I guess that's always in demand. And crab, when in winter..." She trailed off, musing a bit about the sea. "Dawn it is, then!"

The elderly man smiled kindly and returned to his seat. "It'll be a pleasure doing business with you."



The market had begun to thin as people took their parcels and left for home or work. Two odd men ambled down the street, both of them in an intense discussion. They're British uniforms set them apart from the remaining crowd. If they were part of some reenactment troupe, they certainly had the costumes down to a T. They entered the market and waved to one of the workers.

"Eh, Paulie, wots good today?"

The worker waved back. "Tuna, Thomas. Plenty of it left. Some perch. Some sword. Not much else. You taking the leftovers?"

"Yeah, we'll take whatever's handy. Have more mouths to feed. Not my cuppa, but such is life, mate. Pete, keep tabs so we can pay the man."

Paulie pushed his men to work as an old Ford rolled down the delivery alley and came to a stop. The tailgate was lowered by yet another "reenactor", this one in a German uniform. Ice was thrown into the bed and the fish soon followed. Pete kept track of what went in, writing everything down on a slip of paper. He presented it to his companion once the job was done.

Thomas examined the slip and handed it to Paulie. "Looks good. What're the damages today."

The worker gave a figure and the customary haggling began. The end result wasn't much lower than the original figure, but both worker and "reenactor" seemed pleased by their efforts. Money exchanged hands and the old Ford pulled away.

"C'mon, Pete, there's pints with our names on them!" Thomas started to leave but his companion had other plans. He was watching Dora... politely admiring Dora would be a better way of putting it. Thomas gave Pete's skull a swift cuff and then both men left the market via the alley.

[AETEN II]

"Eh. Random really. Whatever fits the 'feel' of the Chapter or Legion for whatever means. Thus I'll likely grabbing a Thesaurus or two- never thought I'd need one in life. Odd. Such books are normally reserved for the stranger slaves of the legion that wish to insult their masters more eloquently. I suppose after discussing with Blythe and her Daemonettes and stopping by the library we might wish to grab a couple historical books as well. Pick apart our minds in search of a good name for the child. But enough planning- on to see if the Daemonettes are up for a celebration Tipper"

Volturius inquired with a raised, bald brow, already knowing the answer. They'd likely already met half the horde's number at Swith's birthday and likely forgotten the names of the lot from the complete sensory overload experienced.

Tipper grinned. "A celebrations would be good, but we also need to keep our minds on the task. When cavorting with Daemonettes, it's always wise to not sample too much of whatever they offer you. On the other hand, we should see if other cultists want to join us. Perhaps a few of the building inhabitants? But where do we find the main one in charge of the rest?"

Tipper actually didn't know where Blythe was or if she lived in the building at all. The properties of the structure messed with her senses a bit, and she still had a gnawing feeling that there were daemons in the walls. Or perhaps in the shadows touching those walls. It made little sense to her yet the hunch was there.

OOC: this has sat open on a tab for a long while. I thought it posted. Sorry for the delay.

"Tipper. My memory is nearly photographic irregardless of any daemonic psyker abilities- and I doubt they would dare overstep the will of their goddess. As for where the Daemonette lives? Best check at the lobby of the building and extract the information for whoever is staffed at the desk as of now." Volturius commented as he quickly strode over to the nearest elevator- keeping Tipper in tow with the tip of a wing. A large, clawed finger then brutally mashed the button for the lobby with as much force required to make it excessive without breaking the device.

"I suppose some cultists could join in for any Slaaneshite celebrations- or to serve in the chapter. Serfs are always needed."

[Tiltjuice]

Bran sat up and coughed heavily for a few second, blood dripping out of his mouth as he did so. He didn't notice though, and instead focused on the searing pain shooting across his chest.

"I-I think I broke a rib." He wheezed and sputtered out some more blood. "Dammit, n-not the worst, but this really sucks."

Jacob attempted to stand up, only for him to fall back down in his weak state. "Ow!" He shouted as he it the floor again. Apparently he had bruised his backside. "Damn, that is going to be very annoying..." He muttered, crawling back to his feet, and then leaning against the wall. "Are you okay,Bran? It might be a good idea to go and get help before continuing our experiments. Namely make sure Bran is not bleeding internally, and the same for the rest of us. I do not think I broke anything though. I just will have some nasty bruises in the coming days...."

Chrys frowned at Bran's condition. "Right...uh, Jacob, can you go over and make sure Ate sees the right number of fingers?" she asked, without even stopping to consider how that sounded. "Here, Bran."

She reached out her arm to help him up, sweeping her other arm around the stone to freeze its perimeter in time. Any who tried to pick it up would get stuck as well.

[New Aksarben]

Jacob attempted to stand up, only for him to fall back down in his weak state. "Ow!" He shouted as he it the floor again. Apparently he had bruised his backside. "Damn, that is going to be very annoying..." He muttered, crawling back to his feet, and then leaning against the wall. "Are you okay,Bran? It might be a good idea to go and get help before continuing our experiments. Namely make sure Bran is not bleeding internally, and the same for the rest of us. I do not think I broke anything though. I just will have some nasty bruises in the coming days...."

Chrys frowned at Bran's condition. "Right...uh, Jacob, can you go over and make sure Ate sees the right number of fingers?" she asked, without even stopping to consider how that sounded. "Here, Bran."

She reached out her arm to help him up, sweeping her other arm around the stone to freeze its perimeter in time. Any who tried to pick it up would get stuck as well.

Jacob nodded, and walked over to the strange man. "Okay, Ate? Can you please tell me how many fingers I am holding up?" He held up three fingers, and held them at a distance that Ate would be able to see them clearly, but that Jacob would not be rude by holding his hand within Ate's personal space. Jacob then noticed concessional twinges of pain from within his arm, but chose to ignore them.