Personification Life - IC Part VI [open]

[Swith Witherward]

Albert smiled a bit when she did that, and did another involuntary purr. "Yeah that's basically what happens when someone pets me like that...." He said a little embarrassed. His tail waved a little faster.

Naomi smiled and kissed his cheek. "Purring is the best way to say "thanks for making my day better" you know," she reassured him.

"Tomorrow, I think," she said to Gio. I don't know where they're doing it, or when. Maybe while on the tour?"

[New Aksarben]

Albert smiled a bit when she did that, and did another involuntary purr. "Yeah that's basically what happens when someone pets me like that...." He said a little embarrassed. His tail waved a little faster.

Naomi smiled and kissed his cheek. "Purring is the best way to say "thanks for making my day better" you know," she reassured him.

"Tomorrow, I think," she said to Gio. I don't know where they're doing it, or when. Maybe while on the tour?"

"What is a Blessing Ceremony?" Albert asked, a little curious.

[Giovenith]

Albert smiled a bit when she did that, and did another involuntary purr. "Yeah that's basically what happens when someone pets me like that...." He said a little embarrassed. His tail waved a little faster.

Naomi smiled and kissed his cheek. "Purring is the best way to say "thanks for making my day better" you know," she reassured him.

"Tomorrow, I think," she said to Gio. I don't know where they're doing it, or when. Maybe while on the tour?"

"Goodie then, we'll try our best to make it. Miss Swith and good Thriller are a darling couple, I would love nothing more than to wish their partnership a good, long, happy one," she said with a nod perked smile. "As Miss Naomi knows, love is very precious."

[Germanic Templars]

"Well for starters, we could just keep it that only the apartment group knows about it, no need to get the whole population involved, right? It's fine if you don't want the title, really."
__
"It's fine deary, it's fine."

"The whole population thinks you're still a tin man," Swith began to laugh. "Unless you wanted to go fancy, and you could be in your mech suit... which actually sounds kinda cool." She began to laugh even harder. "Okay, I'm not laughing at you. I'm just picturing the even edition of your local newspaper with pictures of us standing on the steps of the palace, me in a insanely fluffy wedding dress and you in that suit but with a magnetic bow tie."

Her laughter tapered off and she sighed. "Thriller, if you do want to publicly acknowledge us, I promise to behave like a humble mortal and not like some all-powerful god. I love your people regardless of whether they know I exist or not. It's not my place to make policy or step into any political arena. It is my place to support you and to have compassion for them. The only thing I would want is to make sure people are aware of the museums, parks and meditation gardens that they have, and maybe find a way for even the worst off of them to enjoy those things. And a damn petting zoo for your daughter. With a damn llama in it."

--

"Well," said Blythe, "What now? If Superbia came with you to make these people, then my people obviously didn't kill him. So... where do I go from here, Lucius?"

"Well the issue is, is that if it is announced publicly, people will be flipping their shit over it due to how sudden and random it happened, especially if they heard we have kids. Plus, it's better for you and the kids not to get mixed up into politics."

---

"I do not know, Blythe. I do know that his essence is somewhere in the first district, if you are looking for him."

[Swith Witherward]

"Goodie then, we'll try our best to make it. Miss Swith and good Thriller are a darling couple, I would love nothing more than to wish their partnership a good, long, happy one," she said with a nod perked smile. "As Miss Naomi knows, love is very precious."

"it is indeed," she hugged Gio.

"It's like a wedding, Albert, only for my people, it happens after the wedding. The eldest of the family offers his blessing to the couple, and they're recognized by all the family. And then... food. Lots and lots of food, because my part of the family is all about feasts and pleasure."

[New Aksarben]

"Goodie then, we'll try our best to make it. Miss Swith and good Thriller are a darling couple, I would love nothing more than to wish their partnership a good, long, happy one," she said with a nod perked smile. "As Miss Naomi knows, love is very precious."

"it is indeed," she hugged Gio.

"It's like a wedding, Albert, only for my people, it happens after the wedding. The eldest of the family offers his blessing to the couple, and they're recognized by all the family. And then... food. Lots and lots of food, because my part of the family is all about feasts and pleasure."

"That sounds interesting." Albert said with a smile. "It sounds like it should be fun from what you're saying..."

[Swith Witherward]

"Well the issue is, is that if it is announced publicly, people will be flipping their shit over it due to how sudden and random it happened, especially if they heard we have kids. Plus, it's better for you and the kids not to get mixed up into politics."

---

"I do not know, Blythe. I do know that his essence is somewhere in the first district, if you are looking for him."

"Can't have the people "flipping their shit"," Swith tried to keep a solid face on that, but failed miserably. She pressed her face into his arm and laughed.

"Sorry, but that was a mental image I didn't need. I understand your situation, though. Keeping Levi in the suit keeps your presence in the palace while allowing you to be yourself. That's something I can absolutely appreciate, my love. Let's plan a quiet island thing for tomorrow. Very small, with plenty of mirth."

--

"I want to find him," Blythe admitted, but I don't want to just leave you hanging again. If I wanted to come say goodbye before I leave for home, can I find you here?"

--

"It should be. Ogoti can be long winded," Naomi snorted. "Let's hope he isn't tomorrow."

[Giovenith]

"I'm sure it will be a wondrous occasion," said Giovenith, patting both of their packs. "And even if we don't find it to be, for Swith and Thriller! We will put on our most dazzling smiles as if the world had been overrun by kittens and dolphins itself!"

[Germanic Templars]

"Well the issue is, is that if it is announced publicly, people will be flipping their shit over it due to how sudden and random it happened, especially if they heard we have kids. Plus, it's better for you and the kids not to get mixed up into politics."

---

"I do not know, Blythe. I do know that his essence is somewhere in the first district, if you are looking for him."

"Can't have the people "flipping their shit"," Swith tried to keep a solid face on that, but failed miserably. She pressed her face into his arm and laughed.

"Sorry, but that was a mental image I didn't need. I understand your situation, though. Keeping Levi in the suit keeps your presence in the palace while allowing you to be yourself. That's something I can absolutely appreciate, my love. Let's plan a quiet island thing for tomorrow. Very small, with plenty of mirth."

--

"I want to find him," Blythe admitted, "but I don't want to just leave you hanging again. If I wanted to come say goodbye before I leave for home, can I find you here?"

--

"It should be. Ogoti can be long winded," Naomi snorted. "Let's hope he isn't tomorrow."

"Alright, that we can do."

---

"Well, I am mostly up on the tallest mountain on the planet, staying in a small chapel-like structure."

[New Aksarben]

"I'm sure it will be a wondrous occasion," said Giovenith, patting both of their packs. "And even if we don't find it to be, for Swith and Thriller! We will put on our most dazzling smiles as if the world had been overrun by kittens and dolphins itself!"

Albert chuckled at that image of Kittens ruling the world. Then he yawned. "well... vale amicis meis." He said in Latin. "It's getting late and I really need to sleep."

"goodnight my friends."

[Giovenith]

"I'm sure it will be a wondrous occasion," said Giovenith, patting both of their packs. "And even if we don't find it to be, for Swith and Thriller! We will put on our most dazzling smiles as if the world had been overrun by kittens and dolphins itself!"

Albert chuckled at that image of Kittens ruling the world. Then he yawned. "well... vale amicis meis." He said in Latin. "It's getting late and I really need to sleep."

"goodnight my friends."

"I can echo that sentiment," she said herself with a yawn. "Good-night Naomi," Giovenith gave Namoi a tight hug, "And good-night Albert," She gave him a hug as well. "I will see you both in the morning hopefully, if not at the ceremony."

[Swith Witherward]

"Alright, that we can do."

---

"Well, I am mostly up on the tallest mountain on the planet, staying in a small chapel-like structure."

She hugged Thriller, happy with the decision.

--

"You have a chapel?" Blythe grinned. "What exactly have you been up to all these years? Chapels, and making people and all of that. I don't suppose you want to tell me the story?"

"I'm sure it will be a wondrous occasion," said Giovenith, patting both of their packs. "And even if we don't find it to be, for Swith and Thriller! We will put on our most dazzling smiles as if the world had been overrun by kittens and dolphins itself!"

Albert chuckled at that image of Kittens ruling the world. Then he yawned. "well... vale amicis meis." He said in Latin. "It's getting late and I really need to sleep."

"goodnight my friends."

"Goodnight, then," Naomi smiled at him. "Thanks for letting me pet your ears."

"Kittens and dolphins?" she giggled at Gio.

"Goodnight, Miss Gio," she hugged her in return.

[Giovenith]

"Good-night all," she said again, before running off to bed.

OOC: *falls on the floor*

[Swith Witherward]

OOC: collab w/Cerillium

1. Location of Building. It's bordered by the woods and near the ocean. There are parks and schools, a bank, and a small pizza joint.
2. Strip District. The Chaos Restaurant, Mei Garden and other restaurant spots are located here. It is upscale and multicultural, with a fine arts gallery and various top-of-the-line stores. A memorial to Dora and the two Conservators lost during the Drone invasion sits in Memorial Park at Ocean Point. This is also the location of a Wall inscribed with the names of those lost to invasions and natural disasters in the last year. It has a massive giraffe statue.
3. Industrial District. Location of most of the industry, to include Quantum Automotive, Nikanor Non-Lethal Solutions, and Trinodyne Industries. This area has working docks, is near the airport and is the access point for the small yacht club's island. The river is a working river for shipping trade inland.
4. Bielefeld Observatory sits high atop Cerillium hill. It is open to the public but those interested in using the facilities for research must pay for time on the telescope.
5. Bielefeld International Airport.
6. Bielefeld State Park. Good spot for relaxing.
7. Lake Pearlelei
8. Agricultural district. Foods Conglomerate can be found here.
9. Bielefeld Military Installation. Contains barracks and the sub base. The airfield and training centers, and other installations, are not on this portion of the map. It is off limits to civilians.
10. Primordials' coral reef.
11. Vaffelhelm ruins. Wasteland. A land barrier prevents the curious from entering. It is still smoldering, and the undercity contains many of the deadly traps that Chaos hasn't bothered to remove. There are rumors that the cultists use it as a playground.
12. Downtown. Black-Star Industries, the Bielefeld Hospital and Renegade Private Military Company can be found here. The Catholic Cathedral, financial institutions, and other major businesses are located within. The seat of the government and city hall sit in the heart of it. Museums, theatres, fine arts galleries, zoo and aquarium.

---

For Gio...

"The fuck is that?" Klaus removed his hat and gawked at the massive sculpture being erected in Memorial Park. He'd overheard Minerva arguing with the city planners over the sculpture earlier and he had backed her once he'd learned that it was a personal request from the godling Giovenith, but Minerva hadn't been completely forthcoming with the description.

Minerva cast a wry glance his direction and calmly sipped her coffee. "Do you like it?"

"What is it?" Klaus' eyes traveled the entire height of the thing, which towered higher than a two-story building.

"Modern art. Where's your sense of style?" Minerva snorted at the expression on Klaus' face. "It's a damned giraffe. Put on your glasses."

"Why is its tongue sticking out?"

"It's telling the Drones to go fuck themselves," she explained.

"Heh. It's fugly."

"Oh, do shut up, Klaus. It's a perfectly adorable giraffe, and as sweet as the godling who requested it," Minerva retorted.

He looked away from the metal thing. His eyes traveled the city proper instead, taking in the newly finished sky scrapers, streets and parks. So much had been done in such a short amount of time. He supposed he could overlook the gaudy sculpture in light of that. They'd rebuilt the city and it was three times as large as before, and much better laid out with working rail lines, subways, street cars, an amphitheater and stadium and other such things. It was far more defensible and now had a proper military base. It was a gem. Klaus looked to the skies and stuck his tongue out at the Drones.

---

The Strip was soon to be one of Bielefeld's most thriving districts. Many citizens had jumped at the opportunity to have their establishments moved to the new location. Nestled along the coastal area, it was miles long and several miles deep and was an upscale and modern place filled with fine arts galleries, grocers, ethnic shops, top-of-the-line stores and wonderful restaurants. Despite all that, it wasn't a pretentious place. It had a casual feel and a welcoming air. Memorial Park at the Ocean Point was right across the way, and subways and a bullet train would whisk shoppers to and from twenty-four hours a day, if they so wished.

Ogoti had left Gliese 581 for a short while to manage the relocation of the Chaos restaurant. It now sat as a prominent feature on the main drag. Swith would need to walk to get to her car but Ogoti refused to pass up the chance to improve foot traffic. Satisfied with the arrangements, he left the keys in Klaus' hands and returned to the Templar home world; he had a Blessing Ceremony to conduct.

The scent of salt air mixed with wildflowers growing near the Industrial district. It was gleaming clean. Docks stood ready to receive massive ocean-going ships, and the railway's newly laid tracks would usher in more business than the old city had ever seen. Even the working river was idea for commerce, and the nearby airport (which could also handle large space-going vessels) would make distribution a breeze.

The cultists and volunteers hadn't wasted any time. Quantum Automotive and Nikanor Non-Lethal Solutions had been rebuilt, although it was up to them to stock their factories with supplies. A new plant, Trinodyne Industries, was also constructed. Other ventures owned by the citizens were soon reforged. Everything sat in tidy rows.

It wasn't an ugly area, like most industrial districts. Careful attention had been paid to aesthetics. It was sleek, modern and a model of industry. The access point for the small yacht club's island was just as fitting as the parks and small restaurants that were incorporated into the space.

Bielefeld Observatory sat high atop Cerillium hill. A small building, reminiscent of an ancient hermitage, stood nearby. It would house some of Ceril's people. The proximity to the Industrial District was idea for the Tech-priests, and the seclusion offered by the long drive meant that they could go about their day without being gawked at.

Rolling hills outside of town gave way to flat ground where a plethora of crops could be grown. A vineyard had been planted, funded by Ogoti as a hobby. Pastureland was populated by cattle and sheep, and farming citizens could return to their livelihood. The Nifid had provided disease-resistant crop seed at no charge to them. An area was set aside for the future home of Foods Conglomerate.

The installation was buzzing with activity as new supplies arrived. A standing military had been trained by Atosh personally, each soldier profiting from not only the best training but also the best equipment. These were the citizens of the sovereign-state, men and women with a desire to protect their newly rebuilt lives. In this matter, Atosh and Ogoti would accept no cultist taint.

The waters would soon contain new nuclear submarines and destroyers. Aircraft (the best the world had to offer) would soon line the flight lines. Weapons were purchased with quality in mind rather than lowest bidder. The standing military would be strong, the reservists would add to that strength and, in times of crisis, the militia would activate which would give the sovereign-state a massive military presence. It was set up much like the Swiss and the citizens would be able to stand their ground.

The installation was closed to all but the proper personnel and Atosh left instructions to shoot down any aircraft that approached without proper clearance. He was also adamant that other military forces were not to enter Bielefeld waters. "Keep that crap to International Waters," he had growled to the Joint Chiefs, "And, since you don't belong to any of the pathetic world agencies, if trouble comes knocking, nuke it until it glows." (He had, of course, provided Bielefeld with that capability as well as a few other goodies.)

Everything brought in would be in a report by the end of the following week, open to the public to read.

Black-Star Industries had been rebuilt and, as promised, every last bit of equipment and every last experiment was returned intact. The Nifid had gone the extra distance and equipped the town with the means necessary to counter containment breaches and outbreaks, and the city dropped a large contract into Black-Star's lap with regard to medical research.

The Bielefeld Hospital was now massive and the morgue relocated to its own forensic building in the main police station. It was cutting edge for cancer treatment and cardiac care. Citizens had been trained up as nurses and doctors during their stay with Chaos, and everything had been streamlined for the patient's benefit.

The Renegade Private Military Company was also relocated downtown. It sat amidst the Catholic Cathedral, financial institutions, and other major businesses. Museums, a conservatory, a zoo and an aquarium were now located there as well.

The seat of the government and city hall were at the heart of it all. The few cultists who were not citizens retired from their positions but remained to teach their replacements the ropes. The ones who were citizens stayed on because they loved the city.

The charred remains of the old city were portioned off with a high wall to prevent people from wandering in. It would smoulder for years to come, and was a wasteland. Atosh called the old sub base his home and he maintained a respectable force to assist the city in defense while it got back on its feet. Nothing would grow there, nothing would thrive. Heavy fog settled on it each night and barely dissipated in the noon sun. It was a forlorn place.

It seemed like ages had passed since Swith had stood in the pavilion and asked people to be patient. The wooden structure was still there, the last bastion of Tent City. A street had been laid and new buildings sat cozily on in a row but the lot itself, the actual heart of Tent City, was still vacant.

The breeze kicked a small bit of paper over the ground. Minerva stooped and picked it up. She chuckled. The old advert was from the back of one of Swith's Underworld Times. It was the original ad for the last building on 42th Subabsurdus Street, Vaffelhelm. The cultist leader often laughed at the numerical error and street name, but now it just seemed so fitting in retrospect.

"Subabsurdus Street. That's what we'll name our street."

She threw her head back and shouted, "O.C. Demens, you wanker, you said the Building was indestructible. We want our bloody deposits back!"

"That can be arranged," a soft voice carried on the wind.

Minerva turned to find the odd man standing on the street in front of the empty lot.

"Yes, my dear, that can be arranged, but I have a business proposition. I need tenants."

She listened to him, her smile growing wider as he spoke.

---

Demens' magic was entirely foreign to Minerva but his style was spot on. She placed a hand on the front door and stepped through to the lobby. It was all there. The Thinking Bench, the phone booth, the mail boxes... the stairs leading up to the communal dining room and kitchen. The rooftop party area had returned, and even the boiler room. Demens had gone the distance this time and the gym was now fixed in place and had a pool and spa. There was even a library filled with odd books. All was there and just waiting for people to sign their leases and move back in. Doors would appear, as they always did, when tenants signed on. Now they would have their choice in spots again.

Minerva toured the empty halls and smiled at several doors that had materialized on their own. Bones & Co was a bastion of better days. She paused to slip a note under their door inviting them to Thriller and Swith's Blessing Ceremony. She continued on her tour and found a cheery location for Thriller's room. She gingerly plucked the spare key from her pocket and unlocked it so the quarters could once again appear in that dimension. She went down the hall a bit further and found the perfect spot for the new family. When she opened the door, she found that the apartment resembled the suite in Thriller's palace. "Home away from home," Minerva laughed.

Klaus was in the lobby when she returned. He was screwing a new plaque next to a door that materialized where the old Sanctuary door had been. The plaque read, "Chaos Apartment". She laughed.

"Don't knock it," he chided her. "Ogoti brought everything back from the restaurant. It's just as it was only with a bit more added. Now, about that offer to hang my clock on your wall?"

"The offer's still good, Klaus," Minerva replied.

They journeyed down the stairs and into the Chaos apartment. Ogoti had indeed been busy. There were a few new rooms added... one for himself, specifically. Atosh, Yoshi and Sutra were not invited to live in that space. She let herself into her new bedroom (which actually contained a bed in addition to all her cache, for once) and Klaus hung his mended coo-coo clock in its new home.

The wooden pavilion still remained in the back yard, as did the post. The map fluttered from its nail and came to rest on the dewy grass. O.C. Demens picked it up and put it back in place before vanishing into the early mist.

[Torsiedelle]

"Indeed.", Torii replied. "It's a beautiful place. I especially like this area."

Even though she was wearing a one-piece, she hasn't been swimming yet. She slipped her feet deeper in.

After first testing the water she didnt inch her way in but instead walked onto the water standing on it for a breif second before falling directly in while submerging herself. As she did her skin took on a different color and pattern which each moment of the act before settling on a pulsing white light once she rose. "Ah..." she said with a shudder "Im really glad thriller invited us here. What have you been doing?"

"Oh, this and that.", Torii replied. "Nothing big."

She slipped into the water and started swimming around the sides of the pool.

[The BranRiech]

Bran was sitting alone in the dining hall, an empty look in his eyes as he thought about the various things befalling his friends and family. Vaporized by Drones, blown up by enemy tanks in a pointless war with the Ukraine a long while back, shot, and the most vividly; lined up against a wall filled with the happy drawings of two young children, and shot.

Tears started to roll down his face again and he responded by burying it in the tablecloth.

--

Rylli sat at a pool chair with Rachelle who was reading a book at the time. Rylli was admiring Insidious with fascinating nods.

[Giovenith]

Bran was sitting alone in the dining hall, an empty look in his eyes as he thought about the various things befalling his friends and family. Vaporized by Drones, blown up by enemy tanks in a pointless war with the Ukraine a long while back, shot, and the most vividly; lined up against a wall filled with the happy drawings of two young children, and shot.

Tears started to roll down his face again and he responded by burying it in the tablecloth.

"Bran-Bran...?" asked Giovenith timidly, poking him carefully.

[Torsiedelle]

A pair of blue eyes peeked at Bran from a doorway, a small tuft of bleach-blonde hear covering one before being batted away. Whoever it was watched for a minute before trying to quietly sneak away. The pitter-patter of footsteps was a bit louder than anticipated, though.

Gio's entry made the figure come back.

[The BranRiech]

Bran looked up slightly from his self-imposed bawling and sighed loudly.

"I can't take it anymore . . ." His voice was almost inaudible as he spoke.

[Torsiedelle]

Bran looked up slightly from his self-imposed bawling and sighed loudly.

"I can't take it anymore . . ." His voice was almost inaudible as he spoke.

The figure was worried now. It took a few steps into the doorway.

[Giovenith]

Bran looked up slightly from his self-imposed bawling and sighed loudly.

"I can't take it anymore . . ." His voice was almost inaudible as he spoke.

"Take what?" she pushed, resolved to giving him a hug. "Bran-Bran, we're all here for you, you know..."

[The BranRiech]

"It doesn't feel like it . . . If everyone was here for the other, our friends would still be alive. If everyone was there for the other, my parents would still be alive." Bran said coldly, still looking to the floor, although his eyes darted to the new figure walking in.

[Torsiedelle]

"It doesn't feel like it . . . If everyone was here for the other, our friends would still be alive. If everyone was there for the other, my parents would still be alive." Bran said coldly, still looking to the floor, although his eyes darted to the new figure walking in.

Torii kept her head low and awkwardly shuffled to the side of the room, listening to Bran and Gio. She said nothing, but instead kept her eyes pointed at the two.

[Giovenith]

"It doesn't feel like it . . . If everyone was here for the other, our friends would still be alive. If everyone was there for the other, my parents would still be alive." Bran said coldly, still looking to the floor, although his eyes darted to the new figure walking in.

"Our lives are always going to be filled with if's..." she said, putting a hand on his shoulder. "It's not bad to be sad or upset about what's happened, but we can do our best to make today and tomorrow better. That's what we're all here for."

[The BranRiech]

"Yeah, and I really need to do something to get my mind off of all of this." Bran sighed and smiled weakly at Torii. "I was wondering if you wanted to mess with the guns we brought with us." He shrugged and stood up, patting Gio gently on the head.