Personification Life: EPIC (IC Thread XI) [CLOSED]

[Swith Witherward]

DINING ROOM
Ogoti pressed palms together, and then propped his chin on the fingertips as Superbia spoke. The jump's effects had been far-reaching. Lucius was asking all the same questions as the rest of the Residents. Sadly, answers weren't forthcoming.

"I can't say where we are, other than there's some suspicion that it's exactly where Demens wants us to be. It's his Building. But here we are to stay, unless we figure out a means to get back. This dimension or universe (whatever you'd like to call it) seems outside of our control. Nothing gets in or out without approval, I suppose. I suspect it's Demens himself that has final say. Not even Elohim can waltz in. I also suspect you and Lucious can't hop to heaven; I certainly can't hop into my pantheon's realm. We are, for lack of better definition, trapped."

His pensive expression remained as Jalo's feet clattered across the dining room floor. The centaur's words were at once reassuring, but only to a small extent. They had time. Ten days, tops.

"Thank you, Jalo," Ogoti unfolded his hands and gestured for the creature to rest a while at their table. Sweat streaked the centaur's flanks. He'd obviously raced here to bear tidings, and that meant the mayor was sharp and on the ball. "Won't you please stay a little while. We have tea, and I'm sure we can find something tasty in the kitchen. Please forgive us for seeming so out of sorts but we are, in fact, out of sorts!"

Klaus patted his pocket as the odd sensation of a living animal announced its presence. It was undoubtedly a bird. He thrust a finger into the pocket and then pried the opening wide to observe an orange parakeet. Ah, new arrival incoming. Damnit, Demens! Couldn't it wait? Regardless, the group were in good hands. Mezran seemed competent enough, of course. He was fairly certain Aegis would appear soon and request to conduct a patrol. It felt right, for lack of a better reason, and Klaus always trusted his gut. The avatar rose.

"Please excuse me. I have something to take care of."

He departed without another word, vanishing into the kitchen (and into the drain that would take him to the lobby's light fixture. Oh don't ask. It's just how things are with Klaus and his Men.)


LOBBY-ish
Neste could have melted on the spot. Septimus had said many wonderfully uplifting things to her over the years, but never anything quite so poignant. Her breath caught in her throat and remained so until he released it with his kiss. It was a blushing construct that greeted the girls as the elevator doors opened.

Yet not all was right. Neste couldn't sense the cultist's thoughts - and wouldn't have made the attempt! - but his body language warned her that something was amiss. He had brought Katya in as well, and Marcus was slowly edging towards the trio.

Volker's crestfallen expression relayed a bit of his sympathy as he handed the envelope to Katya. The girls could read it for themselves. Demens had been alerted to a dire need in their home country. Both were to leave that very night. Klaus would take them. Volker didn't question why or how. There was little need, really. Demens had brought Romulus here, thus the landlord knew of a way to return the girls. Perhaps... perhaps they might gain more insight somehow? He couldn't be sure.

He stood quietly by as the girls read the brief note, his hands folded in front of him and his head slightly bowed to offer them some privacy. Finally, he ventured, "Don't you worry about a thing. We'll keep your apartment secure, and we'll cover the rent while you're gone. I promise to keep an eye on the teen clubhouse."

"What?" Marcus' eyes widened and he looked to Giovenith and realized she was in the same boat as the rest of them. "Wait. No. How? Wait, they're going somewhere? Why?"

He gaze shot between Torii and her sister, questioning each of them in turn and receiving no answers. They were probably as stunned as he was. "Wait, we have to see the Building Ma-"

"They go when they must, and they must go tonight, on Demen's orders," the front desk cultist wasn't going to put up with the boy's bluster.

"But the mission! How long will they be go-"

"The mission can wait," Volker's voice grew stern and Marcus fell silent. "They will be gone a while. There isn't a return date included. I suggest you say your goodbyes before they leave."

The moment stripped away some of Neste's buoyancy. This was terrible news for the group. She had watched them mature, quietly observing them as they slipped behind the phone booth and into their own special place. And now, when they most needed each other, two were to depart. Oh there wasn't any quarreling with Demens when it came to Resident arrivals and departures. It had to be an emergency indeed for him to have the cultists involved.

She laid her hand on Septimus' arm, and spoke softly to avoid disrupting the others. "Those girls? Tora and Katya, the sisters. They belong to the Teen Group. Marcus and Giovenith are their dearest friends, as is the cat. Septimus, if they are to leave tonight, we shouldn't deprive them of fellowship. Can you and I handle the task ourselves? It's only a Building Manager. The portal to his office isn't too far from Rodney's door. Down the hall, hook a right, and pray the man's in a good mood. If we can survive President Hadro and President Edwin, surely we're capable of talking to the landlord's rep?"

Of course, she had never actually been through the door. That was quite another story! Still, regardless of her current bitterness towards Residents, she understood the importance of the moment. Her snout gently pressed against his bicep, the customary gesture she always used to reassure him that she could go on.



HALLS
A shadow fell across Insidious and the cabinet. It's owner was massive and gnarled, but the damaged skin surrounding his mouth and the corners of his eyes was pulled back into a smile.

"Hello there, girly," he spoke pleasantly, "that cabinet looks very heavy. Want me to help you move it?"

Deuce (for that's who it was) removed his heavy gauntlets. No sense in damaging the furniture's wonderful finish. The Chaos Astartes hooked them to his waist and adjusted his sonic blaster so that it rested behind him.



LIBRARY
"Indeed," Rache growled in approval. Good on the Pony. It was refreshing to find someone that didn't hesitate. "She'll be minding Klaus' offspring, I would guess, since I saw Myra wandering around earlier. We'll try his door first."

The lobby was filling up again, mostly with teens and a few adults. The daemon continued onward without paying them any mind. That group was always up to mischief, even when there was none to be had. He brought Willow to the Chaos Quarters door and opened it so the Pony could descend first.

It wasn't a dark and scary stairwell, naturally. In fact, it was rather welcoming. Cheery art deco sconces warming the steps and and drew the eyes downward where an inviting area rug gracing the foyer below. Several doors lead off this foyer, each marked with names rather than apartment numbers. Each door was colored, one lavender and one green, but Rache knocked upon the dark red door bearing a plaque etched "Klaus and Minerva"; someone had added a tiny nameplate inscribed with "Sophie", and then attached to it a teddybear shaped tag marked "Nash". Rache didn't have the balls to make disparaging remarks about any of it.

His knuckles tapped again, and the door opened to reveal a tiny chibi. Her long black hair was tied up in a bun, and her overly large glasses gave her sweet face a nerdy expression, but her smile was genuine once she caught sight of the Pony.

"We've come for answers," Rache explained.

The chibi rolled her eyes. Of course they had. They didn't look like blooming girl scouts! Undoubtedly, they wanted to know something a bit more complex than how to bake a pie. Chi, the only remaining vestige of Charumati (in this dimension) opened the door wider and beckoned the pair inside.

"What would you like to know?" she asked as she magiced two sodas and some chips from the kitchen. The dining room table's clutter also slipped to one side, finger-painted trees and animals budging over to make room for the guests. Baby Nash sat in his highchair, his fists filled with cheerios; Chi would hear their question before going through any effort to remove the baby. "Oh, and try to keep it down. Sophie has just gone for her nap."

[Torsiedelle]

Both of the sisters were worried. What kind of emergency called them home? Katya took the letter and opened it, while Torii waited, anxious.

The news wasn't very good. Katya sighed and put the note away. "Well, I guess we have no real choice. We need to take care of some business, yes.", She said. "I doubt we'd be gone long, but it's still quite sudden, and serious."

Torii gulped. Sbe didn't know what to say.

Katya perked up, for everyone else's sake. "On the upside, I do suppose that we can get some supplies from home, like plants and foods, and maybe bring some ammunition and guns? Gun laws are pretty relaxed back home."

[Primordial Luxa]

Halls
Insidious looked up at the genetically engineer bio-weapon with a blank but slightly perturbed expression. She didn’t like being called girly, she didn’t know why it just felt bad to her. Which was strange because she enjoyed lots of names that where less flattering from people much worse that this sound soldier.

“Yes that would be very helpful.” She said shrugging off her displeasure and remembering all of the death that had occurred so recently which filled her with a kind of perverse glee and turned her skin a lighter shade of grey. “It has an internal capacity of almost a twenty tons and while there are some mass manipulation spheres in it, it’s still very heavy.”

Lawn
Aegis waltzed quickly into the lobby, the dining room, the kitchen, the library and any other room on the lower level which had people on them or people he considered good in combat and said “I’m organizing an expedition to investigate some strange objects in our surroundings. I want to check and make sure they’re not dangerous or harmful and I’d appreciate it if anyone wanted to journey with me in case things turn out to be bad. I’ll be on the front lawn for a little bit if you’re interested.”

Once he had told everyone he went outside and waited on the grassy lawn looking over his possession and weapons which included some general travel gear, his sword and a gun with transcendental rounds. He didn’t want to bring too much and hoped this would be a simple chronicling mission so he was loaded out for war.

[Swith Witherward]

Malal Kon AKA Matthew Morton, adult minotaur traveling the world in search for someone of his own kind, didn't have far too look - although whether or not they were his own kind or just kind of like him was debatable. Regardless, they existed. They dwelt in a place far, far from Maine. The dimension was simply known as Gallimaufry, and the universe itself bore the same name, as did the planet he was to land on. And land he would, my friends, and very soon.

Klaus had gone back to the lobby's reception desk. The former Nazi in his crisp woolen uniform normally didn't handle newcomer arrivals. However, Volker the Front Desk Cultist was helping the Teens, and Minerva was still somewhat quasi-dead, so the task fell to him. He didn't mind. He usually didn't... provided people didn't try to bite his nose off when they landed. An ear, sure. An eyeball? Sure, he could see it. But the nose was a man's best facial feature. He could look down it, or look up it, or smell the roses along the way.

Klaus' nose was currently pointed towards the light fixture above his head. The crystal chandelier was an odd gateway but it had served the last person well. It was rattling now, and one of the downward facing bulbs had begun to unscrew. Klaus watched and waited and then waited some more, and was seriously considering grabbing a ladder to help the process when suddenly, and with a soft CLICK! the bulb came loose and dropped into his expectant hands.

And eyeball appeared at the socket's opening and Klaus winked up at it. Satisfied that all was alright below, the eyeball's owner stepped aside and a shape began to emerge. The body stretched and then fell like a funny booger, tumbling to the lobby floor with a soft thud.

You know that part about Malal Kon AKA Matthew Morton landing on his feet? I lied. He landed heavily, but without breaking a single bone. He might have been pleased as punch (or pissed as hell) but he was currently fast asleep.

Klaus reached down and slipped his hands under the newcomer's armpit. Our new arrival would blink away at this moment, and without a single recollection of anything except the city he had last been in. (No, not Bielefeld. Goodness, let the fellow choose his own jumping point!)

"Good afternoon," the former Nazi in the crisp uniform said in his equally crisp Bavarian accent. His eyes held a friendly twinkle, and his face seemed kindly enough although, if one were to look closely, they could see that he wasn't a man to be trifled with. His cropped silver-blonde hair glinted under the lobby's light as he strained to help the newcomer up. And then, once he was sure the newest Resident was on his feet, he tossed the lightbulb upward just in time for it to be caught in a hand thrust right out of the socket.

"Welcome to the Apartment Building," Klaus spoke again. "You'll want to sign the lease and get your key, no doubt."

[Giovenith]

"Torii!"

For a moment, Giovenith forgot all about the quest as she ran over to envelope her friend in a tight hug. The godling was less physically strong than Torii, but she still managed to deliver a powerful squeeze. It had to be powerful--all of this was so unexpected, she had no choice but to force every bit of feeling necessary into as little time as possible.

Torii was a deep friend--she was the only friend Giovenith had every really had a serious fight with. And perhaps to some that made it seem like a lesser friendship, but Giovenith thought otherwise. It was really easy to be always nice. It was easy to be two-faced and growl at someone inside while wearing a smile, to put up with each other for the sake of it instead of parting like you should have. What took being clever and dedicated was making these things known, to decide that sticking with someone was worth it even though you both knew exactly what was on each other's minds, when the good actually overcame the bad itself rather than having the bad buried away for no one to even consider.

That was why Torii was important.

--

Willow initially felt some nervousness at being lead into the much-forbidden Chaos quarters, but quickly brushed it off, knowing that so long as he had permission as he did now there would be nothing to be afraid of. Besides, there was nothing terribly foreboding about the whole place, and his last concern on the matter was that the man and lady of the house that Chi was sitting for wouldn't have minded their brief visit. It was a bit surprising to see how small Chi was, this "chibi," but it was far from outlandish. Ponies were more or less "chibi" themselves, at least when put relative to other equine races, such as Saddle Arabians. Giving a smile to the infant and taking note of the need to keep quiet, Willow carefully laid out the book passage on the table.

"We truly appreciate your help, miss," he said in a hush, pointing to the passage. "And I promise to get straight to the point. Rache here and I were cleaning the library when he showed me the passage in this book that we think relates to how the Building got here on this new world, and possibly even more about what Demens might have in store for us residents. But see, it kind of becomes confusing when you actually add time into the equation..."

He turned the book around in a position where she would be able to read the passage.

"... the part that is most surprising is where it actually talks about my friend Giovenith, the artsy godling. It begins with them talking about her, but ends with the creation of a world, this world specifically. Problem is, Giovenith is only eighteen years old and has only been in the Building for three years, but when I was upstairs mingling with some of the locals it was clear that they and their families had been living here much, much longer than that. So I guess my first question is, how exactly is this possible? How can this place be a result of a conversation that involved her, yet simultaneously be older than her?"

[Germanic Templars]

DINING ROOM
Ogoti pressed palms together, and then propped his chin on the fingertips as Superbia spoke. The jump's effects had been far-reaching. Lucius was asking all the same questions as the rest of the Residents. Sadly, answers weren't forthcoming.

"I can't say where we are, other than there's some suspicion that it's exactly where Demens wants us to be. It's his Building. But here we are to stay, unless we figure out a means to get back. This dimension or universe (whatever you'd like to call it) seems outside of our control. Nothing gets in or out without approval, I suppose. I suspect it's Demens himself that has final say. Not even Elohim can waltz in. I also suspect you and Lucius can't hop to heaven; I certainly can't hop into my pantheon's realm. We are, for lack of better definition, trapped."

His pensive expression remained as Jalo's feet clattered across the dining room floor. The centaur's words were at once reassuring, but only to a small extent. They had time. Ten days, tops.

"Thank you, Jalo," Ogoti unfolded his hands and gestured for the creature to rest a while at their table. Sweat streaked the centaur's flanks. He'd obviously raced here to bear tidings, and that meant the mayor was sharp and on the ball. "Won't you please stay a little while. We have tea, and I'm sure we can find something tasty in the kitchen. Please forgive us for seeming so out of sorts but we are, in fact, out of sorts!"

Superbia lightly nodded as he listened, pondering on what could be the best course of action. He finally had an idea, no doubt one that has been found but best to say what is on the mind than leave in bogged up, besides no one else might have thought of it. Right? Regardless, Superbia opened his mouth to the first idea he had. "Well if we can't leave for the moment then the best possible solution is to stay inside, I guess. You know, magic not being useful, or something."

Physical pain and mental games hardly phase the demon since he can shrug most attacks off, but the thought of magic near useless hurt him on a whole new level and where it matters most: His pride. The demon sighted heavily as he rested his head on his arms, quietly admitting defeat.

He noted the centaur and its word. Ten days? Hopefully it is enough time to get setup, or else we are all fucked.

[Torsiedelle]

Torii was still caught off guard. Gio's hug felt like a shock. She didn't know how to process what she has just heard.

"I don't wanna leave the building.", was all she managed to choke out. Her arms remained limp at her sides.

[Highfort]

The emotional scene unfolding before him left the Representative off-guard and he offered Neste no reply as he watched Torii wrestle with the grave news that she and her sister would be going home. Giovenith's hug seemed only to punctuate the scene; he found himself wishing that they had departed for the Building manager's office instead of witnessing the departure of the Dimitrov sisters.

Neste brushing against his arm indicated that she was ready to move on, backing up her words. He pursed his lips as conflicting feelings before offering a half-hearted goodbye to the teens in the hallway.

"Marcus, Giovenith, we understand if you'd like to spend the next few hours with your friends. We can handle the business with the manager, and if we need your help we can always wait," he cut into the scene with a level of awkwardness that would've had Cato gasping at his social stupidity, "Torii, Katya, good luck to the both of you. Get home safe and..."

Yes, yes, recover. A proper, dignified goodbye with all the trimmings and well-wishing gotten out of the way would allow them to continue the mission without offending the group in front of them. Of course, no dignified goodbye could be complete without proper respects paid. Even if neither of the Sisters respected him very much, there was no reason for him to return the ill opinion. They had been around longer than he had, they had known hardships he hadn't even been told about, and they'd survived invasion after invasion by the side of their fellow Residents. And, hell, he could use a good slap in the face every once in a while, even if they'd yet to deliver a proper one.

After all, they were the loyal opposition, and loyalty was a virtue...

"On the behalf of the Confederation and the Building," he bowed his head slightly to indicate his displeasure with the Sisters' departing, as well as deference to their many years spent as Residents before he'd even arrived, "I wish you all the best in your endeavors at home, and come back soon. The Building won't be the same without you. If you'll excuse us, the Manager awaits."

And with that, he ushered Neste down the hallway and toward the back of the Building, where the utility corridor access was. Rapid steps receded down the hallway and left the teens alone in the lobby except for the cultist manning the front desk and the newly-arrived minotaur. The Teens needed a moment to themselves and they would be afforded it - a small gift to perhaps repay the fatigue and sacrifice they endured during the battle.

For now, there was the business of the Manager to deal with. A proper clinic and a separate hospital wing were necessary and Septimus would be damned if anyone died on his watch because he couldn't get one.

Ugly, cracked concrete greeted the pair as Neste and Septimus made their way down the stairs into the bleak corridor that held the construct and FUBAR's shared abode, as well as that of the much-disliked Rodney Bodkins and, of course, the Manager.

"Any advice on talking to the Manager?" he gulped as he calmed himself and attempted to size up their contender, although the man was as much of an enigma to the cyborg as anyone else he hadn't met in the Building - which was to say, a fucking hell of a lot, "Why'd Mr. Demens pick him? Any particular skills or tricks he's got up his sleeve for handling the Residents?"

[The BranRiech]

"But we just . . ."

Drova sat there, the fun sucked right up out of his slender form, listening to the news and watching Giovenith rush forward into a hug. It all felt as if it had blurred into one image, melting together in his mind to try and forget what he'd just heard. His first relationship, as amazing as it had felt a moment ago, was ending right here because they were kicking Torii out? What gave them the right to decide Torii needed to leave, anyways? His fists began to ball up, clenching at his own hands as tightly as he could, at the threshold of piercing his skin with his nails.

"It's not fair . . . Not fair!" He slammed a fist into his own thigh, the soft thud creating much less pain than a wall had (As he'd found out before). "Why does she have to go?" He asked, taking a few steps towards them. The very second he found someone he could tolerate, and even like having a romantic relationship with, they were torn from him inside of 20 minutes.

Averting his eyes from Torii now, he looked to Marcus to gauge his reaction, wondering how he'd react if the same news had befallen them, the only difference being that Gio would have been the one to go.

[Torsiedelle]

"H-hey, it's not like I'm going forever, and I'm not being kicked out.", Torii said. "It'll be okay."

Tears began to form in her eyes. She wiped them away, trying not to break down. She struggled to say anything else.

Katya was still trying to maintain her own cautiously optimistic demeanor. "It couldn't be that long, I suppose. No worries, right?"

[Fvaarniimar]

Elevators
Suddenly something heavy was atop Torii's feet. "Maauwrauw..."

It didn't take long to connect, and it would be beyond clear that this news had saddened the cat. <I'll miss you! It's going to be weird and more lonely with you not here! Please come back soon and...stay safe?> Fear. <Oh no what if you don't? all sorts of things could happen! At least you're not an ab though so no one will be hostile because you are...Also I noticed you and Drova?...I'll miss you. You're my friend.> Having conveyed what he wished to and more, Nick sat on the feet, nuzzling them.

--

Grounds, edge of
Kwa'a had started to veer towards the forest, pan hanging at her side. A field of ashes - it was rather spooky, really. Her toe hit something, which she rather hoped was not a bone.

It was instead a stone of decent size. Brushing it off, she placed it in her sleeve. Normally the sleeve could accomodate several stones for a useful means to quickly load her sling, but today the snug sweater sleeve foiled that plan. It did however keep out cold air; a decent trade-off.

[Primordial Luxa]

Elevators
Suddenly something heavy was atop Torii's feet. "Maauwrauw..."

It didn't take long to connect, and it would be beyond clear that this news had saddened the cat. <I'll miss you! It's going to be weird and more lonely with you not here! Please come back soon and...stay safe?> Fear. <Oh no what if you don't? all sorts of things could happen! At least you're not an ab though so no one will be hostile because you are...Also I noticed you and Drova?...I'll miss you. You're my friend.> Having conveyed what he wished to and more, Nick sat on the feet, nuzzling them.

--

Grounds, edge of
Kwa'a had started to veer towards the forest, pan hanging at her side. A field of ashes - it was rather spooky, really. Her toe hit something, which she rather hoped was not a bone.

It was instead a stone of decent size. Brushing it off, she placed it in her sleeve. Normally the sleeve could accomodate several stones for a useful means to quickly load her sling, but today the snug sweater sleeve foiled that plan. It did however keep out cold air; a decent trade-off.

LAWN
"Hey!" Aegis said trying to get Kwa'a's attention "Hey! Are you going out their alone?" He moved a little closer to where she was walking and his mask's inter working gears and mechanisms turned his smile and eyebrows into an expression of intrigue at her. He hoped he wouldn't come off demanding but he didn't want this person wandering off alone into the unknown, that was the most primal fear he knew about, the unknown. So unless this women said she was alright with it he didn't want her to wander off.

[Fvaarniimar]

He got her attention, all right, and came rather close to getting hit with a stone in the bargain! Startled, the woman had loaded her sling and started to swing before registering that the masked man was not hostile. She lowered it; it remained loaded.

"I..." He seemed concerned. "That's plan. They want scouts, I...experienced am with trees." That didn't sound right... "With...wood? Lived one in once."

Then again, would her experience be enough to handle this forest? She didn't know what lurked within. She didn't want a repeat of the previous night's events - an exhausting fight for two lives and her safety, which they'd been close to losing before the bathtubs! This was a resident - granted, Rmwtyliin was a resident. But many of the others did seem fairly competent in combat situations, and perhaps it might not be unwise to work with him...She paused, formulating the query.

"I can go...We can go." Both times, she pointed to the woods as she said go.

[Imperial Kaeria]

Malal Kon AKA Matthew Morton, adult minotaur traveling the world in search for someone of his own kind, didn't have far too look - although whether or not they were his own kind or just kind of like him was debatable. Regardless, they existed. They dwelt in a place far, far from Maine. The dimension was simply known as Gallimaufry, and the universe itself bore the same name, as did the planet he was to land on. And land he would, my friends, and very soon.

Klaus had gone back to the lobby's reception desk. The former Nazi in his crisp woolen uniform normally didn't handle newcomer arrivals. However, Volker the Front Desk Cultist was helping the Teens, and Minerva was still somewhat quasi-dead, so the task fell to him. He didn't mind. He usually didn't... provided people didn't try to bite his nose off when they landed. An ear, sure. An eyeball? Sure, he could see it. But the nose was a man's best facial feature. He could look down it, or look up it, or smell the roses along the way.

Klaus' nose was currently pointed towards the light fixture above his head. The crystal chandelier was an odd gateway but it had served the last person well. It was rattling now, and one of the downward facing bulbs had begun to unscrew. Klaus watched and waited and then waited some more, and was seriously considering grabbing a ladder to help the process when suddenly, and with a soft CLICK! the bulb came loose and dropped into his expectant hands.

And eyeball appeared at the socket's opening and Klaus winked up at it. Satisfied that all was alright below, the eyeball's owner stepped aside and a shape began to emerge. The body stretched and then fell like a funny booger, tumbling to the lobby floor with a soft thud.

You know that part about Malal Kon AKA Matthew Morton landing on his feet? I lied. He landed heavily, but without breaking a single bone. He might have been pleased as punch (or pissed as hell) but he was currently fast asleep.

Klaus reached down and slipped his hands under the newcomer's armpit. Our new arrival would blink away at this moment, and without a single recollection of anything except the city he had last been in. (No, not Bielefeld. Goodness, let the fellow choose his own jumping point!)

"Good afternoon," the former Nazi in the crisp uniform said in his equally crisp Bavarian accent. His eyes held a friendly twinkle, and his face seemed kindly enough although, if one were to look closely, they could see that he wasn't a man to be trifled with. His cropped silver-blonde hair glinted under the lobby's light as he strained to help the newcomer up. And then, once he was sure the newest Resident was on his feet, he tossed the lightbulb upward just in time for it to be caught in a hand thrust right out of the socket.

"Welcome to the Apartment Building," Klaus spoke again. "You'll want to sign the lease and get your key, no doubt."

"What lease? Where am I? What are you talking about? Can I sign the lease?" He was filled with confusion. He was ordering plane tickets to Europe; it seemed like the best place to look; and now he was here. Hm. He must have fallen asleep. But how did he end up here?

[Torsiedelle]

It was all just too sudden and out of nowhere, Torii thought. It wasn't fair. She was given so little time to prepare, and...

"Please don't do this.", She whimpered, to Gio, and Nick, and Drova. "Seeing you like this makes me feel even worse. I, I don't know what to think right now.

She tried to avoid Gio or Drovas' gaze, but ended up looking down at the cat on her foot. She gulped and held back more tears.

Katya was still trying to stay optimistic, but it was clear that she was struggling as well. She was confused and worried, and not at all in the mood to just get up and go on such short notice. She nodded in appreciation towards Septimus and his partner, and fell silent.

[Primordial Luxa]

He got her attention, all right, and came rather close to getting hit with a stone in the bargain! Startled, the woman had loaded her sling and started to swing before registering that the masked man was not hostile. She lowered it; it remained loaded.

"I..." He seemed concerned. "That's plan. They want scouts, I...experienced am with trees." That didn't sound right... "With...wood? Lived one in once."

Then again, would her experience be enough to handle this forest? She didn't know what lurked within. She didn't want a repeat of the previous night's events - an exhausting fight for two lives and her safety, which they'd been close to losing before the bathtubs! This was a resident - granted, Rmwtyliin was a resident. But many of the others did seem fairly competent in combat situations, and perhaps it might not be unwise to work with him...She paused, formulating the query.

"I can go...We can go." Both times, she pointed to the woods as she said go.

Into the woods we go
Aegis nodded grasping the basic understanding of her seeming weak English and wondered if their was another language the two of them shared. "I think that would be best. I trust you when you claim to be adept at woods but to be honest I don't think these are like the woods either of us have every been in." Aegis said and began walking in a similar but slightly different direction than where she had been heading. As he entered the clearing he bent down to take a look at a like pyramid made of antlers, hair and twigs which insidious had placed earlier making sure that it hadn't been disturbed by any wildlife or nature. "I am going to check and irregular patch of patch a little ways up a head. I think it may be a weird stream or the remnants of a crop field do you wish to join me?"

[Fvaarniimar]

The spoooky woods

---

"Yes. It sounds...cool..."

Stepping forward, she glimpsed the pyramid to which Aegis seemed to be bowing. "No...offense I mean. That - it is holy to you?" Some of the Bomic cultures had had little shrines or totems or simliar; a few had retained them at least for the first part of her life. Occasionally she had spotted things which might have been shrines -

They also might have been nests, blown by wind, or similar. This - "Or were you looking...only...because it's of these people?" If so, perhaps they had found something of use to their scouting! Exiting the clearing, she wondered if she had a notepad in the sack...

It was at home. Maybe chalk would work. The pan was large... "Chalk? Pencil? Paper?" Her English left a lot to be desired.

Unfortunately, it wasn't likely that any language Aegis knew would work better than English. The closest analogue to Greek had survived, but not in recognizable form. Some Romance and Germanic languages did have recognizable counterparts - in which Kwa'a wasn't fluent. Slavic... She might understand some. That language group was prevalent in the east. In eastern Borksmiclen, it was spoken - although at best as a co-first language. That said, Bomic languages had evolved...she might understand counterparts to common words but likely that would be all.

English, at least, she could understand.

--

Elevators
Nick moved off with an embarrassed meow.

[Giovenith]

Giovenith sighed but nodded in thanks to Septimus and Neste as they made their way off to the manager alone, hoping they hadn't made a huge mistake.

The godling release Torii and put a hand on her shoulder.

"I want to do something for you."

[Torsiedelle]

Giovenith sighed but nodded in thanks to Septimus and Neste as they made their way off to the manager alone, hoping they hadn't made a huge mistake.

The godling release Torii and put a hand on her shoulder.

"I want to do something for you."

The girl looked back up at her friend. "What?", She asked, wide-eyed. "What is it, I mean? I'm sorry."

She glanced towards Septimus and the Reptilian woman, and nodded. They were nice, allowing her some time with friends.

[Giovenith]

From Giovenith's pocket, she pulled a stool of string and a large, glass jar of assorted beads.

"All of your friends pick a bead that they feel will represent what they have with you best," she explained. "You string them together, make a necklace, and always carry your unique friendships with you where ever you go."

[Torsiedelle]

That was too sweet. Torii choked up and finally returned the hug, squeezing Gio tight. "That's an awesome idea.", She said, sniffling. Once she stepped back again, she asked, "you first? What do you choose?"

[The BranRiech]

"You know, hey."

Drova stepped up, twiddling his thumbs in his hands, caked in a slight layer of sweat as he kept looking towards the ground. He gradually looked up, taking in every inch of Torii's form, committing it to memory. It was one of the moments he regretted not owning a camera to take pictures of Torii with. He wanted to remember her every chance he could. "I think . . . Uh, I think Yuna has a camera in our room. We should all take a picture?" He offered.

Pondering thoughtfully, his anger began to fade away, into a more melancholy understanding that she wouldn't be gone forever. "And I like the idea of the beads."

[Torsiedelle]

Torii nodded. A picture also sounded good. "Can we? I want a picture, too.", She sniffled. "I wanna be able to see you guys every day, even if I'm not around to take part in funny adventures, or protecting you guys."

She looked between everyone, and wiped her eyes. "I love you all."

[Northwest Slobovia]

The centaur that had entered gave Hunter an idea, though the Nevidian himself wasn't too sure how effective it would be. Only one way to find out, "Jalo? I'd like to accompany you back to your town. There's little I can do here, but I may be of some help to your local population to help better prepare themselves for the next wave."

Jalo bowed his torso to Hunter. "Thank you. We appreciate the help. The Burrows itself has held up adequately to the Fiends so far, but we won't refuse advice or assistance with improvements." Privately, Jalo wondered if the newcomers' greatest assistance wouldn't be to take the fight to the Fiends, so the Burrow-dwellers wouldn't have to huddle indoors.

"Thank you, Jalo," Ogoti unfolded his hands and gestured for the creature to rest a while at their table. Sweat streaked the centaur's flanks. He'd obviously raced here to bear tidings, and that meant the mayor was sharp and on the ball. "Won't you please stay a little while. We have tea, and I'm sure we can find something tasty in the kitchen. Please forgive us for seeming so out of sorts but we are, in fact, out of sorts!"

Jalo managed a little smile for the god, taking the indicated place. "Of course, of course. Tea will be fine. The Mayor wanted me to answer your questions, so I'm here until you run out of them. I may not be able to answer all of them, but I'll do my best. Excuse me, could somebody pass the tea supplies?" Jalo's boarding-house reach could have easily gotten them, but Ayla had suggested he be unusually polite -- for him -- and to see what they said about themselves.

[Cerillium]

WOODS

The woods were an old-growth forest of considerable size, although only one tongue of it extended towards the Building. Packed with large deciduous and conifer trees, and standing dead trees that rose up like blackened bones, it was difficult to find any paths through the morning mists filling the gaps between vegetation. The pair had the good fortune to stumbled upon a narrow trail forged by passing deer and bears - the very one used by Insidious earlier.

The floor beneath Kwa'a and Aegis' feet held coarse woody debris that crunched when they walked. Autumn had worked its hand, and the woods were awash in hues of red, orange and gold. Plover and chipmunks, spooked by the newcomer's footfalls, vanished into the dense ferns and broadleaf plants between the trees, while doves and other small birds look refuge in the multi-layered canopies above their heads. It had a foreboding feel, yet it wasn't abandoned. Here and there, sapient beings had cut down some trees for fuel, and it was obvious to Aegis that at least one person frequented the pathway and kept the plants at bay.

The patch Aegis sought wasn't too far in. A brook curled through it, and the meadow itself was blanketed with late bloom flowers that hadn't yet crumbled under autumn's chilly nights. A doe lifted her head to observe them. Her ears pitched forward and then she bolted, her white tail a flag to warn others of intruders.

A small footbridge of wood and twine crossed the brook and the game trail returned, vanishing into the trees beyond. A smoke plume rose from the trees, the obvious sign of a chimney in use.



LOBBY-ISH

Marcus caught sight of the abandoned blanket forts. He smiled. Life went on, and Residents were quirky. The chair grouping would accommodate all the teens however, and the sunlight shimmering through the windows felt wholesome.

"Giovenith, why don't we take over the place by the window?" he suggested. "Drova, maybe you could find Yuna?"

It wouldn't take the prince more than a few minutes to summon her, or so Marcus hoped. He didn't know where any of the other teens were.

"Hey Nick! Don't go. Hey, can you look for more of the Teen group?" The cat seemed like a good option.

He looked across the lobby in search of the adults' retreating backs. Itum was awesome. He didn't have to be so kind about any of this, nor did he have to offer a polite farewell. He could have been an ass just like most of the other priests - was he a priest, too? Hadn't the Nifid lizard called him Brother a few times? Regardless, the older cyborg seemed like a good man. Marcus knew better than to annoy him with foolish questions, but he was once again intrigued by Itum's origins. Perhaps he'd work up the nerve to ask him. Later. After Tora and Katya had gone.

His mind returned to the present, and to the other teens. The front desk cultist had gone but noises from upstairs told Marcus that the man might be digging up some refreshments for them. In the middle of all this shit, when life had dramatically changed and chaos swirled around them, here were two adults that took time out of their day to acknowledge people's needs. It left Marcus feeling warm inside.

"Give me a minute to go find plant girl and Myra," his hand squeezed Tora's shoulder. The physical contact stirred his sorrow and the simple gesture turned into a hug that pressed Tora to his chest. This tomboy was his buddy. He couldn't imagine life without her swagger in it. "I love you, too," he whispered in he ear.

He released her and forced himself to smile for her sake, and for Giovenith's. "Right. Myra and Kale. I'll be right back."

"Roof!" the front desk cultist's voice barked down the stairs. "Miss Bones is on the roof!"



THE CIRCUIT

Myra was on her second cup of tea when Marcus arrived. He had taken the lifts, and then the last flight of stairs, arriving slightly out of breath. Her eyes widened upon seeing him, and grew wider still when he relayed the sad news.

"I'm sorry," Myra stammered to her Lad host. "I gotta go."

The Lad understood. Most military men would. He dismissed her with a jaunty, two-finger salute, and Myra followed Marcus down again.

Kale was still standing in the dining room when they arrived. Marcus left it up to Myra to break the news. The boy continued his trek and arrived back in the lobby.



DINING ROOM

Nila rose and stood behind Romulus. Well, that's where she started out. Of course, he was deliciously reflective. Sparkly. Very, very sparkly. The lizard leaned towards Romulus' rump and allowed her breath to fog a flat surface. Delighted with the results, she lifted a finger.

"NILA!"

The construct's ears flattened at the sound of Ocho's voice. The thade was frowning.

"Nila, were you going to draw a happy face on the General?"

Still leaning forward, and with her finger extended inches from Romulus' ass, the mischievous lizard had no choice but to be honest. "Nooo-ooo. Was going to draw a heart."

"Don't fuck with Generals. Generals are not pages for construct finger painting," Ocho rubbed his temples in exasperation.

Well, duh. It wasn't as if she was going to do an entire scene. Nila huffed and straightened up, warily watching Ocho as he returned to the conversation at the table. It was only then that she paid the General any more attention. Her snout tipped back in order to see his face better.

"Oh, hai," she grinned. "I'm Nila. You're a General. You helped bring in my exo this morning."

And then, because Nifid were terribly polite, she added, "Thank you so very, very much!"

She meant no harm, as Ocho very well knew. Her species was innately curious and playful. Their demeanor was amusing at times, although play could quickly turn deadly. The thade shook aside several bad war memories before giving Jalo his attention (not his full attention. He would keep an eye on Nila's antics to be safe.)

His hands pushed a tea tray towards the centaur. "We have many questions for you. Please excuse us if we seem to pry. To start, what can you tell us about the Fiends?"



"Kale!" Myra hadn't spoken to the girl often but knew she was part of the Teen Club. She approached her at a trot, heedless of the stares from the adults. "Kale, you gotta come downstairs. Torii-"

The girl's words caught in her throat. Tora. Her friend. Going? These three words flapped about her mind like frantic bats in a box. Myra gulped as the bats threatened to blow the lid right off the box. She forced her breathing to slow.

"Torii and her sister. You gotta come downstairs. Marcus says we're going to hold a party. Please, won't you come... and say bye?"

She couldn't bear to tell all the news. It was better if Kale followed and heard it from the others.



BUILDING MANAGER'S DOOR

Advice for talking to the Manager? Neste's ears flattened as she considered all the possibilities. Finally, she settled on the most logical. "Don't tell him about the targ? I haven't paid a pet deposit yet."

A smile played upon her lips as her hand captured the funny doorknob. "Also, we might as about the dreadful toilet pa-"

It's said that a sense of humor is the mark of intelligence. The Building, being intelligent, had one. Unfortunately, it was also temperamental and prone to bad jokes.

The doorknob was wrenched from Neste's grasp as the door flew open with enough momentum to bang on the inside wall. Steam poured from the opening with the force of a dragon's nostrils, drenching cyborg and lizards in its clammy mists. There was an almighty lurch and the ground rolled, knocking them off balance and sending them into the fog.

They forcefully struck the ground and then fell upwards, defying the laws of physics as they tumbled into fog too dense to see through. Neste squealed and trashed, unwilling to accept the fact that she was no longer in control of her environment. A hand blindly lashed out. Her fingers felt fabric and her nose told her it belonged to Septimus. She clung to him as they spun through the void at an incomprehensible speed, twin victims to gravitational forces and cruel pranking.

The fog thinned moments before they crashed through the pipes running along the ceiling, and then they passed through the solid object as if it were tissue paper. They continued upwards into an even foggier room and then, inexplicably, they crashed into the next ceiling.

Stomachs returned to their correct positions. The world seemed to right itself. The pair would find themselves sprawled on a black and white parquet floor, and not a ceiling at all. The fog was gone. They had arrived in a small foyer containing three marked doors: Space, Time, Continue In.



LOBBY FRONT DESK

It wasn't unusual for new arrivals to be completely disoriented. The newcomer was no different in that regard. Klaus fished the clipboard from the desk and slid it across the counter. It contained the lease, of course, written in ordinary English.

"The lease to your apartment," Klaus replied. He lifted a yellow slip from the desk and peered at it. "It says here that a Malal Kon, also known as Matthew Morton, is due to arrive here at precisely now. Who are you? Are you he?"




*Neste and Nila appear courtesy of Swithwardian Productions, the owner of which is currently eating homemade tomato and basil soup. Oh god. The soup. It's perfection.