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Demens Chosen IC [CLOSED]

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Holy Lykos
Ambassador
 
Posts: 1793
Founded: May 01, 2016
Ex-Nation

Postby Holy Lykos » Tue Apr 11, 2017 1:25 am

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Beware the Ides of March

PARTICIPANTS:
    Mezran
    Sig
    Hectaros
    Septimus
    Myra
    Luce
    Marcus


Sigtrygg let out a holler of victory as the beast was stumbled, possibly hobbled. The viking was intent on making this a permanent state. To ground the monstrosity and make it easy for the rest to slaughter. Taking his found axe in hand, and charging forward. More shouts and insults in Norse ensued, of various levels of form, slang and vitriol. The Norseman charged for the unbuckled leg, opposite of Myra. Using his momentum and everything he could, Sigtryg swung the axe and bit into the pale flesh of the monster's leg at the knee. Flesh and tendons were rent and torn until steel hit bone and embedded itself deep. Far too deep to ever be recovered by mortal hands.

The beast's vile blood spilled out to join the blood of uncountable others in the bloodsoaked clay of the battlefield, and over Sigtryg's armor. They were in desperate need of cleaning already, as was he. A less experienced fighter might let the fervor and joyous feeling of a successful blow get to them, but Sig was anything but inexperienced. The shouts of the strange non-human spurred him on instantly, his sword finding its way out of his scabbard again as Sigtrygg grit himself and stabbed deep into the corpulent belly of the beast. This time he withdrew before it could get lodged, only to continue the slashing and stabbing, rapid evisceration being the fate of whatever part of the monster Sigtrygg could reach.

Noxious scent, the coppery tang of blood on the air and tongue, and the already horribly hurt monster thrashing about and tearing up the ground around it in what seemed like blind terror to the Viking made for a grizzly scene. The bodies and weapons everywhere only made it worse. It was something out of the nightmares of any warrior, or the dreams of a madman.

The Jotunn's tail lashed and caught Sigtrygg's leg enough to send him tumbling away. Pieces of corpses, clumps of bloodsoaked dirt and grass, the bloody mess of the ground sticking to every bit of the viking as he struggled back to his feet. He only managed to get one knee up. Sigtrygg breathed heavily, giving a nod towards the Klingon and others to ensure he was mostly unhurt. Scrapes, bruises, and bones healed. Death did not. He leaned on his knee, before pushing himself up and taking up his sword again with a defiant shout, and yet another charge into the fray.

Of course, the Norseman would be quite a sight following this bloody tumble if this clotting remained following their departure from the tent. At this point, bar a return of the barbarians, their time was about up from what Sig could tell.




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Feld des Todes

GM: Cer
STORY: Feld des Todes
PARTICIPANTS:
    Giovenith
    Henry
    Mag
    Thad
    Cecile
    Mathias
    Kafka
    and anyone that didn't pick a group


With the dissipation of the tent. Maghrl's efforts faltered. Once he knew no one was in immediate danger, save for those in critical condition he could do next to nothing for, the Squib started to feel the weariness setting into his bones and muscles and mind. The level of environmental control he had been setting up would exhaust even a Jedi much greater than him. His knees hit the ground, followed by the palms of his hands. The immense pain and loss was still wracking the force and him, and the squib had to shut himself off from the ones around him, at least for a bit. It was just too much.

His exhausted body shook, desperate for something to replace the fuel he had burned rushing around and focusing so wholeheartedly on the force. The Squib shut his eyes, focusing only on himself, and the fact he was still existing. The convulsions in the Force were dying down as reality set in again. Of course those who had never truly existed did not exist in the Force, but there was enough suffering and death to mask their nonexistence before this point in the Squib's mind. So much chaos in the Force made it hard to properly control and sense of one's self among it. But now, he could will himself forward without relying on his own energy and adrenaline. Slowly the shaking would stop, and the Squib pulled himself up onto his feet with an apparent second wind.

Just in time for Giovenith to order them to begin grabbing people. The squib nodded, and with deep breaths started lifting those wounded he could, one at a time, to the areas of designated for their treatments. The small alien sat himself back down while doing this slowly, eyes still shut as he brought his hands together in a meditative pose. He focused on the Force. Feeling its subsiding ebbs and flows feed through and around and those around him, using that invisible wellspring as a source of power to continue his aid of the others.

Of course, the heavy mechanical man was proving a bit more of a challenge than most. But diligently, Maghrl slowly focused on him, lifting the cyborg into the air and towards where he could get proper help. Even if he was too far gone, the medical personnel could help ease his pain. Moving him was... slow going at best though. The machinery was heavy, and Maghrl tiring rapidly. But he would do this, he could do this.

He would continue like this as long as he could. He soon lost track of time, the only thing he cared about was focusing on the Force and those who needed transportation. He knew eventually he would run dry even of this second wind of energy, of course. But now that they were safe and in Gallimaufry again, they could always recover him along with the others when he might inevitably collapse from utter exhaustion.
Agender - They/Them pronouns
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Torrocca
Postmaster of the Fleet
 
Posts: 27785
Founded: Dec 01, 2011
Democratic Socialists

Postby Torrocca » Tue Apr 11, 2017 1:31 pm

Image
Beware the Ides of March

PARTICIPANTS:
    Mezran
    Sig
    Hectaros
    Septimus
    Myra
    Luce
    Marcus


The beast was wounded! Hectaros, eyes glistening with a renewed spirit at the sight of the anguished monster, tossed another of the many sharp, heavy iron darts he had in his possession at it before drawing his sword once more. Like the others whom he fought alongside, it was his chance for glory. The creature and its many demonic heads were drawn to the nearest of the group, who already struck at it with every manner of available pole-arm granted to the rag-tag group by slain barbarians. Hectaros, though, had not more than his sword, which barely reached a meter long from the blade to the hilt. But it was what he'd trained with for years, what he knew, and what he'd die with. Not even such a vile, titanic beast would change that. So, roaring his battle cry to the heavens above in his native tongue, he charged through the mud of the field, hellbent on killing the creature.

While it was thoroughly distracted with the rest, who encircled it and struck at its soft, exposed underbelly, Hectaros took to a wide flank to avoid catching its attention. He didn't want to appear to be a danger to it until he could close in. He was lucky; it paid him no mind as he left its field of view and managed to get on its right side. Without wasting any more time, he charged forward, trudging through the thick, cumbersome mud back toward the creature. "For the Empire!" he bellowed as he neared it, lunging toward it with all his might and thrusting the blade of his sword into its hind leg.
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They call me Torra, but you can call me... anytime (☞⌐■_■)☞
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NOTICE 1: Anything depicted IC on this nation does NOT reflect my IRL views or values, and is not endorsed by me.
NOTICE 2: Most RP and every OOC post by me prior to 2023 are no longer endorsed nor tolerated by me. I've since put on my adult pants!
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Fvaarniimar
Minister
 
Posts: 3130
Founded: Nov 20, 2013
Ex-Nation

Postby Fvaarniimar » Tue Apr 11, 2017 2:29 pm

OPERATION: LAST CHANCE
DIMENSION: 4590K
LOCATION: En Route to Xo'Lokkako via HZ shuttle, Vim System, HZSC space
TEAMS: SECRET OMEGA TENTACLE

Ganonsyoni wrote:Kale listened intently to what remilia had to say, pangs of guilt shooting through her as she explained the etzic's story. Kale tried to keep a more neutral face but she clearly looked discomforted. In her mind, she was thinking of the monster she has accidentally unleashed, the blood and viscera it laid in its path. "They were refugees...." she thought, remilia's and romulus's voices seemingly deafening as she retreated into her thoughts, "Refugees..."

It was Venla's louder voice that snapped her back to reality. To her relief, she would let the skritter stay. As soon as the bear otter pointed to the first aid kit, Kale rushed over and took it, moving quickly back to etzic who was sitting on the sofa and almost passing out from blood loss. The plant girl only had a rudimentary skill in first aid and some knowledge of herbal medicine, but she had to make due.

She shook her hair, a seed falling out and landing in her open palm. Silencing herself and focusing, she weaved the magic to grow the seed. The seed grew and grew, sprouting into a blooming yarrow plant. Taking a deep breath, She plucked the flowering top and leaves of the medicinal plant and rolled them together, getting a roll of flowers and leaves. She then flattened the roll, turning it into a makeshift rag. "Alright, I'm gonna apply this to your wound. This will help clot the blood and prevent infection," she said to Etzic. She lifted the skritter's hand that covered his wound, steeling herself beforehand, and applied the yarrow rag to it. She moved the flattened bundle over the wound, making sure the whole wound was touched by the fresh herb. "Alright, apply for 30 seconds," she thought to herself, remembering the knowledge she was taught. She was no medicine woman, but she was taught the important medicinal herbs by one. All the children of her tribe were. She was thankful she knew how, as the skritter really needed it.

She moved the skritter's hand so that it could hold the herb against its wound. "Keep that pressed there for me," she said, as she went to the med kit and opened it. Inside was all the standard stuff. She instantly got out cotton pads, disinfectant, gauze and adhesive tape. She applied some disinfectant to a pad and went to clean the wound of Etzic. "This will sting, bare with it please," she said as she moved the hand and herb away and started cleaning the wound with the disinfectant pad. The yarrow had helped staunch the flow of blood from the wound, giving Kale more peace of mind as she cleaned up the wound of the skritter, disinfecting it as well as clearing out any herb debris.

After cleaning the wound as much as she could, she move and picked up the gauze wrap and some scissors. She cut out a length that would fully cover the wound. Cutting some tape as well, she applied the gauze strip to etzic's wound and taped it down, making sure the wound was fully covered and that the tape wouldn't come off.

"There we go," She said, pressing the last piece of tape to etzic, attaching the gauze to his body and sealing the wound. She sighed and brushed her forehead. It was quite a bit of work. She took the now bloodied herb clump from Etzic and put them on the floor next to the used up cotton pads. She would dispose of them soon but wanted to make sure Etzic was fine.

"How are you feeling Etz... Etsick.... Etzy?" She said, now having trouble pronouncing his name, "Sorry, never was good with names. Anyways, how are you feeling?"


Rmwtyliin's hand, which had long since dropped again to her side, rose to her hair as she watched...her friend, yes, but at this moment an older and more capable woman who had stepped into her role as a nurse of sorts.  Rmwtyliin would have happily advised her had she asked - but she had not.  She seemed less than confident - but that would quickly change.  Even the bandaging was competent.  Fingers clenching around her braid -

NO.  Stop.  Redundancy-is-a-strength.  True with Venmii, same here.  My FRIEND Kale is not perfect, but she is kind.  If something happens to this team, will one nurse/medic be enough?

Swallowing her resentment, Rmwtyliin walked over.  "Are the wounds dissssinnfeecctedt?"  She thought that was what the stinging stuff had been, but checking seemed wise.  "You used yarrow for pain, correct?  Do you think any of it needs further treatment?  It... I wonder if you could close wounds with vines or thorny brambles if need be... You seem to have this handled right now." Etzic would be fine, and that was what mattered. "And - to peel my shell - you did a good job fixing damage from..." Kale's fellow pacifist realized that perhaps her friend had wanted to fix her mistake herself. Turning from Etzic to stare the woman in the eye, Rmwtyliin raised her eyebrows and spoke plainly. "That monster which I am told was very frightening. Your power got out of control again, like you showed me..."

Kale would likely notice the girl's eyes widening as she leaned in, close enough to whisper to Duncan and for Duncan to whisper to them both. Had it really been that long? "...The year before this year, in the tent?"

You were so upset by that. I guess I failed to notice this time...does that make me a bad friend? "I know you likely worry more about Etzic, but he seems alright. Are you alright
, Kale? I know this has upset you very much in the past."
Come to the light side.  We have teamwork, waffles, popcorn, grape juice, and way too much ramen.

Unless one is a genealogist, therapist, geneticist, or FBI agent - who is acting within the scope of their job - to claim that anyone is wrong about their own identity is not merely absurd but also extremely rude.

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Cerillium
Postmaster-General
 
Posts: 12456
Founded: Oct 27, 2012
New York Times Democracy

Postby Cerillium » Wed Apr 12, 2017 6:17 am

Image
Epilogue



A deep rumbling woke the drowsing Marcus. He lifted his head and squinted, eyes straining to make out the blob whose outlines seemed hazy at best. It seemed preoccupied by his companions.

Senses rapidly returned as his processor kicked in. The ground was no longer saturated with blood. Perplexed by the odd change, fingertips brushed the ground, capturing the dust to rub between thumb and index finger. It was too sandy compared to the rest of the world around him.

The Jotunn's sides sucked in as Mezran's spear pierced its belly. Sigtrygg's assault quashed its raging bellow. The tail swung round to meet the Norseman's challenge, slamming into his body and sending him ass over cock through the gore-strewn field. The action only left the beast's flank more exposed, and soon it tasted the sting of Hectaros' blade. Hardened metal carved through its flesh to slice tendons. The knee joint slipped and the creature toppled, heads uselessly flailing. Myra's high-pitched scream mingled with the Jotunn's agonal mewling. She struck it, not with spear or sword, but with the severed head of a fallen barbarian.

Useless dragon is useless, Marcus watched as the skull harmlessly bounced off the beast's shoulder. Shaking his head, he pushed himself upright. A gasp escaped him. The sandy patch was rapidly expanding.

Sand. Memories sprang to his mind the time he and Giovenith attended the Carnival. How many years had passed since then. He glanced at the horizon to find it shrinking inward. The nightmare unraveled, and the magic pulled him towards the rest of his group as the Jotunn dissolved.

A forlorn whimper met the party's ears. The wet grasses drooped to reveal a small child curled into a ball - the last of the villagers left alive. The rest came into view soon enough. Mangled bodies pushed against the warriors' shins and knees. Gaily stripped tent sides replaced the gloomy sky and surrounding area, and stifling humidity replaced the copper-scented air.

"The flap!" Myra stepped over a body and staggered towards the bright light betraying the exit location.

She left one hell only to emerge into another. This new world was on fire. At first, she thought they had only changed location within the tent, but the Residents' voices quickly brought her to her senses. Fire bathed half the carnival grounds, eating into tents and stalls alike. Nobody bothered to extinguish them. The flames would consume the menace once and for all.

A sudden wind washed the stench from the Warriors' nostrils as they, too, exited the battleground. A loud thumping echoed in their ears as the massive helicopter rose from the medical area. Marcus caught a brief glance of Minerva's red hair and pale skin before the entire craft pitched to the side and sped away. Little did he realize that his adoptive father, borne from his own battle by the Jedi's powers, now depended upon the woman's piloting skills.

Myra flagged down a villager. Soon an entire group jogged towards the warriors to remove the bodies before flames could take the tent. Grim faces betrayed their disgust of the magical attraction. They wordlessly passed the warriors - thankfully, the stains of the battle with the barbarians and Jotunn vanished upon leaving the tent.


Considerable confusion reigned throughout the afternoon. Residents and villagers alike, as well as denizens of the Wold, Ascalon, and the Outermark, strove to right the chaos around them. The Residents moved with determination, efficiently evacuating villagers, assessing and repairing those not too badly wounded, and doing their best to bring some comfort to the grieving families. Henry in particular seemed unwilling to stop. He kept his vow: I was here for you.

Nuns lifted the frightened girl from Insidious' arms as evening darkened the sky. She offered the Luxan a final hug before pressing her small lips to Insidious' cheek. "Thank you," the whisper was barely audible over the shouts and bustle around them. "I won't forget you, Painted Lady."

Night had fallen by time the Residents crawled into the trucks to return to the Building. Bone weary, blood-stained, and with the stench destruction still clinging to their clothing, they entered the Lobby and sought refuge in their apartments, or found refuge in their lover's embrace (as was their wont).



Minerva slipped through the front doors shortly after the stroke of midnight. The grizzled old cyborg followed her, his limp obvious and the burns to the organic bits of his body covered by some sort of bandaging material.

"Did you see them?" Thaddeus sighed.

Minerva nodded in recognition of the now-quiet village they'd left behind only moments prior. "Some celebrated their bravado. Most drank themselves into a stupor." She brushed hair from her eyes and signed. "I can't blame them. They mourn."

"I need a beer," he grunted.

The cultist's soft laughter followed his words. Minerva's lips curled as she met his gaze. "Well, good luck with that. There's not much left."

Thaddeus cringed. The Burrow dwellers weren't rich people. Thought their neighbors from the various Zones refused monetary compensation, they did not depart empty-handed. The finest beer, mead, wine, and spirits served as the small city's token of appreciation. Sheep wool was a staple to their economy, but their alcohol was legendary on Gallimaufry.

"Nothing floating around here?" the cyborg raised a crispy brow.

"Go raid someone's apartment," she countered. "Or, better yet, hit up the vending machine."

This drew an even darker cringe from the man. The Euclid class machine was known to dispense poison. "Nope," he shook his head.

The pair caught sight of Volker, the Doctor, and a newcomer at the front desk. They acknowledged them with a nod before departing for their own homes.

"Alright, Aiden," Volker tucked the newly signed lease into an envelope and stuffed it into the box behind him, "Your apartment is just a few flights up. You can take the lift. Ramanbir, you're a on the same floor."

The German paused to look over the exhausted pair. "I- I'm sorry your first day with us was chaotic," Volker's brow knit together in concern. "It's not always like this, I promise. Tomorrow, you'll see. Tomorrow is a new day! The communal dining room and kitchen is on the second floor. Come down tomorrow for breakfast. You'll meet the other Residents. They'll ease you into things here."

The chandelier began its dance, much to Volker's ire. Exhausted, he waved the pair away. Maureen Vasburg - the newest of new Residents - arrived not long after their departure.

-fin-



Morning arrived, crisp and clear. Residents slowly awoke throughout the Building. Some opted to remain at home, but others followed their noses towards the communal dinning room for waffles and fresh coffee...
I wear teal, blue & pink for Swith
There is a fifth dimension beyond that which is known to man. It is a dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infinity. It is the middle ground between light and shadow, between science and superstition, and it lies between the pit of man’s fears, and the summit of his knowledge. This is the dimension of imagination.

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Cerillium
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Posts: 12456
Founded: Oct 27, 2012
New York Times Democracy

Postby Cerillium » Wed Apr 12, 2017 7:06 am

LOBBY

"Incoming," Volker muttered to Amaranth as he rubbed his weary eyes. He hadn't slept as well as he'd liked. He pointed his nose towards the light fixture above his head. The creature, invisible to everyone but those with the ability to sense him, clucked his tongue and trudged up the stairs. No sense meddling in Building affairs.

The crystal chandelier was an odd gateway but it served its purpose well. It was rattling now, and one of the downward facing bulbs had begun to unscrew. Volker 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 broke the laws of physics by slipped back into its own socket.

And eyeball appeared at the socket's opening and Volker tossed an impatient glare its way. 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, oozing to the lobby floor with a soft thud.

Volker plucked a sticky note from backside of the Lobby desk's countertop. "Caleb Thomsen," he muttered in his thick German accent, and then browsed the man's attributes. "Eater of worlds." He chuckled at his own bad joke as the ooze began to form into a human.

Volker waited until he was certain Caleb had fully formed, and then he clapped his hands to break the spell put upon Him. Of course, Caleb would remember nothing of his journey from his home dimension to Galli. Such was Demens' potent magic. The man had been unceremoniously plucked from his own bed moments before his home exploded.

"Wake up, Caleb!" Volker picked up a clipboard and strucke the desk with it. "Rise and shine!" His horrid Bavarian accent twisted the words to sound more like risen und shining.

Caleb would awaken to find himself laying upon the Lobby floor. The Lobby! Like all the common areas in the Building, the Lobby would shift its form to take on a familiar appearance - the ideal lobby for an apartment building. Everyone perceived it differently, of course. Some things never changed, however: the front desk stood proudly against a wall. Morning sunshine drifted through large front windows to warm the cozy seating area clustered next to them. Stairs and several lifts occupied the far wall. The entire place smelled of waffles and coffee, and voices echoed down the stairwell.

"Mister Thomsen, ja?" Volker peered over the counter to look at the young man in his night clothes. His appearance wasn't hard to miss. Clad in a black uniform that oozed futuristic military flavors, he seemed pleasant enough though he was very keen on getting business taken care of. "Wake up, please. Today is the first day of your new life. You have been Chosen."
I wear teal, blue & pink for Swith
There is a fifth dimension beyond that which is known to man. It is a dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infinity. It is the middle ground between light and shadow, between science and superstition, and it lies between the pit of man’s fears, and the summit of his knowledge. This is the dimension of imagination.

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The Starlight
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Posts: 10422
Founded: Jan 11, 2014
Ex-Nation

Postby The Starlight » Wed Apr 12, 2017 8:04 am

Cerillium wrote:-snip-


Caleb groaned from the floor of an unfamiliar surface, waking to hear a shout. He opened his eyes to the sight of black, thick boots, and groaned again. "What?" he asked, in the tired, grouchy voice of those awakened before their time. He was on his stomach, as he usually was in bed. For some reason, he just couldn't sleep on his sides, or his back. Pushing himself off the floor with his hands, he stumbled up and turned his head to view what seemed to be a lobby. A fireplace flickered opposite of the front desk, reminding him of his own home before he had moved out.

The gentle, soothing smell of waffles and coffee drifted over to his nose and Caleb was attentive immediately, snapping his head up towards the scent. After his stomach let out a surprisingly loud grumble, his gaze began to flit from object to object, identifying the material and its potential for consumption. The front desk was partially wooden, which still tasted good despite the years. However, the plastic in other parts of it made it unappealing, plastic tasting rather unrefined. The fireplace had more potential, as stone touched by fire tasted like it had been fried. Before he knew it, he was taking a step in its direction, jaw already unhinging. Then, realizing what he was doing, he stopped himself, and instead opened his mouth. A cube came floating out of it, his metal munching cube, and his hands flickered as he solved the Rubix Cube with unnatural speed. He brought it to his mouth as if it was an apple, and bit off a silvery-white corner. Uranium. It had a certain spice to it, and Caleb's stomach had been sated for the moment. Despite the temptation, he threw the cube back into his mouth and turned to the man with the German accent. "Sorry about that," he said, slightly ashamed. "Chosen for what? And also, if you could, tell me the who, what, when, where, why and how of this place, or wherever I am.
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Tiltjuice
Post Czar
 
Posts: 33978
Founded: Jan 20, 2012
Ex-Nation

Postby Tiltjuice » Wed Apr 12, 2017 7:36 pm

Some time ago

"Northman," Luce said to Sigtrygg, helping the taller man stumble toward the exit. The other man who reminded Luce so much of his old comrades in arms stood by the flap; so too did Mezran. Septimus stood behind them, closer to the flap, looking pensive.

"Shall we go back to the Building? My lodgings are open to all." The sheer destructive power he could have brought to bear on the Jotunn was indiscriminate. He hoped none of the others thought unkindly of him for holding back. Perhaps he was getting a bit too old for this. Strike that, he certainly was getting too old for this, he thought, as he took in the whimpering child. The devastation drew his eyebrows down and together in a deep furrow.

It was a short truck ride and a shorter walk up the stairs. The door swung open; all was quiet within.




Mathias lay flat on the ground, shoulders shaking from the exertion. The smoke and ash blocked out some of his air intake. Carrying the injured and sliding stretchers onto tables. That was the most of what he could have done, and no doubt the villagers would take in their own, and look after them, patch them up, get them walking again, stop the bleeding...

The image of the elderly woman cycled through his mind again and again. Had she found her husband? He hadn't been among those given painkiller powders by the naturopath. There'd been the slightest of smiles after that, gentle like sand and thin like water. He didn't know how he'd gotten back to the Building; all that he knew was that he was in the hallway.

How had they gotten here? How had the plane gotten there?

Mathias missed Rigel.
Beauty is not in the face; beauty is a light in the heart. -Khalil Gibran
Cut red tape with the Red Book / Bureaucracy is a system - #ApplyTNI / Think globally, act locally
At fifteen, I set my heart on learning. At thirty, I was firmly established. At forty, I had no more doubts. At fifty, I knew the will of heaven. At sixty, I was ready to listen to it. At seventy, I could follow my heart's desire without transgressing what was right. ~Analects, 2:4
I wear teal, blue, pink, and red for Swith.
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Giovenith
Retired Moderator
 
Posts: 21421
Founded: Feb 08, 2012
Left-wing Utopia

Postby Giovenith » Wed Apr 12, 2017 8:01 pm

An unlikely duo

Platinum didn't need to be well-versed in history to tell that the room of windows Smart Cookie had brought her to was very old and very magical. She spun in circles in the center of the platform trying to take in the sheer magnitude of the six stained glass displays. Their own windows were puny compared to these! Why, she hadn't even imagined there was this much glass in existence.

"Clearly nopony's been here a'while," Smart Cookie said, lifting her hoof slightly away from the reflection of the orange window. "But I figured that even so, whoever used to come down here had to have a way out."

With the majesty this place was radiating, Platinum wasn't so sure that the ponies who made use of this place didn't just poof in and out somehow. Definitely not winking out, that required a line of sight for control, but there were all sorts of strange things learned magicians were capable of. Just what exactly those were she wasn't sure, and what she was sure of was that she had no hope of replicating them. For the princess of the unicorns, Platinum wasn't all that great with sorcery. She'd assumed that Clover the Clever would always be around to perform all the advanced magic they'd ever need. Obviously, she'd assumed wrong.

"How did you find this place to begin with?" Platinum asked.

"Fell down a hole, blacked out, just woke up here," Cookie explained. "I was running from these strange creatures outside. Could they be the shadows you were talking about?"

"I do not know." Platinum's ears flattened as she grimaced. 'I don't know' was becoming far too common an answer from her. Royalty was supposed to have all the answers, they would not have been given divine right otherwise. "B-But surely I can figure something out! Let's see these windows, shall we?"

The princess turned and made a display of meticulous observing the seven giant windows, taking in their colors, imagery, and titles, which thankfully were in a language she could understand.

"Ah ha! Well you see, it's quite clear to a princess," the younger pony declared, swishing her increasingly messy and currently not-quite-princess-like mane. "Each of these windows represents the senses! Taste, touch, hearing, and all that, and each is a different color of the rainbow." She erected her posture with a proud smile.

Smart Cookie slowly blinked and raised an eye, unimpressed. "Uh, yeah kid, I kinda figured that out already."

"What? But how could you have?"

It was lucky for Princess Platinum that Smart Cookie had more consideration and patience than most, as many of her fellow tribesponies would have throttled the teenage royal for her casual but largely unintentional racism long ago. "They're pictures, of a unicorn using her senses. 'Cept for 'À Mon Seul Désir,' though I'm pretty sure that one just means magic. You got anything else?"

"Oh." A strand of white-blonde hair fell across Platinum's face. "Right."

The Earth pony thought her a fool, she was sure of it! O, for what is beauty without wit? The so-called princess of the most civilized race in the world was feeling neither beautiful nor witty then, withering under the sharp gaze of this noble savage and covered in the dust and tears brought upon by this wicked place! Her coat and mane were now more grey than white, and her specially commissioned velvet adventuress couture was in tatters, with most of its silk frayed and its ruby accents missing! On a normal day she would have been calling for those responsible to be immediately escorted to the dungeons, but now she blamed herself more than anything (and not just because she was fairly certain that the shadow creatures could not be held by iron bars).

Had that vision been true, had her mother truly been visited upon by some divine force when she was lost in these very tunnels? Where was it now, why did it not offer help to her, was the daughter of its chosen one not worthy enough for it? She feared she already knew the answer: she was a poor successor to Argenta.

Smart Cookie suppressed a sigh. "Look kid, you gave it a good shot," she said, holding up a hoof. "I couldn't get much out of it either, but now we really gotta latch down and get-"

Cookie went silent as something caught her gaze, the sudden shift of darkness along the tall ceiling. It was indistinct in shape, but clearly aware of them.

"What?" Platinum inquired.

"Don't be sudden," Cookie whispered, her eyes still on the darkness. "Just casually, as you can, come over to me..."


Brit

Willow shrunk backward from the unicorn's swearing and screaming at him. It was expected but still stung.

"Pegasi aren't all bad!" he protested, misunderstanding the reason for the other pony's malice. "We're starving too, we've got no reason to perpetuate this winter! It's not a trick, I'm not a spy!"

If you're so brave and smart, then take him out, the Umbrum urged inside Brit's head. See that rock over there? Pick it up and show us who's boss.

Yes, yes! the various other dark voices urged. Defeat us by destroying this mirage. Strike it down and we'll give you the princess! We bet you can't.

Yes! Stab it, brain it!

Willow was unable to hear the urgings that the Umbrum whispered to Brit and looked on timidly at the rigid stance of the other pony, trying to figure out what to say. It would have been easy to just turn tail and abandon hope of reasoning with her, but then the unicorn might send for help after him, or he could get lost and starve in these caves. Nothing else seemed like a viable-

Wait.

Shut the fuck up?

"'Fuck' isn't a word in the pony language," the beatnik hummed to himself. He used it himself plenty, sure, but he had only learned it after coming to the human world. His ears perked and his eyes widened with realization. "Chrys? Brit? I-Is that one of you?"

Are you still standing there? the Umbrum scoffed. You know what we think, Brit? We think you're all bluster. We think you're scared of our mirages. You talk about putting up a fight, but here you are still listening to this doppelganger. You want to prove us wrong? Kill him! Break through the shadows!

The gears slowly began to click into place for Willow with this newfound realization. It was one of his human friends! Thank Celestia, but why was she yelling at him? Then he remembered his own visions.

"Oh my god, no, NO!" he urged, holding a hoof up. "I'm not one of them, it is the real me! I'm Willow Streaks!"

What on earth are you still waiting for?

"They tried to trick me too," Willow insisted, gesturing to himself and growing in panic. "They shapeshifted and turned into ponies I knew and they tried to break me down! They told me, they told me..." He bit his lip and looked down, visibly trembling. He didn't want to tell. He didn't want to be weak, he didn't want to be selfish.

Excuse us, sometimes it takes a while to come up with a nice lie, said the Umbrum.

Willow dwelled on Pansy's words and her sacrifice for him. He realized that for all the times he'd unfairly underestimated her he'd never done it out of frustration. He'd never looked down on her. If this really was one of his friends, could they do the same for him? His gut screamed no but his survival instinct drove on. He squeezed his eyes shut. "They told me..."

Oh just get on with it!

"They told me that I'm nothing to my friends," he finally blurted out. "Nothing to anyone. They reminded me of times when no one helped me or forgot me. They said no one cares unless I can give them something - but I know now that's not true. Whatever they said to you, you know that's not true either. They want you to be weak. They want you to forget your friendships because they know that's what makes us strong."

The Umbrum were all screaming in Brit's head now.

"But you are not weak!" Willow pointed at her. "You have love in your heart for your friends and the Greater Beings sought you out for a purpose. Me and Rache came back to save you, to bring you back home, because everyone back home needs you. We work together to lift this universe up - not to bring it down. That's something they can't ever understand."

DO IT!!

---

"Itiscomingcloserohsweetheavensnomakeitgoaway!"

Smart Cookie was more than happy to protect the princess to the best of her abilities from the ever-growing shadow creature slithering along the concaves of the ceiling. But she wasn't sure how the princess quite expected her to do that while firmly attached to her back and screaming in her ear like a traumatized baby monkey.

"OhNO!OhNO!It'smovingmorelookatitlookatit!" Platinum pointed frantically up at the manifesting darkness, her weight causing Cookie to stumble sideways.

"He-!" The secretary scrambled to regain her balance, believing that the last thing that would aid their was survival falling into a tangled pile in front of this creature. Once steady, she pushed the brim of her hat from her eyes and leveled the most authoritative look she could muster at the shadows. "You've been playing games long enough!" Her voice echoed throughout the large room. "Ponies 'round here have seen you make your point pretty clear..."

Smart Cookie couldn't be sure talking with the darkness would do any good, but she was hoping it would at least boost Platinum's confidence. Ponies who thought they had a chance ran faster.

"Now why don't ya'll be an adult here," Cookie pointed at the darkness. "And give us the proper dignity of telling us what you want, using yer words! If yer even smart 'nough to talk at all!"

Princess Platinum's heart was beating a million times a second. She knew Smart Cookie was sticking up for her, but the last time the shadows had talked they had mocked and tried to hurt her friends. Who knew what else they were capable of? Platinum wanted to squeeze her eyes shut and pretend none of this was happening but she was afraid what would happen if she did.

The two mares found themselves scrambling backward as the darkness began to slowly ooze downward like a dripping sticky substance. It collected onto the floor in an ever-growing pile, folding in on itself and seeming to grow thicker with every pour. Smart Cookie's eyes widened, dwelling on how it should have been impossible for shadows to behave this way, while Platinum focused on trying not to wet herself - if she was going to die, she could at least die with some of her pride intact.

Finally the blackness fully condenscenced onto the floor, and in another impossible yet elegant movement, it began to swirl itself tighter and tighter until it finally broke apart. In its place was a pony, or, what looked like a pony, the form of a grey mare with a glowing red horn, floating black hair, and green and red eyes that produced wicked purple mist.

"Platinum!" Oriana squealed cheerully, throwing her forearms outward. "My baby, my dear, my delight!"

Platinum screamed at the Umbrum pony turning its attention to her, squeezing Smart Cookie's face into a pucker.

Cookie unwrapped the princess from her head. "You know her?" she asked the grey mare through narrowed eyes. "Who are you? What are you?"

Oriana smiled slyly, running a hoof through her thick hair. "I am offended, Madame Secretary, a pony of your standing should be wise in the ways of diplomacy. I am a Queen! I come to give you what you ask, dignity. As for the princess..." She smiled adoringly at the younger mare. "I know her, but we've never met. So sad! We've lost so much time together my dear, but now that you're here, we can finally bond."

"The power of the Heavens compels you!" Platinum shouted at Oriana, waving her hoof as if she were sprinkling holy water. "The power of the Heavens compels you!"

The Umbrum Queen's wicked eyes rolled. She raised a hood and flicked it. Instantly, Smart Cookie was ripped away from the princess and sent flying over the side of the platform floor with a scream. Before Platinum could scream the pony's name and try to save her with her telekinesis, she herself was rapidly dragged across the floor by a strong invisible force and held in place in front of Oriana. The shadow mare smiled at the princess' horrified expression and gently reached out to play with her pale hair.

"You're so lovely," she cooed. "I knew a place down the sapphire street that sold the nicest diamond hairclips. I could have taken you here. I always wanted to spoil my niece one day."

"I- You- What...?" Platinum slowly went from horror to confusion.

"Ohhhh, your Mommy never told you about me, did she?" Oriana's lovely face wrinkled in distaste. "Figures. Why bother with the rest of us down here when you can whore yourself out to the king?" The force holding Platinum tightened. "You're lucky to be an only child, princess. Stallions are pigs and sisters will smile while stabbing you in the back."

Unable to move her neck, Platinum gave herself vertigo trying to glance backward to see if there was any trace of Smart Cookie coming back over the ledge. "You're trying to trick me! My mother wasn't a shadow monster."

The side of Oriana's mouth pulled back into a sardonic smile. It went farther than a normal pony mouth should and revealed sharp teeth. "A shadow monster? No."

The force holding Platinum lifted her briefly into the air before slamming her back to the ground hard enough to suck the air from the princess' lungs.

"She was a Judas monster!" Oriana pointed down at the teen. "I saved her life and she thought only of herself in return. She became the Queen of Caer Gloriana and the pet of the Gods while we suffered, forsaken by both."

Platinum, panicked, scrambled onto her hooves and tried make a break for it. "You're ma- AH!"

The Umbrum Queen's telekinesis grabbed her again, this time by her hair, ripping it out from its updo and scattering pins about. The princess frantically tried to smack and wry herself free, but the magic only pulled tighter, painfully dragging her back. The much stronger Oriana pushed her to the ground once she was back in her reach and then climbed on top of her, digging her hooves in the girl's flesh and pulling her mane back tighter and tighter. Platinum screamed and struggled as she uselessly squirmed beneath the Queen's weight, thousands of agonizing pricks on her scalp screaming as the strands struggled to stay connected, a few giving in and popping out.

"Stop, stop!" she begged, beginning to weep from the pain.

Over the edge of the platform, Smart Cookie stirred from beneath several blocks of shattered rock. The secretary's vision was spinning from the impact but she was pulled back into full awareness by the sounds of the unicorn princess' screams. Her blood went cold.

"Girly!" Cookie called out frantically, starting up the jagged wall leading to the platform. "Hang on, I'm coming!"

Atop the platform, Oriana frowned at the distant sound of the Earth pony's voice. She flicked her chin. Below, shadowy tendrils slithered out from the darkness covering the cave walls behind Smart Cookie and grabbed hold of her limbs and torso, dragging her back and pinning her to the wall like a dungeon prisoner. Cookie struggled savagely against them, thrashing out her forelegs and attempting to bite pieces of them off. "Let go 'a me! Don't you touch her!"

"We'll deal with your boyish friend after you," Oriana told Platinum, smiling sadistically again. "It wasn't enough to destroy Argenta. The Heavenly Ones wanted her to establish a legacy. We will desecrate their plans before their eyes."

Just as it felt like Platinum's hair couldn't go back any further without either her neck snapping or her scalp ripped out, a snippet of dark magic flashed out and severed the long strands close to the head. Platinum, having been putting considerable effort into pushing her neck forward in response to the backward pulling, was met with her face forcefully falling forward and smashing her nose into the ground.

She wasn't sure what to cry about first: the blood pouring from her nostrils and grusomely staining her white fur, or the shower of long golden threads that rained down on her as Oriana laughed. She reached back and felt the cut edges with horror - her hair, her beautiful, floor-length, courtly hair! It was no longer than a lowly peon's!

Oriana tsked. "The mud-dweller wore it better." Spinning faster than a mortal could comprehend, the Umbrum's hind leg snapped out and caught Platinum in the chin.

Platinum was vaguely aware of tumbling through the air and falling to the ground. It was hard to tell with the white spots clouding her vision and the high-pitching squealing in her ears. Horse kicks were no laughing matter. A few centimeters off and she would have been dead on impact.

The purple haze around Oriana's eyes flared like flames as she laughed. "Get up! Argenta faced her death like a mare!"

Platinum's face and limbs burned as she struggled to her hooves. The blood from the face-impact and kick painted her face like an abstract painting. Her dirty, clipped hair stuck out on its ends. She was feral-looking and pathetic. "You, you..." she stuttered. "M-Mo-, my mothe-"

A grey foreleg swept the room. "The windows themselves wept as she screamed," said Oriana. "We preferred the silence afterward. The silence of greatness ceased to be."

Platinum was only allowed a moment for her heart to break. The dark magic seized her once again and lifted her higher than before.

"Let's see how they feel about the sound of yours," the Umbrum Queen breathed in delight.

The princess went whizzing through the air and only had seconds to react. Forcing herself from the delirium of her injuries, Platinum pushed out a thin telekinetic force field around her body to keep from being shredded into ribbons as Oriana slammed her into one of the giant stained-glass windows, shattering it, and dragging her body violently across the circular walls to shatter the other five windows in turn, one by one.

Millions of tinkling chimes blended into a roar as pounds and pounds of rainbow-colored glass rained down from above. It blanketed the floor of the platform like a deadly meadow. Winter sunlight beamed through the holes in the once holy displays, throwing twinkles off the jagged edges and illuminating the limp form of Princess Platinum as she fell back to the floor. She had saved herself from the worst of the damage, but she was spent. She was helpless.

Queen Oriana savored the image.

Are you watching, Heavenly Ones? she sent her thoughts out. This is what happens when you hide behind flesh and blood to do your deeds. When you pick favorites among your creations and watch the others suffer - those others shall equalize.

"I am ready, little princess," said Oriana, making her way towards the young mare. "Ready for the sweet end. Are you?"

Platinum couldn't hear. She did not see. She only remembered; remembered the shimmer of crystal, the warmth of tender embrace...

Mother...


Unicorns + Rache

Clover's ears folded and her heart pounded at the sight of the pegasus cackling like a novella villain. This was getting out of control. The princess was missing, Brit was missing, Caer Gloriana was under attack from below, and she was surrounded by inter-dimensional beings whose natures were obscure at best yammering on about prophecies and demons and manifestations and Heavens knows what else. And it was all her fault. Clover wasn't feeling very clever.

As Chrys had said: One thing at a time.

"Once we stop the Umbrum," she said in a halting voice. "Then it will be easier to save our friends."

She didn't comment on anything else Rache had said. It would implode her mind. She took the lead, and Straight Arrow and Razzalia (presumably unfrozen at this point) quickly followed after, curious about what had occurred in the seemingly blink of a second they were out.

"What happened?!" Arrow demanded. She pointed at Rache. "Who is that?! Where is Brittle Bits?"

Clover said nothing. The two other Glorianans were as good as children at this point, a burden that didn't belong yet she had to drag with anyway. If these were really the end times, and oh did it feel like there were, the least fate could have done was spare her an annoying death.

Her nose bumped into something invisible.

Oh no. Clover's heart immediately picked up again. Another invisible wall? No, not again! The sorcerer's apprentice was about to turn to her companions and order them on the attack before the Umbrum could strike first, but before she could, the wall became not-quite-so-invisible as it began to glow bright green. Clover and the other Glorianans backed up. An image began to form from the green, but nothing was overtaking the team's minds; the wall of energy became like a screen into the past...

In it, Queen Argenta, glowing and shimmering in all her crystalline splendor, walked alone across the very platform where Platinum and Cookie were currently struggling. The windows were whole of course, and they threw down gentle, multi-colored light upon her sparkles as she walked to the center of the elevated floor. There was silence.

"I am here," she said, her voice bouncing off the walls. "There is no need to hide."

hide, hide, hide... The air sighed her words back.

The Queen stood there, patiently, until the shadows folded and twisted to once again present the dark form that was once her sister.

"You fool..." Oriana hissed from above. She stood upside down from the shadows along the ceiling, her head unnaturally twisted all the way around to glare down at her former sister. "You come to fight us in our own kingdom?"

"You cannot fight," Argenta gently stated. "You are weakened from when I last defeated you."

Oriana made a noise between a bitter laugh and bark.

Argenta's eyes shifted down to the folds of her royal robes. From between them, her magic pulled something out: a vase of flowers. Not true flowers, but flowers crafted from gem, the same type of gem her miner kin had died trying to obtain. Oriana hissed.

"I come to give you peace," Queen Argenta said, setting the vase down on the floor.

"Peace," spat the Umbrum Queen. "We could have had peace if not for you."

"I was only a child, Oriana!" the Glorianan Queen snapped, standing tall against the darkness. "I did what I could. I got out and I told everypony about what happened. They tried. They tried their best and they failed, and I am sorry, but there was nothing more that I could do. You would have realized that before you were twisted into..." Her lip trembled, as if there was no word properly able to convey such tragedy. "... into this."

"What is this?" Oriana's head twisted around a few more times. "We live on, little Argenta, just as you did."

"This is not living."

"You say that because your guilt lives with us."

The Crystal pony closed her eyes. "No. I say it because the pony..." She paused. "The good pony that you were, that you all were," She directed this to the rest of the shadows, knowing the rest of the creatures were looking. "Died a long time ago. You didn't deserve what happened. You don't deserve this." From the folds of her robes, Argenta's magic pulled out more supplies, candles, crystals, scrolls, chalk. "I'm going to make it right. I'm going to do what I should have done a long time ago." She pulled out Mirare.

Oriana's visage briefly flashed from the grey mare to the twisted, mangled, shadowy monster form that her kind truly appeared as. She was enraged. "You mean to banish us!"

"I mean to give you peace," Argenta said once again, looking back up at the shadow beast. Her voice was fragile and wavering. "I'm going to send you to the place where pony souls should go when they pass, into the embrace of the Heavens. You will be happy."

The Umbrum pony flickered and flashed between various forms like a broken slideshow. "We don't want to go to them! We don't want your help!"

"You don't know what you want anymore..." Argenta ignored the presence to begin to set up the ritual. There was no reasoning with any of them. Just finish the ritual, save them, and she'd never have to worry about any of this ever again.

"We aren't so weak, you know," Oriana's voice called down. "We've been learning a few tricks on our own."

The crystal Queen ignored her.

"It takes very powerful unicorns to withstand the cycle," the Umbrum continued. "We may not be unicorns anymore, but we are quite powerful."

Ignore.

"If we can't join you in the light," the voice became a hiss. "You'll join us in the dark."

The colors shining down from the windows dimmed and finally disappeared. Argenta's ears perked and she scrambled up from her ritual preparation to frantically look around the room. "What are you doing?!" she demanded.

The shadows quivered, and the collective voice spoke once again: "Observe it! Observe! Observe the perfect dark!"

The windows and walls and the top of the cavern itself melted away to reveal a bare night time sky. It should have been daytime, and it had been moments ago. They'd hijacked the solar dance!

"No, that's impossible!" Argenta's glow flicked in a panic in the dark as she stumbled backwards.

"Everything down here should be impossible!" Oriana's singular voice laughed. "We have no love for the night either, Argenta. We've set the sun, we will now set the moon, and the sun will not follow. Prepare yourself for the truest darkness."

The Glorianan Queen looked to the west to find the white orb already sinking below the horizon. With it did not trail behind a cloak of purple and orange, but one of absolute black, a leviathan rising from the east to swallow the world. How was this happening? What were the magicians in the city doing about this? She couldn't allow it.

Argenta could already feel the lethal tug in her soul as she thrust every ounce of potent magic in her body outward to grip the moon and pull it back. She was legendary, she was blessed by the Heavens, but was still only one pony. It took six unicorns total to raise a celestial object, and even for them it was dangerous. But still she pulled. She pulled and pulled for all of the world hung in the balance. The moon slowly inched backwards, desperately dragging itself from the horizon's grip. Argenta's lips were bleeding from biting them in exertion and pain, every tendon in her body felt stretched to its limits and as if it would snap at any moment.

"It's no use," her enemies hissed. "The world is already in our control. Let it go and accept it."

Argenta screamed in defiance. She pulled back harder, summong mental images of her citizens, her friends, her husband, her daughter, to keep her going. The magic was overheating inside her beyond anything any unicorn should experience. All sorts of things popped and twisted inside her physical body and yet still she pulled.

"Give up!!" the Umbrum demanded.

The glow and shine from the Queen's body faded as her form began to twist and shrink on itself. Little by little, the magical overload ate away at her form, sucking bits and pieces into tight spaces and releasing them as ash. It continued like this, pops and pops of violent disintegration overtaking her body, blowing away holes in her like a wall under siege. Argenta's screams of determination dissolved into screams of agony, the once demigod-like Queen unable to stand let alone hang onto the moon. Dark eyes watched as she collapsed, unable to hold herself up with much of her legs dissipated, and finally as what was left of her crumbled in on its center like a paper aflame until nothing was left but the clattering form of Mirare.

And that's when the illusion ended - the one that Argenta had witnessed. It was not, in fact, night outside. The moon had never been there. The world had not been in danger of falling into smothering darkness. To everypony else in the world, it had been a perfectly normal day until the sun had spontaneously started jiggling in the sky before settling down again, causing brief mobs of panic among the Groundtownies and Cyniscans and sharp surprise among the Glorianans. It was indeed impossible for one pony alone to budge the celestial cycle without dire consequences. The Umbrum knew that, and they were content to go dormant again laughing at the memory of the foolish queen who'd tried.

Peace. There'd be no peace until the price of betrayal was paid.

The magical screen the Residents and ponies had been shown this on faded away and opened the empty cavern hall up to them again. Understandably, the Glorianans present were shaken to various degrees. Razzalia panicked in her typical melodramatic nature, Arrow seemed taken aback but critical, and Clover's anxiety intensified. She look back at Chrys with a frown. The message was as clear as if they had directly pointed at the Conservapony before running a finger across their own neck menacingly.

"We have to keep going," Clover declared, looking back ahead. "They'll do everything they can to scare us."

"This isn't worth it anymore!" Razzalia cried before being slapped into place by Arrow, a reminder that they didn't have a choice.

The team forged on ahead without anymore horrifying visions or interruptions. Normally fine to entertain a busy mind, Clover kept herself intact by keeping all thoughts on two things: Princess Platinum and Brit. Princess Platinum and Brit. That was the most important thing right now. One thing at a time, first thing Princess Platinum and Brit.

"Do you feel that?" Arrow piped up eventually. For once her tone wasn't condescending or airy. Grim, she slowly pointed ahead and drew the team's attention to a faint green glow around one of the distant corners up ahead.

A bead of sweat ran down Clover's brow as she inspected her holographic map. "It's here."

Well, time to die. Part of her said.

Stop that! Another chastised.

The apprentice could hear the blood pumping through her ears she was so scared, and the final resting place of the Umbrum's power did not disappoint. They came upon the edge of a drop in a giant cavernous opening. Both the ground below the drop and the ceiling above were too far to see, and shooting upward from the former to the latter, was a blazing pillar of green and purple fire the size of a small skyscraper. It washed the puny pony team in neon light that the eyes struggled to adjust to. No heat eminated from the fire, but an overwhelming sense of dread and sadness did.

This is it, Arrow thought. I can't handle this...

"What are we supposed to do about this?" Clover asked, jaw hanging and ears flattened, not bothering to hide her hopelessness.

"Well you can't roughhouse with it!" a voice called out.

The unicorns became on edge, fearing some new Umbrum trick was afoot. Following the sound, they caught the source: high above in the upper walls of the cavern was a small notch leading into another tunnel, and there stood the small and pink form of Sugar Glass - the mysterious former sycophant of Razzalia that had helped lead Brit and Chrys into the city. Her expression was dour but fearless as she looked down on the group. A bright pink glow surrounded her before she teleported in front of them.

"Sugar Glass!" Razzalia was delighted and moved to embrace the girl. "You were worried about me! You came to save-"

Sugar Glass thoughtlessly shoved Razzalia aside in order to better approach the other members of the group. The blue socialite looked shocked. "Sugar...?"

The little unicorn maid looked Clover, Chrys, Rache, and finally Arrow in the eyes one by one before carefully stating: "I am a devotee of forces greater. They told me in dreams that I would find you here. Especially you." She pointed to Arrow.

Even Clover was baffled. She blinked twice and shook her head. "What?"

The pink glow around Sugar Glass had not faded. It was overwhelming, but it was not hostile. It was antithetical to the sensations given off by the Umbrum's power. It was holy.

"This is where you make your stand," she said.
⟡ and in time, and in time, we will all be stars ⟡
she/her

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Swith Witherward
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Posts: 30350
Founded: Feb 11, 2012
Democratic Socialists

Postby Swith Witherward » Thu Apr 13, 2017 8:15 pm

LOBBY

"You have been Chosen to save the omniverse, Caleb."

The speaker, a young woman, rose from one of the comfortable couches. She didn't seem wholly human, though she'd gone through the efforts of masking some of her nature that morning. Long black hair framed her delicate face and cascaded down her elegant neck to frolic upon her shoulders. Her prismatic eyes rested upon Volker a moment, as though asking his permission to interrupt.

He blinked and folded his hands in front of him. "I thought you were out handling your divorce," he pursed his lips.

"I was. It went dashingly. I settled for half of everything," she smiled as she joined the pair at the desk. Much shorter than Caleb, and rather lithe in appearance, she hardly looked old enough to vote let alone divorce someone. Her physical features spoke of Indian roots. To Volker, her polite and lilting accent summoned to mind exotic spices, Kashmir, and meditative temples.

"The 'Who' is Mr. Demens. He's a Greater Being. Those are more potent than gods." Her small hand brushed a lock of hair from her cheek. "The 'What' is Gallimaufry, a secret pocket dimension fashioned by Mr. Demens. 'When' is impossible to say... Time is odd here. However, 'Where' is easy enough: This is the planet Gallimaufry Mundi. You are standing in the Apartment Building. 'How'? We do not know. And the 'why' was already answered... you were chosen to save the multiverse."

"That's not at all helpful," Volker interjected. "And how did you convince Cornelius to give half of everything? He wouldn't even acknowledge-"

"I am Charumati," the woman continued lightly as if Volker hadn't even spoken. "Please call me Charu. I'm one of your neighbors. As with you, Mr Demens thought I had a talent or ability that aided him in his quest. If you'd like, we can slip upstairs and have some coffee? The story is not easily told through idle conversation." Her brow momentarily furrowed. "I am also still figuring out parts of it. It might be best to drag over a Resident or two to help out."

Volker grunted and waved the clipboard. "Ja, but he needs to sign his lease first."
Last edited by Swith Witherward on Thu Apr 13, 2017 8:17 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Mincaldenteans
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Ex-Nation

Postby Mincaldenteans » Sat Apr 15, 2017 11:34 am

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The Multiversal Booze-Run


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Minerva
paper!Romy
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Insidious


Klingons were rarely exhausted after a fierce battle. If anything, it invigorated them, spurring them to celebration after a victory hard fought. Instead, Mezran could only recall the battle up to the moment of their exit from the tent and everything had become a haze. Had the captain celebrated as he intended? Had he shared bloodwine with the group for slaying the many-head beast, no doubt worthy of song and story? And yet Mezran could not recall any of that, letting out a chuff as he rose from his bed strewned with furs and other skins. Not known to drink himself stupid, it was entirely a possibility that he took too much, but it didn't explain why he was back in his unless those shadow figures the Building was fond of employing worked their usual tricks.

Not wishing to dwell upon the time missing, or the lingering afterimages of dead villagers and the youngling that was left alone, Mezran got to his feet to begin the day anew. His first order of business was to find those among the battlegroup and share a bottle of bloodwine; although they'd partake in that during the evening, even Klingons didn't drink so early in the morning. Donning his usual uniform that was stripped and cleaned off (definitely those cultists, Mezran affirmed) presumably sometime during the haze, the captain went searching for three bottles of bloodwine.

Mezran found none.

The main cabinet of his small kitchenette was bereft of bottles. Nor was there any in the closet called a 'pantry'. Nor were there any he stashed with his weapon cache, small as his weapons collection was, there was plenty room to keep other things.

The klingon made an audible indignant scoff as he searched through apartment, up to and including dropping on all fours to look under his bed! This was an outrage! Surely he hadn't finished off his supply of bloodwine so quickly!

Thoroughly annoyed, Mezran knew of only one solution. He donned his gauntlets, sheathed his usual bladed weapons and stormed out of the apartment, large booted feet that could shake the very foundations of the building with his stomps. The ride down the elevator was met with growing impatience as Mezran stared at the floor indicator with disdain, huffing when the doors slid gently open though one could swear he would've torn it apart with his own hands.

He spotted Charumati and some newcomer and though visibly perturbed, the Klingon still had the good graces to remain civil... whatever that meant or counted for a Klingon.

"Some p'taQ has pilfered my stores of bloodwine," Mezran said in a growl that sliced through the duo's conversation. Surely a trip to Qo'Nos wouldn't be impossible given the manner in which these other aliens were continually dropping in on them, "I have need for a ship to restock my supply."
Last edited by Mincaldenteans on Sat Apr 15, 2017 6:33 pm, edited 7 times in total.

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Cerillium
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Founded: Oct 27, 2012
New York Times Democracy

Postby Cerillium » Sat Apr 15, 2017 6:04 pm

UNICORNS & RACHE

The soft folds of Rache's lower eyelid twitched, and his muscles drew up a corner of his lip on the same side. Why is this world so fucking confusing?, he thoughts hissed. What came out of his mouth, however, was a half-gasped, "The fuck?" For a creature that relied heavily on a 'see foe, smash' principle, the current conspiracy and intrigue layers left him unable to reason his way out of the current situation. So he gazed at the vision presented to him, and nodded when it vanished to expose the cavern and its newest puzzle piece.

Two thoughts vied withing him: Klaus' strong-willed insistence that Timelines flow according to their path, and the desire to kill everything and fetch his Willow, and take him and Chrys from this insane universe. Klaus would flay him if he left the others behind. This knowledge pushed him towards (what he thought to be) the most logical solution.

Lips now pursed, he gazed upon Sugar Glass. The strange magic flowing from her reeked of the same flavors found in many of the good gods and demigods he'd met while part of the Building. Though no agreement existed between his pantheon and this Pony Umbrum, they presumably had a common goal. The question was: what? Surely she could likewise sense that he also contained magic, albeit dark and not part of this world? Eh, fuck convert operations protocols.

"I don't understand any of this," his face shifted towards neutrality as he addressed Sugar Glass. There was nothing shameful about lacking sufficient intelligence. "I only seek to assist my companion, Willow, with his quest to restore the Timeline. I do not recall caverns and visions intertwined with his story. I don't recall dark voices. I am limited in what I can meddle with and, without Willow, I do not know if my actions will cause a dramatic change."

He sought out Chrys' face before sliding his gaze along to meet Arrow's. "I will not allow a pony to die needlessly. You are Willow's people even if a different tribe. If we must make a stand, then let's do so and be done with it. I'll pay the penalty of my pantheon's wrath if it means bringing about the peace and tranquility promised in Willow's tale."



LOBBY
The Multiversal Booze-Run

Charu played with Swith's permission

The elevator chimed and its doors parted to reveal a fatigued, young cyborg and two large, piglike creatures with heavy manes and sharp, white spikes blazing a trail down the path of their spine. He tugged the silvery leashes attached to each pig. The trio stepped from the elevator just in time to hear Mezran the Klingon griping.

"Qo'Nos?" Marcus guided the targs towards the front desk in order to address Mezran. "Your homeworld? And yeah, someone nicked the priest's hootch and stole my patron's last bottle of scotch." In truth, Marcus would have stolen it first to placate his nerves the night prior, but he found the cabinet strangely empty.

His optic picked up movement to his left, and he realized there was an unfamiliar face in their midst. "Oh, hullo. You new here? Welcome. I'm Brother Marcus Usseio." He recoiled slightly as a small woman stepped to the side to reveal herself. He hadn't realized Charumati was present.

The god quietly observed him. Marcus had grown considerably since the last time they'd interacted. He seemed more fleshed out now that he had reached his adult form. Youthful, shaggy hair was now cropped, and the optic and its housing dominated his eye socket and the side of his head. Rumpled from a poor night's sleep, and dressed in track pants and a wrinkled tee, he would have passed for a college student. "What are those?" her finger flicked to indicate the beasts at Marcus' knees.

"Septimus and Neste's pet targs," the young cyborg rubbed the back of his head with a metallic hand. "They go for 'walkies' each morning."

"The lease?" Volker interjected.

Charumati snorted as she snatched the clipboard from Volker's hands. "Here you go," she smiled at Caleb.

"If you need a ship, Minerva needs an escape from stress," the god suggested to Mezran. "Training is, understandably, a little delayed due to yesterday. People need a break."

I need a break, Marcus tugged one of the targs back to keep it from gnawing on Caleb's leg. The priest wasn't a fighter, but neither was his father. If Septimus could survive a trip to the Klingon home world, so could he. "I'd like to help, Mezran, if you want me along."
I wear teal, blue & pink for Swith
There is a fifth dimension beyond that which is known to man. It is a dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infinity. It is the middle ground between light and shadow, between science and superstition, and it lies between the pit of man’s fears, and the summit of his knowledge. This is the dimension of imagination.

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Chedastan
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Corrupt Dictatorship

Postby Chedastan » Sat Apr 15, 2017 7:03 pm

Nivea
Dining Room

The courier's hand shook as it brought a coffee filled mug to her lips, still reeling from the harrowing events that transpired early last morning till dawn. Nivea placed the mug down on the table after she took a long gulp from the richy bean water, she starred off into the distance through her sunglasses, hoping no one would be able to notice outright the troubling shocked expression to her eyes.

She had slain once again, having used a even more devious and inhuman instrument to carry out the violent act, a gun. While she was quite well aware that she was within her right to defend herself and the others from the persistent and unsavory X7, it still held weight her to have committed such a act of cold brutality on another living thing. She was growing worried for herself, unsure and frightened of what more she'll push herself to do, even if the results in the end saved more lives than ended.

She knew she should've known by now that she'll be heading into uncharted and unfounded aspects of life that would've dumbfounded her peaceful people back underground. She should be thankful she was holding up as well as she has been, despite everything she's been through so far. She only hope she didn't lose her humanity by the end of this journey though.

She then remembered her and Amanda helping to carry charred and mangled bodies just a day ago, to have think she originally thought they were going in to help a lot more injured and living people who were still there. And while their stretchers and medkit did went to great use for the living villagers still present, she then quickly pushed back the recent memory of them having to clean up those who weren't so lucky. She tried to pretend she wasn't greatly bothered and disturbed when she was carrying a young girl away who was missing an arm and both her legs from the mouth of the tent. She later recalled throwing up in her room afterwards as she tried washing the blood out.

She turned her eyes down at her coffee and saw it was mostly empty, she then just sat there quietly for a few brief seconds that felt like hours, contemplating whether she should get up to refill it. But what was the rush though? She wondered, remembering the lovely garden that was behind the Building, and hoping to visit it later and meet whoever tended to it. That plan sounded wonderful enough to her.



Paper Romy
Image
The Multiversal Booze-Run

The Paper General took several steps down the stairs from the Library to enter the Lobby on the ground floor below, having since gotten a little bored of reading countless literature overnight, he was ready to do something else with his time, maybe grab a drink. He had also since shaven his paper beard in preparation of not getting confused with the Real Romulus when he finally returns from wherever that fungal otter dragged him to. Though it still seems like he'll be gone for a while longer.

Heading down, he heard the commotion that was Mez growling for a restock of his bloodwine via use of borrowing a ship, which help to remind Paper Romulus that there was significant lack of Wilhelm Imperium booze in general stock around the building, something him and his real self have missed since arriving here months ago. He had a strong need for familiar lager and bourbon for awhile now.

"If Mez is demanding a ship to acquire drinks, we may as well hit a brewery in the Wilhelm Imperium after that if we're going that far for Mez's bloodwine already." He then quickly interjected and proposed as he approached them. He then nodded politely towards the newcomer as a welcoming gesture, being the 8ft tall magical paper replica that he was.
Last edited by Chedastan on Mon Apr 17, 2017 4:16 pm, edited 2 times in total.
I wear teal, blue & pink for Swith.

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Primordial Luxa
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Founded: Oct 30, 2012
Left-Leaning College State

Postby Primordial Luxa » Sat Apr 15, 2017 7:35 pm

Epilogue - Insidious

Insidious reluctantly gave up the girl to the nuns, savoring the hedonistic last touch of flesh as they parted way. “Bye,” was all she could manage to say as a flurry of complex and poorly understand emotions ripped through her mind and chest like a storm.

It’s all chemical; she tried to remind herself. But she couldn’t shake how quickly and intensely she had come to care for and desire the little girl. It was also alien how she wanted the child in an almost possessive and personal manner. Not just a creature to toy with but something to care for and watch over. It was entirely new and very disturbing to the Luxan. Her skin turned solid black with traces of yellow explosive bursts as she slowly stumbled away from the Nuns and rejoined her friends.

Image
The Multiversal Booze-Run


Insidious stood up to the assembled group having eavesdropped from afar. Her skin was a kaleidoscope of running reds, bubbling blacks, and wallowing whites. She smelled like fresh, decadent French perfumes mixed with sleepy sex, and she smiled slyly showed her approval of the topic.

“About time someone around here had a good idea. That’s the best thing I've heard since we got to this place,” Insidious say giving Mezran a friendly pat on the back as she joined the group. “The DEiMOS was fucked in more ways than one by our transition here, and our very expansive wine cellar was destroyed beyond repair. If you're alright with stopping by the Luxan Empire, i’ll gladly help you all carry whatever else we need to grab.”

Her whole body seemed reinvigorated at the talk, and the sleep she had enjoyed was replaced by a tremendous excitement for something new. And of course the promise of getting shitfaced in ways only a Luxan liver will allow.
Swith Witherward wrote:But I trust the people here. Well, except Prim. He has shifty eyes but his cute smile make up for it.

Monfrox wrote:But it's not like we've known Prim to really stick with normality...

P2TM wrote:HORROR/THRILLER Winner - Community Choice Award For Favorite Horror/Thriller Player: Primordial Luxa


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Saldinado
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Ex-Nation

Postby Saldinado » Sat Apr 15, 2017 8:36 pm

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Epilogue


As everything and everyone else around him were starting to leave and return, Henry himself ignored all of it; he was in his own world. All he knew at that point was that he needed to help everyone else. He needed to be there for them so that they didn't fall asleep on him like she did. He didn't want to leave them. No. Not now. Not never. Yet...That was his mistake. Everyone who was alive have already been carried and taken care of. But...he didn't know that. Not in his own mind. In his mind, they were all alive. Nothing happened to them. They were all just crying for help.

'W-what? No! I can't I can't leave them! No, not anymore! I have to help them! I...I have to be there for them!" He cried out with tears in his eyes to the ones that were dragging and prying the lifeless body of a woman from his arms before he could set her underneath a tree just like he did with all the other bodies. The heat and flames were making his body sweat even more and soon his mask was removed only to be replaced by the sudden coolness of the air which was then turned into heat from the fire. "No! I-I can't...I can't." Was all he whispered to himself as he was dragged upon the truck and had his sight of wreckage and despair replaced by the sight of complete darkness and silence.

When he awaken, he found himself in his room on top of his bed, wearing only his pajama pants and his glasses on the floor. Vision blurry from his lack of sight plus the drugs that were given to him to calm down, Henry looked down at his arm to see that it was bright red as if he was burned with white gauze covering it. "Eh? What's this?" He groggily said to himself before he soon found himself being light-headed and his world becoming black one again.

Image
The Multiversal Booze-Run


Upon laying quite peacefully sprawled out on one of the plush and rather fashionable sofas in the Lobby, Henry was quietly napping; after what happened last night, his energy was completely drained and as a result spend most of his time in his apartment sleeping. His appetite was completely gone. He couldn't stomach to see any food after what he saw.

He made sure to keep everything clean and tidy so that the rest of the residents didn't complain about him messing up the Lobby with his shoes or anything. He would've taken off his shoes, but that might cause some of the others to look at him with disgust or rather confusion. So he had to make do with a clean pair of shoes and letting his feet hang off the arm of the chair, careful not to knock over anything that was laying on top of the stand that was positioned right beside it. Especially the lamp that sat upon it.
Soft snoring was heard from the young man as he rested his hands behind his head and enjoyed his nap as he ignored the others around him. Though the sudden and loud noises of footsteps filled the air and his ears along with the booming voice of someone talking about something. The sharp and harshness of their voice made Henry's eyes shoot wide open and shoot his head up to look around at the cause of the voice. Soon he saw that it was the Klingon dude named Mezran; if he was correct.

And soon another. And then another person chimed in on the man's- if he could be called that due to his different species- words. Apparently there was problem where there was a lack of alcohol in his cabinets. The smell of perfume and an after night thrill filled his nostrils as he saw someone else ask for approval. The smell was a contrast to his normal blueberry, orange and vanilla scent of his that has proven to become his signature scent around here. Her scent. It wasn't bad at all. Yet it wasn't the greatest. He eavesdropped upon their conversations even more still remaining on the sofa and became intrigued.

"Well that's not a very good thing to hear." He said out loud to the rest- his voice still sounding tired and groggy from last night before lifting his upper body up off of the couch and sitting normally. "So that might explain the lack of white wine and champagne around here I couldn't find when I needed it for making my pasta sauce. As well as my mimosas. And other things." He looked towards the sky and roof above him and sighed before turning his head back towards the group.

"I can't make a three-cheese shrimp and Italian sausage penne pasta with champagne sauce without champagne; it defeats the purpose. As well as making a braised lamb and cheesy roasted garlic polenta and red wine reduction without...Well red wine! And I've been craving some for the few days." Getting up from his seat which has left a rather nice imprint of his behind, well, behind Henry carefully walked over to the three and looked at them before pushing his glasses upon his bridge and sighing. "I hope you don't mind me saying this and intruding on your conversation and jumping in, but I need my alcohol for my dishes. As well as for a personal reason." His voice sounding tired and as if it was filled with phlegm that needed to be removed from his throat. Clearing his voice, he shook his head at them and sighed giving them a small smile. "Yeah. And I'm okay. Just a little tired still. A cup of coffee would do me some good and I'll...I'll be back to my old self." He smiled bigger as he leaned upon the receptionist desk for support with his lilac eyes looking at them filled with such innocence and tiredness.
You do you. And I'll do me. And we won't do each other. Probably.- Mark Fischbach

We all know that light travels faster than sound. That's why certain people appear bright until you hear them speak.- Albert Einstein

Living is like tearing through a museum. Not until later do you really start absorbing what you saw, thinking about it, looking it up in a book, and remembering-because you can't take it in all at once.- Audrey Hepburn


I believe that if life gives you lemons, you should make lemonade....And try to find someone whose life has given them vodka, and have a party.-Ron White

When life gives you lemonade, make lemons. Life will be all like 'whaaat?'-Phil Dunphy

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Holy Lykos
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Ex-Nation

Postby Holy Lykos » Sat Apr 15, 2017 10:45 pm

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The Multiversal Booze-Run


Sig
Mez
Minerva
paper!Romy
Calani
Sal
Insidious


Sigtrygg had found himself in a similar situation. Being utterly human he had crashed once the adrenaline of battle had worn off, and had chosen to celebrate the victory the next day. Fighting a Jotunn and slaying it was a deed worthy of proper celebration and song, certainly! After a good rest overnight, Sig awoke to find every sort of alcohol he had to be missing. His Rus' ale was no longer in its jug. Sigtrygg's Roman wine and its flasks were no longer near near the fireplace. Even the sacred mead was gone! A thieving svartálfar must have ransacked his room while the dwellers slept.

With an indignant snort, Sigtrygg donned his underclothes to search for replacement. Armor shouldn't be needed, but his swordbelt was fastened to his hip for that modicum of protection. Much like Mezran, he stomped through the halls but for the stairs himself.

He arrived in the lobby in time to hear the conversation between Mezran and Marcus. Their drinks were missing as well. The viking grunted and raised a hand in greeting to the two other warriors, and the rest of those in the room. A nude woman soon joined, as did a man of great stature. The last seemed... off to Sigtrygg though, and he couldn't feel just what it was. A few more, and the lobby felt almost full. He cleared his throat before speaking.

"I am Sigtrygg, son of the Fylkir Karl, of the clan Snjalli. Aye, my alcohol has disappeared overnight as well. I must have some of the sacred mead of my homeland, for a myriad of reasons. One being we must celebrate the defeat of the Jotunn, even if the monster was only an illusion. A valiant battle requires celebration." The word that they might have transportation made the blond Norseman grin brightly, too. Enough for the Norseman, any sailing vessel he would be more than happy to help man.

He also glanced towards the young man who had fought with them the day before."Marcus, is it? You must come too, to celebrate the mighty blow you delivered to the beast. You did more damage than the rest of us combined, lad. We can celebrate while we search for the drinks, and after. The people of my land would gladly throw us a feast to celebrate the slaying of a Jotunn. And the rest of you, for you own personal triumphs the day prior." Sigtrygg seemed to be surprisingly well spoken, if one only had a stereotypical view of Vikings.

"We get our alcohol, and will have a feast when we do!"




Image
OPERATION: LAST CHANCE
DIMENSION: 4590K
LOCATION: En Route to Xo'Lokkako via HZ shuttle, Vim System, HZSC space
TEAMS: SECRET OMEGA TENTACLE



"Et - zee - ick." The alien painstakingly pronounced for Kale's benefit. "In human tongue, mostly. Human no able speak Skritari tongues." His nose twitched as he sniffed, then felt over the bandage work for his wounds. He had been perfectly still and compliant to whatever she had wanted, holding his hands up and out of the way while she patched his wound. She did pretty good, in his estimation as a nurse. He smiled, trying to mimic human expressions but with his species having fairly vicious teeth it might look a bit odd. He waited for the kind, short human Reem to finish before answering the Witch's queries.

"...Witch Kale do good. Are human witches good at medical too?" He asked, his quills shuffling a bit before laying flat once more with a glance over towards Venla. "Etzic is nurse Skritar. Think Nurse right word. Good with medicine, healing. Helping those hurt by Lykosi Drokyn and their thralls 'fore Witch's own thrall descended." HE seemed to misunderstand just what the monster was. An easy to rectify mistake.

"Etzic no fault human and huvi-zaan defend station. Skritar thought abandoned. Need... needed new Warren. No longer. My tribe gone 'cept me. Sad day, 'nother Skritar Warren destroy by Lykos." His nose twitched angrily and his eyes narrowed for a moment before he sighed. Venla seemed to take this little pause to speak up as well.

"We're approaching the atmosphere. It'll be about Twenty minutes for us to reach our first stop. This Skritar is going to have to help us on this trip, luckily we had a spare holo-guise in the storage room lockers. Romulus, if you'd please grab it and show the Skritar how its used."
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Giovenith
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Posts: 21421
Founded: Feb 08, 2012
Left-wing Utopia

Postby Giovenith » Sat Apr 15, 2017 11:39 pm

"Up, up! It's time to get up!"

Paper-Willow the Greaser jumped up and down on Giovenith's bed, attempting to stir the young lady. He nudged her and hit her with a pillow and bit at her blanket but still she would not budge.

"Go away, imposter-Willow..." Giovenith muffled into her pillow. "I'm not in the mood..."

"There are no mood choices anymore, Gigi!" Paper-Willow tried to force his own face under the pillow. "We work for the greater good now!"

She pushed his face away. He blinked and rubbed his snout.

"Ohhhhhhh, I get it," he unwrapped a piece of gum and stuck it in his mouth. "You're still upset about the burning people and the boyfriend killing your BFF and all that something something."

No answer.

"Well, look at it this way, Gigi," Paper-Willow hopped from the bed and leaned his back against the edge. "Considering the life you live, something horrible like this was bound to happen eventually. The bright side is that it was put off for this long!"

Giovenith didn't bother complaining about how the real Willow would have comforted her. The real Willow wasn't here. He had abandoned her, like most of the light in her life right now.

"But when the going gets tough, the tough get going!" Paper-Willow drummed his hooves on her back. "So let's get going!"

Giovenith briefly lifted her head to scream at the paper construct. "Buzz off!"

"Whoa, not cool, not cool at all, daddy-o!" Paper-Willow fluttered backwards.

"You dare use the beatnik slang in his absence?!"

Paper-Willow stared at her. He blinked. Then he snatched the badged hairband off her head and zipped out of the room. Giovenith was floored.

"Hey, come back with that!" She yanked the blanket off of herself, nearly tripped over the strewn plushies, and raced after him into the halls.

The live cutout wasn't as strong a flier as his flesh counterpart, but he was still fast enough to keep far enough ahead of Giovenith. He perched upon the railing of the lobby stairs and slid down, the godling too miffed to attempt to balance herself and instead stomping down in a fury.
⟡ and in time, and in time, we will all be stars ⟡
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Giovenith
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Founded: Feb 08, 2012
Left-wing Utopia

Postby Giovenith » Sun Apr 16, 2017 2:30 pm

Magical security!

The security of Caer Gloriana was designed to withstand many forms of magic, but nothing could have prepped it for exposure to Cthuhluian forces. The expertly crafted flow of magic began to short out and go haywire with on the onslaught of foreign power before finally blowing out. The purple cracks along the mountain walls faded and Yuna and Chancellor Puddinghead were respectively released and dropped.

The Chancellor quickly stood up and adjusted her hat. "Good work, Aegis! Let's hope whatever you did had an effect on the rest of the system." Inwardly, she cringed at the expenses that Caer Gloriana would undoubtedly attempt to bludgeon her over the head with for the destruction of their gate protection, but that could wait. Lawsuits were nothing compared to war. "Move!"

Hazelle's screeching could be heard. The hawk had flown on ahead of her mistress, safe from the dangers while in the air, and apparently had deemed it fine to land not far off from where the three of them stood now. Mixed in with the bird of prey's calls were frantic and annoyed voices, some with the slurred accent of the Groundtownies and others more clipped and high-pitched.

"Shoo'ya! SHOO'YA! What gotten into ya, Hazelle?!"

"You keep that disgusting animal away from us or I swear-"

"S'not our fault! Dun shoot it or nuthin!"

The Chancellor lead the rest of the charge on up ahead to finally find the two food deliverers, accompanied by two unicorns, and all four currently being harassed by Hazelle, who swooped and pecked in a desperate attempt to stop any exchanges from taking place.

"Begone!" one of the unicorns swiped at the bird with a purse wielded by magic. "BEGONE!"

"I just want my oranges!" the other insisted, holding their head. "You mud-dwellers ruin every-"

"Stop!" Chancellor Puddinghead's voice dominated and drew the attention of all four ponies. "Do not exchange that produce! We have reason to believe it has been tainted."

"I already paid for the oranges!" the unicorn whined, clearly cross with the Chancellor and skeptical of her claims.
⟡ and in time, and in time, we will all be stars ⟡
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Northwest Slobovia
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Posts: 12548
Founded: Sep 16, 2006
Anarchy

Postby Northwest Slobovia » Sun Apr 16, 2017 4:56 pm

RAIDERS of the LOST BOOK

OPERATION: BIBLIOPHILE
LOCATION: Alexandria, Egypt, Dimension 257P
RotLB

Primordial flexed slightly in the cramped cabin and began to open up some of his food. All the stress of expecting a fight had worked up his genetically enhanced appetite. One might expect the layered nutrient cakes to be tasteless but their was a slight hint of flavoring that made them palatable. It still felt like styrofoam however. Primordial watched his cabin mate quietly as he ate.

Part of him wanted to bring up the fact that this level of magican resistance would surely be at the Library and that bypassing it might prove more difficult than expected. But another part worried that messing with a well established plan could create more problems than it would solve.

Sandy glanced out the window, and concluded that his leaving holocam recording was just wasting memory, so he turned further towards the window, as though he was trying to get a better view of something, and gave its tail a squeeze to turn it off.

”Nick, are you there?”

The dark brown cat had more or less shadowed the pair from above, although added zigzagging and darting forward would have serve to deflect suspicion in the unlikely case that anyone was watching and comparing. Some moments after the pair of men entered their cabin, Nick swatted the shard he'd been chasing around, now “Moon Rock #2”, to a spot that oh-so-coincidentally was almost directly above. Adopting an amusingly Sphinxlike position, he looked down.

Yes. Oh, Sandy - did you notice all the pottery shards? If they don't care about me batting them, I doubt they're going to mind you taking some to study later! The Romans - praetor and children - said nothing really important, but the mages think I'm your pet, Prime. A delegation from some court and one from theLIBRARYI’msoexcitedOFALEXANDRIA! will meet us and...I think the Romans? They find it a little too convenient that two suspicious groups otheroneispraetoretc are arriving simultaneously. Also, the spellcasters are running out of something called DAWN and there's a scissor spell they might cast on you.”

Even a telepathic link wasn’t enough for Sandy to get all of that so quickly. There was a long pause while Sandy made sense of it, and even then, his reply was hesitant. ”Scissor spell? Is... that what they call it?”

Um…” Nick groomed his back. “Could have been shears. It's...a contingency plan of sorts, in case something happens.

”Countermagic” And with a mental nod of Sandy’s head, the word’s jargon meaning became starkly clear to Nick. ”I Heard it. It’s... a big spell, and she’s been, um, holding it for a long time. I have no idea…” There was a long pause while Sandy considered another thing Nick mentioned, turning it over in his mind.

”’Dawn’ isn’t a standard -- if it was, it didn’t survive until my day, so maybe we have different nomenclature -- But… they do have access to Egyptian magic, and Serapis may indicate syncret-- An alliance between pantheons? -- They might have access to spells or rituals of Ra, the Egyptian sun god. Hmmm. No idea what that might signify, except that they have a deeper well to draw from than I do.” Sandy’s thinking wasn’t the easiest to follow as he skipped between disparate ideas, trying to connect them with a logical thread.

”We should attack then. Right now,” Primordial thought definitely. ”If we give them a chance to make a first move that could rob us powers or debilitate us then we’re at a serious disadvantage. We need to strike pre-emptively or we risk being overtaken.”

”They're not going to let us in if we do that,” retorted Nick. “This seems like a last-ditch measure. You heard them: visitors are usually treated more nicely, but...whatever is going on with Rome is making them cautious. I think we should do what we've been doing - act innocuous. We DON'T mean anyone harm. We DON'T want to...lessen the collection? Of the Library. Maybe you should inform - no, mention that in Irene’s hearing.”

Sandy blinked in confusion. ”Attack them? Why? Even if-- Even if we did overpower Irene and the handful of soldiers left, what would that get us? We don’t know how to sail this ship. We could force the crew to take us to shore, but apparently people from the Library are already expecting us. We’ll be overwhelmed.” Sandy’s telepathic voice turned teasing, with more than a hint of sarcasm. ”Just you and me against the world, Baron?”

"None of it will matter if they kill us before we dock. Nick mentioned their planning to use some magic to sever our powers. If they do that then we will surely be killed."
Primordial thought back. Images flashed through his head of himself and Sandy trying to cast magic while being chopped apart by swords. I for one want to avoid that. And judging by what you’ve described if we wait we might already be too late. Primordial wasn’t as bloodthirsty as he might first appear, he was simply worried that if they didn’t make the first strike then they wouldn’t be able to make a strike at all. A mushroom cloud appeared in his mind as he thought of the classic Nuclear strategy.

Sandy continued his thought “We’re here to get a book. We may... be able to photograph it and get away unsuspected. Even if we need to wait for the fire, we’re prepared for that. The databall is in my luggage; when I get a chance, I’ll slip it into my pouch. I don’t think there’s anything the locals can do to prevent us from leaving in a hurry-- I don’t think that’s possible -- it’s some sort of technological device, ultimately driven by Demens. I… doubt mortals can stop that, even if they knew to try.”

“But... we have to wait for Myra to notice we want to be fetched… which means we need to be cautious with it. I’m also not sure of the implications of using it in the Library itself. Demens doesn’t want to be found. If we use it inside, we may give Galli away. I… I don’t know. We may have to see...”
Sandy’s thoughts indicated ignorance and confusion. ”We may have to see what an active Olympian shrine is like.”

“So far, the Alexandrians-- so far, our cover story is holding. They think we’re from here and now. What I said to Irene was true but misleading… Her magic didn’t pick up the distinction. So they think we belong here. We just need to make it stick. I’m more worried about them asking lots of questions about the Balm and the places you mentioned. We’ll need to come up with something to say if they ask.


Primordial replied, "If she brings up the places I can explain that I read about them in illuminating documents and am seeking to confirm or disprove what I read in the books at the library. I could further explain that i’ve made and studied the items and determined that they are no danger but the specifics of how they work still elude me. I’m seeking to gain some insight into that."

Sandy glanced out the door, and seeing that nobody was paying close attention to them, nodded in reply before starting in on the the last of his flatbread. ”That should do. If there’s nobody around with truth-telling magic, embroider the details a little.”

There was a pause while Sandy chewed thoughtfully. ”The Library has been closed to foreigners for a century. That cuts both ways: we can try to point out that they’re behind the times. I… I can show off a little of what I can do, since they already know the recipe I have for the Balm is… let’s say ‘different’ from theirs. I can’t tell them exactly how to make it, since it’s from magic’s Second Golden Age, but I should be able to talk about generalities. Hopefully, that will be enough.”

Sandy took a long drink of his wine, then added an afterthought. ”Their magic is like their oxybeles: sophisticated, but an older ‘technology’ than what I’m used to. I can show them the equivalent of a repeating crossbow without raising suspicions. It’s not what they’re used to, but they’d understand the principles that make it work. But I’m not going to show them a rifle.” He looked down as though he was studying his drink, then smiled at the Baron as though he liked it. ”And you shouldn’t show them the equivalent of the lightning gun.” Amusement filtered through with his words.

The Baron rolled his eyes in jest. You are seriously not concerned that we are under any threat, the Baron thought clearly not letting the danger slip from his mind. Nick’s descriptions still frighten me as to how safe we are and how much these guards trust us.

Sandy gave his head a minute shake. ”Nick said they’d asked for somebody from the Library to meet us, so we’re safe until then. I wouldn’t expect the guards trust us and more than we’d trust an armed stranger in the Building lobby. I don’t think we need anybody here to trust us further than letting us in-- get in and stay in the Library.” Sandy glanced at the guards, but Clymere caught his gaze, so he quickly turned back to finishing his bread. “They’re jumpy enough, but Clymere seems intent on keeping us under control, not killing us. That’s about what I’d expect at home: a strange spellcaster is, um, a risk, but not an immediate danger.”

Primordial hummed slightly in pensive though clearly not entirely convinced but less worried than before. Very well, I suppose that makes enough sense, I suppose I’m used to different styles and customs. Less accommodating and perhaps more modern. Certainly less tourist friendly.

Sandy’s expression turned sad. ”Once, Alexandria was the jewel of scholarship in the Mediterranean world. Now it’s insular. I wouldn’t call them friendly, but they’re not trigger--”

The group’s planning was interrupted by sailors on deck calling to a small boat that had rowed up to it. The tossed the boat a line, which Sandy watched in bafflement. Surely, those four guys didn’t mean to tow the boat to the dock themselves?

They didn’t: as they rowed away, the crew aboard ship kept paying out more line. Sandy watched, wondering what they were up to. When the boat reached the dock, one of men on it climbed out, trailing the rope, and wrapped it once around a huge capstan in the center of the dock. He said something to the pair of large, bronze-armored men who stood by it, and the two of them leaned into the crossbar to slowly start taking up taking up the slack. The scene made even less sense than before, even assuming the guys working the capstan were incredibly strong, naturally or magically. Why would they wear armor -- ancient armor at that -- in this heat?

Sandy watched in amazement as they slowly reeled the ship in. After a little while, he decided to leave, and stood up suddenly, attracting the notice of a couple of soldiers. His situation abruptly came back to him: still stuck, much to his intense annoyance. His mental voice filled with elegant Greek curses, though he trailed off at the end, his anger spent, replaced by wonder: would the gods or Fates hear? He sat down again, frustrated.

Sandy resigned himself to watching out the window. The armored men never faltered, nor even changed pace. They moved like… machines. Hmm. Heron wouldn’t be born for fifty-odd years, but he worked from Ctesibius’ ideas… or perhaps a school of Ctesibius’. Sandy Listened intently, wishing for Pegasus’ ears.

As the ship crept closer to the dock, Sandy Heard the first faint Notes of an enchantment. He’d definitely have to get closer to them… when he could. The crew on deck muscled their way to the side closer to the dock and tossed ropes to men ashore, guiding the ship into its mooring. At a shouted command, the armored figures stopped turning the capstan and stood waiting.
The crew set out a gangplank, but before people could start to disembark, Doros said something to the captain, who shouted orders that the deck passengers let those in cabins off first. The captain walked to the dock side of the sterncastle, and called for porters. A large group of men on the dock started to rush to the ship: work was pay.

Clymere heard the orders, and came to the cabin doorway. “If you gentlemen could gather up your belongings, you’ll be the first ashore.” Sandy was way ahead of her, and was already stuffing the last of his flatbread in his mouth. He glanced around him: other than a half-full jar of wine, he’d finished all the food he bought, so he stuffed their wrappings into his one box, and tossed the cylix on top. He managed to start his holocamera while looking around for anything he might have missed.

Sandy stopped when he looked at his empties. Back home, he’d recycle bottles, but here…? Somebody must refill amphorae. But who? He was embarrassed that that vital fact was something that hadn’t come down to his age, and he looked hopefully to Clymere. She looked puzzled for a moment then realized what Sandy needed. “Here, they’re collected at the end of the dock. There’s usually a few buyers waiting by their carts. The porters will carry them for you.”

Temple Docks

Clymere and the few soldiers with her waited for Primordial and the Baron to finish up, then escorted them off the ship and down the dock. Porters accepted what they were offered, though Sandy was a bit surprised that one of the soldiers insisted on bringing up the rear, rather letting the porters be last. Paranoia or quirk? Sandy couldn’t tell.

The dock was fairly busy despite the local naval patrol. Perhaps a dozen ships were tied up along its branching arms, though none was as large as the ship the group had sailed on. Some were open-decked, even. Sandy glanced at the writing on an amphora as they passed. ”Tyre… so this is just the coastal trade, then.”

As the group and their escorts passed the armored men, Sandy caught the Music of intense enchantments, and risked a Glance at them. ”Oooh! They’re some kind of animated machinery.” He wished he could examine them more closely, but didn’t want to seem too interested in them under the circumstances.

As Clymere said to expect, a man and two women were at the end of the dock. Sandy bargained with them for a moment, and accepted the highest offer without the slightest idea if it was any good. A few denarii changed hands for the empty amphorae, and the group and their escort walked onto dry land.

Setting foot in Alexandria proper

Sandy took a few steps off to his right, then turned around, facing back the way he’d come, taking in the harbor view, and incidentally recording it all on the holocam. The Pharos was off in the distance a little to his left (right for those still coming down the dock). As he slowly turned around, he made out the low form of Pharos Island -- the Pharos wasn’t actually on the island of the same name, but a smaller island connected to it by a breakwater -- and then the even lower Heptastadion, a long causeway linking it to the mainland. Alexandria’s seawall blocked his view along most of the shore until it stopped at another set of docks far to the right.

Sandy’s eyes swept across the buildings visible as he continued his leisurely turn. The city’s main market was a bit off to the right, though the not very busy, probably because of the midday heat. A large temple stood between the market and the dock, no more than a hundred feet away, close enough that a large statue was visible through the wide doorway in its seaside (northern) wall. The remainder of the waterfront was large, low buildings, which Sandy guessed were warehouses of some sort. The seawall started just beyond them, far off to his left. The buildings on the hill behind the left seawall were easier to see from shore; even from a distance, it was apparent that they were pretty big. Either the acropolis or a citadel, maybe even the seat of government, since the ‘doves’ went off that way.

Survey of the waterfront complete, Sandy turned back to the temple, running expert eyes over it. The size stood out foremost in his mind. It might be the largest Classical temple ever built, though the unusually public nature of the cult statue was almost as fascinating: somebody wanted their god to be seen. From the location and the surviving descriptions he’d seen, it was almost certainly Poseidon’s temple. His heart leapt: maybe he’d be able to see what public rites they conducted, possibly even somebody leaving an offering. His eyes jumped: no altar out in front. Hmmm… horses sacrificed to Poseidon were described as being cast into the sea; maybe they did that with everything more significant than votive offerings.

He studied the architecture more: dipteral -- two rows of columns surrounded the naos on all sides -- and there seeme to be elaborate reliefs anywhere they might be reasonably found, especially on the pediment. This temple was intended to be magnificent, rivaling Zeus’ temple at Olympia and Artemis’ in Ephesus. ”Nick, could you do me a favor? Move to one of my sides, so we can see how big this temple is. It looks too wide for Greek engineering.”

While Sandy was examining the temple, the two Roman groups came down the dock, followed by their retinues, a long train of porters carrying their possessions, and finally Doros and the soldiers escorting them. Doros still held the bundle of Primordial and Sandy’s magic things.

The Roman woman with the unruly children came over to Primordial, accompanied by a slave holding a parasol over her head. “I’d like to apologize for my children hurting your cat. They’re usually much better behaved, and I’ve already scolded them for doing it, especially after you had such a difficult trip. My name is Flavia Galeria, and it’s a pleasure meeting such an exotic nobleman as yourself, though of course I’d prefer it would have been under different circumstances.”

One of the swordsmen saw Sandy’s intent stare, came over to him, but misinterpreted Sandy’s desires. “If it was up to me, I’d let you make your offering to Poseidon now, but I’m afraid you’ll have to ask those in authority for permission.” Sandy mumbled thanks to him, but turned back to the temple. True enough: he could leave something for Pegasus’ daddy, and that might be the best way to see the ritual that went with it.

[OOC: collab with Fvaar and Prim]
Last edited by Northwest Slobovia on Sun Apr 16, 2017 5:13 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Swith Witherward
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Postby Swith Witherward » Mon Apr 17, 2017 11:38 am

LOBBY with CALEB and BOOZE-RUN PEOPLE

"Shh!" Charu pinched her index finger and thumb together to ask for a little quiet, and then gestured to the man beside her. "This is Caleb, a new Resident. He's probably never seen augmented humans and aliens before."

She turned to smile at Caleb. "Alright, now you're probably wondering what the hell kind of place is this. Never fret! These people are your neighbors within this Building. If you're anything like me, you won't recall their names until you've interacted with them a while. Don't be shy. It's alright to ask somewhat if you forget. Also, everyone comes from different Dimensions. Don't be too surprised by that."

The god moved to place a friendly hand on the Klingon's shoulder. The pair contrasted each other heavily; she, a lithe and short creature with many curves and comfortable tee-shirt and pedal-pushers, and he, a large and bristling warrior with leathery armor and a brow which made him appear to have a prehistoric turtle tucked under his forehead's skin. "This is Son of Jag'oth, of the House of StoH'raQ. He is of the Klingon race, a proud and honorable fighter."

She moved on to address the cyborg man. "And this," she grasped his metallic wrist and forced a wave from his cybernetic hand, "Hello! This is Marcus Usseio, a Brother in his religious order, commonly called a 'Tech Priest'. Marcus, are you even old enough to drink yet?" She took his furrowed brow and snort as affirmation that he was, and then moved along.

"This is Paper Romy," a bemused smile graced her lips as she laid a hand on his arm. He was a large man, perhaps augmented. Though clad in civilian attire and not his power armor, he had the look and bearing of a seasoned officer. "This is where things get confusing. We have Residents, and then we have a few Replicas. The 'Papers' are representations of the real person... and the real people are currently out on missions. Not everyone gets a Replica, of course. They were formed by magic and, in a sense, pay homage to the cleverness of one of our Resident gods, Giovenith."

She tossed a kind smile Caleb's way. "Yes, gods. You'll find many supernatural beings in this Building. You're counted amongst us, you know."

Charu moved on to stand beside the beautiful woman with skin that swirled with her moods (and mostly hid her innards). "This is Insidious of the Luxan Empire, a place steeped in Outer God mythos. Their's is a dark and deep magic, mysterious and cryptic."

Nearly done with her circle, she stopped beside a casually dressed young man. Around 18 or 19 years old, and with a mop of dark hair atop his head (crowned by a beanie), he didn't seem to be the stuff of legends. Charu knew otherwise. "Henry Lawson of Earth. Nothing magical. Nothing augmented. You'd be hard pressed to find a more compassionate soul. Our Henry is fantastic." And then, because she had browsed the Manager's files with abandon, she added, "Henry is a chef, and I have a feeling he and Caleb will get along well. God, finally, some decent food around here now that Bran's off on holiday back home."

Two more to go!

"As you heard, this is Sigtrygg, son of the Fylkir Karl, of the clan Snjalli, also of Earth," Charu poked the Viking with her finger. "Yesterday, many here fought difficult battles or rendered aid during a horrific event. They're all still recuperating."

A final step took her full circle, and she stood next to a woman that hadn't been there a heartbeat ago. This one was tall and clad in leather (it was her day off). Flaming red hair toppled over her shoulders. Charu smiled at her. "And finally, we have Commander Minvera Blackwater, one of my favorite Cultists and, once upon a time, my right hand. It's Minerva's ship we'll be taking."

The woman nodded at Caleb. Her eyes held compassion for his situation. It was never easy when someone arrived. She understood the myriad of questions racing through their minds.

Charu stood beside Caleb one more. "All, this is Caleb Thomsen, our newest Resident and a gourmand. Don't ask me what that is. I had barely finished skimming the Building Manager's notes when he arrived." She turned to address him once more. "We usually get up to mischief in our free time. It looks to me like this group is planning a multiversal booze run. We've the ability to hop dimensions and time, when not doing so on missions. You're more than welcome to join us. Or, if you'd like to settle in first, there are things to do in the village nearby, and always someone wandering the halls and looking for someone to help."

Her hands folded in front of her as she smiled at the circle. "I went to the manager early this morning to bitch about my missing wine," her lip curled. "I found out that the Burrows repaid the Wold and Ascalon for their services... with alcohol. When that ran out, the Building pilfered our stock lest there be friction between the three. I'm not pleased. It's bullshit. The Manager has agreed to compensate us with Runes, but we won't see them until Friday. The good news is that this 'pilfering' will never happen again. The better news is that we'll be allowed open jumps between dimensions... we won't have to return here between. I'm going along to ease in getting people back and forth, if necessary."

In other words, poor ol' Charu was a tool once more. Ah well.

"When would you all like to leave," Minerva's crisp British accent cut in. She looked to Mezran, as this had been his idea.
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The Starlight
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Postby The Starlight » Mon Apr 17, 2017 6:24 pm

Swith Witherward wrote:Charu: You are the Chosen One

Swith Witherward wrote:-Introductions-


"Well," Caleb muttered audibly after hearing the woman's first words, "that's a bit of a big ask of a fellow who eats. But I'll see what I can do," he said, shrugging and looking up at the woman. She seemed and looked like a teenager, but she felt like something more, with her reflective eyes. His eyes flickered back and forth between the German and the strange woman as they spoke of some divorce, but they quickly settled on the latter as she returned her attention back to him, listening carefully while trying to carefully pick up the pieces of his shattered views on well, everything. It didn't quite break everything he had thought, but, metaphorically, there was a lot of glass on the floor.

"So, to recap, there's this Demens, who is not a demon, but is something greater than God, excuse me, plural, and he's also a Mr. We're in a secret pocket dimension--how do you keep pocket dimensions secret, no wait, scratch that question--that has all sorts of timey-wimey, wibblely-wobbley-bobbley-tobbley nonsense stuff going on. This pocket dimension contains a planet, possibly planets, and with all this supernatural stuff going, I only have one question for you." Caleb paused for a moment, his eyes flicking down to Charu's feet before he resisted the urge and went with the actual question. "Why something so mundane as an apartment?"

"I'm not quite sure what Mr. Demens thinks I can do to save the omniverse, unless, he wants me to eat it." Never one to turn down a meal, Caleb opened his mouth to accept the offer, when a whole slew of people came in and prompted Caleb to take measures to preserve his sanity. Surprisingly calm, he walked slowly over to the corner of the lobby and sank into a couch. Spitting out of his mouth his cube, he glanced up at the strangers for a moment, then muttered something inaudible to himself before solving the puzzle. Thereafter, he looked at the cube for a moment, and then the people inhabiting the lobby, and he gorged on it, consuming it in three bites. Standing up, he walked back to his former position to observe a humanoid figure with a folded mountain for a forehead demanding bloodwine.

Wine, Caleb had discovered in his younger days, was rather good with a French baguette, cheese and apple. One had to eat them all at the same time to achieve that heavenly taste, but he had been up to the task. Thankfully, however, his hunger did not include a raging desire for alcohol, and so he had resisted drinking himself to his grave, though he wasn't even sure it was possible, with his internal organs being unique. One X-ray machine did not survive contact, and from there on he had spared himself the expense.

Next, apparently, was a young cyborg with two pets that were apparently called 'targs', though where the name came from for such porcine creatures, he did not know. However, he didn't mind the targ gnawing on his leg, and he smiled down at a kindred spirit. Hunger was, after all, the greatest unifier known to man.

He took the clipboard from Charu, nodding and voicing his thanks as he looked at it. As was the entire situation, it was interesting, to use the word people used when they didn't want to say weird. The lease, among other things, included an entire section on dimensional matters, and another for the preternatural. After reading the fine print with a squinted eye, Caleb looked around for a pencil, and, spotting one at the front desk, grabbed it and signed with a flourish, before returning it to Charu, who then proceeded to introduce everyone. He nodded and waved to each one of them, a bit fidgety as he was put on the spot. He exchanged a bilateral nod of respect to Henry, tipping an imaginary toque blanche to his hopefully kindred soul.

"Hi everyone, as Charu said, I'm Caleb. Cal's fine, I suppose, as for names. As for what a gourmand is, I eat a lot, too much, actually. It's part of my power. I'll eat pretty much anything. Wood is very tasty," Caleb finished, smiling.

And then, all of a sudden, a thought came into existence. What thing, what threat is so great that gods and aliens were commonplace, and yet, they still needed him, a lowly human. He wondered if there was some great, dark enemy, like in all the stories. And all of a sudden, Caleb shivered as he felt very small.
Last edited by The Starlight on Mon Apr 17, 2017 6:32 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Postby Tiltjuice » Mon Apr 17, 2017 7:00 pm

PEOPLE WHO ARE ABOUT TO BE BOOZE-RUN in the LOBBY with CALEB

Another red-haired woman approached from the direction of the phone booth, the door swinging shut behind her.

"Please forgive my tardiness," Calani said. The whole group was so far removed from the chaos and terror of the shootout last night that she knew not what to think. The courtesan had been glad to shed her uniform and talk fashion with her roomie. Whatever Demens had called her for, she hoped that not all of it would involve blood and metal. She'd stayed up looking for her missing makeup, although she probably wouldn't have been able to get much sleep anyway. A tasteful touch of eyeliner and mascara, a pair of stone drop earrings, and a step into the low-cut strapless ruched purple minidress from her trunk had her as ready for today as she could be.

"If I might, Mister Thomsen, Mister Demens offers us many mysteries. As long as we can help each other solve them, does it matter how?"

She would have continued, but a pinprick of purple abruptly popped into view at just above Caleb's shoulder level, expanding in all directions to become an irregular, coruscating nimbus of blue and red. As it faded, it left behind the unmistakable shape of a rabbit. Which promptly sat down on Caleb's shoulder and began writing bright, sparkly letters using light, in the middle of the air.

You! Even-faced shiny jingly flower lady. You go with them for dizzy water. *I* [/i] will take two-leg brother to meet others. Until next time, mystic brownskin.[/i] This last to Charu.

And without another word, MB and Caleb disappeared from the lobby.
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Postby Mincaldenteans » Tue Apr 18, 2017 9:36 pm

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The Multiversal Booze-Run


Sig
Mez
Minerva
paper!Romy
Calani
Henry
Insidious


With introductions over and the strange rodent with the large ears that whisked Caleb away, Mezran turned his attention for a moment with a toothy smile as the targs registered their familiar and pounced upon the klingon like happy dogs. He barked a laugh as the beasts attempted something between a lick and a stab given their sharp outward tusks. Some targs had it, some didn't, these clearly were from the highlands of Qo'Nos.

"Filthy, mangy beasts! Away!" He gave an affection hard pat to one of the targs, both creatures moving off to obey his command (or not, targs were notorious for being fickle).

"As soon as possible," Mezran replied loudly enough to Captain Blackwater's question, his gruff and irritable attitude was slighly soften by the pets only a moment ago, but it had quickly reappeared now that the mission had expanded beyond his own needs. He was encouraged by Insidious approval, and that of Sigtrygg's offer celebrate a hard won battle. An opportunity that surely couldn't be missed! Mezran wondered if Sigtrygg's people were of similar attitudes; the Klingon and the Noreman seemed to share similar traits and attitudes and the captain was left to wonder why there weren't as many humans with the Norseman's perspective. The rest as he peered to the rest of the group, would require a crash course in Klingon customs and hopefully a handy veil of Blackwater's magic. Or head into the future, where aliens were more common on Qo'Nos. He wasn't sure when the ship would take them, only that they get there.

"Sigtrygg, Marcus, it was an honor to fight at your sides, it will be an even greater honor to show you both where I come from. Sigtrygg! There is no finer feast for a warrior than a Klingon banquet, my friend! Bloodwine that falls like water, targ meat straight off the hide and gagh of many variations! Yes, my friends, you will all feast!"

Some twisted part of Mezran was going to enjoy the horrific looks from the others when they set their eyes upon the tables filled with Klingon foods.

"We take our leave now, Captain," Mezran said with a nod, "The sooner we replenish our stores the calmer, I think, we will all be and with ample libation to return home with!"
Last edited by Mincaldenteans on Tue Apr 18, 2017 9:36 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Postby Primordial Luxa » Wed Apr 19, 2017 2:22 pm

Groundtown residents - Aegis

Aegis had suffered just about enough at this point. He was hungry, bruised and filled with energy he didn’t like. He had spent his day trampling corpses for fuel and headbutting a wall with fire. So calling it a bad day would be putting it mildly. This was made infinitely worse by the fact Aegis was confounded at every turn by these ponies and their delicate and un-Luxan sensibilities. He had the strong urge to go back to Sundae Surprise and inform her just how Luxan she was deep down. After a stern trashing and congratulations of course.

Instead he walked casually up to the frustrated Unicorn with the intense look in his eyes of a man trapped in a body he didn’t like and having a really bad day. He towered over the petite magic-user pulling on every reserve of intimidation his hungry form could muster. With a single motion he swiped the orange from the Unicorns magical aura and sent it colliding with the ground.

“Shut up,” Aegis said flatly. “Shut up right now and listen or so help me Outer Gods I will put you all through the same unbearable trials we have undertaken to save you ungrateful lives!” He didn’t need magic to get across just how tense and serious he was taking this. He didn’t actually care for the ponies but he was not going to let all this hard work be for nothing. He turned to the Chancellor with a look that implored her to continue.

RAIDERS of the LOST BOOK

OPERATION: BIBLIOPHILE
LOCATION: Alexandria, Egypt, Dimension 257P
RotLB

The Baron smiled kindly and offered the lady a respectable era-appropriate short bow in greetings. “It is quite alright. He has survived much worse I assure you, plenty of lives left,” he said warmly. “It's a pleasure to meet you, you may have overheard but my name is Primus of Massilia. I trust the trip was mostly pleasant for you as well. I don’t mean to pry but what has brought you to this illustrious city?”

He liked the woman almost immediately and let it show. She struck him a cultured and polite, but not overly intrusive and she seemed to be a good stock. All things he found enticing.
Swith Witherward wrote:But I trust the people here. Well, except Prim. He has shifty eyes but his cute smile make up for it.

Monfrox wrote:But it's not like we've known Prim to really stick with normality...

P2TM wrote:HORROR/THRILLER Winner - Community Choice Award For Favorite Horror/Thriller Player: Primordial Luxa


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Northwest Slobovia
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Founded: Sep 16, 2006
Anarchy

Postby Northwest Slobovia » Wed Apr 19, 2017 5:33 pm

Modern Times

Amanda looked over her apartment then down at a long list on her phone. Open, half-empty crates of wine and liquor filled the dining room. She'd given some away yesterday in the belief that that's what Sandy would have done had he been here. She'd just been so exhausted that she'd lost track of exactly how much they'd taken. Now, she knew it was about a third of the stash.

Amanda chewed her lower lip uncertainly. Would Sandy have given away that much? Maybe... but he had a better sense of what it was worth. She sighed softly. If she'd given away too much, she'd make it up to him. She'd start by making his rounds: he'd been gone ten months Galli time; hopefully his customers still remembered him. She sighed again, this time through gritted teeth. And hopefully, the police did too, because she had no idea how to take care of the import paperwork beyond putting QR codes on the bottles.

But first things first. She hurried over to the kitchen counter, skirt swishing as she went. She was all but out of Sandy's Special Blend, and even needed to stretch the merely very fancy coffee she had. Adding a half-mugful of that to her travel mug, she decided to try the "mocha" Sandy liked -- half coffee, half cocoa -- which meant finding hot cocoa. Probably the dining room; why would there be any here? She quickly patted her jacket pockets to be sure she had everything. Yep: phone, keys, magic meds, wallet. She glanced at her holstered gun as she left the apartment. There shouldn't be any need for that to go down a flight, should there? She paused at the door: hopefully not two days in a row.

Amanda arrived in the dining room and stood with her hands on her hips. Where would cocoa be? Nothing to do but try all the kitchen cupboards. She set to that, setting her mug down on the counter.
Gollum died for your sins.
Power is an equal-opportunity corrupter.

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Monfrox
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Founded: Mar 25, 2011
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Postby Monfrox » Thu Apr 20, 2017 12:17 pm

Brit - Caves

It was all getting just a bit too much. Between both voices, she couldn't here herself think. She didn't even know what she would think if she could. It was overwhelming. Willow saying one thing, the Umbrum saying another, believing anyone and no one at the same time. There was no way to tell who was telling the truth. The visions were so intricate and vivid, that she believed that everything could've been imagined right now. It was a nightmare, indeed. She just wanted it to stop, really. That's all. Was that too much to ask? It apparently was. She had shut her eyes as the voices grew louder and then...well. She overloaded, and like how when most things overload, she shutdown. But emotions just couldn't be so easily turned off. Neither could the senses. You can just stop hearing something, or seeing it. And likewise, you can't just stop feeling something all at once. Despite what goes on in TV, it was usually a process instead of like flipping a switch. Gradual, not instant, though everyone was different. Some people snapped, raged, hulked out, whatever you wanted to call it. Others ran, fled, tried to escape. But Brit could neither focus fire a target with 100% certainty that it deserved it, nor could she seem to escape. So, what came next naturally, was resigning.

She plopped onto the ground and lifted her foreleg up to wipe her face which was gradually becoming damp with hot tears welling up in her eyes. It just wasn't fair, was it? Hell, she was a unicorn and couldn't even figure out how to use magic. With that handicap, how had she kept up? How could she lead? She was acting tough, but it was just that: an act. An act more for herself than for those around her, for it was easy for her to be tough when someone else was losing it, but she was alone now and she had no one to be strong for to get herself in order. She didn't bother with Willow, thinking he was just another illusion created to further mess with her. And they tried to goad her into attacking it. Why? Probably so they could pull the rug out from under her and laugh in her face again. No, it was all so stupid. This whole expedition. Why did she even volunteer to go down here? Because she had no choice, really. She was unfamiliar with everything about this place, but even she should've seen the writing on the wall from last night's nightmare. She berated herself for being so stupid as to believe that they could take on a cosmic force all by themselves and win, as if this was actually some TV show.

"I wanna go home..." She said to no one in a voice barely more audible than her breathing. "I just wanna go home..."
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Xing wrote:Yeah but you also are the best at roleplay. (yay Space Core references) I'm pretty sure a four man tank crew is no problem for someone that had 27 different RP characters going at one time.

The Grey Wolf wrote:Froxy knows how to use a whip, I speak from experience.

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