Vlad leaned over the table in Narris’ cabin’s living room. He had been in the paradise for about a month now, and while he still wasn’t quite convinced about this place, much less the people in it, they presented him an opportunity he simply couldn’t afford to pass up. He glanced around at the other occupants; Narris was there, obviously, and he already knew that even in her heavily pregnant state she wasn’t going to accept staying behind. Only a couple of others had shown up here, but Vlad figured that made sense, since almost no one knew or trusted him yet, and the woman he now knew as Glacia seemed far too trusting for her own good. He wasn’t entirely sure how she’d convinced the man beside her, whose name he was pretty sure was Alvis, or maybe Alvin, to come along, but right now he’d take anything he could get.
“So, as you no doubt all are aware, during the… tussle… on Mount Aegir, a certain blade was stolen from me. One that’s just absolutely super fucking cursed,” he informed the other three. “And also, one that is my rightful trophy. I hardly think I need to tell you I intend to get it back, but I’ve learned that force is almost definitely out of the question on this one. So I intend to steal it.”
Glacia for her part seems mostly happy that Vlad seemed to finally be willing to talk to them more, but she also understood better than most what a cursed blade was like, even if the one she carried was no longer like that. “Oooh, I was wondering when we would get around to this! Ivrea’s really done it this time!” She giggled.
“Not only that,” Alvis had insisted on coming along for this one, “You just don’t steal a valuable treasure from a dragon and just think they’ll forget about it. Especially not one as dangerous as that.”
“Huh. Not bad, kid,” Vlad nodded. “I won’t pretend pride isn’t part of it. But it’s not all of it. When I say the thing is super fucking cursed, I mean it. That sword is made out of the tooth of a dragon that almost consumed an entire world, and then was experimented on by a man I can best describe as a bastard. Yes, even compared to my recent actions,” he grimaced at this but continued. “This guy was worse. I don’t know what the fox intends to do with it, but if she’s not careful, and we can all agree she isn’t, right?... Anyways, if she’s not careful, it will pollute her mind.”
“Wow, Alv, I didn’t know you knew so much about that sorta thing,” Glacia giggled again, “I guess that’s the dragon within talking! But yes, I’m all aware about how swords like that can be; had to deal with one myself, and I was lucky the force wasn’t malevolent. And Ivrea… she is possibly the most careless person I know.”
“... why are you surprised at me knowing that?” Alvis asked, “There are days I spend more in the dragon form than this. And besides, Vlad here clearly knows how to handle it better than that fox does, and I’d rather not have such a dangerous item in the hands of someone like her.”
"Aye. I would rather not leave something like that sword in her possession…. especially not given her track record." Narris said, shaking her head.
“Right, good, we’re on the same page,” Vlad nodded. “I’ve heard that this Indra is known to host absolutely ridiculous parties on occasion. I’m not really a super well versed expert on this stuff, so Narris, would you mind telling our… companions about the upcoming event?”
"That….be an understatement, Vlad. Some of her parties are notorious for how absurd they can be." Narris said, giving a heavy sigh," That said, this particular event be of high import as it be a gathering of her top followers and some of the Silverdalean Pantheon. Essentially, it be a mix of gods, thieves, the very rich, and several members of her kitsune following will be there. All there to observe the find treasures she collected, mingle, and rumor has it compete in a game for a token of her favor. All told, plenty of opportunity for us to sneak in. Also word of warning…Ivrea likely won't be herself for the event. Likely that she be using another of her aspects for it .."
“Oh!” Glacia said. “Actually, I got an invitation to this one… not that surprising, really, I’m part of the same pantheon, after all. And for what she is, she might be Zhulong, that’s her fused aspect with one of her top followers. Basically a master of magic alongside her other skills.”
“In other words, just even more trouble than she already is,” Alvis sighed.
"That pretty much be the gist of it…Not to mention she be a lot more ruthless like that." Narris said, sighing, "Still if one of us can keep her distracted, we should have less of a problem "
“Right, that’s the ticket in. Needless to say, I won’t be invited,” Vlad pointed out. “Which means it will likely be Glacia and you, Narris, who need to run interference, and if possible, figure out how we can get into her vault. I’m assuming she won’t be bringing the sword out to show… but then again, maybe she will. If that’s the case, I’ll trip every alarm in the vault on purpose, and then you will have to grab the sword and get out yourselves.”
“Right!” Glacia said with a smile, “I’ve got a lot of connections with the people there, so Ivrea can’t really complain if I go checking things around; she’ll get the ire of a lot of people if she was hostile to me.”
"I doubt she will complain if Glacia brings me along either, given I be one of her new followers..not to mention Ivrea and I are on decent enough terms." Narris suggested.
“In that case,” Alvis asked. “What about me? It’s not like I have much experience in galas or heists…”
“I see two good options,” Vlad replied. “I’ve been here for a month, and I spent fourteen days of that asleep, and yet in the remaining fourteen days I’ve seen at least eight different women pull you aside. I highly doubt Indra is immune to these… charms of yours,” he rolled his eyes. “The other option is that you learn how to travel the Void before the day of the heist. Narris told me you got the ‘gift’ too?”
“Alvis does have a way with the ladies,” Glacia laughed at this fully, not merely her usual giggle. “I think a good chunk of the guests would be hoping to spend some time with you!”
Alvis just sighed at this, “Well… yes, I did get that ‘gift’. I’ve been… kind of concerned about it, really. I don’t really get how it works yet, or how to use it properly.”
“I can teach you,” Vlad said. “I will warn you, though, that it does come with risks. The thing will become harder and harder to separate from you the more you use it. I doubt a single heist will induce that much change, but it is a very tempting power, and not just the traveling. The actual, physical power… Well. I’ve heard it took me over completely at Mt. Aegir. I don’t actually remember it, so I’d like to know what it was like on the other side, to be honest.”
“It was… not a pretty sight, to say the least,” Alvis replied. “I would prefer never to get to that point myself if I can help it, but I was just hopelessly outmatched then. At least Glacia and the others could do something about it… but I don’t think doing it with this power is the right way.”
Glacia patted him on the back, “Don’t worry about it, Alv; I don’t think Vlad would be willing to let you risk it here if it was too much. Plus he might appreciate the extra strength regardless!”
“It’s not my soul, body, and mind at risk,” Vlad shrugged. “Or, I should say, mine are long since too tangled up. What you do with yours is up to you. I have no intention of letting the Void have you, but let’s be clear; it’s because I’ve spent a very long time suppressing it as much as I can.”
"Do not worry, Alvis. Neither Vlad or I are going to let ye end up falling into the same ensnarement he did. That said, it still be best if ye try to be careful in yer use of it. Especially considering ye still be relatively new to it." Narris said, nodding at Vlad's remarks.
“R-right…” Alvis still seemed nervous. “I suppose if you think I can handle this part, then I want to help out. Ivrea was really out of line stealing that sword, and she needs to learn that these things have consequences. And… I am admittedly kinda curious on what other treasures she has there.”
“Huh. You already jumped ahead, but yes, that’s where pride comes into it. She stole my sword. I’m going to lift every single thing I can that’s not bolted down. If you have a problem with larceny, now would be a good time to back out,” Vlad said, looking mostly at Glacia.
"Heh! Surely you jest Vlad? You know damn well that I've stolen plenty over my seven hundred years, be it as a pirate or otherwise. That said, I do be curious about what we will find in there. Who knows, might be some truly grand treasures given her proclivities…" Narris remarked
“Oh, well…” Glacia’s eyes flickered a bit as she seemed to have some conflict within her for about a minute, before they turned grey. “If Ivrea was truly innocent and got all this stuff honestly, maybe I would have an issue with it, but we all know how she really got all this treasure. It isn’t hers to begin with, so she really has no right to complain if we happen to liberate it from her clutches, right?”
"I suppose not….given that most of what she have in there be ill gotten. Besides, she could use a little lesson that teaches her a bit of humility." Narris chuckled, looking back towards Vlad, "That being said, we might be wanting to see about getting someone with knowledge of Cohlane and it's defenses. Otherwise we'd be going in blind. Given her aptitude for magic, I'd rather not be risking it."
"I was getting to that, yes," Vlad sighed. "Frankly, we don't have the right people. Two, or even all three, of you might end up in the role of running the crowd, leaving only me for the actual heisting, which is fine, except that none of us know anything about the defenses, and our methods of communication will be lackluster. We need at least two or three more members; someone on the inside who will sell us info, a central control to coordinate us, and one more person for either or both crowd control and heisting."
“If we need an extra person to help with the crowd control portion, I have a follower who is really good at that,” Glacia giggled. “For communication, it depends on what we’re looking for; when I was part of the First Order of Mythic Guardians, my squad had a psychic for making a battlemind link between all of us, but I’d be worried about Ivrea knowing about this, or being able to sense such trickery at play. But that’s a risk no matter what type of communication we go for.”
"We could go electronic, as well. No matter what, the command tower can't be on premises, it's too risky," Vlad opined. "If you have a good candidate for the crowd, I'll work with Alvis here on his voidstep."
"I will see what I can do about finding us some Intel on the vaults or her estate. Failing that, I do know a few folks there that might be willing to help us break in." Narris suggested
"Good. If we can get an expert in the various types of lockpicking for the heist team, we should have everyone we need," Vlad nodded. "Remember, not a word of this to anyone we don't intend to recruit, and even then only if you completely trust them."
"I think I have someone in mind for that as well. Might be a bit pricey, but I think we can manage." Narris said, nodding
“We’ll make the fox pay for it,” Vlad snorted.
“So stupid question, but have you thought about what you are going to do if she catches you?” Narris said, an eyebrow raised.
“If I say ‘kill her’, I assume I’m going to get told off,” Vlad snarked.
“Preferably not, but she’ll probably just get revived either way,” Glacia giggled. “But I would prefer her only be mad for stealing from her and not killing her.”
“I dunno, I think she might be more upset from stealing from her,” Alvis added.
“Oh I guarantee ye that ye’d end up killing a clone or vessel of hers, rather than the real Ivi. Damn trick she picked up from that fox. Regardless, I agree in that she’d be more mad over ye stealing from her than anything.”
“Right, well, preferably it doesn’t come to that,” Vlad rolled his eyes. “We’re here to steal, not start a war. If possible, evasion will be our go to route, and then escape. Violence only if absolutely needed.”
“Yes, I would prefer that too,” Glacia’s eyes turned gold briefly before fading again. “Too risky to have it come to blows with her.”
“Agreed, better to avoid violence if we can. That being said, do expect her to throw some curveballs yer way Vlad. Glaci knows that she loves to play with her foe’s heads in more ways then one.’ Narris muttered
Vlad raised an eyebrow. “Surely even she’s smart enough to know that’s a losing game for everyone, right? She was at the mountain too, after all…”
“Dunno for sure on that one, Vlad. We will just be having to see…’’ Narris remarked, shrugging.
“Ivrea’s… not exactly the most humble person around,” Alvis sighed. “She might think she can handle more than she actually can.”
“Aye, the wee lass does have a tendency to overestimate her abilities becoming a goddess hasn’t helped that.” Narris sighed, “Maybe this will finally teach her she ain’t the hot shit she thinks she be.”
“... do you guys want me to beat her up? It really kinda sounds like everyone in the room thinks she needs it,” Vlad asked, his eyebrow trying to launch to space.
“Sweetie, I don’t necessarily think we would object to it if ye were forced to. Hell, it might actually do er some good….” Narris joked, giving Vlad a shove
“... but honestly if we can avoid it we should,” Glacia said. “Would just make escaping with the treasure harder. I just wouldn’t feel too bad for her if we end up having to do it.”
“I think I’m starting to understand why you people chased me across literally different worlds,” Vlad sighed. “Great. That’s all I have unless we can get some better insider information. Anyone else?”
“I would beg to disagree, but that be neither here or there. At any rate, I do know of a certain magus that might be willing to help us, for the right price.” Narris remarked, “She should be familiar enough with the place given she helped build the vaults.”
“Good,” Vlad nodded. “Get in contact with her, please? You and I can meet with her if she says yes.”
“Sure….she might even be willing to do this to teach her a lesson. That said….” Narris looked toward Glacia, “Do ye still have a way to get in contact with Catherine, Glaci?”
“Considering she’s my aunt, of course I do,” Glacia giggled. “I can send her a message to get her onboard, she loves helping out her favourite niece!”
“Might not hurt to get Yuki on this too. Might give her a chance to knock ivi down a peg.” Narris giggled
“I suppose I could ask,” Alvis shrugged. “She’s always had a bit of a disdain for Ivrea’s pilfering ways, though I don’t know how much she would approve of stealing ourselves…”
“Oh, don’t worry, I think she’ll be on board,” Glacia winked. “I heard that Ivrea snatched something of hers recently too.”
“If you find out what I’ll see if I can nab it back. Should cover the fee,” Vlad said. “We’ll have to grab enough to cover everyone’s fee, I don’t intend to have to pay to reclaim my stolen property.”
“I could always start a hoard myself with the spoils I get,” Alvis thought aloud. “... what, I’ve been settled in here enough that I’ve had thoughts about it.”
“Would make for a good start to our new hoard, wouldn’t ye say Vlad. Or at the very least pay for a nice get away fer us.” Narris joked, with a slight laugh, “That said, I think we should end up with enough to satisfy ye all to at least some degree.”
"Your hoard, sure," Vlad said. "Mine is well established, I just need to bring it over."
“Don’t think ye won’t be sharin that hoard, Vlad. Especially given ye still owe me for this….plus havin to hunt ye across the void.” Narris joked, gesturing to her stomach
His eyes narrowed. "Over my dead… anyways," he interrupted himself with a deep breath. "Luckily this is a fox and not a dragon, or else she would chase us to the end of time for even threatening to take a single coin."
"Or say, taking a valuable sword of theirs,” Glacia giggled. “She’ll whine and pout over it no doubt, but I don’t think she would really want to mess with us in this domain; if she tries she might up with a lil’surprise!”
“I think you might be enjoying that a little much, cuddlebug,” Alvis chuckled, “But yes, this place is home to some strong warriors that won’t exactly appreciate an intruder coming in to snatch stuff.”
“Oh she will definitely make a fuss about it, but I think at the end of the day she will not be dense enough to push her luck here. Even she not be thick enough to try to test us here.” Narris laughed, as she took hold of Vlad’s arm, “Well, if that be all….Then it might best for us to go about gettin ready.”
"Sure," Vlad yawned, leaning against Narris. "You all get your people… I'll go back to bed for a bit, I think…"
Narris chuckled as she began to walk Vlad back towards their cabin, before looking back towards Glacia, “See if you can get a hold of Catherine and anybody else you think might help us, Glaci. After I take care of Vlad here, I will do what I can to recruit a few friends of mine.”
“Okiedokies!” Glacia took Alvis’s arm, “Let’s go Alv, we got some recruiting to do for the heist!”
“Okay, I get why I want to do this, I get the dragon mentality,” Alvis said as Glacia was leading him away, “But I just don’t get why you want to do it so much…”
