Session Start: Sat Dec 29 21:15:35 2007 Session Ident: #lunar-iog2 * Logging for #lunar-iog2 started * TheStoryteller changes topic to '-= Chapter 63: Xenophobia | Location: China, Hanzhong | Pool: 17 MXP =- http://storen.rpgcafe.net/IoG/' == SESSION START == Disguising themselves in the uniforms of the Vile tribe soldiers, the group follows Niri, who herself is transformed into a Yisheng clan member, making it look quite convincing at least on the outside. Helped along by the panda hybrid named Shu Yi, the group explores the tunnels and trains leading away from the razed Hanzhong dome city. The last bullet train out of the province is packed with refugees and some surviving military types, and it's an easy feat to get aboard without much suspicion in the panic... * Niri does her best to hold her head high and look confident as she walks. She actually does a fairly good job, despite the fact that the high heeled boots take a little bit to get used to. Finally she gives up and just hovers for a little ways. * Niri checks to make sure everyone is with her. * Saki strikes an imposing figure even despite the crowd of the train: decked out in an armored robe and lugging an enormous greataxe over one shoulder, she's surprisingly hard to miss. Also, she's grinning ferally, and apparently having the time of her life. The last car they enter is very long and wide, with windows on the side. It apparently runs on a single monorail, bristling with magnetic energy, allowing it to approach super speeds with little friction and levitation. * Vytor seems more interested in the train itself than what's going on. * Ryllan follows Niri like a man born to the work, matching his pace precisely to hers. There's lots of competing voices and finally a large loudspeaker. "All aboard. Last train to Chang An!" * Mikel follows Niri as well, keeping his head down and for once keeping a serious expression on his face. He managed to resist the urge to snicker a bit at Niri's trouble with the boots at least. * Trune also keeps his head down as well, trying to look as inconspicuious as possible. He also occasionally grimaces with obvious discomfort. * Niri floats up the steps, bag containing Tanan slung over her shoulder. She shifts a little uncomfortably, trying not to make it too obvious how odd the outfit feels. She does feel rather self-conscious about how tight it is, though. [Shu Yi] This train should take us to the next larger city. It's often considered the second capital, next to only Luoyang in size and power. Everyone will hopefully be safe there. It's also where we'll have to part. * Saki takes a corner of the train with some new and somewhat unaccustomed clanking, and grounds the axe to lean her weight on the haft. * Niri glances at Shu Yi. "Oh really? Well...we're very grateful for your help so far." Some of the passengers give the group a few questioning looks, but most are just trying their best to calm down and take account of their families.. Space comes at a premium as the car becomes tightly packed, and the doors are swooshed closed even as some remain on the platform. Unfortunately, they are too late. * Mikel fidgets a bit in his own disguise, not returning the questioning looks. There may be a mutter of complaint as things get cramped. * Saki appears to have something of a circle of free space around her, roughly the diameter of an axe blade. How helpful. * Vytor tires not to respond to the throngs clustering around him. * Niri eyes Saki out of the corner of her eye, shaking her head with a thin smile. Finally there's what sounds like a device powering up and the train shoots forward. The jolt is fleeting though, as the motion soon becomes smooth as silk and there is little turbulance. The scenery goes by quicker and quicker. Wow. o_O * Ryllan elbows vytor in the ribs. Hard. Ow. Scenes of destruction pan out to green fields, spots of icy patches dotting the landscpae here and there. It seems the wilds outside are not colonized, most people living in the numerous networked domes. * Niri glances at the two and puts a finger to her lips warningly. * Saki appears to be dozing, but the smirk kind of gives her away. * Mikel stumbles back a step for a moment at the jolt, but balance is regained soon enough. The grey tunnel is more like a hexagonal lattice that envelops the train protectively, sealing it from the environment even as it acts like a one-way glass. * Niri staggers a bit as Mikel stumbles into her, but she rights herself quickly, trying to maintain a vaguely haughty look. * Mikel coughs, keeping his gaze down. "Sorry, ma'am." * Niri sniffs and attempts a scowl, then pretends to ignore her lackey. There's a few murmurings from a couple commoners as they spy Niri, possibly some kind of gossip * Niri pricks up her ears and tries to hear what they're saying without looking obvious * Trune looks out the window and for a moment it almost seems as if one can hear something grinding very faintly. Shu Yi just sighs a little bit as he thinks of what's happened lately. * Saki lifts her axe for the briefest of moments, turning the axe blade in the direction of the gossipers. Then, with infinite care and patience, re-grounds the axe, the noise reverberating through the train. * Mikel ...looks at Saki. The gossipers are quite hushed but one mentions. "My, that Yisheng girl's got a large entourage.. what was she doing in Hanzhong?" One of the people looks much more nervous and hushes upon seeing Saki's menacing motion. * Niri turns to Vytor. "Don't forget, once we arrive we will have to place a full report on the damage caused by the fiend." * Saki leans back on the axe and dozes, one open eye and a smirk trained on the rest of the cab. Before you know it, the train comes closer to a dome city that dwarfs the size of the one you departed. It is actually not one but a few spliced together into a larger complex. The train begins to slow down markedly in preparation for stopping. Huh? Oh, um...yessir. Um...ma'am. Er...yeah. *mumble* Don't let what we've seen throw you. We have to do what we can to stop this. * Ryllan nods, "Ma'm." * Niri nods to Ryllan in return. She then leans over to Shu Yi. "When we reach our stop, where should we go next?" She does her best to whisper and to keep her tone of voice confident with that undertone of haughtiness. * Saki stands up to her full height, and shoulders the axe. [Shu Yi] There's an inprocessing center for the refugees setup along here, but we can avoid that since we're not civilians. I'm concerned, though, that security at the normal gate's been increased due to recent events. [Shu Yi] Do you know what a DNA scanner is? * Niri gives him a blank look. "Ah...no." [Shu Yi] I don't understand it's workings exactly, but it can see your actual genetic information. This is fine for tribesman, but -- it would obviously have problems with your friends. * Niri frowns. "Well....I guess we're just going to have to play it by ear, then." She brightens a little. "We'll think of something - it'll work out." * Trune whispers to himself, "I sense impending doom." * Mikel raises an eyebrow for just a moment before elbowing Trune. * Ryllan moves over to Niri, speaking quite quietly, "Bluff it. We don't have time to waste testing all of us, and surely they wouldn't doubt your estimations of our security, eh?" (w) Ow. * Niri nods in agreement to Ryllan. "Right." The train continues to decrease in velocity and you once again feel the G force briefly as it comes to a halt with a whirr and a spark. * Saki turns side on, shielding Niri from view with the bulk of her body and speaking quietly but quickly. Probably Rachel; hard to be sure, it's not angry enough to tell. "... we go through fast, don't give them time to ask questions. You're a noble, sweep through as if you own the place. If you don't have any ideas, just demand we talk in your place." She looks back up as the train stops. The doors on the right side begin opening one after the other to disgorge the sea of semi-humanity * Niri nods to Saki/Rachel. "I'll do my best." Beyond them is what seems like a high cieling glass lobby, itself also covered with the hexagonal tiling. There's many small groups of people forming in the open platform area trying to find a familair face in the crowds, many looking anguished. * Saki starts to leave ahead of the group: axe-first makes for an imposing bodyguard and rather swifter passage. * Niri walks off the train in as dignified a manner as possible. She doesn't seem to be jostled too much by the other passengers, which helps. * Niri focuses her wind magic and begins to hover again once on the platform. * Ryllan flanks Niri, helping create Niri's personal space by glaring around. * Mikel follows Niri like a dutiful minion. He isn't exactly intimidating so he leaves that to Ryllan and Saki. * Vytor walks along quietly, not wanting to look more of rube than he already does. Indeed Niri gets the best deal with personal space, as the commoners almost go out of their way to avoid infringing upon her too closely. * Trune keeps behind the others, trying to keep as low a profile as possible, but also appearing to be...minionish? How well he's doing at it though...well, it's not too bad for a first timer. * Niri is a little uneasy at how people tend to stare, however. She can't quite decide if it's because of who they think she is, if they suspect her of being an imposter, or if they're staring at her cleavage. Shu Yi steps out, glad to be able to flex his figure some. The panda mutant looks around carefully, then points a paw hand towards a large set of gates, to the left of where many seem to be heading. The portal is guarded by several of the Vile soldiers similar to him, along with one that looks like an ox. * TheStoryteller changes topic to '-= Chapter 63: Xenophobia | Location: China, Changan Gate | Pool: 17 MXP =- http://storen.rpgcafe.net/IoG/' * Mikel is now known as MikDinner * Saki nods once in understanding, and settles into a determined gait, keeping pace with and ahead of Niri. * Vytor folows like the frumpy-looking minion he is. * Niri nods to Shu Yi to show she understands. Then, with a gesture to her followers, she sets off in that direction...following Saki, apparently. It doesn't appear out of the ordinary that Saki would be leading, considering bodyguards often go ahead of their master. As she approaches the gate, one of the guards give a curt salute. "Welcome back, my lady. Marshal Xenobia will be pleased at your safe return." * Niri nods to the guard, trying to keep her expression neutral as she continues forward. The ox gives a disapproving stare, but he might just be in a bad mood, having to stand guard helplessly and unable to fight. * Saki waits with an air of impatience for the path to be opened. . o O ( Man...what's that guy's problem? Does he know? ) Another guardian moves out of the way to open the gate for them with a swish. Although it appears glassy, it is exceedingly strong and could probably resist all manner of non-magical attacks. * Niri hovers forward through the gate What looks like a horse woman looks at the group entering, rubbing her chin. "Are you injured? You all seem rather pale. Head to the infirmary before meeting the marshal, please." Thank you for your concern, but we have urgent business to attend to first. * Saki nods once as she walks past. Shu Yi nods, trying to keep calm and hoping they don't notice immediately . There's a corridor that connects the gate and the next checkpoint which opens up into the rooms beyond, and eventually the barracks and administrative buildings of this dome. It's quite long, though provides a good defendable position should the worst happen. In the cieling is what looks like a small red eye. In fact, there's a slight red shade that permeates the air here. You feel the presence of something watching very carefully, and small needles pricking your skin. Niri's facial marking begins to glow faintly. * Saki keeps heading resolutely forwards, taking great care: without moving her head, she's scoping out troop positions. * MikDinner is now known as Mikel Shu Yi's arm is revealed to have a coiled circle as well. * Mikel (Zack@cpe-70-95-238-100.san.res.rr.com) Quit (Killed (NickServ (Nick kill enforced))) * Zack (Zack@cpe-70-95-238-100.san.res.rr.com) has joined #lunar-iog2 * ChanServ sets mode: +o Zack * Zack is now known as Mikel * Mikel finds himself hoping he could just zap that red eye, though he continues forward. Saki doesn't make it to the exit of the connecting foyer before there's a dull rumble from somewhere, the red light becoming stronger. Suddenly you notice it's a literal grid of lines scanning across the surface of everyone. The 5 disguised party members, sans Niri, start to light up in deep vermillion, pulsing angrily. *veep veep veep* Unidetified genomes present...! << unidentified >> Shu Yi, who seems normal, bites his furry lip. * Mikel mutters under his breath. "You had to say 'impending doom'." * Niri mutters under her breath but turns to the guards to see how they react. * Saki stops dead, sighing in resignation and awaiting further verdict. [Red Eye] Yisheng female accompanied by 1 Shu male; 5 other barbarian DNA codes not on file! ... I do believe your equipment is malfunctioning. Suddenly the guards from behind you jump up and turn around, while a group of 4 at the exit gate also turn around and growl. "What's this?!" * Saki picks at her armor, and calls out angrily to midair. Definitely Rachel. "What nonsense is this, that my Lady should have to be delayed by faulty goods and the remnants of trespassing barbarians stuck to our weapons?" * Niri crosses her arms under her bust and tries to look haughty and intimidating. "We are on important business and cannot afford to waste time!" Saki's line causes a couple soldiers to pause, thinking that might indeed be the case. But most are not moved. "This scanner was just serviced not more than an hour ago. It shouldn't pick up such a miniscule quantity of unclean blood." "Come to think of it, they don't have any markings!" "Lady Yisheng, are you being held hostage by spies?!" Morons. Clearly, you need to call the servicing squad again. They screwed something up. * Niri does her best to laugh. "Spies? Don't be ridiculous. These are members of my entourage, of course." * Vytor tries to looked puzzled at what's happening. Fortunately, this is not hard for him to do. [/sy Comrades, I assure you it's surely a technical problem... isn't our unit all accounted for here? [Shu Yi] Comrades, I assure you it's surely a technical problem... isn't our unit all accounted for here? The guards mumble. "... that is true." "But with security this tight after another attack, we cannot take any chances.""The enemy has used strange magic before to trick us." "We will escort you all to the debriefing room and settle this." * Niri sighs in exasperation, looking very put upon, and trying not to betray her uneasiness. Look. The Lady has a report to make. Now, we can make an issue of this, and waste eight hours. And we can see who still has a job and all their extremities when this is over. Or, you can respect the Lady Yisheng, and get the hell out of our way. "...are you saying we should ignore the Emperor's orders? Yisheng may be a noble blood, but his will is absolute." "Any suspected spies must be screened. That is the will of the Son of Heaven." "Marshal Xenobia will be present at the debriefing personally, so the report and this can both be settled properly." * Niri shakes her head. "Very well." * Niri glances back at the others with a rather helpless look on her face at this point, not sure what else to do but follow them. The set of guards of several breeding types box in the group and begins to urge you forward. So long as the job gets done. Shu Yi sighs to Niri, going along with everything as well. he is just a grunt after all. * Ryllan moves, looking mollified. * Saki has just enough time to give Niri and Ryllan a nod before being led forward. * Mikel follows along, pondering if this is really that bad. ... * Trune tries his best to hide his nervousness. It's obvious the plan is not going quite the way they planned. The armed escort that almost twice your size in numbers guides the party into the complex's doors and straight ahead through the barracks and into a large chamber filled with desks. Upon the walls are draped red banners with tribal amrkings, repsenting the various bloodlines. * Niri enters the room, doing her best to look unamused and important. Up in front sitting on a golden chair is a tall blonde haired woman. She is clad in silked robes much more revealing than what Niri wears, her extremely pale and shapely figure covered with hundreds of tatoo's of variosu shapes and colors. Her almost blood red eyes that come around to meet yours are both alluring and terribly cruel, and about her hangs the definite aura of powerful willforce. Flanking her is an array of several more honor guards, watching the black robed marshal silently. * Niri is suddenly very, very glad she's wearing what she is, and not something worse. * Mikel manages to not stare. Much. * Niri also does her best not to look intimidated in front of the woman...although she catches sight of Mikel and rolls her eyes slightly in exasperation. * Trune stares for the briefest of moments until he realizes that looking at her clevage would not be the best move ever. When she finally speaks, it's a mix of annoyance and impatience. "Yisheng. It's about time you returned. What problems are you causing this time?" It's then you also notice that at her feet is a chained up white tiger. * Saki keeps her axe over her shoulder, her grip loose but ready. Taking up a position by one of the guards that brought them in, she watches the noble like a hawk. Not causing, solving. Or attempting to. We're trying to track down information on how to combat the dragons flying around in the sky. [Xenobia] While I'm glad you we're killed in the recent attack, you've certainly got some nerve going there without orders specifically from me to do so. The woman's eyes narrow and she pets the tiger absentmindedly, which looks at the group with a repressed growl. << weren't >> * Mikel has his attention towards the tiger now, just in case it gets hungry. * Vytor tries to not look tasty. I beg your pardon, my lady. . o O ( ...Nice kitty?...Oh man Molly. If she mews now I'm going to be SO PISSED. ) * Saki gives it a pleasant glare back. [Xenobia] Mmm.. don't beg. So you really think you have solid intelligence this time? * Niri nods. "I believe we have a way to stop the invader." [Xenobia] ...continue, Yisheng. *pets the tiger again, her eyes briefly scanning Niri's entourage* There's a notable pressure in the minds of the assembled group members as her eyes meet yours, even if it is passing. * Niri glances at the many guards in the room, looking hesitant. "I am unsure that your guards are cleared for this level of secure information, my lady..." [Xenobia] Is that right. Well then.. we'll discuss such matters in a more private setting. That is, once I've decided what to do with your gift. * Niri raises a questioning eyebrow. "Oh, my lady? I should mention that they are a part of the plan." * Mikel is starting to get a bad feeling about this. . o O ( Gift? ) Suddenly the ominous woman starts snickering to herself in pleasure. . o O (This can't be good.) [Xenobia] Even if you say that, I find it hard to believe you'd consort so easily with mutants. Even if they are quite interesting ones... [Xenobia] yes... interesting.. Xenobia's gaze seems to linger on Mikel especially. There's more to them than you kn- er, you know. * Niri blinks. . o O ( .... What, again? Oh goddess, what the hell!? ) * Ryllan touches Niri gently on the shoulder, "Ma'm, should we be having this conversation in such an open forum? Your friends look a little... aggressive." * Mikel doesn't react... though it's gone from bad feeling to alarm bells. * Saki moves, just very slightly: the axe grip a little tighter, her feet a little better set. [Xenobia] Oh, I know all too well. They are brimming with the power of the foreigner enemies. Even now I can feel it pulsing, though they try to hide it! Is this your 'plan'? I think I'll coax the details out of each one of your new cohorts myself... ..? * Niri blinks. "Coax details, my lady? When I just offered to give them to you myself? There's no need to make such an issue of it." << Offered details that is >> [Xenobia] Hahah. I don't believe you are in any position to give, Yisheng. You seem to have casually forgotten breaking our most cardinal rule of associating with mutant outsiders. You are lucky that I am in a good mood and will allow you to escape punishment, since you have brought me such excellent new research projects... . o O ( Damn it, this isn't good! ) * Niri frowns. "I really must protest." * Niri edges closer to Mikel and Trune. "After all, I did encounter them first...I really do think it is my right to question them further, isn't it?" The guards suddenly tense up at Xenobia's look, knowing what comes next. * Saki glances behind her as the guard posture changes, then slams her axe into the ground, handle up: in one single smooth motion the fist is brought back, an elbow driven into the gut of the guard behind her. As he falls away Rachel twirls the axe back onto her shoulder with casual ease. "That's enough." * Mikel ...sighs. [Xenobia] I've had enough of you overstepping your authority. You will return to your quarters until I summon you to speak -- * Ryllan barks instantly, "Clear the room! Try to leave the Marshal Talking!" * Vytor blinks. Suddenly Saki takes out the nearby guard and the rest of them instinctually jump into the fray to pin down the outsiders with weapons! Erk! Pointy! Xenobia frowns and arises from her seat, half surprised and half excited. "Oh, you wish to resist me?" * Mikel holds up a hand, already starting to summoning up a wave of lightning. "For the love of..!" ...Not especially, but hey. Actually, I wish to talk to you, but as that doesn't seem to be happening... << summon up* >> * Niri unsheathes her sword and gathers her magical powers to her, focusing it in the sword. With a burst of green light, wind magic swirls around her, in an attempt to knock back the nearby guards. * Ryllan summons power to him, lending it to Niri's magic, turning the wind into a howling, almost solid, wall of force. * Saki launches a punch at another almost casually as he comes close. "Nothing of the sort," she speaks over the sudden din that any group of fighters cause, "but trying to make a point. You need fighters to face that menace in the sky. If we're better than your guards, then why not us?" * Niri casts her spell as Tanan phases out of the bag slung over her shoulder and coalesces protectively around her torso. Niri finds knocking back the first cadre of soldiers simple, as the magic bites deeply into their defenses. * Mikel just zaps any guard that comes at them, shouting to be heard over the wind. "This isn't gonna end well if you don't call them off!" * Vytor simply wrestles with the weapon of one of the guards, having no flashy magic to speak of. [Xenobia] I'll admit you've got strength. But you're also a little dense, barbarians. Do you think we're all fools? * Trune actually looks a little surprised, and pulls out his athames, already tracing complex patterns in the air, "Goddess, we don't have time for your racial dramafest! At least hear us out!" * Saki tries to keep moving forward, clearing space and trying to hop past guards and furniture both in her pursuit of Xenobia's position. "... yes," she adds in a lighter tone. "Would you rather die to that thing, or co-operate for a short time?" You underestimate us too, Xenobia! Call off your guards and let us speak, or you'll regret it. Xenobia raises her hands and suddenly sevral hidden marks upon your uniforms begin glowing a deep purple, and soon the energy begins draining painfully from your bodies, like you are under a gigantic weight. Nggh...you friggin' cheater! Ow. Ow. Ow. Ow. * Ryllan unsnaps the fastners in his armored robe, trying to get out from under it as quick as possible! * Mikel wide-eyes as the lightning crackles out, starting to stagger. "....the hell are you /doing/?!" [Xenobia] These were made to protect from sorcery, but it works both ways.. haha. Nghh! * Saki makes it over another chair then stumbles, gritting her teeth as she's suddenly having to use the axe for support. "We could--nh. ... have walked in here trying to butcher you. We didn't," she adds finally. Ryllan frees himself with some difficulty but finds himself pinned by the remaining honor guards. [Xenobia] If you really are not the enemy, I'll allow you each to prove it in good time. * Niri stumbles to one knee, then glares up at Xenobia, breathing a little heavily. "Let us go, you witch." * Vytor is too enmeshed in his ill-fitting outfit to hope to get out of it at this point. * Mikel growls out another curse, reaching for the hilt of the sword. "Dammit... quit that already." Goddess you really are an idiot! We don't have time for this! While you sit on your 'throne' and act high and mighty, a lot of people are going to DIE! * Ryllan shifts uncomfortably, waiting for his moment. [Xenobia] But first, the laws must be obeyed! You are not in the frontiers any longer, making your own rules. Do you think we'd hand over the trust of an entire civilization so quickly to outsiders?! * Saki cnotinues to watch Xenobia from her support point; it looks painful, but she seems determined to stand her ground at least. Never asked you to. Just to give us room to work. Guarded or unguarded. On the one hand, using anti-magic engineering as a safeguard against infiltrators is neat. On the other hand, ow. [Xenobia] Hmph. I'm afraid I can't trust your words, not after what the one called Leah has done. I will divine if you really are the savior she was not. [Xenobia] But this will be by MY rules, not yours. [Xenobia] If you want to be believed, I suggest you cease resisting.. or I might indulge myself a little more directly... I warn you, then. Just how do you plan to "divine" the answer to your question, if you won't believe what we say? Can you please turn off the clothes of painful heaviness, then? Harm any of these people in the course of your... 'investigations'... and you will see indulgence. * Saki chuckles to herself, and with a nod she's let go of the axe haft, and lets herself fall back to the floor in an almost relaxed fashion. Without her, it falls to the ground. She casually ignores the others. "... alright. Whatever rules you like." * Mikel grits his teeth. "Quit the draining thing before something goes wrong, at least." [Xenobia] Oh, a threat? This will certainly not be a boring afternoon... you'll see my methods in good time. Guards, take them each to the holding chambers. And Yisheng to her room until I summon her for an audience. * Niri grits her teeth and sheathes her sword. "...Fine." The numer of security personnel entering the room is even a bit much for them, as the curse lifts only slightly. The heaviness persists as the group is summarly split up... * Niri goes quietly, but gritting her teeth in frustration. * Saki is led away with a surprisingly small amount of complaint; apparently her job's been done. * Vytor goes quietly. What else is there to do? Niri is led to the officer's quarters while the rest are broken up into 5 cells, their new home for the next little while. Each party member's room is fairly unremarkable, considering it IS a jail cell. But it could be worse.. it at least has a cushion to sit on and other amenities, assuring them they aren't the worst type of prisoner. In the floor is all sorts of tatoo markings and they seem to continue the heavy feeling, sapping your willforce to the point causing effects is difficult. In fact, they are a rather beautiful and intricate pattern by magical standards. Perhaps a type of lost symbology with its own respectable powers. The guards are pretty rough, looking resentful at the treatment you're getting. * Saki takes the jail sentence well, talking to herself at length. In two different voices. ...Back again... * Trune leans against the wall and looks generally miserable. Your weapons are taken and placed in a secure room, though otherwise you are not indepthly searched. * Ryllan talks to the voice in his head as well, though his is more an internal conversation, leaning against the wall. * Vytor takes the time to actually sketch some of the intricate designs ino his sketchbook, finding them to be of interest. * Mikel sits on one of the cushions, examining the patterns rather intently. It keeps his mind off of hoping the drain doesn't cause any permanent damage. Saki's cell is very quiet, watched by two Vile tribers. By the looks of it they are unarmed masters, utilizing claw weapons. They wonder just who she's talking to in there... Staring at the symbols in the floor, her dark half gets a spark of realization. * Saki is mostly talking for show at this point; a diatribe about her form follows into an angry retort and a sulky counter-argument as her fingers begin to trace the floor, edging with blackness. Tracing around and around the lines, points of stronger energy become visible as spiritual power infuses the diagram. If she could strike those places, like a human rpessure point, perhaps it would weaken the enchantment. * Saki thinks, and looks up as she follows the pattern and makes mental notes. "... oi out there! What's that dragon done? Just flown around? Never landed?" [Vile Guard] ...what are you actually talking to us instead of your invisible friend? [Vile Guard] They breath death on us from the sky. It's why we can't fight them. * Saki smiles, brightly and a little worryingly. "I'm a conversationalist." Then she's all business, tapping certain points in rapid succession as a practice run. "Mm. So they're safe, except from someone with powers like you've never seen?" [Vile Guard] ... *doesn't seem to counter the argument immediately* * Saki tosses her head and lifts up on one knee, right hand bursting into black flame as she draws it back. "Well, then: you're in good hands. You wouldn't believe what we can do." Lightning-fast, she drives the lower hand into the same series of points in earnest, sending cracks through the rock: then her upper hand is brought down in a shower of smoke, a flat-palmed strike at the cell floor. Saki's blow causes the whole chamber to shake violently, as both the pattern and the wall itself begins to shiver! [Vile Guard] o_O * Saki stands up straight for the first time in what seems like a long while, cracking her neck at length. "... better. No magical trap can hold me." She walks towards the cell door, drawing a hand back. As Saki obliterates the floor underneath her feet... Meanwhile! >> In Mikel's chamber... Instead of a comfy cushion Mikel finds himself strapped to a table by several black lashes. Not only is there an anti magic poattern on the floor, but he also notices that one is drawn on his chest in burning pigment. Wait.. when did he suddenly have no jacket on? As his mind strains agains the heaviness, he notices the rather evil Xenobia finishing her drawing on his chest, her nails dripping with the vermillion ink. * Mikel curses. Loudly. Once he's got that out of the way he finds himself staring at Xenobia and manages to grate out a question. "What the hell are you doing?" [Xenobia] Hoho... so lucky. You get to be the first. Now how did you get so much magical potential, hmm... [Xenobia] Why I'm here to interrogate you of course. I didn't know interrogation involved painting the person you're questioning. The lascivous commander of the garrison looms over the bound Mikel like a phantom. [Xenobia] Oh, just a little safeguard, my pretty. It seems you need extra care... there's something Draconic inside of you, and I'd like to know what. [Xenobia] Speak up quickly or I might have to give you a little more attention.... Xenobia snaps a long black whip with an audible crack. Too much willforce theory to explain before Leah visits again and brings down another one of your cities. Suffice to say something broke and had to be fixed. Session Time: Sun Dec 30 00:00:00 2007 I could show you what broke me though, but that'd require letting me go and quitting with the goddess forsaken draining. There's a pause as the uncomfortable smile he ses grows a little more heated, then there's the sensation of burning across his chest. *CRACK* [Xenobia] Wrong answer! [Xenobia] While your pain is delightful, you're still not telling me what i want to know. [Xenobia] What is your connection to the dragons! * Mikel lets out a shout, shaking his head. "Man, he's going to be pissed..." He looks up at Xenobia, frowning. "One helped put me back together after a spell went bad. Though she's not one of the ones tearing up the place." * Aleph (kohryuu@staff.lunarnet.org) has joined #lunar-iog2 [Xenobia] Good boy... *sly smile* I could tell you had some kind of sacred power. It is faint, but it's also part shadow too, isn't it? Maybe. I don't mess with it much. Might break something again. And it was enough of a hassle the first time, thank you. [Xenobia] So, you are a balancer? Hmm. yes... you could be useful... A what now? [Xenobia] Wouldn't you like to know, my pet. Suffice to say that dark and light are always in balance. As are heaven and earth. Your body's in a strange flux like that as well. The evil Leah was thought to be a bal;ancer, but instead she brought nothing but disaster. [Xenobia] The Emperor was foolish to trust the words of that seer. ...don't call me pet again. That's bit unnerving. Seer? The woman reaches down and holds Mikel's face in her palms, like one would a juicy apple. "A woman claiming to be a Prophetess appeared without warning and brought a premonition of destruction." Oh, her. We're trying to kill her too. Small world. How long ago was this? We kind of totalled her body a while ago. Xenobia's look turns from one of delight to curiosity. "This was several years ago. Killing her for her crimes would bring me delight... but she is long gone from here." [Xenobia] But.. it would seem you are more than you seem, boy! What is your name? Mikel Sayeld. Do I get to be untied now? [Xenobia] Just lie there for a little longer and save your strength until I am done with your friends and that Yisheng girl. Xenobia cracks the whip again, but it snaps right above his head with a scary sound. * Mikel blinks. "Without the whipping and painting, I'd hope." Her finegr traces part of the pattern with a red-stained nail on his chest. "Oh and you're such a supple little canvas too... a shame..." After saying that she turns to exit, leaving him alone on the table. :o * Mikel sighs. "You're enjoying this way too much." >> Meanwhile... Trune! Trune is hurried into the cell the opressive feeling making his head spin with frightful reminders of Meribia. A time he thought he'd put behind him. The cell itself is much ncier than that time, and the lack of bunny girl torturers is a relief. But the mystical pattern like that diamond, is hard to forget. ...Can't believe this is happening. Again. Perhaps brought on by the stress or the memories, before him the image of the cell begins to warp and distort, like a fine haze is covering it. In places it starts to look like a much different cell than the Vile one, bits and pieces looking much more high tech. The bits are like a puzzle, lines dividing the present and the past into jagged pieces. This isn't Bree's old jail, it's something more akin to the lost age. * Trune 's brow furrows and he looks genuinely confused now. He tries to clear his vision by rubbing his hand against his eyes. The rubbing doesn't seem to make the sight disappear. It's still there, half in reality, half in the past. Before him, though, sits a small girl in black that he recognizes as Pluto. ...Pluto? [Pluto] It's like that time, isn't it? You got locked up again from trying to save the thankless, Doctor... What do you mean? What are you talking about? * Trune tries to keep a clear head, but he's finding it increasingly difficult. [Pluto] Don't you remember? the 'thought virus'? You wanted to save us. But they found out and turned it against you... Against...me? [Pluto] Just like Dr Webbly, you died. And your research was stolen to make the ultimate control circuit... please, don't die again, daddy Then suddenly the scene cracks and you shake your head. You're in the cell again, and nothing appears out of the ordinary. ....What the fuck was that? Did I imagine it? The guards outside grumble to themselves about more crazy people talking to themselves. >> Stunned, trune can only sit there and wonder what it meant. Meanwhile.. Vytor! Vytor continues scribbing about the interesting symbology of the anti-magic ward on the floor of his cell. * Vytor is currently examining the floor designs, tracing the lines with a finger and trying to imagine how the flows of magical energies are being manipulated. Come to think of it, he's seem some patterns like this before somewhere... a strange passing sense of deja vu floats across his awareness. The lines and strokes have distinct points connecting the flows which he can detect. Like hearts, power flows through them through the vessels of the pictograph. * Vytor sits cross-legged for a moment, trying to remember just where he's seen all this before. The heaviness in his body feels familiar too, though not this magical force, but the sense he's suspended or moving in fluid. Warm fluid. It is comforting, like a womb. reflected in glass, an alchemical symbol. 6-12. Not a curse, but simply a fact. Where could that memory be from? * Vytor shakes his head violently for a moment in a sort of WTF manner. The blonde Xenobia makes him recall the scene in saturn's lab. That doctor... he's seen her before. She was crying. . o O (What is all this?) His body gets a slight shudder, a feeling of anticipation of something. But it passes quickly, and he's just sitting in the cell again alone. ...OK, that was weird. >> Vytor's left with a lingering chill as he waits patiently... meanwhile, Ryllan! The courageous man has more security than the rest, as he's placed in his cell with the wards. From his training in willforce he can sense the pictograph connects somewhere beyond to the will of another, likely Xenobia herself. In the corner of his soul, the man called Noah stirs [Noah] Now I remember why this has come to pass. * Ryllan kneels quietly, placing his hand on the pictograph, "Interesting." He mutters quietly, "I wonder... Mm?" He says, tilting his head to listen to the voice in his head. [Noah] We came to this kingdom some time ago to warn them of the Destroyer, and a woman who would appear to balance it. [Noah] I fear they have made a grave miscalculation. * Ryllan turns towards the wall, so he can move his lips without them being noticing. He mouths the words, just enough so that Noah can pick up on the thought, "Oh, good. I assume you didn't mean Leah, then." << Noticed, hush.>> [Noah] Thinking Leah was the Balancer, when it was actually her best friend Niri, they allowed her in to wreck her havok. [Noah] Good intentions sometimes pave the path to Helll... *falls silent* Quite. But we don't have time to recriminate over bad deals right now. How did you describe Niri, then? What can we do to make her look more like the Balancer? [Noah] Admittantly, it was all vague. That is the style of Pandora. A foreigner woman with great magic like the dragons was foreseen. But, Leah's power is rather a cruel mockery of such divine beings. But it was enough to appear similar. [Noah] Niri has the true blessings of the last of the heavenly dragons, channeled as they are through Tanan. She really is the one -- if they can detect our willforce, they can know that she is truthful. And Niri doesn't even show as foreigner on all their gadgets. *sighs* Your showmanship is really causing us problems, you know that? [Noah] In the presence of the Emperor, he will see that her Vile blood is weak and tainted. It's enough to prove she is not entirely one of the Yisheng wind riders. [Noah] But we can't even do that until we break out of this crude prison. Noah sighs in apology and falls quiet, as Ryllan's eyes are drawn to the pattern. He could definitely break such a construct's flows with his manipulations. Crude indeed. And I don't guess I'm going to get any indications about timing, So I'd better get to work. * Ryllan kneels down to the floor, brushing his hand against the pictogram, focusing, exploring the field of anti-magic. >> As Ryllan begins to bit by bit deconstruct the wards... meanwhile, Niri! Our hero! It's been a short time since you were dropped off in a foreign looking room, likely belonging to the real Yisheng you replaced. It's got an airy sort of decoration, and a few glass sculptures. Thankfully it seems Xenobia didn't see through your ruse yet. You are under light guard, though, and the sliding door to the room is closed. There's what looks like a couple diaries on a small desk. * Niri shakes her head, privately thinking that Xenobia is not exactly the brightest crayon in the box. Shrugging, however, she goes over to have an idle look at the books on the desk while she tries to brainstorm a way out of this mess. The books are some writings by the noblewoman. From the looks of it, she's rather agitated and constantly clashing with her superior, xenobia, over finding a solution to the Dragon problems. It has earned her numerous rebukes, as risking the life of a royal house member is dangerous. But she apparently has something to prove, after losing her father in a recent attack. There's a small notebook with some outlines about Leah. * Niri files this information away as useful if she continues to play this role. She then looks around, thinking carefully...but notices the notes on Leah and reads them curiously. Niri instantly knows it's her friend by the description of the white haired magician, along with notes about how she was a betrayer once thought to be a Balancer. The four fiends appeared when she turned her back upon the Emperor, as they thought she was a good omen fortold by the strange Prophetess some years prior. There's a couple notes about how the fiends make her almost untouchable, and the strangely glowing sword that calls down Heaven's wrath on her foes. * Niri sighs and facepalms at the mention of the Prophetess. "Oh, great. Not again..." Dangit. It's time to stop this and hunt Leah down once and for all. Now, how to get out of here... * Niri thinks, then for once has a stroke of insight! The room does have a window looking down onto a beautiful courtyard << Scratch that last >> * Niri tries the window The glass can be slid open, and a gentle breeze meets her hair. * Niri checks to make sure it's not too far down... From the looks of it she is several stories up from the nearest flat surface. With her gliding ability it would be a simple feat. * Niri summons her wind magic and attempts a descent to the ground! There's a few trees, sculpted in interesting figures to avoid, but otherwise a straight drop. Swish! zephyr makes her light as a feather and she plops onto the courtyard. There's a few benches her and the sun is beginning to set in the late afternoon. There's two doors behind her back into the complex, and a path leading ahead to another building. << here >> * Niri adjusts her clothing and takes a deep breath, then chooses the path leading ahead. She's not sure where the others were taken, but this is as good a place to start searching as any... Heading onward, she finds herself thankfully in a vaguely familiar corridor. Yes, this was the main barracks side entrance she was taken through. Further in past several bays should be the audience chamber, and presumably in the lower reaches lies the cells. * Niri goes ahead and starts exploring, trying to look confident and not sneaky, in case she's caught and questioned. There's a few soldiers here and there patrolling, but seeing her disguise didn't even tip off their leader, they seem not to bother her at this time. * Niri does have to wonder at their powers of observation One of them chides her about not wandering around until Xenobia returns, but respects her freedom to do so and does not obstruct her way past the audience hall. It looks like to both sides of the place are numerous offices and bays where the armed forces protecting this city are garrisoned. Many of them are switching shifts as well, and her presence causes a few young cadets to salute and try to be courteous. * Niri tries not to be too discomfitted at the attention and mostly nods in response, but she keeps a wary eye out for any sign of her friends. There's a sdirectory posted on one of the similar-looking corridors. It indicated paths to the administrative offices, Xenobia's chamber, the audience hall, and downstairs to the penal area. * Niri heads toward the penal area! The landscpae turns from nice glassy hallways to much more drab and lifeless corridors, barred by a patrol warden at a set of light bars... yes literally lasers. The man appears to be wolfish in appearance, invoking memories of an old companion of yours not too long ago. [Vile Warden] What are you doing here? This isn't visiting hours. No, but I have a need to speak with some intruders I recently discovered in our lands. Let me pass, warden. [Vile Warden] Look, I can't let you see /those/ prisoners. Marshal's orders. Just return to your room, Yisheng. As the two converse there's a shudder that goes through the walls. It's vital, I'm afraid. The Marshal doesn't realize the true urgency of this matter. * Niri staggers. "...What was that?" The warden looks away behind him for a minute, wondering if it's an earthquake. * Niri darts through the way while he's not looking! [Vile Warden] What the... h-hey! Fortunately for Niri the earthquake appears to have conveniently shorted out some of the circuits of the barricade, and she's able to nimbly slip through! [Vile Warden] Get back here... you're assisting in a prison break!! * Niri sprints down the hallway, looking for the others! There's another loud THUMP and a shake that drowns out the feral human's voice. Up ahead a cloud of dust fills the hallway * Niri coughs, trying to see through the murk Niri is greeted to the sight of furry and green skinned bodies flying about In the center of this whirlwind stands a grinning Saki. Saki! You all right? Of course you're all right. Where are the others? Disarmed as she is, it seems to hinder her little. Especially since her jail cell is completely destroyed. A huge crater in the floor marks the epicenter of the temblor. * Saki smashes one of the guards into her old prison cell with a vicious kick, the aftermath of which gives her the spin and momentum to haul in a second body directly after him. Carefully, she shuts what's left of the prison door behind her, and blinks at Niri. "... you're early. And I've no clue." Well, looks like you need no assistance, so want to come help me find them? We'd better hurry. That was...not exactly subtle. There's several hallways of nearly identical cells here. Surely they are somewhere. * Saki nods. "Thank you for the compliment," she says straight-faced, then "Lead on. Noah's the only one I might be able to spot ahead of time." Behind you is the sounds of the guardsmen trying to organize themselves in the chaos. Ahead there's the beginnings of another scuffle as bright flashes of light reflect off a corridor. Let's see what we can find then. *She heads off down the hallway, not slowing at all for Saki, and not figuring she needs to.* * Niri uses a burst of wind magic to try to clear the air of dust. * Saki nods once and makes after Niri at a brisk pace, checking each cell as she goes. The pair encounters Ryllan, who's brandishing a light rifle and a guardsman who's had his legs taken out from under him howling. ...No one needs my help, by the looks of it. The rest will. I turned off my cell. I doubt they can. Shall we go? ...Turned off, huh? Yeah, let's hurry. It won't be long before more guards descend upon us, I'm betting. The cells of Vytor and Trune aren't far at their hurried pace, but they are locked shut and four guards don't look happy to see you. "What the.. how did you get free!" Trade secret. * Saki plucks the sword from the guard's belt. "... we're special. ... I'm not sure I approve of this gun business, Noah." She frowns at the guards, then beams brightly. "Allow me to give you a demonstration." * Ryllan levels the rifle, "Hands up, please." No time to explain, soldiers. This is urgent business. "Yisheng.. why.. why are you doing this?" Out numbered the warrior slowly capitulate. "The Warden won't take kindly to this mutiny!" I'll deal with that later! This is urgent...we have to stop the destroyer before it's too late! * Saki relieves the guards of their weapons, and if possible keyrings. They have keys to the two cells, and opening the door deactivates the patterns. Inside, Trune and Vytor are dazed but quite okay otherwise. * Trune looks a little out of it, but mumbles something about not having bunny outfits this time around. Hey. Did you guys know they're using a quaternary bypass solution to keep the energy flows in sync to the primary designator circuit? Its kind of neat. Just then comes the sound of a whip cracking and a man's annoying singing. Oh, is /that/ what that was? I think I blew it u- ...Let's move. Wait. Who the...is someone singing? * Saki hula-hoops the keyrings around one finger, poking her head into Trune's cell. "Rise and shine! Rescue wagon, free of charge." Er...right! Coming! * Niri rushes ahead, not waiting for the others. Thanks! * Vytor hops onto his feet, "Ready here." * Trune shakes his head free of the cobwebs and follows the others. You know, that makes keeping count a whole lot harder. The clothes you're wearing is bad enough for that. Where was I... oh, right. Forty one bottles of beer on the wall, forty one bottles of beer. Take one down, pass it around, forty bottles of beer on the wall... Rushing ahead and around the corner, the singing sounds very familiar, along with a pissed off voice you recognize. * Niri just...stares at Mikel as she skids to a stop in front of his cell. [Xenobia] Come now, at least scream for me a little more. That singing is terrible! ...well okay then. Niri is greeted by the sight of Mikel strapped to a table and a towering Xenobia whip in hand. Xenobia! Let him go! That'd be the po- oh, there you are. His chest is bare and marked with several blood-red patterns, which are half paint and half from lashings. She can sing instead, then. Mikel! Are you all right? * Ryllan comes up behind Niri, immediately aiming his new toy at Xenobia, "You heard the lady. Step away from the canvas, pplease." ...she called me that too. It's /unnerving/. Xenobia seems so lost in the torture, she's slow to turn around. * Niri gives Ryllan a sidelong glance. [Xenobia] Wha... how dare you! Hi. Easy! Now hand over that whip. You're outnumbered this time. Yeah. You have issues. Serious issues. I've been telling her that for a bit now. * Saki leans against the wall, arms crossed. "... remember why we're here, please," she asks the group, then: "... the terms have changed. For now, they're ours." [Xenobia] ...it looks like I underestimated your resolve Yisheng. Hah. Or is that miss Balancer? Xenobia lists a hand and drops the whip to the floor. << lifts >> A gaggle of guards appears from behind, keeping a cautious distance Balancer? Don't know about that, but you can call me Niri. A pleasure...that is, if you let Mikel go. Now. Balancer? Please. Balancer is correct, yes. Though she doesn't know it. Balancer, no Balancer. That can wait. Can we please try to resolve this in a way that doesn't involve a lot of violence and posturing for dominance? Its been a long day. * Saki lifts off the wall and turns, guarding the group from behind. She nods in respect to them; two professionals doing their jobs. [Xenobia] Take your little toy back then, Niri. I've learned enough from him to know what you're here to do. The bands holding Mikel down vanish. ...If that's the case, why are you still messing with my friends? * Niri goes over to help Mikel up Some interesting tricks, there. Not all of them are technological, mm? * Niri gives Xenobia a death glare Xenobia gives a little glare back. "Oh, I just liked him. He's got the signature of a Dragon after all." If that's your definition of like... *He shakes his head* Look my arms getting tired. Can we assume at least a ceasefire for the moment? * Mikel starts to roll off, though that gets foiled by a Niri and opts for just sliding off the table with a groan. "That makes... fifteen, sixteen lashes, and at least thirty times you called me something like 'toy'." He gives Xenobia a bit of a look for a moment before starting to remove the paint, mindful of the lashes as he mutters under his breath. * Niri mutters a healing spell under her breath, hoping to ease Mikel's injuries. She turns back to Xenobia. "What's that supposed to mean? And what kind of twisted woman are you anyway?" [Xenobia] You've got to toughen up, boy, if you want to control that power inside you. You'll need it against Leah. Hah. Well, it appears now my fun is ruined... I'll cooperate with you. * Trune actually gives Mikel a look that's surprisingly sympathetic. ..? Xenobia actually looks more disappointed than frightened of the weapons pointed her way. I'll show you toughen up after we deal with Leah. Quit with the magic draining so I can patch myself up, at least. * Saki , at those words, lets out a relieved sigh and drops to a squat, nodding again at the guards behind her. Removing one gauntlet and rubbing at her sore knuckles, she absently talks at them. "... sorry about your jail. You could do with making them a bit stronger." Mikel finds the aura in his cell dimming, as the connection to the sorceress is cut. The red lines on his body persist though, as a nice fashion statement. ...this better come off with water. [Xenobia] I have to hand it to you - noone has destroyed my glyphs so easily. This prison was only hastily constructed to contain such magics. * Mikel mutters something under his breath and starts healing himself up as well. [Xenobia] You probably can destroy that woman with that much power. * Saki straightens up, setting her gauntlet back on. There is a note of pride in her voice as she glances over her shoulder. "... I didn't use magic. No prison like that'll hold me." We'd rather just make her as she was before, actually. I've worked with such magics since childhood Don't feel too bad. Yeah...she used to be a good person. Then she got kinda...lost. Regardless, we will stop her. That is, after all, what we came here to do. * Niri looks down at her feet and sighs, then looks up again. "Right. We're going to stop Leah...and I'm going to bring her back to herself if at all possible." "So." Ryllan continues, his tone shifting to a more conversational one, "How do we proceed from here?" Xenobia walks forward, the black fabric following her curves. "Haha. There is a story behind you after all. Let's end this standoff for the moment." * Mikel keeps leaning against Niri for now, thankful for the offered shoulder. "I vote for clothes and getting our stuff back. Then sorting out how to deal with Leah." * Saki shrugs. "... as far as the dragons go, it boils down to either we fly or we tether it down." Xenobia glares forward, no, past you, and the bewildered guyards start to back off... * Niri shrugs, gently so as not to jostle Mikel too much. "Yeah. We need to regroup and plan." Mikel's wounds miraculously heal, but the reddish pigment remains in spots. We also need to convince anyone else who needs convincing of our good intentions. * Ryllan looks over at Xenobia, "Is there anyone else, or will your word stand for us?" Without ending up in jail, please. [Xenobia] I'm Marshal of this entire city. Only 4 men rank higher than I do in our empire. [Xenobia] If you really are going to fix this mess, then I can take yo to see the Emperor. And plead your case to he who is the source of all laws. Sounds promising. * Mikel mutters something under his breath before just nodding. "Works." [Xenobia] After all, it is his error that let Leah be thought to be the prophecied one and destroy our lands. [Xenobia] ...not that you ever heard me say that. I rather like keeping my head. * Etir (~Etir@dynamic-acs-24-239-125-230.zoominternet.net) has joined #lunar-iog2 * ChanServ sets mode: +o Etir Xenobia just unheedingly brushes past you into the thick of the warden's troops which clear a path begrudingly. 'course. Totally and completely forgotten. So what's with these glyphs and tattoos, anyways? ...Hm. May I ask, because I'm rather curious...does the emperor have a name? Well, besides Emperor obviously. Yeah, I'm really not seeing a point to it myself. Like a full, offical name? * Ryllan follows, cheerily, pressing his rifle into the hands of one of the guards with an apologetic grin, "Tell your friend sorry for me." * Vytor follows Xenobia quietly * Niri follows, a little more slowly, with Mikel in tow. [Xenobia] The Son of Heaven is named Xiahou Mao, residing in the next dome city, Luoyang. His clan has ruled for generations since the Devestation. * Mikel follows along with Niri, waiting for an answer to his own question in the meanwhile. [Xenobia] The glyphs and markings on your Niri's skin is but one of many symbols that mark our various bloodlines. [Xenobia] The more markings one has, also, the more power they possess. *speaks this with a satisfied smile* * Tanan (~Etir@dynamic-acs-24-239-125-230.zoominternet.net) has joined #lunar-iog2 Hmm. So the whole thing about one of us being of your bloodline wasn't crazy talk after all, huh? Ah. And the stuff you painted on me? * Ryllan sets mode: +o Tanan << Tanan is currently on Niri, for the record >> [Xenobia] Haha, that's simply a little extra warding for your powers, Mikel. I didn't know if you were on those evil dragon's side or not. << ...Ammended. Niri has Tanan equipped. Wording change requested by the peanut gallery. :P >> << lulz. :P >> «ooc: Huay! » Walking through the destroyed prison and bvack up to the audience chamber happens quickly Uh-huh. What else can you do with them? [Xenobia] The symbols allow us to resist many types of hardship. It's a survival mechanism built into us by the founders long ago. [Xenobia] In some special cases, there's more potent sorcery possible from these markings... Oh? [Xenobia] That's why i took an interest in you. I feel we may have something in common. Hehe. Strange powers not only from pictographing but rather the pure will itself. * Saki , now that all the excitement is over and done with, appears to have gone back to idle mode, drifting absently against a wall. [Xenobia] enough to not only reinforce the body, but project that power on others destructively.. So how do you manage to keep four mana interlacings kept in tight formations without having counterflow issues? That was kind of neat. 'Willforce', is the term. * Niri mutters. "You have a funny way of showing interest, you know." ...which logically leads to whipping, of course. How much study does it take to make some use of those markings? The ones that you aren't born with, anyways. [Xenobia] It takes a lot of study to learn the patterns and invoke them in others. That's the level of our army. But against a foe like Leah, it's simply too little to endure. [Xenobia] her barrier is many times pmore powerful, drawing from those demonic dragons directly. We can handle Leah. We can deal with barriers. * Niri furrows her brow The barrier can be... dealt with, yes. But... hrm. I could make use of this stuff, I think. Or figure out something based off it. * Mikel mulls over this as he walks. Xenobia comes closer to Vytor, smiling at the man. "How perceptive. You're smarter than you look. It's easy. It was stealing your own power as the fuel to entrap you. * Niri eyes Mikel warningly. You're not allowed to experiment with more messed up magic just yet. Ah, so its an inverse loop sequence. Clever! * Trune eyes Xenobia as she says this, "Really? Huh." Finally you arrive at the chamber, and the marshal re-seats herself at the chair of command, as the soldiers of many breeding lines watch disdainfully at her being so friendly to mutants. [Xenobia] Now, I have a few questions of my own. Where do you come from? (w) My mother. [Xenobia] All civilization should have been destroyed after the last great war and devestation. * Niri eyes Trune. Um. That way. Lots that way. * Ryllan points. * Vytor points off to the west, "Thataway." West. Or east. Keep going. Can't miss it. ...And yes. But just because it was destroyed doesn't mean it couldn't start anew. We had a bit of help in dodging that bullet. Right, you could say that. The best way to explain it might be that... A colony survived. Elsewhere. Eventually, the descendents of that colony were brought back. * Niri mutters something under her breath about her mother. [Xenobia] And I'm guessing that was your flying machine that was shot down? My boss's, actually. Well, techically a friend of ours. You shot it down? Do you know if there were survivors? [Xenobia] You should know that since ancient times that flying machines were forbidden by anyone but the royal family, hence why you were treated as an enemy. * Vytor bites his lip, hoping that Doctor C is OK Cute. * Saki frowns in thought. "... that means that the royalty have flying vehicles. They weren't used in emergency against the dragons?" Not the word I would have used to describe it. [Xenobia] I'm afraid I can't answer that. Supposedly, only one vehicle from the past even exists today. We can ask the Emperor then, I guess. Any chance we can talk to this Emperor? * Saki nods, mollified by the answer. "... mm. Two machines - yours and ours - might be enough to at least drag the thing down to earth." [Xenobia] What I need to know before I deem you fit to meet our leader, is exactly what your relation to Leah is? You can tell that this woman seems to have some sort of deep hatred for the woman. Me? Leah is...my best friend. * Saki amends - quickly. "... was. Or 'is now being controlled'." Yeah, she's got another self deal going on at the moment. We're hoping to reverse that. [Xenobia] ...aha. That would explain my premonitions. Yeah, like I said, she used to be a good person. Right. She was...taken over by someone. Something. I don't know. But it's turned her into something else. Premonitions? [Xenobia] I'm afraid I can't explain it, but this "presence" in her that engages in slaughter and destruction I feel intimately connected to. Like I am watching a replay of a former existence. A deep betrayal, played out once again. Huh. ...Hmm. [Xenobia] Hah. But it makes little difference. She is our enemy. For now, yes. * Niri looks very thoughtful for a moment over what Xenobia has said, turning something over in her mind. * Mikel mulls. "...have an idea as to why, but yeah." [Xenobia] ANother thing. These four fiendish creatures appear without warning... but if you can find Leah, they no doubt would mass to protect her with the barrier. That is what happened last time we tried, to disastrous consequences. We'll just blow them up. Nothing new there. Hmm. Hey guys...what did you say you heard about the fiends? Isn't something generating their power? ...What if we took them on one at a time? Then Leah would have no protection, right? * Vytor goes over his notes in regards to the fiends * Vytor hands the entry in question over to Niri. * Niri examines it, muttering her thanks as she reads it over. [Xenobia] We've destroyed one, but it regenerated itself almost instantly like a demon. There's a source of their might, a weak point we aren't seeing... nothing like that can be completely unkillable. ...Hmm. Their power is...generated by orbs? Mystical gumballs of darkness, or something. That means we'd have to find these orbs. We're going to need clues as to where they might be... Mystical...gum.. Xenobia chuckles. "What's that? Gumballs? You're strange ones. But you seem like you understand more than we do." * Mikel shakes his head, mulling. "Break the orbs, break them then I guess." Darn right. What have we been trying to tell you all this time? If Leah is smart, she'll have whatever is generating them close at hand. And that's assuming she's not the one actually doing it personally. [Xenobia] I guess I have no choice then? My, the Forbidden palace to be visited by a band of foreigners... I'm half looking forward to the shocked faces. Haha." I'd bet that she is though - or whoever's controlling her. So we'll just have to take her and these things on and break her toys. Or just swipe and then break. [Xenobia] One further question before we prepare things. What do you know of the seer? Oh boy. The seer? You mean the Prophetess? This could take a while. * Saki looks up, very carefully as if something somewhere might break. "... she's dead. Or-- her power is broken. We did it." [Xenobia] The strange woman cloaked in shadow that told us several years ago about the coming of a foreigner woman blessed by dragons. Prophetess? She's a royal pain in the ass, wants to reshape the world, steals souls to do so, and is working against Zophar... but yeah, we kind of did a number on her already. Her... spirit, I think, is still somewhat there. Her body's dust. Yeah, Mikel kind of summed it up there. [Xenobia] Is that right? *she licks her lips* A shame I was not there to stab her myself. It doesn't take, unfortunately. Yeah, it requires more than just stabbing with her. ...she's not what we need to worry about right now, regardless. Tell you what, if we see her again I'll stab her once for you. * Saki ... looks somehow very tired and a little sad for just a moment. Then it's gone. "... how long will it take to prepare the visit?" * Vytor (~lucca@staff.lunarnet.org) Quit (Quit: Quote #333 *** GmStoren is now known as Fuujin CERVIX.) [Xenobia] You have to understand, even with my blessing foreigners can't simply just walk in there unannounced. The situation has to be explained. [Xenobia] I'll have you stay here in more.. appropriate... room until I can arrange safe passage. Of course. But, working as fast as can be. How long. I'd like to be back on the Hunt soonest. [Xenobia] By sunup tomorrow we'll be at the palace. * Mikel mutters. "Let's get our gear and stuff retrieved, too." Just in case we get an unpleasant surprise before then. Yeah, I need to get out of these clothes. Least you have clothes. I think the shorts are permanently plastered to my thighs. [Xenobia] Oh and... before you rest. Where is the real Yisheng? * Niri coughs. "...Ahem. I suppose that's true." Oh! She's ah...she's fine. Probably a bit annoyed at us. But should be fine. We left her in a building back in the district where we encountered her. I wouldn't be surprised if she's gotten free by now. << Oops >> << Retcon that >> << Apparently we put her on a train? >> << We put them in buildings and walked off I think >> «ooc: A magical train. » << The Panda did.>> << Oh >> «ooc: Sexual Harassment Panda. » * Saki grins, the first sign of life on her face for a while. "... I'll have to return this armour to a friend. But I wouldn't mind a set of my own, if you can spare it. It's good quality." [Xenobia] I'll have people comb through the refugees then. Not that I mind you humbling her. The girl seriously deserved it. *wicked grin* I'm unsure if that makes me feel better or worse. * Ryllan sighs, shaking his head at Saki, "I'll just have to get used to seeing it, I guess." * Niri glares at Xenobia, not feeling too comfortable with that grin. "I don't know. She was just doing what she thought was right, seemed to me." * Saki smirks, huffing out an amused breath. "Outvoted three to one?" [Xenobia] I'll supply you with garments more fitting of yourselves, to at least make this palatable. And, don't worry about Yisheng anymore... that's business between us. * Niri frowns but shrugs. Right. So where are we going to hang out for the time being? I think we need some food and rest, if we can ask for it. [Xenobia] Although at some point I'd like to know how you came about your marking, Niri. Mm. It's a start, I guess. * Trune lets out a soft, happy sigh at the thought of not wearing tight pants anymore. Also, someone to teach us any relevent ettiquite for meeting your Emperor. I'd hate to scratch my nose and start a war. ...food would be good. Though I want to find out more about how you people use those markings and stuff. * Saki chokes back what might have been Rachel laughing. * Mikel snickers at Ryllan. * Niri eyes Mikel, giving him a warning look. "Recover first. Magical experimentation later." Much later. Bah, I've had worse. ...Really. [Xenobia] I'll explain everything as I can. Rest and eat your fill, this is an important honor you're being allowed. Like the time you almost got yourself blown up by a tank? Or the time you rammed a church? I could go on. Mikel. Seriously, rest already. I was thinking when the Prophetess tore up my Gemini projection. * Trune speaks as if he actually knows what he is talking about. That too. But you're not convincing me, you realize. See? Trune's with me on this. This is worse than the ramming. ...not as bad as getting blown up. * Niri raises an eyebrow. Rest first, Mikel. Play with dangerous magics only at your peak. Or you could wind up fireballing yourself in the face. I can't use fire. * Mikel grins cheerily. * Trune looks at Mikel and Rylllan, obviously missing something. Mikel. I WILL make you regret it if you continue to be a smartass about this. Fine, fine. Food, clothes, nap. Then magical study. I'll accept that. Which reminds me, I think I had some stuff to discuss with you, regarding magical study. Oh? Yep, you and Trune. Xenobia looks amused by Mikel's reactions, that dangerous spirit and desire for power. Let's get some food and rest and then talk about it. * Trune nods. Works for me. * Aleph is now known as Ark And so it draws towards evening in a strange land, a shakey truce having been forged. == SESSION END == >> 25 xp Session Close: Sun Dec 30 02:54:43 2007