Session Start: Sat Feb 23 21:51:59 2008 Session Ident: #lunar-iog2 * Logging for #lunar-iog2 started * GMAmy changes topic to '-= Chapter 69: Temptress' Betrayal | Location: Colonial Capital Meribia | Pool: 7 MXP =- http://storen.rpgcafe.net/IoG/' ==Session Start== It's now fairly late at night. The party is back at the resistance headquarters, having just finished explaining to Heath the results of their negotiations. Heath and the other resistance members have been briefing Ryllan on how the town defenses are progressing. * Vytor is keeping his thoughts to himself, but by his facial expression its clear that he is not happy. * Niri has gone to the mansion to deliver Trune and Mikel's things, as requested...but she bursts in the door panting slightly, still carrying the bags. Something's wrong, everyone - they wouldn't let me inside! What? * Ryllan blinks, looking at Niri, "What did they tell you?" * Niri drops the bags and leans against the door. "I tried to drop off Trune and Mikel's things like they asked, but the guards wouldn't let me in the door. Wouldn't tell the guys I was there, wouldn't tell me anything. I don't like it. I think something's wrong." * Tanan sounds unamused. "Either something's going on or they're playing games with us." >> If anyone happens to be looking out the window, there is a bright flare of light in the sky some distance away. * Vytor (DNW@c-67-180-33-225.hsd1.ca.comcast.net) Quit (Ping timeout) * Vytor (DNW@c-67-180-33-225.hsd1.ca.comcast.net) has joined #lunar-iog2 * Trune sets mode: +o Vytor * Ryllan glances over at the window at the light, "...Ah." He grabs at his radio, sitting on the table, "Spotter Two, what the hell was that?" The radio crackles. "Was just going to call you, sir - there's a giant bird made out of light that just burst out a window and went aloft!" ..? "Right, inbound in ten." Ryllan clips the radio to his belt, "Guess we'd better go save our errant mages before they blow too much up." * Vytor hops down from the table he was sitting on, and signals his readiness with a grunt. * Vytor (DNW@c-67-180-33-225.hsd1.ca.comcast.net) Quit (Quit: ) * Niri sighs. "I knew it. All right, let's go." Where's Saki? * Vytor (DNW@c-67-180-33-225.hsd1.ca.comcast.net) has joined #lunar-iog2 Dunno. If she has her radio, she heard. If not, well, would /you/ ignore that light show? * Ryllan pushes out the door without further delay. * Trune sets mode: +o Vytor * Vytor follows Heath! Watch that advisor of Mikayla 's we have back there. There's good odds he'll be in charge of her people in about a half hour. ...maybe he'll be more willing to give them the right orders. Heath nods. "Will do. Can you guys handle things or should I see if any backup is available?" We'll be fine. Get backup there if you can. But we won't delay on it. * Saki bolts past the entrance of the shop with Rachel in tow, unmistakable by dint of the foreboding armor and the fact she almost slams into Ryllan. Not registering his presence, she heads directly for the mansion. [Heath] Right. Good luck, then. *he goes to alert his followers* * Niri blinks, seeing Saki tear past, and breaks into a run herself. * Ryllan runs after Saki, cursing under his breath. * Vytor picks up the pace, as Saki has decided that the group will run. Things seem oddly quiet when the group arrives at the mansion. The bird has vanished from the sky, although there does seem to be a bit of stirring of the guard outside the mansion...a few guards are scanning the grounds with flashlights. * Vytor ignores the guards and makes for the mansion entrance. ...Should we just charge in? Yes. << Scratch that >> << Niri would totally not ask, sorry >> << That too. I guess.>> * Saki stops dead at the gates, not particularly paying attention to the others. "... what's going on?" she asks of a searching guard, at a yell. * Niri charges after Vytor, running up the steps to the door. The guard turns his flashlight on Saki. "Who's there? Identify yourself!" Ryllan's radio crackles. "Yo, Ryllan?" << Argh >> Ryllan's radio crackles. "Yo, Ryllan?" * Saki snaps back quickly, her eyes watching the others rush into the building. "--Saki Isai, representative of Horam defence teams. Saw the lights, came running. What's going on?" she repeats. The guard apparently relaxes, distracted from the goings-on at the doors. "Big freakin' bird! Probably willforce. It went screeching into the sky, then disappeared. We're tryin' to find out who summoned it, and where it went to..." << ;_; >> * Ryllan hits the radio, as he disappears into the building, "Mikel! Good to hear your voice! What's your sit?" The guard apparently relaxes, distracted from the goings-on at the doors. "Big freakin' bird! Probably willforce. It went screeching into the sky, then disappeared. We're tryin' to find out who summoned it, and where it went to..." << poor amy >> Just broke out of prison, got a few of your buddies out too. We've got an idea where Mikayla is, and she probably has Trune stashed somewhere. Where are you guys? * Saki looks up at the sky, scanning the horizon and clicking her teeth in irritation. "... mm, alright. I think I've seen it before: want a hand?" The guard looks relieved. "Yes, yes ma'am, we could use the help. It was over this way." He gestures helpfully. * Niri hurries in after Ryllan. "Mikel! It's Mikel on the radio? Is he all right?" 'Foyer. We'll get to you soonest.' There don't appear to be any guards immediately inside, oddly. * Ryllan nods at Niri, "Sounds like he made some friends. No word on Trune yet." "Want a distraction? I've got Franz here with a few explosives and some of the bunnies have swapped sides in exchange for good jobs. Speaking of which, if they say 'Gemini' to you, they're friendly. * Niri nods, looking worried. "So, where do we look first?" Since Mikel's in good shape, we need to find Trune. * Saki nods to the guard, still scanning the sky as she takes a few steps. Rachel follows closely behind, translucent and nigh-on invisible in the night air. She favours moving towards the main door of the mansion... but makes no move to rush inside just yet. They're in the dungeons. This way. *He speaks into the radio again as he leads the way deeper into the mansion* Uh, yeah, sure. Try to point him away from anything load-bearing. The guard gestures to a basement window. "There, did you see that? Thought I saw somethin' move. 'Course, it could've been Mistress Mikayla...she's up to something down - er, I mean. She might be awake." Let's go then. * Niri follows along with Vytor and Ryllan. Suddenly, a small explosion seems to rock the mansion, leaving everyone's ears ringing. It seems to have come from below. << ARGH, again >> Suddenly, a small explosion seems to rock the mansion, leaving everyone's ears ringing. It seems to have come from below. That's our cue. * Franz is now known as TheStoryteller "Hm. Got ourselves a pretty sturdy door here. They said it's where some top secret stuff's been going on." * Saki stiffens, and glances at the guard with stunned amazement for a moment. "... 'up to something' that involves explosives?" As the group runs toward the stairs to the lower levels, they are met by mansion guards bearing spears. "Halt!" * Vytor growls, "Out of the way. Now." The guard looks at Saki, eyes wide, then bolts for the door in a panic to see what's happening inside. * Niri nods in agreement with Vytor, snarling slightly as she drives her elbow into a guard's gut. "Break past them, guys!" * Saki rakes at her forehead in a moment of sheer irritance, then bolts after the guard; from somewhere behind her Rachel lets out an amused whoop, invisible in the darkness, and swoops afterwards. Meanwhile, Franz comes rushing up the stairs, leading a group of released prisoners behind him! * Ryllan doesn't halt, using the staff of the prophets to knock a spear up and out of the way instead. They lay into the guards, pushing them back and clearing a path down the stairs. [Franz] Get 'em boys! * Vytor pushes past the guards and down the stiars. Past the army of prisoners, there is a landing visible with a non-descript hallway beyond. Mikel can be see, with two bunnyguards next to him, setting a second round of explosives. << can be seen >> * Saki slams into the back of the guard she's incidentally pursuing with a shoulder, and twists with the impact to send him hurtling against a wall, hopefully unconscious. Barely even breaking stride, she races to catch up to the rest of the group, snarling under her breath. ...careful with those, I don't feel like getting blown up. * Vytor nods to Mikel. The guard goes down easily, allowing Saki to catch up with the others. * Niri breathes a sigh of relief, hurrying up to Mikel. "You're all right! Where's Trune?" * Ryllan slows to a jog as he comes within sight of Mikel, "Huh. That's... not in the plans." >> Franz meanwhile pulls out a makeshift shiv and sticks it to the guards, bowling one over and hurling a votile bomb at another as a cloud of smoke back up the stairs appears. Things there are well in hand. There appears to be a great deal of commotion behind the door, unsurprisingly. * Mikel sets one of them before stepping back, hefting his sword once again. It should be noted he's in combat form, though he turns around to look before grinning. "Ah, there you are. I think our adorable host is on the otherside of the door, Ryllan. I want to complain about my accomodations." * Saki skids to a halt at the back of the group, eyes alight. "What the /hell/ did y--?!" is her first yelled question, cut off by a thrown explosion. Oh, that's Janna and that's Kara. They're interested in new lines of work. Kara grins and waves. [Janna] All right, everyone back...we're ready to set off the next round. * Mikel looks over, nodding. "Blow it open!" "Happy to have you aboard!" That said, Ryllan backs off, sheltering. * Vytor moves back to safety * Niri ducks around the corner. Janna lights the fuse, then darts around the corner. Another blast rocks the mansion's foundations, this one blowing the already-damaged door apart into rubble and shards of twisted metal. * Vytor advances once its safe to do so. Beyond the door there is shouting. As the smoke clears, a number of armored guards can be seen falling into formation, weapons drawn. They are recognizable as Mikayla's advisors, from dinner. They are all dressed in very odd-looking armor. * Mikel readies the sword, a maniac grin appearing on his face as smoke and dust billows past him. Then he dashes forward, raising his voice over the sounds of fighting. "Drop 'em and surrender! I'm only asking once!" Behind the guards is a metal chair, connected to some strange machines that line the walls. Trune is strapped into the chair, looking dazed. A door at the back of the room bursts open, and Mikayla strides in - this time dressed in tight-fitting black shirt and pants. She looks livid. [Mikayla] What is going ON here? * Vytor growls. * Niri draws her sword and falls in next to Mikel. "Let him go, Mikayla!" * Saki looks absolutely stupefied as the blast goes off, then grips her forehead with a hand and tries to concentrate. "... yes, please do tell. ... Anyone at all." Oh, there you are. Mind her, she has this nasty trick of draining willforce. * Mikel glances back at the bunnies, gesturing for them to clear out of the crossfire before returning his attention towards Mikayla and her posse. * Trune shakes his head, as if to clear it, and then his gaze slowly levels to the group. A small, triumphant smile forms on his face, "...Heh, looks like it's over, Mik'." * Vytor finally draws his hammer, looking angry. * Niri breathes a sigh of relief. "Trune! You're all right!" That is an excellent question, Mikayla. It looks to me like you've betrayed us and are in the process of trying to kill your old friend Trune. Don't suppose you have a different interpretation. Ah, how convenient. They're all here, all five of them. You could let him go now. It's the offer of a lifetime. [Mikayla] Kill? Oh, no indeed. Trune's just helping me with an experiment on my new city defense program. Just the perfect time for it, too, to make sure we are prepared to fight off the threat you so kindly warned me of... * Trune jerks his head towards Mikayla, "Help you? Help you? There is no 'we' in this!" Let him go. Now. Looks a bit one sided. But really, if you don't let him go you all are looking at rather short lifespans. [Mikayla] Oh, but Trune dear, don't you remember? An hour ago you said you'd do anything to help me. *she winks* * Tanan sounds calm now. "...you were really supposed to prevent this, Mikel. Now we have corpses talking and making excuse. This is untidy." * Trune snorts, "Yeah, because you cast some voodoo at me. You took that for truth? You twisted things!" Enough. You have five seconds. Four. Listen to them, Mikayla! Stop this, now! We don't have time for this! Mikayla sighs. "I suppose we can't negotiate, then. A perfect opportunity to test out my project." * Mikel smirks, lightning starting to crackle around the blade as he sets himself. [Mikayla] Relax, Trune! Once they're out of the way, it will be just you and me, as it should have been. Thr- Oh? You heard the bitch, take them! * Trune strains against the bonds, "Nggh! Listen to me, this isn't going to work the way you want it to! Someone is going to die!" Mikayla gives Trune a peck on the cheek, then goes to the controls behind him. The armored advisors and a few other guards form up to block the party from Mikayla and Trune. * Saki closes her eyes for a moment as Rachel materialises behind her back-to-back; most shadows don't grin and adjust their gauntlets, but Rachel's special, apparently. "... how dare you... any of you," hisses Saki through clenched teeth. Fine. Have in your way. With pleasure. >> Battle begin! Enemy Front: Neldin, Edressa, Guard A, Guard B Enemy Middle: Yanna, Adept A, Adept B, Trune Enemy Rear: Mikayla, Itulin * Trune calls out to the group, "Be careful...she's got some sort of willforce technique that can screw with your head!" ...break Trune free! I'll hold 'em. * Rachel smirks, tossing her head from behind Saki. "... so do I. Very well; let's see just how foolish you all are." * Saki doesn't make a motion, eyes steely. > Mikayla prepares to cast a spell on her allies! Itulin fiddles with a device. Yanna prepares a spell on their rear row. Adept A aims a spell at Ryllan, B at Mikel! > Neldin and Edressa both prepare a technique on themselves! Guards A and B move between the party and Trune. * Ryllan fades out into a strange half-solid existance, "We need to get Trune loose!" Ryllan Dematerializes! * Mikel eyes the adept, frowning. "Screw off, buddy." So, Mikayla, I really don't understand. You could have ruled this city? Why've you chosen to betray humanity and die instead? [Mikayla] I think you far underestimate the power of my creation! It's my life's work - and it can't fail. You should not have tried to interfere! We'll see about that! I.. we.. are aimed at the heart of a god. Your toy? Ha. * Trune is struggling to break free of his bonds. He's not really getting very far, but that doesn't stop him from trying. [Mikayla] You all sound just a bit delusional, to me. I'm not totally convinced of your story. Pot calling the kettle black, you bitch! ...you'll see for yourself, then. Mikayla pouts sadly. "So harsh, Trune!" You're using me to attack my friends! Harsh doesn't even BEGIN to describe what you're doing here! [Mikayla] No time to discuss it now, sweetie. You just sit tight! Don't mind me if I completely ignore your advice! * Trune continues to struggle. Itulin activates the console! The enemy part is embraced by the elements, a shell surrounding each of them! Mikayla gains Lightning! Itulin Plant! Neldin Earth! Edressa Plant! Yanna Air! Guard A Light! Guard B Air! Adept A Lightning! Adept B Air! ...Oh drat. > Niri uses Tenuto, Tanan uses Crescendo! > Ryllan extends the effects! Niri, Mikel, Saki, and Rachel have their Stamina, Muscle, Willpower, and Talent boosted! >Mikel uses Icy Retort! Countering enabled, attracting enemy attacks! * Mikel 's eyes flash with blue light as he whirls the sword about, settling into a stance with a few gaps left in his defenses. A cold wind blows around him, lines of blue light flickering into existance around him. They continue to grow and split off, forming outlines of the blade before suddenly three copies carved of ice are floating around in a burst of frost. "Come on, then!" > Vytor uses Will of Mythril! He boosts his Will and Stamina! * Niri eyes Mikel suspiciously. "What are you doing...?" > Saki uses Fire stance! her dexterity rises, muscle is already at cap. Stamina and willpower fall slightly! * Vytor slams his hammer into the ground, cracking it open. Pulling his hammer back, he draws up a ribbon of mithril from out of the ground. He spins his hammer around him, letting the ribbon forge itself into a protective barrier around him. > Rachel uses Mnemonic Abandon, blocking the next three incoming magic attacks! > Neldin uses Iron Resolve! Muscle up 50%! << rachel was dark stancing >> <<...o- oh?>> * Mikel still has the maniac smirk on his face, icy blades whirling around him. > Rachel does not do that. Rachel enters dark stance, her dex and agility rising 22%! * Rachel grips her hands into fists, tossing her head. "--hehn! It's a pain to fight when you're not even real," she growls eagerly. Just ahead of her Saki gives the front line of guards a death glare, her anger focusing. >Trune is stuck in a chair. Alas. * Niri narrows her eyes at Mikel but focuses on their opponents and their incoming attacks > Guards A and B take up positions, blocking access to Trune > Mikayla casts Dampening! The air becomes somewhat thick and oppressive- it seems as though there's a pressure pushing against the group, coming from her direction... ...Nghh. What IS that? >Edressa uses Reflex Boost! Her Dex and Agi rise 25% >Yanna casts Redoubt on the back row! Mikayla and Itulin's Stam and Will rise 50%! Adept A casts Thunderbolt, conned in by Mikel's decoy effect! 162 damage! Adept B casts Whirlwind on Mikel! 151! Round 2! * Mikel takes a step back as the spells strike against him, grinning despite the assault. "...come on, is that it?!" > Mikayla reaches to touch the back of the chair Trune is in. Itulin continues to fiddle with the controls. > Adept A, Adept B, Guard A, Guard B, Neldin, and Edressa aim spells and skills and skills at Mikel! * Niri raises an eyebrow at Mikel, then looks at the guards, then looks back at him in alarm. * Trune eyes Mikayla out of the corner of his eye, his voice a low snarl, "Don't you /dare/." > Yanna is casting a spell on Mikayla Niri! Get Trune out of that thing! * Mikel whirls the blade, setting himself into a defensive stance. "...Good, it's working. Break Trune out!" > Mikel regens some MP. * Niri glares sharply at Mikel, then gets ready to make for Trune in an attempt to release him. * Ryllan closes his hand around a small crystal, and protective energies begin to swirl around his palm. > Itulin clicks a few knobs on the device- elemental shells enter defensive mode! > Rachel uses Punching Apocal- ahem. Torrent of Blows! > Mikel and Tanan defend, as an aside. Rachel lays into Edressa's shell! 156! 168! 157! > Niri attempts to reach Trune, slipping between the guards... << Did Rachel miss with an attack? >> > Rachel's 4th attack misses, as opposed to not existing, yes. <> > She fails about as badly as is physically possible, inviting a free attack from both! Niri, look out! Tch, get back! * Niri manages to trip on nothing in particular, jostling herself straight against one of the attackers! > Between Tanan defending, the defensive buff, and the elemental resistances, it's not so bad. At all. 15! 17! Gah! What- * Niri looks at the two irritably as they strike almost ineffectively at her armor. She sticks her tongue out at them. >Vytor uses Idealize! His Muscle and Dexterity rise to max! > Saki uses Torrent of Blows! * Vytor holds his hammer in front of him and stares at it intensely. It starts to glow white-hot and burst into flickering flames. The fire soon goes out, but a golden glow remains. * Saki is suddenly moving, crossing the intervening space between her and the front line in a moment; her first strike scatters the advisors asunder just as Rachel makes a gigantic flying leap over the top of her, launching down onto the line with a wild abandon and a crushing punch. A beat and then they're both in motion, whirling around the front line. * Rachel and Saki move in some kind of shaky harmony through their attacks: though Saki's hits are clean and precise and Rachel's swings are wild and brutal, they shift around each other in a co-ordinated sequence of strikes as if making way for the other was pure second nature. > 198! 123! 145! The shell shatters! 103! 98! * Rachel grins manically. "--there it is! GO!" she orders anyone within earshot, it seems. > The broken shell pierces Saki with a number of thorns. 5 damage! She is poisoned for 2 rounds! << see ooc for saki effects >> > Neldin uses Flurry on the defending Mikel! > 21! 58! 22! > Trune is engulfed by dark energy! << Neldin shoudl have been counter'd >> > HAX! Neldin is countered! * Mikel flickers his blade about in a series of parries and deflections, smirking as the icy blades suddenly leap into action to rend those striking Mikel. > 201! 195! 222! > Neldin's shield shifts to Lightning elemental! > Ryllan Infuses a Mighty Barrier, Magnifying its effect on Mikel! Next five strikes are blocked! Guard A and B both uses weapon skills on Mikel, to no effect! Mikel counters both! * Mikel nods towards Ryllan before he back in the fray, laughing all the while. > 222, 207, 208 to Guard A! 203, 250, 212 to B! Three blocks remaining. * Ryllan drops a pile of dust from his hands, all energies drained from the item. > Both shells convert to Lightning! > Edressa uses Mighty Blow! Mikel negates the effect - 2 blocks remaining! > Mikel counters! 201, 203, 215! > Edressa's shell changes to Lightning... << Etir! >> << See Lucca's question in OOC >> > The device Itulin is using sparks and smokes, jolting her for 500! Her shell.. converts to lightning! * Trune looks like he's in some sort of discomfort, gritting his teeth as the dark energy swirls and ebbs around him, "Damn it...don't do this, Mik'!" > Yanna casts Enlighten on Mikayla! Her talent increases 50% Mikayla seems not to even hear Trune. > Mikayla drains Trune of 72 MP! > Mikayla casts Ebon Eye! ...wait a minute, that's-! * Trune 's eyes widen in shock and he tries, but fails, to bite back a scream of agony as his willforce drained away! He sinks back against the chair, shuddering, the color in his face paling dramatically. * Niri growls. "That's a DIRTY trick!" * Vytor glowers at Mikayla. > Mikel is blasted full force by the energy, and thankfully is defending! 623 damage! * Mikel staggers back another step, lowering his sword as he falters for a moment. "...guh, so that's what that spell feels like." Mikayla, that' Mikayla, that's low even for you! > Adept A casts Thunderbolt on Mikel! Nowhere near as impressive, 138! > Adept B casts Air Blade! Mikel suffers 124! * Mikel goes to a knee, breastplate shattering in places as the spells strike in succession. "...better!" > Mikel regens some MP! Round 3! * Niri looks a bit alarmed, but tries to focus. She readies a healing spell. "Someone try to get Trune free!" > Mikayla keeps her grip on Trune's chair. Itulin frantically slaps buttons and clears away smoke. Yanna casts a spell on herself! > The entire rest of the enemy party turn their gaze on Mikel. Oh, don't even TRY it. * Trune struggles to sit up straight, seeming somewhat dazed now, "...This...This...dangerous...will end in..." * Trune 's gaze suddenly becomes questioning, and he mutters, "Pluto...? What...what are you...the circuits? What do you mean?" * Niri frowns oddly at Trune as she hums to herself, preparing to heal. * Mikel keeps the maniac look firmly on his face as he meets the enemy's gaze. "...you think you can beat back the enemy with just that?!" * Rachel mutters quietly to Saki. "... go left." * Saki nods, eyes focused straight forwards. * Ryllan opens another pouch and claps it in his hand, closing his eyes, "Itulin." He whispers, focusing only on the working technician. Session Time: Sun Feb 24 00:00:00 2008 > Itulin frantically presses buttons on the console, to no avail. It sparks again, wildly, and then overloads, sending her sprawling to the ground! She suffers 300 damage and is stunned for 2 rounds! > The machine sparks again, wildly. Convergance! Adept B's shell converts to lightning. > The elemental shells are consumed in a arcing course of lightning willforce! Adepts A and B are stunned for one round! Neldin, Mikayla and Yanna resist the effect! Edressa is knocked back by the explosive force, dealing 100 damage! Guard A suffers 600 damage, and Guard B, at the epicenter of the blast, suffers 1000, and is KO'd! * Mikel raises an eyebrow. * Niri blinks, wide-eyed. * GMAmy bites back a curse. "-not tuned correctly!" --that's the chance! Go! << VOICE IN THE SKY >> Mikayla bites back a curse. "-not tuned correctly!" * Saki launches forwards: a scattering sweep of her hand marks an attempt to break through the front lines, and again a semi-translucent Rachel takes the top path, attempting to launch herself over the top of the guards. << ;_; >> «ooc: My girlfriend has two personalities! Oh god! » * Vytor blinks, his anger forgotten suddenly as the enemy shoots themselves in the foot. << Just two? >> I think your machine needs work, Mikayla. Just like your cooking. > The force coalesces into a vaguely spherical form, floating in the air above the two prone guards. Spirit of Thunder joins the fight! * Mikel blinks. * Trune blinks several times, slowly comprehending that something very bad happened. He is just not sure, however, if it's bad for him or Mikayla. >> It appears that thin tendrils of lightning run into the device from Trune's chair, the power Mikayla drained not quite shutting off as intended by the inventor. Some sort of circuit is beginning to be created, and Elemental forces of the array begin to flow freely into the room... > Rachel moves to slip through to Trune's chair, passing close by the spirit. It lets her pass, hardly paying attention, as she lays into the chair. * Rachel blasts over the distracted guards, barely missing serious injury as she goes past; her ghostly hands glow with power as she rears back then simply lands on the machinery with a massive hammer punch. > The chair buckles under the assault, but holds. Trune is luckily untouched by the well aimed blow - apparently being a raging ghost from the past doesn't preclude being precise. > Niri sings a song of healing on the front row! * Rachel grins ferally up at Mikayla from her crouched spot on the machinery. "--your toy's about to break!" she yells gleefully, and launches off it in a jump. > Everyone is healed to full! Unless I don't know what I'm doing. > Tanan casts Lifeline on Mikel! He is guarded from dying. Once. > Mikel defends himself! * Mikel gets back to his feet, wounds sealing up as he readies the sword once again. "Well then." > Vytor attacks poor, poor guard A, lying stunned on the ground * Niri breathes a sigh of relief as the spells take effect. * Vytor winds up as he runs at Guard A, planting an explosive strike under the chin! As Guard A flops backwards, Vytor follows up with a ferocious beating to the Guard's head and shoulders! 235! 175! Mikayla snarls wordlessly at Rachel. > Guard A produces a few interesting cracking noises, and lies still. * Trune seems to be completely unware of Rachel's manuver, or anything else for that matter, "Energy...My doing...? Jupiter, am I doing this...?" * Mikel winces. Neldin assaults Mikel, but a strike guard is consumed. Mikel counters! 123! 121! > Lines of force pull away from the blate, the Lightning Spirit soaking them up... * Mikel blinks, looking at the sword and then back at the Spirit. The hell is going on. I...wish I knew. That thing's... > Trune turns blue this time... > Saki attempts to break through as well! I...I...nggh! Stop! Stop! * Trune tenses visibly in the chair, closing his eyes and gritting his teeth once more. > Saki slides to the other side of the spirit, which lashes out with a tendril of lightning as she sets to punch the chair! She slips to the side, pivots and she swings, and plants one right in Trune's gut! I...opened the...ngh! * Vytor winces * Trune 's words are cut short by a fist in the stomach! Saki! > The chair buckles under the force, and Trune is blasted free, for the tune of 453 damage! * Saki manages to break past the crackling creature, roaring in anger as she bears down on the strange contraption Trune's strapped into. Heedless of the fact, she snaps back a black-gauntleted fist, twists in a midair hop, and drives it into towards the chair at full bore as Rachel leaps upwards. The flash offsets her, and she wounds Trune... but barely notices in her anger as she winds up for another assault on the holding system. > Saki suffers 98 damage from poison! One round remains > Mikayla pulls back quickly, jumping away from the wreckage of the chair, her concentration ruined * Saki spins through the wreckage, scattering mechanics and shearing away wires and magical circuitry. She stands in the middle of the debris like an avenging angel as Rachel drops to the ground next to her, beaming broadly. > Yanna casts Burst of Speed on herself! Agility and Reaction rise 50%! > Adepts A and B fight off the stun, gaping at the lightning spirit Mikayla curses. "My experiment! Months of work, destroyed!" * Trune tumbles to the ground, on his back. His head lulls to the side and he mutters something under his breath, wheezing. * Niri looks ready to hurry over to Trune. > Edressa pulls herself back to her feet, staggering over to attack Mikel. His strike barrier finall dissapates, but he counters for 278, 234, 241! ... * Saki grits her teeth again, glaring daggers and knives and a whole array of sharp pointy objects at Mikayla. "... that is /nothing/ compared to this city," she hisses. > Shiro hops out and bites Edressa in the leg, dealing a whopping 3 damage and putting her down. Mikayla rolls up her sleeves. "You asked for it." Round 4! * Mikel regards Mikayla for a moment, shaking his head. "No. You did." * Saki hops backwards. "... no-one asked for it. I'm just cleaning up his mess," she mutters lowly, then hunkers down. Rachel flits in front of her, becoming somehow even less grounded in this reality. > Ryllan magnify infuses an item, charming Itulin! She's down, hurting, and confused, but feeling rather well disposed towards the party despite this! * Ryllan opens his hand, and the puppet strings, glowing blue, strike forward, grabbing onto Itulin, connecting her to each of Ryllan's fingers. > Mikayla starts to cast a spell on Trune. Itulin is stunned and charmed! Neldin continues to attempt to punch Mikel in the face. > Adepts A and B aim a spell for the front row! The Lightning Spirit extends a number of arm-like apendages, and pulls them back. Mikayla. Your target is over here... > Itulin is stunned for one more round, and charmed for.. a while! > Rachel uses Mnemonic Abandon! Blocking the next three spells. > Yanna backs into the rear row, watching the accumulation of lightning with a mixture of horror and surprise. > Mikel uses Schitzo Blade! * Mikel twitches, eyes flaring with yellow light now as he swings the blade out. Black lightning starts gathering around the entire length of it as Mikel lets out a growl. "...Forgotten technique, rise up once again!" The lightning flies out to engulf the blades of ice around him, their appearances shifting before in a flash there are three replicas of the blade. With a swing they fly out, seeking their prey! Tear apart my foes, Schitzo Blade! > The lightning spirit lashes out, grabbing the two false blades and sucking them in, batting the real one to the ground. It crackles, orienting itself towards Mikel. ..? * Mikel blinks for a moment before nodding. "It orients on Thunder!" Got it, no thunder! > Vytor attacks Neldin! * Mikel makes a gesture with the sword once more, three more copies crafted of ice flashing into existance around him. * Vytor slams into Neldin with a one-two bludgeoning! > Neldin almost, almost gets out of the way in time, but not quite! 197 damage! > Trune picks himself up and runs for the relative safety of the party, making back to the ally front row * Trune suddenly starts on the ground, eyes snapping open. He sits up and groggly looks to the group, half stumbling, half running towards them before falling ungracefully to his knees, "Damn...damn...all this energy..." > Mikayla casts fireball at Trune! Mine. > Ryllan casts Lockdown, which struggles against the dampening effect... * Ryllan holds up a hand, and the fireball swings in mid-flight, retargeting on him instead. > Lockdown succeeds! Trune! You all r- Mikayla!! Stop it! > Ryllan is blasted for 241 damage! > The Thunder Spirit advances on Mikel... I...damn it...I can't think straight...it's like Jupiter but it's not! It's raw, untamed! Where did it come fr...Mikel! ..! * Mikel steadies himself, looking up at the Thunder Spirit. "...now what?" * Niri tenses. > The Thunder Spirit attacks! 262! > The Thunder Spirit casts Retribution! Mikel suffers 723! > Niri, Alas and forgotten, casts Musica on Mikayla! * Niri summons the song of ages to attack the redhead with a vengeance! * Mikel staggers back, another gash in his breastplate blasted open as pieces fly this way and that. "A-agh! Back off, dammit!" > Dampening takes effect! Niri's song crashes into Mikayla for 119 damage! * Niri mutters to herself. > Tanan uses Crystal Lattice on Mikayla, but it is canceled out entirely, failing to take hold. * Tanan makes a 'Tch' noise > Adept A casts Thunder Wall on the party! The spirit soaks it up... ...Mikayla! That thing above you, you can't control it! Stop this now, before you go so far you can't go back! Everything we're doing...we're only feeding it! [Mikayla] You underestimate me, Trune! Haven't I shown you my elemental control? Damn it, this is different! This isn't a game, Mikayla! I'm begging you, stop this! You can't control that. > Adept B casts Fire Wall on the party's front row! Ryllan suffers 120! Vytor 123! Niri resists fire, 67! Mikel suffers 157! Trune suffers 161! > Poison fails to affect Saki this round. * Trune drops to a knee, looking not only beat up, but slightly crispy as well, "This...I won't let this...end this way!" > The Lightning Spirit whirls, descending on Adept A, spitting out one of the copies of Ghaleon's sword. > 512 damage, the adept falls. > Mikel regains some MP! Uh... > Round 5! * Mikel is brought back down to a knee, one hand holding the wound opened by the flames while the other grips the sword hilt. * Niri begins summoning healing energies once again, humming softly. > The spirit contracts, charging itself as it reorients towards the decoy I don't have the ECC...but...but... > Mikayla again tries to cast on Trune. Yanna looks like she wants to get the hell out of dodge. Itulin stands back up, looking towards Ryllan. * Trune suddenly looks up, his voice suddenly resolved, "...I don't need it." Mikayla's eyes narrow. "But I hold it!" She gestures to where the spear containing the ECC is hooked up to the machinery on the wall. > Neldin switches his stance, aiming now for Vytor > Adept B targets the lightning spirit * Vytor bristles noticably as Mikayla indicated his handiwork now very crudely displayed on the wall. * Trune manages to stand up on shaky legs, a low laugh rising from his throat, "Ah ah ah, Love, you're going to find out who the true master of elements is here." "Itulin, Yanna! Get out of here if you want to live! My people are holding the area behind us. You'll be safe with them. We'll draw the spirit's fire" * Niri frowns oddly at Trune. * Ryllan holds up a green stone, and it begins to glow from within with a green, earthly fire, "Energy can be captured, and reworked." * Trune closes his eyes and places one hand outwards, palm facing forward. As he concentrates, a wisp of plant energy begins to seep from his body, and then another, and then another. The energy swirls and ebbs around him, and it almost seems as if he is radiating it. * Saki returns her attention to the Adept in front of her and Yanna besides. Her eyes gleam with anger and Rachel's just gleam with eager destruction. "... we're going through," mutters Saki, grounding herself for the attack as Rachel rotates an arm. * Niri readies her blade, preparing to charge at the Spirit of Thunder as Tanan takes up the hum of the healing melody. > Itulin turns and runs for it! > Rachel lays into Adept B! 216! 236! Overkill! More overkill! > Lightning spirit compacts itself, drawing in willforce. All buffs and debuffs dispelled! Dampening is canceled. Willpower rises dramatically! * Trune glares at the spirit, "You will not stop me! I am getting through!" ...annoying. > Niri attacks the lightning spirit! > 56 damage! > Tanan heals the front row! Everyone recovers full > Mikel uses Frigid Descent on Mikayla! * Mikel takes a few deep breaths, blue light flowing from his body to engulf the blade. Suddenly it is encased in black ice as he leaps to his feet and charges forward towards Mikayla. "You should have surrendered!" He springs up into the air, twisting in mid jump to kick off the ceiling of the chamber and descend towards Mikayla, blade held out ahead of him. "Perish!" > Mikayla, stripped of her defenses, suffers 1067 damage! KO'd! Mikayla crumples over in a heap, without even having time to cry out. > Yanna holds her ground, casting a spell on the front row! * Mikel lands, smirking as Mikayla falls. "...didn't take much." With that he's sprung back to the party proper. ...Mik'... * Trune just shakes his head in dismay. > Redoubt! Willpower and Defense +50%! * Mikel blinks, looking at Yanna. "...well then!" * Ryllan nods across the spirit at Yanna, "Let's end this." > Vytor attacks Neldin! He strikes for 176! > Neldin attacks Vytor! He misses. * Vytor charges at Neldin, throwing his anger into every swing of his hammer! > Neldin teeters on his feet, looking warily and Shiro. Shiro leans forward, then thinks better of it. > Trune summons Saturn! * Trune 's raises his hand upwards, and the plant energies swirling around him suddenly swirl upwards, gathering into a shining green ball of light in the palm of his hand. With a shout, he suddenly flings his hand upwards, and the ball of green light blasts upwards! Mikayla groans, opening her eyes blearily for a moment. Apparently she's not quite unconscious yet. * Mia_Ausa (~n@pool-72-74-123-180.bstnma.east.verizon.net) has joined #lunar-iog2 << The part of Mikayla will now be played by Mia! :D >> >> Stripped of his ECC, somehow the embattled Trune uses his newfound willpower to literally force open the connection to the Moon's system.. the ball of light shoots skyward and a moment later... it's response comes crashing down to the Blue Star. The pillar of pure emerald force strikes through the roof of the mansion and infuses the ground with a shudder of raw power. Mikayla stares, wide-eyed, for a moment, before losing consciousness again, her eyes rolling back in her head. >> Rising out of the mark is the green haired eleven avatar of Saturn, unfurling her arms and staring at the spirit before them. "Trune... your orders? This rampant circuit... it has to be stopped." > The Lightning Spirit pauses, about to attack Mikel, and instead condenses itself further, shaping itself into a vaguely humanoid form, a mockery of Saturn's shape. * Trune points towards the spirit, "Yes, that's right. It's about to run wild. We cannot let it continue. Hit it with everything you can." * Trune 's voice sounds cold and commanding, his expression determined. > Ryllan magnifies the thorn stone! [Saturn] It is a fragment of Jupiter's system.. but stuck in the formative stages of trying to become his vessel. If it continues, it will be very dangerous... * Ryllan presses the stone into the ground, shattering it with a loud crash. The floor beneath the lightning spirit rumbles, before bursting to allow vines through, lashing at the spirit with fury! Then we won't let it continue. It's as simple as that. > The magnified plant attack tears into the elemental mass... It is critically weak to plant attacks! 12 damage. ...don't do that again. ...Crap. Mmm. That was a waste. > The spirit loses its humanoid shape, returning to a formless ball * Vytor raises an eyebrow We need to break through it's defenses! That is the only way we will win! >> Saturn nods. "Then let use fight together. Syncronize your mind with mine and unleash our strength!" * Vytor looks back and forth between Neldin and the spirit, then turns his attention to the spirit. > Round 6! ...Straight smashing won't work. Saturn. We'll need you to lend your power to the weapons of the fighters. > The spirit pulses, aiming an attack at all targets, and turns itself towards Saturn. He is right, if we cannot weaken his defenses, we must strengthen ours! >> Saturn nods with a smile of realization, as the plant circle she arose from begins to widen and encompass the entire group... * Ryllan holds a hand toward saturn, drawing the plant energies around the group, even pushing so far as to include Yanna. > Rachel defends Niri! «ooc: oi » Er > Rachel defends Saki! << IT ALL ENDS WITH i!>> << and your mother >> * Rachel skids backwards with her eyes on the spirit as Saki bolts for the rest of the arcane machine, a woman on a mission. > The Thunder Spirit releases an arc of lightning that jumps from head to head! Mental Drain! Saki is guarded, Rachel loses two magic blocks! Ryllan is immune to the affect! All others are Mrotted for two rounds. * Mikel doesn't waver, starting to grin again as he readies himself. * Vytor winces Ngh! Hey!! ...Damn you! > Tanan casts Dirumpere! The spirit's defense and willpower drop by 50%! Take that! > Saturn casts Plant Soul on four members of the party, Ryllan extends it to the rest! * Mikel takes a deep breath as a green glow infuses itself, nodding. "Right then!" [Saturn] Pulse with the heart of all life! Uncreate that which should not be! * Niri closes her eyes as she finds herself filled with floral energy. > The party takes on plant elemental effects! Saturn is mrotted for 191 MP! (EP?) > Niri attacks! > The plant soul and debuff help quite a bit! 184 damage! > Niri loses 10% mp. > Mikel uses Voltaic Fury! * Mikel launches forward once again, blade trailing across the stone floor and kicking up sparks before he brings it about. "Just need to wrap this up!" As he closes into range electricly engulfs his arms even as vines wrap around the sword. There's a flurry of movement before he jumps back, leaving a series of gashes in the creature! > 106! 80! 75! 108! ... > 206! 180! 175! 208! > Vytor uses Idealize! Muscle and dex up 50%! * Vytor empowers himself once again. > Saki grabs Trune's spear from its place by the wall.. Saki, bring it over here! * Saki doesn't just grab, she wrenches it free with a solid yank, spinning it in her hands for a moment then nodding once. An overhand blur and it's launched - lengthways, for what small favours there are - towards Trune. > There is no bringing, only throwing. The spear sails to Trune! > Neldin attempts to attack the spirit and fails, badly! > He loses 10% of his mp, bringing him to 0. Yanna likewise is reduced to 0 as she flees the area! * Trune catches it with ease! Instantly, the crystal tip of the spear begins to glow with a bright green energy. Trune twirls the spear and points it towards the creature with a steely gaze. > The Lightning Spirit turns on Saturn. Essence Devouring! > 317 HP and 154 MP are consumed! Or 471 EP, as the case may be «ooc: er, retcon, make that black energy. Sorry! » > Trune catches his spear, casting Mimir's well on himself! Talent rises 50%! >> Saturn attempts to deflect the chaotic elemental program's rampant hunger for the energies powering her own manifestation, wincing once as light bleeds into its maw. "Ugh... it truly is out of control." Voices in the Night, Whispers from Beyond. Spirits of dark, be a source of power.. Mimir's Well! * Trune holds his spear aloft, curls of shadowy energy swirling about his body as a spidery string of arcane words slips from his tongue. He then holds his weapon outwards, and the shadowy energy draws inwards and then dissapears. > Trune loses 10% of his MP to the mrot! > Mikel regains some MP! > Round 7! * Mikel readies himself again, lightning wrapping around his limbs. "Let's level it already." >> The Eightfold Spire, reunited with Trune, begins to glow green in it's crystal and sychronizes with the elemental forces present in Saturn. His Plant spells are now enhanced! Show it who's boss, Trune! > The spirit condenses itself again, then aiming a spell at Mikel, Ryllan, and Saturn * Trune nods, the plant energy throbbing around him. He holds his spear outwards towards the creature, muttering something under his breath. * Niri begins to sing, the celestial melody of the heavens surrounding her. Tanan echoes the humming sound as the two prepare to attack. * Ryllan holds his hands towards Trune, "End this, Trune." > The Lightning Spirit takes a humanoid form again! > Rachel uses punching apocalypse! <<...>> > Rachel uses torrent of blows! «ooc: bam bam bam! » << punching apoc is better >> > 103! 72! 86! 75! 101! > Niri casts Musica! Tanan echos! > The spirit hardly even takes note. 32! 28! > Niri loses 10% mp. > Mikel Uses Voltaic Flurry! > 102! 113! 107! 112! * Mikel launches forward once again, skidding to a stop past the spirit as there's another flash of blade strikes. > Vytor attacks! > 182! 133! * Vytor winds up and slams his hammer into the spirit! > The Spirit collapses, dissipating into a static field that makes everyone hair rise on end. > Victory! Gah. Did we get it? * Mikel throws Vytor a thumbs up, then advances towards Mikayla. I.. I believe so. Wait. * Saki sinks to her knees on the ground, shaking in pain; Rachel hovers just over her in solemn silence. Mikayla stirs, groaning as she comes to. * Vytor looks somewhat fired, having just shoved a metal object into a living lightning bolt, smouldering slightly. * Trune watches where the spirit dissapeared intently, as if watching. * Mikel shoves Mikayla over onto her back with a foot, levelling the sword tip at her neck. "You lose. Ryllan!" Mikayla lies still, staring up at Mikel defiantly. "You're going to kill me, then?" * Saki is practically motionless; she's barely showing signs of breathing, her eyes are closed, and knowing her it's probably meditation or something. * Tanan speaks up, cheerfully. "Yep!" The crystal spike snakes out. <<....ok scratch that.>> << awww >> * Trune then shakes his head, his attention quickly going back towards the new matter at hand. << Snrk >> >> The spot where the spirit exploded begins to almost reverse, as the static discharge moves in reverse in attempt to re-constitute itself. The power source has not been cutoff yet... «ooc: Okay nuke that line of mine! » I'd love to. However, that's Ryllan's call. ...It's not dead! << sorry, little authorization on that >> Crap! * Mikel doesn't take his attention off Mikayla even as the thing starts to reform. [Saturn] Trune... severe the connection. It'll just start all over again! << sever >> It's weak now. But it's drawing from something... your staff, Trune? * Trune takes firm, metered steps towards the dying remains of the spirit, raising his spear, "I know." * Vytor watches and wait, figuring Trune knows what he doing. * Trune 's expression grows cold, and he jabs the tip of his spear through the creature! * Ryllan skirts around the spirit, stepping over to Mikayla while watching it carefully. Just in case though, anything you'd like to say? >> As the Eightfold Spire makes contact with the reforming mass of raw Thunder essence, the process halts and it shatters once more with a wordless screech. The portal to the array is closed for good, and the ECC's control is restored. [Mikayla] To Trune, yes. Oh, in that case you get to shut up now. * Trune stares at the dissapearing essence for a moment, until he hears his name spoken. He blinks, turning towards Mikayla, "...Yes?" * GMAmy narrows her eyes. "What could it possibly cost you to allow me to say a few words now?" >> Saturn meanwhile claps her hands once, and takes a deep breath. She then turns a gaze towards the fallen governor of Meribia, her gown fluttering a bit in the organic wisps that pass by her projection. Mikayla narrows her eyes. "What could it possibly cost you to allow me to say a few words now?" * Saki hauls herself up to her feet, using the wreckage of some of the chair's subsystem. She's wheezing, and far more out of shape than she'd usually be after a protracted battle. She wobbles a bit, then regards Mikel with one eye screwed up. "... switch that damn thing off. I can barely think..." * Vytor offers Saki some aid if she wants it, keeping an eye on Mikayla. Nothing. *Ryllan kneels down and his knife flashes across her throat* But war criminals don't get last words. Mikayla looks at Trune, and there's something odd in her eyes...something that might, in her twisted world view, amount to affection. "If you really do mean to kill me...Trune, I wanted to thank you for showing me to truth of the elements. Understanding that power...seeing it and feeling it...it's what I truly wanted." << OWNED >> << ARGH DOOM >> << Man you suck ;) >> << transpose and leave it. >> «ooc: Oh come ON! Let her say something! » << No! >> << She gets nothing! :D >> <> * Mikel whips the sword up and sheathes it, letting out a sigh. ... << So. :P Scratch that last post, I guess! >> Mikayla's words are cut off in mid-sentence, and with a last, wide-eyed look at Trune, she dies. * Trune goes to speak, then stops, his cold expression suddenly changing to sadness, anger, and shock upon seeing her last moments. He drops his spear, and it falls to the ground with a clatter. * Mikel glances at Saki, blinkign before shrugging. There's a moment of concentration before the form sloughs off him in a crackle of water and thunder, leaving a tired looking Mikel standing. * Saki leans on Vytor for a moment and lets out a long, shuddering breath. The next minute as Mikel drops his guard, she's bolted forwards with Rachel right after her: one shoulder impacts Mikel and sends him against a wall and then she - and Rachel - are holding him there by the neck, as Saki - and not Rachel - hisses in his face. "Are you /stupid/? Do you /realise/ what you have /done/?!" * Niri gives Ryllan a rather pointed look, then heads over to Mikel - stopping wide-eyed as she sees Saki's reaction. ...Saki! * Tanan speaks quietly. "I'm not sure I would really have had the heart to do that, once she was beaten." Put him down! Now!! * Saki turns to glare daggers at Niri. She's more angry than the party have ever seen her, but her voice is whisper-calm. "No. This all happened without my consent. Now let me say my piece." * Mikel gacks as he's shoulder rushed and then promptly slammed against the wall. He starts to raise one hand out of reflex, then lets it drop as he stares back at Saki and Rachel and chokes out a response. "Brought down someone who wasn't going to help us anyways and would have done goddess knows what to Trune." >> Saturn simply fades away with a sigh. * Niri nods in silence to Tanan, then continues to watch Saki, tense and glaring. * Vytor watches Saki for a moment, then walks over to Trune. He reaches down and recovers the spear, and hold onto it until Trune is ready to reclaim it. * Saki turns back to Mikel and hisses in his face. "You have destabilised an army right when we need all the help we can get to defend this lone city of ours. You have shown that defending army their /headquarters exploding/. You have probably made them think we're already under attack." * Saki lets go of Mikel cold, letting him bodily drop to the floor. "... and you laughed while you did it." She snorts, and stalks off to a corner. * Mikel falls to the ground, staring up at Saki. "...so you would have preferred to leave Trune in that contraption and me in that cell then, with her doing whatever the hell she pleased." * Niri hesitates to see if Saki is done, then goes to Mikel's side and kneels down next to him, still watching Saki warily. * Ryllan walks over to Yanna, speaking quietly, "What will you do, Yanna?" * Trune doesn't say anything. He only stares at the prone body of Mikayla and the blood pool now collecting around her. Yanna looks at Ryllan, then glances over at Mikayla's corpse. She shrugs. "What options will you give me?" * Mikel reaches up to rub his neck, still glaring at Saki. * Tanan speaks now, harshly. "She is entirely correct. There are ways you could have done this without detonating the building. There were a thousand ways through that door without using a bomb." * Vytor gives Trune a sympathetic look, but says nothing. * Saki scoffs even before she turns around; "There were more options than bombing the entire fucking place down, and more options than killing half the officership," she replies, voice cracking just a little on the swearword before she takes another long, shuddering breath. We only blew open /one/ door, unless Franz levelled the place when I wasn't looking. * Rachel watches in mute and possibly slightly shocked silence. Ah yes. Franz. Take command of your forces. Calm them, and lead them in defense of the forces. I offer full amnesty for any actions taken here and now, and a full voice, equal to each faction that's lending their forces here in the deliberations of what happens to New Meribia after the invasion is done. << Defense of the city. >> Yanna nods slowly, thinking. "I have just one question. Is it true what I have heard - you're certain that an army marches on New Meribia?" * Mikel hauls himself back up, making his own way towards the door and the prisons again. * Trune tenses, and his voice is raw, angry, "Shut up. All of you shut up. Now. She's right. While you're here whining about your loyalties Zophar is coming. So just shut up and let's do what we came here to do." * Saki crosses her arms, and finally shakes her head. "Splitting hairs. You still laughed." She slides her eyes across to Niri, apparently cutting her half of the conversation short. "... I might need the Wings tonight." Deathly. * Rachel looks across at Saki, then closes her eyes; fading out of view, there's a distinct sense she's avoiding a Talk. * Niri looks about to stop Mikel, but then she freezes, hearing Trune's voice. She stays where she is, staring at him for a moment. * Ryllan shakes his head, "Frankly, at the moment, it's about the only thing I /am/ sure of." ...The wings? *she pauses* You're going to visit my mom? * Trune doesn't notice Niri's stare. He's back to staring at the ground once more, his expression dark. Ahhhh, then you would recommend abandoning this town and pursuing Zophar? It's for your sakes that we're here. Isn't this about loyalties? [Yanna] Very well then, I accept your terms. I'm in no position to argue, and if there IS an army on its way, then it would be foolish to do so in any case. * Saki nods, looking... haggard. "... Maybe. I don't know yet." Do you want me to come with you? * Vytor 's expression hardens, and he begins to push people back up the stairs, and not gently. * Trune just glares at Tanan, and "No." «ooc: - and. Lol, dude. Where did that come from? ;_; » << Suddenly: And!>> << hit the deck~ >> * Ryllan extends his hand to Yanna, "Alright. Get out there and make the announcement. My forces in the mansion will recognize you with the codeword 'Gemini'. * Saki pauses - just for a tiny moment - then shakes her head. "... no. This is... will be... private." Another pause. "... sorry." ...Best I stand with you, on second thought. * Niri eeps a little in surprise as Vytor starts herding people upstairs. Yanna nods to Ryllan. "I suppose we have work to do then." * Vytor starts grinding his teeth in frustration, "Debate and plan elsewhere. Have a little sensitivity already!" * Trune isn't pushed upstairs, and judging from his expresison, he wouldn't have gone willingly anyway. He kneels by Mikayla's body, saying nothing. * Mikel comes back into view as the group heads out of the room, coming up from the prisons as the annoyed voice of another woman complaining about a ruined manicure or something echoes. He's holding something in his hand with an annoyed look, glancing around for Vytor. * Ryllan leads Yanna out. * Niri walks next to Saki and shakes her head. "No, it's all right. Just...tell Mom hi, and that we're okay." Niri rummages in her pack, pulling out the wings and handing them to Saki. Mm. Vytor. Hm? * Saki blinks, utterly confused at Vytor for a moment. Then she's herded along with a yalp and a nod and she somehow manages along the way to take the wings from Niri with a very quiet "Thank you." * Niri nods. "Of course." * Mikel wings something towards the smith with a flick of the hand. * Niri glances around. "Where's Trune? Is he - oh dear." * Niri sighs. I'll...be right back. * Vytor catches the item and looks at it curiously. * Niri pushes gently past the group and returns to the floor below to find Trune. >> It appears to be a black dragon diamond. There's a bit of dust and other stuff on it as Mikel visibly relaxes with the thing away from his person. * Trune is still kneeling by the body, quietly. * Vytor notes the item with some surprise, then nods to Mikel in understanding. Relic from my cell. * Vytor starts to resist allowing Niri to pass, but after seeing her expression chooses to relent. * Saki snorts in some very vague and reaching amusement. "... after all that running around. Can we glue it on somewhere?" * Niri kneels down next to Trune and puts a hand on his shoulder, saying nothing. * Trune doesn't say anything for a while, but finally he speaks in a quiet whisper, "I should hate her. She betrayed me, twice. She only used me...but...but..." * Vytor stands guard at the top of the stairs, determined to give Trune some privacy to grieve. * Ryllan is now known as DooM_Away * Saki pauses for a long moment, then tucks the wings away and starts to head towards the gate, waving over her shoulder as she calls to the group. "... I'll be in Horam. Either that, or I'll be the other side of the world picking up a friend or two. ... see you tomorrow." >> Oh, and for the destruction of a rampant proto-elementalor, the group gains 20 MXP! * Niri nods and lightly puts her arm around Trune. "Do you need some time? Should I leave you alone?" * Retrieving #lunar-iog2 modes... * TheStoryteller changes topic to '-= Chapter 69: Temptress' Betrayal | Location: Colonial Capital Meribia | Pool: 27 MXP =- http://storen.rpgcafe.net/IoG/' * Mikel lingers near the exit, leaning against a bit of less exploded wall and watching Niri and Trune past Vytor's stance as human door. * Trune nods his head. His voice cracks, "Yeah...someone needs to...needs to...bury her...I..." ...can't just leave her like this. * Saki turns near the gate, and nods towards Vytor. "... time keeps moving on. So does the army. ... make sure everyone gets some sleep." Do you want me to help? I will. N--no...it's okay. I'll...I'll take care of it. * Mikel glances at Vytor raising an eyebrow for a moment and gesturing to let him through. * Saki turns and stalks off, presumably Horam-wards. * Niri hesitates, then nods. "...All right. If you're sure." She stands. "I'm going to rejoin the others. If you need anything, just ask. Okay?" * Tanan sounds disbelieving for a moment. "Why? Why would you-" his voices softens, sounding almost sad. "This is one of those human things, isn't it. Do what you need to, Trune." * Vytor holds up a hand, indicating for Mikel to wait. * Mikel nods. * Niri sighs. "Just...leave it, Tanan. It is a human thing. She can't hurt us anymore, so...Trune needs to do this." * Trune nods to Niri, though his expression is still horribly dark. He turns and looks at the body once again. * Niri heads up the stairs, stopping briefly to look back at Trune before shaking her head and continuing up. She rejoins Vytor and Mikel shortly after. * Vytor notes Niri returning, then steps aside for Mikel. * Niri raises a questioning eyebrow at Vytor. * Mikel nods, sliding past Vytor and Niri and making his way down as he rubs at the bruises around his neck. He slows as he approaches Trune, eventually reacing out to place a hand on his shoulder. * Trune glances back at Mikel, but says nothing. * Tanan speaks lowly once Niri passes, to ensure Trune can't hear. "Why? She used him, she may have killed her. She jeopardized everything, practically held a knife to the the throats of everyone here, everyone everywhere. She was the enemy of every living thing, all in a grab for personal power. How can he care?" * Mikel glances at the corpse for a moment, then back towards Trune. He gives it a few more moments before finally speaking in a quiet voice. "...I'm sorry, 'bout this... you need help putting her to rest? It isn't something that you... you should do alone." I'm not sure Trune could tell you, Tanan. I'm not sure anyone could. But it's probably true that Trune is the ONLY one who cared for her, and...that's kind of sad. I...I don't even know anymore. I...I guess... Besides, caring isn't something he chooses to do. It's not something anyone chooses. It just...happens, sometimes. * Mikel nods, patting Trune on the shoulder. "We're here for you, if you need to vent or whatever..." He looks back down at Mikayla before finally letting out another sigh. "Let's do it, then. Not many people deserve staying down here." I think I may never understand people. These are what I'm supposed to defend? Bah. ...Are you having second thoughts? * Niri 's voice is a little flat No...no one deserves to be down here....Thanks, Mikel. * Tanan sounds angry now. "Should I really stop with Zophar, Niri? How is he different from some of these people, except on the scale of damage he can do?" * Niri is silent for a moment. "...So what are you suggesting?" * Mikel almost looks like he wants to argue with that, though he checks himself and simply steps forward with a bit of blue light wrapping around his hand to clean her up before they bring her up. "...No problem, Trune." Did she deserve to die any less than he does? Why are we fighting him? Because he'll casually kill others for his own purposes. * Trune waits until Mikel's spell is finished with it's work, and then gently lifts the corpse into his arms, heading up the stairs. * Mikel walks alongside Trune, keeping quiet. * Niri sighs. "Tanan...you bring up a problem that people have struggled with for ages...since the days long before the Devastation Wars. I'm not sure anyone can ever truly answer it. I don't know what to tell you, either." * Vytor stands aside for the two mages as they approach, then follows them quietly. * Niri goes silent as Mikel and Trune come up the stairs. * Trune glances at Niri as he walks past, his expression unreadable. He continues onwards without stopping. * Tanan falls silent until Trune and Mikel have moved on, speaking quietly again. "And everyone else understands... maybe the deficiency is with me. Maybe something was left missing. Ha. Maybe I'm the one who shouldn't be trusted." Ah, but poor Trune. If he's wrestling with his humanity already, what will this do? * Niri remains silent, but the sense of sadness that wells up inside her is all too obvious. ==On that happy note, SESSION END!== >> 50 XP! For two sessions thereabouts.