The Escapist Avatar Adventure: An Open RP (Now Re-Opened!)

[Zepherus14]

[HEADING=2]The Rising Dawn Adventures[/HEADING]The Escapist Avatar Adventures
Rising Dawn's Main Kitchen
Captain Avanovonov | Lt. Mandez | Nina and Phillip
​

[hr]

The menu within Phillip's grasp lowered as Lt Mandez informed him of the need to be a single unit in the kitchen. While it was true that a divided kitchen was a failing kitchen, and Phillip had never cooked with anyone else other than Nina; this explanation didn't really answer what he'd been trying to bring up. Spinning around the menu to face him, a single tentacle flicked back and forth across the side of his chef's hat like he was thinking. Phillip had intended to make something for that unknown eldritch being that's first appeared amongst the chaos caused by Balance's death on his own, but seeing no option sufficent for such a creature given the caliber of the staff was simply inconcevable. Obviously they'd know food like this was mediocre at best if not worst, they'd need something else, but this Avanovonov seemed content with this oversight? Despite the Captain's apparent resilence to Phillip's aura, he'd still feel Phillip's 'eyes' on him in that moment, perhaps trying to figure out what was going on.

This didn't take long to find an answer as this new woman appeared with her 'stardust'. The woman herself held little interest to Phillip, looks and appearance were something Nina was far more engrossed in, but the contents of that purple vial was another story entirely. Truth be told, Phillip had never encountered this spice before nor the location it was procured. Flicking a limp tentacle at Lt Mandez' question [https://media2.giphy.com/media/xT1R9IvZM3IiVGjUUE/giphy.gif], the noodle monster leaned in as the contents were sprinkled on the pig skins only to suddenly recoil and freeze practically all movement. They were putting that on the food?!

Orrin would feel Phillip's presense upon him as Lt Mandez mentioned him, several tentacles swiveled in his direction. It was brief however, but eventually Phillip would slink down the stool he sat on and move over to take over the majority of Orrin's sauce pots. Before the chef could add his own helping of stardust, Phillip gathered up all the other spices he was going to use for these sauces and deliberately pointed out the correct order minus the stardust. If Orrin still moved to pepper the 'stardust' in, a rubbery black tendril swiftly snatched his hand and upper arm. The touch was far more startling than the grip strength. It was clammy, cool to the touch, and immediately made his skin crawl. His grip wouldn't be crushing at all, more like if Orrin had stuffed his hand into a vat of hardened plaster, unable to move as his arm was forced to place the stardust down gently on the countertop.

---

"Is that so? Well, apology accepted then, shouldn't have jumped to conclusions like that." Nina replied back to the Captain explaining himself, feeling a bit dumb for being so defensive. Her attention however was diverted as she felt someone's eyes upon her. Matching the side glance the woman, she was a bit surprised to see that white skin being as nigh transparent as it was. The red dress looked quite nice too, something she might have liked to worn to this party if she had the time to change her hair a bit. And as the nameless woman stepped out from the kitchen, Nina's gaze lingered before turning back to the Captain. "So she's your ace up your sleeve? Might have to ask her for her number later." She replied, then swiftly added. "Hair dye number..."

Listening to the story about this stardust spice, Nina was arguably unsure of what to think. Sure she could tell from what Lt Mandez was making that spice was all kinds of flavourful, but could a spice that supposedly killed gods be harmless? Sure, if she was back home, she'd scoff at such a claim. Here on the Rising Dawn was another story entirely there were legitimate people here that very well come be near godlike, even considering Nina's questionable insight she knew this at the very least. Not to appear gullible, but even when it came to movies taking legends like that at face value could have really changed the course of a picture. "Well that's good, I can certainly tell it smells that much better from over here. It's probably crazy expensive too, a name like Stardust really sells the 'This is the best you can get!' after all." She answered, unsure if she should bring up her own issues with this addition. Maybe she'd ask Phillip later?

Captain Avanovonov's little warning was telling, Nina's eyes clearly recognizing this guy wasn't just saying that for the heck of it. Moreover, she got the feeling like she wasn't going to get a straight answer from him even if she asked. "I'll take you up on that..." She hesitantly replied. "Just um... let's let Phillip finish up here and we'll get outta your hair?" Nina asked, looking back over to the tentacle monster, having gotten working on several sauce pans and pots. "Phillip! How long do you figure that'll take?" She shouted over to him. The little horror continued working as Nina replied back to the Captain. "Another 10 minutes give or take, that should be fine."

It wouldn't take long at all to finish up the sauces, but the extra time Phillip was using for another dish. Nina would spot a familiar jar creep out of the tentacles, jet black in its contents with a sloshing ichor that the Captain very well might recognize. Thankfully Phillip had used his own cooking items for this, no one would need to worry about contamination from this dish as Phillip soon approached with what could only be described as an eldritch variant of Squid Ink Pasta [https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71-4zX9u3dL._SY355_.jpg]. Be it a trick of the eyes this dish seemed to slowly churn much like Phillip's own mass, a crawling pasta that seemed far more lively than anything else on a plate in the kitchen. Phillip would slink passed the Captain, setting the plate down and continue moving to the door. "We're going?" Nina questioned, standing up as Phillip snatching up the box of clothes she'd been looking through. "Well ya, I said we'd head out but you're kinda leaving in a bit of a hurry don't you think? Who's that for?" She asked pointing back at the plate. "Hey, Phillip wait up! Sorry about that, um... we're gonna go! Thanks for the hospitality!" She said as she quickly ran off to catch up with Phillip who'd already exited into the hallway.

 

[Diablo1099_v1legacy]

Rising Dawn: Lt. Dolores Selmy's Room: Rugal, Dolores, ???

"Please, don't be shy. Come in. Turn on the lights if you would. I've been laying here in the dark for quite some time."

"Lituen-...what in the-..." Rugal stammered as he quickly regretted not listening to that damn witch about following up this lead.
It wasn't an enjoyable experience, seeing someone on his ship in such a state, but not because he was a stranger to this kind of conduct.
No, in his-..."Crueler" moments, he thought nothing of it, just another means to get what he wanted.
He sold people, "Gifted" them to important clients and if Luke was around, he'd gladly sell his soul in order to be able to say he was above that himself.
But no...that time had long since passed, leaving him with only sadness and regret at seeing the young soldier like that.
Part of him was hoping that this was all some misunderstanding but for now?

"...It's okay, I'm here to help. Here, put this on. I'll find a First Aid." He instinctively said before taking off his trademark jacket and attempting to help her put it on.
He quickly forgot about the investigation, it was hard for a guilty man like him to remember it right now as his jacket fit-...well, it didn't fit actually.
It felt more like a blanket then even the blankets she was laying on, soft fabric both inside and out as it covered her modesty.
If nothing else, Dolores would start to gain an understanding as to why this man never seemed to wear anything else.
But as Rugal began to look for the First Aid, a strange white creature made it's presence known.

"You really should put on some clothes," it said matter-of-factly, "you will become ill if you stay exposed like this."

Rugal paused when he heard the creature seemingly belittle the battered (Least as far as he knew) woman.
Cancelling his search for the moment, his eyes fell upon the creature before he asked with a stern voice: "I'm going to ask you a question and for your sake, your answer had better be a good one. Who are you and why are you here?"
It might seem a bit foolish to fixate on this creature, but for all he might know, he could be the abuser!

 

[NotYetForsaken]

[[Main Scenario]]​

[hr]

Contract

laeta's story

​

[hr]

"..."
​

The black mass froze at the word "Alice." BlackHarte paused, as if considering something and then turned to face David. His green eye manifested on his inky black skin. That pause was all Laeta needed. She had sprung into action, moving as fast as she could across the ground while still carrying Vettya in her arms. She dove and grabbed Kyuubey from the middle of BlackHarte's body and landed on the wall that David was leaning on before dropping to the floor once she lost her momentum.

Kyuubey landed on the floor. His blank face hid his amusement.

"God above," Laeta gasped, shaking her head, "that was definitely a scene."

"Gwaaa," Vettya seconded.

"Alice Morrow?" Kyuubey repeated, "I am not capable of lying. This is true. So you can rest at ease when I say that my employee is definitely not Alice Morrow. In fact I don't remember ever meeting anyone named Alice Morrow before."

[b]"There,"[/b]

BlackHarte said. He crept toward the four organics sitting at the wall.

[b]"you have your answer, David West. Now hand over the trespasser to me."[/b]

"Fuck off!" Laeta held Kyuubey close, nestling his head between her breast and arm. "This poor thing wasn't doing anything wrong! You were trying to kill him! Look at him, he's shaken..." Laeta ran a hand down Kyuubey's back and scratched at its fur.

BlackHarte swirled around Laeta, but kept his distance. It didn't look like he wanted to commit to entering the young woman's sphere of influence.

[b]"David West. I was the one that saved you from the abominations when you inherited your new abilities. Trust me when I say that this creature is dangerous. Take it from the girl."[/b]

 

[bluerocker]

[hr]

Rebellion
Luke's Story​

[hr]

You can choose a ready guide
In some celestial voice
If you choose not to decide
You still have made a choice
You can choose from phantom fears
And kindness that can kill
I will choose a path that's clear
I will choose free will.​

Spoiler: Mood Music

Luke found his lip curling as he heard Venia's story - how she so "graciously" swallowed the lives of those living in this world; how she appointed a self declared sense of justice, how she made the choice for their redemption (or rather, destruction); and to top it all off, this girl this CHILD acting as an adjudicator!

What right did she posses? This "Balance" was no power player Lucifer had seen to personally (and he knew quite a few Gods and devils).

Lucifer's previous fear of this creature ignited into a conflagration of rage in it's place - this was the exact opposite of what he was, what his essence stood for. His purpose was to act as an option, a choice, an offer not... Not this.

To hell with courtesy.

The corners of his mouth quirked upwards, teeth bared. While it may have appeared to be a smile, it did not reach his eyes. No, it was more akin to a cornered animal, a beast baring it's fangs to warn off it's opponent. Lucifer have been outmatched, but he would not lay down - not after being insulted so wholly in his core. Pointing at the girl, he barked an accusation at her,

[color=eca222]"You really are a child![/color]

[color=eca222]The gods are bound by rules for a reason - if we imposed our wills any which way, the worlds would never survive. Look at this place. Look at what you have wrought upon it. There is nothing here. You had no right to do what you have done, you cannot just impose a *will* upon the mortals - what is free will if a choice is made by someone else?"[/color]

His frowned deepened, his wings flaring in annoyance as he continued, his voice taking a mocking edge, [color=eca222]"Yet, your justification for it was "Boo hoo, the humans were violent! They did terrible things and waged war! They were all evil!" So, stop me if you heard this one, they blamed someone else for it, right? They grew jealous of your sisters, was it? Big deal. Humans have always been flawed. They do bad things and blame everything but themselves for it. I would know, with how often I hear 'the Devil made me do it'! Yet, in every putrid, shit-stained, festering pile of degeneracy - there will always be those who stand against such cruelty. The humanitarians, the generous, the meek... And you destroyed it all - wiping the slate because you didn't like it. Black and white doesn't work in the multiverse, child. I think it's time you go to bed."[/color]

Lucifer lowered his hand to his side and drew his blade from a space between spaces - the suit of his human guise shifting into that of devilishly spiked armor, his brow bearing an equally ornate circlet. With a glare, the Devil declared,

[color=eca222]"You said my name. You know what I am - and you are foolish to think I would embrace you,[/color] He spat at the ground before looking back at the girl, [color=eca222]"That's what I think of your mercy. If you want me so badly, come and get me."[/color]

With that, he waved a hand over his blade, an unholy flame licking its way across the edges, before he swung in an arc towards the girl and her sickly golden mess of dead souls and languid sentiments.

He probably could not kill this girl. Hell, he was contemplating an escape route not 5 seconds ago; and it was fresh in mind in case this little plan went south. He wanted to be a distraction for the Dawn? Flipping the bird at the monster should suffice.

 

[Diablo1099_v1legacy]

Massively Sorry for the Delay

The Rising Dawn: Hanger Bay

Adel | [color=3897E0]

AI Dimitri

[/color] | Anjali | [color=356D60]Garm[/color] | [color=0E59E4]Teri[/color]​

[hr]

Pain was something that Adel was sadly used to, as was his reactions to it.
Everything he knew was telling him that he had to get out of here and quickly before he lost himself once more.
He could almost see himself, a loyal soldier to a madman's desires for power and if that connection could be-
...Wait...what happened?...That sensation of dread, that voice it-...it was gone.
It was only about now that Adel noticed the gem that Teri had pushed into his hand.
[color=0E59E4]"I'm gonna want this back eventually - but if you hold onto it, it'll keep your mind safe. Now, will you please stop cutting yourself up and let me help you?"[/color]
"...Ahhhh..." Adel stammered, not really sure of what to make of this, but if it kept his will his own...

"...S-sorry-....M-y mind, it's-....not always mine..." He confessed as he began to calm down, even so much as willingly returning to the Medical ward, though he kept that gem rather close, holding onto it so hard it was impressive.
Seriously, a lesser man tried holding onto a rock that hard would have driven it right though his palms and out the back of his hand!

 

[NotYetForsaken]

[[Side Story]]​

[hr]

Rebellion

lucifer's story

​

[hr]

"Fight on, wicked child, for the memory of your mother."
​

Venia's body came apart at unholy flame, shimmering in the presence of his hate-filled blow. The rain of her blood landed on Luke's face, buried his sword and quenched the flames in her golden light. Several steps away the swirling mist of Mercy coalesced and remade that frail doll-like body Venia used to speak.

The Mercy that wet Luke's skin burned softly - it hummed with that same strange music that the sea above resonated with. A soft mix of vocal harmonies and wailing strings. A symphony of ephemeral emotions brought forth by an absent mind. He realized quickly that her blood was drawing away his energy. Like water drew heat when it evaporated, this golden abomination drew negative emotions to itself before evaporating back to it's ethereal body above.

"You are in need of my love, lost child," Venia said, taking some steps forward with her arms open. "You will find in me the same peace that you seek. In me is the heartbeat of your mother, the gentle embrace of sleep, and unity with the world. Come and join the choir of your peers."

The rainfall became a torrential storm. It was like the sea of ether above had begun to collapse.

The bonfire flickered.

Venia walked toward Luke slowly, taking one sure step at a time in the thin layer of Mercy that had accumulated on the city streets, and holding out her arms as if to invite him into an embrace. Her childish frame and innocent gait was unnerving as it was infuriating. She had no respect for the concept of death, or fear, or she had no idea how to even fathom those concepts.

The idea that someone did not want to become one with her was foreign to this entity.

Lucifer spread his wings again, and with a flap, moved himself towards the bonfire. While he had in fact provoked the monster before him, it was becoming alarmingly clear he'd have to tread carefully with choice of attacks. Obviously, splash damage and anything that made blood fly would be inefficient. His sword would not serve him as well here. Holding up his free hand, Lucifer concentrated once more (an instantaneous effort for one so well versed such as him) and waved his hand in an arc.

At first, it appeared there was nothing, but the discordant howl of the "music" of the Mercy was quickly finding a competitor, the rains changing direction towards Venia as a fierce gale was picking up. Refuse and litter on the streets fluttered and were torn away like leaves, dust from the buildings scattered, before pieces of them began to tear and fly towards his opponent. Lucifer's immaculate looks, well maintained with magic and good hairgel - had even come undone, golden locks blowing towards his opponent, as with cutting winds that wanted equal parts to push her back and crush her with the rubble of their landscape.

The whipping winds struck Venia and cast her back into her constituent mist. The girl vanished as the rain of her Mercy came down on Luke. For a while there was nothing but the sounds of rainfall and twisted winds. Then the cold returned, a sudden and inexplicable darkness that froze the ruined world once again in time. Gone were the rubble, the buildings, the cars, the tanks, the corpses of the world. There was nothing but darkness and the accursed liquid light swirling above and below.

The bonfire flickered.

Venia appeared again. This time she stood far away in the darkness. The light she emitted lit up the ground beneath her. She was standing on a pile of broken concrete. The rest of the world was only visible as dark shadows under the running streams of liquid light.

There was pity in her eyes. "You fight so hard and with such hate. It is no wonder that Alice would try to keep you to herself," she smiled sadly, her wide red eyes were wet with tears, "You deserve so much better. Please, calm down. I'm not here to hurt anyone."

There was a warmth from behind, where the winds had been blowing from. A small soft body wrapped it's arms around Luke's midriff. He felt the soft push of her flesh, the sweet fragrance of her hair, and the sudden and inexplicable draining of his will to fight from him. He didn't sense her second body... he couldn't have. There was too much of that damned blood.

There was a crimson flare, like a lotus bloom.

The little girl fractured and shattered, cast back into the blackness that made up the dead world.

"You fool! Run! Run! Run while you can!" A billow of a blood-red cape flickered before Luke. It was a phantom of the Red Mage, created by the memories of the bonfire keeping the dark at bay. He turned around, green eyes gleaming. "Do you really think that this monster is worth fighting? Leave, go far away! Run as far as you can! Come back after you've learned what this thing is, and bring the rest of the heroes with you!"

At first, Luke thought the phantom was speaking to him, but then he quickly realized that it was looking through him. Behind him.

At another phantom, a golden-haired sorcerer holding onto the curled-up body of a young pre-teen girl. The hero from before, Lucieon.

"Get her safe! Make her strong, and then come back for us. We'll hold that thing off while you go!"

The phantom of Lucieon grabbed the bonfire and vanished.

Lucifer shuddered at the onslaught of situations and questions that were assailing his mind. What the everloving hell was this thing, that so quickly and easily evaded his magic? He thought he had a grasp on her nature - some form of entity that could destroy worlds, that was self righteous and self satisfying; these things were true, but it didn't quite cut to the core of the abomination that just tried to absorb him. Who was this Alice that Venia spoke of? Why did she want him to herself? And for that matter, what would she do if her plan succeeded? It was so quickly averted by the small fire with the sword plunged in it, that Lucifer was loathe to think of what this entity would do with him.

Yet, with the strange mirage of Red Mage and Luceion, a strange sense of Deja Vu washed over Lucifer, as he followed Lucieon's actions, reaching for the Bonfire behind him. In a bid to conserve his magic and energy, Lucifer bid his armor and sword away; quickly shifting back to his Humanoid form with bartender uniform. Hair still askew from the magical wind, he concentrated his magic on the Bonfire, blindly reaching into it's network of locations before he jumped, his thoughts primarily crossing to "anywhere but here".

He wanted away from this madness, he wanted away from the girl who attempted to take him. He wanted desperately to be back on the Dawn, with friends and loved ones, to feel the Boss' presence in the back of his mind again. He wanted home, but Home was the last place he needed to be.

---​

The trip was sudden and draining. Where it was once like leaping through the space between worlds, this was different. He was being pulled through oblivion by a force unknown to him. He watched distant realities fly past him, each grey and dark, a tableau of old civilization consumed by the accursed golden sea.

Then the trip was over and Luke found himself sitting on a stone floor in front of an old bonfire. Lazy crackling flames dancing in the ashes and throwing glowing embers into the air around it. It was dark here too, but the air was warm. There was a musky scent of books and wood as well as wet stone.

As his eyes adjusted to the darkness, he saw dim blue lights flickering between stone towers stacked with books. Lazy butterflied drifted between shelves, illuminating hundreds of thousands of old leather-bound scripture. The darkness here wasn't hostile. It was normal and mundane. A shadow that was a result of being deep underground. In fact, if he closed his eyes, he could hear the distant song of running water and the roar of several waterfalls.

He must have been really deep.

A butterfly landed in front of him. It's antennae touched his fingers as it beat it's wing and let loose a cloud of luminescent scales. Then - as he was used to by now - a girl appeared in a flash of light. She was short, had red hair in a clean cut bob, wore long thick cotton robes and held a oak staff. The butterflies congregated on this small witch.

"I guess you are one of Lusiya's friends?" she asked. "My name is Jiyamuanna il Callaxiakio, I'm the Flutterstorm Herald, if that's easier for you to say. Otherwise you can just call me Jiyam." She looked around. "Sorry to say, but Lusiya-senpai is out at the moment, though I could see if Lady Teres-"

"That won't be necessary. You are dismissed Jiyam. Go see if Gissella needs help resetting her arena for the next batch of adventurers."

Jiyam bowed suddenly, "Lady Teresa! I did not know that you had left your chambers!"

Teresa smiled and pat Jiyam on the head, "It is quite alright. This man's arrival is something special. Please, give us some privacy."

Jiyam nodded and vanished, taking her swarm of butterflies with her.

Teresa took several steps around Luke, eyeing him carefully. Then she put a finger on her chin, "You look quite shaken. Would you like some tea? Or maybe something to eat?" The stone beneath her feet was soft like foam. "Where have you been?" The girl was older than the previous one. She looked quite similar to Venia, but was older. Had longer white hair that ended in soft pink highlights. Her eyes were red as well, but playful instead of inhuman. Thick streaks of missing flesh ran across her body, letting a literal river of blood run across her skin in contained paths.

She had blood, not that abhorrent golden mercy. That was good at least.

"I can smell Venia on you, you poor thing," she offered her hand to Luke, "My name is Teresa. I'm one of BlackHarte's daughters. Nice to meet you."

 

[Zepherus14]

[HEADING=2]The Rising Dawn Adventures[/HEADING]The Escapist Avatar Adventures
The Rising Dawn Airship: Hallways just outside the Command Bridge
[color=BA0025]Miia[/color] | Hillary the Slime
​

[hr]

The silver woman would stand there, a puzzled look across her face. In the matter of a few sentences, this odd girl had managed to thrust quite a few new terms at Hillary. What was a snake? Who's Medusa? Was the snake or this Medusa the mythological being? And why did they want to eat people's shoes? So many odd and strange questions to ask, but which to start with plagued the admittedly simple slime.

"Um... well no, Hillary hasn't introduced herself yet to..." Her head tilted to the side, trying to remember who exactly she'd properly greeted herself to. She was pretty sure she'd said her hello's to the two dragon cuties, and maybe Angelus as well? But the majority seemed to know her before she could say a 'Hello, my name is Hillary what's your's?'. Word must travel really fast here! "But yes! I am always a Slime! Even when the times she might not look like one, like now!" She answered, smacking an open hand to the middle of her chest. A noticeable 'taaang' sound rang out from the impact.

"I am wondering though, why do you say that's pretty crazy? Hillary certainly has seen other things change like she does." She insisted, looking over her arm for good measure as if to check she was still metallic, her head pausing a moment as her vision was drawn to the figurine in her hand. "Like this! This is certainly not a part of me, but it definitely doesn't look like this shiny metal either! Well, normally at least." [footnote]The figurine in question for reference has a solid base, with three females standing on it facing forward. A younger girl no more than 10 was held close by one woman looking to be in her late teens with a blind fold and a middle aged woman whom stood on either side of the young girl.It was a bit crude in some respects, but the overall quality was enough that one could make out a lot of facial features.[/footnote]

'I wonder if snakes are like lizards? Or! Maybe legless lizards? Maybe she likes warm things or maybe even limestone?' She thought to herself before finally asking. "Is there anything Hillary could do to make you feel better Ms Alamia? Rugal seems to be in a big hurry and..." The Slime trailed off a moment as Nadalia and the adorables as well as Caim and Angelus made out to their own objectives. Unaware of the sheer severity looming over the Dawn, Hillary just waves her unoccupied arm. "Hillary will be around... hereish when you get back! Good luck!" She shouted out to them before turning back to Miia. "Lots of other people too! I don't want to not be helpful if I can help it. What can Hillary do to make you feel better, you were looking very stressed not long ago at all!" Hillary requested, feeling like even if she wasn't gonna be part of the main story, she might as well do something instead of simply collecting dust.

 

[BlackHarte]

[HEADING=2]Rising Dawn ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2:15 PM[/HEADING][hr][HEADING=3]Lt. Dolores Selmy[/HEADING]

Kyuubey cocked it's head. "You can see me?" Rugal felt off-balance when he looked at Kyuubey. It wasn't it's nature, or anything eldritch like that. No. He paused and gave it thought. Then he realized it, he could only see Kyuubey through one eye. In his normal human eye, the little white creature wasn't visible.

"That is interesting," it said. It paced toward me and put a paw on my face. It made a soft squeaking noise when it's padded limb hit my skin. "Since you asked, my name is Kyuubey. I am here to visit one of my employees."

"I assume you are talking about me?" I asked.

It gave me a dead look with its ruby red eyes. "Something like that."

Kyuubey. That name felt familiar. It returned it's gaze to Rugal, "The straight answer is no, I did not do this, nor did anyone affiliated with me do this. What I came here to do has nothing to do with you nor this girl I'm standing on top of. I grant girls wishes," it said, looking at me with what I assumed to be disgust, "not self-destructive nightmares."

It took two steps and leaped onto my wheelchair. "Now help her get dressed. She's due at a party in forty-five minutes. If I were you, I wouldn't miss that for the world."

 

[Diablo1099_v1legacy]

Rising Dawn: Lt. Dolores Selmy's Room: Rugal, Dolores, Kyuubey

Now THAT was a strange feature, not being able to see the creature though both his eyes.
Most likely a side effect of all that long term Bionic Eye-useage, though after everything that happened? He didn't know anymore.
Still, once the creature explained himself, that seemed to be the end of that as the creature talked about this "Party" the Lt. was planning for the lot of them.
"...Very well. If this doesn't concern you, then would you wait outside? Leave us." He plainly ordered Kyuubey out of the room before turning his attention back to Dolores.
"...A lot of strange things have transpired since you started handing out those invitations. I don't know what is the case, but for now, I think we should get you to that party. Now, how may I assist?" He then asked before helping the woman get ready, being sure to be formal and polite as he did so.
Hell, he even went so far as to assist with makeup and hair ("I take pride in my appearance. Combat isn't all I know.") before helping her make it to the party.

 

[Diablo1099_v1legacy]

Thanks for doing

Most of the heavy lifting here

[HEADING=2]The Rising Dawn Adventures[/HEADING]The Escapist Avatar Adventures
The Rising Dawn Airship: Command Bridge
Nadalia | [color=15650D]Ton Ton[/color] | Cadolbolg
​

[hr]

Nadalia observed as the two cuties hung around her, the way they talked, how their body language synced with their personalities ... she detested dragons to a certain extent, but, these weren't the mindless dragons she had fought back in her kingdom. They acted like people, to a point she somewhat felt a bit, awkward about their visual appearances. Were they even dragons?? She didn't know, only Angelus was a real one in her eyes, but the ancient beast hid itself under human flesh, wanting to blend alongside mortals.

Without warning, Nadalia had a sudden image pop into her head ... it was a split second, but she surely had something emerge from the bottom of her consciousness.

<spoiler=The Split Second Image>

What was that just now? She asked herself, placing a hand onto her head. Firmly shaking it, she saw how Ton Ton was making a call for David, lying to him about 'meeting up' when they knew it was to bring him in for questioning.

Still, she wasn't against that method, would definitely help get him in without having to get physical, possibly risk hurting the man when Rugal made it clear that nothing was to happen to David. "Cadolbolg, Ton Ton ... allow me to make this clear. If David is to retreat from our group ... do not be alarmed. The man is cowardly, it does not indicate that he's a traitor to the crew. I'll handle him from there if he scurries off."

There was an abrupt pause in the pair's conversation after Nadalia's declaration, before the duo looked at each other, and then Nadalia with a perplexed expression (only further emphasized by the tilt of Cadolbolg's head). A moment's silence passed, before Ton Ton said in a manner unlike his usual polite tone, [color=15650D]"You... do realize we came to help right? Don't get me wrong ma'am, I'm sure you're strong and all, but if you recall - we came because we were trying to prevent David from running? If what that Vihaan man said is true, we don't have a lot of time to be chasing people around."[/color]

"Yeah. Not to mention, I don't think any of us really believe David did anything bad - Ton Ton and I have probably been around him longer than you have - he's one of our parents' best friends! He can be kinda silly, and he drinks that stuff Father says for us not to drink, but he's no bad guy. What probably happened is he stepped into something nasty and it just looks bad! Like there was this one time he ate too much food and danced and then he pu-"

[color=15650D]"I think we're getting a little off topic... The point is, Miss, I don't think we should jumping the gun here. Innocent till proven guilty, right?"[/color]

Their innocence made Nadalia feel slightly, uneasy. While it could be seen as cute by most or something to make those around friends feel safe ... the Iron Queen knew better. She had spies and assassins among her people within the kingdom, those she would of invited to her quarters for a drink with the amount of trust she had for them. Anyone is capable of turning their back on you, if the reason was justified enough. But, she did not wish to debate with these little dragons, for she had a mission to fulfill and didn't want to leave Rugal disappointed ... not after what happened back at the Citadel.

".. Let's be on our way then. Delaying this further will only make it harder to find David. Be on our way then~" Without even waiting for Ton Ton or Cadolbolg to get a word in, she began moving, likely to ask some of the crew mates where they've last seen him.

It was then they both heard the gunshot echo down the hallways...followed by 3 more...

[hr]

Rising Dawn: Hallways

David West | Laeta​

[hr]

"..."
David was in a situation that a lot of this training didn't exactly leave him well equipped for.
I mean, while he did hunt a bit back in the countryside of Connacht where he grew up, most of those animals he killed weren't someone's pet or being hunted down by-...whatever the hell you would call something like Blackharte.
Still, He/She/It/??? Made it's case and he was going to honor his word, even if he didn't really enjoy it.
"...Laeta...going to have to ask you to stand aside..." He said as he slowly pulled out his weapon.
"Blackharte, I know we don't talk much, but you better not be fucking with me right now. I've head it up to here-" He started, holding his hand high above his head, a common gesture among annoyed young men like himself.
"-With people fucking with me today. Laeta...Come on, don't make this harder then it has to be..." He then added before slowly taking aim at the creature she was holding.

"Drop the creature on the ground, then stand back. It'll be quick and clean and the last place you want to be is holding it when the time comes." He warned her, keeping his resolve solid regardless of how she acted.
"...[sub]Fuck everything about this man[/sub]..." He muttered as he noticed a opening where he could take the shot.
"...GRAAAH! FUCK-" He muttered before taking the shot, nailing the little creature in the skull, followed by 3 more rounds to it's body to make sure it didn't get back up.
Shaking slightly after that, he then wiped some sweat (and slight splatter) off his face before sighing "Do what you got to do man...Sorry Laeta...Swear to Christ there better be some booze at this party..."
Fresh off what was possibly his latest fuck up, David turned the corner before walking right in front of Ton Ton, Cadolbolg and Nadalia.
He paused once he saw them, realizing that he still had blood and even a bit of fur on his face and he was less then a few feet away from the corpse.
"...Uhhh....hi..." He waved, well aware of how this all looked.

"...Alright, so I know this looks bad, but I swear that I can explain-"

 

[Diablo1099_v1legacy]

[HEADING=2]The Rising Dawn Adventures[/HEADING]Rising Dawn: Hallways
Jenny | [color=087830]Chrysalis[/color] | Dr. Violet​

[hr]

[color=087830]"... If I make it out alive and all, i'll buy you a drink. A girl's night out, all on me. It's the least I can do."[/color]

"Well, if you are buying, be sure to put it on a tab. Once I get into the Sake...Woooo! Once I get going, it's hard to stop me!" Jenny replied back, being nice enough to hold onto Chrysalis's hands as one of the experianced doctors of the Rising Dawn went to them-

"Ah! Hello there!"

The former Hier to G-Corp soon walked over, now sporting a violet colored rimestone doctor's coat along with his dyed hair and trademark glasses (Where he got that would be one of the great unsolved mysteries of the Rising Dawn).
"Oh? Violet? What are you doing here?"
Violet paused for a moment as he tried to figure out the best way to answer that, deciding upon "Well-...Tokyo is kinda a different place now. There has been a bit of-...a "Board Re-Shuffle" of sorts back at the company and-...well, we bothered you enough over that Bison Business so think it's only fair I helped out a bit here. While my doctorate is for more technical matters, I am however more then qualified to use the automated systems here. Not quite the same as being a medical professional but these systems are on par with what NOD-..."G-corp" had in their own medical department. So shall we begin?"

While the two females might have been uneasy being tended to by a Doctor that looked like a pimp, his bedside manner wasn't too bad as he began to scan some of Chrysalis's wounds with a machine before a series of robotic arms started to treat her wounds.
"Wow...Seen some action, huh?...Wait-...I'm sorry, have we met before?" Violet then asked, trying to see if he could remember the last time he had seen a woman like Chrysalis.
"...Were you at a Corporate function in Mexico? Something about combating gangland violence? Was being run by one of the people behind it? Ended in a SWAT raid? I remember waking up in a Japanese bath-house afterwards for some reason..."
It was now that Chrysalis realized that this was the man handing the machine that could turn her into a fur coat, though Jenny's presence was rather calming, good luck figuring out if it was just her being there or some kind of Jedi Mind Trick on her part however...

 

[bluerocker]

This person gave some insights for this little episode.

[[Side Story]]​

[hr]

Rebellion

lucifer's story

​

[hr]

"NOW IS TIME FOR CAKE!" [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQgka3IyCUw]

Spoiler: Jokes aside, here's the actual mood music

Luke blinked owlishly at the very friendly greeting, and nodded numbly to the offer of tea and a snack, the words [color=eca222]"I have several questions,"[/color] tumbling out of his mouth before he remembered his manners and shook Teresa's hand, [color=eca222]"Erm... but the tea and food sounds nice. Thank you. My name is Lucas Cypress, but everyone calls me Luke."[/color]

Truly, he was very tired after his recent excursion, and noted that he was positively soaked to the bone as well (Venia's rain being to thank for that). He shivered involuntarily at the reaction, his wings flicking water from all around him. He winced when he heard the splatter of liquid on the tiles and the sizzle of the fire turning the droplets to steam, as well as callously splashing his host (albiet accidentally). He blanched, averting his gaze before seating himself close to the flame, taking in the warmth of heat in the stead of chill. A moment of silence passed, before he murmured an apology to his host, [color=eca222]"I.. Am not usually this rude. Forgive me. I'm cold, I'm tired, and I was in fact assaulted by this Venia you mentioned... Though,"[/color] he cast a quick look back, [color=eca222]"I can't help but notice the resemblance. I take you two are sisters? And, if that's the case, both of you are daughters of this 'Blackharte'."[/color]

He pondered that name after the question hung in the air, thinking back to what he knew of "Blackharte". He hadn't interacted with the little blob of darkness frequently, but he was aware of it lurking on the Dawn, a silent watcher of it's inhabitants. One could argue it was less affable version of the AIs that aided in the Dawn's maintenance - seeing all, but speaking little. How very strange, that a little creature such as that could have children. Did it asexually reproduced, like the amoeba it resembled? Or did it.... Luke stopped himself from pursuing that line of thought, shuddering at the mere implication.

His contemplation was interrupted by the arrival of snacks, and Luke saw that the arrangement was rather sweet - in a very literal sense. There were several kinds of cake brought to the fire, slabs of several different sponges and creme combinations - chocolate, raspberry, lemon - a veritable garden of edibles. While it wasn't exactly what he was hoping for, beggars couldn't be choosers, and his host was gracious enough to offer. Cautiously electing to have a slice of a pink cake, Luke took an experimental bite to find that alongside it's bright pink sponge, it contained a mixture of raspberry jam and freshly whipped creme between the layers, with small slices of the fruit inside. Although he was more in the mood for something like a sandwich, this was surprisingly refreshing! Additionally, the cakes came with a hearty pot of tea, and quaint little cups. The liquid poured to be an amber color, and the worn out bartender looked forward to feeling that wonderful warmth that came with a hot beverage on a cold day. While he was able to get that part...it was more like drinking lemonade than tea - just as sweet as some of the other confections offered. Luke's face involuntarily grimaced, his worn out state contributing to his lack of self control; but forced himself to keep drinking the sweet "medicine", taking in the warmth that had trickled down into his stomach and began to work its way to the tips of his fingers and toes. So much so did the effect have on perking him up, the bartender forced himself through a second and third cup, finishing by placing it gently on the ground before turning back to the fire.

[color=eca222]"Thank you... I said I had questions, and I still do - but I never answered your's. Yes, I did encounter Venia - but it wasn't my intention. I am not from this world. I act on behalf of someone else back home, and it's for their sakes that I'm here. For whatever reason, something affected the leylines back home, seemingly cutting us off from...Everything it seems. The world we are in looks like our own, but everything about it looks wrong, falsified. I can't explain it properly, aside that it simply is. Further more, members of my group who are divinely attuned noticed that they could not feel the presence of their divine patrons anymore - and the more I investigated, the more damning the evidence appears. I am someone who is able to travel worlds on my own, So I 'jumped', trying to view the situation from the 'outside'. Through that travel I initially saw... I saw something."[/color]

Luke drew his knees close to his chest, resting his chin on them as he tried to recall his recent experience, [color=eca222]"Imagine if you will, the deepest ocean you've ever seen. You're afloat in the waters, no boat in sight, it's night-time, and the clouds have covered the moon. It's quiet, but in the silence you've only yourself and your thoughts. Then - you feel something try to drag you under. For a brief moment, I was in a darkness like that - some strange space between worlds where nothing seemed to exist - then I felt a great looming presence in that darkness, and it almost swallowed me. In my escape, that's how I encountered Venia. She seems to be pointed in the direction of the world I left, and all of my companions are in danger if she can break through the wall her - no, I guess 'your' would be the better word, Father had errected - some sort of grouping of clouds she couldn't escape. I tried to talk to her, get some answers, but the more the conversation went on, the more hostile it became. Were it not for one of these fires",[/color] he gestured to the Bonfire they rested at, [color=eca222]"I would have been consumed. But - what bothers me, aside from her complete disregard for human life, is that she had her gaze fixed on that world, and I don't know how to stop it... Additionally, she someone wanted me, or, to use her words 'wanted to keep me to herself'. Someone named 'Alice'. It's a pretty common name, but I haven't met one recently aside from Cooper, and I'm pretty sure he doesn't wanna see me again."[/color]

He chuckled sardonically at the thought, then turned back to Teresa, [color=eca222]"So there you have it, your answer and my questions bundled together. Two for the price of one, aren't I generous?"[/color]

Shoulders slumping again, Luke turned back to the fire, waiting for his host to take this all in...

 

[NotYetForsaken]

[[Side Story]]​

[hr]

Rebellion

lucifer's story

​

[hr]

"The blood runs thick in my family, distant though we may be, we look as one."​

Spoiler: Spoilers

Teresa laughed as she settled down on the stone floor, sending soft ripples radiating out from where she landed. She accepted a thick slice of chocolate cake from a retainer. The cake was thick and moist, thick syrup glistening in the subtle blue glow of Jiyam's butterflies. She pulled a piece from the slice with her fingers and gently placed it in her mouth, wrapping her lips around her fingers and sucking softly.

"Funny how our different perspectives change the way we view the same event," Teresa plucked her fingers from her lips and dug them into the moist crumbs of the chocolate cake. "The best way to answer your questions is in sequence, I suppose."

There were rumblings in the distance. The sound of scuttling claws grinding through stone as a massive body heaved itself up the stone columns of the library around them. A small orange light glimmered off of the head of the shadow like a lure, lighting the dark twisting canopy of stone walkways and bookcases above.

Even higher in the cavern were massive birds, roosting among the highest peaks of stone. The library here was tended by this flock of owls and ravens, both the size of small houses.

"First, I should explain what it means to be a daughter of BlackHarte and how we sisters relate to each other." She took a sip from her cup and squealed quietly to herself in ecstasy. "We are not blood related. Not in the same way Maria and I are blood related," Teresa pointed to the mass of squirming draconic limbs climbing down one of the stone towers with books held tight by the small humanoid torso laying lazily atop the bulky muscle of her "legs." "We were all brought back to life by BlackHarte after he invaded our worlds. He broke off a piece of his primordial soul and gave it to us, gifting us with his essence and his power. In this way we are BlackHarte's daughters, for we carry within our bosoms a piece of his own black heart."

Teresa pointed to the gemstone embedded in her forehead, "Though in my case, it's over here. This is my real body, my soul."

"He gave us a single order, 'Live, my daughters. Show me your wants, your desires. The truth of your being. Live and grow and be individuals,' he said," Teresa tried to make a motion with her hands to express the gravity of BlackHarte's command, but she just fumbled with her hands for a bit before giving up and stuffing some more cake into her mouth. "And so we made worlds out of the darkness around us. Some of us like Hunger and Alesha made entirely new worlds, others like Vil and I returned to our homelands and restored them to how they were before they were consumed by BlackHarte."

Luke noticed that she never referred to BlackHarte as "father" or "papa" like Venia did. There was a tone of familiarity, but a definite distance. Whether it was a distance out of fear, respect, or habit was unclear.

Teresa tilted her body to one side, letting her mantle spill open. The red rivers across her skin were shimmering. In the crimson crystals was a glint of ancient azure, flickering through her veins like a minnow of light. "Venia, however, is a different beast altogether. She was not a human before she was raised by BlackHarte. Were it not the circumstances of her birth, you could say that she BlackHarte's pureblood daughter."

Luke stirred at this fact.

"Well, to make it easier to understand you have to know how many of us there are. We start with Balance, she's the oldest. Then we start counting down that way, Vil, Kushka, Alesha, Erika, Miriam, Syl, Hunger, Naomi, Lucretia, and me. I'm the youngest." She bobbed her head to the other side of her body, "And then after me came Venia. She wasn't born, she just sort of... came to be. BlackHarte admits that she is of blood relation to him, but won't say anything else. To be honest, she scares the rest of us. She's unstable, unstoppable. She's childish and nearly omnipotent. Unlike the rest of us, she's incapable of creation, her only ability is to consume and destroy. She's jealous, cruel, easily offended, and self righteous."

"Is less words, she is an avatar of destruction who is convinced that she is the embodiment of forgiveness. Appropriately, she's been given the name 'the Merciful End.' Venia is a name she came up with on her own."

Teresa stopped to finish her cake.

"As for the event that 'changed' your world," Teresa sighed, "that would be BlackHarte striking down Balance. Her death upset Alice's facade."

"You look confused. Well, here's the thing," she held up a finger on both her hands, "because we're all individuals, we fight among each other a lot when it comes to sovereignty. Balance thinks it's her duty to protect the right of all worlds to exist, so she stands guard over all of our worlds to make sure none of use do too much damage to each other. BlackHarte though, is super upset with his daughter Alice -" she paused, "I guess that's an important thing I forgot to mention. BlackHarte has a direct descendant named Alice. That's probably who Venia was talking about. No, we don't know who the mother is. Yes, BlackHarte did do that with a human woman. No, we don't know the specific logistics of it."

"So BlackHarte is upset at Alice because she's taken your world and isolated it from the rest of the multiverse. So BlackHarte's all like 'Alice, you need to stop fucking around with people that have free wills and go back to your own world.' and then she was all like 'No dad! These are my friends! I won't let them die meaningless deaths, rawr rawr rawr.'" Teresa seemed to have become somewhat distracted. She was playing puppets with her hands now. "And then Balance comes in, being the White Knight that she is and is all like 'No! This is a breech of contract! I'm Balance, and my huge tits mean that I'm the most important person in the room and you have to listen to me.'"

Luke cleared his throat.

"Oh uh... I guess I was projecting there a little bit." Teresa tried to laugh it off. "Sorry about that."

"But anyway, Balance comes in and defends Alice's world... your world from BlackHarte. And that goes on for quite some time. It's around this time that Venia first manifests in one of the fringe worlds that I made while I was having a dick measuring contest with Erika. Then it's like... BOOM!" She made an exploding motion with her hands. "Fucking worlds are dying left and right. Venia's body spreads like a color inverted version of BlackHarte, instead of sucking up everything into solidarity, she leaves every world lifeless and devoid of any energy or possibility at all! BlackHarte uses his body to erect a barrier around the worlds that we could salvage, and that's the darkness that you saw before Venia pulled you out of there. BlackHarte's the only thing keeping Venia from devouring your world and your friends right now. Every world except mine was encapsulated in that barrier. I was left outside because I 'inherited' BlackHarte's ability to create impenetrable barriers. Basically I defend myself from Venia's trouble-making... and you should count yourself lucky that I did. Lusiya's bonfire portals don't work through BlackHarte's barrier, but they do work through mine."

Teresa paused again and took a drink to quench her parched throat, "Then suddenly, BlackHarte gets like super mad and just beats the shit out of Balance and forces himself into your world, but then Balance pulls some shit and slingshots BlackHarte out of your world. That's probably the event that caused the leyline collapse.

"But the shockwave from that event probably fucked up Alice's copy of your original world, which is why everything felt 'off' to you guys now. The loss of divine connection is attributable to your loss of Balance, who was probably using herself as a conduit to keep y'all connected to the primary multiverse" She went silent for a while. Then she spoke up again, "I should have probably mentioned that. The world you guys have been in for quite a while now has been a copy of your original world. I actually have no idea if your original, original world even still exists in that fucking mess Venia calls her 'Sea of Mercy.'"


"The short of all that basically comes down to this: ya'll have been toyed with by Alice. BlackHarte's been trying to break ya'll out, but then Venia showed up and started wrecking shit, and with his attention divided between two of his rebelling pureblood daughters, he can't do much of anything except keep one from annihilating the other."

 

[BlackHarte]

[HEADING=2]Rising Dawn ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2:45 PM[/HEADING][hr][HEADING=3]Lt. Dolores Selmy[/HEADING]

It felt nice to have help from someone like Rugal, I had to admit. It was different from Isaac's fumbling inexperience, Laeta's overbearing familiarity, and father's cold manipulation. He set my hair gently into loose airy curls that fell around my shoulders, slipped one of my white dresses over me and set me in my chair. I shivered. He reached into my closet again and pulled out a black knit scarf and draped it over my shoulders. I was almost shocked at how normal I looked after the few things that he had done.

It kind of reminded me of how I looked before my high school prom, all gussied up in white and black, blonde curls gently dancing with each bob of my head. Lips tinted glossy red with lipstick and the blush in my cheeks bronze instead of pink.

"Thanks," I said. I didn't know what else to say. While this wasn't the type of attention I wanted or expected, it was a nice change of pace from the storm of feelings that came before. As he pushed me out of my room I had to laugh. Was this what it was like to have a good father? Someone who was unconditional about his kindness, with an understanding and compassionate heart. Someone who spoke little and acted powerfully.

I felt my cheeks get a little hot.

[HEADING=2]Rising Dawn ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2:55 PM[/HEADING][hr][HEADING=3]Lt. Dolores Selmy[/HEADING]

The commons room was decorated. No, to say that it was decorated was an insult to the 1021st company. It was beautiful. They had come in the morning and set tiles to the floor in a meander of deep maroon and white, then they had laid luxurious rugs over it as to create soft walkways for barefoot guests. The tables were wood, each carved from trees of the same grove so that not only the colors matched naturally, but the soft swirls in the wood were of the same pattern.

The plates and platters were of china and silver. The food was set out wide and far. Cakes, tarts, candies, meats, cheeses, wines, cocktails, fruits, rolls, and salads were left in mixed smatterings over the long tables. Near the walls some staff were attending metal rows of the entrees.

Pastas, crisp pork skins, soups, and roasts. Steaks and cutlets, slices of fowl and marrow-on-bread. Baked pineapples full of rive and shrimp, steamed fish slathered with scallions and sauces. Red hot curries and chili sitting menacingly in small cups with a side of bright white truffle creme.

On the far side they had set up a stage and a live band was tuning their cellos and violins to the instructions of a young conductor.

Kyuubey climbed up the side of my wheelchair and rest his head on my shoulder, "Everything you could have dreamed of right?"

Some of the staff were already settling into the seats set near the walls. There was a girl there that gave me the chills. She had deep dark red eyes and purple hair that was so long that she had it pooled in her lap. Her uniform was maroon. She was staring directly at me and Kyuubey. Mnemosyne... a special forces agent. What was she doing here?

"Yeah... now all we need are the people." I looked up at Rugal and placed my hand on his. "Thank you for getting me here. Can you do me a favor and tell all the other heroes that it's time?"


"The party is about to begin."

 

[bluerocker]

I dont know if you caught the memo, but Kyuubey doesn't actually bleed.

Sorry on my end as well.

The Rising Dawn: Medical Bay

Adel | [color=3897E0]

AI Dimitri

[/color] | Anjali | [color=356D60]Garm[/color] | [color=0E59E4]Teri[/color]​

[hr]

With Adel finally calming down and being able to return to a bed in the Med Bay, Teri could feel the tension in her gut finally release. Her primary objective was now safe and sound, Luke was still investigating the magic outage on her end, and she had someone to thank for Adel's swift recovery. But first, she had to put down one last safety net. With Adel settled into the bed, Teri very gently tapped the hand holding her stone and said, [color=0e59E4]"You don't need to hold it so tightly. I just keep it in my pocket and it works just fine.. that and I don't want you to break it." [/color]

A soft whisper of a laugh echoed in the Medical Bay, before she continued, [color=0e59E4]"Now, I know I can't be here 24/7, but if you need me, you can call Dimitri,"[/color] She pointed up at the ceiling and finished, [color=0e59E4]"You just need to say his name, and he'll hear you. Do that, and I'll come running. Now, I gotta go, but I'll be back. You stay here, okay?"[/color]

She gave Adel a final little wave before she move to join Garm and Anjali back outside of the Med Bay, the wolf waiting patiently for her return. He had been conversing with the undead woman prior to her arrival, and finally answered a question she had for him back when they found the young martial artist,

[color=356D60]"I am Garm. I am winter wolf from the north. My pack is here on the Rising Dawn, and my companion is the doctor you met earlier. I guard her with my life, and we one in battle. I don't know how else to answer the question, really. I am Garm. That's all I really need to know."[/color]

His ear flicked to the sound of approaching footsteps, bringing the Cleric in question into view. She gave a little bow to Anjali and began, [color=0E59E4]"I know our initial introductions were a bit rushed, but I wanted to thank you again for finding Adel. I was worried sick when I found out he went off like that. Anyways, now that he's stable again, let me introduce myself properly,"[/color] She held out a hand to Anjali in a friendly offer of a handshake, [color=0E59E4]"My name is Teri. I'm one of the doctors here. My friend there has probably introduced himself, but he's my best friend and buddy, Garm. And you are...?"[/color]


[hr]

Rising Dawn: Hallways

David West | Laeta | Nadalia | [color=15650D]Ton Ton[/color] | Cadolbolg​

[hr]


"I smell gunpowder... David, did you shoot that thing? It looks kinda like an animal. And what's that one? It looks like black jelly!"
Cadolbolg looked ready to hover over the strange amorphous creature (Blackharte) and took a heavy, curious whiff of air near it, Ton Ton dismounting to let Cadolbolg indulge himself (and maybe try to get a lick of what's going on, he hoped). Taking the look at the scene the little Tonberry knight took a deep breath, covered his face and slowly counted to ten in his head.

[color=15650D]"One... Two...You can do this Ton Ton...Okay? Okay."[/color]

He told Nadalia he'd give the Irishman the benefit of a doubt. He said he'd be the reasonable one here, citing "innocent till proven guilty" and all that. Time to own up to it. Uncovering his face again, Ton Ton looked between the dead animal, Laeta, Blackharte, and David, and very pointedly asked,

[color=15650D]"Right, so this looks really bad. David, what is that dead thing you're holding, and why did you shoot it? You're the only one with a gun here, so that's a pretty safe assumption. Here's your chance. Please explain what's going on."[/color]

Cadolbolg, on the other hand, was sniffing out the "crime scene" in rapid interest, looking over Blackharte (Who didn't really smell like anything), and then to the body David held in his hands. It was strange, to see a dead thing with several holes, but containing no blood, only red. It reminded the small dragon of a well baked cake - the layers of color being so separate in the creature's biology they were almost unreal. Stranger even, like a cake, the creature had sort of "sweet" scent to it Cadolbolg couldn't describe properly - a sort of floral-ness, like cleans sheets or the smell of fresh fruit. It was bewildering, that something dead and with bullets riddling it's body should smell so pleasant. Even moreso, the more Cadolbolg sniffed around, he noticed something strange,

"H-hey, wait a minute - I smell another one of these."

Ton Ton's head turned towards his brother in confusion, before he followed Cadolbolg's gaze upwards... towards the ventilation shaft....


[hr]

[[Main Scenario]]​

[hr]

Glimmer of Hope

titania's story

​

[hr]

Angelus's gaze flickered from Donnell to her pact partner, before her mind raced at the possibilities at hand. Donnell was suspected to be up to no good - and now she had a gaping stomach wound after speaking with a strange 3rd party. They could try to imprison her in this room and attempt an interrogation, but that risked Donnell's health. With the amount she could see on the object as well as her, Angelus had reason to suspect that since the Captain wasn't currently shaking and freaking out - something magical or supernatural had to be at play here... though Donnell did not know that Angelus knew (or she believed this to be so at minimum). She could play on that sympathy, maybe even get the Captain to be escorted to the room which had straps on the beds for patient safety. A perfect cover for imprisonment and interrogation with all the wrappings of kindly intent.

With a flick of her hand and a "thread" of a "feeling" of her pact link with Caim, the mute had already stationed himself at the door behind Angelus and the Major, allowing Angelus and the Major to slip inside, but with him as the standing guard. His sword remained drawn, but the tip remained low to the ground. With his training as a soldier, he'd be a fool to put the sword away, even if his partner was going to attempt some semblance of diplomacy, he was on edge after all the strange sounds he heard moments ago. His eyes were focused on the ventilation shafts above them, tracing from Donnell's desk to elsewhere. Whatever it was, he wished he could follow the trail of pipes instead; see whatever creature had made itself burrowing through the shafts. Though, with some luck, perhaps it'd trip some kind of wire in the shafts instead. The younger of Rugal's adoptive progeny, Melethia, was fond of setting traps in there. He'd keep an ear out for explosion.

Back to Angelus, she stepped inside of the room carefully, Kingsblood remaining on her hip instead of in her currently bared hands. Her voice took a careful, soothing tone, the kind she used for her children after a terrible nightmare, "Well, I think the first of our questions should be what's happened to you, Captain. It looks like you suffered a terrible wound, I can smell the blood from here. Who did this to you, and why? We just want to help you; and we can even escort you to the Med Bay in case whatever did this comes back. You'd be much safer there, wouldn't you agree, Major?"

The dragoness turned her head to the Major, and hoped beyond hope that Titania could see what her gambit was, and was willing to play along...

 

[Diablo1099_v1legacy]

Rising Dawn: Lt. Dolores Selmy's Room: Rugal, Dolores, Rising Dawn Staff

Ahhh...Now this was a part of his old life that he didn't regret: The parties.
Middle Eastern Lords, Terrorist Leaders, US Business moguls (Except that one, he kept trying to urinate on the dancers), he rubbed shoulders with them all.
It was a welcome distraction from the madness of the Rising Dawn, why he even sampled a nose from the selections of wines available to ensure their quality.
"Hmmmm...Italian Vintage. Fine choice. Also, I might suggest that bottle be left next to the baked goods, it's a brilliant compliment to such treats." He advised as he let the staff do their thing.
Ahhh...how he missed such pleasures, while he was a busy man, he always found time to micromanage the parties.
Once he was done, he returned to the host of the event, hearing her request for her to summon the crew.

"I believe that can be arranged..." He kindly remarked, his gaze returning to that strange creature before he went to do so.
Part of him could believe this was some kind of trap, that Dolores knew more then she was letting on but at least here, he would be able to monitor her.
On top of that, it might be a good chance to monitor the rest of the suspects in the investigation, as well as account for everyone's movements.
"Dimitri, broadcast this please. *Ahem*"

[HEADING=3]"Attention all Crew, this is Acting Captain Bernstein. Could you please report to Recreation room. The 1021st company has prepared a rather lovely private function for all of you. I shall be attending myself and I do hope to see you all there."[/HEADING]

He spoke with authority and grace, a hard combination to get right, before cutting the intercom.
Returning to the hostess, he then kindly asked "Now then Lieutenant, is there anything else I might do to assist?"
That was the one part of such parties he didn't enjoy: Masking suspicion and contempt with

 

[Zepherus14]

The Escapist Avatar Adventures
The Rising Dawn Airship: Nina's Room
Nina | Phillip
​

[hr]

Within her room, Nina was making good use of the desk provided. Two large jars had been placed at its ends, one nearly filled completely with pens, pencils and markers of all kinds, shapes and colours, while the other had a lonely two. A grumpy look on her face, what she'd thought was a clever plan had quickly turned on her head to her utmost surprise. While it hadn't backfired on her catastrophically like one would expect when messing with things they hardly understood, to say the result was unexpected was an understatement. Hopefully those stains would come out of the desk?

Separating the duo, Nina started to sign her name for the umpteenth time in the book, long lost the cautious of the first attempts as well as the flair of those thereafter. With that task complete, she leaned in to the page staring at the letter intently. 'Just try it mother fucker, you just stay there and be done with it! This is a Copic original, it costs an arm and a leg to just get one of these stupid things! Don't be such a petty little asshole!' Unblinking she continued to glare [https://static1.fjcdn.com/thumbnails/comments/Theinvader+has+activated+angry+glare+_fc4217a325b8c0e9d40d7506d13a5c16.gif] at the book until something finally grabbed her attention.

[HEADING=3]"Attention all Crew, this is Acting Captain Bernstein. Could you please report to Recreation room. The 1021st company has prepared a rather lovely private function for all of you. I shall be attending myself and I do hope to see you all there."[/HEADING]

The call to action had caught Nina off guard, partly because she hadn't realized there was a speaking in her room in the first place. Pivoting in the chair by her desk, she looked up at the noisy voice coming from the speaker. She wasn't entirely sure who was speaking there since she'd never met Rugal in person proper, but the message was received. Looking down at her phone, she practically kicked the chair aside as she screamed "AH PHILLIP, WE'RE LATE! IT'S ALREADY STARTED!" The tentacle monster closing the fridge with a slam, several tentacles coiling at this news. "There's no time for arguing, we gotta get going now!" Nina said as she picked up the ebony book from the table and groaned as ink started to drip from its pages. "Not now! We gotta get going you silly thing!" She retorted at the weeping tome, shaking it violently as ink dripped onto waiting sheets of paper long coated in a rainbow of colours dotted with black. With her things collected, and book tucked back into Phillip's folds, Nina set off for the recreation center.

[hr]

The Escapist Avatar Adventures
The Rising Dawn Airship: Recreation Room
Nina | Phillip | Rugal Bernstein | Dolores | Rising Dawn Staff |
​

[hr]

Arriving at the party, Phillip was still sporting the same chef's hat he'd had previously, but Nina was looking completely different. Gone were the fancy dress, stockings, jewelry and shoes in exchange for what could never be described as fancy. A yellow sweater with a large chocolate stain on its front, ripped jeans that seemed worn down not for fashion sake, and grass stained sneakers were some of the highlights of this ensemble. Needless to say, she was turning heads and for the wrong reasons. Regardless, she merely turned her nose up at them in a defiant attempt to impart she didn't care what they thought of her at the moment.

For the exceptionally perceptive though, they might take note that under the hoodie, Nina was still wearing a fashionable level of makeup, her hair was still styled as it spilled out from under the hood and when compared apart from the clothing, seemed to have its own particular flare that was clearly its own thing, done up to complement clothing that wasn't currently there. "Wow, they weren't kidding, this is fantastic!" She mused happily, taking in the decor on display. The immaculate tile work, gorgeous rug selection, pulsating flesh sacks, and overall atmosphere were almost oppressive in just how contrary it was compared to the rest of the ship. It was almost like they were in another reality entirely, if only she knew.

Surveying the area, Nina didn't see anyone she immediately recognized, at least until she spotted the purple haired woman from earlier. She'd take a step forward before turning to Phillip on her shoulders. "What? Ya, I was gonna go talk to her about- Well ya, I know she brought that spice over but- I suppose I could always talk to her later, she looks kinda busy anyways." She conversed with Phillip before looking for option B, something that would catch her eye, an icebreaker. And without too much hassle, she found it.

"That's a really nice cat you have there, such a pretty coat she's got." She said aloud when she neared Dolores, tilting her head to get a better look. "It reminds me a lot of the cat my grandparents had when I was a kid, Begee." Her green lipstick parted to display a warm smile as she looked from the girl in the wheelchair to her... muscular attendant? He certainly looked the part for such a place even if his muscles were huge. "Not sure how long this has been in the works for, but that Lieutenant sure pulled out all the stops! I'm Nina by the way, Nina Zaczoltski." She offered them a hand while raising another to denote her companion. "And this is Phillip, [small]play nice and say hello[/small]." She added as Phillip lifted the brim of his chef's hat.

 

[NotYetForsaken]

[[Main Scenario]]​

[hr]

Glimmer of Hope

titania's story

​

[hr]

"A child cannot give consent."​

Kyuubey turned and padded away, flicking his tail back and forth as he left through the ventilation shaft. He stepped over some traps and deftly danced across multiple gaps in his path. He didn't feel, not in the traditional sense. He was already moving on to the next plan. He cast a sidelong glance back.

She would be his.

---​

"How could you!" Laeta screamed. She held the corpse of the small animal in her arms. Blank red eyes gazed skyward amidst a shallow field of white fur. "You don't even know what it was!" Tears streamed down her face, dripping from her chin down onto the broken mess of a creature.

BlackHarte recoiled, seemingly afraid of the teenage girl.

"It is better this way. I thank you David West."

"Mr. West... I thought better of you. Better of a hero!" Laeta got up and clenched her fists. Her emotions were in disarray. Her heart firing on all cylinders. She wanted to punch him, to scream. To get up and throttle the undulating black mass that bowed its head before her. She was so frustrated!

She spun around and slammed her foot into the wall. The Rising Dawn creaked, tilting slightly toward the right before the stabilizing thrusters turned on. Her knees buckled and she collapsed onto the floor. Laeta was shaking, blue eyes staring straight forward into the emptiness of the hallway, her face contorting to hold back tears she was too old to shed. Her legs bent outward at strange angles. The outburst had blows out her knees, and now she had to wait while her body stitched itself back together.

BlackHarte put his hand on the wall and quietly repaired the abused metal.

"I know that you are upset..."

BlackHarte paused, searching for a word that he could use to address Laeta,

"I know that you are upset about this, mistress Laeta. But this was necessary. That creature is a dangerous pest."

"It was sentient," she shot back, "How could anything that can talk be a 'pest'?" She shook her head, "Do you really believe that somehow his life is worth less than a humans? Than our own? All lives are sacred! I cannot believe any of you!"

Laeta looked at Cadolbolg and Ton Ton. "Would you go so far as to order the murder of those two? Or would you not, because they are familiar to you? This creature was asking for help and you killed it in cold blood!" She shook her head, hair fluttering softly from side to side.

---​

"I'm fine," Captain Donnell said softly. She placed the small black orb on the table and sat up straight, covering her wound with her jacket. "The wound looks more gruesome than it really is." She was wary, but collected. Angelus could see the gears switching in the Captain's brain from "child being attacked by a tentacle monster" to "intelligence captain of the most dangerous group of individuals in the world."

Titania leaned back and shook her head, "It is unwise to lie to a commanding officer."

"I am not lying," Captain Donnell repeated, "really, I am fine." She picked up the small black ball and turned it over in her hands. "I had a nightmare, something quite awful. Visions of a world without heroes... and there was a girl there. So young, beautiful and pure." She paused. "I had lost myself for quite some time afterwards. Our most secretive host pried this from my body, the cause of my wayward dreams. That is all."

"Let me take a look at that," Titania picked up the black ball from Donnell's hand. She peered at it, turning it over several times. "Artificial, but lacking in imperfections. The material's not anything scientific, but neither is it magical. It's ethereal, it's almost like it has weight without mass."

"Keep it, by all means. It is of no value to me. I'm just glad that it's not inside of me anymore."

[HEADING=2]

"Attention all Crew, this is Acting Captain Bernstein. Could you please report to Recreation room? The 1021st company has prepared a rather lovely private function for all of you. I shall be attending myself and I do hope to see you all there."

[/HEADING]

Donnell smiled suddenly and got up. "We should respond to those summons, Ms. Hero, Major la Fey. I have the hunch that you'll find many of your answers there."

 

[bluerocker]

[[Main Scenario]]​

[hr]

Glimmer of Hope

titania's story

​

[hr]

"We should respond to those summons, Ms. Hero, Major la Fey. I have the hunch that you'll find many of your answers there."

Angelus' lip curled at the dismissal. She had tried to be kindly, gentle even (though admittedly, part of that was a ruse); and she did not take kindly to being brushed aside for a *party* of all things. She was already sensing her pact partner's anxious energy regarding the wherabouts of this perpetrator, and now it appeared it was on the loose in the ventilation of the Dawn!

Taking an agressive step past the Major, Angelus pointed an accusatory finger at Donnell, "This is not to be borne! You think we will just stop our investigation because of some god's be damned PARTY?! That *thing* that ripped that orb out of your body so easily is running amok on our ship! We heard it speak before it entered, what does it want? Why did it remove that thing from you? And where does it plan to go next? I will not have my home being treated as a playground to the unknown. ANSWER ME!"

Donnell drew Maria and placed the gun at Angelus' stomach. "Do not misunderstand your position," Donnell?s finger was resting lazily on the trigger guard instead of the trigger, "it has been a long time since any of the heroes has been in control of this ship. What BlackHarte wills is not information allowed to either hero or staff. I may be small, but do not think for a moment that any of you have physical dominance over me."

This impudent girl, this insect, to presume that a great dragon was not indomitable! Oh, how Angelus wanted to show her the true power of dragonfire, to make her quail and shudder before her might, to show the scouring powers of her teeth and fangs. Confound this human flesh, confound this human form! She would not be treated thusly if this child could see what she was capable of. Her pride challenged thusly, fire singed in her blood and begged to be unleashed, to smote this interloper who continued to be so infuriatingly evasive. Her lip curled to a full snarl as she began to say, "We shall see about tha-"

"Angelus."

In the air between all parties, a PDA's mechanical tones rang, Caim finally stepping in to 'speak',

"We have a name. That's more than enough for now. Let's go."

What followed after was not heard by anyone but the pact pair, as Caim added quietly, "Rugal said his daughter cannot heal right now. As much as I share your feelings and want to proceed in the same way, we can't do anything too bold at the moment."

With a growl, the dragoness took a step back and spat back, "This is not over. Major, I believe we have our first lead. Shall we?"

Titania put herself between Angelus and Donnell, carefully keeping a bead on the Captain's left hand as they left,
"I've got an uneasy feeling. Go to the party Angelus, I need to find Ruby."

With a solemn nod from the dragoness, the duo excused themselves from the room. Once the two were out of earshot, Caim, who could feel the rolling anger off of his companion as if it were a tangible force, attempted to calm his companion with an amiable comment, "You know, since we're going to a party and all; you could dress the part? I already polished my armor, so I'm set."

He only earned a huff in response.


[hr]

Recreation Room: The Party​

[hr]

The duo arrived on scene in a manner most would consider fashionable - late. In spite of her previous protests, Angelus did eventually elect to pick a slinky red number [https://i.imgur.com/Rtu1Pcn.png] with leg room to spare. Kingsblood sheathed on her hip, and a hearty approval from her pact partner, Angelus lead the "charge" into the banquet hall and surveyed the scene. There was already a number of delicacies lined up and ready to go for the rest of the prospective members of the Dawn, whenever they deigned fit to arrive. At one table stood Rugal and the supposed facilitator of this party, Dolores; who were chatting up the girl Caim had found in the base earlier. She (Nina) seemed to be a bit underdressed for the occasion, with only a hooded sweatshirt and jeans to speak of. Perhaps, as was a common sentiment among mortals, she deigned fit to wear a favorite for such engagements? On her arm rested the strangness that was Phillip, bearing an absurdly large chef's hat to boot. Angelus interest was ever so slightly piqued at the ensemble, and contemplated how multiple limbs could be useful for such a profession...Though how it saw she had no idea. Next was Dorlores, she piqued Angleus' interests for a number of reasons. Angelus did not encounter Dolores many a time, but she did see how the girl acted... "Odd" on the battle field. Strange that it were, that a girl she did not know terribly well deign it fit to throw this party and give her an explicit invitation. Finally, Angelus' thoughts turned to the King of Fighters himself, Angelus surmising that he was probably schmoozing it up as a figurehead should; and turned to go in another direction of the banquet hall. If nothing else, the food smelled good, and being angry did work up an appetite.

She snagged a couple of meatballs on a stick and chewed thoughtfully, her eyes darting about the room. Looking back to her partner, she noted he already looked uncomfortable with the situation, a creature of physical force suddenly thrust into a matter of intrigue and subterfuge. He had told her once that courtly matters were never his forte, finding comfort in practicing his weapon skills and training long until he grew tired. And with that - the dragoness had an idea. Let her sword arm be a shield, to deflect attention while she rooted about the party for clues. That shouldn't be too difficult with Rugal around - they could just talk about training, or reminiscence; easy. After she finished nibbling another meatball, she spoke idly, as if she were speaking of the weather, "We saw Bernstein and the girl hosting this party earlier. Go talk to them. They won't expect anything out of you."

The mute's gaze flickered to the dragoness, his expression first turning to one of indignation - before Angelus 'sent' her intentions to him, her expression unchanging as she reached for something else. He stopped, thought for a moment, and then brusquely grabbed something of his own before he moved towards the duo in question, the ghost of a smile flickering on his face. With that, the dragon was free to hunt. With her new snack in tow, she began to mill in the room herself, her eyes, ears, and nose on the prowl for something unusual, something to hint towards this "Black Heart"...

 

[BlackHarte]

[HEADING=2]Rising Dawn ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3:05 PM[/HEADING][hr][HEADING=3]Lt. Dolores Selmy[/HEADING]

The strings on the stage, directed by the young director who had been familiar to the pains of the heart and soul, sang melancholy. The ebb and flow of the bows on the string were like breaths, high inhales and long exhales. They were sighing and humming together in that solemn choir. I couldn't place the song, but it sounded like something classical. Something sad. It embodied autumn itself. Quivering notes of falling leaves and bare branches cast against gloomy skies captured by long pulls against melodic wood. It was sad, but not mourning. A passing, but not death.

Rugal put his hands on my shoulders. I jumped.

"Ah," I settled down and grabbed Kyuubey and put it in my lap. "I... I must have drifted off. I'm sorry."

I reached out for Nina's hand and shook it. "Nice to meet you Nina, Phillip." I smiled. The squirming mass of tentacles looked at me, looked through me. It looked transfixed, as if gazing upon a familiar face. "Ah..." I forced myself to smile. "Yes, I've always wanted a cat as a child, but we moved so much that I never could have. It's nice to have someone that you can count on being at home."

"Nice to meet you! My name is Kyuubey!" Kyuubey said, flicking its tail back and forth lazily. It seemed almost as if Kyuuby and Phillip were addressing each other instead of us.

"Oh!" I forgot to introduce myself. "I'm Dolo..." I paused. The name seemed strange and foreign on my tongue. But it was my name. It had always been my name right? I started again, "My name is Dolo..." I paused. I closed my eyes. It sounded so wrong.

Your name is Dolores. It means to suffer.

"My name is Dolores."

Kyuubey turned around, "Is that so?"

"My name is Dolores Selmy," I repeated. It still didn't feel right. "Lieutenant Dolores Selmy, of the 263rd support squadron."

"Ain't that a bit of a shitty way to introduce yourself?" I felt a sharp pain crack between my shoulders. Long strands of airy red hair fell into my vision as Molly tossed her hair back. She looked... so much more beautiful now. Almost like she had suddenly found herself comfortable in her own body. Her blue eyes were bright, her skin was tan. The scars and callouses on her hands had been owned. Molly grinned, "She's Dolly, from California."

"You've woken with such energy." I had heard that she had fallen asleep while I was in operation. Had she been asleep this entire time? What was with this sudden change of mood? It was like she was a completely different person.

"I'm Molly Faust, but most people her just call me Faust," she put her hand on my head and played with my cowlick, "I'm one of Dolly here's oldest friends. It's really nice to see that this weeb shut-in is making friends other than me."

"Stoooop," I groaned. I felt my cheeks getting hot. Her personality had changed so much, I had to wonder if that was still the serious and kindhearted Molly I knew. Suddenly I felt the blood drain from my face.

The clack of her heels echoed through my head. Mnemosyne had gotten up and left.

"It is quite strange though, for so many people to be able to see me," Kyuubey shook its head, looking at Phillip, "It's very strange. The level of karmic gravity of the people on this ship is easily two hundred to three hundred times the normal amount. The only time I've seen this before was a result of consistent use of temporal manipulation techniques."

Captain Donnell passed us and retreated deep into the growing crowd of people.

Molly looked around, "Now where did John get off too. I swear he was with me when we got here."

A sullen looking man approached. I swallowed. Caim? Caim. His name was Caim. "Oh, Caim. How nice of you to join us. Is there something I can help you with?"

Kyuubey's tail scratched the underside of my chin as his tail flicked madly side to side.