Riverside

Locales found within the main city centers; primarily Inside, Riverside, and Skyside.
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Arkhosia
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Re: Riverside

Post by Arkhosia »

[MERC Office]

Blanche shifts uncomfortably. "An election is when a group vote for a figure to represent them in a governing body, in this case the mayor of the city... and us volunteering to oversee it may be an issue, considering one of the candidates was a former member of our organization."
"Are we living a life that is safe from harm? Of course not, we never are. But that's not the right question. The question is: are we living a life that is worth the harm?"
~Welcome to Night Vale
SliiArhem wrote:Arkh I may be slightly delirious but I don't think that would make sense even if I was coherent.

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Re: Riverside

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Arkhosia wrote: Nov 23, 2022 4:47 am [Back to Fox Central]

Ana steps back and sits down on the curb, covering her brightening cheeks with her hands. "Oh gods, maybe???" She glances up. "I-I mean, I've never been so worried about what even the girls at cheer think about me! A-a-and the way she knows how to tease me like that, i-it's just- I-I dunno, I mean I've always liked it with you too!"

Hearing that last remark though, Anastasia can't help but ease back out of her flustered semi-panic with an awkward giggle. "I mean, uh, I- I guess I have been staring a little, haven't I?" She rubs the back of her head. "That's not, l-like... awkward, is it?"
[Back to Fox Central]

"I mean I don't think I ever fully caught on. This was kind of a shot in the dark. You're probably safe." Eliseo sits down on the curb next to her, leaning his hand back on the pavement and looking at her with an amused interest. "Kinda interesting, though. I mean I didn't see this one coming."
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Re: Riverside

Post by Arkhosia »

[Back to Fox Central]

"Really?" Anastasia giggles. "Like, did you think I wasn't into cool troublemakers? That's basically you too, y'know!" She offers her boyfriend a nervous little prod of the elbow, then sighs. "Gosh, can't I just only have a crush on you? Why does everything in my life have to be so complicated?"
"Are we living a life that is safe from harm? Of course not, we never are. But that's not the right question. The question is: are we living a life that is worth the harm?"
~Welcome to Night Vale
SliiArhem wrote:Arkh I may be slightly delirious but I don't think that would make sense even if I was coherent.
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Re: Riverside

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Ironsmith wrote: Nov 23, 2022 6:13 pm [Intercession with Ilpholin]

And a third time Siana's stopped in her tracks. She really needs to stop attempting a dramatic exit.

"...If you're seriously suggesting we step outside and have this out, I'm game for that, too." She says finally, beckoning to one of the pawns (she strongly suspects it doesn't matter which). If the selected pawn comes forward, Siana will indeed make the request that she and Ilpholin both be taken outside.

Though regardless of the response, she's starting to feel a knot form in the pit of her stomach. This feels like a mistake. Like there's something about this situation that's just... horribly wrong. Ilpholin's un-subtly suggested she won't defend herself, which brings Siana back to the question of whether she could, in fact, bring herself to execute her. Was it really that different from what Ilpholin was threatening to do to Ana? Even if it was, that wouldn't make it right. She took up the sword because she wanted to help people, but this... didn't seem a lot like helping.

And yet, she can't seem to find an actual hole in Ilpholin's reasoning, either. If the nymph's attacks on innocent people (just the two, that she knows of, but that's already two too many) are as inavertable as she claims, then she needs to be stopped. Permanently. By whatever means necessary.

...Right?

...Maybe it isn't too late. They could talk and duel at the same time. Any competent swordsman could. If in the process of fighting her, Siana could convince Ilpholin to stand down, maybe she won't have to kill her.

Or not. She's assuming that there will, in fact, be a fight, with that line of reasoning.

Maybe it won't be permanent? Siana herself could survive some pretty nasty injuries. And Ilpholin's still throwing her life away entirely too quickly. Even if she was as zealous as she claimed, removing herself from the struggle won't help her cause in any way. The best case scenario is that she gets the last laugh on a vampire she met a few hours prior. No, if she's offering herself that readily, she has a plan for surviving.

So Siana "killing" her isn't likely to actually do anything, other than convince Ilpholin that she would if she had to.

Right? That has to be it.

Has to be.


"Shall we go?"
Reinholdt wrote: Nov 23, 2022 9:54 am [Intercession with Ilpholin]

The vampire's tirade about her own life only proves she knows nothing truly about Ilpholin. Well it was hardly the nymph's place to inform her.
Let the bushido believe her sob, sad past entitled her to respect. "Did I now? Hmm... it would hardly matter if you were thrown out now, seeing as I promised the fox 48 hours. But we can go outside if you're that concerned about it." No? Walking away instead? Ilpholin could have respected the vampire refusing on principal, but this was just sad.

"Well, I suppose it's irrelevant. You don't seem to have learned anything from our exchange given you continue to believe I will not sacrifice my life for my cause. Rail against the heavens little pup. Rail until your voice runs dry and your sword turns red." Ilpholin gives Siana a wave goodbye and a disappointed stare.
[Intercession with Ilpholin]

As soon as Siana says that Black Pawn appears before them. Not out of a puff of smoke or anything. She's just there all of sudden.
Black Pawn has not interacted with anyone since she was dismissed by Ilpholin and the King In Rags earlier, but now she's before them once more.

"You're seeking the dueling room." She states, not waiting for confirmation before she gestures for them to follow. "This way."

If they follow her they will be lead into a large room which is dominated by a fighting ring which has been dug out in the ground. It's filled with fine sand but interlining its floor are massive tree roots which have formed into the motifs of shields and various forms of weaponry.

"Is sand good or do you prefer another environment to duel in?" She inquires as she gestures at the arena.
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Re: Riverside

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[MERC Office]

Wenomir shakes his head.

"Cessie has mentioned speaking to Felandria about stepping down from her position in Vigil. But even if that happens, it would still look like we're trying to exert influence on Riverside. Especially if we also stick to our plan for keeping the anti-demon sentiments contained."

"There's an elf campaigning on an anti-demon, fearmongering platform," Dipsnig points out. "Seems like an obvious suspect for the King in Rags' puppet candidate."

[Into the Looking Glass - Kingly Audience]

"Control through fear is something I have mastered. Indeed, I knew it from the moment I willed myself into being," the King muses. "But what does this last creature feed on, then?"
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Re: Riverside

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[Intercession with Ilpholin]

Black Pawn's appearance is unnerving, but a stark reminder that they are being watched, listened to. A loving reminder of the value of secrecy and obtuse language. Ilpholin frowns at the pawn of Nye's for a moment before faking a smile and standing up to follow the puppet, glancing at Siana and Ana Stasia only briefly as the nymph carries herself out of the room.

An arena just for dueling huh? How often had it been used? Or had it been created just for the two of them? Blood in the sand. "Sand is fine," Ilpholin says, gracefully leaping down into the ring. "But calling this a duel is a gross overstatement of the situation."

Ilpholin eyes Siana carefully for a silent moment before turning her back to the vampire and kneeling down in the sand, hands in her lap as she turns off her pain receptors in case the fox's pet chose to make it slow and painful instead of quick.

[Northside Graveyard]

Mrs. Mordecai really can't tell if this is going well or not. Yeah, Melody's getting mad, but instead of directing that anger at the obviously worst lady in the world and refuting the questionable claims, she's getting mad at herself and maybe her friends. Does spray painting over your own grave count as rebelling? Or is it just self-loathing? Is she going the wrong way? Stupid demon, just yell at the old lady already.

Malady gets a short reprieve as Mrs. Mordecai momentarily gazes out at a barking dog. You get 'em canine buddy. Chew that goat up into a million pieces. Wishful thinking on Mrs. Mordecai's part though.

So for now she turns her attention back to the angry, grieving girl, refusing to give her the silence she craves. "It makes you pathetic, that's what it makes you. Well I can't say I'm surprised, what with all the shortcuts you've taken in life. So busy giving up on yourself you haven't learned how to stand up for yourself. You're spineless." The brazen hag emphasizes the point by jabbing her cane directly into Melody's back, letting it be painful if necessary, hoping that the physical stimulation might lead to something. "I'm insulted just looking at you. A perfect example of the rot in today's youth."

[Xar'Cha Estate]

"To become a demon-slayer..." Ilpholin repeats, not sounding impressed by that answer. She doesn't berate him the answer, given that it's factually accurate. But she certainly moves on to the next person, walking with the resounding bootsteps of judgement and stopping before Haabeth.

"Why are you here?"
Last edited by Reinholdt on Nov 25, 2022 5:02 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Riverside

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[Intercession with Ilpholin]

Black Pawn nods to Ilpholin and says nothing.

However, once Siana gets down into the arena she walks over to a bell set up at the edge of it and starts to repeatedly toll it.
The sound will soon attract Nye, her escort of pawns and possibly some of the other guests if they want to watch this debacle.

[Into the Looking Glass - Kingly Audience]

Nye looks to the emptiness outside the door as if surprised at the question. "Hmm? Oh, this one is my pet so I'm not letting it feed off the population like some wild animal. No, it's eating the very finest of morsel." The way she used that word suggested she was talking about something specific rather than just food in general or whatever such a being would consume for sustenance.

"But that sounds promising. So is the idea that you simply will get powerful enough to open the doorway to the fairest lands or is there some other puzzle pieces that need to fall into place first? Since I believe that would be a benefit for everyone in the end and I'm nothing but an enabler for such things. The citizens of the city would no longer have to fear demons once they have the fairest lands on their side, no? Everyone living here could certainly use some brightening up." She glances at the pierced heart standing barely five meters away from her.
The King no doubt be able to tell that this was a spirit (or yokai as Nye called it) of hatred.
Recaiden wrote: Nov 23, 2022 7:06 pm [Into the Looking Glass]

The lights mirror back Fusago's second image. A question.

And then, they show the first, though changed, with some mortals stranding stridently upright. It is also an offer, but not unqualified, only if certain answers or actions come to pass.

Skye shakes her head.

The next image is complicated, layered. First, it shows an abstract human figure carrying a rolled paper in their hands. A messenger.
But it also shows The General standing beside many many others, second from the back in a large crowd. And looming over all of them, is, in a twist of perspective, everything they've been seeing all along. No, it is not her that is spoken of, or even her that is speaking. She is just...maybe not a pawn, but still a chess piece on the board.
[Into the Looking Glass]

And so they returned to the original question, Fusago echoing back the same notion that was expressed to them.
Recaiden wrote: Nov 21, 2022 4:45 pmWhat if it could be another way? A spirit be part of the yu-seed, and yet live?
The answer is complicated but it's also simple.

The simple version would be 'maybe' which is easy enough to understand.

The more complex answer however would depend on another question. What does 'be a part of' mean? Since the way Fusago sees it each part of it is equal meaning that every spirit, mortal and fey have an equal voice. This principle however made it impossible for anything to regain itself within its being. Since if it did that would mean that it's voice would be greater than anything that came before it. A notion it considers as 'unfair'.

[MERC Office]

"Oh, what group picks them out? Like some kind of council or whatever?" Anika sounds quite intrigued by this idea.

Jaahlyn frowns though, why did things have to be so complicated all the time?
She gestures to Dipsnig. "Well, can't you keep an eye on that candidate in secret then? Or you could always pay us to do it- actually, no. We're affiliated with Malechenar so that wouldn't work either I think." She turns back to Wenomir with a thoughtful expression. "Surely there would be a way to do it in secret though?"

Suddenly Anika speaks up. "I could totally do it. I mean, if I'm supposed to work with the city watch around here it would be okay if I'm keeping tabs on this 'election' right?" If it was a voting-council it'd be super-easy too!

[Northside Graveyard]

Stupid dog!
She couldn't bring herself to hurt it either so all those fake-out gore attacks were of no use, especially as it was a lot faster than her.
The goat stops and instead starts looking around. There, a large mausoleum in the distance, that'd be perfect!

The goat, still followed by the dog, takes off charging towards the mausoleum and will disappear behind it as the two continue to exchange words.
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Re: Riverside

Post by Arkhosia »

[Intercession with Ilpholin]

Ana and Stasia are indeed present, as the two spot Siana and Ilpholin leaving the room and move to follow with concern. If someone is hurt or even killed because of her, the kumiho feels an obligation to witness it, and if asked she'll even say as much to either duelist.

Seeing Ilpholin kneel and refuse to defend herself, though, Ana hesitates. Wait, is she not going to fight back? Something twists in her gut. This feels wrong. Is this a gambit? Is she trying to manipulate Siana, wait for her to refuse so she can use that moment of weakness to strike? Does she have some backup of sorts - another body, a way to repair herself? There's no way Ilpholin would throw away her life like this, just to prove some kind of point.

Unless... did Ilpholin have a way to not just repair herself, but strike back at Siana in the process? Was a near-death just a way for her to get someone in close enough to kill them? A scary thought, one that makes Stasia shudder as the two halves watch.
"Are we living a life that is safe from harm? Of course not, we never are. But that's not the right question. The question is: are we living a life that is worth the harm?"
~Welcome to Night Vale
SliiArhem wrote:Arkh I may be slightly delirious but I don't think that would make sense even if I was coherent.
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Re: Riverside

Post by Arkhosia »

[MERC Office]

"Er, well... everyone in the district," Blanche explains. "Eastside believes that every citizen deserves a voice in how they're represented in government, so everyone gets a vote." Oh no, is she going to have to explain how representational democracy works? Tenth Grade AP Government and Politics was so long ago, and it wasn't even focused on the same community they're talking about here! "...Still, you might be onto something. It'd be good to have you keep tabs and let us know if anyone involved in the election might be doing something sketchy, especially if anyone in the city watch tries to block polls or anything?"

Thinking on Jaahlyn and Dipsnig's comments, Blanche frowns. "Us actively funding you to keep tabs on a candidate might be seen as even worse if found out, but there could be something to that. If you could convince the Eastside government that it's in its best interests to hire you and keep tabs on both candidates, that might work better. Still an angle where you can be accused of bias, since there's an incumbent, but you'd have more legitimacy as a neutral party.
"Are we living a life that is safe from harm? Of course not, we never are. But that's not the right question. The question is: are we living a life that is worth the harm?"
~Welcome to Night Vale
SliiArhem wrote:Arkh I may be slightly delirious but I don't think that would make sense even if I was coherent.
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Re: Riverside

Post by Recaiden »

[Into the Looking Glass]

The answer to this is likewise simple, if subtle enough that it takes a few tries to express, showing subtle changes in a mass of depicted spirits. Do they have a voice?
Fairness is of little consequence. Are mortals and fey not different? Are not individuals different from each other? Why treat them the same, when there could be a specific relationship between them and the whole? Look at Skye here - she has done so much (see beasts running through the forest, flames burning in a flying city, armies marching into Southside) and yet her heart remains divided (an image of The General walking away from all her men). While some of the other voices are quiet, distant. Yet they are all still there, all listened to in their own way.

Then, the visions fade a bit as Skye gets out of her chair at the ringing of the bell.
Last edited by Recaiden on Nov 25, 2022 11:29 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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Re: Riverside

Post by Ironsmith »

Shadowcaller wrote: Nov 24, 2022 7:26 am [Intercession with Ilpholin]

As soon as Siana says that Black Pawn appears before them. Not out of a puff of smoke or anything. She's just there all of sudden.
Black Pawn has not interacted with anyone since she was dismissed by Ilpholin and the King In Rags earlier, but now she's before them once more.

"You're seeking the dueling room." She states, not waiting for confirmation before she gestures for them to follow. "This way."

If they follow her they will be lead into a large room which is dominated by a fighting ring which has been dug out in the ground. It's filled with fine sand but interlining its floor are massive tree roots which have formed into the motifs of shields and various forms of weaponry.

"Is sand good or do you prefer another environment to duel in?" She inquires as she gestures at the arena.
Reinholdt wrote: Nov 25, 2022 9:08 am [Intercession with Ilpholin]

Black Pawn's appearance is unnerving, but a stark reminder that they are being watched, listened to. A loving reminder of the value of secrecy and obtuse language. Ilpholin frowns at the pawn of Nye's for a moment before faking a smile and standing up to follow the puppet, glancing at Siana and Ana Stasia only briefly as the nymph carries herself out of the room.

An arena just for dueling huh? How often had it been used? Or had it been created just for the two of them? Blood in the sand. "Sand is fine," Ilpholin says, gracefully leaping down into the ring. "But calling this a duel is a gross overstatement of the situation."

Ilpholin eyes Siana carefully for a silent moment before turning her back to the vampire and kneeling down in the sand, hands in her lap as she turns off her pain receptors in case the fox's pet chose to make it slow and painful instead of quick.
Shadowcaller wrote: Nov 25, 2022 11:56 am [Intercession with Ilpholin]

Black Pawn nods to Ilpholin and says nothing.

However, once Siana gets down into the arena she walks over to a bell set up at the edge of it and starts to repeatedly toll it.
The sound will soon attract Nye, her escort of pawns and possibly some of the other guests if they want to watch this debacle.
Arkhosia wrote: Nov 25, 2022 4:38 pm [Intercession with Ilpholin]

Ana and Stasia are indeed present, as the two spot Siana and Ilpholin leaving the room and move to follow with concern. If someone is hurt or even killed because of her, the kumiho feels an obligation to witness it, and if asked she'll even say as much to either duelist.

Seeing Ilpholin kneel and refuse to defend herself, though, Ana hesitates. Wait, is she not going to fight back? Something twists in her gut. This feels wrong. Is this a gambit? Is she trying to manipulate Siana, wait for her to refuse so she can use that moment of weakness to strike? Does she have some backup of sorts - another body, a way to repair herself? There's no way Ilpholin would throw away her life like this, just to prove some kind of point.

Unless... did Ilpholin have a way to not just repair herself, but strike back at Siana in the process? Was a near-death just a way for her to get someone in close enough to kill them? A scary thought, one that makes Stasia shudder as the two halves watch.
[Intercession with Ilpholin]

The entire way there, Siana's quietly hoping something will stop them. Or at least interfere. That Fusago will tell them that it won't allow what Ilpholin's offering. That Nye will intervene and say the same. That Ana or Stasia will pull her aside and tell her this isn't what either of them wants. That Ilpholin herself will tell her to stop short, say she's proven her point, and not ask her for a killing blow. Even some intervention from Skye or the King in Rags would be welcome.

...None of which is apparently forthcoming.

As they proceed to the dueling room, and then into the arena, Siana finds herself running out of ways the execution can be averted. When Ilpholin finally kneels before her, the only thing she can do is search her conscience again for another reason not to go through with this.

Something. Anything. That she can put in front of everyone to show that what she's about to do is exactly as wrong as it felt.

But no. No matter how she runs it in her head, she can't manage it. She advocated for "Ana" to be spared earlier on the grounds that she was repentant and redeemable. If that's what made the difference, what would that imply about Ilpholin, who felt no guilt over threatening innocents? She can't convince Ilpholin to stand down. Protecting Ana and Stasia will mean killing her. And she can't back down from protecting them, either. There's no avoiding it. Ilpholin has to die. She even said as much herself.

Siana, again, slowly draws her sword from its scabbard in her cane, the time it takes to ready the weapon only serving to enable her hesitation further.

...If she's going to do this, she's going to at least make it as painless as she can. One swift stroke between life and death. There's no cause to make the terminally-misguided demon hunter suffer. And before tonight, Siana admired her too much to put her through that sort of indignity.

Siana touches her sword to the side of Ilpholin's neck, confirming where the weapon is intended to strike, and pulls back, readying herself to deliver the blow.

She closes her eyes and forces herself to take a breath. Two more seconds, she thinks, and the worst of this will be over.

And then she strikes.

Reinholdt wrote: Nov 25, 2022 9:08 am [Northside Graveyard]

Mrs. Mordecai really can't tell if this is going well or not. Yeah, Melody's getting mad, but instead of directing that anger at the obviously worst lady in the world and refuting the questionable claims, she's getting mad at herself and maybe her friends. Does spray painting over your own grave count as rebelling? Or is it just self-loathing? Is she going the wrong way? Stupid demon, just yell at the old lady already.

Malady gets a short reprieve as Mrs. Mordecai momentarily gazes out at a barking dog. You get 'em canine buddy. Chew that goat up into a million pieces. Wishful thinking on Mrs. Mordecai's part though.

So for now she turns her attention back to the angry, grieving girl, refusing to give her the silence she craves. "It makes you pathetic, that's what it makes you. Well I can't say I'm surprised, what with all the shortcuts you've taken in life. So busy giving up on yourself you haven't learned how to stand up for yourself. You're spineless." The brazen hag emphasizes the point by jabbing her cane directly into Melody's back, letting it be painful if necessary, hoping that the physical stimulation might lead to something. "I'm insulted just looking at you. A perfect example of the rot in today's youth."
Shadowcaller wrote: Nov 25, 2022 11:56 am [Northside Graveyard]

Stupid dog!
She couldn't bring herself to hurt it either so all those fake-out gore attacks were of no use, especially as it was a lot faster than her.
The goat stops and instead starts looking around. There, a large mausoleum in the distance, that'd be perfect!

The goat, still followed by the dog, takes off charging towards the mausoleum and will disappear behind it as the two continue to exchange words.
[Northside Graveyard]

Malady lets out a little cry of pain as the cane hits up against her back, and stumbles forward into the dirt in front of her. By reflex, she's flicked out her wings to steady herself, and in the process, given up her disguise (it's pointless anyway, Mrs. Mordecai knows who she is). Her wings settle at her sides while her tail falls out onto the ground, hanging limply behind her and dragging itself the short distance she goes. Her horns appear just soon enough to function as a brace as she buries her face in her arms, sobbing quietly.

After all, Mrs. Mordecai is right. She is spineless. And pathetic. And she's just going to let herself keep being pushed around. Even by Mrs. Mordecai herself. Exactly how is she supposed to argue with that? What would even be the point?
Who're you? ...Don't matter.

Want some rye? Course ya do!

Here's to us!
Who's like us?
Damn few,
And they're aaaaall dead.
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Re: Riverside

Post by Morty »

[Into the Looking Glass - Kingly Audience]

"My return to the Fairest of Lands is not merely a question of power," the King admits reluctantly. "I have tried to open the way, but I am missing something that eludes me. I have acquired an object of power from my past, that belonged to my enemy. But would you truly turn this city into my domain?"

[MERC Office]

"If any such thing came to light, the candidate would no doubt use it to further their agenda." Wenomir frowns. "Claim to be persecuted and the like. But we don't really have a choice. If the King in Rags is trying to influence the election, we have to know more." He grits his teeth. "I wonder if the Cuthun monsters are laughing now, watching us deal with the aftermath of their invasion long after we beat it back."

"I suppose it might be less of a PR win for them if it's us doing it." Dipsnig sighs. This entire line of reasoning embeds MERC into Riverside politics far more than he's comfortable with. And the look on Wenomir's face whenever he talks about the Cuthun demons unnerves him. "But it's not a good look for mercenaries to get involved in politics this way."

[Xar'Cha Estate]

Haabeth stiffens, concealing her own nervousness. But when she answers, it seems that she has thought about this question for some time.

"I'm here because I saw you fight that troll in our city. And I knew that if I had an opportunity to learn from you and fight with you, I had to take it."
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Re: Riverside

Post by Reinholdt »

[Northside Graveyard]

Lolth below, this was just sad. Malady wouldn't last a minute in the Underdark. She'd... well she'd end up crying as much as Ilpholin cried until she broke or toughened up. Malady won't stand up for herself, won't stand up for her work, won't even stand up for her friends. Was there anything even left?

"... I feel worse about your fans really. They must really be bottom feeding leeches if they follow this simpering crybaby around. Shouldn't expect better really. Trash attracts the roaches," Mrs. Mordecai says, starting to turn away from the demon.

[Xar'Cha Extate]

"To learn to fight..." Ilpholin goes quiet for a moment, only disappointment showing as she steps away from Haabeth too. She walks again, this time stopping in front of no one in particular as she speaks. "WHY. ARE. YOU. HERE?! Can anyone tell me?! Anyone at all?"

Ilpholin truly expects nothing but awkwardness at this point, so if no one is brave enough to answer within a second's time, she continues. "You are here to protect the ones you love. You are here to learn how to guard your home. You are here because we are at WAR! There is a scourge out there who wants the lives and souls of you, your daughters, your brothers, your mothers. And they'll use every backhanded trick to get it, be that a forward fight or a corruptive contract, or perhaps just a simple loan of casino chips. This plague is spreading and make no mistake, people out there, innocent people will die and will continue to die until you learn how to save them! You are not here to become a demon hunter, you're here to eradicate a disease. You are not here to learn how to fight, you are here to learn how to fight for the people you care about. Am I clear?!"

[Intercession with Ilpholin]

Ilpholin sighs in complete defeat. Expecting anything from this girl, what a absolute joke. Expecting honor from someone so eager to defend the innocents. Expecting her to realize Ilpholin never once said she'd harm Anastasia. Expecting her to understand they couldn't openly speak from the very beginning when the Black Pawn showed up and made it evident. Expecting her to understand what Ilpholin really meant when suggesting they go outside. Expecting her to understand the true enemy here was Nye and Fusago.

But then, that's what Ilpholin gets for believing in people. It was a flaw of hers. A fatal one, now, she supposes. And they always let her down. Like her father let her down as he left her to suffer with the drow. As her mother let her down, when Ilpholin discovered who she was. Like her brother let her down as he stood by and did nothing. Like VIGIL let her down, leaving her twisting in the wind twice. The only people she could count on were the murderers. The dark lords and the fiends.

... And Darcy.

It was the other way around there. Ilpholin who let Darcy down, irrevocably, irreversibly. That stain would never leave her hands. Ilpholin's not even going to see Darcy in Valhalla, is she? Not like this. It was for the best. She would never have been able to face her, no matter how much she yearned to see her again. Then there was Anika... Anika would be sad, but she would be ok. She had that self-righteous cat she could cuddle. Nahlrae. It was so incredibly selfish of her to leave him behind, but... it would be such a relief. He well and truly terrified her in ways she couldn't express. Not about her own son, not out loud. Mister Squiggles probably had the worst of it. She wishes she could hear his gentle, admonishing chittering one last time.

Well.

Too late now.

Twelve years ago, Ilpholin clawed her way out of the Underdark, but she never really saw the sun.

When Siana's sword reaches Ilpholin's neck it should cut clean through, head rolling off as the body crumples to the ground, leaking black blood as the demon hunter perishes.
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Re: Riverside

Post by Ironsmith »

Reinholdt wrote: Nov 25, 2022 7:54 pm [Northside Graveyard]

Lolth below, this was just sad. Malady wouldn't last a minute in the Underdark. She'd... well she'd end up crying as much as Ilpholin cried until she broke or toughened up. Malady won't stand up for herself, won't stand up for her work, won't even stand up for her friends. Was there anything even left?

"... I feel worse about your fans really. They must really be bottom feeding leeches if they follow this simpering crybaby around. Shouldn't expect better really. Trash attracts the roaches," Mrs. Mordecai says, starting to turn away from the demon.
[Northside Graveyard]

"...S... some of them..." Malady admits. She's certainly gotten her fair share of creepy stalker mail. "...But... but not all of them." She reaches down into her hoodie pocket and produces a short bundle of envelopes, worn around the edges from wear and being held together by a set of rubber bands. "...I... I used to read these. Before I'd go on stage." She sniffs, wiping her nose with a muddy sleeve, about as successfully as one would expect. "...Proof that we had some real sweethearts in the audience. Maybe not here in front of us, but... somewhere, there were people who liked us. Liked... like me." She gingerly pulls one open, going to remove the contents before deciding against it.

"...Manny knew how much I liked reading fanmail." She says quietly. "Enough to go back for it. She... she had to know it was risky. That maybe Ava had an accomplice, or at least, that we still had that demon after us. But she went anyway." She sniffs. "...I... that was sweet of her, too. And Stacy... I mean, she's been pushy, but she was right there next to me in the hospital. Trying to keep my spirits up. And she's... been a good friend. Not perfect... but good." She tucks the envelopes back into her pocket and shakes her head. "...You're right about me. I am just... awful. But don't you insult any of them."

Reinholdt wrote: Nov 25, 2022 7:54 pm [Intercession with Ilpholin]

Ilpholin sighs in complete defeat. Expecting anything from this girl, what a absolute joke. Expecting honor from someone so eager to defend the innocents. Expecting her to realize Ilpholin never once said she'd harm Anastasia. Expecting her to understand they couldn't openly speak from the very beginning when the Black Pawn showed up and made it evident. Expecting her to understand what Ilpholin really meant when suggesting they go outside. Expecting her to understand the true enemy here was Nye and Fusago.

But then, that's what Ilpholin gets for believing in people. It was a flaw of hers. A fatal one, now, she supposes. And they always let her down. Like her father let her down as he left her to suffer with the drow. As her mother let her down, when Ilpholin discovered who she was. Like her brother let her down as he stood by and did nothing. Like VIGIL let her down, leaving her twisting in the wind twice. The only people she could count on were the murderers. The dark lords and the fiends.

... And Darcy.

It was the other way around there. Ilpholin who let Darcy down, irrevocably, irreversibly. That stain would never leave her hands. Ilpholin's not even going to see Darcy in Valhalla, is she? Not like this. It was for the best. She would never have been able to face her, no matter how much she yearned to see her again. Then there was Anika... Anika would be sad, but she would be ok. She had that self-righteous cat she could cuddle. Nahlrae. It was so incredibly selfish of her to leave him behind, but... it would be such a relief. He well and truly terrified her in ways she couldn't express. Not about her own son, not out loud. Mister Squiggles probably had the worst of it. She wishes she could hear his gentle, admonishing chittering one last time.

Well.

Too late now.

Twelve years ago, Ilpholin clawed her way out of the Underdark, but she never really saw the sun.

When Siana's sword reaches Ilpholin's neck it should cut clean through, head rolling off as the body crumples to the ground, leaking black blood as the demon hunter perishes.
[Intercession with Ilpholin]

Siana doesn't want to open her eyes.

She already knows how it turned out. She felt the impact of her weapon on the nymphs neck. She felt the resistance give away. She heard the separate thuds of head and body hitting the ground. She even felt the mist of blood spattering across her face and the front of her chest.

She already knows.

But she doesn't want to see it.

Eyes still closed, she turns around and takes a pace away from the corpse... or at least, tries to. Her cane doesn't catch properly in the sand and she stumbles forward, onto her own knees, a puff of sand spraying her again in the face for her trouble.

She thought that'd be the end of it. When she did what she needed to do, it'd be over, that horrible feeling in her stomach would go away, and she could start figuring out what to do next.

She was only right about one of those things.

"Heeeeugh!" Siana retches, bracing herself against the sand with her hands as a puddle of acrid-smelling blood builds in front of her, staining the ground a deep, dark shade of red.

Physically, the ensuing nausea dies down mercifully quickly. But that wretched feeling that preceded it hadn't gone away... if anything, it was worse now. All-pervasive. Like anything she followed that up with would be wrong, by dint of it being after an execution. Standing up again would be wrong. Defending her actions would be wrong. Weeping and mourning the loss would be wrong. Breathing would be wrong. Even doing nothing would be wrong.

"Heeeugh!"

...That would be wrong, too. But at least not much worse.
Who're you? ...Don't matter.

Want some rye? Course ya do!

Here's to us!
Who's like us?
Damn few,
And they're aaaaall dead.
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Re: Riverside

Post by Recaiden »

[Intercession with Ilpholin]

Skye approaches the dueling room in no particular hurry. Nye has been annoyingly slow in getting things started so far, so surely, whatever bizarre after-dinner event she has planned, it won't start until everyone is here and an elaborate introduction has been made.

A shame - and a relief - that it's interrupted the conversation with Fusago. He seemed too philosophically different for things to progress much further. It was enough to have gotten those answers, and seen that the entity had little connection to the volcanic island where he had previously been, seen that he was not completely inimical to mortal life.

Thus, Skye enters the dueling room late, just in time to see the sword finish its swing.
She races in and kneels in the sands, reaching for the demon slayer's head, as if she can do anything for a case of being cut in two.

This has been what it was all for, wasn't it? Ilpholin was so cautious of the names, and the food, and the entertainment. So in the end, while The General was distracted speaking to Fusago, they just took her in here and came after her with a sword.

Ah, she's in danger too, isn't she?
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Re: Riverside

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[Xar'Cha Estate]

Ilpholin's speech elicits a short but energetic shout of "Yes" from the elven ranks. They know what is expected of them now and they're willing to put themselves into it. It appears the King has chosen them well and made sure they'd be receptive to Ilpholin's motives.
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Re: Riverside

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Recaiden wrote: Nov 25, 2022 5:41 pm [Into the Looking Glass]

The answer to this is likewise simple, if subtle enough that it takes a few tries to express, showing subtle changes in a mass of depicted spirits. Do they have a voice?
Fairness is of little consequence. Are mortals and fey not different? Are not individuals different from each other? Why treat them the same, when there could be a specific relationship between them and the whole? Look at Skye here - she has done so much (see beasts running through the forest, flames burning in a flying city, armies marching into Southside) and yet her heart remains divided (an image of The General walking away from all her men). While some of the other voices are quiet, distant. Yet they are all still there, all listened to in their own way.

Then, the visions fade a bit as Skye gets out of her chair at the ringing of the bell.
[Into the Looking Glass]

Yes, what they said was true. The ocean of Fusago had both those voices of those that were followers, leaders and everything in-between. As is shown in a quick flash of the countless different individuals that they were made up of.

But they were that of their own choice and even those that were followers in most respects could still care deeply about certain things in which they were quite opinionated on.
This was of course just repeating back what the General had said, but what would make sure that those voices were heard equally by any sort of leader? Since any true leader should be able to convince those that followed that they were right without having a privilege over them.

But that topic of discussion is suddenly severed as Fusago seemed consider that a digression from the topic at hand. Instead it offers a new possibility. Rather than becoming a part of their being as a whole there were options for fey and spirits that weren't depended on a biological shell to survive. It repeats back images shown by Skye, in particular those of the General among her men. But these ones all focus of images of her listening to them. In particular, those who she trusted more than anyone else. Her advisors.

They were not a part of her of course but they were a part of a greater whole. Then the images dramatically shift to show massive masses of what seems to be various forms of plantlife floating in what seems to be the void of space. Then it suddenly zooms away and Skye can see several of them aligned in a perfect circle surrounding a planet thriving with life.

Within this circle one of these stands out as it glows orange and while the others don't have any distinctive shape this one appears like a dragon. Yet like them its completely made up of plants. This she will realize is Fusago and the others are its kin. Each one made up just like itself. Since just like the general had those close to her so did Fusago. They might be radically different in some cases but it still listened to them, just like it could listen to mortals or the General listened to those around her. Sometimes their opinions were dismissed and in other cases they weren't.

What Fusago seemed to be offering her was a kind of a advisor position. To not be a part of their being but to be a part of their family. To be able to communicate not only to them but the other seeds as well in some sort of planet-wide network.

[Intercession with Ilpholin]

Nye leans forward in the throne which seems to have formed out of the floor just for her as if to get a better look at what just happened. Then she turns to White Pawn with a raised eyebrow. "Well, that was unexpected wouldn't you say, White Pawn?"

White Pawn is still gasping in shock at the sight of Ilpholin's decapitated corpse. Taking a moment to just stare at the body and then Siana throwing up, she eventually does manage to muster up a reply to her liege. "...yes, yes, your majesty."

The fey queen then turns back to look at Siana. "And I'm afraid that while we do allow bloodshed in the arena the laws of mortals might not be as understanding as we are. Just to give you a fair warning, Siana. I do like to keep a good relationship with the city we've moved into after all and covering up tragic deaths like these would probably get in the way of that. So once the party is over I'm afraid I will have to inform the enforces of those laws about what happened to Ilpholin in here." She seems completely indifferent to the fact that Siana might not even be listening to her in her current condition.

The roots that makes up part of the floor in the arena raises up and reaches out to touch the black blood as if curious but something about it seems to make them immediately recoil once they touch it. Submerging into the floor right away as if afraid of it.

Then Nye looks up to the ceiling and speaks out loud, seemingly talking to herself. "I do wonder if it would be considered good manners to have your guests be brought back from the dead?"

[Northside Graveyard]

Once the goat was behind the mausoleum she was no longer a funny goat.
She was sometimes-funny goat-person. "Okay, you stupid mutt, I want you to stay here." She pointed at the ground while giving the hound the sternest look she could muster.

The dog seems strangely unfazed by this transformation. The goat still smelled the same after all even if it happened to be standing on two legs now.
So in response it barks and continues to jump around.

"Sit! Get down! Don't follow!"

More barks.
Less respect.

"Come on. You're ruining everything!" A part of her wanted to at least pretend to want to kick it if it didn't back off but the mere idea made her unable to even lift her hooves off the ground.

As the goat was trying to bark something at it without even raising its voice the dog suddenly spotted something tied to the goats tail.

It was a ball.

Instantly interested, it ran around the goat who was still pointing at the ground repeatedly.
Then it makes a leap at the ball with its jaws wide open.

Of course, it had miscalculated slightly.

"OWWWW!!!"

[Into the Looking Glass - Kingly Audience]

"Your domain, my domain..." She shrugs. "Let's say it would be more of a fey domain-" Nye suddenly pauses mid-sentence as the King likely can feel Ilpholin dying. "-ah, that's unfortunate. Siana seems to have murdered your companion."

There's a sudden reaction from the yokai around them. They suddenly seem restless, unable to be still. Even that nameless grey void outside seems to blur and pulse once its clear that the nymph was no longer among the living. But they're not upset, they're excited.

"Didn't think that girl had it in her but here we are." Nye pauses for a moment. "Fusago could bring her back if you really want them to. Though I'm not sure she would come back exactly the same. She seems to have done quite a lot of things to her body."

[MERC Office]

Jaahlyn opens her mouth to say something but something Wenomir just said seems to make her pause.

Which is of course why Anika speaks up instead. "Huh, that's really cool. I'd want to observe the tits out of that." An... unusual saying. "So if anyone asks I could just say that I'm curious about how this whole thing works since I'd be true. Then- wait, but people can only vote for certain people then? Or can they vote for anyone?" Anika strokes her chin. "Since wouldn't everyone just vote for themselves then?"

Then Jaahlyn gets a chance to speak again while Anika is pondering democracy. "...so, did you say cuthun? As in cuthun demons?" She asks as she looks at the commander intently.
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Re: Riverside

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[Intercession]

Throughout it all, Ana and Stasia watch, stunned by what's transpired before her. Since Ilpholin knelt down in the sand, everything's felt... wrong. Detached. Like she were in a dream, that things weren't playing out just as they had been. That Ilpholin was too dangerous to die like that, that she had some kind of master plan - but if she thought that, why didn't she warn Siana? Why did she freeze in indecision, why did she just passively watch and let someone be killed?!

As Ilpholin's head rolls, the reality of what just happened comes crashing down, and Stasia stumbles to her knees, throwing up in the sand as Ana takes a shaky step towards Siana, ashen and sweating. Oh gods, there's so much blood. So much black blood, so much red from Siana's own horror - oh gods, how could she do this to Siana??? This was all her fault, this was all her fault, this was -

"S-s-Siana- Siana, oh gods, I'm-" Ana hesitates to close the final distance before reaching to grab the strigoi's hand, unwilling to exert more than a cursory, guiding touch as she tries to lead the girl away from the body. The girl's dimly aware of speckles of black blood across her dress, a splotch of it staining her cheek - and wait, is she crying? Why is she crying? This woman was going to kill her, she was going to ruin her life and everyone around her - why does she feel like she's done something horrible???

The trauma and confusion only gets as far as Ana's face, but the same can't be said of her counterpart. Stasia's curled up and clutching her head in front of a gross puddle of yellow and red, panicking in choked and dried-out sobs."Why - why did she - S-s-she just knelt, she just - I-I-I don't- I don't understand...."
"Are we living a life that is safe from harm? Of course not, we never are. But that's not the right question. The question is: are we living a life that is worth the harm?"
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SliiArhem wrote:Arkh I may be slightly delirious but I don't think that would make sense even if I was coherent.
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Re: Riverside

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[Into the Looking Glass - Kingly Audience]

A sudden blue glow flares behind the King's mask. He clearly sensed Ilpholin's demise even before Nye informed him of it.

"She did what? And how? Ilpholin wouldn't be brought down by a mewling whelp like her. I must see this for myself."

When the King gets up, the body he's wearing seems to blur. The King's inner aspect seems to shine through, with a suggestion of brambles and black branches around his back. It also seems taller than before. The blue glow doesn't disappear as he gets up and stalks back to the dueling ground, wrapped in palpable, almost audible terror. Instead of walking, he seems to almost float above the ground, like in a freakish blend of this body and the scarecrow one.
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Re: Riverside

Post by Ironsmith »

[Knight Takes Queen]
Nye wrote:*She's saying something, but Siana isn't listening*
Ana wrote:*She sounds... distressed. Of course she's distressed, she just witnessed a murder.*
Stasia wrote:*She sounds even worse. Poor girl, she shouldn't have to go through something like this.*
...Someone's taken ahold of her hand.

Siana didn't notice it at first. Or maybe, doesn't care enough to notice it. She's too lost inside her own head, futilely processing what just happened. Why was this feeling so terrible? Hadn't she done the right thing? Is... is this what that's going to feel like? Would she be this guilt-ridden if she'd backed down and allowed Ilpholin to do what she was going to do?

...Oh.

Oh, Absum almighty.

Ilpholin... didn't actually say she was going to hurt Ana and Stasia. She didn't deny it when Siana confronted her, but in hindsight-

That hand is tugging at her. She... she should probably follow. She doesn't know whose hand it is. She doesn't care. Maybe her head will be clearer when she's not standing next to her victim's body.

Siana drops her cane and stumbles after... whoever's holding onto her. She can't stand up like this, but she doesn't need to. Her guide only needs to give her direction and she can crawl that way. That sounds... less wrong, anyway. That a killer should crawl wherever she's bound to go. That, and that she should leave her weapon behind. Clearly hers were the wrong hands for it.

It's around now that Siana finally opens her eyes, though her vision is still bleary from the tears that have been building up in the meantime. She's not seeing entirely clearly, but at least it's clear who she's following now.

Ana.

The girl she did this for.

There's something less-wrong about that, too. Ana was the one who would really benefit from her actions today. No demon hunter to chase her down and... do what she was going to do. Maybe Ilpholin hadn't intended to hurt her, but even now Siana isn't inclined to believe her intentions were noble, either. Ana and Stasia are better off now than they were before.

It's a cold comfort, but it's something.

"Something" being promptly obliterated by a gripping terror as Ilpholin's companion enters the room. Siana doesn't see him from here, but she knows the King in Rags came. She knows the moment he arrives. That ice-cold feeling around her heart could hardly be anything else.

Siana releases her grip on Ana's hand and gives her a little push. "...Go. He wants me." She says quietly.

If protecting Ana resulted in her being killed by an angry eldritch beast instead of a demon hunter, Siana's efforts will have been worse than pointless.
Who're you? ...Don't matter.

Want some rye? Course ya do!

Here's to us!
Who's like us?
Damn few,
And they're aaaaall dead.
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Re: Riverside

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[[Into the Looking Glass - Kingly Audience==> Knight Takes Queen]

"Of course, take my hand and I shall take you to her. Though keep in mind that you cannot hurt her while she remains within Fusago." Nye declares before offering her hand to him.

If he takes it the people gathered in the arena will see Nye offer her hand to someone and the next moment an horrendous being will appear, holding her hand.
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Re: Riverside

Post by Recaiden »

[Intercession with Ilpholin]

This doesn't make sense. This is Ilpholin! And she just died without fighting back?
Let somebody else kill her? Somebody who wasn't them at all? Outrageous. Nearly unbelievable.

People are saying a lot of nonsense. They're not acting right. Not like they planned this. Not even Siana. Though perhaps Nye, she could fake the Pawn's reaction, couldn't she? Skye sets down the head as the King in Rags arrives, and reaches over to close Ilpholin's eyes before stepping back.

Nye's words get her attention, though. And another sort of coldness settles over her. Ilpholin is just one more casualty of this city.

"I believe it's poor form to have your guest leave less alive than they entered, Nye."
"Quite aside from having them kill each other as part of the evening entertainment."
Which, it should go without saying, is also frowned upon.




Skye has little attention to spare for Fusago, but that's fine. It was never her doing the talking.
The images continue, only slightly diminished in brightness, in that meeting room.

Plants, they can get along with. See in their vision trees planted all across the Nexus, see greenery aflame and yet not burning, see new sprouts climbing up through ruins.

Yes, they could advise. But should they? Fusago's vistas are mirrored back, the many plant-conglomerations around the planets. What are they for? They must have an interest in the world between them all - and what is it?
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Re: Riverside

Post by Arkhosia »

[Knight Takes Queen]

Ana and Stasia both tremble as the King in Rags enters into the scene, that ice-cold grip sinking deep into their hearts once more. Stasia in particular curls up even tighter, panicked babbles dissolving into whimpering terror. Ana, meanwhile, stumbles back, looking between Siana and the King with palpable terror... but doesn't fully back away.

"...No, no - this - t-this is all my fault, I-I can't...." Ana protests, planting her feet in spite of the dread she feels so fully. A part of her isn't entirely sure if there's a danger of immediate retribution here - but a darker part of her rails at Siana taking full responsibility for this. The part that recoils and festers at every thing she's ever done wrong in her life, that whispers in her ear about just how little she deserves her happiness.
"Are we living a life that is safe from harm? Of course not, we never are. But that's not the right question. The question is: are we living a life that is worth the harm?"
~Welcome to Night Vale
SliiArhem wrote:Arkh I may be slightly delirious but I don't think that would make sense even if I was coherent.
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Re: Riverside

Post by Ironsmith »

[Knight Takes Queen]

With uncharacteristic speed, Siana's hand shoots out to shave Ana back away from her. "If you get hurt because you insisted on being close to me, then I just killed Ilpholin Xar'cha, who was my hero before tonight, for nothing." She spits, channeling some of the writhing vitriol in her brain into what she hopes is something somewhat useful. "Get back and don't come anywhere near me until it's safe, understand?"

...It probably won't be safe. Not unless Nye or Fusago takes it upon themselves to keep her from getting ripped apart by whatever-the-hell the King in Rags is right now. And even then, that's likely only temporary; she doubts he'll give up after the first attempt. She certainly wouldn't.
Who're you? ...Don't matter.

Want some rye? Course ya do!

Here's to us!
Who's like us?
Damn few,
And they're aaaaall dead.
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Re: Riverside

Post by Morty »

[Knight Takes Queen]

"This... was no duel." The apparition that is the King in Rags regards the scene of carnage with cold fury. "You executed her. Why would she let a simpering child take her life? Explain."
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Re: Riverside

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[Knight Takes Queen]

Nye turns to Siana and Ana and shakes her head. "As long as you remain here and are not willingly in the arena none of you will be hurt. Like I promised in the invitation, no one will be hurt unless they want to. I and Fusago guarantee that." She folds her hands together. "So please don't be afraid."

Her attention is then directed to the general and she let's out a small sigh. "Yes, you're quite right, General." The fey queen turns to White Pawn. "Make yourself useful and find a way to bring this mortal back, please. If Fusago doesn't feel up for it I'm sure we could find some other solution." She didn't like the way those roots had recoiled at the touch of Ilpholin's blood. Might require something else.

But Ilpholin was a mortal, how hard could it really be to bring her back?

"Erm, of course your majesty. I will do what I can."
And so White Pawn will curtsy before her queen and then do so again to Ana, Siana and the General, offering the first two a sad but what she hopes to be a comforting smile, before she exits the room.

Only Black Pawn and her sisters now remain in the room. The majority huddling around Nye, seemingly unsure what to do.

[Skye and Fusago]

The multiple images that are sent back could all be summarized into a single word, life.
This was why Fusago seemed to have the sentiment that no other fey cared for mortals as much as the yu-seed. Since to other fey mortals were just animals living short and pathetic lives. But to the yu-seeds they were children.
Perhaps not in the sense that humans would use the word but the yu-seeds were the one that had made life in the first place. It seems to be somehow connected to the fire which seems to burn within Fusago but any vision that goes into the details of that is cut short. Seemingly something of a secret.

But other than that each seeds had their own interests. After all, they were not the same being so according to Fusago's way of thinking two seeds had to be radically different to not just be the same being. So they all had their own personal business which Fusago didn't see as something they should get involved. Indeed, each seed seemed to have its own territory which they remained in. They could move anywhere inside of it, though seldom did as they in a way existed over most of it at the same time anyway, but never outside of it.
There was an exception of a seed which inhabited some kind of floating island but Fusago doesn't go into details on it as they had a special agreement of sort.
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Re: Riverside

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[MERC Office]

"Maybe we should table the political science lesson for later," Dipsnig remarks drily. He doesn't have the same resistance to Anika's Anika-ness Blanche and Wenomir do. Wenomir himself raises his eyebrows in surprise.

"The Cuthun demons, yes. That's the name of the creatures that invaded Riverside. It helps to distinguish them from the myriad other people who might be called demons. If only to avoid what's happening in Riverside right now."
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Re: Riverside

Post by Arkhosia »

[Knight Takes Queen]

Another burst of panic seems to well into Ana's face at this declaration, and she almost opens her mouth to speak before swallowing it down and opting instead for an unsure nod. She backs away and kneels down by Stasia, doing her best to help soothe her panicking other half.
"Are we living a life that is safe from harm? Of course not, we never are. But that's not the right question. The question is: are we living a life that is worth the harm?"
~Welcome to Night Vale
SliiArhem wrote:Arkh I may be slightly delirious but I don't think that would make sense even if I was coherent.
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Arkhosia
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Posts: 1321
Joined: May 16, 2022 3:07 am
Pronouns: She/Her/Binch

Re: Riverside

Post by Arkhosia »

[MERC Office]

Blanche quirks her eyebrow towards Dipsnig but doesn't protest, a little put off but not entirely against dropping the topic. She does, however, seem to perk up when Jaahlyn speaks up. "Have you had run-ins with them before?"
"Are we living a life that is safe from harm? Of course not, we never are. But that's not the right question. The question is: are we living a life that is worth the harm?"
~Welcome to Night Vale
SliiArhem wrote:Arkh I may be slightly delirious but I don't think that would make sense even if I was coherent.
Ironsmith
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Joined: Aug 01, 2022 12:46 pm

Re: Riverside

Post by Ironsmith »

[Knight Takes Queen]

Good. Ana's got the sense to listen to Siana on that front, at least.

However, the burst of resolve needed to do that is... quite short-lived. Maybe the King in Rags's magic is to blame, or maybe it's simply that he's that intimidating, but when Siana turns to face him again and answer his demand for a retelling of what happened... she suddenly can't seem to recall, herself. Not in any satisfactory sense, at least. And attempting to come up with a response by going over what happened again in her head douses her in fresh waves of guilt. About the most she can manage is briefly looking the King in the eye (no small feat, apparently, but not helpful for explaining the situation) and letting her gaze fall to the ground.

It really didn't matter what she said. It wasn't going to bring Ilpholin back and it certainly wasn't going to justify her death.
Who're you? ...Don't matter.

Want some rye? Course ya do!

Here's to us!
Who's like us?
Damn few,
And they're aaaaall dead.
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