Vigil

Herein lies the various threads in which our characters live out their lives
Hraithre
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Re: Vigil

Post by Hraithre »

[The Little Mew Who Could]

LB-M does not have experience, as such. What she has, are in-built schemas of how minds are meant to work. But those mostly concern human minds, and her new telepathic abilities don't give her nearly enough feedback to make much use of them anyway. So, all she can deduce is that this bird cannot broadcast its thoughts back at her, even if this weird rasping sound it makes is meant to be an answer. She also can't understand what the sound is meant to convey - how frustrating! She knows, still, that she was made for translation, but it wasn't this kind of creature she was made to translate for, and no matter how hard she thinks, she can't make head or tails out of it.

Is it mocking her? Or just making noises typical of its species? Maybe its telling her this is its territory? Maybe it wants to eat her? Maybe it wants to pick a fight for the heck of it? That would not be out of line for another pokemon, pokemon can be pretty combative - she has no clue how she knows this, just that she does.

The little mew floats off the ground and tries to look big. If it is a fight this bird wants, she won't go down easily! She may be smaller than it, but she packs a punch! She makes a few clumsy boxing movements with her paws and flips around mid-air. "Miu miu! Miu!"
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Re: Vigil

Post by Zefir »

Thursday Violist wrote: Mar 12, 2023 4:38 am [Lab]

There's no particular defects, just way too much wear and tear.
Well, there is one part that looks on the verge of breaking. The mechanical hand does have small knives that can pop out of the fingers, like sharp fingernails, and they're all really close to breaking.

Besides that, Mia is correct in her assumptions!
When she scans Awen, there's some entity that certain magical scans can detect. And, to confirm it, the entity is most noticeable and strongest on her arm, close to where the mechanical arm would go.
[Lab]

"Well, that does make things complicated." Mia says.
"I'm not going to speak things down, but whatever we assumed compromised the arm is not focusing on it. The detached arm seems to be free from anything but some 'entity' is in your body. It does focus on the place were the arm is, but I guess that it is easier for it to controll the arm then your whole body."

She doesn't seem that Happy abut the whole situation.

"If it would be on the arm I wouldn't have a problem clearing it, but that way is anotehr story. I am a high priest, but my spells are most effectiv on machines. Since this is part of something that can controll a dragon we might ask someone for backup. Or maybe the dragon itself who was influenced."
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Re: Vigil

Post by AshenAmbrosia »

[Courtyard]

It’s the evening of the spring equinox, and Vigil is hosting their New Year’s fundraiser.

The base had been a hive of activity the week leading up to the equinox, particularly in the main Academy courtyard, where the grounds staff had been erecting a number of large, open-air pavilions and stages, festooning the normally austere redstone square with lights and decorations.

The weather mages had also been hard at work, setting up a warm, breezy microclimate around the courtyard - a balmy reprieve from the late winter chill. The planters around the square, barren through the winter, were now full to bursting with flowers in full bloom, suffusing the venue with their dozens of heady fragrances. To one side, on a small stage, a small live band of performers completes their final sound checks as the first of the guests arrive, preparing to call in the new year with the airy, ethereal music of harp strings.

Among those guests would number many of the Nexus’ most wealthy and notable denizens. A panoply of the Nexus’ leaders, scientists, and prominent business owners, all gathered for the common hope of another year where the Nexus doesn’t explode, or get overrun by zombies, or get invaded by demons from behind the stars, or drown in a rain of chaos and fire, or whatever. It’s supposed to be aspirational.

For those less compelled by good vibes, the event at least portends a night of fine food and drink, a number of fundraising events and auctions, and at the end of the night, a New Year’s blessing from Vigil’s draconic patrons. Have fun!
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Re: Vigil

Post by Earl of Purple »

The Little Mew Who Could

The hoatzin repeats the noise it made before- perfectly, in fact. It's not just the same noise made by the same bird, but the same sound. Like someone recorded it and the hoatzin is replaying the same recording. It tilts its head to one side, and flaps down closer to the mew, fixing a beady eye upon the smaller critter and regarding it... either intelligently or mindlessly, it's a bit hard to tell. Its motives remain obscure.
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Re: Vigil

Post by Hraithre »

[The Little Mew Who Could]

LB-M tries to hiss when the bird comes closer, which results in rather unimpressing "pshhh!" sound. A thought occurs to her: maybe, this bird is fake - artificial. A bit like she used to be, but dumber. A dumb fake bird.

Why would someone send a dumb fake bird to pester her?

"Miu!", she spits, ceasing to levitate and jumping around the bird. If she can't make sense of it, she'll just ignore it. It came from somewhere, so there has to be some way out of the room. She can use that to leave and go find some food that doesn't stink.

---

[Courtyard]

Two beings are participating in the fundraiser who, unfortunately, probably aren't going to raise any funds for the organization.

One of them is not bodily present, or rather, it is present only through the body of another, namely Sarah Khafir. Imperceptible to most who aren't her, it watches the gathering through her eyes. All this is highly interesting to it, its first real sample of society outside those Khafir deals with in her daily life. It can't hear them, not exactly, but it is good at reading lips and deducing context. If it was capable of genuine emotion, it would likely feel elated, having been trapped in the dark of the Octahedron for so long.

The second is very much bodily present. The man currently known as Hoshiki Senshi hitched a ride to the base in the hope of hearing news about the Magtok Prime situation. The swordsman didn't know there was going to be a party and feels rather out of place at the moment. At least he had the good sense to wash his clothes and groom his wild hair before coming. He almost manages to look presentable in his black and white clothing. It would be easy to mistake him as someone's bodyguard, if such people are otherwise present.
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Re: Vigil

Post by Morty »

[Courtyard]

Commander Wenomir is, of course, in the centre of it all. He'd really rather not be, but he doesn't have a choice. The valiant swordmaster is wearing his Vigil crest surcoat over a long tunic rather than armor. He also has a stylish asymmetric cape that covers his left side while leaving the right side visible.

Dipsnig is also here as one of the guests, considerably more at ease than Wenomir. He's wearing his usual faux-military high-collared coat. Since it's a more formal sort of party, he didn't bring any wolves.
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Re: Vigil

Post by Ironsmith »

[Courtyard]

As she idly sips at her strawberry cocktail, doctor Khafir can hardly help but wonder how far her new head-mate's sensory abilities extend. They hadn't exactly found a way to communicate yet, beyond borrowing Calm Reed's mirror again, and that would not be particularly sustainable. But, while she herself can't enjoy the party (for much the same reason she can't enjoy anything else), she has nevertheless determined that she would do her utmost to ensure her new "friend" did, and that meant a full sampling of everything the room had to offer; the sights, the smells, the tastes, the sounds. Almost anything she could think of that the entity couldn't possibly have experienced in the dark of the Octohedron.

So from an external perspective, if one ignored the perpetually-blank expression on her face, Sara seems to have really let her hair down and let herself enjoy the party. The term does not seem to be strictly metaphorical, either; she has, in fact, let her hair down from its usual tightly-wound bun into a more casual, half-up style. Similarly, she's moved out of her usual labcoat and into a two-toned, low-cut dress with a floor-length skirt, and has even indulged in some eyeliner and lipstick. Not fof herself, of course; that would be a pointless use of resources. But if these preparations result in even a little more positive attention directed her way, and therefore at the life-form to which she now played host, then she has taken steps to ensure its peaceful integration and the effort will have been worthwhile.

Meanwhile, on the other end of the courtyard, doctor Bu fidgets nervously and rubs her sternum, using the gesture to cover the uncomfortably bare patch of skin. "First Cortez, then Verdoyant, then Wenomir, now you... when are you people going to stop talking me into coming to these things?" Eun hisses to the voice in her own head. How's she supposed to enjoy herself with all of these people around? She'd really rather be up in her lab working, or maybe down at MERC visiting Sam, not out here in the courtyard with her coworkers she barely saw and would prefer to keep that way. And especially not in the dress she's foolishly let Buhan pick out for her. What part of this is supposed to be comfortable, much less fun?!
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Re: Vigil

Post by bc56 »

Courtyard
Someone is here. Dressed in a sweeping white halternecked gown with gilt trim, the demon queen Sekhmet Brignole looks less than elegant. Instead, she looks entirely terrified (she's trying and failing to hide it). It's an unbecoming attitude for such an incredibly powerful being, but she has, in her own mind, very good reason to be afraid.
This is a party for some of the most successful warriors in the Nexus. If anyone would be able to kill her, they would be here. And there are plenty of people among those who bear grudges against demons and wouldn't need much provocation to attack.
But she also believes she should support Vigil. They're her best bet for aid if something gets loose from her domain, and they've helped her (albeit indirectly) before. So she's here, trying to hide her nervous tics and pretending to be enjoying herself.

Meanwhile, at the bar, a certain lizardman paladin, dressed in his best tunic, axe and shield close at hand even in this time of celebration, is busy scarfing down meat, drinking fine ale, and regaling rookies with a tale from his past, in his own unusual way of speaking. "Huge frog open wide. It lunge, tongue grab! I lose balance, fall, and it swallow whole!" Kothar's certainly enjoying himself.
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Re: Vigil

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Ironsmith wrote: Mar 20, 2023 9:42 pm [Courtyard]

Meanwhile, on the other end of the courtyard, doctor Bu fidgets nervously and rubs her sternum, using the gesture to cover the uncomfortably bare patch of skin. "First Cortez, then Verdoyant, then Wenomir, now you... when are you people going to stop talking me into coming to these things?" Eun hisses to the voice in her own head. How's she supposed to enjoy herself with all of these people around? She'd really rather be up in her lab working, or maybe down at MERC visiting Sam, not out here in the courtyard with her coworkers she barely saw and would prefer to keep that way. And especially not in the dress she's foolishly let Buhan pick out for her. What part of this is supposed to be comfortable, much less fun?!
Courtyard

The noise which is loud, but not deafening. Seeing people you know in something other than work clothes and relaxing. Free food, naturally. But I think the big one should be in three, two, one...

"Hi Eun!"
Sam appears in front of Eun! Perhaps he was camouflaged among the partiers, as his distinctive blue bristled are covered more than usual by an immaculately-tailored gray suit. It manages to be flattering to his unusual shape, and is clearly expensive.
"You're looking wonderful tonight." he tells her, his face (as always) the absolute picture of sincerity.
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Re: Vigil

Post by AshenAmbrosia »

Morty wrote: Mar 20, 2023 8:47 pm [Courtyard]

Commander Wenomir is, of course, in the centre of it all. He'd really rather not be, but he doesn't have a choice. The valiant swordmaster is wearing his Vigil crest surcoat over a long tunic rather than armor. He also has a stylish asymmetric cape that covers his left side while leaving the right side visible.
[Courtyard]

Fortunately for him, also present is Cass. His dark elven lover is obviously dressed today for his benefit (though that's not to say she doesn't also enjoy having his eyes on her... along with the eyes of everyone else in the room), garbed as she is in a clinging black gown, embroidered up one side with golden leaves and vines, with two daring slits up both sides, displaying her long, toned legs to their advantage. She'll sneak up behind him, draping herself over his exposed right side and leaning in close to tease him.
"I didn't realize this was supposed to be a funeral."


Elsewhere, Kalya is also present. The Vigil head librarian is dressed in a flashy, though conservative gown of plum and gold, and has the stressed, permanently harried expression only a host can have, flitting around the venue with a nervous energy, anxiously checking all the details with a critical (and heavily bag-laden) eye.
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Re: Vigil

Post by Ironsmith »

[Courtyard]
bc56 wrote: Mar 20, 2023 10:06 pm Courtyard
Someone is here. Dressed in a sweeping white halternecked gown with gilt trim, the demon queen Sekhmet Brignole looks less than elegant. Instead, she looks entirely terrified (she's trying and failing to hide it). It's an unbecoming attitude for such an incredibly powerful being, but she has, in her own mind, very good reason to be afraid.
This is a party for some of the most successful warriors in the Nexus. If anyone would be able to kill her, they would be here. And there are plenty of people among those who bear grudges against demons and wouldn't need much provocation to attack.
But she also believes she should support Vigil. They're her best bet for aid if something gets loose from her domain, and they've helped her (albeit indirectly) before. So she's here, trying to hide her nervous tics and pretending to be enjoying herself.

Meanwhile, at the bar, a certain lizardman paladin, dressed in his best tunic, axe and shield close at hand even in this time of celebration, is busy scarfing down meat, drinking fine ale, and regaling rookies with a tale from his past, in his own unusual way of speaking. "Huge frog open wide. It lunge, tongue grab! I lose balance, fall, and it swallow whole!" Kothar's certainly enjoying himself.
[A Lizard, A Worm, and a Bird's-Eye View]

"I take it from the fact that you remain undigested that you were able to successfully extricate yourself from the gluttonous amphibian." Khafir prompts Kothar, listening intently to the story. Again, she's not sure how much of this her head-mate is able to take in, but the paladin seems to be quite animated... this should be an interesting show for them even if all they can perceive is what she's seeing. Despite her apparent interest, she still looks rather nonplussed by Kothar's enthusiastic description of being eaten alive; given the looks on some of the audience's faces, she likely stands out in that regard.
Keeper wrote: Mar 20, 2023 11:45 pm
Courtyard

The noise which is loud, but not deafening. Seeing people you know in something other than work clothes and relaxing. Free food, naturally. But I think the big one should be in three, two, one...

"Hi Eun!"
Sam appears in front of Eun! Perhaps he was camouflaged among the partiers, as his distinctive blue bristled are covered more than usual by an immaculately-tailored gray suit. It manages to be flattering to his unusual shape, and is clearly expensive.
"You're looking wonderful tonight." he tells her, his face (as always) the absolute picture of sincerity.
[Chemistry with Chef Bacon]

Eep!

How the hell did Buhan see him first?

"Sam! H-hi!" Eun greets, her cheeks already flushed as she tries to regain her footing. "I do? I... thank you." She drums her fingers on her sternum nervously as she looks up at him, trying to figure out where his gaze is going. Surely, he's seen how this dress fits her, right? Is he looking at her face, or her... well, it really doesn't matter how she finishes that sentence, since it's not her face. "You, um... you're looking very nice, too." She offers in return, briefly flicking her gaze down to his suit.

He really is, though. Somebody needs to give that tailor a raise.

It doesn't take Eun too much longer to get back to a steady position and realize there was something ever-so-slightly wrong with this picture; the reason she hadn't been expecting to run into Sam tonight. "What are you doing here? I thought tonight was for VIGIL and its associates only."
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: Vigil

Post by Earl of Purple »

The Little Mew That Could

There should be a way out of this room, shouldn't there? There probably is a door, though the hoatzin did not open it. There might also be windows or a vent, though unless Geneva's left either open they are also shut. So how did the hoatzin get in here? The bird flaps up towards the ceiling and sits atop a cabinet, staring down and tilting its head at LB-M, and when the mew can't see it any more the bird will disappear.

Courtyard

Joining the party is Felicity. She's got ashy grey skin, dark eyes, a shaved head, and is apparently human. She's wearing a dark blue flapper-style dress which, whilst nice and fancy, is not the most expensive one here and a pair of black pumps on her feet. She's wearing an enamel brooch depicting a phoenix and a copper ring set with a red garnet on the opposite hand.
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Re: Vigil

Post by quillpleasant »

Courtyard

In a gathering like this, there are sure to be some uninvited guests. One such party goer has just arrived, striding through the entrance with an easy confidence that speaks of experience with high society.

They appear human, slim yet athletic with an indeterminate gender and slicked back blonde hair. They're dressed in a well tailored maroon suit jacket and black slacks, with little in the way of further adornment. Not that it would be necessary, because they seem to be part gold already. Their right eye socket is mechanical, with a glittering golden orb replacing their eyeball. Small flecks of gold show here and there through their pale skin, and it seems they have a considerable amount of cybernetic enhancements. Their left hand is also entirely gold, sleek metallic digits drumming against their leg as they walk through the growing crowd.

A small name tag on their lapel has the name Nathair inscribed upon it. They survey the room, eyes passing over the assemblage. A demon queen, dark elves, military commanders, and even more intimidating personages. How intriguing.
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Re: Vigil

Post by Keeper »

Chemistry with Chef Bacon

Sam leans in conspiratorially and whispers,
”Well, I hear that Vigil has a totally hot scientist named Doctor Bu working their lab. I told people that I’m her date for the night and they let me in. I guess that makes me an associate.” he grins. ”Do you know her?”
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Re: Vigil

Post by Hraithre »

[The Little Mew That Could]

Well of course there is a door. It would be silly to have a room without a door!

. . .

The door is made for human-sized people and not a teeny tiny mew. LB-M tries pushing it. It doesn'y budge. She tries pulling it. It doesn't budge. She jumps and grabs the handle. She is too light for that to open the door either. Or maybe it is locked? Maybe Geneva didn't want her wandering off on her own?

She levitates near the lock, when she notices it's become too silent. She twirls around. The bird. Where did that dumb, fake bird go? She's sure it was on the cabinet. She bounces off the door and floats on top of it. Fortunately, she's too light to make the cabinet topple, or even make much of a sound. She sniffs it, trying to use the bird's bad smell to figure out where it went.

---

[Courtyard -A Lizard, A Worm, and a Bird's-Eye View]

There is one trick Khafir's passenger learned from the mirror trick, which it hasn't forgotten. Every once in a while, when Khafir's eyes happen on a reflective surface, she can see her own reflection... doing something she's not. Sometimes, it even seems to bend out of such surfaces to walk around persons of interests, giving them a better look.

None of it is really happening, of course. It can't be, someone would notice. It's all in Khafir's eyes. But it does convey to her what the entity is particularly interesting. And this lizardman, this non-human entity, he is quite interesting. His archaic weaponry is an interesting contrast to technological marvels elsewhere in the base.

---

Elsewhere on the courtyard, Hoshiki notices and recognizes Wenomir. He takes half a step towards the other swordsman, but then Cass appears. Hoshiki narrows his eyes as he observes this unfamiliar woman. For her part, she seems to be very familiar with the commander. Maybe they want to be left alone?

So, Hoshiki looks around for other familiar faces. He spots Eun fidgeting across the yard. Indeed, he would not recognize her if not for her fidgeting. He considers going to greet her, but decides against it. Considering their last meeting, it would likely make her more nervous. And then Sam appears. This makes Hoshiki raise an eyebrow. The nervous scientist has found some company as well? Or at least, company's found her. That's good!

That's... good.

The large swordsman suddenly gets very self-conscious about sulking alone in a corner. He scratches his scarred cheek as he tries to find Miranda Cortez amidst the people.

That's when he spots Sekhmet.

He frowns, barely resisting the urge to grasp his sword this instant. He didn't expect such a being making an appearance in a place like this. But it isn't even her nature as a demon that alarmed him. It's the sheer amount of fear she is broadcasting.

After a while of thinking, Hoshiki decides to walk to her. A tall, grim-looking man marching across the loom towards her probably won't make the demon queen less nervous. Especially not if she can see the bright blue flame in his dark eyes. He stops a reasonable distance away from her. But saying the first word proves unexpectedly hard. So he... looms there, hoping she will speak first.
Last edited by Hraithre on Mar 23, 2023 1:04 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Vigil

Post by Shadowcaller »

[Courtyard]

It wasn't Ambrosia's first time in Vigil but it would be her first time here dressed like this.
She wasn't much for dresses and her armor was usually fine to show up to at events like this. But considering the company she would be having she figured the occasion called for something a bit more unusual.

Which is what she descends the stairs to the courtyard in. Holding an usual looking boa which she would insist only was an illusion if anyone asked. She had questioned if it would be too much of a tell of her true nature but had figured it would be fine in the nexus. Surely the other guests would wear things just as fantastical considering how easily such things seemed to access around here.

-------------------

Cessie is also wearing something unusual. At least for people that didn't know her outside her position in VIGIL.
Since she was wearing her commander outfit. Something she usually just wore when there was fighting to be done.
Now it seemed like she was wearing it to represent vigil as Wenomir was wearing... funeral clothes?
She tries not to stare. Not since those clothes were anything unusual for Wenomir, it was because they so sharply contrasted her own in tone which wasn't great if they were supposed to represent VIGIL together. Now she was feeling far too overdressed in comparison.

She knew they should have discussed what to wear!

Even Cass was wearing black clothes.

At least Kayla was wearing something colorful. That way she didn't feel completely left out.
Last edited by Shadowcaller on Mar 22, 2023 12:50 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Vigil

Post by bc56 »

Lizard, Worm, Bird-eye
"I telling story!" Kothar snaps. It's rude to interrupt. The presence looking at his weapons can see that they're very finely crafted. The axe is made from deep black iron inlaid with golden flames and set with rubies. The shield is polished steel, with a platinum device in the shape of a lightning bolt inset in its center. He's also wearing a thick leather belt with a heavy, fist-shaped buckle, entwined with white hair from some sort of beast. "Can't move, see, breathe. Burning water on skin," He means stomach acid, right? "I swing, cut flesh and blood, again, again!

Courtyard
Sekhmet is shaken out of her thoughts by... Who is that? He's staring at her. And not in the way people frequently stare at succubi. More of a murderous death-glare. She slowly, briefly, meets his gaze with her pitch-black eyes, then looks away.
Finally she can't take the silence anymore. "Uh, what do you want?"
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Re: Vigil

Post by Morty »

[Courtyard]

Wenomir

Wenomir's eyes drift towards Cass' legs, as they were intended to. Now there's a sight that will keep his mood better throughout this evening. As he has to make nice with people he'd rather drop down a well, at least he'll have this beauty by his side.

"If this was a funeral, I might actually be in a better mood. Depending on whose funeral it was. If it was Magtok's funeral I'd be cheerful like Coco on a walk. But you do look breathtaking tonight, regardless."

Dipsnig

Dipsnig's observation skills pinpoint someone who shouldn't strictly speaking be here quite easily. Either that, or they're someone important he's not aware of, which is also of interest. He makes his way through the crowd towards the newcomer. He's a short (about 120 cm) goblin with pale red eyes, receding hair and wearing a grey military-style coat with a high collar and subtle technological motifs.

"Fine evening, isn't it?" he opens.
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Re: Vigil

Post by quillpleasant »

Courtyard

The newcomer looks Dipsnig up and down, taking in his uniform. A military man, eh? Seems like a person who knows which way the wind blows. They smile disarmingly.

"Indeed, I've always liked this kind of soiree. Good for people watching. And networking." There's a slight mechanical buzz in their voice, just noticeable. They reach up to tap their name tag.

"Nathair, spiritual bodyguard. Nice to meet you, ah...?"
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Re: Vigil

Post by Zefir »

[Courtyard]

And here comes one of the funders of Vigil. Hopefully some of the Vigil people know that otherwise he would be a random guy or maybe some know him as he has developed a company in skyside selling daily goods to a very good price. Things like Food, electronics and other stuff you get in a supermarket.
The man mentioned is a rather tall human man standing around 6 feet. His grey hair is cut short and styled backwards for a more formal looks and on the edge of his hair grow scales in a simular grey color. His face looks younger then his hair would make people guess and the glasses also make him older as the model seems anciant. He does wear a grey suit with grey pants that match his haircolor. People who know him might wonder why he wears a long arm coat and fine eyes notice that the clothing is reinforced from insde so the scales on his arms don't tear it apart.

If it would be only him people might miss he is there, but his company should draw some attention. On his side is an extremly beatiful woman. The woman herself is defnitly not human as the black horn, the black scales and the black tail suggest. The dragon woman is a bit shorter then the man and daintier compared to him. She wears a long black dress, that kind of dress that leaves her shoulders free and with every step she makes reveals her whole leg. That might catch some attention. If not the jewlery she wears just underlines her beaty (and more).
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Re: Vigil

Post by Earl of Purple »

The Little Mew That Could

That's an interesting question. Where did the hoatzin go? It's not here any more, yet it doesn't seem to have left the top of the cabinet. The smell of manure is strongest there, but... it doesn't go anywhere. It's dissipating into the air now the source is gone (perhaps a bit quicker than it should, but that's probably hard for the mew to realise given its limited experiences with smells to this point) but it doesn't go up to a wall and then disappear in a way that would suggest a secret entrance, nor does it drift over to a window (shut or otherwise) to suggest use of that exit. It's as though the hoatzin was here, then when LB-M wasn't looking, it stopped being here somehow.
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Re: Vigil

Post by Morty »

[Courtyard]

"Dipsnig Razortooth. CEO of MERC." This person doesn't recognize him, but have they heard of MERC? Dipsnig is more curious than anything else. "Networking is the reason I come here as well, really."
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Re: Vigil

Post by quillpleasant »

Courtyard

There is indeed a flash of recognition in Nathair's face at the mention of MERC.

"Oho, the CEO you say? I heard about your organization the other day, seems very efficient. I've considered applying for membership there, but my skills lie more in keeping people safe than in going after them. But I like to keep my options open." They smile, revealing a set of perfect white teeth before continuing.

"Do you have a card or anything I could take? I only got here recently, so I'm not sure what the customs are."
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Re: Vigil

Post by Ironsmith »

[Chemistry with Chef Bacon]

Eun pales. Does... does Sam think he's talking to Buhan right now? She did sort of get the two of them mixed up when she and Sam first met. He might be thinking she's the seeq and Buhan's the...

Oh. Wait. He's just being coy, isn't he?

God dammit, why do people feel the need to do that?!

Eun gives him a vaguely unamused chuff and shakes her head. "Sam." She chides, through tight lips.

...Wait. If he knows he's talking to Eun, then...

"Sam!" She says again, her voice gaining a lilt as her cheeks darken again.

He... really thinks of her as hot? Not "cute", not "pretty", not even "beautiful", he called her hot.

That's... new. Nobody's ever called her that before. What's so different about her this time? Is it the dress? Did she say something? Or... or is he just messing with her?

...It has to be that. He was just messing with her. No other explanation really made sense.

Eun shuffles awkwardly, her gaze falling to the floor, momentarily at a loss for how to proceed from here. She already wasn't expecting to see him, now he's saying the strangest things, and... she just doesn't have the script ready.

...Okay. Okay. Okay okay okay. Just... walk it back. Go back to a subject she can talk about.

...A tactic that works much better when applied to any part of the conversation that isn't the beginning.

Okay, plan b. Distraction.

Eun reaches over to a nearby table and snatches up a cocktail, taking a deep sip so at least the silence wouldn't be as awkward.

kag!

Oh. Right. Alcohol tastes different here. Not to mention terrible.


[Lizard, Worm, Bird's Eye View]

Khafir gives Kothar a vague nod of acknowledgment. That is, in fact, what he's doing. Telling the story. A little bit at a time. In the interest of filling dead air, Khafir takes another sip and...

...Huh. Her reflection, in the glass... it's not matching up with what she's doing. In fact... oh, of course. Her friend is trying to get in touch with her again. And now that she's looking, she can see that the room is stretched around her glass; she has a 360-degree view from here. Her reflection could do nearly anything and she'd see, even without her clairvoyance.

...Huh again. She's taking a particular interest in Kothar's weapons. That's... an avenue worth pursuing.

Khafir starts to slowly walk around him, examining the items for herself, and moving her perspective so she can better see what's got her head-mate's attention.
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Re: Vigil

Post by Hraithre »

[The Little Mew That Could]

When the stench trail leads nowhere, the little mew huffs indignantly and jumps off the cabinet. She sneezes to get the bad smell out of her nostrils and thinks. Could a bird just cease to exist? Maybe? She dimly recalls a discussion between herself, Geneva and... what was that, a robot? Something about dimensions. Hmmm...

Trying to think about it just proves to her that she can not do complex dimensional math in her head, not anymore. That's the price of no longer being part of a simulated computer connected to the mind of a skilled scientist. Figures. So, since she can't figure where the bird went, she opts for a somewhat... simpler strategy.

"Miu! Miumiumiumiu!" She begins scratching the door and keeping as much noise as she can. Someone is bound to hear it and come to open it. She's not a prisoner here... right? Right?

---

[Lizard, Worm, Bird's Eye View]

"People used to bring all kinds of weapons into the darkness", Khafir can see - or feel - the entity signal to her. Technically, it using a sign language, but encoding it in Khafir's visual perception so that it is both impossible to miss, yet subtle enough that it does not divert her attention from looking at anything genuinely interesting. "We used to gather them and put them all in once place. It seems here, too, there is a wide variety of different technologies. I'm curious, what kind of an opponent are these meant to be used against? Where in this world does one need an axe and a shield?" Khafir might gather, from context, that the entity cannot follow Kothar's story on its own. A lizardman is just different enough from a human to make lipreading difficult.

---

[Courtyard - Sekhmet]

When Sekhmet looks away, it somewhat breaks the tension. Hoshiki takes half a second to consider the question, then gives her a stiff bow. "I am Hoshiki Senshi. Pleasure to meet you. I was simply wondering what brings a lady such as yourself to... an event such as this. That's all."
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Earl of Purple
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Re: Vigil

Post by Earl of Purple »

The Little Mew That Could

From behind, there's that croaky call again as the hoatzin has reappeared in the room. It tilts its head at the mew, before opening its beak wide... and then wider... and even wider than the hoatzin is tall, its gullet appearing to transform into a hollow bronze tube, in which stands... a thing. It resembles a black millipede, albeit a three metre long example that is rearing the first metre off the ground. Amongst the legs held off the ground is a red-and-white sphere with a button in the middle, and in its long antennae the creature holds a quill and a notebook. Hovering in the air behind it is the angular form of a porygon. The millipede-thing and its attendant pokemon leave and the hoatzin closes its beak, ending the traversal mechanism.

The millipede-thing glances around the room before doing anything, making notes with its antennae.
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Re: Vigil

Post by bc56 »

Lizard, Worm, Bird's-eye View
If the entity is capable of seeing beyond the mundane properties of Kothar's gear, it might make a little more sense. The axe is infused with a power of flame, the belt with the strength of a giant, and the shield contains a trapped entity which hungers for magic, but those traits are all concealed to those who don't know how to see them.
Meanwhile Kothar continues, "Vision blurry, feel weak, then sudden sword cuts frog gut and Arboreas pull me free." He's mentioned his two companions more than a few times during this tale. Arboreas was an assassin, although Kothar never uses that exact word and one has to read between the lines a bit to figure it out. The other adventurer, Euclid, was a mage with uncontrolled powers, a dramatic personality, and a greedy streak a mile wide.

Courtyard
Sekhmet returns the bow with a curtsy. It doesn't take a genius to figure out what "lady like yourself" means, but at least any hostility seems to be defused. "Queen Sekhmet Brignole of the Scorching Depths," she introduces herself. "I'm, uh, here for the same reason everyone is, to, uh, pledge my, uh, financial support to Vigil."
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Re: Vigil

Post by Wolfbane »

Shadowcaller wrote: Mar 21, 2023 8:47 pm [Courtyard]

It wasn't Ambrosia's first time in Vigil but it would be her first time here dressed like this.
She wasn't much for dresses and her armor was usually fine to show up to at events like this. But considering the company she would be having she figured the occasion called for something a bit more unusual.

Which is what she descends the stairs to the courtyard in. Holding an usual looking boa which she would insist only was an illusion if anyone asked. She had questioned if it would be too much of a tell of her true nature but had figured it would be fine in the nexus. Surely the other guests would wear things just as fantastical considering how easily such things seemed to access around here.

-------------------

Cessie is also wearing something unusual. At least for people that didn't know her outside her position in VIGIL.
Since she was wearing her commander outfit. Something she usually just wore when there was fighting to be done.
Now it seemed like she was wearing it to represent vigil as Wenomir was wearing... funeral clothes?
She tries not to stare. Not since those clothes were anything unusual for Wenomir, it was because they so sharply contrasted her own in tone which wasn't great if they were supposed to represent VIGIL together. Now she was feeling far too overdressed in comparison.

She knew they should have discussed what to wear!

Even Cass was wearing black clothes.

At least Kayla was wearing something colorful. That way she didn't feel completely left out.
Courtyard

A splash of color is needed? Luckily for everyone present, Jezebel has arrived as well! Luckily enough for Cessie, she was both over and potentially underdressed! And the lush crimson gown she's wearing is very eye-catching. Almost enough to make it easy to ignore the daemonic wings, horns, and tail. Her usually lavender skin is darker than usual, letting the crimson dress pop all the more, particularly when she steps into a shadow. Her sleeveless gown hangs off of her, loose and draped over her form, and the neckline plunges dangerously down to her waist. The dress is tied with a woven cord of dark gold, and the lower half has splits along the side so it only truly hangs down in front and behind, with her thighs and legs exposed so they may move freely (and daringly!). Her bared feet jingle from jeweled anklets, and a feather-tipped tail trails behind her, underneath a heavy pair of taloned wings. The muscular arm wings settle upon her shoulders, draping the feather-like scales behind her like a mantle behind her, dragging ever-so-slightly on the ground like a cape.

"...this isn't too much, is it?" She asks, doing a small spin and looking herself over. Much of her exposed skin is marked with gold bodypaint, going along her natural lines and curves, and even highlighting her myriad scars. She does consider herself a warrior and was quite proud of them. "It's probably too much, but I think it looks dashing. I thought about coming in armor, but I wanted to feel the air and thought it would be too stuffy. Maybe I was wrong..." Jezebel reasons, taking a look at how everyone else seemed to be dressed.
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Re: Vigil

Post by Ironsmith »

[Lizard, Worm, Bird's-eye View]

That... is an excellent question. Khafir would presume that Kothar uses the gear he finds to be most familiar, not necessarily the most effective, but she can't exactly stop the story to ask him. And, for that matter, the entity doesn't seem to be able to follow the story as it is now; which means Khafir is, for the moment, wasting her time.

She can't have that.

Turning her vision so that her third eye is focused back on herself, Khafir signs for the entity's benefit, "Do you want me to summarize what's happening in the story?"

Of course, without the added context, Kothar and the rest of his audience will be greeted with the sight of sudden-onset jazz hands on Khafir's part, for no apparent reason, and likely enough for them, no readily-apparent meaning. If they didn't already know her by her reputation as a "total creep", they might get the impression now that she's just a little bit less than sane.
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Re: Vigil

Post by Magtok »

Courtyard
quillpleasant wrote: Mar 21, 2023 5:42 pmIn a gathering like this, there are sure to be some uninvited guests.
Wenomir wrote: Mar 21, 2023 11:41 pm"If this was a funeral, I might actually be in a better mood. Depending on whose funeral it was. If it was Magtok's funeral I'd be cheerful like Coco on a walk."
Some Blue Pig We've Never Met wrote: Mar 21, 2023 6:21 pm”Well, I hear that Vigil has a totally hot scientist”
Strange, all of these quotes definitely seem to point towards Magtok being present at the party. Yes, all three of them were clearly conceived with the cyborg in mind...and yet when you look across the courtyard, there's no sign of him anywhere. A party for the rich, famous, and celebrated...and no Magtok? The greatest villain of our age, the most cunning and dastardly and handsome and beloved and wonderful and perfect cyborg supergenius in the world? How could he miss out on this event? Where could he have possibly gone?

Maybe his invitation just got lost in the mail. Yes, that has to be the reason why, surely it's just a mail error. It's not because Magtok is some washed-up has-been whose glory days at the peak of infamy have long since passed. It has nothing to do with the fading embers of his societal relevance dwindling to nothing. No, Wenomir is just being petty, or Blanche was still upset about her step-dad jumping out of a window, so one of those two threw out the letter meant for him. How childish of them, especially when he was gracious and considerate enough of Vigil's repair bills to open the window first, rather than just throwing himself through solid glass like he usually does. So immature and embarrassing for the both of them, shunning the flawless and majestic pinnacle of human grace over something as inconsequential as whatever foolish, self-inflicted troubles they blame our wholly innocent supercriminal for.

Or maybe he's just late because he took a goddamn purple helicopter to get here.

"Ladies and gentlemen, it's the moment you've all been waiting for!" It's him, he's finally here! Clad in his fanciest black suit and purple necktie, dangling from a rope ladder hanging out of his rotorcraft, Magtok glows with such confidence you'd think there was a thousand spotlights shining up at his mechanical visage. Thankfully he brought along an especially long rope ladder, otherwise the rotor wash would be unbearably frustrating for everyone in the immediate area, pushed down by the force of air beneath the helicopter's spinning blades. No, instead it's just irritatingly noisy instead of completely intolerable. He hangs on for about half a minute, letting the heli circle about as he waves to the tiny peasants gathered below, blasting a song over the aircraft's speakers that almost seems to suggest he knows where Wenomir would prefer to see him. He doesn't, of course. Magtok's no psychic. Frankly it would just be unfair to everyone else if he was that amazing.

Our cyborg hops from the rope ladder once the copter has found an open space in the courtyard to drop him off, putting on his biggest, most arrogant grin to hide the pain in his stupid old man knees from making a jump like that. As the purple helicopter sails off into the sky, never to be seen again, Mag straightens his tie and dusts off his sleeves. To think, he was this close to missing out the festivities. If he had found out about this party any later this gathering would've had to go on without him, shamefully forced to carry on without a single MagClone to liven up the atmosphere. Oh gods, can you even imagine?
Last edited by Magtok on Mar 24, 2023 9:31 am, edited 1 time in total.
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