Riley Sorsa
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Presence (3) Captivating | SL(1) Stylish Mantle (2)Spring | Status(1) Entertainment
Posts: 913
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Post by Riley Sorsa on Dec 23, 2021 12:38:38 GMT -8
Plucked from the ocean and placed upon its crystalline surface, the illuminated moth shed the water from the sea in a slight shake.
Taking in a deep breath, they gave the now humanoid form of the Sphinx a nod of appreciation.
"Thank you"
The mention of the other issue gave the darkling pause, were they speaking of the vermillion hue given to them for this journey, or perhaps of a deeper problem.
"I am sorry I don't know you. I feel safe to assume you aren't part of Fawkes bastion."
After all, brightly colored awe-inspiring sphinx did not align with Fawkes dream world.
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Post by Krakenbox on Dec 23, 2021 12:54:17 GMT -8
The being smiled, bemused as they blinked.
"I beg to differ. I probably know him more than anyone else at this point-"
The world seemed to slow around them, wheever conversations taking place on shore now moving at a snail's pace, though for Riley it was hard to turn their attention.
"-though he's struggling with that. Very Onyx, but perhaps he needs to remember that there's excitement outside of a stereotype..." They held their chin as their attention shimmered for a moment. "For your other question, you can't know me. I shouldn't be surprised that much time has past, but I do miss my people from time to time." They chuckle, "Right, right- being helpful. I was once the founder of your Freehold and the Oath you have sworn to."
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Riley Sorsa
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Presence (3) Captivating | SL(1) Stylish Mantle (2)Spring | Status(1) Entertainment
Posts: 913
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Post by Riley Sorsa on Dec 23, 2021 13:23:20 GMT -8
The moth blinked as the statement of the stranger began to sink into the darklings mind.
"Wait. I - I thought you were dead," they say, unwittingly repeating Yuan from before. Awestruck and confused, Riley ran a hand through their hair. "And why are you here of all places?"
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Post by Krakenbox on Dec 23, 2021 15:06:26 GMT -8
"Death is a tricky concept to navigate," they mused. "Clearly I'm not."
They snapped their fingers, catching a thought. "I could ask you the same thing, actually. Well, I know that you got here because I let the Hob go; but I'm sure that's not what you think I mean."
Their feathers raised a bit, prompting them to preen with clawed hands. "In this Bastion, though? Equal parts familiarity and the...open...space."
They glance outwards, head slowly swiveling to take on the environment.
"Certain things synced better than what one is used to."
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Riley Sorsa
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Presence (3) Captivating | SL(1) Stylish Mantle (2)Spring | Status(1) Entertainment
Posts: 913
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Post by Riley Sorsa on Dec 23, 2021 15:36:16 GMT -8
Riley followed their gaze as it traveled the wide breadth of the empty Bastion. Before noticing that Lucas, Yuan, Cinder, and Fawkes were speaking to the Sphinx onshore simultaneously, a curiosity to be sure.
"Have the others explained why we're here?"
The Darkling was testing the waters if there was a true fae here. Did the Sphinx know? Or perhaps their navigation of Death and the coming of a true fae were linked. Riley wast is certain.
"It seems a stretch to be a coincidence that we all are here at the same moment"
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Post by Krakenbox on Dec 23, 2021 15:45:05 GMT -8
"Nope. I thought you were Loyal to Her, seeing as the pretty ones seem very determined to spread Her influence everywhere."
They let the silence stretch, along with the smirk on their lips, waiting for an explanation.
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Riley Sorsa
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Presence (3) Captivating | SL(1) Stylish Mantle (2)Spring | Status(1) Entertainment
Posts: 913
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Post by Riley Sorsa on Dec 23, 2021 16:55:48 GMT -8
The Darkling appraised the once-king. Figuring if this creature indeed was on their side or a manipulation.
"By she, you mean the Fae? Yes, its powers have been bringin' madness to the freehold. Fawkes seems ill from it. They will kill him back in the wakin' world if he is not cured here. Security and such."
The Moth didn't seem all too keen on the situation at hand.
"Have you been in his dream long?" Than, an idea struck the Darkling.
"Or have you been wanderin the freeholds dreams?"
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Post by Krakenbox on Dec 23, 2021 17:20:04 GMT -8
Manipulating? Not yet. The radiant being didn't appear to care, or not even know about the chaos in the waking world. Rather, they seemed genuinely interested in conversation. Whether Lucas and Yuan would be met with hostility was being assessed—the Sphinx was wondering if they were Loyalists.
The smile fades, appearing surprised, "Oh! No he isn't waking up because I am not letting him just yet. I assumed someone would eventually check as to why, and then I could speak."
They gestured to the shore and Riley, proud of themselves.
"...Long? Not at all. I am wherever I want to be."
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Riley Sorsa
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Presence (3) Captivating | SL(1) Stylish Mantle (2)Spring | Status(1) Entertainment
Posts: 913
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Post by Riley Sorsa on Dec 23, 2021 17:32:24 GMT -8
At first, Riley thought to protest the use of Fawkes as a coma beacon of sorts. But then again, how else would the once-King reach out.
"Whatever you want to be?" The androgynous luminated avatar raised an eyebrow. Repeating the question more to themself than anything.
"To speak? We are here now-" Riley glanced to the shore.
"Am I allowed to join the others? "So that we can hear what it is you need?" Next, it was tested to see if the Sphinx wanted them separated or not.
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Post by Krakenbox on Dec 23, 2021 17:44:55 GMT -8
"If you're worried, sure. I can close the distance, or you can walk."
Lamassu stepped around the Darkling, leaving the opening as the eyes of the feathers rolled and squinted at the Moth with rapt curiosity. The air felt electric, like a current was running along Riley's nerves.
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Hua Yuan
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Presence 2 - Nostalgic; SL 1 - Flawless
Posts: 304
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Post by Hua Yuan on Dec 23, 2021 20:22:30 GMT -8
"Um-" hazarded the Courser. "How are you here, if you don't mind me asking? And what higher calling?" The words blurted out before Yuan could stop himself. He double-checked to make sure Fawkes was indeed stable before standing up and dusting off the marble of his outfit.
"I'm sorry, I'm forgetting my manners. Yuan, of the Antler Crown." He bowed to the humanoid figure, out of rote more than anything else. The being in from of them was absurdly powerful, enough to overwrite Cinder's dreamweaving like it was nothing.
He gave a look to Riley, hopeful now that they have joined the group. Their secret weapon had arrived, but he was wondering if the Token would do them any good. Was Lamassu a Changeling still? Or was he a Keeper, or a god?
"I'm surprised to see you here. It has been many years since the Crown of the Season was passed and you were mourned."
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Post by Krakenbox on Dec 27, 2021 17:32:17 GMT -8
Cinder's eyes were wide and misting as her jaw worked, gently trying to move Fawkes from the conversation now that his bleeding was under control. She had silently done the math on the situation, and recognized this entity as the source of his condition and his consequent suicide attempt to end the Bastion. Did he know he was dying in real life? Could they be locked in the same way? She wanted to talk to the Elemental, and learn what he knew about his extended exposure to Lamassu as Yuan engaged. It seemed like the right choice, given the circumstances and its diplomatic demeanor. It had let the hobgoblin go in the first place, and now Riley was here. Was it hubris, or did it want them? Her mind was overwhelmed and tilted the scenario that this God had forged the scenario itself, already ten steps ahead. Would she forge another weapon? Would she start burning through her magic to build power and alter Fawkes' state to wake him up? Her hands shook at the prospect, certain that Lamassu was just undo it all, and leave her without glamour and relying on the kindness of others to get away—like Fawkes had been. The Fairest felt a little more in control as her hand was pressed on their Sunbanisher, knowing he was a required anchor for this being to engage them. Lamassu gave Yuan a toothy grin at the question, looking ecstatic as they considered an answer that would make sense to him. Reality bent as the secondary persona that pulled Riley from the sea was rejoined as one. The nostalgia was making them giddy, pacing around the other Beast as their form flickered to the same humanoid from centuries ago. Peacock patterns trailed in a tailored jacket from the young Lost of liquid glass that sprouted to fractal feathers, cat eyes matching Yuan's. "God I miss them! How is Samyr and Totsoni?" They smoothed their hair, waving a hand, "Sorry- it's been very quiet. I am here because I want to be, and I am still seeking to properly answer that question. Right now, what I would like is to strike the one who is attacking everyone." They snapped their fingers, gesturing from Lucas to Yuan, "You introduce yourself as one of the Court, but you're spreading Her influence everywhere." Their laugh had a nervous edge of annoyance, taking on the undercurrent of Fawkes' own voice. "I need to remove that."
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Hua Yuan
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Presence 2 - Nostalgic; SL 1 - Flawless
Posts: 304
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Post by Hua Yuan on Dec 27, 2021 19:21:36 GMT -8
Yuan's eyes widened in shock at the realization of how casually Lamassu had dropped the True Names, or at least fragments of, of his former motley mates. "Um, if you're referring to the Autumn and Winter Kings, I haven't personally spoken to either of them." His gaze traced the movements of the being in front of him, this god of reverie occupying another's Bastion. There was something familiar in them, the same sensation that Yuan had when looking at Mitch. The feather patterns matched his own, at the very least.
He was getting worried. Sure, their host was willing to be diplomatic for now, but the casual display of power had the Beast worried. "I'm guessing you mean Fawkes, and by attacking everything I'm guessing you mean get out of his own Bastion. He's been sleeping for a while now, his motley mates are getting worried." Sure they could still understand that, if they miss their own family.
Wait. What are we removing now? The butterflies took flight in a frenzy as his feathers stood on end. It looked eerily like a cat puffing up, despite the minimal cat-like traits.
Riley had finally made their way to the group, but Yuan wasn't liking their chances any more.
Because really, what could they do anyway, except trying to placate this titan?
He forced himself to regain some composure. "We've come to check on him, and in the nick of time it would seem. Are you the one keeping him here?"
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Post by Lucas Chevalier on Dec 28, 2021 17:40:26 GMT -8
The emotional whiplash between seeing Fawkes trying to end his life using violence followed by the raw, thunderous wave of charisma that was the former Spring Monarch left Lucas reeling. For the briefest of moments, he contemplated giving into the undertow and letting the Sphinx drag him into his madness.
As his eyes closed to give into the magical, emotional pull, a voice broke through the endless waves of madness; Eurydice's. Not only was physically one of the most powerful Changelings within the entire Freehold, she was by far one of the most socially connected members of the Freehold as well. Out of everyone who she could have asked to go on this trip, she chose him. She trusted him.
Like hell he was going to break that trust.
Instead of giving into the captivating waves rolling out from the Sphinx, Lucas rode them out, and let his own emotions surge.
"Trust me, buddy. We did you a favor by intervening when we did. Eurydice doesn't like it when people mess with her Little Brother. If he had succeeded, she would be going full dragon force on your ass."
While the Spring courtiers showed reverence to their founding Monarch, Lucas felt a different emotion surge to the surface; rage.
Lamassu was responsible for the ritual that lead to Yasmin becoming a failed experiment who died in one of the most truly horrific ways the Gravewight had ever witness and he had seen Some Shit in his days.
"In fact..." He growled.
"Why don't you stop fucking with other people's lives in general, huh?"
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Riley Sorsa
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Presence (3) Captivating | SL(1) Stylish Mantle (2)Spring | Status(1) Entertainment
Posts: 913
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Post by Riley Sorsa on Dec 29, 2021 9:39:56 GMT -8
Riley came to shore alongside the near god-like Lamassu. Their eyes shot to Yuan, Lucas, and Cinder, giving each a silent nod as the sequence began to unfold.
Riley wanted to thank Lucas for the Hob, but their eyes moved to Fawkes and the blood upon his shirt. Their eyes went wide. What had happened here?
Yuan mentioned the Autumn and Winter kings, Samyr? Totsoni? The Darkling's blood went cold.
"Still sacks of bone," the moth muttered under their breath.
Riley could almost taste the Rage that rolled off of Lucas as he turned his anger towards Lamassu.
"Let us not forget the Fae somewhere on the dreaming roads," Riley said, trying to focus the team. Giving Lucas a swift glance, before looking to Lamassu.
"If you mean the dream sickness, they are here to help. Affected or not"
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