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Post by Blaze on Jan 24, 2022 14:18:22 GMT -8
"The Sun Banisher wishes for a pledge." She proclaims in a tone of voice that expresses... something. She was suddenly very conscious of the little speech she just gave, and the Torrent tries to sound solemn as she shifts from drill officer to the Fawkes advocate, such as it is "I think... I think that's fair. We can't promise it'll be safe, but we can do something."
She tries not to look at Lamassu. It was hard enough to concentrate when you feel your willpower sapped by trying to parse the changing factors of the situation and resisting the urge to just be and let others handle everything. If she'd fallen into the trap of focusing on the Spring Queen in addition to thinking about her, that'd probably be the end of her useful input here.
"A time limit? Something about adherence to mission parametres?"
She rubs her eyes.
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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 Jan 24, 2022 15:26:47 GMT -8
The Twilight Dancer soaked in the mad ramblings of a Lost unbound by their own creation. The darkling mind clicked and chattered away, processing what Lamassu was offering.
Fawkes's gestures went unnoticed by Riley; they spared it a glance but knew the Elemental was beyond unhappy with the situation. However, as Blaze reported his intentions, the Moth gave pause.
"Yes, right," They say softly, nodding in agreement.
They had many questions but knew that time was not in their or the freehold's favor.
A deeply familiar feeling slithered like an old dream through their thoughts. To be beautiful again required change. Sacrifice.
They scratched at their illuminated form. Golden had told them this curse would allow them to help Agrippa...Linden.
They came back into sharp focus, looking into the entity's beautiful visage. Lamassu was excited about this possibility, eager even. Riley could work with that.
They had been nervous about using glamour but now seemed the time. There was a flair from their vermilion glow. Their mantle seemed to shimmer alive, cresting open near their forehead, expanding like unfolding insect wings was an iridescent third eye.
" I'll agree to this change. I'll Allow you to reshape...split the thread of my fate. However, to prove you true to your word, that shape will be my desire and goal. To turn this game of Nohoilpi on its head and free me and others from that Malestrom. By being true to that, we will aid you in speakin' with your Motley. However, you will have three days to vacate Fawkes Bastion, and leave it in a state of his choosin' further more once we have done this for you, you will aid us..."
Riley pauses looking to Yuan. Letting their fellow Courtier, he knew far more about the needs of the spring court, letting him add what he wanted from this deal.
They had shaped their words to play to Lamassus eager desires, deftly playing their own reshaping as a benefit to Lamassu curiosity, and less of a request from the freehold.
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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 Jan 24, 2022 17:07:13 GMT -8
He nodded to Blaze. He didn't like it, but sometimes you needed to prune a bush for it to grow better.
"Philicia is working hard to leave room for growth. She did her best to change the Rites to stop the human sacrifices, but failed. From what I understand, we need to suitable substitute. The Emeralds are at their wits' end." Defiance flashed in his gem eyes as he flashed his pearly canines. His voice was splintered, a low hiss harmonizing with each word as lack of Clarity spilled into the waking dream. "I would not see us grovel before the Lower Seasons, begging for a solution."
Even propping up the wounded Elemental, Yuan unfolded to full height, opening his chest and shoulder blades. His Nature adapted again, reflecting the perfection of a leader, not a follower. "That is the price of my help. That is the cost of meeting your family - sharing the secrets of the pact you wove. Think of it as... one-upping Nohoilpi."
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Post by Krakenbox on Jan 24, 2022 22:54:38 GMT -8
Lamassu nodded as Blaze spoke, blinking a few times to pull themselves over their current fixation, "That sounds agreeable, though I would need to know the boundaries."
They actually pumped their arm and hissed a quiet 'yes' to themselves as Riley agreed to let them play God with the riddle of their being. "No- yes, of course. I'll make sure the main components stay in tact as the skeleton, so to speak, or maybe the thesis?" They laughed, teeth sharp and beautiful, "You shall still be unmistakably you. Or moreso, outside the Keeper's design- hm? Oh, yes, three days. Should be...enough."
The former Spring monarch seemed to be running the math of the Freehold, mouthing something just under their breath as they tapped their fingers to count something off. Fawkes blinked himself, shaking his head in disbelief as he smoothed his hair. It was hard to tell whether he was about to be sick, because he hadn't exactly stopped looking that way since they ran into him. His gaze was hard on Riley now, wanting to speak as he made a sound in his damaged throat, questioning why they would be volunteering for an unfathomable transition.
The familiar ring of Yuan's tone caught Lamassu's attention, peacock feathers lifting momentarily as their eyes blackened. The tips of their fingers sharpened for a moment, clicking the talons like acrylics, "Of course she did. She never could, no matter how many times she's hit the reset button." They shrug, giggling like they were embarrassed for her, "And yet here we are. One brother down a head because of her 'best'. Gosh, must be hard."
Their hands laced together, "Life for life. It's very simple in theory, but I suppose everyone's tried killing random ne'er-do-wells or cutting grass like they think it's that easy. The Freeholders need to offer equivalent exchange for the futures Spring has provided. I suppose you could sacrifice your own gains for a clean slate and blessings of mending, or wipe your past as an offering of new beginnings, but I don't think it'll go over well with the rabble. Spring has given Vegas so, so much, and it's a greedy, capricious patron as much as it loves you and your prosperity."
Lamassu's attention starts to wander back to The Project, halting as they shake themselves, still addressing Yuan with some effort. "Mhn! Well, I would love to pump your mind full of secrets, but it would shatter you like trying to inject a lake into a melon."
Pop.
"We can try that, or you can be patient and foster knowledge over time when the Dream Plague's cleaned up. What I am more concerned about is: who is out there when we all wake up? And what's the plan for us to all go back home quietly to continue this without Summer's overzealous Spear in our faces?"
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Post by Blaze on Jan 25, 2022 12:53:05 GMT -8
Even without looking, listening to Lamassu was a strange experience. Here was a creature of immeasurable age and power, able to crush them with the slightest effort, and yet she sounded almost child-like, or like a college girl giggling over boys. Were the Torrent of sounder mind, she'd find that disturbing. As it stands, she couldn't help but think about it as kind of adorable.
"We could... talk to them? Give them enough to get them off of our backs, but not mention everything. Then vanish before they question us more."
They can't afford to risk Wrath, and spare the time it'd take to quell it. Better not to arouse it in the first place by a few strategic lies and half-truths.
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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 Jan 25, 2022 13:42:04 GMT -8
Riley nods in agreement.
"Eurydice might be the most difficult to shake. But with Lucas and us explainin' the plan, she might be pissed, but she isent going to kill Fawkes, and likely wont hurt us unless this goes south"
The Moth says with a nod.
" We report the worms, and give summers something to hunt. " Riley gives a quick glance towards Oren to see if the summer courtier might be able to aid in that process.
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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 Jan 26, 2022 19:44:11 GMT -8
A low rumble came from the Beast's chest. He wasn't happy with the response, but there nothing he could do about it. Instead, he attempted to tune in on what the others were saying; it felt like an old radio honing in on the correct frequency.
"Like Riley said, Eurydice is there, along with the She-Wolf," he offered by way of response. He had half a mind to step into whatever nonsense Sorsa was brokering for themselves, but decided against it. The jury was still out if that was a side effect of the splitting headache he felt coming on or the absence of the Worm's happy juice. "I hope you know what you're doing," he told them severely.
"We need to establish check ins. No offence, King Lamassu, but I'm not about to unleash something that should by all rights be dead unto the freehold. It went very poorly last time. I would also ask that one of use comes with you to make introductions to your late motley. I don't want King Samedi smashing Fawkes' body to pulp because he doesn't believe you. We also need a plan, a story. We can't go out there with some half-baked lie and a dream. Something solid. "
Shifting Fawkes' weight from a sore spot, Yuan rubbed the bridge of his nose. He was starting to wish he had stayed in bed.
"Here's what I got..."
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Post by Krakenbox on Jan 26, 2022 20:36:06 GMT -8
There were more than a few immediate aggravating factors. - Oren volunteered in his bubbly, addled dialogue that Inquisitor Solomon could peel back the lies and illusions with a Contract of Summer (he was the one who was there to interrogate and execute if necessary);
- Cinder had spun a brief warning on Fawkes' forearm to reflect in the waking world, knowing the She-Wolf was near to have stopped him from bleeding out — LAMASSU HERE;
- Lamassu explained that they had stopped Lucas and Cinderella mid-Contract from stepping back into the waking world, and would not have the context of their negotiations;
- Lamassu also explained that Riley's conciousness would not be following them back in order to prevent themselves from being forgotten, which Riley agreed would cause an explosive reaction from their ex.
The goal was to make sure that Solomon would get as close to the truth that would be feasible, and satisfy the Sun's Tongue and the Winter noble's experience. If everyone got the answers they were looking for, there wouldn't be much more push than examining Fawkes while the rest walked away with a proper thank-you and favours owed. Lamassu seemed confident that nothing would be found, as long as Fawkes didn't force their hand to flee. Really, it was the simple explanation that the Friar's Lantern's wild spread through the Skein; foretold by Solomon's own Squire and the She-Wolf herself to lend further credibility. This drove a shapeshifting, parasitic entity into Fawkes' Bastion, taking the form of the founding Spring monarch. As it wreaked mad havoc, Cinderella and Lucas stepped away for backup, and Riley pulled the trigger on their volatile, destructive mien and destroyed the dream. What did the bomb do? They weren't really sure. Was Lamassu there? It looked like Lamassu, but they weren't really sure. Was Riley gone? They weren't really sure. Was Fawkes clean? Solomon could have a look to confirm. Was anyone a Loyalist? As far as their Oaths were concerned, apparently not. Yuan himself knew they weren't bargaining with a Faerie.
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Post by Krakenbox on Jan 26, 2022 20:57:11 GMT -8
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Post by Blaze on Jan 27, 2022 2:29:23 GMT -8
The Elemental readied herself to confront the freehold's higher-ups, wrestling with the fact that they'll have to lie to them to help the operational goals: a thought completely alien to her previous line of work, but that just goes to show how unlike mundanes and changelings can really be.
There was one more question on her mind: where the fuck did Riley go? What was their deal with Lamassu?
Alright, two questions then.
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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 Jan 27, 2022 15:58:39 GMT -8
"Alright. Fine. Once we get out though, I want your help fixing Spring. I can't- I can't keep healing people like this." His tone was as sharp as the horizon. He wasn't going to elaborate on his words, that much was clear from the set of his jaw.
He offered Riley one last look. "You still owe me, Butterfly." He was referencing the promise that was made at the night club. "I won't forget that. Or you." The Verdant Creed was true for all Emeralds; who was Yuan to dictate Riley their wants. If this was where their Desire lead, then he had to step aside.
He steadied himself, drawing on the last ounces of his will to see them through the ordeal to come. More lies. To Cinder, to Lucas. "Fawkes. After all of this is done, please, can we talk? I want to help you."
Before you fall apart.
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Post by Krakenbox on Jan 29, 2022 23:34:38 GMT -8
Fawkes offered Yuan a shallow shrug to his question, for the Elemental couldn't promise anything in this nightmare of a moment. Lamassu grinned at the request and pressed Yuan as to whether he wanted to hang out in or outside his Bastion, prompting the Playmate to wrap up the Seal with the promise of three days of operation before the Wyrd removed their influence over Fawkes' subconscious. In turn, the Playmate received the boon of counsel while unwinding the curse on Riley's fate. They didn't have time to think or reconsider, as a red flash emerging from the Bright One blasted them from the dream like a blow to the stomach that left them breathless. Waking was a frenzied confusion as Cinderella was already giving her report to the Knight of Scales while Lucas trembled with contained rage, which immediately rounded back on Fawkes as the Elemental gurgled through real-world wounds. The Knight of Lores confirmed that healing was pertinent before drawing more of her own blood across the Sun Banisher's mangled throat, followed by Eurydice forcing her way through the locked door with a violent spike of earth splitting through the concrete of the floor. Solomon didn't stop the Fury as she checked on her motleymate, returning Sweeney's apologetic shrug with a look that could peel paint. The Draconic's repeated apologies for not taking Fawkes complaints seriously were heard in the background as Oren caught his breath and took point with glossing the cracks of Lucas and Cinder's concerns; advising his Knight with all the confidence in the world and non of the usual whimsical flair to his dialogue when addressing the dour inquisitor. Blaze and Yuan corroborated when the sweeping grip of the Knight's Mantle narrowed its attention on their expressions, with the Playmate offering more in the way of words with innocent and apologetic looks to the rest of the team for their separation, before redirecting to the fact that Oren had taken some psychic damage from a monster of the Skein. Blaze confirmed the story, pulling more sympathy for the harrowing experience they had all been subjected through while remaining stoic in her role. That was when Lucas' shouting cut through the multiple layers of conversation, shaking a non responsive Riley as the Fairest demanded a tearing explanation. Fawkes managed to garble a mention of the bomb as the She-Wolf repaired his vocal cords, and as far as the rest could tell, he appeared to be himself albeit the dull resignation in his eyes. Overall, he didn't look very well as his mien was raw and fading around the edges of reality without the protection of the Mask. The weight of Fawkes' Mantle quelled Lucas to settle in his grief; not shy about it in front of the other Freeholders, though ones with empathetic perception could dig a little deeper to understand the man was completely devastated. Between not sensing his friend's suicidal intent and not being present for Riley's final moments, the Fairest was spinning down a personal pit. Fawkes squeezed the other Winter's shoulder before pulling Eurydice aside to send the pair off. Oren continued to offer details that Solomon requested as he nodded for the rest to get some damn rest with a proper thank you for their assistance today. Despite his reputation, the Illes was a Fairest as well, and his expression was pinched from the whole ordeal that the others had gone through. Fawkes was stopped from following Eurydice and Lucas, as the Knight of Scales explained he would need a full perspective from the Sun Banisher, which was met with further volatility from the Arrayer of Distant Thunder, saying the Knight could get something in paper. The opening was taken as the participants were given a secondary screening by The She-Wolf for their health, before being released to the wild. What would become of them? What had become of Riley?
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Post by Blaze on Jan 30, 2022 6:16:32 GMT -8
Elementals are not always the greatest at multi-track thinking, and still reeling from the difficult Skein journey and Lamassu's flashbang of a presence, Blaze finds it even more difficult to focus. It is not just physically and mentally taxing, but also morally ambiguous - there was a time a lifetime ago when the thought of lying to her superiors about security issues wouldn't even cross her mind, much less see the light of day. And yet here she is, going along with the plan, weaving a story for what will hopefully turn out to be the greater good.
There was still a lot Blaze didn't know or didn't understand about the situation, not least of which was Riley's fate. Where did the Moth's mind go? There was something about this mystery that Blaze found compelling and threatening at the same time, after seeing what the former Verdant Queen turned into.
"Let's talk later, yeah?" She offers Yuan before departing. The Spring shared Court with the Moth and seemed genuinely interested in resolving the situation with Fawkes as non-offensively as possible, which made him a natural point of contact for both. Blaze is certain that what they witnessed is a beginning, not an end.
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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 Jan 31, 2022 10:52:08 GMT -8
The Playmate was shutting down. He still wore a brave smile, again more for Cinder's sake than anyone else, but in reality he was on the verge of passing out. Explaining about the Party Worms would only invite further questions that the Beast had no way of answering, so he instead nursed his plummeting levels of dopamine.
Had they done the right thing? Could they trust the Dead King? At the most crucial moment, those who had leaned on had disappeared. Lucas, Cinder, even Fawkes. All those Nobles who had left them to their own devices. Yuan had been forced to take the reigns of the operation, and now he was afraid that Blaze and Oren were going to blame him if it went south. Still. They had made it out, and with Fawkes in tow. Kind of. It was a win, and it was important to recognize it.
He managed a half-mumbled apology to Lucas for his loss, for the form. He wanted to cry, but he couldn't.
It took Yuan a moment to process that Blaze was addressing him. The world around him was too loud and too dull at the same time. The angles were somehow pedestrian and painful to look at in their banality. And through it all, grit behind his eyes that blasted pain through his nerves. The two had a connection, wrought through shared experience and motley oath. "Yeah. I'd like that." It was a strange, stating his wants out loud.
Slowly, the others departed, leaving the Playmate alone with his broken, guilty conscience.
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