|
Post by recoveryfive on Mar 8, 2017 22:27:45 GMT
Iago almost looked offended by Ori's comment, raising an eyebrow. He was about to say something to him in response when he was interrupted.
"That'll be us, then." a voice called out from not too far away. The group looked towards the source of the sudden greeting, seeing a young man flanked by two additonal agents coming in from the way the Raith siblings had arrived. His blonde hair and green eyes didn't match his facial expression, which was more dour compared to Iago and Miyako.
"These guys your friends?" Bonnie asked the newcomer, seriously considering reaching for her weapons now.
"Associates, unfortunately. I'm Junior Supervisor Fitzroy, and these two are Special Agents Kimberly and Jacobs." the young man grumbled, looking up at Ori. "I take it you're the one that crashed here?"
"Yes."
"Oy vey." Fitzroy mumbled to himself, pinching the bridge of his nose. "First a throbbing headache, now this...alright. As you already know, we need to ask you some questions regarding yourself. If you're not willing to do so for them, will you at least do so for me?"
|
|
|
Post by Bippwatt on Mar 10, 2017 2:50:54 GMT
Miyako turned her head and scowled. “Fitzroy. What are you doing here? I told you we had this."
"Clearly-" Jareth gave Ori a significant look, taking in the man's expression of disgust directed at the siblings. "-you do not. Also, that is 'Sir'."
"Well, it's not our fault he doesn't like White House vampires. Nor is it our fault that we are White House vampires." Miyako threw Jareth's sass right back at him.
Deidre, meanwhile was looking really hard at one of Jareth's companions. "Stephanie? Is that you?"
The agent that Jareth had referred to as "Special Agent Kimberly" turned to look at the wizard. "Deidre? What are you doing here? Where have you been?"
"I could ask you the same! You practically vanished five years ago! Except for major Council meetings, you fell off the radar! What happened to you?"
The woman who was apparently Stephanie Kimberly lifted her hands in broad spreading gesture, as though indicating everything around her. The implication was clear, even with out her explanation. "I was recruited by Spirit five years ago."
"But...these two said the Magus Council didn't know of Spirit's existence..."
"It doesn't."
"Buh...buh...buh...buh-"
Mia tapped her shoulder. "You sound like a motorboat. You should make a coherent sentence."
"I'm super confused now.", Deidre said simply.
"That makes three of us.", Eliora and Bonnie said in tandem.
"I don't think any of us aren't confused except Cosmin.", Hakim said.
"Perhaps.", the aforementioned sorcerer said. "Probably. Almost certainly. Indubitably."
"Okay, all of you, shut up!", Miyako said. "This is getting absurd. Special Agent Kimberly, stop flirting with your girlfriend."
"She's not my girlfriend, ma'am. Just a friend."
"And she's female. Ergo, girlfriend."
"Yes, ma'am. Whatever you say, ma'am. As the Chief Special Agent says, ma'am." Kimberly said in a deadpan, her actual meaning clear as glass in her tone and expression.
"Fitzroy, I demand she be written up for disrespecting a superior!", Miyako said.
"I'm sorry, I didn't hear the magic word there.", Jareth said with a sadistic smile. Making Miyako's life a living hell was his favorite pastime.
Miyako growled, then muttered, just loud enough to hear. "I demand she be written up for disrespecting a superior, sir."
"That's better. Special Agent Kimberly!", Jareth barked. The woman jumped and snapped to attention. "You have provoked a White House vampire, a dangerous predator. You pissed her off and lived to tell the tale. This makes you awesome in my book. You are officially promoted to Senior Special Agent, effective immediately."
Miyako, who had turned away in smug satisfaction, whirled back around now. "What?! That is ridiculous!"
"Thank you, sir! I won't let you down!", the now Senior Special Agent said enthusiastically, smiling wickedly at Jareth's sense of justice.
"Just keep doing as well as you have been and you won't." Jareth turned to Miyako. "Oh, I'm sorry, Chief Special Agent. Did you have a complaint? You'll have to fill out the appropriate forms when we get back to base. I will deliver them to the appropriate departments."
"Yeah, like the incinerator.", Special Agent Jacobs muttered with a smirk.
"Might I suggest we all get off the beach and inside?", Eliora said into the silence after that, as though nothing out of the norm had occurred. Because if she didn't pretend as such, she would flip out and kill everyone.
|
|
|
Post by Spartan 999 on Mar 10, 2017 21:46:51 GMT
“...You do not seem as bad as those two,” Ori said to Fitzroy, though he still sounded noncommittal. He may have been willing to say more, but...then everything else happened. Which left him mildly annoyed.
“Indeed!” Cosmin all but swaggered past those in his particular group. “How about we allll take a lovely drive back to my tower? That way Ori can begin to get acquainted with his new accommodations and all parties can have a civil conversation over delicious refreshments!”
Silas nodded sharply. “Agreed. Tchaikovsky Tower will make good neutral ground for our purposes.”
|
|
|
Post by recoveryfive on Mar 11, 2017 17:04:03 GMT
"I'll take that as a compliment." Jareth decided, looking over at Cosmin upon his suggestion. "Sounds good to me. I just have to update HQ real quick and we can be on our way..." He pulled put his phone and tapped the keyboard, sending a single text before putting it away. "Alright. Ready when the rest of you are."
"Yeah, we really need to get off this beach." Bonnie agreed, glancing down at her feet. "It was fun at first, but the sand's starting to get into my shoes now and I'm pretty sure a bird almost did its business on me."
Cheshire snickered at the mental image, causing the hoodie-wearing girl to give her an annoyed look but say nothing.
|
|
|
Post by Bippwatt on Mar 11, 2017 21:49:41 GMT
"The sand isn't that bad...", Deidre said...as she looked down at her military issue combat boots, laced up, with her pants folded into the boot itself. "Well, for me, at least." She looked back up and over at Kimberly. "You are gonna have to fill me in on this whole Spirit thing."
"Uh...sorry. Can't."
"What? Why not?!"
"It's sensitive classified information. Maybe if you joined, I could tell you some of it." She shrugged. "But right now, you're not cleared for anything. Especially given your good standing with the Magus Council."
Harper perked up at that. "Does that mean-"
"No.", both of the other wizards said simultaneously.
"Damn. Had to try."
Silas, meanwhile, ignored this byplay and appeared to have a thought. "Pardon me for one moment. I need to make a call." He stepped toward his own limo, which the rest of the group was in no hurry to get to, apparently, and pulled out a phone.
Miyako, furious at Jareth for his completely unfair and biased treatment of her, got back in the car, slammed the door and turned the ignition over, Iago getting in the other side.
"Kimberly, ride with Mister Tchaikovsky and his...associates, here. Since Chief Special Agent Miyako saw fit to take our only incognito vehicle here, I don't fancy walking all the way to Tchaikovsky Tower, especially after walking all the way here. And that car only has room for four."
He made his way to that vehicle and opened the driver door. "Out.", he said to Miyako, who glared up at him for a second, her iris' getting paler for a moment as her pupils shrank to pinpricks. At the same time, Jareth's pupils expanded to almost overwhelm his irises.
Jareth reached out, grabbed Miyako by the collar and hauled her out. Startled as she was by the assault, she didn't put up much of a fight. "Listen, here, bitch! Neither of us likes each other. Now, I've seen your service jacket. Much as it loathes me to admit it, you are actually a damn fine agent. But if you try that vamp shit one more time with me, I will knock your ass back down to Junior Operative and kick you to the Department of Monster Vegetation! And I will laugh as I do it! Are we fuckin' clear?"
Miyako, recovered now, grabbed his hand and, with strength Jareth couldn't hope to match, pulled it off her collar and shoved it away. "Crystal, sir." Unlike before, the sir wasn't grudging or anything. It simply was. If Jareth had to guess, he had probably just gained a measure of respect in her eyes, by asserting himself and not letting her walk all over him. But she was still obviously pissed. And they would never be besties. Ever.
Everyone piled into the appropriate vehicles and off they went. As Eliora, Bonnie, Hakim, Gerlach, Deidre, Cheshire, Mia, Jack, Kilroy, Rosani, Kimberly and Cosmin/Koschei got into their limo, Silas returned.
"I will be having one additional person meet us en route."
Cosmin turned as he was about to duck into the vehicle. "Oh?"
"Just an advisor. They won't offend."
"I see."
And with that, they finished piling into their vehicles and were off to Tchaikovsky Tower.
About half way there, a sleek motorcycle, dark green, with silver accents, rolled into a curve from a side street and wove between the cars, then fell back towards Silas' vehicle.
A window lowered as they continued on and the motorcycle tucked in close.
"Silas. You rang?"
"Yes, thank you for your prompt arrival. I may have need of your skills before long. We have a bit of a cavalcade here. Two limos, one Jeep, one sedan."
"Got it. That government sedan?"
"Yes. Did you scan the occupants?"
"Psh, please. I don't need to be a telepath to know that's an Uncle Sam car. It screams FBI, CIA or...well, government." The cyclist obviously had been about to say something else, but had changed it, clearly not wanting to reveal something. Either something she wasn't supposed to know or something he wasn't supposed to know.
Silas took a stab. "Or Spirit?"
"...How do you know about them?"
"Our 'government friends'.", he said with a slight twitch of his head behind them to the sedan following.
"Oh. Merde."
"Language, Ms. Lyta. Language."
|
|
|
Post by Spartan 999 on Mar 18, 2017 22:41:35 GMT
The drive back to Tchaikovsky Tower didn't take all that long. Hakim wondered if that was due to Koschei's will, which wouldn't have been surprising in the slightest.
As for Ori, the newcomer in this strange land would've sat in silence at the back of the limo, rucksack of gear and supplies on his lap, but...as they traversed the cityscape, he couldn't help but peer around at everything in almost childlike wonder.
“Whatcha think?,” Cheshire asked of him, gaze inquisitive.
Honey-gold eyes slid to the girl momentarily. “...I have seen many marvels, but this...all this is so bizarre and different. I am not entirely sure what to think. It appears grand in many ways, though whether its splendor matches or even exceeds the likes of Manu-Jin or Quordahlon, I cannot say.”
They pulled into the skyscraper's private garage shortly thereafter: Koschei's limo entered first, followed by Silas', then Harper's Jeep Wrangler (an older model), the SPIRIT sedan, and “Ms. Lyta's” motorcycle.
The garage was spacious, to be sure, but Ori was dubious as to whether or not it could house his wingship. Koschei told him not to worry about it, so he put that out of mind for the time being. Now he had other things to focus on, namely the Q&A-slash-interrogation with the SPIRIT agents.
Towards that end, Koschei-Cosmin led the lot of them to a conference room where an increasingly-bewildered William Dunn was waiting for them with various drinks (alcoholic and nonalcoholic alike) and assorted snacks (ranging from classy hors d'oeuvres to chips and bite-size candy).
“I-I b-brought everything a-a-as you requested, s-sir,” stuttered the secretary.
“Good, good!” Cosmin grinned and clapped the thin Australian on the shoulder. “Now run along, you shouldn't be present for this private meeting.”
“Y-yes, sir!” William skittered off and shut the doors behind himself.
“Please, everyone, make yourselves comfortable.” The sorcerer-disguised-as-a-banking-CEO poured himself some vodka and swished the liquid about in his glass tumbler. “Relax, take as much of the refreshments as you want; I can have plenty more brought if need be.”
Ori, perhaps unsurprisingly, opted for merely having some water.
Hakim was happy to guzzle down some orange juice and munch on potato chips and Snickers.
Harper just went with a simple cold beer and experimentally ate a couple of the hors d'oeuvres.
Cosmin walked around to the head of the table, set his cane in a handy-dandy holder/holster on the floor that had been made specially for it, and beamed at everyone. And, once he was sure everyone seemed to be more or less at ease, he spoke. “If all are ready, then we shall begin. Ori?”
The dark-skinned stranger took a long moment to thoughtfully finish off his water. At last, he replied. “I am ready.” Ori looked across the table at the Spirit agents, primarily Fitzroy. “You may ask whatever questions you wish. I will deem to answer them if I see fit.”
|
|
|
Post by recoveryfive on Mar 20, 2017 17:55:53 GMT
Kilroy reluctantly picked up a Snickers, unwrapping it and taking a small nibble. He seemed to like it, as he quickly ate the rest of it before tossing the empty wrapper out. His sister chose to have a glass of alcohol with Iago, who poured himself some vodka.
A few seats away, Bonnie hungrily ate the potato chips on her plate while Gerlach drank deeply from his glass of water. "Wow, this is really good." Gerlach said, impressed with the amount of variety on the table. "How did William know to make all of this?"
"It's like he's a magician or something." Cheshire joked, finishing her hors d'oeuvres with satisfaction. "But for snacks and booze."
Meanwhile, Jareth looked back at the man from his seat. "Understood. I won't force you if you don't want to." he said, ignoring the fact that Miriam was nearby to the best of his ability. "Let's start with the basics: What is your name? Do you have hostile intentions for this world and its inhabitants?" He gave Ori an almost apologetic glance for the captain obvious nature of the questions.
|
|
|
Post by Bippwatt on Mar 21, 2017 7:19:48 GMT
As they came into the garage, the motorcyclist parked, kicked out the kickstand and dismounted all in a smooth even flow. The helmet came off, revealing a soft-featured face, with shoulder length flaming locks of auburn hair and eyes of emerald green. Her outfit was simple and business like, but decidedly odd, given the fact that the blouse had an open neckline, but the collar somehow connected in the front, giving the illusion of what some called a "cleavage window" when in fact, it was just a plunging neckline.
Around the collar was a segment of black fabric, which seemed velvet like. On the left side, on this black fabric, was a small bronze or gold-colored pin, with the Greek letter Psi on it.
The rest of her outfit was simple, with earthy tones.
Eliora waved at this new person but frowned when she received nothing in return. She realized why because she noticed the woman staring with furrowed brow at the sedan, which Junior Supervisor Fitzroy was stepping out of. In point of fact, it was Jareth she was staring at.
Then they all got inside, began nibbling on the various items to eat. Eliora found chocolate and was happy, while Deidre, in classic nerd fashion, found probably the most unhealthy chips on the entire table and gave herself a heaping pile of them.
Mia, for her part, found a good ale and sat back to enjoy the show.
And then Jareth opened the show.
Before Ori could respond, though, a feminine scoff drew everyone's attention.
"Ms. Lyta, you have something to add?", Silas asked.
"Yes, actually. Thank you for asking, Silas. I was just thinking that maybe we should start off with, oh I don't know...some introductions. Since I only know four of the people in this room. And I doubt, based on what I've managed to pick up so far, a lot of you probably don't even know each other, either."
"That...is actually a really good idea.", Miyako said, sounding like she had been about to basically tell the woman to fuck off.
"I'll start. My name is Miriam Lyta. I'm an advisor and consultant for Silas Benedict."
"And I am Silas Benedict. People of particular social standings commonly refer to me as the Kingpin of Chicago. I prefer the term cutthroat business man."
"Ragna. Silas' bodyguard and consultant."
"I am Chief Special Agent Miyako Raith. I work with these three, and for him." She jerked her thumb at the other three agents and then nodded at Jareth.
"Chief Special Agent Iago Raith. Same. Also, I'm her brother, which she conveniently forgot to mention."
"I am Junior Supervisor Jareth Fitzroy. I run these five here, plus a couple more back at base. And yes, for some unknown reason, I was named after the Goblin King.", he said as Deidre stared at him for a moment, a chip halfway to her mouth.
"Hakim Aldebrandi."
"Eliora White. From Validor."
"Bonnie Scarlet. From the same place."
"Gerlach Kellovitch. Same. Also a wizard in training."
"Wizard Deidre Callahan, Second Circle of Merlin, Magus Council. Native of Chicago. Paralegal."
"Harper Drake, Wizard-For-Hire. Wizard of the Magus Council, Second Circle of Merlin. Possibly formerly."
"I am the demon formerly known as Helvetica."
"He means his name is Kilroy. I'm Rosani. His sister."
It spoke volumes about the kind of people that were in the room that didn't even twitch as it was suddenly revealed that there were two demons in the room.
"Cheshire. I'm with her.", she points at Mia.
"And I am Mia Fukku, captain of the Whispering Wind."
"Jack. I'm also with her."
|
|
|
Post by Spartan 999 on Mar 27, 2017 20:18:05 GMT
“And I am Cosmin Tchaikovsky!” The sorcerer grinned toothily before taking another sip of his vodka. “I believe that's all, save for the guest of honor.” Koschei winked at Ori.
Unblinking honey eyes slid away from Cosmin and refocused on Jareth once more. He was not sure what, precisely, the context for being named after 'The Goblin King' was, but for now, that was irrelevant. “My name is Ori. I do not have hostile intentions for this world or its inhabitants--unless they attempt to strike at me first.” He stated this as a matter-of-fact, but there was also a subtle undertone of warning: Ori was not afraid to retaliate in self-defense if the need arose.
|
|
|
Post by recoveryfive on Mar 27, 2017 22:39:35 GMT
"Good plan." Jareth noted. "Now on to the next ones: How did you get here? What did you experience when you came here? Where did you come from? What is your world like? What species are you? What powers and/or abilities do you have? Do you plan on staying here or trying to get back to your world?" He paused for a second. "Let me know if I'm going too fast with all of these."
While Jareth continued with the procedure of asking Ori questions, Iago drifted off into thought. Today's events had led to an enormous change in routine, especially with the arrival of this mysterious man and his now crashed ship. He would have preferred it if Fitzroy had kept his nose out of their business, even though the other young man was just doing his job. The vampire sighed quietly, his mind returning to the task at hand.
He shared a look with his sister, having never been able to tell if she secretly disliked him as was the case with him. If such a thing was the case, she was a very good actress. Finishing his vodka, Iago placed his empty glass on the table and waited for Ori and his superior to finish the questioning.
|
|
|
Post by Bippwatt on Mar 29, 2017 23:35:13 GMT
Dedire looked out into the middle distance, pondering what questions to ask.
Miriam beat her with one.
"Connected to one Fitzroy asked...do you know how to get home?", the woman asked with a hand tipped in Jareth's direction.
Then Deidre knew what she wanted to ask...but she and Eliora began to speak at the same time. With a small gesture, Deidre gave Eliora the floor.
"You mentioned your 'two deadliest adversaries' before. Who are they and why are they your adversaries? Also, why your deadliest? And finally...how many adversaries do you have?"
Eliora nodded at Deidre, who shrugged. "That was basically my question too. Though you went more detailed than I was going to."
Miyako "accidentally" bumped her brother's shoulder as she brought her hand up to flick hair out of her face. He turned to face her and she smiled slightly, a question on her face. Are we okay?, it asked.
|
|
|
Post by Spartan 999 on Mar 31, 2017 20:12:07 GMT
Ori held up his hand to stop Jareth mid-question. “One question at a time.” When the Spirit agent acquiesced, Ori nodded once, giving him the go ahead to continue.
“How did you get here?”
“I am unsure. To the best of my knowledge, I believe one of my foes used some manner of sorcery I had not witnessed before to cast me through a...,” Ori paused, searching for the right word, “...tear in creation during our last battle.”
“What did you experience when you came here?”
Ori frowned and folded his arms across his chest. “...I do not clearly recall most of my voyage here. It was all I could do to pilot my wingship in an attempt to survive the...the fall. I remember skirting close to oblivion itself, scraping against chaos incarnate, and narrowly avoiding a dark, jagged root at the heart of many worlds...” He shook his head. “Suffice it to say, my journey to this Chicago was not a pleasant one.”
“Where did you come from?”
“...” Ori had been about to automatically answer when he remembered Eliora's...long introduction to where he was now not all that long ago. “...The...world I come from is known as Anue, which means 'That Which Has Been Made'. I hail from a region called Kelstros, and I was last in the mountains bordering Manu-Jin, the Imperial City.”
“And what is your world, Anue, like?”
“Anue is...” Honey eyes glanced around at the room itself. “...Much different than here. It is a vast world, filled with a myriad of peril in the wildlands and the greatest of cities both. Many of the...devices here, such as the 'cars' and 'phones' are unknown in Anue, but we possess other advanced tools that would be alien here. Such as my wingship.”
“What species are you?”
Ori cocked an eyebrow at this. “I am human,” he stated.
“What powers and/or abilities do you have?”
This question made Ori's eyes narrow slightly. He scanned each and every individual in the meeting room before returning his focus to Jareth. “...I believe that information I shall keep to myself.”
“Do you plan on staying here or trying to get back to your world?”
“Connected to the one Fitzroy just asked...do you know how to get home?,” Miriam asked with a hand tipped in Jareth's direction.
The dark-skinned man sighed. “I wish to stay only as long as it takes to repair Sublime Spark of Wind. After that, I must return to Anue...but I do not know how. The method used to cast me here is beyond my understanding, and I do not know if I am capable of opening another tear and traveling back on my own.”
Then Deidre and Eliora had their little mutual interruption before the former bid the latter speak first.
“You mentioned your 'two deadliest adversaries' before. Who are they and why are they your adversaries? Also, why your deadliest? And finally...how many adversaries do you have?”
Eliora nodded at Deidre, who shrugged. “That was basically my question too. Though you went more detailed than I was going to.”
Ori's lip curled in distaste. “My 'two deadliest adversaries' are Laughing Flower and Di Yun Hahbata, Hymn Devouring Sage. The latter is the sorcerer who I believe created the tear that sent me here.” He worked his jaw before continuing on and explaining more.
“They are a couple united in their love for wickedness and each other, and work throughout Anue to sew discord and nurture corruption, seeking to usurp control of the Eight Empires from the Imperial Lords so that they may seize the Jade Throne for their own ends. They almost stole the Cipher of Destinies from the gods almost a year past, but I put an end to that scheme.”
He quirked an eyebrow at Eliora, then. “They are the deadliest enemies I have faced because they are individually cunning, intelligent, ruthless, skilled, powerful, slippery, and charismatic. Together, though...they are far, far more than the sum of their parts. They truly, deeply love one another, and that makes them all the more dangerous.”
Ori huffed slightly and made a face. “It doesn't help that not many others actually realize how villainous they are; they assume many names and personas, and their public guises are almost universally liked amongst the people for how just, kind, and noble they appear. They cover their tracks very well, so I am forced to tread carefully around them.”
Ori shook those unpleasant thoughts away for now. “As for how many adversaries I have... I cannot count them. My enemies are those who would do harm to the people of Anue, and there is no shortage of such beings.”
|
|
|
Post by recoveryfive on Mar 31, 2017 21:38:07 GMT
...Yes. Thank you, Miyako. Iago's face said, feeling a bit guilty for his opinion of her. There was a good chance she was legitmately looking out for him here. But at the same time, the Raith family prided themselves on deception, and he couldn't let his guard down for a second. Letting his guard down meant weakness, and that was obviously something he could not afford. What are your thoughts on the newcomers? They seem like an adequate bunch, even if some of them are a bit...vulgar at times. His eyes briefly drifted over to Bonnie before returning to his sister.
|
|
|
Post by Bippwatt on Apr 5, 2017 23:09:39 GMT
"Well, that was relative easy.", Mia said.
Miyako shrugged minutely to her brother. They got big brass ones, I can tell ya that much. Otherwise...they make me nervous. Like I just know one of them is gonna do a stupid. She too gave Bonnie a significant glance...but then shared the look with Deidre.
Miriam looked at Silas, who was giving her an expectant look. She shrugged, then turned back to Ori.
"Your walls are quite formidable, Ori. Though 'walls' is perhaps the wrong word. I would be interested to learn your technique, if you were willing to teach me."
Ori stared at Miriam. “So you were the one attempting to see my thoughts.” His gaze practically bored into her own mind and soul. “You are subtle and skilled; I almost did not notice, save for my mind being blanketed. Do not attempt it again.”
"...I...apologize for the intrusion,” said Miriam cautiously. “I was only attempting to provide verification on your responses. If it helps, I was also scanning those who asked you questions in order to determine if they were fishing for something or in an attempt to trick you into revealing something you didn't want revealed. Which they weren't, by the way. And...when you said you your mind being blanketed...what did you mean?"
“It felt like you were enshrouding my mind, testing and pushing against all parts of it at once.”
"...Odd. I don't think that was me." Miriam glared surreptitiously at Jareth. Only Ori and Silas noticed the glare, as they had both been watching her closely.
"So...are we done now?", Deidre asked. "I'm sure Mister Ori would like to get some rest after the ordeal he's been through."
|
|
|
Post by Spartan 999 on Apr 13, 2017 1:29:55 GMT
Ori's eyes followed Miriam's to Jareth. He didn't say anything to the Spirit agent, but his gaze carried the same plain warning that he'd said to Miriam, only it was completely nonverbal this time. After Deidre spoke, he released Jareth from his stare. “Rest would be...appreciated,” Ori agreed. “It has been...an interesting day.”
Silas, for his part, expresses neither surprise nor any sort of warning towards Jareth. If anything, it looked more like he mentally filed the information away for later.
Koschei-as-Cosmin drank the rest of his vodka and smoothly rose to his feet. “If there is nothing else, then we shall adjourn for now.” He cast his gaze about the room, scanning each and every person sitting at the long table.
|
|
|
Post by recoveryfive on Apr 15, 2017 18:46:25 GMT
Jareth nodded, signaling for Kimberly, Jacobs, and the Raith twins to get ready to leave. "Thank you for your hospitality, Mr. Tchaikovsky." he said, giving Ori's face a final once-over with his eyes. "And thank you for cooperating with us, Ori. Good luck getting used to Chicago." Having said what he needed to say, the young man exited the room with the others in tow, sparing one last hard to determine look at Miriam before he left.
"Those guys really didn't like each other very much, did they?" Cheshire said, stating what was on the minds of a few people in the remaining group. "The vampires and the supervisor guy, at least."
"Nope." Jack confirmed, remembering Iago's expression back at the beach as Jareth had arrived. "But that's probably one of the sacrifices you gotta make in their line of work." He stifled a yawn, feeling surprisingly tired given how much they'd been through.
|
|
|
Post by Bippwatt on Jun 10, 2017 2:39:34 GMT
Miriam shook her head in exhaustion.
"Christ. I would like to bring forth a motion to adjorn until tomorrow. I have a fucking headache the geographic size of Russia now. Funny how that happens everytime I run into Jareth.", she finished, almost as an aside.
Eliora yawned hugely, putting a hand in front of her mouth. As her yawn reached it's peak, she squeaked rather adorably.
When she regained her awareness, she noticed everyone staring at her.
"What? I squeak when I yawn! I can't help it! It's not like I want to do it!"
"Well, given that, among other yawns, I would second that motion.", Deidre said, yawnly slightly herself.
"Yeah. Sleep seems like a good idea. Let's do that." Bonnie put words into action, stood up, stretched and walked toward the door, Eliora right behind her.
"When was the last time we slept?", the former lady-in-waiting asked.
"Oh...before the library? When was that? Ten days ago? Twenty?"
"Oh, geez. Who knows how much time has passed in Validor since then...", Eliora said rhetorically.
Koschei-as-Cosmin, though, apparently didn't understand "rhetorical", for he answered the question.
"I do. Thirty-five years, four months, sixteen days, twelve hours, forteen minutes and twenty two seconds...mark.", he said with a glint of humor lurking in his voice.
"...I'm not even going to bother asking how you know that."
"Magic, probably.", Miriam said in passing, getting out the door before the two women could regain their composure.
And with that, they each went to their own rooms, settling down for the night.
Eight Hours Later
In the wee hours of the morning, not a creature was stirring, none moved save for the slow steady breathing of those in quiet rest.
The party in general had only been asleep for roughly six hours, it having taken awhile for everyone to settle in and fall asleep.
And this was all the sleep they were destined to get.
For everyone awoke as shattering explosion of ice and snow abruptly ended their peaceful dozing.
Five Minutes Prior
Eliora snored gently, her sleep peaceful...
But she had always been a light sleeper. And being on the run had done nothing but make her sleep even lighter.
So, it wouldn't have surprised many when she suddenly sat bolt upright, stiletto dagger in hand...to be greeted by the the sight of...
"Eris.", Eliora hissed. "What are you doing here?"
"A pair of tasks bring me here, my dear. One, to congratulate you. You confronted Koschei and lived to tell the tale. Two, in an attempt to protect you, despite how much you resist my protection, I came once again to warn you of your mother. Or, rather...the thing that once was your mother. She is close. It won't be long before she finds you."
"Eris, this is twice you have mentioned 'the thing that once was my mother'...I ask you, what thing?"
"It is too dangerous to speak of it."
"I'll risk it. What thing?"
"I cannot take the risk, Eliora."
"Thrice now I ask, Eris-mar-karl-deluroios. What is the thing you speak of that lives in my mother's body?", Eliora said, her voice that of chilled steel.
Eris hissed, clearly resisting the pull of the command. But Eliora had first-hand knowledge of Eris' True Name. Such a command did not constitute a direct threat to Eris and Eliora had a very formidable will.
Eris relented in her resistance, unwilling to hurt Eliora in the attempt to prevent the command.
"It is a vile being. From beyond the pale. Beyond the outer most reaches of this universe. Farther than even your bound pet demon and his sister. The Magus Council may call them Outsiders and, technically, they are correct. But a true outsider...a being truely not of this universe, and a malevolent one at that, inhabits your mother's body. In my attempts to cure her, I unwittingly opened the door for this thing to take up residence within. And now, it seeks you. Your power...and your knowledge of it. You are the last being of self-possessed will that knows of it's existence. That makes you a threat to it. And now that you know what it is, that threat is all the more dangerous."
"Does it have a name?"
"None that is known to any in this world. It is too alien to be named. Even this...Ori whom you have found is closely related to our universe. But this thing...this thing is anathema to our entire concept of life and time and space. What powers it has, I cannot even begin to speculate."
"How long before it finds me?"
"Not long. You need to move and quickly."
"But we need information!"
"No information this Silas has is significant enough to counter-balance the risk of staying here too long. If you do not leave, you will be-" Eris broke off.
"What? What is it?" Eliora could barely see Eris in the dark room. But then, magic swirled around the Winter Maiden, armor appearing, along with sword.
And in the light cast by the magic, Eliora could see the Sidhe's face...and the blatant, unbridled fear written across it sent a bolt of terror sparking across the fey-touched woman's nerves.
"Too late. It has found us."
No sooner had Eris said this than several constructs lunged from the darkness.
Eliora reacted on instinct alone and threw out a hand. Magic flashed out and ice errupted, shattering the scouts and tearing down half a wall.
And battle was joined, Eliora at the forefront, her armor having flung across the room and snapping itself around her and her sword leaping to her hand as more constructs appeared.
Rapidly, all were roused and fighting. Eliora and Eris fought, side by side, drawing attention to themselves until the others could ready themselves.
One by one, others joined the fight. With every new combatant, the odds shifted more in their favor. But it was a fragile stalemate. Even the slightest thing could shatter their defense.
One thing was certain...Koschei wasn't going to be happy about the property damage.
|
|