Yawning Abyss, Soaring Shrike [Exalted]
- Thread starter VagueZ
- Start date
- Location
- St. Petersburg
[x] Bring Ephrei in on the plan. She can help supply the power she's talking about as another jaw to the trap, something to ensure that the Waif is actually overwhelmed.
Time to be the Lap dog. I think Ru said it best. Vessel has his reasons to not be entirely happy with the current arrangement, and his discontent is likely to manifest by the kind of plotting where we throw a perfectly serviceable cooperation with questionable allies away in favor of shaky promises by an even less trustworthy third party.
Nine has plans for the Lap that probably won't sit well with us, but at least she isn't intent on nuking it off the face of the Realm. I wonder if us messing with the plan won't result in a gambit pileup where all bets are off. It would be a very Vessel thing to do though.
Time to be the Lap dog. I think Ru said it best. Vessel has his reasons to not be entirely happy with the current arrangement, and his discontent is likely to manifest by the kind of plotting where we throw a perfectly serviceable cooperation with questionable allies away in favor of shaky promises by an even less trustworthy third party.
Nine has plans for the Lap that probably won't sit well with us, but at least she isn't intent on nuking it off the face of the Realm. I wonder if us messing with the plan won't result in a gambit pileup where all bets are off. It would be a very Vessel thing to do though.
A vaguely noble idea mixed with some very transparent petty motives.
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- Location
- Elsewhere
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Lets talk about trust. Trust is not just a simple yes or no. And while initial trust is often a leap true trust comes from investment, time and often failure.
In that light we can trust our various lunar friends, or rather we know in broad strokes How we can trust them. The realms in which we can and can't. They are honest about their goals including those that conflict with Vessels and Vessel has been honest, if with some reserve in return. They've come through for Vessel, he's come through for them. And on the flip-side we also found the edges of trust and we've had conflict and failure over our differences.
Ephrei is someone Vessel has just met, who regardless of how honest she is being we are at best on that initial bit of invested trust. Even that is mostly gained from Vessels dedication to the realm and the immaculate faith. Thats worth something but is it worth this ?
I'll take the bonds we understand and have tested before over Ephrei's any time. Even knowing that ultimately our ideologies will bring conflict.
[X] Tell Ephrei about the Waif only. She may glean some intelligence from it, but no real advantage, and cannot easily fit into your plan to take the Waif down.
In that light we can trust our various lunar friends, or rather we know in broad strokes How we can trust them. The realms in which we can and can't. They are honest about their goals including those that conflict with Vessels and Vessel has been honest, if with some reserve in return. They've come through for Vessel, he's come through for them. And on the flip-side we also found the edges of trust and we've had conflict and failure over our differences.
Ephrei is someone Vessel has just met, who regardless of how honest she is being we are at best on that initial bit of invested trust. Even that is mostly gained from Vessels dedication to the realm and the immaculate faith. Thats worth something but is it worth this ?
I'll take the bonds we understand and have tested before over Ephrei's any time. Even knowing that ultimately our ideologies will bring conflict.
[X] Tell Ephrei about the Waif only. She may glean some intelligence from it, but no real advantage, and cannot easily fit into your plan to take the Waif down.
- Location
- Canada
Because the Waif, like most Deathlords, usually hangs out in the Underworld, and seldom emerges. The home terrain advantage is a big thing, and an excellent reason to not attempt an invasion... but if that advantage is negated, due to the Deathlord feeling forced to emerge in person, there are possibilities. It's even better if that can be arranged ahead of time, as part of a coordinated plan, instead of Heaven having to respond quickly to an incursion that's already in progress, much in the same way that it's better to ambush your enemy than it is to quickly rally your troops in response to an attack on your camp.
Frankly, challenging a Deathlord means that we're out of our league. The only way to actually win is to involve heavy hitters who can actually play on that battlefield. The Shrike might count, but trusting everything to that one shot seems foolish; the more backup plans we can arrange, the more likely we are to succeed.
- Location
- St. Petersburg
Not necessarily. Sometimes the mere act of making an additional plan directly interferes with existing ones.
Nine is effectively sitting on a nuke. The only thing that keeps her from using it on the Lap directly is that we are nominally an ally, and no one needs an Exalt as an enemy if they can help it.
But there is something to be said about backup plans involving Sidereals.
- Location
- Nova Scotia
- Pronouns
- She/Her
And while Vessel does not know this, we, the readers, may be fully aware that the explanation Ephrei is giving about her motivations here is a massive oversimplification that really downplays the degree to which the faction of Sidereals she is with is hostile to Vessel like, continuing to live.
- Location
- Elsewhere
- Pronouns
- He/Him
I fully agree, The Silver Pact may not be a great ally but they are an ally that are at least willing to accept Vessels existence. I'm fairly sure they are our friends and would be glad to help and accept our help in places where there is no conflict, like murdering a Deathlord. Even if eventually the whole continuing existence of The Realm is going to be a problem, a problem that doesn't have to lead to direct conflict.
Meanwhile Ephrei's probably Bronze ( assuming she's not lying ) allies are very much not accepting of Abyssals just conceptually no matter how personable or "harmless" one might be.
But I wanted to base an argument purely from Vessels point of view and motivations rather than from, and I hate using this word "metagaming".
[X] Tell Ephrei about the Waif only. She may glean some intelligence from it, but no real advantage, and cannot easily fit into your plan to take the Waif down.
- Location
- NYC
[x] Tell Ephrei about the Waif only. She may glean some intelligence from it, but no real advantage, and cannot easily fit into your plan to take the Waif down.
screw the bronze faction lol
screw the bronze faction lol
- Location
- [REDACTED]
[X] Bring Ephrei in on the plan. She can help supply the power she's talking about as another jaw to the trap, something to ensure that the Waif is actually overwhelmed.
Trustissues subscriptions.
Trust
- Location
- Seattle
[X] Tell Ephrei about the Waif only. She may glean some intelligence from it, but no real advantage, and cannot easily fit into your plan to take the Waif down.
yeah i wanna see more stuff with vessel and lunars having a prickly relationship with misunderstandings and hurt feelings and funny moments because i like that in this quest a lot
yeah i wanna see more stuff with vessel and lunars having a prickly relationship with misunderstandings and hurt feelings and funny moments because i like that in this quest a lot
[x] Tell Ephrei about the Waif only. She may glean some intelligence from it, but no real advantage, and cannot easily fit into your plan to take the Waif down.
[X] Bring Ephrei in on the plan. She can help supply the power she's talking about as another jaw to the trap, something to ensure that the Waif is actually overwhelmed.
Tunnel talk
- Pronouns
- They/Them
[] Tell Ephrei about the Waif only. She may glean some intelligence from it, but no real advantage, and cannot easily fit into your plan to take the Waif down.
"I don't know exactly how much help I can be," you say, deflectingly. "So far as I know, no Deathlord has ever been destroyed, and, believe it or not, giving me a step-by-step account of how to defeat her wasn't one of the first things that she gave me."
Ephrei shrugs. "We will take what we can get."
You nod, and give her the overview. Some of it is things she clearly already knows, but she doesn't interrupt you or hurry you. After all, there's no telling when something you think is mutual review will reveal an unexpected nugget of intelligence. The Waif has clearly been seeking various great works, singular tools like nothing else in the world, something to give herself an advantage that is unmatched in the Age of Sorrows.
Ephrei asks a few clarifying questions, enough that you have to stop and check with her. "I'm trying to verify something," she admits. "The Prioress of the Bloody Sands--it's a new name, one only a few years old, so we think that that's a new title for an existing Deathlord. I'm one of the majority who think that it's most likely Eye and Seven Despairs, but the second leading theory is that it's the Lonely Waif."
You have to consider. "She has only spoken to me of things that directly affect me. I don't get the impression that she's the sort to hide behind fake identities. It's still possible, but she's never indicated anything of the sort. The only time she's mentioned another Deathlord at all was to complain about the Lion."
For the first time, Ephrei cracks what looks like a genuine smile. "I am not surprised. No one in the Underworld who isn't directly reporting to the Lion likes him. Easy to see why--he's running something of a military junta, with ambitions to expand his Underworld empire. He even seems to have another Deathlord under his thumb already."
"He does?" You only know the one Deathlord, but you just about can't imagine the Waif accepting a lord over her, regardless of the situation.
"You would be amazed at the sheer amount of detailed, reliable, and complete information that absolutely does not come out of the Underworld to make its way to Heaven," Ephrei says, dryly. "But, yes, we're confident on this piece of intelligence. It's one known as the Black Heron or one of about half a dozen lengthy titles that start with 'Princess Magnificent'." With the air quotes Ephrei makes, she isn't pretending to hide her feelings on this. "Doubtless there's more to their story."
You shrug. "Probably," you agree. Not your concern.
"All in all, however, a disappointment." You cock your head at this. Ephrei waves your attention off: she was mostly talking to herself. "You have given me many useful things, but I was hoping for the mythical enchanted arrow that would settle the whole affair at once. Not unexpected not to find it, but still disappointing on some level."
"I'm just a single Anathema," you say. "What could I actually accomplish?"
"Don't underestimate the value of power at a point," Ephrei replies, evenly. "Finding the right spot to put your thumb on the scale is the very heart and soul of what the Five Score Fellowship does." She stands as she says it, dusting herself off.
"And, having said that, you're just going to leave a deathknight behind as you leave, then?" Part of saying that is just to point out that you are alert to that, to disincline her from trying. "Leave me be and not try to finish me off?"
"Of course not." There's a rueful smile on the Sidereal's face. "I would love if you were the worst sort of threat I had to deal with, and thus could justify it, but you don't seem to be directly our enemy... and we know from bitter experience that deathknights take a lot of killing to go down." She gives you a small, ironic salute and turns away.
She walks out the club's front door.
The noise of the club spills back into your consciousness. No one seems to have noted Ephrei's presence. She was just there when she needed to be, and now she's gone, and no one is aware of her leaving.
It's eerie. Or, well, it would be a lot eerier without Dub-dubs snoring lightly on your shoulder. They've drooled a bit while you were distracted. With the arm they're not sleeping on, you scoop up a napkin and dab your funeral whites clean again. It's a good thing you're involved with the sorcerers; they are expected to be a little weird and they tolerate that sort of weirdness in each other, so the fact that you're always dressed like a mourner (or cadaver) isn't too strange, comparatively.
There's a strangled gasp from the next table over, where one of Flawed Topaz's new companions reaches a breaking point, and almost throws the nightmare dream opal away from himself.
You glance around one more time, taking in the atmosphere, admiring the bodies on display, and shift a little to let Dub-dubs rest more comfortably on you. You're here, and there's probably no more interruptions to come. You might as well enjoy the time. You reach for your dream opal.
It's full dark by the time you all leave. Dub-dubs eventually woke up, and a triumphant Flawed Topaz rejoined you both. A reasonably good time was had by all, and the general spirit of shared amity did help you, in the end.
It was hard on Flawed Topaz, however: she's out cold. Dub-dubs carries her with Exalted strength and a certain easy familiarity, leading the way home through the old mining tunnels that make up Gem's underground portion of its city. It clearly isn't the first time she's ended up overdoing things and ended up carried home by the Water Aspect. You'd almost swear there's a slight tinge of 'responsible parent' in Dub-dubs' expression. Probably your imagination. "I hope you enjoyed yourself this evening," Dub-dubs says to you.
You smile back. "I think I did," you say.
You get a fuller smile back: still sleepy, but slightly triumphant, at the same time. "I think that's the first time I've seen you give a smile that uncomplicated and happy, Amphora."
You're briefly taken aback. "Surely it isn't."
"I didn't mean to embarrass you."
"You didn't. Just... I suppose it's been a strange few weeks for me."
"Of course. We all have our reasons. No one comes to Gem unless they're greedy or have quite a story." Something in their tone says Dub-dubs isn't putting you in the former category. You, of course, recall Dub-dubs telling you about being a scavenger lord, seeking ancient relics, lost treasures, and forgotten wonders along the Dreaming Sea. "I'm curious about yours." It's a light tone, one that isn't pressuring to get it. Just... friendly. It's very odd, not to have any suspicion behind it.
Topaz makes a small noise and shifts slightly as the light of a glowstone embedded in the ceiling falls on her face and disturbs her, saving you from having to come up with a good response. "Does she do this sort of thing a lot?" you ask, instead.
Dub-dubs gives a small giggle, an unusually lively sound from them. "She's always liked to meet new people, challenge them in some way, and see what happens from it. Novelty, you understand, plus that fae heritage that likes to cause chaos."
You arch an eyebrow. "I suppose it's good she has someone looking out for her, then."
"I like being able to be there for my friends." You nod. That does explain why the two of them are so close to inseparable, while being so different. They're supporting each other in a way both are comfortable with. "Gem normally isn't too dangerous for the likes of us, though, so... I suppose I haven't kept up all my instincts."
"You mean combat training?"
"'Training'?" They laugh. "The Dreaming Sea is not a kind place. I just knew how to defend my crew well enough." There's the suggestion of a shrug that won't disturb Topaz. "Never as much of a warrior as you seem to be, Amphora."
"In most of the world, Dragon-Blooded clans raise their children to be ready champions." It's a relatively bland statement, one that shares nothing of import. It's not just the Realm. There's lots of Dragon-Blooded traditions in the world, and all of them know that they have to stand ready to defend what is theirs.
"Well, I never had that. My father Exalted randomly, without any tradition or family who expressed the blood of dragons, so he had to make it up himself. I was one of only two out of eight children who Exalted. Just me and my half-sister. We looked a lot alike, but never got along. Not exactly a huge clan, nor a lot to work with. Hence why I struck out on my own with just my crew." Their tone takes on a lighter air. "Ah, but listen to me! I'm just rambling on about myself. I'll stop. If you're not too tired, you're welcome to come to my place and share whatever you want of your own story, talk a little about sorcery and see what we can learn from each other. No pressure."
You're passing through one of Gem's all-hours markets, a lower-pressure and more sedate shopping experience than the main bazaars, with only a few active shoppers this time of night. "Ah!" Your eyes flash in the direction of Dub-dubs' look, and you catch a familiar flash of sandy hair right before Dub-dubs goes on. "The angel of healing!" That's what the locals have taken to calling Ari after his anonymous medical care in the wake of the Clochard's blood-soaked rampage.
The Changing Moon ducks at the exclamation, backing away as Dub-dubs approaches to give him a chance to take stock of who is calling out to him. It's the general reaction you'd expect of a Lunar Anathema who spends a lot of time in places where he wouldn't usually be welcome, but Dub-dubs' gentle steps, all smiles and carrying someone asleep, is clear. This is a friendly meeting.
"I... sorry, do I know you?" Ari looks at Dub-dubs without recognition, though you catch the flicker in his eye as he sees you hanging back.
"Probably not," Dub-dubs says, undaunted by this. "But you still helped. I was trying to stabilize Topaz, and you came to us out of nowhere." The Water Aspect gestures to Topaz with their chin.
"Ah... yes, I do recognize her," Ari agrees, considering the sleeping woman. "I couldn't... I tried, but I couldn't..."
"You helped," Dub-dubs says, firmly. "We needed a hand, and you were there. That means more than you might give credit for. I owe you for that. If there's something I can do for you, come find me. My name is Welcome Wellspring, and I'm one of the sorcerers here in Gem." There's more than just a thank-you in that. Favors owed are a currency as meaningful and valuable as jade in much of Creation. To say you owed someone a favor, or to request one, is not an empty thing to be easily rejected.
"Well, thank you." Ari gives a heart-breakingly gentle smile. "I appreciate that. I'm not sure that I'm going to be able to take advantage of it. I'm leaving Gem in the morning, and I'm probably going to end up going a long way away."
"With only that?" Dub-dubs considers the single pack Ari was filling before your trio interrupted his preparation. "That's not very much."
"Well, I have some other preparations that you can't see right now," Ari says, deflectingly. Accurately, too, of course. Even if he doesn't have some sorcerous conveyance, he should be able to fly in hawk-shape longer and faster than any mortal hawk, and distance vanishes when one can go in straight lines at fifty miles an hour or more all day long.
Dub-dubs nods. "As long as you're prepared. Let me know if I can do something for you to help the trip. Just a neighborly thing." In other words, not the favor owed.
Ari's smile grows a bit proud. "It's not the first time I've made the trip. I'll be fine, but I appreciate the offer. I was almost done preparing, at this point." He swings the back onto his back and checks how it's sitting on him, clearly finalizing what he has.
"Fair enough." Dub-dubs shifts their grip Topaz slightly. "I'll let you go, then. I have to tuck my friend into bed, after all. But thank you."
"I'm always happy to help," Ari agrees. He gives you one quick glance, before turning to another direction, one that will take him away from the three of you. This is where you'd separate from Dub-dubs, regardless: the commercial efforts in this tunnel are here partially because it's set on a tunnel nexus, where different underground routes meet each other.
"I'll see you later, too," Dub-dubs tells you before going to a different route. How much later, exactly where... well, that's up to you. They made the offer, but aren't going to push it.
For a long moment, you feel how alone you are. There's people here, of course. Even at a quiet hour, Gem is never anything but lively. But none of them are paying the slightest attention to you any more: you're not selling anything, you're not buying anything, you don't look like an easy mark for a thief, and you're not blocking the way. You could be a wall for all anyone cares.
You shake your head to clear it, and set off down the tunnels. You have somewhere to be.
You are still mad at Ari, who took advantage of your time to unwind by stealing your face without even asking. He had a chance to read how mad you are in your body language. How mad are you?
[] You're not happy with him.
It's still a breach of trust and the theft of one of the few things still unequivocally yours, but you don't think there was malice in it, and he seems contrite.
[] You aren't going to get over it.
Some things are irreconcilable. He might be an ally, but you're going to keep him at arm's length from here on.
Regardless of how you feel about that, where are you going from here?
[] You're going to take a walk on the surface, and happen to keep talking with Ari.
The plan is starting to come together, and you need to keep your Anathema allies informed and everything coordinated.
[] You're going to meet with Dub-dubs, once they return home.
Dub-dubs is curious about you and clearly thinks of you as an important, if new, friend. You'd like to deepen that.
[] You go home alone.
There is much work to be done. You can do it more easily alone, and well-rested.
"I don't know exactly how much help I can be," you say, deflectingly. "So far as I know, no Deathlord has ever been destroyed, and, believe it or not, giving me a step-by-step account of how to defeat her wasn't one of the first things that she gave me."
Ephrei shrugs. "We will take what we can get."
You nod, and give her the overview. Some of it is things she clearly already knows, but she doesn't interrupt you or hurry you. After all, there's no telling when something you think is mutual review will reveal an unexpected nugget of intelligence. The Waif has clearly been seeking various great works, singular tools like nothing else in the world, something to give herself an advantage that is unmatched in the Age of Sorrows.
Ephrei asks a few clarifying questions, enough that you have to stop and check with her. "I'm trying to verify something," she admits. "The Prioress of the Bloody Sands--it's a new name, one only a few years old, so we think that that's a new title for an existing Deathlord. I'm one of the majority who think that it's most likely Eye and Seven Despairs, but the second leading theory is that it's the Lonely Waif."
You have to consider. "She has only spoken to me of things that directly affect me. I don't get the impression that she's the sort to hide behind fake identities. It's still possible, but she's never indicated anything of the sort. The only time she's mentioned another Deathlord at all was to complain about the Lion."
For the first time, Ephrei cracks what looks like a genuine smile. "I am not surprised. No one in the Underworld who isn't directly reporting to the Lion likes him. Easy to see why--he's running something of a military junta, with ambitions to expand his Underworld empire. He even seems to have another Deathlord under his thumb already."
"He does?" You only know the one Deathlord, but you just about can't imagine the Waif accepting a lord over her, regardless of the situation.
"You would be amazed at the sheer amount of detailed, reliable, and complete information that absolutely does not come out of the Underworld to make its way to Heaven," Ephrei says, dryly. "But, yes, we're confident on this piece of intelligence. It's one known as the Black Heron or one of about half a dozen lengthy titles that start with 'Princess Magnificent'." With the air quotes Ephrei makes, she isn't pretending to hide her feelings on this. "Doubtless there's more to their story."
You shrug. "Probably," you agree. Not your concern.
"All in all, however, a disappointment." You cock your head at this. Ephrei waves your attention off: she was mostly talking to herself. "You have given me many useful things, but I was hoping for the mythical enchanted arrow that would settle the whole affair at once. Not unexpected not to find it, but still disappointing on some level."
"I'm just a single Anathema," you say. "What could I actually accomplish?"
"Don't underestimate the value of power at a point," Ephrei replies, evenly. "Finding the right spot to put your thumb on the scale is the very heart and soul of what the Five Score Fellowship does." She stands as she says it, dusting herself off.
"And, having said that, you're just going to leave a deathknight behind as you leave, then?" Part of saying that is just to point out that you are alert to that, to disincline her from trying. "Leave me be and not try to finish me off?"
"Of course not." There's a rueful smile on the Sidereal's face. "I would love if you were the worst sort of threat I had to deal with, and thus could justify it, but you don't seem to be directly our enemy... and we know from bitter experience that deathknights take a lot of killing to go down." She gives you a small, ironic salute and turns away.
She walks out the club's front door.
The noise of the club spills back into your consciousness. No one seems to have noted Ephrei's presence. She was just there when she needed to be, and now she's gone, and no one is aware of her leaving.
It's eerie. Or, well, it would be a lot eerier without Dub-dubs snoring lightly on your shoulder. They've drooled a bit while you were distracted. With the arm they're not sleeping on, you scoop up a napkin and dab your funeral whites clean again. It's a good thing you're involved with the sorcerers; they are expected to be a little weird and they tolerate that sort of weirdness in each other, so the fact that you're always dressed like a mourner (or cadaver) isn't too strange, comparatively.
There's a strangled gasp from the next table over, where one of Flawed Topaz's new companions reaches a breaking point, and almost throws the nightmare dream opal away from himself.
You glance around one more time, taking in the atmosphere, admiring the bodies on display, and shift a little to let Dub-dubs rest more comfortably on you. You're here, and there's probably no more interruptions to come. You might as well enjoy the time. You reach for your dream opal.
* * *
It's full dark by the time you all leave. Dub-dubs eventually woke up, and a triumphant Flawed Topaz rejoined you both. A reasonably good time was had by all, and the general spirit of shared amity did help you, in the end.
It was hard on Flawed Topaz, however: she's out cold. Dub-dubs carries her with Exalted strength and a certain easy familiarity, leading the way home through the old mining tunnels that make up Gem's underground portion of its city. It clearly isn't the first time she's ended up overdoing things and ended up carried home by the Water Aspect. You'd almost swear there's a slight tinge of 'responsible parent' in Dub-dubs' expression. Probably your imagination. "I hope you enjoyed yourself this evening," Dub-dubs says to you.
You smile back. "I think I did," you say.
You get a fuller smile back: still sleepy, but slightly triumphant, at the same time. "I think that's the first time I've seen you give a smile that uncomplicated and happy, Amphora."
You're briefly taken aback. "Surely it isn't."
"I didn't mean to embarrass you."
"You didn't. Just... I suppose it's been a strange few weeks for me."
"Of course. We all have our reasons. No one comes to Gem unless they're greedy or have quite a story." Something in their tone says Dub-dubs isn't putting you in the former category. You, of course, recall Dub-dubs telling you about being a scavenger lord, seeking ancient relics, lost treasures, and forgotten wonders along the Dreaming Sea. "I'm curious about yours." It's a light tone, one that isn't pressuring to get it. Just... friendly. It's very odd, not to have any suspicion behind it.
Topaz makes a small noise and shifts slightly as the light of a glowstone embedded in the ceiling falls on her face and disturbs her, saving you from having to come up with a good response. "Does she do this sort of thing a lot?" you ask, instead.
Dub-dubs gives a small giggle, an unusually lively sound from them. "She's always liked to meet new people, challenge them in some way, and see what happens from it. Novelty, you understand, plus that fae heritage that likes to cause chaos."
You arch an eyebrow. "I suppose it's good she has someone looking out for her, then."
"I like being able to be there for my friends." You nod. That does explain why the two of them are so close to inseparable, while being so different. They're supporting each other in a way both are comfortable with. "Gem normally isn't too dangerous for the likes of us, though, so... I suppose I haven't kept up all my instincts."
"You mean combat training?"
"'Training'?" They laugh. "The Dreaming Sea is not a kind place. I just knew how to defend my crew well enough." There's the suggestion of a shrug that won't disturb Topaz. "Never as much of a warrior as you seem to be, Amphora."
"In most of the world, Dragon-Blooded clans raise their children to be ready champions." It's a relatively bland statement, one that shares nothing of import. It's not just the Realm. There's lots of Dragon-Blooded traditions in the world, and all of them know that they have to stand ready to defend what is theirs.
"Well, I never had that. My father Exalted randomly, without any tradition or family who expressed the blood of dragons, so he had to make it up himself. I was one of only two out of eight children who Exalted. Just me and my half-sister. We looked a lot alike, but never got along. Not exactly a huge clan, nor a lot to work with. Hence why I struck out on my own with just my crew." Their tone takes on a lighter air. "Ah, but listen to me! I'm just rambling on about myself. I'll stop. If you're not too tired, you're welcome to come to my place and share whatever you want of your own story, talk a little about sorcery and see what we can learn from each other. No pressure."
You're passing through one of Gem's all-hours markets, a lower-pressure and more sedate shopping experience than the main bazaars, with only a few active shoppers this time of night. "Ah!" Your eyes flash in the direction of Dub-dubs' look, and you catch a familiar flash of sandy hair right before Dub-dubs goes on. "The angel of healing!" That's what the locals have taken to calling Ari after his anonymous medical care in the wake of the Clochard's blood-soaked rampage.
The Changing Moon ducks at the exclamation, backing away as Dub-dubs approaches to give him a chance to take stock of who is calling out to him. It's the general reaction you'd expect of a Lunar Anathema who spends a lot of time in places where he wouldn't usually be welcome, but Dub-dubs' gentle steps, all smiles and carrying someone asleep, is clear. This is a friendly meeting.
"I... sorry, do I know you?" Ari looks at Dub-dubs without recognition, though you catch the flicker in his eye as he sees you hanging back.
"Probably not," Dub-dubs says, undaunted by this. "But you still helped. I was trying to stabilize Topaz, and you came to us out of nowhere." The Water Aspect gestures to Topaz with their chin.
"Ah... yes, I do recognize her," Ari agrees, considering the sleeping woman. "I couldn't... I tried, but I couldn't..."
"You helped," Dub-dubs says, firmly. "We needed a hand, and you were there. That means more than you might give credit for. I owe you for that. If there's something I can do for you, come find me. My name is Welcome Wellspring, and I'm one of the sorcerers here in Gem." There's more than just a thank-you in that. Favors owed are a currency as meaningful and valuable as jade in much of Creation. To say you owed someone a favor, or to request one, is not an empty thing to be easily rejected.
"Well, thank you." Ari gives a heart-breakingly gentle smile. "I appreciate that. I'm not sure that I'm going to be able to take advantage of it. I'm leaving Gem in the morning, and I'm probably going to end up going a long way away."
"With only that?" Dub-dubs considers the single pack Ari was filling before your trio interrupted his preparation. "That's not very much."
"Well, I have some other preparations that you can't see right now," Ari says, deflectingly. Accurately, too, of course. Even if he doesn't have some sorcerous conveyance, he should be able to fly in hawk-shape longer and faster than any mortal hawk, and distance vanishes when one can go in straight lines at fifty miles an hour or more all day long.
Dub-dubs nods. "As long as you're prepared. Let me know if I can do something for you to help the trip. Just a neighborly thing." In other words, not the favor owed.
Ari's smile grows a bit proud. "It's not the first time I've made the trip. I'll be fine, but I appreciate the offer. I was almost done preparing, at this point." He swings the back onto his back and checks how it's sitting on him, clearly finalizing what he has.
"Fair enough." Dub-dubs shifts their grip Topaz slightly. "I'll let you go, then. I have to tuck my friend into bed, after all. But thank you."
"I'm always happy to help," Ari agrees. He gives you one quick glance, before turning to another direction, one that will take him away from the three of you. This is where you'd separate from Dub-dubs, regardless: the commercial efforts in this tunnel are here partially because it's set on a tunnel nexus, where different underground routes meet each other.
"I'll see you later, too," Dub-dubs tells you before going to a different route. How much later, exactly where... well, that's up to you. They made the offer, but aren't going to push it.
For a long moment, you feel how alone you are. There's people here, of course. Even at a quiet hour, Gem is never anything but lively. But none of them are paying the slightest attention to you any more: you're not selling anything, you're not buying anything, you don't look like an easy mark for a thief, and you're not blocking the way. You could be a wall for all anyone cares.
You shake your head to clear it, and set off down the tunnels. You have somewhere to be.
* * *
You are still mad at Ari, who took advantage of your time to unwind by stealing your face without even asking. He had a chance to read how mad you are in your body language. How mad are you?
[] You're not happy with him.
It's still a breach of trust and the theft of one of the few things still unequivocally yours, but you don't think there was malice in it, and he seems contrite.
[] You aren't going to get over it.
Some things are irreconcilable. He might be an ally, but you're going to keep him at arm's length from here on.
Regardless of how you feel about that, where are you going from here?
[] You're going to take a walk on the surface, and happen to keep talking with Ari.
The plan is starting to come together, and you need to keep your Anathema allies informed and everything coordinated.
[] You're going to meet with Dub-dubs, once they return home.
Dub-dubs is curious about you and clearly thinks of you as an important, if new, friend. You'd like to deepen that.
[] You go home alone.
There is much work to be done. You can do it more easily alone, and well-rested.
1337Procrast
Fire Emblem Enjoyer
- Location
- Australia
- Pronouns
- He/Him
[x] You're not happy with him.
[x] You're going to take a walk on the surface, and happen to keep talking with Ari.
CAT BOY CAT BOY CAT BOY CAT BOY CAT BOY CAT-
[x] You're going to take a walk on the surface, and happen to keep talking with Ari.
CAT BOY CAT BOY CAT BOY CAT BOY CAT BOY CAT-
- Location
- Bed
[X] You're not happy with him.
-I know this is slightly outside of my usual logic, but hear me out. Is Vessel one to hold a grudge? Obviously small, petty grudges, but I mean a serious grudge. One where, no matter what else happens, he would never even think of working with that person again. As evidence to the contrary, I present our recent acts of faux-cordiality with the godsdamn Waif herself. I think for something to be so serious for Vessel to keep someone as far away as they can be, it would have to be more than this.
[X] You're going to meet with Dub-dubs, once they return home.
-"Thinks of you as an important, if new, friend" you say? Sounds to me like an opportunity worth manipulating! Or, at least, that's the way the most cowardly parts of Vessel would rationalize it. Plus, I'm of the view that going alone would be a bit of a wasted opportunity, and keeping our allies informed and coordinate just does not sound like our MO.
-I know this is slightly outside of my usual logic, but hear me out. Is Vessel one to hold a grudge? Obviously small, petty grudges, but I mean a serious grudge. One where, no matter what else happens, he would never even think of working with that person again. As evidence to the contrary, I present our recent acts of faux-cordiality with the godsdamn Waif herself. I think for something to be so serious for Vessel to keep someone as far away as they can be, it would have to be more than this.
[X] You're going to meet with Dub-dubs, once they return home.
-"Thinks of you as an important, if new, friend" you say? Sounds to me like an opportunity worth manipulating! Or, at least, that's the way the most cowardly parts of Vessel would rationalize it. Plus, I'm of the view that going alone would be a bit of a wasted opportunity, and keeping our allies informed and coordinate just does not sound like our MO.
[X] You're not happy with him.
[X] You're going to take a walk on the surface, and happen to keep talking with Ari.
[X] You're going to take a walk on the surface, and happen to keep talking with Ari.
- Location
- Titan
[X] You're not happy with him.
[X] You go home alone.
[X] You go home alone.
- Location
- Canada
[X] You're not happy with him.
[X] You're going to take a walk on the surface, and happen to keep talking with Ari.
From a purely pragmatic viewpoint, we decided not to tell the Sidereals everything, among other things because we didn't want to annoy the Lunars. Capitalizing on that means patching up relations, as opposed to deciding to be offended.
[X] You're going to take a walk on the surface, and happen to keep talking with Ari.
From a purely pragmatic viewpoint, we decided not to tell the Sidereals everything, among other things because we didn't want to annoy the Lunars. Capitalizing on that means patching up relations, as opposed to deciding to be offended.