- Location
- Nova Scotia
- Pronouns
- She/Her
[X] Talk first.
- [X] Bring up the Deathlord's name. See how she reacts.
- [X] Bring up the Deathlord's name. See how she reacts.
Yawning Abyss, Soaring Shrike [Exalted]
- Thread starter VagueZ
- Start date
[X] Talk first.
- [X] Introduce yourself as a sorcerer, interested in the Shrike.
- [X] Introduce yourself as a sorcerer, interested in the Shrike.
Raiseth
I Find Your Lack of Memes Disturbing
- Location
- Russia
She's probably not a Deathknight, or else she'd have realized pretty quickly that not sensing that we're alive means that we're not.
Lunar or Solar?
Somehow feels like a Lunar to me, for now.
[X] Talk first.
- [X] Introduce yourself as a sorcerer, interested in the Shrike.
Unless she's blessed by the Green Sun, lol, that'd be a twist.
Lunar or Solar?
Somehow feels like a Lunar to me, for now.
[X] Talk first.
- [X] Introduce yourself as a sorcerer, interested in the Shrike.
Unless she's blessed by the Green Sun, lol, that'd be a twist.
[X] Talk first.
- [X] Introduce yourself as a sorcerer, interested in the Shrike.
- [X] Introduce yourself as a sorcerer, interested in the Shrike.
- Location
- Bed
[X] Talk first.
- [X] Introduce yourself as a sorcerer, interested in the Shrike.
I'd say that whole Art of Victorious Concession experience has rattled us enough in directions that would preclude wanton murder on hunches. Well, too much wanton murder on hunches, at least. Let's talk.
- [X] Introduce yourself as a sorcerer, interested in the Shrike.
I'd say that whole Art of Victorious Concession experience has rattled us enough in directions that would preclude wanton murder on hunches. Well, too much wanton murder on hunches, at least. Let's talk.
Unexpected Meetings
- Pronouns
- They/Them
[] Talk first.
- [] Introduce yourself as a sorcerer, interested in the Shrike.
"You're the one the Despot has following the Shrike," you say, as if in sudden recognition.
She glances at you incuriously as her hands continue their sure work. "Obviously." From there, she moves to the balcony to set up the arrangement. Several lenses twist on their own in the almost wire-frame contraption, lining themselves up and seeking the Shrike in the sky. A tube slips into the light path, and a plain sheet of parchment unrolls.
The end result of all this is that a live image of the Shrike, magnified and sharpened, is projected onto the parchment.
For a moment, the sight of it nearly strikes you dumb. Despite its clearly artifical nature and bulk, the Shrike moves like a living thing. Wings of starmetal stretch and twist with every flap, propelling a body wrought from enough jade to destabilize the Realm's whole economy. The impossible beauty of orichalcum devil-gold shines at its questing beak. Fluid protean moonsilver flows down its flanks, mixing in complex whorls with the cursed soulsteel at its stern.
Seemingly inured to the sight, the woman taps the nail of her middle finger against another lens, which slips into place with a decisive click. The image is suddenly muted, this apparently serving as a filter of some kind. Now, the Shrike is visibly surrounded by a delicate tracery of shifting lines, finer than strands of hair.
The Whispers breathe in the back of your mind, respositories of ages-old knowledge stirring in surprise as they behold something that they haven't for countless centuries. You listen, dipping into this near-wordless understanding, the flash impressions that they give you of this lining up somewhat with your new insights into sorcery. What you can, you absorb. "Essence flows, for guidance?" you ask.
The woman jerks for a moment, as if she had forgotten you were present to begin with. "Obviously," she says again, in a slightly more annoyed tone this time. She doesn't take her eyes off the instrument, thought she consults a compass and a series of other, more arcane tools as she works.
"They're not pointing just at the elemental poles or even local dragon lines, though. It's also pointing at its base, isn't it?" That one's a little bit of a stab in the dark.
"Does it look like it's pointing in only one direction?" It doesn't look like much of anything, if you have to be honest. "Who are you, anyway?"
"Amphora. I'm a sorcerer here. I'm interested in the Shrike."
She scoffs. "You and every two-bit wise woman between here and Chiaroscuro, who think that sometimes reading an astrological chart right makes you insightful." The filter-lens is removed, and a new one is snapped into place, casting the projected image in an orange light. "If you don't know what a variable-frequency broad-spectrum mote transmitter-receiver is, you're not even a dilettante, you're just fantasizing."
"It's a First Age tool meant to allow secure Essence transfer and communication between a static manse and a distant tool, a refinement of the connection linked hearthstones have." As you finish echoing the Whisper's answer to you, the Shrike pulls its wings in closer and its speed increases threefold, zipping behind a distant mountain in an instant.
Only now does she look away from her tools, seeming to consider this motion to be the end of her observations for the moment. "How the hell do you know what?"
You arch an eyebrow at her, silently reminding her that you gave her explanation for yourself already.
"Huh. Well, you're less useless than the rest of the rabble if you know that much. Call me Twine." She begins methodically breaking down her observation tools again. You move as if to help her, and she swats at your hand. Hard, not just a warning swat. You let her do it herself. "Yeah, the Shrike has those. Not just one, either, but several. I've been trying to track its Essence flows, since even that isn't completely impossible to break through, but it shifts. I've established that it has at least four different bases it can cycle between, but I haven't yet located even one of them. Getting closer."
You nod. "The part I'm not sure on is why it keeps coming back here in the first place. You wouldn't have a chance to take anything like enough readings if it just did what it normally did and left."
"That is the fifty-talent question, isn't it? If you're so clever, maybe you have a hint to that up your pale sleeves, too?"
"Sadly, no." You spread your hands in a gesture of helplessness. "But is there a reason you haven't been trying to figure that part out?"
"If the Shrike thinks there's something here, and it can't find it, and I don't even know what it's looking for, how am I supposed to find it?" Twine suddenly grins. "But that's the stupid prize, anyway. Who cares what it's looking for? If I can find a majority of the control manses..."
"...You'd control the Shrike?"
"Exactly." Twine's observation device is folded up much more elegantly now than it was after she ran into you in the street. She even has some lenses over her eyes, equally complex and mechanical. You wonder distantly if she's somehow nearsighted. She isn't giving you the clear signal you had from Crowson that this is a deathknight, but you suspect she is. And... generally, Exalting, even as Anathema, is supposed to patch the infirmities of the body and mind. Mnemon, most famously, went from a meek and willowy girl to a driven and powerful woman almost overnight when she Exalted.
"You know," Twine adds, in a thoughtful tone, "I am curious about the Shrike's goal, even if I can't put my time to finding it. If you do come up with anything, let me know. Come to my estate with any news. Amphora, right? I'll let my servants know to let you in, and I will make it worth your while."
You let her take her leave after that. You secured a worthwhile advantage there, an opening you can make use of at your leisure. You'd rather learn what you can and weave a plan than take any precipitous actions.
It rains the next day. The clouds are high, and the rain is an annoying drizzle that's too heavy to ignore but too light to be a relief as far as actually sweeping away Gem's smells. At the least, the clouds don't burn off in the sun, so the rain continues. When you check in with the Despot's bureaucracy, it's Tehli again behind the desk. It seems like the rain is only making her job more annoying, by how she's looking harassed and slightly damp at the desk today. And not able to write. It's an outdoors desk, the same one you first approached, so not only is it too wet for fun-writing, it's also too busy to take the time for that. You aren't the only one to come to the desk, meaning that this time, surprisingly, you have to wait in line for a couple minutes of a meeting with mortal workers before you get to her. "Two days off," is the summary she gives you. For today and tomorrow, the Despot is requisitioning zero water spells from you, giving you some time off.
"Although," Tehli says as you process this, "There is one thing we're looking for sorcerers for. Security during a meeting tomorrow. Stand by and make sure that no one's casting any unauthorized sorceries during the party. You don't get to talk to the guests, but it's not a bad way to get your face out there if you're hoping to eventually make yourself known to the Despot and nobility."
You don't shrug, although the temptation is there. That's not exactly a draw when you're engaged in other things, but it does fit with your cover. "Tell me about this."
The bureaucrat beams, and launches into description. It seems that the meeting is several of the people who have been interested in this yasal crystal you'd heard about. Everyone who bit on the Despot's offer will be there, and they'll have a very nice meal and entertainment, and almost coincidentally, the Despot will end up rather richer after somewhere between a day and a week of discussions, and whoever wanted it most will have a new yasal crystal. "Normally," Tehli tells you in a conspiratorial whisper, "We'd offer this to the most senior sorcerers, but I figure we can squeeze you in." She gives you a smile and a wink.
You return the smile, as you start to realize that this might actually be useful, depending on exactly who is interested in this. "Thanks for thinking of me." You don't know if it's just that she's trying to flirt or if she's hoping to hook her star to one that has the potential to ascend, but either way it is something you appreciate. The complex parts of that can be figured our later.
"Sadly, a day like this means more work for me," she tells you, slightly opening a water-proof pouch to check some of the documents inside without getting them wet. "We have to check up on how the catchments are functioning, be sure that the water is pure before it's routed to any partially-filled reservoirs, ensure drainage throughout the city... I'll have to catch you later." She shrugs, removes her glasses to wipe off a couple water spots, and puts them back on.
You make appropriate closings and step away. It seems like only the water-clutching Despot and his direct workers are engaged today. For everyone else, one of Gem's few rainy days is an excuse for a holiday. Some of the market stalls are closed, and others are having a 'rain sale'. Far fewer people than usual are rushing around looking like they're in a hurry.
You see a subtle waved hand raised for your attention. From the far side of the wet street, you see Dub-dubs is leaning against the counter of a stall that sells coffee.
Dueling squads of kids block the way as you try to pass over that way. They're having a mock war in the street, rods and various debris standing in for daiklaves, thunderbolt shields, and other mighty artifacts of legend as they fight for the honor of the Shogun and they shout various elaborations of the myth as they go, laughing as they one-up each other.
Briefly, you hesitate, then set your foot into a large puddle with a small grin of your own. The water surges and roils around you, your control spell's side-effects spilling into the standing water. It builds into a small wave and crashes down on the children in your path, prompting sudden sputtering and shrieks of surprise. They were already wet; you didn't make it any worse. "Beware fighting in the shadow of the sorcerer's tower," you tell them with mock solemnity as they regard you with mild awe. "You never know when he will rouse."
They work this into their ongoing story easily and immediately, while also clearing the way so you can reach Dub-dubs. As you approach the coffee stand, the seller gives you a meaningful look. You exchange a coin for a cup of her bitter black coffee before you talk to Dub-dubs, just so you have authorization to speak to them.
"So," the Water Aspect begins once you get through the greetings and a moment together to reflect on the kids playing, "Day off, huh? I hadn't heard we were going to have rain, but you take what you can get." Their smile isn't any less sleepy than the last time you met.
You nod. "Still, I hope it doesn't rain too long. I don't have a second job yet."
"Nah, I'll be surprised if it lasts all the way to evening. It usually doesn't. And unless you came in with a lot of debts or are living awful lavish, I shouldn't think you're hurting for money." Dub-dubs raises an eyebrow at you, questioning.
"No, just planning ahead. I wanted to be sure it wasn't going to be one of those places where it rains for two weeks if it ever starts."
"Can safely say it isn't that." Dub-dubs takes another swallow of coffee with every sign of enjoyment, which you find rather dubious, since to your taste it seems a little burnt. "Usually only rains a dozen or so days a year, all within a month or two after Calibration, which gives us our time to ourselves. Some of us take the time to work on our own projects, but I've never really done much research or workings for myself. Actually, I was going to get together with a couple of the other water-workers and just drink a bit this afternoon. Wanna come?"
Somehow, you end up over at Dub-dubs' place, with a handful of snacks and a bottle of date-wine. Their apartment is about the same size as yours, but with the walls and floor covered in various dream-catching charms, like you saw in their hands at the gladiatorial fight. You're the last one to show up, but it looks like the others haven't been here long. As Dub-dubs had said, they had invited 'a couple' of people. You recognize them from the Water Aspect's description: Flawed Topaz the fae-blood and Shetuk, an older mortal sorcerer.
Shetuk is saying something to Topaz as you enter, which you don't catch most of due to Shetuk speaking in at least three different languages over just a couple of sentences, but it makes Topaz snort-laugh, which makes the older man grin in turn.
Introductions don't take long, and you take a seat with them, too, lotus-style on the floor atop a rug of woven dreamcatchers. Shetuk rests on his knees, his back straight, his braided white beard coming down to his navel. He doesn't have the advantages that the rest of you do, so he has to be careful to take care of himself.
Topaz, on the other hand, is basically upside-down, her back on the floor and her legs stretching up the wall. You watch her as she takes a drink with the back of her head pressed to the floor, curious to see if she's going to spill on herself. She doesn't, but she does catch your eye and gives you an impish grin. "So you're the newbie, huh?" It's an interesting effect, that upside-down grin on a sharp, fae face with pointed ears. She looks incredibly harmless, which is definitely at odds with your experience with fae before. You have to remind yourself that the sins of her mother or father aren't hers.
"Just came into town this week," you answer her question with a nod.
"Neat. I know that the Despot has been pulling his hair out over concern, but a new sorcerer should help."
"Is it really that small a pool?"
"Yeah. There's, what, twelve, thirteen of us?" She looks at Shetuk, who wobbles his hand. "Maybe fifteen," she corrects. "Either way, if the Shrike decided to level this apartment building right now, Gem would have a very thirsty year."
"And so there's just a little cabal of us, who make the city function, just creating water at the Despot's command." You understand why the Despot does it the way he does, as it allows close control, but it just seems like such a fragile system.
"Sure. And why not? We've got it made." Topaz twists her way in a more normal seated posture to drink more easily. A cycle of alcohol makes its way into everyone's cups again. "Easy work, good money, guaranteed job." She glances at Blizzard's Scourge at your waist. "Can I see your thing there?"
You hand it to her to examine. It's light and easy for you, but enormously awkward for her, and even more difficult for Shetuk when she passes it to him to look at. "Impressive piece," she tells you. "I don't recognize it. Did you scavenge it yourself or what?"
Of course she wouldn't recognize it. That was part of why you were so willing to hand it off, that and how hard it is to steal a magical boomerang that wants to come back to you. It was used in the north, and hasn't left House Peleps for hundreds of years. Of course someone in Gem wouldn't recognize it. You don't say it like that, though. Instead, you just stick to, "It came from my parents."
"What sort of evocations have you got out of it?" It's not surprising that she's curious. Even among the Realm, not every Exalt gets such a fine weapon. Out here in the far Threshold, it's rarer still.
Unfortunately, you have to shake your head. "None that I've managed to awaken yet."
"Oh. Huh, why not?"
"I'll get there soon," you say, to deflect that line of inquiry. You think you do know, and it won't get any better. It's a Peleps weapon. You aren't that any longer, are you? It's no wonder it barely allows access to its basic capabilities and nothing further.
Shetuk points to something with the handle and makes an aside joke to Dub-dubs, who laughs at it. Again, it's something multi-lingual. That has to be the worst way to do wordplay that you've ever heard of.
Flawed Topaz flows a little closer to you while those two are talking, to whisper in your ear: "Hey, just so you know, Dub-dubs does like to be pinned down by tall men who take charge. Just in case you were considering that." She's trying to get a rise out of you, popping out with that from nowhere. You don't give her the satisfaction of a startled reaction. Instead, you arch an imperious, Dynastic eyebrow at her. It doesn't work here, where people don't respect Dynasts. She just grins more evilly. "What? Hey, does it show that my dad's a lorelei?"
You sigh, but Shetuk and Dub-dubs finish up what they were talking about and hand back your skycutter, cutting off that line of conversation. Another round of drinking and local gossip goes around.
Unexpectedly, a few minutes later, a weird little chubby spirit with six wings creeps in under the lip of the door and flies in front of you. You draw back in surprise, which prompts everyone else to look at you. They can't see it. "Hold on," you say. "I think I'm... getting a message?"
The Infallible Messenger, for that is what it is, opens its mouth. Nine Leagues Stride's voice comes out of it. "Hey, Reddy. How are things there? Actually, don't tell me. I can't hear you back and this is pre-recorded for you. I'm going to be in Gem tomorrow. I have a proposition you probably want to hear, because there's something big going down and you don't want to miss out. What? Shut up, flame-butt, I didn't forget. And you accuse me of being impatient. Ari was here, Reddy. Says he's going to be there in a couple more days, too. Anyway, if you wanna talk shop, there's a place I stay at when I'm in Gem." The Messenger gives you the name and directions to the hostel she will be staying at, then vanishes.
You shake your head and look over the room, to find a trio of curious looks back at you. The Infallible Messenger can't be seen nor heard save by its target, and none of these three can contest that, though just how curious they are ranges from Topaz's naked interest to Shetuk's eyebrow that gives you a chance to share if you want to. "It was nothing," you say. "A... business partner, I suppose, who just wanted to get in touch."
"Ooh," Topaz says, her grin no less gleeful than before. "Let me guess: old flame?"
"I can definitely say it isn't that." By the look on her face, she isn't completely willing to give up on that angle.
The conversation picks back up and forgets about your message soon enough. This is a weird way to socialize, to you. Dragon-Bloods in the Realm almost never have this sort of small, casual get-together. There always has to be some level of ostentatious display, and usually some back-stabbing or deals to be hashed out.
This is, instead, relaxing. It's nice.
The yasal crystal is, indeed, impressive. It is a thousand-faceted yellow gem that looks like a master gemcutter has already given it their life's effort, instead of coming straight out of the ground like this. It is so big that, were you allowed to touch it, you'd have to strain to enclose it in your arms. The brilliant white glowstones embedded in the corners of the ceiling bathe it in an eye-catching warm light, which seems to stir with the shifting of some dark shape inside it, something that you can't make out or even see when you look directly at it.
Most yasal crystals are more the size of your thumb, or maybe your fist, and able to restrain most ghosts, demons of the first circle, and your average road-god. The largest you've ever heard of are still less than half this size in any dimension, and are usually a secret weapon of Immaculate monks, to give them a final tool to handle the mightiest beasts that boil up from the Underworld, the odd second-circle demon that ends up set on the Realm by horrific No Moon sorcerers, and puissant gods and spirits that even an Immaculate master can't be sure of defeating.
This one, you can't even imagine what it could be used for.
You don't really have to, though, since it's clear you won't be allowed to touch it. Two violent-looking Dragon-Bloods in the Despot's employ provide close protection, lounging near its cart with jade panoplies about their persons. The next level of protection is you: the sorcerers that are here to make certain that the Despot's guests don't do anything untoward before one of them purchases it. That's you, Dub-dubs, and a god-blooded sorcerer named Expanding Thews. All you really know of him is Dub-dubs' description as "sort of a jerk" and the way he stands there glowering at nothing means you don't feel moved to try to talk.
On the other side of the room, the one you aren't allowed in, the Despot's servants have laid out a lavish spread: fruits, sweets, little delicacies of rare meat and spices artfully arranged, and several types of alcohol. Thick carpets, the sort you could sink ankle-deep into, cover the guest side of the room and contrast with the bare side that you and the other workers have been instructed to stick to.
The Despot is the first one to come in on the guest side. He's a thin man, with a small, pointed beard. His eyes sweep over each of you on your side, the yasal crystal, and the buffet, and you can almost see the tally sheet in his head calculating costs for each.
In an interesting bit of choreography, five doors open at once, and all of the Despot's guests enter at once, each led by a different slave of the Despot. Your eyes go to several of them. One door disgorges Nine Leagues Strides and Soot Column Ascending, but you had expected that. The unexpected one is the door that lets in a familiar sallow-faced sorcerer and a grinning, flame-haired woman. Solace Through the Night recognizes you almost at the same moment you do her, and there's a mutual awkward moment. She touches her forehead, where the brim of her hat would be if she were wearing one, a quick and deniable moment of recognition... and one that doesn't seem too mad at you.
There's no chance for you to follow up, not here. The Despot puts his back to you, spreading his arms wide. "Welcome!" His voice carries well, melodic and practiced. "Honored guests, it is my pleasure to welcome you to my humble city. I hope my meager hospitality is sufficient not to offend." He bows his head, as if this is a genuine concern, before raising it again to sweep his eyes over them all. "Ah, but before we look at the evening's star attraction and enjoy a repast, I should introduce everyone, as I doubt you all know each other."
He extends a gracious hand towards a woman with pale, freckled skin. "The Perfect of Paragon has sent Scarlet Whisper here to act as his voice in our talks." She gives him a small, self-assured smile.
The Despot turns to his left-most guest. "Representing... certain western interests, San Tel." The obvious Lintha peels his lips back in what could charitably be called a smile. There's a demonic cast to his features and a green tint to his skin; he's not hiding what he is here.
"Here is one of Gem's own residents in life, now sadly deceased, Nicklaus of Gem. He has come to me with a token showing that he will be standing in for... a certain group that could not otherwise make it today." Nicklaus, a dark-haired ghost dressed in black, is clearly a ghost. He is slightly transparent and is floating a discreet inch or so above the ground, but he bows to the others.
Nicklaus is clearly here for a Deathlord, by that barely-deniable introduction. You study him, but he's not so indiscreet as to be openly wearing a mons symbolizing the Waif or the Lion, by far the two most likely Deathlords.
"From the Queendom of the Lap, standing in for the Scarlet Empress in these troubled times, we have--"
"Solace!" The Despot's litany is interrupted by a roaring laugh from Soot Column Ascending.
Before anyone else can react, the ifrit leaps from his place at his Lunar companion's side to land next to the surprised young woman. "My little girl! How much you've grown!" He beams. "I barely recognized your Essence!"
Now that it's been pointed out, a certain family resemblance can be seen between them, even beyond the fiery hair. In contrast to the ifrit's pleasure, everyone else has to take a moment to pull themselves back together. It's Solace who speaks first, in a tone of stunned surprise. "Dad?"
"Look at you!" He claps her on the shoulders, holding her still at arm's length. "What's it been, two years since I saw you and your mother?"
She brushes his hands off. "Dad, it's been eighteen years. I was four when I saw you last."
"Oh, has it really been that long?" Solace's disgusted tone doesn't even register with the ifrit. "How time flies!"
It takes a few minutes more for the Despot to restore things to where he wanted them, complete his introductions, let all the guests admire the yasal crystal from a safe distance, and raid the buffet before they leave. None of it catches your attention too much, so you let it slide past you.
Once the guests leave, but before the yasal crystal is put back into an armored and warded vault so it doesn't require five guards on it, Dub-dubs elbows you slightly, to catch your attention for a whisper. "I think I saw you jump when everyone came in. Friends of yours in that bunch?"
You shrug, diffidently. "Something like that."
Soon, you're going to be off the day's job. You can't very well just ignore all this.
What's the first priority here?
[] Meet up with Solace, see how she and the Lap and Realm are doing.
[] Meet up with the Lunar, who has something she wants to talk about.
[] Hunt down Nicklaus. No mere ghost can resist you; you will get information.
- [] Introduce yourself as a sorcerer, interested in the Shrike.
"You're the one the Despot has following the Shrike," you say, as if in sudden recognition.
She glances at you incuriously as her hands continue their sure work. "Obviously." From there, she moves to the balcony to set up the arrangement. Several lenses twist on their own in the almost wire-frame contraption, lining themselves up and seeking the Shrike in the sky. A tube slips into the light path, and a plain sheet of parchment unrolls.
The end result of all this is that a live image of the Shrike, magnified and sharpened, is projected onto the parchment.
For a moment, the sight of it nearly strikes you dumb. Despite its clearly artifical nature and bulk, the Shrike moves like a living thing. Wings of starmetal stretch and twist with every flap, propelling a body wrought from enough jade to destabilize the Realm's whole economy. The impossible beauty of orichalcum devil-gold shines at its questing beak. Fluid protean moonsilver flows down its flanks, mixing in complex whorls with the cursed soulsteel at its stern.
Seemingly inured to the sight, the woman taps the nail of her middle finger against another lens, which slips into place with a decisive click. The image is suddenly muted, this apparently serving as a filter of some kind. Now, the Shrike is visibly surrounded by a delicate tracery of shifting lines, finer than strands of hair.
The Whispers breathe in the back of your mind, respositories of ages-old knowledge stirring in surprise as they behold something that they haven't for countless centuries. You listen, dipping into this near-wordless understanding, the flash impressions that they give you of this lining up somewhat with your new insights into sorcery. What you can, you absorb. "Essence flows, for guidance?" you ask.
The woman jerks for a moment, as if she had forgotten you were present to begin with. "Obviously," she says again, in a slightly more annoyed tone this time. She doesn't take her eyes off the instrument, thought she consults a compass and a series of other, more arcane tools as she works.
"They're not pointing just at the elemental poles or even local dragon lines, though. It's also pointing at its base, isn't it?" That one's a little bit of a stab in the dark.
"Does it look like it's pointing in only one direction?" It doesn't look like much of anything, if you have to be honest. "Who are you, anyway?"
"Amphora. I'm a sorcerer here. I'm interested in the Shrike."
She scoffs. "You and every two-bit wise woman between here and Chiaroscuro, who think that sometimes reading an astrological chart right makes you insightful." The filter-lens is removed, and a new one is snapped into place, casting the projected image in an orange light. "If you don't know what a variable-frequency broad-spectrum mote transmitter-receiver is, you're not even a dilettante, you're just fantasizing."
"It's a First Age tool meant to allow secure Essence transfer and communication between a static manse and a distant tool, a refinement of the connection linked hearthstones have." As you finish echoing the Whisper's answer to you, the Shrike pulls its wings in closer and its speed increases threefold, zipping behind a distant mountain in an instant.
Only now does she look away from her tools, seeming to consider this motion to be the end of her observations for the moment. "How the hell do you know what?"
You arch an eyebrow at her, silently reminding her that you gave her explanation for yourself already.
"Huh. Well, you're less useless than the rest of the rabble if you know that much. Call me Twine." She begins methodically breaking down her observation tools again. You move as if to help her, and she swats at your hand. Hard, not just a warning swat. You let her do it herself. "Yeah, the Shrike has those. Not just one, either, but several. I've been trying to track its Essence flows, since even that isn't completely impossible to break through, but it shifts. I've established that it has at least four different bases it can cycle between, but I haven't yet located even one of them. Getting closer."
You nod. "The part I'm not sure on is why it keeps coming back here in the first place. You wouldn't have a chance to take anything like enough readings if it just did what it normally did and left."
"That is the fifty-talent question, isn't it? If you're so clever, maybe you have a hint to that up your pale sleeves, too?"
"Sadly, no." You spread your hands in a gesture of helplessness. "But is there a reason you haven't been trying to figure that part out?"
"If the Shrike thinks there's something here, and it can't find it, and I don't even know what it's looking for, how am I supposed to find it?" Twine suddenly grins. "But that's the stupid prize, anyway. Who cares what it's looking for? If I can find a majority of the control manses..."
"...You'd control the Shrike?"
"Exactly." Twine's observation device is folded up much more elegantly now than it was after she ran into you in the street. She even has some lenses over her eyes, equally complex and mechanical. You wonder distantly if she's somehow nearsighted. She isn't giving you the clear signal you had from Crowson that this is a deathknight, but you suspect she is. And... generally, Exalting, even as Anathema, is supposed to patch the infirmities of the body and mind. Mnemon, most famously, went from a meek and willowy girl to a driven and powerful woman almost overnight when she Exalted.
"You know," Twine adds, in a thoughtful tone, "I am curious about the Shrike's goal, even if I can't put my time to finding it. If you do come up with anything, let me know. Come to my estate with any news. Amphora, right? I'll let my servants know to let you in, and I will make it worth your while."
You let her take her leave after that. You secured a worthwhile advantage there, an opening you can make use of at your leisure. You'd rather learn what you can and weave a plan than take any precipitous actions.
* * *
It rains the next day. The clouds are high, and the rain is an annoying drizzle that's too heavy to ignore but too light to be a relief as far as actually sweeping away Gem's smells. At the least, the clouds don't burn off in the sun, so the rain continues. When you check in with the Despot's bureaucracy, it's Tehli again behind the desk. It seems like the rain is only making her job more annoying, by how she's looking harassed and slightly damp at the desk today. And not able to write. It's an outdoors desk, the same one you first approached, so not only is it too wet for fun-writing, it's also too busy to take the time for that. You aren't the only one to come to the desk, meaning that this time, surprisingly, you have to wait in line for a couple minutes of a meeting with mortal workers before you get to her. "Two days off," is the summary she gives you. For today and tomorrow, the Despot is requisitioning zero water spells from you, giving you some time off.
"Although," Tehli says as you process this, "There is one thing we're looking for sorcerers for. Security during a meeting tomorrow. Stand by and make sure that no one's casting any unauthorized sorceries during the party. You don't get to talk to the guests, but it's not a bad way to get your face out there if you're hoping to eventually make yourself known to the Despot and nobility."
You don't shrug, although the temptation is there. That's not exactly a draw when you're engaged in other things, but it does fit with your cover. "Tell me about this."
The bureaucrat beams, and launches into description. It seems that the meeting is several of the people who have been interested in this yasal crystal you'd heard about. Everyone who bit on the Despot's offer will be there, and they'll have a very nice meal and entertainment, and almost coincidentally, the Despot will end up rather richer after somewhere between a day and a week of discussions, and whoever wanted it most will have a new yasal crystal. "Normally," Tehli tells you in a conspiratorial whisper, "We'd offer this to the most senior sorcerers, but I figure we can squeeze you in." She gives you a smile and a wink.
You return the smile, as you start to realize that this might actually be useful, depending on exactly who is interested in this. "Thanks for thinking of me." You don't know if it's just that she's trying to flirt or if she's hoping to hook her star to one that has the potential to ascend, but either way it is something you appreciate. The complex parts of that can be figured our later.
"Sadly, a day like this means more work for me," she tells you, slightly opening a water-proof pouch to check some of the documents inside without getting them wet. "We have to check up on how the catchments are functioning, be sure that the water is pure before it's routed to any partially-filled reservoirs, ensure drainage throughout the city... I'll have to catch you later." She shrugs, removes her glasses to wipe off a couple water spots, and puts them back on.
You make appropriate closings and step away. It seems like only the water-clutching Despot and his direct workers are engaged today. For everyone else, one of Gem's few rainy days is an excuse for a holiday. Some of the market stalls are closed, and others are having a 'rain sale'. Far fewer people than usual are rushing around looking like they're in a hurry.
You see a subtle waved hand raised for your attention. From the far side of the wet street, you see Dub-dubs is leaning against the counter of a stall that sells coffee.
Dueling squads of kids block the way as you try to pass over that way. They're having a mock war in the street, rods and various debris standing in for daiklaves, thunderbolt shields, and other mighty artifacts of legend as they fight for the honor of the Shogun and they shout various elaborations of the myth as they go, laughing as they one-up each other.
Briefly, you hesitate, then set your foot into a large puddle with a small grin of your own. The water surges and roils around you, your control spell's side-effects spilling into the standing water. It builds into a small wave and crashes down on the children in your path, prompting sudden sputtering and shrieks of surprise. They were already wet; you didn't make it any worse. "Beware fighting in the shadow of the sorcerer's tower," you tell them with mock solemnity as they regard you with mild awe. "You never know when he will rouse."
They work this into their ongoing story easily and immediately, while also clearing the way so you can reach Dub-dubs. As you approach the coffee stand, the seller gives you a meaningful look. You exchange a coin for a cup of her bitter black coffee before you talk to Dub-dubs, just so you have authorization to speak to them.
"So," the Water Aspect begins once you get through the greetings and a moment together to reflect on the kids playing, "Day off, huh? I hadn't heard we were going to have rain, but you take what you can get." Their smile isn't any less sleepy than the last time you met.
You nod. "Still, I hope it doesn't rain too long. I don't have a second job yet."
"Nah, I'll be surprised if it lasts all the way to evening. It usually doesn't. And unless you came in with a lot of debts or are living awful lavish, I shouldn't think you're hurting for money." Dub-dubs raises an eyebrow at you, questioning.
"No, just planning ahead. I wanted to be sure it wasn't going to be one of those places where it rains for two weeks if it ever starts."
"Can safely say it isn't that." Dub-dubs takes another swallow of coffee with every sign of enjoyment, which you find rather dubious, since to your taste it seems a little burnt. "Usually only rains a dozen or so days a year, all within a month or two after Calibration, which gives us our time to ourselves. Some of us take the time to work on our own projects, but I've never really done much research or workings for myself. Actually, I was going to get together with a couple of the other water-workers and just drink a bit this afternoon. Wanna come?"
* * *
Somehow, you end up over at Dub-dubs' place, with a handful of snacks and a bottle of date-wine. Their apartment is about the same size as yours, but with the walls and floor covered in various dream-catching charms, like you saw in their hands at the gladiatorial fight. You're the last one to show up, but it looks like the others haven't been here long. As Dub-dubs had said, they had invited 'a couple' of people. You recognize them from the Water Aspect's description: Flawed Topaz the fae-blood and Shetuk, an older mortal sorcerer.
Shetuk is saying something to Topaz as you enter, which you don't catch most of due to Shetuk speaking in at least three different languages over just a couple of sentences, but it makes Topaz snort-laugh, which makes the older man grin in turn.
Introductions don't take long, and you take a seat with them, too, lotus-style on the floor atop a rug of woven dreamcatchers. Shetuk rests on his knees, his back straight, his braided white beard coming down to his navel. He doesn't have the advantages that the rest of you do, so he has to be careful to take care of himself.
Topaz, on the other hand, is basically upside-down, her back on the floor and her legs stretching up the wall. You watch her as she takes a drink with the back of her head pressed to the floor, curious to see if she's going to spill on herself. She doesn't, but she does catch your eye and gives you an impish grin. "So you're the newbie, huh?" It's an interesting effect, that upside-down grin on a sharp, fae face with pointed ears. She looks incredibly harmless, which is definitely at odds with your experience with fae before. You have to remind yourself that the sins of her mother or father aren't hers.
"Just came into town this week," you answer her question with a nod.
"Neat. I know that the Despot has been pulling his hair out over concern, but a new sorcerer should help."
"Is it really that small a pool?"
"Yeah. There's, what, twelve, thirteen of us?" She looks at Shetuk, who wobbles his hand. "Maybe fifteen," she corrects. "Either way, if the Shrike decided to level this apartment building right now, Gem would have a very thirsty year."
"And so there's just a little cabal of us, who make the city function, just creating water at the Despot's command." You understand why the Despot does it the way he does, as it allows close control, but it just seems like such a fragile system.
"Sure. And why not? We've got it made." Topaz twists her way in a more normal seated posture to drink more easily. A cycle of alcohol makes its way into everyone's cups again. "Easy work, good money, guaranteed job." She glances at Blizzard's Scourge at your waist. "Can I see your thing there?"
You hand it to her to examine. It's light and easy for you, but enormously awkward for her, and even more difficult for Shetuk when she passes it to him to look at. "Impressive piece," she tells you. "I don't recognize it. Did you scavenge it yourself or what?"
Of course she wouldn't recognize it. That was part of why you were so willing to hand it off, that and how hard it is to steal a magical boomerang that wants to come back to you. It was used in the north, and hasn't left House Peleps for hundreds of years. Of course someone in Gem wouldn't recognize it. You don't say it like that, though. Instead, you just stick to, "It came from my parents."
"What sort of evocations have you got out of it?" It's not surprising that she's curious. Even among the Realm, not every Exalt gets such a fine weapon. Out here in the far Threshold, it's rarer still.
Unfortunately, you have to shake your head. "None that I've managed to awaken yet."
"Oh. Huh, why not?"
"I'll get there soon," you say, to deflect that line of inquiry. You think you do know, and it won't get any better. It's a Peleps weapon. You aren't that any longer, are you? It's no wonder it barely allows access to its basic capabilities and nothing further.
Shetuk points to something with the handle and makes an aside joke to Dub-dubs, who laughs at it. Again, it's something multi-lingual. That has to be the worst way to do wordplay that you've ever heard of.
Flawed Topaz flows a little closer to you while those two are talking, to whisper in your ear: "Hey, just so you know, Dub-dubs does like to be pinned down by tall men who take charge. Just in case you were considering that." She's trying to get a rise out of you, popping out with that from nowhere. You don't give her the satisfaction of a startled reaction. Instead, you arch an imperious, Dynastic eyebrow at her. It doesn't work here, where people don't respect Dynasts. She just grins more evilly. "What? Hey, does it show that my dad's a lorelei?"
You sigh, but Shetuk and Dub-dubs finish up what they were talking about and hand back your skycutter, cutting off that line of conversation. Another round of drinking and local gossip goes around.
Unexpectedly, a few minutes later, a weird little chubby spirit with six wings creeps in under the lip of the door and flies in front of you. You draw back in surprise, which prompts everyone else to look at you. They can't see it. "Hold on," you say. "I think I'm... getting a message?"
The Infallible Messenger, for that is what it is, opens its mouth. Nine Leagues Stride's voice comes out of it. "Hey, Reddy. How are things there? Actually, don't tell me. I can't hear you back and this is pre-recorded for you. I'm going to be in Gem tomorrow. I have a proposition you probably want to hear, because there's something big going down and you don't want to miss out. What? Shut up, flame-butt, I didn't forget. And you accuse me of being impatient. Ari was here, Reddy. Says he's going to be there in a couple more days, too. Anyway, if you wanna talk shop, there's a place I stay at when I'm in Gem." The Messenger gives you the name and directions to the hostel she will be staying at, then vanishes.
You shake your head and look over the room, to find a trio of curious looks back at you. The Infallible Messenger can't be seen nor heard save by its target, and none of these three can contest that, though just how curious they are ranges from Topaz's naked interest to Shetuk's eyebrow that gives you a chance to share if you want to. "It was nothing," you say. "A... business partner, I suppose, who just wanted to get in touch."
"Ooh," Topaz says, her grin no less gleeful than before. "Let me guess: old flame?"
"I can definitely say it isn't that." By the look on her face, she isn't completely willing to give up on that angle.
The conversation picks back up and forgets about your message soon enough. This is a weird way to socialize, to you. Dragon-Bloods in the Realm almost never have this sort of small, casual get-together. There always has to be some level of ostentatious display, and usually some back-stabbing or deals to be hashed out.
This is, instead, relaxing. It's nice.
* * *
The yasal crystal is, indeed, impressive. It is a thousand-faceted yellow gem that looks like a master gemcutter has already given it their life's effort, instead of coming straight out of the ground like this. It is so big that, were you allowed to touch it, you'd have to strain to enclose it in your arms. The brilliant white glowstones embedded in the corners of the ceiling bathe it in an eye-catching warm light, which seems to stir with the shifting of some dark shape inside it, something that you can't make out or even see when you look directly at it.
Most yasal crystals are more the size of your thumb, or maybe your fist, and able to restrain most ghosts, demons of the first circle, and your average road-god. The largest you've ever heard of are still less than half this size in any dimension, and are usually a secret weapon of Immaculate monks, to give them a final tool to handle the mightiest beasts that boil up from the Underworld, the odd second-circle demon that ends up set on the Realm by horrific No Moon sorcerers, and puissant gods and spirits that even an Immaculate master can't be sure of defeating.
This one, you can't even imagine what it could be used for.
You don't really have to, though, since it's clear you won't be allowed to touch it. Two violent-looking Dragon-Bloods in the Despot's employ provide close protection, lounging near its cart with jade panoplies about their persons. The next level of protection is you: the sorcerers that are here to make certain that the Despot's guests don't do anything untoward before one of them purchases it. That's you, Dub-dubs, and a god-blooded sorcerer named Expanding Thews. All you really know of him is Dub-dubs' description as "sort of a jerk" and the way he stands there glowering at nothing means you don't feel moved to try to talk.
On the other side of the room, the one you aren't allowed in, the Despot's servants have laid out a lavish spread: fruits, sweets, little delicacies of rare meat and spices artfully arranged, and several types of alcohol. Thick carpets, the sort you could sink ankle-deep into, cover the guest side of the room and contrast with the bare side that you and the other workers have been instructed to stick to.
The Despot is the first one to come in on the guest side. He's a thin man, with a small, pointed beard. His eyes sweep over each of you on your side, the yasal crystal, and the buffet, and you can almost see the tally sheet in his head calculating costs for each.
In an interesting bit of choreography, five doors open at once, and all of the Despot's guests enter at once, each led by a different slave of the Despot. Your eyes go to several of them. One door disgorges Nine Leagues Strides and Soot Column Ascending, but you had expected that. The unexpected one is the door that lets in a familiar sallow-faced sorcerer and a grinning, flame-haired woman. Solace Through the Night recognizes you almost at the same moment you do her, and there's a mutual awkward moment. She touches her forehead, where the brim of her hat would be if she were wearing one, a quick and deniable moment of recognition... and one that doesn't seem too mad at you.
There's no chance for you to follow up, not here. The Despot puts his back to you, spreading his arms wide. "Welcome!" His voice carries well, melodic and practiced. "Honored guests, it is my pleasure to welcome you to my humble city. I hope my meager hospitality is sufficient not to offend." He bows his head, as if this is a genuine concern, before raising it again to sweep his eyes over them all. "Ah, but before we look at the evening's star attraction and enjoy a repast, I should introduce everyone, as I doubt you all know each other."
He extends a gracious hand towards a woman with pale, freckled skin. "The Perfect of Paragon has sent Scarlet Whisper here to act as his voice in our talks." She gives him a small, self-assured smile.
The Despot turns to his left-most guest. "Representing... certain western interests, San Tel." The obvious Lintha peels his lips back in what could charitably be called a smile. There's a demonic cast to his features and a green tint to his skin; he's not hiding what he is here.
"Here is one of Gem's own residents in life, now sadly deceased, Nicklaus of Gem. He has come to me with a token showing that he will be standing in for... a certain group that could not otherwise make it today." Nicklaus, a dark-haired ghost dressed in black, is clearly a ghost. He is slightly transparent and is floating a discreet inch or so above the ground, but he bows to the others.
Nicklaus is clearly here for a Deathlord, by that barely-deniable introduction. You study him, but he's not so indiscreet as to be openly wearing a mons symbolizing the Waif or the Lion, by far the two most likely Deathlords.
"From the Queendom of the Lap, standing in for the Scarlet Empress in these troubled times, we have--"
"Solace!" The Despot's litany is interrupted by a roaring laugh from Soot Column Ascending.
Before anyone else can react, the ifrit leaps from his place at his Lunar companion's side to land next to the surprised young woman. "My little girl! How much you've grown!" He beams. "I barely recognized your Essence!"
Now that it's been pointed out, a certain family resemblance can be seen between them, even beyond the fiery hair. In contrast to the ifrit's pleasure, everyone else has to take a moment to pull themselves back together. It's Solace who speaks first, in a tone of stunned surprise. "Dad?"
"Look at you!" He claps her on the shoulders, holding her still at arm's length. "What's it been, two years since I saw you and your mother?"
She brushes his hands off. "Dad, it's been eighteen years. I was four when I saw you last."
"Oh, has it really been that long?" Solace's disgusted tone doesn't even register with the ifrit. "How time flies!"
It takes a few minutes more for the Despot to restore things to where he wanted them, complete his introductions, let all the guests admire the yasal crystal from a safe distance, and raid the buffet before they leave. None of it catches your attention too much, so you let it slide past you.
Once the guests leave, but before the yasal crystal is put back into an armored and warded vault so it doesn't require five guards on it, Dub-dubs elbows you slightly, to catch your attention for a whisper. "I think I saw you jump when everyone came in. Friends of yours in that bunch?"
You shrug, diffidently. "Something like that."
Soon, you're going to be off the day's job. You can't very well just ignore all this.
What's the first priority here?
[] Meet up with Solace, see how she and the Lap and Realm are doing.
[] Meet up with the Lunar, who has something she wants to talk about.
[] Hunt down Nicklaus. No mere ghost can resist you; you will get information.
- Location
- Nova Scotia
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Scarlet Whisper!
Still thinking about my vote -- I really liked this update, though. Topaz is a pretty entertaining character.
Still thinking about my vote -- I really liked this update, though. Topaz is a pretty entertaining character.
- Location
- St. Petersburg
[x] Meet up with Solace, see how she and the Lap and Realm are doing.
Have we had a chance to hear about it becoming a Queendom? Of course the collapse of the previous government was bound to happen with one of the Trumvirs gone, but did we know any of the specifics?
Have we had a chance to hear about it becoming a Queendom? Of course the collapse of the previous government was bound to happen with one of the Trumvirs gone, but did we know any of the specifics?
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Rekindling acquaintance
- Pronouns
- They/Them
[] Meet up with Solace, see how she and the Lap and Realm are doing.
Once the situation has calmed down and the guests are taken to another room for the main food and discussion, it's time to put up the yasal crystal. The vault is, of course, in this same building: carting it around would be an unacceptable security risk. The guards, as well as you sorcerers, follow a couple of porters who take it down the hall and into a sturdy vault. You don't have a great chance to catch all of the security details. Once the thick door is sealed and the sorcerous wards put back into place over it, it's time to go.
You're allowed to raid the leftovers of the finger-food buffet before you go. It's unsurprisingly tasty stuff, so you take as much as you can without provoking annoyed looks from anyone else who's going to be raiding it.
On your way out, as the Despot's guest wing opens onto Gem's surface-level street (though on a discreet side entrance for servants, of course) Dub-dubs gives you a curious look, the Water Aspect chewing on some little sausage for a moment before they can clear their mouth and speak to you. "I imagine that you're going to try to catch up with your friends there?"
You shrug. "I think so."
They nod. "Sleep is good, though. Be careful you're not out too late." It's the tone of a friend looking after a friend's health.
You give them a small smile. "Believe me, I've learned exactly how much sleep I need since I Exalted."
"I imagine you would, yeah. We all have that impulse to just... get up and do things, don't we?" That is a little at odds with how Dub-dubs has described their long, comfortable life here in Gem, but you suppose that it can mean different things to different people. You say your good nights.
You let yourself vanish as you leave. You never make a noise while walking unless you intentionally choose to, and people look for familiar shapes to recognize things. If you make the effort, you don't look like much of anything.
It may be an unnecessary step, but you decide to be careful. A new sorcerer found conspiring with definitely-outside groups is not going to be good for you, though Dub-dubs as an individual seems okay with it.
The night is relatively quiet. Gem always has someone up and about, just in case someone decides at midnight that she really wants to purchase a brace of racing camels before dawn, never mind the traditional after-dark affairs of criminal activity, drinking, negotiable affection, and all the associated socializing. That's off in the distance, though, where the marketplaces are. Here, among those upscale residences able to abut the Despot's palace, things are more restrained. Anyway, no one would dare host a party on a night where the Despot also was, so the only people nearby are night guards making their familiar, boring circuits. Hardly anyone who would see an Exalt putting his mind to disappearing.
It's a long wait, but eventually the Despot's guests start leaving. You don't see Scarlet Whisper. The Lintha barely glances around. He's a little unsteady in the way of someone who has had too much to drink, and radiates smug satisfaction. Nicklaus' look is inscrutable at this distance, and the ghost heads for one of the main marketplaces, where you assume there must be a closet shadowland or some similar location. Nine Leagues Strides and Soot Column Ascending pause at the gate, scanning the area, but you're already standing still and reasonably far distant. They go on their way, and you don't think you were seen. Solace and Danaro do something similar, but those two you follow, slipping from shadow to shadow. They make their way to a little hostel close by the Arbani estate you'd noticed before, splitting up to go to separate rooms.
You're almost sure you gave no betraying sign at all, but nonetheless as you pad along the glowstone-lit hallway, Solace suddenly whirls, her hand dropping to her thigh holster as she ducks, ready to fight. You hold up empty hands and let her recognize you. She sighs, glancing down to make sure there's no one else watching, then opens the door to her room and waves for you to come in with her. You follow. It's much like a lot of upscale lodging places Creation over: a small, relatively clean room with a small bed, a little floor space to put your things, and typically not too much else save whatever the local elements require.
In this case, the added amenity is a single chair with a back that can be pushed up to a 'desk' at the window consisting of a single smoothed plank of wood attached to the wall. Given the local premium on wood, that's actually probably somewhat ritzy, all things considered.
Solace takes the chair, straddling it with her arms folded over the back. You consider the optics of sitting on the bed or floor, and quickly decide to lean against the wall, instead. She speaks first. "It's good to see you," she opens with.
You relax internally. So she doesn't still think you're a monster tempted to wickedness, or is at least provisionally willing to consider that. "You, too," you respond, with a small smile.
All of a sudden, her face lights up, covered with a big grin again. It's a familiar look: the cocky elemental-blooded hotshot sure she can face anything. "You wouldn't believe how much I've come to miss you. How did you always handle all the administrative stuff so easily?"
"I was literally raised to do it. How are things back in the Lap?"
"Moving fast, but pretty well. Anira declared herself Queen. Did you hear that?" She waits for you to give a vague gesture to indicate you'd heard but without details. "Well, she did. Things move so fast with Exalts around! With a little deft maneuvering, she's pulled together a lot of the lesser coastal satrapies and various small communities in the area and some distance eastward for 'the duration of the emergency'. The Lap itself is worth a lot, so things are working okay. There's still the understanding that we'll all go back to being Realm citizens if the civil war resolves itself."
"I haven't heard much about the war," you admit. "This far south, it's mostly Lunar or independent dominions, so internal Realm news doesn't carry."
Solace's smile briefly disappears. "That part, not so good. Sorry, but it seems that Peleps is on the opposite side from Ragara and Cathak, so leaving was probably for the best. You and the other Triumvirs would have ended up butting heads or killing each other. We still don't know the details of how the war's going. Both the pro-Mnemon and anti-Mnemon factions take every chance they can to broadcast their unbroken string of victories through the heliograph, so the truth is hard to know." You nod, grimly. That's not too unexpected. For the Dynasts of the Realm, loyalty is typically to the person of the Empress first, then your House, and only then to various lesser ideals. Without the Empress, Houses align along whatever suits your matriarchs. "The Lap is operating well, though," Solace adds, to get back on track. "Avalanche has traveled over the new territory, and is generally well-regarded by the people around him, so your Immaculate Philosophy's still pretty strong and it's keeping popular sentiment up. Ptheno's acting as Minister of War, and Avalanche is trying to help him learn Fire Dragon Style. He seems pretty driven about it, now that there's more Dragon-Bloods in the new queendom. Can't fall behind, you know." You smile. That does sound like Ptheno. He's much more tolerable when he's hundreds of miles away.
"Thank you," you say. "That's all good to hear. Can I ask why you're out here? Or is that a state secret now?"
She grins at your light tone. "Nothing too secret. Gem's still valuable, and Anira would like to tie it to us more closely. I had Danaro ferry me out here specifically because of the Arbanis, though. I wanted to get a brace of Arbani flame pieces. Got a meeting with them tomorrow. Oh, and there's that yasal crystal." The Exigent shrugs. "You'd have known more about it if you were still at the Lap, I guess. Never dug up anything like it before, apparently. Everyone was sort of feeling out what it was worth to everyone else at the shindig tonight. The Lintha didn't seem to be interested after he had a chance to look at it, and barely made an offer. The Paragonese woman was the next one priced out: she just seemed to have a smaller budget. The other three of us are still in, but if Nicklaus keeps offering more the way he has been, I'll be the next out. Anira's directions were just to make sure it didn't fall into Lunar hands, and I assume my dad and his companion are connected to the Lunars." Solace gives you a questioning look. You nod, but don't add anything else. Confirming any further doesn't help much of anything for you right now. "Still, it's weird to not just shoot ghosts that are bothersome. Anyway, enough about me and the Lap. I'm glad to see you landed on your feet, already serving the Despot. I... may have been harsh when we last parted." That's more apology than you had really been expecting. "How's your little revenge coming?"
"Still building things up," you confess. "Even discounting Nicklaus, I've identified one or two other leads, and I'm only going to strike when I'm read. The Waif is definitely active here, and I think she's going for the Shrike over anything else... but she might be trying for smaller prizes, too. Right now, my best asset is being unknown, so I'm working on keeping my cover as strong as I can, by virtue of being just another working face in the crowd."
Solace cracks her neck with the sound of marble sliding over marble. "If I'm in the area, hit me up. I have other duties now, but I won't miss a chance to fight the undead if I can."
"I appreciate that. I may very well have reason to call on you."
There's a pause in the conversation. Solace raises an eyebrow at you. "Go ahead and ask."
Your curiosity was bursting out to the point she could see it. "Soot Column Ascending is your father?"
She sighs and rocks back in the chair. "Yes. I never knew him all that well. He's my dad more in fact than in actually raising me. I always knew we were outside his usual domain, but he and my mother apparently hit it off, and he came by now and then while I was very young."
"He told me I was always welcome to your hospitality and that his kids all knew that they could get him to repay them if they needed."
That earns you a roll of her eyes. "Technically true from what I know of him, but I'm not sure I'd trust him to get it back to me in the same decade I told him. He's not ever in a hurry."
"I suppose that explains why you came north to the settlements there instead of further south to try to meet back up with him."
"It rather neatly does, doesn't it?" Solace suddenly sites up more straight in her seat, a surprised look on her face. "Oh! Right. I keep forgetting. One other thing. My sifu was looking for you. Ephrei's her name, and she's probably going to come out here, she said."
It's not a name you've heard before. You frown. Possibilities course through your mind as you consider. "Can you describe her?"
"Well, she fights with twin flame pieces, same as me. She's a good sort. No friend of the undead. She's... hm." Solace frowns. "She's sort of hard to describe beyond that?"
"That's okay. I think I get the picture." You stroke your chin as you consider this. That almost has to be a Sidereal. The same faction that both the Waif and Ari warned you would want you dead. That's going to be a problem, you're relatively sure.
It's hard to slip things past an Exalt, however. "You almost sound as if you were expecting this," Solace says.
You try to wave it off. "Not the specifics. I don't know anything more about her than you've told me."
Solace gives you a lopsided grin. "Fine. Tell me when you feel comfortable telling me." There's some trust returning there, just from her seeing that you have come out here and are following through on your hunt. "Now, much as I hate kicking men out of my room, it's late and I do have an early morning."
You nod, and head for the door. You pause before you open it. "How do you sleep with your hair constantly on fire? Isn't it distracting?"
Solace doesn't say anything. She just fishes around in her bag and pulls out a thick, black mask to cover her eyes. Well, that explains that.
No one sees you as you leave. You are one shadow among many, and it's trivial to avoid the small pools of light in Gem's night. You're not hiding for any particular purpose, now. This is just general principles of not giving away anything you don't need to.
It's time to take another step forward, you've decided. You can skulk around forever, but opportunities will slip through your fingers if you let them sit. You've done well so far, catching several things without letting anything slip that you're aware of, but you can't control everything. You can't control Solace or others saying what they know about you, and you can't control the timing of certain things, like Twine tracking down the Shrike's control bases.
What are you going to do tomorrow to seize the moment? Pick one.
[] Meet up with Nine Leagues Strides and Soot Column Ascending.
Whatever important thing they had, better late than never. The Lunar is keenly insightful when she tries, and you know she's here for the Despot's yasal crystal.
[] You've had a sudden insight on Twine's question.
It's a leap of logic, but you think you've put it together right. It will take a little investigation in the mines, but you know what the Shrike is hunting, and how to find it.
[] It's time to track down Crowson, the deathknight.
The gladiator is barely trying to hide his nature. You recognized him on sight. You're going to find him and get some answers, but it turns out you are surprised, too.
[] Nicklaus, the ghost, is easy to follow.
He's almost flaunting the connection and wealth his Deathlord master allows him, confident that the Underworld is a fortress absolute. It is less an impediment to you.
...Who blunders in and complicates your plan?
[] Solace Through the Night
Solace is a simple and direct woman, not given to subtlety, and who has her own priorities now.
[] Ari
Your Lunar mate has returned. The Changing Moon isn't trying to be difficult, but...
[] Dub-dubs
The Water Aspect doesn't know anything is amiss at first. They were just curious and unlucky.
[] Tehli
This is definitely no place for a mortal.
Votes will be counted as a set for these; voting for just one option isn't valid.
Once the situation has calmed down and the guests are taken to another room for the main food and discussion, it's time to put up the yasal crystal. The vault is, of course, in this same building: carting it around would be an unacceptable security risk. The guards, as well as you sorcerers, follow a couple of porters who take it down the hall and into a sturdy vault. You don't have a great chance to catch all of the security details. Once the thick door is sealed and the sorcerous wards put back into place over it, it's time to go.
You're allowed to raid the leftovers of the finger-food buffet before you go. It's unsurprisingly tasty stuff, so you take as much as you can without provoking annoyed looks from anyone else who's going to be raiding it.
On your way out, as the Despot's guest wing opens onto Gem's surface-level street (though on a discreet side entrance for servants, of course) Dub-dubs gives you a curious look, the Water Aspect chewing on some little sausage for a moment before they can clear their mouth and speak to you. "I imagine that you're going to try to catch up with your friends there?"
You shrug. "I think so."
They nod. "Sleep is good, though. Be careful you're not out too late." It's the tone of a friend looking after a friend's health.
You give them a small smile. "Believe me, I've learned exactly how much sleep I need since I Exalted."
"I imagine you would, yeah. We all have that impulse to just... get up and do things, don't we?" That is a little at odds with how Dub-dubs has described their long, comfortable life here in Gem, but you suppose that it can mean different things to different people. You say your good nights.
* * *
You let yourself vanish as you leave. You never make a noise while walking unless you intentionally choose to, and people look for familiar shapes to recognize things. If you make the effort, you don't look like much of anything.
It may be an unnecessary step, but you decide to be careful. A new sorcerer found conspiring with definitely-outside groups is not going to be good for you, though Dub-dubs as an individual seems okay with it.
The night is relatively quiet. Gem always has someone up and about, just in case someone decides at midnight that she really wants to purchase a brace of racing camels before dawn, never mind the traditional after-dark affairs of criminal activity, drinking, negotiable affection, and all the associated socializing. That's off in the distance, though, where the marketplaces are. Here, among those upscale residences able to abut the Despot's palace, things are more restrained. Anyway, no one would dare host a party on a night where the Despot also was, so the only people nearby are night guards making their familiar, boring circuits. Hardly anyone who would see an Exalt putting his mind to disappearing.
It's a long wait, but eventually the Despot's guests start leaving. You don't see Scarlet Whisper. The Lintha barely glances around. He's a little unsteady in the way of someone who has had too much to drink, and radiates smug satisfaction. Nicklaus' look is inscrutable at this distance, and the ghost heads for one of the main marketplaces, where you assume there must be a closet shadowland or some similar location. Nine Leagues Strides and Soot Column Ascending pause at the gate, scanning the area, but you're already standing still and reasonably far distant. They go on their way, and you don't think you were seen. Solace and Danaro do something similar, but those two you follow, slipping from shadow to shadow. They make their way to a little hostel close by the Arbani estate you'd noticed before, splitting up to go to separate rooms.
You're almost sure you gave no betraying sign at all, but nonetheless as you pad along the glowstone-lit hallway, Solace suddenly whirls, her hand dropping to her thigh holster as she ducks, ready to fight. You hold up empty hands and let her recognize you. She sighs, glancing down to make sure there's no one else watching, then opens the door to her room and waves for you to come in with her. You follow. It's much like a lot of upscale lodging places Creation over: a small, relatively clean room with a small bed, a little floor space to put your things, and typically not too much else save whatever the local elements require.
In this case, the added amenity is a single chair with a back that can be pushed up to a 'desk' at the window consisting of a single smoothed plank of wood attached to the wall. Given the local premium on wood, that's actually probably somewhat ritzy, all things considered.
Solace takes the chair, straddling it with her arms folded over the back. You consider the optics of sitting on the bed or floor, and quickly decide to lean against the wall, instead. She speaks first. "It's good to see you," she opens with.
You relax internally. So she doesn't still think you're a monster tempted to wickedness, or is at least provisionally willing to consider that. "You, too," you respond, with a small smile.
All of a sudden, her face lights up, covered with a big grin again. It's a familiar look: the cocky elemental-blooded hotshot sure she can face anything. "You wouldn't believe how much I've come to miss you. How did you always handle all the administrative stuff so easily?"
"I was literally raised to do it. How are things back in the Lap?"
"Moving fast, but pretty well. Anira declared herself Queen. Did you hear that?" She waits for you to give a vague gesture to indicate you'd heard but without details. "Well, she did. Things move so fast with Exalts around! With a little deft maneuvering, she's pulled together a lot of the lesser coastal satrapies and various small communities in the area and some distance eastward for 'the duration of the emergency'. The Lap itself is worth a lot, so things are working okay. There's still the understanding that we'll all go back to being Realm citizens if the civil war resolves itself."
"I haven't heard much about the war," you admit. "This far south, it's mostly Lunar or independent dominions, so internal Realm news doesn't carry."
Solace's smile briefly disappears. "That part, not so good. Sorry, but it seems that Peleps is on the opposite side from Ragara and Cathak, so leaving was probably for the best. You and the other Triumvirs would have ended up butting heads or killing each other. We still don't know the details of how the war's going. Both the pro-Mnemon and anti-Mnemon factions take every chance they can to broadcast their unbroken string of victories through the heliograph, so the truth is hard to know." You nod, grimly. That's not too unexpected. For the Dynasts of the Realm, loyalty is typically to the person of the Empress first, then your House, and only then to various lesser ideals. Without the Empress, Houses align along whatever suits your matriarchs. "The Lap is operating well, though," Solace adds, to get back on track. "Avalanche has traveled over the new territory, and is generally well-regarded by the people around him, so your Immaculate Philosophy's still pretty strong and it's keeping popular sentiment up. Ptheno's acting as Minister of War, and Avalanche is trying to help him learn Fire Dragon Style. He seems pretty driven about it, now that there's more Dragon-Bloods in the new queendom. Can't fall behind, you know." You smile. That does sound like Ptheno. He's much more tolerable when he's hundreds of miles away.
"Thank you," you say. "That's all good to hear. Can I ask why you're out here? Or is that a state secret now?"
She grins at your light tone. "Nothing too secret. Gem's still valuable, and Anira would like to tie it to us more closely. I had Danaro ferry me out here specifically because of the Arbanis, though. I wanted to get a brace of Arbani flame pieces. Got a meeting with them tomorrow. Oh, and there's that yasal crystal." The Exigent shrugs. "You'd have known more about it if you were still at the Lap, I guess. Never dug up anything like it before, apparently. Everyone was sort of feeling out what it was worth to everyone else at the shindig tonight. The Lintha didn't seem to be interested after he had a chance to look at it, and barely made an offer. The Paragonese woman was the next one priced out: she just seemed to have a smaller budget. The other three of us are still in, but if Nicklaus keeps offering more the way he has been, I'll be the next out. Anira's directions were just to make sure it didn't fall into Lunar hands, and I assume my dad and his companion are connected to the Lunars." Solace gives you a questioning look. You nod, but don't add anything else. Confirming any further doesn't help much of anything for you right now. "Still, it's weird to not just shoot ghosts that are bothersome. Anyway, enough about me and the Lap. I'm glad to see you landed on your feet, already serving the Despot. I... may have been harsh when we last parted." That's more apology than you had really been expecting. "How's your little revenge coming?"
"Still building things up," you confess. "Even discounting Nicklaus, I've identified one or two other leads, and I'm only going to strike when I'm read. The Waif is definitely active here, and I think she's going for the Shrike over anything else... but she might be trying for smaller prizes, too. Right now, my best asset is being unknown, so I'm working on keeping my cover as strong as I can, by virtue of being just another working face in the crowd."
Solace cracks her neck with the sound of marble sliding over marble. "If I'm in the area, hit me up. I have other duties now, but I won't miss a chance to fight the undead if I can."
"I appreciate that. I may very well have reason to call on you."
There's a pause in the conversation. Solace raises an eyebrow at you. "Go ahead and ask."
Your curiosity was bursting out to the point she could see it. "Soot Column Ascending is your father?"
She sighs and rocks back in the chair. "Yes. I never knew him all that well. He's my dad more in fact than in actually raising me. I always knew we were outside his usual domain, but he and my mother apparently hit it off, and he came by now and then while I was very young."
"He told me I was always welcome to your hospitality and that his kids all knew that they could get him to repay them if they needed."
That earns you a roll of her eyes. "Technically true from what I know of him, but I'm not sure I'd trust him to get it back to me in the same decade I told him. He's not ever in a hurry."
"I suppose that explains why you came north to the settlements there instead of further south to try to meet back up with him."
"It rather neatly does, doesn't it?" Solace suddenly sites up more straight in her seat, a surprised look on her face. "Oh! Right. I keep forgetting. One other thing. My sifu was looking for you. Ephrei's her name, and she's probably going to come out here, she said."
It's not a name you've heard before. You frown. Possibilities course through your mind as you consider. "Can you describe her?"
"Well, she fights with twin flame pieces, same as me. She's a good sort. No friend of the undead. She's... hm." Solace frowns. "She's sort of hard to describe beyond that?"
"That's okay. I think I get the picture." You stroke your chin as you consider this. That almost has to be a Sidereal. The same faction that both the Waif and Ari warned you would want you dead. That's going to be a problem, you're relatively sure.
It's hard to slip things past an Exalt, however. "You almost sound as if you were expecting this," Solace says.
You try to wave it off. "Not the specifics. I don't know anything more about her than you've told me."
Solace gives you a lopsided grin. "Fine. Tell me when you feel comfortable telling me." There's some trust returning there, just from her seeing that you have come out here and are following through on your hunt. "Now, much as I hate kicking men out of my room, it's late and I do have an early morning."
You nod, and head for the door. You pause before you open it. "How do you sleep with your hair constantly on fire? Isn't it distracting?"
Solace doesn't say anything. She just fishes around in her bag and pulls out a thick, black mask to cover her eyes. Well, that explains that.
* * *
No one sees you as you leave. You are one shadow among many, and it's trivial to avoid the small pools of light in Gem's night. You're not hiding for any particular purpose, now. This is just general principles of not giving away anything you don't need to.
It's time to take another step forward, you've decided. You can skulk around forever, but opportunities will slip through your fingers if you let them sit. You've done well so far, catching several things without letting anything slip that you're aware of, but you can't control everything. You can't control Solace or others saying what they know about you, and you can't control the timing of certain things, like Twine tracking down the Shrike's control bases.
What are you going to do tomorrow to seize the moment? Pick one.
[] Meet up with Nine Leagues Strides and Soot Column Ascending.
Whatever important thing they had, better late than never. The Lunar is keenly insightful when she tries, and you know she's here for the Despot's yasal crystal.
[] You've had a sudden insight on Twine's question.
It's a leap of logic, but you think you've put it together right. It will take a little investigation in the mines, but you know what the Shrike is hunting, and how to find it.
[] It's time to track down Crowson, the deathknight.
The gladiator is barely trying to hide his nature. You recognized him on sight. You're going to find him and get some answers, but it turns out you are surprised, too.
[] Nicklaus, the ghost, is easy to follow.
He's almost flaunting the connection and wealth his Deathlord master allows him, confident that the Underworld is a fortress absolute. It is less an impediment to you.
...Who blunders in and complicates your plan?
[] Solace Through the Night
Solace is a simple and direct woman, not given to subtlety, and who has her own priorities now.
[] Ari
Your Lunar mate has returned. The Changing Moon isn't trying to be difficult, but...
[] Dub-dubs
The Water Aspect doesn't know anything is amiss at first. They were just curious and unlucky.
[] Tehli
This is definitely no place for a mortal.
Votes will be counted as a set for these; voting for just one option isn't valid.
Raiseth
I Find Your Lack of Memes Disturbing
- Location
- Russia
Wait, wait, wait.
The fuck?
When did we tell them we are an Exalted?
- Pronouns
- They/Them
[X] Meet up with Nine Leagues Strides and Soot Column Ascending
[X] Tehli
[X] Tehli
Raiseth
I Find Your Lack of Memes Disturbing
- Location
- Russia
Ah, okay.
[X] You've had a sudden insight on Twine's question.
We are here for the Shrike, mostly.
[X] Solace Through the Night
I had that hilariously awful idea to see how Tehli could involve herself, exactly, but I think we've already inadvertently killed enough mortals as it is.
Also I'm curious how you're going to tie in Solace stepping in our shit when she technically needs to be in another part of the city negotiating for the crystal.
Huh. I think I have my suspicions.
chocolote12
A Penguin Flailing Against The Keyboard Of Life.
[X] You've had a sudden insight on Twine's question.
[X] Ari
Lunars.
[X] Ari
Lunars.
- Location
- Bed
[X] You've had a sudden insight on Twine's question.
It's a leap of logic, but you think you've put it together right. It will take a little investigation in the mines, but you know what the Shrike is hunting, and how to find it.
[X] Solace Through the Night
Solace is a simple and direct woman, not given to subtlety, and who has her own priorities now.
Once again, I can't really give a grand scheme for why this is the best choice, but I want to know what's up with the Shrike right now, and I enjoy the interactions we have with Solace.
It's a leap of logic, but you think you've put it together right. It will take a little investigation in the mines, but you know what the Shrike is hunting, and how to find it.
[X] Solace Through the Night
Solace is a simple and direct woman, not given to subtlety, and who has her own priorities now.
Once again, I can't really give a grand scheme for why this is the best choice, but I want to know what's up with the Shrike right now, and I enjoy the interactions we have with Solace.
- Location
- Nova Scotia
- Pronouns
- She/Her
[X] Meet up with Nine Leagues Strides and Soot Column Ascending.
[X] Ari
All the Lunars
[X] Ari
All the Lunars
- Location
- St. Petersburg
Ah, finally asking the important questions.
Amidst all the brooding, anguish, being a former Trumvir and presently an undead, it is easy to forget that Vessel is still young even by mortal standards. How old was he when he died, late twenties, early thirties?
[x] You've had a sudden insight on Twine's question.
[x] Dub-dubs
I kinda want our helpful pal to stumble on our plans and have lots of questions. The nature of complication arising from Solace or Ari getting involved I can guess, but them?
Let's find out.