[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/gLo8q0S.png[/img][h2][color=crimson]VICTOIRE BORDEAUX, THE BLOOD COUNTESS[/color][/h2][/center][indent][indent][indent][indent][indent][hr][/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent]It always has been clear to Victoire that the rulership of Hell confused education and manners with groveling and begging. She didn't need to be a genius to see that, nor did she need to address it in any way. It wasn't hard to see who was the superior specimen between her and the other 'subjects' that dotted the Throne Room, after all.

[color=crimson]"I bring news of a way for Hell to settle the score not only with those conceited lapdogs of Celestia but also with betrayers like Avaritia,"[/color] Victoire answered Lucille's question before going silent, waiting for Gelgath to finish his childish ramblings. [color=crimson]"During one of my excursions, I have found a secret location within one of the sites that are more likely to hold a major skirmish in the near future. I believe that, with proper preparation, Hell could harness its power to Their great advantage. The location in question is named Bloodstone Cave, according to some old manuscripts, laying deep within the Crystal Forest. The Angels may have a special interest in that location thanks to their alignment, nevertheless, I believe 'tis the Machina who would benefit the most from the focusing powers of the forest's unique crystals which is why hell can use them to craft an even more insidious ploy to achieve much greater heights in the future."[/color]

Victoire made a short pause to allow time for the information to sink. A vicious grin appeared on her face as she finished her declaration with a final remark, [color=crimson]"Summarizing: With proper planning, I believe that Hell can derive a significant victory in trade of a minuscule defeat. A hammer blow of the likes that the Nexus has never seen before."[/color]

[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/7tFrO7i.png[/img][h2][color=goldenrod]DIANA, THE CLAW OF HEAVENS[/color][/h2][/center][indent][indent][indent][indent][indent][hr][/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent]Diana looked up once the newcomer noticed her presence. The dragon girl smiled at the sudden mention and finished her apple in a single bite before replying, [color=goldenrod]"Oh please, don't mind me. I'm Diana, your friendly neighborhood Thief; curious about why someone I've never seen around is here playing music in such an isolated place instead of doing a million other things they could be doing. I mean, it's been a while since I last saw someone doing that, y'know?"[/color]

Diana sighed wistfully, Celestia wasn't the same it used to be. It felt kind of hollow for some time—even people like Omega disappeared without saying even so much as a goodbye. However, if this unknown person was any indication, things may be taking a turn for the better.

The rogue propped herself precariously against a parapet using her tail for balance and craned her neck upwards to get a better look of whoever she was talking to before asking, [color=goldenrod]"Either way, what about you? Like I said, I haven't seen you around before and I know pretty much everyone who hangs around the palace on a daily basis, so I'll assume that you are a newcomer. Am I right, or not? Also, it looks like your number has attracted more spectators. If you are going to charge something for it—give me a discount, please?"[/color] Diana pointed out to a group of other curious Angel kids and some older ones who seemed as attracted by the impromptu performance as she did, gathering around the once empty courtyard.

[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/qKQB8aN.png[/img][h2][color=ffb7c5]EOS, SUPREME QUEEN OF THE MACHINA OF MANKIND[/color][/h2][/center][indent][indent][indent][indent][indent][hr][/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent]The automated hologram sent by the Supreme Queen to address the matters at TEP—once again— fulfilled her obligations and dissipated without saying any other superfluous words. TEP was a problem that Eos could not ignore for much longer. Even if she had an obligation of protecting mankind, she couldn't let hem run amok with subjects such as vassal research and association with beings or items of non-Machina origins. It could spell ruin for Hyperion if Karizawa continued to poke the hornet's nest unchecked. Not to say anything of the way he seemed to treat that poor kid like a disposable commodity. Thankfully there was someone that Eos could appeal to.

While Eos could contact said person at any given moment, visiting her most usual dwelling here in the Nexus, served a dual purpose. With that thought in mind, the Supreme Queen stepped out of her transport and knocked on the door of Bastion's apartment before calling, [color=ffb7c5]"Bastion, Roma, are you at home? I would like to ask you something. Also, I have brought a present."[/color] Eos could easily have used her powers and connections to verify whether they were home or not and used holograms but not now, not anymore.

Eos had to change if she wanted the Machina and the world to move on, Roma and Bastion remembered her of that with is why she was here right now, waiting for them just like in the old times when they first knew one another. The only difference was the [url=http://img1.ak.crunchyroll.com/i/spire2/caf86598c102e09ab9c53c0128307de31506661328_full.jpg]doll[/url] she had in her arms and the looks that her [url=https://static.zerochan.net/Setsuna.Drive.full.1745097.jpg]'incognito body'[/url] was getting from people in the neighborhood that Bastion chose to live in.

[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/2ms6Yph.png[/img][h2][color=gold]HOHENHEIM, THE ALCHEMIST OF GENESIS[/color][/h2][/center][indent][indent][indent][indent][indent][hr][/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent]Hohenheim's grin didn't leave her face even for a single moment as she stashed the contract away in her desk and scratched the back of her head lazily. The brute lizard was never going to change, was she? Apparently, Titanica still can't remember the most important part of their deal, can she?

[color=gold]"Very well, we can certainly begin at this very moment, my dear Titanica,"[/color] Hohenheim said as she stepped away from her writing desk to the dresser and began to comb her hair as nonchalantly as if she were alone in her room. [color=gold]"However, there's one small caveat: I cannot offer my assistance to you if you do not tell me what is it that you are looking for, can I?"[/color] The Alchemist remarked as she tried a few different hairstyles before deciding that letting her hair loose like always would be the best choice.

[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/b9GR8JL.png[/img][h2][color=lightsteelblue]CIEL, THE STARGAZER[/color][/h2][/center][indent][indent][indent][indent][indent][hr][/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent][color=lightsteelblue]"Harley!"[/color] Ciel exclaimed in a surprised tone as soon as the Monochrome Girl manifested herself in the Stargazer's home. To say that she wasn't expecting this would be a lie. Even so, Ciel was so glad that she forgot about Amaterasu and Saef for a moment. [color=lightsteelblue]"Do you want some tea? I don't know if you still like this flavor but I can have Aquila get you anything else you may wish for,"[/color] she said excitedly in the moment before Harley's comments and her guests reply snapped her attention back to reality.

Amaterasu and Saef's reaction was deeply unexpected to Ciel. Did no one know about the Vassals; either their roles or their personal selves? Especially beings coming from the Heavens, considering how many of the Court's Vassals make that palace their residence in the Nexus, including Harley. That was certainly baffling. But not as baffling as the possibility of their ignorance trigger Harley's temper which could have some really... unsavory consequences for them.

[color=lightsteelblue]"I'm sorry, Harley, I was just having a chat with a couple of unexpected guests. It seems like they are not very aware of the reality of the Nexus, or even of You,"[/color] Ciel said, referring not only to Harley but to the other Vassals as a whole, [color=lightsteelblue]"I understand that it must be why you are here. I didn't have any intention of telling more than I'm allowed to, but we can't let them face the challenges before them blindly... right?"[/color]

[color=lightsteelblue]"Also, Amaterasu, my dear, that's a long story. I'll tell all of it to you later if Harley is alright with it. For the time being, it suffices to say that you aren't really like 'her'. There's a difference between not knowing where to look for your feelings and being completely Void,"[/color] Ciel said, answering Amaterasu's question, before addressing both her and Saef again, [color=lightsteelblue]"Either way, if it's possible for the two of you; could you treat Harley less warily? Not only is she someone very important for me, but also the leader of the Vassals—beings like Iona and Juno— who commands utmost respect from all those in the upper Echelons of Existence. So, even if it's just as a payback for my hospitality: Could you please treat her well?"[/color]