Livia Fiore and Odhra Bebbin Glade, Late Friday night. [hr] Livia inhaled, a cool night breeze tickling her skin as she glanced towards the forest canopy. Night had fallen over L'Mordryn, and after sending Siobahn off and making sure Eva wasn't going to follow, the former noble was eagerly looking forward to see what would come of this summoning attempt. Odhra had given her quite the idea. A jiangshi. A perfect fit for her needs. Something a bit less stealthy than Siobahn, but far more dangerous in a direct confrontation. Not that she wanted to have such things, but sometimes the direct application of force was the correct response to a situation. Walking through the forest, Livia finally found an acceptable spot to try something. Not a clearing, but not heavily forested either. She doubted things would since she was the one doing the summoning, but if things did go awry for whatever reason, she wanted as many things between herself and whatever was happening since she didn't have Siobahn with her. Speaking of... [color=a187be]“Odhra,”[/color] Livia turned towards the other summoner, briefly glancing in the direction of the school. [color=a187be]“I don't mean to put you on the spot, but how's Bubbles doing?”[/color] Odhra cocks his head at his friend for a moment, green hair turned almost black in the dim light falling in his face and framing his curiosity at the chosen spot for summoning. [color=5faa3c]”A moment, please.”[/color] He says simply, his eyes rolling back in their sockets as he reached out far into the realms. He stands with an unearthly stillness for a moment, eerily quiet save for the occasional clicking of teeth as his body mimics speech not given form on this plane. [color=5faa3c]”A bit gassy from his evening hunt. But otherwise he is fine and free should you feel the need to bring him in.”[/color] He admits, his features settling back into their normal warmth. He scratches the side of his head before continuing. [color=5faa3c]”Probably best make that a last resort though. He’s not exactly the most subtle of things to bring out, even at this time of night. And if I do, we’ll only have about...I wanna say three minutes at worst to get this situation under control.”[/color] [color=a187be] “I see.”[/color] Livia exhaled. [color=a187be]“Good, good. I don't anticipate anything will go wrong, but...I dislike being without a summons...three minutes, though?”[/color] She asked. That was an odd time limit to have for something. [color=5faa3c]”Bubbles’ is a giant arthropod.”[/color] Odhra says, shrugging simply. [color=5faa3c]”Unfortunate reality of my babies is that their size is often incompatible with our own atmosphere. They lack lungs and instead breathe through spiracles. Basically a bunch of very small lung like structures along the body. As such, the much larger ones I have to essentially pull double duty in providing both the magical anchor for their existence here and provide the high oxygen their bodies need. Normally this isn’t too bad, but Bubbles is huge and his own regenerative abilities need to feed off my magical stamina. He’s...taxing to run at full strength.”[/color] He taps his chin for a moment, considering something. [color=5faa3c]”That's probably an inherent advantage you phasma folk have over Bestia. We’re at times constrained by physical limitations of what we summon. Fish can’t breath without water and the like.”[/color] He says, not really having put too much thought into the houses before now. [color=5faa3c]”Don’t get me wrong. We can be heavier hitters. But you all have a little more leeway in what you can bring forth, even if its normally too abstract to survive….or even be considered live as the case might be.”[/color] Chatty as usual, wasn't he? Livia listened with an amused smile. It made sense. She was no biologist or scientist, dealing more in mystical matters, but it was true. Insects didn't have the biological parts needed to survive in this atmosphere for long. [color=a187be]“An astute assessment.”[/color] Livia nodded. [color=a187be]“Though, I will say at times, there are some constraints on what we can use and when. For example, various forms of undead are at their best during the night hours and grow weaker during the day.”[/color] A little known fact was that while Siobahn had no trouble existing during the day, there was a reason she normally hid herself in shadows. Sunlight made her uncomfortable. [color=a187be]“But this is perhaps a better talk to have in a proper setting and not in the middle of a forest. I don't anticipate things will go awry, but should they do I'll be counting on you.”[/color] Odhra gives a small mock salute. [color=5faa3c]”Righto! I’ll give you a little space in case you need to prepare stuff.”[/color] He chirps stepping a few feet back and kneeling next to a tree. He takes a few seconds to check his medical bag, the small interior light blaring in the clearing for a half second before he seemed satisfied and closed it. Then he sat quietly, letting his eyes readjust to the darkness and watching for the show to start. [color=a187be]“Right then, lets get this started.”[/color] She stepped away from Odhra, taking a few moments to mentally prepare herself. This was something significantly more powerful than a simple Wraith, though she supposed Siobahn wasn't quite so simple. Closing her eyes, Livia held her hands in front of her, the flat of her palms facing the opposite just inches away. Relax her muscles... Expand her mind... Feel the outer realms... Livia stood completely still, the cool breeze subtly growing in intensity. She steered clear of the familiar, forlorn sensation of Siobahn's forest. The fey of the melancholy copse was not what she was looking for. She extended her mind further. Past the realms of fire spirits, the frigid realm of ice. The lands of the summer and winter courts. Realms she knew of well from her research, but never visited. She needed to go further. Further still. Soon, she could feel it. A subtle sense of dread began filling her. She could faintly smell rancid meat, metal, and...alcohol? A cold shiver passed through her body, but she wouldn't be deterred. Something here...yes, something here would be more than suitable. She had traveled far enough so this should be the area she needed to summon something from. So she called. And something answered. Livia's body tensed, her throat clamping shut as a cold, icy grip wrenched her throat. No, she wouldn't quit. Not yet. Never. She would have whatever this was...! She pulled with all her ability, whatever it was on the other end trying to pull her instead. Her body was cold, a lack of oxygen was starting to cloud her thoughts. [color=a187be]“Ack-!”[/color] Livia coughed, desperately trying to refill her lungs with air. Just as suddenly as the grip formed, it was gone. A black portal opened in the air just in front of Livia, the rattling of chains and a horrendous smell of blood, alcohol, and meat filled the air as Livia stumbled backwards, any energy she might have had utterly drained. [i]whump[/i] A pitch black structure fell from the portal, slamming into the ground with force enough to embed itself into the soft earth. The black onyx structure was abhorrently ornate. Its surface was carved with intricate designs of unknown origin, crafted with an obvious careful and steady hand. The designs themselves seem to depict some sort of story, with human figures, demons, and other supernatural entities dancing across its surface in a myriad of patterns and stories. The thing sits upright, with the bottom being wide and large enough to support its massive weight without falling over. The top of it is carved and decorated with a number of jewels. The entire sarcophagus was covered in chains, rusted, but still holding tight around the sarcophagus. Talismans of unknown origin were taped liberally across its surface, written in ancient languages. Odhra stands slowly, resisting his first instinct to rush to Livia’s side until they knew WHAT she’d summon was or if it would do anything on its own. He lightly shuffled his way towards her, the air behind him warping slightly as he prepped Bubbles for an emergency entrance. Once he was at the other invokers side he knelt down, looking her over for obvious signs of trauma. There was no blood, much to his mix of disappointment and relief. But sweat beaded across her skin and hair, breaths were ragged and more uneven than he’d like. But more disturbingly... [color=5faa3c]”Livi. Hold still a moment.”[/color] He said quietly, his voice calm but carrying a friendly authority that refused all counter argument. He cupped a hand underneath the taller girls chin, her skin slightly too cold to be normal. For a moment he considered taking a small light out from his bag but decided against it. He’d no earthly clue what the sarcophagus might react to. Instead he leaned his face in close, warm breath catching on the girls neck and clavicle as he examined her neck. On each side of her neck were four long claw marks. Not deep, he noted thankfully, but stippled with redness that blossomed on the girls otherwise pale skin. [color=5faa3c]”Something got its hands on you.”[/color] He said, keeping close and quiet. [color=5faa3c]”Nothing serious. Probably happened during the ritual. I’ve some aloe for that later. How do you feel? Any disorientation or pain?”[/color] He adds, keeping his pace slow and clear. [color=a187be]“Urgh,”[/color] Livia coughed, holding a hand lightly to her neck. [color=a187be]”Burns...slightly. Mild headache, feel like I got dumped into an ice bath...and I smell a rather horrendous combination of alcohol and blood.”[/color] She tried to chuckle, but only ended up having another small coughing fit. The chains on the sarcophagus rattled gently in the breeze. The portal hadn't closed yet. [color=5faa3c]”Noted. And you smell fine to me.”[/color] He half chuckled, eyeing the portal. [color=5faa3c]”I don’t want to rush you, but do you think you can keep...uh..that here and close that portal? I’m concerned about what keeping it open might do to you.”[/color] He added, a sudden small gust of warmth erupting behind the both of them as the gate he’d prepared for Bubbles earlier opened only the tiniest of fraction. [color=a187be]“Portal?...”[/color] Livia furrowed her brow, glancing at Odhra as she finally managed to catch her breath a bit. [color=a187be]“I'm not...keeping any portal open, Odhra.”[/color] The invoker glanced towards the black hole like portal, wincing a bit as her neck moved. That wasn't right. She wasn't keeping that open, and Odhra sure as hell wasn't, so what was that even...! Before she could finish her thought, the air around the sarcophagus began to shimmer, several tears in space forming around it, cracking the air as several figures walked through the torn opening. [hider=Undead Warrior] [img]https://i.pinimg.com/originals/f7/24/bf/f724bfe3b41ed9832f735020c5ab3460.jpg[/img][/hider] Grotesque looking undead shuffled through, wearing foreign armor and weapons as they slowly stepped foot into a realm not their own. With a guttural, demonic howl the four undead seemed to lock onto Livia and Odhra. Odhra stares back at the four undead creatures for a moment, blinking owlishly at the quartet. [color=5faa3c]”....nope.”[/color] he chirps, smiling at the undead as space burst behind him. Briefly, the miasmic odor of blood and spirits is overwhelmed with the scent of rotting vegetation and tangy musk as the gate to Bubble’s primal world shatters open. Bubble’s hulking form barrels out, his form resting over the two kneeling invokers comfortably. Salvia drips from his mandibles in sticky globs and his stinger thrashest about wildly, a fist sized bubble of venom dangling from its tip and glowing faintly orange in the evening light. Bubbles answers the undead’s howl with a roar of his own, a series of clacking and chirping that (while not loud) resonates the air around him and making Odhra and Livia’s teeth vibrate uncomfortably in their skulls. Unfortunately for Bubbles, mindless undead tended to lack what people knew as 'fear'. Undeterred by the creatures appearance, the four undead soldiers shambled towards the insectoid creature, now focusing on it instead of them. A small reprieve as the four engaged Bubbles. One met the beast head on. It was slow, but there was an undeniable power behind its movements it bought its high, before swiftly bringing it down upon bubbles head. Two of the others tried flanking the beast, trying to gain the advantage, whilst the last seemed to position itself in front of the sarcophagus. [color=a187be]“Hrn...they seem like simple undead, but they're not disorganized...”[/color] [color=5faa3c]”Looks like they’re trying to protect that...thingy you brought here. Any clue what it is?”[/color] Bubbles, meanwhile, slammed forward, catching the sword on the face and driving forward. Blue-green ichor flowed from the gash as the beast charged forward, thrusting a paw and driving the undead into the ground where it belonged. The arachnids head swiveled quickly, the laceration already knitting together at an unnatural speed as its stinger tail swung like a battering ram into the skeleton on his left. Orange venom flushed from the stinger, pouring uselessly onto the ground in heavy puddles. But the sheer mass of the blow did enough to crumble the rib cage like powdered glass. [color=a187be] “Judging from the construction of it...a sarcophagus of some sort? It's construction isn't entirely indicative of eastern lores...”[/color] Livia pondered, utterly calm despite the ensuing fight between bubbles and the handful of undead. [color=a187be] “I don't recognize those talismans either. And why is it chained shut?...to keep people out...or keep whatever is in there, in?”[/color] The undead hissed as it was crushed beneath the arachnids blow, ancient armor and bones crumbling to pieces in an instant, returning it to the earth. The one on bubbles left was slammed with the stinger, its abhorrent ribcage nearly shattering itself in half, but the undead hardly seemed to notice. It hissed, a slow lunge forward, diving its rusted blade into bubbles side. The second one lunged towards bubbles legs, using its blade to try and immobilize the beasts legs. [color=5faa3c]”Given its got a set of guards...I’m going to hazard a guess at keeping whatever it is in. Either way, if that is what you summoned you ability to influence is probably being hindered by the talismans. They probably need to come off...don’t suppose you know how to make replacement ones in case thats a terrible idea?”[/color] He asked nervously. Bubbles hissed as his prey proved more resilient than he’d thought. Blades peirced everyside of him, only his pride taking any sort of permanent injury. Bubbles back leg crumpled as the skeleton to his right jabbed into his thigh, but it did little to really deter the creature. There was no need to move when his prey had been unwise enough to come this close. The stinger still embedded in the left skeletons chest lifted and slammed the undead into the earth once, twice, three times. Each impact sounded by a dull thump and the clinking of armor until it finally gave way entire. [color=5faa3c]”...hold on a moment. Bubbles!”[/color] Odhra said, the large creature not breaking its gaze to the final (and now lone) threat. [color=5faa3c]”Roll over.”[/color] A gurgle of amusement escaped the large creature as it hurled itself to the right, body slamming into the final attacking skeleton with a wet crack as the hulk half buried itself into the ground. [color=a187be] “Perhaps...they seem to be protecting it.”[/color] Livia agreed. There was only one way to really find out, though...and that was to open it. [color=a187be]“I can't say I can remake those exact ones...but I could possibly do something should I need too.”[/color] Livia watched with amused fascination as the last of the odd skeletal soldiers was dispatched by bubbles. The fourth so far, hadn't moved from its defensive position by the sarcophagus, and the portal overhead seemed to be growing smaller in size. [color=5faa3c]”Its a shame I’ve got to break them…”[/color] Odhra says, finally standing up as Bubbles wiggled on his back. Happily grinding what was left of the skeleton into a fine powder in the process no doubt. [color=5faa3c]”It would have been fun to figure out how they worked.”[/color] He sighs, snapping his fingers for Bubbles to rise. The spider creature rolls back to its legs, shaking briefly and letting the blades lodged in its side clatter to the ground as his body forced itself back together. Bubbles waddled closer to the remaining skeleton, now calm in the knowledge that the threat to his master was all but non-existent. Almost casually, his stinger rose behind him, stabbing into the remaining skeleton and (like before) flailing its hooked foe about its body and into the ground. [color=5faa3c]”That said...for guards…”[/color] Odhra said, watching as his baby tore the skeleton a proverbial new one. [color=5faa3c]”They’re not exactly...I dunno. Good? Think maybe there are more of them to come or they just got made on the fly or something?”[/color] he asked, not quite yet approaching the sarcophagus until Bubbles had deemed play time over. [color=a187be]“Mhm, perhaps. Difficult to say. They were incredibly aged from what I could tell.”[/color] Unlike Odhra, Livia's curiosity was getting the better of her. [color=a187be]“They may have just been whatever was easiest to make for now. Or perhaps they were not used to dealing with something like bubbles. From what I could tell, a human fighting them would be rather difficult.”[/color] As she spoke, Livia began walking towards the sarcophagus, cautiously curious of whatever might be inside. [color=a187be] “...now, what are you?”[/color] By now the portal overhead and dissipated entirely. [i]whump[/i] The sarcophagus jolted forwards a few inches, whatever was inside of it had slammed against the interior walls. The metal chains holding the lid in place snapped, creaking, and breaking against the force inside. The talismans shuddered, doing little to halt whatever monster was inside. It shifted again, and again, until the chains could no longer hold the creature inside. [hider=Jiangshi][img]https://i.pinimg.com/originals/23/01/cb/2301cb19532b3b3f69830a709a692839.jpg[/img][/hider] “...nhhhhn?” The sarcophagus lid slammed into the ground near Bubbles, a raspy, groaning voice echoing from within. “Aaaahhhhg-ack-urgh...aaah?” Something quite...odd quite literally hopped out of the sarcophagus, arms extended in front of it and dressed in foreign clothing, its lifeless eyes half opened. “Hnnn...ah, my retainers...dead...? Ah, so useless...useless...make their bones into dessert...” The small humanoids eyes focused on the two humans. “...ah...? Human...not palace?...food?” her head tilted to the side. “Ah...smell...sweet...perhaps one of you...My lord? The other...dessert...?” Odhra stares at the tiny forgien zombie, eyes wide. [color=5faa3c]”My gods Livia…”[/color] He begins, his voice shaking. [color=5faa3c]”She’s….ADORABLE!”[/color] Odhra squeaks, hugging Bubbles thick neck to resist the urge to rush the poor little Jianshi. Odhra snuggles into the nape of Bubbles neck, the large beast ‘purring’ in response, content to be the object of his masters misplaced affection. [color=5faa3c]”Also looks like SHE made the portals somehow. Maybe some dominion over other undead and acting as a proxy invoker? But her hoooornnns~”[/color] He adds, his ability to analyze the creature before him now pretty much lost in the frenzied thoughts of what the C&F will do once they see this masterpiece. “Nhn...” The Jiangshi's eyes turned to Livia. “...my lord. My sweet lord...you are...him...? The one who called me? Ah, ah...it's been so long. Sweet air...sweet, delicious life filled air...” A subtle, smile formed on the undeads mouth. “...makes me so, so very hungry....” [color=a187be]“Adorable yes,”[/color] Livia held a hand to her chin. [color=a187be]“...though I am unsure about her temperament.”[/color] The jiangshi took this time to literally hop over to Livia, its stiff joints and muscles. “Master...my lord...Is that one dinner?” [color=a187be]“Dinner?”[/color] “Ah, ah, that delicious looking boy. I can have him can't I? You summoned me and bought me a gift. Lord is too kind...” [color=a187be]“Well...I suppose if you want.”[/color] Livia smiled lightly. Probably no harm in letting this play out. She doubted this zombie could really do anything to Odhra as long as bubbles was here. “Ah, ah~” With a odd giggle, the Jiangshi spun on her heels, facing Odhra. “Meat for Mizu, a pound of delicious red meat, for little Mizu~” She hopped towards Odhra... And immediately fell flat on her face with an oddly adorable ‘squee’ noise and a small squeal. Odhra stares down at the fallen zombie, Bubbles salivating over his shoulder as he rubbed his massive head agaisnt his master. He kneels down to the fallen zombie, staying just out of arms reachs for the moment. As adorable as this zombie was, he wasn’t so absent minded as to just let himself get eaten. [color=5faa3c]”You ok there...Mizu was it?”[/color] He asks, blinking curiously at the creature. [color=5faa3c]”Maybe you should stay seated for a little bit. No real telling how long you’ve been in that box for….”[/color] He offers, taking out his medical bag just in case he had anything that might theoretically help the poor zombie girl. Bubbles, meanwhile, glared down at the offending creature, practically begging her to try something so he might have an excuse to feed but making no movements beyond that. “Mizushi-Douji.” She replied to Odhra with a small whine, arms flailing just slightly, trying to reach the boy just out of her reach. It seemed like she was having trouble bending her joints in any reasonable way. “Ah, my bed...sleeping for...years? Only wake...when feast.” Her mouth turned into a pout as she puffed out her cheeks. “Aaaah, this stupid undead body of miiiine. So inconvenient...so stiiiiif....hungry...boy let me have just a nibble. Just a little tiniest nibble...” [color=a187be]“If she is a proper Jiangshi, then she likely unable to move well. According to my notes their limbs are in a permanent state of rigor, meaning for the most part they will be locked in place.”[/color] Livia knelt next to Mizushi. [color=5faa3c]”Aww…”[/color] Odhra whines, eyes rolling over Mizu like an injured puppy. [color=5faa3c]”Poor girl. I’ll look into artificial muscles we might be able to implant later. Since you’re dead I’m not too worried about auto-immune rejection.”[/color] he chirps, opening up the medical bag. [color=5faa3c]”Plus…”[/color] He adds, his grin turning vicious and too wide as his previously pleasant gaze settled into a cheerful leer. [color=5faa3c]”I’ve always wanted to try surgery on an active and conscious participant.”[/color] [color=5faa3c]”But until then!”[/color] He chirps, the momentary sadism being washed away in the boys normal aura of warmth. [color=5faa3c]”Would a little blood work well enough? Don't really have any medical waste at hand to give you….at the moment anyway. But I can stand to lose a pint or two!”[/color] [color=a187be] “I don't think that's a good idea, Odhra.”[/color] Livia bopped the other summoner lightly on the head. [color=a187be]“Not for now, at least.”[/color] She was concerned for a number of reasons – mostly it being she wasn't quite sure Mizu would take just a pint or two. [color=a187be] “I'll take her back to my dorm for now. See if I can get any more information about her.”[/color] Standing up, Livia grabbed the Jiangshi's clawed hands, helping to pull her up back on her feet. “Ah, my lord...your hands...so warm.” [color=a187be]“And uh, thanks for tonight, Odhra.”[/color] Livia looked uneasily off to the side, hiding her mouth with a hand. [color=a187be] “Really...if I tried this without you, I am not quite sure I could have handled it....and you too, bubbles.”[/color] [color=5faa3c]”Nope!”[/color] Odhra says, now taking his turn to bop Livia in return. [color=5faa3c]”You’re a lot better at this than most people are at your rank. Waaay better than I was anyway. You could have handled it on your own.”[/color] He said, scratching the underside of Bubbles chin. Bubbles slowly leans forward and presses his head into Livia’s chest with surprising dexterity for such a large creature, a heavy purring rumbling from the beast to confirm his masters assessment. [color=5faa3c]”Me and Bubbles just helped a little. Sides, it was fun! My poor big baby doesn’t ever get a chance to stretch his stinger enough. Don’t you boy?”[/color] He adds, the last part devolving into baby talk as Bubbles tail flails wildly about a small rain of venom arcing behind the two as the creature lavishes in the praise. [color=a187be] “Haaa...”[/color] Livia returned Odhra's words with a small smile. [color=a187be]“Well I suppose I can't deny that if you're going to insist.”[/color] “Maaaaster....hungryyyyy.” [color=a187be] “We'll see about getting you something to eat once I'm back in the dorm, Mizu.”[/color] Livia said, turning her attention back to her newest summons. Ah, she was exhausted. She really needed a bath and a meal of her own. Not to mention her neck. [color=a187be]“...do I have you to thank for my neck, by the way?”[/color] “Ah, ah, Mizu is sorry, Lord...your neck was so pretty, so delicious...I almost broke it....” Mizu began hopping after Livia, the Sarcophagus she left behind seemingly not moving from its position where it had embedded itself in the earth, at least for now. [color=a187be]“I'll see you tomorrow, Odhra.”[/color] She headed back to the dorms, Mizu hopping along behind her.