[table][row][/row][row][cell][color=2e2c2c]▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇[/color] [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/5365768][img]https://i.imgur.com/eRRtGt9.jpeg[/img][/url][color=2e2c2c]▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇[/color][/cell][cell] [sub][color=758186]ISOLDE "BELLADONNA" FEATHERSWALLOW[/color] [color=cecece]—[/color] [color=758186]UDF: Cetra East Command[/color] [color=cecece]—[/color] [color=758186]Early Morning[/color] [color=cecece]—[/color] [@Aeolian][/sub][hr] [color=8d8e8f]This world was unfair--Dr. Featherswallow knew it to be so more than anyone else, and yet, she relished in the privilege that her upbringing had afforded her over the years. While the common man suffered under the threat of the comet, the tyranny of the UDF, and the fear of every rogue faction that sought to take advantage of a new age, Isolde would have none of it. She lived her glamorous, luxurious life up in the highest penthouse towers. Rather than fighter jets, she leisured in expensive balloon rides only the beau monde and aristocracy could afford. Just because children were suffering, should that mean she cannot indulge in the greatest delicacies their world had to offer? Not on her time. And remorseless she would remain. But this dowager was not all diamonds and petticoats. Dr. Featherswallow was one of the most brilliant minds of the [i]Comet Era[/i]. Her research for a cure was well-known and she had the explicit public and financial backing of the UDF to do whatever it took to succeed. To hell and back, if necessary. However, a recent op-ed about her in the latest issue of [i]The Emberletter[/i], did not speak very kindly of her. This was not the first opinion piece made about her by some washed-up journalist. She was well aware of the "rumors", but Dr. Featherswallow would neither confirm nor deny them. In a way, she quite enjoyed the theatrics of it all. [center] THE EMBERLETTER HEADLINES ~ [color=c2c2c2]The mysterious doctor who killed her spouses and pocketed the gold. Whose next to feel her wraith? ~ ~ Child Murderer or Revolutionary? ~ ~ Dr. Isolde Featherswallow is a blemish on the aristocracy and in the field of global research! She must be brought to answer for her transgressions in the name of humanity![/color] ~ [/center] The latest issue gave rise to an amused chuckle as she read it. More of the same, it would seem. Dr. Featherswallow handed it to an assistant and then entered a room full of white tiles, a table, a single one-way window, and two chairs on opposite sides facing one another. The summoning of Aeons for another iteration of the Special Warfare and Reconnaissance Group was well on her mind as she entered the room, no doubt. She arrived early to the CEC, days before in fact, to continue her work in a sublevel area of the compound that only special UDF officials and researchers and personnel could access. Very few could access some of the wings that she was afforded. But alas, she would contend with that special calling of Aeons when the time came, when they arrived. For now, she slide into a white chair and faced the young man who was locked into the seat in front of her. Isolde pushed up her eyeglasses and began rifling through the file laid out before her, not looking up as she spoke, [color=8882be]"My name is Dr. Featherswallow, though you may call me Isolde if you'd like...but you may also..."[/color] [color=silver]"Garpute!"[/color] the man cursed at her. Isolde looked up from the papers and clasped her fingers together, resting her chin on her enlaced hands. She smiled at the man, [color=8882be]"Sure. I'm quite liberal."[/color] she jested. [color=8882be]"Now..."[/color] her face suddenly became severe and the young man tensed at the jarring switch, [color=8882be]"Mr. Crawley, I see here in your file that you are the son of a locksmith, an excellent pickpocketer, a street magician...my oh my..."[/color] Isolde's face lit up with glee. [color=8882be]"and...."[/color] she paused for a moment, letting the air get sticky with a heavy silence, [color=8882be]"an abuser of the vilest sort."[/color] Isolde shook her head knowingly. [color=8882be]"Do you know why you're here Mr. Crawley?"[/color] Mr. Crawley, wearing nothing but dingey garments and a holey cap, remained silent, only fidgeting every so often. Isolde locked her gaze with him briefly, feeling the resistance he was putting up against her. She continued unperturbed, [color=8882be]"Well, my dear, the UDF has chosen you as a subject for Experiment PanX 5."[/color] Isolde took note of the change in his countenance, the mention of that experiment bringing a tangible fear to his eyes. She in turn, softened her gaze. [color=8882be]"I see. So you know of it. Dearest, do not fret. The role you must play now is for the greater good. Henceforth, all your sins have been forgiven by the UDF. But of your gods..."[/color] she paused for dramatic effect [color=8882be]"...well, I cannot say."[/color] At last, Mr. Crawley spoke. His voice was horsed as if he hadn't drank water in days. [color=silver]"What about your sins?"[/color] Isolde lifted an eyebrow, curious, [color=8882be]"What about them?"[/color] [color=silver]"You've heard the rumors."[/color] Mr. Crawley continued, [color=silver]"You kill people. You even killed your child. A fucking Daemon Garpute if I ever laid eyes on one."[/color] he snarled, [color=silver]"You'll burn in the fiery pits."[/color] Isolde looked at the man with a sympathetic frown, [color=8882be]"Oh you poor thing. Maybe so. But you've got front row seats haven't you? I'll see you there."[/color] And with that last remark, she stood up, picked up his file, and started for the door. Mr. Crawley's face burned with anger and with a crack, he wretched his arms up and broke free from the locks holding him in place. Reeling his head back, he stuffed a cybernetic arm down his throat and then pulled out something sharp-some kind of shiv or makeshift sword; one of his street magic tricks. Isolde turned around calmly to face the armed and desperately raging Mr. Crawley. She remained unphased, holding her clasped hands in front of her as though waiting for the next train. Mr. Crawley, moved closer to her in slow uncertain steps. [color=8882be]"Mr. Crawley you really ought to have a seat. I insist."[/color] He wasn't listening, of course, he continued to inch closer to Isolde. [color=silver]"Daemon Garpute!"[/color] he yelled. On the opposite side of the one-way window was Dr. Featherswallow's assistant (who at the time, had been taking notes). Over the intercom in the room, Isolde could sense the urgency and fear in the assistant's voice. OVER THE INTERCOM [quote]"Dr. Featherswallow! Are you okay? Should I call for Marcus or The Neutralizers? I know you told me not to, under no circumstances. But..."[/quote] [color=8882be]"No."[/color] Isolde said to her assistant, her gaze still locked on Mr. Crawley. OVER THE INTERCOM [quote]"Okay. Understood Doctor."[/quote] [color=silver]"I aint no man's experiment."[/color] Mr. Crawley bellowed in anger. [color=silver]"You'll go down with me!"[/color] Isolde shook her head, knowingly. [color=8882be]"I'm afraid not my dear."[/color] A sudden ghostly chill filled the room. It was as though the room began to fade, or maybe the overhead lights malfunctioned. Mr. Crawley would never know for certain. Where Dr. Featherswallow once stood was a blackened silhouette, like a shadow detached from its maker. Belladonna. [color=silver]"Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck! A fucking Aeon!"[/color] The darkness slowly crept through the room, enveloping everything in its path as Mr. Crawley dropped his weapon and backed towards the corner. Enraptured with such fear, he soiled himself. This creeping darkness was not like that of the night. It was...otherworldly, a void of nothingness. Belladonna's voice echoed like an apparition in the darkness, from within Mr. Crawley could not say where. [color=8882be]"Of all the rumors, this is truest of all. Goodnight, Mr. Crawley."[/color] Fear constricted his lungs. He gasped for air desperately, and with one final breath, as though sinking within an abyss, disappeared into the darkness. [/color][/cell][/row][/table] [hr] L O R E - [i]The Emberletter[/i] is the most recognized news outlet in Embergate. Its influence is quite far-reaching, with citizens in nearby cities like Farhaven, Bellfort, and Greenmore reading it as well. - [i]Garpute[/i] is equivalent to bitch. A [i]Daemon Garpute[/i] is a harsher version. - The [i]Comet Era[/i] is what some people call the current time period since the comet arrived. - [i]Experiment PanX 5[/i] is the experiment that Dr. Featherswallow began five years ago to find a cure for the comet infection. It is fully funded by the UDF and some corporations that want a piece of the pie once it's ready. Pan is short for Panacea, X represents new subjects, and 5 means this is the fifth iteration/trial of the experiment. The UDF forcefully and inhumanely uses criminals as test subjects for the experiment. The worse the crime, the more likely that person is to be chosen. Isolde likes to interview test subjects prior to the experiment, for her own reasons. - [i]The Neutralizers[/i] are like a more advanced version of law enforcement who keep UDF facilities secure and neutralize any threats to UDF employees, visitors, partners, or personnel. Note: (As a higher-up, Isolde ordered The Neutralizers not to be in the room while she was working, for her own reasons.)