Altered Tundra

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

Of the time that they had met, Shinto was surprised she didn’t pick up on it sooner. Being one of the few people whose mist-sensing abilities are rivaled to very few, Shinto was a bit disappointed that Shion didn’t recognize him right away. Then again, he’d been deliberately masking his mist just enough to go undetected. There are some powerful people who have been after him. Thankfully, Dominic’s assertive mist hid it well, but without him currently conscious, there wasn’t a single doubt in his mind that Shion picked up on it.

“Madame Blue Rose, I’m surprised it took you this long to recognize your Water Lily,” Shinto said taking off his sunglasses and showing his white eyes with a single spec of gold in the center. “Know that the Archadian soil isn’t quite as soft as those of the Phon Coast..

Admittedly, she had an entire garden’s worth of people to tend to, though she would let out a sigh. “I wouldn’t speak unless I was sure. When we saw one another before, I thought I recognized your face, though figured I was mistaken--until now, that is.”

Meanwhile, the rest were finding out the exact reasons for Shion’s being here. Apparently Emiri had been taken by Zodiark.

What was even worse, Jaakuna didn’t know.

Savayna gripped her arm tightly and then looked over to that dome of concentrated mist. She saw glimpses of two figures fighting. It was intense. She couldn’t believe that two superpowers were duking it out and all they could do was talk about whatever Shinto was going on about with Shion and why the busty bitch was here in the first place. No one could tell him because that dome was so full of God-tier levels of mist that, if they even dared to, they would get destroyed right away.

“Goddamn it all!” Savayna cursed, stomping her feet on the ground. Not in a tantrum kind of way but one of those ‘you can’t do anything and it sucks’ kind of ways. She hated that she wasn’t there to protect Emiri in Jaakuna’s stead. She hated that she couldn’t help Jaakuna with his fight against that monster, Bahamut. She hated that, despite all of her efforts, she was still as weak and bothersome as she was when this entire shitstorm began.

She had enough. No more staying out of it for her. Savayna wasn’t going to sulk in her self-pity any longer. That wasn’t her style. More than anything, she was pretty much the only one here who had any stake in this ordeal. Her history with Jaakuna was just exactly what made her more relevant than ever before.

“Shion, with all due respect, you have no place in telling Jaakuna anything.” Savayna stated bluntly.

The blue haired woman wouldn’t turn to Savayna, though she would eye her curiously. “No place...that’s a first.” She admitted, though she raised her head. “And I suppose that place belongs to who? The prince of another nation? The princess that let her get away? Or perhaps you’re referring to yourself.” Shion said.

“Does it really matter who tells him?” Grant couldn’t help but ask, sensing an incoming argument. He figured he wouldn’t make much of a difference, but he may as well get it out now. “Considering the circumstances…”

“Those same circumstances are what brought us all here today,” Shion reminded him, though she wouldn’t take her eyes off Savayna.

Savayna turned her icy-blue eyes towards Grant, exposing a very faint wave of icy mist specifically at him. Then, she turned her attention to Shion. “Yes, I’m very much aware of why we’re here. I’m also aware that you think you have this obligation to tell Jaakuna the news about Emiri. But, need I remind everyone that it wasn’t that long ago that she was trying to kill us. In fact, she almost succeeded when we were at Giruvegan. So why should we trust a person like that to deliver such dire news to Jaakuna? Why does this..outsider get a pass?” Savayna’s icy tone was felt throughout.

Grant let out a slight sigh, though Savayna had already made it clear he was to stay out of it. Throwing his arms up in defeat, he would turn his attention elsewhere, though he would through Vlyn a glare as he noticed him chuckle. Shion raised an eyebrow, though she let out a sigh. “It’s true,” She outright admitted, causing Grant to pay attention to the conversation once again. “Though I wouldn’t say it’s so much a ‘pass’ as it is a warning. I told him before, and I’ll repeat it here: things have changed. Not that it’s excusing my actions--my goal was, and still is stopping Zodiark.”

Lorenzo narrowed his eyes, though he stayed quiet for once. Grant, on the other hand, found this entire conversation pointless, though as he opened his mouth to retort Vlyn shook his head at him. “My obligation is to fix my errors. I underestimated her--whatever that boy did to her left me blindsided--” She lifted her blackened arm as she spoke. “--and I felt that it was my place to inform Jaakuna. I am to blame.”

“I can’t completely agree with that part,” This time Vlyn couldn’t help but interject. “You were not alone, as both Aloa and myself joined you in that battle. And we all lost…”

“So just because you got injured by..whatever it is that person is, you feel that it’s your job to tell him the news about the one person he cares most about in all of Ivalice?” Savayna asked, “don’t bother answering. I’m going to tell you exactly why you are wrong on so many levels.” She approached Shion. “First off, you are an enemy-turned possible ally,” Savayna pushed her finger against Shion’s large bust, “secondly, you know nothing about what he’s been through. You know nothing about what strife he had to overcome to be the man that he is today.” Savayna said with another hard nudge. “Lastly — and I cannot stress this enough — you are not one of us. You will never be one of us. You are, in my eyes, someone who happened to get lucky and not be on everyone’s bad side.”

Turning around, Savayna looked at everyone’s doubtless shocked expressions. She would then look back at Shion. “An outsider has no place giving him this kind of news. I will be the one to do it. It’s my place - my burden.”

Shion looked at the back of Savayna’s head for a moment, though she then looked downcast. Grant’s jaw nearly dropped--was Savayna right? No, that wasn’t it, Shion seemed to realize something. The woman walked around Savayna, facing her, her amber eyes stern on Savayna’s blue ones.

“Is it your burden because you feel it’s your place as a friend? Or is it because you clearly still love him?” She asked her, straight to the point.

Lorenzo’s eyes widened, though catching Grant’s expression made his heart sink. Grant himself looked like someone had just slapped him, though everyone was deathly silent, waiting on Savayna’s response.

For a moment, Savayna just stood there, contemplating exactly what she was going to say — what she was going to do. So many thoughts riddled through her mind that Mateus even chimed in on a few of them, stating that whatever she did she wouldn’t be able to come back from. Savayna agreed with him. This seemed to be something they both understood had reprecautions.

She took in a deep breath. She made sure to be absolutely serene. And as she exhaled, Savayna’s mist gathered around her, focusing into her right fist. It was, of course, invisible to the naked eye. But in the moment that it had reached its peak and the next moment that had followed, the temperature around her had dropped to nearly absolute zero. It was a fraction of a millisecond, but as she would hook her right arm inside Shion’s personal space, it was dealt in full. The fist was as cold as it could be and it had made contact with its intended target: Shion, the Blue Rose. And as it did, Savayna screamed with much anger that one would think she was possessed by some sort of devil or demon.

Shion skidded back, her face turned away, though as she looked back at the group, her cheek was frosty. Her amber eyes flashed as she began to walk towards the blonde, a light glimmering in her hand. Grant’s eyes widened, though as he moved, Lorenzo was the one that stopped him. “She hasn’t answered yet, not with words, anyway,” He told his younger brother, a hand on his shoulder. “We have no business interfering.”

Even so…! Grant’s thought was interrupted by the familiar ringing of steel as Shion would summon her weapon. Her blackened hand seemed to pulse as well, clutching her blade tightly. She stopped before Savayna, spitting to her side before eyeing the woman., her rose glowing. “You got me with that sucker punch--it won’t happen again.” Shion stated as she took her stance, her petals wilting from her flower. In the next second, she charged with such a speed that the wind seemed to nearly knock Grant off his feet, though he was horrified as Shion moved with every intention to strike Savayna.

When Shion’s katana would come at her, SAvayna, held her hand out. As she would motion her arm upward in a diagonal angle, blue mist extended from her hand and solidified. In that moment, a smaller, one-handed version of Mateus’ Trident appeared in her hand and clashed with Shion’s attack. The collision of their respective mist would cause dual-effects of non-elemental and ice mist in a small radius, all the while both of them were an even match as the sounds of magick-infused steel was at a standstill with magick-infused steel. “I’m going to prove once and for all that we never needed you and we don’t need you now,” Savayna went for a push in the struggle, using the power of Mateus’ presence inside her to help her gain an advantage. While she did that, her eyes were becoming increasingly colder and appearing as if they were literal stones of ice.

Shion remained stone faced, though for a moment, she smirked, pushing back on her katana. “Let’s see about that,” She said, though she would step back, letting the force of Savayna’s sword draw her forward, and she would bring up her knee at the same time, effectively kneeing Savayna with her own force. Shion’s blade scraped the ground, a green light indicating its magicks had changed, and a wind would knock Savayna back slightly. Whipping her blade to the side, the scattered rose petals would dance around them, fading into mist, the petals reforming on her head as her sword would glow. Changing elements once more, she drew a circle in front of her, her katana taking on a different form as she held it at her side. Reminiscent of a draw, her blade would flash forward, nearly invisible to the naked eye as her jabs reached a speed where it looked more like each strike was instantaneous.

Good thing Savayna’s eyes weren’t naked. She saw every jab that Shion had unleashed. With the eyes and reaction time of an Esper - the Corrupted Esper - Savayna parried Shion’s jab. To those watching, it was an amazing feat. Each time Shion’s katana would go in, Savayna matched her own weapon at the exact moment with just the right amount of magick to fend it off. This continued for about five times until Savayna, in her other hand, had been gathering mist. When Shion’s last jab came, Savayna had pressed her hand full of Mist onto the hilt of her Trident Sword and it exploded with magick, repelling Shion back. While the Blue Rose would be in midair, Savayna would carpe diem. Her body disappeared into a shroud of icy mist, appearing just above Shion and two feet plunged into the woman’s stomach, driving them both into the ground.

The ground beneath them crumbled,though Shion’s corrupted hand pulsed. She told a hold of Savayna’s trident, this time the wind picking up around the pair. The darkness would glow ominously, spreading from Shion’s hand to the weapon, though she would not let go. As the wind whipped her hair around her, she remained steady, her eyes locked onto Savayna. “Show me!” She shouted as the darkness surrounded them. “Where is that resolve of yours?!” The darkness continued to spread. “If your reasoning is true, if this is all you’re capable of, show me! Show me everything!” Though soon the dark clouds surrounded the pair, and in a moment, they would become completely eclipsed.

“That’s...Zodiark’s power!” Vlyn gasped, alerting the rest of them.

Grant’s eyes widened. “Savayna!” He shouted, Lorenzo having to try harder to hold him back.

It was dark all right — dark enough to render Savayna’s line of sight worse than Old Dalan’s. And yet, she could still clearly see Shion in front of her. Well, not exactly see but feel her. That stench of Zodiark’s Mist was impossible to ignore. The putrid, vapid aura of it was as black as it was unique. SOmething about it just gave off a signature that, those who were exposed to it, would be able to sense it. And those who had felt it would be able to feel it. So, it wasn’t like she was going in blind. Plus, when the words of Shion hit her ears, Savayna’s instincts kicked in..

“Fine, I will.”

SAvayna brought her trident down with all her might. Whatever remained of her Mist was concentrated into the three tips of her weapon. It was so much that it illuminated the black abyss that surrounded them. In the following moments, neither Savayna or Shion, nor those outside were ready for what happened.

Silence from all fronts. No cricket was chirping nor birds tweeting - just silence in the air. Until a mild bang could be heard, reverberating through the ground and air. Next, came a louder bang that caused even louder shockwaves. It was even felt within the black fog that surrounded Shion and Savayna. It was loud enough to clear some of the clouds but not all. Only enough to give a small glimpse into it(for those outside) and a small dose of sunlight within the fog.

But, of course, like Zodiark’s natural essence was, it closed it up, ceasing any light once more. However, this only lasted for a few seconds more until a loud, thundering shockwave was felt throughout the entire area. It was so loud and so filled with Esper-levels of Mist, it overpowered whatever amount of Zodiark’s power that had activated from Shion’s arm, not only reiterating it back to whatever form it was before but in doing so, it evaporated the entire black fog, and sent both ladies flying(along with everyone else) about fifty paces, tumbling through buildings and debris.

Minutes to Manhattan

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^{COLLAB WITH @Dirty Pretty Lies}

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Ava found herself running out of expressions to feign that wouldn’t give Miranda or her parents the impression that she was quite bored with the small talk they were participating in. If it wasn’t about thanking Miranda’s son for the invite, then it was about how “divine” the party was (her mother’s words, not Ava’s). It got to the point where Ava was looking around for a reasonable excuse to ditch them. But, alas, to no avail.

But, of course, her father would take notice of her daughter's unsubtle body movements. “You don’t have to stay here if you don’t want to.” Baltazar whispered to his daughter.

She looked at him, “No, it’s fine.” Ava would shrug, waving away her father’s suggestion.

Adrianna would ignore what she clearly heard Ava and her husband whispering about. “So, Miranda, how is your granddaughter? Your son couldn’t help but brag a little about her,” Adrianna inquired, taking a sip from her glass.

At the mention of her oldest granddaughter, Miranda gave Adrianna a half-smile. “Ah, my darling Audrey.” A proud expression shone through her usually cool features. “She’s doing splendidly. In fact, she made her appearance about a half hour ago. Let me see if I can point her out to you.”

Miranda’s hazel eyes slowly began to roam the room, briefly scanning guests’ faces until they finally found Audrey. To her surprise -that she kept hidden behind a mask of haughtiness-, her granddaughter was not alone. In fact, the young half-Latina seemed to be in good company at the ballroom’s balcony. Drinks in hand, she seemed to be conversing with an elegant and handsome stranger about her age, who also happened to not be Christian Maxwell. Though Miranda could tell by her granddaughter’s flirtatious body language that this interaction spelled trouble, she feigned indifference to not have the Mossos asking questions.

“There she is,” she told Adrianna, pointing to Audrey’s crimson-clad figure at the balcony.

Following Miranda’s gaze, Adrianna saw where she was looking at. A beautiful, young latina woman clad in a long-sleeved, bright red dress was over at the balcony. Though, at first, it was difficult to see who she was with, Adrianna took a moment to see and when Audrey’s male company had turned his head, she saw who it was. She chuckled, hiding it behind her hand. Her darling son had slipped away to go flirt with the hostess’ granddaughter. Of course he would. That was just like him. Not even five minutes and he had to go on the prowl.

Shaking her head, Adrianna leaned to Balt, “look over there,” she spoke quietly.

Baltazar’s gaze went over to the balcony. He couldn’t help but smirk. “That’s my boy,” he murmured, not wanting to alert Miranda, but Ava heard.

That motherfucker. Ava was livid. How come he got to have fun and she was stuck here pretending to give a crap about this old broad? Ava huffed quietly. “I’m going to freshen up. If you’ll excuse me, Miss Priestley,” Ava curtseyed as she took it upon herself to appear to head to the bathroom. As soon as she was out of the purview of her parents, she darted straight for the balcony.

“It appears my son has taken quite a liking to your granddaughter,” Adrianna noted, seeing how cozy the two of them were with one another.

Miranda merely nodded in Ava’s direction when the girl excused herself, as her eyes were still glued to the scene unfolding between Audrey and this mysterious young man. The more she watched, the more cozy the two seemed to get… And the more curious the older woman got at knowing just who was flirting so shamelessly with her granddaughter, of all people. Surprisingly, the young man’s identity wouldn’t be a secret for long. Adrianna Mossos confirmed that the man with her granddaughter was with was her son.

This took Miranda completely by surprise. “Oh, is he, now?” the white-haired woman asked Adrianna, raising a questioning eyebrow.

Adrianna sighed, somewhat shrugging, “Without a doubt. He’s the only son of mine that would purposely abandon his family for a young lady. Though, by the looks of it, Miranda, it doesn’t seem your granddaughter minds his company.” Adrianna wasn’t necessarily a queen of observing what most didn’t see, but she did notice things. Plus, she knew her son better than anyone and she knew when he was being coy and when - as the kids say - putting the moves on someone. “What’s your take, honey?” She asked her husband.

Balt would glance over. “Oh yeah, he’s definitely putting on that Mossos Charm of his.” Balt stated, smirking approvingly.

Miranda did not crack a smile. In fact, her neutral expression was replaced with a scowl. Leave it to Audrey to be the one granddaughter to place her in this embarrassing position. At that moment, all the fair-haired woman wanted was for this uncomfortable conversation to be over fast.

“Well, it was nice to speak to you, all.” she said briskly, giving Adrianna and Baltazar a forced smile. “Please do carry on enjoying the party.”

And with one last nod, Miranda Priestly turned her back on the Mossos’ and sauntered away. In a blink of an eye, her figure had blended with the rest of the party guests.

“That was odd.” Baltazar noted, scratching his head.

Meanwhile, Adrianna sighed, “that’s because you’ve never been a mother, my dear husband, let alone a strict mother.” Adrianna knew that look and tone all too well. That was the tone - even if covered up by Miranda’s near-flawless poker face - of someone who disapproved of the company that Alexandros brought to that granddaughter of hers. “Come honey, let’s go mingle with the Cross’. I want to say hello to Simon.”

Adrianna and Baltazar Mossos rushed past people, going to mingle with the other guests. All the while, Adrianna feared the worst for her darling, if not faulted, son.

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

The exchange between the brothers had varying looks from anyone of the group. Shinto was barely interested enough in whatever siblings moment they were having. There might’ve been something mentioned about Grant being gay, but that was debunked when Savayna’s finger was brought up. A guy who proposes to a girl would hardly be considered gay. But after that, it was merely white noise for Shinto. He was just too exhausted to care.

“Wouldn’t you look at that, Lorenzo. I’m going to be your new sister-in-law.” Savayna snickered, “you know what that means, right?” She smiled evilly.

"So this is what humes do when they celebrate this thing called marriage, huh?" Mateus appeared next to Vlyn, appearing somewhat confused. "Say, Male Viera, what sort of customs does your race have regarding mating rituals?" The Ice Esper would ask Vlyn.

As he would glance around the group, he couldn’t help but notice that Shion was looking at him. He wouldn’t have thought much of it, but her eyes gave him the impression that something was going through her mind. Usually when she had a thought in her head, it was important. “Something on your mind, Shion?” Shinto asked her.

[Insert witty introductory phrase here]

@2plus2isnot5


Radiohead would beg to differ..

Regardless, welcome to the Guild!

Also

Time Stops For Fire(Altered Tundra and Hero)

Three minutes was the maximum Shinto could keep his unique magicks active, but little did Lorenzo know that this unique healing spell that he had used to aid Lorenzo in healing Lannit was far more than your average Cleanse spell. In appearance, it was cleanse, but it was far more complex than that. It drew from Shinto’s aether and it manipulated the life force of its designated target. By both working with each other, it served as an enhancer for white magicks, which was evident by Lorenzo’s use of that magick.

As Lorenzo had begun using his own healing spells, Shinto noted that it was working. He could sense Lannit’s life force was slowly returning to him. His color was slowly returning and Shinto saw a shimmer of life in his eyes. It wouldn’t be long now.

One minute left and Shinto could feel himself wavering. He slipped for a second but forced himself for Lannit’s sake. His hands maintained a steady glow of aether for just forty more seconds. In those seconds, Lannit’s color was back in top form. His eyes were opening and..

“By the Occuria..”

Shinto couldn’t believe it. They actually did. By all that was holy in this world, Lannit was breathing - coughing more like - but breathing nonetheless.

Seeing that it had worked, Shinto ceased his mist and he fell backwards, unable to stay seated upright, his eyes faced the sky, panting heavily. Though, as he would, he caught the glimpse of someone looking at him.

“Fancy seeing you here, Savayna,” Shinto said in a neutral tone. He didn’t have the energy to speak in his usual snarky retort.

Savayna looked at Shinto, then looked at Lorenzo and an unconscious-esque Lannit. “So, I see you’ve been keeping busy.”

“In a manner of speaking, yes,” Shinto shrugged

Forcing himself to sit up, Savayna would help him, noticing that he was obviously struggling. When he sat back up, he looked at Savayna. As he gazed upon her face, he noticed Shion, Grant, and..a male Viera? Shinto thought about it for a moment. Oh, that was Vlyn. Jaakuna had told him about that one a few times. Shinto couldn’t hold his surprised expression, though. It was one thing to hear about it, but to see one in person was truly an experience.

“Hey, will you stop smiling and tell me what’s happening?” Savayna snapped at Shinto.

“Right..” Shinto bit his lip, thinking. “I suppose the easiest way to explain it is - well, this way.”

Shinto extended his hand onto Savayna’s forehead. His mist flowed into her - and by extension - anyone without a “trace” of the memory of what happened. Through this unique life force manipulation, Shinto showed the others exactly what happened. They would experience it memory by memory. An all accounts of how Lannit fought Hamut and had him on the defensive and how he was struck down and how JAakuna activated Belias’ Inner Seal and how thier battle raged on to the point of locking themselves in that dome one-hundred paces away. They would see how Lannit was on death’s door and how the Crown Prince and he did everything they could to save his life, only to make it within seconds.

After Shinto had completed that, he started panting even more deeply. “So, ah, you see, that’s what--ah, ah--happ..ened..”

Shinto overexerted himself that time. He felt it. He had been completely drained of his mist reserves.

Minutes to Manhattan

@Inkarnate No dreaming allowed here - only reality.

Iquenos: In Nomine Domini

I guess it's about time I do something with Sunspot..

Minutes to Manhattan

@Inkarnate That's my point. No network - even lucrative ones such as HBO and Netflix - would be able to afford this one.

I have returned

@Thinker

Welcome back!

Minutes to Manhattan

<Snipped quote by Altered Tundra>
Only HBO, Amazon, and Netflix really have the budget for this. Not sure why you think HBO has a small financial depth given what shows they finance.

@Inkarnate

If you factor in quality of writing, directors, how much each and every actor would cost to make sure they are happy and satisfied with the working conditions, on-location shooting, I'm pretty sure the cost would be pretty high.