Iwannabeyours
Crusader Lord
Neziul
BaconSeven days. Seven nights. Rodias had visited in the midday, but her confidence had not bolstered until the depths of the evening. Night shimmered and shined in its vexing curtains of amethyst and onyx with a sky of diamonds and pearls; ever-watched by a marble moon. Under the blessed setting for a sniper, such as herself, Chuunitrixx strode the halls of the Chateau Gothika, and descended stair after stair, until she stood before the entrance to the Athenaeum of Historia.
"Kath Erine, Chapter Keeper of the Fourth, by the right as the Sixth Chapter Keeper, I, Chuunitrixx, the Shepherd of Mimics, demand audience," she says, firmly, yet unarmed.
Kath was uncertain how she currently felt about Chuunitrixx. Unlike the others of the Chateau, she seemed to understand that each of those living on one of its many floors was not required to react the same way to their newly gained freedom. While she was among the majority who praised Rodias and would remain loyal to him through thick-and-thin, not everyone was “programmed” to hold loyalty to their lords above all else and it seemed that the doppelganger was one such individual. Each of them was allowed to handle this new situation in whatever way they felt best, in her eyes.
However, that didn’t mean she also agreed with Chuunitrixx’s methods. Just as she felt she was beginning to understand and sympathize with her more, she had to go and play such a dirty trick on her. She did not appreciate being used to deliver such a horrid message. No matter how much she understood that the doppelganger’s mind worked differently than hers, destroying those eggs in order to make the childish proclamation that “If I can’t hold my secrets to myself, then there shall be no secret to keep,” was completely uncalled for. It was rash and hot headed and, judging from Graft’s reaction, didn’t even perform how it was intended.
So upon hearing the familiar voice ask to come in, Kath let out a sigh, closed the book she had been reading, and cleared her throat. “You may enter. I’d been meaning to talk to you anyway after I had finished collecting my thoughts on last week’s events,” she said, looking toward the door and waiting for Chuunitrixx to make her entrance.
Chuunitrixx's entered with an imperceptible existence; her [Stalker] and [Assassin] Classes triggering -- making her a phantom in the light, as she moved without a sound in spite of her attire.
Easily, she slipped into Kath's sight, like a mirage, and fell into a deep, elegant curtsy-bow. "I apologise," she says, simply. "Not for what I did, nor what resulted of it, but for causing your emotional distress. A Hivequeen should know better." Chuunitrixx retained her genuflection, and cleared her throat, "However you please, you may avenge yourself the pain I've caused you. All I ask of you refrain from killing me, as the Chateau will not survive the retaliation."
“I’m not interested in revenge,” Kath said. “And any emotional distress that you may cause me isn’t worth your death or even personal injury. However, I will admit to feeling quite betrayed. I thought we were getting along well until you made me do… that. I’d still like to be on good terms with you, Chuunitrixx. However, I need some sort of assurance that I won’t be caught up in such schemes again. I don’t think my heart could survive another shock like that.”
“Us? As in, you and I? My dear librarian, there was no us. You, like all others, have not stood by my side since we arrived here,” Chuunitrixx says, “In fact, you’ve stood firmer by Ashara’s side, if stories hold true.”
Chuunitrixx did not move from her bow, as if expecting Kath to eventually do something.
“I don’t see why we need to take sides. I believe we should all be working together towards the Chateau's betterment. In fact, in my eyes, I have no side in this conflict between floors. I only wish to help those in need and provide information to those who do not have it. Nothing more,” Kath replied, seeming to take great offense at Chuunitrixx’s accusation. She might not have been a pacifist, but she wasn’t quick to join a conflict she saw no point in.
“We all take sides. There’s no fences to sit on. However, that isn’t why I came here,” Chuunitrixx says, before clapping her palms together, and pulling her hands apart; clasping her right around the trigger grip of her Black Knight Londo, before aiming it squarely at Kath. “I’ll take over from here, my Ladyship,” Chuunitrixx says, as her panellings spun, and released a swarm that forged into her; leaving a shell that reshaped into Socrates. “Socrates, at your service,” he smiled, still aiming at her.
“I’d say, ‘how do you do?’ and offer you some tea, Mr. Socrates, but I must admit that having a firearm aimed at my person is putting me in a less than friendly mood,” Kath said, looking defiantly down the barrel of Black Knight Londo.
“I must, equally admit, I don’t care how you feel, your Ladyship,” Socrates says, strapping Black Knight Londo across his back, as he stood straight. “I merely need access to your library. It was Grandmother that wanted to speak to you,” he says, as he strolled to an aisle, “Albeit, it seems you are ingrained in an unshakeable opinions of most of the topics that were planned.”
Chuunitrixx was frowning, as she looked through a few pieces of scrap paper.
Rising from her chair, Kath would follow Socrates to see which books he was eyeing, taking a mental note of what he picked out should he remove any from their spot on the shelves. “I’m a dragon, not a pig. My opinions can change with proper evidence and appeal to the beliefs I have which are unshakeable. However, so far neither of you have done anything to regain my trust,” Kath said. “Especially you.” Her eyes moved to Socrates himself, glaring at him whether he was looking at her or not. She still wasn’t sure where he’d come from in sixth chapter, but ever since his first appearance he seemed to be guiding Chuunitrixx in a direction Kath did not approve of.
Socrates paused, spreading Proxies across every book that simply caught his eye, as they walked, and pulling them back as fully formed books. “Such an interesting statement,” he says, looking over, “If only I cared about your trust, or opinion. To me, you’re only a tool. A librarian with a wealth of knowledge. Dragon. Pig. Matters not, as long as your books are free, So, spare me your look, words, and opinion.”
“If I don’t fear your precious Rodias, then why the hell would I ever fear you, little bookmouse,” Socrates asks, before returning to his idly pick. A moment of curiosity came across his beautiful features... he’d targeted something, but he was still touching books at random. “Besides, did you charge Graft with the crime of spycraft, or did you let him off easy too, like Rodias?”
“Oi, oi, Socrates, you need to be nicer to people. I know Graft angered you, and I know you think Kath is to blame, but, we discuss this, I’m here to apologise, and you are you,” Chuunitrixx says, sighing. “I am apologizing, Grandmother,” Socrates says, “I’m not burning everything in sight I’m just reading, politely.” Chuunitrixx groaned. “I’m sorry, he’s usually nicer than this...” she says. “Don’t make excuses for her. I’m sure Ashara will gladly soothe her wounds. The whor-- “ Chuunitrixx held up a hand, as Socrates’s mouth literally zipped shut. “Mind your words,” she says, looking at Kath, “We don’t know who is listening...”
“I have my doubts,” Kath said in response to Chuunitrixx’s claim that he was usually more polite. “But to answer your question, no I haven’t talked to Graft. I wasn’t thrilled to learn of his spying, but I was less thrilled to be so blatantly manipulated. As well as to find those sweet eggs so brutally removed from this world. They deserved better.” Turning away from the detestable Socrates, the librarian returned to Chuunitrixx, smiling as his mouth was forcefully shut.
“I still don’t wish to be enemies with you though. I want us to be able to get along, to share our knowledge and experiences with one another. Maybe even refer to the other as friend. Friends don’t stab each other in the back though and I don’t want to go through that again. Please, just show me that I can put my faith in you once again,” Kath said, looking into the doppelganger’s eyes, her own glossy and begging for her to give the right answer.
All Kath would find was anger. “They deserved better,” she asks. “Not me?” Chuunitrixx rang her fists, “I was here, first. Not them. Me. I.” Chuunitrixx narrowed her eyes. “They deserved a chance. But, not the future that could have been. Graft... that unoriginal hack... I lead minions, and he leads minions; I create life, and he creates life. My motions, stolen for profit. My ideal, stolen for commerce and labor.”
Chuunitrixx snapped her full height. “Do you think I wanted to destroy my eggs!? Do you think I did that without reason!? No! I couldn’t stand for Graft to steal from me, again, again, again! I wouldn’t stand for my children to be mere feed for his monetary gain... not without my permission...” Chuunitrixx unhinged her jaw with a snap from how hard she grit her teeth, “I am the Shepherd of Mimics, the Herald of Minions, and yet... naught that I do is unique anymore... Graft has his freaks of nature, Salem has his nightmarish dolls, Gromgard has his disgusting Goblins, Kaldorna has her numerous beasts, Ashara has her cult of maidens, Mamoru has the Skeleton Maids... Rodias has so many options... And, he keeps going everywhere... EVERYWHERE... but my way...”
Socrates walked by, “Sometimes, not doing anything is as bad as doing something,” before he disappeared down another aisle.
“I didn’t say you didn’t deserve better either, but at least you’re still here. They aren’t. And not only are they gone, any message you meant to send to Graft did nothing. At best, you confused him. At worst, he’s completely forgotten about the whole thing. Even if he knew about them, they could have been raised in safety still, but now they won’t get that chance,” Kath told her. “I want to help you, I want to be there for you, but what you did was impulsive and, in the end, did more harm to yourself than anyone else.”
“We can’t all be perfect, Kath Erine,” Chuunitrixx says, emotionlessly. “I don’t care what Graft thinks. I wish he were dead. I wish all the residents were dead. I wish I were alone,” she says, “Stop lying to me. Stop lying, like everyone else. So what if I was impulsive? I’m just a monster at the core...” Chuuntrixx’s chest opened, exposing a shimmering, rainbow sphere, “See? I’m nothing more than a Slime. Maybe, I should just roll this down the hall, and see who kills me.”
“No, you’re not a monster. You’re a living being with flaws and imperfections just like anyone else, including me. I’m naive, I’m overprotective, I can be easily distracted, and I’m quick to anger when things I care about aren’t being properly taken care of. Like you. But I’m not angry at you. I still want to help you. If only you’d let me.” Kath reached out her hand for Chuunitrixx to take, hoping to pull her out of whatever abyss she was currently sinking in to.
Chuunitrixx looked at Kath; eyes burning with anger, regret, and loss. Her body shook, before she plunged -- not into the abyss, however, but forward. Kath, in her Humanoid form, was barely stronger than Chuunitrixx -- a mere five point difference -- but, her misery was infinitely stronger, as she cried into Kath’s chest. “They’re gone! They’re all gone! I can bring them back, but they are gone!” she sobbed, “What can I do!? I can’t trust anyone! No-one respects me! Everyone hates me, and I don’t know why! I just wanted to do my job... and... and...” And, like her words, Chuunitrixx was gone with her tears.
Finally, allowed to make some sense of peace with herself.
“It’s okay. It’s okay,” Kath comforted Chuunitrixx, letting the doppelganger cry out all the tears she had into her chest. She placed her hand on the crying girl’s head and slid it through her hair, listening to her wail and rant over how unfair the world had been to her. Then, once she was done, the librarian replied, “That last part isn’t true. I don’t hate you. I respect you. And while my trust has been tested, it’s still not broken. I’m here for you Chuunitrixx, even if no one else is.”
Chuunitrixx would put that to the test, then. Looking up, she rubbed her eyes, and asked simply, "Wanna help me raise some eggs? It's been a week, so my -- " her cheeks were a bright green against her milk-chocolate skin, denoting her insectoid-styled nature via blushing, " -- I can lay new eggs, same as before, but destined to grow up. No tricks. No traps. Just you and me; guiding them forwards. ...If you're okay with that."
“Y-yeah,” Kath said, taken aback by the proposal, but still agreeing with it. She wasn’t sure how ready she was to help raise young ones, but she had plenty of books on it and she wanted to help Chuunitrixx as much as she could. “Yeah, I’ll help you. Like I said, we’re friends. And friends will do anything to help each other.”
"Yosh!" Chuunitrixx says, confidently. "Umm... Here!" she held out something that looked like her Soapstone Grimoire, but had a very mimicked appearance, "Socrates theorized how Graft's little message shi...nanigans worked, and, he couldn't do more than that, but he could load a pair of Proxies with a high-tier [Planetary Message] spell. So, whenever you want, just say, "Call Chuunitrixx," and it will message me in real-time. Cool, right?"
“Yeah, that is cool. And I especially like that I can call you rather than needing to wait for Graft to call me with his Open Line. This a lot better,” Kath said, happily accepting the gift and looking at it like a scientist would a new specimen. It was so strange and wondrous to behold.
Chuunitrixx beamed, and headed for the exit. "I gotta get back to Chapter VI, but, uh, call me tonight," she says. "Seeya! Oh, Socrates put two other spells in there, but I don't remember them. I'll tell you about them tonight! So, remember to call me!"
And, with that, she disappeared around the corner.
Collab with @Guess Who
"Kath Erine, Chapter Keeper of the Fourth, by the right as the Sixth Chapter Keeper, I, Chuunitrixx, the Shepherd of Mimics, demand audience," she says, firmly, yet unarmed.
Kath was uncertain how she currently felt about Chuunitrixx. Unlike the others of the Chateau, she seemed to understand that each of those living on one of its many floors was not required to react the same way to their newly gained freedom. While she was among the majority who praised Rodias and would remain loyal to him through thick-and-thin, not everyone was “programmed” to hold loyalty to their lords above all else and it seemed that the doppelganger was one such individual. Each of them was allowed to handle this new situation in whatever way they felt best, in her eyes.
However, that didn’t mean she also agreed with Chuunitrixx’s methods. Just as she felt she was beginning to understand and sympathize with her more, she had to go and play such a dirty trick on her. She did not appreciate being used to deliver such a horrid message. No matter how much she understood that the doppelganger’s mind worked differently than hers, destroying those eggs in order to make the childish proclamation that “If I can’t hold my secrets to myself, then there shall be no secret to keep,” was completely uncalled for. It was rash and hot headed and, judging from Graft’s reaction, didn’t even perform how it was intended.
So upon hearing the familiar voice ask to come in, Kath let out a sigh, closed the book she had been reading, and cleared her throat. “You may enter. I’d been meaning to talk to you anyway after I had finished collecting my thoughts on last week’s events,” she said, looking toward the door and waiting for Chuunitrixx to make her entrance.
Chuunitrixx's entered with an imperceptible existence; her [Stalker] and [Assassin] Classes triggering -- making her a phantom in the light, as she moved without a sound in spite of her attire.
Easily, she slipped into Kath's sight, like a mirage, and fell into a deep, elegant curtsy-bow. "I apologise," she says, simply. "Not for what I did, nor what resulted of it, but for causing your emotional distress. A Hivequeen should know better." Chuunitrixx retained her genuflection, and cleared her throat, "However you please, you may avenge yourself the pain I've caused you. All I ask of you refrain from killing me, as the Chateau will not survive the retaliation."
“I’m not interested in revenge,” Kath said. “And any emotional distress that you may cause me isn’t worth your death or even personal injury. However, I will admit to feeling quite betrayed. I thought we were getting along well until you made me do… that. I’d still like to be on good terms with you, Chuunitrixx. However, I need some sort of assurance that I won’t be caught up in such schemes again. I don’t think my heart could survive another shock like that.”
“Us? As in, you and I? My dear librarian, there was no us. You, like all others, have not stood by my side since we arrived here,” Chuunitrixx says, “In fact, you’ve stood firmer by Ashara’s side, if stories hold true.”
Chuunitrixx did not move from her bow, as if expecting Kath to eventually do something.
“I don’t see why we need to take sides. I believe we should all be working together towards the Chateau's betterment. In fact, in my eyes, I have no side in this conflict between floors. I only wish to help those in need and provide information to those who do not have it. Nothing more,” Kath replied, seeming to take great offense at Chuunitrixx’s accusation. She might not have been a pacifist, but she wasn’t quick to join a conflict she saw no point in.
“We all take sides. There’s no fences to sit on. However, that isn’t why I came here,” Chuunitrixx says, before clapping her palms together, and pulling her hands apart; clasping her right around the trigger grip of her Black Knight Londo, before aiming it squarely at Kath. “I’ll take over from here, my Ladyship,” Chuunitrixx says, as her panellings spun, and released a swarm that forged into her; leaving a shell that reshaped into Socrates. “Socrates, at your service,” he smiled, still aiming at her.
“I’d say, ‘how do you do?’ and offer you some tea, Mr. Socrates, but I must admit that having a firearm aimed at my person is putting me in a less than friendly mood,” Kath said, looking defiantly down the barrel of Black Knight Londo.
“I must, equally admit, I don’t care how you feel, your Ladyship,” Socrates says, strapping Black Knight Londo across his back, as he stood straight. “I merely need access to your library. It was Grandmother that wanted to speak to you,” he says, as he strolled to an aisle, “Albeit, it seems you are ingrained in an unshakeable opinions of most of the topics that were planned.”
Chuunitrixx was frowning, as she looked through a few pieces of scrap paper.
Rising from her chair, Kath would follow Socrates to see which books he was eyeing, taking a mental note of what he picked out should he remove any from their spot on the shelves. “I’m a dragon, not a pig. My opinions can change with proper evidence and appeal to the beliefs I have which are unshakeable. However, so far neither of you have done anything to regain my trust,” Kath said. “Especially you.” Her eyes moved to Socrates himself, glaring at him whether he was looking at her or not. She still wasn’t sure where he’d come from in sixth chapter, but ever since his first appearance he seemed to be guiding Chuunitrixx in a direction Kath did not approve of.
Socrates paused, spreading Proxies across every book that simply caught his eye, as they walked, and pulling them back as fully formed books. “Such an interesting statement,” he says, looking over, “If only I cared about your trust, or opinion. To me, you’re only a tool. A librarian with a wealth of knowledge. Dragon. Pig. Matters not, as long as your books are free, So, spare me your look, words, and opinion.”
“If I don’t fear your precious Rodias, then why the hell would I ever fear you, little bookmouse,” Socrates asks, before returning to his idly pick. A moment of curiosity came across his beautiful features... he’d targeted something, but he was still touching books at random. “Besides, did you charge Graft with the crime of spycraft, or did you let him off easy too, like Rodias?”
“Oi, oi, Socrates, you need to be nicer to people. I know Graft angered you, and I know you think Kath is to blame, but, we discuss this, I’m here to apologise, and you are you,” Chuunitrixx says, sighing. “I am apologizing, Grandmother,” Socrates says, “I’m not burning everything in sight I’m just reading, politely.” Chuunitrixx groaned. “I’m sorry, he’s usually nicer than this...” she says. “Don’t make excuses for her. I’m sure Ashara will gladly soothe her wounds. The whor-- “ Chuunitrixx held up a hand, as Socrates’s mouth literally zipped shut. “Mind your words,” she says, looking at Kath, “We don’t know who is listening...”
“I have my doubts,” Kath said in response to Chuunitrixx’s claim that he was usually more polite. “But to answer your question, no I haven’t talked to Graft. I wasn’t thrilled to learn of his spying, but I was less thrilled to be so blatantly manipulated. As well as to find those sweet eggs so brutally removed from this world. They deserved better.” Turning away from the detestable Socrates, the librarian returned to Chuunitrixx, smiling as his mouth was forcefully shut.
“I still don’t wish to be enemies with you though. I want us to be able to get along, to share our knowledge and experiences with one another. Maybe even refer to the other as friend. Friends don’t stab each other in the back though and I don’t want to go through that again. Please, just show me that I can put my faith in you once again,” Kath said, looking into the doppelganger’s eyes, her own glossy and begging for her to give the right answer.
All Kath would find was anger. “They deserved better,” she asks. “Not me?” Chuunitrixx rang her fists, “I was here, first. Not them. Me. I.” Chuunitrixx narrowed her eyes. “They deserved a chance. But, not the future that could have been. Graft... that unoriginal hack... I lead minions, and he leads minions; I create life, and he creates life. My motions, stolen for profit. My ideal, stolen for commerce and labor.”
Chuunitrixx snapped her full height. “Do you think I wanted to destroy my eggs!? Do you think I did that without reason!? No! I couldn’t stand for Graft to steal from me, again, again, again! I wouldn’t stand for my children to be mere feed for his monetary gain... not without my permission...” Chuunitrixx unhinged her jaw with a snap from how hard she grit her teeth, “I am the Shepherd of Mimics, the Herald of Minions, and yet... naught that I do is unique anymore... Graft has his freaks of nature, Salem has his nightmarish dolls, Gromgard has his disgusting Goblins, Kaldorna has her numerous beasts, Ashara has her cult of maidens, Mamoru has the Skeleton Maids... Rodias has so many options... And, he keeps going everywhere... EVERYWHERE... but my way...”
Socrates walked by, “Sometimes, not doing anything is as bad as doing something,” before he disappeared down another aisle.
“I didn’t say you didn’t deserve better either, but at least you’re still here. They aren’t. And not only are they gone, any message you meant to send to Graft did nothing. At best, you confused him. At worst, he’s completely forgotten about the whole thing. Even if he knew about them, they could have been raised in safety still, but now they won’t get that chance,” Kath told her. “I want to help you, I want to be there for you, but what you did was impulsive and, in the end, did more harm to yourself than anyone else.”
“We can’t all be perfect, Kath Erine,” Chuunitrixx says, emotionlessly. “I don’t care what Graft thinks. I wish he were dead. I wish all the residents were dead. I wish I were alone,” she says, “Stop lying to me. Stop lying, like everyone else. So what if I was impulsive? I’m just a monster at the core...” Chuuntrixx’s chest opened, exposing a shimmering, rainbow sphere, “See? I’m nothing more than a Slime. Maybe, I should just roll this down the hall, and see who kills me.”
“No, you’re not a monster. You’re a living being with flaws and imperfections just like anyone else, including me. I’m naive, I’m overprotective, I can be easily distracted, and I’m quick to anger when things I care about aren’t being properly taken care of. Like you. But I’m not angry at you. I still want to help you. If only you’d let me.” Kath reached out her hand for Chuunitrixx to take, hoping to pull her out of whatever abyss she was currently sinking in to.
Chuunitrixx looked at Kath; eyes burning with anger, regret, and loss. Her body shook, before she plunged -- not into the abyss, however, but forward. Kath, in her Humanoid form, was barely stronger than Chuunitrixx -- a mere five point difference -- but, her misery was infinitely stronger, as she cried into Kath’s chest. “They’re gone! They’re all gone! I can bring them back, but they are gone!” she sobbed, “What can I do!? I can’t trust anyone! No-one respects me! Everyone hates me, and I don’t know why! I just wanted to do my job... and... and...” And, like her words, Chuunitrixx was gone with her tears.
Finally, allowed to make some sense of peace with herself.
“It’s okay. It’s okay,” Kath comforted Chuunitrixx, letting the doppelganger cry out all the tears she had into her chest. She placed her hand on the crying girl’s head and slid it through her hair, listening to her wail and rant over how unfair the world had been to her. Then, once she was done, the librarian replied, “That last part isn’t true. I don’t hate you. I respect you. And while my trust has been tested, it’s still not broken. I’m here for you Chuunitrixx, even if no one else is.”
Chuunitrixx would put that to the test, then. Looking up, she rubbed her eyes, and asked simply, "Wanna help me raise some eggs? It's been a week, so my -- " her cheeks were a bright green against her milk-chocolate skin, denoting her insectoid-styled nature via blushing, " -- I can lay new eggs, same as before, but destined to grow up. No tricks. No traps. Just you and me; guiding them forwards. ...If you're okay with that."
“Y-yeah,” Kath said, taken aback by the proposal, but still agreeing with it. She wasn’t sure how ready she was to help raise young ones, but she had plenty of books on it and she wanted to help Chuunitrixx as much as she could. “Yeah, I’ll help you. Like I said, we’re friends. And friends will do anything to help each other.”
"Yosh!" Chuunitrixx says, confidently. "Umm... Here!" she held out something that looked like her Soapstone Grimoire, but had a very mimicked appearance, "Socrates theorized how Graft's little message shi...nanigans worked, and, he couldn't do more than that, but he could load a pair of Proxies with a high-tier [Planetary Message] spell. So, whenever you want, just say, "Call Chuunitrixx," and it will message me in real-time. Cool, right?"
“Yeah, that is cool. And I especially like that I can call you rather than needing to wait for Graft to call me with his Open Line. This a lot better,” Kath said, happily accepting the gift and looking at it like a scientist would a new specimen. It was so strange and wondrous to behold.
Chuunitrixx beamed, and headed for the exit. "I gotta get back to Chapter VI, but, uh, call me tonight," she says. "Seeya! Oh, Socrates put two other spells in there, but I don't remember them. I'll tell you about them tonight! So, remember to call me!"
And, with that, she disappeared around the corner.
Collab with @Guess Who
After finishing her chat with Kath, Chuunitrixx returned to her Chapter. It was, more honestly, returning to her reclusivity, only now, she felt good about things. Everyone seems to want her to be a monster, so, she would oblige them wholeheart, but Kath seemed to want a friend. Maybe, she was rushing, but she couldn't help but start to cheerily hum, as she rode the elevator back to her Domain, and entered the town square. As she entered, the numerous Sentries and Proxies around her were playing an instrumental in her head, and the Standard Survivors were humming alongside her. “Aren’t you a happy one, Grandma? Seems your trip was as productive as mine,” Socrates teased. Chuunitrixx nodded, and looked up into the cloudless sky as the sun shone bright.
"Can you see? The sun is shin’ on me!” the Hivequeen says, spreading her arms, “It makes me feel so free, so alive! It makes me want to survive!” Chuunitrixx beamed, “And, the sky, it makes me feel so high! The bad times pass me by, ‘cause today is gunna be a brighter day~!” Socrates chuckled, as Chuunitrixx took his hands, and spun him in a big circle with herself. “Can you feel the sunshine? Does it brighten up your day,” Chuunitrixx asked, as they spun. “Don’t you feel like sometimes, you just need to run away? Reach out for the sunshine! Forget about the rain,” Chuunitrixx sang, as she let Socrates free, “Just think about the good times, and they will come back again!”
“Feel the sunshine!” some of the Upgraded Survivors chimed in, feeling the vibe of the Hivequeen.
Socrates laughed for a moment, and pulled Chuunitrixx close, before spinning her in place, and dipping her. “Without you, there’s nothing for me to do.” he says, smirking, “Can you feel the sunshine, too? It’s coming through; it makes me feel brand-new!” Chuuntrixx blushed, as she pulled her up straight, “When you're here, I wish you were always near, ‘cause everything’s so clear, and today is gonna be a brighter day~!” Sorcrates pulled her close, then spun Chuunitrixx out into the square. “Can you feel the sunshine? Does it brighten up your day,” he asked, as he jumped onto a fountain, “Don’t you feel like sometimes, you just need to run away? Reach out for the sunshine! Forget about the rain,” Sorcrates sang, as he threw his arms wide, “Just think about the good times, and they will come back again!
There was a sudden, record scratch moments, as the music and happiness stopped with the general call-to-arms. Rodias wanted to speak to everyone. Chuunitrixx held herself in a half-hug, and Socrates narrowed his expression, before smiling, "Like you said, just think about the good times," he brushed her hair out her face, "and they will come back again. Let's get our good times back, Grandma."
"Un!" Chuunitrixx nodded firmly. "Yosh! Let's do it!"
"Can you see? The sun is shin’ on me!” the Hivequeen says, spreading her arms, “It makes me feel so free, so alive! It makes me want to survive!” Chuunitrixx beamed, “And, the sky, it makes me feel so high! The bad times pass me by, ‘cause today is gunna be a brighter day~!” Socrates chuckled, as Chuunitrixx took his hands, and spun him in a big circle with herself. “Can you feel the sunshine? Does it brighten up your day,” Chuunitrixx asked, as they spun. “Don’t you feel like sometimes, you just need to run away? Reach out for the sunshine! Forget about the rain,” Chuunitrixx sang, as she let Socrates free, “Just think about the good times, and they will come back again!”
“Feel the sunshine!” some of the Upgraded Survivors chimed in, feeling the vibe of the Hivequeen.
Socrates laughed for a moment, and pulled Chuunitrixx close, before spinning her in place, and dipping her. “Without you, there’s nothing for me to do.” he says, smirking, “Can you feel the sunshine, too? It’s coming through; it makes me feel brand-new!” Chuuntrixx blushed, as she pulled her up straight, “When you're here, I wish you were always near, ‘cause everything’s so clear, and today is gonna be a brighter day~!” Sorcrates pulled her close, then spun Chuunitrixx out into the square. “Can you feel the sunshine? Does it brighten up your day,” he asked, as he jumped onto a fountain, “Don’t you feel like sometimes, you just need to run away? Reach out for the sunshine! Forget about the rain,” Sorcrates sang, as he threw his arms wide, “Just think about the good times, and they will come back again!
There was a sudden, record scratch moments, as the music and happiness stopped with the general call-to-arms. Rodias wanted to speak to everyone. Chuunitrixx held herself in a half-hug, and Socrates narrowed his expression, before smiling, "Like you said, just think about the good times," he brushed her hair out her face, "and they will come back again. Let's get our good times back, Grandma."
"Un!" Chuunitrixx nodded firmly. "Yosh! Let's do it!"
Chuunitrixx's had no quibble with Rodias's orders; they were easy enough to follow without issue. After all, Delta wasn't involved in any combat expeditions, despite being a combat-ready locale; she kept them quiet, and between interaction and observation of them mountain region, but she'd switch them to full alert and observation for anything operating at an above-Human level. It would be troublesome to lessen her footholds on Gamma and Delta, and more so to allow things to go unchecked, but she didn't want to seem publically insubordinate. So, to Rodias, she merely offered a silent nod; after all, every time she spoke, it seemed to draw someone's ire, and she already trusted no-one in the room, beyond Rodias -- even Kath, with her restored her trust in her, since Graft could easily dupe her with his messaging skill again.
However, patiently, Socrates had waited out Rodias's planning and scheming, and heard out the rest of them, from the top to the bottom. He agreed here and there, and disagreed here and there, but largely, he wasn't concerned with the trifle and the rabble nor speaking for or against them. THEY had their purposes, like pieces on a map, pawns on a chessboard, and yet, Rodias had failed to attribute the pawn he'd inherited: the Chateau, itself. Stepping forward, once everyone gathered had spoken, unconcerned as to what anyone else would think, unlike his Lady, or if they were even still present, Socrates smiled at Rodias; that unnerving, bastard smile of his that bespoke of a long con.
During Chuunitrixx’s breakdown, Socrates had come across an interesting series of [say] discussions about a thing called a “brothel” and another, similar, thing called a “hostess club” -- they seemed to be the same, yet the “brothel” thrived off something called “sex” and turned quite the profit, yet wasn’t as “social appectable” as the “hostess club”. Frowning for a moment, Socrates puzzled on it, before he formed an idea, “Why not do both?” and studied every instance of the subjects with a resectable, albeit, sinister aplomb.
"Harken to me, my Unproven Lord," he asked, "that I might offer another course, unseen?"
"I've taken a vested interest in the conversations and concepts of the world we knew, and I've learned of a unique form of death," Socrates says. "It's called: the Death of Character."
Socrates unbuttoned his fashionable button-up, and his chest opened into a secondary mouth; Rodias's sharp vision could easily see, amongst the number of books he'd mimicked from Kath, an orange-sized sphere that cycled, quite beautifully, though the rainbow and an all-too familiar vial of blood -- he knew that it was Socrates's Slime Core and the vial of strangely blessed blood. In an instant, the Sable Lord could plunge his blades into the sphere of biological data, and end Socrates's existence permanently, and steal back the blood in the same moment; in the same instance, he would turn the entirety of Chapter VI against him, set a permanent image of himself before all in attendance, and irreparably destroy Chuunitrixx's faith in him.
It was a power-play by the scheming Mimic, and his nefarious smirk confirmed that much. Reaching in, Sorcates retrieved a book, and cleared his throat:
>Hopotto: Hey, hey, what happened to Brinbin?
>Gess: he got kicked out the guild
>Hopotto: WTF???
>Gess: Teatay sent Aneeki a PM that Brinbin was hitting on her
>Hopotto: He's married!
>Gess: Aneeki knows
>Gess: she still flew
>Gess: Brinbin got shouted out, and booted
>Hopotto: Teatay got the High Cleric kicked?!
>Gess: Aneeki said, she couldn't trust him
>Gess: she's got logs
>Hopotto: Logs? Isn't Teatay a photographer? She can fake ****!
>Gess: i said the same, bro
>Gess: Aneeki believes that b****
>Hopotto: ****ing b****. Now, we can't run Solstice.
>Gess: im going guild shopping on
>Hopotto: I'll join. **** this.
Socrates looked up, as he shut the book. "It goes on from there, however, that is all I need to read," he says, "From there, the ones known as Aneeki and Teatay developed reputations as "griefers" and "scam artists"; their Guild fell apart, and they weren't allowed into parties." Socrates stowed the book away, "Even when they created new accounts, just to get back into Raids, they were found out, and eventually had to quit. They'd suffered Death of Character. Nobody could trust them. Her Ladyship Kath Erine can verify the contents of what I read, if you don't believe me."
"This information I offer to you, heartily, and my services, as well," Socrates says, "Instead of shedding needless blood or spending value time on this, I suggest allowing me to cull this Human to your side, and place him firmly under your thumb. In doing so, I can establish a foothold in the village he oversees, and his prospects -- present and future," he smirked, "Additionally, if there's one thing I know best, it's oversight."
Socrates stretched out, and his skin and clothing paled to a white that would be familiar to Salem, as 'sculptor clay'. His skin split into numerous sections, which further divided into square panels, and started to spin like a complex optical illusion given shape and form. He was transforming into a completely new shape, as his once blonde hair launched from shoulder-length to waist-length and his side profile expanded at the rear and breasts, as they grew outwards, as his stomach lost muscular definition, but gained smooth tone, and his hips grew wider. His arms and legs lengthened, visually, as the amount of muscle changed, and they became slender and feminine; the same occurred with his face, as it became more sleek and, ironically, more shrewish than it already was. Socrates already carried the presence and air of a vain asshole, and now, he'd amplified that by adding 'Alpha Bitch' to the mix.
"I introduce to you," Socrates says, voice a smooth, husky blend of his own and Lady Traptrixx's, and he -- or, rather, she now -- donned a casual, yet flashy attire, as the panels ceased spinning, and became a solid form, "Karynn Trapmaine, Chateau Gothika's first Courtesan, the Duke of Amberden's downfall, and your rise; if you're willing to entertain a humble woman's scheme?"
Socrates could hardly contain his -- no, her confidence, nor her Mimic Smile, as she pressed her ante card forward, and bet the pot, "I could probably even make your heart beat for me by the week's end, I bet.'
Rodias scoffed just a bit. ”I find that hard to believe. I know mimics lack actual genders, but I can still plainly tell that its you, Socrates. Changing your name and adding weight to your chest isn’t going to have me head over heels.”
"All I need to do make your heart go, "doki doki~!" for me," Socrates mewled, making a heart with her perfectly sculpted fingers, before she put on an impressive pout, with her perfectly plump lips, "Do you think I can't?"
Rodias seemed completely unmoved, saying: ”Honestly? I don’t. But, seeing as you’ve already put forth the effort, I’ll let you try. Of course, I’d need to hear what you actually have planned for the Duke, Miss ‘Chateau Courtesan’,” Rodias said in a somewhat mocking tone, given that he never approved the creation of such a role.
"When it comes to that. I have a week, after all," Socrates notes. "[I'll give you this for free, however. My designation is between Socrates and Karynn, choose the one I'll answer you to."
”I’ll keep calling you Socrates. Its just simpler if someone sees us talking for them to understand that its you, just in a different shape,” Rodias said.
Socrates beamed devilishly, monstrously, and tilted her head into a cheeky grin, "Don't regret that decision, when you’re purring my name."
Rodias could feel a test against his Charm Resistance; not magical, not influenced, but raw strength and force of personality. Socrates was dangerously charismatic, and only tempered by his vain and manipulative personality.
Rodias didn’t feel threatened by the Charm Resistance being tested; After all, Dhampirs were less emotional than humans, for the most part. He wasn’t exactly thinking with his second brain rather than his first, so such a thing didn’t register as a concern to him. Reaching out and gingerly patting Socrates’ head, Rodias said: ”Right, Right. Have you told Chuunitrixx about this plan? She might have some concerns.”
"Of course," Socrates smirked, shamelessly jutting a pink-painted thumb back, "She's right there with everyone else," she says, as she'd never pulled Rodias to the side, simple stepped before him, "I have no secrets from her, my Fledgling Host."
Chuunitrixx waved cutely. Socrates was literally shameless, and had openly attempted to force Rodias's boner before the assembled court. Her schemes were many, and always open to public forum; after all, if you were going to succeed, why hide? Confidence was very attractive.
”Right. Anything else you’d like to discuss before this meeting is over?” Rodias questioned, his pants very plainly untented. It seemed that he was safe from being charmed.
"If I do think of something, I'll be sure to bring it up in our bed tonight," Socrates says, bowing respectfully. "For now, I shall be sequestered in the library until dinner, after which, you will find me in the kitchen. I'd be pleased if you dropped by, say, any hour after dinner bell?"
”You’d have trouble getting into my chambers. Only a Guild Member can enter...and, I’m the last one there is. As for finding you in the kitchen, I suppose I can find the time.”
"That's an incorrect statement, my dear," Socrates smirked, as she turned, "After all, we're all Guild Members, Rodi, now. Family."
Socrates stepped forward, but a single step, before she crumpled into Sentries and Proxies; exhausted of HP and MP, and dissolving into the Chateau. Smoothly unmerging from the floor, Socrates looked at the expanse of books that Kath had amassed under the wing of her forgetful Supreme Being; from spellbooks to training manuals to recipe books to chat logs that spanned for hours. Careful, she plucked chat logs from their dusty station on the shelves, one by one by one, and scanned them, looking for his name.
She was researching Rodias. Every word he'd spoken since his inception into Bandersnatch. Every dialogue through [say], [guild], and [party] chats -- even [whisper] -- each form of chat sectioned and filed away by the semi-neurotic Dragonoid; painstakingly transcripted, recorded for no other reason that his Lordship KissMyAxe was forgetful as shit, and every conversation was important. It was a shame that it was details only available while KissMyAxe was logged in, and Kath was active to record active dialogue; however, any detail could lead to a discovery in her favor.
After a bit -- a few hours, in truth -- Socrates found a thread of conversation about home-cooked meals, childhood dinners, and such discussions. "There we go..." Socrates says, surrounded by books in massive, scattered piles; half-open texts; some facedown; some faceup; some standing; some dogeared; some bookmarked; all chat logs spanning years. Like the mess around her, Socrates was a damn, fine mess; hair matter to her forehead with simulated sweat, cheeks flush with excitement over her triumph, and eyes bloodshot from excessive reading. "Fwaaahhh...~!!!" she yawned, cutely, as she stretched. "Now, I just need to get to cooking. Rodias will be surprised, I'm certain..."
Reaching into her purse, Socrates shook out a mess of Proxies, and motioned. "Clean up, then clear out," she ordered the little beings, before crumbling away, and transitioning to the kitchen with an apron on. "Alright... now, how hard can cooking be," she shook herself, patted her cheeks, and hefted a knife -- slinging it straight into the wall behind her. Blinking, Socrates huffed, and picked up a spoon; bending it in two. "C'mon!" she squealed, as she slammed her fist down, and flipped a cutting board into the ceiling. "Seriously!!?" she screeched at it, and started hopping her rather... petite-heighted self to attempt getting it. Eventually, she would just climb onto the counter... in her fashionable heels... and end up in a bulk bag of flour.
Turns out, she would need a bit of help; [Adventurer] wasn't a substitute for [Chef] or [Cook], after all.
"FLAAAAANNNN!!!!" she screamed, all the husky attractiveness in her voice traded for power and frustration.
Dialogue from @The Irish Tree
Attn: @IceHeart
However, patiently, Socrates had waited out Rodias's planning and scheming, and heard out the rest of them, from the top to the bottom. He agreed here and there, and disagreed here and there, but largely, he wasn't concerned with the trifle and the rabble nor speaking for or against them. THEY had their purposes, like pieces on a map, pawns on a chessboard, and yet, Rodias had failed to attribute the pawn he'd inherited: the Chateau, itself. Stepping forward, once everyone gathered had spoken, unconcerned as to what anyone else would think, unlike his Lady, or if they were even still present, Socrates smiled at Rodias; that unnerving, bastard smile of his that bespoke of a long con.
During Chuunitrixx’s breakdown, Socrates had come across an interesting series of [say] discussions about a thing called a “brothel” and another, similar, thing called a “hostess club” -- they seemed to be the same, yet the “brothel” thrived off something called “sex” and turned quite the profit, yet wasn’t as “social appectable” as the “hostess club”. Frowning for a moment, Socrates puzzled on it, before he formed an idea, “Why not do both?” and studied every instance of the subjects with a resectable, albeit, sinister aplomb.
"Harken to me, my Unproven Lord," he asked, "that I might offer another course, unseen?"
"I've taken a vested interest in the conversations and concepts of the world we knew, and I've learned of a unique form of death," Socrates says. "It's called: the Death of Character."
Socrates unbuttoned his fashionable button-up, and his chest opened into a secondary mouth; Rodias's sharp vision could easily see, amongst the number of books he'd mimicked from Kath, an orange-sized sphere that cycled, quite beautifully, though the rainbow and an all-too familiar vial of blood -- he knew that it was Socrates's Slime Core and the vial of strangely blessed blood. In an instant, the Sable Lord could plunge his blades into the sphere of biological data, and end Socrates's existence permanently, and steal back the blood in the same moment; in the same instance, he would turn the entirety of Chapter VI against him, set a permanent image of himself before all in attendance, and irreparably destroy Chuunitrixx's faith in him.
It was a power-play by the scheming Mimic, and his nefarious smirk confirmed that much. Reaching in, Sorcates retrieved a book, and cleared his throat:
>Hopotto: Hey, hey, what happened to Brinbin?
>Gess: he got kicked out the guild
>Hopotto: WTF???
>Gess: Teatay sent Aneeki a PM that Brinbin was hitting on her
>Hopotto: He's married!
>Gess: Aneeki knows
>Gess: she still flew
>Gess: Brinbin got shouted out, and booted
>Hopotto: Teatay got the High Cleric kicked?!
>Gess: Aneeki said, she couldn't trust him
>Gess: she's got logs
>Hopotto: Logs? Isn't Teatay a photographer? She can fake ****!
>Gess: i said the same, bro
>Gess: Aneeki believes that b****
>Hopotto: ****ing b****. Now, we can't run Solstice.
>Gess: im going guild shopping on
>Hopotto: I'll join. **** this.
Socrates looked up, as he shut the book. "It goes on from there, however, that is all I need to read," he says, "From there, the ones known as Aneeki and Teatay developed reputations as "griefers" and "scam artists"; their Guild fell apart, and they weren't allowed into parties." Socrates stowed the book away, "Even when they created new accounts, just to get back into Raids, they were found out, and eventually had to quit. They'd suffered Death of Character. Nobody could trust them. Her Ladyship Kath Erine can verify the contents of what I read, if you don't believe me."
"This information I offer to you, heartily, and my services, as well," Socrates says, "Instead of shedding needless blood or spending value time on this, I suggest allowing me to cull this Human to your side, and place him firmly under your thumb. In doing so, I can establish a foothold in the village he oversees, and his prospects -- present and future," he smirked, "Additionally, if there's one thing I know best, it's oversight."
Socrates stretched out, and his skin and clothing paled to a white that would be familiar to Salem, as 'sculptor clay'. His skin split into numerous sections, which further divided into square panels, and started to spin like a complex optical illusion given shape and form. He was transforming into a completely new shape, as his once blonde hair launched from shoulder-length to waist-length and his side profile expanded at the rear and breasts, as they grew outwards, as his stomach lost muscular definition, but gained smooth tone, and his hips grew wider. His arms and legs lengthened, visually, as the amount of muscle changed, and they became slender and feminine; the same occurred with his face, as it became more sleek and, ironically, more shrewish than it already was. Socrates already carried the presence and air of a vain asshole, and now, he'd amplified that by adding 'Alpha Bitch' to the mix.
"I introduce to you," Socrates says, voice a smooth, husky blend of his own and Lady Traptrixx's, and he -- or, rather, she now -- donned a casual, yet flashy attire, as the panels ceased spinning, and became a solid form, "Karynn Trapmaine, Chateau Gothika's first Courtesan, the Duke of Amberden's downfall, and your rise; if you're willing to entertain a humble woman's scheme?"
Socrates could hardly contain his -- no, her confidence, nor her Mimic Smile, as she pressed her ante card forward, and bet the pot, "I could probably even make your heart beat for me by the week's end, I bet.'
Rodias scoffed just a bit. ”I find that hard to believe. I know mimics lack actual genders, but I can still plainly tell that its you, Socrates. Changing your name and adding weight to your chest isn’t going to have me head over heels.”
"All I need to do make your heart go, "doki doki~!" for me," Socrates mewled, making a heart with her perfectly sculpted fingers, before she put on an impressive pout, with her perfectly plump lips, "Do you think I can't?"
Rodias seemed completely unmoved, saying: ”Honestly? I don’t. But, seeing as you’ve already put forth the effort, I’ll let you try. Of course, I’d need to hear what you actually have planned for the Duke, Miss ‘Chateau Courtesan’,” Rodias said in a somewhat mocking tone, given that he never approved the creation of such a role.
"When it comes to that. I have a week, after all," Socrates notes. "[I'll give you this for free, however. My designation is between Socrates and Karynn, choose the one I'll answer you to."
”I’ll keep calling you Socrates. Its just simpler if someone sees us talking for them to understand that its you, just in a different shape,” Rodias said.
Socrates beamed devilishly, monstrously, and tilted her head into a cheeky grin, "Don't regret that decision, when you’re purring my name."
Rodias could feel a test against his Charm Resistance; not magical, not influenced, but raw strength and force of personality. Socrates was dangerously charismatic, and only tempered by his vain and manipulative personality.
Rodias didn’t feel threatened by the Charm Resistance being tested; After all, Dhampirs were less emotional than humans, for the most part. He wasn’t exactly thinking with his second brain rather than his first, so such a thing didn’t register as a concern to him. Reaching out and gingerly patting Socrates’ head, Rodias said: ”Right, Right. Have you told Chuunitrixx about this plan? She might have some concerns.”
"Of course," Socrates smirked, shamelessly jutting a pink-painted thumb back, "She's right there with everyone else," she says, as she'd never pulled Rodias to the side, simple stepped before him, "I have no secrets from her, my Fledgling Host."
Chuunitrixx waved cutely. Socrates was literally shameless, and had openly attempted to force Rodias's boner before the assembled court. Her schemes were many, and always open to public forum; after all, if you were going to succeed, why hide? Confidence was very attractive.
”Right. Anything else you’d like to discuss before this meeting is over?” Rodias questioned, his pants very plainly untented. It seemed that he was safe from being charmed.
"If I do think of something, I'll be sure to bring it up in our bed tonight," Socrates says, bowing respectfully. "For now, I shall be sequestered in the library until dinner, after which, you will find me in the kitchen. I'd be pleased if you dropped by, say, any hour after dinner bell?"
”You’d have trouble getting into my chambers. Only a Guild Member can enter...and, I’m the last one there is. As for finding you in the kitchen, I suppose I can find the time.”
"That's an incorrect statement, my dear," Socrates smirked, as she turned, "After all, we're all Guild Members, Rodi, now. Family."
Socrates stepped forward, but a single step, before she crumpled into Sentries and Proxies; exhausted of HP and MP, and dissolving into the Chateau. Smoothly unmerging from the floor, Socrates looked at the expanse of books that Kath had amassed under the wing of her forgetful Supreme Being; from spellbooks to training manuals to recipe books to chat logs that spanned for hours. Careful, she plucked chat logs from their dusty station on the shelves, one by one by one, and scanned them, looking for his name.
She was researching Rodias. Every word he'd spoken since his inception into Bandersnatch. Every dialogue through [say], [guild], and [party] chats -- even [whisper] -- each form of chat sectioned and filed away by the semi-neurotic Dragonoid; painstakingly transcripted, recorded for no other reason that his Lordship KissMyAxe was forgetful as shit, and every conversation was important. It was a shame that it was details only available while KissMyAxe was logged in, and Kath was active to record active dialogue; however, any detail could lead to a discovery in her favor.
After a bit -- a few hours, in truth -- Socrates found a thread of conversation about home-cooked meals, childhood dinners, and such discussions. "There we go..." Socrates says, surrounded by books in massive, scattered piles; half-open texts; some facedown; some faceup; some standing; some dogeared; some bookmarked; all chat logs spanning years. Like the mess around her, Socrates was a damn, fine mess; hair matter to her forehead with simulated sweat, cheeks flush with excitement over her triumph, and eyes bloodshot from excessive reading. "Fwaaahhh...~!!!" she yawned, cutely, as she stretched. "Now, I just need to get to cooking. Rodias will be surprised, I'm certain..."
Reaching into her purse, Socrates shook out a mess of Proxies, and motioned. "Clean up, then clear out," she ordered the little beings, before crumbling away, and transitioning to the kitchen with an apron on. "Alright... now, how hard can cooking be," she shook herself, patted her cheeks, and hefted a knife -- slinging it straight into the wall behind her. Blinking, Socrates huffed, and picked up a spoon; bending it in two. "C'mon!" she squealed, as she slammed her fist down, and flipped a cutting board into the ceiling. "Seriously!!?" she screeched at it, and started hopping her rather... petite-heighted self to attempt getting it. Eventually, she would just climb onto the counter... in her fashionable heels... and end up in a bulk bag of flour.
Turns out, she would need a bit of help; [Adventurer] wasn't a substitute for [Chef] or [Cook], after all.
"FLAAAAANNNN!!!!" she screamed, all the husky attractiveness in her voice traded for power and frustration.
Dialogue from @The Irish Tree
Attn: @IceHeart
