Estylwen

The Dark Beyond

Ohhh, muahaha indeed! Yes, we got a real banger with this one. Our new post is up, and we have quite a few thickening plot points going on. ;)

The Dark Beyond

HiveMind Underwater Research Facility, Floor 3, Secure Control Room

@Lexisheeps

---

A crystal glass of wine slowly stirred in Von Galloes' relaxed hand as he lounged in his business seat, staring at the sea of security feeds stretched across the wall in front of him. He was watching two feeds in particular. One feed showed as Nick and Thierry scuttling down the hallway, panicked and scared. The other showed shadows creeping around Stella, Star and the group as they made to face off with the Void Dragon.

"Nice trick, Mr. Cress. It produces the results I like to see."

His eyes flickered to the security drone hovering beside Mr. Dress's chair, and gave a small nod. The drone proceeded to fill Mr. Cress' glass up to the half-way mark with more deep-red wine.

Von Galloes stared, sizing Mr. Cress up like a child would a puppet. "Now, now, you needn't worry, Mr. Cress," His smile revealed sharp teeth. "Your British Museum is safe, as long as you keep giving me what I want."

---

HiveMind Underwater Research Facility, Floor 1C

@Lexisheeps, @Days

---

The blaring of the emergency sirens seemed to fade to the background as the elevator dropped off the lonesome pair, Thierry and Nick, to floor 1C. Here, the emergency lights flickered similarly, in shades of red and back, along grey tile and stark white walls. Similarly, on this floor, there was an eerie presence. However, the Hollow kept to the shadows, watching its prey and lurking just out of sight.

The hallway seemed to stretch on forever in silence, until they came across room 6425. It was locked, however, a control room 30 paces down had a panel that, with the flick of a button, would allow the cell door to slide open.

Peering into the dark cell would reveal a horrifying sight. Sitting on the dark tile, panicked whimpering escaping her parted lips, was a small woman. Her ashen blonde hair was lack luster, and her skin paler than the sun-kissed texture her father had last seen her with, seven years ago.

But there was no mistaking it. This was Aurélie de Villiers, dressed in the rags of a patient suit in the basement of HiveMind's facility, white coller around her neck. And, with a dealth-like vice grip, a needle with a long razor point hovering millimeters from her jugular vein was held in her hand.

"Well, Monsiuer Thierry. What do you have to say to my meeting now?" There was a dark chuckle over the intercom as security drones floated into the hallway, their presence crowding the door where Thierry and Nick stood. They had stun batons at the ready, red eyes locked on them.

"Make one wrong move, and poor little Aurélie here will get a lethal amount of morphine in her system. She'll be put to sleep... And it'll be your fault." Von Galloes said, like a cat watching his prey.

"You don't want that, do you? You'd do anything for your sweet little angel, even after all these years. Hm? Surrender. And.... let's have a little chat. We can talk all about how well I've cared for your daughters after all these years."

Upon closer examination, a trained eye could tell some foul play going on in Aurélie's system. The hand that gripped the needle stood icyly still, like an executioner's blade waiting for the signal. The rest of her body had minor muscle spasms, like she was trying to fight the puppet strings over her form.

While Nick had mental control augmentations done to his mind, Aurélie had physical control augmentations done to her central nervous system, controlling the precise movement of her muscles.

"Well. I'm waiting, Monsieur Thierry." Said the sickly sweet, cold voice of Von Galloes over the loudspeaker.

---

Outside the HiveMind Underwater Research Facility, Radioactive Ruins

@WhiteAngel25, @Days, @Lexisheeps

---

Subject #3 tugged on Stella's sleeve as she spoke, her voice high-pitched. "I-I can turn on the submarine, b-b-but that... thing I recognize it. It was... my mission. Where I had been sent to... to... never come back. Where you found me, with the wolves. It... they want it."

Subject #3's voice was too shrill. A flap of dark shimmering wings, a turn of its long neck, and its glowing violet eyes locked onto Stella. She heard a voice in her mind as the dragon towered over her.

"Human... you dare to play with me? You really think you can handle the raw power I possess?" Its voice was metallic in her mind, and black like ink.

It turned to face her fully, claws breaking away the stone in its grasp. It was easily three times her height with its neck fully raised.

"Very well."

Its glowing eyes narrowed.

"I challenge you."

Its sharp eyes shifted to the rest of the group, watching Subject #3, Star, and Aaron. They would subsequently here its metallic voice in their mind. "I challenge all of you. Prove to me you are worthy of what I possess, or die."

As Star watched the dragon, she would realize a couple things. It was the same as her textbooks and research in her old office. This large dragon was the personification of Dark Condensed Energy. Every manifestation of DCE required different tactics to 'open the treasure' and get the condensed core within. As this dragon represented the heart-of-hearts, nullifying or deactivating the DCE here might mean the collapse of dark energy in the area, and a resumal of natural order.

As Stella held the ornate stick, a quick shift to the side would reveal glass. There was, in fact, a see-through glass tube all the way through the centre of the artifact. Staring down the sight would reveal a bright, glowing orb in the shape of a thumping heart in the dragon's chest. The ornate stick was hefty in her hands, and had a slight tingling sensation. It could reveal just as well as it could deliver an electrical shock to anything it touched.

As Ramses lagged behind the group, he would notice something strange with his shadow. Every few seconds, it seemed to twitch, like it had a life of its own. Perhaps Ramses' eyes were playing tricks on him, but for a moment, red eyes appeared in the head-area of the shadow, watching him, before he blinked, and it disappeared.

The Dark Beyond

Casual 300th post snipe.

Also, the development Thierry and the family, and Nick are going through and planning to go through is intense. I have my tissues ready!

The Dark Beyond

@Lexisheeps That sounds good to me!

@Days I imagined both were missing, as there is an attack at the pyramid in AC where Cosette/#3 is kidnapped. I was hoping Aurélie would also be taken, as it'll fit very nicely in line with the next DB post. //scheming.

Please check your DMs when you have a moment, Days. :)

@WhiteAngel25 It really is a good post, a lot of character development on Thierry's end. Now that we have all these kids I kinda want them to get back together. Oh, it's so sad!

I'm going to be a bit busy tonight so I will have a new post up tomorrow! :)

Recollections: Under The Sycamore Tree [Complete]

Nice post, @FernStone. @Punished GN, what is the post rotation? Shall I wait for a GM post before posting again?

The Dark Beyond

I think me missing that 3 = cosette is prob because I’m a lil dum, as Cosette is supposedly 17 and I’m not sure where this was discussed and now I feel dumb.

@Days

Whoops. I was gonna leave that as a surprise. A little plot twist. But no matter! Yes, Cosette is #3, which is why age was super important. She acts very young, due to having no memories and being [redacted] continously. But she is around 17 years of age. I'm just waiting for the moment when Von Galloes drives the nail through Thierry's heart when he realizes both of his daughters have been [redacted] for the past 7 years. //innocent smile

@Estylwen

Not a new character, technically, as I mentioned him before during a phone call Thierry had. He's a Louvre person of power, not an agent. He's more on von's level, but not in complete control of the Louvre. He is on The Council as well. He's an older man, even older than Thierry, but still an archeologist despite everything I just said. But a paper pusher themed one. I'd like him with von, if that's okay with you, since he's not a Tomb Raider.

I hope doing this is okay. I feel like there's tons of background business characters that are just not cs worthy.

And thank you! It was legit hard to write. Had me in tears and shit, lol

@Lexisheeps

That's fine! I feel like a CS to at least explain how he looks miiiiight be in order, so I have an easy referral. But, not necessary. This character is just interesting.

So I take it Von Galloes and Cress are sipping wine in the control room together? What kind of agreement would they have?

@Days
Right? Some of it is legit intense with full-blown arguing, as both characters have a temper.

Ah, some of the tidbits of backstory I'm giving you guys is killing me. Like, I almost feel bad for @Estylwen letting me use my favorite pre-made characters for this. But this was supposed to be more along a Tomb Raider/Indie Jones feel than a true post apocalyptic themed rp. So I had to at least ask about using them, when she initially approached me.

Vonny now, Vonny forever!

@Lexisheeps

Yes! Not to worry, more Tomb Raider shenanigans are in store once we reach chapter 3. More artifacts, more boobytraps, more uncovering secrets. :)

The Dark Beyond

@Lexisheeps Is this a new character I see? Quick question to clarify, is Cress nearby Von Galloes or remote, hijacking the intercom system? Post was awesome, BTW.

@Days Take your time, Days, no rush. :)

@WhiteAngel25 I can't wait to see Sabrina revealed.

And yes, there are plans involving the girls. Von Galloes will be the perpetrator of both. //evil smirk

The Dark Beyond: Adventures in Candyland (Prequel)

@Days Thank you! :)

@Lexisheeps Yes, that sounds good!

Recollections: Under The Sycamore Tree [Complete]

Alizée Altieri

Location: Flowers and Canvases

---

A shimmering blue butterfly, matching the woman's eyes, sat atop pale fingers as she leaned back in her seat. She stared at it curiously, pinpoints of light radiating off its wings. She could hear Auri speaking, but one pressing thought was beckoning her urgently. Her lips parted, exposing teeth.

What did the butterfly taste like?

Could she get away with trying to lick it? Maybe squeezing its pretty form in her phantom hands, and devouring it outright? It would be a right nice snack, a gleaming and glorious little appetizer.

Her eyes shot to Auri at the mention of 'Father Wolf', momentarily forgetting her spiraling, ravenous thoughts.

"Remember, we are not a Coven; we are a family. Are there any problems with that? Suggestions maybe?"

"I... don't think forgiving and forgetting the past will be such an easy task," Alizée said, playing with the butterfly a bit in her hand. She knew exactly who she was talking about. Drake Blackmore was here, just on the other side of the room. Someone she had looked up to before things went south. Someone she was very much certain still harbored ill towards her. Someone who had a sour opinion of night-stalking.

"You called us here, what are you expecting from us?" She added, moving her hand so the butterfly took to the room, fluttering about.

”For some of us it isn’t all in the past. I’m not talking about the petty fights we had, but what Britney did…" said Luca, near her on one of the seats.

Alizée's brow immediately furrowed at the mention of Brittany, one of the only members of the Coven that was on her side 10 years ago when she had her falling out. And now they were talking bad about her best friend in her absence?

"Sacre bleu, would you give Brittany a rest?" Alizée said to Luca, pressing a hand to her forehead briefly. She smoothed out her black satin blouse and skirt, trying to keep in the spark of rage bubbling beneath the surface.

"I'd dare to say the experience of being adjoined is good for you." Her tone dropped a note, eyeing the Void Heart hovering near her shoulder, which was staring hard at Luca. "...Give you some perspective."

A mixture of regret and pain passed over her face. No. Being adjoined was likely the worst thing to happen to a person, Blind or not. It was from her own selfishness that she spoke. She hated being the odd girl out. The one with whispering horrors going on in her head, while everyone else remained sane. Perhaps... she felt a bit of relief that Luca felt pain similar to hers.

"Nah, you're just a sore loser." The Void Heart's cold, deep voice spoke in her mind.

She immediately glared sideways at the Void Heart. To any Blind person, it would appear as if she were making faces to the wall. As if she was really insane.

Well. Maybe she really was losing her marbles.

The Dark Beyond: Adventures in Candyland (Prequel)

@Lexisheeps Whoops! We can if you want, but I feel like it might be too soon for the intro post. Ramses will be there though, so it's something that can be weaved in at any point. Up to you, though!