Estylwen

Umbra: The Abyssal Connection

Ghost Corp Head Quarters, Lower Barracks

@SporkoBug, @Herald, @Qia

---

"Sorry, General, my deal is with the Fallaways. If they say walk, we walk. If they say stay... then I'll apologize in person for delaying my punishment.

"Unless you want to start things off Greenie?”

Val

Le Frey glowered, hands curling into fists. ”Yeah, you'd really like that, wouldn't you?”

But he was still softened by Mimi's influence, and instead huffed a long, drawn-out breath, leveling a tilted stare at Val.

”Nah, I'm good.”

"I was once one of Umbra's experiments as well. I don't entirely understand how you feel, as I don't know how gruesome your 'creations' were. But I know how Harsh Umbra is."

Wren

VV's gaze perked up between mouthfuls of ration, staring at Wren with new curiosity. And, new pain. To say Umbra was harsh was, well, a severe understatement. Umbra was responsible for wiping her and A's memories. She didn't even have the luxury of knowing what Umbra did to them.

"I was once a valued hunter. I was sent out to track down humans for food. My last mission was to track down humans who escaped."

Ferz

Le Frey watched with a flat stare as Ferz frightened Mimi an inch within its life. His eyes immediately narrowed at the Wild, and his voice was cross.

”Now look what you've done, Ferzy. I don't get paid enough to look after you, you know.”

And Le Frey approached Mimi, huddled against the wall. He stooped to one knee, trying to appear as relaxed as possible towards Mimi.

”Hey, no one's gonna hurt you. You saw how the General looked at you. You're safe here. If the General likes you, everyone likes you. Don't worry too much about your past; we uh,” He stammered. ”We all got rough pasts.”

If Mimi were to sniff his emotions, Mimi would notice the comfort he was trying to exude covered up a hollow spot that was often stuffed down - a childhood with no parents was a lonely existence, after all.

“I didn’t mean to throw it. I wasn’t…in control.”

A

VV froze mid-bite on a bit of jerky, staring at A with a grimace. She knew that tone. Their time in the sky taught her a few things about A, mainly that A processed her own recovered memories differently. If VV had to guess, the trauma was rough - A had never dared to once bring it up, but it was evident something ate at her.

Their shared curse, as these powers relished the pain…

“I think…I think we stay.”

A

VV stared a moment longer, before her head dropped a bit. She seemed to deflate, then shrug. ”It's probably for the best…”

Her gaze drew up again on A, and she nodded, despite her own fears. ”Alright, A, I'll follow your lead on this.”

VV finished the rations and water, before delicately pushing them through a space in the laser bars. She glanced up at Le Frey, who was still consoling Mimi, before her gaze instead moved to Wren.

”Your other friend seems occupied. Val hasn't eaten yet…”

Indeed, it felt as though things were winding down for the evening. The sun was setting, orange light glinting off the inside of the courtyard's pyramid glass. The General stood with his hands behind his back, casual in how he waited for Val.

He had a theory. He wanted to test it.

Nocturnal Memoirs: An Urban-Fantasy Mafia Epic

@Little Bird I will take over Del Guarde. You needn't worry.

Nocturnal Memoirs: An Urban-Fantasy Mafia Epic

@Little Bird I'm going to go ahead limb and say 93rd Street won't be negotiated.

It's okay. Good luck with your endeavors, Little Bird.

---

@Yankee I forsee at least two, maybe three scenes/collabs with your spies. I'll add them in my post. Looking forward to your sheets!

@evierose The NPC's look great, approved

@Qia Sounds good regarding the collab with Lana, I can't wait to see it. :>

Nocturnal Memoirs: An Urban-Fantasy Mafia Epic

@Little Bird Nothing is going to change the fact that Merryland is being invaded, and that it's likely 93rd Street will also be invaded.

Here are your options:

1) Defend your territory like everyone else.

2) Leave the roleplay.

I will not be discussing this further with you. We have been very patient the past few days, but enough is enough. Any attempts to continue talking about this, and I will have you removed myself.

Nocturnal Memoirs: An Urban-Fantasy Mafia Epic

Ah, I see.

Because Nocturnal isn't pure PvP, it's roleplay as well, and sabotage and kidnapping and everything else.

ArrowFell: The Wizard Queen's Court

I lied, I finished it early. ^^; New post is up!

ArrowFell: The Wizard Queen's Court

The Smiling Monkey, Odonfield, Two Days Ago

_{@Andre Valias}

---

'First, tell me about this partner of yours. Who is it that accompanies you?'

Anton

Ryllae stared for a moment, before picking up the butterfly on her cheeks by the back of a finger. She stared down at it for a moment before her other hand raised.

On the other side of the room, back against the wall by the entrance, was a brooding dark knight, heavy greatsword strapped against his back. His cowled, shadowed face immediately perked up at Ryllae's signal, and he stepped forward. Coming to a stop by Ryllae, he gave a solemn bow to Anton.

”This is Gervese, my partner.” Ryllae said, eyes glancing up at the towering man. ”The only other member of the Order of the Looking Glass. He doesn't speak much. Prefers dealing with issues using his sword and his magic.”

Her hand gestured again, and Gervese gave one more small bowl, before returning to his recluse by the door.

'And secondly, you say that you and your partner will accompany me "in my goal". Since you've already displayed such powers of clairvoyance, pray tell what goal of mine is it you wish to help me see through?'

Anton

The butterflies fluttered in anticipation as they perched on Ryllae's hand, clothes, and hair. The sudden stirring matched Ryllae's knowing smile. The noise in the tavern died down just slightly, highlighting the next words she spoke.

”Why, your goal to topple the Wizard Queen, of course.”

---

Present Day, Battle-Blood Minstrel, Above Athius

_{@The Otter, @Irradiant, @Click This}

---

The Wizard Queen watched with satisfaction as Ingens was overcome, paralyzed as he was. The Seeds were embedded first by her trusted Callum, then the final Seed found its home by Sir Hayworth's blade.

Ingens was subjugated. Now there was just a little finessing to do with the now-planted Seeds, and the Arrowfellian weapon would realize it's true potential.

But before she could act on that, a ghostly glint caught her eye. Callum held something. Something that caused her insides to freeze.

The sword. The same that had felled her revered DuRant. Its form was different now, but there was no mistaking it. It was the sword rumored to have been touched by divinity. She could detect other magics running through it, namely one that smelled heavily of the perfumed spice of the Shade. But its ghostly appearance… the Little DuFairre had changed it, hadn't he?

The Wizard Queen drifted through the water, coming to a stop in front of Callum. She could get a better look at the sword now.

Indeed, there had been rumours of an artifact in Ravenfell capable of killing a leviathan. She had a strong feeling this was the exact same that DuFairre had enchanted. But, the fact that this sword was touched by divinity, and that it appeared here at this moment.

She felt the eyes of the All-Force on her, and her eyes narrowed.

”Prosser.”

The Wizard Queen's voice was surprisingly level. Her chin gestured towards the sword.

”I trust you'll keep that safe in your possession. You have been chosen by it, after all.”

Her voice was distorted by the water, however it was still clear to hear the raw emotion of her voice, even as she leaned to whisper so only Callum would hear.

”This sword is a king-slayer, Prosser. Perhaps it is Providence. But I trust that you'll use this sword to put an end to me if I stray too far from the path.”

She leaned back, staring at Prosser with cold, determined eyes. She meant every word.

With that, she moved to hover in front of Ingens, who was beginning to recover. The work of her devout subjects would not go to waste. Of that, she would be sure.

She raised a hand, and the Seeds embedded in Ingens head began to reverberate. Ingens grunted, his many eyes growing unfocused. Before, with a sudden snap, his eyes dilated, and he stared at the Wizard Queen with a sudden, intoxicating fondness.

”Ingens… You're not alone anymore. You don't have to guard Athius any longer. Instead, you will serve me, and you will want for nothing.”

Ingens stared for a long moment, before he rumbled telekinetically. ”I listen and obey, my Queen.”

Satisfied, the Wizard Queen turned back to her companions. As the angler fish shadelings started filtering through the portals set up around the Queen, she addressed the group. Her eyes were alight with… Pride.

”Duchess Agustria and her charge, Sir Hayworth, Prosser, you four have outdone yourselves. As a reward for your efforts…

“Would you care to accompany me to Athius?”

***

The distant lights of Athius came into full focus as the group sank deeper down into the water. It was beautiful. Stone towers rose up from the sea bed, framed by all manner of seaweed and aquatic life. Lights of unknown sources, possibly magical, lit up the towers from within. Fish of unknown colors and origins flitted between the towers, their bodies glistening with sparkles.

As they entered the city, they were quickly greeted by the most beautiful mermaids, all bearing similarities to their Princess Keove. The group was applauded and praised. Little necklaces of seashells and pearls were wreathed around their necks. And they were escorted through the streets to the palace.

Within a tall, blue structure with massive archway and coral lights, the group found themselves in a semblance of a throne room, facing a male mermaid with a striking blue tail.

”You have freed my people,” He said. ”How can we ever repay you?”

The Wizard Queen floated forward. ”By becoming part of the nation, and joining your brothers and sisters of Arrowfell. I would ensure Athius receives the same securities and protections as the other cities in my province.”

There was little hesitation on the mermaid's part. ”We have long desired to be connected with the surface. However, the Beast prevented us. We would be honoured to join your nation.”

Then the mermaid turned his gaze to her group. ”And what of your companions? What do they desire? Gold? Pearls? Solid perfumes? Athius-made weapons?”

ArrowFell: The Wizard Queen's Court

I'll be posting for the Smiling Monkey and Athius Tuesday, the 31st. :>

Nocturnal Memoirs: An Urban-Fantasy Mafia Epic

You take it one fight at a time. Nocturnal is PvP-focused. It's just like fighting the entity in GirlieGoBoom's role-play, and it's just like you're fighting me. You're good at fighting, and I think you can manage this.

Nocturnal Memoirs: An Urban-Fantasy Mafia Epic

Everyone else is in the same boat. If I give you immunity flippantly, then I give everyone immunity. And that defeats the purpose of the role-play. If you lose all your territory, I will give you more. You can't actually lose.

You're also the military. You're technically the strongest faction, as your own people surround the city. You could hit the panic button, and call the big boys in (which I would play).