Fallenreaper

Mass Effect: Borealis

@Fallenreaper You wanna start part 2? I'm in the pad.

@DJAtomika

In the pad and starting part 4 of The Devil's Playground.

Blood Act I~ Ghosts of the Past

Lyamis, courtyard

"The fact you're leaving is precisely why I've come all this way to talk to you. It's not often that I get to speak to a naga, especially one as important to their society as you. And I figured if I kept introducing myself, even the naga who do not speak to me would get more familiar with who I am. Plus, this is just a flesh wound." Myrn stated, her tone positively glowing with excitement over new knowledge.

Lyamis watched Myrn’s movements, his eyes noting the clues. It was a second nature to him. His eyebrow raised in question over her smile, her teeth exposed and flashing him. He didn’t think she understand how taxing change was for his people as he struggled to ease the experience. This was why they tended to keep to themselves mostly, the change contained and controlled until Marya’s display of mageblood.

Shaking away the unsavory memories, Lyamis focused on Myrn. He planted his spear within the ground and listened to her casual brushing off of her wound, his eyes scanned the exposed bandage over the shoulder area and sighed at her attitude toward it. No naga would’ve ever taken that type of wound with as carelessness as she did. A simple observation crossed his mind, ‘Bipeds...are such strange things.’

“Why didn’t you have the College tend to your wounds?” Lyamis asked, his tone pointing out she should’ve done that from the start rather than take the more mundane method to heal.

"I'm sure you want to leave as soon as possible, so I'll get right onto the questions."

When Myrn said that, her arm produced a book with a built in inkwell and a feather then she began to fire off several in a rapid form. Most individuals could barely understand them, but Lyamis found it less odd compared to the first time he met her and quickly answered her questions in order. His tail coiled underneath him, his torso leaned upon the spear handle.

"I still have many questions about your culture. For starters, what are your thoughts about demons? I understand that your home is near the Ravine of Demons, so I imagine that the naga came into contact with them a lot.”

“Demons aren’t to be trusted, as most individuals know this. When we come into contact, we often kill on site or chase they away due to the threat they might become. Through demons of higher intelligence are often treated with higher caution and suspicion.”

“Have they ever considered any sort of peace with them, or has it always been conflicts?”

“No, it’s a foolish thought to consider. If anyone had, they often ended up dead.”

“Additionally, what are the naga's thoughts about magic? While it is still a wild and mysterious force for even those of the college, there's no doubt that magic is involved in everyone's lives, whether they are capable of utilizing it or not. I also understand that a naga was sent here to the college after she was discovered to have mageblood. What were the first reactions to this discovery? What were the circumstances which made her come here? ”

“Magic is a change we’re not familiar with and to pretend we’re unaffected by that, is foolish. As for Marya’s situation, shouldn’t you be asking her rather than myself or anyone else here?”

“Has the naga ever practiced any sort of rituals or religious ceremonies that you would think is 'Magic'? Do nagas worship any gods? “

“No to both.”

“And what about the naga's ability to resurrect themselves similarly to undead after suffering mortal wounds? That isn't a natural, or at least normal, thing for most creatures to do. Do you have any idea what may be the cause of this? I am told that it is linked to one's emotional state, but what would you consider to be a strong enough emotion to evoke it, more so near death? “

“Malice isn’t magic. It happens when the soul leaves the body and intense emotions, usually anger, take over and keep the body alive. After a set amount of time… it often dies a natural death when the adrenaline dies or the brain is severed, killing off all function commands to the body. There’s no intelligence or anything to us when we officially die. This is a prime reason why emotion is frowned on as it causes nothing but trouble.”

“Also has there ever been any naga hybrids with other races that you know of? Have nagas ever had children with people of other races? How would you describe the mentality of a naga compared to other races? I have also heard that there are nagas who live in the oceans, do you know much about them?"

“No. Most believe a child between any race besides naga is against nature and harbor ill will toward my sister’s offspring, namely due to what her conception means. What it says for the naga’s possible future. As for naga, I wouldn’t know how to compare it to other races as I’ve never, nor would I want, to be in another’s mind. As for the naga in the ocean, I don’t know or been informed about them. Now any more questions, which I’m sure you have, will have be asked while I make my rounds.” Lyamis stated, wrapping up his statements as he picked up his spear and held it to his waist. His tail pushed him toward the matriarch first.

Lyn, Orchard

Noting Helena’s brow and reaction, Lyn explained her odd skin. Her arm was held outright and made sure it easily seen as she rubbed her scales the opposite way, causing them to flick upright on end. Helena could easily see the scales were skin colored and surprisingly smooth while the child made a few passes then straightened them out properly, trying not to flick at the tingling it caused the whole time. Her brown eyes smiled while she spoke. “My skin is made of numerous scales. I also have a issue with cold temperatures due to my reptilian appearance.”

It hurt a little to see Helena suddenly wipe her hand on her leg as if she was slimy or something, a very untrue fact. Inhaling, she pushed her thoughts away and focused on the fact the woman’s smile was at least real. It eased her guilt for disgusting the woman for the moment.

“Well thanks, I'll let my old man know that,” Helena stated, continuing. “And he can gloat about being right. And yeah, I've only been here a fortnight. Still trying to figure things out and find my way around.”

Helena then looked nervous causing Lyn’s expression to become concern as she leaned, her ears listening to the woman’s next statement, “honestly feels both longer and shorter than that.”

When Helena snorted, Lyn jerked in surprise and jumped a bit. “Not that you needed to know that. How about you? You've obviously been here longer than me.”

Lyn paused then thought for a moment. Her finger pressed to her lips in thoughtfulness and her back pressed against the tree, her feet skimming the ground. “Let’s see… Mom said I was born around spring or was it summer? I think I’ve been here about a year, going on two, which is pretty my whole life. I grew rather… fast.”

While she studied Helena, a voice caught her attention.

"Hey Rabbit!" Keri called, her pale complexion and simple dress edged into view. Immediately Lyn waved in excitement and moved to hug the vampire, the bear dropping from her shoulder to the ground.

Mass Effect: Borealis

‘The Devil’s Playground’
Part 3

Featuring: @DJAtomika &@fallenreaper

Vellios led Haze into the Afterlife club, his eyes quickly scanned the hypnotic scene. Bodies moved and swayed with the electronic music that rippled through the main room, their figures parted just enough to allow the two turians through without incident. It took moments for Vellios to spy Aleera. The asari was sitting pretty as could be near the main bar as she daintily sipped the drink in her hand, her eyes panned the scene lazily and continued to wiggle impatiently on the seat. The black carapace turian nudged Haze in the ribs then pointed toward his contact.

His voice spoke quietly through the heart pounding noise drowning out his words. “There she is. Keep close and have your chits ready, else she might not wait.”

Putting on his best smile, Vellios strolled through the crowd toward the asari. Her eyes immediately lite up when she spotted him and her figure rose, straightening upright and moving off her seat promptly to greet him. She edged closely with an arm held out as Vellios gently took it, pressing it to his mouth in a brief peck. Smirking at his politeness, her attention shifted to Haze.

“And who’s the handsome turian you brought?” It wasn’t a surprise Aleera was already starting to flirt, her hand removed from his talons then passed it to Haze to see how he would react.

The gray carapace Turian smiled invitingly at the soft Asari hand pressed against his chest. Underneath his off-white shirt, his heart was strangely at ease. He knew the flirting blue-skinned wonder wasn't into him for his looks. The credit chits in his pocket said otherwise.

Afterlife was a dodgy place for Hazan. Many of the mercs and bounty hunters that frequented the place knew him by reputation. But to them, he'd been just a voice at the other end of a sniper rifle's scope. The bank account at the end of a dirty transaction. He'd made sure to keep his face as unknown as possible. As highly as unlikely it was for him to be recognize, he was still quite nervous. He didn't want his newest excursion into Afterlife to be his last.

"Just a friend. Hear you've got a nice little...business proposition for us."

Vellios chuckled at Aleera's flirting nature when she retracted her hand. Her eyes seemed to light up at noting the turian being almost as much comfort as Vellios himself, her hips wiggling their way back to her seat where she sat down once more. "I assume you informed him of all the requirements and such for the fight? You both will be searched from head to toe a few hours before entering the arena. So I hope neither of you are shy about your...figures."

Her tone was teasing as she took another sip of her drink, waiting a moment before commenting. "You two are early compared to the other competitors."

Immediately she seemed to spot another set of the competitors, a turian and human, as she raised her arm to get their attention. She made a simple wave causing the pair to see her then start to make their way toward her. Their figures moving easily through the crowd that Vellios mentally noted it and nudged Haze gently in the ribs to examine the pair coming toward them.

Hazan nodded as he took a seat. His eyes moved right to the incoming pair and examined them silently. Sizing them up. Judging them as opponents. The Turian he could easily take, if his style were to be what he assumed. His facial paint suggested that he was a colony Turian, which meant little training...what he assumed anyway. His size suggested otherwise, which led Hazan to believe that this particular Turian might've been brought up on Omega. Or somewhere that had given him combat experience.

The human was ramrod straight in his posture, muscled and lean. Hazan immediately went for the ex-Alliance route. A former Alliance marine who'd left the service to go mercenary. The stiff posture and the way he carried himself lent to that fact. But the eye patch told a story of many, many fights. Perhaps here, perhaps elsewhere. This man had lost an eye somewhere. A flaw they could take advantage of. After all, with only one eye this man's perception of depth would be quite hampered. Unless of course he was already used to it.

He leaned in towards Vellios and mumbled under his breath, making sure that he wasn't audible past them.

"The Turian's colony born, probably trained on a colony too. He looks formidable, so he's one to watch out for. The human's probably ex-Alliance gone merc. Lost an eye, that's a flaw we can use."

"Interesting..." Vellios stated, calmly as he noted their company edging into try to listen in. He suspected she had her tricks to eavesdrop but he wasn't sure how effective they were and he wasn't about to test it. "Keep an eye on them but keep your observations low key."

"Mhm. In any case, if we do fight them, you can take the human. Your style would confuse the shit of out him. I'll take his friend."

Aleera smirked then took another sip as she watched the two edge to the bar, their asses sitting on the stools and ordered their own drinks. The asari flashed the human a flirty smile and slide over to the turian and human, her head leaned over between them as she whispered something. The human didn't even glance their way though he did shift his head, likely eyeing the pair from his peripheral vision, while he leaned back in his seat. His partner was more blunt when he faced Vellios, the closest, and spoke. "So, you're the fresh meat for the tourney? Ever been in a fight before or this your first?"

Vellios smiled, being friendly. "Name's Vellios and this is my partner..umm, you're going to have to intro yourself friend. I can't always remember names for the life of me."

It was an obvious lie while Vellios tried to give an impression he didn't know Haze well and might toss their competition own observations over them. His talon thumb jerked and pointed toward the grey carapace turian.

Hazan kept quiet as he nursed his drink. When Vellios spoke up, feigning ignorance of their relationship, he looked up and nodded.

"Hazan. Pleasure."

He kept his reply curt and to-the-point. Changing the impression he'd give the other Turian. Playing the same game Vellios was.

"Naturally I had to get the partner who's not much of a chatter, the strong, silent type it seems." Vellios commented, liberally putting a target on Hazan's back for the two. "How long have you two been working together or in this career?"

The turian was about to speak when the human interrupted him. "Long enough. No point in getting to know each other. Another group has arrived and we won't be here long."

Vellios turned his head to glimpse two more individuals enter into the room, a krogan and a salarian was edging closer and drawed Aleera's arm to wave at them. Again, another team joined them while they took a seat nearby the others. The krogan was fairly young, his skin was the yellowish coloring most his species held in their youth. His weight caused the stool to creak while he ordered the harshest things on the meal and began to drain his glasses. The salarian logically ordered water while he waited for the final team to arrive. His eyes lazily look over the crowds, though Vellios was sure he was checking out the competition.

"Looks like that Krogan's got something to prove. He's going to be tough to beat." Hazan mumbled under his breath again, idly glancing at the two new arrivals. His drink lay unfinished on the counter, as watered down as it was he didn't want the buzz of alcohol in his system to impair his ability to fight.

"He's not that bad. It helps he's young..." Vellios mumbled then took a drink of his hosok he had justed ordered. "I'm more curious why the salarian is here and why. He's either got a hidden skill or something he can use in the ring that allows him to consider this career."

Aleera finished her own then moved off the stool, her figure gracefully swayed around to gesture to them to follow her. "The fourth team is already winners of the previous tourney and are waiting for you. They will be a mystery challenge for one of your teams so I hope you enjoy surprises. I also need any chits for the entrance fee, making the end reward about 1300 chit for the team that makes it to the end."

She started to lead them out quickly through the club's back as she held out her hand for each of those who had yet to give her the fee to do so on their way out.

"Not bad a reward for a fight. Hopefully a fair one."

Hazan kept his last words to himself as he stood, abandoning his drink to follow Aleera, though he paused for a second to let Vellios take stride next to him. His credit chit sat in his back pocket, ready for payment once they were at the venue.

"Might want to give that to her when we exit." Vellios stated as he winked at the asari, having given his chits before, and walked out the door only to turn and wait with the human and turian while the krogan and salarian gave theirs.

"Sure." He stated calmly, producing the chit and handing it to Aleera right away.

When Aleera gained the chit, she grasped them tightly, then lead the way. They followed down a long alleyway and into an underground building, their figures vanished from sight. Omnitools casted a faint, orange glow that lead the way. Deeper, and deeper they went until they all could hear the voices of the crowds getting louder with their approach. Slowly, they came into view as well as the area. A rounded area caged in by what some humans might describe as a dog pen of fairly large size, about 12 foot sqaure area with a concrete floor and what seemed to be electricity flowing through the steel fencing.

Vellios looked at Haze for his reaction.

And his reaction was a surprised huff and a slow nodding of his head.

"Not bad."

"Still think this was a good idea?" Vellios teased.

Standing just beside Vellios, he could already hear the soft, low buzzing of the electric fence around the pit. The arena fit the descriptions he'd heard of other fighting rings, offworld or in fictional stories he'd read on the Extranet. To see something like this...was strangely satisfying. To fight in one, even more so.

"Pretty simple setup... Though I think we could use those fences to our advantage, if we play it right." He mumbled to Vellios, hoping he and only he would hear.

"Naturally. Just try not to touch or get caught in the fencing, especially by the krogan. He doesn't look like he'll hestiate to kill you and accidents tend to happen here." Vellios admitted while he looked to Aleera, his voice returned to normal when he addressed her. "So, who's first?"

"So happy you asked, Vellios. I believe we'll stick you two with Sarix and his partner, as a warm up. Then Urdor and his partner can take on the winners..." She said, her fingers pointed to the human and turian team then the krogan and salarian. "Oh... and there's one thing I forgot to mention one little detail: you can't watch each other's match. So any tactics you're hoping to gain, won't be seen. The waiting team is set into a isolation room until it's their turn. First up is Urdor's team."

With those words, she ushered for Vellios, Haze and the other two to follow her while she lead them to separate rooms. It was there the two would sit and wait, allowing them to talk tactics and about their observations. Naturally, Vellios was pacing around instead of sitting. His legs too energetic to stay still for long.

"How fucked do you think we are?" Vellios asked Haze right off the bat.

"Honestly? Not very. You know what you're doing, same here. All we really need to do is mesh together and we're golden. It's our opponents I'm more worried about. Like the krogan and salarian. And since we can't watch them, we can't adapt until we're in the pit with them."

Hazan shrugged his shoulders and rolled them gently, limbering up before they were called into their next fight. The blind waiting room had killed his plans to read the prior fights and strategies, so all he could do now was wait, just like Vellios.

"Adaptation is easy for me. I'm concern, like you, with the winners. At least the other teams we can estimate what to expect. The krogan will likely try to be brute force, the salarian likely knows some fighting style that will limit his damage. The turian will think tactic as in doing the most damage with the least energy while the human is the same way. Which do you think we have the most issue with?"

"I'd say the krogan and salarian. The other team have more predictable fighting styles, since we're both Turians and humans are, well, human."

"Let's hope our winning team isn't a krogan tag team." Vellios smirked, teasing a bit.

"Well, two krogans, we just make them charge each other, right? They're walking tanks, so if they crash into each other, KO?" Hazan chuckled, trying to relax even though he felt nervous.

"You would think, but not as easy as it sounds. They tend to have hard heads." Vellios said.

An hour passed, the two lost in their own thoughts while they heard scrapes of the outside playing out. The crowd cheering the winners on and even placing new bets, the announcer silent and seemed to irritate Vellios in an unsettled state. Thankfully his bio readings were normal or he knew Serena would've read his omnitool, she had likely bugged his equipment, as he looked to it a few times. Aleera stepped into the makeshift locker room as she smiled brightly.

"You two are next."

Mass Effect: Borealis

@Fallenreaper Possible. If it turns into a brawl for Hazan's bounty he's going to be vanishing really quick.

@DJAtomika

I doubt Vellios will turn him in. Even for the amount, in addition Vellios' likely going to be in shitty shape and Serena is in the same 'wanted' boat so it would be like turning her in in his mind.

Mass Effect: Borealis

@DJAtomika: Replying and I had a thought for this, namely after what you mentioned about Haze having warrants out for him. Right now, I'm tempted to have Salihim and Aleera be informed about Haze, from other bounty hunters, during the fight and then at the end aim to turn Haze into the bounty hunters. What do you think?

Formaroth: Battle for the Throne

The Guilds got a painfully high attrition rate on RPs, its true.

In the case of this one though, I'd say its doing alright. I mean, we have survived the loss of House Blackwell so far, and since Duncan knows Andrew irl (or so I gather) we should at least know if hes gonna disappear....

I've found success by sticking religiously to a group of folks I know are reliable.

@Sundered Echo

I tend to drag my core players into numerous things... You should know, you're one of them! :p

Mass Effect: Borealis

@DJAtomika: Started it.

Mass Effect: Borealis

@DJAtomika: When do you want to get started on that collab?

Create-A-Hero: A Superhero RPG (Closed)

@Robeatics

Yes, it would. Through that would bump her up to be among the first experimented with the virus which was discovered years ago and that’s what kicked off the Black Project Branch which is about 12 years, the virus was discovered about 2 years after it started and help start off the SES series. Each series timeline I left vague so players could work with the vagueness.

I read that and realized I had a stupid moment since it was so late, so to correct myself: Gene Co uses a letter and number system as previously mentioned, right now it's on the 40th or something serum. First two sets (single letters are victims of the virus and none of those survived else Rach wouldn't have been made.) are the serum identification and second set is the subject number. I do recall mentioning to Shard that they did fund earlier projects, that's not directly connected to their serum, and many of those were failures or success. However, after the Black Project Branch was created they stopped doing that. As I stated, the current stuff is PX. I would estimate a good serial number might be GE-04 or somewhere around the G range.

I've not looked over your CS, but will do so in a bit.

Mass Effect: Borealis

<Snipped quote by Zombiedude101>

I can does that. Tanya's been wanting to chat with Iosif after dah mission anyways.

<Snipped quote by Fallenreaper>

Bitch, please. Real women can lift an engine block.

@Dervish

Not this woman. :P And I'm all real.