Letter Bee

Royal Rumble!

((Part 3 of the Collab between Scarifar, Letter Bee, CavnderOHeart, and RoflsMazoy.))

Now that Michael thought about it, things were progressing well. Maybe even a little too well. Perhaps it was just paranoia, but he couldn't really shake off the feeling. More than a few concerns were coming to mind, and Michael used this opportunity to speak to Ascot, "Hey, Ascot, don't you think giving her that doctor's last name makes her a little too easy to find? Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't it relatively easy to look up a family registry or something to find people with the last name Baumann?"

Ascot nodded. "Yes, but my brother is in law enforcement, which in turn is because he is strong. Very strong. If anyone can protect her, he can."

Michael was still unconvinced that that would be enough, but figured that this wouldn't get them anywhere and decided to set it aside for now. Sighing, he said, "Alright then. When do we get going?"

"When Alex arrives, which should be soon," Ascot said.

Vernon was dwindling a cigarette in his hands. No smoking, just dwindling. His father was the smoker and he was the drinker. Vernon had unmasked a victrous smile, this was more people than the first time. The Gods which have prepared Humanity to fight against the Great Ancient Evil will doubtlessly pay more attention to their Humans with careful eyes. '' just what I needed' He sung again his emotions had become charged by how inebriated this event had turned out. He knew that they would walk the land someday, Vernon would be pleased even if many God's and Goddesses intentions of giving these Cores were wicked. He alike many others wanted answers, wanted to know what they did to their once peaceful/boring/perfect/sane lives.

He just talked this time while standing. "I thank you all. Our answers will be given, and our lives under our control once more. And if these Gods, Goddesses, and more have intented to Obliterate us, then my father's...Witch Family will give them their own medicines, medicines tampered with by new age science. If, they however. Intended to help us, then truly they will understand. how just how they have changed our lives. We will run into each other again." He said fighting the tired voice within...Just before he walked inside he placed the cherry flavoured cigarette on the ground.

Now back with his boyfriend and Friend Vernon, gave gestures of his exhaustion. Sore eyes, redness of the throat, still arms, and pusling legs. "I...Need a long, minute."

Most in the crowd didn't believe what he said, but there were a few who were utterly enraptured by Vernon's passion and drive. The devoted few would be worth more than an unfaithful mob, but there would be more work to be done.

But as for the Gods which Vernon had saught to draw out, who could truly say they would have taken notice? Perhaps they did, but perhaps a greater number turned their heads. It would not be the first time a person had preached such a thing, and it would not be the last by a long shot.

++++

Alexander would arrive in the hospital room, his face stormy as he looked at Ascot, Michael, and Vernon. He would then say to Ascot: "All right, give me a full explanation of your investigation. Now."

One explanation later, and Alexander was un-appeased. Instead, he would say, "So, you're investigating Mephisto. And it turns out that he's worse than people already think he is." A sudden turn-and-glare towards Vernon. "As for you, if you wanted to find out more about the Gods, I have my Grimorie; it's blessed by as many of them as possible and you can cross-reference your powers to the list of the Gods and Goddesses who granted the blessing. In fact, once I make the arrangements to get custody of Christine, I can drive all of you to the most ancient temple of Rhea itself; my Family's secret temple to the God of Stories."

+
Vernon's eyes looked lifeless he had slowly darted them over to Alexander Ascot, his brother- law-to-be. He wiggled his drying lips and slumped unevenly, and arching his fingers Vernon had tiny stamina and couldn't properly process what Alley had been saying, he tried to repeat the words in his head, and came out with some speech that was nearly gibberish. His response was his nonchalant cold, crass remarks. "But you Gods could be lying, and Goddesses could hide their intentions in their Powers. To summon them on familiar ground, under familiar....circumstance? Surroundings! Will keep them on guard. Shock Value. Alley. Shock Value..." He moved over to Willy just like a zombie and grabbed him weakly, with two uncovered yawns he asked them all. "Awed yet?" To follow up his remark with his verbalized intention.

+++++++

Ascot would hug Vernon, and then say to Alexander: "Well, let's take Christine and go, then?"

Royal Rumble!

((Collab between Scarifar, Letter Bee, CavnderOHeart, and RoflsMazoy.))

Ascot, Vernon, and hopefully Michael would get down from the bus; Ascot then bought some iced coffee for the group from the vending machine in order to keep them from being tired. Then, the young man would go towards the hospital, activating Narrative Role of Familiarity as he did so. He would then say, "Michael, Vernon, remember that you two are not directly protected by my power, so don't stray too far from me. Also, instead of going towards the basement or highest floor, we're going directly to the girl."

He would then head towards the receptionist, trying to pass himself and his friends off as a friend of Andre's daugther; Narrative Role of Familiarity ought to shape her memories to that effect.

"Andre Baumann...?" The receptionist said. "He doesn't have a daughter checked in here. He did check in a girl a while ago, however."

The receptionist went to get a list of patients.

"She was sent in for treatment, but even though Andre Baumann is deceased he paid for it ahead of time. Here is her room number," The receptionist conitnued.

Michael wanted to reject the coffee, not really having a taste for it, but he decided not to be rude and took it anyway. It was as bitter as he expected. He then threw it away in the nearest trash can when he figured Ascot wasn't looking and proceeded to follow them into the hospital. After giving the receptionist a quick "Thank you," Michael proceeded to follow the group as they went off towards the room. "Any ideas of what we should expect from this girl?" Michael asked once they were some distance away from the front desk.

Ascot looked at Michael as he continued on, "I am expecting that someone that can melt the heart of a blashphemer like Baumann has a remarkable quality about her; either a heart-melting innocence or a uniquely precocious personality. That or she has a unique power. But my heart says that we will have to protect her somehow; dark forces may come after her for some reason."

Vernon pursed his lips. "You are always the chivalrous knight, William. But be careful that you do not make your own boyfriend jealous."

A smile from Ascot at that, as they got to her room number. "My brother already made me acquainted with the concept of 'jealousy'; depending on the outcome of the meeting, we'll have to call him."

Vernon frowned a little afterwards, then Ascot opened the door and entered the girl's room.

The room was one of the normal ones on the second floor. One that would normally contain many patients, but there was only one here. Surprisingly she looked very similar to the spirit of the Facility, a young girl about 8 years old. The only thing missing were the bandages and scars. She looked up as the boys approached.

Ascot waved his hand, before deciding to turn off Narrative Role of Familiarity and the field it projected; he had a feeling he either didn't need it as the girl was isolated from the world, or that dishonesty would be counter productive. He would then say, "Umm...hello. My name is William Ascot; I'm a student of St. Laurel's. Your father sent me; or rather, the spirit of his house did. It's hard to explain."

Vernon was dumfounded at Ascot's sudden scruples, looking at the other boy in shock. He would then cautiously wave a hand and say, "Hi."

He then began humming a small tune with lyrics related to ice just in case he needed to stop the girl from screaming...

Michael said nothing, only giving a small wave and a smile when their eyes met. The others were already doing enough work; no need to add to the confusion they were producing.

"My father...?" She said, distractedly. It would seem there was more to the situation than met the eye. "You mean Dr. Baumann?"

Ascot nodded. "Yes; he is dead, has been for a while, but he was able to send a message saying to find you and that it was urgent."

Blood Reigns Over Westeros: A Song of Ice & Fire Story (Accepting Player Proposals)

Further edited my House Sheet.

Royal Rumble!

((Collab between Rofls and Letter Bee; Vernon is used with permission from his player.))

Vernon smiled at Ascot. "Always clever, William. But I think I and Michael should stay outside; someone needs to watch the surroundings."

Ascot nodded, and entered the basment of the residence; he was prepared for yet another Spirit Interrogation...

Amongst the charred ruins of the basement there were the charred remains of a few tables and chairs. In the center of it all, the spirit appeared. A man with brown hair and glasses, with a long lab coat currently on fire in various places. The man seemed tired.

The spirit of the secret lab facility hadn't provided a description of the head researcher Andre Braumann, but perhaps this was him.

"What do you want to know?" It asked simply.

Ascot frowned. "What deeds did Andre Braumann do, and did he speak about them in this building? For that matter, did he know anything about one named 'Mephisto'?"

"...How strange it is... This feeling." The spirit muttered. "Andre Braumann... His identity has been placed over mine. How strange it is, to hear his name and find it odd, when it should not be odd at all."

The spirit suddenly seemed to recoil from something, and the lit flames on his lab coat seemed to intensify for a second.

"...No matter. The man known as Andre Braumann, what acts could he have done that the spirit of the Facility could not tell you? He kept his personal life separated from his work, as he should have done." The spirit said, flames flickering as he seemed to recall events from the past. "But he knew nothing. For all he had done, for how cautious he had been, he had only ever been dancing on the palm of Mephisto.

"He knew naught of Mephisto. He was a man of science. He would not let ethics stand in the way of progress, or so he told himself. But make no mistake, his only delusion was that of making progress. He knew the morality of his actions and was prepared to spit in the faces of the Gods if he had to.

"But what a fool he was, he thought himself safe. He thought himself above it all, he thought he'd found favor in the eyes of Mephisto. Mephisto had only found the end of his usefulness.

"The result of his hubris... You can see it here, can't you? I think I should be glad you have stayed far from his path."

The spirit's lips stretched into a grin. Not a very pleasant one, either.

A deeper frown. "Mephisto killed Andre. How was he killed, as in, what power did Mephisto use to dispose of him? And for that matter...what Gods did Andre want to defy most?"

"His power would be the same one he used to loose the beasts in the Facility." The spirit said, becoming more sombre. "Baumann had studied it extensively before his death, and I was able to bear witness to it afterwards. However, there were many differences, of course.

"Mephisto has never been in this place. He has never even approached this place, and yet, the Red Lightning was there. A strange phenomena, more akin to a curse than anything else. Baumann never noticed it, as he died too shortly after it had begun. But it was almost as if there was a consciousness following behind him, trying to bring about his death.

"A curse, perhaps, or maybe a remotely controlled ability. Baumann was not able to find a solution, and neither have I for that matter."

The spirit paused for a second, as if trying to remember any more details, but it would seem none came to mind.

"As for which God... None of them. Or any of them, I should say. Had they come down to smite him, he would have spit in their eyes, oblivious to the fact that it would mean nothing at all to them. It was nothing more than dreams of grandeur, only the last remnants of humanity a man like him coud have." It finished.

Ascot clenched his right fist in abbhorence, then a thought came to him. "Does a man like him even have a family?"

"He never spoke of one in this household," The spirit said, pausing. Then the smile returned to his lips. "But he has a daughter. One who knows nothing of all this... For a very good reason. You'll find her in the hospital not far from here..."

A nod from the boy, before he said, "Has Andre Braumann ever spoken about St. Laurel's or St. Laurel?"

"No, science has long been the only thing he had lived for," The spirit replied. "Until his daughter, that is. She was not known to Mephisto, and not even to me until she passed this house by chance.

"It would be best to find her sooner rather than later, however. Not all secrets can be kept forever."

Ascot gave a slight bow, and said when he got up, "Then I will find her. But before heading to her rescue, I will ask one last thing. What summary of Baumann's studies of the Red Lightning can you give me?"

"His notes are ash, but I can dictate them to you if you wish." The spirit replied.

The boy said resolutely, "Do so."

Once the spirit was done, he would go back to Michael and Vernon, and say with certainty: "The chase continues. But it seems that Mephisto has the power to curse people, and this curse manifests as red lightning that causes cages to open and flip stoves on to set houses on fire. Like a 'programmable' form of telekinesis. But what's more important is that Andre Baumann has a daughter in a nearby hospital, and she needs our help."

@Scarifar@CavnderOHeart

Blood Reigns Over Westeros: A Song of Ice & Fire Story (Accepting Player Proposals)

Might come back.

A World Away - An Alternative History Colonization of the Americas [Defunct]

-Deleted-

Royal Rumble!

Sorry for the really short post; I'll compensate for it with a larger collab.

Royal Rumble!

William Ascot + Vernon (With Permission)

Andre Baumann's house was rubble and ashes; a quick question of whatever locals were there said that the residence burnt down long ago due to a 'stove fire'. Ascot loudly sighed, while Vernon said to the former, "Arson, it seems, although there is no evidence for it?"

The younger boy would nod. "The rabbit hole deepens. We're going to have to sift through the rubble to find the basement."

Vernon looked at him, "We have a painter who can make mystic traps, Stargazer William. Just have him make the rubble float."

Ascot smiled at that. "That's a good idea, Vernon." Turning towards Michael, he said, "What do you think? Can one of your 'Trap Arts' make the rubble float upwards, out of the basement?"

@RoflsMazoy, @Scarifar

Kingdom Hearts: Lights of the Multiverse (KH and Alternate History)

@Cerces22, if you can post regularly, then you can apply.

Kingdom Hearts: Lights of the Multiverse (KH and Alternate History)

The Emperor and Empress smiled at Lilliana; the latter clearly had a more just reason for wanting money than the others did. And so Emperor Michael said, "All right, Lilliana, you and your family get a trust fund, with enough money to set you up for life." He then turned to his wife, and said, "You know, we really should subsidize higher education more, while at the same time looking into why it's more expensive in the first place."

Empress Maria nodded at that, also smiling as Lukas basically returned the stipends he had been granted back to their respective nations. A win-win situation, it seemed. But now it seemed as though the meeting was drawing to a close, and the group needed the chance to rest.

Tocsax would then smile and say to Seth, "Your request and Lilliana's are actually the most reasonable. I am sure that magic or super-science can be used to prevent one from falling to the genetic defect you mention. Very well, a cure will be formulated soon."

The Nobody continued, "Well, as we've ran out of anything important to say, I think you guys should rest and relax. There are guest lodgings near the palace gardens, after all." He then pointedly ignored Ziton's statement; it was quite clear that the Nobody distrusted the knowledge-seeking adventurer. "Either way, the maids and butlers will guide you all to your guestrooms now."

------

The guestrooms were lavish, with silk-lined furniture, desks made of Alt-Brazillian dyewood, and scented with citrus perfumes. Each also had a small backdoor that led to a garden with a fountain and bright flowers - a recent addition. And of course, there were books, plenty of books on the Original Timeline and Renovation itself.

But there was one final part of the guest quarters that was most interesting: A medium-sized training room filled with dummy weapons, where Giorgios Kyros, the young man in special forces armor who bore only a shield as his weapon, waited for anyone to approach him for training.

As for Seth, Damianos Sardis the scholar-wizard would go to his room, bringing him a blue bottle which he would say was: "Calming draught; a stop-gap solution against innate rage; if taken or injected, it would cut off the primal rage even as it builds up. In short, a pre-emptive solution that though not perfect, is still a solution. It can also revert a person who has lost himself in rage if injected."

@Rai@The 42nd Gecko@Rex@WXer@Double@Gentlemanvaultboy@Drifting Pollen