Nihil looks confusedly to Sardon for a moment then back to the portrait. He of course saw nothing. Though he saw nothing, he took the Arbite's word for it. 60,000
Lanus bids next "65,000!" He smiles at Illidan going head to head with your boss.
The bounty hunters bid again "80,000 thrones!"
"100,000"
Captain Rubio's skin gets a bit pale as he looks closer as the painting and tosses his bid in as well. "150,000 thrones!"
You hear some ewwws and ahhhs in the crow. Lanus appears to bow out but the Bounty Hunters your unsure.
"200,000"
roj give lanus a gesture to out bid his 'employer' "I would love nothing more than for you to beat him. The look on his face to me would be worth more than all in this collection"
how old does this photo look. Is there anything else odd about it? Is the pic grotesque, or something to marvel at?
Rubio slams his fist down. "300,000 thrones!"
Everyone seems shocked at such a high price for a painting and how bad this man wants it.
The bounty hunters hold their bids.
Nihil frowns in distaste and looks to Sardon for a second opinion
Sardon whispers, "If we win he must come to us, no doubt he has seen what I have seen".
"But then we will have little more than half a billion left for Nonesuch..."
Sardon nods in agreement, "Very well hold off, we may need to speak with the good Captain after the auction, if he is a descendant holding him could prove valuable to our efforts".
"Sold for 300,000 thrones!"
You see a bit of relief on Rubio's face.
The next item on display A small rag and stick doll, trapped in a dusty, stoppered bell jar.
Abbot Tamas starts the bid off at 20,000 thrones and is countered by Master Nonesuch for 30,000 thrones.
"that looks very interesting" roj captures shots of both the abbot and this nonesuch character for later analysis
I wonder how many more players are going to be active in these items. Seems only a hand fullof people who have come here see Iinterested in these auctions.... or maybe they are abstaining from bidding and plan to ambush those with the items they want.... therefore ricard over there is going to have a lot of new friends when this is over. Everyone of these fools are heretics in my book. Lucky I am not here to sentence them all for good.
That'll look great as a gift for my neice.... 40,000.
He says, trying to make idle talk with Octavia before bidding.
Abbot Tamas raises the bid to 45,000 and Master Nonesuch outbids everyone again with 60,000 bid.
So he was already here? Does he live here?
75,000
Master Nonsuch makes a huge grin up at Nihil and nods his head.
"Going once! Going twice! SOLD!
Before the next item is brought on stage a number of Mourners drift silently into attendance, including Greel, who leans on a very heavy and ornate crooked iron staff. Before matters resume, there is some commotion between the mourners and advocates, and eventually a troubled looking Bland returns to the podium to speak.
"Before bidding is commenced on the greater lots, several parties have requested…and the High Mourner has insisted… against my wishes, that a demonstration be carried out, before its sale, of the oracular device known as the Gilded Widow."
Carried reverentially on a litter by six Mourners, the Gilded Widow on her throne is brought to the dais beside Bland. Greel removes a heart-shaped ruby crystal that pulses slowly with a crimson inner light from within his robes and fits the “heart” into the Widow’s chest. The transformation is sudden and remarkable, and the gilded figure shudders to life. Elegant metal fingers cut and spin the cards from the tarot deck, as Greel and the Mourners back away from the dais, bowing as shocked gasps and murmurs escape the crowd. The Gilded figure lifts her face and eyes of uttermost cold darkness to study the crowded auditorium.
"ASK AND BE ANSWERED," the gilded Widow states in an empty, mocking voice.
KIetchum remains perfectly silent, watching Nonesuch and the bounty hunters intently.
Most of the crowd seems to be in a bit of shock of what is transpiring. Master Nonesuch just sits there smiling with his guards standing still.
Lanus speaks up first "Who are you?"
The Gilded Widow responds slowly "I am she who my father froze in her beauty and her grief; alone and weeping forever I shall sit, cursed to foretell and to know, but never act or feel, save for the void that hungers evermore within."
roj makes way over to ricard while everyone is watching the presentation in fascination. "i dont know if you can feel it but this place is filled with "energy" should i ask where the source of this disturbance in the ether is and why is it so strong? Or would that put us out of place?" roj whispers to Ricard
ricard better win this, it must not fall into the hands of another. Our cause would be greatly benefited but could prove as greatly devastating if fell into the hands of our enemies. But im sure ricard knows that. He may look scrawny but hes no simpleton
(Given what's going on, would activating a mental shield freak out the mourners?)
"You're a bodyguard, Roj, play your part... In other words, dont say anything..."
Nihil scowled at Illidan before turning to observe the demonstration. Seeing at this was to be available for all, he raised his own voice. "Who is your Ftaher?"
It was a fairly simple question which he was quite sure he already knew the answer too, but it was always best to start with small steps.
The Automaton shifts its head slightly toward Nihil "He who travels the stars and blood stains this galaxy.
roj's left eye twitches at nihil response and bows and backs away mumbling unfavorable words to himself.
"As you wish...... !@#$, /^&, !@*&"
Auraxis holds his tongue, based on his role it is not his place to speak though he can think of a number of questions he would like to ask.
Nihil allowed a soft sigh of dismay to escape his Malfian lips, eyes rolling where perhaps only Auraxis could see him. Once again Illidan took the matter personally, which there was nothing intended to be an insult. They had all agreed that going in disguised was the best choice of action and they needed to stick with it if they were going to see this mission through to the end.
He waited silently after the answer he already knew was given, of course it was Haarlock. He continued to wait, seeing if any others questions would come from the others in the auction house. He had no intention to ask too much, lest their inquisitiveness draw attention.
Octavia stands up and asks. "If you are what you say you are and the creation of him then what are we in this?"
The automaton turns it's head towards her. "You are serpents of lies and self-deluded fools. You seek for much yet know little. You are those who have come to despoil the house of the dead only to join its number."
Octavia looks taken aback by it's replay and look of disgust on her face as if she can destroy it with just a thought. Others in the room do not look to pleased by it's comments as well. Master Nonesuch seems to be the only one enjoying the show right now.
Sardon continues to watch Nonesuch's actions and pays little attention to the heretical contraption before him. When all is said and done it will end up in a vault in the bowels of the Inquisition or destroyed if Auraxis gets his way.
Ricard simply held the in smile that was all too eager to surface. He had nothing of interest to note for now.
Captain Rubio speaks up "What is to come dark creature."
It shifts it's head toward Rubio "The black sun burns and he comes, riding its wake. The last voyager, the herald of all woes. At its passing the eye shall be snuffed out, the carrion lords thrown down, and the hungering ones torn from the outer dark. All this I see cast amid these cold stars."
You can see Rubio shiver a bit at it's reply.
"How do we avoid this fate?"
Ketchum asked this without preamble, ignoring the glares that he was sure to receive for his hubris. He had a job to do, which didn't include dying today. No, that was scheduled for much later.
It now looks toward Mindblade "There is no avoiding the unavoidable."
roj makes the ( I KNEW this @#$/ would happen, it always happens face)
"how long do we have" roj sounds off with a sigh of exhaustion.
"And who do I need to kill to stop it in it's tracks?"
Master Nonesuch lets out a loud laugh at Mindblades next question and the automaton looks toward Illidan.
"Time is meaningless in the eyes of the dark traveler. In the end your bones will join with those who have got in his path before you."
"Okay, your lordship. One more question to confirm the bonafides of this relic. A private one, if the auctioneers will allow it."
Ketchum waits for any objections.
roj shakes his head " Oh of course i should have know..." said with a hint of sarcasm"That doesnt answer my question at all. Time is meaningless to the dark one but it still hold relevance to me. When is this star dimmer coming, How long do we have before 'our bones are joined' with those unfortunate souls before us? And now ill ask why is this happening was he summoned to return?"
There is a bit of outbursts in the room amongst the guests and Greel slams his staff on the stage.
"Silence! Only one question at a time and any question you have must be asked here."
The automaton hums lightly a bit as it's gears shift and turn.
Sardon whispers as lightly as he can into Ricards' ear.
roj attention is draw to greel. " I withdraw my questions, I am always prepared for choas" roj stares at the autobot studying its motions and listening to whatever it says intensely
"Then I will ask my question openly. Who wears the guise of Nonesuch?"
Master Nonesuch chuckles at the comment made by Mindblade. The automaton clicks a bit "Someone who shares the same fate as you all."