"Yes, old friend, I wasn't thinking clearly. I will stand guard while you see to him and anyone else you deem necessary," Wei says while giving the goblin in the other cell a suspicious look.
Chu does not detect any traps, and informs you all that there is nothing magical about the cell in front of him, or its lone, unconscious inhabitant.
Kyras offers Wei a sly grin. "Don't underestimate the value of not thinking clearly. It's brought me some of my finest moments." He resists the urge to glance at Azami, having recently found himself having difficulty thinking clearly about her.
Tokine watches Rhon's jar disappear into the sack, Guard that one well. Rhon is the adviser to Princess Erudima, from the Mamban contingent. He fell trying to rescue her. His inert yet living form is safe with his companions above us, and it was for this main reason I am down here. He is a scolar and his knowledge I feel will be vital to us, as the days unfold."
Tokine will check on the prostrate form and give him healing if needed to revive him.
"We came for this bottle, then. Are there other purposes for us to remain below? It might be wise to get these people's souls to their bodies, give Sera the elder a chance to escape." While the Plum Blossom Syndicate was of interest, Azami still had to deliver a message from her now dead captain and attend the evening dinner, wherein she will likely end her commission with the palace. And the blue man was going to help Kyras with the Hounds. All reasons to conclude this Undercity tour.
Besides, it seems like a good idea to get some fresh air to clear heads.
Then she remembers. "Oh Sera Aki-kirei may be here too. Right."
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Chu bows his head a fraction in acknowledgement to Tokines words. "With my life Curator his soul shall not come to harm. If anything happens then please take my pack."
Chu unlocks the door and lets the others tend to the downed man while he watched the other prisoners carefully. He looked in the opposite direction of Wei clearly uneasy about remaining in one spot for too long. "We have secured his spirit at least, now we have his body. No matter what we cannot allow anyone to disrupt us if we wish to see his spirit returned safely. I trust you fully old friend and hope that at least one of us recover that which we seek."
He wasn't sold that they had complete control of the area, not one bit and Azami's words reminded him of the all too real possibility of the Sera Elders death. He gave a low sigh, more like a hiss as he considered the possibilities wheeling out of their control and the possible mitigation. Of which there were few.
"You are completely right Azami, if we can recover the younger sister I would propose to escape as well, lest they fall back into the hands of the enemy. This Syndicate can burn later..." Azami's insight as usually was clear and decisive, a trait he much enjoyed about the samurai. The goblin's however held his interest slightly enough that Chu at least heard what he said. "You just missed him, he plans to ambush us at some river. Friend of your's?"
When Imuri tasks them, he reminds the pair that for all they know, she could be the next matron of House Shoto. Be careful and flattering.
Urk's lips curl into a snarl at the serpentfolk's comment. "Friend? HA! Been trackin' that wazzer fer more than a few turns. 'Course, just when I was about to have my reckoning, buncha bigjobs in black pyjammas ambushed me. Bit too many fer me to deal wit, so I let 'em take me. Aint gonna let meself die till I settle my score wit Grik-Grok." Sauntering up to the cell door, Urk gives him a wink and says, "Tell ya what, let me outta here, I'll make it worth yer while. Got a special present for Grik-Grok in my gear over there. And I guarantee you'll have a helluva time dealin with his likes on yer own."
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Chu considered for a long moment, his eyes mere slit's as he considered the many reactions their current actions were causing and how thiswould factor in. The enemy of my enemy... The Sera clan's children must survive, this folk hero must rise again and Grik Grok is coming for us... He had little choice, he had to trust this nameless goblinoid.
Chu approaches the cell door and unlocks it, stepping back and aligning his magic wards in case he needed to defend himself. The mote of light and distortion the hovered around his person were the only indications of a magical defense. Despite releasing the goblinoid Chu never stopped searchin the area for anything suspicious, staying alert in case the enemy revealed themselves once more.
Urk grins wickedly as the snake-man unlocks his cell door. "Heh... heheheh! Mahahahahaaaa...."[b] Sauntering out into the room he gathers up his gear, pauses while attatching a pair of straps over his shoulders, shoots a look at the group and says, [b]"Just so you all unnerstand, I coulda gotten out o' there anytime I wanted, this was just more conveenient and fast-like." He then begins humming a tune to himself while gearing up. It's a fun, jaunty little tune, with occasion PKAW! sounds drop in.
As Urk retrieves his equipment, Tokine's healing magic flows into the still form of Swift. His body heals -- cuts close and bruises fade, but the man does not stir. His breathing remains slow and steady, as if he were in some kind of deep meditative trance.
@Imuri: With all contingencies taken care of, you depart for the Silent Crane. The city is very quiet, with many citizens already at the palace, and those who for whatever reason can't go sitting in their homes gossiping about what they think is going on, or drinking sulkily in bars.
Your path, of course is unimpeded, and the Erodal woman is very quiet. When you arrive, the tea house is empty except for the pink-haired old man.
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"The name is Chukitsuna Kage. I don't care what you call me so long as you tell me your name and answer a few questions. Have you heard your captors speak of a young girl by the name of Sera Aki-Kirei? And do you know where she may be?" The Curators friend was above, Swift was in their hands and now they needed to find the Aki-Kirei before they lost her forever. He would weather all the hateful words and spite to ensure her soul was returned to her...
::Apologies Curator, I know how this intrusion feels but I do not trust this creature yet. If that man is ready we can try releasing his soul back to him. Just give the word and I will see it done.::
Perc:
The interaction of this goblin with the Advisor does not go unnoticed, but of the little beast wishes to give them something to fight Grik-Grok, she will not refuse.
Azami watches the Curator apply her healing to the unconscious form of Swift, remembering the feeling of that energy surging through her own limbs. When the man does not move, she asks, "He is beyond your aid then?"
Wei listens to the conversations going on in the room, paying special attention to the matters of Swift and his healing. When he hears Azami speak, he adds in a concerned tone, "He is not reviving? Perhaps it is something with the jars?"
"Sera you say eh?" the goblin speaks dismissively as he sorts his packaging, inspecting the compartment of the two straps before he puts them on over his shoulders. "Mayhaps I did, mayhaps I did. Could be somethin' worth sharin. Maybe worth sellin. Could just be a bit o' nonsense. Let's all hurry on our way to Grik-Grok and maybe I'll tell ya." Urk grins as he begins his mad little hum again, cleaning out metal tube with a brush. "Hmmmm-hmm-hmm-HMM!! Hmmmmmm-hee-hmm-hmm-PSCHEW! PSCHEW!"
Satisfied, the goblin walks from cell to cell, looking for somebody big, like that orc or devil-guy from before.
"We should not tarry here much longer. Especially if this Grik Grok is heading to the river where the others are." Azami eyes the goblin a moment before following him looking in the cells, checking for others that should be released. "Tell us more about Grik Grok so we may prepare for the battle."
Urk winces at the Samurai lady's voice, and turns to her. "Got that right, the longer we take, the more mischief he can think up. But really, if ya wanna know what to 'spect, well every fought a gremlin? He's basically THE gremlin. Totally insane, and crazy unlucky. Take him out or drive him away fast if ya wanna accomplish anything else in yer lifetime."
Thinking to himself, Yeeesh... scary lady. Off her first if it goes that way...,
Envoy-Six speaks up, clearly nervous. "She is correct. We should go. The other prisoners are not our concern." he says pointedly as Azami walks back to the end of the hall, looking over those in the last few cells.
She silently nods to what the goblin says, gaze darting between the green fellow and the cells. "Gremlins have not been a common foe..." Azami blinks and leans in at one of the last cells, making no effort to hide her surprise. "Inspector Cho--and the Prince!!" Quickly, she reigns herself in, brow furrowing at the words of the metal envoy. "Unless this is some trickery of magic, we should free these prisoners too. Any blow to the syndicate..." Suddenly, it occurs to her that the Emperor could be acting so questionably to protect his son. "They may have insight into what is happening down here, as well as tip the scales of the political power struggle."
"Soldiers, what happened that you are here--alive?" Azami demands of the guards, her serious tone expectant of immediate explanation.
She then turns towards the boy, her intimidating countenance loosening, a hand attempting to sweep blood-crusted hair back over her ear as she crouches to his level. "Young prince, how long have you been imprisoned?" Her voice is significantly gentler, one hand gesturing to the others that they should come unlock the door while the other wraps around a cell bar.
Shoto Imuri, in the guise of the weathered old waveman, does not bow to the pink-haired man. His training allows him to effortless affect a sincere-looking smile, but Imuri knows the man is not fooled. He keep his on unbroken as a samurai does, but he knows he has labeled this man as an enemy, and he knows that he might never see the Erodal girl again.
But this is I price I will pay. The gratitude of the Sera. The potential marriage arrangement to one of the beauties of her time. An alliance between two great houses in a time when the Empire would need their skills the most.
However, Imuri is aware of the advice of the air shugenja in such moments. It is a difficult discipline, to keep one's objectives in mind, to observe every relevant detail, while projecting surface thoughts intended to mislead those who could read faces, or even minds.
So Imuri puts all thoughts from his mind of the Emperor, Bethany Erodal, or the rescue attempt below grounds. Instead, he focuses his thoughts on the Sera's beauty, on the many glimpses of her charms she regularly teased in an order to distract her rivals. He considers her beauty and grace intentionally, forcing himself to be relieved she is safe.
Forcing those thoughts forward in his mind, wondering if this is how his famous mother felt when she acted or interpreted haiku, Imuri spoke through his forced smile.
I am grateful you have honored our arrangement in good faith. It is my pleasure to return to you the Scarecrow, whatever his role in your organization is.
Tokine lightly taps the man's face and jingles some bells by his ear, and frowns at the lack of response.
With a small jolt, she looks up to Advisor Chujitsuna and her brow furrows.
Her head turns at Envoy-6's words. "Please Envoy-6, these left here look to be allies. We will leave no one if it is just a matter of opening a door. We spread compassion in the heart of the Enemy, weakening him fatally."
Kyras grabs the key from Chu. "Come on, Scales. The lady says free 'em." He glances at Azami as he inserts the key, waiting for a nod of approval from her. From her low position, she nods at him. Kyras turns the key and swings the cell door open. "Too bad I don't have any tea to give. Is that the proper protocol when freeing royalty from an underground prison? I missed that day of etiquitte lessons."
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Chu had been about to throw the key to Azami when Kyras stepped up and took it, his comment of course rolled off his tongue in the usual way. Chu however, had not the time, nor the patience to entertain the rude child so he instead turned and set his pack down and gestured to his friend Wei. When Wei came close he carefully handed him one of the jars the one that contained the man known as Swift. "Open this close to him and his spirit should return to his body. Since you know him it is only fitting you be the one to set him free."
He had barely finished speaking when he heard Kyra's words to the Prince and for a moment a fierce sense of outrage rolled across his emotion's. Doing his best to crush it back down he instead focused on answering Tokine's question.
::You've done well Curator, above and beyond what this lowly servant can do. That man's name is Swift, a sort of Folk Hero as I understand and a friend of Wei's. I hope we find the younger Sera soon as her form is the only one unaccounted for and if they are not opened near their true form then their spirit will be lost...::
With that said he started to move and release the other prisoners. Hopefully keeping them from scattering before he could talk to them.
The soldier's brow furrows up at Kyras, shooting him a hard look at his flippant attitude before the child prince - less because of the boy's royal status and more because the child is likely traumatized by his experiences here, including being in a cell next to a goblin.
Glancing briefly over to Tokine, Azami asks, "Can you see to the Inspector? I would hope he might be revived, and we might have insight into the Captain's words and the disappearance of Sifu San Pen as well." She would suggest to the Advisor to wait to free the others until it can be discerned that it is safe to do so, in case there were more troublemakers like this goblin. But the snake-man moves ahead of her, and inside she sighs at the foolishness of mages who live in palaces.
She turns back to the boy and guards, crouched in the space of the now open cell door waiting for answers to her questions. She offers a hand carefully towards the child, if he will take it.
The prince stands peering dubiously at Azami's hand. "I...you...C-Captain Takagami? He asks." The soldiers, once freed, bow in embarrassment and thanks for your rescue, and immediately join Urk, the goblin, in the round room gathering their gear. They seem oddly quiet.
Envoy-Six nods deferentially to Tokine. "We can take all we can carry, or who can walk, of course. As long as there is no resistance and we can move quietly out. I confess I am concerned that this has gone much more easily than I would have expected."
The Envoy voices her fears exactly, although they have faced near death numerous times in this underground city. The silence of the soldiers adds further uncertainty, and Azami is reminded of the Blood demons that ripped from human bodies only last night. "Kyras, can you ensure those guards don't mistake the goblin for an enemy?" she asks with a widening of her eyes to emphasize her meaning of watch them.
Then she peers at the boy, leaving her hand where it is, but gesturing that he should accept her aid. "Who asks, young prince?"
"BAHAhaha! I like yer style, big guy!" Urk exclaims when the warbanian yanks the keys from snake-man's grasp. "But are we ready? Thought somebody was in a hurry to know about some Sera ladee."
Wei listens carefully to Chu's instructions, and nods quietly to him. He takes the jar and kneels by the man called Swift, pausing to make a brief prayer to Gozreh. I know this is not your domain, but I thank you and hope for your blessings. Now that I have fulfilled my duty to this man, I can see to avenging the violated shrine above. With that done, he opens the jar near Swift's head, and hold's his breath, waiting for the result.
Tokine watches the still man closely for the effect or any complications from such an unnatural soul transfer.
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Chu weathered everything as best he could, gathering the prisoners if he could and hoping for the best. He had hoped to find Sera among them but perhaps she was held elsewhere. The goblinoids comment cracked the surface of his emotions briefly, Chu was impatient and wishing to move as well but they needed to find her as well if possible. However he wouldn't be goaded into a responding foolishly. He had to remain focused and so he turned and approached the Prince. Bowing his head wordlessly and respectfully. At least now there are more targets, Azami will protect the Prince and hopefully the guards redeem themselves or die honorably for their failures.
::Now that that strange army of Gaijan are removed what else do you need of me Curator?::
Once the ritual has taken effect, Tokine nods in acknowledgement to Advisor Chujitsuna, and mutters, "Give me a moment." She gets to her feet and checks on the other cells, seeing if any further help was needed. She gives a deep bow to the Prince, but then continues looking. The sight of unconscious Inspector Cho cracks her demeanor, she crouches down beside him and lays a hand upon his brow, "Oh I thought you lost...forgive me my tears.." wipes at the moisture that splashed down upon his face. She dabs at her eyes, and whispers to his ear, "It is very good to see you. Your family will be overwhelmed with joy." Yet as she talks to him, she continues to look around and her beaming smile starts to fade. In a low voice to the unresponsive Inspector, "Silly really, to think a simple prison could hold the Great San Pen...if he were even down here..." She gets help to see him moved from his cell.
She moves back out into the main room and raises her voice to all those arrayed, "This was a rescue mission. I asked you, for me, to come help a friend, and I have been overwhelmed by the response. That rescue mission seems complete with benefits beyond what I could have expected, and yet another stands before us, a rescue of the Great City and Empire."
She bows to the Prince, "We stand within the Plum Blossum's network, many of us here have lost friends and acquaintances and witnessed attacks upon the Emperor's home and domain. We know they deal in dark gods and alliances. Well, they stand now arrayed against us, they know we are here. Friends fight now to give us this time and we still have a fight before us to get out of here. But a choice stands before us, it seems one of the House of Sera is still unaccounted and perhaps others together with the chance to further hurt the Syndicate but against prepared defenses. Or we have the charge of seeing the Prince safely back to the Palace. Although I would gladly ink my last painting with my blood to see a deadly blow brought against the Plum Blossum, the safety of the Prince must now be a priority...but I am no tactician...no great warrior... Here her voice cracks a bit and her eyes take on a shiny gleam ...I am just tremendously blessed with beautiful friends...I would seek your quick council....Councilor Chujitsuna...Azami...Envoy-Six...and of course Prince" She nods to each, but then opens her arms wide, "Please, all of you...I would just see all of you safe."
"Kyras," adds the Warbanian, his addition poorly concealed with a cough.
Tokine gives Kyras a subtle wink and a wry smile and directs her eyes back in the Prince's direction.
Before your eyes, a silvery cord appears briefly in the air leading from the jar in Wei's hands to Swift's chest. For the tiniest moment it hangs there, then vanishes, pulling a smoky sable swirl with it down into the man's body. Swift's eyes open and he gasps, then groans in pain. Looking up into Wei's face he smiles and says "Honorable brother, the good deed you do here...you humble me. I am not worthy of your efforts." He seems utterly exhausted, but is himself again.
Tokine looks very closely at the inspector, but he does appear to be dead; he is not breathing, and his skin is ice-cold. Then, with a lightning-quick motion, his eyes snap open and his mouth curls into a snarl, revealing razor-sharp fangs. He growls deep in his throat at the curator.
The young prince, who cannot be more than 12, is looking around in utter bewilderment. "I...uh...I was expecting you, royal guard. I thank you. My father will be most pleased you have...er...rescued me."
From down one of the other halls, the sounds of shouting and fighting can be heard; steel on steel.
Suddenly, all the doors in the round central chamber slam shut. Urk and the two guards are cut off in there, while the rest of you are in this hall with the freed prisoners and the now-vampiric Inspector Cho.
Tokine kneels beside the prone inspector. She assumes he shares a state similar to the man named Swift. She shares glad words to see him and tears of joy spill down upon his face. When she reaches down to brush them off his cheek, she is shocked to find his skin so cold. "Oh Inspector...I am so sorry..." Her shock increases to alarm when his dead eyes open and he snarls. It is the rough state of her emotions that let's the scream escape her lips. She falls back a blessing to Shelyn on her lips.
Seeing Tokine's aghast reaction, the thing that once was Inspector Cho reaches for her with a clawed hand, hissing and growling.
@Imuri: The pink-haired man sits very still for what feels like an eternity. There is a faint crackling sound at the edge of your hearing, like the noise dried leaves make underfoot, or that of a tree falling in the distance. Eventually, he makes a simple beckoning motion with his right hand, and Bethany Erodal walks toward him, her head held high in defiance. She does not look at you as she walks by. She stands behind the pink-haired man, who now looks you in the eye. "Tell me," he asks in a voice as still and flat as a serpent, "as a member of House Shoto, are you personally acquainted with the heads of certain artistic and cultural establishments here in our beloved imperial capitol? For example, would you consider yourself friends with, say, one Tokine Nagano of the Imperial Museum of Cultural Exchange?"
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When the man known as Swift awoke, his words stirred Chu's heart at the gratitude showed to his old friend Wei. Well done my friend. Well done indeed. The feeling faded quickly however and he was glad that Wei had achieved his goal. At least one of them would press forward, unburdened by the seemingly unending amount of frustrating failure's. He couldn't help the stirring of darker thoughts that he desperately tried to hold in check. Sometimes he thought his father was right, why deal with creatures at all when...
With a shudder he turned away from the touching moment and with all his might he crushed his dark thoughts back down again. It was better that Wei saved Swift. Far better than him...
The shattering weapon, the broken straps didn't go unnoticed by Chu who merely spread his hands wide just before the doors slammed shut. His voice was weary, tired and hard as steel as he spoke in a low hiss. "Get ready. Grik Grok is..." The words die on his serpentine lips as he gave a loud hiss, revealing his long twin fangs at the appearance of the creature threatening the Curator.
"Fart blossom, spart sblobbsom... blah blah blah...," and then the goblin pauses with a slight panicky wince. "Aww, do you hoomans really talk like that 'round here? OH I JUST DROPPED THIS THING CURSE MA ANCESTORS THOUSAND PARDONS EEMPERIAL ETTIKETTE I KNOW YER HERE YA BAASTERD!!!!!"
Urk manically yanks a pair of strange looking cylinders from the belts over his shoulders and grins like a madman.
Azami's eyes narrow and she stands, about to sternly question the boy when the sound of battle can be heard. The growl from the Inspector, followed by Tokine's scream, cuts her off and moves her to action.
Snatching the key from Kyras' hand, she steps back and slams the cell door on the boy, relocking it and depositing the key in her pouch. "Hide. Be silent," she barks to the boy, drawing her katana. This way, she tells herself, the prince won't be a victim of the vampire, nor underfoot while they defeat it; they can free him again after Cho is destroyed. It's a hopeful assumption that they are currently cut off from the center room with Grik Grok and whatever battle is occurring to the south.
She instinctively quashes ghosts that rise to assail her with doubt; Azami will not inscribe another child's death on her soul.
Tokine falls back hard on her rear, her glaive providing balance to keep her from completely falling prone. Although awkward, she grips the glaive tight and ensures the blade remains pointing at the lost Inspector. "Shelyn, help me cleanse his soul!" She gives the glaive a hard shake and within each bell a soft light winks into existence. The light soon grows to a small bright globe. Another shake dislodges the motes of each bell, to move and swirl quickly toward the tip of the glaive, where they coalesce into a blinding intensity. The light narrows into a beam that emits from the tip of the blade, straight toward the corrupted civil servant.
Kyras steps up besides Azami, blocking the entrance to the Prince's cell with his massive frame. A deep growl emerges from his throat, ready to fight and defend the young boy even without so much as a single blade. Azami glances at him, seeing the feral and bestial transformation on his face. He holds open flames in each hand, radiating heat and power.
"Do not be silly, it is I who is not worthy," Wei says to Swift. The conversation is quickly cut short however as everyone begins shouting and doors slam shut. "Well, my friend, it appears I once again revive you just in time for chaos to break out. Perhaps you should sit this one out, while you recover. I should hope my group of new-found companions and I can handle this." With that, Khangzhi strides to the entrance of the cell and assumes his dragon style stance.
"Silly man, give the lady that jar, or have ya not been paying attention? We can probably be done with this distraction in seconds..."
@Urk: Things fly off the shelves all around you and are flung to the ground and at the two guards; old knives, dusty vials, books, ropes, and other miscellany whirl about in a tornado of flying junk and debris. Some items, you note, remain where they are. Over the racket, you hear the distinctive cackling of Grik-Grok. Each of the guards grunts in pain and falls to the ground. One has several shards of glass sticking out of his head and is bleeding profusely, the other has a poisonous serpent of some kind wrapped around his neck, biting him in the face.
Being very short -- and of course quite nimble -- nothing hits you except dust. The Gremlin God of Mischief taunts you; "Oooh! Big Urk Boombringer bring boom! But maybe Grik-Grok bring boom to him! Hah Hah Hah! Question for Urk is, what door is Grik-Grok behind? Urk guess bad, Urk go boom! Is funny!" His voice seems to be coming from everywhere and nowhere at the same time.