"Fei, this isn't your fault," she said hoarsely. "Vai has always been brave. I know it wasn't as easy to see when she first got here. She was so timid and jumpy. But she didn't survive Aegythrax by being a weakling or a coward. Even before you two were dating she was willing to put herself on the line to save the people she cares about, to face her fears head-on. This is part of who she is, not something you did."
"I'm not saying I don't wish right now that she were a little less brave. Maybe I'm being selfish, but I don't want to lose her. Part of me wants to ignore her wishes and give her the treatment anyways....but I know that not giving her the choice is wrong. And too much like what Aegythrax did to her. So I can't. I hate this. I hate feeling so helpless....it's like the time demon all over again."
"I know that Vai has always been brave, Sabumnim," Fei replies in a tone that, for all of its softness, sounds almost...angry (which she has never heard in his voice ever). His hands come away from his face as he rises from his 'seat'. "I know better than anyone else here can know that...and I may have given her more than she needed." The stone in the walls begins to groan, as if being stressed to nearly the breaking point.
He then stops, realizing that he is no longer speaking from his center but from the only place he can as a man with no fear. He shakes his head with a truly pained expression and looks back at Aananda.
"I...am sorry, Sabumnim. I spoke in anger, and it was not my place to do so. It dishonors her choice as much as if the choice were taken away from her, as you said."
"I...do not know what to do anymore."
"Agartha is a world in the prime material plane. Kuros is a city on that world."Underground City
"I may accept travel, would you be willing to answer a few of my questions? Is this place on Agartha... if so, where is it in relation to Kuros...can you find all of the people I've set free and transport them to Kuros?"The little being replies, "Statement: Without access to reference data, designations are unrecognized. Offer for assistance to Outsider Entity Casseus is for self-use, unless directed towards single, other, authorized target. This One will wait two thousand and thirty nine rotations before departure."
It does a few spins, which, if Casseus assumes are the rotations, appear to give him about three minute time. Certainly enough time to talk things out.
The being replies, "Statement: Entity Casseus is thanked for information provided. Offer remains as stated previously."
It continues it's rotations.
"Kon Kedikai." The young man says, taking the professor's hand and shaking it. "Er..Kedikai Kon? You speak your clan name last here, right?"
The door opens. Inside a red-haired man is chatting to an elf sitting behind the desk. He looks up and sees Kedikai.
"Another new student? Well, it does seem to be the morning for that. Come on in. I'm Professor del Sol. I teach Evocation. Speaking of which, I have to get going soon. It's almost time for second period and I have a class to teach then. But we can at least get you started with your paperwork before I go," he said with a friendly smile.
"Yes, clan name last. Er...you can stop shaking my hand now. It's only supposed to be for a second."
He picks up a clipboard full of paperwork. "Here, Mr. Kon. This is all the paperwork you need to enroll. The first page is personal information...name, place of origin, and so on. After that is a catalog of classes you can choose from in order to get a schedule. PE is required. As is History of Agartha for those who come from off-world. You can pick up to six classes, or five and a study period. Once you have the paperwork done you'll get a schedule and a room assignment. Room and board is free for students, so you don't need to worry about that. I'm afraid you missed the school tour, but there is a map included in your packet, so that should help."
"I know that Vai has always been brave, Sabumnim," Fei replies in a tone that, for all of its softness, sounds almost...angry (which she has never heard in his voice ever). His hands come away from his face as he rises from his 'seat'. "I know better than anyone else here can know that...and I may have given her more than she needed." The stone in the walls begins to groan, as if being stressed to nearly the breaking point.He then stops, realizing that he is no longer speaking from his center but from the only place he can as a man with no fear. He shakes his head with a truly pained expression and looks back at Aananda.
"I...am sorry, Sabumnim. I spoke in anger, and it was not my place to do so. It dishonors her choice as much as if the choice were taken away from her, as you said."
"I...do not know what to do anymore."
"It's alright, Fei. Anger is pretty normal when dealing with something like this. I'm pretty angry myself, but I can't do anything about it. There's a part of me that wants nothing more than to hunt down the evil Vai and take her out so that our Vai will live....but I can't. Not least of all because I have two other children's lives to consider," she said, briefly resting her hand on her stomach.
She sighed. "I don't know that there is anything we can do. The truth is that going after other Vai just bring the Empire here sooner. And there's no guarantee that we could even defeat her. Not out there. Out there she's a blue dragon in an Empire run by dragons. And she learned from Aegythrax's mistakes. She'll be smarter than he was. She won't isolate herself to make it easy for us to get to her. But taking her out before Lumos kills our Vai is the only thing I can think of."
"Yes, clan name last. Er...you can stop shaking my hand now. It's only supposed to be for a second."
He picks up a clipboard full of paperwork. "Here, Mr. Kon. This is all the paperwork you need to enroll. The first page is personal information...name, place of origin, and so on. After that is a catalog of classes you can choose from in order to get a schedule. PE is required. As is History of Agartha for those who come from off-world. You can pick up to six classes, or five and a study period. Once you have the paperwork done you'll get a schedule and a room assignment. Room and board is free for students, so you don't need to worry about that. I'm afraid you missed the school tour, but there is a map included in your packet, so that should help."
"Ah! Sorry." Kedikai says, releasing the professors hand. Sitting down he fills out the paper work and chooses Psychology, Light Blades, Music, Necromancy, PE, and History of Agartha for his classes.
"Here you are." He says, turning in the paper work.
"It's alright, Fei. Anger is pretty normal when dealing with something like this. I'm pretty angry myself, but I can't do anything about it. There's a part of me that wants nothing more than to hunt down the evil Vai and take her out so that our Vai will live....but I can't. Not least of all because I have two other children's lives to consider," she said, briefly resting her hand on her stomach.
She sighed. "I don't know that there is anything we can do. The truth is that going after other Vai just bring the Empire here sooner. And there's no guarantee that we could even defeat her. Not out there. Out there she's a blue dragon in an Empire run by dragons. And she learned from Aegythrax's mistakes. She'll be smarter than he was. She won't isolate herself to make it easy for us to get to her. But taking her out before Lumos kills our Vai is the only thing I can think of."
The young monk's gaze follows Aananda's hand as she speaks of her unborn children.
"No, Sabumnim, you cannot," he says in stoic agreement.
The emerald glow from Fei's suit dims and goes out. As it does, he walks over to the entrance and looks back at Aananda.
He then places his finger against his temple and taps twice before shutting off the lights, casting the heavily-shielded chamber into total darkness.
"I need information. You know I'm trying to track down this killer. Melody told me that Ginni was attacked. I need as much information as you can give me. I don't think he's hunting randomly anymore. It seems like too much of a coincidence since Ginni is friends with Kitty. And if he's hunting by social group, then that might if nothing else help us figure out who to protect."
Phaezeriel glances down at the datapad in his hand for a moment, ::As yet, there is little information about Ginni's attacker, as he did far more damage to Ginni's mind than he has done to any previous victim. It will be some time before Ginni will be able to answer any questions, and to protect her I have locked her isolation room.::
Phaezeriel pauses briefly, then continues, ::I am guessing that you are unaware of the other victim that occurred between Ginni and Kitty? Do you know if Zilla is a friend of either Kitty or Ginni? They all have double consonants in their use names, and names that consist of 5 letters, perhaps that is a connetion? Zilla was murdered in a nearly identical manner as Kitty, to the point that the mental tampering was the same. I was unable to learn much more from Zilla than I did from Kitty; someone lured her off site and murdered her, then they tampered with her mind to create the memory that it was her close friend, Hew, that committed the murder. I submitted my full report to Lady Aananda, and you should be able to get both reports from there. As I understand, the person who found Zilla's body was also interviewed.::
"Er, yes. I'll... do that... thank you. Good bye."
Two of the guys with boxes look at each other.
The one without a box is the one that speaks.
After which, all of them set off at a brisk pace into the school, eager to do something, whether it's find this touring group or get away from the flatulent, hairy man.
Carl looks at them run off then sniffs, then gags, holding his breath he walks to the lunch room as fast has his hairy little legs could go.
Rakki takes a quick glance behind him to see if he's being followed.
Seeing that he's not, the five of them glance around where he ended up.
He seems to be in an intersection of one hallway to the next with three directions to travel down.
"Came down this one, so..."
He pulls a coin from somewhere in his sleeve.
"Heads left, tails right."
He flips the coin in the air.
Catching and taking a look, he heads to the right.
It isn't even 15 paces before he reaches a door marked "Registration Office."
He takes a look inside.
"Hello. I was told there was a touring group? I'm here to register, but I'm afraid my manager held me up."
"Agartha is a world in the prime material plane. Kuros is a city on that world."Underground City
"I may accept travel, would you be willing to answer a few of my questions? Is this place on Agartha... if so, where is it in relation to Kuros...can you find all of the people I've set free and transport them to Kuros?"The little being replies, "Statement: Without access to reference data, designations are unrecognized. Offer for assistance to Outsider Entity Casseus is for self-use, unless directed towards single, other, authorized target. This One will wait two thousand and thirty nine rotations before departure."
It does a few spins, which, if Casseus assumes are the rotations, appear to give him about three minute time. Certainly enough time to talk things out.
The being replies, "Statement: Entity Casseus is thanked for information provided. Offer remains as stated previously."
It continues it's rotations.
"You're welcome. Are you incapable of transporting the others?"
"Ah! Sorry." Kedikai says, releasing the professors hand. Sitting down he fills out the paper work and chooses Psychology, Light Blades, Music, Necromancy, PE, and History of Agartha for his classes.
"Here you are." He says, turning in the paper work.
"Well, that's certainly an interesting array of classes," he said, glancing at the filled out forms before handing them to the scribe.
"It'll just be a minute and you'll have your class schedule and room assignment. If you'll excuse me, it's generally bad form for teachers to be late to class so I have to get going," he said, smiling. "It was a pleasure meeting you, Mr. Kon. I hope you enjoy your time here at Avalon."
"Well, that's certainly an interesting array of classes," he said, glancing at the filled out forms before handing them to the scribe.
"It'll just be a minute and you'll have your class schedule and room assignment. If you'll excuse me, it's generally bad form for teachers to be late to class so I have to get going," he said, smiling. "It was a pleasure meeting you, Mr. Kon. I hope you enjoy your time here at Avalon."
"I hope so too." Kedikai responds, waving farewell to the teacher.
"Hmmm, an interesting array of classes?" Kedikai says to himself, reviewing the list he made.
Perhaps I shouldn't have chosen the non required classes randomly. He thinks to himself. After all, there is only so much interesting one brain can take... Huh, What is Necromancy anyway?
The young monk's gaze follows Aananda's hand as she speaks of her unborn children.
"No, Sabumnim, you cannot," he says in stoic agreement.
** spoiler omitted **
The emerald glow from Fei's suit dims and goes out. As it does, he walks over to the entrance and looks back at Aananda.
He then places his finger against his temple and taps twice before shutting off the lights, casting the heavily-shielded chamber into total darkness.
::Oh! Oh, I can't believe I didn't think of that....plotting against Light in a well-lit room is...yeah....not my smartest moment.::
"I need information. You know I'm trying to track down this killer. Melody told me that Ginni was attacked. I need as much information as you can give me. I don't think he's hunting randomly anymore. It seems like too much of a coincidence since Ginni is friends with Kitty. And if he's hunting by social group, then that might if nothing else help us figure out who to protect."Phaezeriel glances down at the datapad in his hand for a moment, ::As yet, there is little information about Ginni's attacker, as he did far more damage to Ginni's mind than he has done to any previous victim. It will be some time before Ginni will be able to answer any questions, and to protect her I have locked her isolation room.::
Phaezeriel pauses briefly, then continues, ::I am guessing that you are unaware of the other victim that occurred between Ginni and Kitty? Do you know if Zilla is a friend of either Kitty or Ginni? They all have double consonants in their use names, and names that consist of 5 letters, perhaps that is a connetion? Zilla was murdered in a nearly identical manner as Kitty, to the point that the mental tampering was the same. I was unable to learn much more from Zilla than I did from Kitty; someone lured her off site and murdered her, then they tampered with her mind to create the memory that it was her close friend, Hew, that committed the murder. I submitted my full report to Lady Aananda, and you should be able to get both reports from there. As I understand, the person who found Zilla's body was also interviewed.::
"I know about the second victim. I was there when the person who found her body was interviewed. I didn't find the connection at first, but it's there. A few days ago Kitty and a group of students from the elementary school, including Hew, the boy who was supposed to be framed for Zilla's murder, left the grounds briefly to try and encourage peace between two rival shinobi clans. That's another commonality...the first two the close male who was supposed to be framed for the crime had airtight alibis. Hmm...I hadn't noticed the pattern in the names. If it's just social group there are obvious people to be concerned about. Jaiye, Tyrrin, Raelle, Tamina...all obvious targets within Kitty's social group. But then none of them have names that fit the pattern. I'll have to look at Kitty's class list. See if there are some people in her classes that would fit the pattern. And if I can ever get a hold of Professor Sunwake I will definitely request some kind of filter on the wards to send up an alarm when someone who fits the pattern leaves the wards. In addition to asking to look through the relevant security feeds from the last couple days. It's possible that he is escalating. It's also possible that the brutality of the attack on Ginni will sate his appetite for some time. We might have a few days without any attacks," he said, frowning. In spite of his calm analysis, it doesn't take much to sense that he is barely holding back his rage.
::Oh! Oh, I can't believe I didn't think of that....plotting against Light in a well-lit room is...yeah....not my smartest moment.::
::I only hope it proves to be a successful tactic, Sabumnim:: Fei replies through the telepathic link.
::As I said - you cannot go after the other Vai. But I can,:: he then thinks to her.
::She will have no memory of her battle here at Avalon because of the Wards erasing her memory upon her departure. She would therefore have no reason to expect an attack by any of us...or even one of us.::
::I would not be recognized by her, except by my aura as a Champion - she saw me before she fled but bore no sign of recognition toward me at all. And I can teleport myself to wherever she is, without fail. I can bypass any exterior defense she has in place - at least for a moment or two - which should be all of the time I need to....conclude this.::
Rakki takes a quick glance behind him to see if he's being followed.
Seeing that he's not, the five of them glance around where he ended up.
He seems to be in an intersection of one hallway to the next with three directions to travel down.
"Came down this one, so..."
He pulls a coin from somewhere in his sleeve.
"Heads left, tails right."
He flips the coin in the air.
Catching and taking a look, he heads to the right.
It isn't even 15 paces before he reaches a door marked "Registration Office."
He takes a look inside.
"Hello. I was told there was a touring group? I'm here to register, but I'm afraid my manager held me up."
Sorchan nearly bumped into the boy on his way out of the office. Something about him seemed familiar, but he couldn't quite place it.
"Hello. I'm afraid you missed the tour. But don't worry. Your new student packet comes with a map. You'll get the hang of things before you know it. Just go inside and fill out the new student paperwork. Mr. Quillblood can answer any questions you have," he said, indicating the elven scribe sitting behind the desk.
::Oh! Oh, I can't believe I didn't think of that....plotting against Light in a well-lit room is...yeah....not my smartest moment.::::I only hope it proves to be a successful tactic, Sabumnim:: Fei replies through the telepathic link.
** spoiler omitted **
"You're welcome. Are you incapable of transporting the others?""Agartha is a world in the prime material plane. Kuros is a city on that world."Underground City
"I may accept travel, would you be willing to answer a few of my questions? Is this place on Agartha... if so, where is it in relation to Kuros...can you find all of the people I've set free and transport them to Kuros?"The little being replies, "Statement: Without access to reference data, designations are unrecognized. Offer for assistance to Outsider Entity Casseus is for self-use, unless directed towards single, other, authorized target. This One will wait two thousand and thirty nine rotations before departure."
It does a few spins, which, if Casseus assumes are the rotations, appear to give him about three minute time. Certainly enough time to talk things out.
The being replies, "Statement: Entity Casseus is thanked for information provided. Offer remains as stated previously."
It continues it's rotations.
The creature says, "Statement: Authorization for Entity Casseus is provided, or any one other entity in lieu of Entity Casseus, as indicated by Entity Casseus while free of any coercion, within the allotted time."
It's rotations continue.
"Merci, Monsieur."
He nods and the five of them enter the room.
He nods to the young man at the table. "Hello."
The guy is medium height and well built. Stocky, but by no means fat. Very handsome, pop star look. He's dressed in a well made blue suit. A simple gold crescent piercing is through his right ear. Looking closely, he has one eye of leaf green and one of sea blue. His hair is brown and longish. It seems to be in disarray, but also that every strand is in the proper place and doesn't move from it. His scent is a faint combination of musk and pine cologne. He is smiling, as if he can go on smiling through anything. Not an idiot's grin, but the smile of someone that feels like he knows some secret you don't.
Taking a paper, he sits down, giving it a very quick and very thorough(at the same time) read through.
The other four set the boxes down and face each other in pairs. Each pair plays a game of rock paper scissors. The one that wins holds out his hand and the other one reluctantly gives him his wrist, then in a puff of white smoke, the losing one becomes a wooden guitar, which the other one begins quietly playing background music on. None of them speak during this process.
He starts filling out paperwork, knowing fairly well the kinds of things he was interested in.
Music
Dance(in place of P.E.)
Advanced illusion
Transmution
Nature Magic
Botany:
He chooses not to have a free period. He was used to a busy schedule and really didn't need it.
Checking boxes and filling spaces like a man who is very used to doing paperwork, he's finished in almost record time.
He hands the paper over to the scribe.
"I have finished the forms. What should I do now?"
He is listed as Rakki Okane. A Tanuki from the area known for Shinobi. Specifically a town on the coast thereof.
Ace says a silent thank you to the Traveler, and places his hand on the wall, seeking the Headmaster. He will then teleport to whereever he is, including inside his office
"You're welcome. Are you incapable of transporting the others?""Agartha is a world in the prime material plane. Kuros is a city on that world."Underground City
"I may accept travel, would you be willing to answer a few of my questions? Is this place on Agartha... if so, where is it in relation to Kuros...can you find all of the people I've set free and transport them to Kuros?"The little being replies, "Statement: Without access to reference data, designations are unrecognized. Offer for assistance to Outsider Entity Casseus is for self-use, unless directed towards single, other, authorized target. This One will wait two thousand and thirty nine rotations before departure."
It does a few spins, which, if Casseus assumes are the rotations, appear to give him about three minute time. Certainly enough time to talk things out.
The being replies, "Statement: Entity Casseus is thanked for information provided. Offer remains as stated previously."
It continues it's rotations.
The creature says, "Statement: Authorization for Entity Casseus is provided, or any one other entity in lieu of Entity Casseus, as indicated by Entity Casseus while free of any coercion, within the allotted time."
It's rotations continue.
"Umm, ok. What are you, and where is this place?"
"Are you a spellcaster, Mr. Kon? I believe that some casting ability is required for Necromancy," the elven scribe asked politely as he glanced at Kedikai's forms.
"Hmmm, I have some magic but I suppose I am not a spellcaster." Kedikai admits. "Though I am always eager to learn. Necromancy isn't too hard is it? I mean, it doesn't have anything real difficult like arithmetic in it does it?"
Halo looked at her room, she had changes it some 50 times, now it was a big pink cave with swimming room full champaign. She headed over to the large champaign slide happy.
She slides down and splashes into the pool with a fizz, she she could not get drunk on the stuff but the book said the wards would take the Fizz from the fizz away.
His parents are putting away the dishes from breakfast when kitty and Michael walk into the room. They both turn and wait expectantly, parent glare gaze attack turned up to full power.
"I.. You see they.. Just.. It was my idea to leave. I thought Cait would handle them..."
Kitty bowed deeply, her eyes fixed firmly on the floor.
"I sincerely apologize for the actions of my familiar and I will do whatever is necessary to make amends. Please pardon this unintended disrespect for your hospitality, Dacamara-sama," she said formally.
She stayed in that deep bow, eyes never moving from the floor, but the long silence was starting to make her nervous.
"No, that would be mathemagics. Necromancy is basically death magic. Studying undead, that sort of thing."
"Ah! Death magics...hmmm....undead...well they say you go to school to learn new things I guess."
She stayed in that deep bow, eyes never moving from the floor, but the long silence was starting to make her nervous.
Finally, Mr. Dacamara speaks.
"Don't let it happen again. Michael, you'll be helping your mother clean up the remainder."
"Yes, Dad."
Jacob is about to reply to Pyry when the earthquake rocks the school. His eyes settle into a shining golden light, and for some reason, he manages to stay completely still. After the quake passes, Jacob's eyes start shifting again. "Nice to meet you, Missus del Sol. My name is Jacob Forgehand."
The young boy then turns to the girl asking about him. "H-hu-hullo, miss. May I ask your name?"
** spoiler omitted **
::Lumos is already breaking the 'rules' by having this other Vai here - and would risk very tangible reprisals from the other Patrons if 'he' tries to act directly against one of their own Champions. 'He' has to rely on the strength of 'his' Champion to win the day....and I believe I can turn her strength against her.::
Jacob is about to reply to Pyry when the earthquake rocks the school. His eyes settle into a shining golden light, and for some reason, he manages to stay completely still. After the quake passes, Jacob's eyes start shifting again. "Nice to meet you, Missus del Sol. My name is Jacob Forgehand."
The young boy then turns to the girl asking about him. "H-hu-hullo, miss. May I ask your name?"
Kim giggles a little bit, she is acting like she has never met a boy before. Hi Jay-cub, I'm Kim. she holds up her teddy bear, this is Teddy, but sometimes I call her mama, are you new here too?
Cultist City
"Umm, ok. What are you, and where is this place?"
While still conducting the rotations, the being replies, "Statement: The physical location is where it is, without the afore references requested, it is impossible to state properly and efficiently, said location to answer query, 'where is this place'. This being is a servant to the All, representing the One. It is not authorized to assist Entity Casseus beyond the offer of transport, as defined earlier. It will reply if able and authorized. It's schedule must be kept and maintained. Be advised, one quarter of the allotted time remaining has since passed."
It continues it's rotations, which clearly is a method of tracking time.
She stayed in that deep bow, eyes never moving from the floor, but the long silence was starting to make her nervous.Finally, Mr. Dacamara speaks.
"Don't let it happen again. Michael, you'll be helping your mother clean up the remainder."
"Yes, Dad."
"I can help with the cleaning too," she offered hastily, finally daring to look up.
** spoiler omitted **** spoiler omitted **
Cultist City
"Umm, ok. What are you, and where is this place?"While still conducting the rotations, the being replies, "Statement: The physical location is where it is, without the afore references requested, it is impossible to state properly and efficiently, said location to answer query, 'where is this place'. This being is a servant to the All, representing the One. It is not authorized to assist Entity Casseus beyond the offer of transport, as defined earlier. It will reply if able and authorized. It's schedule must be kept and maintained. Be advised, one quarter of the allotted time remaining has since passed."
It continues it's rotations, which clearly is a method of tracking time.
"This is ridiculous...OK fine. Transport me."
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Mel was lying there in the infirmary bed. apparently getting bored just lying around.She was starting to feel better. and she was getting concerned about Ginni.
Its been almost 3 whole minutes what could possibly be going on? Mel grabs her data pad and starts to fiddle with the data for her experiment she was was working on.
Math helps her relax sometimes. then she stumbles upon an old file. what's this? Fei? ahh, yes the big boom event.
she plays around with the data for a bit then suddenly it hits her.
nanites! she sits up in her bed. If there were nanites on Ginni at the time she was "attacked" maybe they could provide a clue.
quickly Mel begins computations and making adjustments to the settings on her sonic.
If I can find just the right harmonics, I just might be able to access older data from their memory.
Cultist City
The rotating being stops it's spinning and glows. Numerous of its tentacles gesture and what not, the effects of a teleport spell fall upon Casseus.
That moment of blinking later, and Casseus finds himself in the garden area, just outside the Cafeteria, a bench immediately nearby.
The air is notably cleaner and fresh, as daylight falls upon him.
Looks around, and sighs. He goes to try to find Jeran.
"If you find it is not to your taste after all, you can always transfer out later," Mr. Quillblood said, barely suppressing a smile. "Here is your schedule and your new student information packet. I included a hall pass in case you want to go and see your room before going to your next class.""Ah! Death magics...hmmm....undead...well they say you go to school to learn new things I guess."
"No, that would be mathemagics. Necromancy is basically death magic. Studying undead, that sort of thing."
"Sounds good." Kedikai replies. "Do I have a roommate or do I bunk alone here?" He asked. Kedikai never liked being alone but Avalon was a big school, perhaps everyone got a room to themselves.
Kedikai also says hi to Rakki and his hangers-on. Hmmm He thinks. He looks familiar.
Carl after getting his coffee heads up to see how Mel's doing.
Tapping on the door he sticks his head round
"How ya a doing lass?"