"Yet they leave behind so many messes."
"Yet they leave behind so many messes."
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"Yet they leave behind so many messes."
Enre nods after Ryleh speaks. He thinks to himself "I wonder if the person who started this is indeed gone but than that leaves the question why make a new race and not have them do anything while they were still alive? Or for that matter if they knew they could not use them while they lived wouldn't they left something for them to do? This is all so very confusing."
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Walks down the halls of Avalon bewtween classes, when he sees the shadow clone of himself from earlier run through an intersection up ahead. "No way...that couldn't..." he thinks to himself, then gives chase. It leads him on a cat and mouse chase through the halls of the school, just when Ryuzo thought he'd lost it, he sees a glimpse of it again out of the corner of his eye. After a bout fifteen minutes of pursuit, he finds himself in a hallway that seems oddly devoid of students...something about them rings false. He turns to leave and finds the copy of himself, grinning at him just out of reach.
Good. You recognize this terrain as false. Not many can see through my trappings, yet you did almost instantly. I have chosen well,it says in a woman's voice.
"Where am I and why have you brought me here", Ryuzo asks plainly.
I wished to speak with you, Ryuzo. I would think that would have been obvious, it says now, in a male voice
"Well then, what should I call you?"
I don't have a formal name, my dear Ryuzo. I simply am. I am the manifestation of an idea, given form and power. That idea, simply, is that one can be manipulated through falsehood. Decieved. Some do this for good or evil, I don't care which. As long as it keeps being done, I will exist. it began circling Ryuzo now, varying between a lilting female voice, and an distorted deep male voice.
"What have I done to deserve such honor?" Ryuzo asks dryly, causing his shadow clone to stop and raise an eyebrow.
Do not mock me. I can leave you here, imprisoned in your own mind while your body wastes away from mal nourishment. All that training and natural talent for nothing. A waste. But, it is your choice. His clone begins to walk away.
"Although I fully intended disrespect, I apologize. I will hear you out." He says from a low bow.
It appears off to the side from him. Better. While elaborate games of the mind are fun, I'm afraid we do not have the time for it. I am already involved in a game that needs a new piece. While my...rook...was good at what he did, he has been swept from the board. This time I'd like a piece that moves and thinks in more than two directions. I want that piece to be you. You are already not what you seem, you are well trained in the arts of infiltration and decption, and are well versed at physical combat. With my power and influence, you would make the greatest shinobi of your era. You serve as my weapon, and I will empower you in ways you can not fathom now.
His eyes narrow a bit. "Respectfully, what is the catch?"
It smiles. "You are mine until you die in my service, or your own end comes naturally. Also there is of course the affore mentioned enemies, who will try to make that happen sooner rather than later.
"Why don't you handle them yourself?"
Even as a concept, or embodiment of an idea, I still have rules I must follow. We all do. It hesitates for a moment. I offer you power, and you hesitate. What holds you back? You have been sent away from your clan in shame, even though you could have bested any of them, and sent to a place where few understand you or can grasp what you are truly capable of, while most are unworthy to breathe your air. All of this done because of fear of your talents. I offer you a chance now to use these talents, become what you were meant for.
"I...no disrespect, but while what you say is true, it is not the whole truth. I am good at what I do, yes. Do I want to become some twisted form of the fear that sent me away? No, I do not."
It laughs.
Honor? Honor is not far from false Pride in the circles I deal in. While I can appreciate your holding to the tenets of your clan, honor is not a virtue I prize. But, in my servants it can be handy. it says with a wicked smile. You do not need to surrender your honor to serve me. Having a good understanding of honor just allows you the tools to manipulate those that have it well. I'm not asking you to turn on any one or break your word. Honor it with those worthy, and deceive the ones who are not. Acceptable?
"Tell me more of the conflict, please. I would know more about what I'd be getting into."
<laughs> It's not often the pawn asks what the squares mean. I'll have to ponder that later. Well, as you can imagine, there are other embodiments of ideas. Time. Love. Death. They all exist with me, and others. We may not directly conflict with each other. We as a whole have decided that we shall stay out of the affairs of mortals, as much as it would pain us to do so.
Things went well at first, until other beings came into existence accross the megaverse acting on our behalf, who had no such compunctions or restraint. We saw some of us becomming stronger, while others faded, and vice versa as the pawns of these beings acted out thier wills, thier actions undoing fabrics to important to ingnore the unraveling of, which they and their masters were woefully ignorant. So, I came up with a loophole. We can not directly interfere, fine. I can imbue a being with some of my power, some of these very same pawns the "gods" use, and make them my avatar. Others saw what I had done, and questioned me, but I convinced them it wasn't breaking the rules, and they decided to do likewise. It has been this way longer than you can fathom. One of us has gone a step further, and taken out our servants to raise itself higher.
I would ask you act as my avatar, my Champion, and stop them before the very things that bind the megaverse together split. Will you aid me?
He thinks about it, but not long. "Well, I cannot sit idly by knowing this threat exists to my fiends and clan..." realization dawns on him "You knew once I knew the whole picture I couldn't say no. I didn't really have a choice!"
The idea of free will and choice was the first, best deception, my dear Champion. It's form fades out, as he hears her mocking laughter...then softly he hears Serve me well...
Ryuzo wakes with a start, in his room staring at himself in the mirror...the remains of a smirk fading from his reflection...a gold filligree'd ivory mask, lays on the edge of the table next to him...
A tiny mouse materializes in Ryo's office.
*Squeak*
Ryo looks at the mouse sitting in front of his cards. His eyes cloud briefly as he discerns why.
"I've not be chosen, have I? Because I've got a lot to do already and I believe choosing me would be against the rules. I'm not exactly mortal." Ryo doesn't seem to think he is being chosen, but wants to get the slight possibility out of the way.
"Why is that my problem? Nobody was hurt so there's no point in pondering endless what-ifs. Geez, you sound like my grandfather...whatever. If you're gonna be that much of a stick in the mud I don't wanna hang around here anymore."
"...But you...are not allowed to be here in the first place," Fei replies, the look of confusion persisting on his face as he tries to understand this person's method of thinking. "You should not want to...'hang around here'...as you say..." (o.O)
"Why is that my problem? Nobody was hurt so there's no point in pondering endless what-ifs. Geez, you sound like my grandfather...whatever. If you're gonna be that much of a stick in the mud I don't wanna hang around here anymore.""...But you...are not allowed to be here in the first place," Fei replies, the look of confusion persisting on his face as he tries to understand this person's method of thinking. "You should not want to...'hang around here'...as you say..." (o.O)
"You know what your problem is? You think too much. Allowed, not allowed...rules, rules, rules. Who really cares about the rules? Not me, that's for sure. Besides...you're not fun to play with...Yet." He winked and then vanished.
"Oh, before I forget again..." she pulls a narrow band of leather out of one of her gun belt pouches and hands it to Razzule. "For you. It's to protect you from mental control...not enough for a direct attack from the main guy, but it'll keep you safe from the underlings anyways. I made one for everybody...mind giving Adsila and Ormarr theirs for me? I'm going to go see Uncle Ryo in a bit so if you can't I'll just leave theirs with him. Given the turn of events coming up it seemed like a good idea to make these for all of you."
And then appeared in the alchemy lab.
"Hmmm...interesting....oh, hello. Oh, how cute. You're actually still trying to save everyone. How's that been working out for you?"
"But then again, maybe you'll actually get it right this time...you never know..." he grinned.
"Hope," she said through gritted teeth. "Such a pleasure to meet you."
Blankly stares into the mirror, stil ltrying to grasp what jsut happened...
"I suppose I could be all 'why me', but that never accomplishes anything." He looks down at the mask. "Well, lets see what I can do."
He dons the mask, and it disappears in a flash as the gold trim glows intensly. Ryuzo looks a bit disappointed, at first, then simply utters "Oh, wow..."
Enre looks from Ephebe to the person who just walked in to back again. He wonders to himself why Ephebe seems upset shrugging he looks at the newcomer and says "Hello, who are you?"
"Hope," she said through gritted teeth. "Such a pleasure to meet you."
"How could it not be? My charm is undeniable," he said with a mostly straight face.
"Well, hate to just run like this, but I doubt you'll be all that interesting right now, Time, so I'll be seeing you around."
And with that he vanished again.
Enre looks from Ephebe to the person who just walked in to back again. He wonders to himself why Ephebe seems upset shrugging he looks at the newcomer and says "Hello, who are you?"
"Name's Keme Tokala...you'll be seeing me around," he says as he disappears.
Ephebe groaned. "Cause I really needed another problem to babysit." :/
"This school seems to have a lot of problems Ephebe. I can help if you want though since your family is nice enough to help me with my problems." Enre offers after hearing Ephebe speak.
"This school seems to have a lot of problems Ephebe. I can help if you want though since your family is nice enough to help me with my problems." Enre offers after hearing Ephebe speak.
"Thanks, Enre. I appreciate it. Some of my problems are things that only I can deal with...but I've been learning that I don't have to carry all of the responsibility on my own, so if there is something you can help with, I'll be sure to ask," she said, smiling. The smile seemed a little forced, but the words sounded sincere.
Ephebe groaned. "Cause I really needed another problem to babysit." :/
"Do I need to worry about that *checks the screen* kitsune or is he not going to be a problem?" Razule asks Ephebe.
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"Thanks, Enre. I appreciate it. Some of my problems are things that only I can deal with...but I've been learning that I don't have to carry all of the responsibility on my own, so if there is something you can help with, I'll be sure to ask," she said, smiling. The smile seemed a little forced, but the words sounded sincere.
Enre looks at Ephebe for a few seconds before saying "My mother is the wisest person I know. She was a commander of the soldiers at the town I am from. She told me in all her years of service she learned many things but one of the most important was ' You may lead, you may command but the responsibility of your life and the life of your troops is everyone's to deal with. One fails, we all fail.' Hope that helps."
"You know what your problem is? You think too much. Allowed, not allowed...rules, rules, rules. Who really cares about the rules? Not me, that's for sure. Besides...you're not fun to play with...Yet." He winked and then vanished.
[Blink, Blink]
Fei shakes his head and returns to his work. After another hour or so he finishes, and quickly cleans up before heading to the Cafeteria for some dinner.
Asch and Amada walk around the school until they reach Solivala's tower. "Hey Soli!! You've got something of Amada's!" He yells out as he 'knocks' on the door. (Which involves kicking the door with steel reinforced boots.)
"Well, last time this happened, it only took a couple days to get my shapechanging back under control. Hopefully, the same will happen here. If it doesn't I'll be in a bit of trouble..."
"So how long have you been in here, anyway?"
"Since around lunch time..."
"Guess that means ya can't be too hungry, huh?" Alton says, hands behind his. He's completely relaxed. "Someone your size, not eating could be the death of you, right? If ya don't want to be all scales and bones next time you look in a mirror, I can go get ya some food or somethin. The cooks upped security, and I like a challenge."
"Well, this does consume alot of energy...would you mind?"
"Guess that means ya can't be too hungry, huh?" Alton says, hands behind his. He's completely relaxed. "Someone your size, not eating could be the death of you, right? If ya don't want to be all scales and bones next time you look in a mirror, I can go get ya some food or somethin. The cooks upped security, and I like a challenge."
Portent to feed so I had to steal food…also something about a months worth of meatloaf disappearing
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"Guess that means ya can't be too hungry, huh?" Alton says, hands behind his. He's completely relaxed. "Someone your size, not eating could be the death of you, right? If ya don't want to be all scales and bones next time you look in a mirror, I can go get ya some food or somethin. The cooks upped security, and I like a challenge."Portent to feed so I had to steal food…also something about a months worth of meatloaf disappearing
Asch and Amada walk around the school until they reach Solivala's tower. "Hey Soli!! You've got something of Amada's!" He yells out as he 'knocks' on the door. (Which involves kicking the door with steel reinforced boots.)
A massive claw pops out of the "door" and flicks Asch half way across the room. Just as quickly disappearing into the tower, you hear the faint sound of metallic snickering. A tiny door opens close to the floor and the pocket watch walks out and hands Amada a pair of notes.
Please do not attempt to damage the tower, we do not cover hospital expenses.
------------
How can I help you?
"Yet they leave behind so many messes."
"Well, this does consume a lot of energy...would you mind?"
"Ha, I knew you'd say that!" He looks at the door for a moment, then leaps back up into the rafters. "I don't like to guess, but I think you don't want me using the door, huh? No prob, it's more fun this way."
Even watching, Krays isn't sure how Alton leaves. When he does reappear he's carrying a bag and looks a bit winded.
"Okay... I wasn't expecting the fridge to attack me. Made things interesting." He takes an apple from the bag and takes a bite out of it before tossing the bag down to Krays. "I didn't want to risk an attack by the ovens, so it's mostly stuff that doesn't need to be cooked. It's a big bag, so it as much as you want."
Ryo looks at the mouse sitting in front of his cards. His eyes cloud briefly as he discerns why.
"I've not be chosen, have I? Because I've got a lot to do already and I believe choosing me would be against the rules. I'm not exactly mortal." Ryo doesn't seem to think he is being chosen, but wants to get the slight possibility out of the way.
The mouse squeaks. ~Certainly not, though your knowledge of the rules needs updating. Your school is acquiring new Champions at a very quick rate, to be fair. No, I'm here to give you a warning. My Champion is on their way. They will work hard to stop Madness, but they are an unpredictable servant. What other Champions are in this school that you know of?~
"And why should I tell you, oh Patron? I was under the impression Champions could look at someone and tell."
Asch and Amada walk around the school until they reach Solivala's tower. "Hey Soli!! You've got something of Amada's!" He yells out as he 'knocks' on the door. (Which involves kicking the door with steel reinforced boots.)A massive claw pops out of the "door" and flicks Asch half way across the room. Just as quickly disappearing into the tower, you hear the faint sound of metallic snickering. A tiny door opens close to the floor and the pocket watch walks out and hands Amada a pair of notes.
** spoiler omitted **
Asch gets his hands underneath him and rolls to his feet skidding to a stop. "Alright you stupid tin c…" He stops at Amada's hand on his shoulder.[/]
"Solivala I heard you were one of the students who helped Asch. Thank you." [I]She says with a smile as she steps in front of the explosive Asch. "I believe you have the artifact that was used to heal me. Turns out I'm the new Champion of Love. If you still have my symbol could I have it please?"
"Well, this does consume a lot of energy...would you mind?""Ha, I knew you'd say that!" He looks at the door for a moment, then leaps back up into the rafters. "I don't like to guess, but I think you don't want me using the door, huh? No prob, it's more fun this way."
Even watching, Krays isn't sure how Alton leaves. When he does reappear he's carrying a bag and looks a bit winded.
"Okay... I wasn't expecting the fridge to attack me. Made things interesting." He takes an apple from the bag and takes a bite out of it before tossing the bag down to Krays. "I didn't want to risk an attack by the ovens, so it's mostly stuff that doesn't need to be cooked. It's a big bag, so it as much as you want."
Begins pulling food out and consuming it at an alarming rate
"Fanf yoo fo munf!" he gets out while chewing.
Asch gets his hands underneath him and rolls to his feet skidding to a stop. "Alright you stupid tin c…" He stops at Amada's hand on his shoulder.[/]
"Solivala I heard you were one of the students who helped Asch. Thank you." [I]She says with a smile as she steps in front of the explosive Asch. "I believe you have the artifact that was used to heal me. Turns out I'm the new Champion of Love. If you still have my symbol could I have it please?"
The pocket watch walks back into its tiny door and snaps it shut. A few moments later the amulet drops down over Amada's shoulders. Looking above you see a small clockwork humanoid holding on to the roof. It sticks its tongue out at Asch snickering as it runs in circles jumping from one wall to the other before finally diving into a panal opening the tower made. Amada feels a tugging around her ankle. The pocket watch hands her another note.
Your friend looks like a streched out bat with a leather addiction. Don't let him kick my door again.
Have a Nice Day.
With that the pocketwatch gives Amada a small bow, flips off Asch, and closes his tiny door with a click.
"Do I need to worry about that *checks the screen* kitsune or is he not going to be a problem?" Razule asks Ephebe.
"He's totally going to be a problem. Mostly my problem since I have to work with the guy, but since he's here at the school...yeah, worry might be the appropriate response."
Enre looks at Ephebe for a few seconds before saying "My mother is the wisest person I know. She was a commander of the soldiers at the town I am from. She told me in all her years of service she learned many things but one of the most important was ' You may lead, you may command but the responsibility of your life and the life of your troops is everyone's to deal with. One fails, we all fail.' Hope that helps."
"Thanks, Enre. I appreciate it. Some of my problems are things that only I can deal with...but I've been learning that I don't have to carry all of the responsibility on my own, so if there is something you can help with, I'll be sure to ask," she said, smiling. The smile seemed a little forced, but the words sounded sincere.
"Good advice. I'm kinda a slow learner, but I'm starting to get the idea," she said with a self-deprecating grin.
"He's totally going to be a problem. Mostly my problem since I have to work with the guy, but since he's here at the school...yeah, worry might be the appropriate response."
"I'll get all the necessary precautions back online then. Thanks for the headband too." WRaz puts the band on and returns to his work. "Genealogy printouts for everyone, yes, that will be interesting..."
Raz puts the band on and returns to his work. "Genealogy printouts for everyone, yes, that will be interesting..."
"He's totally going to be a problem. Mostly my problem since I have to work with the guy, but since he's here at the school...yeah, worry might be the appropriate response.""I'll get all the necessary precautions back online then. Thanks for the headband too." WRaz puts the band on and returns to his work. "Genealogy printouts for everyone, yes, that will be interesting..."
"You're welcome. Well, Enre, did you get what you needed? Do you want me to show you around the school some more? Or maybe just back to your room for some thinking time...it can't be easy thinking up a name for a whole race."
"Okay, okay, I give already! Put the guitar away for a little bit...yeah, that's right, just set it down over here...remember me? Your boyfriend? Who is seriously starting to feel neglected here since you've started obsessing with the songwriting again...give your mind a rest for a bit," he said, laughing and shaking his head as Fieri started to protest.
"Come on, I've already finished with the slurk care duties so I know you've had plenty of time to work on this...it'll be fine."
"I will be sure to let you know if I find out anything that might be of interest to you, Enre. And now, unless there are any other crises in need of management I'll be going. I have a rather large textbook I have recently finished compiling to deliver to my student on the fine points of communication, written and verbal."