“You’ll always be Shear Awesomeness to me, L.C.”
Thinking on her words, she says, “I don’t feel like any of us are part of Marshall Alashine’s TAROT. We’re the new kids, like sorority pledges getting hazed… not that I went to…”
Nissa isn’t exactly proud to bring up her high school education when talking to her doctor girlfriend, but at the moment, her own pride is the least of her worries.
“Well anyway, these tests from the Celestials were all well and good until the lack of actual help resulted in two deaths. They could have taken that Atlantean asshoIe off our hands. I mean, we had the wand and the chalice working, but what good are any of these artifacts if we don’t—”
And before she can complain any further, Nissa’s eyes widen in realization. “—holy s#*$! We have a Sword of Truth. I was gonna go to bed, but… I’ll be back. Um... you heading home or crashing here tonight?”
Nissa waits for an answer before heading to Charles. She’ll get a cup of coffee on the way…
"Crashing here. One of the perks of command is a very nice pull-out bed," L.C. says.
When Nissa goes downstairs to the cell where the Atlantean is kept, the Altantean is trying to get Theo's attention. The cell is airtight and soundproof. He's waving to try to get Theo to respond. When the Atlantean sees Nissa, he stops.
Nissa promises to return to L.C.’s quarters (unless of course asked/told not to).
…
Nissa was hoping to dump her coffee on the Atlantean’s crotch to wake him. But just as well. She did pick a nice gourmet coffee.
Though it’s steaming like crazy, she sips it. The coffee isn’t that hot, as far as Nissa can tell.
She asks Charles, “Can we use the Sword of Truth to get some answers? Now that I’ve seen footage of the cowardly murder and the coin-vomiting, I have questions.”
Theo slept little over night. His unwillingness to trust The Prince even a little bit, along with his guilt for bring The Prince to his world, made the godling look tired in the morning.
Charles... was not having a good time getting to sleep. He *still* didn't really feel used to sleeping with a tail and extra arms--he'd been a back sleeper before, which... didn't really work now, and the extra arm in the way made sleeping on his side more uncomfortable. So tonight, like a lot of nights, he was in his big form sprawled on the floor.
Really, though, it was the events of the day that had him still up. He should've realized the Atlantean needed to be guarded. Now, Charles felt war was practically inevitable. From all they'd heard of Atlantis they hardly needed an excuse to attack. He doubted any kind of evidence or argument would persuade them, which meant a lot more people were going to...
There's a knock at the door. Shifting back to his bipedal form, Charles gets up and opens it to find Nissa. He nods slightly at her request, though privately he doubts it'll help much.
"I'll come with you," he says, grabbing the Sword.
Nissa nods. She’ll ask one of the guards to (remotely) open the cell for Charles, and to do so as soon as she appears inside.
She is subatomic for about five or ten seconds...
In the cell, she has her comm in one hand (already recording) and coffee in the other. Though the cell is soundproof, Charles can here her.
“These walls that contain you can’t stop me from easily slipping in or out. Charles is gonna join me, and we’re gonna ask you questions. You should remain seated. If we suspect you are attempting magic, escape, or any form of aggression, you will be killed even if you surrender again.”
As the sword is pointed at the Prince, its magic active, Nissa presumes, she asks,
“Will you attempt to harm us, control us or escape?”
Zellgato is unaware of the affairs, nor the breaking of the Tenets of War; or if they even exist in said world.
snoring is he, or mayhap helping Kai at this time.
Regardless fully unaware of such events. Or else likely would alter the intention of the interview
As the sword is pointed at the Prince, its magic active, Nissa presumes, she asks,
“Will you attempt to harm us, control us or escape?”
The Prince shakes his head vigorously, "Of course, I will." he responds.
It takes him a moment to realize what he's said. He laughs and shakes his head again, "I meant, of course I will."
This time he covers his mouth in surprise at the words that came out.
He shuts his mouth tightly.
Theo, outside the cell, starts to crack his knuckles loudly at The Prince's admission.
Charles, who by now is standing in the doorway, growls, "I don't think we needed confirmation of that."
☀️
Nissa’s eyes flare. “While we’re being honest, I’m looking for an excuse to blast your head apart. You don’t try anything, I won’t.”
“First question. Why did you kill Nurse Patton and Dr. Zimmer?
“Second. Considering your words in the elevator, did someone from your world put you up to this?
“Third. Can your people be trusted to meet us on Tarokh, as they agreed to, or are your people liars who will attack our world to take you from this cell?”
Thinking a bit, she adds, “Oh, and be a dear and tell Theo why you were trying to get his attention before I arrived then stopped when you saw me.”
The Atlantean, recognizing that magic is being used to compel the truth out of him if he speaks, chooses to remain silent.
☀️
“Your people will also have to speak in the presence of a Sword of Truth tomorrow. So will we. It’s the condition they agreed to, so you—the murderer—are being asked no less than the rest of us.
“Whether you answer the questions or not, your people will this recording. I’ll take your silence to mean that I’m right. That your people are plotting against our world, and our medical staff are the first two casualties in a war you started.
“Last chance. I need a yes or a no, nothing more. Are we at war?”
The Atlantean considers keeping his mouth shut, but, finally, answers truthfully with a shrug, "I have no idea. I have been asleep for over 2000 years. I'm just happy to know Atlantis continues to scare you."
☀️
Nissa keeps the conversation going then, but still with her guard up.
“You realize we were off-world testing the wand so we could send you home. I’m compelled to tell the truth too. That’s what we were doing, and we would have asked nothing in return for saving your life.
“So for you to brutally beat a woman to death with a tray. The nurse fell in a single blow, but Dr. Zimmer did nothing to you at all. She was checking on Patton. For us to save your life, and for you to attack with such lethal force... it doesn’t make sense.
“I mean… I just can’t accept you made that choice over a mean comment.”
She almost seems to genuinely pity the prince. Almost.
“Are you sure you don’t want to tell me the real reason? If someone put you up to it, it could be a move against Atlantis.” She pauses there. “Despite what I think of your murder, I don’t believe you would knowingly betray Atlantis. So… if your people are as honorable as you say, now’s your chance to convince me. What contact did you receive from outside this world? What idea was planted in your head that you needed to kill and make demands with a hostage in tow?”
The Prince laughs and says, "I am born and bred to rule worlds like this; I do not need 'saving.' When I heard you had recovered some of my possessions, I knew it would be only a matter of time before your people had recognized their power and stolen them for yourselves. That's what humans did before ... defied my rule and attempted to steal what belongs to me and only me. You say this is not true? That wand you speak of was mine. It was damaged as I fled my rebellious subjects and you found it in the wreckage of my ship. Even there it was not outside of the thieving reach of humans. Did the surface dwellers not send these Nazis looking for it? And, then, you come, seeking the same thing. Return my wand to me and I will leave this world and never return. Kill me and, when the Atlanteans come, you will understand why worlds fear us!"
☀️
Nissa says, “Well here’s a message for you that I’m playing for your people: nobody comes to our world and gets away with murder.
“When we let you live, you said you are no longer a prince, your people have nothing to avenge, and you would accept whatever punishment this world gives you. That was the condition for surrender. It doesn’t matter that you lied—those words are the only justification we had for letting you live.”
Nissa stops recording. “I should have killed you anyway.”
At that, Nissa vanishes.
Anyone else want to do anything before the trip to Tarokh? The Atlanteans said 'noon' according to Tarokh's own 'Mean Green Witch Time' which works like 'Greenwich Mean Time' but for all the worlds of the TAROTverse. Do you wish to go early or arrive on time? Will you take the Atlantean? The objects found in the wreckage of his ship?
Charles stands in the doorway after Nissa leaves for long enough to make sure she's not going to pop right back in. Then he turns to leave, hesitates for a moment, then turns back only long enough to say, "You remind me of an animal," before leaving, making certain the door shuts behind him.
The Olympian will stay with The Prince as his personal guard.
Zellgato would suggest bringing everything-including any blood (or other) samples they took in the lab. Simply to prevent any recompense for "recovery" efforts. But won't force the issue if others prefer to retain the 'loot'
Further, Zellgato questions the group (and LC's opinion) on if everyone should go; or if they should have someone remain in case of double cross shenangans-which in theory cannot occur in the Tarokh's world but could very well occur here.
Nissa is against the idea of bringing the prince... but even more against Interplanetary War.
“Early works. The sooner we find out whether Tarokh gives a f~%@ about our murder victims, the better.”
With a slightly less s@!!ty attitude she adds, “I second Charles’ vote. Bad enough if they take the prince home, but we keep his tech. Oh, and make FishDicks wear the shirt. Nurse Patton would have wanted that way.”
"...Is it cruel and unusual to make him wear a (insert show like teletubbies but old for this world so its not a murderer advertising a kids show thats still on) shirt?"
Zellgato ultimtely leaves it up to the folks from this world, how they want to play it.
While studying the Atlantean technology was fascinating, Kai is of the opinion that all of the gear that was found with the pirate prince should be surrendered to Tarokh, and they should decide what becomes of it.
Kai gathers up the items that the Thin Spot crew brought, and sets up shop in a lab as far away from Fishdicks as possible, asking Zellgato for a booster shot and then spending most of the time until departure to Tarokh analyzing them. Only once tiredness sets in does Kai sleep, extremely nervous about traveling to another world for the first time.
** spoiler omitted **
The clothing has the appearance of fish scales, but is made out of some kind of alien metal. It's an armour, and a fairly light one. Kai could adjust it to fit human-sized crew members.
The metal staff has a retractable spike and is clearly a weapon. The technology here is simple, but clean. It could be from the same culture as the fish scale armour.
The vial contains a liquid, but analysis of a sample yielded no clear results of what it does. It's obviously mean to affect the body in some way, but the effect would require experimentation on a living creature. Anyone have a clone rat?
It's clear what the amulet does; it helps you to hide. Putting it on reveals that. Figuring out how it does it would take a lot longer, but it seems to bend light around the wearer. The light ripples in waves that might not be noticeable underwater, but in the air makes it less effective as a disguise. The technology is sufficiently alien to deserve the label magitech.
Finally, there's a glove. Kai still hasn't figured out what it does, but, while wearing it Kai picked up another object and it disappeared. Apparently, the glove makes things vanish. Where they go and how to get them back would require further experimentation. What was it Kai picked up?
There's also a little crown. It's obviously intended to interact with the wearer's mind but how is not clear. Kai could try it on, but it might interfere with Kai's existing enhancements unless they're turned off. There is always someone around Boston Theoretical willing to try alien tech on and find out what it does.
Each of the objects is alien in origin, but each feels like a different kind of alien technology or magic. These things do not feel like they came from the same cultures.
The next morning, Ron has a tray of pastries on the table in the Control Room, underneath the sign that says, 'Air Traffic Control.'
"Feel free to bring back a souvenir for the Control Room, gang" says Ron.
A crate with the Atlantean's recovered 'loot' sits on the Flight Deck.
Ron gets a call from Security and then says, "The Atlantean is ready to be brought up here? Are Theo, Charles, and Zellgato escorting him up? I guess that's not exactly overkill, but I doubt he will try to escape again. Are we really letting them have him back after what he did?"
“I’m hoping it won’t come to that, Ron.”
Nissa fears that it will. She has very little faith in the TAROTverse. Not that she doubts they’re good people… but they’re too far removed from the tragedy. Kai’s video may help. If they see the murder…
Nissa can’t bring herself to eat. She doesn’t need food to survive, and she’s too upset at the naïveté that risks a murderer walking. Or am I the fool that would’ve thrust us into war by…?
Kai arrives bleary-eyed, after spending a good portion of the night studying the alien gear. A full report about each piece was sent around 1:47 AM, including a note that the Boston Theoretical inventory was now missing a pen with the company logo, a coffee mug (empty), and a magnetic eraser, which all vanished when the glove interacted with them.
"It's pretty clear that a number of these items are from different cultures, most likely looted or stolen from other worlds."
Down below, the Atlantean walks with his head held high. People stop what they are doing and watch him. Some look frightened, but others look mad. Some look like they want to say something or do something to the man who killed two of their colleagues. The Atlantean is exuding an arrogant nonchalance that seems calculated to increase the tension.
The Atlantean's show of arrogance would probably generate more outrage if someone hadn't tied his shoes together. He keeps stumbling, making it hard to look regal.
As villainous as The Prince looks, the atlantean appears to be dwarfed by The Olympian's presence.
Charles walks on the other side of the Atlantean, encased in his new suit of armor. Between his natural size and the additional bulk of the armor, he dwarfs the other two easily, though Theo definitely beats him in the presence department.
Nissa would love it if the prince started some s!&~. Maybe then he wouldn’t get to surrender his way out. But the angry mob isn’t provoking him, and so she won’t do or say anything that can work against her, and by extension, her teammates.
Nissa takes out the wand. She thinks of Tarokh, specifically, where the Dawnflowers grow. She waves the wand.
The portal opens. The white light explodes from the wand and encompasses everything. And, then, you're somewhere else. There is nothing in between but light, and, maybe, a whisper, some figure speaking in the light, but its words don't register.
When the light diminishes, you're in the garden of the Celestials where the dawnflowers grow around a statue of a Celestial who looks somewhat like an elven Saranrae and whom the Elves give the nickname 'Dawnflower' among many others.
Flowers, plants, trees, and rocks surround statues of the Celestials, twenty-one in all, forming a large circle. The exit from this circle is between 'The World' and 'The Magician.'
The Prince looks around the garden with satisfaction--here's another world he could rule once he frees himself.
The World One TAROT HQ looms over the garden, casting shadows on The Devil, The Tower, The Star, and The Moon.
Nissa stares at the wand in disbelief. When Theo chose the destination b sipping from the chalice, Nissa wondered how useful this wand really was. The chalice can find new destinations. But I can open a gate to familiar destinations.
Does the wand bring me to places? Or can it bring me to a person?
Nissa notices the look the Prince is giving this place. She records him on her comm, then pans around the garden. She points out the headquarters above.
“You guys can escort the Prince. I’m gonna take a shortcut and tell ’em you’re coming.”
She stows her wand and comm in her purse, transforms, and uses her wings to head straight up to where Alashine and others surely await.
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"Fair enough, Theo, Charles on the sides, I'll be several paces back" Taking a further back stance than the others so they have a wider view for the escourt. Its a strange place, but he'd seen brief glimpses with Other-Zellgato; this time he's of a more solidi presence of mind in order to take the sight in-but is on the job.
Kai is wearing the closest to formal robes that could be found on short notice, and has painted Legion with intent to anthropomorphize the little drone. As they arrive, Kai looks around with open wonder, directing Legion to do a flyover and record some footage of the gardens.
"This is amazing! You all have been here before?"
From the air, Nissa hears Kai. When she turns, her voice has some of the liveliness back. It’s almost as if her anger is gone.
“Yes, Kai. Those huge yellow flowers…” All flowers are huge to her fairy form, Nissa realizes mid-sentence. “…are Dawnflowers. This is my favorite place from when we came here before.”
Her skin is too impossibly luminous for Kai to see she is smiling. Perhaps Kai’s powers can feel the difference in Nissa’s emotional state.
She continues her ascent to Alashine’s headquarters…
Adon and a contingent of TAROT members from World 7--Greece Triumphant--meet you on the first floor to take the Atlantean off your hands until after the negotiations. They've heard stories about the ferocity of Atlanteans and are cautious. "Hey, Theo, Nissa. Good luck haggling with the Altanteans. Don't let them take advantage," Adon advises.
By the time you reach the third floor of the tower, you can look out of Tarokh, the City of Gates. Light hits the water. You're here early.
"You're here," calls Alashine to you on the stairs.
The elf that Enyo called 'Gladhand' is standing behind her. He looks as serious as ever but his tone is a little more friendly, "So, the Celestials have granted you a Wand. I can't wait to tell Istori. He still has his doubts about you."
"Gilladhand is here because he was one of the original signatories to the treaty with Atlantis. This was, of course, before I was born," Alashine says with a smile. "He will act as a neutral party in this dispute."
"The Atlanteans have asked that the discussion takes place in the Harbour. The King of Coins--one of TAROT's local allies--has allowed us use of his ship and his protection. Would this be agreeable to you? I can assure you, the King of Coins wants Atlantis at peace and happy."
Adon and a contingent of TAROT members from World 7--Greece Triumphant--meet you on the first floor to take the Atlantean off your hands until after the negotiations. They've heard stories about the ferocity of Atlanteans and are cautious. "Hey, Theo, Nissa. Good luck haggling with the Altanteans. Don't let them take advantage," Adon advises.
"Likewise", Theo adds. As much as he would love to assist in keeping watch over The Prince, the godling has faith that the World 7 officers will do a better job than just one godling and one ..um ..whatever Charles is nowadays.
As the guards take the Pirate Prince, Zellgato will hand them a sheet of paper, "Security concerns and risks." and rejoin the group. The sheet was a last minute concern list he wrote up with observation of how the prince fought before. Likely they are more experienced than their security forces but probably wont' hurt them to hand off a sheet of worries. 'Gonna borrow your habits cap' pondering to himself if he's qualified for this insanity.
Nissa replies, “I will accept his hospitality.
“Will Gilladhand wield the Sword of Truth then? Not that I’m picky about who wields it… but if he will be the neutral party, it feels right.”
Nissa replies, “I will accept his hospitality.
“Will Gilladhand wield the Sword of Truth then? Not that I’m picky about who wields it… but if he will be the neutral party, it feels right.”
"If there are oaths to be sworn or declarations to be made," answer Gilladhand, "I will wield the Sword of Truth. However, let's start with a conversation."
The Marshall asks, "So, your Leader, L.C. chose not to join us? I look forward to meeting her. Shall we all walk down to the harbour? The last time you were here, I don't believe you saw much of the city."
"No, we didn't see much," Charles admits. He hesitates a moment, then asks, "So... what are our chances? How much of a chance do we have at avoiding war?"
Gilladhand answers, "It has been a long time since I helped forge peace with the Atlanteans. I'm told they have changed much since then. We shall see."
When Alashine mentions L.C., Nissa says, “Y’know… I wanted to do something special on my birthday, just the two of us. But maybe taking her here for our little date would be more impressive than a winery in Harvard. The town…” Nissa doesn’t add ‘not the university,’ as it occurs to her nobody on this planet ever heard of either Harvard.
Nissa replies to Gilladhand, “Do you mean, changed in the direction of wanting peace?” She speaks as if this is not surprising; she expects this to be the case.
When Alashine mentions L.C., Nissa says, “Y’know… I wanted to do something special on my birthday, just the two of us. But maybe taking her here for our little date would be more impressive than a winery in Harvard. The town…” Nissa doesn’t add ‘not the university,’ as it occurs to her nobody on this planet ever heard of either Harvard.
Nissa replies to Gilladhand, “Do you mean, changed in the direction of wanting peace?” She speaks as if this is not surprising; she expects this to be the case.
Alashine nods vaguely as if she kind of knows what Harvard is.
Gilladhand smiles at Nissa's question, "If I'm going to be trusted as an arbitrator and facilitator of the peace process, then I must maintain the confidence of each side. However, it may come down to what you are willing to offer. They are a proud people, but their ruthlessness has an edge of practicality to it."