Salt and BZZT:
Holy... That's Mount Krakarvius, the living lava fields...I've been there. This is...this is outside!
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Salt and BZZT: Sash blinks.
The great separation? Never heard it called that before. But yes Gaia. Nobody in Jewels beyond maybe a few of those disgusting nobles and Thrax himself knew about the exit. Can't exactly go flaunting my knowledge of it all over the Cities but I've never had the impression that anyone beyond the resistance higher ups had the full picture.
Salt and BZZT: Hah! Sure I'll take you guys there. But we ain't anywhere near Jewels right now ya know? Few thousand miles between us and it. Plus this caravan isn't affiliated with the resistance - think we could trade between the Cities if we were?
Not like that'll stop me. Plan was always to go back once the circuit brings us close enough and I think I'm not too far away from where I want to be right now anyway in terms of strength. Then I can just - huh? Yeh Goldy?
Salt and BZZT: Leader? Nah, that ain't his kinda deal. Birch and the Queen run the show. Sasha's a good sort when she isn't being mindf%@#ed by those crown things - and it turns out that the skills you learn under em' don't go away if it gets removed. Best assassin in the world I'd wager, and a raging hate for the kinda people who made her into one. The Claw is...
A small, almost shy, smile crosses her lips. The Dreaded Obsidian Claw is a protector. And he's claimed the entire City and all the lands around as his to fight for. Nothing goes on there without him knowing about it - do any kind of evil and he'll be at your window in less than an hour. Then you've got the Fox. The One of Many Faces. She could be anyone, anywhere, anytime and you'd never know until you felt that silver rapier in your back or the guard breaking down your door. They've got the rewrite codes for every floor of the City now. Madeline got her magic into the mix so it only responds to them and the other Archaeomancers can't get it back into synchronization. Means that the entire structure can be reshaped essentially at will. Siege engines, dragon roosts, dimensional caves filled with monsters to train the resistance, a college for almost every form of warcraft or skill. The Laughing Master had it form this strange device that magnified her abilities over an entire invading army - a full half of the thing just went slack-jawed and started walking in the opposite direction. The Bloody Typhoon's hooked into some sort of weird dimension chicanery that has access to the blood of everything within the lands recognized as part of the City - and that includes anybody trying to invade. He can rip someone apart without ever going near them. Heh. Terrorist huh? Yeh I can see them being labelled that. And yeh, if you happen to be an Archaeomancer I'd say they were pretty damn terrifying. Every City's shut up like a clam for the last 10 years after they managed that feat. No question about it either. Thrax went sailing off the top tier of Jewels and crashed through Quartz, the craters still there, still black from where the Phoenix burned him alive and the Dark Crow ate whatever the cretin had that passed for a soul. He ain't coming back. As for what they're planning now...dunno. Wouldn't say even if I did. I know they've only grown in strength. A positive feedback loop feeding off the loyalty and confidence of the population to both nourish the City and empower the lands around it. The borders grow by a few metres each year, more if they get a big influx of supporters. They won't take kids or noncombatants, everyone there is there to fight and win a war. But they will help anyone looking to flee. She looks up, eyes slightly widening as a thought occurs to her. Oh yeh! You guys probably don't know. Get this. There are lands out there that the Archaeomancers don't control. And I'm not talking about places like Jewels and 7. I mean places that they've never even touched. The Dark Continent. The Burning Everplains. The Great Forests. The Endless Ocean. Hundreds, thousands, maybe millions of square miles outside of this massive bubble they've got everyone convinced is the beginning and end of the world. I've been there. Literal hordes of people are building a life there as we speak. There's a way out. The propaganda would have you believe that they steal families and sacrifice children. Nah. Every adult who wants to fight gets trained and put to work. Everyone sick of war or not able to fight goes free. There's an opening at the top of Jewels, what used to be the House atop Diamond Tier. The only opening that we know of. But this place? Where we are now? It's just a section of the world. A huge one yeh, but still a section. A fraction. Cut out and twisted and warped to serve their ends dead gods know how many years ago now. I'll take you there next time we stop by Jewels if ya like?
Salt and BZZT: The Strix throws back her glass of her insisted upon water provided by a grudging Helen and smiles, the removed feathered helm allowing you to see the warm nostalgia that crosses her face. She raises and dusts off the back of her right hand, charcoal black dust scattering across the table, revealing an incredibly faded and stretched tattoo of a still recognisable running rats silhouette.
Been there? Heh. Little Grey - I was born there. Back when it was still the jewel in the masters crown. There for the riots, the fighting. The fall of Opal and the rise of Birch. There when they let loose the captured flame, tore the corruption out of a radiant gold and convinced the ebony winged berserker she was on the wrong side. I’ve seen fighting like you wouldn’t believe and heroics you’d think were out of a storybook. It was me who got them their very first job ya know? On that magical old map in a twisted ancient pub, covered in mud, chocolate and bacon while crying my eyes out cause the bastards just kept taking and taking and somethin’ in me just didn’t know how to hit back... Who’s “they?” The Heroes duh. The ones who started the whole thing. The Instigators. The Thieves. The only people in this whole entire world to steal a City and defy all attempts at reclamation. The only people - not god or monster or celestial event or whatever the hells happened in 7 - to kill an Archaeomancer. The Claw. The Fox. The Bloody Typhoon and The Laughing Master. You know those names - everyone knows those names. The bounties on each one reach into the millions of gold pieces. The shadows behind so much of what tore the First City from the Archaeomancers grasp. A Jackdaws pawns, then blades, then knights - now partners? Nobody is sure. Sash idly toys with her empty glass. They sent me off with Markus when the first war got declared. Invading army got torn to pieces in record time but Rose Mother just had to argue that war was no place for children to be growing up. Heh... I was just touching 14 then. Argued till my voice gave out - but they were right in the end. It’s been what? 8 wars now? To say nothing of the quieter attempts. I’m not worried about them - Birch and the Queen are f~!%ing paragons of war and assassination by this point and one of those two still hasn’t ever killed a single damn person. Not to mention the kinds of things Stone Master and her girlfriend can do... but it would have been hard on the kids. You’ve met one of em already - Ramona’s an ex-Jewels brat as well, bloody genius when it comes to alchemy, not a care about almost anything else. Almost all of them are damaged in some way, most don’t have parents anymore... She pauses for a few seconds, then sharply glances up, a fierce grin on her face. So! Just had to make sure we got strong enough to help them out right? I was already burning red after that broken angel shot me when they raided the hideout and Miss Esme had to pin me down and punch the corruption out before I went proper crazy - not an experience I’d recommend to anyone by the way - and some of the others tripped into that power as well. When they got us to leave...I was mad. Mad enough to go flying all around the place just killing as many monsters and evil people as I possibly could as fast as I could. That ended about as well as you’d expect. Wings pinned under rocks and about to have my head cut open by a priest of Rovagug - till old Flintspark rode a bolt of lightning into the temple and killed them all anyways. Gave me a right beat down after he got me all healed as well - never seen him that angry before... She sighs. So that’s two life-debts I owe now. Working my very best for Markus until I’m strong enough to go back and really help out. That Chimera was a solid step in the right direction - but I’m still nowhere near where I want to be. Heh...lovely nostalgia... Any specific questions? We’ve got time and I’ll answer what I can.
Salt and BZZT: Context? Little Grey... you ever heard of the First City? Jewels?
Welcome Goldy, though I’ll admit to being blasted out of my mind when I did it so any help putting your ship back together would be appreciated.
Salt and BZZT: Heh. ‘Nearly died,’ she says. Welcome to the space between the Cities Salty, comes complete with all manner of monsters, madmen and crazy crazy weather for our enjoyment. Expect near-death experiences on at least a weekly basis and you’ll be fine. Sweetie fer drinks it is then. No promises on what’s after though, it’ll be a crack of dawn start to make up the delay if I’m any judge and I happen to like sleeping.
The Strix chuckles gently to herself for a few seconds, amused at something she’s clearly just thought of... Then turns to BZZT with a off-puttingly somber expression. Crazy as they come Little Grey, guilty as charged. But good? I can count the ’good,’ she spits the word like it were a bad taste people on this train o souls on one hand. Ain’t sayin’ we’re all evil sons a hells or nothin’... don’t do bad without decent reason at least - but I’ve met ‘good.’ I’ve seen ‘good...’ A wistful sigh. A clawed hand gently drops to her hip, slowly caressing the very worn handle of a knife as her eyes temporarily focus on something not in the here and now. ...and we ain’t it. She lingers there, eyes consumed by memory for a few precious seconds. Then snaps back to the present with a grin. A quick grab and Salt finds herself pinned against the Strix by an arm like steel, whilst a firm grip on the back of his jacket is all the warning BZZT gets before Sash lifts him off of the ground with one hand. The wings spread... And 30 seconds later both BZZT and Salt are aboard Sweetie, finding their own individual ways to cope with all the blood rushing to their feet as Sash bellows for the beastmaster. HEY HELEN!! THE NEWBIES WANNA SEE YER BEASTS AND YER BOOZE!! GET OUT HERE!!!
Salt and BZZT: Hmm...there's a system of pulleys we should be able to rig to get this beautiful machine back topside - but that'll take time away from drinking, and we can't be having that can we? Alright, got a good little wand for just this sorta situation.
A small pouch on Sash's hip yields a wand roughly thrice as long as the bag is apparently deep. She taps it gently against her shoulder. And almost immediately doubles in height and build. She indicates the pouch, then bends and grasps the framework of the bike. A suddenly massive wingspread indicating what she plans on doing.
Regardless of whether or not this advice is followed the massive downburst of her launching flap cannons her and the bike into the sky - and kicks up yet another massive plume of sand, coating anyone and anything in the vicinity in a fine irritating powder. The dust-cloud finally settling as the Strix makes her return. Normal size once again. Back in the bay. Here. She tosses another wand to Salt. Modified feather fall spell, my own creation, make sure you use it on that precious baby before you go shooting out the side again yeah? Soooo... She taps a talon against her chin in thought. We could go your place for drinks - but it's dinner shift so the place'll be packed and noisy, Daphne'll be quiet and I'd be happy to show ya both around but there ain't a single drop of booze to be found on her. We go to Bettie and you'll be talking as I work on that magnificent thing sitting in the bay, not much to get there either. There is a standing invite to Sweetie which is where all the good stuff is held - only trick is sorting the safe stuff from things Helen's worked on. She shrugs. Your choice.
Salt and BZZT: That’s Helen, Beastmaster, Brewmaster, Monster Breeder. Bloody insane - but that’s pretty much a qualification for working here. She’s alright, just bring yer own drinks and do NOT talk about the inner fire in front of her. She has...views...on the subject. Loud ones.
She smiles at Salt and BZZT. Come on. Let’s get this lovely machine back atop Bessie. Then you gotta come over to Bettie and check out Solaris. Bring Snakey boy and Little Green as well. Some of the stuff in there it...it boggles the mind, and I’ve barely scratched the surface of it all...
A faint hint of a blush crosses Sash’s face before she shakes herself free of it, pulling what looks to be a large key ring full of differently coloured whistles from within her armour. Speaking of the bloody Lizard - gonna call the outriders to come pick up our friend in the sand there. You might wanna cover your ears... The green whistle Sash selects looks for all the world like a hand carved childrens toy, minus of course the glowing rune branded upon its surface. A single puff from Sash and a bass sound powerful and deep enough to shake the sand for multitudes of feet around springs forth. It’ll take em a couple a’ minutes to get the cages ready and call Helen. I gotta wait here till they show up. Welcome to wait with me or head back to the others. Gaia looked damn worried when she turned up...still gotta ask how she did that, could be useful.
Salt and BZZT: Sash smiles gently. Clasping the hand she had just thrust the potion into between both of hers to bring the bottle up to eye level for the two of her and Salt, vivid green eyes matching the aasimars black oceans.
This lady doesn’t. She slowly leans forward and uncorks the bottle with her teeth, then carefully angles it towards Salt’s face. Drink this yeh? It’ll help. Her smile turns into a somewhat awkward grin, not helped by the cork still held between her jaws. Turns out I don’t like it when m- yo- I... A feathery eyebrow twitches in frustration. Urgh...just...just try not to get hurt yeh? Assuming Salt drinks the potion , Sash’s gaze slides over to the other member of the bike. Looks like you made it through unscathed Little Grey. I know that look though - don’t worry, plenty of booze left over. This time you can have stuff the bloody Lizard and pals havn’t been messing with. Doesn’t hit quite as hard - but the bonus is you get to remember what you did.
Salt and BZZT: Oooooh... I have ideas about what to do with this...
She looks around to Salt. See? Eas- HEY!! YOU’RE HURT! The slumbering beast forgotten Sash wings her way over to Salt, determinedly pressing a potion into her grip. Recovery magic Salty. Think I already told ya about not liking the burned look. Let’s not leave you with scars eh? What happened? Did that thing do this? She indicates the downed chimera.
Salt and BZZT: Sash bites deep into the Chimera’s neck - but there is no flow of blood or crunch of flesh. The dragon head roars in what sounds like an equal mix of fear and hatred as it sends a cone of useless fire into the sky, sounding for all the world like it were being ripped apart - yet what remains of the body stays whole.
Unless of course you’ve just gained the ability to see the flow of mythic power in yourself and others. Sash hasn’t bitten into the beasts physical form - she’s gone directly into that pulsing inferno of mythic energy that tried so hard to swallow both your own flames...and she’s drinking it. Rage and fear become utter terror as the former monster realises what is happening. Near-paralysed claws start to futilely scrabble at the sand below as the main body tries to writhe free... But the Strix’s grip may as well be forged of steel. And she’s getting stronger with each passing second, muscles gaining further definition, black feathers showing new lustre and a roaring inferno of an inner red flame acting like the siphoned power were oil on a fire. At the same time the creature is growing weaker, literally shrinking in Sash’s grip, becoming closer to what an actual Chimera’s size should be. It slips into unconsciousness as the last of that twisted power is ripped away, the still bulky body being dropped unceremoniously to the floor. The blood-splattered Frontrunner of Daphne almost looks like she’s standing in a fireball, the flames in her heart flaring up to nightmarishly strong levels as Sash leans her head back and sends a cacophony of screams into the air. Part vicious triumph, part growing agony as she subsumes the power into herself. The whole process takes...maybe 20 seconds.
Salt and BZZT: minemineminemineminemineminemine
And a familiar black-winged Strix slams into the Chimera’s back. Sword first. A crackling burst of cold almost aggressively cutting into the beasts veins. Both it’s and Sash’s flames seem to pulse as they fight - and a fight it indeed is. The monstrosity seeming to not care about the damage it has already suffered - hate and anger giving it the power needed to claw and bite at Sash with speeds the untrained eye cannot possibly follow. The Strix rears back into the air to dodge, a huge grin on her face. Almost seeming to blink out of sight to reappear atop the bucking beasts back... This time? Her sword swing glows red as it parts the wind. And fur. And muscle. And bone... And an unnaturally large goats head flops to the ground. Decapitated. The remaining heads seem to seize up, along with the rest of the body. Leaving it at the mercy of Salts midnight-winged bedfriend. Who currently appears to be licking the blood off of her own set of claws... Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaah... Oh yes, you’re a tough one ain’t ya? Big scary monster kicked out everything else and swept up every scrap of power left behind right? She glares right into suddenly terrified eyes - before her gaze switches to Salt and she flashes a cheeky grin. Hey Salty! Thanks for the heads up! Wouldn’t have wanted to miss out on this big boy! Now watch close! Gots a lesson for ya! She hoists the body up by the lions neck. See everybody grows their little flames a different way. Cinders? Like you and Grey Gnome Boy there? You gotta trick it outta the universe. Oceans? Like the boss and Green Gnome Boy? They gotta empower others. All for one and one for all kinda crap. But Flames? Like me and Snakey boy aways over there? We got it easy. Fangs flash. All we gotta do - is eat it.
Sure thing Salty! Head over Daphne way when ya get back! I'll show ya around! Now how does thi- A tremendous sound of crashing metal reverberates through the air. Huh...I can fix that.
A black blur rockets back into the hold, dropping a tangled mess of dirty leather clothing and bleached white hair as it goes. HiByeSorryOnlyGotAnHourHuryCyaLater!!! And something that was probably Sash deposits itself into the bulk of Solaris. There are some rather intense rattling sounds. Then silence.
YES!! Sash celebrates with a small dance, then fixes the hulk of Solaris with a steely gaze and a devastatingly accusatory pointed finger. I am going to get my tools and apprentice. YOU stay RIGHT THERE while I’m gone. Before switching wildly to a doe eyed crush on the huge body of metal. Cya soon! *blows a kiss* And a black blur rockets out the bay doors.
It’s a gun Boss. Know you’ve seen em before. Anyway - are people done with the cheating power doping? Not that I don’t kinda love the sight of you cleaning your guns on the floor dripping wet Salty but there’s a time and place and right now my place is inside that ship! Her wings flaring open in enthusiasm.
Oh gods...she's gone power drunk. Little help Alva? Salt has just begun to wonder why Sash and Markus have stepped away from her when a bucket of very cold water suddenly and mysteriously empties itself over her head.
The Frontrunner sighs in relief before shaking her head in bemusement. Heh...you know I'm feeling kinda jealous right now Salty. You just swallow a rock and get to tap into that power? I had to get shot in the damned head by an angel and have a demon punch it out of me. Nowhere near as fun as it sounds by the way. A companionable hand rests itself on Salts shoulder as Sash briefly knocks her forehead against the techslingers, a wistful smile playing across her lips. Welcome to the group I suppose - can you sense me yet? Generally kicks in after a few seconds... Even as Sash speaks Salt can feel what she means, the Strix almost seems to glow a searing red light of power that she'd never noticed before, whatever it is that dwells with Sash connecting to that same strange force Salt just forged a bond with. And Sash isn't alone. Alas burns with a sputtering white flame - whilst Markus almost seems to exude waves of calming bluish green. And Gaia? A kaleidoscope of dancing auras almost makes her impossible to see.
Salty? You ok? That felt like you just...nevermind. Do you feel any different?
A wing wraps around Salt in a brief but powerful hug as Sash removes her helm to inspect the damage. Sweet of you to worry Salty, and I appreciate it. This though? This is every other morning. He’s just a bit cranky cause I woke him up and dragged his tail all the way over here. Good guy really, great to have at your back inna fight. She traces the noticeable dent an opposing skull has left in her helmet, muttering something under her breath. The dent pops out before your eyes, leaving the helmet pristine and good as new. She pulls it back on.
Heh...hah....hahahaHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! OW! You Bastard! How in the hells is your skull that thick!?!
Oh he’s fine. Big idiot doesn’t like flying for some reason. Sash wings her way back inside, settling to the floor and walking over to the apparently unconscious Alas. She gives the motionless body a hard kick in the torso. Get up yah softie! But a twitch of the merman’s hand is all the warning she gets before his tail catches her full in the face, his powerful muscles enough to smack her to the ground alongside him.
The Strix gently glides to the ground behind Salt, peering over her shoulder at the pages. Huh...that looks like the weird fish speak the second chancellor had all the buildings covered in when we- nevermind. Never could read it - but I'm pretty sure I know someone who can. Gimme a sec. A casual few strides and Sash drops off the edge of the engineering bay.
Hey Boss? Much as I’d love to take on a project like this all on my ownsome I’m pretty sure your little princess might not take that well. And honestly? She might know something we don’t. Wake her up?
That's how you...oh wow. Sash sits down, shaking her head as if to make sure she isn't dreaming. Gaia was...Gaia was a legend you know? The great secret weapon of the City of Stars. When we took down the...nevermind, someone I met had a whole series of books on what you might be. A weapon he thought - or maybe some amalgamation of spirits into a new form of golem. Loads of other theories too... Don't think he ever figured you might be...this. Heh...I danced with a universal converter last night - and now I think we might just have a decent chance of fixing the ship she's supposed to run. Helmet off, she cups a hand to her chin in contemplation. But the only places that'll have the materials we'll need'll be...oh damn it...Heroes, Heart or 7. Heroes'd be safest but there's no guarantee they'd have pulled someone from Stars at the right time. Heart tech could fill in for almost anything we need...but it's Heart tech and I don't fancy being grey-gooed. And 7? It's all but guaranteed the people there could help us - I know of 2 of them anyway - but the difficulty would be in leaving the damn place. She glances over to Markus. We're coming within a days ride of all of them on the way to Boundary...
The Strix had flown up alongside Markus, hovering just outside the engine bay, apparently content to just stare at the huge bulk of Solaris. That is until she finds out she gets to work on the thing. Boss...you mean it? I get to fix her? That's...that's... She flits around the bay, eyes large behind the mask, taking in everything about the craft. Hull's pockmarked...propulsion? Crumpled there but not...bigger than but...manitite reaction? Crew's gonna flip...I wonder... She lands, excited but serious. It looks...familiar. I think her ladyship had copies of these plans. Didn't think I'd ever see the thing in the flesh. It's supposed to run off of a universal converter - though they never figured how he planned to run the thin-...wait. She looks up at Sash and Gaia. A beat of wings and she's standing next to both of them. Goldy? What'd you say your name was?
The black-winged strix had to beat her wings like a mad thing to stay aloft in the midst of Daphne's gale, holding on to her mask to prevent it flying away. In the stunned silence that follows that display... Woah...
Salt: And fell. Though nowhere near as fast as it should. Somehow maintaining forward momentum and refusing to spin in the air as it basically glides towards the ground. What should have been a terrifying plunge becomes an exhilarating drop, the wheels ready to propel forward as soon as they make contact with the ground.
A black shadow swoops overhead, a cackling Sash whoops in joy as she barrels towards the black hulk of Gaia’s ship.
Salt: On regular Sash the toothed grin could almost look cute - on the Frontrunner? It looks terrifying. She wanders over to the sidecar, an odd glow of magic gently playing over hands and onto the metal frame.
Alright. Now gun it out the bay doors.
Salt: Salt doesn't have to wait long for Sash to arrive back. Though she looks...different. The light tunic and leggings she had been wearing replaced with what looks like incredibly finely crafted leather armour, carved with intricate designs of birds in flight. A golden chain hangs around her neck and a curved blade at her hips. A mask of black feathers covers most of her face, breaking only to reveal her own feathers and the fanged maw whilst bladed bracers cover her arms. The entire ensemble emphasising a natural ferocity that had seemed wholly absent during the party.
Hey - hope yah didn't wait too long? This is the frontrunner stuff - pretty much always in it when on duty. Looks like hoisting yer ship is gonna take up most of the morning - but we'll be back on after that. Delays are pretty inevitable around here so there's no great rush. Though Markus'll say that's no excuse. Speaking of... She points to the trike. Jump on. I wanna show ya something, we'll be able to see the Boss quicker like this anyways.
Salt: The wing around Salt tightens ever so slightly. Clawed fingers settle on the given hat, holding it down over Sash's eyes, the other hand gingerly grasping the inferno pistol. She holds it up for a closer inspection...
Last I saw one of these things was in the raid - got smashed to pieces before I could get a good look at it. Spits fire yeh? Good thing about magic - no burn scars. She casually aims the gun out into the open sky. Much nicer to be on this end of the thing I think. The tinker in me's tellin' me to take the thing apart to see how it all works - but I ain't sure about getting it back together afterwards and I don't wanna break your toy. Maybe Gaia can tell me more about it... The gun is withdrawn, offered back to Salt. Sash keeps staring out into the open air. There is a long break before she speaks again. I'm not...the safest person to be around Salty. And I'm not normally as wild as last night - being a frontrunner? specially for Daphne? It's hard work. I love it don't get me wrong, but it's hard. You've gotta be constantly on the ball, constantly under pressure, some of the ordinance we've got over there...heh, let's just say it's been months since I let myself touch a drop of booze for a reason. She turns to Salt, hat still mostly over her face. You know how you guys joined up with the caravan? It's nothing new. There are places in the world I just plain can't go. Markus has kill orders on him from half a dozen parties. We basically wiped out a tribe of Lizardfolk to get the Outriders and Legbreakers on board. The girls give a decent measure of protection - but that just means the one's who get past them are extra-special nasty. Hells - Alas was a raider before he twigged we had the better gig. Fighting him isn't an experience I'd care to repeat. The hat lifts, just enough to reveal the wetness of her eyes. Last night was...fun, Salty. Felt...good? To wake up next to someone. Headache notwithstanding. Heh. Tell ya what. Next time - and there WILL be a next time - we do this sober. Maybe not in the engineering bay? Not this one anyway. Mine have much better stuff in em. A shake of the head. The hat finds its way back atop Salts cranium. Alrighty...where the hell are the rest of my clothes? Gonna guess that's Markus down there on the ship. Figure I'll flit on over to Daphne, get myself cleaned up, then go find him. If...if ya wanna go together you could go sort yerself out and I'll give ya a lift down to him. We can face the music together? It doesn't take too long for Sash to find enough clothing to get decent semi-coverage. She slips out, her black form swiftly vanishing behind the mass of Bettie. Leaving Salt behind in the thoroughly messed up bay.
A black-feathered wing wraps around Salt, pulling her back into the hug as Sash stares at the massive hauling effort. An ever so slight flush crossing her cheeks maybe indicating that she isn’t 100% comfortable with being naked - still, the bulk of her attention is on the scene below. Yo Salty...that thing? That’s a ship right? Couldn’t tell before cause of the booze and the angle... A half-lidded sideways glance over to Salt. Sooooo... I built you a bike, looks like anyhow. And the party’s over...you maybe feel like tellin’ me some stuff now? She gives a little half-grin. And if you’re looking for ya delicates I ah... Well I needed... Look they’re kinda covered in all sorts a grease and maybe a little soaked in manitite radiation and I needed a piece of cloth to start the reaction and I felt something in my hair and I was kinda out of it and it seemed... A long pause. Yer unmentionables are stewing in the tank. Mine too. Probably best we don’t get em out. I got the reaction stable through the grace of whatever devil has his eyes on me this week and Markus is gonna flip when he realises I used up the crystal but you were so sweet on the thing last night and I wanted to use it for something good anyway and I kinda pulled up some of the framework for the sidecar and I’m not usually the type of... I mean I am the type but... Oh hells. Our underwear is fused with a manitite crystal inside the boiler tank of your bike, if we crack it open we’re only gonna get scraps and a dose of lovely lovely radiation for our troubles. Sorry. Can we talk about what you found in the ship now?
Salt: Hmmm...
Salt's stirring wakes the Strix. A bone-cracking yawn and a stretch later and she stands up, wandering over to the railing, apparently quite unconcerned with the lack of clothing. Urgh...my head... Hey Salty! How's it going? She looks down into the bay. Huh...you know I was about 75% sure I dreamed about fixing up a bike - apparently not. Man though...we made a hell of a mess didn't we? Gotta say though - I like the end result. Gonna get some fresh air quick alright? Sash swoops down to one of the cargo hatches and throws it open. Blinking in the first rays of morning sunlight. Then she stiffens in surprise. Holy...SALT!! HEY SALTY!! You gotta come see this!
Yah yah... the strix’s hand wanders up from her shoulders to muss at Salt’s hair. I knowings you bees the angeli- an- anjelly? Bloods thing. Wings maybe? Not now though. No. No so. SO!! A sudden spin and Salt finds herself in a rough piggyback position over the chiselled muscles of Sash’s back, the roiling tension beneath the skin as her wings spread out speak buckets as to just how strong a flyer the Strix is. The kind of experience and training she must have had to gain this sort of power at an age comparable to Salt is...somewhat staggering. Then she flaps, and musings on how strong she might be go out the window as the prime concern becomes hanging on for dear life. No gentle lift-off here. Sash rockets into the air, almost seeming to ignore the additional weight she carries, taking no more than 15 adrenaline filled seconds to draw level with Bessie’s head. Another 5 to clear the carapace. Then she stops. Roughly hovering in the silence of the air. Still very evidently drunk. SO I!! I WILL!! WILL BE!!! YOUR!!! WINGS!!!! - she declares to the empty air. Then the faint glimmer of the fires down below catches her eye. A toothy grin. Hey. Hey Salty? Salty? You liken the boom right? Watchis!! A gesture - and a pea-sized tiny mote of flame shoots up into the sky, it’s weak glow swiftly lost against the multitude of stars. Then for a few brief seconds - the sky is lit by a second sun. A massive sphere of fire bursting out of nothing to fill the sky with light and blasting heat. Heat that brings up a sharp wind, knocking Sash off kilter and sending you both spiralling down onto Bessie’s head. If the Diplotitanicus is at all bothered by the crash landing, she gives no sign. Sash’s wings open up from the protective sphere she managed to wrap around the both of you. Leaving her and Salt lying side by side atop the head of a titan, staring into the sky. She chooses this moment to have another swig of Salt’s creation. This stuff is...this stuff is the goodness with the...with the worlds!! I like it!! A valiant attempt to stand upright ensues...but gravity is a harsh mistress indeed to one who is no longer entirely certain of the locations of up and down and has cause to question the existence of left and right. She settles for an imperialistic kneeling position. So! Miss pretty asimanana who is pretty and has the interestings things and says I am pretty too? YOU!! Will take ME!! Where I can has...MOARE!!!
The Strix and Gaia smack into the ground, sending up a cloud of miniature golden dragons and griffins. But these ones don't explode - or fade. Floating merrily amongst the crowd. The black Strix and the Golden figure glance at each other...then collapse apart onto the ground, both laughing their heads off. Sash recovers first, staggering back to Salt and company. Snatching the bottle out of Salt's hand to take a massive quaff of the stuff, just about finishing what was left in there. WOOOOOH!! BOY!! SALTY!!! What did you put in this stuff!?! I like it!! Tiny golden dragons scatter in a panic as Sash lurchingly grabs at Salts shoulders, her free hand pointing at Gaia. And where'd you find her!?! I like her!! She knows...she knows how to PARTY!!! Lookit!! Lookit!! She cups a hand around a tiny golden gecko made of light, evidently enthralled by how cute it is. She said, push hard, use the kinet...kine...kin...kin...use the pushy stuff to make these little beauties. HIC!! So I went WOOOSH!! up and WOOOSH!! down and she goes allllllllll blah! boom! bang! yeh! And then hundreds! So AWESOME!!!
Salt's observation nets her a cocked eyebrow and a blown kiss before a blur of black and gold streaks into the sky.
The Black-winged Strix has the grace to look slightly ashamed at being caught out on listening in - for all of 2 seconds anyway. A wink to Salt and a beat of wings sends her rocketing into the sky. Then just as the first verse of Gerome's song finishes... As Salt's arm extends into the crowd to grab at a dance partner she finds a feathered palm in hers. Sash is back. Her cheeks ever so slightly flushed with effort. A guitar strung across her back and a bottle of...something in her other hand. Barely a whisper of wind to indicate the speeds at which she had to have shot up and down from Bessie's back. A fanged grin. Oh no no no no no Salty. You take me out of the party? You owe me a drink - got that. But you bring something so very interesting out of that black hunk of metal? Well now you owe me a dance. A whirl of sand and Salt finds herself jerked upwards by the grasped hand, pulled perhaps uncomfortably close to Sash as the Strix gets a strong arm around her shoulders to hold her in place, dropping the bottle into one of Salts free hands. Hold tight. And Sash whirls into an aerial dance, her wings seeming to beat in time with the rhythm to send herself and Salt careening across the sky to the cheers of everyone below. But high up enough that you can talk virtually uninterrupted. I wanna know about the inside of that thing, I wanna know about your new golden friend! I really really wanna know... A taloned hand flicks the shard around Salts neck, a kaleidoscope of golden light playing from it as she does so. About the brand spanking new jewelry and the thing that looks very much like a gun in your pants... Before Salt can reply Sash whirls in the sky and sprints back towards the ground at breakneck speeds. So fast that it's barely possible to catch a breath of air to speak. Huge wings flaring out at the last moment to arrest the fall to deposit Salt back next to Gaia. BUUUUUUUUUUT!!! That can all wait until tomorrow! We've got a party to enjoy! Hey Goldy! Want a go?
The Strix woman stretches in midair, evidently unconcerned by the tirade of her boss. A languid grin slowly spreading across her face... Everyone does deserve a chance to fly Markus. He said so, ain’t no way you’re changing my mind on that. Besides, was the quickest way to get the news to you. Got a good feeling about this one, he ain’t a runner. She catches BZZT’s eye, there’s a somewhat raucous wink and a blown kiss. Sorry little grey, didn’t mean to startle ya. Pop over to Daphne some time. I’ll let you see my...guns. She turns in flight. Anyway, you guys talk business, I’m not missing any more of this party! Where’s that trombone gnome? We need some decent music here! A final blast of air and she swoops back into the crowd, angling herself perilously close to the fires, only to shoot upwards in a burst of flame and cinder, the clouding of ash casting her in an almost elemental light...
Sash does smell good. Like a fresh field of the purple flowers. How she managed that BZZT has no idea. But he’s not really given much time to think as Sash evidently takes the squeak as permission, grabbing BZZT by his upper arms and kicking off of the ground with a mighty wing flap that causes sand to fly up dozens of feet around her. True to her word the very short flight is gentle, fast and does not exceed Markus in height, Sash somehow managing to hover neatly in place in front of him. Hey Markus! Figured you’d wanna get first details on that wreck. Little grey here got himself a bit tongue tied so I’ll remove my beautiful self from the equation and you can get at the juicy details. Leaning down in the midst of a wingbeat only BZZT can hear these whispered next few words... Brace yourself... And BZZT once again finds himself sailing through the air...
Sash stands herself back up a few seconds later, wandering over to BZZT. Her raucous grin settling into a more sedate smile. Hey there new guy, think I saw you dangling off of Bessie’s neck in the storm-run. That’s rough, you alright? Just came outta that big black thing? Anything good inside? I’m Sash. Daphne frontrunner. They let me handle the big guns. The Strix seems very casual about being a frontrunner, the lead scout/siege engineer for each Titan, a position of rather high responsibility. Especially so for the mobile weapon platform/fortress that is Daphne. Then again if she really had seen BZZT and Salt dangling from Bessie all the way forward from atop the rear-bringer perhaps that speaks for itself. Guess you’re looking for the boss? Ain’t no way he’s gonna hear you over this crowd... I’ll give you a lift up. She offers a hand and an attempt at a reassuring smile. Don’t worry about that stunt with Sparky. He’s a moron. You don’t like heights right? I’ll be gentle. Won’t go any higher than boss either. It perhaps says more about the woman’s character that her words ring true and confident...and unlike Sparkfinder she doesn’t stink of booze. In fact she smells of...of...lavender?
The black-winged Strix winces slightly at the weight, but gives a fierce grin and pumps her magnificent pinions hard, managing the impressive feat of staying aloft even holding the heavy lizard. She and him share a fanged smile before she swoops into a spiralling dive. Swinging Sparkfinder in a huge circle to gain momentum and keep pace with the circling raptor. As they get near Sparkfinder let’s his feet drop, seeking purchase on his saddle... But the sudden contact startles the mount, it yelps and shoots off into the distance, catching Sparkfinder toe in the process and wrenching him around. Still holding on to Sash the both of them spiral into the dirt, Sash barely managing to wrap her wings around both before piling into the sand. They stay curled up for a second then both flop onto their backs, laughing hard. HAHAHAHAHA!!! You!!! You stupid lizard!!! Why didn’t you let go!?!!
Sash’s cries eventually soften and she takes the knife with quite nearly literal stars in her eyes. Holding it tightly she turns to answer Rini’s questions... I...didn’t recruit anyone miss. I just went where I was told to go and the others did the same, I think they probably did hear about it through the Rats - they do that when they think kids need help, might lead to new recruits as well. And like I said, they were selling it in Topaz. Nobody down here’s rich enough to feed a Slither habit. I knew it was wrong, but if it was only happening to them then I thought...I don’t know what I thought. I don’t even know why I followed them. A little bit of wounded pride slides in... Also miss...it wasn’t for “a few coppers,” if that was all I needed to earn I could have been a runner, a ferrier, a twist or maybe even got a job out on the farms. I needed gold. My dad’s in that hospital the Golden Lady pulled down a few months back, they treat you free if it’s minor stuff - but his wi- ... he needs to stay there for a while, so they need payment for the room and the treatments aren’t cheap, plus I could keep almost the whole gang fed if we were careful with just the money left over. The others were the same...although I don’t know about Gon, he always said he didn’t want to talk about it. Little Morri’s trying to save so her parents can have a house again - she says her uncle’s offered to help loads of times but they’re too proud to accept it. Laenan doesn’t want his mum to be a...a... She flushes red. A certain kind of lady anymore...she thinks he’s a message runner. Nearly Andre and Helena’s whole family got killed because of debt...they were actually getting close to being able to pay it off... Honest offence enters the playing field. The Rats aren’t pushers miss. And if you knew anything about us you’d know that. We takes jobs when we can - especially stuff that kids are good at, we only steal when we have to and we never ever hurt people. That’s just a faster way to get killed. Yes I’m big enough now that I could probably leave and be alright...but the others wouldn’t be. There are kids there who wouldn’t survive a day out in Quartz, some of them can’t even walk yet. Maybe a quarter of us have to work to feed the rest and some of the rest are... she shudders well it doesn’t matter, they’re my family. And you don’t let family starve. Now she just looks worried for the future... But that job’s gone now...I guess I’m glad but...now how am I going to earn money? What’s going to happen to us?
Sash freezes momentarily at the unexpected contact, then collapses into the hug. Tears and mud stain the outfit of the Dreaded Obsidian Claw...but perchance he figures it totally worth it to hear the aching sobs of utter relief as Sash realises that her hero is very much on her side.
Sash is clearly very nervous at being put on the spot like this, but nonetheless she climbs up on to the bar and sits down, casually brushing what looks to be carefully applied charcoal dust from the back of her right hand. She holds her left over it momentarily, then sighs and lets it drop, revealing a small and crude tattoo of a running rat. Claw and Rini will know this, DC 10 Knowledge Local check otherwise:
That would be the symbol of...well...the Rats. A street gang known for being mostly composed of child thieves who disappear into the back alleys at the first sign of danger and so far haven't proved annoying enough for anyone to really crack down on. I...I'm a Rat. The others aren't...and they don't know. It was the Rats who got us the job, we help each other when we can. I needed money. My Dad can't work anymore after what happened and we were going to starve so... They said it was easy. And it was. I didn't even know what we were making at first. And we made way more money than I ever thought I could - that's what got the others involved, they all said they needed the money as well. Though I think Gon just wanted to get out of his house...he wasn't really good at pretending to be a human. We...we weren't trapped exactly. I normally came and went by the window anyway and the grate was to keep adults out, not us in. The bosses men would throw me the key when it was time to collect, they had to or we couldn't bring it down for them. That...that was kind of what clued me in about what it was. They never came upstairs, not once, always looked nervous when the grate was open as well. One time Laenan dropped a bottle on the floor and it broke, I thought we were in for a beating but when I looked up they'ed all run away and nobody came back to the house for days. So I... She looks up from staring down at her hands, her eyes glimmering with regret yes...but not guilt. I followed them once. Up in the air. Black feathers are pretty useful for that. They went to one of the pillars, met a man there, a rich one. Gems and silks and holding his nose. He's from Topaz, they show it off a lot more than Opal does. I heard "Slither delivery," and "my clients pay through the nose to crawl through the gutter," and then I had to go before they saw me. So I knew it was Slither after that... Defiance creeps in past the complex emotions and cautiously raises a flag. And I knew they were selling it in Topaz and I knew I was making enough money from them this last word is more of a growl than any real speech to keep my family alive and not have to go to bed hungry every night and not have to explain to any more kids that their parents aren't coming home anymore because they died trying to keep you fed and... Her wings flare out, fangs flash, clawed nails dig into wood... But the promised violence fails to materialise. Instead, tears carve twin rivulets down the mud on her face and what just seconds ago looked like a big ball of savage hate becomes a young girl crying her eyes out. It's no...not...not fair. I tr..tri..tried to think of something I could DO but I just HATED them so much and-and-and they never tried to help us so why...? She looks up, her face a mess of snot and running mud, almost seeming afraid to look anyone in the eye but...still not guilty. I don't...I don't know why I did it. I had to keep working but I couldn't stop thinking... So I found some stuff out. His name is Gregory Gefallow, he's got a house on Topaz, I don't know where. But one of his guards used to be one of us...I mean a Rat. Before he got too old I guess. He's called Garth. I don't know what I was going to do but...I wanted to do something and... A sudden chiming sound from the wall nearly causes her to jump out of her skin.
Sash is still very much covered in mud, clearly prioritising chocolate and food over silly things like basic hygiene. The distraction of the chocolate is so great that she almost jumps out of her chair in shock when she finds the Dreaded Obsidian Claw sat next to her. Still doesn't spill a single drop of the precious cocoa though. That mug may as well be fixed to her mouth. Slllurrrrppp... She sets an only slightly quivering mug down with a satisfied clink and a sigh. Looks between her hero and food...Inwardly debates (for maybe a whole second)...Then promptly grabs a bowl full of crispy bacon bits and - rather than eating them one at a time - upends the entire bowl over her face. Grease adds to the general mess her head was already in - but from the munching sounds emanating from behind the porcelain she likely couldn't care less.
Sash’s jaw drops at the Dreaded Obsidian Claw’s fantastic demonstration of agility and respect for a noble tradition... (In a whisper) This is amazing... Not taking her eyes off of her hero Sash pulls the poor elf to his feet and rudely shoves both he, little Morri and the two human kids towards the open doors of the Nightingale. Wanting to watch what he does next she starts walking backwards in the same direction - spinning round when she bumps into the quivering backs of her compatriots, all of whom have frozen in place a few feet from the whirlpool of magic that is currently Karva. Sash freezes at the sight of her as well, but pulls herself together and... gulp... M...miss? Can we come inside your pub please? The Obsidian Claw said to come here once we got away from the fire... She attempts to look endearing. Which for a Strix involves mad staring eyes and a mouthful of fangs. Still, the thought is there, and the feathers do look fluffy. Covered in mud yes, but fluffy.
Right! Yes! Sir! I can- I can probably carry one of them down alright, fly over the flames I mean, if you take these two... She pushes the two humans forward toward the Dreaded Obsidian Claw and then the dwarf towards Rini. ...and miss takes little Morri I can take Laenan here with me. She watches the Claw save her two friends. Oh wow that was awesome...RIGHT!! Right! Rescue now squee later, pull your featherbrain together Sash, you can do this. Laenan? Hold on tight... It’s more of a controlled fall than any kind of flight the Dreaded Obsidian Claw has ever seen but Sash still manages to deposit herself and the elf kid directly into the mud at his feet, face first, but safely away from the flames. Jerking herself upright and accidentally stepping on the poor elf’s hand in her haste she folds her wings behind her back and gives the Dreaded Obsidian Claw a hopeful smile that may as well be a gigantic sky message spelling out “Praise Please.” The effect only slightly marred by her being liberally plastered with mud and ash. See? Did you see? I said I could but I wasn’t sure if I could-could but then I did and I think I could...I could... Her voice trails off as she stares at the bizarre scene of the pubface before slowly bringing her eyes back towards the Dreaded Obsidian Claw. Mr. Claw Sir? Why is the big building full of birds and colour? And who’s that lady standing in front of it? She looks like she has bigger wings than me...
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