Search Posts
Kai gives Izumi a look that says, What is she doing? We are going to drop if she doesn't stop soon. Izumi can only shrug as she swirls by. Looking to Tokine, her dance does appear a bit feverish as if trying to outdance a dogged memory, but there is a sly smile as well, as if the memories were no match to a good dance.
they are definitely nice!
Sorry on the long pause on my part. I am posting mostly be phone currently as I lost a home computer, and I have an intern sharing my work space and I have trouble sneaking in long responses. This weekend should have a new computer delivered, so will be back up to speed.
Tokine allows her father to take her arm as she slowly guides him through the Fabled City. She points out landmarks and history, and making comments where needed, that recent troubles may have unfortunately impacted the beauty of certain vistas or buildings and pagodas. When they enter the courtyard of her temple and small smile creases her lips. Her staff, dressed in their best, are arranged out front on the steps. Tokine had counted on the word to spread faster than her entourage, and Izumi, surely with Kai and Jinn's help, have made preparations. Musicians strike up a festive tune to welcome the King and their 'Princess'. Tokine draws her father up to her three most trusted associates. She gives them a warm smile and can see in their faces the struggle to contain their awe, but whether at her or her father she was not entirely sure. She makes introductions and then tells her father that the Temple staff would like to perform a dance as a welcome to the royal retinue, since it seems they will not be staying. A few words with her staff. "Well done Imiri! And you too Kai and Jinn. I know you must not have had much time." She makes arrangements to have tonight's art, including her personal contribution to be delivered to the palace. Her piece is not to be hung until time for the poetry performance. And she thinks to have a new kimono sent, as she is not sure what her father's plans are with her. "Think a water theme...a few extra art pieces for the occasion too, as we have not expected such additional guests." She gives them each a hug and then directs people to their places. The musicians strike up a new song and the dancers spread out to perform the dance Baslav taught them in honor of Shelyn. It seemed scandalous to perform it again so soon after the temple cleansing, but it seemed appropriate for this....celebration. Yes, very appropriate. As she danced and twirled, she hoped her father would also find it so.
I've got a bit of a complicated post coming, and a busy family weekend just didn't let that happen. Will get it up tonight.
"Excuse me Father a moment, I need to thank my friends as they seem set to disperse." But she hardly gets the chance the move as the group begins to scatter. As Advisor Chujisuna approaches offering his bag, she does not take it, but removes the vessels transferring them to her battered bag. Chu:
Go where you are needed with my thanks for your service and the Empire's thanks. I will see to the Prince's safety. She approaches Rhon's companions. "You all will be wanting this. Open it near his waiting body. His soul will find its way to do the rest. Thank you for your timely aid....again." She moves back to her King, "Well Father, it looks like you got me to yourself. I am not sure of the need to depart, but it has been a very busy day and there are preparations for tonight. " Looking about at his assembled retinue, "Where are you staying? I could make my Temple available to you, but we might have some overflow issues. I will need to at least get word to the Temple to let them know I am alright, and that preparations will continue for tonight. You Have come at a very busy time. Tonight should be very...interesting."
Tokine gives a small bow to the herald, and takes a few hesitant steps forward and looks her father in the face....there was no denying it, he obviously was her father. That he was glad to see her, was not what she expected, as she was a foundling.... She gives him a large bow and comes up with a coy, if confused, smile. "Until yesterday, I did not know I had a father...I mean, of course I had a father... Her hand comes up to cover her mouth and hide her embarrassment for the moment she needs to recover. "What I meant, I did not know You were my father until yesterday. And suddenly here you are...with an army. Your arrival was most welcome, especially with an offer of continued help. Your presence here already has done much to right that which was tainted, so on behalf of the City, I thank you." And she gives another bow. "As for these scratches, you have taken care of the aggressors upon your arrival surge. The cuts and scratches are a small matter, as I have been trained within Shelyn's Temple and I share the wonderful blessing of talented friends." She steps the rest of the way forward and gives her Father a hug, a bit self-conscious of the continued stares she receives. A bit unorthodox, but if the King wished it...her Father wished it, she will comply. She is surprised to find it feels right....a family embrace is not a memory she possessed. She whispers up to his ear, "I like your hair." While held in the embrace she continues "I have many questions, but forgive me as I am shamed to ask a request first. A dear friend was washed away in flood. I believe he is a water elemental encased in a mechanical body serving the City. His title is Envoy-Six, and I have been trying to help him as he has been helping me. I do think it would be nice if he got the chance to meet you. If it is in your domain to find him or have him found, or assure me that he is safe. He has done me, and all here a great service, and I would hate to see him come to harm while I am so in his debt. But...it is presumptuous of me to ask such a silly request for a water elemental in a flood....it sounds silly saying it, but it is complicated...and for a Daughter's friendship..." She sags a bit within his embrace, but does not release him until she feels he is ready.
"Strangers maybe, but I was foretold of their arrival, for if my guess is correct, they are agents and representatives of the King of the Floating Kingdom....and for the first time, I am about to meet my Father." She swallows hard, and keeps her eyes straight ahead. As she walks, Tokine brushes absently and unnecessarily, at her now clean sleeves.
Tokine smiles at the effects Chu is able to have on her appearance. She works at getting her hair successfully up off her shoulders this time. "You are a true friend Adviser Chujitsuna. I would have forever regretted meeting him looking like a wet cat fresh from the sewer."
Tokine gathers those in need close and performs another radiance of healing....her last...and says a quiet prayer for a quiet dinner tonight.
............................
As Tokine walks she wipes the hair our of her face... ...then she dabs at the cut on her cheek.... ...then she makes a stab at wrestling her wet hair up and back on top of her head....unsuccessfully..... .......then she wipes her other cheek, thinking a carbuncle MUST be stuck to it... What are they all LOOKING at? I must look a fright.
The worst of the threat having past, Tokine feels a bit of the real world's aches settle in a little deeper as Shelyn's temporary blessing fades away. She looks around at her friends and saviors. "Is there anyone in need of healing before we proceed, as not quite all my blessings are spent." ....... Upon following the Sera Scion, Tokine softly whistles to herself and the bloody rents and slashes in her kimono seal by themselves, covering the ugly wounds beneath .
Tokine watches in sadness as Envoy-6 is washed away, but she knows of his elemental nature and prays that this flood will not overwhelm his unique resources. But there was little to be done for the Inspector. Barely hanging on herself, she could not also have climbed the wall and held a lifeless corpse. Tokine has trouble seeing the Sera sister as wet hair dangled down across her upside down face. But when addressed so directly, she nods and climbs down the wall. She pushes her hair back and readjusts her torn and bloody kimono, "We have saved more than we thought possible, including the prince, but it was hard earned and there has been loss as well. But the Plum Blossom has pulled back in the face of our attack or we would have likely been overrun. As it is, without the flood, things would have gone much worse. Prior to that we overheard the Plum Blossom plotting with Grik-Grok the dark Gremlin diety....but for now, I am intreiged now, so please do lead on." Before following Tokine pauses near a wall and whispers, "Thank you my friend for your guidance today. I hope you can hear this and are safe now. If you come across the Inspector's body, could you see to it that it is delivered to my temple. And let me know as soon as you can that you are indeed safe. Thank you again Envoy-Six. I owe you so much."
So do you hang around those bars often, hoping to kiss women?
"Oh friends, you are a most welcome sight." Swinging her glaive in a wide defensive arc, Tokine backs up to the wall and placing a hand upon the wall begins to climb, her slippers gripping the rough stone quite securely. Once she gains elevation, Tokine holds out her glaive to any needing support.
I like something that helps BBEGs take on a party instead of throwing in more mooks.
I am having trouble just imagining a "someday" Well the Mythic rules are coming out to get us through tomorrow. Maybe the Epic rules will be out by the time we reach the day after that.
Tokine looks at the terrible scene around her, and can see her death and that of her friends....the Adviser Chujitsuna's words of rushing water reach her and draw her thoughts inward. She hears it and ...trumpets?....she has the final thought as the abomination prepares to leap upon her for the last time.....Father....I would have liked to have met you.... She grips her glaive a little tighter....If only I can hang on... But thinking of her father and of the Imperial Dragons and her flood vision in the Emperor's Hall does indeed give her hope. Latching onto the faintest of hope, her hair takes that moment to break free its bonds and flow free as she calls out in a loud, slightly manic voice,
Tokine is obviously running on fumes. That was some pitiful healing.
Tokine falls back after being savaged again, Looking about, she sees everyone bloodied and being overwhelmed. The bloodloss and pain leaves her light-headed as she channels as much healing as she can spare and then some, but surrounded by such savage abomination of uglyness...she feels it is not enough.
Another Hero Point
With Chu helping Tokine, she will try to do some healing. Her selective channel can only ignore four enemies though, but it beats dying. Or she can try to reach Wei specifically...but I figure everyone can use a little. Are we working off a map and I missed the link?
Flush with the strength of Love and Beauty, Tokine swings at the monstrosity with new vigor.
Getting clawed and bit Tokine steps back and prays on Shelyn for help. A flock of songbirds materialize in full song and lands upon her glaive. They fade, but the weapon and her arms takes on a powerful glow.
That would be Chu
Splattered in blood and icor, Tokine yells, "Fair Goddess in the Heavens, what are they?"
...after she wipes the floor with more vampires and goblins... What? You don't like to clean? I want to leave this place cleaner than we found it. I expect EVERYONE to chip in and help.
Tokine hears the struggle behind her, but she must first check on the Inspector. Is the Vampire gone? Is the Inspector still there in any form? She reaches out to touch the corpse, before suddenly feeling intense pain in her leg. She recoils and turns to see a horrible monstrosity....UGLY....CORUPTION...the glaive moves down to attack before she can even think.
Yeah, the price of being the prepared caster. The other two days, I totally held off advancing until she slept (and what glorious dreams she has had), but this time, I gave her the physical boost at least...seemed like we might need it. But I figure she will at least need time to meditate to fill in the new unused slots for today. Perhaps as she readies for the formal dinner, installs her art presentation, settles the chaos that is her temple....RIGHT after she wipes the floor with more vampires and goblins and who knows what else...she should be able to schedule a moment to clear her mind. Yes, it has been a very busy couple of days.
Finally updating Tokine up to 11th level Cleric Adding spells to her list, but will consider them unavailable until she regains her daily spells Hit points and with that, she will put her favored class bonus into hit points.
"I have no wish to harm what is left of the Inspector. You must leave him now." Tokine having learned from the past few days, that too much darkness is filtering into the city....so she has come prepared. She calls on the light from Shelyn again. Once more brilliant light shoots toward the Inspector.
Well if I can't be the Ginger, I think Mrs. Howell is a rather good choice.
Tokine falls back hard on her rear, her glaive providing balance to keep her from completely falling prone. Although awkward, she grips the glaive tight and ensures the blade remains pointing at the lost Inspector. "Shelyn, help me cleanse his soul!" She gives the glaive a hard shake and within each bell a soft light winks into existence. The light soon grows to a small bright globe. Another shake dislodges the motes of each bell, to move and swirl quickly toward the tip of the glaive, where they coalesce into a blinding intensity. The light narrows into a beam that emits from the tip of the blade, straight toward the corrupted civil servant.
Oh poo. There goes her big speech. That is what I get for assuming. And I still need to post her leveled up stats. Will have that tomorrow or the weekend.
Tokine kneels beside the prone inspector. She assumes he shares a state similar to the man named Swift. She shares glad words to see him and tears of joy spill down upon his face. When she reaches down to brush them off his cheek, she is shocked to find his skin so cold. "Oh Inspector...I am so sorry..." Her shock increases to alarm when his dead eyes open and he snarls. It is the rough state of her emotions that let's the scream escape her lips. She falls back a blessing to Shelyn on her lips.
HA HA. Nice Kyras. You and Wei were specifically meant to be includes in the "And the rest" (as sung in the Gilligan's Island Theme) but Tokine is really laying it on those with specific defined Duty to the Emperor. But to her you will always be welcome on her island as her... Spoiler: Mary-Ann.....that's a compliment ;-)
Tokine gives Kyras a subtle wink and a wry smile and directs her eyes back in the Prince's direction.
Yeah, Tokine is definitely confused. She raises a huge army to fight to the heart of the enemy and save her friend, and...they just find what they need. A good defensive strategy I guess when you know trouble is coming, leave your garage door open so thieves rob that and leave your house alone.
Her little episode with the Inspector actually works better with him unconscious. So it is all good. Saves face that way.
Argh, I saw references to the Inspector, but not his state....I thought only Swift needed attention. ok going back in for an edit. Thanks for the quick spot.
Once the ritual has taken effect, Tokine nods in acknowledgement to Advisor Chujitsuna, and mutters, "Give me a moment." She gets to her feet and checks on the other cells, seeing if any further help was needed. She gives a deep bow to the Prince, but then continues looking. The sight of unconscious Inspector Cho cracks her demeanor, she crouches down beside him and lays a hand upon his brow, "Oh I thought you lost...forgive me my tears.." wipes at the moisture that splashed down upon his face. She dabs at her eyes, and whispers to his ear, "It is very good to see you. Your family will be overwhelmed with joy." Yet as she talks to him, she continues to look around and her beaming smile starts to fade. In a low voice to the unresponsive Inspector, "Silly really, to think a simple prison could hold the Great San Pen...if he were even down here..." She gets help to see him moved from his cell.
She moves back out into the main room and raises her voice to all those arrayed, "This was a rescue mission. I asked you, for me, to come help a friend, and I have been overwhelmed by the response. That rescue mission seems complete with benefits beyond what I could have expected, and yet another stands before us, a rescue of the Great City and Empire." She bows to the Prince, "We stand within the Plum Blossum's network, many of us here have lost friends and acquaintances and witnessed attacks upon the Emperor's home and domain. We know they deal in dark gods and alliances. Well, they stand now arrayed against us, they know we are here. Friends fight now to give us this time and we still have a fight before us to get out of here. But a choice stands before us, it seems one of the House of Sera is still unaccounted and perhaps others together with the chance to further hurt the Syndicate but against prepared defenses. Or we have the charge of seeing the Prince safely back to the Palace. Although I would gladly ink my last painting with my blood to see a deadly blow brought against the Plum Blossum, the safety of the Prince must now be a priority...but I am no tactician...no great warrior... Here her voice cracks a bit and her eyes take on a shiny gleam ...I am just tremendously blessed with beautiful friends...I would seek your quick council....Councilor Chujitsuna...Azami...Envoy-Six...and of course Prince" She nods to each, but then opens her arms wide, "Please, all of you...I would just see all of you safe."
Tokine watches the still man closely for the effect or any complications from such an unnatural soul transfer.
Tokine lightly taps the man's face and jingles some bells by his ear, and frowns at the lack of response. With a small jolt, she looks up to Advisor Chujitsuna and her brow furrows. Chu:
Do you know this man? I have healed his wounds enough that we should at least have revived him. Beyond that, he is out of my power. I believe I may have seen him at the squalid residence the Young Shoto maintains for privacy, but I do not know his name. Would you know, of those soul bottles, which held this man's?" Her head turns at Envoy-6's words. "Please Envoy-6, these left here look to be allies. We will leave no one if it is just a matter of opening a door. We spread compassion in the heart of the Enemy, weakening him fatally."
Tokine watches Rhon's jar disappear into the sack, Guard that one well. Rhon is the adviser to Princess Erudima, from the Mamban contingent. He fell trying to rescue her. His inert yet living form is safe with his companions above us, and it was for this main reason I am down here. He is a scolar and his knowledge I feel will be vital to us, as the days unfold."
Tokine will check on the prostrate form and give him healing if needed to revive him.
Tokine was looking down the way toward the prisons when she hears a different name, one that she heard but once, on the lips of the Eyrine. The sudden realization causes her to forget caution and run over to the Advisor at the selves. "Advisor Chujitsuna, did you say Arthion? I think that is Rhon. What are all these? What they took from him, is that now in these jars?" Her eyes roam quickly across the shelves, looking for his name.
Tolkien had turned her back to allow Kyras and Azami a private moment, but her head snaps around at the sound of dragon snarls. She is torn between horror and sadness.... She sends out a silent plea, The Dragon grows so strong inside him. Shelyn, I do not know if I have the strength to help him save himself.....or to stop him if he can't" She continues with a small song, to calm and focus hervnerves before they set out again. It is not until later that she allows her mind to register the slightly differ tone of her bells....and that two new bells were attached to the string.
Seeing expectant eyes turn to her, Tokine gives a harsh whisper, "Vandels. Shelyn has no patience for those that destroy the art of others."
it'll take a little time for me to level, hopfully be done by weekend's end sorry! :( I am pretty much in the same boat.
Tokine pauses a moment...seeing Kyras's tenderness with Azami...how can a man so full of rage still have such a soft heart?... She leans in gently, her bells giving the faintest of tinkles, to lightly place her hand on Azami's arm. She quietly transfers a surge of raw strength that these emotions have moved within her... and then sorry for having intruded on such a moment, silently steps back and away so as to not come between the two.
Holy Crud am I glad to see this! My internet and free time is severely crimped through the end of the month, but after that I will be back up to full speed. woo-hoo!
Tokine is peeved as the silence was clearly meant to slow their solution to finding a way across. She noticed it immediately as she picked her way across the ceiling, once the roaring of the river was quieted. Now they relied on simple mimes and gestures as Adviser Chujitsuna moved forward. It was dark in the alcove but her little bit of light shed some details, more for her companions benefit as her eyes, another gift from her father, could see well enough in these tunnels...something that surprised the Dwarves she used to travel with. But it is movement that catches her eye...the statues...again they move. No obvious way to signal Adviser Chujitsuna, who seemingly does not see them. Her magic at a loss her, she pulls on one of the other gifts of her father....she states up at the weeping statues and wills Daylight to erupt from its visage, hopefully serving as a beacon to alert the good Adviser of his danger. Thinking on gifts, she reaches into her pocket in search of the odd bell she was gifted by Baslav Meriko. She pulls it out wondering if its odd resonance could be heard in this silence.
|
