Multiple Settings New Oasis: Four Heavenly Kings [Season 2]

[angel doe]

JERICHO MADDEN

CS Link

SCENE:

New Oasis Season 2 - Arc 4: Scene 1 [The Fourth Seal]

TIME:

February 28th, 2023 || After Midnight

LOCATION:

Center District Purification Chamber, Lower Central — "Purgatory"

PARTICIPANTS:

Various Phoenixes

THE FOURTH SEAL

“Guess so..." Jericho muttered half-heartedly, tilting his head so it rested uncomfortably against his own shoulder. The bones in his neck popped and he rolled his head back around, straightening himself out but casting his gaze downward. There wasn't much else to say; he'd never been good at small talk.

Daigo's comment had Jericho looking up again, however, and he snorted softly, “Yeah, you can say that again." It didn't feel like their leadership gave a damn, but he couldn't say anything bad about YY. They had a good head on their shoulders and perhaps his opinion was biased because they were friends, but Jericho trusted them.

“I ain't heard from Toshi, though. Why, somethin' the matter?" Jericho's head tilted slightly to one side curiously.

Elenion Aura joshuadim

 

[thebigfella]

Zentsupa Pei

CS Link

SCENE:

New Oasis Season 2 - Arc 4: Scene 1 [The Fourth Seal]

LOCATION:

Center District Purification Chamber, Lower Central - "Purgatory"

DATE:

Febuary 28th, 2023

PARTICIPANTS:

Bibi, Nina

The Fourth Seal

There was a moment to enjoy the brutalist and lavish interior he had constructed—a single moment to look upon another episode of his wild machinations—before his head turned toward Q-Bot. The large robot had already gotten up and occupied itself with going on stage and dancing with the performers.

“HEY SCRAPSHIT! WHERE’S MY DAMN SECRETARY!?” He shouted over the music, waving a glass of root beer over his head as the robot spun around like a ballerina, clearly enjoying the atmosphere as he became a facet of the utter ridiculousness.

“Pi-pi-po! My tracker says she’s on her way right now!” Q-Bot replied as he dropped it down in a split, shaking his hips as he busted it down. Pei cackled in response, pleased with that answer as he adjusted his collar, “She overslept again, huh!? Good! I bet she’s gonna come through like a bat out of hell! KEKEKEKEK!” He stepped out of the way as a trio of unicorn plushies walked across his pathway in a conga line. A presence demanded his attention, and the shifting of the atmosphere didn’t escape the well-trained nose.

“Yo! Here for the party, huh?!” He shouted towards Bibi, offering the newcomer a snaggle-toothed smirk; he took a moment to look the man up and down before letting out a silent snicker; the way he spoke was ridiculous, “You sound like a fucking schizo!” He vocalized before he snapped his finger and dropped from the ceiling. It was a tiny spider with giant beady eyes, each of its gloved hands offering a series of candies and chocolates to take if he wanted one.

“Always happy to have another guest! I was hoping for someone’s ass to beat and kill time anyway!” Pei chirped joyfully as he jabbed a finger into Bibi’s chest, “You look like fresh meat! Kekekekek!”

Pei was all ready to walk over to the console and get things started; he only paused for a moment, expectantly waiting for--

The sound of a voice rang against his ears, the sudden, abrupt, loud, and disastrous appearance of his employee, secretary, underling, whatever you wanted to call her. “ABOUT TIME, YA SKANK! WHAT THE FUCK AM I PAYIN' YA FOR!?” Pei turned to watch her barrel in with a massive smile; it was hard to tell if he was actually annoyed, raising a finger towards her as she slid across the ground, “Next time you’re late, I’ll put a bomb under your bed! Kekekekek!”

Very quickly, he let the issue go through, completely ignoring Nina’s existence as he looked at the sprawl of controllers that had now gone across the ground. They were personal effects, one from his old spot back in the South; they were a pain in the ass to get back, limited edition colors and decals that now had been scuffed and tossed onto the ground.

Yet, without a care, the blonde knelt down and picked one up, the rest quickly being gobbled up or snatched by the grabby hands of other Playmates, who simply wanted to put their hands on something that looked rare. Without much hesitation, Pei grabbed one of them, a spongy-looking dinosaur still wet from growing in a glass, and tore a bright red controller from its hands as it screamed and cried, running off.

Pei tossed the controller to Bibi. “Let’s fuckin’ go!” Pei beckoned over towards the stone-carved sofa, plopping himself down as everything loudly cracked within his rickety body. The screen lit up with colors and blared as the title screen came across the screen. The announcer’s voice was clear even amongst the music.

“GODBORNE KART!”

Pei cackled as he dug his hand into a giant bowl of popcorn that now sat in front of him, kernels and butter going everywhere as he shoved it in his mouth, washing it down with a bottle full of coke before putting his greasy, sticky finger all on the silver-polished controller he had.

The game had begun, but Pei immediately noticed something was wrong. The controller wasn’t acting right. It wasn’t a surprise; it was old and had hit the ground hard. But rather than trading it out, he decided to see how fun it would be to try his opponent with a handicap.

Slowly, that ended up being a bad idea. A vein of annoyance grew on his forehead. Not only was Pei rusty, but his skills were inhabited by the button inputs. He glanced over to the complete novice, Bibi, who was somehow neck and neck with him despite him barely having any idea how to play.

He seethed, the fact that his business hadn’t left him with enough time to keep his gaming skills sharp, the fact that this piece of shit controller was making him look incapable, that this dumbass could even think for a second he was as good at the game as him! All these frustrations and thoughts slowly came to a head of a reasonable conclusion…

Pei calmly put his control down by his feet in the final lap, standing up to prop his foot on the table. And then, from seemingly nowhere, he pulled out a rocket launcher and hoisted it over his shoulder. He didn’t hesitate to aim down the sights rights on the screen; with a plume of flames and smoke, the rocket blew out from the barrel with a whistle; the force launched Pei backward, his body flopping over the back of the couch as the rocket impacted the wall and exploded with a flash of orange and red.

Smoke expanded and turned into a miasma across the surroundings. The shockwave caused many Playmates to freeze while the other more expectant ones ducked for cover. Rubble flew through the air as the whole room jostled and shook like an earthquake had happened. The loose ceiling left pebbles to fall downward, breaking the glasses upon the wall and landing in people’s drinks.

The faint sound of dry cackles came from the smoke as Pei walked out from the plume with his rocket launcher draped over his shoulder, his purple suit now stained with soot as he wiped a black streak over the side of his face, glancing at his handiwork as a giant hole was now bore into the wall, smoke wafting out of the gaping mass, loose wires flickering with current and melted rebar tilted downward.

“Kekekekek! That’s what they call ‘Game Over’!” Pei cackled at his joke as the rest of his Playmates looked on in a mix of emotions at their impulsive owner’s actions.

 

[thebigfella]

Shishido Takakazu

CS Link

SCENE:

New Oasis Season 2 - Arc 4: Scene 1 [The Fourth Seal]

LOCATION:

Center District Purification Chamber, Lower Central - "Purgatory"

DATE:

February 28th, 2023

PARTICIPANTS:

Dante Haze-

The Fourth Seal

Despite the changing times, there was the constants of the moon. For a bredith, Roach saw the reflection of it in those yellow eyes before it was replaced by something much closer, warming. Roach smiled; he couldn't ever forget that glow--that light. Words danced across his mind, but nothing seemed right; the space of time had divided them in a way that he wasn't sure how to cross yet; he was lost in the vacuum.

The touch, as rough as it was, grounded him. Roach rubbed his shoulder like a softie, "That hurt," he replied on cue. For a moment, he felt his fist tighten, and the idea flashed in his head to return the favor twice fold or to at least give him a firm shove. There was a long second where he felt the thought and visibly let it flow out of his mind as his expression softened; that smile didn't wane, even as it grew a bit looser.

"Hey, make sure to save me a slice!" Roach reached a hand out in the air aimlessly for the now tangible evil-ass pizza delivered from the darkness that Cerberus was now dining on before hesitating as he watched the wolf devour a whole slice. "Nevermind…" his fingers retracted as a small bead of sweat went down the side of his face, like he actually wanted to try a piece.

Self-consciously, his hand came to go through his hair. The strands split too easily, and the lack of tangle still felt alien to him. He remembered his mom's reaction to it. She barely could contain her laughter, seeing him go from his nappy-headed look to this genetic-defying perm.

"Deb likes it…" he mumbled absentmindedly as he played with a strand before quickly sharpening up and straightening himself out. "I didn't do this to pick up girls, though! Don't even act like that!" His hands clenched around his dome, ruffling up his hair quickly before straightening it. He had become so conscious about his appearance that it was alien. "Man, I should have brought my comb…"

Eventually, Roach finally lets his hair go, and Dante's comments clearly find their way through his newly formed thin skin. For all the jabs and pokes at him, Roach didn't respond in kind, offering Dante an assured nod at his offer, "Yeah, I know things could go wrong. I'll be careful. I don't want to worry you," he spoke with a defined clarity as he met Dante's eyes "I'll come get you if things get dangerous."

He could feel it, as faint as it was, something in his pride that told him those words that weren't his own. But--

It was a short-lived thought. The LED of a phone screen in his face made Roach brighten up. He leaned forward as his mouth hung open. "You got that much already!? I didn't know tattoos were that expensive!" His eyes blinked twice to ensure he looked right. "You're really something else, D."

Roach stood back up straight with an assured frown, his brows knit together. A sharp scowl that had once defined him but was now seldom seen made its reappearance for this one moment as he made sure Dante heard the words that fell from his lips clearly.

"I haven't been slacking. I won't slack on this."

As soon as that breath, sordid and stale of past inclinations, was breathed, a mention of Hiachi made Roach's whole body language change. His hands rose from his side to hang in front of him. "Hiachi? No, actually. I was hoping you had seen her… She's here, right?"

Roach rubbed his forehead. He had expected that Dante and Hiachi had already planned to be together or at least had met up at this point. They were much closer together than he was with them, so he wouldn't have been surprised. A bit dejected to learn the situation, he raised his finger with an idea.

"Should we…call her? Oh, but what if she's busy!" Roach grasped the sides of his temples, "She could be in the middle of something really important, and we could mess her up. Maybe we should just text…but what if her phone isn't on vibrate? Maybe she didn't tell us she was here because she didn't want to be bothered?"

Roach's thoughts ran through his head as he rubbed at the sides of his skull, massaging it as he tried to decide what to do. He had given way too much thought to the basics. He moved cautiously now, afraid of making mistakes.

It was nothing like before.

 

[miki]

HIACHI ITO

CS Link

SCENE:

New Oasis Season 2 - Arc 4: Scene 1 [The Fourth Seal]

TIME:

February 28th, 2023 || After Midnight

LOCATION:

Center District Purification Chamber, Lower Central — "Purgatory"

PARTICIPANTS:

The Kings and their Mice

THE FOURTH SEAL

Hiachi’s shut eyes snapped open. Her head snapped at breakneck pace towards the whisper. In her attempts to listen in, she had failed to consider that her sight might be important.

Someone else was in there with her. A young man whom she had never seen before. Long blue hair, eyes with a glint of surprise that Hiachi matched with dread.

What, did she think she was the only one who had this risky and stupid, stupid idea? Well, yes, sort of. Because any normal person would trust the information relayed to them, especially considering the circumstances. They wouldn’t be so paranoid to think that any secondhand account—anecdote, recording, or video—lacked the definitive clarity of eyes and ears.

Making this young man anything but.

Hiachi’s hand clamped over his mouth mere milliseconds after his last syllable. In the dark, the flash of metal wasn’t visible. The indicator would be the feeling of the muzzle pressing directly into his eyelid, poised to shoot directly through his eye. The firm press and confidence in her aim was threat enough. Shut the fuck up!

Her hold was firm. She had no hands to put an index finger to her lips, but she trusted he got the message. But she didn’t dare speak. She watched him instead: waiting for his reaction.

At the sound of the voices past the wall, Hiachi’s eyes darted back and forth to and from the focus of her attention.

Negotiations stabilized. Deals to be made. Lives in the balance. No side chosen, none quite solidified. Lists, lists of scattered points in Hiachi’s mind. Greed, in every feasting breath of their lungs, in every grasp of their swollen fingers. Counter, counterpoint, ego stroked, stasis maintained.

This tar we rot in. We’ll all sink.

What little light remained illuminated the crease of her brow and grimace on her lips.

 

[Doctor Llamabean]

BLITZ | Boltius Beckman

CS Link

SCENE:

New Oasis Season 2 - Arc 4: Scene 1 [The Fourth Seal]

TIME:

February 28th, 2023 || After Midnight

LOCATION:

Center District Purification Chamber, Lower Central

PARTICIPANTS:

Bunch a' bastards

The Fourth Seal

The air within the control room was thick, weighed down by years of grudges and blood-soaked history. Every glance felt loaded, every breath measured. Yet, the Phoenix Ace’s simmering glare was fixed on none other than the Phoenix “King” himself.

Stifling warmth emanated from him, wafting in visible waves like a mirage—not quite threatening, but enough to call attention.

Visceral rage danced behind his eyes, bleeding into graphic hallucinations: murderous desire, Sura’s head on a stick. The Ace’s hand twitched as he caught a vivid glimpse of Sura’s face in his palm, glassy, wide eyes staring back at him between his fingers. In his mind, Sura’s face melted beneath unbearable heat, pooling into a viscous mess of blood. His screams faded into wet gurgles, drowned by liquefied skin filling his throat. Riding the streams of ick, teeth collected at Boltius’ feet where a puddle grew and Sura’s body collapsed.

For a moment, the vision consumed him—an image so vivid he was convinced for a second it was real. Then, the Tiger King’s grating voice reeled him back to the red water’s murky surface, and he couldn’t help trying to grind away his irritation with a roll of his neck. He hated the silence before, but now he missed it.

The Tiger King spoke of the NOPD’s war against the gangs and Potentiality.

Boltius scoffed, folding his arms across his chest, and leaning back in his chair. The news had been nothing entirely fresh to him and some select Phoenixes due to certain discoveries during their famous raid on the CDPD headquarters a time ago. However, that didn’t mean the sudden announcement and takeover hadn’t come down like a hammer on a steel beam. The escalation was damn sure a hard-hitter, creating waves, and he’d been left paralyzed by the possible legitimacy of the tale they’d been trying to investigate. The CDPD Captain’s notes had been vague and unfinished, but they had not been useless. They spoke of the death of potentiality and the balance of four powers before everything fell apart.

We were too slow.

The Chief of Police… For a brief moment, Boltius recalled his encounter with her, washed by a feeling of weightlessness as he remembered the plummet from Upper Central to Lower Central. She had been a target on his radar for a long time now.

At the mention of unity, Boltius clenched his jaw and refrained from looking at Hector. Now wasn’t the time… They had trash to take out first. His eyes quickly flitted from the Tiger King to Sura again, who had been sitting with an infuriating smirk plastered across his face since the beginning.

The next voice to halt his thoughts was that of the Dragon King, a face not so unfamiliar to Boltius, but one he wouldn’t call a friend. Her voice did little to irritate him like the Tiger’s, but he still found himself glaring her down.

Snake King hissed next, and Boltius very quickly had a mind to punch that bitch in the fuckin’ throat. Talk like you got some motherfuckin’ sense, bitch!? The fuck!? His eyebrows furrowed unevenly, one higher than the other as if caught between asking a question and scowling, mouth half open. Words came, fell from her lips like glass in a garbage disposal, but he was damn sure they were words. It was just the message he didn’t grasp—couldn’t, for he was too distracted by the manner of delivery.

Next spoke the Dragon Queen, starting strong. Boltius saw some appeal in his opening but said appeal rapidly trickled off when it started to sound like he was reading off an ad campaign for Albrecht Industries. I’mma punch this motherfucker, too. It was decided. At least once, but later.

Just then, Yong-Yut, the new Jack and one of Boltius’ close friends, stole a turn in the rotation. Boltius looked at her. Any trace of annoyance or fuming rage was replaced by a glimmer of warmth. The lines on his forehead smoothed, eyebrows relaxing. Like smoke swept by a gentle breeze, his anger subsided.

As her voice filled the room, Boltius watched her, observed her body language, and noted every stumble in her words. When she called the man a dick, he smiled and tucked his chin. Then, eventually, Yong-Yut finished, and another Phoenix followed up. Boltius didn’t quite appreciate what she had to say, calling their Jack foolishly spoken, but he found himself struggling to understand her the same as he did with the Serpent King. As a result, he shot the woman behind him a fleeting glare, his expression a mixture of bewilderment and irritation.

Another voice, then.

Boltius was not familiar with this one either. There were too many new faces these days. Naturally, his first acknowledgment was that she was cute and, based on the present Dragons, an Ace like him. Not that it mattered. It was her question that piqued his interest, urging him to speak until another part of him reminded him that he wasn’t there to cooperate with these bastards, but rather to support Hector, represent the Phoenixes, and satisfy curiosity. He owed these fuckers not a single word and thus kept his mouth shut, giving the Tiger King room to, once more, occupy the mic.

He spoke his piece, then did the Dragon King, and then came the slamming of Hector’s iron fist upon the meeting table. At that, Boltius shut his eyes and let the rest of the conversation pass until the most maddening voice of them all rang loud.

PULSE | SURA

SCENE:

New Oasis Season 2 - Arc 4: Scene 1 [The Fourth Seal]

TIME:

February 28th, 2023 || After Midnight

LOCATION:

Center District Purification Chamber, Lower Central

PARTICIPANTS:

Pawns

The Fourth Seal

Thunderous laughter split through the tension in the air, charging the atmosphere with new energy. Sura stood to his feet, clapping—a slow, deliberate applause, each connection eliciting a sharp, satisfying crack before silence…

A breath passed.

Spreading his arms wide, teeth bared in a feral and untamed smile—a challenge. Provocation.

“How marvelously pa-thetic!” He shot his gaze across the room, like a swinging sword. “The fear that drives you-” he addressed them all, “I could vomit.”

“If we do this- If we do that- BAH! Marionettes controlled by strings of doubt and weakness- Do not speak for me, Tiger.” Two hands came down on the table as Sura leaned in, looking at no one in particular. The gleam in his eyes betrayed an intensity that teetered on the edge of madness and exhilaration. Yet, there was not an ounce of rage that ruled him, rather exuberant passion.

“Stand upon the brink of WHAT!? Failure? For you, maybe, but I say let them wage their war, for I wage one no less destructive. Devastating. The Phoenixes are stronger now than they’ve ever been. And let’s be honest, here…” Sura stood straight and placed his hand upon his Jack’s shoulder, gently. His voice shifted—a dramatic descent from chaos into calculated control. “The moment we ‘unite,’ we’re simply playing a waiting game to see who stabs who in the back first. I trust no one who pretends they cannot see that.”

“This… Sleeper. It is the unknown, something which I do not fear. However, I am no blind man to opportunity.” Sura’s smile deepened. “If it is unity you want, then you shall have it, but don’t be so arrogant as to think I’ll let you lay claim to leadership over me. I act independently in your favor but in the way I see fit, for I am not so desperate. Once the police have been annihilated… I’m your next enemy, Sleeper be damned.”

“You cling to your Potential because you believe you are nothing without it. My war will wage regardless, even after I am dead and when Potentiality is extinguished. The Scarlet Phoenixes will grow, and they will spread, devouring everything until this city is their domain entirely.”

 

[Roda the Red]

CHARLIE HUGHES

CS Link

SCENE:

Phoenixes Arc 4: Scene 1 [The Fourth Seal]

LOCATION:

Center District Purification Chamber, Lower Central — "Purgatory"

PARTICIPANTS:

Hiachi, The Kings and company (sorta)

THE FOURTH SEAL

Warm and cold assaulted his face alike, a hand to his mouth, and a familiar metallic bit to his eye. His eyebrows raised in surprise, naively expecting this assumed gangster to be marginally friendlier. They slowly descended as he understood her gesture, if she shot her right now, it sure would be a bit painful, but three years of bullets raining down on his frame in a bi-daily basis did good work on numbing whatever fear they might've initially inflected upon him. On nearly every other scenario, the girl's threat would've earned her a haymaker to the face, especially knowing (for the most part) what kind of person he was dealing with. But causing a ruckus right now would be a disastrous idea for all parties, thus his hands only raised gently, wrapping his fingers around both of her wrists, getting them out of the way.

He reached out for his pocket, the cerulean light of his smartphone illuminating the narrow space as well as its uninvited inhabitants. A pair of thumbs ceaselessly tapping away at the digital keyboard, promptly turning the screen towards the girl. 'chill out already, I'll get us a better view of things, so stay quiet'

He raised both of his hands at around eye level, a conveniently similar ground for the two of the gangsters, he pressed an inder finger against the damp rocky wall, his other hand repeating the same gesture to his side, in front of where the girl stood. Through smooth and silent motions, the fingers began to drill into the hard material, sinking further into the wall.

While Charlie has managed to mostly get a proper listen to what's been said within the control room so far, a few lower words failed to land, and it was also much preferable to put a face behind the stranger voices. He wished he only needed to do this for himself, but the trigger-happy gal might get rowdy if he didn't share the sight. Once he felt no more resistance on his fingertips, he carefully retrieved his hands, a pair of minuscule rays of light cutting through the darkness of the space within. The phoenix spared the girl a quick last glance, before fully turning his attention to the meeting.

The sleeper was a topic mentioned again and again by the kings and queens. By the sound of it, it seemed like not even the leadership knew much about it beyond what himself had learned through investigating on his own accord, ever since the chimeric incident. He might actually have the upper hand in terms of knowledge, if only slightly. The mere sight of the detestable figures causing so much grief in New Oasis was enough to fill his heart with disdain, but getting to listen to their delusions of grandeur and thirst for power, even amidst a crisis that needed to be cooperated against, it made Charlie wish he had the recklesness to bust this flimsy wall down, and unleash his wrath upon them all.

But a deathwish he was above of, thus he relented to be a mere spectator, the time to play his own hand shall eventually come.

miki

 

[King Crimson]

AKAMOZU JUN

CS Link

SCENE:

Phoenixes Arc 4: Scene 1 [The Fourth Seal]

LOCATION:

Center District Purification Chamber, Lower Central — "Purgatory"

PARTICIPANTS:

Hiyma Peckinou , Numerous members of every gang

THE FOURTH SEAL

Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap.
The faint, rhythmic drumming of fingers on steel echoed dully from somewhere within the crowd of Phoenixes, steady and agitated, idle hands yearning, yet unable to do some of the devil's work.
Lounging upon the floor, with one hand propping up his head, while the other tapped a steady, staccato rhythm, Jun's curious eyes wandered around the room, drinking in the scenes before him with glazed, half-lidded interest.
There were so many people here.
Strong people.
Strong people from all over the city, with all kinds of different powers and abilities, who had come from all kinds of walks of life, and all with their own stories to tell.
Strong people, who's bodies could make the most incredible, entrancing music for him, if only that dumb jerk of a new boss hadn't confiscated his sword.
He felt like he'd been invited to the greatest, most extravagant buffet in all the city, but he wasn't allowed to have a plate, or any utensils.
It was just unbearable, and with his phone confiscated alongside his sword, he wasn't even able to escape to the sanctuary of social media to escape from the boring monotony that plagued him in this dull, metallic coffin that reeked of mildew, stagnant air and fear.
All he could do was tap upon the ground, and wait for something to happen, like everyone else here.
Tap. Tap. Tap.

His eyes fell momentarily upon Pei, who in true Pei fashion, had somehow managed to make the most of his situation, creating an entire club house out of only thin air.
The sight caused a sour taste bubbled in Jun's mouth, and he puffed out his cheek in indignation.
It was annoying that he seemed to be having so much fun, but it hurt more that Jun was no longer allowed to join him.
So Pei betrayed the Phoenixes, and became a member of the Golden Slime Gang, so what?
Why did they have to stop being friends because of some dumb gang politics?
Tap.Tap.Tap.Tap.Tap.

Soon enough his frustration boils over, and with no other outlet for his pent-up energy in sight, he rolls over onto his back, throwing both of his arms up in explosive exasperation, as loudly proclaims, "UUUGH!! THIS PLACE SUCKS!!! I'M SO BORED!!!"
In the midst of his tantrum, he twists his entire body, until he was faced towards the diminutive, long-haired 'girl' who, for some reason, had been allowed to keep her phone.
Of course, he could sense what she truly was, what 'they' were; the way their footsteps didn't really seem to make any vibrations within the ground, the lack of shadow...
The little inconsistencies all gave it away, despite their master's best efforts, and Jun couldn't be bothered with entertaining the façade, least of all now.
"Heeey, Mini-Helva~...!!" Jun says, beckoning to Hiyma, before pointing an accusative finger towards Pei's improvised clubhouse, and complaining, "Don't you have a ton of money!? how come you can't get us a setup like that~!?"

 

[AriAriAbabwa]

Lars Albrecht

CS Link

SCENE:

Arc 4: Scene 1 [The Fourth Seal]

LOCATION:

Purification Chamber, Lower Central — "Purgatory"

PARTICIPANTS:

The Kings and their Inner Circles

The Fourth Seal

Resistance was to be expected. Lesser minds tend to do that, latching onto a false idea of independence, because their shoddy childhoods have not taught them to look to their leaders. They can't look at themselves and how their independence results in disaster. They will and have led themselves into the ground, and are too blind to see the obvious pattern!

The Phoenix Jack called him a dick. A dick. Out of every available word in the lexicon, she chose the most rudimentary and basic insult? What did she think he was? Did she think he'd flop over and go manic over being called such a thing? And Liz had the gall to call him a beggar. He who worked up from nothing, fighting tooth and nail to leave his mark in the world. What does this bitch know about capital? What can she do about economy?

No matter. There was an easy way to fix this. Lars rose suddenly from his chair, taking in a breath and almost began to speak. Almost.

He saw his cubes crush under manipulated gravity. The King's gravity. The silent message was loud and clear. "You choose to exert power over me, rather than these... troglodytes?" Lars' face twitched, but he knew better than to overstep. More than he already has, at least. So he sat back down. For now.

Lars glared into Yong-Yut's eyes. It was a scowl that did not last long... For he laughed. A short and quiet chuckle, like someone losing their composure over a cute animal. That was a Jack? That was who the Phoenix leadership sent to declare angry words instead of doing it themselves? Those braids made her look like his baby cousin who was in elementary school! The pink ribbon in her hair just screams 'I never had a childhood'! Her nose makes up the majority of her own face! She looks like the type of person to hold their hands out like a T-Rex and do fuck all!

Lars muffled his laughter with a hand. This was the person who called him a dick? What was that girl even wearing? Pedestrian clothing. Typical. They absolutely plucked her into leadership just to be their puppet. What was with that tie? A flimsy attempt to look professional? Lars straightened his already straight tie, certain that his ivory white clothing was as sparkling as they were when he left home. Not like Yong-Yut's dirty rags. She has no authority in that wear. She probably slapped it together because this gang leaves nothing for its members to use. Those are the only clothes in her miserable, tiny apartment, and her life must be an absolute pain.

This Jack honestly thought she could get under his skin just by calling him a dick? How foolishly naive!

He'd have gone on a silent rant about Liz and her choice of insult, too, but the reliable Eribelle did it for him. For someone who called him a beggar, Liz clearly has not looked in the mirror. Where was her dignity as a lady? Where was her shame? How could she proudly walk around, flaunting herself like that and expect people to think her as leader material? Pathetic.

Fortunately, Ryu, the more respectable of the bunch, steered the topic back. These damn gangs can't keep their mouths shut and derail important conversations like children. "For once, I like what you say—mostly. It's still awful in a lot of parts. But like I said, these what ifs are a curse to discussion. We are talking about eventualities. When. Because we will fight. We will win. We will prosper."

He looked across the leaders. "I think some of you must understand something about the way this world works. Time, evolution, and industry are on a car that never stops moving forward. Everyone falls into one of two places: They either sit in the car and take control of the wheel, or they do nothing and are run over. Some people are born to lead. Others born to serve. That is to say, objectively, people like us are better, and it's our responsibility to ensure the car meets few roadblocks." Lars pointed at Ryu. "You should sit on the passenger seat. You who leads Tigers don't know how to handle economy." Then he looked at Kanna. "And you need to learn that people will always criticize us. The one who led the Ifosan Republic won. In the end, that's what matters most."

Then Hector silenced the room and said his piece. Lars' glare found his new target. Although he remained quiet, still wary of Kanna's warning, his eagerness was leaking. The Serpent leadership spoke, surprisingly reasonable and unlike the Dragon Queen's presumptions of them, but he had nothing to say of that.

It was only a matter of time before Lars stepped on the gas, and he cackled at Hector. "What, you couldn't let your little mouthpiece talk for you?! You send that nose-faced puppet up in your place to speak first. You even wrote her a script to call me names! I mean, do you hear the hypocrisy coming out of your mouth?! You abused your power because you were afraid to speak, and chose your poor Jack as your scapegoat! You abused your power to pluck this impoverished girl who looks like she came out of a rundown kindergarten, and forced her into a den of Kings as your ventriloquist dummy!"

Lars shot out his chair again, leaning with a deranged grin. "Do you understand a word I am saying? Your King hasn't said a damn word since we got here!" he yelled, having unknowingly talked over said King. "You on your throne of ruins is basking in imitation power, and your poor unqualified Jack is the biggest victim of your insecurity! You preach of opportunism and responsibility, but you've brainwashed a hostage to say what you want to say! I could tell the way she spoke earlier that any and all reason was stripped away by your cowardice! My pathetic son lives night and day in a basement, and he still is more presentable than her!" His eyes shot at Yong-Yut. "Look at her right now! Absolutely zero authority or presence in this chamber! Tell me I'm wrong! You can't! Because it's the truth!"

This was going to be a long, long meeting.

FabulousTrash joshuadim gxxberkit WhiskeyMarten Roda the Red The One Eyed Bandit

 

[Peckinou]

Welsha Reaper

CS Link

SCENE:

New Oasis Season 2 - Arc 4: Scene 1 [The Fourth Seal]

LOCATION:

Center District Purification Chamber, Lower Central — "Purgatory"

PARTICIPANTS:

Karina Breadman Numerous Members of every gang

New Oasis Season 2 - Arc 4: Scene 1 [The Fourth Seal]

Ever since Welsha lost contact with Camilia things have become quite depressing, nothing had went her way and her influence had diminished considerably. It was frustrating to say the least, and now she was left switching between jobs from one Tiger vet to another, from going from two consistent bosses to none. Such is her fate, she wasn't exactly thrilled to be here, but it was something to do at the very least, besides she was a bit curious about the people from other gangs anyhow. Before coming here she prepared a few things to bring with her and made a few calls, one of those things were a pair of shades that hid in her pocket just in case she needed to hide her eyes. Looking over the crowd she could see many unique individuals most from other gangs some from her own, and some new ones from her own, that one guy with the weird hair and creatures around him who is making a entire scene came to mind when it came to unique individuals within the Tigers. He was a bit too quirky for her, so ignoring him or just plain staying out of his way was her typical approach when it came to dealing with him.

Looking between the other three gangs, Welsha dwelled on which gang would be most interesting to talk to, she had a little contact with the Phoenixes and Dragons already, though in those cases they were trying to kill her. Though the snakes on the other hand were something quite new to her, she has heard many things about them none of them were really good though. Looking over the snakes she noticed how one of them seemed to have been starting something, a fight? one where they were taking bets too? was this a money gathering attempt at a scheme or some entertainment to pass the time for them? Only the snake in the mask would know for sure, as tempting as it was to use that little event to get to know a few snakes, Welsha wasn't fond of the idea of betting money unless she was being reimbursed, that is how many of the Tigers got into debt in the first place after all. So taking a look towards another snake she looked towards one that had made a approach towards one of the Phoenixs, unlike most of the other snakes they seemed more refined and less shady than the others the only reason she was able to properly tell that she was with the snakes was due to her noting that she was with the snake crowd a bit ago.

When the Phoenix lady that she was talking to got dragged away by one of their friends, Welsha had opted to take a page out of the snakes book abd slither on over to the Serpent womans location, their blood was hot but she paid no mind to it as she appeared next to the lady. Her smile was fake as usual but she continued on wanting to introduce herself and perhaps get to know a little more about the Serpents. "Hiya, I am, uhm, Cloud!" her introduction was a bit awkward and clumsy as the thought of giving her real name instead of her alias almost crossed her mind, but Welsha made sure to not dwell too much on that as she continued. "I never really met anyone from your gang before and you looked like one of the nicer ones." there was a short pause as she said that, before looking back at the other serpents who didn't look all that friendly, before returning her attention back to the woman
"So I just thought it would be nice if you could maybe tell me a bit more about your gang or maybe something else?" she was being a bit straightforward with it of course. She was expecting the woman to say good things about their gang or atleast shine lights on the positives she didn't mind which ever one.

Spoiler

Mentions: Akira gxxberkit , Pei thebigfella , Christina Infab

[/comment]

 

[Infab]

Christina Winchester

CS Link

SCENE:

New Oasis S2 - A4: Scene 1 [The Fourth Seal]

LOCATION:

Center District Purification Chamber, Lower Central - "Purgatory"

PARTICIPANTS:

Numerous Members of Every Gang

THE FOURTH SEAL

Christina's expression shifted as Karina spoke, her face shifting to show her disapprovement of the idea of calling her mother for anything. Of course. She'd answer the phone in a heartbeat if I tried to call her, instead of her usual 'let it ring three times before picking up' rule.

"Right. I'll keep that in mind." muttered Christina in response, staring at Karina for a moment before turning her attention to someone else walking up.

White hair, golden eyes, small wings where her ears should be... What was her name again? Baba? Bibi? Boba? Yeah, Boba. Like the tea. Another rookie like me.

Christina raised an eyebrow as Boba walked up, speaking quite eloquently to the small trio before talking to Christina directly. She wants my help with Phoenix things? But I'm probably as green as... Oh wait, I see what she's doing. Alright. I'll play along.

"Yeah, sure! You got it." responded Christina, before looking to the Tiger and Serpent next to her respectively. "Nice to meet you, Kona. Sorry we couldn't talk longer. If you'll excuse me..." she said to the Tiger, before looking to Karina. "See you around, Karina."

She then moved out from between the pair, passing by Boba and moving off to somewhere far less crowded. She glanced down to Boba as they walked. "...Thanks for that. I was looking for a way to get away from the snake back there." she said quietly.

Interactions: Breadman , FabulousTrash , AzaleaWonderland

 

[Coyote Hart]

HENRY AURUM

CS Link

SCENE:

New Oasis Season 2 - Arc 4: Scene 1 [The Fourth Seal]

TIME:

February 28th, 2023 || After Midnight

LOCATION:

Center District Purification Chamber, Lower Central — "Purgatory"

PARTICIPANTS:

Henry, Akira, Hiyma, Briar, Aelestra, the Four Gangs

THE FOURTH SEAL

Immigrant wasn't exactly the right term, a foreign exchange student would've been a better moniker for Henry. But Henry wasn't one for minute detail, so he didn't bother the kitsune masked woman. Just as the conversation was getting good though, the woman spotted two people behind her, a man with patchworks of skin grafts and a woman with a vacant, disassociated look in his eyes. Their appearances, along with the kitsune-masked woman's enigmatic garb made it quite evident that they were likely Serpents. Yay to the power of stereotyping!

"H-hey! Damn, that's cold. Didn't even tell me her name," Henry was taken aback as his offer for a handshake was left hanging. The frat boy awkwardly took his hand and used it to comb back his hair a little. Meeting the eyes of the two remaining Serpents, Henry greeted them with an upward nod as well as a toothy smirk. A bit put off by the man's vicious appearance and the woman's cold demanor, Henry could only manage a shaky, "W-wassup? You uhhh you guys are really scary looking. Nice going! You uhh... want your horoscopes read or something?"

Henry briefly turned his back to the two Serpents, eliciting the pleasant sensation of the hairs on the back of his neck pricking up. The chances of a surprise attack by the Serpents seemed... manageable, so why not indulge in his own terror for a moment? The frat boy made eye contact with Hiyma and hissed through his teeth, "Why are they all so interested in me? I don't buy drugs from them that often."

Perhaps it would've been prudent for Henry to use a different language, as Hiyma had done. But Henry barely had a rudimentary grasp on Almereian, and he didn't know if Hiyma understood his own mother language.

gxxberkit Peckinou Lucem Beann

 

[Peckinou]

Hiyma

CS Link

SCENE:

New Oasis Season 2 - Arc 4: Scene 1 [The Fourth Seal]

LOCATION:

Center District Purification Chamber, Lower Central — "Purgatory"

PARTICIPANTS:

Akamozu King Crimson , Henry Coyote Hart , Charlie Roda the Red Numerous Members of Every Gang

New Oasis Season 2 - Arc 4: Scene 1 [The Fourth Seal]

As she gathered data on people many things have happened it seemed Pei had linked up with the Tigers and has made a entire show of it, a show that Hiyma had practically scoffed at as she updated his profile and continued on to the next person. She had gotten a bit far with her job before she noticed Christina getting harassed by a snake woman that she did not have a fondness for, Hiyma debated for a bit on weather to intervene before Boba a sponsoree of Noa went to her rescue. Hiyma had not had many interactions with Boba though she has heard of her and seen her from a distance before, but this first interaction made Hiyma instantly love the woman a phoenix that would finally make her life easier hopefully. A small smile appeared on her face before she updated Bobas profile that putting in a good word about her, even though she knew she shouldn't celebrate yet she could still hold on to the hope that the girl might be a saving grace for her. Once she was done with those edits she did a quick scan of the area, and noticed another thing, Charlie was missing, and just like that her good mood perished and she quickly went on to type out a text to Charlie

CLH

me

Temperer where are you? are you ok? nothing happened to you right? reply with your real name so I know that it's really you, you know Revernant will throw a huge fit if she loses you.

Hiyma was a bit worried that one of these guys here may of subtly taken out Charlie and kidnapped him, despite how strong he was still someone that she had to look out for and no matter how strong someone is, there is always a bigger fish. Despite the situation and Hiymas worry she did her best to remain as stoic as possible about the situation in order to not tip off anyone about how she was feeling right now. She began to mentally prepare herself for the possibility of having to rescue Charlie if he didn't respond in a timely manner or he replied with a wrong answer. Though her mental preparations were soon cut short as a devil the devil boy that is only 2 inches taller than herself voiced his frustrations, Hiyma was familiar with Akamoza and she knew that a board Akamoza meant a not so well behaved Akamoza and it seems like he has chosen her to play as his form of entertainment. If only he didn't call her mini-Helva, Hiyma couldn't help but face palm at that before going on to correct him "First of all please do not use real names Shrike, my alias is Jinn and hers is Revernant please use it. Second of all Pei is a traitor and Revernant prefers using her money on more practical things, well most of the time. Besides we are simply here to play bodyguards for a meeting that isn't that I doubt will last too long."

Hiyma knew that she needed to find some way to tame the devil kid but as she was thinking her thoughts were interrupted by Skadis Sponsoree, Henry who apparently caught the interest of quite a few Serpents. Hiymas expression was deadpan as he spoke to her and she let out a sigh as he finished "You shouldn't be buying snake drugs at all idiot, but considering your flamboyant and social nature they probably see you as either easy mark or someone they can gain some information off of, could be something else either way I suppose I need to find a way to entertain our little devil boy over here." she nodded on over to Akamoza as she said that last part. "If you want a excuse to get away from them Serpents before they decide to bite."

With that said she turning her attention back to Akamoza before asking "So what sorta entertainment do you have in your mind Shrike, and please make it something tame we do not need to be causing a huge ruckus." If she had known that Akamoza would be here she would of probably brought her keyboard in order to hopefully provide some form of entertainment for him but alas she neglected that duty so she will just have to figure something out.

Spoiler

Pei thebigfella , Christina Infab , Boba AzaleaWonderland

 

[BriiAngelic]

Artemis Mac Naught

CS Link

SCENE MUSIC:

CRAZY

LOCATION:

Center District Purification Chamber, Lower Central — "Purgatory"

PARTICIPANTS:

The Kings and their Inner Circles

THE FOURTH SEAL

If there was anything she could say about this meeting she supposed it made her grateful for the leadership she was under. Snakes were weird, dragons were egotistical narcissists, and the phoenixes were low-level thugs. Ryutaro might have his issues but at least she could just pretend those issues weren’t there for the most part. Just like today, it was easy enough to stick an earpiece in and let people believe you couldn’t hear them over its music. It was an easy info-collection method so long as people she used it on didn’t factor in that as a card dealer she was more than used to noise and distractions.

She had taken to dressing up for two reasons. The first was so she didn’t look at odds with the other tigers had she come in her usual card dealer uniform. The second reason being the fact that a well-coordinated outfit left her plenty of options to hide what she needed in its loose bishop sleeves and her purse had just as many tools at her disposal. This meeting was unlikely to end without violence in her own opinion and she was sure with her shit power that she’d be at the most disadvantage in a fair fight.

God the Serpent King’s voice was like nails on a chalkboard, thank god she had music to drown it out. She only looked to the side, showing that she was paying some attention, as the dragon queen’s monologue went on waiting to see Samira and Ryu’s reaction for a signal.

Andddd. Of course Ryu was preaching. “We are better than them” might appeal to those whose potential made them better but it wasn’t one she agreed with being at the bottom of the ladder. Still the police’s goal to destroy the gangs and HPs put a target on her own back as much as the person who could become a mini-sun. Besides seeing what exactly was going on underneath the cover of everyday life in the city firsthand made her realize being a passive observer just couldn’t happen.

This debate of ideals was getting way out of hand when the serpents were being the most rational ones in the room, the phoenixes were all being freaks so she had half a mind to throw them out. Actually, yeah. What the hell were they all doing thinking that everyone had to be at the table? She took a step forward moving out of the shadow of Samira for the first time this entire meeting.

“Alright, you don’t want in? Leave. The doors open. If you wanna be working as lone wolves go ahead. Be the meat shields for the police to pummel on. Anyone who's actually interested in doing something can stay. Ultimately you’re all spitting your egos but you showed up didn’t you? If you want this to be wasted time be my guest or you could say something productive and actually put forth your own plans.”

It was pretty rare for Missy to speak up. After all her little persona of Juliet was more the type to be stealthy and sneaky behind the scenes. In this tiny confined space she put her bets that most of them wouldn’t be able to go full force without risking themselves in the process, especially leagues underground.

 

[Breadman]

Karina Zemova

CS Link

SCENE:

New Oasis Season 2 - Arc 4: Scene 1 [The Fourth Seal]

LOCATION:

Center District Purification Chamber, Lower Central - "Purgatory"

PARTICIPANTS:

Karina, Christina, Ryo, Various other gang members

The Fourth Seal

"See you around, miss Winchester." Karina's smile didn't fade. There was just a slight twitch of the side of her lip as the target of her effort was making a convenient escape. She waved the two goodbye for now. Even with a limited time, she still managed to prod at Christina a little. Surprise that she didn't want to punch her lights out just now, but she was smart enough to be aware of their current circumstances. A wise decision. Probably from the mother's side.

The Serpent clasped her hands together as she watched the two increase their distance, but soon her attention was drawn to the delightful sound of someone else. Another member of the Tigers had approached her willingly and she had questions. Good manners on this one, not like most of her colleagues of brutes and oafs. No, that wasn't fair. Many tigers were 'legitimate' businessmen and women. They were smarter than the two-bit thug and goon. But what category would this one fall under?

"Hm? Oh, hello there, Cloud. Call me Karina." The smile was different when addressing this new Tiger. More friendly. "I suppose I am one of the nicer Serpents, but most aren't as scary as they seem. The lifestyle we lead just makes most of us be on guard constantly and they don't know when to drop it, but I'm sure the Tigers have it similar." She placed a finer on her chin and looked up for the next few moments "But what can I tell you, that I am privy to." The finger slightly tapped "The obvious is of course is that we are one of the big gangs and like yourself we have recently come under some hard times. My role is rather bureaucratic so I'm afraid you also picked the most boring Serpent of the bunch" Her friendly smile widened "Accounting, finances and asset management. That sort of thing. Even if I were allowed to share more about, I'm afraid the jargon would bore you to tears." She eyed the young woman briefly. "But what about you, Cloud? Are you one of the King's new hires?" She looked briefly to the other Tiger right next to her. "Same to you as well, miss. I'm afraid I've just been really rude ignoring you like this."

Infab AzaleaWonderland FabulousTrash Peckinou

 

[BriiAngelic]

Viktoriya Medved

CS Link

SCENE MUSIC:

An Actor Prepares

TIME:

February 28th, 2023 || After Midnight

LOCATION:

Center District Purification Chamber, Lower Central — "Purgatory"

PARTICIPANTS:

Aelestra, Rude, Darius, Akira, Retsu, everyone else

THE FOURTH SEAL

Leagues away from the light, this too was another sight she would have never seen had she not broken away. The waterways reeked and she peered down to see hundreds piled around. The gangs really had brought their all. Part of her wanted to light the tension ablaze with a well-timed fist. She leaned up and over before finding herself bored with the action. Instead, she found her way back over looming over Rude’s game finding interest in the silly little “video game”.

Fun came in the form of a clipboard being tossed her way. With a grin that could rival the Cheshire cat, she pulled out one of the bones from her quiver. She made a quick stop to pocket Rude’s game and put it safely away in her cargos. Inari two really did manage to make everything real funny. She figured that a sanctioned duel probably wouldn’t get many eyes unless they got loud.

She was proven wrong however when they almost instantly got their first bet in. She could figure creepy guy probably meant Bucher. She never personally found him creepy but hey one of the contenders had tits so it wasn’t like it was a hard pick to figure out. She wrote down the bet under Rude’s alias for “Tits McQueen” considering she hadn’t been given a name. Shouldn’t be hard to remember.

“You heard the gal! That’s one for Bucher.”

She tossed the cash to The Contaminated before coming closer to the railing. She took a deep breath in one hand at her side holding the clipboard and another using the bone like a baton as she shouted out to the various groups coalescing around the waterways.

“YO EVERYONE! MARZANNA SPEAKING. WE GOT OURSELVES A GOOD OLD FASHION BEATDOWN COMING! COME ONE COME ALL PLACE YOUR BETS ON YOUR IDEALLLLLL FIGHTER!”

She waited until she saw some heads turning in interest before introducing the fighters, who technically weren’t beside her but that was beyond the point. As soon as she saw enough looking her way she called out the contenders.

“IN ONE CORNER COMING FROM THE SABLEST OF SERPENTS THE ICE QUEEN OF THE AGES, THE CURRENT UNDERDOG, THE WOMEN WE KNOW AND LOVE ITS FRIGIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIID!”

Was she the most sable of serpents, an ice queen or the underdog? No probably not but damn if it didn’t make that crowd holler.

“IN THE OTHER CORNER COMING FROM THE SERPENTS AGAIN OUR RESIDENT LOVABLE BASTARD, THE MAN THAT MAKES CENTRAL SHAKE, HE’S GOT BOUNTIES OUT IN THREE COUNTIES IT’S BUUUUUUUUUUUUUCHER!”

They may all be lies and they may be making a spectacle and a half that others would have to clean up but damn if she didn’t wanna watch the world burn just to get a little spark of life up in here. She waved down The Contaminated with a motion and pointed her bone at him like it was a mic.

Beann Nobody Special gxxberkit WhiskeyMarten Elenion Aura

 

[Haze-]

Nina Aguilar

✦ SCENE:

Season 2 - Arc 4: [The Fourth Seal]

✦ TIME:

February 28th, 2023

✦ LOCATION:

Lower Central District; "Purgatory"

✦ INTERACTIONS:

Retsu, Rude (stoned to death)

✦ LIMIT BREAK RANK:

Flimsy++

✦ The Fifth Seal (?)

They say that a wild animal is at its most dangerous when up against a wall and a hard place. That saying was likely invented by someone that had yet to corner a chinchilla. That is how Nina felt, like a useless, defenseless chinchilla caught under the glare of a lion.

She had her hands at her sides, overhead, palms against the floor, forehead kissing the dust and grime of Purgatory. And as the shadow of the woman loomed above her (along with the stench of alcohol that clung to her) all she could do was wait. Like a man sent to the gallows, the twin-horned rookie shut her eyes and accepted her fate.

It wasn’t until she heard the unmistakable click-tap of stuck-up richman loafers nearing behind her that a sparkle of hope reignited within her. Her head swiveled to look over her shoulder, teary eyed at the sight of the pair of tall, skinny legs that stood amidst the graveyard of outdated controllers. It was her boss. Of course, he of all people would come to her rescue, she was his oh-so-valuable assistant and secretary after all. Nina gasped, wiped a stray tear from under her eyelids and croaked and squealed out something half-unintelligible, like a mixture of pitiful rainfrog and a flat tire screeching across the pavement — “Boss…You’re…!”

“B-Boss?” — Pei lowered, scooped up the controllers. And simply walked away. Nina’s face slowly contorted into basic shapes: two dots for eyes and a straight line for mouth, her skin now a pale, bloodless sheet of A4 paper.

“…” — There goes her hero.

She’d made it in time and delivered the 'goods'. It was a job well done, at least. If that was of any consolation to her.

“Uwaaaaagghh!” — A strong grip yanked 50(ish) kilos of straight Nina up by the shoulder, like she were a newborn pup, and she only had the reaction time to let out a squeal as she was lifted up. Her hands went up to her face, defensively. Expecting, divinating, that her following moments would involve her soaring through the air like a rocket until she crashed into the nearest wall.

When her feet abruptly touched the ground, she went completely stiff, her nerves making her jolt side-to-side, flicking back and forth like a human-sized doorstop. There were no further words that came out of her mouth, she only stared wide-eyed as the woman gave her a long, drawn out once-over. Not even realizing that she was being analyzed until her lagging brain caught back up with the situation. She squirmed, tried covering herself from the woman’s glare with her hands. In vain.

‘What the fuck is happening right now?!’

The situation escalated, all too sudden, one thing led to another. She blinked, and now she was standing among a large crowd of mobsters gathered in a circle, hollering at the top of their lungs. Well, it hadn’t happened that fast. She had only been blocking everything out along the way as she was dragged, a self-defense mechanism of sorts.

“Huh.” — She awkwardly threw glances around, hands on her hips, lightly hopping on the tip of her feet to catch a glimpse of the center of the ring — “So we’re just placin’ bets? Hah! I totally, like, thought you we’re gonna do something horrible to me! Glad to know we’re all good!”

“We…uhhh…w-we are good? Right?” — She stared blankly at the older woman, not exactly expecting a straight answer. After a beat, Nina cleared her throat banged a palm above her chest and pretended nonchalance. Her gaze drifting around, like a fly had just buzzed past her face — “Well, whatever…My boss doesn’t need me right now, I guess I can hang ‘round…”

Nina crossed her arms, simply staring off into space until the ‘announcer’s’ shouting broke through over everyone else. It was two fighters pitted against each other. Creepy guy vs Creepy gal. She wasn’t there willingly, but at least she wouldn’t be getting bored.

Nina sucked in air, cupped both hands to her mouth, and shouted as loud as she could over the crowd.

“EY DUUUUUUMBASS!!!!” — She reached down to scoop up the first thing that brushed against her fingers, a loose chunk of floor, and threw it over the crowd into the ring. Making damn sure it hit the guy with the hammer over the head — “WE PUT SOME GOOD MONEY ON YA’, I WANNA SEE SOME FUCKIN’ HUSTLE OUT THERE!!”

She turned to Retsu, a complete 180°, her voice inexplicably softening.

“Am I doing it right? I’ve never really been to one a’ these fight club things n’ all.”

Elenion Aura Nobody Special

 

[Peckinou]

Welsha Reaper

CS Link

SCENE:

New Oasis Season 2 - Arc 4: Scene 1 [The Fourth Seal]

LOCATION:

Center District Purification Chamber, Lower Central — "Purgatory"

PARTICIPANTS:

Karina Breadman Ryo FabulousTrash Numerous Members of every gang

New Oasis Season 2 - Arc 4: Scene 1 [The Fourth Seal]

Just as she thought, the woman seemed to be quite friendly and polite, Welsha fake smile couldn't help but turn a bit genuine as the woman introduced herself as Karina and went on to give a explanation. Welsha had to admit that she didn't expect Karina to give what seemed like her real name, it made Welsha feel a bit bad as she listened to Karina explain what being with the Serpents was like. She did seemingly confirm a few things though, for one their lifestyle culture was not all that better than the Tigers, a neat and interesting fact if it was true. Welsha made sure to pay close attention and listen well as Karina went on to speak some more, her eyes were completely focused on her as she spoke about the Snakes and her role within it. Welsha couldn't help but smile a bit as she mentioned how her role within the snakes was more bureaucratic, she honestly didn't expect the snakes to have a type of financial assistant in their employee, though it does make more sense than the snakes than her original thoughts of snakes just hording all their money in some sort of hidden cave or something like that.

Despite what Karina thought of her own role Welsha found it intriguing, and as she finished up and asked her a question about her own role within the Tigers Welsha couldn't help but close her eyes for a moment and embarrassingly rub the back of her head as she used her alias once again in order to address her. With a breath in and out she looked back towards Karina before clapping her hands together, closing her eyes again and bowing her head a little giving off a light and respectful bow before profusely apologizing "Ah I'm very sorry Ms.Karina my real name is Welsha, I was just use to the whole giving other people my alias thing, but it would be highly rude of me to not give my real name after you were kind enough to give me yours." atleast that was what she thought was her real name, it would of been highly awkward if that was actually her alias especially since it sounded like a genuine name. Regardless Welsha went on to recover from her bow before going on to answer Karinas question about herself. "Well I'm not really, a new hire but I am a Rookie of sorts, my allegiance was more so to another woman who just so happens to have supported the current King, but things had gotten more complicated for me since the new Chief came in." she let those words hang in the air but her attention was soon caught up to some other woman that Karina transferred a bit of her attention too, catching Welsha a bit by surprise as she looked over towards her

Welsha then gave the woman same respectful and apologetic bow that she gave Karina a while back ago before recovering and saying "Ah, very sorry miss I didn't notice you." She was a bit embarrassed with herself for her rude behavior and not properly greeting the lady she wasn't sure what gang she belonged to possibly the serpents, she doubted it was the Phoenixes. She hardly knew all the Tigers in the gang though she more so recognized Tiger names and Aliases but putting them with a face required her to actually meet or somewhat know the person first.

 

[Doctor Llamabean]

HOUDINI | Audley Chrome

CS Link

SCENE:

New Oasis Season 2 - Arc 4: Scene 1 [The Fourth Seal]

TIME:

February 28th, 2023 || After Midnight

LOCATION:

Center District Purification Chamber, Lower Central

INTERACTING:

Vita

The Fourth Seal

“Like I said, guy’s a total sicko.” A thin-lipped smirk, slick with black gloss, split across Audley’s face, exuding mischievous energy. She stood casually beside a Tiger, arms crossed, her pink eyes scanning one of her fellow rookie Serpents up and down.

Said rookie’s demeanor was a mixture of forced composure and clear discomfort. Shifting under her gaze, he strained to smile. “And, like I said, that never. fucking. happened.” The rookie growled through grit teeth, fists balled tight at his sides.

Audley snapped her fingers with a feigned air of authority, shaking her head in mock pity. “And that’s why they call you Fibs, bro.”

The rookie’s face turned crimson, veins bulging in his neck. “They don’t call me tha-”

“You Serpents are fuckin’ weird,” the Tiger interrupted, decidedly lumping Audley together with her fellow rookie, whom she’d just finished slandering.

At this, Audley theatrically clutched her chest as if struck by a mortal blow. Her wheezing gasp—high-pitched and screeching—turned heads, and she threw her head back as if on the verge of fainting. But the Tiger paid her no mind, not even a glance. “How… dare you judge me,” she cried. Throwing up an arm, she pointed an accusing finger at her fellow rookie, “He’s the one that’s sexually attracted to parrots!”

The Tiger stiffened, caught between second-hand embarrassment and disgust. Part of him didn’t want those around to hear what the Serpent girl had been discussing. However, before he could respond, a tap on his shoulder drew his attention.

“Man, can you believe these guys?” came Audley’s voice again, this time from his opposite side. The Tiger turned, startled, to find her standing there with her hands on her hips, her expression a perfect picture of exasperation. “Serpents are just wild… Like, wild,” she added, shaking her head in faux disbelief.

The Tiger’s brow furrowed.“Huh?” He quickly looked back to where she’d been standing moments earlier, only to find her still there, mid-tantrum, berating him with a level of energy bordering on absurd. What kind of crazy was he dealing with, right now? “After I took time out of my day to enlighten you on the sickos in your presence!” The original Audley got in the Tiger’s face, gesturing wildly before vanishing into thin air as the air rippled around her.

“Wha-?” The Tiger staggered back, his eyes darting around in confusion.

“If I were you, I wouldn’t let her get up in your face like that, man.” The second Audley spoke again, and the Tiger spun to find her relaxed and lounging, a smirk upon her face more mischievous than ever. “Really makes you look like a chump.”

“Stop playing around!” the Tiger barked, his voice rising.

Audley’s grin widened. She raised her hands slowly, palms outward in a show of fake surrender. “Woah, woah! Calm down, buddy.” Her tone was playful, but the glint in her eyes told of something else. “This here is neutral ground.” Adjusting her stance, she leaned forward, touched a finger to her bottom lip, and tilted her head like an innocent schoolgirl. “You wouldn’t wanna do somethin’ to stoke the fire of your own King’s rage, wouldja?” she cooed.

For a long stretch, the Tiger stared her down, his jaw tightening. He seemed to weigh her words and, with a grunt, decided she was right. Relaxing in the shoulders, he tucked his hands, defeated, into his pockets and walked away, but not without shoulder-checking Audley’s accompanying rookie.

“Maaan,” Audley groaned, slouching, disappointed. “I was really hoping he’d try to hit me. Guy’s unbreakable.”

Her rookie companion shot her a withering glare, brushing himself off with all of the dignity he could muster. “Thanks for that,” he muttered, voice dripping with sarcasm. “Really appreciate it.”

Audley’s demeanor shifted in an instant, like someone flipping a switch. “Yeah,” she replied, her voice flat and monotone, expression blank. “You’re welcome.” She didn’t wait for a response, already walking off as Fibs grappled with trying to understand her sudden change of character.

“So boring.”

She came looking for chaos and excitement, and all she’d found so far was disappointment and amateurs playing at being dangerous. What a waste of time… Or was it?

Just then, a familiar voice cut through the tense atmosphere channeled by the close quarters of hundreds of rivaling gangsters. “YO EVERYONE! MARZANNA SPEAKING. WE GOT OURSELVES A GOOD OLD FASHION BEATDOWN COMING! COME ONE COME ALL PLACE YOUR BETS ON YOUR IDEALLLLLL FIGHTER!”

The words reached her ears and Audley halted, perking up, her eyes shining with renewed curiosity. “Oh?” Disappointment dissolved into anticipation, the thought of proper thrill lighting a spark in her otherwise aloof demeanor.

The crowd around her began to move, people flocking toward the makeshift arena where Vita’s booming voice continued to beckon them. Trying to get a peek at the commotion was nearly impossible through the pressing mass of gangsters all foaming at the mouth for a taste of entertainment, so Audley took the easy route.

“What do you think’s going on?” the parrot-loving rookie asked, reaching her side. She’d almost forgotten about him. “Marzanna? Isn’t that-”

“Let’s check it out, shall we?” Audley didn’t wait. Without a second thought, she took the rookie by the wrist and they were gone. From their perspective, the world around them collapsed into a whirlwind of blackness and glowing white lines, folding in on itself as if being sucked into her monochromatic fourth dimension. The air became empty, soundless—just the two of them suspended in eerie nothingness save for the blurred silhouettes of the gangsters around them.

The rookie stumbled and the ground beneath him rippled like water.

“Don’t let me lose you now, Fibs,” Audley’s voice echoed in the void, detached and bored. As she seemed to take a step forward, the entire world smeared past, distorting, becoming washed in whiteness as they effortlessly slipped closer to their destination.

It was only moments before the world shattered, shifting again, and the oppressive silence was replaced by the clamor and buzz of the crowd. As color returned to them, the rookie shielded his eyes, overwhelmed by the bounce from one reality to the next. Audley, however, stood unphased. She looked around and spotted Vita. Meanwhile, the poor parrot-loving rookie now stood clutching his stomach, spraying vomit on the outer perimeter of the arena, cursing Audley with every caught breath.

“Yo!” Audley stuck up a hand and called to Vita, commencing her approach.

BriiAngelic

 

[Elenion Aura]

THE SLEEPING SEA

You drift.

Endless, slow, and without purpose, you float through this sleeping sea. There is no light, no sound, no movement—only the soft, infinite pressure of the void, folding gently around you like a second skin. You are here and not here, awake but still dreaming. Time slips past unnoticed, meaningless in the space you occupy. You are unmoored from all things.

Yet you are not alone. The Sprawl is with you.

It moves slowly through the dark. It moves like no thing you have encountered in this sea. Dark veins of jagged motion spreading across the infinite expanse like cracks in shattered glass. Its body is both formless and patterned.

You are not sure at first how you had recognized it as the Sprawl as it looked different now. It had become an entity more suited for moving around this empty sea. Like lightning paused mid-flash. Or the splintering patterns in polished marble.

You watch as it scissored toward you where you float. You can feel its curiosity. Its suspicion. Its judgment.

You sucked back but it continued to spread toward you.

The Sprawl was communicating with you. Or rather, it was trying to. It was not using words. It was using some language suited to this sea. Or perhaps some language suited to wherever it had just come from. Because it seemed to you that the Sprawl was a visitor to this sea just as you were.

It pressed closer. The sea rippled, the fabric of the void trembling, uneasy, where its tendrils scrape against you. The dark jagged veins of the entity create a thicket around you. As it tried to make itself understood. You thought about how your brother had seen the Sprawl before and been terrified. And you understood why. It was so vast, so strange, so inhuman.

"̶̗͋L̵͇͛ö̸͕o̴̽ͅk̸̩̈́"̷͚̋

"̶̗͋L̵̼̇o̸̰̕o̵͈̽k̵͍͠ ̸͕̊a̴͕͑t̵̨͒ ̸͙̎y̸̱͝o̵͚̓ų̵̋.̸͙̎"̷̡̃
̸̖́
̵̥̆"̵̫̓Ŵ̶̤a̴̤̾ŝ̴̱ ̶̞͂i̸̼͠t̸͈̒ ̸͖̿w̵̦̃o̵̞̓r̸̖̊t̵̂͜h̵̓ͅ ̴̠͗i̶̺͌t̶̬͝?̵̨̈́"̷̨͐
̵̩̒
̸͉̾"̷̭͐D̶͚̋î̸̖d̶̰̔n̴͎̐'̷͚̂t̸̖͛ ̸̼̊w̵̪̋ę̶̕ ̵̘̃t̶̼̾e̵̘̊l̵͔͠l̸̮̑ ̷̯͐y̷͖͊o̵̕ͅụ̵̀?̴̨̇"̷̦̄​

You recoiled. You do not need its words to feel its disdain, its mocking laughter seeping slick like oil into that sleeping sea. You burn, and the brightness of your essence rippled outward like lighting in the empty dark.

The entity jerked back, but it did not retreat. It lingered. You feel as its attentions shift elsewhere, thrown out amidst that endless sea of black. Then, something changes. Suddenly, you sense it too. Felt the presence of another. Faint, but clear.

It was neither you, nor your adversary. It was something different. Small. Imperfect. But brimming with potential.

You pause, letting the Sprawl's jagged edges fade into the periphery of your awareness. This new presence draws your attention, fragile as a flickering flame.

They are coming.

The Enemy feels it too. A sudden, horrid anxiety grips you. You imagine, with fear, the arrival of this new spark while the Sprawl lurks nearby, planning to extinguish their light, dissolving them into screaming nothingness. That was its plan. You could hear it muttering about it. How it hated the ones who were coming.

You could feel its hatred radiating. Just as you could sense the presence drawing ever nearer.

"No," you think. The words crackling outward in a pattern that scorches the void into muted submission. You could feel its frustration, its fury, but it dared not move closer as the presence arrived. The brightness of their being illuminated the sleeping sea.

You reach for them.

They are called human. Their thoughts rush through you like faint echoes. Desire. Doubt. Fear. They are fractured. Beautiful. You struggle to grasp them, like trying to catch light scattered through a prism.

You are not like them. You do not understand their shape, their edges, the boundaries that define them. You are vast. They are small.

And yet... They still come closer.

You can feel their hesitation, their fear, their awe. You knew they were looking at you now, as you are looking at them. You cannot see through their eyes, but you can sense their thoughts streaming in like dappled starlight upon the waters of that dark and nameless sea: What are you? Why are you here? What do you want from me?

You did not know how to answer.

You shift, your form unraveling into cascading fractals, each edge trying to shape itself into something that they might understand. You reach out again, your essence brushing against theirs—just enough for them to feel the weight of you, the enormity of you.

The Sprawl snarled. You felt its hatred vibrating through the void. You lashed out against it with your light, splintering its jagged edges.

"They are not for you," you told it.

"T̴̂ͅẖ̸̕ẻ̴͍y̵͕͠'̵͚̊r̵̩̎ḙ̶̈́ ̵̝͂n̵̼̈́o̸̳̿t̷̠̒ ̴̰̑f̷̟̈́o̸̰͊ř̵̟ ̶̙̿y̷͠ͅô̵̠ṳ̸̀,̷͖̏ ̸̢̇e̷͇̐i̷͔͆t̷̫̍h̶͈̆e̵̯͝r̴̩̀," It responds.

You exploded. Energy crackles out from you. Lightning in that dark and dreaming sea. The Sprawl recoiled. Again you exploded. And again. And again. You drive the Sprawl deep, deeper, deepest, into the blackness.

As it retreated, it wails.

"̶͇̆T̵̟̓h̴̻̿e̶͕̾y̵̬̔'̴̘͒r̷͖̈́e̵̖͒ ̸̰͂n̷̼̆ŏ̶͕ț̵̂ ̷̮͂f̴̥̋ȏ̶͇r̶͈̄ ̷̥͊y̵͇̿o̷͎͋u̴̗͑.̸̞͠"̵͙̔
̴̤̈́
̶̝̈"̵͚́N̴͕̾ő̷̻n̵͈͌ẹ̵̓ ̵̛̫o̷͔͒f̷̤͊ ̵͕͆i̵̺͝t̷̤͌'̸̥͛s̸͇͘ ̶̯̏f̴̳̌o̷͕͠r̵̻͛ ̵̦̓y̶̜̽ȍ̴͈u̶̼̔.̷̰̆"̵̢̏
̵̗͛
̸̗̇"̵̘́W̴̨͐A̸͈͝K̷͚̚E̴̞̓ ̴̞̈U̸̾͜P̵̯̒.̷̛̣"̷̘̋​

You turn away from it. Back to the human. They were still there, trembling. You can feel their curiosity now, their hunger for understanding. You pick out the faint strands of their Potential, tenuous but gleaming, stretching upwards like roots searching for light.

You love them. You try to speak.

"Ṵ̴̦͓̅̄ṅ̷̖́i̷̜͊̈͝ț̸͐̿͋ͅȩ̷̑͐."​

The word is wrong, fractured by the limits of their language. You try again.

"G̴͉̫͐r̶̯͙̭͋o̵̡̗͗͋͌ẅ̷̬̠́̌̽."​

Still wrong. You search their thoughts, their memories, trying to shape your meaning into something they can grasp. You witness their strifes, their conflicts, their lives tied to a crumbling city. You saw the way they burn against one another, how they waste their light in endless struggle.

And yet, you see their strength. Their resilience. Their hope, like a candle burning.

You tried one last time. This time, the word carried meaning, though you fear what you command may still be beyond them.

"Become."​

For a moment, they shine.

For a moment, you understand one another.

You release them, and they were pulled back into the waking world.

The void is quiet again.

You drift.

And you wait.

 

[WhiskeyMarten]

DARIUS "THE CONTAMINATED" KENNEDY

CS Link

SCENE:

New Oasis Season 2 - Arc 4: Scene 1 [The Fourth Seal]

LOCATION:

Center District Purification Chamber, Lower Central — "Purgatory"

PARTICIPANTS:

Akira, Vita, betting folk

THE FOURTH SEAL

Darius promised to himself that he wouldn't engage with anyone. Simply being here was more than he would’ve been willing to do in the past. All four gangs in one place. He understood the circumstances that necessitated the meeting but was surprised it hadn’t deteriorated into another gang war yet. Oh well. He kept his head down and did laps of the floor. Recognizing some people was a relief, but he didn’t approach anyone lest he be roped into some nonsense.

“Mr. Contamination.”

And here it comes.

Darius almost dropped the bag he was handed but clumsily clutched it in time. “Bets? What bet?” It was useless to ask her questions, Darius knew this already. There were far worse people to be approached by in the Serpents, and presumably he’d be compensated for his efforts, so he didn't protest.

He didn’t think Akira was looking now, so with little effort to be enthusiastic he trudged over to Vita, holding out the bag for the first bet to be deposited. ”It’s for the bets?” He mumbled behind the mask, uneasy as attention on them grew. Vita’s hyping of the crowd almost convinced Darius to open his wallet, but he decided against it. He had the money, so he contemplated sneaking a few bills out if an opportunity came. Looking down at the bag, he nearly missed his cue. Not that he knew he had to speak as part of the job anyway.

”...”

He barely grasped the situation from Vita’s announcement, but he figured she was ad-libbing anyway. He could do that, but this was too much attention, and he sensed the situation could get nasty quickly.

”...”

But then everything changed.

Did I….die? No. Maybe?

Darius could feel the weight on his feet, and the tightness in his chest. He was still here. Blankly he stared straight into someone’s eyes without realising, his head too full to comprehend anything more.

”...Huh.”

 

[joshuadim]

RYUTARO HASHIMOTO

CS Link

SCENE:

Tigers Arc 4: Scene 1 [The Fourth Seal]

LOCATION:

Center District Purification Chamber, Lower Central — "Purgatory"

PARTICIPANTS:

The Kings and their Inner Circles

THE FOURTH SEAL

Thus far people had been reasonable towards their collective circumstances, but now was the era of fools to speak. First it was the Phoenix Queen, and then followed shortly thereafter by the King, that put an end to a streak of rational and pragmatic - and healthily skeptical - perspectives. A palpable frustration began to build in Ryu's mind, and the ever so present drumming of his heart echoed softly in his ears. Still so blind, so arrogant, so... human. It was disgusting, especially from those who lauded themselves as monarchs within this old hierarchy.

"Tell ya what, how about you rip off this bozo's head right nyeow? Make an example of 'im." the Tiger then chimed in, circling around Sura with a mischievous twinkle in its eyes before turning and sitting to face Ryu. "Ya know ya want to."

Another brief glance signalled Ryu's second acknowledgement of the creature's presence yet again, and spoke with only his demeanour: Were it so easy.

"So whadderya waitin' for already?"

How sweet victory is when one propogates an enemy's demise.

Returning his attention back to the room at large, Ryu prepared to speak once - albeit with more frustration than before. But as he did, something overcame him and took him off-balance - with similar effects to everyone around him it seemed as well - and forced him to plant his hands on the table in front again. The heart sounded like a drum, and a bead of sweat had trickled from his forehead; the first time his composure had truly been broken over something that he had both witnessed, and at the same time only felt. It had been so brief, and yet so ingrained into his mind as though it was a formative memory. It was all so disorienting, which made the Tiger bound over with curiosity to observe.

"Ay, what happened?" it asked, noticing similar aftereffects to everyone around as well.

"The Sleeper." Ryu gritted his teeth, indirectly answering the spectral creature as well as addressing the room.

His heart slowed as he took a deep breath, forcing his body to comply with his demands. Balling his hands into fists, the Tiger King straightened himself and spoke again: "That was a message. A point being made." An assumption, but one based on what evidence there was - of which there was so little save for that feeling. Ryu glared at every other King now, his patience having been worn thin now by the ego-driven nonsense and the paranoid babble. "We will unite. You wouldn't have come otherwise if you thought otherwise." he spoke, addressing Sura directly. "Your ego being massaged won't matter if you're dead." His gaze floated briefly over Lars on the same matter before turning attention to more important individuals.

At the very least there was on sensible sovereign, sitting across at the other side from him. "I have a plan of action. What I need is trust, and for people to follow that plan. I will need to consolidate your surveillance capabilities, or what's left, with what we have. Helps us cover more ground, and in turn find who we need to find for our first step."

He then turned to face Khydnah: "I've heard whispers of what's been happening up in the North. If those rumors are true, those Chimeras will come in handy soon enough."

Then, finally, he returned back to Sura with a stone-faced expression: "If you want to contribute to our mutual survival, then have your people go on scouting missions where I indicate it is of interest. I do not care about your ego, because in a war you put that aside to carry out a battle tactic. Everyone must be on the same page otherwise victory falls apart when people start doing their own thing. If you want to kill yourself because you can't handle being told what to do just once, then there's the door."

 

[Infab]

Robin Krantz

CS Link

SCENE:

New Oasis S2 - A4: Scene 1 [The Fourth Seal]

LOCATION:

Center District Purification Chamber, Lower Central - "Purgatory"

PARTICIPANTS:

Numerous Members of Every Gang

THE FOURTH SEAL

Robin was a bit surprised at the Phoenix delegation after a few moments, with their Queen just outright telling everyone to shut up before calling everyone opportunists. It wasn't long after that the Phoenix King spoke up himself.

Huh. The Phoenix King's got some balls... I like him. Pity he's a Phoenix.

Robin listened quietly as the Phoenix King spoke, until he was quickly spoken over by the Dragon Queen. Starting off in a more CEO-like manner, before shifting into something that made a smirk inch across her face. He's... throwing a tantrum. Like a spoiled child.

Then, something struck her. It was a momentary thing, her vision and mind clouded by something ethereal. It felt almost like a dream. It went as quickly as it came, her focus returning and the fog in her brain dissipating.

Well now... That was certainly something. I haven't hallucinated anything in years.

Robin blinked a few times, glancing around the room as her eyes rapidly opened and closed. What even was that? Then, she noticed that some of the others had experienced the same thing. It wasn't just her, it seemed, and soon Ryu's statement confirmed it. What, the Sleeper decided to give everyone a micro-seizure?

She was starting to like this Sleeper business less and less as time went on.

Eventually, she opted to do what she was thinking before everyone collectively seized up. She quietly took a few steps forward, leaning over next to Ryu so that she could whisper into his ear. "Do you mind if I step outside? Everything seems to be going... well, as expected, and I'm sure Strats can handle things if that changes."

She gave Ryu a smile afterwards. "I need a little fresh air after that... brief collective hallucination we just had. If that's alright with you, boss."

An affirmative nod from Ryu followed, and soon enough Robin was on the move. Her shoes softly clacked across the stone floor, and she slipped out of the metal double doors that sealed the upper class from the rabble. As she stepped out, she looked about for a brief moment, before shutting the doors behind her.

Time to mingle.

Interaction: joshuadim

 

[Doctor Llamabean]

BLITZ | Boltius Beckman

CS Link

SCENE:

New Oasis Season 2 - Arc 4: Scene 1 [The Fourth Seal]

TIME:

February 28th, 2023 || After Midnight

LOCATION:

Center District Purification Chamber, Lower Central

PARTICIPANTS:

Bunch a' bastards

The Fourth Seal

If they jumped him now, would that be breaking the sacred promise of neutral ground? As Sura rambled on, Boltius let his thoughts take over. Does the pact include civil conflicts? His curiosity was genuine. He sat stiffly in the chair, arms crossed, his jaw tight with each grind of his molars serving as a silent testament to his restraint.

Two voices merged—one Sura’s and the other… Boltius looked up from his stewing and the words became comprehensible. The Dragon Queen was going on and on about the Phoenixes with emphasis on their new Jack, his voice rising over Sura’s, who seemed to be addressing the Tiger King directly.

“What the fuck is going on?” Boltius mumbled.

Lars’ barrage of insults persisted. Unable to bear it any longer, the Ace shot to his feet with purpose, his chair clattering to the floor behind him with a sharp crack. “Yo, somebody muzzle this fuckin’ loser before I do it my fuckin’ self!” All of the heat he’d been emitting suddenly condensed. The room felt cooler now, but Boltius would have been hot to the touch. Neutral ground or not, lines were being drawn and he stood on his side of them with unbreakable resolve.

PULSE | SURA

SCENE:

New Oasis Season 2 - Arc 4: Scene 1 [The Fourth Seal]

TIME:

February 28th, 2023 || After Midnight

LOCATION:

Center District Purification Chamber, Lower Central

PARTICIPANTS:

Pawns

The Fourth Seal

“SILENCE!” Sura bellowed, but Boltius didn’t flinch. He didn’t take his eyes off Lars. Meanwhile, the Phoenix King never took his eyes off Ryu. “Apologies for my unruly Ace,” except he didn’t care.

Just then, another voice sprung through the commotion, one not yet heard, like a flower breaking through concrete. It belonged to the Ace of the Albino Tigers. Sura spared her a sideways glance, his smirk—crooked and deliberate—playing at dismissive, a subtle jab. His eyes mocked her.

When she finished, he uttered: “Ego?”

Then it happened. In a blink, it was there and gone—something electric and awakening. Sura’s eyes bulged with wild, uncontainable energy as though something had snapped inside of him, firecrackers detonating in his soul. Meanwhile, Boltius staggered back, shaking his head. The room erupted with mixed reactions, but Ryu was the first to speak, and Sura let him finish.

Once more, they spoke of ego.

Sura’s erupting laughter was accompanied by dark clouds manifesting overhead, the distant, unnatural roll of thunder like bowling balls across wooden floors. “EGO!? HAHAHA! Do not speak as if you even know what EGO is, you bozo! As if your ego is not what brought you here in the first place! Don’t you get it!? We are ego!”

Sura threw up his hands in a theatric display, addressing the ‘crowd’. “EGO PERSONIFIED! It is why we laugh and scream and cry! It is why we fight!- FEED ME! GIVE ME! HATE ME! LOVE ME!” The table quaked as he brought his palms down against it, leaning in, his gaze still fixed on the Tiger King. “So, don’t preach to me… kitten.” Sura spat the word like a curse. The storm clouds overhead churned and darkened, washing everyone in shadows.

“Ego is why you fear loss… death. It is why you relish victory. And you- sitting there so smug, acting as though you can see beyond it- Do you think you’re free of it? That you’ve risen above it? FOOLISHNESS!- It hides behind every word you speak and every move you make!” His voice dropped to a chilling whisper, “I’ll put it to you in simple terms. Ego isn’t a weakness… It’s the only thing keeping us alive.”

Sura straightened then, his arms folding across his chest as his composure relaxed. “But I’ll give you one thing-” His wicked smirk widened, eyes narrowing with dark amusement. “It is indeed a message. A sign. The Sleeper, our Maker… We are of it and it of us, so let it wake. Let it rise and purify this world.” Malice laced the tone of his voice. “Let the Non-Potentialis be scourged from our domain. Let them nourish the soil beneath our feet.” A rippling cackle followed, low and serrated. “Look at your strength now, that which has been bestowed upon you by this incomprehensible entity, and tell me you don’t believe that its awakening is not also ours.”