Fantasy New Oasis: Four Heavenly Kings — The B-Sides

[Jexon Whells]

Lloyd Sorvocah

CS Link

TIME:

Pre- Outbreak: 2022, July 1st

SCENE:

Agonizing Bonechill

LOCATION:

Littleleaf, East District

PARTICIPANTS:

Jackson BriiAngelic , Yona CasualTea , Lloyd (Me)

Agonizing Bonechill

Lloyd turns his head to Yona with a raised eyebrow, remaining silent for a few moments to see if she was serious or not. When it seems to him that she was, he responds with a dry tone. "Yeah, we aren't doing any of that. Thing about the Serpents is, they don't give a fuck. Aside from that, we aren't going to give asylum to enslaved criminals. Everyone who is indentured by the Serpents is so because of their own choices. Drug addicts who couldn't pay what they owed, thiefs, scammers, you name it. Why would we bring that into our own district?" Lloyd shakes his head at even the thought of it. What a ridiculous idea to house criminals in your own district!

Lloyd's tone of voice becomes increasingly more domineering as he continues to speak, "As for incapacitating them and wringing information from them, they would be lucky if they get incapacitated, for one. Second, there is no information we need from them. I don't care who sends them. I care that they try to bring their bullshit where it doesn't belong, and I will violently and relentless eliminate it. All on all, they get what is coming to them."

Once he is done speaking, Lloyd begins to increase in size and grow scales over his entire body, including his head. It would now become apparent why he was wearing clothes a few sizes too big for him, as his form now starts to fill it out. After a handful of seconds, he had become several inches taller and noticeably increased in muscle-mass. "Now then, if there aren't any more questions or comments, let's get this show on the road. Quick and efficient with overwhelming force. Give them no time to react."

 

[BriiAngelic]

Jackson Reese Alessi

CS Link

SCENE MUSIC:

Bloody Samaritan

LOCATION:

East District; Dragon HQ

TIME:

Pre-Outbreak || July 1st, 2022

PARTICIPANTS:

Llyod ( Jexon Whells ), Yona ( CasualTea ), Jackson

Agonizing Bonechill

The sound of the serpents arguing among themselves gave him the feeling they had to be fresh meat. Idiots who got pulled in by their fear. The one saving grace for him was that none of the voices sounded familiar, his life would be a lot harder if he had to pick a side.

Yona’s compassion was unexpected but a breath of fresh air. He himself had little compassion for those who’d allied themselves with serpents… typically. Hearing Lloyd’s conviction he was reminded again that there were no innocent serpents. Those who were smart, who weren’t weak got the fuck out.

“Yona, even if they are there against their will it doesn’t erase what the serpents would have them do. It’s not impossible to break out of the north, you just need the willpower to leave and face struggle until you’re good again. Besides if they are forced… best we can do is give them a quick death.”

He kept his voice low as he started to get into position to support. Honestly, with the way his head was he wasn’t sure he’d manage to not hesitate on going for a killing blow but the reminder that if he didn’t Llyod would manage to get him back in the game. At least he could give them a quick death.

“We’re dragons. We keep order in the East, but that doesn’t always mean we do it in a pleasant way. Never get it in your head that we’re good people, we’re just defending turf. If this is too much for you let me know… I can get you working surveillance. I know a few of them.”

 

[Jexon Whells]

Scene Director

...

TIME:

Pre- Outbreak: 2022, July 1st

SCENE:

Agonizing Bonechill

LOCATION:

Littleleaf, East District

PARTICIPANTS:

Jackson BriiAngelic , Yona CasualTea , Lloyd Jexon Whells

Agonizing Bonechill

While the trio was making plans for their approach in this coming hostile engagement, Yona seems to make an attempt at showing compassion, or at the very least mercy. However, it seems to fall on deaf ears, as both Jackson and Lloyd know that things are much more complicated than may meet the eye. Jackson's remark on giving them a quick death may just be the most merciful course of action they can take, as anything else would more likely lead these indentured Serpents to be tortured or hunted down, or both, or something worse still.

However, it seems that whatever plans they may have must be cast aside. "Intruders! Run! They've come for us!" one of the indentured shouts after he came around the corner unexpectedly. It seems that the trio - likely Lloyd, though, when his agitation increased - was a bit too loud. Sounds easily bounce off the walls and travel far inside these tunnels. "Oh god, it must be Dragons!", another screams in fear. Panic quickly ensued after them being discovered. All the indentured bolted off into one of the tunnels up ahead, screaming for help.

With their plan now awry, and no time to make another, the trio has to act fast if they want to try and make use of the initial chaos and maintain some sort of upperhand in the situation. But what risks come with that? Who are the ones further down the tunnel that those indentured are certain could help them? In hindsight, this mission may end up being less straightforward than initially thought. "What will the trio do in this sudden turn of events, I wonder."

 

[BluEndings]

HIFUMI BAE

CS Link

SCENE:

[The Longest Days of Our Lives]

TIME:

Post-Arc 3 | June 21st, 2022

LOCATION:

Heiwana Sasayaki, East District | Theater

PARTICIPANTS:

Hifumi, Jessamine + Onlookers

THE LONGEST DAYS OF OUR LIVES

Impact.

…?

The punch was perfect.

There was no doubt that it succeeded in vacating his grip from the victim’s throat, but… something was wrong. The sensation wasn’t right. The motion that carried through wasn’t right. Nothing that followed seemed right, but the actual action had been faultless. There could be no doubt about that.

The sound he made when his body pushed against the opposing wall. It wasn’t as grotesque as a crack or snap, but it was nearly as disagreeable. His hand too had immediately snapped up to his face just below his fresh wide eyes. Pearls of blue that no longer swirled, but dried into a damp disbelief. Then, deeper than that too. A sparking heat one might call fear.

When his hand bobbed down, so too did his jaw.

It didn’t make any sense. He hadn’t been hit that hard.

But his body didn’t wait for his mind to catch up. A talisman had been placed against the wall his back pressed, and a portion of the material vanished into the perfect exit. His sprint was sloppy, but unexpectedly quick.

He was really running.

Spoiler: Mentions

simj26

NAVIGATE

 

[BluEndings]

AZURE DRAGONS

SCENE:

[Teeth For a Tail]

TIME:

Post-Arc 3 | June 23rd

LOCATION:

East District | Zenith Tower

PARTICIPANTS:

Ayame, Jesper, Jessamine, Keith

TEETH FOR A TAIL

A resigned pace, or a lively one—either way, the group would land inside a plenty spacious elevator.

The ground floor was more of a greeting area and ‘security’ stopgap. Now, however, it was an entirely vacated room with not even the staff present. None of the waist high obstructions or doors were enough to halt a quick entry deeper towards the tower’s primary elevator. There were stairs further in, but the climb would be nonsensical, even if cautious.

Once the doors closed, the informant continued.

“The assailants will likely be expecting you.” He spoke. “Should the worst come to pass, be prepared to proceed from the building’s exterior.”

“There’s still no word on a ransom, but I will keep you informed.”

Following those words, there remained nothing but the exasperating jingle that enveloped the small space.

Now would be as good a time as any to break the ice, and steel your nerves. If the doors opened once more, the safety of those presents would no longer be guaranteed.

Spoiler: Mentions

@Tabbystick @CelticHero37 AriAriAbabwa simj26 @Roda the Red

NAVIGATE

 

[BluEndings]

HIFUMI BAE

CS Link

SCENE:

[Whispers at Dusk]

TIME:

Pre-Arc 1, June 22nd, 2018

LOCATION:

Taiyōkō Shrine, East District

PARTICIPANTS:

Hifumi, Mirza, Ruriko, Shuwei

WHISPERS AT DUSK

Taiyōkō Shrine | Outside​

Shuwei, Ruriko

It didn’t matter who was at the gate. There would be few who wouldn’t concede to such words.

But their retreat had been ill-timed.

The small animal that had been scurrying around the guard’s feet had nearly been trampled at the footsteps’ withdrawal. A fuzzy, pale white creature that practically glistened a soft blue—just one of the many fun tricks light had to play. Their wet nose had pulled them from their escapades and directly into the basin that required their presence the most. An ‘unremarkable pair,’ was the animal’s opinion, but plenty more necessary.

In the place of a warm fuzzy greeting, they offered a single harsh yip aimed towards the premises.

Taiyōkō Shrine | Inside​

Ruriko, Shuwei

“I am not sure.”

“Both of these symbols are highly disrespectful.” He glowered. “Masks are meant to represent gods, or provide protection. To leave behind one that is blank like this… it is a clear provocation. Especially in a place such as this.” His head rose to meet the engraving on the wall. “This one is obvious enough. They are using what usually represents wholeness to mock the Azure Dragons. Calling you foolish, or short-sighted.”

Hifumi glanced the absence of the animal that usually stayed by his side—his sister’s pet.

“I can not begin to fathom why they would target my family in particular.”

“As much as I hate to admit it, we are a pitiable representation of the Azure Dragon’s prestige.” He took a long breath. “If they wished to land a true blow, there are others out there that would sooner land the Dragon’s scorn.”

NAVIGATE

 

[CasualTea]

Lloyd Sorvocah

CS Link

TIME:

Pre- Outbreak: 2022, July 1st

SCENE:

Agonizing Bonechill

LOCATION:

Littleleaf, East District

PARTICIPANTS:

Jackson BriiAngelic , Yona CasualTea , Lloyd (Me)

Agonizing Bonechill

Lloyd turns his head to Yona with a raised eyebrow, remaining silent for a few moments to see if she was serious or not. When it seems to him that she was, he responds with a dry tone. "Yeah, we aren't doing any of that. Thing about the Serpents is, they don't give a fuck. Aside from that, we aren't going to give asylum to enslaved criminals. Everyone who is indentured by the Serpents is so because of their own choices. Drug addicts who couldn't pay what they owed, thiefs, scammers, you name it. Why would we bring that into our own district?" Lloyd shakes his head at even the thought of it. What a ridiculous idea to house criminals in your own district!

Lloyd's tone of voice becomes increasingly more domineering as he continues to speak, "As for incapacitating them and wringing information from them, they would be lucky if they get incapacitated, for one. Second, there is no information we need from them. I don't care who sends them. I care that they try to bring their bullshit where it doesn't belong, and I will violently and relentless eliminate it. All on all, they get what is coming to them."

Once he is done speaking, Lloyd begins to increase in size and grow scales over his entire body, including his head. It would now become apparent why he was wearing clothes a few sizes too big for him, as his form now starts to fill it out. After a handful of seconds, he had become several inches taller and noticeably increased in muscle-mass. "Now then, if there aren't any more questions or comments, let's get this show on the road. Quick and efficient with overwhelming force. Give them no time to react."

Jackson Reese Alessi

CS Link

SCENE MUSIC:

Bloody Samaritan

LOCATION:

East District; Dragon HQ

TIME:

Pre-Outbreak || July 1st, 2022

PARTICIPANTS:

Llyod ( Jexon Whells ), Yona ( CasualTea ), Jackson

Agonizing Bonechill

The sound of the serpents arguing among themselves gave him the feeling they had to be fresh meat. Idiots who got pulled in by their fear. The one saving grace for him was that none of the voices sounded familiar, his life would be a lot harder if he had to pick a side.

Yona’s compassion was unexpected but a breath of fresh air. He himself had little compassion for those who’d allied themselves with serpents… typically. Hearing Lloyd’s conviction he was reminded again that there were no innocent serpents. Those who were smart, who weren’t weak got the fuck out.

“Yona, even if they are there against their will it doesn’t erase what the serpents would have them do. It’s not impossible to break out of the north, you just need the willpower to leave and face struggle until you’re good again. Besides if they are forced… best we can do is give them a quick death.”

He kept his voice low as he started to get into position to support. Honestly, with the way his head was he wasn’t sure he’d manage to not hesitate on going for a killing blow but the reminder that if he didn’t Llyod would manage to get him back in the game. At least he could give them a quick death.

“We’re dragons. We keep order in the East, but that doesn’t always mean we do it in a pleasant way. Never get it in your head that we’re good people, we’re just defending turf. If this is too much for you let me know… I can get you working surveillance. I know a few of them.”

Scene Director

...

TIME:

Pre- Outbreak: 2022, July 1st

SCENE:

Agonizing Bonechill

LOCATION:

Littleleaf, East District

PARTICIPANTS:

Jackson BriiAngelic , Yona CasualTea , Lloyd Jexon Whells

Agonizing Bonechill

While the trio was making plans for their approach in this coming hostile engagement, Yona seems to make an attempt at showing compassion, or at the very least mercy. However, it seems to fall on deaf ears, as both Jackson and Lloyd know that things are much more complicated than may meet the eye. Jackson's remark on giving them a quick death may just be the most merciful course of action they can take, as anything else would more likely lead these indentured Serpents to be tortured or hunted down, or both, or something worse still.

However, it seems that whatever plans they may have must be cast aside. "Intruders! Run! They've come for us!" one of the indentured shouts after he came around the corner unexpectedly. It seems that the trio - likely Lloyd, though, when his agitation increased - was a bit too loud. Sounds easily bounce off the walls and travel far inside these tunnels. "Oh god, it must be Dragons!", another screams in fear. Panic quickly ensued after them being discovered. All the indentured bolted off into one of the tunnels up ahead, screaming for help.

With their plan now awry, and no time to make another, the trio has to act fast if they want to try and make use of the initial chaos and maintain some sort of upperhand in the situation. But what risks come with that? Who are the ones further down the tunnel that those indentured are certain could help them? In hindsight, this mission may end up being less straightforward than initially thought. "What will the trio do in this sudden turn of events, I wonder."

Yona Kowloong

CS Link

TIME:

Pre-Outbreak: July 1st, 2022

SCENE:

Agonizing Bonechill "The Switch"

LOCATION:

Littleleaf, East District

PARTICIPANTS:

Jackson, Lloyd, Yona

Agonizing Bonechill

Yona listened to her seniors views and took it all into consideration and attributing it to the situation. They were hellbent on killing anyone in this tunnel who was a serpent and nothing was getting in their way of that, that is for certain. Even more so that Lloyd's volume rising caused by agitation and his increased body size caused by growth due to a rising blood pressure which is a response to his temper. Which leads them to where they are now. Their sound has been leaked, bouncing off the solid walls leading one of the indentured to follow the sounds and discover its source.

Three dragons. Two male and one female. All posing as a threat to their operations. Now the rats shall scurry and run to seek shelter and hide behind their ringleaders, if not die by them. Her plans were rejected, her whole gameplan in her head destroyed as it has been since the beginning. As much as she tried to improvise new ideas, her seniors had different views and ideas and their own plans. How long were they in this line of work, she wondered. How many have they killed thus far? How many missions have these two gone together. To her, it matters not. But there is just one thing...

She giggled softly.

"Tsk tsk tsk... I see that my seniors have been very observant. But not observant enough." She said, clicking her tongue. Her demeanor changed drastically and her whole image as a meek recruit has been distorted beyond meaning. Her serious and professional-like expression replaced with a sort of guilty ecstasy anticipating this moment. A switch flipped. "It would've been nice to watch for a little while longer."

"I only offered to feed the idea of asylum. Surely you didn't think that I... Wouldn't poison it?"

She said before she dashed past Lloyd and blew a freezing breeze that would send a blizzard throughout the tunnels ahead, drastically dropping the area's temperature to the point of freezing which was evident as the walls and water began to form ice. Not just any ice, an ice that continued to grow and sprout small barbs soon turning into notably large spikes. As they formed, she used her knives to coat her quickly unsheathed blade with an air of frost before swinging her sword in large violent strokes sending five crescent-shaped ice blades soaring through the air cutting and destroying any boxes that came in their path as well as flesh.

Those crescent blades were aimed at the other entrances to the other tunnel systems in an effort to explode upon contact unleashing fragments of ice to the area around like a fragmentation grenade. The indentured that discovered them got special attention, in which she charged to tackle them on the spot while thrusting her blade into their chest.

If her attack were to connect, she would have pinned him down to the ground and ripped her blade off to the side brutally forcing his ribcage open and releasing a splatter of blood to show that she was no longer fucking around.

If she was to be countered however due to an attack or missing her target, she'd dash past her target and swinging her sword in a flash around her which cause an even bigger mess.

"You don't seek true domination, only to flush out the pests that invade your house. Kowloong would make all kneel." She boldly stated.

 

[Jexon Whells]

Lloyd Sorvocah

CS Link

TIME:

Pre- Outbreak: 2022, July 1st

SCENE:

Agonizing Bonechill

LOCATION:

Littleleaf, East District

PARTICIPANTS:

Jackson BriiAngelic , Yona CasualTea , Lloyd (Me)

Agonizing Bonechill

Lloyd knows that he was the one being too loud when he heard one of the indentured scream behind him. 'Damn it. I really have to maintain control more,' he thinks as he turns around to go after the indentured. But he halts when Yona starts talking, very different from before. It seems his hunch was right about her. But that doesn't matter much now, as she bolts after the indentured and blows off her Potential inside the tunnels without a single regard to her allies or strategic use.

"Damn this fucking bitch!" Lloyd curses when he sees the trail of wall spikes she leaves behind into their combat zone, making it more dangerous for them to fight in it, "I fucking hate her already. She fights more like a goddamn Serpent! Jackson, I'll try to clear the area of hazards a bit, but with that wench just going off on her own like this, I am going to be spread thin. Take the time and space you need, friend. This is going to be a tough one."

Lloyd charges ahead, with his large thick-armoured body along the wall to scrape the spikes off as much as possible, which shouldn't take too much effort since he could ram through concrete walls if he wants to. Of course he does this while protecting his eyes. Getting an ice shard in them would be bad. His armour gets scratched up, but nothing too bad. He tries to catch up with Yona, but having to clear hazards slows him down. He doesn't know what is ahead of them, so if for any reason they would need to fall back, it would be troublesome if they were pushed into a zone full of ice spikes.

 

[Damafaud]

Dyne Enjyre

CS Link

SCENE:

Those in the River

LOCATION:

Sphynx Tavern, North District

LOCATION:

Post-Arc 3, June 5th 2022

PARTICIPANTS:

Peyton, Dyne

Those in the River

A short chirp accompanied the door swinging open. Dyne swept her gaze across the empty bar and her shoulders loosened.

"A pleasure to meet you again, darling. You look dazzling tonight, as always." Dyne folded her legs over a stool, her elbow rested on the shiny counter and pulled the puffy jacket sleeve back. The surface was not sticky, she realized. Her lips curled up playful. "Why not serve me your best, then? It's a relief to see you doing well after you left."

"If it's not too much trouble, darling, can I ask why you left?" Her soft gaze fell on the counter. She saw no invisible stains.

Dyne's eyes widened at the theatrics of splintered wood and a hidden bottle. She held her glass high. The amber liquid reflected the light and the light glass.

"Really, it is my first time seeing a hidden stash taken from hiding." Amusement filled her voice. She took a sip and her eyebrows quirked upward. "But it is worth hiding."

She recognized a good brandy when she tasted it. She had always preferred drinks with a fruity profile and this far exceeded expectations. Certainly not what she expected when she headed North. Dyne nursed her glass with both hands as Peyton told his side. She empathized. Dearly. The mention of a special guy raised her lips to a teasing smirk.

"I understand, darling. I wouldn't be here if I do not. My Potential isn't really the most... bombastic." She pushed her glass. Like a magnet, it slid back in place, its content still. The same held for Faris and Jonathan. They were HPs, yes, but it did not mean they were safe. Jonathan still owed some Tigers money and he was only safe by virtue of her connection with the Dragons. In an all out war, they could only run in the background. Tri's weapons would help their weaknesses.

Dyne shook her head. "It is best if you don't return, darling. Tension is high. Your departure as an ex-serpent certainly strengthened a stigma with Serpents."

If Dyne had known who Peyton tried to save, she would understand the gravity fo the situation. Peyton could not return unless he wished for death.

@Coyote Hart

 

[AriAriAbabwa]

• Mission Active
• TARGETS

• 
  
  CORVO CORDESCO

  CS Link

  SCENE:

  [Post-Arc 3] Requiem for a Dream

  LOCATION:

  Upper Central, Veles Grove

  PARTICIPANTS:

  YY, Corvo

  Requiem for a Dream

  
  “This is the casket of the great Kosharian pharaoh, King Atakheramen! He’s had quite a trip, being brought all the way from his home.” The shining gold of the coffin reflected the torches’ light, creating a beautiful hue of orange as it was wheeled out. The speaker grinned at the curiously growing crowd. Whoever has kept up with the news would recall that the King’s tomb was ransacked and robbed—historians were grieved by the loss of such a valuable finding.
  
  “In about an hour, all of you will have a chance to attain grand powers! We will unbox King Atakheramen and unwrap him, and we will take his body parts to be crushed into powders and tinctures. By ingesting these remedies, there is a chance for you to become a fully-fledged HP!” That statement earned her oohs and aws. “Stop by here in an hour, my friends! You’ll never have the chance to eat a mummy again!”
  
  A number of animal-masked patrons stood at the back, though, shifting in discomfort at such an idea. “I thought we left this kind of thing behind in the 16th century. Her ‘affluenza’ is really something,” one said.
  
  “Oh, not the affluenza defense!” another laughed. “I will never understand how that lawyer of theirs saved her from that burning homeless man trial by touting ‘affluenza’ of all things.”
  
  “Keep your voice down,” someone else snapped. “This year will be Savi’s only gig, I’m sure of it. But complaining won’t do us any good when she’s the Wise Owl’s daughter.”
  
  The first man nodded. “Damn… Now I know how the middle class feels.”
  
  It was midnight, and the Veles Grove was in full swing. Placed in the dense woodlands of the far West, the massive campground hosted prominent business leaders, government employees, media executives, and other people of power. They gathered annually to discuss economics, politics, and other pressing matters while enjoying the privileges of the rich.
  
  A black Corvus and her accompanying fossa (which many mistook for a cat) showed their invitation to the plain-masked guards—PMC mercenaries. With a nod, the Phoenixes were let inside.
  
  “This is the crème de la crème,” Corvo said, keeping her gaze ahead. “Enjoy it while it lasts.” She knew Yong-Yut likely wasn’t, but her effort was commendable. This year’s gathering required the guests to arrive with a plus one thanks to declining membership; younger generations weren’t too interested in mingling with old billionaires.
  
  Corvo would have brought Vulken if he wasn’t so stuck up with his alcohol.
  
  The two entered the lower courtyard, where the mummy was on display over a small mound. “The girl in the brass goat mask, standing over the mummy. That’s one of our targets: Savinkova Lyubov Vladislavovna. As Master of Ceremonies, she’s going to be hanging around this floor in the middle of the public, tending to her ‘festivities.’”
  
  Corvo’s gaze went upward, following a series of staircases and tiered levels. They found a grand, yet homely treehouse with its entrance shielded by guards—the meeting place for the Veles Grove’s most senior members: the Old Flock.
  
  “Up there. The treehouse.” Corvo nudged her head up to the treehouse’s balcony. “The man in the white owl mask, watching over everything and having a smoke. He’s our other target, Tsaregorodtsev Aristarkh Vladislavovna. In contrast to his daughter, he’s bunkering up in the Old Flock’s cottage with a battalion of guards always at his side.”
  
  Both targets were in sight, yet behind her mask, Corvo was not satisfied. She hadn’t shown herself yet. It made her antsy. Regardless, she made sure not to show it in her voice. “Our first order of business is finding an opportunity to get close to our targets. What do you say we map out the Veles Grove together?” But it needed to be said. “And one more thing. If you spot a woman with magenta hair, tell me.”
  
  
  
  
• 
  Tsaregorodtsev "Tsar" Aristarkh Vladislavovna
  
  
  
  STATUS: ALIVE
  
  The great-great-grandson of Veles Grove’s founder, Tsar hosts the annual gatherings and is the “Wise Owl”—the leader—of the group’s oldest members, the “Old Flock.” Alongside inheriting the Veles Grove, he was also born as the next in succession for the billion-dollar oil and gas corporation. He is complacent in his ways, only acting to sustain the status quo and current status of him and his company.
  
  Recently, he has been butting heads with another senior member—our client—Lars Albrecht. Lars has been trying to convince the members of the Grove to back him in his technological endeavor across New Oasis. Tsar is cautious and is dissuading him and anyone else from moving ahead of complacency.
  
  
  Savinkova "Savi" Lyubov Vladislavovna
  
  
  
  STATUS: ALIVE
  
  Tsar’s only daughter, and the living definition of a spoiled snob. Her crimes range from lighting a homeless man on fire to ordering the execution of an opponent’s family in front of them. All of which she got away with, thanks to the sheer influence of her family name.
  
  Her braggart attitude is not limited from others in her high-class. Anything she wants, her father gives. This includes high authority in the Veles Grove and a place in the Old Flock, despite never having worked as long as the other members. The Old Flock must have been members of the Grove for 40 years, but Savi has only been in for three.
  
  Spurred by their complaints, Tsar made a compromise and created an entirely new role that granted authority, but not at the level of the Old Flock. Savi is now the Master of Ceremonies, and it’s her duty to ensure the guests’ enjoyment and the Grove’s entertainment—no matter what it is. With an endless connection and a sadistic sense of pleasure, she’s fitting into her role a little too passionately.
  
  The client wants her gone because she’s annoying.
  
  

gxxberkit

 

[AriAriAbabwa]

Jesper Albrecht

CS Link

SCENE:

The Ties that Bond Us

TIME:

Post-Arc 3

LOCATION:

East District, Noodle Nirvana

PARTICIPANTS:

Jesper, Charlie

The Ties that Bond Us

This wouldn't be the last time they saw each other. That was what Jesper needed to hear to soothe his worries. To know Charlie wasn't going to abandon him. That he wouldn't disappear like Ten-Ten did. He didn't deserve to have a friend like Charlie. Part of him knew that. He knew the things he said earlier were horrible, and remembering them made him sick.

While mentally beating himself up, Charlie's bowl slam interrupted. Jesper was suddenly aware of his own ramen bowl, untouched and losing heat. He remembered he was hungry.

Letting out a tired sigh, Jesper leaned back in his seat, eyes dry. "Thank you," he breathed. Mentally trying as the conversation was, he felt... satisfied, and smiled. Even if Charlie left his answer at a "maybe."

Jesper glanced at the respective cups of cola and soy milk that he ordered earlier.

His food wasn't going to eat itself.

Jesper lit up, straightening his back. As one does, he poured those drinks into his ramen. He ignored the looks from the other tables.

@Roda the Red

 

[AriAriAbabwa]

CORVO CORDESCO

CS Link

SCENE:

A Murder Under Starlight

LOCATION:

West District

PARTICIPANTS:

Passeri Park, Corvo Cordesco

A Murder Under Starlight

And so they were off. Night walks were something Corvo was wary off. In a place like New Oasis, who knew what lurked in the darkness? But on the other hand, there was an ominous beauty. An empty city, yet with all signs of life.

"It's no worry," she said to Passeri's first statement, not giving it much thought.

As for the idol's next question, Corvo couldn't help but glance back at her. She let it linger in the air for a moment, dwelling on her words. A bit of honesty from Passeri, sailing under the guise of small talk. "I was thinking the same," she eventually said. "But I don't walk as often as I used to." Home came to mind. A time and place when gang violence and HP brawls were only newspaper headlines. "I come from the countryside of Fusilli—a farm. New Oasis has never stopped seeming monstrous. In fact, it's only felt worse since I gained a family to take care of..."

Continuing down the path, Corvo smiled warmly. "My son's a big fan of yours. We went to your previous concert." She could picture Silvio's reaction once she told him everything. But then he'd probably pester her for more in the coming weeks. Voice tender, she added, "He's almost turning six."

The One Eyed Bandit

 

[AriAriAbabwa]

ALICE

CS Link

SCENE:

Fairytales Stay in Books

LOCATION:

West District, Photo Studio

PARTICIPANTS:

Alice, Red, Basil Briar Warren (NPC)

Fairytales Stay in Books

"Well, if it ain't the two bunnies we found the other day! I'm glad you both could make it!" He offered a friendly grin, offering a hand to Alice and the other girl.

Mustering a smile, Alice shook, refraining from pointing out his overtly firm grip or that he held her hand a few seconds too long. "As am I," she reciprocated. "Thank you for providing me with this opportunity."

Basil Briar Warren, a reputable (as one in the West can be) businessman and owner of an up-and-coming model agency. Affected by a Physik Potential giving him his wolf-like appearance, Basil rarely made any public appearances. When scouting out models, he'd use other fish lower in the org chart.

The day prior was an exception. Alongside two (strangely young) female assistants, Basil turned up at Alice's staying with pearly white teeth and a proposition. It was simple: Alice comes to his studio for a fairytale-themed photoshoot and dresses up in provided outfits. In return, she earns payment and a partnership with his company. For Alice, this sounded like a splendid opportunity to get on her feet and establish a foundation for herself.

Back to the present, Alice had made good on her agreement. She turned up and waited in the lobby for a few minutes, and Basil entered shortly after with his merry greeting. "Thank you for accepting! It's the pretty girls like yourselves that keep businesses like us afloat!" He laughed heartily.

Alice felt something in her gut, forcing a chuckle with him. She glanced at the girl beside her. Wasn't the other model... a child? "I... I'm flattered..." Alice fiddled with her fingers. Maybe he just has a... crude sense of humor. I'll leave as soon as we're done...

"Alright, alright. When you're ready, my assistants will lead you to your rooms, where your outfits are waiting. Once you're done, meet us on set and we'll get started!" Basil walked away, dialing someone on his phone and leaving the two models to themselves. His assistants, blank-faced, stood ready at the door.

miki

 

[gxxberkit]

Kiwi Dior Bonheur

CS Link

SCENE:

Overcast, In Saline

LOCATION:

Clemency Private Hospital, Central District

TIME:

July 7th, 2022 (Morning) || Post-Arc 3

PARTICIPANTS:

Passeri, Eric, Pei, Dagger, Kiwi, Dante

Overcast, In Saline

“Yes.”

That was what Passeri said. It practically cut off Kiwi’s question, leaving her with a dumbfounded expression. She frowned.

But it was the next question, phrased almost genuinely, that got her. What else could it have been? The evidence for motivation sounded… circumstantial. Groundless. What did it mean?

Passeri continued. Or, well, tried. Really, she stuttered through her sentences, stumbling to find her footing. Her grasp on rationality strained. But as Passeri’s heart stung from the dread that hung around the sickly hospital air, Kiwi grew colder.

Her eyes bore into where Passeri’s would be had she hadn’t covered them. Kiwi’s arms crossed her chest, holding one another. Her fingers tapped gently. Her breaths were slow and steady.

She was thinking.

She just needed to be sure, but instead, she was even more confused than before. What happened? Where was the whole truth?

… She supposed it was useless digging into Passeri for it.

Kiwi let out a heavy sigh. “Sorry… sorry, ‘Seri. I… didn’t mean to. My bad, girl.” She sat in one of the chairs. She’d never been on this side of the hospital visit… and it was uncomfortable. It made her feel bad for her father.

With an apologetic smile, she leaned back in the chair. “You’d think after my times in the hospital, I’d be more empathetic to someone in tha’ bed, huh? Heh.” She shrugged. “Don’t you worry about tellin’ me anythin’ more than ya want to. I’m alright. Focus on healin’. That’s mentally, too.”

The One Eyed Bandit

 

[AriAriAbabwa]

TATSUO IORI

CS Link

SCENE:

Drunk Walk Home

LOCATION:

Central, Alleyway

TIME:

Post Arc 3 | 1:27 AM

PARTICIPANTS:

Hiachi, Tatsuo

Drunk Walk Home

Tatsuo was in the midst of reciting when Hiachi came to life. She yelped, falling on her bottom as the girl sprung forth like a bird. Albeit a bird with an injured wing. Hiachi didn't make it far, stumbling from her injury before the serene outdoors.

Recomposing herself, fear was overcome with relief. The girl was alive.

Tatsuo rose elegantly, hands in her draping white sleeves. Her eyes met Hiachi's. In contrast to the despairing swirls, hers remained soft yet steadfast. She had seen all of this before. She knew it could get better. Tatsuo knelt to her. "Hiachi?" Ah. "The hospital told me your name."

The Miko outstretched a hand, landing on Hiachi's shoulder. "You're safe, now." Her other hand went to her own chest, making herself appear less bearing. "My name is Tatsuo Iori, the miko of this shrine. I'm with the Golden Chimera Police Department." As she spoke, the kami that orbited Hiachi's bed floated over. They hovered around Tatsuo, tails of white following behind them. "You've been resting here for a few days, and I've been told you will make a full recovery."

Tatsuo remembered the procedure. They needed to question the poor girl about the attack to find the perpetrator, but as usual, Tatsuo saved that step for last. In her mind, the most important thing was ensuring the person's wellbeing. "Is there anyone you wish to contact?"

miki

 

[BluEndings]

THE ALBINO TIGERS

SCENE:

[The Game]

TIME:

Post-Arc 3 | July 3rd

LOCATION:

West District | The Precipice

PARTICIPANTS:

Missy, Roger, Lazlo, Mugen

THE GAME

The Precipice | Lobby​

Roger, Lazlo, Mugen

The. Sheer. Sound.

Posh would be a weird word for it, but this particular swathe of blood and gambling couldn’t quite be defined as crude. You might equate it to pouring cheap liquor into your most elaborate glass. It was a vulgar mess of shameless indulgence neatly tied with a bow. A cultivated tone of the music clashing with the uproar of yelling and shouting from the building’s atrium while the sprawling glass-topped tables remained at a delicate hush.

The ring at the center, and the seats decorating its nearest exterior, were already washed a pleasant color from the red that seeped out of the current array of fighters. A primitive free-for-all between four. turned three, deranged shapes that could barely be called human in their current state. With their depleted vigor, the exchanges by these crimson slabs could safely be defined as ‘turns.’ Blows came one after the other in sequence with no effort to block or dodge—a certified game of endurance.

Despite the brutish nature of red and green splattering about, this was not the cause for concern. It was the thin layer of scattered powder you might find beneath table and chair. A shade of lemon that stung twice as mercilessly. An unknown, should the scarce information be believed. Something birthed from the absence of the club’s previous proprietor. Or at the very least, unearthed without someone to dust away the tracks.

Unfortunately, this view was still a ways away from the entrance where entry demanded blood or cash.

The Precipice | ???​

Missy

For one, however, entry would be to the contrary.

Unlike the roaring of the main attraction, this room screamed of silence. A decorated palace of illegal mountings, furs, and paintings. The walls were much thicker here, and primed with eloquent washes and tapestries. The floor’s true nature was topped with numerous clashing rugs. It was all borderline messy. Just an incoherent slew of flaunted wealth as evidenced by the furnishings disjointed, but extravagant, varnished woods.

This entire view would come rushing towards her eyes the moment the rugged bag was swept away.

That, along with the imposing desk, and the acrid-glaring man that sat behind it.

Mono — The Precipe's Current Owner​

NAVIGATE

 

[BluEndings]

ORDELIA DESDEMONA

CS Link

SCENE:

[A PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS]

TIME:

Post-Arc 3 | June 15th

LOCATION:

North District | Buried Dwelling

PARTICIPANTS:

Rem, Ordelia

A PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS

Norther than North at the Northest North of the North.

A simple exaggeration of course. This particular place neared where Oasis bordered the land that proceeded forth. A quiet abode nestled in some middling corner where the loathsome mire exchanged for passable soil. That was present, though. The stretch of man-made edifices had been blitzed by tumbling sod in times since passed. That was to say, whatever which buildings remained had their ground floors swallowed by the swarming mud. It would be the roofs and upperlevels that hadn’t collapsed that served as the connection to the innermost accommodations.

Behind these tested walls laid her domain.

Those that fringed this expanse abode by the whispers and anxieties that clung to weary lips. Talk of curses and spirits that dragged away any who sought to escape the bounds of the city. Countless grasping voices and arms, hauling their still breathing peers into the asphyxiating earth below. If rumors were to be believed, it was this very jinx that had caused the aforementioned mudslide. A terrible event serving to seal away an entire locale. A tragedy that birthed the pale apparition that now haunted these grounds.

Those were the stories at least.

Whatever truth there was had been buried along with the rubble, and all that was left behind were these tall tales. The exact sort many meddling youth used to frighten the wits out of one another through horrifying accounts and daring tests of bravery. In many cases, they served as a means of bullying as well.

To the drowsy woman within, these trials were little more than a bother—especially now.

Her snowy hair toppled over her faintly conscious form that was equally slumped along a far too squeaky seat. It wasn’t too deep into the night, barely even, but she might as well have been out for the count. Her body was free of flaw and mar, per the usual, yet it was her spirit that was weathered into the warm embrace of the crackling fire.

She had decided ahead of time to do absolutely nothing for the day.

Spoiler: Mentions

gxxberkit

NAVIGATE

 

[BluEndings]

A GARDEN OF STONE

“I deeply insist that there’s been a misunderstanding..!”

Yet fists remained the wide-eyed woman’s only answer.

The towering figure’s movements were far swifter than his bulk would suggest with each of his lunges just narrowly missing his ghostly opponent.

When a fist came to the right, she went to the right.
When a fist came from the left, she went to the left.

She shadowed each blow with opportune perfection—that’s how it seemed.

Only it was nothing but a farce. Her body wasn’t quick enough to trail the man’s attacks in such a manner. Though she was repositioning, the majority of the movement was the result of the hits landing. Her shifting was just a byproduct.

When the attack came for her shoulder, her flesh pulled and wailed.
When the attack came for her core, her bones bent and creaked.

Her body was buckling under the impact, and rejoining with her sway.

The situation changed when he grabbed the folds of her dress.

His hands tore flesh quicker than cloth, and the fine white was stained carmine.

“..!”

She was on the ground, and his foot deep in her ankles.

His entire body came down as a fist, but met nothing.

The woman refuted with a hefty shove from behind, but her arms may as well have glided off the wall of muscle. With her limbs skyward, his own blasted from below around her wrists.

CRACK.

Her fingers, and joints—but not from the man.

The mangled extremities slipped free, providing a narrow escape from the oncoming headbutt.

Then POP, as her hands pieced themselves back together.

She wasn’t bruised exactly. It was the state of her attire that best explained her condition, and the battering she had received. On the contrary, the man’s garb and form wasn’t so much as scratched, nor had his breathing become waned. There were just specks of white and red, amidst a courtyard whose soil the fight had greatly disturbed.

DISTRESSED BYSTANDERS

NPC

SCENE:

[A Garden of Stone]

TIME:

Post-Arc 3 | June 9th

LOCATION:

North District | TBD

PARTICIPANTS:

Sill, Celestine, Melody,

Ordelia

A GARDEN OF STONE

“HELP!” Croaked a wide-eyed individual.

Not too far from the ensuing battle, two white-haired persons frolicked in a state of panic. The foremost was loudly hopping about while the other was flailing their arms in distress. The majority of their dialogue was drowned out by the deafening silence of the North District’s indifference, while the rest was consumed by the downpour that had crept up on them even quicker than this situation.

The small-eared one’s movements quickly became the loudest, as their efforts turned to dismantling the surrounding area. Signs, benches, and dumpsters caved in their wake as they did everything in their power to draw attention to the scene steps behind. Though their face did not stifle or bawl like their companion, the desperation began to show through the tattered condition of their hands. Fingers minced with callouses, and cuts along with palms stained with revolting colors of the region.

NAVIGATE

 

[AriAriAbabwa]

TAKAONNA

CS Link

SCENE:

The DEATH of Cinnabun??!?

LOCATION:

North District

PARTICIPANTS:

Takaonna, Celeste

The DEATH of Cinnabun??!?

When Celestine took her hand, Taka's breath slowed to a reasonable pace. It was comforting. She didn't understand why. Her bony fingers wrapped around Celestine's palm, and she slowed her rash movements. "The warehouse..." she answered. It was still a hard concept to digest. The idea that people other than Kiwi cared about her. To listen. To help.

"I can take you to her..." Taka's free hand explored the ground, finding the familiar cracks and ridges in the concrete. Having come directly from the warehouse, all she needed to do was retrace her moves.

It took a bit of walking, but eventually they reached the building. It was abandoned and made for the perfect home for Takaonna and Cinnabun—better than the sewer system underneath. However, upon entering, Celestine would find it barely lit up (and that's only thanks to her earlier visits). Taka disappeared, climbing around the giant empty racks like a spider. Their destination was a room beside the wall; the only well-lit part of the warehouse.

It was there that they found Cinnabun. A small, tan-colored bunny that fit snugly in their palms. Cinnabun's breath was slow and full of snot, and her head tilted. She barely moved from her spot.

Takaonna cautiously poked and patted her, growing anxious at the lack of response.

@angel doe

 

[The One Eyed Bandit]

Deirest

SCENE:

The Frog In The Well

TIME:

June 22nd, 2022

LOCATION:

Collapsed Worksite, North District

PARTICIPANTS:

One Former, and Several Future Corpses

The Frog In The Well

Death is a void.

A corpse does not think, nor does it feel. One should not move either, and yet, this one did. At the end of each of the stumps which divided what was once Deirdre Klauss, two walls of writhing muscle reached blindly for one another. The corpse's flesh twirled into itself and with a sickening squelch, what was once whole now was again.

It wasn't a quick process. Agonizing minutes of visceral churning ticked by as each strand of dead flesh flicked back to life. A thick, red ooze pooled around the head as it reconnected with its lost host, a smoothie of rejected, redundant muscles forced out the seams as the corpse zipped itself up. A few final spasms took the corpse as its nerves reconnected and then it was an it no longer. Fresh, rotten air filled Deirest's lungs. Her heart beat once more. The lights came back on, and her eyelids fluttered open.

Death is a void, but not one that Deirest had ever felt. It was true nothing. The was not. It left no impression. No memory. So, to her, the moment in which she had been slaughtered and the moment in which she had returned were no different. She could still feel the sting of her head being parted from her body, and the defiant snarl was still in her throat.

She went from corpse to threat in an instant. Driven by pure instinct, her body bolted upright and her eyes locked onto the first thing she saw, and it was not the Serpent's plucky young ace. It was Kisara McDowell, but what she perceived in place of the woman who had so graciously brought her back to the world of the living was instead a horned devil that had slain her. Some deeper part of her mind swum. It recognized this and that.

This, here. It was different than where she had been a moment ago.

That, when. It was no longer night, time had passed.

But she'd never been one to listen to herself, anyway.

The table she'd been laid atop clattered loudly as she lunged at the pink-haired devil, and she turned into a blur of hair and her own rotted blood as she crashed into her. The full weight of her body, which was rather not that much considering how much of her blood had seeped into the earth after her decapitation, fell upon the Ace and her fingers tangled themselves around her throat.

"...mmmhu" She slurred out, her voice thick with rotted blood and expired spittle. "you... hurt..."

Her grip was weak and her eyes were muddy. Most of her blood was still in the soil, after all. She was hardly any better than a drunk.

Spoiler: Tags

Interacted: simj26
Relevant: BluEndings miki thebigfella gxxberkit

 

[BriiAngelic]

Artemis "Missy" Mac Naught

CS Link

SCENE MUSIC:

Useewa

LOCATION:

West District || The Precipice | ???

DATE:

July 3rd, 2022 || Post-Arc 3

PARTICIPANTS:

GM ( BluEndings ) Missy, Roger, Lazlo, Mugen

The Game

Her head hurt.

Typically she could expect a headache of some sort while working but this was different. Usually work didn’t come with being surprised tossed around as a bag was thrown over her head and she was dragged god knows where.

Considering she couldn’t just break away and break their arms these shitheads were HPs. Not that she expected many NPs to be that bold in this city. Though she was certainly going to feel these bruises later from her slamming into shit in the initial struggle to break away.

As the bag went off she saw the gross ass room of dead animal heads all over the walls and full furs somehow it was all starting to line up. It wasn’t like she was a particularly strong animal lover but when you surround yourself with carcasses for the hell of it well it was no wonder they seemed a little touched in the head.

A small part of her screamed to spit at the sleazy looking man.

Another more rational part told her it would be just her luck that it may lead to her roasting alive.

Her mind was already running twenty miles an hour. Sure she was a tiger, but she was a rookie and a big nothing when it came down to it. If they offed her she’d be nothing more than lost profits to most. Her best luck was if her friends noticed she was gone fast enough that it might hit Cam’s plate as a potential mission.

Which meant she could be screwed way before that. So she had to think diplomatically here. How the hell was she suppose to buy time?

Fuck, she was going to have to play the pretty damsel card wasn’t she. Back to Juliet it was.

“There a reason I got this warm welcome sir?”

 

[WhiskeyMarten]

HECTOR MOSES

CS Link

SCENE:

Just Sweet Enough

LOCATION:

South District

PARTICIPANTS:

Hector, Yong-Yut

JUST SWEET ENOUGH

“If he’s giving you a complex 'bout anything I can go knock some sense into him.” He lightly pressed a balled fist into his other hand. ”I think I understand, but I think we’re different people. When I feel like I should be doing more, I just do more. It's pretty simple. If you’re feeling aimless, just think about what we need right now in South. I know it don’t always feel like you’re doing anything meaningful though. If you’re wanting people to watch you launch the fireworks or whatever, maybe you could…”

Hector knew the suggestion was foolish before it exited his lips, but he couldn’t help himself.

”You can always go Tiger hunting with me.” He shrugged, trying to play off the risk of what he was asking. ”It’d liven you up a bit. I wanna do more to them than I am right now, but there's only so much of an impact I can make.”

 

[Beann]

SAMIRA CALRISSIAN

CS Link

SCENE:

A Summer Breeze Scatters Blossoms

LOCATION:

Katōre, Sankai

PARTICIPANTS:

Ryutaro, Samira

A Summer Breeze Scatters Blossoms

Curious gold eyes surveyed the village as the vehicle passed through. The infrastructure alone was vastly different from what she was used to. If she could describe the scenery with one word it would be…cute. Or perhaps home-y? There was a certain calmness in the air surrounding this village and although this was the first time visiting, nostalgia seemed to have fit the description.

Eventually, the vehicle came to a stop in front of an estate. While the architecture was similar to the other residential homes, it was obvious that this one in particular held not only more history but more standing among the rest. Her eyes shifted from the rooftop of the estate down to the old lady waiting out in front with only a cane to support her posture. Ryutaro's grandmother, she could only presume.

Exiting the vehicle after him, she stood a few feet back as she watched the Tiger Queen greet his family with a respectful bow. His gesture in turn was greeted with a slap, forcing Samira to stifle a chuckle as she brought her well-manicured fingertips to her lips. It was rare to see anyone stand against the real estate goliath, much less dare to lay a hand on him. At the very least, the hostility was more or less a scolding as she watched the two embrace shortly afterwards. A touching moment for Ryutaro for sure considering it has been years since he's seen his family.

Once his grandmother had noticed Samira, she took a few steps forward, her heels clicking against the stone-cobble street. She took hold of Megumi’s delicate hand, shaking it gently. “The pleasure is mine, Mrs. Hashimoto. Your grandson has been an invaluable friend and mentor to me; it's an honor to meet his family.”

joshuadim

 

[simj26]

Kisara McDowell

CS Link

SCENE:

The Frog in the Well

LOCATION:

North District | Collapsed Worksite

TIME:

Post-Arc 3 | June 22nd

PARTICIPANTS:

Rem, Kisara, Deirest | Melody, Anguo, Areith

The Frog in the Well

Kisara had seen plenty of things in her various fights, but it still didn’t prevent her from taking a few steps back from the body, her face contorted into an image of disgust and abject horror when the sinews and tendons began to reform and reconnect, wrapping themselves around each other like wriggling worms haplessly attempting to reconnect with their bisected halves. In this case, however, they found purchase with one another. She was decidedly not a fan of this. The skin and muscles stretched as if each cell had its own mind, grasping onto another and pulling each other close, until the flesh molded back together, first the bones, then the muscles, then the skin. She felt another surge of bile in her throat.

She still had to do this. As an Ace of the Sable Serpents, she had to ask the questions. What happened. Who happened. How it happened. She recovered, and took a step towards the body. Was it alive now? Did that whole mumbo jumbo breathe life back into the decapitated body? She had never seen a Potential like this. Except maybe that one Dragon who jumped her right after she got out of the hospital. But that (probably) didn’t include reconstitution. She reached towards the body.

She was unprepared for the sudden lunge the body made at her. Her cold fingers wrapped around her neck, pressing into her throat.

Yet, the Ace was, for once today, unbothered by the body.

Strangling someone was an art in and of itself. The frontal strangle, like what the reanimated body was now attempting, was problematic. It was better used if the strangled was on the floor. The body weight and the expected ineptitude of the victim helped to push the thumbs into the esophagus. As it was now, with Deirest's hands closed around her neck, the newly-appointed Ace barely budged after her first reaction of surprise and disgust.

This. This was what she was more used to. She couldn't punch ghosts, wraiths, and ideas. The ethereal and the non-existent were intangible. A solid body in front of her, attempting to squeeze the life out of her, however? That was real. That was touchable. It can be hurt. It can be killed.

The Ace lifted her arms in between the body’s, her hands crossing over, grasping the cold, pallid arms, and pulled down, hard, freeing the hands from her neck. Her left arm shot upwards, taking hold of the neck that she had only just aided in repairing. The rings upon her arm came to life, its reverberating hum accompanying it as the Ace lifted the dead body into the air with her vice grip alone. Sparks of electricity coursed through her arm, threading through the air, singing stray locks of brown hair and pale skin as they passed.

“You sure she’s one of ours?” The Ace glanced towards the woman who had accompanied her to this rotting den. She tightened her grip. “Sure don’t look it.”

BluEndings The One Eyed Bandit miki thebigfella
gxxberkit

 

[The One Eyed Bandit]

Deirest

SCENE:

Legacy Lost

TIME:

June 13th, 2022 | Post-Arc 3

LOCATION:

Zhànzhēng, East District | Silverlit Grounds

PARTICIPANTS:

Hifumi, Deirest

Legacy Lost

"Nnnn..." A set of eyes stalked the boy as he worked. His footsteps carved a trial of intent, but not one that his guest could read. Her brow furrowed, her features were dyed orange by candlelight, and the gentle aroma of tea leaves then parted her nostrils.

It was enthralling, like chains woven from silk. Deirest wriggled uncomfortably within the tangle, but ultimately remained still.

"Nnnnooottt that." Inside of Deirest's eyes, orange danced within itself. The slow, rhythmic stir of the candle's flame stirred something within her. It was like the rest of this place. Beneath the tea's aroma, there was too that of the candle's perfumed scent. Then that of wax. Under it all, still, was the dust. The scatter particulate of what no longer was.

"I lost something." For the first time that night, and perhaps for the first time since her emancipation, Deirest's speech was clear. The deeper she stared into the fire, the more she understood. "Need to find it... It's... Nnn... It's important." It was the only way that she'd ever be free from it, that clawing at the back of her skull. "But it's so far... I thought it'd be here, but it's so far..." Her feet bled, her muscles ached, she was still no closer.

"...Yyyoouu're from there, yes? You look just like it. Smell just like it." Her attention left the candle. Her eyes preyed upon the space behind the divider. "All of this is like it... It's aalll........" Deirest's tongue felt thick in her mouth. For once, she was considering what she said. "....Crumbling."

BluEndings​