Fantasy Saga of the Seven Sins - The Second Cycle

[Seeker of the End]

The two sidereals make their way into town square in pursuit of the disturbance within fate, but the crowd of people scattered around making their own preparations for the massive tournament are well on their way. Festival shops are being set-up along with booths selling various small trinkets that would hopefully attract a buyer. But there are no obvious signs of something out of the ordinary happening.

 

[Sherwood]

Darian slowly drifts through the crowds, trusting in her instincts to notify her to any more localized disturbances. In the meantime, she buys a couple of hot pastries, and as she eats one, she tears off pieces for Riku as the little dragon perches on her shoulder.

 

[WarDragon]

"Yes... yes, it would be best to keep an ace - or perhaps I should say, a Queen - in reserve, should the opponent's hand be stronger than we expect. Enter the tournament or not, as you wish, my dear, but keep your true nature a secret for now... the time comes soon when the Wyld Hunt will no longer need concern us, but it has not arrived yet. If any victory at all spooks our quarry, well, we can run him down."

 

[Random Word]

Opal surveys the crowd as they converse, agitated. She is torn between the desire to give Viktor her undivided attention and the primal urge to hunt awakened by the scent of her favourite prey. She sips her drink and gestures her assent, her eyes flicking between Viktor and the revelers around her, searching almost unconsciously for signs of Astrological manipulation.

Spoiler

Opal is looking for the telltale signs of Resplendent Destinies.


[dice]5593[/dice]

 

[Seeker of the End]

Through a vague sense, and her experience hunting Sidereals, she is able to tell there is at least one Sidereal under a resplendent destiny nearby. But she can't tell exactly where they are, only that they are in the general vicinity.

 

[Random Word]

Opal's nostrils flare, her hair stands on end, and her eyes narrow, "It's getting closer, I can smell it." If she had a tail it would be swishing back and forth. Instead she makes do with shifting her weight from one foot to the other in time with the clenching and unclenching of her hands. She grins manically at Viktor and whispers, "I want to hunt," her voice laden with fervent desire. Suddenly her expression sours, her eyes clouded by doubt. "Why here, why now? The tournament, certainly, but this square? Now? It must be here for you," she hisses, circling Viktor protectively, eyeing the crowd warily.

 

[WarDragon]

"Pray, calm yourself, my dear," Viktor says quietly, as Ken'ichi rolls his eyes at the Lunar's antics. As always with her, Viktor is careful to avoid phrasing anything as a direct order. "We were just speaking of the need to avoid drawing unnecessary attention to ourselves, were we not?" He puts a hand, both comforting and restraining, on Opal's shoulder.


"If the Sidereals wish to force our hand, then so be it. It is early yet... but one must be flexible. If they are not here as part of a Wyld Hunt, then perhaps we can turn their presence to our advantage. After all, I can say with absolute truth that I am no longer an agent Hell, can I not?"


"Let us seek them out, and learn what the Star-Chosen are about, before we do anything rash."

 

[Sherwood]

Working her way through the crowd, Darian is more focused on the strands of Fate and trying to find out what might be 'off' instead of the people around her, when suddenly she feels Riku's claws dig into her skin just before she bumps into a tall and rather handsome man (I'm taking some liberties with things here, so if I get them wrong, forgive me) with an attractive woman on his arm; a small pocket of calm in the middle of several bodyguards that are closing in on her rapidly. With surprising grace, she ducks under the reaching hand of one guard, steps on the toes of another before popping up in front of the man that is dressed well enough to be a lord of some kind. "My pardon, good sir! I was taken by the bustle of the crowd and I didn't see you; I suppose it is what I get for being such a wool-headed fool. Please, allow me to repay my clumsiness with a glass of chilled wine for you and this lovely lady on your arm. It is the least I can do." As she speaks, the Riku carefully stretches his long neck to look at one of the bodyguards and lets out a warning hiss. Darian taps him on the nose. "Riku! Really, is such language necessary? They are just doing their job and we made a mess of things here." She steps back and offers a sweeping bow. "Allow me to introduce myself, I am Melissa Davage."

 

[WarDragon]

The Jade-armored man scowls at the guards who let this stranger slip through, his visage promising a legendary harangue to come.


Viktor, however, merely stares down at the young-looking woman from his full height. "And just whom, precisely, do you think your pretense at mortality is fooling? Even did you not fairly burn with Essence for those with eyes to see, your exotic pet is rather a give-away."

Spoiler

Intelligence + Occult to analyze you with Essence-Dissecting Stare: [dice]5594[/dice]


Difficulty 2 is enough to tell me your Essence rating, and identify your artifacts.

 

[Sherwood]

She shrugs and pops the last morsel of her tart into her mouth. "It is one thing to walk through a crowd as the 'Great and Noble Melissa Davage, Guild Proctor and owner of great wealth and power' and walking through the crowd as just little ol' me. Yes, I am Exalted; but," she leans in to whisper conspiratorially, "I'm under cover right now! Its a party here! It is time to enjoy ourselves, and I was trying to make up for bumping into you and getting your security people in trouble."

Spoiler

Her artifacts are listed on her sheet, but her clothes and boots are enchanted, she has a metal belt that shows it to be an artifact, bracers, and a necklace. Plus, her Essence is 6.

 

[Random Word]

Opal allows her eyes to close as she feels Viktor's hand grasp her shoulder, taking several deep breaths and trying to still her racing heart. Her instincts are difficult to ignore, but for Viktor she'll try. She is startled from her reverie as she feels someone collide with Viktor. Her eyes snap open and she whirls to see a Dragon Blooded woman flowing effortlessly between the hands of Viktor's bodyguards. No, not a Terrestrial, she realizes with dawning horror, the shifting pattern of threads woven around the woman into a cohesive fate becoming apparent. She quickly circles around Viktor to subtly interpose herself between him and the Sidereal, scowling, her face slightly flushed with embarrassment. I close my eyes and let my guard down for an instant and I allow a Sidereal to touch Viktor! "What are you playing at? You aren't a Terrestrial. Did she harm you?" she inquires of Viktor, concerned, her eyes never leaving her quarry. "I don't pick fights with you when you're on sabbatical, but I suppose some common courtesy was a little too much to expect from you." She struggles to see through the Fate-woven disguise, willing herself to remember if she's seen the form beneath.

 

[Sherwood]

Darian's eyes narrow at the sudden barrage from the woman on the arm of the man. "Oh, pshaw. I didn't hurt anyone, except perhaps the toe of this poor fool behind me. As for you, my dear, I am certain that if I knew what you were talking about, that you would still be as nutty as a panic monkey on Juby juice!" How does she know that I'm a Fateweaver? What is her place here? Who is this man I bumped into?

 

[WarDragon]

Viktor's mind quickly works through the implications, picking up on what Opal says and does not say. "I am unharmed, my dear, even in my pride. Nor do I think she helped herself to the contents of my pockets... no, unless I miss my guess, "Miss Davage" is after much larger game. Let us get this out of the way first of all; you who call yourself Melissa Davage, do you know who I am? And if so, am I any part in your purpose here? Yes or no will do, so as to settle what we may of my lady's hackles."

Spoiler

Just to verify IC, answers will be checked with the Infernal version of Judge's Ear Technique.

 

[Sherwood]

I've stepped into something here, alright. Lets see what I'm dealing with. Spending a trickle of personal Essence, she looks over the two Exalts in front of her and her eyes widen and she takes a step back, wondering where her fellow Vizier is. With a bit of effort, Darian gets control of her emotions and responds. "I don't know who, but I know now what you both are, but let me assure you, I have no interest in you or yours at this moment. However, depending on what your actions here are, that can change. But I am curious to know where I have run into this very suspicious lady before for her to have such . . . strong feelings for me."

Spoiler

Spending 4m Personal for two uses of Into Infinite Depths, once on each of you. Just to reprint, what it does for me is: The character immediately gains the following knowledge about one individual: what manner of being the target is (Solar Exalt, god, raksha, etc), which martial arts styles he knows at least one Charm from, which martial arts styles he knows up to the Form-type Charm, which martial arts styles he has mastered, whether he has any Intimacies toward the martial artist, and the nature of those Intimacies, if they exist.

 

[Random Word]

Opal leans forward, close enough that her breath might be felt on the Sidereal's skin, dissecting every detail of the her expression and manner as she speaks. "You're incredibly skilled. I almost believe you don't know who we are. You've long since taught me there are no coincidences when you're involved." So close to her quarry, Opal catches a familiar scent, and suddenly the disguise before her unravels completely to reveal Darian. "Darian?" she cries, recoiling as if shocked. The only sign of the roiling tempest of emotions upwelling within her is a slight widening of her eyes and a reddening of her neck and cheeks, subtle enough that only someone who knew her well, or someone expressly looking for such a reaction, might notice it. Why did it have to be her? I haven't had that dream in months. Alright, weeks. "What are you doing here? Did you come for a rematch?" she taunts, her bravado betrayed by another quick step backwards. "I'd be happy to oblige, but I suggest we take this somewhere a little bit more intimate." Her blush deepens as she realizes what she's said. Did you just flirt with a Sidereal? What's wrong with you? She conspicuously fails to meet Darian's eyes as she attempts to recover, "To avoid collateral damage and unwanted witnesses. Of course." Smooth. The silver chalice appears in her hand again unbidden, and she reflexively takes a large gulp of wine.

Spoiler

Darian's Essence Sight reveals Opal is an Essence 1 Mortal with no Artefacts, which may cause confusion, but she did just summon a small object from nowhere. Darian is undoubtedly clever enough to know her Essence Sight is being fooled.


Depending on the wealth of the Circle noble I invented, his most beautiful concubine is probably Appearance 3-5 for poor, wealthy, and rivals the Despot, respectively. I'm guessing I'm Appearance 4 at the moment, so much less radiant than usual.

 

[Rykon]

Renost returned from a short detour, having shucked his identity as the Water Aspect in a back alley and assumed the identity he crafted to solidify his own name and persona in Fate. Noting the heated the discussion between his fellow Vizier and some well to do strangers, he would step up from behind Darian, placing a hand at her shoulder to show his support. Coming in toward the tail end of the conversation, he did a mental double take as he heard the stranger's challenge, "Oh? Seems I misread what was going on here." Turning toward the tall gentleman and the lady, then back to Darian, Renost continued with a raised eyebrow, "You know these two?"

Spoiler

Activating Lion Mouse Stratagem


Cost: 3m


Imposes a -3 external penalty on all attempts to gauge his nature and the level of his skill. This unassuming mien also makes it difficult to view the Sidereal as a serious threat; all attempts to re-establish surprise enjoy a bonus of (Sidereal’s Essence) dice. This Charm constitutes a form of unnatural mental influence costing two Willpower to resist for one scene.

 

[WarDragon]

"I don't know who, but I know now what you both are, but let me assure you, I have no interest in you or yours at this moment. However, depending on what your actions here are, that can change. But I am curious to know where I have run into this very suspicious lady before for her to have such . . . strong feelings for me."

Viktor quirks an eyebrow. "I believe you," he says. "At least, that you have no prior designs upon us. How... refreshing that whatever quarrels we may develop will be entirely personal, rather than a result of small-minded factionalism, wouldn't you agree, my dear?"


"Now that suspicions have been allayed, allow me to rectify my abominable manners and make introduction. Viktor Vlastislav Konrad Mikhailas Xavier von Drakholdt, at your service... and I highly doubt you have guessed my true nature, save in the most general of terms." He bows lightly, as if to an almost-equal.


"And this..." he trails off, eyebrow traveling upwards once again as he watches Opal's reaction to the Sidereal... and even more so as the other joins them. "Well. It seems you have already met. I believe you are right, my dear, that this conversation would be best continued somewhere more private. Come, ladies and gentleman."


Viktor selects an establishment that is neither excessively crowded, nor run down. He approaches someone in charge, and plunks down a bag from his pocket, filled with jade and gemstones, worth likely more than the place normally brings in a week. "You just closed for a private party," he informs the individual, green fire flaring in his eyes. "Clear the riff-raff out, and make yourself scarce."


Viktor's mortal troops aid in the clearing out, then take positions outside, while the Exalts find seats inside. "There, much better. Now, what shall we talk about?"

 

[Rykon]

"How about that tongue twister of a name of yours? What kind of place do you hail from where you'd get a name like that?" Renost offered, stretching a moment before taking a seat.

 

[Sherwood]

Darian quietly whispers to Renost, "The woman is a Lunar that I have fought with before, but the man, he is something . . . different. Almost a Solar, but not. I've never seen anything like this before. I don't think that there is any impending fighting about to break out, but I have to find out more about that man."


Moving along with the two Exalts, Darian makes a point to not make any sudden moves that might set off the pair and cause a bloodbath in the middle of a crowded town square. Once inside the now closed tavern, she takes a moment to get a drink before it clicks: she remembers the Lunar. "Ohmygod! Is that Opal? It's been ages since we last crossed paths. I see you still have your . . . sparkling personality when dealing with others." With a large grin on her face she sits down across from the man, and she lets the Destiny she is wearing slip off of her like an old robe. "Lets lay our cards on the table. I am Darian Lambert, a Chosen of Endings. I have no argument with you or your people. What I said to you before was mostly true, and I am here on personal business, nothing to do with the Fivescore Fellowship. I have had issues with my associations with my fellow Sidereals, and needed some time to clear my head by watching this fighting contest. But now I have met you, and I must confess, I am quite curious to know more about you and what kind of Exalt you are. It is just a coincidence that I have met my fellow here, not something planned out."

 

[WarDragon]

"Not so very far from here, as it happens, though the name is an ancestral holdover from the opposite end of Creation." Viktor answers Renost. "Speaking of names, I do not believe I caught yours?"


"As to my Exaltation, I am... confident in saying that I am something entirely unique," he says with a smirk.

 

[Random Word]

Opal watches Darian with a wary hunger as she follows from a short distance. Most of her is relieved that no one noticed anything unusual, but part of her is disappointed. She buries that part under a mountain of embarrassment and anger, which does nothing to improve her mood.


After the restaurant has cleared she returns to her true form and stretches out along a nearby ottoman, laying her head beside Viktor. She hides her face under a silk cushion. "I can't believe I'm having lunch with Sidereals," she grumbles. "Who cares what his name is, he's Darian's apprentice, and her heart is as Bronze as they come. She was stationed at the Heptagram, for Watcher's sake. The fact that they haven't attempted to kill us yet is only making me even more concerned."

 

[Sherwood]

Darian makes a sudden sharp chop with her hand. "I am not a part of the Bronze Faction. Not anymore, at least. Due to circumstances beyond my control, I have tendered my resignation in that particular organization, and I'm now on the outs with all of my associates."

 

[Random Word]

Opal starts at the sudden loud noise, the cushion falling to the floor. She glares at Darian's feet, unable to see over the table. "A good cover, but you won't fool anyone in Heaven that easily, and I can't imagine mortals can appreciate the distinction. The Solars themselves, perhaps? Do an end run around the Cult of the Illuminated and draw them into a trap?"

 

[Sherwood]

Darian lets out a tired sigh. "And that is the reason that I am here on my own, and have lost much of my standing in Yu-Shan. No one wants to risk trusting me, thinking that I am involved in some elaborate trap."

 

[Random Word]

Opal props herself up on one elbow to look over the table to glower at Darian. "Yes, I rather think a thousand years of treachery has somewhat compromised your credibility. If you're really out in the cold, then what are you going to do with yourself? Go ronin? Head the Convention on Elsewhere? Shuffle papers?" she demands, incredulous.