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NebulaQueen
VACANT
Posts: 2866
(7/20/05 23:20)
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Re: re: metasubject
Kei shook her head, and waved her hand dismissively. "Mere curiousity, that is all. However, let us concentrate on the present now.
"I remember asking earlier about your plans for the future. Since you are not following in your master's footsteps, I assume you are concentrating on their studies?"
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Kai 
The Mysterious Priest
Posts: 404
(7/20/05 23:27)
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Re: re: metasubject
"I did not share my master's desire to rule what amounts to most of the world. So for the moment, the children are indeed my main concern."
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NebulaQueen
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Posts: 2869
(7/20/05 23:32)
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Re: re: metasubject
Kei nodded once more. "Out of curiousity, when will the children be done with their studies?"
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Kai
The Mysterious Priest
Posts: 405
(7/20/05 23:35)
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Re: re: metasubject
Dawn raised her eyebrows in surprise. "Never. There's always more to learn, always more to accomplish."
She inspected Kei carefully. "You use a sword, do you not? When were you done learning? When did you decide that your technique was perfect and no longer required refining?"
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NebulaQueen
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Posts: 2870
(7/20/05 23:38)
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Re: re: metasubject
"A good point," she answered. "There always is something to learn. However, perhaps I should restate my question. While I never stopped learning, I did leave my own teacher. After a while, a student must become independant, correct?"
She looked idly in the distance, before turning her gaze back to Dawn. "When will the children get that chance for themselves?"
Edited by: NebulaQueen at: 7/21/05 0:18
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Kai
The Mysterious Priest
Posts: 406
(7/21/05 0:03)
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Re: re: metasubject
Dawn took a deep, quiet breath before speaking. "I see. You are worried that they do not stay with me of their own free will, that I have mentally coerced them into giving me their loyalty. The children will be ready to leave when they have grown into their own powers. Then, if they choose they may stay with what amounts to the only family most of them have. I can tell you that for the most part, they will stay. They have nowhere else to go."
"I understand as their parents did not the demands their powers place upon them. I understand the responsibility these children have to themselves and to their discipline. More importantly, they understand. Whether they stay with me or not, I have no doubt that they will continue to develop their understanding of their powers and their place in a world that, until recently, has had little use for them."
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NebulaQueen
VACANT
Posts: 2873
(7/21/05 1:13)
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Re: re: metasubject
It wasn't mental coercion I was worried about, Kei thought to herself. After all, there were many ways a person could manipulate another, all without the use of magic.
"So it's safe to say that you will leave us alone...provided we leave you alone."
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FF Fanatic 80 
Imposter Brit
Posts: 1640
(7/21/05 11:15)
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Re: re: metasubject
"...keep her word, my ass..." Stephan mutters, getting up and looking at Eve, "Alright then, common. Let's see what the hell's going on now."
Without waiting for her, he starts out of the inn, stopping outside the door and trying to get a view of the current situation.
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Kai
The Mysterious Priest
Posts: 407
(7/21/05 11:25)
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Re: re: metasubject
Dawn blinked slowly and calmly at Kei, inspecting her carefully. "I'm not here to harm you. But make no mistake, if any of you insist on hindering me in any way, I will line up everyone you have ever met so that you may look them in the eyes as I kill them. Then, I will make you eat each others' hearts. Do not doubt that I can, and will without hesitation if I am forced to do so."
~~~~~
As Stephan, followed close behind by Eve, approached the source of the disturbance, the angry shouting became a bit more distinct.
"You're going to pay for everything she just destroyed!" the man cried.
"You deserve what you get! She was scared because you grabbed her. She was just looking! If you lay another hand on Rilla I'll kill you myself!"
"I don't care what she was doing! If she burned anything someone's going to pay for the merchandise!"
As Eve and Stephan turn the corner, they saw two dark-haired children, a boy and a girl. They're easily recongizable as two of Dawn's children, Rendon and Rilla. Rendon is holding Rilla's hand and his other arm from the elbow down is covered in flame. Nearby was a tipped-over marketstand that appeared to be smoking slightly, a few pots and pans strewn over the ground.
Rilla was watching the growing crowd warily and whispering a little to herself, while her brother looked like he'd be more than happy to torch the next thing that moves.
Edited by: Kai at: 7/21/05 11:29
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FF Fanatic 80
Imposter Brit
Posts: 1642
(7/21/05 11:54)
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Re: re: metasubject
Stephan looks around at the gathering mob, and sighs.
"...well, it won't be the first time I've had a pissed off mob around me, I guess." he comments aloud to Eve, "You realize, if we don't get between these kids and the crowd, we may have a pile of ashes on our hands shortly. Possibly ourselves included."
Edited by: FF Fanatic 80 at: 7/21/05 11:54
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Kai
The Mysterious Priest
Posts: 408
(7/21/05 11:58)
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Re: re: metasubject
Eve nodded to Stephan. "I don't know him very well, since I've only met him once. But, if he knows we're not here to hurt either of them we ought to be fine. He's... kind of notorious among the kids for being a little overprotective."
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FF Fanatic 80
Imposter Brit
Posts: 1643
(7/21/05 12:04)
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Re: re: metasubject
"Then maybe you should talk to him. If the crowd has a problem with it..."
At this point, an oddly amused smirk appears on his lips.
"Well, I'll handle that bit, if necessary."
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Kai
The Mysterious Priest
Posts: 409
(7/21/05 12:36)
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Re: re: metasubject
"Will do." Eve began shoving through the crowd toward the kids. "Rendon! It's Eva!"
He looked over as she emerged from the edge of the crowd. "Eva? You tell him to back off!"
She pushed and intermittently battered her way over to the shopkeeper. Without a word she pulled a purse of money out of her backpack and tossed it at him. Coins scattered over the ground and a few were picked up by some of the bolder folks nearby. The rest the merchant raked back into the pouch and shoved in a pocket, grumbling at the state of his cart.
Eve marched over to Rendon and Rilla, took the girl's hand, and spoke in a low voice to Rendon. He started to protest, but didn't really get to finish his sentence.
In a moment she teleported them out of the crowd, just behind Stephan.
"--because you..." Rendon trailed off, realizing she'd taken him out already. "Oh. Anyway I don't care about his stuff! I don't know how he sells anything treating customers like that." He noticed Stephan, and his eyes widened. "You?"
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FF Fanatic 80
Imposter Brit
Posts: 1644
(7/21/05 12:53)
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Re: re: metasubject
"...I'm not gonna do anything to you, if that's what you're worried about." Stephan says, looking up at Eve then back down to the kid, "I don't fancy being set ablaze this morning."
Based on past experience, he figured he'd have more luck speaking one on one at somewhat eye level. So he gets down on his knees to speak with the pair.
"So, what exactly was going on there?"
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Kai
The Mysterious Priest
Posts: 410
(7/21/05 13:33)
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Re: re: metasubject
Rilla immediately stepped away from Stephan to stand behind her brother. The boy apparently figured it was in his best interest to explain himself. He looked down at Stephan and sighed. "She was just looking at stuff. I don't know what. He must've thought she was trying to steal something, 'cause he grabbed her to pull her away from the cart. She... she panicked and went after the closest thing. He's lucky it wasn't him." His twelve-year old face darkened. "He's lucky I didn't take care of him myself."
Rilla leaned around Rendon to look at Stephan. As soon as she caught his eye she looked away and stepped back again.
"I would have," Rendon finished.
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FF Fanatic 80
Imposter Brit
Posts: 1645
(7/21/05 14:14)
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Re: re: metasubject
"Protective of your sister, huh? Heh."
Stephan smirks to himself for a moment, thinking of his own sibling, Daniel. No matter how much they got on each other's nerves, which tended to be very frequently, one was always there for the other. Sometimes, it would be Stephan, reluctantly helping Daniel guard a royal transport. Other times, it could be Daniel, objecting to the methods Stephan used while they secure a piece of property for someone.
Putting the reminiscing aside for now, he continues to speak to Rendon.
"Know the feeling, believe me. Got a brother myself, he's always getting himself into trouble. Or getting my rear out of it, heh."
While they speak, he tries to sneak glances over at Rilla, trying to notice if anything seems 'fishy' about her. It wouldn't surprise him if the merchant just 'assumed' they were thieving. He noticed it becoming common himself, while the city rebuilt itself from near ruin at Malachias' hands.
Still, he wanted to be sure.
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Kai
The Mysterious Priest
Posts: 411
(7/21/05 14:43)
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Re: re: metasubject
Rendon gave a little half-smile before he could catch himself. "Yeah. I guess I kind of am. But it's not her fault. This happens sometimes." Rendon glanced over his shoulder at his twin sister with an expression of regret. "She's just... jumpy. That's all."
Rilla, for her part, looked like a nervous twelve-year-old girl. Stephan didn't seem dangerous, but she was careful not to actually get near him.
Eve spoke up from behind Stephan. "It's true, Stephan. She was like this when I met her, too."
"She's not always like this," Rendon explained. "She doesn't like new people, and she gets uncomfortable around strange men especially." Rilla looked to Eve and then to Stephan but didn't say anything.
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FF Fanatic 80
Imposter Brit
Posts: 1647
(7/21/05 14:54)
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Re: re: metasubject
It didn't take long for Stephan to figure out the other meaning behind Rendon's words. The nervousness, the violent reaction, these were things he was all too familiar with.
"...believe me, I know what you're going through." he thinks to himself, doing his best to ignore the unpleasant memories creeping up as he speaks again.
"Guess it's a good thing she has you then, eh?"
Edited by: FF Fanatic 80 at: 7/21/05 14:55
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Kai
The Mysterious Priest
Posts: 412
(7/21/05 15:14)
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Re: re: metasubject
Rendon's face softened a little, but when he spoke his voice was hard and determined. "Yeah. It is."
He looked at Stephan carefully for a moment. "We're not supposed to be around you. It's against the rules."
Behind him Rilla nodded. "We're not."
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FF Fanatic 80
Imposter Brit
Posts: 1648
(7/21/05 15:23)
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Re: re: metasubject
"Her too?" he asks, gesturing a thumb at Eve.
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Kai
The Mysterious Priest
Posts: 413
(7/21/05 15:26)
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Re: re: metasubject
Eve seemed a little surprised by Stephan's question.
Rendon looked uncertain for a moment. "Yeah. I think so. But I guess it's okay for now. Dawn didn't say we couldn't. Not exactly. I think she was talking more to Joss anyway."
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FF Fanatic 80
Imposter Brit
Posts: 1649
(7/21/05 15:36)
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Re: re: metasubject
"...that figures." Stephan thinks, as he nods back. He recalls the first meeting the group had with the young boy, when he wanted help getting an heirloom back. He wasn't happy with him, assuming from their brief conversations that Joss lacked a bit in the common sense department. After their fight with giants, though, he warmed up to the kid somewhat. Joss seemed to return the sentiment, something Dawn likely had concerns about.
"How is he, by the way? I haven't talked to him in awhile, not since I beat up some Giants with him." Stephan asks the two of them.
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Kai
The Mysterious Priest
Posts: 414
(7/21/05 16:10)
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Re: re: metasubject
"Joss? He's, you know. Joss. Still going to be a great warrior and stuff. I think Joss was glad to come back. We didn't think he would, but after another couple of weeks he showed up. His dad's a jackass, so he was a little down when he got back, but some of the girls allowed themselves to be rescued after he fought some epic battles with a couple of the guys. Made him feel better. " He laughed and shook his head. Even Rilla smiled at the memory. "I'll tell him you asked. He'll like that."
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FF Fanatic 80
Imposter Brit
Posts: 1650
(7/21/05 16:34)
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Re: re: metasubject
"Thanks." Stephans tells him. Then he glances up at Eve for a moment, going from looking amused to looking concerned.
The kids, technically, did nothing wrong. He recalled his own little adventure with Dan in their childhood, involving an irate farmer, his first fire spell, and much cursing from their father at said farmer afterward.
Still, he had no idea if they were up to anything else. That, and he didn't like the idea of another 'accident' happening while they were away.
On the other hand, if they didn't leave the kids alone, Dawn there could always interpret that as being 'aggressive' if she really wanted. So basically, either way, they were probably screwed. Question was, how to hang around without blantantly obvious reasons.
"...say, you have anything to eat for breakfast yet?" he suddenly asks Eve.
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Kai
The Mysterious Priest
Posts: 415
(7/21/05 16:41)
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Re: re: metasubject
Eve raised an eyebrow at the sudden inquiry. "Yeah, I have. But that was a while ago. I could always go for something else. How about you two?"
The twins tried not to look too excited at the prospect of free food, which no self-respecting child turns down lightly.
Rilla nodded, and when Rendon looked over and saw that his sister was hungry, he conceded as well. "Yeah, we could probably use a sandwich or something."
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NebulaQueen
VACANT
Posts: 2875
(7/21/05 16:47)
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Re: re: metasubject
For a moment, Kei's face flickered. One might see this an expression of fear, while another might see this as an expression of anger. Perhaps it was a little bit of both, but whatever it was, it passed quickly. Kei hardened her face once more, trying to make herself look as blank as possible.
"I believe we have an understanding of sorts," she said. "Would it be possible for me to visit the children once more? Not now, of course, but perhaps in the future..."
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Kai
The Mysterious Priest
Posts: 416
(7/21/05 20:55)
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Re: re: metasubject
Dawn's expression was impassive as ever. "I have yet to receive any assurance that you intend no harm to them or to me. Until they are ready... I do not forsee it."
She paused in thought. "Though that does not negate the possibility entirely."
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FF Fanatic 80
Imposter Brit
Posts: 1651
(7/21/05 21:03)
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Re: re: metasubject
Stephan nods, then takes a look around where they are, trying to find a nearby eating establishment of somekind. He figures bringing back to the Ivory Horn may be a bad idea, with Lym busy there already and needing concentration.
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Kai
The Mysterious Priest
Posts: 417
(7/21/05 21:07)
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Re: re: metasubject
Down the street a bit but still within eyesight was a soft pretzel stand. There were only a couple of people in line, but those who walked away from the stand did so with enormous twists of golden-brown snack bread.
Edited by: Kai at: 7/21/05 21:08
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FF Fanatic 80
Imposter Brit
Posts: 1652
(7/21/05 21:13)
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Re: re: metasubject
"...it ain't exactly a full meal, but they've got pretzels over there." Stephan comments, looking to the kids, then Eve, "unless any of you know some places."
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Kai
The Mysterious Priest
Posts: 418
(7/21/05 21:24)
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Re: re: metasubject
Stephan offered the kids snack food. They, being kids, were enthused.
"Let's go there," Rendon said. "We've--"
"--never had those," Rilla finished quietly. Her brother looked over at her a moment and nodded.
Eve looked to Stephan and shrugged. "They seem satisfied with that. You want one?"
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FF Fanatic 80
Imposter Brit
Posts: 1653
(7/21/05 21:55)
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Re: re: metasubject
"Eh, sure." Stephan comments.
"...and maybe it'll help with the hangover..." he thinks to himself as he starts over, motioning for the others to follow.
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Magnus de Silentio
You Tazered bear!
Bear takes 1 damage.
Bear eats you!
Posts: 99
(7/21/05 22:01)
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Metasubject
Lym shuddered at every word Dawn said.
It wasn't that she was cold, exactly...although that didn't help. Lym had a problem with cold people -- cold women, honestly. But that wasn't it. He could be an asshole but it was more than his gender bullshit.
It was her arrogance, perhaps. She felt that she could do whatever she wanted. She was either a sociopath, or so contrarian that she thought she got to redefine the whole universe in her own terms. Really, now, there's moral relativism and there's using kids. But you could tell, you could tell she thought she was so perfectly justified, so fucking above it all. Treating him and his friends like barbarians while she made some random woman kill herself for her amusement. He was getting fucking pissed.
He felt like this meeting was reaching the end of its productivity. He checked, briefly, using his sense eye, on Eve and Stephan. He was a little surprised at what they were up to, but it wasn't a big deal. In fact...
He climbed onto his broom and started climbing. At two hundred feet, he began heading toward the meeting place. He would stop when he could, however faintly, make out the figures he was currently observing with his sense eye.
He opened a telepathic correspondence with Myrnal.
"This is Lym. I'm on my way. Sorry for the intrusion. Can you see anyone other than Dawn and Kei?"
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Kai
The Mysterious Priest
Posts: 419
(7/22/05 9:00)
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Re: Metasubject
Myrnal responded immediately. "Nope. Odds are if they were close enough to be an immediate problem, I'd be able to spot them. Though it is always possible that Dawn's backup may be doing exactly what I am and hiding until they're needed."
~~~~~
Rendon followed Stephan, while Rilla hung back a little closer to Eve as she brought up the end of the line of pretzel-bound psions. A few people hurriedly stepped out of Stephan's way but, for once, it wasn't for fear of him. They were wary of the two children following close behind him. Like Stephan, they didn't feel like being set ablaze today.
The merchant selling pretzels was largely unbothered. "Hello, sir. How many?"
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FF Fanatic 80
Imposter Brit
Posts: 1655
(7/22/05 10:26)
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Re: Metasubject
"Four." Stephan tells the man, "I'm assuming all these are the same?"
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Kai
The Mysterious Priest
Posts: 423
(7/22/05 12:22)
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Re: Metasubject
"Certainly. Unless you want some kind of condiment to put on it, they're pretty well uniform. If you've never had them before, I might recommend trying them plain first." The merchant reached under the counter of his cart and pulled out two pretzels in each hand. "That'll be two gil each, sir."
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FF Fanatic 80
Imposter Brit
Posts: 1656
(7/22/05 15:37)
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Re: Metasubject
Stephan nods to the man, fumbling about in his bag for the coins needed, then offering to pay.
Edited by: FF Fanatic 80 at: 7/22/05 15:38
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NebulaQueen
VACANT
Posts: 2879
(7/23/05 0:13)
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Re: re: metasubject
"So I see," she answered. "Is there anything else you'd like to say?"
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Magnus de Silentio
You Tazered bear!
Bear takes 1 damage.
Bear eats you!
Posts: 100
(7/23/05 1:11)
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metasubject
Lym sent a message back to Myrnal. "Okay. It's about to go down. If it's better for you to attack first, go ahead and do it when it looks right...if not, wait for me to start this...you'll know when."
He opened a line to Stephan, as well. "Ditch Eve with the kids. Don't even explain, just go. We're about to get into shit and I want her -- and those two kids -- as far away from this as possible. They're complications we don't need."
He waited to hear back from both of them, and he manifested Reddopsi. He needed all the protection he could get from this bitch.
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Kai
The Mysterious Priest
Posts: 426
(7/24/05 13:08)
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Re: metasubject
The merchant took the offered money with a smile and handed Stephan the pretzels in exchange for the coins. "Enjoy, sir."
Rendon reached for two of the snacks, one for him and one for his sister. The girl looked with curiosity at the food, peeking from around her brother.
Myrnal answered, "I guess since you're the man with the plan I'll wait for you. Either give me a cue or go ahead with what you need to do. I'm just in the shadow of the wall to Dawn and Kei's left when you need me." If Lym checks for the location she described, he'll find that if Myrnal is there, she's actually pretty damned close to the two, almost within earshot.
Dawn sighed softly. "It does not appear that there is anything more to say. I would like to thank you for the opportunity to converse with you. I really do find you and your friends extremely interesting, but circumstances prevent most forms of interaction at this point. I expect the next time we meet it will not be nearly as civil as this has been."
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FF Fanatic 80
Imposter Brit
Posts: 1657
(7/25/05 10:58)
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Re: metasubject
Stephan offered the two kids their pretzels, then the extra left over for Eve. As he went to take the first bite into his own pretzel, Lym's voice suddenly rang out in his head.
Ditch Eve with the kids. Don't even explain, just go. We're about to get into shit and I want her -- and those two kids -- as far away from this as possible. They're complications we don't need.
Someone may have spotted him hesitating to bite for a few seconds, as he processed what was just 'said'. Unfortunately for Lym, Stephan was not one to just take orders blindly, even from people he trusted. So he continued to chew and swallow down his food, as he thought the situation over a moment.
Despite her actions earlier to the contrary (in his opinion, anyway), Eve was not stupid. If he just ran off right now, she would know right away why he was doing it. So 'giving no excuse' would not cut it. He also didn't know what the hell was 'going down'. Did Dawn attack Kei? Did she order her children to attack something? If so, would that mean he'd be leaving Eve and this block of people at the mercy of two flame-tossing children?
But he didn't have time to think through every scenario. They obviously needed backup for something, no doubt about that. So he needed to get going and look into things. Question was... what excuse would cover it? Something that was at least 'somewhat' plausible...
Then it hit him. A long shot, but much more believable than asking Lym if he wanted pretzels.
"You know..." Stephan says between chews, "I think my travelling partner would like these, he's always interested in trying new food. You all mind if I go check with him real quick?"
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Archmage144 
Hyper-scientific Bishounen
Pharmacist Brian
Season III!
Posts: 3868
(7/25/05 12:33)
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Re: metasubject
As things stood, Lym's plan for dealing with the present situation could have been considered relatively solid. He had clearly thought through the options presented to him using the absolute peak of his knowledge, and Lym, being a highly proficient seer, had access to knowledge that a lot of people were simply unable to imagine. Dawn, no doubt, was a dangerous woman, and it was imperative that she be brought to justice, killed as quickly as possible to prevent whatever catastrophes allowing her to exist might cause. There was no flaw in this reasoning, and a well-formulated scheme of attack, under these particular circumstances, was about to take place.
However, fate was about to deal Lym a hand that no amount of precognition could have predicted. At least, no amount of his precognition.
Something was speeding through the air towards Lym, and while he was most definitely unable to see where the noise was coming from, there was an odd buzzing sound, a sound that was reminescent of a very large insect beating its wings in a fury. Without warning, the source of the noise materialized, becoming plainly visible, but still rocketing towards the seer.
The figure was close enough (and visible enough) that Lym's eyes alone were enough to discern its features. Racing towards him was a man dressed in a somewhat familiar-looking black overcoat, beating three sets of dragonfly-like wings as rapidly as possible to propel himself to Lym's altitude. The stranger's hair, oddly enough, seemed to be wholly unaffected by the physics of his flight--or by physics at all for that matter, as it swept up from his scalp in gravity-defying pale green spikes, and while Lym had more important things to worry about than the haircut of a strange man charging in his direction, there was no doubt that it was a potentially distracting feature.
As the man approached Lym's position, piercing steel-gray eyes fixed intently on the seer, he began to cry out. "Lyminali Eddress!" he shouted, "you never struck me as the kind of guy who would make the same mistake twice. In the interest of having a little...well...foresight...you might want to call off the attack!"
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Kai
The Mysterious Priest
Posts: 432
(7/25/05 12:47)
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Re: metasubject
"Of course," Eve replied. "Just..." she glanced briefly at the children standing together a few feet away. The twins were watching them both carefully but ate their pretzels without a word.
"Just try and get back here soon if you could." Eve took out two cigarettes and tucked one behind her ear. Lighting the other, she cast her gaze around her nervously at the surrounding crowds of people. "I'll hold down the fort here."
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FF Fanatic 80
Imposter Brit
Posts: 1658
(7/25/05 13:32)
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Re: metasubject
"Right, and if anyone tries to start anything, just lemme know." he tells Eve, before turning to the kids briefly, "I'll try to be quick."
And with that, he starts off in the direction of the Ivory Horn.
...at least, until he's out of sight of the group. Then he turns off, heading for the meeting place Kei agreed to.
"...you'd better know what the fuck you're doing kid, or Gods help us all..." Stephan thinks to himself, keeping an eye out for anything above the usual level of abnormal.
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Kai
The Mysterious Priest
Posts: 433
(7/25/05 15:22)
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clowns to the left of me
Everyone he saw around him appeared to be going about on relatively mundane business. Rendon and Rilla's little outburst hadn't disrupted the laws of supply and demand for very long, as plenty of people were shopping for all manner of things, from cooking supplies to clothing, weapons, and jewelry.
A woman and her son were walking a puppy down the side of the road, trying in vain to keep the animal away from any interesting objects or shrubbery he may have wished to mark as his own. A man in his later years was helping a much younger blonde put on a new jeweled necklace. Even as she smiled at her own companion, she eyed Stephan appraisingly when his path crossed hers. After Stephan had passed she went back to her ostentatious displays of affection and gratitude toward her gentleman friend. In short, nothing particularly unusual, and nothing Stephan hadn't seen before in every large city he'd ever been to... with one exception.
Before he arrived at the assigned meeting place, the only abnormal thing Stephan had the opportunity to observe was the presence of two airborne figures high above him and a short distance ahead of him. Both he and the two above him were going in the same general direction, and from any other angle Stephan probably wouldn't have noticed them. It was impossible to tell from Stephan's vantage point just what the two were doing, but at least one of the two was moving a good deal faster than the other, apparently in an effort to catch up.
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NebulaQueen
VACANT
Posts: 2884
(7/25/05 15:57)
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Re: metasubject
"Sometimes fate creates interesting circumstances," Kei said. "I suppose we will be seeing you again...whether the circumstances will be civil or not is something we have yet to see."
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FF Fanatic 80
Imposter Brit
Posts: 1660
(7/25/05 17:27)
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Re: clowns to the left of me
Stephan gazed up at the flying figures, cursing to himself and trying to see if he could recognize either of them as Lym.
"Well he's either chasing someone down... or running for his life. I just need to figure out which." he thinks to himself.
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Magnus de Silentio
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(7/25/05 19:27)
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Metasubject
Lym had no idea what the fuck was going on. He gaped openly. Worrying that Dawn would notice them, he started climbing higher, worrying what combat at this height might mean for him but considerably more worried about what premature discovery would do to Kei and Myrnal. He looked at the stranger and gestured upward as if to follow. Meanwhile, while he still had the lines open with Myrnal and Stephan, he sent them both a message.
Each message was Identical: "Hold. There is a complication. You can go for her if you wish, but I won't be able to help you, and it may be more dangerous than we thought."
"What the hell do you mean, who the fuck are you, and what are you doing?"
Meanwhile, he used hypercognition to find out something he needed to know, but of course couldn't ask. He asked himself and the universe and whatever it was that made this crazy power work: What unusual capabilities does the man in front of me have?
Meanwhile, the air grew thinner. The wind rushed through his hair and he was queasy. He hadn't been this high in quite some time. If he fell from here...he was toast.
He tried to look tough.
He hoped those fucked up kids weren't doing anything to Eve.
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Archmage144
Hyper-scientific Bishounen
Pharmacist Brian
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(7/25/05 22:54)
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Re: Metasubject
The stranger's wings buzzed rapidly as he attempted to come to a hover near Lym. "Great Lord Agnostic. I'm surprised you didn't just blast me out of the air, a crazy man darting through the sky toward you right when you were setting up some sort of complicated two-pronged attack." He paused briefly before grinning at Lym, displaying a set of very sharp fangs with a surprisingly casual expression.
"You're going to be glad you didn't," continued the flying figure. "Because while I don't really have time to explain at the moment how I know this, but attacking Dawn Valerian right now means suicide. For you, naturally. But more importantly...for the entire world."
As far as Lym's hypercognitive senses could tell, the man hovering nearby had no unusual abilities. But he was definitely an accomplished arcane spellcaster, at the very least. In addition, it was quite obvious that the man was not fully human--more precisely, that he was half-demon, half-incubus to be precise.
"I'm not going to hurt you. Quite the opposite, really. I'm here to save your ass, because I've got informational advantages that even a seer couldn't hope to have, no matter how strong his powers of hypercognition. You're famous for those, you know, but which would you prefer--well, you were. But it's not time for me to be talking in past tense just yet..."
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Magnus de Silentio
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(7/25/05 23:06)
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Onoes!!
Lym sighed heavily.
"This is why I think so little of killers in the first place. They think they can get shit done by knocking somebody off the face of the planet. But it's not that simple. It's never that simple. And I forgot that."
He turned his head sideways and regarded the strange man in front of him carefully. "I'm not saying I trust you, because I'd be a fucking moron to trust you, but... Well, I wasn't feeling too great about this whole plan anyway."
Before his lines with Myrnal and Stephan could naturally close, he sent them both a simple message: "Forget it. Let Dawn go. In fact, encourage it. Don't touch her. We meet at the inn."
He sent Kei the same message, and let Eve alone -- he knew how much she hated it when he used Correspondence.
"So, again, I ask: Who the fuck are you?"
He turned away from the man and started flying toward Eve, the children and their pretzel stand, motioning over his shoulder for the stranger to follow.
More than anything, he was immediately relieved to be losing some altitude.
Edited by: Magnus de Silentio at: 7/25/05 23:09
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Archmage144
Hyper-scientific Bishounen
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(7/25/05 23:29)
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Re: Onoes!!
The flying man cracked his neck noisily, insane hairstyle unaffected by either the sudden movement or the wind at the high altitude. "My name is James. I don't feel like repeating myself once for every one of you, but the basic gist of this is that I'm here to give you guys a hand, because I know exactly what's going to happen to you if you don't listen to me."
James's cocky, fangy grin hardened into a more grim expression. "I'll explain more when I can get everyone together. But what you need to know now is that Dawn is more dangerous than you previously imagined. And Eve is far, far more important than you initially thought. Because if you lose that girl's trust, it's going to mean the end of the world. And I mean that quite literally."
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Magnus de Silentio
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(7/25/05 23:38)
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Re: Onoes!!
Lym wore a bittersweet smile. "Not to mention that it would make me feel like a huge piece of shit..."
He continued his descent. They could have vaguely made out the pretzel stand, if they knew exactly where to look. Lym checked it with his sense eye briefly, just to make sure they were still there. Lym was visibly relaxing, as if a whole week of stress were melting off of him. He had really worked himself up. Eventually he would be disappointed that he hadn't managed to engage Dawn, in spite of whatever apocalyptic implications it might have had, but for now he was relieved that there hadn't been combat -- and that he didn't have to worry about what Eve thought of his actions for a little while longer.
"You have my interest, James. If you'll follow me, we can gather everybody else together fairly soon...of course, Kei and Myrnal have to wait for Dawn to leave, but I think that should be happening soon.
"I have to ask -- are your wings a part of your, mm, unique heritage?"
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Archmage144
Hyper-scientific Bishounen
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(7/26/05 0:15)
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Re: Onoes!!
Shedding his serious demeanor, the half-incubus resumed his former grin. "Yeah. It comes with the territory. Half-incubus, you see." He grinned even wider than before, displaying a mouth filled with unusually sharp fangs--if he really wanted to, it seemed that James could give a vampire a run for his money. "I have to say that my father definitely couldn't have picked better as far as breeding selection goes. But I'm not here to discuss that right now, though I might explain it later if it really becomes necessary to prove that I'm on your side."
Running his hands through his hair, James winced a little. It was obvious to Lym that hovering was not something he enjoyed doing for long periods of time. "But I've gotta warn you about something. If I tell you that I'm not allowed to talk about something, there's a reason for it. And I'll explain that, too, as soon as we get on the ground. It'll make sense. Trust me...it's for your own good. And the sake of the future."
"You wouldn't want to endanger the future, now would you?" added James, somewhat facetiously.
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Magnus de Silentio
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(7/26/05 0:21)
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Re: Onoes!!
Lym chuckled.
"You're Hakaril's son. And you're the one my hypercognition showed to be behind the recent time anomalies. It's the only thing that makes sense. Is that something I shouldn't tell people? This whole time travel thing is beyond my abilities. I tried to read a book on the subject and failed pretty miserably -- just ended up with a terrible headache.
"As for the future, I wouldn't want to endanger any good ones. So is it good?"
As he said the word good, Lym (and presumably James) set down. They were about twenty feet away from the pretzel cart. He could see Eve's backside and the children with her.
She looks sweet with them, like that.
Of course, I think I like her better sucking down booze and cigars than bouncing babies, but, still. Awww.
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Archmage144
Hyper-scientific Bishounen
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(7/26/05 1:07)
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Re: Onoes!!
"You can tell them," responded James. "I was going to tell them that myself." He paused momentarily, apparently thinking about something. "Telling people you're from the future has this very impressive ring to it, you know. How the hell could I pass that up?" He burst into peals of laughter, forgetting, apparently, that he was here both to deliver a message to prevent an apocalypse.
The half-incubus winked. "So, you already knew I was here, did you? And you're right about at least one thing--I'm James Silvar, son of General Hakaril Silvar. For better or for worse." He shrugged. "That's not important, though. My father is completely irrelevant in all respects. He can't know that I'm here, or paradoxes that even I don't understand will result."
Scratching his nose briefly, the time traveller appeared to be searching for an appropriate metaphor to describe his situation. He frowned thoughtfully as he apparently failed to find one, shrugged again, and gave Lym a very wry grin.
"Suppose you decided you wanted to have kids, so you had kids, but then one day your kids from twenty years in the future showed up, and you didn't like how they turned out, so you decided not to have kids, so you never met your kids from the future, so they never got to come back and piss you off, so you decided...yeah. No matter how you slice it, you wind up with an endless, impossible loop. I'm risking, as I understand it, the entire collapse of the space-time continuum by coming here. On the other hand, the known world is already shot to hell and back, so it's not like I'm going to miss it at this rate." James shook his head. "Then again, one scholar I was talking to told me I was risking nothing, because every timeline unfolds simultaneously and concurrently."
"I have come to firmly believe," concluded the sorcerer, "that anyone who spends their life studying time should have their head examined. With a drill. Because I have to doubt that their skulls actually contain brains."
Edited by: Archmage144 at: 7/26/05 1:10
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Magnus de Silentio
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(7/26/05 1:18)
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Re: Onoes!!
Lym scowled and rubbed his forehead. "That makes sense...I guess."
He rubbed his eyes. "Now I'm having flashbacks to that fucking book. There were whole chapters describing the precise situation you're talking about, and you'd be amazed how long a sentence can go on when its ends must perfectly negate its beginnings.
"Anyway, I won't say anything to Hak. Of course, he's currently investigating the anomalies you've caused with a time mage buddy of his, so, um. I guess you've been warned. Not that I think they'll make much headway on the subject.
"Anyway, here's Eve. Those are a couple of Dawn's kids, if you didn't know. They seem to be behaving. Why don't we say hello?"
He walked up to the pretzel cart, stood directly behind Eve, and said, "Guess who." As he did so, he caught the older boy's eye and winked conspiratorially.
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FF Fanatic 80
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(7/26/05 9:34)
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 Because I can't help myself =[
"...for fuck's sake." Stephan says aloud, after 'hearing' Lym's previous message. Since Lym and the other figure were close enough to speak to one another, yet he didn't asked for shit blown out of the sky, Stephan figured there was no immediate danger. Whoever this other person was, must have known something about Dawn. And from Lym's tone, even the 'psychic' was taken aback by something about the stranger.
Whatever was going on, he'd find out soon enough. For now, he headed back to the pretzel cart as quick as he could, trying to think of an excuse for Midoku not wanting a pretzel.
~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~
Midoku was still lying down in his room, passing time by reading a worn tomb with the title "Transmutation and the Human Body."
It was a book Hakaril suggested to him years ago. A time when the yet-to-be Doman General first helped him study magic, learning there was more to it than slinging bursts of energy around. Study was something Midoku had limited opportunity to do, prior to coming to Doma, and he wanted to learn as much as he could. And still does, to this day.
But after all these years, this would make his fourth attempt at reading this tomb. There were fairly advanced theories within, something his lack of formal magical training made difficult to comprehend. Still, he found with each reading, he understood things a little better. Perhaps this time, he would finally comprehend all of it.
...But his current train of though, a theory on the psychological after-effects of taking animal form several times in the same day, was interrupted by a loud rumble from his stomach.
"...Goodness, I suppose I could go for something to eat soon." he comments, flipping a page to continue reading the theory, "Hmm... perhaps later, I should stop by that cart with the oddly twisted pastry we passed the other day..."
Edited by: FF Fanatic 80 at: 7/26/05 10:28
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Kai
The Mysterious Priest
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(7/26/05 13:50)
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jokers to my right
Gesturing with both hands (one of which, predictably, had a cigarette in it), Eve was whispering animatedly to the twins when Lym and James touched down behind her. Rendon and Rilla looked unconvinced by whatever it was Eve was saying. When Rendon noticed the two men approaching, he tightened his grip on Rilla's hand.
Eve, at the sound of Lym's voice, whirled around to face him. "Lym!" A bright smile spread across her face. She was more than happy to see him, she looked relieved. "What are you doing here? I thought you were... you know. What happened?"
Now seeing not only Lym and James approach, but Stephan as well, Rendon and Rilla began backing away from the group. A large crowd of people they barely knew was apparently not their favorite social arrangement.
~~~~~
Dawn nodded. "Most certainly." The telepath looked around her with an expression of subdued amusement. She started to speak, and then suddenly stopped herself as if something had suddenly occurred to her. She smiled thinly. "It has, however, been a pleasure. If you'll forgive my sudden exit, I do have other matters to address tonight, and I had best be on my way."
At which point, Dawn pulled a green headband out of an inside pocket of her robe. Tying it around her head, she teleported before she'd even finished the knot. Kei was left alone, at least as far as she could tell.
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FF Fanatic 80
Imposter Brit
Posts: 1665
(7/26/05 14:12)
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Re: jokers to my right
What a situation to walk in on.
On one side, he had Eve, Lym and... he wasn't sure who the hell that bloke was. From the wings, he guessed the man was a demon or part-demon of some kind. And... he wasn't sure why, but something seemed oddly familiar about the man. Which he hoped to hell didn't involve him being drunk back in the day.
On the other side, the two kids were backing off away from them, probably due to Lym and his new 'friend' popping in out of nowhere. There went all the attempts to earn their trust. Unless he did something fast.
So he head over toward the kids. Once close enough, he stopped short so they could hear him, but not so close they'd assume he was trying to snatch them. At least he hoped.
"Sorry about them showing up, I ran into 'em while trying to check with my partner, about those pretzels." he started to explain to the kids, "I guess something's going on, so we're going to talk it over at the Ivory Horn. Sorry to cut the pretzel time short there."
He turns and starts to walk off, then stops and turns back to the kids again.
"But if you do need anything, feel free to stop by there, and ask for Eve or me."
He decides to give them a moment to respond, before leaving this time.
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Kai
The Mysterious Priest
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(7/26/05 16:41)
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here I am
The kids tensed at his approach, but didn't move any further away, mostly because they'd already talked to him. If Lym or James had wanted their attention, the response might have been less encouraging.
When he invited them to stop by, Rilla's glance darted from Stephan to Eve and finally, to James. She squeezed her brother's hand, and Rendon was, as usual, the one to answer Stephan. "At the Ivory Horn," he said curtly. "Got it. And thanks for the snack. I'll tell Joss you said hi."
With little more than a nod after that, the two broke into a run and disappeared into the crowd.
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FF Fanatic 80
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(7/26/05 16:56)
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Re: here I am
"...hope I'm not making a mistake here..." Stephan thinks to himself. Then he turns to return to the group, his expression making it obvious he's upset about something.
"...so, would you mind explaining exactly what the fuck is going on now?" he asks Lym and his new-found flying buddy.
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NebulaQueen
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(7/26/05 19:01)
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Re: here I am
Kei just shook her head. There was nothing she could do; Dawn was gone, and besides, there was also Lym's warning.
I wonder what's going on...
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Kai
The Mysterious Priest
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(7/26/05 19:16)
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Re: here I am
Kei heard a low whistle from away to her left. "Shit," said a female voice.
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Magnus de Silentio
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(7/26/05 19:23)
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Metasubject
Lym watched the kids run off with an expression of mild disappointment. "It would have been nice if we could have talked to them a little while...I get nervous every time her brats are out of my sight. Anyway, I told Kei and Myrnal we'd be at the Horn, so we should probably be on our way...let's walk while we talk."
Lym smiled charmingly at the group, offered Eve his arm, and started walking. "Everybody, this is James. James, this is everybody. He's going to explain to us, once we're at the bar and drunk enough to hear this kind of nonsense, how attacking Dawn just now would have literally meant the end of the world."
He laughed nervously. "Eve, got a smoke you won't mind losing?
"Anyway... I'll leave him to explain as he sees fit, but for the moment I'll say that I have a good reason to lend him a little trust."
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Kai
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(7/26/05 19:44)
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stuck in the middle with you
Eve moved her own cigarette to her right hand and took out another. She wrapped the arm around his and with a pointed glance to the seer, she put his cigarette in her mouth and held it between her lips as she lit it. Casually removing it with her left hand, she handed it to Lym.
"So, I think Stephan's 'what the fuck' was pretty justified," she began. "Lym... what the fuck?"
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Magnus de Silentio
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(7/26/05 20:45)
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metasubject
Lym grinned at Eve as cutely as he could, sucked gently on the cigarette, pretended to roll the smoke around on the tip of his tongue, and then slowly let it out.
"Like I said. James is going to explain. I don't really know much at this point anyway, except that he's from..."
He trailed off here, pointing to James as if to indicate it was his line now.
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NebulaQueen
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(7/26/05 23:09)
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Re: metasubject
Kei yelped, and jumped back. Her nerves were so taut from her conversation with Dawn, it was like they could snap at any moment. Quickly, she turned around to see who it was.
Edited by: NebulaQueen at: 7/27/05 0:10
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Kai
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(7/26/05 23:25)
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Re: metasubject
She turned to face a black-clad young woman. Myrnal threw her hands up to show Kei that they were empty.
"Sorry I was watching you. I got the impression that it would be best if you didn't know, but just the same."
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NebulaQueen
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(7/27/05 0:13)
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Re: metasubject
As she saw Myrnal, she let out a sigh of relief. "I see..." she said, not moving her eyes off of her. "What is the matter?"
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Kai
The Mysterious Priest
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(7/27/05 0:18)
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Re: metasubject
Myrnal shrugged. "Just... her. I'm remembering why she turned me off before. She's cute, but I get the impression that if she lifted that skirt the air around her would chill considerably. Frigid as shit, isn't she?"
She bent to dust off the knees of her uniform. "So. Have a fun conversation or what?"
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NebulaQueen
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(7/27/05 0:42)
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Re: metasubject
Kei just cleared her throat, and ignored Myrnal's thoughts on Dawn's...unique sense of closeness and compassion.
"Fun would not be the word to describe it," Kei said. "But I am alive, and we have some more information. A pity I could not find a way for her to reveal where she and the children are staying, though."
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Kai
The Mysterious Priest
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(7/27/05 0:49)
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Re: metasubject
"Eh. It happens. She'll turn up eventually. She's not exactly inconspicuous. Green-haired young lady with an army of firestarting children. She'll be noticed somewhere." Myrnal tucked her hair behind her ear. "So. Did you hear Lyminali? Ought to head back. Boss's orders," she said with a sarcastic grin.
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NebulaQueen
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(7/27/05 0:54)
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Re: metasubject
"I heard him. Did he tell you to leave Dawn alone as well?"
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Kai
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(7/27/05 0:57)
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Re: metasubject
"Yup," Myrnal replied. "So, whatever. We go back, have a go another time." Myrnal headed for the gates, making good on her statement and going back to the inn. She turned around to face Kei. "You coming?"
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Archmage144
Hyper-scientific Bishounen
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(7/27/05 0:57)
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Re: metasubject
"To put it bluntly," finished James, "I'm from tomorrow. Except that it's not tomorrow, it's more like a couple thousand tomorrows." He glanced around, checking to see who might be listening to his conversation, and flicked his wings daintily, giving him an insolent air. "Ordinarily, I'd be worried that this information be confidential and whatnot, but I don't think any of these people give a damn, and somehow, I doubt they'd believe it anyway, even if they were listening."
The half-incubus raised an eyebrow. "So. Eva Valerian and Stephan Hyral, right? That means we're still missing Myrnal Shalienza and that Kei fellow." Scratching the end of his nose idly, he appeared to be mulling the situation over. "Yeah, you know the important stuff for the moment. I'm going to wait on the two of them before I get into the heavy details."
"However," continued James, "the important parts as far as you need to know right now are as follows. I just saved all of your lives. I really didn't want to see you go off and make vain sacrifices in an attempt to save the world, because the great irony of it all is that...well, the best laid plans, you know?" He grinned a little, in spite of himself. Although James had stated that he was here to help save the world, anyone watching would have the right to assume that he found his apparent mission somewhat amusing by his whimsical attitude--it was almost as if he didn't care about the people he was conversing with, or the fate of the world, for that matter. Or perhaps it was just his way of coping with the situation, cracking wry jokes and laughing at death. Either way, James's sense of humor was potentially a little unsettling.
"If I were human," he noted, "I might suggest that the world where I'm from has gone to hell. But that would be misguided and foolish." He paused momentarily for effect. "I've been to hell to visit my relatives, and I daresay it's quite the pleasant vacation compared to the rest of Igala."
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NebulaQueen
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(7/27/05 1:02)
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Re: metasubject
"Of course," she said, before going to catch up with Myrnal.
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Kai
The Mysterious Priest
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(7/27/05 1:09)
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Re: metasubject
Kei and Myrnal made their way back to the Ivory Horn, presumably to figure out what the hell Lym had been talking about. Why he'd called them off and what they were supposed to do next.
Myrnal walked in the door and stood just inside the doorframe, not sitting down, but waiting for someone else to say the first word, throw the first blow, anything really. Just... do something.
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NebulaQueen
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(7/27/05 1:14)
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Re: metasubject
Kei walked in, and scanned the tables for any sign of their companions.
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Magnus de Silentio
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(7/27/05 1:23)
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metasubject
Lym reclined in a booth at the bar, sucking slowly on his (Eve's) cigarette and waiting for the drink he'd ordered. When he saw Kei enter, he waved her over.
"First of all, guys, I'm sorry for sending out so many mixed signals. I'm sure Stephan here was confused, and I know you're surprised, Eve...and Myrnal, I nearly fucked everything up with you, so I'm glad you waited. We've gathered more information through Kei's efforts than I honestly expected, so I'm glad for that too. Thanks, Kei."
"So, a couple of remarks to open the discussion.
"For those of you who haven't met him already, this is James. He's from the future. He says the world would have gone to shit if we fought Dawn just now, so we should be glad that we didn't. I believe him for a number of Seerly reasons. Anyway. Here are some thoughts I have. Feel free to address them in the order that makes sense.
"One: James, being from the future is awesome. Good job on that.
"Two: What in the fucking fuck do you mean the world would have ended?
"Three: You said I was famous for my powers in the future. I am curious about that! How does that work if I fuck up and the world is dead?
"Four: Tell me about Igala as something worse then Hell."
Edited by: Magnus de Silentio at: 7/27/05 1:28
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NebulaQueen
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(7/27/05 1:38)
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Re: metasubject
"Wait a moment," Kei said. "How did this all happen?"
Those looking will notice that the Nekojin has a very confused look on her face, with just a tinge of frustration mixed in.
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Archmage144
Hyper-scientific Bishounen
Pharmacist Brian
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(7/27/05 2:22)
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Re: metasubject
"Firstly," James began with a stern expression, "I would like to note that hell is quite pleasant, assuming one observes all the proper rules and regulations. Generally speaking, that means not being an idiot. If you show respect to the right people, don't touch anything you're not supposed to, and are otherwise courteous, it's not such a bad place to be. You wouldn't want to be there very long if you pissed off anyone with any power whatsoever, but otherwise, everything is likely to be remarkably nice. Just kick someone's ass the first day and all the fodder will leave you alone."
Having gotten the serious part of his little speech out of the way, James relaxed a little and grinned again, proudly displaying his fangs as usual. Some time in the future, in a time when medicine was a much more advanced and rigorous process involving complicated insurance claims and long waits where patients had nothing to do but read magazines, a thousand dental health care professionals would be simultaneously weeping with tears of joy if they pried open James's jaw.
Unfortunately, James was not from a future that far off.
To the benefit of everyone else in the room, this meant that he had one less thing to brag about.
"Anyway, I mentioned the end of the world. I was exaggerating, somewhat, but the amount by which I was not exaggerating is remarkable, in any case." He cleared his throat, glancing around the bar and lowering his voice a little. "If you had attacked Dawn, you would have wound up, as far as history where I'm from states, dead. All of you died fighting her, in one way or another. Maybe not today, but soon afterwards, because as soon as she marked you as a threat, she hunted you all down and had you killed."
"That," he continued, "is not the important part." He paused thoughtfully. "Telling the important part is going to require a drink."
Turning towards the bartender, James motioned for his attention and procured himself a glass of Rivan whiskey, tossing a few coins idly across the counter. He sipped at the beverage, clicked his tongue in appreciation, and surveyed his audience. "You, Lym, are quite the seer. It's apparent. And you foresaw a little bit of what wound up happening, but the unfortunate fact of the matter is that you were wrong about a lot of other things. Good try, though. I applaud your efforts." He sipped at his whiskey again and nodded, raising his glass as if toasting.
"Anyway," continued James, "you're all somewhat famous where I'm from, mostly because my father won't shut up about your noble sacrifices. Unfortunately," he said with a disturbed frown, "some sacrifices are worth considerably more than others." He sighed, as if he wasn't looking forward to talking about the next part. "I'm a little worried about bringing about a paradox by telling you this, but I haven't got any choice now. If I stop talking to you, and disappear, and you never get my message because the world isn't destroyed and there's no desperation to send a messenger back into the past, and...oh, fuck it. Things can't get much worse."
"Dawn is working to resurrect her old master, Elaith Thenswick. What attracted her to serve him is somewhat unclear, but she's quite the bitch in her own way, so I find it hardly surprising. Anyway. At this point, the vast majority of people are uncertain as to what it took to resurrect him, but I know." Flicking his wings again to punctuate his sentence, James twitched visibly, possibly somewhat irritated by an old memory. "My father told me that he was involved in the fight against Elaith when he went hunting for the Orbs of Dragonkind. He said that when Elaith died, he was claimed as the property of Reshtaha, the god of death, as he was a distant blood relative. Not much deific power in him, comparatively speaking, but enough to make him a very impressive necromancer. It ran in the family, so to speak." He sipped at his drink again, approving. "I haven't had good Rivan whiskey in forever. There aren't any fields in Riva to grow the grain to make it in my time."
Shifting positions in his chair, the traveller continued his story. "Anyway, needless to say, it's somewhat difficult to retrive a soul that's been directly claimed by the god of death. Forget about standard resurrection magic, no matter how powerful the healer. My father theorized that Dawn's desire to bring Elaith back might have been so strong that she would have sacrificed anything to achieve that goal." Scratching his head, James's expression twisted into grimace that betrayed a hint of confusion. "And his theory was that she sacrified herself."
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Magnus de Silentio
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(7/27/05 2:32)
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Re: metasubject
"I'm a little confused, here. I can see that killing her would bring the necromancer and therefor basically the end of the world if she somehow made her death a sacrifice. But that's not what you're saying happened. You're saying that in your timeline, she kills us and THEN possibly sacrifices herself.
"Are you working on the assumption that, had we lived, we might have been able to do something about it later on, or what?"
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Archmage144
Hyper-scientific Bishounen
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(7/27/05 2:56)
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Re: metasubject
"There is one problem with the theory, as it stands." James paused again, likely for dramatic effect, a habit that many people found irritating. "In my time, Dawn is still alive. Which is why the theory is a bit more complicated. It is the prevalent theory, I might add, but that is most likely because it's the only theory, as far as I know."
He shook his head. "My father did a bit of research regarding psionics--it intensified after Dawn's rise, because he wanted to know what she was capable of in the interest of defeating her. I've done my own research, as well, and it's been very thorough despite limited resources." James turned to focus his attention on Eve. "No, the complete part of the theory...everyone wait for the paradox...is that she sacrificed you."
"More accurately," he continued, "you volunteered to be sacrificed. I don't know why. No one does, honestly, and no one knows what it was that made you so special, but the god of death relinquished his grip on Elaith's soul and brought him back, as powerful as ever." He paused again, as if waiting for some sort of response from the cosmos. "Well. No paradox yet. I'm still here, as far as I know. Maybe the scholars were wrong, or maybe it's just waiting to pounce on me. The universe smacking me upside the head for disrupting all natural order is inevitable. We think. I could be wrong. I desperately hope so."
Furrowing his brow thoughtfully, James resumed his discussion of important events. "History breaks down at a point. There's very little record fo what happened, but I lived through most of it, so I remember. Scholars debate with historians about what really transpired while they all hide in caves living off moss like drow frontier settlers. It's disgusting how much time is spent discussing 'what happened' instead of fighting, but the war's basically over. We're just living through the aftermath."
"My father had an idea. He and my godfather, Darin Prentiss, teamed up with the remnants of Gunnir's loyal staff--those that still resisted--and performed a ritual spell that would send me back in time, using Darin's powers as the primary focus for the spell. I don't actually know whether he survived the casting." James sighed heavily, showing remorse for the first time during his little speech. "But that won't matter if my mission succeeds. I'm here to make sure the same mistakes aren't made twice. My father would have come himself, but he felt the risk of meeting himself was too great, so he sent me, because I have yet to be born in this time."
"And that," finished James, "effectively concludes my little informational briefing, unless there are further questions." He drained the rest of his whiskey, motioning to the bartender for a refill.
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Kai
The Mysterious Priest
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(7/27/05 7:54)
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Re: metasubject
Eve stared at James for quite a while, managing to blink only once in the span of several long seconds. She slowly shifted her gaze down to the table in front of her, and her breathing became slightly irregular as she thought about what James had just told her.
"She sacrificed herself... but she's still alive," she began haltingly. "...but I'm the one who died..." By her words it would seem that Eve was sorting out the theories, trying to figure out where she fit in. By her expression it was plain that she already knew.
"...are you sure?"
Edited by: Kai at: 7/27/05 8:18
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FF Fanatic 80
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(7/27/05 9:39)
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Re: metasubject
Stephan felt numb.
Even with all the questions and theories going on his mind, they were all suppressed by one single thought.
"...I died... I... I failed him... I... I left him all alone..."
The end of their world, everything and everyone they knew gone, was looming before them.
Yet, all he could think about was the man reading a book upstairs.
"...maybe I should stop... tell them I'm out." he thinks, "Maybe then I'd have *some* chance of keeping him safe, keeping Dan and his family Ok.. someone..."
Almost immediately though, another voice entered his thoughts, something that tended to happen when he thought of things like this.
"...You know as well as I do, that simply protecting my life will do the world no good." he imagined Midoku telling him, "What good would only protecting myself, or Daniel, or our other friends do, if we no longer have a world worth living in?"
"...but I can't lose you, I don't... I don't know if I can live with myself if..." he thought of himself replying.
"You can, and you will. Because I have always told you such. he imagines Midoku responding, "No matter what happens to me, there will be things more important than my life. This is one of those times. Please remember that, the fate of our world is more important than my own..."
Stephan seemed lost in thought for a good while, but eventually came out of it, just as James finished explaining Eve's role in the future. He couldn't say he was entirely shocked. If Dawn was willing to use a bunch of kids as pawns, he figured that would extend to just about anyone else as well. That is... unless there was something Eve wasn't telling anyone.
"So, if I'm following this conversation correctly. We need to figure out where and when Dawn tries to bring this bloke back, and make sure it doesn't happen?" he then turns to James with a suspicious look, "Or is there more 'fun' about the future you haven't told us yet?"
Something about the guy still nagged at the swordmage. From the man's story, he figured James must be related to someone Stephan knew currently. The question was, who? He gave this some thought, as he waited for James' answer.
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Magnus de Silentio
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(7/27/05 11:13)
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scawy
Lym shivered. He turned pale -- or rather, a bit more pale. What had previously been almost fun was now a terrible, terrible conversation.
He rubbed his eyes and scratched slowly down his face, a rather elaborate and unsettling nervous gesture.
"Eve. We can talk about it somewhere else, if needs be...but why would you do that? Why would you fucking do that?"
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Archmage144
Hyper-scientific Bishounen
Pharmacist Brian
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(7/27/05 13:45)
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Re: metasubject
At this point, James was working on his third glass of whiskey, but remarkably, he was showing little to no signs of even mild intoxication. He blinked at Eve, frowned, and shook his head in response. "My father's understanding of the situation is...was...will be...that it would take quite a sacrifice to attract the attention of the god of death. Hypothetically speaking, he gets you in the end anyway. If there were ever a deity with patience, he'd be it. So if you're going to trade one life for another, it would take a sacrifice of considerable value."
"Historically speaking," noted James, "whenever some great and powerful fiend could not be resurrected by mortal means, it required a lot of energy to overcome the boundaries set by the gods. Assuming in any case that it's possible to resurrect the person in question, the effort involved is astronomical." He drank deeply at his glass, draining the amber liquid and wiping his mouth idly. "In this particular case, the theory is that no number of slaughtered peasants or cases of psionic arson would do the trick. What might work, then, would be for Dawn to sacrifice herself...or someone who had a lot in common with her."
Scratching his head, James ran his fingers through his hair, a mannerism which oddly failed to disrupt its continued disrespect for gravity. "If Elaith had any subordinates that were particularly dedicated--a description which Dawn seems to fit, since she's still fighting for him and he's been dead for a couple of months now, if I recall the current date correctly--well, that might get Reshtaha's attention. She can't have actually sacrificed herself, so she obviously found another way. The closest thing to sacrificing herself would be sacrificing a family member, or so it's been reasoned."
"There's an odd twist to that, I might add," James continued with a smirk. "If Eve is valuable to Reshtaha, then Eve is valuable to Dawn. Which means, deep down, she might actually care about you." He strained to keep a straight face, failed miserably, and laughed raucously at the very idea of Dawn showing compassion for another human being.
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FF Fanatic 80
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(7/27/05 14:23)
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Re: metasubject
"...so she's just using Eve like a knock at a door." Stephan somewhat-absentmindedly speculates aloud, "...bloody wonderful family there."
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Archmage144
Hyper-scientific Bishounen
Pharmacist Brian
Season III!
Posts: 3879
(7/27/05 15:19)
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Re: metasubject
"It's just a theory," cautioned James, "but I'm not willing to test it--or let Dawn test it. That's why I'm here, among other reasons. I came to warn you, because having a little bit of foreknowledge about the situation at hand might just be enough to save the future."
He glanced around the bar, an almost puzzled expression on his face. "Still waiting for that paradox. Whatever. Maybe all those scholars were wrong, after all. I guess it's pointless to live in fear of a cosmic backhand. Not that I actually care," added James, working on his fourth drink.
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Magnus de Silentio
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(7/27/05 19:28)
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grasping at horrific straws
Lym had a profound sinking feeling in his gut.
What he's saying doesn't add up. It just doesn't quite work. We're missing something here.
He still wanted to hear Eve's answer, but to be honest, he didn't trust it. While he waited, he hypercognated.
Why would Eve allow Dawn to sacrifice her to the death God?
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Kai
The Mysterious Priest
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(7/28/05 9:39)
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Re: grasping at horrific straws
Eve's face was tight with anger. "James," she said quietly. "You're wrong. She can sacrifice herself. And me."
Lym's answer came as Eve spoke. Eve wouldn't do it. At least, not the Eve he knew.
Eve addressed the others for a moment. "I know psionic powers aren't really common knowledge, not even as much as magic. There's a power that..." She trailed off and covered her face briefly with her hands. "It lets you turn someone else into you, or mostly into you. Manifest it on someone and they take on your personality, your memories, even your powers. After about a week, there's nothing anyone can do to fix it. No way to erase it or reverse it. It's permanent. I would..." She took a deep breath. "...effectively cease to exist. I'm almost certain she has access to it. Sounds just like her."
She swallowed hard and looked down at the table again, torn between holding back tears and breaking the innocent piece of furniture into very small wooden bits.
"So, James. That sound about right? That illuminate any interesting aspects of your history?"
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Magnus de Silentio
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(7/28/05 9:45)
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arr
"Mind Seed," said Lym.
"Shit. I thought of that, but...
"But even she wouldn't, would she?"
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FF Fanatic 80
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(7/28/05 10:12)
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Re: arr
"Apparently, she would." Stephan interjects, "Come on, after all this shit, does this really surprise you?"
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Magnus de Silentio
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(7/28/05 10:25)
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arr
Lym frowned and resisted the urge to squeeze Eve, to clutch her hand or shoulder or knee. That wasn't what she needed right now, him getting all possessive and man-ish on her.
"Well, maybe it shouldn't, but I was under the mistaken impression that there was at least the slightest bit of decency in Dawn where her sister was concerned. Actually Mind Seed was my first thought, but, I thought that was a little too disgusting, even for her. As far as I'm concerned, every psionic with that fucking ability ought to be lined up and gutted.
"If anybody now doubts now what I've been saying all along, well, let's just say I'm severely disappointed in you. What we need is a plan. First of all, Eve, I don't want you going anywhere without three protection from evil potions. That is literally the next place we are going when that conversation is over. Secondly, does anyone in this room know a psionic who might have the abilities of psychic chirurgery or reality revision? 'cause we may need them. And I don't have them.
"Thirdly...what the fuck are we going to do if attempts to kill her work out so poorly?"
He reached into his sack and checked to make sure he'd have the money he needed.
It was enough.
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Kai
The Mysterious Priest
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(7/28/05 10:46)
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Re: arr
Myrnal stepped away from the wall and approached the table for the first time in the whole conversation. "If we can't kill Dawn, not now at least... there are others. We can get rid of the people helping her." She winced a little. "You know who I mean. If it's got to be 'kill first, feel bad later' then I think we're just going to have to be ready for plenty of both."
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Magnus de Silentio
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(7/28/05 10:50)
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arr
Lym shivered visibly.
"I guess we could...do that. We were pretty sure we'd have to earlier. But wouldn't that just end up the same way?"
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Archmage144
Hyper-scientific Bishounen
Pharmacist Brian
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(7/28/05 14:49)
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Re: grasping at horrific straws
James raised an eyebrow approvingly. "It certainly makes a lot of sense, and in a way, it completely validates my father's theory. The man is right entirely too often for his own good, but now is not the time to be complaining." He scratched his neck and looked from Eve to Lym and back again. "So, we know what she's going to do. All we have to do is make sure it doesn't happen. And I guarantee you it'll be easier to kill her in this time than it would be in mine. She's considerably stronger, last I checked, than she is now."
"Not to mention," added the half-incubus, "that killing her in my time would be pointless, anyway. The world's pretty much past it as far as I'm concerned. We'd be better off preventing that future in any way possible and hope that it actually works. I'm starting to think," he said with a smirk, "that those time scholars really have no idea what they're talking about, and now there's a little bit of empirical data to back up my opinion."
"So. Dawn has people helping her? When do we start slitting their throats?"
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pd Rydia 
Sister Peaceful Sharpened
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(7/29/05 0:55)
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Account thievery for fun and profit
"St-students," Kei answered, trying to keep her composure. "Children that she's decided to train, children who did not have a good life and could be easily...conditioned." She paused, trying to form her next statement. "This is not just her powers taking control of them, I think. This is true loyalty."
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Magnus de Silentio
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(7/29/05 1:22)
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Re: Account thievery for fun and profit
Lym sighed deeply. He was getting pretty tired of what passed for morality in this neck of the woods.
"Philosophically speaking, though, what's the important difference? A power is just a particularly potent skill that talented people have at their disposal. But 'good old fashioned' manipulation is another talent.
"In either case, it's something a dishonest person can use to hold someone else under her power. Their loyalty may be 'true' in the sense that it came from slow, subtle external stimuli rather than a single, powerful external stimulus, but if slowness and subtlety are the difference between truth and lies, well, let's just say I'm pretty sure they're not.
"In any case, if we think it's right to kill these kids for something they would do under the influence of psionics, then it must also be right to kill them if they aren't. This moves the line for killing pretty far from where your average cutthroat is accustomed to finding it, but I'm comfortable with that.
"And it's going to occasionally put people you aren't comfortable killing on the other side of the line, but I can live with that too.
"The question is, with this in mind, do the kids deserve to be killed, psionics or no? Or do we need to find another solution?"
Edited by: Magnus de Silentio at: 7/29/05 1:33
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Archmage144
Hyper-scientific Bishounen
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(7/29/05 13:23)
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Re: Account thievery for fun and profit
"Well, here's how I see it," responded James, raising an eyebrow as if confused as to what the moral quandry was in this situation. "Where I come from, a lot of people are dead, a lot of land is destroyed, and about three-fourths of the world's population, as far as I know, is walking around despite being dead."
"I don't know exactly what Dawn would be like as the ruler of the world," he added, "but Elaith seemed to have very little interest in having a large body of living followers. He gave Gunnir a choice--join him in life, or join him in death. But he found most of the rest of Igala beneath him. So I'm not willing to take any chances as far as preventing his resurrection goes, because there won't be any mercy for anyone--including the children."
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