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| − | * - Back to [[GoldenCat/ThirdMovement|Third Movement]]
| + | #REDIRECT ADanceOfAngels |
| − | * - Back to [[GoldenCat/DanceOfAngels|A Dance of Angels]]
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| − | == Refuge of Iron and Hope ==
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| − | It is sunset as they get close to the foot of the Snow Owl resting.
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| − | Beneath the dark clouds and the smoke, dark gray snow on a wind that whistles the sounds of hammer onanvil, they cross the city... the clients of the heaven house scattering as they leave the factories, each to one side, leaving them only with the working girls, and the pack. Still too many, but thankfully not a long walk until they reach the lair of the patron of the Industrial District, beneath an opressive feeling of cold and pollution. On the way, they hear the voices of Ancestor Cults amidst the prayers to Iron Tears – they allowed Iron Tears to remain as the Boil’s god, and revered, but the Vestal, in her visit, also brought forth all of the Boil’s ghosts from a tamed Boy’s Field – the ghosts who appear to their families at night, demanding a reverence that is not prosecuted anymore.
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| − | With little effort, without generating any conflicts, it made the Underworld faith appear there in the past month... not the true Bishop Faith, of which the Boil is almost void of, but the beggining of ancestor cults certainly soften its way in...
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| − | Pehaps that is the source of the feeling of being watched that accompanies them group the way to the God’s abode.
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| − | Above them, they see a large fortress manse on the hill. It's still a rather beautiful structure outwardly - pristine white stone merged with areas of rich brown wood carried clear from some very distant eastern forest. There are a plenoria of balconys and walkways leading to tall towers. Each and every window is a stained glass masterpeice depicting scenes of the ancient past. Some people call it the Snow Owl Resting, because it's the only building in the Boil high enough up to avoid the constant smoke and stay clean and, looked up at from the bottom of the hill, resembles much a great stone bird at rest, peering down over the city.
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| − | And as Twilight comes above the clouds, the eletic crowd sees the world turning dark, dark blue, as they approach the fortress, and the checkpoint of the Tiger of the Relentless Gears, Iron Tears’ most fathful servants...
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| − | Selina's senses show that there are, indeed, undead around, and Kanti does see a couple of spirits passing by in her irises - although they do not look particularly interested in the group, or are otherwise very poor spies. Rain, on the other hand, effortlessly in the manner of the Fair Folk, realises there is a figure on the rooftops, that has been following them for a whole block already....
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| − | <b>Rain of Unspoken Words:</b> Rain easily picks out the figure following them and immediately tells her companions... absolutely nothing. She follows along through the industrial district with only a slight wrinkling of her nose.
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| − | A few more steps, and they get to the narrow pass at the foot of the mountain, between two White Iron Towers( The White of the Boil, which is about the color of a very cloudy sky at dusk! ), they can see cottages behind the wall, as the militiamen at the path look at the group with.... disbelieving eyes.
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| − | They look at each other. Then, they look at the group. After a long silence, one of them ask, "Hmm, er, hmmm... *coughs* 'Who comes to the gates of the Iron Lord of the Boil'?"
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| − | After a couple more seconds, another one, behind, speaks, "You mean, aside from the hookers, Moon and his gang, sir?"
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| − | <b>Seventh Moon:</b> "Just let us in, Gear-Heads." Moon sighed as he looked up at the top of the wall. He was glad to be out of the district and those goddamn ghost-chants, but he wouldn't be comfortable until they had gotten everyone out of the open. Fuck, but it felt shitty to be jumping at shadows in his own damn city. "We wanna see Iron Tears. Tell 'um the Father of Crows is here ta discus some damn important shit, ai'te?"
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| − | <b>Relentless Gears:</b> And they knew. Of course they did.
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| − | Moon was known, but they knew who he truly was. A few suspected, at least. Which is how one went to talk with the others atop the wall, and soon, it opened up, "Come on in, then!" A voice unlike the others called, the path up the Mountain up to them...
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| − | <b>Seventh Moon:</b> That was easy... he was half expecting to have to beat another gate down.
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| − | Moon grinned a little as the gate swung open for them. He'd have to throw his weight around a little more often. Guy could get use to having doors opened for him.
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| − | "Hey, darlin'" he called softly to Selina, dropping back to walk beside the Windian as the group began to make their way up towards the spirits home. "Any shit goin' down you've seen? Y'know, the kinda stuff everyone else might'a not?"
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| − | <b>Vivian:</b> "My, my, I had no idea they knew already. You really had it well-hidden..." The madam smiles as she sees the gates open...
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| − | Vivian says, the fan covered within her peacocky dress now, looking over her girls, "Does not change you are a brat, though." She grins, "But my girls can be safe of this mess there, at least."
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| − | <i>I owe them that much, and so do you</i>
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| − | <b>Fiona:</b> "Hmmm, so the plan is to hide them all here?" Fiona asks, looking back at them... even to herself, as they walk up "Do you think we managed to escape without them seeing us?"
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| − | <b>Selina de Windia:</b> "Nothing." Selina replies, too absorbed in her own thoughts to give much else. Weighing the situation she's in right now. Truth be told, she wasn't entirely paying the attention she should to any of this.
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| − | <b>Seventh Moon:</b> He nods in responce to Selina. Least there was that much...
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| − | "Eh, stuff it in yer ear, ya old bitty," he snapped at Vivian, giving her as dirty a look as he could manage. "I got ya in here, didn't I? Sheeyit... not like <i>your</i> name woulda gotten us through the gates."
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| − | "Selina said we did," he tells Fiona, leaving Vivian with a softening glare of reassurance before looking over at the young Dragon-Blooded. "And if we didn't it ain't gonna matter much once we get inside. Don't think they wanna pissy Rusty off, otherwise they'd have done somethin' to him already..."
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| − | <b>Selina de Windia:</b> "No," She repeats, looking up at Moon and Fiona. "I said I didn't see anything. The others might have. Ask them."
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| − | <b>Fiona:</b> "He gets scared when angry? What... is he like?" The question is as much to Moon as it is to Kanti, whom she turns to, remembering words spoken before... "Kanti, you said you could help us talking to him,..?"
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| − | <b>Vivian:</b> "On my time, boy, on my time, it might have. But ah, those years are past now."
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| − | The madam says as she looks at the Manse above, remembering adventures of her youth...
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| − | "But it is your mess anyway." She says, too low to continue an argument, not low enough that Moon wouldn't listen to. Half-heartedly, too. The dead weren't nessessarily gentle with the girls, it is not like something she'd want to continue. Some roughness would be better than them all dying, of course... there have been worse times, on the Boil. At least, on her perspective...
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| − | <b>Kanti:</b> Kanti is standing quietly, looking up at the rust and the marble. She is no stranger to the houses of gods, and it brings with it memories of a time before ... Her and everything that was done to Kanti. Pleasant memories, even if they were tinged with the loss of things she would never know again.
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| − | "I saw no-one while I was walking, or at least no ghosts that paid us any attention, Moon."
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| − | She looks to Fiona then.
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| − | "Before I was gi-... before Sh-...before the Vestal took me." her words becoming a little tinged with the betrayal .. or gift that was the last thing she recieved from her master and it is a little hard for her to speak.
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| − | "I used to help negotate with Gods and Goddesses, and though I have never met Lord Rust, I think I can help."
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| − | <b>Rain of Unspoken Words:</b> Rain blinks at the Dark Angel's clarification, "Are you insinuating, m'angel, that someone here might have seen a curious dark figure following our every move and <i>not said anything</i>? Why, if we can't trust each other, who can we trust?"
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| − | <b>Selina de Windia:</b> "I might." The Windian replies, looking sideways at the fae. She'd never made it clear what she expected from people who traveled with her, hadn't had the time. Or the consequences for violating those strictures. Plenty of time later. "But then, I usually travel alone."
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| − | <b>Seventh Moon:</b> "So's that mean ya did or ya didn't see anything?" Moon asks Rain, the look he gives her anything but trusting. He still didn't know why they were bringing this thing along with them, least of all after what she'd done to the Heaven House.
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| − | <b>Rain of Unspoken Words:</b> Rain thinks for a moment about the situation... it is a very short moment. "Nope! Not a thing."
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| − | <b>Snow Owl Resting:</b> They go up, past the colony in the hills near the manse where the Tigers of the Relentless Gears and their families live, past cottages that form a small village, as warm and cozy as any, and secluded training grounds for the winter, all closed but echoing with the sparring within all the same... and above it all, the Manse.
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| − | It is a rather beautiful structure outwardly - pristine white stone merged with areas of rich brown wood carried clear from some very distant eastern forest. There are a plenoria of balconys and walkways leading to tall towers. Each and every window is a stained glass masterpeice depicting scenes of the ancient past. Shinning blue stone frames most of the windows on the inside, stone the lights up at night and paints the hills around the manse with images of ancient golden warriors and dark kings. It is called the Snow Owl Resting, because it's the only building in the Boil high enough up to avoid the constant smoke and stay clean and, looked up at from the bottom of the hill, resembles much a great stone bird at rest, peering down over the city.
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| − | When they get inside, they see Carpets of red velvet, banners of colored silk.... and two great fountains. The Relentless Gears Stop by the door as they get in... and begin feeling a compulsion, a desire to strip and bathe on the fountains, left for men and right for women...
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| − | <b>Seventh Moon:</b> Moon hesitates at the door as he watches the Pack and the Heaven House girls all step inside and begin to disrobe. Took him a moment to realize what the hell they were doing, then huffed a brief laugh. Shadow Eyes had told him about things like this before, the sort of casual control spirits could have over mortals within their homes.
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| − | The Lunar was already pulling off his coat and throwing it aside even before he entered the manse. Well, why the hell not? Been too damn long since his last one anyway. Looking at the rest of his companions, he gave them a grin and a shrug.
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| − | "C'mon. Ain't like you're gonna get another chance soon y'know." Peeling out of the rest of his clothing and piling it in a heap, Moon let out a whoop as he bounded into the pool, splashing into the middle.
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| − | <b>The Pack</b>: Without realising it, the Pack men begin to strip down, the women to the other side... they do it naturally, without realising they are getting naked in front of others. The inside the manse is warm enough so the nudity is not a problem, and soon the Heaven House girls begin joining the pack girls... jackets, dresses and jewelry, falling to the floor messily or neatly, but it all begins to fall away, and they jump on the fountains, bathing each on their own way, the Pack telling jokes, the prostitutes talking with some relief now, now that all problems are far away, washing away the dirty from the passage beneath the earth...
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| − | <b>Fiona:</b> The girl takes a moment to let her dress down, half-fighting it with her Exalted will... but then doing so, and smiling as she realises that they are not staring. Between all that nudity she almost goes unoticed, getting some winks and cheering from the Pack, but respectful due to Moon's earlier words, and simply... cheerful. So different from the street before... she looks at Kanti as she falls to the water, not needing a bath, warded like Kanti and Moon are to the dirty, but loving the chance to relax....
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| − | <b>Kanti:</b> Kanti resists the compulsion .. coming from someone she has promised nothing too, it wasnt right ...
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| − | But then Moon gives the intruction and she carefully disrobes, shrugging the cloak off, then slipping out of her own screams, the garments shimmering through the crimson spectrum as they fall, then wearing just the collar around her neck and her bracers, she steps into the baths.
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| − | <b>Fiona:</b> The girls splashes some water on Kanti, eliciting cheers from the Pack on the other side, "Come on, Kanti, don't be like that, just come, enjoy the water! It is your opposite but... gotta know your enemy, right?" She smiles, looking back at Selina, "Dark Angel, aren't you coming?"
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| − | <b>Kanti:</b> Kanti sinks into the bathwater, the tattooed expanse of her skin slipping below the surface of the water as she sits in the water with a small smile to Fiona, then a small grin and some water flicked back.
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| − | <b>Rain of Unspoken Words:</b> Rain does nothing to resist the compulsion, stepping slowly towards the fountain, her olive coat begins to unravel into faerie dust, revealing a beautiful set of black slacks and pearlescent white blousse only for a second before they too dissapear into the winds. She steps into the fountain naked as they day she was born... if she'd been born naked anyway. Fae were weird like that. Her skin seems to glow with magic-- her shape is boyish, yet perfect, and her curves seem to draw appreciation from both sides.
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| − | <b>The Pack:</b> ... and they do. For the first time they all realise how much Rain is... beautiful. Pehaps not to one or other taste, but she just is, beyond mortal ken... and for a moment, the crowd on both fountains stop to watch her, as a beautiful masterwork sculpture... something beautiful, something to be appreciated...
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| − | <b>Seventh Moon:</b> Moon only remembers the collar after he dunks his head under the water and bursts back up with a spray of droplets, catching a Pack boy's leg with one arm on the way up and sending him flopping into the water. The dog-collar Shadow Eyes had given him. The one that had been... keeping him clean. Moon glanced at himself. Scars and tattoos as always, but no dirt or grim or ash.
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| − | Shit... guess he didn't need it. Moon shrugged to himself. Water felt nice anyway. He looked back up as a murmmer ran through the punks around him, all of them rubber necking to get a better look at Rain before she stepped into the water. Moon let out a soft whistle himself. A'ite, maybe <i>that</i> was why they were bringing her along
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| − | <b>Selina de Windia:</b> Selina looks distastefully at the bathing pool, even as she looks at each one of the people already in it -- including the fae. She had to admit, the girl was quite beautiful. Although...in an odd sense. She hadn't really met many fae before. But should she go in, having stood on the threshold of the compulsion so far?
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| − | <i>I think not.</i>
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| − | "Later." Selina replies to Fiona with raised eyebrows, thinking to find a place where she could work her sorcery without it making a huge display everyone in the city would see. She needed the Pale Angel. "When you're all done. I have messages to send anyway."
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| − | <b>The Pack:</b> The Pack-boy falls, trying to bring Moon with him and failing, a huge splash, over Kinny's face even... the young man laughs, looking at all the girls... "Man. Even being in the Red Light so much, isn't this a sight. We'll have plenty ta tell from this!" He says, whistling as Rain gets in the water, "She looks almost like.. like... just beautiful man. Not sexy like your's, but, you know..."
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| − | A moment passes, and he falls to the water, only his face up... "You are sure about this, boss?"
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| − | <b>Kanti:</b> Kanti looked away from Fiona, as the fey disrobed and she looked towards her in wonder and appreciation of her beauty ... though less than the girls around her, having seen such sights before, both at a distance and closer, very much closer.
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| − | Memories filter back, nights spent with those of Rain's kin, the sensations that played over her mind, the hollow feelings for days afterwards ...
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| − | Memories of other things, just as pretty or even more so, easier and harder than those like Rain at once.
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| − | She exhales and then looks away, shaking a her hair a little
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| − | <b>Seventh Moon:</b> Looking away from the fae-girl somewhat reluctantly, Moon casually slipped away from the other Pack-boys swipe and grabbed a handful of hair, dunking the gang member back under the water. He grinned as he looked up at Kinny, his arm barely moving with the effort to hold struggling thrashing figure under. "Sure about what?"
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| − | <b>Kinny:</b> "Talking to Lord Rust, man. All that. It is not just a street brawl, you know, you are talking about..."
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| − | "... revolution, rite? It's nice to the girls if they manage to stay in here, but man..."
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| − | <b>Snow Owl Resting:</b> Then, the door to within opens then, and two figures come out... one, an automata made of Iron, walking a little hunched, somewhat menacing... and another, a motherly matron, regally dressed, chatting idly with the automata... until she sees the girls.
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| − | First, comes the usual shock of seeing such a crowd.
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| − | And then, she gushes.
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| − | "Ohmygod! VIVIAN!"
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| − | The madam gets up to wave to her friend, her figure simply comical in her nakedness, and they exchange some talks that almost seem to be in code - of old times, old meetings... and the woman, Steph, offers the Invitation of Iron Tears, who in his great solidarity, is extending his house to the girls of the Heaven House, those under the auspices of his sister, as well as even the Pack girls for having protected the House of Heavenly Pleasures.
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| − | The Automata turns to the unusual ones then, to the Abyssal, the Fae and the Fire Aspect especially, and speaks with a voice of hammer on anvil. "I see you are well cleaned up. The Lord of the Relentless Gears will see Father of Crows and his commitive now. Will you please come with me?"
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| − | <b>Seventh Moon:</b> The grin on his face went away and he let the punk he was holding under water go. He felt angry at the younger man for a moment, for brining it up in the last few seconds they were going to have a chance to forget. But, he figured Kinny had a right to ask and to know. His life was already in danger and now he was about to walk into a riot that was gonna make the city burn.
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| − | "Yeah..." he said finally, staring unflinchingly into the other mans eyes. The city was already burning behind Moon's gaze. There was already blood on the street and bodies in the allies. He knew what it would be and already decided it was worth the price. "Yeah, I'm sure 'bout this Kin..."
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| − | The automation interrupted before he could say anything more. "Eh, time ta go get things settled" he looked back at Kinny and tipped his head to the Pack-boys still in the fountain. "Keep 'um from runnin' off, a'ite? If this is gonna happen, I want all'a you with me."
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| − | With a slap to the younger mans arm, Moon left him behind and climbed out of the fountain, shaking water off his body as best he can before he begins to dress again. Looking up at Selina through strands of damp brown hair, he tips his head to the side, then whistles. "Hey, darlin'."
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| − | <b>Fiona:</b> "Our time to go... was so short." Fiona shrugs, making a face as she looks at Kanti, and notices something... odd. "Are you ok?" She whispers to her friend, "You looked... oddly to Rain just now. You know anything of her that we don't...?" she whispers, her voice even lower...
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| − | <b>Kanti:</b> Kanti looks at Fiona and considers, then she whispers "Memories." then she is silent for a time "She isn't the first fae I've shared a bath with." she looks down briefly then shakes her head "I fine though, thank you." she smiles thinly at Fiona and then stands.
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| − | <b>Selina de Windia:</b> Selina walks over to the Automata, calmly, and stops, greatcoat still half-open, swinging about her. "Excuse me, but would you know of a little corner where I could use some sorcery to send a message without anyone else outside noticing?"
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| − | <b>Snow Owl Resting:</b> The Automata nods, "Of course there is. Walk in the corridor, third door to the right."
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| − | It says, looking at her with... distrustful eyes. "It is especially ready for use of occult energy, and especially prepared to... stop anything harmful from getting out."
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| − | <b>Selina de Windia:</b> "Don't worry, it's just a simple message. No demon summoning." With a sharp gesture to her Jokun indicating it to follow her, the Windian begins to walk out of the room, and then she hears Moon.
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| − | Turning to him, she asks "Eh?"
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| − | <b>Rain of Unspoken Words:</b> Having relaxed in the fountain, Rain is loathe to leave, but... humans were like that. In the bath one minute, out the next. Hmrph. She steps out of the fountain with a sigh, drying herself off as silken threads weave themselves out of thin air and in a moment, Rain is clothed once more.
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| − | <b>Seventh Moon:</b> Moon holds up the moonsilver collar. With a flick of his wrist, the Lunar send a circle of silver spinning through the air towards her, smiling playfully. "If you ain't gonna hop in the pool, then you can borrow that a lil. Ya still gotta some Tess on ya, after all."
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| − | <b>Fiona:</b> Fiona dries herself as well as she can although her warm brown hair is still wet enough to soak on her cloak. "Poo. Wish I had more time... but anyway, I am ready. Lets go!"
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| − | <b>Kanti:</b> Kanti climbs out of the bath, drying as she does then pulling on her Screams and the coat over it, leaving it open this time.
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| − | <i>No ribbons</i> ... the tought strikes her for a moment, and then she dismisses it.
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| − | <b>Selina de Windia:</b> Catching the silver collar, Selina blinks for a moment, then shrugs. "Well, I will take a bath later. The sorcery won't take long anyway."
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| − | That, and the fact that it would take her almost half an hour to attune to it, meant a bath would be quicker. The Pale Angel wouldn't see any of her dirt anyway, since the message was purely aural. "We'll see though."
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| − | <b>Rain of Unspoken Words:</b> Rain snickers quietly at the thought of anyone giving the Dark Angel a collar.
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| − | <b>Seventh Moon:</b> "Whatever hun," Moon shrugged as he pulled his long coat back on and shifted into it comfortably. "Just givin' some thought ta a ladies comfort, y'know? Keep it in case ya don't getta chance to take a dip."
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| − | Besides, this could go real wrong and they might have to book it outta here with a pissed off god on their heels. He might frown a bit on one of them staying behind to clean up
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| − | Finished dressing, he walked over beside Fiona and ruffled her hair out of habit, then smiled awkwardly as he dried his hand off on his coat, then grinned at her, and Kanti. "Hey kid, how ya feelin'? A'ite?"
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| − | <b>Fiona:</b> "I am! It feels good to be doing something." Especially when she gets a clear direction from people like Moon.... "And I never talked to a God before!"
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| − | <b>Kanti:</b> Kanti looks around as Moon ruffles her hair, smiling at him, her head moving subtly after his hand before she stops herself.
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| − | She nods and smiles a little wider "Yes, Moon."
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| − | <b>Seventh Moon:</b> "Yeah?" he grinned at Fiona and gave her nose a tweek. "Just watcha whatcha say, a'ite? Bastards can be a funny lot..."
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| − | Keeping his smile, but letting the face around it grow more serious, he turned back to Kanti. "You said you're use ta dealin' with 'um, right darlin'? God's 'n shit?"
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| − | <b>Selina de Windia:</b> Before she turns to go again, Selina makes sure something else is clear, walking around her summoned Jokun. "If anything about my mistress need be spoken for in this negociation, Moon, I am the final word in it here until the Pale Angel arrives, being the ranking deathknight. It will have to wait until I am done. She can dock part of my fee if she does not like it."
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| − | Afterall, the Lover had already placed the Pale Angel over her. She would learn what this kind of deviation from her contract <b>meant.</b>
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| − | <i>I do not listen to one new lackey of yours after another, my meddlesome mistress.</i>
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| − | With that, the Dark Angel turns and leaves the room, heading down the hall, Jokun in tow.
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| − | <b>Kanti:</b> Kanti looks at Moon and nods, just as serious as he is. "I've dealt with many gods in my life, Moon." she looks down just brieflyy then smiles at him
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| − | "What is it that we are asking him for?" "And how much are you willing to offer him?"
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| − | <b>Seventh Moon:</b> Moon smiled back, resting a hand on her shoulder. "We're askin' for his help. For him ta put himself at risk for us by workin' everyone up. We're askin' for him ta get off his big tin ass and get back out there ta stomp around a bit like he use ta."
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| − | "We <i>need</i> him darlin, bad. Rusty's got half the damn city on his side, he just ain't tellin' um what ta do, y'know?"
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| − | And what would they offer him? What <i>could</i> they? Iron Tears did have half the city and Moon himself effectively had the other half. Topside and underworld. Neither of them could do shit on their own "Anything," Moon answered her finally. "Damn near anything he might ask for. I'll fuckin' join his little boys club out there, if he wants me to. I'll make every fuckin' punk in the city head into his shrines and sing praises, even if I gotta go drag 'um in there myself. Whatever I give him, I'll do it"
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| − | <b>Kanti:</b> Kanti nods to Moon, as she thinks of what she knows of the Rust Lord and what they need from him.
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| − | "I understand, Moon. I'll do my best."
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| − | | |
| − | <b>Iron Tears:</b> “Let us go, then.” The Automata says... leading them inside. The inside of the manse is scrumptiously appointed. Carpets of red velvet, banners of colored silk, masterfully crafted suits of armor every where –a few even possessing slight tinges of Magical Materials in them. There are an unusual number of heavy plush couches, flowing fountains, and suits of expertly crafted armor.One thing that most people notice more than the decore though is the women. They are _everywhere_. Little giggling girls running through the halls. Matronly housekeepers throughly scrubing ever corner, young women lounging together on divans or reading poetry. Few of them are what anyone could call exceptionally beautiful; most are about as normal as one could get. But, apart from guests and the occational Relentless Gear, you won't find a single man in the entire building and the attitude of most of the women is one of deep peace and contentment.
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| − | | |
| − | The path continues in, passing through some rooms which look to be forges inside, but, oddly enough, forges from which no heat or sound escapes – side-by-side with a bedroom, and yet, seeming to fit in as much as a bathroom. Not the true ones, but ones he would use late at night.
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| − | | |
| − | And then, they get to a large room... where murals that seem to glint with fire move with a ever-sounding melody or hammer and anvil. Little spirits honor their superior by crafting metal on the sides of the room, and smoke fills the air... which is surprisingly fresh, and only with a comfortable heat, like that of a fireplace. For the smoke is contained in visible trails, and none of it escapes to the air – and those trails form masterworks, insubstantial spirits hammering... and finally, at the corner of the room, the smoke swirls together to form a being that could only be the god of the Boil himself, Iron Tears. He stands as a faceless machine god there, and yet, the red light the flares from where his eyes would be seems... sympathetic, as he regards his guests. Curious. Amused. And waiting, dominating the room of forges...
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| − | | |
| − | <b>Seventh Moon:</b> The Lunar keeps his eyes turned up towards the forge-god, forcing himself not to look around and gawk no matter how badly he wants to. He stares and as he does feels the first drop of sweat trickle down his spine. This is... beyond him. More than even the homes of the little gods Shadow Eyes helped him invade to 'practice' his skills upon. Too much to take in at once, so much of it unreal.
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| − | | |
| − | And then there was Iron Tears himself. Everyone had seen him at least once in their life, clanking through the city streets. But it was different here, looking up at him so close and through the layers of steel he surrounded himself with down in the Boil.
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| − | | |
| − | "Uh shit" he whispered through his teeth, stealing a glance at Kanti. "The fuck do I say?"
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| − | | |
| − | <b>Fiona:</b> Fiona had gawked at the Holysword Manse when she had first been in it, at the Terrestrial magics of its god-blooded, at the beauty of its scions, at the mysteries she herself unlocked with the Sapphire Circle. But now... she sees something as unreal as she had ever seen. More than personal magic, the whole place feels spiritual... strange... grand... too much. The Twilight can simply look around wide-eyed in wonder....
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| − | | |
| − | <b>Kanti:</b> Kanti supresses a grin at Moon's words, standing up a little straighter herself, the coat falling open to reveal the expanse of red and scars below. She banishes almost all of her nervousness, her fear, though she keeps a little of it, hanging around her, making her seem just that little bit smaller, just that little bit more pitiable.
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| − | | |
| − | She bows to the god before her. "Thank you, Iron Tears, Lord of the Boil, for recieving us today and granting us audience." She straigtens and as she does she offers him a little of her own essence, warm, fiery, tinged with sadness.
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| − | | |
| − | "This is Seventh Moon and Father Of Crows, this is Fiona, this is Rain and I am Kanti." She makes overly elaborate gestures as she introduces each in turn.
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| − | | |
| − | "We have come here to make a request of you, my lord."
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| − | | |
| − | <b>Rain of Unspoken Words:</b> Rain whistles appreciatively as they walk through the... mansion? Nice theme, good execution, and as they walk in on its owner, it all makes sense. Kanti introduces her, and she interrupts her as she speaks and bows, introducing herself correctly "Rain of Unspoken Words of the Aether Court, thank you."
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| − | | |
| − | <b>Seventh Moon:</b> The Lunar bows rather awkwardly a few seconds after Kanti makes his introduction, then stands tall and tries to look calm and collected, like the Shadow King should. He has the distinct impression that he's failing though.
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| − | | |
| − | <b>Iron Tears:</b> The city father's 'eyes' shine through the foge-smoke, and he seems to... smile. "A pleasure to meet you, Kanti, princess of the earth, and welcome to my sanctuary. I had heard much of you as well, Seventh Moon. And I see you come today with all the authority of the other lord of the city. You are definatly all Simma has told me." He nods, respectuflly. "And a pleasure to meet you, Rain of Unspoken Words, and Fiona. I have never heard of Aether Court, pehaps it might be a place to visit someday."
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| − | | |
| − | A smile as he looks over Kanti and Rain, smokes dancing around them for a comfortable, warm breeze in this climate... "I trust you enjoy my choice for a room. I understand it is too cold outside, and this is one of my most aesthetically pleasing forges."
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| − | | |
| − | "Anyways, I am honored of having guests of such high station. Now, what is it that you come to ask?"
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| − | | |
| − | <b>Selina de Windia:</b> As the group went on into the main part of the manse, Selina quickly walked toward the special room, looking back toward the Jokun occasionally. "You know, you've been so quiet and sullen. Think my request is that unreasonable?"
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| − | | |
| − | No response. He didn't seem too interested in talking to her.
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| − | | |
| − | "Oh come on." She said in a light-heartedly, teasing manner. Still no response. He looked rather annoyed. "Fine, fine then, stay out here by the door." Selina grouses to the unhappy elemental and swings the door open, then closes it. Inside, the room is inlaid with various protective magical symbols. And so is the door. She suspected that <b>she</b> would have some trouble leaving if something went wrong. Another shrug. It wasn't as if she was summoning demons.
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| − | | |
| − | <i>The day I finally do that... She lets the thought trail off. Oh, that day will come.</i>
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| − | | |
| − | The Windian left it at that. Moving to the center of the room, she began the short ritual, quickly summoning the minor spirit of flowing wings and rainbow hues, whispering her message into its ear as her anima burns to life and sets her greatcoat to flapping slightly about her from its gusting winds. Her tone is overly cheerful. "Vorpal darling, I hope this message finds you in good spirits! We have a little trouble here: the General has appeared outside of the Boil with an army. He wants my head, and Moon's -- our ploy has worked. Unless you are all <i>quite</i> occupied, I am wondering if it would be possible for you to lend us any assistance? I'm fairly sure he has only one other deathknight with him. We have an opprotunity to destroy a good part of the Bishop's forces (and one or two of his precious deathknights) piecemeal, but I would want at least you present to make sure the destruction is complete. We're meeting with the locals to arrange something unpleasant for the dear boy. Ask Cael to reply on the feasibility as soon as possible, yes? Will follow up with more messages as the situation updates, and possible arrangements for insertion into hostile territory and pickup by <i><b>moi</b></i>. Looking forward to your reply Vorpy!"
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| − | | |
| − | With that, the spirit dematerializes and leaves, moving at the speed it is known for. Waiting a few moments as her aura dies down, Selina smiles to herself and opens the door, the air spilling out into the corridor, and passes quickly by the Jokun. "Come along now," She says in a lively voice, much happier that she got one of her own responsibilities out of the way. "We've an audience to attend."
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| − | | |
| − | He follows, as quietly as ever, keeping pace with the Dark Angel as she makes her way back, hoping she hasn't missed much of the good stuff from that meeting.
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| − | | |
| − | <b>Seventh Moon:</b> "Uh... thanks, your..." Lordship? Highness? What the fuck did you call a god when you weren't fucking 'um or fuckin' um up? Moon rolled out the end of his sentence awkwardly, wishing for the first time Shadow Eyes had bothered to each him how to do something with gods other than hurt them. "Lord Iron Tears... it's ah... an honor ya were willin' ta meet with us."
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| − | | |
| − | The Lunar gritted his teeth. Sheeyit... he really should let the kid do all the talking, but standing there was making him feel just as rediculous. "We need ta talk ta you about somethin' important. Somethin' we started once, but never got ta finish..."
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| − | | |
| − | <b>Kanti:</b> Kanti makes a show of looking around the forge as he comments on it, feeling hte breeze blowing over your skin.
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| − | | |
| − | "Truely it is a wonderful room, my lord. The fire is most relaxing." She looks at him as she says this, letting him see the truth in her eyes, because it is. She is a child of the flames, and they comfort her.<br>
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| − | She lets moon speak.
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| − | | |
| − | "We have come to ask for your aid, my lord, in removing the deathknights from this city, of driving the dead out, of freeing the city once more." she pauses to take a breath "We need your help to free your people from the Abysslas that prey on them, from the darkness that surrounds them."
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| − | | |
| − | <b>Iron Tears:</b> "I see. I see you have come with Vivian and her girls - my sister has them in high regards, so rest assured I will be good to them. I imagined you want my help to..."
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| − | | |
| − | He does not finish the sentence. Then he stops, and nods to Kanti. The incorporeal mist takes a few steps foward then. "So you intend to... fight back? I accepted a truce with them. I wonder if you know, but their terms were quite reasonable, my dear Crimson Dragoness. I loathe them as well, but waging war.. I do not think this would be the opportune moment for such."
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| − | | |
| − | <b>Seventh Moon:</b> One less worry. Moon held in the sigh that came when the god made it known he'd take the girls in. Vivian'd be a little less pissed at him now and they'd all be as safe as they could be, in here.
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| − | | |
| − | But the relief was short lived. As he listened to Iron Tears, he felt his mind go blank a moment, then molten spite flooded through him. His eyes darkened and the air around him stirred.
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| − | | |
| − | "Reasonable?!" Moon snapped, shifting a step towards the incorporeal god, raising a shaking fist, all his own warnings and cautions to the girls forgotten. "There ain't nothin' about these undead fuck's that's reasonable! They're gonna kill <i>everyone</i>!"
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| − | | |
| − | <b>Iron Tears:</b> The light shines more, a smile without a face, and the forges all chime with a calm tone as hammer hits anvil. "You remind of of Simma, Seventh Moon. I can see how you two could get along so well." He says, no hint of irony, only respect. Simma was his own adopted daughter, after all.
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| − | | |
| − | "But your wild spirit misses one thing. They let the Boil remain safe. They allowed my cult to continue, and did not try to forcibly impinge their own doctrine on us. That is reasonable, Seventh Moon. More than even the Immaculates would give you, I know you would know, right.... Kanti?."
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| − | | |
| − | He looks at the girl, "Also, I must admit I enjoy the aesthetics of your robe. It suits you very well." There is a slight tinge of reproach, but his words are not untrue - a dislike of some characteristics of the robe..
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| − | | |
| − | <b>Kanti:</b> "You may see more of it if you like, of course my lord."
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| − | | |
| − | She lets the coat slip from her shoulders, moving so he can see a little more, the material of the robe shimmering, letting a slightly provocative air fill her posture.
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| − | | |
| − | "Immaculates would not grant you that, no, my lord." Kanti admits, "But the dead don't keep their promises my lord. They will keep you safe for a time, and then, when it suits them, when you have no else to call on for aid, they will turn on your, and your people, and your city and your forges will be no more, save as ghosts and other restless dead." she speaks with sadness. "That is what they do."
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| − | | |
| − | She makes a gesture that emphasises the scars that crisscross her body, all too visible behind the slight covering of the robes.
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| − | | |
| − | <i>Forgive me, Mistress.</i>
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| − | | |
| − | "That is what one did to me ..." she says very quietly, her voice barely carrying over the noise of the room.
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| − | | |
| − | <b>Iron Tears:</b> "That is..."
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| − | | |
| − | Sometimes, even a God lacks for words.
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| − | | |
| − | "I see it must have been an excruciating agony. If it is any consolation, I think those scars do not detract from your beauty, Princess of the Earth." He nods, warmth, pity on his nonexistant eyes. "So they have done it to you? May I ask who... and what for, Princess of the Earth?" He asks, the smoke coming closer, warm winds now caressing her form just <i>slightly.</i>
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| − | | |
| − | <b>Kanti:</b> Kanti leans into the carresses just a little, letting the comforting breeze move where it likes on her skin, no thought of pushing it away.
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| − | | |
| − | She takes a little breath.
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| − | | |
| − | "The Vestal Of...Of the Vivid Lamessary did this to me." her voice still barely above a whisper "She did it to make me beautiful as she saw it, she did it to mark me hers, she did because it hurt me, she did it because she could."<br>
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| − | <i>And I thanked her for it. </i>
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| − | | |
| − | Kanti's voice, though quiet, is filled with emotions, reliving the pain, feeling part of her heart rebel at the betrayal, hoping her suffering will do something.
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| − | | |
| − | <i>And I meant those thanks.</i>
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| − | | |
| − | <i>That's what makes all of this hurt so bad.</i>
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| − | | |
| − | Iron Tears: One of the forge spirits lets the hammer fall. A little cry echoes through the invisible, and he vanishes off the smoke. Iron Tears shakes his head. "That was Nazhad. One of my servants. His mortal lover was... among the girls that were taken. Poor Tian."
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| − | | |
| − | Iron Tears shakes his head, the smoke form taking a little more consistency as he has a door open at his side. "Kanti. Seventh Moon. Would you join me on the balcony for a moment? Or you can stand outside of it. I will bar the cold from outside to come in my forges."
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| − | | |
| − | <b>Kanti:</b> <i>...Tian!</i>
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| − | | |
| − | Kanti takes a breath as she remembers the girl ... remembers watching as.....No!
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| − | She doesn't let the emotion reach the surface.
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| − | | |
| − | "Of course my lord, if Moon agrees."
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| − | | |
| − | <b>Seventh Moon:</b> "I... uh... s-sure..." Moon repsonds nummly, his attention on Kanti rather than the god. Mute shock still kept him frozen - not at her scars, those he had already seen. Nor at her pain, for she had shown Selina and himself that already. But that she was presenting both here, using both now to sway Iron Tears.
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| − | | |
| − | <i>Fuck... I ain't ever gonna be done repayin' this...</i>
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| − | | |
| − | He looked a bit shaken as he wandered towards the balcony and hopped it could be passed off for the cold away from the forge.
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| − | | |
| − | <b>Kanti:</b> Kanti follows Moon and the Rust Lord out on to the balcony, shivering alittle at the cold.
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| − | | |
| − | And the memories of Tian.
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| − | | |
| − | <b>Iron Tears:</b> He stands on the balcony... and below them, stands the Boil, covered by dark clouds. And amidst them... one sport shines with red and yellow, with flame. Moon knows where, even not knowing the Boil much from so far up.
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| − | | |
| − | The Heaven House.
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| − | | |
| − | "They are burning the House of Heavenly Pleasures, Moon, as I have no doubt you knew they would. But see? Look at the city. It looks so peaceful, does it not? One house, Moon, out of the whole city."
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| − | | |
| − | "Do not think I am insensitive. I have a deep pity for you, Crimson Dragoness... and would like nothing more than to soothe you, to make you forget this pain. You are welcome here, now, and to feel yourself at home." He smiles sympathetically, "But... I am not sure. I am not sure it is worth the suffering of so many. They are all my children as well. It is my house, and I see it in order, except for the room of one child who decided to be naughty. I felt it like a wound when the men took turns on Simma, all that long ago, Moon. But some times, thinks simply pass."
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| − | | |
| − | <b>Kanti:</b> Kanti looks out over the city, at the one bright spot burning, as she listens to the god speak.
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| − | | |
| − | "I thank you for your compassion, my lord. And for your welcome offer, perhaps when this is over I will be able to visit you." she says quietly.
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| − | | |
| − | "But I don't think it will be over for a long time, my lord. They wish to cover the north in flames, they wish to plunge the north in darkness. Not immediately perhaps, but the Boil will be dragged down too, they will not leave one city, one small island of light in all that darkness, no, they will destroy here too. Like they did Whiteshield, like they plan to do to Windia." her voice is quiet, sorrow filled.
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| − | | |
| − | "And if you do not help us now, my lord, then I am not sure that we will be alive to help you, when all the land around you is blackness and dispair."
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| − | | |
| − | "If you help us now, help us to help your city, help you people, then you will be worhsipped here forever more."
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| − | | |
| − | <b>Seventh Moon:</b> no
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| − | | |
| − | Tears trembled at the corners of his eyes as Moon stared at the little star of flame burning through the cloud. Yeah, he did know it was going to happen. He knew they'd smash it to the ground and they would have killed everyone in it, if they hadn't escaped when they did. But knowing something and seeing it were two different things. Home was burning down there. Nearly every memory he had went back to the Heaven House eventually. Now, it was just a pyre. Just more ash and shit fouling up the air.
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| − | | |
| − | "That" he answered Iron Tears slowly, his voice a strained, raspy whisper. "That ain't peace. It's terror. People they ain't sittin' all warm and snug around their fireplaces like yer girls inside get to. They're huddled up and hiding and prayin' to damn near anything that no one's gonna come knockin' on their door and drag off their daughters or their sons or their whole fuckin' family."
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| − | | |
| − | The world was shivering blur of color. Moon forced his stinging eyes away from the sight of the Heaven House burning and up at the forge-god. "The Boy's Field is quite, too. Does that it's a fuckin' happy place? Just cause they're killin' people quietly, kidnappin' 'um quietly that doesn't mean shits not happenin' doesn't mean people are dying and hurtin' in a way even this place could do before"
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| − | | |
| − | He wiped his eyes with the back of his fist, dashing away the tears. "Quite and peaceful is a fuckin' <i>grave</i>. The Boil ain't never meant ta be this quite even when the place burns, it burns loud and we burn it ourselves. There is something royally screwed up when someone else is comin' in and doin' the burning for us."
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| − | | |
| − | <b>Selina de Windia:</b> Coming to the threshold of the manse, anima died down to next to nothing, Selina divests herself of her greatcoat, handing it to her Jokun. "Here, hold this for me. Don't lose it or anything in it." The earth elemental accepts the coat wearily, shrugging assent as the Windian moves part-way into the manse, waiting for an opprotune moment as she hears voices rise and fall. Some of the women there look at her, but with her fixed attention, none speak. Slowly, she activates her hearthstone, the great emerald gem glimmering in the shadows. She begins to walk.
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| − | | |
| − | And then she immerses herself in essence as she did the night before with Moon: the first time she had ever done so. Her visage becomes more alluring, more perfect in her flawed and mortal fashion, not as gods are, but as a magnified version of herself. She moves through the group with the grace of the predator she is, the wake of her allure an irresistable tide spreading out behind her and echoing before her, feeling the eyes on her and revelling in it. Every curve and line of her body, every scar visible, a maddening lure to even those who do not normally prefer her ilk.
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| − | | |
| − | <i>So too shall he behold me in time.</i>
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| − | | |
| − | She reaches the balcony, black-feathers reflecting a warm inner darkness behind her, backdropping her with the pale blonde air a cascade of ashen, firey snow about her face with its vaguely pouting expression. Every subtle swaying step showing her control and refinement in projecting her will upon others, a master at this specialty of the art.
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| − | | |
| − | "The peace will not last, my lord. It is a surety." Selina speaks, and her words become currents of sultry meaning, multitoned with desire and veiled power as she moves up to them, turquoise eyes deep, so deep, with just a flicker of darkness playing within those uttermost depths. "Surely you will need to drive those base usurpers out to the rank pit from which they came. And we will help you. <i><b>I</b> will help you.</i>" Her voice carries the sheer contempt she feels for the Bishop's fanatics, the suggestion of...something else in the bargain. A devilish purr, openly seductive and wicked in its promise. "<i><b>They will not stand before us...</b></i>"
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| − | ----
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| − | * - Back to [[GoldenCat/ThirdMovement|Third Movement]]
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| − | * - Back to [[GoldenCat/DanceOfAngels|A Dance of Angels]]
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