IceAndWave/HostileActs

Hostile Acts

In which sartorial needs are met, unusual replacements seen, and extreme violence is engaged in...

The 26th Day of Resplendent Fire, Realm Year 763

The brutally cold wind howls over the deck of the airship, the technological wonder slicing through the clouds towards the city of Icehome. Some thousand yards below, the ground disappears occasionally below large swathes of low clouds. Sunrise at this altitude is different, the clear air and clouds meaning that the sky changed from black to salmon in the course of seconds, stark shadows and bright light replacing the gloomy glow of lightcrystals.

Venia would appreciate this if she wasn't snuggled up to Cassia under the blankets, deciding that it was too cold for any part of her to stick out from under the covers.

Sian is dozing lightly, leaning against the chest after spending most of the night fiddling around with the spiders. As always, he seems immune to the chill.

Cassia snuggles up close Venia, a look in her eye suggesting that she was owed something for the night's treatment of her... possibly another night like it in slightly more comfortable surroundings. She risks sticking her head out, gasping at the cold, then the sunrise.

"Quite a sunrise," the captain says conversationally to the blanket-covered pile of Cassia and Venia, "And I've seen a few in my time." He grins down at Cassia, "Mornin'."

"It's beautiful." She looks around her more until she locates the source of the greeting, "Good morning."

"We'll be landing in a couple of hours. You can just about make out Icehome from here, actually." He chuckles, "It'll be warmer when we're lower down."

Venia mrmphs and tries to decide if Cassia's gasp means she should bother moving.

Cassia nods and then disappears back under the blankets

"How did it look?" Venia asks.

"I've never seen anything like it before... so sudden..."

"Worth the cold?"

Cassia nods emphatically.

Venia risks a peek, finally crawling out from under the blankets to look for the city. In the distance, to the north, is the small patch of city known as Icehome. The sun, now having risen above the clouds, bathes the deck of the slowly descending airship in its warming light, while rising into a perfectly clear sky the shade of a rare sapphire.

Venia may be somewhat cold, and a bit jaded, and hell, even Cynis, but this manages to get a "Wow" from her.

Cassia gives up on the blankets now that Venia has gone and they're starting to cool, moving to the front of the airship to look at the city and around her in delight.

Sian chooses this moment to wake, or at least stop pretending to sleep, blinking a few times and stretching before looking out to see what all the gasping is about. He grins when he sees the two women. "Not a bad sight, is it?"

Venia leans against Cassia. "Yes. We're very pretty."

The view fades for a few moments as the deck passes through some clouds, coating everything and everyone in a thin layer of cold dew. "Sorry about that," the captain says, "Misjudged the gap."

Sian remains unaffected, instead just grinning more at Venia's expression.

Cassia lets out a cry in suprise as the water coats her, then shivering presses closer to Venia

Venia shivers. "Sian? Think you can buy some dry clothing when we get there?"

"Do I expect grevious bodily harm if I don't? Yes."

"Good enough. I assume you will work with us to convince the person who is picking the spiders up to go along with the additional help, captain?"

"Shouldn't be a problem. The last couple of times we've met inside Icehome, anyway. That thing is tough to carry with just one guy, so help is expected," the captain nods.

Venia nods. "Good enough. If you'll excuse us, we'll try to avoid frostbite."

"My apologies for that. The wind changing caught me off-guard." The captain looks up, "We're coming in to the landing field now, shouldn't be more than five minutes before we set down. If you'll excuse me," he heads back to the crew and starts barking orders, ropes and sails being pulled and changed as a result.

Sian just leans on the railing and watches the upcoming city, trying to remember who he knows here.

Cassia refuses to let the shivering spoil her veiws of the city, the necklace Asura gave having dried her somewhat anyway and eagerly watches the city approaching

Skids are lowered with the quick application of mallets and pegs, and the whole airship hits the ground with a firm *thump!* before coming to a stop after a twenty-yard slide. The captain nods, "Decent landing, if a little hard," and yells at one of the ground attendants, "Get a cart over here, would you?" A hand-drawn cart is swiftly forthcoming.

The crew load the iron chest onto the cart with much sweating and cursing. The captain hops down onto the ground and grins at his passengers, "Shall we go?"

Venia affirms, "Of course. Sian can suggest a stop on the way for our gear."

Sian nods in agreement. "If it hasn't changed too much, at least. Been a few years."

Icehome is a strange city by most peoples' standards. Once through the gate there is naught but endless covered streets between the buildings - the streets are almost entirely empty, while the sounds of walking and talking echo down from above. Blue light fills the tunnels, clear and steady, but the feeling of being in a labyrinth is unavoidable.

Venia has the cold and the planning for talking with Lady Diamond to distract her from that, at least. Also the selection of a nice paralyzing non-lethal poison if things get out of hand.

Cassia doesn't feel that much phased by the labyrinthine nature of the city, knowing she can find her way out if nothing else, "Why are the streets like this?" she asks, gesturing to the roof above

Sian answers, "So that in the winter, you don't get buried by all the snow. We're pretty far north, remember."

Cassia considers this for a moment, then nods.

Venia grimaces, "Hopefully I never have to come back."

Sian chuckles, "Not so bad. Just gotta bundle up."

"In twice my weight in furs? No thank you."

Sian just smiles at the idea of this.

The captain, whose name it transpires is River, says, "Do the ladies want some warmer clothes first, or do we proceed to the meadhouse?"

"The ladies would like some warmer clothes. No offense, but I don't look like this because I'm happy to see you."

"No offence taken, although," he eyes Venia appreciatively, "that is a shame."

"Save it for a girl you can afford, River."

Sian coughs. "There's a shop a couple of streets over, if I remember right."

"Then you and I and Cassia are going a couple of streets over."

"Well, follow me, then." Off he goes!

Cassia wanders off after Sian, wishing she was up in the more interesting sounds above

The door take a short while to open after Sian knocks, the owner obviously not expecting much business from the winter level. "Oh... can I help you?"

"Clothes shop, right?"

"Correct," she point to the sign over the door that reads 'Deft & Simbul's Tailors'.

"Ah, I did remember right. The ladies would like something to keep them warm." He gestures back at said females.

Venia poses, "And be appropriately fashionable for business discussions."

"I'm sure we can do something for you, something less... clingy, for one. Do come in, won't you?" River just nods, "I'll wait out here. Don't be too long though, there is a schedule of sorts."

Venia heads inside and Cassia follows.

Sian just sets down the cart and waits outside, not wanting to embarass the girls by watching them change. Well, Cassia at least; Venia has no shame.

Cassia emerges far warmer than before and dressed more than slightly better than her previous, more practical clothing.

Venia is soon far more comfortably dressed, and in a far better mood! She does keep the veil, though. Likes the effect on the mist with each breath. "Now, let's get to our appointment."

Sian picks up the cart-handles again, naturally.

River smiles, "You look almost respectable," before leading the way to the meeting place, a meadhouse named 'The Broken Honeypot'.

Laughter and song boils out around the doors and flickering yellow light floods into the street as they are opened. A large crowd of drinkers and revelers are gathered around the area of the bar, which River leads the cart away from, instead going up some ramps. "This is the hard part," he mutters, helping Sian by pushing from behind.

Venia plays with the latch on her sword-case, steady clicks as she stays behind the cart.

Cassia walks along silently beside her, wondering what the streets above look like.

Sian mostly just heaves the cart up the ramp with River.

Venia pats Cassia's arm. "You'll have some free time up there later, dear. Business first."

Eventually the cart is up on the third floor, much quieter than below, and River is met by a tall, well-dressed man. The pair whisper for a few moments before he lets everyone pass. "There she is," River says, pointing to a dark-haired lady wearing sitting in a table-less booth.

Venia puts on her business face and adds an icy smile, heading over to the table with Cassia on her arm. "Lady Diamond? Your shipment is here."

The woman, wearing black opera gloves and a fashionable yet functional dress of dark red silk, looks up, puzzled, "Who are you?"

"Associates of the man providing this shipment," Venia lies smoothly, "There's been some people digging around, and we wanted to make sure everything went smoothly."

"Oh?" Diamond looks around. "You had better sit down. We don't want to draw too much attention."

Venia does so, sitting right next to Diamond, while Cassia sits down opposite her.

Sian turns his own chair around before sitting in it, leaning over the back.

River nods, "I'll head back to the ship, if the arrangement is fulfilled?" He looks at Venia.

"It is. Thank you, captain." Venia offers him a glittering smile before turning her attention back to Diamond. "I assume you've been very careful?"

"Of course. Our position is still tenuous, although some contacts have been made with the Oligarchs. Every agent is bonded in case of capture."

Venia nods. "Do you mind if we double-check on a few things? We have access to some rarer tricks to ensure this goes off without a hitch."

"Of course, if, as I'm sure you won't mind, you show me your marks of loyalty first. One can't be too careful in these dangerous times."

"And what about you? Shouldn't the ones with the goods be the one asking the questions, hrm?"

Diamond looks at Venia, "Very well." She looks around, before slowly pulling the near-shoulder-length glove from her right arm. As it comes off it reveals that, below the elbow, her arm has been replaced with a contrivance of brass and black iron. "Our masters were pleased with my sacrifice and gave me this instead," the fingers clatter against one another before she replaces the glove. Now. You."

Venia picks at the fingers of her glove elaborately, placing a silver hairpin just against the woman's neck with frightening speed while she looks at the other hand. One bead of blood trickles down from where her pulse lies. "Your masters, dear. We happen to be the people digging around. Now, if you don't mind, we're going to retire to some place private, and talk things over. If you do mind, you're going to die painfully and I'll be very disppointed in you."

Cassia holds her face very steady as she sees the woman's hand ...why would you have such a thing?!

Diamond flinches, before looking sideways at Venia, hissing at the needle against her skin. "My masters will see me, and you, dead before I say anything."

"I do suppose we could simply put one of the items in the shipment to use... I admit I am quite curious about their effects." Venia probably couldn't be more disturbing if she tried, simple curiosity and a complete lack of concern for what that means for Diamond showing through her offhanded grin.

"You wouldn't, and can't. You don't know what they do." Diamond smiles, a darkly predatory expression, "If you leave now, you may be allowed to live."

"We've seen them at work. Our sorcerous friend here assures me he can figure out something within the day or so I'd keep my patience."

Diamond blinks, eyes flickering over at Sian and Cassia, "What do you want?"

"Everything, Diamond. Everything. But for the moment, we'll settle for names, your immediate plans, and other questions as the mood strikes us. Answer them well, and we'll even leave you to carry on your business. Bigger fish to fry."

Cassia smiles at her in a mostly friendly manner, avoiding looking at her arm.

Sian is apparently emotionless, just watching the conversation.

"You don't ask much, do you?" Diamond grimaces and then smiles slightly her eyes movin slightly to look behind Venia, "And, unfortunately for you, you won't be asking anything at all shortly."

A soft creak on the floor behind alerts the assembled Exalted to the appearance of four very large men, exceptionally large in fact, all with swords drawn. "Let me go," Diamond says, "And they won't hurt you too much."

"I would imagine one of us can handle all of them, dear. Unless by chance you've assembled a small cadre of thin-blooded Exalts." Venia clicks open her sword case and draws one anyway, "Cassia? Sian? Handle them while I deal with our reticent lady here."

Sian sighs, and stands easily, aspect markings showing.

Cassia twists of her seat in a way that some would consider not humanly possible, pushing with her feet and excuting a flawless roll into the middle of them. She leaps up, jade blade in one hand, slashing at each of the men in a whirlwind of blows.

Venia begins to slowly wave the blade in a hypnotic manner, back and forth through the air with faint trails of perfume. "Move and you bleed out in ten seconds. Just sit and watch. Reconsider your perspective on things."

Cassia sudden attack catches Diamond's men mostly off-guard, and although they do their best to parry her attacks, for two of them their efforts are mostly in vain. Blood spills out from new wounds onto the wooden floor.

Diamond glares at Venia, "Who are you people?"

"Your worst nightmare, dearie."

Sian grabs Cassia's chair by the back as she vaults out of it, flinging it at the nearest man and following up with a punch.

The chair shatters on the man's chest, while Sian's punch shatters it's target's cheekbone.

Venia moves in in the aftermath, sword flicking in under the first man's guard and drawing his sword out of the way for a vicious backhanded slash, spray of blood from his neck splattering along the wall and on the face of the next fighter. She waits for him to flinch, and drives her sword in like a striking snake, piercing his eye and wiping her sword on the couch as she sits down. "Tsk. Taking too long."

One of the guards moves his sword up to block Venia's blow, the attack jarring the sword out of his hand but protecting him from any injury, but his comrade screams as Venia's blade sinks deeply into his flesh.

With the drop on their boss' attackers two of the guards rush towards Cassia, while the third attacks Venia. The last one, the most wounded of the quartet hangs back.

Cassia continues her rise from the floor, hanging in middair for the moment, obviously overstretched. Smoke wraps around the two men attacking her and they find their blades seeking each others skin. Then Cassia drops out of the smoke cloud, blade shimmering with a dull heat.

Venia draws her blade along the attackers to drive it through diamond's mechanical arm, sparks flying as she slings it up and over his knuckles, embedding the blade deeply into his throat and pushing him back so she doesn't get sprayed.

The two who attacked Cassia slice into each other instead, and the flurry of blows that greets them afterwards leaves the pair reeling and bleeding from multiple smouldering wounds, while Venia's assailant finds himself speared on the point of her blade, choking loudly.

Venia frowns distastefully at the continued survival of her target, standing and shoving the blade in deeper, leaning on it for a moment before she suddenly spins, tearing it free of his neck in a spray of blood across the sitting Diamond. She able leaps up and over the sitting area to drive her sword into the last guy's back, holding him steady for Cassia.

Cassia's eyes widen at the spray of blood from Venia's first victim, and when she sees the second is still alive she whirls. The first slice takes out his neck, skin burning as the blade passes through then she spins the blade and plunges it into his heart, where it sizzles slightly

The remaining pair of Diamond's guards are taken apart by the almost balletic movements of the pair of Dragon-Blooded women, and they slump to the floor in pools of their own blood. The Lady Diamond looks on in undisguised horror as her soldiers crumple.

Venia wrenches her blade free. "Now, where were we before this rude interruption?"

Cassia pulls her own dagger free, looking at the bodies a little warily "...I'll go and watch the door," she says, arranging herself so she can sit and not have to look at the bodies.

"Thank you." The bloody weapons go on the nearby table as an object lesson. "Oh, yes. I do believe you were telling me everything."

Diamond sits up slowly, not making any move to clean the blood from herself. "I will not my betray my master. Kill me if you must, I am already dead."

Venia sighs. "Yes. You joined their ranks already. The difference is whether it goes fast, or slow."

"What do you think you can do to me?"

Venia considers, and goes into meticulous detail on some of the simpler, if horribly effective ways to slowly snuff someone's life out. The sort of things surgeons dream of inflicting on their worst enemies, narrated in an almost disinterested ice-cold voice.

Cassia tries very hard not to listen, though finds herself unable to stop ...

Diamond's face pales slightly, and fear leaks into her expression. Towards the end of the recitation tears begin to leak from her eyes, and she nods once, slowly. "What do you want?"

"Names. How you found out enough to join. That sort of thing."

"I was contacted, asked if I thought my lot was enough. Being third daughter of a Count doesn't mean much up here, and I wanted more. They offered it to me." She sighs, "Eventually, I had to prove my loyalty, and so I did this..." she moves her clockwork arm, "and was given the replacement so I could 'blend in'." She laughs bitterly.

"It probably would have worked, if I hadn't decided my own lot wasn't enough. Do you know who contacted you?"

Diamond continues, unhearing, "Flesh is weak. Only in blessed death do we find true strength, but in order to achieve dominion the living must be brought to the gates." She looks up and smiles darkly, "The gates will fall, the walls will crumble. You have only prevented a total collapse, not enough to make any difference."

"I think I will be the judge of that, not you. You will be collected in a few days to provide testimony in person. The story is somewhat unbelievable. Don't be going anywhere I wouldn't."

"You don't understand, but you will soon. All of Icehome will." The laugh that comes from Diamond's throat makes it clear that whatever vestiges of sanity she had have currently departed.

Venia ignores her in favor of checking on Cassia and seeing about getting a janitor.

Cassia is resolutely watching the door. She looks paler than usual.

"Something wrong, dear? You didn't get hit, did you?"

Cassia shakes her head "... No, I didn't get hit."

"She seems to have lost herself, so be careful. Excuse me while I look for someone to clean the mess."

Cassia nods, and avoids looking at the mess when Venia mentions it

"Icehome will fall. Brought low by the sun itself, the seeds we have planted will ensure that. You can't stop it, no-one can."

Venia will, after she finds someone to handle the mess, have Sian cart crazylady off for safekeeping.

Diamond sits up suddenly, and looks directly at Sian, "The child will herald our victory. She will open the Soulgate for us."

Sian frowns deeply at this, but doesn't say a word.

Venia's request to the desk clerk leads to a strange and awkward silence followed by, "I'm sorry, you want what?"

"I want you to handle the dead bodies of the people who attacked us. I'm afraid our dining partner is sick from the shock of the fight. You do keep a clean establishment, yes? Don't want anybody slipping on pools of blood."

"We'll... um, we'll get someone up soon. You're not... going anywhere, are you? I have to... talk to some people first."

"Of course I'm going somewhere. With you. Firsthand experience." Venia smiles nicely. "It'll be easier to explain coming from me."

"Um... that's really not necessary. You should enjoy your meal...?"

"Didn't get to order. Had people trying to kill us. I suppose I could chat with the other customers..."

"Oh, no! That's not necessary."

Venia nods, and amiably takes the his arm. "Then let's get going. I imagine you'll want to get it done soon to avoid stains."

"Um... OK?" the desk clerk follows Venia and, as soon as the pair arrive in the gore-stained room, adds a puddle of his own to the floor - creating an interesting colour-contrast.

Cassia screws up her face at the new mixture of smells.

Eventually the clerk gets his stomach under control, "Name of the Icefather! What did you do here?"

"I have to contact the militia."

Venia shakes her head. "No, you don't. Think about this for a moment. First, you're admitting you have a problem. There's no problem anymore, since we killed it. Second, I don't think you want to cause public scandal or get whoever sent them angry at you. Am I right to assume you'd be horribly put out if a few men dragged you into an alley and gave you new and interesting places to bleed from?"

"... yes?"

"I thought so. Still, if you really want to make a target of yourself, go ahead. I'll be waiting for our complimentary wine bottle."

"I'll need to... get the cleaner here. I can't do this on my own."

Venia shrugs. "Cassia, accompany the fine gentlemen. You could use the fresh air."

Cassia nods and she stands up quickly, looking grateful at the opertunity to get out of the room.

In short order the cleaner is found, the situation explained, and a large quantity of cleansing implements are retrieved and made ready. "I'll want extra for this," the cleaner says to the clerk, as he begins scrubbing the wooden floor.

Cassia leaves the pair at the door to the room, going outside for some proper, if cold, fresh air

Venia sort of stands in the corner and watches. She used to do this sort of thing so cleanly...

Diamond just sits where she was, spattered in rapidly drying blood and occasionally laughing to herself. Something that very effectively creeps the pair cleaning the floor right out.

Venia offers her apologies to Sian, but asks if he wouldn't mind staying with her a while so that she can take Cassia out. She didn't seem to take to the killing or the threatening of torture very well.

Sian just lifts his eyebrows in acknowledgement of this.

Venia slowly goes to make the going out offer to Cassia, a little worried at Sian's bland acceptance of Venia the Icebitch. Ah, well.