2018-12-14: Knockin' On Mother's Door
- Log: 2018-12-14: Knockin' On Mother's Door
- Cast: Ethius Hesiod, Malfi, Catenna, Ashton Anchors, Jacqueline Barber, Fei Fong Wong, Elvis, Arleph Ardan
- Where: Photosphere - Control Level
- Date: December 14th, 2018
- Summary: (ICly takes place during the Photosphere Sequence, on December 1st.) Yarobeleedt was the last thing standing in the way of the Drifters. Half descend to the Ley Point within the Gutter in order to save Riesenlied and try to cut off Mother's connection to the Ley Point. The other half take a moment around the final save point of Chapter 1 to find their footing, their resolve, and their future.
===========================================<* Photosphere - Control Level *>============================================ The core of the Photosphere is where the Quarter Knights operate out of. The highest level of the Photosphere is led to by trams and stairwells, with a ring of the critical systems that powered it: engineering, life support, and the now long-defunct faster-than-light drive. WIthin that ring is the command center itself. The command center includes numerous screens, showing maps of Filgaia and readouts on Metal Demon operations throughout the world. The high tech nature is abundantly clear, as this operates as the room from which the Quarter Knights command the Metal Demon war efforts. At the center of the room, though, is the heart of their race: sealed double doors, inscribed with runes of fallen Hyades, that mark the final resting place of their beloved Mother. BGM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygpjMbQeBas
<Pose Tracker> Ethius Hesiod has posed.
The scars of battle are fresh. The most persistent loyalist of Mother has been brought low, leaving behind very little in terms of identifiable remains, and also a fiery explosion of a reactor. From this carnage, new routes have opened up. The building inferno below has been quelled as to best allow those wishing to secure and address the Ley Point a way down there - and quick.
The heavy, sealed double doors are no longer in the way, allowing the Drifters access to Mother at leisure (or rather, as necessary - there is nothing leisurely about this scenario). Somehow, certain conveniences have made themselves known within an alarmingly short window of time. There's a Memory Cube nearby. Even weirder, the Festina Lente has opened up shop right there, colorful and inviting storefront and all.
As far as weird and inexplicable events go, it is welcome for the weary who are but mere steps away from fully shouldering the burden of Filgaia's future. Supplies are on sale, the defenses of the Photosphere are not rushing to this chamber (it may or may not have had something to do with whatever exploded underneath everyone). It's December 1st, in the year 500, Post-Collapse. This is a day where history is in the middle of being made - or being capped off.
Ethius is spending it standing in a corner, facing away from everyone, as he has started to consume the (until now) untouched quantity of Gooey Stuff he prepared as shared emergency rations. It is not exactly a dignified way to begin facing down destiny, but sorcerers need their calories. He continues to be missing the usual cloth obstruction of his lower face, which may contribute to why he is facing a corner and not standing with much of anyone while he, er, consumes units of Gooey Stuff.
They don't have long. If there's anything to be said, reassured, or taken off of one's chest, now's the time to do so.
<Pose Tracker> Malfi has posed.
Malfi huddles against a convenient console in misery. She is in her natural form, tall, regal, golden, disheveled. Silverblood trickles from a wound in her throat, bright against her black "armor." The flow slows and stops even as you watch. She is carrying, paradoxically, a lance that seems to be made out of hastily, inadequately-cleaned bone instead of her usual weapon.
She knows most of the people here, has met them on Digs (disguised as a human, usually) or engaged them in battle -- or in one case, claimed them for a specimen. She nods to them all dejectedly. The humans have won. The Hyadeans have been rejected by Mother and Filgaia alike.
Disowned. Dispossessed. Repudiated.
Her own people are fighting each other and likely soon to be wiped out -- they stand little chance, divided as they are. Not only conquered but extinct...The fate that awaits the entire planet if Mother has her way. Malfi is depressed but far from suicidal. She has little choice but to take up arms against Mother now. The alternative is...unthinkable.
<Pose Tracker> Catenna has posed.
Catenna couldn't afford to be tripping over her skirts in the middle of the Photosphere. Her outfit for this one is lighter and less intrusive: Shorts and halter top in black, a cream-coloured Katsuragi-length coat with light plating over the shoulders, and thigh-high boots held closed by the crossing patterns of rings and straps typical of Zortroan style.
Still, the fights with Yarobeleedt and Lolithia took their toll. Catenna lingers a moment to pull up her boot after finishing bandaging and healing up an injury - she'd landed hard after something Mother's most garbled little boy had done, leaving her hobbling. As she finishes pulling the boot back into place, she takes a couple of steps, more sure of herself now than ever.
With a small frown, Catenna looks towards Ethius. That stuff isn't food, she wants to warn him.
Instead she moves elsewhere. The Owlet rides along on her shoulder as she moves towards Malfi.
"This may help," Catenna offers quietly as she offers a handful of Healing Nuts up to the morose, disowned Metal Demon. "It seems as though you could need it...."
<Pose Tracker> Malfi has posed.
"Thank you," Malfi murmurs to Catenna. She wastes no time downing the nuts. She'd been lucky Yarobeleedt had latched onto her jugular vein instead of carotid artery; he'd drained her pretty thoroughly anyway. Now he was dead. And Malfi had helped kill him.
<Pose Tracker> Ashton Anchors has posed.
There's nothing morose or distracted about three others that are at the scene - or one, depending on how you count Ashton Anchors. Despite the hardships that have weighed on everyone in this arduous series of battles - and he's borne his share, given the amount of quicksilver that's staining his robe - the Double Dragon Duelist is in fair spirits.
Not that he's all smiles and jokes, mind you. But he's at least looking somewhat relaxed as he runs a whetstone along one of his blades. He's even set up a small fire by the Memory Crystal, made from bits taken from one of the Kinship caches along the way.
It's how you know Ashton's taking this seriously. He sacrificed a barrel for that little flame.
There's a few bits of food he's heating over it, stuck on the ends of metal spines from one of the Beasts fought along the way. It's just the scant remains of a few trail rations, but it's not Gooey Stuff. THat's not food.
"If it helps any," he offers up as Catenna speaks to Malfi, "I think I've still got a bottle of Syrup in my pack. It's not much, but best to share, eh?"
<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.
Jacqueline has been busy. While others have been busy dealing with problems that would ultimately aid in facing the battles ahead, she has had her own task. Some may have noticed the various caches she'd put together all around the Photosphere.
Now, all she has left is the supply she'd kept for herself. This alright - it's lightened her load, and with any luck those who were in most need of them would find them.
And now...the only thing left to do is take a moment to recuperate. A single, precious moment before they would march into whatever fate would have in store.
For a brief moment, Ethius can feel Jacqueline's eyes on him as she stares at him, conflicted. His behavior as of late had...not been something she approved of. And yet...Riesenlied had said, in the brief moment that she was able to get in touch with her, that there was something he understood.
Jacqueline didn't know what that was. She couldn't understand it.
"...Ethius, I..." Jacqueline starts, then shakes her head. ...No. No, now isn't the time for that. It could be addressed later, but right now they couldn't afford in-fighting.
Briefly, she turns her attention toward Malfi. It was good to see the Hyadean here and on their side, but her state was...well, understandable, really. The Filgaians may be fighting to save their world, but for the Hyadeans, their world was already crashing down around them - not to mention the truth that had been revealed about Hyades.
"...Miss Malfi. I...know how difficult these times must be for you. If there's anything I can do to help...please let me know." Jacqueline offers. Fortunately, Catenna and Ashton had already offered some curatives.
<Pose Tracker> Fei Fong Wong has posed.
Fei has been here quietly squeezing a Stare Roe plush doll that he seems to have found (on Yarobeleedt's corpse). Periodically it makes a >squeak< noise. There are dark rings under his eyes and he clearly hasn't been sleeping well. Indeed, it isn't until AShton speaks up that Fei seems to realize there is other company around at all. While he doesn't seem especially wounded, his stress seems to be near the breaking point.
That's why it may be surprising when Fei stands himself up and approaches Catenna, Malfi, and the others. He walks slowly like each step takes effort, but when he finally reaches the group, he straightens up, and looks right at Malfi.
"Ma'am." He says. "I fought you before in Weltall, didn't I?" Pause. "Or you call it Black Orca, I suppose."
His heels press together as he offers the Metal Demon a hand.
"You were an honorable opponent and it is an honor to fight by your side." He says. "It is not easy to face the truth, but the fact that you are is a show of your strength and your character. Thank you. Thank you for listening, observing, and analyzing. It is a rare talent to possess."
He speaks with the bearing of what one might see in a military commanding officer even though he looks like he's about to fall over. Maybe he's imitating someone else he knew or it's a side effect of him trying not to fall asleep on his feet.
<Pose Tracker> Elvis has posed.
As fights and skirmishes rage within the Photosphere, the den of the Metal Demons and the home of their once-precious Mother, communities and enemies have come together to do that which every living being has a goal to achieve. Survive. And in such a base instinct, alliances have been found. Whether they last or not is yet to be seen, but for now, its cause is just and true.
Occasionally, there is a violent rumble to the structure, enough to cause water to ripple within a container, or cause long stuck silt within various nooks and crannies to drift downward.
Explosions or Gear-scale fighting could easily be the cause, or some horrifying weapon deployed by those submissive to Mother.
In fact, it is neither. It is an invader. One who plans to bring their full might down upon this place.
From one o the conjoining halls steps a man, that looks a little worse for wear, though far from being done this day. Flecks of quicksilver dampen his blouse and vest, to the point the white blouse could be considered tie-dyed. Wrappings on his fists are fraying and unraveling, showing a finger or two from too much use. He carries an important satchel under his arm, as the leather strap has been decimated by something. His side has a larceration that despite being deep crimson and open, is not bleeding, as a slight glow of green affects it.
Upon seeing others at the gathering point, he is relieved this position was not compromised. His eyes cross others assembled. They linger a bit longer on Malfi for a few moments longer than the rest, before approaching the group. Elvis just looks to the others as he sets his satchel down. An unusual jar full of what looks like qucksilver pokes out from it. "Don't think that way will pose much of a threat for us any more."
Fei's new acquisition squeaking causes the man to stiffen a bit as he realizes its new holder is here as well. But besides bristling, he says or does nothing for the time. For the moment, Elvis seems content messing with what are some kinds of... spoils of war??? No, not quite. Interesting bits and baubles found on possibly slain enemies, but nothing of value or use.
"So, what do you lot intend to do once this is done?" he asks, trying to make conversation, as a set of tools are strewn out, and begins to work on what looks like... a canister of some kind? Huh.
<Pose Tracker> Catenna has posed.
Surrendering the healing nuts to Malfi, Catenna flashes her a quiet, sad smile, folding her arms across her midsection. She doesn't say anything at first. What do you say to someone whose entire world has just been cut out from under them? What can you say that doesn't sound stupid or hollow?
From Catenna's shoulder, the Owlet - Saarda-Shanta - leans forward to give Malfi a considering look. The bird's voice is more felt in the thoughts than truly heard, calm and feminine. <Sometimes it is harder to walk an illuminated path than it is to follow a path through darkness. The first glimpse of light sears the eyes. It is hard to look at. But you begin to blink with time, and gradually you find that the light will hurt less.>
Catenna presses her lips together, then inclines her head. "...I am sorry things have turned out this way," she says, for her part.
When Elvis strolls up with a question, Catenna presses her lips together a little. From what she can tell, he's one of the Strangers - but then, it would seem that even many of the Veruni are on their side here.
"I intend to do whatever it is that Celesdue asks of me," she says quietly. "And if she asks nothing, I intend to work to restore Filgaia to her full beauty."
<Pose Tracker> Ethius Hesiod has posed.
"You may partake as required, Miss Jay." Ethius responds coolly to a question she doesn't ask in full, nor does she actually intend to ask - the man is delusional if he believes in any way, shape, or form, that someone would want to consume any of... that. Some of his behaviors in recent times have been ghastly. This is just weird. Even before setting sail to Elru, he presented the Gooey Stuff like it were some top-secret ace up their sleeve for sustenance, to the point he forbade that they sell any of it (let's be honest, they wouldn't even if he said otherwise, because why). He's still acting like that.
...
The odd man remains distant as others show kindness and understanding to Malfi for her circumstances. This is a man who once threatened lasting harm upon her, utilizing painful and dishonorable means to subdue her. He has made no gestures to be reconciliatory in wake of revelations. He's been working alongside the Drifter community for the better part of two years, and in many ways, he's not that much closer.
In some ways, even more distant.
Elvis asks what everyone's plans are for what comes next. Ethius just puts some more Gooey Stuff in his mouth. (The proper verb is 'eat,' but eating is for food. Gooey Stuff is not food. It is... something else.)
What comes after... He can't seem to complete that thought. It must not be easy to think of. He has no real 'before' for context.
<Pose Tracker> Arleph Ardan has posed.
Arleph have spent much of the time inside this safe area resting. Most of it have been resting against a wall, with his eyes closed and his hat over them. The rest, he's been taking the time to organize something with his sets of reagents to prepare something of a meal for people around. He's been keeping clear of the memory cube, largely. It's really strange to see all the conveniences in one rare, unusual place like this.
Currently, the Symbologist is in the first state of being, hat over his face and resting against the wall, with his ears wide open and listening to the dozens of drifters along them, preparing themselves for a face off with destiny.
<Pose Tracker> Malfi has posed.
"I..I..don't think there's anything you can do, Miss Barber," Malfi responds to the alchemist. "Other than fight Mother, I mean..." What was it about humans that made Mother sweep her children aside in favor of them? And the Guardians? Were humans really that different from Hyadeans, physiology aside?
She blinkblinks at Fei. "Yes, I remember fighting Black Orca. You, too, were honorable." She seems relieved Fei isn't pursuing a grudge match. She shakes his proffered hand. "We're fighting on the same side now..."
She heaves herself up and goes over to greet Elvis, her companion from Lunar days. She ignores Ethius for now -- but, yes, she remembers his dishonorable methods and in particular his "Grave Dust" attack. She refuses to trust him..."You really think we can win?" she asks no one and everyone. She shakes her head at Catenna's comment about restoring Filgaia to beauty, when even some semblance of wholeness would be a stretch -- perhaps even a miracle. Much like her people surviving. At best they'd be scattered to the four winds -- homeless, hopeless. Unless the Photosphere could be preserved...but even if it could, they'd never be able to regain the unity they'd had under Mother. Mother... Malfi moves to what used to be Mother's cocoon and touches some of the Hyadean runes reverently, then her face hardens. The savior of her race was now its destroyer.
To meet destruction in turn, if she had anything to say about it.
<Pose Tracker> Ashton Anchors has posed.
Elvis' question is an easy one to respond to.
"Finish the clean-up of what Beasts remain," Ashton notes. "Likely help the Tainted secure their home. Continue on to the next job. Find a cure for my curse." Creepy lightly bonks the swordsman on the head. He ignores the red dragon. "I'd love to take a few days to rest, but there's plenty of others who need that time more. And a world without a few Drifters is liable to go down the tubes faster than anybody would like."
He manages a little chuckle at that. But he also frowns slightly at the squeak of the Stare Roe plush. It's just a small reminder of what's already happened.
He turns his head slightly as Malfi says her part. "Look at what we've accomplished so far - and who we've gathered. How could we not win? The question is merely the cost paid."
<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.
Ethius noticed her staring. She goes pale as he suggests that she should partake of that...gunk is a good word for it.
"O-oh, um...thank you, but...I should be fine! I still have my own supplies..." Jacqueline replies with a nervous chuckle.
She absolutely didn't want any part of that.
Fei is here too, and soon... Jacqueline whirls quickly as he hears something approaching their hiding place, but she lets out a sigh of relief as she realizes who it is. She'd seen this man a few times before, and he never seemed particularly like an enemy.
Once this is done...?
"...I'm not sure. There's going to be a lot of clean up to do...a lot of injured people that are going to need treatment." Jacqueline replies, then looks in Catenna's direction. "But ultimately, that's my goal, too - doing what I can for Filgaia. Though I don't know where to begin..."
She sends a brief glance toward Arleph who...appears to be resting? Well, it was important to conserve one's energy, with a great battle around the corner...
Malfi responds to her question and Jacqueline nods politely.
"Well, if you want to talk, or anything like that, I'm always available." Jacqueline replies. And then Malfi asks a question.
'You really think we can win?'
Jacqueline hesitates, for a brief moment. Ashton gives a confident but measured answer, while Jacqueline...
"...I...don't know. This is a monumental undertaking on its own. But...if we are to have any hope of survival, we have to try." She says. "This may be our only opportunity to put a stop to her cruelty..."
<Pose Tracker> Fei Fong Wong has posed.
Fei smiles at Malfi. "It's a relief," He tells her. "Amongst a tragedy-filled day."
When Malfi moves onto Elvis, the exhaustion rears up again and Fei presses a hand to his head and walks backwards a few feet. The faint >Squeak< ruins the effect a bit as he leans against a wall.
"Taking a vacation." Fei answers Elvis bluntly. "A long one."
Fei closes his eyes. He doesn't open them again, but he seems to still be conscious at least as he answers Malfi's question.
"She was beaten before. I saw it, in my head." In fact Mother called him her 'Killer'. He is probably grateful nobody is asking him about that. "But it was at great cost and this situation--it is very different. She must have been confident to confess what she had done to Hyades."
He raises his head, eyes still closed. "If our friends can break her connection to the ley, maybe we'll even have an advantage. If not....it might be a suicide mission."
It doesn't sound like he's playing guesswork here.
How could they not win? It's all about the cost.
"The cost is what I'm afraid of." Fei murmurs.
<Pose Tracker> Catenna has posed.
When Malfi just brushes her off, Catenna looks after her, quiet sadness etched into her features. She can't blame the Hyadean for feelng this way in the face of all that's transpired. She'd feel the same way if it turned out that Celesdue was actually out to devour humanity.
With a soft sigh, the Moon Shaman - is it High Priestess of Celesdue now? She's got the Silver Medium, after all - pushes her hair back and away from her face. She can't let her heart soften too much. Watching Malfi a moment longer, she takes the sight of her and makes note of what it all means: The Hyadeans were just as victimized by Mother as humanity was, and their suffering as well as Filgaia's is on the line once they push onward and finish this.
Hopefully finish it, anyway.
"We must win. I do not know what the cost will be," she says quietly. "But Filgaia is more important than my life, and I am prepared to give it if it will end this crisis." She's simple and matter-of-fact about it - because that's what it might take.
When Fei speaks of the ley connection, Catenna closes her hand over her heart and bows her head. She closes her eyes, unable to find words.
...Riesenlied....
<Pose Tracker> Elvis has posed.
"Hm?" comes thoughtfully from the Sentinel as he works. "I do not know who this Celesdue is," he says first, though the name tugs at him from the confines of his mind. "But helping the planet is a noble goal. It would be good of you to remember it as you fight," he intones. Though she probably already will do so, re-iterating in a crucial moment can help.
The odd figure that keept assailing Neriah was over in the corner, eating.. something? Elvis hopes that is edible. Looks kinda like applesauce.
"Well well," the Veruni says, seeing Malfi wander over. "I am relieved to see you are among your more intelligent kin, Malfi." A smile peeks out from under that moustache. "I have calculated our odds for success." A pause. "It is low. But it isn't impossible. There is enough of a chance that I am putting all my chips on the table and 'rolling the dice' as I have heard a Human say."
A thought on her possible power. "It is worth noting that if she thought she truly had the power to quash this rebellion against her, she would have done so already. And so, I believe she is not as powerful as everyone thinks she is. Don't get me wrong, she will assurely unleash unfathomable powers. But something is staying her hand at this moment. What it is, I can only guess at."
That isn't the whole truth however. For he has seen her. He has felt the essence of corrupting seethe off her. Her mutated form from what Siegfried once knew her as. Something has changed her.
Thoughtful nods are given toward Ashton, though he perks up at the end. "Curse? That's rough, kid. I would offer suggestions, but I am a man of SCIENCE. Not magic that can help you. Though do you think the Tainted will salvage this place, or leave it behind after everything?"
If anything was left after the battle.
*squeak*
NNGH
"Vacations are an interesting concept. Maybe one day I will have to look in to one, for research of course. I plan to go out an explore some to the east myself. Try to find Carol--"
Oh god she isn't here is she
SHE BETTER NOT BE HERE
Elvis turns a little red in the face and puffs up some. "She better not...!" he says under his breath, grumbling. The man calms down after. Somewhat. "Ambrosius has gone to aid the Humans below. They are in capable hands," is offered to Fei. "I sent word out to our forces, though they wont be here in time to decide this battle. A giant hand grasps his Power Gloves-- or rather, what is left of them. The synthetic wraps are in tatters. "Guess I won't be using these. Not that it matters, it will hurt her all the more. I must confess I will enjoy the tactile feeling of administering pain to her directly."
A moment to consider something.
"I sound just like Alhazred. We need to get this over with, I feel like the longer I am here I am becoming more like him!" he says, panicking. Maybe it was an inhaling gas or nerve toxin or something?! MAYBE HE IS IN THE WALLS.
<Pose Tracker> Malfi has posed.
"About the Beasts," Malfi reacts to Ashton, "please spare one. Bogey. He's my friend. I can reprogram him not to hurt anyone. I've done it before." She really hoped that Bogey had survived and wasn't lying dead in the Photosphere or the Arctican tundra someplace. "To win...against Mother," she murmurs, her tone reminding them that she was raised to consider Mother a goddess, immutable, invincible, immortal. To win they must make the goddess bleed -- and more, take her life from her. She'd been beaten before, Fei said -- beaten, imprisoned, immobilized by the Ley line and the Guardian Statues -- but that wasn't the same as being killed. Malfi wasn't sure Mother could be killed. Maybe imprisonment was the best they could hope for -- and that was impossible now. The magic or technology or whatever is was, was long lost. Just as lost as Filgaia would be if Mother gained the upper hand.
They must not let that happen. They had to fight, and pay whatever price was required. She suspected it would be a high one.
She smiles grimly at Elvis, the first smile anyone has seen from her tonight. "No, my friend, you're nothing like Alhazred! He's despicable!" And they all might well wind up fighting against him *and* Mother if he were still a Motherite. She's glad she changed the subject before Elvis started going on and on about Carol. She'd heard plenty of that in Hive's Haunt -- to the point where she's pretty sure she'd recognize Carol if she ever saw her. And Elvis certainly would. If he survived this battle. If Mother weren't invincible after all. They'd surely find out soon enough.... Maybe Elvis was right. Maybe they needed to face Mother sooner rather than later....
<Pose Tracker> Ashton Anchors has posed.
Ashton sounds confident, measured, sure of himself. Internally - he's not. Not as he portrays himself, at least. The cocky swordsman still faces the wet blanket across his ego that sits on his shoulders as a constant reminder. But in a moment like this... There is no going back. Do or die is better to be faced with a smile.
Malfi's request gives him pause, however. "Reprogrammed?" It's not something the Sorcerous Swordsman had considered before. And now that it's brought up, he's doing so. "Miss, how difficult of a task -IS- that? As a Hyadean, you know that better than any of the rest of us. Would it be more sensible to capture them en mass instead? To save them?"
Perhaps Ashton's thoughts aren't specifically towards the Metal Beasts - he rather obviously glances over towards Fei. And internally remembers their conversation before the clash outside the Photosophere.
"
<Pose Tracker> Ashton Anchors has posed.
Ashton sounds confident, measured, sure of himself. Internally - he's not. Not as he portrays himself, at least. The cocky swordsman still faces the wet blanket across his ego that sits on his shoulders as a constant reminder. But in a moment like this... There is no going back. Do or die is better to be faced with a smile.
Malfi's request gives him pause, however. "Reprogrammed?" It's not something the Sorcerous Swordsman had considered before. And now that it's brought up, he's doing so. "Miss, how difficult of a task -IS- that? As a Hyadean, you know that better than any of the rest of us. Would it be more sensible to capture them en mass instead? To save them?"
Perhaps Ashton's thoughts aren't specifically towards the Metal Beasts - he rather obviously glances over towards Fei. And internally remembers their conversation before the clash outside the Photosophere.
"There's been plenty enough bloodshed, I would say. We're Drifters, not soldiers after all."
<Pose Tracker> Ethius Hesiod has posed.
Ethius gives the side-eye every so often. That booming voice of the great scientist. That strangely resigned one that sounds more weary than someone their apparent age should. It's only visible, vaguely, if people look directly towards the metallic surface of the wall that Ethius faces. It retains some amount of reflectivity even with all the collective damages applied to this chamber.
"Concern yourselves only with Mother's annihilation." That's one of the extremely few times this entire operation that Ethius has spoken about what 'should' or 'should not' be done. It's sort of eerie, in a way - he's been hands-off about how people approach much of anything here. They're surrounded by so many flashy, strange, advanced things and usually he is very controlling about what people see or do about anything like that. Ostensibly, maybe to snatch up some of it for himself - or set it on fire.
...
"Do not be concerned about any other complication that may arise." Like what? He doesn't elaborate. He doesn't face them. He brushes his fingers against his clothes. Yes, it looks like he'll be going to face Mother while residual Gooey Stuff stains his clothes. No one is going in there in their Sunday Best, but...
"I will deal with it." His tone of voice doesn't waver. It betrays no fear - he sounds utterly certain that whatever 'it' is, he will deal with 'it.'
This confidence may be unfounded. He's just a human. He's never been in the Photosphere. He's never seen Mother. Absolutely everything about this entire picture should be overwhelmingly confusing, but no, something about him suggests he knows and understands what this 'it' is.
<Pose Tracker> Catenna has posed.
"Celesdue is the Guardian spirit of the Moon," Catenna explains to Elvis quietly. "I have served her for a long time."
She lowers her head, ruminating quietly for a few seconds before slowly shaking her head. "I do not know if we will win. Those of us here are not those the Guardians sought... but we are what they have. And even if it is our destiny to fail, I feel that it is incumbent upon me, at least, to make the attempt."
Then Ethius starts speaking up and putting it in much more focused, selfish language. Catenna's eyes snap towards him, and she presses her lips together, but she's not sure what she can actually say to him.
Yelling at Ethius not to murder things seems like the wrong thing to do when Catenna wants him to set Mother on fire.
<Pose Tracker> Fei Fong Wong has posed.
"Don't." Fei says to Catenna, opening his eyes now. "Don't. You'd leave too many people behind. Not for Filgaia, not for anything, whatever you do... don't die."
He doesn't explain the sudden intensity, however, instead looking back down to the floor. "Live a full and happy life. Spend it with your loved ones, your friends. That is the best harm you can do to Mother's schemes."
He slowly sinks against the wall, hand still on his forehead. "She's taken enough. She's taken too much." He murmurs. "Dream. Not a memory. Dream. Not a memory."
Fei doesn't comment on Elvis sounding like Alhazred. The fact that concerns him is proof enough that he isn't Alhazred. Instead he focuses on another aspect of his words entirely.
"Your forces...Veruni..."
Whatever he was going to say is interrupted by Ashton however. He blinks. He looks up. He says, "Yeah. We're not soldiers."
Ethius makes his own demands. Fei ignores them.
<Pose Tracker> Malfi has posed.
"Reprogramming is possible, but it would take time. And have to be done one at a time. He"-- she glares at Ethius -- "is right: we have other priorities." Actually, she hadn't reprogrammed Bogey so much as yanked out his kinsight module. Much as she wanted him spared, she understood acting in self-defense. If he'd been killed by some humans he'd attacked, so be it. If he survived, she could find him later. If they lost this fight, Bogey would be lost with the rest of Filgaia. Priorities!
She listens as Catenna introduces herself to Elvis, and mentally files notes away for future reference. There was a Guardian of the Moon? Was she the same as the Lunarian moon-goddess? Perhaps one deity with two different names? Or two different ones? The Hyadean pantheon was so much easier. They had Mother, and she was...just Mother. No other deities allowed. There was no telling what they'd fill the spiritual void with once Mother fell...IF she fell. Malfi really couldn't picture her folk turning Guardianist, and she hadn't really studied them, or any other faiths. Mother had always been enough.
But now...
Mother had turned against her children, repaid their love and loyalty with xenocide.
She had to die. If they could kill her.
<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.
Jacqueline had been trying to spare even the Beasts where she could, immobilizing them with earth sorcery rather than killing them outright. She wanted to avoid as many casualties as possible, on either side.
"I can agree to that...I'm a merchant. I'd prefer to avoid combat if I could, but...I don't think Mother would be interested in diplomacy." Jacqueline says. She thought about it, of course, but considered it far too unlikely.
Ethius speaks up, and Jacqueline sends him a frown.
"While I agree we should focus on the task at hand, do you really have to put it in such a...heartless manner?" Jacqueline says with a hint of distaste in her tone.
Fei gets her attention soon enough, though, as he remarks on the best way to harm Mother's schemes. Jacqueline blinks once, twice, then looks toward Catenna.
"I have to agree...please don't die, Catenna." She says, clasping her hands together. "If possible...I'd rather not lose anyone. I want us all to make it out of this. Alive."-
<Pose Tracker> Arleph Ardan has posed.
"It is within our power to destroy her." Arleph speaks up, not moving from his position. "We are somewhat punching about our weight, as if it were, but it is within our realm of capabilities." The Symbologist lifts the front rind of his hat with his index, just enough so he can have a look at the assembled people, long enough to reach for a small flask within his jacket to take a swig out of it. "We'll have to give it all to stop her. We'll simply have to."
His gaze switches to Ethius, his expression roughly unreadable beyond the slight frown barely visible from the rim of his angled hat on his face. "But fei is correct. Do not fight to die to destroy this parasite. Live to fight. We can win and we will."
He nudges himself against the wall, pushing his hat back down while he set his flask down next to him. Veruni, huh. "I am not familiar with your forces or what Veruni means, but you're certainly in the same boat as we here right now."
<Pose Tracker> Catenna has posed.
Before Catenna can say much more, Fei rhetorically pounces on her.
The Moon Shaman blinks at him with a flicker of surprise. Fei's not someone she knows intimately; the fact that he's concerned for her and hers at all is slightly startling. But she nods nevertheless, particularly when Jacqueline weighs in.
"...I hope it does not come to that," she says, her voice quiet and reflective; the prospect of dying is not lost on her, though. "I believe that we can and will win. We have come farther than I think the Guardians might have assumed we would. We can continue the rest of the way."
From Catenna's shoulder, the small white Owlet bobs her head simply, as if to affirm those sentiments.
When Arleph turns the conversation to Veruni, Catenna presses her lips tightly together. Her feelings on the Veruni are a bit stronger than most here, but she reminds herself in no uncertain terms not to rock the boat right now.
<Pose Tracker> Elvis has posed.
"A shame too! He is quite the researcher," Elvis comments toward Malfi. "But he researches some useless subjects. Who cares about making a measurement to define pain? It doesn't help anyone. Its pointless data." Not exactly the defining reason to hate Alhazred really, but sure, whatever.
The Human in the corner decides to talk. "Quite confident, are you?" Elvis asks rhetorically. "That's good. It would be wise to spread it to your Human confidants." There is a complexity to how Ethius states the matter however. Like he knows how this will play out. Or perhaps has fooled himself into thinking there is only one possibility for the end of this fight.
Elvis needs no confidence. He has science and probability that dictate his actions. Well, most of the time.
"A Guardian, huh?" A tone of sudden curiosity laces his voice. "I'll have to remember their name then. But if there was ever a reason for me to be here and doign this, it would be to talk with a Guardian once this is all done, I must say." An odd thing for a Veruni to say, for those that know them know they detest Guardians in some way or another.
What would he want with one?
He hears Fei speak, and expounds upon his statement for him. "I wanted to get execution squads and what Golems spared out here to deal with the Metal Beast threat, but they are too far out. We are alone on this one unfortunately."
A curther comment toward Catenna. "I doubt Guardians have much love for Veruni, as is evident, but if there was a way to earn and audience... it would be helping them in this dire time."
A look toward Jacqueline. He remembers running in to her from time to time. "A tall order, though if we play to our strengths intelligently, it may be possible." A pair of tiny side-plates are added to the odd canister Elvis is working on. Massive hands work tiny tools with a deftness that should not be possible. "Hmhmhm," a deep laugh is held back between closed lips. "We are quite something, generally far more capable than a Human," is added. "Then again, you lot have numbers on your side, and teamwork. Combined with the might of the rebelling Metal Demons, Victory is possible."Elvis looks over Arleph. Another confident one. Or perhaps udnerstand thast it is victory or nothing.
"If anything, it would be wise to conduct strategy now." A glance to Fei. "Do you intend to combat her as we did?" he asks analytically.
<Pose Tracker> Ethius Hesiod has posed.
Heartless manner - that seems to be an excellent way to sum up the man who happens to be standing in the corner putting not-food in his mouth. The same man who openly declared, outwardly, how he would utterly annihilate Riesenlied in that same heartless manner. The same man who showed almost no mercy - and maybe even less than no mercy - to any number of threats in the way, great or small.
Maybe that's why he's worked so hard to hide the lower half of his face. It could be what's under there is so weird or foul that he's doing them a service in not allowing them to confirm what sort of person or thing would ever put Gooey Stuff in their mouth. So many here have discovered themselves, their place in the world, and their strength - many have achieved some form of self-actualization. What of Ethius?
CURRENT GOOEY STUFF STOCK: x80 (from x99)
So far he has somehow achieved putting nineteen units of Gooey Stuff in his mouth. That... doesn't count.
He closes his eyes for a while. A hand goes to his forehead as more identities, resolutions, and entreaties are bandied about around him. The desire to see no one more be sacrificed for such a wicked person, to save who or what they can. Some of the logistics are already being decided among them.
There is a sense of time that differs between us. Ethius thinks to himself. There has been much before me. There will be much after me. What I must concern myself with, as pertains to all this...
"You have my assurance it will be addressed." Addressed to satisfaction? Or merely 'addressed.' He says this without looking anyone in the eye, because even in this moment where people of so many different walks of life are coming together to prepare themselves to take down Mother once and for all, he seems to keep himself separate still. Why?
There is a sense that he seems to be turning his head in Elvis' direction, if not all the way. He doesn't seem to have much to say to this gesture.
<Pose Tracker> Ashton Anchors has posed.
Malfi confirms what Ashton had thought true - but it was worth an inquiry. True, he cut his teeth on fighting monsters like the Metal Beasts. But as most of them agreed: there had already been plenty of bloodshed here.
But it is what is is. "While I agree with you all, I must also agree with Catenna. I don't intend to die here and I've got no desire to. But if it comes to that..." A little dark smile quirks the corners of Ashton's lips. "I have to say this is a cause worth it. What greater monster is there to fight?"
He leans over slightly to the smouldering bits of barrel and picks up a spike with several thin slices of salt-cured meat. "As for strategy.. I'm not sure we -can- plan for what's ahead. Planning implies we understand her strengths and weaknesses and how she thinks. We've none of that. How could we? I fear the war shall be won by wits."
<Pose Tracker> Fei Fong Wong has posed.
It sure does feel like that turn of phrase really got Fei's goat. "Sorry," He says. "But..." He looks down at the floor. "It's been tried before." That's a strange reason to jump down Catenna's throat, but even though he would hardly call himself close to Catenna, he does like her in a casual sort of way. He would be sad if she died. Even if she died a hero.
He is surprised by Arleph of all people jumping in. Ever since the fight with Yarobeleedt, he has been a little wary. Perhaps Arleph's outburst THEN kind of shocked him. Or had some kind of impact with him. He looks at him for a moment. He's got a point.
He gives another look at Malfi, concerned but she seems to have her head in the right space. What will happen to the Metal Demons now, he has to wonder. Do they even have a future? They do, he thinks. He just needs to make sure someone gets out of this alive.
"Elvis." Fei says. "After this war, what will the Veruni do? Will they seize the Photosphere for themselves?"
Granted, if they WERE, it's not anything Fei can stop. ... presumably.
"Try to get in touch with the cat." Fei adds. "He's reasonable. Ish."
He considers the question of what he intends to do versus Mother.
"Mother is not someone who can be reasoned with. She loves destruction for the sake of destruction. If I..." Pause. "I mean if Lee Byeong-Ho was able to kill her, I should be able to have some effect against her." He lowers his voice. "Dream. Dream. Dream."
"But honestly, in this moment... I am mostly just worried about Elly." He doesn't apologize for his selfishness. "She is going to be very difficult to hurt at all. Or at least, she was. It took great power just to penetrate her defenses. And she had incredible firepower to boot. But she was stationary. That can be used to our advantage."
He looks towards Ethius. He looks at him consuming gooey stuff.
He seems perplexed at Ethius's words but focuses on Ashton.
"If something happens to me, I'm counting on you." He tells him.
<Pose Tracker> Catenna has posed.
"The Guardians do not," Catenna answers Elvis with a slight dip of her head. "And Elru's experience with Veruni has been... sorrowful. But that does not mean anything right now."
Reaching down to her belt, Catenna comes up with the silver tablet there - the Silver Moon Medium. One long finger tracs across its face, following the shape of the Celesdue sigil upon it. "We can only plan in the most elemental of ways," she says with a glance at Ashton and his dragons, "for we do not know what Mother is capable of at her mightiest. We can hope, though, that our friends can help Riesenlied and deprive Mother of that card...." Her eyes lower to the Medium once more. "...I can, at least, support all of you. My powers are not that useful for fighting Mother alone, but they are most useful for ensuring that what you will strike her with will have an effect, and what she strikes you with will be encumbered...."
When Fei explains himself, Catenna tilts her head and blinks at him, then moves quietly over to touch delicate fingers to his shoulders. "Hopefully it will not have to be tried again."
But the question about seizing the Photosphere comes up, and Catenna closes her eyes a moment, breathing slowly out through her nose.
<Pose Tracker> Malfi has posed.
They had the advantage in wits, Malfi thought, if Mother's announcing her intentions for her children and Filgaia were any indication. Or perhaps Mother was simply overconfident (or megalomaniacal) -- another weakness that might be used against her. The Voice had certainly exploited that weakness, broadcasting Mother's words all over the Photosphere. Constantly. Irritatingly. It had had the intended effect.
Malfi starts when Fei asks whether the Veruni will seize the Photosphere. That's OURS! she thinks. They cannot have it! What would happen to the perinates? Her expression must make her thoughts evident to anyone who's paying attention. This is her HOME! The only home she's ever known, and she will not be surrendering it to anyone. Not without a fight!
<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.
Jacqueline nods. She was still nervous, herself...but in a way, talking with everyone, seeing how they felt, it helped. It helped instill a little more confidence in her. To make her ready for what was to come.
"It's always more difficult, but...it's my hope that it'll be possible. Enough innocent lives have been lost already." She says.
Ethius's assurance that it will be 'addressed'...does not instill her with confidence. Did he know something they didn't? That always seemed to be the way with him.
She sighs slightly, then looks toward Ashton and Catenna as they both agree that there isn't much in the way of planning they can do. Jacqueline nods.
<Pose Tracker> Ashton Anchors has posed.
The mention of Riesenlied makes Ashton frown. He made a promise there - it galls him that he can't keep it. But the fighting and the chaos has said so, and Ashton's own luck provides little hope of changing that.
Still - he nods in agreement with Catenna's words. "This is a battle that will take all of us and all we have. But you're right - we only have to win once, thankfully. Then hopefully never again."
Then Fei... Fei says that. Just a sentence, but one packed with subtext. And quite heavy.
It takes several long seconds for Ashton to process the fullness of it. But to Fei? He does nod. "I won't let you down. My friend. Let it not come to that."
<Pose Tracker> Fei Fong Wong has posed.
That might be a reason why Fei is asking the question. He doubts after this battle the Metal Demons would be in much shape to fend off the Veruni if they chose to strike. They might not choose that, of course, Fei has little understanding of their politics or strategy but it's certainly a reasonable concern that the Veruni will just take the Photosphere and all its weird ass tech if they feel like it. Maybe even enslave the Hyadeans. Frankly, at that point, the ALLIES even if they fight with the Metal Demons might not be in a position to stop them. And Fei highly doubts that will happen. Wounds of war don't heal that quickly.
Jay asks ... honestly that's a very good question. Why do people so rarely ask Fei questions when he says ridiculous things like that???
"My memory of him is incomplete." Fei admits. "But I will share what I know. He was a man who fought in the first Metal Demon war--well, the first we know about. He was a member of an organization called 'RUST'. Luisa, Ida's ancestor, was a member as well as a man by the name of Harthcourt Valeria and a woman named..." He pauses. "...Elly. That was her nickname."
Fei shakes his head to clear it. "My first vision of him was back when Lunata was fighting Berserk in Rephaim. Something about Berserk's presence made me see it. Remember it? I'm not sure."
"Anyway...in that he and Valeria were fighting Mother. There were a lot of corpses nearby. Elw, Human, Metal Demon. Siegfried had already been defeated. I suspect she was responsible for most of the death."
He looks down. "That's how I knew she was no savior... but it was only when I heard her voice, that I truly understood that she didn't even care about the Hyadean people at all. I saw more of the vision that day. I saw how Mother was defeated. Lee Byeong-Ho and Valeria took her down, but Lee struck the final blow....not before Mother dealt a fatal wound to him, though. Elly, by that point....she was already dead."
"And Mother...Mother embraced her own destruction. She didn't care that she was being defeated. She enjoyed it." He quotes her directly. "'Me? I'm the one to be destroyed? How wonderful this feeling...'"
His gaze looks over to Catenna, then Malfi. "Nobody who thinks like that can care for others. Among my many regrets is I couldn't explain my feelings sooner. This always happens. I get these visions moments before it's too late to do anything with them."
He punches a hole in the wall in a sudden burst of frustration.
And then he lowers his hand. He looks to Ashton and it's like a huge weight has been lifted off his shoulders.
"Thank you." He smiles. "It's a relief. A relief amongst many..." He doesn't finish his sentence.
<Pose Tracker> Malfi has posed.
Malfi's stiffness reveals the tension she's feeling. She helps herself to some curatives with a nod of thanks to Jay, then hunkers down, not too far from everyone else, and sighs. Her wounds have healed -- the physical ones, anyway. The others? Well, that's going to take some time.
She listens carefully to Fei's account of Mother's last Fall, and Mother's words then. Mother...embraced her own destruction? It was worse than she thought. Mother wasn't just unstable, she was mad...quite mad. Malfi startles (again) as Fei punches a hole in the wall. That would probably go unnoticed from the outside, what with all the noise and commotion. With nothing else productive to do for the moment, she returns to cleaning her bone lance, scraping bits of ochre flesh and half-dried chromeblood from it with a rag scavenged from nearby. It looks like it used to be someone's spine once upon a time. Gross.
<Pose Tracker> Elvis has posed.
Ethius is an odd fellow. The same resolve to continue attacking Neriah until she was dealt with will surely be turned on Mother. Who knows? It could be just what was needed. A look toward Ashton, pasuing his work. "I don't either. if I die, so does my kind, as they will be sentenced to a slow death without my research."
At Fei's question, Malfi looks a little miffed. He has an idea why. "Us? No. At least not that I know of. And plans rarely go over my head." An honest answer, though would Fei believe him? "Well, if you try to have a fistfight with Mother, I'll be looking out for you, kid. I might even give you a bit of extra punching power. Heh."
A flashback to the top of a mountain.
A fakeout punch that packed enough power to be counted as dynamitc. It actually hurt.
But on its own, may not be enough. However, he does have an idea...
"If I am to get anywhere with a promising lead on healing my people, miss," Elvis replies politely to Catenna. "A single lead has me going t othe Guardians. So on behalf of my people, I must make an earnest attempt. But yes, it will have to wait until this is done. for reaching them is impossible right now."
A look toward Jacqueline's offerings. Elvis snorts a little at them, though why is revealed quickly. "I remember trying to use one with my gloves on." A moment in hindsight that even he found funny.
"Huh, interesting..." Elvis says towards Fei's story. "So that is what happened? Fascinating."
<Pose Tracker> Arleph Ardan has posed.
"Mmmmn." Arleph replies, rather belatedly, to Elvis' comments. He's not going to comment any further on that bit. That'll just have to be something he looks into later.
<Pose Tracker> Ethius Hesiod has posed.
I am in the company of pioneers. Ethius thinks to himself, as more words happen around him. Curious words, that should be alarming - no, they are, to anyone paying attention. It's a stressful time. A strange time to make outlandish claims and jests, to be familiar with something that should be blatantly impossible. The strange(r? Maybe a level of strange seperate but ultimately equal to another strange) man doesn't blink, but he has his eyes closed still, so maybe he can't. Others seem to speak in acceptance of what Fei has to say.
Poets. Scientists. Warriors. Spiritual leaders... and others. The musing continues. Their persons, their words, their deeds... I am aware of what I am witness to. I am aware of the gravity of the situation.
Together, they continue to reassure one another. Strategies, histories, wills...
The whole of it is impossible, logistically, even as some of the details continue to elude. Even so... Ethius' closed gaze orients back towards the wall he's been facing this whole time. ...I have no words that bear the need for further reference nor remembrance.
His eyes open when Fei punches a hole in the wall. He knows that sound. That's highly treated steel. That's startling. Even knowing Fei's physical strength, he knows the tensile strength of the Photosphere's walls. He blinks them back closed. I hold but one expectation - an inevitability. I know not its name. I know not its shape. I only hold the expectation... it is one with trepidation. I know it is before me, through the doors that were once there.
He turns his head again, towards the doors that were once there.
The circumstances as they are, I remain clear on at least this sentiment...
They are my responsibility.
The hand comes off of his forehead. This is so he can snack on the twentieth unit of Gooey Stuff - an arbitrary number he calculated as being satisfactory to his ends of calorie restoration. It will not end with Mother.
<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.
Jacqueline asks a question and Fei answers. She listens quietly as he explains himself, explains his memories of Lee Byeong-Ho, and of the first battle with Mother.
"Memories of the past...hm. Does this happen often?" Jacqueline asks. "Elly, though... That's an interesting coincidence."
Ordinarily, it would be difficult to believe. It's definitely a lot to take in - but then again, it wouldn't be the first time she'd heard of someone having memories that were not their own. And there's something about the way he says it, too...
"...I see..." Jacqueline murmurs, with a frown. "I knew Mother was...unhinged, but...to embrace her destruction like that...?"
Jacqueline shakes her head, and offers Fei a smile.
"...Thank you for explaining though. Maybe...maybe this time, it won't be too late." She says, trying to encourage him. She could see how that'd be frustrating, however. As for Elvis...
Jacqueline chuckles nervously.
"A-ahh, sorry...I make them a little fragile so that they can be thrown, if necessary. It's a kind of sugar-glass, that breaks easily into shards that don't cut for, um, projectile application, and disintegrates without leaving a mess..." She replies. "I'll see if I can't make them a little more durable for people with, um...a firmer grip."
Though she might need come up with a pretty good formula for someone like Elvis to be able to hold it without breaking...
<Pose Tracker> Ashton Anchors has posed.
Ashton doesn't take up Jay on her offered curatives. Perhaps to his detriment, he leaves them for the others. He still has one or two in a back pocket, even if it isn't much.
There's little reaction from the Symbological Swordsman to Elvis's words. Ashton doesn't know the man, but he's already mentally categorized Elvis under 'Kind Of A Douche'. Also 'Weird And Vaguely Creepy'. But that's not a thing for the moment.
Speaking of weird and vaguely creepy - Ashton listens to Fei's tale. Rather intently, even if it sounds a little crazy. (It does help some of what Fei's said before make sense, at least.) And while Fei seem infuriated by it? The swordsman seems cheered.
He takes a moment to sheathe his sharpened blade with a flourish. "Well, that's nothing but good news I'd say." A little bit of cured meat is fed to the two dragons - who promptly fight over it. (Ashton still has a second piece for whichever loses - he just enjoys making them squabble sometimes.) "It answers your question, miss Malfi. We CAN win, because we HAVE won. Our people survived, as did yours. So see? Nothing for tears."
<Pose Tracker> Catenna has posed.
Catenna's listening to what Fei has to say, but if anything, it just makes her feel incredibly small and irrelevant. She looks away, half-focusing on a spot on the wall.
And who were my ancestors? Some coward who fled his village in the before-time? What right do I have to be here, when I have none of these ties to the past that the others do?
The Owlet just looks at Catenna reprovingly. Catenna closes her eyes and exhales, trying to bring her thoughts back into order.
When she opens them again, it's when Fei puts a hole in the wall. She jumps a little, blushing a touch.
"...All I know about my distant ancestors is that, a long time ago, one of them dwelled here in Elru, among the Fereshte," she says, her voice low. "And that this person left, and turned from the way of Life to the way of the Moon, and found his way to the lands of the Zortroa. If I had an ancestor in the war, I know nothing of it...."
Centuries ago, a tall man with long, braided locks and a Stone Medium stands with a staff in his other hand, before a tide of Metal.
"...but it is irrelevant," she says firmly, squeezing her Medium firmly. "Even if my bloodline had been born yesterday, my duty is clear. Mother is a threat to all of Filgaia and I will do whatever it takes to finish what could not be finished in the distant past. Filgaia has borne her for too long."
She looks up at Elvis, her eyebrows rising shallowly. "...I would like it if there could be harmony between humans and Veruni. If you can begin to build a bridge between us, then I wish you the best of luck and would gladly help."
<Pose Tracker> Malfi has posed.
Malfi has to admit, Ashton's conclusion makes sense, though she resents his mention of tears. She has NOT shown tears! She would never reveal such a weakness in front of anyone, much less humans. Or at least she tells herself that. "Our peoples did survive," she grits, tidying up her lance with renewed vigor. After a fashion she adds mentally. The humans didn't need to know how decimated the Hyadeans were after the last war, how few remained even today. Humans bred like the lab rats Alhazred thought they were; for Hyadeans it was more complicated. She listens as Catenna approaches Elvis about an alliance with the humans. Malfi wouldn't turn down help from anyone now! Even the Guardians. They would need every power, every talent they could find to throw at Mother. Her rebellious children would have to find allies wherever they could. It might, just might, be enough.
<Pose Tracker> Fei Fong Wong has posed.
Fei finds it hard to be cautious around Elvis. Maybe it's because they both have a love of punching. He actually blushes faintly, maybe because he's not accustomed to being believed. He shared more than he usually does--probably because he's tired--maybe because Mother is so close--but he does say, "I expect your punches would have more weight." To be fair, even with Fei clobbering that wall as hard as he could, he's probably not wrong about Elvis here. "I'm sorry, Elvis, that I can't quite dismiss my reservations about you, about the Veruni, as quickly as I would like. But I know you are a good man. One day we'll be able to stand together with no reservations. We will need to learn a little, that's all."
He gives Malfi an apologetic look. "Er, sorry. It must've been weakened from all the fighting." Fei says. "Um, I still feel pretty bad about..." He trails off not even sure how to even begin. Like should he offer a hug? While she's cleaning a bone lance?
Yeah maybe he shouldn't hug her just yet. Can he emit a hug with his mind?
He should have been more compassionate towards them, he thinks. He shouldn't have shown so much derision in the past. He can think of all these little mistakes he made, little to him but who knows how huge they were to the Hyadeans. If he was kinder to Yarobeleedt could he have survived?
He looks down at the toy but doesn't squeak it.
Maybe not. But he's always going to wonder.
He looks towards Ethius. He's so weird, of course, but in at least one thought they are reunited. 'It will not end with Mother'. Fei doesn't vocalize it. It's too late for such words and the last thing anybody needs is a downer. Besides, deep down, they all know that it doesn't end with Mother.
"I don't know about time, but this time the Hyadeans know what she is."
He looks towards Malfi. "That gives me more hope than anything."
Does it happen often? "Usually when I think we're all about to die or I'm in intense pain." Fei tells Jay helpfully??? He's a little nervous saying this around Ethius.
He looks towards Catenna as she shares about her own ancestors. Fei sometimes isn't sure if Lee is an ancestor or just some imagined figment but he knows there's some truth in those visions, at least. "Where Riesenlied's from?" Fei asks. "Er, I guess she's not from there actually. Nasrin's from there. But...Wow I had no idea."
He looks towards Catenna to see if he gets a flashback but he is not in intense pain and while they may die soon, it's not soon enough apparently. He shrugs a little. "Well, they're pretty incomplete. Honestly, the stuff I see nothing about usually tends to be what's important."
No stop Ashton was getting cheered up--well he's always seemed pretty cheery, he'll be okay.
"That's a wise way of looking at it, Catenna." Fei says. "After all, for all my connection to the past, one thing is clear--they failed."
His gaze fixes squarely on Catenna. "But the future still has a chance."
<Pose Tracker> Catenna has posed.
Catenna doesn't really beam flashbacks to people. She's not telepathic, though she's definitely a magic priestess.
But Fei's got a point to make, and Catenna nods along with him as she returns her Medium to its spot at her belt, alongside Lucadia's stone one. "The mistakes of the past are just that. There are many of them, Fei," she says quietly as she turns towards him. "Mistakes by many people. Filgaia is an ill world not because of perfection of intent. Five hundred years from now, I know that our ancestors will look back on us and reflect on our errors and our failures, too."
The Moon Shaman lays a delicate hand on the martial artist's shoulder and turns her eyes up to meet his, steady and with a small spark of hope in them. "What was done or not done in the past belongs in the past. What matters is that fate, and the will of the Guardians, has conspired to bring us all to this place, at this time... with this challenge in front of us."
Catenna smiles up at him, small, steady and firm. "I honour the Guardians with all my heart, and I will do everything in my power to save this world from Mother. All of us have been brought here for that purpose. Human, Hyadean, Veruni. I am glad to be among you all."
Catenna doesn't normally get rhetorical. But there you go.
<Pose Tracker> Elvis has posed.
Seems like Ethius is... psyching himself up for the fight? It certainly seems like it. Elvis quietly wonders what that Gooey Stuff tastes like. Or what it is even made of. "No, that actually worked out," he adds toward Jacqueline. "If I bit it and it was glass, it would have worked but my mouth would have been cut up." Yeah, Elvis bit the potion without checking if it was actual glass or not.
"Why thank you, young lady!" Elvis says toward Catenna. "I suppose being trapped in my labs doing my work I developed less of an opposition toward Humans. I have more important things to do with my time then squabble over trinkets!"
Says the guy that started fights over statues and mirrors.
"I have been gettign a great deal of help from Riesenlied and other non-Veruni; you aren't the only one who wants that! Sadly some of my kind are blind to aid. In exchange for her help I am attempting to find a cure for her imperfections Trying to see if I can't make her more stable somehow."
A small laugh as he looks back to his canister. "A shame that dragon form is mind-controlled or what have you. If she had free will and control, I would say stick to that form! Bahaha! Imagine the fun adventures she could have as a dragon! Ah well. Will have to settle for finding a way to make herself not sick." A tinker here and there toward that caniser. "Wonder how he makes these efficiently," he mutters to himself.
A glance is cast toward Fei as a set of tiny magnifying spectacles is donned. "Possibly. But more effective hits wins the war." The Veruni turns back to his musings, but is intently listening to Fei all the while. "An old Human proverb I read once serves well here, kid. 'A few sour grapes ruin the bunch.'. All my good intentions amount to little of the Veruni continue their warpath. And sad as it is, if I get orders to do something, I have to follow them. Hence why I am usually in my lab."
He looks back to the group. "I get more research done, and there is less chance of me being ordered to do something I might regret."
A shrug as he calibrates soemthing akin to a screwdriver. "But we all do things we regret at one point or another. Only a matter of time before I end up doing so I am sure." But before he uses the tool, he sets it down. "It is odd. I am actually kind of excited for this upcoming moment. I think it is because it is a defining moment in history, and one I will actually get to rightfully pen in our history books. It is hard to describe, but..."
Elvis gets lost in thought.