2019-03-19: Veruni War Meeting
- Log: Veruni War Meeting
- Cast: Ambrosius, Amaterasu, Elvis
- Where: Northern Veruni Control Zone
- Date: March 19, 2019
- Summary: With various ill events taking place -- and nefarious groups appearing -- on their doorstep, a group of Veruni hold a bit of a field meeting. Plans are made for the near-future.
<Pose Tracker> Ambrosius has posed.
Ambrosius has been a bit on the quiet side lately. His previous endeavor - investigating a certain ruin along with Elvis in the Aveh Desert - had been interesting, but it had not turned up anything useful toward the mission he had been assigned.
And so, for a brief time, he had elected to return to the Veruni Control Zones to prepare some new equipment. This also, however provided an opportunity - with rumors of strange forces heading into Elru, he decided it would be wise to put out a request for a meeting with any Veruni agents who happened to be in the area.
Nothing major - just an opportunity to trade information, both on that and other matters, and also to make plans for the future.
The meeting place is a workshop in an isolated location within the Control Zone - one of Ambrosius's. It bore the looks of a structure that had seen much use, but he had, knowing he would be having company, cleaned it up a bit. His projects, some abandoned or half-completed, have been carefully stored away, and tools lined the walls.
There are some chairs and a table set up, as well as a few glasses and a bottle of apple wine straight from Gounon.
Hey, he wasn't about to arrange a meeting and not provide refreshments.
<Pose Tracker> Amaterasu has posed.
The presence of Amaterasu, of the military division, may come as some surprise. The commando, a soldier of considerable experience, is typically fielded these days on matters of internal importance.
Which is to say, she concerns herself primarily with the largest threat at present to Veruni interests:
Other Veruni.
Her heeled boots ring out on the floor as she enters the room, glancing about to see who else may be present.
"Ambrosius. It has been some time."
Without further ado, she approaches the table and makes herself at home. Which is to say, she sits as stiffly as if she were at a functionary dinner in formal attire and not a minor intelligence meeting.
"There's been a disturbance at the Memorial Sanctuary."
As always, she's to the point.
Though she does reach over to take hold of the bottle of wine.
"Hmm. Last year's. It was a good year for their wine," she remarks, setting it back down.
"What information is there on the movement of the humans to the north?"
<Pose Tracker> Elvis has posed.
A grisly fight has already taken place, and the Trial Knight and his Seraph were nowhere to be found. However, the assembled defenders of this hallowed vessel they called Filgaia. Elvis had to retreat to the nearby Veruni Control Zone to fetch potent medicines to heal his wounds.
On the way, he even saw an odd sight that he skipped right on past. THe Memorial Sanctuary doors were pried open. Again? He was however, in no condition to investigate. But while he was at the base of the territory, he recieved a missive. One not to ignore. Field agents are valuable, and Ambrosius even moreso than typical members.
A large figure would loom on the horizon of the small encampment Ambrosius calls his own. It was obviously Elvis, and in short time, would make himself known better. "Ambrosius!" he calls as he nears. "I got your notice!" he says with a jolly wave.
Chapter 2 Appearance Theme: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AATZMR3LgIw
The Sentinel spies another figure present as well, one almost as large as him. "Heh, Amaterasu! Good to see you again." The Professor makes himself right at home within this little workshop, taking an immediate look around and at the tools. "Good little spot you have! Nice and quiet, away from the noise and prying eyes."
A look toward the larger soldier. "I saw that as I returned. Unfortunately combat with our current major class threat left me too wounded to investigate."
The humans to the north. "Well the intrustion of a major contingent of Humans are due to an issue that I needs address with you, unless you mean a different group. My attention as been solely locked on that due to the threat it entails."
"It is akin to Mother in scope." A slow turn toward Ambrosius. "Did you have something you wanted to discuss?" A small smile appears under that moustache.
<Pose Tracker> Ambrosius has posed.
"Amaterasu...iiindeed, it has... Thank you...for coming..." Ambrosius greets with a polite incline of his head. He doesn't even flinch at the stiff behavior - he is, perhaps, already used to it. Following shortly is Elvis - his presence is always easy to spot. As with Amaterasu, Ambrosius offers a nod of greeting.
"Seeentinel Elvis... I am glad you could make it...on such...short notice..." He says.
Amaterasu delivers her news, then, getting to the point as quickly as he had come to expect. He frowns slightly at the mention of a disturbance at the Memorial Sanctuary.
"A diiisturbance...? Unpleasaaant. What is the exteeent of the damage...?" He asks, then chuckles slightly as she observes the wine.
"Iiindeed... Would either of you...care for a glass...?" He offers. If agreed to, he will pour one for each of them, as he considers the next question.
The movement of the humans...
"As for that matter...I have reeeason to beliiieve...they have an iiinterest...in that aaartifact that fell in the huuuman kingdom... The one they refer to as...the 'Sooorcery Globe'..." Ambrosius comments. "Though...what their iiintentions are...as of yet...eluuude me..."
<Pose Tracker> Amaterasu has posed.
Thus is it always with a lifelong soldier.
...One not of Kartikeya's ilk, that is.
"I saw your notification, Ambrosius. As I was in the area, I thought it prudent to pay you a visit. ...And it appears we are not alone, are we."
She rises to her feet, ripping off a salute -- fist to her chest -- as Elvis ventures in. "Sentinal Elvis. We meet again." Only after introductions are said does she reseat herself.
"Indeed. The damage does not appear significant, but it seems there has been an intrusion multiple times in the last several months, the most recent to my visit mere weeks prior. It may be related to the group sighted to the north, but I am afraid I was unable to ascertain whether this was so."
Her green eyes lid heavily. "Command is concerned about the human presence. I will proceed north to investigate soon. ...I am not to engage unless threatened."
Which is the point where Ambrosius asks if they would like a glass.
"Please, Ambrosius. ...I do not anticipate heading north this night." So a little indulgence is fine.
Though the information he imparts prompts her to exhale sharply, her eyes narrowing. "...So that is their aim. I think they will find the creatures of the Sorcery Globe more than their match..." A pause. "Worry not. I have my orders and I will observe; whatever comes of this will be relayed to the Locus Solus."
Elvis' words, by contrast, seem perhaps more the concerning.
"...What issue, Sentinel? What have you seen?"
<Pose Tracker> Elvis has posed.
"Hrn?" comments the Veruni, eyes shifting to the bottle. "Certainly! It has been too long since some of us have shared a drink." Well made as well. He has had this kind before. "Ah, I must admit I have been completely unawares of that event, at least the encroachment of Humans so close. Scouts have said it rested there since the fall of the kingdom. Why the commotion now?" he ponders.
"At ease, Amaterasu," the man says with appreciateion. "One of those entries was me and Ambrosius here to investigate the venturings inside with a acquaintace or two I know-- Tell me, do you recall Frea? Her Human charge was one of them."
"The place appears to have been infested repeated times, though nothing too damaging as far as records and history tampered. A Golem went rogue however, and had to be shut down."
The man finds a seat to relax in. "Seems like there were more problems to deal with, but we couldn't tarry."
A look toward Amaterasu. "I've found myself embroiled in Human interests as of late. And I am certainly glad I am now. A most powerful individual has been growing in power from the negative emotions and decisions of Humans, and now the ythreaten to poison the planet and kill it."
A dour look is upon his face. he looks down to his side. "We only fought a conjured minion and wounded some of us well. THe coming fight will be difficult."
He looks back up. "Seems like there is a great deal of interest in this area suddenly."
<Pose Tracker> Ambrosius has posed.
"I appreeeciate the consideraaation..." He replies, then turns to face Elvis.
Amaterasu continues, explaining the extent of the damage. Ambrosius frowns, thinking this over.
"I see... It may only be cuuurious huuumans wandering places they should not be...but caution is wiiise... These piiillagers...could be of a more neeefarious sort..." He murmurs. It was concerning. If it became too frequent, action may need to be taken.
Amaterasu says that she will be heading north soon to investigate...but also agrees to a drink.
"Of course..." He smirks good-naturedly, and pours out three glasses, one for himself, and one each for Amaterasu and Elvis before passing them out.
"I have faaaith...in your talents, Amaterasu..." He says, bowing his head politely before looking toward Elvis, who has concerning news of his own.
A powerful individual, growing in power, and looking to threaten the world...Ambrosius frowns.
"That is...troubling news, Seeentinel...but I am reliiieved...that you have eleeected to handle it." He says. If the Sentinel himself was moving to take care of it, then in all likelihood it would be dealt with swiftly.
And at Elvis's observation...
"Iiindeed..." He mutters grimly. It was a lot of work. It was fortunate that he elected to return when he did - his assistance may be required.
<Pose Tracker> Amaterasu has posed.
"That, I do not know, Sentinel. With the fall of Mother, human nations appear to be in disarray. It may merely be an attempt to claim what was lost, though I am skeptical of their wisdom if they are attempting the ruins of Elluria.
She raises a gauntleted hand to her chin, as if considering this.
"Indeed, Ambrosius. I do not intend to fight an army of humans alone." Though there is, if briefly, a distant gleam in her eye. Merely a recollection of past glories, or...?
But her reputation is a reputation of a woman given to prudence. Surely she is not thinking like a young soldier would.
She accepts the glass, swirling its contents gently before breathing in its aroma. "...So you have been inside, Sentinel? And you, Ambrosius. That is a relief to hear. When I heard of movement in the area, I feared further movement from the humans." Her nod is a crisp one; she closes her eyes. "...It seems your experience was the same as our own. The facility was heavily guarded against, as if they were expecting intrusion or tampering. We did find a record from the past. One of our ancestors who remained behind, it seems, left a message. I have transmitted a recording to my superiors. ...They should remember to bring an extermination crew should an exploration be planned. Monsters have taken up residence."
Whereupon Elvis mentions a particular name:
"Frea? I have not heard from her in many a year. Is she well?"
A pause.
"I see."
Which is when Elvis brings up information relating to the disturbance he has been in pursuit of:
"I have heard tell of this. I understand from my sister's reports that this is more common upon the Moon. ...So they intend to turn Filgaia sicker still?" She breathes out, a hiss of a breath not unlike an irritated cat. "Fools. Kill the planet, and they die with it." She lifts her head. "...Should we send a team?"
<Pose Tracker> Elvis has posed.
"We need to commission a stronger type of scurity door, I believe. The weapons prominent Human adventuring-types are exceeding what we expect of them." Better to stop them at the front door than anywhere else! It was the most logical decision.
"I don't have too much of a choice but to do so. Such a catastrophic outcome is too dire to ignore, Ambrosius." He has seen K.K. fight. Pendrago Castle. Devastation was the best descriptor of their powers. It was above what he is capable of. Could Volsung even challenge the likes of them?
"Hum. So you believe the Sorcery Globe may have origins with the Humans?" Elvis posits. "I doubt that artifact will go uncontested. I would be ready, though I know you always are, Amaterasu." The man takes a sip of that offered wine when Ambrosius brings it over and gives a soft nod at accepting it. "Yes. Was a bit of an adventure if I do say so. Suppose I can understand the trill of exploration that Humans have from time to time when a place becomes unfamiliar! Haha!"
Another casual sip.
"But I digress." He listens to Amaterasu's bit of intel. "Huh. I'll need to procure and examine that message. Most interesting. There hasn't been any recorded messages available from that far back for quite some time. Analyzing it could be helpful."
"That is their plan. Though I wonder if it is truly?" A pause. "The Trial Knight, as he is called, anways gives us a hint of how to give chase, to find him where he ventures. If he wished to accomplish their task, why not go in secret?" A nod to Amaterasu. "Yes. I plan to help the Humans as well, for this concerns everyone, not just them. An execution squad can be used to help secure oru backs when the time comes."
The man gingerly sets the glass down with two massive fingers. "What do you plan to do, Ambrosius? I know you were given an important task from Lord Volsung, so I understand if that takes precedence."
<Pose Tracker> Ambrosius has posed.
Ambrosius considers this. Indeed, the humans had been making a lot of moves...it was a lot to consider. The ruins of Elluria, however...hm.
"Iiindeed... That liiines up with my...observaaations...as well... Though I cannot faaathom...what maaadness they wish to aaaccomplish..." He agrees. "I have only been in...once beeefore...and it as the...Seeentinel says..."
He listens, however, as she brings up a recording.
"A reeecord? How cuuurious..." He murmurs. So, there were still messages from the past left behind...
He takes a sip of his drink as Frea is mentioned, and then nods grimly as Elvis mentions strengthening the door.
"Agreed... their...confliiicts...have certainly made them better at...deeestruction..." He mutters. "They scaaarcely...needed the help..."
He chuckles fondly as Elvis recalls their adventure, but the subject then turns back to more serious matters.
"The Trial Knight...they are a dangerous opponeeent... I have seen them in aaaction... though never fought them..." He considers, then shakes his head. "I shall...leave it in your caaapable hands, Sentinel...and focus...on my current taaask... I fear my preeesence would...just compliiicate matters further..."
<Pose Tracker> Amaterasu has posed.
Inspite of Amaterasu being Amaterasu, she almost, almost brooks a smile when Elvis speaks of them needing a better door. "Noted, Sentinel," she replies, crisp as ever, all the same.
"Indeed. If you had not other tasks, Ambrosius, I would have recommended you for such a project. ...You have done well by our people. I have read some of your reports."
At Elvis' question, she shakes her head. "From wherever it came, and there has been speculation on that front since its descent, it has only brought destruction. ...I believe Sentinel Fereydoon was contemplating investigating further prior to the... incident with the Moderates."
The one that involved a certain Golem.
And far more delicately -- more privately than someone like Amaterasu is aware -- the loss of a very special young woman.
"In any case, the presence of the Globe has been a concern for military, though it has appeared contained and outside our zone of control on Elru. However, their meddling into Elluria could cause a disturbance even if the Globe's contents don't wipe them out. To that end..."
Her current task.
Interupted only fleetingly by the suggestion of a related incident at the sanctuary. "Yes. Further collection of the archival media may be of use in the terraforming project. Of course," she says, a wry smile on her lips, "not all of it will be so."
Those books had been evidence enough.
She takes a sip from her glass at last, while Ambrosius and Elvis relay to one another their own findings.
She nods. "Very well. The situation does seem grave." She sets down her glass. "I will inform my commanders of the situation once we adjourn and request fielding my squad to assist in my absence. They may not be able to reach you immediately, Sentinel, but I will exhort them to do their utmost."
She, of course, has her own mission; no one else is available to take on her burden. And so it must be completed by her.
"Well, it seems we all have much to do. Sentinel, Ambrosius." She settles back in her seat, if such can be the term for her still picture-perfect posture.
"I recall hearing a human saying for times like these."
She closes her eyes, a faint smile on her lips.
"'When it rains, it pours'. Hmm, though it has not 'poured' in quite some time, has it..."
<Pose Tracker> Elvis has posed.
Hmhm! He will get her to smile proper yet. "Indeed! Quite the representative, isn't he?" he says with Amaterasu. Putting Ambrosius on the spot! "It seems such objects are always steeped in mystery. Never can find a straight answer on such an item's origins it seems. Then again, if that were so, I might be out of a Sentinel position, hahah!"
Research was one of his most important aspects, besides spearheading the VR Factor efforts. "Ah, that. Yes. I haven't seen him in some time. I wonder how Fereydoon fares?" he idly ponders aloud.
A turn toward Amaterasu. "I may have to venture in there again sometime to see what else can be found. Our history is fragmented from our isolation. Rebuilding it could be of some help for our times on this planet ahead." A nod toward her concerning her squadron.
"I would say that saying is quite apt considering the times here in Elru."
A look toward Ambrsious. "Ah, you have seen his work as well? From where does such a deep wellspring of power start? I daresay 'the hearts of man' to not wax poetic, but yet there is truth there. But what pulls that Malevolence forth? Surely it must have started somewhere..."
A nod toward the faithful. "Understood! I look forward to your achievements! Hopefully we can delve some ruins of our own in search of artifacts and knowledge again soon, once everything settles, of course."
<Pose Tracker> Ambrosius has posed.
Ambrosius chuckles with a hint of sheepishness as both Amaterasu and Elvis praise him in their own ways.
"I have only done...what I could...in seeervice of our peeeople..." He replies, bowing his head slightly.
He looks up, though, so that he can watch attentively as Amaterasu explains some of what they know about the Globe and the situation around it. He frowns consideringly as she speaks, but then nods.
He was certain she would handle the situation well.
"I would be glad to assist you...Seeentinel...if our reeespective taaasks...do not keep up away..." Ambrosius comments, with a look back toward Elvis. He considers, then, the Trial Knight.
"...I am afraaaid...I know little... They are one I can...scaaarcely follow the iiintentions of..." He admits, shaking his head. He looks toward Amaterasu then, as she speaks.
When it rains, it pours...
"Indeed..." He murmurs in agreement, taking a sip from his glass and taking a glance out the window.