2023-11-16: Eye of the Beholder
- Log: Eye of the Beholder
- Cast: Xantia, Leon Albus, Elhaym van Houten, Lily Keil, Citan Uzuki
- Where: Freykragg Isle
- Date: November 17, 2023
- Summary: The Watchful Eye: a shadowy organization that has been subtly influencing Filgaia, but of which little else is known, other than the fact that they were in league with Xenia and her employers until recently. Now, they come to the Black Wolves with a proposal. Questions will be answered, as the nature of their organisation finally becomes clear... and then, an unexpected turn of events turns everything on its head.
<Pose Tracker> Xantia has posed.
As promised in their last message, surreptitiously left next to Xantia in the night, the Watchful Eye followed through on sending more information regarding a 'proposition'. In a comparatively mundane way compared to last time, personally delivered by courier to Leon Albus. If through a rather exclusive courier service, generally used for correspondance in which discretion is of the utmost importance.
As for the message itself, the format was the same as used for the last one. An envelope with a wax seal bearing the Watchful Eye's emblem, a singular stylized eyeball. And inside, a letter crafted out of mismatched letters individually cut out of various publications. It stated only two things: a time, and a place. That time is now. And the place... is in Greenhell, one of the rare dense forest areas on Filgaia, located in a slightly less frozen-over part of the Sielje region. Well-suited for a clandestine meeting... or an ambush. And likely not coincidentally picked because of the Black Wolves' recent activity in the region in preparation for their return to Shae Ving, making it a relatively short trek.
As was decided in the earlier meeting, the Wolves would meet with the Eye, but anything else entirely depends on the nature of their proposition. If nothing else, this is an opportunity to finally learn who the shadowy former backers of Xenia's organisation actually are, and what drives them. Whether or not their claim that they are not the Wolves' enemies is actually true, obtaining any information at all would be a boon when previously there was little to none.
Xantia is in full agreement, naturally interested in anything that's even remotely related to her past. And these people, whoever they are, were in contact with those who likely know everything about it. Though one cannot forget about Xantia having spent months chasing the organisation all over Aquvy in a fugue state. She admits to having no idea what exactly she was trying to accomplish with her dogged pursuit, but it lead to several abandoned outposts and at least one dead man, a death Xantia claimed to not have been responsible for. In that light, one can imagine there to be ample cause for wariness on both sides. What reason do they have for wanting to talk openly now, after all those years of secrecy?
The answers await just ahead. At the precise map coordinates supplied stands a small group of people, four in number, all lined up in perfect symmetry with their hands behind their backs. Though their heights and builds differ, they have most everything else in common. A crisp black business suit. A premium quality gunsmoke ARM at their hip. And their face covered by a white mask that resembles those used in theatre, prominently adorned with the eye sigil they use as their emblem.
As the Wolves approach, one more joins their ranks, emerging from the surrounding foliage. Their outfit is the same, but the colors differ: a brown suit and a copper-colored mask. Rather than a modern sidearm, they instead have a beaten-up old rifle slung over their back. Once reaching the approximate center of the assembled Eye members, they stop and turn in the direction the Wolves approach from, standing at the fore with their arms crossed.
Xantia was tense before, but she tenses up quite a bit more when she sees the people waiting for them. She won't make the first move, but it's clear that she's prepared, should this turn into a fight. She looks to the others, seeking to the silently communicate this, making sure they're all on the same page. But for actual speaking, she defers to Leon, as the leader. Besides, a diplomat she is not, it's probably best if she stays on the sidelines for this unless trouble actually does happen.
Soon enough, the lead figure raises a mustard-colored gloved hand as if to say 'that's far enough', starting off with a simple greeting.
"Black Wolves. At last we meet. I am Vitreous, Field Commander and third-in-command of the Watchful Eye."
Their voice gives nothing away in regards to their identity - they're using a voice changer, rendering their natural tone unrecognizable in a mechanical distortion. Lily however can sense that while there's a general tension in the air around the ones in the back, the lead figure, in spite of their stiff bearing, is actually very calm.
<Pose Tracker> Leon Albus has posed.
Leon Albus accepted the letter delivered by courier. He was polite; he even tipped. Leon, as a rule, is professional. Even if the recent events with Lily have shaken him, he keeps that mostly to himself. A commander has an obligation to keep a strong face on.
Whatever is happening with Lily, they will figure it out.
And whatever is happening with Xantia, they will also figure it out -- and this is the perfect such opportunity.
He is dressed for the weather, for this meeting with the Eye. A heavy winter coat, gloves over his hands, and mist hanging off his breath. His beard has a little frost in it, as he walks through the frozen woods -- eyes briefly on Xantia, before he looks ahead. Four people ahead, in suits -- and one with a mask. He nods at Vitreous, when they introduce themself.
He stops walking, then. His hands are in his coat's pockets. "Vitreous," he says. A code name, no doubt.
"Leon Albus, Captain of the Black Wolves."
<Pose Tracker> Elhaym van Houten has posed.
At least they didn't sneak in and leave it in someone's bedroom this time! That shit is creepy.
"Well," Elly had said at the time, "that's such an interesting name..."
NOW
Oh, that's where that name came from.
They are here. Elly is wearing her beloved naval coat as armor against the chill, along with a scarf and knit gloves. If there is more armor beneath it, it is not obvious. She has a metal stave in one hand, but she was using it as hiking assistance. As the Watchful Eye speaks, Elly stops, leaning against the metal staff.
It's a ploy, to some extent. She is not so weak as to really need it (though it is useful when you're climbing).
Elly does not greet the Watchful Eye. Instead, she watches them back. This form of sousveillance has the advantage of putting focus on Leon -- and in particular, she's studying the leader. The mask. The suit. The weapon.
It's all quite theatrical, Elly thinks: Who are they *really*?
<Pose Tracker> Lily Keil has posed.
Lily Keil had a good talk with Xantia recently, out elsewhere. But now, she's back here, where they intended to be in the first place, and she is... wary. She's usually wary, so that isn't a huge difference, but she is going to project an image of strength.
Her winter coat conceals her markings, her heavy boots her intentions. There's an ARM at her hip and a sword at hte other hip, and she is standing, waiting. She also greets.
"Lieutenant Lily Keil," she adds, coming up to flank Leon.
Her golden eyes are set on all of them in turn. Their suits, their masks...
Her senses are open, both mundane and otherwise.
<Pose Tracker> Citan Uzuki has posed.
It is important to know one's enemies, assuming, at that, that the Watchful Eye were indeed destined to be their enemies. On the last Citan is willing to at least consider the matter potentially malleable: it would be a mistake to trust them, considering their methods and apparent aims (even if they shared an enemy), but it's as much a mistake to dismiss them without coming to at least understand their reasoning.
Besides, it wasn't as if they had other reasonable options to pursue.
Greenhell is too cold for Citan's usual attire: he's exchanged it for the gear preferred by the people who live around this part of the world when venturing afield, which means layers. A least it isn't as bitter as it can get in the Sielje Snowfield, but this is 'cold comfort', indeed.
There. He briefly meets Leon's gaze as they approach the meeting place, spotting the people already waiting there for them. Pausing as the others -- perhaps save for Elly -- advance, he, too, lingers towards the back, studying the Watchful Eye carefully. Vitreous. Literally meaning 'glassy', Citan reflects, but also a tissue within the eye. A fitting codename, however one might... look at it.
It all seems well-rehearsed. It's enough to make him wonder how many others they have approached in this manner.
He, too, does not introduce himself: he has never been particularly fond of surrendering information freely when there are too many unknowns.
<Pose Tracker> Xantia has posed.
Xantia, as usual, has changed nothing about her manner of dress, and isn't bothered by the cold even with all the exposed skin. Probably cheating with Ether, also as usual. She doesn't add in her voice at this time, which turns out to be just as well, given Vitreous' response, following a nod.
"Your introductions are appreciated, but far from necessary. We know all about you, as well as your other companions... Elhaym van Houten, Citan Uzuki, and Xantia." Xantia stiffens at the mention of her name, but doesn't respond in any other way, allowing Vitreous to continue. "We have long watched Filgaia and its persons of interests. Our presence unseen, but certainly felt, by the world at large."
Theatrical, indeed. Maybe that explains the masks that seem like they belong in a play. The flourish with which the Watchful Eye commander spreads their arms certainly feels appropriate for that as well.
"Firstly, let me assure you that we are all on the same side. Our only wish is for Filgaia's continued existence, recovery and prosperity. We can at least see... eye to eye on that, can we not?"
A chuckle at their own little joke turns into a guffaw, definitively shattering the image this person was trying to portray. Which they are clearly aware of, as their posture slackens, Vitreous's poise turning entirely relaxed as they put a hand on their hip. Even with the voice changer, there's a clear difference when they speak again.
"...Right, that's 'nuffa that. Reckon there's notta heckuva lotta point ta this ol' masquerade no more."
Their hand moves for their mask, which comes loose with a slight twist of the wrist, and is then removed, casually dropped to the ground.
BGM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LB5GJWgRepY
There's a mischievous spark in the eyes of the aged woman behind the mask, though there is also a great fatigue hidden behind it. The old scars on her cheek and forehead tell a tale of strife in a time long past. She appears in fine health all the same, a slight grin on her chapped lips as she gauges everyone's reactions to her true appearance. Without the voice changer, her voice is now more clearly feminine, though not sounding quite as old as she looks. A murmur from the other Eye members present is silenced by a quick handwave.
"So, lemme introduce myself proper-like. Name's Daisy. Just Daisy'll do. This ol' mug o' mine probly don't look familiar ta you lot, though maybe the ol' handle stuck 'round some? 'Daredevil Daisy', they used t'say. Any bells, or y'all too young to know yer classics?"
Once upon a time, Daredevil Daisy was the moniker of a well-known Drifter, given the nickname for her propensity for pulling insane stunts and somehow coming away without a scratch. Outlandish tales were told, the most famous of which involving having stopped a runaway train with a single shot from an outdated gunsmoke ARM. (Could that be the one she carries?) Yet one would be forgiven to not know the name, since her legacy ended abruptly over two decades ago. One day, she simply vanished and was never seen again. Given her lifestyle, it was generally assumed she finally took one risk too many. These days, you'd rarely hear the name. That's how it goes, even the most high-profile Drifters may fade from the public consciousness in all too little time.
Had she indeed survived to this day, however... well, she would be as aged as the woman standing before the Wolves now, waving a dismissive hand. "Eh, don't matter. Ancient history."
Straightening herself, Daisy adjusts her speech to a slightly more official tone, or tries to, as her normal speaking voice continues to keep sneaking in.
"Anyhow... I should correct myself. I said I was third-in-command, but... Iris and Retina are already gone. Which means that at this point, I'm the highest ranking member of the Watchful Eye who's still around. So, as much as I would enjoy being all cool and mysterious at you lot, unfortunately that ship has sailed, was set on fire, and sent to the bottom of the ocean in tiny pieces."
She lazily shrugs in a 'what can you do' sort of way. "Now maybe you came here with high hopes, thinking you've got yourselves a potential ally against Solaris. 'fraid you'd be mistaken in that, we don't got the means for that no more. Right now, I've got to be looking out for myself and what little entourage I still have with me here. So, point here is..."
She places a hand on her chest, bowing her head respectfully. "...I wish to avail myself of your services, for protection. I need a place for me and mine to be safe, for at least a few weeks while we work out what's next for us." Raising her head, she continues, "You will be compensated, naturally. Our resources ain't what they used t'be, but I think we can cut ourselves a mutually beneficial deal, between cash and information."
Raising her arms as to not cause any alarm, she begins to step forward, closer to the Wolves. A move which increases the tension among her entourage, but they remain frozen in their standby positions all the same.
"So whaddaya say? You gotta know that, given my position, there's quite a lot that I can tell you about the Watchful Eye and our activities, as well as... our backers. Which I think will be of particular interest to you, young lady."
Daisy stops her advance at this point, her extended finger pointing straight at Xantia, who only briefly looks surprised, putting two and two together quickly enough, and clarifies the obvious. "...You're talking about the people that Xenia works for."
Xantia turns her head to Leon, as the one who'll have to make this call in the end. She doesn't say anything, but she doesn't really need to, with that look she's giving him. Her opinion is clear. Give them whatever they want. She needs to hear what they know.
<Pose Tracker> Leon Albus has posed.
When Citan meets his gaze, Leon nods. He has many reservations about this -- but he trusts Citan, Elly, and Lily to see what he doesn't. Which says something, because he is quite observant going into this situation.
All about them, Vitreous says. Leon's eyes narrow, ever-so-slightly. He doesn't like that, but he doesn't remark on that.
"We'll hear what you have to say," he says, in regards to them being on the same side.
Nonetheless -- he is quite surprised when they start laughing, remove the mask, and reveal a middle aged woman behind it. His eyebrows lift a little. Daredevil Daisy -- a Drifter who he has heard of, to be certain.
His shoulders square, as he listens to Daisy's explanation. "So you're less seeking allies... and more protection," he says. He glances at Xantia. The price, it seems, will be information. His brow furrows.
"We've promised to help Xantia find what she seeks," he says. "But, I want to know what we're walking into. You said you want protection. What do you want protection from?"
They can't act on information about Xantia's past if they're dead, after all.
<Pose Tracker> Elhaym van Houten has posed.
Of course they know me, Elly thinks. It's not like I'm particularly subtle. Her eyes turn momentarily towards Citan, then back ahead.
"I hope so," Elly answers the rhetorical appeal to their common ground, followed by a stoic expression as they laugh at their own pace. Before the mask is removed...
And...
Elly goggles. She doesn't know her history of drifters, it would seem, but from the look on her face, she didn't expect THIS particular outcome. She may have been more in the mind of 'we're definitely getting ambushed,' but that didn't happen either. (Elly glances to the sky, superstitiously.)
"Yes, my thoughts exactly," Elly says, glancing back towards Vitreous. Daredevil Daisy. Whatever. Her tone is rather cool. "We've seen what's happened with Xantia, and to be honest with you, the way this entire conversation began is really pretty troubling to me." She straightens up, resting the stave over her shoulder as she steps forwards.
"I hope," Elly concludes, "you're going to share any of the information about this without too much dithering. I'm going to be really specific: If you say anything along the lines of, 'you'll understand more later' or 'wouldn't you like to know,' or things like that, we're not going to take it very well."
<Pose Tracker> Lily Keil has posed.
"Of course," Lily answers, to what they know. "But there's something to be said for manners."
THey've long watched, is it? Lily narrows her eyes, and listens still.
Properity can mean different things to different people; before Lily can express that, though, Virteous starts... laughing. There's a clear difference, all right. And suddenly...
"Rings a bell," Lily allows. "...Daisy."
"Either you didn't tell your allies here of your plan, or they aren't entirely on board," Lily says. Assuming the whole thing isn't just a trick, of course.
It's Leon's call, of course. But Lily's job is to provide her reasonable input. And that means...
"I'm concerned about a lack of unity here."
"If you're looking for protection, you'll need to trust us more than we're seeing. For a group that 'watches Filgaia'... You'll have to see that."
<Pose Tracker> Citan Uzuki has posed.
It doesn't matter, though, that Citan hasn't given his name--
...because they already know who he is. Who all of them are, in fact. Elly looks his way and he hers, and the only thing he can do to her silent question, perhaps, is subtly shrug. Perhaps it's because of his work with the Wolves, he supposes...
"Well, it would seem that you have us at a disadvantage," he begins, addressing them at last.
And then Vitreous drops her mask.
"Well now," Citan says, once the cards are on the table. Indeed, they are the ones at a disadvantage here... if to an extent.
"'Daredevil Daisy', was it? I am familiar with the name. They still speak of the woman who rode the distance between Little Twister and Dazil in a single night in Aveh, after all. Though, I suspect the part of the tale where she rode a horse stolen from Hell itself was... embellished, shall we say?" He spreads his hands, almost conciliatory.
Still, while some questions have been answered, many more remain -- including the reason behind why the Eye has reached out to them in the first place. Citan nods. "I agree with the Captain," he says. "I believe we should know what it is that we may be encountering. Beside which... you mentioned the others who had led your organization. Then, this group has history behind it, I take it?"
Which is to say, their apparent acting chops or not, this is the real thing. Of a sort, in any case.
<Pose Tracker> Leon Albus has posed.
Leon Albus awwww kitty
<Pose Tracker> Xantia has posed.
Daisy laughs heartily at Elly's worries, waving them off with a quick hand gesture. "Hon, this's been my song and dance for the last twenty years or so, can't expect me to kick the habit right quick." Sobering, she adds, "...But I getcha. My days o' mystery are done. Ain't gonna help none to keep secrets now. Wouldn't be begging for help like this if it were otherwise."
"...Speakin' o' days gone," she continues, turning to Citan. "Knew a lot 'bout y'all, but dang. Didn't rightly think those stories still got 'round." The way she pauses at this is not an embellishment. She's genuinely touched, and more than a little proud. "Stole it from the royal family of Bledavik, actually. It was like Hell, I'll tell ya, wouldn't have done it had I known it was King Edbart's, and how much he loved that horse."
Leon then asks the very reasonable question of what exactly they need protection from.
"Why, from the very folks I'd be rattin' out t'ya, 'course." Casually spoken, but there is the first sign of tension from Daisy directly afterwards, glancing left and right. It seems those of the Black Wolves who worried about an ambush may have reason to worry still... and that the ambush may not come from the expected direction, to boot.
With a sigh, Daisy shrugs helplessly. "Flew too close to the sun, or so it were. Way back when, we were told we could help save Filgaia. All of us, all we wanted was to make a difference, so we believed in those folks. Their work was..." She looks lost in thought for a moment, coming up short on the way to adequately describe what it is she saw. "Well, let's say that if you saw it, you'd think they were this planet's best hope, too."
With a growing frown, she continues, "Long story short, we've been had. When we figured it out, we turned against them. Hasn't been going particularly well."
Lily's concerns prompted a sense of deep sadness, little of which was shown on Daisy's face. At this point in the story, it's her the Watchful Eye's surviving commander turns to. "A lack of unity... you could say that. Since most of us have been reduced to tiny little pieces at this point. We had no idea they still had the resources to pull it off, but... they're pretty determined to do the lot of us in, by the looks of it."
Daisy's head sharply turns to Xantia, suddenly, walking over in her direction, but stopping at a reasonable distance. "And then there's you, and your little 'condition', causing us no end of trouble at the worst possible time. Chased us to the end of the dang world, you did. We're split to hell and back, don't even know how many of us are still alive."
Xantia's emotions are a mix of regret and anger, stammering back, "I-I never meant for..." Daisy interrupts, "'course you didn't, I'm just saying, it's in all our best interests to make sure that don't happen again. Reckon that letting you in on what I know might do the trick." Turning to Leon, she asks, "So. You thinkin' we can strike us a deal?"
<Pose Tracker> Leon Albus has posed.
Leon frowns a little at the mention of stealing a horse.
"I see," Leon says, in regards to who they would be protecting her from. He listens, as she explains -- though he notices the tension in her voice and her posture. Though, he frowns for a moment.
"I might not," he tells her. "But I'm notoriously skeptical."
He glances at Lily -- then nods. A lack of unity, indeed.
"I think we can," he says. "If you give us information and they would come after you for it... well. In that case, we are obliged to defend you. And we can assist you in getting somewhere safe, as well."
He glances at Citan, then at Elly. They'll need to think of somewhere safe -- but he can already see a couple of options.
<Pose Tracker> Lily Keil has posed.
Of course Citan knows the details. That's one of the things they count on him for--knowing. Lily doesn't comment further on that for now. Instead, she waits for answers to her own questions. And the answers to others.
Lily detects that sadness--it doesn't disarm her skepticism, but it does help. "I see." She makes no promises, makes no offers. She waits for Leon's directive--and then inclines her head, when he makes the decision.
"I'll need for your people to trust me, if I'm to help protect them. But I am willing. If the Captain ins inclined..."
"Consider my abilities bent to the task."
<Pose Tracker> Lily Keil has posed.
Of course Citan knows the details. That's one of the things they count on him for--knowing. Lily doesn't comment further on that for now. Instead, she waits for answers to her own questions. And the answers to others.
Lily detects that sadness--it doesn't disarm her skepticism, but it does help. "I see." She makes no promises, makes no offers. She waits for Leon's directive--and then inclines her head, when he makes the decision.
"I'll need for your people to trust me, if I'm to help protect them. But I am willing. If the Captain ins inclined..."
"Consider my abilities bent to the task."
Then she looks to Xantia. "...Don't let it get to you. We can talk about that later."
<Pose Tracker> Elhaym van Houten has posed.
Daisy laughs... but she seems to understand. Elly smiles, a little experimentally. She glances up as well, and towards the other people with Daisy. Lily and Citan can probably both tell that Elly is on watch for *someone* with a knife or a gun popping out to slay their client in front of them.
That person might be in for a bad time. If they existed.
She blink-blinks and focuses on Daisy again. "... You stole a horse?!" Elly says, obscurely aghast, as if she had internalized this aspect of Filgaian life... but not such further ones, like 'the rules are really more like guidelines' and 'sometimes you have to steal a horse.'
Leon sets the tone in his steadfast and dutiful way. Lily counterpoints.
"... When did this, um, falling out, happen?" Elly then says, after Daisy addresses Xantia. "From what you had said I had thought it might be a matter of weeks - that it had happened since that message was left with Xantia - but it sounds as if it may have been more ongoing than we thought."
Elly has stepped closer throughout this.
(Secretly, she is trying not to think about some of the parallels with her own life-style and what Daisy is describing.)
<Pose Tracker> Citan Uzuki has posed.
"So that was King Edbart's... I see!" Citan remarks with an emphatic nod, as if a particular facet of Ignas' history has now been made clear. "So that is what led to-- ah, but I digress," he says, shaking his head. "Please, do go on."
And Daisy does as they so bid, putting as much of her tale as she may feel she can tell -- she wouldn't have survived the life she had lived even if only a fraction of the stories about her had been true if she was as trusting as that, he feels -- before them. Even if she is still hiding an ace up her sleeve she has already... imparted quite a lot to them. He meets Leon's gaze and trades a glance Elly's way, as if curious of her own thoughts on the matter... particularly when she has more questions to ask.
If they're all willing, then...?
"As Lily says, if the Captain is inclined then, I believe we may be able assist."
He pauses, taking in the last exchange between Xantia and Daisy. "...Particularly if you might have an answer for, ah, Xantia's 'ailment'."
<Pose Tracker> Xantia has posed.
"Emergency trumps the law," is Daisy's only defense regarding the stealing of horses. She presumably had a good reason at the time. Or thinks she did. But this isn't about that, the current crisis is far more immediate. Regarding that, she notes to Elly, "Oh, right, you weren't there when we tried to off Xenia, were you? Some of your buddies here could tell you all about how well that went, if they haven't already."
That was the time when they blew up their own warehouse with Xenia in it, revealing her to be a construct not so easily killed, an event Lily and Citan were there to witness. Uncoincidentally, they are the two people she looks at when saying this. As one can imagine, that was the moment of falling out. In which case... things may have been going rather badly for them for over a year now. ...She also appears to know exactly who all was there, to the point that she didn't look at Xantia, who got there later and didn't see the explosion happen. The Watchful Eye name wasn't just for show, they really did see a lot of things, and without anyone seeing them.
Xantia nods to Lily when addressed, nodding. Her more explosive emotions have subsided, leaving only shame. Even if she had no control over herself when going after the Eye, it's hard not to feel like what happened was all her fault. She remains silent, otherwise, likely thinking that this will go better if she doesn't interfere with it.
Daisy has already moved on from it at this point, looking on with a mix of glee and relief that the group seems to be coming to an agreement. "Done deal," Daisy is quick to agree to Leon's estimation. "Kinda prefer not to hang 'round here much longer, but you'll be getting the full story once we're out of the open. And then you can tell me what you'd have done in my place," she adds with a grin.
Lily gets a nod of understanding. "Right. Gimme a sec to get the troops on board with how this is gonna go. You're not wrong, they're not as convinced this is the right call as I am, but. They'll listen to me."
She makes to return to her group, but pauses at Citan's remark, briefly turning to Xantia before responding to him "Can't claim to know everything, but. Reckon I better tell ya all about the Overseer. I'm sure she can put the rest together from there." With that, Daisy turns her back to the Wolves...
...And that's when it all goes wrong.
It all happens so very quickly, and without any warning, for most. Only Lily has one, but it won't be much of an advantage given how immediate of an action follows directly after. It's as if Xantia's emotions just abruptly vanished.
She moves so quickly, after that. Faster than the eye can see, and for no apparent reason. One moment she's standing next to the Wolves, the next, she has tackled Daisy to the ground from behind. Did Elly expect the ambush to come from their own ranks...?
The reaction time of the rest of the Watchful Eye is slow only in comparison to that particular extreme. They are, predictably, immediately going for their sidearms, as one.
A further complication will be difficult to immediately catch given the burgeoning chaos. But at the exact moment Xantia acts, a small but bright blue light appears deeper in the forest, rapidly growing in size. Its Ether signature identifies Xenia's presence, approaching at her typical high speed.
There is less than a second to react in any meaningful way before all hell breaks loose.
<Pose Tracker> Leon Albus has posed.
Leon frowns. He heard about the effort to kill Xenia.
"Then let's be on our way," he says to Daisy, with a nod. He turns -- and then everything goes awry. Xantia rockets for Daisy, tackling her to the ground, and then he looks up at the sky. His eyes catch the blur of blue -- and he presses a button on his belt.
His bronze-colored, triangular ARMs detach -- and lift, glowing blue. The Raid Funnels swirl about him, before his eyes turn towards Xantia.
"Xantia!" he calls out. "Control yourself! We--" He is reaching for his gun. "--have incoming!"
<Pose Tracker> Lily Keil has posed.
The ailment. yes, that. But Lily was there; she remembers, after all, what happened to Xenia back then. Things could've gone very, very badly. But Xantia? Lily looks to her in concern... But keeps her word. They will address it later. But Daisy is good enough. What she'd have done?
"I see," Lily says. "Yes, go ahead. Tell your sold..."
Immediate action. Lily senses it--and she has prepared for exactly this kind of eventuality for a long time. Lily doesn't so much as move before she begins casting, a terrible surge of Ether accompanying her action.
Her eyes turn black, but only after her casting: she takes Daisy's space-time location... and twists it.
Assuming that her spell goes off, Xantia will find herself grabbing nothing at all, as Lily rends space itself with a deafening roar to pop Daisy seemingly out of existence for the moment.
It's not teleportation; it's space bending. It may not be a comfortable experience.
Her eyes have gone black already. Her entire form starts to destabilize, turning to shadow. The group knows what this means.
<Pose Tracker> Citan Uzuki has posed.
"Yes. It appears we have much to discuss--"
Perhaps they should have anticipated it after a fashion: those who pull the strings do have control over Xantia as they have seen before. But still, happen it does, heedless of their preparedness or otherwise for such turn of events.
"Xantia!" Citan shouts, lunging after her. She had moved faster than even he could have--
Lily may be the faster on the draw of the two of them, and should Daisy still draw breath, perhaps by her hands she will have been saved. He still reaches for Xantia, unable to spare Lily more than a passing glance for her altered form, perhaps to try to restrain Xantia should she fail to come to her senses.
"She's coming!" he shouts to the others, for he can feel the tell-tale pressure of Xenia's advent.
<Pose Tracker> Elhaym van Houten has posed.
Xantia's leap takes Elly utterly and completely by surprise. Her mouth actually hangs open a little bit. Leon moves faster; she brings her staff around to a guarded position, but other than a worried gasp of "Xantia-" she doesn't seem to have much that can be done... fortunately, Lily does what perhaps *can* be done. And as for what's coming -
SHE is coming.
Elly's grip tightens, her face drawn with the tension of the coming battle. (The good news, at least, is that she does reach out with Earth ether- her timing is not so good as to pop a wall in front of the approaching Xenia, but she does create a sudden divot. Perhaps in hopes of tripping her. She may not wish to slay Xenia, but Elly can live with a possible broken ankle.)
<Pose Tracker> Xantia has posed.
As it happens, the suspicions regarding Xantia are entirely correct. The bracer on her right ARM activates in short order, and she would have surely run Daisy through... had her target not vanished from right before her eyes. This given priority however... the rest of the Watchful Eye are left unaccounted for.
Leon is completely fine, raising his Raid Funnels in time to intercept the bullets sent his way. Who is also complete fine is Xantia, who raises her left bracer, an Ether field deflecting the shots effortlessly. This also ends up shielding Citan, who is directly behind Xantia, and grabs hold of her. Xantia shoots him a cold, empty look... and then gasps, heralding her coming back to her senses. Presumably she won't be causing any issues anymore from here, but... her expression is one of pure terror, focused on something behind Citan. Where there is nothing, nothing that anyone else can see at least.
Lily and Elly, though... they're going to have to deal with a hail of bullets heading their way, as they focus on their own respective tasks. Elly does however succeed in her action, forming a divot in Xenia's way. Xenia is going way too fast to notice or avoid that, the unexpected factor enough to send her flying forward, where she lands in an awkward roll, unable to act immediately. And letting out a very unhappy, "Argh, you idiot!"
The immediate problem does appear to solve itself, in that this chaotic development and especially the sight of Xenia causes the Watchful Eye members to panic and scatter. Leaving only Daisy, somewhere, presumably. Those bullets could have been a problem, in that regard...
<Pose Tracker> Leon Albus has posed.
Leon is tense for a moment, as he sees darkness swirl up around Lily. The last time that happened, it ended differently. But Asgard isn't here; she can control it, as she always did, he tells himself.
Citan calls out that Xenia is coming, and looks up.
Bullets are deflected off the blue-green light of the Raid Funnels. Leon looks at the fleeing soldiers of the Eye -- and then looks after Xenia, as she flies and rolls to a stop. Then, he starts looking about for Daisy.
"Bloody hell," he says, "this went sideways." He looks at Xantia, then nods. "You've recovered?"
He hesitates. "Is Daisy nearby? We need--" He shakes his head. "We should get out quickly."
<Pose Tracker> Lily Keil has posed.
Lily will handle herself. She manages to arrest her transformation, stopping at 'a shadowy black figure' rather than 'a horrible chitinous monster'. She sensed Xenia coming, but had no time to give warnings. ...Similarly, she has no time to dodge bullets.
They impact her chest and leg in a hail of gunfire, causing her to make a noise of pain, but in this form whether she even has vital organs is debatable. She doesn't dodge--but she does manage to hold her concentration.
"She's--"
Lily manages, "She'll be back soon. I did something to get her out of the way, to prevent Xantia killing her."
But... Lily can't just let her out anywhere she pleases.
"Xenia, what is it that you want?"
She looks around--Citan has Xantia. Elly--
"Speak quickly."
<Pose Tracker> Elhaym van Houten has posed.
Elly feels a bullet whiz a hole through the shoulder of her coat. She acts on reflex and throws herself forwards, face down; her head lifts almost immediately afterwards, but other than THAT sting, she's alright. Except she's laying on her belly. Nonetheless she looks up at Xenia, intently.
Her face is not menacing.
And yet...
<Pose Tracker> Citan Uzuki has posed.
Collectively, they apply order to the chaos. If but a single one of them hadn't been there... well, one might shudder to think what could have happened otherwise.
As he turns his head to see what it is that Xantia is staring at with such horror, Citan is treated to the sight of a hail of bullets, one of which rebounds off of the funnel that intercedes for him. Well. There are times when even the mind cannot put together anything more than that -- than 'well'.
But he does not think that was what Xantia was looking at in horror.
...Lily can, indeed, handle herself.
"Leon is right," Citan says, loosening his grip on Xantia and straightening. "We must leave, immediately." Particularly since Lily needs to let their new guest go at some point.
He furrows his brow faintly, gazing down at Xenia and recalling an exchange, once upon a time. "...Though I do not think that you should go with us."
<Pose Tracker> Xantia has posed.
Thankfully, the damage seems light - though it's hard to draw any conclusions from Lily, in her current condition. The only immediate problem that still remains is Xenia, who leaps back up to her feet in short order. With how hard it is to damage her artificial body in a meaningful, lasting way, this was only a very brief setback. Yet, long enough for her to lose sight of every single member of the Watchful Eye that was present. She is obviously unhappy with this, meeting that look of Elly's with a deep frown. But she doesn't say a word, only addressing Lily when she asks her question.
"What do you think? The Watchful Eye needs to go, especially now that they decided to become the Blabbering Mouth. Shame, really. Or wait, no, they blew me up and forced me to clean up the enormous mess they made, so they can fuck right off actually."
Meanwhile, the question that Leon asks Xantia is... a difficult one to answer, since she herself seems incapable of it. Whatever it is she saw back there, she has rarely looked this terrified in her life. As soon as Citan loosens his grip, she rapidly crawls backward, until finally managing to stumble back to her feet. She still seems to be staring at something that isn't there. But clearly, there is yet something that Xantia sees, as evidenced by how, out of nowhere, she starts to yell at the nothing in front of her.
"Don't! Stay away! Can't you see what's happening?" She turns, towards something else unseen. "Please! Sound the alarm! Have everyone evacuate! I can't... I can't...!" She turns back in the previous direction, shaking her head wildly. "No, no, no! I'm begging you, please, don't come near me! Run! You have to...! Or I will...!"
Following a sudden convulsion, Xantia lets out a tormented scream. And then, she runs, in a complete panic, from whatever it is she saw.
Even Xenia is struck silent by that. When she speaks again, it's in a far softer tone than before. "Damn. Going to pieces over just this much? I knew you should never have remembered." She turns to the rest of the Wolves, now in a calm, businesslike tone. "Bit of well-meant advice here? Don't chase after her. She'll never process things properly the way you bunch keep coddling her."
A bright blue glow heralds her imminent departure, leaving them with the words, "It's only going to get worse from here." And then, she's gone, in her usual high-speed fashion.