Chapter 28
The party, sans Thaylorn are all back on the ancient elevator system. The large square of metal is bare of anything except for the small rectangular control panel near the railing which has illuminated itself with greeny bluye lights. The lights in the floor and around the edge of the platform have finished warming up after their long, long sleep and now everyone can see! The shaft leading down is still in shadow however, though the odd sparkle of electrical energy can be seen now. Theylorn is down there... no one knows if he is safe or not but it wouldn't be secure to fly down there now their only hope to reach the lowest depths of Borneth's Tomb is to get this ancient device to work somehow. Still Ultemicia has been forced to flee and withdraw so for now the party have small respite.
Marduke is blinking his eyes and starting to pace a bit as the lights come on, shaking his head slowly, "I only know the basics of machinary, anybody have a clue how to fix this thing?" Looking around and just shaking his head with a soft sigh. Moving along the edge just looking things over for now. "I feel a bit lost in this right now, at least we got her to pull back for a bit."
Raziel looks around and then down over the edge. He seems to ponder for a moment then straightens back up and looks at Marduke, "I typically just hit things when they don't work. That's likely an unwise choice though. Already Vazkor has had to purchase another viewing sphere for example." He turns his attention to Mordecai and Jenna then, one brow lifting while he tilts his head a little bit.
Mordecai looks up at the others, having been briefly distracted by studying the blood on the front of his shirt, matching the older blood from previous injuries already sustained (though luckily healed) through the course of this adventure. Starting to look pretty gruesome by now. Nodding at Raziel and Marduke then, he starts to study his surroundings, looking for a control box or the like that they can make tinker with to get this thing going, commenting in his gruff voice, "I'm up for hitting it if all else fails."
"Oi... blimey..." Jenna is laying on her back at the edge of the elevator where Raziel deposited her, after a rather timely rescue. The burmecian tosses her pistol to one side, where it clatters across the floor of the elevator, away from the edge. She reaches up to rub at her forehead, and groans wordlessly. "Thought I was fallin' to me death for real that time," she complains. "Thank you, Raziel. I see I'd better get meself some wings if this keeps up." Slowly, she pulls herself up to a sitting position. "Couldn't snatch that coin off her in passing," she adds, "But I did get this." She holds up the green book that says 'Ultimecia' across the front, and waggles it about a little. "While you all work on that, I'm gonna have a peek." And with that, she cracks the cover open.
The control panel is just well the same as before, to Marduke, Raziel and Mordecai it is just glowing green and blue spheres and coloumns and screens and illuminated switches. Jenna cracks the book open and it flares with light for a moment and then settles down. Whatever language it is written in it swims before the girls eyes, shifting and dancing letters that move about on the page slowly...
Marduke moves over to the control box and just shakes his head, "Outside of random guess work I see nothing that tells us what does what." Blinking as he glances back over to Jenna and tilts his head watching the book with a frown, "You ok there Jenna? Should be careful when opening unknown books, traps often within." Looking to Raziel and Mordecai then back to Jenna, taking a more on guard stance in case something happens.
Raziel looks at Jenna when she mentions the book and he takes a few steps closer, "might be bet-..." The man sighs then and murmurs quietly, "girl don't be rescued just to fall into another possible trap." He looks at Marduke too and then mutters out the corner of his mouth to the two other fellows, "keep an eye on her." And he crouches to retrieve the gun she casually tossed asside before going to start inspecting the glowing switches and then try pressing one of the lowest ones.
Mordecai blinks at that flash of light and turns around to peer at both Jenna and the book... Glancing over at Marduke and Raziel moments after as they comment on the sight, and then nods some at the Aegyl as he approaches the gunslinging Burmecian some, rumbling, "Yeah, careful with that... Let one of the scholary types look at it, maybe." Even as he watches Raziel tinkering with the elevator controls.
Jenna eyes the page she picked at random; she squints, and then she scowls at it. "Yeah, I might'a guessed," she declares. "Of *course* it's not that easy. The letters are all jumbly and won't sit still." She snaps the cover closed once more, and rises back to her feet. "Yeah, don't worry, not planning on getting my brain zonked out by some evil green book." She shrugs. "So, on that note, anyone else want a go?"
Raziel picks a button at random and as he pushes it a column of light springs up from the console and a figure, a tall human in a white coat appears flickering into view. She starts to speak in some unknown language, rambling on and then a light sweeps out to engulf everyone and then snap back into the console and she starts speaking again in a heavy accent. "Welcome to the Broad-acres Research and Development laboratory. This outpost of the Rozzarian Empire is classified as high security. Anything you see within must not be revealed outside these walls on pain of the strictest censure the Empire can hand out."
Marduke snaps his head back to the control box and blinks, "Rozzarian..." Shaking his head and holding a hand up to his head, "Very ancient I suppose then." Stepping back, "Don't blow us up there Raziel." He offers and glances to Jenna, "Well seems it didn't melt your mind or explose, suppose I could take a look at it." Shrugging his shoulders as he walks over to Jenna.
Raziel withdraws his hand as the light flares up and he draws back then and glances towards Jenna for a moment before looking back at the 'speaker'. The man frowns a little bit before he murmurs, "I wonder if it will be anything like the one below the water." Straightening then he turns and hands Jenna's gun back to her, "don't throw this again. It could go off and hurt someone. And if this is like what I have gone through before.." he looks around, "be prepared for security measures."
Mordecai's attention turns away from the book to the console, arching his brow at the labcoated human, followed by a thoughtful frown as she speaks in both ancient Rozarrian and a language he understands. Glancing at Raziel then, he comments, "That was progress, at least... Though as the summoner says, this place must be ancient. Didn't sound much like any Rozarrian I've ever heard." And he shrugs then, before he joins the Aegyl at the console, leaving the others to the book.
Jenna jumps as the labcoated figure appears, and reaches for her pistol, which of cours is currently in Raziel's hands. "Well bugger," she mutters. Leaving the book with Marduke (and giving him a look that says 'I'll want that back later') the Burmecian meanders her way over to where Raziel is standing. "Mind if I ask for me pistol back? I'll be needing it if we meet anything hostile," she comments in a pleasant tone of voice. "I dunno about all this stuff. I'm good with tech, but my expertise is mostly to do with guns."
Marduke opens the book once more and again the letters dance and swirl and jig and flow and move about on the pages making it impossible to read right now. The lab-coated figure continues speaking as various images on the control panel start to change. "The decent to the main laboratory complex will take thirty minutes. Pleae avail yourself of this information point to familiarise yourself with the security features required at the bottom and the general operation of the laboratory and its research." The platform trembles and with a flaring of yellow warning lights detatches from the entrance platform and starts to descend....
Marduke flips a few pages in the book and frowns thoughtfully, "A counter-enchantment to prevent people from reading it I see." He offers and glances back to the labcoat figure and hmms, "Well looks like we have half a hour on the trip down. Jenna mind if I sit down and see if I can break this or get past it? We have a little time." Shrugging his shoulders as he looks back to the book thoughtfully, "Most interesting, oh and let me know if there are any security features I need to be directly aware of, other then if it shoots usfire back." Moving to find himself a seat.
Jenna jumps as the labcoated figure appears, and reaches for her pistol, which of cours is currently in Raziel's hands. "Well bugger," she mutters. Leaving the book with Marduke (and giving him a look that says 'I'll want that back later') the Burmecian meanders her way over to where Raziel is standing to collect her gun. "I dunno about all this stuff. I'm good with tech, but my expertise is mostly to do with guns." She flips her weapon's cylinder out to chamber fresh rounds. "Don't worry, Raziel; I tinker with all my guns so there's an integral safety on the trigger, they can't fire by accident. Not unless you *really* abuse 'em."
Raziel looks at Jenna blandly One brow twitches up just a little bit and then settles back into place once more, "still a weapon should not be tossed around so casually, but treated with respect." He looks at Marduke then as the man goes to settle down and then notes, "I could look as well you know." There's a slight shake of the head and the aegyl turns back to the panel before starting to turn to the console once again and see about checking in on those security measures.
Mordecai briefly listens in on the conversation about Jenna's weapon, but doesn't give his opinion on the matter despite his own apparent expertise with firearms. He just watches Marduke study that book for a moment afterwards, before turning back to the console to help Raziel figure out what those security measures might be once they reach bottom in about half a hour, idly commenting, "Let's hope the Imp is waiting for us down there."
Jenna perks an eyebrow upwards, and shakes her head. "Let's not get into an arguement about weapons," Jenna replies. "No need to worry, I'll be sure to treat yours with full respect. Let's make sure that we only argue about things that really matter, hmm? Anyway, the important thing is you caught me and thus saved me from getting my face smashed inside out on the bottom of the elevator shaft." The burmecian holsters her weapon, and flashes a toothy grin, before meandering over to stand near Marduke. "Go ahead," she replies. "I'd love to know what it says."
The book still refuses to give up its secrets to Marduke, the spells over-laid on the text are mind-bogglinglingly complex he cannot even begin to unpick the first of the magic poured atop them. The dials Raziel tries to move makes all the lights go out until he turns it back and brings them slowly back on. The image flickers and then speaks again suddenly as the elevator continues to descend. "Warning... central databae offline... greeting system offline. Stellazio Energy Harnessing Project ... Alert Code Beta.. ... fffff g..ga....gaaa fzzzzzz" and then the image and the control panel wink out. The elevator is still moving, the lights are on but the computer is dead. It seems there will be no more clues from these people.
Marduke mutters to himself a few times here and there, mostly wishing he had paper and ink to make notes with, "Raziel you are welcome to look." Glancing up and blinking, "Stellazio energy harnessing project!?" Holding a hand to his head and sighing, "Brilliant..." Glancing back to the book not quiet ready to give up, "Well seems that system is dead join me here while we descend, maybe we can work out some of the enchantments on this book. Very complex." Sighing again, "What were they doing down here... this is not a tomb at all."
Raziel growls and he starts to pull back his hand before stopping whatever impulse he has right now. For a few moments he closes his eyes and then breaths out, "never thought I'd say this, but I wish we had a moogle." The man looks at Jenna and merely nods a little bit before he walks over to crouch down near Marduke and start to look over the book, speaking while trying to decipher it, "I could attempt to explain what we saw in the research facility beneath the ocean, but I don't think I could do it justice."
Mordecai blinks as the console fizzes out, and frowns at the last thing the projection said, reaching a hand up to rub his bearded jaw. Turning back to the others then, he comments, "... Well, looks like we'll go in unprepared. Gonna be dodging traps again most likely, so stay on your toes once we get down there." Before glancing to Marduke, and adding, "I figure it's both. A tomb and a research center. The latter probably just got tagged on so they could do that project it talked about." And he shrugs, followed by the man trying to find a spot to settle down while the scholarly types study the book.
"Well, if reading the book isn't working out..." Jenna shrugs her shoulders lightly. "Want me to just tuck it away, and we can have another try later? I seriously doubt it's going to help us right this instant anyway. I don't think the Witch was planning on letting me have it." She pauses, and chuckles softly. "On the other hand, you might want to get it sorted before she returns and eviscerates me to get it back. So there is that."
The book might as well be flipping the two mages the bird! Summoner and Fire Mage stare at the slightly glowing pages and DAMN the whole thing is a confusing muddle. And Jenna well to Jenna it glows brightly, the soldier cannot even see the letters it is so bright and foggy and confusing.
"Jenna, might as well try now. It is a half hour trip to the bottom and got nothing else to do. Keeps my mind off the dangers to come as well." Offers Marduke as he glances up, "But damn it if the book isn't frustrating." Glancing back to it and muttering to Raziel, "Seriously good enchantments, you getting anywhere?" Then looking over to Mordecai, "Everything ok over there, seems things are a bit quiet on this ride." Before looking back to the book, clearly a frustrated summoner.
Raziel reaches up and he rubs his eyes for a few moments before shaking his head and straightening back up, "not a damned thing. I have a feeling it will take some study to be able to understand it. I agree, however, that it's not likely that there will be much we need in it immediately." He sighs and wanders bak over to Mordecai then, "and how goes it for you? Any urge to punch things yet?"
Mordecai stands a bit to the side, his back turned to the others as he stares off into the darkness quickly passing them by, another thoughtful frown on his face. As both Marduke and Raziel ask him what's up though, he glances at them, and then points a moment, rumbling, "... I'd prefer shooting things down here. But either case, we're definately in somekind of research facility. We keep passing other floors, marked with signs like 'Satellite Link', whatever that means..." And he pauses then to suddenly sniff the air, leaning forward to peer over the edge afterwards as he adds, "And I can smell plants and fresh air down there."
"Well the letteres aren't swimming around on the pages for me anymore," Jenna announces proudly. She lets that statement hover in the air for a nice, dramatic moment. "Now they're playing sneaky buggers. I can't see 'em at *all*." She kneels down beside Marduke, and leans over his shoulder to continue squinting at books. "Oh, I do love a good challenge. This is like one of those puzzles you get as a kid, except it might eat your face if you get it wrong. Isn't this fun?" She looks up towards Raziel and Mordecai, and hunhs softly. "Plants, down here? That's a lot of effort."
The book gives up one secret, with Jenna and Marduke staring at it together they get one very brief moment of clarity the sentence, "Libra was a perverse fellow. He would always....." and then it is gone and before they can try and wrest more from it the elevator suddenly jerks.... something goes CRACK and the lights all turn red and start to flash as the whole thing JARS to a hault without warning. No one is really bothered by the sudden jarring stop which means they are all in a fine position to see the elevator dipping in one corner... it jerks and metal screeeches... the whole thing is starting to tear away from the wall.....
Marduke stares at the book a moment, "Jenna did you see that, this is informationm on the stel..." Cut off by the sudden jerk and jumping to his feet closing the book and holding onto it. He glances around and frowns, "Nearest floor if we can and quickly?" He offers as he glances around and reaches for his belt to grab at something just in case, "We could still be a long ways up." Moving to get ready to jump off if they find a safe place to jump.
Raziel's head snaps towards Marduke and his brow flicks, "he would always what?" But anything else is cut off as the elevator suddenly jolts and he staggers a little before finding something to grip. The man scowls and looks at the wall, "crap.. is..." He looks around and then edges to the side to look down and then around, looking for a way off of the elevator that would be safe for everyone.
Raziel's head snaps towards Marduke and his brow flicks, "did you two get anything?" But anything else is cut off as the elevator suddenly jolts and he staggers a little before finding something to grip. The man scowls and looks at the wall, "crap.. is..." He looks around and then edges to the side to look down and then around, looking for a way off of the elevator that would be safe for everyone.
Mordecai wobbles a bit as the elevator comes to a sudden halt, and then quickly turns towards the side that's start to tilt... Peering at it with an almost annoyed expression as he sees the platform start to tear away, about to collapse. And he turns back to the other side then, his eyes first going up- Seeing one of the floors about 25 feet up, likely out of reach for all except Raziel- and then peering down, to hopefully see another floor down there that's a bit closer, the man growling, "... I think we gotta jump, but we're liable to have this damn thing falling after us."
"Yeah Marduke, I saw-AUGH!" Jenna shifts, planting her feet as everything goes wonky, amidst the sound of squealing metal. "Jump?! Not again! You must be joking. I am getting wholly fed up with plummeting through the air on this excursion." Still, for all her complaint, the Burmecian allows Marduke to hold on to the book for now and hurries to join Raziel and Mordecai. "C'mon, Marduke!" she shouts. "Whatever you're all gonna do, do it fast!"
The elevator creaaaaaks and sags in one corner, falling another few feet and with a tearing rending of metal pulls further from the wall, the front dips down... now at a 45 degree angle and slowly falling out from the wall. Seconds remain, it cannot be being held on by much.....
Marduke moves over to the rest and stands there waiting, "Just show us where to jump then Mordecai, if there is anywhere to jump." Shaking his head with a sigh and holding onto the book for the moment, no real time to pass it off and getting ready to follow after and jump. Raziel scowls and then he shakes his head a little, "I've got nothing....." He lets out a little gasp and his wnigs flap when the cart starts to tilt. A quick glance is cast around before he nods, "I'll go first.. without my weight hopefully it won't be as bad and I can break my fall at least." The mage leaps out then, his wings puffing out to help him slow his fall.
Mordecai glances once more at the side of the platform that's tearing off, and then looks back just in time to see Raziel make the leap... The man scowling a brief moment, before he just lets out a gruff, "Fuck it. Prepare to run if you land safely." And then quickly follows suit, taking a few steps back to give himself a 'running' start, and aiming for the direction of the floor below as he hits open air upon his jump, his coat flapping behind him.
"Oh for fucks sake." Jenna makes sure her pistol is secure in its holster, and that both her blade and Raziel's kukri are similarly looked after, as she backs up a couple of steps. The burmecian charges forwards, working up as swift a pace as she may, before she too leaps off after Mordecai (albeit careful not to land in exactly the same spot). As she plummets into the darkness her open jacket billows around her, and she draws her knees in a bit, so she won't break them when she lands.
Everyone jumps! Raziel is plummeting down on his wings, wings out and puffing to help slow him which means that in seconds the others plunge past him as they are falling faster. There is no convinient landing stage, just a blocked off ruin about 5 feet down with no place to land safely, there is then a forty foot drop down to what is clearly the bottom of the shaft as a beam of bright light can be seen casting out onto the landing stage where Thaylorn is standing next to a tall figure. He has long black hair that settles over his shoulders and he is wearing a Kimono of starlight, the woven light stitched with tiny designs that dance and sway and flow back and forth. He is tall, handsome and his bearing is grand but in a friendly manner. As Marduke, Mordecai and Jenna plumment to their deaths the elevator rips loose above and starts to fall. The 20 ton lump of metal on a collision course to put an end to Raziel's life as the slowly falling Aegyl flaps his way down. The figure raises a hand at the elevator vanishes, it is just gone and then with a soft blink of light the quartet find themselves on the landing in front of the figure and Thaylorn, the warm light from the garden behind is refreshing after the darkness, the scent of rich green growth is in their nose and they can glimpe a garden just through the doorway.
"Oh goodness..." Thaylorn offers as the ordeal with the elevator is over, and the group materialized before him and the tall stranger upon the platform "That's why we came back this way, I see." He remakrs with the smallest of nods, and smile towards the group now that they're nearby once again. He does wonder where the elevator vanished to, in turn, but sates his curiosity for now by turning his attention to the tall fellow again. "And this is them." He remarks with a gesture towards the group, a smile still showing for the time being.
Marduke makes the jump as the last one off the platform, starting to plumet towards his doom, "Not again." As flails his arms in a vain attempt to try not to fall to his death and turning and starting to chant, hoping he might have a time to pull off something. Only to stop as things quickly start to change the falling platform vanishing above him and his landing suddenly not so lethal. He blinks as he looks around muttering under his breath, "That is like the third time I have falling to my death, but not." Holding a hand to his head and then glancing up and blinking at the new figure and Thaylorn. "Err Hello, thanks for the save." Working to get back to his feet slowly.
Raziel's eyes snap up and he just stares for half a second before tucking the wings in close to his back suddenly. He starts to plummet and closes his eyes, secure in the knowledge this isn't going to end well. So it's much to his surprise when a few moments latre he isn't dead. Nor is he falling. Slowly he opens one eye and then the other before suddenly straightening up and looking to Thylorn then his companion while taking in his outfit and appearance. Slowly he inclines his head, "I would guess that we owe you our thanks.. so I do tender that."
Mordecai looks rather unhappy as he just silently sails to his likely death, staring down the approaching floor, not willing to close his eyes in his final moments... But then, he suddenly finds himself just standing there, on the bottom, facing Thaylorn and some handsome, tall figure. The man blinking at them both, glancing from one to the other, and his expression slowly becoming neutral again before he rumbles in that gruff voice, "Uh... Hello?" Not sure what else to say.
Jenna doesn't close her eyes or any of that nonsense; she's watching the floor rushing up to meet her, and this time she's not screaming. It won't hurt much, afterall; you just hit the bottom, your various bones and things snap and cave in, and it's over, right? Much quicker than having a cursed bullet lodged in your chest. But then, that doesn't happen afterall, and the burmecian finds herself standing on solid ground. "Yeah, it's the third time for me *today*, she answers Marduke, and flashes a toothy grin. "So, yes. Thank you for that; I appreciate it," she directs to the kimonoed individual.
The figure turns to look at the Imp and nods his head as he speaks, "Indeed, I sensed their approach and the elevator was set to kill those who approached without emissary as I fore-saw long ago." He turns back and bows, his kimono flowing, glittering like star-light as he observes you all, "Be welcome Master Mordecai, Summoner Marduke, Master Sergeant Jenna," He pauses and turns to Raziel and stands tall, starlight glittering in his eyes, "Raziel, Chosen of Andromeda, Master of the Stellazio I bid you welcome. Your companion and imp Thaylorn has taken possession of myself, the Coin Scorpio but we must retire within. There are matters we must discuss ere I can permit you all to leave. Prices that must be discussed for my leaving here."
Thaylorn nods slowely in turn with what the majestic fellow is saying, still smiling slightly as he does so "It's really nice down here." He remarks, as if to convince the others that it's wise to stay, if not for the more obvious reason of the coin. The Imp also reaches to pat at one of the pouches at his side some as he steps back to head within the Garden once again, if the others move as well, that is.
Marduke just nods slowly at that as he takes it all in. "Then we are honored Scorpio." offering a bow and glancing to the others and raising his eyebrows and shakes his head slowly. "Well at least that part is over with, Raziel seems you have negotiations to do." A touch of a teasing smile, as he turns to follow Thaylorn and Scorpio in.
Raziel looks to his companions for a moment before looking back towards the spirit. He remains quiet, but dips his head as Marduke and Thaylorn both speak. For a few moments he glances up at the shaft and then he starts to follow after Thaylorn and Marduke while turning his eyes to the kimono clad man once more, "Prices? Very well, sir.." His demeanor being a contemplative one. Thaylorn pages, "What would happen if I /did/ give the coin to Raziel? Bad things? Ehehe" to you.
Mordecai arches his brow at the spirit, but decides to not ask any questions just yet... He just shrugs lightly and nods, before politely tipping his hat, and then moving to follow after the others, looking contemplative and thoughtful as well as he wonders what all is going to happen next.
Jenna perks an eyebrow upwards as Scorpio speaks; and when he is finished, the burmecian glances back and forth between her companions. As people start following the spirit, she glances to her side, checking her weapons; not a hostile gesture, merely making sure that things are neatly secured, that her pistol is in fact not cocked (it isn't), and then she, too, turns to follow. She clasps her hands behind her back, seeming quite content to bring up the rear in silence.
The room at the bottom of this elevator shaft, the cavern is breah-taking and huge! It stretches off into the distance and the ceiling glows with a gentle light. The odd mouldering silver structure rises from the trees and plants of the cavern but everyrthing i grass and butterflies and trickling streams and flowers. Scorpio leads the way toward a tall pagoda like structure and enters, moving into the shade to seat himself cross legged before a table. He invites everyone to sit and smiles, "Be welcome to my garden, now then Master Raziel as I saw long ago. You are here to ask me to leave, to fight the witch, to take up my place in the order of the above. Why should i? All of you feel free to speak but why should I leave here?"
Thaylorn merely nods and moves to takes the group to the Spirit's Pagoda, remaining quiet while he let's Raziel handle the speaking situation at least for the time being. When invited the Imp would sit off to the side next to the table, listening curiously for the time being.
Marduke glances up and around with a hmmm and a smile, "Beautiful." Eyes looking around as he follows after the spirit. Once they arrive he moves over and finds himself a seat to sit down and relax, taking a deep breath and then a sigh after words. Closing his eyes he stays quiet for a moment and then glances over towards the spirit thoughtfully and tilts his head.
Raziel quietly admires their surroundings, but it doesn't take long for him to turn to the spirit once again. The man is quiet for a few moments before he walks closer, but doesn't sit.. or recline as he often has to do with the wings. "I have a few answers to answer your question. That the witch will come for you and take you by force if she must, that she plans to use your powers to commit evil deeds on the world... but..." he steps in closer and lowers his voice while looking deeply into those starry eyes, "she already has Libra... and she already has Virgo. We need your help to save them from her."
Mordecai lets his eyes wander across the garden, making no comment on it, even though he does look fairly impressed- Or as much as his normally gruff, stoic demeanor allows him to, anyway. Being offered to sit down then, he quietly does so, glad for the oppertunity to rest his tired, blood covered body in more pleasant surroundings for a bit... And then listens to both the spirit, and afterwards Raziel, speak. Letting his pale eyes glance between both of them, before deciding to add to the conversation. Quietly interjecting, "My boss told me to help the Aegyl get you and your... Kin, so that's what I'm doing. When a Greater Spirit tells you to do something, it's best to follow orders."
Scorpio pours the tea, listening to Raziel speak and looking around at the others, "Libra was always perverse fellow. He would always walk in the opposite direction of the sun, never seeing Virgo himself but when ... it happened back then he agreed to protect me here." He finishes pouring the tea and looks around, "What say everyone else here? Should I leave this sanctuary? Return to the order amongst the stars..." he sets down the cups before each person, "Virgo... my love... I miss her so very dearly... is this witch truly a threat?"
Jenna reaches up and brushes her fingers through her hair, after scrubbing vigorously at her face. She cranes her head back, arching her back as she stretches, until the soft pop of one vertebra aginst another can be heard in her immediate vicinity. That, apparently, is much better; the burmecian sighs almost contentedly, as she drops her gaze back to the discussion in progress. Raziel seems to have things well in hand, though; so for the moment, the former Master Sergeant continues to say nothing.
Scorpio pours the tea, listening to Raziel speak and looking around at the others, "Libra was always perverse fellow. He would always walk in the opposite direction of the sun, never seeing Virgo himself but when ... it happened back then he agreed to protect me here." He finishes pouring the tea and looks around, "What say everyone else here? Should I leave this sanctuary? Return to the order amongst the stars..." he sets down the cups before each person, "Virgo... my love... I miss her so very dearly... is this witch truly a threat? It was Virgo who told us to hide... to shroud ourselves in starlight and mystery so we cannot be abused by man. If we return to the temple what gurantees do we have that once more mortals will not seek to abuse our powers as they should not?"
"She nearly reached here, she was at the top of that lift..." Thaylorn remarks softly from where he had sat down "She could probably truely reach her, and well, I doubt this place is fully as safe as she could get that far." The Imp remarks with a small shrug, adding in his thoughts to why Scorpio should leave once more.
Marduke raises his eyebrows, "Is there such a thing, true safty, true peace? I have often wondered that myself many a time. Yet here, it feels like a hiding place, a spot to let the world pass you by. We have found it, others will find it, and she will be back herself if you stay. How safe are you truly?" Shaking his head slowly, "The only guarentee we can truly give you is that we personally would not abuse your power. There are many out there that would seek to see it protected as well." Leaning back a bit and hmming again a moment.
Raziel lowers his eyes for a moment as he thinks quietly before finally nodding and straightening, "the path of fate which you foresaw has been broken, the future is uncertain at this point in time. Is she truly dangerous? Yes, she is. Incredibly so... to answer your question though..." The aegyl's voice trails off and he looks thoughtful. He comes to a decision then and focuses on Scorpio once more. "There are always those that would abuse the power of others. In your case you and your fellows will have a guardian in life and in death. Two if he agrees to it as well... my partner remains in Emberstrand protecting your brethren and if he agrees he would join me in protecting you while we live should any abuse your power. And when I, or we as the case may be, die the final time and would return to the cycle... instead we will join and serve as the protectors of your court in death."
Mordecai listens to Scorpio's question as to what the point of leaving with them would be, and the arguments given by the others in response... His brow going up a bit at Raziel's offer, glancing over at the Aegyl with a vaguely curious look. And he speaks up himself then, remarking, "Ain't got much to add, but I figure if a group of ragtag adventurers can almost make it to you without dying, it won't be much of a problem for some high-powered witch like the one that's after you, or any of her more capable agents. Your safety here is an illusion."
Jenna yawns softly, and her tail flicks behind her as she sidles up to stand beside Mordecai. "You can't ever rely only on yourself for your safety," she replies to the question, finally deigning to speak up. "Learned that well enough in the army. A lone soldier is a dead soldier." She shrugs her shoulders emphatically. "You want to sit down here and twiddle your thumbs doing bubkiss, you'll find yourself in the Witch's possession, and she'll abuse you so hard you'll feel like you've been turned inside out. But us bunch?" She flashes a broad grin. "Personally, I ain't the abusin' type. We can guarantee you that *we* won't abuse you, and it sounds like Raziel is offering you a pretty sweet deal, if you ask me."
He smiles at everyone and looks at Thaylorn, "Then I give my keeping into the hands of Master Thaylorn here... until such time as we are all gathered together. Then will I hand myself to you Master Raziel... and so be it... when we are all together and she has fallen a new shrine to us shall be constructed in Emberstrand and you and those who have accepted the task shall protect us... an order of Knights shall be formed. To keep us safe and protect us from those who would take us and use our power..." He sets down his tea cup, "And thus do I reveal to you the inscription upon myself - Scorpio was very timid. He always looked at his shadow until one day he decided to look away. He walked up a hill.... the hill.. were you will find Saggittarus lies beyond the Isle of Winds... sail the Waterway and find the Lonely Tor...."
"I shall do my best to protect you until the time that Raziel shall finally do such." Thaylorn remarks with a small nod and glance towards the Aegyl "And we shall do our best to protect the others, as well in the meantime." He would add as he takes to his feet once again and quiets down once more.
Marduke hmms a moment repeating the inscription and glances to Jenna, "Seems this book may have these in it already, you saw the same part I did I am sure. Keep it safe." Handing it over to her before looking to Raziel and nods, "Seems you have quiet the task ahead of you already my friend. Sir Raziel will it be now?" A touch of a teasing smile, and moving to his feet, "You know you have my continued help. If I can prove more useful next around then I did this time." Sighing softly. A glance to Thaylorn with a smile.
Raziel inclines his head to Scorpio quietly the young man murmurs, "then thank you for putting your trust in us." His distant look is brought back to the present as he murmurs the words for a moment and then he nods to Thaylorn before tilting his head. He stop and reaches out a hand to smack the back of Marduke's head lightly before snorting, "I'm no knight.. yet."
Mordecai's brows go up once more at Scorpio's statement, and he takes a moment to watch the reactions of the others then, before he shrugs a bit and then nods at the coin's avatar, the Esper remarking, "I've got my own duties, cleaning up the city, but it can't hurt taking up another 'burden'. If your brethren need protection, then I'll be there."
Jenna accepts the book back from Marduke, and tucks it into a pocket inside her jacket. "Dame Jenna Blackthorne, hunh?" The burmecian laughs softly. "Yeah right. I'll believe the rest of it, but not that bit. I'm not officer material." She flashes a toothy grin, as she turns to leave. "Well, Raziel, it's been a hell of a ride. Glad I stuck around afterall... wouldn't'a missed this for the world." She produces a cigarette from a shiny metal case and puts the flame to it from a mechanicaly lighter, after which the various scents and armoas in the room are tainted by the pungent smell of burning sagegrass. "So, Lonely Tor, hunh? Sounds cheerful. Can't wait."
Scorpio stands up, silvery starlit kimono flowing and sparkling, "Then so be it... not all need be Knights or dedicate themselves to our protection. After all some of you have other tasks and other paths." He bows to Mordecai, "But for now... I shall see you back to your ship... and be heartened that we are not alone." He pauses as Jenna just lights up a cigarette and his eyes flash and the cigarette, lighter and all Jenna's stock of tobacco just dissolve, "I will thank you to not polite my sanctuary...." He looks into the air above Jenna's head and reaches out as if plucking something from the air, "I remove the curse of tobacco from your life... it's touch shall now no longer stand yours nor cause thy death." He bows to Raziel, then Thaylorn and Marduke in turn and with a flash of light you all re-appear back on the deck of the AMS Dao, Thaylorn has the coin in his hands and the figure of Scorpio is gone...
"I don't think many would like an Imp with the title of Sir." Thaylorn remarks with a soft laugh as he watches the other for a few moments, then Jenna lights up and Scorpio banishes her tabacco and supplies "Ermmm, well, guess living without is healthier.." He murmurs, a bit unsure how to respond. As Scorpio vanishes, and the coine appears in his hands he nods again "And I'll do all I can to keeo Scorpio safe."
Marduke reaches up to rub the back of his head and grins over to Raziel, "Well Sir, you are grumpy enough you had me fooled otherwise." Emphasis on the sir. Then blinks over to Jenna and blinks again with a cough stepping back and glancing to the others, only to see they are on the air ship. "Wee err, now would be a good time to set course for home yes? Lots of work ahead of us." Turning to get out of firing range of Jenna!
Raziel doesn't even get a chance to react to the girl lighting up. He just stares, stares at Scorpio then looks off and away. For a moment he blinks then reorients himself before looking around, "Captain!" The man turns then heads where the moogle is most often found. He's not going to stick around for the girl's reaction. No thank you.
Mordecai peers as Scorpio 'curses' poor Jenna, knowing first hand how hard it is to give certain vices... But before he can mention anything about it, he's back on the airship... The man taking a moment to orient himself, and glancing at each of his companions, before he silently wanders to a nearby railing to lean upon it, and take a well deserved break from the adventure.
Jenna finds herself standing on the deck of the Dao. This, however, turns out not to be in any way noteworthy. No, what is noteworthy, is that yet *more* of her stuff has been wrecked in some fashion, and now instead of a decent cigarette held between her fingers, ther's a bright red flower. "...You must be shitting me," she mumbles, before tossing the flower over the side. "There is a death-cursed bullet lodged RIGHT BEHIND MY TITS and you're worried about my SMOKING?! Smoking never killed anyone anyway! What next? Are you going to tell me-- YOU KNOW WHAT NEVERMIND." She flaps her arms in sudden frustration, before turning and stomping off across the deck towards where her own cabin -- and a nice flash of rum -- are waiting.
Captain Farqueharian looks at the party and shakes is head, "Well that was... sudden! Ok Mogs you heard the man back to Emberstrand!" And soon enough the airship lifts up and starts to turn toward the north...
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