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the boy is back in town [diplomanon conclusion]
Who: Manon, the Shard-Bearers, and special surprise guest(s)!
What: Manon has been revived, and there are questions to be asked
Where: The Tree of Life
When: March 3rd
CODING
What: Manon has been revived, and there are questions to be asked
Where: The Tree of Life
When: March 3rd
MANON'S REVIVAL
A few days prior, Manon’s Shard had been planted at the Tree of Life (Tier 2 Meridian and/or those involved with the purification process would know it was by the Tribune himself), and as promised, his revival is providing a neutral ground in which to meet and talk to the man. The Meridian involved in purifying him have been given some basic clothing for Manon, including an eyepatch since just like every other Shard-Bearer who has suffered dissipation, he’ll be hatching from a cocoon the tree weaves. It’s at least a little dignity to be given as a belated “apology” for his revival being a spectacle.
Indeed, when he frees himself from the cocoon, he won’t be ready to be questioned. He’s weak and shaky on his feet, but he’s still rather quick to collect himself and get dressed. Surprisingly, with no apparent shame over being that spectacle!
Some people have “met” Manon already by Communing with his Shard, but otherwise, this is the first that most will be able to see the man causing all of this fuss. He’s short with rust-colored hair and one eye completely covered by the eyepatch he’d been given. He doesn’t exactly seem pleased to be here, though. He looks like he’d much rather be anywhere else. But he’s eventually ready to talk. Best to get this over with.
Indeed, when he frees himself from the cocoon, he won’t be ready to be questioned. He’s weak and shaky on his feet, but he’s still rather quick to collect himself and get dressed. Surprisingly, with no apparent shame over being that spectacle!
Some people have “met” Manon already by Communing with his Shard, but otherwise, this is the first that most will be able to see the man causing all of this fuss. He’s short with rust-colored hair and one eye completely covered by the eyepatch he’d been given. He doesn’t exactly seem pleased to be here, though. He looks like he’d much rather be anywhere else. But he’s eventually ready to talk. Best to get this over with.
INTERRUPTIONS
People are given their chances to question Manon and ask him whatever they wish, but not for long.
Quite suddenly and with no more preamble than a strange, crackling feeling throughout everyone’s Shards, a portal suddenly opens behind all of them. First, out steps a small, slight looking girl whose eyes immediately fall on Manon. But a much larger, more monstrous figure steps out behind her with odd, misshapen hands plodding onto the ground and gripping the roots.
A massive creature plods out, and the flowers that surround the skull ripple as if alive. Both the petals of the flower and the very human hair that drift on the creature’s neck are lavender. A very specific shade of it, in fact. And it howls in a way that would be deafening, were it heard with your ears. No, this scream tears through your very Shards in a way that’s almost paralyzing, and as the portal starts to close, other, smaller creatures skitter out along the larger ones’ feet. It seems someone doesn’t want Manon to talk at all.
And for one of the Shard-Bearers among you, that scream digs deeper. Like a poison into their Shard, it pulls out something vicious, something feral, something they had long wished was left behind—But the past isn't always the past.
Quite suddenly and with no more preamble than a strange, crackling feeling throughout everyone’s Shards, a portal suddenly opens behind all of them. First, out steps a small, slight looking girl whose eyes immediately fall on Manon. But a much larger, more monstrous figure steps out behind her with odd, misshapen hands plodding onto the ground and gripping the roots.
A massive creature plods out, and the flowers that surround the skull ripple as if alive. Both the petals of the flower and the very human hair that drift on the creature’s neck are lavender. A very specific shade of it, in fact. And it howls in a way that would be deafening, were it heard with your ears. No, this scream tears through your very Shards in a way that’s almost paralyzing, and as the portal starts to close, other, smaller creatures skitter out along the larger ones’ feet. It seems someone doesn’t want Manon to talk at all.
And for one of the Shard-Bearers among you, that scream digs deeper. Like a poison into their Shard, it pulls out something vicious, something feral, something they had long wished was left behind—But the past isn't always the past.
OOC NOTES
This portion of the log is divided into four portions because the majority are limited for the mods’ sake. With the exception of number four (which is not limited), you may only sign up for one of these sections or to chase Manon (see next section) because these are all taking place essentially simultaneously.- Vander ; Vander (
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exhound, played by Thirteen) has entered a berserker state and will attack friend and foe without being able to solidly distinguish between the two. Vander can be injured (even severely), but this thread will end with Vander’s capture by Aetós. You can find this toplevel here.
- The Girl (Adelfoúla) ; This is a NPC who will be played by Prince, and is limited to a group of no more than three characters. This thread will end with Adelfoúla’s capture since she will be interrogated to find and rescue Vander. You can find this toplevel here.
- The Creature (Aeternae) ; Is limited to a group of no more than three characters, but will be controlled by these players a la a PvE encounter. The Creature is able to attack with psychic powers (similar to the Force in Star Wars or biotic powers in Mass Effect) and is otherwise very large (
Hayame-sizedthe size of a very large horse) and strong, but not overly so. It will regenerate from all attacks unless the skull is smashed, and it can close the petals of the flower to temporarily protect itself. You can find this toplevel here.
All characters that participate in this thread will also be given psychic information about what happened to create the creature, so comment here to note your participation so I can give you that info! The Creature will also subject everyone present to opt-in effects, which are not limited to only the thread participants.
- Smaller Creatures ; Are not limited encounters, and are controlled by the players a la a PvE encounter. These are smaller, more easily killed monsters that are able to use minor psychic attacks as well as poison when someone is clawed or bitten if you want to go a combat route or can cause more temporary versions of the Aeternae's effects as listed. You can also make up your own style of lil' skullbeast! This is free for players to get creative with and create a fun encounter however you see fit. All characters that participate in this kind of thread will also be given psychic information about what happened to create the creature, so comment here to note your participation so I can give you that info! In addition, please place all threads to engage the smaller creatures here.
GIVING CHASE
As soon as the chaos breaks out, the first to take advantage is… Manon. Though weakened from just hatching from the Tree of Life, Manon immediately runs into the labyrinthine maze of roots that make up the Tree of Life. He’s not so honorable as to stay and fight, and this may be his only chance to actually escape. However, it does also leave him without the protection he was promised…
We encourage discussion of which characters will be participating in this portion of the post in the associated Discord Thread for this plot since the factional makeup of this team is likely very tied to Manon’s fate. As Loremasters, we’re truly cool with whatever, so we encourage players discuss how to make a satisfying narrative and future plot opportunities out of Manon’s overall fate rather than trying to “win” the encounter. Also to note, Manon is weakened, but will be attacking anyone that attacks him assuming (probably correctly) that they’re trying to kill him. There is a risk of dissipation in this encounter!
If a conclusion to this thread is not reached by Wednesday, March 8th, Christy will reach out to all thread participants, and we’ll come to an OOC conclusion for Manon’s overall fate to prepare for the Setting Updates that Friday! We can obviously continue to thread it, though! The toplevel for this chase can be found here.
OOC NOTES
This section is limited to a maximum of three characters from each faction, and they will not be able to participate in the previous section. Manon is fleeing immediately, so giving chase means that these characters similarly will not be sticking around to witness what happens.We encourage discussion of which characters will be participating in this portion of the post in the associated Discord Thread for this plot since the factional makeup of this team is likely very tied to Manon’s fate. As Loremasters, we’re truly cool with whatever, so we encourage players discuss how to make a satisfying narrative and future plot opportunities out of Manon’s overall fate rather than trying to “win” the encounter. Also to note, Manon is weakened, but will be attacking anyone that attacks him assuming (probably correctly) that they’re trying to kill him. There is a risk of dissipation in this encounter!
If a conclusion to this thread is not reached by Wednesday, March 8th, Christy will reach out to all thread participants, and we’ll come to an OOC conclusion for Manon’s overall fate to prepare for the Setting Updates that Friday! We can obviously continue to thread it, though! The toplevel for this chase can be found here.
ADELFOÚLA
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That's why when all hell breaks loose... her first thought isn't to chase after Manon at all. A surveying glance at their surroundings — the strange beast that came through that portal, the man called 'Vander' transforming into what he did — tells her all she needs to know: she has to do something. Something that she can realistically help with, and that's definitely not going toe to toe with any of these monstrosities.
The girl's profile is still in her view, though, and it would be obvious even without Vander's shout that she must be working with the one called Aetós. That is what spurs her into action - not a sense of horror for what the woman had just done, nor a sense of compassion for what's just happened to a Meridian shard-bearer - the woman must know more about the manipulating of shards, since it just happened right in front of all of them. She must know where all this takes place. This might be their only chance to get their hands on such information.
Misa doesn't pause to consider how she'll actually subdue her, nor to even question if she can. She just starts running, right in her direction, seemingly unafraid of the power the woman has already displayed. Should she see Claude or Set out of the corner of her eye, her kneejerk assumption is that it'll turn into a conflict between them (they're both Meridians, after all...) ]
Don't even think of getting in my way! She'll escape if you do!
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Manon is hightailing it away -- wisely, Claude would do the same in his situation -- but it's the girl who had been looking at him that gets his attention. He doesn't stand a chance against Vander or any of the stronger creatures if he draws their attention, but he might be able to deal with her.
He's nocking an arrow to his bowstring and lining up a warning shot when Misa runs into his path. He's frustrated at the missed opportunity but holds his fire, calling back to her.]
I won't, just focus on going after her! I'll cover you. [He has no idea if Misa can even fight, but he can pick off any weaker creatures that try to top her.]
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And to make good on the deal he'd struck with Silco, of course.)In the midst of things, Set makes two assessments: prioritize the mysterious girl, and drop a spell into the roots of the tree in the midst of the chaos — Clairvoyance, in fact. It will sit there, to overhear conversations of those who remain or return to the tree, while he focuses upon the task at hand. Already, he can see the blonde slip of a girl turning the force of her attentions upon the monster's master(?) and the way Claude's posture stretches, firm and tall —
oh.
He is an archer. A burning bolt of pride streaks through him, at the knowledge, before Set has lunged forward in a sprint to catch up to Misa. She is the one holding no weapons, after all. ]
Do not be too jealous, Amane Misa! You can still be everyone's cute little pet once we deal with her!
[ WORST MAN EVER.
He does reach for her waist, though. An effort put forth to potentially lift her up and onto his shoulder, to give her room to breathe deep and ready herself, as well as to lessen the bodies in motion for Claude so that he may control the floor. ]
Lead her to us, Claude! I will arrest her movement for you both.
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Strangely enough, they pay no need to Misa, Set, nor Claude either, instead drawn to Manon and the other Bearers beyond them like they are beacons.
She does not move despite Misa and Set's approach, her voice a soft and empty deadpan. ]
I need to pursue that man. Do not interfere. Master will be displeased.
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[ An incredulous whine, followed by a sudden yelp as she's hoisted up onto Set's shoulder, her hands wobbling for balance. Her shock over it doesn't last for long, though — this is advantageous, right? She won't have to run as much this way (and you Know she didn't wear war appropriate footwear to this function.) Unashamedly, she places a hand amidst Set's bright red locks for balance, and bonks him on the head firmly with her other fist, scolding. Mercifully, there's no time to go on a rant about how offensive being described in such a way is, since the target in question is speaking directly to them. ]
"Arrest her movement," and keep her from casting that teleporting magic again, dummy. [ Her eyes flick back momentarily to where Claude is stationed, acknowledging what he'd said and to take stock of the bow he's drawn — her own hand draws the dagger Cyrus himself had gifted her, silver and glinting. Then, she address Adelfoúla herself: ] That's what you're planning on doing, isn't it?
[ Misa keeps her body in close to Set's, having just enough self-awareness to not want to get in the way of Claude's shot (this time.) With the monsters strangely evading them, she thinks the next thing to do might be to attack her directly - or at least halt any movements that look threatening. ]
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You heard them. Try any of that portal magic again, and I'll shoot. But if you come with us, you don't need to get hurt.
[Maybe he's being a little soft on her, but she's not attacking, and he's not about to shoot an unarmed foe.]
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[ Like this, Claude only has to worry about two targets: the girl, and the strange vision of Set carting Misa on his shoulder (#miset), keeping her elevated and in motion as he swiftly stalks in a tight half-circle. Ruthless, as he draws in towards the girl who cares not a whit for them. ] I suppose all know who her master may be.
[ Which means he wants her. He wants her under tooth and claw, flayed open with all her secrets on display. He'll put her shard between his teeth if he must, to devour her as Ammit would have at the final trial of the soul; the hunger he feels is a cramping thing, born too early for him to reasonably handle ( thanks sebastian ), but one that drives him on. He lunges for Adelfoúla, holding Misa firm around the waist so that Claude can control the girl's potential retreat, and Misa can bear down upon her - maybe, if things go right.
He doesn't put much stock in everyone's ability to coordinate, so he just.
Lunges, followed by an insanely graceful transition into a kick aimed to snap Adelfoúla's leg in two, right above the knee. By his savage, cat-like smile, he's just found a bird he'd like to shred limb from limb, toy with. For no other reason than she's there. ]
Even if we shatter her to shard, we can still get what we need from her later.
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[ She echoes Claude, intonation empty, as if she does not understand the words - before Set and Misa's joint approach steals her attention. Set is fast; the imminent violence is apparent in the tension of his body and the fluidity of his movements.
Adelfoúla takes a delicate step backward to brace herself, lifting a hand to grasp Set's leg by the ankle with a strength that defies her seemingly fragile frame; she pivots and seeks to bodily toss him - and Misa where she is being held - as if they are ragdolls being discarded by a fickle child. ]
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Keep your balance—
[ She waits until the drawback on Adelfoúla's throw is at it's peak before initiating her magic— turning them both ghastly and intangible for the briefest of moments - only enough to pass through the girl's grasp, as though they're more specter than flesh. The pair slip away like a bat mistakenly let go of when swung, and her hand will feel the abrupt absence of their weight much too suddenly to ever be natural. Even so, a magic trick like Misa's still cannot negate the total effect of her and Set's shift in momentum, the brutal swing of the girl's thin arm. They may avoid being cast aside with her full strength, but their change in course is awkward, clunky, and prone to toppling them over if Set doesn't recover quickly, given their lack of collaboration or knowledge of each other's strengths. Misa simply acts on instinct — she thinks if they get thrown away from her for real, they might never make it back to her before she gets away. Maybe, just maybe, it'll be enough of a surprise that it'll throw even the passive girl before them for a moment, which may give Claude an opening. ]
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The next shot won't miss. [Unless she has freakish reaction times on top of that deceptive strength. Regardless, he's keeping his distance.] Is serving your master really more important than your own life?
[He suspects he already knows the answer, but he still doesn't like it.]
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[ He bites out the hissing thing, falling silent in order to focus, to hone in in what needs to be done. The girl bats them aside with great strength, and he knows then: he's not going to play nice, nor give her quarter. Misa's quick thinking is what prevents them from going flying beyond their recovery point. ]
Right us, Misa.
[ He entrusts her to drop the intangibility, as he throws his hand towards the dirt below the Tree itself and reaches, carving a long furrow that reforms behind them in a firmly-packed wall. If Misa brings them back to physicality, it will allow him to touch foot upon the barrier he's formed and immediately lunge back towards Adelfoúla for round two. This time he aims to grapple into her with his dark claws unfurled, and use his own strength to begin to literally pummel at her elbow joint to dismember her.
To Claude, he calls: ] Subdue her first! Question her once she's under our control — nothing matters if we lose her!
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[ It is a soft, toneless word that leaves her as the weight of her opponents leaves her hand - but not of her own volition as they are rendered intangible. Though there is no reaction on her face, she staggers a step forward at the unexpected early release of her enemy, her throw not making it to its total capacity.
Her eyes find Misa as if she has ascertained this ability belonged to her. Her stare is clear, unblinking.
Claude's arrow whizzes by her cheek at close enough a margin that it would be impossible to miss how near she'd come to being hit before she has time to react to this odd, unpredictable move from the pair in front of her, and she slides her gaze once more to the bowman. ]
I thought you said you wouldn't hurt me. Did you lie?
[ Adelfoúla keeps her pale, disconcertingly and unnaturally hollow gaze on Claude even as Set makes his approach; her body jerks as Set's clawed hands find purchase in the seemingly fragile appendage of her arm. Oddly enough, upon connection, it sounds a bit like porcelain cracking, a jittery, rattling noise akin to the grind of gears following after it. She does not retaliate. ]
The red man is hurting me.
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It's not easy for us to trust you would do the same for us right now. You get that, don't you? You did just sic all those things on the rest of us.
[ Her tone is surprisingly conversational and casual for the circumstances, still holding herself balanced from her perch. The passive, blank responses, the notes about doing what her master wants her to do, the impossible strength and inhuman body... she gets the sense the girl before them is closer to a robot of some kind, something humanoid but not totally human. It doesn't garner any sympathy from Misa - nor does she really feel bad about the harsh treatment - but it does make her think that perhaps they ought to talk to her differently. ]
So it's like a precaution. Don't try to run away, and it doesn't have to go further than this, you know.
[ If it does have to go further... then it is what it is. She tries to make eye contact with her, already putting away the blade she'd hastily drawn as it's become clear it won't have any effect on the girl in front of them. ]
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[He shoots Set a look of visible disgust. Whatever she is -- human or construct -- a god of war who brings violence on those who don't strike back aren't worthy of his respect. Or maybe her blank, artificial, stilted nature just reminds him of a certain someone, so he empathises more than he otherwise might.
Regardless, Misa seems to get the picture, at least, so he lowers his bow and addresses the god next. He still keeps an arrow to the string, though, should he need it.]
She's right -- we can stop fighting here. Stand down, and we can all talk this through.
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Fine, then.
[ There is something latent in his tone, accusatory and black. A temper riled by something more than the sudden apperance of the girl, her entourage, and the subsequent escape of Manon. How dare they relent so quickly, how dare they parlay instead of conquering? Controlling? Ensuring security. For a moment, he bristles - tempestuous and utterly hateful, before making the attempt to swing the girl's arm behind her and catch the other. To restrict those movements at least, and press her toward the ground. To her knees.
Anything so that she does not simply throw them off and escape. And he's quiet, watching Misa and Claude from then on. ]
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I don't intend to run away. Master did not tell me to run away.
[ But as soon as Set begins to twist her arm and attempt to subdue her in earnest, she roots her booted heels into the soft earth beneath their feet, dislocating and then severing her arm at the elbow where his claws have pierced and damaged it. It rips, tearing away in a spurt of oily blood that smells of rust and iron, white-hot if it manages to splash upon any exposed skin. ]
Red man doesn't want to talk.
[ The severed arm in Set's hand abruptly rattles, squirms, and attempts to dig lithe fingers into his skin. Tiny clockwork insects crawl from the broken, cracked porcelain-like skin of the hanging elbow, skittering up in the dozens and trying to crawl toward Misa.
Softly, as she watches: ]
I don't like the red man.
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As Adelfoúla's arm rips off, Misa jerks back to try to get out of range of that hot oil - first because it'll obviously stain, and then once a drop manages to graze her, because oh god it's really hot. A hand clutches at the small spot where she'd been burned, but it's when those spiders start crawling out of the wound and up towards her that her expression truly turns wide and panicked, scrambling to try and get herself off Set's shoulder to evade them. Some are definitely crawling on her anyway, though— ]
Woah, woah, woah! Okay, let's calm down...
[ She flounders for a moment, trying to think of a way to defuse everything - Set's obvious temper, Adelfoúla's displeasure - desperately attempting to flick away any spiders that get near her. Should Set's arm get burned by the oil, she takes that into account too, careful in her movements not to aggravate it further. ]
Um, how about this? If you don't like him, you don't have to be near him!
[ She offers her that first, eyes flicking between the two. ]
Set, be a good boy and back away, okay? [ and that's 100% for calling her a pet earlier. but at least she's saying it genuinely, and not condescendingly - and she hopes Claude might support a compromise like this. She would've said Set did a good job thus far, too, if she wasn't concerned it might make the girl before them more upset. ] But if he does, you've gotta call off these creepy things!
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Still, this isn't the time or place for discussion. He replaces his arrow in its quiver and takes a step forward.]
Right. You can stay with Misa and I, and Set can return to the battle, since that's obviously where he wants to be. Sound good for everyone?
[Zenith surely want answers out of her as much as he does, so this seems like the fairest solution. And he's not sure she'll cooperate so long as Set is nearby.]
takes myself temporarily out of the order
— I will back off, if she is amenable to questioning without me standing atop her. I will not be going anywhere, though. She will have to cope with it.
[ That's all he really has to say.
The splash of what spills from her burns, undoubtedly, but he takes the girl's arm with him as he backs up, backs off. Removes himself from lunging distance, on silent feet. His expression stormy, but defiant. No, he will NOT be returning to battle with the others. Yes, he WILL be hiking his way up to a higher vantage point, in order to settle up and scrub at the burns upon his arms and chest — they itch now, and add to his darkening mood. His player however is cheering for claudemisa wholeheartedly. ]
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Adelfoúla takes a small step forward once Set has begun to distance himself, her pale eyes following his movements until she reasons there is a suitable amount of a gap. Despite addressing Misa and Claude, she doesn't stop watching a certain sulking god. ]
I do not have long for discussion. Manon is escaping.
[ But she is waiting, willing to humor them - for now, it seems. ]
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[ She can at least let out a sigh of relief as Set recedes (with the girl's arm in tow, no less), though the problem still remains about keeping her from eventually following Manon. She guesses that'll be a puzzle to solve after they get the information they want. ]
How about we start with where you're supposed to be taking him? Back to your "master," right?