“Wow, I bet I know what he does with your mouth to get you to shut up,” Taenite scoffed when the other Senshi droned on and on, rubbing his ear as if Heliodor’s voice was causing him pain. Maybe it was.
“Ample opportunities over the years? Yeah? I didn’t see you on his last mission here, or the one before.” If Heliodor was going to pull years of opportunities out of his a**, then he needed to back it up.
“Someone had to warm his bed, and it certainly wasn’t you,” Taenite shrugged, and then gestured to Tama who announced that he didn’t consider his and Faustite’s relationship in the same way Heliodor viewed it. Oh, and Tama called Faustite an idiot again so that was neat.
Meighei
kolina
Strickenized
Taenite is holding onto the ring to give to Faustite later.
Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2023 5:05 pm
“…”
Part of Tama wanted to comment. Especially on who was warming whose bed. Yet nothing came out his mouth.
He reached out for the ring, single-mindedly, but his eyes were near glazed over. What if there were more memories in there?
He wasn’t acting himself.
“Arnaud — Galvorn — take my pendant. No matter your allegiance, it will protect you, just as I always have."
As the group surrounding the crucible would learn, particularly Larimar who stood in the back, the crucible itself was only one part of a whole. Something was indeed missing, and the missing item was the dagger that Faustite now held. While sharp, it was not the dagger's sharpness that granted it function (though Jet's thumb and Aquamarine's slash against Galvorn were testament to its lethality).
As several searched the papers on the desk, they found design blueprints for a glass tray to fit atop the lid to the crucible. Galvorn had postulated that the crucible itself might be defective in some way, for all the metal they used had churned out improperly. He thought that, if they could forge a weapon atop the crucible, perhaps that would help to explain why the inside of the pot was so volatile. He noted that it was a shot in the dark, however.
In his notes, he recorded that all the pot had produced were shattered daggers. No matter the weapon design or the material used, the pot had churned out a host of broken daggers. They made enough that Galvorn had them dumped outside the facility, once he filled up a couple boxes with them, hoping they could give him insight into the crucible.
They did not. But embedded in them was a curious whisper of latent command, passed on by the hands that forged them. One who held such a creation could speak their whim and youma would find it irresistible.
The ones who inspected the broken daggers, Ransomite and Rigel, would comprehend the use of such items as soon as they laid hands on them. In their grasp was a Rift-born oddity that allowed them, a Lieutenant and a senshi, to impart their will on certain youma. Perhaps it was a fragment of Galvorn's will that was forged into the blades themselves when they were minted by the crucible.
"... Oh," Faustite murmured at last, after hearing Jet's synopsis. "Think I know where he went wrong. What he was missing this entire time." He looked from the lid of the crucible to the dagger in his hand, held limp from the damage to his shoulder.
"He was always looking at it wrong. Like a person who can only accept immutable properties. Small wonder that he never understood this thing." Faustite stared at the lid. "The dagger isn't a dagger, just as the crucible isn't a crucible."
Faustite turned to the group, careful of the way the room swayed as he did so. "Think we've learned everything we can from this place. Know why the youma vanished, and with Galvorn youmafied, they've no reason to avoid this place anymore. Can't be compelled to work under Galvorn's orders if they lack a General's authority now. Know this place was a facility that produced weapons and traps. Now we have this," Faustite explained as he pressed the tip of the knife against the lid.
The dagger's fine tip fit into the constellations in the lid, which shifted the dagger's color to the familiar red that the General King had seen. When moved across the lid of the crucible, those constellations were stirred and reformed anew, as if drawing through air. When trying to use a different weapon for that purpose, no part of the stars in the lid would budge. It was a strange and fantastical device, though there was little to say what happened to the crucible's innards when the lid was so rearranged. Even when they looked inside afterward, the broken daggers had not changed.
There was more to the crucible and dagger set that would not be discerned by a gathering of laymen. Faustite had suspected most of the research on this set had been done for them, but it would demand a viewpoint that went beyond human proclivities to truly unravel the gifts it may deliver to them. There would be time for that – after they withdrew and recuperated. After Galvorn reformed in the Rift.
When he drew back, Faustite summoned his tablet to hand.
"Everyone, we've made a thorough exploration of this facility, learned what happened to the vanished youma, and undid what had caused them to disappear. We have found all that we can. I will compile all the gathered information and release it at the debriefing in a few days' time. All that remains is Galvorn's unfinished research, which is better addressed with specialized hands.
"I thank you for your work here today. You have transformed an insurmountable task into a successful one. Those who are unharmed, please carry the broken daggers to the elevator and see that they are distributed to all volunteers. Everyone else, we will rendezvous at the camp in the Scar and return to the Citadel. We have done more than enough for a day."
Quote:
Thank you so, so, so much for playing in the One Abyss event! I hope you have all enjoyed its story, and will continue to enjoy the rewards it offers! They are as follows:
All characters who have reached 500 words in Part One and 500 words in Part Two may claim one new IC RP item, the Broken Dagger –
Quote:
Broken Dagger - A fragment of an obsidian blade set in an ornate tungsten hilt. Centuries of exposure to the elements has completely blunted its edge. It can be found anywhere in the Dark Kingdom or Destiny City. To activate its latent magic, the character must offer the hilt to a youma. Doing so will compel the youma to obey the character's basic commands for the next five minutes, regardless of the character's rank or affiliation. This item will not work on greater youma. Permission must be obtained for this item to work on event youma or personal youma. Once the time concludes, the blade disintegrates, leaving behind the tungsten hilt.
In addition, all players who have reached 500 words with at least one character in Part One and Part Two will be placed into a raffle to win one of three Rugose Pendants! Additional tickets will be awarded per character that reaches 500 words in both parts. If your character already has a Rugose Pendant, you may forfeit the prize or award it to a different character in your roster.
Quote:
Rugose Pendant - A blackened, wrinkled rock set into a silver pendant with an indigo glow trapped inside. It can be found discarded in Negaspace or the Rift. To use the item, an agent or Negaverse senshi must energy drain the rock. Once drained, the rock will crack and disintegrate. The rock's violet light will then envelop the user, cloaking them in the appearance of a youma. A youma aura will overwhelm the user's natural aura, though it will not disguise their aura. Their youma appearance must adhere to youma guidelines for personal or player youma. The user does not gain any special abilities while under the effects of the item, and their current abilities are not typically hampered by the item. The Rugose Pendant's effects last until the character powers down or until three hours have passed, whichever is sooner. The Pendant may be used once a day.
There's more to come in the following days, so please keep an eye out for the debrief that bookends this event on 01/11/23! That will introduce a third and final reward to come from the One Abyss series!
Just so you don't have to go through and verify word counts for each of your characters, I have made a spreadsheet delineating which characters reached 500 words in the event, who they belong to, and their eligibility for a raffle ticket! I will roll the raffle in the event's sign-up thread on 01/11/23 around 9P EST! Once again, huge thanks to everyone who made this event a reality heart
amorremanet
andesine
a-disgruntled-dragon
leifite, mourite, mizuki, haymitch
daekie
larimar, kosmochlor
meighei
tama
sunshine alouette
aquamarine, cymophane, roselite
guine
jet, kamacite, taenite
ssbrosb
arsenopyrite, triplite, chambersite
sleet tempest snape
benitoite, miyamoto, valeria
chi honda
bellalunae
litian
reinerite, linnaeite
shiningamisgirl
prehnite, albite, cryolite, zultanite
amasis
ransomite
seiana_zi
fulgurite, borax
kaefaux
seraphinite, rigel, spectrolite
stari_maga
jadarite
tefla
hylonome, sodalite
kolina
heliodor
natsuko-neko
huntite, cuprite, zunyite
aurelius0815
atheneite
whimsical blue
fafnir
noir songbird
siegenite, lilith, alkmene, valjean
kaori_luv
taaffeite, witherite
Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2023 7:24 pm
Tama held the dagger. So, this was it? He wanted to stab someone with it, preferably Faustite.
He didn’t know why he was about to cry or why he wanted Faustite dead. His mind was too overwhelmed with memories now. He held the Cosmos knight’s ring in one hand, dagger in the other. He gripped them so tight that the burns on his hands reopened. But he didn’t flinch from the pain. He embraced it.
He needed to get out of here. Never see this god-forsaken place again. He didn’t listen to Faustite’s words as he turned to leave. He didn’t want anyone else to see as the tears came.
”It doesn’t matter.” He said to the lieutenant in his arms, ignoring whatever was going on with blood and strange youma shape. Would the blood even reach his uniform past the illusion? Whatever. The outfit would clean and repair itself like it always did. Fafnir was far more concerned about Taffeite's injury and his own, which still stung terribly and soured his mood. The retreat didn’t sit well with him, even if it was a logical thing to do. He’d always worked to avoid fighting, but there had been so many of them… they could have put the insane youma general down, together. It wasn’t like it was permanent. Getting dusted might even break him out of whatever had him crazed.
Whatever. He was not going to disobey a general king, or his own general. They’d just have to clean up after all this and see what they got out of it.
He carried Taffeite into the elevator and rode it up, departing with the others when it was their turn. Fafnir had no idea when the effect was going to wear off, so he ignored it in favor of getting his lieutenant seen to. Taking her to someone who knew more about patching up someone than he did, the corrupt watched silently as she was seen to, half his attention on her and the other half on their surroundings. He noted those who left and those who stayed, the ones who’d gotten hurt and how they handled it. He also absorbed the plans some of them made while inwardly doubting their outcomes.
He especially watched Faustite passed out on the floor, though he took some effort not to look like he was. When the half-houma general finally came to and headed for the elevator again, Fafnir’s eyes followed him and the others that joined them, deciding to himself that up here was a better place for him to be. He knew little about the tech down there and if they were going, they must not think there would be more fighting to do. Better for him to stay here and take care of Taffeite. He’d find out soon enough what they’d found.
“Kaori_luv”
“Strickenized”
watching you~ and soft close for Fafnir
Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2023 6:16 pm
General Faustite HP: 85/100 Magic uses: 2/2 (offensive); 3/3 (enhancement)
His body still felt like it was buzzing. The dagger was dismissed to subspace for safe keeping; Faustite turned, slowly this time, and donned his cincher instead. He stooped, then, gathering up the squeaky kitsune that barked at his feet, tucking the creature into his arms as he started out of the chamber.
He hadn't felt tired, though he knew he should. A short nap on the floor of a facility that had been the bane of his hours should not have refreshed him so, nor should he have coughed or felt dizzy. But these were problems for consideration when they had all gone home, rested up, and revitalized themselves for more diligent work.
"Never thought I'd be able to carry you around," he murmured to the fox incarnation of his friend. It was a simple task, and Kamacite was soft. That was his own payment.
As he left the room, head brimming, he spotted Taenite and Heliodor having a conversation with one another. He wondered, then, if it would turn out the way Heliodor and Albite had, and smiled to himself in passing.
He'd have to write up how the team did, as well. Downplay what had happened when they reached Galvorn's chambers and emphasize the continued work that would occur with the crucible itself. Recruit what he could out of those who volunteered, too, if they had much experience with these kinds of science experiments. He could likewise elaborate on the events that led to the fall of the building, especially if it would help prevent a tragedy like this happening again.
While it was a strange mission in an old building, he had a suspicion that they would not be leaving it to rot in the Rift anytime soon.
Oh, they were done? Great! That meant Niter had absolutely no reason to continue hanging around in this youma-infested, boobytrapped hellhole that the burning guy thought was a good idea to explore. He knew Jet reminded him of the name, but Niter was no good with names, and it had already slipped right back out of his repertoire. Something with an F. Firelite maybe.
Not that he'd ever be speaking to that one — he was too warm, too scary-looking, and too General-y for Niter to need anything from him. He'd stick with Jet, thanks.
Speaking of whom — Niter heaved a sigh of relief, and pantomimed wiping sweat off his brow at his superior. Then, before Aqua could sneer at him, Niter followed the growing crowd who were boarding the escalator for the long trip back up to the surface.
He thought he deserved a shower and a nap, and that was exactly what he would be after as soon as they got out of the creepy Rift.
Helio rolled his eyes at Tama. As expected, the mauvian was going to deny all accusations. So be it. It didn’t matter considering that tinge of red across those pretty cheeks was more than acknowledgment enough that Helio was likely correct in his observations.
Then Tae had to go and open that mouth of his again. “Where and what I was doing is no secret. If you’re so curious go find out yourself.”
It was if the boy knew exactly what it was that would send the purple haired corrupted blood boiling. Fingers dug deep into his palms, nails cutting into flesh as he physically restrained himself from punching the smart-a**. Honestly, if it hadn’t been for the fact that the mission wasn’t technically done yet, he would have. He would have cranked back and slugged the smirk. But, he didn’t. Something he’d pat himself on the back for later.
Instead he looked the other young man from head to toe and back again, raking eyes over him in assessment. “Can’t blame Faustite for settling. We all have itches that need to be scratched from time to time. Sometimes, you gotta take what you can get.” Perhaps not the best of come backs but considering the alternative option...it was the better.
He turned then, eyes caught by the movement of his General and the rest. He’d heard the com announcement. It had barely registered in his quiet rage, but he heard enough to know they were done.
Tama had already skittered off after nabbing one of the daggers. Helio grabbed his own, half-moon marks on his palms as he gripped the hilt and followed Faustite and the others to the elevator lifts and out.
st1rickenized
mention
me1ighei
mention
Gui1ne
Loathing.
Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2023 12:48 am
Lieutenant Sodalite - Lounging "upstairs" before mission is called as over. 50/50 HP
Waiting around was extremely boring. Sodalite had poked and prodded at various consoles where the staging area had been before even getting tired of that. What he wouldn't have given for a chess board at the moment. At least with that it would have been useful. The 'green' lieutenant did not do boredom very well. It seemed though like some of the mission members had gone back downstairs and even though it would have been something interesting to check out Sodalite was on the hunt for the one that led his group. While the mission had been eye-opening for someone new to the organization, he was hoping that it wasn't going to be a common thing to experience.
With that in mind he scanned the area looking for Prehnite. He offloaded the med kits that he had been supplied with earlier to those that were tending to the wounded as he had no need of them whereas it seemed others, like the injured senshi from his team, might still need them. He had not seen her amongst the injured being tended to but obviously it just meant that she was taken off-site for better treatment. He worried, just a little, on her status before realizing that his general might have gone with her. Well that was a bummer. Oh well.
The call that the mission was technically over might that Sodalite was apparently released from his obligation and he took no time in making himself scarce. The debriefing would be attended because it was most likely that Prehnite would be there.
