{ ATE : The Broker ~ Case of the Fanatic : 21 } { The Broker : Realm of Darkness : Xarcabard ~ Castle Zvahl ~ Large Room }
"You are physically threatening, but on your home turf, your magic is of greater concern," they mused aloud, still pacing, still watching. Their movements seemed blurry yet restrained, as if their bodies ached to go faster.
Suddenly, their forms began to glow a thin, crackling indigo--and all at once, they rushed forward, pinning the Shadow Lord between them all with a great, sweeping assault.
Single physical attack: [d20] + 12
{Total} - {Kuro PAC} + 1 = initial damage
Light-elemental, so multiply result by 2 if greater than 0.
If struck, however, Kuro will know which one is physically there.
Posted: Sat Aug 12, 2017 12:22 pm
{ATE : Old Acquaintances, New Friends : 10} {Delia : Paris : Hati’s Mansion}
Hati pursed her lips, unsure if she was disappointed in herself for displaying any kind of awkwardness, or disappointed that Ashley thought she could make her feel more awkward with such low-level flirting. 'I mean really, just being cute isn't gonna cut it. Watch a master play the game.'
The small blonde leaned into Ashley slightly, shifting her shoulders forward so her arms would subtly push up her cleavage. As Ashley finished her explanation, Hati delicately placed her hand on the girl's upper thigh. "Hmm, sounds fascinating. Tell me more?"
Je suis a toi Vice Captain
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Posted: Sat Aug 12, 2017 12:46 pm
{ ATE : Old Acquaintances, New Friends : 11} {Ashley :~: Paris :~: Hati’s Mansion}
“You stuck your head in the lion’s mouth idiot,” Ashley thought as Hati touched her thigh. Ashley was doing her best to keep her composure but she was starting to blush. Hard.
Ashley did her best to try to not look down as her blush started to get worse due to the actions of Hati. She eventually closed her eyes and just started to breathe before answering. “Tell you more about what? I need specifics since I talked about a few different topics. Unless you want to… change to other topics?”
Ashley eventually settled for awkwardly reaching her arm near the top of the sofa, kind of near Hati. Trying her best to make herself comfortable.
Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2017 12:57 pm
{ ATE : The Broker ~ Case of the Researcher : 12 } { Kai : Realm of Darkness : Cragged Path }
For the moment the replica nodded, her brow would visibly crinkle even more, there was a moment of facial expression that betrayed a sense of vulnerability.
“… The price seems relatively fair. “ she began, “However. Unless you are certain, even I cannot be sure how I feel about your breaking the link between my memories and feelings.”
“ This universe seems to be an experiment or understanding that question- if the presence of the geists is any indicator, memory can be more than simple information, it could be the bedrock in which a soul has its structure-without it then yes it may be just an amalgous will and nothing more-“ Kai flipped between some pages of her book, looking at her own record, her own observational notes.
“Just because my memories came from another source, another template- does that rid the validity of my own sense of self? ”
“ -You’re asking me to make an informed decision lacking the components of proper understanding, ...I’m incomplete and I know this. But even incomplete- I am some kind of me aren’t I?… this flimsy unstable template of a persona is all that I have.“
“-I don’t know for certain that if you strip me of the emotional weight of the memories I start with, the ones I made are hardly enough to build a viable persona afterwards. Won’t I start with utterly nothing. In one way or another – I’m still at a gross disadvantage.” She turns away, visibly crossing her arms, it was paradox.
Unless the same could be accomplished without the disconnection between her memories, and gaining a new heart.
“Maybe as a flawed being this pain is all I know and I’m simply too comfortable to let go, or my point is valid, this is all I am and I am...unwilling to loss what little bit of this of what I know to be me, what I feel- in this half of a heart.”
But is Is what I feel.
After a moment longer she thought, but clearly her mind was going in circles, stuck in a loop. Trying to reach a sound decision, whilst knowing it wasn’t possible to do so with her mind as it was.
“I…I need more time to think this over. As for the seed… I would like to look into that as well. I understand you need for haste, things are accelerating, but I cannot- just cannot take your offer right off the bat like this.” This last bit she smiled- bitterly about. Of course she couldn’t- how could she not?
The doors opened with a loud BANG followed by the panicked sounds of an artist who was hyperventilating. Smoothing her hands over her face , feeling small beads of sweat slipping down her neck she stumbled down one of the book aisles to sit on a stack of tomes placed there earlier.
This was impossible- impossible… It wasn’t true It wasn’t true It wasn’t true.. Think think…
Feather- she knew feather from- from her mom’s work yes- yes, wait, no wait- yes she knew her and they… they w- wer- frrrrrrr--- *FEIXDRNHXDTMBH:Lzsv, v There it was, the break, the absence- Like a gap, a space were feeling should be… Was this how they felt? Nobodies? Only everything- all their emotions, all their reactions, all they could do reherse what was appropriate. Like her, like now, pretending she understood hwo to react when Feather acted that way towards her. But was fake, fake- she didn’t get it- she felt.. She felt nothing.
What else was missing? Carbuncle was out, paw resting on her lap, looking up at her partner with concerned eyes. “ You see it now huh?”
“YOU KNEW?!”
“…not entirely, something was wrong, but I couldn’t put my paw on it either. I guess it make sense now. I'm sorry, I felt unless I knew exactly what was wrong with you, just blurting it out would make you scared- like right now.”
“ – b-but why?! What happened?!” good grief, was she even human?! The way Feather responded- what if Kyla wasn’t even the person he thought she was?! What would that mean?? The more panicked she got, the more Kyla tried to calm herself, tried to find something calm, she tried to think of what her mom would do? She was always a...a...
But the more she tried to think of things-anything connecting her to people, she felt more and more gaps.
Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2017 4:10 pm
{ ATE : The Broker ~ Case of the Researcher : 13 } { The Broker : Realm of Darkness : Cragged Path }
"Understandable," they began, nodding solemnly. "And I will respect your wishes."
"That said, I can perhaps enlighten you regarding certain things. First, you are not wrong about the importance of memories, though off the mark just so," they continued. "Memories are the building blocks of the heart. As the body interprets the world around it, the mind translates those experiences into the formation of the heart. Such is how you were created; Kyla had her negative and neutral memories copied, and those memories were strung together to create your half-heart. And in the case of the Nobodies, who have lost their hearts, they have lost the emotional attachment that their hearts provide, but they retain the memories themselves based on the imprints left by the heart's absence."
"As for your concerns regarding what few memories you would have with a new heart, I can assure you that such a heart would be structurally sound. You are not the first of your kind that my colleagues and I have approached, and those that have accepted the offer continue to persist even now," they explained. "I cannot say who, though should you follow this path onward I am sure you will find out one way or another."
"And finally, before I depart, some words of advice," they said, beginning to walk forward. "First, as you are now, you will never know joy, or any other positive emotion. Or, perhaps better stated, should you ever manage to do so, it would unravel the weave of your half-heart; you were designed specifically to subsist only on negativity, and so suffering shall be your sustenance. As such, whether by my bargain or some other means, I hope you find some method of attaining a true heart, if only to avoid such life-long misery."
They stopped within arm's reach of her; even at this distance, the hood of the cloak managed to completely obscure their face... somehow. Or was their face literally nothing but silhouette? "Second, when I depart, the repressive aura will fade, and the seed's connection will return. I will leave the memories of those details for you to ponder, and for you to compare your feelings henceforth. For your own sake, be ever vigilant of your feelings and thoughts. Beware the dark's seduction, and be cautious of any sudden 'epiphanies' or ideas you might 'stumble across'; it will grow increasingly difficult to discern between your individuality and the collective should you give the seed sustenance. If you endeavor to keep your tempting impulses in check, you should slowly be able to see the difference."
"And third... be wary of the one you will soon approach." Their androgynous voice grew solemn once again, almost foreboding if it weren't equally concerned. "He is a prime example of one who has given too much succor to the seed, who has allowed it to steep too heavily in the shadows of his rage. If you must contact him, observe, note his zealotry, his... fanaticism. Such is the outcome."
"Last, but not least," they said, more casually, lifting their hand up to her head. "Hold still, close your eyes, and tense your legs so you don't fall."
They touched her temple, and her sight flickered as her mind's thoughts seemed to race in reverse. What felt like barely a half-second later, though, she was still standing... but alone.
And shortly after, she felt the connection return--and the briefest hint of suspicion and frustration creep into her feelings.
Who did that person think they were? How could they trick her into allowing them her memories?
"I fear something likely happened between Earth's fall and your arrival."
A familiar, gentle voice called out from somewhere down the main aisles. Kyla recognized the ethereal voice instantly, but may have still been surprised to see the white-cloaked Guardian of Light stroll into her row, glancing toward her with unseen eyes.
"Please remember to breathe deeply, my dear," they said, stopping at a breathable distance, in case Kyla wanted her space. "This may be a surprise, but it is nothing you cannot handle."
[[ P.S., Kyla says this is an open ATE ]]
Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2017 5:53 pm
{ ATE : Dawn of Dark : 1 } { Dusk : Paris - > Realm of Darkness : Pharos Lighthouse}
Dusk recovered from her encounter from the Broker. All the while she continued to feel the tug, the urge, to follow her desire to see that woman.
'I can't change anything by doing nothing.'
Dusk thought as she opened a dark portal. As the door way opened she felt here desire to see where her path will lead all the more, With a heavy breathe, Dusk closed her eyes as she stepped into the dark portal, and followed the path the darkness pulled her to.
When the Dancer opened her eyes she stood in the large room. In front of her was a large cornerstone. It shined with a light of which she had never had seen. It was not warm. In fact, Dusk shivered as she stared upon it. However, she found it rather, comforting.
{ ATE : Disjointed : 3 } { Kyla : Mirage Arena : Library }
She felt it’s approach, rather than saw at first, her head in her hands, eyes downcast- but when they came into the same framing row of stacked books and texts, and closed the distance just shy of her personal space- Kyla lifted her head to look at them. Whilst surely they were fixated on the Guardian’s gaze, she never felt it was simply looking at her, but always through and beyond at so much more than the physical trappings about them.
“..I..” a hand flew to her mouth, disgust bubbling in her throat- “I-..d-d..n’t want you to ..see me like th-is.” Having fled from the party with her peers, no doubt she smelt like alcohol… Normally it would make her happy, relaxed and very sleepy, but with her mind going miles a minute, all it did now was make her nauseous. A flash of revulsion from a similar shameful predicterment, with the view point reversed, made her all the more horrified at her state of being. She tried to do as it asked, struggling to her feel only to fall to one side and try to catch her hand on the shelving. “…am…- am I..me?..” Kyla looked almost half crazed. “..l-like.. if..wh-what if I’m not who I think I am?” She tried, really tried to concentrate, but ooh was it difficult right now with her physical state. Something before Earths fall.. and her arrival?
"...what if I'm the copy- and the real me's out there ..brain washed or something..?" A stupid idea yes, but again considering her intoxication it wasn't the craziest thing people could say. Right?
[ Yesh, open to everyone, even canons]
Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2017 5:57 pm
{ATE: Good Friend 'Captain Morgan':35} {Sayrike: Disney Castle: Mirage Arena}
Sayrike's laugh was loud, hearty, and full of mirth. "No need to be sorry! she said. "Thank you for the compliment." She smiled, entertained by his little quirks of embarrassment, but not derisive. When Luke mentioned the name of the band whose song he had been singing, her eyes lit up with recognition. "Oh! The Dropkick Murphys! I've totally heard of them. I don't know them well enough to know songs or anything, but we totally used some of their music as background music when my friends and I played a tabletop RPG..." Sayrike trailed off for a second, the sting of the past not as bad as it was before, but still there, nevertheless. She didn't think those friends had been saved because they didn't hang out much outside of rping together. What was the threshhold at which the Cornerstone distinguished who would be saved and who it couldn't? Sayrike wasn't bitter towards the decision, merely curious. It was already a miracle that some of her family had been kept from destruction, and she was thankful for that.
By Sayrike couldn't bring herself to open her heart up to the possibility of talking with her family again. What if something happened, and they were lost once more? What if she herself was destroyed in the trials to come after their training? She knew she wouldn't--couldn't--let herself relax and imagine a happy reunion. She would allow herself that happiness only after it had come to pass. It was better to prepare for the worst-case scenario and not invest any emotions in only one of many possible futures. Sayrike could already tell that time was healing the sting of loss of her past life on Earth, and after this year was over, maybe the memories of the enveloping darkness and despair as Earth fell would stop giving her nightmares.
Noticing she had trailed off for a second with these thoughts, Sayrike mentally snapped back to her and Luke's conversation. One corner of her mouth pulled up as she joked, "You'd sing it for me, buuuut you need some liquid courage first or something?" She laughed again. "Hmm, let's see, it looks like Feather has stocked us with not just Captain Morgan, but also..." Sayrike named off a bunch of the drinks she had seen while setting up, mostly alcohol, a few not. "So, what would you like? Pick your poison, and I'll go get it." The right white eyespot of Sayrike's mask over her eyes winked as she grinned, getting up and grabbing her own cup.
"There is no need to degrade yourself for your current state. Your kind is allowed such revelry and relaxation; there is nothing inherently wrong with it, only in what mistakes might be done during it," they said, remaining where they stood, their hands clasped down in front of their waist.
"All instances of 'you' are as real as they feel. You, then, are the real you. Of course, I understand that you mean the 'original' Kyla, and you are that as well," the continued, nodding. "No, the problem I feel is likely more an issue of interference than reconstruction. I am only freshly awoken, but through what little connection I have established with my pieces, your heart is... different. Changed... not as it was when my shard sought you out."
Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2017 6:20 pm
{ ATE : Disjointed : 5 } { Kyla : Mirage Arena : Library }
The guardian certainly knew what to say to make her feel better- or maybe it was just it being who and what they were? Or a bit of both. It quickly put her deeply engrained fears to rest- for now. But the image that was drudged up by association stayed- it hovered in the back of her mind with a dark light. It cast a shadow behind her eyes as the Guardian continued to speak.
Why was she thinking of 'them' now???
She found comfort in knowing she was the real icon, as much as could be said for that, but Kyla’s mind kept repeating…
Something between Earths Fall… and her arrival. What happened…
The artist looked at the Guardian at length, letting the moment breath- trying to take more breaths to calm down with. “…different… “ she repeated. How? Was of course the question.
“..it’s like.. I- I can’t...feel or…know something…It’s like... there’s a gap there...I- f-feel ..empty.”
{ ATE : Dawn of Dark : 2 } { Kuja ; Ultimcia : Realm of Darkness ~ Ridorana Cataract : Pharos Lighthouse }
"Well well, the little canary flies home."
Leaning against a column off to the side behind her, Kuja held his arms crossed, his pose casual. He gave a coy smile; despite their last meeting ending with violence, he seemed practically hospitable now.
"Finally ready to peak behind the curtain?"
"She's come to see me," came a more feminine tone from the opposite side of the hall from Kuja, where the scarlet-garbed Ultimecia stood, eyes closed, as if to meditate in the stone's glow. One eye, lined with violet paint, opened to look at the dancer. "Isn't that right, young one?"
Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2017 7:16 pm
{ ATE : Dawn of Dark : 3 } { Dusk : Paris - > Realm of Darkness : Pharos Lighthouse}
"YOU!" Dusk hissed as she glared daggers at Kuja. Her attention was torn from him to Ultimcia when she spoke, "Yes that is correct."
Dusk glared at Kuja again and stuck her tongue out at him then turned to Ultimcia once again bowing her head in respect.
"I came seeking truth..." she said in a shy and uneasy tone.
{ ATE : Dawn of Dark : 4 } { Kuja ; Ultimcia : Realm of Darkness ~ Ridorana Cataract : Pharos Lighthouse }
The sorceress pursed her lips and raised her brows. Kuja, out of Dusk's sight, sneered lightly and shook his head.
"You come seeking truth, and yet you would disrespect your betters so blatantly?" she asked, turning slowly to face the smaller woman. From the shadows behind her, great black wings suddenly came into the light, and though lowered, they made her appearance all the more imposing.
"Don't be too hard on the little bird," Kuja cooed from the sides. "She apparently holds a grudge against me for playing the part we decided upon."
"Be that as it may, such lack of understanding the bigger picture is... disappointing," she said, beginning to stroll past the woman toward the crystal. "What truths do you seek, child?"
