Editing Dawn of the Third Age/IC Logs/Session 07

[[Dawn of the Third Age]]

Session Start (Anshu:#celestialdeliberative): Sun Oct 03 10:30:54 2010 -0600
<br>[11:05] <~Anshu> You're waiting in the antechamber of one of Denandsor's police stations. A Dragon-Blooded officer approaches you. "We've completed interrogating the suspects you captured," she says, sounding somewhat reluctant.
<br>[11:08] * Nomoe_Hideaki nods regally. "Continue, officer."
<br>[11:09] * Brazen_Sand sits quietly nearby with his arms crossed, back in human form.
<br>[11:11] <~Anshu> "Unfortunately, we didn't get much. They were all introduced to one another by a single man a few weeks ago. But they can't agree on what he looked like or even his name. And they're not lying to keep us off the trail. They honestly can't remember."
<br>[11:13] <Brazen_Sand> "Hrmph, useless. Where'd they meet him?"
<br>[11:18] <Nomoe_Hideaki> "In that case even assuming that it was indeed a man, or the same man, might be too much." He nods. "What else, officer?"
<br>[11:24] <~Anshu> The officer gives you an address in one of the lower middle class districts of the city. "They all came from the same general neighborhood. They all met him for the first time separately, but he gathered them together there, at the local watering hole."
<br>[11:25] <Brazen_Sand> "Right under your nose?"
<br>[11:27] <Brazen_Sand> He turns to the others. "Perhaps I'm mistaken, but your Deliberative seems to be extremely easy to undermine."
<br>[11:27] <Nomoe_Hideaki> In his overly blunt and tactless way Brazen Sand has asked a sensible question, Nomoe Hideaki considers. Infernal though he is he might be good for a few things. And terrible for all the rest, but still.
<br>[11:28] <~Anshu> The officer gives you a frustrated look. "We don't have the manpower to keep everybody in the city under surveillance at all times. Most people follow the law, and we leave them to it."
<br>[11:28] * Nomoe_Hideaki shrugs lightly as if to say 'don't look at me, this isn't MY country'.
<br>[11:29] <~Anshu> "However, we did also manage to identify the smuggler they acquired their firedust from. We have people out looking for him now."
<br>[11:30] <Nomoe_Hideaki> "And without constant and active Celestial oversight a Fiend or similarly equipped Infernal would be able to out-maneuver overworked Terrestrial forces."
<br>[11:31] <Brazen_Sand> "I suppose, but this is supposed to be the centre of the Deliberative."
<br>[11:32] <Nomoe_Hideaki> Nomoe Hideaki, diplomatically, remains silent.
<br>[11:37] <Nomoe_Hideaki> "What was the supposed ideology behind the attack? Why did they do it, what were they promised, how were they convinced to suicide?"
<br>[11:38] <Brazen_Sand> "They wanted to kill Anathema."
<br>[11:39] <Brazen_Sand> I'd say tehy were promised the opportunity to kill Anathema, and convinced to kill themselves by the prospect of...killing Anathema."
<br>[11:39] <Brazen_Sand> Brazen said in a completely dry tone
<br>[11:39] * Nomoe_Hideaki ignores the interjections, waiting for the Dragonblooded officer to answer
<br>[11:42] <~Anshu> The officer nods. "That would seem to be it. We did find traces of mental magic on them. We're not sure what kind, though. Perhaps one of you would like to take a look."
<br>[11:43] * Nomoe_Hideaki nods. "Ambassador Viridian Inkwell, you proved capable of healing insanities, correct?"
<br>[11:45] <Inkwell> "Some forms of externally induced insanities, possibly."
<br>[11:47] <Nomoe_Hideaki> "Would you accompany me in examining them then?"
<br>[11:49] <Inkwell> "As you wish."
<br>[11:50] * Nomoe_Hideaki will use his Sorcerer's Eye to see if he can learn something, but likely won't be able to do anything about whatever he finds
<br>[11:52] * Brazen_Sand follows and watches
<br>[11:55] <~Anshu> The Terrestrial officer leads you to one of the interrogation rooms, and pauses just outside the door. "You can examine them all, if you wish, but we've already determined that they each have identical Essence traces."
<br>[11:56] * Nomoe_Hideaki nods his thanks and enters, his essence sight active
<br>[11:56] *** Shadow_Phoenix_Ruby has joined #celestialdeliberative
<br>[12:00] <Nomoe_Hideaki> He knows well certain forms of influence, using them himself, and he has seen many others employed, including the twisted Charms of the Ebon Dragon earlier in their investigation. With all that in mind he closely examines the prisoner's essence pattern, his expression cold and distant while he does so.
<br>[12:09] <~Anshu> You see a glow of scarlet star-essence lingering around the subject's head and heart, the influence of Mars... but looking closer, you can also see a hint of Mercury's touch. It's subtle, and it doesn't seem to serve any actual purpose, but it is there.
<br>[12:13] * Nomoe_Hideaki frowns. "Sidereal Charms. That explains why no one could remember him."
<br>[12:14] <Nomoe_Hideaki> "Ambassador Inkwell, can you do anything about this?"
<br>[12:22] <Nomoe_Hideaki> As Viridian Inkwell does not react, engrossed by his own analysis apparently, Nomoe sighs. "In any case, I am done here."
<br>[12:22] <Brazen_Sand> "What'd you find?"
<br>[12:23] <Nomoe_Hideaki> Returning to the others he frowns. "A Sidereal laid powerful influences on them. No evidence of being an Akuma, though that would be very difficult to tell."
<br>[12:28] <Brazen_Sand> Brazen Sand nods and thinks to himself... "Hmmm, I don't know much about them, besides what the Yozis told me. Traitorous Viziers, Maidens who will writhe in torment for eternity, all that stuff."
<br>[12:31] <Nomoe_Hideaki> "In any case, unless further evidence turns up that this is related to the matter we are investigating, I would consider it nothing that should concern us."
<br>[12:32] <Brazen_Sand> "They did mention that there's a number of Fate-Exalted Akuma." Brazen chuckled to himself. "They do love their Infernal Monster Style"
<br>[12:33] <~Anshu> The officer, who left to take care of other business while you were in the interrogation room, approaches once again. "We caught the smuggler who supplied them with the firedust. He says he was told about these people needing firedust by a contact in the Saraban family. They're merchants and traders, semi-independent of the Guild."
<br>[12:34] <Brazen_Sand> "So go get them."
<br>[12:37] <Brazen_Sand> "This is your mess. Not ours."
<br>[12:37] <~Anshu> "We have people on the way," she says. "Hopefully they'll cooperate. They have a few Dragon-Blooded; this could get messy."
<br>[12:39] <Brazen_Sand> "We need to get to Heaven. Now we have a choice. We can either go kick in the nearest Yu-Shan gate, or we can be *polite*"
<br>[12:41] * Nomoe_Hideaki sighs. "Since this might concern an investigation we are ourselves concerned with, if we had Deliberator Anshu's permission we could ensure, that things go smoothly. I am unwilling to waste much more time here."
<br>[12:41] <Brazen_Sand> "Me neither. Let's go speak to him."
<br>[12:41] <Brazen_Sand> "You coming, Ruby?" Brazen asked
<br>[12:42] <Nomoe_Hideaki> "Is there some method of remotely contacting Deliberator Anshu among the wonders of Denandsor, officer?" There is a trace of irony in Nomoe's words.
<br>[12:42] <Shadow_Phoenix_Ruby> The silent Alchemical nods and makes way to follow, she has said nothing, and continues to do so.
<br>[12:46] <~Anshu> "Yes," the officer says stiffly, and leads Nomoe to a viewscreen terminal. "I can get you in touch with the Ministry of Justice, but you'd have better luck reaching the Minister himself."
<br>[12:47] <Nomoe_Hideaki> "Naturally."
<br>[12:48] <Nomoe_Hideaki> And so Nomoe begins to brutally cut through red tape until he gets through to Deliberator Anshu.
<br>[12:55] <~Anshu> It takes surprisingly little cutting of red tape to reach Anshu, who appears on the screen after only two secretaries and one screensaver + hold music.
<br>[12:55] <~Anshu> "Deliberator Nomoe," he says.
<br>[12:55] <~Anshu> "What can I do for you?"
<br>[12:56] <Brazen_Sand> "Hey Anshu, we've got to go Yu-Shan!" Brazen blurts out loudly.
<br>[12:57] <Brazen_Sand> His face halfway visible from the side
<br>[12:57] <Nomoe_Hideaki> "Deliberator Anshu, very kind of you to receive me on such short notice," he begins. "We have reason to believe that the attack on the parade today may be related to the investigation I ... we are currently engaged in. I would like to ask for permission to act in that capacity within Denandsor."
<br>[12:58] * Shadow_Phoenix_Ruby shakes her head.
<br>[12:59] <Nomoe_Hideaki> "More specifically, working with the Denandsor Guard in some matters, as well as possibly access to the Denandsor Gate."
<br>[13:00] <~Anshu> Anshu nods slowly. "You may certainly do so. What's this about needing to go to Yu-Shan?"
<br>[13:01] <Nomoe_Hideaki> "That is the Infernal getting ahead of himself. The suicide bombers were being influenced by powerful Sidereal Charms."
<br>[13:01] <Brazen_Sand> "hell I am."
<br>[13:02] * Nomoe_Hideaki turns slightly to face Brazen Sand. "I do not expect you to understand courtesy, Infernal, but maybe you can try just this once?"
<br>[13:03] <Nomoe_Hideaki> Turning back to the view screen he shrugs. "Depending on how the Creation-side leads turn out I may inquire with the gate authorities."
<br>[13:04] <~Anshu> "Ah. Yes, I see. I'll see about getting the Ambassador and the Greenfire King writs to pass through." A hint of a smile passes briefly over his face. "I'm sorry your introduction to your mate has been marred by today's events."
<br>[13:04] <Brazen_Sand> "Good."
<br>[13:09] * Nomoe_Hideaki nods, his expression one of studied neutrality leaving it unclear what he refers to when he ends the connection with "Thank you, Deliberator Anshu."
<br>[13:11] <Brazen_Sand> "So it's your city. Now what?"
<br>[13:11] <Nomoe_Hideaki> Turning away from the blank viewscreen Nomoe turns to the Dragonblooded officer. "When and where are the arrests taking place?"
<br>[13:13] <Nomoe_Hideaki> "I propose" - this to the others - "that we show some presence to discourage any ... maneuvers of desperation while the good officers do their work."
<br>[13:14] <Brazen_Sand> Brazen sighed. "fine, fine. Whatever gets this over with quickly."
<br>[13:14] <Shadow_Phoenix_Ruby> "A wise idea," Ruby response and glances to Brazen.
<br>[13:15] <~Anshu> "They'll be taking place shortly; I can get you there in one of the Guard cars," the officer says.
<br>[13:15] <Nomoe_Hideaki> "Hah. Precisely," Nomoe comments Brazen's sigh.
<br>[13:15] * Shadow_Phoenix_Ruby regards the infernal for a moment or two before turning to look to Nomoe and then the guard.
<br>[13:16] <Nomoe_Hideaki> "If that mode of conveyance is fast enough, by all means," Nomoe nods.
<br>[13:32] <~Anshu> Arriving at the scene, it doesn't look very exciting. There are a few groups of guards tucked out of sight of the house where the Sarabans live and conduct their business, and a few officers within plain sight. They don't look too thrilled about your presence.
<br>[13:33] * Bright_Snow is standing with the guard, aiding in examining the scene. She appears a youngish girl just past adolescence, with bright blue eyes and shoulder length brown hair. She is still wearing the uniform of a Deliberative Courier a wear brown leather coat, suitable to shield herself from the cold of operating her swift rider over a white linen shirt, tan trousers and good leather riding boots
<br>[13:34] <Shadow_Phoenix_Ruby> "Is it me or are we recieving a cold welcome," Ruby says whispering to those near her, her eyes scaning the area as she does this.
<br>[13:34] <Brazen_Sand> "Hey! What's your problem with us being here?" Brazen snapped.
<br>[13:34] <Nomoe_Hideaki> "We are the harbingers of political interference in police work," Nomoe answers quietly. He seems unconcerned, though.
<br>[13:35] * Shadow_Phoenix_Ruby sighs and frowns. "Do you believe in making a confrontation out of everything, Brazen Sand?" Though she nods to Nomoe's assesment.
<br>[13:35] <Brazen_Sand> "Yes, Ruby. Yes I do."
<br>[13:36] <Nomoe_Hideaki> "And that is why you fail."
<br>[13:36] <Shadow_Phoenix_Ruby> "And you run a country... how?"
<br>[13:36] <Brazen_Sand> "By keeping it safe and making sure that anything that tries to attack it dies messily. My citizens appreciate it."
<br>[13:37] * Nomoe_Hideaki gives the slightest of nods toward Bright Snow. **/These are the ones I told you about. The one yelling just now is the mannerless Infernal./ Annoyance, and embarrassment at being associated with him. /Do you want to join us at this time?/**
<br>[13:37] * Nomoe_Hideaki laughs humorlessly. "More likely they know that saying otherwise will yield the same fate."
<br>[13:37] <~Anshu> Since Nomoe answered Brazen's question, they bow respectfully - if a little shallowly - to him, and then start to approach the front door of the Saraban House.
<br>[13:39] * Bright_Snow walks over. /** Why ever not. It is not like the officers appreciated my presence any more than your own. **/ "Can I be of assistance?"
<br>[13:39] * Shadow_Phoenix_Ruby frowns. "But if you confront everything then then how do the citizens appreciate that. It seems to me either its a lie and you don't make a confrontation out of everything or you've altered something in the minds of your citizens. Though I suppose the wyld cause isolation may have had something to do with it.
<br>[13:39] <Shadow_Phoenix_Ruby> *"
<br>[13:40] <Nomoe_Hideaki> "Tyranny, Ambassador Shadow Phoenix Ruby, is the modus operandi of Malfeas and his Chosen."
<br>[13:41] <Brazen_Sand> "I give them food too. Compared to the Despot, I'm a saint."
<br>[13:41] <Brazen_Sand> "Don't patronize me, Ruby. I kept them alive throughout the Wyld Crusade when no one else would."
<br>[13:43] <Shadow_Phoenix_Ruby> "Forgive me Brazen Sand if what you say and how you act just hadly match.  But that is neither here nor there.  We've a job to do."
<br>[13:43] <Shadow_Phoenix_Ruby> (*hardly)
<br>[13:43] <Brazen_Sand> "You were the one who asked."
<br>[13:43] <Brazen_Sand> "Now let's get these traitors out of their hole."
<br>[13:43] <Nomoe_Hideaki> "We can revisit this argument at a later time."
<br>[13:44] <Nomoe_Hideaki> As Bright Snow approaches Nomoe Hideaki gestures for the others to interrupt their argument. "Fellow Deliberators, Ambassadors, Infernal. May I introduce one of Luna's Chosen, my mate, whom you may address as Young And Maiden Bright?"
<br>[13:45] <Brazen_Sand> "Hi"
<br>[13:46] * Bright_Snow nods in greeting and smiles at the others. It doesn't reach her cold emotionless eyes.
<br>[13:46] <~Anshu> The officers knock on the door. "We're here for Saraban Tarun. We have reason to believe he is involved in treason agains the Deliberative."
<br>[13:46] *** Shadow_Phoenix_Ruby has quit IRC: Ping timeout
<br>[13:49] <Nomoe_Hideaki> "We are here to make sure there are no ... difficulties  ... in apprehending a man involved in the attempted suicide attacks earlier today," Nomoe quietly explains to Bright Snow. "The ultimate perpetrator seems to have been a Sidereal, who brainwashed the mortals into the attempt. Saraban Tarun was the contact who facilitated the Firedust supply."
<br>[13:50] *** Shadow_Phoenix_Ruby has joined #celestialdeliberative
<br>[13:51] <~Anshu> "What? Tarun? There must be some mistake!" comes a voice from inside.
<br>[13:51] <Bright_Snow> "Sidereals?" She almost growls the word.
<br>[13:51] <Brazen_Sand> "Yup. Got them to blow themselves up"
<br>[13:52] * Nomoe_Hideaki nods. "Yes. The traces of star essence were unmistakeable and none of the mortals could clearly remember the man who recruited them."
<br>[13:53] <~Anshu> "We'll be the ones to determine that. Please, go fetch him."
<br>[13:53] <Bright_Snow> "And how do you know infernalists are involved. The starborn have born us ill for a long long time." /** Extreme distaste and no small hatred flows down the bond **/
<br>[13:54] <Nomoe_Hideaki> In passing Nomoe calls one of the officers to him with a commanding gesture. "You have the building surrounded?" If the answers is in the positive he dismisses him again in the same way.
<br>[13:54] <Brazen_Sand> "No one mentioned Infernalists."
<br>[13:54] <Nomoe_Hideaki> "We do not, not yet. However the aim of disrupting the stability of the Deliberative is the same as that of the last Infernal we captured."
<br>[13:55] * Shadow_Phoenix_Ruby inwardly groans at the mention of the last Infernal they had caught.
<br>[13:55] <Nomoe_Hideaki> "So our aim is to ascertain whether they are in league, because if they are then this is connected to our investigation."
<br>[13:57] * Shadow_Phoenix_Ruby turns her attention to the guards and soon to happen arrest.
<br>[13:57] * Bright_Snow gives a puzzled glance towards Ruby
<br>[14:00] <~Anshu> The officer nods to Nomoe. Soon, one of the officers is invited inside, and then re-emerges, with a reedy-looking man walking in front of him, his hands manacled behind him. He bears the subtle markings of a low-Breeding Water Aspect.
<br>[14:02] * Nomoe_Hideaki sighs. "And even if this Sidereal is not in league with Infernals, his actions mark him as an enemy whose identity we need to know." **His own emotional involvement is more cool and distant. The Sidereal is an enemy to overcome. There is also the equivalent of a questioning look at Bright Snow's reaction to the news of Sidereal involvement.**
<br>[14:04] <Brazen_Sand> "I'll make him talk."
<br>[14:05] <Shadow_Phoenix_Ruby> "Of that I have no doubt," Ruby says giving him a plain and serious look.
<br>[14:06] * Bright_Snow offers him a shrug in return
<br>[14:06] <Brazen_Sand> "Ruby, will you stop nagging me, at least I'm doing something." Brazen retorts.
<br>[14:07] * Nomoe_Hideaki with his arms folded with his hands hidden in his sleeves examines the Water Aspect with a cold and measuring look as if considering a puzzle piece and determining where it fits into the picture.
<br>[14:07] <Bright_Snow> "Malfean we may need him to say more than begging you to stop through strangled cries of pain"
<br>[14:07] <Brazen_Sand> Brazen stares
<br>[14:07] <Brazen_Sand> "I don't need to touch him to get him to talk."
<br>[14:07] <Shadow_Phoenix_Ruby> "I am not nagging you I am certain that you can make him talk."
<br>[14:08] * Nomoe_Hideaki gestures the officers to bring the man to him.
<br>[14:08] <Bright_Snow> "I never claimed you did."
<br>[14:08] <Brazen_Sand> Brazen stares deep into the man's eyes, until he feels himself enveloped by the terrifying presence in front of him.
<br>[14:09] <~Anshu> The officers grumble a little bit, but bring Tarun over.
<br>[14:10] * Nomoe_Hideaki looks at them, pointedly, until they stop grumbling
<br>[14:13] <Nomoe_Hideaki> **Amusement and agreement as Bright Snow speaks to the Infernal**
<br>[14:14] <Nomoe_Hideaki> "Sabaran Tarun. You are suspected of involvement in acts of terrorism against the Celestial Deliberative and the city of Denandsor."
<br>[14:16] <Nomoe_Hideaki> "You will answer all our question to the fullest extent of your knowledge, and you will volunteer whatever information you possess in relation to this matter."
<br>[14:15] <Brazen_Sand> "Oh cut it out Nomoe." Brazen interrupts.
<br>[14:16] <Brazen_Sand> "YOU, DID YOU SELL THE FIREDUST TO THOSE SUICIDE BOMBERS?" He says to Sabaran, cutting into his very soul while the dust around them jumps in place.
<br>[14:16] <Bright_Snow> "I wouldn't necessarily stop him Malfean, It might help calm the crowd that is gathering."
<br>[14:16] <Brazen_Sand> "ANSWER YES OR NO."
<br>[14:17] * Shadow_Phoenix_Ruby finds a wall to lean against and crosses arms and legs content to let those able to do this do it.
<br>[14:17] <~Anshu> Suddenly, Tarun is no longer present, and the manacles with which he was bound are back on the belt of the officer who put them on him.
<br>[14:18] * Shadow_Phoenix_Ruby blinks her eyes widening.
<br>[14:18] <~Anshu> Of course, people do not simply disappear like this
<br>[14:19] <~Anshu> so you suddenly realize that he was in fact never brought in front of you, but instead fled out of the back door of the house.
<br>[14:19] <Nomoe_Hideaki> **a spike of anger as the Infernal interrupts him though his expression only becomes colder**
<br>[14:20] <Brazen_Sand> ..."What...the...fuck just happened?!"
<br>[14:20] <Brazen_Sand> Brazen says
<br>[14:20] <Nomoe_Hideaki> "Sidereal magic," Nomoe Hideaki states curtly before his form flickers and disappears as well.
<br>[14:20] * Brazen_Sand follows him as best he can
<br>[14:21] <Nomoe_Hideaki> He re-appears in the sky over the compound with wings of shining silver, circling in an outward spiral with extreme speed.
<br>[14:22] <~Anshu> "He went out the back way! Alert the squads covering the rear entrance!"
<br>[14:22] <~Anshu> one of the officers barks into a comm handset.
<br>[14:22] * Shadow_Phoenix_Ruby stands and looks around before she took quickly takes to the outside.
<br>[14:22] <Brazen_Sand> "This is un-be-fucking-lievable!" Brazen growls to himself.
<br>[14:22] <Brazen_Sand> and anyone who can hear him
<br>[14:23] <Nomoe_Hideaki> His eyes enhanced by the Sorcerer's Eye and Solar excellence he searches the area for any sign of the apparent Sidereal.
<br>[14:25] * Bright_Snow jumps into a blur in the direction the man went
<br>[14:25] <Shadow_Phoenix_Ruby> "I have no idea what just happened," Ruby moans to herself as she comes to the outside with the guards.
<br>[14:26] <Nomoe_Hideaki> **/Damn Sidereal just disappeared ... even managed to hide from my essence sight .../ cold fury comes through the bond, uncontrolled in this stressful situation**
<br>[14:26] <Brazen_Sand> "Me neither."
<br>[14:27] <Brazen_Sand> Brazen shows up at the fight.
<br>[14:27] <Brazen_Sand> "You aren't disappearing this time, you sneaky bastard!"
<br>[14:30] <Nomoe_Hideaki> Seeing a fight going on behind the house involving Tarun and the mortal squad stationed there he dives with his trademark speed.
<br>[14:44] <Brazen_Sand> Brazen leapt into sight, thrusting the Venomous Wyrm's Tongue out of it's sheathe on it's back with a burst of green flare along it's blade.
<br>[14:47] <Nomoe_Hideaki> At the last moment Nomoe Hideaki performs a roll to bring his feet forward to hit the suspected Sidereal with all the force of a battering ram. There is a thunderclap throwing mortals guards left and right and small chips of stone break off from the surrounding buildings. By the time the noise passes Nomoe has landed properly and standing behind the 'Water Aspect' attempts a choke hold from behind.
<br>[14:54] <~Anshu> The Sidereal twists out of the way of Nomoe's blows, fating them to miss him just barely as he ducks and weaves.
<br>[15:01] <Nomoe_Hideaki> **There is a feeling of puzzlement from Nomoe Hideaki, he does not understand how the Sidereal can escape the consequences of his attacks without using a Charm every time**
<br>[15:03] <Bright_Snow> ** All Hideaki gets in return is a feeling of blinding rage **
<br>[15:03] <Bright_Snow> (Thankfully not directed at him though)
<br>[15:03] <~Anshu> Then, the Sidereal is off like a shot, running nearly as fast as Noldarr's horse. More of Denandsor's guards jump in his way, and the mark of Mercury lights on his brow as he invokes a mighty Form charm, dissolving suddenly into a blood-red wind that whirls through the Guard formation, leaving four of them dead in his wake as he speeds on.
<br>[15:06] <Brazen_Sand> "Oh shit, it's an Akuma!"
<br>[15:07] <Brazen_Sand> Brazen shouts as he chases after him, quickly being left in the dust
<br>[15:07] <Nomoe_Hideaki> Despite recognizing the Sidereal's Form and thus his power Nomoe Hideaki follows on rapidly beating wings of mirroring silver.
<br>[15:16] <~Anshu> As the Sidereal speeds away, those in pursuit of him feel a sense of futility settling over their minds. Surely they cannot hope to catch and stop such a powerful foe.
<br>[15:16] *** Hattori has joined #celestialdeliberative
<br>[15:25] * Bright_Snow grits her teeth and smiles /** Amusement fills the bond.**/ Can't catch him trying to run on my nose /
<br>[15:25] <Brazen_Sand> Brazen stopped and panted. Why bother...why keep going...this was absurd, he was way too fast...this was...INCONCIEVABLE! NO ONE CAN STOP THE GREENFIRE KING!
<br>[15:25] * Shadow_Phoenix_Ruby slows her chase her grand beamklaive's hum fading as she realizes how futile this really is and sighs. "I never have the right loadout," she complains likely to herself.
<br>[15:26] <Brazen_Sand> With an offended roar of rage, his essence tore itself apart and then recompiled into his Devil-Tyrant form, leaving a black scorch-mark on the streets.
<br>[15:27] <Brazen_Sand> He snatched up Ruby, not willing to listen to her defeatist tone. "GET ON MY BACK, RUBY! THIS CHASE ISN'T OVER YET!" He roared.
<br>[15:28] <Brazen_Sand> Then he burst into the sky after the Akuma
<br>[15:28] * Shadow_Phoenix_Ruby does hold on cause doing otherwise might harm her.
<br>[15:28] <Shadow_Phoenix_Ruby> "You'll not catch him.  He's way too fast."
<br>[15:28] <Brazen_Sand> "YOU'LL NEVER DEFEAT THE PRIMORDIALS, YOU'RE ONLY HUMANS. SOUND FAMILIAR?"
<br>[15:29] <Nomoe_Hideaki> Recognizing the outside imposition of emotions Nomoe Hideaki seethes with ice cold fury. The nerve, the sheer nerve! No, this will not do. No amount of magic will prevent him from catching this enemy of Creation, one who laid his dirty metaphorical fingers upon him. Before the Solar's determination and understanding of the attack upon him the Charms rip apart like cobwebs.
<br>[15:30] * Hattori grunts as he tears himself free of the Sidereal's web of deception - a fine-stitched morass of darkness that had occupied him until now - and drew his blade with cold fury.
<br>[15:30] *** Hattori is now known as Noldarr
<br>[15:30] <Shadow_Phoenix_Ruby> "A little, but he does outpace me, I can't say if he'll out pace you.  Its truly inefficient to waste essence when its futile to try."
<br>[15:30] <Nomoe_Hideaki> **Bright Snow gets an impression of this, Nomoe's control of the bond not yet being so fine as to prevent it**
<br>[15:31] <Brazen_Sand> "IT'S NEVER INEFFICIENT TO TRY! IT'S NEVER A WASTE OF TIME TO MAKE AN EFFORT!"
<br>[15:32] * Shadow_Phoenix_Ruby sighs and frowns.
<br>[15:32] <Shadow_Phoenix_Ruby> "You are quite stubborn aren't you."
<br>[15:35] <Brazen_Sand> "IF I WASN'T, I WOULD BE A SLAVE."
<br>[15:35] <Bright_Snow> With a flicker of Shaodws Bright Snow disappears and appears marginally ahead of the fleeing Sidereal Akuma, a wolfish grin on her face. With a mighty roar she flys through the air her arms closing in a vice like grip as the shadows weave around to trip and choke him.
<br>[15:36] <Brazen_Sand> "RUBY, GET YOUR WEAPON OUT."
<br>[15:37] <Nomoe_Hideaki> **Fierce approval at Bright Snow's divinely fast and sneaky movement**
<br>[15:37] * Shadow_Phoenix_Ruby gives the demon-ish monster called Brazen a look of admiration. "Very well then. Let us continue going after." A slight hum is heard as she materializes her Essence Cannon, the long split bore weapon gleaming in the light of the day as she angles it towards the ground. "Weapon deployed," she says holding the weapon tightly.
<br>[15:43] <~Anshu> The Sidereal, now once more a man, is still as difficult to grasp as the wind he no longer is. "Nice try, Steward, he whispers in her ear as he blurs past."
<br>[15:43] <Nomoe_Hideaki> Understanding that somehow the Sidereal has decreed that unarmed attacks will never reach him Nomoe Hideaki flies a little lower and snatches up a roof tile from one of the buildings and crumbles it into little pieces in his hands. Once more diving towards the Akuma he flicks a pebble from each hand with the Divine Finger Flick Technique.
<br>[15:47] <Bright_Snow> With a howl of fury, Bright Snow spits at the rapidly retreating form of the Akuma
<br>[15:57] <Nomoe_Hideaki> And seeing the man stagger slightly he repeats the technique with a vicious little grin.
<br>[15:59] * Shadow_Phoenix_Ruby concentrates and line's up the sights of her weapon upon the retreating foe. She takes a deep breath, closes an eye and beings mental calculations to fire. For a moment she witnessess the amazing strike from Nomoe but she shoves that away, she needed to hit and hit true. Especially since she didn't see fit to actually install the new striker devices. With a final numerical
<br>[15:59] * Shadow_Phoenix_Ruby check she fires, and Illistra sings as the adamantine beam flies to pounce her foe.
<br>[16:07] <~Anshu> Sadly, at the last moment, Brazen bucks beneath her to avoid a building, throwing her aim off and sending the beam into the face of a building.
<br>[16:09] * Shadow_Phoenix_Ruby tsks and frowns watching her beam strike a building's roof.
<br>[16:12] * Brazen_Sand just snarls in irritation
<br>[16:13] * Noldarr whips his blade around like a kingfisher spearing water, a lash of flame-red essence sprouting from the tip. As his anima roars into being, the lash coils with blistering speed around the akuma, holding it in place. Its fangs formed into golden repliacs of Noldarr's blade, the towering lion engulfs the Sidereal, its growl a thundering reverberation down the cobblestones.
<br>[16:27] <~Anshu> With the speed of the wind, the Sidereal Akuma floats and leaps through and over and around the Dawn's deadly strikes and continues on his way, now nearly to one of the city gates.
<br>[16:38] <~Anshu> He reaches and blows through the gate, slaying and scattering victims living and dead with the power and speed of his passage.
<br>[16:42] <Brazen_Sand> Brazen flew up into the air until Denandsor was a tiny dot on the ground. The Sun seemed to float alongside him, rather then above him...
<br>[16:43] <Brazen_Sand> "HOLD ON, RUBY!" He snarled, then flipped backwards and started diving downwards faster then sound itself.
<br>[16:45] <Bright_Snow> Turning hate gleaming in her eyes /** and through the bond **/ she slams her feet upon the ground. Once... Twice... and then with a tremendous bang she is gone, an invisible if tremendously noisy blurr through the city. Within a heartbeat she has reached the gates and moments after that is catching up to the Sidereal Akuma with murder in her eyes. Her right hand flashes as the amulet on her wrist morphs into a Dire Lance and
<br>[16:47] <~Anshu> ((cuts off at "Her right hand flashes as the amulet on her wrist morphs into a Dire Lance and"))
<br>[16:47] <Bright_Snow>  and with a smack of air, she stops striking him hard in the back aiming to pitch him up and onto its blade.
<br>[16:55] <Brazen_Sand> A spinning shadow begins to grow over the running Sidereal, as the clouds themselves are pushed aside and torn to tatters, the glistening Infernal strikes the ground.. "fuuuUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCCCCCCCK YOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOUUU" Is all that can be heard before a sonic-boom blasts everyone's ears
<br>[16:57] <Brazen_Sand> However, the red Infernal can be seen easily enough, smashing into the Infernal with his lance, as tongues of flame slither around it's edge.
<br>[16:58] <Brazen_Sand> The ground shook around his taloned feet as the earth itself trembled in terror
<br>[17:00] *** Bright_Snow_ has joined #celestialdeliberative
<br>[17:00] *** Bright_Snow has quit IRC: Ping timeout
<br>[17:00] *** Bright_Snow_ is now known as Virgil
<br>[17:00] *** Virgil is now known as Bright_Snow
<br>[17:08] <~Anshu> Though the ground shakes and tongues of flame flicker around him, the Akuma is not fazed. Does the wind care how the ground shakes? Does the wind burn as it whips flames with its passage? He attempts to skirt around the mountainous Infernal Monster.
<br>[17:09] <Brazen_Sand> "OH NO YOU DON'T!" Brazen snarls in fury. Even the wind must stop when it meets the solid core of the mountain. Brazen is impassable, as rock-hard as his former master and even more besides!
<br>[17:10] <Brazen_Sand> "STOP NOW, TRAITOR MAIDEN-SPAWN!"
<br>[17:11] <Brazen_Sand> His bilious green anima begins to flicker around him
<br>[17:12] <Nomoe_Hideaki> With eyes sharpened to see all the nuances of essence flows Nomoe Hideaki watches the Akuma spin and twist to avoid Noldarr's attacks ... and smiles when he discerns the weakness of the technique. With a small thunderclap he disappears.
<br>[17:13] <~Anshu> The Akuma, finding his path blocked, turns to try and find an alternate route.
<br>[17:14] <Nomoe_Hideaki> For several moments he is nowhere to be seen, then to one side of the Sidereal he re-appears in a blur only to disappear a fraction of a second later. Again he flickers in and out of visibility, this time on the Akuma's other side. Flicker, behind him. Flicker, above him. Again and again, faster and faster.
<br>[17:14] <Nomoe_Hideaki> And then from all directions at once, and this time all after-images stay, Nomoe's figure blurred and flickering but seemingly in four places at once. Four versions of the Eclipse, Caste Mark shining, hem in the Akuma from all sides, pushing him up against the impassable wall that is Brazen Sand.
<br>[17:20] <Nomoe_Hideaki> "Nowhere to run now, traitor," he says harshly in four-fold unison, an ominous chorus promising an end to this enemy of Creation.
<br>[17:23] <Nomoe_Hideaki> "Strike now!" Nomoe Hideaki then calls out to the others. **/Strike now when he can't use his most powerful evasion technique .../**
<br>[17:28] * Shadow_Phoenix_Ruby doesn't fear the radical increase of speed or even the death defying dive towards the ground. She laughs, a strange thing from the stoic Alchemical, but she does as she feels excitement fill her. As Brazen readies to crash into the ground and halt the Sidereal Ruby dances off of his back seemingly glides as a pair of mechanical wings appears on her back. (cont)
<br>[17:29] <Shadow_Phoenix_Ruby> Illistra hums loudly as Essence glows and sparks along the split bore of her cannon.  She hovers there, and once again does a recalcuation.  Her eyes scanning the area quickly and she spies Noldaar moving in.  With a quick use of a few numbers delays and aims allowing for a cleaner, more fine Calculation and firing solution. (AIMing for 1)
<br>[17:34] <Noldarr> The outlook wasn't brilliant for Denandsor that day;
<br>[17:34] <Noldarr> The akuma fled like the wind, with but one second more to stay,
<br>[17:34] <Noldarr> And then when Cooney died at first, and Barrows did the same,
<br>[17:34] <Noldarr> A sickly silence fell upon the patrons of the name.
<br>[17:34] <Noldarr> A straggling few got up to go in deep despair. The rest
<br>[17:34] <Noldarr> Clung to that hope which springs eternal in the human breast;
<br>[17:34] <Noldarr> They thought, if only Ruby could get but a whack at that -
<br>[17:34] <Noldarr> We'd put up even money, now, with Noldarr at the bat.
<br>[17:34] <Noldarr> Then from lion’s throat and more there rose a lusty yell;
<br>[17:34] <Noldarr> It rumbled through the valley, it rattled in the dell;
<br>[17:34] <Noldarr> It knocked upon the mountain and recoiled upon the flat,
<br>[17:34] <Noldarr> For Ruby and mighty Noldarr were advancing to the bat.
<br>[17:34] <Noldarr> There was ease in Noldarr's manner as he stepped into his place;
<br>[17:34] <Noldarr> There was pride in Ruby's bearing and a smile on Ruby's face.
<br>[17:34] <Noldarr> And when, responding to the cheers, Noldarr lightly doffed his hat,
<br>[17:34] <Noldarr> No stranger in the crowd could doubt 'twas Noldarr at the bat.
<br>[17:35] <Noldarr> The smile is gone from Noldarr's lip, his teeth are clenched in rage;
<br>[17:35] <Noldarr> He pounds with cold violence his blade upon the slades.
<br>[17:35] <Noldarr> And now Ruby leaps, and now she aims it slow,
<br>[17:35] <Noldarr> And now the air is shattered by the force of Noldarr's blow.
<br>[17:37] *** Inkwell has quit IRC: Disintegrated: Leaving
<br>[17:41] <Shadow_Phoenix_Ruby> As Noldaar's sword falls under her lightly falling form she launches once more adding power to her wings with his forward thrust with his weapon and her quick acting work adds more focus, more clarity into her aiming and with a devastating smile she waits till she is within the redline of her firing distance.  Illistra sings once more when she pulls the trigger and the adamantine
<br>[17:41] <Shadow_Phoenix_Ruby> colored beam flies at him, Noldaar's attack not too far behind it.
<br>[17:49] <Noldarr> As Ruby's attack just barely grazes the fiend, Noldarr appears, blade poised at the precise angle to re-direct the adamant beam at the Sidereal's face.
<br>[17:50] <Noldarr> A blur of golden steel heralds the follow-up, eight attacks poised perfectly to strike at the monster's throat, left arm, right arm, left leg, right leg, groin, liver, and heart.
<br>[17:52] <~Anshu> With his escape routes cut off, the Sidereal akuma goes down under furious assault from all sides.
<br>[17:52] <Brazen_Sand> As Noldarr's attack ends, Brazen leaps forward and struck with a swing powerful enough to cut the crowns from mountains
<br>[17:53] * Shadow_Phoenix_Ruby lands softly and looks to her cannon with a slight frown as the Sidereal falls from the assault.
<br>[17:53] <Brazen_Sand> For a moment, the animas of Solars, Lunars, Infernals, and Alchemicals mixes together into one harmonious whole, greater then the sum of it's parts
<br>[17:53] <Shadow_Phoenix_Ruby> "I think I need to be retuned."  She shakes her head and lets the weapon disappear in a flash of adamantine glittering essence as it returns to her TMAM.
<br>[17:56] <Brazen_Sand> "HEY, NOMOE" Brazen grunted
<br>[17:56] <Nomoe_Hideaki> As the Akuma falls to the grounds the four blurred after-images of Nomoe Hideaki speak once more in a resonant chorus. "IT IS DONE."
<br>[17:57] * Brazen_Sand raises a massive fist in front of the Eclipse Caste.
<br>[17:57] <Brazen_Sand> "POUND IT"
<br>[17:58] * Shadow_Phoenix_Ruby tilts her head at the Infernal with a curious look.
<br>[17:58] <Nomoe_Hideaki> Then the flickering images disappear one after the other until only one version of Nomoe remains, his Caste Mark shining to mark his exertion for the first time since the group has worked together. His clothes and hair flutter one last time with the after-effects of such extreme movement, then fall still.
<br>[17:58] * Shadow_Phoenix_Ruby looks to her hand and then his.
<br>[17:59] <Brazen_Sand> "YOU JUST TAP MY FIST WITH YOUR FIST"
<br>[17:59] <Brazen_Sand> "IT'S A GEM THING."
<br>[17:59] * Shadow_Phoenix_Ruby is also slightly glowing with the soft colors of adamtine blue.
<br>[17:59] * Shadow_Phoenix_Ruby nods and makes a fist and taps his.
<br>[17:59] * Brazen_Sand actually smiles and laughs. "THERE YOU GO"
<br>[17:59] <Shadow_Phoenix_Ruby> "A unique custom," Ruby says her face slightly flushed.
<br>[18:00] <Nomoe_Hideaki> Breathing deeply he looks down on the fallen Sidereal, before nodding once toward each of the other Exalts present. Even Brazen Sand gets a small nod of recognition that he did his part for once.
<br>[18:00] *** Bright_Snow has quit IRC: Ping timeout
<br>[18:01] *** Brazen_Sand has quit IRC: Disintegrated: 
<br>[18:01] *** Nomoe_Hideaki has quit IRC: Disintegrated: ~ Trillian Astra - (Link: http://www.trillian.im)www.trillian.im ~