the great escape.The Circle has quite a lot on their plate, this time around. Multiple players are fighting for the control of Akvos, and many difficult choices to make. No matter what path you choose, though, one thing is for certain: it is a bitter fight to the death to ensure that Akvos remains standing, one way or another. There are three main areas for the characters to explore in the final log of Akvos: (1) The Kingdom of Akvos, where the King is fighting to seize control; (2) The Rift, where the characters will encounter the Dreamscapes; and (3) The Kingdom of Polankos, which is where King Ka'pouli has reigned since his arrival in the pocket dimension. Decisions made in all there areas will affect the outcome of Akvos, so get to exploring.  THE ASSAULT ON WAHINE.The King’s forces will attack in three different fronts. There will be mermen attacking from above, riding saddled giant seahorses and manta rays, launching spears at the mermaid-warriors below with terrifying precision. They seem to be indiscriminate, in their aim -- the weaponry, charged with the same dark energy that the shadow creatures seem to be made out of, find their target in civilians and warriors alike, raining down a sea of terror upon the central stronghold of the Kingdom of Akvos.
The mermen will also be attacking at the ground-level, attempting to burst their way through the Palace Gates to flood the city with numbers. While the mermaids outnumber the mermen, the mermen are certainly more brutal than the mermaids. Some of them, though, in finding the city, are more concerned with looting it than with senselessly murdering everyone inside. Indeed, this is the most food they have seen in a long time -- and markets are destroyed in grabbing as much food and riches as they can, pressing closer to the Palace, and toward the Queen's stronghold.
And, finally, they will be attacking from below, navigating their way through a network of tunnels meant to transport goods and bursting their way into people’s homes, to sneak their way closer to their ultimate goal, which seems to be the Palace itself.
The Circle's main goal, here, is to protect civilians, usher theminto the underground strongholds beneath the Palace, and fight for their own lives should they attack the mermen first. Man the wall, if you so choose, to attempt to block the air attacks from the mantas. Fight on the ground, to protect Akvos from destruction. Or make your way to the underground strongholds and tunnels, to block access to the Palace. All of these will certainly assist in keeping Akvos safe.
In addition, please remember that shadow creatures (which can only be killed by magical means) are still making their way through the entirety of Akvos. While King Ka'pouli's forces are targeting the Palace of Wahine, the shadow creatures are still present everywhere. Get to killing!  INTO THE RIFT.Some of you, however, have elected to traverse into the mysterious rift that appeared in the midst of the Fields of Akvosia. It looks like a black hole into nothingness, crackling with odd energy . . . and passing through it feels as though you have stepped through an icy waterfall. For a moment, you cannot breathe -- and then, you are treated to beauty.
The gaps between time and space are full of sparkling lights, bolts of rainbow starlight winding around you as you move through the uncertainty that is the void. It seems endless, but something inside you is tugging you forward . . . and, suddenly, there is a soft voice in your ear. A familiar one, to those who reside within the Circle . . . the confused voice of Astoria.
 "Hello? My Travelers? How are you within the Void?" The Void? That word hadn't been used to describe whatever this magical place is before, but . . . well, a witch with the ability to send you all across the universe probably knows what she's talking about, right? "That should not be possible . . . who opened this doorway?"
You can tell her, or you can not. It seems to matter not, because: "Is this not getting through? Why can I not hear you . . . but I can feel you, I can -- please, if you can hear this, be careful. The Void is not something for mortals to interact with, and it can show you terrible things -- terrible things, so please--"
And, right before you have the opportunity to respond to our benevolent witch (or captor, depending on your point of view), you see a bizarre glass-like surface in front of you. It looks like a mirror, and you see a perfect reflection of yourself. It is absolutely captivating, and it beckons you . . . almost urging you to touch it. And Astoria's whisper grows a bit louder, more urgent:
"My dear Traveler, be careful what you encounter here -- can you hear me? Can you see me? I am trying to get you out of there, to bring you back home--Akvos is--"
But it is too late.
Your fingers graze the edge of the mirror, and you are pulled -- a sensation that is familiar to you, the same pull in your stomach that you feel whenever Astoria thrusts you across the universe, into new realities. And, when you blink your eyes again, and look around . . . you are no longer in Akvos, or the Void. You are somewhere entirely new.
Welcome to the Dreamscape.  THE KINGDOM OF POLANKOS.Once the Circle emerges from the Rift and the Dreamscape, they will stumble into another world . . . but this one's wateris shallow, in comparison to the massive depths of the crystal-clear kingdom of Akvos. You can quite clearly see the surface, here, and there are shallows that allow you to come up onto islands, tropical in nature with fruit, odd creatures that appear to be multiple-headed monkeys and parrots, and sandy shores. It's a bit jarring to see, after spending so long underwater. Indeed, you emerge to trudge onto land, and look around, somewhat mystified that the deep-dwelling mermen would be from a place like this.
However, exploring the islands (which is not very difficult to do, as they are all small and will not take very much time) will yield the discovery that on the islands themselves are tunnels -- underwater caverns that thread through the islands to much deeper water. It's almost as if the islands themselves are barriers to the underwater caverns below -- shallow water, a layer of land, and then a (mer)man-made bubble of water below the barrier of land. And that whoever lived on these islands tunneled through them to find deeper water. Princess Kea, (who will attend on these journeys, while remaining in the water), will tell the Circle members that King Ka'pouli told her that when the mermen were cast out, they landed on solid land, and had to slowly dig deeper to their salvation.
Navigating through these tunnels will be somewhat perilous -- and the Circle members will need to carry Princess Kea to the nearest tunnel to get her into some water, because while she can breathe on the surface for a certain period of time, she cannot navigate the land as quickly as you people with legs. Additionally, underwater caving isn't exactly a blast, but the deeper you go, the more clues of civilization you can find. And, eventually, once you go deep enough, you emerge into a massive underwater cavern to find the small Kingdom of Polankos.
In comparison to the Kingdom of Akvos, Polankos is witheringly depressing. It is not brightly colored, nor open -- indeed, it is tiny, with mermen huddled together waiting patiently for the forces that went through the rift to return. There is not a lot to find here, save for some interesting weapons that possess a dark energy, versus a lightning energy -- and those weapons will be given to the Circle members who ask for them, because those who wield them are in no condition to fight. There is little food, little room to sleep, and these are a people clearly in need of assistance.
In order to get them out of Polankos, you will need to usher them through the tunnels back up to the Rift above -- it seems that King Ka'pouli opened the Rift on the surface, rather than risk the city below in case it did not work. The mermen there (who seem to be elderly and weak) will be eager for the assistance to get out Polankos, and at the promise of being brought into Akvos, they will happily go. There will be no resistance from them.
You may also see Princess Kea, who has filtered in and out of the Rift to assist on the journey -- teary-eyed, heartbroken at the sight of these individuals who require rescue, organizing the mermen with the promise of keeping them safe in Akvos.
"Hurry," she tells you, as she rouses another merman into getting to the nearest tunnel. "We do not have a lot of time to pull this off, and we must work quickly." Additionally, please feel free to write up and work with your own prompts! These areas of the world are presented as jumping off points for your characters, not limitations. The idea of this world- as with all the others- is to explore -- you may use as much leeway as you want in order to come up with what your character will do, especially in the Dreamscapes. If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask them back on the various threads back in the OOC post from before! |
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acatalepsy_logs2019-01-04 10:22 am
no subject
[The growl she can place; there's only one person she knows of in this cursed Circle with anything remotely resembling the predatory cat. The scent however is... foreign, to her. No matter how she wracks her brain, she cannot place where it could possibly be from. She heaves out a sigh. Patience has never been a strong suit of hers, but she stops trying to turn around and instead listens like she would as a cat.]
no subject
How long does this go on? [He stands side by side with a tall man clad in armor more elaborate than the black and violets of the fighters in the room displayed on the screen. Everyone is sporting a mask except the young man with violet eyes and dark hair that wars against them.
At his side, the man answers. 'Sometimes the greatest challenge is knowing when to stop.' Shiro's brows come down a little more.] He'll never quit.
[His companion continues, ignoring the tension in the Paladin's tone. 'One way or another, this will end. Knowledge...or death.'
On the view screen, the young man roars and charges back into the fray.]
no subject
The voices catch her attention at last and she looks at the two men speaking. Aha, it is indeed Shiro. A smile flits across her lips briefly in smug satisfaction, though it dissipates as the sight on the... whatever that is. Some sort of large screen like the video feeds on their communicators?
That boy is reckless and is likely to get himself hurt even more than he already is if not worse. A stubborn fool, but an admirable one at least.]
Surely you realize this is just a dream. [Wait.] ...Can you even hear me?
no subject
I hear you. Turn around.
[The world shifts moving and reforming like swirls of paint. Shiro leans against a large grey and tan machine in the desert. His Black and Tan riding jacket has been left open to expose a chain around his neck and a pair of metal tags rest against his chest. One is stamped with the V that his armor bears. His body is suffused in purple swirls of magic that curl around him and flicker like sparks. He turns his gaze on her and the glimmering expanse she’d traveled is reflected in his eyes.]
Did you hear what Astoria said?
[His voice still echoes yet he is speaking directly to her. His voice is laced with an leonine growl making it deeper than his voice in the waking world.]
no subject
She turns, wearing her magic like a cloak. Purple and black smoke curling around her form with an occasional blue spark of lightning. Long black hair down, almost to her waist. She toys with a small silver ring before she allows the transformation-- crouching down and in her place, a crow takes flight, landing on the strange machine. It fit better than a black bear, and a bereskarn, and she unfortunately liked him enough not to immediately scare him off with insects.]
Oh, I heard. [Did she listen, however? ...Okay, yes, she did. Doesn't mean she liked the implications.] Though it seems it did not go both ways.
cw: human experimentation
[He looks out over the sunset. It's been so long since he's seen Earth. Home. It makes him wonder what it will be like when he really gets home. If he ever will.
His magic swirls and the shadow he throws is vast, full of the swirls of galaxies and the breath of the stars.]
This is a dream. Or something like it. But it's made of my memories.
[He shuts his eyes as he pushes away from the hoverbike. The sunset turns blue, the colors flowing from it forming graceful lines and turning the surroundings white.]
There are good things here. But there's also bad. I'm trying to find a way out for both of us. You must be careful. I was-
[The white overtakes the desert smoothing it into metal and lines of blue. Mid-way up the walls seems to give way to space itself. That's an illusion of the glass that gives the bridge of the Castle of Lions its beauty. Shiro in this time has dark hair and a shock of white in the front. He looks over the hovering screens before a young man in blue edged armor. He looks up to the Elvin looking elder gentleman staring silently at the screens ahead of him.
The ship on the displays looks like some tick or a spider. Shiro hesitates, uncertain then he walks over to him.]
I know you're worried about her. We all are. [The man turns his head and Shiro looks down, away from him. If only he'd been a little faster. A little stronger.] I'm sorry I let her slip away.
['I know it's not your fault.' The man says, he looks to him as the man looks back at the screens. 'It's just...I've already lost so much. I can't lose Allura, too.'
The scene fades into another but the transition is jarring like being ripped from one to other. Fragments and pieces filling in the world with the buzz of static.
Content warning ahead: human experimentation.
[Purple light from the harsh overhead light is cut into pieces as if the scene can't quite manifest. Below the light is a flat black medical table. Shiro looks terrible compared to any other time he's been present in his memories. He's locked to the table below the equipment shining purple above him.
Drugged, clad in a simple bodysuit and rags he still struggles against the restraints. 'No. No, not again. Not again, you-' A soldier inserts two prongs into his arm and the vial begins to drain. He struggles anyway.
'Put him entirely und-- --need to be sure it work-' The scene breaks up into fragments of colored glass as Shiro's taken under by the drugs and the saw whines to life above him.
Once again the glimmering stars and flat glass floor greet her like an old friend they're welcoming back.]
cw: human experimentation
As dreams often are. When we are out of here, remind me to speak of the Fade. [She looks out over the setting sun, unable to hide the wonder and curiosity in her voice.] So, this is a desert...
[The warning is heeded, but she doesn't say anything. Oh, if only he knew. She wasn't just born with a barbed tongue; it was trained into her for her entire life. She eyes his vast shadow, reminded of the night sky she would stare at alone by her fire. Sometimes not so alone. Then the scene shifts, and her magic forces her to shift as well. A small, black cat; big enough to fit in one's lap. She quietly trots toward them, looking at those gathered. At least, nothing about this one seems bad... yet the curiosity continues to shine in her eyes.
There's a metaphor here, somewhere. Yet it is lost on her when she listens to the conversation.
I'm sorry I let her slip away.]
Could you truly help it? [She asks, unable to hide the echo of sadness. Yet the elder man's words stir something she'd tried to keep in the back of her mind since she awoke here. She never had much to lose, herself... yet she found herself sympathizing and tasting a small amount of bile in the back of her throat before the scene shifts again.
The little hairs on the back of her neck stand on end and she hisses, haunches raised. She tries to shift again into a bereskarn, but all she manages to do is jump onto the table and try and bat the soldier's hand away. Morrigan catches herself and eyes go wide. By the time the starry expanse returns, she falls to her knees and hugs herself. Shaking, but not because of what was had been done to her friend-
Friend.
'Do you even have friends?' 'Only one.' She squeezes her eyes shut. She grew attached to yet another man. Two, actually. Shit.]
Weakness. [Is all she manages between seething and trying to come to terms with the fear that grips at her.]
no subject
[Light gathers in front of her spaning upwards until it forms a rocky land and rocks at her back. Smoke curls up from a small fire and Shiro is back in armor. He leans back against a rock breathing in carefully. His hand covers something on his side. Upon closer look, it's a glowing purple wound.
The young man from before sits beside him, watching him carefully. His armor is edged in red. If she looks behind them the true Black Lion is parked behind them next to a smaller red lion.]Thank you for saving me.
['You'd have done the same for me,' Shiro's teammate is subdued compared to the vicious fighter in the trials. 'How's your wound?'] My wound's great. Getting bigger all the time.
[Shiro lifts his head from the stone and shifts his head to look at Keith. His resolve has crystallized since he had been saved from the beasts. With his size screaming with agony and leaving him feeling weak. He has to say it.] Just trying to lighten the mood.
[His companion only continues to look worried and a faint spark of fear deep in his eyes. 'Hang in there. When Allura and Coran find us, they'll fix you right up.'
The memory flickers, suddenly a futuristic hotel room. Shiro sits on the bed and looks up at the same man, visibly older. They're both battered looking as if they'd both been through a difficult fight recently. His right arm is missing, severed at mid-way through the bicep. The leftover piece glows with violet at the end.
The silence stretches between them and neither looks away. Keith's violet eyes widening with shock. Shiro watching him as carefully as Keith had on that barren rock planet. He leans a little towards him, his voice soft.] Everything.
[Shiro never looks away, his voice warming up and soft with too many emotions to catch.]
You came for me when everyone else would have given up. My view hasn't changed. We're equals. We will always talk things out.
[He shoves his bangs away from his face and smiles at him.] My old promise stands. I won't give up on you just like you won't give up on me.
no subject
I know the feeling. ...I gave my enchanted ring to the one person I cannot bear to lose just before he was captured, too. Likely found via his blood leash.
[Ah, so harden then. Her gaze grows sharp. She recognizes the young man, and the armor... interesting. Even more so when it shifts into a hotel room.]
So that is your boyfriend, I take it? [It all makes sense, now. ...And hits a little close to home.]
no subject
[His voice echoes but there's no hiding the affection and pride.]
That's Keith.
[The world seems to pause, holding its breath. His voice sounds again far closer than before.]
Blood leash?
[Something moves behind her. The world around her gives way to the expanse and should she turn around the Black Lion is there leaning down to stare at her. Its jaws part and his voice issues forth into her mind tingled with alarm. It's vast compared to the smaller one Shiro usually turns into. One of its claws is as big as she is tall.]
what do you mean, blood leash?
[The great beast is outlined in the same violet Shiro had sported last time she saw him in this world.]
no subject
Oh boy. Did she hit a sore spot? Ordinarily, she'd be pleased with herself for having done so. In fact, she can almost hear her mother's voice saying Well done, my black brier.
She shoves the ghost away as the expanse comes into view and- well, shit. Hey there, big kitty. What a lovely laser cannon you have.]
A phylactery. When any child of my world comes into magic and is discovered, the Chantry's dogs the templars drag them to a Circle where their blood is drawn and placed in enchanted tubes that glows brighter when near its owner. Thus if they were ever to escape their gilded cage, they can be hunted down and slain as monsters man fears we are.
I am one of those who never bent my knee. Amell had no choice. He was born the eldest of a noble family.
no subject
The stars get dimmer as the lion shrinks in size then it bursts apart reshaping into Shiro. His hair is black with a shorter tuff of white. He looks dimmer than usual as if the light is diminishing in him by the moment. He seems younger, less certain but visibly the same age.
He looks at her and his voice is softer.]
...So, every mage of the circle knows these leashes exist? Has any ever been controlled by them? ...were they aware of it?
no subject
She laughs to hide her rage.] ...They knew. Oh, they knew. It did not control them beyond the fear of knowing if they did run, their lives were forfeit.
[No, it is something far more primal that could control anyone, and it runs in the veins of every living creature. Her gaze hardens.]
Show me, if you please.
Cw: mind-control, human experimentation, body horror, ptsd
I’m sorry.
[The world turns to smoke and darkness.
Hard lines form in the dark and resolve into the precise lighting known to Galra ships. The medical table is at an angle and the equipment moved away from it. This Shiro is long haired and jerks up in shock. He grips the side of his head and stares at his metal hand. He clenches it. The dream falls into flashes. This Shiro stumbling down the hall gripping the side of his head. Fractured images of a clinical voice and a light shown into his eyes. Liquid pouring into the chamber he was locked in and his fearful gasp. Peering into a room and seeing himself laying there, short haired and with techs around him. The light in the eyes again.
‘We will use this one for Project Kuron.’
Pressure. It starts subtle at first. Headaches and aches. Little decisions directed ever so subtly in new directions. He was among the team but it was harder to lead them. Keith is missing from these memories. The shadows are deep and only grow deeper the more the pressure increases.
‘You are mine now,’ The voice comes with pressure grinding down against everything. The images crack. Pain. It feels like someone is wrapping a vice around the mind and threatening to crush it. ‘Give in!’ Magic surges into everything and the world is tinged in sickly purple.
The memory is staticky as Shiro looks up at Hunk and swings his fist. His eyes are lit from within as he takes out the members of his team on the bridge. He lifts the fallen Lotor and slings him over his shoulder. The voice commands and he will obey.]
cw: mind-control, human experimentation, body horror, ptsd
It's so much different than the voice in his memories it's disorienting and while the wall exists, she reaches out to it to steady herself.] Honerva?
[She recognizes the magic, different but similar effects. She hisses and almost transforms into something but stops herself mid-cast. She can almost smell the acrid blood and corruption of the Tower again, feel the pressing upon their minds again.
This is what Uldred wanted for her love, too.
She shoves it down again. This is a fear she knows how to utilize. She knows how to use that spell, but never will. It was far too low even for her standards and she appreciates the connection to her own dreams, thank you. Yet she- she finds herself not wanting to use it in the way she would have even a few short months before her arrival in that blasted temple.]
...You were freed of her control, were you not? [She sounds less sure than she intends to be and she hates it.] Something must have happened to restore you to your senses.
[She pauses before asking:] Do you fear it happening once more?
cw: mind-control, experimentation, body horror, ptsd, clones
A flash of the Black Lion forcing its way into a tear then forced to retreat. ‘But how am I to lead them away?’
His memory self hops back into a ship and leaves the hangar. The Black Lion follows him immediately without a care to anything else. “Shiro, come in. I know you’re there!” Honerva’s voice continues the memory of the hall overlaying the results. ‘The Red Paladin’s connection to you runs deep. Deeper than the others. He still believes there is good left inside you, which leaves him vulnerable to persuasion.’
“I don’t know what’s wrong,” Keith’s voice is full of concern and faith where Honvera’s was cold. “But I know we can fix this. Let me help you.”
The memory bleeds into a platform lined by half walls. Tubes with other Shiros within lit by that terrible light glow as Keith turns away from them to face the man watching him like a predator sizing up prey.
‘You will exploit that weakness.’
Shiro surges forward, building up speed.
‘I understand.’
The static clears but the memory is filled with the sickly light that turns an alarming red. The pain returns as the scene jumps and Shiro’s arm changes. He slams his arm against the floor with a cry of agony. It jumps again. Keith is on his back pinned down and struggling to press back against the burning blade that protrudes from Shiro’s arm.
“Just let go, Keith.” The Shiro at Morrigan’s side finally speaks.] She called herself Haggar after she was corrupted and rose again. Her atrocities have caused countless lives and planets to be lost. She saw my potential as a weapon and we think she thought to mass produce that. But only one clone was viable for the project. [Him. And yet not. To her left the Shiro with a longer tuff, his body made of stars, wind, and purple light.]
I died in the fight against the emperor. The Lion collected my soul and kept it.
[Keith’s eyes change, burning yellow and violet as a sword appears from the U shaped device. He sweeps it up with a howl. The arm is cut off. The Shiro on the right shuts his eyes, as the memories clear and the memory him his the platform knees first. He looks up at Keith with grief and regret and sorrow in his eyes. Pleading in his own way that he never would have harmed him of his own will. ‘Keith...’
It all fades away leaving the starry expanse as the Shiro made of starlight claps the shoulder of the other. ‘I’m sorry. I wish..’
‘...It’s fine. I’m,’
There is only the Shiro with white hair left. Staring at his hands.] I do fear it. I’d fight it with everything I have within me. But, fears are fears. [He looks at her, the mixture of both men reflected in the certainty in his eyes.]
I never want to hurt those I love and care for.
cw: mind-control, experimentation, body horror, ptsd, clones
'He still believes there is good left inside you, which leaves him vulnerable to persuasion. You will exploit that weakness.'
...only one was viable? Her blood runs cold, yet she never turns away.] ...She almost sounds like Mother.
[And from her tone, it's obvious she realizes this isn't a good thing. Her fists clench and she keeps watching, glowering at the sights as she listens and steels herself by the time an ephemeral version of him appears by her side. The next words out of one Shiro's mouth cause that to go out the window.
He's died before. His likeness used against those he cares for most. Something deep inside claws at her, begging to be set free but she keeps it caged. The way she hears the clone's voice break on the name...
It's the same way her voice breaks when she says his name and remembers just how much she has to lose. Morrigan subconsciously places a hand on her own stomach. Soul collection. Right. She isn't good at comforting; she has nothing to go off of for experience. What she does have, however, is knowledge. She steps closer as two merge into one, yellow reflecting a similar certainty. The words on her tongue are foreign, ancient and filled with a song that flows naturally, yet the dreams translate them anyway.]
I am filled with sorrow for what was lost. Yet t'would seem two have become one. [She blinks, bringing a hand to her mouth, as though she can hardly believe that escaped her mouth, before shaking it off.]
...Fear is good, so long as one does not become consumed by it. [She raises both hands to either side of his head and lets down her guard, lets the mixture of both see the glimpse of her time visiting another Circle months ago: mages and enchanters trapped in magical bindings, shaking and barely maintaining their own wills as others unbound grin, snaking tendrils of power around their minds. One boy, no older than twenty, is being held up in a "T" pose by two monstrous entities that were once human until the screams crescendo. Their leader, a bald man, cups their chin with one hand as they hang there suspended and forces them to meet his gaze. Do you accept the gift that I offer? He nods and the screaming continues as humanity gives way to the same corruption as those who had held him up, transforming him into an abomination.]
There is a way to combat it in my reality. [Her voice echoes before she and three others begin to fight the ringleader when her own leader and love denies this "gift" of Uldred's. The same power flows over an elderly man and the man in green who shows up with her holds up a scroll of some sort. The power is nullified.
Morrigan's barriers return as she lowers her hands, the dragon within reflected in her gaze.] If there is a way here, I will help you find it.
cw: mind-control, human experiments, ptsd
Following a stray instinct, he shuts his eyes. It's like opening himself to the lion. The connection forged shares with him something terrible. He doesn't flinch away from the visions. She shared with him for a reason. His eyebrows come down and his mouth presses into a thin line of distaste. It reminds him faintly of the druids. But the druids are precise.]
...If there's a way we will find it. I won't let any of you be controlled either. ...and this is what they were like.
[He becomes the Lion again. He lowers his head and her hands brush his nose. The world shifts.
The cells are cold and airy. He's so used to them it feels like he's known nothing else. The sounds of the prisoners in their cells around him have become familiar. Heavy boots on the metal flooring make him wince. He's to fight another challenge.
The door to his cell opens. Two Galra soldiers and robotic sentries bring their pulse rifles up. He stays still and frowns as a Galra soldier leads a robed figure in. The robe is almost pitch black and edged with a deep purple. The mask over the druid's face would be something to haunt his dreams for years.
'Yes, this is the one. I feel it even from here. Bring him.'
He starts to back up but the soldiers move in and haul him upright. "What the hell do you want with me?" He snaps and the druid reaches a hand out for his face. The guard catches his chin before he can look away. 'You will learn.' Was all that was said before it all goes black.
The expanse returns bit by bit. Her hands are by his human face but his eyes are the yellow of the lion. He's outlined in the same purple. It fades away as he takes a step back.]
We will find a way. [He repeats and his voice drops to a whisper.] Thank you, Morrigan.
no subject
It hadn't just been the one. Both halves of the now-whole had been a prisoner at some point. A draconian snarl echoes in the back of her throat before she can kill it. She looks into those eyes with those of the dragon she was here and will one day be in her own world.]
You are welcome. [It takes a moment for her to kill the gold fire in her eyes, but she will keep that image in mind if she ever once thinks of crossing those standards she poses upon herself.] ...And I should warn you, that unlike that untrained fool I showed you, I know how to be that precise. Yet I shall never use those spells. I have standards.
[She offers him her hand. See? She'll even do that stupid human society thing and shake on it.]
no subject
He smiles and looks at Morrigan, his eyes bright.] I know I never have to worry about you.
[He accepts her hand and clasps it briefly then lets go.] Feel free to ask any other questions you want to ask. I haven't found our exit yet but I'm close.
no subject
[An amused glint in her eyes says far more than she ever can voice: that only makes two people in her life who trust her that much. In all honesty, it's kind of impressive. Stupid, but impressive. She almost laughs, but... then he all but offered knowledge on a silver platter.
He's about to learn just how bad an idea that is to offer a mage of any walk of life from Thedas. One breath, aaand the deluge starts.]
What exactly is this place? What were those things you were watching Keith from and what was he doing? And the device you were leaning against in the desert? [She'd ask about the compound in the drugs the Galra used on him but she at least has some semblance of decorum even if she's most curious as an herbalist.] How many different planets have you seen? The advancements in science, medicine, and magic it must have taken...
[Oh no. Someone stop her. (Good luck. There's no stopping this particular train. Choo choo.)]
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And the screen is a view screen, it's fed information from cameras and sensors inside other rooms. A camera is a device that records what it sees and stores those images or like with the screen sends them on.
[Ah a scientist or at least a scholar. Either way, he's pleased to talk about anything that isn't his own memories or problems.]
The machine I was leaning against is a hoverbike. I can give you the specifics of them anytime. Or, next time I get the chance to build one...we can show you while we work on it.
As for planets, we're seen a lot of them. Not all of them have advancements in magic but...I can bet you would like the Olkari. They've melded nature, magic, and tech like ours into one. I might be able to focus and show you.
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So akin to our watches, but on a grander scale.
[Shiro, she's a mage and herbalist. That's technically both. Technically. No formal training, but... Saying her mother is Special would be an understatement
oh, if only she herself knew.]I'd like th- [Excuse her, Shiro. Did you just...?] Truly?
[Her eyes spark with interest. Uh oh. What have you done, Shirogane.]
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One by one the Lions are brought down to them by the people firing arrows. Shiro watches and waits, and when the leader of the Olkari gestures for them to follow, he walks after them. The scene shifts and they stand on a walkway leading upwards over the city made of plants and magic.]
It never fails to take my breath away.
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If they figured out a way to replicate what the Olkari just did, she imagines archers like Leliana would be unstoppable. Perhaps she simply won't tell the bard, were she ever to appear here. It would be fun, lording over her with information she doesn't know. It would probably annoy her, too. Spies usually were like that.
For now, though? She's focused on her surroundings. Especially as they're suddenly on the walkway.]
'Tis beautiful...
[Aaand she's already trying to think of how it was done; she and her mother had built and rebuilt their little hut enough times that she knows the basics as well as how to waterproof... Hm.]