[Game Thread] Chapter Four: Complications

[Blue]

Nevh tried to remain placid but her eyes widened slightly.

Originally Posted by Wainraith

Nevh, I figured you of all people wouldn't need me to spell it out for you. Do you really think he's going to be able to resist taking up that gauntlet?

Yes?

She pinched her nose. Taking another good look at Lucius.
He strikes me more like the type that would rape her after she served her purpose if he still had a dick, then kill her if she wasn't a true servant of war. Malvain can make better children if He cares. Lucius doesn't care about her past his assignment. He will give his all for his god either way. The only thing I see coming out of your manipulation is him going the extra mile to find new ways to piss you off, and from what I've seen so far he's better at it than you are. I don't see this helping us in the future. As for Malvain...

She sniffed again. Her eyes narrowing on Coiya, then Cypher.
Let's hope you're as good a judge of character than you are with visions, Morgan. As for me, the last thing I want is Malvain's "gratitude".

[Makenshi]

"Oh, that, yeah...Toy doesn't like being touched. Just be glad you found out the easy way." Min chuckles, but before she can explain what the hard way is the conversation moves on as Coiya finishes.

When Nevh talks about poisons Lucius gives her a look that makes it clear that she thinks the Rudaa is insane. "Taken a shock to the brain recently? Why exactly would I give it to you, especially after your friend here has professed a desire to leave me brain dead? No. I think I'll keep my poison to myself."

Lucius expression turns dark as Morgan speaks, only lifting slightly at the news that he was going to take her to meet Kala, however it darkens again when the mage makes his challenge. "Don't make me laugh tall boy. Everyone has violence at their core. Why else have humans constantly fought one another? The reasons change, the weapons change and the people fighting change. The one constant is that we fight. An enemy if we have one, each other if we don't, and if all else fails then we turn on ourselves." She gives them that slaher smile they had first seen when he had begun taunting them in Ikra. "Some people hide behind pacifism and peace, but they're just as capable of violence. You just need to find a way to...provoke a reaction. And in my experience, it's the quiet, peaceful, kind ones who have the nastiest tempers. There's a reason people say that 'yes, I stole that from Doctor Who, so sue me Demons run when a good man goes to war'."

~MTWC

[Blue]

Looking at Lucius as she spoke only gave Nevh more confident of her previous assessment of Lucius' personality.
Even tamed, the beast was dangerous to keep around. She knew enough about people to be able to concur with her; there was a beast in everyone, and there was a weakness to every chain binding it. She had never met Kala, but hopefully she would find hers before Lucius does.

Her eyes were smiling, though she did not.
"What, afraid I'll kill you? - Why? To do what poisons do; kill people. I can do just fine without poisons, mind you, but the toolbox always has enough space for more."

[SpatulaOdoom]

Originally Posted by Lucius

"Taken a shock to the brain recently? Why exactly would I give it to you, especially after your friend here has professed a desire to leave me brain dead?"

Morgan smirks.
"More brain dead actually, and I'm not sure Nevh would consider me a friend. Probably more of a co-worker.
Just because I'd like to doesn't mean I'm going to." Yet. "I'm not too shy about displaying my emotions but I'm pretty good at not letting them control me."
If that weren't true he'd have done a lot more than glare at her when Lucius had brought up Kala. If that were true he'd probably never had reasoned out why working with Aldamil was better than capturing or killing her, or been able to work with Valen, or Nevh for that matter.

In response Lucius's little rant Morgan returns an indifferent shrug.
"There are no universals Lucius, only individual cases. Violence doesn't live in every heart any more than peace. It's only one element among many in the universe's pallet. You've been focused on the battlefield for so long you think that's all there is. Yes most people are perfectly capable of violence, it's sometimes a requirement for survival at at least one point in people's lives. It has it's place. But for every person that swings a sword because they enjoy it there are dozens of farmers who happily till the earth and plant the seeds of growth while getting along just fine."

"And Malvain's daughter? I never said she wasn't capable of violence, after all I said she'd take up the tools you offer, and she will. It's not her core though, it's just that, a tool, to be picked up when needed and put away when not. Peace is her center.
And that quote? You misunderstand the meaning. The reason demons run when a good man draws steel is because they know that they face a man who honestly and truly believes that there is no other alternative but to kill or be killed. He's past the point of being cowed, or negotiated with, he won't willingly let the enemy quit the field until one or the other is dead. A good man draws not because he is angry, he wants to hurt something, or thinks violence is a game, he does it because he doesn't believe he has another choice. That is what makes them very dangerous people, not that "rage unleashed" cr@p."
He leans forward.
"Don't forget, I grew up with some of those good men. I know how it works."
Even if I'm not one of those good men myself.
"You know what else I know? I know that fortune cookie saying are bullcr@p, except when they aren't. You can get close but there is no saying, or truism, or catch phrase that will be right all the time. People need to figure things out for themselves, not blindly follow something someone told them once."
Morgan's smile fades.
"Sadly I don't hold much hope of opening the eyes of people like you by pushing around some words. Maybe if you spend some time around her you'll understand. If you can convince the king and princess not to go for the dank dark hole thing. And if you can convince her to let you hang around after you deliver the bracers."
And if you can convince Eve not to pop your skull like a zit simply for being a danger once she gets back.
It was a lot of ifs, but then again stranger things seemed to be happening on a regular basis in Morgan's life. More likely he'd need to kill or disable Lucius quickly at one point or another. The question was how to do it most efficiently and at a moment's notice?

"Now, I believe we've wasted enough time on that subject. Do you have any further information or business for us?"

[Makenshi]

Lucius gives Nevh an annoyed look. "No. I'm concerned that if I give you my pill I won't have a way to kill myself if tall boy here decides he wants to get rid of me. I'm not afraid of dying, especially now."

The Warmonger snorts in derision throughout Morgan's argument. "Wish all you want tall boy. We humans are violent at our core and there's nothing you can do or say to change that."

When he asks about more information Lucius makes a show of thinking for a moment. "Hmmm. Well...as far as your King and his little Princess go, I suspect they'd be more willing to tolerate my presence if I say I can put an end to the Sharakan war against Shali. Only the Sharakans mind - if the Fiends decide to finish them off then that's another matter."

Didina frowns suspiciously. "How?"

"Worshippers of Malvain make up a sizable number of the Sharakan army, especially the more professional soldiers. Not to mention they tend to stick together. When Malvain's daughter proves who she is I'll be able to rally them to her banner - robbing Sharak of a great deal of its army in the process." She smirks. "I might even be able to convince them to cause a little...mayhem before leaving. A dead officer hear, some supplies destroyed there, that sort of thing."

Didina snorts. "And why do we need you for that? You said it yourself that they'll unite only for Malvain's daughter, not for you."

"True, but she is just the symbol. She doesn't know who to talk to, what to say and how to say it like I do. Without me she'll be lucky to get half of them to come over and those who stay could very well end up paying the price for those who left. And just in case you were thinking of throwing me in a hole after that, you'll still need me to help organise them and keep them in line. I doubt she'll know how to deal with the likes of them, but I do."

~MTWC

[Blue]

Originally Posted by Wainraith

"More brain dead actually, and I'm not sure Nevh would consider me a friend. Probably more of a co-worker.

Aww. I love you too.
The whole enterprise of making true friends had been difficult ever since she had first crossed the sea to kill one. Now that that part of her life had found a certain level of closure she felt ready to allow new things to happen despite the inevitable conclusion. No point keeping all the good stuff at bay before the end if it could be faced with the right state of mind.

When Lucius answered she blinked once, giving pause. A little disappointed in his misunderstanding.
"I don't want the pill, I want to know how to brew the poison in it. I've a bigger scale of death in mind than what a single pill can provide."

[Makenshi]

Lucius gives Nevh a look that clearly says she thinks the Rudaa is stupid. "Do I look like a poison-maker to you? I couldn't even tell you what it's called, I just know that it'll kill me very quickly if swallowed."

As they pass around the pictures Alyyryk swears in Tyyrykan. "I know this man. The third eye one. His name is Hywel and he is - or at least was - a Ward of the Elernan military."

"Those Nameless brats that don't get adopted?" Lucius asks.

For a moment it looks like Alyyryk is going to ignore her on principal, but he eventually gives a minimal nod of acknowledgement. "Unfortunately I don't know that much about him as he's a few years younger than me - about the same age as Fauve (Lucien's sister). He was a real pain in the arse from what I heard of him but a very gifted Seer, in both the psionic and natural sense. The Church of Airis tried to recruit him many times but they're not as powerful in Elern and the Elernan state considers orphans to be their own responsibility."

Didina smirks. "Whereas most other countries are glad for the Church of Airis to look after orphans at their own expense, right?"

Alyyryk nods. "I've no idea where he is now or what he's up to, though I can always ask Fauve. Either she'll know or she'll be able to find out."

"Oh, so now you're ok with asking her for information, hmm?"

Alyyryk gives the Tiefling a dirty look. "There's a big difference between asking about a Nameless Seer and asking her to betray her country."

"And how do you know telling you about this Hywel wouldn't be a betrayal?"

"I won't know until I ask, will I? But I know for a fact that they don't want anybody to talk about..." He glances around at the numerous other ears, obviously unsure how secret the matter is. "...what it was you were looking for."

~MTWC

[SpatulaOdoom]

Earlier Originally Posted by Lucius "Wish all you want tall boy. We humans are violent at our core and there's nothing you can do or say to change that." Morgan waves his hand dismissively as if shooing off an annoying fly. "Yes yes, you find my words meaningless et-cetra. I'll take that to mean you have no new business for us. We could go round and round accusing each other of being deluded, but I think we have better things to do with our time." Oh look I was right, almost as if I were a seer. Not that it was what one might call a difficult prediction. When Lucius speaks about why they should allow him to work with Kala Morgan keeps his mouth shut. Interestingly enough you've said nothing about why it should be you specifically. It seems to me there are plenty of other, saner, Warmongers or Priests of Malvain that would be able to do the same. Morgan might not be a fan of the followers of the Juggernaut in general but there certainly were individuals more stable and less reprehensible than Lucius. Kala won't like being called "just the symbol" either. She had, and would yet, sacrifice much to fight Zera, she wouldn't be satisfied as serving as a figurehead anymore than Morgan would sit on the sidelines. Lucius could find that out on his own. Originally Posted by Nevh Aww. I love you too. Morgan's mental voice throws back the same playfulness that Nevh had unexpectedly started. So does that mean you 'do' only consider me a co-worker, or has the ice queen melted ever so slightly and I might have possibly maybe sort of close to achieved the status of friend? Morgan had wondered if friendship was a possibility when it came to Nevh. Their viewpoints and approaches to life seemed to be so intrinsically different. He wasn't sure if she respected him let alone liked him. He certainly respected her unity of purpose and odd sense of unbalanced balance, but Morgan was well practiced in finding things in common with others.

Morgan makes a mental note of the name Hywel
"As mentioned he's likely another child of Zera's. If he's not terribly popular then he's probably more there to keep an eye on something or someone. When you ask about him try to find out if he has any friends, specifically one's that teleport. There's one more person from my visions in an Elernen uniform."

He wants to comment on Didina's mention of most countries being perfectly willing to let the church of Airis care for their orphans. Point out the implications of the comment. It would probably just set Lucius off again.
speaking of which.
"Since we've nothing more from or for Lucius and we aren't can't be sure if he/she will be allying with us before we speak to the royals and Malvain's daughter I'd suggest Lucius be returned to wherever she came from for the time being. It would be easier to tell her sensitive information later than un-tell her."

[Blue]

Did she? Not really. But neither do I.
From personal experience, the best poison makers she knew didn't really "look" like poison-makers either, but she expected that Lucius would have no real ability on the matter. At least that cleared the usage of poison from the list of his many talents.
Either way, she saw the opportunity again and perhaps she could push him a bit further. The only risk was of passing off as a stubborn fool; a good thing.
You want your enemies to underestimate you.
"I could make more of it if I had a sample. How about you fetch some from wherever you got a pill and bring it to me next time we meet. Perhaps when we bring you to your god's spawn?"
No offense meant.

Originally Posted by Wainraith

So does that mean you 'do' only consider me a co-worker, or has the ice queen melted ever so slightly and I might have possibly maybe sort of close to achieved the status of friend?

That brought her to a brief shiver. There was nothing playful in her tone of mind.
Only if you would allow it to be so, Morgan.
But I'll warn you that misfortune tends to happen to those who get close to me, and not the kind you can just probability-bend your way out of. Either way you can expect the 'ice queen' whenever we are working. I need it to see clearly.
It was also to help her forget about her bloodlust issues. She could deal with not feeling anything better than enjoying the sight and thought of people suffering. She had gotten good at pretending.

[SpatulaOdoom]

Originally Posted by Nevh

No offense meant.

None taken. As I've said before, it's all about who you are, not where you come from.
Admittedly she was probably saying it because Morgan was touchy when it came to his family, something he freely admitted and made no apologies for. Having sisters and brothers and parental figures that loved him in their own way was a wonderful thing for someone who had been the only child of an unloving couple. Knowing what it was like without them he would fight twice as hard to hold onto and protect them.

Originally Posted by Nevh

Only if you would allow it to be so, Morgan.
But I'll warn you that misfortune tends to happen to those who get close to me, and not the kind you can just probability-bend your way out of.

I would allow it to be so, and thankful for the opportunity.
As for the warning it is acknowledged. Considering the rate I'm collecting powerful enemies and sticking my nose in places it doesn't belong, if associating with you is what gets me killed I would be more impressed than upset.
Morgan didn't believe in fate or at least the spontaneous "the universe hates you" kind rather than say the 4th level spell/hexblade/witch type cursescurses. A rare opinion for a Seer to hold but one he held none the less.
I've got no problem with the ice queen either, so long as she listens to those around her.
Eloise operated the same way, utterly cold when on the job. With her though Morgan held an understanding and strong level of trust. Nevh was still much an enigma, as evidenced by her odd actions when they'd first met Alyyryk and Crescent, which he still didn't understand. Still things were improving and it wasn't fair to expect they'd be as close as someone he'd known for years. Like all relationships it was a work in progress, only ever started, never completed.

[Blue]

Originally Posted by Wainraith

None taken. As I've said before, it's all about who you are, not where you come from.

A slight relief, though she mostly meant toward the disgraceful way she referred to Kala. He would have to get used to it as she had no intention of showing any attachment or friendliness toward her in the face of their enemies. To a point, even giving the appearance of distrust, division and even resentment within the group was strategically favorable.

When he gave his answer, she responded with a warmer tone, though she didn't seem convinced.
You might not want to swear on that, but yeah, agreed. I'll find a sacrifice and we'll perform the friendship ritual once we're out of this place.

Originally Posted by Wainraith

I've got no problem with the ice queen either, so long as she listens to those around her.

The comment stroke home more strongly than it might have been intended. Her heart skipped a beat as a sudden wave of guilt rushed in, sending a jolt of electricity over her skin all along her spine.
Perhaps if she had been a better listener she wouldn't have killed so many people.
...Now that's an idea. ...whatever.
Let's hope you'll have no problem then. I have things driving me nuts too.

[Makenshi]

Lucius obviously isn't impressed by Nevh's attitude. "Sure, I'll get you a sample. Would you prefer it with your food or you drink? It's equally effective either way."

"Min." Coiya cuts in, obviously attempting to stop the argument escalating. "Please escort our guest back."

For a moment Lucius looks like she's going to argue against it, but Coiya's expression makes her err on the side of caution this time. After retrieving the bracer from Bane (who looked dissapointed at having to give it up) she leaves with Min.

The God turns towards his remaining children. "I need to speak with them alone now. Sanna, spread the word among the other Faces and have them organising a gathering. Kevian, spread the word that there will be a gathering soon." He looks around at the others present. "Did all of you go?"

Didina shakes her head. "Just us four." She gestures towards herself, Misa, Wainraith and Nevh.

Coiya nods. "The rest of you will need to leave for the moment too. If you go with Kevian you'll get a chance to see and speak to the Children and he'll let you know when it's ok to come back."

~MTWC

[SpatulaOdoom]

[Blue]

"With a drink. If it taste alright I'll try the meal."
Living in a community and household led by learned and civilized druids had seen her brought up in a very different lifestyle.
With most druids of her House being impervious to poison using them to spice the food wasn't such a rare thing. Her lawful mother had a particular fancy for sleeping weed but she preferred the extracts of adlevine and vapid leaves. Expensive tastes but they had the gardens for it.
She gave her a brief good-bye wave without apparent malice and bid the others a quiet "Laters." as they left.

Wainraith had well covered the matter, so she waited to get a better idea of Coiya's take on the situation.

[Makenshi]