OOC: This'll be my first time moderating a play on my own, so I apologize in advance for any confusion or mistakes I make along the way.
The story so far...
Interplanar Investigator Ottilie O'Dethburr was instructed by her nameless organization to assist the rich and influential royal family of Algos in retrieving a treasure of nameless worth that was hidden in a mazelike place called the Eulerian Complex many years ago. This treasure is rumored to be capable of ending the war between Algos and her sister country Rithm, meaning the mission was supposed to be super secret. Unfortunately, word of it has leaked into the criminal underworld, and now others would seize the treasure for themselves or on behalf of Rithm. Ottilie alone was given the 'key' that will unlock the treasure. Without it, the task is virtually impossible.
Meanwhile, Jerin Jestwood is strapped for cash and out of peanut butter. He agrees to work on behalf of Rithm to retrieve the treasure before Ottilie, seeing the job as a snap because it was he who designed the Eulerian Complex.
And heres where you come in. Are you out to help Algos or Rithm? Aid or deter Ottilie? Will you side with Jerin? Or will you simply take the key and the treasure for your own purposes? Here are some suggestions:
--Your character could be another mercenary hired by Algos to assist Ottilie.
--Your character could be a spy or mercenary hired by Rithm to retrieve the key and treasure.
--Your character could be a mercenary hired by some underworld crime boss to retrieve the treasure.
--Your character could be an adventurer, out to claim the treasure for his or her own purposes, or just for the thrill of it.
--Your character could be lost and not want to be involved in any of this at all. A classic case of wrong place, wrong time.
You can, of course, choose any number of other options. These are just some to get the wheels in your head turning. This play is open to humans, robots, anthros, most anything, so long as its written in an interesting way.
Rules / Guidelines are as follows:
1) Original characters only. This doesn't mean that you can't take fan characters you've created, tweak their respected stories to suit this play, and then bring them in. (For instance, if you have a Sonic fan character you really want to work with, by all means). As for characters who come from other dimensions or worlds, I'll allow it, but it's up to you to arrange how they enter this world (by mistake or for specific reasons) and also regulate any special powers they have, which brings me to point 2.
2) Magic is mostly obsolete in this world. You can still use a magical character if you choose, but understand that that character will be in the minority and may have trouble with certain locals or other players who are superstitious. Furthermore, if you do want to use a magical character, I again implore you, please keep their powers to a sensible level. No one wants to play with a character that can kill their own with one 'super duper magical attack.'
3) Technology and nature coincide peacefully in this world, meaning the humans who live in it have made fantastic technological advancements (hover crafts, weaponry, sky cycles, etc.), but not at the cost of the various ecosystems. In fact, one of the main reasons Algos does not want to simply destroy the Eulerian Complex in order to extract the treasure within is that the structure now supports a complex ecosystem of undiscovered species they wish to study.
4) Jerins name is somewhat famous in the criminal underworld, but only as a sort of boogeyman. It would not therefore be strange for anyone introduced to him to either a) not believe he is the 'real' Jerin or b) laugh. Its ok. He's used to it.
5) The lifespans of those born into this world are substantially longer than normal. Jerin, for instance, has been around for half a dozen centuries, and it is not uncommon to find people or creatures who have lived longer. Keep in mind though, these types are not immortal or ageless, they simply age slower.
6) The use of more than one character is permitted, but no more than three to four characters per player, just to keep things from getting bogged down.
7) You're welcome to play as an earthborn creature, but not an Oasis one. I'm implementing this rule for two reasons:
a) The Oasis never has more than two or three of its inhabitants outside its parameters for extended periods of time, and those that are on the outside are usually on different missions all over the planet. So it wouldn't make sense to have five or however many Oasis creatures running around on the same mission as Ottilie.
b) You'd need an extensive knowledge of the Oasis to accurately represent one of its inhabitants. As I'm still fine tuning that area of this world, I'm not particularly comfortable letting anyone else run with it, especially since there are things I'm still not sure about. Sorry! If its any consolation, Oasis creatures aren't any better or worse than earthborn creatures at anything. The only thing they're really good at is staying hidden. Thats all!
As for Ottilie and Jerin, information and images for both can be found here, as well as information on their accomplices, Legs (Ottilie) and Junk (Jerin).
Here are some miscellaneous pieces of information that might be useful:
--Jerin designed the Eulerian Complex and therefore knows the fastest way through, but this does not mean the place has not changed since he completed it. Its been several centuries. Walls collapse, corridors flood, animals move in, plants take over. So its not so much of an advantage since he doesn't know what he'll find either. That said your character might be aware of the fact that Jerin designed the place, and could attempt to get him to lead him/her through.
--Ottilie is not aware of the fact that Jerin designed the complex. She is also not aware of his presence at all, and will likely not be at first. Furthermore, if your character was sent from Algos to assist Ottilie she likely has no idea about that either and will probably react with suspicion. Algos was kind of bad at preparing her for anything, actually. But they're at war so I suppose it's understandable.
--'Evil' characters do not necessarily need to pair up with Jerin or other 'evil' characters, and vice versa. Perhaps your character is pretending to be on one side or the other in order to get where they need to be.
--Feel free to partner up or form groups with other players, not just Jerin or Ottilie.
--Also, you aren't stuck with anyone. Lose yourself and join up with others if you think you've found a more interesting angle to write from.
--Feel free to write in specific about areas of the Eulerian Complex if you are inclined. Maybe you want your character to go up against some of the creatures that have moved in since the place was built, deal with mechanical traps, or navigate a particularly dangerous area underwater.
Finally, I suppose this is obvious, but I'll be playing my OCs, Ottilie and Jerin. When making your first post, please include a short bio with information about your character(s), or provide a link to a short bio about them. If anyone has any questions, first posts would also be a good place to ask them =) and please, don't be shy. Be creative, be original, and lets have some fun!
In fact, I'll get us started =)
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It was an ancient place, as the story often goes. Then again, most of the best stories come from the places that have stood the longest, so I suppose that is not surprising. The walls were built high and of cold stone, and thick vines lined with sharp thorns ran about them in a network of twists, turns, and loops nearly as complex and confusing as the walls of the structure itself.
This was the Eulerian Complex Ottilie had been searching for. However, her plans for the place hadn't involved becoming so irrecoverably...lost.
"Bollocks."
She swore.
"What a load o'cack. Don't s'pose the rest o'this maps any good either eh?"
Frowning, Ottilie regarded the mazelike diagram she held. For a moment she felt the muscles in her paws tense as she fought the urge to tear the useless thing in two. Shaking her head, she simply tucked it into her satchel with a sigh and turned away from the dead end before her. What followed next was a series of sardonic chirps from her only companion, which I will translate for you.
"What we get for coming to a place built by sadists if you ask me."
Ottilie regarded the small insect on her shoulder, brow raised.
"Oy, that may be. Whatevers bein' kept here must be important. Why go ta so much bother otherwise?"
"I say we leave the bother to the humans. Let them fetch their own belongings."
"Never could disobey an order, mate."
Catching a look from him, Ottilie smiled sheepishly.
"Er, that is to say, a direct order. An' anyway, you know we need the capital. Best just resolve yerself ta the task o'gettin' through the next few days with sumthin' of a smile on yer buggy face."
Clicking his mouthparts together sharply in annoyance, Legs nevertheless reclined on her shoulder, supporting his head with one arm.
"You're enjoyin' this too much kitto."
Ottilie smiled a little, pausing at the end of the path they were returning from and kneeling to arrange several of the rocks along the ground in an X formation.
"Bit more relaxin' than the usual bollocks is all."
"We haven't had much of 'the usual bollocks' in months. Oasis keeps sendin' us on stuff like this."
"True. But I haven't forgotten me original mission. Soon as we get the capital we'll get back to it."
"If you say so..."
Legs paused, and then continued as gently as he could.
"Or maybe the powers that be have..."
He trailed off, leaving the indication of the sentence behind them. The next hour passed mostly in silence as they wandered further down the Eulerian path, slowly ticking off dead ends and routes that went nowhere by marking each with a X formation of small stones. Finally out of a series of meaningless remarks Ottilie inquired anxiously.
"Think anyone elses out fer the bounty o'it?"
Legs didn't respond at first. Finally he chirped.
"Yeah, by now, most likely. None of them have what we got though. So I don't suppose it matters too much."
Ottilie paused at a bend in the wall, peering around.
"'Less they know 'bout that."
Legs turned about on her shoulder to watch their rear.
"Indeed..."
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Elsewhere in the Complex, cold air whistled past Jerins seated form. He didn't mind the icy wind so much. In fact, he rather liked it. Mostly because it kept him from getting too sleepy. But also because it carried many sounds he wouldn't otherwise hear, even given his range, which was quite expansive.
Changing positions, he lifted his head from its former position on his knees, long ears standing to attention. He entertained himself for a few minutes by listening to the echoes of the voices deep within and further out of the corridor he found himself in. Mostly it was fragments of sentences that didn't make too much sense. Still, Jerin had long ago learned to go on fragments. Who knew what would become useful later on?
Shifting again, he addressed the metal robot adhered to the wall just above his head, impatient.
"Hows it coming up there?"
The red light of the robots single eye flickered in and out lazily, brightening and then dimming as it addressed him in a dry, male voice.
"I'm nearly finished, master. This isn't so easy, especially from such a remote location."
"Right..."
Getting up, Jerin fell to a restless sort of pacing, wishing he had never left his bed. After a minute, Junk spoke again.
"Ahem. Current records seem to indicate that the key is already in this location."
"Oh yeah? So we were right to just shake it out here."
"It has proven to be the most logical course of action."
Jerin stretched, tilting his head from side to side.
"Anything on the guy they got?"
"They employed the services of Ottilie O'Dethburr."
CRACK.
Somehow, his neck felt tenser than before. He stared at Junk, brows raised.
"My Ottilie?"
"The voice print from her transmissions to the citadel and the voiceprint of the Ottilie we have encountered match."
Silence. Junks head swiveled to regard Jerin, who gazed down the path, eyes searching as though he expected to see Ottilie right there in front of him.
"How long has it been, anyway."
"She departed from restricted grounds a week ago in search of this place, master. She checked in with them the day before yesterday, and her transmission seems to indicate she found it then. Meaning she is most likely already in here somewhere."
"Good to know. But I meant how long since I last saw O?"
Junk paused, then replied.
"Half a year, master. Six months, fourteen days, twelve hours, three minutes, and sixteen seconds exactly."
"Hm. I was starting to think..."
There was a long pause as he trailed off, thoughts and plans hurrying to re-arrange themselves accompanied by the soft, discordant hum that punctuated his lips when he was thinking hard. After a moment Junk spoke briskly.
"You will take the key from her."
Jerin glanced upwards. Row upon row of twisting, thorny vines made it hard to see the sky. It was getting dark.
"I suppose I will."
Plucking his metallic companion from the wall, he strode purposefully down the corridor, not bothering to mark his location or surroundings. There simply wasn't any need.
"That said, we'd better reach her before anyone else does."
Junk coiled around Jerins neck loosely, literally positioning himself to watch his back.
"Indeed, master."
OOC: Read this and the character profile. I only very vaguely remember the name and I would think with skill like this I would have remembered a writer like you.
Anyway, I have a few questions before I try to revamp any of the Warden cast for this.
What is the hatred between Algos and Rithm? Racial? Species? Religious? Territorial?
Is "Creature" the Anthropomorphic race? If so what is there relationship with humans. I have a half and half character with a anthro guardian so that will be a biggie.
I guess thats it. 
OOC: Wow, I'm glad you asked these questions, particularly number one. I wanted to go into more detail regarding Algos and Rithms schism, but didn't want the first post to be too wordy (I'm wordy enough!) so I thought better of it. Now I get to explain stuff though, woo!
1) Algos and Rithm are actually one country divided in two by an ongoing civil war over vastly different beliefs regarding technological progression and the environment. Originally they were the calculation center of the planet in determining how technology could co-exist peacefully with the natural world, i.e. what was safe to do, how much was too much, how to know when to stop an experiment, how to give back to the surrounding ecosystems to ensure no permanent losses, etc. Basically, they set the standards for all other cities on Earth. The trouble started when the faction that became Rithm oversaw the depletion of a natural supply of mineral ore beyond what was considered safe. This led to a violent confrontation between opposing groups, loss of life, and finally, the splitting of the country and a declaration of war, with control of the calculation center going to the victor. Really it wasn't any one big blowout that started the war though. The ore disaster was simply the straw that broke the camels back. In addition, several sources believe it is and has been Rithms intention to overthrow the royal family and establish a democracy, so it could be considered a political war as well.
2) This is a tough question open to many interpretations. The widespread belief is that creatures are beings that are not anthromorphic, human, or any discernable non-anthromorphic animal species. In relation to humans, I'd place them almost halfway between anthromorphic and animal, and between those two, slightly closer to animals. Also, a creature doesn't really look like anything. It might have the features of several different types of animals, but in the end no one can really tell exactly what it is, so they simply refer to it as a creature. Some disregard this belief and think of creatures as anthromorphic hybrids because of the ability of many to speak, think, and walk like men, but again, most still refer to what they cannot identify outright as creatures. There are also several major differences between anthros and creatures, the main being that creatures can only breed with other creatures. In addition, creatures also tend to exhibit more animalistic than human behaviors. Ottilie and Jerin, for instance, are both nocturnally inclined, run on four legs as well as they do on two, and communicate a great deal without saying a spoken word to each other.
As for the relationship between creatures and humans, everything hinges on where said creature was born. If a creature was raised among or close to humans it would probably grow up thinking well of them, since they live in harmony with their world and create such fascinating things most of the time. However, a small population of creatures exists in a mysterious place simply referred to as the Oasis (which is where Ottilie and Jerin are both from). These creatures tend to be altogether ignorant of humans, and often exhibit behaviors that make it clear they think themselves superior. Above all, an Oasis born creature would never kneel to or serve a human being. Jerin has lived among humans long enough to be mostly not of this mindset, and he doesn't really consider anything a human does or might do too strange because hes pretty strange himself. Ottilie on the other hand often finds their behavior puzzling, but overall thinks they're interesting.
Human beings, in turn, don't see themselves as superior or inferior to Earth born creatures or anthromorphs, and mostly exist on equal terms with both. On the flip side, they are actually afraid of creatures from the Oasis, because those appear only when a human has done something terrible to the environment, and they tend to be pretty severe when it comes to punishment. Oasis creatures rarely turn up to meddle in human affairs anymore however, and at the time of this story aren't considered real. So there's no reason for humans to be paranoid of other creatures, and they mostly aren't, save for a few old men and women who remember a time when Oasis creatures were present or who have had experiences with Oasis creatures themselves. Additionally, there is little to no way to tell the difference between Oasis born and Earth born creatures. The only indication a human might have that they are dealing with an Oasis creature is an overall feeling of anxiety when around said creature that they can't put a reason to.
Haha, I guess the simple answer is that creatures and anthromorphs are different =) but humans treat them both the same in most cases: as equals. There are scattered instances and areas on the planet where humans still consider themselves the dominant species, and vice versa, and you're welcome to explore any of those possibilities if you like. Just understand that overall most humans don't think that way. Thats all!
Hope this helped!! If you need me to elaborate any further about this or anything else, just let me know. I apologize for being so verbose as well, I just like to try and explain things as clearly as possible.
OOC: Verbose is good. You're dealing with Rico Underwood here. The dumbass that made his own dang universe so to prevent himself from being seen as a fanfic writer anymore.
But I see what you mean. Creature is more or less a slang term for "Guy that looks like a animal". Despite if the person question is from Earth or one of the more supernatural Creatures.
This could work great. The Oasis Creatures are like the old Forest Warden spirits. They pop up to protect the forest in the form of the wolves, tigers, etc and only when someone threatens the forest. Cool concept. 
What I'm going to do is split the difference here. One character I'm leaving alone because short of his "Racial Bonus" he doesn't have much to make him unique. I'll take care of the reason he's off his planet easily as he roams around anyway. The other character was originally a relation but I'm going to make it more interesting and make them from your universe.
The other character is a, well I have a picture but it's not done and Becca would kill me if I posted it somewhere before she finished it (ie catch me on IM XD). But it's essentially a tan skinned kid with puppy ears and a dog nose. I'm going to put him as the enigma character. Is he some relation to the other one? Servant? Master? Run Away? Not even going to say much about his origin, that of course means he's some kinda freak from Oasis thats no longer there for some reason. Again, something I'll figure out on the fly. Or when I find ya on IM.
Hope more people join this. *Starts throwing the link around like candy*
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IC:
A random section of the complex. Undergrowth was visible forcing it's way through the walls of the passage. Cracked walls didn't seem to bother the two visitors making their way down the path. The larger of the two was a rabbit looking creature, adorned with the nondescript garments and a auburn overcoat, in fact the only point that made him stand out was bright yellow fur. Nervous but fully able to suppress it this "person" was Tobias Underwood, an alien. He'd been marooned on the planet and was lucky enough that the planet had a species he could pose as. His cover was a orphaned earthborn Creature. Sadly the sob story had yet to get him a girlfriend.
That could have be due to the smaller individual stalking around in front of him. He seemed a hybrid of human and creature. Bearing the body of a human, yet his ears and nose looked like those you'd find a young canine. He looked as rough and tough as a child could due to an amalgamation of hard eyes, messy hair, and the sneer of a perpetual malcontent. This is Henry "Corky" Vand, a boy of unknown birth and questionable history, he is self described as Tobias's "partner", though the exact definition of what that means is not known.
The two wordless make their way through the winding corridors, hoping NOT to meet any other sentient lifeforms.
OOC: Since this play hasn't garnered much interest yet, I've added one new rule to my original post and updated the Creature Facts portion of Ottilie and Jerins bio. If you're just joining and have decided you want to play a creature, please make sure you read the revised rules and pay special attention to the Creature Facts section and the chart directly above it, both located in the aforementioned bio post.
Lastly, I'd like to take a moment to thank Rico, both for 'spreading this link like candy' and for taking an interest in what I was doing. His questions and comments so far have really helped me in my continuing effort to refine this world I'm trying to create, and I greatly appreciate it =) I've already got some new ideas, and I'm thinking about important aspects of this project that I wasn't before. So, thanks Rico! You rock!
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"Six forty, Kit!"
Legs chirped urgently. Startled, Ottilie skittered down the passage to her right. Crouching in the dark, she pressed her back to the vine-covered wall and remained motionless. Several minutes passed. Then Tobias and Corky appeared, meandering along the path Ottilie had stood on an instant before. When they had gone from view, she peered around the corner, watching as they vanished into the beginnings of a route she had already marked as a dead end. Stepping back onto the Eulerian path, Ottilie continued to stare after them, arms crossed in contemplation. She commented softly.
"Not human."
Legs nodded, chittering matter-of-factly.
"But clearly, not Oasis. The one anyway. The other, I can't say. But I didn't know him."
Ottilie shook her head slowly.
"Nor I."
She frowned.
"They were goin' the wrong way."
Glancing up at her, Legs sternly inquired.
"Not plannin' to tell 'em as much, right?"
A look of concern crossed her features briefly, but her next words were firm.
"No. They might be after...y'know. Can't risk that bollocks. So, say we find the bounty first, then we turn 'round and run into 'em on the fly. F'they're after it too, we just give up the key an' say we don't want any bother. Won't matter since we got the thing already, aye? An' f'not an' they're here by mistake, we help 'em find the way out and don't say another word about it."
Crossing two pairs of arms, Legs chirped his approval brightly.
"Sensible! Wouldn't want their company anyway. Halfbreeds give me the creeps. And the other would go on like we owe him something if he figured out where we're from."
"Maybe we do."
Legs patted her neck reassuringly.
"No. We don't. But you're young..."
Ottilie said nothing to this, touching the bead that hung on a cord around her neck absently. Legs final word on the matter echoed in her ears.
"You'll understand someday."
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"I cannot believe you allowed the crown prince to make such a decision without my knowledge!"
Inside a well-lit, comfortable study of the royal palace of Algos, a plump, giant of a man dwarfed the chair in which he sat. His thick hair and beard were fiery red, his clothing, exquisitely tailored, and his face probably quite jolly when it didn't match his hair as far as coloration was concerned. He was addressing a tall, thin old man, who stood at a large window that looked over the city. His hair was completely white, and though he carried the badge of old age in the slight hunch of his shoulders and many wrinkles of his tired face, nothing seemed as memorable as his dapper appearance and the crinkles about his eyes that come from laughing too much.
"You were away. It was his decision to make in your absence. Even so, I agree with it."
"Well thats all very well!"
The old man chuckled at this.
"Calm yourself Lovasz, and remember I ran this country long before you were born. Would I have allowed it if I did not think it wise?"
"I meant nothing such as that..."
The other replied wearily. Pausing, he inquired.
"When did...it arrive?"
"She, your highness. She arrived a week and a half ago, in this very room. No guard detained or escorted her. I turned my back for a minute, and when I turned around, there she was."
"Didn't give you any trouble did she?"
"On the contrary, she politely asked after your whereabouts. Apparently she'd gone to your study, and finding you not within, came to me. I told her you were away on business, whereupon she requested an audience with the crown prince."
"And you simply let her see him? Really."
"It would have been more unwise to refuse her."
"I doubt that."
He didn't respond at first, turning to gaze out the window. His next words were distant.
"I do not. I've seen her before. Same eyes. Same build. Same accent and manner of speaking. Different markings, but it was him in front of me..."
Lovasz frowned, puzzled.
"Grandfather?"
The old monarch shook himself from his reverie, softly responding.
"Another time. Long ago."
"But the crown prince! What did she say to him?"
"I asked him, highness. He said she told him she would retrieve something from the Eulerian Complex for him. Something that would end the war."
The King snorted.
"That old bastion? Any weapon that was designed there so many centuries ago is surely obsolete, and any treasure hidden will not aid us against Rithm. It has already been proven that their forces cannot be bought, nevermind reasoned with. What else is there?"
His elder smiled.
"I said as much to young Icosian. It didn't phase him. He said she told him other things, and in the end he believed it best to give her the key and let her go."
"Now hold on! What other things?!"
"Ah, he would not say what. He just said they were true."
"Hm..."
Rising, Lovasz joined his grandfather at the window.
"Perhaps...this is not such a bad thing..."
The older man regarded his grandson with a raised brow. The King grinned fiercely.
"Talk loudly of this to the guards. They will talk loudly of it in the bars. And Rithms scouts will surely talk loudly of it to their masters."
"Your highness!"
"Think of it! If Rithm believes we have a weapon hidden in the Eulerian Complex, they will send their best agents there, leaving us to make our move."
"But the creature may not return with the treasure if Rithm becomes involved."
The rotund ruler sniffed.
"Would it really make so much of a difference if she did?"
The other said nothing. Turning, Lovasz made his way toward the door.
"I'll inform my advisors to put out a 'discreet' notice to my countrymen: The first to return with the treasure of the Complex in hand will be handsomely rewarded. That will surely put Rithm on the scent, as well as keep them from suspecting a ruse."
The old King turned swiftly, one hand still pressed to the sill of the window as he retorted.
"Mark me, Lovasz Calculus! There is nothing worth gaining from such deceitful behavior. Especially when the ones you are deceiving include your own people."
Shaking his head, he turned away, hands clasped behind his back.
"I pray you understand someday..."
OOC: Hmm, this limits what I can do with Corky. Severely. Then again his ability can easily be non-supernatural. However that means in this universe he has to be the byproduct of a anthropomorphous animal and a human. There is no other way to create what he is. If a creature is not biologically compatible with anything, the same would go for anything further down that path I would assume.
More interestingly that means the "anthro's" are a separate race, not a mix of animal and human. Much like I did with my universe. This means Corky's father does exist in this universe, which means this is going to be a much darker subplot than I had hoped. But thats ok, not everything can be happy happy, right?
While it's early on, since I decided to allow Tobias to remain Kydane and not edit him into this universe I should explain a little of his species.
Kydane is the generic name for any race native to the planet Kyzarie. The Kydane are self-separated into sub-races, much like humans do with the color of their skin. Kydane however do this based on well, what animal they look like. Only recently did they adopt English aka "Terran" as their official language, mainly as they gained the ability to travel faster than light and Terran seemed the most widely used language. Because of this their old language took a back seat and the old names for races, such as Tansoy'tat (Fluffy Tail) for the Fox-like race, became archaic. They now use modified, abbreviated Terran designations for their races, such as Lepoid for the rabbit-like race based on the terran designation Leporidae or Lepus.
I could into way more detail than necessary but the effect they were a society that was influenced heavily by racial differences, much like us. However this was started because the larger predatory races had the ability to sense emotion come from nearby people.
The ability was guarded as the ability of the noble races and it was forbidden for noble races to breed with the other races. This of course meant it happened all the time.
The brings us to Tobias. Son of a powerful noble and a now infamous Lepoid femme fatale. To make it simple he lost himself and is here now, trying to find himself. I'll give more background if it's needed to explain an action or a reaction of his.
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The rabbit's ear darted only momentarily towards another passage. Hmph, bigotry, probably towards Corky.
He regular pace paused slightly, he almost allowed himself to look towards what he sensed, but to do so meant explaining it and possibly giving away what he was. Not an option at this point, god knows what these people with do to an alien race. But still, there were two feelings down there only one was based on fear, the other seemed curious to him. Where he home he would have talked to the person immediately, but here that prospect was more dangerous than anything.
They continued, the youth in front darted around with what seemed like limitless energy. For time they walked then the boy stopped in his tracks and let out a whispered curse, no louder as he knew the man behind him would scold him for his vulgarity. "No wind, why didn't you pick up that up big ears? If I feel it now you shoulda a long time ago."
Tobias shook his head to clear it, he'd been debating going back. Not even paying attention to his surroundings. "Sorry, I got sidetracked. No wind? What does that mean?" The youth snorted, "Stupid adults, probably thinking about alcohol and women. It MEEEANS this is a dead end, and soon no doubt if there's so little space between us and the wall that even I can feel the air not moving."
A look of realization crossed the rabbit's features, "Oh, stagnant air, if this was the way through the wind from the other end would be blowing through here. I see."
"No DUH, man you're stupid today. More than normal..." The youth's sneering demeanor faltered for a moment or two, "Whats going on? You didn't feel anything did you? Like those Warden guys you told me about? With the magic powers and @#%$?"
The rabbit fully snapped back to reality, "No, and what did I tell you about that language?"
The youth snorted, jogging past the rabbit and attempting to shove him over yelping out sarcastically, "Yes, mommy." And darting back down the path, leaving Tobias to catch up.
They didn't warn us it was a dead end? What IS going on around here?
OOC: To be honest Rico, I'd prefer you do what you wish regardless. I mean the way I see it, you posted before the revisions, meaning you came into this thing with certain expectations based on insufficient information. It would be unfair of me to alter the rules in your case. Plus, I rather like the idea of Corky as the first human / creature hybrid, whether the one half is Oasis or Earthborn. And I mean if it is Oasis it's not even a big deal since he's an exile (which makes sense, humans aren't allowed to set foot in the Oasis, halfbred or otherwise). He could still possess that protector instinct though, a desire to keep the planet healthy, if you will. And as I said, Oasis Creatures don't really have any special talents that separate them from Earth Creatures, save a masterful ability to stay hidden. In fact, Oasis Creatures possess no magical abilities, whereas an Earth Creature could and might. Which is interesting in and of itself I think.
Enough of that though! I'll leave it up to you. If you want to go with the revisions thats fine, and if you would rather not thats fine too =) you seem a very capable storyteller. Pick whichever option seems more interesting to write from your standpoint.
Also, I'm grateful you dove more into Tobias' history, because I really had no idea about any of that and was curious about what a Kydane was exactly. Now I feel like I understand him a little more!
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Ottilie stood near one of the walls of a long corridor, tail flitting back and forth idly as she looked upwards. Legs had squeezed between the thorny canopy of vines to check their progress.
"They say the mind that built this place designed all these traps o'a mechanical nature."
Legs chirped a reply from somewhere over her head.
"That a fact?"
"Aye."
She turned, nervously searching for words to express how she felt. It was a human trait, but it was something she liked about them. Not all the time. But sometimes, it was nice to hear the sound of gratitude, rather than to simply infer it. At least, Ottilie thought so.
"To that end though, m'glad yer with me on this one, mate. Glad in general too. Yer a first rate mechanic and I couldn't ask fer better."
Legs let out a small series of chirr chirr chirrs, the equivalent of laughter.
"You speak unnecessarily, Kitto. It's not like you."
Ottilie scowled, feeling foolish.
"I mean I know y'know that already. Knew? Know! Bollocks, I just wanted to--"
She broke off, her head turning sharply to the right.
"Kit...?"
Legs inquired. Before she could reply, Corky came tearing around the far corner of the passage. Ottilie froze. There was nowhere to hide this time, as the path they were on was singular, a straight shot to who knew what. Within the blink of an eye the halfbreed had spotted her. Whether it was his perpetually sneering face or the human blood that coursed through his veins, Ottilie instinctively backed away as he approached, paws lifting to rest on the weapons at either hip. She felt rather than saw Legs drop to her shoulder.
"Well. That path should have had them busy awhile."
Ottilie didn't say anything to this. A sidelong glance at her companion was response enough.
Suddenly, the rabbit-like creature appeared as well, trotting to catch up to his companion. Turning his head, the younger jeered mockingly.
"Slowpoke!"
The other frowned, but said nothing to this. Instead, he met Ottilies gaze without a trace of surprise in his own at finding her there. A tremendous pang of homesickness dropped upon her then, like a grand piano fallen from stories too numerous to count. Staring back at him, she felt the connection to something that could understand her without speaking. Aside from Legs, it had been a long time since she could say as much about any other living thing. Hello. Her eyes said. Hello, his responded.
If Legs felt it too, he remained silent, eyeing the pair suspiciously. Ottilie smiled brightly, removing her paws from her weapons, though she kept her distance.
"An' what brings ye gentlemen to so remote a location?"
Legs rolled his eyes, chattering softly to her in annoyance.
"Oh for Oasis sake don't be polite to them. We don't want them to stay!"
OOC: Oh, its a matter of acceptance, not biology. Ok, I'll keep that in mind. I decide after I see a little more about this place. Don't wanna muss up the universe.
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Another stupid adult. At least this ones a girl... I think. The youth grumbled to himself, "This place is boring, Tobe."
"To be honest, I don't know. Just needed to get away from the forest, this place looked like had some technology in it." The canary furred rabbit retorted casually.
"Yeah, like a few days in the sun is going to kill you." The sharp witted youth's voice yelped up from the down the passageway, in the exchange he'd managed to slip ahead of them.
Tobias ignored him again, "This place looks like it's been run down for decades though. What is it?" He paused and looked a little embarassed, "I mean, I figured you knew something. Considering you're here solo."
OOC: It's actually more improbable than impossible. The odds of a creature or human being able to conceive a hybrid are detrimentally small. Even after that, the odds of a hybrid being born successfully and living through its first years are small as well. So if Corky survived hes probably one of like three creature hybrids in the entire world. So its not completely impossible, just mostly. You do have it right though, in addition to probability being against them, creatures also consider such unions unacceptable, since they admire sense above all else. And what sensible creature would choose to bring a child that might not live to adulthood into the world?
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Ottilie raised a brow at his question, offering a puzzled smile.
"Don't know the Eulerian Complex? It's rather notorious, mate. Notoriously hard to find too, m'surprised you were able ta stumble upon it. Took me a week, an' I was lookin.'"
Tobias shifted uncomfortably. Noticing this, Ottilie added with a laugh.
"But some just have all the luck aye? Can't say m'not envious."
"AHEM."
Ottilie frowned, turning her attention to her small companion.
"Hm?"
"Could I have a word with you..."
Legs glanced at Tobias.
"...privately?"
"'Course mate."
Bobbing her head apologetically, she turned, heading in the direction they had already come from.
"Be back in a tick!"
When they were not entirely out of sight, Legs began to voice his concerns in chirps and chatters of Babylonian, knowing this would offer them more privacy if Tobias had the range he suspected.
"Hes lying."
Frowning, Ottilie responded, also in Babylonian.
"Doesn't seem the sort."
Legs narrowed his eyes.
"He came to a practically mythical complex to see a few whirling gears? You go to Kinetica for that. Hes probably one of Rithms agents, or else a rival hunter, tryin' to get on your good side."
"I don't get that vibe from him. Plus if he were Rithm, don't ya think he'd have a better lie thought up? The currents too ridiculous to be untrue."
"Either way, we don't know anything about them. Its not a smart move, especially given our situation. Please, Kitto, lets lose 'em."
Ottilie scowled.
"Not exactly kickin' ta just ditch folk who have no idea what this place is capable of, mate..."
Losing his patience, Legs threw up two pairs of arms in frustration.
"FINE! You know what? Believe him. Just let him swindle the key out of you and hear it again from the Oasis. Well, not me! I'm not goin' down with you on this one!"
And leaping from her shoulder, he scaled the wall, squeezed between the vines, and was lost to view. Rolling her eyes, Ottilie turned back to Tobias, who was watching with a puzzled, albeit concerned, expression.
"Is everything alright? Your friend seemed...irritated."
Ottilie smiled sadly, shrugging.
"My apologies. Hes frustrated...with me, I mean. Don't s'pose I blame him too much. He'll be fine."
Turning away again, she gestured at the complex.
"You'd best retrieve yer mate and be off though. This place may look...rustic, I guess s'the word, but further ins s'posed ta be some kind of bollocks. Head fer Kinetica in the north if you want mechanical. Nice city. Good food..."
She trailed off, starting to pad away from him.
"Nice ta have almost met ya, in any case..."
"Um..."
The rabbit stammered a little before managed the right words. "I would... but Corky seemed very insistent on this place. If it's dangerous... I mean, he's just a kid."
Ottilie paused, turning back to regard him seriously.
"Believe me, this is no place fer kits. Just tell him theres some lovely cold sweets in Kinetica, he's sure to--"
She broke off as the ground began to shake, and both creatures whirled to face the apparent source of the incoming tremors. In the next moment two things happened. Corky rounded the nearer corner to find what was keeping them. And a mechanism that resembled a giant, spinning top came hurtling around the far corner. Armed with row upon row of sharp blades that hung idly in place, it paused, scanning for lifeforms. Detecting them, it rushed forward, blades extending and twisting madly to hack them to pieces.
"BOLLOCKS!!!"
Re-acting quickly, Ottilie grabbed Tobias' paw, practically yanking his arm out of its socket as she took off running.
"LEGS!!!"
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The decipede had hopped some distance along the walls, and now perched atop a thorny branch, chittering soft incoherencies to himself and the night sky.
Oasis and Earth preserve me. The one before her wasn't nearly this difficult. Or the one before that. Or before that. None of them were as young, but...
He sighed, crossing all six arms.
I'm trying to be patient with you, Kitto. I just have such a hard time understandin' ya. You'd trust a venomous toadstool if it seemed to need help I'd wager.
He smiled a little at the thought.
I hate that about you. Maybe I'm too pragmatic though. And you...you're impractically optimistic.
He sighed again, flattening his antennae against his head.
I'm worried its gonna undo ya. That someday something will--
"LEGS!!!"
Her distant shout brought him back, and even as he chirped a frantic response, he was already bolting over the walls.
"Kit?! OTTILIE!! I'm comin Ottilie!!"
"Corky MOVE!" The rabbit yelped out in a panic. He dug in his feet pulling against Ottilie's grip on his hand. "Let me GO! I won't leave 'em!"
The half-breed's eyes widened, but scared or not the boy took off running towards Tobias and the Ottilie on all fours as fast as he could go.
Ottilie paused, shooting Tobias an apologetic look while they waited for Corky.
"Was reactin' more than proactin' there for a tick!"
As he barreled past them, she released the lepoid, allowing him to run ahead of her to make certain his friend was ok. Her hesitation cost her a sizeable slash of the skin on her right arm, a whirling blade catching her off guard as she darted after, taking the rear position.
"Miss!!"
Ottilie ignored the cut, urging them onwards.
"Surface wound! Keep runnin'!"
Glancing back at the dervish, she scowled, clearing her head.
Wake up wee girl! You need ta find a way to stop this thing before we run afoot o'another dead end. Or worse.
She frowned.
Built like a tank...can't hack it...
Then she smiled, noting how top heavy the contraption was.
But maybe we can topple it!
Ottilie called to her new companions.
"Bet ya shes runnin' on a motion sensor, mates! Maybe if we zig zag a bit as we go we can knock 'er off balance!"
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Making good time, Legs was soon leaping directly above the rapidly turning nightmare. Try as he might though, the whirring of the determined machine made it impossible for Ottilie to hear his desperate chatters.
Drat!
Squeezing between the thorns again, he gave one great leap, landing on top of the bot. A little searching revealed an entry panel, and working the ancient bolts off, Legs quickly made his way inside.
Hang on Kitto...keep runnin.' Don't die on me...just don't die!
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"Did that do anything?"
Jerin inquired, stepping back from the control panel that had been hidden behind a non-descript stone in the wall. Lashing his metal tail, Junk plugged into the mainframe.
"Allow me, master."
After a moment, he projected an image of the top-like bots.
"That button released twenty of these."
"Ah, Whirligigs! Not my best design, but efficient enough."
"Indeed master."
Jerins eyes twinkled with a bit of their old menace.
"Engage the rest of the traps as well."
Junk paused.
"Is that entirely wise? We would be at greater risk."
Jerin shrugged, pressing the tips of the foreclaws of each paw together thoughtfully.
"It'll be much more fun this way. Plus, you know, others are probably coming."
He smiled darkly.
"And I can't have them reaching dear Ottilie before me, can I?"
He felt pricking over his whole body, as if pins were being prodding into him with increasing force. What was it called again? He'd been here so long his own culture was beginning to blur into the past as one would forget their own childhood. The neskama? desyama? nesyamka*? The Kydane word wouldn't return easily but the response was still there, Toby tightened his hands into fists and momentarily tensed completely. His hands felt like they were on fire, the pins and needles ran over his body for a moment... and were gone.
Bet ya shes runnin on a motion sensor, mates! Maybe if we zig zag a bit as we go we can knock er off balance!
He wrinkled his nose already starting to sweat, "I'm too old for this." He looked ahead of him yelping, "Henry! Drop back and do that thing you were doing to me earlier!"
It came as a shock, but there was no catty reply from the youth, he simply did as he was told. For a few moments he reverted to running like a human, jogging back to just in front of Ottilie so he wouldn't suffer any injuries. Then just as quickly dropped to all fours again and catapulted between the sides of the corridor as if some kind of large cat.
It was at this time Ottilie first noticed something else odd about the boy, he wore no shoes at all. There was no good reason for it either, but yet in front of her was a animalistic youth bouncing between the walls barefoot, the machine tracking his every move.
Ottilie followed Corkys lead easily, shooting from right to left and back again in a tight, rhythmic pattern.
Strange. Kit moves more like one o'us.
She shook her head.
M'not imaginin' it, but this isn't the time to be on about that. We're not nearly back in the bush yet.
Pulling from her reverie, she concentrated on making even tighter passes, to and fro, back and forth, and so on. Behind them, the Whirligig sped from side to side, wobbling more and more dangerously with each jolt. Rushing the wall they had just pushed off, it finally couldn't turn its massive form away in time, and ricocheting off the solid stone, teetered horribly before falling over with a loud CRASH!
Ottilie skid to a stop, turning slightly as she did to grin triumphantly at the bot struggling feebly in the dirt.
"First time I've ever been happy ta see a machine give up the ghost on me!"
Straightening, she turned back to her companions, pressing her claws together and addressing the halfbred youth with a warm smile and a bow.
"Well played, mate! Yer quick as one o'my--"
She broke off, puzzled as Corky and Tobias' twin expressions of glee turned to horror.
"Hm?!"
Whirling back around, her eyes widened as she watched the top right itself with one great heave, using its many knived appendages to push up from the ground.
Bollocks...whoever built 'er was thinkin.'
She glanced back at the pair, one exhausted, one afraid. Intuitively she knew Legs would remind her that she owed them nothing. She didn't even know their names, really. Yet Tobias' words echoed in her ears as her eyes fell upon Corky, who bawled his hands into fists and glanced bravely at his rabbit-like friend, perhaps awaiting some sort of suggestion.
Hes just a kid.
Grim faced, she pulled her weapons from either hip.
I will not let a kit an' a creature older than meself die while I live.
Calling back to the lepoid and halfbreed, she raised her weapons, facing the top bot.
"Much obliged fer the aid mates, but I'll take it from here. G'on, off with you."
But as the dervish raised its own blades in preparation for another assault, it started to shake all over. One of its arms dropped off suddenly, clattering to the ground. Then another fell, and another, and like dominos, they all started to drop in succession, followed by pieces of the entire mechanism. Within seconds it lay in a heap of scrap metal. Her companions kept their distance in confusion, but Ottilie relaxed upon seeing this, her face lighting up.
"Legs!!"
Sure enough, the small insect squeezed itself from between the ruins of the once functional Whirligig and came bounding at her. Dropping her weapons, Ottilie caught him in a hug, spinning round and round in a delirious sort of joy at being alive as she exclaimed.
"Yer a genius, little mate!"
"Pet?" The boy muttered toward his older companion.
"Not unless you're willing to take that title as well, bud." The rabbit stated plainly. "Looks like she's not alone."
He paused, then smirked, "I think she likes you, Corky." The youth turned red snapping back, "Shutup!."
Resuming his place on her left shoulder, Legs rubbed his cheek against hers fondly.
"Kitto Kitto Kitto, all you do is hurt yourself when I leave ya."
Ottilie smiled, softly replying.
"Aye, so see that you don't."
She paused, before adding.
"Thanks fer comin back when you did though."
The decipede chirped quietly.
"I owe you an apology, Ottilie. I forget sometimes that you're the one who calls the shots 'cause you're always so good about asking what I think. No excuse for it. I failed you."
She shook her head at this, vehemently retorting.
"Never! An' thats a load o'cack if ever I heard one!"
Smiling sardonically at this reply, the insect glanced at Tobias and Corky, chattering nonchalantly.
"Still alive, I see."
Ottilie rolled her eyes at him, turning to face her new companions. At first she was puzzled by Corky's red face, but shrugged it off, hurrying to tell them her name before anything else happened.
"Er, more 'pologies fer all the bollocks mates, and fer such untimely introductions. Circumstances bein' what they were, well, you understand."
Clearing her throat, she pressed her right paw to her heart, smiling brightly.
"M'known as Ottilie, Ottilie O'Dethburr, Treasure Hunter and Fortune Seeker o'all sorts a rare an' rumored items. An' this here--"
She indicated Legs with one claw.
"--is me partner, Legs, first rate mechanic and engineer o'the best kinds a technology."
The decipede crossed two pairs of arms, chittering a bored greeting since he figured they couldn't understand him anyway.
"Uh huh. How do ya do and all that."
Ottilie glanced from lepoid to halfbreed, inquiring curiously.
"Might I know what you blokes go by?"
Tobias look disgruntled, a rather radical change from only moments about, "Tobias. I'm..."
The youth snickered pointing mockingly at Legs, "You're married to a bug? Hehehe."
The rabbit's demeanor seemed to do a u-turn as the youth started snickering.
"Um, heh, anyway. I'm Toby Underwood and this is Henry Vand. We're... kinda... well," He rubbed the back of his head with a sheepish grin, "To tell you the truth Miss I don't really know what we are."
Ottilie crossed her arms, laughing in good-natured amusement.
"Aye, but don't tell his consort, eh mate?"
Legs rolled his eyes, chattering agitatedly.
"Thats the human in him I expect. You'd think a species that spends so much of its time babbling about nothing would at least have a better understanding of its own language."
Ottilie chose to ignore this, instead nodding in a friendly manner to Tobias and Corky.
"Well, in any case, its lovely to meet you both, no matter what you are."
Leaping to the top of her head, the decipede leaned over, waving one arm in front of her face impatiently.
"Hate to cut the tea party short, but theres no present like the time, Kitto."
Looking up at him, she frowned, becoming serious once more.
"Oh...aye, s'pose it doesn't really do to stand around given the current state o'affairs."
"No kidding. Ask them if they can find their own way out or if they want me to look for one."
Ottilies brows lifted in an unspoken question. Checking a sharp retort, the insect patiently responded to what she hadn't said.
"You know why not."
She smiled sheepishly, but nodded before looking back at Tobias.
"Well, we need ta be off. Still want ta cover a bit more ground before we rest an' all. D'you want Legs to look for the quickest way out from here? He offered, an' its no bother."
"We CAME from the way out. I'm not walking all the way around this thing so we're going THROUGH it. And when I find whoever's lobbing tin cans at me I'm going to break their face." The youth said snarling.
The rabbit cleared his throat and kicked the boy's leg at the same time, "What he means is we need to get through this place. There must be an exit on the other side of this maze, right? Isn't that where you're going whenever you find the treasure chest or whatever?"
Ottilie exchanged a worried glance with Legs.
"Er...s'pose, aye. Eulerian Path allowin.' M'not actually sure if there is another side. This place was designed more like a labyrinth than a maze. Some think it re-arranges itself ta suit its own purposes, but thats more'n likely local superstition..."
She frowned.
"That said, theres another--"
Legs pinched her hard. She broke off, then continued.
"Well, lets just say m'not the only one after this particular artifact. It's very important to the person m'retrievin it for, and to others who oppose said person. An' the ones who aren't fer him prolly won't be askin' me ta let them at the bollocksy thing first in the most polite ways."
She crossed her arms again, inquiring seriously.
"Y'sure you wanna tag along with me knowin' all that? Not that I don't like the company, mind, just it could get dangerous, an' I'd hate ta see anyone hurt."
OOC: Character Bio:
Known as: Aurora (though possibly has had other names)
Species: ??? (Creature)
Gender: Female
Age: 120 years (appears about 18-20yrs)
Relationship status: Single
Occupation: Currently a mercenary/ adventurer type (tends to change occupation every decade or so)
Personality: Due to her varied career & long life Aurora is quite cultured & well-educated. Perhaps due to her current occupation, she tends to be quite practical-minded. Not unlike Jerin, she has a certain disregard for the rules Creatures often live by, although the only one she has broken consistently is the rule regarding dairy products (she has a fondness for chocolate). Aurora is generally a very honest person, and is careful not to lie directly- unless it suits her purposes. She is patient and even tempered & on the few occasions she does get angry, rather than go into a hot rage, she exhibits a terrifying, icy fury. Although when she speaks she can be charming- even silver-tongued- she is normally the silent type, a character trait that lends her a slightly enigmatic quality.
Natural Abilities: Aurora is very agile & possesses good night-vision. She has acute hearing, but not in the same league as Jerin's. She is stronger than her lithe slight build suggests, though not significantly so. Her most significant natural ability though, is an almost supernatural turn of speed. She also has an unusually vivid memory.
Skills: As a neccessity of her current role, Aurora is a particularly skilled combatant, well-versed in all kinds of defensive & offensive techniques. She has a good basic understanding of numerous technologies, although very few specialised skills in this field. She has excellent endurance- essential for a mercenary- and keeps a cool head in a crisis. Also, once she sets her mind to something, she persists unyieldingly until she has achieved her goal.
Weaknesses: Aurora's main weaknesses are twofold. The first is a lack of expertise in effective communication with other individuals ( stemming surprisingly from shyness). The second is a restless nature, which is the primary cause of her frequent career changes, regardless of whatever degree of success she achieves within a given career.
Backstory: Aurora is a particularly talented mercenary, who has served both Algos & Rithm indiscriminately, and charges considerable fees for her services. Essentially neutral in this war, her philosophy is that the only winners will be mercenaries, since they will make a profit whilst the nation(s) go to ruin. Having caught wind of a rumour regarding the Eulerian Complex, she has decided to find and investigate it entirely on a whim. Her presence there serves no-one's interests but her own- at least so far...
Weapon of Choice: As an excellent martial artist, with a certain sense of aesthetics, Aurora uses no weapons beyond her own fists, feet, claws, tail etc. despite extensive training in weapons use. Her uncanny speed coupled with her remarkable skill often mean that these are the only weapons she needs.
IC: Down one of the many twists and turns of the labyrinthine complex a solitary figure padded in stealthy silence. Eyes the colour of mercury glimmered in the semi-darkness & pointed ears swivelled to and fro, alert for any stray sound. At an intersection the lithe, compact figure halted, considering which direction to take. From one direction the sounds of raised voices and clashing metal echoed. From another there was silence, save for the dripping of water & what might have been distant footsteps. Which way was best? The left passage still echoed with the metallic clashing and shouting. That sounded like a path that promised adventure. On the other hand, who knew what surprises the right-hand passage might hold?
Aurora continued to brood. Voices meant people & she wasn't good with people. She always felt awkward around them & never knew what to say. They in turn often mistook her silence for indifference, or aloofness, with the result that she ended up alone even whilst in company. The right-hand passage didn't seem to offer any immediate chance of encountering other people, but if it held any surprises, they had better be forthcoming, for she was starting to tire of having no company but her own.
Had any eye happened upon her, the beholder might have been forgiven for believing that they saw a pretty young girl in pieced-together body armour lost in the middle of a vast & complex maze. To an extent that would be true, for although she was 120 years old, Aurora was still quite young given her life-span. Also true was the fact that she was alone. But lost? That depended upon your point of view. It was true that Aurora had no definite idea of where she was going, but she remembered exactly the route by which she had come- every step of it right up to the one that had brought her here. But where would her next one take her?
Her reverie was abruptly shattered by a rumbling sound. Spinning on her toes, she saw a machine that strongly resembled a giant spinning-top hurtling down the right-hand passage towards her. In the blink of an eye she was out of the way, and watched as it sped off down the left-hand corridor. She smiled slightly. That had certainly made an interesting break from her solitude. Perhaps that was what the voices down the left-hand corridor had been shouting about? The people down the left-hand corridor... Her smile vanished as swiftly as it had appeared & Aurora mentally cursed herself for a fool. If those people were still down there, hadn't she just sent another emissary of death their way by dodging the thing instead of fighting it? Muttering to herself, Aurora took off down the left-hand corridor, pursuing the mechanical monstrosity...
Tobias looked thoughtful for a few moments then looked up at her, "You got a job you want done. We got a maze to get through. Seems in the end we got the same goal." His ears twitched, "Makes since to stay a group, more bodies to confuse those robots. Speaking of which..." He said as the tunnel began to rumble, "Here comes round two."
OOC: Just to avoid confusion, the Whirligig headed for Ottilie, Tobias, and Corky and the Whirligig attacking Jerin are two completely different robots. Also, welcome to GemaJinn! Glad to have you =)
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Acknowledging this with a curt nod, Ottilie gestured down the path, already following the motion of her paw.
"F'we head up this darker path to the right, we can prolly hide 'til it goes. F'not, we just keep out o'its way while me little genius here disarms it like the last."
Tobias didn't even have time to agree before she was gone from view, already hiding herself in the pitch-black corridor she'd mentioned. Quickly following with a grumbling Corky, Legs chirped quietly at them from somewhere within the dark.
"Hope you're good at stayin' hidden strangers, 'cause we are!"
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Jerin heard the Whirligig coming long before he saw it. Whether he chose to ignore the distant clanking or had forgotten to be wary of it, I cannot say. But when the ground began to tremble in that telltale manner, he merely glanced over his shoulder expectantly, if not a little longingly. Despite everything, he still harbored a great deal of love for each and every piece he'd designed. And while he didn't consider Whirligigs particularly noteworthy, he'd had his hand in them, and that was enough.
Junk did not share his masters idealism on this point. His first priority was Jerins safety, and the incoming threat roused him.
"Master, should we not deviate from this path?"
The long eared creatures gaze remained unbroken as he replied, somewhat incredulously.
"Why?"
Before Junk could respond, the Whirligig appeared, moving in a slow, deliberate fashion as it scanned for lifeforms. Jerin chuckled, gleeful.
"Still functional after all these years. Wonderful!"
"Master!"
Detecting them, the robot sprung into action, jolting forward in a flurry of whirling arms and blades. Junk shuddered, preparing to go into defensive mode. Jerin smiled, his eyes widening as he started to hum. What happened next revealed him to be the true Jerin Jestwood. He knew people didn't believe him when he introduced himself. He'd learned to politely overlook the smirking and the laughter when he was inclined, and to argue the point when it suited him better. His identity was something even Ottilie had admitted to having trouble with at times. That didn't bother him so much though, in her case. He liked that she was honest, and he liked keeping her uncertain for many reasons. But I'm digressing. What happened next was that as that fated Whirligig sprung into action, so too did Jerin, zigging and zagging so masterfully about the path that his own pattern of movement became a maze within a maze. Meanwhile, the reels round his wrists whirled noiselessly, miniature whirligigs following the complex motions of his footwork.
Fifty five seconds later the machine was straining against a lengthening web of razor wire held in place by the thick vines on either side of the wall. It tipped and tilted dangerously, knocking itself off balance each time it barreled through the strong lower lines with vicious snaps!, momentum decreasing as metal screeched against metal even while it fought to continue its pursuit. Securing the last barbed pieces, Jerin snapped the wire neatly with a flick of each wrist, skidding to a sidelong stop.
"Hmhmhmhmmmmmmm..."
He trailed off, cracking his neck before regarding his pursuer.
"Shut it up, Junk."
Obediently, the little robot scurried down his shoulder and pulled its extremities inside its main console, rolling under the lines of wire and around the wobbling, top-like bot before disappearing from view. Several minutes passed. Then the mechanism ground to a halt in mid-motion, and lay still. Jerin crossed his arms, waiting. Soon Junk rolled back into view, returning to his shoulder with what he'd managed to hack from the larger robots central processor.
"It knew the locations of the more dangerous traps, master. I copied the information, as well as several other files of note."
"Good...we'll need useful information if Ottilie is to trust me."
Looking up at him, Junks one eye flashed questioningly. Jerin winked.
"I've never really matched wits with her on such a premise as this. Desired to? Of course. Opportunity never really knocked us against each other in that regard though. Until now."
"But master, you could just as easily take what we need by force. Current records suggest that the likelihood of her being able to sustain herself in a fight against you in which quarters are this narrow is highly improbable."
Junk protested. Jerin replied softly, his thoughts somewhere else.
"I have this vivid memory of our last encounter. She stood somewhere high and the wind was strong, and she laughed like someone that has never been used by the world. I liked seeing her like that, even though I know she laughed at me at the time. But afterwards, and since, I have been afraid."
Curling his tail around his masters neck in order to avoid falling as he quickened his pace, Junk responded, deeply puzzled.
"I do not understand."
Jerin shrugged.
"If I can't break her in here, than she has nothing to fear from the world."
"You are talking in riddles, master. Surely you do not suggest she could best you? You are Jerin Jestwood. You do not lose. And we have other priorities besides."
To this, he shook his head.
"Not so. I have lost before. All I consider myself, and all I hope to be is only that which keeps surprising. To even define that much gives it all a certain consistency which isn't in keeping with my philosophy. Even having a philosophy isn't in keeping with my philosophy, but lets leave it here and not waste time talking in circles, shall we?"
He pushed his hands into his pockets, turning down another corridor with an amused smile.
"In fact, if anything circles, let it be our priorities..."
OOC: Thanks for the welcome!
IC: Aurora sped after the deadly, whirling agent of death. Although anxious to stop it she was deliberately not running as fast as she could at the moment; she didn't want to get within range of its sensors & draw attention to herself. Moments before she had heard the voices again & the sound of footsteps that had swiftly faded into silence. She hoped whoever had been up this passage had managed to get to safety, because if not the machine was almost upon them.
Seeing the passage widen out & the machine slow somewhat as it started to scan for life-forms, Aurora seized her chance. Becoming an almost invisible flicker as she increased her speed, she leapt straight at the machine. It was true that Aurora wasn't much stronger than a person of her build, in her occupation was expected to be. But she had long ago learned that if she launched an attack at high speed with her full body-weight behind it, she could land a blow with force comparable to a cannon-shell. This was what she did now. The results weren't all to her liking. Although- as she'd expected- the force of her surprise attack carried them the length of the chamber & partially embedded them in the opposite wall, it didn't destroy the machine, only temporarily disable it. In addition to this, the impact caused a partial cave-in at their end of the chamber. As the dust billowed up around herself and the machine, Aurora sat up, devoutly thankful for the body-armour she'd had the sense to acquire. Then a movement caught her attention & she turned her head to look.
A few feet away from her, all but hidden by the still-drifting dust, the machine was attempting to dig itself loose. The mechanical arms were busily pushing chunks of stone & rubble out of its way. Aurora thought quickly. If all its arms were engaged in that, then this would be an ideal time to attack its body & try to find a weakness. Climbing to her feet, Aurora went on the offensive again. This caused the machine to whip up even more dust & grit, and it turned out to have a few arms to spare, but after dancing & dodging around them for a few minutes Aurora was finally able to hit a protrusion on the body of the thing that seemed significant. The machine began to spin slower and slower, its arms drooped & it came to a standstill. Aurora wasn't sure whether she'd stopped the thing or simply deactivated it, but it no longer seemed to be a threat.
As the dust began to settle, she checked herself over. No injuries, but she was coated in a fine layer of dust & her body armour had gained a few new scratches. She'd have to clean her hair at the next opportunity, but her armour had survived worse than that before. Aurora twitched her ears as she moved out of the dust-cloud. The chamber might seem deserted, but she knew she wasn't alone. She listened a few moments more. Whoever it was, they were through a doorway to the side and behind her, a pitch-dark opening she'd spotted at some instant during her fight. She didn't bother turning to face it; even facing the direction people were in could get her tongue-tied. During her time as a mercenary & even before that, Aurora had travelled extensively & had a number of languages she could try besides English. Most were trade-tongues, widely recognised in the nations surrounding Algos/Rithm. She also knew Babylonian. She was pretty sure she wasn't supposed to know Babylonian, but then, she wasn't supposed to eat chocolate either, for all the difference that made. She decided to try English first.
"I don't see you but I know you're there," she called over her shoulder. Silence followed. Maybe Babylonian? "Not feeling friendly then?" Still no response. These people were almost less talkative than she was. Smiling slightly at that, Aurora called out in a trade tongue that almost anyone in 14 nations would understand, "no thanks for someone who just tried to save your skins? Even humans aren't that ungrateful!"
"Icks kolah sickew yankickeezel," She heard a rather youthful voice hiss from a rather repugnant looking Henry huddled in the corner, shrouded by shadow. Followed by a loud adult groan and Tobias's rather large form ungracefully wandering into the light, one side of his auburn trenchcoat propped behind a holstered weapon. "Don't mean to be ungrateful, but I gotta wonder if that payment is all yer wantin'."
"I don't know what he said, but I think I agree."
Legs chirped, with a slight nod at Henry. Ottilie glanced at him, brow raised.
"Hows that?"
"He sounded appropriately indignant."
She chuckled, then winked at the huddled halfbreed.
"The point o'stayin' hidden has now been soundly defeated aye?"
Standing, she brushed herself off, then padded to Tobias side. Smiling amiably, she greeted Aurora with an elegant bow, politely drolling.
"F'thanks is all you desire, I appreciate the come-in, an' leave you to it."
Turning back to the lepoid, she touched his arm gently.
"Might we continue, mate? Daylights comin' an' I believe I did mention wantin' ta cover more ground?"
"Rather not be the one with his back to the trouble should some start." Toby said smirking, still waiting for a reply.
Aurora almost blushed. Once more, being confronted by actual people, she had gone silent & forgotten to reply! Hoping she didn't seem rude for having kept them waiting she answered Toby first. "I see you recognise a mercenary when you see one," she said & a ghost of a smile flickered briefly across her lips. "However," she continued, "as regards trouble- if I'd wanted to make trouble for you I could've just left that thing alone". She gestured briefly in the direction of the stricken Whirligig as she she spoke the word 'that' to emphasise her point.
Having addressed Toby's last statement, she moved onto his first. "Where payment's concerned- how could I possibly justify demanding any payment from you? As far as I can tell you were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. Even mercenaries don't charge for that- or at least this one doesn't; if I were in need of capital I'd be closer to the war zones of Algos & Rithm right now".
Having answered both Toby's questions, she turned her attention to Ottilie. Returning Ottilie's bow with a no less graceful one of her own she finished, "I can understand that people react with suspicion towards mercenaries. However, thanks is all that was needed & you have already made that payment simply by stepping out from the shadows. I suppose I should leave you to continue your journey now". So saying Aurora turned to leave, but then called over her shoulder. "Just out of curiosity," she asked, "what are four clearly civilised people doing in a place like this anyway?"
Ottilie felt Legs prod her shoulder at the mention of Algos and Rithm. It was his way of reminding her that a mercenary who mentioned both cities indiscriminately probably had no qualms about claiming what they were after for herself, with the intention of awarding it to whoever could best compensate her for it. And while the Oasis creature was inclined to like most she met (and she actually did like Aurora very much initially), she knew it best to word her answer carefully.
"A slight bit o'personal interest, a slight more interest in capital, and a whole bollocksy lot o'interest in keepin' a promise."
Aurora smiled slightly as she continued to walk away. Thanks to her trade she was used to people giving her such guarded answers. "All the best with your journey then," she called back to Ottilie & meant every word of it. Before vanishing completely into the gloomy passageway she was approaching, Aurora added, "and be careful in here! If we meet again I don't want it to be when I stumble across your remains!" So saying, Aurora was swallowed up by the gloom & vanished from the view of the others.
Once more alone & stalking down the endless tunnels Aurora mulled over what Ottilie had said. Despite the guarded answer, she had perhaps told Aurora more than she intended. A slight bit o' personal interest. Well that piece of information would have to wait until later, since right now Aurora didn't even know the other girl's name, let alone what her personal interests might be. More interest in capital. Well that was easier to solve. Aurora had heard a few rumours about the Eulerian Complex before setting off to find it. One held that it was an extremely convoluted labyrinth of a place, which had proved true. Another held that it was full of especially deadly traps. If the vicious spinning thing had been but a foretaste of what lay deeper within, that rumour could be regarded as accurate as well. Put the two together & to Aurora's mind you had a deadly security system- a system of the kind which, in her experience, were only used to guard things of extreme value.
Aurora considered what this might mean. The other girl evidently knew something especially valuable was in here, be it treasure, a weapon, information or whatever & intended to retrieve it. Then presumabley she would sell it. To whom? Who would be most interested in such an item just now? Algos & Rithm came most readily to mind. And there had been something in the girl's demeanour that suggested certainty of that capital, ergo she already had a buyer. Algos or Rithm? Respectable or criminal? Aurora was inclined to believe the former. There was something about that girl...Aurora couldn't put her finger on it, but she just didn't seem like a criminal. This was almost enough to spark Aurora's professional curiosity, but two things stopped it.
The first was that final statement the girl had made. A whole bollocksy lot o' interest in keepin' a promise.Aurora knew from others in her profession that crossing people who'd made promises was a lot more trouble than it was worth as often as not. The other thing that kept her professional interest at bay was the fact that she hadn't come to this place to make money. She'd come simply to explore; to see the place with her own eyes. Well, it had certainly been worth the trip so far.
Following another twist in the tunnel Aurora considered the rest of the small group she had encountered. They were still something of a mystery to her, especially the child. Goodness only knew what a child was doing in a place like this. Still, it should make for something interesting to muse over while she continued her journey. She strode on down the dark corridors, wondering what lay ahead...
Ottilie returned the others words with a courteous nod. Yet even as Aurora vanished, something in the creatures heart stirred, and part of her subconscious whispered, not that way. Puzzled, she crossed her arms, trying to trace the source of such a warning. The direction the mercenary had taken had a treacherously familiar undertone emanating from it. She supposed she could write it off as paranoia, especially given her current situation, but her instincts rejected this notion, insisting the path was wicked. Not that way, they chimed, find another.
"Kit?"
Legs chirped, tugging lightly on her fur to get her attention. She shook her head apologetically.
"Heh, sorry mate..."
Turning back to her companions, Ottilie inquired with a gesture that swept in the direction opposite the ominous corridor.
"Shall we?"
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In terms of physical appearance, Ottilie and Jerin couldn't have been further apart. Ottilie had soft, muted shades of orange and yellow in the markings of her fur, which was always closely shorn (all interplanar investigators were requested to adhere to such a standard, as long fur could tangle or be ripped off by machinery). She wore clean, well-tailored clothing in shades of blue and white, and generally looked tidy, approachable, and professional. Jerin on the other hand hadn't shaved his dark grey and white fur in over twenty years when Ottilie first came across him. After meeting her he'd taken the razors up again (in more ways than one), though he still tended to go longer than most without a shave. His clothing was black and white with hints of red or orange, and was always torn, dirty, tattered, or patched in some way. All of these factors combined made up his shaggy, unkempt image, and he was often mistaken for a homeless creature or a hobo (he was rather fine with this though: it made him seem far less threatening than he really was).
I mention all this because at that moment Jerin was wandering along the Eulerian path, examining the long fur his dusty red bandanna held in place with a frown.
"Do you think I need a shave?"
He asked his robot companion. Junks head swiveled to regard him. After a minute he responded tonelessly.
"Yes."
Jerin scowled, flicking some strands from his face.
"She'll say I look a mess."
"You have gone longer intervals without shaving or clipping your fur, master."
"True..."
He fell to humming again, before smiling and stating.
"I can feel her now. Closer."
"Likewise, she can probably feel you, master. Perhaps we should make a wider sweep of the area so as to not give ourselves away too early."
"Mm. There's someone else coming, though. Still a ways off, but, heh, you know."
He flicked one ear, smiling a little smugly. Junk slunk to his other shoulder, peering around.
"Do you wish to encounter this 'other,' master, or shall we take another path?"
Jerin shrugged.
"Perhaps whoever it is can point me in Ottilie's direction. Not that I really need to be led, but I feel like practicing making conversation before I make it with O."
"As you wish, master."
And so they continued.
"Seems like the thing to do." Toby said shrugging, the boy wordlessly following.
OOC: Appears we've lost a few posts in the transition to Yuku. Unfortunately I didn't make copies of mine, so I can't re-post anything, but here's a summary of what was lost.
Summary: Ottilie, Tobias, and Henry continue further into the Complex. Ottilie can't shake the forebording feeling she experienced before, and we learn creatures are capable of picking up on the subtle emotions and thoughts of those they feel strongly for, as is the case with she and Legs. The pair converse through gestures and this link, and Ottilie expresses regret over letting Aurora depart down the ill-fated corridor. Legs comforts her, indicating that without hard evidence Aurora probably wouldn't have believed her anyway. Ottilie concedes the point, then tries to tell her friend what the feeling reminded her of. Before she can, they fall through a trap door that hid a pit lined with mechanical spikes that jab upwards rapidly. Re-acting quickly, Ottilie grabs the side of the nearest spike as she falls, clinging for dear life. Uncertain of the status of her companions, she calls fearfully to them while Legs implores her to do something.
Meanwhile, Aurora makes her way through an underwater passage and is surprised to run into Jerin on the other side. It is revealed that the pair knew each other when he taught at the Laplacian School for the Performing Arts, and he is also the reason she learned to speak Babylonian. They exchange playful banter, and Jerin expresses regret over Aurora's career change, as she was a promising dancer. Aurora reveals she was the star artiste of a troop composed of the schools former students for fifteen years before she became a mercenary in order to adventure and see what many others wouldn't. It is also possible that her new career has given her fresh perspective on Jerin's past, though she seems genuinely glad to see him. Having told Jerin what she is doing in the Complex, she then inquires after his own activities there.
And that's where we left off. I'll post on Jerins end tomorrow.
EDIT: The lost posts can now be found below thanks to Terg, Ari, and Gem 
thanks so much you guys, hope it wasn't too much trouble!
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Poster: Cherry Echidna
Date/Time: (2/25/08 5:31 pm)
Another of his favorite tricks.
Ottilie padded after them, though not without a final anxious glance over her shoulder. It is one of many peculiarities about creatures, a sixth sense possessed by Oasis born especially, that allows them to pick up on the subtlest emotions and thoughts of those they feel strongly for. Ottilie knew Henry and Tobias probably hadn't noticed anything seeing as they'd just met. Legs on the other hand cared deeply for her, and even the slight trepidation she was feeling transferred easily into him, causing the insect to touch her neck in a silent inquiry. Ottilie glanced at him, tilting her head in the direction they had come from meaningfully. He looked back, frowning, searching. Then he returned her gaze, shaking his head. She lowered her eyes guiltily. He patted her cheek, shrugging. She looked thoughtful, then nodded, conceding, though her gaze returned to her companion, urgent to tell him one last thing. Their unspoken conversation was as follows.
Legs: What's wrong?
Ottilie: I felt a strong an' dangerous presence in th' direction that mercenary took.
Legs: I don't sense anything.
Ottilie: I shouldn't a let her go that way. I should've stopped 'er.
Legs: And said what? That you felt something bad was that way, but had no hard evidence of the fact? She just met you. It is unlikely she would have been swayed.
Ottilie: S'pose it would sound odd. Didn't seem to have any concerns about the path herself. S'just, the feelin' I got, it reminded me o' all those times when-
But before Ottilie could indicate what the feeling reminded her of, the ground dropped out from under them. They'd stumbled upon another of Jerin's favorite tricks: trap doors. And, Ottilie heard his voice in her memory, remarking amusedly as she looked down in horror, what is a trap door, but a wonderfully inventive way to surprise?
The pit of spikes certainly was surprising. So too was the fact that they started to move, jabbing up to meet her as she fell. Re-acting quickly, she maneuvered around the nearest and grabbed the side, clinging to it for dear life. The sensation of jolting back and forth rapidly was not pleasant, and the smoothness of the spike would make it hard to hold on for long. But she was alive, and anyone who knew the creature knew Ottilie O'Dethburr was anything but helpless so long as she still drew breath.
"Tobias! Henry!"
She called, fearful. They'd been further along the path than she, and she might have seen Tobias grab the edge of the pit as he fell, but the creature couldn't be certain.
"Ottiliiiiiiiiiiiieeeee! DO SOMETHING!"
Legs chittered jarringly, holding desperately to her shoulder.
Edited by: Cherry Echidna at: 2/26/08 7:07 am
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Poster: GemaJinn
Date/Time: (2/25/08 6:03 pm)
Surprise, surprise!
A few more twists & turns after the last and Aurora found that what lay ahead was a dead end. This one hadn't been part of the original design though, it was the result of a cave-in at some point in the past. Aurora regarded the obstacle before her & noticed something. The cave-in had taken out a section of the floor a few feet to her right & in the dark opening it had left water glimmered faintly. That meant that part of the lower levels of the Complex were flooded, or slowly flooding. Aurora decided to investigate. Cautiously & hoping there weren't any species of large unknown aquatic creatures haunting the lower levels, she lowered her long tail into the opening. The water was cold & caused a strong shiver to briefly run through her frame, but she lowered her tail deeper & deeper into the pool. When almost the entire length of it had disappeared, Aurora felt the tip of it brush against a solid floor. Retrieving her tail she decided to risk a look.
Pausing momentarily to remove some goggles from a lightweight backpack that blended almost perfectly with her armour, Aurora looked beneath the surface of the pool. She found herself looking into a flooded passageway through its ceiling. Some interesting fronds & aquatic plants had affixed themselves to the walls. Her focus however, was drawn to a shimmering shaft of light a few metres away. That meant there was an opening the other side of the cave-in! Aurora judged the distance & decided she could easily swim it without breathing equipment. Her armour was all-purpose & as such was waterproof, so that wouldn't be a problem. It would also give her a chance to rinse the dust from her hair. Sliding into the pool, Aurora took a breath and began her swim.
About a minute later she emerged on the far side of the cave-in, through an opening that was narrower than she would've liked but not too narrow for comfort. Returning her goggles to her backpack Aurora took in her new surroundings. There was considerably more light in this section of the passage & it seemed to be broadening out. Also she could smell faintly, as if from a great distance, the perfume of unfamiliar flowers. She could also hear, even more faintly, what sounded like footsteps. As she continued down the passage the scent on the air grew stronger & the footsteps clearer. Finally, Aurora arrived in a chamber larger than anything she'd yet encountered. Here sizeable sections of the roof had vanished & shafts of brilliant light shone in, allowing her to see that the floor, walls and almost every other aspect of the chamber was covered in a verdant green. What wasn't covered in green was illuminated by blooms Aurora had never seen before, in every colour imaginable. There were also several doors into this chamber & someone else had just entered by one of them.
Aurora stared. She knew that figure. He might look slightly more unkempt & less prosperous than when she'd last seen him, but Aurora would know him anywhere. They regarded each other in silence for a moment. Then Aurora broke it, whith a wide grin on her face. "Well, well, well!" she exclaimed, "of all places, I'd never have dreamed of running into you here!"
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Poster: Cherry Echidna
Date/Time: (2/25/08 9:01 pm)
Teacher and student.
"Likewise."
Jerin returned the smile even as six hundred years worth of creatures and places played mix and match in his head. Living so long had taught him that losing all knowledge of anything or anyone was impossible (unfortunately). It just took the mind longer to dig up the needed information when it was so deeply buried by time. Luckily, this was one of the tasks he'd programmed Junk to aid him with. Scanning the females face, the robot whispered in his ear.
"Jeanne De-Lis, though you always suspected that was not her real name. You met her at the Laplacian School for the Performing Arts when you were teaching there. She was the dancer you taught Babylonian to."
His smile changed from one of polite informality to genuine recognition, and he leaned forward, raising a brow at her attire and remarking playfully.
"Abandoned the tights for armor then? Tragic."
He continued in Babylonian, allowing a degree of affection to creep into his voice.
"I hope you have not abandoned everything that made up who you were when last we were acquainted, considering you once told me this was the tongue of least offense to the ear."
Edited by: Cherry Echidna at: 2/26/08 6:58 am
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Poster: GemaJinn
Date/Time: (2/26/08 8:59 am)
Re: Teacher & Student.
Aurora blushed slightly at Jerin's playful remark, but her smile didn't falter as she answered him in the eloquent Babylonian he'd taught her. "I could never give up this tongue," she informed him honestly, "and I haven't even given up the tights entirely- well, maybe I have in a professional sense, but I keep in practice. I've just added a few moves to my repertoire since last time". "Added a few moves?" Jerin responded, the playful tone still there, "that's an interesting way to describe a career change. You were such a promising student too".
"I didn't give up on the dancing the instant I graduated," Aurora replied, "I actually did pretty well with it. Myself and some of the other students became part of a travelling troupe, with me as their star artiste. I made a good living out of that for the better part of fifteen years". "So why the career change?" Jerin queried. "I've always been restless," Aurora admitted, "one career just gets boring after a while. Besides, you can only ever travel so far as a civilian; especially when there's a war on. Become a mercenary though & you can go practically anywhere to make a living. Even in places where there are no wars, you'd be amazed at how in demand professional soldiers are". She paused and gave her old teacher a slightly mischevious look. "Or maybe you wouldn't," she added.
Jerin gave his former student a considering look. She'd never been naive in all the time he'd known her. As a mercenary, had she acquired a more accurate picture of his past since last they'd met? If so did she care? Or did she still think of him as something of a charming rogue? Whatever the truth, she seemed to be genuinely pleased to see him at the moment. Keeping his smile firmly in place, Jerin asked, "so Jeanne; what brings you to this place?"
"Like I said, you can go almost anywhere as a mercenary," Aurora informed him, "you get to see all kinds of interesting things other people will never get to see. Take the place we're in now," she broke off briefly to gesture at the scenery around them, "how many people will ever get to see something as beautiful as this? And just so you know," she added, "I suppose I have given up one thing since we last saw each other. I'm known as Aurora now".
"Affection for pretty flowers, affection for pretty names and all simply because they are pretty. How unlike one of our kind," Jerin teased. "As said one rouge to another," Aurora replied, "I'll bet you still like peanut butter. But what's an ex-Performing Arts Instructor doing in this place ?"
Edited by: GemaJinn at: 2/26/08 9:02 am
OOC: Nice save. Yukufail ftl
"Icks cell lay!" The loud annoyed cry came from the pit belonged to Henry. After that all was silent.
* Ix'celay - Damn the heavens, God dammit, or a similar blasphemous phrase of dislike.
OOC: Haha, thanks Rico, I try =D and sorry for the delay. SHQ wouldn't load for me last night, but it gave me more time to post on Ottilie's end as well, so it's ok. Also, I finally have a sketch of Junk (along with Jerin, Ottilie, and Legs) here as well as in the Images section of Ottilie and Jerin's bio page. I also added a 'likes' and 'dislikes' segment to each of the character profiles, so check all of that out if you feel inclined =)
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Jerin chuckled, and winked at her.
"My interests are always multiple. At the moment I'm looking for a particular someone though, Miss Ottilie O'Dethburr."
He watched Aurora's face closely. Seeing that the name brought no recognition, he fell to describing the female who had been pursuing him for the better part of three years.
"She's about yay tall--"
He held a paw to his shoulder.
"--fairly easy on the eyes. Pale orange and ochre markings, long striped tail. Large paws and claws like you'd see on a burrower. Probably wearing exotic looking clothing in shades of blue or white. And if she spoke, it sounded--"
Here he did a commendable impression of Ottilie.
"--a wee bit like this."
"Don't forget the bug, master."
Junk added.
"Oh yes, thank you Junk. She would have been in the company of a small brown insect that speaks in chirps and chatters. Have you run across anyone like that?"
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"Hold tight Henry, m'comin'!"
Ottilie called, even as she slid further down the spike she clung to. Jolting back and forth as it was, she knew she couldn't hold on much longer, and her injured forearm began to ache and bleed through the bandage she'd tied around it earlier.
"Will you please deal with this before you promise to save anyone else?!"
Legs chattered jarringly, holding onto her shoulder guard as best he could as his small body was lifted rapidly and brought down hard again and again by the force of their momentum. Looking up, Ottilie gauged the distance between the spike and the vines hanging over the pit.
Too far...
She furrowed her brow, then released her grip on the spike with one arm to seize the weapon at her right hip. This action almost caused her to fall, but she wrapped her tail around the spike, anchoring herself firmly back in place.
"What are you--?"
"--How fast did ya make these things?!!"
She cut him off fiercely. Legs turned his head to glance up at her, puzzled.
"Up to 2500 RPMs, but--"
Before he could finish, Ottilie held the weapon high over her head and jammed the 'on' switch all the way to maximum velocity. Stirring to activity, the blades unfolded, and began to turn. As they picked up more and more speed, Ottilie felt the weapon drawing her upwards. Releasing the spike, she clung to it with both paws, letting it lift her from the pit. She grinned at her companion, remarking.
"Not bad fer one who only halfway understands mechanical principles eh?"
All of a sudden she felt her body being pulled in the opposite direction of the whirling blades. A gentle tugging at first, the force soon became an insistent wrenching, and she kicked off the nearest spike to avoid crashing into it as she was pulled in a circle.
"Leeeeeegs!!"
The insect rolled his eyes and shook his head.
"Torque effect!! You need to correct it! Hold your other weapon at a vertical angle perpendicular to your body!"
Grabbing for her other weapon, Ottilie quickly turned it on and did as her companion instructed. As the blades got going she felt the pull lessen, and finally stop altogether, though she had to take a minute to steady herself. Her right arm throbbed painfully, and she closed her eyes momentarily against it.
"--Ottilie!! Open your eyes!"
Leaping up her arm, Legs landed on her paw and pulled the switch of the first weapon down, lowering the speed before the blades could tangle in the vines hanging overhead. As they hovered in place, the insect hopped up and down madly, punctuating each landing with angry chatters.
"DON'T. YOU. EVER. EVER. DO. THAT. AGAIN!"
He was brought to an abrupt halt by the command in her voice.
"You'd better bloody well stop that Legs!"
Looking down, he saw the ferocity he'd heard earlier in her voice in her eyes. He swallowed hard. Nodding, she continued.
"S'better. Now how do I make it go forward? I heard Henry o'er there, an' hopefully Tobias is close by!"
Legs shook his head, chittering loudly so she could hear him.
"It's not a helicopter! The force of the blades is only propelling us away from the ground! We don't have an engine to take us forward!"
She frowned.
"What if I used the other set ta that effect?"
"What would you use to counter the torque then? It won't work Kit! We need to think of something else!"
"UGH, Oasis preserve me against this bollocksy bloody useless machine!"
She cussed, then fell to assessing their situation. They were about halfway across the pit, too far from either side to attempt any kind of landing. Looking downwards, she nodded at the spikes.
"Can you turn it off?"
Legs shook his head again.
"Not in a timely fashion, given the size! It would take me at least twenty minutes!"
Scowling, she indicated the vines hanging over their heads. Legs crossed his arms.
"Cut them loose? We'd need to be closer to where we heard Henry calling from for them to hang into the right area of the pit though, which brings us back to the problem of not being able to get anywhere! Plus these vines are covered in thorns!"
"I'd take a few finger pricks o'er bein' dead any day!"
Then Ottilie did something that wasn't very sensible. She turned off the weapon countering the torque, and tucked it back into her belt. Legs screeched at her, frantically running down her arm.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!"
She didn't fight the force this time as it started to draw her in the other direction, paws frantically turning round and round the handle to keep up with it.
"Hang on genius!"
When she couldn't keep pace with the effects of torque anymore, she took aim and let go, flying through the air as her weapon reeled off in the opposite direction. Reaching up at the height of her ascent, she grabbed one of the vines hanging overhead, thorns digging into her paws as she jerked to a stop. Taking up her other weapon quickly, she turned it over. The side that held the blades had a round, pointed piston for piercing, but the other side harbored a sharp, flat piston for cutting. Severing as many long vines free as she could with one swoop of her arm, she called down as they fell into the pit.
"Here we are mates! Climb up f'yer able! F'not sing out an' I'll think o'sumthin' else!"
She dangled there, lowering her head to fight a spell of dizziness even as she added.
"Sorry 'bout the prickers..."
Although the name had meant nothing to Aurora a few moments ago, she recognized the description- not to mention the voice Jerin imitated- at once. So that was the other girl's name. Perhaps Jerin might know the answer to one or two other riddles as well. "This Ottilie," Aurora began, "does she know you're here?" Jerin appeared to consider for a moment before answering. "It's possible she might know," he informed Aurora, "but I haven't actually told her". "Is she looking for you though, since you're looking for her?" Aurora enquired. Again, Jerin considered his next words. "She could well be," he said, "I didn't exactly promise to see her again at our last meeting, but it was sort of an unspoken agreement if you follow me. But you haven't answered my question: Have you seen her?" "I've seen someone who certainly fits your description of her," Aurora informed him, "a little less than 10 minutes ago".
Jerin listened as Aurora told him where she'd seen Ottilie. "It was back through that corridor," she began & pointed at the entrance through which she'd arrived. "You follow it until you come to a cave-in," she continued, "then you squeeze yourself through a narrow opening into a flooded passage. You swim for about a minute, then pull yourself up through an opening which brings you out on the other side of the blockage. After that you follow six twists in the passageway in a left-right left-right sequence. Once you've done that you just follow the path until you come to a rather gloomy chamber where there's a security device of some sort partially buried & embedded in the wall. That's where I last saw her".
"A security device partially buried," Jerin repeated, "can you describe it to me?" Aurora nodded. "It looked rather like a huge spinning-top," she answered, "and rather heavily armoured. I knocked it into the wall when I attempted to save Ottilie from it". "Attempted?" Jerin repeated. "Don't worry, she didn't come to any harm from it," Aurora assured him, "I think she knows what she's doing in here. Plus I did warn her to take care before we parted, so I doubt anything seriously bad's happened to her..."
Jerin laughed, amused.
"Ottilie has no idea what she's doing the vast majority of the time actually. Whenever I see her she seems to be in some sort of terrible predicament, or else getting out of some sort of terrible predicament via the most unorthodox yet ludicrously effective method possible."
This observation might be viewed as an insult were it not for the genuine fondness present in his voice. Aurora looked thoughtful as he shrugged, stretched, then rubbed his paws together, business-like.
"In any case, I haven't a second of a minute to lose."
Nodding to her gratefully, he made his way toward the entrance she'd come from. Pausing, he glanced back to indicate the direction he was headed.
"This is the fastest way to the center. The rest of these paths either circle around or take you there via a longer route."
Tilting his head, he added with a mischievous look.
"Of course, since you're only here to 'explore' I don't suppose that would interest you, hmmm?"
Aurora raised a brow at him.
"I said as much before. Still, I appreciate the information, though I have to wonder what makes you so certain that is the correct path."
Jerin smiled mysteriously.
"I have my ways. Never let it be said I never tried to do anything for anyone."
With that, he turned away and started up the path.
OOC: Little confused on that last post so tell me if I read it wrong.
Only one vine went taught, Tobias's voice suddenly yelped out, "Got it! Pull!"
OOC: That would make more sense if it said 'Here we are mates! Climb up f'yer able! F'not sing out an' I'll think o'sumthin' else!'
Sorry about that! I'll change it now.
As Jerin disappeared down the passageway Aurora remained where she was, thinking over what Jerin had told her. There was quite a lot to take in; both what he'd said & what he hadn't said. Sitting herself crosslegged upon the crumbled remains of a pillar, Aurora tried to make some sense of it all. Jerin had said that his interests were always multiple, which was true. Which meant that he had maybe three or more motives for being here- in Aurora's estimation- beyond the one he'd given her. What were they? He was looking for Ottilie. Ottilie was looking for whatever was at the heart of the Eulerian Complex. Therefore it was reasonable to assume that Jerin was looking for Ottilie because he wanted the same thing. And since Ottilie- Aurora believed- already had a buyer, Jerin probably wanted to retrieve the unknown item for whoever was most opposed to Ottilie's buyer laying hands on it.
Aurora continued to mull things over. What other conclusions could be drawn from what she'd learned? Ottilie had mentioned both personal interest & keeping a promise as reasons for being there, beyond an interest in making money. Since Jerin was acquainted with Ottilie, could he be part of the personal interest or the promise? This seemed likely to Aurora, for she had built up quite a picture of Jerin since her time as a dancer.
One of the many careers Aurora had enjoyed was that of a bounty hunter, with a strict search & retrieve policy. Over the course of that career she'd been assigned to hunt down a number of fake Jerin Jestwoods, all claiming to be the Jerin Jestwood. Aurora had studied the urban myths & other tales about Jerin Jestwood that had circulated over the years, & had found certain consistencies within them. The person they described was almost like your archetypal mischief god. Possessed of a certain flair & charisma, wily, intelligent & cunning. Accomplishing his goals by wit and guile rather than by brute force & capable of pulling off seemingly impossible vanishing acts when trouble threatened. In all her years Aurora had never met a Jerin who could potentially live up to the description- except her former teacher. There was something else that set him apart from the pretenders Aurora had encountered. He had never claimed- at least in her hearing- to be the true Jerin, something all the others had claimed vehemently. If he was the true Jerin, Aurora reasoned, then he probably didn't feel the need to make the claim. He would still be the true Jerin whatever anyone thought. If all that was true, then her old teacher had an extremely dodgy past to say the least & probably any number of people attempting to hunt him down. Putting it in context then, wasn't it possible that Ottilie & Jerin were opposed to each other, Ottilie attempting to bring Jerin to book?
Aurora frowned slightly as she thought this over. It was all speculation at this point, but it seemed to fit what she knew at the moment. However, if Ottilie were hunting Jerin, then who was in the most danger? Jerin had quite plainly stated that Ottilie had no idea what she was doing most of the time. She had seemed quite competent when Aurora had met her, but perhaps she had mistaken confidence for competence? It would be the first time in a while, but it was possible. In which case were Ottilie & her group wandering around this deadly labyrinth with no idea that the Jerin Jestwood of legend was stalking them? And what, if anything should she, Aurora, do in that case? She shook her head slightly to clear it, and hoped that things weren't going from bad to worse for the others...
OOC: I have to say Gem, you do a wonderful job with Jerin. So far all of Aurora's observations about him have been spot on =)
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Once out of sight, Jerin quickened his pace until he was moving more in accordance with the long limbs and frame he'd been gifted with. His clients and hunters often mocked him for the slower, more methodic ways he tended to keep, when the image attached to his name was that of a fearsome creature that struck like a bolt of lightening before disappearing just as fast. But these were traits he needed to display in order to prevent those who would capture him (for whatever reason) from even thinking he was who he was. Simply put, if your opponents expect you to be something, don't be that. It was a sad reality though, and a lonesome reality, that the real Jerin Jestwood could only be the real Jerin Jestwood when he was alone.
Gripping his coat collar with his tail, Junk intoned softly in his ear.
"Is it wise to allow that female to wander around in here, knowing what she might know and does know about you?"
Jerin skid around a corner with ease, his answer just as quiet.
"I have no desire to see Aurora dead. Nor can I gain or lose anything by it at present."
His metallic companion was silent a minute, processing this. Then he spoke again.
"Master, if you'll forgive me, I do not think--"
"--I have no desire to see Aurora dead."
Jerin repeated, darkly, insistently. That put an end to the matter, and shortly the pair stood over the narrow opening the mercenary had mentioned. The creature had to smile a bit as he felt Junk twist erratically on his shoulder.
"She said it was a short swim."
The robot swiveled its head to regard him.
"I am uncertain as to why you repeat what Miss Aurora said when you know I was there."
Jerin winked at him.
"You dislike water."
Junk protested.
"I have neither likes or dislikes, master. My preferences and apathies are after your own tastes, or else you have programmed me to behave as such."
He chuckled, kneeling.
"Initially that may have been the case. I suspect over time you have developed a few virtues and vices on your own, however."
Junk had no response, but moved to rest on Jerin's head as he drew closer to the water, eyeing the dark depths with a frown. Reaching into his pocket, he produced what looked like a small pair of binoculars. The flick of a switch revealed them to be anything but, as the lenses extended into the flooded passageway. Jerin peered through them, twisting another dial along the side as he did.
"What is it, master?"
He growled.
"Some sort of eel. Very large. It appears to be hunting in this area..."
Sitting back, the creature shook water off the device before returning it to his pocket. He crossed his arms then, and fell to tapping them with his claws. Outwardly he appeared to be merely thinking. Inwardly he was trying to decide how much time he could invest in being angry about this turn of events without tiring himself. Meanwhile, Junk returned to his shoulder, where his next words seemed to carry relief.
"We will need to find another way."
"I don't want to find another way. This is the quickest way and I want to go this way."
He snapped. Knowing what an unfortunate turn his master's moodiness could make any situation take, the robot quickly took up a soothing tone.
"Calm yourself, master. You cannot mean to go into the water when a predator so dangerous is lurking about. See, look here."
Junk projected a large diagram of the entire Complex into the air, every twist, turn, dead end, and (recently) several traps carefully documented.
"There are other paths we can take that will only detain us a little longer."
The other scowled, but fell to studying the maze. Finally he grumbled and lifted a claw, tracing the way back to the chamber they had just left.
"The right hand passage in here...will not take us so far out of the way..."
"Very good, master."
Jerin stood, taking a deep breath. After a minute a placid smile crept back into his features, and turning around, he started back towards the chamber he had left Aurora in moments ago.
A few moments before she sighted the rabbit clawing his way up hand over hand, the boy clamped onto his back glaring indignantly up at her. Then a familiar smell started growing stronger in the air, almost metallic in nature. A twitch of panic rode through her mind as she focused on the two scaling the pit. Blood, there was indeed blood on them, and a lot of it, but who's? Surely an injury like that would slow the rabbit's assent down. And the child would be crying or at least look scared. One of them was hurt, both had blood stains on their pants, but neither seemed to show any signs of it.
"More like one of us, you said."
Legs remarked. She glanced at him, puzzled. He shrugged.
"A creature that brings attention to its injuries also brings predators."
Looking down, Ottilie held up a paw, halting their ascent as she called.
"Don't strain yerself, mate! Gimme a tick."
Grabbing the vine closest to the one her companions clung to, Ottilie dropped back into the pit, where she took the end of their vine and (after slicing the thorns off) tied it securely around her waist. Taking up her own vine again, she held it as she kicked off the rapidly moving spikes until she had reached the other end of the pit (which wasn't far, thankfully). Tying the end of her vine around the base of the last spike in the row, she scaled it quickly, hopping back on to solid ground seconds before the smoothness of the spike caused it to slide off and swing back into the pit. Untying the vine around her waist, she pulled it until it went taunt. It now hung at a slight angle, Ottilie holding one end while the other remained firmly anchored in the thicket of vines overhead.
"Alright, just climb back down a short ways an' you'll be on solid ground again. Yer doin' great!"
She encouraged, never letting a hint of worry or doubt creep into her voice. As she braced her legs against the ground to keep the vine steady, she felt Legs hop from her shoulder, and knew he was going into her satchel to retrieve medical supplies. She could only hope patching up the injuries she had sustained over the years would serve him well in the cases of both Tobias and Henry.
OOC: Thanks, I do try!
IC: Aurora stirred as she heard the sound of footsteps approaching. Jerin, it seemed, was coming back. What could have caused him to retrace his steps? Aurora's unspoken question was answered moments later when Jerin reappeared. Seeing her sat upon the ruined pillar crosslegged his mischevious smile appeared again. "Are you a hermit now?" he enquired, "or perhaps a philosopher? If so , that makes another career change since I last saw you. Honestly; I'd have thought you'd be away exploring one of these corridors by now".
Aurora smiled back. Whatever else Jerin might be, he was an individual with a keen sense of humour. "Well, as a mercenary adventurer I was planning to do just that," she informed him, "but the philosopher in me just had to sit back and think deep thoughts about which path to choose. Speaking of which," she continued, "how come you're back here? I thought you were taking that route".
"A minor hitch," Jerin replied, "since your journey through the flooded section you mentioned, a delightfully fearsome-looking creature of the eel persuasion seems to have moved in. Or at least, it looked to be scouting the area for a tasty snack when I risked a peep & frankly the idea of racing the thing does not appeal to me; I'm not in quite that much of a hurry". Aurora nodded her agreement, inwardly contemplating how lucky she had been to miss the thing. "So what will you do now?" she asked. "As I said, there are other routes to the centre," Jerin replied. He pointed to a passage on the right, adding, "and that one should get me where I want to go without taking me too far out of my way".
Aurora nodded again & rose gracefully from her perch. "Are you joining me then?" Jerin enquired. "For the moment," Aurora told him. "I hadn't come to any decision when you returned. And since I'm here to explore, one passageway is as good as another I suppose, though I suspect we'll probably part comany when the path re-joins the ground I've already covered". Jerin shrugged; "as you will," he replied whilst Aurora fell into step with him.
As they headed down the new passage Aurora inwardly questioned the wisdom of her decision. It was true that Jerin wasn't her enemy & that she currently posed no threat to his plans- whatever they might be. But she had to wonder if what lay ahead might change all that, for Jerin was no-one she wanted for an enemy. Thinking on this, Aurora recalled an event from many years before, when she was still a dance student & Jerin still a teacher.
The sun blazed in through the windows, spreading a gentle warmth over the trappings in the room as it slowly set. At a table by the open windows Aurora (Jeanne De-Lis as she was then) and Jerin played a game of chess. They were already well into the game and ten minutes later Jerin casually announced 'checkmate'. Jeanne, half-smiling half-irritated said, 'that's four games in a row now. How do you do that?' 'It's all down to the understanding of the game,' Jerin had told her, smiling, 'you're young yet & have plenty of time to learn. Let me give you a hint though'. He had then rearranged the pieces, until all were back in their starting positions ready for a new game. 'Tell me Jeanne,' he had said, 'which piece do you think is the most important?' Jeanne had looked the board over carefully & thought hard about her reply. 'If you were a general I'd tell you the King was the most important piece,' she said eventually, 'since it has the highest rank & is the piece that decides the game. If you were a plotter I might say the Rook was the most important, since it serves the role of spy, sneaking here & there & providing the means to advance other pieces. If you were a noble I might say the Pawn was the most imortant, since they are the most numerous & carry out your orders'. Jerin chuckled. 'All good answers,' he said, 'but what, Jeanne, would you say if I was me?' Jeanne shrugged. 'That I don't know,' she admitted, 'since sometimes you seem to consider every piece valuable, others you seem to think them all worthless'. Jerin's grin widened slightly. 'Then I'll let you in on a little secret,' he said, 'the most important piece in the game-', he broke off mometarily to whisk something into his hand, '-is this'. Jeanne stared in astonishment at the object he held as Jerin continued. 'The most important piece is the board,' he told her, 'without this the rules of the game become obsolete. Without this all the pieces are equally worthless. Control the board & it doesn't matter who's playing. Life is similar. There may be more players, there may be some who try to control the same piece, there may be some who try to play both sides at once, but none of that matters if you're the one who controls the board. Control the board & the game is yours to command. You could whisk it from under their feet, or simply shift it so that everything changes perspective. But the board is the key to the whole thing. You understand?' Jeanne had nodded. She understood.
And now here she was travelling through a deadly labyrinth with that same Jerin. Did he control the board in here? Did anyone? She hoped she figured out something soon, because there was no telling how much might be at stake in here...
The rabbit wordlessly did as he was told, moving as fast as he could. But was stalled not a few meters from safety when he felt the small hand clinging to his coat loosen, it was all he had time for to grip the vine as tight as possible with one hand and grab for the boy's wrist has he fell off. The situation had gone from dangerous to perilous in a flash. The rabbit was stuck with only one hand on the vine, the other holding his companion as dead weight below him.
"WIXAN! CORKY! WAKE UP!" The rabbit yelped, his tone seemed more from fear than anything, eyes now panicked as they focused first in the unconscious youth and then on the death below.
Ottilie gasped fearfully. She didn't want to move for fear of shaking Tobias off the vine, but she had to do something. Her eyes darted around the area, searching for an answer while her mind worked furiously. She felt Legs re-join her with a sardonic chirp.
"Since everything is going so well, this is probably a good time to mention we're out of maple berries and are going to have to use the far less tasty teakuu nuts."
"LEGS!"
"Sorry Kit. What can I do?"
"Try'n close the doors!"
"I already said--"
"--JUST TRY!"
Scowling, the insect leapt from her shoulder.
"Fine, I'll give it a shot! Just don't do anything stupid while I'm gone!"
He disappeared into the pit. Ottilie called to her companions.
"Legs' goin' ta try'n close 'er up, mates!"
Noting the strain in Tobias' face and his inability to answer for concentrating on not dropping Henry, Ottilie frowned grimly. Tobias couldn't wait, and thus, neither could she.
Sorry Legs...f'its any consolation, m'sure I could do sumthin' stupider...
Gauging the distance between where she stood and the vine she'd left moments ago, which dangled a few feet from where Tobias hung with Henry, she addressed the lepoid again.
"Tobias, hang on real tight! M'gonna take two wee steps ta the left an' tie this vine around one o'these thicker ones anchored ta the wall. Soon as that's done m'gonna shout 'NOW.' When that happens, let go o'Henry--"
"--WHAT?"
He yelped. She continued insistently.
"--let go o'Henry! M'gonna leap fer that vine just ahead o'you! As he falls, I'll catch 'im an' grab the loop I tied in it earlier when I was securin' it ta the spike. I'll be able to maneuver a lot better'n you, I can hold 'im with one arm an' climb with the other an' me tail. Soon as you let 'im go though you need to scramble down this vine here 'fore it comes loose from its knot or snaps. You won't have time ta focus on anythin' else, so you'll need ta trust me."
"Miss Ottilie, I--"
She cut him off as politely as possible. Her last words were vehement.
"--M'one o'the best acrobats out there, mate. I'll catch 'im an' I'll keep 'im an' I'll be back on solid ground in less'n a minute. I promise."
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Jerin paused at a bend in the path. Aurora stopped behind him.
"Is something wrong?"
He scratched the tuft of fur on his chin thoughtfully, smiling a little.
"Somewhere."
He shrugged, continuing. A minute later he spoke again.
"So, do you know the story of the Eulerian Complex? Any one of them, that is, I know of at least six."
The rabbit didn't answer, eyes still squeezed shut, but something had changed. The panic was gone.
"Hey. Hope you're as strong as you tout, honey."
The voice was, different. The pitch was the same, it was still coming from Toby, but it was different. More confident, and lacked the warmth the rabbit usually spoke with, it was cold. She only had precious moments to contemplate the sudden change before it happened. Then whole event took less than ten seconds but it seemed to happen in slow motion from the moment he first acted.
She watched in horror as the rabbit suddenly gripped both the vine and his 'friend' and jerked the boy with a ragdoll, sending him flying into the air. If she didn't know any better she would have swore he was... smirking? It made no sense, one moment the rabbit barely had the energy to hold on and keep the boy from falling to his death, now he almost seemed to be playing with someone she THOUGHT he cared about. The rabbit grabbed the vine with both hands and easily pulled his feet to it. Suddenly she knew what he was going to do, planting herself and firmly as she could preparing for it. The rabbit put all of his strength into his legs and jumped, his species lacked upper arm strength but more than compensated with an ability for incredible jumps via exceptionally powerful leg muscles. The power form the rabbit's full strength hitting the vine was tremendous, sending him careening into the boy's flailing form falling in front of the airborne bunny and continuing to safety.
It was a stupid move, throwing the child undoubtedly pulled his arm out of it's socket, and slamming into him midflight did who knows what kind of damage to further his injuries. What in the world went on in the rabbit's brain? Why did he suddenly gain that kind of strength? Ottilie's mind barely had time to wonder those thoughts as the force of the kick drove her to the ground and snapped the thick vine like it was nothing. As she fell, she caught yet another momentarily glimpse of something, maybe another clue to what had happened. For just a moment, see caught a red twinkle in the rabbit's blue eye's.
She slammed into the ground, hearing the same happen to the two boy's behind her. Both lay unconscious, as she tried to clear the cobwebs.
OOC: I wasn't sure about Tobias' and Henry's injuries, so I did the best I could with what I gathered from reading. Let me know if you want me to add or change anything, Rico.
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Swiveling to a crawling position, Ottilie bolted over to the unconscious pair on all fours, concern written in her features. It was apparent to her now she'd stumbled upon beings that weren't as civilian as they appeared. She couldn't think about that though. She mustn't think about it. There was work to do yet.
Setting her satchel on the ground, she began to go through it. First she produced a clean square of cloth, which she smoothed evenly over the ground. Next she removed various medical supplies, placing each piece one at a time upon the fabric until what was laid out was as follows: a small curved needle, a coil of suturing silk, a roll of bandages, a jar half full of a thick, light brown mixture, a smaller jar mostly full of a translucent white mixture, and a drawstring burlap bag the size of her paw that overflowed with oval shaped, dark brown nuts.
Taking care not to move either, she slowly re-arranged their limbs. Her purpose in doing this was twofold: one, it would make them more comfortable, given the positions they'd landed in, and two, doing so would give her an idea of what, if anything, was broken, bleeding, or otherwise injured. Henry's joints and limbs seemed ok, but he had sustained a long, vicious looking cut on the inside of his right leg (where the blood on their clothes had come from, she assumed). And when she touched Tobias' left arm, he groaned, his face contorting in pain. She removed her paw hastily, allowing him to settle the limb into a better position on his own.
Not good...
She worried. Weighing her options, she started with Henry. Broken or mangled limbs were outside the realm of either her or Legs' capabilities. Cuts however could be sutured, though her paws weren't made for that kind of work. Although fearsome in battle, they were too big and cumbersome to wield something as small as a needle. There was no sense in waiting for Legs to do the cleaning and prep work, though. She would do these things, so that when he returned all he would need to do was stitch up anything that warranted sutures.
Minutes later Ottilie heard the doors snap shut behind her, and had to smile in spite of everything.
"Ten minutes? You told me twenty, mate."
Squeezing between a crack that was hardly there, the insect joined her, taking in the scene with an irritated chatter.
"Didn't I say nothing stupid?"
Ottilie laughed.
"Wasn't me, mate. Was 'im."
She nodded at Tobias. Legs frowned, and Ottilie explained what had occurred in Babylonian while he hopped around both bodies, examining their injuries. Normally she didn't like talking in a language most couldn't understand (it was rude), but the creature figured neither male would mind, seeing as both were unconscious. Legs responded to the story in exasperated chatters of Babylonian.
"Ottilie, we can't take them to the center knowing all this! The stakes are too high. You don't want some schizophrenic rabbit and a bad tempered halfbreed messing up what should be a standard retrieval mission, do you?"
Ottilie intoned softly, still in their language.
"What, so we leave 'em here ta die?"
The insect replied more gently this time.
"No, of course not. But it's only going to get harder from here in, you can't be distracted by--"
He noticed her paws now, covered in thorns, and the blood that had seeped through her bandage.
"--Oh Kitto, you're a mess..."
She changed the subject, indicating Tobias with a sharp nod.
"What's the damage there?"
Legs replied slowly, still sizing up her injuries.
"Schizo here popped his arm out of its socket. I can't pop it back in place, obviously, and I don't want you to try because odds are it'll only do more damage. We can give him a sling, but he won't be able to use the limb until he gets some proper medical attention. As of now I don't see any signs of internal bleeding, but if he slammed into Smiley over there as hard as you say there could be some. On a lighter note, he's got thorns in his paws from the climb."
She closed her eyes.
"So...what, we basically watch 'im fer internal bleeding and remove the thorns?"
The insect inclined his head.
"That's all we can do."
Ottilie clenched her injured paws, opening her eyes. Legs was scampering among what she'd laid out, unscrewing the jar with the thick brown mixture inside. Seeing he intended to treat her first, she broke in.
"Henry first."
The insect scowled.
"He can wait."
"S'bleedin' pretty bad mate. Prolly why he passed out."
"So are you."
She touched her arm.
"Really is a surface cut. S'just actin' like its more. Treat Henry first."
Legs grumbled, but moved to the other jar, unscrewing it.
"You cleaned and salved it already?"
"Aye, with saliva an' salve. S'clean."
Standing over the translucent mixture, Legs dipped all his feet and claws in it, sterilizing them. He then leapt to Henry's leg for a closer look.
"It's not terrible...but then I'm not a medic, I'm a mechanic."
Ottilie rolled up her right sleeve, indicating an old scar that criss-crossed the fresh cut.
"They're not so different. You fixed this. Remember?"
The insect sighed.
"Needle."
She smiled, and handed him the small needle, already threaded with a length of suture. Taking it, he began to stitch Henry's leg up. While he did this, Ottilie moved to sit by Tobias. Taking one of his paws gently, she smoothed a thick layer of the brown salve over it before she started to pull the long thorns out, one by one. Fifteen minutes later the pair were resting, stitched up, bandaged, and de-thorned, side by side. The Oasis creature had covered Henry with her blanket and Tobias with her cloak and sat between them, trying not to flinch as Legs sutured her arm.
"Don't blame yourself, Kit. They should never have come here without knowing a thing about the place. Their own folly brought this upon them."
He chirped, still in Babylonian. She shook her head sadly.
"I should've...I should've made it clearer. I was not clear enough about how dangerous this place can be an' is..."
The decipede rolled his eyes, tying a tight, secure knot with the needle.
"You were very clear. I can't bring myself to feel too sorry."
She was silent as he leapt down to sterilize his feet again before returning with a long, rolled up piece of bandage. She tucked her cloak gently around Tobias.
"He seemed so...different. Powerful, certainly. Dangerous, maybe. Can we leave Henry with 'im? What f'yer right? What f'he is schizophrenic or possessed or what have you an' hurts Henry when in the wrong state?"
The insect shrugged, moving around and around her arm, wrapping it as he chattered.
"That's a lot of 'what ifs.'"
"S'pose. M'just worried fer 'em both."
Pulling the end of the bandage tight, Legs looked up at Ottilie.
"Your claw, please."
"What? Oh...here."
She held the piece in place while he retrieved a pair of clips. Securing the bandage, he pulled her sleeve gently over it.
"Should do it. To be fair, you didn't lie this time. It actually was a surface cut."
She smiled as he leapt back to the small jar, sterilizing one more time before he applied the thick brown salve to her palms and set to work on the thorns. Several minutes passed as the decipede concentrated on this task. Then she flinched as he removed a particularly vicious spine.
"Oops...sorry Kitto. You chewing those teakuu nuts?"
Ottilie made a horrible face, but nodded, crunching.
"Aye. They're as bad as I remember. Worse, actually."
He chuckled.
"They'll take the toxins out of your system though, if these thorns released any. Make sure you swallow all of them."
He glanced at Tobias, then brought up the subject they'd both been dancing around (mostly because neither had the energy to argue).
"We need to focus on getting them out of here. Tobias especially will need a doctor. A real doctor."
Legs pulled the last thorn out, tossing it aside while she instructed.
"When I rest, lead them back ta the beginning o'the maze so they can get ta the nearest apothecary. I'll take the first watch now, an' you can sleep fer three hours. Hopefully they'll both be capable o'movin' by then. F'not..."
The decipede chittered tiredly.
"We'll deal with 'if not' in three hours, ok? It's been a long night already."
Yawning, he stretched, then curled up in her tail as she put away their supplies. She kept the bag of teakuu nuts out.
"When they wake up, I'll make 'em chew some o'these in case the prickers're tryin' ta add injury ta injury."
Legs chirped sleepily.
"If they wake up."
"Legs!"
"Sorry."
Shaking her head at him, she gazed back across the re-sealed trapdoor, frowning. She hadn't noticed before, and rightfully so really, given how much danger they'd been in, but she felt it again now, that foreboding feeling. Whatever was causing it seemed to be getting stronger...or maybe closer, she wasn't sure which. Run away. Her instincts implored. But she couldn't.
"Legs...that feeling I mentioned...s'gettin' worse. All it makes me think o'is--"
She glanced at him. He was fast asleep in her tail. Sighing, she leaned back against the wall.
"Rest well, mate..."
He was awake, eyes closed, listening. He knew what happened, he wasn't schizophrenic, though it would be better than the truth. How could he face the kid now, he may have saved him but at what cost? He cracked an eye open, watching Henry's labored breathing, remembering the stories from his youth about power corrupting. It was funny, back then every kid knew that power would lead to misery. But not one story spoke of the power that wasn't ask for, the power that was forced upon. That power's misery was just as real as any other.
He felt the tears, he was just too exhausted to stop them. This wasn't the first time it'd happened, it wasn't the first time he'd fallen into a hopeless situation. But when he called up the ability to bring hope to the hopelessness he saw things differently. He saw the goal, and only the goal, he temporarily lost that one precious ability his kind prided themselves on; full, real, empathy. He'd saved Henry, true, but when doing so he didn't care about the means or the damage done. And yet the boy stayed, Toby didn't want to think about that child's life before they crossed paths. Not if a life with him was better. Only a scant few times had the youth confided anything about his past, and only in moments of extreme weakness. Moments Toby wouldn't have dared push for information during.
There was a defeated look about him, an air of helplessness. The rabbit let out a breath, then cleared his throat, "How much do you want to know?" He voice was exponentially meeker than previously, and had the same submissive tone from before the incident. The carefree look to his face was gone, all hints of what might be construed as a naive young man gone. Eyes half open in thought the rabbit was still watching Henry, the target of his words though could have been anyone.
