DCRC Wiki - User contributions [en]

Minor Characters

2025-10-31T21:43:41Z

PassiveJungle: Added sigils for haustoria trolls that were removed for some reason. Too lazy to add sources rn but theyre in the wiki discord channel

{{Incomplete}}

'''Minor characters''' are unnamed or unimportant characters that have appeared in ''[[Vast Error]]'', ''[[Snowbound Blood]]'', or ''[[Thaumatrope]]''.

== Vast Error ==

=== Aislin ===
[[File:Unnamed_Cyprusblood_Troll.png|thumb|right|180px]]
{{VE|152|First Appearance}}

'''Aislin''' is a troll who first appeared during the exposition sequence on troll reproduction. Their associated alchemical sigil is Antinomy, and they are a tealblood, specifically cyprus.

They are also {{VE|942|seen in the background}} during [[Ellsee Raines|Ellsee's]] accidental visit to [[Stronghold 21]].{{-}}

=== Black Queen & King ===
[[File:DersiteRoyalty.png|thumb|250px|White King and Queen in court with Dersite Royalty.]]
{{VE|1350|First Appearance}} (Silhouettes.)

The '''Black Queen''' and '''Black King''' are royal carapacian figures from [[Derse]]. They are in a tense peace with [[Prospit]].

;External links
* {{MSPAW External|Black_Queen|Black Queen}} on {{MSPAW External|MS_Paint_Adventures_Wiki|MSPA Wiki}}
* {{MSPAW External|Black_King|Black King}} on {{MSPAW External|MS_Paint_Adventures_Wiki|MSPA Wiki}}{{-}}

=== Cepora ===
[[File:Cepora First Appearance.png|thumb|right]]
{{VE|935|First Appearance}}

'''Cepora''' is a troll who first appeared during [[Ellsee Raines|Ellsee's]] unintended trip into [[Stronghold 21]]. Their associated alchemical sigil is Quicklime, and they are a jadeblood, specifically viridian.{{-}}

=== Culium ===
[[Typing Quirk|Typing Style]]: Proper usage of capital letters and punctuation. Ends lines with "±".

'''Culium''' is an alchemist and kismesis of [[Minor Characters#Dionys Barnum|Dionys]].

=== Dionys Barnum ===
[[File:Dio on the roof.png|thumb|right|180px]]
{{VE|1581|First Appearance}}

'''Dionys Barnum''' is an alchemist and kismesis of [[Minor Characters#Culium|Culium]]. They are nonbinary transmasculine and use he/they pronouns. He is 15 reptonian sweeps old. Their associated alchemical sigil is Quintessence, and they are a jadeblood, specifically viridian.{{-}}

=== Divino Nikola ===
[[File:DivinoNikola.png|thumb|210px|Divino as seen in the poster for "Dial Up" with Vyrmis.]]
{{VE|1461|First Appearance}}

'''Divino Nikola''' is a troll who appeared on [[Turnin Kaikai|Turnin's]] social media feed. Divino has also been mentioned in the Snowbound Blood visual novel, and as [[Bytcon Krypto|Bytcon Krypto's]] moirail. {{-}}

=== Garnie ===
[[File:Garnie.png|thumb|right|101px|Garnie on the [[Black Moon]].]]
{{VE|1436|First Appearance}} [[Typing Quirk|Typing Style]]: Suffixes their text with "<<".

'''Garnie''' is a secondary troll in Vast Error. They are a bronzeblood, specifically clay.{{-}}

=== Iderra ===
[[File:Iderra First Appearance.png|thumb|right|Iderra in Stronghold 21.]]
{{VE|947|First Appearance}}

'''Iderra''' is [[Talald Hieron|Talald]]'s matesprit. They are seen together holding hands in Stronghold 21 as [[Ellsee Raines|Ellsee]] performs magic. Iderra seems to be very concerned about Talald's involvement with the Harbingers, stating that she isn't sure she can continue looking out for Talald and asking what happened to her, but Talald does not seem willing or able to understand this.{{-}}

=== Karen ===
[[File:Karen.png|thumb|right]]
{{VE|1246|First Appearance}}

'''Karen''' is a female Prospitian carapacian who [[Defrauding Dealer]] had previous encounters with on [[Derse]]. She wears a wig, perfume, and fancy clothes.

;External link
* [[wikipedia:Karen (pejorative)|Karen (pejorative)]] on Wikipedia{{-}}

=== Keiksi Ezlilu ===
[[File:YoungKeiksi.png|thumb|right|160px|Young Keiksi.]]
{{VE|1032|First Appearance}}

[[Typing Quirk|Typing style]]: Replaces A's with "@", sometimes uses the emoticon @A@.

'''Keiksi''' is a member of the [[Mirthamaniacs]]. They, alongside [[Neilna]], could be seen bringing young [[Taz]] to [[Pozzol]] after one of her escape attempts.{{-}}

=== Linole Pomace ===
{{VE|1461|First Mention}}

'''Linole Pomace''' is the current manager of [[Turnin Kaikai|Turnin's]] old band. She's moirails with [[Minor Characters#Vellia|Vellia]].{{-}}

=== Lipsen Fluxum ===
[[File:Lipsen.png|thumb|right]]
{{VE|392|First Appearance}}

'''Lipsen Fluxum''' was one of [[Occeus Coliad|Occeus']] failed experiments. During his brief appearance, he showed extreme aggression toward him, which lead to his being dispatched once again. His associated alchemical sigil is Borax, and he is a yellowblood, specifically gold.{{-}}

=== Mekris ===
[[File:Mekris First Appearance.png|thumb|right|120px]]
{{VE|936|First Appearance}}

'''Mekris''' is a troll who first appeared during [[Ellsee Raines|Ellsee's]] unintended trip into [[Stronghold 21]]. His associated alchemical sigil is Soap. He is a greenblood, specifically olive.{{-}}

=== Neilna Uldiaz ===
[[File:Neilna.png|thumb|right|150px]]
{{VE|1032|First Appearance}}

[[Typing Quirk|Typing style]]: All lowercase. Encloses words with "|".

'''Neilna''' is a member of the [[Mirthamaniacs]]. He, alongside [[Minor Characters#Keiksi Ezlilu|Keiksi]], could be seen bringing young [[Taz]] to [[Pozzol]] after one of her escape attempts. He later appears after a fight between [[Edolon]] and Pozzol, speaking with Pozzol about their next actions.

He can be seen {{VE|1604|entering Stronghold 21 during Edolon's monologue}}.{{-}}

=== Nezrui Rigida ===
[[File:Nez Filler Ava.png|thumb|right|140px]]
{{VE|1461|First Appearance}}

'''Nezrui Rigida''' is acquaintances with [[Turnin Kaikai]], [[Minor Characters#Vellia|Vellia]], and [[Minor Characters#Linole Pomace|Linole Pomace]]. He is an artist and the current lead singer of Turnin's old band.{{-}}

=== Ouroborus & Jormangund ===
[[File:1208.gif|thumb|right]]
{{VE|1208|First Appearance}}

'''Ouroborus''' and '''Jormangund''' are cherubs that were scrapped characters<ref>{{CiteSocial|whosaid=deconreconstruction|platform=tumblr|date=Nov 13, 2019|quote="The other [scrapped characters] are a set of cherub ideas me and Heather had, going by the codenames of Ouroborus and Jormangund"|link=https://deconreconstruction.tumblr.com/post/189034418069/do-you-have-a-favourite-scrapped-conceptidea-for}}</ref> but repurposed as joke characters<ref>{{CiteSocial|whosaid=@deconrecon_|platform=twitter|link=https://twitter.com/deconrecon_/status/1239770081254670336|date=March 17, 2020}}</ref> for I2S1.{{-}}

=== Pascal ===
[[File:Pascal troll.png|thumb|right|233x233px|Pascal]]
{{VE|1454|First Appearance}}

[[Typing Quirk|Typing Style]]: They start each message with a colon and an equals sign ":=" and end each message with a semi-colon.

'''Pascal''' is a troll seen outside the moon base with no helmet. They are a greenblood, specifically olive.{{-}}

=== Sterco Exurdo ===
[[File:Sterco.PNG|thumb|right|150px]]
{{VE|1059|First Appearance}}

'''Sterco Exurdo''' is the bondmate of [[Vilcus Cendum|Vilcus]]. He is associated with the alchemic sigil Nitrogenous Air, which he wears on a gold necklace. His horns stick outwards and angle up with two points at the end of each horn. Before Sterco's death, the two vacillated between red and black romance.{{-}}

=== Unnamed ColabloodTroll ===
[[File:Unnamed_Clayblood_Troll.png|thumb|right]]
{{VE|74|First Appearance}}

An unnamed [[Hemospectrum#Brown Blood|colablood]] [[troll]] appeared outside of [[Tazsia's hive|Taz's hive]] as one of the many victims of [[Tazsia|Taz's]] [[Lusus#Aquatic Mink lusus|lusus]].{{-}}

=== Vellia ===
[[File:Vellia First Appearance.png|thumb|right|140px]]
{{VE|942|First Appearance}}

[[Typing Quirk|Typing style]]: All lowercase. Prefixes and suffixes every message with "=". Replaces T's with ":t:".

'''Vellia''' is a troll that is a part of [[Turnin Kaikai|Turnin's]] old band. She also appears talking to [[Ellsee]] in [[Stronghold 21]].{{-}}

=== Vyrmis Sturra ===
[[File:VyrmisSturra.png|thumb|right|210px|Vyr as seen in the poster for "Dial Up" with Divino.]]
{{VE|935|First Appearance}}

'''Vyrmis Sturra''', otherwise referred to as '''Vyr''', is a troll who appeared on [[Turnin Kaikai|Turnin's]] social media feed. Their associated alchemical sigil is Spirit, and they are a bronzeblood, specifically clay.{{-}}

=== White Queen & King ===
[[File:WhiteKing.png|thumb||160px|White King and Queen in court with Dersite Royalty.]]
{{VE|167|First Appearance}} (White King)

The '''White Queen''' and '''White King''' are royal carapacian figures from [[Prospit]]. They are in a tense peace with [[Derse]].

;External links
* {{MSPAW External|White_Queen|White Queen}} on {{MSPAW External|MS_Paint_Adventures_Wiki|MSPA Wiki}}
* {{MSPAW External|White_King|White King}} on MSPA Wiki{{-}}

=== Winston Churchill ===
{{VE|501|First Mention}}

Winston Churcill was a yellowblood troll who lived during The Renaissance notable for turning his skin into gold. He is one of [[Calder Kerian|Calder's]] "twelve star men".{{-}}

== Snowbound Blood ==

=== Diania ===
'''Diania''', or '''Dia''', is a troll who lives with [[Cadlys Rankor|Cadlys]] in his bunker. She's looked after by Cadlys and [[Minor Characters#Mariel|Marie]] after she "lost everything." Details are not shared, but it's to be inferred that the two have taken on a parental role towards her. Her pronouns as of writing seem to be she/her.{{-}}

=== Mariel ===
'''Mariel''', otherwise known as '''Marie''', is [[Cadlys Rankor|Cadlys's]] matesprit who lives with him in his bunker. Together, they watch over and presumably care for a troll named [[Minor Characters#Diania|Dia]]. {{-}}

=== Nocent Bystan ===
'''Nocent Bystan''' was one of the two trolls who were killed during [[Snowbound Blood: Volume One|''Snowbound Blood:'' Volume 1]]. They were tasked with driving the convoy that was meant to transport the [[Zekura Raines|Vivifier's]] blood, but were attacked in the process. [[Secily Iopara|Secily]] notes that Nocent had a bonded matesprit before their passing.{{-}}

=== Notrel Evantt ===
[[File:Evantt.png|thumb|300x300px|Nocent and Notrel, deceased in the snow at the start of Snowbound Blood.]]

'''Notrel Evantt''' was one of the two trolls who were killed during [[Snowbound Blood: Volume One|''Snowbound Blood:'' Volume 1]]. They were tasked with driving the convoy that was meant to transport the [[Zekura Raines|Vivifier's]] blood, but were attacked in the process.{{-}}

=== Ramona Raquel ===
'''Ramona Raquel''' is a troll mentioned by [[Raurou Dersal|Raurou]] to have been performing at the [[Awards for All]] ceremony shortly before the events of ''[[Snowbound Blood]]''. She is likely one of the two trolls on stage during the flashback sequence.{{-}}

===Manila Folder===

[[Typing Quirk|Typing Style:]] Speaks with proper grammar and syntax. Replaces "o" and "O" with "[]".

'''Manila Folder''' is a receptionist at the Corporate building. They are a yellowblood, specifically gold.{{-}}

== Syzygy (Thaumatrope) ==

=== Bakhas ===
[[File:TTcolablood.png|thumb|right|120px|Bakhas]]
{{TT|syzygy/18|First Appearance}}

[[Typing Quirk|Typing Style:]] Speaks with proper syntax and replaces "i' with "{" and "j" with "}".

'''Bakhas''' appears in Syzygy as part of [[Cepros Xirong|Cepros's]] party group.{{-}}

=== Femmis Gverdi ===
[[File:Femmis.png|thumb|right|Femmis's headshot in his corporate file.]]
{{TT|syzygy/118|First Appearance}}

[[Typing Quirk|Typing Style:]] Starts and ends his text with " .*+ " and " +*. " respectively. Replaces the letter "a" with the letter "x".

'''Femmis Gverdi''' was one of the members of [[Rypite Koldan|Rypite's]] and [[Sirage Feltri|Sirage's]] development team. His role on the team was as an artist. He uses he/him pronouns. He is a tealblood, specifically cyan. He is 12 reptonian sweeps old.

The surname ''Gverdi'' could be originated from [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giuseppe_Verdi Giuseppe Verdi], a famous composer from Italy.{{-}}

=== Hemiot Septem ===
[[File:Hemiot.png|thumb|right|Hemiot's headshot in his corporate file.]]
{{TT|syzygy/115|First Appearance}}

[[Typing Quirk|Typing Style:]] First and last letters of text are lowercase. All other letters are upper case. Uses colons instead of all other punctuation.

'''Hemiot Septem''' was one of the members of [[Rypite Koldan|Rypite's]] and [[Sirage Feltri|Sirage's]] development team. His role on the team was as a lead programmer. They use He/They pronouns. They are a bronzeblood, specifically cola. His associated alchemical sigil is Week. He is 11 reptonian sweeps old.{{-}}

=== Medjed Sapkha ===
[[File:Medjed.png|thumb|right|Medjed's headshot in zer corporate file.]]
{{TT|syzygy/119|First Appearance}}

[[Typing Quirk|Typing Style:]] They double the letter "g" and end text with a shrug emoji ( ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ )

'''Medjed Sapkha''' was one of the members of [[Rypite Koldan|Rypite's]] and [[Sirage Feltri|Sirage's]] development team. Zer role on the team was as a debugger and an artist. They use ze/they pronouns. Ze is a yellowblood, specifically gold. Ze is 8 reptonian sweeps old.{{-}}

=== Phoene Pegmin ===
[[File:Phoene.png|thumb|right|160px|Phoene talking to Rypite.]]
{{TT|syzygy/69|First Appearance}}

[[Typing Quirk|Typing Style:]] Defaults to speaking in all caps and surround the letters "C" and "R" with parentheses. When angry, she uses asterisks to censor some letters. When whispering or speaking as an aside, she drops her quirk entirely.

'''Phoene Pegmin''' is an art dealer colleague of [[Rypite Koldan]]. Her art collections include [[Ancestors#The Bravura|Gascon Koldan's]] works and statues resembling Funko Pops. She is a redblood, specifically Scarlet. She briefly entertains Rypite Koldan and [[Sirage Feltri]] for a job interview before revealing that Sirage stole an artifact Phoene was working to recover, causing Sirage to leave in tears.

Her would-be classpect is the Witch of Void, according to her creator Xam's Toyhouse page. Unlike Rypite and Sirage, her design seems to be not changed.{{-}}

=== Qetish ===
[[File:TTcyanblood.png|thumb|right|Qetish]]
{{TT|syzygy/14|First Appearance}}

[[Typing Quirk|Typing Style:]] Speaks in all lowercase and ends text with "xoxo".

'''Qetish''' appears in Syzygy as part of [[Cepros Xirong|Cepros's]] party group.{{-}}

=== Iveron Durand ===
{{TT|syzygy/135|First Appearance}}
{{-}}
'''Iveron Durand''' is a minor character who appears in Syzygy as part of [[Cepros Xirong|Cepros']] party group.{{-}}

=== Roxett Esclur ===
{{TT|syzygy/114|First Appearance}}
{{-}}
{{Character Infobox
|name = Roxett Esclur
|image = Roxett.png
|genid = She/Her
|style = Replaces the letter e with either э and E with Э.
|aspect = {{Classpect|Space}}}}

'''Roxett Esclur''' was one of the members of [[Rypite Koldan|Rypite's]] and [[Sirage Feltri|Sirage's]] development team. Her role on the team was as a secretary. She uses she/her pronouns. She is a purpleblood, specifically amethyst. Her associated alchemical sigil is Scruple. She is 9 reptonian sweeps old.

Her would-be classpect according to her [https://toyhou.se/3605814.roxett-esclur Toyhou.se] would be Page of Space, but Xamag has said that the Toyhou.se profiles aren't entirely canon to what's shown in ''Thaumatrope''.
{{-}}

=== Shiopa Atshor ===
[[File:Shiopa.png|thumb|right|Shiopa's headshot in their corporate file.]]
{{TT|syzygy/117|First Appearance}}

[[Typing Quirk|Typing Style:]] Starts text with " !( " and ends with " ); "

'''Shiopa Atshor''' was one of the members of [[Rypite Koldan|Rypite's]] and [[Sirage Feltri|Sirage's]] development team. Their role on the team was as a programmer. He uses any pronouns. They are a red blood, specifically rust. She is 10 reptonian sweeps old.

Her associated alchemical sigil is unknown, but symbols in her clothing and horns' shape look like [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:De_Rosemont_(1931)_plate_4.jpg one of alchemical symbols for ''Fixare''.]{{-}}

=== Tafner ===
[[File:Tafner.png|thumb|Tafner ]]
{{TT|syzygy/42|First Appearance}}

[[Typing Quirk|Typing Style:]] Speaks in all lowercase with no punctuation and ends text with three closing parentheses. Adds dashes between each letter of a word for emphasis.

'''Tafner''' is a part of [[Cepros Xirong|Cepros's]] party group seen in Syzygy. They are usually depicted smoking. They are a redblood, specifically scarlet.{{-}}

=== Tenemi Tenbra ===
[[File:Tenemi.png|thumb|right|Tenemi's headshot in her corporate file.]]
{{TT|syzygy/116|First Appearance}}

[[Typing Quirk|Typing Style:]] Prefixes her sentences with "//", proper spelling and ponctuation.

'''Tenemi Tenbra''' was one of the members of [[Rypite Koldan|Rypite's]] and [[Sirage Feltri|Sirage's]] development team. Her role on the team was as a programmer. She uses she/her pronouns. She is a greenblood, specifically ochre. She is 14 reptonian sweeps old.{{-}}

== Haustoria (Thaumatrope) ==

=== Alcest Sedokl ===
[[File:Alcest plant disease haustoria 35.png|thumb|right]]
{{Thaumatrope|haustoria/34|First Appearance}}

[[Typing Quirk|Typing Style:]] Starts text with "L" and ends with "7". Does not capitalize the first letter of a sentence unless it's a proper noun, or "I". Tends to shorten words and replace the last letter with an apostrophe (examples: "the" -> "th'", and "ing" -> "in'"). Uses punctuation, as well as periods at the end of sentences; however, the last sentence in a block of text will not have a period.

'''Alcest Sedokl''' was the head of the village seen in Haustoria. At the start of the story, he had growths from the plant disease primarily on his legs, but they eventually claimed his mobility, before putting him into a coma and ultimately killing him. He was a tealblood, specifically turquoise.

Alcest uses he/him pronouns. His associated alchemical sigil is Year.

He had a moose lusus, and said lusus decided to take care of [[Gerbat Batrav|Gerbat]] after Alcest's passing.{{-}}

=== Borwik Ruveit ===
[[File:Borwik Haustoria page 42.png|thumb|right]]
{{Thaumatrope|haustoria/23|First Appearance}}

[[Typing Quirk|Typing Style:]] Replaces "R" with "г", "B" with "Ъ", "T" with "т" and "K" with "к". Doesn't capitalize "I" when referring to herself. Punctuation and apostrophes are used properly.

'''Borwik Ruveit''', frequently referred to as '''Bor''', was a lumberjane living in the village seen in ''Haustoria''. She helped build the lab and attempted to chop down the tree planted by [[Kheparia]] followers before getting infected. Bor destroyed the engine of [[Lutzia Cullex|Lutzia's]] van, and then passed away alongside [[Minor Characters#Yarina Mammon|Yarina]]. She was a bronzeblood, specifically cola. Her associated alchemical sigil is Wood.

Borwik uses she/her pronouns. Yarina was Borwik's partner, but the specific quadrant isn't known.{{-}}

=== Kimosh Kumora ===
[[File:KimoshKumora.png|thumb|right]]
{{Thaumatrope|haustoria/25|First Appearance}}

[[Typing Quirk|Typing Quirk:]] Sentences start and end with ";", with spaces within seperated by "-". The text itself is in lowercase. Apostrophes are used properly, punctuation isn't used unless it's an exclamation or question mark.

'''Kimosh Kumora''', frequently referred to as '''Kim''', was a tailor in the village seen in ''Haustoria''. It's one of the first trolls seen to be infected. Kim can be seen frequently wandering after getting infected, and dies off-screen after getting lost. It was a blueblood, specifically aegean. Its associated alchemical sigil is Cobalt.

Kimosh uses it/its pronouns and was moirails with [[Minor Characters#Neeris Gamaun|Neeris Gamaun]].{{-}}

=== Margol Ohotka ===
[[File:MargolOhotka.png|thumb|right]]
{{Thaumatrope|haustoria/23|First Appearance}}

[[Typing Quirk|Typing Style:]] Replaces 'o' with '[o]', alongside 'oo' with '[o|o]'. He seems to drop the quirk in serious situations.

'''Margol Ohotka''' was a hunter in the village seen in ''Haustoria''. She assisted with research of the disease by bringing back lusii who seemed infected. He died after getting scratched and poisoned by Mecera. She was a yellowblood, specifically mustard. His associated alchemical sigil is Rosin.

Margol uses she/he pronouns.{{-}}

=== Mecera Koniga ===
{{Thaumatrope|haustoria/23|First Appearance}}
{{-}}
{{Character Infobox
|name = Mecera Koniga
|image = MeceraKoniga.png
|genid = She/Her
|style = Uses "¶" as a prefix for sentences. Sentences are strung with "§". Proper letter capitalization is used, but no periods at the end of sentences.
|aspect = {{Classpect|Light}}}}

'''Mecera Koniga''', frequently referred to as '''Cera''', was a troll living in the village seen in ''Haustoria.'' Her specific job isn't known, as the comic refers to her as a freeloader, while Cera calls herself "something of a librarian". She helped document information of the disease, but started to go against the others after getting sick. Cera was a bronzeblood, specifically clay. Her associated alchemical sigil is Wax.

Mecera uses she/her pronouns.

Her lusus is a hornet and she has a [[Hemospectrum#Biological Aspects|survival ability]] of venom nails.

''Cera'' may be originated from ''cera'', a Latin name for wax, which is related to her alchemical sigil. The surname ''Koniga'' might be derived from the Russian word ''книга'' ("book").{{-}}

=== Neeris Gamaun ===
[[File:NeerisGamaun.png|thumb|right]]
{{Thaumatrope|haustoria/24|First Appearance}}

[[Typing Quirk|Typing Style:]] First word or two within a sentence is in full capitals, the rest being in lowercase. Punctuation isn't used, but apostrophes are. After each sentence an emoticon is used, appearing similar to kaomoji.

'''Neeris Gamaun''' was an artist in the village seen in ''Haustoria''. They mainly assisted with sketching plants deemed suspicious, but helped out with decorating the lab as well. They were a redblood, specifically scarlet. Their associated alchemical sigil is Rust.

Neeris uses they/them pronouns and was moirails with [[Minor Characters#Kimosh Kumora|Kimosh]].{{-}}

=== Urodea Svarov ===
[[File:UrodeaSvarov.png|thumb|right]]
{{Thaumatrope|haustoria/25|First Appearance}}

[[Typing Quirk|Typing Style:]] "U" is replaced with "Ü". All lowercase letters unless using names. Apostrophes are used, and each sentences ends with a question mark. Side comments are written the same but with a strike through all words.

'''Urodea Svarov''' was a blacksmith in the village seen in ''Haustoria''. She assisted with building the lab and made sigil jewelry for the others while quarantined. Urodea is noted to have chronic lung problems. They were a greenblood, specifically clover. Their associated alchemical sigil is Forge.

Urodea uses she/they pronouns.{{-}}

=== Yarina Mammon ===
[[File:YarinaMammon.png|thumb|right]]
{{Thaumatrope|haustoria/23|First Appearance}}

[[Typing Quirk|Typing Style:]] "n" is replaced with "П", "b" with "Ь" and "m" with "м". Starts and ends sentences with "≈{" and "}≈" respectively. "=" is sometimes placed between or within sentences. All lowercase besides proper capitalization for names. Usually no punctuation, but does use commas or question marks at times

'''Yarina Mammon''' was a baker in the village seen in ''Haustoria''. She was put on watch duty within the quarantine hut and invited [[Minor Characters#Borwik Ruveit|Borwik]] to assist her. She was a redblood, specifically scarlet. Her associated alchemical sigil is Saffron.

Yarina uses she/her pronouns and was partners with Borwik, though the specific quadrant isn't known.{{-}}

==References==
<references />

{{Navbox Vast Error Characters}}
{{Navbox Trolls}}
[[Category:Characters]]

User:PassiveJungle

2024-08-20T12:45:04Z

PassiveJungle:

Just an internet rando. I edit the wiki for fun.

She/her

@faustelija on discord.

User:PassiveJungle

2024-08-20T12:44:29Z

PassiveJungle:

Just an internet rando. I edit the wiki for fun.
She/her
@faustelija on discord

Minor Characters

2024-08-20T12:41:12Z

PassiveJungle: Forgot to embolden their name, whoopsies!

{{Incomplete}}

'''Minor characters''' are unnamed or unimportant characters that have appeared in ''[[Vast Error]]'', ''[[Snowbound Blood]]'', or ''[[Thaumatrope]]''.

== Vast Error ==

=== Aislin ===
[[File:Unnamed_Cyprusblood_Troll.png|thumb|right|180px]]
{{VE|152|First Appearance}}

'''Aislin''' is a troll who first appeared during the exposition sequence on troll reproduction. Their associated alchemical sigil is Antinomy, and they are a tealblood, specifically cyprus.

They are also {{VE|942|seen in the background}} during [[Ellsee Raines|Ellsee's]] accidental visit to [[Stronghold 21]].{{-}}

=== Black Queen & King ===
[[File:DersiteRoyalty.png|thumb|250px|White King and Queen in court with Dersite Royalty.]]
{{VE|1350|First Appearance}} (Silhouettes.)

The '''Black Queen''' and '''Black King''' are royal carapacian figures from [[Derse]]. They are in a tense peace with [[Prospit]].

;External links
* {{MSPAW External|Black_Queen|Black Queen}} on {{MSPAW External|MS_Paint_Adventures_Wiki|MSPA Wiki}}
* {{MSPAW External|Black_King|Black King}} on {{MSPAW External|MS_Paint_Adventures_Wiki|MSPA Wiki}}{{-}}

=== Cepora ===
[[File:Cepora First Appearance.png|thumb|right]]
{{VE|935|First Appearance}}

'''Cepora''' is a troll who first appeared during [[Ellsee Raines|Ellsee's]] unintended trip into [[Stronghold 21]]. Their associated alchemical sigil is Quicklime, and they are a jadeblood, specifically viridian.{{-}}

=== Culium ===
[[Typing Quirk|Typing Style]]: Proper usage of capital letters and punctuation. Ends lines with "±".

'''Culium''' is an alchemist and kismesis of [[Minor Characters#Dionys Barnum|Dionys]].

=== Dionys Barnum ===
[[File:Dio on the roof.png|thumb|right|180px]]
{{VE|1581|First Appearance}}

'''Dionys Barnum''' is an alchemist and kismesis of [[Minor Characters#Culium|Culium]]. They are nonbinary transmasculine and use he/they pronouns. He is 15 reptonian sweeps old. Their associated alchemical sigil is Quintessence, and they are a jadeblood, specifically viridian.{{-}}

=== Divino Nikola ===
[[File:DivinoNikola.png|thumb|210px|Divino as seen in the poster for "Dial Up" with Vyrmis.]]
{{VE|1461|First Appearance}}

'''Divino Nikola''' is a troll who appeared on [[Turnin Kaikai|Turnin's]] social media feed. Divino has also been mentioned in the Snowbound Blood visual novel, and as [[Bytcon Krypto|Bytcon Krypto's]] moirail. {{-}}

=== Garnie ===
[[File:Garnie.png|thumb|right|101px|Garnie on the [[Black Moon]].]]
{{VE|1436|First Appearance}} [[Typing Quirk|Typing Style]]: Suffixes their text with "<<".

'''Garnie''' is a secondary troll in Vast Error. They are a bronzeblood, specifically clay.{{-}}

=== Iderra ===
[[File:Iderra First Appearance.png|thumb|right|Iderra in Stronghold 21.]]
{{VE|947|First Appearance}}

'''Iderra''' is [[Talald Hieron|Talald]]'s matesprit. They are seen together holding hands in Stronghold 21 as [[Ellsee Raines|Ellsee]] performs magic. Iderra seems to be very concerned about Talald's involvement with the Harbingers, stating that she isn't sure she can continue looking out for Talald and asking what happened to her, but Talald does not seem willing or able to understand this.{{-}}

=== Karen ===
[[File:Karen.png|thumb|right]]
{{VE|1246|First Appearance}}

'''Karen''' is a female Prospitian carapacian who [[Defrauding Dealer]] had previous encounters with on [[Derse]]. She wears a wig, perfume, and fancy clothes.

;External link
* [[wikipedia:Karen (pejorative)|Karen (pejorative)]] on Wikipedia{{-}}

=== Keiksi Ezlilu ===
[[File:YoungKeiksi.png|thumb|right|160px|Young Keiksi.]]
{{VE|1032|First Appearance}}

[[Typing Quirk|Typing style]]: Replaces A's with "@", sometimes uses the emoticon @A@.

'''Keiksi''' is a member of the [[Mirthamaniacs]]. They, alongside [[Neilna]], could be seen bringing young [[Taz]] to [[Pozzol]] after one of her escape attempts.{{-}}

=== Linole Pomace ===
{{VE|1461|First Mention}}

'''Linole Pomace''' is the current manager of [[Turnin Kaikai|Turnin's]] old band. She's moirails with [[Minor Characters#Vellia|Vellia]].{{-}}

=== Lipsen Fluxum ===
[[File:Lipsen.png|thumb|right]]
{{VE|392|First Appearance}}

'''Lipsen Fluxum''' was one of [[Occeus Coliad|Occeus']] failed experiments. During his brief appearance, he showed extreme aggression toward him, which lead to his being dispatched once again. His associated alchemical sigil is Borax, and he is a yellowblood, specifically gold.{{-}}

=== Mekris ===
[[File:Mekris First Appearance.png|thumb|right|120px]]
{{VE|936|First Appearance}}

'''Mekris''' is a troll who first appeared during [[Ellsee Raines|Ellsee's]] unintended trip into [[Stronghold 21]]. His associated alchemical sigil is Soap. He is a greenblood, specifically olive.{{-}}

=== Neilna Uldiaz ===
[[File:Neilna.png|thumb|right|150px]]
{{VE|1032|First Appearance}}

[[Typing Quirk|Typing style]]: All lowercase. Encloses words with "|".

'''Neilna''' is a member of the [[Mirthamaniacs]]. He, alongside [[Minor Characters#Keiksi Ezlilu|Keiksi]], could be seen bringing young [[Taz]] to [[Pozzol]] after one of her escape attempts. He later appears after a fight between [[Edolon]] and Pozzol, speaking with Pozzol about their next actions.

He can be seen {{VE|1604|entering Stronghold 21 during Edolon's monologue}}.{{-}}

=== Nezrui Rigida ===
[[File:Nez Filler Ava.png|thumb|right|140px]]
{{VE|1461|First Appearance}}

'''Nezrui Rigida''' is acquaintances with [[Turnin Kaikai]], [[Minor Characters#Vellia|Vellia]], and [[Minor Characters#Linole Pomace|Linole Pomace]]. He is an artist and the current lead singer of Turnin's old band.{{-}}

=== Ouroborus & Jormangund ===
[[File:1208.gif|thumb|right]]
{{VE|1208|First Appearance}}

'''Ouroborus''' and '''Jormangund''' are cherubs that were scrapped characters<ref>{{CiteSocial|whosaid=deconreconstruction|platform=tumblr|date=Nov 13, 2019|quote="The other [scrapped characters] are a set of cherub ideas me and Heather had, going by the codenames of Ouroborus and Jormangund"|link=https://deconreconstruction.tumblr.com/post/189034418069/do-you-have-a-favourite-scrapped-conceptidea-for}}</ref> but repurposed as joke characters<ref>{{CiteSocial|whosaid=@deconrecon_|platform=twitter|link=https://twitter.com/deconrecon_/status/1239770081254670336|date=March 17, 2020}}</ref> for I2S1.{{-}}

=== Pascal ===
[[File:Pascal troll.png|thumb|right|233x233px|Pascal]]
{{VE|1454|First Appearance}}

[[Typing Quirk|Typing Style]]: They start each message with a colon and an equals sign ":=" and end each message with a semi-colon.

'''Pascal''' is a troll seen outside the moon base with no helmet. They are a greenblood, specifically olive.{{-}}

=== Sterco Exurdo ===
[[File:Sterco.PNG|thumb|right|150px]]
{{VE|1059|First Appearance}}

'''Sterco Exurdo''' is the bondmate of [[Vilcus Cendum|Vilcus]]. He is associated with the alchemic sigil Nitrogenous Air, which he wears on a gold necklace. His horns stick outwards and angle up with two points at the end of each horn. Before Sterco's death, the two vacillated between red and black romance.{{-}}

=== Unnamed ColabloodTroll ===
[[File:Unnamed_Clayblood_Troll.png|thumb|right]]
{{VE|74|First Appearance}}

An unnamed [[Hemospectrum#Brown Blood|colablood]] [[troll]] appeared outside of [[Tazsia's hive|Taz's hive]] as one of the many victims of [[Tazsia|Taz's]] [[Lusus#Aquatic Mink lusus|lusus]].{{-}}

=== Vellia ===
[[File:Vellia First Appearance.png|thumb|right|140px]]
{{VE|942|First Appearance}}

[[Typing Quirk|Typing style]]: All lowercase. Prefixes and suffixes every message with "=". Replaces T's with ":t:".

'''Vellia''' is a troll that is a part of [[Turnin Kaikai|Turnin's]] old band. She also appears talking to [[Ellsee]] in [[Stronghold 21]].{{-}}

=== Vyrmis Sturra ===
[[File:VyrmisSturra.png|thumb|right|210px|Vyr as seen in the poster for "Dial Up" with Divino.]]
{{VE|935|First Appearance}}

'''Vyrmis Sturra''', otherwise referred to as '''Vyr''', is a troll who appeared on [[Turnin Kaikai|Turnin's]] social media feed. Their associated alchemical sigil is Spirit, and they are a bronzeblood, specifically clay.{{-}}

=== White Queen & King ===
[[File:WhiteKing.png|thumb||160px|White King and Queen in court with Dersite Royalty.]]
{{VE|167|First Appearance}} (White King)

The '''White Queen''' and '''White King''' are royal carapacian figures from [[Prospit]]. They are in a tense peace with [[Derse]].

;External links
* {{MSPAW External|White_Queen|White Queen}} on {{MSPAW External|MS_Paint_Adventures_Wiki|MSPA Wiki}}
* {{MSPAW External|White_King|White King}} on MSPA Wiki{{-}}

=== Winston Churchill ===
{{VE|501|First Mention}}

Winston Churcill was a yellowblood troll who lived during The Renaissance notable for turning his skin into gold. He is one of [[Calder Kerian|Calder's]] "twelve star men".{{-}}

== Snowbound Blood ==

=== Diania ===
'''Diania''', or '''Dia''', is a troll who lives with [[Cadlys Rankor|Cadlys]] in his bunker. She's looked after by Cadlys and [[Minor Characters#Mariel|Marie]] after she "lost everything." Details are not shared, but it's to be inferred that the two have taken on a parental role towards her. Her pronouns as of writing seem to be she/her.{{-}}

=== Mariel ===
'''Mariel''', otherwise known as '''Marie''', is [[Cadlys Rankor|Cadlys's]] matesprit who lives with him in his bunker. Together, they watch over and presumably care for a troll named [[Minor Characters#Diania|Dia]]. {{-}}

=== Nocent Bystan ===
'''Nocent Bystan''' was one of the two trolls who were killed during [[Snowbound Blood: Volume One|''Snowbound Blood:'' Volume 1]]. They were tasked with driving the convoy that was meant to transport the [[Zekura Raines|Vivifier's]] blood, but were attacked in the process. [[Secily Iopara|Secily]] notes that Nocent had a bonded matesprit before their passing.{{-}}

=== Notrel Evantt ===
[[File:Evantt.png|thumb|300x300px|Nocent and Notrel, deceased in the snow at the start of Snowbound Blood.]]

'''Notrel Evantt''' was one of the two trolls who were killed during [[Snowbound Blood: Volume One|''Snowbound Blood:'' Volume 1]]. They were tasked with driving the convoy that was meant to transport the [[Zekura Raines|Vivifier's]] blood, but were attacked in the process.{{-}}

=== Ramona Raquel ===
'''Ramona Raquel''' is a troll mentioned by [[Raurou Dersal|Raurou]] to have been performing at the [[Awards for All]] ceremony shortly before the events of ''[[Snowbound Blood]]''. She is likely one of the two trolls on stage during the flashback sequence.{{-}}

===Manila Folder===

[[Typing Quirk|Typing Style:]] Speaks with proper grammar and syntax. Replaces "o" and "O" with "[]".

'''Manila Folder''' is a receptionist at the Corporate building. They are a yellowblood, specifically gold.{{-}}

== Syzygy (Thaumatrope) ==

=== Bakhas ===
[[File:TTcolablood.png|thumb|right|120px|Bakhas]]
{{TT|syzygy/18|First Appearance}}

[[Typing Quirk|Typing Style:]] Speaks with proper syntax and replaces "i' with "{" and "j" with "}".

'''Bakhas''' appears in Syzygy as part of [[Cepros Xirong|Cepros's]] party group.{{-}}

=== Femmis Gverdi ===
[[File:Femmis.png|thumb|right|Femmis's headshot in his corporate file.]]
{{TT|syzygy/118|First Appearance}}

[[Typing Quirk|Typing Style:]] Starts and ends his text with " .*+ " and " +*. " respectively. Replaces the letter "a" with the letter "x".

'''Femmis Gverdi''' was one of the members of [[Rypite Koldan|Rypite's]] and [[Sirage Feltri|Sirage's]] development team. His role on the team was as an artist. He uses he/him pronouns. He is a tealblood, specifically cyan. He is 12 reptonian sweeps old.

The surname ''Gverdi'' could be originated from [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giuseppe_Verdi Giuseppe Verdi], a famous composer from Italy.{{-}}

=== Hemiot Septem ===
[[File:Hemiot.png|thumb|right|Hemiot's headshot in his corporate file.]]
{{TT|syzygy/115|First Appearance}}

[[Typing Quirk|Typing Style:]] First and last letters of text are lowercase. All other letters are upper case. Uses colons instead of all other punctuation.

'''Hemiot Septem''' was one of the members of [[Rypite Koldan|Rypite's]] and [[Sirage Feltri|Sirage's]] development team. His role on the team was as a lead programmer. They use He/They pronouns. They are a bronzeblood, specifically cola. He is 11 reptonian sweeps old.{{-}}

=== Medjed Sapkha ===
[[File:Medjed.png|thumb|right|Medjed's headshot in zer corporate file.]]
{{TT|syzygy/119|First Appearance}}

[[Typing Quirk|Typing Style:]] They double the letter "g" and end text with a shrug emoji ( ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ )

'''Medjed Sapkha''' was one of the members of [[Rypite Koldan|Rypite's]] and [[Sirage Feltri|Sirage's]] development team. Zer role on the team was as a debugger and an artist. They use ze/they pronouns. Ze is a yellowblood, specifically gold. Ze is 8 reptonian sweeps old.{{-}}

=== Phoene Pegmin ===
[[File:Phoene.png|thumb|right|160px|Phoene talking to Rypite.]]
{{TT|syzygy/69|First Appearance}}

[[Typing Quirk|Typing Style:]] Defaults to speaking in all caps and surround the letters "C" and "R" with parentheses. When angry, she uses asterisks to censor some letters. When whispering or speaking as an aside, she drops her quirk entirely.

'''Phoene Pegmin''' is an art dealer colleague of [[Rypite Koldan]]. Her art collections include [[Ancestors#The Bravura|Gascon Koldan's]] works and statues resembling Funko Pops. She is a redblood, specifically Scarlet. She briefly entertains Rypite Koldan and [[Sirage Feltri]] for a job interview before revealing that Sirage stole an artifact Phoene was working to recover, causing Sirage to leave in tears.{{-}}

=== Qetish ===
[[File:TTcyanblood.png|thumb|right|Qetish]]
{{TT|syzygy/14|First Appearance}}

[[Typing Quirk|Typing Style:]] Speaks in all lowercase and ends text with "xoxo".

'''Qetish''' appears in Syzygy as part of [[Cepros Xirong|Cepros's]] party group.{{-}}

=== Roxett Esclur ===
[[File:Roxett.png|thumb|right|Roxett's headshot in her corporate file.]]
{{TT|syzygy/114|First Appearance}}

[[Typing Quirk|Typing Style:]] She replaces the letter e with either ɜ, ⱻ, or 3 (difficult to distinguish due to the Thaumatrope font).

'''Roxett Esclur''' was one of the members of [[Rypite Koldan|Rypite's]] and [[Sirage Feltri|Sirage's]] development team. Her role on the team was as a secretary. She uses she/her pronouns. She is a purpleblood, specifically amethyst. Her associated alchemical sigil is Scruple. She is 9 reptonian sweeps old. {{-}}

=== Shiopa Atshor ===
[[File:Shiopa.png|thumb|right|Shiopa's headshot in their corporate file.]]
{{TT|syzygy/117|First Appearance}}

[[Typing Quirk|Typing Style:]] Starts text with " !( " and ends with " ); "

'''Shiopa Atshor''' was one of the members of [[Rypite Koldan|Rypite's]] and [[Sirage Feltri|Sirage's]] development team. Their role on the team was as a programmer. He uses any pronouns. They are a red blood, specifically rust. She is 10 reptonian sweeps old.{{-}}

=== Tafner ===
[[File:Tafner.png|thumb|Tafner ]]
{{TT|syzygy/42|First Appearance}}

[[Typing Quirk|Typing Style:]] Speaks in all lowercase with no punctuation and ends text with three closing parentheses. Adds dashes between each letter of a word for emphasis.

'''Tafner''' is a part of [[Cepros Xirong|Cepros's]] party group seen in Syzygy. They are usually depicted smoking. They are a redblood, specifically scarlet.{{-}}

=== Tenemi Tenbra ===
[[File:Tenemi.png|thumb|right|Tenemi's headshot in her corporate file.]]
{{TT|syzygy/116|First Appearance}}

[[Typing Quirk|Typing Style:]] Prefixes her sentences with "//", proper spelling and ponctuation.

'''Tenemi Tenbra''' was one of the members of [[Rypite Koldan|Rypite's]] and [[Sirage Feltri|Sirage's]] development team. Her role on the team was as a programmer. She uses she/her pronouns. She is a greenblood, specifically ochre. She is 14 reptonian sweeps old.{{-}}

== Haustoria (Thaumatrope) ==

=== Alcest Sedokl ===
[[File:Alcest plant disease haustoria 35.png|thumb|right]]
{{Thaumatrope|haustoria/34|First Appearance}}

[[Typing Quirk|Typing Style:]] Starts text with "L" and ends with "7". Does not capitalize the first letter of a sentence unless it's a proper noun, or "I". Tends to shorten words and replace the last letter with an apostrophe (examples: "the" -> "th'", and "ing" -> "in'"). Uses punctuation, as well as periods at the end of sentences; however, the last sentence in a block of text will not have a period.

'''Alcest Sedokl''' was the head of the village seen in Haustoria. At the start of the story, he had growths from the plant disease primarily on his legs, but they eventually claimed his mobility, before putting him into a coma and ultimately killing him. He was a tealblood, specifically turquoise.

Alcest uses he/him pronouns. His associated alchemical sigil is Year.

He had a moose lusus, and said lusus decided to take care of [[Gerbat Batrav|Gerbat]] after Alcest's passing.{{-}}

=== Borwik Ruveit ===
[[File:Borwik Haustoria page 42.png|thumb|right]]
{{Thaumatrope|haustoria/23|First Appearance}}

[[Typing Quirk|Typing Style:]] Replaces "R" with "г", "B" with "Ъ", "T" with "т" and "K" with "к". Doesn't capitalize "I" when referring to herself. Punctuation and apostrophes are used properly.

'''Borwik Ruveit''', frequently referred to as '''Bor''', was a lumberjane living in the village seen in ''Haustoria''. She helped build the lab and attempted to chop down the tree planted by [[Kheparia]] followers before getting infected. Bor destroyed the engine of [[Lutzia Cullex|Lutzia's]] van, and then passed away alongside [[Minor Characters#Yarina Mammon|Yarina]]. She was a bronzeblood, specifically cola.

Borwik uses she/her pronouns. Yarina was Borwik's partner, but the specific quadrant isn't known.{{-}}

=== Kimosh Kumora ===
[[File:KimoshKumora.png|thumb|right]]
{{Thaumatrope|haustoria/25|First Appearance}}

[[Typing Quirk|Typing Quirk:]] Sentences start and end with ";", with spaces within seperated by "-". The text itself is in lowercase. Apostrophes are used properly, punctuation isn't used unless it's an exclamation or question mark.

'''Kimosh Kumora''', frequently referred to as '''Kim''', was a tailor in the village seen in ''Haustoria''. It's one of the first trolls seen to be infected. Kim can be seen frequently wandering after getting infected, and dies off-screen after getting lost. It was a blueblood, specifically aegean.

Kimosh uses it/it's pronouns and was moirails with [[Minor Characters#Neeris Gamaun|Neeris Gamaun]].{{-}}

=== Margol Ohotka ===
[[File:MargolOhotka.png|thumb|right]]
{{Thaumatrope|haustoria/23|First Appearance}}

[[Typing Quirk|Typing Style:]] Replaces 'o' with '[o]', alongside 'oo' with '[o|o]'. He seems to drop the quirk in serious situations.

'''Margol Ohotka''' was a hunter in the village seen in ''Haustoria''. She assisted with research of the disease by bringing back lusii who seemed infected. He died after getting scratched and poisoned by Mecera. She was a yellowblood, specifically mustard.

Margol uses she/he pronouns.{{-}}

=== Mecera Koniga ===
[[File:MeceraKoniga.png|thumb|right]]
{{Thaumatrope|haustoria/23|First Appearance}}

[[Typing Quirk|Typing Style:]] Uses "¶" as a prefix for sentences. Sentences are strung with "§". Proper letter capitalization is used, but no periods at the end of sentences.

'''Mecera Koniga''', frequently referred to as '''Cera''', was a troll living in the village seen in ''Haustoria.'' Her specific job isn't known, as the comic refers to her as a freeloader, while Cera calls herself "something of a librarian". She helped document information of the disease, but started to go against the others after getting sick. Cera was a bronzeblood, specifically clay.

Mecera uses she/her pronouns.

Her lusus is a hornet and she has a [[Hemospectrum#Biological Aspects|survival ability]] of venom nails.

''Cera'' may be originated from ''cera'', a Latin name for wax, which is related to her alchemical sigil. The surname ''Koniga'' might be derived from the Russian word ''книга'' ("book").{{-}}

=== Neeris Gamaun ===
[[File:NeerisGamaun.png|thumb|right]]
{{Thaumatrope|haustoria/24|First Appearance}}

[[Typing Quirk|Typing Style:]] First word or two within a sentence is in full capitals, the rest being in lowercase. Punctuation isn't used, but apostrophes are. After each sentence an emoticon is used, appearing similar to kaomoji.

'''Neeris Gamaun''' was an artist in the village seen in ''Haustoria''. They mainly assisted with sketching plants deemed suspicious, but helped out with decorating the lab as well. They were a redblood, specifically scarlet.

Neeris uses they/them pronouns and was moirails with [[Minor Characters#Kimosh Kumora|Kimosh]].{{-}}

=== Urodea Svarov ===
[[File:UrodeaSvarov.png|thumb|right]]
{{Thaumatrope|haustoria/25|First Appearance}}

[[Typing Quirk|Typing Style:]] "U" is replaced with "Ü". All lowercase letters unless using names. Apostrophes are used, and each sentences ends with a question mark. Side comments are written the same but with a strike through all words.

'''Urodea Svarov''' was a blacksmith in the village seen in ''Haustoria''. She assisted with building the lab and made sigil jewelry for the others while quarantined. They were a greenblood, specifically clover. Urodea is noted to have chronic lung problems.

Urodea uses she/they pronouns.{{-}}

=== Yarina Mammon ===
[[File:YarinaMammon.png|thumb|right]]
{{Thaumatrope|haustoria/23|First Appearance}}

[[Typing Quirk|Typing Style:]] "n" is replaced with "П", "b" with "Ь" and "m" with "м". Starts and ends sentences with "≈{" and "}≈" respectively. "=" is sometimes placed between or within sentences. All lowercase besides proper capitalization for names. Usually no punctuation, but does use commas or question marks at times.

'''Yarina Mammon''' was a baker in the village seen in ''Haustoria''. She was put on watch duty within the quarantine hut and invited [[Minor Characters#Borwik Ruveit|Borwik]] to assist her. She was a redblood, specifically scarlet.

Yarina uses she/her pronouns and was partners with Borwik, though the specific quadrant isn't known.{{-}}

==References==
<references />

{{Navbox Vast Error Characters}}
{{Navbox Trolls}}
[[Category:Characters]]

Minor Characters

2024-08-20T12:39:48Z

PassiveJungle: Added Manila Folder

{{Incomplete}}

'''Minor characters''' are unnamed or unimportant characters that have appeared in ''[[Vast Error]]'', ''[[Snowbound Blood]]'', or ''[[Thaumatrope]]''.

== Vast Error ==

=== Aislin ===
[[File:Unnamed_Cyprusblood_Troll.png|thumb|right|180px]]
{{VE|152|First Appearance}}

'''Aislin''' is a troll who first appeared during the exposition sequence on troll reproduction. Their associated alchemical sigil is Antinomy, and they are a tealblood, specifically cyprus.

They are also {{VE|942|seen in the background}} during [[Ellsee Raines|Ellsee's]] accidental visit to [[Stronghold 21]].{{-}}

=== Black Queen & King ===
[[File:DersiteRoyalty.png|thumb|250px|White King and Queen in court with Dersite Royalty.]]
{{VE|1350|First Appearance}} (Silhouettes.)

The '''Black Queen''' and '''Black King''' are royal carapacian figures from [[Derse]]. They are in a tense peace with [[Prospit]].

;External links
* {{MSPAW External|Black_Queen|Black Queen}} on {{MSPAW External|MS_Paint_Adventures_Wiki|MSPA Wiki}}
* {{MSPAW External|Black_King|Black King}} on {{MSPAW External|MS_Paint_Adventures_Wiki|MSPA Wiki}}{{-}}

=== Cepora ===
[[File:Cepora First Appearance.png|thumb|right]]
{{VE|935|First Appearance}}

'''Cepora''' is a troll who first appeared during [[Ellsee Raines|Ellsee's]] unintended trip into [[Stronghold 21]]. Their associated alchemical sigil is Quicklime, and they are a jadeblood, specifically viridian.{{-}}

=== Culium ===
[[Typing Quirk|Typing Style]]: Proper usage of capital letters and punctuation. Ends lines with "±".

'''Culium''' is an alchemist and kismesis of [[Minor Characters#Dionys Barnum|Dionys]].

=== Dionys Barnum ===
[[File:Dio on the roof.png|thumb|right|180px]]
{{VE|1581|First Appearance}}

'''Dionys Barnum''' is an alchemist and kismesis of [[Minor Characters#Culium|Culium]]. They are nonbinary transmasculine and use he/they pronouns. He is 15 reptonian sweeps old. Their associated alchemical sigil is Quintessence, and they are a jadeblood, specifically viridian.{{-}}

=== Divino Nikola ===
[[File:DivinoNikola.png|thumb|210px|Divino as seen in the poster for "Dial Up" with Vyrmis.]]
{{VE|1461|First Appearance}}

'''Divino Nikola''' is a troll who appeared on [[Turnin Kaikai|Turnin's]] social media feed. Divino has also been mentioned in the Snowbound Blood visual novel, and as [[Bytcon Krypto|Bytcon Krypto's]] moirail. {{-}}

=== Garnie ===
[[File:Garnie.png|thumb|right|101px|Garnie on the [[Black Moon]].]]
{{VE|1436|First Appearance}} [[Typing Quirk|Typing Style]]: Suffixes their text with "<<".

'''Garnie''' is a secondary troll in Vast Error. They are a bronzeblood, specifically clay.{{-}}

=== Iderra ===
[[File:Iderra First Appearance.png|thumb|right|Iderra in Stronghold 21.]]
{{VE|947|First Appearance}}

'''Iderra''' is [[Talald Hieron|Talald]]'s matesprit. They are seen together holding hands in Stronghold 21 as [[Ellsee Raines|Ellsee]] performs magic. Iderra seems to be very concerned about Talald's involvement with the Harbingers, stating that she isn't sure she can continue looking out for Talald and asking what happened to her, but Talald does not seem willing or able to understand this.{{-}}

=== Karen ===
[[File:Karen.png|thumb|right]]
{{VE|1246|First Appearance}}

'''Karen''' is a female Prospitian carapacian who [[Defrauding Dealer]] had previous encounters with on [[Derse]]. She wears a wig, perfume, and fancy clothes.

;External link
* [[wikipedia:Karen (pejorative)|Karen (pejorative)]] on Wikipedia{{-}}

=== Keiksi Ezlilu ===
[[File:YoungKeiksi.png|thumb|right|160px|Young Keiksi.]]
{{VE|1032|First Appearance}}

[[Typing Quirk|Typing style]]: Replaces A's with "@", sometimes uses the emoticon @A@.

'''Keiksi''' is a member of the [[Mirthamaniacs]]. They, alongside [[Neilna]], could be seen bringing young [[Taz]] to [[Pozzol]] after one of her escape attempts.{{-}}

=== Linole Pomace ===
{{VE|1461|First Mention}}

'''Linole Pomace''' is the current manager of [[Turnin Kaikai|Turnin's]] old band. She's moirails with [[Minor Characters#Vellia|Vellia]].{{-}}

=== Lipsen Fluxum ===
[[File:Lipsen.png|thumb|right]]
{{VE|392|First Appearance}}

'''Lipsen Fluxum''' was one of [[Occeus Coliad|Occeus']] failed experiments. During his brief appearance, he showed extreme aggression toward him, which lead to his being dispatched once again. His associated alchemical sigil is Borax, and he is a yellowblood, specifically gold.{{-}}

=== Mekris ===
[[File:Mekris First Appearance.png|thumb|right|120px]]
{{VE|936|First Appearance}}

'''Mekris''' is a troll who first appeared during [[Ellsee Raines|Ellsee's]] unintended trip into [[Stronghold 21]]. His associated alchemical sigil is Soap. He is a greenblood, specifically olive.{{-}}

=== Neilna Uldiaz ===
[[File:Neilna.png|thumb|right|150px]]
{{VE|1032|First Appearance}}

[[Typing Quirk|Typing style]]: All lowercase. Encloses words with "|".

'''Neilna''' is a member of the [[Mirthamaniacs]]. He, alongside [[Minor Characters#Keiksi Ezlilu|Keiksi]], could be seen bringing young [[Taz]] to [[Pozzol]] after one of her escape attempts. He later appears after a fight between [[Edolon]] and Pozzol, speaking with Pozzol about their next actions.

He can be seen {{VE|1604|entering Stronghold 21 during Edolon's monologue}}.{{-}}

=== Nezrui Rigida ===
[[File:Nez Filler Ava.png|thumb|right|140px]]
{{VE|1461|First Appearance}}

'''Nezrui Rigida''' is acquaintances with [[Turnin Kaikai]], [[Minor Characters#Vellia|Vellia]], and [[Minor Characters#Linole Pomace|Linole Pomace]]. He is an artist and the current lead singer of Turnin's old band.{{-}}

=== Ouroborus & Jormangund ===
[[File:1208.gif|thumb|right]]
{{VE|1208|First Appearance}}

'''Ouroborus''' and '''Jormangund''' are cherubs that were scrapped characters<ref>{{CiteSocial|whosaid=deconreconstruction|platform=tumblr|date=Nov 13, 2019|quote="The other [scrapped characters] are a set of cherub ideas me and Heather had, going by the codenames of Ouroborus and Jormangund"|link=https://deconreconstruction.tumblr.com/post/189034418069/do-you-have-a-favourite-scrapped-conceptidea-for}}</ref> but repurposed as joke characters<ref>{{CiteSocial|whosaid=@deconrecon_|platform=twitter|link=https://twitter.com/deconrecon_/status/1239770081254670336|date=March 17, 2020}}</ref> for I2S1.{{-}}

=== Pascal ===
[[File:Pascal troll.png|thumb|right|233x233px|Pascal]]
{{VE|1454|First Appearance}}

[[Typing Quirk|Typing Style]]: They start each message with a colon and an equals sign ":=" and end each message with a semi-colon.

'''Pascal''' is a troll seen outside the moon base with no helmet. They are a greenblood, specifically olive.{{-}}

=== Sterco Exurdo ===
[[File:Sterco.PNG|thumb|right|150px]]
{{VE|1059|First Appearance}}

'''Sterco Exurdo''' is the bondmate of [[Vilcus Cendum|Vilcus]]. He is associated with the alchemic sigil Nitrogenous Air, which he wears on a gold necklace. His horns stick outwards and angle up with two points at the end of each horn. Before Sterco's death, the two vacillated between red and black romance.{{-}}

=== Unnamed ColabloodTroll ===
[[File:Unnamed_Clayblood_Troll.png|thumb|right]]
{{VE|74|First Appearance}}

An unnamed [[Hemospectrum#Brown Blood|colablood]] [[troll]] appeared outside of [[Tazsia's hive|Taz's hive]] as one of the many victims of [[Tazsia|Taz's]] [[Lusus#Aquatic Mink lusus|lusus]].{{-}}

=== Vellia ===
[[File:Vellia First Appearance.png|thumb|right|140px]]
{{VE|942|First Appearance}}

[[Typing Quirk|Typing style]]: All lowercase. Prefixes and suffixes every message with "=". Replaces T's with ":t:".

'''Vellia''' is a troll that is a part of [[Turnin Kaikai|Turnin's]] old band. She also appears talking to [[Ellsee]] in [[Stronghold 21]].{{-}}

=== Vyrmis Sturra ===
[[File:VyrmisSturra.png|thumb|right|210px|Vyr as seen in the poster for "Dial Up" with Divino.]]
{{VE|935|First Appearance}}

'''Vyrmis Sturra''', otherwise referred to as '''Vyr''', is a troll who appeared on [[Turnin Kaikai|Turnin's]] social media feed. Their associated alchemical sigil is Spirit, and they are a bronzeblood, specifically clay.{{-}}

=== White Queen & King ===
[[File:WhiteKing.png|thumb||160px|White King and Queen in court with Dersite Royalty.]]
{{VE|167|First Appearance}} (White King)

The '''White Queen''' and '''White King''' are royal carapacian figures from [[Prospit]]. They are in a tense peace with [[Derse]].

;External links
* {{MSPAW External|White_Queen|White Queen}} on {{MSPAW External|MS_Paint_Adventures_Wiki|MSPA Wiki}}
* {{MSPAW External|White_King|White King}} on MSPA Wiki{{-}}

=== Winston Churchill ===
{{VE|501|First Mention}}

Winston Churcill was a yellowblood troll who lived during The Renaissance notable for turning his skin into gold. He is one of [[Calder Kerian|Calder's]] "twelve star men".{{-}}

== Snowbound Blood ==

=== Diania ===
'''Diania''', or '''Dia''', is a troll who lives with [[Cadlys Rankor|Cadlys]] in his bunker. She's looked after by Cadlys and [[Minor Characters#Mariel|Marie]] after she "lost everything." Details are not shared, but it's to be inferred that the two have taken on a parental role towards her. Her pronouns as of writing seem to be she/her.{{-}}

=== Mariel ===
'''Mariel''', otherwise known as '''Marie''', is [[Cadlys Rankor|Cadlys's]] matesprit who lives with him in his bunker. Together, they watch over and presumably care for a troll named [[Minor Characters#Diania|Dia]]. {{-}}

=== Nocent Bystan ===
'''Nocent Bystan''' was one of the two trolls who were killed during [[Snowbound Blood: Volume One|''Snowbound Blood:'' Volume 1]]. They were tasked with driving the convoy that was meant to transport the [[Zekura Raines|Vivifier's]] blood, but were attacked in the process. [[Secily Iopara|Secily]] notes that Nocent had a bonded matesprit before their passing.{{-}}

=== Notrel Evantt ===
[[File:Evantt.png|thumb|300x300px|Nocent and Notrel, deceased in the snow at the start of Snowbound Blood.]]

'''Notrel Evantt''' was one of the two trolls who were killed during [[Snowbound Blood: Volume One|''Snowbound Blood:'' Volume 1]]. They were tasked with driving the convoy that was meant to transport the [[Zekura Raines|Vivifier's]] blood, but were attacked in the process.{{-}}

=== Ramona Raquel ===
'''Ramona Raquel''' is a troll mentioned by [[Raurou Dersal|Raurou]] to have been performing at the [[Awards for All]] ceremony shortly before the events of ''[[Snowbound Blood]]''. She is likely one of the two trolls on stage during the flashback sequence.{{-}}

===Manila Folder===

[[Typing Quirk|Typing Style:]] Speaks with proper grammar and syntax. Replaces "o" and "O" with "[]".

Manila Folder is a receptionist at the Corporate building. They are a yellowblood, specifically gold.{{-}}

== Syzygy (Thaumatrope) ==

=== Bakhas ===
[[File:TTcolablood.png|thumb|right|120px|Bakhas]]
{{TT|syzygy/18|First Appearance}}

[[Typing Quirk|Typing Style:]] Speaks with proper syntax and replaces "i' with "{" and "j" with "}".

'''Bakhas''' appears in Syzygy as part of [[Cepros Xirong|Cepros's]] party group.{{-}}

=== Femmis Gverdi ===
[[File:Femmis.png|thumb|right|Femmis's headshot in his corporate file.]]
{{TT|syzygy/118|First Appearance}}

[[Typing Quirk|Typing Style:]] Starts and ends his text with " .*+ " and " +*. " respectively. Replaces the letter "a" with the letter "x".

'''Femmis Gverdi''' was one of the members of [[Rypite Koldan|Rypite's]] and [[Sirage Feltri|Sirage's]] development team. His role on the team was as an artist. He uses he/him pronouns. He is a tealblood, specifically cyan. He is 12 reptonian sweeps old.

The surname ''Gverdi'' could be originated from [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giuseppe_Verdi Giuseppe Verdi], a famous composer from Italy.{{-}}

=== Hemiot Septem ===
[[File:Hemiot.png|thumb|right|Hemiot's headshot in his corporate file.]]
{{TT|syzygy/115|First Appearance}}

[[Typing Quirk|Typing Style:]] First and last letters of text are lowercase. All other letters are upper case. Uses colons instead of all other punctuation.

'''Hemiot Septem''' was one of the members of [[Rypite Koldan|Rypite's]] and [[Sirage Feltri|Sirage's]] development team. His role on the team was as a lead programmer. They use He/They pronouns. They are a bronzeblood, specifically cola. He is 11 reptonian sweeps old.{{-}}

=== Medjed Sapkha ===
[[File:Medjed.png|thumb|right|Medjed's headshot in zer corporate file.]]
{{TT|syzygy/119|First Appearance}}

[[Typing Quirk|Typing Style:]] They double the letter "g" and end text with a shrug emoji ( ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ )

'''Medjed Sapkha''' was one of the members of [[Rypite Koldan|Rypite's]] and [[Sirage Feltri|Sirage's]] development team. Zer role on the team was as a debugger and an artist. They use ze/they pronouns. Ze is a yellowblood, specifically gold. Ze is 8 reptonian sweeps old.{{-}}

=== Phoene Pegmin ===
[[File:Phoene.png|thumb|right|160px|Phoene talking to Rypite.]]
{{TT|syzygy/69|First Appearance}}

[[Typing Quirk|Typing Style:]] Defaults to speaking in all caps and surround the letters "C" and "R" with parentheses. When angry, she uses asterisks to censor some letters. When whispering or speaking as an aside, she drops her quirk entirely.

'''Phoene Pegmin''' is an art dealer colleague of [[Rypite Koldan]]. Her art collections include [[Ancestors#The Bravura|Gascon Koldan's]] works and statues resembling Funko Pops. She is a redblood, specifically Scarlet. She briefly entertains Rypite Koldan and [[Sirage Feltri]] for a job interview before revealing that Sirage stole an artifact Phoene was working to recover, causing Sirage to leave in tears.{{-}}

=== Qetish ===
[[File:TTcyanblood.png|thumb|right|Qetish]]
{{TT|syzygy/14|First Appearance}}

[[Typing Quirk|Typing Style:]] Speaks in all lowercase and ends text with "xoxo".

'''Qetish''' appears in Syzygy as part of [[Cepros Xirong|Cepros's]] party group.{{-}}

=== Roxett Esclur ===
[[File:Roxett.png|thumb|right|Roxett's headshot in her corporate file.]]
{{TT|syzygy/114|First Appearance}}

[[Typing Quirk|Typing Style:]] She replaces the letter e with either ɜ, ⱻ, or 3 (difficult to distinguish due to the Thaumatrope font).

'''Roxett Esclur''' was one of the members of [[Rypite Koldan|Rypite's]] and [[Sirage Feltri|Sirage's]] development team. Her role on the team was as a secretary. She uses she/her pronouns. She is a purpleblood, specifically amethyst. Her associated alchemical sigil is Scruple. She is 9 reptonian sweeps old. {{-}}

=== Shiopa Atshor ===
[[File:Shiopa.png|thumb|right|Shiopa's headshot in their corporate file.]]
{{TT|syzygy/117|First Appearance}}

[[Typing Quirk|Typing Style:]] Starts text with " !( " and ends with " ); "

'''Shiopa Atshor''' was one of the members of [[Rypite Koldan|Rypite's]] and [[Sirage Feltri|Sirage's]] development team. Their role on the team was as a programmer. He uses any pronouns. They are a red blood, specifically rust. She is 10 reptonian sweeps old.{{-}}

=== Tafner ===
[[File:Tafner.png|thumb|Tafner ]]
{{TT|syzygy/42|First Appearance}}

[[Typing Quirk|Typing Style:]] Speaks in all lowercase with no punctuation and ends text with three closing parentheses. Adds dashes between each letter of a word for emphasis.

'''Tafner''' is a part of [[Cepros Xirong|Cepros's]] party group seen in Syzygy. They are usually depicted smoking. They are a redblood, specifically scarlet.{{-}}

=== Tenemi Tenbra ===
[[File:Tenemi.png|thumb|right|Tenemi's headshot in her corporate file.]]
{{TT|syzygy/116|First Appearance}}

[[Typing Quirk|Typing Style:]] Prefixes her sentences with "//", proper spelling and ponctuation.

'''Tenemi Tenbra''' was one of the members of [[Rypite Koldan|Rypite's]] and [[Sirage Feltri|Sirage's]] development team. Her role on the team was as a programmer. She uses she/her pronouns. She is a greenblood, specifically ochre. She is 14 reptonian sweeps old.{{-}}

== Haustoria (Thaumatrope) ==

=== Alcest Sedokl ===
[[File:Alcest plant disease haustoria 35.png|thumb|right]]
{{Thaumatrope|haustoria/34|First Appearance}}

[[Typing Quirk|Typing Style:]] Starts text with "L" and ends with "7". Does not capitalize the first letter of a sentence unless it's a proper noun, or "I". Tends to shorten words and replace the last letter with an apostrophe (examples: "the" -> "th'", and "ing" -> "in'"). Uses punctuation, as well as periods at the end of sentences; however, the last sentence in a block of text will not have a period.

'''Alcest Sedokl''' was the head of the village seen in Haustoria. At the start of the story, he had growths from the plant disease primarily on his legs, but they eventually claimed his mobility, before putting him into a coma and ultimately killing him. He was a tealblood, specifically turquoise.

Alcest uses he/him pronouns. His associated alchemical sigil is Year.

He had a moose lusus, and said lusus decided to take care of [[Gerbat Batrav|Gerbat]] after Alcest's passing.{{-}}

=== Borwik Ruveit ===
[[File:Borwik Haustoria page 42.png|thumb|right]]
{{Thaumatrope|haustoria/23|First Appearance}}

[[Typing Quirk|Typing Style:]] Replaces "R" with "г", "B" with "Ъ", "T" with "т" and "K" with "к". Doesn't capitalize "I" when referring to herself. Punctuation and apostrophes are used properly.

'''Borwik Ruveit''', frequently referred to as '''Bor''', was a lumberjane living in the village seen in ''Haustoria''. She helped build the lab and attempted to chop down the tree planted by [[Kheparia]] followers before getting infected. Bor destroyed the engine of [[Lutzia Cullex|Lutzia's]] van, and then passed away alongside [[Minor Characters#Yarina Mammon|Yarina]]. She was a bronzeblood, specifically cola.

Borwik uses she/her pronouns. Yarina was Borwik's partner, but the specific quadrant isn't known.{{-}}

=== Kimosh Kumora ===
[[File:KimoshKumora.png|thumb|right]]
{{Thaumatrope|haustoria/25|First Appearance}}

[[Typing Quirk|Typing Quirk:]] Sentences start and end with ";", with spaces within seperated by "-". The text itself is in lowercase. Apostrophes are used properly, punctuation isn't used unless it's an exclamation or question mark.

'''Kimosh Kumora''', frequently referred to as '''Kim''', was a tailor in the village seen in ''Haustoria''. It's one of the first trolls seen to be infected. Kim can be seen frequently wandering after getting infected, and dies off-screen after getting lost. It was a blueblood, specifically aegean.

Kimosh uses it/it's pronouns and was moirails with [[Minor Characters#Neeris Gamaun|Neeris Gamaun]].{{-}}

=== Margol Ohotka ===
[[File:MargolOhotka.png|thumb|right]]
{{Thaumatrope|haustoria/23|First Appearance}}

[[Typing Quirk|Typing Style:]] Replaces 'o' with '[o]', alongside 'oo' with '[o|o]'. He seems to drop the quirk in serious situations.

'''Margol Ohotka''' was a hunter in the village seen in ''Haustoria''. She assisted with research of the disease by bringing back lusii who seemed infected. He died after getting scratched and poisoned by Mecera. She was a yellowblood, specifically mustard.

Margol uses she/he pronouns.{{-}}

=== Mecera Koniga ===
[[File:MeceraKoniga.png|thumb|right]]
{{Thaumatrope|haustoria/23|First Appearance}}

[[Typing Quirk|Typing Style:]] Uses "¶" as a prefix for sentences. Sentences are strung with "§". Proper letter capitalization is used, but no periods at the end of sentences.

'''Mecera Koniga''', frequently referred to as '''Cera''', was a troll living in the village seen in ''Haustoria.'' Her specific job isn't known, as the comic refers to her as a freeloader, while Cera calls herself "something of a librarian". She helped document information of the disease, but started to go against the others after getting sick. Cera was a bronzeblood, specifically clay.

Mecera uses she/her pronouns.

Her lusus is a hornet and she has a [[Hemospectrum#Biological Aspects|survival ability]] of venom nails.

''Cera'' may be originated from ''cera'', a Latin name for wax, which is related to her alchemical sigil. The surname ''Koniga'' might be derived from the Russian word ''книга'' ("book").{{-}}

=== Neeris Gamaun ===
[[File:NeerisGamaun.png|thumb|right]]
{{Thaumatrope|haustoria/24|First Appearance}}

[[Typing Quirk|Typing Style:]] First word or two within a sentence is in full capitals, the rest being in lowercase. Punctuation isn't used, but apostrophes are. After each sentence an emoticon is used, appearing similar to kaomoji.

'''Neeris Gamaun''' was an artist in the village seen in ''Haustoria''. They mainly assisted with sketching plants deemed suspicious, but helped out with decorating the lab as well. They were a redblood, specifically scarlet.

Neeris uses they/them pronouns and was moirails with [[Minor Characters#Kimosh Kumora|Kimosh]].{{-}}

=== Urodea Svarov ===
[[File:UrodeaSvarov.png|thumb|right]]
{{Thaumatrope|haustoria/25|First Appearance}}

[[Typing Quirk|Typing Style:]] "U" is replaced with "Ü". All lowercase letters unless using names. Apostrophes are used, and each sentences ends with a question mark. Side comments are written the same but with a strike through all words.

'''Urodea Svarov''' was a blacksmith in the village seen in ''Haustoria''. She assisted with building the lab and made sigil jewelry for the others while quarantined. They were a greenblood, specifically clover. Urodea is noted to have chronic lung problems.

Urodea uses she/they pronouns.{{-}}

=== Yarina Mammon ===
[[File:YarinaMammon.png|thumb|right]]
{{Thaumatrope|haustoria/23|First Appearance}}

[[Typing Quirk|Typing Style:]] "n" is replaced with "П", "b" with "Ь" and "m" with "м". Starts and ends sentences with "≈{" and "}≈" respectively. "=" is sometimes placed between or within sentences. All lowercase besides proper capitalization for names. Usually no punctuation, but does use commas or question marks at times.

'''Yarina Mammon''' was a baker in the village seen in ''Haustoria''. She was put on watch duty within the quarantine hut and invited [[Minor Characters#Borwik Ruveit|Borwik]] to assist her. She was a redblood, specifically scarlet.

Yarina uses she/her pronouns and was partners with Borwik, though the specific quadrant isn't known.{{-}}

==References==
<references />

{{Navbox Vast Error Characters}}
{{Navbox Trolls}}
[[Category:Characters]]

Cyprim Shukra

2024-08-14T15:44:06Z

PassiveJungle:

{{Incomplete}}

{{/Infobox}}
'''Cyprim Shukra''', known by her title as '''The Exemplar''', is the ancestor to [[Albion Shukra]] who lived during [[the Renaissance]]. She was a spiritual leader at the time, and the twelfth and final of the Star Children.

==Etymology==
The name Cyprim is likely derived from the word 'cyprium', meaning 'copper', in reference to her and her descendant's sigils. Her surname, Shukra, is a Sanskrit word that means "lucid, clear, bright". It is also the name of an ancient sage who counseled Asuras in Vedic mythology, and the term for Venus in Hindu astrology.

== Biography ==
When she was about the same age as Albion, Cyprim was brought into [[the Static]] and approached by [[White Noise]]. Without revealing his identity, he told her about Albion and her friends and enlisted Cyprim's help in shaping their future. White Noise then gave her a part of the {{Green Sun|link}} which allowed her to see into the future.

Soon after White Noise became her mentor, Cyprim met [[Zekura Raines]] and entered into a pale relationship with her, working together to bring about the conditions for [[The Game]]'s fruition. She eventually gave up her position as the pure oneself, as she believed that she was to carry the curse by blood alongside Zekura, bound to [[Repiton]] until their descendants were born. However, on the night Cyprim was to receive the blood curse, Zekura came across the hanged corpse of [[Thesal Voorat]] and passed the curse onto him instead, resurrecting him. Cyprim was extremely upset by this, losing control of her emotions for the first time in her life. By the time she recovered, both Zekura and Thesal were gone.

She was eventually found by [[the Fomenter]] and entered into a matespritship with him. By the time they decided to seek out Zekura and Thesal, an unknown war broke out and the Fomenter was killed in battle. Soon after his death, the Renaissance ended and Cyprim used her remaining power to contact Albion through [[The Cell]] where she gave her visions of the past and future, a warning not to trust White Noise, and a final warning to keep [[Ellsee Raines|Ellsee]] out of the game. As Albion's emotions turned violent, Cyprim was killed by her ex-followers for unknown reasons.

== Relationships ==

=== Albion Shukra ===
The Exemplar's descendant.

=== The Fomenter ===
The Fomenter was Cyprim's former matesprit. The two of them grew close after Zekura broke her promise to Cyprim, with the Fomenter encouraging her to be "proud of her own scars" and offering comfort in a time of uncertainty and grief.

=== Zekura Raines ===
Zekura was Cyprim's former moirail. The two of them parted on a bitter note after Zekura shared her blood curse with Thesal instead of Cyprim, unlike what she had promised to her before.

{{ref}}
{{Navbox Vast Error Characters}}
{{Navbox Trolls}}
[[Category:Trolls]]
[[Category:Vast Error characters]]
[[Category:Ancestors]]

Cyprim Shukra

2024-08-14T15:40:05Z

PassiveJungle: beefed up her relationship descriptions

{{Incomplete}}

{{/Infobox}}
'''Cyprim Shukra''', known by her title as '''The Exemplar''', is the ancestor to [[Albion Shukra]] who lived during [[the Renaissance]]. She was a spiritual leader at the time, and the twelfth and final of the Star Children.

==Etymology==
The name Cyprim is likely derived from the word 'cyprium', meaning 'copper', in reference to her and her descendant's sigils. Her surname, Shukra, is a Sanskrit word that means "lucid, clear, bright". It is also the name of an ancient sage who counseled Asuras in Vedic mythology, and the term for Venus in Hindu astrology.

== Biography ==
When she was about the same age as Albion, Cyprim was brought into [[the Static]] and approached by [[White Noise]]. Without revealing his identity, he told her about Albion and her friends and enlisted Cyprim's help in shaping their future. White Noise then gave her a part of the {{Green Sun|link}} which allowed her to see into the future.

Soon after White Noise became her mentor, Cyprim met [[Zekura Raines]] and entered into a pale relationship with her, working together to bring about the conditions for [[The Game]]'s fruition. She eventually gave up her position as the pure oneself, as she believed that she was to carry the curse by blood alongside Zekura, bound to [[Repiton]] until their descendants were born. However, on the night Cyprim was to receive the blood curse, Zekura came across the hanged corpse of [[Thesal Voorat]] and passed the curse onto him instead, resurrecting him. Cyprim was extremely upset by this, losing control of her emotions for the first time in her life. By the time she recovered, both Zekura and Thesal were gone.

She was eventually found by [[the Fomenter]] and entered into a matespritship with him. By the time they decided to seek out Zekura and Thesal, an unknown war broke out and the Fomenter was killed in battle. Soon after his death, the Renaissance ended and Cyprim used her remaining power to contact Albion through [[The Cell]] where she gave her visions of the past and future, a warning not to trust White Noise, and a final warning to keep [[Ellsee Raines|Ellsee]] out of the game. As Albion's emotions turned violent, Cyprim was killed by her ex-followers for unknown reasons.

== Relationships ==

=== Albion Shukra ===
The Exemplar's descendant.

=== The Fomenter ===
The Exemplar's former matesprit. They are implied to have been very close, with the Fomenter encouraging Cyprim to be proud of her past emotional scars.

=== Zekura Raines ===
Zekura was Cyprim's former moirail. The two of them parted on a bitter note after Zekura shared her blood curse with Thesal instead of Cyprim, unlike what she had promised to her before.

== Trivia ==

== Gallery ==

{{ref}}
{{Navbox Vast Error Characters}}
{{Navbox Trolls}}
[[Category:Trolls]]
[[Category:Vast Error characters]]
[[Category:Ancestors]]

Snowbound Blood: Epilogue/Transcript

2024-08-01T14:01:05Z

PassiveJungle: Also added some links

= Act 1. =
{{VE Quote|seinru|??????: Hello there.}}

{{VE Quote|seinru|??????: Are you listening, deputies?}}

{{VE Quote|seinru|??????: I know you are. I can hear your shallow, panicked breaths.}}

{{VE Quote|seinru|??????: Is mine not the voice you expected?}}

{{VE Quote|seinru|??????: Oh, the questions that must be racing through your pitiable little minds.}}

{{VE Quote|seinru|??????: The answers you seek, at length, have already one foot in the grave, with the other soon to follow.}}

{{VE Quote|seinru|??????: But I've one to spare, in brief.}}

{{VE Quote|seinru|??????: Just a single, solitary word for you to ponder on the eve of your oncoming oblivion.}}

{{VE Quote|seinru|??????: Listen close, regulators. This is the last you'll ever hear of me.}}

{{VE Quote|seinru|??????: Ready?}}

{{VE Quote|seinru|??????: ...}}

{{VE Quote|seinru|??????: Checkmate.}}

A crunchy click yields to static, punctuated with a solemn disconnection ping.

The silence that follows is all-enveloping. Wind on gravel, dust scraping against concrete. A howling echo of distant nightlife reverberates through the empty monorail station, like a ghost unknowingly mourning its own death.

You consider the train car where Secily Iopara barely managed to save a hogtied Necron Exmort from a ticking time bomb set by her quarry, the perpetrator at the center of Operation Snowbound Blood: Aumtzi Maught.

A short while ago, Secily told Oricka Rourst and yourself to come here and help Necron. Then she ran off to...

Somewhere.

Your finger slips away from your earpiece. A spring of razor wire coils ever tighter in your chest. A thermite singularity, melting a hole straight through you.

It takes all of a breath to swallow that cutting, burning heat and set the whole mess aside. On any other night, the swiftness of your compartmentalization might give you pause.

But your name is Mshiri Libeta, and you've been expecting this for a long, long time.

Before receiving that mysterious broadcast, Necron had been running from alley to alley, shouting Secily's name while Oricka sat cross-legged with a computer on her lap. She's trying to get a fix on the missing regulator's location through YVES.

His wounds are still fresh. Whichever villain attempted to drag him to — presumably — where Secily was taken must be in a much worse state.

Despite his recent battle damage, he seems far too focused on the current matter at hand to notice.

Now they both stare at you, and then at each other, frozen and confused.

Exmort jogs back across the street to rejoin you under the monorail's tattered awning.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Who in the blazes was that? ††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Did some two-bit hacker just gank our line AGAIN?! ††}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: OH i built her communicator with a unique carrier signal! if i can do a spectrum analysis—}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† Less time chatterboxin' babe, we're on the clock here! †††}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: right right right yeah gimme a sec... :sweat:}}

Your lips purse. Oricka taps away at her computer in a panic. Unease claws at the edge of your thoughts.

Necron starts pacing in a short circle, infrequently glancing up at you expectantly.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† What're your thoughts, Miss Shiri? Got any idea where she mighta run off to? ††}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: . ...}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† I'm thinkin' that slimy bastard's got her holed up in one of these traphives— ††}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: oh no...}}

Her voice trails down at the end. Necron almost trips over himself trying to reach her side.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† What's the sitch? ††}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: ident confirmed, the transmission def came from stressilys earpiece :worried:}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Tell me you got a location on that sucker. ††}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: wtf!! the trackings blocked :grrr:}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† What do you mean it's blocked?! ††}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: i mean theres no location metadata :shoutpole:}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: they mustve disabled—}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† Try somethin' else, then! Can't you like, I dunno, triangle the signal or somethin'? †††}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: i already did that! what kinda noobie do you take me for? :rolling_ganderbulbs:}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †††† Then give with the skinny already!! ††††}}

She turns her screen towards the both of you. On it shines a map highlighting all the communication hubs throughout the Stronghold and across Repiton.

Dozens of locations are lit up with Secily's sigil, all showing the exact same timecode.

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: hate to say it but...}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: she could be anywhere :frowning:}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† But she was ''just here!'' They couldn't have gone that far, right? †††}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .not unless she was subdued and transported elsewhere}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† ... ††}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: ...}}

When the matesprits meet your gaze, you see in their eyes a deep desire to argue. You watch their breathing accelerate, their body language grow more anxious.

You've seen this before. You know it as intimately as any other sensation you've come to master in your time as a TEMP.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Well, what're we doin' here then? Lollygaggin' like a buncha deadbeats? If our gal's got herself kidnapped— ††}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .checkmate}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Huh? ††}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .the voice we just heard}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..it said checkmate}}

ORICKA: :cold_sweat:

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† A bozo with an axe to grind'll say anythin' to get a reaction. What's your point? ††}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .you know what my point is, necron}}

A dreadful knowledge percolates in the air between their shivering bodies, the chill they share defying the artificial tolerability of the Stronghold's climate control.

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: i...}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: ...}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: :anguished:}}

Her wavering intonation barely rises above the background noise. Necron huffs and crosses his arms.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† I can't believe you two! †††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† I mean, you ain't seriously suggesting... †††}}

When he sees that you are seriously suggesting, his expression sours and he hocks a rebellious loogie into the dirt.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† No way, I don't buy it. †††}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: so you think that was just a bluff to get us off their tail?}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† It's gotta be! †††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† They're messin' with us. That's all these daggone cultists know how to do. Play stupid mindgames and get us second guessin' ourselves! †††}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: i guess so... :skeptical:}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† I ''know'' so! That Noxious fella jerked your chain around plenty, 'member? †††}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: of course i do ronny but that wasnt his voice}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† Well hell darlin', we don't know that! He sure fooled me with yours not even a couple hours ago. †††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †††† Come on, Secily's gotten outta worse scrapes than this! It's obviously a trick, gotta be. ††††}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: that guy didnt sound like much of a trickster to me :doubtful:}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† What's that gotta do with anythin'? They're all liars, the damned freaks! Just wanna make us give up, or... †††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †††† Or... ††††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††††† Hell, what do I know what's goin through the demented mind of some lowlife social deviant?! A lie's a lie and I ain't about to give up on the sturdiest, fightingest gal I ever— †††††}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .shes dead}}

He looks at you like a kicked barkbeast. Like you've slipped a knife between his ribs.

Oricka coughs out a sullen, surprised sob, and covers her mouth with both hands.

You wish more than anything to give comfort. To placate with hypotheticals and possibilities. To pay lip service to the technicality that none of you know for certain that the worst has truly come to pass.

But you've been around this block before. You've seen what happens when comfort overrides truth.

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .secily iopara is dead}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† You're wrong. ††}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .she is ''gone''}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Stop saying that! ††}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .we dont have time to play pretend}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Come on, Shiri. You can't honestly believe those crazed lunatics— ††}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .would kill the chief regulator who has plagued their operations for blinks on end?}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..would torment her survivors with an infuriatingly cryptic epitaph?}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ...i find that quite easy to believe actually}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††††† ... †††††}}

The twitch of muscles beneath his cheeks, the dance of agony and raging denial — you watch it unfold like a car crash in motion.

He grinds his teeth as he speaks.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† I'm not givin' up on her. ††}}

Shallow, rapid breathing. Necron arcs his back and shouts to the sky with all his might.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †††† YOU HEAR ME YOU SIMPERING CLOWNS?! I'M NOT FALLING FOR ANY MORE OF YOUR FUCKIN' LIES! ††††}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: we were too late :hourglass: :frown:}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †††† WHERE ARE YOU? I KNOW YOU'RE LISTENIN', SO COME OUTTA THE SHADOWS AND FACE ME ALREADY!! ††††}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: i shouldve grabbed the whole crew and beelined straight here as soon as your signal dropped...}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: this is all my fault...}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† Like hell it is! ''I'm'' supposed to be her partner on the battlefield! If it wasn't for that slimy bastard's dirty tricks... †††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† I was s'posed to defend her. Instead she wasted time having to save MY sorry ass, while the whole embarrassin' debacle was broadcast on live TV! †††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† I failed her. †††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† I fuckin'— †††}}

He wheels back his mechanical arm and plows it into a concrete wall, then again, and again, punctuating each blow with a full-throated scream.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††††† DAMN IT! DAMN IT! DAMN IT! †††††}}

His head slumps against the cracked, crumbling cement, gritting his teeth, eyes squeezed shut.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† It should've been me bleedin' out in the cold somewhere, not her. †††}}

Oricka reaches out to him, but can't seem to will her legs into standing up.

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: dont say that! that wouldnt be any better!! :steamed:}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† I'm sorry hon, it's just... ††}}

Necron knocks his fleshy palm uselessly against the wall. He tries to wipe the tears from his cheeks, but the dirt on his hands just turns them to mud.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† This ain't over. I'm gonna track these suckers down and tear 'em limb from limb until I find her! †††}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .you will do no such thing}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †††† WHY NOT?! ††††}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .because it's not what secily would have wanted}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..she would rather her partner keep his head and focus on the bigger picture}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† I... †††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †††† AAGHHH!! ††††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †††† SHE DON'T GET A CHOICE IN THE MATTER! If she's still out there, if there's even a chance she's still alive — ††††}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .but she did get a choice}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..and this is where it led}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ...this is where it was always going to lead}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ....she made sure of that with every stubborn step}}

You lay a comforting hand on his back. Necron flinches away from it with a growl and storms off, kicking rocks, arguing with air.

No point trying to reason with him now, you think. Best to let the rage run its course.

In the meantime, you turn your attention to the silently weeping Oricka. You descend to your knees beside her, your fingers entwined in your lap.

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: this is what i get for waiting to be told what to do}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: i had a feeling you know? when the pirate broadcast started and all our comms went haywire, i ''knew'' something bad was gonna happen...}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: but i ignored it! i convinced myself i was just being paranoid and kept on sitting there waiting for orders like a dummy}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .this was your role in the operation oricka}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..you did exactly what you were supposed to do}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: but its not what ses would have done!}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: if it was her in my place, the minute she had that bad feeling...}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: i was a coward for waiting}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: i could have saved her if id just listened to my gut!}}

You pull her into your arms and let her cry into your shoulder. Her tears are warm, and she clings to you like a raft going over a waterfall.

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .it is tempting to rely on signs and portents}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..but when we remember those bad feelings that turned out to be correct}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ...we forget all the ones that came to nothing}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ....it was the braver thing for you to wait}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .....you did as best you could given the actionable knowledge in your possession}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: thats not true}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: the body ''knows''}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: its like a seismometer for tragedy, and im the hapless scientist who saw the warning signs and just let it happen anyway!!!}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .that is simply untrue}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..if you had been here the only difference would be the addition of your death on top of hers}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: i don't think i can let myself believe that...}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .why not?}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: because it means they beat us! just straight up and down, start to finish, we got played.}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: it means ''she'' got played and...}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: and she ''lost''}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: ses never loses, right? :confounded:}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .im sorry to say oricka}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..secily lost far more often than she won}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ...they just happened to be the kinds of losses that wouldnt show up on a mission report}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: so the whole operation was a lost cause? :sniffle:}}

You stare at her wordlessly. It's a question you've pondered on more than one occasion, especially when Secily was asleep in your arms. You decide to give the answer that ''she'' would have given, if she ever had the chance.

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .it was never a lost cause}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..it wont be until we are all dead}}

You rise to your feet, and pull Oricka up with you.

Just then, a loud blast reverberates through the ruins. Oricka yelps.

Several yards away, Necron has blasted a hole in the ground with his boomstick arm. He's shouting, screaming, blue tears staining his cheeks, though his expression is in denial of the weeping.

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .necron}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..that is enough}}

He turns on you, again betrayed, marching up to you like a freshly reduplicated wriggler throwing a tantrum. Oricka puts herself between you, but seems uncertain as to whose side she's taking.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† Enough?? Not by a damn sight. Nuh-uh, no ma'am, I'm just gettin' ''started!'' †††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† I'm gonna find those cantankerous lily-livered zealots and give em somethin' to REALLY pray about! †††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† I'm gonna bring the pain down so hard and so fast they'll be '' beggin' '' me for mercy. †††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† And when I find the sonuvabitch that did this you best believe they'll be telling horror stories about it in the collective unconscious! †††}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .perhaps you will}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..but not tonight}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† No offense Miss Shiri, but I ain't askin'. †††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† I've had it up to here playing nice with these scoundrels. It's time to get mean. †††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† You're with me, ain'tcha sugar? †††}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: ummmm :grimacing:}}

Oricka wavers, glancing back at you with uncertainty.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† Those're just nerves talking. All we need is a solid plan, and lots of guns! We can get both real easy! †††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† Come on. You trust me, don't you? †††}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: i trust you more than anyone ronny!}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: thats why i cant let you do something as STUPID as running off to get yourself killed!}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: this isnt your run of the mill mob of disorganized scumbags, these guys have ''resources''}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: we had no idea what we were up against till now}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: and acting all gung ho to try and fix that isnt going to make the situation any better...}}

Necron is flabbergasted. You doubt Oricka has ever had to tell him that their usual methodology has its flaws, but right now, panic has completely taken over.

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: i need you! i dont want to lose anyone else :pleading_shrimp:}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† Neither do I, darlin', but we've got a duty here!}}

She shakes her head and presses a firm fist against his chest.

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: our duty is to each other, remember?}}

For a long stretch of moments, it seems like he could storm off on his own at the drop of a pin.

Finally, his shoulders slouch, and he pulls Oricka into a big hug. What they whisper to each other, if anything, is inaudible to you.

They end the embrace hand in hand and face you, eyes sparkling at the edges.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† Fine. What's the play? †††}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .we have to inform the heir}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† What? ††}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .sestro and hamifi}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..we have to tell them as soon as possible}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: GROAAAAAN}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: shouldnt they know already?}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .im not sure}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..but my gut tells me they dont}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† And then what? We just wipe our hands and hope the numbskulls at Corporate'll give her justice? ††}}

You feel a spike of frustration, and immediately tamp it down.

It would take dangerously little to push Necron right back onto a path of self-destruction, and ultimately this has nothing to do with how you feel.

This is about ''him,'' and his need for a light at the end of this particular tunnel.

So you wield Secily's conviction like a flashlight and tell him what you want to believe.

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .this is not the end of our fight}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..if anything this is only the beginning}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ...every moment we waste indulging in rank histrionics is an advantage to our enemies}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ....we have a responsibility now}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .....not just to this world and its enduring survival}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ......but to each other}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .......secily brought us all together}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ........let us honor her memory by avoiding her mistakes}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† That's all well and good, but someone's got an express delivery of comeuppance headed to their steeple. ††}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .i have every confidence that you will return this violent favor in kind}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..but only if you can control yourself and commit to what really needs doing in the long term}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ...instead of rushing off to your death like a fool}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Is that what you think ''she'' was? A fool? †}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: . ...}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..are you sure you want me to answer that question}}

Something in Necron's expression breaks. A humorless smile cracks up his face, he wipes one cheek with the palm of his hand. It's a laugh that comes out of him, impotent and miserable.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † I s'pose not. †}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Well, what're we waitin' for? Let's go share the bad news. ††}}

He leads the way to his truck, too eager to stay a pace ahead of you and Oricka.

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: uh, i think ill wait in the truck when we get to hq}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: the LAST thing we need right now is me flying off the handle at some spoiled little corpo failtrolls :expressionless:}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .wise choice}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..you should do the same necron}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Not a chance. I ain't leavin' ya out to dry all on your lonesome like that, no siree. ††}}

You share a look of skeptical consternation with Oricka, who shrugs in response.

The keys slip twice from Necron's hand before he gets the door open. While he gives Oricka a lift into the passenger side, you slide into place behind the wheel.

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .ill drive}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Like hell you will. ††}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .necron}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..your hands are shaking}}

He clenches his fingers into fists, purses his lips in a defiant scowl.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† I've got this, Miss Shiri. You can count on me. ††}}

You sigh as he climbs up into the front seat and forces you to scooch to the middle.

The engine roars alive and groans against a rough tug of the gearshift.

You idle in place for a few seconds.

Necron's grip on the steering wheel is so tight, his knuckles are blue.

You rest a hand on his shoulder, and before he thinks you can see him crumble into a sobbing mess, he opens the driver side door and jumps out into the night, slamming it behind him.

You slide into his place, adjusting what little you can, and try to pretend you can't hear Necron hiccuping as he makes his way around the back.

You drive.

To Necron's palpable annoyance, you strictly obey the speed limit, stop at every light, and dutifully signal your every move to the masses of trolls you're sure are already beginning to forget tonight's incident.

It's not long before the monorail station disappears in the rearview. Up ahead, looming so large it seems like it should only be a few minutes away, stands Corporate HQ.

You realize quite suddenly how long it's been since your last meal, and resign yourself to waiting even longer still.

Necron idly prods at the internals of his metal hand, checking for damage. He loses interest and finds himself staring out the window at passing street lights, forehead on the glass.

Next to you, Oricka pulls out her phone and sighs.

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: i should call crytum and tell him...}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: whatever there is to tell him :tired_troll_face:}}

She puts the thing to her ear and waits, ringing barely audible over the hum of the engine.

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: hey}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: yeah im... ok. ronnys ok too, im riding with him and mshiri right now}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: sorry for not getting back to you sooner, its been a hectic couple hours}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: so...}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: about the mission...}}

= Act 2. =

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: Yes.∞}}

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: Yes, I understand.∞}}

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: I am perfectly cognizant of the consequences this will have to Corporate's public image, thank you.∞}}

You are now the Corporate Heir.

You watch Hamifi stand solemn with the phone to her head, voice as flat and professional now as it would be any other night.

It's astonishing, really. Her ability to take official calls for hours on end without crumbling into a ball of hyperventilating panic seems like a genuine superpower, now more than ever.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: Vendor adspend is irrelevant, I'm certain it will level back out as soon as we've identified the weakness in our broadcast fortressing.∞}}

Despite her composure, Hamifi's voice sounds smaller to you than normal.

Perhaps it's the acoustics of Secily's office? It lacks the cavernous quality of most Corporate spaces you've spent your life in.

You forget to humor any other explanations.

The two of you decided it would be best to wait out the situation here. When Secily returns, there are bound to be a lot of questions. Almost absentmindedly, you run through them again one more time.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: Casualties are unconfirmed as of yet. We suspect the perpetrator may have cut the broadcast early to sow panic among worker-consumers.∞}}

On the wall in front of you hangs what is, arguably, a family portrait. But your eyes are focused on a nearer point in the air, where a glowing teal orb begins to take shape from nothing.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: Because no one's reported any bombs going off, that's why.∞}}

At the behest of your concentration, the transparent orb collapses inward, gains angles and rigid lines, folds onto and through itself in a process of refinement that ends with the creation of a small, illusory door.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: Because no one's reported any bombs going off, that's why.∞}}

With a careful gesture of your hand, the door snaps into place in the entryway of a miniature two-story villa, totally blocking the picture frame from view.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: No, not yet.∞}}

You let out a tinkerer's sigh of relief, and take a step back to evaluate your work.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: I said no.∞}}

The door looks good, you think, but the slant of the roof is all wrong.

If the rest hadn't been so fiddly (and if Hamifi weren't in the room to be startled by the explosion), you'd be tempted to blow it up and start over from scratch.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: It is the joint position of Corporate leadership that no further public statements will be made until we have a complete picture of what precisely has occurred.∞}}

Arms crossed behind your back, you turn in a slow circle.

A teal cobblestone road winds its way from the teal gates of the villa through a field, past a teal farm compound dotted with teal windmills, and into a series of vast teal city complexes that ring Secily's office end to end.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: Every data-carrying screen in the Stronghold, yes, I'm looking at the same reports as you.∞}}

It's a model Stronghold — what passed for one in a distant age before the Renaissance, anyway — manifested by the application of your alchemic abilities. Building imaginary cities like this has become a favored activity during times of stress.

Usually, you prefer to utilize more tangible building blocks than this, if only because it's more of a challenge. At least this method makes it easier to iron out little imperfections; the details only you tend to notice or care about.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: Of course public opinion is down, they've just been lied to by a terrorist.∞}}

You've never seen a place like it in real life, so you have no idea how to judge its realism. All you've got to go on are the disparate, often conflicting accounts of various historians, and your own subjective architectural proclivities.

Corporate either holds or closely monitors nearly all that remains from these age old civilizations, but there is still so much that is missing or–

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: That information is classified.∞}}

Yes. What she said.

It's impossibly idyllic, this hallucinatory landscape. No plastic trees, no geomorphic climate control, no artificial intelligence systems for automation, no particalizers or synthetic bolstering of any kind.

The closest analogue to Corporate's towering, austere HQ is an immense cathedral, all rounded stone and pendentives, marble columns and gleaming minarets.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: I said it's ''classified.''∞}}

Inspecting the cathedral more closely, you find yourself thinking that at least the all-mother gave her subjects something pretty to look at.

All this commotion over lime blood made you curious about it, you suppose. The Vivifier must have had her work cut out for her.

And knowing the few objective truths about her that you do, you figure that if she heard about the situation you're all in, she might laugh.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: The public broadcast of illegally acquired privileged information from a highly sensitive in-progress case does not, under any circumstances, constitute a de facto declassification of said case.∞}}

Your gaze is suddenly caught by a blank patch of wall beneath a tall spire, so you manifest another orb and begin whittling it down into something to fill in the space.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: Do not make me repeat myself again.∞}}

You've lost track of how long you've been at this, exactly, or why you even started in the first place.

It's almost hypnotic, listening to one side of a conversation. And you suppose it's better to build for no reason than to build nothing in the absence of one.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: Yes, that will be fine.∞}}

Maybe there's a lesson in there somewhere.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: I am not interested in apologies, just see that it gets done.∞}}

She hangs up with a barely perceptible sigh, her collected demeanor betrayed only by the sweat beading on her brow.

Hamifi approaches you slowly, pinching the bridge of her nose with one hand.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: This operation has gone about as poorly as it possibly could have. We might live another fifty sweeps and ''still'' not be done cleaning up this mess.∞}}

You have no response to that, and she doesn't expect one. To humor the notion at greater length would be to suggest that the terrorist Aumtzi Maught actually succeeded with this stunt.

Of course he didn't.

It's a fantasy of consequence that will never come true. The Corporation absorbs worse atrocities and embarrassments as a matter of course almost every single day, and its subjects have nowhere else to turn besides.

This event won't change the world, and you both know it. A wice from now, it won't even be in the news anymore. A video essay or two, perhaps, but by then it'll only be relegated to conspiracy.

Only in this momentary reflective silence does Hamifi notice the extensive complex of translucent buildings you've assembled around the edges of Secily's office.

She seems taken aback, perhaps surprised most of all by her own inattentiveness.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: Someone's been keeping himself occupied.∞}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞there's no one left for me to call. it was between this or today's axial-linguistic inference table, and i suck at those.}}

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: Yes, you do.∞}}

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: What did they have to say?∞}}

You shrug, attention fixed on capturing the precise dimensions of a stained glass window small enough to fit in the etched palm of your hand.
{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞rodere relayed in her characteristic fashion that clarud is presently indisposed and doesn't wish to speak on the matter.}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞the principal was in the process of assembling the alchemical taskforce, but all the leads have gone cold now that suspects in the snowbound blood case are public knowledge.}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞as for ms. iopara's ad hoc militia...}}

A frown sours your face. You've overworked the window, lost its meaning in your quest for verisimilitude. It fits well below the spire, but you remain unsatisfied at the details.

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞no response.}}

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: I see.∞}}

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: That is... suboptimal.∞}}

Without meaning to, you bark out a laugh. Hamifi's talent for understatement never fails to amuse.

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞it's a good thing she submitted her resignation already, isn't it?}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞saves us the trouble of an official reprimand when she gets back.}}

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: Yes, I suppose it does.∞}}

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: When.∞}}

She rolls the word around on her tongue and doesn't seem to like the taste.

You notice then that Hamifi is tapping her fingers against the palm of her hand in a choreographed dance whose steps you immediately recognize.

You take that hand into yours and try to sound easygoing.

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞would you care for a tour?}}

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: I ought to check back with security in case there are any updates.∞}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞if there were any updates, they would already be calling you.}}

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: ...∞}}

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: Very well, Mr. Enthal. Show me.∞}}

A smile breaks out across your face despite yourself.

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞basically, it's a rough interpretation of a bizkantine era stronghold, based on descriptions from a recent study out of the historical division.}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞i rummaged around what the masshole had to offer in terms of concrete data but i had to fudge a lot of details.}}
{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞i think it's a pretty respectable likeness anyway.}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞except for the stained glass. they didn't have the technology for that back then, i just think it looks neat.}}

She smirks at your "neat." You draw her attention to a somewhat more diminutive building in the cathedral's shadow.

S{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞this facility right here is a place for community social gatherings and knowledge distribution.}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞sort of like a primitive holonet cafe, but just for books!}}

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: And we wonder why their civilization collapsed.∞}}

For anyone else, Hamifi's sarcasm would be the conversational equivalent of taking a knife right in the bloodpusher.

For you, it's a tone of endearment. Like a game of tag, or a low stakes practice duel. It's the closest thing to "play" you ever get from her, and it's such a relief in this moment you can almost forget where you are, or why you're there.

Encouraged, you ramble on through every trivial tidbit that crosses your mind, eagerly pointing from structure to structure.

It's not often you get to infodump so freely, and even rarer to have Hamifi's undivided attention all the while.

At least, you ''think'' you have her undivided attention. She's smiling a little bit every time you glance up at her to check if she's bored, which is as good a sign as any.

Finally exhausted of facts to share, you straighten your back with pride and lock eyes with Hamifi.

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞you're impressed, i'm sure.}}

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: It is impressive work.∞}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞it's just wriggler stuff, really. looks like more than it actually is to the untrained eye.}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞lucky for you, i enjoy compliments.}}

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: You don't give yourself enough credit, Sestro. You're getting better every—∞}}

A sudden ring from the table phone.

Without pause, Hamifi's smile is a distant memory as she lunges towards it. She snaps it up and answers.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: Speak.∞}}

You watch the tension return to her body. You feel it, too. She shoulders the receiver and addresses you.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: It's the front office. Emergency line.∞}}

A dreadfully certain uncertainty.

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞put it on speaker.}}

A taboo broken in plain sight.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: Of course.∞}}

She presses the flashing yellow button with a satisfyingly chonky clunk.

{{VE Quote|#F0D090|MANILA: We have a situati[]n d[]wnstairs!}}

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: Explain.∞}}

{{VE Quote|#F0D090|MANILA: Ooh, fiddlesticks! it's m[]re []f an elevator situati[]n n[]w!!}}

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: Out with it, Mx. Folder.∞}}

{{VE Quote|#F0D090|MANILA: A pair []f harried s[]-and-s[]'s just st[]rmed past security! They have credentials and analytics sh[]w they've entered the building bef[]re.}}

{{VE Quote|#F0D090|MANILA: TEMP Libeta was []ne []f them i think?? she was saying they have urgent news, but...}}

{{VE Quote|#F0D090|MANILA: Well ma'am the []ther was a bulky fell[]w with a bloodstained r[]b[]t arm in t[]w, l[][]king rather surly and danger[]us!}}

{{VE Quote|#F0D090|MANILA: Sh[]uld we be scattering the dr[]nes?}}

Before she can answer, the office door swings violently open. You practically jump out of your skin, and your illusory Bizkantine city around you flickers in waves of dissipating energy in response.

You immediately recognize them: Mshiri Libeta and Necron Exmort, both looking very much the worse for wear.

No civilians should have clearance to the top floors of the building. Given their ties to the case and Secily's favoritism, you have no doubt they've been given special treatment.

You, however, are far more preocuppied with the hallway behind them. Waiting. Hoping for someone else to follow in their wake.

After a momentary staredown, Hamifi speaks with authoritative certainty.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: Drones will not be necessary.∞}}

She hangs up as the intruders barge in. You can see their eyes are puffy and irritated. Necron can't look up from the floor for more than a second at a time.

Mshiri closes the door. Your city reforms itself around her ankles.

No one else is coming in.

Something black licks at the edge of your thoughts. Corrosive, hungry. A mild panic spins up in your lungs, but it's nothing.

It's nothing.

And then, with practiced exactitude, you close yourself off to your own thoughts. Parcel them away behind a door in your inner sanctum.

The Enthal line is just as good at putting things out of mind as it is the opposite.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: Mr. Exmort, it's a relief to see you in one piece after all.∞}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Relief. Yeah. Sure thing. ††}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞i've been trying to contact the lot of you all night!}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞why didn't anyone answer?}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞we're aware of the circumstances, but the least you could have provided was a status update.}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞where's–}}

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: Nevermind that, you're here now. Debrief us on the mission.∞}}

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: I assume that's why you're here.∞}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .yes of course}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..the mission}}

You are again Mshiri Libeta, suddenly confronted with a task you thought you were prepared for. But now that you're here—

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .the mission was...}}

You look Hamifi in the eyes, and the words catch in your throat.

She carries herself with such maturity that it hides her youth, but you see it now.

She is so young, you think. And then it hits you that the news you're here to deliver is not about this young woman's employee, but her guardian. Her caretaker. Her mentor.

And she was never ''just'' your moirail, was she?

You look into the eyes of this girl who loved and idolized Secily, who aspired to her example at every turn, and you realize that she already knows what you're about to tell her.

Suddenly, you're overcome by the sensation that you are looking into a mirror.

You are the woman, wishing you didn't have to say it.

You are the girl, wishing you didn't have to hear it.

You are both, in this moment, wishing desperately for one final diversion of reality, because it is simply too much to bear.

She left you. Time and again you tried to stop her, slow her down, change her mind, but she never listened.

She was too stubborn to listen.

What did you never say to her, now that she's gone? How many regrets will bubble up in your future, dragging you down with age just as Secily's grief dragged her down?

In a very real sense, she chose her own death over you.

And you always knew she would.

The truth is, you've been practicing for this moment.

Rehearsing it, step by step, a simulation of loss and grief, just to see what it might feel like. In your line of work, you have to be prepared for anything, the unspeakable most of all.

Now the moment is here, at last inarguable and concrete. Secily Iopara is dead, and the rest of your life is her blast radius.

It doesn't feel at all like you thought it would, because it doesn't feel like anything.

A cold churn in your gut, a rabid lusus' terror locked tight in a box and buried under miles of practiced, impenetrable composure.

Why are you so surprised if you knew this day was coming?

It feels like being right in the worst way. It feels like gravity has abandoned your soul and you are slipping down into the static.

Shouldn't you be crying? This isn't someone you didn't know or only communicated with once, after all.

Why aren't you crying? You shared a life with her.

Are you a monster?

After everything she did for you, with all that she meant to you, you can't even muster up a few tears?

But this is what she prepared you for. This is what she gave back: the ability to take hits in stride.

Secily would be ashamed if you wasted tears on her account. Right?

In the end, she got everything she wanted. And here you are, holding the bag, waiting for someone to tell you what to do.

There's a hand on your shoulder, and suddenly the mirror breaks. You turn to see Necron looking down at you with a measure of fragile resolve.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† I'll take this, Miss Shiri. ††}}

Always willing to be the hero, Necron steps up. Even when he doesn't need to.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† It was a setup. Classic honkbeast chase. The perp led us by the sniffholes through just about every slum outta the 'hold. ††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† 'Course we knew what we were gettin' into, but... ††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Well anyhow, the sonuvagun tricked me with a spoofed emergency call. Pretended to be my gal, used her voice, made it sound like she was in real trouble. ††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† I ran off to find her, got jumped. Next thing I knew I was hogtied in a monorail car with a sock in my mouth and a bomb strapped to my chest on live TV. ††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† I tried to tell Secily to leave me there, and for a second I thought she might actually do it, but... ††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† S'pose that just ain't her way. ††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Didn't have time to untie me though, so she, y'know... ††}}

Shaky hands start rattling his mechanics. You find yourself reciting an ancient prayer you learned a long time ago, forgotten until this moment.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† And then she... ††}}

''All-Mother please,'' let our roots hold firm in the gale.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† She might'a caught him if she let that bomb go off. That'd be better'n this, right? ††}}

''All-Mother please,'' let us grow twice where the axe has cut.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† She shouldn't have saved me. ††}}

''All-Mother please,'' let our seeds spread from the wildfire ashes.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† But the worst bit is that I'm glad she did it. Ain't that a trip? ††}}

''All-Mother please,'' let us grieve but half what our aggrievers shall suffer.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† She failed the fuckin' mission for me, and I've got the nerve to be glad? ††}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞wait.}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞what do you mean she failed?}}

You look at him. Necron looks at him. Hamifi looks at him. He meets each of their gazes in turn. Confused, annoyed.

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞why are you all staring at me like that?}}

Necron stammers aimlessly. Hamifi turns away, covering her mouth with one delicate hand. You take a few gentle strides towards Sestro, arm outstretched.

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .you should sit down mister enthal}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞i don't think i will. not until you explain what's going on.}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .please, i dont want you to hurt yourself}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞hurt myself? why would i—}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞hamifi, what is this? why are you...}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞what is everyone crying about?}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .we recieved a transmission shortly after her disappearance}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..im sorry}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ...im so, so sorry}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞what are you apologizing for?!}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞i don't understand what's going on!}}

There's a loud crunch, like someone stepping on a bag of chips. You turn to see Necron grimacing, a glowing teal shack squished between his fingers.

Behind it hangs a framed portrait of Secily standing proud next to Sestro and Hamifi, both looking so much younger and more innocent than they do today.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Ah, hell... ††}}

Sestro throws his arms up and fusses at the damage as Necron unclenches his hand, brushing debris off like astral jetsam.

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞excuse me!!!}}

Necron backs away and tries to look apologetic, but it's too late. Underneath his facade of terse composure is the air of a man about to give an inadvisably large piece of his mind to all parties present.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Yeah, you're excused. Sittin' up here spoilt rotten in your tower, building toy cities, lookin' down on all us nobodies your whole life, makin' choices on our behalf. ††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† All you are is excuses. ††}}

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: Careful, Mr. Exmort.∞}}

Hamifi hisses, standing poised and at the ready. Necron sizes her up and can't help but scoff.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Don't you fuckin' bow up towards me. ††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† I ain't afraid of you, kid. Can you say the same? ††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† You're the ones who put her on this damn case. This is ''your'' cupe we're writhin' in, you duplicitous little... †††}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .necron}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..its not their fault}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ...you need to calm down}}

{{VE Quote|hamifi|NECRON: ††† Just look at that picture there. Two grinnin' wigglers under Secily's wing. It's perverse, ain't it? †††}}

{{VE Quote|hamifi|NECRON: ††† She raised you. She taught you everythin' you know, and you sent her out into the meat grinder anyway. †††}}

{{VE Quote|hamifi|NECRON: ††† May as well've pulled the trigger yourselves. †††}}

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: We tried to stop her!∞}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† Yeah, and I bet you were real convincing too. †††}}

SESTRO: ∞don't talk to hamifi like that!!!

SESTRO: ∞please, just— where is she?

SESTRO: ∞where is secily?!

All the air goes out of the room. Necron's mouth hangs open just so, shocked that the message hasn't gotten through already. You know this will only get worse, but you're powerless to do anything but watch.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† You really need me to spell it out for you, son? †††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† She's dead. †††}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞de...}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞dead?}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †††† D E A D, caput, donezo, shipped off to the farm upstate, six feet fuckin' under, worm food supreme, you dig? ††††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† It's that inconvenient thing that keeps happening to all your employees. †††}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .thank you for your input necron but i think you should go back to the truck}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† Why, so you can apologize on my behalf, tell 'em I'm not in my right mind or somesuch? †††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† You're right. I must've been on somethin' real nasty to think I could buddy up with a regulator and not get my pusher ripped still-beatin' outta my chest! †††}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: go back to the truck right now or can it!}}

You barely raise your voice, but it's enough to shock everyone in the room. Necron most of all. He stumbles back a step, barely standing, a house of cards swaying in a wind tunnel.

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .im so sorry}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..i really was trying to avoid making a scene}}

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: It's fine. Just get him out of here for his own sake.∞}}

You put an arm over Necron's shoulder, trying to usher him towards the door. One step. Another. You're almost at the door when he stops walking.

A brief, hysterical laugh escapes his throat.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: It's over, man.}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: It's all over.}}

He slips out from under you and slouches against the doorframe. He's making this so much harder than it needs to be, you could scream for all the help he's been.

But it's the Heir who demands your attention, looking so lost, so uncertain. His voice is barely more than a whisper.

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞how do you know that she's...?}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .the transmission i mentioned}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..it came from secilys communicator}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ...they told us... ''checkmate''}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ....and then they hung up}}

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: Gods...∞}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞but that could mean anything!}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .im sorry mr enthal—}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..sestro}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ...but it only means one thing}}

In sight.

In mind.

Again, you are Sestro Enthal, spotlit and terrified, blind to what lurks ever closer in the dark beyond the stage.

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞but...}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞that can't be right. she promised me she'd come back.}}

Mshiri says something you don't process. You're staring at Hamifi, begging her to take your side, but she can't even look at you.

She's crying around shapeless words.

There are ten thousand needles in your lungs.

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞she promised. she ''promised.''}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞she... there's no way she'd make a promise she knew she couldn't keep. right?}}

The beginnings of an earthquake rattle the walls of your Bizkantine dreamworld. A bust of Saint Borland the Second begins weeping sickly green tears, his antiquated microphone dripping like melted plastic.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: Do we know where she's...∞}}

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: If there are any... remains?∞}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞no, please don't—}}

You're going to be sick.

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞don't say that...}}

The lights in here are too harsh.

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .im not sure}}

Their lips move, but you can't hear what they're saying beyond the ringing in your ears.

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..but i wouldnt hold out hope}}

Nothing is real.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: Did she leave anything behind? Was there a note for us, or...∞}}

She's gone.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: Or parting words?∞}}

She's gone and she knew she was going.

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞she didn't! she couldn't have!}}

Of course she knew, you child.

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .none that im aware of}}

Promises are for wrigglers.

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..i believe secily thought she was coming back}}

Promises are for dying women.

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞she would never abandon us. i refuse to believe it.}}

Who is that tapping at your window?

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: Hey. She didn't abandon us. She was ''taken.'' Do you hear me?∞}}

What devil sets fire to a cathedral?

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞taken somewhere... that's where i should be...}}

You're not real. Nothing is real. The city is on fire and it's taking the future with it.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: Stay here, Sestro. Focus on who you are.∞}}

You want to throw up. It's getting too hot to breathe.

Somewhere in the middle of it all, Necron returned. You don't know why. You don't care.

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .necron you need to leave}}

You want everyone who has ever drawn breath to cease.

Your body rises, volatile electric synapses jolting around you.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Aye caramba, is that kid about to explode?! ††}}

You want to drop a bomb on history.

It grows in strength and intensity. Alchemy piercing through the hearts of everyone in the office.

Your subconscious thoughts are all that keep these trolls standing. The furnishings, reports, files, memories... none of them are as lucky.

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .get back to the truck NOW}}

You want to obliterate language and time and love until all existence is just a hole for you to die in.

You were never made for it. You are only a legacy, and now you're forced to carry her too.

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞is this how she felt after ahlina died?}}

Inky black smoke rises from shattered windows.

They do not repair themselves immediately as they should. She neglected to bring them up to code.

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞i get it now. i would hate me too.}}

Precise angles bow into sickly curves, dripping with translucent fire.

Drones were called. The building is under siege. Sirens blare. All of them are destroyed the moment they enter the office.

In the midst of it all, familiar hands find yours.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: Secily didn't hate you. She doted on you night and day! It almost made me jealous, how soft she was with you!∞}}

Doors become mouths, howling, screaming.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: She loved you!∞}}

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: I love you!∞}}

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: Come back to me!∞}}

You're lost. Everything is lost.

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞i'm lost. everything is lost. i am...}}

You are responsible.

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞i am responsible...}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞for the worst thing that ever happened to her...}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞and then i sent her off to die.}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞oh.}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞''oh.''}}

Everything around you loses coherence. The only sense left is of regret.

You want to tell her what you've learned but you can't.

You want to show her what you've built but you can't.

You will never hear her voice again.

You will never be frustrated by her again.

You will never get to laugh with her again.

You will never be able to ask her for advice again.

You will never get to share your future with her.

Your future, a depth blacker than any polluted ocean.

Are you thinking or speaking or dreaming?

Or are you just dead?

Maybe everyone is always already dead, they just haven't got the message yet.

You want her to tuck you in again.

You want to tell her you're sorry.

And it's all...

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .its not your fault}}

Arms around your shoulders. Cold heat seeps into your skin, and it's like falling into water.

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..its not hamifis fault}}

Her voice is the center of the universe, suddenly the only thing that makes sense.

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ...its not necrons or orickas or mine}}

You remember your aching body, flit open your eyes to see blackened walls, still-flaming against the sprinklers. Did you do that?

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ....she chose to walk into the mouth of the monster alone}}

You feel exhausted in every limb, conscious mind a tattered cloth only barely patched together around this force of calm in Mshiri's voice.

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .....and it was our bad luck that the monster chose to bite down}}

Your eyes drift closed again. A sleep of indistinct dreaming swallows you whole.

Unlike your typical comas, this time you do not give yourself the luxury of study. You are drowned in your sorrow and grief, and you are powerless to push through it.

You will awaken again around two wices later, no less worse for wear and no more consoled, your only comfort the fact that Hamifi stayed by your side the entire time.

And much like she does, you throw yourself back into your work to stave off the ache. It does not work, for either of you. Not entirely. But you do try.

Later, you and Hamifi will be picking up right where Secily Iopara left off, though you do not know it yet. Everyone involved with Operation Snowbound Blood will.

All of you are connected to an incursion of grand design. An end in perfect cataclysm, spurned by the very perpetrators of this case, far closer to you in history than you could have realized.

But that is long from now, and no less of a weight on your soul.

Someone you loved has died.

The memory of it will haunt you forever.

= Act 3. =

The sparse moments of light in the dark season are always the brightest.

In the early hours, both suns not yet perched on their summit, heat sits pleasantly around your shoulders — unlike the harsh rays of midday, more a warm shroud. Comfortable.

You sit sprawled on a wooden bench on the patio, limbs loose and lazy, making full use of the several colorful cushions that line your resting place in the shade.

Your eyes close as you lean your neck against the backrest. With one of your senses put on hold, this is what you feel:

The cushions are soft. Luxurious, even, as the gentle-sweet aroma of the garden — tended to with such careful, loving hands — envelops you.

Lilac and honey.

You incline your head towards the source of cheerful, meandering humming, couched by the low droning of the worker bees. Your mouth slowly shifts into a smile.

She doesn't even realize she's doing it half the time.

You breathe in deep, let the air out in a soft sigh. Yes, luxurious is best for these late-day moments, sequestered between the ever diminishing gaps of your busy schedule.

Always busy, these days. Such is the lot of those in your position.

It bothers her, how often you're in contact with violence. You've had a few circular arguments in the past, about the high-priority cases the corporation is ever more willing to assign you to.

She's worried it'll desensitize you. Whatever that means.

If you stopped to hem and haw and be sensitive every time a split-second decision had to be made on the field, well... You would not be coming back to her at the end of the night before long.

You save lives, keep corruption from seeping into the veins of society. For that, the risk is worth it.

This is a truth you've held close ever since you first stepped inside the Corporate building, Proserpina at your side. And you know it still, case after case after case.

Your mind wanders to your newest assignment. A Priority Aleph, which is a once-in-a-binary-eclipse level of a problem. Which is good. Petty crime gets...

Your thought process skips a beat. Priority Aleph cases are not handed out to freshly promoted mid-level officers.

What were you doing earlier tonight? You were called to—

You were...

Your body jolts into action, some blind instinct screaming at you to ''hold yourself together.'' You sit up, bloodpusher hammering inside your chest cavity, patting along your stomach, looking for—

Nothing. There's nothing there, you think to yourself, dumbfounded, as you stare at both your hands clinging to the front of your shirt. One, two. Left and right. There you are. Whole and healthy, in your civilian clothes.

Why did you—

{{VE Quote|ahlina|??????: Secily?}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|??????: You're not falling asleep on the ''job,'' are you, Miss Iopara?}}

The world falls back into place. Every listless anxiety dissolved into a puddle, powerless in the face of the sunniest apiculturist you've ever had the grace to know.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: I'd never dream of it, Ahlina.}}

Her teasing smile takes a more sympathetic bent as she takes your face in.

{{VE Quote|ahlina|AHLINA: Ah, I know it's early. They ''do'' say that good company goes a long way, though.}}

Your matesprit plucks the bonnet from her head and she is right, nevermind who this "they" is. No more shadows to hide the beauty of her face.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: Mmm. And I find myself sitting with the best kind, as a matter of fact.}}

It feels like a dream. A pang in the back of your throat surprises you — you're not prone to sudden bouts of emotion, especially not over mundane, everyday exchanges.

What has gotten into you?

You push every other stray thought and half-remembered impression from your mind and let yourself sink into this feeling, the simple joy of seeing someone who has been with you every night since grubhood.

You are tethered in mind, body and soul. Too far from each other even when you're less than two feet away.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: Just... lost in thought again, is all.}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|AHLINA: That's such a bad habit! Keep it up and you may not find your way out of that thinkpan.}}

''Ha ha,'' you say, and she doesn't ask to join you. She just sits then falls against your side. Her cheek squished up against your shoulder, a hand lounging lazily on your midsection.

{{VE Quote|ahlina|AHLINA: I would hate to lose my favorite assistant to the machinations of her own mind. Especially when I need my gloves to scrape the suckle and you're too deep in it to bring them to me!}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: That happened ''once.''}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|AHLINA: Mhm.}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: The morning brings out my contemplative side.}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|AHLINA: Of course. Many things to consider. The noble oath you're sworn to and such.}}

You let the soft jab slide and the two of you hold this moment together.

Sometimes her grip tightens, sometimes yours does. The suns don't move an inch, even after the second hand of Ahlina's novelty clock has made countless rotations inside your hive. Tic-toc, tic-toc.

After the pleasant ambience of a small flock of avian lusii passes by, you find a dull enough question to ease your silence back into domestic bliss.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: They've been working hard this sweep, haven't they?}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|AHLINA: Mhm. Though the dark season isn't particularly kind to them.}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|AHLINA: Bees thrive during hot weather, after their dormancy from the cold. They need the suns and flowers and to be able to fly around and build again.}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|AHLINA: Not that they don't do ''anything'' during the harsher climate. Survival takes skill!}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|AHLINA: I guess they're restless even when they're resting.}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: The perfect workers. I wonder where they get the admirable drive.}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: One would think they'd eventually tire of serving a single purpose, night in and night out, even with an off-season.}}

She shrugs against you.

{{VE Quote|ahlina|AHLINA: Well, they're wild lusii. Without a charge bonded to them, serving their monarch is reason enough.}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|AHLINA: I can at least help them do their best. Make it as comfortable as possible through the bad seasons.}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|AHLINA: Also, the honey is ''delicious.''}}

She lifts herself up and out of the bench with a decisive push. You glance up at her, already missing her warmth.

{{VE Quote|ahlina|AHLINA: Speaking of, I know just the thing to make for such a lovely morning out.}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|AHLINA: Be right back!}}

She disappears inside, your eyes trailing after her. The muffled sounds of dinnerware reach you, the tic-toc of the clock, the soft buzzing of your tiny backyard companions.

You imagine them all clustered together again, safe in the dark of their miniature hive...

It's only when you jolt with the press of something cold against your cheek that you realize you'd nearly nodded off.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: Ahlina!}}

She just laughs at you, holding an — admittedly — very inviting cocktail in an old fashioned glass inches away from your face, condensation already gathering on her fingers.

{{VE Quote|ahlina|AHLINA: Peace offering?}}

You take it from her, but ''do'' make it a point to scowl.

{{VE Quote|ahlina|AHLINA: Don't be a grump. I made your favorite, see?}}

It is your favorite. Bourbon mixed with fruits and a dash of Ahlina's hivegrown honey syrup, golden and spiced, and there's the strange pang in the back of your throat again.

You feel the cold of the glass seep into your fingers as you turn towards her.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: Thank you.}}

''I love you, I love you, I love you.''

She lowers herself back on the bench and onto your side, and raises her own glass in invitation.

{{VE Quote|ahlina|AHLINA: To the wild lusii of the world and their admirable work ethic.}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SSECILY: And to their wise keepers.}}

The clink rings clear through the yard, a pleasant note to end a hard morning's work on.

You bring the glass to your lips, anticipating the tried and true results of your matesprit's expert talents in mixology, and the drink coats your tongue.

Huh.

This... doesn't taste like you remember at all.

You can taste honey. You can taste bourbon. Even the fruits and the spices.

It's just... not meshing right. Like someone got a list of all the individual elements and tried to imagine what they would be like together, without the actual interplay of flavors you're so familiar with.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: Wh}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|AHLINA...?: Oh, did you figure it out?}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|AHLINA...?: Apologies. I've never been very good at tastes.}}

Hair standing on end, you realize that you have no idea who is sitting beside you.

Like some unseen director has just called ''cut!'' from behind a camera, you watch as this person — this thing wearing your lover's skin like a coat — simply stops pretending.

Everything that makes Ahlina herself leaves it in an instant. A cruel, perfect mockery of her.

It takes concentration for your glass not to break under your hold.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 1.e4 Who are you. ...e5}}

It's your training that allows you to keep the steel in your voice, despite the terrified hammering of your chroma beater.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 2.f4 Tell me what you've done with her. ''Now.'' ...exf4}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|AHLINA...?: Ah, you really are stubborn...}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|AHLINA...?: I think you already know. Don't you?}}

You open your mouth to protest, to demand that it cut the bullshit, that you've had plenty of grandstanding criminal ''freaks'' try to rope you into a speech before. But the words die unsaid on your lips.

You think about your newest assignment. Operation Snowbound Blood.

Blood bubbles up your throat, thick and too much of it, burning your lungs as you try to pull in air. You want to claw at it, but your arm's gone, more blood gushing out around the cleaved joint.

Your abdomen is torn open; a slippery mess of guts pours out of the wound.

Blood seeps deeper and deeper within yourself, and then out onto the ground with your entrails.

You can't breathe, you can't fight this—

The horror that wears Ahlina's skin clicks her tongue.

{{VE Quote|ahlina|AHLINA...?: Oh, my. This will not do.}}

The blood and viscera disappear. Your arm is back. Your lungs convulse as you choke on a gulp of air. You're sitting on the bench, whole again.

{{VE Quote|ahlina|AHLINA...?: There you go. Much better.}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|AHLINA...?: Don't worry. That's the way of traumatic final moments. The imagined body tends to remember once the mind does.}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|AHLINA...?: As I was saying, I'm unable to properly replicate anything that I haven't personally experienced.}}

It's talking as though what just happened has no effect on it, your body nothing more than a milquetoast display that will soon fade into the rest of the scene. A single frame out of focus.

Does it even see you?

{{VE Quote|ahlina|AHLINA...?: It's strange, isn't it? How every single cell and electric blip feeds into what, to the one experiencing them, are facets of a cohesive selfhood.}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|AHLINA...?: Flesh, blood, taste... all so fickle in design. So prone to error. Yet none that live can be without it.}}

Every word passes through you. Vibrations, pure noise that makes your head feel hollow. They ring but form no image. The noise compounding into itself, until your own thoughts drown it out.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 3.Nf3 Why are you doing this to me? ...g5}}

It doesn't blink. It makes Ahlina's cheeks soften into a kind of pity one might show a stray lusus on the street.

You hate it.

{{VE Quote|ahlina|AHLINA...?: Your ending was... unsatisfying, no?}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|AHLINA...?: This is your last opportunity to rectify that.}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 4.d4 What does that mean? ...Qe7}}

It carries on like you didn't say a word.

{{VE Quote|ahlina|AHLINA...?: A satisfying personal journey is a moving thing, rising and falling in response to conflict within the external or internal realm.}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|AHLINA...?: Yours, though... A flat line. Dead long before you were.}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|AHLINA...?: You learned nothing, Secily Iopara.}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|AHLINA...?: I am offering you a final chance to do so.}}

Ahlina's jaw moves to make the sounds, but the shape of them is all wrong. Like a puppet animated by a clever arrangement of strings, or maybe an image formed to approximate what a person might talk like.

How could you have believed its charade, even for a moment?

Terror seizes you, your muscles pulled taut enough to be forced into stillness. It's your body's instinctive response to what's most precious to you, carved out and twisted into a mockery of itself.

The creature tilts its head. Eyes completely devoid of that spark you know so well pin you to the spot.

You peer into a vastness that has no regard for you, and hold your breath.

{{VE Quote|ahlina|NOT AHLINA: You look lost, regulator.}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|NOT AHLINA: Go on. I'm certain there are many questions you wish to address.}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|NOT AHLINA: We only have so much time to do this.}}

Questions. Even at the end of the line, you find yourself overcome with them.

>Who are you?

>What did you do to Ahlina?

>What is this place?

>Am I dead?

>Where is Ahlina?

>What happens next?

>What do you want from me?

>Why am I here?

>Was it all for nothing?

>Was I always meant to fail?

>Is this the only possible outcome?

>Was it worth it to try?

>What would Ahlina think of me right now?

>Why did it have to be me?

>What did I ever do to you?

>What do you mean, "I learned nothing?"

>How do I stop this?

>How do I wake up from this nightmare?

>Please, WHERE is Ahlina?

>How can I trust you?

>Who the HELL are you!?

{{VE Quote|ahlina|NOT AHLINA: Always overflowing with everything you demand to know.}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|NOT AHLINA: Here. I will help.}}

=== Where am I? ===

NOT AHLINA: Much better.

It clasps Ahlina's hands together, a pantomime of delight that seems anything but genuine. A part of your mind that can still feel anger bristles at the condescension.

{{VE Quote|ahlina|NOT AHLINA: You appreciate directness, so I'll be direct with you.}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|NOT AHLINA: You're trapped in this place. Just as I am.}}

You scan your surroundings, as though a clearer answer might be carved into the earth or scratched across the patio, and find — predictably — none.

It's Ahlina's hive, with all its mundane details that you carry like something fragile between your ribs, but... it's not really it, is it?

The bees have stopped their droning. No wind whispers through the grass and leaves. All sound has died down.

Was it ever there to begin with?

{{VE Quote|ahlina|NOT AHLINA: You look distressed. I must apologize for deceiving you.}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|NOT AHLINA: I meant to provide a peaceful transition, but certain things I'm unable to convincingly replicate. Sensations.}}

It lifts one hand, watches the fingers as they bend and flex.

{{VE Quote|ahlina|NOT AHLINA: I've not experienced any myself. Not for a long time.}}

Cold eyes bore into yours again.

{{VE Quote|ahlina|NOT AHLINA: It gets lonely in here. Makes it easy to forget.}}

Again, the fear prickles your spine. Are you going to be trapped here with this... ''thing'' inhabiting your matesprit's body forever?

And where ''is'' here?

{{VE Quote|ahlina|NOT AHLINA: But you've always enjoyed solving a good mystery. No, you wouldn't have settled for fading away in ignorance.}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|NOT AHLINA: You would accept this somewhat... turbulent introduction if it brought you closer to the truth. Stubbornness is something of a defining trait of yours, isn't it?}}

It doesn't stop to wait for your answer, if you even had one to give.

{{VE Quote|ahlina|NOT AHLINA: You won't be surprised to learn that most prefer to pass on with a lighter examination of emotional baggage. All this regret, this tortured nostalgia that you carry, staring you in the face...}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|NOT AHLINA: And most don't enjoy talking to me.}}

That's the least shocking part of this experience so far.

{{VE Quote|ahlina|NOT AHLINA: Ah. But it seems I've gotten distracted from your original question.}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|NOT AHLINA: This place is a blank slate, one could say. The prison that I'm trapped within, yes, and my one window to the tree of life grown in my absence.}}

If it wasn't clear before, it is now. You finally have a picture of who lies underneath the veneer of your former love.

You were never told that she was cruel.

{{VE Quote|ahlina|KHEPARIA: It's what remains of me. My prison, my respite, my multitudes, my everything.}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|KHEPARIA: This is the crucible where all souls rest. Where the strong willed conscious and the fleeting unconscious alike find peace.}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|KHEPARIA: Here, I can weave anything I desire. Match any narrative, every character, their emotional needs, and eventually, their ending.}}

Dry, acidic bile slips up your throat before you swallow it back down. Cold sweat has beaded on the back of your neck, leaving goosebumps as it rolls into your collar. You are a primal thing, cornered and trembling.

Around you, Ahlina's hive cracks like old paint, chips peeling off to reveal something... else.

Vibrant colors of all shades and hues. A kaleidoscopic burst of unadulterated sensation, the disparate trillions of souls that make them up, all of them around for far longer than your single, tiny blink of a life.

The building blocks of existence, in its aspects both dormant and not, cascading into itself. Unrealized infinities dancing hollow steps only audible to those within, and which only one being can truly fathom.

You can hardly croak out the words you want to say.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 5.Bd3 I-Is... ...d5}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 6.O-O Is this my judgment? ...dxe4}}

The word is shattered glass between your teeth. It makes your voice crack.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 7.Bxe4 Am I here... so you can decide what happens to me next? ...c6}}

A soft, sad laugh, and the all-mother's puppeteered hand raises up to cup your cheek. You wish to recoil from it, but you're still paralyzed in place. The warm touch that could once unravel you is delicate and utterly wrong.

Pity drips from Ahlina's words, like her honey turned sour.

{{VE Quote|ahlina|KHEPARIA: Oh, Secily... No.}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|KHEPARIA: You're not that special. Almost nobody is.}}

The hand falls away, and with it, your ability to speak follows the same path as your body.

{{VE Quote|ahlina|KHEPARIA: Morality plays no role in our encounter.}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|KHEPARIA: I'm no arbiter, here to mete out reward or punishment. Nor am I the final act, the Deus-Ex-Machina that validates all the choices you've made.}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|KHEPARIA: Even at this moment, I'm having conversations just like this one with thousands upon thousands of extinguished souls.}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|KHEPARIA: Every blade of grass, every dying star, every animal and troll and species in between — they face me in their final moments.}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|KHEPARIA: Nothing you could have done, better or worse, would have led to a different outcome.}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|KHEPARIA: These ideas of justice, notoriety and meaning that mortal life harbors are... ''fleeting.'' Only relevant as they unfold.}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|KHEPARIA: You didn't make right choices or wrong choices, you just made choices.}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|KHEPARIA: Yours.}}

You can't believe what you're hearing.

Countless days of pondering your position, the weight of your actions and their purpose, the effects it had on the world writ large. All of them crumbled to dust along with your corpse.

You had always hoped there would be a verdict. Someone to tell you that you did right or wrong.

Instead you're met only with pure... ''indifference.''

No sweet words to absolve your turmoil, nor bitter scorn to condemn your purpose. Only a hollow resolution.

{{VE Quote|ahlina|KHEPARIA: Here, you're meeting with freedom in its purest form. Creation without limitation.}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|KHEPARIA: A hand wet with blood is still a hand. Your soul is still your soul, with all its weight upon it. And your story, sordid and painful and violent as it is, is still a story.}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|KHEPARIA: The essence of which is mine to cherish.}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|KHEPARIA: As long as I remain in this state, it's my responsibility to retain it, and ensure it is never lost.}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|KHEPARIA: So the world continues to spin properly upon my return.}}

She doesn't bother elaborating further. It's not a sentiment you can understand. Still, she does try to soften the visible blow.

{{VE Quote|ahlina|KHEPARIA: You're here to be remembered, Secily.}}

The words hang in the air, poison gas waiting to invade your body on the next inhale.

You hold your breath. Grit your teeth, as though you could resist the truth in Kheparia's words by bracing against them.

And just as your body's incapable of surviving without air, you cannot defy the gravity of this final revelation.

With its pull, something inside you cracks.

It... It truly was all for nothing.

''You'' were for nothing. Nothing but the entertainment of cosmic powers who knew the doomed terminus of your path, and were indifferent to it.

Your losses, your regrets, the pain you inflicted to demarcate yourself, were only ever a smudge against the negative space of a universe that would be no different if you'd never existed.

The consequences of your actions were only as big as the moments they happened within, the protection you gave only a salve, the pride you built nothing but a chip on your shoulder.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 8.Re1 I... ...Be6}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 9.c4 Oh... Oh Gods... ...Na6}}

You immediately realize the irony in saying that in front of existence's fountainhead.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 10.d5 What did I do...? ...O-O-O}}

You don't know what that's in reference to. Everything, maybe.

A keening fills your ears, the sound a body makes when it can fit no more grief. It takes you a moment to realize it's coming from you.

Finally, you're able to move. But it's not decisive, it's gravity taking its toll, buckling your knees and sending you to the ground.

Your cheeks are wet; tears blur your vision into a nonsensical mess of shape and color. A jagged sob claws its way up your throat.

In the middle of all this, Ahlina's figure stands unmoving, untouched by the torrent of pain pouring out of you.

You laugh despite yourself, even as the tears keep coming. You're not sure why.

You suppose it's all the same, anyway.

{{VE Quote|ahlina|KHEPARIA: This must be a lot to accept.}}

Her voice suggests that it's not, but that she's trying to humor you, like one might a child throwing a tantrum.

You will yourself to stop crying. At length, the tears ebb.

{{VE Quote|ahlina|KHEPARIA: I realize you must feel like your entire existence was in vain, but that is not the case.}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|KHEPARIA: Even without a grander purpose, your actions still had a meaning when you took them.}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|KHEPARIA: They were witnessed, and they will be preserved.}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|KHERPARIA: To think otherwise is to tread into the void.}}

If the zealots and storybooks ring with any modicum of truth, you can only assume she means her split equal's influence is far reaching.

You wonder if meeting him would have panned out any better.

{{VE Quote|ahlina|KHEPARIA: My son has relayed your story to the best of his ability. It will be contained within his telling, with all the intricacies and contradictions that he's been able to capture.}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|KHEPARIA: And, Secily... it is wonderful. It will be remembered fondly.}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|KHEPARIA: By me, if by nobody else.}}

You stare into the unknowable depths of her eyes. How many such stories has she witnessed? How many destinies is she preserving from oblivion?

You wipe your face until you've scrubbed all the evidence of your outburst.

For several moments, you are lost as to what there is left to say.

The writing is clear.

There is no use bargaining or asking for anything else. There are no second chances, there isn't a do-over, there is nowhere for you to go except with her.

Any indignance would only be responded to with measured pleasantries and vague allusions to something greater that is not yours to witness.

You've spent so much of your life ready to die, only to find that there is more. Always more. It feels like a cruel joke.

So... what do you want to do?

What is left?

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 11.Qd4 ... ...Qc5}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 12.Bd2 Could you... ...Qxd4+}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 13.Nxd4 Really act like her again? Like you did before? ...cxd5}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|KHEPARIA: Of course. I know everything about Ahlina, just as I know everything about you.}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|KHEPARIA: You'd never be able to tell, if that's what would make you feel at peace.}}

Peace...

You never thought peace an option.

The world went sour and cold after losing her, so you followed suit. Even in the moments where you allowed yourself to pause, you still felt that all-consuming dread licking at your heels.

Perhaps it was an imperfect recall guiding your hand, at times. Ahlina your shield and Proserpina always ready to cut down all who dared take that step too close to you.

Nobody in your life was free from your pain. Everyone, everything after Ahlina... hurt. They hurt because you hurt.

But.

If it's okay for you to do this— if you've been given permission for one last selfishness, then...

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 14.Bxd5 Yes. I would like that. ...½-½}}

It would be nice to pretend that you were a version of yourself who never had to hurt at all.

Kheparia nods, a gentle curve to her lips that is, for once, not out of place on Ahlina's face.

KHEPARIA: Close your eyes, Secily.

{{VE Quote|ahlina|KHEPARIA: Close your eyes, Secily.}}

The sparse moments of light in the dark season are always the brightest.

In the early hours, both suns not yet perched on their summit, heat sits pleasantly around your shoulders—unlike the harsh rays of midday, more a warm shroud.

Your cocktail glass is sweating between your fingers. Inside it, the ice has melted to smooth, round pebbles.

{{VE Quote|ahlina|AHLINA: Secily? Are you still with me?}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|AHLINA: You've been quiet for a while.}}

You look up at her, haloed in the pinks of morning, and hold this moment like a ripe berry between your teeth.

You smile. The berry bursts.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: Yes. I'm right here.}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: It's a beautiful morning.}}

Ahlina sits next to you, her thigh a comfortable, familiar press against yours. She's warm. She rests her head on your shoulder.

{{VE Quote|ahlina|AHLINA: It is, isn't it?}}

= Act 4. =
Welcome back. It's good to see you again.

How did you enjoy this portion of our story? I've been looking forward to its conclusion. At last may we discuss its merits, now that you've had the chance to see it all play out.

Hm? Don't tell me...

Are you surprised to see me?

If that is the case, then you really shouldn't be. I am the quintessential narrator of these programs we view together. That much should be common knowledge.

I've been here since the very beginning, though ''whose'' beginning might be up for debate. It all depends on the order in which you've opted to experience this.

Hopefully your decision was a comfortable one. I know, more than anyone else, how exhausting it is to follow the footsteps of events that, in the moment, come off as extraneous.

I can assure you that is not the case for those linked to Operation Snowbound Blood, however. No, their mission is just as crucial to our grander narrative as everything else.

Surely that much is obvious if you've followed me this far. I would hope so, at least!

Now that we find ourselves here, I get the distinct feeling you'd appreciate further insight into this world and the trolls we've grown familiar with.

I'd truly like to thank you for going through this story by my side. Or remembering what I previously had to say about it, perhaps?

Almost every step that these actors take, entangled in this intricate web of relevance, are ones I've recorded for posterity.

Not to say that I haven't seen it all play out before. The Hyperthetical's equilibrium is none too kind to linearity of any sort. In fact, I've often had to make time to intersperse it between my current analyses and necessary viewings.

As I said, I am not entirely sure what context you've already experienced, but I can only imagine it's been equally as fickle and unimaginably hard to navigate on your end.

But that is what makes the viewership — the catharsis of witnessing these intertwining paths as they develop — as rewarding as they are intriguing.

It's why we take the time to evaluate multiple perspectives. To see the world from various angles is to give life to those who inhabit it.

And it is only fair that everyone involved is given their fair shake. Myself included, of course.

What about me, you say? Well, I'm not sure how much I am at liberty to disclose. We could be anywhere, couldn't we? I'd hate to tell you something you already know.

Or worse yet, something you ''don't.''

What I will say is that even after having gone through what's available to me endless times over, I struggle to understand all of these events. I simply know they happen.

Lingering questions have me in their grip, and until I answer them... Well, let's just say my food for thought has turned into a buffet fit for a glutton.

Always working with assumptions and percentages, I am. The job truly never does get any easier.

At present, I find myself most curious about what this means for my greater mission. How it shall loop back around into the whole of what must be done to reach our best possible outcome.

I wonder what Secily herself would have thought about it?

It's not easy to speak for what's on another person's mind. But that's part of the fun! To extrapolate on what we know, and try to guess what happens next.

Hm... I feel there are still portions missing from my current context. That certain scenes have passed me by, or simply haven't occurred at all from my perspective.

My television ''has'' been having technical difficulties of late...

Ah, but I'm sure that's just my audience's way of telling me to slow down. They'll rerun it themselves when the moment is right.

Perhaps it's for the best. My friends always say I need to give myself a break. I then have to remind them that breaking bones is painful and bad for your health. Hahaha.

Unfortunately, as much as I'd love to stay and exposit for my amusement, the next show is about to air.

It stars twelve aspect holders you might have seen before, along with a few intermissions hosted by yours truly.

But fret not, dear viewer. Our parting is only such via the smallest technicality. I still have quite a while until I reach my limit, so let's enjoy each other's company to the fullest while we can.

I know you've always loved my stories. I'd love nothing more than to continue relaying them to you.

Now, on to business: before you, I proffer a final set of choices. It will send you to one of the several destinations I've mapped, where this journey is best settled.

Do choose wisely. I'd hate for you to be lost among the many branches of the probable. There are some less than savory interlopers who tread around those parts, so keep your best foot forward.

[https://www.deconreconstruction.com/vasterror/1 >The beginning of our story.]

[https://deconreconstruction.com/vasterror/938 >When operation Snowbound Blood is first mentioned.]

[https://deconreconstruction.com/vasterror/1114 >The introduction of the secondary cast into our main program.]

[https://deconreconstruction.com/vasterror/1359 >My final summary of the events you've just witnessed.]

Excellent choice.

Adieu for now. I look forward to meeting you again.

Somewhere, sometime, same channel.

END

Snowbound Blood: Epilogue/Transcript

2024-08-01T13:57:13Z

PassiveJungle: Formatted the page.

= Act 1. =
{{VE Quote|seinru|??????: Hello there.}}

{{VE Quote|seinru|??????: Are you listening, deputies?}}

{{VE Quote|seinru|??????: I know you are. I can hear your shallow, panicked breaths.}}

{{VE Quote|seinru|??????: Is mine not the voice you expected?}}

{{VE Quote|seinru|??????: Oh, the questions that must be racing through your pitiable little minds.}}

{{VE Quote|seinru|??????: The answers you seek, at length, have already one foot in the grave, with the other soon to follow.}}

{{VE Quote|seinru|??????: But I've one to spare, in brief.}}

{{VE Quote|seinru|??????: Just a single, solitary word for you to ponder on the eve of your oncoming oblivion.}}

{{VE Quote|seinru|??????: Listen close, regulators. This is the last you'll ever hear of me.}}

{{VE Quote|seinru|??????: Ready?}}

{{VE Quote|seinru|??????: ...}}

{{VE Quote|seinru|??????: Checkmate.}}

A crunchy click yields to static, punctuated with a solemn disconnection ping.

The silence that follows is all-enveloping. Wind on gravel, dust scraping against concrete. A howling echo of distant nightlife reverberates through the empty monorail station, like a ghost unknowingly mourning its own death.

You consider the train car where Secily Iopara barely managed to save a hogtied Necron Exmort from a ticking time bomb set by her quarry, the perpetrator at the center of Operation Snowbound Blood: Aumtzi Maught.

A short while ago, Secily told Oricka Rourst and yourself to come here and help Necron. Then she ran off to...

Somewhere.

Your finger slips away from your earpiece. A spring of razor wire coils ever tighter in your chest. A thermite singularity, melting a hole straight through you.

It takes all of a breath to swallow that cutting, burning heat and set the whole mess aside. On any other night, the swiftness of your compartmentalization might give you pause.

But your name is Mshiri Libeta, and you've been expecting this for a long, long time.

Before receiving that mysterious broadcast, Necron had been running from alley to alley, shouting Secily's name while Oricka sat cross-legged with a computer on her lap. She's trying to get a fix on the missing regulator's location through YVES.

His wounds are still fresh. Whichever villain attempted to drag him to — presumably — where Secily was taken must be in a much worse state.

Despite his recent battle damage, he seems far too focused on the current matter at hand to notice.

Now they both stare at you, and then at each other, frozen and confused.

Exmort jogs back across the street to rejoin you under the monorail's tattered awning.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Who in the blazes was that? ††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Did some two-bit hacker just gank our line AGAIN?! ††}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: OH i built her communicator with a unique carrier signal! if i can do a spectrum analysis—}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† Less time chatterboxin' babe, we're on the clock here! †††}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: right right right yeah gimme a sec... :sweat:}}

Your lips purse. Oricka taps away at her computer in a panic. Unease claws at the edge of your thoughts.

Necron starts pacing in a short circle, infrequently glancing up at you expectantly.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† What're your thoughts, Miss Shiri? Got any idea where she mighta run off to? ††}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: . ...}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† I'm thinkin' that slimy bastard's got her holed up in one of these traphives— ††}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: oh no...}}

Her voice trails down at the end. Necron almost trips over himself trying to reach her side.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† What's the sitch? ††}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: ident confirmed, the transmission def came from stressilys earpiece :worried:}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Tell me you got a location on that sucker. ††}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: wtf!! the trackings blocked :grrr:}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† What do you mean it's blocked?! ††}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: i mean theres no location metadata :shoutpole:}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: they mustve disabled—}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† Try somethin' else, then! Can't you like, I dunno, triangle the signal or somethin'? †††}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: i already did that! what kinda noobie do you take me for? :rolling_ganderbulbs:}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †††† Then give with the skinny already!! ††††}}

She turns her screen towards the both of you. On it shines a map highlighting all the communication hubs throughout the Stronghold and across Repiton.

Dozens of locations are lit up with Secily's sigil, all showing the exact same timecode.

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: hate to say it but...}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: she could be anywhere :frowning:}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† But she was ''just here!'' They couldn't have gone that far, right? †††}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .not unless she was subdued and transported elsewhere}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† ... ††}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: ...}}

When the matesprits meet your gaze, you see in their eyes a deep desire to argue. You watch their breathing accelerate, their body language grow more anxious.

You've seen this before. You know it as intimately as any other sensation you've come to master in your time as a TEMP.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Well, what're we doin' here then? Lollygaggin' like a buncha deadbeats? If our gal's got herself kidnapped— ††}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .checkmate}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Huh? ††}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .the voice we just heard}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..it said checkmate}}

ORICKA: :cold_sweat:

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† A bozo with an axe to grind'll say anythin' to get a reaction. What's your point? ††}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .you know what my point is, necron}}

A dreadful knowledge percolates in the air between their shivering bodies, the chill they share defying the artificial tolerability of the Stronghold's climate control.

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: i...}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: ...}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: :anguished:}}

Her wavering intonation barely rises above the background noise. Necron huffs and crosses his arms.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† I can't believe you two! †††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† I mean, you ain't seriously suggesting... †††}}

When he sees that you are seriously suggesting, his expression sours and he hocks a rebellious loogie into the dirt.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† No way, I don't buy it. †††}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: so you think that was just a bluff to get us off their tail?}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† It's gotta be! †††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† They're messin' with us. That's all these daggone cultists know how to do. Play stupid mindgames and get us second guessin' ourselves! †††}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: i guess so... :skeptical:}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† I ''know'' so! That Noxious fella jerked your chain around plenty, 'member? †††}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: of course i do ronny but that wasnt his voice}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† Well hell darlin', we don't know that! He sure fooled me with yours not even a couple hours ago. †††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †††† Come on, Secily's gotten outta worse scrapes than this! It's obviously a trick, gotta be. ††††}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: that guy didnt sound like much of a trickster to me :doubtful:}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† What's that gotta do with anythin'? They're all liars, the damned freaks! Just wanna make us give up, or... †††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †††† Or... ††††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††††† Hell, what do I know what's goin through the demented mind of some lowlife social deviant?! A lie's a lie and I ain't about to give up on the sturdiest, fightingest gal I ever— †††††}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .shes dead}}

He looks at you like a kicked barkbeast. Like you've slipped a knife between his ribs.

Oricka coughs out a sullen, surprised sob, and covers her mouth with both hands.

You wish more than anything to give comfort. To placate with hypotheticals and possibilities. To pay lip service to the technicality that none of you know for certain that the worst has truly come to pass.

But you've been around this block before. You've seen what happens when comfort overrides truth.

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .secily iopara is dead}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† You're wrong. ††}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .she is ''gone''}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Stop saying that! ††}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .we dont have time to play pretend}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Come on, Shiri. You can't honestly believe those crazed lunatics— ††}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .would kill the chief regulator who has plagued their operations for blinks on end?}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..would torment her survivors with an infuriatingly cryptic epitaph?}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ...i find that quite easy to believe actually}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††††† ... †††††}}

The twitch of muscles beneath his cheeks, the dance of agony and raging denial — you watch it unfold like a car crash in motion.

He grinds his teeth as he speaks.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† I'm not givin' up on her. ††}}

Shallow, rapid breathing. Necron arcs his back and shouts to the sky with all his might.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †††† YOU HEAR ME YOU SIMPERING CLOWNS?! I'M NOT FALLING FOR ANY MORE OF YOUR FUCKIN' LIES! ††††}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: we were too late :hourglass: :frown:}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †††† WHERE ARE YOU? I KNOW YOU'RE LISTENIN', SO COME OUTTA THE SHADOWS AND FACE ME ALREADY!! ††††}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: i shouldve grabbed the whole crew and beelined straight here as soon as your signal dropped...}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: this is all my fault...}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† Like hell it is! ''I'm'' supposed to be her partner on the battlefield! If it wasn't for that slimy bastard's dirty tricks... †††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† I was s'posed to defend her. Instead she wasted time having to save MY sorry ass, while the whole embarrassin' debacle was broadcast on live TV! †††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† I failed her. †††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† I fuckin'— †††}}

He wheels back his mechanical arm and plows it into a concrete wall, then again, and again, punctuating each blow with a full-throated scream.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††††† DAMN IT! DAMN IT! DAMN IT! †††††}}

His head slumps against the cracked, crumbling cement, gritting his teeth, eyes squeezed shut.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† It should've been me bleedin' out in the cold somewhere, not her. †††}}

Oricka reaches out to him, but can't seem to will her legs into standing up.

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: dont say that! that wouldnt be any better!! :steamed:}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† I'm sorry hon, it's just... ††}}

Necron knocks his fleshy palm uselessly against the wall. He tries to wipe the tears from his cheeks, but the dirt on his hands just turns them to mud.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† This ain't over. I'm gonna track these suckers down and tear 'em limb from limb until I find her! †††}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .you will do no such thing}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †††† WHY NOT?! ††††}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .because it's not what secily would have wanted}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..she would rather her partner keep his head and focus on the bigger picture}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† I... †††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †††† AAGHHH!! ††††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †††† SHE DON'T GET A CHOICE IN THE MATTER! If she's still out there, if there's even a chance she's still alive — ††††}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .but she did get a choice}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..and this is where it led}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ...this is where it was always going to lead}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ....she made sure of that with every stubborn step}}

You lay a comforting hand on his back. Necron flinches away from it with a growl and storms off, kicking rocks, arguing with air.

No point trying to reason with him now, you think. Best to let the rage run its course.

In the meantime, you turn your attention to the silently weeping Oricka. You descend to your knees beside her, your fingers entwined in your lap.

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: this is what i get for waiting to be told what to do}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: i had a feeling you know? when the pirate broadcast started and all our comms went haywire, i ''knew'' something bad was gonna happen...}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: but i ignored it! i convinced myself i was just being paranoid and kept on sitting there waiting for orders like a dummy}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .this was your role in the operation oricka}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..you did exactly what you were supposed to do}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: but its not what ses would have done!}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: if it was her in my place, the minute she had that bad feeling...}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: i was a coward for waiting}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: i could have saved her if id just listened to my gut!}}

You pull her into your arms and let her cry into your shoulder. Her tears are warm, and she clings to you like a raft going over a waterfall.

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .it is tempting to rely on signs and portents}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..but when we remember those bad feelings that turned out to be correct}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ...we forget all the ones that came to nothing}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ....it was the braver thing for you to wait}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .....you did as best you could given the actionable knowledge in your possession}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: thats not true}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: the body ''knows''}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: its like a seismometer for tragedy, and im the hapless scientist who saw the warning signs and just let it happen anyway!!!}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .that is simply untrue}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..if you had been here the only difference would be the addition of your death on top of hers}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: i don't think i can let myself believe that...}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .why not?}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: because it means they beat us! just straight up and down, start to finish, we got played.}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: it means ''she'' got played and...}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: and she ''lost''}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: ses never loses, right? :confounded:}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .im sorry to say oricka}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..secily lost far more often than she won}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ...they just happened to be the kinds of losses that wouldnt show up on a mission report}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: so the whole operation was a lost cause? :sniffle:}}

You stare at her wordlessly. It's a question you've pondered on more than one occasion, especially when Secily was asleep in your arms. You decide to give the answer that ''she'' would have given, if she ever had the chance.

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .it was never a lost cause}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..it wont be until we are all dead}}

You rise to your feet, and pull Oricka up with you.

Just then, a loud blast reverberates through the ruins. Oricka yelps.

Several yards away, Necron has blasted a hole in the ground with his boomstick arm. He's shouting, screaming, blue tears staining his cheeks, though his expression is in denial of the weeping.

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .necron}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..that is enough}}

He turns on you, again betrayed, marching up to you like a freshly reduplicated wriggler throwing a tantrum. Oricka puts herself between you, but seems uncertain as to whose side she's taking.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† Enough?? Not by a damn sight. Nuh-uh, no ma'am, I'm just gettin' ''started!'' †††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† I'm gonna find those cantankerous lily-livered zealots and give em somethin' to REALLY pray about! †††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† I'm gonna bring the pain down so hard and so fast they'll be '' beggin' '' me for mercy. †††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† And when I find the sonuvabitch that did this you best believe they'll be telling horror stories about it in the collective unconscious! †††}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .perhaps you will}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..but not tonight}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† No offense Miss Shiri, but I ain't askin'. †††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† I've had it up to here playing nice with these scoundrels. It's time to get mean. †††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† You're with me, ain'tcha sugar? †††}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: ummmm :grimacing:}}

Oricka wavers, glancing back at you with uncertainty.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† Those're just nerves talking. All we need is a solid plan, and lots of guns! We can get both real easy! †††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† Come on. You trust me, don't you? †††}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: i trust you more than anyone ronny!}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: thats why i cant let you do something as STUPID as running off to get yourself killed!}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: this isnt your run of the mill mob of disorganized scumbags, these guys have ''resources''}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: we had no idea what we were up against till now}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: and acting all gung ho to try and fix that isnt going to make the situation any better...}}

Necron is flabbergasted. You doubt Oricka has ever had to tell him that their usual methodology has its flaws, but right now, panic has completely taken over.

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: i need you! i dont want to lose anyone else :pleading_shrimp:}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† Neither do I, darlin', but we've got a duty here!}}

She shakes her head and presses a firm fist against his chest.

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: our duty is to each other, remember?}}

For a long stretch of moments, it seems like he could storm off on his own at the drop of a pin.

Finally, his shoulders slouch, and he pulls Oricka into a big hug. What they whisper to each other, if anything, is inaudible to you.

They end the embrace hand in hand and face you, eyes sparkling at the edges.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† Fine. What's the play? †††}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .we have to inform the heir}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† What? ††}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .sestro and hamifi}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..we have to tell them as soon as possible}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: GROAAAAAN}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: shouldnt they know already?}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .im not sure}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..but my gut tells me they dont}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† And then what? We just wipe our hands and hope the numbskulls at Corporate'll give her justice? ††}}

You feel a spike of frustration, and immediately tamp it down.

It would take dangerously little to push Necron right back onto a path of self-destruction, and ultimately this has nothing to do with how you feel.

This is about ''him,'' and his need for a light at the end of this particular tunnel.

So you wield Secily's conviction like a flashlight and tell him what you want to believe.

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .this is not the end of our fight}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..if anything this is only the beginning}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ...every moment we waste indulging in rank histrionics is an advantage to our enemies}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ....we have a responsibility now}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .....not just to this world and its enduring survival}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ......but to each other}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .......secily brought us all together}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ........let us honor her memory by avoiding her mistakes}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† That's all well and good, but someone's got an express delivery of comeuppance headed to their steeple. ††}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .i have every confidence that you will return this violent favor in kind}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..but only if you can control yourself and commit to what really needs doing in the long term}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ...instead of rushing off to your death like a fool}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Is that what you think ''she'' was? A fool? †}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: . ...}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..are you sure you want me to answer that question}}

Something in Necron's expression breaks. A humorless smile cracks up his face, he wipes one cheek with the palm of his hand. It's a laugh that comes out of him, impotent and miserable.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † I s'pose not. †}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Well, what're we waitin' for? Let's go share the bad news. ††}}

He leads the way to his truck, too eager to stay a pace ahead of you and Oricka.

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: uh, i think ill wait in the truck when we get to hq}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: the LAST thing we need right now is me flying off the handle at some spoiled little corpo failtrolls :expressionless:}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .wise choice}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..you should do the same necron}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Not a chance. I ain't leavin' ya out to dry all on your lonesome like that, no siree. ††}}

You share a look of skeptical consternation with Oricka, who shrugs in response.

The keys slip twice from Necron's hand before he gets the door open. While he gives Oricka a lift into the passenger side, you slide into place behind the wheel.

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .ill drive}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Like hell you will. ††}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .necron}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..your hands are shaking}}

He clenches his fingers into fists, purses his lips in a defiant scowl.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† I've got this, Miss Shiri. You can count on me. ††}}

You sigh as he climbs up into the front seat and forces you to scooch to the middle.

The engine roars alive and groans against a rough tug of the gearshift.

You idle in place for a few seconds.

Necron's grip on the steering wheel is so tight, his knuckles are blue.

You rest a hand on his shoulder, and before he thinks you can see him crumble into a sobbing mess, he opens the driver side door and jumps out into the night, slamming it behind him.

You slide into his place, adjusting what little you can, and try to pretend you can't hear Necron hiccuping as he makes his way around the back.

You drive.

To Necron's palpable annoyance, you strictly obey the speed limit, stop at every light, and dutifully signal your every move to the masses of trolls you're sure are already beginning to forget tonight's incident.

It's not long before the monorail station disappears in the rearview. Up ahead, looming so large it seems like it should only be a few minutes away, stands Corporate HQ.

You realize quite suddenly how long it's been since your last meal, and resign yourself to waiting even longer still.

Necron idly prods at the internals of his metal hand, checking for damage. He loses interest and finds himself staring out the window at passing street lights, forehead on the glass.

Next to you, Oricka pulls out her phone and sighs.

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: i should call crytum and tell him...}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: whatever there is to tell him :tired_troll_face:}}

She puts the thing to her ear and waits, ringing barely audible over the hum of the engine.

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: hey}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: yeah im... ok. ronnys ok too, im riding with him and mshiri right now}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: sorry for not getting back to you sooner, its been a hectic couple hours}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: so...}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: about the mission...}}

= Act 2. =

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: Yes.∞}}

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: Yes, I understand.∞}}

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: I am perfectly cognizant of the consequences this will have to Corporate's public image, thank you.∞}}

You are now the Corporate Heir.

You watch Hamifi stand solemn with the phone to her head, voice as flat and professional now as it would be any other night.

It's astonishing, really. Her ability to take official calls for hours on end without crumbling into a ball of hyperventilating panic seems like a genuine superpower, now more than ever.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: Vendor adspend is irrelevant, I'm certain it will level back out as soon as we've identified the weakness in our broadcast fortressing.∞}}

Despite her composure, Hamifi's voice sounds smaller to you than normal.

Perhaps it's the acoustics of Secily's office? It lacks the cavernous quality of most Corporate spaces you've spent your life in.

You forget to humor any other explanations.

The two of you decided it would be best to wait out the situation here. When Secily returns, there are bound to be a lot of questions. Almost absentmindedly, you run through them again one more time.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: Casualties are unconfirmed as of yet. We suspect the perpetrator may have cut the broadcast early to sow panic among worker-consumers.∞}}

On the wall in front of you hangs what is, arguably, a family portrait. But your eyes are focused on a nearer point in the air, where a glowing teal orb begins to take shape from nothing.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: Because no one's reported any bombs going off, that's why.∞}}

At the behest of your concentration, the transparent orb collapses inward, gains angles and rigid lines, folds onto and through itself in a process of refinement that ends with the creation of a small, illusory door.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: Because no one's reported any bombs going off, that's why.∞}}

With a careful gesture of your hand, the door snaps into place in the entryway of a miniature two-story villa, totally blocking the picture frame from view.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: No, not yet.∞}}

You let out a tinkerer's sigh of relief, and take a step back to evaluate your work.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: I said no.∞}}

The door looks good, you think, but the slant of the roof is all wrong.

If the rest hadn't been so fiddly (and if Hamifi weren't in the room to be startled by the explosion), you'd be tempted to blow it up and start over from scratch.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: It is the joint position of Corporate leadership that no further public statements will be made until we have a complete picture of what precisely has occurred.∞}}

Arms crossed behind your back, you turn in a slow circle.

A teal cobblestone road winds its way from the teal gates of the villa through a field, past a teal farm compound dotted with teal windmills, and into a series of vast teal city complexes that ring Secily's office end to end.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: Every data-carrying screen in the Stronghold, yes, I'm looking at the same reports as you.∞}}

It's a model Stronghold — what passed for one in a distant age before the Renaissance, anyway — manifested by the application of your alchemic abilities. Building imaginary cities like this has become a favored activity during times of stress.

Usually, you prefer to utilize more tangible building blocks than this, if only because it's more of a challenge. At least this method makes it easier to iron out little imperfections; the details only you tend to notice or care about.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: Of course public opinion is down, they've just been lied to by a terrorist.∞}}

You've never seen a place like it in real life, so you have no idea how to judge its realism. All you've got to go on are the disparate, often conflicting accounts of various historians, and your own subjective architectural proclivities.

Corporate either holds or closely monitors nearly all that remains from these age old civilizations, but there is still so much that is missing or–

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: That information is classified.∞}}

Yes. What she said.

It's impossibly idyllic, this hallucinatory landscape. No plastic trees, no geomorphic climate control, no artificial intelligence systems for automation, no particalizers or synthetic bolstering of any kind.

The closest analogue to Corporate's towering, austere HQ is an immense cathedral, all rounded stone and pendentives, marble columns and gleaming minarets.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: I said it's ''classified.''∞}}

Inspecting the cathedral more closely, you find yourself thinking that at least the all-mother gave her subjects something pretty to look at.

All this commotion over lime blood made you curious about it, you suppose. The Vivifier must have had her work cut out for her.

And knowing the few objective truths about her that you do, you figure that if she heard about the situation you're all in, she might laugh.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: The public broadcast of illegally acquired privileged information from a highly sensitive in-progress case does not, under any circumstances, constitute a de facto declassification of said case.∞}}

Your gaze is suddenly caught by a blank patch of wall beneath a tall spire, so you manifest another orb and begin whittling it down into something to fill in the space.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: Do not make me repeat myself again.∞}}

You've lost track of how long you've been at this, exactly, or why you even started in the first place.

It's almost hypnotic, listening to one side of a conversation. And you suppose it's better to build for no reason than to build nothing in the absence of one.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: Yes, that will be fine.∞}}

Maybe there's a lesson in there somewhere.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: I am not interested in apologies, just see that it gets done.∞}}

She hangs up with a barely perceptible sigh, her collected demeanor betrayed only by the sweat beading on her brow.

Hamifi approaches you slowly, pinching the bridge of her nose with one hand.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: This operation has gone about as poorly as it possibly could have. We might live another fifty sweeps and ''still'' not be done cleaning up this mess.∞}}

You have no response to that, and she doesn't expect one. To humor the notion at greater length would be to suggest that the terrorist Aumtzi Maught actually succeeded with this stunt.

Of course he didn't.

It's a fantasy of consequence that will never come true. The Corporation absorbs worse atrocities and embarrassments as a matter of course almost every single day, and its subjects have nowhere else to turn besides.

This event won't change the world, and you both know it. A wice from now, it won't even be in the news anymore. A video essay or two, perhaps, but by then it'll only be relegated to conspiracy.

Only in this momentary reflective silence does Hamifi notice the extensive complex of translucent buildings you've assembled around the edges of Secily's office.

She seems taken aback, perhaps surprised most of all by her own inattentiveness.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: Someone's been keeping himself occupied.∞}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞there's no one left for me to call. it was between this or today's axial-linguistic inference table, and i suck at those.}}

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: Yes, you do.∞}}

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: What did they have to say?∞}}

You shrug, attention fixed on capturing the precise dimensions of a stained glass window small enough to fit in the etched palm of your hand.
{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞rodere relayed in her characteristic fashion that clarud is presently indisposed and doesn't wish to speak on the matter.}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞the principal was in the process of assembling the alchemical taskforce, but all the leads have gone cold now that suspects in the snowbound blood case are public knowledge.}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞as for ms. iopara's ad hoc militia...}}

A frown sours your face. You've overworked the window, lost its meaning in your quest for verisimilitude. It fits well below the spire, but you remain unsatisfied at the details.

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞no response.}}

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: I see.∞}}

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: That is... suboptimal.∞}}

Without meaning to, you bark out a laugh. Hamifi's talent for understatement never fails to amuse.

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞it's a good thing she submitted her resignation already, isn't it?}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞saves us the trouble of an official reprimand when she gets back.}}

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: Yes, I suppose it does.∞}}

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: When.∞}}

She rolls the word around on her tongue and doesn't seem to like the taste.

You notice then that Hamifi is tapping her fingers against the palm of her hand in a choreographed dance whose steps you immediately recognize.

You take that hand into yours and try to sound easygoing.

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞would you care for a tour?}}

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: I ought to check back with security in case there are any updates.∞}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞if there were any updates, they would already be calling you.}}

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: ...∞}}

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: Very well, Mr. Enthal. Show me.∞}}

A smile breaks out across your face despite yourself.

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞basically, it's a rough interpretation of a bizkantine era stronghold, based on descriptions from a recent study out of the historical division.}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞i rummaged around what the masshole had to offer in terms of concrete data but i had to fudge a lot of details.}}
{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞i think it's a pretty respectable likeness anyway.}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞except for the stained glass. they didn't have the technology for that back then, i just think it looks neat.}}

She smirks at your "neat." You draw her attention to a somewhat more diminutive building in the cathedral's shadow.

S{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞this facility right here is a place for community social gatherings and knowledge distribution.}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞sort of like a primitive holonet cafe, but just for books!}}

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: And we wonder why their civilization collapsed.∞}}

For anyone else, Hamifi's sarcasm would be the conversational equivalent of taking a knife right in the bloodpusher.

For you, it's a tone of endearment. Like a game of tag, or a low stakes practice duel. It's the closest thing to "play" you ever get from her, and it's such a relief in this moment you can almost forget where you are, or why you're there.

Encouraged, you ramble on through every trivial tidbit that crosses your mind, eagerly pointing from structure to structure.

It's not often you get to infodump so freely, and even rarer to have Hamifi's undivided attention all the while.

At least, you ''think'' you have her undivided attention. She's smiling a little bit every time you glance up at her to check if she's bored, which is as good a sign as any.

Finally exhausted of facts to share, you straighten your back with pride and lock eyes with Hamifi.

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞you're impressed, i'm sure.}}

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: It is impressive work.∞}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞it's just wriggler stuff, really. looks like more than it actually is to the untrained eye.}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞lucky for you, i enjoy compliments.}}

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: You don't give yourself enough credit, Sestro. You're getting better every—∞}}

A sudden ring from the table phone.

Without pause, Hamifi's smile is a distant memory as she lunges towards it. She snaps it up and answers.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: Speak.∞}}

You watch the tension return to her body. You feel it, too. She shoulders the receiver and addresses you.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: It's the front office. Emergency line.∞}}

A dreadfully certain uncertainty.

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞put it on speaker.}}

A taboo broken in plain sight.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: Of course.∞}}

She presses the flashing yellow button with a satisfyingly chonky clunk.

{{VE Quote|#F0D090|MANILA: We have a situati[]n d[]wnstairs!}}

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: Explain.∞}}

{{VE Quote|#F0D090|MANILA: Ooh, fiddlesticks! it's m[]re []f an elevator situati[]n n[]w!!}}

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: Out with it, Mx. Folder.∞}}

{{VE Quote|#F0D090|MANILA: A pair []f harried s[]-and-s[]'s just st[]rmed past security! They have credentials and analytics sh[]w they've entered the building bef[]re.}}

{{VE Quote|#F0D090|MANILA: TEMP Libeta was []ne []f them i think?? she was saying they have urgent news, but...}}

{{VE Quote|#F0D090|MANILA: Well ma'am the []ther was a bulky fell[]w with a bloodstained r[]b[]t arm in t[]w, l[][]king rather surly and danger[]us!}}

{{VE Quote|#F0D090|MANILA: Sh[]uld we be scattering the dr[]nes?}}

Before she can answer, the office door swings violently open. You practically jump out of your skin, and your illusory Bizkantine city around you flickers in waves of dissipating energy in response.

You immediately recognize them: Mshiri Libeta and Necron Exmort, both looking very much the worse for wear.

No civilians should have clearance to the top floors of the building. Given their ties to the case and Secily's favoritism, you have no doubt they've been given special treatment.

You, however, are far more preocuppied with the hallway behind them. Waiting. Hoping for someone else to follow in their wake.

After a momentary staredown, Hamifi speaks with authoritative certainty.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: Drones will not be necessary.∞}}

She hangs up as the intruders barge in. You can see their eyes are puffy and irritated. Necron can't look up from the floor for more than a second at a time.

Mshiri closes the door. Your city reforms itself around her ankles.

No one else is coming in.

Something black licks at the edge of your thoughts. Corrosive, hungry. A mild panic spins up in your lungs, but it's nothing.

It's nothing.

And then, with practiced exactitude, you close yourself off to your own thoughts. Parcel them away behind a door in your inner sanctum.

The Enthal line is just as good at putting things out of mind as it is the opposite.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: Mr. Exmort, it's a relief to see you in one piece after all.∞}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Relief. Yeah. Sure thing. ††}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞i've been trying to contact the lot of you all night!}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞why didn't anyone answer?}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞we're aware of the circumstances, but the least you could have provided was a status update.}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞where's–}}

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: Nevermind that, you're here now. Debrief us on the mission.∞}}

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: I assume that's why you're here.∞}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .yes of course}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..the mission}}

You are again Mshiri Libeta, suddenly confronted with a task you thought you were prepared for. But now that you're here—

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .the mission was...}}

You look Hamifi in the eyes, and the words catch in your throat.

She carries herself with such maturity that it hides her youth, but you see it now.

She is so young, you think. And then it hits you that the news you're here to deliver is not about this young woman's employee, but her guardian. Her caretaker. Her mentor.

And she was never ''just'' your moirail, was she?

You look into the eyes of this girl who loved and idolized Secily, who aspired to her example at every turn, and you realize that she already knows what you're about to tell her.

Suddenly, you're overcome by the sensation that you are looking into a mirror.

You are the woman, wishing you didn't have to say it.

You are the girl, wishing you didn't have to hear it.

You are both, in this moment, wishing desperately for one final diversion of reality, because it is simply too much to bear.

She left you. Time and again you tried to stop her, slow her down, change her mind, but she never listened.

She was too stubborn to listen.

What did you never say to her, now that she's gone? How many regrets will bubble up in your future, dragging you down with age just as Secily's grief dragged her down?

In a very real sense, she chose her own death over you.

And you always knew she would.

The truth is, you've been practicing for this moment.

Rehearsing it, step by step, a simulation of loss and grief, just to see what it might feel like. In your line of work, you have to be prepared for anything, the unspeakable most of all.

Now the moment is here, at last inarguable and concrete. Secily Iopara is dead, and the rest of your life is her blast radius.

It doesn't feel at all like you thought it would, because it doesn't feel like anything.

A cold churn in your gut, a rabid lusus' terror locked tight in a box and buried under miles of practiced, impenetrable composure.

Why are you so surprised if you knew this day was coming?

It feels like being right in the worst way. It feels like gravity has abandoned your soul and you are slipping down into the static.

Shouldn't you be crying? This isn't someone you didn't know or only communicated with once, after all.

Why aren't you crying? You shared a life with her.

Are you a monster?

After everything she did for you, with all that she meant to you, you can't even muster up a few tears?

But this is what she prepared you for. This is what she gave back: the ability to take hits in stride.

Secily would be ashamed if you wasted tears on her account. Right?

In the end, she got everything she wanted. And here you are, holding the bag, waiting for someone to tell you what to do.

There's a hand on your shoulder, and suddenly the mirror breaks. You turn to see Necron looking down at you with a measure of fragile resolve.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† I'll take this, Miss Shiri. ††}}

Always willing to be the hero, Necron steps up. Even when he doesn't need to.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† It was a setup. Classic honkbeast chase. The perp led us by the sniffholes through just about every slum outta the 'hold. ††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† 'Course we knew what we were gettin' into, but... ††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Well anyhow, the sonuvagun tricked me with a spoofed emergency call. Pretended to be my gal, used her voice, made it sound like she was in real trouble. ††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† I ran off to find her, got jumped. Next thing I knew I was hogtied in a monorail car with a sock in my mouth and a bomb strapped to my chest on live TV. ††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† I tried to tell Secily to leave me there, and for a second I thought she might actually do it, but... ††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† S'pose that just ain't her way. ††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Didn't have time to untie me though, so she, y'know... ††}}

Shaky hands start rattling his mechanics. You find yourself reciting an ancient prayer you learned a long time ago, forgotten until this moment.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† And then she... ††}}

''All-Mother please,'' let our roots hold firm in the gale.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† She might'a caught him if she let that bomb go off. That'd be better'n this, right? ††}}

''All-Mother please,'' let us grow twice where the axe has cut.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† She shouldn't have saved me. ††}}

''All-Mother please,'' let our seeds spread from the wildfire ashes.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† But the worst bit is that I'm glad she did it. Ain't that a trip? ††}}

''All-Mother please,'' let us grieve but half what our aggrievers shall suffer.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† She failed the fuckin' mission for me, and I've got the nerve to be glad? ††}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞wait.}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞what do you mean she failed?}}

You look at him. Necron looks at him. Hamifi looks at him. He meets each of their gazes in turn. Confused, annoyed.

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞why are you all staring at me like that?}}

Necron stammers aimlessly. Hamifi turns away, covering her mouth with one delicate hand. You take a few gentle strides towards Sestro, arm outstretched.

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .you should sit down mister enthal}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞i don't think i will. not until you explain what's going on.}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .please, i dont want you to hurt yourself}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞hurt myself? why would i—}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞hamifi, what is this? why are you...}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞what is everyone crying about?}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .we recieved a transmission shortly after her disappearance}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..im sorry}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ...im so, so sorry}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞what are you apologizing for?!}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞i don't understand what's going on!}}

There's a loud crunch, like someone stepping on a bag of chips. You turn to see Necron grimacing, a glowing teal shack squished between his fingers.

Behind it hangs a framed portrait of Secily standing proud next to Sestro and Hamifi, both looking so much younger and more innocent than they do today.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Ah, hell... ††}}

Sestro throws his arms up and fusses at the damage as Necron unclenches his hand, brushing debris off like astral jetsam.

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞excuse me!!!}}

Necron backs away and tries to look apologetic, but it's too late. Underneath his facade of terse composure is the air of a man about to give an inadvisably large piece of his mind to all parties present.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Yeah, you're excused. Sittin' up here spoilt rotten in your tower, building toy cities, lookin' down on all us nobodies your whole life, makin' choices on our behalf. ††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† All you are is excuses. ††}}

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: Careful, Mr. Exmort.∞}}

Hamifi hisses, standing poised and at the ready. Necron sizes her up and can't help but scoff.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Don't you fuckin' bow up towards me. ††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† I ain't afraid of you, kid. Can you say the same? ††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† You're the ones who put her on this damn case. This is ''your'' cupe we're writhin' in, you duplicitous little... †††}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .necron}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..its not their fault}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ...you need to calm down}}

{{VE Quote|hamifi|NECRON: ††† Just look at that picture there. Two grinnin' wigglers under Secily's wing. It's perverse, ain't it? †††}}

{{VE Quote|hamifi|NECRON: ††† She raised you. She taught you everythin' you know, and you sent her out into the meat grinder anyway. †††}}

{{VE Quote|hamifi|NECRON: ††† May as well've pulled the trigger yourselves. †††}}

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: We tried to stop her!∞}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† Yeah, and I bet you were real convincing too. †††}}

SESTRO: ∞don't talk to hamifi like that!!!

SESTRO: ∞please, just— where is she?

SESTRO: ∞where is secily?!

All the air goes out of the room. Necron's mouth hangs open just so, shocked that the message hasn't gotten through already. You know this will only get worse, but you're powerless to do anything but watch.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† You really need me to spell it out for you, son? †††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† She's dead. †††}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞de...}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞dead?}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †††† D E A D, caput, donezo, shipped off to the farm upstate, six feet fuckin' under, worm food supreme, you dig? ††††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† It's that inconvenient thing that keeps happening to all your employees. †††}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .thank you for your input necron but i think you should go back to the truck}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† Why, so you can apologize on my behalf, tell 'em I'm not in my right mind or somesuch? †††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† You're right. I must've been on somethin' real nasty to think I could buddy up with a regulator and not get my pusher ripped still-beatin' outta my chest! †††}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: go back to the truck right now or can it!}}

You barely raise your voice, but it's enough to shock everyone in the room. Necron most of all. He stumbles back a step, barely standing, a house of cards swaying in a wind tunnel.

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .im so sorry}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..i really was trying to avoid making a scene}}

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: It's fine. Just get him out of here for his own sake.∞}}

You put an arm over Necron's shoulder, trying to usher him towards the door. One step. Another. You're almost at the door when he stops walking.

A brief, hysterical laugh escapes his throat.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: It's over, man.}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: It's all over.}}

He slips out from under you and slouches against the doorframe. He's making this so much harder than it needs to be, you could scream for all the help he's been.

But it's the Heir who demands your attention, looking so lost, so uncertain. His voice is barely more than a whisper.

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞how do you know that she's...?}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .the transmission i mentioned}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..it came from secilys communicator}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ...they told us... ''checkmate''}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ....and then they hung up}}

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: Gods...∞}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞but that could mean anything!}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .im sorry mr enthal—}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..sestro}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ...but it only means one thing}}

In sight.

In mind.

Again, you are Sestro Enthal, spotlit and terrified, blind to what lurks ever closer in the dark beyond the stage.

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞but...}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞that can't be right. she promised me she'd come back.}}

Mshiri says something you don't process. You're staring at Hamifi, begging her to take your side, but she can't even look at you.

She's crying around shapeless words.

There are ten thousand needles in your lungs.

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞she promised. she ''promised.''}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞she... there's no way she'd make a promise she knew she couldn't keep. right?}}

The beginnings of an earthquake rattle the walls of your Bizkantine dreamworld. A bust of Saint Borland the Second begins weeping sickly green tears, his antiquated microphone dripping like melted plastic.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: Do we know where she's...∞}}

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: If there are any... remains?∞}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞no, please don't—}}

You're going to be sick.

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞don't say that...}}

The lights in here are too harsh.

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .im not sure}}

Their lips move, but you can't hear what they're saying beyond the ringing in your ears.

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..but i wouldnt hold out hope}}

Nothing is real.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: Did she leave anything behind? Was there a note for us, or...∞}}

She's gone.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: Or parting words?∞}}

She's gone and she knew she was going.

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞she didn't! she couldn't have!}}

Of course she knew, you child.

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .none that im aware of}}

Promises are for wrigglers.

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..i believe secily thought she was coming back}}

Promises are for dying women.

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞she would never abandon us. i refuse to believe it.}}

Who is that tapping at your window?

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: Hey. She didn't abandon us. She was ''taken.'' Do you hear me?∞}}

What devil sets fire to a cathedral?

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞taken somewhere... that's where i should be...}}

You're not real. Nothing is real. The city is on fire and it's taking the future with it.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: Stay here, Sestro. Focus on who you are.∞}}

You want to throw up. It's getting too hot to breathe.

Somewhere in the middle of it all, Necron returned. You don't know why. You don't care.

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .necron you need to leave}}

You want everyone who has ever drawn breath to cease.

Your body rises, volatile electric synapses jolting around you.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Aye caramba, is that kid about to explode?! ††}}

You want to drop a bomb on history.

It grows in strength and intensity. Alchemy piercing through the hearts of everyone in the office.

Your subconscious thoughts are all that keep these trolls standing. The furnishings, reports, files, memories... none of them are as lucky.

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .get back to the truck NOW}}

You want to obliterate language and time and love until all existence is just a hole for you to die in.

You were never made for it. You are only a legacy, and now you're forced to carry her too.

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞is this how she felt after ahlina died?}}

Inky black smoke rises from shattered windows.

They do not repair themselves immediately as they should. She neglected to bring them up to code.

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞i get it now. i would hate me too.}}

Precise angles bow into sickly curves, dripping with translucent fire.

Drones were called. The building is under siege. Sirens blare. All of them are destroyed the moment they enter the office.

In the midst of it all, familiar hands find yours.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: Secily didn't hate you. She doted on you night and day! It almost made me jealous, how soft she was with you!∞}}

Doors become mouths, howling, screaming.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: She loved you!∞}}

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: I love you!∞}}

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: Come back to me!∞}}

You're lost. Everything is lost.

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞i'm lost. everything is lost. i am...}}

You are responsible.

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞i am responsible...}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞for the worst thing that ever happened to her...}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞and then i sent her off to die.}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞oh.}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞''oh.''}}

Everything around you loses coherence. The only sense left is of regret.

You want to tell her what you've learned but you can't.

You want to show her what you've built but you can't.

You will never hear her voice again.

You will never be frustrated by her again.

You will never get to laugh with her again.

You will never be able to ask her for advice again.

You will never get to share your future with her.

Your future, a depth blacker than any polluted ocean.

Are you thinking or speaking or dreaming?

Or are you just dead?

Maybe everyone is always already dead, they just haven't got the message yet.

You want her to tuck you in again.

You want to tell her you're sorry.

And it's all...

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .its not your fault}}

Arms around your shoulders. Cold heat seeps into your skin, and it's like falling into water.

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..its not hamifis fault}}

Her voice is the center of the universe, suddenly the only thing that makes sense.

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ...its not necrons or orickas or mine}}

You remember your aching body, flit open your eyes to see blackened walls, still-flaming against the sprinklers. Did you do that?

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ....she chose to walk into the mouth of the monster alone}}

You feel exhausted in every limb, conscious mind a tattered cloth only barely patched together around this force of calm in Mshiri's voice.

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .....and it was our bad luck that the monster chose to bite down}}

Your eyes drift closed again. A sleep of indistinct dreaming swallows you whole.

Unlike your typical comas, this time you do not give yourself the luxury of study. You are drowned in your sorrow and grief, and you are powerless to push through it.

You will awaken again around two wices later, no less worse for wear and no more consoled, your only comfort the fact that Hamifi stayed by your side the entire time.

And much like she does, you throw yourself back into your work to stave off the ache. It does not work, for either of you. Not entirely. But you do try.

Later, you and Hamifi will be picking up right where Secily Iopara left off, though you do not know it yet. Everyone involved with Operation Snowbound Blood will.

All of you are connected to an incursion of grand design. An end in perfect cataclysm, spurned by the very perpetrators of this case, far closer to you in history than you could have realized.

But that is long from now, and no less of a weight on your soul.

Someone you loved has died.

The memory of it will haunt you forever.

= Act 3. =

The sparse moments of light in the dark season are always the brightest.

In the early hours, both suns not yet perched on their summit, heat sits pleasantly around your shoulders — unlike the harsh rays of midday, more a warm shroud. Comfortable.

You sit sprawled on a wooden bench on the patio, limbs loose and lazy, making full use of the several colorful cushions that line your resting place in the shade.

Your eyes close as you lean your neck against the backrest. With one of your senses put on hold, this is what you feel:

The cushions are soft. Luxurious, even, as the gentle-sweet aroma of the garden — tended to with such careful, loving hands — envelops you.

Lilac and honey.

You incline your head towards the source of cheerful, meandering humming, couched by the low droning of the worker bees. Your mouth slowly shifts into a smile.

She doesn't even realize she's doing it half the time.

You breathe in deep, let the air out in a soft sigh. Yes, luxurious is best for these late-day moments, sequestered between the ever diminishing gaps of your busy schedule.

Always busy, these days. Such is the lot of those in your position.

It bothers her, how often you're in contact with violence. You've had a few circular arguments in the past, about the high-priority cases the corporation is ever more willing to assign you to.

She's worried it'll desensitize you. Whatever that means.

If you stopped to hem and haw and be sensitive every time a split-second decision had to be made on the field, well... You would not be coming back to her at the end of the night before long.

You save lives, keep corruption from seeping into the veins of society. For that, the risk is worth it.

This is a truth you've held close ever since you first stepped inside the Corporate building, Proserpina at your side. And you know it still, case after case after case.

Your mind wanders to your newest assignment. A Priority Aleph, which is a once-in-a-binary-eclipse level of a problem. Which is good. Petty crime gets...

Your thought process skips a beat. Priority Aleph cases are not handed out to freshly promoted mid-level officers.

What were you doing earlier tonight? You were called to—

You were...

Your body jolts into action, some blind instinct screaming at you to ''hold yourself together.'' You sit up, bloodpusher hammering inside your chest cavity, patting along your stomach, looking for—

Nothing. There's nothing there, you think to yourself, dumbfounded, as you stare at both your hands clinging to the front of your shirt. One, two. Left and right. There you are. Whole and healthy, in your civilian clothes.

Why did you—

{{VE Quote|ahlina|??????: Secily?}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|??????: You're not falling asleep on the ''job,'' are you, Miss Iopara?}}

The world falls back into place. Every listless anxiety dissolved into a puddle, powerless in the face of the sunniest apiculturist you've ever had the grace to know.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: I'd never dream of it, Ahlina.}}

Her teasing smile takes a more sympathetic bent as she takes your face in.

{{VE Quote|ahlina|AHLINA: Ah, I know it's early. They ''do'' say that good company goes a long way, though.}}

Your matesprit plucks the bonnet from her head and she is right, nevermind who this "they" is. No more shadows to hide the beauty of her face.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: Mmm. And I find myself sitting with the best kind, as a matter of fact.}}

It feels like a dream. A pang in the back of your throat surprises you — you're not prone to sudden bouts of emotion, especially not over mundane, everyday exchanges.

What has gotten into you?

You push every other stray thought and half-remembered impression from your mind and let yourself sink into this feeling, the simple joy of seeing someone who has been with you every night since grubhood.

You are tethered in mind, body and soul. Too far from each other even when you're less than two feet away.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: Just... lost in thought again, is all.}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|AHLINA: That's such a bad habit! Keep it up and you may not find your way out of that thinkpan.}}

''Ha ha,'' you say, and she doesn't ask to join you. She just sits then falls against your side. Her cheek squished up against your shoulder, a hand lounging lazily on your midsection.

{{VE Quote|ahlina|AHLINA: I would hate to lose my favorite assistant to the machinations of her own mind. Especially when I need my gloves to scrape the suckle and you're too deep in it to bring them to me!}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: That happened ''once.''}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|AHLINA: Mhm.}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: The morning brings out my contemplative side.}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|AHLINA: Of course. Many things to consider. The noble oath you're sworn to and such.}}

You let the soft jab slide and the two of you hold this moment together.

Sometimes her grip tightens, sometimes yours does. The suns don't move an inch, even after the second hand of Ahlina's novelty clock has made countless rotations inside your hive. Tic-toc, tic-toc.

After the pleasant ambience of a small flock of avian lusii passes by, you find a dull enough question to ease your silence back into domestic bliss.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: They've been working hard this sweep, haven't they?}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|AHLINA: Mhm. Though the dark season isn't particularly kind to them.}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|AHLINA: Bees thrive during hot weather, after their dormancy from the cold. They need the suns and flowers and to be able to fly around and build again.}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|AHLINA: Not that they don't do ''anything'' during the harsher climate. Survival takes skill!}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|AHLINA: I guess they're restless even when they're resting.}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: The perfect workers. I wonder where they get the admirable drive.}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: One would think they'd eventually tire of serving a single purpose, night in and night out, even with an off-season.}}

She shrugs against you.

{{VE Quote|ahlina|AHLINA: Well, they're wild lusii. Without a charge bonded to them, serving their monarch is reason enough.}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|AHLINA: I can at least help them do their best. Make it as comfortable as possible through the bad seasons.}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|AHLINA: Also, the honey is ''delicious.''}}

She lifts herself up and out of the bench with a decisive push. You glance up at her, already missing her warmth.

{{VE Quote|ahlina|AHLINA: Speaking of, I know just the thing to make for such a lovely morning out.}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|AHLINA: Be right back!}}

She disappears inside, your eyes trailing after her. The muffled sounds of dinnerware reach you, the tic-toc of the clock, the soft buzzing of your tiny backyard companions.

You imagine them all clustered together again, safe in the dark of their miniature hive...

It's only when you jolt with the press of something cold against your cheek that you realize you'd nearly nodded off.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: Ahlina!}}

She just laughs at you, holding an — admittedly — very inviting cocktail in an old fashioned glass inches away from your face, condensation already gathering on her fingers.

{{VE Quote|ahlina|AHLINA: Peace offering?}}

You take it from her, but ''do'' make it a point to scowl.

{{VE Quote|ahlina|AHLINA: Don't be a grump. I made your favorite, see?}}

It is your favorite. Bourbon mixed with fruits and a dash of Ahlina's hivegrown honey syrup, golden and spiced, and there's the strange pang in the back of your throat again.

You feel the cold of the glass seep into your fingers as you turn towards her.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: Thank you.}}

''I love you, I love you, I love you.''

She lowers herself back on the bench and onto your side, and raises her own glass in invitation.

{{VE Quote|ahlina|AHLINA: To the wild lusii of the world and their admirable work ethic.}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SSECILY: And to their wise keepers.}}

The clink rings clear through the yard, a pleasant note to end a hard morning's work on.

You bring the glass to your lips, anticipating the tried and true results of your matesprit's expert talents in mixology, and the drink coats your tongue.

Huh.

This... doesn't taste like you remember at all.

You can taste honey. You can taste bourbon. Even the fruits and the spices.

It's just... not meshing right. Like someone got a list of all the individual elements and tried to imagine what they would be like together, without the actual interplay of flavors you're so familiar with.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: Wh}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|AHLINA...?: Oh, did you figure it out?}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|AHLINA...?: Apologies. I've never been very good at tastes.}}

Hair standing on end, you realize that you have no idea who is sitting beside you.

Like some unseen director has just called ''cut!'' from behind a camera, you watch as this person — this thing wearing your lover's skin like a coat — simply stops pretending.

Everything that makes Ahlina herself leaves it in an instant. A cruel, perfect mockery of her.

It takes concentration for your glass not to break under your hold.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 1.e4 Who are you. ...e5}}

It's your training that allows you to keep the steel in your voice, despite the terrified hammering of your chroma beater.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 2.f4 Tell me what you've done with her. ''Now.'' ...exf4}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|AHLINA...?: Ah, you really are stubborn...}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|AHLINA...?: I think you already know. Don't you?}}

You open your mouth to protest, to demand that it cut the bullshit, that you've had plenty of grandstanding criminal ''freaks'' try to rope you into a speech before. But the words die unsaid on your lips.

You think about your newest assignment. Operation Snowbound Blood.

Blood bubbles up your throat, thick and too much of it, burning your lungs as you try to pull in air. You want to claw at it, but your arm's gone, more blood gushing out around the cleaved joint.

Your abdomen is torn open; a slippery mess of guts pours out of the wound.

Blood seeps deeper and deeper within yourself, and then out onto the ground with your entrails.

You can't breathe, you can't fight this—

The horror that wears Ahlina's skin clicks her tongue.

{{VE Quote|ahlina|AHLINA...?: Oh, my. This will not do.}}

The blood and viscera disappear. Your arm is back. Your lungs convulse as you choke on a gulp of air. You're sitting on the bench, whole again.

{{VE Quote|ahlina|AHLINA...?: There you go. Much better.}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|AHLINA...?: Don't worry. That's the way of traumatic final moments. The imagined body tends to remember once the mind does.}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|AHLINA...?: As I was saying, I'm unable to properly replicate anything that I haven't personally experienced.}}

It's talking as though what just happened has no effect on it, your body nothing more than a milquetoast display that will soon fade into the rest of the scene. A single frame out of focus.

Does it even see you?

{{VE Quote|ahlina|AHLINA...?: It's strange, isn't it? How every single cell and electric blip feeds into what, to the one experiencing them, are facets of a cohesive selfhood.}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|AHLINA...?: Flesh, blood, taste... all so fickle in design. So prone to error. Yet none that live can be without it.}}

Every word passes through you. Vibrations, pure noise that makes your head feel hollow. They ring but form no image. The noise compounding into itself, until your own thoughts drown it out.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 3.Nf3 Why are you doing this to me? ...g5}}

It doesn't blink. It makes Ahlina's cheeks soften into a kind of pity one might show a stray lusus on the street.

You hate it.

{{VE Quote|ahlina|AHLINA...?: Your ending was... unsatisfying, no?}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|AHLINA...?: This is your last opportunity to rectify that.}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 4.d4 What does that mean? ...Qe7}}

It carries on like you didn't say a word.

{{VE Quote|ahlina|AHLINA...?: A satisfying personal journey is a moving thing, rising and falling in response to conflict within the external or internal realm.}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|AHLINA...?: Yours, though... A flat line. Dead long before you were.}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|AHLINA...?: You learned nothing, Secily Iopara.}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|AHLINA...?: I am offering you a final chance to do so.}}

Ahlina's jaw moves to make the sounds, but the shape of them is all wrong. Like a puppet animated by a clever arrangement of strings, or maybe an image formed to approximate what a person might talk like.

How could you have believed its charade, even for a moment?

Terror seizes you, your muscles pulled taut enough to be forced into stillness. It's your body's instinctive response to what's most precious to you, carved out and twisted into a mockery of itself.

The creature tilts its head. Eyes completely devoid of that spark you know so well pin you to the spot.

You peer into a vastness that has no regard for you, and hold your breath.

{{VE Quote|ahlina|NOT AHLINA: You look lost, regulator.}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|NOT AHLINA: Go on. I'm certain there are many questions you wish to address.}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|NOT AHLINA: We only have so much time to do this.}}

Questions. Even at the end of the line, you find yourself overcome with them.

>Who are you?

>What did you do to Ahlina?

>What is this place?

>Am I dead?

>Where is Ahlina?

>What happens next?

>What do you want from me?

>Why am I here?

>Was it all for nothing?

>Was I always meant to fail?

>Is this the only possible outcome?

>Was it worth it to try?

>What would Ahlina think of me right now?

>Why did it have to be me?

>What did I ever do to you?

>What do you mean, "I learned nothing?"

>How do I stop this?

>How do I wake up from this nightmare?

>Please, WHERE is Ahlina?

>How can I trust you?

>Who the HELL are you!?

{{VE Quote|ahlina|NOT AHLINA: Always overflowing with everything you demand to know.}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|NOT AHLINA: Here. I will help.}}

=== Where am I? ===

NOT AHLINA: Much better.

It clasps Ahlina's hands together, a pantomime of delight that seems anything but genuine. A part of your mind that can still feel anger bristles at the condescension.

{{VE Quote|ahlina|NOT AHLINA: You appreciate directness, so I'll be direct with you.}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|NOT AHLINA: You're trapped in this place. Just as I am.}}

You scan your surroundings, as though a clearer answer might be carved into the earth or scratched across the patio, and find — predictably — none.

It's Ahlina's hive, with all its mundane details that you carry like something fragile between your ribs, but... it's not really it, is it?

The bees have stopped their droning. No wind whispers through the grass and leaves. All sound has died down.

Was it ever there to begin with?

{{VE Quote|ahlina|NOT AHLINA: You look distressed. I must apologize for deceiving you.}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|NOT AHLINA: I meant to provide a peaceful transition, but certain things I'm unable to convincingly replicate. Sensations.}}

It lifts one hand, watches the fingers as they bend and flex.

{{VE Quote|ahlina|NOT AHLINA: I've not experienced any myself. Not for a long time.}}

Cold eyes bore into yours again.

{{VE Quote|ahlina|NOT AHLINA: It gets lonely in here. Makes it easy to forget.}}

Again, the fear prickles your spine. Are you going to be trapped here with this... ''thing'' inhabiting your matesprit's body forever?

And where ''is'' here?

{{VE Quote|ahlina|NOT AHLINA: But you've always enjoyed solving a good mystery. No, you wouldn't have settled for fading away in ignorance.}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|NOT AHLINA: You would accept this somewhat... turbulent introduction if it brought you closer to the truth. Stubbornness is something of a defining trait of yours, isn't it?}}

It doesn't stop to wait for your answer, if you even had one to give.

{{VE Quote|ahlina|NOT AHLINA: You won't be surprised to learn that most prefer to pass on with a lighter examination of emotional baggage. All this regret, this tortured nostalgia that you carry, staring you in the face...}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|NOT AHLINA: And most don't enjoy talking to me.}}

That's the least shocking part of this experience so far.

{{VE Quote|ahlina|NOT AHLINA: Ah. But it seems I've gotten distracted from your original question.}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|NOT AHLINA: This place is a blank slate, one could say. The prison that I'm trapped within, yes, and my one window to the tree of life grown in my absence.}}

If it wasn't clear before, it is now. You finally have a picture of who lies underneath the veneer of your former love.

You were never told that she was cruel.

{{VE Quote|ahlina|KHEPARIA: It's what remains of me. My prison, my respite, my multitudes, my everything.}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|KHEPARIA: This is the crucible where all souls rest. Where the strong willed conscious and the fleeting unconscious alike find peace.}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|KHEPARIA: Here, I can weave anything I desire. Match any narrative, every character, their emotional needs, and eventually, their ending.}}

Dry, acidic bile slips up your throat before you swallow it back down. Cold sweat has beaded on the back of your neck, leaving goosebumps as it rolls into your collar. You are a primal thing, cornered and trembling.

Around you, Ahlina's hive cracks like old paint, chips peeling off to reveal something... else.

Vibrant colors of all shades and hues. A kaleidoscopic burst of unadulterated sensation, the disparate trillions of souls that make them up, all of them around for far longer than your single, tiny blink of a life.

The building blocks of existence, in its aspects both dormant and not, cascading into itself. Unrealized infinities dancing hollow steps only audible to those within, and which only one being can truly fathom.

You can hardly croak out the words you want to say.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 5.Bd3 I-Is... ...d5}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 6.O-O Is this my judgment? ...dxe4}}

The word is shattered glass between your teeth. It makes your voice crack.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 7.Bxe4 Am I here... so you can decide what happens to me next? ...c6}}

A soft, sad laugh, and the all-mother's puppeteered hand raises up to cup your cheek. You wish to recoil from it, but you're still paralyzed in place. The warm touch that could once unravel you is delicate and utterly wrong.

Pity drips from Ahlina's words, like her honey turned sour.

{{VE Quote|ahlina|KHEPARIA: Oh, Secily... No.}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|KHEPARIA: You're not that special. Almost nobody is.}}

The hand falls away, and with it, your ability to speak follows the same path as your body.

{{VE Quote|ahlina|KHEPARIA: Morality plays no role in our encounter.}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|KHEPARIA: I'm no arbiter, here to mete out reward or punishment. Nor am I the final act, the Deus-Ex-Machina that validates all the choices you've made.}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|KHEPARIA: Even at this moment, I'm having conversations just like this one with thousands upon thousands of extinguished souls.}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|KHEPARIA: Every blade of grass, every dying star, every animal and troll and species in between — they face me in their final moments.}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|KHEPARIA: Nothing you could have done, better or worse, would have led to a different outcome.}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|KHEPARIA: These ideas of justice, notoriety and meaning that mortal life harbors are... ''fleeting.'' Only relevant as they unfold.}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|KHEPARIA: You didn't make right choices or wrong choices, you just made choices.}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|KHEPARIA: Yours.}}

You can't believe what you're hearing.

Countless days of pondering your position, the weight of your actions and their purpose, the effects it had on the world writ large. All of them crumbled to dust along with your corpse.

You had always hoped there would be a verdict. Someone to tell you that you did right or wrong.

Instead you're met only with pure... ''indifference.''

No sweet words to absolve your turmoil, nor bitter scorn to condemn your purpose. Only a hollow resolution.

{{VE Quote|ahlina|KHEPARIA: Here, you're meeting with freedom in its purest form. Creation without limitation.}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|KHEPARIA: A hand wet with blood is still a hand. Your soul is still your soul, with all its weight upon it. And your story, sordid and painful and violent as it is, is still a story.}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|KHEPARIA: The essence of which is mine to cherish.}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|KHEPARIA: As long as I remain in this state, it's my responsibility to retain it, and ensure it is never lost.}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|KHEPARIA: So the world continues to spin properly upon my return.}}

She doesn't bother elaborating further. It's not a sentiment you can understand. Still, she does try to soften the visible blow.

{{VE Quote|ahlina|KHEPARIA: You're here to be remembered, Secily.}}

The words hang in the air, poison gas waiting to invade your body on the next inhale.

You hold your breath. Grit your teeth, as though you could resist the truth in Kheparia's words by bracing against them.

And just as your body's incapable of surviving without air, you cannot defy the gravity of this final revelation.

With its pull, something inside you cracks.

It... It truly was all for nothing.

''You'' were for nothing. Nothing but the entertainment of cosmic powers who knew the doomed terminus of your path, and were indifferent to it.

Your losses, your regrets, the pain you inflicted to demarcate yourself, were only ever a smudge against the negative space of a universe that would be no different if you'd never existed.

The consequences of your actions were only as big as the moments they happened within, the protection you gave only a salve, the pride you built nothing but a chip on your shoulder.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 8.Re1 I... ...Be6}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 9.c4 Oh... Oh Gods... ...Na6}}

You immediately realize the irony in saying that in front of existence's fountainhead.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 10.d5 What did I do...? ...O-O-O}}

You don't know what that's in reference to. Everything, maybe.

A keening fills your ears, the sound a body makes when it can fit no more grief. It takes you a moment to realize it's coming from you.

Finally, you're able to move. But it's not decisive, it's gravity taking its toll, buckling your knees and sending you to the ground.

Your cheeks are wet; tears blur your vision into a nonsensical mess of shape and color. A jagged sob claws its way up your throat.

In the middle of all this, Ahlina's figure stands unmoving, untouched by the torrent of pain pouring out of you.

You laugh despite yourself, even as the tears keep coming. You're not sure why.

You suppose it's all the same, anyway.

{{VE Quote|ahlina|KHEPARIA: This must be a lot to accept.}}

Her voice suggests that it's not, but that she's trying to humor you, like one might a child throwing a tantrum.

You will yourself to stop crying. At length, the tears ebb.

{{VE Quote|ahlina|KHEPARIA: I realize you must feel like your entire existence was in vain, but that is not the case.}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|KHEPARIA: Even without a grander purpose, your actions still had a meaning when you took them.}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|KHEPARIA: They were witnessed, and they will be preserved.}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|KHERPARIA: To think otherwise is to tread into the void.}}

If the zealots and storybooks ring with any modicum of truth, you can only assume she means her split equal's influence is far reaching.

You wonder if meeting him would have panned out any better.

{{VE Quote|ahlina|KHEPARIA: My son has relayed your story to the best of his ability. It will be contained within his telling, with all the intricacies and contradictions that he's been able to capture.}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|KHEPARIA: And, Secily... it is wonderful. It will be remembered fondly.}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|KHEPARIA: By me, if by nobody else.}}

You stare into the unknowable depths of her eyes. How many such stories has she witnessed? How many destinies is she preserving from oblivion?

You wipe your face until you've scrubbed all the evidence of your outburst.

For several moments, you are lost as to what there is left to say.

The writing is clear.

There is no use bargaining or asking for anything else. There are no second chances, there isn't a do-over, there is nowhere for you to go except with her.

Any indignance would only be responded to with measured pleasantries and vague allusions to something greater that is not yours to witness.

You've spent so much of your life ready to die, only to find that there is more. Always more. It feels like a cruel joke.

So... what do you want to do?

What is left?

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 11.Qd4 ... ...Qc5}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 12.Bd2 Could you... ...Qxd4+}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 13.Nxd4 Really act like her again? Like you did before? ...cxd5}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|KHEPARIA: Of course. I know everything about Ahlina, just as I know everything about you.}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|KHEPARIA: You'd never be able to tell, if that's what would make you feel at peace.}}

Peace...

You never thought peace an option.

The world went sour and cold after losing her, so you followed suit. Even in the moments where you allowed yourself to pause, you still felt that all-consuming dread licking at your heels.

Perhaps it was an imperfect recall guiding your hand, at times. Ahlina your shield and Proserpina always ready to cut down all who dared take that step too close to you.

Nobody in your life was free from your pain. Everyone, everything after Ahlina... hurt. They hurt because you hurt.

But.

If it's okay for you to do this— if you've been given permission for one last selfishness, then...

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 14.Bxd5 Yes. I would like that. ...½-½}}

It would be nice to pretend that you were a version of yourself who never had to hurt at all.

Kheparia nods, a gentle curve to her lips that is, for once, not out of place on Ahlina's face.

KHEPARIA: Close your eyes, Secily.

{{VE Quote|ahlina|KHEPARIA: Close your eyes, Secily.}}

The sparse moments of light in the dark season are always the brightest.

In the early hours, both suns not yet perched on their summit, heat sits pleasantly around your shoulders—unlike the harsh rays of midday, more a warm shroud.

Your cocktail glass is sweating between your fingers. Inside it, the ice has melted to smooth, round pebbles.

{{VE Quote|ahlina|AHLINA: Secily? Are you still with me?}}

{{VE Quote|ahlina|AHLINA: You've been quiet for a while.}}

You look up at her, haloed in the pinks of morning, and hold this moment like a ripe berry between your teeth.

You smile. The berry bursts.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: Yes. I'm right here.}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: It's a beautiful morning.}}

Ahlina sits next to you, her thigh a comfortable, familiar press against yours. She's warm. She rests her head on your shoulder.

{{VE Quote|ahlina|AHLINA: It is, isn't it?}}

= Act 4. =
Welcome back. It's good to see you again.

How did you enjoy this portion of our story? I've been looking forward to its conclusion. At last may we discuss its merits, now that you've had the chance to see it all play out.

Hm? Don't tell me...

Are you surprised to see me?

If that is the case, then you really shouldn't be. I am the quintessential narrator of these programs we view together. That much should be common knowledge.

I've been here since the very beginning, though ''whose'' beginning might be up for debate. It all depends on the order in which you've opted to experience this.

Hopefully your decision was a comfortable one. I know, more than anyone else, how exhausting it is to follow the footsteps of events that, in the moment, come off as extraneous.

I can assure you that is not the case for those linked to Operation Snowbound Blood, however. No, their mission is just as crucial to our grander narrative as everything else.

Surely that much is obvious if you've followed me this far. I would hope so, at least!

Now that we find ourselves here, I get the distinct feeling you'd appreciate further insight into this world and the trolls we've grown familiar with.

I'd truly like to thank you for going through this story by my side. Or remembering what I previously had to say about it, perhaps?

Almost every step that these actors take, entangled in this intricate web of relevance, are ones I've recorded for posterity.

Not to say that I haven't seen it all play out before. The Hyperthetical's equilibrium is none too kind to linearity of any sort. In fact, I've often had to make time to intersperse it between my current analyses and necessary viewings.

As I said, I am not entirely sure what context you've already experienced, but I can only imagine it's been equally as fickle and unimaginably hard to navigate on your end.

But that is what makes the viewership — the catharsis of witnessing these intertwining paths as they develop — as rewarding as they are intriguing.

It's why we take the time to evaluate multiple perspectives. To see the world from various angles is to give life to those who inhabit it.

And it is only fair that everyone involved is given their fair shake. Myself included, of course.

What about me, you say? Well, I'm not sure how much I am at liberty to disclose. We could be anywhere, couldn't we? I'd hate to tell you something you already know.

Or worse yet, something you ''don't.''

What I will say is that even after having gone through what's available to me endless times over, I struggle to understand all of these events. I simply know they happen.

Lingering questions have me in their grip, and until I answer them... Well, let's just say my food for thought has turned into a buffet fit for a glutton.

Always working with assumptions and percentages, I am. The job truly never does get any easier.

At present, I find myself most curious about what this means for my greater mission. How it shall loop back around into the whole of what must be done to reach our best possible outcome.

I wonder what Secily herself would have thought about it?

It's not easy to speak for what's on another person's mind. But that's part of the fun! To extrapolate on what we know, and try to guess what happens next.

Hm... I feel there are still portions missing from my current context. That certain scenes have passed me by, or simply haven't occurred at all from my perspective.

My television ''has'' been having technical difficulties of late...

Ah, but I'm sure that's just my audience's way of telling me to slow down. They'll rerun it themselves when the moment is right.

Perhaps it's for the best. My friends always say I need to give myself a break. I then have to remind them that breaking bones is painful and bad for your health. Hahaha.

Unfortunately, as much as I'd love to stay and exposit for my amusement, the next show is about to air.

It stars twelve aspect holders you might have seen before, along with a few intermissions hosted by yours truly.

But fret not, dear viewer. Our parting is only such via the smallest technicality. I still have quite a while until I reach my limit, so let's enjoy each other's company to the fullest while we can.

I know you've always loved my stories. I'd love nothing more than to continue relaying them to you.

Now, on to business: before you, I proffer a final set of choices. It will send you to one of the several destinations I've mapped, where this journey is best settled.

Do choose wisely. I'd hate for you to be lost among the many branches of the probable. There are some less than savory interlopers who tread around those parts, so keep your best foot forward.

>The beginning of our story.

>When operation Snowbound Blood is first mentioned.

>The introduction of the secondary cast into our main program.

>My final summary of the events you've just witnessed.

Excellent choice.

Adieu for now. I look forward to meeting you again.

Somewhere, sometime, same channel.

END

User:PassiveJungle

2024-07-31T15:26:26Z

PassiveJungle: Created page with "Just an internet rando. I edit the wiki for fun. She/her"

Just an internet rando. I edit the wiki for fun.
She/her

Snowbound Blood: Volume Nine/Transcript

2024-07-31T15:24:01Z

PassiveJungle: Entered and formatted Cinares route. Also fixed some of the headings in Glomers route.

{{Incomplete|Needs inter-page linking}}

== Volume Nine Start ==

The gameboard is falling into place.

Figures connected by patterns beyond their comprehension move to their positions, factions come together and opponents are pitted against each other.

The playing field has never been level — but did you ever think it would be? That is not the game at play here.

No, the rules of this game are too complex for you to divine, and unknowable stakes hang in the balance. The resolution of this contest will ripple across a universe far vaster than you have ever suspected.

Perhaps it's for the best that you do not realise your importance. It is a heavy burden to bear, and you already have plenty of those, don't you?

Now, we find ourselves at a turning point. Two players prepare their next moves.

==Glomer Hicner==

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 12.Kc2 ...And you're absolutely positive the sigil you found belongs to Noxious? ...Nf6}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 13.e5 Without a hint of conspiracy or shadow of a doubt? ...Nd5}}

Your partner (conversational and occupational) jogs up to your side once he's finished — direct quote — "crossing knots 'fore facing tots."

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Trust me, this is totes legit. I know it sounds kinda sketch, but it's the real deal. †† }}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† One-hund-ten percent, we're about to blow this fuckin' frozen soda treat stand. †††}}

You wince as he drops that curse so close to the underground. ''Please'', you try to telepathically impart, ''keep it clean down there.''

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † ...You're lookin' at me funny. Some'n wrong with talkin' explosives with the little ankle biters? †}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 14.Nd3 Necron, if you're going to be accompanying me to the reduplication caverns, you need to be on your absolute best behavior. ...f5}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 15.exf6 And that, quite notably, is a very big "if." This is one of the most guarded areas in all of Repiton. ...Nxf6}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 16.h3 You're not a jadeblood, you're not an Enthal, and you are most certainly not a child. It's a miracle ''I'' am permitted to enter. ...Qf5}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 17.hxg4 Do you know the amount of paperwork I'm obligated to fill out for as much as five minutes at the entrance? ...Nxg4}}

Necron gives your rhetorical question some thought. You quirk a brow in his direction before deciding to speed this exchange along.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 18.Rxh6 Keep your mouth clean, is what I'm saying. Unless you'd like a personal talking to from Ms. Hekrix herself. ...Nxh6}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Oh, solid! You'll be able to nosh a twelve course meal off my carb palette, promise. ††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † You know, 'fore it slips my noggin, I thought of a gnarlier way to spin the tale behind me finding that punk aaaa... †}}

You shoot him an ice-cold glare and he scrambles to stick the landing.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Aaaassassinatin' punk's sigil. Heh. Yeah, totes what I was going for there. †}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Anyway, get this, partner... †}}

You have heard it thrice already and really don't need yet another rerun of these events clogging your memory.

As thankful as you are for your PERFECT RECALL, it can sometimes be a double edged sword in your life.

...Assuming it works as intended, that is. You’re trying to get better at not conceptualizing such things about yourself as "perfect", even if you did once take pride in the idea.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 19.Bxf4 Listen, it's quite alright. I promise the story was sufficiently thrilling the first three times. ...Nf7}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Oh ''pshaw'', it don't count as three if you didn’t hear me. You just get so lost in that head of yours sometimes, you don’t even listen! †}}

You try to protest this injustice, but Necron raises a cold, metallic finger up to your lips to shush you. Something inside you shrivels up in distaste.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† I'm serious. If I bite it, I'm gonna need your retelling to be up to snuff. The scene was mammoth as all get out! ††}}

Sigh. You don't actually sigh, but let the record state that you're emotionally exhausted enough to sigh.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † So here's how it goes down. †}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Lovemuffin got an email filled with all kindsa scrambled garbo. Not a real word in the whole doc. Couldn't understand jack, myself. ††}}

It figures that Noxious would be able to get past something as simple as a contact block.

Lovemuffin, you note, is Oricka. The Necron rule of thumb is that any unassigned pet names automatically fall to his matesprit.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † But you know my guppy, sharp as sawblades! Cracked the code in no time flat. †}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† She was all, tip-tap-typing, and then she was all... ††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †††† "I'm in. :darkened_lenses:" ††††}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 20.Qf3 Excuse me. When do I get to hear these alterations you mentioned? This is all painfully familiar so far. ...Kc8}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † I'm getting there, I'm getting there! †}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Look, do you wanna pay due respect to my possible future corpse or nah? ††}}

''Sigh.'' For real, this time.

You get the feeling that he's about to ask where he was before you interrupted him, so you preemptively tell him he was headed to the ruins of the Tom Cruise Memorial Theatre I.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Right! She cracked the code and sent me to check out the coordinates she scavenged. Guess Noxious was a total Tom Cruise nut. †}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Nutty enough to try and fuuu—mess up an already ruined theatre, that is. There was a radio buried under some of the rubble that turned out to be a bomb. ††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† I would've kicked it for real if the countdown had been a second less. Defused it in the nick of time. †††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† I'd seen the model before, so I wasn't exactly... ††}}

Here we go, it's time for the punchline you're more than familiar with. The answer is so ingrained in your mind that you can't help but blurt it out with him.

{{VE quote|secily|SECILY}} & {{VE Quote|necron|NECRON}}: {{VE Quote|secily|21.Nxc7 ''Tuning out.'' ...Bb7}} {{VE Quote|necron|†† ''Blown away.'' ††}}

Wait. What?

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 22.Qg3 I thought you'd said— ...Qg6}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Told you I made changes, didn't I? There it is. "Blown away" works a million times better, don'tcha think? †}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Before it burst, though, it croaked somethin' out in that janky robot voice. ††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †††† "Break down in the database." ††††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† I'd bet my life that it means the reduplication records. Got a hunch there's some kinda double entendre with the whole ''breaking down'' thing. ††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Sigils got themselves some associated meanings, right? I heard a thing or two 'bout there being a buncha concepts linked to them, and that sounds like just the kind of ancient stuff those guys would keep on hand. ††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† That, or he's wrecked shop down there. Which means we should deffo investigate anyways, just to be safe. †††}}

Necron continues to recite the aftermath of his tale, going into the excruciating details of the medical attention he received from Oricka, which you don't really need to hear again.

You're honestly skeptical about there being any immediate danger inside the caverns. That would be a severe crisis, if true, and everything appears to be functioning as normal.

Necron's hunch doesn't entirely convince you either, but Noxious is unpredictable above all else.

You're mostly taking Necron along for technological assistance, if the need for it arises. You and computers don't bode well, and he's picked up a thing or two from his matesprit.

Alright, he's past the gory surgery pun, which means this particular topic is over.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † ...really put the ''surge'' in ''surgeon.'' †}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† So? The new punchline is pretty boss, right? ††}}

At this point, you're familiar enough with Necron to know which way leads to the path of least resistance.

You give him a non-committal nod and stuff your hands in your pockets.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 23.Nxa8 I'll admit, the new version is far more thematically appropriate, but only from an objective standpoint. I enjoyed the humor. Are you finished? ...Bxa8}}

He is. Thank the gods.

You take a deep breath, put on your best professional look of neutrality, and nod in the direction of the cave entrance.

The accouchement golems standing guard over there have probably been incredibly suspicious of you for the past ten minutes. Not the best start, but what can you do.

The two of you stop six feet in front of the constructs. You calmly endure their robotic staredowns and ignore your technophobic nerves with poise and grace.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 24.Re1 Secily Iopara. I'm here for a priority Aleph case. ...Qxg3}}

There's a low whirring as their processors take this information in. Yes, you sure as hell are Secily Iopara, and this sure as hell is the most important mission of them all.

Necron entirely ignores your earlier insistence that you do the talking and strolls up to introduce himself, complete with an offered handshake of his metal hand.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 25.Bxg3 Nec— ...Ncd8}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Necron Exmort, I'm with the genius over here. How's it hangin'? †}}

There's no dramatic build up to the negative-sounding chime that blasts from the speakers in their torsos, as the two of you are flatly denied entrance.

God ''damn'' it.

They swivel their heads toward each other, in a grim reminder that you absolutely hate listening to these things. Their local communication sounds like a tinny version of nails on a chalkboard.

Necron, however, is only dealt a blow to his emotions.

This isn't a matter you're going to take lying down, though. You clear your throat and grab their attention once more.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 26.Bh4 With all due respect, his accompanying me is no light decision. He is a vital asset to the case and absolutely must come with me. ...h6}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 27.Re7 He's fully aware of the importance of keeping to himself, and I'm sure you'll find that I've accounted for the possibility of an appropriate third party in my submitted paperwork. ...Nd6}}

The following series of displeased clicks makes you clench your fists behind your back. You had a feeling this particular leg of your mission would turn out this way, but you keep pressing.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 28.Nf4 I am the ''chief regulator'', and I will have you know that I am perfectly qualified to select my own investigative partners. ...N8f7}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 29.Bd3 Would you like me to call your superiors and explain on your behalf why you played a part in the failure of this case? I am just one phone call away from— ...Bb7}}

You feel a metallic hand clap down on your shoulder, freezing you in your tracks. Your blade hand twitches, as it always does when you're seconds away from pulling it out.

For a moment, you almost forget these intimidation tactics don't work on machines.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Look, Ses, it's fine. I get it. Just go on ahead without me, I'll wait for you outside. ††}}

Normally, you'd be ecstatic at the idea of doing things solo — that's how you've operated for sweeps — but the notion of leaving Necron behind at this junction twists something in your gut.

Marginally, you mean. You're not ''that'' close. But you... think you're close enough that you feel—

Something.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 30.g4 ...Fine. I'll see you soon. ...Bf3}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 31.Ng6 Don't do anything stupid out here while I'm gone. ...Re8}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† Don't worry none 'bout that! Remember to make the right call, Secily. Hang loose. †††}}

Necron raises his hand up in the universally understood signal for hanging loose. You know, the one you make when you're mimicking a phone with your ha—

When he winks at you, it clicks.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 32.Rxe8+ I'll keep in touch. ...Nxe8 ½-½}}

With that, he saunters off, letting you pass through security with the only added hurdle of having your weapons confiscated.

You give Proserpina one last longing glance as you step into the elevator.

...

All at once, you're smacked in the ears with the cries and rampant laughter of all sorts of kids, in all sorts of colors.

This sweep's batch sure is lively. They must have had a larger sample size than usual.

Thankfully, your entry into the CLASS PLAYROOM is but a blip on the radar. All of the young trolls are content to mind their own kid business.

On top of that, you don't see any teachers around. The closest thing to adult supervision you can find is some kind of life-sized Bart Simpson-themed jungle gym in the corner.

If you're quiet, you should be able to get through without alerting anyone. You may have filed your papers for cavern entrance, but the records room is a little above your level of authority.

Slowly, you inch your way around the perimeter of the room, taking great care to look as inconspicuous as possible. Which is, admittedly, not much.

You are nothing but sharp edges, extremely out of place in this bright and harmless playroom. To think these places used to be ''war zones.''

Somehow, you manage to catch Sabine's insignia garishly graffitied on a board to your right and sigh. That kid sure loves his neon. This place must have been an inspiration for him.

You keep hugging the wall, headed toward the door by the far corner. You should be able to scout your—

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|??????: pssst}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|??????: hey uh can i talk to you for a second}}

You freeze in place at the sound of someone much older than you expected.

Figures. You were hoping to make it through without incident — wishful thinking.

Slowly, you turn around to face them.

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: youre secily riGht}}

What the hell is this.

You barely keep yourself from gasping at the sight of a very alive and very moving Bart Simpson.

There was a person ''in'' that thing the whole time???

Ugh. It looks... unsettling.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 1.e4 I. Uh. Yes. Yes I am. I'm here on official business. This is— ...c5}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: yeah i}}

They cut themself off with a big, long yawn that lasts about five seconds longer than the typical one does.

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: i know who you are chief reGulator ive heard the whole nine expanses about you}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: the thinG about bytcon and endari is that they talk a ''lot''}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: word spreads around fast between us for better or worse}}

Wait a minute.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 2.Nf3 You're telling me you're another one of those "Boys" I keep finding myself having to deal with? ...Nc6}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: the four and only}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: and before you ask id like to Make a few thinGs clear}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: the least of My priorities beinG how you even Got here in the first place because iM Most definitely not paid enouGh credit to care}}

Well, that's fortunate, you guess. Still, you can't help but feel offended at how cavalier he's being about his position, on Hamifi's behalf.

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: okay so forGet everythinG youve heard about how we Got our naMe because its all a heapinG pile of nonsense GarbaGe}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: no bytcon didnt win a Medal and no endari didnt see the naMe foretold in the stars and ''no'' crytuM wasnt holdinG a sword and recitinG—}}

You sigh, rubbing a temple.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 3.d4 Stop talking. I assure you I wasn't going to ask about that at all. ...cxd4}}
BART?: yeah you and literally everyone else lMao

It's very strange, not being able to see his face as he's talking. His voice isn't giving you much to work with other than "exhausted."

He's also talking to himself. A lot. It makes you wonder how any of these Boys manage to engage in conversation with each other in a timely fashion.

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: nobody should care because theres not even a story behind it. "the boys" was just a backup naMe we used due to Group indecision}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: thats leGitiMately all there is to know thats it freeze fraMe and roll credits}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: its curtains the whole daMn thinG}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: turnin eat your blood puMper out because were starrinG on whose line with fraser}}

You give him a blank stare as he slowly descends into a barely contained turmoil of his own making.

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: i uh}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: i wanted to be an actor}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: but nope iM stuck as the wriGGlinG day entertainMent for these punkrats}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: or as iM contractually obliGated to call theM: "treasured Guests"}}

Okay, that's quite enough of that, you think. As deeply fascinating as this man's failed career plans sound, you have essential reduplication records to raid.

You start to back away, slowly, hoping he won't notice you moving a hair at a time.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 4.Nxd4 There's a wriggling day, is there? Please, tell me more. ...g6}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: Man i dont know if there even is one today. iM usually forced to perforM anyway so i stopped keepinG track}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: its like nobody around here has little enouGh diGnity to put on an uGly cartoon Mascot suit}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: i know! real shocker}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: careful you better pick your jaw off the floor before soMe snotnubbed preadolescent rollerskates over it}}

You're almost there. Your hand is on the handle and boy are you glad he just keeps talking. You can slip away and leave, uh, "Bart" to his duties the moment he looks the other way.

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: and then they have the nerve to call Me a substitute teacher like theyre not perfectly aware that—}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: okay i know youre busy but like you can just say that you need to leave instead of backinG away like iM tryinG to kill you}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: you really cant be sneakinG around Me when My Moirail is a fuckinG MaGician}}

You know what, you don't even know what you were thinking, trying to vanish right in front of his eyes. The suit must be throwing you off.

Well, if he's going to keep being a thorn in your side, you figure you'll at least make him a useful one.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 5.c4 Very well. ...Bg7}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 6.Be3 You are going to tell me how to gain access to the populace database. ...Nf6}}

You level him with one of your best intimidating, official stares.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 7.Nc3 It's non-negotiable. ...Ng4}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: sounds wronG considerinG i havent seen the records rooM actually but alriGht}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: question}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: More of a stateMent really}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: i dont care at all about what youre doinG}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 8.Nxc6 You're aware that I'm the chief regulator. It is undoubtedly in your best interest to cooperate. ...Nxe3}}}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: yeah thats what you all say when you need us to do soMethinG we dont wanna do}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: you really are a leGit reGulator iM sorry for ever doubtinG your skills}}

He says it with enough derision to make your expression sour.

Whatever. If he hasn't seen the database, then he's of even less use to you than before.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 9.Nxd8 In that case, I've other people who can assist me. Good day. ...Nxd1}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: well la-dee-da if your secret assistant is so useful to your Mission then why didnt you brinG theM in with your fancy pants security clearance}}

Ah. Slip of tongue. Your eyebrow twitches in irritation.

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: thats a rhetorical question iM not invested in this scenario in the sliGhtest}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 10.Nxd1 It's none of your concern, as a matter of fact, so it works out for us both. ...Kxd8}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: okay so youre sayinG you tried and failed}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: (story of My life lMao)}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: bet ten loops you tried to walk riGht in with theM before the GoleMs showed the poor sucker the door}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 11.Rc1 ''None of your concern.'' ...b6}}

You can tell you replied just a hair too quickly as soon as the words leave your mouth. Not that it matters. You are still here on official business.

You turn around and prepare to shut the door on him, but something he says catches your attention.

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: Man wouldnt life be so Much easier if you could just Get theM inside soMehow}}

He says it with the precise amount of forced wistfulness needed to convey that he's offering you a deal. You pause, then you curse under your breath before turning toward him again.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 12.Bd3 You have ten words to explain yourself. ...Bb7}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: i can sMuGGle theM in if you take over for Me}}

You squint at him.

Even with his previous carelessness, you're stunned to see a jadeblood make such an offer.

You know that's his caste, for the record, due to his being neither an Enthal nor a child. Accouchement golems can't speak your language, so they're also off the table. Process of elimination.

You make a mental note to let Hamifi know about this little... attitude as soon as you're out of here.

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: do i Get to explain the terMs and conditions or are you just Gonna keep GlarinG at Me}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: youre not MeltinG the bart suit with whatever eye lasers you think you have lady this thinG absorbs heat like no ones business}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: for the record this deal May very well leave you broken by the end of it on several eMotional and psycholoGical levels}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: better Get used to the ripe stench of sweat and fear because it will Most definitely replace a Majority of your priMary Gray Matter functions}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: full disclosure its Mostly Gonna be sweat}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 13.b3 Ugh. Stop wasting my time. Tell me what I need to know. ...f5}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: you see this}}

Bart(?) motions over to the rest of the playroom. It's every jade's ideological paradise — a full gaggle of kids, safe and sound.

Normally, classes are split between the higher and lower shades — mainly just for ease of teaching physiological and social differences.

Jades and sea dwellers, on the other hand, are rare enough to get their own separate classes. "Honor students", as the official designation goes. At playtime, though, they all converge.

The only thing missing from this perfect picture is a teacher explaining something academy or safety-related.

...And the mandatory Cha Cha Slide time. There's always a required level of Cha Cha Slide competency for these kids to worry about.

Despite it all, Bart(?) is showing the place off with the same enthusiasm one would harbor for a garbage dump.

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: this is the first circle of My own personalized hell}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: i have to watch and entertain these "treasured Guests" so i cant leave this place}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 14.exf5 Then why aren't you currently participating in your duties? ...Bxg2}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: iM on break riGht now}}

But... he's still here. He was being crawled all over.

He answers your question before you can properly formulate it.

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: if the Grubs are left totally unattended haMifi is Gonna turn Me into pre-particalized cubed Meat}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: she just... knows soMehow}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: she always knows}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: but thats where you coMe in}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: if you wear the bart suit youre halfway there to beinG a perfect replica of Me}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: (lose your faith in trollkind and youre the other half coMplete lMao)}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: honestly takinG care of these little Guys isnt even all that hard they only ever want like three thinGs anyway}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: suGar, stiMulation and siMpsons shit}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: the only solace i find on the daily is hopinG that our ancestors suffered just as hard as we did dealinG with theM}}

This is the most ridiculous undercover mission plan you have ever witnessed and your acting chops are still abhorrent, but you'll take what you can get.

Besides, you have some experience caring for grubs. You think you can handle grubsitting. Even if they're technically a little older than grubs by this point.

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: and while youre keepinG these volatile brats sated i head out with a biGGer costuMe and sneak your partner in}}

All things considered, it sounds vaguely reasonable. You have your doubts it'll function as planned, but it's not like you have any moral objections.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 15.Rg1 Fine. But what's the catch? What are you asking for in return? ...Bc6}}

You somehow get the impression that he's giving you a blank stare.

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: uh what are you talkinG about}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: did i not Mention that i Get to leave My post}}

Doesn't he just sound like Employee of the Blink material. You’re sure Necron would want to have some words about his work ethic.

You give your new accomplice a nod that says ''yes, you're willing to do this.'' He brushes past you and into the break room.

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: cMon the suits are in here. cant chanGe around theM or else theyll find out that barts not real}}

You never did see the point of lying to kids about this sort of thing, but you shake those thoughts and follow him inside.

The break room is far less chaotic than the play area. Well... in comparison. By itself it's still a bit of a sty.

You close the door behind you just in time to witness Bart decapitating himself.

Man, it's hitting you just how ''big'' this thing's head is, now that the troll underneath isn't wearing it anymore.

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: iM GloMer btw}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: not that its any of YOUR business either but tellinG people that My naMes nunnya biznis is GettinG kind of old since they usually believe Me}}

Glomer is already getting rid of his costume, which you suspect is a bigger source of joy to him than he's letting on. You decline to comment on the matter and take the head from his hands so he can unzip himself.

You stare into those bulbous, lifeless eyes, trying to muster the courage to don the mask for yourself. You're mostly just afraid it will snag on a horn.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 16.Ne3 You're sure this will fit? I'd really rather not get it stuck. I like my dignity just fine where it is. ...Be5}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: fun fact actually}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: bart siMpson was desiGned to have a biG head because he was oriGinally Gonna be a live action character so they had to fit an actors horns inside the Mask}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: Guess they just Grew attached to the elonGated head cuz it Gave the extra benefit of MakinG his facial expressions More apparent with the new proportions when he turned into a cartoon instead}}

As off-topic as this is, it's admittedly somewhat fascinating. You glance at Glomer's horns and nod with a neutral hum. Interesting move.

Glomer soon sheds his suit in full, and you glance back at the window in the door that's exposing you both to the children that still don't know that Bart's not real. And here you are, holding his head.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 17.fxg6 I'm no schooling expert, but I do find it curious that the break room is so... connected to the playroom. You're not worried about people seeing you through the windows? ...hxg6}}

You've started to dress yourself by reverse-engineering the process you just saw. It's not bioscience, but it is a little bit embarrassing.

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: nah its a one-way Mirror they cant see shit in here}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: they want us to be able to scout the rooM for danGer in case of eMerGencies but theres not been an incident in sweeps}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: you know what the last one was?}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: a God daMned fuckinG skulltitan burrowed its way up froM the core}}

Glomer's rooting around in the closet for something. The bigger outfit that he's going to use to sneak Necron in, you assume.

You should probably let Necron know about that, actually.

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: that uGly pile of niGhtMares barGed riGht in and turned the whole place into beef jerky}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: killed a few kids and teachers in the process}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: i think it took a little clayblood Girl? we dunno what the deal was with that but she was never seen aGain, at least not officially}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: just had to assuMe she was as Good as dead}}

For someone who was complaining about Bytcon and Endari being so talkative, he sure is happy to run his mouth.

You get the impression that he doesn't usually have the chance to speak his mind like this — especially with such a colorful vocabulary going on.

You're still working on fitting your arms into the outfit by the time Glomer emerges in a uniform even more absurd than the one he was wearing earlier.

You somehow recognize it as Bart's lusus, Santa's Little Helper, despite your complete lack of interest in the show. There's enough room for a second person in the back, which currently paints a sad, deflated picture.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 18.Rxg6 Don't you think it's going to be suspicious, exiting with two working legs and coming back with four? The guards aren't fools. ...Bxh2}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: no no no check this out}}

There's some shuffling, and then the sound of wooden stilts clacks against the floor as the empty, sagging space in the back starts to fill up.

He parades around the room a little. Sure enough, the suit looks well occupied.

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: yeah its a two peep costuMe but they never actually Give Me a partner to work this thinG}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: i just kinda fiGured it out i Guess}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: God itll be a relief to actually have soMeone else in here for once}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 19.Ke2 Impressive. Just make sure you don't arouse any suspicion. ...e6}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 20.Rg4 I am putting a lot of frankly unwarranted trust in you. If you let me down, you will be hearing from me again. ...Rf8}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: oh nooo consider Me spooked to shit or whatever}}

Alright, you're both suited up. There's just one more step before your disguise is complete.

===Put on the mask.===

The first thing you notice is your limited vision. You should be able to avoid colliding with obstacles, but it's still mildly inconveniencing.

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: hMM}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 21.Be4 That sounds like a bad "hmm". Does it not fit properly? Do I have it on incorrectly? ...Bxe4}}

Unfortunately, the one-way mirror Glomer mentioned earlier is the wrong way around for you to get a good look at yourself. Glomer shakes his head and sighs.

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: how do i put this delicately and also in terMs you wont kill Me for}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: you look way too straiGht edGe for the part}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: put your back way less into it. stop puffinG your chest out. let your posture be lost to the void}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: or dont idfk kids are duMb and wont notice}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: i Mean you definitely dont have My voice so were probably fucked anyway but ill enjoy the extended break while it lasts}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: Good luck out there, My condolences etc etc}}

And with that, Glomer marches towards the door you both came through, only to come to a stop right in front of it.

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: uh}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: could you uM}}

You get the message and open the door yourself. He shuffles out like the sad, sad creature he is, and you lose sight of him.

Okay, Secily, time to take care of some children. You've got this. You're meant to act like a character you have no knowledge of, but you've got this.

You return to the playroom, sporting your best slouch and making a point to shuffle your feet on the way in.

Now that you have a moment alone, you quietly tell YVES to contact Necron.

===''[Choice Section]''===

====>Be Secily.====

At your command, YVES awakens and establishes a connection to your partner waiting just outside.

Thankfully, he answers almost immediately.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Hey-hey, what's the goss, bud? †}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 1.e4 Necron, good news. We're getting you inside. ...c5}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † No fake? That rocks! What's the plan, gimme the armament and I can comply. †}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 2.Nf3 No mechanical attachments necessary. Just keep a lookout for a troll in a Santa's Little Helper costume. We're smuggling you in. ...Nc6}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† That's righteous, Secily, you're a legend! ††}}

To your dismay, there's a little troll wandering toward you with a curious look. Shit, you think they heard you. Maybe you should have done this in the break area.

You clear your throat and deepen your voice, putting on the best Glomer impression you can muster.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 3.d4 (That is to say, uh, smuggling your trousers into my digestive tract, because I am Bart. I am eating your trousers. Run along, now.) ...cxd4}}

Your Glomer impression is piss poor.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † ... †}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Is this, like, code for something or...? †}}

''Shit.'' You can't lean away from your calling device when it's stuck to your ear at all times. You shoo the kid off with a wave before resuming your talk in hushed tones.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 4.Nxd4 No, I'm stuck grubsitting in a Bart costume. What could that possibly be code for? ...d6}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Hey, don't you reckon me not being able to wrap my head around it means it'd be good code? †}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 5.Nc3 Look, just. ...g6}}

This small child does not want to leave. They say something about a... "cowabunga"? Is that a thing Bart says?

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 6.Be3 (Mhm, yes, cowabunga to you too.) ...Bg7}}

You really should just end the conversation as quickly as possible, before this infant gets enough dirt on you to rat you out.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 7.Be2 Lusus costume leaving the caverns soon. I have to go. ...½-½}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Cowabung—? ††}}

''Click.''

Necron has all the information he needs, he'll be perfectly fine. You turn your attention to the child who is now climbing your leg.

As gently as you can, you scoop your hands underneath their tiny armpits and pry them off of your strangely proportioned puppet body. They are deposited back on the floor.

You give them a pat between the horns and walk off in the direction of a small whiteboard near the front of the room. That should tide them over for a second.

Oh no.

You freeze like a statue when you see Hamifi enter the room, a sleeping grub tucked in her arms and a... smile on her face?

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: I heard it was somebody's special day! Where's my little wriggling day hero?∞}}

She hands you the grub with immense care, who you instinctually take in your confused daze.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: Don't drop them this time.∞}}

You stare, mute, as she wraps her arms around the boy who runs up to her in a warm hug.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: Gosh, you've grown so much since I saw you last! Keep this up and you'll be taller than me before you know it.∞}}

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: Oh dear, I think it's already happening. You're growing up so fast!∞}}

There's a genuine, ''bright'' sparkle in her eyes as she lifts the kid high above her head, earning a chorus of giggles from the crowd as the "wriggling day hero" enjoys his newfound height.

You used to play with her and Sestro both, once. Not exactly in this manner — you were never the most externally excitable person, even around children. But similar enough for you to feel a sting behind your eyes.

You don't remember the last time you've seen Hamifi smile like that.

You feel... upset. You feel a lot of things all at once, difficult to untangle. You feel like this was not meant for your eyes.

Is this what she wanted, when she was in their place? What she wished you could have been?

A hole swells inside you as you watch her, caught in a limbo of regret and deep, cutting affection.

The sound of a high-pitched yawn draws your attention to the infant in your arms.

They are so small.

It suddenly hits you that you've never held a grub before. You became acquainted with Sestro and Hamifi after they'd pupated and left school, so this is a first for you.

Curiosity doesn't exactly strike you — it more gently rests a hand on your shoulder.

The first thing grubs do when they're reduplicated is name themselves in the DENOMINATION LOGE. You can't help but wonder, though. Wonder if you could just...

Sort of. Guess?

=====''[Choice Section]''=====

======>Guess name.======
[PLAYER INPUTS A GRUB NAME.]

[If playerGrubName is Arcjec, Voorat, Taz, Tazsia, Poemme, Albion, Shukra, Dismas, Mersiv, Murrit, Turkin, Laivan, Ferroo, Calder, Kerian, Serpaz, Helilo, Sova, Sovara, Amalie, Jentha, Briati:]

...

You are hit with the strange feeling that this name would lead to colossal misfortune. As such, you change your mind.

[If playerGrubName is Gaiaeon, Kheparia, Metatron, White Noise, Mimesis, Arch Nemesis, Zehanpuryu, Azbogah, Bathkol, Forcas, Gusion, Haniel, Lilith, Wormwood, Procel, Sorush, Jegudiel, Af:]

Do not play with fires you cannot control, Secily.

[If playerGrubName is Aumtzi, Maught, Weird Al, Hulk Hogan, Talald, Hieron, Pozzol, Broyer, Edolon, Vryche, Seinru, Narako:]

A shiver travels down your spine, unbidden. You immediately reconsider.

[If playerGrubName is Noxious:]

Absolutely the fuck not. The idea of naming a grub after that scumbag makes you want to throw up.

[If playerGrubName is Turnin, Kaikai:]

There are many a troll who would want their descendant named after Turnin Kaikai. You've never been one to follow that whole craze, though, so you think you'll refrain.

[If playerGrubName is Secily, Iopara:]

No. You would not place this burden on another person.

[If playerGrubName is Sestro, Enthal, Hamifi, Hekrix, Mshiri, Libeta, Oricka, Rourst, Yeshin, Laevis, Necron, Exmort, Ahlina, Robiad:]

...No. Too personal. Also kind of fucking weird?

[If playerGrubName is Ellsee, Raines, Occeus, Coliad, Bytcon, Krypto, Cadlys, Rankor, Sirage, Feltri, Husske, Mayzee, Rypite, Koldan, Crytum, Lydian, Sabine, Berare, Raurou, Dersal, Hayyan, Refero, Valtel, Gurtea, Cinare, Montor, Glomer, Hicner, Gerbat, Batrav, Endari, Vernir, Cretas, Mglina:]

You may have spent too many late nights reading the case files.

[IF THE NAME IS ACCEPTABLE]

[If playerGrubName is Austin, Austinado, Heather, Sparaze, Xam, Xamag, Dee, Kate, Kohi:]

[playerGrubName] has a nice ring to it. You nod, mentally high fiving yourself for such great taste in names.

-

[If playerGrubName is pragmaticNihilist:]

What a mouthful of a name. And pretentious, too. Nice one, Secily, you really know how to pick 'em.

-

[If playerGrubName is Charlie, Caloch:]

[playerGrubName] seems like an artistically pleasing name to you, despite art not really being your thing. It just clicks.

-

[If playerGrubName is Alien, Alienoid]:

[playerGrubName] starts babbling non-stop in your hands now that they're awake. Yeah, this name works, you think to yourself. You're taking the chattiness as agreement.

-

[If playerGrubName is Bart:]

Is it creepy if someone in a Bart costume assimilates an infant? Perhaps. Would it be on-brand with the show? Probably also yes.

There's a reason you don't watch television shows these days.

-

[If playerGrubName is Lup, Biscuit, Mocha, Peko, Tiny, Sneeze:]

You guess the grub's name to be [playerGrubName]. You're not sure why, but for the briefest of moments, you feel a pang of serenity.

-

[If playerGrubName is less than six characters:]

Deciding not to get too six-letter-formal about the occasion, you nickname the grub [playerGrubName].

-

[If playerGrubName is six characters or more:]

You guess that this grub's name is [playerGrubName]. You think it's fitting, but you admittedly don't know much about names or wordology.

-

[playerGrubName] gargles at you and wiggles their little feet, and you can't help but feel something tugging at your blood pusher. Seems like [playerGrubName] trusts you.

-

It feels kind of nice.

-

======>Don't guess name.======

You decide not to try and guess the grub's name. This is just an excuse to divert your thoughts, anyway.

-

Hamifi finishes smothering the wriggling day kid with affection before standing back up.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: I'll be taking our treasured guest back, now.∞}}

Grub safely tucked in her arms again, she speaks to the audience of children that seems to adore her to bits and pieces.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: Behave yourselves, alright? I'll be back with a special treat soon. It rhymes with bake.∞}}

Her eyes crinkle at the corners.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: I'm so proud of you all.∞}}

The kids erupt into excitement, more than happy about the notion of stuffing themselves full with pre-processed dessert. Hamifi waves them goodbye before turning to you.

Her tone immediately shifts to something more familiar to you.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: Break room.∞}}

You can't refuse — not unless you want to completely blow your cover and waste a ''lot'' of time explaining a lot of things while under great (and angry) scrutiny.

She opens the door and you follow, still feeling off-kilter.

You fear she may have already caught on to your identity, with the way she's staring not only daggers but entire chainsaws at you.

As soon as the door closes, her even tone is drenched into toxin.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: Listen closely and don't make me repeat myself.∞}}

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: We keep a very strict schedule down here, optimised for developing children. I don't take kindly to chronological deviations.∞}}

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: And I ''especially'' don't take kindly to you coming down here and ruining our perfect system.∞}}

At this point, you're almost biting your tongue hard enough to bleed. If you so much as let out a breath out of turn, you know she'll drag you by the ear to exile, or worse.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: You can mull your decisions over while you tend to some matters for me, Glomer.∞}}

A wave of relief washes over you. You stand more to attention, trying to seem obedient.

She gives you a funny look before continuing.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: I need you to prepare one of the lowblood classrooms for the wriggling day party we're holding after recess. You'll be lent an accouchement golem to aid with cleaning.∞}}

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: Remember, accouchement golems are not toys. They are school assistants, caretakers of children and classrooms. They are not bodyguards to block the closet for you to nap in.∞}}

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: The banners are in the supply closet, as always. Every desktop should have a goodie bag and two napkins on the top left corner, and a plate in the center.∞}}

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: You are also required to prepare the cake. The instructions are on the box; they ''should'' be basic enough for even you to follow.∞}}

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: If you make another cake-related mistake and force us to order from Dersal again, you'll be hearing from '''The Principal.'''∞}}

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: You're already enough of a liability to the caste without having to bring in both of its busiest integrants for your next performance review.∞}}

Her eyes narrow into slits.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: I suggest you fool around ''wisely'', if you must.∞}}

Hamifi continues to give you instructions in excruciating detail, speed and brutality. You're lucky enough to be able to absorb every last word, but you're a special case. Glomer, you'd imagine, is fucked.

By the time she finishes her laundry list of assignments, you get a very clear idea of why Glomer is so exhausted.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: Are we clear?∞}}

You give her a neutral nod.

Now's usually the part where Hamifi gives you a neutral nod in return and vanishes into the darkness, but not this time. This time, she's pausing quite noticeably.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: ...You seem awfully quiet. I do hope you're not sleeping on the job.∞}}

You shake your head. She still seems suspicious, eyeing you up and down.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: Are you unwell? You're not yourself today. What's the meaning of this shift in attitude, hm?∞}}

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: One might call it downright suspect.∞}}

She's waiting for you to answer, which is really, really bad. Your mind is racing for an escape, but the emergency exit seems intent on fucking off into the distance.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: Answer me when I'm talking to you. I don't have the time for games.∞}}

She leans in closer, as if trying to peer into your eyes through the mask. You lean back ever so slightly, panic starting to claw at you.

You—

''Beep beep. Beep beep. Beep beep.''

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: ...∞}}

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: I believe I've told you to keep your personal device on silent, Glomer.∞}}

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: This call will be coming out of your next deposit.∞}}

You can't help but mouth a silent apology to Glomer. You know damn well this one doesn't care for any time off whatsoever.

She opens the door to leave, but not before getting one last word in.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: Don't forget: you're on Corporate time and money. I would be very, very careful about wasting either in the
future.∞}}

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: You're here forever, after all.∞}}

And then she's gone.

You sit in silence (minus insistent ringing) for a few seconds. This whole situation has given you a non-negligible amount of whiplash.

YVES is keen on interrupting your every attempt to introspect, however, so you accept the call to hiss at the other end of the line that you're preoccupied.

Just as you open your mouth, a big white dog costume walks in, very possibly with Necron in tow. Even more reason to shut your device up.

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] SECILY IOPARA—}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 1.d4 I'll call you back. ...Nf6}}

You hang up immediately.

-

[If you have not picked "Be the other guy."] yet]

''Minutes in the past, but not many...''

-

====>Be the other guy.====

You are now NECRON EXMORT.

You've been doing your best to kill time out here, 'cause the last thing you'd ever do is ditch your new pal.

Unfortunately, it's starting to sink in just how much you ''blow'' at waiting. This is most certainly unexcellent.

You wonder if it'd be a bad call to go back to your truck and listen to some good ole classics. Takes just two notes to relish in the ancient history of Smash—

Oh, your palm pilot's goin' off (that’s what you call your phone because you get a major kick out of it). Secily must've not bitten the dust down there.

You pick up before the third beep can finish ringing.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Hey-hey, what's the goss, bud? †}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 1.e4 Necron, good news. We're getting you inside. ...c5}}
Aw, hell yes!

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † No fake? That rocks! What's the plan, gimme the armament and I can comply. †}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 2.Nf3 No mechanical attachments necessary. Just keep a lookout for a troll in a Santa's Little Helper costume. We're smuggling you in. ...Nc6}}

You knew you could count on her.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† That's righteous, Secily, you're a legend! ††}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 3.d4 (That is to say, uh, smuggling your trousers into my digestive tract, because I am Bart. I am eating your trousers. Run along, now.) ...cxd4}}

Say ''what'' now? You scratch the back of your neck, tryin' to puzzle this one out.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † ... †}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Is this, like, code for something or...? †}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 4.Nxd4 No, I'm stuck grubsitting in a Bart costume. What could that possibly be code for? ...d6}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Hey, don't you reckon me not being able to wrap my head around it means it'd be good code? †}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 5.Nc3 Look, just. ...g6}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 6.Be3 (Mhm, yes, cowabunga to you too.) ...Bg7}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 7.Be2 Lusus costume leaving the caverns soon. I have to go. ...½-½}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Cowabung—? ††}}

''Click.''

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † ...a? †}}

Well, that was a rousing match of good news, weird news. 'Least you don't have to keep twiddling your thumbs forever. Just a bit of a waiting game.

Which is... kinda what it was before, 'cept now it's a shorter one.

Let the record state, for the record, that you're not confused on the correct applications of cowabunga. You are intimately familiar with those.

Secily using it, though? Now THAT'S something that sounds a smidge out of character, you reckon. She might actually need your help if she's started spewing that sorta stuff.

Hm... The school is deffo capable of cognitive suggestion, 'cause it's how you all are raised. You did your own time with desensitization osmosis like any other fresh grub.

Ah, the memories of when you were stuffed into that dark industrial tank filled with numbing goo, so you could take a nap for a sweep and be psychologically spoonfed the rules of life and shit.

Before you can get too deep into your Secily Mind Control Theory, you catch the nearby golems spinnin' their gears about something.

That must be your in. You lean against your truck all smooth-like and psych yourself up to make a BANANAS first impression.

...Oh. Oh, ''wow.'' Man, Secily really was being literal. Which you should have kind of expected.

As soon as the fuckin' massive cloth barkbeast shuffles its way out of the guard's field of view, you give 'em a little wave. You totally fail to hide a snicker.

{{VE Quote|glomer|??????: aw fuck God daMn it dont tell Me ive just been punked}}

Well, "how do you do" to you too, dude.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Nope, fresh outta punks over here, sweetheart. As us professionals in the business say, this is legit. †}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|??????: okay i Get why you werent allowed inside the caverns}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|??????: you know besides the fact that you Most definitely dont fit the very strict criteria for entry in the sliGhtest}}

<nowiki>{{VE Quote|glomer|</nowiki>{{VE Quote|necron|??????: actually no not besides that fact at all thats the entire reason}}

''Yeouch.'' What's that bad mood for? Welp, no problemo no how. You try to give this cranky new person your most personable smile.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† I was told you'd be givin' me a grabfrond with that, some way or some how. Are you in or are you skin, my pal? ††}}

They exhale hard enough to physically deflate a little. Someone really woke up in the wrong recuperacoon today, huh.

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: my pals a Great way to pronounce GloMer Good job Man keep doinG that}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: as for your OTHER Genius plan}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: Great idea just chanGe in front of the Guards because we all have the strateGic aptitude of actual children around here}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: i would know thats My whole GiG}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: cMon iM riskinG My entire lifes savinGs for this were hidinG soMewhere first}}

Cover, he says? You give the darling ride behind you a pat, almost overwhelmed with your usual truck-induced burst of affection.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Well, I'd say this about covers it, don'tcha think? †}}

Wait, fuck, ''damn it'' you shoulda said you had ''him'' covered. That would've been so much better.

You stuff the idea inside your brain box for later, whenever this very specific set of circumstances crops up again. You never know.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † By the by, the name's Necron. Exmort. †}}

Your new buddy Glomer grumbles something real bitter-sounding under his breath as he circles around your truck. You pay his "enthusiasm" no mind and follow.

He's already zipping the whole shebang open for you to climb in. You appreciate the moxie, even if he's assigned you the ass region. Only fair, you suppose. You're kind of a stowaway here.

Guess it just goes to show you're a real ass-et. Or, hm. That you can really ass-ist him. There's a couple contenders rattlin' around in your head already, so you'll keep workshopping your inevitable one-liner.

You figure this is a good enough opportunity to bond with your brand new hero over here.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † So tell me, honey-bunch, how's it feel to be on a mission to save the world? †}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: what}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† Well, I sure ain't tryin' to stir up trouble here! I wanna help, s'why I'm busting so much to get in. †††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Secily an' me, we've been working hard to keep this place clear of bogus scum. Means a lot to us. ††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† I might not fancy myself an official Smokey, but I damn well feel copasetic 'bout leveling the playing field some. †††}}

You really can't help the grin on your face.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† So. How's it feel to be a part of history in the making? ††}}

The suit is all nice and sealed from the back at this point, so the two of you walk a lap or two around the perimeter, just to get you used to the movement mechanics.

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: Man i dont know what to tell you besides wow look at how Much i dont care}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: do you know why iM GoinG throuGh all this trouble to sneak you in}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: its a break froM work. nothinG less and definitely not a sinGle thinG More}}

That's such a weird perspective. You don't dig the way he's unloading his cynicism at your feet and lightin' it all on fire. Makes you wanna stamp it out.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Man, Hoff, that's a little harsh. †}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† You not feeling that rush of righteousness flowin' through your blood roots? That higher calling patting you on the back? ††}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: i dont think you Get it}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: which is surprisinG since it feels like iM in the Majority when i say that this duMp is a huGe waste of fiGhtinG enerGy}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: like it sucks! its GarbaGe the whole way down the likes of which the black Moon is lucky to have better than us }}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: if this planet was a troll id kick theM riGht in the horns}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† Then why don't you do something about it? †††}}

The two of you have been walking and talking in circles for a while. Glomer then takes a sharp turn left and starts to head towards the guards.

You shut your trap and give the man a moment to collect himself. He doesn't make a peep as the guards get to inspecting you.

There's a moment where you're real paranoid your horns are poking through the suit, but you don't hear any sirens or taser arms goin' off.

You both manage to walk inside, free as an avian.

...

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: because iM too tired}}

Woah, you weren't really expectin' him to pick that thread back up at this point.

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: its a broken world anyway so any effort spent not coMplaininG about it is totally wasted iMqho}}

Your mouth twists in thought as you try with all your might to relate to this guy. At all.

...Nope. Nada. Zilch. Jack diddly doodly dick.

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: you think that if i had it in Me to fiGht for My future id be stuck as haMifis personal errand boy?}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: and heres a biG newsflash: i actually did once upon a tiMe!}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: do you know how Much of My Grubhood i wasted tryinG to find literally any other option for Me??? the answer is More than youd like to know and More than i care to tell you}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: and it totally fucked Me over until the pheroMones of reality seeped in and turned Me into its forever bonded bitch}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: spent so Much of My life chasinG My dreaMs that i never even learned the jade stuff id be corralled into in the end}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: corporate Makes this biG stink about choosinG your path and it brutally punishes you for beinG naive enouGh to listen}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: i Mean okay did you hear about that scandal with the siMpsons writers}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † The what now? †}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: EXACTLY}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: there hasnt BEEN a siMpsons writer in SWEEPS because of the whole santas little helper incident}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Woah now, let's hop back for two secs, what's this about Santa?}}

He's obviously referring to Bart's lusus, the animal you're struttin' around imitating. That's the only Santa ''you've'' heard of, anyhoo.

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: yeah santas little helper}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: slh was soMe MirthaManiac who storMed the writers rooM and held theM all hostaGe until he Got a siMpsons character naMed after hiM}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: Mostly lowblooded writinG staff}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: to avoid repeats they started workinG reMotely which turned to phoninG it in with Machine learninG and when a biG show cuts a corner like that everybody else follows}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: its neural networkinG takinG the wheel now and we havent seen a trolls interaction for probably lonGer than ive been kickinG around on this hellrock}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: so what if id wanted to be a writer really really badly}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: what if i was just hopinG with every ounce of My beinG to Get to write for tv only for one bad apple to ruin that chance for life}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: what then Mr. "just try hard and youll Get there"}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: as if theyd ever let a jadeblood stray froM "the planets sacred Mission" or whatever everyone was just huMorinG My feeble efforts to do anythinG that ''i'' Gave two craps about}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: then reality caMe crashinG down, they tapped Me on the shoulder and said about daMn tiMe, Good job GettinG your dreaMs deMolished now start teachinG the Grubs about pretext}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: nobody cared who i was before i sucked it up and put on the Mask so you know what}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: its not My fuckinG probleM}}

There's a very uncomfortable silence between you two, and not just because you're both creeping around the perimeter of the playroom in order to avoid the kids.

Kind of a real buzzkill, this guy.

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: ...thats My philosophy anyway}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: SOME of us Get to fuck off into the settinG suns with our fuckinG hotdoG plants and weed research and Make a livinG for theMselves doinG soMethinG MeaninGful}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: while iM stuck here GettinG barfed on by Grubs all niGht once iM done teachinG the kids i Mean FUCK}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: do you know how hard it is to Get a proper veGan Meal when you cant just set up shop in a God daMn swaMp??? Good luck GrowinG your own lunch in peewees neon fuckinG playrooM dipshit }}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: also your actinG dreaMs suck}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: enjoy havinG to be a level 5 veGan and only eat Meals that dont cast shadows because nobodys heard of veGGie haMs now do the funny bartMan dance aGain}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: (uGh. cant believe he Got to just skip town like that. un-fuckinG-believable)}}

Wowzers. That was sort of a real personal tirade just now, wasn't it.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† ...Can't dig everybody, I guess. ††}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: hey sMart Guy if youre Gonna play 24 questions with Me then heres My follow up:}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: how does it feel to know that youre inevitably GoinG to lose everythinG and that none of this is ever GoinG to have any value past this MoMent between us in our rancid Mutt sack}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† What we have is more valuable than you could ever know, curly-cue. I can't stand the thought of just idly lettin' this place rot. †††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† Change doesn't come from inaction, I'll tell you that much. †††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† And sure, I'll concede that nothing's a guarantee. Gods know I've wiped out more times than I can count, but... ††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† If— ''when'' I die, I'll still have left the world a better place than when I came in, because I gave a shit. †††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †††† But I guess some people just don't understand. ††††}}

And that's all you have to say on that, because you're not here to bring him around to your way or seeing things or nothing.

Also because Glomer is wigging out and scrambling ahead like a bat outta hell. You almost trip over yourself trying to keep up with him, but soon enough he's cramming you both snug as fuck inside a closet.

He's clearly real uncomfy with your metal arm jabbing against his rib, but he's keeping his trap sealed ''tight.'' You show your appreciation by being very careful not to turn your hand into a chainsaw.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: —Corporate time and money. I would be very, very careful about wasting both in the future.∞}}

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: You're here forever, after all.∞}}

Damn, that woman sounds like she means business. Enough business to ruin your life if she finds you here.

As soon as Hamifi is gone, you both walk back out, and you really wish you could see Glomer's arm reaching out of SLH's mouth to open the break room door from an outside perspective.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 1.d4 I'll call you back. ...Nf6}}

You catch the tail end of Secily hanging up on whoever it was that she was talkin' to. She seems ready to get down to business.

-

[If you have not picked "Be Secily." yet.]

''Minutes in the past, but not many...''

-
===[After picking both "Be Secily." and "Be the other guy."]===

[If you picked "Be secily." first.]

Secily, for convenient reference, is you, because your name is now SECILY IOPARA again.

-

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 22.Rxe4 Did you succeed, Glomer? ...Bf4}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † If by succeed you mean ole tiger here let me boogie on down to the schoolyard, then you can sign that off as a yeppers. Checkarooni, even. †}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: i dont think i need to answer that when he just said pretty Much the worst thinG ive ever heard in My Miserable excuse for a life}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 23.Rd1 Yes is a one-word sentence, you two. ...Bxe3}}

You immediately start to chuck your outfit, wanting out of it as soon as possible. Life, you're starting to realize, is comparable to a Bart Simpson costume.

Which is to say cramped, claustrophobic and kind of insufferable sometimes.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Okie-dokie! That's step one complete, right? Once we get to the database, it's smooth cruising? ††}}

The two of them get the picture and shuffle out of their costume as well. Now that you're inside and Hamifi is gone, you should be good to move around freely as long as you don't cause a ruckus.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 24.Kxe3 We still have a problem. I've yet to find someone useful who can direct us to the records room. ...Kc7}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: reGulator that hurts My feelinGs}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: was under the iMpression you worked better solo anyways}}

You'd bet your best blade that you have Bytcon to thank for that.

Necron finally untangles himself from the lower half of Bart's lusus, ten seconds past your personal threshold of second-hand embarrassment.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Hah! If she works better solo then she must be even more tubular than I give her credit for, 'cause she's a beast of a teammate as is. †}}

Huh.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 25.Red4 Touching. Glomer, I'm once again asking you if you can direct me to the records room. Are you ''sure'' you don't know of its location? ...Rf7}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: i dunno you know how iMportant My work here is}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: takinG care of snotnubbed brats or whatever}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: iM pretty busy lady }}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: i MiGht have been able to help you out }}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: if i was on break}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: buuuuut iM not so sounds like soMeones up the black creek without a paddle}}

Oh for crying out loud.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 26.Rf4 ''Fine.'' IF. You really do know, then take a break and lead. That does mean, though, that one of us will have to stay behind and cover to avoid stirring up suspicion. ...Rxf4}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 27.Kxf4 The children need to be supervised and entertained. I was thinking— ...Rf8+}}

Without blinking an eye, Necron beams and gives you a solid thumbs up before looking at Glomer.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Leave it to me! I’m almost one-hundo-percent sure I can be one BOSS grubsitter. Casanova here can leave his job in my capable hands. ††}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 28.Ke3 I wouldn't rush into this, Necron, there's a lot to consider— ...Kc6}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: no no hes Got this Give hiM the suit}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: the worst he could do is Get Me fired and excoMMunicated froM the faMily}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: assuMinG you have at least one think pan cell rattlinG around in there capable of sabotaGinG Me}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Nah, this pan cell's pretty much for lovin' my sweetum and enacting justice on evil only. ††}}

While there are probably better candidates for substitute work out there, you're willing to admit you maybe aren't one of them. Necron is friendly enough, at least.

You dutifully pass him the outfit and watch as he almost puts the head on backwards, before Glomer spins the mask around for him.

{{VE Quote|glomer|SECILY: 29.f4 Thank you, Necron. Glomer, you're with me. ...a5}}

Just before you follow Glomer out the door, you feel a tap on your shoulder.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† I was being legit when I called you a killer partner. Wasn't blowin' smoke up your ass. †††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† You know that, right? †††}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 30.Rh1 I know. I said it was touching. ...Rg8}}

It wasn't a lie. Hearing him call you a partner, let alone a ''good'' one... it's reassuring.

You guess you're just good at messing up your intended tone, as always.

You can tell Necron's got a relieved smile on his face behind the bulbous eyes of his mask as he extends his plush-covered hand to you.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Gnarly, couldn't letcha boogie off without knowing for certain. Call me when you can, Secily. ††}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 31.Kf3 Understood. Keep an ear out, partner. ...Rf8}}

The two of you exchange a firm handshake before parting ways.

The hallways are surprisingly dark as you stray further away from the schooling wing.

Whereas before a single pebble on the ground would be a rare sight, the walls are now starting to give way to natural rocky formations.

''[Investigation Progress bar appears.]''

You're so focused on not bumping into Glomer or the surrounding environment that you almost miss the INVESTIGATION PROGRESS BAR fading in on your visor.

It's been a while. You wonder where this thing was hiding all this time.

There's a number of curious rooms on your way to the primary objective. Accouchement golem charging stations, DNA storage facilities, a baffling amount of supply closets...

You almost walk right into a DENOMINATION LOGE before Glomer stops you from barging into the newly made grubs's initial testing.

He can't help but remark how {{VE Quote|glomer|everybody freaks out over this "monumental" occasion where they pick their name as if its not just the first random six letters they assemble with dumb blocks.}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|What's the big deal about them having six legs back when the mother grub bred them anyway,}} he erupts furiously, {{VE Quote|glomer|four limbs post-reduplication works just fine, and even better without those weird old scars we used to have.}}

He goes on for a while, even after you've dragged him away from the loge in question. He just likes complaining, you guess.

You eventually happen upon the REDUPLICATION RECORDS ROOM.

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: hhhhhuh}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 32.Ke4 What's the matter? Does something seem strange to you about this scene? ...Rg8}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: well iGnorinG the fact that this is My first tiMe actually seeinG this place}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: iM not sure why the liGhts are off if this thinG is on}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: we are SO stinGy with the power here you have no idea}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: idk theres soMethinG funny about the systeM beinG on while nobodys around}}

Sure enough, the first thing that catches your eye in the dark, empty room is an illuminated computer screen. The second thing is the room itself.

Given Corporate's penchant for sleek aesthetics, you find the juxtaposition... You're not sure how you find it. Amusing? Intriguing? Suspicious? You'll decide later.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 33.Rh5 An oddity, but not an impossibility. ...Rg2}}
{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 34.a4 My question is how to gain access to the database. The computer is apparently after a password. ...Re2+}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: uM}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: yeah thats usually how they work}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: is this a dazzlinG new concept to you ACTUAL CHIEF REGULATOR}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 35.Kd3 I'd hoped it wouldn't be the case, but that might be Necron's wishful thinking rubbing off on me. I actually got on somebody's case for not having one not too far back. ...Rb2}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 36.Rb5 Anyway. Do you have valid login credentials? ...Rb1}}

Glomer shuffles over to the console, slower than molasses drips off a spoon, giving the screen a cold, hard stare.

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: theres only one password for this thinG but uh}}

He clears his throat.

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: they dont usually let Me in here so i dont know for certain}}

Great.

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: dont Give Me that look reGulator i told you this is a first for Me}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: its probably on a post-it note or soMethinG we just need to do a little searchinG}}

The two of you start doing exactly that, sifting through various drawers and cabinets around the room and making a point to leave no stone unturned.

Three minutes pass before either of you speak.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 37.Ke4 This is unrelated to the task at hand, but I was wondering something. ...d6}}

GLOMER: cool

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 38.Kd4 You're being remarkably cooperative, all things considered. Even if you do not care for your position here, it's still quite the risk you're going through. Why is that? ...Re1}}

GLOMER: you Mean besides your shitty threats and tiMe off My shitjob

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 39.Kd3 So... that's it? ...Rh1}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: nnnnot exactly}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: i dunno}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: endari said you helped hiM out so}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: yeah}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: i Guess thats why}}

You blink in surprise. You suppose you did help his moirail. There's a beat of silence as you wait for him to elaborate, but he just drops the subject entirely.

A sudden "aha!" startles you out of your thoughts.

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: Got it}}

You turn around just in time to see him being granted access to a frankly gargantuan wall of text and images.

He holds the unearthed note for you to glimpse, before tucking it back behind the chunky computer monitor.

''[IP bar fills by 10%]''

Well, well. He pulled through for you.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 40.Ke4 Nice find. ...Rh7}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: i know a coMputer Geek or two. Guess its just universal practice}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: or a real duMb coincidence}}

You don't know nearly enough about computer people to dispute him, so you're obliged to take his word on it.

You ring up Necron in order to tell him the good news. It takes a few seconds, but he's on the line soon enough.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † You've reached Simpson. Any hoopla on your way over or didja get by without any trouble? †}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 41.Kd4 We're in the database. Ready to start looking for Noxious. ...Rh1}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† That's righteous!! We'll sic that bastard before you know it. †††}}

Failing to comprehend the sheer volume of information held within, you give the computer an uneasy look. It threatens to make you feel faint.

Thank the all-mother for Glomer's presence, because you have... no idea how to work this thing.

You gesture to the machine with your head and he leans down to grab the mouse. You squint as you analyze the window.

There are a few tabs on the top left: all, historic, new-age, unused, ''retired?'' You can't imagine what would be the point of storing deprecated sigils in a populace database.

There's a search bar in the top right. You suppose that's your best bet on finding a sigil related to "breaking down".

You peck at the keys one by one as you hear Necron entertain the kids through your speakers.

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: iM riGht here you know }}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: like you just nonverbally asked Me to do this for you do you need Me or not}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 42.Ke4 Are you really going to complain about not having to do any work? ...Re1+}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: touché}}

One letter at a time, results are culled from the pool.

Sigil names like base and basil. Sigils belonging to bronzebloods. Sigils held by the Brelum bloodline.

Soon, you have one remaining search result. Glomer selects the sole choice presented.

===Your attention turns to...===

====>Name.====

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 43.Kd3 Dissolve. ...Kc7}}

You say it aloud for Necron's benefit, more than anything else.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Heh, guess we finally dis-solved that mystery, huh? ††}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 44.Rh5 I will hang up on you. ...Kc6}}

GLOMER: (you chose this chucklebunker flop as your partner aGainst criMe??)

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 45.Rb5 (Glomer, shut the hell up before he hears you.) ...Rd1+}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Ah c'mon, lighten up! This is a WICKED breakthrough! We deserve to celebrate. ††}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 46.Ke2 This is a phone call. You don't know what face I'm making. ...Rb1}}

GLOMER: its true shes sMilinG so fuckinG hard dude trust Me

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Hah! I'll take your word for it. Now... †}}

''[Investigation Progress bar increments by 20%.]''

NECRON: † Tell me more. †

====>Caste.====

It's hard to miss that this sigil belongs to a greenblood, considering this database is very conveniently color-coded. That alone narrows it down quite nicely.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 47.Kd3 Greenblooded. One with a hell of a personality fixation. ...Re1}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: oliveblooded actually. as opposed to like clover or ochre or soMe shit}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 48.Rh5 Do you care for the specific color code, Necron? ...Rf1}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † With all due respect, what the aych are we gonna do with the color code? †}}

Glomer looks at you, waiting for your response. You consider, then shake your head no. Hard pass.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 49.Rh6 I've memorized it. We can draw from that information later if we do end up requiring it. ...Rf3+}}

Glomer seems skeptical, but doesn't protest the point.

''[Investigation Progress bar increments by 20%.]''

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Tell me more. †}}

====>Shape type.====

This classification has always been something you've paid close attention to, unlike most other people.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 50.Kc2 The shape type is SAN-2-C. This should be useful when asking for people who may have spotted Noxious. ...Re3}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: († ...Hey, hey you. Tyke with the face. SAN-2-C. What's the skinny on that? †)}}

He's... asking a child?

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 51.Rh8 Necron. ...d5}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Yeah? I mean, that is absolutely baller and all, but... Gonna level with you real quick, I don't have a single clue what that means in the slightest? ††}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: (if i wasnt runninG on 120 Minutes of sleep id lauGh)}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 52.cxd5+ It's a three-section system. Sans serif or serif, number of strokes, curled, straight, or amalgam. ...exd5}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 53.Rc8+ This sigil is sans serif, consists of two strokes, and it's primarily a curled sign. ...Kd6+}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† Bwuh? †††}}

You don't know how to explain this in simpler terms when you're just being descriptive. This is frustrating.

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: its shaped like a curly lower case f dude}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Oh, right on! That's a copy. ††}}

Hrm.

''[Investigation Progress bar increments by 15%.]''

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Tell me more. †}}

====>Associated meanings.====

This subject is generally the wild card when it comes to information about sigils. Not every sigil has as pristine of a historical record as others — some have fallen into complete obscurity.

You don't know much about the topic, but you do know that sigils are connected directly to specific bloodlines, at least.

You skim the paragraph presented to you.

''The mark of dissolution, now shortened to "dissolve", represents the breaking down of matter, both physically and conceptually.''

Many bearers of this sigil were known to excel at teaching others, due to their skill at imparting knowledge through easily digestible lessons.

Their methods and intentions, however, were quite often incredibly controversial.

There are records of such bearers being chased out of communities as a result of their predisposition toward bringing destruction and upheaval, for better or for worse, wherever they set foot.

This is, of course, mostly anecdotal information that doesn't amount to anything substantial.

Sigil meanings are a fun diversion some people enjoy discussing over cups of boiled Monster, but they are nothing more than empty expectations based on genetic coincidences.

If you cared about that, you would have given up a long time ago.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Hey, uh... you good? Doin' peachy? †}}

Oh. You forgot to say anything for a while there.

Glomer apparently took the opportunity to pass out on the desk for a spell, because he jolts back to life and wipes a little drool off of his mouth when Necron's voice pipes up from your speaker.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 54.Rd8+ As peachy as they come. I'm just being thorough, don't mind me. ...Kc6}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † C'mon, Secily! Don't leave me hanging over here. †}}

''[Investigation Progress bar increments by 15%.]''

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Tell me more. †}}

====>Bearers.====

And that's your winning ticket. Your eyes immediately dart to the top of the list, where the most recent troll to bear this sigil is registered.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 55.Rc8+ ''Aumtzi Maught'' is officially our lead suspect. Eight sweeps old, male. ...Kd7+}}

Eight sweeps? ''Eight sweeps?''

Occeus is eight sweeps old. How the hell was Aumtzi able to play a meaningful role in a heist this elaborate?

You were expecting some old, retired mastermind with delusions of grandeur. Someone you could clash blades with on a neon rooftop or ruined bunker after this elaborate of a chase, and he turns out to be ''eight sweeps old?''

...You guess it'd be hypocritical of you to hold Occeus at gunpoint and then proceed to underestimate someone much more malicious and calculating.

Still. Eight sweeps. You feel very old and very tired.

You catch Necron murmuring the name under his breath a couple of times — first to familiarize himself, then to say it in utter contempt.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †††† ''Aumtzi.'' That wastoid is going down if it's the last card on my hand, mark my words. ††††}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: (hey secily iMaGine tryinG to take hiM seriously if you were seeinG what hes wearinG riGht now)}}

You flatly ignore Glomer snickering to himself as you consider your options.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 56.Rf8 The main problem lies in tracking him down and confirming that he is Noxious, without doubt. ...Kc6}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† And if it is him, we'll do more than just give him a background check. †††}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 57.Rc8+ Yes. Together. ...Kd7+}}

''[Investigation Progress bar increments by 20%.]''

-

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 58.Rf8 That seems to be all there is. I'll talk to you soon. ...Rf3}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Tubular! Catch you on the flipside, partner. †}}

[After you have chosen all of the options]

''[Investigation Progress bar disappears.]''

As soon as you hang up, Glomer hisses at you, clinging to the desk like it's the only thing keeping him upright.

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: alriGht you found your info thats Great now lets wrap this up before soMeone busts us}}

He is quick to retreat, out of his seat and around the corner in an instant. You can appreciate it — playing it safe is often the prudent option.

Something gives you pause, though.

You're not going to pretend not to realize the other thing you have the option of investigating while you're here. Your mind has been tossing the idea around since you walked into the room.

Glancing over your shoulder, you quietly hang back by the computer.

You run a name search for Ellsee Raines.

...

Nothing. Not a single match, and you know damn well you're spelling her name correctly. The possibility of an alias runs through your mind, but if that was the case, why would she have kept "Raines"?

It's as if she wasn't ever reduplicated. The implications confound you.

You decide to check the retired sigils tab for any signs of her.

Your cursor hovers over each result as you read down the chain, looking for any familiar symbols or iconography.

The process takes you no longer than three minutes. You quickly find yourself in a rhythm, eyes darting between columns.

Scorvi Orvalt, cement. Grapha Hortze, rust. Langua Memori, bunsen. Thesal Voorat, salt.

You're halfway through the next name before you backtrack. You've seen it before. That's {{VE Quote|arcjec|The Forgiven's}} hatchname.

You've heard his tale: the right hand man and follower of {{VE Quote|ellsee|The Vivifier}}.

His original sigil has always been a mystery, though. So much so that seeing an actual symbol next to his name feels slightly uncomfortable.

Probably not as uncomfortable as he felt having it stripped from him, though.

You erase your search history and leave the scene exactly as you found it. You've much to think about.

Aumtzi. No record of Ellsee. The Voorat bloodline supposedly ending with Thesal and the simultaneous existence of another cornsyrup-hued friend of Occeus'. Time will tell how these threads converge.

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: Geez lady keep an exhausted Mascot slave waitinG Much}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: alMost thouGht you ManaGed to die by yourself in an eMpty rooM}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: iMpaled on your own sword throuGh soMe brutal rube GolbrG shenaniGans}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: what took you}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 59.Rf6 I just forgot to log off, that's all. Where's Necron, is he still on duty? ...Kc7}}\

GLOMER: check for yourself iM not here to be your visual iMpairMent assistance lusus

He's almost right. Your VIAL is indeed somewhere else.

Looking through the window, you're greeted by the sight of "Bart" surrounded on all sides by the playroom kids, miming an undoubtedly "epic" story with boundless enthusiasm.

What's more impressive is that he's carrying a sleeping child with a single arm, the little one remaining unperturbed even with all of his exaggerated movements and loud voice.

They're all enthralled. You can pick up on faint laughter through the wall after he wraps his tale up, presumably with a cheesy pun.

You smirk, just a bit. He's much better with kids than you ever gave him credit for. Looks like you made a good call.

''Call.'' That reminds you, Sabine wanted to talk to you. You'll get back to him in a second. The kid's name brings a probable link between him and Glomer to mind.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 60.f5 You mentioned the name Crytum earlier. You're familiar with him? ...d4}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: wow okay so were just GoinG to ask that invasive and personal question out of the blue then alriGht}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 61.Rf8 Answer the question. ...Kd6}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: i was GettinG to it}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: yeah hes kind of My Matesprit yknow like red soulMate so itd be a really weird happenstance if i didnt know the Guy}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: whats it to you}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 62.f6 I require his expertise. You're going to take me to him at your earliest opportunity, convenient or otherwise. ...Ke6}}

You're met with yet another groan of aggravation. You're starting to think that's just his default reaction to being told what to do.

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: Man you just LOVE to tell me iM GoinG to do thinGs no Matter if iM actually obliGated to do it or not}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: i Mean yeah iMportant case or whatever but i dont have shit to do with it and i hiGhly doubt he does either so what possible nonviolent Method could you use to convince Me}}

You had a funny feeling he'd ask that question. There's no smile when you answer, but you do feel the familiar comfort of knowing you're about to play the right card.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 63.Rb8 I can use this case to give you more time off work, as a matter of fact. But perhaps a sword would be more convincing. ...Rc3+}}

As predicted, Glomer's ears perk up. You can still see hesitation in his eyes, but you've managed to pierce his nigh-impenetrable wall of cynicism.

You fail to mention you were briefly considering ratting him out to Hamifi.

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: alriGht fine i can Make it happen}}

Perfect. Granted, you already know where Crytum lives thanks to your visit to Sabine's residence earlier, but having his matesprit's endorsement will help matters significantly.

You've heard tell that he's somewhat of a nervous wreck. Better safe than sorry.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 64.Kb2 Excellent. I'll touch base with you when I have further details. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a phone call to make. ...Rc6}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: yeah fine if hunkinator 5000 over there is content to do My job for Me ive Got soMe coMplete lack of sleep ive been not GettinG for the past blink to catch up on}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: ill be in the closet conteMplatinG My life choices if you need Me}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 65.Rd8 Oh, before I forget. Hamifi had some assignments for you to complete before— ...Kxf6}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: yeah yeah party planninG shit i know how it is}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: she always Gives Me instructions like three tiMes over because i act like iM not listeninG}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: when really}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: she just scares the shit out of Me}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: ill Get to it after iM done passinG out}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: be back in five}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 66.Rxd4 Whatever you say. ...½-½}}

You're pretty sure Glomer's not supposed to be napping inside the closet, but he sure is nonchalantly waltzing in anyway. You start to hear snoring a whopping ten seconds later.

You're equally unconvinced that five minutes will provide him any semblance of rest, but you've technically functioned on less, so what do you know?

Well, Necron's busy entertaining children and Glomer's out of commission. There's no better time to get back to Sabine.

You give him a ring and keep an eye out for Hamifi through the break room window.

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [--o] ''SECILY ALETHEIA IOPARA.''}}

Did... did you just get assigned a middle name?

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] YOU HAVE SOME NERVE MAKING ME WAIT LIKE THIS, THREATENING TO WASTE MY VALUABLE AND PRECIOUS TIME.}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] YOU'RE LUCKY YOU YOURSELF ARE ALSO ON A MISSION TO RESCUE THIS PLANET FROM THE DREDGES OF DISASTER.}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 2.Nf3 Hello, Sabine. ...b6}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 3.e3 What was it that you just called me? Letheya? Leethya? ...Bb7}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 4.Bd3 How would you even spell it? There's no way that's only six letters, let alone near a relevant practice. ...d6}}

You don't want to say it, but the fact that middle names as a cultural norm haven't been around since long before you were hatched is perhaps a bit insulting.

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] IT'S OBVIOUSLY COOLER TO HAVE FAKE MIDDLE NAMES BREAK CONVENTION. DO YOU THINK I ENJOY PARTAKING IN FOOLISH TRADITIONS OTHER PEOPLE SET UP?? I MEAN, ''DUH???''}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 5.b3 Oh, I'm worthy of a ''cool'' fake middle name, then? ...Nbd7}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [o--] (I BEGRUDGINGLY ACCEPT YOU AS AN INDIVIDUAL WITH EQUAL INTELLECT. DON'T LET IT GET TO YOUR HEAD.)}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [o--] (YOU ARE PROBABLY NEARLY OLD ENOUGH FOR AN EIGHT-LETTER TITLE ANYWAY. OLD PERSON.)}}

As touched as you are, you've been at this for far too long and would love to just get to the point.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 6.Bb2 Is this pertaining to my neural scan? ...g6}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] ARE THERE OVER 1,200 UNIQUE RECORDED FORMS OF BACTERIAL INFECTION VIA FALLING RAINWATER?}}

You swear, nobody knows how to say a plain and simple "yes" these days.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 7.Nbd2 Talk to me. What were those individuals discussing back at the awards ceremony? ...Bg7}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] ABOUT THAT.}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [o--] (SEE, THERE WAS EXTREME INTERFERENCE THAT PREVENTED MY SOFTWARE FROM DECIPHERING ONE OF THE VOICES. THE DATA WAS PRETTY CORRUPTED.)}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [o--] (THIS STRONGLY SUGGESTS THAT THEY WERE USING SOME FORM OF VOICE MASKING OR MODULATION SYSTEM DESPITE BEING AT A PARTY?? SOME PEOPLE CAN BE SO FREAKING PARANOID.)}}

That sours your mood somewhat, but it at least strongly suggests that your little mystery caller — Aumtzi — had attended the party. Gods, it feels good to have this information.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 8.Qe2 Tell me about the other voice, then. You sound like you managed to extrapolate something interesting. ...a5}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] NOT INCORRECT. THE INFORMANT APPEARS TO HAVE ACCESS TO SOME FORM OF REAL-TIME DATABASE, HAVING LOGON DETAILS THAT ALLOW HER TO MANEUVER THE SYSTEM FROM WITHIN.}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] SHE CLAIMS THAT HER PRICES WOULDN'T BE SO ASTRONOMICAL IF THE INFORMATION WASN'T SO LEGITIMATE.}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] THIS IS NO INSTANCE OF ILLEGAL ENTRANCE. THIS WOMAN HAS A CORPORATE SALARY.}}

Okay, you had a hunch that it was a Corporate employee this whole time, but you appreciate the confirmation regardless.

There's always the possibility of leaked login information, but you stay quiet, waiting for him to continue speaking.

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [o--] (UM, HELLO, REPITON TO REGULATOR. HELPING YOU SOLVE YOUR CASE HERE.)}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 9.O-O Of course. I simply wanted to have all the facts before I came to any conclusions. ...O-O}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 10.Rfd1 Was there any confirmation of the integrity of that route data? ...a4}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] WAS THERE EVER. THE OTHER PARTY BROUGHT UP QUITE THE IMPRESSIVE RESUME OF PREVIOUSLY LEAKED INFORMATION.}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] CRIMES TRACING BACK SWEEPS. HOWEVER MUCH FREE TIME YOU HAVE, I AM ABOUT TO ANNIHILATE IT MERCILESSLY AND GLEEFULLY.}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 11.a3 I'm all ears. Spare no detail, I'll look for common threads next time I have access to the records. ...Qe8}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] DOWN THE LIST THEN. CHRONOLOGICAL, ALPHABETICAL OR PRIORITY?}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 12.b4 Chronological, obviously. ...e5}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] CORRECT ANSWER. LET'S START WITH THE "DOCTORED DEMENTO" SCANDAL...}}

END

==Cinare Montor==

A long time ago, you could have walked through the trees outside of here like she does.

A past self would have visited the forests and cities she walks on every case, and maybe she would end up in some far away land reminiscent of the lives your ancestors lived in kingdoms with small towns and little hives.

You often wonder if you would have been the same person in those times. Would you work the same profession? Would grieving trolls show up at your doorstep begging for you to save them, time and time again?

There is dirt on her face when you open the door. Mud on her boots.

They say that when the trees died in Stronghold 21, they died almost all at once.

There was a diffusive effect from the pollution in the waterways that worked its way into the rain, and when it came down, it scorched the dirt in the city.

History books will tell you that in the span of less than half a sweep, a chemical manufacturer generated enough waste to raze 70% of the plant life in the stronghold to the ground.

They would pay trolls to replace the dead trees every season. Sweep after sweep, just dig out the rot and make it new again. Until all that was left was a smattering of plastic and polymers.

The back of her coat is covered in soot, like she has been riding through coal mines. Or through the streets just outside.

There were times, they say, when the cold wouldn’t last forever, and the suns could even be pleasant things. Trolls lived simpler lives back then, politicking, jockeying for power over a vigorous populace...

But her brow is tense now, and she wears that pseudo-stoic face that she borrows when her heart has had enough. When she is begging it to hold itself together.

You have seen that face so many times.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: I need you.}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .i know}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: Every ''damn'' time.}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .pardon}}

She pulls herself out from under the hood. The truck she’s working on is new - or rather new to ''her'', seeing as she found it wrecked in an old parking lot about 40 expanses from here.

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: It’s nothing. Wrong wrençh.}}

And back under she goes. She reaches her arm out to the side, dropping the offending spanner onto what is effectively a surgical tray on wheels.

Without looking, she digs through the disorganized pile of tools there to find a replacement.

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: So did you just çome here to watçh me work?}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: I mean, not that that’s a problem, obviously-}}

She grunts with exertion, clearly putting the ''correct'' wrench to good use.

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: ...but lately, kinda seems like your time is in high demand.}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: I was starting to wonder if I had the çhops to çompete for it.}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .im sorry you felt that way}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: Well, we’re all sorry for something.}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: I’m hoping you’re here with good news at least. I çould really use a piçk-me-up.}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .did something happen}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: No, but I have a feeling something is about to.}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: And, you know, your phone çall has a lot to do with that feeling}}.

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .are you implying i only give you bad news}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: I’m ''implying'' that you haven’t çontaçted me in over a blink, and I’m wondering what the speçial oççasion is.}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .we’ve had this conversation before i think}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..if youre upset with me you are welcome to say so in plain words}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ...otherwise i wont be able to address your concerns}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: You know, for someone who spent sweeps in the mountains mastering the senses, you çan be inçredibly dense.}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .it seems like im being punished for reaching out to you}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..can you see why that may cause a person to react poorly}}

She actually stops working this time. Her arms span to the sides of the truck.

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: I was kidding. But I think I have a right to be upset if I want to be.}}

She turns around. Her brow is arched, and she’s standing with that half-cocked pose she does that may as well be a dare.

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .i know}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..you do}}

She smirks.

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: Damn right I do.}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: No more çançelled dates, alright? Whatever’s going on, you gotta let me in.}}

You nod. When she holds her arms open, you fall into them as quickly as you can.

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: I’m really glad to see you.}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .i ''am'' sorry by the way}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..i meant to call you sooner}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: Don’t worry about it. I’m not in the mood to play that çard anymore.}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: You’re luçky you’re so çute.}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .and dangerous}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: Of çourse. Did it even need to be said?}}

She lets you go with a kiss. She won’t hold a grudge against you, but you still feel a little guilty, especially since you came here at Secily’s request.

Why did you come here again?

===>Recall: CINARE MONTOR.===

Your RECALL ability fails! Only Secily can use this ability.

That’s a bit embarrassing, but no need to worry. You have your ways.

===>Read: CINARE MONTOR.===

Cinare Montor is one hell of a mechanic. She has connections all over Repiton’s less reputable circles outside the city, though not because she’s disreputable herself.

Rather, she just wouldn’t be caught dead in the stronghold these days. She hates Corporate, and with good reason.

Despite this, her past mixed with her present makes her the perfect cocktail of information related to the Corporate-owned trucking business.

From what she’s told you, she’s got eyes on personnel, distributors and their products, schedules, and most importantly, route data - the kind of information Secily needs to follow up on her tips from the awards ceremony.

Cinare also happens to be your matesprit. Your matesprit who doesn't appreciate that you've been blowing her off for Repiton’s star regulator.

She wears her disappointment on her face in several ways, even through a smile. She's trying to be pleasant for your date.

You scold yourself a bit for neglecting her as much as you have been. It’s not fair of you to keep letting yourself get caught up in Secily’s messes.

Cinare has given you every opportunity to show her you’re serious about being with her. You think it’s time her patience paid its dividends.

"But what about the case?"

Yes, and what about it? It’s only been at the center of your attention since Secily came bursting through your door half dead and paranoid. Again.

As Cinare was polite enough to remind you, you’ve had to cancel your recent dates to juggle her murglary work with your work-work. You agreed to do it, sure, but only because she was spinning out on her own.

Secily is brilliant... usually.

You love her immensely, but she really does seem to think she can operate alone. This threat she’s facing now might just be too much for her to handle, as predictable as she can be.

Maybe you should go back. There are some contacts you could pull for her, maybe find her a few more teammates she can tolerate so she doesn’t go careening into another depressive nosedi-

"But what about Cinare?"

Aaaagh. Yeah.

Focus, Mshiri. Now is not the time.

Secily can wait. If the topic of the case comes up organically, you’ll ask Cinare about the route data like she asked you to. Until then, your attention will be on your matesprit.

These moments are supposed to be what life is all about, after all.

Cinare’s garage is a study in heuristics. It presents an easy way to form an opinion about who she is.

Messy floors, messy tables, walls covered in old calendars, posters with cars that feature a peculiar aesthetic more befitting of ten sweeps ago - it's a life of displacement. Disordered.

But if you take the time to look a little deeper, you start to notice a pattern in the chaos. And under that, you start to see that it was never really a mess at all.

It's a self-portrait.

See, Cinare lives alone in the middle of nowhere. It's not that she can't keep up, it's that she has no one to impress anymore but herself.

And that works for her. It works for you even more.

You love Secily. But she demands a lot from you, and she demands that you hide a lot of yourself.

She tends to rely on her heuristics. Just as she chose to judge Cinare on appearances alone, she’s taken to deciding who you are these days based on personal convenience.

It's easier that way for most of your clients, you suppose.

But that was never really you, was it?

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: You know, I was almost hoping to see you in your robes today.}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: I wondered if you would have time to çhange sinçe you çame here right after work.}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .do you not like the leather}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: What a ridiçulous idea. '' 'Do I not like the leather?' '' }}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: You look çool as hell in leather, Shiri.}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: It's more like...}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: Okay, you ever see those videos where a tiny little barkbeast tears up a burglar like nobody's business?}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .some of my clients like them yes}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: It's like that. Sort of a morbid fasçination.}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: I like thinking that I'm the only one who knows what you're açtually çapable of.}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .are you hoping ill snap and chew up my bosses}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: A maiming or two would be niçe, if it's not too muçh to ask. }}

You can feel her grinning, even if you can't see it. She closes the hood of the truck to fiddle with something on the windshield.

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .ill take it into consideration}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..i do like entertaining morbid fascinations after all}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: Is that why you keep the çop around?}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .something like that}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..she can certainly be morbidly fascinating at times}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: Is that what you're çalling it now? Pff.}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: Does she even know you çome out here? }}

You shift a bit. You were hoping to drag this out a bit longer.

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .she does now}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: What's that supposed to mean?}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .it doesnt have to be now}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..but at some point she and i were meaning to ask you some things}}

She lowers her head down slowly. It makes a deep thud when it hits the hood.

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: Is she here somewhere? Did she follow me?}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .of course not}}

She turns around to face you, clearly disappointed.

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..i know she can be hard to manage}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ...you wont have to see her}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: That's not really the problem though, is it?}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: The çhiçk's AÇAB, Shiri. With a çapital Ç.}}

Despite her bizarre choice of words, you want to agree with her. You hate Corporate almost as much as she does.

You know better than anyone how suffocating that place can be.

===Remember: HOW YOU MET CINARE.===

Those days, she smoked even more than she does now, if that can be believed.

It suited her. She was a big name for a while around the offices, and you even remember sitting in a conference room with her a few times while she worked her way up the corporate ladder.

Back then, the most you knew of her was that she seemed nice, if not a bit aggressive, and she always seemed to be chewing on the smoking filter of one of those caustic candy cigarettes.

When the time came for you to sit down with her one-on-one, she had just been promoted to a leading position in the Fiscal Responsibility department.

Her office was filled with dim, ambient light and the syrupy acrid stench of burnt sugar.

She was intoxicating. She must have caught you staring, because she flashed you a wry smirk as she asked you to close the door.

''‘Don’t worry, this is just a formality,’'' she had said. ''‘I just wanted to çheçk a çouple of numbers with you.’''

You had to resist asking to check hers.

But that would come later.

You started acting as Cinare’s chief source of information about some of the more elusive tidbits around the TEMP agency, and once or twice you may have slipped in a few personal details - something she never seemed to mind.

You told yourself you weren’t looking for a matesprit. But as Monster breaks turned into lunch dates under the guise of business meetings, it became painfully obvious to anyone watching that you were smitten.

You couldn’t have guessed it from her smokey eyes, but under it all, she was burning away.

You never asked her the details, but you’ve heard all about it from secondhand sources. Apparently, she had looked into the books of some of her less-inclined colleagues and found something sinister.

After that, there were three phone calls. The first ended in a shouting match. The second, with vitriol the likes of which the office had never seen.

The third ended when she stormed the office of the Executive and had to be escorted from the building by none other than Ms. Secily Iopara herself.

When you found her, she was sitting on the curb with makeup running down her cheeks.

''‘Mshiri, you are the only goddamn thing in there worth saving,’'' she told you. ''‘You’re the only thing here that ever made any fuçking sense at all.’''

You asked her what you could do. She asked you to stay with her.

So you did.

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: Hello? Repiton to Libeta?}}

You snap out of it to find her standing face to face with you. What happened to paying attention?

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .i apologize}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..i was lost in thought }}

Her arms are covered in dark stains from her work on the engine, which now seems to be humming with life. When did that happen?

She grins at you.

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: You like it? }}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .its incredibly impressive}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..you reveal more of your technical prowess with every endeavor i witness}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ...i should be so lucky to see a woman like you in action}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: You wanna take it for a spin? }}

She presses a button on a panel attached to the wall. With rusty complaints, the garage door scrapes open.

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .are we done talking about secily}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: We are until you bring her up again.}}

She makes her way around you and into the driver’s seat. The truck’s door there is equally as rusted as the garage. By the sound of it, the adhesive attaching it to the frame is made of craft glue and prayers.

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .are you sure its safe}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: Guess we’ll find out. }}

She shifts into first gear, and the truck begins to move.

[Secily's POV]

''Tap. Tap. Tap.''

One palm and then the other.

''Tap. Tap. Tap.''

There are thoughts in your head. None of them make any sense.

One thing. Then the next. The next move.

One step at a time.

''Tap. Tap.'' RRRGH!

You give up. Your nails dig into your arm.

Are you actually here? Are you just dreaming this all up? Is that junior regulator looking at you funny?

What are you going to say to him when you get there? When he sees you?

Are you still the same as you were before? As when he gave you your sword? Your license to kill?

Are you still good enough to face him?

You pull at your skin. Focus. You can do this. You’ve been planning for this meeting.

Why did she have to die?

{{VE Quote|#F0D090|MANILA: Ms. I[]para? The Executive will see y[]u n[]w.}}

It’s time.

You step into the elevator. It’s been a long while since you took it all the way to the top.

You feel like your brain is on fire. There are a number of ways this could go, and it’s been hell trying to plan for all the possible contingencies.

The Executive - Sestro’s still-living ancestor - doesn’t take many meetings these days. The topic must be incredibly important if he’s willing to risk you contaminating his room.

This may be your last chance to see him, you think. He’s barely hanging on.

So why are you so scared of him?

The elevator slows. When it opens, you are greeted with a dark space lit only by maroon light from under the panels in the wall.

It’s small. Its only real purpose is to serve as a transition between the elevator and an airlock - the sterilization chamber.

The walls surrounding the airlock are made of glass. From where you stand, backlit against the elevator’s interior, you can see his bed. At his side, a woman in a lab coat is injecting something into his IV.

You step into the room. The elevator doors close behind you, leaving you in near darkness.

A trembling arm lifts itself to brush against the doctor’s coat. She glances up to meet your eyes, then keys something into a device on the wall near the airlock.

When the doors slide open, you step inside quickly. They close behind you, and the chamber shines with deep blue and UV light.

The doctor’s voice crackles through a speaker in the ceiling.

{{VE Quote|rodere|RODERE: -arms-at-your-sides-please--x}}

You follow the instructions. A pungent spray mists from the nozzles hidden in the walls. When they deactivate, you find yourself slightly damp.

{{VE Quote|rodere|RODERE: -i-assume-you-know-how-to-put-on-the-mask--x}}

A panel slides to the side. Behind it is a box of surgical masks. You grab one and slide it over your mouth.

The doctor enters another combination into the wall panel, and some of the air in the room is vacuumed away. As the pressures equalize, the door to the Executive’s room slides open.

You step inside. Every plan you made leaves your head as you approach the bed of the man who bargained away your matesprit’s life.

When he sees you, his ancient face splits into a cracked smile.

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ Regulator Iopara. I’m glad you could make it. }}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ Rodere...}}

The doctor stands at attention.

{{VE Quote|rodere|RODERE: -sir--x}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ Leave us.}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ But, ah... }}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ Open the blinds first.}}

She nods. A few quick taps on the keypad and the wall to the left segments and rotates on too many axes to reveal the night sky outside. The room sinks into pale moonlight and indigo.

When you look back to her, she is already gone.

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ Before we begin.}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ Thank you for taking time off of Operation Snowbound Blood for this discussion, and thank you for your continued labor on this case despite your reservations.}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ You know how important this is to the Heir and Miss Hekrix. Thank you for putting them first.}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 1.e4 It was before they were even hatched. I couldn't hold it against them. ...e5}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ This reminds me, Regulator Iopara...}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ Miss Hekrix provided me with this sweep's reduplication registry, and I again didn't find your name.}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ It would bring an old man great comfort to know his heir will never live in a world without an Iopara by his side. Have you reconsidered contributing?}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 2.f4 You grew up in the ruins my ancestor left, sir. I'm sure you understand my... reticence. ...exf4}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ Arcamu was loyal. He fulfilled his duty.}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 3.Nf3 And I've been, too. I've pierced the beating hearts of whoever stood between you and your vision for this world. ...f5}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 4.d3 Arcamu was repaid for his loyalty in blood and loss. He is remembered as a monster. ...d5}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 5.exd5 I've begun to fear I'll share that legacy. ...Nf6}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ May I see it?}}

The Executive is gesturing at your hip, at Proserpina. His hand is shaking, with a pulse-measuring cuff on a finger and medical tubes snaking around his arm.

His face is worn from eras as Repiton's protector, and yet his eyes always glisten with pride when you are in the room.

When you were young, nothing made you more certain you were on the right path in life. Now, you're not sure.

You gently draw the sword and turn to hand it to him hilt-first. He takes it in trembling hands and turns it over, sighing wistfully.

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ After Caesar's death, zealots destroyed most of his followers' cherished artifacts. But this blade survived.}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ Perhaps the finest of its era.}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ You gave it a new name and a new purpose.}}

He meets your eyes, squinting and determined.

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ You do not live in his shadow. Nor would another live in yours.}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ Regardless. We have business to discuss, don't we, Regulator?}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 6.Bxf4 Yes, sir. We do. ...Nxd5}}

He hands your sword back to you, then softly sighs, closing his eyes.

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ There is little I have left in this world, Regulator Iopara. The planet I rebuilt has long since been torn apart again.}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ This matter I have asked you to look into, this case... }}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ It’s time I told you the truth about it. }}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ It’s time you understood the truth about-}}

[Mshiri's POV]

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: Operation Snowbound Blood? }}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: What a stupid name.}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: Makes me think of if blood çould ski or something.}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .unfortunately its not as trivial as it sounds}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..its a unmitigated disaster that has lead to around 25 deaths or more at this point}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ...i wouldnt put you in such an awkward situation for anything less}}

Cinare whistles in disbelief.

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: Yeesh, no kidding. }}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: And Seçily’s gone and fuçked it all up, I’m guessing?}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .well}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..i wouldnt say that}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ...but she seems to be fixated on following the orders of the exact person trying to kill her}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: Çute. Always the pragmatist, your moirail. }}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .shes suffering }}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..and shes doing the best she can to save the other targets}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: Right, I get it. }}

She’s been driving on the highway for a few expanses now. The roads are ramshackle things full of craters and displaced asphalt, so at times the ride feels a bit like a wooden roller coaster.

A solitary road sign has labels for Stronghold P3P-51, which, apparently, is still around 223 expanses away.

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: So what is it that you need from me? }}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .recently a troll was able to discover something hidden in secilys memory}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..it was a conversation mentioning the illegal trade of stolen route data for a hijacked truck}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ...she and i thought you might know something about how such data is acquired}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ....or that one of your clients might}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: Usually you would have to go through Çorporate’s internal network to find that kind of dirt. }}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: Someone who’s been in the truçking business for a while would maybe know enough about that system to get in and steal it, though.}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .do you know anyone like that}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: Not for a regulator I don’t.}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .cinare}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..this really is important}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: So’s my reputation as, you know, not a narç.}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: Besides, I’m sure your little miss Shrlok çan sleuth it out on her own.}}

She pulls onto an exit. The scenery changes from barren to lush in almost an instant.

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .i understand you hate her}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..i understand the two of you have had your differences}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ...but this is bigger than that}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ....you are acting like a spoiled wriggler}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: Yeah, go ahead and tell me what you understand, Mshiri. }}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: It’s beçoming pretty fuçkin’ obvious that you don’t understand anything at all.}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .i understand that you refusing to act here could cost lives}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: No, your little wage slave lapdog of a moirail is çosting lives. }}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: I’m under no obligation to help her.}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .cinare}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..please}}

She drags on her cigarette.

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: Do you even know the kind of shit she does?}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .i know she does it for good reasons}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..at least she believes they are good reasons in her heart}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: You think that justifies anything? }}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: If I intend to kill a spider with my truçk and I end up ramming it through your hive, do my intentions make that okay?}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .that seems like a faulty analogy}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: Hardly.}}

You sigh hard. Out the window, dense forest has been working away at the pavement on the sides of the road.

The two of you sit in silence for a painful few moments. You can hear the sound of her blowing the smoke from her lungs.

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: I hate to say this, Shiri, but she really suçks for you.}}

You don’t respond. It’s not like this is the first time this topic has been broached.

She reaches out her hand to you. You take it in yours begrudgingly.

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: Remember when we used to do volunteer work? I still çheçk in at the shelter from time to time.}}

You do remember. People Corporate would fire, people the city decided couldn’t be of use anymore - a lot of them would end up stuck with no food and no home, satelliting the stronghold.

After Cinare lost her job, she took it upon herself to see that none of them went hungry. She would spend hours at this run-down homeless shelter, maybe not even for herself, but for the meditative state it put her in.

She would bring you along sometimes. It always struck you how similar it seemed to therapy for her. It struck you even more just how many people there were that had lost everything.

You run your thumb over the back of her hand.

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: Some of the people I met there didn’t make it. }}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: Mirthamaniaçs started using the place to find fodder for their fight çlubs.}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: And Çorporate just lets it happen. Because they’ve got rare blood. }}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: If I got put out like that... }}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: Seçily would let me get killed. }}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: You know that, right?}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .funny you mention that}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..she just finished killing a fair amount of mirthamaniacs}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: I heard about this. }}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: It was part of the çase, right? }}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: I lost a çouple of çlients in that fight.}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .but surely that shows you that secily isnt a monster}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: I mean sure, but there was something in it for her bosses this time, right?}}

You remember hearing about Secily’s injuries after that fight. She and Necron fought to within an inch of their lives.

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .that approach is needlessly cynical}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..she doesnt fight for materialism}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: Yeah, no, I don’t doubt that Seçily does some good things, Shiri. That’s not what I’m saying. I just...}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: You know how many missing persons reports I filed when the shelter started losing people? }}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: And nobody çame. Not even your girl.}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .she was on other cases}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..fighting other cults at times}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ...not to mention the several extraction operations im aware of specifically related to mirthamaniac rings and redrooms}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: Suççessful ones? Or do they go in every time with silk gloves on?}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: Beçause I know for a façt that extraçtion protoçol states that highbloods are not to be killed outside of self defense. }}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: Kinda defeats the purpose of pulling anyone out, doesn’t it?}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .im aware of successful extractions}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: So the çult members they, y’know, ''don’t kill'' go out and kidnap someone else instead. }}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: Çorporate just piçks the ones they like to save and my friends are çool to die, right?}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .secily isnt involved in that}}

She gives you a look.

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: Listen, the point I’m making is not that Seçily is overly sympathetiç to the Mirthamaniaçs, or any other freakshow band of baçkwater hooligans you’re about to throw my way.}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: The point is that her ''bosses'' are. }}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: And from the few interaçtions I’ve had with the gal I’d say she’s not big on defying orders. }}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: Çorporate didn’t help the people out here when they needed it.}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: So I’m not gonna help Çorporate. Simple as that.}}

The road turns to gravel. You’ve driven far away from civilization.

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .maybe you can consider it a favor for me instead}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..if you help just this once i would be deeply grateful}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ...im scared for her and for everyone involved}}

She seems to consider that. She runs her fingers along your hand, squeezing gently at times.

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: I’ll think about it.}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: For now, I want to show you something.}}

The truck squeaks to a stop in a patch of rough ground off the side of the forest.

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: Follow me.}}

She pulls the key from the ignition then disappears into the treeline, following a thin, overgrown nature trail. You step out of the truck to follow her.

[Secily's POV]

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ Our entire lives, this whole planet...}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ My ''empire''... }}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ Has been nothing but a preamble. }}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ We exist as scribes of code for a bitter game, Regulator Iopara. And it is the only thing worth fighting for.}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 7.Bd2 I don’t understand. ...Nc6}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ I doubt you would. But know this. And know that there is nothing we can do to avoid fate.}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ You and I are destined for morbid ends.}}

He rasps out a dry cough.

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ Do you know how old I am, regulator?}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 8.Nc3 I don’t, sir. ...Bc5}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ I am 144 sweeps old.}}}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 9.Nxd5 Nonsense, sir. You don’t look a day over 100. ...Qxd5}}

He cracks a grin. A pathetic laugh emanates from somewhere in his throat.

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ And the blood, do you know where it comes from?}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 10.c3 Of course, sir. It comes from The Vivifier. ...O-O}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ The Animator, she could be called. The Life-Giver. }}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ She was a remarkable woman. Zekura was her real name. I mentioned you to her before she died}}.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 11.d4 How is that, sir? She died over a hundred sweeps ago. ...Bd6}}

He laughs again. It drags against his vocal cords.

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ And yet the blood you are searching for - the blood you have killed to find - is only 19 sweeps old.}}

You feel a shock in your core. Raines.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 12.Qa4 She has a descendant. ...Qe4+}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ Yes. But I am forbidden to touch her.}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 13.Kf2 But you’ve been stealing her blood? ...f4}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ Not hers. For 100 sweeps, it has been Zekura’s blood flowing in my veins. The vial you are searching for is merely the end of a centenalia's long experiment. }}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 14.Re1 Which means- ...Qg6}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ The Vivifier died less than 10 sweeps ago, regulator.}}

What? So this whole time, you’ve been...

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 15.Qc4+ You’ve been leading me on. ...Kh8}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ In essence, yes. It was necessary.}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 16.Bd3 Then who is Ellsee Raines? ...Qh5}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ Ellsee is the beginning of the end for us. }}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ She is an exchange. At times, a bargaining piece. }}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ She is the most important person on the planet.}}

You can’t respond. You can only wait for him to continue.

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ Zekura and her partner, Thesal, came to me in the aftermath of great suffering. When it seemed no hope remained in the hellscape the Renaissance left behind. }}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ And from ruin, I became the catalyst of the greatest revolution in history. }}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ When the ground was empty of anything worth hoping for, I transmuted the ground into something new. I lead by example, and as alchemists we rebuilt Repiton from nothing. }}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ I was not just a leader, regulator. I was a messiah. And they needed me. }}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ Because without my help, their descendants could never be born.}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 17.Rhf1 And in return... ...Bd7}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ She gave me her blood. And I lived on. }}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ But the time came when I could not stall any longer. }}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ And on the day Ellsee Raines was born, The Vivifier perished.}}

A cloud shifts over the white moon. The room becomes drenched in midnight blue.

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ She left me what remained of her blood. I survive through her will.}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ This last vial... what is left of her, and of me...}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ When you find it, I would like you to give it to my heir. He will be taking my place soon. }}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ I have grown so tired of living.}}

Your knees have been locked this whole time. Your head is pounding.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 18.b4 Does Sestro know? ...a6}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ He doesn’t. He knows none of what I have told you. }}
{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ Only that Ellsee is of highest priority. }}
{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ I would ask that you keep it that way.}}

You nod. If Sestro knew, how could that benefit him? It would only drown him in guilt.

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ Regulator.}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 19.a4 Sir? ...Ne7}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ Would you indulge me for a moment?}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ I would like to discuss some thoughts with you.}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ I will take your silence as an invitation.}}

He turns to face the window, just like his descendant. His eyes scan across the great expanses of stars above.

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ In my time on this planet, I have known so many people.}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ I have loved many of them. }}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ But each life... each indelible moment I held in my mind as proof of something greater than myself...}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ My reasons to stay alive... }}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ Well. }}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ I have seen all of them die. And I have forgotten where most of them are buried. }}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 20.Qb3 ... ...Nd5}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 21.c4 I’m sorry, sir. ...Ne3}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ In my younger days I dreamed of space.}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ I used to believe in an eternity above our heads.}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ I would build rockets in my mind. I would see them drifting to worlds greener than this. }}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ This... great beyond. It was the spirit of progress. It was hope for something better.}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ But the ships I built never returned. }}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ Brilliant minds were lost to a cold vacuum. }}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ And the only things left of those programs now are brittle memories that serve no one and nothing. }}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ Testaments to failure. }}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ I am nothing but an anachronism, Secily.}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ I lingered here, knowing that I was lingering for nothing. I persisted to search for fragments of a time when I was naive.}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ To spend my life waiting for the right moments.}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ But I am realizing now that there was never a right moment for any of it. This planet spins on, and more die each day.}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ But your life can still mean something. And that is why I called you here. }}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ I meant to wait to see what would come of your investigation, but the things you have found, the players involved - I cannot afford to wait any longer.}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ I need you to do something for me.}}

His eyes break from the window to catch yours.

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ When this case ends, you will find Raines and the descendant of Thesal Voorat, and you will protect them with your life.}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ Refusal of this mission could result in the death of Repiton.}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 22.c5 And my position as Chief Regulator... ...Bc6.}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ Will be terminated, yes. This task is strictly off-record.}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ Your contacts will be monitored as well.}}

Your hands are shaking like his are. Your thoughts drift to Occeus.

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ Do you feel capable of continuing your work?}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 23.cxd6 I do, sir. ...Bxf3}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ Good. You are dismissed. }}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ Send Rodere back in when you go, please.}}

You turn to face the airlock, but you can’t move. This is so ''wrong.'' Everything about this is so wrong.

You need to ask him. You can’t keep going without knowing.

You turn back around to face him.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 24.Bxe3 Sir...? ...fxe3+}}

He looks at you. His eyes tell you he was expecting this.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 25.Kg1 I wanted to ask you about Ahlina. ...Qg5}}

[Mshiri's POV]

The two of you stumble out of the woods together. The hike wasn’t a long one, but the trail was dense with foliage due to sweeps of disuse.

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: See? What did I tell you? Totally worth it.}}

In front of you is the most natural landscape you have seen in the 8 sweeps of your professional life. It’s beautiful.

It seems to stretch on forever.

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .i had no idea this place even existed}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..and so close to the stronghold}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ...how is this}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ....here}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: I’ll admit it’s a bit of a forçed perspeçtive, this çliff just happens to be the perfeçt spot to view what’s left of this plaçe. }}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: But if you çan tell, it’s starting to çome back. Not muçh, but it’s a start. }}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: I had a feeling you’d like it.}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .it reminds me of my time at the temple of mediators}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..there was a place in the alpine foothills like this}}

As you watch, she brings her arm around your shoulder and pulls herself close to you.

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: Do you miss it?}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .my time with the mediators you mean}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: Your time outside of the çity. When you had your whole life ahead of you.}}

The horizon in front of you is beginning to blend into the first signs of day.

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .i do}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..so much}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: You know, there’s a plaçe for us out there. We don’t have to stay orbiting the stronghold for the rest of our lives.}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .cinare }}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..theres so much left to do here}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: I know, I know. But... when it’s over. When the çase is done, maybe.}}

You huff. She notices.

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: I know I haven’t been easy to deal with today. }}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: I’m sorry for that.}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: I keep letting my personal stuff get in the way.}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .im not mad at you for your convictions }}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..if it were up to me i would have never been involved in this case }}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ...but it wasnt up to me }}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ....i just want people to stay safe}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .....and i need you to be on my side on this}}

She spends a moment staring out at the canopy of life below. The vapors from the end of her cigarette spiral in the breeze, disappearing into the shattered atmosphere.

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: Alright.}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: Ask me anything you need to know.}}

===You decide to ask...===

====>If Cinare has heard of Noxious.====

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: The name sounds familiar. I definitely haven’t met the guy personally, but I’ve heard through the grapevine that he’s a pretty tough çustomer. }}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: Targeted harassment, baiting, fraud... all to get unstable folks to walk off the deep end, right?}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .yes }}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..thats him}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: Fuçk that guy.}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .agreed.}}

She takes another pull from her cigarette, which is nearing the end of its life. She pulls it from her mouth, puts it out on the side of her boot, then eats the candy-coated filter.

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: I hear a lot of talk about this guy, ''Ashbringer'', too. They say he’s working with a çop. }}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: Sçares the shit out of some of my seedier çlients. }}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: He partnered with your girl?}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .yes }}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..his name is necron }}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ...the two of them are hunting noxious together}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: Now that’s at least something I çan respeçt. I never would have thought that Seçily Iopara would partner with an unliçensed vigilante. }}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: Makes me think there’s hope for her yet.}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .do you have faith in necron to make the right decisions}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: I have faith in Neçron’s ability to do what he ''thinks'' is right.}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: Whiçh, dare I say it, is a step up from Seçily’s M.O.}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: I bet he’s a good influençe on her. Keeps her grounded.}}

Oh, Secily... Your face waxes somber as you think about the past few blinks.

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .do you think she can get better }}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..i want to think she can get away from corporate someday}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ...and find herself as she was before she lost her matesprit }}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ....do you think thats possible}}

Cinare’s face is sympathetic.

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: I think she çould. I like to think she çould. }}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: I think deep down she knows what’s right. And that çounts for something.}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .maybe she can leave the city}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..she told me about this farm she found with a group of children }}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ...there was one in particular she spoke to who said they traded food in exchange for sovereignty}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ....she said they were committed to nonviolence}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: That’s so sweet.}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .i know you think secily cant choose to be good}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..and a lot of times youre right}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ...but i dont think ive ever seen her so proud of someone before}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ....she really loved them even if they hated what she was}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: Maybe you çan talk her into going baçk there when she’s done with this.}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .i think she would like that}}

She takes out another cigarette.

====>How the data was stolen.====

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: I çan think of a çouple ways it çould happen, but there’s one that’s foolproof. }}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: Way baçk in the day, there was a baçk door into Çorporate’s data network that çould be aççessed through the GPS teçh they put in their trailers. }}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: There was some bad programming in the aççount indiçes that let anyone with a truçkers’ liçense make an admin aççount. }}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: Most folks who took advantage of it got rooted out pretty early beçause they thought it’d be funny to fuçk up the sçhedules with, like, bulge jokes and shit. }}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: And some others figured they çould çheat the system to assign themselves easy jobs. }}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: But I wouldn’t be surprised if some people still had aççess to it. No way Çorporate walks away from that big of a sçrewup without it çoming baçk to bite ‘em.}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .and this is useful data}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..the kind worth paying for}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: You wouldn’t believe the kinds of partiçulars you çould pull with those çredentials. }}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: Any truçk, any çargo, any time. }}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: Sestro çould take a shit and mail it and you’d know.}}

Gross.

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .can you think of anyone suspicious }}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..perhaps a client who seemed to be too informed}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: Not off the top of my head. It’s been a while sinçe I’ve seen a lot of my regulars. }}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: Well, açtually... Wait, there is one person. }}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: Gods, what was her name?}}

She crosses her arms and stares off into the distance, trying to remember.

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: Remind me about this when we get baçk to my shop. I might know of someone you çan look into.}}

She looks back to you.

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: Was there anything else, or was that all you needed?}}

====>How Cinare lost her job.====

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: You really want to know? }}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: I feel like it would just make you sad. }}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: Or it would just make me seem like an ass.}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .you dont have to tell me }}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..i just want to understand what youve been through}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: Sure, sure… }}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: Okay, here goes. }}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: So when I was pretty young, I would spend a lot of time wandering at nights.}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: I was trying to figure out how far I çould stretçh my survival ability, so I tried to stay awake for as long as possible. }}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: I would piçk a direçtion, then just walk for hours to kill time.}}

<nowiki>{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .because your survival ability lets you stay awake right}</nowiki>

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: Right. }}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: Well, this one night I had walked farther than I had ever walked before. I was exçited, right? My little kid brain was like, ‘What if I find something no one’s ever seen before?’}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: And I ended up walking all the way to the depths.}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: There were these, like, mountains of garbage. Just massive piles of shit people threw away that had washed baçk up on shore. }}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: It smelled awful. Like you wouldn’t believe. }}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: But just before I turned to book it, I heard someone. }}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: I don’t know if you’ve ever heard what someone sounds like when they çan’t sçream anymore. Like after they’ve been yelling for hours. }}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: It was this like, rasping, heaving noise. Çrying and çhoking all at once. }}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: I followed it down the shore. And, there-}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: *sniff* }}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: There was this guy down there. One of the mountains had shifted and he got his leg run through by this old metal wiring, so he was bleeding into the sand, and-}}

She takes a breath.

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: There was this other guy just... watching him. }}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: Waiting for him to die.}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: But the guy down there saw me, and he pointed at me and kept trying to yell. }}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: The other guy must’ve gotten freaked out or something, because when he saw me too he jumped up and started digging around in the guy’s çlothes. }}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: He just stole his money and ran away. }}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: And the guy kept on trying to sçream for me to help him, but I was so sçared...}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: And I... }}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: I ran away too.}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .oh gods cinare}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: I know. I know. I was so stupid. I didn’t know what to do. }}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: But as I kept getting older, I kept telling myself that I was never going to beçome that. I was never gonna be like that, you know?}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: I was going to have money. And I was going to be important enough that someone would çome for me.}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: So as soon as I was old enough, I applied to work at Çorporate. }}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: And I gave them ''everything.'' Sweeps of my life. }}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: They asked me to do some awful things to people. I didn’t even think twiçe about it. }}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: Beçause I was gonna be important enough that someone would çome. }}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: When I met you I had just gotten promoted to the big leagues.}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: And it was so weird, beçause no one there was any better than the plaçes I’d been before. They were all just people. }}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: People who did horrible things. And I was one of them.}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: But you weren’t horrible, Shiri. You helped people. }}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: I...}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: One day they told me I was gonna have to çut çorporate assistançe to like, ‘low-priority individuals’, and I was like, what the hell does that even mean, ‘low-priority?’ }}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: They just meant people like me. People they çould afford to replaçe. }}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: And I was going to do it. I had the phone in my hand. }}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: But I started thinking about that guy who just... watçhed.}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: Watçhed someone die just to take his money... }}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: And I çouldn’t do it. }}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: I called my boss baçk and told him to stiçk it. }}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: But he just passed it on to someone else, and they çut it anyway. }}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: I swear I sçreamed for hours when I found out. }}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: I started thinking, like, why would anyone çome for me now?}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: What have I done to deserve being saved? }}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: The only thing I çould think to do was to go to the Exeçutive about it. }}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: And... well. }}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: You know how that turned out.}}

You lean into her. She pulls you closer.

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: You know, for a while I was worried you liked Seçily better than me beçause she wasn’t already fuçked. }}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: Like, that the differençe between me and her was that she was still fighting and I already gave up.}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .but you didnt give up}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: No, you’re right. I know that now. }}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: It’s just hard for me to get out of that headspaçe. }}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: She’s so muçh like I was.}}

For a moment, the two of you are silent, but Cinare quickly shakes off her funk.

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: Pheeeew! Alright, now that that’s over... }}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: Ask me something else. Gimme another one, Shiri.}}

[After asking all of the questions.]

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: Oh, is that it?}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .well}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..i did want to ask you one other thing}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: Shoot.}}

''You decide to ask...''

====If Cinare is serious about leaving.====

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: Yeah. I think I am. }}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: I mean, not without you of çourse, but I think it would be really good for me to get out of here.}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .and you wouldnt be worried about leaving everything behind}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: Well, that’s just it: I don’t really have muçh left here. I çould find a bunçh of truçkers to work with anywhere.}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: The only thing I’d want to stiçk around for is you.}}

You think about that for a moment. It’s strange, the more she talks about it the more you want to run away with her.

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: Why do you ask? }}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: Were you thinking about çoming with me?}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ...}}

You want to say yes. Your heart tells you to say yes.

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: I’m gonna try to talk you into it, ready? }}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: If it gets to be too muçh, just let me know and I’ll baçk off.}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ... }}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .okay.}}

[Secily's POV]

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ She would have died either way. }}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ If not then, then soon after.}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 26.Qc2 How can you say that? How can you know? ...cxd6}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ Let me help you understand something, Regulator Iopara. }}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ People die. Things happen. And it is our job to keep moving forward. }}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ You think I have never been through withdrawal? }}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ You think I have never bonded in 144 sweeps? }}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ I still feel that pain. I have felt that... ache. Every day, for longer than you have been alive.}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 27.h4 Then you know what it means. ...Qg4}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ I know what your mind tells you it is. }}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ We are ''vessels,'' regulator. We carry our pain, and it shapes us. }}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ We learn from it. Just as you should now. }}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ Do you not see how she was holding you back? How much stronger you are now that you have something to fight for?}}

You feel like you are going to be sick.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 28.Rxe3 I will never forgive you. Your actions have cost me everything. ...Bc6}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ Frankly, regulator, I was never asking for your forgiveness. }}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ I am asking you to look past the hate and realize that this is what you were made for. }}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ What we were made for.}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 29.Rxf8+ Respectfully, sir, if this is what I was made for I would have preferred to have never been made. ...Rxf8}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 30.Be4 I will be submitting my resignation. Find someone else. ...Qxh4}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ What are you so afraid of, Iopara? That an old, dying man is going to tell you to do something you didn’t already want to do? }}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ That you are becoming a monster? }}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ How many have you killed, regulator? Where is the line between troll and abomination?}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 31.Bxc6 They found her in a barrel, sir. There was nothing left for me to bury. ...bxc6}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ And I have shoveled piles of dead away to save what is left of this world. }}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ Are you so weak that you refuse to steel your nerve over one woman?}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 32.Re4 ... ...Qh5}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ This is how you survive the future, Iopara. This is the only way forward. }}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ If you leave now, you will destroy any shred of relevance Robiad has left.}}

You don’t know what to do.

You want to leave.

You want to get far, far away from this place.

But...

===>Leave.===

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 33.Qxc6 I have done so much harm, sir. I won't do any more. ...Qd1+}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ This world needs you, Secily. You are the thin line that stands between order and chaos.}}

===>Stay.===

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .there are people who need me here}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: There are people who need you out there, Shiri. People who don't have anyone else.}}

===>Leave.===

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 34.Kh2 With all due respect, sir, there are other regulators. Surely they can handle things. ...Qh5+}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ But not with your touch. Not with the same artistry. You are the only one I trust to watch over them.}}

===>Stay.===

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .but secily needs me here}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: That çan't be an exçuse. You çan't spend the rest of your life living for someone else.}}

===>Leave.===

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 35.Kg3 I... I only lived for her, sir. I cannot continue to serve the same institution that took so much from me. ...Qg5+}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ Then build a new one, and find something to live for. Sestro will listen.}}

===>...===

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: I love you, Mshiri. I know this is a hard deçision, but I'm going to be with you no matter what you deçide. I just want to see you happy.}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|EXECUTIVE: ☊ This may be your only chance to save what little is left, Regulator Iopara. The only thing holding you back from redemption is yourself.}}

===>...===

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .okay }}

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: ..ill leave with you as soon as the case is over}}

===>...===

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 36.Rg4 Yes, sir. ...Qe3+}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 37.Kh2 I will stay, sir. ...Qh6+ ½-½}}

Someday soon, you will walk through the trees outside of here like she does.

You will visit the forests and the cities like your ancestors did, and no matter where you end up you know that that place will be better than here.

This cold won’t last forever, you're sure of it. There will come a time when the suns are pleasant things again.

So you bring her inside as she breaks down. Because you're here with her now.

Because you won't be here forever.

She tells you she needs you.

You tell her you know.

And when the phone rings, you already know who it is.

{{VE Quote|mshiri|MSHIRI: .now might not be the best time cinare}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: Shit, sorry, just one thing. }}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: Have you ever heard of a gal named Yeshin Laevis?}}

You don’t have the heart to tell her.

END

[[Category:Transcript]]

Secily Iopara/Infobox

2024-07-31T11:38:58Z

PassiveJungle: Added Secily's nicknames, because they werent there before appearently

{{Character Infobox
|name = Secily Iopara
|symbol =[[File:Talc.png|30px]]
|symbol2 = [[File:Void.png|30px]]
|complex = <tabber>
|-|Trollodex ▾={{#tag:tabber|
{{!}}-{{!}}Troll Call=[[File:Secily_Troll_Call.png|200px]]}}
|-|Snowbound Blood ▾={{#tag:tabber|
{{!}}-{{!}}Current Secily=[[File:secilysnowbound.png|200px]]
{{!}}-{{!}}Holding Proserpina=[[File:secilysnowbound2.png|300px]]
{{!}}-{{!}}Past Secily=[[File:secilysnowbound3.png|160px]]}}
</tabber>
|aspect = {{Classpect|Void}}
|status = Deceased
|genid = She/Her (Trans Woman)
|age = {{Age|21}}
|relations = [[Arcamu Iopara|{{Color|arcamu|Arcamu Iopara}}]] - Ancestor [[Ahlina Robiad]] - Ex-[[Quadrants#Matespritship/Flushed Quadrant ♥|matesprit]] (Bonded. Deceased.) [[Yeshin Laevis|{{VE Quote|yeshin|Yeshin Laevis}}]] - [[Quadrants#Kismesissitude/Caliginous Quadrant ♠|Kismesis]] (Bonded.) [[Mshiri Libeta|{{VE Quote|mshiri02|Mshiri Libeta}}]] - [[Quadrants#Moirallegiance/Pale Quadrant ♦|Moirail]]
|caption = {{VE Quote|#0989a0|1.e4 Even suspected threat can often serve as one of the better excuses with which to placate the distractingly powerful. They can relate to the fear of it. ...e5}}
|style = Uses proper syntax. Her prefix and suffix represent a game of chess using chess notation. These chess games are as long as the conversations she has with a specific person or party, allowing for temporary intermissions as well. Talking to a new person starts a new game.
|first = 1359|music={{Music|custom|https://soundcloud.com/gamblignant8/beatriz-secilys-theme|beatriz (Secily's Theme)}} 
{{Music|custom|https://soundcloud.com/gamblignant8/pessimistic-duelist-secilys|pessimistic duelist (Secily's Combat Theme)}} 
{{Music|custom|https://soundcloud.com/pragmaticnihilist/total-recall|Total Recall}} 
{{Music|custom|https://soundcloud.com/pragmaticnihilist/or-else|Or Else.}} 
{{Music|recall-a-winter-long-past-2|RECALL: A Winter Long Past}}
{{Music|iridescent-memories|Iridescent Memories}} 
{{Music|intermission-coda|INTERMISSION: Coda}} 

|screenname=flutteringEpaulette|aka=ses, lily, sesilly, sestupid, iopoppet, sessy}}
<noinclude>
[[Category:Character infoboxes]]
</noinclude>

Snowbound Blood: Volume Nine/Transcript

2024-07-30T17:38:54Z

PassiveJungle: Entered and formatted Glomers route.

{{Stub}}

== Volume Nine Start ==

The gameboard is falling into place.

Figures connected by patterns beyond their comprehension move to their positions, factions come together and opponents are pitted against each other.

The playing field has never been level — but did you ever think it would be? That is not the game at play here.

No, the rules of this game are too complex for you to divine, and unknowable stakes hang in the balance. The resolution of this contest will ripple across a universe far vaster than you have ever suspected.

Perhaps it's for the best that you do not realise your importance. It is a heavy burden to bear, and you already have plenty of those, don't you?

Now, we find ourselves at a turning point. Two players prepare their next moves.

==Glomer Hicner==

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 12.Kc2 ...And you're absolutely positive the sigil you found belongs to Noxious? ...Nf6}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 13.e5 Without a hint of conspiracy or shadow of a doubt? ...Nd5}}

Your partner (conversational and occupational) jogs up to your side once he's finished — direct quote — "crossing knots 'fore facing tots."

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Trust me, this is totes legit. I know it sounds kinda sketch, but it's the real deal. †† }}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† One-hund-ten percent, we're about to blow this fuckin' frozen soda treat stand. †††}}

You wince as he drops that curse so close to the underground. ''Please'', you try to telepathically impart, ''keep it clean down there.''

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † ...You're lookin' at me funny. Some'n wrong with talkin' explosives with the little ankle biters? †}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 14.Nd3 Necron, if you're going to be accompanying me to the reduplication caverns, you need to be on your absolute best behavior. ...f5}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 15.exf6 And that, quite notably, is a very big "if." This is one of the most guarded areas in all of Repiton. ...Nxf6}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 16.h3 You're not a jadeblood, you're not an Enthal, and you are most certainly not a child. It's a miracle ''I'' am permitted to enter. ...Qf5}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 17.hxg4 Do you know the amount of paperwork I'm obligated to fill out for as much as five minutes at the entrance? ...Nxg4}}

Necron gives your rhetorical question some thought. You quirk a brow in his direction before deciding to speed this exchange along.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 18.Rxh6 Keep your mouth clean, is what I'm saying. Unless you'd like a personal talking to from Ms. Hekrix herself. ...Nxh6}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Oh, solid! You'll be able to nosh a twelve course meal off my carb palette, promise. ††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † You know, 'fore it slips my noggin, I thought of a gnarlier way to spin the tale behind me finding that punk aaaa... †}}

You shoot him an ice-cold glare and he scrambles to stick the landing.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Aaaassassinatin' punk's sigil. Heh. Yeah, totes what I was going for there. †}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Anyway, get this, partner... †}}

You have heard it thrice already and really don't need yet another rerun of these events clogging your memory.

As thankful as you are for your PERFECT RECALL, it can sometimes be a double edged sword in your life.

...Assuming it works as intended, that is. You’re trying to get better at not conceptualizing such things about yourself as "perfect", even if you did once take pride in the idea.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 19.Bxf4 Listen, it's quite alright. I promise the story was sufficiently thrilling the first three times. ...Nf7}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Oh ''pshaw'', it don't count as three if you didn’t hear me. You just get so lost in that head of yours sometimes, you don’t even listen! †}}

You try to protest this injustice, but Necron raises a cold, metallic finger up to your lips to shush you. Something inside you shrivels up in distaste.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† I'm serious. If I bite it, I'm gonna need your retelling to be up to snuff. The scene was mammoth as all get out! ††}}

Sigh. You don't actually sigh, but let the record state that you're emotionally exhausted enough to sigh.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † So here's how it goes down. †}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Lovemuffin got an email filled with all kindsa scrambled garbo. Not a real word in the whole doc. Couldn't understand jack, myself. ††}}

It figures that Noxious would be able to get past something as simple as a contact block.

Lovemuffin, you note, is Oricka. The Necron rule of thumb is that any unassigned pet names automatically fall to his matesprit.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † But you know my guppy, sharp as sawblades! Cracked the code in no time flat. †}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† She was all, tip-tap-typing, and then she was all... ††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †††† "I'm in. :darkened_lenses:" ††††}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 20.Qf3 Excuse me. When do I get to hear these alterations you mentioned? This is all painfully familiar so far. ...Kc8}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † I'm getting there, I'm getting there! †}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Look, do you wanna pay due respect to my possible future corpse or nah? ††}}

''Sigh.'' For real, this time.

You get the feeling that he's about to ask where he was before you interrupted him, so you preemptively tell him he was headed to the ruins of the Tom Cruise Memorial Theatre I.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Right! She cracked the code and sent me to check out the coordinates she scavenged. Guess Noxious was a total Tom Cruise nut. †}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Nutty enough to try and fuuu—mess up an already ruined theatre, that is. There was a radio buried under some of the rubble that turned out to be a bomb. ††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† I would've kicked it for real if the countdown had been a second less. Defused it in the nick of time. †††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† I'd seen the model before, so I wasn't exactly... ††}}

Here we go, it's time for the punchline you're more than familiar with. The answer is so ingrained in your mind that you can't help but blurt it out with him.

{{VE quote|secily|SECILY}} & {{VE Quote|necron|NECRON}}: {{VE Quote|secily|21.Nxc7 ''Tuning out.'' ...Bb7}} {{VE Quote|necron|†† ''Blown away.'' ††}}

Wait. What?

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 22.Qg3 I thought you'd said— ...Qg6}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Told you I made changes, didn't I? There it is. "Blown away" works a million times better, don'tcha think? †}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Before it burst, though, it croaked somethin' out in that janky robot voice. ††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †††† "Break down in the database." ††††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† I'd bet my life that it means the reduplication records. Got a hunch there's some kinda double entendre with the whole ''breaking down'' thing. ††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Sigils got themselves some associated meanings, right? I heard a thing or two 'bout there being a buncha concepts linked to them, and that sounds like just the kind of ancient stuff those guys would keep on hand. ††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† That, or he's wrecked shop down there. Which means we should deffo investigate anyways, just to be safe. †††}}

Necron continues to recite the aftermath of his tale, going into the excruciating details of the medical attention he received from Oricka, which you don't really need to hear again.

You're honestly skeptical about there being any immediate danger inside the caverns. That would be a severe crisis, if true, and everything appears to be functioning as normal.

Necron's hunch doesn't entirely convince you either, but Noxious is unpredictable above all else.

You're mostly taking Necron along for technological assistance, if the need for it arises. You and computers don't bode well, and he's picked up a thing or two from his matesprit.

Alright, he's past the gory surgery pun, which means this particular topic is over.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † ...really put the ''surge'' in ''surgeon.'' †}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† So? The new punchline is pretty boss, right? ††}}

At this point, you're familiar enough with Necron to know which way leads to the path of least resistance.

You give him a non-committal nod and stuff your hands in your pockets.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 23.Nxa8 I'll admit, the new version is far more thematically appropriate, but only from an objective standpoint. I enjoyed the humor. Are you finished? ...Bxa8}}

He is. Thank the gods.

You take a deep breath, put on your best professional look of neutrality, and nod in the direction of the cave entrance.

The accouchement golems standing guard over there have probably been incredibly suspicious of you for the past ten minutes. Not the best start, but what can you do.

The two of you stop six feet in front of the constructs. You calmly endure their robotic staredowns and ignore your technophobic nerves with poise and grace.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 24.Re1 Secily Iopara. I'm here for a priority Aleph case. ...Qxg3}}

There's a low whirring as their processors take this information in. Yes, you sure as hell are Secily Iopara, and this sure as hell is the most important mission of them all.

Necron entirely ignores your earlier insistence that you do the talking and strolls up to introduce himself, complete with an offered handshake of his metal hand.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 25.Bxg3 Nec— ...Ncd8}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Necron Exmort, I'm with the genius over here. How's it hangin'? †}}

There's no dramatic build up to the negative-sounding chime that blasts from the speakers in their torsos, as the two of you are flatly denied entrance.

God ''damn'' it.

They swivel their heads toward each other, in a grim reminder that you absolutely hate listening to these things. Their local communication sounds like a tinny version of nails on a chalkboard.

Necron, however, is only dealt a blow to his emotions.

This isn't a matter you're going to take lying down, though. You clear your throat and grab their attention once more.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 26.Bh4 With all due respect, his accompanying me is no light decision. He is a vital asset to the case and absolutely must come with me. ...h6}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 27.Re7 He's fully aware of the importance of keeping to himself, and I'm sure you'll find that I've accounted for the possibility of an appropriate third party in my submitted paperwork. ...Nd6}}

The following series of displeased clicks makes you clench your fists behind your back. You had a feeling this particular leg of your mission would turn out this way, but you keep pressing.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 28.Nf4 I am the ''chief regulator'', and I will have you know that I am perfectly qualified to select my own investigative partners. ...N8f7}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 29.Bd3 Would you like me to call your superiors and explain on your behalf why you played a part in the failure of this case? I am just one phone call away from— ...Bb7}}

You feel a metallic hand clap down on your shoulder, freezing you in your tracks. Your blade hand twitches, as it always does when you're seconds away from pulling it out.

For a moment, you almost forget these intimidation tactics don't work on machines.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Look, Ses, it's fine. I get it. Just go on ahead without me, I'll wait for you outside. ††}}

Normally, you'd be ecstatic at the idea of doing things solo — that's how you've operated for sweeps — but the notion of leaving Necron behind at this junction twists something in your gut.

Marginally, you mean. You're not ''that'' close. But you... think you're close enough that you feel—

Something.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 30.g4 ...Fine. I'll see you soon. ...Bf3}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 31.Ng6 Don't do anything stupid out here while I'm gone. ...Re8}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† Don't worry none 'bout that! Remember to make the right call, Secily. Hang loose. †††}}

Necron raises his hand up in the universally understood signal for hanging loose. You know, the one you make when you're mimicking a phone with your ha—

When he winks at you, it clicks.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 32.Rxe8+ I'll keep in touch. ...Nxe8 ½-½}}

With that, he saunters off, letting you pass through security with the only added hurdle of having your weapons confiscated.

You give Proserpina one last longing glance as you step into the elevator.

...

All at once, you're smacked in the ears with the cries and rampant laughter of all sorts of kids, in all sorts of colors.

This sweep's batch sure is lively. They must have had a larger sample size than usual.

Thankfully, your entry into the CLASS PLAYROOM is but a blip on the radar. All of the young trolls are content to mind their own kid business.

On top of that, you don't see any teachers around. The closest thing to adult supervision you can find is some kind of life-sized Bart Simpson-themed jungle gym in the corner.

If you're quiet, you should be able to get through without alerting anyone. You may have filed your papers for cavern entrance, but the records room is a little above your level of authority.

Slowly, you inch your way around the perimeter of the room, taking great care to look as inconspicuous as possible. Which is, admittedly, not much.

You are nothing but sharp edges, extremely out of place in this bright and harmless playroom. To think these places used to be ''war zones.''

Somehow, you manage to catch Sabine's insignia garishly graffitied on a board to your right and sigh. That kid sure loves his neon. This place must have been an inspiration for him.

You keep hugging the wall, headed toward the door by the far corner. You should be able to scout your—

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|??????: pssst}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|??????: hey uh can i talk to you for a second}}

You freeze in place at the sound of someone much older than you expected.

Figures. You were hoping to make it through without incident — wishful thinking.

Slowly, you turn around to face them.

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: youre secily riGht}}

What the hell is this.

You barely keep yourself from gasping at the sight of a very alive and very moving Bart Simpson.

There was a person ''in'' that thing the whole time???

Ugh. It looks... unsettling.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 1.e4 I. Uh. Yes. Yes I am. I'm here on official business. This is— ...c5}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: yeah i}}

They cut themself off with a big, long yawn that lasts about five seconds longer than the typical one does.

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: i know who you are chief reGulator ive heard the whole nine expanses about you}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: the thinG about bytcon and endari is that they talk a ''lot''}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: word spreads around fast between us for better or worse}}

Wait a minute.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 2.Nf3 You're telling me you're another one of those "Boys" I keep finding myself having to deal with? ...Nc6}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: the four and only}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: and before you ask id like to Make a few thinGs clear}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: the least of My priorities beinG how you even Got here in the first place because iM Most definitely not paid enouGh credit to care}}

Well, that's fortunate, you guess. Still, you can't help but feel offended at how cavalier he's being about his position, on Hamifi's behalf.

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: okay so forGet everythinG youve heard about how we Got our naMe because its all a heapinG pile of nonsense GarbaGe}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: no bytcon didnt win a Medal and no endari didnt see the naMe foretold in the stars and ''no'' crytuM wasnt holdinG a sword and recitinG—}}

You sigh, rubbing a temple.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 3.d4 Stop talking. I assure you I wasn't going to ask about that at all. ...cxd4}}
BART?: yeah you and literally everyone else lMao

It's very strange, not being able to see his face as he's talking. His voice isn't giving you much to work with other than "exhausted."

He's also talking to himself. A lot. It makes you wonder how any of these Boys manage to engage in conversation with each other in a timely fashion.

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: nobody should care because theres not even a story behind it. "the boys" was just a backup naMe we used due to Group indecision}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: thats leGitiMately all there is to know thats it freeze fraMe and roll credits}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: its curtains the whole daMn thinG}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: turnin eat your blood puMper out because were starrinG on whose line with fraser}}

You give him a blank stare as he slowly descends into a barely contained turmoil of his own making.

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: i uh}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: i wanted to be an actor}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: but nope iM stuck as the wriGGlinG day entertainMent for these punkrats}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: or as iM contractually obliGated to call theM: "treasured Guests"}}

Okay, that's quite enough of that, you think. As deeply fascinating as this man's failed career plans sound, you have essential reduplication records to raid.

You start to back away, slowly, hoping he won't notice you moving a hair at a time.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 4.Nxd4 There's a wriggling day, is there? Please, tell me more. ...g6}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: Man i dont know if there even is one today. iM usually forced to perforM anyway so i stopped keepinG track}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: its like nobody around here has little enouGh diGnity to put on an uGly cartoon Mascot suit}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: i know! real shocker}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: careful you better pick your jaw off the floor before soMe snotnubbed preadolescent rollerskates over it}}

You're almost there. Your hand is on the handle and boy are you glad he just keeps talking. You can slip away and leave, uh, "Bart" to his duties the moment he looks the other way.

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: and then they have the nerve to call Me a substitute teacher like theyre not perfectly aware that—}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: okay i know youre busy but like you can just say that you need to leave instead of backinG away like iM tryinG to kill you}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: you really cant be sneakinG around Me when My Moirail is a fuckinG MaGician}}

You know what, you don't even know what you were thinking, trying to vanish right in front of his eyes. The suit must be throwing you off.

Well, if he's going to keep being a thorn in your side, you figure you'll at least make him a useful one.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 5.c4 Very well. ...Bg7}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 6.Be3 You are going to tell me how to gain access to the populace database. ...Nf6}}

You level him with one of your best intimidating, official stares.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 7.Nc3 It's non-negotiable. ...Ng4}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: sounds wronG considerinG i havent seen the records rooM actually but alriGht}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: question}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: More of a stateMent really}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: i dont care at all about what youre doinG}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 8.Nxc6 You're aware that I'm the chief regulator. It is undoubtedly in your best interest to cooperate. ...Nxe3}}}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: yeah thats what you all say when you need us to do soMethinG we dont wanna do}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: you really are a leGit reGulator iM sorry for ever doubtinG your skills}}

He says it with enough derision to make your expression sour.

Whatever. If he hasn't seen the database, then he's of even less use to you than before.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 9.Nxd8 In that case, I've other people who can assist me. Good day. ...Nxd1}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: well la-dee-da if your secret assistant is so useful to your Mission then why didnt you brinG theM in with your fancy pants security clearance}}

Ah. Slip of tongue. Your eyebrow twitches in irritation.

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: thats a rhetorical question iM not invested in this scenario in the sliGhtest}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 10.Nxd1 It's none of your concern, as a matter of fact, so it works out for us both. ...Kxd8}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: okay so youre sayinG you tried and failed}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: (story of My life lMao)}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: bet ten loops you tried to walk riGht in with theM before the GoleMs showed the poor sucker the door}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 11.Rc1 ''None of your concern.'' ...b6}}

You can tell you replied just a hair too quickly as soon as the words leave your mouth. Not that it matters. You are still here on official business.

You turn around and prepare to shut the door on him, but something he says catches your attention.

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: Man wouldnt life be so Much easier if you could just Get theM inside soMehow}}

He says it with the precise amount of forced wistfulness needed to convey that he's offering you a deal. You pause, then you curse under your breath before turning toward him again.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 12.Bd3 You have ten words to explain yourself. ...Bb7}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: i can sMuGGle theM in if you take over for Me}}

You squint at him.

Even with his previous carelessness, you're stunned to see a jadeblood make such an offer.

You know that's his caste, for the record, due to his being neither an Enthal nor a child. Accouchement golems can't speak your language, so they're also off the table. Process of elimination.

You make a mental note to let Hamifi know about this little... attitude as soon as you're out of here.

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: do i Get to explain the terMs and conditions or are you just Gonna keep GlarinG at Me}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: youre not MeltinG the bart suit with whatever eye lasers you think you have lady this thinG absorbs heat like no ones business}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: for the record this deal May very well leave you broken by the end of it on several eMotional and psycholoGical levels}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: better Get used to the ripe stench of sweat and fear because it will Most definitely replace a Majority of your priMary Gray Matter functions}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: full disclosure its Mostly Gonna be sweat}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 13.b3 Ugh. Stop wasting my time. Tell me what I need to know. ...f5}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: you see this}}

Bart(?) motions over to the rest of the playroom. It's every jade's ideological paradise — a full gaggle of kids, safe and sound.

Normally, classes are split between the higher and lower shades — mainly just for ease of teaching physiological and social differences.

Jades and sea dwellers, on the other hand, are rare enough to get their own separate classes. "Honor students", as the official designation goes. At playtime, though, they all converge.

The only thing missing from this perfect picture is a teacher explaining something academy or safety-related.

...And the mandatory Cha Cha Slide time. There's always a required level of Cha Cha Slide competency for these kids to worry about.

Despite it all, Bart(?) is showing the place off with the same enthusiasm one would harbor for a garbage dump.

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: this is the first circle of My own personalized hell}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: i have to watch and entertain these "treasured Guests" so i cant leave this place}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 14.exf5 Then why aren't you currently participating in your duties? ...Bxg2}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: iM on break riGht now}}

But... he's still here. He was being crawled all over.

He answers your question before you can properly formulate it.

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: if the Grubs are left totally unattended haMifi is Gonna turn Me into pre-particalized cubed Meat}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: she just... knows soMehow}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: she always knows}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: but thats where you coMe in}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: if you wear the bart suit youre halfway there to beinG a perfect replica of Me}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: (lose your faith in trollkind and youre the other half coMplete lMao)}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: honestly takinG care of these little Guys isnt even all that hard they only ever want like three thinGs anyway}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: suGar, stiMulation and siMpsons shit}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: the only solace i find on the daily is hopinG that our ancestors suffered just as hard as we did dealinG with theM}}

This is the most ridiculous undercover mission plan you have ever witnessed and your acting chops are still abhorrent, but you'll take what you can get.

Besides, you have some experience caring for grubs. You think you can handle grubsitting. Even if they're technically a little older than grubs by this point.

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: and while youre keepinG these volatile brats sated i head out with a biGGer costuMe and sneak your partner in}}

All things considered, it sounds vaguely reasonable. You have your doubts it'll function as planned, but it's not like you have any moral objections.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 15.Rg1 Fine. But what's the catch? What are you asking for in return? ...Bc6}}

You somehow get the impression that he's giving you a blank stare.

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: uh what are you talkinG about}}

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: did i not Mention that i Get to leave My post}}

Doesn't he just sound like Employee of the Blink material. You’re sure Necron would want to have some words about his work ethic.

You give your new accomplice a nod that says ''yes, you're willing to do this.'' He brushes past you and into the break room.

{{VE Quote|#FF4200|BART?: cMon the suits are in here. cant chanGe around theM or else theyll find out that barts not real}}

You never did see the point of lying to kids about this sort of thing, but you shake those thoughts and follow him inside.

The break room is far less chaotic than the play area. Well... in comparison. By itself it's still a bit of a sty.

You close the door behind you just in time to witness Bart decapitating himself.

Man, it's hitting you just how ''big'' this thing's head is, now that the troll underneath isn't wearing it anymore.

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: iM GloMer btw}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: not that its any of YOUR business either but tellinG people that My naMes nunnya biznis is GettinG kind of old since they usually believe Me}}

Glomer is already getting rid of his costume, which you suspect is a bigger source of joy to him than he's letting on. You decline to comment on the matter and take the head from his hands so he can unzip himself.

You stare into those bulbous, lifeless eyes, trying to muster the courage to don the mask for yourself. You're mostly just afraid it will snag on a horn.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 16.Ne3 You're sure this will fit? I'd really rather not get it stuck. I like my dignity just fine where it is. ...Be5}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: fun fact actually}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: bart siMpson was desiGned to have a biG head because he was oriGinally Gonna be a live action character so they had to fit an actors horns inside the Mask}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: Guess they just Grew attached to the elonGated head cuz it Gave the extra benefit of MakinG his facial expressions More apparent with the new proportions when he turned into a cartoon instead}}

As off-topic as this is, it's admittedly somewhat fascinating. You glance at Glomer's horns and nod with a neutral hum. Interesting move.

Glomer soon sheds his suit in full, and you glance back at the window in the door that's exposing you both to the children that still don't know that Bart's not real. And here you are, holding his head.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 17.fxg6 I'm no schooling expert, but I do find it curious that the break room is so... connected to the playroom. You're not worried about people seeing you through the windows? ...hxg6}}

You've started to dress yourself by reverse-engineering the process you just saw. It's not bioscience, but it is a little bit embarrassing.

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: nah its a one-way Mirror they cant see shit in here}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: they want us to be able to scout the rooM for danGer in case of eMerGencies but theres not been an incident in sweeps}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: you know what the last one was?}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: a God daMned fuckinG skulltitan burrowed its way up froM the core}}

Glomer's rooting around in the closet for something. The bigger outfit that he's going to use to sneak Necron in, you assume.

You should probably let Necron know about that, actually.

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: that uGly pile of niGhtMares barGed riGht in and turned the whole place into beef jerky}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: killed a few kids and teachers in the process}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: i think it took a little clayblood Girl? we dunno what the deal was with that but she was never seen aGain, at least not officially}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: just had to assuMe she was as Good as dead}}

For someone who was complaining about Bytcon and Endari being so talkative, he sure is happy to run his mouth.

You get the impression that he doesn't usually have the chance to speak his mind like this — especially with such a colorful vocabulary going on.

You're still working on fitting your arms into the outfit by the time Glomer emerges in a uniform even more absurd than the one he was wearing earlier.

You somehow recognize it as Bart's lusus, Santa's Little Helper, despite your complete lack of interest in the show. There's enough room for a second person in the back, which currently paints a sad, deflated picture.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 18.Rxg6 Don't you think it's going to be suspicious, exiting with two working legs and coming back with four? The guards aren't fools. ...Bxh2}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: no no no check this out}}

There's some shuffling, and then the sound of wooden stilts clacks against the floor as the empty, sagging space in the back starts to fill up.

He parades around the room a little. Sure enough, the suit looks well occupied.

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: yeah its a two peep costuMe but they never actually Give Me a partner to work this thinG}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: i just kinda fiGured it out i Guess}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: God itll be a relief to actually have soMeone else in here for once}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 19.Ke2 Impressive. Just make sure you don't arouse any suspicion. ...e6}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 20.Rg4 I am putting a lot of frankly unwarranted trust in you. If you let me down, you will be hearing from me again. ...Rf8}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: oh nooo consider Me spooked to shit or whatever}}

Alright, you're both suited up. There's just one more step before your disguise is complete.

===Put on the mask.===

The first thing you notice is your limited vision. You should be able to avoid colliding with obstacles, but it's still mildly inconveniencing.

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: hMM}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 21.Be4 That sounds like a bad "hmm". Does it not fit properly? Do I have it on incorrectly? ...Bxe4}}

Unfortunately, the one-way mirror Glomer mentioned earlier is the wrong way around for you to get a good look at yourself. Glomer shakes his head and sighs.

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: how do i put this delicately and also in terMs you wont kill Me for}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: you look way too straiGht edGe for the part}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: put your back way less into it. stop puffinG your chest out. let your posture be lost to the void}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: or dont idfk kids are duMb and wont notice}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: i Mean you definitely dont have My voice so were probably fucked anyway but ill enjoy the extended break while it lasts}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: Good luck out there, My condolences etc etc}}

And with that, Glomer marches towards the door you both came through, only to come to a stop right in front of it.

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: uh}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: could you uM}}

You get the message and open the door yourself. He shuffles out like the sad, sad creature he is, and you lose sight of him.

Okay, Secily, time to take care of some children. You've got this. You're meant to act like a character you have no knowledge of, but you've got this.

You return to the playroom, sporting your best slouch and making a point to shuffle your feet on the way in.

Now that you have a moment alone, you quietly tell YVES to contact Necron.

===''[Choice Section]''===

====>Be Secily.====

At your command, YVES awakens and establishes a connection to your partner waiting just outside.

Thankfully, he answers almost immediately.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Hey-hey, what's the goss, bud? †}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 1.e4 Necron, good news. We're getting you inside. ...c5}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † No fake? That rocks! What's the plan, gimme the armament and I can comply. †}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 2.Nf3 No mechanical attachments necessary. Just keep a lookout for a troll in a Santa's Little Helper costume. We're smuggling you in. ...Nc6}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† That's righteous, Secily, you're a legend! ††}}

To your dismay, there's a little troll wandering toward you with a curious look. Shit, you think they heard you. Maybe you should have done this in the break area.

You clear your throat and deepen your voice, putting on the best Glomer impression you can muster.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 3.d4 (That is to say, uh, smuggling your trousers into my digestive tract, because I am Bart. I am eating your trousers. Run along, now.) ...cxd4}}

Your Glomer impression is piss poor.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † ... †}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Is this, like, code for something or...? †}}

''Shit.'' You can't lean away from your calling device when it's stuck to your ear at all times. You shoo the kid off with a wave before resuming your talk in hushed tones.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 4.Nxd4 No, I'm stuck grubsitting in a Bart costume. What could that possibly be code for? ...d6}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Hey, don't you reckon me not being able to wrap my head around it means it'd be good code? †}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 5.Nc3 Look, just. ...g6}}

This small child does not want to leave. They say something about a... "cowabunga"? Is that a thing Bart says?

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 6.Be3 (Mhm, yes, cowabunga to you too.) ...Bg7}}

You really should just end the conversation as quickly as possible, before this infant gets enough dirt on you to rat you out.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 7.Be2 Lusus costume leaving the caverns soon. I have to go. ...½-½}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Cowabung—? ††}}

''Click.''

Necron has all the information he needs, he'll be perfectly fine. You turn your attention to the child who is now climbing your leg.

As gently as you can, you scoop your hands underneath their tiny armpits and pry them off of your strangely proportioned puppet body. They are deposited back on the floor.

You give them a pat between the horns and walk off in the direction of a small whiteboard near the front of the room. That should tide them over for a second.

Oh no.

You freeze like a statue when you see Hamifi enter the room, a sleeping grub tucked in her arms and a... smile on her face?

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: I heard it was somebody's special day! Where's my little wriggling day hero?∞}}

She hands you the grub with immense care, who you instinctually take in your confused daze.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: Don't drop them this time.∞}}

You stare, mute, as she wraps her arms around the boy who runs up to her in a warm hug.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: Gosh, you've grown so much since I saw you last! Keep this up and you'll be taller than me before you know it.∞}}

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: Oh dear, I think it's already happening. You're growing up so fast!∞}}

There's a genuine, ''bright'' sparkle in her eyes as she lifts the kid high above her head, earning a chorus of giggles from the crowd as the "wriggling day hero" enjoys his newfound height.

You used to play with her and Sestro both, once. Not exactly in this manner — you were never the most externally excitable person, even around children. But similar enough for you to feel a sting behind your eyes.

You don't remember the last time you've seen Hamifi smile like that.

You feel... upset. You feel a lot of things all at once, difficult to untangle. You feel like this was not meant for your eyes.

Is this what she wanted, when she was in their place? What she wished you could have been?

A hole swells inside you as you watch her, caught in a limbo of regret and deep, cutting affection.

The sound of a high-pitched yawn draws your attention to the infant in your arms.

They are so small.

It suddenly hits you that you've never held a grub before. You became acquainted with Sestro and Hamifi after they'd pupated and left school, so this is a first for you.

Curiosity doesn't exactly strike you — it more gently rests a hand on your shoulder.

The first thing grubs do when they're reduplicated is name themselves in the DENOMINATION LOGE. You can't help but wonder, though. Wonder if you could just...

Sort of. Guess?

=====''[Choice Section]''=====

======Guess name.======
[PLAYER INPUTS A GRUB NAME.]

[If playerGrubName is Arcjec, Voorat, Taz, Tazsia, Poemme, Albion, Shukra, Dismas, Mersiv, Murrit, Turkin, Laivan, Ferroo, Calder, Kerian, Serpaz, Helilo, Sova, Sovara, Amalie, Jentha, Briati:]

...

You are hit with the strange feeling that this name would lead to colossal misfortune. As such, you change your mind.

[If playerGrubName is Gaiaeon, Kheparia, Metatron, White Noise, Mimesis, Arch Nemesis, Zehanpuryu, Azbogah, Bathkol, Forcas, Gusion, Haniel, Lilith, Wormwood, Procel, Sorush, Jegudiel, Af:]

Do not play with fires you cannot control, Secily.

[If playerGrubName is Aumtzi, Maught, Weird Al, Hulk Hogan, Talald, Hieron, Pozzol, Broyer, Edolon, Vryche, Seinru, Narako:]

A shiver travels down your spine, unbidden. You immediately reconsider.

[If playerGrubName is Noxious:]

Absolutely the fuck not. The idea of naming a grub after that scumbag makes you want to throw up.

[If playerGrubName is Turnin, Kaikai:]

There are many a troll who would want their descendant named after Turnin Kaikai. You've never been one to follow that whole craze, though, so you think you'll refrain.

[If playerGrubName is Secily, Iopara:]

No. You would not place this burden on another person.

[If playerGrubName is Sestro, Enthal, Hamifi, Hekrix, Mshiri, Libeta, Oricka, Rourst, Yeshin, Laevis, Necron, Exmort, Ahlina, Robiad:]

...No. Too personal. Also kind of fucking weird?

[If playerGrubName is Ellsee, Raines, Occeus, Coliad, Bytcon, Krypto, Cadlys, Rankor, Sirage, Feltri, Husske, Mayzee, Rypite, Koldan, Crytum, Lydian, Sabine, Berare, Raurou, Dersal, Hayyan, Refero, Valtel, Gurtea, Cinare, Montor, Glomer, Hicner, Gerbat, Batrav, Endari, Vernir, Cretas, Mglina:]

You may have spent too many late nights reading the case files.

[IF THE NAME IS ACCEPTABLE]

[If playerGrubName is Austin, Austinado, Heather, Sparaze, Xam, Xamag, Dee, Kate, Kohi:]

[playerGrubName] has a nice ring to it. You nod, mentally high fiving yourself for such great taste in names.

-

[If playerGrubName is pragmaticNihilist:]

What a mouthful of a name. And pretentious, too. Nice one, Secily, you really know how to pick 'em.

-

[If playerGrubName is Charlie, Caloch:]

[playerGrubName] seems like an artistically pleasing name to you, despite art not really being your thing. It just clicks.

-

[If playerGrubName is Alien, Alienoid]:

[playerGrubName] starts babbling non-stop in your hands now that they're awake. Yeah, this name works, you think to yourself. You're taking the chattiness as agreement.

-

[If playerGrubName is Bart:]

Is it creepy if someone in a Bart costume assimilates an infant? Perhaps. Would it be on-brand with the show? Probably also yes.

There's a reason you don't watch television shows these days.

-

[If playerGrubName is Lup, Biscuit, Mocha, Peko, Tiny, Sneeze:]

You guess the grub's name to be [playerGrubName]. You're not sure why, but for the briefest of moments, you feel a pang of serenity.

-

[If playerGrubName is less than six characters:]

Deciding not to get too six-letter-formal about the occasion, you nickname the grub [playerGrubName].

-

[If playerGrubName is six characters or more:]

You guess that this grub's name is [playerGrubName]. You think it's fitting, but you admittedly don't know much about names or wordology.

-

[playerGrubName] gargles at you and wiggles their little feet, and you can't help but feel something tugging at your blood pusher. Seems like [playerGrubName] trusts you.

-

It feels kind of nice.

-

======Don't guess name.======

You decide not to try and guess the grub's name. This is just an excuse to divert your thoughts, anyway.

-

Hamifi finishes smothering the wriggling day kid with affection before standing back up.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: I'll be taking our treasured guest back, now.∞}}

Grub safely tucked in her arms again, she speaks to the audience of children that seems to adore her to bits and pieces.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: Behave yourselves, alright? I'll be back with a special treat soon. It rhymes with bake.∞}}

Her eyes crinkle at the corners.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: I'm so proud of you all.∞}}

The kids erupt into excitement, more than happy about the notion of stuffing themselves full with pre-processed dessert. Hamifi waves them goodbye before turning to you.

Her tone immediately shifts to something more familiar to you.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: Break room.∞}}

You can't refuse — not unless you want to completely blow your cover and waste a ''lot'' of time explaining a lot of things while under great (and angry) scrutiny.

She opens the door and you follow, still feeling off-kilter.

You fear she may have already caught on to your identity, with the way she's staring not only daggers but entire chainsaws at you.

As soon as the door closes, her even tone is drenched into toxin.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: Listen closely and don't make me repeat myself.∞}}

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: We keep a very strict schedule down here, optimised for developing children. I don't take kindly to chronological deviations.∞}}

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: And I ''especially'' don't take kindly to you coming down here and ruining our perfect system.∞}}

At this point, you're almost biting your tongue hard enough to bleed. If you so much as let out a breath out of turn, you know she'll drag you by the ear to exile, or worse.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: You can mull your decisions over while you tend to some matters for me, Glomer.∞}}

A wave of relief washes over you. You stand more to attention, trying to seem obedient.

She gives you a funny look before continuing.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: I need you to prepare one of the lowblood classrooms for the wriggling day party we're holding after recess. You'll be lent an accouchement golem to aid with cleaning.∞}}

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: Remember, accouchement golems are not toys. They are school assistants, caretakers of children and classrooms. They are not bodyguards to block the closet for you to nap in.∞}}

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: The banners are in the supply closet, as always. Every desktop should have a goodie bag and two napkins on the top left corner, and a plate in the center.∞}}

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: You are also required to prepare the cake. The instructions are on the box; they ''should'' be basic enough for even you to follow.∞}}

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: If you make another cake-related mistake and force us to order from Dersal again, you'll be hearing from '''The Principal.'''∞}}

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: You're already enough of a liability to the caste without having to bring in both of its busiest integrants for your next performance review.∞}}

Her eyes narrow into slits.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: I suggest you fool around ''wisely'', if you must.∞}}

Hamifi continues to give you instructions in excruciating detail, speed and brutality. You're lucky enough to be able to absorb every last word, but you're a special case. Glomer, you'd imagine, is fucked.

By the time she finishes her laundry list of assignments, you get a very clear idea of why Glomer is so exhausted.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: Are we clear?∞}}

You give her a neutral nod.

Now's usually the part where Hamifi gives you a neutral nod in return and vanishes into the darkness, but not this time. This time, she's pausing quite noticeably.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: ...You seem awfully quiet. I do hope you're not sleeping on the job.∞}}

You shake your head. She still seems suspicious, eyeing you up and down.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: Are you unwell? You're not yourself today. What's the meaning of this shift in attitude, hm?∞}}

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: One might call it downright suspect.∞}}

She's waiting for you to answer, which is really, really bad. Your mind is racing for an escape, but the emergency exit seems intent on fucking off into the distance.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: Answer me when I'm talking to you. I don't have the time for games.∞}}

She leans in closer, as if trying to peer into your eyes through the mask. You lean back ever so slightly, panic starting to claw at you.

You—

''Beep beep. Beep beep. Beep beep.''

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: ...∞}}

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: I believe I've told you to keep your personal device on silent, Glomer.∞}}

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: This call will be coming out of your next deposit.∞}}

You can't help but mouth a silent apology to Glomer. You know damn well this one doesn't care for any time off whatsoever.

She opens the door to leave, but not before getting one last word in.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: Don't forget: you're on Corporate time and money. I would be very, very careful about wasting either in the
future.∞}}

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: You're here forever, after all.∞}}

And then she's gone.

You sit in silence (minus insistent ringing) for a few seconds. This whole situation has given you a non-negligible amount of whiplash.

YVES is keen on interrupting your every attempt to introspect, however, so you accept the call to hiss at the other end of the line that you're preoccupied.

Just as you open your mouth, a big white dog costume walks in, very possibly with Necron in tow. Even more reason to shut your device up.

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] SECILY IOPARA—}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 1.d4 I'll call you back. ...Nf6}}

You hang up immediately.

-

[If you have not picked "Be the other guy."] yet]

''Minutes in the past, but not many...''

-

====Be the other guy.====

You are now NECRON EXMORT.

You've been doing your best to kill time out here, 'cause the last thing you'd ever do is ditch your new pal.

Unfortunately, it's starting to sink in just how much you ''blow'' at waiting. This is most certainly unexcellent.

You wonder if it'd be a bad call to go back to your truck and listen to some good ole classics. Takes just two notes to relish in the ancient history of Smash—

Oh, your palm pilot's goin' off (that’s what you call your phone because you get a major kick out of it). Secily must've not bitten the dust down there.

You pick up before the third beep can finish ringing.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Hey-hey, what's the goss, bud? †}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 1.e4 Necron, good news. We're getting you inside. ...c5}}
Aw, hell yes!

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † No fake? That rocks! What's the plan, gimme the armament and I can comply. †}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 2.Nf3 No mechanical attachments necessary. Just keep a lookout for a troll in a Santa's Little Helper costume. We're smuggling you in. ...Nc6}}

You knew you could count on her.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† That's righteous, Secily, you're a legend! ††}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 3.d4 (That is to say, uh, smuggling your trousers into my digestive tract, because I am Bart. I am eating your trousers. Run along, now.) ...cxd4}}

Say ''what'' now? You scratch the back of your neck, tryin' to puzzle this one out.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † ... †}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Is this, like, code for something or...? †}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 4.Nxd4 No, I'm stuck grubsitting in a Bart costume. What could that possibly be code for? ...d6}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Hey, don't you reckon me not being able to wrap my head around it means it'd be good code? †}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 5.Nc3 Look, just. ...g6}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 6.Be3 (Mhm, yes, cowabunga to you too.) ...Bg7}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 7.Be2 Lusus costume leaving the caverns soon. I have to go. ...½-½}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Cowabung—? ††}}

''Click.''

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † ...a? †}}

Well, that was a rousing match of good news, weird news. 'Least you don't have to keep twiddling your thumbs forever. Just a bit of a waiting game.

Which is... kinda what it was before, 'cept now it's a shorter one.

Let the record state, for the record, that you're not confused on the correct applications of cowabunga. You are intimately familiar with those.

Secily using it, though? Now THAT'S something that sounds a smidge out of character, you reckon. She might actually need your help if she's started spewing that sorta stuff.

Hm... The school is deffo capable of cognitive suggestion, 'cause it's how you all are raised. You did your own time with desensitization osmosis like any other fresh grub.

Ah, the memories of when you were stuffed into that dark industrial tank filled with numbing goo, so you could take a nap for a sweep and be psychologically spoonfed the rules of life and shit.

Before you can get too deep into your Secily Mind Control Theory, you catch the nearby golems spinnin' their gears about something.

That must be your in. You lean against your truck all smooth-like and psych yourself up to make a BANANAS first impression.

...Oh. Oh, ''wow.'' Man, Secily really was being literal. Which you should have kind of expected.

As soon as the fuckin' massive cloth barkbeast shuffles its way out of the guard's field of view, you give 'em a little wave. You totally fail to hide a snicker.

{{VE Quote|glomer|??????: aw fuck God daMn it dont tell Me ive just been punked}}

Well, "how do you do" to you too, dude.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Nope, fresh outta punks over here, sweetheart. As us professionals in the business say, this is legit. †}}

<nowiki>{{VE Quote|glomer|</nowiki>{{VE Quote|necron|??????: okay i Get why you werent allowed inside the caverns}}

<nowiki>{{VE Quote|glomer|</nowiki>{{VE Quote|necron|??????: you know besides the fact that you Most definitely dont fit the very strict criteria for entry in the sliGhtest}}

<nowiki>{{VE Quote|glomer|</nowiki>{{VE Quote|necron|??????: actually no not besides that fact at all thats the entire reason}}

''Yeouch.'' What's that bad mood for? Welp, no problemo no how. You try to give this cranky new person your most personable smile.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† I was told you'd be givin' me a grabfrond with that, some way or some how. Are you in or are you skin, my pal? ††}}

They exhale hard enough to physically deflate a little. Someone really woke up in the wrong recuperacoon today, huh.

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: my pals a Great way to pronounce GloMer Good job Man keep doinG that}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: as for your OTHER Genius plan}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: Great idea just chanGe in front of the Guards because we all have the strateGic aptitude of actual children around here}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: i would know thats My whole GiG}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: cMon iM riskinG My entire lifes savinGs for this were hidinG soMewhere first}}

Cover, he says? You give the darling ride behind you a pat, almost overwhelmed with your usual truck-induced burst of affection.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Well, I'd say this about covers it, don'tcha think? †}}

Wait, fuck, ''damn it'' you shoulda said you had ''him'' covered. That would've been so much better.

You stuff the idea inside your brain box for later, whenever this very specific set of circumstances crops up again. You never know.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † By the by, the name's Necron. Exmort. †}}

Your new buddy Glomer grumbles something real bitter-sounding under his breath as he circles around your truck. You pay his "enthusiasm" no mind and follow.

He's already zipping the whole shebang open for you to climb in. You appreciate the moxie, even if he's assigned you the ass region. Only fair, you suppose. You're kind of a stowaway here.

Guess it just goes to show you're a real ass-et. Or, hm. That you can really ass-ist him. There's a couple contenders rattlin' around in your head already, so you'll keep workshopping your inevitable one-liner.

You figure this is a good enough opportunity to bond with your brand new hero over here.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † So tell me, honey-bunch, how's it feel to be on a mission to save the world? †}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: what}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† Well, I sure ain't tryin' to stir up trouble here! I wanna help, s'why I'm busting so much to get in. †††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Secily an' me, we've been working hard to keep this place clear of bogus scum. Means a lot to us. ††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† I might not fancy myself an official Smokey, but I damn well feel copasetic 'bout leveling the playing field some. †††}}

You really can't help the grin on your face.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† So. How's it feel to be a part of history in the making? ††}}

The suit is all nice and sealed from the back at this point, so the two of you walk a lap or two around the perimeter, just to get you used to the movement mechanics.

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: Man i dont know what to tell you besides wow look at how Much i dont care}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: do you know why iM GoinG throuGh all this trouble to sneak you in}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: its a break froM work. nothinG less and definitely not a sinGle thinG More}}

That's such a weird perspective. You don't dig the way he's unloading his cynicism at your feet and lightin' it all on fire. Makes you wanna stamp it out.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Man, Hoff, that's a little harsh. †}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† You not feeling that rush of righteousness flowin' through your blood roots? That higher calling patting you on the back? ††}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: i dont think you Get it}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: which is surprisinG since it feels like iM in the Majority when i say that this duMp is a huGe waste of fiGhtinG enerGy}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: like it sucks! its GarbaGe the whole way down the likes of which the black Moon is lucky to have better than us }}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: if this planet was a troll id kick theM riGht in the horns}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† Then why don't you do something about it? †††}}

The two of you have been walking and talking in circles for a while. Glomer then takes a sharp turn left and starts to head towards the guards.

You shut your trap and give the man a moment to collect himself. He doesn't make a peep as the guards get to inspecting you.

There's a moment where you're real paranoid your horns are poking through the suit, but you don't hear any sirens or taser arms goin' off.

You both manage to walk inside, free as an avian.

...

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: because iM too tired}}

Woah, you weren't really expectin' him to pick that thread back up at this point.

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: its a broken world anyway so any effort spent not coMplaininG about it is totally wasted iMqho}}

Your mouth twists in thought as you try with all your might to relate to this guy. At all.

...Nope. Nada. Zilch. Jack diddly doodly dick.

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: you think that if i had it in Me to fiGht for My future id be stuck as haMifis personal errand boy?}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: and heres a biG newsflash: i actually did once upon a tiMe!}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: do you know how Much of My Grubhood i wasted tryinG to find literally any other option for Me??? the answer is More than youd like to know and More than i care to tell you}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: and it totally fucked Me over until the pheroMones of reality seeped in and turned Me into its forever bonded bitch}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: spent so Much of My life chasinG My dreaMs that i never even learned the jade stuff id be corralled into in the end}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: corporate Makes this biG stink about choosinG your path and it brutally punishes you for beinG naive enouGh to listen}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: i Mean okay did you hear about that scandal with the siMpsons writers}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † The what now? †}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: EXACTLY}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: there hasnt BEEN a siMpsons writer in SWEEPS because of the whole santas little helper incident}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Woah now, let's hop back for two secs, what's this about Santa?}}

He's obviously referring to Bart's lusus, the animal you're struttin' around imitating. That's the only Santa ''you've'' heard of, anyhoo.

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: yeah santas little helper}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: slh was soMe MirthaManiac who storMed the writers rooM and held theM all hostaGe until he Got a siMpsons character naMed after hiM}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: Mostly lowblooded writinG staff}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: to avoid repeats they started workinG reMotely which turned to phoninG it in with Machine learninG and when a biG show cuts a corner like that everybody else follows}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: its neural networkinG takinG the wheel now and we havent seen a trolls interaction for probably lonGer than ive been kickinG around on this hellrock}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: so what if id wanted to be a writer really really badly}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: what if i was just hopinG with every ounce of My beinG to Get to write for tv only for one bad apple to ruin that chance for life}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: what then Mr. "just try hard and youll Get there"}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: as if theyd ever let a jadeblood stray froM "the planets sacred Mission" or whatever everyone was just huMorinG My feeble efforts to do anythinG that ''i'' Gave two craps about}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: then reality caMe crashinG down, they tapped Me on the shoulder and said about daMn tiMe, Good job GettinG your dreaMs deMolished now start teachinG the Grubs about pretext}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: nobody cared who i was before i sucked it up and put on the Mask so you know what}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: its not My fuckinG probleM}}

There's a very uncomfortable silence between you two, and not just because you're both creeping around the perimeter of the playroom in order to avoid the kids.

Kind of a real buzzkill, this guy.

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: ...thats My philosophy anyway}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: SOME of us Get to fuck off into the settinG suns with our fuckinG hotdoG plants and weed research and Make a livinG for theMselves doinG soMethinG MeaninGful}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: while iM stuck here GettinG barfed on by Grubs all niGht once iM done teachinG the kids i Mean FUCK}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: do you know how hard it is to Get a proper veGan Meal when you cant just set up shop in a God daMn swaMp??? Good luck GrowinG your own lunch in peewees neon fuckinG playrooM dipshit }}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: also your actinG dreaMs suck}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: enjoy havinG to be a level 5 veGan and only eat Meals that dont cast shadows because nobodys heard of veGGie haMs now do the funny bartMan dance aGain}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: (uGh. cant believe he Got to just skip town like that. un-fuckinG-believable)}}

Wowzers. That was sort of a real personal tirade just now, wasn't it.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† ...Can't dig everybody, I guess. ††}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: hey sMart Guy if youre Gonna play 24 questions with Me then heres My follow up:}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: how does it feel to know that youre inevitably GoinG to lose everythinG and that none of this is ever GoinG to have any value past this MoMent between us in our rancid Mutt sack}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† What we have is more valuable than you could ever know, curly-cue. I can't stand the thought of just idly lettin' this place rot. †††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† Change doesn't come from inaction, I'll tell you that much. †††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† And sure, I'll concede that nothing's a guarantee. Gods know I've wiped out more times than I can count, but... ††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† If— ''when'' I die, I'll still have left the world a better place than when I came in, because I gave a shit. †††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †††† But I guess some people just don't understand. ††††}}

And that's all you have to say on that, because you're not here to bring him around to your way or seeing things or nothing.

Also because Glomer is wigging out and scrambling ahead like a bat outta hell. You almost trip over yourself trying to keep up with him, but soon enough he's cramming you both snug as fuck inside a closet.

He's clearly real uncomfy with your metal arm jabbing against his rib, but he's keeping his trap sealed ''tight.'' You show your appreciation by being very careful not to turn your hand into a chainsaw.

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: —Corporate time and money. I would be very, very careful about wasting both in the future.∞}}

{{VE Quote|hamifi|HAMIFI: You're here forever, after all.∞}}

Damn, that woman sounds like she means business. Enough business to ruin your life if she finds you here.

As soon as Hamifi is gone, you both walk back out, and you really wish you could see Glomer's arm reaching out of SLH's mouth to open the break room door from an outside perspective.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 1.d4 I'll call you back. ...Nf6}}

You catch the tail end of Secily hanging up on whoever it was that she was talkin' to. She seems ready to get down to business.

-

[If you have not picked "Be Secily." yet.]

''Minutes in the past, but not many...''

-
===[After picking both "Be Secily." and "Be the other guy."]===

[If you picked "Be secily." first.]

Secily, for convenient reference, is you, because your name is now SECILY IOPARA again.

-

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 22.Rxe4 Did you succeed, Glomer? ...Bf4}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † If by succeed you mean ole tiger here let me boogie on down to the schoolyard, then you can sign that off as a yeppers. Checkarooni, even. †}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: i dont think i need to answer that when he just said pretty Much the worst thinG ive ever heard in My Miserable excuse for a life}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 23.Rd1 Yes is a one-word sentence, you two. ...Bxe3}}

You immediately start to chuck your outfit, wanting out of it as soon as possible. Life, you're starting to realize, is comparable to a Bart Simpson costume.

Which is to say cramped, claustrophobic and kind of insufferable sometimes.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Okie-dokie! That's step one complete, right? Once we get to the database, it's smooth cruising? ††}}

The two of them get the picture and shuffle out of their costume as well. Now that you're inside and Hamifi is gone, you should be good to move around freely as long as you don't cause a ruckus.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 24.Kxe3 We still have a problem. I've yet to find someone useful who can direct us to the records room. ...Kc7}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: reGulator that hurts My feelinGs}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: was under the iMpression you worked better solo anyways}}

You'd bet your best blade that you have Bytcon to thank for that.

Necron finally untangles himself from the lower half of Bart's lusus, ten seconds past your personal threshold of second-hand embarrassment.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Hah! If she works better solo then she must be even more tubular than I give her credit for, 'cause she's a beast of a teammate as is. †}}

Huh.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 25.Red4 Touching. Glomer, I'm once again asking you if you can direct me to the records room. Are you ''sure'' you don't know of its location? ...Rf7}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: i dunno you know how iMportant My work here is}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: takinG care of snotnubbed brats or whatever}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: iM pretty busy lady }}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: i MiGht have been able to help you out }}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: if i was on break}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: buuuuut iM not so sounds like soMeones up the black creek without a paddle}}

Oh for crying out loud.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 26.Rf4 ''Fine.'' IF. You really do know, then take a break and lead. That does mean, though, that one of us will have to stay behind and cover to avoid stirring up suspicion. ...Rxf4}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 27.Kxf4 The children need to be supervised and entertained. I was thinking— ...Rf8+}}

Without blinking an eye, Necron beams and gives you a solid thumbs up before looking at Glomer.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Leave it to me! I’m almost one-hundo-percent sure I can be one BOSS grubsitter. Casanova here can leave his job in my capable hands. ††}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 28.Ke3 I wouldn't rush into this, Necron, there's a lot to consider— ...Kc6}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: no no hes Got this Give hiM the suit}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: the worst he could do is Get Me fired and excoMMunicated froM the faMily}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: assuMinG you have at least one think pan cell rattlinG around in there capable of sabotaGinG Me}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Nah, this pan cell's pretty much for lovin' my sweetum and enacting justice on evil only. ††}}

While there are probably better candidates for substitute work out there, you're willing to admit you maybe aren't one of them. Necron is friendly enough, at least.

You dutifully pass him the outfit and watch as he almost puts the head on backwards, before Glomer spins the mask around for him.

{{VE Quote|glomer|SECILY: 29.f4 Thank you, Necron. Glomer, you're with me. ...a5}}

Just before you follow Glomer out the door, you feel a tap on your shoulder.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† I was being legit when I called you a killer partner. Wasn't blowin' smoke up your ass. †††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† You know that, right? †††}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 30.Rh1 I know. I said it was touching. ...Rg8}}

It wasn't a lie. Hearing him call you a partner, let alone a ''good'' one... it's reassuring.

You guess you're just good at messing up your intended tone, as always.

You can tell Necron's got a relieved smile on his face behind the bulbous eyes of his mask as he extends his plush-covered hand to you.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Gnarly, couldn't letcha boogie off without knowing for certain. Call me when you can, Secily. ††}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 31.Kf3 Understood. Keep an ear out, partner. ...Rf8}}

The two of you exchange a firm handshake before parting ways.

The hallways are surprisingly dark as you stray further away from the schooling wing.

Whereas before a single pebble on the ground would be a rare sight, the walls are now starting to give way to natural rocky formations.

''[Investigation Progress bar appears.]''

You're so focused on not bumping into Glomer or the surrounding environment that you almost miss the INVESTIGATION PROGRESS BAR fading in on your visor.

It's been a while. You wonder where this thing was hiding all this time.

There's a number of curious rooms on your way to the primary objective. Accouchement golem charging stations, DNA storage facilities, a baffling amount of supply closets...

You almost walk right into a DENOMINATION LOGE before Glomer stops you from barging into the newly made grubs's initial testing.

He can't help but remark how {{VE Quote|glomer|everybody freaks out over this "monumental" occasion where they pick their name as if its not just the first random six letters they assemble with dumb blocks.}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|What's the big deal about them having six legs back when the mother grub bred them anyway,}} he erupts furiously, {{VE Quote|glomer|four limbs post-reduplication works just fine, and even better without those weird old scars we used to have.}}

He goes on for a while, even after you've dragged him away from the loge in question. He just likes complaining, you guess.

You eventually happen upon the REDUPLICATION RECORDS ROOM.

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: hhhhhuh}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 32.Ke4 What's the matter? Does something seem strange to you about this scene? ...Rg8}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: well iGnorinG the fact that this is My first tiMe actually seeinG this place}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: iM not sure why the liGhts are off if this thinG is on}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: we are SO stinGy with the power here you have no idea}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: idk theres soMethinG funny about the systeM beinG on while nobodys around}}

Sure enough, the first thing that catches your eye in the dark, empty room is an illuminated computer screen. The second thing is the room itself.

Given Corporate's penchant for sleek aesthetics, you find the juxtaposition... You're not sure how you find it. Amusing? Intriguing? Suspicious? You'll decide later.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 33.Rh5 An oddity, but not an impossibility. ...Rg2}}
{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 34.a4 My question is how to gain access to the database. The computer is apparently after a password. ...Re2+}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: uM}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: yeah thats usually how they work}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: is this a dazzlinG new concept to you ACTUAL CHIEF REGULATOR}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 35.Kd3 I'd hoped it wouldn't be the case, but that might be Necron's wishful thinking rubbing off on me. I actually got on somebody's case for not having one not too far back. ...Rb2}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 36.Rb5 Anyway. Do you have valid login credentials? ...Rb1}}

Glomer shuffles over to the console, slower than molasses drips off a spoon, giving the screen a cold, hard stare.

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: theres only one password for this thinG but uh}}

He clears his throat.

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: they dont usually let Me in here so i dont know for certain}}

Great.

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: dont Give Me that look reGulator i told you this is a first for Me}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: its probably on a post-it note or soMethinG we just need to do a little searchinG}}

The two of you start doing exactly that, sifting through various drawers and cabinets around the room and making a point to leave no stone unturned.

Three minutes pass before either of you speak.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 37.Ke4 This is unrelated to the task at hand, but I was wondering something. ...d6}}

GLOMER: cool

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 38.Kd4 You're being remarkably cooperative, all things considered. Even if you do not care for your position here, it's still quite the risk you're going through. Why is that? ...Re1}}

GLOMER: you Mean besides your shitty threats and tiMe off My shitjob

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 39.Kd3 So... that's it? ...Rh1}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: nnnnot exactly}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: i dunno}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: endari said you helped hiM out so}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: yeah}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: i Guess thats why}}

You blink in surprise. You suppose you did help his moirail. There's a beat of silence as you wait for him to elaborate, but he just drops the subject entirely.

A sudden "aha!" startles you out of your thoughts.

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: Got it}}

You turn around just in time to see him being granted access to a frankly gargantuan wall of text and images.

He holds the unearthed note for you to glimpse, before tucking it back behind the chunky computer monitor.

''[IP bar fills by 10%]''

Well, well. He pulled through for you.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 40.Ke4 Nice find. ...Rh7}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: i know a coMputer Geek or two. Guess its just universal practice}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: or a real duMb coincidence}}

You don't know nearly enough about computer people to dispute him, so you're obliged to take his word on it.

You ring up Necron in order to tell him the good news. It takes a few seconds, but he's on the line soon enough.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † You've reached Simpson. Any hoopla on your way over or didja get by without any trouble? †}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 41.Kd4 We're in the database. Ready to start looking for Noxious. ...Rh1}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† That's righteous!! We'll sic that bastard before you know it. †††}}

Failing to comprehend the sheer volume of information held within, you give the computer an uneasy look. It threatens to make you feel faint.

Thank the all-mother for Glomer's presence, because you have... no idea how to work this thing.

You gesture to the machine with your head and he leans down to grab the mouse. You squint as you analyze the window.

There are a few tabs on the top left: all, historic, new-age, unused, ''retired?'' You can't imagine what would be the point of storing deprecated sigils in a populace database.

There's a search bar in the top right. You suppose that's your best bet on finding a sigil related to "breaking down".

You peck at the keys one by one as you hear Necron entertain the kids through your speakers.

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: iM riGht here you know }}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: like you just nonverbally asked Me to do this for you do you need Me or not}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 42.Ke4 Are you really going to complain about not having to do any work? ...Re1+}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: touché}}

One letter at a time, results are culled from the pool.

Sigil names like base and basil. Sigils belonging to bronzebloods. Sigils held by the Brelum bloodline.

Soon, you have one remaining search result. Glomer selects the sole choice presented.

===Your attention turns to...===

====Name.====

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 43.Kd3 Dissolve. ...Kc7}}

You say it aloud for Necron's benefit, more than anything else.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Heh, guess we finally dis-solved that mystery, huh? ††}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 44.Rh5 I will hang up on you. ...Kc6}}

GLOMER: (you chose this chucklebunker flop as your partner aGainst criMe??)

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 45.Rb5 (Glomer, shut the hell up before he hears you.) ...Rd1+}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Ah c'mon, lighten up! This is a WICKED breakthrough! We deserve to celebrate. ††}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 46.Ke2 This is a phone call. You don't know what face I'm making. ...Rb1}}

GLOMER: its true shes sMilinG so fuckinG hard dude trust Me

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Hah! I'll take your word for it. Now... †}}

''[Investigation Progress bar increments by 20%.]''

NECRON: † Tell me more. †

====Caste.====

It's hard to miss that this sigil belongs to a greenblood, considering this database is very conveniently color-coded. That alone narrows it down quite nicely.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 47.Kd3 Greenblooded. One with a hell of a personality fixation. ...Re1}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: oliveblooded actually. as opposed to like clover or ochre or soMe shit}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 48.Rh5 Do you care for the specific color code, Necron? ...Rf1}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † With all due respect, what the aych are we gonna do with the color code? †}}

Glomer looks at you, waiting for your response. You consider, then shake your head no. Hard pass.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 49.Rh6 I've memorized it. We can draw from that information later if we do end up requiring it. ...Rf3+}}

Glomer seems skeptical, but doesn't protest the point.

''[Investigation Progress bar increments by 20%.]''

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Tell me more. †}}

====Shape type.====

This classification has always been something you've paid close attention to, unlike most other people.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 50.Kc2 The shape type is SAN-2-C. This should be useful when asking for people who may have spotted Noxious. ...Re3}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: († ...Hey, hey you. Tyke with the face. SAN-2-C. What's the skinny on that? †)}}

He's... asking a child?

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 51.Rh8 Necron. ...d5}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Yeah? I mean, that is absolutely baller and all, but... Gonna level with you real quick, I don't have a single clue what that means in the slightest? ††}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: (if i wasnt runninG on 120 Minutes of sleep id lauGh)}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 52.cxd5+ It's a three-section system. Sans serif or serif, number of strokes, curled, straight, or amalgam. ...exd5}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 53.Rc8+ This sigil is sans serif, consists of two strokes, and it's primarily a curled sign. ...Kd6+}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† Bwuh? †††}}

You don't know how to explain this in simpler terms when you're just being descriptive. This is frustrating.

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: its shaped like a curly lower case f dude}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Oh, right on! That's a copy. ††}}

Hrm.

''[Investigation Progress bar increments by 15%.]''

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Tell me more. †}}

====Associated meanings.====

This subject is generally the wild card when it comes to information about sigils. Not every sigil has as pristine of a historical record as others — some have fallen into complete obscurity.

You don't know much about the topic, but you do know that sigils are connected directly to specific bloodlines, at least.

You skim the paragraph presented to you.

''The mark of dissolution, now shortened to "dissolve", represents the breaking down of matter, both physically and conceptually.''

Many bearers of this sigil were known to excel at teaching others, due to their skill at imparting knowledge through easily digestible lessons.

Their methods and intentions, however, were quite often incredibly controversial.

There are records of such bearers being chased out of communities as a result of their predisposition toward bringing destruction and upheaval, for better or for worse, wherever they set foot.

This is, of course, mostly anecdotal information that doesn't amount to anything substantial.

Sigil meanings are a fun diversion some people enjoy discussing over cups of boiled Monster, but they are nothing more than empty expectations based on genetic coincidences.

If you cared about that, you would have given up a long time ago.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Hey, uh... you good? Doin' peachy? †}}

Oh. You forgot to say anything for a while there.

Glomer apparently took the opportunity to pass out on the desk for a spell, because he jolts back to life and wipes a little drool off of his mouth when Necron's voice pipes up from your speaker.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 54.Rd8+ As peachy as they come. I'm just being thorough, don't mind me. ...Kc6}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † C'mon, Secily! Don't leave me hanging over here. †}}

''[Investigation Progress bar increments by 15%.]''

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Tell me more. †}}

====Bearers.====

And that's your winning ticket. Your eyes immediately dart to the top of the list, where the most recent troll to bear this sigil is registered.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 55.Rc8+ ''Aumtzi Maught'' is officially our lead suspect. Eight sweeps old, male. ...Kd7+}}

Eight sweeps? ''Eight sweeps?''

Occeus is eight sweeps old. How the hell was Aumtzi able to play a meaningful role in a heist this elaborate?

You were expecting some old, retired mastermind with delusions of grandeur. Someone you could clash blades with on a neon rooftop or ruined bunker after this elaborate of a chase, and he turns out to be ''eight sweeps old?''

...You guess it'd be hypocritical of you to hold Occeus at gunpoint and then proceed to underestimate someone much more malicious and calculating.

Still. Eight sweeps. You feel very old and very tired.

You catch Necron murmuring the name under his breath a couple of times — first to familiarize himself, then to say it in utter contempt.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †††† ''Aumtzi.'' That wastoid is going down if it's the last card on my hand, mark my words. ††††}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: (hey secily iMaGine tryinG to take hiM seriously if you were seeinG what hes wearinG riGht now)}}

You flatly ignore Glomer snickering to himself as you consider your options.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 56.Rf8 The main problem lies in tracking him down and confirming that he is Noxious, without doubt. ...Kc6}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† And if it is him, we'll do more than just give him a background check. †††}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 57.Rc8+ Yes. Together. ...Kd7+}}

''[Investigation Progress bar increments by 20%.]''

-

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 58.Rf8 That seems to be all there is. I'll talk to you soon. ...Rf3}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Tubular! Catch you on the flipside, partner. †}}

[After you have chosen all of the options]

''[Investigation Progress bar disappears.]''

As soon as you hang up, Glomer hisses at you, clinging to the desk like it's the only thing keeping him upright.

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: alriGht you found your info thats Great now lets wrap this up before soMeone busts us}}

He is quick to retreat, out of his seat and around the corner in an instant. You can appreciate it — playing it safe is often the prudent option.

Something gives you pause, though.

You're not going to pretend not to realize the other thing you have the option of investigating while you're here. Your mind has been tossing the idea around since you walked into the room.

Glancing over your shoulder, you quietly hang back by the computer.

You run a name search for Ellsee Raines.

...

Nothing. Not a single match, and you know damn well you're spelling her name correctly. The possibility of an alias runs through your mind, but if that was the case, why would she have kept "Raines"?

It's as if she wasn't ever reduplicated. The implications confound you.

You decide to check the retired sigils tab for any signs of her.

Your cursor hovers over each result as you read down the chain, looking for any familiar symbols or iconography.

The process takes you no longer than three minutes. You quickly find yourself in a rhythm, eyes darting between columns.

Scorvi Orvalt, cement. Grapha Hortze, rust. Langua Memori, bunsen. Thesal Voorat, salt.

You're halfway through the next name before you backtrack. You've seen it before. That's {{VE Quote|arcjec|The Forgiven's}} hatchname.

You've heard his tale: the right hand man and follower of {{VE Quote|ellsee|The Vivifier}}.

His original sigil has always been a mystery, though. So much so that seeing an actual symbol next to his name feels slightly uncomfortable.

Probably not as uncomfortable as he felt having it stripped from him, though.

You erase your search history and leave the scene exactly as you found it. You've much to think about.

Aumtzi. No record of Ellsee. The Voorat bloodline supposedly ending with Thesal and the simultaneous existence of another cornsyrup-hued friend of Occeus'. Time will tell how these threads converge.

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: Geez lady keep an exhausted Mascot slave waitinG Much}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: alMost thouGht you ManaGed to die by yourself in an eMpty rooM}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: iMpaled on your own sword throuGh soMe brutal rube GolbrG shenaniGans}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: what took you}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 59.Rf6 I just forgot to log off, that's all. Where's Necron, is he still on duty? ...Kc7}}\

GLOMER: check for yourself iM not here to be your visual iMpairMent assistance lusus

He's almost right. Your VIAL is indeed somewhere else.

Looking through the window, you're greeted by the sight of "Bart" surrounded on all sides by the playroom kids, miming an undoubtedly "epic" story with boundless enthusiasm.

What's more impressive is that he's carrying a sleeping child with a single arm, the little one remaining unperturbed even with all of his exaggerated movements and loud voice.

They're all enthralled. You can pick up on faint laughter through the wall after he wraps his tale up, presumably with a cheesy pun.

You smirk, just a bit. He's much better with kids than you ever gave him credit for. Looks like you made a good call.

''Call.'' That reminds you, Sabine wanted to talk to you. You'll get back to him in a second. The kid's name brings a probable link between him and Glomer to mind.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 60.f5 You mentioned the name Crytum earlier. You're familiar with him? ...d4}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: wow okay so were just GoinG to ask that invasive and personal question out of the blue then alriGht}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 61.Rf8 Answer the question. ...Kd6}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: i was GettinG to it}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: yeah hes kind of My Matesprit yknow like red soulMate so itd be a really weird happenstance if i didnt know the Guy}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: whats it to you}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 62.f6 I require his expertise. You're going to take me to him at your earliest opportunity, convenient or otherwise. ...Ke6}}

You're met with yet another groan of aggravation. You're starting to think that's just his default reaction to being told what to do.

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: Man you just LOVE to tell me iM GoinG to do thinGs no Matter if iM actually obliGated to do it or not}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: i Mean yeah iMportant case or whatever but i dont have shit to do with it and i hiGhly doubt he does either so what possible nonviolent Method could you use to convince Me}}

You had a funny feeling he'd ask that question. There's no smile when you answer, but you do feel the familiar comfort of knowing you're about to play the right card.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 63.Rb8 I can use this case to give you more time off work, as a matter of fact. But perhaps a sword would be more convincing. ...Rc3+}}

As predicted, Glomer's ears perk up. You can still see hesitation in his eyes, but you've managed to pierce his nigh-impenetrable wall of cynicism.

You fail to mention you were briefly considering ratting him out to Hamifi.

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: alriGht fine i can Make it happen}}

Perfect. Granted, you already know where Crytum lives thanks to your visit to Sabine's residence earlier, but having his matesprit's endorsement will help matters significantly.

You've heard tell that he's somewhat of a nervous wreck. Better safe than sorry.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 64.Kb2 Excellent. I'll touch base with you when I have further details. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a phone call to make. ...Rc6}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: yeah fine if hunkinator 5000 over there is content to do My job for Me ive Got soMe coMplete lack of sleep ive been not GettinG for the past blink to catch up on}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: ill be in the closet conteMplatinG My life choices if you need Me}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 65.Rd8 Oh, before I forget. Hamifi had some assignments for you to complete before— ...Kxf6}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: yeah yeah party planninG shit i know how it is}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: she always Gives Me instructions like three tiMes over because i act like iM not listeninG}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: when really}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: she just scares the shit out of Me}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: ill Get to it after iM done passinG out}}

{{VE Quote|glomer|GLOMER: be back in five}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 66.Rxd4 Whatever you say. ...½-½}}

You're pretty sure Glomer's not supposed to be napping inside the closet, but he sure is nonchalantly waltzing in anyway. You start to hear snoring a whopping ten seconds later.

You're equally unconvinced that five minutes will provide him any semblance of rest, but you've technically functioned on less, so what do you know?

Well, Necron's busy entertaining children and Glomer's out of commission. There's no better time to get back to Sabine.

You give him a ring and keep an eye out for Hamifi through the break room window.

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [--o] ''SECILY ALETHEIA IOPARA.''}}

Did... did you just get assigned a middle name?

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] YOU HAVE SOME NERVE MAKING ME WAIT LIKE THIS, THREATENING TO WASTE MY VALUABLE AND PRECIOUS TIME.}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] YOU'RE LUCKY YOU YOURSELF ARE ALSO ON A MISSION TO RESCUE THIS PLANET FROM THE DREDGES OF DISASTER.}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 2.Nf3 Hello, Sabine. ...b6}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 3.e3 What was it that you just called me? Letheya? Leethya? ...Bb7}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 4.Bd3 How would you even spell it? There's no way that's only six letters, let alone near a relevant practice. ...d6}}

You don't want to say it, but the fact that middle names as a cultural norm haven't been around since long before you were hatched is perhaps a bit insulting.

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] IT'S OBVIOUSLY COOLER TO HAVE FAKE MIDDLE NAMES BREAK CONVENTION. DO YOU THINK I ENJOY PARTAKING IN FOOLISH TRADITIONS OTHER PEOPLE SET UP?? I MEAN, ''DUH???''}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 5.b3 Oh, I'm worthy of a ''cool'' fake middle name, then? ...Nbd7}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [o--] (I BEGRUDGINGLY ACCEPT YOU AS AN INDIVIDUAL WITH EQUAL INTELLECT. DON'T LET IT GET TO YOUR HEAD.)}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [o--] (YOU ARE PROBABLY NEARLY OLD ENOUGH FOR AN EIGHT-LETTER TITLE ANYWAY. OLD PERSON.)}}

As touched as you are, you've been at this for far too long and would love to just get to the point.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 6.Bb2 Is this pertaining to my neural scan? ...g6}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] ARE THERE OVER 1,200 UNIQUE RECORDED FORMS OF BACTERIAL INFECTION VIA FALLING RAINWATER?}}

You swear, nobody knows how to say a plain and simple "yes" these days.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 7.Nbd2 Talk to me. What were those individuals discussing back at the awards ceremony? ...Bg7}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] ABOUT THAT.}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [o--] (SEE, THERE WAS EXTREME INTERFERENCE THAT PREVENTED MY SOFTWARE FROM DECIPHERING ONE OF THE VOICES. THE DATA WAS PRETTY CORRUPTED.)}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [o--] (THIS STRONGLY SUGGESTS THAT THEY WERE USING SOME FORM OF VOICE MASKING OR MODULATION SYSTEM DESPITE BEING AT A PARTY?? SOME PEOPLE CAN BE SO FREAKING PARANOID.)}}

That sours your mood somewhat, but it at least strongly suggests that your little mystery caller — Aumtzi — had attended the party. Gods, it feels good to have this information.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 8.Qe2 Tell me about the other voice, then. You sound like you managed to extrapolate something interesting. ...a5}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] NOT INCORRECT. THE INFORMANT APPEARS TO HAVE ACCESS TO SOME FORM OF REAL-TIME DATABASE, HAVING LOGON DETAILS THAT ALLOW HER TO MANEUVER THE SYSTEM FROM WITHIN.}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] SHE CLAIMS THAT HER PRICES WOULDN'T BE SO ASTRONOMICAL IF THE INFORMATION WASN'T SO LEGITIMATE.}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] THIS IS NO INSTANCE OF ILLEGAL ENTRANCE. THIS WOMAN HAS A CORPORATE SALARY.}}

Okay, you had a hunch that it was a Corporate employee this whole time, but you appreciate the confirmation regardless.

There's always the possibility of leaked login information, but you stay quiet, waiting for him to continue speaking.

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [o--] (UM, HELLO, REPITON TO REGULATOR. HELPING YOU SOLVE YOUR CASE HERE.)}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 9.O-O Of course. I simply wanted to have all the facts before I came to any conclusions. ...O-O}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 10.Rfd1 Was there any confirmation of the integrity of that route data? ...a4}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] WAS THERE EVER. THE OTHER PARTY BROUGHT UP QUITE THE IMPRESSIVE RESUME OF PREVIOUSLY LEAKED INFORMATION.}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] CRIMES TRACING BACK SWEEPS. HOWEVER MUCH FREE TIME YOU HAVE, I AM ABOUT TO ANNIHILATE IT MERCILESSLY AND GLEEFULLY.}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 11.a3 I'm all ears. Spare no detail, I'll look for common threads next time I have access to the records. ...Qe8}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] DOWN THE LIST THEN. CHRONOLOGICAL, ALPHABETICAL OR PRIORITY?}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 12.b4 Chronological, obviously. ...e5}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] CORRECT ANSWER. LET'S START WITH THE "DOCTORED DEMENTO" SCANDAL...}}

END

==Cinare Montor==

[[Category:Transcript]]

Snowbound Blood: Volume Eight/Transcript

2024-07-29T18:58:12Z

PassiveJungle: Formatted the page.

{{Incomplete|Needs inter-page linking}}

== Volume Eight Start ==

Well. On the good news end of the spectrum, you've recently gained an ally in one NECRON EXMORT. On the bad news end, you've squandered any hope of goodwill with someone else.

Most importantly, though, you've subjected yourself to a very personal conversation with Mr. E--... You talked things out with Sestro.

And you may have navigated the emotional subject matter like a blind swampbeast, but you did it all the same. It'd be a stretch to say that things are perfect, but progress is progress.

For the first time in a long time, you've let yourself feel hurt rather than angry. That's all you need to recall right now.

You know it's irrational, but part of you still needs a little distance from him. You've never been one who deals easily with disappointment or heartbreak, and this matter is no exception.

You still care about him, though. And you don't feel as strongly opposed to working for him again, not like you did a few days ago. In fact, you’d say that making up with him is critical — especially in a case like this.

Sestro is not Corporate. You'll listen to him, even as you feel an irreparable rift forming between yourself and your employer company. Hamifi had just as much say in the matter as he did, too.

She gives you all sorts of hell, but against your better judgement, there's a very real level of trust you have in her.

Things are still hard, but they're getting better. Slowly. In the meantime, you'll cope the only way you know how: by fixating on the case in front of you.

It's time to get to work.

== Valtel Gurtea ==

...

The mist swirls around you.

It’s thick, sticky, and it coils between the trees like the tendrils of something that slithered right out of the Black Depths.

A film of moisture clings to your face, slick and heavy with the smell of mildew.

Regardless of how often you tried to wipe it off with your sleeve, it coated your skin again, so eventually, you gave up.

Your hands are occupied either way.

In one, you hold a heavy duty torch, whose otherwise blinding light does little to fend off the mist or the heavy darkness permeating the Grove of Essence.

Mostly, you keep it pointed at the ground in front of you, all too wary of the twisted roots that protrude out of it at uneven intervals.

Whenever you cast the light around you, it illuminates rows upon rows of trees, bent and gangly.

At first, your gaze would linger and you would try to make sense of shapes.

But then... The light would catch on reflective patches on the stems and you would not be able to shake the feeling that the trees were staring back.

You decide to keep looking ahead. Your free hand comes to grip Proserpina’s handle.

Neither you nor Necron have uttered a word since.

You’ve been picking your way through the Grove for a bit over an hour now, you in the front and him in the rear, sweeping his own flashlight across the ground.

His steps are quiet — the occasional muffled groan whenever he puts too much strain on his still recovering injuries notwithstanding.

Your own muscles still throb with a dull pain, reminding you that it’s only been a handful of days since your little run-in with the cultists.

You made it out largely unharmed, however, and you elect not to dwell on your injuries overmuch.

Your focus is needed elsewhere. You are, by all accounts, pressed for time, and you’d rather not waste any by getting tangled up in... trees.

A thin claw of a branch juts out of one of them at your ankle level. You have walked into it before you could see it, and it snaps with a pop as loud as a gunshot.

Your ankle smarts.

You can’t shake the feeling that it was reaching for your leg.

That’s absurd, obviously. All the stories about this place are just that — stories.

Though, weaving your way through the warped trees, it’s easy to start seeing grimaces of pain and stifled screams etched in the bark.

As the tales go, all these trees used to be trolls, once. Alchemists of a bygone era who wandered all the way out here to tap into the essence of life.

It went wrong, horribly so.

Each alchemist who attempted the process underwent an entirely different transformation.

Flesh hardened into wood, skin gave way to bark, limbs contorted and elongated into sharp, reaching branches.

The stories never mentioned if they remained conscious.

Not that you are overly concerned with the fate of fictitious trolls, you tell yourself.

Yet you can’t help but imagine them coming here one by one, hoping that they will be the one to succeed. All of them failing, as the forest slowly expands.

You catch movement out of the corner of your eye.

===''[Choice Section]''===

====>Turn to look.====

Your head snaps in the direction of the movement and you shine your light between the branches.

For a moment, the torch flickers.

The light comes back on, and then you’re staring at a flat, pale white face, gaping, glaring at you, mouth twisted in a hungry snarl.

Your gaze focuses. The uneven bark becomes something decidedly treelike again.

====>Ignore it.====

You shake your head with determination.

You’re not going to start jumping at shadows.

-

You keep moving, as fast as you can without risking your neck breaking—or perhaps a little faster.

You cannot afford the luxury of staying perfectly safe—now even less than usual.

You’re in a bit of a hurry.

===>RECALL: How you got here.===

You were contacted by one Endari Vernir, and as soon as you picked up, you knew it wasn’t simply a courtesy call.

{{VE Quote|endari|ENDARI: )-| Good evening, Secily, I trust that now is an appropriate time to talk? |-(}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 1.e4 Hello, Endari. Yes, it is, what's going on? ...e5}}

{{VE Quote|endari|ENDARI: )-| There’s a situation that I’d like your assistance with, one that might be of interest to you as well |-(}}

Based on your limited acquaintance with Endari, there was only one thing he knew would be of interest to you. You stood up straighter, zeroing in on the sound in your earpiece.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 2.Nf3 Go on. ...Nc6}}

{{VE Quote|endari|ENDARI: )-| It concerns a long-time associate of mine. Valtel Gurtea, the sculptor? |-(}}

You make a noncommittal noise. You’ve heard of him before.

{{VE Quote|endari|ENDARI: )-| I know him from... before |-(}}

His voice takes on a hesitant note. It’s not hard to realise what he’s talking about: his time as part of The Mora.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 3.Bb5 Right. ...a6}}

{{VE Quote|endari|ENDARI: )-| He hasn’t been involved with them either, it’s simply where I met him and Gingou, his matesprit |-(}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 4.Bxc6 I understand. So what has been up with this Valtel? ...dxc6}}

{{VE Quote|endari|ENDARI: )-| Well, what has been up with him is that, simply put, he’s gone missing |-(}}

{{VE Quote|endari|ENDARI: )-| Gingou is in quite the tizzy over it, as I’m sure you can imagine |-(}}

{{VE Quote|endari|ENDARI: )-| We’ve been trying to get in touch for a while now, completely in vain |-(}}

{{VE Quote|endari|ENDARI: )-| So we figured the expertise of a regulator might be what it takes to shed some light on this matter |-(}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 5.Nc3 You want me to look for him? ...Bc5}}

{{VE Quote|endari|ENDARI: )-| I would be very grateful if you would visit his estate. Perhaps there are clues to be found there |-(}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 6.d3 And do you have reason to believe that's related to my current case? ...Qe7}}

{{VE Quote|endari|ENDARI: )-| Well, you seemed to show great interest in my... background, so I hazarded a guess you might want to check this out for yourself |-(}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 7.Be3 I see. ...f6}}

You only considered for a few seconds, then nodded, as if Endari would be able to see it.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 8.d4 Very well. Forward me the address, I will look into it. ...exd4}}

{{VE Quote|endari|ENDARI: )-| Thank you so much, Secily, that means a lot to me and Gingou. I trust that you’ll update us on what you find? |-(}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 9.Bxd4 I will. I'll be in touch, Endari. ...Bg4 ½-½}}

{{VE Quote|endari|ENDARI: )-| Take care~ |-(}}

You hung up. With this call, your next course of action was laid out for you.

===>Keep walking forward.===

The timing of Endari’s request would be far too convenient if you weren’t convinced this was all in line with Noxious’s schemes.

You have not forgotten his threat from your last conversation, and it seems that you know to whom it applies now: Valtel Gurtea.

You do know the name, though your paths are altogether too different to have crossed before. Art has never been something you have had a particular interest in.

And Valtel’s clearly very withdrawn lifestyle means you’ve hardly had any other points of connection.

Not until Noxious singled you both out, anyway.

You only hope you’re not too late.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Secily. †}}

Necron snaps you out of your thoughts and you look at him over your shoulder.

He’s pointing at something to your left.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † We’re almost there. †}}

He’s right. The light from your torches bounces off a wrought iron fence.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 1.c4 Not a moment too soon. ...e6}}

Necron scoffs under his breath. He has seemed on edge ever since you first heard Valtel’s name, but you haven’t inquired as to why just yet.

There didn’t seem to be enough time during your frantic scramble to reach Valtel before Noxious does.

There doesn’t ever seem to be enough time, recently.

You resume walking towards the fence, and now that you’re almost there, you notice that the forest is thinning out a little bit, making walking easier.

===''[Choice Section]''===

====>Hurry over.====

Grateful that you’ve almost arrived, you pick up your pace.

The fence cannot be more than a couple of hundred feet away, and with your objective in sight, it’s all you can do to keep yourself from running.

You can hear Necron moving closely behind.

In a matter of seconds, you have narrowed the distance to some fifty feet. You can make something dark and solid between the bars of the fence.

Then, the ground beneath your foot disappears.

You stumble forward, fumble to regain your footing, yet there is nothing but empty air where you expected to find soil.

Your other foot gets caught in some roots and you spread your arms ahead of you, bracing yourself for the impact.

It never comes.

Instead, Necron grabs you by the shoulders and pulls you back. Another second passes and you are standing on both feet again.

When he’s certain you’re stable, he lets go.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Mind your step, regulator. ††}}

You give him a grunt in response.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 2.Nc3 Yeah. Thanks. ...Nf6}}

You eye the small pit in front of you, covered by roots so thick that you almost think they intentionally grew in such a misleading manner to disguise the trap.

You promptly dismiss the notion. They’re just trees.

Nevertheless, you proceed with more caution.

====>Stay alert.====

You keep yourself from rushing ahead.

The terrain is still treacherous, even if there are fewer trees, and you maintain your focus as you weave your way towards the fence.

At some point, you notice a steep decline concealed beneath roots and foliage. Only your meticulous scanning prevents you from tumbling into a nasty fall.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 2.Nc3 Hm. ...Nf6}}

You cautiously skirt it instead.

-

At length, you make it to the fence. The iron bars stretch up for a good twenty feet and end with twisted, sharp spikes.

Necron reaches over to touch one of the bars. His fingers come off covered in fine red dust.

He makes a face and wipes his hand on his pants.

All you can see beyond the fence is a thick hedge. There is no building you can make out, and as far as you can hear, the silence is complete.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 3.e3 Let’s look for the gate. ...d5}}

You start walking along the fence, though you somehow doubt you’re going to find the gate open.

You wonder what’s going to greet you beyond it. You decide to probe your companion’s thoughts.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 4.d4 Necron. ...b6}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † ‘Sup, Secily? †}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 5.Nf3 You’ve seemed ill at ease about visiting Valtel. Why? ...Bb7}}

He takes a couple of quicker strides to catch up with you, and you give him a sidelong look. His expression is pensive.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Full disclosure, I ain’t ever met the dude. Heard of him, though. He’s... well, nothin’ wrong with valuin’ your privacy and all that, but Valtel’s somethin’ of a recluse. †}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † There’s a lotta rumours about the goings on in this mansion of his. You ever seen his work before? †}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 6.Bd3 Can’t say that I have. ...Bd6}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Reckon you could call it an acquired taste, but I’m gonna level with you. Shit’s fuckin’ weird, is what it is. †}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† It’s the sort of thing that you don’t want to turn your back to. ††}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 7.O-O They’re just sculptures, Necron. ...Nbd7}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† I ''know'' they are, but they’re like, uncomfortably realistic. ††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † There’s that one troll that disappeared, too. †}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 8.Qa4 What troll? ...O-O}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † They had an appointment to model for Valtel for one of his works. Never came back. †}}

That’s... a little concerning, to be sure.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 9.cxd5 Perhaps they got lost in the forest. ...exd5}}

Necron hums under his breath, but he seems sceptical.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † ‘S possible. Can’t hurt to stay alert, is all. †}}

You nod.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 10.b4 We’re going to. ...a6}}

You’ve made your way around the fence by now and you come to the gates.

They’re made of the same black iron as the rest of the fence, and the horizontal bars at the top curve in elaborate, vicious shapes.

Two stone columns flank them; atop each of them are perched identical stone figures. You cannot make out their heads, but the tense poses give off the impression they’re ready to lunge down at you.

Predictably, the gates are closed. A thick iron chain is wrapped around them where they meet in the middle, secured by a sturdy padlock you can see hanging on the inside.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 11.Qb3 Well. ...Re8}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Worry not, regulator. I got just the thing. ††}}

He raises his prosthetic hand. With a series of clicks, the appendage reconfigures into a circular saw.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 12.Bb2 You have got to— ...Nf8}}

The rest of your words are drowned out by the whirr of the saw.

You sigh, pointing the light at the chain to assist.

Thankfully, the saw cuts through before the screech of metal against metal gives you a headache.

Once he’s done, Necron gives the chain a sharp tug and frees it, then discards it to the side.

Together, you begin to push the gates open.

A second stretches in which nothing happens. You dig your feet in the dirt for support, pressing forward with your entire weight. A grunt escapes your lips as the gate, still, refuses to budge.

Then, it gives way. The hinges scream - a piercing sound just at the edge of your perception that bores straight into your cerebral matter and makes your teeth hurt.

You resist the urge to clamp your hands over your ears, and keep pushing instead.

Between your efforts and Necron’s, there’s soon an opening you can enter through. You let go of the gate and walk in.

You step onto the grounds of Valtel’s mansion, and for a moment, the complete quiet of the night is the most pleasant thing you’ve ever heard.

Then, you realise you’re standing at the entrance of a giant hedge maze.

The walls loom above you, thick and all but solid. Once, each branch would have been trimmed to be perfectly even, every angle would have been measured to ensure symmetry.

Not anymore, however. Leaves stick out every which way, like the bushes are trying to claim back what had been taken. Tiny hooks, all too eager to embed themselves in your clothing or skin.

Square tiles line the path into the maze, but they’re cracked and uneven. Weeds push through the holes between them.

And of course: the statues.

When your eyes land on the one closest to you, your breath catches somewhere inside your respiratory tube.

The marble body is contorted in an unnatural way, as if squeezed by a gigantic hand, and its expression is one of anguish... or fury.

Its eyes bore straight into yours.

You find yourself unable to look back as you take another step forward.

On the edge of your peripheral vision, you see Necron following.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† If this ain’t— ††}}

A loud, piercing screech cuts him off, making you recoil.

Slowly, painfully, the gates swing shut again.

You hold your breath, digging your nails into your palms. The sound is almost tangible, like someone scraping a dull blade across your bones. For a moment, there’s nothing you want more than to be away from here.

Then, the sound stops and you can breathe again.

You give the gates a wary look, then shake your head. They look perfectly innocuous, stationary once more.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Helluva cheerful place, ain’t it? ††}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 13.Ne2 Idyllic. I see what you mean... about the sculptures. ...Ne4}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† Yeeeah... Not a fan of how it seems to be watching me. †††}}

He clears his throat.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Anywho, we pressin’ on, regulator? ††}}

You nod.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 14.Ng3 We need to find Valtel. ...Qf6}}

You brace yourself and enter the maze.

The path is too narrow for you and Necron to walk side by side, so he falls back, assuming your earlier formation.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Hope you’re good with mazes. Never had the patience for ‘em myself. †}}

Normally, you’d say you are. Mazes are a system with a start and a finish, and working from one end to the other is a kind of problem-solving that appeals to you.

You know there is a solution; it’s only a matter of finding it.

Now, though? You can’t stifle the tiny voice at the back of your mind that insists that this maze does not have one.

You’ve been feeling this way a lot, recently.

You swallow back your doubts. You have to keep moving.

An odd rattling sound carries through the thick air, and your muscles clench. You pause with a foot half-planted on the ground, straining your hearing to catch more, but there’s only silence.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † All good, regulator? †}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 15.Rac1 Yes, I thought I... never mind. ...Nd7}}

You’re spared from explaining what you heard when the path you’re walking down connects with another.

You reach an intersection. You can keep going forward or turn left.

===''[Choice Section]''===

>Go forward. [Dead end.]

You keep walking forward.

====>Go left.====

You turn left.

The rattling sound hits you again, louder this time. It comes from the direction you came from.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 16.Bxe4 Did you hear that? ...dxe4}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Yes. Came from behind us. ††}}

You give a sharp nod without looking at him.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 17.Ne5 Stay alert. ...Nxe5}}

You reach an intersection. You can keep going forward, turn left, or turn right.

>Go left. [Dead end.]

You turn left.

>Go right. [Dead end.]

You turn right.

====>Go forward.====

You keep walking forward.

Each of your footfalls is as sharp as a gunshot against the tiles. Your blood pusher hammers against the cage of your ribs. Your breathing is a staccato of rasping pants.

You’re much too loud.

The rattling comes again, this time from the left. Closer still.

You pick up your pace.

The mist has congealed into a thick mass that actively resists the light of your torch.

Your visibility becomes more and more obscured, which does little to soothe the pangs of apprehension in your stomach.

As you turn around a corner, a statue lurches at you.

Its arms are outstretched in an aborted attack, each of its digits ending in sharp curved claws.

It’s certainly a troll, but their features are twisted in an agonised, furious snarl.

For a few moments, you’re unable to break their stony gaze. Their eyes are narrowed to slits, leering at you with a mixture of hatred and a silent plea.

Necron tears you from your transfixion with a hand on your shoulder.

You let out a huff and keep walking.

You reach an intersection. You can keep going forward, turn left, or turn right.

>Go forward. [Dead end.]

You keep walking forward.

>Go right. [Dead end.]

You turn right.

====>Go left.====

You turn left.

You’re deep in the maze now, unsure of your position relative to where you started.

You hope you’re moving in the right direction. You hope that whatever is making the rattling noise does not come any closer.

You reach an intersection. You can turn left or turn right.

>Go left. [Dead end.]

You turn left.

====>Go right.====

You turn right.

Your pace has become frantic. You’re not quite running, but it’s a close thing, and your frenetic breathing sounds thunderous to your ears.

Proserpina is in your hand, although you don’t remember drawing her from her sheath.

It takes you a moment to realise that you can’t hear the rattling. Somehow, that does little to comfort you.

You reach an intersection. You can keep going forward or turn right.

>Go forward. [Dead end.]

You keep walking forward.

>Go right.

You turn right.

[Jump to Last Intersection]

===Dead ends.===

====[First/generic dead end]====

You reach a dead end.

The hedge closes in front of you abruptly, like a heavy curtain has dropped to mark the sudden end of a scene.

There’s nothing around you but walls of foliage, your gasping breath, and the clumps of mist.

Then, a rattle on the other side of the wall before you.

You spin on your heel and push past Necron, motioning for him to follow you back.

You retrace your way to your last turn.

====[Random dead end: blood]====

Another dead end.

You turn the torch in all directions, as if shining light on the correct spot will open some unseen way forward.

Nothing.

Then: something on the ground catches your eye.

You direct your light toward a small puddle of liquid. It appears black at first, but closer inspection reveals it’s a rich blue. Cerulean.

Another splatter paints the hedge to your left, coagulating across the small leaves.

You reach out to touch the blood.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† ...Secily? ††}}

Necron’s voice gives you pause. The undercurrent of agitation suggests this is not the first time he tried to attract your attention.

You look at him over your shoulder.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: X.Áw¥´ Don't you see it? ...øŒ4?V}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† See what? ††}}

You turn back to point at the blood and — it’s gone.

There’s no sign of it. It’s as if it was never there.

You rub your eyes. This place is messing with your head. With a sigh, you turn back to Necron.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: X.ÜÂK¤ It's nothing. I thought I saw something that wasn't there. Let's go back. ...œrƒ}}

He seems worried, but doesn’t argue the point.

====[Random dead end: Gerbat]====

You reach another dead end.

This one isn’t empty.

You take the turn with so much momentum that coming to a stop is slow and clumsy. You end up all too close to a Gerbat who... should not be here.

He stares you down, unfazed.

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г thought I told you I never wanted to see you again J}}

You try to come up with a response, but your voice doesn’t seem able to find the way out of your mouth.

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г you shouldn’t be here. It’s not your place J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г haven’t you caused enough grief? J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г the likes of you are not welcome here. Nor wanted J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г you think the power you have justifies your arrogance, your cruelty J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г but when did your position turn into all that you are? J}}

He smiles, with as much warmth as the swing of a blade.

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г or maybe it’s all you’ve ever been J}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: X.m¥a I— ...*€¤}}

Your knees shake. You stumble back, away from him, as if that can protect you from his words.

You crash into Necron, who grabs your upper arms and steadies you.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Secily? ††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† You’re actin’ real weird, what gives? ††}}

You twist back to look at the spot where Gerbat stood, but there’s nothing there — just the darkness of the maze.

You press a hand to your face. You don’t understand what’s happening. This place is messing with your head.

In the distance, you hear that rattle again.

You need to find the exit, find Valtel, and be done with this place.

You take a deep, steadying breath and steel yourself before looking back at Necron.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: X.ð&UÁ Trick of light. We can't stop now. ...öÒ}}

If Necron has any doubts, he doesn’t express them. Instead, he motions for you to keep going.

As you retrace your steps towards the last intersection, the rattling sound seems to be coming from all sides.

Your head is pounding. Cold sweat rolls down the back of your neck. You wonder what fresh nightmare awaits you around the next corner.

====[Last intersection]====

You reach an intersection. You don’t pause to consider, instead making a split-second decision to march down the first path you see.

You don’t have it in you to be surprised when you realise it’s a dead end.

Mshiri — or what you know by now is not Mshiri — stares you down with her arms crossed.

You know this is not real, you know you ought to turn around and leave, but her cold gaze paralyses you.

{{VE Quote|mshiri02|MSHIRI: .are you lost again, secily}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri02|MSHIRI: ..youre on the wrong path}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri02|MSHIRI: ...but you know that, dont you}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri02|MSHIRI: ....youve been sprinting towards a dead end for sweeps}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri02|MSHIRI: ......sweeping people along as you go}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri02|MSHIRI: .......i was supposed to help you}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri02|MSHIRI: ........but youve never let me do that, not really}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri02|MSHIRI: .........tell me, secily}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri02|MSHIRI: ..........are you happy about the position you put me in}}

Even if you wanted to give her an answer, you doubt you’d be able to.

The apparition that claims Mshiri’s face tilts its head, observing you with something you might consider to be curiosity.

Then, it gives you a honey-sweet smile.

{{VE Quote|mshiri02|MSHIRI: .leave}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri02|MSHIRI: ..i never want to see you again}}

You want to hide from this smile, from the words you’ve both expected and feared for sweeps.

You cannot look away.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Aight, regulator, time to move. ††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† You’ve been starin’ at the empty wall for a hot moment again. ††}}

He grips your shoulders and gives you a light, but firm tug backwards.

As soon as he breaks your focus on it, the thing that wasn’t Mshiri disappears. You shake your head and pull your shoulders from his grasp.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 18.dxe5 I can walk. ...Bxe5}}

You turn your back on the dead end, facing Necron head-on. He watches you for a moment, then nods.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † We gotta be gettin’ close to the exit now. †}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† We’ll be outta here in no time flat. ††}}

He seems to be waiting for a response from you, but when you don’t give him one, he shrugs and starts walking back down the way you came from.

You follow.

You walk in silence for a while, before Necron breaks it.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Yo, Secily? What did you see? †}}

===>Don’t tell him.===

-

>Tell him.

...

You can’t do that.

-

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 19.Rxc7 It doesn’t matter, Necron. It was nothing. ...Bxb2}}

Thankfully, he doesn’t press it.

You must have been just off of the exit of the maze, because it’s only a couple more moments of walking before it abruptly ends.

Valtel’s mansion stands in front of you, a three-story building floating amidst the fog.

Elaborate ornaments decorate the façade, but they’re weather-worn and chipped. The stone itself is darkened and dull with moisture and moss. Almost all the windows are barred from the inside, and no light shines through the cracks.

You exchange a look with Necron.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Let’s see if anyone’s home. †}}

The two of you inch your way to the front of the hive, then ascend the stone steps leading up to the door. An iron knocker in the shape of a hooded serpent is positioned at your eye level, staring at you indifferently.

As you stare back at it, you hear that same rattling that followed you through the maze, but now it’s distant, fainter.

Then, you hear a sound filtering through the door from inside the hive: a sharp, measured knocking.

You can’t make out what it is.

While you’re trying to determine the source of it, Necron switches his prosthetic to a set of lockpicks and sets out to bust the door.

You strain your hearing to catch any changes inside, but there’s only the same rhythmic sound.

Knock, knock. Knock, knock.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † There. †}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Fingers crossed the door ain’t barred too. †}}

He straightens back up, pleased with his handiwork. Then, the two of you lay your hands on the door and give it an experimental shove. It’s heavy, but to your surprise, it gives slightly.

You push harder. The door begins to slide open gradually, laboriously.

Then, all at once, the resistance disappears and you tumble inside amidst a loud clatter.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† Sonuva— †††}}

You grip the back of Necron’s shirt before he crashes into the ground headfirst, steadying yourself on the door and trying to get your bearings.

A pile of assorted furniture lies scattered on the floor in front of you - a table, a number of upturned chairs, what looks like an elaborate coat hanger.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 20.Rxb7 It seems like it was barred up after all. ...Be5}}

As you’re saying it, unease creeps up your back.

The knocking has stopped.

Your hand flies to Proserpina’s handle and you open your mouth to warn Necron—and then it starts up again.

Knock, knock. Knock, knock.

You hesitate, but when it doesn’t seem to waver, you venture inside. You keep your blade at the ready.

The hive is quiet, dusty, and deserted. You head down a long hallway that opens into a spacious living room. At least that’s what you assume it is — all of the furniture is hidden beneath white sheets.

Across the room, there are stairs leading up. That’s where the noise seems to be coming from, so you exchange a look with Necron and nod.

You make your way through the building, quiet and careful. You doubt that your presence can possibly have remained unnoticed, but something about making noise in this place unnerves you.

Silence reigns absolute in the mansion, beside the ever-present knocking. It grows louder as you walk into the second floor and down a dusky hallway.

All of the doors around you are shut, with no light coming through the cracks around them.

All except for one. The door at the end of the hallway is framed by a faint aura of light.

Necron whispers under his breath:

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† That where the noise is comin’ from? ††}}

You nod, keeping your eyes locked on it.

Once you have closed the remaining distance, you pause for a moment to collect your thoughts. Knock, knock. You really don’t want to open this door.

===>Open the door.===

But you also don’t want to stay here any longer than necessary.

You turn the knob. The door slowly swings open. You step inside.

For a moment, the light filling the room overwhelms you. You resist the urge to shield your eyes from it, adjusted to the ever-present darkness as they are.

You blink rapidly and a circular room comes into focus in front of you.

Statues line the walls, taking up the alcoves between the windows, and your sweeping glance across the room is enough to tell you they’re as grotesque and painful as the rest of the art you’ve seen here.

There’s something in the centre of the room — another sculpture — but you don’t have time to inspect it. A figure stands in front of it, and you finally see Valtel Gurtea for the first time.

You’re not sure what you expected, but the thin, frail-looking individual in front of you wasn’t it.

He’s got his back turned towards you, and he doesn’t seem to notice your presence. His entire body is still, but limp somehow, as if it’s only a matter of time before gravity pulls him to the floor.

The knocking has stopped. The chisel and hammer in his hands tell you what the source of the sound had been.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 21.Rc1 Valtel Gurtea? ...Rac8}}

Your voice echoes across the room, crashing back into you much louder than you could have anticipated.

He doesn’t turn around.

{{VE Quote|valtel|VALTEL: i’ve been feeling vninspired lately.}}

His voice is amplified by the echo, too, but it’s even. Emotionless.

Beside you, Necron shuffles with unease. His eyes are locked on Valtel; he’s waiting, but you know if this situation takes a turn for the worse, he’ll be ready to act.

You take another step towards Valtel.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 22.Rxc8 Mr. Gurtea, we’re here to ask you some questions pertaining to a case we’re— ...Rxc8}}

{{VE Quote|valtel|VALTEL: vvhat do yov do vvhen yovr vvork loses its meaning? do yov keep going throvgh the motions becavse that’s vvho yov’re svpposed to be?}}

{{VE Quote|valtel|VALTEL: or do yov accept that yov’re nothing vvithovt it?}}

{{VE Quote|valtel|VALTEL: none of it matters.}}

His words put you on edge as much as the deadpan delivery does. You can’t help but wonder if he’s aware that he’s speaking to you.

As if on cue, he turns to face you.

His gaze slides over you and Necron and falls to the floor. His placid, vacant expression does not change at the sight of two strangers in his home, and he speaks again in the same unaffected tone.

{{VE Quote|valtel|VALTEL: i haven’t had visitors for a vvhile.}}

A shadow crosses his face with his next words.

{{VE Quote|valtel|VALTEL: none that i covld see, anyvvay.}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 23.Nf1 What does that mean, Valtel? ...Rc1}}

Predictably, he ignores your imploring tone. His eyes lock on yours for a moment, then dart away again.

{{VE Quote|valtel|VALTEL: hovv did yov get past them?}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 24.Qd5 Past whom? ...Rc2}}

{{VE Quote|valtel|VALTEL: the maze and the things in it.}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † We jus’ found our way out of it. †}}

{{VE Quote|valtel|VALTEL: no.}}

He glances at you again, and for a moment, you wonder whether he’s talking about the same things you encountered.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 25.f4 The things in the maze: do you know what they are? ...exf3}}

His gaze falls back to the floor, but for a moment, you see a flicker of something new in his eyes. Fear.

He wraps his arms around himself.

{{VE Quote|valtel|VALTEL: yov shovldn’t have come here.}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 26.Qxf3 Valtel, we came here to help. We were informed that you may be in danger. ...Qe6}}

He takes a step back, bristling as if you moved to attack him.

{{VE Quote|valtel|VALTEL: of covrse i am. vve all are.}}

You stay silent, trying to collect your thoughts. You’re unsure how to proceed. It’s clear that the troll in front of you is not entirely lucid, and you’re scrambling for a way to get through to him.

While you’re contemplating, Necron gestures to attract your attention.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Regulator... ††}}

He points across the room.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Is that statue ''bleedin’?'' ††}}

It... certainly seems to be. You and Necron exchange confused looks. Should you mention this to Valtel?

You turn back towards him. He hasn’t budged from his defensive pose.

===You decide to try asking him some questions.===

====>Is that statue bleeding?====

Valtel lets out something that’s almost a scoff.

{{VE Quote|valtel|VALTEL: of covrse it’s not bleeding.}}

{{VE Quote|valtel|VALTEL: stone doesn’t bleed.}}

He seems more agitated, tension building in his shoulders.

====>What are you working on?====

{{VE Quote|valtel|VALTEL: oh?}}

He lights up, almost imperceptibly. Then, he moves aside to give you a clear view of his sculpture.

{{VE Quote|valtel|VALTEL: i call this one 'portrait of the artist.'}}

Your breath catches. Before you stands a stone amalgamation of hands and faces and limbs, gripping, tangled together, bare bones sticking out of places they don’t belong, mouths warped in expressions of agony and anger.

It’s incomplete, though the chunks of formless stone seem to belong in this composition as much as its other elements.

You will yourself not to shudder at the sight.

{{VE Quote|valtel|VALTEL: i’ve been vvorking on this piece for so long, but it never seems to be qvite done.}}

{{VE Quote|valtel|VALTEL: there’s alvvays something missing.}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† ‘S real gnarly, I’ll give ya that. ††}}

Valtel looks at his face for the first time since you entered the room. He must be trying to determine whether the remark was meant as a compliment or an insult.

Whatever conclusion he comes to, it doesn’t seem to satisfy him.

He’s gripping his sides, eyes narrowed at the floor.

====>When did you last see your matesprit?====

Valtel’s face darkens.

{{VE Quote|valtel|VALTEL: it feels like a very long time.}}

{{VE Quote|valtel|VALTEL: it mvst have been a fevv vvices, it’s been hard to keep track of it.}}

His fingers tighten around his arm, as if he clutches hard enough, he can ground himself in the moment.

That’s when it clicks for you.

His exhaustion, the way he seems dazed and unsteady on his feet and keeps fading in and out of awareness — he must be experiencing withdrawal.

You feel a pang of sympathy, familiar as you are with the constant discomfort. It doesn’t take long for it to kick in, either; if his estimation is correct, the symptoms are rather severe by this point.

For a moment, Valtel’s expression softens. He murmurs, barely above a whisper:

{{VE Quote|valtel|VALTEL: i miss him.}}

Just as quickly, the emotion fades from his face.

You swallow around the lump in your throat and bring yourself to speak.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 27.Ra7 Valtel, your partner’s been trying to reach you. He’s been worried sick since you cut contact. ...g6}}

{{VE Quote|valtel|VALTEL: cvt contact?}}

You have to fight the urge to recoil. Instinctively, you reach for your weapon. Valtel just keeps talking, the momentary fury seeping from his features.

{{VE Quote|valtel|VALTEL: i have been trying to contact him this entire time. texting, calling... he never responded.}}

{{VE Quote|valtel|VALTEL: he left me all alone here, and i’m trapped.}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 28.Rxa6 Trapped? ...Kg7}}

{{VE Quote|valtel|VALTEL: i can’t leave. i knovv vvhat’s vvaiting ovt there.}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 29.a4 We can help you get out of here, I’m sure Gingou will be— ...Rc1}}

{{VE Quote|valtel|VALTEL: it’s not safe. not jvst for me, for anyone.}}

{{VE Quote|valtel|VALTEL: terrible things are coming.}}

He moves another step away from you.

>Why have you barricaded yourself here?

{{VE Quote|valtel|VALTEL: barricaded?}}

{{VE Quote|valtel|VALTEL: i vvould be dead othervvise.}}

{{VE Quote|valtel|VALTEL: there are monsters on the other side, vnlike anything either of vs has seen, and they’re trying to get throvgh.}}

{{VE Quote|valtel|VALTEL: they’re vvatching me. biding their time vntil i give vp.}}

{{VE Quote|valtel|VALTEL: i cannot ever let my gvard dovvn.}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Buddy, no one’s— ††}}

He cuts himself off, and you know he’s thinking about Noxious. How much of what’s been happening here has been because of him?

It looks like Valtel doesn’t enjoy this line of questioning, however.

His eyes keep flicking to you in something teetering on open panic.

All of your questions seem to run into a stone wall.

It’s hard to reach Valtel, and even the fragmented responses he does give you are confusing and difficult to follow.

He’s clearly in no fit state to be questioned; if anything, your interrogation only made it worse.

He’s stepped even farther away from you now, opening a wide rift of bare stone between you. His eyes keep darting around, to you, then Necron, then the door, like he’s looking for a way out.

You decide to try one more time.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 30.a5 Valtel, have you heard the moniker Noxious? ...Qc4}}

His anxious fidgeting stops, but he doesn’t respond. You don’t give up.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 31.Rxb6 What about obnoxiousAntidote? ...Rxf1+}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 32.Qxf1 Have you talked to him? ...Bxh2+}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 33.Kf2 How does he contact you? ...Bg3+ ½-½}}

{{VE Quote|valtel|VALTEL: no.}}

His eyes have become unfocused. They’re looking in your direction, but they’re empty, seeing something far beyond you.

{{VE Quote|valtel|VALTEL: i don’t vvant yovr qvestions.}}

{{VE Quote|valtel|VALTEL: they’re not going to be of any vse to yov.}}

{{VE Quote|valtel|VALTEL: they vvill not help yov vvith vvhat’s to come.}}

{{VE Quote|valtel|VALTEL: the vvar that’s coming isn’t going to be one that yov’ll fight.}}

{{VE Quote|valtel|VALTEL: leave.}}

He turns away from you, signalling that he wants this conversation to end. But you can’t go just yet.

You need this victory.

You take a step closer to Valtel.

>Please tell me what you know.

You get no response.

===>Please tell me what you know.===

Valtel is quiet. His shoulders are shaking.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† Secily... †††}}

===>Tell me.===

{{VE Quote|valtel|VALTEL: no!}}

He whips around like a taut string being released, and his eyes are glowing a burning white, and you don’t even have the time to ask what’s happening before your entire body goes very, very cold.

You can’t move.

Red bleeds into your vision, swirling around you until you feel like you’re looking at the room around you through thick, viscous liquid.

Then, there is no room.

You’re all by yourself again. Have you ever not been?

The cold is an overpowering numbness that starts where your blood pusher should be and weighs your entire body down, down...

Part of you knows you should fight it, you should resist. You have a reason to.

===>...===

You don’t know. You don’t remember.

It’s getting hard to think, and you’re so, so cold.

===>...Ahlina.===

You’re too late for that.

You couldn’t do anything to save her. You didn’t even learn the truth for sweeps.

You failed her.

As you will fail everyone else.

With that thought searing your mind, your vision finally goes dark.

...

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † ...and then he used his ability and his eyes got all wacky and he paralyzed you. †}}

You’re leaning back against the table, looking at Necron as he recounts the events of the previous night to you.

Your neck is still uncomfortably stiff.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Natch, I jump at him and hit him square on the head, and he ain’t all that hardy, so he was out for the count pretty much straight away. †}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † An’ then you passed out on the floor. Had to carry you ''both'' through that maze. †}}

He laughs, sort of sheepishly, and you have a hunch about what he’s going to say next.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Lucky I have a chainsaw. Made the whole business easier. ††}}

You don’t have it in you to mourn Valtel’s maze, and frankly, you doubt he does, either.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 1.e4 As long as it got the job done. ...c5}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† Sure did! †††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Anywho, I rang Oricka up and she gave us a ride. Took Valtel to another pal to help him recover. He’s gonna be back with Gingou in no time flat! ††}}

Necron’s grin splits his face in two almost even parts. It’s not hard to tell he’s elated.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† We won this round, regulator! †††}}

You wish you could feel anywhere as confident or excited about it as Necron does. As it is, only thinking about the events of the past night makes you nauseated.

Thankfully, you’re prevented from having to ruin his enthusiasm when the door opens and Sestro steps inside.

Necron gives him a curious look.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Howdy, chief. †}}

Sestro pauses, giving Necron a look with raised eyebrows, then directing it at you instead.

You shrug a single shoulder. Sestro considers you, then lets out an almost imperceptible sigh.

He nods at Necron.

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞ hello.}}

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞ i’m glad you’ve come back to yourself, secily. how are you recovering?}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 2.Nf3 I’m fine. ...Nc6}}

You realise that must sound terribly unconvincing, so you add:

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 3.Bb5 Tired. It’s been a long night. ...g6}}

Sestro nods, although you’re not sure he buys it. Still, he doesn’t press further. You didn’t think he would.

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞ the executive would like to talk to you when you’re able.}}

Right away, then, you think. Somehow, you weren’t expecting to be able to rest soon.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 4.O-O Alright. Thank you for letting me know. ...½-½}}

There’s something hopeful in his expression as he takes his leave.

Later, you feel like the past 12 hours have taken from you everything that they could, but you still have a call to make.

Mshiri picks up just when you start to think she’s not going to.

{{VE Quote|mshiri02|MSHIRI: .secily}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri02|MSHIRI: ..it’s good to hear you}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri02|MSHIRI: ...are you alright}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: Yeah. A lot’s happened. Can you talk?}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri02|MSHIRI: .i can}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri02|MSHIRI: ..give me a moment}}

There’s a brief rustling sound and you hear her talk to someone on her end.

{{VE Quote|mshiri02|MSHIRI: .i’m sorry darling}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri02|MSHIRI: ..i need to take this}}

{{VE Quote|cinare|CINARE: Çool. Take your time, I guess.}}

Another rustle, a moment of silence, and then you hear Mshiri addressing you again.

{{VE Quote|mshiri02|MSHIRI: .alright}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri02|MSHIRI: ..tell me what’s been going on}}

END

== Sabine Berare ==

It feels good to say you're on the right track.

Even if you can't say it metaphorically, you can always say it literally on the Stronghold 21 monorail service.

Just you today. Necron's still busy recovering from your last encounter. As much as he and Oricka insisted you "chillax for a sec," you've got a job to do.

You know damn well that Necron's probably still gallivanting about on his own mission, however. The man exudes the exact same refusal to sit still as you do.

You do think it was a good call on your part not to take Mr. Knife Hand to see a literal child, though. No offense to him, of course, but impressions are important when dealing with the impressionable.

So here you are. On a train. Waiting.

It might be impossible to stall on a moving train, but if you could? It's hard to deny that you might. You were warned, after all.

===>Recall: MSHIRI LIBETA.===

Just earlier today, actually, her look of second-hand exasperation told you all you needed to know.

{{VE Quote|mshiri02|MSHIRI: .youre going to visit sabine berare}}

Yes. That is, in fact, what you just said. Repeated verbatim for some reason.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: You look worried. Should I be following suit, in your professional opinion?}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri02|MSHIRI: .im sure you have your reasons}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri02|MSHIRI: ..whatever they may be}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri02|MSHIRI: ...but youll need something before you go}}

You keep the conversation going while you watch her root around in her thermal hull. Curious.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: He was present at the awards ceremony. If anybody would have overheard hushed whispers of illegality, it would be him. His records claim he has powerful control over sound and frequency.}}

You hear her sigh something that vaguely sounds like boy, does he ever. You ask her what was that. She pulls out a flask instead of answering.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: A little early for that, isn't it?}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri02|MSHIRI: .its mountain dew actually}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri02|MSHIRI: ..imagine i have just retrieved it from behind a glass pane}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri02|MSHIRI: ...the kind reserved for emergencies}}

{{VE Quote|mshiri02|MSHIRI: ....show your meal sac some mercy and dont use it all straight away}}

You're no stranger to soda. With the number of attacks you've endured, you've guzzled enough medicinal syrup to give a tuskbeast a serious addiction.

These things are usually found in their signature packaging, but the smaller container allows for more controlled portion sizes, you guess.

Not that it's common practice to overdose on this stuff in the first place. They are the primary means of hydration on your planet, after all. What the hell else would it be, water? Fuck no.

The actual medicinal uses and strength of the drinks varies by brand and flavor, so you guess dangerous overindulgence might be possible, if one is committed enough to the cause.

People who don’t need some sort of fixing up usually just opt for Sprite, though.

You retrieve the medicinal flask from your coat pocket.

Ah, Mountain Dew, the universal remedy for headaches. Certainly foreboding, but her crypticity and knowing smile confirm that he's not serious enough of a threat to genuinely raise concern.

Now, if it had been a Mountain Dew: Code Red, then you’d be a little worried. That stuff is a real potent antidepressant.

You notice a few people giving you weird looks — probably because drinking on public transport is strictly forbidden and frowned upon. The flask goes away again.

...They're still staring at you.

Look, even if it had been alcoholic, you didn't even take a sip! They're being awfully rude right now and

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [o--] (HEY. HEY YOU.)}}

The passenger behind you abruptly pipes up and you’re struck by the thought that you might have just figured out why people were looking in your direction.

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] YEAH, YOU. YOU KNOW WHAT KIND OF MONORAIL THIS IS?}}

And here you were, thinking he didn't have an inside voice before. It has this... piercing quality to it that’s already driving you batshit up the bellfry.

Your eye catches the sigil he's wearing and everything suddenly makes sense. You've seen his records before.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 1.d4 Would you happen to be Sabine Berare? ...d5}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] DEPENDS. IS THIS A BALDWIN 2-2-3 S3-CLASS MONORAIL SYSTEM?}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [o--] (THAT'S A JOKE BECAUSE THERE'S NO WAY THAT YOU WOULD HAVE THE ANSWER TO THAT SEEING AS YOU ARE NOT AS SMART AS I AM.)}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [--o] ''AHAHAH AHAHAHAHAH''}}

Seeing as how you're now sorely tempted to down the entire painkilling beverage in your pocket in a single gulp, you think you've found your next target.

===>Recall: SABINE BERARE.===

The rhythmic, stilted laughter and the pained looks the other passengers are wearing confirm it. This is your guy.

You haven't seen him visor-to-visor before, but you've heard many a tale about his antics. Most recently, demanding a dance number from Dersal for his drink at dinner.

He's infamously known for badgering his fellow employees with IQ tests for the sole purpose of boosting his ego, claiming his own is 'over 9000' points.

And also constructively criticizing (read: nitpicking) the way people make their nachos every time the cafeteria hosts some Lunchables-sponsored event or another.

People also complain about his reporting of extremely minor violations of Corporate Conduct to upper management, which you'd usually let slide. Nothing wrong with following the rules — or so you'd always say before.

Nowadays... not so much.

Regardless, he's mostly just known for being a real know-it-all kid. No threat, except to the secure placement of your marbles.

===>Get to the point.===

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 2.Nf3 Well, this is rather convenient. I was just on my way to pay you a visit. ...c5}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] AS I PREDICTED. LOL.}}

There's something familiar about the way that he said "lol" just now. Flat. M<s>o</s>n<s>o</s>t<s>o</s>ne. But more importantly...

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 3.g3 Predicted? ...e6}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] WHY THE FUCK ELSE WOULD CHIEF REGULATOR SECILY IOPARA BE TRAVELING TO A HOME UNIT COMPOUND IN STRONGHOLD 21 AFTER A THEFT OCCURRED?}}

You have so many problems with the string of words he just launched out of his mouth, like some kind of verbal torpedo.

First of all, his god damned language. He's like, what, 6? You really should have a word with his lusus.

Second of all, the fact that he knows so much about your situation and intent without you even telling him two words about your destination. Can he—

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] YES I CAN READ YOUR MIND, SECILY, AND YES I AM SMARTER THAN YOU.}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 4.Bg2 What? ...Nf6}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 5.O-O No, that wasn't what I was... what? ...Nc6}}

Well, he definitely just confirmed that he can't read minds, in any case. The fact that this kid seems to know so much about the concoction you're chasing doesn't put you at ease, though.

First things first — you need to keep your voices low. You can't let anybody else hear about this.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: (6.c4 How do you know about the theft. ...dxc4)}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: (7.Qa4 And be quiet, for all-mother's sake. This is sensitive information. ...Bd7)}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [o--] (I PAY ATTENTION, SECILY. IT'S ALL A MATTER OF OBSERVATION.)}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [o--] (AND HEARING OTHER PEOPLE SAY THINGS. FROM BEHIND THE SHADOWS.)}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: (8.Qxc4 Your powers must come in quite handy for things like this, mustn't they? ...b5)}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [o--] (WHAT'S IT TO YOU?)}}

Perhaps he'll end up being a better lead than you thought. It's always the tattletales that you can rely on.

Almost makes up for the fact that this can barely be considered whispering.

You're about to continue your line of thought, when he abruptly jumps from his seat. Oh. It seems like it's the end of the line.

You raise to your feet in turn and follow him out. YVES deems it necessary to immediately start bombarding you with directions, no matter how many times you dismiss the pesky things.

One day you’ll get Oricka to explain those settings.

Thankfully, Sabine seems to be completely okay with bringing you straight to his home unit compound. No convincing necessary there.

The first thing you notice is that he lacks the regular wooden doors that every other home unit has. His residence looks a little more... customized. And metallic.

He swipes a keycard into its corresponding lock and your earlier judgement proves to be an understatement. This place, even in the dark, is computer geek city.

You suddenly feel slightly claustrophobic.

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] WELCOME, REGULATOR...}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [--o] ''TO MY LAIR!''}}

Instead of a cartoony lightning strike to emphasise his dramatic flair, the lights flick on to the sound of something more like BWOOOAAAAAAOH. Emphasis on the bold and italics.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 9.Qd3 This... feels like it violates a lot of residential agreement clauses. ...Qb6}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] PERHAPS FOR THE REGULAR AVERAGE SCHMUCK.}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] BUT, LIKE IN MANY ASPECTS AND AREAS OF REPITONIAN CIVILIZATION, I AM AN EXCEPTION!}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [o--] (BY WHICH I MEAN I DEVIOUSLY GAINED ACCESS TO A PERMIT TO RENOVATE MY PATHETIC EX-LIVING STATION INTO A GLORIOUS WORK-AT-HOME LAIR!)}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [--o] ''AHAHAH AHAHAHAHAH''}}

Before you can properly formulate the thought that the "lair" denominator is somewhat endearing, he clears his throat. The absolute worst type of music starts blaring from his supercomputer's speakers: the way too loud kind.

You're sensing a theme here.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 10.Nc3 TURN THAT DOWN THIS INSTANT, YOUNG MAN! ...c4}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] WHAT WAS THAT? COULDN'T HEAR YOU OVER THE SOUND OF MY GENIUS.}}

What's absurd is that you have to yell over what you think is a "base drop," while his regular speaking volume is perfectly audible amidst the chaos.

His voice is, against all odds, pushing the waves of his diabolical soundtrack aside, like some kind of mythological OH FUCK YOU HE'S TURNING IT UP.

Your hands are clamped over your ears as tightly as possible. You squeeze your eyes shut, and when you open them back up again, the overlay on your visor is helpfully informing you that you’re getting a call.

Necron has undoubtedly picked the single worst time to check in. Still, it's probably important, so you make the world's most obvious "I'm on the phone" gesture at Sabine as you pick up.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Hey boss, 'scuse me for droppin' in on ya, just figured I'd-- †}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 1.e4 NECRON, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO SPEAK UP! ...d5}}

Despite you very clearly swiping your hand across your neck at your new DJ friend, Sabine fails to care enough to do anything in response. Rubbing his hands together like a supervillain doesn't count.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Jeez Laweez. YOU INVESTIGATING AN ERUPTING VOLCANO OR SOMETHIN', SES? ††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† DON'T RECKON MAGMA CHAMBERS AMBUSH CARGO TRUCKS ON THE REGS, BUT PROPS FOR BEING THOROUGH! ††}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 2.exd5 NO, THIS IS JUST. REALLY LOUD MUSIC. ...Qxd5}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: ''YEAH it is CRANK that :dab_shrimp: :whip_shrimp: :biwicedance_shrimp:''}}

It's tough to hear, but you're pretty sure you heard Oricka on the other line just then.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 3.Nc3 LOOK, CAN I CALL YOU BACK? I DON'T THINK I HAVE MUCH OF A SHOT AT TURNING THIS MUSIC OFF ANY TIME SOON. ...Qa5}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† HATE TO BREAK IT TO YA, TATER TOT, BUT THIS IS MAD RELEVANT. NOT ONLY THAT, BUT IT'S ABSOLUTELY ACE, TOO! ††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† GET THIS: WE CRACKED HOW TO ID NOXIOUS! ††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† GNARLY, AM I RIGHT? ††}}

Oh. You see why this call couldn't wait, now. This is extremely important shit.

If only you could hear it without the accompanying soundtrack. Unfortunately, plugging your other ear with your finger doesn't help all that much with the horrid background noise of this room.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 4.d4 IN AS SHORT AND CLEAR A STATEMENT AS POSSIBLE, PLEASE. ...Nf6}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† REDUPLICATION RECORDS. I GOT HIS NUMBER, NOW! AND BY THAT I MEAN HIS SIGIL. ††}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 5.Bd3 WOW. THAT'S... IMPRESSIVE. ''WOW.'' ...Nc6}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† S'JUST A MATTER OF GETTING ACCESS TO THE DATABASE. YOU CAN THANK ME LATER, SKATER. TOUCH BASE WITH ME WHEN YOU CAN. ††}}

Ugh, you really wish circumstances were... quieter right now. You are just dying to know how Necron managed to score that kind of information.

Or perhaps more accurately, what kind of bait Noxious used to let Necron think he found it. You're plenty aware of his game by now.

You hang up with a huff and look over to the smug little kid still blaring his dubstep, and you make it a point to not look amused.

Before you can let your irritation get the best of you, you both hear thumping coming from the floor.

That is likely his downstairs neighbor. You’d wager he’s about to file a formal complaint with the research department — whilst on the edge of being driven to physical violence by this maddening soundscape.

{{VE Quote|crytum|??????: O> Sabine!! I think you are being incredibly way too loud!! ‿}}

{{VE Quote|crytum|??????: O> The Boys and I are trying to have a conversation here and, this is, uhm. ‿}}

{{VE Quote|crytum|??????: O> Quiet, please!! ‿}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] SILENCE, GRUBWORM!}}

Sabine stomps on the floor like he's squishing a parasite in a skulltitan graveyard, cackling in mirth and rubbing it all in as much as he can.

Three stomps, then five stomps. Just like his laugh. This boy is committed to that quirk of his.

And then everything goes quiet. Thank the Mother, sweet silence. You sigh in relief as Sabine glowers at his floor.

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] WHAT THE-!? HOW DARE YOU INFILTRATE MY SYSTEMS AGAIN! YOU'LL PAY FOR THIS, MARK MY WORDS!}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 11.Qe3 If I may, Sabine? I don't have a lot of time right now. ...Rc8}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 12.Rd1 I came to pick your, er... brilliant mind. ...Nb4}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 13.Rb1 I require your talents. ...Bc6}}

All this ringing in your audio cones is reminding you of another high-decibel individual, which in turn reminds you that kissing ass is sometimes the fastest way to cut the crap.

Sure enough, his sour mood appears to pick right back up at the sound of praise.

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] WELL, WHEN YOU PHRASE IT SO REASONABLY. CHOP CHOP, INFERIOR.}}

How cute. He's trying so hard to sell the whole supervillain shtick.

You hope it's intentional, anyway.

===Time to pick his mind about...===

====>Awards night.====

The main reason you came to visit the junior designer centers rather heavily on his presence at Corporate's awards ceremony. You'd have to pick this option sooner or later.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 14.Ne5 So, Sabine. I've heard many a tale about the extent of your powers. Given your... recent displays, I doubt they're unfounded. ...Bxg2}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 15.Kxg2 I'm curious on where exactly your limits lie. ...Be7}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 16.Qf3 Um. Don't take that as a threat. Or a request. ...O-O}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] LIMITS? DON'T HAVE 'EM. I COULD HEAR A PIN DROP IN THE BLACK DEPTHS. WITH MY HANDS TIED BEHIND MY BACK.}}

You don't particularly envy the thought of being subjected to a constant stream of auditory overload. You also strongly doubt he could live up to such claims, but you'll focus on seeing if he can help you out.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 17.e4 How do you manage it? That'd drive just about anyone crazy. ...Rfd8}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 18.g4 Is your hearing really that powerful? ...Nc6}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] MY POWER ISN'T SENSITIVE HEARING, MOUTHBREATHER. THAT'D BE DUMB AND IDIOTIC OF ME TO HAVE.}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] MY CAPABILITIES ARE MUCH MORE REFINED THAN JUST THAT.}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [o--] (AND ALMOST CERTAINLY THAN ''YOURS''.)}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] MY BRILLIANT MIND HAS THE ABILITY TO CONTROL AND ALTER SOUND WAVES AND FREQUENCIES THROUGH A PROCESS KNOWN AS REVERMPLIFYING.}}

Is that even a real word? Your look of confusion must be evident, because he seems to be trying to "read your mind" again.

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] PLEASE. YOU'RE TELLING ME YOU'RE NOT UP TO SPEED ON CORPORATE'S VERBAL EFFICIENCY POLICY?}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [o--] (REVERBERATION AND AMPLIFICATION, DUMBASS.)}}

You think you're starting to see Sirage's point vis-a-vis portmanteau-related time sinks.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 19.Nxc6 So you're saying that you are ''able'' to listen to particular parts of complex soundscapes? Like during, say, the awards night you recently attended? ...Qxc6}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 20.d5 I'm only here to find out about... ...Qb7}}

You think you'll retire the phrase "murglary" for the night, since he's proven it's more trouble than it's worth.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 21.g5 ...the theft. You should leave unrelated topics at the door. ...Ne8}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] I CAN, INDEED. HOWEVER, USUALLY I DROWN OUT THE BORING AND SIMPLETON-ESQUE CONVERSATIONS OF IGNORAMUSES AROUND ME IN LARGE CROWDS.}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [---] ...}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [o--] (I DID HAVE TO KEEP AN EAR OUT FOR MY HOT CHOCOLATE, THOUGH. SO I MIGHT HAVE OVERHEARD SOMETHING.)}}

You feel like you're onto something, at long last. You don't even register what you’re doing when you lean in a little closer in interest.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 22.Bf4 I'm listening. ...b4}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] THE BAND COLLECTIVELY REALIZED THAT HER NECKLACE WAS MISSING AFTER THEIR FIRST PERFORMANCE OF THE NIGHT.}}

Wait. What?

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] THEY WERE FLIPPING THEIR SHIT OVER SOMETHING WITHOUT PRACTICAL USE. SENTIMENTAL VALUE OR SOMETHING? THE SINGER SAID SHE MIGHT FAINT.}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] HERE'S MY THEORY FOR WHEN IT WAS STOLEN BASED ON SECURITY GUARD PATTERNS AND BLIND SPOTS IN THE SURVEILLANCE SYSTEMS:}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 23.Ne2 What are you ''talking'' about? ...exd5}}

You know exactly what crime Sabine is referring to, but the next question leaves your mouth in a burst of desperation and denial.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 24.exd5 What theft do you think I'm here for? ...Bd6}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] UM, THE STOLEN NECKLACE. DUH.}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] WHAT THEFT ARE ''YOU'' HERE FOR IF NOT SOME APPARENTLY PRICELESS PERSONAL ACCESSORY.}}

A wave of feeling washes over you. A little feeling you like to call "god fucking damn it."

You should've known he’d have no idea about the philter. You have your doubts this kid has seen so much as a playground scrap.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 25.Rbc1 First of all, that case has already been closed. The necklace wasn't even stolen, simply misplaced. Trust me, not worth thinking about. ...Bxf4}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 26.Nxf4 Second of all, what I'm currently investigating is a lot more serious. ...Nd6}}

It's always a tough call, knowing who to tell information to. You shouldn't trust anyone, much less someone so potent at spreading the word. Besides, he’s just a kid — no need to get into grizzly details.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 27.Re1 People died this time. That's the gist of what you need to know. ...g6}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [o--] (HUH.)}}

His eyes are hidden behind his visor, so it's even harder than usual for you to get a good read on him. You wonder if even that was a step too far for his developing mind.

Whatever. You need information.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 28.h4 What, if anything, did you hear about "route data" that night? I know for a fact that it was discussed at the event. ...Qd7}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 29.Qh3 Spare no detail. ...Qxh3+}}

The "or else" is implied.

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [o--] (WELL... I HEARD THAT SOMEONE WAS WORRIED ABOUT THE INTEGRITY OF SOME "ROUTE DATA" THEY'D PURCHASED.)}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 30.Kxh3 Purchased? Elaborate on that. ...Re8}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] SOME SHMUCK GOES AROUND SELLING INFORMATION? I'D HYPOTHESIZE SHE'S BEEN DOING IT FOR SWEEPS. DEMANDS A PRETTY RING FOR IT, TOO.}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] I REMEMBER THE WORDS 'DATABASE' AND 'REAL-TIME'.}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] MY DRINK CAME SOON AFTER, SO THAT'S ALL I PICKED UP ON.}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [o--] (SHOULD'VE MENTIONED A PLACE TO BUY DECENT MODEL TRAINS IF THEY WANTED MY ATTENTION.)}}

This is a lot of very interesting information. You especially take note of the pronouns he just used.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 31.Kg4 That's incredibly helpful, which I'll confess is a nice change of pace. Thank you for your cooperation. ...Kf8}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] UM, I THINK YOU MEAN THANK YOU FOR MY VISION.}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 32.h5 Excuse me? ...c3}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] MONITOR, PLAY FILE "VICTORY_353.VID" FOR THE UNINITIATED.}}

You follow his line of sight, only for it to land on a previously deactivated monitor hung on the wall nearby. It flickers on to a recording from that night.

Past Sabine is past-currently being handed a certificate of some kind — by none other than Hamifi Hekrix herself. He's clearly laughing his signature laugh despite being now-currently muted.

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] THAT NIGHT, I RECEIVED THE JUNIOR CREATIVE VISION CERTIFICATE BY MISS HEKRIX HERSELF.}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] SHE IS PERSONALLY VERY PROUD OF ME AND I REFUSE TO ACCEPT ANY LESSER FORMS OF PRAISE.}}

You initially brush this off as him fanning his own ego, but upon further inspection of the footage he's bragging about... Well. You suppose Hamifi did always have a soft spot for the little ones.

Her mask is one of the most impervious to scrutiny you’ve ever seen — a fact that you admittedly take a certain amount of pride in. Either she gives you genuine strict scorn, or nothing at all.

But caring for your race's young? It gives her purpose. A legacy.

The lady's got one tough mask, but you've seen the way her face softens for yourself. Very rarely, but you know her well enough to know that the subtle affection displayed on the monitor isn't a mask.

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] THAT NIGHT, JUNIOR CREATIVE VISION CERTIFICATE. TOMORROW, THE WORLD!}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [--o] ''AHAHAH AHAHAHAHAH''}}

As for your own legacy? Saving that aforementioned world, with any luck.

====>Occupation.====

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 33.bxc3 You're a junior designer, I hear? At such a young age, to boot. ...bxc3}}

Emphasis on the word junior. Seeing the hints of grub fat on his cheeks makes you feel like the gray hairs on your head are flashing neon white.

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] MY OCCUPATION IS INDEED TO PUMP PURE INNOVATION INTO THE LIFEBLOOD OF CORPORATE.}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [o--] (BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, IT IS MY MISSION TO GUIDE ALL OF TROLLKIND TO A BRIGHTER AND MORE ADVANCED SOCIETY.)}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 34.Rxe8+ That's what it says on your job description, is it? Tall order. ...Kxe8}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] IT'S WHAT IT SAYS ON MY REDUPLIFICATION CERTIFICATE, ACTUALLY.}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] RIGHT UNDER THE PART WHERE IT ALL BUT CONFIRMS I AM THE BEGINNING OF THE NEXT EVOLUTION OF TROLLKIND.}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 35.hxg6 Uh huh. Alright then. ...hxg6}}

This is all a little too much for you, so you'll just brush right past that last statement. You've seen enough cults determined to prove themselves fate's shepherd for one lifetime.

Especially since you’re still worried about the ones you may have confirmed actually exist.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 36.Rc2 But what do you get paid to do, exactly? This lab screams "genetic experimentation" crossed with "radio station." You'll have to forgive me if I fail to see any junior designing happening in here. ...Rc4}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 37.Kf3 Unless you're saying you designed all of this machinery? But I would think that makes you an engineer, not a designer. ...Nb5}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 38.Ke3 Aren't you on the graphics payroll? ...Kd7}}

His answer is spoken with as much interest as someone being paid to watch paint dry.

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] I MAKE MONEY DESIGNING LOGOS FOR CORPORATE. DEPARTMENTS, PRODUCTS, COUPLE SKORPE THEMES...}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] IT'S A NEGLIGIBLE ASPECT OF MY NIGHTLY ROUTINE. TO PUT IT IN LAYMAN'S TERMS, IT'S "WHATEVER."}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] NOT THE MOST PRODUCTIVE ASSETS I COULD BE UTILIZING MY PRECIOUS TIME ON.}}

That attitude strikes you as nothing but bizarre, considering the way this egomaniacal kid has acted so far. You can’t imagine him being anything but boastful about all products that bear his initials.

You'll put away the thought for now. Instead, you're wondering why he feels so detached from the work that pays his bills.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 39.Ne2 I'm... sure that there are better outlooks to take on your career than self-deprecation. ...Kd6}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 40.Kd3 Surely, you wouldn't be paid for it if your work was subpar. ...Rg4}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [o--] (SNRK.)}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [o--] (HEHEHEH EHEHEHEHEH!)}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 41.Nxc3 Stop laughing. What's so funny? ...Nxc3}}

In one swift kick to the gut, you’re suddenly reminded of the scent of freshly grown hot dogs. Or rather, you recall the scent.

Eyes on you, unabashedly soaking in your radiant waves of misfortune.

Sabine ceases his snickering and thankfully misses the warm flush of shame that courses through you.

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] YOU THINK PEOPLE DON'T PAY UP FOR SHITTY GRAPHICS, HUH? HOW NAIVE AND SO VERY FOOLISH OF YOU.}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] THANKFULLY I KNOW BETTER THAN TO OVERESTIMATE THE TASTES OF OUR WOOLBEAST-MINDED POPULATION. OBSERVE.}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] MONITOR, PLAY FILE "PORTFOLIO_322.VID" FOR THE NOOB.}}

The monitor on the wall switches from its earlier program to a slideshow of vibrant logos.

Perhaps... too vibrant. Man, dark colors really aren't his style.

That is to say, you're trying to find a polite way to inform him that these couldn't possibly be worth a position on the Corporate payroll. Your eyes are starting to hurt.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 42.Rxc3 This is, um... how do I put this. ...Rxg5}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 43.Rc6+ Are you sure your monitor is functioning correctly? ...Kxd5}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 44.Ra6 ''Absolutely'' sure? ...Rf5}}

Given a second more of thought, you'd have likely come to the conclusion that this is the reason you don’t endeavor to talk to children on the regular.

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] ARE YOU IMPLYING THAT I AM INCAPABLE OF MEETING MY OWN STANDARDS, SECILY?}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] THIS IS LITERALLY WHAT I GET PAID FOR.}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] AND THE POPULATION SIMPLY EATS IT UP!}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [--o] ''AHAHAH AHAHAHAHAH''}}

You are so lost right now. Granted, you've been feeling lost for a while, but this takes the pastry fortress for most significant emotional dissonance of the wice.

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] IT'S ''SUPPOSED'' TO LOOK GOD AWFUL, REGULATOR. IT'S ALL A PART OF MY INCREDIBLY DEVIOUS SCHEME.}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] I MAKE THIS VISUAL GARBAGE AND PEOPLE PAY FOR IT, RIGHT? THIS AUTOMATICALLY MAKES ME SUPERIOR TO FAILING ARTISTS WHO TRY THEIR BEST AND NEVER MAKE IT.}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] IT'S A LITTLE THING CALLED BEING UNSTOPPABLE, I'M SURE YOU CAN UNDERSTAND.}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 45.Ke3 Is that the reason your audio work renders my think pan completely incapable of higher functionality? ...Re5+}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 46.Kd3 If I hear one more "wub" sound, I swear my skull is going to split open in protest. ...Re7}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 47.Ra5+ Do you ever actually try your genuine best? Ever? ...Ke6}}

Uh oh. He's scowling at you now. This is the part where you realize you can't talk to kids.

Well. Not kids like this one, at least.

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [o--] (YES, MY MUSIC IS ALSO TERRIBLE ON PURPOSE. I MAKE A LIVING THROUGH THE ABSOLUTE WORST PRACTICES.)}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [o--] (IT TAKES A VERY HIGH IQ TO UNDERSTAND MY ART, AN INHERENT QUALITY I EXPECTED FROM SOMEONE SO RENOWNED.)}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [o--] (TRY TO KEEP UP, SECILY. NEXT QUESTION.)}}

You're not sure if he's hurt because you called his music terrible or because you didn't realize that was the entire point.

You're done shoving your foot in your mouth, though. Moving on.

===>Explore lab.===

"Lab." It astounds you that this is his residence. You're still in a residential building, and yet it seems like he's trying to compete with Occeus for the Academic Excellence of the Sweep award.

You spare a moment to hope that he's doing okay, and wonder if his matesprit has been told about what happened during your investigation.

You also hope that Ellsee Raines knows that her matesprit almost died in order to protect her. That he succeeded where you...

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] OBSERVING MY WORK STATION, ARE WE? JEALOUS?}}

His voice cuts through the air like a ribbon. You should not dwell on these thoughts, lest you discover that he somehow really can read your mind.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 48.Ke4 But of course. I can't say that I know many people who live in a place quite so... well-equipped. ...Kf6+}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 49.Kf3 You're certainly unique. ...Rc7}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] I SHOULD HAVE GATHERED SOONER THAT YOU WOULD BE ACHING,}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [o--] (DYING EVEN,)}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [--o] ''TO EXPLORE MY LABORATORY LABORATORY LABORATORY LABORATORY''}}

You've now learned that he also has the power to make his voice literally echo, on top of everything else he's displayed.

It does a surprisingly good job at throwing off your sense of direction, actually. It's disorienting to hear his voice completely surrounding you when he's only six feet in front of you.

You power through it regardless.

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] EXCELLENT. FEAST YOUR EYES ON THE INCREDIBLY RARE GENIUSFOWL'S NATURAL HABITAT.}}

He presses two fingers to his forehead and looks as if he's entering a state of heightened concentration.

You hear light whirring. Before you realise it's coming from behind you, something collides with the back of your calves and knocks you off your feet.

You curse louder than you'd like as your posterior hits the cushion underneath it, and quickly gather that you're now seated on some kind of mobile chair.

A second one approaches Berare from behind, but he's ready for it. You're assuming that's why he leaned backwards and remained unfazed by the sudden seating arrangement. Call it a hunch.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 50.Kg4 All-mother--! ''Warn'' me, perhaps!? ...Rd7}}

You are merely treated to rhythmic cackling as both of you are steered closer to the giant supercomputer in the middle of the lab.

Easily within walking distance, mind you. That's the most insulting part: it would have taken five seconds to get over here. You have a feeling he just wanted you to fall on your ass.

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] WELCOME TO THE ONE AND ONLY STOP ON THIS TOUR, BECAUSE THIS IS ALL YOU NEED TO WRAP YOUR FEEBLE MIND AROUND.}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] EDEZEN!}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 51.Kf4 Edezen? ...Kg7}}

Almost as an answer to your question, the six-monitored technological behemoth in front of you roars to life.

With the size of this thing, it looks like it might belong in the Tom Cruise Memorial Theater II. It dominates your peripheral vision when you're standing this close to it.

You can only guess at the complexities of whatever intricate systems race into overdrive with this one single word.

The rising pitch of what you imagine is one million tiny robot calculators smashing against each other reminds you that you have no idea how computers work. The thought unnerves you.

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] LOG IN.}}

One would normally expect a text input window if one were to say "LOG IN." Maybe a card key or fingerprint scanner if you were feeling fancy, Or just a regular key if you're paranoid about technology.

When his keyboard flips up to reveal a long, thin camera, you wonder if he has some kind of eye scanning system in place, before noting how he is definitely not taking his dark visor off.

Does it scan his sigil or something? There are only so many password input possibilities.

As it turns out, the answer is none of the above. Instead, Sabine breaks out into some kind of juvenile jig, and you notice a corresponding digital skeleton that mirrors his movements on-screen.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 52.Ra6 This is how one gains access to your computer? This seems... wildly insecure. ...Kh6}}

At least he has a password system, but all it would take is a little choreography before you're in.

He finishes his jiving by crossing his arms proudly, and the screens switch to his desktop.

It's a chaotic mess, to say the least. Occeus’s was clean, minimalistic. This looks more like those conspiratorial leaked x-rays of Turnin Kaikai's digestive system than a proper work station.

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] IF IT'S SO INSECURE, I'D LIKE TO OBSERVE YOUR UNCULTURED GLUTES BREAK INTO MY SYSTEM.}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] I BET YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW THE NAME OF THAT DANCE, OLDBAG.}}

===''[Choice Section]''===

====>I'm most certainly cultured.====

That’s not even a lie, not by any stretch. It's hard not to pick up on a wide array of subjects when you've seen as many far-flung corners of the world as you have.

That being said, you haven't the faintest idea of what he was doing.

If only Oricka were here. She knows the ins and outs of informal cultural practices like the back of her wrench. But you can't admit defeat, not now. Your pride won't allow it.

You've read some headlines. You've got this in the bag.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 53.Kg4 Of course I know the name. Who wouldn't be familiar with... ...Rc7}}

=====''[Choice Section (dance names)]''=====

>Rhythmic body movements, >Yellow vengeance, >Fang-brushing, >Illegally crossing the street, >Adrenaline.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 54.Kh4 ...the [dance name] dance? ...Rc3}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] WHAT? NO, THERE AREN'T EVEN WORDS FOR HOW WRONG THAT IS.}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] THAT NONSENSE ISN'T EVEN QUANTIFIABLE.}}

>Rhythmic body movements

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] I MEAN, YES, THAT IS A SOMEWHAT OBJECTIVELY TRUE STATEMENT, BUT IT SURE AS HECK ISN'T THE PROPER NOUN FOR WHAT I JUST DID.}}

>Yellow vengeance

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] DON'T ACT LIKE YOU'RE NOT SAYING THAT JUST BECAUSE OF MY BLOOD COLOR. I CAN READ YOUR MIND, REMEMBER?}}

>Fang-brushing

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] FANG-BRUSHING IS LAME ANYWAY. THAT'S THE EASIEST DANCE TO PULL OFF AND IT'S DEFINITELY NOT PASSWORD-WORTHY.}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [o--] (THAT'S A ONE-WAY TRIP TO BEING HACKED, PRO TIP.)}}

>Illegally crossing the street

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] BECAUSE AS WE ALL KNOW, I'M MORONIC ENOUGH TO VIOLATE CORPORATE POLICY AND ENDORSE THE ACT OF UNSAFE TRANSPORTATION METHODS TO OTHER CORPORATE EMPLOYEES.}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [o--] ("ILLEGALLY CROSSING THE STREET." WHAT A FOOLISH GUESS.)}}

>Adrenaline.

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] IF YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT THE FEELING YOU GET WHEN YOU ARE IN MY PRESENCE, I SUPPOSE I COULD ALLOW THAT, BUT YOU SURE HAVE A WEIRD WAY OF DANCING AROUND FAIRLY SIMPLE SUBJECT MATTERS.}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] IT'S NO BIG DEAL, I'M JUST THAT INCREDIBLE.}}

-

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [o--] (MAN, FOR A GROWN-UP, YOU SURE ARE DUMB.)}}

====>You're right, carry on.====

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 53.Kg4 Alright, you got me. I haven’t the faintest idea. ...Rc7}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 54.Kh4 Personally, I find that to be a lackluster and unfair criterion for this form of judgement, but what do I know. ...Rc3}}

You don't need to see his eyes to tell that he's rolling them behind his visor. Probably while internally critiquing your cultural blind spots, if the air of smug satisfaction is anything to go by..

He sure does enjoy holding the topical upper hand in casual conversations.

-

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] WHATEVER, I DIDN'T BRING YOU HERE TO PROVE ''YOUR'' INFERIORITY.}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] I BROUGHT YOU HERE TO PROVE ''MY'' SUPERIORITY!}}

Sabine starts typing something into his computer, and you couldn't interpret it for the life of you. It's all unknown acronyms and shorthands flashing by at blazing speeds.

You stop paying attention to his antics in favor of observing the lab around you, instead. You doubt he'll give you a tour after this.

It's surprisingly roomy in here — despite the giant mutant computer smack dab in the middle of it all.

You'd wager that’s because this is the only room he has. There are no other doors or halls beyond the entrance, his recuperacoon is right in the corner — wait, is that his load gaper???

Discreet seams on the floor surround the designated sanitization block area, indicating where the walls should be. Are they tucked inside the floor, somehow?

Before you can ask why his sanitization block walls seem to be directly colliding with the living space of his downstairs neighbor, you hear the muffled sound of...

''Hot-hot, oh, we got it, hot-hot, yeah, we got it!''
You turn to Sabine for an explanation, and all he has for you is a grin.

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [o--] (YOU FOOL, YOU JUMPED RIGHT INTO MY TRAP! I BROUGHT YOU OVER HERE SOLELY TO REGAIN ACCESS TO MY COMPUTER FOR REVENGE AGAINST CRYTUM!)}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [o--] (NOW HE HAS TO LISTEN TO THE HOT CHOCOLATE SONG LOOP ON HIS COMPUTER FOR THE NEXT SIX HOURS!)}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [o--] (AHAHAH AHAHAHAHAH)}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 55.f4 I truly do wonder why you're even allowed in a communal home tower. ...Rc7}}

Realistically, you know it's because of his status. Most residents of Stronghold 21 who are quote-unquote ordinary live in apartments like these.

Members of the higher shades of the spectrum are given certain financial bonuses for the sheer act of existing, due to their scarcity. It's especially rare to see them here.

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] UM, ''ACTUALLY'', THERE'S A VERY SIMPLE EXPLANATION FOR WHY MY GENIUS IS TRAPPED IN THE DRAB CONFINES OF COMPACT CIVILIZATION.}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [o--] (TO TEST MY SKILLS.)}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [o--] (TO OBSERVE MY CAPABILITIES IN A LAYMAN'S ENVIRONMENT. CAN I THRIVE EVEN WITH THE PRIMITIVE TOOLS GIVEN TO ME?)}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] THE ANSWER IS YES.}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 56.Kg4 If it's any comfort, my apartment isn't that extravagant either. I'd wager this is actually more furnished than my place. ...f5+}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 57.Kh4 I can appreciate the dedication to your job. Even if this is frankly a little over the top. ...Rc4}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] WELL IF YOUR PLACE IS SPARSER THAN THIS THEN I GUESS I'M ALREADY BETTER THAN YOU.}}

You wouldn’t quite put it like that, exactly.

Charitably, you decide to not argue the point. You don’t even DARE to imagine what he would sound like if he was wailing.

As much diabolical credit as it might give him, you really doubt you have any reason to be suspicious. You've got all the details you need from him, too.

Your work here is done. You have no more business messing around with this loud, yet oddly endearing kid.

You're in the middle of mentally going over the notes you’ll recite to YVES as soon as you leave, when out of the corner of your eye you catch something that makes your blood run cold.

On his bottom left monitor, there is a flashing window, begging for attention. Begging for your attention.

A Skorpe user is messaging your little genius — and, worryingly, not for the first time.

obnoxiousAntidote.

It's not hard to skim the chat log even from a distance, the combined screen span of his operating system is massive.

The seething rage strikes you like a bolt of lightning to the gut, as you take in the words on display.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 58.Kg3 Sabine. ...Rc3+}}

You keep your voice as calm as possible, trying to find some delicate way to break the ice. He hasn't noticed your alarm just yet.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 59.Kf2 There has been an outbreak of concerning anonymous messages lately. Someone — or some''ones'' — reaching out and talking about... ...Rc7}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 60.Kg3 Troublesome things. ...Kh5}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 61.Ra3 Have you been contacted by any strangers recently? Online, to be more specific? ...Rd7}}

You're not sure if those quirked eyebrows are in concern or confusion, but when he notices you looking over his shoulder, he quickly runs over and closes the chat window.

Alarm bells start ringing inside your head. Mr. Know-it-all still isn't answering your question.

You need to press harder.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 62.Kh3 Sabine... ...a5 SECILY: 63.Kg3 Who is obnoxiousAntidote? ...Rd5}}

You can see his stomach sinking due to your specificity. He seems bothered, but it's wiped clean from his face not two seconds later.

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [o--] (JUST SOME NOBODY DESPERATELY TRYING TO LEECH OFF OF MY BRAINS. COLORBLIND, TOO.)}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [o--] (DOESN'T KNOW A SHADE OF GOLD TEXT WHEN HE SEES ONE. LOL.)}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 64.Rc3 Hm. What makes you say that, exactly? ...Rd4}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] THE MORON THOUGHT I WAS A BRONZEBLOOD, WHICH IS ABSOLUTELY THE DUMPIDEST THING I'VE EVER HEARD.}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 65.Ra3 Dumpidest. Dumbest and stupidest? ...a4}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] PRECISELY, IT'S THAT. HE IS THAT.}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [o--] (I MEAN I'M NOT EVEN... MY TEMPERATURE ISN'T...)}}

You both fall into silence for a few seconds. The only sound making it to your ringing ears is the new soundtrack Crytum is apparently having to listen to downstairs.

You wish you knew how to make him feel better. You really do. No matter how much he pushes your buttons, he's just a kid. Trying his damndest to act like he's okay.

After the church, though, you're twice as cautious about shoving your foot far enough down your throat to step in your own digestive system. Which unfortunately might be making things worse.

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] WHATEVER. HE'S ONLY PROVING MY POINT, THEREFORE PROVING ME THE REAL VICTOR. HIS "CLEANSING THE WORLD" SHTICK DOESN'T HOLD A CANDLE TO MINE.}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] TALK ABOUT OVERKILL.}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] DO YOU KNOW WHAT KIND OF POTENT SOUL SAP RUNS THROUGH THESE VEINS?}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 66.Rc3 You... look like a regular goldblood to me. I honestly don't see where the notion of bronze could possibly come from. ...Rb4}}

That's a very small lie. If you squint, you can kind of sort of half-tell what he's talking about. Something about his hue is just a little off.

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] ACTUALLY, I'M A MUTANT GOLDBLOOD.}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 67.Rd3 Come again? ...Rc4}}

He gives you a look of exasperation, as if he's told you this fact a hundred times already.

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] YOU WON'T UNDERSTAND IT IF I TELL YOU SCIENTIFICALLY, BUT OH WELL. TRY TO KEEP UP.}}

Okay, that one DEFINITELY sounded condescending. But if you kept count on the number of times Sabine has almost offended you tonight, you would simply be wasting time.

You accept that this is just who he is. At least now he’s trying to give you a reason for it.

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] MY BLOOD SHADE FALLS WITHIN THE COLOR TEMPERATURE RANGE OF A BRONZEBLOOD. DESPITE THIS, I'M OFFICIALLY DOCUMENTED AS A GOLDBLOOD.}}

You open your mouth to ask him a question or two, but by the time the words come to your lips, he's cutting you off.

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [o--] (BEFORE YOU ASK, THE CHEMISTRY OF MY BLOOD IS IDENTICAL TO OTHER GOLDS AND UNDERGOES THE SAME REACTIONS. I AM NOT A MISCATEGORIZED BRONZE.)}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [o--] (GOLD BLOOD ENTERING THE THINK PAN RELEASES A CHEMICAL KNOWN AS AUSTININE. DID YOU KNOW AUSTININE IS ONE OF THE MOST REACTIVE HEMATOLOGICAL COMPOUNDS?)}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [o--] (IT'S A KEY FACTOR IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF SURVIVAL ABILITIES FOR US.)}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] THIS MUTATION IS EVIDENCE THAT I AM THE FIRST IN LINE OF A BRAND NEW GENETIC EVOLUTION OF TROLLKIND. AS SUCH I HAVE DUBBED MYSELF "INSECTO NOVUS."}}

At this point, you're tired of being in his echo chamber of a superiority complex. Questioning him any further is probably only going to drag your stay out longer.

And if you can read him right, this seems to be his coping mechanism for dealing with his mutation. You don't exactly know enough about blood to dispute him anyway.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 68.Ra3 Sure. Interesting stuff. ...Kh6}}

As noted in the past, you're not a very good actor and he sees right through your blatant lack of exploded think pan. You guessed it would be as such, but it was worth a shot.

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] I CAN PROVE IT!}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 69.Rd3 This is very heavily derailing the conversation, I really should be... ...Kh5}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 70.Ra3 ...oh, what the hell. Fine. Show me what you've got. ...Kh6}}

When you feel the mobile chair from before crash back into you, you can't help but curse under your breath. You're not taking kindly to being thrown about like a ragdoll.

Your seat slides itself into place directly beside his computer, fastening with a click.

What happens next is the sudden restriction of your wrists, and a complete loss of vision as something hollow descends to cover your head.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 71.Rd3 What are you ''doing?'' I don't know what this proves, exactly. ...Rb4}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 72.Rc3 Other than showcasing a disturbing level of ease kidnapping people. Trapping my wrists doesn't make me trust you, here. ...Rd4}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] OH, RELAX. YOU'RE NOT IN ANY FORM OF DANGER, EXCEPT MAYBE TO YOUR EGO.}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [o--] (EVERYONE ALWAYS TRIES TO TAKE THE SCANNER OFF AT FIRST SO I FIGURED I'D JUST SAVE MYSELF SOME TROUBLE BY STOPPING YOU.)}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] ALL I'M DOING IS SCANNING THE RAPIDITY AND CLARITY OF YOUR BRAIN PATTERNS. I'LL THEN REVEAL TO YOU A COMPARISON TO MY OWN PATTERNS.}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] AND THEN I'LL SHOW THE WHOLE ''WORLD'' MY GENIUS! NOBODY WILL QUESTION MY BRILLIANCE! I WILL LEAD THE REVOLUTION OF INVENTION!}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] NOT CRYTUM. NOT SOME WEIRD DEFORMED SEA DWELLER. ME. ME. ME!}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [--o] ''AHAHAH AHAHAHAHAH''}}

As much as you would feel threatened by literally any other individual, you're pretty sure you heard his voice crack just now.

God damn it, you don't hurt kids.

Well, not when you're your age, anyhow. You've given a few fellow youths a bruise or two. It was well-deserved, though.

Everything you do, you do for her.

===>Recall: FIRST SCRAP.===

You were four sweeps old, you and Ahlina. Back when your love for her was a mere fledgling crush.

You'd spent the day prior scavenging for flowers with your lusus. Your lusus insisted it was the single best way to get someone's attention.

You had no idea how to talk to girls (make that literally anyone), so you trusted your lusus, who in retrospect was probably just after nectar. Hummingbird moths can't get enough of flowers.

The next night rolled around and you were preparing to say your first ever words to her, if any at all. You weren't particularly chatty back then.

What you ended up finding was a need to take cover and observe the storm brewing around Ahlina. Three kids, to be specific. You could hear words like "pushover" and "doormat".

You should have intervened right then. That was the first burning red flag.

But you were scared. Moreso of getting her into trouble than taking three bullies on at once. Some people bear powerful grudges.

And then the kid in the center grew tired of waiting for a coherent response from the trembling girl and shoved her to the ground. That snotnubbed motherfucker.

You panicked. Your floral gift fell to the ground and you scrambled for a makeshift weapon. Anything would do.

You ended up going with your fists.

It was three versus one. Even back then you knew it was a stupid plan, but it was worth it to see your target on the ground, curling up and clutching his cheek.

Your victory was short-lived, though. One of his cohorts suddenly had you in a Full Nelson, leaving you wide open for the third to attack.

His fist met your face and left you disoriented and with what you later learned was merely a broken nose. He should've punched harder.

You blindly traded blow for blow by giving him a kick to the torso, using the same sneaker to stomp hard on the foot of the bully holding you in place.

It gave you the wiggle room needed to retrieve your limbs back. While he was howling profanity kids his age shouldn't know, he received your elbow in his chest.

By then, all three of them were scrambling off, clearly deciding it wasn't worth dealing with your early grasp on martial arts.

They didn't matter to you anymore. Your attention latched onto the quiet sniffling from Ahlina like you'd die if you missed it.

And still, you had no idea what to say. You just took a beating for her and you couldn't even muster up the ability to say two lousy words to her.

You offered her a hand up to her feet and inspected her for any damage despite your own bleeding nose.

She broke the silence by sheepishly offering you a can of Mountain Dew from her satchel. "That looked like it really hurt," she said, "we should get that checked out."

You're sorry, Ahlina. It's all you could blurt out. You should have been there sooner.

It erupts from you like you've been choking the words down for decagrades.

You're sorry, Ahlina. You could have said anything else, done anything else. You kick yourself every day, painfully aware of it.

===>You're sorry.===

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] WHO THE HELL'S AHLINA?}}

Shit. Everything freezes when his invasive question snaps your recall in half like a brittle stick. You hadn't realized you'd been freed of the strange helmet he'd put on you.

How much of your recall was he suddenly privy to? Fuck, what were you thinking, exposing a vulnerability when he's scanning your brain?

Maybe he's right and you are just an idiot.

You still certainly feel like one.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 73.Kf3 I... I don't think... ...Kg7}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] YOU KNOW WHAT I DON'T CARE ANYMORE. THAT SOUNDS VERY UNNECESSARILY FEELINGSY.}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] I DON’T REALLY DEAL IN FEELINGS. ESPECIALLY NOT YOURS.}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [o--] (YOU WERE MUMBLING TO YOURSELF FOR SOME REASON?? BEATS ME, BUT I COULD HEAR YOU PRETTY EASILY.)}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [o--] (DIDN’T KNOW YOU HAD THE CAPACITY TO BE SO SAD OVER SOMETHING SO TRIVIAL.)}}

Your face is overcome with that burning hot wash of regret. Not because of him, but because of yourself.

You know damn well you're going to really give it to yourself later for the unforgivable act of fucking something up.

Letting it slip from your lips or failing to protect Ahlina all those sweeps ago? You'll decide later.

For now, you'll focus on what seems to be surprising Sabine so thoroughly on his screen, because he falls dead silent.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 74.Kg3 Sabine? You look surprised. ...Kf7}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 75.Rf3 I think this is the longest silent streak I've heard from you tonight. ...Ke6}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [o--] (NO... HOLY SHIT... THERE'S NO WAY!)}}

He isn't even paying attention to you until you stand up to observe the results of his experiment.

You see a very bright silhouette of your think pan and a bunch of tiny numbers that don't mean anything to you.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 76.Kh4 I fail to understand the significance of this image. It's all just one color. ...Kd5}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 77.Kg5 Is that in any way significant? ...Ke4}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] THAT'S THE REASON IT'S SO SIGNIFICANT. THE ENTIRETY OF YOUR RECOLLECTIVE PROCESSES ARE OFF THE CHARTS??}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [o--] (NO, NO, THIS ISN'T... CRAP. ARE YOU ALSO A MEMBER OF INSECTO NOVUS?)}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [o--] (I THOUGHT I WAS THE ONLY ONE. I WAS SUPPOSED TO BE THE LEADER OF THE NEW REVOLUTION!)}}

He does realize you're still perfectly capable of hearing him, right? This is quite a step up from a stage whisper.

It most certainly is not your responsibility to look after the ego of this kid, but... there's also something to be said about clearing up misconceptions.

Yeah, that's your excuse.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 78.Rf1 I assure you, I'm not in a hurry to overthrow you or anyone. What you're seeing is simply my own little mutation. ...Rd6}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 79.Re1+ Repiton is full of them, if anything we encourage those who have mutations to utilize them if possible. ...Kf3}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 80.Rc1 Unfortunately, perfect recall hasn't won me every match of wits the world has challenged me with. ...Ke3}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 81.Rc4 Sometimes... adults aren't as perfect as they seem to kids like-- people like you. ...Rd4}}

Your last misspeak didn't seem to tide him over as properly as you'd like, but he's at least talking to you instead of at you again.

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] ELABORATE.}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 82.Rc3+ On adults or my ability? ...Rd3}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] YOU'RE CLAIMING THAT PERFECT RECALL - OR THE TECHNICAL TERM: PRESERVATIVE NEUROSTORAGE - HAS THE POTENTIAL TO NOT BE 100% USEFUL.}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] HOW COULD THAT BE?}}

You take a deep breath and try to work out what to say to him. You take a look around the workaholic dreamscape he lives in and conclude that he thinks that raw data can solve everything.

That the world could be fixed if one last ingenious algebraic equation was unearthed from the polluted crust of the planet.

If every cog was spinning perfectly in sync, there wouldn't be a problem. So where's the broken clockwork?

He hasn't learned yet that supposedly perfect systems can and do still break.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 83.Rc4 I was there at the awards night, too. The one I'm asking you about. ...Rd4}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 84.Rc3+ I HEARD a tiny snippet of that conversation you fleshed out for me, but lost focus, and that evidence almost vanished entirely. ...Ke4}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 85.Rc1 Every time I try to recall that conversation, I simply loop the same error, over and over again. ...Kd5}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [---] ...}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] THAT CAN BE EASILY RESOLVED.}}

What?

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] YEAH, ALL YOU'D HAVE TO DO IS RECALL THAT NIGHT IN MY SCANNER AND I CAN PEEL BACK THE CONVERSATIONAL LAYERS YOU OVERHEARD.}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 86.Rf1 That's the problem. I couldn't catch the conversation that night, it doesn't matter what you take from my memories. ...Ke6}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 87.Re1+ As much as I'd love a chance to travel back and hear it all, I don't think even the most powerful of the age old Time alchemists could send us there. ...Kf7}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] WERE YOU IN EARSHOT? ''COULD'' YOU HAVE HEARD THEM IF YOU WERE CONCENTRATING HARDER?}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 88.Rb1 I could have. I don't see what difference the hypothetical makes beyond Commissioner Hindsight rubbing it in my face. ...Rd2}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] IT MEANS YOU DID HEAR IT, DUMBASS. IT'S A LITTLE THING CALLED SUBRADAR FREQUENCIES.}}

You fall quiet, because it sounds like maybe, just maybe, he has a way for you to make up for your lost time after all.

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] THINK OF IT THIS WAY. YOU'VE BEEN LISTENING TO THE SONG COMING FROM DOWNSTAIRS ALL THIS TIME, CORRECT?}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 89.Rb7+ I've been tuning it out, actually. You really should let up on your poor neighbor. ...Ke6}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [o--] (LET’S STICK TO OUR DIALOGUE, REGULATOR. THAT’S HIS PUNISHMENT. HE’LL WORK IT OUT.)}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] ANYWAYS. THE SOUND MAKES IT TO YOUR EARS, AND THEREFORE YOUR MIND! YOU FORGET YOU HEAR IT BECAUSE YOUR SUBCONSCIOUS MIND MASKS IT, BUT THE DATA IS STILL STORED.}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] AM I MAKING SENSE OR SHOULD I GO A LITTLE STUPIDER?}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] IT'S A SIMPLER MATTER TO COMPREHEND WHEN YOU CAN OBSERVE THE WAVES LIKE I'M ABLE TO, BUT DO TRY YOUR BEST TO KEEP UP.}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] DID YOU KNOW THAT PENTOCULAR SYNESTHESIA AFFECTS 0.002% OF THE POPULATION?}}

Mutation trivia aside, you listen more intently to the torturous score below. It does make sense. You think you can see where this is going.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 90.Rb6+ So when you talk about peeling back the layers, you're saying I overheard every conversation at once? ...Kf7}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 91.Rf6+ And that the data from a single conversation could be extracted? ...Ke7}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] IT'LL TAKE A WHILE FOR ME TO DECOMPILE ANYTHING INTELLIGIBLE, BUT YES.}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] I'LL SEND YOU THE FILES WHEN I RETRIEVE LEGIBLE WORDS.}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] ALL IN A NIGHT'S WORK FOR THE MAN WITH THE BIGGEST GRAY MATTER PLATTER EVER.}}

Say it with him, everyone:

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [--o] ''AHAHAH AHAHAHAHAH''}}

Sabine, you genius. You felt sickening at first, but you've really turned around. You (Secily) give him a curt nod.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 92.Rxg6 Thank you, Sabine. Your assistance is greatly appreciated. Vital, even. ...½-½}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] SILENCE! STOP STATING THE OBVIOUS AND GET BACK IN THE POD.}}

{{VE Quote|sabine|SABINE: [-o-] I’M ABOUT TO GET A LITTLE "MEMORIAL" UP IN HERE.}}

You sit down once more to recall the awards night.

Hopefully this is the last time you'll have to revisit past mistakes.

END

[[Category:Transcript]]

Snowbound Blood: Volume Seven/Transcript

2024-07-29T16:18:46Z

PassiveJungle: Formatted the page.

{{Incomplete|Needs inter-page linking}}

==Volume Seven Start==

Your name is SECILY IOPARA and the last couple of wices have been getting to you.

Your present case has got you off-kilter, still running around like a barkbeast chasing its tail, circle after circle after circle. Just like you were around Cadlys.

You keep telling yourself you’re going to break out of this pattern, but you inevitably find yourself even more tangled in it.

Normally, you would have more progress to show for all the time that you’ve spent on an assignment.

You’re beginning to think a linear measure of your advancement is ill-suited for the situation at hand.

Or... maybe you just wish the mental progress bar you project onto the situation was fuller, so to speak.

Not that your investigations have been uneventful. You’ve had a sizeable roster of trolls to interview, made up of potential suspects — as well as tentative allies.

You’re notably bad at making those under any normal circumstances.

But through it all, you’ve made a few new acquaintances, caught up with some old ones - within Stronghold 21 as well as in locations you’re not keen on revisiting.

They have all helped you start piecing together this situation you’re embroiled in, each in their own unique way.

Perhaps now, as you begin another chapter of your investigation, is the best time to review those pieces.

===>Recall: THE CASE SO FAR.===

Let's start from the beginning, one last time.

The case is Priority Aleph. Cases like this don't sprout from artificial parkside trees. Even most matters of life and death don't approach this level of importance.

Sestro summoned you to his office the night after a security breach resulted in three dead trolls and a vital artifact stolen.

A philter, presumed to carry a vial of the Vivifier's blood, was missing.

Said vial was most certainly the target of the assailant(s). The thieves had precise information on where the transport convoy was headed, what it contained, and where it was contained.

After your investigation of the crime scene proper, you received your first call from him.

An anonymous caller touched base with you immediately upon the conclusion of your initial investigation. Taunting you. Mocking you. He gave you a place and a time: Eidolic Acres. +2.111. Two days.

You met with Hamifi to discuss the details. She warned you, in big bold letters, not to trust anyone.

You had your list of suspects, and started searching close to home. The branch responsible for the development of Skorpe held two suspects.

Sirage Feltri was initially a suspect due to a conveniently timed absence from work after an ambiguous wicend, but her playing hooky was related to a slightly different substance.

She's proven useful as a connection to the black market since then — an extra pair of spying globes and sound absorbers in the underworld. You make a mental note to make use of her more often.

Rypite Koldan gave you little else other than a headache, a headful of puns of varying quality and a business card suggesting you talk to his moirail about puzzles.

You later discovered that she's an arms dealer, a fact which you're keeping in mind for future endeavors.

Rypite himself, though? He couldn't steal a free sample from a food store if he tried.

Bytcon Krypto... he was just a gut instinct. You'd been trying to catch him for a long time, but he would always slip just out of your grasp. That day didn't end up being as cathartic as you'd hoped.

He'd provided an alibi that would later be backed up by someone close to him, unfortunately proving him innocent. Of this crime.

You met one Husske Mayzee at Eidolic Acres, per the directions of your mystery caller. You took note of a strange cornsyrup sigil painted on the walls of their barn and swore to protect the kids that lived there.

Things turned sour when a falling instrument case implied a threat to the safety of a dear friend of yours, however.

Oricka Rourst, as it turns out, was safe and sound. The whole thing was a setup, and you'd been nearly tricked into biting the dust — thanks to her automated defense system.

Your old visor didn't make it, unfortunately.

While she worked on YVES, its replacement, you discovered she'd been harassed by someone online. Someone you're confident you know the voice of.

Endari Vernir confirmed that Bytcon wasn't involved, but cast suspicion on himself once you'd connected the dots and pinpointed his involvement with cult activity.

Though he didn't end up having ties to the case either, you witnessed a brief flash of color just as the two of you were parting ways that suggested you were being spied on.

You haven't seen that troll since.

Occeus Coliad's interrogation was a personal request from Hamifi. She'd received an anonymous tip that cast suspicion on him, and so was more than eager to set you on his trail.

Your investigation took you to his lab in the Skulltitan Graveyard, where you ended up running into yet another instance of that sigil the corn children held so dear.

That was not the only notable symbol you saw that day.

...Ellsee Raines. The Vivifier’s very real descendant — and Occeus’s matesprit.

You could have taken her in. Delivered her to Corporate on a silver platter, where her blood would be studied and utilized to save this world.

You could have ended all of this instantly.

But you didn't. And you don't regret it.

So now, this Raines girl is a secret you promised to keep from the world — for both their sakes.

In the end, you found out that the tip given to Hamifi came from none other than your least favorite caller in the world, and almost resulted in Coliad’s blood on your hands.

You don’t appreciate being taken for a pawn.

They gave you a new location, and a date: the cracked skull of the Baragonith. Three days. -0.000.

From that point forward, the philter itself became less important than the people who have their hands on it.

There is something going on here, bigger than all of you — so you threw your demands from Corporate out the window and decided to enact justice on your own terms from that point on.

Mshiri Libeta was partially a personal affair.

You were long overdue for a visit, and... you missed her dearly. The small reprieve from case work was a much needed break, after everything you’d been through.

There was still business involved, however: you established an official ally and, with the assistance of her keen mind and sharp eyes, worked on some plans and potential partnerships for the future.

...And then you discovered that Sestro's ancestor, THE EXECUTIVE, had tried to bargain for the life of your matesprit, all those sweeps ago. Like she was nothing more than an object, a value in a cost-benefit equation.

You learned that from some perspectives, lives are acceptable collateral.

Though Hamifi talked you down from a confrontation, you have no intention of forgetting about that. Not ever.

Hermit — that is, Cadlys Rankor was waiting for you days later behind the cracked skull of the Baragonith, just as promised.

He mentioned chasing after "aqua vitae", eternal life. You talked about masks, among other things.

You didn't see the point of the visit — not until he mentioned a person only known as the Ashbringer. That one rang a few bells.

After your visit, you asked Oricka about her matesprit's whereabouts, more curious about him now than you were before. Call it a professional hunch.

After that, you decided to pay a certain chef a visit. Raurou Dersal was present at Corporate's Awards For All event and helped jog your memory on the proceedings of the night.

As it turns out, you had heard a snippet of conversation about route data that had slipped your mind until then.

The assistance was much appreciated, seeing as how you were...

Preoccupied.

And now, you’re here.

===>Keep moving forward.===

Succinctly put, you’ve done an objectionable amount of legwork, had a number of world-changing revelations, stumbled into many secrets and kept quite a few of them — and yet you seem no closer to discovering the whereabouts of the philter.

Even so, you need to keep searching for answers. Answers to questions Corporate never asked you in the first place.

And it’s becoming increasingly apparent you’ll need to resort to unconventional methods in order to get them.

== Necron Exmort ==

It’s time you sought out one NECRON EXMORT. The ASHBRINGER.

Two people have suggested that you look for him so far, and, frankly, you should have listened to the first one. She doesn’t typically give bad advice.

Well, better late than never.

Deciding to find the man is one thing — actually tracking him down is another matter entirely.

His matesprit gave you his current coordinates, but even she wasn’t able to tell you what he was doing there or what the place actually was. She simply said he was on one of his jobs.

Necron’s jobs. You have an idea as to what those entail. He’s a... vigilante of sorts, one of those types that take it upon themselves to exact justice on those they deem deserving of it.

Now, you could go on about the morality of playing regulator, perpetrator, and warranter, but... that might be a tad too hypocritical.

In a way, what he does is similar to your own occupation. With less Corporate oversight, naturally, and - you’re certain of this - much less flair.

The specifics of how Necron chooses his targets are unclear to you, however. He’s infamous, in a way, but it’s hard to sift through all of the contradictory information about him and form a cohesive idea of the man.

He’s pretty much universally feared in the criminal underworld, and reviled in equal measure.

But you could say the same for yourself.

Normally, you would be wary of meeting someone like this — you often find that self-proclaimed vigilantes are volatile, aggressive, or just kind of grating. But you’re going to give Necron the benefit of the doubt.

While you find some of Oricka’s decisions questionable, the fondness with which she talks about her matesprit is enough to put him in your good graces.

Tentatively.

You rev your bike and speed down the road, sending a spray of gravel flying into the air around you. You’re approaching the location Oricka sent you.

Surrounding you is an empty, flat expanse littered with the skeletons of long-abandoned factories. Even now, picked clean by the elements and pilferers alike, they’re imposing with their hard lines and sharp angles.

This used to be a stronghold too, once. Not a residential one like Stronghold 21, but an industrial one, a grid of factories and power plants that supplied some other pocket of civilisation.

Until one day, it didn’t. You don’t know the particulars, but due to incorrect use, poor maintenance, or plain old bad luck, it is not a rare occurrence for these places to be ravaged by disaster.

This town is a husk now, for all intents and purposes besides those of the criminally inclined.

Or those who pursue them, as the case may be.

You keep driving. Slowly, the landscape around you changes. Different buildings, smaller and closer together and less imposing, but just as decrepit.

Then, all at once, your internal map snaps into place. You know exactly where you are.

You scoff and the wind is quick to steal the sound from your mouth. You’re approaching from a different direction, but there’s no doubt about it: you’ve reached the area where your previous case ended.

The radius of this circle you’re moving around keeps getting smaller.

Briefly, you entertain the notion that you’re going to find Necron in the exact same building where you dealt with the drug ring. Perhaps the bodies of those ruffians haven’t even been disposed of yet.

You double-check the coordinates Oricka sent you and realise your destination is a bit farther still. Not the exact same place, then.

You slow down a little as you navigate down a network of narrow streets between a series of identical rectangular buildings. Warehouses, you surmise.

The last one to the right is your objective.

You turn off your engine and let your momentum carry you down the narrow slope to the parking lot in front of it. There’s a single other vehicle, so caked with dirt that you assume it’s been abandoned there.

You park your bike on the opposite side of the lot. Then, you pause and listen.

At first, the only thing that you hear is the faint hiss of the wind between the buildings. A vehicle zipping past in the distance. Silence.

Thump.

A loud crash comes from within the warehouse, followed by muffled yelling.

You grip Proserpina and start running towards the door.

It wouldn’t do for Necron to meet his end before you meet him.

You rush in, épée in hand, your coat whipping dramatically behind you. In a display of pure generosity, the door is unlocked, so it doesn’t obstruct your entrance.

You barge in on quite the scene.

Two trolls are fighting it out in the middle of the room, trading blows, grunting and cursing. Blood, rust-coloured and cerulean, splatters on the floor.

For a moment, you’re not certain which of them you came here to support.

Then, you catch a glimpse of a metal hand and you know that its owner is your man.

Before you can as much as take a step forward, Necron shoves his opponent back with a grunt, causing them to stagger into the containers lining the wall.

They lose their footing, tumble backwards, and collapse against one of them with the shrill sound of bent metal and a startled yell that dies in their throat.

You flinch.

The troll remains motionless.

Necron straightens up and dusts off, relaxing from his combat-ready stance. This is when he notices you and spins around to face you.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 1.e4 My name’s— ...e6}}

There is movement behind him. Your eyes dart towards Necron’s former assailant as you frantically switch gears to warn him of the danger.

He just gives you a wide grin.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Be with ya shortly, sweetheart. †}}

Just as the troll behind him pushes back up to their feet, Necron switches his prosthetic hand to a spoon.

They take an unsteady step towards him. A glint of metal flashes in their hand and you know they’ve drawn a knife.

You instinctively lift up your own blade, ready to dash forward before they have taken a swing — despite the aggravating denominator you’ve just been given. You’re in a charitable mood today.

Then, Necron whips around and plunges his spoon appendage into the troll’s right eye socket.

It sinks in with a wet, sucking noise. Blood coats the mechanical hand and drips to the floor. The troll’s entire body locks up, any sound of pain they might have made cut short by the severity of the blow.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Hope ya like your eggs scrambled. †}}

Sweet All-mother.

With a mechanical whir, the spoon starts spinning rapidly on its axis. You don’t want to think too hard about what happens inside of this sucker’s skull, but it’s enough to permanently terminate all of their neurological functions.

They’re dead before their body slumps onto the floor.

Necron turns off his hand spoon.

Blood and bits of whisked brain matter fall to the floor, but he wipes the utensil off on his pants, appearing unfazed.

Just like you thought, he has room for improvement in the elegance department.

He gives the corpse a light kick in the side to make sure they are truly dead, and then turns back to you.

Let’s try this again.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 1.e4 My name’s— ...e6}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Secily. I know. Recognised you ‘soon as I saw you. †}}

Oh.

Before you can decide whether that’s a good or a bad thing, he takes a step towards you and gives you a broad smile.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Oricka’s told me a lot about ya. ††}}

The spoon on his prosthetic retracts with a series of clicks, to be replaced by a mechanical hand. It, too, is covered in blood, but he extends it for a handshake, oblivious.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 2.d4 ...Likewise. ...d5}}

After a moment’s deliberation, you accept the offered hand. You really hope this blood doesn’t stick to your fingers.

You earn yourself another bright grin, this time accompanied by a firm steely handshake.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Righteous! Been hopin’ our paths would proper cross someday, regulator. ††}}

You raise your eyebrows. You can’t say you get this one often.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Any friend of sugar's is my friend, too. ††}}

That’s... wow. You haven't heard that term in sweeps.

What you can’t help but notice, though, is how he lights up when he mentions Oricka. She does the same, invariably, whenever he comes up.

You don't want to stereotype, but what is it with every blueblood you meet having a vehement love for their matesprit?

It's a trend you're happy to see but wary to outwardly acknowledge.

It makes you feel like you’re infringing on something not meant for your eyes.

Before you can dwell on the feeling too much, Necron keeps going.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † So what can I do for ya, luv? I’m assumin’ this ain’t a courtesy visit. †}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 3.exd5 You’re assuming correctly. ...exd5}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 4.Bd3 First of all. Never call me ‘luv’ again. ...Nf6}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 5.Nf3 If we are to be working together, you will refrain from using terms of endearment with me. ‘Secily’ will do just fine. ...Bd6}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Workin’ together? †}}

Oh. You’re getting a bit ahead of yourself.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 6.O-O Let me backtrack a little. ...O-O}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 7.Nc3 I’m working on a case that seems connected to your own... pursuits. I thought it would be prudent to compare notes and see whether between the two of us, we have enough information to complete the puzzle. ...c6}}

He’s considering you carefully, much more serious now that you broached the subject of his work. You wonder if he’s been as troubled of late as you have.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 8.Ne2 It started with a murglary— ...Be6}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Murglary? Hah! That’s like, a tubular portmanteau. ††}}

You... didn’t expect this. It’s oddly flattering.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 9.Bf4 Thank you. Anyway. I have reason to believe that my prime suspect is someone of your interest, as well. ...Bxf4}}

You have his undivided attention. A single drop of blood drips from his mechanical hand as you ponder how to proceed.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 10.Nxf4 Would you mind me asking you a few questions before I relay what I know? ...Nbd7}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † You bet. What’s the skinny? †}}

You take a moment to collect your thoughts.

===''[Question Choice]''===

====>Tell me about yourself.====

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † ‘Bout me? I’m just a dude who hunts down baddies. †}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † I’m like, hella good at it, but beyond that... †}}

He considers for a moment.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † I got a collection of historically accurate replicas of bladed weapons from the Renaissance. †}}

That’s... not even tangential to the purpose of this conversation. It’s so unrelated to what you’re meant to be discussing that it didn’t only miss the mark, but landed in an entirely different building.

Still, you can’t help but be intrigued.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 11.Nxe6 Decorative or functional? ...fxe6}}

His newest grin nearly splits his face in half.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Absolutely legit. ††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† You could like, cleave a troll in half with any of those beauties, easy. ††}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 12.Re1 How many do you have? ...Re8}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Last I counted, seventeen. †}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 13.h3 Respectable. ...Nf8}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 14.Ne5 I’m something of a blade aficionado myself. ...N6d7}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † No fake? I had a hunch. †}}

He nods towards the épée sheathed at your side.

Oh. You hadn’t realised when you’d put Proserpina away.

You lay a fond hand on the hilt and allow the two of you a moment of camaraderie over your common interest. Perhaps Necron has a more refined taste than you gave him credit for.

Then, you ponder your next question.

====>The troll you just murdered.====

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Oh, that wastoid? ††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† That one was a fuckin’ handful, I kid you not. ††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Got a kick outta preyin’ on unbonded trolls. ††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† ‘Far as I can tell, he had at least a dozen more bondmates than he should have. ††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Sucks that people still fall for that trick. Totally bogus. ††}}

Your face contorts into a grimace almost of its own volition.

Albeit repugnant, such acts aren’t unprecedented: every so often, you hear about trolls who use bonding as a means of sowing pain. They’re no better than a killer in your eyes.

Even worse, perhaps.

With the way your species’ body chemistry works, you can bond with no more than two partners.

Your society isn’t kind to those who try to circumvent this limitation. Those caught with more than two bonds are cast out, left jobless — treated worse than criminals.

You know, perhaps better than most, that not everyone who is willing to toe or cross that line has malicious intent.

But the troll whose body is slowly getting cold in front of you undoubtedly did.

The methodology is clear: he seems to have taken a page out of Acerigger Switchem’s playbook.

As far as you know, it was Switchem who started this trend. He had no reason to, besides his sick enjoyment of others’ misery.

That, and the cocktail of hormones that comes with having more than two bonds must have been a powerful drug. One can assume that at some point, the withdrawals he made himself go through turned into a literal high.

Some speculate that he’s more responsible than Caesar for the doomed path your society is now on.

You don’t know much about that. But it seems clear to you that if it hadn’t been for Switchem, the way your culture views romance and sexuality might not have turned out quite so... black and white.

You look at the corpse on the floor with newfound disdain. You wish the troll were still alive just so you could kill him again.

Not that it would help the people he’s left behind.

You clear your throat.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 15.Qd2 Are these the sort of trolls you typically pursue? ...Qh4}}

He nods.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † More or less. Plenty of folks out there lookin’ to hurt others in messed-up ways, doubt that you need me to tell ya that. †}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † I keep busy. †}}

Depending on the source, you’ve heard different examples of the kinds of trolls that he keeps busy with.

Some say he goes after murderers, or predators like the one whose blood is currently congealing on the floor. Others, that he targets people who... well.

Defy your culture’s relationship conventions. Let’s go with that.

In any case, you’re not sure where the truth lies.

You stare at the man before you, and he holds your gaze, smiling even as confusion creeps into his features.

You almost look away as the familiar bitterness of your guilt claws up your throat.

Would he make you his enemy if he knew how you felt?

You don’t find it within you to ask just yet.

Instead, you focus on business.

====>The hand.====

You keep glancing at it.

It’s shiny, bulky, and sophisticated. It’s not hard to recognise Oricka’s handiwork.

...Pun not intended.

You can’t help but be curious.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 16.Re3 Your mechanical hand looks impressive. Would you mind telling me more about it? ...Re7}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† What, this ol’ thing? ††}}

He lifts it up and turns it around in the air so you can get a better look.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Oricka made it for me some sweeps ago. It’s wizard to. The. Max. ††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† It’s got, like, all the functions a guy could dream of. All sorts of weapons, tools, utensils... a toothpick. ††}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 17.Rae1 A... toothpick? ...Nxe5}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 18.dxe5 Just the one? ...Rf7}}

He adopts a serious demeanor, and it’s so jarring that you blink in surprise.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Regulator, you better believe that the power of the toothpick has gotta be used wisely. ††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Every night, I wake up in a cold sweat thinkin' about the poor soulsucking hoser that'll make me unleash it on 'em. ††}}

The dramatics startle an amused scoff out of you. It makes his face split into yet another wide grin. He just doesn’t know how to quit them, apparently.

You idly wonder if the toothpick has also been weaponised the way the spoon was earlier. You have an educated guess about that one.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Anywho. If I find myself needin’ something, Oricka’s usually able to give it an upgrade. †}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 19.Rg3 Sounds like a mutually beneficial arrangement. ...Re8}}

He finger-guns you with his prosthetic hand. The tip of his index finger slides off to reveal the barrel of an actual gun.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† You know it. †††}}

===>Noxious.===

You think you’re starting to get a better idea of who Necron is. He’s certainly more easy-going than you expected, and not at all the brooding, taciturn type you associate with his line of work.

On the contrary, you’d say the conversation has been progressing rather smoothly.

You think you’ve built enough of a rapport to move on to the question that you came here to ask.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 20.Rg4 Tell me, Necron. ...Qe7}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 21.c3 What do you know about Noxious? ...g6}}

Necron’s expression darkens in an instant.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† Noxious. †††}}

He spits the word out like something rotten.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Been on the trail of that All-Motherfucker for a sweep or so now, and I ain’t gotten any closer to catchin’ him. ††}}

Necron shuffles on his feet, his eyes flitting to the side before they meet yours again.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Gonna level with ya, Secily, that dude’s M.O. is way out of my area of expertise. ††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † I’m good at shootin’ things, beatin’ trolls tattered... Technology ain’t my ballgame. †}}

You suppose that’s another thing you both have in common.

His hand curls into a fist.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† He can’t hide behind his damn screen forever. †††}}

You hope he’s right.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 22.Qh6 What else do you know about him? ...Rg7}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Less than I’d like to. ††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† He picks on trolls online and gets under their skin until he’s got them proper messed up. ††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† And then he makes them kill themselves. †††}}

He heaves a deep sigh.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† It’s always too late when we get wind of it. ††}}

It must be, especially if Noxious talks to his victims over direct messages.

The thought fills you with a familiar mixture of unease and anger.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† He was targeting Oricka, too. †††}}

obnoxiousAntidote.

You recall his chat logs with Oricka that you went over while you were at her place. She listed off several other trolls’ handles.

It’s not a leap to think what happened to them.

What almost happened to you.

Necron’s staring at his mechanical hand, his fingers gripping the base of it like he’s trying to crush it or rip it off. His whole body is tense and you wonder if he’s about to lash out, but when he speaks, it’s barely above a whisper.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †††† If he’d done something to her... ††††}}

He trails off. He doesn’t need to finish his thought for you to know the intent of it. The pain written over his face is one you know all too well.

Then, he shakes his head and looks back at you. His shoulders relax, but his grin doesn’t manage to convince you.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † He went and messed with the wrong crowd this time for sure, though. †}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † I got the knowhow and I bet you got the necessary experience. †}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Like, that’s what you came here for, right? If we got the two of us on his heels, that bag of scum scraped off the bottom of the Depths doesn’t stand a chance. ††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† Ain’t that so, regulator? †††}}

You didn’t expect him to embrace your possible collaboration so readily.

...You also didn’t expect to find yourself seriously considering it, either.

You still have your doubts, but you nod anyway.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 23.h4 You got that right, Exmort. ...a6}}

You have exhausted your reserve of questions. For now.

You take a moment to mull over the newly-acquired information and consider your next course of action. Necron waits, patiently.

And then, a sudden ringing sound breaks the silence.

You look around in confusion before realising it’s coming from Necron’s mechanical hand. Is this... his mobile device?

Sure enough, it transforms into something like a phone, except it’s still also his hand.

This is handy, you guess.

...Damn it, you’re not going to stop slipping into these puns, are you?

He presses the phone to his ear.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Nyello? ††}}

Did... did you hear that right?

You can’t hear the other end of the line, but if his massive grin is anything to go by, it must be Oricka.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Yeah? Nuh-uh. She sure did. That’s all handled, darlin’. ††}}

His grin fades into a more serious expression.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Yeah? Yep, I’m listenin’. †}}

He takes to pacing across the room while Oricka talks, throwing you an apologetic look as he points towards his phone and mouths an, I’m sorry.

You nod and wave your hand. Don’t worry about it.

Whatever she tells him must be a matter of some severity, judging by the crease that forms between his brows.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Where’s that? Roger. You know it. †}}

Another overused grin spreads across his face and you feel your eyebrows shoot up again. You REALLY weren’t expecting this.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† Operation Eye of the Striped Purrbeast is go. †††}}

And now he’s lost you completely.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †††† Yeppers! Yep, natch. You know I always do. Love you too, sugarplum. ††††}}

He hangs up and turns back to face you. There seems to be a spring in his step, a glint in his eye.

He starts explaining before you can even ask the question.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† So here’s the 4-1-1. Whole buncha cultists are gatherin’ in town. Nasty folks, the lot of ‘em. Been on their tracks for a while too. ††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Oricka was able to get me the coordinates before the meeting goes down, so I should be able to reach the rendezvous point with time to spare. ††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Soooo... †}}

He seems to be considering, drawing out the word until it has at least three o’s too many.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† How’s about you come with, sugar— ††}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 24.h5 We talked about the pet names. ...gxh5}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† Right on! †††}}

He scratches the back of his neck and he shuffles on his feet.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Anyway, Secily, how’s it sound? ††}}

You weren’t planning to follow Necron around while he’s chasing down his targets. If anything, you wanted him to back you up with information or, if you were particularly impressed, perhaps even as a sidekick.

You can see this idea has merit, however.

The thrill of getting an opening during a case — that’s something you understand very well. Especially if the case in question has overstayed its welcome.

In the interest of your future cooperation, you don’t want to hold Necron back from pursuing this.

Not to mention that it would be in rather bad form.

Plus, if you go with him, you can make sure he doesn’t get himself killed, and you can expedite matters.

Necron flashes you another grin.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Here, I’m gonna sweeten the pot: My truck’s out back. I’ll give you a ride. ††}}

You focus back on him. The blood of the troll he murdered has formed a puddle around his feet, and he’s left rusty footprints across the room while he was on the phone. He doesn’t seem to mind it at all.

He keeps bouncing from his heels to his toes and back as he waits for you to respond. You wonder if he’s deliberately attempting to soak his shoes in blood, and resist the urge to grimace.

At any rate. Nothing’s keeping you here, and the dust in the air is starting to irritate your respiratory cavities.

It seems you’re going cultist hunting. However, you hardly need a ride.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 25.Rxg7+ I came here on my bike. ...Qxg7}}

He seems to catch on to the underlying agreement and touches his temple with two fingers in a faux salute.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Ain’t a problem, regulator. We can load it in the back, plenty of space there even with all my arsenal. †}}

He waves at you with his prosthetic hand. Then — finally — he steps out of the puddle of blood and heads towards the exit you came in through.

You make a point of walking around the blood as you follow him.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† It’s a primo truck, lemme tell you. Pretty oldschool, I’ll admit, but with all the mods Oricka’s been makin’ for me? It’s bangin’. ††}}

You only recall one other vehicle being parked in the empty lot when you arrived here earlier, and the only way it would be ‘banging’ is if it had some sort of mechanical malfunction. You’re willing to believe it has plenty of those.

You cast a sidelong glance at your new acquaintance.

The blood isn’t only on his shoes, and it isn’t only rust-coloured. His clothes are worn and dirty, new stains overlapping old ones, the hems threadbare.

He wears the tears as a badge of honour, and you suppose in a way, it is. A reminder of past battles — of past victories, but mistakes, too. If he hadn’t made any, there would be no cuts on his clothes.

You understand the sentiment.

You are also utterly unsurprised to find out that the beat-up truck you saw before really does belong to him.

He lays a hand on the scratched paint and beams at you.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† A beaut, ain’t she? Like, totally radical. ††}}

Luckily, he doesn’t pause long enough for you to need to think of a reply.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Got her when I quit my retail job. Was so amped about it at the time, ‘cause I’d been saving up. For a long time, too. Still ended up spending my entire last paycheck on her. †}}

He chuckles — the memory’s clearly a fond one.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Good thing I had Oricka there to save my ass like she always does. Still. †}}

He pats the truck like a beloved barkbeast.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Best purchase I ever made. ††}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 26.Qxh5 You worked in retail? ...Re7}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Yep. †}}

He props his elbows on the side of the cargo bed, running his hand through his hair.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Used to be a manager at a Supermart. And I was damn good at it to boot. Needed a box to fit all my Employee of the Blink plaques in by the end of it. †}}

You try to imagine Necron in a Supermart uniform. It gives you vertigo.

You’ve heard retail does things to a person.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Anyway! ††}}

He pushes off the truck and dusts off. You can see the imprints of his elbows on the surface.

The dirt covering this truck is so thick that you could use it as camouflage on the beach where Oricka’s cave is.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † You said you had a bike? †}}

You did. Resigned, you nod towards where you parked it. It seems like you’re getting this ride whether you’d care to or not.

Necron’s already moving toward the back of the cargo bed.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Bring her over, then? †}}

You bring her over. It. You bring your bike over.

While you’re fussing with the lock, a rattle comes from behind you, followed by a sharp cry of pain.

You whip around, hand already on Proserpina’s handle, your whole body taut. You’re expecting to witness Necron being attacked, or accidentally mauled by one of the many weapons stocked in his truck.

Instead, you see him hopping in place, face contorted in pain, his left hand gripping the front of his right leg. The hatch on the truck’s back hangs open, right where you imagine his shin used to be a mere couple of seconds ago.

You shake your head. For all his swagger, this man could trip on even ground.

You manage to load the bike into the truck without further incident, despite the array of weapons piled up in the cargo. Then, Necron walks around to open the door for you.

A spark of irritation flares inside you when his mechanical hand reaches for the handle. Last time you checked, you were able to operate doors just fine on your own.

You look at him, eyebrow arched, and he gives you a somewhat sheepish grin back.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Got a busted hinge there. ††}}

He grunts with exertion as he forces it open. The door lets out a loud, tinny creak.

With a flourish, he motions toward the passenger's seat that is now freely accessible. If nothing else, you have to acknowledge his thoughtfulness. You climb inside and pull the door shut.

While you wait for Necron to walk around the front, you take a look inside the cabin.

It’s neater than you expected. A plaque with a gilded inscription decorates the dashboard. In cursive, it says: Employee of the Blink. A small picture of Necron and Oricka is tucked underneath it.

You sigh, with a reluctant measure of fondness.

Just below, your eye catches a mishmash of what you assume are roadside tunes.

"I'm Gonna Bond with the Highway," "Blood Color? Hardly Know Her," "Turnin Kaikai Could Devour Me Whole and I'd Thank Them," the list goes on.

You're not surprised to see Smash Mouth in his collection.

Necron hops into the driver's seat and hits the ignition, flashing you another wide grin.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Time to book outta here. †}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 27.Re3 Book... it? ...Ng6}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Nah. Just book. †}}

You sigh and give him a firm nod.

Time to book.

Just as you’re leaning back and adjusting to the seat, the engine sputters and chokes.

You raise your eyebrows at Necron.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† She does this sometimes. Not to worry, I got it. ††}}

It takes a few more attempts, but eventually, he does got it. The engine coughs like someone politely announcing their presence and then settles into an even purr before rising off the ground.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † There we go. †}}

He takes the truck out of the parking lot in a smooth curve, and then you’re riding back the way you came.

The same open landscape stretches out around you, but this time your eyes linger on the skeletons of the old factories. Is one of them your destination?

It’s as likely a possibility as any. There is no shortage of old abandoned buildings on your planet, each of them an appealing spot for shady types to gather and conduct their shadier affairs.

There was this one case that took you to an abandoned toy store. That was one choice of backdrop that you weren’t really able to understand, but to each their own, you reckon.

For the time being, it’s... calming, almost, not to have to worry about where you’re going next. You don’t often get to sit back and, quite literally, enjoy the ride.

Necron’s a good driver, despite any doubts you might have had. What’s even better, he doesn’t move to play any music.

You make yourself comfortable and watch the world slip past.

It’s a few minutes before Necron breaks the silence.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † So, regulator, you never told me about this murglary that’s got you so troubled. †}}

You suppose you didn’t.

After considering for a moment, you present him with a rundown of your situation as you reviewed it for your personal benefit some hours prior.

It’s concise, to the point, and it includes all the relevant information without getting sidetracked into unnecessary specifics. Your visit with a certain scientist you omit entirely.

Necron listens attentively, humming and nodding as necessary, and when you’re done, he lets out a bark of laughter.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Really quite the sitch you got on your hands, huh? †}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 28.Rg3 It’s been shaping up to be one, yes. ...Kf7}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† And it’s got Noxious’s stench all over it... †††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † This how investigatin’ usually go for you, or...? †}}

You scoff.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 29.Qf3+ Hardly. It’s all part of the job, however. ...Kg8}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Damn right! ††}}

You give him a sidelong glance.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 30.Qh5 I take it you’ve encountered your share of conundrums, then? Besides the one that’s currently occupying both of us. ...Kf7}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Oh, most definitely. There’s always the sickos that like yankin’ your chain. †}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† ‘s all part of the job. ††}}

You give him a pointed look, but he pretends not to notice and focuses on the road ahead.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 31.a4 How did you end up doing this, anyway? It seems quite the leap between Supermart and... ...c5}}

You gesture across the truck interior. You can make out at least three different firearms just looking in the rear-view mirror.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † That’s ‘cause you’ve never worked at a Supermart. †}}

You’re perfectly willing to accept this explanation.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Nah, legit... Supermart was alright. Short-term. Woulda gone stir-crazy if I’d stayed much longer though. †}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† And there’s so much grody shit goin’ on out there. So many trolls hurtin’ and killin’ others and all that static. ††}}

Your eyes snap to his face.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 32.f4 So you decided to do something about it. ...c4}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Yep. ††}}

He glances at you, his expression as dark as when you were discussing Noxious earlier.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Lotsa folks don’t get what I do. Why I do it. And as far as I’m concerned, they’re better off like that. ††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† But I wish there was somebody like me around back when I left school. ††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † And yeah, I know I sound totally up my waste chute when I say that. †}}

He flashes you a smirk, but it fades just as quickly.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Yunno, Oricka... She was hurt by people like these. The types I go after, I mean. ††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† And like, it was jus’ the two of us back then, and I couldn’t let all that happen to her again. Or anyone else if I could help it. ††}}

He’s silent for a few seconds. His hand clutches the steering wheel as he stares ahead.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † I’m not sayin’ mine is the best way to go about this, but... †}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† Someone’s gotta. †††}}

You watch him for another beat before facing ahead, too. You didn’t intend to question him on his motivations - at least not right now - but you get the impression this is something he’s needed to say for a while.

You wonder if all the different accounts of what he does get to him. If he feels the need to defend himself.

You stay silent for the time being. Your picture of this man has become a little clearer, you believe.

Not another two minutes later, he slows down.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † We’re almost there. †}}

He takes the next exit and drives around a wide U-turn with a slight decline. You follow it with your gaze.

It leads to another factory, just as abandoned and uninviting as the rest of them. You can’t tell what was being produced here at a glance.

It’s too far for you to be able to make out any signs of life, but you have little doubt that you’ll be easy to spot from there.

Before you can verbalise your concern, Necron says:

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Hold on tight, regulator. †}}

He twists the steering wheel and the truck swerves off the road. Your teeth rattle, but you’ve braced yourself on the door handle and avoid the brunt of the discomfort.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 33.Bc2 Smart move. ...b6}}

He takes you along the circumference of a wide circle around the factory and approaches it from the back.

Not unlike what you did earlier, he slows down until most of what’s propelling you forward is the momentum of moving downhill.

You understand the desire to be as stealthy as possible; your own breathing has gotten slower and more quiet, as if that would make the difference in whether you’d be spotted or not.

The factory looms before you now, close enough to see the stains and rust on the walls. Colourful writings and crass drawings covering them suggest that many trolls have made their way here over the sweeps.

You have yet to notice any signs of life.

The truck inches another short distance ahead before Necron hits the brakes and turns off the engine.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Let’s walk. †}}

You nod. Ever so carefully, you crack your door open and push it until you can feel the resistance of the broken hinge.

The opening you’re left with is barely big enough to slip through, but you take that over the risk of the door creaking. You shimmy your way out of the truck.

Necron joins you in front of it, almost as quiet, and the two of you make your way forward.

Neither utters a word. Beyond the soft crunch of gravel underneath your feet, there’s not a sound that you can hear.

Necron gestures towards a set of double doors. One of them hangs open. Dust and debris have filled the crack, keeping it in place.

Inside, you can glimpse only darkness.

You quietly approach the door, with Necron in the front and you on the lookout for any movement around you. Necron lays his hands on it and nods at you. You follow suit.

Slowly, carefully, you push the door open together, stopping whenever it feels like it might creak.

Thankfully, you manage to open it wide enough without a sound.

Necron switches his prosthetic to what appears to be a shotgun and walks in first.

You follow after him, Proserpina firmly in your grip.

You step into a single open space with a high ceiling and various equipment scattered throughout it.

You don’t pause to try and discern the purpose of them. They’ve long since been unable to fulfill it, if the rusted, dust-covered surfaces are anything to go by.

There’s graffiti all over the place. You realise that you recognise a lot of it: eyes like those you saw in Husske’s barn, and...

Ellsee’s symbol and this of Occeus’s other friend, animatedHumorist, again and again, all over the place.

Did these start to crop up only recently, or had you not been paying attention before?

There’s so much in this world that seems to have escaped your notice until now.

You and Necron tiptoe your way around a big machine and towards the centre of the room, each of you ready to use your respective weapons.

Then, after you’ve made a full circle back to the doors you came in through, Necron lowers his armed hand.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Looks like we’re early to the party. ††}}

You sheathe your blade once more.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 34.Bb1 Seems that way. We should find a place to hide and keep an eye on the entrance. ...b5}}

He nods, already scanning the room.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Over there. †}}

You head over.

It’s been a while since you needed a stakeout, but you can feel that familiar thrill of anticipation.

The two of you settle in your hideout and get ready to wait.

For a while, everything is still and quiet. Dust floats in the air, shimmering in the faint light that drips through the windows.

Beside you, Necron shuffles.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Hey, regulator, uh... Can I talk to ya about somethin’? ††}}

You consider the risk of talking while you’re waiting for an unknown number of potentially dangerous cultists to show up, but then shrug. It’s not like you won’t be able to hear them first.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 35.axb5 Yes. What do you wish to discuss? ...axb5}}

He shuffles again. You give him a look; it seems unlike him to be so hesitant.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † So y’know that me and Oricka are like, a thing? †}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 36.Rf3 Yes. ...Kg8}}

As does anyone who’s spent more than five minutes in the company of either of them.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Right. Yeah. Uhh... ††}}

You’re starting to get a little concerned for him.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † She’s been my BFF long as I can remember, and we’ve been goin’ steady for over a decagrade. †}}

You hum to indicate that you’re listening, even if you have no idea where this is going.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† We ain’t bonded yet. ††}}

Oh.

This is going to be that kind of conversation.

Bonding is the highest form of commitment between two trolls in a flushed or pitch relationship — for understandable reasons.

The decision to permanently alter your body’s chemistry to match your partner’s, to quite literally become linked to another... There’s a finality to it that can be intimidating.

It’s not a step to be taken lightly. But most settle on their red and black bondmates much earlier than someone of Necron’s (still admittedly young) age.

You wonder if you’re the right person to discuss this with. The two of you aren’t even that close — you literally just met today.

Is this his way of telling you he’s nervous? Or does he really trust this quickly?

Necron glances at you, seemingly waiting for some sort of reply. You hear yourself saying:

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 37.g4 Go on. ...Rf7}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† She’s been wantin’ to for a while and so have I, but... ††}}

He’s absently playing with a switch on his mechanical hand. You hope it isn’t the one that activates the built-in heat-seeking missile.

You don’t know if he actually has one. You wouldn’t be surprised if he did, is all you’re saying.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† You know Oricka. She deserves the fuckin’ world, I really don’t want her to end up regrettin’... ††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† Me. †††}}

He sighs, still fidgeting with the switch.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Natch, there’s also all this shit. ††}}

He gestures around the room.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† I’m ace at what I do, regulator, but like, what if we bond and then some dick-for-brains gets the better of me? What happens to her? ††}}

She lives with it. She grieves, and she gets assigned a well-trained TEMP, and she makes friends with the void inside her.

She doesn’t move on. Not only because her body never lets her, not only because of the constant painful reminders of what she used to have, but because she would never forgive herself if she did.

Or perhaps that’s just you.

Thankfully, Necron doesn’t expect a reply this time.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† Reckon what I’m askin’ is... how do I know that the time is right? †††}}

You’re really not the right person to answer that.

Never. As soon as possible.

It’s always going to be a risk. That’s just the world you live in, the way your bodies function. There’s never going to be a "perfect time."

But that’s no reason to never try, is it?

After Ahlina’s death, you’ve asked yourself more than once if you’d still make the same decisions if you knew how it was going to turn out.

The answer never changes.

Necron’s turned to fully face you now, his expression earnest and expectant.

You might have felt this way once, too. It’s hard to be sure across the distance of time and bitterness. Though you feel like these relationship conventions have always been alienating to you.

But this isn’t about you, and Necron’s still waiting for you to say something.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 38.Bxg6 Have you talked to her about it? ...Qxg6}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Yeah. Kind of. †}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 39.Qxg6+ Kind of? ...hxg6}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Not really ‘bout the dying stuff. But she’s gotta know. ††}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 40.Kf2 And what does she think about it? ...Ra7}}

He turns the switch on his prosthetic all the way and it turns into... a flame torch?

With a startled yelp, Necron quickly changes it back to a hand.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† Whoa! Uh, anyway... She says she understands the risks, but she still wants it. †††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Has for a long while now. ††}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 41.Ke3 So why aren’t you believing her? ...Kf7}}

For the first time in your (admittedly brief) acquaintance, you seem to have rendered Necron speechless.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 42.Kd4 Oricka is an intelligent person, I don’t need to tell you that either. I’m certain she has given the matter due consideration. ...Ke7}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 43.Rh3 It’s to your credit that you’re worried about her. But if this is something you both want, by withholding it, you’re prioritising your fears over her choice. ...Ra2}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 44.Rh2 You need to trust that she knows what’s best for her. ...Ra1}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† I—I think I getcha, regulator. ††}}

His shoulders relax. There is still worry in the smile that he gives you, but he nods.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Hadn’t... really thought of it that way, I s’pose. ††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Thank you, Secily. †}}

A loud screech interrupts your would-be somewhat warm response: the main entrance slowly starts opening. The cultists are arriving.

Necron gives you a sharp grin.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† It’s show time. ††}}

They start pouring in from both corners of the decrepit building, two big, garishly dressed groups of people, and it isn’t hard to tell where their religious allegiances lie.

On the right side, a dozen or so MIRTHAMANIACS parade in, slowly, practically exuding smugness. All of them are purplebloods.

You wouldn’t expect anything less from them. The Mirthamaniacs are practically the last group on this planet that cares so much about blood colour.

And entering stage left, HARBINGERS OF THE ALPOCALYPSE. You can tell because all of them are wearing that gaudy screwball mascot as a mask to disguise their identity.

All of them — except for one.

You focus on the maskless person, a sense of familiarity tugging at your mind.

...Of course. That’s the same girl that you saw scamper off after you interrogated Endari. Albeit in a somehow even tackier set of garbs.

You’d had an interest in this meeting because you thought it would be a light reprieve from your recent endeavours, but now you’re at full attention.

Beside you, so is Necron. He’s frozen, eyes darting back and forth between the two groups. He looks — angry is an understatement. He looks like he has a personal vendetta.

Is the past catching up to him as well?

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† You gotta be shittin’ me... †††}}

He hisses the words out through clenched teeth. Something isn’t right here — more than you suspected, even.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 45.Kc5 What? ...Rf1}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† That damn book. The black one. You see it? †††}}

You look a little closer, scanning the crowd for what he’s describing.

The overly large Mirthamaniac representative at the front is holding a STARK BLACK BOOK with some sort of symbol in WHITE on the front.

It almost looks... alchemical. First era, not like any of the tomes housed for Corporate’s purposes, or even a general guide.

You had been positive that anything like this was burned along with the rest of what remained from the Renaissance. If you had known, you would have asked Sestro — or even Cadlys — for more information.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† That thing right there’s been causin’ so much fucking trouble. †††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† Thought I got rid of it last time. But it keeps coming back. †††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Real talk? This entire thing goes way over my head. ††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† But these hosers’ve been passin’ it round like a chump ball on the wicend. It’s always them, every time. ††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† Regulator, we gotta get that thing. †††}}

There’s a finality to his words, his voice and his body equally tense. He looks ready to launch himself at the trolls before you. You’re starting to see how he gets into so many scrapes.

You grip his shoulder to stop him, and whisper back to him.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 46.Rh7+ First, listen. They might tell us something important. ...Kf8}}

It takes a moment, but then Necron slumps back from his preemptive battle stance. Though the scoff he makes suggests that he’s not particularly happy about watching the show anymore.

You, on the other hand, have been waiting for such an opportunity for a while.

As if on cue, the petite maskless girl starts speaking.

[Note: Talald speaks in the Jokerman font, but because that font is unavailable, she speaks in Comic Sans in this transcript.]

{{VE Quote|talald|??????: did you doooo it?? did you really dooooo it?? i’m going to start making pouty faces if you didn’t dooooooooooooo ittttttttttt!!!}}

Her voice is high-pitched and lilting, as if she’s moments away from bursting into song. It makes your skin crawl.

The man holding the book, evidently the leader of this group of Mirthamaniacs, is the one to respond to her, his voice booming every other word.

{{VE Quote|pozzol|??????: you REALLY don’t KNOW when THE party STOPS do YOU}}

{{VE Quote|pozzol|??????: thanks TO your ELEVATED contraband IT worked OUT just FINE}}

Contraband? The book?

{{VE Quote|talald|??????: yahoo!!!!!!! see see see??? not such a cruel task after all now is it???}}

{{VE Quote|talald|??????: with the setup out of the way, we’re one step closer to an ecstatical life under my man big AL!!!!}}

{{VE Quote|talald|??????: blood secured through informant? check! horrorcore rifts areeeeeeeeeee??}}

This must be the Vivifier’s blood. An informant. You’d kill a man to know who that is.

{{VE Quote|pozzol|??????: TALALD you KNOW thats OUR word}}

{{VE Quote|talald|TALALD: i know but its so much better than what theyre actually called!!!}}

{{VE Quote|pozzol|??????: WE got IT all RIPENED for YOUR sacrificial PROCEEDINGS}}

{{VE Quote|pozzol|??????: provided THAT we’re STILL on FOR having A spot ON the BIG chair}}

{{VE Quote|talald|TALALD: well duh!!! thats a part of the plan too!!! just at the very end of the planned stages of the plan!!!}}

{{VE Quote|talald|TALALD: pozzol you should have been there for our OLD plans!!! like this one we made with the young and droopy teal girl!!! you know??? ‘comic relief’??? oh it has a great punchline!!!}}

{{VE Quote|pozzol|POZZOL: YEAH you TOLD us ABOUT it A solid FIFTY times}}

{{VE Quote|talald|TALALD: really????????: i don’t remember that at all}}

{{VE Quote|pozzol|POZZOL: AINT that THE raw GOSPEL truth SPILLED}}

{{VE Quote|pozzol|POZZOL: if I gotta BE hearing ABOUT your PROPHECIES anymore ID rather CARVE it INTO your GULLET so YOU can READ it OFF at WILL}}

{{VE Quote|talald|TALALD: gasp!!! silly silly silly man. i wouldn't be able to feel that anyways!! it would probably tickle though!!!!!}}

{{VE Quote|talald|TALALD: okay last question!!!!!!! so pay attention for me!!!}}

{{VE Quote|talald|TALALD: this one is worth aaaaaaall of the talald points!!!!!!!}}

You’ve leaned forward by now, desperate not to miss a single word of their exchange. Not that it’s likely, given how loudly they both speak.

{{VE Quote|talald|TALALD: do YOU know all of the archetypes's locations??}}

The wrestle clown responds with a lifeless and snide chuckle.

{{VE Quote|pozzol|POZZOL: christened ONE of THEM with MY own GREASY puppet FINGERS}}

{{VE Quote|pozzol|POZZOL: disappointing THAT fate DECIDES on THOSE who ARE weak TO task}}

{{VE Quote|pozzol|POZZOL: EQUALLY disappointing THAT we COULDNT get MUCH of A look AT our MOST important PICK}}

{{VE Quote|talald|TALALD: awwwww don’t be so down on yourself!!! we got it done at least!!!}}

{{VE Quote|talald|TALALD: maybe if we’re lucky we’ll get to see her and her weird pupil again someday soon!!}}

{{VE Quote|pozzol|POZZOL: ill HOLD you TO that GIGGLEMAMA}}

{{VE Quote|pozzol|POZZOL: because WE ain’t REALLY finished UNTIL i SEE what IT looks LIKE when HER limbripped ASS bleeds SWEET lime FOR me}}

A chill runs down your spine. Ellsee. They can only be talking about Ellsee.

{{VE Quote|talald|TALALD: tee hee!!!!!! you're so funny!!!!!!!! i like you!!!!!!! :)))}}

The girl — Talald? — erupts into a burst of giggles and you get the feeling that this meeting is coming to a close.

Beside you, Necron seems to have reached the same conclusion.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† That’s enough listenin’. It’s time we got that fuckin’ book. †††}}

You scan the group in front of you. There’s at least twenty of them, easy, and you can see various weapons on their persons.

The big troll moves closer to Talald, about to hand her the book.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 47.Kd6 This is a terrible idea. ...Rxf4}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† No fake. You ready? ††}}

You think about the weird book again, about these people’s apocalyptic (alpocalyptic?) plans, about how your case is connected to it.

You think about Necron and his eagerness to do the right thing, and his matesprit, hard at work to support him the only way she currently can.

You nod.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† Check this out, regulator. †††}}

He points across the room with his prosthetic hand, now back in its gun form, and you don’t have time to ask what he’s pointing at before he fires it.

There’s a big metal container on the other side of the room, one that you dismissed as a defunct machine in your earlier investigation. Now, you realise you were wrong.

You see the explosive hazard sign a moment before Necron’s bullet sinks into it.

The blast makes your ears ring.

A bright burst of light and a wave of heat that sends the cultists stumbling. When the initial burst of fire subsides, you see that three of the Mirthamaniacs are lying on the floor, buried in crumbling debris and blood.

19/22 remaining.

Necron is already rushing in, so you pull out Proserpina and charge into the fray.

Your eyes are on your target: the book and the troll who was holding it. Luckily, the purpleblood is an easy mark, towering above everyone as he is.

Necron is also headed for him.

He dashes past another Harbinger before they can even take out their battlehammer. They swing it at his back, but before they can land a hit, you sink your épée under their arm. You twist.

You pull your blade out and the gushing blood stains the front of your coat indigo. 18/22.

The cultists are starting to pull themselves together, however. They swarm you and Necron, blocking you off from the book.

Someone rushes you with a long knife, but you parry and ram your elbow into their nose.

To your left, Necron empties his gun into someone’s chest, then quickly switches to a knife appendage and plunges it into another’s throat.

16/22.

You cover Necron while he’s pulling his hand free. A long, thin blade slashes towards your face, but you duck out of the way and counter with a thrust that finds purchase.

There’s no time to deliver a final blow, however, as now there’s more of them surrounding you. Against so many opponents, you need to exercise patience.

Instinctively, Necron and you end up back to back, protecting each other’s flanks from the onslaught. All you can see is painted faces distorted in bloodthirsty grimaces, and that same bestial mask.

It’s been no more than thirty seconds since the explosion. Your hearing is starting to come back.

A familiar cheerful voice reaches you over the cacophony of grunts and cries of pain.

{{VE Quote|talald|TALALD: come on big boy the go away heat is getting hotter or whatever it is that you guys say!!!}}

You don’t get to hear the response.

Gradually, you can feel the balance shift. You’re down to 11, but you’ve been taking more hits, too.

Your wrist smarts from where you deflected a bat aimed at Necron’s head. Blood drips down the side of your neck, and this time it’s your own.

Then: an opening in the crowd. You come face to face with the giant purpleblood.

He didn’t listen when Talald told him to leave. That was his mistake.

And now, you’ll make sure he pays for it.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 1.d4 You’re not leaving with that book. ...d5}}

He doesn’t bother with a response, already halfway through raising that gnarled stick of his to attack.

Purple swirls in his eyes — he’s about to use his PsyOP. Although you suppose he would still call it CHUCKLEVOODOO.

You barely get a chance to notice how his body starts to ripple and charge with extra power. A strength-enhancer, then.

With a guttural roar, he swings his weapon at you.

You turn Proserpina to block with the guard, but the impact is much more forceful than you anticipated.

The pain shoots up your arm, through your shoulder, and straight into your think pan, and for a moment, your vision swims.

You step back, bracing yourself for the next attack, but Talald grips him by the arm and tries to pull him towards the exit.

To your surprise, he lets her.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† Secily! You gotta get that book! †††}}

Your eyes snap in the direction of his voice.

He’s still facing away from you to protect your +6:000, and he’s fighting four cultists at once.

He’s covered in sweat and blood and breathing heavily, but he holds his ground.

A well-placed kick sends one of his opponents crashing into another one. Yet, a third one immediately takes their place.

You turn back around to dodge out of the way of a bat aimed at your face.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 48.Kxe6 You can’t hold them all off by yourself! ...d4}}

You hear the whirr of a chainsaw, see a burst of purple streak through the air, feel the floor’s give as another dead body collapses. 9/22.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †††† Go! Now! I got this. ††††}}

Your target has almost reached the door.

You’re running out of time.

You can feel the single thread of a lead you have is about to tear.

With a growl, you shove a baton-wielding troll out of the way and bolt for the door.

You stop at the threshold, just for a moment, and look back over your shoulder at Necron.

He’s taken out another one of them, and he leaps through the gap they left upon the broken conveyor belt behind him. He has the higher ground, but that doesn’t deter the cultists who’re already following.

He meets your eyes for a second and gives you a thumbs up.

Then, his face twists in pain. A spear has sunk into his thigh. He stumbles back, barely deflecting a sickle arching towards him, and there’s so much blood on him you don’t know how he’s still standing.

You almost rush back in to help him, but you catch yourself.

You turn back around and run out of the factory.

There he is!

You spot the troll just as he’s legging it away from the factory with Talald in tow, and give chase with a cry of anger.

You’ve barely made five steps before three figures spring in front of you, blocking your way.

CULTIST: Nooot sooo fast, bea—

Your blade jammed into their throat cuts off the rest of their sentence. You don’t have any patience left for this.

The troll you’re chasing stops. His companion almost crashes into him. He turns around to face her, slowly, like he’s got all the time in the world. What are they doing?

The purpleblood looks at you. He grins, a slow, wide, malicious grin that mocks you even from afar. Your blood thrums in your ears, anger clouding your vision as you realise you won’t reach them in time.

Your second assailant starts raising their mace, but they’re too slow, and you’re too desperate. You pull your épée free and use the momentum to slam its pommel into their temple.

Their eyes roll back into their head and they hit the ground, hard.

But it’s too late.

Just as your eyes find Talald and the purpleblood again, time and space seem to bend around them, ever so slightly.

A scratch on a CD, a pothole that you can’t see — and the two trolls are gone.

Vanished. Quite literally, into thin air.

Despite everything you did, despite leaving your ally behind—

You lost. You didn’t move fast enough. You failed.

And Necron...

Behind you, a muffled boom rattles the factory.

Your insides twist as you think about those last moments you saw of Necron fighting before you ran out of the factory.

He was already getting overwhelmed, you don’t know...

You don’t think he could have survived an explosion.

Your eyes lock on the last troll standing in front of you.

They’ve taken a step away, and they’re just staring at their fallen allies in mute shock, the thin knife they’re armed with hanging at their side, forgotten.

They’re not a threat to you right now.

You don’t care.

You think about Necron, swarmed by more enemies than anyone could reasonably handle, but still insisting that you go, do what you came here to do.

Still so confident even as he was bleeding out.

You take your spare épée out and hand it to the troll in front of you.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 1.e4 Take it. ...b6}}

They do, too stunned to object.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 2.d4 This is not a trick. ...Bb7}}

There’s a slight tremor to your voice, but when you lift up Proserpina, your hand is steady.

The blade glistens with blood, as many colours as you can think of.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 3.f3 I’m certain you know how it goes. ...g6}}

You take a breath, preparing to explain the rules of this ritual of yours. Your audience has yet to make a sound.

Then, they gasp and stumble backwards.

Bright purple blooms on their chest, right above their blood pusher.

Their knees buckle and they crumple to the ground. The épée drops from their limp hand.

You spin around and see Necron. Battered, cobalt blood-covered and barely bracing himself against the wall, but he gives you a cheeky grin.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Hate to say it, regulator, but your coping mechanisms kinda... blow. ††}}

And he slumps down the wall and onto the ground.

For a moment, you’re too stunned to say anything. You want to ask him how he’s still alive, you want to thank him, you want to tell him to fuck off...

You hurry to his side, for once not bothering to wipe the blood off Proserpina before you slip her back into her sheath.

He grunts as you help him back upright, trying to make himself more comfortable against the hard surface.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Was that the last of ‘em? †}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 49.cxd4 No. The two leaders got away with the book. If it hadn’t been for this ambush, I would have stopped them. ...Rxd4}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† I bet, regulator. ††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † S’alright. Happens almost every time. †}}

You look him over, taking account of his injuries.

As numerous as they are — you can’t make out the original colour of his clothes underneath all the blood — they don’t seem as deep as you feared.

Even the gash on his thigh appears to have missed any major arteries.

Relief rushes through you, and the strength of it takes you aback. With a sigh, you sit down on the ground next to him.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 50.Rb7 Well done back there. ...Rxg4}}

Necron throws his head back and laughs. He stops immediately, gripping his side with a hard wince.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Anyone ever tell ya you gotta loosen up a bit, regulator? †}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 51.Kf6 No. ...Ke8}}

Still, you crack a smile despite yourself. Necron beams back at you.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 52.e6 We should take you to a medical specialist. ...Rf4+}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † Yeah. Can you find the way to Oricka’s from here? †}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 53.Kxg6 Oricka? ...c3}}

You somehow don’t think a tiny bandaid is going to be of much more help here than it was for your concussion. Not even a few dozen tiny bandaids.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† Hell yeah! Been teachin’ her how to do first aid. She can patch me up nice and proper. ††}}

You... decide not to argue the point. Grunting, you push back up to your feet.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 54.bxc3 Fair enough. Let’s get you back to your truck. ...Rf3}}

...

The ride to Oricka’s is uneventful.

It’s been a while since you’ve driven anything but your bike, but you get used to the bigger, heavier truck quickly enough.

You try to go as fast as you can without rattling you both too much, and keep an eye on Necron’s injuries.

He seems to be holding up well enough.

The last leg of your journey is the toughest. Navigating the beach towards Oricka’s home is even more challenging when you have to support another troll’s weight.

Doubly so when he’s limping so severely.

Nevertheless, you eventually complete your de facto three-legged race and reach Oricka’s door. No automated weapons greet you this time, just the troll herself.

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: secily? ...RON? :hyegh:}}

You barely have time to brace yourself before she tackles Necron — and by extension, you - in an eager hug.

She is now heavily stained in Necron’s blood, and doesn’t seem to care at all.

Necron grunts with the impact, but immediately wraps his arms around her.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† You shoulda seen the other guys, sweetheart. †††}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: oh i don’t DOUBT it darling!! :flushed:}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: did you manage to get the book this time?? :surprisenoodle:}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† ...We didn’t. They got away. ††}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: aw!! thats fine tho im so glad you made it back in one piece :flex:}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: both of you!! :shoutpole:}}

She ushers you both inside, gently supporting Necron with an arm around his waist. While you’re walking, she turns to you.

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: im glad you were able to find him ses :nice:}}

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: i was getting worried because of how long he was taking to get back to me........ :coldsweat:}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 55.Rc7 We... encountered some resistance. ...Rf4}}

Necron laughs under his breath.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† You can say that again, regulator. ††}}

Oricka turns back to him.

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: you need to tell me everything :flushedeyes:}}

Oricka sits you both down and retrieves her medical supplies. With Necron’s supervision, she begins to treat his wounds. She actually does a fine job, to your surprise.

He tells her about the day’s events in the meantime, pausing occasionally when the pain becomes too distracting.

You observe them for a while. This seems like a well-practiced routine, the way Oricka just nods to the next wound she wants to treat and Necron adjusts to give her access to it.

Neither of them seems particularly bothered by this. You wonder how many times they’ve had to do it before.

Although he’s keeping his voice loud enough for you to hear, every so often, the two of them exchange murmurs that you can’t — and don’t want to — make out.

She cuts his shirt around a laceration on his side and says something under her breath. It makes Necron giggle.

You shuffle a bit farther from them to give them space.

Today wasn’t a victory, but helping ensure that Oricka can treat her partner’s injuries one more time takes some of the sting of defeat away.

As long as they’re together, these two will be just fine, you think.

Then, just as some of the tension in your body is starting to melt away, YVES alerts you of an incoming call.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† Is it...? †††}}

It must be.

You pick up. This time, you put the call on speaker.

{{VE Quote|noxious|NOXIOUS: [Sec i  l   y    .]}}

The voice fills the room, garbled through a voice-changer — low, raspy, unpleasantly close to the microphone. It’s some relief to see both Necron and Oricka looking as furious as you feel.

{{VE Quote|noxious|NOXIOUS: [I was wondering if I would hear your voice again after tod  a   y    .]}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 1.e4 How does it feel that your little plans keep failing? ...e5}}

You hadn’t realised it before you said it, but you’d wager it’s true. How much of a coincidence would it have been for Necron to make a breakthrough in his case the very same day you went to look for him?

A "breakthrough" that nearly cost you both your lives?

Noxious laughs. The sound makes your mouth fill with bile.

{{VE Quote|noxious|NOXIOUS: [Is that what you th i  n   k    ?]}}

{{VE Quote|noxious|NOXIOUS: [I have you just where I want you, Sec i  l   y    .]}}

{{VE Quote|noxious|NOXIOUS: [Maybe you’ll understand better when you interview your next cont a  c   t    .]}}

{{VE Quote|noxious|NOXIOUS: [That is, if I don’t get to him fi r  s   t    .]}}

The words hang in the air for a second. Then, the line disconnects.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††††† Bulgebrained scum-licking All-motherfucker. †††††}}

You’re inclined to agree.

{{VE Quote|oricka|ORICKA: your next contact?? ses do you know who he meant??? :surprisenoodle:}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 56.Rf7 I will. ...Rc4}}

You stand up.

You’re exhausted. Every inch of your body hurts, and you want nothing more than to get out of your blood-stained clothes and sleep for a very long time.

Instead of moving to the door, you take a step towards Necron.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 57.Rf3 We made a decent team back in the factory....Ke7}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: † We totally did, yeah. †}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 58.Re3 It seems we both have a stake in handling Noxious....b4}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: †† We totally do, yeah. ††}}

It’s not often — or ever — that you find yourself making this offer, and yet, you’re convinced it’s the right call.

At first, it was a slip of the tongue.

But now you feel that for once, maybe your gut won’t lead you astray.

Maybe... there are more people that you can trust to have your back when you need them.

You extend your hand, your left one, to Necron.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 59.cxb4 Let’s keep working together on this case. ...Rxb4 ½-½}}

He hops to his feet with surprising vigour, given his state, and grabs the offered hand.

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† Slammin’. †††}}

{{VE Quote|necron|NECRON: ††† I’m with ya, Secily. Let’s go get that sonuvabitch. †††}}

END

== Gerbat Batrav ==

You grew up fast.

Naiveté never did anyone any favors as far as you’re concerned, and so you seized opportunities as they presented themselves.

You listened (at least passively) to all the slogans and the self-help mantras about turning yourself into a productive member of society.

Even while most of them were either useless or so propagandizing that they failed to make coherent points, you took the core message to heart. And you never looked back.

For all that you’ve learned over the sweeps, nothing prepared you for the way everything changes. Something that means the world to you today could mean nothing tomorrow.

Everything is weathered, and everyone is trying to change themselves, even you.

But the world resists that change.

For every bit of malleability in a person, there is just as much repetition. With enough experience, the patterns become glaringly obvious.

You can predict the outcome of almost any situation. A memory like yours grants you all the tools you need to develop a profound wisdom regarding this planet.

More often than not, though, your wisdom presents itself in the form of cynicism.

...Sestro didn’t kill your matesprit. You can’t hold Mr. "For Good" accountable for anything that happened — not when his personality so sharply contradicts any corrupt label you might want to stick to him.

The kid spends his free time making toy buildings, for god’s sake. He’s soft-hearted and idealistic, and you’re the closest thing to a mentor that he has.

Odds are he’s falling to pieces over indirectly hurting you like this. You really should go back and put him together again.

That’s exactly what makes this so hard. You're trying, but you're so used to projecting your hate outwards — angry has always been easier than hurt.

You almost wish you could find some way to hate Sestro regardless of his good intentions. That way you could at least be consistent.

These are the thoughts that flit around your head as you speed down the remote, incongruous backroads that lie far outside of Stronghold 21.

It feels like you've lost it - that sense of... unity? Justice? You don't know, but whatever it was it was the one thing keeping you together. What do you do when everything feels so wrong like this?

Well, you just mount your bike and drive, you guess.

So you’ve been at this for a few hours now. This is definitely not on your agenda, but it's something to focus on.

You could even say that the very fact that it's unscripted is a welcome change compared to the rest of this case.

Hell, maybe you'll just so happen to stumble upon your mystery caller out here. Wouldn't that be nice?

Unfortunately, all you know is that you’re looking for cults, and even then, ‘cult’ could mean any number of things.

You’re wasting time. You know that. The wind in your ears seems to scream it to you — that no matter what you end up finding, it couldn’t possibly shed even a desk lamp’s light on this mess.

But the wind is also in your hair out here. You're alone and alive, and anything is better than knocking over the dominoes that Noxious set up to try to kill you.

You like to think you have the capacity to be rebellious.

For the fifth time in the last hour, you release YVES to scout out the area. You’ve spent the whole day stumbling across old ruins and abandoned temples in search of anything that might count as ‘cult activity’.

These past few expanses, you’ve been happening across disgruntled folk on the side of the road with increasing frequency, and you have a gut feeling that you’re getting close to something.

Some kind of farm, maybe? An anti-corporate hideout? It doesn’t matter.

The terrain has been getting steadily wetter the farther you move from the stronghold. The acidity of the rain-drenched ground threatens to sink this whole place into one huge, swampy bog.

Every now and then, something slithers its way up out of the sludge and reminds you why you never come out this way.

YVES, flying overhead, suddenly veers sharply to the left.

She’s found what you’re tracking. Soon, she’ll return to you and give you the details, but you likely have a few minutes before that happens.

In the meantime, you pull over and try to force yourself to think clearly.

Some days, an irregular sort of music will root itself into your head, occupying your thoughts for hours. It lacks consistency; in fact you could almost call it a medley if it wasn’t so unrefined and inscrutable.

It lines your periphery, filling up the odd spaces in your mind until you’re swimming in it. Or would it be more accurate to say ‘drowning’?

You’ve heard it over and over again working this case.

Hamifi has played her chords from the start. Husske marks the downbeats in an innocent, disarming way.

Yeshin forces her melody now, beautiful and caustic — an emphatic and irreparable presence even though you haven’t seen her in wices.

...Wait, what are you saying? You’re pretty sure the most sentimental instrument Yeshin would ever play for you is an airhorn.

Maybe she’ll set ‘em up in a line and tap out Chopsticks outside your window or something. It’d be all romantic and grating, just like in that one movie. The one with that guy with the boombox. Brendan Fraser? Whatever.

There’s just no end to the mental sludge you have to dig your way out of to form a coherent thought.

All-mother, you’re exhausted. You bring your hand up to rub your eyes.

YVES takes this opportunity to land softly on your right horn. When you move your hand, she reconfigures back into your visor and fills you in on what she found.

It doesn’t look like much. A settlement carved out of a swamp, it seems, flanked by old stony walls. The most impressive structure there is a medium-sized church. There are signs of life there, though.

You decide to check it out.

When you arrive, you find that there’s a bit more to this place than you initially thought. Several people are loitering around a couple of mushroom huts, and a few more are filing in and out of the church.

It’s not populous here, not by a long shot, but it looks like this place could potentially be home to up to 100 or so trolls.

The noise your bike made getting here was probably louder than anything this place has heard for sweeps. It certainly seems to have drawn some attention.

A lot of attention.

...Are you imagining it, or are all these trolls staring at you with pure hatred in their eyes?

You'll have to be on your guard here.

You dismount your bike and proceed to very officially trip when your boot sinks to the ankle into the goddamn mud.

It makes a sound like what you imagine a troll swallowing a bowling ball would sound like, sort of a wet ‘gluogh-KACH’.

Hm. Pretty gross.

When you manage to pull your leg out, you do your best to make it clear that you’re here on official business. To your chagrin, it looks like pretty much everyone saw you playing in the mud. None of them found it very funny.

In fact, when you look around at these people, you notice something odd. They won’t hold your gaze. Instead, they respond to your staring by becoming seemingly distracted by some feature in the dirt around their hives.

For a moment, you’re unsure, but you quickly come to the conclusion that they’re all acting — trying to put on an illusion of harmlessness. You draw your sword.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 1.e4 My name is Secily Iopara, Chief Regulator of Stronghold 21. ...g6}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 2.d4 Who’s in charge here? ...Bg7}}

No one responds at first. You begin to wonder if Proserpina would make a difference, but that thought is cut short when a mountain of a man steps forward from your right.

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г for the moment- J}}

You whip your sword towards the approaching troll. He throws his hands up, palms empty save for a dirty rag, which he promptly drops.

Is that... a jadeblood? Interesting. Maybe you do have some real business here.

He starts talking again, this time a little more tense. Only a little.

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г ...that’d be me J}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 3.Nf3 And you are? ...d6}}

Your sword is right at his throat. It’s a familiar spectacle for you, really.

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г nobody important, I promise you that J}}

The two of you stare at each other. You squint at him and he looks at you like he just found you pouring ketchup on your cornflakes.

Finally, he gives you a gentle look that seems to say, ‘look how slowly I'm moving’, and then he draws your attention over to his right hand.

He closes it save for just the pointer finger, and you follow it with your whole head as he raises it up and taps your blade away from his neck.

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г not anyone worth killing over, I mean J}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 4.Bc4 I'll be the judge of that. Why don’t you start by telling me what a jadeblood is doing all the way out here? ...Nf6}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г ... J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г mind if I tell you somewhere private? J}}

He glances around, making a sort of half gesture with his eyes. Still, no one looks up. It's as if you're being intentionally ignored.

No... not ignored. Worse.

You're being tolerated.

Only now do you notice the state of this place. Some of these people are missing limbs. Others are clearly deathly ill or so downtrodden that they may as well be. They shrink away from your eyes, scared to be seen.

Maybe their innocence wasn't an act, after all.

You feel a spark of guilt coursing through you. Your impromptu suspect is still at your mercy, standing at swordpoint in full public display.

Did you want to humiliate him?

All-mother, what is wrong with you?

You shrug, defeated, and signal for your would-be captive to lead the way. He bends down and picks up his now mud-soaked rag with an almost undetectable frown.

You consider apologizing, but he’s already walking towards the church by the time the thought has fully formed in your mind.

When you catch up to him, he's standing just outside the doors to a stopgap churchside greenhouse. He’s holding his ruined rag in one hand, and with the other he holds open the door.

You press your lips together and frown as you step inside.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 5.Qe2 I feel like an apology is in order here. I hope you can understand, I don’t normally threaten innocent people like that. ...O-O}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г been a rough few wices for all of us J}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 6.O-O That it has. ...c6}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 7.Bb3 I'm not sure I got your name. ...d5}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г Gerbat Batrav J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г hm J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г I know this is your investigation regulator J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г but do you mind if I ask a question of you J}}

A certain Skorpe employee comes to mind.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 8.e5 Usually I try to keep things strictly professional, but seeing as I ruined your rag... ...Ne8}}

Gerbat takes a moment to think. He huffs.

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г regulator... J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г just what are you trying to acheive here? J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г I understand this place may look suspicious to someone like you J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г but my blood is no excuse to assume the worst of me J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г and living out here doesn’t make these people criminals J}}

He looks to the side.

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г alot’s been going on these past few blinks. It’s not pretty, but it’s not what it looks like either J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г I figure you can understand that J}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 9.c4 You’re making me suspicious, Batrav. ...dxc4}}

His expression sours.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 10.Bxc4 I'm only here for information, not to make arrests. ...Nc7}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 11.Nc3 As long as there’s no reason to arrest you, that is. ...Be6}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г I can give you information J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г but you gotta promise that I can trust you with it J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г alot of these folks have had some bad experiances with corporate. There’s a risk involved in even letting you near this place J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г I don’t want, uh... J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г people... J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г getting hurt J}}

He’s acting suspicious, but not in the way you’re used to. He seems... desperate? Scared of something, or perhaps for someone.

...And what’s up with his accent, anyway? You can’t quite put your finger on it, but every time he says a lot it makes you wince a bit. Must be some regional dialect.

Regardless, you think of all the ways you could manipulate this scenario.

You could threaten him. You could lie, tell him what he wants to hear so he’ll spill his guts, but something about him makes you want to give him a reason to trust you.

You’ve been doling out a lot of that lately. ‘Trust’. First with that Occeus kid, and now with Gerbat.

It’s been a while since you felt like people could really trust you.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 12.Bxe6 Alright. How about this. ...Nxe6}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 13.Rd1 If what you tell me isn’t dangerous or related to my investigation, I'll look the other way. ...Nc7}}

He visibly relaxes.

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г say, you ever had a freshly grown hot dog? J}}

Uh.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 14.Bf4 Uh. ...Nd5}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г I keep a bunch of ‘em right over here in the garden J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г try one. I insist J}}

He reaches down to a particularly supple looking hot dog plant, pulling one of its fruits off with a loud snap.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 15.Nxd5 I'm not really in the mood. ...Qxd5}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г you think I'm trying to poison you or something? J}}

You can’t help the way your nose crinkles in distaste.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 16.Qd2 Now that you mention it... ...Na6}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г if you can’t even trust me enough to eat a hot dog I don’t know how far this conversation’s gonna get J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г come on now. Just take it J}}

===''[Choice Section]''===

>Refuse.

>Take it.

====>Refuse. (repeated)====

You wave the hot dog away. Gerbat seems heartbroken. He looks like he might cry. Come on, now, Secily, you can’t just let him cry, can you?

>Refuse.

Turns out you don’t really care if he cries. You heartless bastard.

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г now I come from a long line of people who know not to look a gift mythbeast in the mouth J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г and you are looking this mythbeast up and down like it’s some kind of prize show J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г do you have any idea how long it takes to grow one of these plants? J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г it doesn’t happen overnight, that’s for sure J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г first you gotta find the right kind of soil J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г then you gotta hope that the seed imbibes quick, because it can take up to 6 wices for it to germinate if the field capacity is even half a centimeter from optimal J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г and even then you sit around watchin’ a frail little sprout play in the dirt waiting for the fungi to show up. Can’t grow anything without the fungi J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г and all-mother knows they can be hard to coax out if you’re soil isn’t tilled J}}

Should you... stop him?

>Refuse.

Nah.

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г I mean just look at the flower structure J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г you can’t tell me you think one species formed that J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г and once your done ponderin’ that you should look even closer and ask yourself if you think that anything is going to grow from that flower with any kind of speed J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г and if your answer is anything other than ‘I do not’ then I have some news for you J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г a wice a centimeter. Could take you 5 blinks just to get a decent crop J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г and they smell. These things are pollinated by flies, you know that? J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г the whole garden starts smelling like a mortuary that’s run out of preservatives J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г and then once the fungus is done sprouting, the actual fruit has to start growing out of it. Only known case of a plant re-parasitizing a fungal thallus, actually J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г you know the meaty part of the hot dog is fungus. The skin on the outside is what we call the fruit J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г it’s a mechanism. Plant gets pollinated, and that triggers the fungus to start growing J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г and then the seeds grow in a corny layer on the surface J}}

You have the power to end this, Secily. You do. Just take it.

>Refuse.

People like you make you sick.

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г and the whole time you’re waiting for that, you have to watch the fields for just about a million different predators J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г hot dogs are eaten by just about any small to medium sized lusi you can think of J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г I don’t just go around passin’ them out to any old drifter. It’s not like its some kind of wiggler treat J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г it’s a special offering. I hope that gives you some idea of what I’m willin’ to put into this J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г but I guess some folks just don’t have the stomach for hard labor J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г they prefer tomato paste and frilly condiments. That’s not how I like it J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г the way it grows is nice enough for me. I just think it’s neat. Complicated, though J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г way I see it, only reason you’d refuse this is if you’re trying to disrespect me J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г but you know. I bet your lusus raised you better then that J}}

What are you trying to prove here?

>Refuse.

You feel as if the agency to make this decision has suddenly and metaphysically been lifted from your shoulders.

Please take the hot dog, Secily.

====>Please take the hot dog. (or any variation of 'Take It')====

You make the only right decision. This was the only outcome.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 17.Bh6 Fine. ...Rad8}}

You cautiously take the hot dog from his outstretched hand.

You don’t usually eat them with the corny skins still on — or at all, really. If you’re being honest, hot dogs are pretty far down your list of foods to eat during an investigation.

But he’s watching you so... expectantly.

He raises his eyebrows in anticipation, or at least in the closest thing to anticipation he can readily express.

The silence is deafening. It’s just you, the hot dog, and your audience of one.

You raise it to your mouth.

POFF!

The hot dog explodes all over your face as soon as you bite down. Oh, dear god.

You start coughing and wiping at your eyes, and then you realize — you’ve just been poisoned.

This is it. You’re going to die in a swamp in the middle of nowhere, and it’s all because you trusted a stranger enough to eat a fucking hot dog.

You choke in one final breath and stare up at your assailant through watery eyes. He looks down at you, and... seems to be stifling a laugh.

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г it’s overripe. Hah! J}}

It suddenly becomes clear to you that, unfortunately, you are not dying. No, it’s something far worse.

You just got punked.

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г you gotta pick ‘em before they get too old or you get a face full of spores J}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 18.Qf4 Why would you— ...f6}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 19.Bxg7 HOW could you?! ...Kxg7}}

He points behind you. When you turn around, you notice a couple of the bystanders from before peeking through the windows.

They’re struggling to keep grins off of their faces.

Whereas before they couldn’t even bear to look at you, now they’re stealing quick glances at your powder-covered face and miming the scene to each other with exaggerated, explosive gesticulations.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 20.Re1 Unbelievable. There were much simpler ways. ...Nb4}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г you think so? Or just less embarassing ones? J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г now they know you don’t plan on killing anyone J}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 21.Qd2 I could’ve told them that. ...Qb5}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г they’ve all been lied to before. You just got humiliated and you didn’t lash out. Now they can trust you J}}

This is so stupid. Why do the people you interview always have to be so difficult? What, does he think the secret to diplomacy lies in blowing fruits up in peoples' faces?

You really hope your coat isn't permanently stained with this crap.

Whatever. At the very least, now no one is focused on you. He’s brought you down to their level, for better or for worse. You hope he’s happy with himself.

You decide not to tell Gerbat that you were seconds away from redrawing your sword.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 22.a3 I see. ...Nd5}}

You are not happy, but you’re enough of a professional to know when to keep your cool. You wipe your face off on your sleeve. It stains a yellowish-white.

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г more importantly, I can trust you J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г that and I couldn’t use that hot dog anyhow J}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 23.b4 I feel like we’ve gotten off track. ...Rd7}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 24.h4 Would you mind telling me why you’re here? That is, if I’m trustworthy enough. ...h5}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г no need to gripe. There’s a reason for all this J}}

He points out a noticeable division between the plants in his greenhouse.

On one side, cash crops abound. Hot dog plants mostly, but some other less recognizable plants and plant hybrids are scattered here and there too.

On the other side of the divide, stretches of nightmarish flowering weeds nearly obfuscate their containers, the perimeters only recognizable by the dessicated plant bodies that line their edges.

Just to the side, powerful herbicides stand at the ready.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 25.Qc2 Yes, those are some ugly plants. ...a5}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г not just ugly. Dangerous J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г they grow too quick and destroy everything J}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 26.Reb1 So you placed them next to food crops? ...axb4}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г I’m trying to grow hybrids. If I can breed a harmless little thing that still grows just as fast, I figure it’d be useful J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г could plant them around and make some dead land live again J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г the hot dogs are just an added bonus J}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 27.axb4 Aren’t you worried they’ll spread? ...Nf4}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г as if they haven’t already J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г all I can do is weed them out as I see them for now J}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 28.Ra5 Yes, and I’m sure you do an excellent job. ...Qe2}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 29.Rb2 But that doesn’t explain why you’re here specifically. ...Qxc2}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 30.Rxc2 Do you expect me to agree that your... ‘botanics’ qualify as a reason to be so far away from the stronghold? Hamifi could easily arrange for a greenhouse of much higher caliber inside the city walls. ...Ne6}}

He looks at you like you’re some kind of idiot. The phrase ‘city folks just don’t get it’ rattles around in your head.

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г guess not J}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 31.Ra7 So what is it, then? Are you running from something? ...Rfd8}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 32.g3 Or maybe you’re running from someone? ...g5}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г nothing like that J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г just trying to study something, is all J}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 33.exf6+ And what would that be? ...exf6}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г look here J}}

He directs your attention over to a particularly colorful plant. It’s been a long time since anything with this much vivacity grew somewhere you could see it, so it has a certain charm to it all on its own.

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г see, this looks pretty doesn’t it J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г turns out it could kill you. And me! Ha J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г all I would have to do is poke it on the anther and it’d paralyze me J}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 34.hxg5 Is that a threat? ...fxg5}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г what? No J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г I just thought you’d think it was interesting J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г I could tell you how I bred it but I bet you’d arrest me J}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 35.d5 Unless this is somehow relevant, maybe I should. ...cxd5}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г it’s relavent, don’t worry J}}

He looks down at the plant. The two of you share a moment of silence as you watch the gears turn in his head.

It stretches on much longer than it should, and you stare at him unrelentingly before he finally decides to take the hint and explain himself.

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г picture this J}}

He holds up his hands like he’s about to tell you something incredibly important.

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г sometimes... J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г I feed it hot dogs J}}

Oh, for God’s sake.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 36.Ne5 And? ...Nd4}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г remember that overripe hot dog I gave you? J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г I feed it those too J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г haha J}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 37.Nxd7 Are you just going to keep showing me plants? ...Nxc2}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г if I’m being honest I’m not sure what else I can do for you J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г you asked why I’m outside the city, and these plants are the answer J}}

You briefly wonder how someone so big can walk around in a greenhouse this small without constantly breaking everything — not to mention the very real possibility that he could paralyze himself.

You are suddenly very cautious about where you are putting your hands.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 38.Nc5 Are all your plants this dangerous? ...Rb8}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г a fair amount are J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г if you’re worried about them we can talk inside the church J}}

You’re inclined to go along with whatever he says at this point. You just nod.

He holds up a finger and fishes around in his pocket for a moment before presenting you a shiny, golden necklace.

It’s quaint, but well made: though you can see some slight irregularities in the chain, the Kheparia pendant hanging from its center is expertly crafted by someone who clearly takes their work seriously.

You look at Gerbat quizzically.

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г it’s tradition for this place of worship. I hope you can understand J}}

Yes, you can. You’ve done these kinds of stings before. Sometimes it serves you well to look the part, otherwise you catch some unwanted attention. You take the necklace and slip it over your head.

The two of you exit the greenhouse and head toward the church doors.

The inside of the church is far less gruesome than your mind played it up to be. There are no tuning forks, no screaming voices, no weird dark walls... in fact, it almost looks homey. Well lived-in.

You get a few strange looks from some of the occupants, but any hostility you may or may not have imagined is gone — they seem satisfied enough when they notice the glimmer around your neck.

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г so J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г what did you want to ask me? J}}

There are a few things you can think of that might be important.

Gerbat is a jadeblood. By birthright, he knows things about Corporate’s inner workings that most trolls don’t.

You know he’s probably living off of a decent Corporate wage. If you asked, you’re sure Hamifi could dredge up all kinds of information on this guy, but you’re... not exactly desperate to talk to her at the moment.

You know he’s growing and studying dangerous plants.

You’re a little bit confused about them. If they’re so prolific, why have they not spread farther? Why are you only hearing about them now?

You have no idea if Gerbat knows the answers, but there’s no harm in asking.

You also know he’s in charge of a nontraditional church of Kheparia. Now that you think about it, that could make a halfway decent motive for wanting to steal a vial of godlike blood.

You sincerely doubt he had anything to do with the murglary given his disposition and his living situation, but it doesn’t hurt to be too cautious. Let it be known that you are not above grasping at straws.

==='' You decide to ask about... ''===

====>Ties to Corporate.====

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 39.Nd7 As a jadeblood, I imagine you’re well taken care of by Corporate. ...Rd8}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г that’s almost right J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г when I feel the need to head into the city I’ve got money J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г I don’t really see much point in it, though J}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 40.Rxb7 Because you grow your own food? ...Kg6}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г that and I can’t hardly stomach what they sell there anyway J}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 41.Rb6+ Surely you must keep in contact, though. ...Kf5}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 42.Rd6 You must be doing something important to convince Hamifi to let you live out here. ...Nxb4}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г I admit, the reasons I’m here border a little on the personal J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г that and the plants I’m studying are region specific J}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 43.f3 How so? What’s stopping you from growing them in the city? ...Rxd7}}

Gerbat sighs.

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г hold on, you see these? J}}

He pulls his shirt collar to the side.

Underneath, his chest is covered in painful-looking mosses and fungi. They seem to spread across his whole torso, embedded into what you can only assume are his arterial and venous patterns.

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г I got permission to stay where I picked these up from J}}

You don’t know how to respond. Your mouth hangs open for a moment, ultimately leading you to sputter out the stupidest thing you could ask.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 44.Rxd7 Is it contagious? ...g4}}

Gods. Sometimes you have trouble with this.

If you would just keep your distance from people like you usually do, you wouldn’t keep making these mistakes.

You’re like a magnet for bad conversations with strangers. Emotions and tact go out the window as soon as you lose even the slightest amount of control over a situation.

As it stands, you got lucky: he hardly seems to notice your faux pas.

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г hah. Not likely J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г gotta spend some quality time with the plants themselves to get this number J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г it’s killed some friends of mine, though. Ruined a few farming communities too. I’m wanting to keep that from happening again J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г part of what I’m doing out here is looking for a cure J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г I’m not really supposed to be in this place specifically, though. Don’t think Hamifi is gonna like that much J}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 45.Rf7+ You’re telling me that you’re intentionally breaching your agreement with Corporate? ...Ke6}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г yep J}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 46.Rb7 And you don’t think I’d let Hamifi know what you’re doing? ...Nd3}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г nope. You don’t strike me as the type J}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 47.f4 Bold assessment. ...Nc5}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 48.Rb6+ She must not check in on you very often. ...Ke7}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г she fills me in on some things. Bit of a one-sided conversation usually J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г sometimes I help out with cloning when she needs a hand J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г but other then that, not much J}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 49.Rh6 Have you ever heard anything slip? Something that maybe you shouldn’t have? ...Ne4}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г why are you asking me? You’re the one working for ‘em J}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 50.Kg2 Stay with me here. I’m just trying to fill in a few gaps. ...Nf6}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г what is it with you? Scared of your bosses? J}}

He softly shakes his head.

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г you know, I knew who you were as soon as you stepped off that motorbike J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г Hamifi doesn’t tell me much about herself, but from what I hear you practically raised her J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г I hope you didn’t come all the way out here to try and dig up dirt on your kids J}}

He stares at you, daring you to defend yourself.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 51.Rg6 I’m beginning to think you’re misreading the situation. You’re not really in the position to be questioning my motives. ...Ke6}}

He scoffs.

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г I didn’t realize we were taking positions in the first place J}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 52.Rg5 It’s part of the job. ...Ke7}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г or it’s part of you. Everything always has to be some kind of challenge to you J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г everybody has to have something to hide J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г what are you hoping to find, regulator? J}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 53.Rf5 That’s an interesting take on the situation, Batrav, but it’s patently unhelpful. Perhaps we can leave the psychoanalysis to the TEMPs and stay on task. ...Ke6}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г all I’m trying to say is that there’s enough hostility in this world J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г you’re not doing anyone any favors by adding to it J}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 54.Re5+ How noble of you. If you’d seen half of what I’ve seen I doubt you’d be so accusatory. ...Kf7}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г I think I’ve seen enough to form an opinion on it J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г you know, I may not seem like it, but I’ve done a decent amount of reading J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г you ever heard of something called a fair trial? J}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 55.Kh2 From my understanding of them, they were hardly fair. ...Kg6}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г the very fact that you can recognize that proves you know what I mean J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г the Renaissance had some problems. Major problems. But it hit closer to the mark then whatever we’re doing now J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г now, we hardly even arrest anybody. We just kill them instead. I mean, you just about took my head off back there J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г and for what? Because I looked at you funny? J}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 56.Re7 I apologized for that. ...Kf5}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 57.Kg2 We both agreed that I misjudged the situation. ...Kg6}}

He chuckles.

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г ‘misjudged’ it, huh? So what happens when it’s not me on the other end of your sword? Someone who doesn’t know how to deal with anger? J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г what happens when an innocent troll gets ‘misjudged’? J}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 58.Re6 What happens when your ‘fair trial’ fails to convict a serial murderer? ...Kf7}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 59.Ra6 On my last case, I uncovered an operation that killed dozens of trolls with fake medicine. I found them with crates full of poison and a manifesto that would put it everywhere. ...Kg7}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 60.Rd6 What happens when the indictment for those smugglers gets lost in legalese? ...Kf7}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 61.Ra6 Should I redirect the widowed bondmates to you so you can explain your philosophy on justice? ...Kg7}}

He crosses his arms. Maybe you went too far.

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г sure, regulator J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г much better to let businesses decide who dies J}}

You’re obviously not getting anywhere with this. You sigh.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 62.Ra3 Why don’t we talk about something else? I have other questions. ...Kg6}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г be my guest J}}

====>Deadly Plants.====

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 63.Rd3 So, those plants. The ones that grow so fast. ...Kf5}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 64.Rd4 Why have I not seen them before? ...Ke6}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г you probably have if you’ve ever been around outside the stronghold J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г they’ve gotten to be a bit troublesome J}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 65.Rb4 Given the fast-spreading nature of the species, I would think that they’d be impossible to avoid. ...Kf5}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г give ‘em time. It’s bound to happen sooner or later J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г I’m trying to breed some nicer ones to outcompete them when it does J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г that’s my cause J}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 66.Rb6 You say that like they haven’t already had time. I find it hard to believe that this species just so happened to evolve like this overnight. ...Ne4}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г you’d be right to be skeptical J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г ready for a crackpot theory? J}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 67.Rh6 Those are usually pretty common in my line of work. Shoot. ...Nf6}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г I think someone made them this way J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г I think someone wanted them to hurt people J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г I’ve been around alot of plants... and these ones just aren’t right J}}

He’s speaking as if he’s informing you that your matesprit is in critical condition. Concerned. Saddened but professional.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 68.Kg1 Why would someone intentionally create something that could destroy the ecosystem of the entire planet? ...Ke6}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г your guess is as good as mine J}}

He looks down.

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г if I’m being perfectly honest J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г it takes alot out of me sometimes J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г trying to keep my head up. Trying to keep from just throwing in the towel and leaving the world to its mess J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г I guess that sounds pretty foolish coming from a troll who’s fighting for a cause like mine, huh J}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 69.Kf2 If I’ve learned one thing in this case, it’s that there are lots of causes to fight for. ...Kf7}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 70.Rh8 I’d venture that yours is better than most. ...Ne4+}}

He nods.

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г what about you? J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г what’re you fighting for? J}}

It’s an odd question. You haven’t really reasoned through the ‘why’s of your life since you were young.

Back then, you fought for her. You wanted to succeed because that meant you could put the terror of this world, of failure, behind you.

You saw yourself in your mind’s eye with a smile on your face. She would stand right there next to you, not a care in the world.

She would be happy. Free. She would look at you like you hung the stars in the sky for her, because you would. Because you would do it a million times over for her. You would do anything.

But then she died.

And now all you see is red.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 71.Kg2 I suppose... ...Nf6}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 72.Rc8 I suppose I fight so that no one will have to live through what I have. ...Kg6}}

He stares at you with a thoughtful look on his face. You can’t help but feel uncomfortable in the silence.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 73.Rc6 I don’t mean to be melodramatic. ...Kg7}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г it’s not melodrama if it’s real J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г you lost someone J}}

He’s seen right through you.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 74.Rd6 How did you know? ...Kf7}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г I’ve seen it before. That’s the real reason I’m here J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г I could set up shop with plants anywhere. I could spin some arguement about soil quality or whatever you like, but that’d just be talk J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г I’m here to help a friend of mine get by J}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 75.f5 If you’re only here for one person, why are you in charge? ...Ne4}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г I’m really only in charge through proximity J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г as it turns out, the one I’m here to help is the one who should be running this place J}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 76.Rxd5 That explains the lack of response to you being held at swordpoint, then. ...Kf6}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г yeah. Well, what can you do? J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г they don’t look to me for guidance anyway J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г kind of hard to lead a religious community when you’re not so religious yourself J}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 77.Kh2 I don’t blame you. I’ve seen a lot of harm come from piety. ...Ng5}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г I believe it J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г I wouldn’t be surprized if a cult had something to do with those weeds, actually J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г lot of people wanting to end the world one way or another in those circles J}}

Your conversation reaches a natural lull. It’s about time you changed the subject, you think.

====>The Case.====

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 78.Kg2 Do you happen to know anything about a vial of lime green blood being stolen? ...Nf3}}

He looks confused.

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г lime green as in lime green? J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г you sure it wasn’t olive? J}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 79.Rd8 If it was olive, why would I be looking into it? ...Kxf5}}

He makes a face like he’s wrestling with something. After a moment, he shakes his head and blinks his eyes clear.

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г I guess not J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г sounds like something out of one of those fairy tales J}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 80.Rh8 I assure you, it is very real. Real enough to get at least three people killed. ...Kg5}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г what makes it worth killing over? J}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 81.Rg8+ I’m going to assume you’re not just playing dumb. ...Kf5}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г hah. Nope, this dumb is all real J}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 82.Rh8 Right. The blood is said to have life-giving properties. It’s rumored that it could make someone immortal in the right hands. ...Kg5}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г and you think I have something to do with it? J}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 83.Rg8+ I doubt you even had the means to pull off the operation in question. Unless you happen to have a lot of highly trained friends, that is. ...Kf5}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г I don’t make many friends J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г especially not those kinds J}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 84.Rf8+ I didn’t think so. ...Kg5}}

Well, you can go ahead and cross Gerbat off your list, then. That was harmless.

[End of choice section.]

===>Move on.===

Gerbat seems airtight. And yet...

Despite your best intentions — despite you making a fool of yourself time and time again today, you honestly don’t want to leave.

Maybe it has nothing to do with Gerbat. Hell, of course it has nothing to do with Gerbat.

Let’s be real, here. If you wanted a lecture, there are plenty of people on this planet that would love nothing more than to rip you to shreds.

I don’t make many friends, he said. Yeah, you’re not the only one, Batrav. Birds of a feather flock together. Even those with broken wings.

You don’t want to leave because it would mean going back.

You don’t consider yourself an easily frightened person, and that would be because nothing scares you. Nothing physical, that is. Your head, though — there’s a story waiting to happen.

You’re fascinated, you think, with Mshiri, with Yeshin, just as you were with Ahlina, because when you’re with them... you don’t have to focus on you.

Yes, of course they would talk about your life, your interests, your fucking coping mechanisms, but in spite of everything it never felt real. Nothing ever feels real.

These people in your life have an incredible ability to shift your focus.

They can make the world seem manageable for a time, either by promising you a partner in all this or by convincing you that the malaise you feel is something out of the ordinary. Something external.

But it’s always there.

You always feel it. You’ve always felt it, just waiting for you to let it in.

If you keep busy, it can’t find its way to you. If you run it in circles, if you talk yourself up as the one in charge, then it has no room to take control.

You are an incredibly important person to some people. That should be enough.

You wish you could tell Mshiri everything. You wish she could feel the same way. You wish you didn’t have to feel this at all. You wish you could tell Ahlina instead.

Okay, Secily. Time to calm down. What was it you were doing?

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г something wrong, regulator? J}}

Oh. Right.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 85.Ra8 Nothing at all. ...Nd2}}

Now that you think about it, there was something else you wanted to ask.

===>Gerbat’s friend.===

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 86.Ra5+ I was just thinking. Where is this friend of yours? ...Kg6}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 87.Kf2 And what happened to them? ...Ne4+}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г that’s one thing I’m not at liberty to talk about J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г it’s not my business J}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 88.Kg2 I think by now we’ve established that it doesn’t so much matter whose business it is. ...Nd2}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г careful, regulator J}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 89.Ra4 Or what? ...Nf3}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г or I will ask you to leave J}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 90.Kf2 And then what? You think I’d just go? ...Kg5}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 91.Ra5+ I don’t think you took the vial, but I know from experience that intuition is a far cry from precognition. ...Kg6}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 92.Ke3 Would you call it cynical if I told you I was still suspicious of you? Of everyone here? ...h4}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г I don’t think that’s what makes you cynical J}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 93.gxh4 You know what? You have every right to call me a cynic. I’ll afford that to you. ...Nxh4}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 94.Kf4 By your standards, we’re all cynics. Maybe we should take a page out of your book and live in austerity. ...Kf7}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 95.Kxg4 Let’s all just let plague eat us alive. Who cares? Why should death matter if we’re pure of heart? ...Ng6}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г I can’t speak for the rest of the planet, but it wouldn’t do you any harm to let a few things go J}}

Ugh. Why does he keep doing that?

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г I’m sorry. This just isn’t something I can do J}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 96.Ra6 Okay. ...Ne7}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 97.Kf4 I understand. ...Ng6+}}

He smiles.

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г I knew you would J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г I doubt you’d want to see him anyway J}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 98.Ke4 He’s in pretty bad shape, I imagine. ...Ne7}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г yeah J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г like I said, it hasn’t been easy J}}

He rubs the back of his neck in a way that’s almost apologetic. His friend obviously means a lot to him.

But then... something else catches your attention. It was quick, but his head turned just barely over his left shoulder. You follow his eyes. There’s a door.

Interesting.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 99.Rh6 I suppose I should keep my promise. Nothing about this is related to my investigation, so like I said, I’ll look the other way. ...Kg7}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 100.Re6 That’s just about all I need from you. Thank you for your time. ...Kf7}}

Gerbat stands. You move to do the same, but he motions for you to remain seated.

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г before you go... J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г I know this trip hasn’t been kind to you, but I appreciate what you’re doing J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г the way I see it, least I can do is make you some tea. I grew it myself J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г isolated, of course. No contamination J}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 101.Ra6 Tea isn’t... ...Ng8}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 102.Ke5 Actually, that would be nice. ...Kg7}}

He smiles at you again, then he slowly walks out of the church.

Time to investigate.

You know what you’re doing is wrong.

Well, that’s not exactly it. You know it would be wrong for someone who wasn’t investigating something as serious as you are.

Not to mention, Gerbat is incredibly cagey. No one is that defensive when they have nothing to hide. You would have to be an idiot to not take this opportunity.

This wouldn’t be the first time you took advantage of a suspect leaving you by yourself, and if you recall (which you do), some of your most groundbreaking discoveries have come from snooping around on your own.

In a way, it’s sort of all you know.

That, and there’s something eating at you.

It feels like you’ve been losing control this whole time. If you have to leave and you come up with nothing, you only let yourself get taken advantage of again.

For sweeps now, you’ve been nothing if not easy to manipulate. Corporate. Your mystery caller. Now Gerbat.

You’re done. This lapdog can hold her own leash for once.

You start by taking a more careful look around you. This church is nice enough, but upon further examination it does ring out as a little on the gauche side. The pendant you wear around your neck is proof of that.

You can’t help but wonder what would have happened if you hadn’t put it on.

All eyes are on you as you stand up and walk toward the door in the back. It’s unlocked.

===>Open the door.===

This place is disgusting. It almost makes you feel like you stumbled into the secret dungeon in one of those ‘reality show turned psychological horror’ TV programs that seem to be so popular these days.

Honestly, you don’t remember the last time Repiton aired a season of decent reality TV. At this point it’d be more avant-garde for a bunch of beefcakes to actually just hang out with each other for 30 minutes.

A brisk walk down the center hallway grants you a mental map of the floor. Looks like there are about six rooms here. You decide to start from the far end and work your way up.

You suppose this dismal lighting is probably meant to inspire feelings of danger in you, but the only feeling you get from the place is that it’s trying too hard to give you a headache.

What are these, gas lamps? And so many chandeliers.

Whoever planned this decor clearly had an aesthetic in mind — one that makes it hard for you to believe that all of these cobwebs are real.

At the end of the hall, one of the doors on your left hangs slightly open. You peek inside.

Empty. What a waste.

The next door you try opens into what looks like a storage room. Inside is just about anything a troll would need to survive long stretches underground: food, clothes, detergents...

Nothing useful to you.

You take some minor pleasure in throwing the door closed and hearing the thud it makes echo down the hall.

The next door you try is locked.

That won’t do.

You step back and plant a solid kick under the doorknob. The wood splinters, but doesn’t break completely.

Apparently, you need to do some more physical training. You prepare yourself for a second kick.

The door all but shatters with a satisfying crunch. What remains slams against the wall inside and bounces back towards you, shaking violently against its hinges.

When you check inside, the disquiet in your head evolves into a dreadful seriousness.

Unlit candles are amassed in the center of the room around a ring painted with religious symbols. The floors are dirty with discarded objects, and what could be either food or blood stains the walls.

None of it could be more than a couple of wices old.

You scan the corners, and for a moment you see yourself as a sacrifice under a blade, lying prone in the center of the circle. One slip and the blood on the walls could be yours. You should wrap this up quick.

{{VE Quote|cretas|??????: Gerbat...?}}

There’s your suspect. He’s just barely poking his head out of the room behind you.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 1.e4 Not quite. ...e5}}

You storm towards him, drawing your sword. He quickly steps back, but makes no move to close the door on you. You respect that.

{{VE Quote|cretas|??????: wait}}

{{VE Quote|cretas|??????: who are you}}

{{VE Quote|cretas|??????: Δo you neeΔ something...?}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 2.Nf3 You can start by identifying yourself. ...Nc6}}

You push your way in. He recoils, backpedaling to re-establish some distance between you.

{{VE Quote|cretas|CRETAS: my name is Cretas... i;m the heaΔ of the church}}

{{VE Quote|cretas|CRETAS: is Gerbat with you? ;;}}

Is he begging for help already? Pathetic.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 3.c3 Gerbat won’t be joining us. ...Nf6}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 4.d4 As for you... ...d5}}

You grab your suspect’s arm.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 5.Bb5 Come with me. ...Nxe4}}

He struggles, but when it comes to strength there’s no contest. You force him across the hall. You hear his breathing quicken when he sees the painted circle.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 6.Nxe5 This was your doing, was it not? ...Bd7}}

He doesn’t respond. His arms cover his face instead, wrapping around his head.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 7.Qb3 Tell me. How many trolls have you sacrificed in this room? ...Qe7}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 8.Bxc6 How many innocent lives were lost because of you? ...Bxc6}}

{{VE Quote|cretas|CRETAS: it;s... it;s not like that...}}

His voice is barely audible. A breeze over a waterfall.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 9.O-O I’m not in the mood for lies, cultist. ...Qe6}}

{{VE Quote|cretas|CRETAS: you Δon;t unΔerstanΔ}}

You force him against the wall.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 10.Nd2 I think I understand perfectly fine. You spent sweeps building a tomb, and now you’re ashamed of the bodies. ...Nxd2}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 11.Bxd2 You make me sick. ...O-O-O}}

He’s practically choking on his own breath now.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 12.Rfe1 I won’t let you kill anyone else. ...h6}}

Suddenly, Cretas snaps. In a flash his teeth sink into your arm.

You pull back and slam him into the wall hard enough that he’s forced to release you and gasp for air. As soon as you’re free, your sword is at his throat. He responds by collapsing into a pitiful heap.

You glare at him for a moment. This is nothing new to you, really. You’ve seen tons of suspects cry like this. Each time it ends the same. You unsheathe your second-best dueling rapier.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 13.a4 Take it. ...Be8}}

His only response is another wail. He’s hidden his face fully behind his arms, his nails digging sharply into the back of his head.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 14.a5 ...a6 This is your only chance at survival. Get up. ...½-½}}

Still, he doesn’t move. Maybe you should just end this. You feel the blood soaking through your coat sleeve from the bite.

This feels familiar. For one graceful moment, all sound melts away. Your head spins. Across the hall, you can just see into Cretas’s room.

It’s a wreck. There are layers of dishes and clothes, strange stains, abysmal lighting... It’s as if the motivation to even move had evaporated.

It looks kind of like yours did when Ahlina died.

You turn back towards Cretas, who has given up on screaming. His body is wracked with gentle sobs. Your grip on the rapier loosens.

A hand grabs the collar of your coat, and you watch the room pulse as you are dragged away. The sound returns all at once as your second-best rapier hits the ground.

As you are pulled into the hall, you realize that you will likely never see it again.

Gerbat deposits you at the top of the stairs, just outside the door you snuck into mere minutes ago. As you fall on your knees, he quickly disappears. For a brief moment, you are again left alone.

In the middle of the church floor is an upturned tea set, its contents slowly seeping into the carpet between the pews.

When Gerbat returns, he doesn’t even look at you. He stops just in front of you, seemingly in physical pain, and drops an assortment of herbs and bandages onto the ground.

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г for the bite J}}

The words fall from his mouth like cinder blocks.

As they hit the ground, his eyes turn up and he glowers at you, his face a tepid mixture of confusion and brutal disappointment.

He practically jerks himself away when he turns to go back downstairs.

The door slams behind him.

Given time, it's remarkably easy to become someone else. One could simply walk into another room.

Values and morals are malleable, derived from sycophantic threads like an unspoken mesh between the devout and the desperate. An intrinsic affectation.

It's disquieting to perform for no audience, just as it is to realize that when the audience is gone, so too is most of what you would call 'you'.

Silence will kill you. It suffocates. It recapitulates. It exposes you. It makes it all too easy to believe...

...That this doesn't matter. You're not meant to be liked, after all, and even if you were, what makes Gerbat qualified to pass any kind of judgement on you? You've known for a long time that there was never any magic in this world.

It's his fault for not realizing that himself.

Fuck this. And fuck him, too. You remember back at the office, when you first joined as a junior regulator, one of the first things that caught your eye was a piece of paper stapled to the wall.

It was a crudely drawn square, bright blue ink, with the caption 'Bang head here! REPEATEDLY!' It was some kind of office joke, something about being fed up with management, but it evolved into a tradition.

A stupid decision earned you a comment from anyone nearby: Better pay the wall a visit, eh?

Well, you know where you're going when you get back.

You stand up and move towards the exit, but you can't seem to bring yourself to leave. Is there any chance he could forgive you? He seems like an understanding guy, right?

You stare at the door to the stairs.

Once again, all eyes are on you. It's not every day a troll sees a regulator get dragged up the stairs and dumped on the floor like a bag of barkbeast shit. Your indecision and pacing must be equally as perplexing.

You linger, letting yourself get irradiated with judgemental stares, until there is only one thought left in your head.

You have to get out of here.

You turn towards the church doors, bracing yourself. You take a deep breath, and-

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г what are you still doing here? J}}

You look over your shoulder and he's there again, closing the door to the stairs as quietly as possible.

He steps away from it and stops about 10 paces from you. He crosses his arms, struggles to get over something visceral, and finally looks up to meet your eyes.

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г you know... J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г I thought I knew you. I don't know why J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г call it old souls J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г but you are not who I thought you were. I guess that's just another example you can use to call me an idealist J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г so congratulations, regulator. You were right after all J}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 103.Ke6 Sorry to hear that. ...Kf8}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 104.Ra7 If only I was more predictable for you. ...Nh6 ½-½}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г listen. I get it. Things are hard J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г but it is not my job to fix you J}}

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г sort yourself out. But don't do it here J}}

He takes a deep breath.

{{VE Quote|gerbat|GERBAT: Г if I ever see you here again... J}}

He doesn't finish the sentence.

As you walk down the path away from the church, the blood from your arm finally soaks the rest of the way through your coat.

It drips unceremoniously from your hand, briefly staining the dark ground below before it is overwhelmed and diluted by mud.

You take a moment to wrap your wound with the bandages. You’re not well-versed enough in herbology to know how to use the rest, but you have people for that back at Corporate.

Speaking of which...

You make a sort of mental ‘pros and cons’ list.

Cons: In the past wice, you have learned the brutal truth behind Ahlina’s death, alienated yourself from your place of work, and disobeyed orders to the point where you may as well call yourself freelance.

You learned of things that challenged everything you thought you knew about the world, yet you’re still so caught up in routine and mixed emotions that your internal monologue sounds a dirge.

Last but not least, your clothes are ruined. You’re absolutely caked in dirt, fungus and blood, not to mention the bite-mark tears in your sleeve and your missing rapier.

Thankfully, this settlement doesn’t seem too keen on mirrors, otherwise you might have to self-reflect.

And the pros?

Well, at least you have your pride.

Then again, thinking back on what just happened, maybe not.

Gerbat’s a nobody, and you know as soon as you leave this place you will likely never hear anything about him ever again.

He’s not the type to go running to Hamifi either, so you don’t have to worry about another session of heated pen clicking. It's as if you were never here.

Besides, even if any of this did matter, he's not about to open up a dialogue with you anytime soon. You have nothing to gain from dwelling on this.

You decide to forget this night ever happened. It’s for the best.

You approach your bike, which is still sitting right where you left it.

As you take one last glance behind you, you make up your mind and scroll through your list of contacts. This little sabbatical of yours has gone on long enough.

It rings a few times, and for a moment you wonder if he’s even taking calls from you anymore, but inevitably the ringing stops and you hear the gentle rustle of another person on the line.

{{VE Quote|sestro|SESTRO: ∞secily?}}

He sounds like he just received a call from the dead.

Well, maybe that’s not exactly right. It’s more hopeful than that.

He sounds like he just received a call from an old friend.

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 1.e4 Yes, it’s me. ...e5}}

{{VE Quote|secily|SECILY: 2.f4 I think it’s time we talked this out. ...Bc5}}

END

[[Category:Transcript]]

Sigil/KnownSigils

2024-07-29T15:00:21Z

PassiveJungle:

{| class="article-table sortable" style="text-align: center;"
|-
! Alchemical Name
! Image
! Caste
! Subshade
! Sigil Hexcode
! Known Bearers
|-
{{SigilRow|Ink||Red|Scarlet|phoene|[[Minor Characters#Phoene Pegmin|{{Color|phoene|Phoene Pegmin}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Saffron||Red|Scarlet|yarina|[[Minor Characters#Yarina Mammon|{{Color|yarina|Yarina Mammon}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|||Red|Scarlet|tafner|[[Minor Characters#Tafner|{{Color|tafner|Tafner}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Rust||Red|Scarlet|neeris|[[Minor Characters#Neeris Gamaun|{{Color|neeris|Neeris Gamaun}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Resolve|Resolve.png|Red|Scarlet|yeshin|[[Yeshin Laevis|{{Color|yeshin|Yeshin Laevis}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|||Red|Rust|shiopa|[[Minor Characters#Shiopa Atshor|{{Color|shiopa|Shiopa Atshor}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Calcine|Calcine.png|Red|Rust|cinare|[[Cinare Montor|{{Color|cinare|Cinare Montor}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Ashes|Ashes.png|Red|Rust|valtel|[[Valtel Gurtea|{{Color|valtel|Valtel Gurtea}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Ounce|Ounce.png|Red|Rust|lutzia|[[Lutzia Cullex|{{Color|lutzia|Lutzia Cullex}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Silver|Silver.png|Red|Rust|sovara|[[Sovara Amalie|{{Color|sova|Sovara Amalie}}]] [[The Annalist|{{Color|sova|The Annalist}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Acid|Acid.png|Red|Rust|racren|[[Racren Innali|{{Color|racren|Racren Innali}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Metal|Metal.png|Red|Rust|cepros|[[Cepros Xirong|{{Color|cepros|Cepros Xirong}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Wax||Bronze|Clay|cera|[[Minor Characters#Mecera Koniga|{{Color|cera|Mecera Koniga}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Spirit|Spirit.png|Bronze|Clay|vyrmis|[[Minor Characters#Vyrmis Sturra|{{Color|vyrmis|Vyrmis Sturra}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Glass|Glass.png|Bronze|Clay|#CD6500|[[Talald Hieron|{{Color|talald|Talald Hieron}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Phosphorus|Phosphorus.png|Bronze|Clay|dismas|[[Dismas Mersiv|{{Color|dismas|Dismas Mersiv}}]] [[The Fomenter|{{Color|dismas|The Fomenter}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Caduceus|Caduceus.png|Bronze|Clay|rodere|[[Rodere|{{Color|rodere|Rodere}}]]}}
{{SigilRow| | |Bronze|Clay|garnie|[[Garnie|{{Color|garnie|Garnie}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Arsenic|Arsenic.png|Bronze|Clay|husske|[[Husske Mayzee|{{Color|husske|Husske Mayzee}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Week||Bronze|Cola|hemiot|[[Minor Characters#Hemiot Septem|{{Color|hemiot|Hemiot Septem}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|||Bronze|Cola|bakhas|[[Minor Characters#Bakhas|{{Color|bakhas|Bakhas}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Wood| |Bronze|Cola|bor|[[Minor Characters#Borwik Ruveit|{{Color|bor|Borwik Ruveit}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Salt|Salt Sigil.png|Bronze|Umber|unknown|[[Thesal Voorat|{{Color|unknown|Thesal Voorat}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Lye|Lye.png|Bronze|Umber|degner|[[Degner Veibod|{{Color|degner|Degner Veibod}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Magnesium|Magnesium.png|||arcjec|[[Arcjec Voorat|{{Color|arcjec|Arcjec Voorat}}]] [[Thesal Voorat|{{Color|thesal|Thesal Voorat}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Sand|Sand_Sigil.png|Yellow|Gold|mshiri|[[Mshiri Libeta|{{Color|mshiri02|Mshiri Libeta}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|||Yellow|Gold|medjed|[[Minor Characters#Medjed Sapkha|{{Color|medjed|Medjed Sapkha}}]]}}
{{SigilRow| | |Yellow|Gold|culium|[[Minor Characters#Culium|{{Color|culium|Culium}}]]}}
{{SigilRow| | |Yellow|Gold|ahlina|[[Ahlina Robiad|{{Color|ahlina|Ahlina Robiad}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Vinegar|Vinegar.png|Yellow|Gold|vellia|[[Vellia|{{Color|vellia|Vellia}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Borax|Borax.png|Yellow|Gold|lipsen|[[Minor Characters#Lipsen Fluxum|{{Color|lipsen|Lipsen Fluxum}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Tin|Tin.png|Yellow|Gold|jentha|[[Jentha Briati|{{Color|jentha|Jentha Briati}}]] [[Mosura Briati|{{Color|jentha|Mosura Briati}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Cuprum Arsenicatum|Cuprum_Arsenicatum.png|Yellow|Gold|hayyan|[[Hayyan Refero|{{Color|hayyan|Hayyan Refero}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Reverberation|Reverberation.png|Yellow|Gold|sabine|[[Sabine Berare|{{Color|sabine|Sabine Berare}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|||Yellow|Mustard|margol|[[Minor Characters#Margol Ohotka|{{Color|margol|Margol Ohotka}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Mercury|Mercury.png|||ellsee|[[Ellsee Raines|{{Color|ellsee|Ellsee Raines}}]] [[Zekura Raines|{{Color|zekura|Zekura Raines}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|| |Green|Clover|sahvel|[[Sahvel Pohors|{{Color|sahvel|Sahvel Pohors}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Forge| |Green|Clover|urodea|[[Urodea Svarov|{{Color|urodea|Urodea Svarov}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Filter|Filter.png|Green|Olive|sirage|[[Sirage Feltri|{{Color|sirage|Sirage Feltri}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Soap|Soap.png|Green|Olive|mekris|[[Minor Characters#Mekris|{{Color|mekris|Mekris}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Copper|Copper.png|Green|Olive|albion|[[Albion Shukra|{{Color|albion|Albion Shukra}}]] [[Cyprim Shukra|{{Color|cyprim|Cyprim Shukra}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|||Green|Olive|pascal|[[Minor Characters#Pascal|{{Color|pascal|Pascal}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|||Green|Olive|linole|[[Linole Pomace|{{Color|linole|Linole Pomace}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Dissolve|Dissolve.png|Green|Olive|noxious|[[Aumtzi Maught|{{Color|noxious|Aumtzi Maught}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Vitriol|Vitriol.png|Green|Ochre|raurou|[[Raurou Dersal|{{Color|raurou|Raurou Dersal}}]]}}
{{SigilRow| | |Green|Ochre|tenemi|[[Minor Characters#Tenemi Tenbra|{{Color|tenemi|Tenemi Tenbra}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Herb|Herb.png|Jade|Viridian|gerbat|[[Gerbat Batrav|{{Color|gerbat|Gerbat Batrav}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Quicklime||Jade|Viridian|cepora|[[Minor Characters#Cepora|{{Color|cepora|Cepora}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Distill|Distill.png|Jade|Viridian|glomer|[[Glomer Hicner|{{Color|glomer|Glomer Hicner}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Precipitation|Precipitation.png|Jade|Viridian|hamifi|[[Hamifi Hekrix|{{Color|hamifi|Hamifi Hekrix}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Quintessence|quintessence_transparent.png|Jade|Viridian|dionys|[[Dionys Barnum|{{Color|dionys|Dionys Barnum}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Limestone|Calx.png|Jade|Viridian|principal|[[The Principal|{{Color|principal|The Principal}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|||Teal|Cyan|femmis|[[Femmis Gverdi|{{Color|femmis|Femmis Gverdi}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Digest|Digest.png|Teal|Cyan|turnin|[[Turnin Kaikai|{{Color|turnin|Turnin Kaikai}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|||Teal|Cyan|qetish|[[Minor Characters#Qetish|{{Color|qetish|Qetish}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Gold|Gold.png|Teal|Turquoise|#00A596|[[Serpaz Helilo|{{Color|serpaz|Serpaz Helilo}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Retort|Retort.png|Teal|Turquoise|helica|[[Helica Alembi|{{Color|helica|Helica Alembi}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Talc|Talc.png|Teal|Turquoise|secily|[[Secily Iopara|{{Color|secily|Secily Iopara}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Year| |Teal|Turquoise|alcest|[[Alcest Sedokl|{{Color|alcest|Alcest Sedokl}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Electrum|Electrum.png|Teal|Turquoise|crytum|[[Crytum Lydian|{{Color|crytum|Crytum Lydian}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Antimony||Teal|Cyprus|aislin|[[Aislin|{{Color|aislin|Aislin}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Crucible|Crucible.png|Teal|Cyprus|cadlys|[[Cadlys Rankor|{{Color|cadlys|Cadlys Rankor}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|||Blue|Aegean|kim|[[Minor Characters#Kimosh Kumora|{{Color|kim|Kimosh Kumora}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Take|Take.png|Blue|Aegean|bytcon|[[Bytcon Krypto|{{Color|bytcon|Bytcon Krypto}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Zinc|Zinc.png|Blue|Cobalt|laivan|[[Laivan Ferroo|{{Color|laivan|Laivan Ferroo}}]] [[The Jagerman|{{Color|laivan|The Jagerman}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Death|Death.png|Blue|Cobalt|necron|[[Necron Exmort|{{Color|necron|Necron Exmort}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|||Blue|Cobalt|iderra|[[Iderra|{{Color|iderra|Iderra}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Nickel|Nickel.png|Indigo|Navy|divino|[[Divino Nikola|{{Color|divino|Divino Nikola}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Iron Pyrite|Iron_Pyrite.png|Indigo|Navy|rypite|[[Rypite Koldan|{{Color|rypite|Rypite Koldan}}]] [[Gascon Koldan|{{Color|gascon|Gascon Koldan}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Sulfur|Sulfur.png|Indigo|Navy|occeus|[[Occeus Coliad|{{Color|occeus|Occeus Coliad}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|||Indigo|Navy|dexous|[[Dexous|{{Color|dexous|Dexous}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Soot|Soot.png|Indigo|Midnight|pramen|[[Pramen Kasazh|{{Color|pramen|Pramen Kasazh}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Clay|Clay.png|Purple|Amethyst|cretas|[[Cretas Mglina|{{Color|cretas|Cretas Mglina}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Scruple||Purple|Amethyst|roxett|[[Roxett Esclur|{{Color|roxett|Roxett Esclur}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|||Purple|Jam|gingou|[[Gingou Disone|{{Color|gingou|Gingou Disone}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|||Purple|Jam|keiksi|[[Keiksi Ezlilu|{{Color|keiksi|Keiksi Ezlilu}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Steel|Steel.png|Purple|Jam|nezrui|[[Nezrui Rigida|{{Color|nezrui|Nezrui Rigida}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Fusion|Fusion.png|Purple|Jam|#390180|[[Seinru Narako|{{Color|seinru|Seinru Narako}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Platinum|Platinum.png|Purple|Jam|tazsia|[[Tazsia Poemme|{{Color|tazsia|Tazsia Poemme}}]] [[Fortmistress Deadlock|{{Color|taz|Fortmistress Deadlock}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Ammonia|Ammonia.png|Purple|Jam|endari|[[Endari Vernir|{{Color|endari|Endari Vernir}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Sublimation|Sublimation.png|Purple|Jam|sestro|[[Sestro Enthal|{{Color|sestro|Sestro Enthal}}]] [[Clarud Enthal|{{Color|executive|Clarud Enthal}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Hot Fire|Hot Fire.png|Purple|Jam|vilcus|[[Vilcus Cendum|{{Color|vilcus|Vilcus Cendum}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Purification|Purification.png|Purple|Aubergine|#270051 |[[Edolon Vryche|{{Color|edolon|Edolon Vryche}}]] [[Ancestors#The Holistic Blight|{{Color|blight|The Holistic Blight}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Pulverize|Pulverize.png|Purple|Aubergine|pozzol|[[Pozzol Broyer|{{Color|pozzol|Pozzol Broyer}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|||Purple|Aubergine|neilna|[[Neilna Uldiaz|{{Color|neilna|Neilna Uldiaz}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Iron|Iron.png|Violet|Magenta|calder|[[Calder Kerian|{{Color|calder|Calder Kerian}}]] [[Caesar Consceleratus Persolus|{{Color|calder|Caesar Consceleratus Persolus}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Brass|Brass.png|Violet|Byzantine|oricka|[[Oricka Rourst|{{Color|oricka|Oricka Rourst}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Lead|Lead.png|Violet|Byzantine|murrit|[[Murrit Turkin|{{Color|murrit|Murrit Turkin}}]] [[Acerigger Switchem|{{Color|murrit|Acerigger Switchem}}]]}}
|}
<noinclude>
[[Category:Subpages]]
</noinclude>

Sigil/KnownSigils

2024-07-29T14:58:41Z

PassiveJungle:

{| class="article-table sortable" style="text-align: center;"
|-
! Alchemical Name
! Image
! Caste
! Subshade
! Sigil Hexcode
! Known Bearers
|-
{{SigilRow|Ink||Red|Scarlet|phoene|[[Minor Characters#Phoene Pegmin|{{Color|phoene|Phoene Pegmin}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Saffron||Red|Scarlet|yarina|[[Minor Characters#Yarina Mammon|{{Color|yarina|Yarina Mammon}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|||Red|Scarlet|tafner|[[Minor Characters#Tafner|{{Color|tafner|Tafner}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Rust||Red|Scarlet|neeris|[[Minor Characters#Neeris Gamaun|{{Color|neeris|Neeris Gamaun}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Resolve|Resolve.png|Red|Scarlet|yeshin|[[Yeshin Laevis|{{Color|yeshin|Yeshin Laevis}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|||Red|Rust|shiopa|[[Minor Characters#Shiopa Atshor|{{Color|shiopa|Shiopa Atshor}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Calcine|Calcine.png|Red|Rust|cinare|[[Cinare Montor|{{Color|cinare|Cinare Montor}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Ashes|Ashes.png|Red|Rust|valtel|[[Valtel Gurtea|{{Color|valtel|Valtel Gurtea}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Ounce|Ounce.png|Red|Rust|lutzia|[[Lutzia Cullex|{{Color|lutzia|Lutzia Cullex}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Silver|Silver.png|Red|Rust|sovara|[[Sovara Amalie|{{Color|sova|Sovara Amalie}}]] [[The Annalist|{{Color|sova|The Annalist}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Acid|Acid.png|Red|Rust|racren|[[Racren Innali|{{Color|racren|Racren Innali}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Metal|Metal.png|Red|Rust|cepros|[[Cepros Xirong|{{Color|cepros|Cepros Xirong}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Wax||Bronze|Clay|cera|[[Minor Characters#Mecera Koniga|{{Color|cera|Mecera Koniga}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Spirit|Spirit.png|Bronze|Clay|vyrmis|[[Minor Characters#Vyrmis Sturra|{{Color|vyrmis|Vyrmis Sturra}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Glass|Glass.png|Bronze|Clay|#CD6500|[[Talald Hieron|{{Color|talald|Talald Hieron}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Phosphorus|Phosphorus.png|Bronze|Clay|dismas|[[Dismas Mersiv|{{Color|dismas|Dismas Mersiv}}]] [[The Fomenter|{{Color|dismas|The Fomenter}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Caduceus|Caduceus.png|Bronze|Clay|rodere|[[Rodere|{{Color|rodere|Rodere}}]]}}
{{SigilRow| | |Bronze|Clay|garnie|[[Garnie|{{Color|garnie|Garnie}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Arsenic|Arsenic.png|Bronze|Clay|husske|[[Husske Mayzee|{{Color|husske|Husske Mayzee}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|||Bronze|Cola|hemiot|[[Minor Characters#Hemiot Septem|{{Color|hemiot|Hemiot Septem}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|||Bronze|Cola|bakhas|[[Minor Characters#Bakhas|{{Color|bakhas|Bakhas}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Wood| |Bronze|Cola|bor|[[Minor Characters#Borwik Ruveit|{{Color|bor|Borwik Ruveit}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Salt|Salt Sigil.png|Bronze|Umber|unknown|[[Thesal Voorat|{{Color|unknown|Thesal Voorat}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Lye|Lye.png|Bronze|Umber|degner|[[Degner Veibod|{{Color|degner|Degner Veibod}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Magnesium|Magnesium.png|||arcjec|[[Arcjec Voorat|{{Color|arcjec|Arcjec Voorat}}]] [[Thesal Voorat|{{Color|thesal|Thesal Voorat}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Sand|Sand_Sigil.png|Yellow|Gold|mshiri|[[Mshiri Libeta|{{Color|mshiri02|Mshiri Libeta}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|||Yellow|Gold|medjed|[[Minor Characters#Medjed Sapkha|{{Color|medjed|Medjed Sapkha}}]]}}
{{SigilRow| | |Yellow|Gold|culium|[[Minor Characters#Culium|{{Color|culium|Culium}}]]}}
{{SigilRow| | |Yellow|Gold|ahlina|[[Ahlina Robiad|{{Color|ahlina|Ahlina Robiad}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Vinegar|Vinegar.png|Yellow|Gold|vellia|[[Vellia|{{Color|vellia|Vellia}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Borax|Borax.png|Yellow|Gold|lipsen|[[Minor Characters#Lipsen Fluxum|{{Color|lipsen|Lipsen Fluxum}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Tin|Tin.png|Yellow|Gold|jentha|[[Jentha Briati|{{Color|jentha|Jentha Briati}}]] [[Mosura Briati|{{Color|jentha|Mosura Briati}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Cuprum Arsenicatum|Cuprum_Arsenicatum.png|Yellow|Gold|hayyan|[[Hayyan Refero|{{Color|hayyan|Hayyan Refero}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Reverberation|Reverberation.png|Yellow|Gold|sabine|[[Sabine Berare|{{Color|sabine|Sabine Berare}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|||Yellow|Mustard|margol|[[Minor Characters#Margol Ohotka|{{Color|margol|Margol Ohotka}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Mercury|Mercury.png|||ellsee|[[Ellsee Raines|{{Color|ellsee|Ellsee Raines}}]] [[Zekura Raines|{{Color|zekura|Zekura Raines}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|| |Green|Clover|sahvel|[[Sahvel Pohors|{{Color|sahvel|Sahvel Pohors}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Forge| |Green|Clover|urodea|[[Urodea Svarov|{{Color|urodea|Urodea Svarov}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Filter|Filter.png|Green|Olive|sirage|[[Sirage Feltri|{{Color|sirage|Sirage Feltri}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Soap|Soap.png|Green|Olive|mekris|[[Minor Characters#Mekris|{{Color|mekris|Mekris}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Copper|Copper.png|Green|Olive|albion|[[Albion Shukra|{{Color|albion|Albion Shukra}}]] [[Cyprim Shukra|{{Color|cyprim|Cyprim Shukra}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|||Green|Olive|pascal|[[Minor Characters#Pascal|{{Color|pascal|Pascal}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|||Green|Olive|linole|[[Linole Pomace|{{Color|linole|Linole Pomace}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Dissolve|Dissolve.png|Green|Olive|noxious|[[Aumtzi Maught|{{Color|noxious|Aumtzi Maught}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Vitriol|Vitriol.png|Green|Ochre|raurou|[[Raurou Dersal|{{Color|raurou|Raurou Dersal}}]]}}
{{SigilRow| | |Green|Ochre|tenemi|[[Minor Characters#Tenemi Tenbra|{{Color|tenemi|Tenemi Tenbra}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Herb|Herb.png|Jade|Viridian|gerbat|[[Gerbat Batrav|{{Color|gerbat|Gerbat Batrav}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Quicklime||Jade|Viridian|cepora|[[Minor Characters#Cepora|{{Color|cepora|Cepora}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Distill|Distill.png|Jade|Viridian|glomer|[[Glomer Hicner|{{Color|glomer|Glomer Hicner}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Precipitation|Precipitation.png|Jade|Viridian|hamifi|[[Hamifi Hekrix|{{Color|hamifi|Hamifi Hekrix}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Quintessence|quintessence_transparent.png|Jade|Viridian|dionys|[[Dionys Barnum|{{Color|dionys|Dionys Barnum}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Limestone|Calx.png|Jade|Viridian|principal|[[The Principal|{{Color|principal|The Principal}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|||Teal|Cyan|femmis|[[Femmis Gverdi|{{Color|femmis|Femmis Gverdi}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Digest|Digest.png|Teal|Cyan|turnin|[[Turnin Kaikai|{{Color|turnin|Turnin Kaikai}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|||Teal|Cyan|qetish|[[Minor Characters#Qetish|{{Color|qetish|Qetish}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Gold|Gold.png|Teal|Turquoise|#00A596|[[Serpaz Helilo|{{Color|serpaz|Serpaz Helilo}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Retort|Retort.png|Teal|Turquoise|helica|[[Helica Alembi|{{Color|helica|Helica Alembi}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Talc|Talc.png|Teal|Turquoise|secily|[[Secily Iopara|{{Color|secily|Secily Iopara}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Year| |Teal|Turquoise|alcest|[[Alcest Sedokl|{{Color|alcest|Alcest Sedokl}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Electrum|Electrum.png|Teal|Turquoise|crytum|[[Crytum Lydian|{{Color|crytum|Crytum Lydian}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Antimony||Teal|Cyprus|aislin|[[Aislin|{{Color|aislin|Aislin}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Crucible|Crucible.png|Teal|Cyprus|cadlys|[[Cadlys Rankor|{{Color|cadlys|Cadlys Rankor}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|||Blue|Aegean|kim|[[Minor Characters#Kimosh Kumora|{{Color|kim|Kimosh Kumora}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Take|Take.png|Blue|Aegean|bytcon|[[Bytcon Krypto|{{Color|bytcon|Bytcon Krypto}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Zinc|Zinc.png|Blue|Cobalt|laivan|[[Laivan Ferroo|{{Color|laivan|Laivan Ferroo}}]] [[The Jagerman|{{Color|laivan|The Jagerman}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Death|Death.png|Blue|Cobalt|necron|[[Necron Exmort|{{Color|necron|Necron Exmort}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|||Blue|Cobalt|iderra|[[Iderra|{{Color|iderra|Iderra}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Nickel|Nickel.png|Indigo|Navy|divino|[[Divino Nikola|{{Color|divino|Divino Nikola}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Iron Pyrite|Iron_Pyrite.png|Indigo|Navy|rypite|[[Rypite Koldan|{{Color|rypite|Rypite Koldan}}]] [[Gascon Koldan|{{Color|gascon|Gascon Koldan}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Sulfur|Sulfur.png|Indigo|Navy|occeus|[[Occeus Coliad|{{Color|occeus|Occeus Coliad}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|||Indigo|Navy|dexous|[[Dexous|{{Color|dexous|Dexous}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Soot|Soot.png|Indigo|Midnight|pramen|[[Pramen Kasazh|{{Color|pramen|Pramen Kasazh}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Clay|Clay.png|Purple|Amethyst|cretas|[[Cretas Mglina|{{Color|cretas|Cretas Mglina}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Scruple||Purple|Amethyst|roxett|[[Roxett Esclur|{{Color|roxett|Roxett Esclur}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|||Purple|Jam|gingou|[[Gingou Disone|{{Color|gingou|Gingou Disone}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|||Purple|Jam|keiksi|[[Keiksi Ezlilu|{{Color|keiksi|Keiksi Ezlilu}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Steel|Steel.png|Purple|Jam|nezrui|[[Nezrui Rigida|{{Color|nezrui|Nezrui Rigida}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Fusion|Fusion.png|Purple|Jam|#390180|[[Seinru Narako|{{Color|seinru|Seinru Narako}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Platinum|Platinum.png|Purple|Jam|tazsia|[[Tazsia Poemme|{{Color|tazsia|Tazsia Poemme}}]] [[Fortmistress Deadlock|{{Color|taz|Fortmistress Deadlock}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Ammonia|Ammonia.png|Purple|Jam|endari|[[Endari Vernir|{{Color|endari|Endari Vernir}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Sublimation|Sublimation.png|Purple|Jam|sestro|[[Sestro Enthal|{{Color|sestro|Sestro Enthal}}]] [[Clarud Enthal|{{Color|executive|Clarud Enthal}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Hot Fire|Hot Fire.png|Purple|Jam|vilcus|[[Vilcus Cendum|{{Color|vilcus|Vilcus Cendum}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Purification|Purification.png|Purple|Aubergine|#270051 |[[Edolon Vryche|{{Color|edolon|Edolon Vryche}}]] [[Ancestors#The Holistic Blight|{{Color|blight|The Holistic Blight}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Pulverize|Pulverize.png|Purple|Aubergine|pozzol|[[Pozzol Broyer|{{Color|pozzol|Pozzol Broyer}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|||Purple|Aubergine|neilna|[[Neilna Uldiaz|{{Color|neilna|Neilna Uldiaz}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Iron|Iron.png|Violet|Magenta|calder|[[Calder Kerian|{{Color|calder|Calder Kerian}}]] [[Caesar Consceleratus Persolus|{{Color|calder|Caesar Consceleratus Persolus}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Brass|Brass.png|Violet|Byzantine|oricka|[[Oricka Rourst|{{Color|oricka|Oricka Rourst}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Lead|Lead.png|Violet|Byzantine|murrit|[[Murrit Turkin|{{Color|murrit|Murrit Turkin}}]] [[Acerigger Switchem|{{Color|murrit|Acerigger Switchem}}]]}}
|}
<noinclude>
[[Category:Subpages]]
</noinclude>

Sigil/KnownSigils

2024-07-22T21:59:51Z

PassiveJungle:

{| class="article-table sortable" style="text-align: center;"
|-
! Alchemical Name
! Image
! Caste
! Subshade
! Sigil Hexcode
! Known Bearers
|-
{{SigilRow|Resolve|Resolve.png|Red|Scarlet|yeshin|[[Yeshin Laevis|{{Color|yeshin|Yeshin Laevis}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Ink||Red|Scarlet|#FFE2E2|[[Minor Characters#Phoene Pegmin|{{Color|#ffe2e2|Phoene Pegmin}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Saffron||Red|Scarlet|#E68A73|[[Minor Characters#Yarina Mammon|{{Color|#e68a73|Yarina Mammon}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|||Red|Scarlet|#CB1E00|[[Minor Characters#Neeris Gamaun|{{Color|#cb1e00|Neeris Gamaun}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|||Red|Scarlet|#CF372F|[[Minor Characters#Tafner|{{Color|#CF372F|Tafner}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Calcine|Calcine.png|Red|Rust|cinare|[[Cinare Montor|{{Color|cinare|Cinare Montor}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Ashes|Ashes.png|Red|Rust|valtel|[[Valtel Gurtea|{{Color|valtel|Valtel Gurtea}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Ounce|Ounce.png|Red|Rust|lutzia|[[Lutzia Cullex|{{Color|lutzia|Lutzia Cullex}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Silver|Silver.png|Red|Rust|sovara|[[Sovara Amalie|{{Color|sova|Sovara Amalie}}]] [[The Annalist|{{Color|sova|The Annalist}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Acid|Acid.png|Red|Rust|racren|[[Racren Innali|{{Color|racren|Racren Innali}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Metal|Metal.png|Red|Rust|cepros|[[Cepros Xirong|{{Color|cepros|Cepros Xirong}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|||Red|Rust|#A34434|[[Minor Characters#Shiopa Atshor|{{Color|#A34434|Shiopa Atshor}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Spirit|Spirit.png|Bronze|Clay|vyrmis|[[Minor Characters#Vyrmis Sturra|{{Color|vyrmis|Vyrmis Sturra}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Glass|Glass.png|Bronze|Clay|#CD6500|[[Talald Hieron|{{Color|talald|Talald Hieron}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Phosphorus|Phosphorus.png|Bronze|Clay|dismas|[[Dismas Mersiv|{{Color|dismas|Dismas Mersiv}}]] [[The Fomenter|{{Color|dismas|The Fomenter}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Caduceus|Caduceus.png|Bronze|Clay|rodere|[[Rodere|{{Color|rodere|Rodere}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Arsenic|Arsenic.png|Bronze|Clay|husske|[[Husske Mayzee|{{Color|husske|Husske Mayzee}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Olive Oil||Bronze|Clay|#D86B18|[[Minor Characters#Mecera Koniga|{{Color|#d86b18|Mecera Koniga}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Wood| |Bronze|Cola|#65321A|[[Minor Characters#Borwik Ruveit|{{Color|#65321A|Borwik Ruveit}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|||Bronze|Cola|#A3731A|[[Minor Characters#Hemiot Septem|{{Color|#A3731A|Hemiot Septem}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Salt|Salt Sigil.png|Bronze|Umber|unknown|[[Thesal Voorat|{{Color|unknown|Thesal Voorat}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Lye|Lye.png|Bronze|Umber|degner|[[Degner Veibod|{{Color|degner|Degner Veibod}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Magnesium|Magnesium.png|||arcjec|[[Arcjec Voorat|{{Color|arcjec|Arcjec Voorat}}]] [[Thesal Voorat|{{Color|thesal|Thesal Voorat}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Sand|Sand_Sigil.png|Yellow|Gold|mshiri|[[Mshiri Libeta|{{Color|mshiri02|Mshiri Libeta}}]]}}
{{SigilRow| | |Yellow|Gold|culium|{{Color|culium|Culium}}}}
{{SigilRow|Vinegar|Vinegar.png|Yellow|Gold|vellia|[[Vellia|{{Color|vellia|Vellia}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Borax|Borax.png|Yellow|Gold|lipsen|[[Minor Characters#Lipsen Fluxum|{{Color|lipsen|Lipsen Fluxum}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Tin|Tin.png|Yellow|Gold|jentha|[[Jentha Briati|{{Color|jentha|Jentha Briati}}]] [[Mosura Briati|{{Color|jentha|Mosura Briati}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Cuprum Arsenicatum|Cuprum_Arsenicatum.png|Yellow|Gold|hayyan|[[Hayyan Refero|{{Color|hayyan|Hayyan Refero}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Reverberation|Reverberation.png|Yellow|Gold|sabine|[[Sabine Berare|{{Color|sabine|Sabine Berare}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|||Yellow|Gold|#E6B400|[[Minor Characters#Medjed Sapkha|{{Color|#E6B400|Medjed Sapkha}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|||Yellow|Mustard|#8E7A17|[[Minor Characters#Margol Ohotka|{{Color|#8e7a17|Margol Ohotka}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Mercury|Mercury.png|||ellsee|[[Ellsee Raines|{{Color|ellsee|Ellsee Raines}}]] [[Zekura Raines|{{Color|zekura|Zekura Raines}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Forge| |Green|Clover|#5BB43B|[[Minor Characters#Urodea Svarov|{{Color|#5bb43b|Urodea Svarov}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Filter|Filter.png|Green|Olive|sirage|[[Sirage Feltri|{{Color|sirage|Sirage Feltri}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Soap|Soap.png|Green|Olive|mekris|[[Minor Characters#Mekris|{{Color|mekris|Mekris}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Dissolve|Dissolve.png|Green|Olive|noxious|[[Aumtzi Maught|{{Color|noxious|Aumtzi Maught}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Copper|Copper.png|Green|Olive|albion|[[Albion Shukra|{{Color|albion|Albion Shukra}}]] [[Cyprim Shukra|{{Color|cyprim|Cyprim Shukra}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Vitriol|Vitriol.png|Green|Ochre|raurou|[[Raurou Dersal|{{Color|raurou|Raurou Dersal}}]]}}
{{SigilRow| | |Green|Ochre|#033B03|[[Minor Characters#Tenemi Tenbra|{{Color|#033B03|Tenemi Tenbra}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Herb|Herb.png|Jade|Viridian|gerbat|[[Gerbat Batrav|{{Color|gerbat|Gerbat Batrav}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Quintessence|quintessence_transparent.png|Jade|Viridian|#0A6649|[[Dionys Barnum|{{Color|#0A6649|Dionys Barnum}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Limestone|Calx.png|Jade|Viridian|principal|[[The Principal|{{Color|principal|The Principal}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Distill|Distill.png|Jade|Viridian|glomer|[[Glomer Hicner|{{Color|glomer|Glomer Hicner}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Quicklime||Jade|Viridian|cepora|[[Minor Characters#Cepora|{{Color|cepora|Cepora}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Precipitation|Precipitation.png|Jade|Viridian|hamifi|[[Hamifi Hekrix|{{Color|hamifi|Hamifi Hekrix}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Digest|Digest.png|Teal|Cyan|turnin|[[Turnin Kaikai|{{Color|turnin|Turnin Kaikai}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|||Teal|Cyan|#06D6D6|[[Minor Characters#Femmis Gverdi|{{Color|#06D6D6|Femmis Gverdi}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Gold|Gold.png|Teal|Turquoise|#00A596|[[Serpaz Helilo|{{Color|serpaz|Serpaz Helilo}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Retort|Retort.png|Teal|Turquoise|helica|[[Helica Alembi|{{Color|helica|Helica Alembi}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Talc|Talc.png|Teal|Turquoise|secily|[[Secily Iopara|{{Color|secily|Secily Iopara}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Electrum|Electrum.png|Teal|Turquoise|crytum|[[Crytum Lydian|{{Color|crytum|Crytum Lydian}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Year| |Teal|Turquoise|#728682|[[Minor Characters#Alcest Sedokl|{{Color|#728682|Alcest Sedokl}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Antimony||Teal|Cyprus|aislin|[[Minor Characters#Aislin|{{Color|aislin|Aislin}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Crucible|Crucible.png|Teal|Cyprus|cadlys|[[Cadlys Rankor|{{Color|cadlys|Cadlys Rankor}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Take|Take.png|Blue|Aegean|bytcon|[[Bytcon Krypto|{{Color|bytcon|Bytcon Krypto}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|||Blue|Aegean|#018BCB|[[Minor Characters#Kimosh Kumora|{{Color|#018BCB|Kimosh Kumora}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Zinc|Zinc.png|Blue|Cobalt|laivan|[[Laivan Ferroo|{{Color|laivan|Laivan Ferroo}}]] [[The Jagerman|{{Color|laivan|The Jagerman}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Death|Death.png|Blue|Cobalt|necron|[[Necron Exmort|{{Color|necron|Necron Exmort}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|||Blue|Cobalt|iderra|[[Iderra|{{Color|iderra|Iderra}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Iron Pyrite|Iron_Pyrite.png|Indigo|Navy|rypite|[[Rypite Koldan|{{Color|rypite|Rypite Koldan}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Sulfur|Sulfur.png|Indigo|Navy|occeus|[[Occeus Coliad|{{Color|occeus|Occeus Coliad}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|||Indigo|Navy|dexous|[[Dexous|{{Color|dexous|Dexous}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Soot|Soot.png|Indigo|Midnight|pramen|[[Pramen Kasazh|{{Color|pramen|Pramen Kasazh}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Clay|Clay.png|Purple|Amethyst|cretas|[[Cretas Mglina|{{Color|cretas|Cretas Mglina}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Scruple||Purple|Amethyst|#9880AB|[[Roxett Esclur|{{Color|roxett|Roxett Esclur}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|||Purple|Jam|keiksi|[[Keiksi Ezlilu|{{Color|keiksi|Keiksi Ezlilu}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Steel|Steel.png|Purple|Jam|nezrui|[[Nezrui Rigida|{{Color|nezrui|Nezrui Rigida}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Fusion|Fusion.png|Purple|Jam|#390180|[[Seinru Narako|{{Color|seinru|Seinru Narako}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Platinum|Platinum.png|Purple|Jam|tazsia|[[Tazsia Poemme|{{Color|tazsia|Tazsia Poemme}}]] [[Fortmistress Deadlock|{{Color|taz|Fortmistress Deadlock}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Ammonia|Ammonia.png|Purple|Jam|endari|[[Endari Vernir|{{Color|endari|Endari Vernir}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Sublimation|Sublimation.png|Purple|Jam|sestro|[[Sestro Enthal|{{Color|sestro|Sestro Enthal}}]] [[Clarud Enthal|{{Color|executive|Clarud Enthal}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Hot Fire|Hot Fire.png|Purple|Jam|vilcus|[[Vilcus Cendum|{{Color|vilcus|Vilcus Cendum}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Purification|Purification.png|Purple|Aubergine|#270051 |[[Edolon Vryche|{{Color|edolon|Edolon Vryche}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Pulverize|Pulverize.png|Purple|Aubergine|pozzol|[[Pozzol Broyer|{{Color|pozzol|Pozzol Broyer}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|||Purple|Aubergine|neilna|[[Neilna Uldiaz|{{Color|neilna|Neilna Uldiaz}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Iron|Iron.png|Violet|Magenta|calder|[[Calder Kerian|{{Color|calder|Calder Kerian}}]] [[Caesar Consceleratus Persolus|{{Color|calder|Caesar Consceleratus Persolus}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Brass|Brass.png|Violet|Byzantine|oricka|[[Oricka Rourst|{{Color|oricka|Oricka Rourst}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Lead|Lead.png|Violet|Byzantine|murrit|[[Murrit Turkin|{{Color|murrit|Murrit Turkin}}]] [[Acerigger Switchem|{{Color|murrit|Acerigger Switchem}}]]}}
|}
<noinclude>
[[Category:Subpages]]
</noinclude>

Sigil/KnownSigils

2024-07-22T08:32:12Z

PassiveJungle:

{| class="article-table sortable" style="text-align: center;"
|-
! Alchemical Name
! Image
! Caste
! Subshade
! Sigil Hexcode
! Known Bearers
|-
{{SigilRow|Resolve|Resolve.png|Red|Scarlet|yeshin|[[Yeshin Laevis|{{Color|yeshin|Yeshin Laevis}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Ink||Red|Scarlet|#FFE2E2|[[Minor Characters#Pheone Pegmin|{{Color|#ffe2e2|Pheone Pegmin}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Earth||Red|Scarlet|#E68A73|[[Minor Characters#Yarina Mammon|{{Color|#e68a73|Yarina Mammon}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|||Red|Scarlet|#CB1E00|[[Minor Characters#Neeris Gamaun|{{Color|#cb1e00|Neeris Gamaun}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|||Red|Scarlet|#CF372F|[[Minor Characters#Tafner|{{Color|#CF372F|Tafner}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Calcine|Calcine.png|Red|Rust|cinare|[[Cinare Montor|{{Color|cinare|Cinare Montor}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Ashes|Ashes.png|Red|Rust|valtel|[[Valtel Gurtea|{{Color|valtel|Valtel Gurtea}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Ounce|Ounce.png|Red|Rust|lutzia|[[Lutzia Cullex|{{Color|lutzia|Lutzia Cullex}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Silver|Silver.png|Red|Rust|sovara|[[Sovara Amalie|{{Color|sova|Sovara Amalie}}]] [[The Annalist|{{Color|sova|The Annalist}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Acid|Acid.png|Red|Rust|racren|[[Racren Innali|{{Color|racren|Racren Innali}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Metal|Metal.png|Red|Rust|cepros|[[Cepros Xirong|{{Color|cepros|Cepros Xirong}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|||Red|Rust|#A34434|[[Minor Characters#Shiopa Atshor|{{Color|#A34434|Shiopa Atshor}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Spirit|Spirit.png|Bronze|Clay|vyrmis|[[Vyrmis Sturra|{{Color|vyrmis|Vyrmis Sturra}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Glass|Glass.png|Bronze|Clay|#CD6500|[[Talald Hieron|{{Color|talald|Talald Hieron}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Phosphorus|Phosphorus.png|Bronze|Clay|dismas|[[Dismas Mersiv|{{Color|dismas|Dismas Mersiv}}]] [[The Fomenter|{{Color|dismas|The Fomenter}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Caduceus|Caduceus.png|Bronze|Clay|rodere|[[Rodere|{{Color|rodere|Rodere}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Arsenic|Arsenic.png|Bronze|Clay|husske|[[Husske Mayzee|{{Color|husske|Husske Mayzee}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Olive Oil||Bronze|Clay|#D86B18|[[Minor Characters#Mecera Koniga|{{Color|#d86b18|Mecera Koniga}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Wood| |Bronze|Cola|#65321A|[[Borwik Ruevit|{{Color|#65321A|Borwik Ruevit}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|||Bronze|Cola|#A3731A|[[Minor Characters#Hemiot Septem|{{Color|#A3731A|Hemiot Septem}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Salt|Salt Sigil.png|Bronze|Umber|unknown|[[Thesal Voorat|{{Color|unknown|Thesal Voorat}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Lye|Lye.png|Bronze|Umber|degner|[[Degner Veibod|{{Color|degner|Degner Veibod}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Magnesium|Magnesium.png|||arcjec|[[Arcjec Voorat|{{Color|arcjec|Arcjec Voorat}}]] [[Thesal Voorat|{{Color|thesal|Thesal Voorat}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Sand|Sand_Sigil.png|Yellow|Gold|mshiri|[[Mshiri Libeta|{{Color|mshiri02|Mshiri Libeta}}]]}}
{{SigilRow| | |Yellow|Gold|culium|{{Color|culium|Culium}}}}
{{SigilRow|Vinegar|Vinegar.png|Yellow|Gold|vellia|[[Vellia|{{Color|vellia|Vellia}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Borax|Borax.png|Yellow|Gold|lipsen|[[Minor Characters#Lipsen Fluxum|{{Color|lipsen|Lipsen Fluxum}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Tin|Tin.png|Yellow|Gold|jentha|[[Jentha Briati|{{Color|jentha|Jentha Briati}}]] [[Mosura Briati|{{Color|jentha|Mosura Briati}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Cuprum Arsenicatum|Cuprum_Arsenicatum.png|Yellow|Gold|hayyan|[[Hayyan Refero|{{Color|hayyan|Hayyan Refero}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Reverberation|Reverberation.png|Yellow|Gold|sabine|[[Sabine Berare|{{Color|sabine|Sabine Berare}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|||Yellow|Gold|#E6B400|[[Minor Characters#Medjed Sapkha|{{Color|#E6B400|Medjed Sapkha}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|||Yellow|Mustard|#8E7A17|[[Minor Characters#Margol Ohotka|{{Color|#8e7a17|Margol Ohotka}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Mercury|Mercury.png|||ellsee|[[Ellsee Raines|{{Color|ellsee|Ellsee Raines}}]] [[Zekura Raines|{{Color|zekura|Zekura Raines}}]]}}
{{SigilRow| | |Green|Clover|#5BB43B|[[Minor Characters#Urodea Svarov|{{Color|#5bb43b|Urodea Svarov}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Filter|Filter.png|Green|Olive|sirage|[[Sirage Feltri|{{Color|sirage|Sirage Feltri}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Soap|Soap.png|Green|Olive|mekris|[[Minor Characters#Mekris|{{Color|mekris|Mekris}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Dissolve|Dissolve.png|Green|Olive|noxious|[[Aumtzi Maught|{{Color|noxious|Aumtzi Maught}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Copper|Copper.png|Green|Olive|albion|[[Albion Shukra|{{Color|albion|Albion Shukra}}]] [[Cyprim Shukra|{{Color|cyprim|Cyprim Shukra}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Vitriol|Vitriol.png|Green|Ochre|raurou|[[Raurou Dersal|{{Color|raurou|Raurou Dersal}}]]}}
{{SigilRow| | |Green|Ochre|#033B03|[[Minor Characters#Tenemi Tenbra|{{Color|#033B03|Tenemi Tenbra}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Herb|Herb.png|Jade|Viridian|gerbat|[[Gerbat Batrav|{{Color|gerbat|Gerbat Batrav}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Quintessence|quintessence_transparent.png|Jade|Viridian|#0A6649|[[Dionys Barnum|{{Color|#0A6649|Dionys Barnum}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Limestone|Calx.png|Jade|Viridian|principal|[[The Principal|{{Color|principal|The Principal}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Distill|Distill.png|Jade|Viridian|glomer|[[Glomer Hicner|{{Color|glomer|Glomer Hicner}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Quicklime||Jade|Viridian|cepora|[[Minor Characters#Cepora|{{Color|cepora|Cepora}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Precipitation|Precipitation.png|Jade|Viridian|hamifi|[[Hamifi Hekrix|{{Color|hamifi|Hamifi Hekrix}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Digest|Digest.png|Teal|Cyan|turnin|[[Turnin Kaikai|{{Color|turnin|Turnin Kaikai}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|||Teal|Cyan|#06D6D6|[[Minor Characters#Femmis Gverdi|{{Color|#06D6D6|Femmis Gverdi}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Gold|Gold.png|Teal|Turquoise|#00A596|[[Serpaz Helilo|{{Color|serpaz|Serpaz Helilo}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Retort|Retort.png|Teal|Turquoise|helica|[[Helica Alembi|{{Color|helica|Helica Alembi}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Talc|Talc.png|Teal|Turquoise|secily|[[Secily Iopara|{{Color|secily|Secily Iopara}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Electrum|Electrum.png|Teal|Turquoise|crytum|[[Crytum Lydian|{{Color|crytum|Crytum Lydian}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Year| |Teal|Turquoise|#728682|[[Minor Characters#Alcest Sedokl|{{Color|#728682|Alcest Sedokl}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Antimony||Teal|Cyprus|aislin|[[Minor Characters#Aislin|{{Color|aislin|Aislin}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Crucible|Crucible.png|Teal|Cyprus|cadlys|[[Cadlys Rankor|{{Color|cadlys|Cadlys Rankor}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Take|Take.png|Blue|Aegean|bytcon|[[Bytcon Krypto|{{Color|bytcon|Bytcon Krypto}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|||Blue|Aegean|#018BCB|[[Minor Characters#Kimosh Kumora|{{Color|#018BCB|Kimosh Kumora}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Zinc|Zinc.png|Blue|Cobalt|laivan|[[Laivan Ferroo|{{Color|laivan|Laivan Ferroo}}]] [[The Jagerman|{{Color|laivan|The Jagerman}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Death|Death.png|Blue|Cobalt|necron|[[Necron Exmort|{{Color|necron|Necron Exmort}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|||Blue|Cobalt|iderra|[[Iderra|{{Color|iderra|Iderra}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Iron Pyrite|Iron_Pyrite.png|Indigo|Navy|rypite|[[Rypite Koldan|{{Color|rypite|Rypite Koldan}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Sulfur|Sulfur.png|Indigo|Navy|occeus|[[Occeus Coliad|{{Color|occeus|Occeus Coliad}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|||Indigo|Navy|dexous|[[Dexous|{{Color|dexous|Dexous}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Soot|Soot.png|Indigo|Midnight|pramen|[[Pramen Kasazh|{{Color|pramen|Pramen Kasazh}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Clay|Clay.png|Purple|Amethyst|cretas|[[Cretas Mglina|{{Color|cretas|Cretas Mglina}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Scruple||Purple|Amethyst|#9880AB|[[Roxett Esclur|{{Color|roxett|Roxett Esclur}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|||Purple|Jam|keiksi|[[Keiksi Ezlilu|{{Color|keiksi|Keiksi Ezlilu}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Steel|Steel.png|Purple|Jam|nezrui|[[Nezrui Rigida|{{Color|nezrui|Nezrui Rigida}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Fusion|Fusion.png|Purple|Jam|#390180|[[Seinru Narako|{{Color|seinru|Seinru Narako}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Platinum|Platinum.png|Purple|Jam|tazsia|[[Tazsia Poemme|{{Color|tazsia|Tazsia Poemme}}]] [[Fortmistress Deadlock|{{Color|taz|Fortmistress Deadlock}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Ammonia|Ammonia.png|Purple|Jam|endari|[[Endari Vernir|{{Color|endari|Endari Vernir}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Sublimation|Sublimation.png|Purple|Jam|sestro|[[Sestro Enthal|{{Color|sestro|Sestro Enthal}}]] [[Clarud Enthal|{{Color|executive|Clarud Enthal}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Hot Fire|Hot Fire.png|Purple|Jam|vilcus|[[Vilcus Cendum|{{Color|vilcus|Vilcus Cendum}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Purification|Purification.png|Purple|Aubergine|#270051 |[[Edolon Vryche|{{Color|edolon|Edolon Vryche}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Pulverize|Pulverize.png|Purple|Aubergine|pozzol|[[Pozzol Broyer|{{Color|pozzol|Pozzol Broyer}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|||Purple|Aubergine|neilna|[[Neilna Uldiaz|{{Color|neilna|Neilna Uldiaz}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Iron|Iron.png|Violet|Magenta|calder|[[Calder Kerian|{{Color|calder|Calder Kerian}}]] [[Caesar Consceleratus Persolus|{{Color|calder|Caesar Consceleratus Persolus}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Brass|Brass.png|Violet|Byzantine|oricka|[[Oricka Rourst|{{Color|oricka|Oricka Rourst}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Lead|Lead.png|Violet|Byzantine|murrit|[[Murrit Turkin|{{Color|murrit|Murrit Turkin}}]] [[Acerigger Switchem|{{Color|murrit|Acerigger Switchem}}]]}}
|}
<noinclude>
[[Category:Subpages]]
</noinclude>

Sigil/KnownSigils

2024-07-21T12:04:16Z

PassiveJungle:

{| class="article-table sortable" style="text-align: center;"
|-
! Alchemical Name
! Image
! Caste
! Subshade
! Sigil Hexcode
! Known Bearers
|-
{{SigilRow|Resolve|Resolve.png|Red|Scarlet|yeshin|[[Yeshin Laevis|{{Color|yeshin|Yeshin Laevis}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Ink||Red|Scarlet|#FFE2E2|[[Minor Characters#Pheone Pegmin|{{Color|#ffe2e2|Pheone Pegmin}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|||Red|Scarlet|#E68A73|[[Minor Characters#Yarina Mammon|{{Color|#e68a73|Yarina Mammon}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|||Red|Scarlet|#CB1E00|[[Minor Characters#Neeris Gamaun|{{Color|#cb1e00|Neeris Gamaun}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|||Red|Scarlet|#CF372F|[[Minor Characters#Tafner|{{Color|#CF372F|Tafner}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Calcine|Calcine.png|Red|Rust|cinare|[[Cinare Montor|{{Color|cinare|Cinare Montor}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Ashes|Ashes.png|Red|Rust|valtel|[[Valtel Gurtea|{{Color|valtel|Valtel Gurtea}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Ounce|Ounce.png|Red|Rust|lutzia|[[Lutzia Cullex|{{Color|lutzia|Lutzia Cullex}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Silver|Silver.png|Red|Rust|sovara|[[Sovara Amalie|{{Color|sova|Sovara Amalie}}]] [[The Annalist|{{Color|sova|The Annalist}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Acid|Acid.png|Red|Rust|racren|[[Racren Innali|{{Color|racren|Racren Innali}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Metal|Metal.png|Red|Rust|cepros|[[Cepros Xirong|{{Color|cepros|Cepros Xirong}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|||Red|Rust|#A34434|[[Minor Characters#Shiopa Atshor|{{Color|#A34434|Shiopa Atshor}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Spirit|Spirit.png|Bronze|Clay|vyrmis|[[Vyrmis Sturra|{{Color|vyrmis|Vyrmis Sturra}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Glass|Glass.png|Bronze|Clay|#CD6500|[[Talald Hieron|{{Color|talald|Talald Hieron}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Phosphorus|Phosphorus.png|Bronze|Clay|dismas|[[Dismas Mersiv|{{Color|dismas|Dismas Mersiv}}]] [[The Fomenter|{{Color|dismas|The Fomenter}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Caduceus|Caduceus.png|Bronze|Clay|rodere|[[Rodere|{{Color|rodere|Rodere}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Arsenic|Arsenic.png|Bronze|Clay|husske|[[Husske Mayzee|{{Color|husske|Husske Mayzee}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Olive Oil||Bronze|Clay|#D86B18|[[Minor Characters#Mecera Koniga|{{Color|#d86b18|Mecera Koniga}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Wood| |Bronze|Cola|#65321A|[[Borwik Ruevit|{{Color|#65321A|Borwik Ruevit}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|||Bronze|Cola|#A3731A|[[Minor Characters#Hemiot Septem|{{Color|#A3731A|Hemiot Septem}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Salt|Salt Sigil.png|Bronze|Umber|unknown|[[Thesal Voorat|{{Color|unknown|Thesal Voorat}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Lye|Lye.png|Bronze|Umber|degner|[[Degner Veibod|{{Color|degner|Degner Veibod}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Magnesium|Magnesium.png|||arcjec|[[Arcjec Voorat|{{Color|arcjec|Arcjec Voorat}}]] [[Thesal Voorat|{{Color|thesal|Thesal Voorat}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Sand|Sand_Sigil.png|Yellow|Gold|mshiri|[[Mshiri Libeta|{{Color|mshiri02|Mshiri Libeta}}]]}}
{{SigilRow| | |Yellow|Gold|culium|{{Color|culium|Culium}}}}
{{SigilRow|Vinegar|Vinegar.png|Yellow|Gold|vellia|[[Vellia|{{Color|vellia|Vellia}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Borax|Borax.png|Yellow|Gold|lipsen|[[Minor Characters#Lipsen Fluxum|{{Color|lipsen|Lipsen Fluxum}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Tin|Tin.png|Yellow|Gold|jentha|[[Jentha Briati|{{Color|jentha|Jentha Briati}}]] [[Mosura Briati|{{Color|jentha|Mosura Briati}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Cuprum Arsenicatum|Cuprum_Arsenicatum.png|Yellow|Gold|hayyan|[[Hayyan Refero|{{Color|hayyan|Hayyan Refero}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Reverberation|Reverberation.png|Yellow|Gold|sabine|[[Sabine Berare|{{Color|sabine|Sabine Berare}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|||Yellow|Gold|#E6B400|[[Minor Characters#Medjed Sapkha|{{Color|#E6B400|Medjed Sapkha}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|||Yellow|Mustard|#8E7A17|[[Minor Characters#Margol Ohotka|{{Color|#8e7a17|Margol Ohotka}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Mercury|Mercury.png|||ellsee|[[Ellsee Raines|{{Color|ellsee|Ellsee Raines}}]] [[Zekura Raines|{{Color|zekura|Zekura Raines}}]]}}
{{SigilRow| | |Green|Clover|#5BB43B|[[Minor Characters#Urodea Svarov|{{Color|#5bb43b|Urodea Svarov}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Filter|Filter.png|Green|Olive|sirage|[[Sirage Feltri|{{Color|sirage|Sirage Feltri}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Soap|Soap.png|Green|Olive|mekris|[[Minor Characters#Mekris|{{Color|mekris|Mekris}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Dissolve|Dissolve.png|Green|Olive|noxious|[[Aumtzi Maught|{{Color|noxious|Aumtzi Maught}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Copper|Copper.png|Green|Olive|albion|[[Albion Shukra|{{Color|albion|Albion Shukra}}]] [[Cyprim Shukra|{{Color|cyprim|Cyprim Shukra}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Vitriol|Vitriol.png|Green|Ochre|raurou|[[Raurou Dersal|{{Color|raurou|Raurou Dersal}}]]}}
{{SigilRow| | |Green|Ochre|#033B03|[[Minor Characters#Tenemi Tenbra|{{Color|#033B03|Tenemi Tenbra}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Herb|Herb.png|Jade|Viridian|gerbat|[[Gerbat Batrav|{{Color|gerbat|Gerbat Batrav}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Quintessence|quintessence_transparent.png|Jade|Viridian|#0A6649|[[Dionys Barnum|{{Color|#0A6649|Dionys Barnum}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Limestone|Calx.png|Jade|Viridian|principal|[[The Principal|{{Color|principal|The Principal}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Distill|Distill.png|Jade|Viridian|glomer|[[Glomer Hicner|{{Color|glomer|Glomer Hicner}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Quicklime||Jade|Viridian|cepora|[[Minor Characters#Cepora|{{Color|cepora|Cepora}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Precipitation|Precipitation.png|Jade|Viridian|hamifi|[[Hamifi Hekrix|{{Color|hamifi|Hamifi Hekrix}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Digest|Digest.png|Teal|Cyan|turnin|[[Turnin Kaikai|{{Color|turnin|Turnin Kaikai}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|||Teal|Cyan|#06D6D6|[[Minor Characters#Femmis Gverdi|{{Color|#06D6D6|Femmis Gverdi}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Gold|Gold.png|Teal|Turquoise|#00A596|[[Serpaz Helilo|{{Color|serpaz|Serpaz Helilo}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Retort|Retort.png|Teal|Turquoise|helica|[[Helica Alembi|{{Color|helica|Helica Alembi}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Talc|Talc.png|Teal|Turquoise|secily|[[Secily Iopara|{{Color|secily|Secily Iopara}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Electrum|Electrum.png|Teal|Turquoise|crytum|[[Crytum Lydian|{{Color|crytum|Crytum Lydian}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Year| |Teal|Turquoise|#728682|[[Minor Characters#Alcest Sedokl|{{Color|#728682|Alcest Sedokl}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Antimony||Teal|Cyprus|aislin|[[Minor Characters#Aislin|{{Color|aislin|Aislin}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Crucible|Crucible.png|Teal|Cyprus|cadlys|[[Cadlys Rankor|{{Color|cadlys|Cadlys Rankor}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Take|Take.png|Blue|Aegean|bytcon|[[Bytcon Krypto|{{Color|bytcon|Bytcon Krypto}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|||Blue|Aegean|#018BCB|[[Minor Characters#Kimosh Kumora|{{Color|#018BCB|Kimosh Kumora}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Zinc|Zinc.png|Blue|Cobalt|laivan|[[Laivan Ferroo|{{Color|laivan|Laivan Ferroo}}]] [[The Jagerman|{{Color|laivan|The Jagerman}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Death|Death.png|Blue|Cobalt|necron|[[Necron Exmort|{{Color|necron|Necron Exmort}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|||Blue|Cobalt|iderra|[[Iderra|{{Color|iderra|Iderra}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Iron Pyrite|Iron_Pyrite.png|Indigo|Navy|rypite|[[Rypite Koldan|{{Color|rypite|Rypite Koldan}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Sulfur|Sulfur.png|Indigo|Navy|occeus|[[Occeus Coliad|{{Color|occeus|Occeus Coliad}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|||Indigo|Navy|dexous|[[Dexous|{{Color|dexous|Dexous}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Soot|Soot.png|Indigo|Midnight|pramen|[[Pramen Kasazh|{{Color|pramen|Pramen Kasazh}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Clay|Clay.png|Purple|Amethyst|cretas|[[Cretas Mglina|{{Color|cretas|Cretas Mglina}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Scruple||Purple|Amethyst|#9880AB|[[Roxett Esclur|{{Color|roxett|Roxett Esclur}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|||Purple|Jam|keiksi|[[Keiksi Ezlilu|{{Color|keiksi|Keiksi Ezlilu}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Steel|Steel.png|Purple|Jam|nezrui|[[Nezrui Rigida|{{Color|nezrui|Nezrui Rigida}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Fusion|Fusion.png|Purple|Jam|#390180|[[Seinru Narako|{{Color|seinru|Seinru Narako}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Platinum|Platinum.png|Purple|Jam|tazsia|[[Tazsia Poemme|{{Color|tazsia|Tazsia Poemme}}]] [[Fortmistress Deadlock|{{Color|taz|Fortmistress Deadlock}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Ammonia|Ammonia.png|Purple|Jam|endari|[[Endari Vernir|{{Color|endari|Endari Vernir}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Sublimation|Sublimation.png|Purple|Jam|sestro|[[Sestro Enthal|{{Color|sestro|Sestro Enthal}}]] [[Clarud Enthal|{{Color|executive|Clarud Enthal}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Hot Fire|Hot Fire.png|Purple|Jam|vilcus|[[Vilcus Cendum|{{Color|vilcus|Vilcus Cendum}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Purification|Purification.png|Purple|Aubergine|#270051 |[[Edolon Vryche|{{Color|edolon|Edolon Vryche}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Pulverize|Pulverize.png|Purple|Aubergine|pozzol|[[Pozzol Broyer|{{Color|pozzol|Pozzol Broyer}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|||Purple|Aubergine|neilna|[[Neilna Uldiaz|{{Color|neilna|Neilna Uldiaz}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Iron|Iron.png|Violet|Magenta|calder|[[Calder Kerian|{{Color|calder|Calder Kerian}}]] [[Caesar Consceleratus Persolus|{{Color|calder|Caesar Consceleratus Persolus}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Brass|Brass.png|Violet|Byzantine|oricka|[[Oricka Rourst|{{Color|oricka|Oricka Rourst}}]]}}
{{SigilRow|Lead|Lead.png|Violet|Byzantine|murrit|[[Murrit Turkin|{{Color|murrit|Murrit Turkin}}]] [[Acerigger Switchem|{{Color|murrit|Acerigger Switchem}}]]}}
|}
<noinclude>
[[Category:Subpages]]
</noinclude>