thenearshore | Just give me one fine day of plain sailing weather [Closed]

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Just give me one fine day of plain sailing weather [Closed]

Who: Votelli, Caster, and Nia
When: April 25th 2017
Where: Caster's Temple, Votelli's forest (to start)
What: Fallout from CR, the destruction of the Cult's Compound, and moving the crystal

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[ Votelli is racing through the hillside that used to be at Shizuo's temple, down into the adjoining forest that is Caster's domain. He warned her not to leave, because beyond his temple she wasn't under his protection anymore, so she can only hope she'll find him first, without leaving his grounds.

She's very afraid suddenly, shouting at the trees and grass and any plants that will listen to her to tell her where he is - if he's here at all.

She needs Nia too, but she can't call for her, right? So Caster will have to call her, or bring Votelli to her somehow. She can only hope that her mistake can be reversed somehow. That was his other warning - not to betray him.

At long last, she finds him and skids to a halt - nearby vine-y plants restricting her feet so that she doesn't fall over. ]

I'm sorry! I have to - we - I need to go find Nia!

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[ Fortunately (for as little luck as Caster has) he is in the forest currently. Having just finished feeding Regal and playing fetch with her. Her reaction- ears standing up and moving towards Votelli is what warns him first. Then, it's the voice calling him.

He's picking his phone and finding the number to call as he moves to meet Votelli. ]

Calling her-

[ Nia's number is still there, so at least- at least she didn't disappear. ]

What happened? [ That question is directed to Votelli- the following is not ] -ah, pick up the phone girl.

Sensei called me - so many things happened... Afterwards, I tried talking to Sotero. I thought by bringing him here, we could all talk about... about what you and Nia and the others have told me!

But I said the wrong thing and he ran off, upset.

[ G i r l... ]

Sotero, huh [ The other kid, the one he doesn't know. Alliances and promises are complicated things. He's-- not happy to hear that she responded to Sensei's call. But he also gets why she would.

Indeed this conversation is better happening with her shinki present. And that's where the picking up the phone happens ]

Wait- I'm bringing her over. [ And poof he goes to- wherever Nia might be. Hopefully, he doesn't end in a wall ]

[By the time they get to Votelli, the Nia he just grabbed is not the same Nia he arrives with. She's changed to her Blade form in the moment, the Catalyst Scimitar held instantly ready to deal with her kidnapper or whatever trouble she might be hauled into -- but her eyes go wide the moment she sees Votelli.]

What the bloody hell is going on here!?

I need your help - both of you. You both said I could depend on you. I...

[ She still takes a step back, the plants at her feet relaxing so she can fall to her knees. She's stressed is all. ]

Sensei called for me. When I arrived, there was a couple there who called Sotero. They were trying to find something - from a distance - at a big building. Only, your people - the Heavens - they were protecting it. Apparently there was a fight? I don't know. So we couldn't get too close for a long time.

Everyone else got restless... and then there was an opening, so we ran in. They couldn't find it, and they couldn't find "her" either. They cast some spells and felt sure that "she" wasn't dead. Sensei turned to the both of us and gave us another mission - to find a big crystal, or to find an elderly cultist woman. They wanted us to look here, since they couldn't. They knew Sotero had gotten in before, after all.

[ She took a breath - visibly starting to shake a little in frustration and fear. This is the most she's talked to anyone... but it was Caster and Nia. They had to know, and they had to know quickly if anyone was going to fix this. ]

Anyway, I don't know this woman, but apparently Sotero did. "Where's Big Sis Talos? I thought she was supposed to protect her." Just like Sensei is my human, the couple are Sotero's I think, and this woman apparently... is Talos's.

Sensei shouted that it didn't matter, Talos might even be gone, only the crystal and the woman did. I grabbed Sotero's arm and told Sensei we'd handle it, then teleported him here. I tried talking to him - about how this mission could get us destroyed by Heaven's people - but he was too upset about Talos. He ran off. I... I don't know where he is.

Edited 2019-04-10 03:10 (UTC)

[By the time Votelli gets all that out, Nia's eyes are beginning to cross. So there's another god out there, named Talos? And a missing crystal?]

[And Votelli is still hanging out with this Sensei guy after everything? That gets her blood to boiling -- not at her god, but at the situation. But though the Catalyst Scimitar trembles in her tight grip, she lowers it. Whoever needed to be stuck with it wasn't here.]

Yeah. This is real bad. You can't go back, that's for sure. If Sensei's saying only the crystal and the woman matter that's including you too. But it's okay, I'm here now and I'll be here till you're safe.

[She glances down at her weapon, then back up.] Call my name. That's the first thing to do.

[ So maybe the transforming catgirl wasn't expected, but fortunately, the teleportation is quick and then- there is Votelli.

Caster clicks his tongue, that's a lot of information to digest. So the Sensei is with the other part of the cult, the ones that were not in the compound. And now there is another godling running on the Far Shore, set on finding the woman from the Crystal. The hell happened to the Crystal, a good question. ]

We can all yet turn it around. [ He says with calm confidence, that he don't really feel all that much- but he can't let these kids know. Besides- do the impossible, of course, they can. There is just a little time to make a solid plan ] Wait just a moment-

[ He puts a hand on Votelli's head, a comforting gesture. ]

We thought you'll have more time, but it looks like it has run short. You'll have to make a decision and make it soon. [ He glances at Nia ] And it will affect both of you.

Before we run to find him, I just... want to ask...

[ She grips both hands in front of her. ]

You'll protect Sotero, won't you? I can feel it... this slowly growing power that's changed ever since my shrines appeared. I feel like... probably... Sotero doesn't have that. If something happened to the woman and she's dead, then Talos is probably gone too. If Sensei were gone... I still feel my connections to my shrines. Just like Talos's connections were to the woman, Sotero's only connections are to that couple I met.

If something were to happen to me... I might be reborn like the rest of the gods. Sotero, though...

So please. Please help him understand.

Right, yeah, that's news. Did not expect getting named by Votelli would have consequences. [Honestly. She spares a wry look for the guy before turning back to Votelli. Her emotions are clear -- she doesn't like Sotero, thinks he's an arrogant little arse who doesn't care who he hurts, but she signed up for this to help Votelli. If that's what she wants, that's what she gets. No question about it.]

Everything in my power. But don't think for a second we're letting you need to be reborn either. Just -- let me use it. For you.

[ "Before we run for him" huh? Caster wonders if he will do the running. He got protective of this squirrely kid here, but the other one? Many, many more of them. But steps were made forward, can't really move backwards eh? ]

...they spring you into existence and then limit those who believe in you so they can use you as tools [ A thoughtful and general "you". Grandmother for Talos, a couple- sounds like parents - for Sotero, a teacher for Votelli. All those carefully crafted roles, because even god-kids are not that far from kids it seems. It's fucked up, but is also perfectly in line with what Caster knows about modern mages (mages in general really). ]

I don't trust Sotero, or anyone else from that gang. But I acknowledge why you want to protect him- you want him to be his own god, like you started to become. That's a noble goal. [ Probably stupid too, but hey, best heroic ideas are the dumbest ones way too often. He pulls his hood up. Stupid kids. Gods, he feels old. But it starts to dangerously smell like an adventure. ]

Nia, do you know Umbra?

[ The shinki spell that grants invisibility. Letting Votelli go outside of the forest is a huge damn risk, so better know if they have OPTIONS. Anyway, time to put the metaphorical druid hat on, and turns to the little goddess and asks the question- ]

Torimoto- Votelli you have three paths before you and I need to know on which you want to step on before I do anything. Torimoto who might raise her head 40 years from now, when the people controlling her are dead - and may be become recognized as goddess then? Votelli, the tool of human sorcerers and mages? Or Votelli, the goddess, answering prayers of kids and people of the forest, with her own temple for her and her shinki to dwell in?

[ There is no judgment in his voice or sway towards one of the options, to him all are valid, even the tool one. It's not like life in the Heavens is sunshine and roses, sometimes peace can be found in servitude. Of course, one of the choices puts them immediately at odds, but that has happened once, why wouldn't it have to happen again? He starts to move and effectively forces them all to follow him towards the edge of the forest. ]

Sotero, he... doesn't seem to like me very much. He liked Talos so much more, thought she was strong... Stronger than me, since she was older too. Sotero's the youngest of us.

[ She says it as they walk, before contemplating Caster's words, and Nia's too. ]

Votelli or Torimoto... I don't care anymore what I'm called, but I know that I don't like how they're acting around us. The way Sensei talks to me, compared to how you both talk to me... the whispers that you call prayers... they sound so much nicer. It... it might be nice? If... if I'm not alone, if one of you or Sotero were with me - maybe even Talos - then... I don't want to hide anymore either.

Uhm, the third choice then. If that's even possible - I thought you said everyone else around here hated me, so that was why I had to hide.

Sorry, I'm crap at spells. Borderlines, offense, defense, and healing. Different forms depending on if she's called on my power or not. [She can't help but rely on her own power -- and Borderlines, because they're as close to a Blade's shields as anything can be. Spells, though, just don't suit her. More's the pity, and something she regrets right now.]

[But Votelli's words have her put one hand gently on the god's shoulder as they walk.]

I got one memory back since I came here... I remembered a moment when I decided it was time for me to stop hiding, time for me to stop being afraid. That it was okay to be who and what I was, even if most of the world hated it. Because I had people I belonged with, people I could trust to be myself with.

And I want to give you that strength, too. I think you're making the right choice. I think this's the time you stand up and be yourself. There's plenty others who spoke up for you too, and if the old gods don't like it --

[Free hand balling into a fist, Nia drops her solemn look for a cocky grin.] Then they'll be sorry if they try anything. We got your back.

[ Caster nods as Nia speaks. A grin plays on his lips hearing these words of encouragement, and thinly veiled threat against the Heaven's s h o u l d t h e y. Don't piss off the cat, eh? But they're supposed to play nice so it's his turn to remind about it]

Heavens thought both you and Sotero were leading these humans against them. They fear what they don't know- [ Caster shakes his head ] -but they can be reasoned with.

[ They did not kick the new gods out, and given some of the mess his lot made... ]

You got allies, you got friends here. People who gathered evidence that you were not mastermind of those people, but used by them. They will vouch for you. Nia will vouch you. I will vouch for you.

[ He did wonder- he did once wonder if there would be a good time to ask for hearing with Amaterasu, and talk to her about possible other choices. In better, different time, that never came to pass so it seems- ]

You have support in us, but in the end, it's like Nia says. You'd have to stand-up and speak for yourself. Make clear you throw away connection with these men, and that you are ready to make amends. Adoration and faith is earned - but no god can answer every words they hear. What they chose to answer, that defines what kind of god they are. [ Sensei doesn't need to be listened to. ] You got other followers than sensei, you got Nia, and you got friends here.

[ He lowers his voice with a bit of tiredness ]

The only thing you lack seems to be time.

[ What would Sotero and Talos do if they saw their sister parlay with Heavens. What would they do if they saw her rise? Would it strengthen resolve for the cult or would it make them think and leave ]

Maybe Sotero's just as scared of everyone as I was - of the ones who called us first, and the ones here in the Heavens. Maybe he and I can talk today, and then find the right time to talk to the Heavens together. If these other people have our backs like you say, then... if we're all together...

[ She nods with a significant amount of enthusiasm. ]

If either of you think it's a good time, let me know, won't you? And then - for today - we can try to make Sotero doesn't do anything rash to ruin those chances. If he hears from other people than me, maybe he'll listen to you instead.

[Nia grimaces, and when she speaks, her sharp voice is smoothed by sheepish contrition.] Heh, uh, yeah, we can try. I maybe didn't get off on such a good foot with him back when I met him. But I'll back him up the same as I'll back you up, you've got my promise on that.

Let's.

[ If Umbra is not an option, then guess it's his time to step up his game. The spell that wards off a portion of the forest, the spell that makes your eyes slide by what you see and be uninterested by it- why shouldn't it work on them?

The wards are carved, the writing is strong, unmoving and unchanging. Writing on people like them though- it will only be temporary. ]

I can't make us invisible, but I can make us harder to notice. The spell will break if you talk to someone not under it, or do something that they could notice. So no throwing stones-

[ He starts writing runes in the air, the letters shine and fade as the spell is being written. Nothing feels different, there is no effect of having it finished. ]

When we find him, I'll teleport us all away to a safe place immediately.

[ Preferably somewhere on the Near Shore. Too many dangers here, too many prying eyes. Too many people know these kids faces. And with these preparations, they are ready to embark on their search. ]

Edited 2019-04-20 15:23 (UTC)

[ It takes a long time with them being so cautious. They manage to check all of the districts, the central meeting hall, the wooded area, the school... no sign of him.

Eventually they pause several yards away - but within visual range of - the gate separating most of the Far Shore from the New/Obscure gods' section in the West. ]

What's out there?

Heh, that's where all the new gods start out. The dumps of Heaven, basically. [Nia shrugs. The Far Shore runs on the power of prayer, so of course they don't get fancy digs or lots of respect. That's something she hopes they can fix for Votelli. Get her worshippers and the old crew will HAVE to give her some respect. It's what they understand.]

It'd be a good place for him to hang out, I think. Can't hurt to look.

Unfortunately I think you're right.

[ Lucky for them, they make it past the open gateway without anyone else noticing them through a series of teleports.

After awhile, they get close enough that Votelli points to the sky. ]

Birds are rare here... aren't they?

It's definitely worth checking out. [Not that she notices birds much, but that bird just has a feel about it. Call it instinct.]

Is it... circling? It doesn't seem to be moving from that area. Something about that ruin... don't you think?

[ From this distance, and unfamiliar as she is with The Far Shore, she can't draw on the same kind of instinct that Nia is. ]

Yeah. [Trusting, if nothing else, in her own power to heal and protect, Nia nods. Let's go check it out.]

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Just give me one fine day of plain sailing weather [Closed]

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