The Alien Wars 6: Da Capo

Geyze: Record of Spirit War Session 97

* Now talking in: #Session97-Sera
<@DeathStar> 2
<@DeathStar> 1
<@DeathStar> -0-
<@DeathStar> Date: 10-661.8.9
<@DeathStar> Location: Aquarius
<@DeathStar> *Adeline sits in their private room on the ship, sitting on a larger datapad plugged into the computer system*
<@Seraphna> **Jaime sits by her, meditating and focusing on their bond**
<@DeathStar> <Adeline> Even with everything patched up hull wise, the engine just can't be repaired quick enough unless we want to waste a week or so
<@DeathStar> <Adeline> Yuki and Taiga have decided to continue limping onward, since we're near our destination as it is
<@Seraphna> Jaime> Seems like we have little say in the matter, unless we want to make a Gear and push? **she tilts her head** I do make an impressive Gear.
<@DeathStar> <Adeline> We still have enough power to move; don't worry. But..
<@Seraphna> Jaime> Mmm?
<@DeathStar> <Adeline> The problem will be manueverability and using the Tiger Engines.
<@DeathStar> <Adeline> If we get into a fight, it'll be much harder to avoid an enemy now. And using the engines to go back home will be .. impossible until the second one is repaired
<@Seraphna> Jaime> Sounds like we have to hope there isn't a ship fight. As for going back home, how are the Spirit Engines?
<@DeathStar> <Adeline> Completely depowered right now so that magic is running through them.
<@DeathStar> <Adeline> They're the ones that are providing our movement
<@Seraphna> Jaime> If we get the spirits back, can we clean them out fast and put Mire back in her system? That takes care of the journey home at least.
<@DeathStar> <Adeline> Even if we purged them, we've gone so far off the map, it'd still be quite the distance even with the Spirit Engines.
<@DeathStar> <Adeline> But it'd help
<@Seraphna> **Jaime muses** We can always work on repairs on the way back yes?
<@DeathStar> <Adeline> That is true. *As they talk, Jaime would feel a shift in the room as if someone or something were watching them. Adeline tilts her head slightly toward the shadowy corner of the room where the bathroom entrance is located, the door slightly ajar in a small hallway space*
<@Seraphna> Jaime> That is a chill down my spine I thought was gone for at least a century. **she frowns**
<@DeathStar> <Adeline> Right. *she eyes the bathroom* What should we do?
<@Seraphna> Jaime> Well I’m not saying her name. Or fathoming why she has decided to darken my bathing area.
<@DeathStar> *Adeline pauses, eyeing something on her datapad* I need to handle this. Will you be okay alone?
<@Seraphna> Jaime> I think so if it hasn’t immediately tried attacking or corrupting us.
<@DeathStar> *Adeline gives her a kiss on the lips and steps out with her laptop; the moment she is gone, Nyarlathotep is behind her, standing tall over Jaime; brushing her long dark hair back a little* You make it sound as if I go around striking people down in their rooms
<@Seraphna> Jaime> You did leave me nearly insane with nightmares for Goddess knows how long.
<@DeathStar> <Nyarlathotep> I also aided you all as well.
<@Seraphna> Jaime> True, though you were self motivated. And being in your current state I imagine you’ve come looking for a way back.
<@DeathStar> <Nyarlathotep> Right now, the lower levels are ruled by another.
<@DeathStar> *it's stated as a simple fact*
<@Seraphna> Jaime> Yes the man that worked with Team Cypher. You’re still Chaos personified no?
<@DeathStar> <Nyarlathotep> I cannot I have goals that do not align always with what you would consider a benefit to your own. But I have come to offer my hand in exchange for a trade.
<@Seraphna> Jaime> You mean do something dubious or unassuming that will serve you in the future for a favor today.
<@DeathStar> <Nyarl> Is that so wrong if you benefit today?
<@Seraphna> Jaime> Depends on who really ends up paying for it. **she frowns**
<@DeathStar> *in her hand, forms a large tome* All I ask if for you to hold onto this book and protect it. You do not even have to look at it or read it. In return, I can aid you in this battle with Mother. Or, perhaps, simply return that which you have lost. A certain earth spirit.
<@Seraphna> **Jaime eyes her** I’ve seen what beings returned by your power do. I would not taint my wife with such.
<@DeathStar> <Nyarl> You think so little of me that I would return something changed to you?
<@DeathStar> <Nyarl> That would be grounds of nulling the agreement
<@DeathStar> *the eldritch being moves about in the room* But if you believe that is not a valid offer, then what would you prefer against the Mother Spirit?
<@Seraphna> Jaime> She is already mad, my hope is to snap her out of it and restore spirits to this reality. Is that what lured you here? Her fragmented mind?
<@DeathStar> <Nyarlathotep> Let us say a few things have drawn my eye here. But unless you truly want THAT knowledge as the favor, I will refrain from speaking on it. *holding the tome, it continues* So you wish to speak with the insane Mother and have a happy ending then
<@Seraphna> Jaime> Indeed, I have no intent to fight her beyond defending her lashings until she calms enough to listen.
<@DeathStar> <Nyarlathotep> .... Very well. *she has the book vanish*
<@Seraphna> Jaime> I assume my sister turned you down already too.
<@DeathStar> <Nyarlathotep> Which sibling are you referring to? *it seems Nyarl is checked out oddly, thinking*
<@Seraphna> Jaime> Jubei.
<@DeathStar> <Nyarlathotep> *looks unblinkly* I have not reached out. I will depart - your current path will lead only in disaster, especially as the mind of the Spirit Mother will see you as threats in her current mental state and that would just lead to danger to the book. You cannot speak to that which you do not know how to even reach out and stablize first. *the eldritch being begins to vanish*
<@Seraphna> Jaime> Ah, thank you for the means to which to do so. **she smiles** Yes, we will need to connect on a Spirit Level won’t we…
<@DeathStar> *Jaime is left alone for a bit, but Adeline soon returns, appearing quiet in thought, returning to the bed*
<@Seraphna> Jaime> I take it you saw most of that dear?
<@DeathStar> <Adeline> Hm? Oh. *she seems distracted* No, I was doing other stuff. But I take it something happened
<@Seraphna> Jaime> I believe we should fill each other in. She tried to offer me aid in our quest to carry some book for her.
<@DeathStar> *Adeline pauses* I'm guessing you did not take the offer since I see a lack of books
<@Seraphna> Jaime> She wants that thing carried badly. She’d return if we called. However no, I’ve seen far too much of what she does to trust in such a deal.
<@DeathStar> *Adeline leans back, in thought* Mmmm. I suppose it would be a heavy burden for you to take such a deal
<@Seraphna> Jaime> I believe Gnome would be unhappy if she learned I took such an offer to bring her back.
<@DeathStar> *Adeline frowns slightly* Maybe.
<@Seraphna> **Jaime furrows her brow** Do you think I should?
<@DeathStar> <Adeline> You? No. ... *shakes head* No. Judging by what you said on how it ended, I actually doubt she would come back.
<@Seraphna> **Jaime sighs and lays back next to her** She did end up giving me a clue on something.
<@DeathStar> <Adeline> The mental state of the spirit?
<@Seraphna> Jaime> Yes, we can’t talk to her while she’s insane.
<@DeathStar> <Adeline> Well, it's not that hard to imagine - a lot of people with instability are in their own world
<@Seraphna> Jaime> We’ll need to reach out on a more intimate or spiritual level. I can try my spirit form but I am unsure what that could do.
<@DeathStar> <Adeline> With a lack of spirit energy, I would not try anything spirit related right now.
<@DeathStar> <Adeline> Prismatic is existing by using energy from Mother and Solar is needing that suit, just like Selena
<@Seraphna> **Jaime muses** There’s the Rune Blade’s energy, they are spirits of a sort, like my sister… do you think she’d reach her?
<@DeathStar> <Adeline> Which Jikuu? The one on the ship or the one Empiring?
<@Seraphna> Jaime> They are the same in that nature.
<@DeathStar> <Adeline> True
<@Seraphna> **Jaime sighs** We must find a way of calming her.
<@DeathStar> *Adeline thinks* It'd be helpful if we had some clues or a direction
<@DeathStar> <Adeline> But maybe we can learn that when we arrive
<@DeathStar> *Adeline has Jaime lay down* You should rest some - I'll make sure to handle everything
<@Seraphna> Jaime> Not going to do anything silly I hope love~ **looks up at her**
<@DeathStar> <Adeline> What makes you think I'd do something silly
<@Seraphna> Jaime> That lilt in your voice you get when I know in my heart you’d murder for me if you had to.
<@DeathStar> *Adeline kisses her gently* My Empress
<@Seraphna> **Jaime kisses back** My beautiful silver goddess~
<@DeathStar> *Adeline smiles and gives Jaime a hug, then slips out*
<@DeathStar> -E-

* Now talking in: #Session97-Jackie
<@DeathStar> 2
<@DeathStar> 1
* @Jackieness now has powah
<@DeathStar> -0-
<@DeathStar> Date: 10-661.8.9
<@DeathStar> Location: Aquarius
<@DeathStar> *Cloe sits in the cafeteria, eyeing the fact no one has really showed up for food in hours since the asteroid incident*
<@Jackieness> <Bella> *finally shows up, looking like she's been crawling through the service tubes*
<@DeathStar> <Cloe> Bella want some food?
<@Jackieness> <Bella> "Food and then a long, hot shower." *sits down* "I've been crawling through the netherregions of the ship, looking to see if there were any bugs we missed."
<@DeathStar> *Cloe begins to prepare the food* Well, I can feed you - and if you really want I suppose I can prepare the shower too
<@Jackieness> <Bella> "Let's stick to th food. I cann handle the shower myself."
<@DeathStar> *Cloe shrugs innocently* Okay
<@DeathStar> *she soon brings out a hot soup for Bella*
<@Jackieness> <Bella> "...thanks..." *starts eatting*
<@DeathStar> *Cloe props her head and looks at her eating* So I take it we are bug free now
<@Jackieness> <Bella> "Yeah, we got them in the first sweep. They sent me into the service tubes because I was probably the only one that had the reflexes to take out any bugs that got away. Didn't find any more stragglers though."
<@DeathStar> <Cloe> I'd hate to be in that situation. *shudder*
<@Jackieness> <Bella> "Not that different than what my moms traiend me for."
<@DeathStar> *As they talk, a heavy feeling passes over the cafeteria briefly, as if something has passed by them and moved into the back. Cloe turns her head, ears twitching*
<@Jackieness> <Bella> *stands up* "...stay here." *heads to the back*
<@DeathStar> *Cloe pauses as if to argue, then relents and nods* Alright
<@Jackieness> <Bella> *moves to the side of the rear door, then reaches over to push it open with one hand*
<@DeathStar> *in the back, one might would assume a very tall Dark One woman is in the back; long dark hair, but just peering at her gives off something more eldritch in nature and peering at her directly for too long hurts the head. The being seems to be in thought, peering at an angle toward where the labs would be positioned*
<@Jackieness> <Bella> *closes the door and as quietly as she can and backs off* "...comm the bridge. We got trouble."
<@DeathStar> <Yuki> What sort of problem? *As she asks that, Bella would find Nyarlathotep right in front of Cloe, a hand on her head and giving slight strokes*
<@Jackieness> <Bella> "...that....trouble..."
<@DeathStar> <Cloe> Ah, I---
<@DeathStar> *Yuki begins to see what she is going on about with cameras, but finding the cafeteria's cameras acting up*
<@DeathStar> <Nyarlathotep> Do not mind my intrusion, children.
<@Jackieness> <Bella> "...what do you want?"
<@DeathStar> <Nyarlathotep> I am sure it is nothing you would be concerned about. Somethings have changed and I was hoping to find something among your group. But it seems that might not be possible
<@Jackieness> <Bella> "...uh-huh..." *keeps comms open to let Yuki at leats hear*
<@DeathStar> *The eldritch being then lightly pushes Cloe forward toward Bella and begins to seemingly walk toward the cafeteria exit like a normal person*
<@Jackieness> <Bella> *grabs hold of Cloe and then waits for Nyarl to leave* "...bridge...did you catch all that?"
<@DeathStar> *Yuki finally can be heard* <Yuki comm> Catch what? It sounded mostly like you were talking to yourself
<@Jackieness> <Bella> "...that eldritch thing was here."
<@DeathStar> *Yuki is quiet a moment* I see; I wonder if it is here for Lana or Ceilidh
<@Jackieness> <Bella> "It just said it was looking for soemthing, but soemthign changed and its not with our group."
<@DeathStar> <Yuki comm> Well, maybe it will go away.
<@Jackieness> <Bella> "...so...what? Just let it wander around the ship until it gets bored?"
<@DeathStar> <Yuki comm> Well
<@DeathStar> <Yuki comm> You want to follow it around or try to stop it?
<@DeathStar> *Cloe looks around at shadows*
<@Jackieness> <Bella> "...yeah...I think it can totally destroy me."
<@DeathStar> <Yuki comm> I'll send Ben to join you
<@Jackieness> <Bella> "Right. We'll be waiting."
<@DeathStar> *Ben steps in after a bit, checking on them* You two okay. *Cloe peers around Bella's back*
<@Jackieness> <Bella> "...yeah...didn't attack us or anything. Just freaked us out and moved on."
<@DeathStar> <Ben> It must be here to seek something out or achieve something
<@DeathStar> *Ben steps out of the cafeteria*
<@Jackieness> <Bella> *follows Ben out*
<@DeathStar> *Ben heads to the research level and taps on the area given to Lana*
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhhh?" *opens the door*
<@DeathStar> <Ben> There's been a sighting of you know who. *he motions at Bella to explain to Lana*
<@Jackieness> <Bella> "Eldritch lady wandering around the ship, looking for something..."
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhhhhhh?!"
<@DeathStar> <Bella> It's not hostile, but they seem to want something or to do something; Bella mentioned they believed it might not be here even though the situation has changed or something
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "...maybe she's not after me again..."
<@DeathStar> <Ben> You positive?
<@DeathStar> *Gwen snoozes in Lana's lab*
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "You said she that she said that what she was lookign for wasn't here...right?"
<@DeathStar> <Ben> Possibily. I'm guessing she's not having good luck
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "...I wonder what she's lookign for then.."
<@DeathStar> <Ben> She hasn't approached you? Do you have any idea what it might be?
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "I haven't seen her...and no, I don't know what she might want."
<@DeathStar> *Ben taps his chin when Yuki comms them* <Yuki comm> I been checking camera footage and I've seen other areas where the camera statics out; people's rooms and sparsely populated hallways
<@Jackieness> <Bella> "Any pattern to it?"
<@DeathStar> <Yuki comm> If I had to guess, it's appearing before people when others are not around
<@Jackieness> <Bella> "Cloe and I were together when it showed up in the cafeteria."
<@DeathStar> <Ben> Odd that it didn't approach you two about anything then
<@DeathStar> <Cloe> Called us children
<@DeathStar> *She puffs cheeks*
<@Jackieness> <Bella> "Yeah, it just said it couldn't find what it wanted and then left."
<@DeathStar> <Ben> Well, it must have thought you two weren't in a position to do what it wanted then, or that you wouldn't be interested maybe
<@DeathStar> <Ben> Or that you were too young to help
<@Jackieness> <Bella> "...like Cloe said, called us children."
<@DeathStar> <Ben> So. *looks at Lana* Worth looking into or leave it alone
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "...I...ahhh...I should follow up on this."
<@DeathStar> <Ben> Well how do we locate it then?
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "Apparently internal ccameras flake out when its in the vicinity...so we just narrow it down to the parts of the ships where there havne't been any security camera outages."
<@DeathStar> *Ben gives a look* Alright, follow me
<@Jackieness> <Lana> *nods and follows*
<@DeathStar> -P-
* @Jackieness (~Psy@23-127-47-99.lightspeed.knvltn.sbcglobal.net) has quit IRC

<@DeathStar> *Ben leads them to a hallway outside the gym area where Selena and Sabrina seem to be oddly eyeing each other, a sort of tension in the air between them*
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhh...that's strange..."
<@DeathStar> *Adeline not Selena, my bad*
<@DeathStar> *Adeline turns her head toward them and Sabrina blinks a few times* <Adeline> What brings you all.. here?
<@Jackieness> <Bella> "We are following a...ummm...invader...thing."
<@DeathStar> <Adeline> Oh. *she sounds somewhat flat* <Cloe> ... very nonchalant
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "The Black Pharoah. The crawling Chaos. The Haunter in the Dark."
<@DeathStar> <Adeline> I am aware. It has been appearing
<@Jackieness> <Bella> "Well, its looking for something, but can't find whatever it wants."
<@DeathStar> <Adeline> It has been looking to make an offer. *She eyes Sabrina* But I believe it has likely left since no one was interested
<@DeathStar> <Adeline> My wife likely gave it the idea we were on a suicidal course of action
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhhh?"
<@DeathStar> <Adeline> I would think you would be pleased.
<@DeathStar> <Adeline> Making a trade with it would be a bad idea, wouldn't it?
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "Terrible. It exists to toy with mortals...so its deals are always one-sided in the end."
<@DeathStar> <Adeline> Hm. It offered her a chance to have Gnome back with no strings or even aid in the defeat of the Mother Spirit in return for protecting something
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "Protecting something?"
<@DeathStar> <Adeline> I didn't get to see it since I was not there; I believe it was a tome, but I was not there to lay my eyes on it. It could have been something important or nothing as a test
<@DeathStar> *she looks at Sabrina again, pondering*
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "...but now it seems that it has just given up..."
<@DeathStar> <Adeline> If no one is interested here and it believes we are likely to get destroyed by Mother, I would assume it will seek to deal with someone else - stronger maybe.
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "...but who and where?"
<@DeathStar> *Adeline shrugs* I may be able to read many minds, but I cannot tell you what something like that is thinking
<@Jackieness> <Bella> "So why worry about it now? Its out of our hair and we've got enough to worry about for now."
<@DeathStar> *Ben thinks* If it is gone, then I suppose we are in the clear
<@DeathStar> <Ben> You should return to your break
<@Jackieness> <Bella> *salutes and heads back to the cafeteria*
<@DeathStar> *Cloe jerks and follows after*
<@DeathStar> <Ben> Lana. *walks back with her*
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhhhh?"
<@DeathStar> <Ben> Is it it going to be a problem is someone took something from it in order for something even if it benefits us
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "...I don't know...it is, by its nature, always three movves ahead of you..."
<@DeathStar> *Adeline has pulled Sabrina away into the gym*
<@DeathStar> <Ben> Well. I'll head back to the bridge then
<@DeathStar> *he heads back*
<@Jackieness> <Lana> *heads back for ehr lab*
<@DeathStar> *Gwen is awake upon her return* You're back
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhhh...eldritch entity sitghting, but its gone now."
<@DeathStar> *Gwen rocks* Well, with one of the tiger engines down and no way back right this second
<@DeathStar> <Gwen> What do you think we should do
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhhh...I'm not sure. I could see if I could assist with the engineering work."
<@DeathStar> <Gwen> Well, if you need anything let me know then
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhh...there are more comfortable palces to rest."
<@DeathStar> <Gwen> Hm? But you're in here
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhhh?!"
<@DeathStar> *Gwen leans back in his seat, propping it against the wall* Besides, I also this allows me to play bodyguard incase any otherworldly critters make a deal with you
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "...th...thank you..."
<@DeathStar> *Cloe sets out a large brownie for Bella, pondering* Cloe wonders what she would do if granted anything
<@Jackieness> <Bella> "Better not to think about it." *noms the brownie*
<@DeathStar> <Cloe> Bella not have anything she'd do for just holding some old book?
<@Jackieness> <Bella> "You heard what big booby lady said. Deck is always stacked, right?"
<@DeathStar> *Cloe puffs cheeks*
<@Jackieness> <Bella> "What?"
<@DeathStar> <Cloe> Cloe will use skills Rika taught to win against Bella one day. *nod nod*
<@Jackieness> <Bella> "Huuuuuuuh?"
<@DeathStar> *Cloe nods* Cloe will defeat Bella in card game like poker
<@Jackieness> <Bella> "...ok..."
<@DeathStar> <Cloe> After this is over, and back home, we should set up tournament
<@Jackieness> <Bella> "...yeah...but our home got knocked down by some whacko."
<@DeathStar> <Cloe> Oh, Momma Bonnie said they were looking into trying to find a new place
<@Jackieness> <Bella> "Didshe say what type of place they are looking for?"
<@DeathStar> <Cloe> Hm, no. Just something that would allow us to survive thre
<@Jackieness> <Bella> "Ughhh... we could survive in a bare-walled cave if we need to."
<@DeathStar> <Cloe> Cloe is interestd in what they find
<@Jackieness> <Bella> "I hope its cool."
<@DeathStar> *Cloe doodles an image of the new home - it turns into what looks like a super fortress with a giant C on the front and claws on the side*
<@Jackieness> <Bella> "...a 'C'?"
<@DeathStar> <Cloe> I heard that is something fortresses needed. Initial of their names
<@Jackieness> <Bella> "But its not just your place."
<@DeathStar> *Cloe huffs, then puts all their initials on the place*
<@Jackieness> <Bella> "...does Cloe want her own secret lair?"
<@DeathStar> <Cloe> It'd be fun!
<@Jackieness> <Bella> "We'll see when we get back home."
<@DeathStar> *Cloe looks pleased* Cloe will let Bella get her bath in and relax.
<@Jackieness> <Bella> "Yeah. I'm going to go wash off and relax. Thanks for the food."
<@DeathStar> -E-

* Day changed to Monday, 24. Mar 2025
<@DeathStar> 3
<@DeathStar> 2
<@DeathStar> 1
<@DeathStar> -0-
<@DeathStar> Date: 10-661.8.10
<@DeathStar> Location: Aquarius
<@DeathStar> *the one Tiger Engine has been damaged quite severerly due to the "asteroid", leaving just the normal engines working, as well as the spirit engines now using magic energy when the group needs to fall back on more powerful tech. As soon as the hull has been repaired, the ship has slowly begun to set of once more*
<@DeathStar> *Yuki leans back in her chair while Taiga looks exhausted, drinking fluids. However, Selena looks perturbed* <Selena> So you're saying we have an intruder moving about the ship
<@Seraphna> Cookie> A freaky one we dare not speak the name of.
<@DeathStar> *Adeline has her hands folded, monitoring the Aquarius' progress* <Adeline> It hasn't made any hostile moves and seems to be simply offering trades if anything.
<@DeathStar> <Adeline> So far unless anyone wants to step up and state they made a trade, it seems to be gone anyway
<@Seraphna> Jaime> No judgement if you did I suppose. The offers were tempting.
<@Jackieness> <Airym> "Taiga, have anyone who made a deal ejected from an airlock."
<@DeathStar> *Cloe jerks*
<@DeathStar> *Sabrina curiously raises an eyebrow* Seriously?
<Ariel> * Nicolette heads to the bridge
<@Alicia> <jikuu> "Seriously."
<@Seraphna> Jaime> I am undermined.
<@DeathStar> *Adeline leans back, staring at Airym, face showing no emotion*
<@Alicia> <Jikuu> "Though I would advise merely allowing them to leave normally and never return, as long as they confess."
<@Jackieness> <Airym> "... ... ...that was a joke."
<@DeathStar> <Adeline> Your jokes need a bit of work
<Ariel> <Nicolette> "Who's confessing what now?"
<@Alicia> <Jikuu> "I... see."
<@DeathStar> <Sabrina> Apparently some on the crew wouldn't mind seeing as airlocked out. *she is looking at Jikuu now*
<@DeathStar> *us
<@Alicia> <Jikuu> "Are you confessing?"
<@DeathStar> <Sabrina> If I was offered the deal to help someone and then your reaction was to airlock me. *she leans forward* I'd question my real friends. That's all I'm saying
<@Seraphna> Jaime> Jikuu, be good.
<@DeathStar> *Yuki rubs her temples, but has remained silent for the most part*
<Ariel> <Nicolette> "That? Hm..."
<@Alicia> <Jikuu> "Oh, I am just supposed to turn a blind eye to blatant sabotage of our objective?"
<@Jackieness> <Airym> "Yuki, report our status."
<@Seraphna> Jaime> Knowing her that’s not the danger.
<@DeathStar> <Yuki> Mother has the ship hull repaired. *she motions at her* <Taiga> Unfortunately, the Tiger Engines are the only way to get BACK home. And one has been severely crippled. I'll need more time with our engineers to get it repaired. Like more than a week even busting my ass off. Thankfully, the other engines are working just fine. <Yuki> We're headed right now toward the destintaion that Nicolette gave us as well as Prismatic backed her on. We should be there within a few hours.
<@DeathStar> <Yuki> So if we have any personal conflict we should resolve it now
<@Alicia> <Jikuu> "I am assuming we cannot merely space our intruder."
<@Seraphna> Jaime> **gently baps Jikuu’s head** I know it was you that ate my ice cream. **clearly making a joke** But sadly no.
<@DeathStar> <Ben> As far as I can tell
<@DeathStar> <Ben> The intruder has left. Either having made a deal with someone or having given up and is seeking someone else
<@Seraphna> Nox> Should I be surprised it didn’t ask me?
<@Jackieness> <Airym> "Ben, have you determined where the object came from before it struck the ship?"
<Ariel> <Nicolette> "Gnarly? Oh, she visited me."
<@Alicia> <Jikuu> "Well, there is that I guess. Now I have to spend the entire week going over the systems, over and over..." *sounds pained*
<@DeathStar> <Ben> It seems it likely was orbitting a nearby world. As for the origin, it seems to be some sort of creature that survives in space.
<@DeathStar> *Sabrina looks at Nox* What, you want to call out to it and bring it to you?
<@Jackieness> <Airym> "We shall need to be on our guard for any other such anomalies."
<@DeathStar> *Vyvy speaks up finally* <Vyvy> Do we actually have a battle plan once we arrive at our destination?
<@Jackieness> <Airym> "First contact protocols."
<@Seraphna> **Nox huffs and hides in the pod**
<@Alicia> <Jikuu> "Ah... I... do not wish to appear hostile..."
<Ariel> <Nicolette> "Plan is to not to have a battle. But if it comes to one... well, that's hard, since we don't even know what she's capable of."
<@DeathStar> <Adeline> I think it left once it learned Jaime's course of action
<@Alicia> <Jikuu> "Should I be worried?"
<@Alicia> <Jikuu> "I mean, I am worried, but I would be worried even without this."
<@DeathStar> <Adeline> Well, since it wanted something protected, I suppose it felt leaving an item in our hands would be foolhearty
<@Jackieness> <Airym> "Assemble a first contact team. No spirits that could trigger it until we have made peace. Then get some rest. Everyone."
<@DeathStar> *Prismatic makes a face*
<Ariel> * Nicolette frowns, not sure if she agrees with that approach
<@Jackieness> <Airym> "Do you wish to add something, Prismatic?"
<@Seraphna> Jaime> As we learned before it doesn’t really understand compassion or love. And doesn’t think we can calm her.
<Ariel> <Nicolette> "Oh? Where did you learn this?"
<@Seraphna> Jaime> I’ve dealt with it many times in the past.
<@Jackieness> <Airym> "We are discussing the Spirit Mother, Jaime."
<@DeathStar> <Adeline> We are too; how it reacted to our plan regarding the Mother
<@Seraphna> Jaime> I was sort of talking about both, one then the other. **she nods**
<@Jackieness> <Airym> "Taiga, ready the conference room. A more in-depth discussion seems warranted."
<@DeathStar> *Adeline waves hand* It's fine. I don't see how much more we can discuss than we already have
<@DeathStar> <Adeline> I'm going to go get my stuff ready. We're almost there as it is
<@Jackieness> <Airym> "Yuki, I leave the make up of the final away team to your discretion."
<@Alicia> <Akatsuki> "I guess I should go, though... I'm not sure I'm going to be good enough here... Jikuu should stay, if only to avoid added risks."
<Ariel> <Nicolette> "I think the outer spirits need to ask for forgiveness. To leave them behind is to deny the fact that what happened to her was wrong."
<@DeathStar> <Yuki> Taking them could be a big risk too
<@Alicia> <Akatsuki> "As long as they don't trigger her themselves..."
<@Seraphna> Jaime> They may need to stay back for a bit. She is supposedly insane and will not react to them rationally.
<Ariel> <Nicolette> "Yeah, she's not going to like seeing them, but if we don't deal with the core of this matter, then it's no going to work out."
<@Jackieness> <Airym> "The team must determine the state of the Spirit Mother."
<@DeathStar> *Selena leans forward*
<@DeathStar> <Selena> I'll back Nicolette
<@DeathStar> <Selena> It can't hurt to bring them along; if you prefer they hang back, that is fine too
<@Alicia> <Sparkling> "Was that Nyancats doing?"
<@DeathStar> <Selena> Nyancats?
<@DeathStar> *Cloe tilts her head, cat ears wiggling*
<@Alicia> <Sparkling> "You know, that thing we're not supposed to name directly... I never bothered remembering the name."
<@Jackieness> <Bella> "Cloe, you ready for the mission?"
<@DeathStar> <Cloe> I-- I... I'm not sure if I would be that useful on an away mission
<@DeathStar> <Yuki> Alright. *looks at Jaime* I suppose you want to come, too? What about your wife?
<@Seraphna> Jaime> Up to her. But yes I am the heaviest hitter here if it comes to it.
<@DeathStar> <Yuki> Alright everyone. Lets get ready then.
<@Seraphna> Kaelan> I’ll be coming too.
<@Jackieness> <Bella> "Well, unless I get ordered to stay on the ship, I'm a security mission specialist...so yeah."
<@Alicia> <Sparkling> "I feel like I have to at least try to negotiate..."
<Ariel> <Nicolette> "So wait... if you don't agree with my plan, what's your plan with this then?"
<@DeathStar> *Yuki turns to Nicolette* I have no problem bringing them along
<@DeathStar> <Yuki> I'd have them hang back for a bit though until we assess her mental state
<@Alicia> <Akatsuki> "Especially Prismatic."
<@DeathStar> *Prismatic winces* If you feel it's best. Since getting here though I can ....
<@DeathStar> *she trails off*
<@Alicia> <Akatsuki> "Can what?"
<Ariel> <Nicolette> "I don't think this can work without you in particular, Prism."
<@DeathStar> <Prismatic> I can feel something odd. Like my head is fuzzy with thoughts that don't feel like my own. <Taiga> Your powers are likely blending with Mother's.
<@DeathStar> <Taiga> Closer we get the more it's happening
<@Seraphna> Jaime> Could you act as a conduit to her?
<@DeathStar> <Prismatic> *shrug*
<@Alicia> <Sparkling> "Umm..."
<@DeathStar> <Prismatic> But if this is my mess, I'll do whatever Nicolette thinks is best
<@Alicia> <Akatsuki> "We should keep an eye on her at all times, I think..."
<@DeathStar> *Yuki speaks up* Everyone - look out the monitor
<@Jackieness> <Airym> "On screen."
<@Seraphna> **Jaime peers out**
<@Alicia> <Jikuu> "...and... I feel awkward saying this, in case it is a... jinx? but... if things go badly... I am sorry for failing you all."
<Ariel> <Nicolette> "I just need you to be open and honest about your desire to put things right. This is an intervention, not a negotiation."
<@DeathStar> *the screen shows a world full of color, looking much like the spirit realm, before them. The readings on the world seem to indicate some oddities as Ben begins to bring the scans on before Airym can ask - the world seems to have once been super rich in spirit energy, problem even higher concentrations than the spirit realm, but for some reason the energy levels have been decreasing all over the planet into one area, as if it's been sucked out of the planet and drawn to one spot; one can even begin to see the effects on the world in the furthest regions as the color is draining*
<@Jackieness> <Airym> "I believe we have found the Spirit Mother."
<@Seraphna> Jaime> What is she doing now…?
<@DeathStar> *problem - probably
<@Alicia> <Jikuu> "...oh."
<@Alicia> <Sparkling> "How is she infected?"
<@DeathStar> <Selena> I think I know where the Mother is at on the planet
<@DeathStar> *she eyes the concentration of spirit energy in one area*
<@Alicia> <Sparkling> "...wait, that might not be it. She might just be able to do that."
<@Jackieness> <Airym> "We cannot make any assumptions right now."
<@DeathStar> <Solar> She'd go as far as to begin taking the spirit energy of her own planet into herself?
<Ariel> <Nicolette> "...perhaps..."
<@Jackieness> <Airym> "Ben, can you focus sensors on that spot?"
<Ariel> <Nicolette> *shakes her head* "I have a bad feeling about this."
<@Alicia> <Sparkling> "She might be infected then... I just don't know how."
<@DeathStar> *Ben begins to do so; as readings of a massive spirit benig begins to appear, suddenly a beam of pure spirit energy shoots up from the planet at them, like a laser beam of doom and strikes the ship*
<@DeathStar> *alarms begin to wail and shields begin to deplete rapidly*
<@DeathStar> *on the screen, what looks to be a spirit being can be seen from the scan - it appears to be a large womanly figure*
<@Seraphna> **Jaime holds out her hand and forms a hyperspace barrier outside** Anyone know how to ask her to calm down?
<@Jackieness> <Airym> "Report. Can you back us away fromt he planet?"
<@DeathStar> *complete with wings much like Sylph or Origin has*
<@DeathStar> <Ben> Cookie, get us away
<@Seraphna> Kaelan> I think she senses someone.
<@Alicia> <Akatsuki> "Unless you want me to sing, and hope that works..."
<@Seraphna> **Cookie backs them up**
<@DeathStar> *even as they back away, the spirit beam continues to ral on them, shields nearly spent*
<@Seraphna> **Jaime focuses her barrier, passing Dragoon Energy**
<@Seraphna> **Kaelan grumbles and draws Truth, creating a Holy Barrier on top of it**
<@DeathStar> *the multiple barriers give them a moment and they finally are out of range it appears*
<@Jackieness> <Airym> "Move the Aquarius so that there is no direct line of sight from us to the Spirit Mother. The ground team may need to approach with shuttles."
<@DeathStar> <Yuki> Akatsuki, if you think songs will do any good next time, go for it
<@Seraphna> Jaime> There’s a chance she won’t understand us directly.
<@DeathStar> *Ben nods at Cookie to approach the planet again*
<@Jackieness> <Airym> "We need options."
<@Seraphna> **Cookie takes them in the long way around focusing a bit into the future**
<@Alicia> <Akatsuki> "Then I should... I'm not sure how I can reach someone like that, though."
<@Seraphna> **Cookie stops them short**
<@DeathStar> <Yuki> Problem?
<@Seraphna> Cookie> Thst blast will reach us from any angle.
<Ariel> <Nicolette> *looks to the spirits* "Do you think you could teleport a small group down, at this distance?"
<@DeathStar> <Solar> We can try, but there might be a problem
<Ariel> <Nicolette> "Oh?"
<@Jackieness> <Airym> "Any use of spirit energy is probably detectable by the Spirit Mother."
<@DeathStar> <Solar> If Mother is so .... attentative to intruders, she might detect us as we approach. *she eyes Airym* We might need distractions in the sky
<@Alicia> <Jikuu> "If there is anything I can do..."
<@Seraphna> Cookie> I could probably use my future sight to dodge in and out of range but the way she hits make me think she’s targeting with future sight too.
<@DeathStar> <Ben> So the Aquarius will need to play a dangerous game of cat and mouse up here
<@Jackieness> <Airym> "Or the spirits on board are acting like a targeting beacon for her."
<@DeathStar> <Ben> It's hard to say
<@DeathStar> <Solar> If we are the beacons, we'll find out as soon as we're on the planet
<@DeathStar> *Yuki turns to the pod*
<@DeathStar> <Yuki> Nox
<Ariel> <Nicolette> "If she's predicting our movements, it's not because of the spirits. She'd know where we are, not where we'll be."
<@Alicia> <Sparkling> "Time then?"
<@DeathStar> <Solar> If she is using time powers
<@DeathStar> <Solar> We are sorely lacking in that department
<@Seraphna> Nox> Yes?
<Ariel> <Nicolette> "If she didn't have some form of time magic, I'd be very surprised."
<@Seraphna> **Nox peeks out of the pod**
<@DeathStar> <Yuki> On the off chance she is able to follow spirits in any form, I want you to take over some of the functions from Cookie like Mireille did
<@Alicia> <Jikuu> "...hmm..."
<@Seraphna> Nox> I think I can manage.
<@DeathStar> *Solar and Prismatic hold out their hands* <Solar> Alright then, let us risk it all and go to the planet
<@Seraphna> **Jaime and Kaelan step up**
<@Alicia> <Jikuu> "Does... this mean I should try to negotiate too?"
<@DeathStar> *Sabrina and Selena take their hands* <Sabrina> You think you can?
<@Alicia> <Jikuu> "I do not know. I am half-spirit, but that is all I can do."
<@DeathStar> *Gwen arrives lugging something and lands right into Solar's chest face first*
<@Jackieness> <Lana> *was following Gwen and stumbles, falling bobo first into Gwen*
<@Seraphna> Talia> Hey those not authorized pillows mister.
<@Jackieness> boob first
<@DeathStar> <Solar> ...
<Ariel> * Nicolette joins the circle, "... well... ahem..."
<@Alicia> * Sparkling and Akatsuki joins the circle, Jikuu looking for instruction as to whether to or not
<@DeathStar> *Selena pulls Jikuu over*
<@DeathStar> <Selena> There
<@DeathStar> *Cloe steps into the circle wearing a ton of armor* Ready!
<@Jackieness> <Bella> "Rememebr that cute mecha you used to pilot?" *moves in*
<@DeathStar> <Cloe> I really want that back...
<@DeathStar> <Yuki> Nox, take us in
<@DeathStar> *the spirits vanish with the others, leaving the ship mostly empty now*
<@Seraphna> **Nox takes them in**
<@DeathStar> *As they approach the planet, a massive spirit beam immediately targets them; Adeline arrives and takes a seat*
<@DeathStar> <Adeline> I'll be your back up, Cookie
<@Seraphna> **Cookie nods and adds her to the neural net she has with Nox, the two moving ahead of the beam to evade**
<@Jackieness> <Airym> "Evasive maneuvers."
<@DeathStar> *prepare yourself*
<@DeathStar> *Up, Down, Left, Right, Right, Left, Up, Down, Up, Up, Down, Right, Left, Down, Up, Right, Left*
<@DeathStar> 5
<@DeathStar> 4
<@DeathStar> 3
<@Seraphna> **ACE OF SPADES**
<@DeathStar> *the ship afterward begins to make strange noises from evading the beams for extended periods*
<@Seraphna> Nox> My wife doesn’t like doing this.
<@DeathStar> *Yuki raises eyebrow*
<@Jackieness> <Airym> "Report."
<@DeathStar> *Taiga from comm* This ship is being held together by gum and tape. I am unsure how long we can keep doing manuevers like this
<@DeathStar> *the beam however seems to not be stopping, not once*
<@DeathStar> Up, Left, Right, Left, Right, Down, Up
<@DeathStar> 5
<@Seraphna> Cookie> If only we could trick her.
<@DeathStar> 4
<@DeathStar> 3
<@DeathStar> 2
<@DeathStar> 1
<@Seraphna> drlrlud
<@DeathStar> -0-
<@DeathStar> <Ben> How do you suggest we trick her?
<@DeathStar> <Yuki> Unless you want to make it look like we've crashed
<@DeathStar> <Ben> If we do that the others might be detected
<@Seraphna> **Nox muses and sends a ball of darkness out through a fox hole to see if she follows her energy**
<@Jackieness> <Airym> "Can the engines handle short range FTL jumps?"
<@DeathStar> <Taiga comm> The engines can handle it; we also have not tapped into the magic engines yet
<@Seraphna> Cookie> Like old school older than Darien jumps?
<@DeathStar> *the beam seems to flicker a brief moment, then resumes continuing following them*
<@DeathStar> *Left, Right, Right, Left, Down, Up, Down Up*
<@DeathStar> 5
<@DeathStar> 4
<@DeathStar> 3
<@DeathStar> 2
<@Seraphna> rllruxud
<@DeathStar> 1
<@DeathStar> -0-
<@Seraphna> d
<@Seraphna> For the X
<@DeathStar> *they evade again*
<@Seraphna> Nox> She is following my energy.
<@DeathStar> <Ben> Maybe.
<@Jackieness> <Airym> "Calculate a jump. Let us test her."
<@Seraphna> **Cookie rapidly punches one in**
<@DeathStar> <Taiga> And where are we jumping to?
<@Seraphna> Cookie> I’m assuming around the planet to keep her head swiveling.
<@DeathStar> *Adeline seems to be studying the beams; when suddenly the beam begins to in front of where they are about to fly*
<@DeathStar> *hitting them dead on*
<@Jackieness> <Airym> "Damage report."
<@Seraphna> **Cookie shifts them into a roll away and Nox covers the hull in Dark One energy**
<@Seraphna> Cookie> She IS using time sight!
<@DeathStar> <Ben> Shields are nill; some damage to the hulls in certain decks. Bridge is not in great shape but holding. *Cookie and Adeline's fufure vision would begin to suffer now; as they would see themselves being cut off now as if they're being intercepted*
<@DeathStar> <Adeline> Dammit. She is
<@Seraphna> Cookie> We have to become unpredictable.
<@Jackieness> <Airym> "Do you have a suggestion?"
<@DeathStar> <Ben> Jump us. She might be seeing us attempt it
<@Seraphna> **Cookie hits the jump**
<@DeathStar> *the ship appears on another side; a second later a beam appears about to hit them*
<@DeathStar> *3*
<@DeathStar> *2*
<@DeathStar> *1*
<@DeathStar> *the beam strikes the ship*
<@Seraphna> **Cookie hits the jump again just after rolling with the strike**
<@DeathStar> *Yuki brings up their magic engines and shields while Ben tchs; as they jump, a few seconds later, another beam comes flying in*
<@Jackieness> <Airym> "Damage report."
<@Jackieness> <Airym> "Jump."
<@DeathStar> <Ben> Cookie rolled with it so we didn't take too much damage
<@Seraphna> **Cooke jumps again**
<@Jackieness> <Airym> "How many jumps cna we manage?"
<@DeathStar> <Yuki> But is this literally what we're reduced to? Jumping constantly?
<@Seraphna> Cookie> I have an idea. Permission to be crazy?
<@DeathStar> <Yuki> I'm fine with it.
<@DeathStar> *Taiga sends the number ot Airym*
<@Jackieness> <Airym> *flicks the jump coundown on to the main viewscreen*
<@DeathStar> *half an hour appears*
<@Seraphna> **Cookie starts rapidly typing jumps and Nox makes a noise as the ship begins to jump in a randomized pattern, so much it might look like there were several ships**
<@Jackieness> <Airym> "We have 30 minutes of jump time before the drive systems go down."
<@DeathStar> *Cookie's tactic knocks the time down more, but it does mean they're no longer being targetted it seems*
<@Seraphna> Cookie> Eat that space time light barrier!
<@DeathStar> *Yuki rubs face* Ugh
<@DeathStar> -SHIFT-
<@DeathStar> Location: Unknown World
<@DeathStar> *the group lands among on what was likely once a beautiful grass field, looking much like the spirit realm. The feel, the look, everything has the same essence. However, Solar and Prismatic seem .... dissapointed and the luster seems to be fading from this area. Like a grayness is descending upon it. Due to no spirit energy being here anymore*
<@DeathStar> *plants are already suffering as Selena kneels touch one*
<Ariel> <Nicolette> "Well... it's better than the last time I was here, but not by much..."
<@DeathStar> *Gwen gathers samples for Lana*
<@Jackieness> <Lana> *tries a weave to try to detect the Spirit Mother's location*
<@Seraphna> Jaime> We’ll have to move quickly. Who knows how long they can last.
<@DeathStar> *it appears she's many many many miles off, the spirits likely having dumped then as far away as they felt was safe*
<@DeathStar> <Solar> Everyone ready for a bit of a hike?
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "...Ahhhh..its that way... a long distance away...I'm going to die..."
<@Seraphna> **Kealan shifts into a giant fox and scoops people up to start running**
<@DeathStar> *Sabrina floats into the air, looking around*
<@DeathStar> *Selena makes a noise*
<Ariel> <Nicolette> "Sel?"
<@DeathStar> *Selena flails as a giant fox has kidnapped her*
<@DeathStar> *Cloe gets on the fox in her armor* I have a steed. *her armor helmet falls over her eyes*
<@Seraphna> **Jaime puts up with it**
<@Alicia> <Jikuu> "Does anyone have a plan for when we get there?"
<@DeathStar> <Gwen> I take it we plan to just chat with her
<@DeathStar> *Gwen opts to walk*
<@Jackieness> <Bella> "We'll also need an exit strategy if it goes bad."
<Ariel> <Nicolette> "The hope is to talk it out, but... playing it by ear here. Fighting or even needing to escape is very possible."
<@Alicia> <Jikuu> "I..." *Akatsuki gives her a Look* "Never mind."
<@Seraphna> Jaime> I can teleport us back to the ship. Or Jikuu can.
<@DeathStar> *Selena pulls Nicolette onto the fox*
<@DeathStar> <Selena> Alright lets take off. *Sabrina floats next to the fox*
<@Alicia> <Jikuu> "Right, I can just teleport people."
<@DeathStar> <Sabrina> Can you really teleport off this world now?
<@DeathStar> <Sabrina> Without being detected?
<@Seraphna> Jaime> Well we don’t rely on Spirit energy. So there’s a chance.
<@DeathStar> *Solar tugs on her suit that's keeping her from breaking apart*
<Ariel> <Nicolette> "But where would you teleport us TO?"
<@Alicia> <Jikuu> "Yes to the first, probably no to the second."
<@Seraphna> Jaime> The ship.
<@DeathStar> <Gwen> You're assuming the ship is in the same general location it was where we left
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhhh...how will we find the ship?"
<@Seraphna> Jaime> I am a Dragoon, I can pinpoint Adeline in our bond.
<@DeathStar> <Gwen> Fair. Lets just hope the ship is in one piece
<@DeathStar> *as the group moves along the fields, approaching a large forest, structures of what appears to be an unusual village or city begin to appear. What makes it unusual is it appears to be designed for spirits, though now it appears to be a ghost town*
<@Seraphna> Jaime> I will be very upset otherwise.
<@DeathStar> *the structures seem to be placed all over the place, the little houses and structures built on the ground, some in the trees, some part of the trees themselves, it appears to be a village part of the forest/of nature itself*
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "...spirits must have lived here...the Spirit Mother probably....absorbed them all..."
<@Alicia> <Jikuu> "Well, we will not be leaving unless it is..."
<@DeathStar> <Solar> .... So where these Spirits made by Mother herself? Why absorb her own?
<Ariel> <Nicolette> "I have a theory... I just hope I'm wrong."
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "...not enough data points."
<@Alicia> <Sparkling> "What is it?"
<@Seraphna> Jaime> I assume she is maddened beyond rational thinking. She may see all her offspring as responsible for her pain.
<@DeathStar> *a single twig can be heard snapping from above. It appears someone is still here*
<@Seraphna> Kaelan> A survivor…?
<@Jackieness> <Bella> *looks upward, moving into a ready stance*
<@Alicia> * Jikuu looks towards them
<Ariel> <Nicolette> "I..." She hesitates, "I don't have enough evidence to say this is the case, so it's more a gut worry. But we've been worried that something of Host might have survived. Given everything that's happening, what if..."
<@Seraphna> Jaime> You think she took Mother?
<@Alicia> <Sparkling> "Pretty sure so."
<@DeathStar> *a familiar tall dark haired woman is looking down at them, coming out of one of the structures, holding out a hand behind them* <Nyarlathotep> You are heading into something of this nature without all the information before you
<@Alicia> <Sparkling> "Are you here to fight now?"
<@Seraphna> Jaime> She’s here to offer us a path to stop this in exchange for passage, no?
<@Alicia> <Sparkling> "Not interested, it's just a trick anyway."
<@DeathStar> <Nyarlathotep> Time will decide when we will clash, little Maka. *looks down* No, I'm sating my own curiousity
<@Alicia> * Jikuu looks between herself and Akatsuki, then herself and other people
<@Seraphna> Kaelan> Hear her out then…
<@DeathStar> *Selena shifts uncomfortably while Gwen has moved to protect Talia and Lana*
<@Alicia> <Sparkling> "Do we really have to?"
<@Seraphna> Kaelan> She knows something.
<@Alicia> <Sparkling> "And she'll lie."
<@DeathStar> <Nyarlathotep> What I offer would just poison the well. *motions at Sparkling*
<@Seraphna> Kaelan> Alright then. **starts moving along**
<@Jackieness> <Lana> *lets out a breath*
<@Seraphna> Kaelan> You’re wasting our time. If you want us to live to be tempted you’ll just have to follow.
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "...ahhh...don't invite the Crawlign Chaos."
<@DeathStar> *surprisingly, it seems to be fine with that, as if the curiousity isn't them, but something else. It has already turned back into the building it stepped out of when they're out of sight* <Selena> I think we're fine.
<@DeathStar> <Gwen> Really? What havoc could it be wrecking here on this planet while we're here
<@Seraphna> Kaelan> The Host… seems similar to her in some ways.
<@DeathStar> <Prismatic> You all seem rather unnerved by some girl
<@Alicia> <Sparkling> "Wait, are you saying there's two of them?"
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "That is not a girl. Its an eldritch entity."
<@Seraphna> Kaelan> In our world she is the personification of chaos. A cancer that eats all worlds until they become her.
<@Seraphna> Kaelan> In a way, much like how Host wanted to consume all spirit.
<@DeathStar> *As they travel, the group finds a winding path before them, made of a beautiful colored material*
<@Seraphna> Jaime> It could be why she was here, actually. Like sometimes looks to like.
<@DeathStar> *leading them along the ground; on either side strange colored plants seem to grow*
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhhhh...iunusual flora."
<@DeathStar> *Prismaic shifts, looking uncomfortable about all this Host talk when up ahead, something seems to move* Is that it again? That Girl? *however, it appears to be glowing with spirit energy, and is moving along the ground, like a arm or tendril stretching out*
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "...is it the Spirit Mother?"
<@DeathStar> <Prismatic> I don't like it. We should avoid it.
<@DeathStar> *the spirit tendril seems to be sweeping the area*
<@DeathStar> *moving over the plants and road almost mindlessly*
<@Seraphna> **Kaelan moves around it
<@DeathStar> *as Kaelan goes around it, seeing that it appears to go for miles and cutting off going in the one direction that it has come from*
<@DeathStar> <Selena> It seems to be coming from the direction we need to go
<@Jackieness> <Bella> "Maybe its a defense."
<@Alicia> <Jikuu> "Probably."
<@DeathStar> <Sabrina> Do we attack it?
<@Seraphna> Kaelan> Follow the magical spirit bricked road?
<@Alicia> <Jikuu> "No."
<@DeathStar> *Selena looks at Nicolette, guaging where her mind is*
<@Alicia> <Jikuu> "We are not here to fight... me especially..."
<Ariel> * Nicolette has a frown permanently plastered to her face. "If that's here, it's likely part of her in some way. Best to continue on and try not to disturb it."
<@Alicia> <Sparkling> "What's up?"
<@DeathStar> *as they continue down the road, up ahead the group would see what looks to be a city in the distance. It appears to be an unusual looking city by design even from a distance, incorporating designs of stuff floating in the sky, unusual designs on the ground and water all around. It seems to have been built for spirits of all elements and powers to enjoy. However, the spirit tendrils seem to be all around the city, making entry very difficult at glance*
<@DeathStar> *Cloe makes a face* A lot of spirit energy in there
<@Jackieness> <Bella> "Reminds me almost of the overgrown Earth."
<@DeathStar> *Solar glances at Bella*
<@Alicia> <Jikuu> "You think the tendrils are...? Hmm..."
<@DeathStar> <Selena> So how do we get inside
<@Seraphna> Kaelan> Yes... this is eerily similar.
<@DeathStar> <Prismatic> What are you talking about?
<@Seraphna> Kaelan> Earth had a lot of weird things happening, like vines growing all over the place.
<@Jackieness> <Bella> "Same for your... your planet too. Like out of control terraforming."
<@DeathStar> <Solar> Ah. *she muses*
<Ariel> <Nicolette> "Some plant that ate spirit energy, to make some sort of antidote."
<@DeathStar> <Prismatic> Sounds complicated
<@Alicia> <Jikuu> "Was there an antidote?"
<@DeathStar> *Gwen hops off the fox and approaches a bit to study the tendrils; as he nears they seem to react and appear to be looking for him more actively until he backs off*
<@DeathStar> <Gwen> Don't suppose the fox can turn into a bird
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhh, Gwen! Be careful!"
<@Seraphna> Kaelan> Acts like them too.
<@Seraphna> Jaime> I can become a Gear.
<@DeathStar> *Gwen looks at Jaime blankly*
<@DeathStar> <Gwen> You Primers are so weird
<@Seraphna> Jaime> It is a mech. A... giant robot.
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhhh...Gwen. I'm from the Prime reality too..."
<Ariel> <Nicolette> "...saying it like that doesn't make it less strange."
<@DeathStar> <Gwen> *Rubs Lana's head and offers her candy*
<@Alicia> <Akatsuki> "It really is strange when you think about it."
<@Seraphna> Jaime> It is quite normal in out reality. We do that instead of turn into dragons.
<@Seraphna> Jaime> Well, most of us.
<@DeathStar> *Selena clears throat* I think the Maka told me about a show like that once
<@Seraphna> Jaime> My DNA host actually became like yours somehow.
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhhh...thank you?"
<@DeathStar> <Gwen> I still think turning into a bird is less weird
<@Seraphna> **Jaime sighs and focuses, turning into a gear**
<@Alicia> <Akatsuki> "Then why have I never seen anyone do that?"
<@DeathStar> <Gwen> Well, you just haven't met a werebird yet
<@DeathStar> <Gwen> But they exist!
<@DeathStar> <Selena> ...
<@Seraphna> Jaime> <...Well I think my form is cool.> **huffy mecha**
<@Alicia> <Akatsuki> "Really? I only know of werewolves. And dragons and gears."
<@Seraphna> Kaelan> I think you all hurt her feels. **she climbs up a leg**
<@DeathStar> *Gwen eyes the machine* How can you tell?
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhh...she does sound a bit huffy."
<@Alicia> * Akatsuki looks like she's been asked to explain the colour red
<@DeathStar> *the two spirits get on the shoulder and Selena gets on as well*
<@DeathStar> *Sabrina lands on the head while Cloe scrambles up like a cat*
<@DeathStar> *Gwen helps Lana up the machine*
<@Jackieness> <Bella> *grabs on too*
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhh...thank you."
<@DeathStar> <Selena> Alright, Jaime - fly us into the city
<@Alicia> <Jikuu> "... please tell me someone knows how to talk to her..."
<@DeathStar> <Gwen> Right. Tech Jaime. Lift off
<@Alicia> <Akatsuki> "I'm going to sing, and hope my feelings transmit."
<@Seraphna> **Jaime waits till they all get on, then starts to fly them in** <You'll have to be my defenses, I can't do a whole lot without Adeline.>
<@DeathStar> *he makes exaggerated motions*
<@Alicia> <Sparkling> "I was hoping I could just petition..."
<@DeathStar> <Sabrina> Peition Mother?
<@Alicia> <Sparkling> "Mmm..."
<@DeathStar> *As they fly over the city wall, they are greeted by a horrific sight; the entire city ground, wall, buildings, everything is covered in the tendrils as far as the eye can see up to what looks to be a beautiful crystal building in the shape of a flower opening. All of them coming from it*
<@DeathStar> <Selena> I think we're in trouble....
<@DeathStar> -SHIFT-
<@DeathStar> Location: Aquarius
<@DeathStar> *the countdown in 30 seconds away from running out of power on the engines*
<@Seraphna> Cookie> Okay... we're just about out.
<@DeathStar> *Taiga arrives on the bridge, sprawling over the chair*
<@DeathStar> <Taiga> This is baaaad
<@Seraphna> Nox> 30 seconds. Should we return to short bursts to stretch it? Say now.
<@DeathStar> <Taiga> It won't matter at this point
<@Seraphna> Si> Fuuu.
<@DeathStar> <Yuki> We need a deus ex machina
<@DeathStar> *the timer buzzes and their engines overload, leaving them floating in space*
<@DeathStar> *a beam smashes into them*
<@Jackieness> <Airym> "Helm, pull us back."
<@Alicia> <Ceilidh> "I really hope the others can handle things..."
<@DeathStar> *Ben tries to raise the magic shields, causing explosive reactions*
<@Jackieness> <Airym> "Ben, cycle down the magic systems."
<@Seraphna> **Nox forms Dark One layer shields and groans as she works at it, Cookie backs them as best she can**
<@DeathStar> <Ben> We have no other form of shields
<@DeathStar> *He warns*
<@Seraphna> **Si holds out her hands and forms a flame barrier outside** Do the best I can then...
<@DeathStar> *Ben cycles it down as the other barriers are risen and as they back off, time seems to stop outside*
<@DeathStar> *Yuki leans forward, eyeing it*
<@Jackieness> <Airym> "Report."
<@DeathStar> <Taiga> Time seems to be frozen. But since Mother also has time powers, possibly, I am not sure how long that will last
<@DeathStar> *the Aquarius keeps backing up*
<@DeathStar> *indeed, the attack seems to be slowly moving again*
<@Seraphna> Cookie> Yeah but... how did that happen?
<@DeathStar> <Ben> We'll have to figure it out later. What should we do while we have this moment?
<@Jackieness> <Airym> "Keep the ship in one piece."
<@Seraphna> Nox> I"m gonna try something to buy us a bit more time... **she closes her eyes and the pod goes pitch black**
<@DeathStar> *Taiga hurries to see what she can do*
<@DeathStar> <Yuki> I'd say attack Mother herself but then everyone would get angry
<@Seraphna> **Nox starts creating shadow clones orf herself to warp out into the time field, each with enough energy to distract for a moment**
<@Seraphna> Cookie> Bit of a weird hostage crisis. Technically she has all of the people we want inside her.
<@DeathStar> *the attack beam is now definitely beginning to wiggle now*
<@Seraphna> **Nox mines will take turns flaring up**
<@DeathStar> <Yuki> Everyone ready? *Taiga gives them a bit more juice*
<@DeathStar> *Adeline seems to be distracted when time snaps back in and it seems indeed, Mother's attacks have become sloppy; firing after the drones and Cookie and Adeline would find their time powers are no longer being slowed down*
<@DeathStar> *future powers
<@Jackieness> <Airym> "Well done, Nox."
<@Seraphna> **Cookie moves them to safety a moment and looks to see new future patterns** It's like something in her broke.
<@Seraphna> **The Noxes in space wiggle and make rude poses when it's their turn**
<@DeathStar> <Adeline> Maybe. Se's still moving quickly *the attacks seem to be hitting the drones rapildy and predicting where they will be, like the time powers are still active, but when she does go to target the Aquarius, she's no longer getting the upper hand like before*
<@Jackieness> <Airym> "Perhaps we are beenfiting from some outside assistance."
<@Seraphna> **Cookie starts to work on the classic dodging pattern now that they don't have to go crazy**
<@Seraphna> Cookie> ...Or inside.
<@DeathStar> <Yuki> The bad thing is we're running on fumes
<@DeathStar> <Yuki> If this goes on too much longer, inside/outside help won't matter much
<@Jackieness> <Airym> "Then we must hope that the groudn team is able to act soon."
<@DeathStar> -SHIFT-
<@DeathStar> Location: Mother's City
<@DeathStar> *the tendrils begin to reach up to grab Jaime and start pulling her down*
<@Seraphna> **Jaime does her best to try and avoid them, Talia launches a Mana Blast at it**
<@Jackieness> <Bella> "We've been spotted!"
<@DeathStar> *the tendrils explode*
<@DeathStar> *shaking the gear*
<@DeathStar> *Cloe flails and almost falls off, holding onto the foot*
<@Alicia> <Akatsuki> "When should I start singing?"
<@DeathStar> *more tendrils begin to reach up for the Gear now*
<@Jackieness> <Bella> *reachs to grab Cloe*
<@Seraphna> Jaime> <I am annoyed on a Noire level.>
<Ariel> * Nicolette winces as Talia starts them into actual combat
<@DeathStar> *Cloe holds onto Bella and pulls herself up; as they near the Crystal Palace, the tendrils in front of it wiggle to block her*
<@Seraphna> **Kaelan sweeps blasts of Holy and Unlife down at the tendrils this time** Well this ain't mana!
<@DeathStar> *the tendrils become enraged and even more like a sea reach up and begin to wrap around Jaime's legs and they begin to get yanked down; even as they blow up, more seem to be appearing to take their place. Cloe throws mana blasts, causing explosions to try to free them*
<@DeathStar> *jerking the Gear about*
<@Jackieness> <Lana> *starts to weavem trying to formma barrier around Jaime*
<@DeathStar> <Selena> Whoa hey now!
<@Seraphna> **Jaime tries to speed to their goal**
<@Alicia> * Akatsuki starts to sing, trying to get across her desire for peace, flinching every time the tendrils get attacked. THe main thrust of the song's meaning is that she doesn't want this violence, and please stop attacking?
<@Seraphna> Kaelan> Hey! Only I get to be that handsy with tentacles!
<Ariel> * Nicolette calls upon magic to thin the air ahead of them and give them a tail wind.
<@DeathStar> *Jaime strains against the tendrils as the song and wind seems to weaken them, the tendrils holding on strain and finally let go as the barrier rises up and they fly right at the ones blocking the way at the Crystal Palace, wiggling like a wall that won't let them pass. AT that moment, they seem to freeze and the team smashes into them and topple over onto the steps*
<@DeathStar> *the palace itself being full of spirit energy and beautiful art and paintings and statues made by the spirits are all over. Stairs can be seen further up ahead, going higher up, but at least now they're on the other side of the spirit tendrils*
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhhhhh!"
<@Seraphna> Kaelan> That was... weird.
<@DeathStar> *Selena sits up and looks around at the frozen tendrils, who seem to be moving in slow motion*
<@DeathStar> <Selena> I think we should get some distance from them
<@Seraphna> **Jaime deforms and rubs her legs** Yeah.
<@Jackieness> <Bella> "Looks like the best option is to head inside."
<@Seraphna> Kaelan> I think Nico's theory has merit.
<@DeathStar> *Sabrina helps up Cloe, while Gwen lifts Lana up*
<@DeathStar> <Prismatic> That this Host is what?
<@Seraphna> **Kaelan nods at the tendrils** But I also think Mother isn't lost to her.
<@Seraphna> Kaelan> I think it's still trying to take over. Hasn't won yet.
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhhh...we do need to confirm that our hypothesis is correct first."
<Ariel> <Nicolette> "Well... honestly, it doesn't change the plan any."
<@DeathStar> *Selena tugs at the suit, almost like she wants to rip it off now that they're near so much spirit energy*
<@Alicia> <Sparkling> "So, we help Mother... I'm not sure exactly how though."
<@Jackieness> <Bella> "Let's get going." *starts for the entryway*
<@Seraphna> Jaime> We need to help her help herself.
<@DeathStar> *at the top of the stairs, just barely out of sight, Selena is heard oofing as she is tackled. Bella would see her going down as a figure tackles her*
<@Seraphna> Jaime> What the...
<@DeathStar> *Cloe bounces after Bella*
<@DeathStar> *Sabrina floats up to the top of the stairs and Gwen hurries up; Selena is on her rear as Avenir seems to have glomped her* <Avenir> You all are okay.
<@Jackieness> <Bella> *dashes forward toward Selena*
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhhh? Avenir? How are you here?"
<Ariel> <Nicolette> "Avy?!"
<@Seraphna> Kaelan> Okay, maybe Avenir is just here and... wait, we left you on Geyze.
<@DeathStar> *Avenir stands up and dusts herself off, adjusting a pouch she is wearing* Ah, well. *She becomes flustered, poking her fingers together*
<@Seraphna> Jaime> Oh.
<@DeathStar> <Gwen> Are we sure this is Avenir?
<@Seraphna> Jaime> Unless we succeeded and this is Avenir from the future.
<@Seraphna> Jaime> Or a future.
<@DeathStar> <Avenir> What? *she blinks at Jaime* Oh no no
<@Seraphna> Talia> Talia's eyes crossing.
<@DeathStar> <Avenir> Even if Avenir tried to jump into the future, she can only jump into the body of her future self. Avenir is terrible time spirit
<@DeathStar> <Avenir> So jumping into this point of time would be pointless - I have no powers right now
<Ariel> <Nicolette> ". . ."
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhhhhh?"
<@Seraphna> Talia> Then how Avenir here!?
<@Alicia> <Jikuu> "Did you escape?"
<@DeathStar> <Avenir> Ah... well. *She seems reluctant to say* Well get mad. Avenir wanted to help out, so got some help
<Ariel> <Nicolette> "So who are you?"
<@DeathStar> <Avenir> Huh? Avenir. *she peers ahead* Just plain ol Avenir.
<@DeathStar> *Selena peers at the others, musing on Avenir's behavior and the help she mentioned*
<@Seraphna> Jaime> Were you the one slowing time?
<@DeathStar> <Avenir> No, that was the help I got. *she beams*
<@Seraphna> Jaime> I will... not ask further until later then.
<@Seraphna> Kaelan> You really need more confidence in yourself dear.
<@DeathStar> <Avenir> *winces at that like Kaelan struct a blow*
<Ariel> <Nicolette> "...what's in the pouch, Avy?"
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhhh..."
<@DeathStar> *Avenir then winces harder like Nicolette delivered a double KO*
<@Seraphna> Jaime> Avenir, a strange lady didn't offer you a book did she?
<@DeathStar> <Avenir> *grimaces like she ate something unpleasant* It's nothing to be worried about. I'm just watching over Al Azif for a bit.
<Ariel> * Nicolette steps forward, and wraps her arms around Avenir. "We'll figure that out later. One thing at a time."
<@Seraphna> Jaime> Yes... nothing to worry over at the moment. Let's deal with Host and Mother first.
<@DeathStar> *Avenir hugs back* So you all ready? To go ahead? I may not have power, but I can provide help through time.
<@DeathStar> <Avenir> Just let me us know what you need.
<@Seraphna> Jaime> We can't make those above wait on us.
<@Seraphna> Jaime> It's a miracle they lasted this long.
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "Yes, we need to proceed."
<@DeathStar> *Selena nods and steps forward down the hallway*
<Ariel> <Nicolette> "Just promise you'll do nothing to further indebt yourself, alright?"
<@Jackieness> <Bella> *moves onward*
<@Alicia> * Sparkling gives off a long sigh, while Jikuu just slumps against a nearby wall like a puppet whose strings have been cut
<@DeathStar> *Avenir nods* I won't. Though I confess, I might have done it partially for myself as well. *she admits, as she follows the others down the hallway; the hallway ends with a massive garden where it seems to contain all sorts of flowers as far as the eye can see. However, in the very middle, is what appears to be a spirit all in white, with the same type of wings as Origin, sitting on what looks to be astone bench, looking out of it, almost not even noticing their presence*
<@Seraphna> Kaelan> Okay... not the position I expected her in. Hot though.
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "Ahhhh...focus, please."
<@DeathStar> *Prismatic begins to hang back*
<@DeathStar> *holding her head a bit*
<@Alicia> <Sparkling> "Do you need to leave?"
<Ariel> * Nicolette gestures for Selena to stay back a bit with Prismatic and Avenir, as she approaches
<@DeathStar> <Prismatic> ... I'm just... afraid what might happen if we see each other. And my head is hurting even as we near her
<@DeathStar> *Selena nods*
<@Seraphna> **Kaelan puts a blanket over Prismatic**
<@DeathStar> *the Spirit Mother holds a flower in her hands quietly, still not registering as Nicolette nears her, not until she is right in front of her does she lift her head up blankly, blinking silverish eyes*
<@Seraphna> Jaime> She seems... like she's not checked in...
<@Jackieness> <Lana> "...have we been fighting the Spirit Mother at all?"
<@DeathStar> <Gwen> .... <Sabrina> I don't know
<@Alicia> <Sparkling> "I don't think so."
<Ariel> <Nicolette> *waves a hand in front of the spirit mother* "Hello there."
<@Jackieness> <Bella> "So...are we sure this is the Spirit Mother?"
<@DeathStar> <Spirit Mother> .... *slowly her eyes seem to focus just a bit* Why are you here, little one? You smell of.... *there's a twitch in her brow, a shudder through her body like she's holding something back*
<@DeathStar> <Spirit Mother> Them
<Ariel> <Nicolette> "I think you know. With what has happened to all the other spirits in the galaxy."
<@Seraphna> Jaime> It's her. And her scars aren't physical ones.
<@DeathStar> *she stares at Nicolette, her eyes sharpening more, but there is definitely something else in them* Yes. I know. *Her voice pitch has changed from a smooth motherly tone to something strange* And what about it?
<Ariel> <Nicolette> "That group did you a wrong. In another life time. And now, with what you've done... not just to them, but to all of the other spirits. The ones that never met you. And the ones that were your friends."
<Ariel> <Nicolette> "You know it's not right."
<@Alicia> <Sparkling> "Even the ones who did nothing to hurt you..."
<@DeathStar> *The Spirit pauses, then seems to curl up almost into a ball, holding herself, then begins to mouth something almost silently, before rising* You foolish children. *She turns to eye them all* Trying to bring those corruptive Spirits back. To bring it back. To bring that thing back. And the gnashing and gnawing and the hunt for power. You would bring them back? No. No. NO!. *spirit energy begins to swirl around her* I will not. I will NOT. *the energy begins to turn into gale winds to push them away* You will dePART now or you will be dealt with
<@DeathStar> -SHIFT-
<@DeathStar> Location: Aquarius
<@DeathStar> *At that moment, the attacks suddenly become irratic but suped up*
<@DeathStar> *a massive blast errupting from the planet and striking the Aquarius in a massive beam, slicing through a large portion of the ship*
<@Jackieness> <Airym> "Do we still have helm?"
<@DeathStar> <Yuki> We're losing power right---- *suddenl as the Aquarius begins to spin, everything stops*
<@DeathStar> *Adeline holds a bloody forehead from banging her forehead on the console*
<@Jackieness> <Airym> "Report."
<@Seraphna> **Cookie looks at her**
<@DeathStar> <Ben> Get Nox out of the pod. We might have to move to the aux bridge.
<@Seraphna> **Cookie pushes the pod eject as she touches Adeline and mends the wound**
<@Seraphna> **Nox rolls out** M-Mire...!
<@DeathStar> <Chronos>I I apologize. *She appears, looking exhausted* Mother's powers are more powerful than I imagined
<@DeathStar> *she seems to be glowing, trying to keep time stopped*
<@Seraphna> Cookie> Not gonna even ask how. What do we do?
<@DeathStar> <Chronos> Thanks to my daughter, I'm a bit limited in what I can do
<@Jackieness> <Airym> "Ben, how does the ship look?"
<@DeathStar> *Ben brings it up on the screen* The shot went along the bridge and down this way. *he shows the beam cutting across the ship in a angle*
<@Jackieness> <Airym> "Can we get the Aquarius to a safe location while we have time?"
<@DeathStar> <Ben> We cna try. <Chronos> I can move you out of the time stream entirely if you want, but it'll eat up my time
<@DeathStar> <Chronos> Or I can move you to another point in time, or keep things froxen
<@Jackieness> <Airym> "We will see if we cna moveunder our own power so that you do not exhaust yourself."
<@DeathStar> <Ben> Lets get Nox to the Aux bridge
<@DeathStar> *Yuki motions Ceilidh over*
<@DeathStar> <Yuki> Ceilidh, there is something I'd like you to do, even if it proves to be a waste
<@Alicia> <Ceilidh> "Tell me."
<@DeathStar> <Yuki> Since we have those scans of Prismatic on file, I'd like you to go over it and see if there is anything there that might help the group deal with Mother, or even help ourselves. We know there's a connection between the two and we have samples of her's here.
<@DeathStar> <Yuki> It'd be nice to make our ship more immune to her shots like Prismatic made herself immune
<@Alicia> <Ceilidh> "Alright, I'll work on it right now." *goes to do so*
<@DeathStar> -TBC-
* DeathStar changes topic to: Geyze: Record of Spirit War | Mondays | 7:15 -  7:30 PM to 10:15 pm  to 10:30 PM | Part IV - Act 3 |  Geyze Session 98: Mother | http://thealienwars.com/TAW6/DaCapo/Geyze/index.php - | | | No More Arc - April 14