Into the chaos (IC) Options

[Gilga]

@Nyx The two of you spend an intoxicating night, Nyx discovers that her lover is very attentive to her needs and is responsive to please. That night in its entirety felt like entering an uncharted realm and it had its excitement and pleasure. The dynamics were different than what she knew as each pleasure led to another until eventually the two of you are in the bed, exhausted and are catching your breath. Finestra grinned and said "That was some incredible slotting princess. " while it was perhaps not her wittiest thing to say her expression spoke larger, she was content - a bit euphoric perhaps, and as she stretched her body on the bed, Nyx knew that sleep was approaching the woman.

[Mulcarn]

Scores of bugs clash with one another in a mania-induced frenzy. Normally the ants wouldn't dare act with such ferocity without a leader guiding them. To give them purpose and direction. Hence the reason why they were so easily subdued once their connection to their queen had been severed. But with Maxwell there rallying them with cries of havoc and inane insults, he could stimulate an otherwise timid flock. They moved and attacked with military efficiency. Overwhelming the wasps with coordinated strikes. Maxwell wasn't idle either and directed his fire elementals to aid the ants in any way they could. Burning and terrorizing the wasps as they saw fit. Soon, the entire village was turned into a bedlam of chaos and mayhem. Corpses of wasps and ants littered the ground they walked. Ants were seen tearing apart and eating the eating the spiritual energies that bind the wasp's astral form together. Eventually the last of the wasps were killed and the mage and ant spirits were victorious.

The fun didn't stop there. It simply couldn't. Their queen was still imprisoned and they couldn't live or function without her. The wasps forced the ants to build them an unassailable fortress to house their stolen monarch. Except, they had them build it the way a real life wasp would build it's nest on earth. Which left it exposed underneath itself. Maxwell directed the ants to tunnel underground into the wasp's nest itself. That way they could infiltrate it unseen and bypass the structure's wards and defenses. After telling the ants a detailed description of the front hive and giving them the means to get inside, or at least the idea on how, he departed and left the insect metaplane. His work in the astral was done. He led a successful revolt against the wasps and potentially gave the ants back there queen. This, however, was not what he had set out to accomplish. His true intentions were to assassinate the ant queen and undo the strictures of his pact. Although, once he saw where she was being kept and the forces that guarded her, Maxwell decided that such an effort would likely spell his doom.

Having returned to the material plane, he finds himself sitting again on the cold floor of Simone's van with a bony, skeletal spirit staring at him. The spirit clicks and cracks it's bones and says indignantly. "About time you got back. I could have died again from all that waiting." It snaps it's fingers and departs to whatever grave mound that Maxwell summoned it from. The mage looks at the clock on his commlink and sees that only a couple of hours had passed since his journey into the astral. He sighs wearily and realizes that tomorrow is when the moon reaches its full zenith. He'd have to gather the pixies in the sewers along with the magical lodge materials he bought and bring them to Gefen. Maxwell still didn't know the specifics of the calling ritual he had to perform and thought she'd be the proper spirit to ask.

[Gilga]

@Maxwell your rebellion gains the initial momentum and your elementals do their job. As you return to the physical world something follows you. You were not the only one there - a beautiful entity - you are uncertain if it was a unicorn, a schoolgirl or some terrifying insect spirit. No, you do not remember the entity at all but along with the fact that it was spectacular. Or perhaps it was your overactive imagination.

[ Spoiler ]

(It'll take 1 service to help ants and lets Roll edge to see if you lost any of them due to bad luck.).

[Mulcarn]

January 22nd 5:00 AM (Full Moon Tonight)

Contact with Gefen was made in person the following morning. Maxwell went in alone for this and didn't make any mention of it to Simone or anyone else. The most he said was that he had a few more errands to go run and needed some alone time for awhile. He wanted to remain as enigmatic as possible. Some semblance of plausible deniability could be maintained in that manner. He hoped at least. Gefen, along with the other bugs, were elated to see their aspiring shaman return. Word travels fast in the astral and they were ecstatic over what the magician had done for them. It was the happiest they've been since Melissa first summoned them into this world. Maxwell continued to talk with Gefen and asked for her help in discreetly procuring the pixies that Kynos had hidden away. She eagerly agreed and sent a few worker ants to gather them. In the meantime, the chaos mage went about setting up a lodge necessary for the ritual to take place. He had told Gefen he would need three days time to properly aspect the local mana to the nature of chaos magic itself.

Three Days Later...

Everything was prepared and in it's place. A large pentagram was drawn and etched with archaic runes in the middle of the den area where the ants liked to congregate and socialize at. The pixies themselves were placed in alongside the edges of the circle. Almost like a clock. Gefen and Maxwell were standing far on the outside of the circle. She though, waited with anticipation. Before he would begin, Maxwell had a few questions that needed answering. "I'm going to need some specifics before I go any further. What exactly am I doing here? You guys imprinted the formula for the ritual into my mind and how to go about performing it, but I'm still confused on how it works? Why are awakened metahumans needed for it? I theorize it's because awakened souls function as beacons for spirits. Which would let your kind know where exactly they are to go. But now... I'm not so sure."

[Gilga]

@Gefen chuckled - "It is not that complicated... Ritual magic is the most basic form of magic - it is funny that you had no knowledge of it. The idea is to widen passage between both realms to allow a spirit inside to merge with the sacrifice. Thank goodness your government solved the moral issues. I don't understand strictly why awakened, but the queen strictly ordered awakened."

[Mulcarn]

"Ritual sorcery is a lot more complicated than throwing fire or healing broken bones. It's expensive and time consuming as well. I never bothered with that particular field of magic because it simply isn't pragmatic. The only rituals I care to conduct is that of spirit binding. More money involved and more dangerous to be sure, but loads more pragmatical." Remarked Maxwell. He leaves Gefen's side and walks toward the edge of the circle. The bio-mechanical cages just barely inside that kept the pixies in a perpetual state of slumber. The little winged ones never knew what it meant to be awake, to be alive. Trapped forever in a chip dream. Disgust starts to fill the mage's head, causing goosebumps to run up and down his arms and back. This very same revulsion reminded him of the time he looked at the astral surrounding a bunraku parlor, back in Nevada. He remembers the bitter misery that congested that horrid place. Where kidnapped men, women and children would be mutilated into sex puppets.

Maxwell pushes these rancid thoughts as far from his mind as possible. He didn't know why he was thinking about such things. Or why the image of seeing caged pixies reminded him of such in the first place. Now wasn't the time or place to be dwelling upon past depressions. He held out his arms, open-handed with his black robes on. Focusing his mind to reach for the ritual's formula. With it in his mind's grasp he recites it back into the astral. "My eyes are shut I cannot see. Though clear is thy despair, I drift away, far away. From places of which you seek. Though I seek thy hell you close the gate before me. You say your life is right, and I'm to follow your paradise. I cannot fall in love with you. Love is for them, lusting for the sky heaven. Why did I come to this world? Oh sorrow, why is this true? Where is my dagger of sacrifice?" The bridge is open. A breach between worlds. One where wretched, dark spirits lie dormant in waiting. Watching the other side with hunger and envy. Manifested in form en mass, The Ants had been allowed a passage way through.

[Gilga]

"Gefen shrugged ... For a spell slinger cowboy like yourself perhaps. Most of our agriculture magic is rituals, you can feed all the people in a city with the right ritual and enough mages. Ritual magic is the most basic and powerful form of magic - but yes it does not help you when somebody is shooting at you or something like that... I get why you think it is useless."


...

The pixie begs for its life and cries, terrified of what is about to happen and as an awakened critter it feels like she can feel the damage your ritual is doing to the world. She begs you to stop to no avail, mumbling "I am innocent, I am innocent please let me go..." Gefen looks the other way, seems that despite being part of multiple rituals like that, it still affects her. Other than that, it takes a degree of cruelty to take the knife and stab the little pixie and as you practice that art the pixie cries in terror as it is being devoured by a minor ant spirit. With a strange tone, the now inhabited pixie grins and introduce herself as "Luz".

Gefen looks at you with a combination of respect, love, and hate and seem like she is about to say something but she cannot. She then breaks the silence with a "Thank you.". You feel evil - as if you lost some of your empathy, some of your humanity. Only 9 more times to go...

[Mulcarn]

Step by step, Maxwell went from one cage to the next. He would physically open the mechanical casing and pry out the sleeping paracritter. At first there would be confusion for the pixie. It would awaken from it's blissful dream and be pulled into a completely different and alien environment. Then... then it would see Maxwell with a knife in hand and a manifested ant spirit hovering slightly overhead. Then shock and horror would overwhelm him or her as they figured out what was about to happen to them. Meticulously, Maxwell took the bloodied knife and stabbed the pixie in the chest. Not too deep that it would kill the pixie, but deep enough that he could effortlessly carve a small mark into the little one. Each time he did he heard cries of pain and anguish erupt from the flailing thing in his hand. A small pool of blood trickled down to his feet with every marking. And as soon as he finished his knife-work the nearest astral form would enter the pixie and mold the small humanoid from within. Devouring the pixie's soul in it's entirety. Maxwell helped with the merging process the best he could. And most of them fortunately did turn out well. You couldn't even tell that a horrific insect demon was wearing their skin like a flesh-suit. Save for a few that mutated into grotesque ant-pixie hybrids. Those... "mistakes" were obvious bug spirits.

Now that it was all done, Maxwell turned and looked at Gefen. His eyes seemed darker than normal. Crueler, and colder. "It is done. My obligations have been met. In three days time when the spirits are finished gestating I shall return and collect the rest of my lodge materials."

[Gilga]

Gefen is clearly ambivalent with all that process... yes it had to be done - yes the alternative is slavery, yes - they are bio-engineered pixies and not 'real people', yes the alternative is to have a vampire eat them. Yet, she seemed horrified. She bows slightly and seems like she feels awkward in her own skin "Well thank you Sovereign, you did us a great service and a hell of a lot faster than Strawberry. It is shown that you really put your heart into it, and I apologize for the manner of your recruitment. We are getting quite numerous in here - and until the queen gets here I am in charge. For what its worth, we owe you. We will continue to look for someone powerful enough to summon her. Please, do not let your prejudice guide you, we did not come to this world to cause harm. We came as refugees to live our lives. Nothing more. If you are ever in need of our services, give me a buzz"

She then addresses the crowd "Come little ones, you have much to learn before you can appear human."

[Mulcarn]

Sovereign shook the knife hard a few times to get the remainder of the blood off before sheathing it. Splattering the earthen ground with more crimson droplets. "As always I outshine my peers. Though, that mageling could hardly be called my equal." Said the mage gruffly. The iron scent of freshly shed blood permeated the area. Filling his nose with its heavy stench. He notices how unpleasant the whole ordeal had been for Gefen and in a voice that sounded like oil he says to her. "Listen, I know you've had no choice regarding much of what has happened to me. So, for the time being, do take care." In his departure, Sovereign reflected upon the ant spirit's words. He knew at some point down the road he probably would have to come to blows with the bugs once they found a magician mad or desperate to agree to their terms. He wondered how long he'd have to prepare before then. Weeks? Months? At any rate he put these thoughts behind him and decided he'd cross that bridge as soon as he got to it. For now, Sovereign had his scheduled cleared up and the time to deepen his understanding of magic. But first, he made a few calls to the new police chief about a certain vampire and the location of his harem of young enslaved women.

[Imladir]

Nyx smiled a bit shyly "It was." With Finnestra ready to get to sleep, Nyx hesitated a bit, then put her head on the other woman's shoulder, content to go to sleep to. There was much to talk about…or maybe to avoid talking about, she wasn't sure exactly, but whatever it was, it could wait the night.

[Gilga]

@Nyx sleep comes easy within the warmth of a lover after a long time. Without such warmth - when you wake up, however, Finestra is not there. So whatever awkward call you had in mind would wait a bit. A little-handwritten note left on the nightstand by the bed says "Had a good time, F" your lover seems cheap on words, but near the note, there are beautiful golden earrings. A gift perhaps? Checking them closely there is a little bird drawn on a white gem like a stone. The bird is almost a signature - as it is barely visible.

[Imladir]

Nyx read the note, then looked at the earrings for a long time, playing with them, considering what she wanted to do with those. With… Well, pretty much everything if she were to be honest. Finally, she resolutely put the earrings on - they were pretty nice after all, and she didn't feel like refusing a gift - then went to take a shower. Before she decided on pretty much anything, she had one important conversation to have.

Once dressed, she left Finnestra's place and took a taxi to the casino: she had to talk to Tony about that training business. More precisely, what he was expecting out of it. And what she'd had to do.

[Mercy]

Simone has not given up hope, but the waiting is killing her. The scary mage had left and refused to say where or why or even when he might be back. She spends her days in her van, taking the small jobs that come her way. She spends her nights wondering if he will ever come back. The other woman is often in her mind and she feels that she has already lost that battle, but hope is a powerful emotion. Still, she has to accept that the mage had told her that she was just about valueless in his eyes because she has so little essence remaining.

In the morning, she wakes and reaches out, wishing he were there but finding him still away. Sighing, she showers and dresses before opening the side window of the van to let people know that she is ready for business.

[Gilga]

@Simone It is a slow day. Little works come and you end up fiddling with equipment to keep occupied. There is little news from the mage, but the news speaks of a valiant Lonestar operation rescuing a Harmon of women from a vicious vampire. At the evening of that endless day, you receive a message. "I know that you fucked him" it is a burner link without an id associated with it.

@Nyx The Gates is a bit slow, except for the regulars and some employees that are gambling away some of their wages. Athos is there keeping the place like a bodyguard, and you quickly spot Nagisa as well, she is meeting a man in a suit that seems a bit awkward and uncomfortable. Tony is rarely on the Casino's floor, he typically never leaves the basement and allows cheaters to get to him rather than the other way around.

As you enter it feels a bit different, what you did was not publicized yet your colleagues look at you a bit differently. As you enter a young new hostess nicked Trix approaches you and greets you "Valerie... You are back. Welcome!, the young elf seems to be excited just to speak with you.

[Mercy]

Simone looks at the message for a few minutes, realizing the there is only one person who would be sending such a note to her. She then sends one back. "Can we meet?"

[Gilga]

@Simone >> How about now? attached to the message is a mark to a secure host. There is no metadata describing what that host is for though.

[Mercy]

Simone pauses to consider her options then shrugs. She closes her shop window and puts out a sign indicating that she will return shortly before going to the host and waiting to see who will approach her.

[Gilga]

The is shaped like a city in the cloud, a flying fortress filled with security turrets and flying helicopters that were coming and going. As Simone enters the host she is guided by an arrow leading her toward a tall tower. Right next to the tower there awaits an avatar of blue fox-lady hybird. Her lush blue hair overwhelms, and let room for pointy ears and overly large green eyes. She seems remarkable, and the graphic is the hand of a skilled painter a masterpiece. Gracefully she observes Simone's default icon, circling her as she sensually moves her blue tail and shakes her ass. She seems amused by this meet, but unimpressed with Simone.

"Not quite a woman of the matrix, are you, Simone?

[Mercy]

Simone carefully walks up to the fox, a bit embarrassed that she does not have a better avatar. "No, I am not, I guess. I can use the matrix to find things, but that is about it. What do you want of me?"

[Gilga]

Amy laughed, "You do not recognize me even, I am a celebrity in certain aspects of this city. A decker and software designer one of the best that can be found in the shadows. Blue Vixen - look that up... Do your homework next time you fixate on someone.
...
...
but I am not here to talk about Maxwell, he thinks that he can 'save' me. I am here because I want to taste you, feel what you are, smell you up real close and make you loyal only to me. There is something I need from you Simone, but I would not ask unless I feel that you are completely faithful to me. I can show you pleasures that would make you forget all about your mage. Would give you a sense purpuse in life, would make you genuinely happy.

But someone has to die at your hand, not someone that you'll morally object to killing. A powerful vampire, a criminal, and a terrorist. Do that for me and I would take care of your happiness.

As she speaks, her avatar sensually approaches Simone and gently touches her back. If Simone is in simulation mode she can feel a euphoric sensation filling her body like a potent drug. In AR/regular call she can only appreciate the breathtaking aesthetics and sensuality of the Blue Vixen. That kind of avatar so rich in color, so complex and so appealing that it is unlike anything else in the matrix - even professional designers would struggle to create such a marvel. It is the work of a genius artist - someone creative and flexible in a world where these qualities are on short demand.

[Mercy]

Simone's avatar shivers and she is not sure if it is from fear or attraction. It is probably a bit of both. "I did not even know your name. He would not talk about you. I am not sure why you think I am qualified to kill a powerful vampire, but I am willing to listen. Tell me what you need." Simone can feel every aspect of the attraction this woman is putting out and her meat body is quivering as much as her avatar is.

[Gilga]

The vixen said, "His name is Grail and he is my maker. Took me against my will and did things to me that are unforgivable. He says that he is not into women anymore, that he would feed exclusively on pixies as if it makes things better.

... but Pixies are his weakness he is like a heroin addict looking for the next fix, you do not need to be more powerful than the vampire - you can't he is one of the strongest mages in the shadows. Even Maxwell the arrogant refuses to admit that Grail is too powerful. You would infiltrate our organization, I would provide you with the necessary documents, SIN background to make an infiltration possible. You would poison one of the Pixies and then when Grail drains her, the poison would weaken him to a point where you can just end him. Use your combat axe for that, it would make things sensual and interesting.

The man deserves it, he is the worst kind of monster there is... Do that for me and you will be in paradise and this is no metaphor. I can open your brain to pleasures you did not know are imaginable... your senses all of them, even senses you never used before. I can overload them all with pleasure, your entire body will twist and squeeze and you will cry my name in passion. Noone else in this world can offer you this kind of reward, you would never want any other lover again."

[Imladir]

After a moment of surprise, time it took for her to remember that Valerie was her, Nyx stopped and looked at Trix. She smiled a bit in greetings "Hmm, yes? Hi. Is someone waiting for me?"

[Gilga]

@Nyx Trix rolled her eyes "You did not know? Tony said that he was expecting for you in his own underworld. He did not say what he wanted though, but common - he never is interested in anything but cheaters. This is exciting! Good for you!" she hi-fived Nyx in a somewhat juvenile manner, clearly excited to a point she gets a bit weird. Like a teenager embarrassing herself in front of her crush.