Questers

The Dweller watches with mild interest as Angelina as she has a conversation with the air. She steps back a single space as Shiver approaches making his request. "Your friend is right it is unwise to travel alone here but it is not impossible." Her voice is flat almost devoid of emotional undertones. "If you are willing to offer me something in return I can open the way to his realm, whether or not he allows you to enter I cannot say." She moves her way towards the shelf holding the book with the manacle. "What can you offer me?"

In the Car

You travel through the crawling urban decay of the city making your way towards the edges. You soon leave behind the crowded streets and squat buildings, the people and their signs of the modern world. You find yourself bouncing along a dirt road out in Snohomish having passed several ranchs and you think even a small farm at one point. You are nearing the coordinates to meet your new team.

Outside

The night air seems to be warming slightly and the edges of light can be seen in the distance. The first night has passed since the group left for where ever. Onna refreshes the tea pot as needed and spends the time in meditation. Her small friend only appears a few times, carrying various small animals in her mouth to show her companion. Each time she is shooed away but the pile still remains.

Murrey

The system alerts you to a large signature approaching in the distance. The computer begins to run a profile match trying to determine the make and model of the vehicle in question. It still registers a lack of rigging traffic in the area and no signs of anything esle of note.

Hearing both voices, so clearly pronounced from the single body strikes a chord deep within Shiver. His path was set before him and he could not divert. Clearly though, Desdemona was still amidst their number. Perhaps the Shaper had only taken the form, not the spirit which lived within it. Either way, it posed a problem that he would need to report back to Mynce and she would not like this change.

"Bakatare, if you and the rest would accompany me, I will not gainsay you, but this is a thing I must do. The Hunter struck out and I must know if that which must be was forced astray. My path lies before me, straight and unweaving. If I am not meant to pass beyond to the realm of Potmos, I will not be able to do so."

Crossing the room to approach the Dweller and the book, Shiver weighs her words and the price that has come with all the beings in these realms.

"The price you seek is to open the realm for myself alone, is that correct? If my companions sought to accompany me, would I simply need to bear the weight of the book and read aloud as has been done before?"

Through the small feline body resonates Murrey's voice, "A vehiche approacles." as his consciousness decends to the MK-6, it rolling out to a spot 7 meters or so from where the other drones are aiming for, with it's hand up as if to say Stop!.
These better be the guys, I don't want to loose a drone today. Stay focused, everything is in place and the slitches that keep showing up rarely announce themselves with a vehicle signature...

Aaron had to focus on his driving since he was having enough trouble driving the car and trying to keep his eyes open at the same time. One of the reasons he'd bought the sports car was the fact that its autopilot was usually capable of doing most of the driving. Driving the street machine anywhere that wasn't paved and painted always made him uncomfortable. That's why he didn't see the drone standing out in the middle of the fragging road with one of its attachment's shoved up in the air like a signpost until he was almost on top of it. He braked quickly and brought the can to a stop a couple of meters short of where the drone sat.

Almost instantly Aaron surged out of the car and onto his feet where he was far more comfortable, and stayed standing behind the open door. He knew the door wouldn't stop much more than spit balls, it was still better than no cover at all. His H&K subgun was held in his right hand which he kept partially hidden inside the car, hardly subtle.

He quickly looked around the area, to spot any additional hostiles, then addressed himself to the drone directly.

"Good afternoon, pizza delivery."

From within the utility droid, "How was Extassis? Bull stisy?"

Questers

The Dweller waits a moment before answering. "That book was meant for him. This portal to the deeper mysteries is a reflection of those who have traveled here. I can petition to enter any realm here but I have no desire to aid you in whatever useless struggle you feel caught in. So I will require something to perform this service. When and if I open the way you may travel alone or take the others with you as you wish. Once again I ask what can you offer me in trade for this favor?" She remains expressionless and nuetral.

Bull stisy? Did Stefan forget to give me a code word or something?

"Extassis is always stis. . . I mean busy. I met someone interesting there, a fellow called Stefan."

Aaron kept his eyes moving, tracing left and right but never totally leaving the drone in front of him. He could hear Havoc shifting his weight around inside the car and figured the other runner was preparing some form of lethal response should this turn out to be a double cross.

"Would you seek the knowledge of your path? When I make the trek, I will ask of your fate the same as I ask of our companion. You told us when we entered that you had bargained with the Lords and Ladies of this place and been unhappy with the consequence. Your path may still diverge, another could come to take your place and free you from service. Would you not know when that is to happen?"

Shiver weighs his words, trying to discern the impact if any they had upon the immortal being trapped in this realm. He could only imagine the burden it must be for one who did not live for their duties.

From within the MK-6, "Yes, he is an interesting fellow, who beeps interesting friends as well. Proceed onto the van, but be on your guard. We've keen attacked in this area once today while watching over the others."

From within the cat, "The approaching car contains the friends I mentioned a while ago."

Hiroto nods slightly at the comment, "We shall await their arrival."

He reaches to his side pulling his bag a little closer.

Havoc's hand rests on the grip of his shoulder holstered pistol as Aaron exchanges words with the drone.

Already been attacked? he thinks as he listens to the short conversation. Sounds like us gunbunnies got here just in time. Still, I wish I had my rifle together and in my hands right now.

Once Aaron begins to pull towards where they're supposed to park, Havoc says, "I hope they've got a place to put your car under cover. It sticks out like a sore thumb here in the country," he pauses for a moment, "You ever been this far outside the sprawl?"

Aaron kept his eyes roving around but responded to Havoc's query.

"Yes, when I was younger I was engaged in training in a woodland environment. Admittedly its been some time but I am not unfamiliar with military operations in natural terrain." He took a second to check the GPS map on his vehicle's dashboard.

"I will admit to having never operated anywhere even close to this particular loacation before. I'd say first thing to do is review the terrain. I agree though that this vehicle is like a strobe light out here, if there is no natural cover for it we'll have to park it far enough away so it doesn't draw fire onto our position."

Questers

The Dweller smoothes the lines of her velvet dress as she speaks. "That offer has no draw for me. The bargain struck leaves me here till creation grinds to a halt and the last life is snuffed from the worlds beyond. I have tried for countless years to worm my way out from under this geasa. They have insured my service till such time as they no longer require me." She pauses and as she speaks straightens the white lace of her collar. "But your words have given me an idea of sorts. I will open the way for you and your companions, if they choose to follow you, if you do a task back in the realm from where you live. Seek out another to share this place with me. I can give you a foci that will bring them to me that should make the transition from this place. Will you accept this task?" She waits eyes small and glittering.

Outside

Onna nods to Hiroto and begins to prepare more tea. "Do we know how many are joining us?" She seems embarrased to be speaking to a small housecat.

From the cat, "Two, self described as 'bun gunnies' and I'd guess they've had some military training. They may by helpful if our enemy returns with greater numbers.

Outside

Onna's face goes blank for a moment as she tries to understand. Turning slightly to Hiroto she lowers her voice as she speaks. "I do not understand, are they really rabbits with weapons?" A small tone of alarm creeps into her voice.

Shiver weighs the choice of taking another piece from these immortal realms back to the lands of his existence.

He knows that the choice was decided before time began, but Shiver must still come to his own personal terms with the decision. There were questions that he would know before finally committing to carry an item from here beyond his mistress.

Facing the Dweller, the aged oni switches to the high forms of Japanese.

"If I take the item back to my world does it pose any direct threat to myself or my companions?"

Not directly, her voice presses against his thoughts.

"What will be the fate for the person who activates the device?"

They will travel here

"And will they have a choice about traveling there?"

In a fashion

Realizing that his companions would only hear one half of the conversation, Shiver focuses on the voice in his mind and attempts to speak without using his voice.

"If they do not wish to travel to the gallery, will the item bring them against their will?"

Good to see that useless matter trapped in that bag of dust and bones occasionally gets some use. It will only bring them if used properly.

"How does one activate the item properly?"

That knowledge is only required if you strike the bargain, do we have a deal?

"Will anything from this realm crossover when the one from my realm comes to the gallery?"

It's a little late to worry about that

Moments of silence pass without a spoken word as Shiver and the Dweller negotiate silently, before the young child gives a pointed look at Moira.

"Perhaps, but this choice is mine." Will anything from this realm cross over when the one from my realm comes to the gallery?

Not to my knowledge

"Once the item is activated, will the individual ever be able to leave this place?"

They could leave.

"At what price?"

No price as I know it

How would they make the journey back?

Much the way they made the journey here

"Is it within your power to keep them here? Either directly or indirectly, such as taking the item from them?"

I suppose, I could kill them when they arrive but then I am forced to ask why bring someone here just to kill them?

"Beyond causing their death, is it within your power to keep them here? Yes or No?"

I can not say, it would depend on who you sent

"Very well. I agree." The words echo through the endless room and resound with a weight through every muscle in the aging troll.

"How does one trigger the device to willingly allow the transition?"

Merely break the skin of the person to make the journey

"What manifestation will the item take upon transition?"

That of a slim needle

"How is the item activated for one who unwillingly makes the transition?"

Merely break the skin of the person to make the journey. You will have one lunar month to honor the bargain.

"Very well. I am ready to make the journey to Potmos' realm. Please open the passage for me and my companions who choose to follow."

"I'm sure I can handle it, but I gotta tell you, I've never been this far out." Havoc admits. "I've got a lot of experience, but it's all urban. I'll have to follow your lead as far as 'scouting the territory' and all that."

Aaron drifted the car slowly forward, looking for the van and watching the terrain. When he saw the van he brought his vehicle to a halt about ten feet away and opened his door. Before he left the vehicle he switched to astral perceptions and reviewed the astral terrain as well.

Questers

She moves to the sigil of Potmos and places her hand upon the cover of the book. She takes a moment to concentrate and then turns towards the group. "Do you make this journey alone or are others following you?' Her voice has a slight strain to it as she speaks.

Aaron

As you open your soul to the subtle beat beneath the flesh of reality, you become aware of a tightening of the mana flows around you. You see small currents of life and mana streaming their way to a focal point in the distance beyond the van.

Havoc gets out of the car along with Aaron. He looks at the van for a moment and then turns a slow circle, scanning the area around them.

"Doesn't seem like much of a headquarters for a crack team of shaman hunters does it?" he remarks to his companion.

With a step towards the Dweller, Shiver looks to his companions.

"Those of you who wish to follow me, please step forward now so that the Dweller may open the gate."

Aaron copied Havoc's slow circle and chuckled in response.

"Actually this reminds me a lot of one of those trid show shadow team head quarters. You know, right before the heroic company man descends upon them to squash them in a blaze of gunfire and unrealistic martial arts moves. Still, good lines of fire provided the other side isn't using artillery."

The young Elf reached over and began unhooking the luggage carrier where his heavy weapons were stored.

"You think we're supposed to knock on the van?" Havoc asks as he moves to get his duffel bags from the trunk. "And what happened to that little drone anyway?"

Where the frag is everybody? he thinks to himself. He'd love to assemble his assault rifle, but he doesn't feel like keeping his would-be teammates waiting either.

Hiroto smiled softly at Onna, "Its an expression of sorts, generally refers to people who are good with guns or have alot of them. I'll explain it better anouther time."

Once the new vehicle is parked and situated, the combat drones move to take new positions guards the growing parking lot while remaining under cover. The MK-6 rolls up to the van, "You can knock on the van or simply address any drone here, though the mynx's light not respond immediately. I'm Murrey, that is, I'm in the van. Pleased to meet you. If you would be so kind as to follow me, I will introduce you to the other guardians."

:: Taking a step forward, the nods at Shiver encouragingly. ::

"I agree with Bakatare, this is a quest we undertook together, and now is not the time to split apart.*

Guardians, huh? Havoc thinks. Sounds a bit self-important to me.

After checking to see if Aaron is ready, Havoc shoulders his heavy bags and moves to follow the drone.

"After you," he says to the machine.

The drone begins to roll forward, towards the campfire coming to a stop 4 meters from the circle of it's warmth. After a brief pause, the van door clicks open behind you and you hear footsteps on gravel moving closer.
"Hoi thummers. I'm Murrey, in the flesh and this is Hirohito-san and this lovely young lady is Onna-san. Konnichiwa, hajimemashite. Please sit which us."

"I'm not about to stay behind alone." Angelina said, finally breaking out of her confusion to join the others. "Besides...I'm just as curious as the next person as to what's behind the next doorway..."

Questers

With a shrug that seems at odds with the strain in her voice, the Dweller seems to focus inward one more time. "So be it, you all take the journey then."

There is a pulse of heat and motion as you find yourself leaving the Gallery. You feel the pressure of not being press against you, it claws at you as you struggle to keep the thought of you fixed in your mind. The pressure builds until something seems to break around you and you tumble to the ground. Your surroundings are at first blurred and hazy. Slowly things come into focus and you find yourself on a single square of stone in a large sprawling garden that seems to stretch on as far as the eye can see in all directions. You quickly realize that you are not alone as the still and silent form of Potmos stands several feet off, his finger once again tracing the text of his tome.

Outside

The small woman rises from the small fire and gives a moderate bow to each new arrival, uncertain of their exact place in the world. "Welcome." Her English is firm but seems strained. "Please join us, we are waiting for the others to return."

Hiroto bows slightly from his seated position. "Greetings, take a seat."

Dusting himself off as he rises to his feet, Bakatare resettles the suit jacket around his shoulders and glances to Shiver with a wryly arched brow.

"Your show."

Shiver rises to his feet and stands to his full height. He offers a hand up to both ladies before turning to face the ancient Lord of Fate.

The robed figure was just as he had been when they left earlier in this quest.

"Lord Potmos, forgive this intrusion yet more into your realm. I have come here to seek truth. The one known as Paladin traveled with us to your realm before but the Hunter who pursues these realms sought to force passage. Is he lost to us entirely, the line of his story completed? Or is there yet another chapter to pursue, which the turn of a page will reveal to me?

"I ask out of duty. It was my duty to protect those who travelled with me against the threats which I could. Have I failed in this duty or must I strive still to return the fallen Paladin to his life?"

Aaron pulls the heavy traveling case from the roof rack and sets it on the ground next to his car. As he works the locks on the case to free his Valiant LMG he looks over at the woman.

"Hoi, I'm Aaron and this is my partner Havoc. We're supposed to meet a Mr. Johnson here."

"Looks like a cozy campfire," Havoc says after being introduced. "But I thought you recently got attacked by the opposition. Shouldn't we be someplace a little more 'undercover'?"

Questers

The silence presses in around the group as Shiver's words seem to be swallowed up by the stillness. Potmos's finger seems to follow the flow of the words as they are being spoken. His hooded head looks up from the book, once again you are struck by the age worn into his features. He speaks while his eyes scan along the open pages of his book.

"The one you speak of has passed from my realm to that of my sister Teleute and very few return from there."


Outside

"The Ito will not strike again so soon." Onna sits and offers the two new arrivals small cups of tea.

"Is it written that he is to return? That is what I seek if I am to know it."

With memories of the Dweller Angelina's words, Shiver recalled that Teleute was the second window, the ankh, Death. To journey beyond that frontier was a journey that mortals were meant to make but once. Though many things had changed with the Awakening, perhaps that which was lost before the Ages and taken by one not following the proper forms could be retrieved.

"Please Lord Potmos, if it is written that I shall know the answer to such question, tell me. Else excuse our intrusion yet again into your lands and bid us part."

Handing across a small chip to Havoc, "I thought you light mike to catch up. Here is an optical with the relevant footage, time stamped as to when we came across it or encountered it. Judging by their heavy use of ruthenium polymer, the Ito attacked earlier at our immediate employer's doss as well as here, though that is not yet confirmed. Just over that ridge you'll find their dead, we'll have a lot to tend to once the others wake up."

Havoc takes the chip and slips it into a pocket. "In a minute," he says to the offered tea. Taking a knee he opens his weapons duffle, unpacking and assembling his FN-HAR.

"We'll read the chip, but it might be a little quicker for you all to give us a brief rundown. First, what's an Ito? And second, what are you still doing here if you were attacked? Aaron and I just got the usual vague Mr. Johnson type of introduction to all this and I'm already a little lost." He accents the end of his sentence by slapping a magazine into his rifle and working the action.

"Ah, let me sum it up then. Ito is an honorless clan of thugs who take any job without concern of others. We are still here because half the team cannot leave just yet, they are on an Astral Quest. We, and now presumably you included, were hired to find who has been targeting Changeling raves and using tragic to slaughter them like so much cattle. The magic used seems to turn them against one another. We've had but one witness to those involved and he is in a safe house for the moment while we are tracking down leads. Several of the team have magical skills, they apparantly are learning some great mystery of existence unknown to us mere mortals and they have been away for some time now, one has already perished during this quest. Our employer, a changeling named Iblis, is a fellow runner. On the chip you'll find a tally from the last hit and the combat footage of the two encounters with who I presume are the Ito. The tactics are very close as I said, but the muth is they could be anyone."

Questers

"He is no longer written into the lines of these pages." With that simple line the aged figure looks back down to the open tome and continues to read. With a clear sign of dismissal the realm appears to fade from around you. You watch as the colors and forms around you all lose distinction and bleed together into a field of never ending white. You struggle to keep the sanity of your mind intact as it rebels against the impossibility of what it sees. At the end of the transformation you find yourself once again in the Gallery.

"Welcome back." Her small form greets you as the Dweller steps away from the window to the Lord of Destiny's window.

Outside

Onna places the tea near Havoc. "I agree that it is the Ito clan but I am confused on why they attacked. The only person that could know them would be the troll. The other persons do not.......move.......in their places." She struggles to find the right words with her apparently limited vocabulary.

"My thanks for opening the passage between places."

Shiver gives a brief bow to the Dweller.

"And thank you my friends for accompanying me into Potmos' realm. Moira if you are ready, I believe yours is the last place we must journey through."

The signs of age seep back into Shiver. His brief bravado and pushing off the years could only last so long, and now time would have its claws again. One had been lost from their number and one gained, his duty to keep them safe would carry on. This is what was written, this is what must be.

"Well, we'll be sure to ask him when he cakes up. Now for you two, can you give me a better idea as to your wapabilities? My speciality, aside from driving is tactical engagements, especially vehicles and small units. It helps to know your team for such things."

:: What was said was not unexpected, but Moira admired Shiver all the more for such a valiant last ditch effort to recover their fallen comrade. Returning to the gallery though, her mind is instantly brought to other things. It seems that there was the last and there would be no more avoiding her own trip. Stepping forward, she casts her eyes to the Dweller. ::

"It seems I am the last to travel to the realm meant for me. Can you offer any information on what there may be to expect?"

Questers

The Dweller nods trying to wipe away the last traces of effort from her face. "The way to her realm is through a connection maintained through death. You will need to ask for permission from your dearly departed to pass. As for her realm I have no idea. Most only make the journey once so little has been recorded." As she speaks she walks to the shelf holding the ankh. "You need only hold this and ask to enter, though the dead that answered are restless so be prepared." A smalll smile makes its way across her face at the mention of the restless dead.

:: Moira's heart, which had been strangely light since the meeting with Epithumia, drops suddenly into the pit of her stomach. Taking the ahnk in gentle hands as if handling fine delicate crystal, she conjures in her mind a face that she could never forget; that of her young son. Her mind breaks with the bittersweet thoughts of seeing her darling once more, but the thought of what pain such a request might bring him, she shakes the vision out of her head. Instead, she concentrates on the smile of her late husband and whispers softly. ::

"Charlie...it's me...help me if you can. Help me come to you one last time."

Questers

As Moira begins to whisper to herself the area around you grows darker and less distinct. You catch a look on uncertainty flash across the features of the Dweller as the grey shadows swallow the light from around you.

"The dead are coming....." Her voice sounds faint and distorted, as if carried across a vast distance. The light has all but fled now and the sounds of voices can be heard at the edges of your hearing.

"..I tried for so long but..."

"..she was everything to me but I couldn't..."

"..where was I suppose to go? Who would..."

"..the pain was short and then..."

The fragments of sentences crash around you, you struggle to make out a singe voice to hear the words rushing by. The din seems to swell and recede like the ocean tides.

"..I saw angels, so many all..."

"..there was a sound, almost like a pop..."

"..it was time, I knew..."

"..I wasn't ready at all, I wanted to..."

Slowly moving through the grey swirling fog, a figure seems to take form. Its features are indistinct. It seems to walk slowly to Moira and stop a few inches away. The only sound you hear is a long mournful sigh.

Moira

The voices seem determined to drive the sanity from your mind but you struggle on, holding on to the image of your husband. Remembering his face, the smell of his aftershave and the feel of his hands in yours. You hear a voice that sounds achingly familiar.

"..why..."

You turn to see Charlie making his way towards you. He stops a few inches from you, his face sad and happy at the same moment. He raises a hand to touch your face but catches himself as if the act were forbidden. His voice is heavy with loss and pain as he speaks.

"Why did you call me?"

Aaron was busy pulling out the bits and pieces that would soon assemble into his Ingram Valiant LMG, listening but keeping his eyes scanning.

"I'm adept in combatitives and heavy weaponry. I'm generally a bodyguard and can deal with astral threats as well as mundane ones. I'll be using an Valiant LMG and a H&K SMG as backup. I can perceive things astrally and am extra-ordinarily hard to sneak up on."

He pulled a cammo bag with the belts of ammo for his LMG out and flipped it open as he assembled the weapon.

"Mostly I shoot things until they get close and then I hit them until they stop moving."

Bakatare gasps as the waves of sound and bits of speech crash over him, his grip on the staff loosening as he struggles to maintain a sense of self through the din. And here he thought he'd pretty much seen it all....

:: The sight of her beloved shocks her soul at it's core. She fights a chaotic swarm of emotions, initiated by the myriad of voices rebounding through her head. She fights hard to regain her composure, and smiles sadly at Charlie as she attempts to answer his question. ::

"Forgive me, my love. I, along with my companions have lost our way in the realms beyond earth and must pass through this place as the final step to freedom. To do this, I must... I must seek a guide and... I'm so sorry... I wanted so badly to see you once more."

:: The formal eloquence that Moira uses to protect herself breaks down as the guilt she has carried for years is manifest before her as her husband. Tears spill over her cheeks and her voice cracks before she buries her face in her hands. ::