@Wheely The communication is not coming from far - but you are uncertain where from. The comlink is not very far from where you are.
(though Maxwell is likely to just talk to you so hang on).

While Nyx wasn't feeling as disturbed as Finnestra was by what was going on around her, she wasn't exactly paying attention either to what was going on around her. So when Finnestra yelled, she looked around confused. She tried to sidestep the roots and...almost succeeded. At she not been distracted, she would probably have been able to end up grabbed, but as it was...

Simone has not really been a part of any of this other than to drive the van and loan her ax, In truth, she really understands very little of what is going on. Right now, she is standing with her hands resting on the haft of her combat ax, listening to what the other two are saying. And wondering what they are not saying.

@Nyx the roots entangle one of your legs and continue to climb. Finestra arrows toward you and kicks the thick root almost breaking it into two. Her shoe has some small blade in it apparently. You are now almost free and an additional push on your side frees your leg.

You are free! but there is no time to celebrate. Something - is sending a message. Finestra said "Take my back and open your eyes" - not knowing where the attack would come from, she positions herself opposite to you her gun readied to shot whatever comes.

It is quiet - which makes it strange as the woods were filled with noises before. You see some very fast movement - something is coming but it is only visible for brief moments in time.

(perception check please).

Nyx nodded her thanks to Finnestra, and pulled back her perception to her own body: nothing in the astral could hurt her as long as they weren't materialised after all. Instead, it seemed a much better idea, especially considering what just happened, to focus on what was going on in meat space...

Detecting some kind of movement, she looked around, trying to see what it was. There. One...pixie? Something caught her eye then and... She growled "Pixies, two of them."

While Wheely got busy with the matrix, Kynos went back to the car to his bag. "Simone do you have some more duct tape? My roll is nearly empty."
While he said that, he proceeded to bundle three stun grenades into one compact unit. He created three such packages.
Conversationally he turned to Simone: "You know the boy scout motto: Be prepared.
Now I need petrol and a few empty glas bottles.
Oh, and we better move on. This is still Yak territory. Don't want to waste bullets before I have to."

Wheely quickly wakes up from his Matrix trip "Looks like I talked too fast, no way to get their exact position if Sovereign doesn't help us from his side. But they not too far.."

"One more!" Finestra declared. The pixies do not attack, in fact, they are physically incapable of causing you harm. They fly past you, ignoring you altogether. They seem to be running away from something. Finestra tense and holds her breath, she releases a single bullet from her predator. "Vampires!" she cries without lowering her gun. Nyx can see that there is a disfigured and extremely muscular critter running after the two pixies. He barely notices the two of you - until Finestra shoot his friend.

@Maxwell Strawberry allows the comlink to fall out of her hands. She hugs her legs and say "You killed Jermy, our cook - he did not even notice your dramatic entrance. You also badly injured our maid in the guest house on the second floor. That kind of job does not come with health insurance - her skin is full of burns, I healed the physical damage but she needs surgery to look attractive again. Not all the gangers in there where Venom guys, I had my own security there as well, also killed.

I gave you a place to live when you were out of options and I offered you a job to get back on your feet. It was to protect Venom not kill him. I personally promised his parents that he will be safe during his visit to Seattle. I thought he was an asshole, I did not think he was a terrorist. Even if he was, I accepted payment to protect him. You took a job from me and made me look extremely bad. You broke my trust. "

Maxwell looks at the she-elf for a long while before a mischievous grin ripples across his face. Growing wider and wider as he chuckles proudly at his past handiwork, and at Strawberry's torment. "Good. It makes me happy to end lives so painfully. If they deserved life, deserved to prosper, then they should stand on their own. I don't feel remorse when weakness is purged from this world. Especially not when it's guided by my own hand. Don't forget, that it's because of Venom's actions that he brought death and ruin to you, to your friends, and to that dollhouse you cherished so much. I like how you ignore my questions by trying to guilt me with all the havoc I caused. Like it was by accident that I created all that mayhem. I enjoyed watching my spell explode into fiery death for everyone there. A giant conflagration that consumed everyone and everything caught in the blaze. Devouring their skin, their eyes, their bones with biting flame. It was so magnificent. So glorious. How beautiful it was watching them burn in agony for those few small seconds before being entirely snuffed out of existence.

Just think, all of it could have been avoided if you at any point would have back offed. You'd be lounging in bed right now with some strumpet you charmed or possessed into being your slave. Having her tongue-fuck you into bliss. But... no. You decided that it was a wise choice to deal with dark spirits intent on infesting this world. You decided it was a wise choice to harbor a terrorist and a rapist. You decided it was a wise choice to ignore the walking dead that were slowly turning this city into a necropolis. You decided it was a wise choice to blame me for all of your misfortunes while being willfully blind that you are the source of it all. You'll get no sympathies form me. Not now. Not ever. Now, since everything is falling apart, you want to die? I say... no. I'm not going to enable this behavior any more. You're going to help me put everything back to rights or you'll suffer the same fate that maid of yours did. Horribly scarred for life. Okay, I'll ask again, slowly this time. Why are you giving up so easily?"

@Maxwell She replies "First, Minnie is my friend she acts in her own volition just like the rest of my lovers. " She sighs "Is this all a game to you? I did not order my spirit to hurt you. I ordered it to protect me. I never once tried to harm you. Disable you yes; possess you of course - it is a way to disable you without hurting you. I also helped you when you were fighting Venom the day you met him. I am not a big fan of violence. Do you recall that Dream of Passion possessed your jacket made it stronger and when Venom grabbed you she burned him? "

"You did not buy this publicity stuff the Yaks say to make their rivals fear their magic. Yakuza took over my hood, which I kept crime free until then. I resisted. They captured me and offered me one choice, become an Ant Shaman or die. I am here so you know what my choice was. I am giving up because Andu holds my son prisoner. If I run away he will kill him. I am still hoping to free him before I am murdered. As for your good friend Grail, he supplied me with pixies so that I do not have to murder Mages like you. He milked me dry from anything I was making from the Joke."

Nyx swears. She doesn't do it in French though, enough in control of herself to avoid that blunder. She doesn't seem to act but...somehow, she appears to...to grow? To fill out? Whatever the case might be, she seems more impressive than she was before. Not really threatening, since she didn't do anything for that but clearly not just an innocent passer-by. Her skin seemed to have changed a bit too, but it was harder to say given the visibility conditions.

The vampire hit by Finestra becomes in rage, despite a terrible chest wound he dashes toward her with an alarming speed only to trip on one of the tree branches. This saves Finestra from his wrath for the moment - but also surprises her and causes her to miss with her second shot. The second vampire - dashes toward Nyx and attempts to jump on top of her and bite her.

It might have been whatever she had done, or maybe she took advantage or the environment. Whatever the reason was, Nyx was able to smoothly avoid the vampire dashing at her. Once he was behind her, she turned in his direction and her eyes seemed to glow softly as she tried to dominate the vampire's mind, to make him attack his fallen companion.

The vampire quickly slays his fallen companion, feasting on his blood. Finestra shoots a third shot at the feasting vampire wounding it, the physical damage seemed to shake the vampire out of his compulsion and he raises a look at the two of you and then flees in terror. With the obvious danger eliminated, Finestra glances quickly at you and asks "Are you alright?"

(You can shoot it once more as it escapes if you wish).

@Kernel, you were at the shower when it happened a gas grenade. You did not quite figure it out before you were unconscious. You wake up, naked and restrained in the trunk of a car. Regaining your composure you realize:

1. that the car is driving.
2. that the rest of your equipment is in a beg next you in that trunk.

[Cynthia Rawson - 17:54, Friday June 14th, Serenity, Cajun Town, Seattle] #1063

"Yup. Not a scratch." She dusted her clothes a bit - even though they didn't need it, as she looked at the fleeing vampire. It didn't matter much to her if Finnestra shot it in the back or just let it disappear, and she let go of her powers one by one. While she had been lucky to not take a hit from those, she didn't want to push her luck "That was quite the welcoming committee..."

She looked around then, obviously looking for the pixies.

Finestra lost interest in the Vampire as soon as it disengages. "Yes, this was scary. I still not completely comprehend what just happened. Did you do something to that second vampire?" While you are talking, one of the pixies, a miniature elf man with colorful dragonfly wings approaches you cautiously and maintains constant cover as he does.

"Me? Might be one of the pixies, no?" Of course, if they had that ability, they wouldn't have been fleeing for their lives. She knew it, Finnestra almost certainly knew it. But there was a gap between suspecting something and knowing it. A not-so-insignificant one when one was talking of mind control. Looking at the pixie who showed himself, she said "I see you, you know. As you can see, we don't have fangs, so you have nothing to worry, we're not here for you."

She looked around "Though if you could guide us to our destination, that would be appreciated."

@Nyx Finestra seems a bit skeptical but she does not push the issue further "It does seem strange, but the important thing is we are safe." The pixie replies "Thank you for killing the vampire - his pack has been hunting us for quite a while now. We will be in your debt if you can take care of the rest of the pack as well. "

He seems confused and says "It is strange that you expect me to lead you to your destination without telling me where you want to go." Finestra is alert and is carefully watching the surrounding and does not interfere with the conversation.

Nyx doesn't seem bothered by the last comment from the pixie "Well, that was a polite probe, leaving you the option to refuse." She seemed to hesitate though. Telling the pixie they were looking for Strawberry might be a bad idea. But... What would it do? Tell anyone? That had probably already been done. Flee? That wouldn't help them any, but it wouldn't hinder them. On the contrary, he could help and maybe fill in some blanks regarding Strawberry. Assuming he knew anything "We're looking for Strawberry. Do you know where we can talk to her?"

The pixie says "She is by the lighthouse, I can take you there if you want. She is quite the dancer. I am Oak by the way."

"The lighthouse? Uh." She shook her head, then shrugged "Alright, we're following you. I'm Nyx."

Finestra introduces herself and says "I'll have someone do something about the Vampires, but not tonight Oak. We have other manners to attend. then the little pixie says "The lighthouse yes... it is no longer used. Come I will take you there."

It takes about 15 minutes of walking and Finestra constantly search for some hidden opponent until you arrive at the lighthouse. The place is teaming with life and many butterflies dance around it forming patterns that resemble real-life objects. You are wondering if this is your imagination or if it is intentional. The voice of insects is very loud and they almost appear to be playing a music, there is harmony to their voice. As you enter a sense of tranquility envelops you and even Finestra relaxes. You are greeted by a group of four elven ladies dressed in dresses out of leafs and they seem to be dancing to the sound of a dwarf that plays some sort of flute. When you arrive one of the elven ladies stops dancing and approaches you. "Care to dance ladies?" she says with a beautiful harmonic voice. Her offer is so compelling that Finestra says "why of course." She looks at you expectedly to and says "Come and dance with us Nyx"

The vampires are a distant memory, in fact, every worry that you ever had is a distant memory, that music is so enveloping and so overwhelming that you feel good - better than you have ever felt in your entire life.

He watched the ginger elf hug her legs even tighter. Almost curling herself up into a ball of despair and self-pity. With Strawberry's nightgown barely able stretch itself to cover her thin white skin. His insults, his accusations, his rebuttals and his explanations were all caustic in nature. His vile speeches designed to emotionally and verbally erode the woman's every excuse. Even that tiny amount of self-confidence, delusional as it was, she still had left were torn to shreds by Maxwell's corrosive word-hoard. All the good her wordy response did was make him roll his eyes and slap his sides in amusement. But it wasn't enough for him. He had to do more. He needed to know more, and to instill more rancor into her until she was ready to do anything else other than lament her fate and give in to defeat.

Maxwell covered his mouth to laugh scornfully at the ginger before deriding her even further. "What bulldrek! What lies! What gutlessness! You're a lowly predator, through and through. You enchant you're voice and speak honeyed words to enrapture those whom you covet. I do admit, that changeling is lovely beyond words. Just as I used to think you were lovely beyond words. But are you really so socially inept and pathetic you have to resort to tricks to find a date? I consider underhanded tactics like that beneath me. And i'll do well to make you feel bad for relying on such deceptions. Acting of her own violation, my ass!" He removes his hand from his mouth to reveal a wicked smile. "Aye. I do remember you're aid that night. I vividly recall Venom attacking me unprovoked as I was jumping down, out through you're window. He tackled and throttled me. Or tried to at least. If only Ivory Tower were here now. She got the same Venom treatment as I did no less. Except with no one to come to her rescue. No one but myself plus another shadowrunner she was forced to enlist since you weren't going to do a damn thing about it. She was bloodied and broken by the time my partner and I found her. I swear, one of these days you'll choke on that anti-violence policy of yours and all the good it hasn't done for you!"

Now it was time for him to drive his next point home. To air out her lunacy as nothing more than her own failure to cope and to adapt. "I find it difficult to believe you have a child, a son. You already told me you are the last of your name. Just as I am the last of mine. Come on, you think I was born yesterday? You're changing you're story to obfuscate your history. You went to blows against the Yakuza in the beginning. You managed to hold your ground at first, taking out dozens of Andu's men. Then tides turned and you found yourself on the receiving end. Not wanting to lose you turned to forbidden magic. Face it Strawberry, you did this to yourself. You have no one to blame but yourself. And instead of taking responsibility all you've done is shifted the debt onto me instead. But have no fear, a truer, stronger Sovereign is here. I'll put an end to Andu and his madness. I'll break the ranks and route the Yakuza out of the barrens. I'll spill an ocean's worth of blood to do it too. And one way or another, you're going to help me."

@Maxwell Strawberry chuckles "Oh I caused a lot of mayhem for Andu - and it was not enough. I am just one woman despite having many many duplicates. In fact, Maxwell, that beautiful voice - Strawberry is a Dryad and it is called glamour. It is not magic in a way that we understand. It affects people's emotions and as Strawberry suppressed all of her own emotions and narrowed herself to be solely an embodiment of passion - her voice became very powerful. It is kind of like how sunlight can burn when you focus it enough.
It reached the point where she stopped using it because it made everything awkward for her. As you probably realised - I do not share this gift. I know nothing about seduction or temptation - I never had sex, I am not even sure if I am capable of enjoying it like she does.

Strawberry is actually my name. Mellisa named me after her favourite toy - she was 11 when she first conjured me. A gifted young prodigy she was advancing so well - she had a family a husband and a child. She was a cooperate Citizen but I am not certain exactly which - I did not understand and I was not very developed at the time. Cooperate Greed - some other cooperate sent runners to extract Mellisa. They accidentally killed her family in front of her. Mellisa was devastated, she could not bear the grief she did not want to be a person anymore. She suppressed all her emotions deep and eventually managed to suppress her own name and identity. She asked us to switch names - and switch roles, she wanted to be my spirit.

I cannot defend everything that she did, there were limitations, compromises and inner struggles whereas you tend to be very much black or white.
Strawberry kept IT alive as much as she could - but you are right she did what she could without risking herself. She is usually careful - no wait - I am usually careful and rational and I guide her like she wanted. Instruct her how to act to keep herself alive. Strawberry just likes seducing people and sleeping with them, and in her irresponsible way - she also learned how to move spirits and motivate them. She has many spirit allies, friends lovers - she is perhaps the human that understand spirits in the most profound way. Which is funny - because she calls them dreams - she is certain that these spirits are part of her.

What I am trying to say, Maxwell - is that Mr Andu is fucked, finished. We finally rescued Strawberry's son.
So she could leave and I am here doing my best to mimic her. Andu's entire empire is run by me. Even though Strawberry released me many years ago. I am still loyal to her, Andu barely tells the difference between us. He does not know that Strawberry is long gone. Andu is a madman - he builds an army to capture another plane of existence. He is trying to link worlds that should not be linked. He forced Strawberry into summoning the Ant spirits and despite my warnings, she gave that affliction to you. An unstable, irrational and violent mage - if you follow this path you will not survive much. You will be corrupted quick, quicker than Strawberry.

She looked at IT and had to fight her instincts not to sacrifice her. She could not help her the most she could do at her moral decay was not to kill her. She kept her distance, to not be tempted. She had you in bed and what you saw as cold feet was her resisting these dark urges to kill you. She fought these dark urges and usually won. Yes, she did some terrible things and she did not only sacrifice pixies, she killed numerous mages and adepts... You did not spend years murdering innocent pixies and have this evil grows deeper and deeper in your soul. You do not yet hear these dark voices compelling you to do their bidding.

You know what, I am not even human. If you want to screw up the city - do summon this ant queen. You will not be able to sacrifice me because I will just leave. You can find someone else I am certain of it. Many of your kind will die and once the ant spirit is here - you can kiss your own free will goodbye. Ants live in hives - they are telepathically linked and as their Shaman, you will share that link. They have no individuality, and you will have no individuality. Your personality would merge with the rest of the hive and you will no longer be the arrogant asshole that you are right now. In any practical aspect, you are going to die if you summon the Ant Queen.

Gefen is a good woman, she really is and I am actually quite fond of her. However, she too will be gone once the ant queen is here. So yes, talk to Gefen all you want - she is quite charming and despite being an Ant spirit she is a positive person... but even though she genuinely is good. Her queen is different and Gefen will be lost when the queen is here.

Use Gefen's naivety. She does not understand people and does not allow Andu to capture you. Andu does everything she says because he sees infinite wealth around the corner. Leave this place, go to your friends before they start a battle with the Yakuza out of boredom and frustration. Find Strawberry and ask for her help, she has allies that can show you how to get rid of this affliction. I know these things because it is MY plan.

You hate her, you want to destroy her, but she does not hate you. You may be right about all the things you say, I tried to show you her logic but to tell you the truth, human morality means very little to me. I work by different rules."

Simone nods at Kynos. "Sure. what self-respecting mechanic doesn't keep a few rolls of the miracle tape around. Let me get some for you." She produces a roll of the ubiquitous tape and watches as he tapes the grenades together. She shakes her head at him when he talks about gasoline in bottles. "Molotov cocktails? You need more that just gas in a bottle for that, unless you just want it to burn off quickly. If you want tit to really stick and burn good, you need to add some soap flakes to it. There was a 'Shack just a couple blocks back that probably has just what we need."

"Thanks. And yes, I'd have just dissolved a bit of Styrofoam. Since I'm not getting any insecticide a bit of improvised ordinance will have to do the job. Bugs are no laughing matter."
Kynos replied while fastening the last grenade bundle.

Nyx gave in, starting to dance.

Nyx the plant spirit are intoxicating and as you dance you somehow know that they are named after the seasons, winter, spring, autumn summer and... the fifth name escapes you. Now the fifth one is an actual human dressed - but she is dressed just like them. The experience is profoundly enjoying yourself, losing control for the first time in a lot of time. Finestra seems enchanted as well, her cheeks blushed, she is barefoot and the high tech clothing makes her dress appear as the night sky. You think you remember the brand ‘nightshade’ but that too is lost. You feel elevated to a place of consciousness that you seldom access. You are not entirely sure how long you were dancing, but it was clearly few hours when that fifth ‘spirit woman’ takes your hand and leads you toward the lighthouse.

It is an abandoned lighthouse, neglected through time but somehow its inside is even more charming. The smell is that of an autumn field just after rain and the place has plenty of mattresses and clearly house five perhaps six people. Some of them are there as you speak and they are making love. Even there, their moans are synchronized in perfect harmony. The woman takes you all the way to the top floor - where in other times a light beacon was. You watch together the dark see and then the city filled with its light. She speaks to you - and as she does her voice moves you it is the most beautiful one you have ever heard, filled with emotion and passion and despite the actual words, that voice touches your soul with the delicate touch of a lover.

“I am Strawberry” she said, “ thank you for taking the time and honoring Pan, our Goddess. Well she is not exactly female or male, but this is how I dream of her. ” She pauses, looks into your eyes and then says “You wanted to meet me?”