Machinations of Light's Glory - death, decisions, doom

A gasp rises from behind Ana's mask and her arms whirl out and reform into a skull-emblazoned flamethrower.

"I warn you, Soli'Strum-sama! There will be none of that infernal... flirting on holy grounds such as kono Light's Glory! Why, as we all well know, a wink leads to a chu leads to unspeakable things that we would do well not to even think about! On behalf of the Grognard's Association for the Purging of Orgies and Other LPer Indecencies, I am perfectly willing to use this sangry anti-orgy flamethrower on anyone who even hints at such moral atrocities! I thank you to cooperate, Soli'Strum-sama!"

Chance watches the goings-on with visible amusement, but remains silent thus far.

Nebty, noticing the argument, walked over and placed a gentle hand on Ana's weapon.

"Peace, my child," she said with a smile. "A wink is certainly not something to come to blows over. The Light abhors violence, not love. Please, lower your weapon."

Raised eyebrows. Soli'Sturm stared at Ana for prolonged seconds, clearly measuring the seriousness of her words.
A blink, and then, eyes shining with a private inner amusement, she licked her lips. Lasciviously.

"I'm afraid I haven't the slightest idea, sugar, what you're going on about." She then smiled guilelessly.
"I imagine, if anything, that you ought to speak to that John Stargazer over there if indecent conduct needs...redressing."

Judging by the look and sound of Sir Stargazer, such a feat may as well be deemed impossible.

Ana's eyes widen slightly in what might look like awe in a more human face.

"My... my sincerest gomens if I offended you, holy one."

Her flamethrower rearranges itself into a pair of perfectly white arms.

"I will let this slide for now, Soli'Strum-sama. However, I still urge mina-sama to remember that a clean world all starts from having a clean body, mind, and kokoro. We may not be able to purge all the dirt from this sekai, but we should certainly strive to clean the lint off the washing machine of our heart, as is the case for the High Priestess-sama here.

She nods her head to Nebty.

Ana's eyes twitch in a surprisingly human fashion at Soli'Strum's remarks, but she seems reluctant to break out the flamethrower again in the High Priestess's presence. So she settles for pretending that she didn't see or hear anything instead.

"Sumimasen, Soli-sama. Ashi no mimi extensions seem to be malfunctioning. Ashi will be over there, r-restoring it." The voice-synth quivers a little as Ana scuttles back to her mistress.

"I'm so dreadfully sorry. It would seem that I was mistaken for someone's luggage once more and as a result it took me a little longer to arrive than I would have liked, eheheheh."

Giggling. He never quite grew out of that. Whenever shocked or stunned or perturbed or any other of hundreds of feelings he giggled almost involuntarily, and it made everyone a little wary of the little bear. Even back in his prime when he was still mostly flesh and bone, Inquisitor Paranoia had been known to giggle almost involuntarily, but it was never more unnerving than when he had to have everything that remained transferred to the bear.

"I see some of you have been busy getting acquainted over alcohol and music, but I thought there were more pressing matters at hand. Something about the end of the world and saboteurs? We wouldn't want to be caught off guard in the morning, now would we, eheheheh? I do like to see some are taking initiative in casting, however. I will gladly join the Phoenix Circle tonight."

"Alright, first off, in regards to the psycho robot girl, no thanks, I already had a relationship with one crazy chick I'm going to spending the next thre- few days with on this floating rock, not really looking to add to the list."

He then glances at the guy who insulted him and continues, "And as for you, I'd come up with some clever comeback to that, but not only have you made so little impression on me I have no fucking clue who you are, I really doubt you're any where near worth the effort of coming up with a quip."

Honestly, I make one comment about the compatibility of two homosexual schoolmates...!


I assure you I am just as devoted to our cause and hope my fellow schoolmates to be as well. The person in question wishes to refrain from questions for now. I will not tell the secrets of those who place trust in me unless the situation deems it necessary. I believe they will inform you when the time is right.

Paradoxial mildly startles at the wink. If this person was implying what she thought they was...how absurd. Her entire life had been centered around serving her country, though it had taken an unpredictable form in recent years. However...perhaps there would be time to enjoy more personal pursuits after and if this group's goal is accomplished.

I thank you, lady. Direct and honest is my policy. If I seem too forward at times, it is due to a wish to quicken our pace and reduce the lives lost in this mission.

I shall join the rest in the hall but will abstain from beverages. I find alcohol to be deadening of the senses; dangerous considering cultists roam among us.

She directs a sour glance at the pop-something Stargazer. How could a singer, merely here for publicity, benefit the group beyond being another sacrifice?

Nebty lightly touched Ana's cheek and gave the girl a warm smile.

"There is no need to apologize. Your intentions were just. I am glad to have such a fierce defender of the Light as one of my allies."

Nebty solemnly returned the nod, then surveyed the small gathering of people. There was not much to do, now that she had declared her intention to lead the Doves in their circle. She decided to approach the severe-looking woman in the peaked cap of a military officer.

"Hello, I do not believe we have been introduced." She hesitantly extended a metal hand. The last time she had tried this, it hadn't gone too well.

"I am High Priestess Nebty of the Church of the Light."

"Ah wouldn't mind a drink," Chance says, rising fluidly, smiling. His accent is more strongly pronounced, and he speaks with some degree of embarrassment. "Cain't hardly do much more tonight than scry in the Raven circle. An' it maht be cliche of me, but ah wouldn't mind a Southern Comfort, whiskey an bourbon."

'Guh, of course my parents are behind this...'

Ann sighed loudly.
"I appreciate it, Miss Ana, but I came here with my parent's blessing. Even if they are worried, this is a grave violation of the terms we agreed on before I came here. I'm not going to send you home, because every help is needed for this exploration, but please - try not to interfere with my work."

Taking yet another glass, she took a small sip before continuing.

"That being said - I will join Ozzo's circle."

"Absolutely, Ana-ojou-sama!"

Ana bows one last time before cloaking herself again, disappearing from view.

Guys, guys! I've been writing some poetry while waiting for the circles to start up. Do you want to hear it!?!??!?!! OF COURSE YOU DO RIGHT? That's a silly question! We've already had some people sing and some people spout off religious doctrine and some people almost shoot each other and others try to forcibly clean each other and it's like wow everyone is so talented! So okay here we go:

Death stretches out its fingers
it beckons for us all to come
Its deadly breath on our neck still lingers
And beats the nearly endless drum
So come friends one and all to enjoy
The last night we will all be together
For tomorrow one becomes our envoy
And hastens to the

I haven't actually figured out what could rhyme with "together" and still work with the whole theme. I was going to have a line about rainbows in there too but I couldn't really figure out if that should be in the beginning, middle, or end. And I don't think anyone here has an afro, never mind two for the plural, so it'd be really hard to rhyme that too.

Don't worry. I'll get it all worked out before one of us gets stabbed to death by the vote of the group tomorrow before sundown! I want to read it after it's all happened to help the spirit over to the next world. Or I guess if it's me I should have someone else read it! If someone else is reading it I'll need to jot down the background tune everyone else is supposed to sing while it's happening. I don't suppose anyone brought an accordion and a tambourine?

"What about 'ether'? That would rhyme and fit with the theme," says a disembodied voice in the general vicinity of Ann, the young noblewoman.

Paradoxial dipped into a formal bow before taking the Priestess's hand and bringing her face lightly to the air above it.

It is my honor, High Priestess. May the light always shine upon you. Any news from your church? We have many faithfuls of the Church of Light in Ithium.

While the apparent mating rituals of various human cultures, that is cultures other than my own as I am assuredly human, are something to take note of for anthropological study, I shall echo lady Paradoxial's statement lest it get lost in the noise. Should any other schools have members that are unable to form a circle for casting due to other commitments or *ahem* conditions, The Owl school of the grey is available for partnership so as to possibly avoid fruitlessly spending the night inactive.

Nebty was caught off guard by Paradoxial's actions, but then she smiled with genuine warmth. She was glad that this woman did not flinch away from the cold touch of her metal skin, or avert her eyes from the ridged circuits which crisscrossed her palm. It made her feel better about forgetting to put on her gloves.

"The honour is mine, Lieutenant General. The Church is healthy, and the Council is in good spirits. They have faith that the Light will shepherd us through this newest crisis unscathed. And I am glad to hear of my followers from Ithium. Though they send their prayers to me every night, it is reassuring to know that they are doing well in body as well as in spirit."

I am joining NUTE in the circle

That's how it works right? This ain't no secret action bullshit? Right. Are we all gonna hold hands? Sing Kumbaya?

Right. How do you know this? Last I checked, you ain't in our circle and unless you got some right proper magic to insight your way into the inner workings of our circle, I'm somewhat suspicious of how you came by this little tidbit of information.

A tilt of her head acknowledged the words of Paradoxial. She looked a little familiar actually, and an errant thought sparked along her memory. Soli'Sturm scooped Mibbles out of the little nest it'd made (even as her hair snarled around the fingers, having taken to the fish a great deal) and nudged it's little face towards the pilot. There was tinny pip! and then Mibbles flashed red before returning to the burnished orange glow. It swirled almost half in a daze now, seemingly processing the gloried and great presence of the current company. Soli'Sturm chuckled at that. Hard to set aside the Spymaster persona after all, despite all the years and sidelong shifts in occupation.

She left it to it's business, turning back some degrees; the better to squint at Chance. "Well hell, that's quite a voice you've got on ye. Shame to hear it so sparingly." A few deft movements in operating the machine on the table and the requested concoction was made. Tapping the bottom of the cup in sequence had it whirring to life, and drifting over. "Here partner, drink and...enjoy the poem." Said recitation of which, was dragging out a wry grin from her.

That was a long time ago. And another life.

And to answer your last question, everything was lost in... well. As I said, another life, but thanks for your almost concern.


I see that our company is almost complete and the consensus is that we turn our focus toward the mission. I'm more than OK with that, though there is still plenty of wine and a few other spirits left for anyone who still needs them. I'm pretty sure I saw some bourbon back there Chance so be my guest.

As you've already heard the grey circle is unable to cast tonight, I'm afraid that providing more clarity at present could unfairly make the individual in question more of a target then they have already had to make themselves. It would seem unlikely that we will be needed in another school's circles tonight anyway, the numbers being as they are, but in any case tonight I will stand apart. I hope you can see that there would be no protecting the individual in question's identity if all the other grey's join, or signal their intention to join other circles immediately.

Hopefully the individual in question can take the necessary steps to safeguard themselves in short order and the greys can safely resume participation. It is worth stating that the cost benefit analysis will quickly change regarding this thin cloak of anonymity when there are circles that actively need additional members to complete.

I urge all other schools to complete their scrying circles if at all possible, what we need right now is more useful information and despite all the nano-surveillance and DNA tracking, we all know the countermeasures exist. In fact, I'm informed that some of you invented them. But a scrying circle with this level of participants is different and almost impossible to fool. It is the best method we have to find our targets and complete the mission with the minimum unnecessary casualties. Which frankly would make a nice change.

Joining the Ravens' scry. Tonight's concert went on a little longer than expected, but now my vote's in.

I can answer that, our friend misspoke. She is an Owl and it is our school of grey that is unable to cast.

From where he stands with his circle a short ways away, Stargazer snorts into his mask.

"So for all that rantin' an' raven', it turns out owl's well that ends well? Too falcon' right, I'll drink to that."

Dazzler groans and chugs the rest of her second glass of wine, resisting the urge to throw it at Stargazer. Barely. What a tool.

"Last dance, last chance for love...yes, it's my last chance for romance tonight..."

Paradoxial silently cursed herself.

I apologize for the confusion my glib tongue caused. It would appear that a...past life momentarily possessed me.

Hmm. So we have a drunk punner here? I suppose it's only mildly less irritating than drunk laughers.

So all's well with the Raven's then eh?

Ain't too sure I like being confused like this, in a time like this.

What are our grey-area friends doing with their time tonight, anyway?

"Today, there is no day or night...today, there is no dark or light...only shades of grey."

They probably won't have anything to do, seeing all the other schools don't need them. Maybe they have some individual powers?
Anyway, let's get this party started. Well, not literally as that's seemed to already have happened. Heh. I join my fellow doves to do some serious and highly professional magic.

Well if there is no need for coordination between the functioning members of the Grey and any other school, then I for one will communicate my field research notes with colleagues in the Pacific Ocean and engage in normal human activity such as sleeping. I should also note that said colleagues often enjoy music videos with purple lights and very powerful bass drumbeats, which are perfectly explicable and not caused by something outlandish like opening doors through non-Euclidean geometric constructions and higher order math into the far spheres of other dimensions.

Baron Red smartly returns the salute. He had heard of this young General, she would surely prove be a valuable asset in the days ahead. Though for now he was more curious to meet up with his fellow Phoenix members. He wanders over to Kohei and the gigantic Fontaine, sceptically eyeing the tiny giggling teddy bear. That one didn't look very promising...

So, Kohei, I understand you have been researching the Ark for the Arkiolojiss Societ? That must be a fascinating place. I suspect it would be too much to hope for, that you have brought along any powerful artifacts that could assist us in our current mission?
Its rather worrying that we are already forming circles and our school is still incomplete! Have you heard anything about this Turin person? Lets hope he shows up in time...

I shall of course join my school in its circle tonight.

Servos whirred as his hand brought the large synth-cigar to his "Mouth", really just a robotic opening where his jaw used to be, now no more than a facade of an opening, a group of panels that slid and moved with an approximation of human movements. His other hand held a giant goblet, a glass full of an amber liquid that he poured into the opening that he smoked out of, though who would know whether or not a man this heavily invested in his robotics could possibly get drunk.

He watched the room with curiosity, an emotion that caused nothing to change in the giant place that was his head, nor the shifting metal pieces that constituted his face. Truly he was the most ruthless of businessmen; one who's true emotion and thoughts on a subject could be held at bay by simply locking his faceplates into place, and taking as hard a stance as his voice could muster. The whiskey helped with that.

As circles formed, including his own, he saw a development that surprised him. He had considered all sides of this deal, and came to only one conclusion; these people would default to staying in school no matter what happened. The Society had, intentionally or not, given them a security blanket that could end up being their noose. He took a step forward, his cigar in a hand outstretched even as he called for attention, waving down any errant sounds or any other trying to talk over him. He waited, as any patient man would, until he had all of their attentions.

"Ladies, Gentlemen, we have some business to take care of even here on the first day. I know it is a day to relax and rejuvinate, to get to know each other and imbibe in some of these monk's fine spirits, even as we put their spirits to rest. But we can not, and this is most important, we can not let ourselves seclude ourselves amongst our schools. Tonight is fine, let us scry with those who are considered our closest... but I have to ask, what made them your closest friends? Was it the school designation by the Arkiolojiss'? Because if so, I dare say we've been duped, at least unintentionally. The enemies of our mission are here amongst us, seeded into our ranks to bring about this apocalypse or whatever it is these.... "Demons" will do.

Let us not get too at each other's throats," He motioned to the two ladies who had been arguing earlier, seemingly about what their jobs entailed. It didn't matter here. "And let us not imbibe too much of this." He raised his own goblet into the air. "And let us remember that we are here together, not apart. If anyone sees a circle that isn't quite large enough... join it. Who knows who the problems are here, and we never will unless we start investigating."

Upload finally complete.

Damn can you believe how ancient this place is? It took me the better part of two days to transfer my consciousness into a suitable physical manifestation. Time is short, so I will just join my school in its circle tonight.

Will get acquainted with the remaining expedition members later.

Ether would be PERFECT! I will certainly work that in. And if anyone has any particular likes or dislikes that they'd like mentioned in their poem you should try to tell me before you end up dead if at all possible. Telling me after might be a little--well I'm not sure about sleeping arrangements yet and I'm pretty sure if a ghost shows up in my room certain people might get a little creeped out or surprised even though its perfectly natural for ghosts to be about--I mean there's plenty hanging around here that most people just can't see--but anyway I intend to update my site with a vlog on each passing individual so it would be good if I got to know each of you just a little bit. We do this really fancy memorial picture thing with music and blinking text and it's all just super awesome so that you're always remembered even by people who might never have met you and only get an inkling of what you were like from whatever it is I happen to write! If there's one thing people love to read about it's people that have been killed by demons. Or just people being killed in general. Actually what people really love to read about is vampires--we don't have any of those here, do we? If you could make yourself known, I'd really love to know in advance if you're already dead because WOW what a story that would be wouldn't it?! We'd get like--like a million trillion likes!!!!!! I mean the undead can certainly die again because even robots and cyborgs and everyone ends up dead but for the short time we could discuss things before someone came up and shoved a piece of wood through your chest I'm sure it would be super insightful and from a really amazing point of view!!!!

Vampire is the right term, right? Or is it vampyre? I heard they aren't too keen on the letter i for some reason. OH MY GOSH it is because you've died and you know that there is no "I" there is only one joined collective of eternal thought and consciousness and--Oh, Mister Lawrence, this is going to be the most AMAZING interview!

Wait. When you said another life, did you mean literally another life or did you mean--never mind, let's just talk!!!!

Just so we're all clear I'm absolutely certain I'm not a vampire. Dark and brooding? Well perhaps, but that's where the similarities end.

Is being a vampire a thing now? Are people shooting up on nano-stims and drinking each other's blood at night? Who am I kidding it's probably been a thing for centuries I just move in different circles. And... well those circles aren't really much to speak of. Especially not in this esteemed company.

Conversation though, that I can do. I'm told I'm an excellent listener.

I don't want to upset any of you that have been enjoying the wine, but I just finished analyzing the content and comparing it to the ingredients and all I will say is that is that its too bad production tolerances for beverages aren't tighter! I suspect the winery has a serious pest control issue.