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I don't care.

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I don't care.

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Total Members Voted: 0

Voting closed: January 04, 2021, 02:28:47 am

[19_EgarAlnis]

You take your wallet back, making a show of opening it up and counting the money within. Nothing is missing, and the young woman extends a hand back to you. You take out five credits, and after checking your other pockets, you put the wad of bills into her money. Her eyes briefly widen, but she says nothing, staring at the money.

[1] She hesitates. slipping the knife back into its sheath, making a show of it while keeping eye contact with you-- her eyes drift towards the alleyway. Then she lunges at you with a swing of her first--

[16 vs 16] Surprised, you twist out of the way, slamming your shoulder into her solar plexus. She hits the ground with a grunt of pain, but is back on her feet in an instant, tackling you to the ground. You're surprised at how strong she is, but she's already panting with exertion, while you're not even warmed up yet.

[10 vs 4] You don't think she was expecting you to hit her in the face that hard, but it sends her sprawling away from you. You feel bones crack. She spits blood, rising back to her feet when you do.  She stares, and all you see in her eyes is calculation- fear. A massive bruise blooms across her face as she drops to her knees in a bow.

"I've shown you what I can do. I need work. I need more than this."

Emma watches with a bored, almost contemptuous expression as the girl extends out the wad of bills you gave her. "Why do people like her think this all you answer to?" She complains with a sigh, "Do you just radiate a 'try me' [aura, presence, willpower], or something?"

The woman says nothing.

[ZBridges]

"What's your name and what are your skills?  The ones I've seen so far are impressive."

[Naturegirl1999]

"What's your name and what are your skills?  The ones I've seen so far are impressive."

+1 My name’s Phoebe

[Superdorf]

Sigh. "You're strong-- bold-- skilled. I can take you in. Put you on track for the Crusaders, maybe even for my personal guard. It's a dangerous life, but you'd have as fair a chance at it as anyone-- and my own word to back you up."

"What say you?"

[19_EgarAlnis]

"I am [bravery, determination, more specifically, Brave-In-Fear]." You ask her to repeat it and enunciate each sound. She does so without a flicker of emotion, 'Iyal'. You notice that's she's lapsed into her own tongue, as Emma looks confused. She sounds more determined, less stuttering in her native tongue.

"I am a full [warrior of a clan-structure]. I have ambushed a Barker and made a knife with its [roughly translates to 'rib bone over heart']."

To your offer, all she does is lift a shirt-sleeve. Emma winces. A brand of SEED's symbol scarred into her skin, and she's tried to cut it off, judging by the scar tissue that dances across it.

"I cannot join the C-crusaders." She replies, in hesitant SEED dialect.

[Naturegirl1999]

“Why not? We can probably find something that removes the mark. A mark on the arm shouldn’t prevent you from being able to be a Crusader. I can heal people, though it causes me pain sometimes”

[ZBridges]

"You would be a welcome addition to my personal guard.  I think you would also take well to assassination or intelligence gathering tasks.  Let me take you to a doctor to see to your wounds.  If you're still interested, I would be glad to have you, Lyal."

[Naturegirl1999]

"You would be a welcome addition to my personal guard.  I think you would also take well to assassination or intelligence gathering tasks.  Let me take you to a doctor to see to your wounds.  If you're still interested, I would be glad to have you, Lyal."

+1

[Superdorf]

You know, I have to ask... d'you draw inspiration from Dune, perchance? 


Let a bit of bitterness into our voice. "Ah. The mercy of SEED."

"...Let the Crusaders speak as they may."

"You would be a welcome addition to my personal guard.  I think you would also take well to assassination or intelligence gathering tasks.  Let me take you to a doctor to see to your wounds.  If you're still interested, I would be glad to have you, Lyal."

+1

+1-- is "Iyal" tho, not "Lyal".

[19_EgarAlnis]

Was it the bright blue eyes or the prescience that gave it away? If you're asking, I might have gone too far. But all the anime and sci-fi games should balance it out. I hope. ;-;
[8-3] Iyal bows her head as you approach. You press a hand to her wounded face-- and try to use your willpower to knit the wound back together. It-its too complicated to try and knit the veins and flesh and carbon strains back together. She flinches, and the bruise deepens in color, but she doesn't complain.

After a beat, you extend your offer. All the tension that was flowing through her fades, and she lowers her head to the ground. You extend a hand to help her up after you introduce yourself, properly, but she doesn't take it, rising on her own with another thankful half-bow.

"I'll have the Thornton bath-maids clean her up, and Silas to tend to her injuries. I don't think that even you can do anything about her [debt-slave brand]. She'll have to hide it or embrace it." Emma explains, watching Iyal with a calculating, hard gaze. Emma sighs, approaching the woman and towering over her.

"I am...Pheobe's [spouse, consort, first companion], and her second in command, Emma Thornton. If you mugged me, you'd be dead by now." Emma explains, calmly, with her ice-cold voice, stating simple facts. You're reminded of when she was made dorm-captain, and how she whipped the other students into discipline with that same voice. Iyal bows at her hips to Emma after glancing between the two of you with open confusion.

"Right. Wonderful." Emma continues, looping a robe covered arm into yours. "Shall we continue?"

[ZBridges]

Interesting title there.  Second-in-command.

"Yes, dear."

[Superdorf]

Was it the bright blue eyes or the prescience that gave it away? If you're asking, I might have gone too far. But all the anime and sci-fi games should balance it out. I hope. ;-;

Hold up that prescience thing was serious? I'm... really tempted now to give that a try sometime.

Seriously tho, was a compliment not a condemnation! I've a deep and abiding love for Dune-- and in drawing from it (and from whatever else), you've created something truly compelling. I am grateful. 

Interesting title there.  Second-in-command.

I mean, she ain't wrong.

"Yes, dear."

+1

[19_EgarAlnis]

You'll never get a straight answer, but you had a moment on page 19.

William watches the two of you approach from atop his [beast of burden]. He looks between Mitch and Iyal with only mild surprise, "Are you picking up strays now? Such a charitable [angel]."

You and Emma mount up on the [beast] with the most comfortable saddle. Iyal walks beside it, nearby you. The Warmachines form up beside the animals, marching along and protecting your flanks.

You set off in the night, the beast following its siblings with no need for guidance from you. You take the time to cuddle with a dozing Emma, keeping your eyes fixed on the bright lamp illuminating a Thornton banner at the front of the march.

The trip takes quite some time, your new bodyguard marching along faithfully, even as night turns into day. As you go over the top of a hill, you see it over another, cresting with the rising sun of the morning over snow-covered hills.

It's a castle, that's the only word for it . It's a high construction built from the reddish-gray granite of the mountains, reinforced with thick walls of steel. Surrounding it is a small town, filled with factories and cypress houses. Around that is a high concrete fence, topped with barbed wire, and patrolled by Warmachines. A messenger walks out the great you from the gates of both castle and fortification to speak to William. You're surprised at the ground he covers.

"This is nothing like the Moore Villa." You murmur to a smiling Emma.

"That's because they got soft," Emma responds gently.

The gates swing open, and you're lead through. It doesn't take long for the Warmachines to break off, drifting down the alleyways to embrace loved ones and their children. Some look a little less happy, welcoming those that return while mourning their lost loves. You try not to dwell on it.

William and a small honor guard approach the castle, who's steel gates swing down. The only welcoming party is servants, hurrying to take bags and assist Emma off the beast. Emma's fake smile appears as she directs them to and fro. Silas and Iyal are bundled away together after he sees to Emma's hand.

Eventually, the hubbub dies down. Emma, with a knowing grin, takes your hand, leading you down brightly lit and plush corridors, to the smell of food.

The Kitchen is modern in all appearances, run by an imposing, round woman with plenty of scars on her full arms. You note it's not all fat- there is muscle there too. She breaks away from a cowering cook when the two of you open the kitchen doors. The woman's eyes brighten when she sees Emma, and she strides forth to embrace your lover in a tight bear-hug. Mitch pops out of Emma's fur robe, surprised, but sits silently.

"My, you've grown!" The woman speaks, laughing.

"I have, although I've missed your food! I've lost a lot of weight subsisting on grain-meal alone!"

"Poor dear," The Chef teases, "My my, the pretty [princess] having to lose a few pounds and put on some muscle! Such a shame--" Her eyes flick to you, "At least you don't have to worry about impressing the boys anymore, although I can barely tell that he's a man!"

"That's my lover, Pheobe." The chef's lips split into a gap-toothed grin.

"I'm [Chef] Mary Thornton, and the gardener owes me [2 credits in local currency.]!"

"Chef Mary!"

"Oh hush, you always eyed the new serving girls more than your brother did-- it was a sure bet!" She rounds on you with that smile, extending a scarred hand your way, "As she said, I'm Chef Mary Thornton. It's a pleasure to meet anyone who can put up with Emma. Your name was...Pheobe...?"

Spoiler: Status (click to show/hide)

You are Pheobe Gainer AKA Alphira
Local Time: [0600] 10/25/2011
Personal Time: >4 months
Empyreal Time: NO NETWORK CONNECTION.

You are hungry.

Spoiler: Inventory (click to show/hide)

Upper Body: A dark black, gold-embroidered greatcoat.
Torso:A fitted grey shirt with long, tight sleeves.
Lower Body: New grey semi-formal, military-style pants.
In a sheath:An inscribed bone-handled, combat long knife.
In a holster:An archeotech Cutter Hilt.490/500
Hands: A pair of leather gloves.
Feet: Woolen socks(hidden)
Ankle: A knife sheath with a Well-made bone-handled stiletto within. (hidden)
Feet: A pair of new leather boots.
In Pocket: Two [radio communicators], two bottles of bug oil.

Spoiler: Powers and Skills (click to show/hide)

Overload: Qualified
Inferno : Able
Healing Factor: Apprentice
-Endurance Boost: Amateur.
-Strength Boost: Amateur.
Matter Manipulation:Silicon::Competent
Skill: Charisma: Apprentice
Skill: Attrition Warfare: Apprentice
Skill: Marksmanship: Proficient

Spoiler: Wealth (click to show/hide)

[94.38 credits] in local currency.

Spoiler: Contracts (click to show/hide)

You are under contract with The Brotherhood of Scholars for twenty-three years.

Spoiler: Ties (click to show/hide)

[Angel] of The Holy City State of SEED
--High Influence within its borders
--Full command of all military resources, as approved by Crusader General
--Full command of all military resources, in emergencies
--Assigned a personal team of researchers, medical officers, and trainers.

Grandmother(adopted), Handler: Mother Nicole Gainer
--Contactable in person.
--High Influence with Scholars, Crusaders, the Thornton Family
--Current lawful ruler of Steelworks 9 Region (Crusader Supported)

Organization: The Thornton Family
--Contactable through Mail, Emma
--High Influence within Steelworks 9 Region
--Allied with Nicole Gainer, you

Organization: Personal Guard
--A complement of fifty guards, highly trained, heavily armed. Each carries a las-rifle, a las-pistol, and a personal knife. They wear Heavily Armored Crusader vests, leggings, boots and face obscuring kevlar face masks.
--Lead by [null]
--Currently in charge of protecting Emma Thornton.
--49/56 Loyal, Fanatic
--3/50 Uncertain
--4/50 Defiant
--McGee Foster (Loyal)
--James Foster (Loyal)
--Erica Hail (Loyal)
--Johnathan Shellton (Loyal)
--Eric Armstrong (Loyal)
--Quincy Black (Loyal)

Organization: Thornton Mercenaries
--A complement of hulking Thornton soldiers turned into cybernetically augmented heavy-duty infantry. Equipped with fusion reactor based las-gun assault rifles, Inferno Shotguns, super thick armor, and technicians standing by.
--Lead by William Thornton
--21/48

Servant, : Iyal
--A mysterious Outlander woman, branded by SEED as a debt-slave. She wishes to serve you, for a better life after an attempted mugging.

Ally, Superior: The Pontifex
--Church leader for the Scholars of the Holy SEED city-state.
--High Influence within its borders
--Incredibly High Influence with Zealots
--Minor feud with Crusaders

Ally, Subservient: William Thornton
--Contactable through Mail, Emma
--High influence within the Thornton Mercenaries
--High influence within The Thornton Family
--Feared within Steelworks 9 Region

Personal Scientist, Ally: Silas Thornton
--Contactable in person
--High influence within The Thornton Family

Contact, Military Trainer Coordinator: Tyler Hop (Cordial)

Lover, Adjutant: Emma Thornton
--High influence within The Thornton Family

Pet, Threat: Mitch, the Barker
A stubby furred, stubby faced hellion of a canine that will possibly mutate in the future.
-0/50 Obedience
-1/50 Respect

Friends(?) (Lost Contact):
-Jesse Hardhouse
-Amanda Silversmith
-John Frost

[ZBridges]

Smile and shake her hand.  "I'm Phoebe and it's very nice to meet you, ma'am.  Any friend of Emma's is a friend of mine."

[Superdorf]

You'll never get a straight answer, but you had a moment on page 19.

...holy cow.

I'm... I'm gonna have to re-read everything, just to pick up all the references I missed the first time! 

Smile and shake her hand.  "I'm Phoebe and it's very nice to meet you, ma'am.  Any friend of Emma is a friend of mine."

+1