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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]

"I'm sure Emma has told you many wonderful things about me!" The sarcasm drips from Mary's voice as she looks to Emma, who begins to inspect the line of cooking stoves and other machinery, taking a special interest in a random cook slotting rabbits on to a spit. Mary laughs, gesturing at a bar nearby. "Take a seat, I know why you've come to me first!"

"Well, I wanted to see you." Emma grins, but takes a seat as Mary bustles into a massive walk-in fridge.

"Sure, sure! More like you wanted to show off your lover. Pheobe Gainer. Related to Black Nicky, no doubt. I knew you had a firm grip since I shook your hand!"

Mary, despite her size, is all deft movements, only glancing at the two of you when Emma asks her to make triple the amount for you. "Big eater?"

She cooks for a little while, the smell of herbs and the sizzling of food in the pan filling the air. She puts heaping plates of eggs, pancakes and sausage potato hash in front of the two of you. She sits down with a bottle of wine, which she drinks without a cup, eying the two of you as you dig into the meal.

Mary, is, without a doubt, the best chef who's the food you had the honor of tasting. The eggs are light, fluffy, moist, salted and filled with mountain herbs. The hash is crisp on the outside and exploding with flavor, the insides soft and sweet, complimenting the carmalized sausage and soft onions. The pancakes are like biting into a yeasty, sweet cloud, and the syrup she makes, then offers, only serves to improve an already amazing dish.

By the end of it, you and Emma are stuffed, watched by a grinning and triumphant Chef Mary. Half of the new bottle of wine is gone, and she has a rosy tinge to her cheeks. "Good, right."

"Could've used more salt." Emma snarks, feeding bits of sausage to a hungry Mitch.

"It was perfect." You offer, with a genuine smile.

"Easy there girl, you got something brown on your nose!" Mary points a finger at your nose.

"So...Mary, as wonderful as it is to see you, I was wondering if you could catch me up on everything."

Mary suddenly looks serious, draining the bottle as she looks to Emma. "He's pissed. Brooding in his room. Not eating. I'd be worried about Billy losing a hand if it wasn't for the new limbs. We've never lost so many before."

"He must have seen the gains we've made." Emma protests, her levity gone.

"He sees the losses. The money. The land. I won't tell you otherwise even if you ask me in private."

Emma sighs, leaning into you. Mitch squirms from her pocket, jumping on the table to lick at the empty plates. Mary eyes the puppy, trying to prod it off with her empty bottle. It snaps, biting into the glass and shattering it. The Chef frowns, and, instead of messing with the puppy more, she calls for a steak.

Mitch eats noisily, gnawing on the sinewy and fatty piece of insect flesh. Meanwhile, Mary fills Emma in on all the goings on in the castle with a practiced air. By the time she and Emma are finished, the kitchen is at full steam, and Mitch sits in broken glass happily, sleeping off its most recent meal.

"Be careful you don't lose fingers with those two." Mary calls after you and Emma, as you gently lift the puppy off the table and leave the kitchen. Emma sticks her tongue out at Mary, turning to you with a giddy grin, "Hey! Where would you like to see first?"

[Superdorf]

"Anywhere! Everywhere!" Laugh. "You know all the best spots here, I'm sure."

[ZBridges]

"Anywhere! Everywhere!" Laugh. "You know all the best spots here, I'm sure."

+1

[19_EgarAlnis]

"Scenery, history, or interesting?" Emma asks in return, "We'll be here all day, so I'll show you all of it, but where to first?"

"Scenery." You answer, grinning back. After brief detour to the empty kennel area, where you deposit Mitch into a bundle of old cloth in a heated room, you follow Emma.


The tower is indeed a magnificent view of the scenery, commanding a lookout overflowing hills, smooth valleys, and even rugged cliffs. The mountains rise into the distance above, flowing into hills and valleys line with small farms and villages. Flowing rivers cut through the stone, carving away red and gray granite, smoothing the walls of immense cliffs into soft, sloping pastures for [beasts of burden]. Away, in the distance, you see a glimpse of what the planet was before, you assume, SEED's impact. Its a flat sandy-gray, populated by sparse grasses, the occasional blue blimp of roving [beasts of burden] and great craters, some filled with gleaming red waters. The sun melts the snow, and you can see hardy grasses peeking through, trying to get the last bit of sunlight they can before winter truly arrives.

Then she leads you down, through three different libraries. One, with a glimpse of the spines, is filled with mostly technical treatises on the world around you. Many bear the emblem of SEED. The next, is filled with old books, and a trio of women, the eldest of who dictates to the middle-aged, while the youngest copies word for word into another book.
They dip nods to Emma as the two of you pass by, but keep focused on their task. The next library is filled with books on military matters and is much smaller. Instead, a good majority of the room is filled with a line of old armor and weapons.

You pause here as Emma hangs off you. The first armor is a set of primitive leather and studded iron. The next is something approaching brigandine, and the next is full plate. Soon after that, however, is the plastics of SEED, impressed upon iron to reinforce it while giving mobility. Next is kevlar, with steel bands-- and then it comes to what you know, the off-white plastic armor that SEED provides.

The weapons follow a similar progression. Crude revolvers and long swords dwindling down into the sharp lines of las-guns and combat knives. At the very end, however, you notice that there is a space being cleared. The armor stand being set up is roughly [eight feet tall], and the weapons that fill the case in front of it are all Thornton Brand; a massive cutter hilt and a de-activated fusion reactor based assault rifle.

"Our Family is old." Emma offers, by way of explanation. "The west was the last place to be...'civilized' by SEED."


You're led into the basement next-- but you can feel it through the floorboards. The energetic heartbeat of a massive fusion reactor. Down, down further you go, until you see it. It's huge! Thin old men in red robes check gauges, pump hydrogen and purge contaminants. "It powers the entire town. The outlying villages rely on solar power, of course, but a lot of our basement levels are power hogs-- I'll show you the research and development areas after...tomorrow."

Finally, you retrieve Mitch, who gnaws on the steel structure of its kennel with a sense of boredom. It seems to perk up when you pick it up, snapping at you-

[6 vs 10] And its teeth connect with your flesh, leaving you with a bloody hand. Emma scolds it, even as the wound, shallow as it is, seals itself quickly with scab tissue.

The next stop in your trip around the castle is, unsurprisingly, Emma's bedroom. It's larger than any bedroom you've even seen. A large four-poster bed, a desk surrounded by ornate, wooden bookcases and a fireplace, crackling away with a contained hydrogen fire. The two of you set Mitch down, and he curls up beside the fire.

The two of you do not follow his lead-- instead, you curl up with each other.


A few hours, and a scandalized house servant later, you pull on your freshly laundered 'dress' clothes, just in time for William to knock at the door. "The Banquet is ready, Em. Phebe. Get ready." Opening the door after he leaves, you find a small box-- with a set of las-pistols within.

How do you prepare for tonight?

[ZBridges]

"Emma, who are your staunchest loyalists here?  How many troops do you command?"

[Superdorf]

"Emma, who are your staunchest loyalists here?  How many troops do you command?"

+1

[King Zultan]

"Emma, who are your staunchest loyalists here?  How many troops do you command?"

+1

+1

[19_EgarAlnis]

"I have a mirror that can show you both answers." Emma replies, pulling on a pair of dress pants. She takes the Las-pistol holster and straps it to her belt. You follow suit. "I've got nothing Pheobe, except a network of informants. William has roughly thirty of his men. There's sixty of my father's. All Warmachines."

"My guess is William and Father will argue over it. Maybe William will have to fight. He's been training hard though. Every waking hour. Unless his life or limb is threatened, we're staying out of it. If he sways the soldiers, father will have no choice. If he doesn't..." Emma leans over to kiss you.

[19_EgarAlnis]

You and Emma rise from your bed after your embrace, and you can feel the weight of the future pressing down. You and Emma both check your las-pistols and step out into the corridor. Every step is slow, cumbersome, and you can feel your muscles tense. Emma leads you down the hall, and you step into a massive dining room, filled with people. It's quiet, despite the crowd, only faint murmurings drifting out from the bunches of people.

Seats at all the first row of tables are left vacant, with filled glasses of wine sitting unattended. There's probably twenty and a half of these empty spots, and you can feel your heart sink. At the first table you see, sits William, alone, head resting on his hands. In front of him is an overturned, empty glass.

William is focused on the seats on the dais in front of him, on a large, ornate wooden chair that sits empty. Several people sit elevated there, clad in elegant tunics and greatcoats. There's only one empty one seat elevated above the rest, besides the main seat, at its right hand.

Emma comes to a stop. Her grip tightens on your hand.

[1]Sitting on the table, beside William, is another overturned glass, with an open chair in front of it.  Then you realize what this all resembles-- a trial. "Damnit," Emma whispers.

You look to her in confusion.

"Father means to try you the same as, William." Her eyes linger on the chair beside the head of the household's. Softly, she whispers, "Do you trust me?"

[Superdorf]

"Always."

[Naturegirl1999]

"Always."

+1 “what’s the plan?”

[Superdorf]

Emma hasn't time to tell us, methinks-- hence the trust thing.

[Naturegirl1999]

Emma hasn't time to tell us, methinks-- hence the trust thing.

oh, ok, will edit the plan bit out

[19_EgarAlnis]

"Then sit beside William." Emma gestures to the table, her head hanging low as she leaves you. She takes her place at the head table, at the only empty seat there, flashing smiles to those that try to strike up a conversation. You, you do as your bid, taking a seat beside William.

[7] He doesn't greet you, eyes on the empty throne directly in front of him. Through the...connection? You share, you can tell that he's afraid.

You wait in silence.

From a side door, William Senior emerges. His long blond hair hanging around his shoulder, thin and patchy from age. His skin is pale, paler than anyone you've seen on this world. He walks with the help of a cane, and each step radiates pain and effort. A small fusion reactor hums on his person, and the faint clanking of machinery can be heard radiating out from him. He looks tired, haggard, and unwashed.

He takes his seat at the throne and looks down upon his son and you. He doesn't address the two of you yet, instead taking his glass of wine. The crowd of quiet people mimic his movements. William and you are unable to.

"To those that have fallen. We honor their memory and  the memory of all brave Thorntons." He toasts, loudly, his voice echoing through the silent hall. Everyone drains their glass, setting it back down. "Unfortunately, before we can continue our remembrance, we must judge the two who lead them to their deaths. My prodigal son and Alphira, 'the Angel of SEED'."

"Let it be known; I have no intention of harming Alphira, as that falls far beyond my power." His dark eyes drift to William, he doesn't promise the same. "Alphira, as guest, you have the right to speak first, and the longer I don't have to hear the sniveling of the beast beside you that I once called son the better. What is your defense for the loss of twenty five Thorntons?"

Spoiler: Status (click to show/hide)

You are Pheobe Gainer AKA Alphira
Local Time: [1600] 10/25/2011
Personal Time: >4 months
Empyreal Time: NO NETWORK CONNECTION.

Spoiler: Inventory (click to show/hide)

Upper Body: A dark crimson 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: A dull, gray las-gun pistol.250/250
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]

"I honor the brave sacrifices of the Thorntons that came to my aid.  Without them, the battle would surely have been lost and the new King of the Dead would have assaulted the Holy City, throwing our world into abrupt chaos."

"Their involvement in the battle saved more lives than were lost, and the Thorntons will be remembered as brave and determined allies.  There is much power and influence to be gained if you will continue to support our efforts."